A limited-edition vintage that Perrier-Jouët releases for summer drinking. It has weight and richness with a soft, fruity dosage that gives touches of yeast and fragrant acidity. Ripe apple, raspberry and citrus fruits are still very present in this wine that is full and balanced. It could do with more bottle age to bring out more of the toast that is just beginning, so drink from 2016.
This is slow to open up but with patience it reveals gently floral overtones of dark peony and a whispering, peppery spiciness. The fruit is of ripe, red cherry. The texture is firm, crunchy but will yield into velvety smoothness by waiting until 2017–2018 in bottle. This is complete, promising and seductive. Bravo.
An appetizing combination of ripe, red-cheeked apple, pink grapefruit and Amalfi lemon promise exuberant but expertly expressed fruit. This is joined by the spiciness of white pepper that is resonant, concentrated and ethereally aromatic. Citrus and fruit flavors linger long and convincingly.
Violet, perfumed berry, menthol and thyme are just some of the aromas offered by this fragrant Barbaresco. The structured, graceful palate weaves together red cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and a balsamic note. It's impeccably balanced with firm but polished tannins and bright acidity that provide an age-worthy framework. Drink 2017–2025.
Strikingly golden in color this tightly holds very ripe yellow pear fruit and dark honey. With time in glass, fresh and ripe pineapple tantalizes. The palate is concentrated and has a pleasantly bitter phenolic edge, stony definition and a core of freshness. The undeniably ripe fruit is still tightly corseted and will need cellaring to express itself. Drinks as of 2018.
The winery's second vintage from this site, Calegari is medium-weight, with structured oak and a silky palate. It's a ripe expression of anise and red cherry that's juicy, spicy and complex, with pretty violet aromas.
Aromas of perfumed wild berry, red rose petal, truffle, mint, leather and a balsamic note all waft from the glass. The polished, structured palate delivers juicy red cherry, white pepper, cinnamon-spice and savory herb alongside firm but ripe tannins. Drink through 2024.
Subdued hints of citrus point to a subtle, understated but no less delicious white. Soft notions of juicy yellow pear, very ripe pink grapefruit flesh and grated yellow grapefruit zest harmonize beautifully. A gentle but shapely and poised Grüner of immense elegance and a wonderfully cushioned midpalate.
Dried sage, fresh yeast and salty miso, shot through with lemon acidity, meet to make an incredibly savory, spicy but concentrated and streamlined palate with a lot of power. There is weight here, but nothing is bulky, it's pure, toned muscle. This still needs time. Drink as of 2017
The enticing scent of green mango chopped with mandarin leaves sets the exotic tone. On the palate the aromatic leafiness becomes even more delicious and pronounced. White pepper, citrus leaves, and rich, ripe tropical fruit sear on the palate. This is dramatic stuff and oh so moreish. Hints of candied lime zest roar in the background. The spicy finish is very long and leaves you wanting more.
Smoky, waxy overtones play with citrus zestiness on a very focused, concentrated palate that tingles with citrus and pepper. The immense power and concentration will take cellaring to come to full fruition. Drink 2016-2022.
Initially, this wine is all about strawberry tart, with layers of cardamom and white pepper as well as hints of blueberry and blackberry on the back palate. Offering high-toned fruit and acidity, it settles on the finish, becoming rich and full bodied in style, with final notes of nutmeg, vanilla and chocolate.
Structured, this offers earthy aromas of ripe berry, game, leather and anise. On the palate, notes of licorice, white pepper, clove and grilled herb add depth to the black cherry core. Firm tannins and nervy acidity provide an age-worthy framework. Drink 2020–2035.
Vibrant aromas suggest violet, rose, vineyard dust, aromatic herb and perfumed berry. The palate delivers crunchy red cherry, black raspberry, licorice and baking spice alongside firm but polished tannins. It's still young but well balanced and intense with bright acidity. Drink 2018–2030.
This 100% Syrah comes from four parcels of high-elevation sites across Sonoma, many of them otherwise single-vineyard designated by the winery. Here, the blending pays off in refined, gamy, sanguine undertones that evolve in the glass to meet mouthfilling black currant, fine-grain leather and white pepper. An acidic lift on the finish balances the wine's power.
This wine pulls off a daring feat: despite palate weight and concentration it has a light, almost delicate, feathery citrus touch and a streamlined, fresh palate. The aromatic expression is just beginning to unfold, promising freshly cut apples and oceans of green and dried spice. This should carry a danger-warning: seriously, deliciously addictive! Beautiful now but it deserves maturing. Drink as of 2016–2017.
Voluptuous notions of orange oil segue into a more earthy notion of lemon-anointed autumn leaves. Lots goes on here: the fresh peel of rosy apples, grated lemon zest and wet earth, all combined on a very smooth palate. This is highly drinkable and full of moreish allure.
Mature black cherry, leather, grilled herb, ground pepper and balsamic notes are just some of the aromas and flavors of this stunning Nebbiolo. It's well balanced with bracing, noble tannins and bright acidity but it still needs time to come together. Drink 2018–2035. Giuliana Imports, PDX Wine.
A creamy nose shows spikes of green freshness, reminiscent of fern or ivy. The palate holds peppery, citrusy spray with creamy generosity while white pepper and ripe pear appear at the seams. The long finish is whistle-clean. This will blossom into further aromatic intensity with a little age. Drink as of 2016.
This is stylish and smooth up front, with tobacco, graphite, cedar and herbal notes to the bouquet. The mouthfeel is a bit jammy and chewy, with chocolate, licorice, mocha and blackberry flavors. A mild, creamy finish chugs along with coffee notes and ripe black-fruit flavors. Drink now through 2017.
The Justine, a new, southern Rhône-style red blend from Avennia, is an expressive wine, with aromas of berries, plums and cassis. There's a whiff of smoked meat also, but the Grenache—roughly half of the blend—brings lovely fruit that trumps the rest. Delicious now, or cellar it for a few more years.
An herbal and perfumed wine, its welcoming soft aromatic character comes from the Cabernet Franc in the blend. The wine has dusty tannins, rich and juicy black fruits and tamed Tannat structure, to give a ripe, full and opulent wine that will develop quickly. Drink now or, better, from 2015.
Great spice, honey and tropical fruits are subtly combined in this delicious, elegant sweet wine. With acidity to add its fresher character, it is balanced, full in the mouth and already a very fine wine. It is better to age it, though, so drink after 2017.
A concentrated wine that is the epitome of dark, dense Malbec. Spice, tense acidity, black fruits, dark plums and licorice are all present in this impressive, dense wine. The power in this dense wine is very evident, expressed right up front. It should age, so drink from 2017.
From old vines, this a wonderfully perfumed, oak-aged wine. Almond and ethereal juicy acidity complement its richness and fine ripeness, with an intense acidity on the finish. Delicious now, but can age for another 6–8 years.
The folks at Jaboulet have nailed the texture of this wine, which is pure silk in the mouth. Mild hickory and menthol notes accent raspberry fruit, while slightly meaty, herbal and savory notes add complexity. Approachable now, it should easily evolve through 2025.
With its inky black color and intense, dense aromas of black fruits, leather, spice and herbs, Almirez is a poster child for Toro. The palate is firm but offers cushion, while flavors of toast, wood, roasted berry, cassis and licorice finish long, wild and leathery. Drink through 2019.
It's hard to imagine anyone not liking this deep, lush, purple Mencía from Bierzo. A concentrated, minerally, toasty black-fruit nose sets up blackberry, boysenberry, prune, juniper and beef jerky flavors. On the finish, it's sultry, dark and peppery. There's all sorts of power and sizzle to this; drink through 2019.
This property is flying below the radar...for now. This is yet another excellent wine from Clos Berenguer. The nose is full of butterscotch and oxidized aromas of fine Sherry. The palate has a big feel, purity and fine acidity, while flavors of smoke, toast and oxidized white fruits finish waxy, creamy, oaky and long. This Garnacha-heavy blend would go great with fish or lobster done in a butter sauce.
This is an outstanding Protagonist, 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Ciel du Cheval Syrah. As with other J. Bookwalter reds, it is loaded with an appealing toast scent, and is amply endowed with black cherry and cassis fruit. This is a luscious wine with terrific concentration and length, finishing with perfectly ripe tannins.
A truly lovely and engaging nose bears scents of cherries, raspberries and exotic spices. It seems Italian in style, but with New World ripeness and power. A fine example of a domestic Super Tuscan-style wine.
Here's a great Syrah from a vineyard not specifically known for this grape. It immediately impacts the palate with concentrated flavors of raspberry and cassis swathed in coffee liqueur, dark chocolate and a hint of red licorice. This has great concentration and length; drink it over the next 6–8 years.
One of the top wines from Henri Bourgeois, this is rich and ageworthy. Its green and white fruits push through a concentrated structure to give a dense wine with ripeness and great elegance.
Again in 2009, winemaker Casey McClellan has crafted a beautifully pure Cabernet Sauvignon from this vineyard. Soft and supple, focused and detailed, it's a riot of pastry-like berries and cherries, with a concentrated midpalate bursting with full-bodied flavor. It moves into a lengthy finish, with toast, tobacco, coconut and caramel highlights.
Full of tropical fruit flavors, this is rounded, ripe and very accessible. At the same time, its structure shows through in the tang of green apple skin, judicious wood aging and taut aftertaste.
Dark and dense, this deep and compact Cabernet Sauvignon is saturated with cassis flavor. Accents of coffee grounds and dark chocolate add depth and power, and a hint of earthiness in the finish underscores its complexity and ageability.
Half Cabernet Sauvignon from the Bacchus Vineyard, and one-quarter each Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the Weinbau Vineyard, this polished, dense blend reveals the complexity of old vines. A mix of perfectly ripened strawberry and raspberry is accented with a barrel flavor of coconut cream pie.
This has smooth, rich fruit, with sweet berries, ripe tannins and strong layers of wood. The wine is powerful; the stalky and bitter chocolate edge contrasts the sweet, ripe fruit. This is meant for long-term aging.
A mature Champagne, this shows as much toast and cookie character as fruit, making it soft, ripe and delicious. The fruit moves toward tropical, with pineapple and peach flavors. It is not a wine to age.
Smooth, svelte and utterly delicious, this glossy, seamless Petit Verdot is packed with bright flavors of berry, cherry and plum. The management of the fruit is perfect, and the barrel aging adds proportionate streaks of espresso and mocha. The finish is long and creamy.
This has a toasty edge that complements the ripe red fruit and attractive lemon and yeast character. It seems to be well on its way to maturity, retaining a fruity style while its flavors are beginning to dig deeper.
The producer's most popular and widely made Zin has a loyal following, and this vintage merits further admiration, offering soft, plummy juiciness on the palate. Not over-oaked, it sparks with black pepper, finishing with elegance.
From an historic site replanted and restored to new heights, this wine has good grip and high-octane fruit that plays on the palate, veering from jammy to juicy and back again. Anise and black pepper linger on the lengthy finish, with a touch of smoky oak and toffee.
Warm aromas of lemon preserves, smoked honeysuckle and lightly honeyed Marcona almonds are cut with a citrus freshness on the nose of this estate-grown wine. A citrus-blossom character starts the sip followed by rounded saltiness and apple-flesh flavor in the midpalate. It's altogether very luscious and yet enlivening to the mouth.
Bold and brawny, this opens with aromas of pressed violet, dried plum and a whiff of cake spice. The full-bodied palate doles out brandied black cherry, licorice, black pepper and nutmeg alongside tightly knit, fine-grained tannins.
Aromas of raspberry, black licorice, woodspice, toast and cherry are followed by abundant red- and black-fruit flavors. There's plenty of richness and a finish that won't quit.
Still firm, this wine is dominated by tannin and dark fruit, with a dry core typical of this Pommard vineyard. The red and dark plum-fruit flavors are developing slowly and the wine needs time to balance. Drink from 2019.
This Rhône-inspired red from a great site takes a lovely, light-hearted approach to the variety, capturing its ability to conjure black olive tapenade and savory, leathery texture while keeping the ripeness of the fruit more elusive. Already given a respectable amount of time in bottle, it's enjoyable now and for years to come.
Complex fruit flavors that are focused and intricate bring a lot of life to this medium-bodied, lively and intriguing wine. There are touches of ripe apple, honey, mango and an underlying light layer of vanilla and cream, all supported by fresh acidity and a smooth but slightly tangy texture.
Cherry and plum aromas are pure and appealing as peppery accents pop up. This is flush and a bit lush, with spiced red plum and oaky chocolate flavors that end dry, elegant and focused. Valle Secreto makes consistently good Syrah; this is one of the winery's best to date. Drink through 2018.
Rich and ripe, this has a plushness of red currant and cassis counterbalanced by blackberry on the underbelly. A well-hewn texture leans leathery, with seasonings of black pepper giving it a piquant and lengthy finish.
Complemented by 9% Sémillon, this concentrated, creamy young wine is generous in pear, peach and subtle pineapple. Tart, it remains fresh and focused in the glass, with a lushness that's memorable and compelling. An impactful finish wraps things up nicely.
Chocolaty, this fun blend of 56% Zinfandel, 31% Petite Sirah, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot hails from estate, dry-farmed vineyards. Big, mountainous tannins soften in the glass to reveal juicy notes of dark and red cherry.
True to the winery's style, this wine pulls no punches, with aromas of black licorice, dark cherries and woodspice. It's rich and full bodied with a grainy feel.
Ripe, black-skinned fruit, dark spice and chopped herbs abound on this structured red. The big, bold palate offers ripe black cherry, blackberry extract, mocha and licorice while round tannins envelop the palate.
Firmly structured, this wine will be equally packed with ripe fruit. While the toast and tannin flavors soften, wait for those rich red plum and cherry tastes to come through. Balanced and solid, this dense wine should be drunk from 2018.
Very light in color, this wine has a brisk nose that shows Key lime peel, lemongrass, grapefruit blossom and a wet-concrete minerality. There is tremendous energy and zest on the palate, which is steely and stony with flavors of red grapefruit and a great textural grip.
Stemmy in earthy pine and clove-like spice, this is a powerfully dense and delicious wine. It's on the higher side in terms of alcohol, though doesn't reflect it in bouquet or taste. Savory dark berry wraps itself around mushroomy truffles and black tea to linger on the tongue through a lengthy, weighty finish.
One of the producer's larger-production offerings, this wine nonetheless speaks to meticulous attention in the vineyard and cellar, with velvety smoothness to the palate and savory elements of earthy mushroom. Nuanced, it ends in rose petals and black tea, with firm, crisp acidity throughout, all at an almost unheard-of price for the quality.
This new producer starts with estate-grown, mountaintop fruit from the Bennett Valley side of Sonoma Mountain to craft an inky, leathery wine that's full bodied and dense. Juicy in blackberry and smoked meat, it shows promise in the glass, evolving into a soft, peppery finish.
Clean, crisp and stony aromas of lime zest, nectarine, peach blossom and chalk show on this brisk blend. There's lots of zing on the palate, with flavors of tangerine, lime and an array of citrus.
Ripe blackberry, smoked pork and black sage aromas show on the nose of this blend of 51% Grenache, 45% Syrah and 4% Mourvèdre. There is lots of energy on the sip, with lighter olallieberry flavors mixing with savory teriyaki, black peppercorn and Sichuan pepper spice.
A zesty blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier, this shows melon, tuberose, white lily and sharp lemon zest on the nose. The palate treads between energy and warmth, offering citrusy acidity against buttered, toasted nuts, all framed by a pithy grip that keeps the texture center stage.
This is a spicy wine with mint aromas and rich juicy fruits. It is dense, powerful and concentrated while preserving a sense of proportion and style. Dark wood-aging flavors are still showing and need time to integrate. Drink from 2018.
Lengthy in soft tannins, clove and cinnamon, this wine has a handful of Petit Verdot. An herbal underbrush hints at an elegant backbone, despite the huge force of power and weight. It finishes in a flourish of lavender and black licorice.
Briar spice, olive and asphalt aromas create a firm bouquet of black plum and blackberry at the core. This feels lively and serious, with black olive, herb, licorice, chocolate and dark-berry flavors. Herbal notes, blackened toast and mocha flavors on the finish are typical for Chile. Drink through 2019.
This wine drinks qualitatively above and behind its low price, delivering light, clear color and tangy wisps of cranberry and citrus-tinged minerality. With a depth of character that builds on the midpalate, it finishes lean and crisp, a wonderfully elegant expression of the variety.
The 20th anniversary of this bottling, this wine is principally Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) and Merlot (26%) with the fruit coming largely from Canoe Ridge and Cold Creek vineyards. Alluring café au lait, toast, dark chocolate and cherry aromas are followed by black and blue fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
Soft and tenderly fragrant fruit hovers above a palate dominated by Golden Delicious apple flavors and an almost soy-like, savory edge that makes you want to drink more. A seam of lemony freshness brightens up everything and lasts well after the last sip. This is a truly lovely, understated Riesling.
Fruity and with fine tannins, this wine is already tasting good. It has juicy acidity, lots of ripe tannins and black-currant fruitiness. Drink this wine from 2018.
This juicy, wood-aged Pierre Lurton wine has very ripe fruit. That gives it richness with black-plum fruits and a dense texture. A bitter coffee flavor shows through the fruit. It needs time, so drink from 2018.
A romantic name for an easy fruity wine. Spice from wood gives the black-currant fruit richness and some complexity. With its acidity and dry core, this is a wine to keep for another year. Drink from 2018.
This is a ripe wine with generous black fruits and crisp acidity. It is balanced—fruity with a core of tannins. Drink from 2018.
Smoky-sweet oak aromas and ripe black-cherry flavors add up to a solidly built, medium-bodied wine that's not too tannic. The spicy, charred character is pretty strong, but enough sweet-seeming richness matches it.
Peach, honey and spice aromas start this blend from Elios. The wine has a rich overall quality with flavors of citrus and melon. Good acidity gives it lift.
Woody aromas meet boysenberry, cedar, loam and char on the nose of this HBO series-endorsed bottling. There is a ripe berry flavor to the sip, a touch of vanilla spice and oddly sticky tannins.
This is a thin, light-bodied wine, showy in deep, dark berry and cherry. Around its fruity edges, robust oak and tree bark are softened in black tea.
To date, Godelia has done better with its Mencía than Godello. This wine smells like pine, wheat and match stick, all aromas related to underripe fruit. A stalky, corny flavor profile lacks ripeness, a theme that's replayed on the finish.
Lots of primary aromas show on this bottling, including Concord grape, grapeseed, raisin and fresh-pressed blackberry juice, along with a hint of licorice. The wine is somewhat light in body, but with lots of enjoyable black fruit and anise flavors.
Baked black-plum aromas meet with star anise on the nose of this bottling. The texture is easy and light on the sip, where somewhat muddled flavors of mulberry and dried earth ride a decent acidity that rises toward the finish.
This is an intense wine, robustly ripe and showy in oak. It tastes of baked apple and vanilla wood.
While this wine is firm at the moment, it does have fine black fruits. The acidity from the blackberry fruitiness is going to balance with the tannins shortly to give a ripe and fruity wine. Drink from 2018.
This attractive fruity wine is full of young black-currant and red-berry fruits. The tannins mingle with spice to give a contrast to the aura of fruitiness surrounding the wine. Drink from 2019.
Lightly stalky because it is still young, this wine otherwise promises rich black-currant fruitiness as it matures. It is balanced, ripe and with a gentle set of tannins in the background. Drink from 2018.
Light lemon butter meets with Key-lime pith and a steely minerality on the nose of this bottling from the pioneering property that is now owned by Bill Foley. It's very light on the palate, with touches of citrus, apples and cider-like spice, proving easy to sip.
This is a wide-bodied, fully mature Albariño with an oily nose that lacks sizzle and is coming up on mealy. Flavors of grape skins and melon are dry, earthy and a touch bitter. A peachy, flat-feeling finish indicates that its drinking life is nearly over.
Light aromas of freshly shucked corn and spice lead to a medium-bodied straightforward palate. It's straight down the fairway.
Light in color, intriguing aromas of cedar, mushroom, orange peel, smoke and cigar box are followed by somewhat faint elegantly styled red-fruit and spice flavors. It falls a bit flat on the palate.
Smoky, slightly nutty aromas dissipate with aeration to reveal fresher notes of apple, lemon and pear here. While closed and tight in profile, fresh acidity and juicy citrus flavors are easygoing and approachable.
A buttery, plummy aroma, and flavors like cherry cobbler make this medium-bodied, dry wine attractive to sip. A rather firm texture keeps it appetizing.
This medium- to full-bodied Pinot Noir displays toasted cedar, vanilla bean and chocolaty espresso notes, which are all layered over a modicum of plummy fruit. It's oaky but satisfying—a Pinot Noir for Cabernet lovers. Drink now.
Intensely smoky and earthy on the nose and palate, this Georgian qvevri-aged wine is a showcase of minerality and textural complexity. It's a savory wine with bristling tannins, and it bears just a hint of citrus that keeps the palate fresh and bright.
A sweet scent of violet greets you first, along with a primary purple-fruit note. It's made in a forward, fruity style, and it offers finishing notes of anise and coffee liqueur.
Chuck Reininger sources the fruit for this wine from what is arguably the best site in the Walla Walla Valley. The wine does not shy away from the herbal aspect for which Carmenère is known, but the stemminess is mitigated thanks to the influence of new French oak. A cherry candy note consolidates the flavors on the medium-long finish.
Seresin's 2009 Leah is already mature. An evolved, earthy aroma of fresh compost adds a layer of interest to the pretty cherry fruit. As the name suggests,  this is a delicate, feminine style, with silky tannins and restrained weight. Drink now.
There's a forward hickory-maple smoke note to this interesting blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Barbera. Dark berries, vanilla bean and toasted oak notes unfold on the nose and in the mouth, with a touch of cigar tobacco spice that carries through on the finish. Drink through 2016.
Apricot, citrus and honey notes lead this impressive Viognier from Greece. On the palate, it shows good balance of white fruit, flower and pineapple notes. An elegant and unique selection.
Out of Syncline's lineup of pure, varietal white Rhône-style wines, the Marsanne may be the most complete. It deals melon and Mandarin orange flavors, which are set amidst light, floral notes and supporting acids. Round and balanced, this is drinking quite well now, and it can be kept for another 2–3 years.
Intensely aromatic, this has scents of honey, caramel and dried savory herbs. It is a penetrating Tokaj that has a herbaceous tone. The palate is rich and creamy, and it offers characteristic flavors of tropical fruit, beeswax and flower, swathed by hints of lavender and sage.
Notes of ripe red berries and plums permeate the nose and palate of this bold, concentrated blend of Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a rich texture, and it offers a flurry of soft tannins and hints of spice and graham cracker that linger on the finish.
This wide-open, flavorful wine is lifted by accents of tobacco and cocoa that sit above the light and pretty cherry flavor. The finish is laden with a mocha note, which provides a pleasing conclusion.
This wine's fresh, fragrant fruit comes with a steely blade of acidity and minerality. It is just beginning to show its concentration, and the citrus and white peach flavors are starting to develop.
This wine starts with a refined nose of lemon, peach and flower notes. The palate is lively and balanced, and it offers ripe citrus flavors, buoyed by spice and flint notes. An expressive medium-bodied white with style.
Ripe and fruity, this wine has a full, rich texture, with apple and peach flavors and a toast note. On the finish, there is a citrus-like character from the refreshing acidity. Ready to drink, but it can be cellared for a year.
This wine is chunky and firm, and its lively red fruit brings freshness. With its dry core and touch of toast on the finish, this could age for a couple of years.
This is dark in color, with apple cider aromas. The flavors are bland and nutty more than fruity, and the finish is the same.
The most round, smooth and full in terms of mouthfeel of all the Cayuse Syrahs, this is excellent in every way. Dark and meaty, it's tightly wound and dense with black and roasted fruits, smoke, carpaccio and cacao. The Armada Syrah offers outstanding length, depth and complexity.
Iron and smoke accents wrap around densely-layered fruits with excellent concentration. It's gorgeous, deep and textured, with the focus on a rich raspberry and cherry core inside the frame of umami, leaf and seaweed.
Density is a hallmark of all the Silverback reds, and this is the biggest of them all. It's packed tight and almost impenetrable until it's had several hours of breathing time. A mouthful of black fruits is set amidst a sea of darker flavors: tar, smoke, charcoal, graphite, cacao, licorice and espresso grounds. Put this one aside for up to a decade.
Superb at every checkpoint, this is a world-class wine. Cherry, cassis and earth aromas are spicy and mellow, not bullish or loud. This feels creamy but with enough textural grit to keep things lively, while flavors of vanilla, tobacco and plum are nicely integrated. A mild, medium-long finish epitomizes elegance. Drink now through 2025.
Half Cabernet Franc, 37% Merlot, and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is one of a handful of Cayuse wines that spends a few months in new oak (about 50%). Done in a Claret style, it's firm, lightly toasty, with explosive dark fruits, streaked with umami, saline sea scents, dried plum, fig, cassis, earth and herbs all entwined to create compelling aromatics that carry through to an impressive finish.
This is a gorgeous, compelling wine of power and finesse. It has a captivating fragrance of earth, leather, black fruit and incense accented with whiffs of exotic spice. The palate is rich but refined, delivering ripe black cherry, blue berry, tobacco and baking spices along with enveloping, velvety tannins. Drink 2016–2036.
This is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc making up the last 9%. Smooth, supple and satiny on the palate, this wine is bursting with scents and flavors of deep purple fruit, cassis, smoke and graphite. The polished, lightly textured tannins add a sense of muscle to the finish. This is a wine that may be gulped down immediately, or cellared for up to a decade.
Dark and meaty, with aromatic hints of mustard seed, this has a slight bitterness around the edges, giving it focus and sharpness. A change in the barrel regimen now keeps it entirely in large format foudres. It's supple and lush, with mixed blue and black fruit, hints of citrus, and peppery umami notes.
This is a great wine, rounded and rich despite its power and weight. Its many elements—the ripe black fruits, the balanced acidity—are smoothed with wood aging. It also shows an elegance, giving the wine good aging potential. Drink from 2018.
This compelling Amarone has an earthy fragrance of moist earth, dark fruits, leather and meat juices. The palate delivers ripe black cherry flavor, with velvety, brooding tannins and hints of raisin dusted with white pepper and cinnamon. This already has great depth but drink after 2016 for more complexity.
Consistently one of Washington's most expressive Rieslings, with intensely floral aromatics—notably clover—that is carried into the mouth, along with honey, tea, lime, candied pineapple and cantaloupe. The effect is riveting; the flavors cascade around each other, balancing the 20g/L residual sugar with vivid acidity.
Very rich and deliciously smooth, but with a bite of acidity and stalky black-currant fruit to give it structure. This wine is dry, ripe and dense, showing its tannins while promising longevity.
Ripe blackberry, cassis and refined wood are the key aromas on this fruit-forward, slightly grapy Malbec that's full and jammy on the palate, with big, bold flavors of boysenberry, chocolate and spices. There's not a ton of nuance to this bruiser, which finishes with toast and chocolate flavors and a rich residual feel. Drink through 2017.
Tightly tannic and very firm at this stage, but you can feel the ripe fruit underneath, giving great structure and power. Black currants layered with acidity, while the center, a dry core.
An excellent follow-up to the 2011 Roussanne, this elegant, precise wine intrigues from the first sniffs of camomile, lemon zest and honeysuckle, right on through a full-bodied middle with a range of stone fruits. There's a refreshing baseline of wet stone, and some very pretty toast from a mix of new, neutral oak and stainless fermentations.
Here's a delicious Amarone, with aromas of spirit-soaked black cherry and spice. The palate is rich but refined, with succulent black cherry, raspberry and plum flavors all layered with nutmeg and white pepper accents.
This is a delicious Amarone boasting black-cherry and plum-cake flavors layered with cinnamon, nutmeg and notes of vanilla and well-integrated oak. With its chewy tannins and freshness, this will develop complexity over the next few years. Drink after 2016.
This is an authoritative Red Mountain Cabernet, from a rising star with an excellent young vineyard. Great structure and a spine of steel support a tightly-wound core of pure cassis. The tannins are hard but fully ripe, with black olive, coffee grounds and bourbon barrel highlights.
This delicious Amarone offers intense flavors of black cherry, raisin, white pepper, cinnamon and clove. It has a great structure, with big yet smooth tannins supported by just enough fresh acidity.
Sourced from Klipsun and Ciel du Cheval, this includes 12% Cabernet Sauvignon in the mix. The lighter vintage brings out raspberry and pomegranate fruit flavors, and the wine has excellent focus and penetrating minerality. Still quite young, it will certainly benefit from further bottle age.
This delicious Amarone is loaded with ripe plum and black cherry flavors, layered with black pepper and clove. It's structured but elegant, with firm tannins and enough acidity to age well and develop complexity. Drink after 2016.
This is another excellent Malbec in Trapiche's single-vineyard series. Aromas of anise and licorice are exotic and a bit unusual, while blueberry, blackberry and herbal hints fill out the bouquet. The palate is full and jammy, maybe a touch soft, with layered flavors of black fruits, pepper and toast. A stocky finish with a licorice reprise shows a spot of heat. Drink through 2017.
An impressive, wood-aged wine, with great perfumes as well as structure. Rich, while very mineral, the wine has an intense, ageworthy texture that brings out dark plums, ripe berries and dark tannins. Keep this wine and drink from 2016.
From the best parcels at Haute-Serre, this prestige cuvée is big, powerful and certainly full of the ripest fruit. Strong wood aging and chocolate flavors show the firm extraction of this very concentrated wine. It needs considerable time to soften and open up. Drink from 2017.
This dense and concentrated Amarone offers an intense bouquet of marinated cherry, blackberry and tobacco. The palate delivers rich flavors of blackberry, prune, licorice and a touch of carob, along with round tannins and soft acidity. It has layers of flavor and nice depth. Drink through 2017.
Textured, full wine, ripe in character, full of fragrant apple and quince flavors, tightly layered. It's a concentrated wine, dense in character. The flavors go right down into the heart of the wine. Drink from 2016.
This five-grape Bordeaux-style blend is 54% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cab Franc, 8% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot. Sleek, subtle and sporting an overall elegance, it's a sophisticated take on a Right Bank Bordeaux style, with black olive and cassis, espresso and dark chocolate in perfect proportion.
Firm and lightly herbal, this has light strawberry-fruit flavors balanced against proportionate tannins and acids. There's nothing wrong here, it's just a light, almost innocuous wine.
Though tart and chalky, this has interesting notes of rose petals and saddle leather, with light berry fruit. It does show varietal specificity, but the wine fades quickly and lacks concentration.
With its red currant fruit, this wine is softly structured and round with richness, finishing full-bodied and leathery.
An aromatic mix of floral notes and marionberry show on the nose. The palate follows suit, yet turns astringent with herbal tannins and an earthy, chalky finish.
This shows solid secondary fruity flavors of strawberry compôte and a thin slice of cherry pie. It offers a whiff of leather and some drying tannins, with a finish of black tea. Drink this up soon.
Latex and baked-bean aromas are candied at first, then grassy. This Malbec is intense but harsh in feel. Herbal plum and currant flavors are slightly horsey, and it feels hot and scratchy on a minty, herbal finish.
This blend of 63% Zinfandel and 37% Cabernet Sauvignon showcases upfront fruitiness, with supportive structure. Smoky oak cradles its extroverted ripeness, with a concentration that's sure to win over fans of the style.
Crisp red cherry and blackberry abound on this sweet-tart Dornfelder. It's a forward, fruity wine with a slightly candied demeanor but balanced neatly by fresh acidity. Drink now.
The aromas are bright, with notes of vanilla and cherry. In contrast. the palate comes off as light. This is a simple, straightforward quaffer, with cranberry notes persisting on the finish.
The aromas bring notes of vanilla, green pepper, black tea, cherry and herb, and the palate delivers much the same. This wine comes off as a bit innocuous but is quite consistent throughout. It tapers on the finish.
This is an unusual blend of principally Syrah, Malbec, Tempranillo and Souzao, along with bits of Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of cocoa, vanilla and green herb lead to tart cherry flavors that seem underripe. The finish comes up short.
Stalky smoky aromas open a wine that is spicy, smoky from wood and full of red fruits. The wine is light with acidity as well as a layer of crisp tannins. Drink this from 2018.
Always an elegant wine, the Aragonez shows its beautiful smooth fruit, flavors of blueberries with leathery tannins and fine acidity. With its structure it could age, but there's no need to wait.
A brute of a wine, both in its immense flavors and its excessively weighty bottle. It has richness, full of concentrated sweet plum juice and dense tannins—very rich, very in your face.
A powerful wine, concentrated with an edge of pepper and rich red fruits, lifted with an orange zest flavor. This is serious rosé, intense and worth aging a few months.
As an addition to the Cape Roca range, this is impressive. It has weight and richness, accompanied with firm tannins, a solid core of dryness and blackberry fruits.
Smoky, roasted and full on the bouquet, with rich berry and plum aromas. The palate is fleshy, with a chunky middle but just enough tannin and acid to provide structure. Tastes of baked black fruits, fig and herbs. Dry and snappy on the finish.
Built like a brick house, with ripe, red aromas. This isn't light and elegant in the Italian style; it's mega ripe, with a ton of cherry, spice, kick and chocolate. Medicinal at times, peppery at others, and deep and wild throughout. Drink now through 2017.
Showing freshness as well as structure, this intense wine is certainly fruity, while also having a dense texture, wood elements, ripe and friendly juiciness. Age for 2–3 years and more.
This is the most intractable of the winery's 2008 Pinot Noirs, holding back in the glass and showing plenty of grip and tannin. Tight and compact, with a distinctive black pepper scent, this wine needs more bottle age. With time, the score could certainly improve.
Boedecker's Athena bottling is a very pretty wine, with a lovely entry offering pure, inviting cherry and berry fruit. Once in the mouth, it gently fades, just slightly disappointing as it seems to lose strength rather than gaining it. But the first impression is charming and delicious.
Not quite as impressive as the wonderful 1998, this blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah features solid black-cherry fruit and hints of smoke but seems a bit compact, with firm structure. Still, the persistent finish and reasonable depth suggest it will show better in a couple of months.
An effusive, unabashedly fruity wine that's loaded with grapey, black-cherry fruit. Some sweaty-leather notes on the nose bring you back to the Rhône Valley, and a dash of green peppercorns spices up the finish.
Schramsberg did a good job with this wine, creating a lush sparkler with generous cascading bubbles, firm Pinot fruit and a tight, spicy finish. This is still hard and even a little bitter at the end; more time in the bottle will bring out all the richness locked inside.
Another solid showing from one of importer Fran Kysela's stable of Rhône producers. This offering shows plenty of rustic leathery aromas, along with a blend of cherries and blackberries. Not overripe or heavy; the fruit and tanned-hide notes come together in a velour-textured finish.
A pleasant, if somewhat light offering, featuring bright Grenache fruit highlighted by red cherries and hints of black pepper. Finishes with a touch of stemmy astringency that adds needed grip.
An off-dry wine, with crisp apple fruits and a light, bright texture. It's tangy, full of lemony acidity with a light prickle. It's for drinking immediately.
Herbal, leathery aromas are horsey and sharp. This feels rugged and choppy, then tastes baked and herbal, like a mix of stewed fruits, oregano, cured meat and pepper. A grassy, herbal finish does little to bring it around.
The cold conditions of the 2011 vintage are evident on this hard, gritty wine with olive and tarry aromas. This feels rough and grating, with burnt, peppery flavors of olive and dried fruits. A tart finish with leaf and asphalt flavors fails to redeem the wine.
One has to dig deep to discover much in the way of aromas on this rosé, which is made of indeterminate grapes. Dry, dark pink in color, its flavors are quite simple.
Strong-minded with a tannic bite, this Cab has soft red fruit and a menthol quality to it that doesn't seamlessly mesh together.
Made without oak, this wine is brisk with acidity, with citrus, gooseberry and white pepper flavors. A touch of ammonia makes it challenging.
This white traditional to Spain is finding pockets of homes in California. This one tends more to the full bodied side of things, falling a bit flat with a taste of butter betwixt a subtle core of apple and melon.
Fermented with 100% stems and aged in neutral French oak, this textbook example of this top Syrah site brings aromas of smoked meat, purple fruit, crushed violets and fresh parsley along with other green herbs. The palate's über-fresh fruit and savory flavors are supported by tart bright acids. This one will only get better with some bottle age and will truly shine at the dinner table. Best from 2022 through 2030.
All aged in neutral hogsheads and puncheons, this wine displays mesmerizingly pure laser-focused aromas of raspberry, kirsch, white pepper, lemon zest, fresh flowers and dried herb. The palate brings a dazzling sense of freshness and purity—like drinking a bowl of fresh fruit. A velvety texture only adds to the intrigue. It's a sensational effort.
Caramel, peach custard, caramelized apple, baked Asian pear and cinnamon show on the lavish nose of this bottling. Orange Creamsicle notes mark the palate, where rounded, baked Gala apples meet with a touch of walnut oil. Somehow just enough acidity and depth is integrated into this rich style.
The glorious aromatics of the ripest oranges play on the nose. There even is a slight hint of candied peel. The palate is opulent with fruit expression but held in check by lovely ripe lemon freshness. The palate is concentrated and has lots of energetic direction. An earthy edge grounds things beautifully. Lasting and lovely.
Aromas of underbrush, scorched earth, French oak and a whiff of new leather lift out of the glass. The powerfully structured palate offers dried black cherry, toast, espresso and dark spice alongside firm fine-grained tannins. It's still a bit austere so give it a few more years to fully develop. Drink 2020–2025.
Beautifully poised notes of ripe red and black cherry are emblematic of the Zweigelt grape and are expressed here with conviction. Peppery spice shimmers everywhere on nose and palate. There is a grippy tannin structure and the spicy support of oak. This is fresh and solid and only just now hitting its stride. Impressive and totally moreish.
Very ripe pear and plum notions dominate the nose. The palate has concentration and drive but still blossoms with generous fleshy fruit of great purity. This is an expression of joy and ripeness—of ready overflowing fruit kept taut and in focus by ripe orange freshness. The long finish has a touch of earth.
Dark gold in color, this estate wine from hillside vines aged 11 months in one-third new French oak. Salty brine takes center stage before an unctuous pillow of caramel and honey rides along a full-bodied richness of flavor. A bright spark of lemony acidity marks the finish.
From Clare Ranch Vineyard in the Templeton Gap, this bottling by Ryan Render shows rounded notes of boysenberry and cooked blackberry on the nose alongside strong licorice and mocha aromas. Blackberry and boysenberry also arise on the sip, with olive, pepper and pretty violet floral flavors, all framed by a solidly dry structure.
At almost half Cabernet Franc (49%), this is slightly leafier than what most producers are pulling out of the Gimblett Gravels. The balance is Cabernet Sauvignon (39%), with small amounts of Merlot (9%) and Malbec (3%). The tobacco, chocolate and cassis notes are carried by medium body and a firm, dry texture. Drink 2019–2030.
The nose burgeons with so much ripeness of fruit, there is almost a hint of dried pear with a big dollop of spice. The palate shows the same generosity but is masterfully balanced by a lovely phenolic edge and zesty grapefruit freshness. White pepper shimmers in the background and makes for a very well-rounded, balanced, juicy and refreshing wine.
In marginal climates, what a difference a vintage can make. The 2015s from proprietor Sam Neill (yes, the actor) are a big step up from the 2014s. This bottling, from the Bannockburn subregion, offers bold notes of black cherries, plum and cola. It's a rich, ripe and powerful wine, with a long, intense finish that bodes well for cellaring. Drink now–2025.
This blends 38% Merlot with 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc. Together these find a healthy companionship of wood, cedar, currant and dried herb, allowing the two Cabernets to speak loudest. Lightly spicy nutmeg and clove linger around well-defined layers of cherry and vanilla.
An almost honeyed nose tells of the 2015 ripeness, but instead leads to a concentrated palate that intriguingly combines peppery spice, savory herbs and rich mellow yeast. All this richness is tempered by a streamlined lemony acidity. This is savory, so make sure to pair it with subtle, expressive food. What a joy.
Aromas of chopped mint, underbrush, spiced berry, toast and a whiff of iris take shape on this savory, approachable wine. Made entirely with Sangiovese, the ripe round palate offers dried cherry, raspberry, truffle and licorice framed in supple tannins. It finishes on a savory, almost salty note. Drink through 2020.
From vines planted as its name suggests on granite soil, the wine is structured and dense with rich juicy black fruits. Packed with perfumed fruitiness and acidity, the wine is developing well, ready to drink from late 2017.
Wines from this great producer have developed a tendency towards too much alcohol for a wine from Beaujolais. It is a shame because otherwise this is a generous structured cru wine that is finely balanced. With tannins and delicious acidity, the wine is ready to develop further. Drink from 2018.
This is not a dainty Grenache, with boysenberry syrup, purple flowers, vanilla, clove cream and Christmas spices redolent on the nose. It's rich on the palate, with blackberry syrup, baked blueberry and vanilla, but also reflective of the variety, with violet, clove, pepper and a touch of asphalt.
Owner Arnaud Briday has made a firm structured cru wine. While it has the generous fruit of the year, it also has plenty of tannins that give it tension and concentration. The wine is rich with explosive berry fruits and balanced acidity. Drink from 2018.
This cru is a solid wine. It has a dense structure spearheaded by the tannins and lifted by acidity. Black plum and berry fruits are still developing behind the firm facade. It will take some time to develop, so wait until early 2019.
Tarry, gamy aromas provide an intriguing entry into this bottling from pioneer Gary Eberle's winery, founded in 1982. The nose also conveys charred blueberries, thyme, rosemary and lavender. Leathery, rustic flavors show on the palate, alongside hints of boysenberry, cracked peppercorn and roasted venison.
Sun-ripened apricot notes emanate from the glass, mingling with aromatic notions of ripe orange. On the precise palate, this beguiling fruit is joined by subtle, lifted hints of citrus foliage and zest. This is a wonderfully slender but profound wine, showing Riesling from its most charming bewitching side.
This slender but expressive Pinot Blanc is possessed of a wonderfully light touch. Right now, yeasty tones still swing alongside the bright stone fruit but this will soon come into its own and show off the slender but distinct and food friendly nature of Pinot Blanc. Revel in the subtle stony depth and elegance of this wine. Its long finish tells you everything.
Another high-end Sauvignon Blanc that sees some oak aging, this is a rich, ripe wine, loaded with nectarine and citrus fruit. The oak framing is barely noticeable, but serves to highlight the silky texture and adds a pleasant grilled note on the long finish.
Named after the family's grandfather, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot is still young, but quite delicious and elegant. Aromas of lava rock, dust and cracked earth meet with black-plum fruit on the nose. The palate is framed by sticky tannins, offering concentrated elderberry, rose petal, lilac, incense and wet-riverstone flavors. It has great potential for long aging.
It's that arresting mix of flintiness and savory yeast that gets you first. There are hints of pine and ivy, all bedded in the ripeness of juicy yellow pear and mirabelle plum. Whiffs of white pepper provide extra excitement and draw you in. This is clean and complex, rich and streamlined. Dive in.
A hearty 18% Malbec is part of this wine, from the producer's appellation estate. Clove, cedar and graphite kick things off on the nose, before youthful tannin give breadth and depth to the ripe blackberry, cherry and blueberry. The wine is soft and seductive on the finish.
The soft and refreshing nose of mandarin peel plays about the nose. The palate conquers with the same purity and freshness of ripe citrus, aided by a pithy texture that helps to corral all the fruit. Wonderfully appetizing and full of charming mandarin and tangerine notions. Very lasting.
Nettle and yarrow, dried hay flowers and spice on the nose promise a lively, savory palate which indeed follows. All the spice is wrapped up with generous yellow and juicy pear fruit and goes down a treat. This is mellow and fruity, spicy, rounded and fresh: quite simply a joy to drink.
Ripe, soft and pillowy on the nose, this blend is wide and lazy on the palate, with raisin and prune flavors offset by moderate acidity. A loamy, raisiny finish confirms a sense of ripeness and weight.
Simple and refreshing, this opens with a light floral fragrance and a whiff of pear. The easy palate offers tart green apple and a citrus note alongside bright acidity.
This is a light, fruity wine with fresh red berry flavors and soft tannins. It has a cool feel from the nearby Atlantic Ocean, giving a bright, character and a wine that's ready to drink.
This young and fruity wine has red cherries that lie over soft tannins and a stalky texture. It's all about fruit that's ready to drink, and not for aging.
Gritty citrus aromas are tight and crisp. This is wet, basic and zesty on the palate, but lean. Flavors of citrus, green herbs and brine finish with a mix of bitterness and notes of tangy green apple and passion fruit.
Light and fruity, this has the softest structure. Red berry fruits give the wine a bright, jammy character with acidity offering some freshness. Drink now.
This New World style of Sauvignon Blanc is ripe, intense and catty in flavor. Very herbaceous, concentrated fruits are right up front. There is no complexity, just fruit.
This light and fruity wine is fresh with lemon and light minerality. It is ready to drink, with its bright acidity and pear and apple aftertaste.
Blackberry jam and blueberry cobbler find common ground in this ripe, extracted wine, with a leathery exterior and a taste of dark chocolate. Medium bodied and not terribly high in acidity, it's approachable and enjoyable now.
Pretty aromas of Bartlett pear and a floral note lead the nose on this easy-drinking wine. The simple, refreshing palate offers lemon zest and apple alongside tangy acidity.
Aromas of Granny Smith apple, pear and a hint of citrus lead the nose and carry over to the palate. This wine is simple, straightforward and refreshing.
A glass of pretty aromatics, grapefruit and orange blossom mostly, with a range of depth and texture that speaks of serious wine. Made from organic grapes.
Rich new wood and fruit combine well in this concentrated wine. Flavors go right through to give mint, blackberry and dark plum fruits. The tannins are already integrated to give a wine that will be ready to drink in two years.
A fully rich yet integrated Chardonnay that offers great value and clean flavors of golden apple and yellow fig and plenty of crisp acidity on the finish.
Slightly sweet smelling, with butterscotch and salinic notes to the soft, somewhat bland nose. Feels fleshy, with modest acidity and creamy flavors of apple, banana and melon. Mellow late, with a creamy, vanilla-tinged finish. Viura and Malvasia.
Let this Syrah open, but once it does, it is full of raspberry, black pepper, oak and gamy goodness, medium-bodied, elegant and nicely in balance.
If you love old-world Rhônes, Sierra Vista is a producer to know about. This blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault is medium in weight and easy to drink and love, tinged with hints of lavender, cherry and baked bread.
There's a whiff of cherry blossom perfume on this beautifully concentrated, elegantly structured Pinot from Silver Thread. On the palate, fleshy red fruit flavors are accented by vivacious acidity and a twinge of plum skin bitterness. Finishes bold with a coating of furry tannins.
Pineapple fruit rings out loud and clear, with a slightly grainy, though not sweet, entrance. A blocky but powerfully fruity Riesling, with overtones of orange peel and black tea.
The best of a very solid group of 2010 reds from StoneCap, this Syrah draws some inspiration from the Australian wines. Spicy and ripe, with lush black fruits and a lick of citrus. Vanilla and tobacco notes highlight the finish.
A smooth, wood-aged wine that has a rich texture, layers of toast and nutmeg from the wood and peach fruits. The wood needs time to integrate, but already shows that this is going to be a rich wine.
Soft apple- and honey-flavored wine that has dry botrytis and a spiced texture. With flavors of lemon curd and peach, it is more in a light Barsac style, fruity as well as sweet.
A solid effort, all tannins and dark texture at this stage. The acidity and dry tannins are firmly edged with black currant fruits. It will age and soften, but will always be on the dry, firm side.
Very herbal Sauvignon Blanc, crisp and tangy, with flavors of lime and green apple skins. Fresh as well as structured, with a final zest of acidity.
Wood aging has given this wine some roundness and softness without taking away from the intense grassy, grapefruit flavors of Sauvignon Blanc. It has good richness as well as taut fruitiness.
Well oaked and smoky, with aromas of coffee, mocha, black olive and roasted fruits. The palate is lively and ripe, with pointed tannins and red-fruit flavors with black edges and olive. A compact, solid mix of Cabernet, Carmenère and Syrah.
Cérons, next door to Sauternes, produces a lighter version of those dessert wines. This wine, with its characteristic honey sweetness, is edging toward toffee, the baked apple flavors already tamed by a few years aging. The core of botrytis dryness is now well integrated, suggesting the wine is ready to drink.
Spicy rhubarb, strawberry and red fruit aromas are followed by big, red fruit flavors in this demi-sec rosé. Some sweetness on the palate is balanced by a good acidity. Feminine but complex.
Well roasted and toasty, with plenty of barrel power and underlying black berry fruit. The palate is tight and fully tannic, while the palate has plum and sweet berry flavors. Ripe, a little grating and uncomplicated.
Champoux is known for powerfully deep, cherry-flavored fruit. Here there is also a strong minerality, like dry rock or cement, but it quickly runs into a chalky, tannic finish. The fruit seems flat, not spoiled in any way, but lacking vibrancy.
100% varietal, this is impressively deep in color, yet trips lightly across the palate. It tastes of pretty strawberries, with hints of creamy chocolate.
Starts out hard and rustic, but soon it unfolds with cola, black fruit and earthy leather aromas. Concentrated, ripe tannins, healthy and flavorful, with meaty berry and chocolate. Finishes tight with mossy herbs. Solid Cab for the money.
The aromas of lychee and rose water pop. The palate brings a slight spritz, with lighter-bodied flavors that linger on the finish. The style is reserved but it shows a good sense of balance.
Brooding, very varietal aromas of grass, herbs and citrus lead to broad fruit flavors that dip in the middle, with some reduction providing a bit of distraction. It doesn't quite stand up on its own but should perk up at the dinner table.
Made from 75% Merlot with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine saw just a 25% new French oak, putting the focus squarely on the fruit. Aromas of spice, prune, medicine cabinet and cherry cola are followed by luscious, full-bodied black-fruit flavors that bring some warmth on the finish. Drink now.
A funky earthiness characterizes this wine from the get-go, an ethereal mix of dirt and forest floor that's hard to shake, yet interesting. Red cherry and raspberry come into play later on the palate, giving the wine a juicy ripeness.
This full-bodied and smooth-textured wine has subtle aromas like cinnamon, mint and raspberry. Bold flavors recall ripe plums and dried cherries. A soft mouthfeel is partly due to light tannins.
Fruity, buttery aromas are followed by a generously fruit-filled flavor, smooth texture and buttery aftertaste. It's a well-balanced and well-rounded wine of medium body, and has a tasty finish.
Lithe and silky, this easygoing wine opens with aromas of woodland berry and cake spice. The bright palate offers wild cherry, raspberry, white pepper and clove. It's easy drinking and well balanced, with supple tannins and fresh acidity. Drink through 2016.
Rich and fruity, this wine is a full-bodied rosé. It has ripe red fruits and a touch of tannin along with balanced acidity. With its up-front richness, it is a food wine, rather than an apéritif.
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.
Lemon-lime soda, chalk and gin-and-tonic cocktail elements power the nose on this zesty, medium-sweet bottling. The mouthfeel is soft, with lime juice and quinine cutting the ripe orange-syrup notes.
Buoyantly perfumed of blossoms and sun-kissed peaches, this light-footed Muscat is chock full of aplomb. Valvin Muscat's heady aromatics may be overwhelming to some, but they're true to type here. Enjoy now for its youth and vitality.
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.
Already this wine is so smooth that it is quite ready to drink. With its berry fruit flavors that are lifted by acidity, it is well balanced between mineral tannins and fruitiness. The aftertaste is full and round.
Aromas of tobacco and spice are light and reserved. The palate offers tangy cherry flavors that persist on the finish.
Pear candy and citrus peel beckon from the glass. There is a slightly candied edge to the expressive fruit, while the dryish palate shows concentration and warmth.
This very attractive, medium-bodied wine emphasizes fruit flavor and freshness along with a lively texture. The raspberry aromas and red cherry flavors offer plenty of interest, and the balance makes it quite appetizing.
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.
Aromas of fresh coffee, cocoa, peppery spices and red fruit lead to silky fruit and barrel flavors. It brings a whole lot of easy-drinking appeal.
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.
Fresh red apple flavors are accented by hints of nuts and spice in this brisk, lemony Chardonnay. Medium bodied in style, it's supple on the palate, finishing on a lingering, slightly leesy touch.
Creamy and fresh, this opens with scents of white spring flower and pear. The vibrant palate offers green apple and white peach offset by a soft mousse.
Juicy red and blue fruit stars in this straightforward Cab-based blend. It offers a soft, medium-bodied personality and approachable tannins.
White blossoms and peaches perfume this unusually zesty Viognier. Dry and delicately framed, it's balances crisp, cutting acidity against sunny citrus flavors. It's an easy, refreshing wine with a moderately long finish.
Aromas of leafy underbrush, steeped prune and a whiff of dark kitchen spice lead the nose. The dense palate offers dried black cherry, raisin and licorice alongside tightly packed, drying tannins.
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.
This concentrated wine is solid with tannins. The fruit is evident from the fine acidity and hints of black plum that push through the wall of tannin. Give it time and drink from 2021.
This is a beautiful, ripe, soft, perfumed wine. Its intense berry fruit is well to the fore, backed by firm tannins. Packed with fruit and smokiness from wood aging, it has strong aging potential. Drink from 2020.
This ripe, juicy and smoky wine is rich in black fruit. It's structured and full, the fruit layered with wood. Perfumed now, it promises a good future ahead. Drink from 2021.
Named after the 18th Century Russian tsar, Peter the Great, this wine is tannic and structured, with a fine balance of black fruit. The Merlot in the blend, which softens the Malbec, has also added a strongly rich and fruity character. Drink from 2019.
While this dense wine has plenty of firm tannins, it also has fine, ripe fruit. Rich blackberry flavors and smoky aromas dominate. Drink from 2020.
Black cherry aromas are followed by rich black fruit, plum and damson flavors in this wine. There is plenty of juicy acidity here as well, with tannins to support the richness. Drink from 2020.
This bold, ripe wine is full of tannins as well as great fruit. Juicy with black currant flavors, smoky from wood aging and rich with tannins, it's finely structured and ready to mature gently. Drink from 2021.
Although full of fruit, this no-sulfur-added wine is structured and concentrated. Big tannins back up the ripe character and generous fruit flavors. It's likely to be ready to drink from 2021.
Balanced and ripe, this is a rich wine. Its tannins and dark chocolate and wood flavors are deliciously balanced by ripe black fruit. It's concentrated and dense and will age well. Drink from 2021.
Just maturing, this is a rich, wood-aged wine. Its tannins have softened and melted into its ripe dark plum and black fruit flavors and concentrated structure. A serious wine, it's powered by a dry core and rich fruitiness. Drink from 2018.
This whole cluster-fermented bottling shows pure cherry and strawberry aromas on the nose as well as rust, thyme, oregano and pepper. It's quite smooth on the palate, with well-integrated herbs and spices tucked into the plum and cherry fruits, framed by a grippy acidity.
Named in remembrance of the lost love of Portuguese king João V, this concentrated and rich wine is impressive. Its firm tannins are surrounded by the richest black fruits. They, in turn, are balanced with acidity and with a dry core that will allow the wine to age further. Drink from 2019.
Juicy, thick and satisfying, this appellation wine is rich in red licorice and dark cherry with an expansiveness on the palate that impresses and lingers around a deft cradling of integrated oak.
This is reminiscent of a cool-climate, Old World wine—balanced and complex, with cedar, sage and dusty graphite notes. With just enough thickness and concentration, it offers additional flavors of plum, cassis and red currant that provide a tangy tartness and a sense of freshness.
A short stay (just eight months) in wood has produced a fine, rich and ripe wine. With its toast and butter flavors, touch of honey and opulent character, the wine is rounded and complex. Acidity plays just the right part to make the wine complete. Drink from 2018.
This estate-grown wine is exuberantly lemony and floral on the nose while the palate boasts lush, concentrated flavors of honey, oak, vanilla and baked pear. Full bodied, it wears its oak well, allowing it to speak in tandem with the ripe fruit.
Subtle on the nose at first, this wine by veteran winemaker Ken Volk slowly opens to reveal aromas of mulberry, cola, licorice and clove. The palate is full of zesty but dark red fruits, with floral lift from rose petals and potpourri spice. This is a lightweight, fresh and bright Grenache.
Coming in at 159g/L residual sugar, this wine is über-aromatic, with notes of dried apricot, pineapple, flowers, and honey, showing layer of complexity. Given the richness of the aromas, the palate is surprisingly deft and light on its feet, displaying a lot of grace and detail to the sugary-sweet flavors.
Soft, round and supple on the palate, this is a robust luxurious wine, rich in red and black currant and berry. Pleasing, with a touch of clove, it's a powerful, concentrated statement on the variety.
A blend of Olsen Vineyard in the Yakima Valley and Clifton Hill on the Wahluke Slope, the aromas are generous, with notes of dark plum, smoke and baking spice. The palate is weighty and full, with palate-coating purple-fruit flavors that show pleasing depth, density and length.
Deep black-fruit aromas are saturated and poised. On the palate, this is a bit jammy and pulpy but it delivers. Extracted flavors of blackberry, coffee and blackened oak finish with depth and lushness. Drink through 2020.
This blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Malbec begins with a very smooth nose of baked plums, toasted bread, coffee, vanilla and barbecue char. The palate is approachable and easy to enjoy, with flavors of black cherry, milk chocolate and baking spice. Both the tannins and acidity are low and hiding in the background.
Spicy oak aromas suggest sandalwood, while this Tannat blend also deals scents of plum, cherry and rose petal. A snappy palate has the right grip and balance, while generous flavors of oaky plum and berry fruits finish with firm acidity and loud barrel notes. Drink through 2021.
This rich, spicy blend of Alfrocheiro, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Jaen from winemaker Carlos Lucas offers rich black-plum fruits with layers of wood flavors. It is generous, juicy with some firm tannins and plenty of toasty wood flavors. Everything needs some time to soften, so wait to drink until 2019.
Roasted plums, black pepper, black olives, violets and a touch of green peppercorns show on the nose of this blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 16% Malbec, 13% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. Silky, chalky tannins frame the palate, where black olive, cooked beef and purple-flower flavors arise.
While the wine has plenty of tannins, it also has juicy black fruits that more than balance the structure. It's a well-made, ripe wine that has a sweep of fruitiness. From 2018, the tannins will be fully integrated.
At first quite tart, almost sour, with a strong yeasty aroma, this unusual wine can seem simple and dilute. Give it several hours to open up and it rewards you with delicate yet persistent flavors of citrus and stone, with refreshing acidity. Such low-alcohol white wines can be a delight with shellfish and other appetizers.
Aromas include blackberry compote, game, overripe plum and allspice. The dense palate offers cassis, blueberry extract, black pepper and licorice alongside astringent tannins. The heat of alcohol shows on the midpalate.
This blend of Malbec, Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah opens with oak-driven aromas of hard spices and briny berry fruits. The palate is wiry and juicy in feel, with pointed acidity. Baked berry flavors plus strong notes of clove and nutmeg finish spicy, with a lasting blend of cocoa and saltiness.
Subdued aromas suggest leather, dried tobacco leaf, prune and fennel. The hearty palate offers stewed prune, dried black cherry, licorice and a black pepper note alongside assertive tannins.
Leesy, powdery aromas of melon, papaya and vanilla set up a citrusy palate that's fit and well cut. Citrus and nectarine are the key flavors, followed by a fresh and juicy citric finish.
Leafy underbrush, moist soil, asphalt and sweet plum take center stage on this dense wine. The palate delivers espresso, toasted oak, vanilla and dried black cherry alongside drying wood tannins.
Vibrant and young, this offers tart cranberry and raspberry fruit set against baking spice highlights. It spent 10 months in French oak, mostly neutral, and is a clean, crisply defined wine with plenty of life ahead.
This uncommon Italian grape gets a good showing, with aromas of red apples, lychee and wet stone. The flavors are evenly presented with citrus and stone fruit, a straight-forward sipper perfect for sunny days.
This wine has dark tannins and considerable wood flavor at this stage. The structure and the weight are all there, allowing the fruit and rich texture to develop. Drink from 2017.
Rich and round, this attractive wine has generous tannins and equally generous fruit. Black currants shine with their acidity while the texture is firm and solid. This is a wine with a future; drink from 2016.
Lalande de Pomerol is the northern extension of Pomerol, so it's no surprise to find this wine dominated by Merlot. It is soft, rounded and rich. Black plums give the fruitiness while black fruit skins provide the texture. It's a full wine that needs a little aging. Drink from 2016.
This well-made wine shows an interesting mix of cucumber, lime, pineapple and apple flavors, underscored by racy, mineral-drenched acidity. It's bone dry, textural and refreshing. It's fun to find a low-alcohol, bone-dry Oregon Pinot Gris that fits the region's seafood so well.
Dark, baked, warm and spicy, with a touch of soupiness but nothing too scary or dominating. The palate is thorough and fairly lush, with black fruit flavors accented by spice and baked notes. Finishes slightly burnt notes, with licorice and ripe softness.
Full and concentrated but also a little flat and pruney. This wine pushes ripeness to the max level, and the result is a heavy, tannic Cab with a lot of power and flavors of prune, chocolate, molasses and fig. Thick and chunky on the finish, too. Soft and dense enough to drink now through 2011.
The nose on this Romanian blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Feteasca Neagra is dark and smoky with charred oak, coffee and tobacco melding into an herbaceous, woody backdrop. Juicy black plums and cherries are offset by strong grape and wood tannins and notes of cigar smoke and black pepper on the palate. It's fine now, but a year or two in the cellar might smooth out some jagged edges.
Nice and familiar for the variety, with common herbal, beefy, black fruit aromas followed by a chunky palate of blackberry, black cherry, mocha and herbs. Clean and solid on the finish, with 15% Cabernet in the blend.
Touched by caramel, this is a bone-dry rosé, very crisp and fruity, with raspberry, red cherry.
A rare Washington Dolcetto, this has the expected tart acidity, along with peppery red fruit. Finished with a screwcap, it needs some extra breathing time, and as it opens it shows some pretty raspberry fruit and just a hint of dark chocolate.
Pure varietal, with ripe fruit hinting at an encroaching pruney flavor, this is wrapped in the big flavors of barrel toast, smoke and coffee. Quite consistent with the overall style of winemaker Charlie Hoppes, this is one of those wines that will engender heated discussions between admirers and critics.
This Riesling from Slovenia is a bit perfumed on the nose with an abundance of white blossoms, baby powder and pink grapefruit aromas, but there's a pleasant, citrusy sweetness and acidity throughout. Medium bodied, it finishes quite dry with a gentle white tea astringency.
Reflecting the ripe vintage, this is a warm wine. Its black currant fruit is still dominated by spice from wood aging, although this will dissipate to leave a smooth, ripe and fruity wine. Drink from 2018.
One of three wines from the Moinié family with different aging potentials and prices, this is the simplest. It's fruity and made to be drunk young, with plenty of blackberry flavor. With its tannins, it will benefit from a few more months of age and be ready from 2018.
Vanilla, baking spice, huckleberry, herb and blackberry aromas are at the fore. The black and blue-fruit flavors are soft and supple, bringing light savory notes that provide appeal.
The 100% new oak used in the aging of this wine was not a good idea. It has given too much woodiness and not enough fruit. Still young, it may soften enough to allow the generous blackberry flavors to come through.
The aromas lean pretty far into the green, with notes of savory herb along cherry with wood spice, which seems a bit prominent. The fruit flavors are plump but retain a sense of elegance. Ultimately the sense of greenness proves a bit too distracting.
This wine has aromas of black plum and black raspberry, with flavors of tart cherry and ripe plum on the palate. The tannins have a bit of grip and the finish is persistent.
Aromas of Nestea ice tea and slightly past-their-prime flowers are followed by medium-sweet fruit flavors that need more acid to stand them up. It doesn't all come together.
Heavy aromas of chocolate, exotic herbs and ripe black fruits stop short of clubbing you over the head. The palate, however, is not that subtle; it's thick and chewy in an overripe way. Oak-heavy flavors of clove and char dominate the flavor profile, while a heavy finish doesn't downshift even one gear.
Black plum, savory peppercorns and smoke make for a very acceptable nose on this widely available twist-top bottling. The flavors are very juicy and the mouthfeel quite creamy, with slightly sweet flavors of ripe black fruit sure to please the masses.
From a decades-old site that's steeply planted, this is a brawny wine, smoky in leather and black pepper. Bold ripe blackberry flavors match a fierce tannin profile and lingering specks of cinnamon spice.
Simple in its bright embrace of plummy flavor, this wine contains smaller additions of Syrah. Mocha and leather lurk beneath the full-bodied concentration of fruit.
This vintage Port-style wine is warming and full of comforting flavors. Cooked prune, raisin, coffee and spices fill your senses. It feels lucious and smooth, but has lively acidity as well. It would be a lovely accompaniment to a cozy night beside the fire.
This wine is a unique blend of 61% Tempranillo, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Grenache. Aromas of coffee grounds, toast, spice and dark fruit are up front, with the oak playing a primary role. The palate mixes fruit and barrel, with the fruit concentration seeming a bit light.
Lively and spicy aromas like nutmeg and toasted oak get this wine off to a good start, while ripe, warm berry and black-cherry flavors kick in on the palate. It's full bodied but easygoing since light tannins and soft acidity lend a smooth texture.
There's a strong green-peppercorn tinge to the nose of this bottling, along with hints of ancho chile and cedar. The palate shows oregano, thyme and dill, proving quite Old World in style, with only the slightest presence of blackberry fruit.
A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon given two years in French oak, this sanguine, expertly structured and elegant wine offers plenty of bright cassis and blackberry flavor on the palate, seducing with complex layers of dried herb and black tea. Enjoyable now, this wine will also benefit from time; hold through 2022.
This is an exceptional Zinfandel from a renowned site, as famous for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as it has now become for Zin. Heady aromas of raspberry, blackberry and boysenberry tease before coming to life on the palate, accented by a delightful complement of allspice and juicy acidity. Medium bodied, it's incredibly easy to enjoy and rich in all the right ways.
A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a prominent site, this wine boasts bright, juicy red cassis and pomegranate fruit supported by complex layers of dried herb, coconut and pencil shavings. Ready to enjoy now and through 2021, it finishes with a taste of bittersweet chocolate.
This aptly expresses the characteristics of wines from the McMinnville AVA. A steely, peppery, gun-metal streak runs up and down the spine, with tight, compact blue and black fruits, ripping acidity, firm tannins and a light suggestion of root beer. It's all in place in a wine that seems destined for a life of two decades or longer.
This corner of the Carmel Valley can make some awesome Pinot Noir, and in this wine's case, it presents an amazing bouquet that starts with spearmint and moves to olive tapenade, cooked strawberry and rhubarb, with some barnyard gaminess on the edges. The flavors are distinctive—tart berries to charred lamb to rosemary, thyme, clove and crushed herbs.
A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the M5 block of Stagecoach Vineyard, the producer's own estate, this offers notes of pipe tobacco and tar, with shades of pencil lead and cedar bearing down on the palate. It's mouthfilling, with ample acidity showing through in the background followed by a long finish. Cellar through 2026.
The intriguing nose on this top-end Cabernet from Mike Mooney is deep but restrained, with smoked meats, espresso and juicy blackberries, cherries and olallieberries. The top of the palate is licorice and coffee, then riper blueberry fruit emerges, morphing toward a sage-like upswing on the finish. It's expertly layered and complex, yet approachable.
Vargellas is always associated with violet aromas as well as the strength and power of its wines inside a velvet glove. The 2012 is concentrated yet soft and smooth on the surface. It's fruity and fresh, while brooding with inner strength. Drink now for its fruit; wait until 2021 for its power and longevity.
Pristine apple, pear and peach are marked with hints of nuts and crushed stones in this sprightly yet deeply complex auslese. It's lacy and sheer on the palate, yet lime and lemon tones are bracing. Hold till 2020 to allow the subtleties to intensify.
While dry and delicate in body, this intense, penetrating Riesling is lush with sun-drenched peaches. A steely, mineral tone lends gravitas to the midpalate, finishing lean, elegant and bright. Enjoy now for its exuberant youth, but store some away to enjoy as its minerality intensifies from 2020 on.
This is a sweet, honeyed wine that's powerful and concentrated. It's full of spice, ripe tropical fruits and pleasurable sweetness. Just behind all this richness lies a great acidity that's so attractive. The wine could be drunk now, but it will be even better from 2017.
A Chateauneuf-du-Pape inspired blend of 64% Grenache, 24% Mourvèdre and 12% Syrah, Moriah was not made in 2011 but roars back to life in 2012 light ruby red in color and fully refined in rose petal aromatics. Integrated and subtle, it's focused in bright red fruit and layered white pepper.
A barrel selection from estate-grown grapes, this Pinot succeeds in rich red raspberry and an offering of strawberry-rhubarb pie, the texture velvety smooth. The oak builds through the finish, providing ample body and substance, yet the wine stays light and lilting on the palate, inviting one in for more.
This high-altitude, Chehalem Mountains vineyard puts on a show with this 2012. A sweet chocolate and cherry nose unfolds into a complex, elegant and beautifully proportioned wine, with blackberry, mineral and baking spice components. The lingering finish promises even better things to come if you give it another six to eight years in the cellar. Drink 2015 through 2025.
The Legacy estate reserve sources the original mid-1970s vines. It's a delicate, high-wire act, balanced on a bed of rose petals. From the floral aromatics into flavors of red currant and black cherry, it takes you on a well-modulated joyride. Veins of anise, cola and clay add complexity, as the details expand into a lingering finish. Drink 2015–2030.
From the tiny Faro denomination overlooking the Strait of Messina, this cult red opens with earthy aromas of tilled soil, leather, dried berry, smoke, savory herb and a hint of game. Displaying compelling earthy elegance, the palate offers black cherry, raspberry, tobacco, truffle, tobacco, soil, graphite and licorice. It's still young but impeccably balanced, with firm but fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Hold for even more complexity. Drink 2018–2025.
Dark fruits and graceful highlights of black tea, citrus oil, tobacco and mocha make this an endlessly fascinating wine with impressive complexity. Give it extended breathing time and it rewards you with layer after layer of silky fruit, leaf and spice. This is a 20-year wine, but may be enjoyed immediately with ample airing.
Exuberant floral tones persist from nose to finish in this luminously sweet Riesling. It's feather light on the palate, yet pineapple and mango flavors are unctuous and concentrated. A spray of tangerine acidity extends the finish endlessly.
While the nose is demure, the palate on this dainty auslese bursts of sweet yellow peaches and cherries. Luscious and clingy, it's irresistibly juicy, yet remarkably mineral and structured, with a nervous tension throughout. It's delicious now, yet should gain even more mineral complexity from 2020 and on.
A sweet trail of orange marmalade percolates through this succulently sweet wine. On the midpalate, savory tones of smoke, nuts and bruised apple add shades of complexity, but the finish is pure and pristine, a shower of lemon and honey that goes on endlessly.
Tremendous concentration is evident right from the start. The deep color and intense black cherry and blackberry fruit start it off. Streaks of tar and red licorice power through a mouth-filling midpalate and into a finish with exceptional length and balance. Drink now through 2030.
Sélection de Grains Nobles, the ultimate in Alsace sweetness from the volcanic soil of the Rangen de Thann, is sure to create a great wine. This really young wine is going to live up to the billing with its opulent honey and mineral character spiced with rich fruits and acidity. It will need many years, so drink from 2019.
Zind-Humbrecht owns some great Grand Cru vineyards, perhaps none more so than the Clos Saint Urbain. This luscious, rich, sweet wine shows both power and intensity without losing any sense of structure. It's young, needing many years to show off its full potential. Drink from 2018.
Basic sweet berry aromas come across like fruit punch. The palate has a standard, solid mouthfeel and generic berry flavors. A little bit medicinal on the finish, and overall it's your regular everyday red wine with not much varietal character. 50% each Sangiovese and Bonarda.
Paul Dolan has been making some great wines from his patch of biodynamic Mendocino farmland but this Zin didn't deliver the wealth of flavors many of his others have, muted aromatically and the tannins a touch stewy. Best with boldly flavored foods around the barbecue or campfire.
Light, bright and balanced, this inexpensive Chardonnay is not complex and could use a little oomph in there somewhere, but has enough apple and pear flavor to get you through.
Normal berry and cherry aromas are composed and lead to a narrow, tight palate with medicinal plum and berry flavors. Bounces along nicely to the finish, which is short and regular in feel. This is all fruit and cheer; no oak and not complicated.
Dry on the nose, with balsam shavings, pepper and secondary red fruit aromas. The palate has a choppy, fairly hollow feel and then short flavors of plum and berry. Spice and mint notes work the finish, which is mellow. Overall this is standardfare RDD.
This wine is a bit austere and tough to warm up to, with dry, leafy overtones encircling tangy cassis fruit like a cigar wrapper. Firm and crisp on the finish; try it in another year or two—it might improve with short-term cellaring.
Smoky and rubbery upon opening, with woodspice settling in as the dominant aroma. Tight and jagged in the mouth, with minty, toasty flavors of black fruits and pepper. Turns more tannic, drying and woody with time.
Straightforward and easy with approachable aromas of ripe pear and fresh melon. Though light on intensity, it's balanced and well-made with an overall crowd-pleasing style. Drink now.
Opens with rubbery, gaseous aromas that morph into latex and finally briary berry. The palate has a highly regular, tannic feel along with minty, generic flavors of berry and herbs. Basil and spice notes show up on the mildly green finish. Contains 15% Malbec and Syrah.
A simple, five-grape blend. Perfectly sound sipping white, clean and short.
Berry aromas are clean and forward, with just a spot of resin and vanilla. The palate is snappy and crisp, with cherry and plum acidity framing dry, tangy, lightly herbal flavors of raspberry and red plum. Light and zesty on the semisharp finish.
Strawberries are the core of the fruit here, with plenty of acidity behind. The wine thins out quickly in the midpalate, and finishes high-toned and lightly fruity.
This medium-bodied blend of four varieties (Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Mataro) features supremely soft tannins, balanced by crisp acids, while the flavors are a slightly resiny or medicinal—but not unpleasant—blend of mint, cedar, smoke and cherry. Drink now.
Solid and leathery on the nose, with normal berry and plum aromas. The palate is full, round and supremely tannic, with big berry, plum and herbal flavors that culminate with more hard tannins and chocolate. A rubbery wine that hits hard.
Roasted and brambly on the nose, with lemon, burnt notes and spice more than bold berry fruit. The palate has a tight, rubbery feel and flavors of hickory, clove and mild red berry. A decent but standard and slightly oaky Malbec.
Full honey- and melon-flavored wine, with a soft-textured character. It is full of ripe red apples, well made, if internationally anonymous.
A grippy, ink-staining, concentrated Charbono from the Santa Clara Valley, made from 90% estate-grown Charbono (the vineyard is in San Martin) and 10% Syrah. Two years spent in French oak might explain its minty, cedar highlights, rounded out by black cherry and plum.
Citrus and peach aromas are basic but clean. The palate starts out fresh and easy before losing some steam, but along the way there's peach, green apple and dry melon flavors. Good for a simple, tropical-style white wine.
Spicy and herbal upfront, with cassis fruit that seems just a little dried out, giving way to molasses and brown sugar. It's a medium-bodied Cabernet with slightly drying tannins and a coarse-textured finish.
Hard, roasted and rubbery aromas suggest compost and autumn leaves. The palate is tight and layered, but tannic, with black fruit flavors, heavy spice notes and herbal leanings. Finishes with leafy notes, licorice and bitterness.
Juicy, fruity wine, all red berries and freshness. The wine feels warm, just right for a hot dish on a cold day. The acidty gives some shape without losing the ripeness.
Attractive, just off-dry wine, very fresh, packed with apples, tangy citrus and a lively prickle on the tongue.
Sweet orange and ripe melon notes fill the nose and plump mouth, while additional accents of apple skin and soft toast carry through to the clean finish. Drink now.
There's an attractive raspberry leaf aroma to the bouquet of this wine, supported with scents of juicy plum and crushed carnation. The mouth is medium weight with light tannins and a softly peppered finish.
An easy-drinking Shiraz, Sidewood's 2007 features a creamy texture, hints of mint and vanilla and copious raspberry fruit. It's crisp on the finish to help balance the softness of the tannins. Drink now–2017.
Here's a big, rich Chenin boasting developed notes of honeydew, tropical fruit, peach preserves and soft spice. Medium-full in the mouth with good balance and a lengthy finish. The palate shows a hint of petrol along with fresh red apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon and honey. With 2,500 cases imported, drink now and, at this price, often.
This vintage of Brancott's Sauvignon Blanc knocks it right down the center of the fairway—clean and refreshing, marked by brisk acids. Stone fruit and melon notes abound, tinged with just the right proportion of green herbs. Drink now.
Bone-dry style, very crisp and with a full fruit character of red apples and peaches along with red berries. A great food wine.
Sweet juicy fruit flavors dominate this concentrated wine. It is rich, soft in texture, showing heat even though well-balanced. It could age for several months given its firm texture.
Sweet and smoky to start with, and with its mild roasted nose it draws you in. The palate is big, boisterous and generous, but also under control as it delivers pure boysenberry, blackberry and chocolate flavors. Toasty and long, and impressive for an $11 wine.
Matariki's 2008 is a medium-bodied, slightly grassy effort, with ripe passion fruit and nectarine flavors framed by subtle hints of smoke and herb. It's concentrated but harmonious at the same time, making it very easy to drink.
Smoky and crusty on the nose, but not that deep or dark in the mouth. The emphasis is on red fruits, freshness and pop, while the flavors are zesty and lean toward red cherry and red plum, with a spicy accent. Pepper and more spice work the finish.
The little touch of wood aging (three months) is just enough to round out the Chardonnay. At the same time, it does show freshness and apple flavors, with an attractive floral character. It is soft and finally ripe.
Made from 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, this opens with attractive notes of red cherry, plum and blood orange. Rich, yet balanced by ample acidity, this ends on a slightly bitter, pithy note. Drink up.
A little more than half Chambourcin, this red blend including Merlot, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot makes up this vibrant, fruit-forward red. Juicy red and black berries meet tart cranberries on a medium-bodied, soft palate. A slight tannic grip on the finish balances it all out, making this wine a perfect choice for late-summer barbecues.
Medium ruby in color, with slight bricking, the nose shows spiced raspberry notes with shades of darker brambles while sawdust and sweet baking spice tones add a bit of flair. Juicy Rainier cherry shows ample concentration on a palate lifted by soft tannins.
Campfire smoke appears to be the signature of this producer and the old vines planted in 1920 from which it sources. The wine is thick, ripe and soft. Black plum is the star on the palate, taking on a baked, jammy quality on the finish, accented in vanilla.
Supple, round and ready to drink, this blend features hints of tomato leaf, watermelon and clove layered over ripe cherries. Drink now–2016.
This just off-dry wine is fresh, young and fruity. It leads with a lemony scent and crisp acidity that is partnered by a light prickle on the tongue. Drink now.
A fresh—almost confected—mix of berries meet sweet vanilla and sawdust aromas. The medium-bodied palate follows suit, with soft tannins leading to a short, toasted vanilla finish.
Fruity and crisp, this bright wine offers flavors of lemon and fresh apple juice. A tangy lemon-zest texture gives great acidity and a refreshing aftertaste. Drink now.
Aromas of toast, coconut and oak-driven spice lead the nose and carry over to the palate along with licorice and a confectionary note. This lacks fruit richness while raspy tannins leave an astringent finish.
This is a rich, dry wine that has ripe flavors of yellow fruits and baked apples. It has a mineral texture, tangy acidity and a smooth yet fresh finish. Drink from 2016.
This wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Merlot and Syrah, giving fruit, fresh berry flavors and acidity. It has some structure, showing a dry background to the forward juicy flavors. It should be better in a year, so drink from 2016.
This is a rich wine, soft and juicy. Superripe—perhaps overripe—fruit gives a jammy character to the wine. The core woody flavor from aging in French and American oak is prominent and needs to round out. Drink from 2017.
The dark and brooding nose carries notes of toast, cocoa and charred red currant. A heavily extracted palate brings dark bramble berry flavors in contrast with grippy tannins.
A light salmon color, aromas like sliced peaches and watermelon, flavors like canteloupe and a smooth texture combine for a substantive rosé that's not just a light thirst quencher. It is more rich and less tart than many others.
Bing cherry, sweet vanilla and sawdust aromas ring on the nose of the first Merlot bottling from the winery. True to the variety, the palate shows ample plushness and mild tannins, with juicy red plum leading the way. This accessible red could be easily enjoyed solo.
Intensely ripe, fleshy black cherry and blueberry flavors are peppered with spice and vanilla in this fragrant, plush Dornfelder. Subtly sweet, it's an easy, fruit-forward wine for early consumption.
Bright gold in color, this barrel-fermented GV is soft and round, with flavors of white peach and a slight hint of barrel toast. Drink up while it retains its youthful freshness.
This shows off the lovely weight and supple texture of Langhorne Creek fruit alongside bold flavors of chocolate and cassis. Despite that, there's also a nagging bit of green bell pepper that may not be to everyone's taste. Drink now.
Toasty and slightly roasted scents introduce a wine dominated by barrel flavors. Aged for 30 months in one-third new oak, the fruit seems pushed back and out of reach, at least temporarily. Light hints of simple red fruits quickly yield to a liquorous finish, showing some heat and, oddly, a distinct impression of banana.
Pure varietal, this offers scents of whiskey barrel and berry. The fruit brings berries and blue plums into the mix, but it's the dark, roasted, intense barrel flavors that carry through into drying tannins.
Oak aromas pervade on the nose and palate, with charred blackberries, freshly-ground coffee and dark chocolate notes showing dominance. Full-bodied, rich and thick, this brooding red is supported by grippy tannins that build on the finish.
This is a soft, balanced blend of Aragon and Touriga Nacional. It has a a bright, fruity character that is both fresh and warm. It's a delicious wine to drink with food.
This rich wine is soft, with generous tannins and ripe fruit. It has a fine, open balance between black fruits and light spice, resulting in a rich wine that is ready to drink now.
Bouncy, rubbery blackberry aromas take on oak tones of coffee, vanilla and caramel. The palate is juicy and full, with red and black berries taking on a slight char.
Saline and oak aromas are dominant, with tropical fruit scents and apple also registering. This is medium in body, with cutting citric acidity. Flavors of briny oak, popcorn and banana finish salty.
Tangerine and a bite of candied ginger give an exotic edge, before extreme, fresh-squeezed lemon and grapefruit take hold. Soft and herbal, the use of oak is well-managed and unobtrusive. Most of the grapes for this estate, smaller-production Chardonnay come from the producer's Two Rock Vineyard.
Peppery black cherry and blackberry aromas blend in secondary aromas of wet dog hair, candied red fruits and jerky. This blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Cab Franc feels plump and chunky, with leafy, herbal berry flavors. Oak and mild green notes dominate the rustic, spicy finish.
This is a fairly muscular, chunky Pinot Noir. Black cherries and plums power it, accented by slightly piny, herbal notes. It's neither silky nor particularly long on the finish, but is a satisfying, sturdy red to drink over the next few years.
This is pretty characterful stuff, starting off with slightly wooly, feral aromas accenting more mainstream grapefruit and pear notes. It's not heavy, but comes across as broad on the palate, which also reveals hints of melon and peppery spice.
New Zealand's oldest winery (founded in 1851) has turned out a lightweight but wonderfully fragrant Syrah. Violets and cracked pepper notes are head-turning, followed by modest cherry fruit and a slightly lacking midpalate. Ready to drink now.
After a sulfuric, gaseous opening, ripe aromas of blackberry and black cherry along with a hint of horsehide rise up. This is chunky, fruity and jammy in feel, with soft tannins. Pudgy flavors of boysenberry and herbal blackberry finish modest and short. This is one-third each Garnacha, Monastrell and Syrah.
Rarely will you find more hickory and barbecued aromas and flavors than this RDD is showing. In the mouth, it's tannic, woody, astringent and hard as rocks. Flavors of campfire, roasted blackberry and barbecue sauce finish meaty in feel, with matching flavors of beef jerky and bacon. Tasted twice with mixed results.
Minerally raspberry and plum aromas are smoky and woodsy in nature. This has a tannic mouthfeel and lightly medicinal, woodsy, briary blackberry and blackcurrant flavors that finish oaky and with a note of anise and/or licorice.
This tasty red has clean, ripe fruit notes and a pretty, chocolaty finish. The tannins are supple and the 18 months spent in mixed oak adds a touch of mocha. Little suggests that this is a specific variety rather than a pleasant, generic red wine.
The oaky smoke is quite powerful on the nose, which also shows vanilla dust and lime juice. The palate is anything but austere, full of toast, caramelized apples and smoked fruits. A line of citrus acidity stops it from becoming flabby, but this is definitely for the oak lovers crowd.
Coming from vines planted in 1910, this wine is very light in the glass and reserved on the nose, with hints of iron and red fruits. It's tart on the palate, without much ripe fruit, proving rather dainty but offering a decent grip for such a light wine.
Light and fruity, this wine has as much perfumed fruit as honeyed sweetness. It's a delicate wine, hinting at rosewater and spice. A smooth texture and lemon juice balance the honey at the end.
Whiffs of pine fronds and green melon rinds lend a brisk, tonic feel to this off-dry Riesling. It's racy and fresh with acidity, but wraps up briskly and without a trace.
Steely and lime-driven at first, aromas of underripe peach and red apple quietly emerge on the nose. Juicy apple and Meyer lemon show brightly on the palate, with crisp and balanced acidity providing solid structure. This is a straightforward but delicious Riesling, perfect as an apéritif.
Easy aromas of bath oil and mixed tropical fruits are mellow, with nothing too defined. A fresh, lithe palate offers bright acidity and flavors of orange and grapefruit. Light acidity and tropical flavors create a friendly, simple finish.
It smells and tastes like freshly crushed strawberries and raspberries, but sweeter, with a mild texture, medium body, soft tannins and a lingering finish. Nicely done and elegant, it blends Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Here's an earthy wine that opens with aromas of leafy underbrush, porcini mushroom, game, mature black plum and dark berry. The palate delivers juicy dark berry, toast and allspice alongside assertive, drying tannins and a hint of licorice.
This is for those who like their Gewurztraminer super-spicy, decadent even. It's total spice without much in the way of fruit, and so makes a statement. Drink now.
A spicy, perfume-shop aroma leads to a wine that is all about spice and some sweetness. Soft, round and rich, this wine could do with some aging to bring it fully into balance with the acidity. Drink from 2016.
Made entirely from one vineyard source and one variety, this was barrel-fermented in half new French oak. Nonetheless it is marked most by its lightness and crisp, clean flavor of lemon, apple and passionfruit, the oak providing structure in the background only.
Subdued aromas of red berry, dried meat and a touch of oak lead the nose. The palate discloses raw red cherry, thyme, anise and clove alongside biting, astringent tannins that dry out the mouth. Drink after 2017.
Coming in an odd tear-drop-shaped bottle with a removable cork cap sealed in wax, this smells a bit hot, with blackberry and dark spice aromas. The palate is framed by big tannins and very strong acidity, offering elderberry flavors.
Young vines and low brix equal a very light, pleasant quaffer. Mineral and melon elements are in play, with a clean, bracing, leesy mouthfeel.
Peach, melon and acacia aromas are friendly but simple. This has shearing acidity and thus it comes across fresh but lemony on the palate. Flavors of nectarine, lemon-lime and pineapple finish snappy and with lasting acidity.
Aromas suggest exotic fruit, yellow flower and a whiff of Mediterranean herb. The linear palate doles out yellow apple, ginger, thyme and a hint of mineral alongside bright acidity.
Spice and almonds lead off this ripe wine. It is off dry while also having a firm structure that brings flavors of pepper, German spice cake and, at the end, acidity. It's a wine for drinking now.
Bright and spicy, this wine makes an immediate impact. The blueberry fruit has a sassy edge, and it penetrates through the middle into a finish with notes of black licorice, baking spices and coffee grounds. Firm, full and tight, the wine should age nicely now through 2025.
Feral aromas of blood, gristle and game provide an intriguingly sexy quality to this wine. It proves quite light on the palate, with waves of umami crashing in, from truffles and mushrooms to dry-aged beef, with hints of crushed herbs and lavender adding complexity.
One of a series of wines from vines grown on different soil types, this comes from micro-schist soil, giving a wine that is rich as well as structured. Behind the structure, the wine is spicy, ripe and full in the mouth showing the potential of yellow fruits as well as lime-juice citrus. Drink this concentrated wine from 2016.
Whiffs of lime and lemon zest, lanolin and herbs entice on the nose. Off dry in style, this is chock-full of sweet-tart melon and citrus flavors glazed in a slick of honey, which lingers on the finish
Punchy up front, with aromas of wet dog, wild berry and raspberry, this blend of Carmenère, Syrah and Cab Sauvignon runs deep and ripe in the mouth, with loamy tannins and overall smoothness. Blueberry, blackberry and toasty flavors become more chocolaty on the finish. Overall this unfolds bit by bit to show complexity and intrinsic qualities. Drink through 2022.
Dry, earthy plum and berry aromas are attractive and unadulterated. This feels alert, with a refined texture and full tannins supporting red plum and raspberry fruit. A structured, mildly tannic finish tastes peppery and a bit woody, all good signs for the future. Drink through 2019.
Deep, golden yellow, this elegant but structured white offers aromas of fragrant white flower, alpine herb, mature pear and exotic fruit. The vibrant, spicy palate doles out crisp green apple, white peach, nectarine, lemon zest, white pepper and a ginger note. It's balanced and fresh, with bright acidity and a long, mineral finish.
The intensely dark color, tight aromas of black pepper and clove, deep and very ripe fruit flavors and thick tannins add up to a big, bold wine that tastes more full-bodied than its moderate alcohol would indicate. It has vivid flavors like espresso, dark chocolate and a hint of candied fruit, yet is decidedly dry. It should be best after 2018, or enjoy now with hearty meats.
Warm cherry fruit enfolds the palate, with supporting, lemony acids. This subtle, graceful wine both intrigues and invites, still promising a bit more than it delivers, but holding the potential for future greatness. Cellar it and try again 2018–2025.
Earthy and spicy, this is classic cool-climate, coastal Pinot, with a whole-cluster mentality and depth of complex flavor and texture. Tart pomegranate and cranberry combine for a light-hearted approach to the vintage, with herbal accents that reach far across the soulful finish.
From a valley-floor site off of the Silverado Trail just north of St. Helena, this Cab is a departure for the producer, based atop Spring Mountain. The flavors are ripe and jammy in raspberry and blackberry, almost liqueur-like, before finding balance in tangerine-tart acidity. With firm, chalky tannins providing backbone, the finish is sprinkled in black cherry and caramel.
Crushed sea shells, candied lemon rinds and wafts of petrol greet the nose on this wine by widely respected vintners Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton. The tight and pithy palate shows Key lime and pear flesh but leans toward tropical, with hints of pineapple and guava. It's quite stony at first, then opens toward honey on sourdough toast. Drink 2017–2027.
Black in color and overtly charred, toasted and blackened on the nose, this modern-styled Montsant blend is loaded with black fruits, licorice and hickory aromas. In the mouth, this is lush, ripe and strong as an ox. Oaky flavors of vanilla and coconut settle on chocolate and blackberry, while the finish echoes with licorice and vanilla flavors and thick, chewy tannins. Drink through 2021.
With plenty of estate-farmed vineyards, this producer is diving deeper into single blocks and clones with its 2012 releases, providing the opportunity to hone in on an array of tastes. Deer Gate is relatively warm, and the resulting fruit is quite ripe, yielding bold red and black cherry notes around savory dried herb and oak accents.
Part of the winery's Terroir Series, this is aromatic with bright raspberry fruit dotted with peppery herbs. It displays the spicy herbaceousness of this AVA, with excellent penetration and balance. A strong finish hits a resonant note of minerality.
This big, rich wine is packed with dark fruit. After eight years, it is now showing maturity with leather tannins, dense structure and juicy black plum-skin flavors. Despite its age, it still shows well, with proper final wood notes, tannins and acidity. Drink now.
Exotic touches of cinnamon and turmeric lend warmth to this silken, supple Pinot Noir. The palate is luscious and plump, bursting with ripe black-cherry flavor, but invigorated by a strike of acidity and savory touches of bramble and earth. It's an exceptionally balanced, vivacious wine.
This polished, structured white opens with intense aromas of yellow peach, passion fruit, dried hay and crushed tomato vine. The linear, vibrant palate delivers juicy nectarine, creamy white peach and green melon. It's balanced, with refreshing acidity.
Big damson fruits dominate this rich wine. The wood aging has smoothed out some of the dense tannins although the wine remains firm and solid. There's a sense of power behind the juicy dark fruits and the dry core. It needs to age, so drink from 2018.
Several Vista Hills wines are produced off-site—this one at Le Cadeau. It's a fine bottle all around, matching 40% new French oak to ripe, spicy fruit. Sweet cherry flavors reflect the heart of the Dundee Hills location, framed by pleasing toastiness.
The nose on this wine, which is now being made by former Harlan Estate cellar master Adam Henkel, is fresh and boisterous with lime sorbet and lemon glacé aromas. The palate is clean and crisp yet quite tropical, with sweetgrass, mango and papaya flavors.
Structured and elegant, this offers aromas of strawberry, mint, forest floor and an earthy note of leather. The savory palate delivers juicy wild cherry, mineral and baking spice alongside firm, polished tannins.
Subtle, rooty, expressive aromas of blackberry, raisin and tobacco are heady and pure, with magnetic pull. A full-bodied palate is loaded with ripe berry fruit and baked, peppery, spicy blackberry flavors that end long and sturdy, with integrated oak and balance between ripe berry and even riper black currant flavors. Drink through 2021.
This is a forceful and powerful wine from a vineyard site in the producer's portfolio since 2005. Broad-shouldered, it offers juicy strawberry and pomegranate expressive of a ripe, picture-perfect vintage. It also manages to retain a pretty, floral characteristic and a depth of dried herb, clove and peppery spice, particularly on the finish.
Delicate and pillowy in effervescence, this Riesling sekt boasts remarkable nuance in texture and flavor. It's zesty and mineral on the nose, yet buoyantly fruity, chock-full of ripe peaches and Meyer lemons that seem laced in caramel and burnt sugar. It finishes long with lingering touches of pastry and lemon pith.
Selected fruit has been barrel-fermented to give this rich and toasty wine. It has great structure, a concentrated texture that brings out both acidity and delicious acidity. A good layer of spice from the wood blends well with pear and peach fruits. Drink from 2017.
This wine is tannic and leathery and yet at the same time austere, revealing its historic vineyard roots. A blend of 75% Zinfandel and 25% Mixed Blacks, the property is thought to have been planted around 1900. Blueberry, earth and cinnamon-cardamom spice combine to beautiful, layered effect, flavors that will meld nicely through 2020.
This arresting wine has aromas of forest floor, strawberry and cola. It's light and lithe in feel yet still richly flavored with a lingering finish.
Alluring aromas of white spring flower, hay, stone fruit and almond come together in the glass. The firm, savory palate delivers creamy peach, juicy nectarine, mature apple, Mediterranean herb and mineral alongside bright acidity. Enjoy now through 2018.
Very pretty nose, with plenty of raspberry-focused fruit, and a nice creamy mouthfeel. Delicious, mouth-filling, concentrated wine, with a lot of finesse and a wonderful ripeness. Smooth tannins, long finish, with a touch of toast.
Full, textured nose mixes cherries and herbs, very clean and complex. The vines are almost 80 years old, and yield a briary, wild berry quality to the fruit. Balanced and complex wine, which unfolds in lingering layers through a long, satisfying finish.
The winery claims the vines date back to 1882; the wine is a stunner, with rich, old vine complexity mixing cherries, leafy old-vine flavors, smooth chocolaty oak. Smooth, seductive, delicious.
Lovely nose, with coconut and hazelnut scents augmenting the cherry/berry fruit. Not an ordinairy set of scents and flavors, but enticing and distinctive. The fruit is intense and perfumed, and the accents of coconut seem just right.
Old-vine straw, tobacco and herb in the nose. The wine is subtle, sensual and complex, with layers of interesting spicy flavor. Nicely balanced and flavorful, with a long, firm finish.
Lovely, sweet plummy fruit, leads into a soft, rich, mouth-pleasing wine. Beautiful bouquet, tons of flavor in an elegant style. Leafy, old-viney finish.
More of that mountain intensity, with very ripe fruit buttressed with spicy, mineral elements. Brambly, briary, and spicy, leading into a fleshy, round, ripe, soft middle and a long, fruity finish. Good right now.
Delicious berries and cream nose, which follows through with crisp, spicy flavors and good structure. OVOC stands for “old vines old clones” and the fruit, from head-pruned, hillside vineyards, lives up to its billing. Great all-purpose Zin.
A blend of Peachy Canyon Estate (67%) and Mustang Springs Ranch (33%) fruit. In this vintage the Peachy Zins seem to lack intensity, but this is a well-balanced effort that shows the best of what is there. Clean, forward fruit, with lots of blueberry and a light, toasty framework. Good wine, but pricey.
Minty raspberries and chocolate light up the nose. Classy winemaking, with the plump fruit leading into a smooth, rich and extended finish with distinctly minty highlights.
Orange, apricot and pineapple aromas ride over a deep bass note of earth and spice. The earth nearly takes over on the palate, providing a rich, complex counterpoint to the fruit-driven sweetness. Could use a touch more acidity to really make the flavors sing.
Good, bright, spicy fruit, with fine balance and a silky, extended finish. There's lovely concentration in the back end, suggesting blackberries and loganberries and plenty of toast.
A perennial value, this year's edition boasts plenty of smoky blackberry aromas tinged with slight game notes. Medium-bodied—verging on full—there's loads of fruit and flavor packed into an easily accessible format. Ready to enjoy now and should continue to drink well for a few more years.
This is 100% Zinfandel, unlike the regular bottling, from specially selected barrels. 300 cases made. There's concentrated raspberry fruit in the nose, good intensity on the palate, with a good, rich mouthfeel and full, soft tannins in the finish.
Nice cherry fruit, in a big, bold, forward, friendly style. The fruit is perfectly ripened, balanced, full and nicely handled, with nothing obscuring the clean, ripe flavors. Well-made wine, with no unnecessary frills.
This wine strikes a perfect balance, showing the jammy, slightly raisiny ripeness of Paso Robles fruit, but keeping enough acid in the mix to buoy it up. Plump and ripe, it gives a lot of flavor for the price, with interesting layers of fruit and earth through the finish.
There's some old-vine juice included in the blend, and it shows. The nose is lushly scented with plums, raisins, pie cherries and ripe red fruits, with some of that distinctive new mown hay quality that old vines send up. A little barnyard aroma too, in a good way. Very extracted and intense.
Herbs and spices dominate the nose, and the wine has an intriguing blend of 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Grenache and 2% Mourvèdre in it. Interesting and flavorful, though not entirely varietal in character. The mix of spices tastes a bit like a Provençal wine, and it's delicious for the price.
Big, toothsome wine, chewy and assertive. Cline fans will recognize the style: brambly, peppery, with enormous vitality and punch. Bright, spicy fruit backed with good acids and just enough toast.
This is a slightly more intense version of the regular Castoro bottling, with an extra punch to the berries and a little more zip in the finish. A clean, bright, focused wine, precise and polished, with a natural elegance. Good balance throughout.
Fleshy, sweet, ripe, jammy fruit tastes like spicy strawberry preserves. This is a big, briary, vanilla-laced Zin, with firm acids and a fat finish. Best Buy.
Inniskillin continues to push the boundaries of icewine, as evidenced by this wood-aged Vidal. The vanilla and spice of oak barrels partially masks some of the stranger Vidal aromas, allowing the apricot and peach scents to come to the fore. There are some creamy lactic notes on the finish that detract slightly, but this is a very good effort at an entirely different genre.
Ripe, strawberry/raspberry preserves, with a pleasing, jammy, fruity, luscious richness. Ten percent Petite Sirah adds color and punch. There's a fair amount of tannin, but overall a nice balance, and the plush fruit is the highlight.
Shows ample evidence of botrytis on the apricot-scented nose, with less-dominant aromas of ultraripe pears and peaches blending in. It's very juicy and fruity, with some lime-like acidity that keeps it fresh. Best with fresh fruits, or try with a foie gras appetizer.
Good, tangy red fruit, with youthful vigor and zest. Nuances of citrus rind, cranberry and toast; it's compact and sleek, still young and tight, but perfectly balanced and precision-tuned.
Lush and creamy, this is loaded with seductive flavors of ripe pear, melon and sweet apple. There's a hint of whipped cream and a dash of vanilla, but not overbearing or in any way artificial. It's simply delicious.
Made in a méthode Champenoise style, this is crafted from estate-grown fruit, the color crimson pink, the flavors high-toned strawberry and fresh citrus. Light on its feet and dry, it features bubbles that form a rich mousse counterpointed by crisp natural acidity. On the finish is the suggestion of fennel.
A streak of lemon-lime acidity jolts the senses on this unctuously ripe Riesling full of sweet orange and tangerine flavors. It's dancing and light on it's feet, yet powerfully packed with honey and nectar. Penetrating and persistent on the palate.
Aromas of blue flower, blueberry, blackberry and exotic spice almost explode from the glass. The rich palate offers black plum, prune marinated in spirits, black pepper and nutmeg alongside velvety tannins. You'll also detect the warmth of alcohol, but it's supported by the fruit richness. Drink through 2021.
Fresh orange peels lend a zesty vibe to summer melon and peach flavors in this decadent, sun-kissed Riesling. It's so delicate in texture, it's as if gossamer layers of acid and sweetness could dance on the palate, but the finish lingers long with a streak of honey, wax and lanolin. Delicious now, but it's components should meld gorgeously from 2017 and on.
Pink grapefruit and waxy lanolin notes entice on this intensely fruity, honey-kissed Riesling. Medium sweet in style, it's chock full of luscious pineapple and blossom notes, but nervous with bristling lemon-lime acidity. Gorgeously balanced, yet decadently enjoyable, it lingers endlessly on the finish.
Coming from the westernmost vineyard in the appellation, this begins with a goulash-like nose of roasted tomato and black olive, edged with fresh raspberry juice. That fruit carries to the palate, where it remains light and vivacious, with black licorice flavors providing the herbal backbone.
There's a subtle yet thorough menthol character to the nose of this single-vineyard wine from the west end of the appellation, alongside hibiscus juice. It's tinglingly acidic on the palate yet ripe and juicy at the same time, like mild cherry juice meeting up with sassafras.
The chalk soil of the Cova da Ursa vineyard, high up on the Azeitão mountains, yields this rich, tropical-fruited Chardonnay. It is ripe with apricot and mango flavors that are smoothed out by the wood aging. Toast and fresh acidity are still balancing out, so this impressive wine needs to age. Drink from 2016.
Sun-kissed, tropical fruit tones abound on this intensely aromatic medium-sweet Riesling. Round and rich on the palate, it's concentrated with flavors of pineapple, mango and peach touched by hints of honeysuckle and saffron. Finishes with dramatic length and penetration.
OGV is the winery's estate vineyard, planted to several Pinot Noir clones. Made to age, it is light in color and elegant, depths of rhubarb and raspberry playing off each other to offer shades of savory and sweet. Earthy and mildly spicy, the wine's exotic nature and marathon finish should come hither even more forcefully with cellar time; try 2017–2021.
Dark and spicy this silky, supple Pinot Noir is richly restrained in a freshness of boysenberry and the aromatics of a forest floor. But it's the exotic cola spice that'll hook you in and keep you there, particularly piquant on the finish.
Made in honor of Christian Moreau's father, Guy, this is produced from 70-year-old vines that bestow serious concentration and density. It has as much yellow fruit ripeness as citrus and minerality. Put together, these elements give an ageworthy wine. Drink from 2018.
Smoky, inky aromas of ripe black fruits, caramel and pencil eraser set up a creamy, chewy palate with flavors of ripe blackberry, cardamom and toffee. An oaky but smooth finish is elevated and not at all hard or soupy. Everything about this blended red comes across right. Drink through 2017.
Fresh in tart strawberry, this Brice Jones' release hails from a vineyard 950 feet above the town of Annapolis, which is very near the coast. Its profile reflects its provenance, an earthy spiciness buoyed by tingling acidity and lengthy, leathery finish.
Aromatic, with an elegant blend of mountain berries, just-ripe cherries and a refreshing minerality, this estate-grown fruit is farmed organically and biodynamically. The balance and detail are impressive.
With its fragrance of wild flowers and red berries, this wine is as attractive as its unique, square-based bottle that allows for more contact between the yeasts and wine during secondary fermentation. Made with Pinot Noir, the crisp, savory palate boasts crushed raspberries, mineral and baking spices alongside a silky mousse. Extremely elegant.
Cooked black cherry, black soil and a pinch of pine sap combine for an intriguing nose on this clonal study. The flavors are clove-driven around a pomegranate-cherry backdrop, with a touch of cola and expertly balanced tannins and acidity.
One of Foxen's block designates from the historic property, this offers scents of purple flowers, black soil and sharp dill. It's quite smooth once sipped and not very complicated, but with fresh raspberry and brown spice.
Sweet spice and dried lavender accent blackberry and cherry aromas on this lush, lavish Pinot Noir. It's rich in body and fruit, but nuanced by shades of granite and dried leaves, as well as a nervy streak of acidity. Supple and warm on the palate, it finishes with a fringe of soft, delicate tannins.
Made entirely from Nebbiolo, this boasts finesse and structure. Aromas of rose and red berry carry over to the palate alongside bright cherry and yeasty notes of baked bread. Crisp acidity generates freshness, while the elegant perlage gives a silky texture. It finishes bone-dry. Oliver McCrum, Volio Vino.
This vintage of San Román is extremely ripe and oaky, with buttery richness sharing the nose with asphalt, wood resin, cassis and dark-berry aromas. The palate is dense and deep, but it also shows a bit of dead weight compared to better prior versions. Flavors of black fruits, woodspice and pepper finish long and a touch raisiny. Drink through 2020.
Aromas of baked plum, underbrush, grilled herb and mocha lead the nose on this dense, soft wine. The concentrated palate delivers blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, clove and black pepper notes alongside velvety tannins.
This is smooth and harmonious from the dark color, to the baritone aromas of black cherry and cassis, to the rather full body, rich texture and firm tannins. Not too big and not too oaky, but well balanced for its impressive breadth of flavor.
Bracing and bright, this shows definite Chardonnay characteristics, such as a buttery, apple pie aroma and vivid crisp apple and lemon flavors. Nothing is overblown, though, so it retains finesse. This will be great as an apéritif and even better with seafood after sitting down at the table.
A graceful Pinot Noir that feels silky on the palate, tastes almost sweet, exudes strawberry and cherry flavors. It is smooth and pure, has a refined texture, almost delicate but with good vibrant acidity and great balance. Just a bit lighter and more elegant than The Charm bottling from Shane.
This is an impressive effort, especially considering it is the winery's mass-production cuvée. All in proportion, it's built upon an acid/mineral base, with tangy, just-ripe berry fruit. It feels quite delicate, yet has the persistence and structure of a more substantial wine. Aged for 10 months in one-quarter new French oak, it's worth tucking a few bottles away for a long-term look.
Ribbon Springs is the principal source for Adelsheim Pinots, so this vineyard selection is essentially a reserve. As with all these limited offerings, it impresses with rich aromatics and a plush mix of red berries, pomegranate and cherry fruit. There's a whiff of chamomile, a hint of animal, and the structure to age nicely through 2025.
The first act of dried spices and light, dusty red fruit aromas is honest and subdued. The palate brings good weight and lightly leafy, tomatoey accents to red cherry and raspberry flavors. Light, dry and a little stemmy on the finish. Standard but hinting at elegant.
This faintly copper-tinged Pinot Grigio offers ripe melon and apple aromas and flavors. It's medium-bodied, with a refreshing crispness to the finish. Drink now.
The blend is roughly two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one third Merlot, the color is dark and rich, and the nose inviting. Spice and tobacco, vanilla and moist earth surround black cherry fruit, with tart and lightly drying tannins. Not a big wine, but well-crafted, smooth and supple.
Slightly granular smelling and seemingly oversized on the bouquet. In the mouth it folds itself back into standard form, with earthy, jammy flavors of wild berry and spice. Seems a touch heavy and slightly green on the finish, but overall it gets the job done.
Deep purple in color, with an inky nose that brings licorice and jammy black fruit aromas. This is a lush, soft-bodied style of Syrah with a meaty mouthfeel and candied, jammy flavors of blackberry and stewed black cherry. Finishes sweet and chocolaty; could use a bit more structure and spine.
Earthy and spicy on the nose, with tomato and raisin but also some herbal green, which is likely attributable to the 50% Cabernet in this Malbec-CS blend. Tame on the palate, with tomatoey notes and dry raspberry flavors. Simple and pleasant but more herbal and less exciting that Gradum's straight '05 Malbec.
This unoaked Roussanne is fresh and fragrant, with loads of white florals, tropical fruit, peach and a touch of baby powder. The mouth is ripe and crisp with balanced acidity and a juicy lime-infused finish. Drink now.
Peach and melon aromas are inviting and clean. Very juicy and juice-like in the mouth, probably more so than I can remember for this wine. It tastes like orange, tangerine and grapefuit juices mixed together. The texture isn't very smooth or wine-like; seems less refined and less minerally than in the past.
Mildly baked and raisiny on the nose, then more varietal in character in the mouth. There's sweet and spicy cherry as well as brown sugar flavors along with good acidity and medium-bodied elegance that pushes the wine along. Basic on the finish, with a hint of lasting candied sweetness.
Fresh and fruity on the nose, and inviting for what it is: a basic Garnacha with color, spirit and lots of blackberry and plum flavors. The palate is tight and rubbery, but overall this is a fine value despite its short, simple finish.
On the rich side for a Muscadet, with acidity adding to the yeast, citrus and grapefruit flavors. There is a great zingy character, finishing with intense acidity.
A relatively full style of Muscadet that has a strong grapefruit flavor. It is ripe—that's the vintage—while still retaining a good citrus edge.
Partially (35%) fermented in French oak, this is a soft, round and fruity wine. Lightly toasted with scents of coconut and camphor, it's still packed with crisp lime and gooseberry fruit, providing a solid underpinning.
Rich and multi-layered, the wine smells like lemon and cream, while tastes recall marzipan, lemon and pear. It feels luxurious in texture and has a tasty, lingering finish. While full bodied, it doesn't get as heavy as the flavors might suggest and shows good balance.
Known for working well with the grape, this Raats wine is Cabernet Franc dominant (85%), with additional components of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Forward scents of green pepper, tobacco leaf, cigar ash and menthol are framed by a fruity spice of blackberry and cassis. The medium-weight mouthfeel is approachable yet structured, with fine-grain tannins and a licorice-infused, brambly berry finish. Drink now–2019.
Yeasty, like baked bread, this thick, leathery and peppery wine is surrounded by a wealth of burly tannins. The oak well integrated, it will nonetheless benefit from further aging to coax more of its dark raspberry and blackberry fruit. Cellar through 2020.
Done in a distinctive style that is just shy of over-the-top, this is fermented and aged in neutral oak barrels, and sports near-15% alcohol. Rich, round and ripe, it's lightly buttery, with appealing apple and pear-tart flavors, light toast and impressive power.
Made with 70% Nebbiolo and 30% Pinot Nero, this savory sparker offers aromas and flavors of wild cherry, juicy strawberry, orange zest and a hint of cake spice. Fresh acidity and a vibrant but refined perlage provide the backdrop.
Nutmeg, allspice and chestnuts provide a warmth and sense of hearth to this robust, full-bodied wine, from a special site in the heart of Santa Rosa. Candied cherry dominates on the palate, the wine bright yet sultry, with a healthy, generous body and length.
This wine is made by Paso Robles-based Jeremy Weintraub, who also works at Adelaida Winery. Aromas recall beeswax, light banana, ripe nectarine, lemon curd and white flowers. Soft once sipped, it proves easy to drink, with flavors of chamomile tea, yellow pear, yellow apples and roasted nuts.
An extroverted burst of meaty, minerally and fruity flavors defines this medium-bodied, firm-textured and concentrated wine. Imagine prosciutto wrapped around canteloupe for the flavor, plus vivid acidity and a lingering, almost smoky finish.
Warm blackberry aromas mesh with savory cooked meats, clove, allspice and campfire smoke on this bottling, which features lines from famous sonnets on the back label. The palate shows plum-pie flavors, with allspice, cinnamon and clove.
Ripe in dense black cherry, this wine has a pleasant juiciness that keeps it balanced in the glass. A firmness of acidity supports the well-integrated tannins and lithe fruit, while the finish brings a swirl of cinnamon-cola and vanilla.
Thick and concentrated, this wine needs more time to unwind, ideally through 2021, showing tightly sewn layers of blackberry, cassis, black olive and tar.
Full, juicy and ripe, this is rich with black cherry and red plum fruits that are textured with tannins and spice. The wine, while drinkable now, will be much better from late 2016 as it broadens out.
A blend of 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, both grown in Chiles Valley, this wine was 100% stainless-steel fermented. Jasmine and a sweetness of fresh-picked corn show off on the nose, while a wet stone minerality peeks through on the palate. Light and velvety, the wine offers body and complexity, and should age interestingly. Drink now through 2018.
A splash of Malbec is included in this otherwise varietal wine, a grippy, structured and full-bodied mountain expression of big tannins and potent black fruit. Leather and tobacco make their way into the experience, finishing soft and on the way to being resolved.
The winery's annual showing of “minimal intervention techniques,” this wine offers lime peels, yellow grapefruit and cut grass on the expected and excellent nose. There is a nice pepperiness to the palate, from green pepper to chopped oregano, basil and thyme.
Inky dark and compressed, this is a concentrated expression of juicy black fruit and licorice. With sizable, powerful tannin, it needs time to decompress, a leathery texture requiring patience to soften. Cellar through 2020.
The deep strawberry-pink color immediately spells fun but the palate is actually more serious than that. Full to the brim of strawberry fruit without being cloying or candied, there's a beautiful balance to the fruit expression, with lots of refreshment and plump, yet light-footed joy.
This textured, ripe wine shows the potential of Chardonnay in the Beaujolais region. The 2.5 acres of vines average seven years in age, so still have a lot of time to mature. Still, the wine has a tight, mineral character balanced by yellow and white fruits as well as refreshing final acidity. Drink now.
This rich and full-bodied Gamay from Vincent Sangouard is ripe with black cherry and sweet fruits. A juicy side brings acidity, while a dense, firm dry core promises some aging. Drink from 2016. The Leynes village is a sub-region producing Beaujolais Villages and Burgundy Maçon wines.
The producer stays true to its roots with this deliciously made white, a blend of mostly Sauvignon Blanc with some Sauvignon Gris and Sauvignon Musqué. Waxy apple comes first, followed by fully etched acidity that manifests itself as fresh-cut lemon and tangerine. A 100% stainless-steel wine, it finishes refreshingly.
Spicy tomato aromas show an herbal side as well as red plum and cranberry notes. In the mouth, this is ratcheted down and crisp, with fine acidity creating ideal Pinot framework. Flavors of briny plum and currant end more oaky and rich, with a light caramel note to go with lasting dried red-fruit flavors.
Firm and tannic, this powerful wine is solid, foursquare and dense in structure. There is plenty of fruit as well, with the typical juiciness of Alicante Bouschet to give a ripe fruity character under the tannic structure. Drink this concentrated wine from 2017.
From the historic family-owned vineyard down a ways on Westside Road, this Bacigalupi wine is richer and more layered than some of the producer's other vineyard-designates, providing a meatier, more tropical edge of fleshy butter and nuttiness. The aromatics balance things out, sharing whispers of orange blossom and caramel.
From one of the properties where Duboeuf does vinification and bottling at the estate, this is a dense and structured wine. While it does have intense, young acidity, it also offers ripe berry fruits that are bold and rich. Drink from 2016.
Named after the pine-tree aromas that come from the trees around the Dão vineyards, this wine is perfumed with structured black-currant fruits and wild-berry flavors. Its tannins and balanced concentration are just right. Drink from 2018.
It's a good solid wine that shows the forthright fruity aspect of the varietal. A quite deep color and spicy earthy cola aromas are followed by nicely ripe plum and black cherry on the palate, where the full body gives a mouth-filling sensation and the firm tannins add some welcomed grip.
Aromas of cassis, dried cranberry and black cherry are backed by tobacco and a kick of licorice. The palate is ripe in raspberry, blueberry and black cherry, showing whispers of leather and white pepper. The tannins add balance, mellowing some of the ripeness. Currant and vanilla show on the medium-length finish.
This wine opens with mature black plum, blue flower and cooking spice aromas. The juicy, easy-drinking palate delivers ripe blackberry and blueberry jam flavors, with a hint of pink peppercorn. Velvety tannins provide smooth support. Enjoy through 2020.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Malbec is a bit shy on the nose, with aromas of charred black plum, lava rock and soy sauce. Dried black-cherry and charred-oak flavors show on the sip along with thyme, oregano and marjoram. The tannins are still quite firm.
This is a rich wine in a dry style for Port, bringing out the red fruits as well as dried fruits and acidity. It's structured and firm while also fruity. Because it has been bottled unfiltered, it will age further and will be at its best from 2019.
Tightly wound purple fruits are decorated by peppercorn, roasted lamb and a tarry touch on the nose of this bottling by Bob Lindquist, which also includes small bits of Tempranillo and other varieties. The cool climate character is carried to the sip as well, where charred black-currant, white-pepper, rosemary and grilled-beef flavors abound.
This firmly tannic wine is a selection made for aging. It has structure and a dry core. Set against this are the blackberry fruits, the acidity and the juicy aftertaste. It will be ready from 2018.
This is deep gold in color, with aromas of butter, biscuits and pineapple. Initial flavors of buttery popcorn, vanilla, clove and nutmeg carry the palate, with apricot and citrus in the background. This is an oily, robust wine that lingers long and spicy on the finish.
Vinified in stainless steel and not put through malolactic fermentation, this is a leesy, textural wine with plenty of minerality. Its flavors conjure up wet concrete, stone and lemon and lime peel.
This wine evokes black cherry pie cooling in a window sill. Kirsch, clove, anise and toast form a powerful bouquet that carries through to the palate. Fleshy tannins and a creaminess suggest a rich body and makes for a long finish that ends with a zing of tart cherry.
This wine has a pronouned nose of lilac, red currant, cranberry and violet. The palate features the same, as well as tomato leaf, nutmeg and clove. This is a big wine that feels lighter due to the fresh acidity. The tannins are big, but well integrated and make for a nice spicy finish.
Just one barrel of this bottling was produced, but it falls short of the other Dundee Hills cuvées this vintage. It starts out thin, with dilute fruit, cola and mineral notes. With hours of breathing time, it begins to fill out in the middle, so aggressive decanting is recommended.
This proprietary blend brings together many of Napa Valley's old-vine grapes, from Zinfandel and Petite Sirah to Alicante Bouschet and Mourvèdre. Plum sauce, tobacco and leather are seasoned in black pepper and espresso within a full-bodied grippy package.
Made from 100% Nero d'Avola, this has ripe blackberry, tilled earth and clove aromas. The juicy palate offers blueberry jam, vanilla and leather touches alongside velvety tannins. Drink through 2020.
Savory mint, prune and soy sauce blend nicely with notes of violet and rose. More fruit comes through on the palate, showing a bright cranberry note that livens everything up.
Cedar, oak and woody tannin make for a classic and composed entry to this wine, which is otherwise boldly ripe and full bodied. Big layers of blackberry and chocolate confront the palate with force, accented in coffee, clove and cinnamon.
Nuanced aromas of fig, prune, molasses, coffee, tobacco and smoky chipotle make an intriguing bouquet and find their way onto the palate. Forest floor and mushroom tones add complexity to the flavors. The tannins are rich but the overall feel of this wine is elegant.
This dense and solid wine comes from the eastern ends of the Entre-deux-Mers. It is full of black fruits that balance the firm, dry tannins. Juicy acidity bursts in at the end for a wine that's already delicious and will age well. Best to drink from 2017.
While this is a firm wine, full of dry tannins and smoky wood-aging flavors, it also has plenty of ripe and juicy fruit. Red berry and black currant show strongly, filling the wine out and promising roundness as it ages. Drink from 2017.
Produced from vines on the plain of Saint-Émilion near the Dordogne river, this is a Merlot-dominated wine. It has big tannins, bold ripe fruit and a dark core of dryness. As with so many wines in this vintage, the fruitiness makes it work so well, ripe and bold black fruits that are finished off with acidity. Drink from 2018.
Cadillac faces Barsac and Sauternes across the Garonne river and shares the same autumn conditions that give the noble rot in the sweet wines. This wine offsets sweetness with a fresh, lemon marmalade crispness to give a well-balanced, ready-to-drink wine.
The 54-acre Landat vineyard, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, has produced a powerful, wood-aged wine. The wood shows in the firm and dense tannic structure and gives the wine a dry perspective. Black currant and acidity provided a more juicy aspect to this concentrated wine.
While the tannins are very present in this wine, it also has good acidity and blackberry fruits. It's firm and structured in the front, still young, although allowing plenty of room for the fruit to show strongly over the next few years. Drink from 2019.
This wine is firmly structured while also supporting swathes of berry fruits. Tannins come from the Cabernet in the blend and from the wood aging that gives a toasty character. Black fruits and acidity shine at the end. Drink from 2018.
A ripe, juicy and fruity wine, this is already softening. Plenty of rounded Merlot flavors are stiffened by the wood-aging spices and the stalky black currant character of Cabernet. Drink this structured wine from 2018.
Old vines from a 10-acre vineyard are the backbone of this wine. Ripe and concentrated, it offers aromas and flavors of mint from the wood aging along with a dominant Cabernet black currant and berry fruitiness. This is going to develop well, so drink from 2018.
This wine has good potential. While for now, it is dry and cut with tannins, the fruit and rich blackberry flavors are promising a rounded, full future. Wood aging has smoothed the wine and added a touch of toast to the black currant fruits. Drink from 2018.
Set on the plateau of Saint-Émilion, this 12-acre property has produced a structured and firm wine. It is solid with tannins, dark with its black fruits and rich with superripe Merlot. Drink from 2018.
Intriguing aromas suggest barrel spices, vanilla and green herbs, with some of the notes seeming to tussle. The plum flavors are sweet with tart acidity and lightly chalky tannins.
The intriguing nose presents juicy grape candy, but in a serious way, with black licorice and maduro cigar notes. It's lighter than expected once sipped, but strong flavors of smoked meats and boysenberry fruit touch all parts of the palate.
This wine seems disjointed at present with notes of green herbs, leather, cherry and orange peel. The cherry flavors have good density and richness along with tart acidity but the dry, scratchy tannins distract. Give it extended time in the bottle or a very long decant.
A blend of Red Willow Merlot (61%) and Angela's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine offers savory aromas of herbs, nori and peanut shells. The palate shows good concentration to the sweet coffee and cherry flavors that display a supple feel and are backed by lightly chewy tannins.
The light garnet color, brick rim and tertiary aromas indicate this is evolving quickly. The palate is more vibrant, displaying menthol, steeped cherry, plum cake, vanilla and licorice alongside bracing tannins. Drink after 2017.
This blend of 52% Syrah, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot offers strong notes of green olive, ham hock and herbs. It's loaded with mesquite flavors with slightly astringent tannins, narrowing toward the finish.
This aromatic wine features melon, red apple skin and tropical notes. It drinks a hair off dry with a broad, rich feel to the fruit flavors.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, this vibrant wine conveys aromas of black currant, red berry and cooking spice. The savory palate offers black cherry and ground pepper alongside relaxed tannins. Drink through 2016.
This 100% varietal provides a pretty example of Petite Sirah, with appealing accents of dark coffee and plum. The soft, supple feel to the fruit flavors belies the firm tannins at this wine's core. Amaro-like bitters on the finish are the only thing that holds this wine back from reaching further heights.
A blend of 43% Grenache, 41% Mourvédre and 16% Syrah from two vineyard sites, one warmer than the other, this plummy red is bright on the palate. Smoky and not overly oaked, it contributes gamy twinges of black currant and cardamom to the long finish.
Temptingly ripe aromas and flavors make this a very generous wine. It also has some complexity due to a slight earthy, savory accent in the aroma that returns on the finish. Medium to full bodied, it will pair well with robust, meaty dishes and will be perfect for sipping after a meal.
Floral red-fruit aromas are slightly medicinal and suggestive of cherry cough drop. A healthy, chewy mouthfeel and flavors of plum and raspberry end with textural solidity and modest refinement. This is an interesting mix of 55% Petit Verdot with Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, and a dash of Malbec.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (68%) and Syrah offers aromas of blue fruit, smoked meat, tire rubber and herbs. It's sweet and flavorful with abundant plum notes.
This structured wine has 25-year old vines as its basis. It is concentrated and dense as well as bringing out the ripe berry fruits that are typical of 2012. With the structure and acidity well in place, this wine will age. Drink from 2017.
This structured wine tastes young, showing considerable tannins at this stage. Its weight gives it potential, however, and the wine will show blackberry flavors and juicy acidity by 2017.
Earthy, almost funky, aromas of tilled soil, leather, toast and game take shape in the glass. The palate offers dried black cherry, powdered sage, tobacco and an anisette note alongside assertive tannins. Drink after 2018.
Coffee spice and cran-raspberry juice aromas greet the nose. This is rich on the palate at first, but a decent bitterness and acidity grace the edges, proving both full and bright, though a tad hot.
Reedy and green on the nose, then choppy and clipped on the palate. For a full-priced Malbec, this is lacking in ripeness, body and finesse; it's prickly and limited, with green bean, rhubarb and cranberry flavors. Not bad but underwhelming for $33.
This stainless-steel Chardonnay from above Malibu starts out light, tasting of grapefruit and orange, and is fairly crisp with a nice dollop of anise, but finishes too tart, almost sour as if it's been oddly acidified.
A pale salmon color, this rosé shows ripe notes of cocoa-dusted cherry and strawberry alongside sweet citrus oil. Creamy and full in the mouth, it's a richer rosé that can stand up to heartier fare.
Waxy to the max, with baked apple, dry spice and plenty of oak on the bouquet. Thick and mouthfilling in terms of texture, with creamy melon and sweet apple flavors. Turns pithy, stalky and bitter on the finish.
A bit muted and easy-drinking with soft notes of tart green apple and lemon peel throughout. It's brisk and prickly on the tongue with a fleeting finish; drink up.
If your love of animals knows no bounds, then this is the wine for you—Serene is named after a dog. Caravintas supports animal shelter, service and rescue groups so the cause is good. The wine? It has a cordial cherry liqueur or Schnapps flavor; its acidity is disheveled.
A lean wine, its tannins dominant. There is a barnyard character along with red cherry fruit and acidity. An edge of wood and toast comes through at the end.
Smells like fresh berries and perfume, which is good. In the mouth, it's weighty and sticky, with just enough acidity to keep it pumping. Tastes cranked up and wild, with plum and nectarine flavors leading the charge. Sugary on the finish, with a slightly cloying feel.
Foxy aromas come with notes of rubber, creamy milk chocolate and vanilla. It's hot and fiery in the mouth, with herbal plum and cassis flavors. Functional as a fruity, red berry wine but there's not much going on beyond the basics.
This Agiorgitiko and Syrah blend is an earthy mélange of pepper, blackberry and cherry aromas and flavors of black fruit, red cherry and vanilla spice. Balanced and focused, it's a wine for sipping and pairing with food. Think pork or lamb.
Light and simple, with piercing, grassy scents that suggest minimal ripeness. Flavors of straw and unripe pear quickly fade.
A light and easy quaff with fresh notes of green apple, underripe peach and orangey citrus. Balanced and clean with a short finish. Drink now.
Soft notes of toasted red apple skin and cedar plank enhance the peach and sweet citrus core of this white. Zippy and somewhat prickly with a mouthwatering finish.
Mendocino's Navarro Vineyards hits it out of the ballpark with this truly stellar Sauvignon Blanc, its 20th year making SB. Partially barrel-fermented, this is an inviting wine of subtle jasmine aromas and touching minerality. An incredibly well-balanced version of the varietal full of lemon thyme and passion fruit. The acidity would cut nicely through a potato gratin.
Ron Lachini cleverly assigns his wines to a carefully assembled team of winemakers; this one belongs to Laurent Montalieu. It is the estate reserve, from low-yielding vines. It is a particular success in this much-maligned vintage. Intense and focused, it opens with pungent aromas of forest and clove, tastes of concentrated cranberry and pomegranate fruit, and powers through into a full-bodied, hefty, assertive finish. The tannins are substantial and the winemaking perfect.
Dark, toasty and minerally to start with, then throw in some olive, herb and cassis and it's pure Maipo Cabernet at its best. The palate is deep, layered and lush, with a smooth, elegant yet lusty flow of cassis, berry, olive and herbal flavors. Fine on the finish, with mild barrel-influenced chocolate. Ready to drink but could be cellared for another 4–5 years.
A wine with a very mineral character, some weight, very lively acidity, rounded out with spice and pear. This is for long-term aging, over five years and more.
Perfumed, rounded wine, packed with fruit, its ripe flavor given point with kiwi fruit acidity. There is a light spiciness that adds to the complexity. Age for 3-4 years.
Sineann's Peter Rosback is the winemaker for this particular Lachini bottling, and has been through seven vintages. This is the best yet, perhaps a function of a maturing vineyard and a great year. Lush and textural, it dances among flavors of pretty cherry-berry fruit, lightly whipped chocolate and accents of sandalwood and spice. It gains strength through the finish, lingering gracefully.
The three Himmelreich '09 spätleses tasted were all terrific, with this example showing great intensity and power without excessive weight. Apple and lime notes are underscored by something akin to liquid slate, while citrus notes linger on the long, vibrant finish.
The Looney Vineyard bottling is the outlier in the Archery Summit lineup—a different AVA and a non-estate vineyard. The Ribbon Ridge AVA is a subset of a subset within the Willamette Valley, and it may be the hidden gem for producing great Pinot Noir. This wine is sensual, spirited, spicy and smooth. The cherry and raspberry fruit is highlighted with bright acidity and whiffs of baking spices. The new oak is gently applied and the use of wild yeasts may have added some textural nuances also.
One of the few properties in Saint-Julien that is not a cru classé, Moulin de la Rose does have all the elegant, structured character of the vintage. The tannins are firm, suggesting good long-term aging prospects.
This beautiful wine further confirms the high level of quality in the Pinot Noirs from Dan Goldfield and Steve Dutton. It has a profusion of ripe black cherry and currant flavors, backed by firm acidity and fine-grained tannins, giving it grip. Its balance of concentrated fruit flavors and solid structure indicates a long life in the cellar. Best after 2020.
The full tilt of ripe peach hits the nose at once, followed by glimpses of marmalade and peach compote. The palate follows with the same aromatic intensity, enriching the peach compote notes even further with lemony barley sugar and fresh caramel, pierced by tangy citrus acidity. The flavors are mature and precise, opulent but tempered, and have a decadent touch. This is lovely now but has the concentration and drive to evolve. Drink now through 2030.
This bottling comes from the best blocks and barrels from this single vineyard, co-owned by a number of Edna Valley luminaries. The result is stunning, with baked raspberry, strawberry, maple, and peppery bacon aromas comprising a spicy, exotic nose. Black plum fruit melds with white pepper and crushed herbs, diving into tangy strawberry and sandalwood incense notes on the finish.
Another longtime standout for Williams Selyem, Allen Vineyard fruit imparts textural subtleties and a wealth of minerality and freshness. Citrus-driven in its cranberry and orange flavors, it shows depth and complexity, accented by lively thyme and clove notes.
Here's a delicious red that opens with appealing ripe plum, blue flower, tobacco and baking spice aromas. Velvety tannins and fresh acidity provide structure and balance, while while juicy black cherry, raspberry compote and licorice flavors envelope the palate. Drink 2019–2032.
This splendid, resonant, beautifully detailed wine captures everything that is most desirable in the 2014 vintage. Blackberry and black cherry fruit, adorned with a sprinkling of Sumatra coffee beans, rocks on with polished tannins. The pleasing roasted character is just right to power it through a clean, sexy finish. Drink now and on through 2026.
From vines planted in 1912, this has been an icon of South Australia Shiaz since 1952, when it was first bottled as a single-vineyard wine. Menthol and vanilla notes frame black cherries and cassis on the nose, while the palate reveals supple tannins and meaty, savory complexities. The finish is softly dusty, fine and long. Drink now–2030.
Certain wines exude a sense of elevated excellence. This one gets to that level via aromas of spice cake, baked plum and tobacco aromas. A stocky saturated palate is structured and built to age, while this tastes of cool blue fruits, herbs, coffee and chocolate. A smoothly textured finish deals cocoa and mocha notes. Drink through 2040.
An incredibly pure and piercing note of lemon oil hits the nose. The medium-sweet palate impresses with both fresh and dried notes of fruit: plum, white sultana, white currant and the ripest pear and apple you can imagine. This is full-on and big but balanced by tingling, fresh and precise acidity. A field blend of polar opposites, Riesling and Gewurztraminer, this unites their virtues of aromatic textured richness and poised finesse. Again, this is not a wine that is easily categorized with its medium-sweet, soil- and fruit-driven profile, but it is a joy to experience and savor. The finish lasts and lasts. Drink 2017–2035.
A hint of caramelized apple clings to the nose, as well as a certain creaminess. The palate reveals a core of stone, chalk and lanolin, all framed with the purest notion of lemon zest. This shows lovely flavors of maturity but has only just got going. The freshness is incisive, the complexity and length immense. This is simply beautiful and leaves you totally refreshed. Savor this slowly. Drink now through 2030.
This is a wine with great balance and elegance as well as richness. With layers of fine dusty tannins it has a warm character that is repeated in the perfumed fruit and juicy acidity. The wine is impressive, likely to age well. Drink from 2024.
The wine shows the success of white wines in the 2014 vintage. Initially it has lively acidity and a crisp texture. Then the palate fills out with complex citrus, pineapple and apricot flavors. The aftertaste—juicy and tangy—is already delicious. Drink from 2021.
This is a powerfully structured wine from a 18-acre property on the plateau of Pomerol. Rich Merlot dominates and gives the wine both its alcohol and its intense tannins and juicy red fruits. The wine is dense with the potential for aging over a considerable time. Drink from 2025.
The heady scent of Damask rose hints unmistakably to Gewürztraminer. The palate follows lusciously, generously and luxuriantly: wonderfully sweet notions of peach, ripe apricot and yellow mirabelle plum are perfumed with a rose petal scent but are also pervaded by a gentle citrus freshness that lifts everything. The length is astonishing and dreamy. This is dangerously delicious.
After a touch of funky reduction, beautiful hints of herbs appear: yarrow and lemon balm play alongside lemon and crisp green-apple aromas. On the palate, these notions all remain taut along a very linear, slender but concentrated body that owes more to citrus than to apples. There is a powerful enduring core of fruit and stone that will make this last. The flavors echo long and leave the mouth totally clean. Drink now through 2035.
From an organic, dry farmed vineyard, this wine is as feral as the forest—a study in wild boar, wildflowers and dried herbs. Bright acidity buoys that meaty quality in the form of tart rhubarb and strawberry tea flavors. Floral on the nose and palate, it's spicy too, with bold seasonings of clove and pepper.
From a Westside Road-adjacent vineyard in the heart of the northern Middle Reach, Flax is rocky and the vines a decade old. Expect luxurious power and a velvety mouthfeel from this wine, its black tea, pomegranate and rhubarb flavors brushed with allspice, sage and cola.
This Cabernet equivalent to Grange has exploded in price (I remember tasting the 1996 on release when it was $25 per bottle), but there's no questioning the quality. A deep, intense nose of cassis, earth, menthol and cedar is followed by a full, rich palate that's supple without being soft. Brighter notes of red fruit emerge on the lengthy finish, which is dominated by sweet fruit and creamy lactones. Drink 2020–2030, and probably well beyond.
Utter generosity of both ripe and dried pear is immediately evident on the nose. Notions of sandalwood hover. The dry palate carries that same, generous fluidity at its deep core. There is immense concentration, shimmering with dried, fresh and cooked pear. But there also is a sense of earth, stone and fresh orange peel. The wine seems like a message from another world, , leading you beyond the physical, into a wold of contemplation. The finish lasts and lasts.
Forest floor, wild berry, new leather and balsam are some of the aromas you'll find in this bright, linear red. On the palate, firm, polished tannins support ripe red cherry, white pepper, andcrushed mint notes with a hint of black tea. It's still young and tightly wound but already boasts stunning elegance. Drink 2020–2032.
You could get lost in the enticing fragrance of this wine thanks to wild berry, blue flower, baking spice, chopped herb and saddle leather aromas. The smooth, elegantly structured palate is just as inviting, doling out juicy black cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and white pepper flavors. Polished tannins and fresh acidity lend balance and support. An impressive effort from this winery—one of Montalcino's little known gems.
The heady scent of grapefruit and tangelo peel immediately add savoriness to the crisp green-apple fruit that is evident on the nose. But there are also richer hints of honey and yellow apple. The palate remains taut, slender and linear but that tangelo spice is boosted by enticing herbal notes of yarrow and a dollop of yeast. This is an aromatic marvel. The finish is dry and intense. This will keep your interest for years. Drink now through 2035.
There is something heady about this: a hint of chamomile tincture and pure lemon zest. The palate cuts in with uncompromising purity and zestiness—this really wants to showcase pure stone and tart citrus. There are glimpses, however, of plump ripe mirabelle plums and a touch of dried pear and quince. Nonetheless, this is governed by stern tanginess and thus is for real adults only. This is dry, slender and shows absolute focus. A celebration of stone and Riesling. Don't drink this now but wait: Drink 2020–2035.
Smoky clove and rose petal aromas underlie a delicately complex fruitiness in this wine, its cranberry and pomegranate flavors complemented by cardamon, dried herb and savory black tea. Light-bodied and fresh, it offers an indelible silkiness on the palate.
Full and plush on the palate, this wine shines in spicy red and black cherry, offering both a juicy core and sculpted texture. Finishing long, it retains a freshness of acidity, fine tannin and seamless oak. A dark, earthy expression of the grape with a twist of spice.
From a selection of the original vines at this heritage vineyard, which was planted in the early 1970s, this is densely layered with strawberry, raspberry and cherry fruit. Details are well-integrated, bringing light notes of toasted coconut and caramel. The texture and mouthfeel express the little extras that old vines, when handled properly, can deliver.
There is just a touch of peach amidst the green and yellow apple notes. The palate adds a stony earthy touch, as well as a hint of lanoline, and has an impressive core of fruit that radiates throughout this wine with pure apple flavor and crisp freshness. This strikes a high soprano note of absolute purity. The body is taut and bone-dry, the finish is clean and lasting. Gorgeous now but totally built to last. Drink now through 2035.
This rich, opulent wine carries its massive oak load easily, marrying vanilla and toasted coconut notes with ripe plum and black cherry flavors. It's full bodied and plush, with supple tannins supported by the wood. Give it a few years to knit together and drink it 2020–2030.
The defining characteristic of Carter seems to be a taste of steel or gun metal running through the spine. It's here again, with compact fruit and drying tannins. That fruit has a dark core, and it's polished and textural, with lightly herbal highlights. This is a wine to track in the cellar over the next decade or longer.
Always a great value, this warm and fruity wine is immediately accessible and drinkable. It has fine red berry fruits, a good core of tannins and just the right fruit acidity. Drink now.
A balanced wine, not powerful although well concentrated with its red berry fruits and dusty tannins. It has beetroot flavor, acidity and a firm, dry finish.
Sonoma County's Coturri, an early advocate of organic farming and old-fashioned winemaking, has made a tiny amount of Charbono, a hybrid of Nebbiolo and Grenache. Grown at Testa in Mendocino, a great source of many heritage varieties, including Zinfandel and Carignane, this Charbono is grapey and rustic with a fair amount of acidity throughout.
This vintage is sourced entirely from the estate vineyard, a mix of four Rhône varieties. Cherry red, fruity and round, it's a crisp and stylish rosé for near-term drinking.
Earthy tobacco and natural warmth provide for a good nose. It's briary smelling as well, with racy cherry and plum flavors. Shows some heat from 15% alcohol, but for $9 wine it packs a lot power and flavor. Unmistakable Garnacha that reflects sunny environs.
Made from native Portuguese grapes, this Lodi-sourced Port-style wine has a strong, sweet nose of big-time ripe cherry and blackberry with a hint of meat, almost jamón. Balanced on the finish, veering slightly too sweet midpalate.
Broadly flavorful when first sipped, this turns aggressively oaky in the mouth. The liquorous barrel flavors will please some tasters, while others will wonder where the fruit went?
This rich wine is touched by botrytis, although its main character is ultraripe, sweet fruit. Mango, honey and an edge of toast come together easily.
A big, full yet nicely balanced old-vine Zin with the variety's spiciness front and center and fine notes of cherry and plum.
Dry, spicy aromas work well with core raspberry and earthy notes. The palate has a healthy mouthfeel and honest flavors of brown sugar, toast and black cherry. Spice and tempered caramel flavors grace the finish, which has vigor and confirms the value factor and overall quality.
It's no surprise that this Amador Syrah spent 21 months in French oak. The wine is very tannic, savory with a wisp of pepper. Still, for a bigger, more tannic style mountain of Syrah it's got some good acidity midpalate and through the finish and could be interesting with a rich serving of duck, venison or game.
A wine with some density of flavor to go with its intense green apple character. It has some ripe green berries, laced with pink grapefruit.
This blend of all five Bordeaux varieties has cranberry, plum, sage and herb throughout and is good, with a medium-body and tart finish. Aged almost two years in nearly all new French oak it's fairly light on its feet. Much of the blend (27%) is Alexander Valley Cabernet, the Merlot is from Sonoma Valley and the Cab Franc from Dry Creek. The Malbec and Petit Verdot, earthy and leathery both, come from Clear Lake.
Briny, rich and layered, this is an interesting white from a Russian River Valley-based producer who is sourcing Malvasia Bianca in this case from a vineyard in the Suisun Valley, inland and east of the Napa Valley on the way to Sacramento. Dry and crisp, the typically Greek varietal in this version has hints of honey and nuts and dried fruit. Drink it young.
Rubbery and dark on the nose, with lots of black plum and cherry to ponder. The palate is firm and balanced, with round, rubbery, roasted plum and dark berry flavors. Full, nice and long enough on the finish to keep you involved.
A sappy, jammy nose offers a nice entry to this simple blend of Cabernet and Merlot. The palate feel is regular and healthy, while the flavors run toward generic red fruits with a touch of green herbs and caramel. Snappy and crisp on the finish.
Shiny pink in color, with a crisp and wet nose that powerfully suggests refreshment to come. Juicy and superfresh on the palate, with cherry and raspberry flavors and citrusy undertones. A real winner in Garnacha rosé from Navarra.
Clean and nice on the nose, with green fruit aromas and classic Verdejo prickle. The palate is bouncy and juicy, with lime, tangerine and passion fruit flavors. Fades quick on the finish but remains crisp and refreshing.
Rounded style of Vinho Verde with some weight to go with the extreme citrus and bright grapefruit flavors. It has a little softness round the edges, but the core is taut, mineral, tangy.
Closed at first, this El Dorado Cab slowly reveals minty and savory aromas, the wine's flavors also more on the austere and savory side of things, a touch of blackberry and cherry finally coming through.
Minerally and dry smelling, with floral aromas along with the scents of white peach and apple. The palate feels good and clean, with roundness matched by nice acidity. Flavors of spiced apple and pith are supported by zestiness, while the finish is honest. Not many value-priced Viogniers can match this.
Maysie is a small Berkeley-based producer aiming to shake up the world with its take on single-vineyard Italian varietals and this rosato from certified-organic Sangiovese grapes is a great start. It's refreshing and light and dry as a bone.
A touch rubbery and medicinal if you get deep into the bouquet, with sizable berry aromas to boot. The palate is comfortable and balanced, with earthy black fruit flavors that suggest fig and blackberry. Toasty and chocolaty on the finish.
A lush and weighty Chenin Blanc with ripe fruit flavors of citrus oil, apple flesh, and green plum laced with notes of soft vanilla bean and clove. The richness of the palate lends itself to pair nicely with hearty creamy chicken or fish dishes.
A plump, medium-bodied white for drinking over the next 12 months, Cave de Tain's 2009 Saint-Joseph displays ample pear and pineapple fruit tinged with anise.
Freshly scented of apple and yellow peaches, this fairly dry Riesling gains softness from a sweet white grapefruit juice note. Brisk with a lemon pith astringency and notes of slate and chalk that linger through a clean, minerally finish.
Even the big négociant Michel Picard has managed to turn out a decent 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which speaks to the quality and consistency of the vintage. It combines leather and meat with cherry fruit and some firm tannins, but falls off a bit rapidly on the finish. Drink now.
Fresh, totally dry, very fruity, this is a great quaffing white wine. Enjoy the flavors of white peach, citrus, bright and vivid acidity. Drink now. Screwcap.
Big and tight and intense, a bottle for serious Petite Sirah lovers only. True Vine's wines are estate grown and aged for two years in American oak. Big and ageworthy. Marco Cappelli is the winemaker.
Chremisa is the Roman name for Krems. This wine is more modern in its clean, bright fruits. There are also minerality, orange peel and lemon and white peach flavors.
Tight and tannic with as much structure as fruit. The freshness comes from the acidity, although at the end strawberry juiciness shows through.
A bit of oak has left behind hints of coffee and scorched sugar to frame the modest melon-like fruit. Drink this medium-bodied, chunky white over the next year or two.
Spicy and sharp, with mountain berries and slightly green, bitter tannins. Young and tight, this needs more time to knit itself together.
Young and fruity smelling up front, with a dusting of hard, dry spice. The palate is firm and juicy, with lightly medicinal red fruit flavors. Finishes with dryness, lots of spice and pepper.
Sweet, ripe and black in style, with good structure and a little bit of heat and weight. The mouth offers ripe tannins, depth and balance, and the flavors of cassis, black cherry and fine herbs work in tandem. Smooth, with an easy dusting of cocoa on the finish.
Bottled in a lovely 500 ml bottle, with a label of cut paper with butterflies, this was barrel fermented in neutral oak. It's a beautiful color, a coppery salmon, much like rosé de Provence (where winemaker Virginie Bourgue is from). It's dry and fruity, but more complex than most newly released rosés, with light berry fruits, a lovely texture, and a finish that suggests malted milk chocolate candy.
Mannina gets some nice accolades for its Sangiovese, and is planting its new vineyard with several different Italian varieties. This new release shows Chianti-like structure, color and texture. It's ripened to pretty strawberry fruit flavors, with suggestions of tobacco leaf and plenty of acid. Neutral barrels were used, allowing the fruit to remain in focus.
Big, ripe, colorful and attractive, with leather and earth on the nose. The mouthfeel is a touch clanky, while the black fruit palate is broad and masculine as it shows a few holes in the fabric. With vanilla and mocha late, this is a nice Malbec with full tannins and grip.
The first of the Girl Next Door wines is well done. It features a sexy, pin-up style label and good Chardonnay juice, barrel-fermented and generous. Peach and citrus fruits, with supporting acids and moderate oak flavors of buttery caramel.
Some sweetness is immediately apparent in the fruit, which seems to be a juicy blend of cherry, berry and hints of prune. Forward and open, this offers single-vineyard fruit flavor at a budget wine price. Nice winemaking; not for the cellar, but a lovely bottle to drink right now.
Normally we're leery about new brands with catchy names, but this one does chart a new direction...and it's a good one. A little sweet and teetering on syrupy on the nose, this Malbec draws it back in the mouth and shows balanced black fruit flavors, thickness, saturation and length. Thoroughly modern in style.
Nice fruit flavors show yellow fruits, stone fruits, some melon and hints of apricot. The wine is 100% varietal, 13.5% alcohol, and sourced from the Upland vineyard on Snipes Mountain. Overall good balance and length.
Baked apple, toast, spun sugar and fresh summer corn aromas are appealing and totally New World, while the palate is tropical in flavor and racy in feel. An example of acidity and ripe fruit working together to create a tasty but ripe-styled Chardonnay. Drink now.
Dry, barrel-influenced and solid on the nose, with tempered aromas of black cherry and berry. The palate is juicy and shows good physical definition, while the flavors of raspberry and plum are good. Straight-ahead and solid on the finish.
This is a firm, tart and tangy white wine with gooseberry, white peach and some green papaya all reflecting a rather cool, high-acid vintage. Refreshing and crisply structured, it's quite suitable for mellow cheeses and seafoods.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot each make up 43% of this blend, with the balance Syrah. Somewhat reticent aromas of herb, red apple, cherry and spice lead to smooth silky red and black-fruit flavors. It brings a lot of appeal.
Aromas of maraschino cherry, medicine cabinet, Band-Aid and leather on this 100% varietal wine are followed by slightly dried-out-seeming fruit flavors. Smoke flavors persist on the finish, but the wine presents a sense of elegance.
Fleshy, almost overripe notes of cherry are prominent on the nose. The palate counters this with freshness but cannot contain the full, juicy and ripe impact of all of that ripe cherry fruit. Drink soon.
Bernard Magrez's wine empire seems to have no limits, as he's recently expended into this relatively obscure little section of the Southern Rhône known for its white wines. This medium- to full-bodied blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Viognier and Roussanne features modest pear and pineapple flavors and a refreshing zing of citrus zest on the finish. Drink now.
This entry-level cuvée from the cooperative in Tain l'Hermitage is a solid value, offering up peppery, dark fruit aromas and ample flavors of cassis. black olive and espresso. The tannins are firm, so pair it with rare beef or lamb over the near term.
This is almost as impressive as Gerin's La Champine Syrah, which is a tremendous achievement as Viognier seems much harder to do well. Hints of crushed stone and struck flint add nuance to the ripe apricot aromas, while the exotic, tropical fruit flavors of mango and pineapple are reined in by a touch of citrus-pith bitterness. Drink now–2018.
This juicy red has a nose of cedar spice and prunes on the nose, and flavors of toasted nuts, plum and cherry on the palate. Overall, the wine has a more fruit-forward character than many Greek reds and will pair well with pizza, grilled meat or ripe cheeses.
This is a spicy, generously ripened wine, emboldened by fistfuls of cinnamon, leather and blackberry pie.
Intense and high in acidity, this wine skirts the edge of ripeness in its salty, briny take on the variety, a nod to an historic clone. Floral, it persists in apple blossom and tart Meyer lemon, finishing crisp and fresh.
Coconut oil, buttercream and vanilla custard show on the nose of this bottling from a historic vineyard. Flavors tighten up on the sip, where a grippy texture shows squeezed lemon and the slightest hint of tropicality.
Violet, rose and woodland berry aromas fuse with a whiff a new leather on this bright red. On the luminous no-frills palate, accents of clove and orange peel add interest to unripe strawberry and sour cherry. Fresh acidity and firm tannins provide solid support.
Sweet tannins wrap around a robust flavor profile of plum, cherry and leather saddle in this vineyard-designated wine. Softly textured, it remains generous in oak and power as it winds to a finish dusted in black pepper and tobacco.
Quite yellow in the glass, this bottling shows cohesive and familiar aromas of buttered toast, jasmine, orange marmalade, sandalwood and smoke on the nose. The palate packs lemon and butter together with walnut oil, proving quite rich and even heavy at times.
The aromas are generous, with notes of freshly cut wood, custard and herb. The palate is full bodied, rich and creamy in feel. The wood shows prominently and it brings warmth on the finish.
This fruity wine is ripe with black fruits and generous tannins. It has plenty of acidity to balance the fruit, giving a wine that is both crisp and packed with fruit. The structure is already just right. Drink from 2018.
This blend of Moschofilero and another indigenous variety, Roditis, marries aromatic and floral notes with a crisp, lively character. Apple and citrus aromas and flavors abound, with a mineral-driven finish adding pep.
Honey, lemon and an herbal spin on the nose give this wine a distinctive start. Flavors of clean, zesty citrus and a spin of ripe melon add to the elegance. Easy to drink but elegant.
Soft and smooth, this rare variety offers moderate structure and full-bodied aspects of forest floor and cardamom spice. Ripe, red fruit rules the finish, which spikes in heat.
Savory flavors like salt, peppered roast beef and rosemary shape the taste of this medium-bodied, velvet-textured and nicely concentrated wine. It has fine-grained tannins to support the mouthfeel, but not enough to overwhelm.
Light aromas of cocoa, herb, licorice and barrel spice are followed by medium-bodied cherry flavors. The finish seems a bit clipped.
Truffle, game and grilled sage aromas take center stage along with a floral note of red rose. The solid palate shows red berry, clove and white pepper while somewhat grainy tannins provide an assertive framework and a mouth-drying finish. Drink 2020–2028.
White-peach aromas meet with vanilla butter and honeysuckle on the nose, yet there is a tension apparent amid the ripeness. The sip starts with an edgy texture and crisp acidity that cut across flavors of nectarine and apple.
Made entirely with Pinot Nero, this salmon-colored sparkler has delicate aromas of McIntosh apple, citrus zest and a whiff of honey. The bright palate offers strawberry, bread crust and a note of toasted hazelnut alongside an elegant mousse.
This blend of top Zin lots from across the region isn't made every vintage. This wine shows slightly sour black plum, dark leather, wet soil and a touch of tar on the nose. Dried red fruit is spiced up by dried herbs on the energetic. Acidity and soft tannins emerge toward the caramel-laced finish.
The wine has plenty of ripe fruit and generous tannins. The blackberry fruitiness and acidity are backed by a dry core that will allow this full-bodied wine to age. Drink from 2018.
With the potential of a good structure and fruit, this is a warm ripe wine that has concentration and dense black fruits. The acidity at the end gives it a lift. Wait until 2019 to drink this Hervé Lhuillier wine.
Very soft, faint strawberry nose hints at freshness and summery fruit. The palate foams frothily but carries some bitter edges. Nonetheless, the lemony core makes this zero dosage a refreshing, light-hearted apéritif.
A blend of 50% Nebbiolo, 30% Pinot Nero and 20% Chardonnay, this offers aromas of chamomile, lemon blossom, orchard fruit and lemon zest. The firm palate offers nectarine zest, ripe apple, toasted hazelnut and a note of bread crust alongside a vibrant perlage.
Earthiness joins notes of zesty citrus on the nose of this light-bodied fizz. The palate is full of citrus and tart apple flavors, and provides lots of refreshment with its softly sparkling, creamy mousse. A very welcome bitter edge marks this out to go with food—even if it's only canapés served alongside nibbles. The finish is pleasantly dry and lasting.
Uplifting, light and fresh peach aromas mix with ruby-red grapefruit spritzer and tiny flashes of honey on this energetic wine by the San Luis Obispo-based producer. The palate shows fresh nectarine, apple blossoms and lots of white flowers, and would make a perfect compliment to spicy food.
Yellow apple and yellow Mirabelle plum shine through the creamy, yeasty, autolytic notes which also lend backbone to the palate. The soft bubbles fizz creamily the balanced, dry palate. Zesty freshness provides utter drinkability, with ample fruit shining through. This treads the very narrow path between hedonism and restraint with a well-trained step.
Ripe and dark aromas of black raspberries, blackberries and gingerbread greet the nose on this wine by veteran vintner Larry Brooks. The palate offers up lots of purple flowers with more black raspberry juice, proving tense with energy. Bright acidity cuts through the luscious elements.
Made entirely with Pinot Nero, this opens with intense aromas of thyme, sage, citrus peel and toasted walnut. The aromas carry through to the palate, along with ripe apple and a hint of bread crust that are offset by crisp acidity and a creamy, refined perlage.
Substantial and authoritative, this ripe and tannic wine turns quickly to the dark side. Dark fruits—black cherry and cassis—are joined to barrel flavors of roasted coffee and dark chocolate. Yet it's never too heavy, and stays balanced through a medium-long finish.
Leesy apple aromas lead to a narrow, low-spritz palate. Briny, leesy flavors are salty and complex, not your typical apple-pear-and-fizz combination. A briny, low-fruit finish turns increasingly savory and like seashells the longer this sits. Drink now.
Briny apple and lime aromas set up a minerally, fresh, natural palate with stony lime, green apple and white-pineapple flavors. Par for the brut nature course is a stony, chiseled finish that frames the wine's crisp, lean character.
This offers aromas of almond, citrus zest and orchard fruit. The firm, rich palate delivers lemon drop, white peach and yellow apple while bright acidity and small, persistent bubbles provide the framework. It ends crisp and refreshing.
This blend of Garnacha, Monastrell and Syrah is magenta in color, with earthy, spunky, jumpy aromas of gritty blackberry and boysenberry. A saturated, dense palate offers blackened, peppery berry flavors in front of a toasty, medium-length finish. Overall this a strapping wine with rough edges. Drink through 2018.
This blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Syrah and 2% Petit Verdot offers broad aromas of cooked cherries with black rocks, mud, dried oregano and pepper. Pepper also shows on the palate, along with pomegranate fruit and tarragon.
Perhaps a little overripe on the nose, this late harvest is high-toned and rather sharp in its attack. Concentrated peach, apricot, butter brickle and honey flavors carry the midpalate, but the finish turns bitter.
This full-bodied and assertive wine from hillside vineyards has earthy aromas, ripe but dry fruit flavors, and a dense texture due to mouth-coating tannins. It will need time in the bottle to round off, but should be delicious after 2018.
With good structure and some firm tannins, this wine will age. Plenty of plums and dark black cherries add freshness to the ripe wine. Let it age another year and drink from late 2016.
Just two barrels of this 100% Grenache were bottled, after aging 20 months in French oak. It's bright and spicy, showing cranberry and cherry fruit highlighted by orange peel, cinnamon, pepper and red licorice. The lovely fruit shines right on through a lingering finish.
This is a structured wine, solid with tannins as well as ripe red berry and dark cherry fruits. The combination gives a wine that has concentration from old vines on sandy soil as well as the potential to age. Drink from 2016. The handsome château was an important fortified structure when the Lords of Beaujeu were defending themselves in the 12th century.
This is a dark and tarry wine, perhaps a tad early for release, showing condensed purple flowers, beef jerky, charcoal and plum peels on the nose. The palate is tart and chewy, with asphalt, sour black fruit and tobacco notes. Wait a year and this may sing much more strongly.
Grapy aromas are candied and suggestive of a powdered fruit drink. This feels plump and pulpy, with plum flavors that carry a skin-related astringency. Herbal, rooty notes come up on the finish.
Produced in vineyards close to Mont Saint-Victoire in the west of the Provence vineyards, this perfumed, floral wine has crisp acidity along with orange and citrus flavors. The wine is light, very fruity and bright at the end.
With a caramel character and light, bright acidity, this is a soft, not-quite-dry wine. It has a warm, open and accessible feel to it, light and fruity on the finish.
You'll find aromas of black locust flower and a whiff of beeswax on this. The beeswax note carries over to the straightforward palate together with pear and a hint of bitter nut alongside soft acidity.
Sharp cinnamon and concentrated but light hibiscus and strawberry notes meet with an extreme menthol character on the nose of this bottling. That minty element explodes on the palate, where camphor and pine needle flavors overwhelm the strawberry fruit.
Hints of freshly pressed apple and pear are shaded in savory tones of dust and bramble in this full-bodied Chardonnay. Sunny lemon acidity brightens the midpalate but the finish extends on a slightly bitter note.
This good, sturdy wine has ripe, broad fruit flavors, medium to full body, and a relaxed mouthfeel.
From the region of La Londe close to the sea, this wine is warm and ripe, with rich strawberry flavors that are almost jammy. A touch of pepper and spice calms down the freshness. Probably this wine will be better as an apéritif.
Aromas of tropical fruit, yellow flower and a hint of nut lead the nose. On the informal palate, brisk acidity brightens banana, white peach and pear.
A clean and easy quaff, this offers straightforward aromas and flavors of blackberry, cassis and black cherry, all kissed with accents of black pepper and licorice. The tannins are soft and the structure subtle, with a short but fruity finish.
Oak-fermented Torrontés is a sketchy category to begin with, and this example doesn't really help things. Aromas of wood resin, cured ham and pool water set up woody, soapy, resiny flavors. What's best about this is the mouthfeel, which is balanced and braced by solid acidity.
Notions of vanilla and grape Kool-Aid provide a perception of sweetness on the palate in this soft, nondescript wine from older vines.
This is a supple, medium-bodied Pinot Noir that exemplifies much of what is coming out of Marlborough. Hints of mushroom and soy sauce accent bright cherry fruit, finishing on a silky note. Drink now.
This wine offers a punch of deli meat and bacon on the entry, following through on the palate with a meaty, gamey quality cushioned by soft, sizable tannins. The end goes through a phase of bittersweet chocolate and tobacco.
Opening with subtle aromas that recall white flower and citrus, this straightforward white offers flavors of Granny Smith apple and lime alongside bright acidity. It's extremely simple but also clean and refreshing.
This fruit-forward wine offers plenty of ripe plum, cherry and berry aromas and flavors, with accents of black-forest cake and chocolate sauce on the palate. The mouthfeel is easy and refreshing, while the finish is short but clean and refreshing.
This is a middle-of-the-road, appropriately priced wine, which employs other Bordeaux varieties in the blend. Eucalyptus and bay leaf rise immediately on the nose, before a soft, slightly undeveloped body reveals mocha, red currant and soy.
This is a smooth, soft, gently fruity wine, immediately drinkable. An attractive buttery, honeyed character comes from this warm-climate Chardonnay. Yellow fruits are cut with lime acidity at the end. Drink now.
A unique blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with 7% Petit Verdot and 3% Syrah, this shows soft and chocolaty, with a bitter, herbal undertone that confounds given the generosity of the full body and ripeness of fruit.
This is thick, quite ripe and full-bodied wine rich in baked apple and vanilla custard, the layers concentrated and veering on sweet.
Aromas of chewing gum and sulfuric grit lack fruit. This feels wiry and narrow, with hardly any body. Salty, briny apple and orange flavors finish hollow. Overall, this is just a light, quaffable, generic white wine.
Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, with slightly more of the former. It hinges on large swathes of barbecue smokiness and heaping grilled meat, with a baseline of licorice and vanilla-laced tannin that can sometimes overwhelm.
This soft, fruity and fleshy wine has bright red fruits and a strong pepper character. The wine comes from vineyards between 900 and 1,500 feet on limestone soil, giving it a mineral edge at the end.
In the classic Provence skittle bottle, this is a soft, red-fruited wine. Fruity and crisp, it is refreshing and immediately appealing.
Aromas of vanilla, marshmallow and milk chocolate dominate subtle berry scents. This feels grabby, creamy and medium in body, with pushy flavors of clove and woodspice leading generic black-fruit notes. For basic Malbec, this is quite oaky.
Light, bright and crisp, this wine is based around grapes grown in the Loire Valley. It offers attractive apple and pear fruit flavors cut with acidity, with a tangy aftertaste.
Aromas of generic red-berry fruits, leather and a drop of vinegar feed into a grabby palate with medicinal red-berry flavors. This tastes a touch herbal on a standard finish.
Grassy, minty aromas, a juicy texture and tart cherry flavors add up to a medium-bodied, uncomplicated wine with good balance.
The high-quality oak used in this wine really stands out, providing touches of brown sugar, cinnamon, coffee and bacon to the otherwise modest black cherry fruit. It's reasonably full-bodied for a German Pinot Noir, with a long finish and supple tannins.
Despite some initially offputting scents of sweaty socks, this is a charming wine. Apple, citrus and petrol mingle easily once the difficult aromas have dissipated to reveal a medium-bodied, off-dry wine. It's creamy-textured in the mouth, then turns crisp and minerally on the finish.
This rich but dry wine brings out Grüner Veltliner's peppery character, which shows on top of the pear and quince flavors. The acidity offers a lift to this intense, concentrated wine.
It's sharp, young and citrusy, nicely spiced with herb and leavened with earth. The flavors are just beginning to blossom. Although it will continue to open up over the next year or more, showing more of the earthy, composty underpinnings, it doesn't seem to have the depth to develop significantly. It finishes with distinctly herbal and somewhat earthy tannins.
This is a stylish Pinotage and may turn skeptics into believers on this eccentric variety. Waves of ripe red fruit, cedar, vanilla and spice are followed by dense layers of red berry fruit, warming spices and a touch of smoke. The acid and fruit is balanced and the overall character complex but friendly. An assertive but food-oriented wine.
A full-on, ripe, generous wine, all red plums and bright berry fruits. The tannins are sweet, generous, supported by vivid acidity. This is an exciting wine, one that could do with two years aging.
A complex blend that moves this wine into an international style. The wine is smooth, generous, almost opulent. It emphasizes rich red plum flavors, rounded out with jelly sweetness, the acidity coming with the a final burst of freshness. Unlike some of Heinrich's other reds, which need aging, this is ready to drink now.
Produced from 40-year old vines, this smooth, rich wine oozes black plums, sweet spices and an undertow of dry tannins. With its fresh acidity, it is immediately appetizing, leaving juicy currants lingering in the mouth. Screwcap.
With its flavor that edges toward oxidative, this is the antithesis of easy, fruity white Bordeaux. That makes it an edgy, exciting wine, with spice, ginger and lychee flavors adding to the caramel wood over green plums.
This is a respectable effort; seems to be oxidizing quickly, but it is elegant and clear, with a tartness that is reminiscent of Counoise. Nicely aromatic, with the rose petal and light tobacco leaf scents of the Italian grape.
Shows classic Chard aromas of melon and peach, amply framed by toasted grain and cereal notes that add texture in the mouth. It's medium to full in body, then develops greater zest and freshness on the long, citrusy finish. Drink now–2012.
Burly in shape, with broad shoulders, ample alcohol and densely packed mineral flavors. Flashes of honey and gingery spice lighten the scene somewhat, but this slightly oily Riesling is darker and more brooding than most. The lingering finish is nearly dry.
Pungent and teetering on the edge of herbaceousness. But then it draws back, settling on passion fruit, tropical breezes and lime. The wine has pulsing acidity and it dances on the palate. It's also sort of bracing and sharp, which some may find too razor-like for their palate. Very nice for coastal Aconcagua, an outland where few besides Errazuriz have gone.
Very nice on the nose, with lime, celery and semisour pickle aromas. There is plenty of character to this round, generous single-vineyard SB from Casablanca. The palate is snappy and citric, while the finish is full of ripe grapefruit and other subtle green notes. A very good wine that borders on excellence. For the money, it's a green-light special.
Fromm has nailed the texture of this Pinot, hitting just the right silky note. The aromas show an earthy, humus-like edge to the berry fruit and the touches of vanilla and maple syrup are maybe a touch too obvious. Cola and earth flavors mark the midpalate, while ripe berries come throughon the lingering finish, suggesting that this may even improve with 3–4 years in the cellar.
Young and tight, this wine is scented with fresh raspberries and cocoa. The fruit flavors include red currant and spicy cherry as well, and it feels sleek and elegant, though confined. The way the wine spreads out across the palate is encouraging, as are the hints of pepper, herb and stone. Decant before drinking.
Young, tight and sharp, showing lots of black currant, along with pepper and spice. Maybe just a notch below the excellent 2004 L'Etalon Red. Tasted twice over a six month period, the wine remains stubbornly tough and chewy, despite appealing chocolaty spice and penetrating raspberry/currant fruit.
Rich and structured, this is a sturdy wine that shows good dry fruit tannins as well as wood. The blackberry fruit is open, ripe, giving a good juicy character and depth of flavor. This is a wine for 2–3 years' aging.
This is Barton & Guestier's home vineyard and, in 2006, it has produced a finely crafted wine. The balance is all there, with ripe red berry fruits and cranberry juice adding to the firm, dark core of tannins. It is worth aging  for two to three years but is certainly drinkable now.
A wine that is dominated by big, dense tannins. The black currant fruits come through with a stalky character. As it opens in the mouth, the wine shows some richness, along with its tannins, a hint of wood giving a smooth, elegant edge to the finish. It does need aging—four to five years.
Undurraga's top Sauvignon hails from the premier terroir of Leyda. It smells clean and inviting, with an aromatic mix of talcum powder, lime, mango and scallion. The palate is very fresh and lively, with snappy citrus flavors that include grapefruit. Razor-clean on the finish.
Nicely done for an entry-level wine, with slate, fresh floral greens and briny minerality all wrapped up in an off-dry cocoon of green apples and citrus fruits. Fresh and clean on the finish.
A compelling mix, with bright, vivacious fruit flavors running from apple to pear, peach to papaya. The influence of barrels is felt more than tasted, but it does add a whisper of toast to the finish. Lively and fresh, this is a great wine for richer seafood.
Using a blend of grapes sourced from old vines, this is powerful, dense and very concentrated. At the same time, an elegance lightens the wine's weight and integrates all of its elements. This serious, structured offering should be aged for 4–5 years.
This is a firm wine, tightly-wound, with whiffs of mineral and cement. Plum and cherry flavors mingle with notes of dried herb, earth and brown spice. The wine rolls along into a lengthy finish, with excellent body and balance.
Gorgeous minerality is the underpinning of this estate bottling. Heaps of dry extract amplify racy lemon and lime flavors. Despite its low alcohol, this wine has exceptional concentration and power.
This is a beautiful, ripe, full-bodied sparkler, balancing rich fruit with bottle age to produce a round, elegant character. It is delicious to drink now, although there is enough fruit to allow it to age for 2–3 years.
The winery identifies this as “the best barrels from our best lots.” Supple and streaked with chocolate and caramel, this explosion of cherry, cassis, cola and Dr. Pepper contains sneaky notes of tobacco and pepper threaded through the lingering finish. Richness and depth prevail throughout.
This is a gorgeous wine that's driven by notes of spice and new wood. The wood is supported by ripe flavors of plum, damson and blackberry juice, with tight acidity. The Alentejo's dry climate is certainly suited to Syrah, producing fine structure. Age for 3–4 years.
The historic vineyard of Casa de Santar in the heart of the Dão region has produced a dense and powerful offering, with rich tannins and black fruits. Its intense, solid blackberry and spice flavors are followed by acidity, contributing complexity. Age for at least four years.
This is made in a deeper, richer style than this producer's nonvintage. It has weight and concentration, and its acidity is balanced by the ripe orange and red apple flavors that are cut by a steely edge. On the finish, acidity and fruit come deliciously together.
Typically intense, polished and smooth up front, this has concentrated aromas of graphite, cola, wild berry, spice, coconut and wood. It feels full and makes a statement on the palate, where baked, earthy, fully loaded flavors of clove, herb and black fruit hold court. Oaky and spicy on the finish, this needs another 2–4 years to fully settle.
Tasted alongside the winery's light and elegant 2010 Pinots, this 2009 Reserve boldly stands out. The fleshy, black fruit flavors are bigger and fuller across the palate than those from the later vintage. The finish is streaked with a cola note and will leave you reaching for the bottle as soon as your glass is empty.
Pure on the nose, with plenty of pop. Aromas of dark black cherry are tight and smoky, with minerality. Flavors of cola and wild-berry fruits are right on the money, and the feel is firm but deep and layered. Offers fine character and ageability. A blend of Malbec from three top vineyards; drink through 2014.
A lovely, lush, complex and inviting nose brings rich cherry fruit, coffee grounds, smoke and toast right up front. The wine is ripe and fruity, but also shows tangy acidity, even hints of citrus and pineapple, and a lively mouthfeel that invites another sip. Still young and unevolved, it remains a bit disjointed, but with many interesting components.
A toasty and buttery wine that is initially smooth and silky. It's only on the mid-palate that the tauter, more steely character of Chablis comes through. With fresh acidity, this easily combines both ripeness and mouthwatering crispness.
Inky black, thick and juicy with a mélange of berry flavors. Laced around the voluptuous fruit are threads of dark chocolate, and the wine seamlessly moves into a finish with even darker notes of toast, char and coffee grounds. For all of its power, it keeps the alcohol in the mid-14% range, with no burn at all.
A finely rounded wine, with lovely ripe peach and pineapple fruits, lifted by a dash of lemon juice. Finely balanced, ripe in character, although always textured and tangy. There is a mouthwatering finish.
Dark colored and powerful, this is a great expression of the more massive side of Gevrey Chambertin. The wine is dense, dark, with black plum and fig flavors, leavened with attractive juicy acidity. Tannins thread through the acidity. Age for 2–3 years.
Much more accessible than the winery's 2006 Syrah, this mixes muscle and meat, highlights from smaller component parts (Mourvèdre and Grenache) and overall clever blending. While bringing in the tart red fruit, the composted leaves, the moist loam and light funk of Washington Syrah, it also shows some pretty baking spices and a tight, precise finish.
This is the most available of all the new releases from this important new winery and vineyard on Red Mountain. It sets up with black cherry, plum and blackberry fruits, annotated with clove and coffee. Perfectly balanced and kept at a moderate 13.7% alcohol, this Cabernet-dominated Bordeaux blend is graceful and refined, built for food and cellarworthy for up to a decade.
Tightly wound, this young Merlot, from a blend of Red Mountain vineyards, has a steely spine and muscular tannins. The fruit is a bit subdued at the moment, but there is a clear sense of structure, verticality and depth. Notes of graphite and earth accent the tart red fruits. Give this one plenty of decanting.
A fine trio of vineyards—Boushey, Cold Creek and Sagemoor—comprise the blend here. The fruit runs the table from cherry to blackberry to cassis, threaded throughout with fresh herbs and clean earth. Good balance with no heat from the 14.7% alcohol; the tannins are polished and drying, and the finish has a soft, leathery smoothness.
Intensely perfumed, this offers enticing scents of wild red berry, rose, violet and exotic spice. The polished, linear palate delivers ripe black cherry, spiced blackberry, cinnamon and star anise alongside silky tannins and refreshing acidity.
Aromas of French oak, mature black-skinned fruit, espresso and a hint of blue flower lead the nose on this structured red. The generous palate doles out juicy black cherry, blackberry, ground pepper and licorice while velvety tannins provide smooth, seamless support. Drink through 2021.
The aromas of ground granite, dark raspberries, plum and pencil lead have not yet fully unfurled but still offer immediate allure. Flavors are saturated and layered, with the tannins providing some heft. It's a serious wine that provides a whole lot of enjoyment and that should benefit from time in the cellar.
Tar-tinged black cherry and blueberry lead to a concentrated palate packed with dark fruit balanced by ample frehsness. This very fresh wine balances the intensity of its crunchy, juicy fruit with more savory and earthy elements. At present, it is four years old and not yet at its peak but already drinking well. Drink now through 2020.
Floral hints on the nose give way on the palate to a deep, concentrated core of forest fruit: there is the tartness of wild cranberry, the alluring aroma of wild raspberry and darker overtones of bilberry, all framed by brooding aspects of oak. Fruit and oak are in some kind of chiaroscuro dialogue that intrigues. Best to wait a little longer since real pleasure and elegance awaits.
Made in a structured, traditional and dry style, this wine will be great at dinnertime. It has moderate and attractive spice and oak aromas, full body and ripe fruit flavors that don't go to extremes. The sense of balance, layered texture, reserved flavors and sophistication make it a winner.
Like the name suggests, this Carmenère is opaque purple in color, with earthy, complex aromas of graphite, char and herbal black currant. The palate is, not surprisingly, saturated and dense. Flavors of toasty, minty black fruits are charred, while the finish tastes roasted, heavily oaked and blackened. Drink through 2021.
There is nothing obvious about this wine: everything is subtle and elegant. The nose holds back and the taut palate only unfurls slowly to show a floral, fruity wine that reminds one of crimson peony petals as much as of dark, juicy cherries. Yet there is nothing facile about this. It is the silky-smooth texture, however, that delivers the killer blow. A most sensuous, intriguing wine of great elegance. Little wonder: its name means silk and velvet
An intense flavor of cinnamon- and pepper-dusted red cherries pervades nose and palate, with additional notes of white pepper spice. There is an ever so slight tannic grip, like the touch of a kitten's paw. The purity of the red cherry fruit soars with every sip and the overall picture is one of full-flavored, enticing but slender joy. This is just how Zweigelt should be.
This upper-tier label shows condensed strawberry fruit against an herbal backbone of marjoram, black cardamom, rainbow peppercorns, dried tobacco and green olive. The palate is tangy with woody fruits of elderberry and juniper, likely to thrive with age.
The slightest minty lift is perceptible on the nose, hovering above black cherry. The palate shows tightly packed, dense, ripe but fresh fruit, as crunchy and juicy as ripe but tart cherries. There is something masculine in the muscular but fine structure. Tautness suggests that this will benefit from mellowing bottle age. Drink from 2017 through 2025.
Friendly, appetizing and alluring notes of green Conference pear are most inviting. This plays on fresh fruit but duly acknowledges the peppery element of Grüner in the background. With a little time, this shows some muscle and depth—but remains refreshing, charming and fruity throughout. The pepper lingers smoothly and pleasantly.
This is a sophisticated, stylish and ultimately tasty wine, given time in mostly stainless steel, with 10% in neutral oak. Fleshy, floral and full bodied without ever becoming obtrusive, it offers a nice mix of Meyer lemon and vanilla. The elements are integrated and the punchy texture offers both depth and breadth.
Baked plum, grilled mushroom and a potpourri of spicy aromas emerge on this firmly structured red. The concentrated, full-bodied palate delivers ripe black cherry, tobacco, fig, ground pepper and a licorice note. Firm, ripe tannins provide support.
Baked apple and freshly cut apple peel make for an appealing introduction. Honey and lemon notes join in on the palate and give all of that apple fruit a zesty but textured lift. Very fresh, but very satisfying with appealing, lasting length.
From winemaker Michael Zinke, this is yet another stylish Rhône-style blend. Aromas of boysenberry, plum, tar, black peppercorn and lavender delicately lay across the nose. The palate presents very judiciously and evenly, with dried purple flowers, black tea, slight teriyaki and just a touch of plum.
Raspberry crumble immediately comes to mind in this vineyard-designate, a luxuriously built, big-bodied expression of a warm, easy vintage. A nose of violet keeps it from getting overly rambunctious around the heartier aspects of cranberry, crushed rose petals and cherry cola.
Truly a wine that overdelivers, this packs molten fudge cake, vanilla-laced black-currant syrup and chocolate pudding with a fresh sprig of mint on the nose. The palate is soft and dynamic, with ripe black currants given complexity though licorice and butter-softened roasting herbs, all wrapped in tannins that keep the flavors steady throughout.
A terrific value, this is one of the more forward Syrahs from Hawke's Bay's glorious 2013 vintage. It's on the full side of medium-bodied, with a slightly creamy texture and a crisp, softly dusty finish that underscores a mélange of pepper, clove, cinnamon, blueberries, raspberries and yellow-fleshed plums. Drink now–2023.
Coleraine is one of New Zealand's most prized red wines, so it's a pleasure to see it's back in the United States after several years of spotty availability. As always, it's a blend of undisclosed proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Vanilla, black tea and cassis notes dominate this deceptively forward wine that has a reputation for aging well for decades. Drink now–2025.
A very shy, neutral nose opens up into a slender but creamy, fluid and very balanced palate. When Pinot Blanc received such masterful treatment it shows its true pedigree. There is the subtlest hint of smoky oak and a wonderfully woven midpalate and just a few glimpses of red apple.
This is a fairly big, weighty Chardonnay, but one whose alcohol levels are balanced by crisp acids. Aromas of smoke and toasted grains lead the way, followed by hints of whole wheat toast and lemon curd. The long, mouth-watering finish brings the citrus elements back to the fore. Drink now–2018.
Former Cloudy Bay boss Kevin Judd scores big in this challenging vintage. The wine is round, ripe and amply concentrated, with grassy, herbal shadings and pineapple and stone fruit notes that linger on the lush finish.
Pink apple notes mix with lime and lemon skins as well as the slightest touch of vanilla on the inviting nose of this Foley bottling. It's sleek and tight on the palate, with citrus pith, salt and apple-butter flavors clinging to a crisp centerline.
Wonderfully ripe notions of juicy, yellow pear rise from the glass. The same fruity freshness is joined on the palate by a good pinch of white pepper. While this is fresh and linear, it has a pleasant midpalate weight and a rounded, fruity appeal with real depth and peppery, citrussy echoes.
Inky in the glass, this blend of 56% Syrah and 44% Cabernet Sauvignon shows thick black fruit, black rocks, gravel and a hint of bay leaf on the nose. The palate combines black pepper, blueberry paste, vanilla, oak smoke and plum skin acidity. It's big wine, but with structure and balance.
Just plain delicious, this full-bodied wine starts with ripe blueberry and dark chocolate aromas. Next, generous, ripe, saturated fruit flavors flood the mouth, seeming to deepen with each sip. The mouthfeel stays smooth but is enhanced by moderate tannins and ample acidity for good balance.
Scented and fresh, this presents wiry, full-fruited flavors of red and green apple with a good dollop of zesty, pervasive freshness. There is quite a bit of concentration on a very streamlined body with lots of drive and a very vivid, lip-smacking finish.
A lighthearted, refined and distinctive wine made from vineyards including Ritchie and Banfield, this white gets less time in oak than the single-vineyard designates, but sings in waxy apple, lemon, nutmeg and brioche. This is a pretty wine with a lot of soul.
Passion fruit, pickle brine and other marine-influenced aromas work the nose on this cool-climate, value-priced SB. The palate is both sweet and sour, with tangy lemon as the lead flavor and softer citrus coming on later. Basic in composition; easy to drink.
As in 2003, the blend is 78% Syrah, 22% Sangiovese, all from the Seven Hills vineyard, and aged in 70% new Hungarian oak. The wine looks and tastes a bit oxidative, the fruit is soft and simple, the finish lightly toasty.
Rubbery blackberry aromas are dark, oily and toasty, while the palate is plump, comfortable and familiar. Flavors of dark plum and blackberry are standard, while the finish lightens in scope to show creamy raspberry.
Warm and honeyed Chardonnay with toast and melon aromas. The body is big but the acidity is staunch enough to keep things moving. Flavors of toast and coconut sweeten up apple and melon fruit, and the finish is lasting.
Righteous is a new budget label for Sweet Valley Winery. Mostly Merlot, this smooth, fruity red wine is ready to drink. It tastes like a latter-day version of the Hearty Burgundies of old, only with better fruit, and a hint of hazelnut in the finish.
An attractively balanced, fruity wine that shows to advantage the crisp lightness of 2007. There are red fruits, berries, raspberries, given structure by a core of dry tannins. The acidity and spice roll together in the final taste, with just an edge of green.
Chasing Venus is made in textbook Marlborough style, with aromas and flavors of grassy herbs laid over passion fruit and gooseberries. It's medium in body, pleasantly soft and round in the mouth, just fades a bit rapidly on the finish.
Pleasant red-fruit aromas kick it off, followed by regular-weight cherry and cassis flavors that come with a hint of herbal essence. The finish is racy and almost rough, but there's enough body and weight to the wine to push it across the finish line.
A balanced and well-structured wine, this Merlot expresses attractive aromas of black plum, soft sweet licorice and delicate spice. The mouth is lush and round with soft tannins and a chocolaty finish. Drink now.
Fruity and polished, this broadly appealing red blend is two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cab Franc and the rest Merlot, from a quartet of Walla Walla Valley vineyards. Smooth and mellow, it's already aging gracefully, with light barrel flavors of toast and caramel.
Licorice, tobacco and berry aromas lead to a crisp and zesty palate that is led by acidity and tastes of red plum, apple skins and raspberry. Tight and mildly astringent on the finish, with snap out the door. Drink now.
Leathery and jammy smelling at first, then it settles on solid berry fruit and spice. Runs full and tannic in the mouth, with lightly herbal tasting berry and plum flavors. Shows some oak and ample spice on the finish. Plump, full and generous.
Generally 88-pointers don't call for cellaring, but this one could gain style points with time in the bottle. Now it's dark and promising, with berry, cherry, earth and tobacco. It's also hard but manageable, with lightly herbal blackberry, cherry and brown sugar flavors. Finishes dark and toasty.
A deep, dark, robust Lake County Barbera, tame by Barbera standards, with softened tannins but lots of black licorice, fruit—rustic plum, mostly—and a hint of baked bread. Worth a try with meaty pasta dishes.
This is two-thirds Grenache, the balance divided equally between Syrah and Mourvèdre. It's a fruity mix of berry and plum flavors, with added spice and a lick of chocolate from aging in once-used French oak barrels. Relatively light, very clean and best for drinking young.
A drier, more minerally style than many coming out of Marlborough, with white grapefruit flavors that come across as brisk and refreshing. There's fruit weight on the palate, with the sort of stony flavors that pair with virtually any seafood dish.
Already a modern classic of the Douro, this red wine from Niepoort, with its baked apple and blackberry aromas, is intensely fruity and rounded with sweet wood, black plum and jelly flavors. The texture is smooth, soft, perhaps just missing a grip of tannin.
A bold, flavorful Chardonnay with a long track record of excellence, Pegasus Bay's 2006 is smoky and toasty, with orange and pineapple fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
Refreshing flowers and fruit lead on the nose of this impressive Chardonnay, followed by flavors of flowers, layered fruit and a clean, acidic edge. The wine has class and character and is a perfect food-pairing choice.
Steve Bird, who put Thornbury on the map before selling that brand to Villa Maria's owner, is back with a fairly rich, amply endowed Sauvignon Blanc. It's grassier to smell than to taste, with stone fruit and grapefruit flavors and just a hint of herbaceousness on the palate.
Put this on the scale and watch it tip. It's a monster of a Cab that's quite tannic and therefore narrow on the palate. But if given time in a good cellar it may soften into something much more evolved than it is now. Early openers should expect black fruit in spades, with nail-like tannins. Best to have a steak on the grill if you are drinking this any time soon.
A coppery tinge to this wine's hue suggests a bit of skin contact, and the wine does show some aromas reminscent of Pinot Noir—earth, spice and underbrush. But those are offset by ripe melon flavors that finish clean and refreshing, despite a hint of residual sugar. Consume it over the next year or two.
Fresh, jammy strawberry aromas, followed by a soft, balanced wine, with tannins and wood in fine harmony. It's ripe, packed with berry fruits, edged with dry tannins. The strawberry gives a fresh aftertaste.
In the smooth, polished style of other wines in the Cistus range from Quinta de Val da Perdiz, this wine has mint aromas, licorice and some bitter chocolate flavors, rounded and burnished with new wood flavors. It needs aging—maybe 4 or 5 years.
A big, exuberant nose leads on this impressive Syrah. On the palate, it's a muscular red, with balance, strength and elegant tannins. Mouthfilling but minerally enough to maintain poise, it will age well or pair now with roasted meat.
This is a perfumed fruity wine. With its bright acidity and citrus and lychee flavors, it is both crisp and ripe. Ready to drink now.
The wine is concentrated and structured. It has blackberry fruits that give weight as well as firm tannins both from fruit and from wood. As it develops, the wine will fill out with rich berry fruits and the tannins will soften. Drink from 2018.
Black-currant aromas lead to a wine that has plenty of fruit even though it is masked by tannins at this stage. It's just in bottle after a year in oak barrels. So it is dry for now and will broaden out and bring in the black fruits as it develops. Drink from 2019.
This is tight, tannic and with spice and a red-fruit character. The wine is still very young with the fruit of the year masked by the tannins. Drink from 2018.
The wine is tight, firm and tannic. It has a dry core giving it a hard edge while the black-currant fruits are stalky. It will soften, although the toughness is likely to remain.
Lean and tannic, this wine has a firm structure that makes it mouthwatering. It will pair well with creamy pasta, Korean barbecue and other rich dishes.
Another of the producer's single-vineyard designates, estate-farmed, this is mushroomy and rich in forest floor, with a juicy-savory complement of spicy acidity and stemmy, tart fruit.
Just bright fruit, this is a ripe soft wine. The 50% Malvasia Fina in the blend gives it a perfumed, aromatic character while also adding a lemon zest tang. Drink now.
An unoaked fruity wine, packed with red-berry flavors and attractive acidity. It is a crisp wine, dominated by Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz, ready to drink now.
This is a soft wine, the smoothness cut by acidity and citrus fruits. It is ripe, full in the mouth, white fruits and spice complementing each other. Drink this attractive wine now.
This is a ripe gentle wine. It has piles of red fruit that are touched with spice and vanilla. Acidity and a stalky character keep it crisp. Young and fruity, it is still ready to drink.
This is a light and fruity LBV. The black fruits are laced with acidity as well as the brandy spirit. It is smooth, round and with just a light sprinkling of tannin. The wine is ready to drink.
The wine is ripe, full of the Alentejo warmth while still having enough smoke and spice flavors to paint a contrast. The acidity and the full aftertaste give a rich finish.
Winemaker Madeleine Jautard has produced a soft, juicy wine, packed with ripe fruits. There is a touch of spice as well to give the wine its structure. Drink this wine from 2018.
The wine is structured with firm tannins as well as ripe fruit. Juicy and concentrated, it has a spicy character that comes from the wood aging. In the Mayé Eymery family since 1854, the wine is from six parcels on the estate. Give this fresh as well as rich wine until 2019.
Fresh and fruity, Jacques Chardat's wine is packed with red-berry fruit along with a dry core. The tannins and acidity will develop well as the wine ages to produce a ripe, fruity wine. Drink from 2018.
The wine is fruity with just the right amount of tannic structure. It has spice and some firm toasty wood flavors in the background. Let the wine open up and drink from 2017.
The wine is firm with a dry core of tannins and a dark structure. With a juicy edge of black-currant fruit, it also has good potential and richness. Drink from 2018.
This is a dry wine from the Saint-Emilion co-op, dominated by tight tannins. It is concentrated and tough for now although there are also plenty of ripe berry fruits to come through. Wait for this wine to soften somewhat and drink from 2019.
This is firm, with dense fruits and ripe tannins. It has concentration as well as plenty of red fruits. Drink this potentially rich wine from Alliance Bourg from 2018.
Fine fruits, red-berry flavors and crisp acidity give this wine a fine balance and immediate attraction. It is lively with its bright texture and finishing acidity. Drink from 2017.
This opens with aromas of espresso, leather, prune, toasted hazelnut and a whiff of dark spice. The palate is evolved, showing roasted coffee bean, raisin and licorice alongside somewhat astringent tannins. You'll also note a green sensation of powdered sage on the close.
This medium-bodied wine smells sugary and floral, but tastes quite dry. Flavors are fruity but spare and the mouthfeel is taut.
Scented with subtle hints of herb, nut and smoke, this lemony Silvaner suggests a savory side of the grape variety. While quite full-bodied and dry in style, zesty apple and citrus notes finish crisply.
Scratched lemon skin and sliced-apple aromas meet with a light petrol character on this nice and easy-smelling white wine. The palate starts slightly sweet then grows more so, showing flavors of orange soufflé and lemon syrup.
An earthy, peppery aroma highlights this rich and generous tasting wine. It shows the wilder, more rustic side of Sangiovese's personality.
Light and tangy citrus aromas lead to softer, riper fruit flavors like apple and pear in this medium-bodied wine.
Smoked beef, tart and tangy boysenberry jelly, black rocks and a cigar-box scent power the nose of this wine from an award-winning vineyard. The palate offers ample juicy tang along with chewy tannins, with dark chocolate, black cherry, and black olive enlivening the mouth.
A slight whiff of leathery funk in the nose carries into the palate, but it does not override the rich cherry fruit. Extra details of mineral and earth bring further interest, and more bottle age may serve to lengthen the finish.
This fruit-forward, elegant wine offers gentle flavors of strawberry and cherry, with a lightly candied aspect. It's like a cherry lollipop, with a lingering, slightly earthy finish.
Named after a trail in the Grand Canyon, this Napa-made bottling shows Japanese pear and cracked vanilla candy on a complex nose. It offers ample amounts of minerality, from slate to chalk, on the palate, followed by smoked stone fruit in the middle and pencil-lead elements toward the finish.
The old vines here do give some concentration. More importantly, they give a great swathe of ripe fruit that is so crisp and refreshing. Lemon and the lightest texture are lifted by intense acidity and a lively, fresh aftertaste. This wine is ready to drink.
Varietal in its celebration of lychees and roses, this wine also exudes richness and oak, while remaining relatively low in alcohol. From a fantastic site in the heart of the Russian River, it finishes in a tropical flourish.
From a small vineyard in the hills of the Lisbon region, this is a deliciously fresh and fruity wine. It has great acidity from the local Arinto grapes that are blended with Antão Vaz and Viosinho. Grapefruit and a crisp, zesty texture are refreshing and lively. Drink now.
Bright floralilty greets the nose on this bottling, which shows lime and grapefruit blossom as well as a lighter nectarine flesh. The palate is restrained and grippy, a tart take on the varietal, with lime sorbet, lemon peel and yellow-grapefruit flavors.
Forest floor, woodland berry and spice aromas emerge in the glass. The tight palate offers sour cherry, white pepper, grilled herb and a whiff of tobacco alongside close-grained tannins and racy acidity. An anisette note closes the finish.
While taut and intensely mineral, there's a core of juicy grapefruit and honeydew flavors that shine brightly throughout this Riesling. Dry in style, it finishes tightly on zesty lime-pith note. Drink now.
Earthy notes of porcini mushroom and black olive blend with balsamic plum and cherry aromas. This is a touch heavy and syrupy in feel, and thus creamy flavors of chocolate, plum and berry are not surprising. On the finish, this remains creamy and ripe.
Crisp minerally aromas of cherry and blackberry come with toasty spicy accents. This is a tightly built full-bodied Cab with lightly herbal, moderately oaky and saucy flavors of berry and plum. A dry, spicy finish provides for a strong ending.
Dark garnet in the glass, this wine features aromas of black cherry, candle wax and freshly picked oregano. Soft tannins offer a foundation for flavors of cherry, cassis, mint, espresso bean and Mediterranean herbs. Fruit and savory notes continually make way for one another on the palate, concluding in an herbal and lemon zest finish.
Ripe but constricted plum and raspberry aromas are firmly in the red-fruit zone. This feels good and fresh, with tomatoey acidity. Saucy plum and red-currant flavors finish nicely, with rubbery tannins. Drink through 2019.
Rubbery, earthy aromas of berry fruits, plum and mushroom are solid but nondescript. This feels grabby and pinchy, with herbal, leafy, salty flavors that end with loamy plum and prune notes. Overall, this is big and forceful. Drink through 2019.
This deep-colored, rich-tasting and thick-textured blend does a fine imitation of a more expensive red. Made with a majority of Merlot, its dark cherry and dark chocolate flavors blend well in a texture of fine-grained tannins and firm acidity.
This is a rich and juicy wine, balancing the firm tannins of the Baga with richer fruitiness of Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz. It is still young, still showing layers of firm tannins although with plenty of development potential. Drink from 2017.
The nose isn't very expressive on this big, brawny wine but the chewy, full-bodied palate offers blackberry jam, raisin, licorice, chocolate and orange peel alongside smooth tannins. It still has enough fruit richness to carry off the hearty alcohol but drink sooner rather than later.
Underbrush, grilled porcini, red berry and grilled herb aromas lead the way. The bracing palate offers dried wild cherry, clove, cinnamon and powdered sage alongside astringent tannins. Drink after 2018.
This firm red offers aromas of underbrush, French oak, exotic spice, dried rose and a balsamic whiff of menthol. On the full-bodied palate, a bracing tannic backbone supports dried black cherry, coconut, licorice, roasted coffee bean and oak-driven spice. Drink 2019–2026.
Everything is in place in this medium-bodied, smooth-textured and generously flavored wine. It has a good blend of subtle cherry, blackberry and raspberry flavors, plus hints of spice from barrel aging. Well balanced for drinking now through 2018, it's made with 63% Zinfandel, 23% Petite Sirah and 14% Syrah.
This opens with attractive aromas of pressed rose, woodland berry, dried herb and a whiff of baking spice. The robust palate shows sour, almost unripe cherry, clove, mocha and anisette. The warmth of evident alcohol closes the finish.
Mature berry, toast, espresso, fennel and a balsamic note lead the nose. The firm palate doles out Morello cherry, raspberry jam, powdered sage and white pepper framed in assertive, fine-grained tannins.
Open and fruity, this is a fresh citrus and green fruit flavored wine. It is light and crisp with only a hint of texture, more in the way of enjoyable fruitiness. Drink now.
This bottling is sourced from the Wit' End estate vineyard. The palate boasts broad cherry flavors, showing medium concentration and definiton. It's clean, clear and one-dimensional.
Boysenberry and exotic notes of all-spice and cardamom set this Malbec apart from the field. In the mouth, this is typically angular, with sharp acidity and not much cushion. A one-note, linear flavor of rooty plum is neither fruity nor dry, while the finish fails to rise or fall; it just hums along on a singular beam of acid. Drink from 2018–2030.
Fresh apples and pears seem dusted in a fine mineral powder in this brisk, semisweet Riesling. It's featherlight in texture, darting and dancing alongside a lemon-lime vein of acidity that pierces through the finish.
This opens with earthy aromas of scorched earth, overripe plum and a whiff of game. The straightforward palate offers juicy wild cherry, raspberry jam, coffee and vanilla alongside zesty acidity and fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2017.
Mint, cassis and tobacco notes frame this relatively restrained rendering of Barossa Shiraz. It's medium bodied rather than overly rich or fat, with lingering notes of oak and tobacco on the finish. Drink it over the next few years.
Blackberry flavors dominate this wine, but there's also good acidity, fragrant spice, and just a hint of wood. The wine, with its finely honed texture has a good future, so drink after 2015.
Blended with 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in a mixture of French and American oak (50% new), this wine highlights notes of raspberries and cream speckled with oak spices and an herbal edge. The palate is light and elegant in style while still retaining a sense of depth, plushness and balance.
This is a firmly structured blend of Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch that frames a core of attractive ripe fruits and red berry flavors. There is a fine smoky element here making this a wine that can be enjoyed now, but also age well. Drink until 2019.
Deliciously fruity, with its apple and fresh grapefruit, this is a forward, ripe wine. It has a crisp layer of tight acidity that highlights the immediate attractiveness of the wine. Glass stopper.
The winery identifies this as their reserve-level wine, giving it 14 months in 50% new French oak barrels. Raspberry and cherry flavors are prominent, along with scents and flavors of cookie dough. The wine has moderate depth and length, although the tannins turn a little bitter. Some additional bottle age should help smooth it out.
This is a rock solid Pinot Gris, chunky and fleshy and loaded with ripe fruit flavors. Melon and pear provide the guts, with a lighter streak of jicama and a clean, green finish. There's good concentration in this ready-to-go, all-purpose white for winter.
This perfumed wine has remarkable density from fruit, a full-bodied feeling and a dry edge of extraction that all point to its aging potential. Drink from 2016.
This rich, dense and complex wine has good structure, dark tannins and bright black-currant fruitiness. It's a wine with a good future, and aging will allow the tannins to soften and add further lift to the fruit. Drink from 2016.
Here's an updated expression of Umbria's most famous white that adds 40% Vermentino to 50% Grechetto and 10% Trebbiano. It delivers an enticing fragrance of pineapple and stone fruit that carries through to the palate, along with apple and citrus flavors. It has a rich texture and crisp finish.
This is a spicy, perfumed wine that has a rich feel to it. Tropical fruits are balanced by a crisp texture and a fresh, green-apple acidity. It's a wine for drinking now and very approachable.
This soft, round wine opens with aromas of oak, vanilla and black fruit. It has big, ripe flavors of blackberry, plum, espresso and chocolate alongside smooth tannins. While it's not complex, it's delicious and ready to enjoy now.
This is a dense and rounded wine that has St. Laurent's characteristically juicy profile. It also has ripe tannins and a herbal character that brings out spice and acidity. This structured wine could age well for another four years.
Luscious peach and honeysuckle aromas are redolent on this dry, but somewhat perfumy Riesling. Broad and full on the palate, it's lushly textured, but with a bright streak of acidity that tightens the finish.
The aromas are brooding, with notes of wood spice, incense, black fruit and graphite. The palate brings bold blackberry flavors backed by firm tannins. It needs time to unwind. Best after 2020.
This impressive white from Sardinia opens with aromas of ripe orchard fruit, Mediterranean brush and a whiff of exotic fruit while the juicy palate doles out apricot, pineapple and candied citrus zest. An energizing mineral note brightens the creamy flavors.
Sparkling richness stars in this concentrated, ultimately balanced wine, which offers a warming note of pear compote and peach within subtle waves of toasted oak. The lushly cradled fruit is awash in anise and fennel.
Decisively elegant and restrained, this coastal wine is dancing in acidity and fresh green apple, a note of golden honey beckoning from beyond. Approachable and personable, it should please many palates and find a comfortable home at the table.
This new vintage is as pleasing as those in the past, with spicy flavors touching on pink grapefruit, orange rind and flesh, and just a hint of sweetness rounding off the bright acids. It's well-balanced and in a prime drinking window.
This wine is 80% Mourvèdre, 11% Zinfandel and 9% Primitivo. The aromas are bright and fresh, with notes of raspberry, red plum and spice. The flavors are pure and tart, bringing a real sense of vibrancy to the core cranberry flavor.
This wine is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. Aromas of plum, dried herb, cocoa and barrel spice are followed by reserved fruit and savory flavors. It shows a sense of poise and polish.
Dense, with a substantial amount of tannin and oak upfront, this clone designate, 100% varietal, is chalky in texture and showy in oak. Red currant, cedar and an unfurling of tobacco leaf provide fruit and savory herbaceousness.
The Aragonez (aka Tempranillo or Tinta Roriz) is complex enough to produce a single varietal wine. Here, with wood aging, it has made a richly endowed wine, full of firm black fruits as well as acidity. With its structured aftertaste, it is dense and serious. Drink now.
Made in tiny amounts in a light-bodied style, its vineyard site in the cool Petaluma Gap, this wine opens in earthy soapstone and sandalwood, offering an aroma of dried flowers. Delicate acidity supports a funkiness of cranberry, rhubarb and nutmeg, while a suggestion of roses lurks in the background.
Dark aromas of violet, black cherry, plum and wet clay lead to a flush, well-balanced palate. This amphorae-fermented-and-aged Cinsault from Itata tastes decidedly natural, with an abundance of pure plum, currant and cherry fruit. The finish is bright and lively as well. Drink through 2019.
This wine all comes from Block 46 of Les Collines Vineyard and was fermented 100% whole cluster in a mixture of concrete and stainless steel. This vineyard's signature violet aromas are accented by plum, smoked meat and herb. The palate is elegantly styled with tart, fresh acids and plenty of hang time on the finish.
Made with organically cultivated grapes, this savory white offers alluring aromas of yellow stone fruit, pear and white spring flower. Juicy and delicious, the creamy palate doles out succulent yellow peach, golden apple, nectarine and a savory saline note. Tangy acidity lifts the creamy flavors while a hint of white almond graces the finish.
Forward, fruity and flavorful, this is a quite pretty compendium of raspberry and cherry fruit, accented with a touch of orange peel. As with J. Christopher's pricier cuvées, it spent 18 months in one-quarter new French oak. Though labeled simply Willamette Valley, the fruit was sourced principally from the prestigious Dundee Hills AVA.
Rich aromas of milk chocolate share space on the nose with mushroom, cherry and currant notes. Although this ranks as a fuller-bodied Pinot, the palate retains a sense of crispness courtesy of bright acidity. Flavors of tomato, herbs, black plum and spice are just oaky enough, while this finishes with a blend of barrel notes, cherry and plum. Drink through 2020.
Ripe and floral in pencil lead, this estate-grown wine is subdued in fruit, preferring instead to conjure savory and herbal notes from the glass. Tobacco, leather and wild anise support that context and statement, the texture roundly lush.
A 100% varietal wine from the mountain appellation, this bristles in spicy acidity sparked in black pepper and clove. Muscularly built, it offers generous tannin and blue fruit, alongside an element of scrubby sage and cocoa powder.
Dark jammy aromas of herbal blackberry and coffee are heady. In the mouth, this is full and fleshy. Lightly stewed blackberry, black currant and peppercorn flavors finish savory, herbal, blackened and oaky. Drink through 2021.
Not to be confused with the Mae's “Flagship” bottling, which is a more limited reserve, this classy and varietally spot-on wine brings coffee concentrate, red licorice, black cherry cola and a streak of vanilla harmoniously together. The focus and purity are outstanding.
This bright, fresh and captivating white wine has crisp citrus (think Sauvignon Blanc) and peachy flesh (think Chardonnay). It goes still further, with an extra dollop of spice, extending the flavors well into a long clean crisp finish. All stainless steel fermented—what you taste is simply great fruit from an emerging vineyard.
An equal split between these two varieties with the fruit coming from Stillwater Creek Vineyard, this wine brings vibrant aromas of bramble, raspberry and light barrel tones. The fruit is fresh and lively with a real snap to it, accented by creamy oak flavors.
Lush and full-bodied layers of velvety texture support firm flavors of baked cherry, pomegranate, pine forest and earth, a vibrant current of acidity bursting beneath. Layers of tannin provide a hearty mouthfeel and sense of density, signaling a robust vintage.
A mixture of blue fruit and herb aromas lead to fruit flavors that show restraint and polish. It's a very pretty representation of the vintage.
Delicate body contrasts the rich sweet melon, tangerine and mango flavors of this cheerful auslese. It's plush on the palate but balanced with sunny acidity and a clean, citrus finish. Drink now through 2025.
More intensely mineral than the producer's other dry bottlings, this Riesling suggests tart, zesty fruit tones of white grapefruit and under-ripe peach. It's refreshingly concentrated, with a cool, lime-pith finish. Drink now through 2025.
The aromas bring notes of dried herb, vanilla bean, wood spice and black cherry. The flavors are rich and luscious, supported by plump ripe tannins. The finish lingers.
With each vintage this estate improves, but at the top of the Albariño price tier it should be at least this good. There are lemon, almond and creamy aromas preceding apple, pear and melon flavors. The finish is clean, a little dusty and shows a hint of cider. Intricate enough, with fine overall balance.
Arbor Brook's estate-grown Pinot Noir brings a very expressive mix of cranberry, raspberry, black cherry, moist earth, pencil lead and chalk to the palate. A little bit of green tea, a little bit of herb, a little bit even of stem is just fine when set against natural acids and tart, tangy fruit. Elegance is what Pinot Noir should be about, and that is what is delivered here.
A nose of minerals, black fruit and dried lavender is the start of this stylish wine from Black Rock. On the palate, assertive flavors of blueberry, cherry and spice are lifted by fresh minerality. The finish is clean but lingering. An intriguing wine that offers elegance with an exotic touch.
Unlike the regular Clavidor, this old-vines wine glistens and slides across the nose and palate with nary a whiff of wood. It smells of apples and melon, and the flavors go straight to lemon curd, green apple and kiwi. Fairly long and cleansing on the finish, with a nice mouthfeel. Drink now.
A wine from a selected parcel of vines; attractive, crisply balanced, the fresh green fruits backed by yeasty toast and a creamy, full texture. There is also a layer of minerality that turns this into a fine food wine.
Takes time to unfold after an early blast of saucy spice, hoisin, chili powder and black fruit. The palate is forward and charged, with deep raspberry, cherry and sizzle. Typical of Priorat, there's a gritty ruggedness to the mouthfeel and heat on the finish, but it's by no means rocky. Best through 2011. A Europvin, Christopher Cannan selection, imported by multiple importers, including Michael Skurnik Wines.
Light lemon, honey and banana aromas are puffy and nice. Fresh as it should be, with mineral, lime and just ripening pineapple. Balance, properly acidic but not biting, and likable.  Imported by Steve Miles Selections.
A powerful expression of Tannat. In the Madiran region, 2004 was a bigger vintage than in Bordeaux to the north, and this shows in the rich structure, dark tannins and spiced black fruits. It is rich enough to drink now, but the acidity, the wood and the power all point to aging over 4–10 years. Worth decanting.
From the creative mind of Eben Sadie, the Sequillo red blend is a quiet wine with character. The nose offers raspberry, red berry and spice, and on the palate, integrated flavors of red cherry and dark fruit, spice and minerality give the wine an elegant spin. Good acidity and balance, and a fresh overall character add to the interest.
Flavors of melon, apricot and spice are the hallmarks of this single-vineyard wine. It has rounded, ripe fruit, given freshness by a pink grapefruit piquancy, and finishes with classic Grüner Veltliner pepper.
This tight, rather austere Syrah shows cool- climate flavors; it's hard and herbal, earthy and tannic, but there is a lot going on. It's not a fruit-driven wine, rather it has the earthy, composty complexity of a Cayuse Syrah, though less concentrated. Definitely a wine worth chasing.
Produced from the best selection of vines at Bélingard, aged for 18 months in wood. This 2005 certainly tastes of wood aging, high toast flavors dominating. It needs time for the black plum and spice flavors to show through this almost astringent wood.
The chalky limestone soil of Pic St. Loup allows the fruit to shine without being overpowering, translating into lively aromas and flavors of fresh red berries, nectarine, banana and ripe pineapple chunks supported by nuances of talcum and sweet pea. The creamy texture and medium weight are somewhat surprising for this aesthetically light rosé, and with the lingering finish and well-balanced acidity.
A relatively austere wine, showing its mineral side, with tight tannins and firm structure. But, of course, this being a fine Beaujolais, there is also ripe, exuberant fruit under all this severity. Give it another 6 months to a year.
Super-fresh, this is tight, full of green fruit and crisp apple flavors. It has some concentration under all this freshness, a structure coming from the cool year. This is classic, but very superior, seafood-friendly Muscadet.
Fulget is yet another rock-solid Albariño from 2007, a cool year that favored balanced whites throughout Spain. Flower blossoms, apple and mineral aromas set it off. The flavor profile mostly settles on orange, and if there's a weakness it's that there isn't much variety or layering of flavors. Finishes with gusto. Imported by The Ravensvale Group.
There is a definite smoothness and richness to this Grüner, which comes from aging a proportion in wood, a definite step up in quality from past vintages. It doesn't detract from the citrus acidity, but does add an element of pear and peach, and a round, soft aftertaste.
Very dry, this is all about dark tannins initially, appropriate for the Tannat grape of Madiran. But even from cool 2002, there are good black fruits pushing through those tannins, giving juice, as well as more exotic nutmeg flavors. Age for 4–5 years.
A smoky, lemon and lime dominated wine, which has fine concentration, lifted by tight tannins and edged by a creamy baked apple flavor. There's plenty going on here, and it's all good.
There's a slightly oxidized sense to this blend of 40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Viognier and 30% Roussanne, with aromas of dried peach, apricot, sourdough bread and lightly toasted marcona almonds. The flavors are very much powered by yellow flowers, with saffron and scorched lemon elements.
Blackberry, underbrush, mocha and baking spice aromas lead the nose on this hearty wine. The dense palate offers mature black plum, dill, clove and hints of black pepper alongside bracing tannins.
A blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Clairette and 20% Syrah, this wine represents a relative bargain in the rarified realm of Tavel. Notes of wet stone and citrus carry through from start to finish, joined on the midpalate by hints of white chocolate and raspberry. It's a relatively full-bodied rosé that can stand up to grilled meats.
An appealing wine with notes of orange peel, citrus and red fruit. It's medium-bodied with lively citrus flavors that display a soft feel.
Violet, rose, mature black fruit, leather and baking spice aromas open this smooth, structured wine. The palate offers prune, dried cherry, nutmeg and mocha alongside assertive, drying tannins. Drink 2016–2023.
Pristine white grapefruit and peach flavors reverberate from nose to finish on this juicy off-dry Riesling. It's unabashedly fruity yet elegantly quaffable, marked by tart lime acidity and a lingering suggestion of minerals.
This is a textbook Deep Purple special: huge berry, menthol and violet aromas create a hefty, lusty bouquet. In the mouth, it is more narrow than you might hope for, with staunch tartaric acidity. Jammy berry flavors are big but standard, as is the finish. Drink through 2018.
This very versatile Chardonnay finds a nice balance between fresh fruit flavors, crisp acidity and relatively light body. No obvious oak influence or overripe fruit flavors cloud its appetizing, appealing and sunny personality.
Broad and ripe, this comes across heavy on the nose, with fig and chocolate cake aromas. The palate is huge and tannic but also jammy. Fig, baked berry and tobacco flavors finish hot and toasty, like espresso.
Floral aromas of violet and black fruits include an oak-driven scent of plastic. In the mouth, this PV is plump and widespread, maybe even a bit flabby. Flavors of salty, leafy, spicy berry and black cherry are dry, meaty and toasty on the finish, with subtle tannins. Drink through 2016.
Dusty mineral notes persist on this elegant, invigorating semidry Riesling. It's intensely tart with acidity, but sunny rays of yellow peach and tangerine build towards the midpalate. The finish is kissed with honey and lemon tea.
This is a high-toned, structured wine with vibrant acidity that is layered in earth, spice, raspberry and black tea. After a medium-sized weight to the midpalate, it finishes soft and round.
Spice and leaf aromas ride above a mildly ripe nose. Flavors of roasted plum, spice, wild herb and tomato finish well, with firm, slightly raw tannins. Drink this blend of 60% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano through 2019.
Wisps of green herb and grass lend freshness to bright red-cherry and berry aromas on this full-bodied wine. On the palate, fruit tones are riper and richer, bursting with cassis and dark cherry. It's elegant yet accessible, with a lingering finish rimmed with soft, feathery tannins.
Inky blackberry aromas soften with airing and shift toward pastry tones on the nose. This full wine shows cassis, berry and baking spice on the palate, finishing loamy and smooth, yet slightly jammy.
Aromas of smoked cherry, plum, tomato and apple skin fit the bill for the region. The fresh palate shows weight, with plum, currant and dry spice flavors. On the finish, this wine takes on a loamy weight and a modest raisin note.
Dusty dried herbs accent bright notes of tangerine and white flower on this bold yet elegant wine. The palate is rich, round and heavy in feel, but striking lemon-lime acidity and a crush of oyster shells adds balance.
The aroma of this sleek, dry wine made from organic grapes is subtly herbal. Flavors suggest crisp green apple and kiwi, and it has a crisp balance, smooth texture and very clean finish. It shows a sophisticated restraint that will pair well with any number of appetizers and seafood courses.
Full-bodied but accessible, this delivers ripe dark cherry, plum, black pepper and clove flavors. Fresh and balanced with polished tannins, it's already drinking well. Drink through 2019.
Ripe aromas of roasted coffee and black fruit filter onto a plump, layered and approachable palate. Baked berry and licorice flavors finish with a final dose of char and pepper. Drink this meaty wine through 2017.
Aromas of honey and beeswax come from this wine made from 26-year-old vines of this still-rare Bordeaux grape in California. The flavors are a tad flatter, with almond, charred lemon and pear flesh, though the lifting quality of lemongrass makes this a suitable selection for a wide array of Asian food.
Made predominantly from Pinot Nero and with no added dosage, this sparkling wine delivers aromas of acacia flower, toasted almond and honey that carry over to the palate. It has a fine perlage and a bone-dry finish.
A good look at the potential of the soon-to-be official Creston appellation, this opaque wine is scented with pickled cherries, black tea and sour herbal aromas. Balsamic vinegar leads the palate, which is showing a bit of age, so drink now.
That friendly, familiar, cedar and cinnamon aroma that comes from oak barrels jumps out of the glass when sipping this full-bodied and deep-colored wine. It has gripping tannins that dry the mouth but will work well with pork, beef and lamb. And it blends in enough ripe fruit flavor for good balance. Best now through 2018.
This is a monster Zin, and a very good one. It has an inky black color tinged with red, strong dried-fruit flavors like fig, prune and dried cherry. Along with a smoky, roasted quality on the palate, it has sandy tannins with lots of grip. Powerful and almost sweet.
Maybe it's the name, but there does seem to be a hint of saffron in the lovely bouquet. Finesse and complexity are the stated goals of the winery, expressed beautifully here in an elegant mix of black cherry, mocha and coffee flavors. The mouthfeel, texture, and smooth finish make it a pleasure to drink.
Fresh, appley and floral with a touch of tangy yogurt cream, this is an approachable yet elegant Virginia pick. Delicate apple and pear flavors shine through on this full-bodied wine with fresh acidity, supple texture and balanced alcohol.
Forward and spicy, this puts some muscle into the Merlot with earthy, tongue-gripping tannins. The fruit has a sweet tomato flavor, with a streak of cherry candy. Though not entirely knit together, it's a pleasant drink best enjoyed young.
A young wine from a high-acid year, and it's showing a fair amount of earth and green, herbal flavor. The fruit seems just on the edge of ripe, with hints of brambly berry. Well balanced in a tough year.
Attractive lemon-flavored citrus character with light acidity. This is a classic, creamy wine with a fresh aftertaste. A drink now wine. Screw cap.
Rubber and prune are the lead aromas, and overall the nose is big but flat. Conversely, the palate is clacky and tough on the surface, with herbal, roasted-berry flavors. Dark and herbal on the finish as well, with a clunky, somewhat awkward fade. Not as clean and pure as the 2007 version.
Mossy aromas of prune and earth lead the way, followed by a juicy, almost edgy palate that houses herbal berry and toast flavors. Mildly creamy tasting on the finish, with herbs and red-fruit zest and acidity. Regular and herbal, but entirely drinkable.
A bit soupy to begin with; the nose is herbal and a touch brambly, with a certain grittiness. In the mouth, it's grabby and tannic, with full black cherry and blackberry flavors. Dark, toasty and charred as well, with more size than elegance. A good wine but nothing out of the ordinary.
Standard berry and cherry aromas are clean and round, while the palate is full and honest, with medium tannins and controlled acidity. For basic Merlot it's nice because there's sweetness, ripe fruit flavors, cola and juicy snap to the finish.
Heavily charred, with aromas of black coffee, earth, leather and dark-berry fruit. The palate has a starchy, firm feel and flavors of wild berry, toasted barrel, cola and herbs. Stays toasty through the finish, with minty, almost green/herbal notes closing things out.
Gentil is used in Alsace to describe a blended wine. This is soft and smooth, making a great apéritif, with just an edge of crispness to go over the rich pear and green plum flavors. Finishes with a burst of pineapple.
Clancy's is a reliable Barossa blend that in 2008 is 50% Shiraz, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot. It's a supple wine, the bright cherry fruit framed by tart acids rather than firm tannins. Drink it over the next couple of years.
Surprisingly full bodied, fruit loaded and instantly appealing, this new Chardonnay from Hogue mixes generous flavors of apple and butter, toasted almonds and a little spice.
A soft, lightly floral wine, with an oily texture, the ripe pear and apricot fruits edged with citrus. A hint of walnuts goes with the final acidity.
Dusty and dry on the nose, with raspberry and peppery spice notes that are true to the variety. Relatively solid in the mouth, with peppy red fruit flavors, tea and a tartness suggesting citrus or apple skins. Snappy juice that makes the grade.
Light and cheesy smelling, this has herbal red-fruit aromas. It feels quick and hard across the palate, with strawberry, raspberry and herbal flavors.
This smells reedy and scratchy, turning more herbal with time in the glass. Astringent acids create a sharp mouthfeel, and while the flavors include raspberry and strawberry, there's also a weedy component that picks up speed as the wine breathes.
Dry and overly crisp throughout, this is light and peppery smelling, with notes of oregano and tomato leaf. It feels astringent and dry, with peppery, earthy flavors.
This is neutral on the nose except for a hint of white flower and peach. It's snappy but basic feeling, with a stalky apple flavor. It finishes dry and lemony, with a corny flavor.
Intersting up front, with savory, roasted aromas of smoky plum and barbecue. It feels bullish and punishing, bearing monster tannins and heavy extraction, with a roasted, charred flavor that leads to an all-out resiny, burnt-wood-tasting finish.
An extremely smoky nose—to the point of drowning out all of the other scents—leads into a tannic, chalky palate that bears little varietal character.
Heavy oak-based aromas provide cover for the grassy, green scents. It feels clunky and grabby, with jumbled flavors of sweet oak and green-leaning fruit.
The nose offers white bread and pancake aromas. It feels angular and acidic, with dry, crisp apple and citrus flavors that finish in a corny, stalky fashion.
This smells cheesy and tomatoey, with a woody accent. Clampy, resiny and drying on the palate, this has lean tea and cherry flavors that are complemented by a dull oak tone. The finish is minty and resiny tasting, but hollow in feel.
This is a yeasty wine that shows a bitter almond character. It has an unattractive hard edge.
Medicinal and leathery, this has an iodine aroma that takes the luster off the fruit. It feels short and choppy, with medicinal, gritty flavors of vitamin, red berry and red licorice. Juicy but edgy; tasted twice.
Jammy and candied smelling, this has a green element akin to alfalfa or mint. It's clampy, tannic and high in acid, with raspberry and plum notes that offer an oak offset. The flavors turn tangy and sharp on the finish, even as a heavy vanilla flavor settles in.
Slightly candied red fruit aromas bring a touch of herbal to the show, and the feel and flavor profile are equally tangy, zesty, lean and edgy. Red fruits are what it's about, and palate cleansing potential is its best attribute.
Fairly attractive floral aromas are accented by ripe tomato, blueberry and tarry smoke notes. The palate has size and stickiness, while the flavors of berry, plum and graham cracker feature a sweet, pasty finish. Basic wine with 7% Merlot in the blend.
Leathery and earthy, with hints of cranberries and chocolate. It's medium bodied and supple enough to drink now, turning a bit tart on the finish.
Basic apple aromas start it off, with a bit of lime coming in late. The palate is a touch boring and slightly heavy, with soft bubbles and thick, conventional apple flavors that turn sweet and mealy with time. Finishes with some baked corn and herbs.
The 2007 vintage splits down the middle in Oregon; some producers managed it well; others seemed to struggle. This Jamsheed is a pale reflection of the winery's 2006; thin with herb and leaf, stem and sour fruits.
Slightly sulfuric and heavy at first, but there's cleaner melon and red apple qualities below the surface. A bit chunky in the mouth, with briney strawberry and herbal flavors. Decent wine; nothing bad or special about it.
Slightly pickled and brambly on the nose, and then you get lightly oaked flavors of generic berry fruits. Tight and a little hard on the palate, with a dry, peppery, simple finish. Good enough but doesn't rise up.
Young and vibrant, but also medicinal and gangly. Dark as night and all black fruit on the palate, but also tannic, grabby and rubbery. Toasted on the finish, which simmers just short of being fiery.
An elegant surprise from Michigan, this sparkling Riesling starts with fresh apple and pear aromas and leads into balanced layers of fruit and creamy toast. Aromatic and a touch sweet, it finishes dry and snappy. A fun find.
With its off dry character and richly spiced fruit, this is a wine with some weight and density. There is a good synergy between the tropical fruit and the dry spiciness. It is maturing well, and will be ready to drink at the end of 2014.
This opens with lovely floral aromas accompanied by pure fruit sensations. The palate offers ripe yellow peach, lemon-lime and almond notes. This can be enjoyed now or held for a few years to develop more complexity.
Aromatically reminiscent of creme brûlée, this delightful Mendocino-grown wine, made from organically grown grapes, is crisp, clean and bright with grapefruit flavor. Textured, and with some flesh to its bones, it should pair especially well with wintertime shellfish.
This is one of those Pinot Noirs that play hide and seek with you: is that violet or rose? Is it Bing cherry or Amarena? There is red currant and cherry fruit at the center, with overtones of oak, bright acidity and gentle tannins. This will perform best if served with food.
Attractive floral scents of yellow flowers and Alpine herbs meld with juicy flavors of creamy peach, apple and lemon, all accented by hints of thyme and sage. Aging 25% of the wine in wood lends a touch of complexity to the savory flavors.
Initially reticent, with just a hint of ground white pepper that also persists on the palate, this elegant and sleek red convinces with concentration of forest berries rather than with power. Its fine-tuned acidity makes it perfect for the table, while the soft tannins mean that it does not necessarily need fatty meat. Its peppery finish is delicious.
Pungent and snappy up front, with grapefruit and nettle aromas, this is classic Leyda Sauvignon Blanc on the bouquet. On the palate, this is fresh, juicy and upright. Well-cut flavors of green pea, lime and tangerine finish pithy and firm.
This wine opens with a strong herbaceous character, as scents of forest floor and menthol accent the red plum and cherry core. Fine tannins and medium weight make this an accessible wine now, with hints of black pepper and licorice spice that develop on the finish.
Notes of hazelnut and freshly baked brioche add depth and a sense of maturity to fresher aromas of apple and pear on this sparkling wine. Made from equal proportions Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it's bright and brisk with acidity and penetrating flavors of apple and lime. Finishes with a lingering hint of cookie crumbs.
Inky aromas of boysenberry and blackberry come with a note of pencil lead. The palate on this Malbec is chewy and concentrated, while flavors of blackberry, molasses and black pepper finish strong, with notes of coffee, pepper and hard spices.
This tasty, toasty Syrah-dominated red brings Cabernet and Merlot into the mix, yielding a wine with bright raspberry and blackberry fruit at its core. Firm tannins and balancing acidity complete the picture.
Initially closed, this opens up beautifully in the glass and is smooth, soft and approachable.  Floral elderberry and ripe blackberry aromas follow through to the juicy, succulent midpalate. A lovely, linear acidity guarantees freshness and lively balance. This is not without structure despite its inviting softness.
Hints of spice and smoke add intrigue to sunny peach and pear aromas on this semi-sweet Riesling. The palate is invitingly fruity and floral, with lush stonefruit flavors accented with vibrant acidity and a flurry of dried herbs on the finish. It's a creamy, textured wine that's accessible yet multidimensional as well.
Vibrant and expressive, this offers initial aromas of blackberry, cassis and boysenberry that are matched with spicy hints of licorice root, black pepepr and cigar-box spice. The palate is round and slightly creamy, but framed by medium tannins and a long, toasty finish.
Tropical more than green and pungent, this fragrant wine offers powdery, sweet notes and stronger coastal ones. It's lean and angular in feel, with oceanic flavors of nettle, tangerine and lemon. A light green flavor and a chalky feel make up the finish.
This lovely Verdicchio opens with an alluring fragrance of white spring flowers, Spanish broom and a whiff of sea breeze. The creamy palate delivers white peach, tropical fruit and lemon notes, all brightened by crisp acidity and mineral accents.
This Limnio, Mavrotragano and Mavroud blend is fun and fruity but at the same time, offers some serious character. Smoked sausage, fennel and clove on the nose lead into flavors of vanilla, red fruit and savory spice on the palate. Balanced, with good tannic and acidic structure. Ageable.
Blackberry, plum, balsamic and leather aromas give this red blend an indigenous, masculine character. On the palate, a heady blend of tobacco, spice and pomegranate flavors are buoyed by balanced acidity. Pair with grilled meats, hearty soups, or charred dishes.
A fragrance of crushed violet adds interest to the jammy blackberry, plum and cherry fruit core of this wine. Hints of licorice root, bramble and peppery spice unfold on the creamy palate, with ripe yet gripping tannins that remain on the finish.
This opens with Pecorino's classic floral fragrance of acacia and hawthorne, accented by whiffs of stone fruit. On the palate, it delivers ripe peach and apple flavors, with notes of ginger, almond and a drop of honey. Energizing minerality marks the finish.
The blend has changed a bit with this latest Walter Clore Private Reserve, now 53% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc—no Malbec. It seems a bit chewy and chalky. The fruit has a slightly candied aspect, with suggestions of fruitcake.
The blend is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon and 41% Syrah, fermented in one third new French oak. It drinks well after some aeration, though remains a bit stiff with cranberry and cherry fruit at the core. Light layers of earth and coffee roll into moderate, smooth tannins.
Black, ripe elderberries, with a tart but supple body make this an appetizing, lighter wine that holds an unusual aromatic intensity. There is an intriguing hint of wilderness and a streak of fresh acidity that makes this soft wine an ideal match for lighter foods. Drink this while it's young and vibrant.
An incredibly balanced wine where red cherry fruit marries with velvety tannins, medium body and clean-cut acidity and cinnamon hints in the background. This is an ideal, unobtrusive but delicious food wine that will perform no matter what.
This popular red blend is almost three quarters Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller amounts of Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Tasty, chewy and tannic, it shows strong flavors of cassis, licorice, smoke and espresso—the same dark style as the winery's varietal reds. It offers especially good grip and power for a wine in this price range.
Though it's had some extra time in the bottle, the oaky edges of this wine still seem a little rough and tumble. Or maybe it's the banana cream pie flavors—appealing in their way, but opposite end of the spectrum from, say, the minerality of a Chablis. Front loaded, creamy and rich, this has generous amounts of the oak and toast that many consumers crave.
A satisfyingly rich wine, with dusty tannins and a chunky, fruity structure. It has plenty of the typical black currant flavors of 2008, spiced with new wood. Ripe enough to drink now, but it will age.
Crisp and also creamy, this is a soft, ripe wine that also preserves good acidity. It shows the freshness of 2009, while also bringing out a richly herbaceous character.
500 ml. Almost as intensely spicy as an Alsace Gewürztraminer, this is a rich wine that remains essentially dry. Ripe peach and lychee are right up front, giving a fine intensity. This wine would work well with blue cheese or a pâté.
Here's an interesting Cape Blend with 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Pinotage and 14% Petit Verdot that's different yet straightforward and approachable. Kirsch, black plum guts, rubber and vanilla start off on the nose, while the finish provides interesting hints of smoked cured meat and tobacco. Medium weight with soft tannins, this is a good partner for gamy dishes.
Ripe and soft, this is a broad style of white showing a tropical side of Sauvignon and Sémillon fruit flavors. The texture is rich, full in the mouth, the acidity well in balance.
This should prove to be quite popular, as it's loaded with blackberry and sweet black cherry fruit flavors. It carries the fruit with stiff but polished tannins, and brings in accents of licorice, coffee and dark chocolate. Nothing is overdone; the balance here is just right, and the addition of 16% Syrah brings with it a dash of pepper.
Jammy and dark, with big berry and coffee aromas. The palate has a hard intensity to it that I haven't seen before from this wine, with bitterness along with black cherry, chocolate and toasty flavors. It's forward, firm and driving, but always hard and angular. In its defense, 2008 was a cool, difficult year with frosts at harvest time.
Chunky, rubbery and leathery on the nose, but there's plenty of berry fruit, too. For an $11 wine, the palate is lush and plump, with big tannins and full flavors of roasted cherry, plum, herbs and tomato. Finishes long and persistent, but fresh. Interesting and nicely done for Chilean Cab Franc.
Could the scent of microwaved popcorn be any stronger? Obviously, it's heavily oaked, and that carries onto the palate where you'll find heavy, woody flavors in addition to banana and lemon. This needs a lot more charm and style; in all honesty, it's not delivering much.
This one has bland aromatics, with only a touch of oak to grasp at. The palate is almost spritzy, which it shouldn't be, and the flavor resembles Mott's applesauce. A bit weak and only qualifies for an acceptable rating on its best day.
The nose is sulphuric and a bit barnyardy, which screams“watch out,” but in the mouth there's acceptable if unspectacular apple fruit. It's scratchy in the finish, and probably just this side of not being worth drinking.
Clear as day in the glass, with forced oak and spring flowers in the nose. In a word, it's strange. In the mouth, you'll get sweetness and other flavors not generally associated with Chardonnay. It's not necessarily a bad white wine, but it is definitely at odds with typical Chardonnay.
To get the best results, you'd better chill this one down. That way you'll get more of the refreshing apple and pear element of the wine and less of its fat, chunky body and rough, unpolished edges.
Another wine from Portal del Alto that's just on the cusp of drinkability. Potent butterscotch and cream aromas don't seem authentic. Resiny flavors mask the fruit, and it finishes flat.
Chapoutier's selections of the best parcels of vines in Hermitage are set to become legendary. Sold under the ancient spelling of the appellation name (Ermitage), they represent the epitome of the power and concentration that lies behind the reputation of the appellation. This cuvée is the best of the collection, with its brooding, opaque character, suggesting rather than revealing power at this stage. Age it until your new-born baby is old enough to drink, and it will be just about ready.
Jean-Louis, the son of Gérard Chave, is now in charge of the family business, as well as being president of the Hermitage wine producers. He is continuing the family tradition of making powerful statements of Syrah from Hermitage, combining massive structure and over-powering perfumes. This 1999 seems to have the best of the traditional world of tannic immensity and the modern world of beautiful, ripe fruit. A wine that will age for a very long time.
Even though the 42 months this wine has spent in new wood give it an intensely toasty character, the enormously soft, perfumed fruits and ripe, sweet flavors that go along with the wood produce a finely tuned, balanced wine that should age well over many years. As an expression of pure Syrah, there are few better.
After “fiddling around,” as he puts it, with blends in his '96 and '97 cabs, winemaker Alex Golitzin decided to go with straight Cabernet in '98, an exceptional vintage for Washington State. This is a tight, focused effort, with powerful black fruits augmented with herbs and spices and a hint of mineral. Young, tart and tannic, it will continue to improve as it knits together over the years. Editors' Choice.
A firm, dry, foursquare wine that has power and structure rather than the immediate perfumes of La Mouline, the partner cuvée from Guigal. This is the wine for those who want power with big tannins, and they don't come more powerful or tannic than this. Its aging potential is enormous:  after 10 years there should be more sign of the perfumed fruit which is there, somewhere.
Here is a superbly rich and smooth wine. Aromas of violets and flavors of blueberries and red cherries along with dusty tannins, give this wine both immediate appeal and the promise of a good long-term future.
A huge, ink-black wine with all the brooding majesty that gives Cornas its reputation. A blockbuster with enormous rich, sweet tannins. At the end it is the quality of the superripe fruit from old vines that dominates, but it is certainly a wine to keep for generations.
A massive wine, with its opaque, dense purple color, its huge tannins and its tight, powerful structure. When it develops—maybe in 10 or 15 years' time—the perfumed, juicy Syrah fruits that are just suggested for the moment are going to be as dominant as the tannins are now. What a wine it will be then.
Jaboulet's white Hermitage is named after the crusading knight who built and settled in the small chapel on the Hermitage hill. The wine itself is powerful, rich and concentrated, with heady perfumes of wild flowers and nuts. The palate combines a hint of wood, a full-bodied, oily texture and a stunning burst of acidity that leaves a crisp aftertaste.
Jaboulet's view of its most famous wine seems to have changed. Although the concentrated, dense tannins and big black fruit flavors are still there, it has lost the huge brooding presence of past vintages, and now has a veneer of sophistication with superripe fruit, plums and dark jam tastes. Whether this 1999 will age as well as older vintages remains to be seen, but it will certainly be ready to drink sooner.
Old vines in the Les Bessards vineyard on the Hermitage hill have offered up a majestic wine that has considerable power. With its strong, firm tannins and intense, brooding dark fruits, this is a wine that has obviously been made to last. With little use of new wood for this wine (only 10%), the structure and the complexity come entirely from the enormously ripe fruit and traditional fermentation.
The perfect combination of elegance and purity of fruit give this famous wine, a blend of fruit from both slopes of the hills above Ampuis, a great sense of style as well as power. The Syrah perfumes, at their richest and coolest, combine with black fruits to give an overwhelming impression of immense fruit flavors.
Hedges is one of a handful of Washington wineries producing top- caliber wines in significant quantities. This is their best deeply colored, elegant and Bordeaux-like in style and substance. Powerful, muscular black cherry fruit blends with dense, firm tannins, highlighted with elements of iron and earth. The wine, though young and compressed, is a perfect expression of Red Mountain Cabernet. About 20% Merlot is also in the blend. 2,100 six-bottle cases made. Editors' Choice.
This SB has one of Chile's best track records for high quality. The nose and flavors both exceed norms, with the former showing bold citrus, lime and melon aromas and the latter revolving around grapefruit, lime and gooseberry. It's ripe, healthy, pithy, acid-driven and piercing. Summer sipping calls.
Loosen's 2009 spätlese from the Wehlener Sonnenuhr is a lush, medium-bodied wine loaded with honey and peaches. It's superripe and succulent, with a long, fruity finish. Try it with Szechuan dishes, which will buffer the sweetness of the wine while the wine tames some of the heat.
Plump and slightly sweet, this late-harvest Riesling comes in at 10% alcohol—something along the lines of a rich spätlese in terms of its alcohol-acid-sugar balance. Notes of pineapple and crushed stone open up to melon fruit on the palate and finish long, with a bit of cinnamon or ginger spice.
Always at the top of the Chilean Pinot heap is this true, complex wine from Kingston Family. The nose features light raspberry, citrus, oceanic brine and toasty, creamy oak. The palate is lush and rolls across the tongue with ease; ripe fruit in the cherry zone along with cocoa and spice make for fine flavors. Finishes with purity, smooth tannins and herbal twinges.
Perhaps the biggest of Kumeu River's 2008 Chardonnays, the Coddington offers waves of tropical fruit—pineapple and carambola—allied to mouthfilling richness and balanced by citrusy acids and hints of roasted nuts. Drink now.
Like the Josephshöfer bottling, von Kesselstatt's 2009 GG from the Piesporter Goldtröpfchen boasts a salty minerality that underscores the ripe flavors of peach and orange zest. It's medium to full in body, and nearly bone dry, with a long, mouth-watering finish.
Makes an interesting contrast with the J.J. Prüm bottling from the same site, weighing in at a full 1.5% less in finished alcohol, and showing mineral-inflected passion fruit flavors and a touch of vanilla. The sweetness is finely balanced by mouthwatering acidity on the finish.
Alluring on the nose, with a ton of dried spice, mocha and tobacco aromas to go with beefy, berry fruit notes. Despite its darkness and size, this wine delivers bright, juicy acidity and then herbal cassis and berry flavors. Tobacco, herbs and length define the finish. A blend of five red grapes, including Mourvèdre and Petit Verdot; drink now through 2013.
Particularly intense on the herbaceous front, the wine shows rich grapefruit and lemon zest flavors. Long, deep and delicious.
Dark berries, coffee and woody spice start off the nose of this wine, with more concentrated but juicy plum and cherry flavors unfolding in the mouth. Creamy and lush with medium acid and a lively structure. Drink now–2013.
Medium weight with a satiny smooth texture and great balance, this is a stellar Syrah with great complexity between the rich dark fruit flavors and forest spice. Aromatic accents of cured meat and crème brûlée linger in the back of the bouquet, while a strong coffee flavor stays strong through the finish.
A fine, elegant Pinot Noir, still in its infancy, with bright cranberry and raspberry fruit taking center stage. A shimmering, vivid, youthful vitality elevates the fruit flavors, with juicy acidity and restrained oak influence. Though this is the least expensive wine in the Archery Summit portfolio, it may surprise those who cellar it. Some extra years in the bottle could bring out unsuspected depth and power.
A unique style of Riesling, naturally fermented on the skins for 20 days prior to pressing. The result is intriguing: honey and baked apple notes tinged with peach-like ripeness and briny minerality. It's medium-bodied, crisp and dry yet with a sense of honeyed richness.
Made by Carmen Stevens, one of South Africa's first black female winemakers, this is a gorgeous blend with rich aromas and flavors of black currant leaf, licorice, cigar tobacco, boysenberry and black cherry. Lush and creamy in the mouth, the finish offers a hint of fresh mint sprig for a last minute lift.
Do you like lemon drop cocktails? This is a lemon drop wine —so ripe and round and sweetly lemony it could almost pass for Limoncello. Despite the almost 14% alcohol, there is some sweetness, as you might find in a late harvest wine, albeit concealed by the acidity. Rose petals and talcum powder flavors coalesce into a firm, full, fruity, slightly sweet and also quite fragrant finish.
Delicious. A drinkably juicy, brambly version of Amador County Zin, consistently one of Joel Gott's best, with appetizing texture and mouthfeel and dry, dusty tannins, ready to go now with a range of meaty foods but also able to age.
Young and loaded with primary fruit flavors—fresh-picked cherries right off the tree, red delicious apples, just-made cranberry sauce—this is lovely now but built for the long term. The 13.6% alcohol listed is verified by the juicy acidity and just a touch of herb in the back of the finish.
This Syrah-dominant blend with 12% Grenache, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cinsault and 2% Viognier offers a delicious, fruit-driven core matched with complex spice notes of sweet smoke, cured meat and fresh tobacco leaf. The mouth is silky and smooth with fine-grain tannins and a white pepper-flecked finish. Drink now–2012.
A hint of spiced cured meat mixes with the assertive notes of cassis and black plum in the bouquet. The mouth shows more of an herbal character with flavors of licorice, cigar tobacco and pepper that linger through the close. Firmly structured but with a creamy feel and dissipating tannins.
Toasty and dark-fruited, Huber's 2007 Bombacher Sommerhalde R falls somewhere between the Wildenstein and Malterdinger Bienenberg in style. It's less herbal and more powerful than the former, but not as muscular as the latter. The tannins are still silky, yet there's great intensity, ending on a long, slightly charred note. Drink 2012–2020.
Attractively ripe, this has fruity red-berry flavors along with acidity and soft tannins. This is ready to drink now.
A broodingly dark, oaky Syrah, this has a dash of pepper and intense red fruit. Naggiar continues to make promising Rhone-inspired estate wines from rocky mountain soils.
There is a sweet streak running through the fleshy fruit flavors of pear and peach. This is pure Pinot Gris, balanced with high acidity, sweet fruit and slightly bitter flavors of skin and rind.
Ripe and full bodied, this is packed with tasty fruits. Notes of pear, apricot and white peach mingle easily together, creating a forward, wine with the right depth of flavor.
Lightly scented with a Riesling-like petrol note, this pungent, grassy Sauvignon Blanc offers a crisply focused mix of celery, green berry and spring herb.
Bright and bold to the eye, this has generous, powerful berry aromas that come with a note of spice. It feels stacked and only slightly tangy, with black fruit and some of Syrah's more textbook flavors of leather and animal. It holds form on the finish.
Soft and rounded, this is a ripe, full-bodied wine. It has pear and peach fruits, laced with lime-like acidity and notes of almond and yeast. With its bright, crisp finish, it's a wine to age over the next two years.
From the Vincent family of Château de Fuissé, this is a ripe wine, with its green plum and nectarine fruits giving it roundness. At the same time, there is a bright, attractive edge of crispness, with a citrusy finish.
There's great vibrancy on the nose of this wine, with bright scents of ripe nectarine and pineapple core, framed by a floral accent reminiscent of rose water. The mouthfeel is light and accessible, with yellow apple and lime rind flavors. Drink now.
Notes of forest floor and menthol leaves add depth to the jammy core of boysenberry and blueberry fruits. It's solidly structured, with approachable tannins and medium acidity. A touch of cocoa stays through the medium-length finish. Drink now.
Dark and lush, this has notes of forest berry and plum flesh. The mouthfeel is round and slightly creamy, with dense blackberry and raspberry flavors, and a finish that's dusted with pepper and cocoa powder accents. Drink now.
This is warm and round, with red fruit flavors that are attractively displayed against a backdrop of soft tannins. The acidity lends crispness, highlighting the ripe fruit on the finish.
Slightly austere, this Pinot Gris is marked by aromas of orange blossom and cheese rind, with a crispness on the finish that resembles a ripe, green apple.
Consistently a good value selection, this showcases ripe black-fruit characteristics of cherry, berry and plum, alongside nuances of savory herbs and fresh menthol leaves. Medium weight, with a mouth-filling texture and a slightly chewy finish.
Smoky and oaky, this is a blend of 85% Petite Sirah and 15% Petit Verdot, creating one black, dense, vanilla-infused package that's rich and ready to drink now.
Straightforward peach aromas come with a stalky, grassy side. It feels zesty, spritzy and citric, then tastes almost entirely of orange and tangerine, with a dry finish.
Quite light and a bit diffuse, this southern Rhone-style red has a pretty rose petal accent, along with berry and balsamic flavors.
High toned black-cherry and berry aromas lead to the concentrated palate that's full of ripe sour cherries, marked with dried thyme and a spray of lemon acidity. It finishes on a slighty briary note, with a hint of green and soft, velvety tannins.
Using grapes sourced from the excellent Stillwater Creek Vineyard, this is a ripe—to the point of being pruny—yet acidic red wine. The unsettled mix of raisiny fruit and chalky acids may or may not shake out with further bottle age.
This is light and fruity, with its red fruit upfront. The tannins are balanced, in keeping with the wine's perfumed nature. The youthful acidity on the finish is likely to soften out in a year.
Saline, mineral, match stick and tropical fruit aromas define the bouquet. It feels plump but flat, with maderized flavors of white fruits that feature bitterness and not much kick. It's fleshy, remaining slightly bitter on the finish.
Smoky oak, vanilla spice, savory mushroom and wet earth notes add a savory element to the bright red-cherry and fresh herb flavors. It's straightforward, full bodied and pleasant drinking, with a medium-long finish.
This smells dark and concentrated, yet the blackberry and cassis core is lifted by a powdery, purple-potpourri accent. There's a strong woody presence on the palate, with baking spice and vanilla bean flavors that linger.
There's a slightly dusty, grassy element to this understated Sauvignon Blanc, but the palate is nicely concentrated, with abundant yellow-peach and tangerine flavors. The lemonade-like acidity is brisk and refreshing. Drink now.
This is fragrant and lighthearted, with citrusy acidity that laces through the easy, bright green-apple texture. It's crisp, with a floral finish.
This blend of Syrah and Malbec was sourced from the estate's Doc Stewart Vineyard. Light, tart rhubarb and watermelon flavors show an accent of mocha. Drink up.
A green streak runs through this wine, adding an herbal character to the black cherry and plum aromas and flavors. Low tannins and medium acidity produce an overall easy profile and light mouthfeel.
Sourced from the Sundance Vineyard, this is a soft and oaky Chardonnay, with a round, buttery finish. Best enjoyed in the next year or two.
It delivers classic varietal aromas of tomato leaf, cut grass, hay and citrus. The crisp palate delivers juicy grapefruit, cantaloupe, exotic fruit and mineral alongside lively acidity that leaves a pristine finish.
This is fresh and juicy while also having structure; a mineral edge to the texture gives power. Acidity and juiciness both contribute to the ripe, full-bodied mix. The wood-aging is too dominant at this stage, so give the wine several years. Drink from 2017.
Ripe Concord pear and an intriguing, phenolic mouthfeel combine in this highly drinkable light white. There is enough weight to support food and a pleasing hint of savoriness as well as depth.
Still closed, this will take a little time to come out of its shell. But it's worth the wait: there's pepper, zestiness and a streamlined, structured body. One word comes to mind: sleekness.
The wines from this producer always resemble one another aromatically in a unique way. There's bright wild strawberry and healthy handfuls of black and white pepper amidst an earthy, smoky edge. Young, firm, light on the tongue, the finish picks up substantial steam, a hit of herbal smoke there for the taking.
Bold and savory, it has intriguing aromas of grass, dried hay, stone fruit and dill. The rich, warm palate delivers yellow peach, candied ginger and grapefruit accented with sage and a vanilla note.
This concentrated wine has dark tannins as well as perfumed red fruits, blackberry flavors and a dense structure. The old vines give extra intensity and the need to age. Drink from 2016.
Strong, dark aromas of blackberry and cassis are tight and dense. This concentrated, voluminous wine has tangy acidity and flavors of savory spice, chocolate and baked berries. An herbal finish with olive and leathery flavors comes with a racy, tangy feel. Drink through 2018.
The Scrapper is aptly named, packing plenty of flavorful punches into a structured but softly tannic wine. Peppery, especially in aroma, it offers full-bodied leathery black cherry fruit and concentrated layers of savory chocolate. It's delicious and would make a fine pairing with any steak.
There is an interesting floral component—white blossoms—coming through in the nose, and sailing along on top of flavors of buttered nuts. A somewhat oily mouthfeel is lifted by moderate acids, and the overall length and follow-through make this one of the better vintages of this affordably priced wine.
Rich, spicy and deliciously fruity, it has tannins well cushioned by the ample blackberry flavors. Acidity preserves the wine's easy freshness, while it also has a dense texture. Drink now, but the wine will be richer in late 2014.
Whiffs of ripe red berries and stone fruit lend a particularly fruity tone to this just off-dry Riesling. While medium bodied in style, sumptuously ripe flavors of peach and nectarine give the palate a distinct plumpness. Wraps up tart and tight with a shower of citrus acidity.
Meaning “The Thief,” Il Ladro blends 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. A silky smooth blockbuster of a wine, it dances in acidity with bright cherry, clove and spice throughout. The tannins are well-behaved and in the background, the finish exceptionally long.
The grapes come from a vineyard thought to be the first planted or grafted to Tempranillo in the Mokelumne River appellation. Fields picks the fruit relatively early and treats it to only neutral oak, the result a tamed, more flavorful version of the variety. Soft, leathery, spicy and subtly loaded in blackberry and black cherry fruit, it's well worth seeking out.
Slightly earthy, savory tones of lanolin and herb lend complexity to a palate that's lavish with peach and quince jelly flavors. Semi-sweet in style, it's quaffable and refreshing with its fruity exuberance offset by a cutting, stark acidity.
Green pear peel, fresh cucumber and ripe, golden pears all unite to make a rounded, toothsome food wine that's also crisp and savory.
This full-bodied and savory blend of Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla and Sauvignon opens with lovely aromas of hawthorne, apple and stone fruit. The vibrant palate delivers yellow peach, nectarine, Golden Delicious apple and candied citrus alongside bright acidity.
Hints of lemongrass and blossom lend lavish perfume to flavors of peach and cantaloupe in this ripe, richly fruity wine. Medium-sweet in style, it's backed by a piercing lemon acidity and zest notes that linger on the finish.
A touch of flint, some spritz and the zesty tang of both lemon and grapefruit peel make this racy and sleek . An addictive seam of bright acid puls through to a long, lingering and clean finish.
Made from native grape Friulano and fermented in large casks, this full-bodied, sophisticated wine opens with delicate aromas that recall lemon blossom, acacia and walnut. The linear palate offers Bartlett pear, lemon zest and golden apple accented with notes of bitter almond. This will develop complexity over the next few years. Drink through 2018.
The subtle scent of vanilla soufflé translates as a soft mouthfeel and buttered toast flavors, resulting in a wine ready for meals both casual (roast chicken and mashed potatoes) or upscale (nut-crusted halibut atop polenta). There's ample acidity, but it still falls in the traditional California Chardonnay camp.
A blend Friulano (fermented in oak) and Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon (fermented in steel tanks), this has aromas of white fragrant flowers, subtle oak, toast and exotic fruit. The rich palate offers pear, apple, candied citrus, vanilla and butterscotch.
Made from the denomination's premier white grape, this sleek wine has aromas of mature pear, white flower, dried hay, stone fruit and nut. The palate delivers creamy white peach, yellow apple, lemon zest and mineral balanced by refreshing acidity. It closes on a note of white almond.
Fragrances of exotic fruit, tomato vine and dried hay come with a hint of balsamic herbs. The savory palate delivers apricot, honeydew melon, and yellow bell pepper accented with notes of sage, mint and thyme. Pair this with asparagus risotto.
A fascinating dry wine made from a 3.6 acre parcel in the Sauternes appellation, planted with Sémillon vines dating back to 1929. While it is very young, it shows great potential with spice, apricot and peach fruit and just a touch of honey. It will develop well and should be left until 2018.
Visitors to Saint-Émilion will see the winery of Clos des Menuts right in the town center. The vines, on the plateau outside, have produced a ripe wine in the 2012 vintage. It's rich and soft, still with juicy black fruits and a smoky mildly tannic character. This will develop as a ripe wine to drink from 2018.
Leather, underbrush, baked plum, menthol and a whiff of cake spice are some of the aromas that lift out of the glass. The ripe palate delivers dried black cherry, fig, star anise, mocha, espresso and grilled sage while close-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink 2017–2022.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The aromas suggest notes of high-toned herbs, cranberry, fresh cherries and cassis that provide appeal. The palate provides elegant, sophisticated flavors that linger.
DuBrul Vineyard is best known for its Bordeaux varieties but Syrah shines there too. Aromas of smoke, brown spices, coffee, herbs and earth lead to a lithe palate that puts a premium on elegance.
A beautifully pure, linear but generous rendition of Riesling from the loess soils of Wagram: this has a softer aspect but still is beautifully slender and exquisitely balanced. All this needs are a few rays of sunshine to be enjoyed to the full.
Dark in color, with cigar-box aromas, this wine is a rich blend of the two Cabernets. It has some firm tannins that are already well integrated into the red-berry fruits and acidity. It is ready to drink, although it will be much better from 2017.
This is a dense, rich wine that balances intense citrus fruit with a tight mineral texture. It is refreshing, crisp while also concentrated from the old vines. The wine is young and fruity and will be better from 2015.
Ripe, almost tropical fruit notes appear: pineapple and orange zest are tempered by peppery yeastiness which becomes stronger and more expressive and textured on the palate. A phenolic backbone provides structure alongside zesty freshness. This packs a real punch.
Guigal is one of those firms that seems to handle whites, reds and rosés with equal aplomb. This white has a fair dose of Viognier, which gives it a floral, apricotty nose, a rich, creamy palate and a spicy, gingery finish. Drink now.
Jammy blueberry and prune aromas are ripe but a bit dull and rudimentary. Plump, chunky, jammy and tannic across the palate, this tastes like mashed blackberry and molasses. A finish that's warm and chubby but also tannic as rocks lacks some elegance and precision. Drink 2018–2030.
Ripe, baked aromas of cassis, plum and cinnamon lead to an alert, lively palate with big tannins. Flavors of spicy red-berry fruits come with a dusting of cocoa, while muscular tannins give structure to a full-force finish. Drink through 2022.
Ripe fruit and lush but subtle oak accents make a good combo in this full-bodied, complex and layered wine. Generous, ripe plum notes harmonize with light cinnamon and cocoa accents.
Smashed blueberries, black gravel, caramel and a touch of oak smoke show on the nose of this stylishly labeled, widely available bottling from the Niven family. Juicy blackberry fruit leads the palate, bolstered by roasted coffee and shaved-chocolate flavors and rounded out by chalky tannins and strong acidic energy.
A true GSM in its comingling of 67% Grenache with 24% Syrah and 9% Mourvèdre, this wine is burly in red and black cherry, while retaining a softness of texture and powerfully generous body weight. Cinnamon and earth round out the finish.
This white will appeal greatly to those who prefer stainless-steel treatment, with its tangle of sour apple, sharp acidity and full but not heavy texture. It gets better in the glass, softening that sharpness and tang, opening up to elements of melon and lime.
Concentrated jasmine aromas meet with touches of iodine, lemon curd, golden flowers and honey on the nose of this dessert wine. It's refreshingly light in body, but with a zesty lemon-skin acidity that cuts through the pear juice and Key-lime rind flavors. It's smooth and balanced.
Bundled, firm notes of green pear convince right from the start. The exuberant but crisp fruit comes on a taut but dense palate that also fizzes with peppery, herbal savor. This crisp, slender wine echoes long.
Tight cranberry and sour-cherry aromas meet with turned earth, iron and woody herbs like dried sticks of sage on the nose of this wine. The palate shows iron, sagebrush-laced cranberry juice and pomegranate fruit, proving lively and energetic on the tangy palate.
This dark, potent, full-bodied wine is made from two of the darkest, most tannic grape varieties—Petit Verdot and Petite Syrah—and there is nothing petite about this blend. Its color is almost black and opaque, while aromas and flavors suggest smoke, blueberry and espresso. The texture is tannic but not overbearing.
Ripe, raisiny aromas of earthy berry fruits, chocolate and vanilla introduce a choppy palate with oaky flavors of dried cheese and cream. This also shows dried plum and berry flavors on a full, scratchy palate. End notes of foresty berry fruits, earth, licorice and hard spices are impressively solid. Drink through 2020.
A touch of passion fruit plays on the nose. The palate on the other hand is full of lime and lemon zest that counters this exuberant fruit. A lovely, playful high-wire act between fruit and freshness that provides immense refreshment.
Aromas of wood spice, black licorice, graphite and blackberry are followed by cranberry and cherry flavors. It shows a fine sense of balance.
This wine is principally Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc along with bits of Malbec, Grenache and Merlot. Aromas of green garden herbs and earthy funk are followed by soft, elegant earth and dark fruit flavors that bring appeal and intrigue.
Cherry, cassis and a cordial-like richness dominate in this medium-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The fruit ripeness is elegantly offset by tobacco, leather and grippy tannin. Drink now through 2020.
Ripe dark fruit, menthol, tilled earth and underbrush aromas lead the nose along with a balsamic note. The palate is still a bit shy but eventually reveals mature berry, baking spice and a hint of truffle alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink 2019–2025.
Creamy notes of pear still carry a hint of flinty smoke, but the pear notes rise with purity. The bright freshness of pure lemon lifts everything and makes for purity, ease, refreshment and blithe joy.
This is a spicy, wooded, thick and dense varietal wine. The palate is medium bodied, with bold boysenberry and black berry fruits that mingle with a seam of lifting citrusy acidity. It's an approachable and tasty crowd-pleaser that'll impress.
From a multi-aspected, redwood-surrounded site with peeks of the Pacific Ocean, Stuller traffics in aromas of baked bread and strawberry preserves, its acidity high-toned and full of freshness. Still young and looking for further development in the glass, it's savory and soft, aged in once-to-four-times used French oak.
Toasty, dense, dark and complex, this is suffused with a complex mix of coffee, earth, butterscotch, cherry and mineral, with an underlayer of game, roasted almond, herb and earth. Still a baby, young and tight, it opens out with decanting, turning silky and supple. The balance is impeccable, and herbal nuances are preserved, despite the 14.7% alcohol.
The success of this wine owes as much to Merlot as to Cabernet. The Merlot has created the ripeness and smoothness of the wine. While the Cabernet keeps it firm and closed up, there is a base of rich, sweet fruit here that will show over the next two years. The style of the wine is moving away from elegance to power under the new regime of owners, Champagne Roederer.
Good Cabernet character all around. The nose is spicy and full, with tobacco, pepper and red berry fruit to start. On the palate, good tannic structure and a balance of big fruit, leather/tobacco and acid offer ageability and finesse. A good food wine—pair it with grilled beef this summer.
Full, highly perfumed wine, with peanut and tangerine flavors that work well with the fresh acidity and citrus crispness. There is a good structure from the whole berry pressing that gives shape to the wine.
A pale salmon colored rosé, this medium- to full-bodied wine offers scents of honeydew, red berries, peach and crushed stones and flavors to match. The only quibble is that it finishes a little abruptly. This is very good, but consumers should be on the lookout for the fresher 2007.
From the excellent Evergreen vineyard comes a complex wine with appealing minerality. The firm stone fruit/white peach flavors, though slightly underripe, are balanced and crisp. There's a slightly bitter edge to the finish.
There is an earthy touch to the almost overripe peach notes on the nose. The palate adds both sweetness and a subtle welcome hint of phenolic bitterness to the peachy fruit. Bright lemon freshness cuts through the medium-sweet palate to provide a fresh, almost lip-smacking finish. This wine is full of ripe expressive fruit flavors, giving equal billing to lemon and peach.
This barrel selection is loaded with tart cherry and blackberry fruit. Scents and accents bring hints of bread, butter, vanilla and coffee. The finish is lengthy and detailed, with no fall off in complexity. It was aged 18 months in roughly half new French oak.
Winemaker Isabelle Meunier (ex-Evening Land) has carefully selected a handful of sites for her first release of single-vineyard wines under this new label. This is perhaps the most elegant, with exceptional texture, color and overall finesse. Fruits are delicate and detailed, showing watermelon, salmonberry, strawberry and a bit of spice. The 30% new French oak aging adds a gentle kiss of cocoa. Drink now to 2030 and beyond.
Danish sommelier-turned-winemaker Leo Hansen aims to make food-friendly wines, and this delicate Chenin is a great example. Light honey, candied lemon, lime pith and tangerine peel aromas show subtly on the nose. Sparkly acidity makes its clean and crisp nectarine, cherimoya and lime skin flavors pop, with pinpoint focus and a slight grip.
Blended with 8% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, this is a well-made wine from the mountain appellation. With integrated oak and a supportive undercurrent of acidity, it's rounded and rich in bright cherry fruit, the accents a mix of clove and graphite, finishing with balance.
This producer's light take on the variety continues to impress with this vintage. Anise and oak hints combine on the nose to invite one in for an elegant taste of bright, juicy acidity and refined lemon and green apple flavors.
This small producer devoted to the variety continues to impress with this vintage, crafting here a balanced beauty, with vibrant white pepper, garrigue and herbes de Provence aromas. Pungently earthy, it offers a voluptuous texture yet relatively light body, meaty flavor and finesse.
Ripe, earthy aromas of baked berry fruits, cassis and licorice lead to a chewy, stout palate. Oaky flavors of ripe blackberry and cassis are rooty and leathery, while this tastes of chocolate and fig on a broad finish. Drink through 2023.
Smoked strawberry and concentrated red plum aromas meet hickory smoke, fresh herb and rose petal scents in this great bottling. The zingy palate is fresh, lively and quite complex, from its oregano, thyme and tarragon notes to its core of pomegranate and dark raspberry fruit to its savory, leathery finish.
This gorgeous white opens with scents suggesting white flower, orchard fruit, lemon pastry and a whiff of wet stone. The creamy palate delivers yellow apple, lemon zest, bitter almond and a savory mineral note. It's supremely elegant and surprisingly fresh for the vintage.
Delicate in flavor and firm in texture, this wine is savory and complex, with a slightly lean but very appetizing mouthfeel. Cranberry and black tea aromas are followed by tangy red cherry and cinnamon spice flavors supported by a light layer of fine-grained tannins.
This small production blend of 90% Viognier and 10% Sauvignon Blanc leads with fragrant, inviting floral qualities and well-defined layers of peach and apricot fruit. Light and bright, it's balanced, focused and utterly delicious.
The name Septette references seven blocks planted to seven clones in the estate vineyard. The fruit flavors mix red berries and purple plums, with some tangy tropical details. It's big, plush, delicious and finished unfined and unfiltered.
A touch of pepper accentuates the fresh notion of wet stone and citrus on the nose. The palate is bone dry and has a fresh fizzing mousse that accentuates, stone, pepper and green citrus even more. The slightly austere, bone-dry style will come into its own with other pure restrained flavors—think subtle Japanese dishes. The finish is brisk and superclean.
This atypical blend brings exceptional fruit to the table, with Pinot Noir sourced from the Dundee Hills and Syrah from Walla Walla. Syrah dominates the aromas, with gamy whiffs of smoke, coffee and and licorice. The tangy black-cherry fruit comes with a streak of balsamic and a hint of pine sap. Though Pinot Noir rarely succeeds with other grapes in the blend, this is the exception that proves the rule.
Roasted, gamy aromas are slightly cool, reedy and herbal. This wine is jammy and deep on the palate, with black-fruit flavors aided by gamy notes, spice and exotic herbs. A deep finish with bold acidity solidifies the wine's excellence. Drink through 2024; contains 15% Malbec.
Lightly smoky and spicy oak nuances top off this deeply fruity and concentrated wine, which has firm tannins and good acidity to support its richness. Almost-sweet plum and black cherry notes form its core, while vanilla and baking spice notes complete the picture.
This full-bodied and firmly tannic wine from a star winery in Lake County has wood smoke and anise aromas, generous black fruit flavors and a good, grippy texture. That structure will help the wine age well, allowing the rather intense flavors to mellow and evolve. Best after 2021.
This wine's intense berry aromas are followed by equally deep flavors, as its meaty, earthy, spicy nuances develop with each sip. It has complexity, concentration, a very smooth texture and that certain wild element that's attractive in Syrah.
Lemon plays on the nose alongside hints of shortbread. The palate has a lovely rich creaminess and very fine elegant mousse, creating an impression of light-bodied richness. This is sophisticated and dry, elegant and creamy—very grown-up and utterly delicious.
This big but complex wine offers wonderful varietal characteristics. Sage and blackberry highlight the aromas, while equally interesting black pepper, beef and blackberry flavors expand on the palate. It has very good depth and a distinctive flavor profile, too.
Apple skin, sea stone and lemon notes comprise the light-bodied narrative of this balanced, bright and complex wine. From a vintage known for its modest yields, this wine shows the quality of the producer's estate vineyards, which range across the appellation.
This bottling smells much like a bundle of freshly cleared sagebrush, with hints of fennel, charred tomato, wood, cola and wild black cherry. Its extremely soft mouthfeel massages the tongue with lush tannins, and its black cherry richness is cut by tart pomegranate-like acidity and lifted by cocoa, coffee and ginger spice notes.
With grapefruit and orange aromas, this is on the ripe side, but the feel is fresh and flavors of citrus, white pepper, arugula and briny melon get the job done. Drink this quaffer soon and it will satisfy; hold it too long and it will lose its fresh character.
Allspice, violet and plucky red berry aromas lead this Xinomavro-Limnio-Cabernet blend. Flavors of plum, leather, cinnamon and pepper are balanced and subtle. A good everyday bottle that will pair well with burgers, steak and mushroom dishes.
Dusty mineral notes mingle alongside pretty floral and apple aromas on this softly effervescent sparkling. A blend of 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay, it's strikingly high in acidity but has pleasant lemon and apple flavors.
Made from yet another up and coming white grape from Central Italy, this opens with a pretty floral fragrance of wisteria and jasmine. The linear white peach, pear and citrus flavors are balanced by bright acidity.
This approachable, bright blend of Sangiovese and Montelpulciano, has forward sensations of black cherry and black berry, with a hint of white pepper. Supple, round tannins make this very drinkable now.
This young Chardonnay still shows plenty of yeasty scents and flavors, turning it almost beer-like. Light lemon and tea flavors, with a dash of baking spices, complete the picture.
Crisp, direct aromas of cherry and briar define the nose on this herbal Merlot. A zesty palate is driven by snappy acidity, while herbal flavors of raspberry and spice finish with a raw feel and controlled green notes.
A blend of 57% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc all come from Alder Ridge Vineyard, shows notes of milk chocolate, cherry, herbs and tire rubber. It's lighter in style with a slightly gritty feel to the tannins.
Made entirely with Montepulciano, this opens with earthy aromas of tilled soil along with notes of black fruit and espresso. The linear palate delivers bright red cherry, notes of mocha and somewhat astringent tannins. Straightforward and simple, this should be enjoyed soon.
An attractive blend in which Pinot Blanc seems to dominate, this wine is delicately creamy in texture with lively acidity and ripe apple and pear flavors. This is a wine to drink now.
Hailing from a very warm vintage, this smells like buttered movie popcorn and baked apple. In the mouth, there's adequate acidity and a touch of minerality. Flavors of tropical fruits run sweet and woody, while the finish drips honey and banana flavors.
This is a light and open wine, showing more fruitiness characteristic spice of Pinot Gris. It does have almond and green herb flavors, along with a touch of pepper and bitterness. Drink now.
Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah form the core of this wildly successful red blend from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Soft and juicy, it's packed with flavors of vanilla, pipe tobacco and cola, while keeping the stuffing and structure of a substantial wine. An appealing red blend, especially for consumers new to wine.
Just lightly peppery, this is a rounded, smooth wine. It has a creamy texture with baked apple and spiced pear flavor. The acidity is just right, with juiciness on the finish. Drink now.
This is a softly spicy wine that is understated and light. With its brisk acidity and flavors of citrus and lychee, it is an easy, gentle wine that is ready to drink now.
A kitchen sink-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo and other varieties, with no single one making up more than a quarter of the blend. It brings notes of vanilla, cashews, herbs, pepper and assorted berries that don't completely marry but still provide enjoyment, with firm tannins providing much of the feel.
Soft and ripe, this is an attractive, light and fragrant wine. There is a good strand of acidity that runs through the wine, giving a counterpoint to the apple and spice flavors. Drink now.
Cherry, sage, blackberry and white pepper mingle to make a refreshing and rounded wine ideal for uncomplicated pleasure. Drink now, preferably with canapés or a light lunch where its beautiful and resonant aftertaste of red cherry will impress.
Earthy mushroom, yeast and spice notes accent aromas of preserved red fruits on this exuberantly foamy sparkler. It's penetrating on the palate with tart cranberry acidity, and finishes with a lingering hint of dried leaves.
This 50-50 blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano opens with leafy aromas of blue flower and underbrush. The straightforward palate offers prune, berry, vanilla and chocolate, alongside round tannins. Drink soon.
Production of the winery's most affordable red wine has zoomed up, with six different grapes—principally Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah—comprising the blend. It's a kitchen sink wine, pleasant but wholly generic in flavor, with a saline edge to the brambly red fruits.
This intense wine opens with an alluring fragrance of crushed flower, vineyard dust, bright berry, leather, cooking spices and balsamic notes. The structured palate delivers ripe black cherry, prune, cracked black pepper, toast and licorice alongside vibrant acidity. The fruit richness stands up to the assertive tannins but it ends on a mouth-drying finish. Drink 2020–2040.
Red and black berry, leather, menthol and balsamic scents lead the nose on this structured but polished wine. The palate brings together succulent sour cherry, coffee, clove, eucalyptus and balsamic notes alongside bracing tannins. Drink 2018–2040.
Though fairly light in color, the aromas on this single-vineyard wine are quite dark and meaty: dried mushroom, dried cherry, even beef jerky. Once sipped, macerated cherry, chai, black tea and espresso combine into a soft, expressive mouthfeel that finishes with tart cranberry.
Bright, floral and intriguingly juicy, it reveals incredible brightness, all red cherry with hints of lavender and violet. Remarkably low in alcohol, (12.9%) it nonetheless tastes fully formed, mid-weight with a touch of oak on the finish, a testament to incredible raw ingredients and respectful winemaking.
Ripe, savory and smoky up front, this is oozing blackberry, cassis, bacon and leather aromas. The palate on this minerally Rioja is as juicy, ripe and fresh as they come. Flavors of plum, berry, herbs and oak are integrated, classy and finish long, with a touch of coconut and raw wood that will likely disappear with more bottle age. Drink through 2025.
From the classic sand and flint soil that makes up much of the Sancerre vineyard, this complex wine has both fruit and intense minerality. The touches of toast and almonds round out the still young wine, contrasting with the more steely core. Drink from 2017.
Coffee aromas and some delicate raspberry fruit come up immediately. At first the fruit seems over-matched, but give it some hours of breathing time and it fills out nicely, bringing on sweet cherry nuanced with fresh herbs. The coffee-edged barrel flavors put a frame around the finish.
Fermented partially in old clay amphoras, this is a rich wine that has managed to retain freshness as well. The blend includes Grand Noir, a grape with red juice, as well as Trincadeira and Aragonez. Its density is revealed as it opens up, giving ripe red fruits, solid tannins and a dry core. Drink from 2017.
Aromas of tilled earth, leather, violet, alpine herbs and forest floor lead the nose. The vibrant palate doles out crushed red cherry, menthol, thyme, grilled sage and black pepper alongside firm but fine tannins. Drink 2018–2038.
This elegant wine boasts fragrances of violet, exotic spices, cinnamon and alpine herbs. The vibrant palate displays bright red cherry and crushed strawberry layered with truffle, clove and white pepper alongside brisk acidity and supple tannins. Drink 2018–2028.
Distinctive, artisanal and sourced from a spectacular site, this was fermented in oak and barrel aged. The hock bottle indicates the Alsatian style, and the wine inside is both powerful and  sturdy, with supple, generous flavors of stone fruits running into light tropicality.
Crushed flower, leather, menthol and balsamic aromas meld together. The bright palate displays dense black cherry marinated in spirits, licorice and thyme alongside solid tannins. Drink 2018–2038.
Despite reaching its eighth birthday, this is still an incredibly youthful vibrant purple color, with no signs of aging. Aromas and flavors of smoke, toast, black olive, vanilla and cassis are what you might expect from a much younger wine. The tannins are firm, yet the wine is fleshy enough to carry them into a long finish. Drink 2018–2025.
A savory nose of seared beef crust gets lift from violet and lavender florals, and then the wine coats the palate very softly, with luscious flavors of stewed cherry, ripe cranberry and more herb-crusted roast. A licorice-aided acidity cleans the mouth on the finish.
This is just the second vintage made from this site in the Red Hills of Dundee. It's an intriguing wine, with richly scented accents of soil and compost. Those delicate hints of funk mingle with a cherry-soaked midpalate of excellent concentration, and lead into a finish streaked with fresh-ground coffee.
Luscious, intoxicating aromas of crème brûlée, vanilla liqueur and Bourbon barrel lift up ample purple and blue fruits on this rich wine from a 22-acre family vineyard. The mouthfeel is accordingly velvety, with plum flavors most prevalent. The three years of new French oak élevage  play a central yet nicely integrated role.
The appetizing perfume of candied orange peel rises seductively from the glass. The palate counters with the very fresh but ripe fruit of fleshy juicy yellow mirabelles. These are joined by tangy, zesty grapefruit freshness, creating a concentrated fruit-driven palate of great tension and concentration. This is a wonderful tightrope act between tang and generosity. The finish is long and clean.
This bottling kicks off with a strikingly distinct aromatic profile recalling an elegant fruit punch, with hibiscus, raspberry sorbet, sour-cherry candy, sandalwood, incense and an underlying anise scent. Plump raspberry shows on the rounded red-fruit palate, with a minty, herbal touches of cedar and tobacco.
From the Georges III Vineyard in the heart of the appellation, this 100% clonal-specific wine is juicy and generously seasoned in blackberry, tobacco and black pepper. With a huge presence on the palate, it finishes with dried herb and anise. Cellar through 2023.
A blend of 30% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, this opens with aromas of ripe blackberries, Mediterranean herbs and cedar. The firmly structured palate doles out layers of black currants, blackberries, white pepper and licorice alongside chewy tannins. Drink through 2022.
Steve Clifton's music-meets-wine project taps into mandolinist Chris Thile and vocalist Aoife O'Donovan's song for this bottling. It shows rounded ripe mango, pineapple, Pink Lady apples and peach on the nose, framed by steely alkalinity and tight lemon rind. The flavors are soft, clean and easy to enjoy, with Asian pear, nectarine and a steady saltiness emerging toward the finish.
Pure, concentrated grape flavors fill up this full-bodied and well-balanced wine. It's a pleasure to smell and taste the black currant and cherry character, deftly and lightly accented by baking spice. The velvety texture fills the mouth and propels those flavors through a lingering finish. It will drink best after 2018.
Light but inviting wood aromas from oak to acacia show on the nose of this bottling, along with red-pear skins, yellow-grapefruit pith and the slightest touch of marshmallow. The sip is more about chalky grip and the tightly woven texture than blunt flavors, with enough sour Key-lime and pink-grapefruit touches to entertain the palate.
Deep, rich aromas of baked plum, rhubarb pie, star anise, red cinnamon, forest floor and gingerbread show on this nose of this wine from a vineyard planted by the two Garys, Pisoni and Franscioni. The palate is full of baked raspberry and cinnamon-and-clove-spiced cookies, remaining elegant and layered throughout the sip.
The nose wants to reveal next to nothing of this rich complex wine, but the palate hints at future glory. This is as tightly closed as a firm fist, but the rich fluidity of the palate is undeniable. There are glimpses of juicy yellow pear while dark flinty spice thunders in the background. Drink 2018–2025.
Sumptuous oak flavors of cinnamon, blueberry notes and spicy pepper make for an impressive olfactory trio. The palate comes across as velvety but fresh, echoing these same flavors, emphasizing pepper and blueberry. The structure is big and bold and fully supported by oak, but the crunchy fruit freshness holds the balance. This has a fruity finish and would need some hearty meat to be drunk now. Otherwise drink 2019–2029.
The nose on this wine by Burgundy-raised veteran vintner Christian Roguenant is very minerally and focused, showing chalk, crushed sea shells, lemon rind and a touch of Marcona almond. The texture is pleasantly grippy and taut, containing flavors of white peach, grapefruit pith and baking soda, all of which sail deep into the finish.
Gravel, chaparral, sagebrush, mulberry and fig aromas show on the nose of this bottling from a distinct row of grapes. The strong herbal profile on the palate ranges from oregano and marjoram to thyme, rosemary and a touch of juniper, all set against black-plum fruit. It's firmly structured, very dry and deftly restrained.
Herbal and chaparral-driven, this bottling from a specific estate block shows bay leaf, thyme, oregano and menthol notes against a ripe cranberry aromatic base. The earthy palate offers beet, rhubarb, oregano, marjoram and anise. Camphor, juniper and pine needle kick in toward the finish.
A roasted rich note of espresso and grilled pumpkin appears first. The palate is still dense with rich dark-berry fruit. This is full bodied but pervaded by freshness. The finely woven tannin structure is still very firm, very grippy, even though the fruit underneath it begins to show. This is now five years old and has barely begun its trajectory. Lovely now if you like full-bodied wines. Drink now through 2030.
Lovely notions of both ripe and green pear rise from the glass. There also is a more savory edge reminiscent of moss and yeast. This comes out even more on the fresh concentrated palate with a lovely salty peppery nuance that makes this very moreish and thrilling. The flavors, amply supported by zesty citrus, just last.
There is a distinct nutty smoky impression on the nose. The concentrated palate also comes with shades of vanilla and hazelnut, wrapping its fresh lemon and herbal spice into a warming intriguing cloak. It is the purity of the lemon that shines and lasts longest on the palate. This may be a bit young to drink now, so be patient and drink 2020–2030.
A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this vibrant red has alluring aromas of plum, blackberry, purple flower, espresso and a whiff of exotic spice. The elegant, structured palate delivers black cherry, black currant, pipe tobacco, vanilla and licorice alongside fresh acidity while firm, fine grained tannins lend a polished texture. Drink 2018–2028.
From a single-walled vineyard, this is a ripe, generous and still structured cru wine. It has layers of delicious black-plum fruits and a jammy ripe texture that cushions the tannins. The vineyard is wholly owned by Edouard Labruyère, making it a monopole. Drink from 2018.
Light on the nose, this shows delicate aromas of Asian pear, honeysuckle, squeezed lemon wedge, fresh coconut flesh and a tiny bit of butter. The palate is also demure yet delicious, with lightly poached apples, squeezed lime and a chalky textural grip.
Fuder is German for a large wooden vessel, used in this case for the fermentation and aging of wine. Hints of struck-match complexity mark the nose, giving way to notes of grilled nectarine. The wine is full and rich in the mouth, with a mouthwatering finish that marries stone fruit and pink grapefruit into a stunning finale.
Made entirely from Sangiovese, this polished red opens with aromas of red berry, violet, sunbaked earth and a whiff of thyme. Structured and smooth, the palate delivers juicy red cherry, cinnamon and clove alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2023.
This sparkler was made from a majority of Chardonnay with a seasoning of Pinot Noir, the grapes grown at Hyde Vineyard, among other sites within the appellation. A doughy, tart wine, it brightly expresses green apple, orange, grapefruit and a more developed creaminess of biscotti, delighting in a persistence of lemon zest.
This has come to epitomize the Hawke's Bay style of Sauvignon Blanc, typical in it's ripe fruit and oak treatment. Hints of vanilla and cedar frame passion fruit and pink grapefruit notes, then leave a lingering impression of Creamsicle behind on the silky-textured finish.
Baking spice wraps around sizzling acidity in this well-made, full-bodied red from the heart of the appellation's Westside Road. Dark fruit is represented within a stemmy, brooding and slightly carbonic texture that's complex and rewarding.
The very gentle but seductive notion of sun-ripened red-cheeked mirabelle plums radiates like sunshine from the glass. With a further sniff there also is peppery greenery: yarrow and hay. The palate also unites this friendly fruit with the savory spice of these herbs and comes in a light-footed, compact and fresh package that just dances on the tongue. This is deceptively frivolous Grüner with a seriously delicious concentrated core.
The lifted nose promises purity, which the palate follows thorough on, with the gentle fruit of ripe pear and mirabelle plum and the softer freshness of ripe lemon. There is just a smattering of white pepper. All is held with great poise and freshness, and there is something utterly clean and pure about this.
Soft vanilla hints of oak creep into the mossy aromatic hints of green and yellow pear. There also is a generous core of ripe fruit, almost reminiscent of lychee. While this is fresh with citrus, the deep mellowness and gliding fluidity of the palate will win you over. The finish is clean and lasting.
Funky yeast still holds sway on the nose. Underneath that are notions of ripe juicy pear and a soft hint of vanilla. The palate strikes a sonorous balance between smoky vanilla and gently peppered pears. There is concentration and promise. The finish is nutty and very long. This is still tightly closed and needs to unfurl, but will become a great gastronomic wine. Drink 2019–2025.
This is a hearty, lavishly styled blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Syrah by Carl Bowker, who pushes the purple-fruit aromas to the max, with deep blueberry, crème de cassis and violet flowers on the nose. The palate touches a wide range of dark fruits such as boysenberry, olallieberry and elderberry, picking up cola and root beer along the way. It finishes on coffee and a touch of elderflower, with an extremely soft texture.
Elegantly structured, this opens with enticing scents of red berry, blue flower and a whiff of tilled soil. The vibrant palate is loaded with finesse, offering crunchy red cherry, strawberry, star anise and a hint of mineral alongside silky tannins and bright acidity. Drink through 2023.
Dried herb aromas are at the fore of this Cabernet; exotic spice, smoke, licorice and cherry notes follow. Cherry and chocolate flavors coat the palate, showing vibrancy, while a distinctive espresso note marks the finish.
Spiced plum and cherry aromas get this live-wire Rioja going. A clawing palate with rubbery tannins needs time to settle. Toasty flavors of black fruits and oak finish with a rubbery texture due to drying tannins. Give this more time; drink from 2018–2028.
Almost as buttery as a croissant, this full-bodied and extremely flavorful wine has an aroma like butterscotch, flavor like melted butter and vanilla, and a lingering pastry-like accent on the finish. The texture is buttery, too, coating the palate and revealing layers of richness.
Sourced from the Two Blondes vineyard, this is a soft, smooth and toasty blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, and 27% Merlot. Its delicious barrel flavors are nicely integrated with its purple fruit. It's buttery-feeling in the mouth, with coffee and toasted nut accents, all bolstered by a firm structure of ripe, slightly grainy tannins. Drink now through 2030.
This wine opens with pleasing cocoa, dark raspberry and graphite aromas. The palate offers medium-bodied, tart fruit flavors cinched with tannin. A big, bold interpretation of Merlot.
You'll find earthy aromas of truffle, new leather, game and pressed violet and whiffs of menthol and toast in this firmly structured red. The taut palate shows red cherry, crushed cranberry, cinnamon and ground clove flavors set against fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Drink after 2023.
Enticing complexity and spiciness give this wine a great personality. Aromas like toasted baguette join buttery and savory spice-cabinet flavors on a base of crisp apple. It shows a tasty oaky element that doesn't overwhelm.
Ripe, smooth and deliciously rounded, this is a generous wine. Spice and yellow fruits are right up front, supported by just enough acidity. The wine is rich and ready to drink.
Grenache makes up two-thirds of this wine, filled out with Syrah and Mourvèdre from Lonesome Springs, Sugarloaf and Elephant Mountain vineyards. It boasts rich raspberry, herb, orange peel and spice aromas. The palate is loaded with blue fruit and earth flavors, showing appealing texture and concentration. The balance is spot-on, kicking it up a notch.
From two vineyards on Howell Mountain, this is a well-made medium-bodied wine, rich in chocolate and a taste of blackberry cobbler. Coffee accents a soft luxurious tannin structure and thick concentration that finishes with a tart acidity.
Ripe and concentrated, this wine is also full bodied and quite tannic while maintaining a velvety mouthfeel. The abundant flavors of black cherry and dark chocolate are inviting and deep.
This terrific wine has vibrant fruit flavors and feelings of focus and energy on the palate. Firm acidity and fine-grained tannins add structure and lend support to the spicy oak and ripe cherry and blackberry nuances that start in the aromas and carry through the taste and finish.
Despite a tan-meets-orange color, this Priorat white is fresh on the nose with apricot aromas. A solid texture with grip controls the palate, while dry white-fruit and orange-peel flavors end with slightly rubbery white-grape tannins.
This 100% varietal wine leads with appealing blue fruit, herb, jalapeño, toast and spice aromas followed by soft, supple fruit and barrel flavors. It's a very enjoyable expression of this often green variety.
Entirely fermented in French oak before an additional 18 months spent aging also in oak, this wine offers an intoxicating floral entry of apple blossom and lime. Creamy and velvety in texture, its taste profile ranges from spicy nutmeg and apple pie to clarified butter.
From a vineyard block full of little stones, this bottling shows cherry cola, sagebrush, rose petals, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla on the nose. The texture is extremely smooth on the sip, where flavors of cherry, cranberry and chalk are compelling, if a bit less complex than the winery's other top-end bottlings.
Golden-honey and pear flavors combine effortlessly in this lovely wine from the famous vineyard, which neighbors this producer along the appellation's Westside Road. Moderate acidity freshens a bold full-bodied approach defined by its backbone of smooth integrated oak.
Hints of damp earth and new leather lend a distinctive taste profile to this full-bodied, ripe and broad-textured wine. Boosted by baking spices, toasted baguette and dried plum notes, the wine gets more complex with time in the glass.
Showy, dramatic but sophisticated oak nuances merge beautifully with red and black-cherry flavors and a just-lively-enough texture in this medium-bodied, concentrated and well-focused wine. It has both breadth of mouthfeel and depth of flavor, and will make a classy addition to your dinner party.
There is an impressive density to the nose of this blend of 88% Syrah and 12% Grenache, with blueberry and black currant showing alongside crushed gravel and tar. The palate is rich with dark fruits and dark spices, showing baked black plum torte, a touch of fennel and a tart finish.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Syrah (27%), Petit Verdot (15%) and Merlot delivers a medley of herb, baker's chocolate, smoke, plum and black tea aromas. Fine-grained tannins support its dark fruit flavors, which stretch long into the finish. Highly styled yet lovely.
Dusty mineral, violet and anise notes lend a seductive tone to deep Morello cherry and plum flavors. It's concentrated in black fruit but maintains an amaro-like herbaceousness that's savory and meandering. Showing hints of maturity already but should drink well through 2020.
Lavish aromas of blackberry pie cooked in a vanilla crust with a crystallized brown-sugar topping show on this rich bottling from a warm vineyard near where Carmel Valley hits the Arroyo Seco wash. The medium-bodied palate offers thyme, sagebrush and a hint of cardamom, with fig, black plum and bittersweet chocolate at the core.
Woodland berry, fragrant blue flower, camphor and exotic spice aromas take center stage in this wine. The linear, vibrant palate still shows its youth, offering juicy Marasca cherry, cranberry, white pepper and crushed herb flavors alongside fine-grained tannins that leave a firm finish. Bright acidity lends balance. Drink after 2024.
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.
Pristine honeydew, apricot and yellow peach notes entice on the nose. Pleasantly off-dry in style, the palate is lush and tropical, bursting with melon and mango flavors. A tight frame of acidity lends vibrance and edge. Drink now through 2020.
Truffled compost and chocolate mocha combine for a density of flavor and texture in this approachable, decadent wine. Medium in terms of body and length, it's abundant in leather and burly black fruit.
This light-bodied wine is unfussy in its approach, with svelte notions of roses and lavender. Earthy black tea and cherry commingle nicely as the texture remains smoothly approachable.
Nice and easy aromas of lemon sorbet, Gravenstein apple and jasmine emerge from this ever-reliable bottling from the late actor-turned-vintner's family winery. The flavors are also straightforward and quite quaffable, with a light acidity framing apple flesh and Anjou-pear slices.
A ripe blend of blackberry, raisin and prune aromas precedes a full, chewy, slightly sticky palate. Flavors of raisin, baked berry and chocolaty, herbal notes finish much the same, with good balance and a touch of crisp acidity.
There's a lot to like in this youthful, concentrated white, from its tartness of green apple and lime to its mineral-laden acidity. Full bodied, it never loses that sense of verve on the palate, which helps rein in the ripeness.
Fully mature, this calls to mind an inexpensive village Burgundy: one that is just a touch past its prime. Delicate secondary fruit flavors and firm acidity are in place, with residual hints of tomato leaf and flesh.
Given time to settle in both used French oak and stainless steel, this is a nice effort from a well-respected vineyard that's big and juicy in grapefruit and melon. Made in a lighter style, it offers a bite of oak on the finish, leaving a substantial impression.
Gritty, reedy, minty aromas overshadow this Tempranillo blend's hollow berry scents. Hard, tannic and drawn in, this wine tastes of rustic plum and berry fruits along with hard spices. Notes of tomato, green herbs and raw tannins create a rugged finish.
Self-proclaimed to be the only Sagrantino in the Napa Valley (which is probably true), this wine displays varietal character in its smoky leather and its fruit characteristics trafficking in tart cranberry, orange and black cherry. It is light and subtle.
Packed in a pink bottle, this Garnacha rosé opens with prickly pink-grapefruit aromas. It's balanced on the palate, with a touch of oily weight. Orange and cantaloupe flavors leave a citric tang on the finish.
The nose on this bottling is very smoky and flinty, but also shows underlying pear and apple aromas. There's an intriguing lime-zest character to the palate, with a base of dried apples and a smoked-wood character that's hard to ignore.
Straightforward and accessible, this has delicate aromas of red berry and kitchen spice. The firm, no-frills palate offers dried cherry, tart cranberry, sage and clove alongside solid tannins. Enjoy through 2019.
This opens with aromas of orchard fruit, citrus and toasted bread crust. The firm palate offers lime, vanilla, oak and yellow apple skin alongside bracing acidity. A note of bitter almond marks the finish.
This is a fine, juicy and fruity wine. It has some firm, smoky tannins that are in the background. With its fruitiness, it is likely to be a wine that is ready to drink soon, certainly by 2017.
A ripe wine from Haure Jany, this is dense with wood and tannins. The black-currant fruit is masked at this stage with a powerful dry core. Let this soften before drinking, so wait until 2019.
Fresh and fruity, this is a bright wine, full of almost shocking acidity and red-currant fruits. Its tannins are there, although more of an afterthought to the fruit. Drink this light fresh wine from 2017.
The Vignobles Bourdillas brothers' wine is fruity with black currant fruits and bright acidity. Fresh with a crisp texture and light tannins, it will be ready to drink by 2017.
The wine, unusually 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, is ripe and juicy with some smoky tannins in support. It has a finely perfumed character although touches of extraction give it a bitter edge. That should blow by, leaving an attractive fruity wine.
This is a potentially juicy wine with acidity and red fruits coming through the structure. It has the weight for the tannins and a rich background feel. Drink starting from 2018.
Husch is one of the original Anderson Valley wineries and has not been a particular Pinot Noir star, but this fantastic 2014 may start a trend. Fresh and alive, the wine is medium bodied but packs lots of tangy cherry and almost jammy plum flavors into a smooth but lightly tannic texture that provides great structure. Simply delicious, it's balanced well enough to enjoy time after time.
A portion of the proceeds from sales of this dry sparkler helps support marine protected areas and sustainable fishing. Tart and doughy, it imparts a bite of vanilla biscuit, apple pie, orange peel and lime. A streak of minerality gives it plenty of life atop the medium body.
A dense wine with the tannins and structure to go with the density. It is concentrated with great swathes of black plum and spice flavors, shot through with acidity. Made with wild yeast and without carbonic maceration, this is a wine for serious aging. Drink from 2019.
Softly perfumed stone fruits like ripe mirabelles shimmer in the glass and are supported on the palate with a zingy backbone of freshness. This is a wonderful union of ripe fruit flavors and exhilarating freshness. There is concentration at the core and a long whistle-clean finish.
This wine mostly hails from Les Collines, with a splash of fruit from Upland Vineyard (12%) rounding it out. Aged in neutral oak, it displays brooding aromas of black pepper, plum, smoked meat, parsley and fresh violets. The plum and savory flavors bring a rich textured feel all the while displaying exquisite freshness.
Dried elderberries and plum skins meet with cocoa, soy, cracked peppercorn and hoisin sauce unfold on the nose of this wine, made by Steve Clifton. The teriyaki and black-plum sauce touches kick into high gear on the palate, where roasted ancho chile-cocoa flavors prove quite savory and tasty.
One of the more promising wines coming out of the newer Malibu area, this Cab that is boosted by 10% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. It shows deep blueberry, black currant and black olive on the nose, along with dill, pepper, spearmint and caramel-laced fudge. The intriguing palate offers black olive, black pepper and dark, deep fruit. It's well structured and tasty, like a salt- and pepper-crusted steak.
Blackberry and ripe elderberry meet with white pepper and thyme on the nose of this bottling by winemaker Tyler Russell. It's soft and syrupy on the sip, with rich blueberry, blackberry and a touch of kirsch made more interesting by a hint of anise and mint on the finish.
This showcases a highly sought-after vineyard site known for its tension of big, bold, ripe fruit and notable acidity. Red currant, cranberry and leather find a well-composed rendering of leathery clove and other lively hits of spice, including black and white pepper.
Deep and hearty black cherry, vanilla, cola and black-pepper aromas make for a lush, imposing and yet classic nose on this bottling. It's simultaneously soft and powerful on the palate, with black-cherry foam, crème de cassis, vanilla custard and melted milk-chocolate flavors set against a backbone of vibrant acidity and plush tannins. It's a decadent mouthful.
West of the Okanagan valley, Similkameen Valley is being touted as the next great Canadian wine region. If these first releases from Vanessa are typical, they are right on track. This Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cab Franc blend is a supple and sensuous wine, with well-integrated flavors of fig, black cherry, brambly berry, roasted coffee and mocha. It's sturdy, layered and balanced, with a hint of smoke from aging 18 months in a mix of French and American oak.
Full bodied, rich and carrying a bit of residual sugar, this is a fine example of the variety's potential in Marlborough. Smoky, grilled-pear notes add hints of honey and melon on the palate, where despite its richness, the wine soars into a long, velvety finish. Drink now–2020, at least.
There's no doubt this estate-grown wine is at first funky on the nose, a mix of forest, mint and farmhouse cheese. It develops in the glass to embrace its quirks, complementing them with vibrant acidity, ripe texture, and hints of orange, rhubarb and spicy clove.
This is a delightful wine, crowd pleasing and complex. It benefits from its lack of oak by focusing on its lifted fruit—a twist of fresh-squeezed lemon and grapefruit—its acidity nicely measured and not one-dimensional. The crisp freshness is complemented by a hint of white rock and subtle lushness on the back palate.
Notions of very ripe, almost golden apricots shimmer in the glass. There is a touch of honey and a hedonistic peachy note that pervades this entire wine from first sniff to lasting finish. This is dry Riesling at its roundest and peachiest. I defy anyone not to drink a second glass. The finish is delicious and moreish.
David and Anna deLaski follow her Austrian heritage to this planting of a sprightly red variety, with appealing freshness and depth. It's light in the glass, with aromas of hibiscus, dried lilac, squeezed black plum and a gravelly, slate-like minerality. The palate blends smashed raspberry, dried mint, grape candy and touches of herb. It's light but fruity.
From a family-owned cru vineyard. Stéphane Aviron has produced an impressive, ripe and dense wine. It has great swathes of black fruit and generous acidity. The tannins, still young, are a background to this delicious fruitiness. Drink from 2020.
Savory spice meets with lavish fruit on the nose of this bottling, conveying smashed figs, baked mulberries, smoked meats, oregano, gingerbread and black pepper. Baked mulberries also show on the palate, where vanilla, allspice, star anise and clove make for a rich, dessert-like palate.
This intriguing and multifaceted wine is a great discovery. Beautifully made in a slightly rustic style, it offers abundant forest floor and clove aromas while dealing out black tea, rhubarb and tart cherry on the palate. Drink from 2018 for the most enjoyment.
A firm and tannic wine from the most northerly of the Beaujolais cru villages near Bourgogne. Blackberry fruit and juicy acidity are a balance to this initially severe wine. Its dry core and mineral texture show that this wine will need to age. Drink from 2018.
This is the inaugural vintage of a new estate wine, from a 30-acre property on Eastside Road across the Russian River from the winery. Pear compote, anise and lemon candy wrap around voluptuous layers marked by green apple and orange peel, offering richness and weight in hearty measure.
This is a concentrated, substantive wine with great structure and layers of flavor that taste wonderful now and should improve with time. It coats the palate with rich black cherry, light oak spices and a hint of chocolate, while the full body makes it mouth-filling and luscious. It will drink best from 2019.
This full-bodied, fleshy wine fits the typical Châteauneuf-du-Pape mold, delivering ample black-cherry and plum fruit, then layering atop hints of Mexican chocolate and baking spices. Drink now–2025.
This méthode Champenoise blend of 76% Pinot Noir and 24% Chardonnay impresses with its inviting mousse of peach and strawberry. It's fresh and lush, aged on the lees for three years, giving it body without an overabundance of alcohol. Dry, it finishes with a twist of candied orange peel.
This is aged in barrel, but the power of the source's granitic soils is such that the oak is barely noticeable. Nasturtium blossom and apricot mark the nose, while the palate adds pineapple, cinnamon and clove. The wine is a bit oily in texture, but with a long, tropical-fruit-laced finish that brings admirable freshness, focus and energy.
This is from a fantastic vineyard site in the Laguna Hills neighborhood of the appellation, and the second vintage of this particular selection from this producer. Generous lemony oak meets toast within a robust body of complex layers and salty caramel.
A super bargain, this is a concentrated, structured glass of gamy Syrah. Black cherry liqueur, black olives, espresso and meaty flavors combine on the full-bodied palate, finishing with a hefty dose of smoky goodness. Drink now–2025.
This wine seems soft and silky on the surface, but boasts a sinewy structure that should enable it to age well through 2025. Floral and cedar notes add nuance to the black cherries on the nose, while the flavors include hints of cola and herbal tea that linger on the finish.
There is a dark brooding smell of black cherry and dark fruit of the forest, all held together with the chocolate tinge of smoky oak. The body is more fresh faced and lets the aromatic expressive fruit speak: It is juicy and vibrant, with a lovely pepperiness. The tannins are velvety and dense, but there is mellow flow and ample aromatic freshness. This strikes a good balance between sumptuous winemaking and pure fruit.
Yeasty roundness on nose and palate plays host to subtle explosions of spice: white pepper here, soft soy there. There is an underlying, streamlined citrus freshness that provides balance. A food wine par excellence: there is both body and finesse.
Tight and mineral wine, with a great citrus character, fresh green fruits broadened by wood toast, while the acidity is as crisp as possible. It has a youthful apple skin texture, and would repay a couple of years' aging.
A complex and intense wine. Its black fruits and sweet plums, balanced with tight acidity, go along with dense, dry tannins. It is textured, structured, ready for long-term aging.
A wine that delivers great freshness, a bright lemon and grapefruit character, tautly mineral in character, almost steely, with a pure line of green fruits. Age for 2–3 years.
Old-vine Shiraz from the valley floor imparts great richness and a creamy texture to this wine's tannins, framed easily by hints of vanilla. Yet it's not a simple fruit-and-oak concoction—with time in the glass it steadily unfurls to reveal herbal and spice complexities. Marries power and elegance;  drink now–2015.
With six years' aging, this is a delicious, soft and mature wine. The fruit and acidity have been subsumed into a balsam and spice flavored wine, with a touch of mint and sweet chocolate. It is delicious now, not for aging further.
Balanced, a wine that shows the right richness, spice, great wafts of fresh plums, peaches, lifted by acidity and rounded by a fine wood element.
A candidate for the best Zinfandel in Washington, this firm, claret-like offering is loaded with sweet berries and spicy, pine needle penetration. Supple and smoky, it threads a dark streak of iron ore into the polished tannins. Very fine winemaking.
Ross Mickel (Ross Andrew Winery) made this Côtes du Rhône-style blend, a flashy riot of floral scents and earthy, funky fruit. Even with several hours breathing time it feels tight—decanting is mandatory. But give it a few years in the cellar and it will unpack even more layers of flavor. Dry and astringent in the mouth, it brings young flavors of cranberry juice and grape concentrate, plenty of acidity and minerality, and excellent depth.
Yummy is the first word that comes to mind, followed by sounds of lip smacking. It's a rich bundle of extracted cherry and raspberry fruit, driven deep with juicy acidity, and bound with ripe tannins. The penetration and vivid tartness are remarkable, and supremely satisfying.
The name references the clone number for this single-clone Cabernet Sauvignon. Since it is also a single-vineyard estate wine, it captures terroir in a meaningful expression. Still young, sharply defined and tannic, it is showing a lot of barrel flavors, especially clove. The Cabernet fruit is right in line with Gordon Brothers style, capturing the herbal aspects of the grape, in perfect balance, with a beautiful mix of cassis, earth and fresh, sweet herb. Very limited.
Spicy, toasty wine, the fruit tropically rich. The texture is dense, the acidity important but not dominant. Delicious wine, now maturing well.
The most recent release of Penfolds' “Baby Grange” is a beauty, loaded with the chocomint character that has made it famous. Dark berry and cassis take over on the creamy, lushly textured midpalate, finishing long and velvety. Drink now or hold up to 15 years.
Rounded with a good texture, this is a wine that has a good future. It has weight, fruit that is fresh and well wooded showing plenty of spice and bright acidity.
Earth, mud and wet clay are laid against a ripe black raspberry frame on this bottling from winemaker Larry Brooks. Plenty of life, zest and lift enliven the beautifully spiced palate, with bright red cherries, cranberries and purple flowers cut by a line of pencil-lead minerality and a savory fennel element.
From the producer's dry-farmed estate vineyard, this elegantly powerful wine opens in cracked black pepper, dried herb and cedar, continuing the peppery theme on the palate. Black cherry and high-toned blackberry combine with the more savory elements, with an overall softness of texture and lengthy finish.
Opulent as well as elegant, this structured red boasts aromas of black currant, exotic spice, new oak and fragrant blue flower. Made entirely with native grape Corvina, the velvety palate doles out spiced blackberry, juicy cherry, licorice and black pepper. Firm, polished tannins provide the smooth framework.
This serious wine is still developing even after five years. It is rich, dense and concentrated with firm tannins that lie under the ripe black fruits and acidity. From vineyards to the east of Aix-en-Provence, the wine has a mineral, structured character that needs to age. Drink from 2018.
This wine is sanguine and elegant despite its full-figured size. Dried cranberry and cassis play on the palate, streaked by an elusive hit of white pepper. Bright and dancing in minerality, it finishes velvety and smooth, just the right amount of toasted oak showing through.
Orange peel perfumes the rich pear notes and imbues them with the aromatic spice of citrus foliage and zest. The palate is full of friendly citrus and pear. Despite its texture and rich flavor, it's beautifully slender and light-footed, with an inherent, zesty brightness that makes this wine shine.
The restrained and floral opening of jasmine and mandarin peel leads to a palate that holds just a touch of residual sugar, filling this gorgeously balanced Gewurztraminer to the brim with sweet citrus swirls of tangerine, satsuma and mandarin. Notes of orange blossom hover and are pulled into focus by the textured mouthfeel of this immensely elegant wine.
Very ripe, red-cheeked Mirabelles and orange peel represent the aromatic top notes. With more air, mandarin juice becomes apparent, and the palate is wonderfully taut and concentrated. There is a haunting purity and a strong undertow of earth and stone that soars on the long finish.
Formidable acidity gives this lovely wine a freshness around complementary layers of rose petal and strawberry-pomegranate. Made from a blend of two Chardonnay clones, it adds additional notes of tangerine and lemon-lime on the lengthy, complex finish.
Big, firm and dense, this is a powerful wine, with dark tannins that give a dry, concentrated character. The juicy plum and damson fruit flavors, along with the fresh aftertaste, will be a delicious balance as the wine develops. Drink from 2020.
From a cool Forestville vineyard once devoted to apples, Appian Way is rich in Goldridge soils, providing a happy home to these grapes that offer a core of pomegranate and cranberry, laced in black tea. Light bodied without being wimpy, the wine is complex and velvety, finishing in nutmeg and ginger.
Stemmy earth and dark, savory pine give in to sautéed mushroom and cinnamon in this lean, soft and delicious estate-grown wine. A tension of acidity buoys a backdrop of wild strawberry and cranberry on the palate, ending with just the right amount of weight and length, succulent to the end.
Simply delicious, this Zin is well mannered and not too full bodied. Aromas of this dry and elegant wine are like cinnamon and cardamom, and flavors are a little smoky and full of cherries. The mouthfeel is good and gripping due to fine tannins and supportive acidity.
There's an exciting array of aromas on the nose of this wine, with honeydew melon, citrus candy and barely ripe cantaloupe gaining complexity thanks to fresh scents of chive, oregano and thyme. It's light and easy on the palate, with lots of yellow grapefruit freshness, a pithy edge and a singing acidity on the finish.
A crisp bouquet of orange zest marks the opening of this wine, an unexpected twist to the narrative of dried cranberry, blackberry and cloves. On the palate, this full-bodied wine offers ample weight and richness, before a wealth of dry tannins feature on the finish.
Dried raspberries and leathery blackberry fruit get added character from violets on the nose of this single-vineyard bottling from winemaker Bruce McGuire. The palate shows lots of peppercorns and mint in its aromatic core, which is laid across tightly restrained blackberry fruit flavor.
This wine has a firm structure, solid with tannins and a dense, complex balance between acidity and perfumed red berry flavors. It is juicy, full of freshness as well as considerable tannins. It needs to be aged for several years; drink from 2019.
Rich and concentrated, this wine shows the firm tannins of a Gevrey-Chambertin. Ripe berry fruits and beautiful acidity contrast with this structure. The fresh aftertaste with its flavors of raspberries and dark cherries will be very fine. Drink from 2018.
The slightly more evolved nose that effortlessly fuses crushed chamomile leaf and lemon zest also hints at dark fir honey. It glides seamlessly into a fast-flowing, straight channel of acidity. There is movement and poise in this virtual journey into freshness and aroma. It is the lemon that lasts longest on the palate, which is dry and of exquisite purity.
There's a very candied red-cherry quality to the nose of this wine from a vineyard that the winery will cease using with this vintage, along with sexy aromas of violet, lilac, clove, cola, peppercorn and rose. A sage-driven character emerges once sipped, giving spice to bright red, slightly sour cranberry fruit.
Thick chocolate and tar exude on the nose before a palate of tar, leather and tobacco adds to the robust mix. Dry tannins aim and deliver on the lengthy finish after a medium-bodied impact of black tea, blueberry and black pepper.
Dried black cherry, pressed violet, tilled soil nutmeg and chopped herb aromas lead the nose on this big, bold red. The round, enveloping palate doles out dried plum, raspberry compote, licorice and black pepper alongside velvety tannins that lend it a polished feel.
Taut citrus, cleansing lemon and brisk grapefruit show an uncompromsing, dry Riesling that majors in tense citrus and wet-stone flavors. There is a linearity and a very alluring purity that deserves to develop further. This is lovely and briskly refreshing now, but time in bottle will bring out more earthy, stony complexity. Drink 2017–2025.
Earth and roses, lemon zest and orange flesh: these are the contrasts of this refreshing, toned but textured Gewurztraminer that shows the full weight of its rose perfume on the palate. Its dryness underlines earth rather than fruit, but has no less charm for that. On the contrary: the lingering aftertaste leaves a lasting impression.
A remarkable full-bodied wine, this has great concentration and depth of flavor, with a dense but fine-grained texture to go along with it. The color is virtually black, with a dark red rim, and the flavors are deep and delicious, like dark chocolate and blackberry jam. This is fascinating to taste now, but will be best to drink after 2018.
Enticing aromas of white lilies, nectarines, white peach, honey-lime water and chalky stone hit the nose on this wine from a new vineyard on Highway 154 in the likely-to-be-named Los Olivos District. The palate is creamy down the center but with tangy edges, offering flavors of lime yogurt and pink grapefruit pith.
This bottling from young winemaker Michael Miroballi shows lime blossom, chalk, fresh rain on concrete and nectarine flesh on the nose. The palate is exuberant with flavors but they're not ripe, instead showing lime peels and juice, a cement-like grip and a buzzing sensation that overtakes the mouth like a Sichuan peppercorn.
A deliciously light, bright wine that hits the mark year after year, this cool-climate offering is fresh in zingy acidity and juicy flavors of grapefruit, strawberry and lime. The acidity buoys the experience from first sip to last, backed by enough body to remain in balance. This wine is fermented like a white wine without skin or seed contact.
In this full-bodied, well-earned Reserve-level wine, white peach, cantaloupe and lemon-lime define the ripeness of fruit on the palate, providing a fresh lushness around its substantive body and weight. A hit of decadent toffee lurks on the finish.
Leafy and herbal on the nose, but the flavors are clean, favoring cassis over the green stuff. Light-bodied, with modest tannins, this would pair well with chops or burgers.
Fresh minerality and dancing floral notes make the nose on this reserve Riesling enticing. On the palate, typical Riesling flavors of spice and flowers are slightly slowed by a viscous, heavier mouthfeel, but overall, the wine is harmonious. Great with a spicy Indian dish like Vindaloo—it could hold its own.
Erath's fresh and lightly fruity Pinot Gris is a bit more substantial than this new Pinot Blanc. Soft and fruity, this is a simple wine which does not challenge the palate in any way. All stainless steel fermented, it is the quintessential quaffer.
A little reduced and granular on the nose, with black fruit and licorice aromas filling any gaps. The flavor profile is solid, with black cherry and plum pulling the cart. Where this wine comes up short is in mouthfeel; it's tight almost to the point of sharp, with a strong essence of grape skins and tannin. Imported by Pernod Ricard, USA.
Leathery and peanutty on the nose; soon the aromas expand to baked plum and stewy berries. The palate is sturdy and tannic, but there's enough flesh and weight to the fruit that it's mostly balanced. Finishes with bacon and leather accents.
A slightly floral but lively nose is followed by a pretty, balanced spice and white flower mix on the palate with this offering from Ohio. Paired with a delicate Asian dish, this wine is a fun choice.
Somewhat earthy and rustic, this is a fresh wine, with citrus notes and some yeastiness. The wine's fruit has finishing liveliness and crispness.
Clean, fruity and a touch candied on the bouquet. The palate is narrow but saved by ripe black cherry flavors and spice notes. Finishes with a mocha-like flavor and a crisp, clean feel. A basic but more than satisfactory Malbec. Imported by Carolina Wine Brands USA Inc.
Sweet and a little foxy on the nose, with secondary aromas of air freshener. The flavors are a touch brambly and herbal, while the palate is flush and chewy but also a little tannic and choppy. Doesn't seem as thought this is as structured and serious as it was, say, four or five years ago.
Starts off with a hint of vinyl on the nose, layered atop sour cherry and vanilla flavors. The slightly syrupy texture is offset by tangy acids on the finish. Imported by Walca International.
This Riesling has aromas that almost mimic a Chardonnay: toasty cream, vanilla, spice. On the palate, those more complex flavors continue, but are buoyed by some acidity and an intriguing touch of sweet flowers. Overall, a tasty sip.
At 70% Tempranillo and only 25% Cabernet and Merlot, there's a detectable green core running through the nose and palate. Surrounding that is sizable fruit and oak, the latter of which adds dill to the fray. All in all there's enough body and soul to save the wine, but along the way it's got some issues.
Touches of cola, cherry and berry work the jammy bouquet, and the reasonably sturdy body offers up flavors of berry backed by vanilla. There's ample grab and pretty good balance to this fresh wine.
A nose of enticing blackberry jam is followed by a slightly smoky, spicy blend of savory, earthy flavors. The nose and palate are a touch discordant, but overall the wine is unique and approachable.
A very appealing nose of bright cherry and spice is followed by flavors of tea, spice and red berry in the mouth. Good body and tannins and a lingering finish make it a unique choice from a somewhat unknown region.
This off-dry Riesling has a nose of flowers and warming spices, followed by slightly sweet and spicy fruit (apples, pears, vanilla) flavors. The wine is simple but appealing.
A lean, acidic Malbec that defies the tried and true model of richness and lots of flavor. It has rhubarb and green raspberry aromas, while the palate is short, tart and herbal. Not a lot of definition here.
Strange Chardonnay. It smells and tastes more like feeble Torrontés than Chard. The palate offers only shearing apple fruit, and the finish is hard. Can't imagine anyone pegging this as Chardonnay.
Not very fruity, with gritty cherry flavors and a hard, edgy, almost sour profile. Does nothing for the reputation of Merlot in Argentina. Overpriced, too.
This is the second wine of Fourcas Dupré. It is soft, full of ripe berry fruits and attractive acidity. The core of the wine is still dry and shows plenty of tannic structure that will allow the wine to age. Drink from 2019.
Strongly dominated by its wood aging, this is a toasty, licorice and dark-coffee-flavored wine. It does have some black-fruit weight that should allow the wine to balance out. So wait until at least 2019 before drinking.
From one of the leading estates in Listrac, this is a ripe structured wine. It has firm tannins and a dark core of dry wood aging. Balanced with that is the blackberry fruit and generous superripe Merlot. The wine needs time, so don't drink before 2019.
Light raspberry fruit carries a tart punchy edge. It's clean and fresh, though showing little density. Additional bottle age (another couple of years) would be a good idea.
While it is still young, the wine is showing great fruit and soft tannins. Juicy black cherries are ripe and full, a sign of the fine vintage. With the acidity and the dry core, the wine should age. Drink from 2018.
Coming from a vineyard down in The Rocks District and at a quite low alcohol level for the state, especially considering the warmth of the vintage, this wine brings aromas of cranberry compote, herb, thistle and mineral. The flavors are light and elegant, almost faint at times, but showing a pleasing purity and a finish that lingers. It piques the interest, with cranberry juice notes lingering on the finish.
This opens with subdued aromas of dark berry, cake spice, espresso and a whiff of pressed violet. On the straightforward palate, hints of white pepper and star anise add depth to dried morello cherry while solid tannins lend support.
This medium-bodied wine smells light and herbal. It gets deeper and richer on the palate as ripe golden-apple flavors kick in and the texture seems to spread out.
This Malbec blend is bright, jammy and grapy on the nose. The palate is juicy but bumpy and rough in feel, while fresh-fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry are a little too candied and simple for a wine of this level. A ripe medicinal finish is lush but awkward.
Stony lemon and a twist or two of grass dot zesty acidity in this clean, crisp and focused white, sure to be a pleasurable quaffer.
Succulent black cherry perfume is accented by hints of granite and smoked nut in this inviting Pinot Noir. The palate is fresh and approachable, boasting loads of ripe black cherry and plum flavors. Sunny acidity and soft, feathery tannins augment its easy, appealing feel. Drink now through 2020.
The aromas bring notes of toasty spices, black currant, green pepper and blue fruit. The fruit and smoke flavors are smooth and easy drinking, with lightly grainy tannins providing support. It needs some more time to fully come together.
A fruity blend of local Lisboa grapes along with Chardonnay, this wine is rich and full of citrus and crisp apple flavors. It is a ripe wine with a creamy texture enhanced by toast from the wood aging. Drink this wine from late 2017.
This concentrated wine is dense with black fruits. Dark with chocolate and richness, it is still young and firm. Wood aging has smoothed the tannins and given extra fullness. The smoky aftertaste promises well. Drink from 2018.
Wood flavors dominate this young wine. It has structure and tannins, with concentrated toast and chocolate flavors. The extraction of the fruit gives the wine a bitter character. It should soften, so drink from 2019.
The winery's consistently flavorful version of this grape puts a New World spin on an Old World grape. It's ripe, round and lightly spicy, with jicama, cucumber and fleshy pear fruit. The finish is persistent and tags you with a touch of heat.
Produced from organically grown grapes, the wine is soft, ripe and full of fruit. Red cherries dominate, with a touch of wood from the 12 months of barrel aging. It has a bright, crisp and juicy aftertaste.
This wine is ripe and rich, with fine tannins and structure. Great swathes of blackberry fruits come with a mineral edge and some tight tannins. Give this balanced wine until 2019.
A perfumed wine with soft tannins and juicy red fruits, this offers a concentrated aftertaste, giving spice as well as fruitiness. Drink this accessible wine now.
Aromas of mature plum, French oak and a whiff of exotic spice lead the way. The full-bodied palate offers vanilla, espresso, coconut, sour cherry and grilled herb alongside assertive close-grained tannins that grip the finish. Drink soon to capture the remaining fruit.
There's deep density to the aromas of this wine, with black olive, crushed lava rocks and baked black-plum scents. An herbal kick to the front of the palate conveys bay leaf and oregano, followed by rich blackberry, turned loam and black-rock flavors.
This opens with aromas of underbrush, tobacco, espresso and stewed prune. The full-bodied palate offers sour cherry, raisin, licorice and ground pepper alongside fine-grained but rather evolved tannins. It has seen fresher days so drink soon.
Fragrant tangerine skins are glazed by an earthen streak of wax on the nose of this brisk, light-footed Riesling. Zesty and dry, the palate balances refreshing lime and lemon flavors against more savory elements of pollen and earth. Finishes crisp and clean.
The aromas seem a bit muddled, with notes of red fruit, herbs, vanilla and flowers. The cherry flavors are tart, with a kick of acidity on the finish.
There's a lot of good stuff going on in this blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Syrah and 20% Petit Verdot, with a nose of plump blackberry fruit dosed by scents of smoky vanilla, asphalt and licorice. There are sesame and teriyaki touches to the palate, along with charred blueberries, coffee, chocolate and firm tannins.
A tangy feeling on the palate makes this light-bodied wine especially refreshing. It has appley, floral aromas and flavors, good acidity and a clean, bracing texture.
While most of this wine was fermented in French oak, a small percentage was held back in stainless steel. It finds a happy middle ground between creamy oak, even a touch of reduction, and a brightness of green apple and Jolly Rancher. It offers medium-bodied richness.
This medium-bodied wine smells sweet but tastes dry. Vivid fruit aromas and flavors, and a lively, tangy mouthfeel add lots of personality. It smells like apples and honey and tastes like crisp apples and citrus.
Aromas of green melon and pear are calm like a lake with no breeze. This feels mildly creamy, while leesy briny melon and peach flavors turn somewhat bitter prior to a soft easy finish that doesn't sing but doesn't fall off.
Concentrated and structured, this layers wood and vanilla flavors with a taut, mineral character. With its richness and well-balanced citrus, tropical fruit flaavors, it will certainly age for at least four years. Screwcap.
This stylish, well-defined Roussanne is crisp as a cucumber, with fruit flavors of citrus, green berry, apple and melon. This is immaculate and beautifully balanced.
Phillips Hill's Two Terroirs is very subtly marked “AV + MR,” signaling that the fruit was sourced from both the cool Anderson Valley and even cooler Mendocino Ridge. It's lightly earthy and resplendent in bright, just-ripe cherry tones. Gorgeously crisp, with undeniable structure, this is ready to drink, but it would also shine in a few years time.
A blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc, this has an intriguing spicy accent that's reminiscent of fresh pine. It's front-loaded with generous blueberry fruit that's streaked with an anise note, flowing nicely into the polished tannins. This shows good focus and length.
This is a very taut wine from the poorest soil in the Clos des Mouches Vineyard. This tastes of citrus fruit, with a powerful, spicy, complex finish that promises good aging.
Rich and ultraripe, this is full of yellow fruit, melon and pineapple flavors. Contrasting with this fruitiness are notes of dense wood and spice. It has an elegant structure, with a crisp, citrusy finish.
For the moment, the tannins are still firm and the generous red fruits have not yet penetrated the surface. The acidity is present, like a line of brightness that cuts through this richly tannic wine. This is a potentially opulent wine.
Opulent and ripe, but at the same time it shows red fruits, fresh acids and a structured core. It has a wonderful, generous finish that showcases the rich fruits and warm tannins.
This is rich, showing the full-bodied character of a Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru. It has a sense of gravity and structure, with a flavor of red-plum jelly. Solid and chunky, this already expresses its fruit, although it does need at least six years to mature.
Still showing its youthful fruity character, this concentrated wine is going to develop richness while always retaining its elegance. The acidity and structured fruit lend a strong sense of minerality, although it keeps its ripeness. Age for 3–4 years.
While it has all the structure of Gevrey-Chambertin, it also has the richness of the vintage. This strikes a healthy balance between the two, creating a powerful wine that's full of black fruits and sweet tannins, with a firm, dry core. Age for 5–6 years.
This is rich and opulent while still preserving its acidity and concentrated structure. It's floral and minerally, fragrant, round and crisp. Age for 3–4 years.
The Sangiovese comes from Red Willow Vineyard, and it would be hard to find a more lovely, elegant rosé from this side of the Atlantic. Light strawberry and melon aromas continue onto the palate, with pinpoint detail and precision.
Concentrated, dense and powerful, this has all the structure of a Chambertin. As a contrast, the juicy acidity cuts through the texture, luring out black fruits that balance the solid core of tannins. It needs to age for at least seven years.
This wine and the entire brand often punch above their weight, in this case showing black cherry, cedar, dried dill, crushed graphite and peppercorns on the nose. The palate offers oregano and dill at first, but proves silky with dried cherry and cranberry fruit.
This light-bodied wine smells fresh and tastes refreshing. It has lemon and herb aromas, delicate citrus flavors, good acidity and a lively mouth-feel.
A soft, creamy wine full of apple and pear fruits that are edged with crisp acidity. It is ripe, but still young; drink this attractive wine from 2017.
Old World rusticity mark this light-bodied red blend. Its black cherry flavors are restrained and savory, muted by tones of barnyard, bramble and dried mushrooms. Crisply balanced and feathered by a fine fringe of tannins, it's an appealing wine for classic wine lovers.
Notes of ripe, generous and fleshy plum lead to a well-shaped palate. Some muddied elements get in the way of precision but lend an earthier aspect. Drink soon.
Lemon and green apple are the chief flavors of this easy Riesling that provides honest and uncomplicated refreshment. It finishes dry, with a fresh, lemony aftertaste.
This lively wine starts with aromas of white fruit, citrus and flowers. Ion the palate, exotic guava and pineapple and lemon mingle. An easygoing wine great for everyday enjoyment.
Earthy spice and red berry aromas lead this sturdy pour from Drama. On the palate, full-bodied flavors are balanced by a mineral edge. A good every day rosé that will match lamb and beef dishes well.
Light-footed, this wine is characterized by the clean, refreshing flavors of lemon zest and flesh. The palate is bright, with a dry, lip-smacking finish.
This is a rich wine made to be drunk young. It has spice, a smoky-bacon flavor and warm-hearted red plum and damson fruitiness. The wood aging shows through in hints of toast. The wine is ready now.
Earthy ripeness of peach and yellow plum abounds. The palate is rounded and medium sweet, suggesting jellied and crystallized fruit confections with an appetizingly tart edge. Drink soon.
Exuberant Anjou pear, kiwi, fleshy nectarine and lemongrass aromas pop off the nose of this wine that would work well with a wide range of Asian food. The palate is framed by a jubilant acidity and shows flavors of ripe apple, pluot and a touch of salt.
Stalky underbrush, crushed violet and woodland berry aromas lead the way. The brisk palate offers tart cherry, clove, a hint of chopped herb and an orange zest note alongside racy acidity. Tightly knit tannins leave a firm finish.
The inaugural vintage of this 100% varietal wine, this was given two years in French oak, half of it new. It's wide in approach, showing full-bodied richness and concentration, its flavors trafficking in bacon, juicy cherry and vanilla.
Somewhat restrained aromas of dried cranberry and pomegarante mix with light herbs and spices on the nose of this bottling. It's vibrant, fun and easy-to-drink on the palate, where the simple red-fruit flavors make it perfect for the beach or poolside.
Ripe, almost overripe, notes of fleshy stone fruit like yellow plum make for a generous opening. The palate tones this down with freshness and a rich, warm feel. It finishes dry, with a distinct sense of warmth.
Made from almost equal parts Pinot Noir and Dornfelder, this unusual dry rosé offers ripe (almost candied) cherry and raspberry notes juxtaposed against a refreshing mineral backbone. It's not deeply concentrated but thirst quenching and spry.
Made with Sangiovese and a touch of Colorino and Canaiolo, this easygoing wine offers pretty aromas of violet and red cherry. The soft, enjoyable palate doles out crushed raspberry, clove and a touch of orange peel. Enjoy soon.
Plum, black cherry and anise lead the nose of this rich red. Flavor of vanilla, mint and cherry give it a somewhat medicinal; edge but the wine is overall balanced and offers an exotic edge.
This Tempranillo-based rosé is clean up front, with hints of citrus and chewing gum to the nose. A solid mouthfeel makes for a good palate, while this offers a quick pop of zesty citrus fruit that's backed by duller yeast and wheat notes on the finish.
A block selection from Frediani Vineyard, this offers smoky soy flavors around a thick concentration of chocolate and blackberry tart, the texture generously ripe. There's a bitterness of clove and black currant on the finish.
While this smells a touch green and scratchy, there's enough berry and plum to the nose to get it going in a good way. Fresh and medium-bodied, this tastes of medicinal cherry and plum along with herbs. The finish tastes similar.
Crisp and cutting, this zesty apple-scented wine offers loads of lemony refreshment. The palate is zippy and taut, invigorating with a clean mineral finish.
The nose on this wine is a little weak and somewhat primary in nature, showing grapeseed, light fennel, cola, pressed olallieberries and raspberry sorbet. Light red-cherry juice is lifted by anise and cinnamon on the palate. It's fresh and quaffable but doesn't come together in an elegant manner.
Aromas of underbrush, red berry, tilled soil and a whiff of menthol come together on this. The easygoing, vibrant palate offers black cherry, espresso and a hint of star anise alongside zesty acidity and polished tannins.
Delicate sour-cherry and raspberry notes are accented by bramble and smoke in this dry Pinot Noir rosé. High-toned acidity is a bit puckering, but works particularly well to enjoying with food. The finish is brisk but clean.
Aromas of red berry, underbrush, chopped herb and a toasted note lead the nose. On the rather lean palate, notes of espresso, toasted hazelnut and sage accent a sour cherry core.
Aromas of underbrush, espresso, menthol and aromatic herb lead the nose. The straightforward, easy-drinking palate shows red berry, hazelnut, white pepper and a slightly green note of dried sage alongside firm acidity and not very persistent tannins.
Full-bodied, soft in texture and loaded with peach and melon fruit, this is a tasty everyday Chard. Hints of custard and lime give it additional interest, while the finish ends on a citrusy (orange?) note. Drink now.
With its grey/pink color, aromas of cherry and raspberry and its fresh fruity flavor, this is a great apèritif rosé. The taste shows some caramel and sweet-ness, crispened with acidity.
The local variety in Palmela is Castelão, planted in vineyards in the peninsula just south of Lisbon. It is a distinctive flavor of bright red fruits, rhubarb acidity, a core of very dry tannin and vivid mint flavors. The end brings out jam, acidity and sweet juiciness.
Even Cabernet Sauvignon, that defiantly international variety, takes on a Portuguese character. This has that dark chocolate, high acidity and dry, but juicy character that marks so many Portuguese reds. It also has a more unfortunate volatility that is just too prominent.
A bit of dust and leather for openers, with short black-fruit flavors and a big wave of tannins on the palate. So expect some grab and choppiness. Despite moderate hardness, there's good dark fruit and limited herbal intrusion.
Obvio means obvious in Spanish, and this is an obvious yet fairly good Malbec. There's some ground spice, cinnamon and a little bretty cheese to the nose, but the palate is solid, and the berry and cherry flavors are correct for the variety. Best by the glass or in casual settings.
The bouquet deals some peach, custard and a slight hint of oak, while the palate runs racy, fresh and citrusy. If you like a fresher style with strong orange and tropical fruit flavors, this is your ticket. It's a controlled wine that meets expectations. With 15% Parellada.
Soft spice and blackberry on the nose are followed by rich, balanced layers of mint, toast and berry. The wine has a minerality that adds a fresh note to the mix. A big wine but not overly complex, this is a Cabernet for spicy dishes and beef stew. Imported by GBW, LLC.
Mostly Garnacha (with 12% Syrah), this Mediterranean-styled wine is locked and loaded on the nose: There's a ton of mineral, sunshine and earthy blackberry aromas. The palate is full with cherry and raspberry, and the acidity is strong enough to keep the wine stable. In the end it's almost lean and perky.
Not too dissimilar from an Italian Moscato d'Asti, this offers exotic scents of oranges and tropical fruit. It's a bit sweet, but balanced in part by the bubbles. This would be great at brunch, or served on its own.
Cigar, coffee and mocha on the nose, followed by smoke and tobacco on the palate, give this ageable wine a masculine, restrained edge. The fruit is soft and integrated but the structure good. Imagine sipping this one by a roaring fire—it has that kind of character.
An appealing ripe strawberry nose leads on this flirty, easy-drinking sparkling wine from South Africa. Freshness and a touch of delicate minerality in the aromas, followed by light, elegant flavors of strawberry and yeast, make it a lovely wine for a summer day or to pair with myriad dishes. Creamy but fresh on the tongue, the wine has good body for a rosé. Imported by GBW, LLC.
The late actor-turned-vintner's family keeps producing solid wines, including this bottling that offers earthy scents of beet juice and clove. The flavors are pomegranate-driven, with cardamom and allspice making the wine memorable and lasting on the finish.
Vigorous bubbles present a Pinot Noir-like nose of crushed rocks, Indian spice and sour earth on one of the best Central Coast sparklers of the vintage. The intriguing flavors center on pluot and nectarine flesh, with fringes of salinity, lemon juice, cardamom and even dashes of curry.
The Corton hill has a number of red Grand Cru sites, including Vergennes, which lies at the western end. The wine has power, although its more dominant character is richness. It's packed with red fruits, laced with dark tannins and spice, and freshened with black currant acidity. It's a wine for aging, drink from 2018.
Still tight and closed, this has the potential to be a very fine Grand Cru. It has a tight, steely character, a texture that brings out nervy minerality and the beginnings of rich citrus and white fruits. With the light touch of wood aging, this will age well. Drink from 2017.
Part of the domaine of the Gagey family that runs Louis Jadot, this dense, wood-dominated wine has an austere character at this stage. Ripe, potentially full of yellow and creamy white fruits, it will always have a serious side. Drink from 2018.
This inaugural vintage of Monastery shows a complex intermingling of herb and briny cheese rind along with soft and generous Asian spice and brambly blackberries. The savory characteristics persist into black tea and subtle black pepper, all the while accented by just-bloomed rose.
This is full of steely acidity as well as complex fruit. It is rich, full of toast and spice that show up the generous swathes of yellow fruits that are just beginning to show their glory. It will develop over many years. Drink from 2017.
Smooth and wonderfully ripe, this honeyed wine has weight and a velvet texture that rolls around the mouth. The tight acidity and crisp texture are enveloped by the embrace of the ripe fruits and generous feel. It's deceptively ready to drink but needs to age, so wait until 2018.
This is the best Valbuena since 2005, and it may be better than that. Exotic aromas of leather, lemon peel, sawdust and boysenberry come in front of a tannic but lively and intricate palate. Baked, heady flavors of black fruits, pepper and mocha finish with chocolate and vanilla as well as juicy acidity. Drink now through 2022.
This is the winery's first Kanzler Vineyard Pinot Noir and its only Sonoma Coast appellation Pinot. The cool-climate vineyard offers ripe cherry and plum around a core of firm, velvety tannins. From there, vibrant cranberry and rhubarb flirt with black tea, while red apple, sage and sandalwood notes round out the flavors on the long finish.
This wood-aged wine shows as much fruit as wood. It's complex and dense, with wonderful acidity and sweet raisin fruits that give richness. Acidity gives the wine a lift, but it's the aromas and silky texture that have the last word.
Upon opening, this smells oaky and lemony, although airing brings it around. Fresh and mildly astringent on the palate, this tastes oaky and briny at first, then more complex, deep and toasty as it spreads out. Licorice, herb and background berry flavors are woody and still somewhat fiery on the finish. Drink 2015 through 2025.
Balsamic, dark-berry aromas come with notes of crushed minerals, coconut, resiny oak and chocolate. In the mouth, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot is tight, focused and elegant. Spicy, cedary flavors of tobacco and baked black fruits finish long, with lasting touches of tobacco and fig. Drink through 2020.
Tantara's take on the historic Chalone AVA, which is full of limestone marl and clay near the Pinnacles National Park, kicks off with dusty aromas of red earth, light menthol and raspberry-flavored Smarties candy. Strawberry, dried cherries, sage and herbs combine for unique, memorable flavors.
Aromas of crushed minerals, blackened spices, blackberry and dark cherry are integrated and whole. The palate is ripe and tannic but not fierce, with blackberry, black cherry, toast and spice flavors that finish chocolaty and rich, with nutmeg-like notes and length. Best from 2015 through 2022.
This firm, dark and still young wine has intense acidity that comes from the red currant and raspberry fruit. The tannins though form the real basis of this concentrated wine. Great juicy fruits at the end will develop well. Drink from 2018.
Smoke, graphite, blue flower, cedar and black pepper aromas take center stage on this bold, structured wine. Velvety tannins support the dense black cherry, plum and blackberry flavors, while notes of freshly ground pepper and nutmeg add depth. Thanks to fresh acidity it's already surprisingly drinkable but it also displays aging potential. Drink through 2022.
Dominated at this young stage by wood, this is a potentially rich and creamy wine. Its structure shines through, full and generous. The fruits and the acidity still have to develop, but already the wine is showing the rounded character of a great Pouilly Fuissé. It's a wine to age, so drink from 2016.
Goutorbe is a member of the Spécial Club grouping of grower producers, which tastes and approves each other's special cuvée. This 2005, with its ripe fruits and the beginnings of bottle age, is a worthy member. It has delicious apple and white peach fruits, lively acidity and a texture that is moving towards toastiness. The wine is ready to drink.
Made to commemorate the sparkling wine the winery produced for the Reagan-Gorbachev Summit Meetings in the 1980s, this blends 74% Pinot Noir and 26% Chardonnay in a richer style, still dry, and just recently disgorged in July 2014. Complex and creamy, it offers a seductive nose of ripe apple and custard, the flavors following through in a medium-weight, mellowed way.
From the vineyard Ken Brown planted after a decade of experiments comes this complex wine, whose nose blends sour cherry, pine bark, black clove and pepper. It's lithe and bouncy on the palate, yet deeply flavorful too, with stewed raspberry flavors and a good tannic structure.
A deep rose color, this pretty wine seduces with sweet cherry and red plum fruit, rounded out with a dollop of cinnamon spice and buoyed with moderate acidity. Full, forward, flavorful and built for medium-term aging, this should be enjoyed now through 2020.
Laetitia's finest reserve bottling of sparkling wine rises to the challenge in this vintage, with bright aromas of fresh pears, challah bread and cherimoya. The palate offers tropical touches of guava, with elements of soda and lime pith grounding the bubbly into a classic style.
From a vineyard within what locals call the Petaluma Gap, a cool area duly influenced by Pacific Ocean fog, this wine is intense in berry and bright, lush, spicy layers indicative of its cooler leanings. Pleasing, with clove and black tea between the fruit, it's approachable and impressive.
A hint of funk and a brambly character enhances this bright, textured wine. The fresh berry flavors carry light touches of baking spice, bark and toast. The tannins remain a bit stiff and should soften up a bit with further bottle age. Every element is in perfect proportion.
Carefully distinguished from the other Lange Pinots, this cuvée marries thick cherry fruit to highlights of cola, anise and earth. The winery's defining trait is crafting wines with impeccable balance, that are already seamless and highly approachable upon release, yet have the style and substance for cellaring over the next 8–10 years.
Especially rich and complex in this outstanding vintage, this brings bright and deeply flavored cherry fruit front and center. There's a streak of chocolate and a whiff of composted earth—not too much. As the wine lingers through its finish, the luscious fruit impresses the most.
Attractive, somewhat unusual floral/violet aromas are in the lead, with blueberry, cassis and pastry sitting behind that. The palate is smooth yet lively, with flavors of wild berry, black currant, cola, chocolate and even bacon from the French oak. Tasty, balanced and interesting; 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.
This 100% varietal wine sourced primarily from Oakville Ranch Vineyard is exuberant with rich, round red fruit and earthy sage notes. Bright and lively, with underlying grip, it offers further full-bodied flavors of vanilla, dark chocolate and tobacco as it opens.
Zenith is the winery's estate vineyard, and this wine is a standout among St. Innocent's 2015 Pinots. It's firm, dark and toasty, with full-flavored black-cherry fruit accented with dense veins of espresso, charred nuts and bitter chocolate. The structure supports those dark notes, and the chewy tannins and lengthy finish amplify them. Drink now through 2028.
It's hard to choose a favorite amidst Thörle's 2015 dry Rieslings yet this bottling is a standout for its expansive, deliciously clingy mouthfeel. It's lusciously fruity, boasting ripe apricot and white peach flavors balanced by taut acidity and a pleasantly bitter edge of tannins.
Some wood aging for the Chardonnay in the blend of this mature vintage has given the wine its light toast and spice character. The wine is rich, smooth and generous with a full-bodied feel. It is now ready to drink.
Wafting baked bread aromas create a warm, inviting entry in this wine, which reveals medium-bodied layers of tart, tangy citrus, cranberry and pomegranate as it opens. High-toned yet deep, it offers balance and complexity and lingers on the finish.
Big and rich yet also complex and layered, this wine has an extremely dark color and spicy, floral, perfumed fruit flavors that spread out for a mouthfilling texture. Full bodied, fascinating and luscious, it hails from a high-elevation vineyard in Mendocino County.
A touch of honeycomb swings alongside ripe pear and peach notes, creating a very inviting appetizing nose. The palate emphasizes this juiciness even more with the slightest touch of residual sweetness and a flowing fluid palate that only shows its concentration towards the end. There are edges of honeysuckle spice before a fresh, lemony and dry finish.
Ripe and textured notions of russet pear take center stage with this wine. The nose already signals at the generous fruitiness and the palate is pervaded with fresh poised juicy fruit. A touch of residual carbon dioxide adds liveliness alongside lemony brightness. The finish is dry and utterly moreish with its fruit-centered joy.
A touch of wet stone reaches the nose even before appetizing lemon hints make themselves known. This wine is restrained and fresh with lemon and brightness. The palate adds more depth and a grounding of creamy autolysis, but it remains slender, lithe and refreshing throughout. Fine bubbles disperse bright flavors everywhere. The lasting finish is pure.
Lovely aromatics conjure up rose petals, a dash of body powder and ripe citrus. The fruit is very ripe, with almost a candy character, and there's a sensation of powdered sugar. But despite the almost 14g/L residual sugar, it's more sweet/tart than syrupy, keeping it sappy and refreshing.
Generous notes of ripe pear has edges of blossom and peach on the nose. The palate underlines the peachy notes with a judicious boosting touch of residual sweetness. A pleasantly bitter edge, reminiscent of pear peel, adds welcome texture while lemony brightness provides freshness and verve. The finish is off dry and very appetizing with its lovely balance of fruit and brightness.
Gavin Chanin has managed to make an Old World-styled wine with this bottling. More delicate than its boisterous Central Coast neighbors, it has an elegance that will appeal to Burgundy nuts. Pepper, pomegranate, cranberry and olive aromas lead into an extremely light palate of candied raspberry, red plum and uncrushed peppercorn flavors.
Shy at first on the nose, this youthful beauty is defined by richness and robust body, the tannins firm and well-integrated. Woody and herbal, it shows classic varietal character, with currant and clove flavors and an Old World flair of dusty chalk and chocolate notes. It's persistent, pleasant and complex.
Sagebrush, wild cherry, pomegranate, anise and crushed slate notes show on the nose of this blend of 45% Grenache, 50% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre. Balanced acidity and tannins ensure good drinking both now and deep into the future, with chaparral-laced flavors of ripe raspberry, boysenberry and even watermelon.
Winemakers Dan Rosenberg and Bob Bossi have dialed this wine in. While not very deep in color, it packs an incredible amount of spicy, meaty notes into the aroma and an even greater amount of ripe, luscious fruit and spice flavors into the palate. It's a gentle giant that oozes with oak accents recalling cedar, cinnamon and vanilla that sink nicely into its plump cherry and plum flavors.
Lush dark fruits abound: Blackberries, boysenberries, black cherry and even a suggestion of cassis. This wine has excellent balance and polish, with restrained barrel flavors. The fruit speaks volumes.
Blossom honey, a touch of melon and fresh, fragrant red-apple fruit make for an appetizing nose. On the palate these alluring flavors are joined by the generous, rounded notion of sponge cake. Towards the finish the pure freshness of bright lemon takes over, and fine bubbles offer fruit and creaminess. It's a balanced and appetizing rosé with a lasting, beautifully yeasty finish.
Plenty of toastiness in this ripe wine gives an extra element of acidity that needs to be tamed. At the same time, it has good white- and citrus-fruit flavors. Drink this attractive wine from 2017.
This affordably priced bottling is quite solid for the cost, showing deep black cherry, blueberry, cedar shavings, tobacco leaf and ash, cocoa and slight bay leaf on the nose. Chalky tannins show first on the sip, and then unwind to offer blackberry fruit, woody pencil shavings and a decent density.
Balanced, ripe and structured, this is a fine reflection of the minerality that comes from Douro vineyards. It has firm tannins along with perfumed berry fruit and bright acidity. The wine is ready to drink, although it will be better from 2017.
This wine is fragrant and ripe while having a balanced, delicate structure. It offers plenty of fruit and acidity, with dusty tannins and sweet berry flavors. It should develop well and quickly. Drink from 2019.
Lively acidity defined by a taste of lemon peel meets heftier overtones of fresh pear, providing a medium-bodied texture that should work well at the table. The finish highlights the lemony aspects of the wine.
Ripe with tropical-fruit flavors, this wine has good acidity layered with spice and toastiness. A crisper structure behind this generous fruit will allow the wine to age, although it is drinkable now.
This perfumed wine features ripe tannins and strawberry flavors. It is structured, with good concentration and acidity. The wine is developing well with the richness as well as line of fresher acidity. Drink from 2019.
The fruit and juicy acidity are the focus here, supported by smoky tannins. The wine will develop relatively quickly, full of fruit. Drink from 2018.
This gold-colored Furmint has aromas of lemon grass, pink grapefruit juice and quince. In the mouth there are flavors of peach, violet, vanilla and toasted almond.
This is a spicy wine, with balanced wood, yellow-fruit flavors and acidity that cuts through the spice and ripeness. A zing of citrus finishes this attractive wine in style.
Earthy aromas of scorched soil, dried herb, leather and underbrush come together in the glass. The straightforward, solid palate offers dried cherry, grilled herb and star anise while fine-grained tannins leave a firm finish.
This opens with aromas suggesting toast, menthol, mature berry, coffee and a balsamic note. On the full-bodied palate, notes of white pepper, cinnamon and powdered sage accent dried black cherry while firm, close-grained tannins provide the framework.
You'll find earthy aromas of leather, truffle, violet, ripe black cherry and a funky whiff of game on this. The approachable palate offers fleshy dark cherry, cranberry, clove and a hint of licorice alongside firm but not very persistent tannins.
Pure varietal, this was fermented in oak uprights and aged for two years in one-third new French and Hungarian oak. The oak accents complement tart flavors of raspberry and pomegranate. Give this another year or two of bottle age, and drink with pleasure from 2018 to 2025.
Despite the low abv, this is a dry rosé, made from 100% Sangiovese that was picked at 20.5 brix. It's delicate and satisfying—a pretty pale copper/rose color, with flavors of strawberry hinting at peach. There's a dusting of baking spices and cocoa, adding welcome highlights to the finish.
Initially a bit shy, this slowly opens in the glass to reveal aromas of ripe berry, leather, baking spice and a hint of scorched earth. The palate offers suggestions of raspberry compote, dried black cherry, vanilla and licorice alongside tightly wound tannins. A marked espresso note closes the finish. Drink after 2019.
Quady's Right Bank blend is three-quarters Cabernet Franc and one-quarter Merlot. Smoky and showing a lightly funky scent when opened, it develops into a leathery and tannic red wine, checkered with red and black fruits, hints of tobacco and a vein of graphite.
Dominated by Alvarinho, this is a spicy, fruity and tangy wine. It is still young with a tight mineral edge that will soften to bring out a more creamy character. The after-taste, with its fresh citrus, should remain. Drink from 2017.
Big tannin and burly toasted oak make for a full-bodied, robust entry into this concentrated wine. It offers an undeniable hit of Dr. Pepper and wild mushrooms grown on a forest floor.
Deeply red-violet in the glass, this wine offers a bouquet of black cherry and fennel. There is a sense of coolness in the mouth, with flavors of blueberry, blackberry, white chocolate, espresso and lavender. Tannins are soft but ever-present, and the smooth finish has a burst of orange zest.
Black plum, graphite and herbal tomato aromas are solid but subdued. There's weight to this Malbec but not much depth to the palate, while flavors of berry, cassis and tomato run low on complexity.
Aromas of toast, underbrush and a whiff of wet fur lead the nose. The structured palate offers hazelnut, crushed raspberry and grilled herb alongside assertive tannins that give it a firm finish.
Ripe blackberry, blueberry, graphite and toasty oak aromas make for a dark bouquet. This is slightly rough on the palate due to aggressive tartaric acidity, while flavors of ripe black fruits, cola, oak and chocolate finish with coconut and resiny oak notes.
This Pinot Gris from Switzerland has aromas of white flowers, green apple and lemon pith. In the mouth, there are flavors of lemon curd and guava. It has medium body on the palate with a clean finish.
This wine has a spicy allure, with seemingly more oak influence than most of the Lodi Native wines. Attractive nutmeg and cinnamon aromas lead to even more spicy flavors that are backed with moderate fruit flavors and some good tannic grip in the texture.
This wine has a great future, offering good acidity, crisp fruitiness and a tangy aftertaste. But in six months it will reveal a richer yellow fruits that will give it a rounded, ripe character. Wait until 2017.
From exacting winemaker Andrew Barns, this rich, distinctive Cabernet starts with aromas of blackberry, black currant, mocha and mint, leading into approachable flavors of cherry, peppers, clove and spice. Fruity but balanced, and ready to drink now.
There is plenty of color and extract in this tannic wine. Blackberry fruit is at the core, and though aged in one third new oak, it is not evident in the flavors. A balanced and beautifully proportioned wine, which accurately captures the AVA's strengths.
Light and fresh, this carries just a vague hint of barrel toast, but essentially it was done all in stainless. The fruit is clean and pretty, lightly candied, lightly tropical, with notes of sweet cracker, brisk acid, sweet grass and sweet herb. It gathers strength in the finish and holds on nicely.
Vinified in 100% new French oak, this is young, tight and showing the barrel flavors more than the fruit. As it opens, in come flavors of citrus skin, lemon drop and caramel. It's quite acidic, with good structure, and still has a yeasty finish.
A smoothly textured, wood-aged wine, richly flavored with wild red berries and rhubarb, ripe toast giving vanilla and a sweet, licorice finish. This is bold and fruity, open and drinkable now.
There's great ripe fruit here, a wine that has both intense pepperiness and fresh acidity, speaking of terroir. While the wine is intense, it is also as crisp as possible, finally well concentrated and firm. Screwcap.
This is a tight, mineral-driven wine that's very textured. Its fruitiness comes from quince and pear skins with a definite structure. It is young, most likely requiring aging over at least 18 months.
This fresh, young Albariño is offering mild citrus and pear aromas. The palate is crisp, light in weight and good as a whole, with citrus, green apple and nectarine flavors. On the finish, peach and papaya flavors show a tinge of bitterness.
This is Fraternidad's best wine by a mile. Cherry, blackberry, cola and leafy aromas set up a juicy, mildly scratchy palate with tomato, herb, roast berry, chocolate and coffee flavors. There's some scour to the finish, but that's nothing carne asada can't tame.
Dominated by Viosinho, a grape found more often in the Douro, this wine has a fascinating perfumed character. It's smoky, with white currant and green herbs, and a steely edge that adds to the tight structure of the wine.
An elegant wine with low alcohol yet clean, crisp, persistent flavors, this captures both melon and pear fruit, with peach blossom highlights. Call it a Euro style; it's fresh and subtle.
This is an upright, firm wine that's solidly based around dense tannins as well as ripe red fruits. It has a very dry core giving a concentrated texture that means the wine needs to age. Give it 4–5 years.
With just that extra touch of concentration from old vines, this is a ripe, full and creamy wine, its acidity rounded out and given extra depth from the rich fruits. It has some weight and density at the end.
A juicy, tropical Sauvignon Blanc ripe for warm weather sipping, textured in mango, pineapple and a hit of fresh pear. Intense with a savory taste on the finish, this white is perfect on its own or ideal with seafood or crackers smothered in goat cheese.
Dark, gritty, crusty aromas of black licorice and bitter chocolate are fiery, narrow and ultimately unveil cassis and black cherry notes. This blend of Tempranillo, Zinfandel and Grenache is hard and powerful in the mouth, with toasty, chocolaty flavors of ripe berries and baked plum. This is true, sun-drenched Mexican wine.
This is a young, yeasty wine with a scent of fresh citrus. Lemon and grapefruit are the main flavors, with a textural, refreshing mouthfeel and a hint of minerality.
From the winery's signature vineyard and old Sauvignon Blanc vines, originally planted in 1959, this wine offers complexity and intrigue. Flavors range from crisp lemon to savory fennel and herb, a long, lingering finish sealing the deal.
This 100% varietal aged 22 months in French oak (22% new) needs time to open up. Once it does, it brings notes of dried herbs, dark coffee, cherry, plum and pencil eraser. It's elegant in style while showing good concentration to the chocolate and cherry flavors, supported by lightly chalky tannins.
Packaged in an extremely heavy bottle, this conveys aromas of underbrush, black berry and cake spice. The sleek palate offers mature black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and black pepper alongside polished tannins. Drink through 2018.
This supple, easy-drinking Cabernet features appealing ripe cassis and vanilla shadings. Hints of black cherry and graham cracker add nuance, while the texture is a bit creamy on the midpalate, turning dusty on the finish. Drink now–2020.
This is a very dark wine from the Kama Sutra-inspired winery, with aromas of creosote and blueberry. The flavors are quite thick with blackberry juice, balanced with pangs of acidity yet finishing on the soft side.
Raspberries and cherry blossoms mingle on the nose of this pretty, perfumed wine. The palate is buoyant with fresh berry and cherry flavors, yet touches of forest floor and spice add complexity and depth. It's brisk in acidity and layered with fine, firm tannins.
A first-release from this winery founded by Napa Valley's Dennis Cakebread, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from Seven Hills Vineyard shows notes of tomato leaf, chocolate, cherry and vanilla. The oak (44% new French and American) initially takes the lead. Fruit flavors are focused and soft, with the oak giving the tannins a slightly astringent feel.
Despite freshness and slenderness, there is something sumptuous about this red that recalls dark red velvet. The palate is crunchy, fresh, full-fruited and made for lighter fare: charcuterie as much as more delicate meat dishes.
A sleek, elegant expression of Negroamaro, this opens with aromas of perfumed berry and exotic spice. The bright, juicy palate doles out ripe red cherry, crushed raspberry, clove and white pepper alongside a backbone of polished tannins and fresh acidity.
Peppery, spicy red apple notes mingle with yeasty overtones in this rounded yet streamlined Grüner. Spice and minerality hold the foreground. There is citrus verve at the core and one can almost taste wet stones. Lovely now but this will age gracefully.
This wine offers notes of woodspice, butterscotch, coffee and blackberry. The fruit flavors are lighter in style with mouthwatering acids and firm, grippy tannins that need some time or perhaps a big, juicy steak to tame them.
Ripe red cherry and smoke aromas eminate from the nose of this wine. In the palate the alcoholic heat sticks out a little, but there is a good streak of acidity and a silky texture. Good to drink now but will also keep and evolve 2018–2019.
Fresh aromas of raspberry and cherry are slightly earthy. This shows purity and balance on the palate, while flavors of strawberry, raspberry and red plum come with chocolaty oak and mild spice. A dry finish tastes of oak-driven chocolate and crushed black pepper.
Hailing from the coolest section of Colchagua's coastline, this is almost neutral on the nose except for some citrus and sweaty notes. The palate is full, chunky and noticeably more creamy than past vintages. Grapefruit, passion fruit and briny flavors finish full and citrusy. Drink now.
This cherry-scented Pinot is straightforward, supple and easy to drink. Complexity comes from hints of cedar and menthol, while the finish is lined with fine, dusty tannins that elegantly linger.
Lime zest and green apple mark this wine's nose and palate, dominating the senses at this early stage of the wine's evolution. A bit of dustiness emerges on the long, dry finish.
This Riesling shows a bit of honeyed development already, hinting at orange or tangerine marmalade on the slightly abbreviated finish. Enjoy it over the next few years.
A cool-vintage red that clocks in at a low (for Washington) alcohol, this wine is aromatically reticent with notes of green herbs, cherry, tomato paste and barrel spices. It's tart with puckering acid and firm tannins, but good fruit intensity throughout. Drinking quite young now, it will be best after 2017 and should have a long life ahead of it.
Immediately appealing, this draws you into the glass with dark plums and blackberries accented by barrel spices. It's medium bodied with a silky feel, plush fruit flavors, and a lingering, fruit-filled, almost irresistible open finish.
This is lively, lean, and agile in style, from the fresh raspberry and cranberry aromas to the tangy raspberry flavors to the insistent tannins and firm acidity that frame it. Light to medium in body, this should soften and broaden in texture with time. Best after 2016.
A subtle nose of citrus suggests a restrained wine. Indeed, the palate is slender, citrus-fresh and light, but enlivened by the peppery varietal edge that invariably adds interest. Clean, crunchy finish.
One of the properties managed by Georges Vigouroux, this is located on the plateau, close to eastern edge of Cahors. The wine is rich, smooth and broad. A strong tannic structure is masked by the big, rounded black fruits and acidity. That makes for a wine that can be drunk soon, although it will be better from 2017.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Syrah (32%) and Petit Verdot offers notes of blueberries and high-toned herbs that don't entirely seem to marry. Flavors are rich and concentrated with a supple feel.
Subtle scents of buttered toast and candied citrus peel add interest to the fresh tropical-fruit core of peach, guava, fig and mango. Medium acidity gives the palate good lift, while the lime-zest finish is clean and mouthwatering. Enjoy now.
A subtle smokiness lends an intriguing streak to the nose of this wine, partnering harmoniously with scents of crisp red apple, melon rind, green fig and orange zest. Well balanced and approachable, the medium-weight palate offers clean flavors of apple, lime and softly toasted brioche. Enjoy now.
Spicy plum and cherry aromas are oaky and smell a bit like freshly laid cement. This is more tight and racy than fat or heavy, evidence of a cool vintage. Lightly herbal flavors of currant and plum are spicy and finish with oak-driven notes of toast as well as green olive and pointed acidity. Drink through 2017.
Lavish floral notes perfume this lusciously sweet ice-style Riesling. Honeyed apples and fresh figs burst on the palate, their flavors intensified on the finish with a hit of zesty lemon acidity.
Subtle berry and rooty aromas create an inviting nose. The palate is full and chunky, with grabby tannins that thicken up cherry, herb and spice flavors. A little bit rich in style, with chocolate and earthiness to the finish.
Whole-cluster pressed and fermented in French oak barrels, about one third new, this pure Marsanne is a deep gold, and scented with buttery, oily oak and vanilla. It's full in the mouth, bright and high-toned, with a mix of stone fruits.
Dark, dense and nice on the nose, with aromas of dried cheese, blackberry and plum. Fresh, juicy and healthy in the mouth, with blackberry and plum flavors that run long and clean. Freshness and juicy clarity are this wine's chief attributes.
Roasted and rustic smelling, with baked, brushy berry aromas. The palate is fresh, forward and well focused, with briary, roasted flavors of earthy berry and chocolate. Finishes with toasty oak flavors, chocolate and herbs along with heat and spice.
A nicely made Cab-Merlot blend with earthy, dark plum, spicy cinnamon and clove and a touch of menthol herby-ness, especially on the finish. The mellow texture on this wine will see that it pairs nicely with a range of fall and wintertime foods.
Half Viognier, 30% Roussanne and 20% Marsanne, this well-crafted Rhône-style blend is spicy with a bright mix of citrus fruits. Lemon/lime and orange scents and flavors dominate, with a fresh, forward palate impression.
Sharp and peppery, this Walla Walla Valley Malbec starts out fruity and forward, then brings in flavors of dried leaf and tea. It's a two-step wine, perhaps caught between youth and maturity.
A generous example of young Ribera. Dark mint, cola and blackberry aromas get more herbal with airing. The palate is secure and tannic, with ripe blackberry and sweet Bing cherry flavors. Chocolaty and tannic on the finish.
Round, sweet and ripe smelling, then tight and rubbery in the mouth, with full tannins that smack down with force. The palate is medium in depth, with dark plum and berry flavors in front of a sweet, molasses-tinged finish. Very good for affordable Spanish Cabernet.
Almost indistinguishable from its companion Horse Heaven Vineyard bottling, the Columbia Valley Sauvignon Blanc also clocks in at a modest 12.5% alcohol. It offers light, succinct, pure varietal flavors, on the cool side with green apple, peavine, and a bracing minerality.
With its distinctively briary, herbal edge, this wine stands out in a crowd. Ample cracked pepper spices up chocolate and plum flavors in this medium-bodied 60-40 blend of Grenache and Syrah. Drink now–2016.
Smells like spiced fruit cake, prune and licorice. It's ripe and a touch syrupy, but genuine and not cloying or overly heavy. Tastes of baked plum and blackberry along with dark spices and chocolate. Chocolaty and coffee-tinged on the finish. 50% Tempranillo and 50% CS.
This wine has ripeness and a kind of sweetness in the aroma. Good fresh cherry flavors glide along nicely on the smooth texture. It is medium bodied and balanced for easy enjoyment.
Quite distinct from its Single Wheel companion bottlings, there's a rustic, slightly savory tone to pressed apple and pear flavors in this off-dry Riesling. It's light bodied and spry with a brisk, lemony finish.
This wine tastes rather light and lean. The aromas are like cherry and apple candy, and the flavors resemble not-quite-ripe red cherries and raspberries. It is dry and medium bodied.
Reduced aromas provide significant distraction at the outset, with floral and tropical notes fighting to get to the surface. The palate doesn't entirely stay together, as if the wine can't make up its mind which way it wants to go. White grapefruit flavors come through on the finish.
This wine is a unique blend of Syrah (55%), Petit Verdot (a whopping 27%) and Malbec. Aromas of firepit, woodspice, dried herbs, lemon and barnyard are followed by surprisingly elegant fruit flavors, with Petit Verdot's often burly tannins nowhere to be found.
The flint soil of the vineyard shows in the steely, mineral character of this wine. It is all about structure at this stage, subduing the citrus fruits that are developing. It will fill out over the next few months, so drink from late 2016.
Blended with 12% Petite Sirah, this is a hearty, ripe and stewy wine, baked in plum and blackberry. A puckering girth of tannin unwraps itself in the glass as it goes. Cinnamon and black pepper play on the finish, along with a hint of dried herb.
While this foamy rosé is not elevated, it should appeal to those who like sweet Moscato bubblies. Candied flavors of raspberry, lychee and dried mango finish with a note of pineapple syrup.
This is a crisp, fruity and well-balanced wine. Along with its red-currant fruit and bright acidity, it has a touch of caramel that adds richness. The wine is ready to drink.
This wine is ripe, jammy and full of juicy red fruits supported by tannins. The wine is still young, with its bright fruit very much to the fore. Let it round out before drinking, so wait until 2018.
Aromas of clay, lime zest and faint white flowers show on the very reserved and restrained nose. The palate is also shy, with light pear juice, slightly sour lemon curd and a slight gravel component.
There's not much overt fruit on the nose of this wine, which instead shows plenty of papilla chile and bell-pepper elements. The body is light and peppery, proving easy to sip with red fruit and peppercorns, leading into a vanilla-kissed finish.
Though it's designated as reserve-level, and lists rather high alcohol, this seems thin, stemmy and green. The fruit is nearly invisible. The addition of 14% Cabernet Franc has not had any noticeable impact. Drink up.
Tannic and earthy, this is defined principally by flavors of stem and bark, with thin red fruits in the background. It might best accompany a rich, oily fish such as salmon.
Tar and black fruit emerge from the shadows of big tannins that pucker on the palate, begging for more time to soften. Robust and full bodied with a warm ripeness, it finishes flat.
Floral, soapy aromas of tomato, cherry and currant are light and lack commitment. This Tempranillo-blend feels rocky despite being light in body, while candied plum, red currant and rose hip flavors hollow out quickly and finish with scratchy tannins.
This wine is 100% Cabernet Franc coming from Dineen (75%) and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. Barnyard, cherry, pencil box and spice aromas are followed by lightly styled game, dried cherry and medicine cabinet flavors.
Spunky, edgy, slightly cheesy cherry and plum aromas come in front of a palate with crisp acidity and firm tannins. Tart plum and pie cherry flavors finish with scraping acidity and a touch of sourness.
A fresh, pale rosé from Pinot Noir, this has acidity coming from the red-currant fruits and crisp raspberries. With its light texture and total fruitiness, it's a wine to drink now.
From chalk soil, this wine is textured with tight tannins lying over the red cherry and berry fruits. Not rich, it's more a gentle excursion into Pinot Noir giving freshness as well as that light structure. It offers perfumed acidity at the end.
Turned earth, coffee grounds, asphalt and dried cherries show on the mushroomy nose of this widely available bottling. Black tea and strong coffee flavors emerge through a thick veil of chunky tannins.
This wine is soft, simple, fruity and ready to drink. It has apple and apricot tones and light acidity to keep it fresh, with a bright and refreshing aftertaste.
Brisk and light-footed, there's a delicacy and restraint to tart grapefruit and honeydew flavors in this off-dry Riesling. It's not a deeply concentrated or complex wine, but offers thirst quenching refreshment. Drink now.
Leather, raw wood and berry aromas start off this young wine. The palate is fairly raw and gripping, while herbal, peppery blackberry flavors finish with a toasty oak note and tannic rub.
Soft and gently fruity, this immediately attractive wine has plenty of acidity that points up the apple and green plum fruits and final freshness. The wine is ready to drink.
Made from Pinot Gris, this pale colored wine has just a blush of rosé. It is so fresh and perfumed, only lightly textured. A fine apéritif style, the wine has juicy red currant flavors, topped with orange zest. Drink now.
This is an herbal, cool wine. Concentrated citrus flavors percolate through the wine to give freshness and bright acidity. It's light, very crisp and ready to drink.
This is a fresh, herbaceous wine, with green fruits, citrus and tangy, zesty acidity. A young, juicy character contrasts with a more textured aftertaste. Drink now.
This producer continues to up its game with this brand. This wine offers a smoky, luxurious experience defined by black-cherry spice, smoky oak and a thickness of chocolate. Textured and full bodied, it's made for fans of a richer, more concentrated style.
This wine is a blend of equal parts Seven Hills and Ferguson fruit. Aromas of raspberry, plum, tobacco and dark fruit lead to flavorful, polished tart fruit flavors. It's undeniable in its appeal.
This wine announces itself with bright aromas of plum, blueberry, dried herb and spice. The flavors are broad, with espresso and citrus flavors on the finish. It's a prototype for the variety.
Rich caramel and fudge tones mix with inviting crushed purple flowers, baked blackberries and vanilla on the nose of this bottling that features a red-fleshed grape rarely used alone. The palate is sharper than the lavish nose suggests, with fresh crushed elderberries and dried fennel spice.
Earthy notes of forest floor and white field mushroom precede the fruitier notions of ripe fresh and dried pear on nose and palate. This wine has a balm-like quality to the texture and a depth of developed flavor. The dried apple finish is dry, lasting and clean.
Intriguing notes of honey, poached pear, apple with drizzled caramel and a light touch of marzipan show on the nose on this bottling that leans somewhat sweet in aromas. But the sip is dry, with Asian pear, jasmine and honeysuckle elements, quite crisp and engaging for the palate on multiple levels.
Blended with 13% Syrah, this wine opens with notes of cassis, smoke, sweet herb, vanilla and tar. The black-fruit flavors are full bodied but still retain a sense of vibrancy and deftness. The finish stretches out and the tannins provide some chew.
This is a fun, complex wine, a blend of 79% Sauvignon Blanc, 18% Muscat Canelli and 3% Viognier, all mountain-grown. Orange blossom and jasmine permeate the inviting entry before waves of creamy tangerine and peach play on the palate, lifted by lively acidity.
This is a ripe wine that's also fresh and fruity. It has some structured tannins, along with a dense texture. At the same time, the red cherry and blueberry fruits have a crisp edge that finishes the wine with fine acidity. While the charity Hospices of Belleville owns land as part of its foundation, the wines are made by Beaune négociant Joseph Drouhin. Drink from 2017.
The wine is dense and structured. It has concentrated red-berry fruits that are backed up by firm tannins as well as acidity. The wine is ripe, still young and with its structure, it will be better from 2017. The charity Hospices of Belleville owns land as part of its foundation, with the wines being made by Beaune negociant Joseph Drouhin
Ripe, earthy black-fruit aromas are spicy and a bit lactic from oak, hence, the palate is full and creamy, but with a good acidic cut. Blackberry, herbal spice and cool toasty oak flavors finish warm and plump.
There's a measured richness on the nose of this impressive white, grown in the heart of the appellation's Westside Road neighborhood. Lemony salt and a touch of stone complement the integrated, present oak, rewarded by a complex texture and finish.
Pale pink in color, this wine offers nice touches of bubblegum and watermelon, with lively white pepper for a complex twist. Clean and lovely lines of pink strawberry, rocky minerality and more of that intriguing pepper spice continue on the palate that leaves the mouth watering. It's a great pink.
Deep cherry, sagebrush and cola are laid across wet slate and purple flowers on a complex nose in this appellation-wide blend from Richard Sanford's team. Crushed wild herbs, like mint, sage, thyme and pine needle are prominent on the palate, backed up by a splash of red fruit.
Aromas of finely ground black pepper, green herbs, orange peel and cherry are followed by tart, soft, sumptuous cranberry and savory flavors. The finish extends into the distance. It's all about feel and focus.
This is a full-bodied and extroverted wine. It smells like melted butter and baking spices and tastes like nougat and caramel with just a touch of sweetness. Oaky in a moderate way, it offers great citrus and pineapple on the midpalate and a lingering finish.
Fermented in amphorae, the wine is rich and dense as if it had been fermented in open fermenters. The wine is ripe and very concentrated, full of black plums and generous tannins. It still needs to age, so drink from 2018.
Exotic yellow-spice notes meet with lean lime pith on the light and crisp nose of this old-vine expression from a historic winery. Meyer-lemon rind and juice show brightly on the palate, where grippy chalkiness complements rich lemon-curd flavors.
Golden color and hints of oatmeal on the nose signal some evolution. The palate rewards this notion with rounded harmony: there is the merest touch of dark honey to the autolytic notes of wholemeal biscuit. Rounded lemony freshness stirs through everything and is dispersed with all of the tiny bubbles bursting. Lovely, resonant, very integrated and lasting.
As is right for a Bandol, Mourvèdre is the dominant grape in this rich wine. It is spicy from the same wood aging that also gives a mint-chocolate flavor to the powerful red-plum and berry fruits. The wine is still young, still firm. Drink from 2019.
A solid and nuanced sip of this varietal for a fair price, this bottling of older vines from Paso's eastern flanks shows plump elderberry and cedar on the elegant nose. A smoked-chocolate flavor hits the palate, bolstered by blackberry syrup, white pepper, bay leaf and dried basil, with plenty of both tannin and acid.
Produced from 25-year-old vines, the wine was aged in oak for 24 months. It is a concentrated wine that is ripely spicy, full of black fruits and tannins that are still very present. It is a dense wine that will develop well, impressively rich and still balanced. Drink this wine from 2019.
The wine is rich with a dusty tannic character. It has black-currant flavors that are packed with both fruitiness and balanced acidity. The organic grapes give a pure line of ripe fruits that are going to integrate well with the tannins. Drink starting from 2018.
This ripe, dark Maipo Syrah opens with slightly generic aromas of blackberry and black cherry. Rich, resiny and creamy on the palate, this tastes oaky at first; next come roasted spicy blackberry flavors in front of a minty finish with wood-spice notes and barrel-related tannins. Drink through 2021.
Reserved on the nose at first, this wine eventually releases pressed black raspberry and elderberry fruit as well as a peppery teriyaki element. Similar fresh fruit shows on the palate, enhanced by anise, dried sage and other aromatic herbs.
The second of the producer's estate Syrahs, this one planted in Altamont soils, this full-bodied beauty shows juicy acidity in support of blackberry, blueberry and black licorice. Compost and tea provide an earthy underside, as the finish grips in leather.
A clean aspect shines through this wine that offers all the freshness of green and yellow citrus along with a herbal glint, perhaps of citrus foliage. This is concentrated and comes with disarming purity and freshness that's wonderfully precise and dry.
Riesling has an ability to unite opposites: ripeness and tartness of fruit, a slender frame and unexpected weight. This dry and harmonious wine shows off these contradictions perfectly. A spiky freshness of citrus meets the generosity and juiciness of stone fruits. It is the dialectic between them that thrills.
The aromas are brooding, with notes of orange peel, mineral, raspberry and cranberry. The palate is flavorful yet reserved with a lingering fruit-filled finish.
A wisp of a wine that's dark-salmon in color, this is made entirely from Grenache grapes grown near the town of Davis. It's dry, light and fun, offering a strawberry and watermelon fruitiness, with a trace of spice on the end.
At first, this smells charred and meaty, but blackberry, leather and roasted plum aromas soon sneak out. This runs big, with good acidity and manageable tannins. Flavors of cherry and cassis are lively and familiar.
This is a smooth, orange- and peach-flavored wine, with a rich almost oily texture. It's rounded with light acidity on the finish. With its weight, this is a wine for food.
This is a little wayward and funky on the nose, with a lightly pickled aroma. It's a forward Cava with a yeasty, creamy feel. Its acidity and proper bubbles set up flavors of pastry, powdered sugar and sweet apple. The finish is quick, ending with a white-pepper flavor.
This is a piercingly fresh wine from vines close to the Atlantic Ocean. The citrusy acidity is balanced by riper yellow fruit and pineapple. Age for a few months, but it can also be consumed now.
This is spicy and dusty on the nose, with a hint of agave and roasted berry aromas. Feels full, good and zesty, with driving black-cherry, plum and raspberry flavors. It shows herbal shadings and fresh tomato on the finish. This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah and Carignan.
This is a pleasant fruity wine in a bottle that is too heavy for its attractively light and soft contents. There are red berry fruits followed by rounded tannins and layers of ripe fruits. Drink now.
This bright, easygoing wine is endowed with fragrant violet, iris, red berry and tilled soil aromas. The sleek, no-frills palate offers crushed red berry, white pepper and a hint of coffee alongside lively acidity and limber tannins. It's simple but well made. Drink through 2017.
Made with Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this opens with aromas of blackberry jam, iris and a whiff of new leather. The zesty palate shows black cherry and a hint of clove alongside brisk acidity and drying tannins that leave a sharp finish.
Salted caramel and baked apple contribute to the rich, full-bodied luxuriousness of this wine. Matchstick, lemon tart and pineapple add to the experience, finishing tart and with substance.
This opens with pretty scents of plum, blue flower, baking spice and a whiff of leather. The lean palate doesn't live up to the nose, showing raw sour cherry, orange peel and a hint of fennel seed accompanied by dusty, fleeting tannins that dry out the finish.
A blend of Merlot and Malbec, this is firm and still tannic, with a rich backdrop of broad fruits. Black currant and black cherry flavors are cut with acidity to give a tight texture. The aftertaste is smoky and ripe. The wine has good aging potential, so drink from 2017.
Packaged with a label depicting a colorful if inventive map of the appellation, this wine conveys hibiscus punch, cranberry and cherry notes on the nose, with a touch of lavender and sagebrush. Biting acidity and peppery grip dance on the palate, where cranberry and plum skins are tart and bitter but leveled by fresh oregano herbs.
A light tawny shade, this shows scents of straw and orange peel. The mouthfeel and somewhat deadened fruit flavors suggest some premature oxidation is occurring. Overall it lacks freshness, and should be consumed shortly.
An entry-level wine from the pioneering vintner, this works as an everyday sipper, with notes of black cherry, crushed clove and tarry earth on the nose. The medium-bodied palate offers grippy cranberry flavors with dark spice and a tart sizzle.
From the winery's estate, this wine opens in pretty floral notes of jasmine and orange blossom, following on the full-bodied palate with baked pear and vanilla. It finishes tart and dry.
Made with 100% Sangiovese, this easygoing wine has subdued aromas of blue flower and strawberry. The straightforward palate shows crushed red cherry, leather and a sprinkling of cake spice.
This simple, quaffable red is a solid introduction to the Wirra Wirra stable. Ribena-like cassis notes dominate, picking up hints of vanilla on the palate and finishing crisp and dry.
A light, citrus dominated wine, this is fresh and fruity. It has an attractive, clean palate, simple fruits and crisp acidity. The wine is ready to drink.
Half Merlot and half Tannat, this is a wine to drink young for its fruitiness. Blackberry flavors dominate over the gentle tannins and intense succulent acidity. The wine is ready to drink now.
Fresh, tangy and citruslike from the aroma through the finish, this light- to medium-bodied wine has crisp acidity and light fruit flavors. It's very appealing for occasions when the wine doesn't have to be a show-off.
One of the most unusual wines you'll ever encounter, this is a field blend of a single vineyard block planted to 25 different varieties. It's a tawny-rose color, off dry and quite fruity, with suggestions of citrus, peaches, stone fruits and more. Though not fortified, it's almost Port-like in color and flavor.
Soft and approachable, this full-bodied wine features classic elements of blueberry, blackberry and leathery chocolate that finish without much ado.
This is a Sauvignon Blanc in a ripe, tropical fruit style. It is soft with only the faintest herbal, citrus tang. The fruit is smooth, rounded allowing just the right space for the acidity to finish the wine with a lift. Drink now.
Because it comes from vines in one of the coolest parts of the Douro, high on the plateau north of the river, this is a fresh, fruity wine. It has crisp apple acidity that is made richer by touches of apricot and light spice. The wine is tight, a straight line of clean acidity. Drink from the end of 2016.
Chardonnay and Arinto make a particularly satisfying blend with the roundness of the Chardonnay given a fresh, crisp lift by Arinto. This wine is soft while shot through with lemon acidity. Light and fruity, it is ready to drink.
Aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, ground pepper and a whiff of toast lead the nose. The straightforward palate offers dried cherry, pomegranate and roasted coffee bean alongside fine-grained but fleeting tannins that leave a mouth-puckering finish.
Intensely generous in toffee and buttered caramel, this wine veers into a perception of sweetness, held up by a thick presence of oak. Medium bodied, it tastes heavier than expected.
Grassy aromas feature a note of green banana and yeast. This feels round but hardly chunky, with reasonable core acidity. Flavors of citrus and apple are simple and clean, while a lemon-lime note and a hint of honey take care of the ending.
The winery calls this a Super-Tuscan blend, though the inclusion of 38% Carmenère might have some Italian vintners scratching their heads. The rest is mostly Sangiovese, with bits of Syrah and Cabernet as well. Juicy citrus and purple berries, some pomegranate and dark chocolate can be found, along with the green bean, stemmy flavors of Carmenère.
Sweet, ripe tannins are embraced by a soft texture and touches of black pepper in this multiple appellation wine. Robust, if not bordering on crazy ripe, it needs food to find itself fully.
A leathery texture gives this wine a rough, roguish edge, around flavors of baked plum and mocha. Medium bodied, it's approachable and ready to enjoy now.
Muted on the nose, this tightly wound white is thickly textured yet light bodied in fruit and power. Apple and melon are the stars of the show, gently riding a wave of chalky tannin.
A touch of mineral astringency accents crisp, primary flavors of white peach and melon in this sprightly off-dry Riesling. It's not a complex wine but tart tangerine acidity marks a refreshing finish. Drink now.
Dry, mild, dusty berry aromas are simple but correct for the variety. This feels scattered across the palate, with some stickiness. Resiny, oaky, buttery flavors of generic berry fruits finish short, with a mild but lasting green note.
Measured oak cradles spicy pepper and a richness of vanilla-kissed black cherry and blackberry in this bold, full-bodied wine, that yes, would pair deliciously with wild boar.
Loam, berry, lavender and spice aromas are all welcoming. This is full in body—solidly structured and tannic. Savory to the max flavors of peppery berries finish tight and juicy. Drink through 2020.
This is a brawny, leathery expression of the variety, explosive on the palate in brambly blackberry and black cherry. Leather, coffee and tobacco give it additional edge and savory qualities that work within its full-bodied, ripe and rich context.
Aromas of mineral, dried herb and plum are followed by fruit flavors that display depth and purity. It shows a lovely sense of elegance.
Allspice, cinnamon cookies and nutmeg kick off the nose of this bottling, then come turned earth and blueberry fruit. Hearty blueberry and blackberry fruits show on the sip alongside coffee grinds and cooked meats. It's quite hearty in structure, but fruity all around.
Gently savory hints of yeast on the nose lead to an easy, refreshing palate. This is light, with notes of citrus and pear, but it has a concentrated core and comes with a clean, moreish finish and harmonious balance.
This is a thick, rich and chocolate-laden wine, soft and generously ladened with tannin. Cigar, cedar and dried sage remind one of its varietal intent, while its medium-bodied size allows for plushness on the palate.
An apple scent and crisp, fruity, lightly herbal flavors lend plenty of refreshment to this graceful, medium-bodied and unoaked wine. It has great acidity and a dry but not austere personality. Kerner is a cross of the German grape varieties Riesling and Trollinger.
Dark and hearty in the glass, this blend of Merlot, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon is lush and inviting to the nose, with milk chocolate, caramel, black cherry and crème de cassis aromas. The palate shows tobacco and coffee tones as well as black cherry, black currant and elderberry fruit, with tannins that settle in softly.
Rich, spicy aromas and flavors of black cherry and cedar make this full-bodied wine from one of the longest-running wineries in California's Sierra Foothills hard to resist. It has a feeling of breadth and depth on the palate alongside lush layers of tasty fruit.
Bold, well structured and nicely dry, this wine has plenty of dark-red color, appetizing black-cherry and wild-berry aromas, and ample but not overripe fruit flavors. A full-bodied, grown-up kind of wine, it doesn't overdo anything and will be great at the dinner table.
Old vines, at least 40-years-old, are behind this ripely structured wine. It was wood aged to give the extra richness this producer looks for. With concentration and tannins, this cru will age. Drink from 2018.
A blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, this opens with aromas of dark plum, tobacco, cooking spice and a balsamic note. The dense palate delivers black currant, licorice and clove set against round, polished tannins.
A substantial addition of 18% Merlot and smaller touch of 2% Cabernet Franc contribute to the heartiness and warmth of this wine that is tight in tobacco and graphite, with a smattering of coconut. Bittersweet chocolate, clove and dried herb contribute aroma and full-bodied flavor.
Generous aromas of rose petal and lemon zest meet dry but fruity flavors recalling crisp kiwi and apricot in this dramatic, flavorful wine made from the Symphony grape variety. The texture is crisp and tangy, and the flavors are vivid.
The blended wine from Two Paddocks is a crowd-pleaser in 2015, offering medium body, silky tannins and enjoyable notes of baking spices and red cherries. It's a fine introduction to the brand and the region, delicious now, yet capable of aging through at least 2020.
This proprietary blend combines 63% Pinot Grigio from Carneros, 22% Traminer from Carneros and a small percentage of Moscato Giallo from Lodi. Together they harmonize in a light, crisp and floral bouquet of apricot, ginger and lemon, never becoming overly fussy and instead focusing entirely on refined refreshment.
Lush without being overtly oaky in aroma, this wine has a wonderful, creamy texture, lots of ripe pear and melon flavors, full body and a nicely viscous mouthfeel. Pair its richness with richness, counterpointing scallops or even a steak.
The easy joy of sun-drenched stone fruit is evident on nose and palate. The exuberance is only increased by a smattering of lively white pepper and savory yeast. A total joy.
This wine may surprise you with its rich round full-bodied fruit. It's not the racy, high-acid style you might expect from a BC winery–rather it pumps up the flavors with pear, peach and papaya front and center, clean and fresh. Fermentation took place in a mix of oak, concrete egg and steel.
This juicy, medium-bodied wine offers a mix of crisp lemon meringue and richer notions of pear compote and biscotti. Grapes are sourced from a range of vineyards, including Saralee's.
Made with 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 20% Syrah, this offers aromas of red plum, black currant and clove. The savory palate delivers black cherry, blueberry jam and licorice alongside smooth silky tannins.
This opens with aromas of toast, French oak, chopped mint and coconut. The dense, approachable palate offers dried black cherry, raspberry jam, anise, coffee and a vanilla note alongside chewy tannins. Drink through 2020.
New leather, blue flower, espresso, chopped herb and mature plum aromas lead the way. The dense palate offers black cherry, blackberry, sage, clove and star anise set against firm fine-grained tannins that leave an assertive finish.
Earthy aromas of truffle, underbrush, tilled soil and mature dark-skinned fruit take shape on this full-bodied red. The powerfully structured palate offers macerated black cherry, cassis, espresso and licorice alongside the warmth of alcohol. Firm close-grained tannins provide the gripping framework. Drink 2018–2025.
The wine is fruity while still being closed up and tight. That allows for hints of the apple flavors to come through while still retaining a nervy, steely character. Drink from 2016.
Done entirely in stainless steel tanks, this includes a percentage of fruit from Girardet's original 1971 plantings. It went through full malolactic, resulting in a broad, somewhat dilute wine with lightly spiced flavors of green and yellow apples. Notes of lemongrass and metal come up in the finish.
Tropical fruit and white-flower aromas are foxy and strained. This is scattered and flabby on the palate, with pithy, lightly bitter citrus flavors blending with sweet mango in front of a tropical finish with papaya, mango and sugary melon notes.
Aromas of pressed white flower and a hint of stone fruit lead the nose. The simple palate offers subtle green apple and unripe yellow peach alongside bright acidity.
Another 100% Syrah from the producer aged in two-thirds new French oak for 18 months, this has a dullness around the fruit, a sourness almost, that is not otherwise sparked by its notes of meat and gunpowder.
This is a gentle style of Sauvignon Blanc that has just a touch of herbaceousness to go with the fresh, young grapefruit and crisp apple flavors. It's a wine to drink this summer.
This is a tough wine, filled with tannins and missing out on the fruit. Its structure is powerful, dark and dry, packing a punch of the hard texture. There is some juicy fruit, although it is not likely to ever soften the wine completely.
In the Loire, while Malbec remains dry, it has a softer profile, giving stalky blackberry fruits and very fresh acidity. This wine is light and likely to mature quickly. Drink from 2016.
Light and ethereal in color, this vineyard-designated wine has a thinness. It's also marked by a funky herbal taste that can best be described as bouquet garni, but especially sage, veering into tomato leaf.
Aromatic and fruity, this is a soft and ready-to-drink wine. It has the lightest touch of tannins, a fresh wild-strawberry flavor and a finish that is dry and crisp in acidity. Drink now.
Fragrances suggest white spring flower and green melon. The light, straightforward palate offers Granny Smith apple and green pear alongside bright acidity.
Juicy in a slightly overripe way, this sweet, plummy and jammy wine is soft and supple in broad tannins. On the finish, a combination of smoke and vanilla make their point.
An oaky bouquet is led by vanilla and sawdust aromas. This is chunky and round on the palate, with woody flavors of green-leaning stone fruits. The finish is oaky and creamy in feel, with moderate flavors of peach and nectarine.
This gently ripe wine has generous apple flavors, tropical fruits and the freshest warm, rounded aftertaste.
Spicy purple fruits come up quickly, followed by flavors of leaf, earth and stem. Tannins are tight and slightly coarse, and it ends suddenly.
This blend of 57% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 6% Mourvèdre and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon shows black plums, roasted figs, cinnamon stick, uncrushed clove and star anise on the nose. That great nose doesn't translate yet to the palate, which is sticky with dark plum skin tannins, and proves a bit too leathery for drinking right now. Wait awhile and this one might work better.
Smoky, cooked berry aromas lead to a full, flabby, rubbery-feeling palate with baked black-fruit flavors that suggest baking spices. A soft finish is low on verve and tastes a bit sugary and sweet.
Floral white-flower aromas settle on buttercup and lees notes, while in the mouth this is creamy but low on structure. Yeasty peach and apple flavors finish chunky, and overall low acidity is an issue.
The best of the 2011 Pinots from Bergström, this firm and balanced wine is based upon a solid core of raspberry and cherry fruit. Nicely framing the ripe fruit flavors are streaks of herb, leaf and stem, all in proportion with not a hint of bitterness. A lick of orange peel elevates the finish.
This is a big, chocolate and dense fruit flavored wine. It shows strong signs of extraction, giving a bitter character along with licorice flavors. That's balanced by the great weight of fruit, solid fruit tannins and rich smoky flavors. Drink this powerful wine from 2018.
In this still-young wine, flavors of wood aging show strongly and the ripe and rich fruit still needs time to develop. As it does, the blend of Antão Vaz, Verdelho and Viognier will bring out a great perfumed character and rich fruitiness. Drink from 2017.
Yellow peach, pear, mineral, Alpine herbs and almond jump out of the glass. The elegant but structured palate delivers a great depth of flavors alongside crisp acidity. It's already delicious but will also develop more complexity over the next few years. Drink now through 2016.
Writer Hans Christian Andersen lived in Portugal for a short time and this is a homage from the Danish owner of Cortes de Cima. It's a powerful wine with a dark side that's very suitable for those fairy stories. Big tannins, black fruits and a dense structure all promise aging. Drink from 2018.
Earthy aromas at the outset subside to reveal bright tangerine, honey and saffron notes on this intensely fruity, medium-sweet wine. It's punchy on the palate, with streaks of sweet mango and peach preserve, but anchored by hints of spice and dust that are complex and intriguing. This finishes long, with a slick of honey and wax.
Stalky compost and wilted floral aromas are as present as the underlying basic berry scents. This varietal Alicante Bouschet is tannic and slightly abrasive in feel, while warm, bitter, peppery plum and cherry flavors leave heat and burn on the finish.
Grapy wild blackberry aromas and then a tough, tannic palate tell you most of what you need to know about this hard-knuckled specimen. Flavors of grape skins, plum and blackened spice finish bitter and peppery.
Stalky berry aromas lack overt ripeness and pop. This feels pushed to the center, with minimal mouthfeel. Stalky, lightly burnt and leathery berry flavors finish hot and dried out.
The color is unusually light and brick-red, and this wine as a whole is rather light. Aromas are quite vivid and sharp, like smoke, herbs and rhubarb. The flavor is complex before it turns lean and sharp on the finish.
Buttery oak aromas cover up any white-fruit character this Mallorcan white might have in store. Resiny, corny, overly oaky flavors finish like a bowl of buttered movie popcorn.
An unusual floral aroma is matched by a super fruity-floral flavor that dominates the taste. The wine is full bodied, somewhat tannic and seems a bit sweet due to the flavor spectrum.
This 100% varietal wine was aged 18 months in American oak and is vaguely pharmaceutical in aromas. Its elusive fruit stays wrapped in thick, unforgiving tannin.
Juicy at first, this wine begins to dull on the palate, offering not much in terms of flavor, with plenty of powerful tannin.
Aromas of reduction and overripe fruit are followed by off-dry flavors that lack cohesion.
Somewhat unstructured and overripe, this wine doesn't display much fruit, but has plenty of oak, particularly on the finish.
Otherwise charming aromas of apple, pear, wet stone and citrus are marred by a hint of something cidery or varnishy. The overall effect isn't completely unpleasant, just lacking a little in purity and freshness.
This rosé lacks freshness from the start. The nose is mealy and smells of red-apple skins. An oily palate is grabby and flat, while briny melon flavors are also flat. Salty tasting on the finish.
The eucalyptus in this wine detracts from what else might be going on. It provides a medicinal atmosphere that's hard to shake, leading the way to a lean, bitter finish.
An earthy tasting wine, this has tannins and hints of soft, perfumed red fruits. Acidity gives the wine freshness although the dry, rustic character is off-putting.
Dusty, briny aromas are low on fruit and charm. This has a hollow, flimsy makeup to go with bitter tangerine and raspberry flavors. At this point, it's almost not worth it. It's better to wait for the 2015.
This wine's peach, melon and flowers aromas are bright. The palate is dry and fleshy with a bitter note that distracts.
Aromas are mildly floral, fresh and fruity and the flavors are sweet and mouthfilling. This could be a cocktail wine for people with sweet tooths or something to go with dessert.
Untamed, foxy aromas of wild berry, bramble bush and olive come in front of a palate with nails for tannins. This tastes highly herbal or mildly green, depending on how you look at it. A raw, hot finish renders this low on charm.
This wine starts out quite reductive, with sulfurous aromas that provide significant distraction. The flavors are light and show a pleasing elegance but can't make up the difference.
This wine is all bluster and brawn, pruney in its sweet, prolific tannin and oak. Dried cherry takes on a jammy, baked quality that devolves quickly amid the concentration and power.
This earthy wine presents barnyard flavors over the riper red fruit and licorice flavors. Drink now when the fruit is at its best.
Aromas of melon and pear lead to fleshy ale, apple and citrus flavors with a pinch of sugar sweetening the finish. There's some interest but the concentration doesn't seem all there.
This is a dull, hugely tannic wine. It's hard to penetrate, with its robust use of dry oak and heat. The finish delivers a shot of gunpowder and graphite.
Oaky aromas like smoked bacon and rich, fruity flavors give this wine a lot of personality. It has a soft, thick texture and a hint of sweetness that rounds it out.
A blast of burnt wood and sawmill is the greeting on this heavily oaked Garnacha. Specific aromas of wood shavings, creosote and Bourbon barrel amount to a sundae's worth of oak notes. Flavors of char, coffee, chocolate and burnt wood dominate this overly oaked wine that is weak on core fruit.
Barnyard aromas atop berry scents make for a nose that's not entirely clean. A clipped, tough palate has hard tannins and short berry flavors. A finish with heat and bitterness makes this a tough go.
The majority of the grapes for this wine hail from Monterey County, with a large portion also coming from Napa County. The remaining 19% are from Sonoma County. In all, the wine is a tad simple and generic, not offering much in the way of aroma or flavor.
This wine is tight and tannic, with a rustic hint of leathery saddle and barnyard that makes it hard to highly recommend.
Volatile aromas provide significant distraction. The black- and blue-fruit flavors are easy drinking but can't provide enough counterbalance.
Unusually dry and tangy, this light-bodied wine smells like celery and herbs, and tastes very lean and straightforward.
There's a hint of smoke that adds a dark edge to the pretty white floral notes of this easy drinking, elegantly balanced Sauvignon Blanc. It's dry and refreshing on the palate, while hints of waxy minerality and bitter lime pith lend complexity to the finish.
A powerful, tannic wine, very dry and firm. Underneath the dry exterior, there are great fruits waiting to fully express themselves. It will always be a structured wine, the black fruits a serious component along with the spice from wood aging. Keep for 4–5 more years.
With its stumpy, old fashioned bottle and cork, this is an LBV for aging. It is perfumed and smooth, with a core of solid tannins and a firm texture. Black fruits and just the right amount of sweetness balance the dryness of the spirit. Keep for several years, or drink now.
This is rather fresh in style for a 2009 from the Southern Rhône, with bold cherry and chocolate notes, reasonably crisp acids and softly dusty tannins. That said, it's a mouth-filling wine, but one that's harmonious and easy to drink.
Chorey-lès-Beaune, on the plain just north of Beaune, can offer—as here—good value for Burgundy. This wine, still showing some young austerity, has the potential to develop into a bold, fruity selection that will always have a firmer structured edge.
This blend of 80% Malbec with 20% Syrah is dense and rich but a touch flat on the nose, with blueberry and cumin accents. The palate feels heavy and tannic, while flavors of blackberry, prune and herbs are nice. A drawing, hard finish harks back to the tannic palate, and given that this is already six years old you might as well drink it now.
An aromatically distinctive wine, with notes of peanut shells, dried apricot, and lees. A hair off dry, it's broad and textured, with vibrant acidity, finishing just a touch bitter.
While it shares the same floral overtones, the 2010 Bedell Cabernet Franc is a marked contrast to the demure 2011 vintage. This one is a bold, concentrated powerhouse of red cherry flavor, with a rich, lavish texture and a dark granite minerality that's penetrating to the finish. Equally good, but fascinating side-by-side.
A distinctive streak of cola runs through this wine, along with a mix of wild strawberries and spice. It's elegant and seamless, doing a lovely, gentle fade into a lightly spicy finish.
With feline aromas of juniper bush, grass and sweaty citrus, this is true Sauvignon Blanc. Oak aging has lent an easiness to the mouthfeel, which shows good acidity. Flavors of green fruits, melon and pithy bitterness end in chalky clarity. This is one of Argentina's best Sauvignon Blancs.
Earthy, oaky, leathery berry and spice aromas come around nicely with airing. This is a plump Rioja with modern leanings; it has good structure and pretty raspberry and cassis flavors. A round finish hints at raisiny maturity but doesn't overdo the ripeness. Drink through 2015.
A hint of spritz introduces this brisk, fresh Sauvignon Blanc, adding verve to concentrated notes of waxy white florals, peach and grapefruit. Mineral tones and a whiff of green lend complexity to the finish.
This bright, intensely citrusy Sauvignon Blanc boasts concentrated lemon rind and white blossom notes highlighted by a shower of minerality. It's a dry, refreshingly brisk wine with hints of wax and honey that add richness to the palate.
The wannabe Grand Cru of Belzbrunnen has produced this marvellously mature wine. It's fully ripe and shows its perfumed flavors strongly. The acidity is still very present, giving a tight presence to this impressive wine.
An aromatic wine with great depth, this is complex and concentrated. It brings out a great tangy, zesty, steely character that has freshness as well as richness in equal measure. White fruits and red currants leave a crisp, taut aftertaste.
Pronounced Kay-lee, this is sourced from Red Mountain, hence the graphite and grain in the tannins. Lush cherry, tobacco and earth flavors combine, with a whiff of smoke wafting through the wine from start to finish.
The Jolie Bouche is dark and brambly, packed with blackberry fruit, baking spices and a dusting of black pepper. The supple tannins carry a streak of graphite and clean earth.
Already seven years old when tasted, this stunning wine demonstrates the aging potential of top Verdicchios. It has a layered fragrance of dried acacia flower, broom and beeswax, while the palate delivers a lovely depth of flavors that recall ripe yellow peach, lemon drop, tangerine and sage, with a hint of honey on the close.
This round, rich and spicy estate-grown Merlot greets you with all the right stuff (and stuffing) from the first sniff. Clean berry and cherry fruit, with a light touch of peppery herb, rolls into silky tannins and pretty baking spices. A fine value.
Aromas of red fruit, vanilla and cigarbox start this Cabernet Sauvignon from Greece. Its flavors are rich but balanced—cinnamon, cedar, cherry and savory spice—and the wine finishes clean and dry. Elegant with ageable potential.
Warm, cinnamon-spiced blueberry and plum flood the palate, while approachable and supple tannins charm their way from start to long finish. This has wonderful balance of structure, fruit and medium-full body. This has huge charm right now and is very seductive, but it will also age well, if you can wait.
There is something subliminally medicinal about these aromas—the ethereal lift of herbal tinctures alloyed with dark plum and a generous dash of white pepper. This is not for beginners looking for easy fruit notes, but rather for those who like to converse with their wine. This layered, compelling and balanced glassful will provide food for thought with its finely structured tannins, medium body and bundles of flavor.
Scott Southard has flipped the percentages from the 2010 vintage, placing Roussanne in the driver's seat, and Viognier holding up one third of the blend. Bright, tropical fruits are set in a frame of lusciously toasty oak, with highlights of roasted almonds and a bit of butter. Firm and substantial, with excellent depth.
Notes of hawthorne, acacia and tropical fruit open this quintessential expression of Verdicchio. The fresh, juicy palate is loaded with pineapple, creamy white peach and lemon custard flavors, accented by hints of balsamic herbs and ocean-like salinity. Energizing mineral adds to the depth. Hold for 2–3 years to develop complexity or enjoy now for the fruit purity.
If you expect coquettish flirting you must go elsewhere: this amply layered red will not give up its secrets easily. But engage with it and it will reward with poised, polished structure, subtle pepper spice and ripe but reined-in cherry fruit. The more time you spend with it, the more you'll discover. Ready from 2015.
Certainly sweet, this is a rich wine that is maturing well. It has weight and spice and a soft, opulent texture. It's sourced from grapes grown on the steep slopes above the city of Barr. Drink now and until 2018.
An unusually rounded, fuller-bodied Zweigelt in a rather successful marriage with oak. Cinnamon, clove and vanilla flesh out the fresh cherry and blackberry flavors to result in a harmonious, appetizing wine with supple, ripe tannins and a resonant finish.
This wine is still youthful, but solidly structured, dense and concentrated. It's dry in style but laden with fruits that have only begun to show through. Give this impressive wine several more years in the cellar. Drink from 2016.
This is a full-bodied and rich wine with touches of vanilla and toast from wood aging that are integrated into flavors of ripe apricot, lime and herbs. Drink now, and until 2019.
Although the sweetness is not indicated on the label, this is a medium-dry wine, edging towards the sweeter end. It has intense spice, intense perfume, and flavors of rosewater and tropical fruits. It should age well, so drink until 2019.
This 100% varietal wine shows notes of raspberry and chocolate sprinkled with oak spices from time in 50% new French barrels. It's wound up tightly at present, packed to the brim with red fruit flavors and firm, slightly gritty tannins.
This is a rich and full-flavored wine that still has plenty of aging ahead of it. It has a very floral character that is followed by green fruit and spice, and sustained by a tight, steely texture. Drink from 2016.
The reserve is still tightly wound, but expressive, with firm, focused flavors of cassis fruit, backed with a refreshing minerality. Chewy and stylish, its briary fruits carry through a long, sculpted finish with light accents of herb.
Structured tannins dominate this blend of Blaufränkisch, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon right now, but dense yet sleeping plummy fruit and oaky spice are waiting in the background for their time to shine. This will relax into something slinky and fruitful if you have the patience to wait a year or two; drink after 2016.
Purple-black, with rich scents of bright boysenberry fruit, and an unusual earthy umami note that adds depth to the finish. Sharp, young, acidic and grapy, this drinks like a younger wine.
Cedar and spice are the lead aromas, and beyond that there's blackberry, pepper and floral notes that rain complexity down on the bouquet. The palate is superrich, a bit tannic and deep as night, with black fruit, espresso, syrup and spice flavors. Finishes brawny and long, with toasty richness. Drink now through 2013.
Supple and inviting, from the nose of flowers and dark fruits, to the chocolatey tannins that lick the back of the throat, this is a fully-realized, smooth and most accessible red wine.
Pure, inviting and open, with cedar, tobacco, blackberry, earth and cookie dough aromas scattered all over a robust bouquet. Deep but fresh, with fine balance and a bold, jammy set of blackberry and black-pepper flavors. Finishes well, with integration and easygoing tannins. Drink now through 2013.
Warm and complete, with oak-influenced char and licorice along with black fruits on the bouquet. An elegant Uco Valley specimen with refined, full-force flavors of cola, blackberry, tobacco and chocolate. Turns more complex and satisfying on the finish. Drink this high-quality value now through 2013. A blend of Malbec at 50%, with Cabernet, Petit Verdot and Syrah.
Syrah is a core strength of Darby, and as with previous vintages, this is dense and aromatic, leading from floral scents into a dark, almost broodingly deep core of blackberries, cassis and pepper. Full-bodied and 14.4% alcohol, this captures the essential strengths of Washington Syrah, done as a fruit-driven, berry-laden style.
A Yarra Valley classic, Dry Red No. 1 is a Bordeaux-style blend marked by its restrained alcohol levels yet potent flavors. The 2007 features scents of tobacco, vanilla and cassis, with a hint of tomato emerging on the palate. It's medium-bodied, with a long finish that finishes with firm but silky tannins and lip-smacking cassis. Approachable now, but should age well for 10–15 years.
The blend in 2006 is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Syrah, 10% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc. It spent 30 months in 90% new oak. Released a year ago, it has a feminine grace and softness in the aromas, a lovely mix of flowers and spice. The Syrah brightens up the fruit, accenting berry flavors with a hint of pepper, while the Petit Verdot adds clover and violet aromas and density to the tannins.
A smooth, modern and rich version of Chilean Syrah that's bringing it. The nose is full of mineral, graphite, coconut and heavenly black fruit, while the palate is bright, pure and delicious as it leans toward black-currant liqueur, blackberry and boysenberry. Fruity to the max, with a meaty finish and plenty of body. Drink now through 2013.
Wonderfully rich, with a lush and luxurious mid-palate, this young wine is packed with berries and cassis, elevated with some citrusy acidity, and deep with notes of gravel and smoke. This wine is still hard and unresolved. Give it a lot of decanting, or just age for a few years.
Beautifully perfumed, this is now maturing. It has an elegance, lightness of touch and a wonderful almond and spice character. The fruit is softened and rounded, with the acidity lending a vivid aftertaste.
From this estate founded in the 13th century comes a finely made wine. Its dryness combines well with great flavors of red currant, raspberry and lime. It is delicious with food or as an apéritif.
This is a finely balanced wine, showing its crisp acidity and its fruitiness along with a richer character that lends weight. This is both immediately attractive and worth aging for a few months.
Atypically round for a Crozes-Hermitage—a result of the vintage—but immediately attractive, with ample weight backing up the smoky, bacony notes and plummy fruit. Finishes long and richly textured, with hints of oak. Drink now–2020.
If you haven't puzzled it out from the name, this is a Syrah-based cuvée. Aged 14 months in second-use oak, it features dark, smoky notes on the nose to balance the bright raspberry aromas, then turns darker and meatier on the palate, ending with a hint of coffee. The tannins are supple and impart a rich texture. Drink now–2017.
A potent Mencía with concentrated berry aromas along with intense oak, rubber and graphite notes. Full-bodied and sound as a boulder, with balance, tannic grip and rousing flavors of black cherry, blackberry and dark spices. Toasty and black on the finish; top-shelf Bierzo to drink now through 2015.
This reserve spends 30 months in barrel. It has lovely aromatics, with subtle suggestions of tobacco and clove woven through the base of ripe black cherry and cassis. The tannins are polished, and the finish lends a thread of iron.
Beaucastel's Côtes du Rhône is like a mini Châteauneuf-du-Pape in its blend of grapes and its sourcing, just outside that famous appellation. The 2009 is a very successful and flattering Coudoulet, with scents of garrigue and cherry followed by a palate that's round and lush without being at all heavy. Long and velvety on the finish.
This is deep, lush and earthy on the nose, with tobacco, broad spice aromas and fair but generous oak. It feels tight and balanced, with toasty, peppery flavors of cassis and black cherry. It's long, toasty and chocolaty on the finish, with layered spice accents. Drink now through 2016.
A standout in a flight of pricier Chardonnays, this young wine is tight and focused, with a pretty toasty edge. Fresh apple and white peach flavors have taken on a lot of new oak, but have the stuffing to absorb it, especially with a bit more bottle age. A lot of vanilla, custard and almond-cookie goodness fills out the finish.
This is a wood-aged wine that shows structure, dense tannins as well as juicy red fruits. The wood is finely integrated, lending a round texture to go with the dry character of the wine. For aging 4–6 years.
Pure in character, this has a taut line of perfumed white fruits, with a nervy, tight character. It is young, needing several years of aging to bring out its complex flavors.
A jump forward in quality for this pure Tempranillo. It opens with a dark, smoky nose—oaky but compelling. The midpalate remains tight and hard, but shows muscular black fruits, good length, and leads nicely into a balanced finish with ripe tannins.
A beautifully perfumed wine, with aromas of white flowers and white fruits. It's rich and full of complex ripe fruits, with a smooth texture. Intense acidity marks the finish. Screwcap.
This is a supple, spicy wine, with a core of black cherry fruit. It's complemented with lighter flavors of cola, earth and coffee. At first it seems to fade a little too quickly, but with some breathing time the finish expands and brings in notes of cracker and toast.
Merlot is certainly one of the real strengths at Fidélitas, and two different versions are offered. This broad and flavorful effort has pretty cherry fruit backed with pleasing baking spices. The finish is focused and precise, adding streaks of cinnamon and chocolate.
A wine that pushes the concept of Grüner to its limits. It is powerful, dense and concentrated, with spice, lychee and apricot flavors. This is full bodied, superrich. Screwcap.
Malbec on its own doesn't always express much in California but this wine has a huge personality and a lot of varietal character, with its heady aromatics of blueberry pie and baking spice. Medium in body, it remains spicy across the palate. The finish is long lasting, with a note of dried plum.
Judging by the success of this wine, St. Laurent seems to be this winery's signature grape. It is big, bold and packed with tannins as well as dense fruit. It's a solid- and dark-textured wine. Not yet ready to drink, this is worth aging for a few more years.
This is a rich Riesling, with soft apple and creamed-pear flavor as well as perfumed notes of white flower and white currant. The wine has a dense texture, giving both concentration and a mineral core. Screwcap.
An excellent Zin—this has an invitingly soft floral nose, mountainous black-fruit flavors and structure and plenty of depth. This should age nicely over the next 3–5 years, but it is delicious to drink now, too.
The finest example of La Nerthe's regular white cuvée I can recall, this is a creamy-textured, elegant blend of 40% Grenache Blanc, 40% Roussanne, 10% Clairette and 10% Bourboulenc. Hints of graphite and grilled pear mark the nose, followed by succulent notes of pear, melon and pineapple. There are no hard edges at all in this medium- to full-bodied wine. Drink now.
Dark and rich, this bottling is redolent of kirsch, crème de cassis, star anise and cola. The palate is framed by leathery tannins and pinpoint-like acidity that carry through to the finish, offering cola, dried black cherry and licorice flavors. A harbinger of Malibu's potential.
This is a rich and seductive yet well-balanced Chenin, offering ripe notes of stone fruit and melon that are framed by threads of lanolin, beeswax, graphite and fynbos. The medium-weight palate is bright and clean, as fresh citrus and green fruit tones are partnered with lively acidity and a pithy citrus and melon-rind flavor on the ensuring finish. Drink now–2020.
An enticing nose of cherry pie and vanilla sets the stage for flavors of ripe cherry, blueberry, white chocolate and lilac. Grippy tannins hold their own against a strong vein of acidity, and the finish is notable for its light floral lift.
Toasted nut, smoke and slate aromas lend complexity and nuance to this high-pitched Riesling Sekt. Lemon-lime acidity and vivacious effervescence give the palate an electric feel, countered nicely by delicate swirls of sweet red apple and caramel. It's concentrated and boldly penetrating through a long finish.
Candied red cherry fruit meets wild herb and wet slate aromas on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard planted in 1988. Boisterous acidity kicks off the palate, where raspberry and tart strawberry fruit flavors lead to round red plum and a slate-like rockiness. The finish is bright with acidity.
From vineyards at 400 to 1,800 feet in elevation, this wine opens with an intensely aromatic nose of honey and caramel. Sultry and seductive, with full-bodied fruit concentration, it emanates spicy fig, pear and quince, finishing bright with stony minerality.
This subtle, classically-styled red includes 6% Merlot, all of the fruit hailing from the producer's organic Chiles Valley estate. It's bright with red and blue fruit and earthy accents of mushroom and clove. Moderate tannin buoy it without bogging it down, giving it broadness on the palate and carrying its flavors long into the finish.
This inky garnet-colored wine delivers aromas of dark plums, blackberry and a soft hint of smoke. There is a good interplay of fruit and spice flavors set into a framework of firm tannins. Expect flavors of blackberry, blueberry, vanilla, anise and coffee with a touch of eucalyptus that dwindles as bright cherry and vanilla notes take over the smooth finish.
This purple saturated Malbec opens with powerful aromas of cola, tree bark and spiced blackberry. A saturated, extracted, highly tannic palate amounts to a heavy load, while baked and blackened berry flavors include a strong shot of chocolate. On the finish, more chocolate along with fig and baked berry flavors seal this rich ripe offering. Drink through 2022.
This just-released ten-year-old selection opens with inviting aromas of plum, leather, underbrush and tobacco. The approachable enveloping palate doles out mouthfuls of mature black cherry, grilled herb, cured meat, truffle and a hint of licorice framed in supple tannins. It has hit its ideal drinking window so enjoy soon.
This rich, firmly structured wine comes from a nine-acre vineyard close to the village of Pommard. Its ripe black fruits are just starting to show through the dry core. Concentrated and powerful, it will be best from 2022.
Ripe fleshy blackberry and plum notes are pristine and pretty in this richly textured Cabernet Sauvignon. It's densely concentrated on the palate, but brisk acidity and glimmers of violet, lavender and graphite lend levity and freshness. Approachable already yet regal with fine firm tannins, it's ready to drink now but should continue to improve for at least another decade.
Waxy aromas of dried stone fruits and potent oak open this classy barrel-fermented Viura. A refined palate with cutting acidity energizes woody pear and apple flavors. On the finish, resiny oak and a wave of oxidized Sherry notes are highly complex but maybe not for everyone.
Dusty slate and spice tones intensify this brisk, grapefruit-laced Kabinett from the famed Josephshöfer site. Sweet-tart lemon and tangerine flavors are scintillating and brisk, enriched by a luscious mineral slick that lingers on the palate. Its sharp, linear style is attractive already but should meld gorgeously from 2021.
This vineyard designate opens with toasted oak aromas before unleashing friendly, fruit-forward layers of green apple and pear that mellow on the palate. Softly textured, medium-bodied and measured in acidity, it lingers on the finish in nutmeg and lemongrass flavor.
Proving that not only single vineyards can make great wine, this outstanding offering entices with forest floor, black tea, herb and cherry compote flavors. It's full-bodied, laced with fine-grained tannins, expansive in mouthfeel and long-lasting on the finish.
Forest floor, dark cooking spice, chopped mint, coconut and baked plum aromas lead the way on this full-bodied red. The robust juicy palate doles out black cherry, raisin, espresso, clove and anise while firm fine-grained tannins provide plenty of structure. An espresso note closes the tight finish. Drink after 2020.
This is a delicate signature white, with lovely honeysuckle and flint aromas. High-toned acidity buoys layers of grapefruit and preserved lemon flavor, finishing with well-defined minerality.
The aromas in this bottling from Brian and Stephy Terrizzi are densely packed, recalling alpine strawberry, black plum, vanilla, rose and licorice. The structured palate is full of mouth-coating but not overbearing tannins, which reveal deep hibiscus, cinnamon spice and rosewater candy flavors.
A celebration of the generation that has run the estate, this wine is powerful and firmly structured. Made for long-term aging, it's packed with dusty tannins and dense, juicy blackberry fruit and has a concentrated aftertaste. Still developing, it will be ready from 2019.
Savory aromas of black pepper, dried beef, soy, tangy elderberry, fresh boysenberry and deep lavender show on the nose of this single vineyard study. The palate is very floral at first, and then flavors of black currant, vanilla, pencil lead, baking spice, tar and white pepper ride the waves of acidity.
Glossy and structured, this opens with aromas suggesting acacia honey, toasted hazelnut, crushed stone and a hint of light spice. The smooth but firm palate offers mature yellow apple, tangerine zest and a honeyed mineral note while fresh acidity brightens the creamy flavors. Drink through 2020.
The distinctive oak regime at Tardieu-Laurent works better with some wines and in some vintages than others. This Hermitage, from an irregular vintage, has taken to it well, combining muscle and tannin with a rich, luxurious mouthfeel and bold flavors of mulberries, espresso and baking spices. Drink 2020–2030.
Peppery and meaty, this 100% varietal wine is sourced from select estates around the valley. With lively acidity beneath its rich, ripe blackberry and cassis flavors, it shows sturdy tannin and a mild finish.
Complexity abounds on this spicy cedar-toned Cabernet Sauvignon. Ripe red-plum and cherry flavors are juicy and plush yet balanced briskly by sharp edges of acidity and graphite. It's intensely earthy, studded with notes of bramble and autumn leaf. Fine feathery tannins lead a long lingering finish.
Baked blackberry and licorice show on the nose of this Super Tuscan-style blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. It combines Old World and New World elements well, its rocky minerality framing baked blackberry fruit, underpinned by chalky tannins and steady acidity.
Aromas of black plum, raspberry and sage set the stage for flavors of black cherry, raspberry, nutmeg and clove. There's a nice sense of spice piggybacking on luscious fruit, while strong but not overpowering tannins fill the palate and gently subside into a soft savory finish.
The main estate wine from Chocapalha, this is firm, with a beautiful balance between tannins and fruit. Blackberry and wood-derived spice notes are cut with acidity. It's elegant and ready to drink.
At the western edge of the main Port vineyards, this estate is as well placed for fine wine as for Port. This richly structured Touriga Nacional has attractive acidity, perfumed black fruit and robust, tight tannins. With its wood aging, it's made to age. Drink from 2021.
Strong cedar and cooked cherries alongside purple flowers and fresh tobacco characterize the nose of this wine from the expected-to-be-approved Willow Creek district. The tannins are very pronounced but not dominant, revealing sanguine flavors of iron and bloody game.
This blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Montepulciano has aromas of toasted oak, mocha and blackberry preserves. The dense palate offers dried black cherry, fig, espresso, toast and clove alongside chewy, drying tannins. You'll also detect the presence of alcohol on the midpalate.
Tight and tart, this wine shows aromas of delicate roses and raspberries that follow through on the palate. Flavors are pure and true, somewhat simple, with a fruit-forward aspect that suggests young vines.
Hints of cedar and toast lend warmth to crisp red-cherry and plum notes in this big-bodied, yet delicately flavored wine. Bright cranberry acidity lends a fresh feel to the palate. It finishes moderately long with a hint of bitter tannin.
Pristine white peach mingles with saffron, candle wax and dusty minerals in this enticingly spry wine, but the shriekingly high acidity cuts the palate with a razor's edge. Welcome touches of honey add some balance towards the finish.
This fragrant confection smells like caramel and toasted French bread, and tastes like milk chocolate and cherries without the sugar. It is medium-bodied, very smooth in texture and almost sweet on the finish.
Tropical notes rule the nose, with guava most prominent, yet white flowers present as well. There is lemon rind-driven acidity on the apple juice-laden palate, making for a pleasant wine for drinking with light fare.
Earthy aromas recall truffle, underbrush, game and ripe plum accented with espresso. The palate offers spicy plum, dried blackberry, dried sage and licorice alongside massively astringent tannins.
Powdery notes, bath oil and white-fruit aromas make for a fragrant nose. This is solid on the palate, with citric acidity and a slight oiliness to the feel. Flowery nectarine and orange flavors set up a weighty but fresh finish. Drink now.
Earthy, warm berry aromas on the nose avoid being jammy and overripe. The palate on this everyday blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo is comfortable and balanced. Short plum and berry flavors shift to slightly lactic and creamy on the finish.
Frothy and robust, this presents aromas of blue flower, ripe plum, fig and cassis that carry over to the palate, along with spicy blueberry. It's balanced with sharp acidity and hearty tannins.
Light in color, this good-deal wine presents lime sorbet and chalk on the nose. That green citrus persists on the palate alongside salt, sea shell and barrel smoke.
Ripe, earthy aromas of berry fruits and raisins come with lactic oak and baking spice notes on the nose. Drying and tannic on the palate, this wine shows tart flavors of red berry and currant, with vanilla and oak tones leading to a creamy, soft finish.
Aromas suggest espresso, dried black currant, cedar and grilled herb. The warm palate offers oak, vanilla, licorice, stewed prune and evident alcohol. There's not quite enough fruit to support the iron-clad tannins that leave a mouth-puckering finish.
Young vines have gone into this fruity wine. It is full and rich in the mouth, with juicy black currant fruits and smoky tannins. The attractive perfume from Cabernet Franc moves easily into final acidity. Drink from 2017.
Rich and smooth, this solid, ripe wine offers a good sense of structure. It has weight, dense tannins and a creamy texture. Drink from 2015.
Floral, whitefruit aromas are mild on the nose. Citrus, melon and tropical fruit flavors ride on a balanced palate showing brightness without being sharp or scouring. The weighty finish of this Verdejo, Viura, and Sauvignon Blanc blend shows presence but isn't too heavy.
Danish pastry aromas lead to flavor nuances of cream, ripe apple and Anjou pear. With a smooth, soft texture and nice sense of layering, it's fresh, not heavy, with just enough acidity to keep it lively.
A pungent perfume of peach arises from this wine, but a flinty character keeps it grounded. The energetic peach-lemonade palate straddles the tension between acidity and rather present tannins for a white wine.
This 100% varietal is lightly aromatic with notes of herbs, cherry and barrel spices. The palate is medium-bodied with cinnamon-stick flavors, coffee tones and tart acidity.
This medium-weight Pinot Noir has a whiff of the chicken yard among its aromas, but the well-ripened cherry fruit at the core more than compensates. There's a hint of peach-skin phenolics, and the finish has enough stuffing to keep from fading too quickly. A good sipper for the near term.
Earth, leather, herb and berry aromas set up a firm palate and gripping structure. The midpalate is focused on red fruit and light oak tones, while the finish is crisp, fresh and zesty.
Made with Sangiovese, Merlot and Sagrantino, this opens with subdued, earthy aromas of leafy underbrush, tilled soil, berry and a hint of clove. The palate offers juicy wild cherry, raspberry, nutmeg and white pepper alongside mature and rather fleeting tannins. Drink through 2016.
Impressively ripe and dense, with maple syrup and citrus characters giving a delicious, full wine. Kiwi and green plum dominate the fruit, while the concentrated underlying structure gives a soft cushion of richness.
Crisp black cherry and mint aromas burst from the glass, then carry over onto the chunky, authoritative palate before finishing slightly dusty and astringent. This medium-bodied Cabernet features plenty of intensity, it just needs a little time to settle down into a more refined package.
Good but common as Chilean Cabs go. It's a jumbled mass of bulky fruit, raw power, sweet oak and spice. The mouthfeel is tannic, grabby and big, while the flavors of black cherry and raspberry are nice but generic. Finishes with spice and a hint of hickory. 20,000 cases produced.
Here's a simple, standard Chardonnay that is more neutral than anything, but at this level that's really what one should expect. The palate is a touch chunky and warm, with flavors of melon and citrus. And the finish is citric, with a little sugar and also a spot of pithy bitterness.
This tense, crisp wine is all green fruit, very straight, very fresh. Apple, pink grapefruit and almonds come together in a wine that has no complexity, but offers plenty of pleasure.
Slightly brambled on the nose, but more than that there's a strong essence of candied fruit, marshmallow and overt sweetness to the bouquet. Once it settles, the wine offers creamy, candied red-fruit flavors and then a sweet, slightly tannic finish. Wide and voluminous, but not overly refined. 25,000 cases made.
Alluring scents of wisteria, citrus and white peach lead the nose on this elegant sparkler. The lively palate doles out Bartlett pear and green apple alongside a creamy mousse and vibrant acidity, while a white almond note closes the finish.
It's easy to appreciate the buttery aromas, vivid and tangy fruit like crisp apples and Bosc pears, and lively texture with appetizing acidity, elegance and raciness. It's not a big wine but a finely detailed one.
Fresh and fragrant, this offers aromas of pressed rose, violet and just picked grapes. Made entirely with the Sorbara grape, the bright, frothy palate doles out red cherry, crushed strawberry and a spicy ginger note alongside bracing acidity.
Grassy, mildly sweaty aromas are yeasty and suggest Sauvignon Blanc or Verdejo. A fleshy, pulpy palate is round and solid, while nectarine and melon flavors get a boost from core acidity. A full-flavored, leesy finish is slightly fleshy and plump. Drink now.
Tart and tannic, this has a sleek, almost steely character, with cranberry and black cherry fruit, razor's edge tannins, and supporting acidity.
Floral scents of rose, acacia and a whiff of white tree fruit lead the way. On the palate, bright acidity lifts up white peach, green apple and lemon drop while a creamy mousse adds softness. It closes on a note of candied citrus zest.
This is a particularly earthy Pinot Noir. Beetroot and mushroom notes are dark and earthy, balanced by bright acids and supple tannins on the palate. The crisp, lean finish shows tremendous focus and length but less generosity. Drink 2018–2024.
Ripe aromas of black plum, blueberry and charcoal lead to a palate that's muscular and full-bodied. Dark, peppery, slightly bitter flavors of toasted blackberry and prune end with burnt notes and black pepper along with grabby, rubbery tannins.
Granit is the sandy granite hillside soil of northern Beaujolais. The vineyard is a neighbor to the Fleurie appellation. This textured wine is rich with cherry and red-currant flavors that are rounded out and have just hint of tannins. The wine could soften even more so wait until early 2016.
All juicy fruit, this is a bright, dry wine with delicious acidity that gives freshness. It also has a mineral edge, giving the red berry fruits a firm texture. The wine is ready to drink, although it will be better from 2016.
Made from hand-harvested Chardonnay from certified biodynamic vineyards, this is a pure, crisply fruited wine. Delicious red apples dominate along with tangy, mineral acidity. As it ages, it will produce a ripe and creamy character. Drink from 2016.
This blend of 66% Grenache Blanc and 34% Viognier is almost dessert-like in aromas, conveying lemon candy and browned honey. The palate proves very dry, with flavors of orange-blossom honey, marzipan and lemon, without any perceptible sweetness.
Enticing aromas of blackberry, coffee and roasted fennel in a pork au jus mark the nose. The palate shows dark purple fruits, chai spice and cinnamon latte foam.
Billed as a Riesling blend, this white has plenty of petrol on the nose to give it intrigue, followed by a dry, crisp and sharp sensibility of grapefruit pith and savory lime.
Delicate scents of white flowers and white orchard fruit lead the nose while the refreshing palate offers yellow apple, lime and lemon pastry. It's crisp and clean, with lively acidity and small vivacious bubbles.
Concentrated aromas of raisin, black currant, animal fur and charred wood announce a blocky, tannic palate. Grapy flavors of raisin, prune and minerals finish with peppery spice along with jammy black-fruit flavors. Drink this ripe Garnacha through 2019.
Aromas of raspberry, blackberry, green herbs and tar set up a blocky, jammy, chunky palate. Plum, raspberry, currant, pepper and oaky flavors are grainy and spicy, while a woody finish tastes resiny, chocolaty and toasty.
Aromas of Spanish broom and peach lead the nose. The vibrant, refreshing palate offers crisp green apple, Bartlett pear and lime alongside bracing acidity tempered by small but invigorating bubbles.
An aroma like baking bread and flavors like apricots, butter and almonds combine for a generous taste impression. The texture matches crispness and smoothness, providing good balance. This is dry, light bodied and feels lean while still delivering upbeat flavors.
Light white peach and apple aromas show off this boutique bottling from one of the few commercial projects in Ventura County. There'a plenty of tension on the palate, with tangy citrus and buttery nut flavors, which ultimately feel a little soft.
Bright and cheery, this delicately sweet Marquette sparkling offers loads of fresh forward grapey flavor. It's a simple and straightforward wine but briskly composed.
Vanilla aromas and sweet butter and baked apple flavors make this medium-bodied wine appealing and easy to enjoy. The acidity is very light, and the texture soft.
Bold, meaty and softly simple, this robustly full-bodied wine is redolent of mocha and brown sugar. Its ripely sweet blackberry fruit is cut with savory black-olive notes.
Slightly dusty oak tones of dill, vanilla and sweet spice accentuate the maturity of this barrel-aged Chardonnay. It's a full bodied, densely textured wine with lingering flavors of dried apple and pear. Drink now.
Crisp pears and apples abound in this light-bodied dry Riesling. It's delicate in concentration but pleasantly lemony. The wine finishes briskly but freshly.
Earthy raisin and prune aromas are good in an overripe way. Following the nose, this Garnacha-Tempranillo blend feels dense, thick and chewy. Spicy stewy berry flavors taste chocolaty on a gummy finish.
Toast and leather aromas support modest berry scents. This is full, loud and banging on the palate. Roasted blackened flavors of blackberry and plum carry a meaty note, while this remains dark and toasty on an aggressive finish.
Delicate hints of crushed mineral and white flower linger in this dry appley Riesling. Soft acidity lends a slightly broad, flat feel to the palate but the finish is clean and crisp.
This straightforward white has a shy nose, while the lean, simple palate suggests green apple and lemon. Firm acidity gives it a crisp, refreshing finish.
Blossomy in perfume, this Prosecco-inspired Finger Lakes sparkling offers fresh fruity citrus and red-apple flavors. It's softer and looser in petillance than wines made with Damiani's traditional method of bottling but striking acidity lends bold upright structure. Drink now.
A streak of vanilla winds through the almost-sweet fruit flavors of this medium-bodied and soft-textured wine. Ripe cherry aromas and strawberry jam flavors come with very little tannin and low acidity.
Key lime and honeysuckle scents show on the nose of this bottling. Pithy green apple flavors and tightly wound tension mark the palate, finishing rather short.
Fresh juice aromas and caramelized blackberry scents combine with dark chocolate and a little lavender in this blend of 44% Petite Sirah, 38% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 8% Grenache. Soft, thick and sticky on the palate, it shows tangy plum skin and tart boysenberry flavors, with sharp and strong acidity.
Resiny oak sticks out, while the palate is grabby and sticky in feel. This tastes like lemony pushcart hotdogs and the briny water they sit in, followed by a woody, low-fruit finish.
Tannic and earthy, this is dominated by the scents and flavors of dried mushrooms. There are hints of fruit leather, and not much else.
Redolent of mushrooms and forest-floor aromas, this barely hints at fruit, and what is there could be any thin, generic red wine.
Cedar aromas and raisin and prune flavors are bold in this full-bodied, fresh but rather rustic wine.
This medium-bodied and sugary tasting wine has lots of apple and pear flavors. The texture is soft and the finish very sweet.
Very ripe and obviously fruity aromas and flavors are coated with sweet-seeming oak notes that resemble vanilla and maple syrup. The wine is medium bodied and just moderately tannic.
Mature mealy apricot aromas lead to a spent palate with unfocused cidery flavors that taste old and demanding. This finishes heavy, pulpy and without much point or pleasure. Albariño is meant to be fresh and friendly, but this is neither.
Spearmint and weedy red-fruit aromas lead to raw palate. This is more herbal than fruity, with a lean rubbery finish.
Rustic tomato and cherry aromas make for a scratchy opening. This is wiry and grating in feel, with sour plum and red-currant flavors. A fresh but scratchy and herbal tasting finish isn't exactly friendly.
Aromas of canned peas and beans indicate this was probably fresher smelling nine months ago. Zesty and solid on the palate, this tastes oily, pyrazinic and briny, with stone fruit notes.
A gentle light wine that seems diluted. It has only hints of fruit and acidity, all very easy and ripe to drink. The wine is ready.
Extreme raisiny aromas are suggestive of P.X. Sherry. This is heavy and grabby on the palate while prune and raisin flavors are dominant. On the finish, this is overripe and ponderous, with fig and prune flavors.
This wine has a perceptible tawny tone despite its youth, and the scents also seem to suggest that the wine is slightly oxidized. Whiffs of sherry and apple cider lead into a soft, flat, rather dull palate of nondescript fruit.
Melon, apple and peach pit aromas are dusty but that's about it. This feels flat, with little acidity or kick. Flavors of peach and apple cider end similarly, with no vitality to the finish.
Medicinal, pungent pine-needle scents continue into the main palate. This shows barely any trace of varietal character.
This oddly perfumed and quite tannic wine is hard to decipher in terms of fruit. It remains light bodied amid the grip.
This smells heavily of grape skins, and tastes like golden raisins. The texture is slightly fizzy and very thick, and the flavors are very sweet.
This is a thin, watery wine with flavors of stem rather than fruit.
A field blend of several varieties, all organically farmed, this has a pruney aroma and flavors that lean rustic and raw, with a heaviness of weight.
This is an underripe stench bomb with pyrazines coming at you from every direction. The nose is like a bowl of cactus and nettle, while the palate is harsh. Flavors of bitter pithy grapefruit show all that can go wrong with this variety.
A strange orange-pink color for a wine that is somewhere between fruity and sweet and acid and bitter. This one hasn't found a balance.
Menthol and eucalyptus dominate over the indistinguishable fruit in this full-bodied, thick wine.
Stalky and foul on the nose, this Chardonnay doesn't smell inviting. Oily and heavy on the palate, this tastes of resiny oak, related cream and bland white fruits.
Soft and sweet, this is a light and fruity wine. Touches of raspberry are balanced by acidity. Drink now.
If you are looking for elegant, moderate (13.7%) alcohol and old vine Cabernet flavors, here is your wine. Astringent tannins and lightly herbal, earthy undertones set the stage for the complex midpalate. No fruit dominates, but rather a mix of cranberry and rhubarb, strawberry and pomegranate, along with streaks of caramel from aging in American oak.
A light-colored, lemon-zesty, cool-vintage Chardonnay that's fruit forward but has great balance and finish, light on the tongue and easygoing all around. With stone fruit and a hint of vanilla, this affordable white should also be fairly easy to find (almost 4,000 cases made) and a successful pairing with a range of lighter salads and seafood dishes.
At 7.5 g/L of residual sugar, this is more off-dry than dry, but the acidity is high enough to provide a sense of crispness. In this plump, medium-bodied Riesling, peach and citrus strike a fine balance, ending with a dollop of lime sherbet. Drink now–2018.
Te Awa's 2007 Syrah is a ripe, chunky example, with chocolate and plum notes leading the way, followed at some distance by hints of baking spices. It's firm and slightly dusty on the finish, yet mouthwatering at the same time.
With crushed strawberry and caramel flavors, this is relatively light wine, though elegant and pierced with acidity. Milk chocolate and soft tannins complete an attractive ensemble.
Vanilla, strawberry and cherry on the nose leads into a spicy but balanced blend of fresh and fruity flavors. The wine offers ample minerality so it's clean on the tongue. Delightful and flirty, and good with fruit desserts.
Finished in French oak, the Magnifique bottling from Walter Dacon seems a bit plain, almost generic in this vintage. Red fruit, noticeably high alcohol (14.8%) that you can taste, and tongue-scraping astringency suggest that this may need significantly more bottle age to pull itself together.
Round and lush, with boldly oaky notes of caramelized nuts and vanilla accenting tropical fruit. Drink now.
A subtle Sémillon that would make for a delightful apéritif or pair expertly with seafood, its crème brûlée and citrus—mostly grapefruit and lime—go easy on the tongue.
Earthy berry aromas convey quality, and there's oak, floral aromas and tobacco notes for support. Feels dry and tight, with lightly herbal, lightly burnt flavors of plum, berry, tomato and toasted oak. Finishes dry and herbal.
New wood flavors go over the structured fruit and give currant flavors. It is already coming into balance and is for medium-term aging. The vineyard is on the plain beneath the hill of Saint-Émilion.
This blend of 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 15% Carignan offers prominent wild gamy notes framed by aromas of ripe berry compote, crushed violets and soft, lush mocha creaminess. The palate is elegant and fruit-driven, with the soft spice accents unfolding on the finish.
. Recent vintages have left Bordeaux with an alcohol problem, as seen in this wine. The saving grace is the essential Cabernet Sauvignon structure and acidity that keeps the ripe Merlot in balance.
Composed of 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre, this fruit-forward rosé offers powerful notes of ripe red berries framed with a candied orange peel and watermelon sweetness. Fleshy on the palate with a full texture and body.
This wine needs some time to open up after pouring to fully express itself. With time, rich notes of black currant, brambly berry and black cherry grace the nose and mouth, with a touch of licorice root and espesso unfolding after swallow.
Solid and sturdy up front, with earthy berry and cassis aromas. Feels lively and a bit grabby, with plenty of red fruit in the plum and berry range. Finishes with a hint of smoky oak and toast. A good wine from a cool vintage.
Wild barnyard notes dance among the rich dark fruit and berry core. Garrigue and bramble accents add more character to the smooth and silky mouth, while the medium finish lands on a softly oak-kissed flavor. Drink now.
Smells a little volatile, but with airing there's enough baked fruit, leafiness, olive and tobacco to set things straight. Choppy and tannic on the palate, with herbal flavors of casssis, coffee and toast. Leafy and tasting of tobacco and olives on the finish. Drink now; contains 23% Syrah and Cab Franc in addition to CS and Carmenère.
Labeled late harvest, but not terribly sweet, this includes small amounts of Muscat, Gewürztraminer and Chenin Blanc in the blend. Lemony with both citrus rind and sweet candy flavors, it's a useful, off-dry wine with a slightly sugary finish.
Earthy, baked, raisiny aromas convey ripeness and sweetness. The palate is medium in body and intensity, with juicy acidity propping up lightly leafy and herbal berry and plum flavors. Has good length and feel, with tomato and herbs on the finish.
A bold, leathery and savory wine, this offers dark chocolate and black pepper within a soft layering of full-bodied approachability and ripe, red berry and currant.
This Pinot is lightly peppery with fruit flavors of watermelon and strawberry. They're expanded with generous skin phenolic flavors from 50% whole cluster fermentation, then softened with aging in neutral oak. Though a light wine overall, it's complex and holds your attention.
Coming off the winery's estate vineyard, this wine displays vibrant aromas of toast, honeysuckle and orange peel. The palate is rich and oily in feel, showing a mixture of fruit and barrel, with the latter not quite seeming to have fully integrated.
This light and well-made wine drinks easily and tastes just as clean and fresh as you would expect from this Oregon producer. It's crisp and inviting, with a solid structure revolving around green apple fruit and fine details of just-picked herbs.
From the northernmost of the Beaujolais cru villages, this is a ripe and full wine. With rich cherry flavors and just enough acidity, the wine is lightly structured with some dry tannins. It is ready to drink.
A ripe, well-integrated wine, this is both structured and full of fruit. It is rich with perfumed tannins and with black fruits. Drink from 2018.
Still closed and firm, this is a dry, tannic and smoky wine. With the dark tannins, it will take a while to bring out the juicy fruits that are underneath. Drink this rich wine from 2020.
Only recently identified, the Jampal is a rare and ancient local grape from the western Lisboa area, close to the ocean. It produces a crisp, tight and mineral-textured wine. This example is fresh, lively and bright with sliced apple and lime flavors and a fruity aftertaste. It is ready to drink.
Light in color, this wine offers high-toned aromas of herb, cherry, clove, wood spice and exotic spice. The palate is quite elegant in style, wanting a bit more heft to fully bring it together.
Pinot Noir is a relative rarity in Washington, this one coming from the highlands above the town of Husum. It brings aromas of earth, game, dried mushroom and strawberry that lead to plump elegantly styled fruit and savory flavors, with a finish that lingers.
Dried red fruit, a touch of tar, fresh violets and cola spice show on this bottling's nose, which is reserved in style. Dried strawberry and cranberry flavors unfold on the palate, along with hints of caramel and hibiscus, proving refreshing if not deep in style.
The fruit is at the fore here, with aromas of blue fruit, wet stone and spice, along with a whiff of tire rubber. The palate has sweet fruit flavors with nubby tannins and a tart coffee-filled finish.
This light- to medium-bodied red wine doesn't take itself too seriously and will be versatile with food. The fruity, almost jammy and fresh aromas lead to dry, substantive flavors and a tempting, smooth texture.
Soft and accessible, this pushes pretty cherry fruit forward with pleasant notes of toast and mocha. Fermented with native yeast, it has an extra dollop of texture and detail.
This is a great everyday wine, with well-integrated aromas of pressed boysenberry, dried black cherry, black pepper and a touch of asphalt. Blueberry, beef crust, soy and pepper converge on the palate. The wine is smooth enough to work with a variety of dishes but packed with enough action to serve alone as well.
The aromas are wound tightly on this bottling that eventually shows asphalt, lava rock, violet and a touch of blueberry on the nose. There's a strong dose of acidity on the front of the sip, leading into boysenberry, elderberry, pepper and herb flavors.
The aromas of cocoa and dark raspberry are speckled with light barrel accents. The red-fruit flavors are ripe and generous, dipping in the middle before coming back together on the elegant finish.
Sauvignon Blanc makes up a full 89% of this blend. It offers light aromas of melon, grass, tropical fruit and citrus that are followed by tart zingy flavors, with the concentration seeming a bit light.
The typical citrus and bright fruits of the Arinto grape shine in this wine. It is lively and fruity with pear and kiwi flavors. A touch of wood adds a richer side to the wine. Drink now.
Grown on the slopes above the Garonne river, this is a crisp wine with attractive black-currant fruitiness. It has soft tannins that are well integrated into the fruitiness and acidity of the wine. The aftertaste is crisp and the wine is ready to drink.
Bringing together the fruit of the vintage with some firm structure, this is going to be a ripe and balanced wine. It will also have plenty of juicy acidity and black currant fruits. Let this wine develop and don't drink before 2020.
This is a perfumed, juicy wine. It has attractive red-berry fruits and touches of black currant. Still young, the wine is still shot through with tannins and a firm structure. This will soften over the next year to give a fruity, smooth wine. Drink from 2018.
This is the branded Bordeaux from Jean-Luc Thunevin, so-called Bad Boy (Mauvais Garçon) of Saint-Émilion, now respected owner of Grand Cru Classé Château Valandraud. It is a richly smooth wine with touches of wood and generous blackberries. Concentrated and lightly tannic, it is fruity and ready to drink.
Bright, vivid flavors like black cherry and cranberry make this wine taste fresh and alive. Medium body and a somewhat tart but polished texture balance it out.
Floral berry and plum aromas are lightly woody. This feels full and edgy, with fairly hard tannins. Black-fruit flavors are certainly ripe, while this finishes bold and intense, with scratchy tannins. The blend is Monastrell, Tempranillo and Cab Sauvignon.
This opens with subdued aromas of dark berry, cake spice, espresso and a whiff of pressed violet. On the straightforward palate, hints of white pepper and star anise add depth to dried morello cherry while solid tannins lend support.
Briny apple and nectarine aromas are within the proper framework of brut nature. Citric and stone-fruit acidity makes for a racy palate, while this tastes mostly of peach and nectarine along with some salt and brine. A firm finish is acidic and dry.
A tangy feeling on the palate makes this light-bodied wine especially refreshing. It has appley, floral aromas and flavors, good acidity and a clean, bracing texture.
While most of this wine was fermented in French oak, a small percentage was held back in stainless steel. It finds a happy middle ground between creamy oak, even a touch of reduction, and a brightness of green apple and Jolly Rancher. It offers medium-bodied richness.
This medium-bodied wine smells sweet but tastes dry. Vivid fruit aromas and flavors, and a lively, tangy mouthfeel add lots of personality. It smells like apples and honey and tastes like crisp apples and citrus.
Vionta aims for the racy, lively style of Albariño, and for the most part it nails it. Aromas of peach and nectarine are youthful and pure, while the flavors of apple, peach and lime are pleasant. Not over the top but instead it achieves balance and ease. Imported by Freixenet, USA.
Dry, pure and attractive on the nose, with crisp apple and lemon-lime flavors. This wine performs on an even keel from start to finish, and it's dry, tangy and correct as far as brut nature cavas go. Verges on elegant.
Smooth, wood-polished wine, packed with a ripe, comfortable texture, very ripe red fruits, highlights of tannins. There are black figs, balanced with sweet acidity and fattened with some bacon flavors.
A powerful expression of Portuguese varieties, with dense tannins, dark fruit flavors and ripeness. If the alcohol is too high—and it shows in the pepper edge to the wine—it still has a sense of shape and structure.
Controlled berry and plum aromas are pure and not mucked up by too much oak. Like all Luca wines, this Syrah is bulky, full-framed and meaty. It's extracted but well balanced, with mellow fruit and a dark, crusty finish. Very pleasant and chunky, but not overwhelming. Drink now or over the next year or two.
Definitely a particular wine, meaning it's fully oaked and probably not for everyone. But if you don't mind full-out barrel notes on your citrusy Verdejo, then you should like it. There's honey, toast, popcorn, pepper and vanilla aromas and flavors, all courtesy of barrel fermentation. It's also smooth and clean, with good core acidity and balance. Nice wine; not Burgundy; not for all palates.
In cooler vintages like 2007, this white blend from Bodegas Naia excels. It gets going with pear, apple and light, leesy aromas in front of a citrusy palate that is a knock-off for varietal Sauvignon Blanc. Flavors of grapefruit, lime and gooseberry should be familiar, and the crisp fresh-lettuce finish is a winner. Good stuff for the money.
Despite substantial alcohol (16.5%), this admirably concentrated wine doesn't show that much heat, nor does it show any roasted, cooked character. Instead, it delivers black olive, leather and cassis flavors just tinged with mint and a fresh, lively finish hinting at coffee. The tannins are soft but present, helping to balance a hint of residual sugar. Drink now–2012.
A big, woody, totally modern style of Syrah. There is a lot more coconut, mocha and big berry fruit than anything you might find from France. It's dark and layered on the palate, with coconut and resin supporting black fruit. Finishes smoky and oaky, but structured, tannic and serious enough to impress.
Like you might expect from a maturing gran reserva, Imaz offers glimpses of raisin, sweet berry and even some aged cheese. In the mouth, it's all about red fruit, although an earthy undertone provides some background. Feels a little stark, zesty and lean, while the finish is solid and tastes of vanilla and leather. Drink now through 2012.
Classic, intensely herbaceous and grassy, this is fine cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc. It keeps some restraint as the fresh grapefruit flavors soften out midpalate. The final flavor, though, is full-on asparagus and green fruits.
Simple but fresh, with mild lemon and melon aromas propped up by a kiss of oak. The palate is plump, fruity and melony, with toasted corn and baked apple nuances. Comes together well.
The best wine in the El Origen portfolio is this Torrontés from northerly Cafayate. It's true to the blueprint, showing fresh lychee, honeydew and acacia aromas, which are followed by lemon-lime flavors, green-herb notes and a touch of citrus pith. Drink now to enjoy this one's lingering tropical freshness. Imported by Carolina Wine Brands USA.
Dusty, candied aromas of raspberry and stone fruits aren't all that fresh or defined. This has a grabby, citric feel and briny red-fruit flavors that are echoed on a full, chunky finish.
Candied red-fruit aromas are thin and limited. This is edgy, rubbery and tannic in feel, with rudimentary raspberry and red-plum flavors. A juicy finish is lean and tastes medicinal.
The producer takes a hands-off approach to its wines. In this case the tactic may not have paid off, the wine muted, dull and slightly sour. The acidity veers in the wrong direction vis-a-vis the fruit, which suggests tart green apple and lemon.
Aromatically unusual, this suggests raspberry jam, purple flowers, orange peel and manure. Flavors are tangy and almost seem to have a light spritz.
Aromas of canned peaches and children's vitamins lack appeal. This feels fleshy and far from precise, with a mix of oxidized white-fruit and bitter flavors that leads to a mealy finish.
The wine is stalky with a green element that suggests underripe fruit. Black currant competes with burnt flavors that will soften as the wine ages. Drink from 2017.
This lightly aromatic wine offers notes of herbs and kiwi. The flavors and acid seem dilute.
Intensely smoky aromas seep through the palate of this unusual Chardonnay. Fresh apple and lemon flavors are pleasant, but overwhelmed by savory nut and smoke tones.
This lightly volatile wine shows notes of cherry cola, dried fruit and woodspice. It doesn't drink entirely dry with the alcohol riding high on the medicine-cabinet flavors.
With very neutral aromas and flavors, this medium-bodied and reasonably crisp wine will be fine for everyday meals. Made from 60% Chardonnay and 40% Viognier, it is quiet and subdued. .
Wiry, narrow aromas of red fruits and bell pepper lead to a grabby, tight palate. Flavors of spicy plum and green herbs are slightly bitter, while the finish feels raw and tannic.
Stalky aromas make for a sketchy opening. In the mouth, this is blocky and grabby in feel. Burnt, underripe flavors of berry fruits are herbal and finish with grassy notes.
Dense, roasted, earthy aromas start with tomato and fall off to raisiny and overripe. A chunky, flabbby, raisiny palate follows suit, while raisin and fruit-cake flavors maintain this wine's soft, overripe character.
Oaky aromas of maple and molasses are overriding and ponderous. In the mouth, this is tannic and punishing. Flavors of coconut and chocolate are overly dominant, leaving nothing but candied stickiness and wood resin on the finish.
This unusual wine displays notes of cigar box, strong green herbs and woodspice. It drinks on the lighter side of medium bodied with coffee and nori flavors and a smoke-filled finish.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Merlot (35%), Syrah (22%) and Carmenère, this offers aromas of green tea, sawdust, blueberry and barnyard. The flavors are tangy and elegant in style.
Barrel notes of burnt popcorn and char overtake any varietal aromas on this wine. Flavors seem quite light accented by a lightly creamy feel.
Half Merlot, the rest a mix of Petite Sirah and Syrah, this has a bell pepper and jalapeño greenness that can't be avoided in aroma or taste. From there, the wine seems diluted yet finishes with a hit of heat.
Flower and hay aromas lead to simple pear and spice flavors in this basic white. Mild woody notes show on the finish. Drink now.
This wine is aromatically untoward, with notes of green herbs, bell pepper, dried tobacco and black pepper. The flavors are silky in feel and show decent concentration along with tart acids.
Notes of ash partner with white pepper, herbs and peach. This wine is very light in style without the concentration to stand it up.
Syrupy red-berry and cherry aromas are medicinal, while the mouthfeel on this blend is hard and abrasive. Berry and herbal flavors are on the sour side, while the finish does nothing to bring this around.
Grassy aromas mix with whiffs of red licorice candy and cinnamon to create an odd nose. Hard on the palate, this blend tastes of rubbery plum and pepper, with a minty, green finish closing it out.
The bringing-together of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese is rough, coming off as dry, smoky and a tad odd on the palate, the fruit hidden from sight.
Roasted, barnyard, leathery aromas of lemony oak and tomato are far from ideal. This has a scratchy, tartaric feel to it, while herbal raspberry flavors are backed by a mulchy aftertaste. It's stewed on the finish and weedy.
Aromas on this wine are faint with notes of soda water, vanilla and peach. The stone-fruit flavors seem washed out and dilute.
This wine offers a somewhat untoward combination of herbs, nori, tire rubber and blue fruit. Flavors are sharp-edged backed by chalky tannins.
This is a basic white wine with a few quirks. It smells floral and appley, and tastes quite dry and a bit sharp while carrying a candylike marshmallow note.
Owned by the same Henri Bourgeois family that produces a dizzying array of Loire wines, this tastes a bit like a Loire wine. It's lean and tart in style, with barely ripe fruit that is accented by herbal notes and a crisp finish. Drink now.
A hint of adhesive bandage on the nose casts a sweaty note over the otherwise pretty tones of violets and cherries. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, and it's tart and tangy on the finish. Drink now.
Round and softly fruity, this white Burgundy comes with a hint of vanilla. With its ripe apple, lime and yellow fruit flavors, it's instantly drinkable. The finish is touched by acidity.
High acidity makes this wine taste bright, fruity and light. There is only a hint of dry tannin to the red currant flavor.
Notes of orange and lemon preserves on the nose lead into flavors of orange, lemon and vanilla on the palate. It finishes with a touch of spice.
Most of Saint Clair's Pioneer Block offerings are excellent, but the 2011 Block 16 from the Awatere comes across as a simple, fruit-driven Pinot Noir. A punched-up cherry note dominates, leaving little room for complexity or structure. Drink now.
Initially closed, this wine soon reveals a crisp, zesty texture and flavors of citrus and green apple. With its minerally character, Mâcon-Fuissé is a sort of poor man's Pouilly-Fuissé, although it often shows more softness.
Soft and ripe, this Chablis has white fruit and citrus flavors. The palate reveals a yeasty character that intrudes on the fresh fruit.
Leather, spice, red fruit and smoke notes characterize this red blend. Dry and fresh, it will pair nicely with dried meats or tomato-based dishes.
This is a light, bright Chardonnay that would be a great wine to serve at casual dining situations or at larger gatherings. The finish bears an acidic kick
Soft and simple, this has a pear flavor, a touch of vanilla and a creamy texture, plus crisp, lemon-zest-like acidity on the finish. Drink this now.
Flavors of beetroot and juicy fruit are juxtaposed in this structured yet fruity wine. It has some bitterness and a hint of wood, and there is intense acidity on the finish.
A fairly tannic Zinfandel, this is made from organic grapes. Enjoy with pizza or hamburgers.
Lean and wiry in style, this pale Pinot Noir stands out as being different from most Marlborough bottlings. Modest strawberry and cranberry flavors are accented by leather and dark chocolate notes.
A wispy Mendocino Pinot Noir, this lacks depth and finesse. It has undertones of currant and cherry, and a wham-bam finish.
This relatively lightweight Pinot Noir features an array of meaty, earthy notes and a modest pie-cherry flavor before drying out and turning even more tart on the finish. Drink now.
Red fruit dominant, this tight Syrah also offers whiffs of grenadine and perfume.
Ripe black-skinned berry and black plum aromas take center stage in this wine, along with a whiff of toast. The dense palate shows black cherry, licorice and mocha touches framed by firm tannins. Drink through 2020.
This wine offers light pear, citrus, cream and lees aromas. The palate is broad and lightly creamy in feel, lacking only a bit of concentration.
This ripe, smooth and lightly toasty wine is a rich product of this warm vintage for whites. Yellow and ripe melon fruits are balanced by sufficient crisp acidity to give the wine a bright edge. Drink from 2018.
Laurent Dufouleur is the current director of Tramier and has created a series of wines under his name. This wood and red-fruit-flavored wine is likely to be attractively ripe and jammy as the wood softens and integrates. There is fine acidity at the end and the wine will be ready to drink from 2019.
This blend of 55% Syrah and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon offers tightly wound elderberry, beef char and deep black-plum aromas on the nose. The flavors are balanced between a blackberry ripeness and a tarry bitterness, lifted by touches of lavender, rose petals and tart black-plum skins.
This wine really benefits from the delicious ripe fruit of the vintage. So broad, rich red-berry flavors give the wine a generous character with just the right amount of the balanced acidity. The wine is full, fruity and ready to drink.
This weighty wine has small percentages of Petit Verdot, Petite Syrah, Merlot and Zinfandel, contributing to robust and impactful tannins and ripe fruit. Juicy and approachable on the palate, it highlights touches of tar and clove.
This shows light lime, green apple and herb aromas. It drinks dry, with abundant apple flavors supported by tart acidity.
This opaque Carmenère opens with oaky, charred aromas of black fruits, coconut and burnt toast. The palate is full, meandering and ultimately heavy and extracted. Dark, toasty flavors of black fruits, resiny oak and vanilla finish with grabby tannins, spiky acidity and long-lasting blackened notes.
This opens with licorice, chopped herb, eucalyptus and dark spice aromas. The assertive palate offers dried black cherry, coffee bean and sagenotes framed by close-grained tannins.
This has earthy aromas suggesting underbrush, new leather, menthol and truffle, along with a whiff of medicinal herb. The palate is tightly wound and still rather closed, offering hints of espresso, anise and raw berry framed by drying, close-grained tannins.
Berry, vanilla, coconut and barrel spice aromas are followed by barrel flavors in this wine. It brings appeal, but the oak (42% new French and American) seems to take over.
Wood and spice flavors add extra richness to an already-ripe wine. Opulent and full, it's laced with toast and warm mango and peach fruits. A wine to drink young, it's ready now.
Savory pepper and rustic gravel aromas meet with strawberry and dried cherry on the nose of this proprietary red blend that is widely available. Strawberry pie flavors dominate the sip, but there's also a lava rock minerality and a burst of acidity.
Intensely dark blackberry fruit meets with game and minty chocolate on the nose of this appellation blend by Adam Lee. The flavors are woody with forest undergrowth, and surround a core of mulberry.
Hailing from the volcanic soils of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, this blend of Pedro Ximénez and Listán Blanco opens with aromas of citrus peel and honey. A powerful palate is angular and smacking. Salty citrus flavors reflect an ocean influence, while the wine is strong on the finish.
This widely available bottling by the Niven family is a very safe and reliable expression of Cab, with black plums, crushed slate, a touch of oak, some purple flowers and a little soy on the nose. The palate is also down the middle, with earth, wood and dark fruit all present, framed by strong acidity and firm but not overwhelming tannins.
Vibrant, coppery salmon in color, this lively and delightful rosé is two-thirds Grenache and one-third Mourvèdre, all stainless steel-fermented. Pretty watermelon and strawberry flavors are accented by streaks of cracker and mineral.
This intensely aromatic wine has perfumes of peach, apricot and ripe plum. These fruits dominate the warm, ripe palate, with just a hint of minerality.
Luscious, ripe black-fruit and sweet spice notes are gorgeous on the nose and palate of this penetrating, yet impeccably structured wine. Rippling minerality and bright acidity balance out the bold flavors, hefty alcohol and big, chunky tannins. This is intense from start to finish.
This two-vineyard blend of two-thirds Merlot and one-third Cabernet Sauvignon is a well-balanced mix of brambly berry flavors, with details of leaf and clean earth. Both vineyards are well established and are located in prime Cabernet country on Red Mountain.
Like the barrica (barrel) in its name implies, this is a toasty wine, with vanilla, yeast and elegant white-fruit aromas. Full bodied, it has citrus and apple notes, with mild oxidation in front of the toasty finish. A classy Cava to drink now.
Dusty and smooth upfront, this has attractive orange, nectarine and cream aromas. It feels layered and balanced, with cantaloupe, orange and milk chocolate flavors vying for attention. Mild but composed on the finish, this is made entirely from Trepat.
Though the wine saw less than 10% new oak, it carries a rich, smoky note of espresso from first whiff to last swallow. It's dusty and dense, with fragrances of baking spice and incense. The flavors bring accents of citrus rind, orange peel and white pepper, showing lovely balance and varietal strength throughout.
Opening with subtle berry aromas and hints of herb, rubber and leather, this is sturdy as a rock, with dry, spicy plum and cassis flavors. Powerful but restrained, it's neither overextracted nor too grapy.
The partner to Beck's Zweigelt, this is every bit as complex and structured. It has a solid, firm feel, with darkly tannic fruit, a broad texture and a hint of toast. This is for aging for at least a year. Screwcap.
This is a very firm, tight and focused effort, with a clean cherry flavor. It is not at all like most Washington Merlots, which are often heavily influenced by new oak aging. Here is a concise, pure expression that may come across as a little monochromatic, perhaps because it seems to be somewhat shut down at the moment. Made using grapes from 10-year-old vines, it shows great promise.
Warm red-cherry aromas meet with light hints of sage and leather on the very shy nose of this bottling from one of the region's larger growers. The flavors are also light and rustic, with tart cranberry and hints of leather and game.
Bold, concentrated and full bodied, this wine brings effusive black cherry and blueberry aromas, a Port-like fruit concentration, good bracing texture and decent balance.
Aromas of wood spice, dill, vanilla and cherry are at the fore. The palate mixes jammy fruit with barrel flavors. The two seeming to tussle a bit. The wood wins out on the finish.
This wine is highly ripe and voluptuous, with a distinct boldness of tropical flavor and almond paste. Full figured, it's embraced by a generosity of oak that makes itself known.
Woody and herbal, this full-bodied robust wine is approachably thick and round, with distinct characteristics of forest floor, mushroom and black tea.
Soft and supple, this wine aims to please across a wide range of palates, offering mellowed tannins and oak around a layering of plum, cherry and cinnamon.
Briny grassy aromas of apple and citrus are yeasty as well. This Chardonnay-Pinot Noir blend is foamy and active, while flavors run towards slightly bitter and yeasty, with fruit hard to find. A similar finish renders this good but with issues.
Earthy mushroom and (no joke) smoke, entertain a simple layering of robust strawberry, raspberry and vanilla in this ripe wine.
For value-priced Pinot, give this its props for being fair and consistent with past vintages. On the nose, this smells a bit furry and spicy, with meaty plum and tea notes. A medium-bodied palate feels a touch resiny, while this tastes of spice, wood and ripe red fruits.
The oak aging gives this wine an attractive, spicy character. A blend of four of the Douro's most familiar varieties, it is rich, full of black fruit with a rich core of tannin and balanced acidity. Drink now.
Full bodied and firmly tannic, this bold wine has lots of berry and cherry flavors, tangy acidity and plenty of tannin, too. It tastes dry, almost tart, and leaves an astringent effect on the finish, so it needs to pair with rich fatty foods that balance it out.
Two vineyards go into the making of this wine, including Stonestreet Estate. A nose of plum and dried cherry ride along an extracted palate of relative lightness and notes of soy and tomato leaf.
This is a soft and easy wine from a ripe vintage. With black currant fruit, plenty of acidity and a light touch of tannin, it's made to be drunk young.
At first, this Tannat smells chalky and minerally; later it's leafy and a touch soapy in aromas. A fierce angular palate delivers tart black-plum flavors with tea notes. The finish is linear and long due to hard-driving acidity.
A sniff of this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tannat and Ancellotta is like a walk through the sawmill. Given how oaky this smells, it's no surprise that the palate is resiny in feel, with dry woody plum flavors. Additional oak dominates the finish on this one-dimensional barrel blaster.
This wine starts off on notes of lemons, almond skins and mushrooms. The palate is quite different with lots of green flavors, from grassiness, to green apple and celery stalks. This is simple in body and has a long nutty finish.
In this new vintage of Sorella, Cabernet Sauvignon is again right out front at 72% of the blend. Here the fruit seems more subdued, the wine tight, the dense tannins showing graphite and mineral more than new barrel flavors. It definitely needs decanting.
A completely different blend from the winery's 2006 Ciel, this reflects Chris Camarda's growing enchantment with Cabernet Franc, which is now 45% of the blend. Most of the rest is Merlot—a Right Bank style. The concept works. It captures the sleek minerality of the site, and puts the fruit into tight, laser-like focus. The wine seems almost crystalline—sharp-edged and reflective, with penetrating angles and offset flavors.
Superb fruit highlights this tight, sculpted Syrah. It's extremely dense, with deep and intense raspberry and cassis fruit flavor, augmented with coffee grounds, smoke and iron filings. Complex, detailed, balanced and deep—what more can a wine give you? This is drinking very young and surely needs to be decanted. But already displaying amazing power.
A unique version of Andrew Will's Champoux, this is more than half Cabernet Franc, with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot filling in the rest. Thick and tannic, yet perfectly ripe and almost silky, it coats the palate with black cherry, graphite, slate and a bit of chalk. All that said, the fruit more than holds its own against the terroir's minerality. Drink this with your best steak, and give it plenty of breathing time.
Violets and compost dance through the aromas, leading into an intensely fruity palate loaded with sappy berry richness, nuanced with scents and streaks of cured meat, garrigue, earth and graphite. Blending 77% Syrah with 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, it strikes a perfect balance among fruit, earth, and rock. At its core it is still wrapped tight, immaculately clean, and still almost impenetrably dense.
The initials refer to the vineyard of Mont Damné, the steepest vineyard in Sancerre. The wine reflects the stony character of the soil, coming through with great intensity. It is powerful, flinty, with a biting citrus character, deliciously taut and intense.
From old, mixed planting vineyards in the Quinta do Vallado, this is an impressively complex blend of flavors, from rich spice, smooth tannins, the richest plum juice and a gorgeous, opulent texture. It is ripe, drinkable now, but likely to benefit from several years aging.
This Two Blondes is the best ever—powerful and ripe, with a plush mix of raspberry and strawberry fruit, tart and tangy and mouthfilling. This wine has a huge midpalate, but doesn't stop there; as it slowly winds through a full-throttle finish, threads of chocolate, coconut, caramel and coffee appear. The flavors go on for several minutes.
Though mostly Cabernet from an excellent Horse Heaven Hills vineyard, this also includes 15% Merlot from Pepper Bridge. It coats the tongue with velvety softness and drying tannins. It suggests elegance and breed immediately, Cabernet's classic cassis married to herbal grace notes and a strong mineral streak. A lovely food wine.
Scents of cinnamon, peppery herbs and Asian spices. Lovely, detailed and deep, this blends sharply etched red and purple fruits with seams of vanilla and cut tobacco. Flavors follow, with medium acidity and leafy tannins. Nicely balanced, spiced, varietal and persistent.
Lushly aromatic and toasty, the substantial oak flavors are set against deep, brambly berry and cassis fruits. There are subtle suggestions of mint and some alcoholic heat, and an interesting orange peel scent carries into the mouth. The tannins are big and ripe and not at all bitter or too heavy.
Quilceda's Palengat is now a proprietary blend, not a strict Cabernet as before. You can smell the violets amidst nicely layered aromatics, built upon layers of black fruits, cassis and dark, smoky elements. Smoke, earth, coffee, a hint of iron and rock continue into the midpalate, which loses a little density as it moves through the finish. That may be a reflection of the young-ish (7 to 10 year old) vines.
Once again, here is a Seven Hills wine that opens with truly lovely aromatics. It's a clean varietal expression of Syrah, with medium weight, wild berries and finishing highlights of pepper, earth, sea salt, baking spices and cassis.
A single vineyard, 100% varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, this is deep, dark, dense, chewy and tannic. Yet it still captures some delicate floral aromas as well as smoke and rock and black fruits. You go from flower to fruit to earth and black olive in a rush of full-bodied flavor.
The top rosé from Sacha Lichine's Esclans estate, this is wood aged and the flavors of wood are apparent, if subtle. The wine has a great smooth texture, the fruit well integrated, showing richness as well as elegance. Not classic Provence, but certainly impressive.
Fragrant and spicy, this opens with green pepper notes and boatloads of prickly/brambly raspberry/strawberry fruit. From a cool vintage, the blend includes 15% Syrah. It's nicely handled, with great penetration and a dancer's precision.
How good to find a powerful wine like this with reasonable alcohol. For this is an impressively dense and concentrated wine from 50-year-old vines. The fruit is ripe, juicy and chunky to go with the polished wood. A wine for cellaring.
A delicious wine whose richness is matched by great texture and big, juicy fruits. It has plenty of tannins, but they meld easily into the rich ripe fruits, leaving a wine with a structure that offers considerable potential.
d'Arenberg has a quartet of sweet wines from 2008, and this blend of Viognier, Pinot Gris and Marsanne represents a terrific value. It's syrupy sweet, redolent of honey-drizzled, spiced poached pears. To quibble, it could be a touch more complex and crisp, but it is still a succulent mouthful of dessert wine for drinking over the next few years.
This is a rich and structured wine from Heifara Swatvagher. With wood aging giving the wine its toasty, spicy character, it is ripe and perfumed with black plum flavors and fresh with black currant acidity. The wine is only just beginning to be ready to drink and will certainly be better from 2018.
Strong aromas and flavors like buttered toast and caramel make this full-bodied wine an extrovert. The texture is broad and soft, and candy-like flavors keep coming on the finish.
This is a strong wine from this region just south of Temecula and north of San Diego. The nose offers smoked cigar, blackberry preserves, raw cut wood and pine-needle aromas, while the palate packs juniper and floral tea elements into a black-plum backbone. Hints of soy and burned caramel add action to the medium-weight mouthfeel.
Enticing scents of blue flower, plum, blackberry and dried herb come together on this. The fresh, chewy palate offers dried black cherry, anise and tobacco set against a backbone of assertive tannins and zesty acidity.
Aromas of menthol, mature dark-skinned berry and a whiff of cellar floor lead the way. On the palate, notes of coffee, white pepper and grilled herb accent fleshy wild cherry alongside solid, assertive tannins.
Gritty but ripe and earthy dark-fruit aromas are spicy and alert. This Carignan from centenary vines feels angular and slightly acidic and tannic. Toasty oak flavors complement plum fruit, while this is bright, fresh and racy on the finish.
From a popular vineyard in the mountains north of the Santa Maria Valley, this bottling shows strong blackberry-pie notes as well as tighter scents of black-plum skins. Purple fruits and flowers of lavender and violet pop on the palate, where zesty acidity carries the sip into an ever-so-slightly caramel finish.
The Dürkheimer Michelsberg bottling maintains the richness of texture and body of many of Pflüger's dry Rieslings. It's concentrated in apple and pear flavors, but zestier acidity and an herbal freshness lend a leaner, edgier feel. Drink now through 2019.
Violet, woodland berry, baking spice and chopped mint aromas slowly emerge on this polished red. The bright palate doles out tart cherry, cinnamon and a hint of white pepper while lithe tannins and fresh acidity lend a refined framework.
This old-vine wine contains 12% Carignane and 8% Petite Sirah, and is one of the larger of the producer's single-vineyard offerings. Feral black fruit and fig form a core of concentrated richness before red-berry pie and vanilla come into play, finishing with a blur of toasty oak.
Blueberry fruit, purple flowers and licorice break through the very dense cloud of finely knit tannins that frame the entire experience of this best-of-house bottling. Dark-roast coffee beans and hints of blackberry fruit can be found once sipped, but this needs years to evolve. Luckily, it has the excellent tannins and bright acidity needed to do so.
Opting to focus on the herbal side of California's historic grape, this wine shows dark cranberry on the nose but lets the chaparral, thyme and cola do the heavy lifting. The palate is dominated by shrub character, with wild mint, sage and oregano flavors seasoning the dried-berry fruit.
Elegant aromas of pan-seared apples, cream, chamomile, browned butter, sea-salt caramel, cinnamon and cider play into the lush nose of this bottling. The apple-butter character consumes the lush palate, settling into walnut oil and marzipan. It's a richer style, and very well put together.
So putting “Reserve” on a $13 bottle of wine might seem like a stretch, but the fact is what's in the bottle is very good. It's full bodied, creamy and lushly textured, with an intriguing herbal tang to the black cherry fruit, hints of vanilla and a softly dusty finish. Drink now–2018.
Enticing scents of rose, moist soil, plum, raspberry and dark spice meld together in the glass. The lively palate shows fleshy black cherry, mocha, vanilla and a licorice note alongside zesty acidity. Fine-grained tannins give it a polished finish.
Red currant, French oak, espresso and cedar aromas emerge on this blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The taut palate offers sour cherry, licorice, grilled sage and oak-driven spice alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins that grip the finish.
Leather, menthol, dark-skinned berry and light toast aromas slowly come together on this fresh, polished wine. The lithe, straightforward palate offers wild cherry, anise, orange peel and a hint of coffee while fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity provide the framework.
Dominated by Touriga Nacional at 60% with the addition of 40% Syrah, this is a ripe, fruity wine. It is full of fresh berry fruits that are sustained by the firm tannic background. It has a ripe feel while also have a light touch of acidity. The wine is ready to drink.
There comes a point when the pursuit of restraint becomes fruitless, and while this wine shows a wonderfully silky texture and an elegant finish, its subtle aromas and flavors of roasted cashew and citrus are indeed understated.
Very light in the glass, this bottling from Richard Sanford's label shows apples, orange rind, scratched lime and tonic notes on the nose. Once sipped, the intriguing texture is grippy, the flavors are tightly wound and the finish is mouthwatering, with lemon, lime pith and kumquat elements.
Strapping aromas of blackberry and licorice are fiery and grating. This Syrah-led blend from a hot vintage is mighty tannic, so much so that it collapses under tannic weight. Flavors of blackberry, prune and cherry are spicy, while this tastes rooty and warm on the finish. Drink through 2019.
Despite its youth, this is a soft, round, totally accessible wine with pretty flavors of sassafras, pie cherries and cooked plums. It skirts close to an impression of jam, and almost begs for near-term consumption. Don't hold back.
This appellation blend is rich and lush with baked black-cherry aromas, touches of black cardamom and clove spice, and earthy rhubarb and beet notes. The palate packs a lot of forest-floor flavors, from loam to pine needles, into dark cranberry and tight raspberry fruit, leveled by pepper and pencil lead.
Fresh red cherry and plump red currants are spiced up by Dr Pepper, cola, rose petals, mace and dried fennel on the nose of this bottling by Sabrine Rodems. Tea and Asian five-spice notes arise once sipped, backed by raspberries and pink peppercorns, altogether fairly light and lithe in body.
Dark-skinned berry, menthol, dark cooking spice and aromatic herb aromas unfold on this. The fresh, juicy palate offers dried black cherry, red currant, coffee and licorice alongside smooth, polished tannins. Enjoy through 2019.
Scents of black currant, green bell pepper, cedar and a hint of violet slowly emerge in the glass. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, toast, coffee, mocha and a touch of vanilla alongside polished, fine-grained tannins.
This wine has a deep color, strong fruity aromas and substantial fruit flavors. Full bodied and moderately tannic, it has a good, grippy mouthfeel and honest black-cherry and plum notes. Tasty now it will improve through 2018 or so.
This savory red opens with aromas that recall underbrush, dark berry, spice and a hint of new leather. The easy-drinking, juicy palate offers wild cherry, raspberry and a dash of baking spice alongside polished tannins and lively acidity.
Fragrant purple flower, dark-skinned berry, eucalyptus and aromatic herb aromas lead the way. The bright, no-frills palate offers sour cherry, chopped mint and a hint of clove while lithe tannins add polish. Drink through 2017.
This offers aromas that recall red berry, moist soil and a whiff of clove. The vibrant palate delivers juicy wild cherry, blackberry, chopped herb and anise alongside lively acidity and polished tannins.
Alidis is not the most consistent winery in Ribera del Duero, but this gran reserva gets it mostly right. Earthy, slightly mulchy and rubbery berry aromas lead to a saturated bulky palate. Saucy earthy flavors of black fruits finish gritty and a bit leathery, with a jammy weight and a lasting note of black coffee.
White spring flower, citrus and a whiff of tomato leaf lead the nose. Bright and linear, the palate offers juicy white grapefruit, pineapple and a hint of mineral alongside tangy acidity.
Low-intensity aromas of grilled apple, quince and pear purée dance on the bouquet, with a faint hint of straw in the background. Bright acidity and a pronounced citrus flavor results in a fresh and accessible mouthfeel, while the finish offers touches of toasted challah and clove. Drink now.
Tannic and robust, this reserve-tier wine offers smoothly chiseled tannin and full-bodied flavors like brick, black cherry, leather and clove. It begs to be paired with hearty meat dishes.
Extremely light in the glass, this bottling demonstrates both the delicate and action-packed aspects of the grape, much like many world-class Pinot Noirs. Vivacious and fruity bramble and hibiscus aromas meet with anise and nutmeg on the nose. The palate refreshes with red plum and spice flavors.
This is a classy, elegant expression of the variety, despite its brawn and ripe density. Fruit-forward, with blackberry and cherry flavors, it shows traces of vanilla, spicy pepper and smoky oak. The texture is soft, with subtle tannins.
Made with 65% Chardonnay, 15% Sauvignon, 10% Pinot Grigio and 10% Pinot Bianco, this elegant white offers aromas of white flower, tropical fruit, mint and whiffs of toasted oak. The structured palate delivers Golden Delicious apple, vanilla, oak and lemon zest. A mineral note closes the lingering finish.
From an almost centenarian vineyard planted to mixed varieties, this has juicy core of cherry and blackberry fruit. An undercurrent of Asian spice and white pepper shows through, finishing on a minty chocolate note.
This wine contains 14% “mixed blacks,” including grapes like Alicante Bouschet, and is powerful and ripe. Its flavors seem at once tart and sweet, framed by dusty cherry and vanilla. There's a persistent, feral, compost-like thread throughout its dense structure and tannic finish.
This is the top wine from this estate. Wood aged and richly endowed with both fruit and firm tannins, it has a fine balance. The 12 months in wood have softened the wine's structure and given it extra richness. It is still full of youthful fruit, so drink from 2018.
This is an opulent ripe wine, named after the four churches in the local village. Full of blackberry flavors that cushion the firm tannins, the wine is generous and finishes with youthful acidity. Structured and dense, the wine will still age well. Drink this fine wine from 2018.
French oak-aging has resulted in a wine that's both smooth and fruity. With summer blossom aromas, attractive acidity and a toasty edge, it's stylish, elegant and ready to drink now.
Although full-bodied and rich in texture, this wine is restrained in terms of ripeness and oak. It has good balance, a quiet blend of black cherry, clove and dark chocolate flavors and a firm, fine-grained tannins. Best after 2019.
This ripe wine comes from organic vineyards in the village of Brochon, next to Gevrey-Chambertin. It shows plenty of structure, a tantalizing smoky character from wood aging and juicy red fruit character. This will be a delicious wine to drink from 2018.
Fruit and barrel aromas intermingle, with notes of vanilla, coconut, wood spice, clove and red berries. The red fruit flavors are fresh and focused, with lightly grainy tannins providing the frame.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot make up the majority of this blend (42% each), with Malbec, Petit Verdot and Syrah rounding it out. Aromas of toast, vanilla, cocoa, cherry and herb lead to sweet, elegant chocolate and cherry flavors, threaded with vanilla notes.
Black cherry, dark chocolate, coffee and mint touches show on the nose of this approachable bottling. The palate is solidly structured, pairing soy and licorice flavors with tangy black-plum and elderberry fruit.
This is proof that excellent Chardonnay can come from this warm region in Southern California. Key lime pie, peach blossom and shaved apple aromas show on the nose. The palate sizzles with acidity and a savory hit of sea salt, with a core of Asian pear and stone fruit flavors.
With searing, upfront acidity, this wine takes on a briny character that accents the high-toned lemon zest and melon notes on the palate. Aged only in old French oak and stainless steel, its fruit remains fresh and unencumbered through the finish.
Fresh pressed blackberry and boysenberry scents meet wet clay and gravel on the nose of this bottling from one of Paso Robles' cooler corners. Vibrant acidity shows on the palate, with light tannins that frame its plump berry and graphite flavors.
Mint and smoky aromas give this wine an attractive, juicy character. It is developing well and almost ready to drink. From Cahor's high altitude vineyards, the wine is bright and fruity with damson flavors and smoothed with wood aging. Drink from 2018.
On some of the highest vineyards in Cahors, this estate has a history reaching back to the Middle Ages. This latest vintage from this major estate has a firm structure and cool texture. Allied to acidity and dark tannins, the rich black fruits are going to need time to mature. Drink from 2020.
Well-rounded and integrated strawberry, black plum and licorice aromas show on the nose of this appellation blend from Paso Robles' most exciting Italian variety producer. It's light and easy on the palate, with red plum, cranberry and chaparral herb flavors packed tightly with tannin. It's good now but will improve with age.
Kudos to Brian and Stephy Terrizzi for introducing this fascinating grape from southern Italy to Paso Robles. Rich white peach and poached pear aromas are edged with sharper mineral scents and boosted by vanilla undertones. The palate leads with bright acidity then explores red apple, cantaloupe and stone fruit flavors, proving easy to like but also tempered with restraint.
A bold, ripe, perfumed wine with Baga tannins and acidity, this is not a wine for easy drinking—demanding rich, oily or fatty foods instead. It's a great example of this notoriously fickle grape and is packed with spicy fruit. Drink from 2018.
This well-made dry Furmint has a complex bouquet of citrus flowers, apple blossom and freshly cut white peach. In the mouth, there are flavors of peach, pineapple and passion fruit that dance on your tongue before the crisp acidic finish.
This wine has a classic personality: round and soft in tannin, with a chalkiness lurking behind herbal tobacco leaf, tomato, cedar and rose notes. Full-bodied, it doesn't hold back on ripeness but displays more savory character than fruit.
While plush blackberry, dried fig and cherry aromas are rich and ripe on the nose, this voluptuous Cab is surprisingly structured and taut on the palate. It's rich and luscious in red fruit yet firmly anchored with cranberry acidity and a fine firm fringe of tannins. It's amply lavished in vanilla, spice and toast, but wears these embellishments well.
Don't let the near nonexistence of color fool you, because this is a nice racy-sweet Moscatel. Aromas of citrus peel and air freshener are mild, while this feels juicy. Tropical fruit and citrus flavors finish lean except for a touch of viscosity.
This blend of 87% Grenache, 8% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah is big, bold and robustly flavored, showing its youth. Juicy cherry and licorice flavors are edged in smoke and tannin. The cinnamon-laced finish is soft and long.
This value-priced offering starts off with slightly subdued notes of passion fruit, but gains a bit of intensity on the palate. It's a simple, tropically fruity Sauvignon Blanc with a soft, easygoing finish.
A soft and rich wine, lined with fresh pear, bitter almonds, fresh herbs and a glint of citrus. It is full bodied, while remaining fresh.
Clear and focused, with raspberry and edgy spice aromas to the nose. The palate doesn't bring a whole bunch of meat or heft, but it is clean, racy and food-friendly. Flavors of red berries and pepper are normal and expected, while the finish is dry and lean.
Big, chunky and ripe, with earthy aromas followed by soft, round texture. Spice and black berry fruit juice are supported by dry tannins. It is bold, a little rough around the edges.
Dry and peppery to start, with muted berry fruit aromas along with wood shavings. The palate is snappy, clean and juicy, with raspberry, vanilla and tobacco-like flavors. More basic than special, with a steady, light-framed finish. More than functional; likely good with food.
Dry tannins dominate this rough-edged wine. There are plenty of bitter cherry and cocoa flavors, while the acidity gives an attractive freshness. Those tannins need a year to settle down.
The second wine of Château Fonplégade is fresh and bright with good fruits, berry flavors and some richness. It has good poise; ready to drink in 2–3 years.
Soft, ripe and juicy, this is an attractive wine, with red berry flavors and a light structure. Not for the long term. Drink now for its fruity character.
With some good, ripe fruit and a core of dry tannins, this wine benefits from wood aging and rich berry flavors. It is solid and chunky, with a fine edge of black currant acidity. It could well age for 2–3 years, but can be drunk now.
There's a nice aspect of polished tannin behind this vineyard-designate that gives it a refined sensibility, and a roundness of ripeness that becomes almost overwhelming. An aroma of crayon plays with sturdier elements of baked bread and blackberry jam for a concentrated, full-bodied finish.
This is a juicy, fruit-forward selection, boasting vibrant notes of red cherry, raspberry and strawberry on the nose and mouth. A hint of vanilla adds a sweetness to the finish, which otherwise ends clean and mouthwatering. Drink now.
Cotton candy and apple cider aromas give way to a mild palate with soft acidity but a sense of complexity. Plump red-fruit flavors are not specific, and overall this blend of Tempranillo, Syrah and Garnacha is appealing but slightly vacuous.
While red apple, raspberry and bramble aromas on this rosé are restrained, ruddy, slightly overripe cherry and strawberry flavors build on the palate. Dry and full-bodied in style, it finishes with a touch of exotic spice.
This opens with subdued aromas of orchard fruit and a whiff of hazelnut. The racy palate is a bit lean but still offers Bosc pear, lime, bitter almond and a trace of mineral. Drink soon.
This has subtle aromas suggesting beeswax, green pear and a whiff of nut. The lean, racy palate offers lemon zest, crisp Granny Smith apple and bitter almond alongside brisk acidity.
Lots of ripe berry and pomegranate notes give a fruity profile to this dry, medium-bodied, fresh and lightly tannic wine. It will be a good quaffing wine for lunch or dinner with mushroom pizza or grilled chicken.
The tannins are still intense in this dark, structured wine. It does have red fruits although there are also hints of green and stalky flavors that are less attractive. The wine will always be dry although the red fruits could push further forward. Try waiting until 2017.
This is a fine wine, reflective of the vintage's generosity and approachable nature, giving off flavors of vanilla, cherry and currant alongside a sanguine, gamey character and smoky full-bodied ripeness.
The oak is far out in front, with the aromas of vanilla, dill and freshly hewn wood making it difficult to find the fruit. Cranberry flavors struggle to get to the surface. It's technically well made but the barrel treatment completely overrides any sense of the variety.
A fashionable pale-salmon color, this dainty rosé opens with delicate floral aromas of sweet pea and white clover that are framed by fruity tones of red cherry and strawberry. The palate is fleshy and fruit-forward, buoyed by ample acidity that finishes fresh.
Here's an earthy red that opens with aromas suggesting smoke, tilled soil and leather. The solid, straightforward palate offers mature plum and a hint of almond alongside rather grainy, astringent tannins. Drink through 2017.
Toffee, black cherry and orange combine around a softened, yet tightly woven layer of leather and bitter espresso bean in this full-bodied, robust Zinfandel with an approachable palate.
There's plenty of ripe blackberry and cherry here, along with a heady dose of vanilla and spice, but also darker, earthier tones of forest floor and mulch that linger on the nose. The palate is fresh and crisp though, framed by fine, firm tannins and brisk acidity. It finishes with a tang.
Powdery aromas of acacia blossom and bath oil come prior to a slightly oily feeling palate. Pithy citrus, melon and papaya flavors finish with a touch of greenness.
A bit austere, this is an undeniably crisp offering. Delicate herbal notes accent underripe pineapple and white grapefruit, then end on a dry, stony note.
Juicy black cherry is the main theme here: it fills nose and palate. The body lacks a little focus but its fleshiness is cut by freshness that sets all the cherry fruit into scene.
Smashed blueberries, cracked peppercorns and pressed purple flowers show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is sour-leaning with dried plum and pine needle flavors, held together by sticky tannins that are mouth-coating and a bit tense.
This is a big-boned and soft wine with pleasing characteristics of blackberry, vanilla wafer and upfront baking spice. The tannins are well-managed and integrated, with a touch of sweet heat on the finish.
The nose isn't very expressive but it eventually releases whiffs of pressed violet and dark woodland berry. The shy palate offers dried black cherry and dark cooking spice alongside somewhat fleeting tannins.
Lightweight and fresh, with beet green overtones to the tart, pie-cherry aromas and flavors. It's refreshing and vital right now, so drink it before the delicate fruit fades.
A true wine from southwest France, this brings together grapes from Gascony and Gaillac. It is delicate and fruity. The freshest green-fruit flavors come together with intense acidity and a tang that is poised and crisp.
From one of the four properties bought by great-grandparents of the present owner, this wine is light, bright and totally up-to-the-minute in its crisp freshness. Red fruits and touches of citrus dominate along with the lightest touch of tannin. It will make a great apéritif.
Subdued aromas of pear and white spring flower lift out of the glass. The lean palate offers grapefruit, pear bitter almond and mineral alongside tangy acidity.
Lime blossom, bread crust and a whiff of toast lead the nose. Slightly fizzy when first poured, the lively palate offers citrus, green Anjou pear and bitter nut while a hint of flinty mineral closes the finish.
The nose isn't very expressive but eventually reveals whiffs of pressed white flower and orchard fruit. The straightforward palate offers suggestions of mature yellow apple, candied lemon drop and a bitter almond note.
Caramelized meats, dark cherry fruits, tar and pencil lead elements emerge on the nose of this bottling. The flavors are reminiscent of charred beef, with charcoal, turned earth and dark chocolate set against dried blueberry background.
Aromas like plums and flavors like prunes give a ripe character to this medium-bodied and smooth-textured wine. It has good balance due to firm tannins and light acidity, so it doesn't get tiring on the third or fourth sip.
Red cherries and rose-petal extract waft into the plush nose on this bottling, which also discloses fresh acidity. The palate offers sour cherries, red bricks, chopped marjoram and cooked beef flavors.
Quiet aromas of peach and nectarine are subdued in nature. This feels melony, with pulpy weight cut by solid acidity. Nectarine, melon and apple are standard-issue flavors, while the finish is mild and fleshy in feel.
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this wine offers aromas of dried herbs, milk chocolate and raspberries. It's silky in feel with polished tannins and a spice-filled finish.
Chalk, Key lime, macaron and slight scents of wool greet the nose on this blend of 40% Grenache Blanc, 28% Viognier, 20% Picpoul Blanc and 12% Roussanne. It's very clean and crisp once sipped, with a seared-lemon character in the midpalate and limestone minerality contributing to a decent grip for a white wine.
After an early aromatic blast of sulfuric matchstick, this turns for the better while providing scents of citrus, fresh-cut grass and minerals. The palate is zesty, with briny flavors of nectarine and orange. A minerally, slightly salty finish keeps this on course.
Intense lemon-lime acidity contrasts luscious yellow cherry and peach flavors in this vibrant, penetrating Riesling. Semidry in style, it's fine and filigreed in texture yet powerful enough to maintain a strong, long finish.
Whiffs of cherry Coke and vanilla juxtapose fresh red raspberry perfume on the nose of this fruity, forward Merlot. Sour cherry and berry flavors are juicy and thirst quenching, framed by a fringe of feathery tannins. Drink now to enjoy its fresh, primary flair.
This vibrantly light, restrained wine comes from some hallowed vineyards, including Hudson, Stagecoach and Crocker & Starr, the blend comprised of 38% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot. Dark in color, it offers aromas of cherry liqueur and orange, and remains dry on the palate, low in power and high in minerality.
Made entirely from Cabernet from a single vineyard block, this wine explores the variety's more savory side, with aromas of leafy herbs, green pepper, cigar box, musk and dark chocolate. The cherry flavors are tart backed by chewy tannins.
Vineyard-designated rosés are unusual in the state, and other Cinsault offerings unheard of at present. Pale copper in color, this offers berry aromas followed by just off-dry flavors backed by a big blast of acid that keeps you coming back for more.
Aromas of oak, leather, plum, vanilla and espresso unfold in the glass. The concentrated palate doles out dried black cherry, blackberry jam, oak-driven spice and licorice alongside firm, fine-grained tannin. This has weight and a velvety texture but it isn't overly vibrant, so drink sooner rather than later.
Aromas of black plum, vanilla, blue flowers, baked earth and leather lead the nose on this bold Barbera. The big, chewy palate doles out juicy blackberry, black cherry, licorice, clove and orange zest alongside fresh acidity and round tannins.
A significant touch of bitterness in this wine spoils the otherwise attractive tropical fruit. It suggests the wine is too young and going through one of Chenin Blanc's growing-pain stages. Keep the wine until 2017 when it will broaden out and be all about perfumed fruit.
This wine offers a ripe abundance of apple and pear, veering almost into tropical flavors. It conveys richness amid a streak of high acidity, the oak semi-restrained. It finishes in vanilla crème brûlée.
Delicious aromas of yellow cake batter, lemon and a touch of butter greet the nose on this wine by Mike Sinor. The palate proves much more delicate than the nose suggests, with yellow pear fruit and rain-on-cement minerality.
Aromas of raisin, tobacco, cedar and toasted oak lead the nose on this full-bodied Merlot. The palate offers dried black cherry, black currant, graphite, licorice and clove alongside firm tannins that are rather rough on the finish.
This full-bodied wine opens with aromas of toast, vanilla, cocoa, plum, violet and a whiff of grilled pepper. The robust palate offers black cherry, red currant, anise and clove alongside racy acidity and fine-grained tannins that leave a rather drying finish.
An attractively earthy, meaty character in the aromas and flavors is balanced out by an elegant texture, medium body and moderate tannins. Elements of black pepper, soy sauce and blackberry fill out the flavors and linger on the finish.
Zesty lime and lemon notes cut a razor's edge through this buoyantly fruity, floral dry Riesling. Bright peach, mango and melon flavors are lip smacking on the palate, nuanced by a hint of savory dried herbs. It's a refreshing, delicately framed wine to enjoy now.
Sangiovese, Malbec and Merlot take the lead on this blend. Red cherry, plum and red currant aromas are followed by tangy fruit flavors, with the oak seeming dialed back and a lingering finish. Pair it with pizza or a red pasta sauce.
Aromas of pear and tropical fruit lead to off-dry fruit flavors with a zing of acid that draws out the finish. It's perfect for a warm afternoon.
Herbal fynbos, sweet grass and lime leaf aromas are upfront on the nose of this wine, followed by supporting notes of Anjou pear, honeydew rind and honeysuckle. It's attractive and easy drinking, with refreshing citrus and green apple flavors that finish crisp and clean. Drink now.
Aged for a year in wood, this dense, structured wine has serious tannins that are still very firm. Hints of juicy red currant fruits underneath promise a fresh, fruity wine with time. Drink this wine from 2017.
Showing the typical power and concentration of the 2010 vintage, this is a dense and structured wine. Good acidity and black plum flavors show through the big tannic texture and dry core. The wine still needs to age so drink from 2018. This is a 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc blend from Mallet Frères.
This wine is already attractively balanced with ripe red plum fruits giving weight. That is backed by the firm wood and fruit tannins that offer spice and a creamy texture. Drink from 2017. An Alain Aubert estate, it is run by daughter and oenologist Amélie Aubert.
Bold and fruity, this ripe, smoky wine has red berry and blackberry fruit flavors cut with acidity. This blend is smooth in texture, with a full, rich fruitiness on the palate. It will age further, although the wine is ready to drink now.
From both Sun Chase and Gap's Crown vineyards, two stellar sites that neighbor one another, this is a medium-bodied expression of high-toned pomegranate and cherry. It unleashes big, soft waves of intense flavor and texture expansively and with panache.
Smoke and slate extend from nose to finish on this intensely mineral dry Riesling. On the palate, flavors of pristine white grapefruit and waxy lemons penetrate deeply, finishing long with a bracing crush of lime and salt.
Whiffs of crushed mineral and candle wax lend mineral intensity to crisp, concentrated green plum and honeydew flavors in this semi-dry Riesling. Lime acidity cuts through the midpalate, leading into a long, slightly floral finish. Year after year, it's an exceptional bargain wine of consistent value.
Gentle Mirabelle and lemon envelope nose and palate in a refreshing but soft embrace. This delicate wine combines lightness of touch with immense and sprightly citrus freshness. It works like a lemon sorbet: it cleanses, refreshes and tones. The lasting citrus flavors are a real bonus.
Soft, structured and grippy, this lovely blend will serve well both at the table and with a crowd. It's pleasing in its elegant concentration of ripe red cherry and peppery plum.
Reduced, jammy aromas of boysenberry, plum and blueberry set up a woody, choppy feeling palate with tannins that need to mellow. Raisiny berry flavors are on the heavy side, while residual oak notes are prominent. A tannic, drawing finish is dense, woody and in need of settling. Drink through 2030.
Crushed aromatic herb, rose and red berry aromas take shape in the glass. The bright, structured palate is still very young, showing tart red cherry, chopped mint and cinnamon accompanied by firm tannins and vibrant acidity. A mineral note signals the close. Drink 2018–2028.
Sweet lemon blossoms and fresh-pressed tangerines provide the juicy core to the nose on this appellation blend, which gains aromatic complexity from the sharper orange rind and slate minerality. Sea salt and Meyer-lemon flavors meet with white peach on the palate, which is framed by a chalky grip and is very mouth-watering.
Light in color, this wine offers very pretty aromas of flowers, raspberries and rhubarb. The flavors are primary and appealing, showing a lot of elegance and restraint with a drawn-out finish. It shows no apparent new oak influence, giving a dazzling sense of purity.
Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) and Merlot (38%) make up the majority of this wine with the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A blend of McClellan, Seven Hills and Anna Marie vineyards, it brings generous aromas of fresh herbs and cherry, with light barrel accents. The palate is soft and supple, showing a very pretty, elegant styling.
Fresh, herb and miso-tinged yeast for now is the chief flavor on this zesty, fresh and punchy yet slender little number. There is pepper and pear, but also soy and salt, with a lovely hint of both fizz and peach framed by super-zesty lemon freshness. You simply want to drink more.
A light imprint marks this high-toned wine, expressive in crisp green apple, citrus and stone. Fresh in lemony acidity, it builds up to a medium body in the glass, offering impressive complexity and refreshment.
Perhaps less intense than some wines from this appellation, this is still a sweet, honeyed wine that is shot through with lemon acidity. It is poised and very stylish with yellow fruits and orange marmalade that are caught in a web of botrytis. Drink this wine from 2020.
From an 850-foot-elevation site four miles from the ocean, this offers a depth of dark cherry and Asian spice, lightly bodied and textured. It delivers a hit of bittersweet chocolate on the tangy finish, with an intriguing streak of charcuterie that's hard to shake.
Freshly cut Conference pear peel notes abound. The palate has a slightly phenolic, pleasantly bitter edge that will come into its own with food. The beautiful pear and aloe vera notes last long after the last sip. This deserves a whole evening of your attention—the flavors here unfold slowly.
Dark plum, black-pepper and fresh herb aromas intertwine with light barrel spices. It's fresh, fruit forward and flavorful, bringing a whole lot of enjoyment and showing a real sense of deftness despite the warmth of the vintage.
This is a beautiful nut and orange-flavored white wine. It has a mineral texture that is developing well into rich pear flavors that are lightly touched by honey. The wine from this estate in the Layon Valley is likely to age well. It can be drunk now, but it will be better from 2018.
The flinty soil of the area of Saint-Fiacre gives a strongly mineral character to this wine. Coming from old vines with an average age of 40-years-old, it is just mature, rich and with great complexity. It is a fine wine, ready to drink now.
This blend of 39% Mourvèdre, 31% Grenache, 21% Syrah and 9% Durif shows black-plum pastry notes on the nose as well as crushed asphalt, dried rose petals and smoked pork. A line of graphite minerality grabs the palate first, then comes dark red and olallieberry fruit that are lifted by notes of lilac, lavender and potpourri, followed by grippy tannins that entertain the mouth for awhile.
The aromas of ripe peach, jasmine, honeysuckle and mineral pop. It drinks just off dry, with a spritz of stone-fruit and citrus flavors that extend on the finish.
Aromas of pressed rose petal, roasted herb and a funky but not unpleasant trace of game lead the way. The gamey note carries through to the ripe, chewy palate, together with juicy Morello cherry, raspberry compote, mint, clove and mineral while a saline note closes the finish. It's still young and tannic, but shows a certain rustic charm. Drink 2019–2025.
One hundred percent varietal, this wine is a blend of fruit from Quintessence (69%), Fidelitas Estate, Canyons and Red Heaven Vineyards. Aromas of cassis, black licorice, barrel spice and dried black cherry lead to elegant dark fruit flavors backed by lightly chewy tannins. It shows a lot of finesse.
Concentrated pomegranate, squeezed cranberry and fresh hibiscus juice pop on the nose of this elegantly restrained bottling that also has lots of wet cement and stony character. Once sipped, the body and texture are both quite delicate, but the flavors are strong: straweberry, cranberry, wet slate, sour plum, bay leaf, eucalyptus and sour juniper.
Exuberant aromas of espresso, smoke and dark fruit leap up from the glass. The palate is considerably more reserved with fruit and earth flavors that linger.
Cabernet Sauvignon makes up half of this wine with the rest Syrah (40%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of blackberry seed, spice, black licorice and dark fruit lead to ripe, full and appealing black-fruit flavors. It's a hedonistic delight.
Winemaker Aaron Pott saignées nearly equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon to craft this impressively complex, light-bodied and ethereal celebration of cranberry, strawberry and grapefruit. It shows more tartness on the finish as it pushes a final, refreshing suggestion of mandarin orange.
This opens with earthy—almost funky—aromas of game, truffle, leather, a hint of overripe dark-skinned fruit and a balsamic note. The palate offers black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and chopped herb alongside ripe tannins. An anise note closes the finish.
One of the deepest colored rosés around, this wine has fresh, exuberant red-fruit aromas, while flavors bring as much complexity and depth as many full-fledged reds. Made from Carignane grapes, it does not follow the current vogue of pale-pink wines and is worth seeking out for its concentration.
Now at its peak, this is a rich, full-bodied wine. It has a fine blend of dark tannins and dense plum and berry fruits. Maturing well, the wine is well balanced, with a smoky edge and still with a touch of acidity. Drink now.
A blend of approximately 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot, Malbec, Syrah and Petit Verdot making up the remainder, this barbecue-ready wine is scented with dried herb and forest floor components. Brambly berry fruit and tart acids work to balance out the earthy tannins.
Andis's 100% Barbera tempts with ripe, dried black-cherry and mint flavors, and toasty layers of coffee and toffee that linger until the finish.
There's a savage appeal (what the French call sauvage) to this unabashedly rustic Cabernet Franc that was fermented entirely using wild yeasts. Initial notes of tomato leaf and green stem blow off to reveal aripe red fruit with a gorgeously floral character. Tart acidity and a concentrated red-cherry flavor are accented with graphite and black tea notes.
Now maturing, this retains its red fruits; its bright texture and acidity go with the firm tannins and dark structure. It is balanced and ready to drink.
This is structured and firm, with its dry tannins prominent along with blackberry and black cherry acidity. The wine does have density, a dusty texture and the chance to further age.
This shows the rich density of Merlot in 2009, giving a solid structure, with dried fruit and red berry flavors and a concentrated line of tannins. Big and dense, this is ready to age.
This is dark in color and plush, with rustic tannins. It's beautifully crafted, giving off perfumed notes of violet, dried cherry and leather. Fullbodied, it has a lingering spice note.
One of the small Sauvignon Blanc areas close to Sancerre, Menetou-Salon produces a light, crisp and herbal style of wine. This fits that bill well, its freshness contained within the flavors of hedgerow fruits and tangy acids.
This has a pronounced nose, with aromas of black fruits swathed in savory dried herbs, mushrooms, game and smoke. The palate, by contrast, is juicy with tart black-cherry and berry flavors framed with ripe, but grippy, tannins. Pleasant now, but it could improve over the next 3–5 years.
A bit oily and fleshy on the bouquet, with toasty oak aromas. It feels good, with a proper meshing of acidity and body weight. Flavors of orange and apple come with oak-based cinnamon notes, while the finish is tropical, warm and long.
Malbec, Cabernet, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Mourvèdre are all here. Fruity and forward, this shows the same strong streaks of vanilla, tobacco and chocolate flavors as the rest of the Milbrandt reds.
Varietally and regionally correct, with green, grassy, punchy aromas of citrus, white pepper and jalapeño. This is prickly in the mouth, with lively acidity and flavors of lime, scallion, green apple and bell pepper. It finishes with cut and juicy acids.
This is a herbaceous wine with dominant green fruit, followed by acidity and fine flavors of sweet currant, kiwi and thyme. It is fresh and ready to drink.
A jammy raspberry aroma comes with a herb note and a pinch of varietal green. The palate is fresh, forward and well balanced, a nice home for plum, cherry and herb flavors. On the finish this is clean and fairly light in body, with some snappiness.
Floral aromas of acacia and Spanish broom mingle with yellow stone fruit and toasted nut. On the medium-bodied palate, a note of bitter almond underscores ripe apricot and tangerine zest. Fresh acidity lifts the rich flavors.
Based in the Côte des Blancs, this producer has made a soft, ripe style of Blanc de Blancs. It's smooth and creamy in texture, drinkable now with its hint of toastiness balanced by crisper apple flavors.
This opens with subdued aromas of mature plum, espresso, dried herb and a whiff of forest floor. The dense rounded palate offers dried cherry, licorice, vanilla and coffee framed in velvety tannins. Drink this through 2022.
Pure Pommard, this has more concentration and forward fruit than the other single-block wines in this series. A pleasing mix of strawberry, raspberry and cherry flavors, along with a dash of flat seltzer, it carries through clean and refreshing to a moderately long finish with a hint of herb.
Stone-fruit, orange peel and Ribeira Sacra's textbook schist-driven aromas make for a moderately complex and interesting nose. This is tightly wound, with an acidic backbone. Flavors of white peach, pithy citrus and mild bitterness finish with a waxy but firm texture. It's 70% Godello with Treixadura and Albariño.
Gravenstein apple, honeysuckle and jasmine aromas show on the relatively boisterous nose of this bottling from a large vineyard on Highway 46 east of Paso Robles. There is compellingly grippy texture to the sip, with ripe flavors of pear and honeydew melon. A salty acidity takes it to the next level.
This full-bodied red opens with aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, cassis and a whiff of cedar. The robust palate offers mature black plum, ground pepper and clove alongside austere, rather astringent tannins that grip the finish. Drink 2018–2025.
First-take aromas of raisin and cotton candy are soft and sweet. Following that lead, this feels chunky but adequately acidic. Herbal, reedy raspberry and plum flavors finish with spice and chocolate notes. Drink now.
Made exclusively from Pinot Noir grown in the best parcels of the Josselin vineyard, this Champagne has richness along with hints of maturity. Fruity with citrus and green apple flavors, it has a crisp texture that is just about to soften. Drink from 2018.
This is a sculpted, mature wine that has good complexity to its aromas, a core of vivid blackberry flavors and a seamless but moderately tannic texture. It's a very good example of a well-balanced dinner wine that's not a blockbuster.
This is anything but a simple Chablis. Made from organically grown grapes, it's smooth, ripe and generous. Old vines in the blend lend concentration—loaded with apple and pear flavors and just the right amount of acidity. It's s ready to drink.
This textured and toasty wine shows a gentle acidity through its spice and warm apple and apricot flavors. Its mineral edge is tangy, zesty and attractive. Built to age for the medium term, it will be ready drink from 2019.
From Paul O'Brien, a producer with multiple versions of Tempranillo, comes this budget offering. It spent 18 months in 30% new French oak, which suggests that these were declassified barrels originally meant for the pricier wines. Dried fruits, especially fig, a scent of leather, and strong highlights of cherry tobacco and coffee all support the notion that this got the fancy wine treatment.
The very limited reserve bottling sees two years of barrel age in 100% new French oak. In this vintage, there isn't quite enough fruit ripeness to match that treatment. The light elegant fruit flavors of pomegranate and wild berry are a bit overpowered by the darker smoky oak flavors. A stiff streak of espresso runs through the finish. Best to drink this now through 2020.
This young, tight tart wine is a fine example of pure Syrah, as if tasted fresh out of the fermenter. Tart black cherry, cassis, coffee liqueur, vanilla and a light streak of metal all combine to make this a full fascinating example. The odds are that another three to five years of bottle age will continue to improve this wine, but it's already quite flavorful and interesting.
This is a nice amalgam of loose threads—leather, tobacco, earth and coffee, with purple plum and pie-cherry fruit. The fruit flavors lean toward fruit leather rather than fresh-picked, and the tannins are a bit astringent.
Extremely light in color, this age-worthy bottling offers very light, clean and delicate aromas of crisp Asian pear and Gravenstein apple. The sip is quite high-toned, with the slightest touches of melon, pear and citrus peels, showing deft restraint for an often unctuous grape. A hint of white peach arises on the finish.
Another accessible, complex and tasty wine from the Beckett brothers, this blend of 68% Zinfandel, 18% Petite Sirah, 8% Grenache and 6% Syrah offers baked and fresh blackberry notes on the nose, alongside slate, lilacs and clove. The layered palate shows blackened berries, espresso and a touch of caramel that ride a decent acidity deep into the finish.
This wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (73%) and Sémillon. Aromas of tropical fruit (that include kiwi and pineapple, along with toast and herb) lead to sleek spicy fruit flavors, with generous tropical flavors on the finish. It needs some time to settle in but shows a lovely sense of balance.
This spent about a year in 30% new oak, and some portion was American. Those aggressive scents and flavors still dominate, with the typical vanilla and pickle-barrel highlights. More bottle age is in order for maximum enjoyment. At the moment the fruit is primary and the barrel notes not entirely integrated. Drink after 2020.
Fruity aromas of wild berry meld together with whiffs of violet, tilled earth and dark spice on this young juicy red. The round savory palate doles out ripe black cherry, black berry, white pepper and a hint of licorice alongside supple tannins. It's easygoing and made to be drunk young so enjoy soon.
Heady aromas of pressed yellow flower, acacia honey and apricot follow over to the rounded palate along with yellow peach and nectarine. Fresh acidity provides lift while a bitter-almond note backs up the finish.
Smoothness, calmness and a reserved fruit and spice character allow this medium-boded wine to glide effortlessly over the palate. It has moderate plum and rhubarb flavors, gentle acidity and tannins, and a lingering peppery finish.
Enticing scents of red berry violet and menthol lift from the glass. On the bright polished palate, juicy morello cherry, blackberry, licorice and a sprinkling of white pepper are set against vibrant acidity and lithe athletic tannins. Drink through 2019.
Hawthorn, honeysuckle and white stone fruit aromas meld together on this mouthwatering white. The rounded medium-bodied palate offers ripe yellow apple, yellow pear and juicy tangerine alongside a hint of bitter almond. Fresh acidity lifts the creamy flavors.
The aromas leap out of the glass, with notes of potpourri, dried orange peel and honey. It drinks sweet, with viscous-feeling flower and marmalade flavors, with white flowers lingering on the finish.
Heady aromas of acacia flower, pear and yellow stone fruit lift out of the glass. On the ripe medium-bodied palate, tangy citrus notes underscore creamy yellow apple while almond and a hint of mineral signal the close.
Cheesy smelling oak and slightly overripe fruit aromas are a little less than spotless on the nose. In the mouth, this is raw and saucy in feel, with biting tannins. Sauvage berry flavors are gamy, while this is drying, scratchy and rugged on the finish. Drink through 2022.
From the hills around Vienna, this Riesling is a rich style, emphasizing fruity lemon and apricot flavors as well as steely acidity. It's a fine combination with a tightly perfumed aftertaste. Screw cap.
A rich and creamy character, underlined by pepper, sets this wine on a broad road. It has fine acidity as well, but it is the ripe structure that gives the wine character. There are delicious final apricot fruit flavors.
This is a rich and concentrated wine with welcoming aromas of black fruits, bacon, African violets and soft black pepper. The mouth is as intense as one would anticipate with more concentrated dark plum and currant flavors and accents of coconut on the long finish. The tannins are gripping and the structure firm; try with hearty red meat dishes for a superb pairing.
The nose of this Cab is very inviting with heady aromas of black cherry, cassis and blueberry infused with leather and woody spice. More of the same unfolds on the palate with cedar notes supporting the dark fruit. The mouthfeel is round and full but structured with tightly woven tannins carrying through the long finish.
Crushed violet petals, plum, roasty coffee and cocoa dusted black cherry aromas all welcome you on the bouquet of this wine. The round mouth is just as opulent and inviting, with more dark fruit and mocha notes backed by sweet spice. Tasty and easy to drink.
Meaty, dense and rich aromas, with driving scents of prune, licorice, blackberry and cola. The palate is healthy and rich, and it keeps in step with flavors of blackberry, dark plum and savory spice. Finishes lightly roasted and dark, with a saucy aftertaste that separates it from the masses. A lusty Malbec to drink now.
A blend that brings together French and Austrian varietals into a smooth, rich wine. Licorice, sweet fruit jelly and spice go with toast and polished acidity to give a wine with an international feel.
This wine shows some of the cool-climate notes associated with Western Australia and its maritime climate; green tobacco and other herbs intertwine with bright cassis fruit. At the same time, the fine quality of the tannins is evident in this wine's velvety texture, which makes it a pleasure to drink. Best now–2017.
A racy Grüner, crisply fruity and packed with both acidity and the typical varietal spice. It has fine balance with ripe apples adding to the mix, leaving a wine with a great final tang. Screw cap.
An impressive, rich Riesling that shows a balance between tropical fruit flavors as well as textured acidity. Apple and pineapple come together harmoniously with perfumes and a delicious juicy aftertaste.
A dry wine with firm tannins over the juicy red-cherry fruits. It is structured, while likely to develop well over the next few years. The wood and fruit are both attractive at this stage.
An interesting Rhône blend (40% Grenache, 26% Cinsault, 23% Syrah and 11% Mourvèdre) sappy and bright, with a generous mix of berries. Still tasting quite young and tight, this may benefit from additional cellar time.
This is a lovely, balanced wine, combining grip, texture and elegant details. It starts with clean fruit flavors of berry and cherry, bringing in delicate notes of root beer, vanilla and clove. There's a suggestion of brine also, the whole delivering marvelous complexity.
While remarkably lithe and delicate in style, this complex auslese is lusciously concentrated, with ripe peach and nectarine flavors balanced by hints of smoke, spice and musk. It's zippy and bright, with tart tangerine acidity and a wave of minerality on the finish.
The Mark VI (similar to the above Heather's Vineyard) is a sort of reserve reserve, this one from barrels chosen to showcase the most cellar-worthy aspects of the vintage. It succeeds nicely, delivering a solid, firm, tart wine with young raspberry and cherry fruit at its center. The tannins have a lightly herbal, leafy streak, and there's little doubt this will benefit from additional years in the cellar.
This is a rich, maturing wine that is full of toasty, yeasty flavors that are finely integrated with the orange zest and apple flavors. It is just right to drink now, at a midway point between youth and maturity but it will age for several more years. Drink until 2020.
This marks the first vintage of this Moulis estate under the ownership of the Barton family of Léoville Barton. Already the wine is showing breeding and an understated structure and richness. Lightly perfumed, full of black fruits and integrated tannins, it should age well. Drink from 2017.
This complex, mature wine has plenty of red fruit flavors, but its main character displays concentrated, tannin and spice. Hints of leather and rich acidity add their notes to this dense, dusty wine. It is ready to drink although it will still mature until 2020.
Initially this wine is smooth and creamy textured. As it opens up it shows a cool, crisp character, with white apple fruits and layers of spice from wood aging. It's an elegant wine, very balanced already, but likely to age for several years. Drink now and until 2020.
There is a great balance here between the creamy fruit and the wood flavors. Apricots, ripe apples and melon are spiced with the right amount of toastiness. The wine has a rich, warm feel. It is still young, so wait until 2015 to drink.
Because strong toast aromas show through this wine, its attractive full fruit will need time to come through. The wine, with its firm, almost red-wine structure, needs to age until 2016 before drinking.
Fresh, herbaceous notes on the nose and palate lend elegance to this rich, round Riesling, full of sweet canteloupe and peach flavors. It's delicately structured, with a zingy strike of citrus acidity and hints of spice that carry long on the finish.
Bone dry, this succulent, citrus-soaked Riesling is a textural marvel. Mixing grapefruit, lime and pear fruit flavors, its racy acidity underscores its complexity.
Showing richness, this wine is smooth and well balanced between ripe red berry fruits and generous tannins. The wood aging shows in a slight burnt edge, but this will pass as the wine develops. Drink from 2016.
This delicious blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, berries, tilled soil, blue flower and spice. The concentrated palate delivers fleshy black cherry, red currants, black pepper and graphite alongside smooth tannins. The long finish closes on a licorice note.
An intriguing, well-made wine, it conveys saucy red-fruit aromas that come with notes of raw oak, leather and herbs. It smacks the palate with hard tannins and raw verve, while flavors of vanilla, mocha, licorice and berry fruits finish crisp and woody. Drink through 2017.
A big, ripe wine, it shows richness from the superripe grapes. It is bold, full-bodied and packed with juicy black fruits. It's like a fruit bomb, but structure holds it together. Drink from 2015.
Dark berry, shoe polish and lemony oak are at the center of the bouquet on this blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot. The palate feels rich to the point of syrupy, while the flavor profile offers a condensed, jammy mix of wild berries, wood, herbs, chocolate and coffee. Additional herbal notes along with spicy flavors carry a thick finish to its conclusion. Drink through 2018.
This is a bit rustic in style, with sweaty leather and clove notes layered over subdued fruit, but the roundness in the mouth and silkiness on the palate amply compensate.
Mauve in color, this cold-fermented pink wine shows crystallized watermelon, effervescent pink lemonade and berry-lime sangria elements on the nose. It's very flavorful once sipped, with pomegranate and rose petal notes, proving ripe and tasty yet not overdone.
Seductive aromas of raspberries, sandalwood, graphite and a pinch of allspice entertain the nose on this wine. The spiced wood character carries to the palate, where dried strawberries and pomegranate add riper fruit elements.
Rich, oaky aromas of coconut and vanilla are matched by earthy, almost nutty berry and cassis scents. This is tannic, grabby and slightly abrasive, while chocolate, cherry and cassis flavors end long, strong and ripe. Drink through 2018.
Purple flowers, ripe berry and tobacco aromas lead the nose on this Sangiovese-based wine. On the smooth, concentrated palate, notes of black pepper, anise and clove accent the core of fleshy black cherry. Velvety tannins provide support. Drink 2016–2020.
Red berry, rose, tilled soil and a whiff of baking spice aromas almost jump out of the glass. The lively palate doles out juicy black cherry, raspberry, clove and orange zest alongside vibrant acidity and supple tannins that give this wine a smooth mouthfeel.
This ruby colored Syrah-led blend is stout, oaky, minerally and convincing, with ripe cassis, prune and licorice aromas. Full, rubbery tannins make for a choppy palate, while briny and earthy flavors of blackberry and plum finish with a punch of acidity.
Pristine apple and peach aromas lead to a zesty, clean palate of citric acidity and minerality. Nectarine, tangerine and lime flavors control the front palate, while a stony, crystalline finish is refreshing as can be.
A haze of summer flowers hovers across a fizzy feast of crunchy, green apple. Autolytic notes of bread stay clearly in the background while this easy, joyful wine majors on primary, crisp apple fruit and a whistle-clean finish.
Aromas of toasted oak, espresso, coconut and dried black fruit slowly take shape in the glass. Made entirely with Merlot, the dense palate offers blackberry extract, black cherry, coffee and grilled sage alongside rather astringent tannins that dry out the finish.
This is an up-and-coming variety for Washington and this wine displays why. Hailing from Olsen Vineyard, it's all about acid and texture, with the sleek starfruit and citrus-peel flavors playing second fiddle. Pair it with shellfish.
This opens with earthy aromas of forest floor, tilled soil, dark berry and a whiff of baking spices. Made with very old vines, the concentrated palate doles out black cherry, blackberry, clove and anise alongside fresh acidity.
Brooding aromas of dates, herbs and cherry lead to full-bodied coffee and pit-fruit flavors that show a sense of balance and finesse.
This appealing offering has aromas of smoke, char, coffee and berry. It shows a sense of restraint and elegance while still displaying depth and balance to the lingering dark fruit and savory flavors.
This is an attractive, plump white blend for early consumption. Pineapple and toasted almond notes mark the nose, while the fruit flavors on the palate are subtly reminiscent of pineapple and melon.
Aromas of leafy underbrush, espresso, grilled porcini mushroom and dark berry take shape in the glass. The firm palate offers dried cherry, coffee beans and savory herbs but the midpalate is a bit hollow.
This medium-bodied wine offers ample fresh fruit flavors and a smooth texture that's not too tannic or tight on the palate. It smells like red cherries and plums, tastes almost like strawberries, and carries that fruity freshness through the finish. It's a well-made wine to enjoy soon.
One of the Steve and Chrystal Clifton's lively takes on this grape, this shows smashed black currants, boysenberry, gravel and dark spice on the nose. Allspice and cinnamon decorate the black-cherry core, which is not particular juicy or overly ripe, tightened up further by pencil shavings.
Made from 100% Syrah grapes, this rosé is the color of a light Pinot Noir, deeper red than pink, with flavors of cranberry, rhubarb and orange. Medium to fuller-bodied in weight, it's dry and textural, with a compelling bouquet of rose petals.
Wet cedar, dried leaves and mushroom notes extend a woodsy, earthy tone to ripe black cherry and plums in this unusually savory, nuanced Merlot. Supple and ripe, it extends languorously on the palate, fringed by fine tannins and an appetizing touch of bitterness on the finish. Drink now through 2020.
This value-driven wine has a touch of spearmint and bay leaf on the nose, and remains savory and herbal on the palate. A bit of heft builds around black cherry and raspberry, ending seamlessly with only the faintest taste of toasted oak.
Aromas of toast, sawdust, dark berry and cocoa lead the way. The firm palate offers black cherry, dark chocolate, espresso, oak and anise alongside tightly wound tannins and lively acidity.
Coming from a vineyard better known for its reds, this wine is a field blend of eight clones of the variety. It offers aromas of white grapefruit, oyster shells and whiffs of tropical fruit. Flavors are fleshy in feel while retaining tart, citric acidity.
While some cuvées seem to handle the oak better than others, this wine comes across as full of toasted coconut and vanilla. There's some dark cherry fruit and savory herbs in support, but the oak dominates, albeit it in a popular, user-friendly way.
Crisp red cherry and plum flavors penetrate the core of this vivacious Pinot Noir. Accents of bramble and granite, cedar and spice lend complexity and depth to the midpalate. It's a briskly composed wine framed by fine, persistent tannins.
This full-bodied blend of Clairette (60%) and Roussanne (40%) is concentrated but a bit simple, with aromas and flavors of grilled pineapple. It's crisp and clean on the flavorful finish.
Vivid, fresh apple aromas and flavors plus light banana and butter notes and a tangy but rich texture make this medium-bodied, Rhône-style wine more than simple refreshment. There is depth and interest in the fruit flavors and the mouthfeel. It's made from Roussanne and Viognier grapes.
Initial notes of dust and earth blow off to reveal a luscious, sunny spectrum of yellow peaches and nectarines. It's a curious, enticing wine, honeyed and ripe, yet delicate and dancing in mouthfeel. Hints of fennel and spice add complexity to a long, lingering finish.
A zesty wine, its fragrances suggest stone fruit, cut grass, pineapple and a mineral note. The bright, lively palate delivers yellow peach, papaya and citrus alongside a steely mineral note and crisp acidity.
Done in the winery's soft and fruity style, this estate-grown Chardonnay spent 10 months in French oak, half new. Buttered pears and a whiff of barrel toast create a forward, approachable wine ready for drinking in 2014.
Heady floral aromas of white spring flowers come with accents of exotic fruit and cut grass. The juicy fruit palate offers pineapple, mango and papaya. Crisp acidity leaves a clean finish.
Floral aromas suggest yellow spring flowers and whiffs of tropical fruit. The juicy fruit palate offers apples, pineapple, peach, citrus and almond notes brightened by crisp acidity.
This fragrant Lugana opens with aromas of Spanish broom, pressed flower petals, ripe stone fruit, and hints of Mediterranean herbs. The savory palate offers juicy peach, green apple, lemon drop and mineral alongside fresh acidity. White almond marks the finish.
Waxy lanolin and lemon-skin notes scent this dry, intensely linear Riesling. The palate is stark, with lime and lemon flavors accented by a stony mineral tone that lingers on the finish.
Made from the Kerner grape, which is a hybrid of Trollinger and Riesling, this silky wine begins with aromas of apricot and grapefruit, with undertones of nutmeg and clove. The crisp palate delvers white peach, pear and mineral alongside fresh acidity.
Aromas recall fragrant spring flowers, white tree fruit and mineral. The linear palate delivers ripe pear and juicy yellow apple while fragrant herbs and mineral add depth.
Young, sappy and still quite tart, this wine needs a bit more time in the bottle to really pull itself together. Cranberry and raspberry fruit is at the core, clean and lip-smacking, with strong streaks of smoke and char from aging in 50% new French oak.
Although this wine earns its reserve designation with extra concentration, it comes at the cost of complexity. The tart rhubarb and cranberry flavors are tight and the mouthfeel blocky; the wine seems to hit a wall and stop at the stiff tannins.
Savory and medium-bodied, it's loaded with sensations of juicy green apple, Bartlett pear, Spanish broom, almond and citrus peel. The creamy palate is brightened with crisp acidity that give balance and a brisk finish.
ensations include white flowers, juicy white peach, green apple, mango, and toasted almond. The supple palate is supported by crisp acidity that leaves a refreshing finish.
A blend of 60% Pinot Bianco, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Sauvignon, it conveys aromas of oak, lemon drop and candied fruits. The round palate offers intense but fleeting sensations of Golden Delicous apples and butterscotch. This is already accessible so drink soon.
This rich, intense wine has a strong tannic element that is balanced with the red and black berry fruits. There's a burst of acidity, but the main thrust of this wine is structure and concentration.
It opens with aromas of violet, iris, ripe red berries and a whiff of vanilla. The soft palate offers fleshy black cherry, raspberry, black pepper and well-integrated oak alongside round tannins.
Fresh and delicately scented, this offers aromas of white spring flower, orchard fruit and citrus. The vibrant palate shows crisp apple, white peach and lemon zest balanced by firm acidity.
Varietal aromas of tomato vine, elderflower, gooseberry and citrus lead the nose and follow through to the palate along with grapefruit, sage and mineral. Racy acidity leaves a crisp finish.
Aromas of white flower, crushed herb, fennel and cut grass emerge on this vibrant white. The bright palate shows citrus zest, mint and mineral alongside crisp acidity.
Beeswax, acacia honey and toasted nut aromas carry over to palate along with yellow apple and mineral. It closes on a note of bitter almond.
Opening aromas blend earthy red fruits with a whiff of leather. It's a nicely sculpted wine, tight and stiff, with pleasant berry and cherry flavors that stop abruptly as the finish turns a bit sour.
Delicate aromas of yellow flower, beeswax and orchard fruit lead the way. The palate is bright and straightforward while offering tastes of yellow apple skin, citrus and a hint of mineral carried by bright acidity.
Gooseneck is based in Rhode Island but sources wines from around the world. This Pinot was produced at River's Edge, in the Elkton Oregon AVA. It sends out aromas of caramel and graham cracker, and enters the palate with a soft, silky mouthfeel and plum fruit. Though the vintage is recent, it drinks like a more mature wine, with granular tannins and flavors of coffee grounds running through the finish.
Ripe, succulent yellow peaches and tangerines seem grazed by razor-edged shards of lime and grapefruit in this dry, squarely structured Riesling. Light-footed and lively, it's straightforward refreshment to be enjoyed now through 2018.
Old vines on schist soil have produced a wine that is so concentrated. It is spoilt by some bitter extract that comes from wood aging as much as from the fruit. If that softens, the wine will become rich and generous. Wait until 2017.
While the nose is subdued, the palate of this off-dry Riesling is unexpectedly fruity, brimming with juicy peach and nectarine flavors. It's simple and straightforward but a refreshing, satisfying sip. Drink now through 2017.
Aromas of black cherry and green frying peppers prepare the palate for flavors of cherry, blackberry, green bell pepper and licorice. Smooth tannins and strong fruit flavors are slightly overcome by green notes, and the cool bell pepper finish yields soft touches of cherry.
Using shriveled, dried Cabernet Franc grapes, this appassimento-style wine is a new endeavor in the Michigan wine scene, yet it might merit further experimentation for such a cool climate growing region. Initial notes of balsamic blow off to reveal notes of brandied cherries and dried hay. Medium in weight, with fine, sandy tannins, the palate is condensed and ripe in fresh cherry tones that linger on the finish. As a result of the drying process, the alcohol hits over 15%, yet beyond the roundness on the palate, it's quite imperceptible.
Aromas of wisteria and green apple lead the way on this straightforward white. The tangy palate tastes of juicy pear, citrus and a hint of white almond while zesty acidity and a mineral note give the finish a slight lift.
Two fistfuls of Petite Sirah are added to the mix here, the wine a mix of black cherry and berry around soft, sinewy layers of black pepper and firm tannins. Never overbearing, this wine will do well at the table around plenty of meats.
Barrel-fermented in neutral wood, this gives a quick whiff of buttered croissant, then dives into a moderately ripe palate with lime, pineapple and lemon rind. It's an all-purpose and appealing wine that is drinking nicely right now.
This opens with aromas of hay, pressed yellow flower and orchard fruit. The direct palate offers yellow apple skin, toasted nut and a mineral note alongside invigorating acidity.
Closed and youthful, this wine is medium in build and subtle in oak. It conveys a briny streak throughout the palate, and a distinct taste of candied lemon.
Gold with copper hues, this opens with aromas of wildflower, tangerine zest and a whiff of crushed stone. The vibrant palate offers rennet apple, lime, ginger drop and a hint of mineral alongside mouthwatering acidity.
Arinto is the real local grape of the small city of Bucelas where this quinta is located. This fresh wine shows its light mineral and citrus character very well. It also brings out riper fruit flavors that fill it out and give it a rich character. The wine is ready to drink now.
This Grenache was made in a firm, tannic and quite oaky style. Dark flavors mix black cherry, black licorice and road tar, with some alcoholic burn running along the finish.
Alone among a lineup of pure single-varietal reds, this reserve-level Meritage blend shows ample fruit, with juicy citrus and sour-cherry flavors. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, filled out with Cab Franc, Merlot and Malbec. Chalky acids dominate a short finish.
Freshly pressed apple and pear are brightened by squirts of lemon and lime in this refreshing dry Riesling. Zesty and spry, it's a thirst-quenching wine for everyday drinking now through 2018.
This wine starts with an enticing, perfumed spicy aroma. Once sipped, a big burst of dry tannins coats the mouth and makes the mild fruit flavors seem thin and spare in the middle. The structure and the texture seem to need more richness and depth from the flavors. Drink after 2020 to let the tannins mellow out.
A blend of Touriga Nacional and Trincadeira named after Pingo, the winemaker's dog. It's fruity, juicy and fresh with fine acidity and the right balance of spicy tannins. It is ready to drink now.
Kandorian makes a stainless-steel version of Sauvignon Blanc, and also this heavily-oaked style, which is about as far in the other direction as possible. It's deep gold, scented with strong whiskey-barrel aromas, and tasting of nut oil and superripe apples, plus plenty of oak.
Delicate aromas of orchard fruit and white spring flower mingle together while the reserved but refined palate offers green apple and mineral. Crisp acidity and a hint of mineral give it a clean finish.
Fleshy and full-figured, this wine is made in a big, expansive style. It's rounded in vanillin oak and a bite of honeycomb, with lighter accompaniments of mango and pear.
Thick, rich and ripe in vanilla, the American oak in this wine is pronounced and intense, wrapping itself around notes of candied apple and toffee-caramel.
Grapefruit, mineral and freshly cut grass aromas lead the way. On the palate, brisk acidity supports pink grapefruit, tangerine and a mineral note.
Opening aromas of cola and dark fruits are belied by the tangy, edgy palate that's fresh in terms of its raspberry and plum flavors but not all that deep or complex. A clean, straightforward wine with zest but limited flavors.
Acidic, chalky and sharp upon entry, this wine's light berry flavors quickly give way to those tart acids. Though the fruit shows some concentration, it's a one-dimensional effort that has not completely knit together.
Opens with fairly deep blackberry aromas, but there's also a stemmy edge to the bouquet. Generic flavors of baked plum and berry are lifted by slicing acids, while the finish bounces along before ending with some straightforward chocolate and berry notes.
Mild, light aromas of apple, toast, mineral and petrol are solid before they evaporate, while the palate is easygoing and on target, with citrus and apple flavors. Without calling it overly exciting or complex, we like the mix of Chardonnay and Viognier because it's lively, fresh and perfectly drinkable.
Sweet and sour aromas amount to a prickly bouquet, while the palate has some flesh as well as freshness. Nectarine and spiced apple flavors are solid but pithy, and overall the wine is good but lacks concentration. Good for everyday quaffing.
Initially a tightly textured, apple and pear skin flavored wine. As it opens up, it shows creamy, fresh fruit, with pear and white currant freshness, finished with green walnuts and a burst of acidity.
Creamy, green plum- and wood-flavored Chardonnay, clean, somewhat anonymous. Hints of citrus and acidity help keep the wine fresh, giving a final, easy crisp finish.
Airfield reds are thoroughly saturated with color, and often quite tannic, to the detriment of the lighter, more subtle fruit. This wine loses its definition and turns from pretty to pretty harsh as a result.
Opens with light but earthy raspberry aromas and plum, and then it breaks up a bit with airing. The palate is lean but fresh and gritty, with cherry and cola flavors in front of a limited, narrow finish. Run-of-the-mill, which isn't bad given the price.
Dominated by the menthol and cedar notes of oak, this medium-bodied Pinot features a modicum of cherry fruit and a tart, crisp finish.
Co-fermented with 3% Viognier, this tart and sharp-edged Washington Syrah sports bright berry fruit and just a hint of earth in the tannins. The acids are a little chalky, and there is a slight medicinal quality in the back of the mouth as the wine finishes.
Early tobacco and mint aromas quickly yield to mossy black fruit, and in the mouth it's fresh and zesty, with mild green-pepper infused plum and cassis flavors. Quite crisp and lean, with herbal influences showing up at all points. Classic Navarran red wine.
This familiar brand of Vinho Verde has long been in a sweeter style. But this latest vintage seems to have brought out the fresh, crisp fruits, and pushed back the sweetness. The result is a delicious summer apéritif style that leaves a clean, light taste in the mouth.
Fresh and light with ripe fruit notes of red apple and apricot spiced with hints of white florals and lime zest. The medium weight mouth is juicy and clean, the ripe stone fruit flavors carrying through to the close. Drink now.
Sweet mocha is the heart of this wine, with stemmy fruit flavors of black cherry and mashed raspberry providing the supporting frame. A glimmer of hickory smoke accents the long finish. Drink now.
This fresh but spicy Chardonnay starts with tropical fruit, citrus and floral aromas leading into a great fruit and acid balance. The minerality keeps the wine fresh and lifted, giving it a food-friendly edge. A great go-to white.
Well made in a lighter style, this offers strawberry and raspberry fruit, tart acids, and a tight, somewhat tannic exit. This winery has dramatically reduced the alcohol levels of their wines over the past few years—by what means we do not know—but the 13.1% listed here feels a little thin.
Pretty good, sturdy and clean. The nose shows good white fruits and minerally notes, with a bit of toast. In the mouth, it's healthy and sweet, with tropical flavors of melon and papaya along with creamy pear. Finishes sweet, with some vanilla.
Soft grass, green gooseberry and a hint of fig unfold on the nose, while ripe green plum and lime rind fill the medium-weight mouth. Clean and easy to drink; pair with crab salad canapés.
Blackberry and balsam wood are the key aromas, but there's a pinch of cumin in there too. The palate is wide, broad and tannic, with leathery, roasted flavors of dark berry and black plum. Finishes savory and a bit salty, with a clacky, hard, tannic residue.
The nose on this red starts with a slightly medicinal cherry cola nose, and a touch of smoked meat. On the palate, cherry, red berry and cigarbox flavors are carried by a lively acidity. Fresh and balanced, it will pair well with grilled meats, stews.
Riper in style than Ara's Composite bottling, offering straightforward pineapple fruit and a clean, refreshing style. It's nicely balanced, with a mouthwatering finish. Drink now.
From the north of the Margaux appellation, this is a wine that has tense, acidic, black berry fruits, soft tannins and a light, juicy character. Not for long-term aging.
Pungent and sweaty smelling, with nettle and other sharp aromas. Surprisingly, the palate is short on acidity so there's a flat feel along with green, salinic flavors that border on vegetal. For proof, there's a clear wave of asparagus to the finish. Not as good as in past years.
Rustic, with a spin of smoke, this red has a nose of green herbs, black cherry and smoke, and flavors of dried herb, red berry and tobacco. Masculine and focused, it's perfect for spicy meat dishes and stews.
Ripe and fruit forward with lush notes of melon, banana and sweet tropical fruit citrus throughout. Medium weight, the finish is loaded with juicy fresh peach flavors. Drink now.
An attractive, soft wine, with a chewy, juicy character. It shows red fruits, a touch of licorice and acidity. The wine is now mature. Drink this year.
A pretty, vibrant Pinot Noir from southern Germany, featuring strawberry and raspberry fruit, some slightly herbal nuances and a bright, lively finish. Drink now–2013.
Wines at 15.5% alcohol suggest too much of everything. This wine is no exception, with its heavily extracted character, bitter chocolate and wood perfumes. It should soften in 2–3 years, but will always be overweight.
Light aromas of tropical fruits and white flowers are basic and open. An average feeling palate carries sweet flavors of tropical fruits like pineapple and mango accented by vanilla. Throw in a sprinkle of powdered sugar and you get the picture.
This is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Moscato that's yeasty and oaky on the nose. The mouth is creamy and home to apple, vanilla and oxidized afterflavors. There's enough solid pear and melon involved to make it worthwhile, but you can't miss the mature nature of the wine.
This opens with hard-capped aromas of crusty mineral and reedy berry. The flavors are gamy and roasted, with brandied plum and cherry accents. The finish is bright in feel and runs long with an herbal raspberry flavor.
A touch of leather adds intrigue to bright cherry and fresh herb aromas in this Long Island Bordeaux-style blend, but hints of unripe stems lend a slightly green tone to the palate. Medium bodied in style with a refreshing spray of acidity.
An intriguing wine, with aromas of white pepper, smoked meat, herbs and red fruit. The palate can't deliver all that these aromas have to offer though, seeming underripe and without the structure to hold them together. Interestingly, it's aged in 100% new oak—half French and half American—but the wood doesn't show.
Flat early aromas seem smoky at first and then more like apple and papaya. This is a plump Sauvignon Blanc with mouthfilling weight; it's a touch mealy in flavor, and no particular fruits stick out. It's fine, but short on character.
Off dry, crisp, and with a strong citrus element that gives a lemon-candy character to the wine. It's a light, bright wine that's great for drinking this summer. Screwcap.
This standard Chardonnay opens with blowsy melon and papaya aromas. The palate holds onto that melony feel while dealing honeydew, papaya and fleshy apple flavors. The finish tastes sweet and kind of flat.
Ripe stem and leaf notes lend a distinctly green tone to bright black-cherry and cassis flavors in this Cabernet Franc. It's a slightly austere wine, but brisk acidity and delicate structure make it an excellent food companion.
A very soft, fruity wine, with a gentle, creamy texture and light acidity. It's fresh with vanilla and pear flavors, and ready to drink.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this has a shy nose that eventually reveals red berry and vanilla. The evolved palate offers French oak, toast and cinnamon alongside teeth-coating tannins. Drink soon.
Pungent briny citrus aromas announce a lean, tangy palate. This edgy SB features zesty, sharp citrus and green-herb flavors, which are typical for Casablanca. A dilute finish displays watered-down snap.
This is an early drinking style of wine. It is warm and ripe with attractive soft tannins and plenty of red fruits and balancing acidity. The wine will just need to calm its bubbly fruitiness and will be ready to drink during late 2017.
This is a fruity wine, packed with red-berry flavors. It is lightly textured and with plenty of acidity to keep it crisp. This wine, from the cru property's fifth generation, is going to mature over the next few months, so drink from mid-2017.
The cru wine is soft, full of cherry fruits and with a light touch of tannin. With its fruit, it is open and generous with a crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
Minty oaky aromas of baking spices share space on the nose with earthy black plum and berry notes. This feels tannic and resiny while the oaky spicy berry flavors finish with force and drying tannins.
The nose isn't very expressive but eventually shows suggestions of leafy underbrush and sunbaked earth. The solid palate offers raspberry, tart cherry and a hint of ground pepper alongside firm tannins.
Hints of menthol and leather lead the nose on this robust red. The hearty, monolithic palate offers dried black cherry, clove and a hint of tobacco alongside firm tannins. You'll also detect the warmth of evident alcohol on the close.
Made with 70% Sangiovese and 30% Merlot, this easy-drinking wine has aromas of violets and vanilla. The straightforward palate delivers sour cherries and aromatic herbs alongside zesty acidity and lithe tannins. Enjoy soon.
This Hawke's Bay-based producer has drawn fruit from Central Otago for this wine, which shows some austere tannins and minty overtones. Cherry and cinnamon notes join wintergreen, while the finish is clean, dry and firm. Worth holding a few years to see what develops.
Made entirely with Alicante, this opens with delicate aromas of black-skinned fruit and a whiff of leather. The straightforward palate offers ripe black plum and cooking spice alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
Aromas of dried and fresh herbs, whole green pepper and tobacco lead to tart savory cranberry and citrus flavors. It trails toward the finish.
Sourced from a region along the eastern coast of the South Island, this is fresh and greenish on the nose—think green onion, cut grass, lime—yet riper-tasting, offering hints of stone fruit and melon. It's a pleasant mix that finishes soft and easy. Drink now.
Concentrated but crisp black-plum and cherry flavors are accented by savory hints of mushroom, toast and spice in this surprisingly elegant Chelois, a French-American hybrid variety. Slightly puckering acidity lends balance to a rich fleshy mouthfeel. Fine tannins frame a taut finish. Drink now through 2020.
Zippy white grapefruit and lemon juxtapose more savory tones of crushed mineral, pressed apple and pear in this off-dry Riesling. The palate is sprightly and bright with a clean, moderately persistent finish. Drink now through 2019.
This light-bodied wine showcases the sometimes perfumed nature of Pinot Noir from Marlborough. Vanilla, cedar and mocha notes from oak maturation layer atop the delicate cherry fruit, finishing a bit dry. Drink it over the next few years, before the fruit fades.
Delicate aromas of red cherry and forest floor lead the way on this straightforward red. With a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the easygoing palate offers red raspberry and clove alongside bright acidity.
Aromas of herb, tobacco, tire rubber and leather lead to soft-feeling citrus and savory flavors. There are some interesting things going on but the variety seems hard to find.
Made with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, this opens with aromas of black currant and baking spice. The evolved palate provides mature plum, oak and toast alongside gripping, rather drying tannins.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah, this opens with delicate aromas suggesting black-skinned fruit and a whiff of cooking spice. The easygoing palate delivers black currant and leather alongside round tannins.
From the smallest of the Beaujolais crus, this wine is structured, layering tannins with black fruits and acidity. It is a wine to age at least for a couple of years. Drink from 2018.
A solidly structured wine with fine tannins and ripe red-berry fruits. The acidity adds a piquancy to the fruitiness giving the wine a lift. The wine comes from Henry Fesse vines. Drink from late 2017.
An attractive, lightly structured cru wine that has juicy cherry fruits. It is balanced, ripe with acidity and gentle tannins in equal measure. Drink from late 2017.
A rounded and soft wine that has juicy red fruits and gentle tannins. It just hints at a dry structure that will allow it to age for several months. Drink this attractive cru wine from late 2017.
Baked boysenberries, purple flowers and baking spice show on the nose of this widely available bottling. The palate is quite minerally, with crushed lava rocks, followed by cooked elderberry, black-cherry pie and a touch of clove.
A blend of Stillwater Creek and Conner Lee Vineyard fruit, this wine brings aromas of dried cherry and cranberry. The flavors are restrained but still show depth, seeming a bit dried out.
Proprietary cool-climate aromas of spicy meaty black fruits are suggestive of peas. While this is raw, choppy and bumpy in feel, it's not ponderous. Roasted salty meaty plum flavors are spicy, while this remains herbal in character but fresh on the finish.
Made entirely with Merlot, this opens with delicate aromas of black-skinned fruit and a whiff of baking spice. The mature palate reveals prune and vanilla alongside rather evolved tannins. Enjoy soon.
There's a funky, waxy edge to this wine that adds complexity to its honeyed melon, lime and pear aromas and flavors. It's quite full-bodied, and carries a bit of residual sugar as well, making it a prime candidate to match with mild curries and the like.
Very firm and tight, with streaks of mineral and textures of earth. Unyielding and a bit over-sulfered, but it hints and depth and concentration.
Scents of pineapple and hazelnuts open into a lush, spicy, forward, slightly toasty wine with immediate drinkablility and appeal.
Richly scented with citrus blossoms, mineral and spice. Nicely balanced and light, the flavors are layered and intermingled through an elegant, firm, satisfying finish.
This is an excellent, dry, well-balanced and nicely tannic wine that would love to come to your next dinner featuring a roast bird or grilled chop. It's a bit reserved, not as showy as a lot of other wines, but has the gripping texture and firm acidity that is great at the table.
One of Oregon's finest values in Pinot Gris, this offers big, juicy flavors of luscious apple and pear, backed with punchy citrus. The ample acidity tastes of lemon and grapefruit, and a notable wash of minerality comes up in the finish. The blend includes small percentages of Gewürztraminer and Muscat.
This wine is concentrated, richly textured and full of great dark fruit character. It smells like plump blackberries and raspberries, tastes ripe, lush in the mouth, and lingering on the finish. What's more, it has very good balance, full body and well-integrated tannins.
Intensely floral aromas of violet, iris and rose emerge in the glass along with a whiff of dark-skinned berry. The savory palate offers juicy wild cherry, raspberry, cinnamon, mint and clove while mineral and licorice notes wrap around the finish. Close-grained tannins provide the firm framework.
This vintage of Rocky Gully Riesling comes across as quite ripe and rich despite the modest alcohol content. Smoky hints of struck flint and heating oil spice up flavors of baked apple and vanilla, then linger on the finish.
Aromas of toast, hazelnut, ripe berry and spice lead the nose while the structured palate doles out succulent black cherry, crushed raspberry, fennel and mineral. Fine-grained tannins leave a firm finish.
Strawberry jam and red cherries meet vanilla and nutmeg in this fresh, fruity but also complex wine. It is medium-bodied and just slightly tannic in the texture, which is a good thing. It has a great sense of harmony that lasts through the finish.
With some firm structure, this wine also has great fruitiness. It offers plenty of raspberry fruits, good acidity and a solid texture of tannins. The acidity keeps the wine perfumed and fresh. Drink the wine from 2019.
Whiffs of cedar and baking spices lead to ripe blackberry and boysenberry flavors in this well-balanced and easy to appreciate wine. The ample fruit flavors are hard to resist, and the supple, modestly tannic texture is just right.
Meaty, smoky aromas and good, high-amplitude fruit flavors give a robust personality to this full-bodied, dry and firmly tannic wine. It will make a good pairing with pasta, roasted birds or grilled meat.
Blossoms and pink grapefruits scent this fresh, fruity wine. Off dry in style, it's concentrated in plush, tropical flavors of guava and mango yet calibrated neatly by a vein of lime acidity. It's guzzably fresh and approachable but refined enough for elegant dining occasions. Drink now through 2019.
Aromas of gingerbread cookies with a black-cherry glaze meet black gravel and a touch of asphalt on the nose of this complex and flavorful bottling. The palate blends the brightness of red cherry and strawberry fruit with a rocky minerality, spiced up by black pepper and settling into a plum-skin groove toward the finish.
The debut release for this producer is a bright garnet shade. Exhuberant and broad, the palate is bursting with cranberry, blue plum and Bing cherry flavors. Drink over the next year or two, while it is at its freshest.
This is a full-bodied, ripe, well-made and fruity wine, subdued and velvety on the palate in bright red fruit, leather, mint and cinnamon.
With a little airing, this wakes up to reveal dark red cherries held in a taut and firm body that nonetheless has a generous core. There is some gentle grip and frank, firm acidity. It's a very honest wine without any baroque frills—but bags of forthright appeal.
Smoky, earthy, black pepper aromas make this wine catchy at the first sniff, and then the flavors fill the mouth with similarly spicy, earthy suggestions. It is full-bodied, firm-textured and quite concentrated. Pour this with venison or smoked duck or another game dish if possible.
Berry and cinnamon aromas are lightly woody and spicy. This is tannic but not mean or fierce. Flavors of oaky plum and berry fruits turn savory in front of a finish with a dry, snappy, slightly raw feel. Given that 2013 was a cold vintage, this Crianza deserves praise.
Juicy and delicious, this has aromas of ripe orchard fruit and fragrant Spanish broom. The succulent palate doles out crisp Granny Smith apple, Anjou pear, nectarine and mineral alongside bright acidity.
This opens with alluring aromas of raspberry jam, blue flower, ground pepper and grilled herb. The savory, succulent palate offers juicy black cherry, black raspberry, clove and mineral. Firm tannins provide seamless support while fresh acidity lifts the ripe, mouthwatering fruit.
Aromas of this wine show considerable wood. On the palate, the wood is very present, giving acidity as well as layers of toast and spice. Hints of yellow fruit show through, suggesting the possibility of a ripe, rich wine in the future. Drink from 2019.
This Slovenian Ribolla Gialla has aromas of peach and vanilla, with flavors of freshly baked peach pie, canned apricots and green apple. It is soft on entry, rounded in the mouth and shows good minerality on the finish.
Vibrant and elegant, this offers aromas of wild flower and ripe red berry. The juicy palate doles out tart red cherry, fresh strawberry and mineral alongside tangy acidity. A mouthwatering saline note closes the bright finish.
Apple, yellow flower and sea breeze aromas lead the way. The bright, elegant palate displays lemon, lime and walnut alongside vibrant acidity. A mineral vein underscores the savory flavors. Drink now or hold another two or three years for more complexity.
Inviting aromas of baked blueberries are leveled by crushed asphalt and dried herbs on the refined nose of this bottling. Stewed strawberry and red plum flavors are elegantly cut by more crushed stone, dried spearmint and a touch of sweet tobacco, all held together by grippy tannins.
The grapes for this full-bodied wine hail from the Luvisi Vineyard in the heart of Calistoga old-vine country—a warm and welcome site for the variety. Baked blackberry and black olive combine around a taste of charred meat before brawny spins of brown sugar and nutmeg play on the palate with jolts of chocolate and vanilla.
Very subtle hints of ripe, red apple hover above the glass. They become more apparent and richer on the slightly spiced palate that also shows hints of pepper and saffron. There is concentration on the palate and ample definition and structure provided by clean, brisk freshness.
A majority of Grenache and tiny bit of Mourvèdre from Kick Ranch and McGah Vineyard were racked to concrete egg for fermentation, with the intent of preserving freshness. Successful in that quest, this orange-pink wine is dry, tangy and well-integrated in terms of acidity, subtle in cranberry, dried cherry and orange, with a light, refreshing finish.
Gentle spice and redcurrant notes promise a subtle wine. The palate does not disappoint and sings with translucent, light-footed elegance. This is all about charm and ease, about chiffon rather than velvet. Crisp freshness brightens and lightens everything. It's a mere whiff of a wine but a delicious one.
Light herb aromas and vivid apple flavors make this medium-bodied wine delicious, while the tangy, nervy texture keeps the mouth tingling. It has great balance, concentration and length on the finish.
Summer fruit and fresh ripeness dominate: think red apple, yellow plum and breezy lemon freshness. This wine is really uplifting, light, fresh and friendly: it paints a picture of summer aperos under open skies. Drink soon.
Light aromas of rose petal, herb and spice lead to dry, white grapefruit flavors that fall a bit flat.
Burnt and herbal plum and berry aromas are just good enough. This feels clampy due to hard tannins. Medicinal plum and cherry flavors come with a forced-oak element, while this is dry and tannic on a hollow finish.
Volatile aromas are backed by abundant strawberry and cherry notes. The palate packs a mouthful of bold and puckering dried-cranberry flavors, backed by lightly astringent tannins.
The aromas are surprisingly light considering the variety, with whiffs of both lime and peach. It drinks dry, with the variety difficult to discern.
This is one of those complex blends that are a specialty of Tejo. The result is bright and fruity with just enough tannins from the Touriga Nacional to give structure to the bold Alicante Bouschet. Drink now.
This tan-colored Muscat was fermented and aged in clay amphora, hence the “viejas tinajas” name. Aromatically, this is strained and smells vaguely of apricot and citrus peel. The palate is drawing due to heavy skins contact during fermentation and aging, while a short set of bitter apricot flavors is more challenging than pleasurable. Better to wait for the 2016. This is past its prime.
Walnut oil, orange rinds and burned caramel converge for a Scotch-like aroma on the nose of this late harvest wine. Sour orange and bitter walnut flavors show on the sip.
Quite light aromas are followed by dry, somewhat diluted fruit flavors. The variety seems to get lost and it drinks more like a generic white wine.
Pressed plum and dried berry meet with leather on the nose, becoming a bit musty over time. The dusty flavors carry to the sip, where underripe bramble provides tang but little else.
Creamy malty aromas of vanilla and baked berry fruits lead to an astringent palate with hard tannins. This Malbec tastes earthy and like baked berry fruits and coffee grounds. A grabby finish with clamping residual tannins makes for a rugged ending.
This is a simple soft red-fruited wine, designed for drinking with barbecues. With spicy fruit, attractive acidity and a soft, juicy texture, the wine is ready now.
Spearmint and pine resin stand out in this simple, light-bodied red that traffics subtly in spice and tannin, not quite finding its balance.
This is a muddled, roughly textured effort, rich and ripe in cinnamon apple that hides its oak use well.
This is made from a majority of Cabernet Franc, with sizable additions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Mint and bay leaf curry favor on the nose, while a severity of oak hits the palate.
This ripe, fruity, rounded wine has a soft texture, rich apricot fruit and just enough acidity. The texture is immediately attractive—fruity with a touch of crispness at the end. Drink now.
An incongruous mix of plastic, olive, oak and green berry aromas sets up an abrasive palate. This is strange at all checkpoints, with heavily oaked, leathery flavors of herbal berry fruits. A fiery finish that runs heavy on green notes is the close.
This is half Merlot, with Pinot Noir, Cab Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon divvying up the other half—a completely different Ranch Red than in 2013. It's sweaty and short, with some off flavors in the finish.
Aromas of pink grapefruit and passion fruit are more in the Sauvignon Blanc field than your typical Chardonnay. Citric and bouncy on the palate, this tastes of tart grapefruit, orange peel and salt, and it stays that way through the finish.
The gold luster is eye grabbing, and the nose doesn't back off as it yields cream, vanilla and toast atop tropical fruit. The mouth is full, with creamy pear and apple fruit and lots of oak. It's on the plus side in terms of power and weight, but it's largely balanced and clean.
Toasted wheat bread is layered with fresh peaches and honey in this lightweight yet flavorful Chardonnay. Peach and vanilla flavors finish cleanly, marked by a lingering toasty edge.
An oaky style, yet one that doesn't seem heavy or overdone. Buttered apple and toast aromas set off cinnamon and cashew flavors and a long, spicy-nutty finish.
This wine could be the poster boy for Australian Chardonnay. The nectarine and peach aromas and flavors are coddled by a touch of vanilla and the entire package is soft, juicy and easy to drink. It's nothing fancy, just yummy weekday wine.
Attractive aromas of pear and coconut set the stage for clean, fruity pear and apple flavors. This wine is balanced, offering length on the palate and finish, but also defined flavors and freshness. By all indications it's well made, and best of all it tastes as it should. Best Buy.
Starts off with toasted almond, pear and citrus aromas, evolving into pear and orange in the mouth. This medium-weight Chard is a nice drink that finishes with some slightly aggressive wood and a trace of grapefruit.
Wow—talk about contrasts. The nose is way over the top, a grotesque parody of a butterscotch sundae. The finish is multilayered and complex, featuring echoes of toast and white peaches. In between is a somewhat neutral-tasting wine. You may love it or you may hate it—it's that kind of wine.
This warm-climate Chard shows its origins in its ripe, sweet peach-nectar aromas, kissed with caramel and smoke. Weighty in the mouth—close to syrupy—then it finishes cleanly in a burst of tart, lime-like acidity.
Leads off with dusty, nutty, sugary aromas, like the bottom of the bag of honey-roasted peanuts, but there's also hints of buttered toast, ripe pears and black pepper. Flavors are simpler—caramel and pineapple—and it's heavy on the palate.
From a cool-weather region, this tangy, slightly sharp Chardonnay aims at a Chablis style and almost pulls it off. Smells ripe, with pear and guava notes, but the palate is less so—grapefruit and lima-bean flavors prevail.
This Brazilian Merlot smells rubbery and gaseous, with saucy berry notes. In the mouth, this is severely tannic and drying. Toasty, blackened and bitter in flavor, this ends with peppery notes and hard-pounding tannins.
Dusty stone-fruit and white-flower aromas are mature, while the palate is linear and citric. Dry salty flavors of pineapple and tangerine finish with notes of mustard, lemon and brine.
This red sources from across three appellations and four varieties, all aged in a mix of French and American oak for one year. That oak imparts a smoky element around thick, concentrated baked fruit and big, lasting tannin weight, showing plenty of leathery tobacco.
Ripe and full, this wine is balanced with its rich strawberry fruit, with enough acidity to keep everything fresh. It's a fruity, spicy wine that is ready to drink.
Made with 70% Sangiovese, 15% Ciliegiolo and 15% Montepulciano, this simple wine opens with subdued aromas of leafy underbrush, nut and dark-skinned fruit. The lean diluted palate offers dried berry set against evolved tannins. Drink soon.
This is a straightforward, varietally correct wine, with aromas of apple and spice. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, bringing a sense of texture.
Smoky roasted aromas of tomato, saddle leather and earthy red-berry fruits lead to a medium-bodied palate. Dry herbal peppery flavors of cherry and plum finish with heat, juicy acidity and a mild toasty burn.
This is a very fragrant and floral rosé, reminiscent of peach gummy candies, orange blossom and orange-ginger tea. The palate is surprisingly lush, with round ripe-fruit flavors that are just barely lifted on the finish. Drink now.
Candied berry aromas are a touch syrupy. In the mouth, this is tight, rugged and high in acidity. Dry raw flavors of currant and cranberry feature an herbal accent. Drying abrasive tannins rule a raw, snappy finish.
Raisin and prune aromas and flavors mark this full-bodied wine as very, very ripe. It has a soft, relaxed texture and earthy notes on the finish.
Medicinal berry aromas show a touch of nail polish. Tight and high in acidity, this deals limited plum flavors with earthy undertones. A short finish is grapy in flavor but doesn't last long despite acidic push.
Subdued aromas of melon and apple lead to medium-bodied fruit flavors. It comes off as a bit generic, with the variety seeming to get lost.
This offers subdued whiffs of blue flower, red berry and a hint of moist soil. On the rustic, rather diluted palate, bracing acidity and raspy, fleeting tannins accompany suggestions of tart sour cherry and orange peel. It finishes on an astringent note.
A bland pickled nose announces a simple palate with just enough acidity to keep things upright. Mild flavors of orange and green herbs revert to pickled on the finish.
Very light in color, this bottling by the Coppola family shows sweeter aromas of Gravenstein apple, ripe pear, honeysuckle and tuberose on the nose. It's also a tad sweet on the palate, especially for today's sparkling standards, but will surely attract a wide fan base thanks to apple custard, cotton candy and plumeria-like flavors, all dissected by racy bubbles and acidity.
This small appellation is in the hills behind the Côte Beaune. The wine has the cool character of many of these wines, with red-currant fruitiness. Layers of acidity give the wine a youthful, ready-to-drink fresh character.
This wine's nose is a tad hollow, offering poppy seed, roast beef and black-fruit aromas. The palate conveys blueberry, blackberry and chocolate flavors, with a rising acidity on the finish.
From vines on the slopes of the Cher River this softly herbal wine has attractive gooseberry and lime flavors. Its young fruitiness is light, bright and ready to drink.
This is a soft style of Aligoté with creamed apple and pear flavors and a gentle texture. The wine has crisp acidity and a lively bright aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a simple, fruity wine. It has a pear flavor, light minerality and a zingy aftertaste. Smooth and rounded, it looks as though it will be ready to drink from early 2017.
Gamay from the Beaujolais region is blended with 10% Pinot Noir in this light and fruity wine. It has gentle tannins and forward red-cherry fruits. The wine is soft and ready to drink.
While the majority of the grapes for this wine are from Napa, small additions come from Lake, Sonoma and Solano counties. It holds a healthy dose of Merlot too. Simple in richness and ripeness, its flavors highlight bacon and charred oak, the tannins dusty and firm.
Inspired by Sancerre, but with grapes from other parts of the Loire, this soft, herbal and green-fruit flavored wine is refreshing and lightly textured. Drink now.
Heavy, generic cherry aromas are a touch volatile. This feels full and bouncy, with juicy acidity. Flavors of black fruits are ripe but lack complexity, while this is hot and raspy on the finish.
This soft, spicy wine has red-cherry flavors and light tannins. It is smooth with black currants and acidity. The end brings in a more stalky character with hints of bell peppers.
Rose, iris, ripe red berry and aromatic herbs are some of the aromas you'll discover in this wine. It's both focused and juicy, delivering succulent Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, mint and licorice alongside a backbone of fined-grained tannins that leave a firm finish. Bright acidity provides balance. Drink 2023–2043.
Both tart and ripe red cherries characterize nose and palate. Ample, crunchy freshness gradually tips into juicy ripeness. The palate discloses lovely density, with overtones of licorice that create subtle, delicious resonance. The tannins are superfine and have a sexy little crunch. It's a totally balanced and beautiful red.
The wine, with its firm tannins and solid structure, is still young. The hints of black-plum fruits are way behind the structure. That's all good, because this wine will come together well, to give a rich full wine with spice, juicy black fruits and acidity. Drink from 2020.
Enticing scents of woodland berry, new leather, blue flower and baking spice meld together in the glass. The focused yet full-bodied palate delivers raspberry, Marasca cherry, clove and a hint of dried herb. Velvety tannins and fresh acidity provide framework and balance. Drink 2021–2033.
Subtle, intricate aromas and equally sophisticated flavors of baking spices, tamarind and cherries make this a fascinating wine to taste. It's full bodied but lithe. Energizing acidity and firm tannins give it great structure and help carry the complex flavors through a lingering finish.
A touch of black cherry with the faintest lick of licorice appears on the nose. The palate is equally reticent but incredibly juicy. Black-cherry notes billow and swell on the fluid body. This wine is fresh, firm and toned, brightened by acidity that adds elegance. A cool and profound red, it draws you in with its inherent freshness.
One of the finest Crozes-Hermitage wines I can remember tasting, this wine combines mouthwatering notes of hickory-smoked pork and dark berries. There's plenty of richness on the midpalate and a long, velvety finish, making this truly a complete package. Drink now–2030.
The best of a strong series of sparklers from this winery and vineyard on the western edge of the appellation, this Chardonnay-based bubbly shows light toast, chalk and lemon mousse on the pure and appealing nose. The effervescence is quite aggressive, with spectacular foaming on the sip that sizzles from front to back, carrying a soft texture but framed by racy acidity.
New leather, wild berry, violet, white pepper and dark spice aromas come together in the glass. The elegantly structured savory palate offers a nice depth of flavors including ripe morello cherry, crushed raspberry, star anise and clove. Tightly wound refined tannins provide the firm polished framework. Drink 2018–2028.
Co-fermented with 5% Viognier, mineral-laden aromas of smoked meat, Kalamata olive, earth, flower and funk are followed by shimmering fruit and savory flavors that possess a compelling mouthfeel and lead to an extended finish. The alcohol and oak are dialed back, allowing the fruit to shine.
The small 2015 vintage didn't give John Benedetti much to work with, but he sources 60% from Bald Mountain Vineyard in Bonny Doon and 40% from Split Rail in Corralitos to deliver this stunner. Aromas of Marcona almond, buttered croissant and lemon preserves lead into a palate full of acidic energy. Salty, savory flavors of roasted nuts meet with warm buttercream and fresh lemon spray on the palate. It provides a full experience.
This wine is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, a whopping 23% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. The aromas leap up from the glass, with notes of garden herb, tar, black cherry and licorice. The flavors are rich and saturated, loaded with black-fruit notes that persist effortlessly on the finish. It shows a fine sense of structure and balance along with a compelling texture. Best after 2024.
Softened by 20% Merlot, this wine tastes of chocolate-covered clove and spicy dried herb, the robust layers of flavor cradled in toasted oak. Fresh and brooding, it offers forest pine, black currant and tobacco in a refined package of integrated tannin.
From a vineyard that's less than one acre in size, this special bottling is tiny but mighty, juicy in blue and red fruit. Robust in spice, it unleashes a velvety texture with ease, allowing room for focused tannin to be supportive rather than distracting. The finish retains a welcome freshness.
This wine is überaromatic, with notes of raspberry jam, stemmy herbs, blackberries, smoked meat, orange peel, iron and an earthy funk. The palate brings a lot of intensity of flavor, with smoke and orange-peel notes lingering on the warm finish.
This new wine from an estate vineyard is the strong, quiet type that's not effusively fruity but instead emphasizes mineral elements and great structure. An attractive chalky, spicy aroma leads to beautifully restrained red cherry and pomegranate flavors that seem to grow and expand with each sip. The texture is firmly tannic but also polished, supported by perfect acidity that keeps everything sharp and focused.
Earthy aromas of truffle, forest floor, woodland berry, mint and new leather escape the glass. Bright and elegantly structured, the polished palate delivers Marasca cherry, cranberry, cinnamon and star anise framed in youthfully firm, refined tannins. Fresh acidity lends balance. Drink 2023–2038.
Rose, iris, red-berry and cake-spice aromas set the tone on this graceful red. It's linear, bright and loaded with finesse, evoking red cherry, crushed strawberry, star anise and pink peppercorn alongside taut, polished tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2013–2033.
Spicy acidity wraps around a lengthy and intense experience of full-bodied concentration and power in this well-made wine. Forest pine, red cherry and vanilla combine effortlessly to provide a robust flavor profile that's memorable and rich.
Beautifully made, complex and complete, this full-bodied wine embraces seductive, spicy oak flavors, ripe fruit and a mouthfilling texture. Intricate vanilla, nutmeg and toasted baguette aromas lead to mulled plum, rhubarb and red-cherry flavors that coat the palate and linger on the finish.
An earthy, oakleaf note signals a true expression of Pinot Noir. There is something sleek, fluid and authentic about this. The wine accents cherry and forest berry as much as the autumnal notions of spice, fallen leaves and earth. It's elegant and honest, with a firm yet relenting structure and lasting flavors.
Made entirely with Nebbiolo from Alto Piemonte, this boasts alluring aromas of ripe black-skinned berries, dark cooking spices, cut roses, new leather and tilled earth. The taut, elegant palate is loaded with flavor and finesse, delivering mature black cherries, cranberries, licorice and tobacco framed in youthfully assertive but polished tannins. Fresh acidity provides balance. Drink 2019–2031.
Under the attention of the Miecaze family, this ancient estate has burst out of a dormant period and into new life with vineyards, a winery, a restaurant and a B&B. This latest vintage is powerfully dense and with great swathes of tannins and perfumed fruit. The wine is stylish, while also being ripe and full in the mouth. It has fine potential and will be ready from 2020.
Aromas of fragrant purple flower, dark-skinned berry, new leather and a whiff of crushed botanical herb float out of the glass. The savory, full-bodied palate doles out layers of juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, cinnamon and anise while polished, fine-grained tannins lend finesse and structure. Orange peel and an earthy hint of game lend depth. Drink 2019–2025.
Brooding, darkly aromatic fruit plays on the nose. The wild blueberry almost has a floral touch of peony. The palate still contains juicy fruit in a taut, firm structure, while tannins are fine but still crunchy. A bright streak of freshness brightens and guides everything, creating juicness and verve, and giving definition to that lovely, ripe fruit. This wine might take a little time to come out of its shell but is worth waiting for. Drink 2019–2025.
Hints of sweet oak meld beautifully with full-fledged fruit aromas and flavors of dark plum and black cherry in this full-bodied wine. It unfolds from a mildly spicy nose to a rich, warm palate sensation and lingering finish. One of several single-vineyard expressions, the Savoy Vineyard is now the FEL estate vineyard.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot all coming from a single vineyard site. It's wound up tightly at present, with aromas of herb, dark fruit, spice and earth. The palate is big and bold, with rich fruit flavors and a firm lick of tannins. Best from 2024–2030.
Few wines offer as much as this for under $30, but this extracted, bullish Tempranillo blend is not for everyone. Blackberry, cola and savory herbal aromas are strong and pure. This feels wide and cushioned, yet is still a driller. Blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors finish rich and ripe. Drink through 2024.
From a cool site, this is a viscous, oily white. Crisp in pear and almond, it drinks light and yet has enough heft on the mouthfeel to stay interesting and compatible with food. If Roussanne is a varietal of interest, this wine (made in small amounts) should be on the list of those to try.
Aromas of huckleberry, herbs and spice are fresh and focused. The fruit flavors are concentrated, with a supple feel and soft tannins. It displays a good sense of balance.
Alluring scents of pressed violet, perfumed berry and a whiff of cake spice lead the nose. The bright, chewy palate doles out layers of ripe black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, chopped mint and a sprinkling of cocoa. Soft, round tannins support the juicy flavors. There's not much complexity but it is mouthwateringly delicious. Drink through 2017.
Peach nectar and citrus blossoms perfume this intensely concentrated off-dry Riesling. It's lusciously peachy keen, but notes of dusty mineral and a zippy streak of lime acidity lend complexity and balance. It's satisfyingly juicy and penetrates through a long, lingering finish.
This wine is a blend of Evergreen, Schmitt and Oasis vineyards. It displays a mixture of butter, tropical fruit and red-apple aromas that lead to creamy feeling flavors and a drawn-out finish that impresses.
A blend of Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier, this wine offers restrained aromas of spice, almond and flowers. The palate shows a good sense of texture and tension as well as length.
This comes from a vineyard established in 1971—one of the first in the appellation to contribute a single-vineyard bottling of the variety. It features a treasure trove of rich red cherry, leathery tannin and dry mocha on the palate, emboldened by a twist of cedar and dried herb.
Rich in sweet oak and almond paste, this is a concentrated, fulsome and big wine, creamy in mouthfeel and approach. It gets fruitier in the glass, sharing flavors of baked apple pie with brioche.
With the vineyard's GPS coordinates emblazoned prominently on the bottle, this 100% varietal wine leads with aromas of blue and black fruit, with high-toned herb and graphite accents. The dark-fruit flavors are rich but maintain their balance, with a finish that lingers.
Though labeled as a red wine, this could just as easily be labeled as Cabernet at 91%, and it drinks like one. Spice, herb, coffee and black-cherry aromas are followed by plump fruit flavors that show purity and depth, trailing ever so slightly toward the finish.
With delicate aromas of orange blossom and lime, this wine takes on a viscosity of texture on the palate, offering plump flavors of peach and guava. Refined and well made, the finish is a combination of vanilla and caramel.
This polished red offers enticing aromas of mature plum, fragrant blue flower, leather and tobacco. The chewy palate is full of juicy wild cherry, black raspberry, cinnamon and licorice alongside soft, silky tannins. There's not much complexity but it's delicious and accessible so enjoy soon.
Boisterous fruit shows on the nose of this wine from the heart of the newish appellation, presented in a specially made Ballard Canyon bottle. Olallieberry jam gains nuance from pulverized purple flowers. The palate begins with straightforward purple fruits then evolves into potpourri, incense and dried berries.
This inaugural release displays dialed-back aromas of pencil eraser and dried herbs that need a bit more lift. The palate puts a premium on purity of expression along with a tart lick of acid and cinnamon notes on the finish. If the aromas and flavors sync up further, this young wine moves up a notch.
This aromatic wine does a great job of combining effusive fruit with a lively balance. Beautiful orange blossom and honeysuckle aromas blend into delicious apple flavors while a tangy, lemon-zest sensation lights up the texture.
A medium-sweet wine with 2.19% residual sugar, this has a sweetness like ripe white peach topped by a honeysuckle rose, but it remains light and never cloying. The nutty finish begs for blue cheese.
This variety is extremely rare in Washington. Fruit-forward aromas of cranberry, cocoa powder and herbs are followed by tart, appealing flavors that linger.
Bottlings of this variety and also this appellation are scarce in the state. This one has reserved aromas of red and blue fruit along with whiffs of spice. The plump, tangy flavors show a pleasing purity, trailing a bit toward the finish. Try it with pasta with a red sauce.
This wine brings out the tannic side of Saint-Estèphe. However, the 2013 is less wood-laden than some previous vintages from this estate, allowing more room for the fresh fruits and ripe tannins. The wine therefore has good potential, drink from 2020.
Notes of olive, herbs, flowers, orange peel, gravel, meat, coffee and light barrel spices leap up on a wine that shows a lot of aromatic complexity. The fruit and savory flavors are plush and full in feel followed by a lingering finish. There's a whole lot of wine delivered for this price.
The second wine of Saint-Émilion premier cru classé Trottevieille is full of fruit while also having plenty of structure. It shows signs of becoming a delicious, fresh wine with attractive tannins and red-berry fruits. Developing well, it will be ready to drink from 2018.
This wine is firm, solid and dense with ripe black fruits. It is structured, with a dry core that needs to round out. However, the main thrust of the wine is towards rich fruitiness and enough tannins, wood flavors and acidity to allow it to age. Drink from 2018.
The soft delicacy to this wine is compelling, inviting and surprising, given the power of the vintage and the relative warmth of the vineyard site in the appellation's Middle Reach. Floral with rose, it's deceptively fruity, hiding its depth of black cherry and citrus to the end.
Herb and flower aromas mix with notes of coffee and dark fruit. The licorice and black-fruit flavors show intensity, with a lick of tannins in the background.
A very high-toned, wound-up nose slowly reveals chalky aromas, concentrated purple fruit and crushed violets on this bottling by the Daou brothers. The palate is also tight and slow to release, with hints of dark chocolate chips, espresso bean and black fruit lingering behind a walls of tannins and bright acidity. This will age well, but certainly wait a little longer to open.
This small estate is wedged between some of the classed growths of Pauillac. Firm and structured, the wine is solid with tannins and backed with concentrated blackberry fruits. The 60% Cabernet in the blend gives great acidity as well as the tannins. These two elements will allow the wine to age, so drink from 2018.
From a selection of vineyards across the Napa Valley, including Brown Ranch in Carneros, this is a woody, herbal wine, full bodied on the midpalate, with flavors of peach and vanilla. It has aged in both French oak and stainless steel to keep the oak in check, and finishes with fresh Meyer lemon.
The ripe flavor of Conference pear segues into a zesty, peppery and focused body full of refreshment and verve. This is very slender and linear but incredibly expressive. Citrus fizzes alongside pepper to create a lasting impression. A clean, lip-smacking finish.
A blend of half-and-half Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a solid wine. The tannins are still quite dominant although they are ripe and will integrate well into the red and black berry fruits. Acidity at the end keeps the wine fresh and fruity. Drink from 2017.
Citrus peel and stone-fruit aromas blend with dusty, yeasty notes and a touch of spiced cherry on the nose of this juicy, fresh Spanish sparkler. Cherry, raspberry and red-plum flavors hint at elegance before finishing dry, long and lightly peppery in flavor.
This student-produced wine shows aromas of cocoa, cashew and cherry along with green pepper. Flavors are somewhat wood-dominated with vanilla and chocolate riding high over cherry. Overall there are some distractions but there's still much to enjoy.
This blend of Cabernet Franc (52%) along with Syrah (38%), Cabernet Sauvignon (8%) and 2% Merlot saw just a smidgeon (10%) of new oak. Notes of dried herbs, raspberries and dark chocolate partner with lithe fruit flavors backed by grainy tannins.
The oak makes the largest impression on this wine, with the notes of vanilla and butterscotch out in front of apple and apricot. It's creamy in feel, trailing slightly toward the finish.
Smoke and dusty mineral tones are offset by fragrant white blossom and peach in this off-dry Riesling. Extended aging in neutral oak barrels lends depth to the palate despite its briskness. It finishes with a lingering lacy sweetness.
The fruit for this wine comes from the Red Heaven and StoneTree vineyards, with 10% Mourvèdre and 10% Petit Sirah. It seems a bit locked up at present, with notes of plum, blueberry and flowers. It's full bodied and rich, with the alcohol dominating the fruit flavors and causing some distraction.
Oak, underbrush, tobacco and stewed plum aromas lead the nose. The palate offers roasted coffee bean, vanilla, espresso and licorice alongside astringent but not very persistent tannins.
This unusual Walla Walla Valley-designated Sangiovese offers notes of vanilla, coffee and cranberry. It brings a rich, textured mouthfeel full of sweet cherry and plum flavors backed by a light grip of tannins. It doesn't seem varietally correct but it's undeniably delicious.
With 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot, this wine offers reserved notes of vanilla, cherry, herbs and dill. The fruit flavors are elegantly styled, dry, focused and sweet with fine-grained tannins.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot opens with aromas of blackberry, cedar and cooking spice. On the palate, notes of bell pepper, espresso, toast and black pepper accent a firm black cherry core. Drink through 2017.
Yeasty aromas of green melon and apple are clean and stony. This Garnatxa Blanca is juicy, fresh, well cut and minerally in feel, with citrusy flavors of lime and tangerine. The same goes for the finish, which is crisp, light and steady.
Intense aromas of vanilla, smoked nuts and black cherry preserves seduce on the nose of this ripe, richly textured Pinot Noir. It's bold in fruit and oak tones, but penetrating tannins add gravitas to the finish.
Ripe and luscious, this reflects the fruitiness of the vintage very well. It has tannins that will develop, although the blackberry fruits and juicy acidity dominate at the moment. Drink from 2018.
A blend of 67% Sangiovese, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah, this wine offers an intriguing assortment of raspberry jam, black licorice, vanilla and spice box. It's elegant, with a supple feel to the tangy fruit flavors backed by a firm squeeze of tannins.
This blend of Tempranillo (61%), Merlot (13%), Graciano (11%), Garnacha (8%) and Cabernet Sauvignon recalls burnt coffee, red fruit, tobacco, vanilla and exotic spices. It's supple in feel with lightly chalky tannins.
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot with the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this wine offers aromas of coffee, cherry and herbs. It's full bodied with sweet cranberry flavors backed by gritty tannins.
This wine offers notes of Hershey's chocolate along with high-toned herbs and dried cherries. The cranberry and chocolate flavors are tart, puckering and full bodied with a firm squeeze of dry tannins and a cranberry-filled finish.
Belle-Vue changed its usual blend for 2012 to emphasize the ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. That gives a fresh black currant-flavored wine that is layered with ripe tannins and acidity. Fruity, it will develop quickly, so drink from 2017.
Vines close to the Gironde are the source of this structured wine. It has rich berry fruits and a good balance between the fruit acidity and the wood. At the moment, it is dry and firm. Give it until 2018 and it will be a powerful wine.
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.
This 100% Syrah conveys espresso, raw meat, flowers, chocolate and peppery spices. It's reserved in style with tart acids.
Aromas of stewed plum, game and leather lead the nose. Tightly wound, the concentrated palate offers toast, espresso, fleshy black cherry marinated in spirits and licorice. Aggressive, raspy tannins generate an abrupt finish.
This appealing wine offers vanilla, café au lait, black currant, herbs and pepper. Silky-soft black olive flavors show good concentration and length backed by dry 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.
Licorice, blackberry, cassis and plum aromas are concentrated and fruity. This feels fresh, with choppy tartaric acidity creating high tones across the mouthfeel. Baked blackberry flavors are limited but good, while a jammy, black-fruit finish is smooth, with just enough bracing acidity.
Jammy boysenberry aromas are a touch oaky. Loud acidity gives zest and ring to cherry, plum and raspberry flavors. While this is a bit shear and hard on the palate, solid berry flavors along with cocoa and brown sugar make for a good ending.
Blended with 15% Syrah, this is a distinctive wine with aromas of herbs, coffee and vanilla. The palate seems wound up, not quite ready to reveal its charms.
Bright and easy drinking, this opens with aromas of red berry, tobacco, menthol and spice. The vibrant palate offers wild cherry, crushed raspberry, clove and star anise alongside racy acidity and soft, supple tannins. Drink soon.
Light in aromas, this reasonably priced wine by the Talley family eventually shows subtle earth and game on the nose. The palate packs much more textural action, with bitter cranberry skins and orange rinds as well as black slate flavors, with a bright acidity that lingers long.
The oak shows itself first on this wine with aromas of vanilla and coconut in front of sappy fruit. The flavors are full bodied, equal parts fruit and barrel, with vanilla taking the lead on the finish. There are good things but the oak dominates.
The expected cut-grass element shows on the nose of this wine from the longtime organic estate, but it also features riper, warmer aromas of nectarine, fragrant lemon skins and a slate minerality. There's lots of energetic pop on the sip, which shows more grass alongside lime juice, pith and skin.
This dry wine has that combination of tight minerality and great acidity that is common to young Chenin Blanc. It comes from a narrow valley carved into the steep cliffs of Vouvray, giving a wine that has richness as well as this tangy aftertaste.
From one of three estates owned by the Moreaud family in one contiguous 61-acre property, this smooth and ripe wine is all about rich black fruits. Supported by just the right amount of tannin and acidity, it is already delicious and fruity. Drink now, but better to wait until the end of 2016.
Medium-strength, this wine opens with a bouquet of black cherry and raspberry, unveiling an intensity of smoke and heat as it goes. Cradled in oak, it flattens on the midpalate before rising in strength and length on the finish.
A mix of dried and fresh blueberry notes arises on the nose of this wine, alongside gravel and soft cedar elements. It's very purple on the palate, with more blueberry, olallieberry and grape candy, proving tasty but not especially complex. The tannins keep it firm.
Aromas are quite delicate for the variety and style, with fresh flowers, peach and whiffs of lychee. The palate is similarly restrained, showing elegance with the lightly sweet stone fruit flavors that are accented by bright acidity. It's all about nuance.
The aromas of this jazzy wine disclose lime leaf, white peach and slate. The off-dry flavors of flowers, pear and stone fruit are typical of Washington in their intensity and detail.
Baked cherry, toasted oak and cooking spice aromas lead the nose. On the palate, licorice, oak-driven spice and roasted coffee beans back up a core of dried red cherry alongside tightly packed tannins.
Earthy aromas of tilled soil, bell pepper, ripe plum and a whiff of barnyard waft out of the glass. The palate is a bit rustic, displaying fig, ground black pepper, graphite and a gamey note alongside velvety tannins. Drink soon.
Aromas of blackberry, toast, chopped mint and a whiff of dried rose lead the nose. The juicy palate doles out fleshy wild cherry, ripe blackberry, clove and anise alongside fresh acidity and round tannins. You'll also notice the warmth of alcohol on the close.
Piercing lime notes hit a staccato beat against ripe, luscious white grapefruit in this spry, zesty Riesling. A shade off dry, it's vibrant yet satisfyingly easy drinking. Enjoy now for its youthful exuberance.
Blended with 9% Sémillon, this wine has aromas of lemon curd, starfruit, barrel spices (18% new French oak) and fig. It's full bodied, with a creamy feel and a lingering finish.
All the fruit for this wine comes from Bacchus Vineyard. Aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle and apricot lead to medium-sweet stone-fruit flavors that linger.
Ignore the sediment in this unfiltered wine and find vibrant fruit aromas, fresh and zesty red-fruit flavors and a vivid acidity that creates good balance. It has a light to medium color, bright cherry and cranberry flavors, moderate tannins and a fairly rich texture.
This isn't the biggest or ripest Côtes du Rhône, but it balances hints of greenness with fresh cherry fruit. The floral notes on the nose are attractive, while the wine finishes firm and crisp.
This has lively, very varietal aromas of kiwi, grass and pineapple. The palate is fleshy in feel with rich fruit flavors, tart acids and a Key lime finish.
Violet, dark-skinned berry and sweet baking spice aromas take center stage on this vibrant, easy-drinking red. The supple, savory palate doles out black cherry, raspberry, orange peel, cinnamon and star anise framed in zesty acidity.
Toasty oak and vanilla aromas are draped heavily over blueberry and blackberry notes. Staunch, rubbery tannins and bold acidity make for a high-toned flavor profile of herbs, black fruit and briny salt. A long, oaky, herbal finish is silky and lusty.
Aromas like crisp green apples and flavors of ripe white peaches combine in this fresh-tasting and medium-bodied wine. The texture is lively but smooth around the edges, and the wine is very appetizing.
Perfumed green fruits, a crisp texture and layers of tight acidity all point to a wine that is too young to drink. Its hints of ripe white fruits and tangy orange peel are still developing. Drink from 2017.
Ice wines are a rarity in Washington. This one offers aromas of orange peel, flowers and candied ginger, seeming to show a touch of oxygen exposure. It's sweet (155g/L residual sugar) but is still quite deft in style.
This medium-bodied, easygoing red offers aromas of blue flowers, dark berry, underbrush and a whiff of cake spice. The palate delivers blackberry, red currant, ground pepper and a note of star anise alongside firm, refined tannins. An almond note backs up the finish.
This wine starts out quite reductive, while also showing aromas of black olive, herbs and chocolate. It's full bodied in feel with abundant dark fruit flavors that show persistence. There are good things here but the aromas and flavors seem disconnected.
Stony fresh aromas of lime and grapefruit are light and clean. This blend of Garnacha Blanca, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc is steady on the palate. Flavors of dry lime and wet stones are slightly pithy, while this finishes firm and dry.
Big, tannic and true to type, this wine has flavors like blackberry and black pepper, and a mouthfeel that is dry and somewhat astringent. It will be very good with a hamburger or pork tenderloin.
Subdued aromas suggesting underbrush, scorched earth, leather and dried herb lead the nose. On the medium-bodied rather straightforward palate, hints of baking spice add interest to a core of tart cherry. Drink through 2021.
Light aromas like canteloupe and flavors like honeydew melon make this wine fruity and easy to enjoy. It's medium bodied, fruity and smooth.
Bright and fruity, this is a ripe, red-fruit-flavored wine. The youthful tannins will soften quickly to give a rounded wine, rich but with crisp acidity at the end. Drink now.
Ripe red fruits and strong minerality give this wine both its crispness and structure. It has style and elegance, as well as plenty of fruit. Drink this attractive wine from 2017.
This is a crisp juicy wine showing the bright red fruits of the vintage. It still has its tannins intact along with plenty of black-currant acidity and a dry aftertaste that will soften over the next few months. Drink from late 2017.
This is a full-bodied wine with generous black-fruit flavors. It has enough acidity to sustain the rich black-currant and blackberry fruits. With its soft tannins and fruity aftertaste, it is ready to drink.
A ripe and fruity wine that has black fruits and intense youthful acidity. It is structured as well, the tannins from the 25% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend are showing firmly. Black currants and blackberries balance with the firm dry core. It will develop and will be ready from 2018.
With 20% of Cabernet Franc in the blend, this is a finely perfumed wine. It has a firm texture along with juicy black fruit and some lively acidity. The 70-acre vineyard faces Saint-Émilion across a small valley. Drink from 2018.
Sémillon dominates this rich wine. Spice and honey are balanced by ripe peach and apricot flavors. The acidity cuts right through to give an almost crisp character to this sweet wine. It will develop quickly, so drink from late 2017.
The flower and peach aromas are light but provide plenty of intrigue. It drinks dry with light ale and stone-fruit flavors, showing persistence on the finish.
Firesteed's value-oriented Pinot is a solid and reliable wine that varies little from vintage to vintage. Flavors of rhubarb and strawberry are set in place with a touch of vanilla wafer. Don't cellar this. It's ready to go.
With little luster in the glass, this mild mossy-smelling Patagonian Malbec is saturated and pinching on the palate, with clamping tannins. Chunky incongruous berry flavors end full but rough, with a note of burnt brown sugar on the finish.
Earth, leather and herbal aromas blend with riper berry notes on the nose. This feels choppy, with cheek-scraping tannins. Flavors of minty herbal black fruits finish with chocolate, herbal flavors and stickiness.
High-elevation aromas of blueberry, herbs and bramble are accented by cumin and spiced-plum notes. This displays ample size and grip, while flavors of roasted plum and savory spices are earthy. On the finish, this is oaky and minty tasting.
Round, chunky aromas of grapefruit and passion fruit settle on friendly and varietally correct. This is snappy and solid in feel, with lime, orange and nectarine flavors. An acid-driven finish holds the line and doesn't taste bitter or green.
Tobacco and cedar aromas add complexity to this medium-bodied wine that relies more on savory, herbal and spicy notes than fruit flavors.
Underbrush and dark-skinned fruit aromas lift out of the glass along with a hint of nut. The soft fruity palate offers black cherry, spice and a hint coffee. Round tannins and bright acidity provide the easy-drinking framework.
This sturdy, well-made wine has lightly charred aromas, tasty cherry flavors and moderate tannins to give the texture some grip.
One of just a handful of varietal bottlings made in the state, this wine offers aromas of white pepper, fresh vegetables and flowers. It drinks dry with elegantly styled fruit flavors.
With strong new-wood character, this wine has vanilla and toast flavors. The concentrated red-berry fruits are suppressed, giving a wine that needs time to develop. Drink from 2018.
Black cherry, dark pomegranate and sagebrush show on the nose of this decently priced bottling for midweek sipping. Ripe cranberry dominates the palate along with allspice, nutmeg and oak components, set against an intriguing texture.
This is a plush, rounded wine, lacking much edge or cut, yet concentrated and flavorful. Roasted hazelnuts and cashews frame creamy pineapple fruit, ending in soft ripples of citrus. Drink now.
A thin, sharp attack pushes subdued flavors of stem, cherry and chocolate into a quick, tight finish. In some ways, this wine recalls the Eyrie releases of decades ago, and may prove to age well, as many of those wines did. For now, it's a hard stemmy wine with a bit of burn.
There's 3% each of Grenache and Petite Sirah in this wine that is quite ripe and straightforward in its fruity waves of blackberry, cherry and oaky chocolate. Firm tannins don't overwhelm, opting instead to support and structure. Black pepper leaves a lasting impression on the finish.
Thoroughly oaky and spicy, this full-bodied wine smells toasty and smoky. Flavors suggest nutmeg, cinnamon and smoked meat, followed by tangy and fresh black cherry.
Cherry and cassis aromas are earthy, with hints of green herbs and cheesy oak. This feels a bit raw and scratchy, but fresh. Red-fruit flavors of currant and plum finish with snappy acidity and clampy tannins.
This is a smooth, attractively ripe and aromatic wine. It has soft black fruits, and full tannins. Developing quickly, it already shows attractive fruitiness Drink from 2016.
With some wood aging, this is an attractive, smooth and ripely fruity wine. The vanilla and spice wood flavor underlines the peach and apricot fruits that are still young and fresh. It could do with another few months in bottle, so wait until the end of 2014.
A familiar brand on Portuguese wine shelves, this is a ripe wine, soft and smooth. Light tannins are finely integrated with the red berry fruits and juicy acidity. It's an easy wine that has good structure. Drink now.
Primary fruit flavors of cranberry are at the core here, with medium concentration and acidity. Flavors of leaf and stem come into play and turn the finish slightly bitter. Give this until 2015.
Saline and basic citrus aromas feed into a fresh, light-bodied palate with citrus, lettuce and minerally flavors. A modest, firm finish is light but clean. This epitomizes the good qualities of value-priced Chilean SB.
An easy-drinking wine, it conveys aromas of tropical fruit, Bartlett pear and a hint of saline. The palate offers green apple, banana and almond alongside crisp acidity.
This wine opens with intense floral aromas that recall room freshener and cold cream. The dense palate offers exotic fruit and flavors that suggest canned peaches alongside a hint of clove. It has a bitter, nutty finish.
This jammy, crowd-pleasing Zin is well put-together, soft in blackberry spice and has just a trace of wintergreen on the nose. Widely distributed and value-priced, it's a steal worth stocking up on.
This is a warm, ripe and spicy wine. It is full of red fruits, black currant and soft tannins, with great acidity at the end. Drink now.
It opens with a delicate fragrance of yellow spring flowers and exotic fruit. The juicy palate offers up pear, honeydew melon and banana peel with a hint of nut on the finish. Simple but well-made.
This attractively priced wine has nice acidity and subtle flavors of pear and lemon. A pronounced swaddling in oak reveals itself on the nose and mid-palate. Enjoy it with food on the richer side.
Not very expressive, it opens with subdued aromas that recall lemon peel and toast. These carry over to the palate along with a note of butterscotch. There's not enough fruit richness to support the racy acidity.
This Livermore Valley producer travels to Lodi to make this Zin, a smattering of 4% Petite Sirah blended in. Intense in cherry-watermelon candy aromas, its flavors develop into tart cherry, blueberry and spice. With soft tannins this wine is straightforward, with the finish all about dusty cigars.
This Pinot Grigio from Trentino—part of which is barrel aged—offers aromas of pear, apple, oak and flint. The linear palate delivers restrained lemon peel, apple and oak sensations in a lean but elegant style.
A new luxury tier from Mendocino Wine Company, the folks who also produce the Parducci wines, Moniker Pinot is softly aromatic, leathery in dark berry fruit and dry, made in a big, rich style. Fruit is sourced from Anderson Valley, and also from inland Potter and Redwood valleys.
This starts with aromas of lemon peel, grapefruit and mineral, with a hint of toasted bread crust. The linear palate offers lemon drop, nectarine and apples alongside racy acidity but it lacks fruit richness.
Made from one of the star grapes of Vinho Verde, this is a ripe, creamy wine. It has hints of lemon zest, along with grapefruit and a herbal aftertaste. It is crisp and ready to drink.
Despite its special designation, this is a dilute wine with thin fruit flavors. The core of green apple is accented with a hint of barrel toast (17 months in French oak, 29% new). The acidity seems muted. Drink up.
Beneath the come-hither packaging and name, this Zin offers velvety tannins and smoky fruit and spice, finishing with a powerful hit of alcohol and leathery cedar.
The wine is full of ripe berries, red and black fruit flavors. Soft tannins are a subtext to the main fruitiness. Although the tannins are still dry, they will soften to give a fresh wine that will age quickly. Drink from 2016.
This is a layered, earthy selection, with upfront aromas of leather and cigar box complemented by fruity tones of blackberry and cassis. The medium-weight palate is lush and velvety, and the tannins are fine yet firmly structured. Boysenberry preserves and black pepper linger on the finish.
Aromas of leather, underbrush, ripe red berry and eucalyptus lead the nose on this structured wine. The delicious palate delivers juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, baking spice and savory herb alongside big, chewy tannins. It ends on a succulent note. Drink 2016–2024.
D'Arenberg wines are typically quite structured, so this wine's full body and creamy texture come as a bit of a surprise. Earthy, loamy notes run alongside espresso, black olive and blueberry before finishing long and silky. Drink now–2020.
Sumptuous red cherry, wrapped in velvety structure, presents a ripe and rounded Pinot Noir with earthy, autumnal edges. It offers lovely balance and constant glimpses of red fruit, oaky spice and soft yet crunchy midpalate mouthfeel. This will benefit from holding 2016–2017 in bottle.
A softly fruited, pear-scented Grüner full of super-clean, green Conference pear aromas. Grapefruit and lemon highlights brighten the creamy yet slender midpalate. A gentle wine but with focus and huge charm.
Benjamin Silver quietly makes great stuff out of a small warehouse on Santa Barbara's Eastside, including this Syrah that's boosted by pinches of Mourvèdre, Grenache and Viognier. Beautiful aromas of roasted pork in a blackberry-licorice reduction sauce pick up a bit of grape candy before hitting the palate with black pepper, blueberries and solid tannins. It's fun but serious.
White pepper mixed with clove and cinnamon frames the cherry fruit on this elegant, almost understated red. That delicious white pepper edge highlights and spices every impression of this nuanced, moreish red.
Hints of green Conference pear with even gentler notes of aloe vera make for an inviting nose. The palate is tight, concentrated and linear, but still full of charm. At the core a very refreshing citrus zestiness radiates. A very elegant wine.
There's a mysteriously attractive aromatic profile to this winery's top-end Syrah bottling, with violet perfume blending into blueberry syrup, anise and spearmint. The flavors are bold but not over the top, with lavender, dried berry leather and espresso combining into a seriously memorable wine.
The hinted lushness of passion fruit plays intriguingly around the straight-laced acidity of this classy Sauvignon Blanc. The body is light but profound. Very refreshing on its own or with light, delicate foods.
Made from dried Nebbiolo grapes, this structured wine weaves together plum, raisin, leather, earth, carob, balsamic and mineral notes. Combining power and finesse, it's well balanced but still young, with a firmly tannic backbone. Drink after 2017.
Lightly herbal, spicy aromas of tobacco, forest floor, juniper and pepper accent core blackberry, cassis and cherry aromas. This Cabernet is tight and mildly tannic, but not fierce or demanding. Ripe blackberry, coffee, mocha and vanilla flavors finish spicy, toasty and oaky. Drink through 2020.
This small-lot Cab (350 cases) is classically Chilean at all check points. The nose is spicy and full of cassis and berry flavors along with tobacco, olive and mild eucalyptus notes. A bright, lively palate is bolstered by acidity, while plum and red-berry flavors are oaky, spicy and peppery, with a toasty, slightly rooty finish. Drink through 2020.
Despite it's modest reported alcohol level, this is a plush, rounded example of Chardonnay, loaded with fruit. A whiff of woodsmoke frames pineapple and mango, adding complexity while still allowing the tropical notes to shine through. Drink now–2017.
This is slightly plusher and more powerful than the similarly excellent 2010 Heytesbury, yet still retains an undeniable sense of finesse. Dried herbs and flowers mark the nose, while the flavors include black cherry, cassis and vanilla. On the finish, lingering fruit persists beyond the soft, mildly drying tannins. Drink now–2025.
The scent of freshly cut, green Conference pears plays subtly around the nose while the palate is more definite. Mouth-coating phenolic structure is countered by fresh acidity and warm alcohol. This still needs time to come into its own but promises an intriguing flavor bases of beeswax, fruit and earth.
Fully mature, this is a medium-bodied, creamy-textured sparkling wine that could handle main-course duties. Notes of brioche dominate, filled out by hints of pineapple and citrus, followed by a lingering finish.
Full bodied and richly textured, this is an approachable wine that should nonetheless drink well through at least 2025. Toasted coconut accents cassis and blackberry fruit, folding in hints of vanilla on the long, mouthwatering finish.
This is one of a range of three wines from different soils. Silex soil is flinty, giving, as here, ageworthy, structured wines. It is dense, powerful and with a range of steely textures that dominate the very crisp, taut and nervy fruits. Drink this from 2017.
Tightly closed, still young, this has wonderful promise for the future. It offers a fine tannin structure around which iron-oxide-tinged blueberry and cherry play, along with earthiness and savory spice. This needs time to loosen its tightly coiled flavors. Drink as of 2016.
This wine is still in its shell, with notes of dark raspberries, cocoa and barrel spices. It's lusciously rich, dense and layered with firm tannins that need time in the cellar to soften. Just a baby now, it will be best from 2017 on.
Ripe, tropical overtones of mango and passion fruit accompany the more usual ripe pear notes of this concentrated wine. There are mineral hints on the palate, where weight, flavor and freshness are in perfect accord. This is lovely now but will age very gracefully.
A blend of Grenache (65%), Mourvèdre (25%) and Syrah, this suggests peppery spices, stewed raspberries, game and high-toned spices. The palate is the star, full bodied, textured and richly flavored. An orange peel accent leads to a warm finish.
Very concentrated notes of zesty grapefruit peel mingle with punchy, peppery watercress on a rather concentrated palate. Freshly ground pepper intriguingly pops up here and there. This is a weighty wine that definitely belongs on the table.
From one of the hottest vintages in recent years, this wine delivers layers of succulent wild cherry, crushed raspberry and cinnamon. It's balanced with firm but refined tannins and surprising freshness for the vintage. Drink through 2022.
Broodingly black cherry with aromatic sprays of pepper accompany notions of dark flower petals with a tarry edge. On the palate a meatiness adds a further layer of flavor. There is alcoholic strength and lots of concentration but this is a young wine which still has to come into its own. Enjoy its ripe elegance as of 2016.
This aromatically appealing wine brings aromas of blue fruit, barbecue briquettes, herbs, mineral and assorted spices. The fruit flavors are lithe yet intense, with a squeeze of tannins that lead to a supremely long finish.
A smoky scent and earthy, crisp-apple flavors make this medium-bodied wine a change of pace from the average butterball Chardonnay. It has welcome acidity and a nicely smooth texture.
Vanilla and spice aromas lend confectionery notes to this soft, slightly syrupy red wine. Sweet and fleshy on the palate, it's light in alcohol and acidity. The finish is marked by fine but rigid tannins.
This is a fashionably pale rosé, as light and bright in color as it is on the palate. Fruity, attractive and ready to drink, it has zesty orange peel and crisp wild strawberry flavors.
This is a smooth, soft wine that is full of black fruits and ripe tannins. The Merlot rounds out the rougher edges of the Malbec to give a rich juicy wine that will develop quickly. It is all fruit, generous and ready to drink from 2017.
Deep pink in color, this blend of 42% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 11% Cinsaut, 11% Mourvèdre and 6% Counoise offers light strawberry and pomegranate aromas on the tightly wound nose. Bountiful, refreshing acidity powers the palate, but the flavors are sparse, just hinting at sour raspberry and pomegranate.
Dusty minerals and smoked nuts permeate through savory tones of apple and pear in this off-dry Riesling. It's a light-footed wine with soft yielding acidity.
Earthier and dustier than the drier versions of Riesling in this series, this sweet-style wine permeates with notes of crushed rocks and bramble. Soft yielding acidity and slightly sugary sweetness linger on the finish.
Blended with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, this is an austere, unfussy red made in modest quantities that has crisp red currant and cranberry flavors interwoven with cedar and dried herb.
This wine opens softly, with faint aromas of lemon-lime citrus and lean green fruit. The medium-weight palate offers a bit more concentration in green plum and lime tones, finishing pithy and somewhat bitter.
Aromas of ripe (leaning almost overripe) apple, melon and orange peel are followed by medium-sweet fruit flavors. It needs more acid to stand it up.
Made by Leonor Freitas in the family winery, this is a rich blend of Castelão, Touriga Nacional and Syrah. With its firm tannins balanced by juicy red fruit, it's a wine to savor from early 2018.
Dark gold in color, this wine is marked by floral jasmine aromas before toasty oak and weightiness take over on the palate. Green apple and tropical flourishes provide additional richness.
Savory apples and pears mingle into lemon and bramble in this slightly earthy off-dry Riesling. Sunny tangerine acidity is easy but bright, leading a delicately sweet finish.
From a small cave cooperative in Laudun, this is a solid Rhône white blend of 55% Grenache Blanc, 40% Bourboulenc and 5% Clairette. It's a full-bodied, slightly oily wine, delivering pear, melon and pineapple flavors tinged with cinnamon and brown sugar. Drink now.
Robust and sanguine, this softly layered wine offers a simple take on the variety—a study in blackberry, leather and peppercorn flavors.
Muted, soft scents of green apple, orange peel and underripe banana dance on the nose, while the zippy, prickly palate offers pithy flavors of citrus zest, ending slightly bitter. Drink now.
This bottling from winemaker Chris Cameron shows smoky touches of vanilla and caramel on the nose, proving quite ripe and buttery. Dried lemon skin and smoked white meat flavors show on the palate, making this a solid weeknight sipper for anyone who likes a full-bodied Chardonnay.
This softly fruity wine has the lightest of tannins and plenty of simple red-berry fruits. There is an earthy edge to the young wine as well as plenty of acidity at the end. Drink now.
Earthy leafy aromas suggest compost. This feels lean in the middle but also creamy. Spicy oaky flavors of clay and dried red fruits are light and inoffensive.
A blend of Colombard and Chardonnay, this wine is crisp and fruity. It has attractive bright acidity with lemon fruitiness and a mineral texture. The wine is ready to drink.
The Douro venture of Alentejo-based Herdade do Esporão, this wine is structured with tannin while also having generous red berry fruit. Acidity, mineral texture and a bright aftertaste give it both weight and crispness. Drink now.
Very fruity, lightly sweet and full bodied, this easygoing blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and other varieties smells like maple syrup, tastes jammy and has enough sweetness to balance its tannic texture.
This state-owned estate of forests and vineyards grows organic grapes. This wine, softly structured and ripe has light black fruits and plenty of acidity. An undercurrent of tannin keeps the wine in order and will allow it to age. Drink from 2018.
Starting off slightly reduced, this wine has aromas of dried red apple that lead to just off-dry, full apple flavors, finishing bitter.
This is an open and fruity wine, made to be drunk young. With its wood-derived spice notes, black currant fruitiness and acidity, it's balanced, elegant and ready to drink now.
This dull, rustic wine offers earth and anise flavors around a core of soft cherry fruit. Light bodied, its acidity is moderate and unobtrusive.
Perfumed in cassis and chocolate, this wine starts out with soft layers of fruit, but lacks structure and definition, making for a simple, lighthearted quaff.
Gritty, uric, green aromas come in front of a round palate with little cut. Vegetal, bitter flavors of bell pepper and grapefruit finish with another wave of bitterness.
Funky aromas of barnyard, burnt tire rubber and game lead the nose and follow through to the bitter palate along with overripe plums and a note of almond skin. Dusty, almost gritty tannins give it an abrasive but fleeting close.
Heavy, raisiny aromas of cherry and chocolate are ominous. This feels thick, out of shape and awkward, with zero elegance. Weedy, raisiny, syrupy berry flavors finish fat, with a palpable note of cooked fruit.
This bitter wine is high-octane in puckering tannin and very ripe fruit. The finish leans towards a taste of pencil shavings and tobacco.
Green, soupy aromas of tomato are blatant and harsh. This is decent in terms of mouthfeel, but it reverts to herbaceous, leafy flavors of bell pepper and grass that finish with nothing but pyrazines.
Aromas of mushroom, dirty water and mud puddle are far from inviting. Herbal, briny flavors of mushroom, salt and bitterness come with almost no fruit.
Almost neutral on the nose, an herbal arugula element finally emerges. The palate is light and crisp, with a bitter aftertaste.
This wine is listed at 19.5% alcohol and it smells every bit of it. Alcohol aromas overwhelm any sense of the variety and provide a burn to the floral flavors.
This has overripe tropical-fruit aromas on the nose. Wheaty, oxidized flavors finish with a note of mushy fruit.
This wine has artificial, plastic-like aromas that mar its opening and make it barely acceptable to drink.
This wine is a medium cherry-red color, with some bricking. The volatiles are quite high and lead to off-dry cherry flavors.
Enticing aromas of iris, rose, perfumed red berry and cake spice emerge on this stunning wine. The elegantly structured, silky palate delivers juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, mint, white pepper and tobacco alongside firm but ultrafine tannins. It's already tempting but hold to let it unwind and develop more complexity. Drink 2018–2035.
Lip-smacking is an inelegant yet apt word to describe the unctuousness of this nectar of honey, saffron and marmalade. It's delightfully rich and creamy, yet gorgeously balanced, seared by a razor's edge of lemon-lime acidity. It's an exceptional wine now, penetrating and persistent, but will surely delight for decades to come.
Search carefully and you'll note delicate scents of tamarind, cola, ginger, coriander, cocoa and pepper. The palate opens with a generous, exotic potpourri of baking spices, amaro, honey, dark chocolate and caramel. There is the slightest hint of barnyard, but everything plays together beautifully. Drink now through 2025.
Waxy minerals mingle with deep, concentrated tones of orange and tangerine in this lusciously sweet Riesling. Vibrant and complex, it's marked by tart tangerine acidity that sears through the midpalate. Swathes of saffron and exotic spice soften a long, lingering finish. While delicious already, its minerality and composure should only improve from 2020-2025.
As delicate and spry as a silken mist, this sweet-style Riesling balances honeyed apricot and peach flavors against a backdrop of intense minerality and acidity. It darts and dances on the tongue yet penetrates deeply, leaving a long lasting impression. It's approachable now, yet should improve till at least 2025.
This dazzling red is still in its infancy but promises to bloom into a stunning beauty. It opens with delicate aromas of red rose, perfumed berry, forest floor, exotic spice, aromatic herb and a light balsamic note. Energy abounds on the full-bodied, elegant palate, which delivers bright red cherry, strawberry, white pepper and licorice alongside a backbone of vibrant acidity and firm, refined tannins. Drink 2020–2040.
Even if winemaker Jason Lett tripled the price of this wine, it would still be a standout among its peers. This opens with intense aromatics of pineapple fruit, bracing acidity and compelling length. On the second and third day after opening, it remained quite fresh and expressive, with further details of fruit and mineral beginning to emerge. Drink now through 2035.
Radiant and structured, this is initially closed but slowly opens to reveal engaging aromas of woodland berry, violet, star anise, dark cooking spice and a balsamic note. The vibrant, full-bodied palate boasts great energy while offering layers of wild cherry, raspberry, white pepper and licorice. Bright acidity and firm, polished tannins provide balance. Give it time to fully develop. Drink between 2020 and 2035.
One of the most balanced and impressive Barolos from the hot 2011 vintage, this opens with alluring aromas of mature black cherry, tobacco and spice. The smooth, full-bodied palate abounds with ripe raspberry, juicy strawberry, chopped herb, clove and cinnamon alongside firm but polished tannins that give the wine a silky mouthfeel. Drink 2018–2031.
This gorgeous wine offers classic Nebbiolo aromas of pressed rose, mature berry, crushed mint and baking spice. The structured, savory palate offers juicy wild cherry, raspberry, star anise, tobacco and clove alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2028.
This late-release GG is a stunning showcase of how just a few years of bottle age impact a dry, richly concentrated Riesling. Yellow peach and grapefruit tones shine brightly still, but are glazed by layers of slick, penetrating minerals. While moderate in alcohol, it feels dense and creamy on the palate. The finish meanders almost endlessly, punctuated playfully by strikes of lemon-lime acidity. It's singing now, but should improve till at least 2020.
This wine shows exceptional detail—scents of rose petals and milk chocolate, subtle suggestions of dried wood, incense and smoke, and a vein of maple syrup. The foundation is the beautifully ripened cherry fruit, set in 50% new French oak.
The oldest Chardonnay vines in the Willamette Valley, planted in 1965, create a spicy, textural, refined wine with tremendous length and detail. All the wine was aged in neutral wood, which shines a light on the beautiful fruit, with green apple, almonds, and hints of butter and vanilla.
Enticing aromas of wild berry, pressed rose, cake spice and chewing tobacco come together on this gorgeous wine. The firmly structured palate delivers juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, licorice and clove. It's well balanced, with ripe, velvety tannins that will make it approachable earlier than other vintages but still age-worthy. Drink 2019–2036.
The name of the wine goes back to the 15th century when it was exported to the Portuguese colonies. It is an iconic wine in Portugal; the white is a blend of Antão Vaz and Arinto. Aged in wood, it has density and concentration as well as opulent yellow fruit and pear flavors. It is a beautiful wine, rich while also so stylish. Drink from 2018.
Violet, rose, perfumed berry and a whiff of sweet cake spice are some of the enticing scents you'll find on this impressive wine. On the delicious palate, notes of clove, cinnamon, mocha, licorice and raspberry weave seamlessly throughout the juicy black cherry core. It's elegantly structured, with fresh acidity and firm, ripe tannins. Drink 2020–2036.
Perfumed with woodland berry, dried rose, cake spice and sweet pipe tobacco, this is one of the most impressive of the '09 Riservas. The delicious, full-bodied palate offers layers of juicy black cherry, clove, cinnamon, licorice and mineral. Firm, ripe tannins give it structure and a polished feel. Drink 2019–2029.
Rose petal, perfumed berry, new leather, pressed powder and underbrush are just some of the enticing scents you'll find on this stunning wine. The structured palate is loaded with finesse, offering crushed cherry, black raspberry and licorice accompanied by polished tannins. This is the firm's last vintage of Santo Stefano, and they nailed it. Drink 2017–2026.
Zesty lime and crushed stones lend revitalizing tang to this squeaky-fresh Riesling. Off dry in style, it's chock full of sweet peach and tangerine flavors. Forward and fruity, it's appealing yet elegant.
Aromas recall stewed dark fruit, coffee, clove and toasted oak. The palate delivers plum, woodland berry, mocha, vanilla and a confectionary note alongside bracing tannins. It's still tight and tannic so give it time to unwind. Drink 2017–2022.
Heavy oak and spice aromas are the primary greeting on this muscular, thick, well-made Malbec. Following the lead set by the bouquet, this tastes of spicy oak, chocolate and creamy blackberry. Clove, nutmeg and chocolate flavors drive the finish.
Generous aromas of apricot and peach come with a guava accent. It's full bodied and viscous in feel, with sweet stone-fruit flavors that linger.
Oak-driven aromas convey toast, wood shop, vanilla and a whiff of underbrush. The rich palate delivers cherries marinated in spirits, toasted oak, espresso, pipe tobacco, vanilla and a confectionary note alongside bracing wood tannins. A licorice note marks the finish.
The longtime Dry Creek producer offers a complex intermingling of 60% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 14% Mourvédre, 6% Carignane and 6% Cinsault here, the overall blend high-toned in raspberry and licorice. Not overly oaked, the floral nose maintains itself from start to finish, along with a velvety mouthfeel and plenty of structure. It's made from organic grapes.
This dark and savory nose blends dried cranberry, orange peels, woody mushrooms and rose-petal potpourri. Flavors are strongly sanguine at first, starting with iron before morphing into dark chocolate. The finish comes on quite bitter and tart, without much overt ripeness.
The Sonoma winery heads south to source fruit from this vineyard jointly owned by the Pisoni and Franscioni families. The nose offers cherry pastry, black olive, sandalwood and graphite, and the palate presents flavors of pomegranate seeds and cranberry-orange juice across finely grained tannins.
Coming from 45-year old plantings, this warm-vintage wine is quite aromatically light for the variety, with notes of quinine, spice, pear and flowers. It drinks dry with a broad feel to the lightly spritzy fruit. Spice flavors are backed by a sense of acid balance that draws out the finish. This wine takes time to get going but proves worthy.
Initially dusty mineral tones blow off to reveal an aromatic bouquet full of fresh lilacs and cassis. Tart blackberry and cherry flavors on the palate are bristling and spry, accented by touch of sage and delicate tannins on the finish.
While the nose suggests a hint of pressed apple, the palate on this richly textured Chardonnay is bright with yellow plum and apple flavors touched with spice, smoke and cream. Revitalizing acidity freshens the midpalate, leaving the finish brisk and clean.
Fresh raspberry and cranberry flavors match the bright acidity and firm tannins in this lively, medium-bodied, dry red. With this vibrant texture it will pair with the richest osso buco, risotto or juicy steak.
This opens with aromas of plum, menthol, licorice and a whiff of cellar floor. The palate offers dark berry fruit, clove, dried sage and white pepper alongside assertive, drying tannins and the warmth of evident alcohol.
Benjamin Silver offers a very traditional tar and roses nose on this solid wine, with extra aromas of leather, iron, pipe smoke, iodine and beef jerky. The palate shows white pepper, roasted fennel and tight pomegranate fruit, with some gaminess and tobacco leaf, as well as grippy tannins that will continue to soften with time.
Closed on the nose at first, after opening there's a lot of intrigue to this savory Chardonnay, bright in acidity and deftly layered on the palate in herbal thyme and baked pear. Medium in weight it has a salty, briny edge that's a ton of fun.
Here's a savory blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot offering aromas of blackberry, underbrush and baking spice. The smooth, soft palate delivers juicy black cherry, licorice and ground pepper alongside round tannins. Drink through 2018.
An equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this features aromas of leafy underbrush, spiced plum and a hint of soy sauce. The dense palate offers coffee, dried plum, black cherry, licorice and a confectionary note alongside supple tannins.
This blend of Grenache (63%), Tempranillo (25%) and Syrah offers barrel notes of fresh brewed coffee, woodspice and vanilla bean along with red and blue fruit. It's silky-soft with a creamy feel backed by grainy tannins.
Light, leafy, earthy aromas of plum and tomato accurately announce a lively, fresh palate with spicy, peppery flavors of earth, red plum and cranberry. Juicy acidity, dry but ripe red fruit and earthy complexity make for a strong finish.
Classic Bordeaux in structure, this firm wine has dry tannins that still dominate the black and red berry fruits. However, the fruit that's now in the background will come strongly forward to give a fresh character and plenty of final black currant.
This wood-aged wine achieves a good balance between the toast and the bright citrus fruits. It's ripe, full of fruitiness and with a crisp texture that contrasts with the smoky backdrop. The aftertaste suggests the wine will benefit from another year's aging, so drink from 2016.
With a dominance of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, this structured and firm wine has a dry, dusty character lightened by black currant fruitiness. The aftertaste, with its good mix of fruit and acidity shows a wine that's likely to be ready to drink from 2016.
From the winery's estate vineyard, this 100% varietal is lightly aromatic with cocoa, bittersweet chocolate, flowers and dark cherry. It's medium bodied with rich cherry flavors and firm, slightly dry tannins.
Dark fruits—notably black cherries and figs—come with a chocolaty edge. The citrusy acids keep the wine on point as it slowly fades.
This is rich, round, toasty and chocolaty, and it is instantly accessible and mouth filling. The forward fruit and barrel flavors coat the tongue with notes of cherries and chocolate. Drink soon, while the flavors remain fresh and balanced.
This is quite unusual, loaded with notes of green herb, leaf, fiddlehead fern, pepper and lemon verbena. It's herbal and not at all disagreeable, though fruit-lovers may want to look elsewhere. Just 50 cases of this wine were made.
Somewhat volatile aromas suggest stems and a bit of nail polish before the herbal fruit surfaces. This chewy, tannic wine does not live up to its single vineyard promise.
Light, but elegant and pretty, this wine spent 17 months in 40% new oak. Fruit flavors emphasize tart berry, with a dash of earthy sandalwood.
This is a spicy number with a minty green aroma along with cherry, molasses and smoke notes. The mouthfeel is edgy and lively, while the flavors of vanilla, cocoa and herbal plum and berry are solid and composed. It's solid but a bit herbal on the finish.
This is generous, full of red berry and plum fruits and lined with acidity. It has a firm structure that gives shape to its exuberant fruitiness. Ready to drink now, but it can be aged for another 2–3 years.
This is a soft, broadly fruity Chardonnay, with near-tropical ripeness. Banana and papaya flavors dominate, accented by pretty baking spices and a touch of mineral.
One of the entry-level wines from Bründlmayer, this is all about the fruit. It is fresh and perfumed, with just a touch of pepper that adds zestiness. It's a pleasure to drink now, and the creamed pear and citrus flavors are already in harmony.
This blend of Merlot, Malbec and Tannat is soft and rich. With its ripe plum fruit, rich texture and soft, dusty tannins, this feels full on the palate. The finish shows crisp acidity.
A finely structured wine, this has a rich, juicy black-currant flavor and a solid, tannic core. It has weight and a dark, firm presence, and a smooth herbal character that highlights the wood aging. This should age for five years or more.
Full and rich, this has flavors of spice, juicy black currant and mulberry, with a fine tannin backdrop and a dry core. The wood aging has smoothed the fruity finish.
This smoky, dusty wine seems to be chugging quickly along the aging curve. At the moment, it's drinking nicely, decked out with pretty baking spice and mocha highlights. It's smooth and mouth filling, with lots of pretty cherry flavor.
The lightest of the dessert wines made by Claude Loustalot, this is fruity, fragrant and medium sweet, with refreshing acidity. The crisp texture combines hints of honey and apricot jam. Drink now.
A wine with some depth, this is layered with fine tannins. The acidity and red cherry flavor are held up by its firm structure. It's also fruity enough to be consumed now.
Even in a less-than-ripe vintage such as this, the Leland stands out in the Erath lineup. Tight and herbal, this has an array of Pinot-specific fruits that are of medium concentration. Its balanced use of barrel aging brings a chocolate flavor to the finish.
A little floral/grapey scent comes up from the glass, then the wine descends into darker, grippier, more tannic levels with boysenberries and smoke. There's lots of acid—maybe too much—and it gives a sense of something missing as the wine heads into the finish. Green, earthy, chewy tannins leave a slightly harsh impression.
From the use of the term Shiraz (rather than Syrah) to the sweet, vanilla-and-tobacco-laden flavors, this seems to be aimed squarely at the consumer who loves a forward, round and rather soft Australian-style wine. It delivers ripe berry flavors, silky tannins and plenty of up-front pleasure for the price.
There is an attractive mint character to this wine, that follows through to a juicy fruit character with a ripe blackberry jam flavor. The acidity keeps the whole wine soft, sweet and fresh.
On the face of it, this is an unlikely combination. But the ripeness of the Chardonnay and crisper, perfumed Alvarinho go well together, a wine that shows richness and lightness, as well as pear and lemon flavors. The finishing acidity is very refreshing.
Smells pure and citrusy, offering up scents of lemon curd, grapefruit zest and lime juice, then adds rounder melon notes on the palate, which is rather fat and shows a bit of alcohol. Zesty on the finish, but warm, too.
Cloudy and a little stewy at first, which gives it a richer, plumper outward personality. With loads of earth and leather, fruit takes an early back seat before rising up in the form of black plum and berry. Finishes plump, with adequate structure. Gets better the more you get to know it.
Jammy aromas of raspberry and cherry show a slightly pickled, brambly edge, while the palate delivers tight, grabby cherry and berry flavors. There's a bit of cheesy tang to the finish, while sheering acidity and an overall light body make it food friendly.
With its fresh fruits, this wine emphasizes its cool origins. The spice is discreet, but the soft tannins go well with the light black currant fruits. It is a wine driven by its acidity and fruit. Give it an hour to open out before drinking, it deserves it.
Dark and quite oaky for a brand that earned its stripes via balanced wines that overdelivered. This vintage seems much more extracted and rough, with big, burly aromas and then tannins that grab the cheeks. Along the rough and tumble ride there's spice, pepper, blackberry and coffee. This wine pumps it out but is less polished than in the past.
A light, fresh wine, showing berries, a touch of wood and very soft tannins. The finish shows a more meaty, rustic aftertaste, but also good acidity.
An earthy, savory style, with just enough crisp blackberry and sour plum fruit to give it a sense of modernity. It's fairly full-bodied, finishing with a squirt of lemon juice and some dusty tannins.
Briny raspberry aromas are a bit murky. This smacks down hard with acidity, while the flavors run toward earthy, generic plum and berry. A salty finish with animal notes is firm but struggles with cleanliness.
There's a strong dose of sawdust and faux vanilla on the nose of this flabby Malbec. Woody, minty flavors crowd out the fruit content, while the finish is resiny in feel, and consistent with the palate.
A gold color indicates maturation, while loud, tropical fruit aromas fold in lychee, citrus blossom and sweat. The palate is electric due to citric acidity, while flavors of orange, tangerine, lemon-lime and grapefruit finish with a chalky feel.
Simple red-berry aromas are about as good as this gets. In the mouth, it's wet but dilute. Flavors of pithy citrus and grass finish with grapefruit and bitter flavors. This is basic at best and empty at worst.
Briny berry aromas turn dull and flat with airing. This is hollow and weak on the palate, with sour berry flavors and an acidic finish akin to tart fruit juice.
A yellow color announces that this isn't in tip-top shape. Stalky, waxy aromas confirm that, while a chunky, creamy feeling palate is low on acid and is showing oxidized, Sherry-like aromas of vanilla and nuts.
This smells far better than it feels or tastes. The nose offers black fruit and graham cracker notes, but the palate is sharp and punchy, with sour plum and rhubarb flavors that finish herbal and briny.
An inexpensive Merlot packed in sweet vanilla and smoky oak that has 5% 2008 Dolcetto, 3% 2010 Syrah and 3% 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon.
This volatile, sharp-toned wine barely makes the cut. Those who are particularly sensitive to scents of nail-polish remover may wish to steer clear. Despite relatively low alcohol and high sugar, it burns a bit in the finish.
Pleasant apple, pear and white-flower aromas are accompanied by a slightly earthy, mushroom-like note on this dry Pinot Blanc. It's stark and lean with acidity, savory apple flavors and a brisk finish.
While juicy and ripe with red fruit, this Zin lays a little flat on the palate. A handful of Sangiovese is blended in.
This blend is comprised of Merlot (70%) and dabbles of Mourvèdre, Petit Verdot and Shiraz, sourced mainly from the Clements Hills region of Lodi. The wine is marked by a strong streak of green bell pepper and herbal scents, and is a tad dull on the palate.
Candied white-fruit aromas are generic and rudimentary. This feels flat and doesn't show much life on the palate. Flavors of canned pear, oak and related spice finish bland.
While the nose is pungent and true to the variety, there isn't much else positive to say about this cypher of a Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is plump yet fizzy, while the flavor profile offers citrus, bitterness and nothing more.
Mellow and floral on the nose, this turns loud and aggressive in the mouth. Candied lime and mango flavors finish rugged and screaming.
A tannic blend of Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, this is closed in the nose and dense in texture.
Very primary, with tart blackberry fruit and a slim, refreshing body, suggesting that this young wine could also work well chilled when its lively, uncomplicated nature will show best.
A bitter wine with tart apple and pear flavors, this has a hard edge. Drink now.
With little varietal character on the nose, this qualifies as a basic, plump white wine with mild fruit, oily notes and some bitterness.
Fenestra's blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is aromatically interesting with hints of Dr. Pepper and spice. The palate devolves with strong herbal aromas and light fruit flavors before finishing slightly high in alcohol.
Odd aromas of pomegranate and grapefruit are off the grid. This is citric and austere in feel, with sour, herbal flavors mixed with oak. A minty, herbal, green finish raises questions.
Light and tropical on the nose, this is flabby on the palate and tastes dull and sweet, with a creamy aftertaste and low acidity.
This perenially mediocre wine is a little worse in 2012. It smells blowsy, floral and strange, while in the mouth it's like oaky apple cider. Flavors of cider and faux oak are less than impressive, as is the overall balance.
Marked by aromas of raspberry liqueur, this is a sweet, listless Grenache. Sourced from a good site in Mendocino.
A bouquet of blueberry, pomegranate and juniper berry braces the palate for flavors of blueberry, raspberry, anise, juniper berry and eucalyptus that sit in a plexus of comforting tannins. Fruity and cool flavors battle it out for dominance, with fruit remaining victorious on the bright and juicy finish.
An excellent value, this is a fairly full-bodied, slightly creamy-textured Shiraz that should provide ample pleasure through 2020. Smoky, plummy fruit finishes warm and plush.
Intensely floral on the nose, this is a blend of 70% Pinot Grigio grown in Carneros, 15% Traminer also grown in Carneros, and 15% Moscato giallo from Lodi, which the producer has previously employed in delightful wines of its own. Lilting and bright, it has substance behind the equal balance of fruit and spice, offering a taste of lemony ginger and pear.
All the warm southern heat of the Alentejo is in this wine. It is rich, generous and full of ripe, black fruits. Berries and juicy damsons are spiced with pepper, rich tannins and lifted by acidity. It is a wine for big meat dishes, for stews, a powerful, no-holds-barred style. It will be ready to drink from 2017.
A thick, rich and balanced expression of great, estate-owned dirt, this wine has well-developed elements of green apple, pear and lemon, with teases of wet stone and gravelly minerality.
This full-bodied, layered Cabernet opens with mossy, damp aromas that suggest a forest after a rain. The palate is direct and solid, with good depth. Flavors of cola, baked plum, raisin and chocolate finish strong and with previously announced notes of cocoa, mocha and prune. Drink through 2019.
The Secateurs selections are always attractive wines, and this vintage red doesn't disappoint. Accents of minty cassis, licorice, black tea and leather frame the black berry and cherry core, while lingering suggestions of purple flowers, black tea and sweet spice unfold on the finish. The plush texture and structured yet approachable tannins make this a wine that can be enjoyed now–2018.
Lush and toasty, this blend of 45% Chenin Blanc, 20% Grenache Blanc, 17% Roussanne, 9% Chardonnay and 9% Viognier is complex yet balanced. Scents of toasted apple, pear, beeswax, almond and brioche frame the nose, while the palate offers additional notes of clove-spiked orange and lemon custard. Ample acidity lifts the smooth mouthfeel and sweet-spiced finish. Drink now–2018.
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.
Another entry from Sadie's Old Vine Series, this Cinsault leads with wild, earthy aromas of game and savory herbs like sage, bay leaf and rooibos tea that are layered atop the red currant and tart cherry fruit tones. There's a touch of sharpness to the palate, with bright acidity and fine tannins that frame the sour cherry, rhubarb and citrus fruit. Enjoy through 2017.
A voluptuous wine that's both thick and luxurious, this vineyard-designate reveals hearty elements of crème brûlée and burnt sugar atop grandma's apple pie. It remains in balance through the richness.
Hay, tomato leaf and stone fruit aromas waft out of the glass. The elegant palate is a bit more reserved than the nose, offering yellow peach and chopped herb. Crisp acidity brightens the flavors while a graphite note closes the finish.
Puckery lime and lemon flavors collide into lavish streaks of honey and marmalade in this penetrating, lip-smacking kabinett. Delicately composed with the faintest hint of sweetness, it reverberates through a high-toned, tangerine finish. Drink now through 2018.
New winemaking and a sizable replanting effort at the producer's Spring Mountain estate are starting to show dividends in this new release, a full-bodied style true to its heritage. Bright acidity pops around a taste of pomelo and yuzu, giving the wine a zest of lemon before a caramelized finish.
The nose is an intricate blend of rose petal, sandalwood and the ripe red-speckled skin of plump mirabelle plums. The palate echoes this perfectly, with an off-dry, cushioned and plump feel that just bathes all the senses in ripe fruit. The warm finish again emphasizes the ripe, plump fruit.
This is a thick, firmly structured version of a rare variety in California, smoky in black cherry and vanilla. Perfumed in sweet aromas of violet and raspberry pie, it offers a deceptively balanced fullness of body and power, with persistence to the finish.
Softly hinted aromatics of dried peach suggest warmth and ripeness on the nose. The just off-dry palate follows with fluid, gentle richness and a phenolic, textured midpalate. The freshness of the acidity highlights the nuance between very ripe and dried yellow plums. A subtle wine but with a core of subdued richness.
Made with Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon, Malvasia and Ribolla Gialla, this structured white opens with enticing aromas of candied citrus zest, light oak, chopped herb and almond. The firm palate offers baked apple, nectarine, coconut, toast, vanilla and a confectionary note.
This is a rounded, ripe wine that exudes black fruits, soft tannins and juicy acidity. It is fresh, tight with a mineral texture. The six months of wood aging has served to tame the firmest tannins. That means this approachable wine is ready to drink just for its freshness and fruitiness, although it will be even better from early 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.
Akin to a lemon drop, this wine offers a richness of fruit and oak along with balance. It conveys a mix of gingersnap, baked apple and lemon meringue, particularly on the finish. Medium to full bodied, it's a layered and complex expression of the variety that's right for the table.
Waxy peach and baked apple aromas are a touch dusty as well. This barrelfermented Viura feels round and peachy, while flavors of buttered toast, white pepper and bitter melon finish with fortitude. This is an interesting take on Viura that should age and improve through 2024.
Young and precise, this balances flavors of wild raspberries against a mineral foundation. Suggestions of wet stone and a dash of brown spices come through, with lots of supporting acidity. As it fades, there's a lick of chocolate from aging in 29% new French oak.
Truly dry, with barely perceptible 6g/L of residual sugar, this is intensely aromatic. A strong and lingering impression of talcum powder dominates. It's a potent, powerful, penetrating wine, true to variety, but a bit of a challenge with food.
Black and white pepper, boysenberries and roasting pork notes show on the fresh and vibrant nose of this blend of the five red Bordeaux varietals. Light and lively on the palate, it offers lots of boysenberry energy, with more pepper, thyme, cardamom and tea elements. It's a refreshing change of pace from a cool vintage.
Out of the gate, reductive aromas provide some distraction from the lime-leaf and stone-fruit aromas. It drinks quite sweet with abundant apricot flavors.
Aromas and flavors like prunes and strawberry jam make an unusual combination in this full-bodied and uncomplicated wine. It is certainly fruity and generous in personality.
This wine combines 32% Petit Verdot with 28% Merlot, 26% Malbec and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. It's intense in milk chocolate and blackberry-raspberry jam, high in acidity and low in oak, showing a tendency toward bitterness on the finish.
Aromas of pear and tropical fruit precede lighter-styled flavors that taper toward the finish.
Made in a richer-than-usual style, this wine shows floral and melon aromas, medium to full body, dry honeydew melon flavors and a smooth rather than crisp texture.
An herbal strawberry aroma meets dusty furniture and dried hay on the nose. Light bodied and showing little tannic structure, flavors of watery strawberry and currant race to the finish.
Rustic, dark and deeply tannic, this wine is sourced from the Oak Knoll District of the Napa Valley, known for relatively cooler-climate varieties, though not necessarily Pinot Noir. It dances in dark plum and leather, finishing short.
If the blend of Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc isn't jarring enough, then the wine's combination of high acid and heavy oak should be. This smells like plywood and sawdust, while the palate is both racy and resiny. Oaky, toasty, bitter flavors of lemon and underripe nectarine hold onto a barrel-driven flavors on the finish.
Juicy sweet is an apt moniker for this fruity, forward Riesling. The grapey, sugary palate is a bit confected in style, but easy and approachable.
An incredibly savory nose of hoisin-glazed barbecue, with a hint of tarragon, carries the bouquet. More fruit comes on the palate of jammy, mixed black berries, yet the mild acidity struggles to keep the balance.
A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 3% each of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, this wine tastes of charred wood and generic red juice, accented by a slight green character. Puckering tannins and a diluted finish complete the picture.
Generic, this wine offers huge tannins and underwhelming fruit, finishing sour and somewhat tart.
Cherry and berry aromas are a bit hot and saucy. This feels chunky and borderline sticky, with hard raspberry and plum flavors. This is marginal, even for basic commercial Cabernet.
Tart and lean, this unusually brisk Tocai Friulano juxtapoes savory apple and citrus against a bounty of leafy green and herbal tones. It's refreshingly spry but vegetal in tone.
Briary, herbal berry aromas take on a wet-dog scent. This feels shear and shrill, with high acidity and not much body. Sour black-plum flavors are highly herbal and borderline weedy, while a tart, scouring finish closes this out.
Stalky, damp, funky aromas are not unusual for Elqui wines. This is mild in feel and registers as being in the Pinot Noir range. Rooty, bitter flavors are rustic and low on fruit. Heat on the finish is of no help.
Craisin and geranium aromas mark the nose of this Texas Syrah. The medium-bodied palate brings more floral tones, soapy in nature, with soft tannins giving little support.
Bland, pithy citrus aromas come with notes of saline solution and pool water. This is 85% Viognier and 15% Chardonnay, and the body is plump but vague. Flavors of papaya and pickle juice finish green, briny and melony.
Earthy, leathery berry and mushroom aromas don't stir much interest. This feels tannic and heavy, while flavors of baked berry fruits and caramel finish hot and rugged.
Blatant aromas of popcorn don't allow for much fruit expression on the nose. This is heavy and lacking in vitality. Flavors of toast, burnt wood, barrel resin and tropical fruits finish soft.
This wine still seems to be in its shell, showing considerable reduction that persists in the aromas and flavors. It drinks off dry with broad apple flavors.
Red-berry aromas are damp, mulchy and not fully fresh. On the palate, this wine feels sticky, while flavors of briny, herbal red-berry fruits turn salty on the finish.
An unusual variety in New York, this Barbera contrasts a rich, deeply black berried nose against a palate that's chock full of sour cherries and dusty mineral tones. It's a bit out of balance, with a short, craggy finish.
There's a mix of sweetness and greenness to this wine, a 100% varietal that is somewhat dull and unformed on the palate. It finishes slightly sour.
There's nothing too tricky about this dilute, mealy smelling Sauvignon Blanc that's blended with 10% Carmenère for a reason we can't explain. With drawing white-grape tannins, this tastes green and citrusy, with a scallion note to the finish.
This low-key, medium-bodied wine has subdued aromas and flavors, and a slight touch of herbs and lemon to lend personality. It's smooth in texture.
Aromas of orange and tangerine are oily on the nose. Melon, papaya and almond-skin flavors end with creamy lees notes that give way to bitterness on a dilute finish.
This opens like an exploding hand grenade filled with pyrazines and jalapeño extract. The narrow, acidic palate is lacking in depth, but at least it's fresh. Briny, green flavors of jalapeño and bell peppers never let go, while the finish is tart and green, with a lasting note of bell pepper.
This good, generic red wine smells like mixed fruits and tastes mildly fruity along with light veggie flavors. It feels lean in texture and dry in balance.
In this structured wine, aromas recall meat juices, black plum, bell pepper and cooking spices. The dense palate delivers fleshy black cherry and black currant accented by black pepper, clove and espresso. Still young, it has brooding tannins that need time to tame. Drink 2016–2023.
A finely made wine that is smooth and ripe. With a mix of citrus. melon and tropical fruits, it is balanced, touched by light wood aging, and feels rich while also elegant. The wine can be drunk in the next year, giving a delicious fruity character.
Showing strong, dense structure, this is a full, tannic wine. It starts tough and dry on the palate. The fruit comes through slowly, revealing red berry flavors. It needs to age, so don't drink before 2015.
This intense blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Mourvèdre is dusty in cassis and leather with nice layers of blackberry, too. Tightly wound and grippy, the wine offers nuanced shades of herb and cedar and a long, satisfying finish.
Made entirely from Sangiovese, this has primary aromas of underbrush, woodland berries and tobacco. The concentrated palate delivers ripe plum, prune and black cherry accented with black pepper and a note of vanilla alongside the warmth of alcohol. Brawny, round and delicious, this is already approachable. Drink through 2017.
Ripe, round and fleshy, this brings generous tree fruits annotated with bright spices. It's clean, fresh and has a hint of mint in the finish.
A fine value, this is sourced from vineyards in the Rocks and Seven Hills regions of the Walla Walla valley. Bright fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry, amped with vivid acidity and showing pretty,  lively spice, carry on through a finish lightly touched with flavors of grapevine and espresso.
Made from old Douro vines, this wine is dark, almost black, with flavors as dense as its color. While rich, it is also fruity with blackberry flavor, sweet tannins and a cutting edge of acidity to give a lift at the end. Drink until 2020.
Jasmine and honey notes are intensely aromatic on this dry, elegantly framed Riesling. It's tightly focused on the palate, with crisp white peach and melon-rind notes accompanied by a refreshing, but piercing lime acidity. Perfect as an apéritif, or to accompany delicate fowl or cheese dishes.
A classic structured Dão wine that is very firm still and packed with tannins. Its mineral texture, wood aging and stony feel are balanced by dense berry fruits and juicy acidity. It still needs time, so either decant or wait until 2016.
Sunny and ripe on the nose, with whiffs of honey, orange rind and yellow raisin, this dry, full-bodied wine is textured and broad. The palate is rich, as if streaked with mineral oil, but cut with searing lemon and tangerine acidity. It finishes moderately long, with a hint of floral flair.
Crisp stone fruit, citrus and mineral tones lend a briskness and levity to this dry, full-bodied Riesling. It's expansive and richly textured on the palate, with a refreshing tangerine acidity that lingers on the finish.
White grapefruit, peach and blossom notes are perfumed and pretty on this dry, full-bodied Riesling. The palate feels weighty and ripe, but bright, with flavors of quince jelly and yellow plum, along with a zesty, focused minerality that carries from start to finish.
The only Albariño in Mendocino County, this one's got cool-climate written all over it, restrained in alcohol yet fruity in tropical citrus and melon. High in acidity, it unfolds crisp and clean. Fruit comes from two vineyards also used by Drew for Pinot Noir and Syrah. There's a nuanced layer of creaminess on the back palate and finish, making the wine a mouthwatering accompaniment to shellfish.
Initial aromas are scratchy and piercing, but with airing this blend of Syrah, Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon offers intriguing notes of vanilla, tobacco and charcoal. In the mouth, this is undeniably thick and tannic. Flavors are saturated and suggest blackberry and cassis. The finish leans toward syrupy but maintains acidity for balance. Drink through 2018.
This doesn't fit the current fashion in Australian Pinot Noir toward lightness and delicacy. Instead, it delivers rich and mellow flavors of black cherry, tinged with licorice, earth and moss. Drink it over the next several years.
This is a full-bodied yet crisp and firmly tannic Cabernet that appears in need of further cellaring. A prominent eucalyptus character accents notes of cassis and espresso, while the finish is a bit tough and gritty at this stage. Try 2018–2025.
This full-bodied, ripe, lush wine boasts layers of peach and pineapple fruit that verge on being overly tropical, but has an edge of citrusy acidity that pulls it back from the brink. Delicious over the next year or two.
Offering great bang for the buck, this late-harvest selection leads with seductive aromas of caramelized apricot and baked apple. It has flavors of freshly baked pear, apple tart and honeycomb, with a creamy mouthfeel and balanced acidity that lifts the palate.
Young, sharp, oaky and wound up tightly, this is a focused wine of medium concentration. Green and yellow apples hold down the core of fruit, and trail out with a hint of butter on the tongue.
This is a densely textured wine, full of flavors of lemon zest and green apples. The intense fruitiness lights the palate with a crisp feel as well as final, tight acidity.
Smoke and dried herb notes accent sunny citrus and peach aromas on this refreshingly off-dry Riesling. Flavors of tart stone fruit and tangerine bristle on the palate, finishing crisply, with a hint of floral perfume.
Lightly spicy and displaying a brambly character, with fruit flavors of strawberry jelly, this high alcohol (over 15%) Zin includes some high-toned, volatile notes. It is trending toward an Amador County Zinfandel style, though it is not quite that hot or volatile. All in all, it's a good effort.
Morrison Lane's Sangiovese includes a little Syrah and Carmenère in the blend, giving it a light sprinkling of peppery spice. Tart red fruits fill in the rest.
Smooth on the bouquet, with papaya, melon and other more neutral fruit aromas. The palate shows a teaspoon or two of sugary sweetness, while melon, mango and ripe apple flavors fill things out. A pleasant wine with a lightly candied way to it. Simple and basic, and decidedly not bitter.
The Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon seems a little reductive at the moment; odd, since the 2005 vintage was forward, almost fat, and the wine has been in bottle for quite some time. It should definitely be decanted and aired out before serving, which will help to push the fruit flavors forward. The finish is just slightly dilute, but the wine is well-made and may just be suffering from some of the occasional dumbness that strikes Cabernet.
Honest Sauvignon aromas of citrus and grapefruit set out the welcome mat. The palate follows suit with varietally correct grapefruit and lime flavors, while the finish shows club soda and other drying aspects. Not a world-beater but a pleasing wine.
A lean and clean specimen with basic but familiar raspberry and cherry aromas. The palate is a little thin and acidic, but with that comes freshness. Flavors of cherry and mixed herbs are good but sharp, while a light dusting of pepper covers the lean, snappy finish.
Chunky and murky on the nose, with melon and papaya aromas. Feels round but light in the center, with vanilla, pear and melon flavors. Fleshy and simple on the finish.
Plum, red berry and wild herb aromas combine to create a briary whole. As it airs, the nose turns lemony and hard, while the mouthfeel is tight and limited, with herbal, saucy, red berry flavors. Tomato and basil notes appear on the finish.
Smells flat and sweet, with a plastic-like essence. Zesty in feel but angular, with tangy acids and candied red-fruit flavors along with a pinch of dry spice. Tastes oaky on the finish. Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha.
Strange smelling, with aromas of exotic spices, blueberry and some other notes that don't come across that well. Feels solid and chunky, with herbal, sweet flavors that culminate in a dry, rubbery, herbal-tasting finish.
Smells different than most, with blueberry, carob and exotic sandalwood. Takes a dive on the palate, where it's sweet, syrupy and flat, almost like prune juice. Along those lines, it tastes pruny, with chocolate on the finish. Struggles to achieve balance.
Citric smelling, with clipped aromas of berry fruits. Choppy tannins, heat and raisiny, sweet, cooked berry flavors and stemmy notes finish herbal tasting but full in feel.
Cloudy to the eye, with overly green aromas of tomato and bell pepper, along with spice and dried cherry. Feels hot and acidic, with a clipped, cutting palate full of berry flavors, herbs and green pepper. Fresh but herbal on the finish.
Stalky aromas of burnt hay blend with white fruit scents. Bland apple and stalky flavors are balanced by decent acidity, then finishes with burnt, oily accents.
The nose is a tad dusty, with hints of unripe fruit and leaves, but the palate on this brut sparkling is clean and lemony, with a sharp, steely profile. Aggressive on the attack, with a stark, brisk acidity, it finishes with abundantly mouth-filling froth.
This wine from the Geneseo district offers aromas of sour plums and just enough cigar box to tempt the nose. The flavors are a bit flat at first, then the acidity and tension of sour cherries emerges in the midpalate, bolstered by some black licorice.
Baked plum, molasses, balsamic vinegar and cheesy oak aromas feed into a palate that's braced by a bolt of acidity. A compact set of saucy red-berry and plum flavors features tobacco and peppery accents, while the finish is mildly green in flavor, with respectable weight and balance.
Raw black-cherry aromas are direct and simple but good. This has a juicy feel that thickens over time, with oak character and extract becoming more apparent. A flavor profile driven by dark-berry fruits and smoldering oak finishes meaty but hot.
This has great depth of flavor with its fresh apple and pear fruits and touch of spice. It's off dry while balanced with acidity and a crisp texture. Drink now.
Soft, supple plum envelopes an oaky structure in this Cabernet, supported by 15% Merlot. Coffee and chocolate complete the picture, finishing strong at the end, resulting in a value-priced wine of attractive flavor and immediate accessibility.
This is a dry wine, very spicy, with a tight, taut texture and strongly mineral character layered with citrus as well as pepper. It's a food wine with its almost crisp aftertaste.
Slightly reduced, this wine offers a chalky, tannic backbone to an otherwise juicy explosion of rich black cherry, the whole accented throughout by firm oak and cigar box.
Building on 150 years and six generations of winemaking tradition, the winery trends toward a leaner style, with the classic California buttercream aroma cut by tart green apple. In this good everyday sipping wine, flavors that range from pear to barely ripe pineapple prove approachable but not distinctive.
Scented with some musky, dusty notes of light cinnamon and a hint of the barnyard, this brings thin berry fruit, baking spices and clove together. It shows some interesting complexity, but fades quickly into a dilute finish.
A delicate floral fragrance of Spanish broom comes with a whiff of pear. The vibrant palate offers green apple, citrus and just a hint of bitter almond on the crisp finish.
Aromas of exotic fruit, cut grass and crushed tomato vine lead the nose. On the palate, hints of fresh Mediterranean herb add interest to the grapefruit and lime flavors. Firm acidity gives it a zesty finish.
Jammy, creamy, oaky aromas of vanilla and raspberry come with a strong hint of rubber and wet dog. This is oaky and only moderately well balanced, with flavors of cough medicine, raw oak, plum and raspberry. A sticky, oaky residual feel drives the finish.
A layering of 100% new French oak takes center stage in this wine, which is leathery and rustic. Black currant and tight-grain tannin compete for attention atop a noticeable seasoning of dried herb.
Fresh lemon and crushed mineral tones ride over restrained aromas of tart peach and apple skin. The palate shows underripe pear and sour lemon, with a finish reminiscent of Pixy Stix.
Aromas of wild flower, pink grapefruit and savory herb lead the nose. The palate is a bit lean, but reveals citrus, raw cherry and a hint of sage.
Tropical-fruit aromas are balanced by crisper apple and pear scents, while the palate is plump, round and easygoing. Flavors of pear, melon, green banana and wood spice end creamy but with adequate acidic cut.
Opulently spicy, this wine is rich, smooth and packed with lychee and mango flavors. Medium sweet in style, it is round, ripe and altogether enticing. Drink now.
With a sense of structure and balance between honey and fruit, this is an attractive, food-friendly wine. It is off dry although the spice core gives a drier edge. Allow the wine a few more months in bottle; drink from late 2015.
Petite Sirah remains a curiosity in Oregon, and at such a low level of ripeness, this turns generic. Tart cranberry fruit remains herbal and thin as it hits a quick finish. The wine is well made, but lacks varietal punch and authenticity.
Raisin, prune, mint leaf and extreme ripeness define the nose on this grabby, tannic Malbec that's both jammy in feel but also extracted and heavy. Like the nose and palate, the flavors are jammy and rich, with a strong raisiny element. On the finish, a note of licorice blends with a persistent raisiny quality.
Dusty smelling and a touch dilute on the nose, this Viura-Chardonnay blend displays aromas of green apple, citrus and vanilla. The palate is juicy, citric and clean, with tangerine, lemon peel and white grapefruit flavors. This is an ideal quaffing wine.
Pleasantly spicy, yet soft in the mouth, this is a medium-bodied Syrah to drink over the near term. Hints of anise, cracked pepper and cedar accent cherry fruit.
Tropical fruit drips from this barrel-fermented Chardonnay, accented in golden honey and toasted oak. Crisp at first, then oaky, it feels a bit disjointed but manages to resolve its issues on the finish, a nice combination of the two.
Intensely perfumed, this wine has huge spiciness. Considering the richness, it's surprising how the acidity cuts through and gives a fresh character. The wine is crisp and rich at the same time, and ready to drink.
Strongly minty with a streak of wintergreen, this barrel selection comes from the right AVA for Oregon Tempranillo, but does not fully capture the varietal flavors. It's an earthy, tart, generic red wine, with drying tannins and a short finish.
Bruised apple and smoke notes penetrate throughout this pert, delicately framed Riesling. Rich honey and peach flavors cast warmth onto its tart, briskly acidic midpalate.
Aromas of char, tinny metal, raspberry and matchstick are a disadvantage, but in the mouth this turns the corner via jammy ripeness and oaky flavors of herbal blueberry and cassis. Loamy, big and ripe on the finish, this melds meaty tannins and candied, sweet, oaky flavors. The blend is 85% Monastrell with Syrah.
This discloses funk, rubber and sulfur , but otherwise is a good but chunky and beefy Garnacha. Aromas of rubber and scrambled egg veer toward boysenberry and cassis, while the palate is grabby and jammy. Flavors of baked black fruits, prune and licorice finish pasty and oaky, with a note of sweet plastic.
The aromas are redolent with notes of candy corn, peach and spice. The palate is full bodied and rich, with a layered creamy feel to the stone-fruit flavors. It shows some warmth on the finish.
Round and ample in the mouth, this medium-full-bodied wine combines green notes of cut grass and snap pea with ripe stone fruit, then ends crisp and grapefruity. It's a fine example of Marlborough Sauvignon that's widely available and well priced.
A delightfully memorable blend of 76% Sémillon and 24% Sauvignon Blanc, this is a lithe, crisp and medium-bodied experience. The grapes were organically grown, whole-cluster pressed and fermented in stainless steel. It shines in Meyer lemon and wet stone, just a hint of creamy tropical fervor bubbling beneath the surface.
Spearmint and a tease of green olive invite one into this smooth, leathery wine, firm in grippy tannin and supportive oak. Made by Alan Viader of the Viader winemaking family in the Napa Valley, it shows power and grace in equal measure.
Pungent aromas of herbs, cherry cola, orange peel and dark fruit lead to well-balanced blue-fruit flavors. It shows a lot of purity and appeal as well as good length.
From negociant Nicolas Potel's own vines, this wine is dense and smoky. It has spice and hints of licorice as well as rich red-cherry fruit. The tannins and the structure of the wine promise aging, so drink this concentrated wine from 2020.
Beeswax, light yellow melon, yellow peach and a touch of peach custard show on the nose of this blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Picpoul Blanc and Viognier. Lime zest and yellow pear dominate the palate, which is light, fresh, intriguingly textured and full of acidic sizzle.
Crisp and steely, this is a bright and fruity wine. It has a tight texture cut with acidity and citrus flavors. The wine is lively, packed with fruitiness that has a delicious refreshing aftertaste. Drink from late 2017.
Concentrated red cherries, dried purple flowers, fresh rose petals and a wet gravel minerality show on the nose of this bottling by Billy Wathen and Dick Dore. It's light in body and fairly delicate on the sip, with Earl Grey tea, stewed cranberry and rose-hip flavors.
Cabernet Sauvignon (45%) takes the lead on this blend, followed by Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Petit Verdot. The aromas are all high toned, with notes of vanilla, herb and dark fruit. The black-fruit flavors are tightly wound, needing time in the cellar to stretch their legs. Best after 2020.
Aromas of maple and sweet hickory smoke emerge through the waves of purple fruit and lilacs on the nose of this small-batch blend of 52% Grenache, 27% Syrah and 21% Mourvèdre. The flavors are well integrated on the sip, with tangy boysenberry, a pinch of sage and crushed black-pepper spice, with a strong acidity that rises in the midpalate.
With gentle tannins and juicy red fruits this is a ripe wine that is developing fast. It is beginning to get secondary flavors: mushrooms with undergrowth aromas. The fruit is still there, of course, giving red berry and acidity. Drink this wine soon, certainly from late 2017.
Sourced from the same three parcels each vintage, this is shot through with minerality and tight acidity. There is fruit behind this tension and that gives the wine both balance and also aging potential. Drink this complex wine from 2018.
This high-end offering is a blend of New Zealand's own Abel clone with Dijon clone 777. Mocha, toast and charred wood notes fame pristine black cherry and plum fruit in this medium- to full-bodied wine. A dusty, lingering finish wraps things up nicely, suggesting up to 10 years of aging potential.
Although this is not a premier cru, this 33-acre vineyard sits right next to some of Meursault's finest vines. The wine is mineral, tight and textured— a wine that should age. With touches of oak, spice and intense yellow fruits, it is ripe while still closed at this stage. It certainly needs aging and will be ready from 2019.
It's obvious that Pernand-Vergelesses can produce great Chardonnay since part of the Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is in the village. This is a cool wine, crisp with textured acidity and age-worthy acidity and toast. The wine is taut, spicy and moves strongly in the citrus direction. Lime and tangerine flavors are strong along with a complex mineral structure. Drink from 2019.
The wine comes from the Leflaive home village and the blend (from more than 20 parcels) demonstrates the intimate knowledge the family has with its terroir. It has a fine balance between the ripe yellow and white stone fruits and acidity. These are given structure by the wood aging and strong mineral texture. This is still developing and still filling out, so drink from 2018.
This wine comes from an 8.6-acre parcel of old vines above Jolivet's home village of Bué. It is mineral and tight, with concentration and intensity. The herbal character on this very young wine will soften into the fine fruitiness that is there. It needs to age a bit more, so drink from 2017.
Fresh yellow pear, yellow grapefruit and wet river-stone aromas leap from the glass on this fresh and crisp bottling from a winery led by longtime grape grower Bill Kesselring. It's very textural on the tingling palate, where the vibrant mix of acid and tannins reveal sweet then tangy apple flavors before settling into a lime and lemon-rind groove.
Vines planted in 1947 are the source of this dark and concentrated wine. It has a strongly smoky character with dry tannins. They contrast with the potential of the red cherry and berry fruits that are ripe and juicy. The wine is developing well and should be ready to drink from 2019.
Situated at the entrance to the Saint-Aubin valley, this chalky vineyard gives a wine with tight tense minerality. Its lemon and grapefruit flavors are bright with acidity. The wood aging shows through in vanilla flavors that give a smooth edge to the wine. Drink from 2019.
Cocoa, coffee, baking spice, vanilla and cherry aromas are followed by a reserved palate, full of chocolate and cherry flavors. Coffee notes persist on the finish.
Light and lively, this Pinot Noir-based wine has subtle but delicious, fresh and tangy cherry and raspberry flavors that unfold on the palate.
The aromas bring notes of generous wood spices, high-toned herbs, black currant and black cherry, along with a vanilla top note. The black-fruit flavors show richness but also restraint, with dusty tannins giving support.
This wine is an equal split between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Heady black cherry and dark-fruit aromas lead to pitch-black-fruit flavors, with the tannins combed to a fine sheen.
This well-balanced wine tames the tannins and brings to the table a relaxed texture plus layers of fruit, spice and oak flavors. Still it has great underpinnings of ripe cherry and raspberry, plus a sense of completeness and reserve.
Herb, wood spice, coffee and cherry aromas are followed by broad and generous black-fruit flavors. The tannins provide some grip and need time to settle in.
Richness and density highlight this full-bodied and deftly oaked wine that smells like baking spices and black pepper sprinkled on ripe black cherry and dark chocolate. The texture is very inviting, almost thick, and beautifully marries the ripe fruit with velvety tannins.
This blend of 56% Grenache Blanc, 23% Viognier, 12% Roussanne and 9% Marsanne from nine vineyards offers a pretty nose that mixes Key lime, honeydew, just-ripe nectarine and lily florality. It's bright and fresh on the tightly wound and texturally intriguing sip, with lime pith and lemongrass flavors.
Concentrated fruit flavors, full body and a smooth, broad mouthfeel make this wine soothing and satisfying to drink. Made from vines growing on their own roots, the wine delivers a ripe berry and cherry character that floods the palate and lingers nicely on the finish.
Lifted notions of bergamot, lemon and grapefruit set a fragrant, almost heady tone. The same riot of citrus tumbles forth from the palate—there is a linear dynamic that exudes liveliness and drive. The direct juxtaposition of ripe juiciness and tart refreshment creates an irresistible moreishness. Yes, Austria can produce intensity in such a compact, neat package that provides pure thrill.
Imagine a concentration of lemon juice in an airy cloud of freshness—that is the nose of this astonishing wine. On the palate the almost leafy spice of grapefruit peel shines through and reveals new but light-footed nuances of zesty citrus throughout, exuding both immense purity and charm.
Mossy, dank, forest-floor aromas of juniper, chaparral shrub, pencil lead and spiced porcini mushrooms mix with a cooked rhubarb character on the nose of this wine from single-vineyard specialist Bill Brosseau. Cranberry and tart cherry flavors are decorated with rainbow peppercorns, herb-crusted roast beef, bay leaf, eucalyptus and camphor, with layers upon layers of complexity.
A rich, nutty note hints at hazelnut, with lively citrus laying underneath. This vein of lemony verve leads the melody like the soaring, unfettered notes of a violin against a sonorous background. This will always be firm but once it opens up, it will be even more harmonious and beguiling. Drink from 2020.
Herbal spice and yeasty savor overlay shining, ripe and juicy pear flavor. This is a compact but complex blend of fruit and peppery punch. There is a fine seam of citrus freshness heightening and brightening every sensation, suggesting that there is more and more to come. While this is delicious now, it holds even more peppery fruit at its core.
Smoky aromas and layers of tannin and fruit give this wine great complexity. It is smooth, juicy and fresh while also having perfumed tannins and an elegant, lightly mineral structure from the Cabernet Franc. The wine's cherries and red berries are still encased in the structure, allowing it to develop slowly. Drink from 2024.
This wine is structured with impressively ripe fruit. Black-plum juice and blackberries are balanced with a strong tannic content that gives the wine backbone and structure. It has weight, although with its already exuberant fruitiness, it is not likely to be really long-term wine. Drink from 2024. From 120 acres, only the best grapes go into this top wine and 2013 was a smaller crop than the average (10,000 to 12,000 cases). Believed to be the oldest of the five Bordeaux first growths, Haut-Brion has been in the Clarence Dillon family since 1935. The current president is Prince Robert de Luxembourg.
This impressively powerful wine has dense tannins and concentration. With 74%  Cabernet Sauvignon, it is firm, packed with black-currant fruits with intense, perfumed acidity. Cabernet Franc adds spice to the wine. The wood aging is still showing and the wine will need several years before enjoying. Drink from 2025.
This wine is rich, with generous black plum and berry fruits. It has a structure that is full, ripe and that will sustain the fruitiness of the wine over many years. The sensation is of velvet, with some force behind it. This remarkable wine will develop well over the medium term and then age for many years. Drink from 2022.
A full seven years old, this wine is amber in color. Aromas of dried apple and orange peel, honey and brown sugar fill the glass. It's supremely rich, honeyed and layered, showing exquisite depth and balance as well as exceptional length.
Fresh pear and lively yeast, peppery watercress and fresh citrus create a lively, appetizing nose. The palate bristles with wonderfully tingling citrus freshness that highlights all the aromatic aspects in turn: the fruitiness, the ripeness, the savory backdrop of yeast and the light-footed but concentrated core. This is still very young but so ready and utterly irresistible, yet with the mileage to age. Don't drink too quickly—you'll miss the chance of savoring the peppery aftertaste.
Wonderfully ripe flavors of juicy, yellow pear precede everything. With a little air, the palate gives us the full ultraspicy force of true Grüner: a real hit of freshly ground white pepper, leesy yeast notes and herbal tinges of chervil, arugula and watercress, all bound up in a smooth, concentrated but compact package with lasting, savory length and a seam of freshness.
Right now, although the nose is closed, exposure to air reveals the purity of lemon oil on a taut and tight palate still singing with yeasty notes. This is in its very infancy and promises to open up beautifully with its straight, soaring backbone of freshness. Underneath all the tightly curled layers of citrus peel slumbers a salty stoniness that signals ageability; the long, lemony finish corroborates this. How utterly lip-smacking. Drink 2020–2030
Very subtle notes of green and yellow pear peel entice the nose. The palate adds zesty hints of yellow grapefruit peel, pith and flesh that brighten a peppery herbal note reminiscent of arugula and watercress. White pepper is highlighted too. What zest, what life, what energy, what balance. Dangerously good.
An almost tropical touch of passion fruit hovers above the nose as if to draw you in. Once imbibed, this reveals a concentrated but nonetheless light-footed charm that captures all the spiciness of a ripe, yellow grapefruit—pith, peel and pulp. This is appetizing with immense drive and energy. At the core, however, there is a calm and confident purity. This is alive.
Very pure and lifted notes of red cherry are held tightly within a taut frame: the nose gives almost nothing away. The palate provides another glimpse of that hauntingly delicious, almost sublimated cherry note. There is something aromatic and pure, unforced and honest about this disarming wine. The structure is subtle but firm, the elegance borders on the Pinot-esque, thus the wine is slender but profound.
The winery's first release off its estate vineyard in The Rocks offers expressive, captivating aromas of peat, dried flowers, fire pit, herbs, grilled asparagus, funk and green olive. The flavors are sweet, sumptuous and rich, showing depth and detail. It's a knockout.
Perfumed peach is edged with citrus, yeast and a hint of pepper on a very enticing nose. The palate tinges the fruit with far more savoriness: the full force of yeasty spice, something herbal and salty and incredibly moreish. Citrus also provides a wonderfully high-toned dimension that suggests pink grapefruit zest and kumquats. This is toned, concentrated and full of verve.
This wine is smooth, ripe with fine tannins and red plum and black-currant fruits that are soft and gentle. Acidity dominates at this stage, supported by the tannins. It brings out the fruit and freshness of the year while also keeping some structure from the high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Drink from 2025.
This is a beautiful wine, fresh with acidity and structured with a mineral texture. Layers of creamy citrus and white fruit flavors go along with touches of wood aging that are well integrated. It's a wine to drink for its freshness soon, although it will also benefit from several years aging. It will be best from 2018.
Initially tightly closed on nose, this wine slowly emerges with time in the glass. The palate is more expressive, with sprightly lemon, aloe vera and the soothing notion of ripe green and yellow pears. There are pleasing shadows of pepper and herbal spice, but what is most convincing is the compact, complete fluidity with which this envelopes the palate. Another masterpiece that is so very true to its vintage from Birgit's talented hands.
An enticing smell of lemon sorbet fills the nose and the effect on the palate is much the same: bracing, cleansing deliciousness pervades everything. There is a hint of crunchy, crisp green apple combined with far richer notions of lemon zest and mandarin peel. Deeper down resides an earthy, yeasty core and a salty, stoniness. This is very young now and will show its true but thrilling citrus-tinted colors with some bottle age. Drink 2018–2025.
A barely-there glimpse of lemon bids you to step closer and take a sip. The palate unfolds in a still tightly contained bundle of lemon zest and juiciness. There is an undertow of riper texture, reminiscent of bitter orange zest and just as full of aromatic promise. This is wiry and slender but will mellow into seductive freshness and slick, almost cheeky tartness. With this concentration, it has all the makings of a flavor bomb and is something to really look forward to. Drink 2018–2030.
A touch of flint on fleshy peach is followed by juicy citrus and ripe pear bedded in nettle and watercress. Together they present an immensely enticing nose, hinting at whole oceans of luscious fruit beneath the surface. The palate then invokes all the varietal spice: white pepper, arugula and chervil, illuminated by bright, zesty citrus to finish in a concert of layered zestiness. Overtones of orange and pink grapefruit zest make it even more compelling. Lip-smackingly irresistible and a paradigm of its vintage.
The alluring lightness of scent here conjures up citrus-flavored snowflakes—symmetrical and delicate little crystals of lemony deliciousness that melt on the tongue one by one, releasing a constant stimulus of utterly joyous freshness—whichever cloud they fell from. It simply bursts with lemon and grapefruit zest, and even with lime. Slender, incisive purity echoes long in a blizzard of bracing and lasting thrill.
Exhibits superripe Grenache aromas and flavors of apricots and cherries, all in a midweight format. Some peppery notes chime in on the finish, adding welcome spice to this otherwise soft and fruity wine.
Seems confected, with sweet Jolly Rancher aromas playing against taut acidity. A light, tart offering best paired with tomato-based sauces—fine with spaghetti at your local Italian joint.
This beery bubbly, with its flinty fruit and mouth-puckering acidity, is fine for parties or using as a mixer. It definitely sparkles. But it’s not Champagne, no matter what Korbel chooses to call it.
A beauty in every respect. The nose is perfectly toasted, with attractive apple and peach nuances. The palate feel and its full-fruit flavors build into a crescendo of Champagne style. It’s clean, lusty and just the right call for a celebratory evening. Mouthfuls of total harmony don’t come often and they don’t come cheap.
This cleanly made blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 25% Clairette, 20% Bourboulenc and 5% Roussanne displays an exotic ginger note on the nose. Melon and citrus flavors dominate this medium- to full-bodied wine that's slightly creamy in texture. Shows good length and hints of wet stone on the finish. Drink now.
This off-dry blend of Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris and Muscat shows the last grape first and foremost. The Muscat shines and shimmers with scents of orange blossoms and sweet, lively fruit. The wine is aromatic as promised, delicate and tilting toward the floral, though with good, solid fruit structure.
This single-vineyard selection is 100% varietal, with deep cassis, dark chocolate and espresso flavors. The alcohol comes out as a slight burn, but the tannins have been nicely rounded off and this will drink well immediately.
Firm and concentrated, this 80/20 Viognier/Roussanne blend brings bright and fresh scents and flavors of lemon peel and grapefruit, with bracing acidity. It's just right for warm weather outdoor dining.
This opens with barrel-based aromas of resin and spice. It's round, creamy and Burgundian on the palate, with flavors of spiced apple, walnut and a hint of oxidation. Things flatten on the finish, which tastes yeasty and like toffee.
This solid Aglianico opens with aromas of leather, underbrush, game and ripe plum. The structured palate delivers ripe blackberry accented by notes of licorice, sage and eucalyptus. There's a subtle warmth of alcohol and firm tannins. Best after 2016.
There is nothing wimpy about this Bordeaux-style blend except the price. It way over-delivers, loading your palate with full-bodied, fruit-powered flavors of strawberry and raspberry jam, bolstered with bracing acidity. It's balanced and complete, with crisp, ripe tannins.
Minerality takes center stage on the nose from Roblar's top-end line of wines, with limestone and wet slate getting boost from fresh squeezed lemon. On the palate, the crushed rock flavors continue with some pear as well, making for a mellow sipping experience. Serve with shellfish, white fish or a soft cheese.
Here's a perfect go-to, every day Riesling for warm weather. Pretty fruit flavors of peach and apple are laced with orange pekoe tea. Medium-bodied and mouthfilling, it's got excellent length and structure.
Inky red violet to the eye, this wine offers fragrances of blackberry, roast meat and espresso bean. There is a pleasing interplay between acidity and tannins on the palate, backing flavors of ripe cherry, almond blossom, Mediterranean herbs and a drop of salinity. Heading into the sleek finish, the plush texture does not overstay its welcome.
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, this deep violet-red wine has a nose of black cherry, crème brulée and black pepper. Cool and fruity notes play well together on the palate, shored up by flavors of black cherry, orange zest, menthol, clove and a touch of seawater. Mevushal.
Just a bit of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon is added to the blend, most of which comes from the Ciel du Cheval, Tapteil and Weinbau vineyards. In this cooler vintage, an herbal character emerges, lending firm tannins and structure to the tight black cherry and cassis core.
Blue flower, tilled soil, leather, blackberry, licorice and black pepper sensations all come together in this vibrant, straightforward Aglianico. The dense, juicy palate is framed by tightly woven, brooding tannins and a vein of mineral.
Dusty apple, melon and saline aromas are nice but not too intense or exact. This is tight and juicy but textured on the palate, with nectarine, peach and saline flavors. A round feeling finish offers up minerality and length.
Here's a fresh, delicious Nero d'Avola, loaded with juicy blackberry and black cherry sensations that are accented by hints of black pepper and nutmeg. It's a delightfully easy-drinking, fruit-forward style meant to be enjoyed young.
For the suggested price of $12, this delivers plenty of richness and flavor. Plum and briary blackberry aromas lead the way, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, slightly creamy palate that offers dark fruit tinged with a hint of brown sugar. Drink now–2017.
This is a nice value-priced Albariño, with a minerally nose also offers aromas of melon, apple and peach. The palate is citrusy in feel, with lemony acids. Citrus and stone-fruit flavors finish stony and crisp, with a final blast of lemon.
Made with 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio, this opens with aromas of black fruit, subtle oak, toast and vanilla. The palate offers juicy black cherry and raspberry flavors that are lightly accented by notes of clove and chocolate. The tannis are polished.
A bold Chardonnay that embraces new oak barrels and has the flavor profile to show for it. Hovey fermented it in 50% new oak barrels, matured it on the lees and bottled it a few months after harvest. The scent and flavor of toasted oak comes through from the first sniff to the finish. But enough fruit, butter and almond flavors lie beneath the toasty overlay to make us come back for another sip.
A structured, cool wine that is poised and elegant, it has a lightly creamy texture cut by apple and pear flavors. Definitely mineral, it is textured with fruit skins and flavored with the oak aging. It needs to be aged, so don't drink before 2016.
Leesy, bready aromas are ripe and fruity. This is soft in feel and a touch heavy, which may be a reflection of the warm 2009 vintage. Nectarine and other ripe flavors finish full and sweet. This almost tastes like a brut Cava despite being a brut nature.
This is a very pale Chardonnay from Laetitia Winery, which sits just three miles from the ocean amidst vineyards planted on rocky clay loam, and yet possesses an appealing, complex mix of creaminess and crispiness on the nose. There is a slight bitterness on the palate as well as brioche and citrus zest on the finish. This tightly focused wine would perfectly cut the richness of shrimp scampi or other buttery dish.
Here, Pinot Noir master Richard Longoria offers a more affordable taste of his Fe Ciega estate vineyard (whose other expressions cost upwards of $45 each). Aromas range from cranberry and tart blackberry to black pepper and wet slate, and the flavors hone in on sour cherry and tar. This wine features gripping tannins, so wait until 2016 for an even more optimal experience.
This attractive village wine has ripe fruits as well as a more steely texture. Wood flavors give smoothness that rounds out the wine and enhances the yellow fruit flavors. Drink now.
Brisk and fruity but with a distinctive note of spice and pear, this Moschofilero offers approachable, ripe-fruit expression with an exotic edge. Pair with grilled seafood, Chinese cuisine or fruit salad.
In this cooler vintage, Syrah reveals more of its herbal, leafy side. Along with wild blueberry fruit come streaks of herb, green tomato and wet stems.
With its tannins, the wine is firm, tight and dark. The black fruit flavors are just beginning to come through. It has power and structure and certainly needs to age. Drink from 2017.
Blue flower, tilled soil and mature black berry aromas pour from the glass of this young Aglianico. The warm, forward palate doles out ripe black cherry, black pepper, espresso, licorice and toast alongside velvety tannins.
Dusty, savory mineral and earth tones go head-to-head with fresh apple, lemon and lime notes in this crisp dry Riesling. It's a refreshing everyday wine marked by spine tingling acidity—a perfect pairing for creamy cheeses and rich braises. Drink now.
The aromas of basil, blueberry and char aren't entirely in harmony on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. The fruit flavors come together better, sweet and palate-coating with a pleasing intensity.
This is an aromatic wine, with notes of peach, pear, soda water and apricot. It drinks off dry, with abundant stone-fruit flavors throughout.
Cinnamon and cedar notes pepper this rich, full-bodied Chardonnay aged 18 months in French oak. Fresh apple and pear flavors are bright, but enveloped in a midpalate of butter and cream. Drink now.
This lively wine is crisp, fresh and deliciously fruity. It is packed with juicy, fragrant acidity and wild strawberry fruit flavors.
It's nice to find a smooth, full-bodied Cab that's not too tart or tannic, and has enough pleasant, plummy flavors to pair well with burgers, burritos or fried chicken. The flavors have an almost sweet touch of oak, especially on the finish.
Winemaker Mike Mooney named this after his great-great grandfather, who settled in the Central Coast region in the 1840s. The wine is light and nearly green in the glass, with lime blossom and green banana aromas that verge on tropical. It's extremely juicy and ripe on the palate, with some citrus-rind bitterness offering balance.
Still dominated by its tannins, this is a full, structured wine. Dense and with fragrant acidity and black currant flavors, it has a way to go before it is ready to drink. Wait until 2017. The estate is an Alliance Bourg co-operative member.
Butter, pear and baking spice aromas are followed by a rounded palate with sweet fruit flavors. Pair it with baked chicken.
Cabernet Franc produces lightly pink-colored wines, as in this bone-dry rosé. It is balanced between fresh raspberry fruits and crisp, nervy acidity. Drink now while it is still so bright and refreshing.
This gets off to a clumsy start based on a nutty, rubbery, low-fruit bouquet. In the mouth, this crianza is pinched and tannic, with sandpaper rawness. Herbal, woody flavors of red plum end in a drawing, earthy finish.
Raisin and baked plum aromas set the stage for a somewhat flat-feeling palate. Plum and berry aromas are chunky and finish soft, with low acidity and not a lot of pop.
A plummy interpretation of Merlot, this also brings aromas and flavors of herbs and spice. Flavors are sweet and easy drinking with lightly grainy tannins.
Moderately sweet, this wine has attractive and ripe plum and strawberry aromas, then a soft, plush texture and light, fruity flavors. Made with Barbera, Grenache and Petite Sirah, it tastes sweet and easy to swallow but has plenty of body and alcohol to go with it.
Plum and berry aromas come with a floral accent. This feels raw and a touch abrasive, with woody, saucy flavors of berry fruits and plum. The oaky, heavily spiced finish brings a grippy tannic feel.
Aromas of toasted oak, cedar, dark-skinned berry and a whiff of barnyard lead the nose. The dense, one-dimensional palate palate doles out overripe plum, vanilla, game and a confectionary note. Buffed, fleeting tannins and soft acidity make this extremely accessible so drink now.
This 100% Sangiovese opens with aromas that recall coffee, scorched earth and toasted oak. The fleeting palate offers espresso, mocha and a green note of powdered sage alongside astringent tannins. The fruit has mostly dried out.
A generous, smooth texture and nicely bright flavors of lemon, lime and apple make this a satisfying wine. It is medium to full bodied, soft in acidity, but fresh in flavor. It should be a winner for large groups.
Tarry black-cherry aromas are a bit damp, oaky and scratchy, but overall this opens well. A solid, firm, edgy palate offers flavors of herbal blackberry and baked black plum, while the finish is meaty and a touch salty.
This Tuscan red opens with aromas of red currant, cedar and espresso. The aromas carry over to the low-acid palate. The fruit is already drying up and the tannins are fleeting, so drink now.
A zippy, lively version, this light-bodied wine smells and tastes like a combo of grapefruit, lemon and peach juices, having a crisp character on first sip, and a rich softness on the second.
Dried cherry and cranberry combine on the palate around a trunk of smoky oak, offering a dry, black-peppery sensation. With 13% Malbec, it has a suggestion of blueberry going on as well, before a mid-length finish.
Blueberry, blackberry, toast, spice and tobacco aromas lead the nose on this blend of 50% Cabernet, 40% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot. The evolved palate offers prune, raisin, cocoa, espresso and cedar alongside fleeting tannins. Most of the fruit has dried up, giving it a lean quality.
An initial blast of hot summer field and nepeta muddles the clarity of the nose. This is a bit flat and lacking in verve. Flavors of apricot and nectarine turn pithy on the finish.
This wine's a steal for the price, a no-oak white that's stony, tropical, ripe and simple. It'll serve well at larger gatherings or anytime with friends sitting on the porch or picnic blanket, staying balanced and refreshing in the glass.
The aromas of apple, herb and mineral are light yet provocative. It's rounded in feel, with the Chardonnay (10%) and Marsanne (4%) in the blend providing additional heft and a finish that lingers. It doesn't seem entirely varietal but offers plenty of enjoyment.
This intensely crisp wine has bright red fruit acidity and a fresh character. It is light in texture, perfumed and textured with wild strawberries. Drink now.
An attractive spicy, floral perfume joins rich fruit and spice flavors in this full-bodied, almost thick but luxuriously textured wine. An abundance of enticing oak aromas and flavors mingle with ripe cherry and blackberry notes, while piles of fine-grained tannin give a velvety mouthfeel.
This substantial effort brings plump melon, orange and peach flavors into focus. It fills out substantially as it works across the palate with a sprinkling of bee pollen, then turns a corner and shows the petrol character of the grape, suggesting that further bottle age will yield rewarding results.
The vines date back to 1974, and there are suggestions of old-vine complexity throughout. The nuanced flavors mix Meyer lemon, apricot, peach and papaya, with defining acidity that is almost sweet rather than tart. A streak of minerality zips through the finish.
From a good vintage, this wine with its blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay has a pale gold color and attractive maturity. The initial fruitiness has given way to a mineral-textured wine with a touch of almonds, spice and a rich character. It is ready to drink.
The second wine of Agassac is smooth, full of the fruit of this fresh year. With bright red-berry fruits and soft tannins it is a wine that is developing quickly. It will be delicious and ready to drink from 2018.
A ripe and spicy wine from owner Sophie Holzberg that has tannins as well as rich black fruits. It has a concentrated backdrop that is dry and firm. Full, perfumed and generous, it will age well. Drink from 2019.
This is a ripe, fruity wine with its black-currant fruit and balanced sweet tannins. It has a fine elegant texture and juicy acidity. All these elements promise a wine that will be delicious to drink from 2019. The daughters of owners Bernadette Faure and Alain Aubert oversee vineyards, winemaking and marketing.
Warm and ripe, this is a delicious, structured wine from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from Stéphane Dupuch. It has fine tannins that give a spicy character aided by 14 months in French oak as well as bold black fruits that are developing well. The acidity at the end adds the freshness. Drink from 2019.
Fragrant notes of both green zingy fresh apples and more mellow baked apple fill the nose. The palate follows this with yeasty autolysis reminiscent of sourdough bread, dark honey and more refreshing green apple. The palate is lithe, dry and elegant with fine mousse and makes for a mouth-watering finish and a classy apéritif.
A standout among the winery's vineyard designates, this puts ripe raspberry jam and cherry-pie fruit front and center. There's a dollop of balsamic and chocolate as well. Native yeast fermentation may have contributed to the unusual flavors of toasted peanuts that linger in the finish.
Crisp, direct, smoky aromas are intertwined with berry and oak-based vanilla scents. This feels fresh, easy and in the drinkability zone. Cherry, plum and berry flavors are bright for an eight-year-old wine, while the finish is more secure and solid than racy. Drink through 2021.
This is the first Chardonnay from Elk Cove in 20 years. The grapes were pressed whole cluster and fermented in large French oak puncheons. It's tight and firm, supple and tasting of ripe citrus, pear and stone fruits, with phenolic highlights.
This is a sultry, leathery and sinewy wine, dark in tannin and oak and a full-bodied ripeness of dense fruit that delves into savory Asian spice. Powerful, it combines a wealth of clones to good effect, aging for 17 months in new French oak, 83% of it new.
This year's blend of 53% Mourvèdre, 18% Counoise, 17% Grenache and 12% Cinsault shows squeezed elderberries, black raspberries, dried rose petals, potpourri, dried sagebrush and wet slate on the nose. The palate pops with more raspberries, pomegranate, dried fennel, white pepper and a touch of cooked lamb.
Touches of wood smoke and cardamom give an exotic streak to this full-bodied and dark-colored wine. It has deep fruit flavors like blackberry and prune, good balance and light tannins to enhance the texture.
Warm aromas, mellow flavors and a plush texture make this full-bodied wine easy to appreciate. It smells like cherries, berries and baking spices, tastes generous and mouthfilling, and has a soothing layer of fine-grained tannins.
A big, bold and ripe wine, this is rich and packed with dark fruits. Firm tannins are well cushioned by the berry fruits and the acidity. It is a generous wine that comes from the region south of Lisbon. Aged in wood for 12 months, it is now ready to drink.
This young wine is packed with a mix of fruit flavors, including apple, pear, touches of citrus and other light tropical tastes. Compact and bound up tightly, it should be cellared for another year or so, and/or aggressively decanted. The lightly buttery finish is proportionate and lingers, suggesting that further development in bottle may bring substantial rewards.
So dark the wine stains the glass the instant it's poured, this plush, dense and pure varietal effort pulls together crushed raspberries, ripe cherries, tanned leather, cut tobacco, cedar and spice components. They are well-matched and captivating; the aromas are like sticking your nose into an especially spicy cigar box.
This wine rewards in full-bodied weight and lushness, its color additionally dark and brooding thanks to the addition of 11% Petit Verdot. Compost tea and a sanguine, meaty character combine forces against pillowy tannin and a length and breadth of complexity, finishing in pomegranate and cassis. Drink now through 2020.
Crystal-clean, agile aromas of peach and melon are ideal. This wine feels elegant and just right, with flavors of sea brine, citrus and tropical fruits working in harmony. Peppy, acid-driven stone-fruit flavors carry a fine finish.
This is an expansive, chewy and full-bodied wine, well made and enjoyable in its complementary components of blackberry and currant. Those ripe, fruity aspects play well off of recurring clove and cigar-box spice, the wine textured and robustly lingering.
Berry and plum aromas start out aggressive before settling on earth tones and cinnamon spice notes. This feels juicy, ripe and well constructed. Flavors of raspberry, currant and plum are mildly peppery, while savory earth notes continue the wine's good vibes and solidity. Drink through 2020.
You've got to like oak to appreciate this wine, which is presently dominated by scents of vanilla, mocha and toasted coconut. It's full bodied and velvety in texture, with hints of black cherry lurking in the background.
Mouthfilling and round, this wine's savory notes of roasted meat, mocha and cracked pepper frame plummy fruit. Vanilla creeps in on the long, supple finish. Drink now through 2025.
The nose is uncertain and hovers between musky botrytis and lactic tartness. The palate removes all doubt and shines with luscious, concentrated sweetness, referencing the pleasant bitterness of honeycomb and the spice of maple syrup. Pure lemon freshness illuminates everything. Drink now through 2025.
A solid value, the 2013 Pillar Box offers oodles of blackberry and plum fruit, framed by vanilla and accented by mocha. It's creamy-velvety in texture, with a rich long finish. Drink now through 2025.
Nicely balanced and firmly structured, this earthy red opens with classic Sangiovese aromas of tilled soil, pressed blue flower, red berry, herb and a whiff of game. The savory palate delivers juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, clove, tobacco and licorice accompanied by chewy tannins.
This is less flamboyant than some Condrieus, but it still shows characteristic honeyed, floral notes. It's also one of the less expensive wines from the appellation and the most widely available. Apricot joins the party on the balanced palate and lingers through the finish. Drink now–2020.
This bottling from the Kathryn Hall family of wines is rich and juicy but not sweet at all. The nose begins with sage, clove, black cherry, concentrated violets and rose petals, with a turned-loam quality. The palate shows beets, fennel, sagebrush, dark red cherry and plum. A eucalyptus and menthol quality rises on the finish.
A delicate expression of power and beauty, this conveys kirsch cherry, wet stone and high-toned minerality. Round and easy to love, it offers a subtle streak of tannin and tight, integrated oak, finishing in dark chocolate and orange.
Plummy and ripe, with a sheen of glossy, cedary oak, this is as plush as it gets in the northern Rhône. It's full-bodied, supple and open, with a long, velvety finish. Drink now–2030.
Smoky, roasted aromas of hickory and blackberry are patented for this label: all Alto Moncayo top-end bottlings open like this. In the mouth, this is direct, full bodied and high in energy. The flavors match the nose, meaning this tastes like dark berry fruits mixed with smoky oak and char, while the finish turns chocolaty, with pepper, wild berry, spice notes and heat. Drink through 2022.
La Garenne is one of the highest in elevation of the Puligny Premier Crus. This wine, with its young wood and ample fruit flavors shows great minerality, texture and intensity. Packed with apple, citrus and ripe yellow fruits, it is still fresh and needing many years to age. Drink from 2018.
This young and structured wine has ample fresh red-currant fruitiness, but is ensconced in dry tannins that will soften over the next few years. The wine holds good potential, with its bright fruit and final acidity. Drink from 2019.
This elegantly structured red opens with aromas of dark-skinned berry, sunbaked earth, new leather, thyme and a whiff of pipe tobacco. The balanced, polished palate offers wild cherry, strawberry, vanilla, coffee and star anise alongside integrated tannins. It's already accessible and will offer fine drinking over the next several years. Drink through 2021.
A small percentage of Merlot softens the otherwise full-bodied nature of this wine, a blend from various vineyards across the valley. Cassis, cranberry and a high-toned liveliness provide an elegance around leathery tannins and toasty oak, finishing with length.
The steep slopes of the Monts Damnés are some of the best known in Sancerre. From grapes grown on this almost vertiginous slope, this wine is concentrated from the low yields and wonderfully juicy, fresh fruits. Apple and spiced pear flavors are totally freshened by the bright, crisp acidity. Drink from 2017.
This is a bold and expressive but not overly big wine. It smells wonderfully like clove and coriander, and tastes generously focused on classic black cherry and cedar notes. It's full bodied, but has great acidity and a lively layer of tannins to keep it balanced and refreshing.
This tightly wound wine opens in the glass, with intense, bright acidity that wraps around herbal, minty undertones. Blackberry, raspberry and clove give it plenty of varietal classicism, but it's the strong earthy loam and forest floor that provide intrigue and elegance.
Mature dark-skinned berry, forest floor, spice rack, chopped mint, eucalyptus and graphite are some of the aromas you'll find on this structured red. The chewy, full-bodied palate doles out black raspberry, juicy wild cherry, licorice and dried herb alongside tightly packed but ripe tannins. Best 2019–2026.
Baking spice, leather, menthol, chopped mint and ripe berry aromas come together on this elegantly structured wine. The firm palate shows mature black cherry, raspberry jam, anise, cinnamon and dried sage while assertive, fine-grained tannins provide support. Drink 2020–2032.
Baking-spice notes of mace and nutmeg meet with sage, incense, oak and sandalwood components across dark red fruit on the nose of this clonal study. It's delicate in mouthfeel, but heavily spiced with oregano and thyme atop cranberry, beet and raspberry fruits that surround graphite.
A personal wine project of winemaker Ric Forman and his wife, Cheryl Emmolo, this gorgeously rendered, elegant, minerality-driven white offers subtle waves of apple skin, lemon and tangerine. Bright from start to finish, it's well worth seeking out.
Celebrating 500 years since the Mellot family started in Sancerre, this wine is a blend from some of the best parcels in the domaine. It is rich and intensely fruity, showing herbal, spice and juicy apple and pear flavors. These are sustained by the nervy, steely edge that will give this wine the chance to age. Drink from 2018.
All varietal coming from two blocks of this vineyard, this wine dazzles with its strikingly pure aromas of plum, herbs and spice. The flavors don't disappoint, coating the palate with velvety, restrained, exquisitely balanced fruit flavors that perfectly capture the essence of this variety. For those looking for a primer on Malbec in Washington, look no further.
An unusually heady, floral exploration of the variety, this is intense in oak and youthfully coy. Crisp, it has an intriguing undercurrent of graham cracker and toast that invites amongst the baked apple and tree-ripened pear, finishing with length and complexity.
Clove-spiced pomegranate juice hits the nose first on this top-end bottling from the Foley family. It also offers some soy and sesame scents. A minerally line of pencil lead and black rocks coalesce the palate around savory, tangy flavors of tart cherry, incense, Earl Grey tea and orange rind.
Coming from The Rocks District, the herb, green stem, black olive, peat, wet stone and floral aromas are expansive. The potpourri and savory flavors are broad in feel and exquisitely balanced, capped off by a long finish. Stunning stuff.
One of the producer's native-fermentation wines, this was given 25% whole-cluster fermentation and one-third new oak. The wine blends grapes from the Devoto Garden and Skikos vineyards, combining them into light, clear color with a twist of pine resin. Juicy in acidity, it offers complexity and balance.
A struggle between screaming acidity and subtle, salty oak provide a tension of freshness to this wine. It teases in tangerine and jasmine before giving way to more comforting characteristics of honeyed tea and baked pear. The minerality balances a full and strong body.
This light, clear wine is varietal in approach and silky texture, also offering a tension of high acidity, forest floor and nervy, cool-climate fruit. From a vineyard overlooking Freestone, it speaks to site and taste with classy effectiveness.
Underbrush, sun-baked earth, black spice, menthol and mature dark-skinned fruit aromas jump out of the glass. The bold, full-bodied palate doles out raspberry jam, ripe Marasca cherry, ground pepper and licorice alongside firm, fine-grained tannins that provide seamless support. It's brawny and bold but the refined tannins also lend a measure of finesse.
There's unending floral fragrance on the nose of this bottling. Hibiscus, lilacs, rosewater and cherry blossoms decorate cranberry fruit, kola-nut spice and wet slate. A potpourri power shows on the palate, with lavender and oregano laid across pomegranate, bolstered by an earthy tobacco-leaf spice.
This loud, feral Cab Franc starts with medicinal, earthy aromas. Next up is a tannic, hard, grabby palate with roasted berry, salt, char and savory flavors. An amplified roasted character carries onto the finish, which is broad and bulky.
A blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, it has aromas of blueberry and blue flower. The palate offers sour cherry and prune accented with hints of white pepper and green bell pepper alongside bitter tannins. Overall this feels lean and lacks freshness. It's not an ager so drink soon.
There is a touch of toastiness in this otherwise perfumed wine. It's an addition to the always-eclectic Campolargo range. The wine shows fragrant fruit, touches of apples and lively acidity. Drink now.
This simple white is creamy and crisp with layers of peach flavor. It would be enjoyable alongside shellfish of just about any kind, but especially with raw oysters in a mignonette sauce. The wine's textures can hold up against both the richness of the sauce and oysters' salty brine.
Attractively fruity, this is a crisp, clean wine. It has a light herbal element over the citrus and apple-skin fruit flavors, giving a touch of greenness to the wine. The wine is light and ready to drink.
Light, minty, savory aromas of Middle Eastern spices accent basic berry aromas. In the mouth, this is a touch flat. Flavors of herbal, peppery plum and berry fruits finish dry but hollow. The blend is 70% Malbec with 15% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The wine leads with aromas of raisin and black fruits. In the mouth, it feels spiky, with pointed tannins. Earthy, stewed plum and baked berry flavors lead to a big, edgy feeling finish with blocky tannins.
Almost half Merlot with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon with just a dollop of Cabernet Franc (9%) added to the mix, it brings notes of cocoa, plum, green herbs and bell pepper. Lighter in color and feel, it's made in an elegant style with a pleasing sense of freshness.
With its typical light color, this is a strawberry-flavored wine that has light acidity and a jammy feel. With an attractive crispness to the texture, it is a wine to drink now.
Woody smelling up front, this is a thick, ripe Malbec with sweet plum and berry aromas and flavors. Despite feeling fat, this has adequate acidity to match resiny oak and jammy berry fruit. Wood spice is the dominant flavor on the finish.
Wiry red-berry aromas are lean and stalky smelling. This feels tight with little excess weight or body. Flavors of peppery red fruits come with a broadside shot of oak in front of a short finish.
A widely distributed wine that'll please in yeasty strawberry and blueberry flavor and a yeasty nose. Soft and straightforward, the tannins are tamed and the profile more juicy than earthy.
This medium-bodied Pinot Noir is a pleasant enough drink, offering modest strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors before a touch of mocha creeps in on the finish.
This Monastrell-heavy blend hits with a ton of ripe berry aromas, Graham cracker and minerality on the bouquet. In the mouth, it's creamy and syrupy, with jutting tannins. Flavors of lactic oak, stewed black fruits and carob finish chocolaty and creamy, with mild tannins and heat.
This is a fruity wine with its typical touch of sweetness. It has lively strawberry fruits, a hint of pineapple, fresh acidity and a soft, light vanilla aftertaste.
Dusty berry aromas blend with mint and herbal notes. This Tempranillo feels grabby and pinched; flavors of baked black fruits, vanilla and dill are earthy on the finish, which is chunky but generally balanced.
An aromatic wine with notes of freshly cut red apple, overripe pear and jasmine. The palate drinks closer to dry than the aromas might suggest, with a phenolic feel.
Merlot makes up just over three-quarters of this blend, with the balance Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese and Petit Verdot. Bright aromas of cherry pie, blueberry, herb, plum and earth are followed by smooth polished blue-fruit flavors. It's a complete delight, focusing on elegance.
Banana, honeydew melon and honeysuckle aromas lead the way while the generous palate doles out pineapple and white peach. A candied nectarine note backs up the fruity flavors, alongside tangy acidity.
Shy when first opened, this wine reveals grapefruit and pineapple scents with a little air. The medium-bodied palate has a tangy quality, offering juicy peach and citrus flavors, accompanied by fresh acidity.
This shimmering barrel-fermented blend of 75% Viura and 25% Tempranillo Blanco opens with stable aromas of apple, butter and fresh corn. An elegant fairly light palate delivers a mix of dry oak, nectarine, peach and apple flavors. This is lithe and comfortable on the finish, with modest but noticeable residual oak.
Blended with 12% Sauvignon Blanc and coming from a mixture of Les Collines, Goff and Seven Hills vineyards, this wine brings aromas of lees and fig that are followed by lightly creamy well-balanced fruit flavors. It brings an elegant styling.
Deep in color and dramatically smoky in flavor, this full-bodied wine is not at all shy. It tastes fruity, saturated, nicely tannic and very oaky. Charred meat, black pepper and espresso impressions wind through the generous black cherry and blackberry notes.
Light aromas of toast, melon and butter lead to sleek stone and tropical fruit flavors that persist on the finish.
Whiffs of vanilla bean and caramel accent this peachy blossomy aromatic white. Bold texture and slightly warming alcohol are offset by delicate but fresh peach and apricot flavors. The finish is long and pleasantly spicy.
This wine has interesting, fragrant tobacco and new-leather aromas as well as ripe fruit flavors that are backed by appetizingly firm tannins. Cedary, spicy new oak accents blend nicely with its black cherry and cola flavors, lingering long into the finish.
Abundant cherry notes show on the nose and palate of this wine—red, black and very ripe. It's juicy, fresh and straight-forward, with lovely, peppery spice. A picnic wine par excellence.
This full-bodied Barbera's especially dark, opaque color is difficult to miss, and its aromas are equally intense. It smells like a late harvest wine, and its blackberry jam and cherry compote flavors seem to coat the palate. Although dry, it's ripe to the extreme and structured with moderate tannins.
Dark raspberry, barrel spice and smoke aromas are followed by medium-bodied fruit flavors. The tannins bring a slight sense of astringency. Perhaps some time in the bottle will help them settle.
The Dubard family has produced a fine and ripe wine. Perfumed and with tropical fruit flavors it is a rich wine, packed with fruit and also finely textured. It has weight, yellow fruits and fine acidity. Drink from late 2017.
Bright and refreshing, this opens with white spring flower and yellow stone fruit aromas. The linear palate evokes yellow peach, mature apple and juicy nectarine, brightened with tangy acidity. It finishes clean and crisp.
High-toned acidity lends verve to delicate raspberry and white grapefruit flavors here. It's not deeply concentrated but lavishly textured with a cutting, mineral finish. Drink now.
Fragrances suggest hay, crushed tomato vine and exotic fruit. The bright but structured palate delivers peach, papaya, cantaloupe and energizing mineral notes alongside fresh acidity. It's nicely balanced with good length,
Musky floral, spice and cherry-blossom notes meld in the exuberant bouquet of this aromatic auslese. It's blossomy on the palate as well, and luscious, with sweet peach and yellow cherry flavors. It's unabashedly lavish, but balanced by a streak of citrus acidity and a long, lingering finish.
It opens with a delicate floral fragrance of white spring flowers accented by a whiff of apple and Alpine herbs. The steely, linear palate delivers juicy yellow apples together with a mineral note and lively acidity.
Aged entirely in large casks, this rich wine offers floral aromas with hints of exotic fruit and melon. The creamy palate delivers juicy Golden Delicious apple, pear and pear accented with a graphite note and baking spices alongside vibrant acidity.
A strongly wood-aged wine, full of as much spice and toast as fruit. It will probably soften and round out to give a wine that, while firm, will have rich black currant fruitiness, dusty tannins and fresh acidity at the end. Drink from 2017.
It shows great depth of flavor, with delicious fresh berries, black fruits, balanced acidity and fragrance. The tannins are present, but given a great lift by the fruitiness. A wine to drink over the medium-term, from 2016.
For a wine from the 2011 vintage, this ripe wine has plenty of weight. It's in the fruity, fresh spectrum but this is sustained by a young, solid and tannic core. Full of red fruits and sweet final acidity, it's for medium-term aging.
There's a savory vein of herbs and smoke that persists from start to finish on this deeply fruity auslese, adding a shade of dimension and complexity. It's zippy in lemony acidity, but silky and sweet, with luscious flavors of preserved peach and tangerine.
This is a tannic while richly fruity wine, showing ripe warm-climate Cabernet Sauvignon flavors. Blackberries and dusty tannins are to the fore, giving a firm structure, fine juiciness and a dense texture. The wine could age, so drink from 2016.
Char and roasted coffee notes lend a brooding, smoky backdrop to bright red berry and cherry flavors in this full-bodied Pinot Noir. Cranberry acidity bristles the palate, leading a long finish marked by firm but fine tannins. It needs another 3–5 years in the cellar to integrate, but should mature elegantly.
The blend includes 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. It's tight, herbal and earthy, with a scent of forest floor. As it opens, it adds layers of wild berry, bramble, graphite and leaf, all in good balance. This has lovely proportion and follow through, as in all of the Novelty Hill reds.
Novelty Hill's estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon displays notes of brambly berry and plenty of barrel spice. The sweet-tasting spice accent rolls into streaks of licorice, earth and herb on the peppery finish.
A whiff of clover jumps from the glass, then this dark, juicy wine rips into a dense cassis flavor. Ripe and sappy, it has just the right touch of new oak layered onto the finish.
Roasted and decidedly earthy on the nose, this has mature aromas of coffee, spice and herb note. A solid fabric of aged tannins and acidity bolster the wild berry and cherry flavors, which finish syrupy and raisiny. A blend of 50% Petit Verdot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Malbec.
Made in a restrained, perhaps age-worthy style, Leeuwin's 2008 Art Series Shiraz offers up cassis tinged with hints of mint and tobacco. The tannins are silky in texture, while the wine never strays past medium weight. Drink now–2020.
Dill, vanilla, tobacco, earth and light red-fruit aromas comprise the classic nose. The palate feels tight and in good shape, while a mild berry flavor comes topped with touches of cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg, expressing Rioja in every way. Elegant and balanced; drink now.
Now maturing well, this is a wine that reflects much of the freshness of 2008, with firm tannins and solid structure. A black currant flavor dominates this elegant offering, providing acidity as well as freshness. It could age for another few years, but is ready to drink now.
This rounded, wood-aged wine has just the right amount of structure and delicious acidity to accompany the full red- and black-berry notes. It's refreshing, while still concentrated and age worthy.
This is a full-bodied wine with a rich texture. It has a creamy character, along with flavors of almond, toast and ripe green plum. Worth aging a year.
An attractively balanced wine, this shows fruitiness that's supported by fine tannins. It's a ripe wine, ready to drink now, with black currant juice and red plum flavors giving pleasure.
A wine with structure, this achieves balance with its black currant flavor and acidity. It's lined firmly with tannins that bring a dry and texture to this solid, age-worthy bottle. Give it at least five years.
This is jammy and reduced throughout, especially on the nose, which offers a dense blueberry aroma. Saturated and solid on the palate, it features ripe flavors of black plum, blackberry and caramel. A potent, fruity, modern type of Tempranillo that's long on fruit and short on complexity.
Wood aging for 18 months has smoothed out the natural tannins of this Pommard while retaining the concentration of the 30-year-old vines. The wine is rich, soft, full of blackberry fruitiness and maturing well, ready to be drunk from 2015.
The 1,800-feet high vineyards perched on scary-steep slopes in the upper Douro give the wine the cool character it needs. Winemaker Francisco Olazabal, a direct descendant of the Douro's Dona Antonia Ferreira, nurtures this unusual white wine (most Douro is red). It's perfumed, fruity and fresh. Acidity, tangy lemon and pineappletake center stage along with a steely inner core. Drink now.
Aged in mostly new French oak, this wine's barrel influences stand out. Notes of coffee and cinnamon come alongside herbs and brown stems, with the oak bringing some grit to the tannins.
After starting out reductive, it's moderately aromatic with notes of pencil eraser, vanilla and cocoa. The palate is medium bodied with the oak a bit overweighted for the fruit that is in the bottle, finishing with coffee flavors.
Made from Pinot Nero and Chardonnay, this delivers sensations of bread crust, toasted walnut, lemon drop and red apple. Vivacious bubbles and crisp acidity leave an invigorating finish.
Wood- aged, spicy and ripe, this is a generous wine. Its yellow and red apple fruitiness is balanced by the full-bodied perfumed character that is already delicious. It's not for aging, so drink now.
More commonly found in the Lisboa region much further south in Portugal, the Arinto is full of acidity and fits well into the Vinho Verde profile. This wine is crisp with plenty of apple and spice flavors as well as a strong lime-juice freshness. It's an attractive, medium-bodied wine to drink now.
A grapy, clamped nose lacks nuance. In the mouth, this is raw and choppy, with fresh red-fruit acidity. Red-berry and oak flavors finish woody, with ample spice and juicy acidity.
This full-bodied, ripe and generous wine is already open for drinking. It has rich green and white fruits, sliced pear and quince with a topping of lime juice. Toast gives a broader character. Drink from 2015.
Equally split between the two varieties, this conveys light aromas of apple, pear and barrel spices. The palate is medium bodied with a pleasantly tart finish. The varieties don't really distinguish themselves but there there's still enjoyment to be had.
This wood-aged wine is soft and round. Touches of spice and vanilla partner with warm pear and peach flavors. It is still young, still integrating the wood with the fruit. Drink from 2016.
A smoky nose carries a strong suggestion of bacon fat, wrapped around tightly wound blackberry fruit. Flavors play out broadly and thin out quickly, but this young wine offers solid value and immediate pleasure.
Made with native grape Arneis, this delivers aromas of tart green apple, citrus and yeasty bread crust. These carry over to the palate alongside a persistent effervescence and bright acidity. It finishes on a walnut note.
Zesty lime and lemon aromas are touched with wet slate on this dry, refreshingly lean Riesling. It's demure in fruit profile, but vibrant with acidity and a bristling mineral tone.
While sunny and ripe with scents of tropical fruit, orange and peach, this bang-for-your-buck Riesling reveals surprising complexities. It's sweet and lusciously fruity on the palate, but nuanced with rambling layers of dried herbs, earth and mineral tones. Finishes long with a lingering tea-leaf astringency.
Jolly Rancher-red in color, there's high-toned grapefruit and watermelon in this Rosé. Layers of tropical juiciness on the back of the tongue and a nice finish make this a refreshing wine before, during or after dinner.
Spicy, heady aromas are dark and draw you in. This value CS is solid and ripe, with good mouthfeel. Loamy, oaky flavors of black fruits are standard but tasty, while blatant oak and related chocolate and peppery notes drive the finish.
While the wine is bright, there is a serious side to it. The mineral texture and flavors of apricot and honey are paired with vanilla and grapefruit acidity. It is ready to drink, but will be better in mid-2015.
This is a bright and fruity wine that is also rich. Yellow fruits are accompanied by fresh, textured citrus and given a crisp aftertaste by the lively acidity. Drink now.
This too-powerful, wood-aged wine is impressive but has lost fruitiness in the search for richness. Strong spice and concentrated texture show up front, along with yellow fruits. A toasty character still dominates. The wine needs to smooth its bumps out, so drink from 2016.
Minty, inky, oaky aromas rest on top of basic berry scents. This is juicy but also reduced in feel. The flavor profile is superficial, with hints of cassis and blackberry. The finish is loamy and heavy, with adequate lift and acidity.
Punchbowl aromas of red currant, raspberry, cherry and bath soap set up a bright yet sinewy palate. Flavors of baked berry, roasted plum and minerally earth notes finish with mild herb and spice flavors, ample residual fruit and juicy acidity.
Interesting components of rural earth, mushroom, plum, dark cherry and cola spice play off each other in this robust, full-bodied Pinot, from the growers of Toboni Vineyards.
Sourced entirely from the Champoux Vineyard, this Bordeaux-style blend is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon. Yummy from the first sniff to the last sip, it's packed with juicy berries and cassis, gracefully wrapped in layers of black olive, toast, clean earth and dark chocolate. Tannins are ripe and smooth.
A prodigious effort, the 2009 Vieilles Vignes from Grand Veneur includes a whopping 40% Mourvèdre in the blend (there's also 10% Syrah, with the balance being Grenache), which no doubt accounts for its dark flavor profile. This is a full-bodied, lushly textured, expansive wine, with a finish that seems to go on forever. Approachable now, it should age well for 10–12 years at least.
From the biodynamic block at Wallula, this is truly a bone-dry style, with intense concentration. It's fruity and complex, with grapefruit and lemon rind flavors that are backed with astonishing minerality. The acidity is high but natural and perfectly integrated. The dry extract gives texture to an amazingly-long finish.
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Syrah—this is a focused wine, with complex nuances of licorice, tar, mineral and lead pencil, but it is buttressed by the compact, concentrated red and black fruits. The dusty tannins are reminiscent of a Napa wine, with excellent length and polish.
This is concentrated and ripe, with its fruit sublimated into a tense, mineral texture, layered with equally intense acidity. It has power, with the fruit lending a rich, full-bodied finish.
The Eléni Syrah, sourced from old vines at Red Willow Vineyard, may lay claim to being the best of a very fine lineup. It is a densely fruity wine, with concentrated flavors of raspberry liqueur, set upon a foundation of liquid rock. Focused and precise, it is almost crystalline in its resonant elegance.
Just three barrels of this outstanding reserve were produced. It's full bodied, richly fruity and broadly textural, it holds its alcohol well, with strawberry jam highlighting a lush palate of ripe, sweet fruits. The barrel notes of toast, caramel and mocha are the frosting on the cake.
This “Tobey” Artist Series release is 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 26% Merlot. Sweet scents of toast and cherry fruit introduce a wine with exceptional detail and density. Its core of cherry fruit is highlighted with cinnamon and baking spices, and the finishing tannins are polished and precise. The elegance, persistence and sheer finesse of this wine is most impressive.
This lacy, fine-tuned Grenache displays superb aromatics that are still a bit raw. One gets the feeling that as good as the juicy, young grape and berry flavors are, this wine has more complexity lurking below the surface. Berry, mineral and bright spices elevate the finish, much like a youthful Montsant.
A huge wine that's tannic as nails but so aromatic and flavor packed. Toasted oak, mint, cola, maple, marzipan work the potent nose, while the saturated palate thumps along with massive black-fruit flavors and coffee, fudge and light herb accents. This is one of the most powerful wines from Spain or anywhere. Drink or hold.
This interesting blend consists of 31% Cabernet Franc, 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Sauvignon. Roasty, toasty aromas explode from the glass, with gorgeous barrel notes of cedar and smoke. Bright raspberry and cherry fruit is set amid generous streaks of caramel, maple syrup and coffee liqueur. High-toned and expressive, it is the most accessible and complete of the 2009 releases from Fielding Hills.
A step up from the other Syrahs in the 2008 Clarendon Hills' lineup, the Astralis is firmly tannic and should be long-lived. The masses of rich black-cherry fruit are amply framed by cedary oak without ever being overwhelmed, with the fruit persisting on the long finish. Try around 2018.
Oaky and dense, this wine is sourced from the Nunes Vineyard, a fine site in the heart of the appellation. Raspberry and blueberry jam sway between a juicy midpalate, integrated with the oak and yet toasty, before boasting a vanilla-cherry finish.
Light in color, this wine offers aromas of dried herbs, fresh flowers and cherry. The style is light and elegant. It doesn't entirely stand up on its own but it should do well at the dinner table.
All of the fruit for this wine hails from Destiny Ridge Vineyard. Though it saw no new oak, the barrel aromas of vanilla and woodspice seem to jut out. The cranberry and raspberry flavors bring appeal however backed by grainy tannins.
The aromatic richness of Muksateller is just hinted at, but the palate brings that ultralight yet still dry freshness. It provides zesty refreshment that's as light as a feather.
Fruit-forward and appealing, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot displays aromas of black currants, black olive and fresh raspberries along with high-toned herbs. Flavors are sweet and plump with a squeeze of dry tannins.
This slender, straightlaced white blend is not as aromatic as in riper years. But its subtlety and lightness make it an ideal choice for a lunchtime, along with crisp salads or light seafood dishes. Drink this fresh wine soon.
This barrel-forward wine offers aromas of caramel, vanilla, green wood and cocoa along with cherry. The milk chocolate and cherry flavors are sweet and luscious. It could use a bit more structure to hold it all together but it brings plenty of appeal.
Medium bodied and fresh, this opens with heady aromas of yellow flowers, herbs and stone fruits. The vibrant palate delivers yellow peach, nectarine zest and bitter almond alongside crisp acidity. It's balanced, with a refreshing finish.
Herbal scents of Kefir lime leaf and hay mingle seamlessly with notes of kiwi peel and gooseberry. The palate is bright and refreshing, with lively acidity and a clean, mouthwatering finish. Drink now.
This sums up what Marlborough can do well when it comes to Pinot Noir. Bright cherry fruit is a bit simple, but crisp and appealing, lined with toasty oak elements and finishing long and fruity.
Acacia flower, hawthorne and beeswax aromas all come together in the glass. The vibrant palate doles out white peach, green apple, citrus and dried mint balanced by lively acidity. It closes on a note of toasted almond.
This opens with aromas of leather, sage, mature black-skinned fruit and a balsamic note. The palate offers toasted notes, espresso, spiced plum and dried blackberry alongside chewy, drying tannins.
Earthy funk and black tea surround dampened mushrooms, giving this wine a feral quality before a lift of red rhubarb and strawberry pie provide juicy succulence. Cola and vanilla make appearances toward the finish, which builds in intensity of oak.
Fresh, primary flavors of black cherries and plums are layered delicately with swathes of toast, granite and soil in this keenly balanced Merlot. It's refreshingly moderate in alcohol and the finish is long and persistent, extended by a streak of bristling sour-cherry acidity.
There is something meaty about this St. Laurent: The fruit is fleshy and ripe. The palate, while soft and pliable, is also rich and dense. Amidst red cherry fruit, there also is a hint of iron oxide and red meat. Its pliable, fresh structure will make this a versatile companion for earthy dishes.
Charming, pretty and accessible, this is what many inexpensive New Zealand Pinots aspire to be. Mushroomy, earthy notes add depth to straightforward aromas and flavors of cherry and vanilla, all framed by supple tannins and a mouthwatering finish. Drink now–2017.
This is fairly rich in mouthfeel and nicely complex in flavor. It's medium bodied and subtly flavored with nuances of pear, pippin apple, toasted almond and nutmeg. Enough crisp acidity shows through to balance the body and keeps the flavors singing on the finish.
Earthy notes of licorice, bark and bramble are prominent on the nose of this wine, framing the black berry, plum and boysenberry core. The mouthfeel is lush and ripe, with a subtle creaminess that's complemented by notes of baking spice and cocoa powder on the finish. Drink now–2018.
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.
A delightfully elegant wine, the majority of it Merlot, this exudes cassis, pomegranate and cedar. Soft, refined tannins make it a pleasure to enjoy, made from a minuscule single-barrel lot, the grapes sourced from the hillsides of Carneros. It finishes in a refinement of dark milk chocolate.
Sophisticated aromas of Golden Pearmain apples, cream and pastry take the part of the first violin—chalky, resonant earth that of the sonorous cello. Their harmony and elegance together is astonishing. The crisp acidity is so well-integrated and illuminates the fruit and soil. The long finish again emphasizes absolute, uncompromising elegance of this wine.
A lifting mix of golden, ripe apple, chamomile, moss and honey signals richness and some maturity. The palate is poised and holds all of these flavours tightly in a soaring, slender structure that is built on a firm foundation of bright acidity and subtle earthiness. Grown-up, taut, generous and poised, this is a honey-edged homage to the South Downs.
Made from a majority Chardonnay with 23% Pinot Noir, this salmon-pinkish sparkler is a stunner, inviting in floral and fruity components and crisp acidity. Grapefruit, strawberry and a taste of subtle custard coat the palate, staying light and bright through a lengthy, delightful finish.
Just over 75% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Malbec (10%), Petit Verdot (8%) and Merlot, this wine offers brooding but well-delineated aromas and flavors of blackberry, dried flowers, black tea, herbs, earth, barrel spices and light meaty notes. It's packed tightly with firm tannins and also shows great length. Drink 2022–2028.
Fermented 75% whole-cluster and then aged in neutral oak, this wine offers complex, expressive aromas of green olive, fresh herbs, grilled asparagus, earth and peat. The palate brings waves of intensity, with sensuous, layered savory flavors that lead to a hyperextended finish. It's an exclamation point of a wine that shows the promise of this young winery and vineyard.
Cabernet Franc (84%) takes the lead on this wine with the balance equal parts Merlot and Petit Verdot. It opens with aromas of flowers, dried herbs, earth and mineral. The mouthfeel is dazzling, showing depth and intensity, with enough structure to go the distance.
Woodland berry, tilled soil, cake spices and a whiff of game are some of the aromas you'll find on this fragrant, impressive wine. The full-bodied, elegant palate delivers juicy red cherry, black raspberry, clove, chopped herbs and a hint of cured meat alongside a backbone of firm, refined tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2018–2026.
A perennial standout, this is an exuberantly rich, classic expression of the variety, with the heady, unmistakable imprint of the producer and vineyard. Expansive and generous in style, it offers baked honeycrisp apple and a jolt of lemon pith, with aromas of honeysuckle and vanilla. The finish is lengthy and substantial, with memorable minerality.
Aromas of wild berry, underbrush and tobacco lead the nose on this classically crafted Barolo. The full-bodied palate delivers juicy Morello cherry, ripe black raspberry, baking spice and licorice alongside a network of ripe, assertive tannins and firm acidity. Drink 2018–2026.
Equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot figure into this wine, along with 20% Malbec, all from the producer's estate. A mix of coconut and cherry-berry cobbler entice aromatically, seasoned in dried herb and black peppercorn. Dry, dusty tannins make their presence felt, the wine all in all tart, generous and lively, finishing in a slow drag of tobacco.
A delightful spray of cherry blossoms meanders from nose to finish in this standout Pinot Noir sparkling. Elegantly mouthfilling, it showcases whisper-soft cherry and plum flavors against a dazzling backbone of acidity and minerality. Grace and power synchronize through a long, long finish.
Whiffs of wildflowers, fennel and slate combine in this deliciously blossomy, complex wine. While dry in style, it's a touch softer and riper than the HJW or Josef Vineyard bottlings, coating the palate in a supple silk of peach and grapefruit flavors. Powerful and concentrated, it lingers long on the finish. Delicious now, but sure to improve through at least 2023.
An inky-deep color with a dark red rim hints at the concentration. Enticing aromas from the spice rack, milk chocolate and vanilla lead to meltingly rich fruit and cocoa flavors that are deep and focused. At first sip it's almost sweet with ripe black cherry and black currant notes, but the vivid acidity and layer of fine tannins keep it dry and balanced. It will be best after 2020.
Dark, rich mountain blueberry and blackberry form the core of this classically delicious Napa Valley wine from an estate vineyard. Velvety dark chocolate melts over integrated tannins and a medium-strength body, the finish lengthy, dusty and well-structured. Age through 2020–2022.
Salty and savory, this unfiltered wine conveys a lot of wet stone and petrol character. The dark golden color reveals its time in oak. Concentrated and full-bodied, with rich layers of baked apple and pear, it shows a complexity on the palate and a depth of lingering fruit and ginger on the finish.
The first vintage to see Aglianico (8%) blended in, this wine brings aromas and flavors of leather, sour cherry, earth and flowers. Seeing only neutral puncheons and oval botti, it's fresh and focused, coating the palate with textured fruit flavors brightened by tart acids and backed by firm tannins. It's both appealing and serious.
Polished, elegant and supple, this offers upfront aromas of plum, strawberry and red cherry. The flavors are pure and fruity, but nicely complex, bringing in light nuances of vanilla, clove and cinnamon to top the cherry and berry freshness. Made from one of the state's oldest Cinsault plantings, this is supremely smooth and sophisticated.
This wine displays a fascinating aroma profile of lees, lemon and custard. There's a real sense of vibrancy and energy in its creamy texture, with lively acidity drawing out the fruit tones. The balance is spot-on with outrageous length.
Aromas of sage, espresso and green, savory herbs are at the fore on this lightly colored blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the fruit notes in the background. The coffee and cherry flavors are elegant yet rich, with an outrageously long, expressive finish. It's all about subtlety, refinement and detail with plenty of each but needing some time for them all to meld together.
Not yet fully open, this blend of Les Collines and Seven Hills vineyard fruit has high-toned aromas of violets, sage, toffee and black plums. The feel is supple, showing depth and detail to the dark fruit flavors along with exceptional length. It's all about subtlety and elegance.
This wine is so compelling it's difficult to put the glass down. It smells buttery and lush and offers flavors of ripe pear, vanilla and a bit of caramel. It is full bodied and plush in texture; that rich viscosity carries the ripe but not over-the-top flavors to a lingering finish.
Merlot and Cabernet Franc make up the majority of this wine, along with pinches of Petit Verdot and Malbec. It commands attention with aromas of flowers, herbs, freshly tilled soil, cherry, coffee and bittersweet chocolate. The palate is outrageously textured with a hypnotic mouthfeel and a finish that sails into the distance. Far from a blockbuster style, it's all about elegance and detail.
A blend of 40% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre, all aged in neutral oak, this wine impresses with alluring aromas of ripe strawberry, clove, blueberry, coffee and spice. Flavors are rich and palate-coating while displaying balance and finesse, with a finish that lingers.
This wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Syrah, finished off with Petit Verdot. The aromas and flavors of dried herbs, blackberry, tar and fresh flowers show multiple layers, with the palate displaying density and richness. It needs time to be at its best but will be worth the wait. Drink 2020–2027.
Fragrant and structured, this opens with aromas of wild berry, menthol, leather, tilled soil and aromatic herbs. The palate doles out wild cherry, fleshy black raspberry, cinnamon, white pepper and anise. Bracing tannins and racy acidity give it an ageworthy structure, but don't attempt this until after 2020.
From the producer's estate vineyard, adjacent to a successful dairy farm it also runs, this tiny offering comes from four specific blocks across the property, and is a seductive, juicy, well-composed wine. Lush and oaky, it conveys a density of forest floor, complemented by raspberry and strawberry, before finishing robustly in spice and mushroom.
Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon each take up 38% of this blend, with the rest equal parts Merlot and Petit Verdot. It captivates with aromas of black licorice, purple flowers, earth and herbs. The style is reserved, more focused on acid and tannin structure, but it still shows layers of textured fruit flavors. It will be best 2020–2030.
An incredibly dark wine by veteran winemaker Eric Laumann, this rarely tapped varietal offers lush and deep aromas of blackberry pie, black currant syrup, licorice soda and mint-chip ice cream. Velvety, tongue-tingling and extremely lengthy on the palate, it shows almost port-like flavors of milk chocolate, blueberry juice, peppery mint, cherry liqueur-filled chocolate and ripe raspberry-cranberry juice.
Firmly structured, this opens with aromas of white truffle, forest floor, baking spice and red berry aromas accented with a whiff of sage and rosemary. On the palate, notes of white pepper, grilled herbs and tobacco accent the black cherry core while a backbone of assertive but refined tannins provide the framework.
This brushy, foresty wine offers big, ripe blackberry and cherry flavor around a smoky core of oak.
Light dried herbs, cigar box and cranberry aromas arise on the nose of this bottling from the Broken Earth team. It's zesty on the sip, with raspberry and cooked red-plum flavors that are spiced up by pepper and more dried herbs. It's a tad thin.
Grapy berry and raisin aromas include notes of baking spices. This feels wide but wiry, with tartaric acidity at the core. Generic berry flavors end with a dry drawing finish.
Light white peach, apple blossoms, jasmine and intriguing green-tea aromas show on the nose of this widely available blend of various white varieties. It's a tad sweet on the sip, with poached apples, nectarine, honey, lemon curd and baked-orange flavors.
Lithe and lean, this Chardonnay suggests a lighter-bodied, slighter expression. Zesty acidity and tart lemon-lime flavors are refreshing and thirst quenching on the palate though. The finish eases into delicate notes of spice and toast. Drink now through 2019.
Red cherry, brick, dust and dried-earth aromas arise from this blend of 30% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 15% Grenache and 11% Nebbiolo from San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Forest-floor flavors of pine needle and turned earth show on the palate, along with light cranberry and cherry fruit.
Made with 100% Sangiovese, this offers aromas of dark-skinned berry, exotic spice and French oak. The firm palate displays dried red cherry, tobacco and toasted oak but it doesn't have quite enough fruit richness to balance the evident wood sensations.
Savory, smoky tones lend a shadowy feel to fresh apple and pear flavors in this dry medium-bodied Pinot Gris. It's not deeply concentrated in fruit but refreshing and easy going. Drink now through 2018.
Bright but basic plum, spice and leather aromas are uncomplicated. This feels grabby and rugged, with chewy tannins. Leafy red-fruit flavors offer a jammy side note, while this finishes with dry, scouring tannins.
This is an estate-grown wine from a vineyard planted to three clones. It has an air of forested truffle, pine and cinnamon within a stemmy and somewhat unresolved body of medium weight.
This high-end bottling features fruit from 90+-year-old vines, aged for 12 months in oak. It's medium to full in body, with supple tannins and crisp acids. Notes of barrel char and cherries finish dry, with a rustic edge.
Grassy, slightly green aromas are fresh and suggest cactus pad. This is easy on the palate, with flavors of citrus fruits and green herbs, such as tarragon and rosemary. A crisp finish is just solid enough to maintain integrity.
While the nose is quite bold, boasting concentrated notes of strawberry leather and caramel, the palate on this delicately framed rosé is demure. It's a bit light in concentration with soft acidity, but an easygoing quaffer for early consumption.
Made with 88% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 2% Alicante, this opens with whiffs of violet and tilled earth. The simple palate offers red cherry and clove alongside soft tannins. Enjoy soon.
Here's a fun informal white that has delicate aromas of yellow stone fruit and a whiff of wild flower. The simple but well-made palate offers yellow peach and a citrusy note. Enjoy as an apéritif or pair it with light first courses.
Aromas like maple syrup and fresh-cut oak sawdust set the stage for a powerfully oaky, smoky, spicy flavor and finish for this full-bodied, firm-textured wine. It's very dramatic and extreme in style, so some drinkers will love it and others will find it over the top.
Thick, rich and woody, this herbal, estate-grown red shows a wealth of baked-plum flavor laced in vanilla, with richness bursting on the finish.
This deeply colored, full-bodied wine adds chocolaty richness to ripe plum and blackberry flavors, backed with light tannins that counter a bit of sweetness.
Here's a simple red with subdued aromas of red berry and a whiff of forest floor. The lean slightly diluted palate shows dried black cherry and a hint anise alongside soft, rather fleeting tannins. Drink now.
Made entirely with Merlot, this has a shy nose that tries to hide suggestions of plum and bell pepper. The straightforward palate provides plum with hints of vanilla and clove alongside grainy tannins.
An aroma like maple syrup on waffles and similar, sweet-seeming flavors are reminiscent of breakfast, but this will pair well with slow-cooked barbecue. Most of that spicy sweetness comes from oak barrels or add-ins, complementing the full body and light tannins.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this opens with delicate aromas of violet and baking spice. The simple easy-drinking palate offers wild cherry and chopped herb alongside round tannins. Enjoy soon.
Hints of sweaty saddle leather, cherries and dark chocolate mark the nose and palate of this wine. This medium-bodied wine doesn't show much in the way of tannins, making it easy to drink now and probably best drunk up before 2020.
Savory, sightly bruised tones of pressed apple and pear persist throughout this briskly composed wine. Off dry in style, it's limned by a comforting edge of honey and sweet-tart tangerine. Drink now through 2019.
Spiced plum, vanilla and sandalwood aromas add up to something nice. This feels good enough, with nothing demanding about the palate. Spicy berry and olive flavors are typical of the variety, while this feels dry and tastes a bit woody on the finish.
Lanolin and squash aromas indicate that this is fading. The palate is wide and fleshy but lacking in a focal point. Flavors of spiced pumpkin and aged apple are a bit like holiday pie, while modest acidity on the finish ensures that this is bland on the exit.
This wine offers aromas of wild berry, flowers, barrel notes and spice. The palate is lighter styled, backed by chalky tannins. The variety seems somewhat hard to find.
Made entirely with Colorino, the restrained nose eventually reveals red berry and scorched earth. The simple palate delivers blackberry and white pepper alongside somewhat fleeting tannins. Enjoy soon.
Made with 85% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Alicante, this easygoing wine opens with aromas of blackberry and a hint of graphite. The simple fruity palate delivers red plum and a hint of cedar alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
Earthy mature plum and berry aromas are quite solid. This feels tight and a little abrasive, but smooth enough to rank high. Spicy dry peppery berry flavors finish with lasting cherry and plum notes on a long balanced finish. Drink through 2025.
From biodynamically grown grapes, this is a concentrated wine with mint and spice flavors as well as tight red fruits. It comes from vines situated in the Moulin-à-Vent appellation, giving the typical mineral character from the granite soil as well as the structure. The wine will be ready to drink from 2017.
This burly, robust wine is smoky in oak, with a twist of cedar and sage. The tannins are sizable and soft, providing weight and structured body, while the fruit remains elusive behind dried herb and cracked black pepper.
Concentrated, bright and focused fruit flavors feel shaped by a moderate oak influence in this full-bodied and nicely structured wine. A good amount of tannin wraps the raspberry and blackberry flavors in a firm texture.
This beautiful wine has aromas as ripe as dried figs, flavors as deep as blackberries falling off the vine, and a welcoming, broad texture that begs for another sip. While full bodied, it's easy to relax into.
This fascinating, sweet but light wine wraps lemongrass and thyme flavors around lemon and peach for interesting layers of complexity. The sweetness helps to round the texture and carries everything into a long finish.
From one of the region's more renowned vineyards, this blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre takes a extra time to open up, so decanting is recommended. But once it does, black plum and dried purple flowers arise on the nose, and then a strong tannic structure slowly reveals flavors of pepper and boysenberry on the palate.
Appealing, very varietal aromas of fresh and dried herb, cherry and earth lead to a tart, flavorful yet restrained fruit flavors, complete with a lovely sense of balance and a stretched-out finish.
Coming from the Horse Heaven Hills region, this wine offers appealing aromas of cranberry, raspberry fruit leather, red currant and spice—all displaying a fine sense of purity. The tart fruit flavors are broad and generous but stay in balance.
Smooth heady aromas of black fruits touched up by oaky vanilla and tobacco are a draw. In the mouth, this is chunky and defined by thick abrasive tannins. Ripe blackberry, coffee and chocolate flavors finish with leftover oak that rests atop residual black-fruit flavors. Drink through 2022.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot make up three-quarters of this blend. Subtle aromas of baking spice, vanilla and cherry lead to tart well-proportioned pit-fruit flavors. It shows a fine sense of balance.
This lightly pinkish-yellow blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay is yeasty at first, with aromas of nectarine and red apple quickly arising through the fervent, lavish foam. The palate is steely in texture, with flavors of light raspberry, red-apple skins and sour-plum rinds culminating in a bready finish.
High-grade oaky aromas of vanilla and baking spices mix with modest mature berry fruit and animal notes on the nose of this dense tannic mature Rioja. Oaky flavors of sawdust and wood resin share space on the palate with spicy dried cherry and plum. Drink through 2024.
Cabernet Franc makes up two-thirds of this wine with the rest Merlot. It dazzles with aromas of flowers, red fruit and mineral that are followed by generous amounts of dark fruit along with cranberry-like acidity.
This producer continues to impress with varieties that are outside the usual suspects, showing finesse with this dry expression of waxy apple and tart lemon. Creamy on the palate, it exuberantly releases stony minerality as it goes, finishing with a taste of wet stone.
At the southern end of Nuits Saint-Georges, this vineyard produces a ripe and full style of wine. This wine has those characters along with the tannins and the acidity of the vintage to produced a juicy wine that will age well. The aftertaste keeps that crunchy, crisp character. Drink it from 2019.
Produced from 65-year-old vines, this is a rich and perfumed wine from the estate of Nicolas Potel. It is structured, balancing the red fruits and acidity with a solid framework of tannins. Spice from the wood aging shows lightly, while the wine finishes with crisp red-currant acidity.
This is really mature Muscadet, yet it's certainly not too old. It is toasty, with almond, spice and vanilla flavors plus the concentration that comes from old vines. It is a fascinating wine, ripe and with considerable depths. The wine is, of course, ready to drink.
This single-vineyard wine has great aging potential. The minerality and tension in this wine with its apple fruit and texture is still resolving itself. Wait at least until 2019 before drinking.
The result of a joint project between Michel Rolland and Jair Agopian, this Bulgarian Bordeaux-style blend has primary aromas of ripe blackberry, dark cherry and black plum that give way to intriguing secondary notes of saddle leather, tobacco leaf and graphite. It exhibits nice weight on the midpalate with juicy flavors of cassis, black raspberry and cherry vanilla. The tannins are firm yet velvety and there is a surprising burst of bright fruit in the finish.
Red Rock is the warmest of the producer's estate blocks, seven north-facing acres holding high-iron soils. The wine pleases instantly, showing a mix of dried herb, spearmint and dark cherry within a structured, accessibly oaked and mellowed package.
This wood-aged wine is ripe with black fruits and dense with dark tannins. It has a warm feel to its structure, developing into a concentrated, black-plum-flavored wine backed by toast and firm tannins. Drink from 2018.
Velvety smooth and lengthy on the palate, this 100% varietal, estate-grown wine from an appellation known for power and robust flavor reveals a depth of black licorice, clove and plum amidst a richness of peppery meat, which would also suggest a fine pairing. Part of its beauty is the abundance of violet aromas on the nose.
Chunky, earthy aromas of balsam wood, finely aged balsamic vinegar and stewed blackberry yield to a tight drawing palate with hard tannins. This tastes meaty, roasted and more aggressive than El Enemigo's lower-elevation 2013s. A finish with salty toasty oaky notes, big tannins and blazing acidity closes the show. This is Cab Franc with 15% Malbec. Drink through 2023.
Aromas suggesting resin, mature plum, forest floor, exotic spice, leather and black currant emerge on this solidly structured red. The firm palate offers espresso, raisin, cherry marinated in spirits, fig, licorice and chewing tobacco alongside firm, close-grained tannins that clutch the finish.
This wine is a unique blend of Malbec (60%), Syrah (20%), Merlot (15%) and Petit Verdot. It opens with brooding but alluring aromas of dark plum, asphalt, and a kiss of baking spice. The flavors are full bodied and palate coating, showing weight but also a sense of suppleness that charms the senses.
You'll discover aromas of leafy underbrush, grilled herb, raisin, new leather and a whiff of blue flower on this bold red. The syrupy concentrated palate doles out raspberry jam, stewed prune, anise and nutmeg framed in big chewy tannins. A confectionery note closes the finish.
This is bright and fruity wine that has a smoky character as well as brilliant black fruits and acidity. Aromatic and concentrated, the wine is still developing, still with considerable acidity. That will broaden out as the wine matures to give a rich, always lively wine. Drink from 2018.
Like all of the Yering Station Reserves, this one shows a healthy whack of new oak, but there's plenty of ripe cherry fruit to support the vanilla and cedar nuances. It's medium bodied, plump yet suave, with a long finish that echoes vanilla and spice. Drink now–2019.
Gets rolling with a blitz of dark berry, cedar, bramble and graphite aromas. It feels punchy for being a dark-style red, with meaty black-fruit flavors. On the palate, it turns juicier and more rugged as the acidity steps up, ultimately finishing thick but catchy, with peppery spice. A blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet and Merlot.
Woodsy and smooth smelling, with integrated spice and black-fruit aromas. It feels like a padded vise grip, with demanding tannins and blackberry, toast and coffee flavors that narrow down due to tannic astringency. Incredibly flavorful and potent; drink or hold.
Spicy, peppery and still a bit sharp, this Merlot-dominated blend includes fruit from both estate vineyards—Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge. It shows the seamless polish that marks all of Jean-François Pellet's wines. The finish is focused and long, with delicious highlights of cinnamon and dark chocolate.
This is a bright, fresh raspberry-flavored wine. It's fruity and layered with attractive, crisp acidity. A touch of spice accents the finish.
A delicious, crisp and fruity wine that's textured with minerality and a tang of lemon zest. On the palate a raspberry flavor dominates, with layers of acidity and a lively, bright aftertaste.
Saviah makes one of the better varietal Petit Verdots in Washington. This is full bodied, with black fruits and excellent concentration. It's highlighted with suggestions of mint and vanilla, from 21 months in 100% new French oak barrels.
This blend of 57% Chenin Blanc and 43% Viognier is opulent and forward. Rich scents of baked apple, clove-spiked orange, honeysuckle and hazelnut crisp dance on the nose and mouth, but the palate remains lifted with fresh acidity and a saline note. Accents of spice and toast remain through the long close. A gorgeous wine now, but it should age beautifully through 2015.
Harvested in December, this marries opulent flavors of honey and orange marmalade with intense acidity. Ready to drink in its youth, but it's likely to age for many years. Screwcap.
Sweet and toasty, with overt oak, sarsparilla, raisin and coconut aromas. It feels supersaturated, with monster tannins. Flavors of black coffee, chocolate, spice, pepper and licorice are rich and deep, while the finish is chewy, meaty and long. Drink now.
This is a crisp, fruity and delicate wine. With its pale gray-pink color and lively acidity, it has both concentration and lightness; it's so poised.
Properly rustic, this has firm and dry tannins, a powerful structure to go with the wood aging and black plum flavor. It has pepper, spice and toast notes, with layers of acidity. The finish is very dry and firm. Screwcap.
Well made and muscular, this compact effort brings black fruit, black olive, black licorice and espresso flavors together in a balanced and strikingly complex Syrah. The blend includes small amounts of Cabernet, Lemberger, Sangiovese and Merlot—unusual, but it works.
From one of the Leflaive family vineyards close to Puligny-Montrachet, this is as rich as Aligoté can get. Even so, the texture is crisp, with fresh kiwi and herbs, finishing with intense acidity.
This Pinot Grigio is faintly coppery in color (trendy in some circles), with slightly floral and citrus overtones. It's modest in alcohol, but reasonably plump on the midpalate, delivering melon and apple-skin flavors before finishing crisp and refreshing. Drink now.
Fleshy black-plum, cherry and blackberry notes lead this medium-weight wine, with a light dusting of cocoa powder. Dark but vibrant in the mouth, with a good amount of pepper and licorice on the finish. Drink now.
Concentrated aromas of blackberry come with leather and dried-cheese scents. The palate is full in depth and solid in feel, with flavors of creamy oak, medicinality and blackberry. Feels rich, grabby and tastes resiny on the finish, but there's enough solid black fruit to override the oak.
Light oak aromas blend nicely with white flower scents and peach notes. The palate is round, smooth and honest, with plump flavors of vanilla, pear and melon. Oaky on the finish, then dry and toasty. Nice for a warm-weather Chard.
Already showing a bit of bricking, this is a full-bodied Shiraz that's a bit coarse in texture, with aromas and flavors of plum and brown sugar. The finish matches tart, zingy fruit with sweet, molasses-tinged oak. The individual components show promise, but it's tough to say if they will all come together in time.
Dense and inky on the bouquet, with blueberry as the core fruit aroma and some grass or alfalfa around the edges. Feels blocky and tannic, with sweet, roasted flavors of black fruits that come with a peppery aftertaste. Full on the finish, with coconut and oaky accents.
A funky edge frames this wine, both on the nose and in the mouth, and adds character to the otherwise straightforward blackberry, boysenberry and fig-preserve core. Cured meat and sweet spice grace the palate and persist through the medium-length close. The blend is 52% Pinotage and 48% Shiraz.
Cheesy and way too earthy and murky to be rewarded with anything higher than an acceptable rating. The feel is scratchy and raw, while the flavors seem roasted, overly earthy and dry.
Heat and horseradish define the sharp, peppery bouquet. The palate is tannic and grabby, with leafy red-fruit flavors and an added dose of herbs and pepper. Finishes medicinal and peppery. At this price it isn't shining.
Light to medium in body and rather tart, with leather and dried cherry notes that are submerged under an excessively medicinal character.
Burnt rubber and a certain stemmy, roasted character is draped over the nose and palate. It has a decent, normal feel to it but the flavors of strawberry and raspberry are herbal and burnt. Tastes and smells rubbery and not fully clean.
Ripe raspberry, spicy red plum and licorice unfold on the nose, while soft flavors of cassis chime in on the palate. Light weight and watery with a short finish.
Oily and frankly a bit skunky on the nose. The palate is spritzed yet soft, with chunky, blowsy, generic white fruit flavors. Doesn't inspire; this winery's red wines are better.
High-toned notes of bruised apples and fresh figs waft from this dry, medium-bodied Croatian Malvasia. Savory in profile, the palate is tinged with hints of tinned apple juice concentrate.
A medium-sweet wine, attractively nutty in character with dried apricot flavor and some acidity.
Sugary, with a chemical aroma and a sharp, volatile finish.
A kitchen sink blend of red grape varieties from Cinsault to Tempranillo, this quirky Lebanese red is soft and pulpy with overripe fruit, mocha chocolate and a whiff of barnyard on the nose and palate.
Golden yellow in color, this Slovenian wine made from the Ribolla Gialla grape shows pretty apple and pear notes, but a distinctly savory profile as well, with hints of smoke, toasted hazelnut skins and oxidization.
The wine looks a touch amber-like at the rim, with aromas of butterscotch and cracked pepper. The flavors carry a bruised-fruit character, and the wine seems a bit flabby on the palate. Not up to this project's usual high standards.
Aromas of superripe red fruit and charred wood match the soft mocha and red fruit flavors on this Croatian red made from the Teran grape. Finishes a bit sour with mouth-puckering acidity and tannins.
Hard, oily, prickly and not impressive by global Sauvignon Blanc standards. The palate deals semisour grapefruit and passion fruit flavors, and the finish is a monotone continuation of the primary flavors.
Gold in color and about as overoaked as a white wine can be. This blend of Viognier, Chardonnay and Riesling is all resin and barrel spice. It actually offers some sophistication in terms of mouthfeel, but overall it's grossly out of balance and brutally dominated by oak-based aromas and flavors.
Confected and soapy with exuberant baby powder and floral tones, this dry, medium-bodied Bulgarian Muskat Ottonel is an uneven, craggy wine with shriekingly high acidity.
A rich mouthfeel and considerable sweetness come with oaky spicy aromas and jammy fruit flavors in this full-bodied and rather tannic wine that was blended from mostly Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.
This blend of Petit Verdot (28%), Malbec (27%), Syrah (20%), Cabernet Sauvignon (16%) and Merlot (9%) leads with wild blueberry, crushed flower, herb, vanilla and spice aromas. Soft, elegant blueberry flavors follow, persisting on the finish. Light on the midpalate, it still brings appeal.
This wine's baking spice, vanilla and black-skinned berry aromas drift out of the glass. The straightforward palate offers mature black cherry, clove and tobacco flavors while rounded tannins lend easygoing support. Drink soon.
This is a great value for a wine from the celebrated Amador region. Aromas like strawberry jam and brown sugar lead to very ripe and fruity flavors in this full-bodied but lively wine. It's fun to sip and doesn't try for a serious profile or heavy texture.
This opens with French oak, exotic spice, coconut and toast aromas. They follow through to the palate, which offers coffee bean and sage notes in place of fruit richness. Grainy tannins leave a raspy finish.
Burnt coffee, vanilla bean, green wood and tobacco aromas are followed by medium-bodied fruit and barrel flavors in this wine. It's enjoyable despite the intense oak influence.
This opens with cherry cordial, cranberry, herb and barrel spice aromas that seem a bit off. The palate is marked by sweet cherry and cranberry flavors that trail off quickly on the finish.
Fully mature, oxidized aromas include a heavy note of popcorn and oak along with aged pear and apple. This wine is ripping with acidity, while flavors lean towards salty, lightly baked apple. A finish based mostly on acid means this should stay vital for years to come.
Light in color and body, this restrained, classically styled red is tart in fruit character and acidity, with a thickness of concentration that surprises. A hint of reductive oak meanders through.
Violet, baking spice and dark berry aromas lead the nose of this zesty, straightforward wine. The palate offers dried cherry, black currant and clove flavors framed by rounded tannins. Enjoy soon.
Fruit forward aromas of plum, black currant, herb and spice lead to lightly sweet blue and black fruit flavors in this wine. Grainy tannins provide support, delivering easy-drinking appeal.
There's a noticeably sweet quality to this bottling that will appeal to some but turn off others. Spun sugar, buttercream, honeysuckle and orange mousse show on the nose, while the palate offers flavors of apple butter, brown sugar and lemon custard.
This has black-skinned berry, forest floor and toast scents. The easygoing palate delivers tart cherry, vanilla and clove flavors alongside smooth tannins. Drink through 2019.
Heavy oak on the nose means aromas of pencil lead, wet cement and blacktop are in the lead. This wine feels resiny and tannic, with a similar woody flavor accenting herbal black fruit. Although this is a good Cabernet, it's quite oaky.
Briny citrus-peel aromas show a pyrazinic green side and a touch of corn tortilla. A somewhat dilute palate is bolstered by a shock of citric acidity, tasting of stone fruits and citrus. On the finish, early nectarine notes are replaced by briny flavors.
Prune, leather, oak and balsamic aromas lead the nose of this wine. The palate shows oak, vanilla, coconut and fig flavors alongside close-grained tannins. The fruit is already starting to dry out so drink soon.
Woodshop, camphor and oak-driven spice aromas lead the nose of this wine. The oak sensations carry over to the bracing palate, along with raw cherry, licorice and confectionary notes. Astringent tannins and firm acidity provide an assertive framework, leaving little room for fruit richness.
This leads with vanilla, ripe black-skinned berry and baking spice aromas. The firm palate delivers tobacco, licorice and black cherry jam flavors alongside chewy tannins. It finishes on an astringent note. Drink through 2019.
Dry and spicy, with a note of bacon to go with red berry fruit and leathery aromas. The palate is voluminous and round, with smooth tannins, balanced acids and nice flavors of roasted berry and dry plum. Finishes dry, elegant and with tea-like flavors. A wine to enjoy; good value for Rioja.
Big and dark, with deep aromas of turned earth and roasted black fruits. The palate has a soft, meaty feel along with sweet, semi-soupy flavors of rooty berry, tea, spice and herbs. Finishes with more oak than fruit, but also lush and sweet. Drink now through 2012.
Hungerford Hill's vast array of wines includes this savory Shiraz, which features ample leather, tar, black olive and coffee flavors. It's fleshy and supple on the palate, with softly lingering tannins on the finish. Drink now–2017.
Citrusy and full on the nose, with a fleshy palate that sports fresh white grapefruit and passion fruit flavors. This is a textbook Verdejo from Rueda with modest sweaty notes, grapefruit galore, citrus pith and minerality. Drink now.
A subtle wine made entirely from Trepat. Aromas of strawberry and toast are mixed well, while the palate is juicy, crisp and correct, with raspberry and plum flavors along with a dose of dry spice. Light, toasty and perfectly dry on the back end. Nothing spectacular but gets things right.
Occasio continues to build its case for being a winery to watch out of the Livermore Valley, releasing this lively, raspberry and honeycomb rosé made from Pinot Noir grapes out of its Del Arroyo Vineyard. The Pommard clone fruit was cold soaked in stainless steel, then pressed from the skins and racked again into stainless steel. A rosé with some meat on its bones, it's way more than an aperitif and will stand strongly aside a full range of summer foods.
Very sweet and lush on the nose, and teetering on overripe due to prune and raisin aromas. The palate, meanwhile, is more narrow than you might expect, with big tannins and extract. Tastes of black plum, blackberry and herbal notes. A ripe, loud wine that's a little clumsy but definitely big and fruity. 200 cases made.
Dramatically reduced production coupled with a fine vintage add up to a stellar Snoqualmie Sauvignon Blanc in 2009. Loaded with melon, citrus and apple fruit flavors, this brisk and refreshing wine is reminiscent of a racy Quincy. Perfect springtime sipper.
A chocolaty, fragrant wine —74% Merlot, 15% Cab Franc, 6% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot—with interesting spice highlights throughout the nose and mouth. The fruit is a mix of Bing cherry and strawberry, washed in a lush barrel-induced mix of chocolate, mocha, espresso and clove. Finishes a little hot, with alcohol listed at 14.6%.
Smoky, rubbery and suggestive of bacon and toast on the nose. The palate is more crisp and snappy, with juicy flavors of red currant, cherry and spice. Acidity throughout yields a lemony finish, but it's also chiseled and tight, which should please traditionalists who like their acidic bite.
A ripe, full wine, immediately accessible, speaking both of minerality and fresh acidity. The fruit goes right to the green apples, kiwi and juicy lemon flavors, but the structure is bold and rounds out these crisp fruits. A wine for aging, perhaps 2–3 years.
From a mix of Milbrandt vineyard sites, this outstanding blend includes small amounts of Cabernet, Syrah, Malbec and Barbera. The blend was so well done that each component adds a vital piece to the whole—smooth berry and cherry fruits, spice, tobacco, licorice and smoke, folding into a lush and chocolaty finish.
Smells like an ocean breeze mixed with field greens, citrus and passion fruit. Montes has been a leader in Chile's movement toward coastal SB, and this one is blasting with grapefruit, green apple, passion fruit and minerality. In the mouth, it has some weight and richness; but that's balanced by zippy acidity. Can't imagine a better match for ceviche or tuna tartare.
Dark as night, with aromas of brick dust, kirsch and black fruit. Don't expect anything like French Cab Franc from this Chilean monster. It's huge and fully directed toward blackberry and cassis. Which means the herbal, leafy, tobacco notes common to CF are simply not present here. But if you like yours big and burly, with crusty dark fruit, then this is your ticket.
The best Don Max in quite some time. After too many herbal-green vintages, the 2005 is ripe, rich and well woven. The bouquet shows hickory, roasted plum, chocolate, vanilla and peanut. The palate, meanwhile, is all about pure cassis, blackberry, mocha and spice. Finishes with a dash of caramel and earthy fruit leftovers. Honest, rugged and ready, but ageable for at least another 3–4 years.
A wine that brings out soft richness, with a creamy apple texture layered with green plum skin tannins. The wine has some tautness as well, giving a tight structure that opens up. There's a great mineral, steely streak, with freshness showing through on the finish.
Malbec may well be the next red grape to emerge as a star in Washington State, once the young vines have a few more vintages behind them. This is 100% varietal. Light and elegant, it's nicely detailed with a peppery, floral character and a welcome persistence. Take the best qualities of Beresan's Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah and mix them into a single, more delicate varietal, and you have this lovely Malbec, which glides along to a finish with chocolaty, satiny tannins.
At over $20 the brand's Best Buy days are behind it, but this Cabernet still unfolds in serious but elegant form. The nose is dusty and dark, with cassis and blackberry aromas. Meanwhile, the feel is juicy and fresh, and the palate is just sizable enough. Flavors of cassis, chocolate and coconut are modern and friendly, while the finish of cocoa, mocha and marmalade is exciting.
Here is another great value from the Milbrandt brothers, based upon their impeccable vineyard sources (they own 1600 acres, mostly in the Wahluke Slope AVA). Dense and dark, ripe and compact, this Cab/Merlot/Petit Verdot blend brings plenty of macho and muscle, layers of black fruits, black smoke, black tea and black olives. Get the idea? It's a beautiful effort, and really shines at this price point.
Few $20 Cabs from anywhere are going to deliver like Medalla Real does. From first impressions, which include aromas of toast, coffee, prune and devilish berry, you know it's a good one. The feel is generous and the balance spot on, so the plum, berry, coffee and chocolate flavors have structure and support. A complete wine with length, mint and lavish tannins.
The Sundance blend in 2006 is two-thirds Merlot, the other third splits Cab Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's what the winemaker modestly describes as his “leftovers,” but like the best leftovers it tastes great. It's wide open and broadly appealing, with sweet and soft fruit flavors of ripe berries, cherries and milk chocolate. Along with the ripe, fresh fruit are soft tannins and some pleasing streaks of coffee and licorice.
This is delicious, concentrated and showing a range of nuances; along with ripe apple and pear flavors come spicy hints of cinnamon and baking spices. Firm acids, good balance, and more texture and length than most domestic Chardonnays in this price range.
This soft wine has red berry fruits and gentle tannins. It is dry, the fruitiness conveying a fresh character, a tang of acidity and black currant intensity. It is ready to drink, although it will be better from 2016.
Touches of honey, saffron and spice lend warmth and suppleness to this dry, exceptionally brisk Riesling. It's a bit lean on the palate, but vivaciously fresh, finishing on a deliciously astringent bite of lime pith.
Delicate aromas of wild berry, violet and a whiff of baking spice come together in the glass. The elegantly structured palate offers crushed black cherry, alpine herb and a trace of vanilla alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
Enticing aromas of Alpine wildflowers, chopped herbs, toasted nuts and citrus zest mingle in the glass. The vibrant palate offers hazelnut, juicy nectarine, pear and energizing mineral alongside refreshing acidity.
Red currant and alpine herb aromas lead the nose on this blend of Schiava and 5% Lagrein. The bright palate offers sour cherry, strawberry, tangerine zest and a touch of toasted almond alongside fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity.
Aromas of brick dust, vitamins and baked fruits are gritty and require some navigating. This has a wiry, tight feel, yet in terms of flavors, it's ripe almost to the point of being raisiny. Heat, hard tannins and dried berry fruit flavors direct the finish. Drink through 2017.
Clear, well-defined varietal scents of pepper, licorice and boysenberry cut through, with a hint of fresh-cut tobacco. A substrate of granite underscores this ripe, supple, medium-long wine with good grip and a polished mouthfeel. Drink 2015 through 2020.
Coonawarra is Cabernet country, but this Chardonnay is a solid contender. Subtle toast and citrus aromas show admirable restraint, while there's ample weight and the flavors of pineapple and melon finish clean and citrusy.
Leather, meat and rubber aromas run with dark-berry and charred notes on this barrel-heavy Rioja that's full, round, chewy and bit saucy in feel. Baked, oaky flavors of vanilla, mocha and berry fruits finish with a wave of toasty oak and mocha as well as clove. Drink through 2018.
Aromas suggest citrus, acacia flower, and hints of vanilla and honey. The creamy palate offers Bartlett pear, sage and lemon drop brightened by fresh acidity.
Aromas of woodland berry, alpine herb and crushed flower lead the nose. The palate offers red cherry, rosemary and green tea, while fine-grained tannins provide support.
Bright and elegant, this features aromas of rose petal, woodland berry and a hint of cake spice. The palate delivers sour cherry, crushed raspberry, mineral and a touch of cinnamon alongside fresh acidity and smooth tannins.
This is a ripe, smooth, gently tannic wine. It is dominated by rich red berry fruits, black plum skins that are balanced by a light layer of wood aging that adds some spice. It is sophisticated, structured and ready to age for a few years. Drink from 2017.
Rich, chocolaty, toasty aromas of lactic oak and vanilla match red-fruit scents of raspberry and strawberry. This is lively on the palate, with an acidic pulse. Flavors of raw oak, creamy vanilla, plum and boysenberry finish overtly woody, with a lasting flavor of oak grain. Drink through 2018.
A distinct aroma of freshly ground coffee hit the nose on this wine, followed by intriguing wafts of dark chocolate, aged Gouda, soy sauce and Oaxacan mole sauce. The palate is more familiar, with dark flavors of blackberry, black cherry and a touch of mint.
Earthy, this wine offers substantial layers of dried herb and cranberry. Denser overtones of oak and tannin are pronounced on the midpalate, the tannins weighty and firm. A lift of acidity picks up on the finish. The wine will benefit from time in the cellar, through 2015.
Black cherries, turned loam and black slate swirl into a standard nose for this winery's workhorse bottling. It's quite tasty on the palate, with blackberries and boysenberries finding complexity amid licorice, slate and black dirt.
Black cherry, plum and currant aromas are young, bouncy and fresh as a whole. That pretty much describes the palate on this Garnacha-led blend: It's lively, rubbery, tannic and fresh. Blackberry, plum and black currant flavors finish tannic and grabby. Drink through 2017.
Crisp red cherry and berry flavors are pristine and forward in this bright, vivacious wine. Yet it's also surprisingly nuanced with deft touches of bitter coffee bean, vanilla, bramble and herb that last through the finish.
This lightly colored, luminous 100% Schiava offers aromas of wild berry, pomegranate and violet. On the bright palate, notes of mandarin orange and almond accent the red cherry core. It's easy drinking and balanced with crisp acidity and silky, soft tannins. Drink soon.
Enticing aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle and citrus blossom lead the nose on this polished wine. The sleek palate delivers juicy pear, crisp apple and nectarine zest. It's fresh and balanced, with bright acidity.
Full but not flabby, this shows ripe flavors of strawberry and cherry, with suggestions of tropical fruits—papaya, even a hint of banana. It's soft and palate-coating, with a very pretty, open structure.
Aromas of tropical fruit, peach, white flower and cut grass lead the nose on this medium-bodied white. The round, juicy palate offers peach, tart green apple, banana and nectarine skin alongside tangy acidity.
This tight, taut and crisp wine needs some time to bring out its true fruity character. Behind the texture, ripe green plums and fresh apples are cut with lime juice. The wine is still young and could benefit from a few more months. Drink from late 2015.
Aromas of butter, toast, oak and dried citrus lead the nose. The round, structured palate offers baked Golden Delicious apple, nectarine zest, vanilla and butterscotch. Enjoy soon before the fruit fades.
Pressed white flower, nut and dried apricot lead the nose. The firm, structured palate offers baked yellow peach, candied citrus zest, toasted almond and mineral alongside bright acidity.
Oaky aromas of almond, vanilla and peach settle on a palate with grip and acidity. Flavors of toasted almond, baked apple and briny apricot finish with forward acidity. This is a blend of Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo, but it's the white Garnacha that sticks out.
Classic varietal scents of gooseberry, tomato leaf, cut grass and a touch of tropical fruit lead the nose. The tangy palate offer white peach, pink grapefruit and mineral alongside zesty acidity.
Elegant and aromatic, this 2013 offers light flavors of apple and raspberry, a dusting of cocoa and excellent balance. It does feel a bit thin as it fades out, but keeps its definition and focus.
Light in the glass, this solidly priced bottling shows light vanilla, caramel sea salt, squeezed lemon and white peach on the plump and approachable nose. The palate sizzles with the chalky energy of pink-grapefruit peels, with poached-apple flavors laced across pithy texture and a steely elegance.
Good and spicy, this well-structured effort shows some lightly ripened flavors of rhubarb, raspberry and hard cherry candy. A streak of jalapeño pepper runs alongside, delivering impressive definition and length for the price.
An utterly seductive perfume of Muscat grape, honeysuckle and peach rises from the glass. The palate does not quite follow up this promise and adds a hint of sweetness to create a perfumed, light-bodied wine. Drink soon.
This is bright and crisp, with aromas of hay, passion fruit and citrus. The tangy palate shows classic varietal flavors, including grapefruit, kiwi, honeydew melon and mineral alongside lively acidity.
Aromas of wood grain, minerals and apple set up a creamy, plump palate with leesy apple, pear and melon flavors. This barrel-fermented Verdejo is mild, creamy, leesy and steady on the finish, which holds form and doesn't break up.
Stewy, earthy and muddled on the nose, this gran reserva from a notoriously cold and wet vintage comes across as forced, as if long hangtime was sought to offset poor weather conditions. Stewy flavors of plum and spicecake finish flat and heavy, with tannic thud.
Initially, this gives off a note of iodine, which in due time transitions to minerality with red-fruit notes. Reflective of 2013, this feels raw and tannic, while plum and berry flavors are limited in scope. Drawing tannins and acid-driven red-fruit flavors carry the finish.
Spicy plum and cherry fruit is highlighted with a sprinkle of nutmeg. Sappy, tongue-tickling acids elevate the fruit flavors, while the wine finishes with thick, velvety tannins.
This well-built, aromatic wine smells of fresh raspberries. The mouthfeel is soft and smooth, the tannins subtle and the finish kisses you goodbye with a lick of milk chocolate.
Classic varietal scents of yellow apple meld with hints of white flower and crushed rock. The apple note carries over to the refined palate together with pear and lively acidity while a mineral note revitalizes the finish.
An unusual commingling of coconut and kirsch, this wine holds burly tannins at its core, which is full bodied and brawny, with a noticeable presence of oak around leathery blackberry pie. The vines are dry-farmed and date back to 1912.
A cool, alpine streak runs through this easygoing but refreshing Riesling, revealed through greenish glimmers of pine frond and fresh herb. Off dry in style, it calibrates sweet-tart green plum and apple notes against streaks of lime and lemon. Drink now.
Touches of sweet berry and blossom lend flair to this vivaciously fresh, fruity Riesling full of fresh apple, pear and lemon flavors. Sweet-tart honey and lemon brighten the midpalate. The finish is brisk but clean. Drink now through 2017.
Pronounced notes of strawberry and red cherry are laced with notes of vanilla and brown sugar on the nose. The light-bodied palate follows suit, with toasted vanilla lingering to the finish.
This wine has a light delicacy that provides an ethereal quality to its wispy layers of wild strawberry, dried herb and spearmint. Bright and crisp, it finishes smoothly with buoyant acidity.
This fragrant white opens with aromas suggesting tomato vine, cut grass and gooseberry. The slender, rather angular palate offers fresh herb, grapefruit, green melon, mineral and a note of yellow bell pepper. It has a crisp, racy finish.
This is a late-harvest wine that has been produced from partially botrytised fruit. It is sweet and lightly honeyed, with lemon aromas and apricot flavors and carried by lively acidity. It is probably too young and needs time to integrate. Drink from 2018.
Lightly scented, this linear white opens with aromas of orchard fruit and wildflower. The lithe, elegant palate delivers crisp green apple, pear and flinty mineral while racy acidity provides plenty of verve and freshness.
Coming from perhaps the best part of Lake County to grow Cabernet, this smooth and well-balanced wine is full bodied but light on its feet. It smells like raspberries and vanilla, and tastes jammy and almost sweet.
Juicy and bright, this pushes snappy raspberry and cherry fruit front and center, with a tasty touch of spice as well. It's a good introduction to the more elegant style of the 2013 vintage wines.
Lemon notes are tinged with earthiness, on the palate a light, lemony vein dominates, backed by some texture and apple fruit. The finish is clean.
Notes of earth mix with notes of leafy apple on the nose, the dry, fresh palate continues in that earthy vein and finishes dry with a bruised apple flavor.
If you are looking for a well-made Oregon Pinot Noir under $20, this is a good choice. Medium bodied, it offers well-ripened red and blue fruits, a lick of toast, well-built tannins, and a finishing streak of dark roasted coffee.
Cut grass, tomato vine and gooseberry aromas almost jump out of the glass. The tangy, racy palate offers grapefruit, papaya, a light kiwi note and a hint of mineral alongside brisk acidity.
Displays a lot of Macul-driven eucalyptus on the nose, but also leather, licorice and herb aromas. The color is dark, and the structure and tannins are both firm. Tastes of powerful cassis and blackberry and shows concentration. Finishes thick, smooth and a touch syrupy. Drink now through 2014.
This kabinett possesses lovely balance, marrying sweet pineapple aspects with zesty citrus notes. The fruit is lush to the point of slightly covering the underlying minerality, but remains clean and racy on the finish.
There's a definite oaky backdrop to this wine, adding spice and toast to the rich baked red apple, peach bit and brioche flavors. An orange blossom accent freshens up the rich flavors and the full but balanced mouth. The long finish is loaded with toasty hazelnut character.
A bit more rustic than its Three Pines Syrah. Notes of bramble, wild forest berries, game and white pepper flood the nose and mouth. The mouthfeel is creamy and lush, with rich cherry flavors developing on the palate and playing into the cocoa-dusted finish.
A delicious Grenache sourced from Mendocino's Eaglepoint Vineyards, a high-elevation, cool-climate site with a peppery opening note that extends itself through dense chewy tannins and the bright fruitiness and inviting aromatics we all love about Grenache. A very nice bottle of wine with great backbone and depth that should age another 5–10 years.
A firm, full, distinctive Pinot Noir, from an organic vineyard in the Dundee Hills. Light fruit flavors of berry play second fiddle to notes of earth and clay, and drying tannins. The wine surprises with its length; it extends into a finish that continues to hold your attention and its focus, for a minute or more.
Sweet and lush in the house style, but lighter on its feet than many of the other bottlings from Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler, this kabinett shows some intriguing fumé-like notes on the nose, then delivers ripe melon and pear fruit on the palate. Finishes long.
In a flight of five 2009 kabinetts from the Sonnenuhr, this was the most alcoholic (at 9.5% abv), but the extra weight    didn't stand out beyond a bit of extra creaminess on the palate. Hints of lees and slate add complexity to the apple and citrus notes, then linger elegantly on the finish.
Lush, honeyed and tropically fruited, this epitomizes the Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler house style. It seems sweeter than many other 2009 spätleses, with its considerable sugar evident on the long finish. Drink it on its own, or alongside spicy Asian cuisine.
Medium-intense aromas of ripe pear and soft herbs transition into the mouth alongside developing flavors of apricot and clementine citrus. Medium weight with a good crispness and a clean but lingering finish. 5,400 cases imported.
Here's a gorgeous Viognier that is showing very well. Soft toasted brioche topped with baked red apple, ginger and orange clove spice aromas transition into flavors of spiced peach and orange oil in the full mouth. Well balanced with a long, spicy finish.
Excellent varietal character, along with the lightly funky aromas associated with the vineyard's location in the Rocks (a sub-section of the Walla Walla Valley AVA), elevate this first release from Riverhaven Cellars. Along with blackberry fruit come cinnamon, mocha, coffee grounds and clean earth, well integrated into a rich and textural wine with good length and body.
Cigar box and mulberry spice aromas lead the nose of this Cab, with fruity notes of black berry and cassis providing the backdrop. Full and lush in the mouth, the ripe black fruit carries through to the finish alongside accents of roasted coffee grounds. 550 cases imported.
Light in body, with a fine backbone of taut acidity, this is a throwback to a time when spätleses were slightly drier than today. Delicate scents of crushed stone and pressed flowers are underscored by hints of green apple and lime. This would make a fine apéritif on its own, or could perhaps partner subtle seafood dishes.
Drinkable now, but certainly cellar-worthy, the most widely available cuvée from Domaine Serene shows the strength of the 2008 vintage. Fully ripe, assertive and full-bodied, it brings scents of berry and herb into play, leading into a thick and tannic wine with coiled power. Decant it, or give it a few years in the cellar.
A little lean and fiery from nose to tail, but amid all the heavyweights coming from Chile that might be a good thing. The palate is tight, acidic and fresh, with an Old World mouthfeel and flavors of dried berry, earth, tobacco and spice. Snappy and crisp on the finish, with a final wave of propelling acidity. Drink now through 2014.
Solid but flat aromas of olive and leafy berry fruits introduce a midland palate of moderate bounce and average body. Raspberry, plum, currant and herbal flavors finish fresh, but also woody and slightly bitter in taste.
Pleasant floral aromas and sunny fruit-bowl flavors meet light buttery, earthy touches in this rather light-bodied wine. This shows nice complexity on the palate, with pear, peach and apple flavors.
Aromas of toasted oak, candied citrus, pressed white flower and vanilla lead the nose and follow through to the palate, along with nectarine zest and baked apricot. Enjoy soon to capture the remaining freshness and fruit.
Red cherry and currant mix with sweet sawdust and anise-spiced gum on the nose. Medium-bodied, with a plush feel, juicy red fruit flavors pervade on the palate. Light tannins make this an easy sipper—enjoy alone or with lighter proteins.
Fresh while also ripe and jammy, this is a strawberry-flavored wine with attractive acidity at the back. It is soft, lightly structured with lifted, perfumed fruitiness. Drink now.
A surprisingly tasty and well-balanced Pinot for this price category, this smells lightly spicy and ripely fruity. It feels smooth but not overly soft in texture and has lively, delicious fruit flavors.
Full bodied and completely mature, this is saturated with ripe flavors. It has enough firm tannin for a gripping texture and brings a sense of completeness for something this bold. It tastes like sweet blackberries and boysenberries, yet is dry.
This easy-drinking red wine has aromas of cherry, black plum and eucalyptus. Flavors of red cherry, cherry turnover and vanilla remain on the palate through the soft finish.
Spicy, dry aromas of tobacco, campfire, herbs and berry fruits lead to a raw, oaky palate of plum, cassis and woody, lemony flavors. A middle-of-the-road finish with heat tastes like what came before it. The blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with Cab Franc and Petit Verdot.
A fragrant and fruity wine, this is full of red-raspberry and orange-zest flavors. It is full, with a light touch that comes from the acidity and tangy aftertaste.
Nose and palate are full of juicy, rose-scented plums. A good dose of sweetness boosts those flavors even more, but fails to create overall balance. This is rather rich and full bodied.
Fermented in stainless steel and then aged in neutral oak, this estate-driven white is crisp and complex, with what comes off as an intensity of dark oak. Gooseberry and lychee provide an intrigue on the nose, before a concentrated finish reveals high acidity.
With use of 30% new French oak and the remainder in neutral barrels, this wine offers aromas of brioche, lemon custard and white flowers on the nose. The ample, rounded body is carried by a citrus vein that leads to a buttered-popcorn finish. There's just enough acidity to keep things lively and balanced.
While a touch candied and confected in style, this Cabernet Sauvignon is chock full of ripe, rich black cherry and berry flavors. Plush and juicy, it's best enjoyed in its youth.
This bottling of an American hybrid grape demonstrates a floral side of the variety, with potpourri aromas riding over lychee and grapefruit. Green apple-skin flavors mark the light-bodied palate while sprtizy acidity keeps everything energized.
This stainless-steel bottling shows overwhelming white-flower elements on the nose, from tuberose to honeysuckle to jasmine, cut by a bit of baking soda. The palate is so floral and aromatic that it almost tastes like a different grape, with sharp apples, more tuberose and a steely frame.
Decadently ripe peach and blossom notes are accented by a curious touch of vanilla sugar in this sunny, off-dry Gewürztraminer. It's a hint reedy on the palate, but refreshingly brisk and easy drinking.
Jammy aromas, sweet-seeming baking spice flavors and a texture that's relatively soft for a red wine make this easy to drink and rich in flavor.
Interesting nuances of honey, peach and spiced pear light up this medium-bodied, extremely fruity and flavorful wine. It's opulent and soft enough to pair well with spicy food or to serve with salty cheeses.
Simple but classy aromas of red currant and raspberries show on the nose of this bottling from an all-star team of the appellation. The palate is light and easy, with tart cranberry and a large boost of tannic grip, a surprise for how light it feels.
Full body, a broad texture and very ripe flavors give both heft and softness to this cedar- and brown-sugar-scented wine. The ample fruit flavors taste mature and fully ripe, like dried plums.
This Merlot gets going with scratchy berry and plum aromas that come alongside roasted overtones. Choppy and tannic on the palate, this is short on flavors, with baked, loamy berry notes leading to a lightly herbal, briny tasting finish.
A heady, floral aroma of rose petal meets faint tones of grapefruit rind and unripe tropical fruit on the nose. Round in weight, the palate is riper in character, with an additional note of honey on the close.
Touches of vanilla, spice and smoked nuts lend complexity to straightforward apple, lemon and pear flavors in this dry, medium-bodied Chardonnay. It's refreshing and easy drinking with a brisk, clean finish.
Spine tingling acidity and sharp lemon and lime flavors mark this zesty dry Trebbiano. Crisp green apple and nectarine notes fill out the midpalate a bit. The finish is brisk and clean.
Very fruity, ripe and extremely full bodied in terms of alcohol, this exuberant wine has abundant cherry and herbal flavors and a smooth, juicy texture. With very little tannin and all that fruitiness, it should be a crowd-pleaser.
This is soft and generously fruity wine. It has spice, ripe red-berry fruits and just enough tannin to give structure. Touches of chocolate and bitter coffee are rounding out well to allow the fruit and ripe texture to speak. Drink from 2017.
The scent of orange peel and white flowers set the scene for a crisp wine with linear flavors of tangerine and mandarin. It is refreshing on the tongue, with a zesty finish.
Humo Blanco means “white smoke,” and the name applies to the daily morning fog that spreads over the Lolol area where this comes from. Leathery, earthy aromas of cherry and plum are ripe, while the palate is tannic and rubbery. Earthy cherry and plum flavors finish lasting and potent.
Red berry, chopped herb, toast and a whiff of French oak are some of the aromas that take shape in the glass. The palate is taut but elegant, offering bright wild cherry, licorice and vanilla flavors, while tightly wound, fine-grained tannins leave a firm finish. Give this time to unwind and fully develop.
Roasted beef and bacon fat scents meet with maple, char, Concord grape and blueberry on the nose of this hearty bottling from a winery recently acquired by O'Neill Vintners. Its tannins are deep and firm but welcoming, providing the framework for black currant, blueberry, charred beef and rosemary flavors.
This Southern Hemisphere adventure from an Austrian winemaking family can turn out some interesting wines. In this case, it's a medium-bodied wine that's firm yet silky in feel, marrying cassis and tobacco leaf with subtle, balanced oak.
Chopped herb, pine, forest floor and balsamic notes follow through to the palate, rich in vibrant red cherry, cranberry, star anise and white pepper notes. It's still tightly wound, with compact tannins and fresh acidity. Give it time to develop more depth and complexity. Drink 2022–2032.
this is a lovely effort and a great value from Sidewood in the Adelaide Hills. Grilled peaches provide the flesh, while a bright, citrusy note adds focus and length to this ripe, rich Chardonnay. Drink now–2020.
This is a tart, fresh and full-bodied wine that shows off the Rutherford appellation in its lush dustiness and firm, integrated tannin. Coconut shavings and crisp red fruit complement classic characteristics of cedar and dried herb.
Refined flavors of lime, grapefruit, pineapple, citrus skin and stone combine in a clean crisp delightful wine. The naturally bright and refreshing acidity puts a pleasant pucker into the finish, and will have you reaching quickly for that next glass.
Opulent and ripe, this full-bodied wine has great fruit concentration, a rich texture supported by firm tannins and a lingering, plummy finish. Oak plays a minimal role through all its blackberry and black plum flavors, but spicy clove and cedar accents emerge and persist through the finish.
This top-shelf red blend from television producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick shows cooked blackberry, purple flower, soy and anise aromas on the nose. Oregano and marjoram lead the palate, which is moderately dense, with tangy blackberry and boysenberry flavors.
Rose petal, baked strawberry, sarsaparilla and baking spice aromas show strongly on the indulgent nose of this bottling. It's floral, full-bodied and multi-layered on the palate, with baked red cherry and cranberry flavors swathed in cinnamon, hibiscus and anise spice.
Planted in 1983, this is the original Willamette Valley Vineyards estate vineyard. The wine remains stiff and wrapped up tight, with a mix of wild strawberry, raspberry and cherry fruit. There's a light dusting of baking spices, the result of aging 14 months in one-quarter new French oak.
There is a rich black plum darkness to the nose of this bottling, which transitions to muddy loam and wet clay, lifted by aromatic sagebrush. The palate shows dried black cherry, star anise and more soil-driven minerality.
A very soft scent of pear rises from the glass. The mellowness of this pear fruit is expressed fully on the concentrated palate. Bosc pear shimmers and is boosted by slight residual sweetness. The finish is off dry, balanced and generous.
One of Dan Kessler's many Pinot bottlings, this shows tart but deep black plum skin aromas, with boysenberry, lavender, hibiscus and a touch of candied cherry. The palate shows both red cherry ripeness and fresh pomegranate tang, with a focus on floral elements of lavender and rose, presented like a bouquet on the tongue.
Glints of spicy, salty soy sauce hover on the nose above a fresh cherry note. The palate is juicy and fluid, mouth filling and round, without being heavy. Cherry notes abound and play, pervaded by freshness and held within a frame of fine, ever so slightly crunchy tannins. The finish is refreshing, bone-dry, clean and moreish.
This substantial dry wine made from dry-farmed vines planted in 1980 has tempting jammy aromas and ripe and satisfying fruit flavors matched by a solid backing of fine-grained tannins and acidity. It has the appetizing bite and firm texture that will make it mouthwatering at dinner.
This is a high-toned white driven by citrus and pear flavors, with a punch of oaky power and full-bodied richness on the finish.
Fiesta is the lightest, most fruit forward of the four different Tempranillos from Abacela. In a great year such as this, it's also substantial and authoritative, with deeply driven flavors of red and blueberry fruit, a whiff of oak and slightly grainy tannins. This wine clearly over-delivers for the price.
Richard and Thekla Sanford of Alma Rosa produce much lighter styles of Pinot Noir than many of their neighbors. In this bottling, that translates to bright pomegranate and cranberry fruit with hints of anise and rose on the nose. The palate offers raspberry fruit and sagebrush spice, with a strong, grippy texture.
A slight apple scent perfumes the nose. The palate expresses more tart apple fruit and shows a central line of taut lemony freshness. The flavors are very clean and might need a little cellar age to come into their own. The finish is clean and dry. Drink now through 2020.
An earthy hint on the nose cloaks ripe and charming red-apple fruit. The palate comes across as more diffuse but has ample freshness. The body is powerful but dry, characterized by the texture of apple peel. The lemon freshness on the dry finish is lasting.
This is a tight and restrained wine from an extreme coastal vineyard behind Cambria. On the nose, it shows touches of raspberry and pomegranate along with non-fruit notes of lavender, dried rose and cinnamon stick. The palate is mineral-driven, with gravel, loam and pencil lead accented by sagebrush, toast and cedar flavors.
This is a powerfully tannic wine from a blend of equal proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a serious touch of Petit Verdot. It is dark in color, dense in texture although with no hint of toughness. Instead, it is a rich wine that will age well. Drink from 2023.
Owned by the Thomas family, this wine has an unusual blend of 50% Merlot and 35% Petit Verdot (with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon). It shows how Petit Verdot can now ripen easily in warm years. The dark color and dense tannins are a counterpoint to the juicy blackberry fruit. They will allow this wine to age well. Drink from 2021.
This pioneering Alsatian-inspired winery always amazes with this distinctive and approachable bottling. Bright botanical aromas of mandarin orange rind, honeysuckle and pear give way to a zesty palate full of preserved citrus and marmalade flavors, all set against a firm structure and racy acidity. The finish—which is bone dry—opens with nectarine notes, then sails off with a flash of herbs.
D'Arenberg's Coppermine Cabernets are often tannic and austere upon release, so be warned should you decide to open one in the next year or two. The aromas and flavors are classic this year, seamlessly marrying cassis and cedar, but finishing dry, astringent and firm. Drink 2020–2030+.
There is a hint of flinty reduction that still clings to the nose. Underneath that is shy crisp red-cherry fruit. The palate adds glimpses of lifted conifer aromas to that. There is lightness and a very fine structure, but also depth. This is very elegant and understated but all the more touching for that. The finish is totally refreshing and dry.
This is a delightfully fresh yet creamy wine that delivers a spectrum of styles and flavors. Anise and tart apple notes accent the floral-driven experience, unfettered by oak, which plays but a supporting role.
Spicy woody aromas include a note of mushroom. This feels hard and ultratannic, with acidity suggestive of red-wine vinegar. A wiry mix of salt and sour flavors is attached to savory plum fruit, while this pinches down on a drying abrasive finish.
High-toned aromas of herb, pencil lead, vanilla and plum are followed by plush plump fruit and game flavors. It possesses a soft texture.
This is a tasty and fruity wine. It's front loaded with a juicy mix of apple and fresh sliced pear. Fermented entirely in stainless steel, it fills the mouth with flavor and a pleasing, textural grip.
Blackberry, rose petal and espresso combine for a relatively light aromatic profile in this blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot. A cedar flavor dominates the palate, lending structure and depth to blackberry fruit and black pepper spice.
This wine opens with toasted nut, dried herb and citrus zest aromas. On the linear, lean palate, thyme and mineral notes back up yellow apple flavors, with lively acidity. It closes on a bitter almond note.
This light-footed Riesling is restrained in fruit, offering subtle hints of lemon and pear, but its slightly chalky, dusty mineral tone is exhilarating. Its delicately semisweet, with a fresh tangerine finish.
Aacacia flower, dried herb, nut and honey aromas carry over to the rounded palate, along with yellow apple skin and toasted almond notes. Tangy acidity brightens the finish.
This broad-shouldered, burly and feral wine is ripe with smoky cherry and vanilla notes. Smoothly textured, it imparts dusty leather and black licorice accents amid a serious slathering of oak.
Ripe Bosc pear, yellow apple, herb and citrus zest aromas follow through to the medium-bodied palate, along with tangy acidity. A hint of white almond backs up the crisp finish.
Wildflower and ripe apple aromas lead the nose while the palate offers mature pear fruit and fennel touches. A pleasant bitter almond note signals the close.
Less exuberant on the nose than its counterparts, this bottling offers dried cherry and licorice aromas. The palate shows tart but dark berry and plum skin flavors, with a graphite minerality that leads into a touch of caramel on the finish.
Strawberry, vanilla and smoke overlay deep blue fruit in this seamless, velvety wine. Light-bodied, it wields vibrant acidity and moderate, spicy highlights.
This 100% varietal wine comes from older plantings at this vineyard. Aromas of plum, barrel spice and herb are up front followed by sweet black-fruit flavors. It shows hang time on the finish.
High-toned acidity complements the generous, brambly black fruit and brown sugar notes in this wine, its savory undertone recalling leather and coffee.
Despite a pale hue and only 12.5% abv, this is a fairly weighty wine on the palate. It's dry and silky in texture, with hints of mossy forest-floor complexity to go along with pear and melon fruit.
Citrus zest, pineapple and oak aromas carry over to the lean, linear palate, joining hints of toasted nut and vanilla. Brisk acidity provides the racy framework.
Big honeysuckle, sweet caramel and stone-fruit aromas are backed on the palate with concentrated tangerine and melon flavors. It's a bold fruity wine with luscious body and yielding acidity but tea tannins and grapefruit flavors lend structure.
Hard and charred on the nose at first, this sheds its tire-like aromas for cleaner berry-fruit notes with airing. A full grabby palate is a bit rough and awkward, while roasted berry, plum and oak flavors finish minty and resiny.
Big grapy aromas of blackberry and cassis are rather heavy and flat. This has a tannic abrasive mouthfeel in which nothing is smooth. Borderline overripe flavors of baked plum and blackberry finish chocolaty and with baking-spice flavors.
Whiffs of tea leaves and tobacco lend earthiness to this slightly savory but exotic appealing rosé. There's plenty of red-cherry and raspberry flavor, but it's slightly muted, embraced in shrouds of Cabernet Franc's brambly leafy character. It's a unique, full-bodied rosé to try over dinner with poultry or other white meats.
Overtones of candied lemon peel steal into the more general fresh zestiness here, hinting at aromatic richness and purity. The palpable, zesty midpalate highlights the citrus qualities even more. Verve and freshness in a glass.
This wine is densely packed in ripe red-fruit aromas and flavors, but still expressive in earthy notes of cocoa nib, anise and black tea. Medium tannins and plush berry flavors flesh out the mouthfeel, with a crushed satin texture. The evolving finish seamlessly transitions between ripe, fleshy fruit flavors to cherry skin and finally lightly charred oak and woody spice. Drink now–2018.
The second vintage from this winery brings roasty-toasty barrel notes along with coffee, butterscotch, cherry, pencil lead and an herbal grace note. The chocolate and cherry flavors are silky in feel backed by a gentle squeeze of tannins, with coffee flavors lingering on the finish.
Green pear, miso and soy sauce mingle spicily on the nose. The palate is a combination of rich, rounded yeastiness and fresh, zesty lemon. Sage and white pepper provide further layers. This is full of interest and freshness.
This entry-level look at the family vineyard that overlooks Ballard Canyon and beyond brings scents of graphite, pepper, blackberry and dried, slightly dank herbs. It's tight and tart at first on the palate, with skins of black cherry and plum unwinding into pencil shavings, oregano, wood and emergent mushrooms. The tannins are best for drinking 2017–2025.
A new wine for this winery, this comes from declassified barrels from its other programs. This blend of Merlot (36%), Syrah (26%), Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) and Petit Verdot delivers a whole lot of immediate appeal with its notes of smoke, char, black currant, huckleberry and plum. The flavors are full and lush with a creamy, supple feel and soft tannins.
Bright and polished, with high-toned, lifted raspberry fruit, this pure varietal wine spent 14 months in a mix of French and American oak, 40% new. Raspberries, red cherries, red licorice, sandalwood and vanilla oak flavors compound and remain tightly bound and expressive through a lingering finish.
Of all the various d'Arenberg Shiraz bottlings, this may be the silkiest in texture this vintage. It's still a full-bodied wine, filled with savory, earthy notes of black olive and espresso, but the finish stands apart for its length and suaveness. Drink now–2025.
A kitchen-sink blend of varieties with Merlot (44%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (26%) taking the lead, this wine offers appealing aromas that suggest high-toned, sweet barrel spices, plum and herbs. It's loaded with cranberry, cherry and plum flavors with a rich mouthfeel that keeps the interest high.
This wine from the Fess Parker-owned Rodney's Vineyard shows inky purple color, offering slightly reductive aromas of tar and charred meat but also violets and black pepper. It's full on the palate, hitting first with purple fruit and dried purple flowers before delivering plum-skin acidity and peppery spice. It's an attention-grabber.
This comes across as so light, friendly and easy to drink that one almost forgets to note the outstanding purity of fruit. Fresh cherries and blueberries present themselves honestly. Silky tannins and a spicy aftertaste suggest that it took top-quality fruit and lots of experience to make something so deceptively simple.
This wine comes from all free-run juice and was aged 16 months in three- to four-year-old French barrels. The result is a luxuriously pure wine that puts a premium on the feel of its plum and cranberry flavors, with a light squeeze of tannins that brings it home.
A signature wine for this winery, this directly appealing offering carries notes of herbs, flowers, cherry and chocolate. It's chock-full of elegantly styled cherry flavors, with chocolate that lingers on the finish.
Like so many of the 2010 Shirazes from South Australia, this is a terrific wine. It's full bodied and creamy in texture without going over the top, and the bold, oak-derived aromas of toast and vanilla ably frame flavors of black olive and plum. Already very drinkable, it should still be going strong in 2020.
Bursting with floral aromas, this loads the palate with flavors of rose petals, lychee, grapefruit and spice. Finishing dry, it has outstanding concentration, tension and length.
Aromatically alluring, this features notes of raspberries, Red Vines and cherry candy. It brings a full-bore, plush, richly flavored feel with abundant raspberry flavors that linger on the finish—an unapologetically lush example of 2012 vintage fruit.
Soft, supple and mouth-coating, this wine dances in cola, forest floor and subtle red and black berry, building power and concentration as it goes. Already given time in bottle, it's ready to enjoy now.
This wine still seems to be in its shell with brooding notes of bittersweet chocolate, blackberry, raspberry and woodspice. It's a full-bodied mouthful of a wine. Layered black and red fruit flavors show good depth and density along with a firm structure of supporting tannins. Just a baby now, it should last well in the cellar until 2025 or more.
The winery's top-end Bordeaux red, this blends 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, 19% Petit Verdot and 15% Malbec. The fruit is sourced from the family's estate vineyard on the eastern slopes of the Napa Valley, then aged 20 months in French oak, 90% of it new. Black in color, it tastes of cedar and smoke, with soft layers of subtle plum and cassis before a grippy finish. Enjoy through 2021.
True to the vintage, this is a more aromatically brooding wine than often found from this winery, with notes of dark raspberries, vanilla and assorted barrel spices. It's full bodied, layered and rich with cherry and raspberry flavors showing a lot of depth and intensity. Best after 2017.
Almost entirely varietal (3% Petit Verdot) with the fruit mostly split between Elephant Mountain and Alder Ridge vineyards, this wine is a bit aromatically locked up at present with notes of cherry, green herbs and blue fruit. It's medium bodied in feel, with the oak dialed back (33% new French), tart acids and a gentle squeeze of tannins with bitters on the finish. It should only improve with additional time in the bottle and has a lot life ahead of it.
Aromas suggest smoke, blue flower, mature berry and baking spice. A blend of 55% Nero di Troia, 30% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and 15% Bombino Bianco, this has a savory, smoky palate that delivers juicy blackberry, spicy blueberry, clove and graphite alongside sleek tannins. It's delicious and already approachable.
Part of Bryan Babcock's annual series of creatively named Pinots, this has smoky aromas of smoldering campfire, with brown spice and Bing cherry. The flavors tend toward brown as well, with burned orange, smashed cranberry and clove spice.
Golden colored, this is a clean, hedonistic wine, with a nose of rich coconut flake followed by caramel and baked apple. Enjoy with winter fare or as a gloomy day turns to night.
Principally Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this dark and smoky wine from Black Hills Estate Winery brings exceptional complexity to a more budget-friendly blend. Generous streaks of soy, espresso, dark chocolate and smoke wrap around a cassis core. The roasted black fruits and continuing flavors of smoke, tar and tobacco create a wine with power and length.
As it ages, Muscadet becomes more like Chardonnay. Here, the wine has developed ripe tropical fruit notes and a smooth, creamy texture. The seven years of age has softened the fruit and acidity, leaving a rich wine that is deliciously ready to drink now.
Putting two naturally tannic grapes together seems to soften them both. The blend gives this rich wine structure, as well as rich plum and damson, leather and smokiness. The wine finishes on a high note of acidity. Age and drink from 2016.
With yeasty aromas of Animal Crackers, vanilla and pear, this is more warm, soft and sweet than in the past. The year's warm characteristics are draped all over the palate, which is soft and wide. Flavors of creamy white fruits and vanilla finish with lychee and grapefruit. This lacks some spine and vivacity but will be good through the end of the year.
This earthy, concentrated Malbec is dense on the nose, with herbal flavors of blackberry, spice and heat. A toasty finish carries a choppy feel and fresh acidity, while the finish tastes toasty but doesn't rise up or improve. Overall, this is perfectly good but not complex. Drink now.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a variety of vineyards across eastern Washington, it seems a bit muddled with light notes of cherry, chocolate, and oak spice but may improve with some additional time in bottle.
A rich, smooth wine, all ripe black fruit and soft tannins. It has weight and depth, but is ready to drink now.
Rich and fruity, this wine shows warm white fruit and a touch of spice. The wine is soft, its currant and pink grapefruit flavors lifted by acidity but with a rounded finish.
This new-wood-dominated wine is ripe, but full of caramel and mint flavors. The fruit is more discreet, just hinting at blackberry richness. The potential to achieve balance in six months is all here.
Firm and tannic, but it promises a ripe, fruity future. It's dense and concentrated, with blackberry fruit giving it a full, ripe character. Age 4–6 years.
This is a solid, all-purpose Chardonnay, a bit less oaky and oily than some previous efforts from Gordon, but showing firm, clean, ripe apple and pear fruit. The wine is balanced and smooth, delivering plenty of no-frills fruit flavor for the price.
Rubbery red-berry aromas blend with spicy field scents to create a true Pinot nose that's a bit strained. This is intense, chunky and slightly herbal, with red-fruit flavors, spice notes and some heat and oak on the finish.
The bright cherry fruit is a bit high-toned, and the mouthfeel has a slight soapiness. Fruit flavors are full and broad, the blackberries augmented with a streak of graphite.
This Barbera offers rich black fruits, white pepper and anisette over a subtle layer of chocolate. Its nervous acidity is typical of the grape. This will get even better in a couple of years.
This Syrah begins with subtle, mellow aromas of herbs and black fruits. A plump, round, chunky palate carries flavors of lemony oak, loam, pepper and soft blackberry. This is solid but regular on the finish, where herbal flavors are slightly toasted and show some heat.
Minerally and structured wine with a serious and complex range of flavors. The wine is richly textured, layering black currant fruits, a very dry character with dense tannins and intense acidity. It shows the potential for elegance and balance. Drink from 2017.
Entirely estate-grown, 100% Merlot from old vines, this unfined wine is labeled vegan. Plush, briary, brambly fruit from the 30 year old vineyard brings an extra dimension to the wine, which shows a lovely balance of cranberry, raspberry, pie cherry and baking spice flavors. There's a hint of pastry crust in the finish, which is seamless and long. An absolute delight.
Dark and dense, without turning fat or heavy, this excellent Ruckus captures the underlying minerality of Red Mountain grapes. There's boysenberry and black cherry fruit, black coffee and wet rock. This is built for aging.
Take a hot year like 2009 and combine it with a hot region like Toro and what you get is this rich, ribald wine. Heavy aromas of raisin and blackberry suggest maximum ripeness. A beefy, saturated palate houses dark flavors of prune, chocolate and baked plum, while the finish is dark, toasty, chewy and a pure reflection of the Toro region. Drink through 2018.
A dense wine, rich and smooth for a Nuits-St-Georges, full of ripe red fruits, dark cherries and acidity that almost gives the wine a fresh character. Behind this fruitiness is a more solid, dark structure of tannins that will allow the wine to age. Drink from 2018.
With a blackness that coats the glass, this is a huge wine, even before tasting. The palate, with its hugely dry tannins and immense structure, confirms this. It is dark in character, brooding almost, demanding many years to age. Drink from 2018.
Dark and dense, the fruit dominated at this stage by tannins. This wine is solid, structured, firm and dry. Black currant fruitiness will show, offering a richer character, but for now this is dense, spicy and tough, needing many years.
Like almost every wine in Trapiche's single-vineyard Malbec series, Ambrosia is concentrated and deep, with potent aromas of wood smoke, lemon peel, blackberry and tar. This feels layered and plush, while flavors of wild berry, dark spices, coffee and mocha finish with a blast of chocolate and nutmeg. Drink through 2018.
Januik's reserve blend is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The fruit is cloaked with lush layers of barrel toast, and it may require several hours of decanting for it to open up. When it does, the flavors multiply on the palate with cassis, black cherry, dark chocolate, pencil lead and wood smoke, along with dusty, mouth-coating tannins.
This Amarone has a fragrance that recalls black cherry and licorice, along with a hint of well-integrated oak. The palate offers raspberry, ripe cherry and spicy notes of white pepper and clove. Smooth and well balanced, it closes on an almond note.
This is a blend of Merlot (42%), Cabernet Franc (32%) and Cabernet Sauvignon coming from vines with an average age of 30 years. It has light but complex notes of cherries, plum, herbs, flowers and bittersweet chocolate. It's restrained and understated in style with seamless fruit flavors, mouthwatering acids and edgy tannins that need some time in the cellar to calm down.
This lovely Pinot Noir has an appealing baked crust quality with structured, firm tannins and ripe cherry goodness all around. From the steep, 900-foot-elevation Wentzel Vineyard, it exudes robust fruit flavor and layers of just-right spice.
An A+ trio of vineyards—Olsen, Stonetree and Boushey—contribute equally to this pure Merlot. In a Forgeron portfolio that regularly shines with a variety of red wines, Merlot is usually the best of show, as it is here. Tight, tart and perfectly proportioned, this at first offers scents and accents of sweet tomato paste and a whiff of oregano, then opens further with lush cherry flavors and a dash of dried tobacco. Merlot and pasta? Why not?
This is a dense, concentrated and expressive wine, although it's still young and promises more beauty and elegance with age. Aromas of African violets and cocoa nibs marry harmoniously with the fleshy black-fruit core. Jammy, ripe plum and cherry flavors lead the lush and slightly creamy palate, transitioning into notes of roasted coffee and chocolate, and finally ending on a sweet toasted-oak and baking-spice accent. It's richly delicious now, but patience will also be rewarded; try after 2016.
Silky and voluptuous, Gowan Creek is Goldeneye's larger production Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. Still a barrel selection of its best lots, the wine is made from fruit that's heavily scrutinized before fermentation. A powerful Pinot that retains the acidity and earthiness of the variety, with streaks of ripe fruit throughout.
There's no denying this wine's force. It's 15% ABV but balanced, with roasted berry, leather, toasty oak, graphite and prune aromas. The palate feels full, flush and without gaps, while flavors of blackberry, cassis, chocolate and spice finish exceedingly smooth, with loamy notes and leftover spice. Drink through 2020.
This is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. It's dark, dusky, and loaded with dense black fruits. A smoky, earthy character prevails, bringing moist earth, black licorice and intense dark chocolate flavors to the tannins.
The wonderfully intense acidity of this Eiswein is balanced by rich honey and fruit flavors. It has a fine line of purity and freshness, with a long, satisfying finish. Drink from 2018.
Now fully evolved, this is a rich, sweet wine, very ripe and spicy. Balancing the soft texture, the wine has honeyed acidity that shows some freshness. It's a superb wine that is now ready to drink.
Put aside the bizarre name and label and concentrate on the wine which is fine, structured and densely tannic red fruit. The tannins and firm texture are balanced by black currant flavors and succulent acidity. The wine needs to age, and shouldn't be drunk before 2017.
A bit less intense aromatically than other Adam Lee bottlings, this shows sour plum, smoked meat and a touch of garden herbs on the nose. Those elements come alive on the palate, where peppercorns, oregano, thyme and pencil lead decorate dark cranberry fruits.
This cuvée is made with the oldest Wädenswil plantings at the estate. It's broadly fruity with delicious strawberry flavors front and center. Supporting acids are proportionate and fresh. Although relatively light, this elegant, graceful wine is ready for immediate enjoyment.
Earthy, chunky plum aromas get nice accenting from baking spice and leathery notes. This is a fully extracted, full-bodied Malbec with minty, slightly medicinal black-cherry and berry flavors. A bright, dry, spicy finish works well. Drink through 2019.
Farmed under the winery's Nellaserra greenhouse system, this is an atypical blend for northern Michigan: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Nebbiolo, 20% Merlot and 15% Syrah. This is a seemless mélange of spiced currant, cranberry and red plum, accented by warm spices and crushed violets. The round, medium-to full-bodied palate follows suit, with streaks of crushed stone giving levity all the way through to the lingering toasted-spice finish.
A 100% varietal wine from a great appellation, this has a weightiness of tannin on the entry that softens in the glass, unveiling classical characteristics of blueberry and violet, the oak subtle and spicy on the finish.
Grippy and somewhat subdued and tightly wound, this wine black in color and profile. Blackberry and black licorice open the proceedings, before powerful hits of black pepper. Leather and game are in the mix, too, giving the wine a wild edge. Drink now through 2023.
Waxy lime and lemon peels perfume this fresh, floral Riesling. It's invigoratingly crisp, boasting tart green-melon and tangerine flavors and racy hits of lime and lemon acidity. An elegant wine for a very approachable price.
Syrah grown in sandy soil just above the Tagus River produces a wine that is soft, spicy and fruity. It is well balanced, the acidity giving a lift to the dark plum skin and berry flavors. It feels rich, full in the mouth, spicy with hints of wood aging. Drink now.
Sauvignon Blanc and wood don't always go together. Here they do, because the fruit is still dominant, just supported by the hints of toast that have smoothed out the tense acidity and herbal character. Yellow fruits and pears are lifted with citrus flavors. The wine will be ready to drink starting from mid-2016.
From vineyards north of the Douro River on the plateau, this wine shows both richness and a fine cool, elegant style. The wood aging has given the wine depth and extra richness, adding to the berry fruits with spice and hints of toast. It's a wine to drink soon, full of fruit and balanced tannins. Drink from 2017.
With winemaking from Francisco Olazabal of Quinta do Vale Meão behind it, this is a ripe, powerful and concentrated wine. It has solid tannins, dark juicy black fruits and a balance between structure and acidity that will allow it to age. Drink this exemplary wine from 2017.
Lovely aromas of Spanish Broom, white cherry, peach and light spice emerge on this radiant, elegant wine. The crisp palate offers Kaiser pear, apple, nectarine zest, white pepper and a hint of ginger. Vibrant acidity carries the flavors while a pronounced mineral note energizes the finish.
Inky redviolet to the eye, this wine has a nose of chocolate covered espresso bean, cherry and raspberry. Restrained tannins provide a backdrop for flavors of black cherry, mocha, raspberry, and mint. There is a good balance of fruit and cooling herb flavors, while berry flavors hold their own and linger on the palate through the mint-heavy finish.
A vein of chalky minerality extends through this dry, briskly structured wine, lending intensity and edge to softer, honeyed tones of peaches and apricots. It's vital and fresh yet persistent on the finish. Drink now through 2019.
Beeswax and ripe pear appear with a subtle lift on the nose. There are evolved notes of earth and polished wood that dance above the ever-present softly sweet pear fruit. This is a slender wine rounded out with fruit that echoes softly. The finish is dry.
This is a rich and concentrated Grenache, a bit beyond what's varietally familiar, but it's an undeniably luxurious wine. It offers smoky vanilla, fresh leather, black-cherry jam, black licorice and a touch of fudge on the nose. Caramelized plum and olallieberries meet with balsamic fig and milk chocolate on the palate.
A very subdued nose leads to a rather earthy, dry palate where all the fruit hides behind some slightly rounded lemon freshness. There is gradually more apple fruit with some air and an earthy finish with a long, fresh, lemony tang.
The merest touch of dark honey appears on the nose. The palate is bright with lemon-accented but ripe pear notes. There is texture and a balanced richness. There is an inherent juiciness that makes you want more. The finish is dry and beautifully clean.
Gentle notes of lanolin play amongst the ripe apple fruit, promising an evolving wine. The palate is taut and dry and shows great purity. This is straightlaced, willowy and slender and at that transition point from youthful freshness to evolving maturity. Lovely now, will drink well 2016–2020.
Aromas of nut, apple skin, pear and chopped sage lead the nose while the fresh, inviting palate shows citrus zest, yellow apple and crystallized ginger. A blast of tangerine and a mineral note back up the finish.
Aromas of fragrant spring blossom, orchard fruit, hazelnut and bread crust lead the nose on this refined white. The elegantly structured palate offers creamy yellow apple, lemon drop and mineral alongside crisp acidity that leaves a tangy finish.
A crisp, tight, stony nose of wet cement, chilled lime peels and chopped lemongrass emerges from this offering from winemaker Matt Ortman and celeb-proprietors Ken Warwick and Nigel Lythgoe. The palate packs lots of bright verve , with the warmth of sliced green pears and green papaya, the sizzle of Key-lime juice and the racy spice of white pepper.
Orange blossoms and freshly cut apples and pears perfume this lavishly fruity, floral Riesling sparkling. It's sprightly and sheer on the palate with a fine, persistent effervescence.
From 20-year-old vines, this spent 10 months in French oak, 20% new. It's finished with a screwcap and tastes a bit reductive, so give it plenty of breathing time. It's well-muscled with tangy cranberry and purple fruit. Drink now through 2020.
Scents of nutmeg and cinnamon spice up the entry, and the fruit flavors suggest spiced apples and rhubarb pie. It's a brambly, textural wine, that gains focus in the back of the palate and hangs on nicely through the finish.
Earth and undergrowth flavors are woven through the rich pear tones which begin to shine with great, slightly sweet ripeness when exposed to a little air. The phenolic texture provides a counterpoint, supported by lemony freshness. Lovely balance.
Compelling scents of white spring flower, stone fruit and a whiff of nut weave throughout this blend of Friulano, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio. The vibrant palate delivers yellow apple, orange zest, almond and mineral alongside tangy acidity.
A terrific deal, this is as varietally correct and rich a Viognier as you'll find for the price. Honeysuckle and apricot notes are carried by a slightly oily texture, yet the wine finishes long and elegantly. Vegan. Drink now.
Plush and bright passionfruit aromas waft from this bottling drawn from five different vineyards, yet they are linked to sharper grass, lime rind and yellow grapefruit-pith tartness. Extreme energy shows on the sizzling palate, where Key lime, lemongrass and lemon peels conspire for a light-but-sharp experience.
This late-release wine has distinctive, enticing aromas like cedar, mushrooms and cigar box. Along with mellow fruity, savory flavors, these contribute to a beautifully mature character. It is medium to full in body, very smooth in texture due to softened tannins, and lasting on the finish.
A 100% varietal wine, this offers tremendous quality for the price, a well-crafted showcase for currant, cedar and bark that remains savory at its core. Grippy in tannin and contained oak, it's drinkable now but will benefit from time in the cellar, through 2021.
Very inky in color, this bold and flavorful blend by Hope Family Wines shows aromas of cooked blueberries, caramel, fudge and milk chocolate. The palate is rich with milk chocolate, cappuccino and vanilla-bean flavors laid across a base of black-plum pudding and woven together by lush, sticky tannins.
This is a Cabernet prototype from an up-and-coming vineyard. The brooding aromas of anise, cassis and barrel spice seem quite locked up at present. The black cherry and fine grained, highly structured tannins show an exquisite sense of balance that persists through the finish.
Made in a tiny amount by consulting winemaker Kristy Melton, this 100% varietal wine is from some of the oldest Cab vines in the Napa Valley, still dry-farmed. Concentrated in cedar, blackberry and currant, it's soft and smooth, with shocks of dark chocolate and malt, its finish robust and grippy. Drink now through 2020.
This native fermentation, unfiltered wine employs 25% whole-cluster and a low amount of new French oak. It's light and clear in color with a concentrated hit of mint, eucalyptus and pine around a strength of strawberry and vanilla, gently nested in oak. It opens slowly in the glass.
A 100% varietal wine, this is a tense study in black cherry, blueberry, and dry chalky tannins, which need further time to resolve. Still puckering on the finish, it offers streaks of cedar, pencil lead and coconut that are still integrating. Drink now through 2023.
A generously fruity, just-ripe and refined wine, this offers classic notions of the appellation in a warm, welcoming vintage, from rhubarb, cranberry and cherry to cola spice and clove. Still young, it shows an intensity that should meld and mellow in the bottle in short order.
The 2011s from Cornas show high levels of ripeness, and this négociant wine is no exception. It's almost pruny, with other notes of meat, clove and cinnamon, yet remains crisp and firm, picking up hints of black olive and espresso on the finish. Drink now–2025.
The pioneering winery's basic Syrah, this is impressively complex and delicious, with aromas of coffee, blueberry, purple flowers, graphite and the slightest touch of beef jerky. The olallieberry-laced palate is pleasantly quaffable and yet dynamic, with clove, leather, pipe tobacco and spearmint elements spicing up the layers of dark fruit.
High toned aromas of spice, herbs and sweet plum are followed by black currant and blackberry flavors. It brings undeniable appeal.
Exploring the herbal side of the variety, this wine offers aromas of green herbs, pencil box, vanilla, barrel spice and cherry. The cherry and black fruit flavors are generous and appealing, lingering on the finish.
Made of 100% Kalecik Karasi, this wine is deep garnet to the eye, offering aromas of cherry, shale and orange zest. It fills the mouth with flavors of raspberry jam, orange marmalade, chocolate, anise and smoke. Velvety tannins continue into the cool anise-laden finish, with a touch of lemon zest making its appearance at the final moment.
Floral and in balance, this estate-grown wine is bright and light in cherry and raspberry, layered and velvety on the palate. It finishes in a fist of leather and black pepper.
This beautifully perfumed wine comes from one of the highest in elevation premier cru vineyards. The tannins have fully integrated with the red berry and cherry fruits to give a soft, jammy character that contrasts with acidity to give a great lift at the end. Drink this sophisticated wine from 2018.
Plummy and tight, this wine comes from the Green Valley section of the Russian River Valley. Youthful, it hints at fierce acidity around delicately woven specks of mint, pine forest, rhubarb and clove. In the background, the region's classic cola cherry characteristic shows as well. Drink now through 2021.
A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Mammolo, this offers classic varietal scents of underbrush, wild berry, blue flower and a whiff of leather. The firm palate delivers dried black cherry, raspberry, white pepper and anise framed in tightly packed but mature tannins. Drink through 2020.
Bottle age has served this wine well, a blend of mostly Cabernet with smaller amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, sourced from the family's three ranches within the appellation. Inviting in cassis and clove, it reveals lithe, soft and juicy layers of blueberry and blackberry before finishing in a plume of acidity.
Underbrush, cured meat, grilled herb, menthol and dark-skinned fruit aromas unfold in the glass. The chewy palate offers dried black berry, black cherry, licorice, coffee and toasted nut alongside tightly packed tannins. Drink 2019–2022.
This behemoth is all gristle and power, voluptuously combining 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Malbec, 9% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 4% Syrah and 2% Carmenere in a mad scientist's way. Velvety, it's beyond full-bodied in blackberry and chocolate, integrated in terms of oak, with a splash of black pepper and tobacco on the finish. Drink now through 2022.
The late Claude Lafond was the driving force behind the renaissance of Reuilly. His wines, such as this with its balance between crisp herbal flavors and ripe, almost tropical fruit, bring out the richness of the appellation. This wine, with its final minerality, is ready to drink.
Named after the stones in the vineyard, this tense, dense wine is still young. With steely acidity and a strongly mineral, chalky texture, it needs to age. Stone fruits, acidity and a strongly herbal character are just beginning to integrate. Drink from the end of 2017.
Grown on southwest-facing slopes, this is a ripe, full wine with a natural warmth as well as a mineral texture. It is still tight and needs to age with its gooseberry and herbal edge as well as more flinty, smoky background. Drink from 2017.
Partly barrel-fermented, this impressively ripe wine has structure and tannins, as well as attractive, perfumed fruits. The tannins add spice as well as a touch of pepper while integrating well with the lively, fresh fruits at the end. Drink from 2018.
Still young and firm, this wine gives indications of potential fruitiness along with a structure that promises concentration. Layers of black fruits and acidity need time to integrate fully with the dark structure and dense texture. Wait to drink this wine for a few more years, at least until 2018.
From three vineyards, including Roberts Road, this wine impresses in floral honeycomb and a freshness that belies its medium-bodied weight and pithy texture, finishing in vanilla that never gets sweet.
From a selection of vineyard sites and clones, this wine offers juicy acidity behind a wave of plummy red and black cherry, an earthy foundation keeping things real. Oak and tannins are well integrated, and plenty of clove flavor make for a spicy finish. This gets extra attention for the awesome label.
A strong effort from Jean-Luc and his team, the 2014 Les Forots is a nearly 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah. It offers layers of ripe fruit, ample weight and a supple mouthfeel, with just hints of garrigue for complexity and interest. Drink now–2022.
This blend of 87% Syrah and 13% Merlot mixes plummy blackberry, blueberry and leather flavors. An earthiness marked by roses permeates the nose and palate, buoyed by bright acidity and a tangy lift of cranberry and white pepper.
Meaty and intense, this Cornas shows some of the appellation's savory side, highlighted by streaks of raspberry fruit. It's medium to full in body, with a rich, velvety texture and a supple finish tinged with tossed coconut. Drink now–2025.
Rich, slightly oxidized notes of red apple and yellow melon are laced with accents of bitter orange peel and herbal tones. Medium weight, with a softness to the midpalate, it's enlivened by ample acidic lift. Flavors of toasted apple and pear fade into notes of sweet spice and beeswax on the finish. Drink now.
Soft and supple yet powerful on the palate, this is generously seasoned with smoky oak and meat aromas. Tobacco and clove flavors keep it savory and are complemented by black currant fruit.
Made entirely with Lagrein, this offers aromas of blackberry, graphite and a whisper of culinary spice. The concentrated palate offers ripe black plum, clove and a note of black pepper alongside firm fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2020.
Integrated aromas of blackberry, road tar and spice cake set up a palate with pounding tannins and overt tartaric acidity. Earthy blackberry and baking-spice flavors are long and lasting on the finish. This is 40% Malbec, 30% Tempranillo and 30% Syrah.
This zesty dry Furmint leads the way with aromas of lemon juice and freshly cut pineapple. It has delightful flavors of apple, peach and Bartlett pear with a nice amount of heft on the palate. There's a great deal of minerality and the finish is creamy and brisk at the same time.
This firmly structured wine has dense tannins that are built for aging. It's a rich, complex blend that is half Touriga Nacional, yielding both perfume and minerality. Drink from 2019.
Dense fairly bold blackberry and dark plum aromas are backed by a plump palate that's braced by a beam of core acidity. Earthy berry flavors come with notes of vanilla, wild herbs and tobacco, while the finish is full and weighty but also juicy. Drink through 2020.
Aromas of dark-skinned berry, violet and baking spice lead the way on this. The bright medium-bodied palate offers raspberry, red cherry and white pepper while firm fine-grained tannins provide support.
This red blend features a nose of raspberry, fennel bulb, oregano and lavender. Mouth-pleasing flavors of ripe cherry, anise, orange zest and anise are wrapped in smooth tannins. It is full in the mouth, offering a lingering finish punctuated by a burst of pomegranate.
Equal parts Syrah and Touriga Nacional, this wine brings together two structured and perfumed varieties. The grapes are organically grown on clay and schist soil, resulting in heavy tannins and needing plenty of time to bring out the rich, dark fruit. Drink from 2020.
Mature black plum, roasted coffee bean, sunbaked earth and vanilla aromas emerge in the glass. The structured concentrated palate offers dried cherry, raspberry jam, espresso and clove alongside fine-grained tannins. A touch of cinnamon closes the finish. Enjoy 2018–2024.
This wine charms with aromas of freshly sliced green apple, white peach, wet stone and flowers. It drinks off dry, with zippy acidity providing plenty of tension to keep the interest high.
Dominated by Merlot, this is a fruity wine with finely integrated tannins. It has the red fruits and acidity of the vintage given weight by 13 months of wood aging and the concentration of old vines. Drink from 2019.
This wood-aged blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon has ripe fruits and plenty of the crisp acidity typical of the vintage. Its wood touches are subtle, just enough to give a creamy texture. The wine has a rich texture and will certainly age for another few months. Drink from 2018.
Lively strawberry and orange flavors adorn a richer biscuity midpalate in this Rhône-inspired blend. Limited in production, it doesn't hold back on depth, breadth and freshness.
Floral and honeyed on the nose, this voluptuously full-bodied and intensely caramelized wine is salty and bold in tropical flavor. A lilt of salty lime accents its honeysuckle and pear notes.
Aromas of Mediterranean herb, espresso, mocha and a balsamic note slowly take shape. The elegant, almost ethereal palate offers raspberry compote, red cherry, coffee bean and a hint of white pepper framed in tightly-wound but polished tannins. Drink 2020–2028.
Cedar, pencil and wild mushroom scents accent the nose of this wine—a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese. Generous tannins give additional weight to the overall concentration. The finish feels dusted with spicy clove.
This dry Furmint hails from one of Tokaj's most famous vineyards—the Saint Thomas vineyard in the town of Mad. It has a complex bouquet of honeysuckle, mango blossoms and lemon flowers that lead to flavors of lemon rind and white peach. It is well balanced and has a crisp, clean finish.
Aromas of underbrush, tobacco, used leather, scorched earth and a suggestion of oak slowly take shape in the glass. On the palate, round velvety tannins underscore raspberry compote, dried cherry and baking spice. It's rather forward so drink over the next several years.
Pure blackberry and cherry flavors shine in this pristinely fruity yet nuanced red. Unoaked, unfiltered and unrefined, it's a fascinating glimpse into Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc without makeup or adjustment. Crisp, cranberry acidity is sharp and penetrating on the midpalate, accentuating a long finish marked by subtle tones of green herb and tobacco leaf.
Full-bodied but easy to drink, this well-modulated wine from a section of Lake County known for excellent reds combines nicely ripe flavors with a smoothly tannic texture. It has ripe plum and raisin notes, a lightly spicy, smoky oak accent and a lingering finish.
Deep red-violet in color, this wine offers aromas of blackberry and green bell pepper. It is round in the mouth, with flavors of black cherry, roasted red pepper and juniper berry. Velvety tannins give way to a slightly savory but blindingly bright finish.
This bottling, which is enhanced by 2% Petit Verdot, shows deep black plum, dark chocolate and bright strawberry touches with a slight hint of barnyard on the nose. The latter element carries into the palate as well, adding nuance to the black cherry, fennel and milk chocolate flavors, all wrapped in firm tannins.
This lightly oaked vineyard-designate wine effortlessly combines tart green apple and preserved lemon flavors, textured with stony minerality. Balanced and food-friendly, it offers power and concentration even as it finishes.
This Catalan red is dense and ripe, with aromatic notes of beef broth and raisiny fruits. The mouthfeel is jammy and chunky, while flavors of raisin, prune and stewed berries come across loamy and soft. On the finish, this offers herbal flavors and lasting thickness.
Spicy with cola and black tea, this Livermore Zin has an earthy touch amid its ripe raspberry and oak. It would pair well with the usual suspects of barbecue and other grilled meats.
Imparting a hint of petrol and wax on the nose, this Riesling is thickly textured with flavors of ripe apple, peach and pear. With nice acidity, it finishes dry.
Made from Sangiovese, this savory wine opens with earthy underbrush and berry aromas, accented by a whiff of spice. The palate offers bright cherry layered with licorice and espresso notes. Pair this with pasta topped with meat sauces.
Almond skins, apple essence and minerality drive the nose on this white from the Basque country. A zesty, slightly spritzy palate deals nectarine, apricot and green-apple flavors. The finish is clear and minerally, with crisp acidity.
Pulled together with fruit from a mix of estate vineyards, this wine boasts delicate flavors of raspberry and pomegranate with light accents of barrel toast, along with substantial acidity. It's tart, clean and simple.
This opens with very earthy, almost rustic but not unpleasant aromas of animal, tilled soil, wet wool and leather. The palate delivers ripe—nearly overripe—plum and blackberry flavors accented by sage. The tannins still need time to tame so drink after 2016.
Citrus and tropical fruit aromas blend together in clean, attractive fashion. The palate is crisp and cleansing due to firm acidity, while flavors of lime and pithy orange finish tight. This is a clean, clear presentation of Salta Torrontés.
With aromas of honey, papaya and white flowers, this dry Moscatel from Málaga announces its ripe character. In the mouth, this is weighty and creamy more than racy and direct. Flavors of sweet melon and bitter peach pit come with anise and nutmeg, while the finish is long and offers a candied orange flavor.
Minty blackberry aromas come with a giant scoop of oak and a touch of graphite. This is lively, ripe and a touch acidic, with dark-fruit flavors and freshness courtesy of ringing acids. The finish shows size and moderate sophistication.
Made from equal proportions of Tempranillo and Garnacha from the winery's estate vineyard, this young wine is barrel forward with notes of char, toast and mocha. The fruit flavors are light and juicy with cranberry and barrel spices extending through the finish.
Full, meaty berry aromas come with a savory character that suggests herbs, tar and rubber. Foxy, funky and herbal on the palate, then minty and slightly green late, this is a ripped, big, gangly wine made by Australians in Argentina.
This charming, easy-drinking blend of Grechetto, Procanico, Malvasia and Verdello opens with a fragrance of yellow flower and spice. The palate offers flavors of tropical fruit, apple and lemon-lime, with a clean, refreshing finish.
This blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino and Merlot opens with subdued but fruity aromas of red and black berries. The palate offers wild cherry, blackberry, vanilla and white pepper along with supple tannins. Its soft, uncomplicated structure allows for easy drinking.
Jammy berry aromas are earthy but a little flat. In the mouth, this is plump, jammy and doesn't have a lot of spine. Flavors of baked black fruits and toast finish mellow, earthy and soft. Drink this ripe, warm-climate wine now.
Coreno is a blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes that hail from over fifty-year-old vines. It has aromas of stone fruit and pear, while the palate boasts flavors of peach, lemon cream, vanilla and well-integrated oak.
For fans of Pinot Grigio, this copper-hued wine—the natural color yielded by Pinot Grigio grapes—is a must try. It delivers juicy pear and apple flavors, along with spice and mineral notes and crisp, quenching acidity.
Here's a simple but well-made and enjoyable offering made from a blend of Sangiovese, Colorino and Merlot. The linear palate offers up bright cherry-berry, licorice and mint, along with firm tannins and fresh acidity.
Juicy, juvenile aromas of plum and berry lead to a palate that's bouncy in feel. Jammy blackberry and plum define the flavor profile, while the finish is honest, lively and fresh. Junior is the perfect name for this fruit-forward, young Rioja.
A hint of honeysuckle perfume lends flair to this dry, easy-quaffing Riesling. It's fairly straightforward on the palate, with fresh apple and lemon flavors, but brisk and bright, with pineapple acidity and a swathe of fresh herbs on the finish.
This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of evident oak, saw dust and blackberry. The palate delivers ripe black cherry, black currant and raisin flavors, with accents of white pepper and clove.
This is rather closed but eventually reveals aromas of oak, coffee bean and espresso. The palate delivers ripe blackberry, licorice and baking spices alongside astringent tannins. It's also a bit shy on fresh acidity.
This is a structured wine that shows both solid tannins and juicy red-fruit acidity. It's a rich but balanced wine with a ripe aftertaste. Drink from 2015.
Solid and dry, this is a tightly structured wine. Layered acidity and berry fruits lend a powerful, concentrated feel. It does need time to bring out its inherent fruitiness. Drink from 2015.
There is some extraction here, giving a dry character to this wine, but it also has enough berry flavor to act as a balance. This wine has a promising future but demands a few years to age. Drink from 2015.
Hints of cedar and spice accent ripe red-fruit and flower notes on this distinctly Old World-style Pinot Noir. A fresh green-herb flavor, brisk acidity and penetrating tannins drive through the long finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend includes all five of the region's classic grapes, and the resulting wine has a bit more body and complexity than the single-variety offerings from the winery. Leafy and tart, it shows cranberry and rhubarb flavors, typical of this cool climate site.
Roasted and fiery on the nose, this wine has red fruit aromas mixed with green, herbal notes. It feels racy and pumped up with acidity, which drives the wine's core flavors of red plum, herb and vanilla. It's fresh but slightly abrasive and herbal throughout. This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Tempranillo, in descending order.
Aromas of smoke and sweet apple introduce an intensely flavored palate that's full of ripe yellow peach, waxy flower and fresh fennel. Off-dry and bold in structure, it finishes with a hint of lanolin and a lingering minerality.
This pure Merlot has the grip and muscle often found in Washington fruit; in fact, it's a bit tight at first. Notes of red plum, strawberry and stiff tannins carry the medium finish, with a nice hint of dried herb.
This pure, Columbia Valley Cabernet is blended from a variety of widely separated vineyards. The fruit is forward, pushing black cherry and cola notes to the front of the palate, layering in a streak of milk chocolate, and finishing with smooth, supple tannins.
A bitter cherry flavor is balanced by the firm, tannic structure. With its appropriate weight and juicy, spicy acidity, it's attractive now but also has aging potential. Screwcap.
This starts with a startling but tangy lemon-tea flavor. Cinnamon and plum notes enter the palate, which are underscored by rather chalky acidity, and finished with a coffee highlight.
Warm and creamy, this fills the palate with apple and pink grapefruit flavors. A touch of spice adds interest to this ripe, fruity effort that is ready to drink. Screwcap.
Lovely scents of violet and black fruit open this dark, sappy Syrah. The mouthfeel is sleek and citrusy, with sharp acidity and a finish amplified by barrel-influenced flavors of coffee and licorice. Give this some extra decanting time and it will open up further.
A sweet-smelling wine with notes of overripe pear, pineapple and jasmine. It also drinks quite sweet (26g/L residual sugar) but doesn't have the acid or flavor concentration to match.
The barnyard aroma gives a less than fresh feel. A bitter edge suppresses the red fruits, leaving a hard aftertaste.
In a kitchen sink blend that is just over half Merlot, it's the Syrah that pops with its notes of black and green olive accented by orange peel. With 20g/L residual sugar, it coats the palate end to end with overtly sweet fruit flavors.
This blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon is lean and racy. Grassy, lemony notes on the nose include a touch of pickled jalapeño, while an acidic laser beam of citrus creases the palate, leaving behind a puckery, austere impression.
With an orange leaning to its pink tint, this is struggling to maintain its fruit and freshness. Flavors of peach and apricot pits finish round and soft.
This Cabernet-led blend has leafy, stalky, dried-out aromas of rubbery berry and compost. It feels raw and rubbery; leafy red-berry flavors are roasted and stalky. It finishes with a mixture of burnt and green flavors.
The nose is limited and narrow, not fruity or tropical as it should be. A plump, soft palate is low on pulse, while lychee and honeydew flavors end bland and slightly bitter.
A sweet (40 g/L residual sugar), easy drinker with notes of spice, rose petal and lime leaf that needs more acid to pull them all together.
This Cabernet doesn't seem to have fully ripened with notes of jalapeño pepper, green herbs and cherry with a light styling and gritty tannins.
From the vineyard planted by the Pisoni and Franscioni families, this wine delivers bright raspberry and strawberry aromas with sweet star anise spice. The medium-bodied palate is lively and boisterous, with ripe cranberry, tangy red plum skin and sour cherry flavors, accented with a helping of dried herbs.
The color of this Malbec and the legs it gives off help separate it from the pack. A plush nose shows unabsorbed oak and char along with deep berry and cassis notes. Total saturation on the palate matches the nose, and this tastes of chocolate, mocha, wood spice and rich berry fruits. Oak is currently speaking the loudest on the finish. Drink through 2023.
A more intense version of Carraovejas's Reserva from 2012, this also includes more than 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Thus it's spicy and prickly on the nose, with road tar and peppery notes in addition to potent berry fruit. A rich saturated rumbling palate deals coffee, toast, blackberry and herbal flavors that are much like the Reserva but more amplified. A charred finish has a lemony ring to it. Drink from 2020 through 2030.
Rich red cherry, rhubarb and alpine strawberry aromas meet rust and shaved licorice on the nose of this beautiful bottling from the Parker family's cool-climate vineyard. It's deceptively light on the palate, with airy flavors that intensify to exotic cherry, mulberry, tea leaf and maduro cigar, framed by firm, structured tannins. Drink 2020–2024.
High-toned aromas of cranberry, herb, black licorice and dried cherry are followed by tightly wound dark-fruit flavors backed by firm tannins. The finish extends into the distance. It's a highly structured wine, with its best days far in front of it. Best from 2021 through 2027.
Complemented with 11% Cabernet Franc, this vineyard designate from winemaker Jesse Katz shines in fragrant plum, raspberry and blackberry flavors. Softly layered and balanced, it teases with dark chocolate and clove hints.
Bryan Babcock heads to Bentrock Vineyard on the southwestern edge of the appellation to deliver this wine redolent of red cherry, plum, mulberry, peppery spice and sagebrush. The palate is rich and full bodied, with tangy red plum skin and eucalyptus touches, finishing on a fresh, menthol-like note.
Baked red cherry, vanilla pastry, loam, dried mint and forest floor notes all show in this excellent bottling from Bryan Babcock's family vineyard. Its tannic structure is immediately apparent, framing a core of raspberry fruit rounded out with thyme, oregano, black pepper and sea salt flavors. Drink 2021–2029.
Actress Challen Cates got interested in wine when her father ran Tantara Winery. She's since hired winemaker Kevin Law to deliver great bottlings like this one. It's redolent with sarsaparilla, red plum, mulberry and cola, and shows deft balance on the palate, combining plum, cherry, licorice and ginger flavors.
Vines up to 50-years-old are the basis of this rich and tannic wine. While it does have some age, it still has a way to go. Big bold tannins show strongly along with ripe black-plum skins. The wood aging has given this wine a smooth elegant edge that contrasts with the still young fruitiness. Drink from 2021.
From the producer's estate vineyard on Mount Veeder, this 100% varietal vineyard designate is oaky, viscous and intensely flavored with green apple, melon and peach. Delicious honeysuckle and grapefruit peel aromas make it all the more compelling, balancing its voluptuous weight and ripeness.
A blend of fruit from Watermill, Funk, Lewis and Anna Marie vineyards, the aromas bring vibrant notes of flowers, ham hock, berry, tapenade, herb and ember. The palate is plush yet elegant and silky in feel, showing an exquisite mix of fruit and savory flavors along with outrageous hang time on the finish. It shows a lot of subtlety.
This wine offers aromas of herb, tobacco, barrel spice and plum. The palate brings plush rich textured plum flavors, showing a beautiful sense of purity along with a crazy-long finish. It's a shamelessly delicious but still impeccably balanced wine that is nearly impossible to put down.
Pepper and cinnamon strike first, before beautifully aromatic notions of blueberry, plum and tart black cherry appear. These scented fruits pervade the entire palate with spice, verve and freshness. A wonderfully poised Sankt Laurent at the perfect intersection of restrained freshness and glorious richness.
Juicy strawberry and red plum aromas meet cinnamon, sassafras and earthy scents in this bottling from winemaker Colin Murphy. Beautiful layers of sour cherry combine with dried fennel, wild mint, thyme and rose petal flavors on the palate, which finishes clean and crisp.
The floral, vanilla tone of new oak marries with ripe, red cherry notes in this wine, supported by clove and violet highlights. It's young and taut on the palate, its fine tannins still firm and crunchy, needing time to evolve and relax. Pure fruit and the pervasive freshness promise a bright future. Drink 2019–2025.
Upon first pour, this only shows some earthy hints of evolution. With air, the aromas awaken and lovely notes hayflower notes emerge. The palate is laced with elderberry and dried oak leaf flavors and framed by smooth tannins. Just a little bottle age has given this an almost timeless elegance, proving a wine doesn't need power to shine, just depth. Drink now–2025.
Like it's bigger sibling El Anejón, this Reserva from a warm vintage is almost one-quarter Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in addition to Tinto Fino (Tempranillo). The opening of burnt earth, brandied cherry, rubber and herbal aromas is distinct. This feels a bit tough and chewy, with boysenberry, cassis, vanilla-cream and herbal spice flavors. A fairly smooth finish is young and vital. This should improve with aging. Best from 2019–2026.
Crisp with peach and apricot goodness, this full-bodied white's gravelly texture works to its advantage, providing both steely acidity and grip. That grit becomes velvety smooth as the wine opens in the glass, making it irresistibly seductive and inviting.
Textural and beautifully detailed, this offers front-loaded flavors of cola, cocoa, graphite and tobacco, wrapped around blackberry and black-cherry fruits. Despite the relatively steep alcohol, this drinks in a lighter, more elegant, yet quite showy style.
The biggest production and lowest priced of all the winery's vineyard designates, this is sexy, substantial and one of the best offerings from any winery sourcing fruit from this exceptional vineyard. A riot of berries, plums and Asian spices fills the mouth—well-integrated, layered and detailed right on through the extended finish. A light dusting of cocoa powder lingers and invites the next sip.
The first vintage of this small-production wine, this is meaty, full of smoky pepper and dense red and blue fruit. It's powerfully built and structured, packing a finishing punch of roasted coffee and chocolate flavors. A worthwhile new discovery and a producer to watch.
From a new, small producer, this vibrantly peppery wine captures the power and grace the variety is capable of when grown on the far reaches of the coast. That peppery quality follows through on the palate, buoyed by juicy acidity and smoothly layered blackberry, tobacco and tea flavors. Exquisitely made and worth seeking out.
Envoy is Spy Valley's top range of bottlings. In this case, it's a single-vineyard wine that's fermented and matured in oak for 11 months. It's medium-bodied and silky in texture, with distinctive fumé notes, hints of struck match, and layers of passion fruit and grapefruit flavors. Dry, austere and long on the finish, it's a compelling example of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Scoring slightly higher than the Alderpoint vineyard-designated wine, this basic Humboldt County bottling bursts with with black cherry aroma. It's medium-bodied, free of oak-driven flavor and loaded with fruit. Lively acidity and mouth-filling texture keep the cherry and raspberry notes echoing through the finish, striking wonderful balance in an appetizing, mouthwatering package.
Very restrained aromas of Meyer-lemon pith, apple blossoms and scratched Key lime show on the nose of this appellation blend. There is a slightly burnt butter character to the sip, where touches of sweet corn and vanilla meet with citrus tang. Altogether, it's a very light expression of the region.
Bright cherry and vanilla ride a smooth, round and robust body of weight and concentration in this tannic wine that finishes with a strong taste of coffee.
This entry-level cuvée from the cooperative in Tain l'Hermitage is a solid value, offering up peppery, dark fruit aromas and ample flavors of cassis. black olive and espresso. The tannins are firm, so pair it with rare beef or lamb over the near term.
This is almost as impressive as Gerin's La Champine Syrah, which is a tremendous achievement as Viognier seems much harder to do well. Hints of crushed stone and struck flint add nuance to the ripe apricot aromas, while the exotic, tropical fruit flavors of mango and pineapple are reined in by a touch of citrus-pith bitterness. Drink now–2018.
This wine is 50% Syrah, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 2% Malbec. The aromas pop, with notes of blackberry, blueberry, smoked meat and herb. The fruit flavors are lush, backed by tannins that bring quite a bit of grit to them. Perhaps some additional time in the bottle will soften them out.
Medium-sized in build and body, this affordable wine offers dark cherry and hearty tannin amidst a fistful of earth and gravelly texture.
This is a spicy, generously ripened wine, emboldened by fistfuls of cinnamon, leather and blackberry pie.
Intense and high in acidity, this wine skirts the edge of ripeness in its salty, briny take on the variety, a nod to an historic clone. Floral, it persists in apple blossom and tart Meyer lemon, finishing crisp and fresh.
Coconut oil, buttercream and vanilla custard show on the nose of this bottling from a historic vineyard. Flavors tighten up on the sip, where a grippy texture shows squeezed lemon and the slightest hint of tropicality.
Violet, rose and woodland berry aromas fuse with a whiff a new leather on this bright red. On the luminous no-frills palate, accents of clove and orange peel add interest to unripe strawberry and sour cherry. Fresh acidity and firm tannins provide solid support.
Sweet tannins wrap around a robust flavor profile of plum, cherry and leather saddle in this vineyard-designated wine. Softly textured, it remains generous in oak and power as it winds to a finish dusted in black pepper and tobacco.
Quite yellow in the glass, this bottling shows cohesive and familiar aromas of buttered toast, jasmine, orange marmalade, sandalwood and smoke on the nose. The palate packs lemon and butter together with walnut oil, proving quite rich and even heavy at times.
The aromas are generous, with notes of freshly cut wood, custard and herb. The palate is full bodied, rich and creamy in feel. The wood shows prominently and it brings warmth on the finish.
This juicy red has a nose of cedar spice and prunes on the nose, and flavors of toasted nuts, plum and cherry on the palate. Overall, the wine has a more fruit-forward character than many Greek reds and will pair well with pizza, grilled meat or ripe cheeses.
Bernard Magrez's wine empire seems to have no limits, as he's recently expended into this relatively obscure little section of the Southern Rhône known for its white wines. This medium- to full-bodied blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Viognier and Roussanne features modest pear and pineapple flavors and a refreshing zing of citrus zest on the finish. Drink now.
Being based in the Northern Rhône, Colombo's Côtes-du-Rhône always incorporates a decent proportion of Syrah, 30% in this vintage. There's 10% Mourvèdre, with the other 60% being Grenache. It's medium to full in body, with supple tannins and superripe plum and chocolate flavors that pick up hints of raisin. Drink now.
Honey, lemon and an herbal spin on the nose give this wine a distinctive start. Flavors of clean, zesty citrus and a spin of ripe melon add to the elegance. Easy to drink but elegant.
Soft and smooth, this rare variety offers moderate structure and full-bodied aspects of forest floor and cardamom spice. Ripe, red fruit rules the finish, which spikes in heat.
Savory flavors like salt, peppered roast beef and rosemary shape the taste of this medium-bodied, velvet-textured and nicely concentrated wine. It has fine-grained tannins to support the mouthfeel, but not enough to overwhelm.
Light aromas of cocoa, herb, licorice and barrel spice are followed by medium-bodied cherry flavors. The finish seems a bit clipped.
Truffle, game and grilled sage aromas take center stage along with a floral note of red rose. The solid palate shows red berry, clove and white pepper while somewhat grainy tannins provide an assertive framework and a mouth-drying finish. Drink 2020–2028.
White-peach aromas meet with vanilla butter and honeysuckle on the nose, yet there is a tension apparent amid the ripeness. The sip starts with an edgy texture and crisp acidity that cut across flavors of nectarine and apple.
This fruity wine is ripe with black fruits and generous tannins. It has plenty of acidity to balance the fruit, giving a wine that is both crisp and packed with fruit. The structure is already just right. Drink from 2018.
This straw-gold late harvest wine has aromas of apricot and pear juice with delightful flavors of pear, apple cider and vanilla bean. There is a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.
A proprietary blend of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc and 32% Merlot, Contrarian is coolly stylized, shining in acidity with highlights of dried herb, cedar and clove. The oak is there but not ridiculously so.
Always a stellar marriage of site and winemaker, this shows an intensity of red fruit, forest and brown sugar, a streak of dried herb subtly pushing its way through, too. Full bodied and robust, it has juicy acidity that allows for a freshness in the end. Drink now through 2024.
Black in color and rich in aromas of grilled meat, Papa's is thick and concentrated, offering bold flavors of damson plum, leather and cola spice. Full bodied and ripe, its ability to showcase crisp acidity amid all this flavor and texture is remarkable.
This is a bold wine, full of ripe apple and peach fruit flavors. It is delicious, juicy with a tight texture and zesty acidity. There is an opulent, rich aftertaste that is mouth-filling and perfumed. The wine is ready to drink now although it will be better from 2017.
Balsamic notes, leather, tilled soil, ripe berry and menthol aromas lead the nose along with a whiff of blue flower. The smooth palate shows fleshy black cherry, white pepper, grilled herb and baking spice framed in supple tannins. Open an hour in advance to let this breathe. Already approachable, it will also age well for several years or more.
The producer continues to up its game with this refined, cool-climate red that doesn't dare skimp on power and flavor. Herby, floral and elusive in waves, it's also voluptuously spicy and totally youthful in its big, dry tannin imprint.
Peach and apricot flavors dominate this ripe, full-bodied wine that has plenty of acidity to back up the richness. Still developing, it will emerge as a ripe, concentrated wine that will be generous and full. Drink from 2017.
This wine is firm and structured, with dark tannins and a dense texture that is still dry. It offers ripe fruit as well as acidity, currently overshadowed by the tannins but will come to the fore with some time. The wine will age well, thanks to the solid structure and dry core of tannins. Drink from 2020.
This wine is pure and fruity, with a strong, tight line of minerality. It is perfumed with apple and grapefruit flavors and a light touch of wood, with good acidity at the end. Drink from 2017.
This wine is big and ripe with layers of tannins and attractive fruitiness. Bright acidity comes from the strawberry and red-cherry fruit. The drier structure is integrating well, with plenty of richness behind. The wine will develop well; drink from 2019.
This crisp wine is currently tightly closed. It is textured and mineral, with apple and citrus flavors coming through slowly. This perfumed wine needs to age. Drink from 2017.
This is a smooth, rich wine. It has just the right amount of tannin to give structure and add to the ripe black fruits. A blend of classic Douro grapes gives a wine that is dense, firm and also generously ripe. Drink this fine wine now.
Offered in remembrance of winery co-founder, Emily Miner, this wine is softened by 5% Cabernet Franc, the grapes coming from a handful of vineyards, including Stagecoach and Emilio's Terrace. Dried herb, graphite and sagebrush highlight a tight structure that's grippy and savory, with understated oak. Drink now through 2023.
This bottling is less ebullient than previous vintages, but that only makes it more appealing. It still has its hallmark blackberry, spice and cocoa shadings, they're just in better overall proportion and balanced by more of an earthy, savory streak. The tannins are ripe and silky, the fruit bright on the finish.
Leather, dried rose petal, licorice, mature berry and a whiff of camphor waft out of the glass. The structured palate offers dried black cherry, baking spice, dried herb and a hint of pipe tobacco. Assertive, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity provide balance. Drink 2018–2023.
Aromas of ripe dark-skinned fruit, leather, clove, rose and a whiff of menthol set the tone. The firmly structured palate offers dried black cherry, licorice, tobacco and grilled herb alongside assertive tannins. Drink 2017–2025.
Soft, silky and exuberant in floral aromas, this earthy, dry, lush and easy wine comes from the Anderson-Ross Vineyard along the Russian River Valley road named for its famous apples. Orange blossom, tea and dark berries dominate luxuriously.
Hints of caramelized sugar and saffron lend a spicy touch to fresh apple and lemon in this off-dry Riesling. Spine tingling acidity freshens the midpalate, leading a vibrantly refreshing lemon-lime finish.
This deeply-colored wine has a bouquet of cherry, pomegranate and white chocolate. It has flavors of black cherry jam, anise, mocha and a touch of orange peel. Mouth-coating tannins provide a matrix for an interesting touch of spiciness that gives way to a final taste of pomegranate.
A toasty, smoky element to this concentrated wine balances with the rich apricot fruit and the mineral texture. Acidity and a citrus line cut through the generous, full flavors. The aftertaste shows the wine is still young. Wait to drink until 2017.
This ambitious debut from Argyle's founding winemaker is the first sparkling wine to be released under his own Roco label. Rollin Michael Soles crafted this classic blend of two-thirds Pinot Noir and one third Chardonnay from three Willamette Valley vineyards. It's a young, tart wine that's still a bit leesy, with precisely defined apple and citrus fruit. Retasted after being open for 24 hours it had just begun to expand and reveal the promise locked away in the bottle. Drink 2020–2030.
A full bouquet includes aromas of licorice, tire rubber, dried cheese and ripe plum and berry fruits. Flush, pulpy and fruity in the mouth, this Cab Franc shows bold boysenberry, currant, plum, spice and tea flavors. On the finish, this is smooth, with good flow and moderate tannins. Drink through 2020.
Ripe and balsamic off the bat, this Malbec deals earthy, well-oaked aromas of baked black fruits. This is full but balanced, with nothing too severe or heavy on the palate. Black cherry, berry and vanilla flavors finish clean, mild and smooth. Drink through 2020.
Boysenberry and raspberry aromas are not simply dark, ripe and macho, but instead show herbal accents along with floral notes and cardamom. This is old vines Malbec with particular flavors of herbal, brushy berry and plum. On the finish, oaky spice, toast and coffee flavors keep the momentum going. Drink through 2021.
Cool, herbal aromas of tomato leaf, oregano and beef stew set up a chewy palate with grabby tannins. A mix of savory spices and minty, baked berry flavors end with peppery notes, chunky weight and a tough of heat. Drink through 2022.
Honeycomb and saffron lend an earthen sheen to this intensely tropical Riesling full of sweet-tart tangerine, pineapple and melon flavors. It's juicy and buoyantly fruity, yet also complex, balanced by bristling acidity and a lingering tea-note astringency.
This vineyard, which dates back to 1978, ripened well in 2014. Scents and flavors emphasize fresh red berries, with a touch of stone. There's a firm grip to the tannins, a touch of black pepper, and everything is well-integrated, flavorful and ready to drink.
In contrast to a nose that's more mineral than fruit, the intensity of this wine's voluptuous nectarine and yellow peach flavors surprise. It's dry in style but with a succulent fruitiness that clings delectably to the palate. Finishes long and lean with a tang of steely minerality. Drink now through 2019.
Blackberry and prune aromas show herbal notes and a hint of dried leaf. Medium-full in size and friendly in feel, this has moderate acidity that lends freshness. Gritty, peppery black-fruit flavors finish with an echo of licorice and dark spice. Drink through 2021.
Heavy wood masks the fruit in this wine, leaving a dense and dry toasty character. Only underneath are there signs of fresher acidity and black-currant fruits. Wait until 2019. Denis Dubourdieu and Christophe Ollivier consult with manager Philippe Lacoste for the Beraud-Sudreau family.
As this wine shows, what marks out 2014 is the great fruitiness. This is full of rich black currants from a 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon blend. A smoky background from tannins gives shape to the fruit and acidity. It will mature quickly; drink from late 2016. An Alliance Bourg member.
A considerable layer of tannins is dominating the fruit in this wine. It's still firm, structured and dry in character with just a hint of juiciness behind. Drink from 2017.
Pear, butter and spice aromas lead to tingly, broad-feeling flavors that are straight down the fairway.
Concentrated aromas of licorice, mocha and generic black fruits are low on elegance. This is grabby and strong, with herbal plum and cassis flavors that finish chunkily and deep, with good texture. Expect a saucy, herbal aftertaste.
Unique aromas of chamomile, dried orange peel, hay and smoked chicken show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is also a wash of intrigue, with smoked lemon peels, roasting chicken, oregano and other dried herbs.
Produced mainly from Merlot with only 10% of Cabernet Sauvignon, this fat, juicy wine has red-berry flavors that are supported by dry tannins that are in the process of softening. Notes from the wood-aging also need to integrate. Drink from late 2016.
Underbrush, toast and prune aromas lead the way. The lean, evolved palate offers raisin, dried blackcurrant, sage and anise but the fruit richness has dried out.
Pear, almond and toast aromas lead to dry, elegant fruit and lees flavors. It's a uniquely styled offering of the variety.
A blend of near-equal parts Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, this wine brings aromas of overripe pear and apple and toasted grapenuts that lead to dry, lightly fruit flavors. It's a straightforward quaffer.
Given time in both French oak and stainless-steel, this wine combines grapefruit with melon and stone fruit like apricot to offer an unctuous weight on the palate. It finishes dry and balanced with shy acidity.
This opens with aromas of toasted oak, sawdust, espresso, licorice and blackberry jam. The extracted but rather lean palate offers dried black cherry, raisin, cocoa and a hint of ground pepper alongside fine-grained tannins that leave an astringent finish. Drink sooner rather than later before the fruit dries up completely.
Full of young fruit in its 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon blend, this wine is just starting out. It's bright with black-currant flavors and attractive acidity, with the fruit just supported by tannins. Drink from 2017. A member of Alliance Bourg.
Aromas of ripe dark-skinned fruit and a whiff of exotic spice lead the nose on this ­straightforward red. The medium-bodied palate offers prune, mature black cherry and a hint of star anise alongside dusty, but rather fleeting tannins that leave a tongue-drying finish.
Gritty, leathery aromas register as less than fully ripe. In the mouth, this Cabernet is a touch biting. Limited cherry and plum flavors come with burnt, herbal notes, while an earthy finish tastes of salt and chocolate.
From vines planted in the 1960s, and given time in 100% French oak, this dry, unctuous wine is tropical in character. A mix of pineapple and nutmeg teases its way into notes of canned corn.
Leafy, scratchy aromas of dried plum and raspberry give way to lemony, grainy oak scents. This is medium bodied, tightly wound and tastes of dried red fruits mixed with cocoa powder. A spicy, dry, crisp finish reinforces the wine's limitations.
The pear, nectarine and floral aromas seem to lack clarity. This wine is full of stone-fruit flavors that bring a touch of sweetness and lead to a warm finish.
Aromas of wet leaves, toast, prune and espresso lead the nose. The evolved palate offers fig, coffee bean, a hint of anise and a confectionary note alongside fleeting tannins. It's a bit muddled, with a short finish.
This light-bodied, aromatic wine smells like roses and a bowl of fresh fruit. Flavors are lightly sweet and peachy, the texture tangy and the finish sugary.
The raspberry and cranberry aromas seem to show a touch of oxygen exposure. It's a pity, because the tart, lush flavors bring appeal.
While the nose is a bit closed off, pristine apple, pear and grapefruit flavors shine brightly on the palate of this dry, brisk Riesling. Fruity, forward and fresh, it's an uncomplicated yet satisfying quaffer. Drink now.
Zesty aromas of grapefruit and tangerine skins perfume this bright, citrusy Grüner Veltliner. While dry in style with a thirst-quenching, juicy demeanor, the palate is marked by curious hints of pollen and fennel. Drink now.
Black cherry, blackberry, olive and gritty oak aromas feed into a scratchy palate with forceful acidity. Oaky, blackened flavors of medicinal berry fruits finish with notes of mint and carob. Overall, this is solid but typically herbal and saucy.
This is a light-bodied, quaffable Sauvignon Blanc. Ripe aromas and flavors of peach and nectarine marry with passion fruit and some slightly discordant herbal notes, then finish quickly.
Aromas of olive, green herbs, mixed spices and black plum set up a full, grabby palate. Flavors of generic black fruits, bitter herbs and eucalyptus finish minty and leafy, with weight and cushion.
Earthy berry, olive and latex aromas are sleepy and chunky. In the mouth, however, this is more grating and alive. Flavors of earthy, salty plum and raspberry finish similarly, with bold acidity, liveliness and a salty after­taste.
This big but smooth wine has very ripe aromas and flavors that convey dried plums and rosemary. It's very full bodied and fine tannins keep the texture softer than usual.
Grapes for this wine were sourced from the new appellation known as the Moon Mountain District, the higher-elevation, eastern-lying range above Sonoma Valley. The bottling also contains small amounts of Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Light bodied and restrained, it's briary, dusty and tannic, with sour cherry and cranberry flavors that get juicier on the finish.
Spicy cherry aromatics carry a touch of tack room leather. Those flavors follow, leading into drying tannins with a dash of dark chocolate. The wine seems a little confused about where it's heading, but it packs plenty of flavor at the moment. Drink up.
The aromatics immediately catch your attention: an inviting mix of raspberry and tart citrus. The wine is tightly focused, with crisp edges around wild-berry flavors. Just a tiny hint of bloody beef moves it toward more Northern Rhône Syrah flavors.
Done in a fresh and leesy style, this offers minimalistic fruit flavors, but strong suggestions of phenolics such as apple skins, grapefruit pith and lemon peel. The underlying mineral-drenched acidity keeps it lively.
A ripe and smooth wine that has generous black fruits and a light touch of tannins. Coming from a good vintage, the wine is rich, packed with fruit and ready to drink.
This Hungarian Blauburger is garnet in color, with aromas of cranberry, pomegranate and forest floor. It has flavors of sweet cherry and cranberry and a tart finish.
Bolstered by 14% Petite Sirah, this bottling offers a stunning array of herb and earth scents that surround a core of black plum and minty licorice spice. The palate shows rounded purple fruit and more herbal notes, and the acidity is strong but balanced.
Better known in the Douro, the Viosinho grape has found another home in the cool coastal Lisboa region. The wine is crisp, tangy and with a great zing of acidity. It is also fruity, full of apple and citrus flavors. Drink this attractive wine now.
This wine is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Baking-spice aromas are at the fore, followed by dried-out dark fruit and herbs. The palate is reserved in style, with the tannins bringing some grit.
Apple skin and white peach flavors and a smooth, rather rich mouthfeel lend quite a bit of personality to this unusually low-alcohol wine. It tastes a touch sweet, or at least quite ripe, but is balanced by tangy acidity.
Likably round and approachable, this medium-bodied red is mellow and fruity, showing red cherry fruit spiked with vanilla bean. It finishes on charred oak.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot from several appellations within the Napa Valley is soft and smoothly textured, offering brawny black cherry and toasted wood flavors.
Rubbery black-fruit aromas are heavily oaked, so much so that this Cabernet-Carmenère blend smells charred but also like plastic. A big grabby palate is jagged in feel, while this tastes like the nose suggests, meaning oaky, herbal and like berry fruits and plum. A woody finish is short on total integration.
Dusty raspberry and plum aromas show a note of Band-Aid. This feels creamy and full, with black cherry, chocolate and oak flavors. An oaky essence carries onto the finish, which is chunky and lasting.
Aromas are barrel forward, with notes of char, vanilla, toast and sweet spice. The barrel notes continue on the palate, overwhelming the fruit almost completely. It's a shame as there's good things to be had underneath.
This combines 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Zinfandel into a voluptuously lush and rounded package of blackberry fruit and tobacco leaf flavor. The texture is dusty and gravelly, complementing the jammy ripeness.
This is a lightly wood-aged wine, full of fruit with just a touch of spice. Smoothly textured, the wine is all the better for an extra year of aging before release. That broadens the fruit while leaving plenty of crispness and fine acidity. Drink now.
This is a young wood-aged wine with rich toast. While the toast does smother the fruit at the moment, there are enough crisp acidity and citrus flavors in the background to come through as the wine matures for another year or two. Drink from 2018.
Barrel notes dominate, with aromas of vanilla, pencil lead and coconut shavings out in front of purple fruit that's struggling to get to the surface. The palate is tart and elegantly styled, but the wood takes over the show.
Candied red and purple fruit meets mocha and cola spice on the nose of this bottling, which is approachable and simple. The palate is tart with cranberry and plum skin flavors, lifted by dried ginger spice.
Aromas of whole green pepper, hot spice, cherry and baking spice are followed by lighter styled, tart, silky-feeling fruit and barrel flavors.
Reticent dark fruit and licorice aromas are followed by tart fruit flavors and lightly bunched-up tannins. There's interest but it doesn't all seem to come together.
Solid berry aromas don't go crazy with the oak, spice or herbal components. A chunky pulpy palate is a bit soft, while peppery herbal animal notes comfortably work their way into core blackberry flavors. Flavors of herbal fruits and cured meats lend quality to the finish.
This wine's heavy oak aromas are toasty but not overdone, while bacon and tobacco notes lurk in the background. Its raw, supremely tannic palate delivers woody, spicy berry flavors.
Way too much banana, mango and sugar. Not a prime-time player.
Powerful and assertive but poised, this exemplary Shiraz from Abraham Perold is a study in balance. Beautiful and subtle berry, pepper and spice mingle, set aloft by a restrained wave of minerality. The wine is structured but delicate, unfolding quietly on the palate. A lovely meeting of Old and New World styles.
Lovers of Cab Franc should track this wine down; it's a perfect evocation of the grape. Ripe purple plum flavors are annotated with spice and dust; the tannins are ripe and muscular; the wine sits very comfortably in the mouth. Hints of coffee grounds and tobacco liven up the finish, and the core of sweet fruit just keeps on coming.
Setting a new high bar for Carmenère is this luxury version from Concha y Toro's Cachapoal vineyard. And while it deserves to be drunk sooner than later, we recommend it for the best steak you grill this year. It's a strapped, juicy wine with tons of coffee, chocolate and berry essence. It's too hard or layered, so get at it soon for its up-front fruit and character.
In recent years, with winemaker Enrique Tirado firmly at the helm, Don Melchor has gotten better and better. And while 2004 was an average year in Chile, this ranks as the best Melchor we've sampled. The wine has beautiful blackberry, cola and pepper aromas in front of cassis, cherry, plum, nutmeg and cinnamon flavors. It's brawny but balanced, with excellent natural acidity. Best from 2008–2012.
This score for a $22 Chilean Malbec may cause you to do a double-take, but this is really a great wine. The nose is chock full of berry aromas with earth and leather riding shotgun. Flavors and finishing notes of chocolate truffles, espresso, berry syrup and mocha sum it up. The structure is here, as is the core acidity. This wine has everything. Imported by Atlanta Improvement Co.
Dark, rich fruit, luscious spice and a velvety overall texture make this flagship wine from Capaia a benchmark Bordeaux blend for South Africa. Assertive but refined, layered but delicate, the wine unfolds gently on the palate and is the perfect cohort to myriad meat and poultry dishes. Minerality gives it lift and clarity.
An outstanding wine. Beautifully integrated fruit flavors suggest cherry pie and ripe strawberry, with dusty herbs scattered throughout. The herbal notes are not at all bitter or tannic, so the wine has an elegance to it, and shows nicely developed and integrated flavors.
The name refers to the vineyard's unusually steep slopes. The reward for farming such difficult terrain, the owners believe, is complexity, character and concentration. That is certainly the case in 2004, as this is the most dense and focused of the six WillaKenzie releases. It's built upon a solid foundation of black cherry fruit, but elevated with herb, acid and a feathery touch to the tannins. Despite its exceptional heft, the wine manages to feel elegant.
Plum and rose on the nose introduces this beautiful blend from De Toren, and on the palate, it shows ample structure and firm tannins with a shock of acidity that brings freshness to the overall flavor profile. Subtle, reserved strains of spice and soft fruit flavors end up with a clean and fresh twist. A unique and attractive wine at a good price.
While aromatically subdued, this is a refreshing, easy-drinking white blend, with pleasant lemon and apple flavors. A hint of orange peel and a brisk, lime-accented acidity highlight the midpalate. Drink now.
Pale red in color, this fruity rosé was one of the originals in the current pink Vinho Verde trend. It is still one of the best. It has a lively, ripe strawberry note accompanied by a touch of caramel and bright acidity.
This wine smells subtly of hickory and resin but is otherwise neutral on the nose. It feels creamy, smooth and woody, with oak leading the flavor profile, with other notes of melon and honey. This is a plump, oaky, honeyed style of Chardonnay.
This crisp, bright sparkler gets depth of flavor from the Loureiro grape. It has a taut texture that makes this fruity, fresh wine a perfect match for food.
The aromas of this wine are slightly high-toned, offering bright notes of apple skin, tart cherry and small red-berry fruit. A touch of black pepper livens up the medium-weight palate and spices up the clean finish.
Notes of cedar and violet meld with a ripe, juicy black-fruit flavor in this bold, deeply concentrated Cabernet. Softer and riper than the Rezerva, it has a slightly grapey midpalate. It's full-bodied in style, with a frame of lush, furry tannins.
Aromas of waxy apple skin and white melon rind lead the nose, though a soft lemon oil accent unfolds in the back after the wine warms. The mouthfeel is round yet lifted, with ripe melon and sweet citrus flavors that are balanced by a good acidic cut to the finish. Drink now.
Cool and green smelling, with briny notes and whiffs of green pepper and sea foam, this shows intensity, while the flavors veer toward lime, passion fruit and green herb. It's nervy and tasty on the finish.
On the nose, there are cider, oak and baked corn notes. The palate is full of oak and resin flavors that prevent the fruit from emerging immediately. It tastes of hickory, apple and melon on the palate and finish.
Although it's not very aromatic, the nose on this wine is easygoing, with mild peach and apple aromas. It feels fresh and medium bodied, with apple, peach and melony flavors, the latter perhaps due to the blend's 14% white Carmenère. It shows mellow oak notes and latent acidity on the finish.
This is the first vintage of this wine to include estate fruit, along with fruit from Klipsun, Bacchus and Red Willow. A complex medley of herb and spice aromas accented by purple flowers is followed by bold yet still refined dark-fruit flavors that linger on the finish. It has the tannin to go the distance. Best after 2020.
Prune, raisin and gamy black-fruit aromas fold in a note of iodine. This Uco Valley Malbec features tough but manageable tannins in front of a savory tasting palate with roasted plum and berry flavors. A note of salt lends complexity to a rubbery, tannic finish. Drink through 2023.
This is a darkly fruity and spicy wine from a site overlooking the Marin Coastal range, often shrouded in fog. Planted to five clones, the site provides plenty of cardamom, clove, forest floor and black tea while allowing for a wildness of plum tart and crusty bread. The oak imprint is light.
Concentrated boysenberry and blackberry flavors give this dry and full-bodied wine a lot to like. They melt in the mouth and seem to coat the tongue with a ripeness that's rich but not sweet. Throw in dark chocolate, black currant and a creamy in mouthfeel, and it's an outstanding wine.
Velvety and showing a bite of oak, this wine blends grapes from Spring Hill Vineyard and Nobles Vineyard, with a small addition from Horseshoe Bend, a coastal site that contributes earthy salinity. Bright red fruit is layered and succulent, with an underlying richness that contrasts against the sizzling acidity.
Dark berry, blue flower, brown spice, espresso and balsamic aromas take shape in the glass. The structured palate offers black cherry, clove, coffee and licorice alongside close-grained tannins that give the finish a youthful grip. Drink 2019–2028.
This is a terrific Chardonnay at a great price, offering subtle notes of toasted grain upfront, followed by bright lemon-lime fruit and crisp acidity. It's medium-bodied, so it won't overpower whatever food you serve it with and the laser beam of citrusy acidity on the finish is wrapped in a gauzy sheath of pleasant nuttiness. Drink now–2020, possibly longer.
Concentrated aromas of blackberry and iodine are moderately complex. A tight layered palate with juicy acidity propels toasty yet bright flavors of black cherry and plum towards a finish with juicy acidity and natural spicy flavors. Drink through 2021.
This full-bodied wine is saturated with ripe and concentrated blackberry and black-grape flavors. A layered and nicely viscous texture clings to the sides of the mouth and holds all that gorgeous fruit through the finish. It's almost all fruit, dark chocolate and a touch of clove, with little obvious oak, for a pure and memorable character.
Another good example of how Lake County grows excellent big reds. Delicious, rich, almost chocolaty, this nevertheless dry wine is packed with flavor. It's concentrated, very smooth despite massive tannins and just a pleasure to taste. Tempting now, but best after 2020.
This is a bold, jazzy, full-bodied wine with little oak influence. It oozes ripe fruit flavor onto a surprisingly solid structure of fine-grained tannins and supportive acidity. Grapy, jammy aromas lead to generous, mouthcoating blackberry flavors, nice grip on the palate and a lingering finish.
Black currant stars in this mountain wine, juicy and brushy in big, pillowy tannin. Still tightly wound, it shows complexity and plenty of natural structure, begging for more time in the bottle to allow for the gunpowder, smoky oak and dark, lush black fruit to marry further. It should show best 2020 through 2023.
Fresh apricot, melon and grapefruit abound from nose to finish in this brisk yet delectably fruity Riesling. It's dry and lithe in body yet penetrating and juicy. Zesty lime acidity lingers brightly on the finish.
This balanced, rich wine is produced by a family company dating to the 19th century. It has tannins, signs of wood aging and layers of black fruits. Still young, it will develop well into a solid, concentrated wine. Drink from 2020.
Dark and fruity, this juicy wine is packed with black cherry and highlighted with tobacco and coffee. The tannins are substantial, and hint at clean earth. It's big and full through the middle, but tails off a bit in the finish.
This wine is an equal split of these two varieties. Aromas of pencil shavings, red and black fruit, wood spice and green herbs are followed by jammy, full-bodied fruit flavors that don't hold back. A lengthy finish caps it off.
This partnership between the Rhône's Michel Chapoutier and his American importer seems remarkably consistent. Peppery clove aromas presage a medium-bodied, silky wine that combines spice with black olives on the midpalate. It's long, finely textured and espresso-tinged on the finish.
Zesty lime and green melon notes resonate throughout this ethereally light but scintillating dry Riesling. Dusty mineral and pollen notes lend an earthen dimension to crisp, green plum and herb on the palate. It's spine tingling and revitalizing yet lingers persistently on the finish.
A lavish oak component works well in this dark, intense wine to enhance the concentrated blackberry and black cherry flavors. Full-bodied and richly tannic in texture, the wine is very showy and delicious.
This gentle, complex white offers lovingly crafted waves of tropical lychee and golden-apple minerality, with bites of wet stone, gravel and lemon. Balanced in acidity and a lightness of being, it's meant for the table or kitchen, to sip happily while making a meal.
A blend of Merlot (56%) and Cabernet Franc, this wine opens with aromas of flowers, huckleberry, cardamom and green herbs, along with light barrel accents. The flavors are dense and rich but far from over the top, supported by chewy tannins and a fruit-filled finish that sails into the distance. Best after 2020.
At six years of age, this is just coming into its own. Hints of green fruit remain, tempered by notes of wet stone and toasted marshmallow, harbingers of the full maturity that will arrive in a few years. It's not as lean or edgy as it must've been as a young wine, but is rounding beautifully into form. Drink now–2025.
It's good to see this Margaret River stalwart return to the States. The 2015 DJL is a slightly nutty, toasty wine, plump and silky in texture. Pear, melon, vanilla and citrus notes finish long.
The wine has powerful tannins which are balanced with equally rich fruit. It is firm, in the Saint-Estèphe style, while never losing sight of a rich fruity future. The wine, from an estate at the heart of the Pez plateau, will develop well. Drink from 2024.
Siran is in the south of the Margaux appellation just where the gravel outcrops rise above the river. It shows its fine position in this tannic wine. It has all the black-currant fruit buried for the moment under the structure. It is a serious wine that will repay aging. Drink from 2022.
Lovely from the first sniff on, this is packed with mineral-drenched fruit flavors. Pear flesh and skin dominate, along with suggestions of cucumber and white melon. The leesy minerality is a great palate cleanser.
Though labeled simply Willamette Valley, the vineyard is set in the Eola Hills AVA. Complex aromas meld sassafras, Asian spices, baking spices and delicate notes of leaf and stem. The fruit is lightly brambly with an accent on raspberry flavors. The wine is well-proportioned throughout.
This single vineyard wine has enormous potential. At this stage it is dry and not quite integrated. But with the rich fruitiness, the hints of yellow fruits and the tight mineral character, this wine will age extremely well. Drink from 2021.
A rich wood-aged wine, this is dense and creamy. With acidity and toast, ripe apples as well as spice, the wine is made to age. Coming from the Alvarinho heartland of Melgaço on Portugal's northern border, the wine has minerality and great intensity. It will be good until at least 2020.
Ripe blueberry fruit meets vanilla, cola and thyme touches on the approachable nose of this wine from Steve Gerbac. There's a well-balanced array of flavors on the dynamic palate, from potpourri spice to blackberry and blueberry fruit.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Carménère, Malbec and Cabernet Franc offers aromas of purple fruit, green herb, clove, barrel spice and spice box. It's light and supple, filling out with palate-coating fruit flavors. The tannins bring a bit of grip that softens with additional time open. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
Aromas of barrel spice are up front on this locked-up wine, followed by pencil lead, herb, vanilla, black currant and cherry. The palate brings a compelling sense of texture, juxtaposed by aggressive tannins that need a significant amount of time to come into their own. Don't go near it for a decade but it should last well beyond that. Best from 2027–2035.
Piercing black cherry and cassis aromas are a touch rustic and massive, but hey, that's old-vines Carignan from Maule (this one also contains 12% Cinsault). So saturated that it's beastly on the palate, this tastes of hard-rolling blackberry and black plum. Plenty of gritty spice, tomato and integrated oak fill out the menu. Drink through 2025.
Great concentration and textural density make this full-bodied and firmly structured wine stand out. Blackberry, black pepper and clove aromas fill the glass while the palate brings out layers of blackberry and dark chocolate notes. With all that structure and flavor, this will be interesting to age a few years. Best after 2021.
From a vineyard named for the oceanic deposits found there, this bottling offers blackberry syrup, vanilla, clove and black tea aromas. Like the nose, the palate offers a minty lift to its boysenberry and blackberry fruit. It's framed by strong acidity and soft tannins that build after several sips.
Light and cloudy in the glass, this wine shows a carbonic earthiness that's welcoming and complex. Forest floor, mushroom, pine and cola flavors permeate the palate in a delicately savory way, finishing bright and crisp.
While quite ripe and fruity, this wine is also dry, nicely tannic and firmly textured, so it will pair beautifully with rich proteins. Aged 18 months in oak, mostly French, it has concentrated dark fruit aromas, and a layered array of flavors that recalls blueberry, dark chocolate and blackberry syrup. Bright acidity keeps everything in balance.
The 2015 vintage in Mornington yielded dark concentrated wines. This one is atypically (for the estate) full bodied and bold as a result, with plum and black-cherry fruit and hints of mint, sage and bay leaf. Long and a bit drying on the finish, it needs a couple of years to come into balance. Drink 2020–2030.
Extremely light in color, this top-shelf Sauvignon Blanc from McGinley and Grassini vineyards is compelling on all fronts. Fresh, lively and suave key lime, sliced nectarine and wet sidewalk aromas mark the nose. The palate is tense and nervy, with a grippy texture and energetic acidity that invigorates its crisp citrus and river stone flavors.
100% varietal, this wine is a blend of fruit from Ciel du Cheval and Force Majeure vineyards. The dark fruit, mineral, meat, white pepper, green herb and savory aromas are initially brooding but intriguing. The palate packs a big wallop of dark-fruit flavors, bringing a lot of hedonistic appeal. It's not for the faint of heart but it delivers.
The inaugural release of this wine, this hails largely from the esteemed Klipsun Vineyard. Alluring aromas of herb, earth, cherry liqueur and black fruit lead to sweet, sappy black-fruit flavors and burly but still well-integrated tannins. It's only going to get better with additional time in the bottle. Best after 2023.
A bright dash of lemon is colored with a hint of yeast and flint. The palate, which brims with ripe Amalfi lemon notes, also has that slight flinty stony touch. But it is the lemon that characterizes the compact, precise and dry body. It is the zestiness that brightens and enlivens. Very refreshing, with wonderful balance and tension. Drink now through 2027.
Both amplitude and generosity are apparent from the first sniff with ripe pear dominating the flavor spectrum. The body is concentrated and balances the full fruit with pleasant tingling zestiness. This is dry and precisely drawn, with a zesty finish.
Grapefruit and quince make for an exciting opening amidst some yeasty notes. On the palate, aromatic quince and plum notes reflect the generosity of the vintage while remaining dry and light-bodied. There is an ease here, of drinking and thinking, of sipping and being refreshed. This goes down far too easily on deceptively light feet. The finish is of refreshing lemon zest.
This well-made wine, blended with small percentages of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot, is an astounding value. Currant and cranberry notes and an underbelly of tannins play together in a smooth texture of rich concentration.
Lifted, almost herbal citrus freshness dominates the nose, making for an inviting appetizing opening. The palate comes in with generous ripe pear fruit on a slender body. The flavors are boosted by some residual sweetness. The off-dry finish is of lasting, adorably brilliant, pure pear fruit.
Incredibly suave dark strawberry and cherry aromas meld with chocolate and dusty earth notes on the nose of this bottling from one of the appellation's largest vineyards. The palate is more tightly wound, offering dried thyme, bay leaf and peppercorn instead of opulent fruit.
This small-production wine from two spectacular sites in the Petaluma Gap is robustly earthy and spicy, showing compost and blue fruit flavor. Broadly structured, it expands on the palate, its finish dotted with black tea and clove.
Fresh notes of ripe lemon zest are suffused with hay flower and earth notes. The palate majors on zesty, lively and aromatic citrus: tangerine and Amalfi lemon above all. This is dry and bright, slender and precise, yet never lets go of its earthy touch. The finish is expansive and clean.
This new project from a co-founder of the popular Garagiste Festivals is promising. This bottling shows elegant violet, beef char, graphite and boysenberry notes on the nose. The palate is more pungent with its dark fruit, anise, pepper and roast beef flavors, finishing on a caramelized note.
This is a blend of 35% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Zinfandel and 14% Merlot. It impresses with rich blueberry pie, spicy clove and black pepper flavors while offering a lively experience on the palate that finishes long, with leathery texture and complexity.
From a site in Calistoga, this wine delivers juicy tobacco, char and black fruit flavors, with a concentrated structure and new French and American oak. Savory leather and black pepper notes close out the long finish.
This interesting, complex wine moves from tangy candied citrus to baking spices and long concentrated flavors of dried plum, apricot and more. Think Christmas fruitcake with a touch of leather and you're there.
This is a soft, simple, red fruit-driven blend of four Bordeaux varieties, the fruit complemented by a twist of cedar and mint.
Brooding aromas of spice box, herb, purple fruit and wood spice are followed by medium-bodied cranberry flavors. The tannins bring a sense of astringency, requiring some time in the cellar to (hopefully?) soften.
Another impressive bargain-priced 2015 Sauvignon Blanc. Consumers looking for summer 2017 refreshment should grab some of this for its crisp flavors of pineapple, passion fruit and grapefruit. Drink now.
Cherry and raspberry aromas are accented by a spicy, earthy quality in this easy-drinking, well-balanced wine, and the flavors gush with fruit. It's smooth and polished on the palate, medium in body and light in tannin.
There's just not much here. The strawberry fruit is wispy thin, the acids tart, the tannins light, and the whole shebang shows only modest depth and grip.
Aromas of tangerine zest, peach and flower are followed by dry clean fruit flavors that show no apparent oak influence, with citrus notes lingering on the finish.
Black pepper and rosemary aromas join forces with black cherry and blackberry flavors in this well-balanced, moderately tannic wine. It has a refreshing quality, tasty fruit and medium body, all of which will make it versatle with food.
As this enters its second year in bottle, the nose is still clean and punchy, much like fruit salad. A plump solid mouthfeel holds flavors of salty peach. Beyond that, there's not a lot to say about this standard Albariño. Drink immediately.
Vanilla, cherry and raspberry flavors are complemented by smoky meat and tar in this softly built, mellow and pensively sweet wine that's ripe and generous in body.
This easygoing off-dry Riesling boasts pretty orange blossom and white-peach perfume. Crisp stone-fruit flavors on the palate are accented by honey and bee pollen. The finish is long and zesty.
The aromas come off as quite green, with notes of bell pepper and garden herbs more reminiscent of a Cabernet Franc. The flavors are elegant and show more of the same. It's an exploration of Cabernet's greener side, surprising considering the warmer vintage and region.
This leathery, full-bodied red is rich with blueberry cobbler, coffee and smoked meat flavors. Soft and round in structure, it tastes robustly varietal.
On the nose, this suggests thyme, toasted nut and ripe orchard fruit. The firm palate offers mature citrus zest and ripe pear flavors while a bitter almond note marks the finish.
This Nero d'Avola has black-skinned berry, blue flower and black pepper aromas. The easygoing palate conveys mature black cherry and raspberry jam, with round tannins. Enjoy soon.
This wine's golden apple, yellow pear and beeswax aromas carry over to the bright, straightforward palate, along with a hint of citrus. It has a clean, fresh finish.
Hailing from Two Blondes Vineyard, the aromas bring unusual, not entirely married notes of ham hock, bacon fat, herb and vanilla. The palate mixes smooth-feeling fruit and savory flavors. It's a unique wine, not for all tastes.
Rounded and creamy wine. It has an edge of pepper, its acidity melding easily into the apple and pear fruit flavors. It finishes easily with a ripe pineapple note. Screwcap.
Smells wet and salinic, with a slightly acrid note coming on late. Feels tangy, tight and zesty, with oily lime and lychee flavors. Finishes hard, nutty and mildly bitter.
This white blend of Malagousia and Moscholfilero starts with aromas of bright citrus, tropical fruit and a hint of musky spice. On the palate, it's a creamy blend of tropical fruit and peach, though slightly clumsy. The wine finishes with a spicy spin.
Hard and like a match on the nose, with sulfur and peach pit aromas. Has a good mouthfeel to support pithy peach and green melon flavors. Finishes creamy, but with a mild bitterness.
This wine starts with aromas of black pepper, anise and grape candy followed by a combination of wild cherry, cocoa and pepper on the palate. A soft character with a slight kick. Pair with poultry, cheese, pork.
Crisp up front, but not overly aromatic or fruity. Feels kind of thick and chewy, with gummy, sweet berry flavors that suggest cherry and plum. Feels a little cloying and cooked on the finish, especially for a young 2011.
A very minty old vine Zin from organically farmed grapes that tastes of not-quite-ripe strawberry jam and is otherwise smooth and peppery.
Reedy and green on the nose, then choppy and clipped on the palate. For a full-priced Malbec, this is lacking in ripeness, body and finesse; it's prickly and limited, with green bean, rhubarb and cranberry flavors. Not bad but underwhelming for $33.
This stainless-steel Chardonnay from above Malibu starts out light, tasting of grapefruit and orange, and is fairly crisp with a nice dollop of anise, but finishes too tart, almost sour as if it's been oddly acidified.
A pale salmon color, this rosé shows ripe notes of cocoa-dusted cherry and strawberry alongside sweet citrus oil. Creamy and full in the mouth, it's a richer rosé that can stand up to heartier fare.
A real value wine that's perfect for large-group entertaining. Blueberry and cherry flavors lead here, with glimmers of raspberry leaf adding character. Juicy, light and simple, but good.
With some richness, this is a drink-now rosé. The initial fresh fruit has diminished, leaving a rounded, caramel-flavored wine without acidity.
A funky nose of wet dog and medicinal cherry is no place you want to begin. The palate is high in acidity and scratchy, with tart plum, berry and cheek-starching tannins. Tastes reasonably good but fails in the bouquet and mouthfeel departments.
The nose is herbal and drawn but offers varietally correct cherry, berry and spice aromas. The wine runs ultracrisp and sheering in the mouth, with tart redfruit and herbal flavors of olive and mint. Seems more sharp and acidic than ideal.
Medium intense aromas of tangerine citrus and crushed yellow flowers transition to flavors of dried grass, red apple and a touch of mushroom powder. Drink now.
Unoaked Pinot Noir from Corsica, showing ripe berry flavors, fresh acidity and only light tannins. It's what it says on the label: for casual drinking.
Tropical notes on the nose are as good as it gets; otherwise it smells like air freshener. In the mouth, it's waxy and flat, with bland apple and vanilla flavors. Finishes pithy.
Generic and monotone on the nose. The palate is nothing more than wet and chunky, while the flavors are soft, sweet and candied, with vanilla and toffee overriding any fruit. A creamy dullard with a lot of vanilla and hardly any pulse.
Barely noticeable lime and orange aromas sit mute on the nose, which is reduced and artificial smelling. The palate has a hard feel and generic flavors of white fruits. Amid sweetness there's a chemical bitterness. Not one of this winery's better products.
Big and gold, with aromas of corn, sweat and vegetal white fruits. This is soft, dull and rich stuff, with an oaky, dry palate of apricot and papaya. Seems over the hill already and it's not yet two years old. 88% Chard and 12% Viognier.
Toasty, roasted aromas of baked berry and earth head straight to a narrowly built yet weighty palate with earth, plum and raspberry notes. On the finish, this holds onto its plum and raspberry flavors as well as its fresh feel.
One of the more herbaceous Sauvignons in Joseph Mellot's range, this is crisp, leaning to green fruits although with an underlying feeling of ripeness. There is a touch of minerality in the texture, giving the acidity a taut, nervy feeling at the end. Screwcap.
This straightforward selection offers plum and cherry sensations with hints of espresso and chocolate. The simple style will work well with pasta dishes and cheeses.
This ripe wine is full of apple fruits with a tight streak of citrus acidity. It's a food wine, showing a creamy texture, a light texture and attractive acidity.
Aged partly in concrete vats and partly in oak, this shows concentrated sensations of ripe plum, sour cherry and raspberry layered with espresso notes. Pair this with grilled vegetables or spicy cheeses.
The full, rich nature of Alsace Pinot Gris is perfectly—and simply—expressed in this full wine. With its exotic fruits, rounded texture and perfumed spice, it has just an edge of sweetness that turns it into a great wine for Thai or Chinese food. Screwcap.
This young wine offers aromas of underbrush and mushroom, along with evident oak and toasted notes. The palate is still rather closed but reveals oak, plum, espresso and coffee flavors. It's tightly knit, with astringent wood tannins that linger through the close.
This friendly rosso has aromas of ripe plum and black fruits, with a hint of tobacco leaf. The palate shows sweet black cherry and plum flavors laced with cinnamon spice. The warm midpalate is uplifted by just enough freshness, but this is best enjoyed young.
Made from Sangiovese, this refreshing rosé has floral aromas of iris and white violet. The palate offers strawberry, crushed cherry and pink grapefruit flavors. Thanks to its crisp nature, this would work wonderfully with pizza.
This straightforward selection has aromas of violet, plum and light toast. The palate offers ripe, black fruit and pepper flavors, partnered with brisk acidity and firm tannins.
Lush, jammy black fruit fills the palate on this dense, boldly structured blend of Bulgarian Rubin and Merlot grapes. It's undeniably juicy and forward, but balanced by a streak of sharp acidity and soft, chalky tannins that linger.
This is a simple yet well made Chianti Classico with fresh and juicy black fruit, cinnamon spice and dense plum aromas and flavors. It's accessible and versatile for pairing with food; try it with barbecued chicken, spicy soy burgers or pork chops.
Pato Frio—cold duck—suggests this a summer picnic wine. It certainly has the freshness and crisp elegance. But it also some weight, ripe apple and citrus fruits and a texture that suggests it could age a few months longer.
Despite the low alcohol, this is quite dry and tart, with a lemony base and some orange-pekoe flavors also. Not a complex Riesling, but light and pleasantly sippable.
This young Chianti Classico is still a bit closed, but it reveals cherry and raspberry sensations along with black- and white-pepper notes. It's still tightly knit but it should should open up well after one or two more years bottle aging.
This is, quite simply, great Riesling. It has all the subtlety that the grape can produce, as well as a sense of longevity. There's an intensity of fruit—apples and citrus—that cuts through the texture, leaving a beautiful, lingering aftertaste. Still young, drink from 2016.
This thrilling wine, sourced from the Phinny Hill vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, displays all the tense power of great Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep flavors of berry, plum and cassis are threaded with gravelly streaks of tar, coffee and anise. Aged in 40% new French oak, it strikes a perfect balance through a long finish.
Super-tight and not yet willing to charm, this presently gives little more than the heady spritz of ripe lemon peel, but the stony background, concentration on the palate and a haunting, zesty length all point to future reward. Be patient with this and it will repay you thousandfold, with honeyed richness, luscious peach and a strong mineral backbone. Drink from 2018.
Alcohol that reaches these levels is often a complexity killer, but not here. This is a stunningly delicious wine, with ripe, powerful and concentrated black fruits. Baking spices, tar, pencil lead, even a whiff of compost all add to the complexity and the depth of flavor is magnificent. This can age at least a decade but is delicious already!
One of Trimbach's top wines, this impressive Riesling, with all its bottle time, is maturing beautifully. It has that petrol character that is typical of aged Riesling, as well as a strong sense of steeliness and intense acidity on the finish. It is probably at its peak now, but will drink well until 2018.
Laurence Faller is the family winemaker at Domaine Weinbach, and this wine is a tribute to her skills. It is a wonderful blend of rich fruits, warm spice and tight acidity, with a finish that lasts and lasts in the mouth. It is a very fine wine, designed for aging, and would be best enjoyed after 2016.
There is both wonderful bite and density to this great wine. It has a weighty texture full of ripe, rich fruit. At the same time, the wine is bone dry and crisp with acidity. It' s just beginning to mature, and while enjoyable now, it's better to wait until 2016.
Winemaker Kit Singh has tweaked this Right Bank-style blend, but it remains solidly anchored in 49% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Franc, with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Tart, young raspberry and pomegranate fruit flavors are set against vividly crisp mineral notes. Tannins are supple and proportionate and the flavors beautifully defined. On the finish, a delightful detail of carpaccio appears.
So intense and concentrated, this wine epitomizes the essence of Riesling. Steely, tight, very nervy and bone dry, it is packed with flavors of citrus, orange zest, grapefruit and green apple skins. The texture of this young wine is beautifully crisp. Drink from 2016.
An astonishing wine, this showchases mature Riesling flavors with abundant fruit, a classic petrol character, and a strong, steely texture. It's structured with tight texture and intense acidity that lingers on the finish. Drink now.
The 2009 Lewis Merlot is in peak form—a dark, smoky, dare we say 'brooding' wine with generous swatches of cassis, espresso, cacao, licorice and sandalwood. It glides into a silky, seamless, sexy finish, lingering generously for a minute or more.
An expressive, vibrantly pure wine with a complex medley of notes including dark raspberries, wet gravel, crushed flowers and cherry. Aged in five year old French oak barrels, it's vivid and focused with an initial elegance and delicacy that continues to flesh out and evolve over time. Give it some time in the cellar to see it at its best.
Generous and opulent, this is a wine that has both fine perfume and ripe black-fruit flavors. There is a deliciously juicy element to the wine, yet it's balanced with ample acidity. With its attractive, herbal edge, this is a wine that can age. Drink from 2016.
Characteristically perfumed, this Pinot Gris is full bodied with a richness of texture. It is complex on the palate with notes of nuts, spice and an edge of citrus fruit. Age this wine and don't drink before 2016.
Grenache and Syrah are the mainstays here, with a splash of Mourvèdre completing the Third Man blend. For the first time, Uplands contributes some of the fruit. It's immensely fragrant, fruity, peppery and rich with flavors of strawberry, raspberry, cherry and plum. There is nothing simple here; scents and flavors compound and linger, and the more you look, the more you find.
Don't look for this new producer to remain under the radar for long; this is the third successive vintage featuring beautifully crafted, distinctive wines. The Red Mountain fruit has that region's stony minerality. Immaculate, tart red currant and cherry flavors, still tight and young, are wrapped with lightly toasty notes from barrel aging.
This is a finely perfumed, elegant wine. It has a dark structure with a touch of wood, remarkable fruit concentration and dusty tannins that hang suspended within blackberry flavor. It's a wine with great potential—drink from 2016.
The initial impression of this wine is lean and austere. Lively acidity and a firm, dark, magnificent structure brings out intense flavors of plum skins. It needs several years in the bottle to show its best. Drink from 2018.
This is a perfumed, complex wine that veers between showcasing the freshest fruit flavors and hints of maturity. It's fresh with berry notes and intense with acidity, but rich in texture as well. This is a wine to age much longer, so don't drink before 2017.
This wine boasts a creamy palate, with aromas of fresh and baked apples that transition to flavors of apple crumble laced with citrus zest. Concentration, precision and lively acidity mean that this will pair well with many fatty foods. It's glorious now, but its acidity means that you can expect pleasant development over the next five years.
Although certainly sweet, this wine is much more than that. Alongside the honey and syrup flavors are intensely bright pineapple flavors and lively acidity. It's the balance of this wine that is so impressive, with all the elements properly in place. Drink now and until 2020.
Sourced from what is arguably Red Willow's finest block of Syrah, this is superbly balanced and remarkably concentrated for this cool site from a cool vintage. Cassis fruit is streaked with licorice and mocha, showing plenty of new oak influence without sacrificing depth or fruit. Drink soon or tuck it away for a few more years; either way it's a gem.
Caramel apple and honeyed, biscuity notes combine, layering richness upon richness in this single vineyard wine. A full-bodied, concentrated expression, its darker elements are complemented by an underlay of Key lime that provides a respite of freshness.
Just three barrels were made of this rather unusual wine. It's a seemingly disparate mix of raspberries, gun metal, dried seaweed and carpaccio, yet somehow it all comes together. The length is impressive. This is one of those wines that will thrill some tasters and puzzle others.
Typically dark in color, with plum, blackberry and a touch of raisin on the nose, this feels a bit jammy, with a shock of acidity and hard tannins. Prune, baked plum and baking-spice flavors finish toasty and charred, with dry rough tannins. Drink through 2025.
Raspberry and cranberry flavors and a twist of cinnamon stick accent the firm tannins of this estate wine, marked by classic red currant, cedar and dried herb notes. Medium-bodied and modest in oak, it shows a clarity of crisp acidity.
This is a medium-bodied, richly textured Chardonnay that deserves a place on any table. Grilled pineapple and peach notes convey ripeness without excessive oak or weight, finishing long and plush. Drink now–2020.
The subtle nose of this all-Sangiovese wine suggests ripe black-skinned fruit, pressed violets and dark spices. The linear palate offers dried black cherry, licorice, clove and chopped herb flavors, pulled taut by firm, fine-grained tannins that lead to a coffee-inflected finish.
Crisp notes of freshly peeled pear mingle with a creamier aspect on the nose. The palate is a similarly appetizing and attractive mix of crisp freshness and creamy roundness. The body is very light but clean. The finish shines with fresh lemon.
Made of 60% Malvasia, 30% Trebbiano and 10% Sangiovese, this opens with apricot and orange jam aromas. The warm, structured palate delivers toasted almond, chestnut honey and dried fig flavors. Drink through 2025.
Floral and earthy in tone, this vineyard-designated wine has an undercurrent of spice to it that complements its baked plum, orange and cranberry fruit. Medium bodied, ripe and concentrated, it offers breadth and softness of texture.
Cool rooty aromas of cola and tree bark grace the nose on this ripe but still not fully mature Cabernet Sauvignon (with 5% Merlot). In the mouth, this is choppy due to sandpaper tannins. Flavors of sarsaparilla, pepper, and blackberry are dense and chewy, while the finish is bumpy and scraping due to aforementioned hard tannins. Drink or hold through 2022.
Aromas of cherry, plum, forest floor and tobacco feed into a clampy palate with fresh acidity. Lightly spiced currant and red-plum flavors are limited in scope but nice, while this tastes herbal and feels tight and racy on the finish.
This juicy, medium-bodied Shiraz is filled with mouthwatering cherry-berry fruit. Some silky tannins provide structure, but this is much more about the here and now than any sort of cellaring. The fruit persists through the finish, joined by hints of herbs and bacon. Drink now–2020.
It's been some time since Katnook last submitted samples, so it's reassuring to see that quality there remains high. This medium-bodied Cabernet boasts crisp acids and fine tannins, highlighting notes of red currants, olives and bay leaves. Drink now–2025.
Free of restrictive appellation contrôlée regulations, Chapoutier's Australian team blends 85% Viognier and 15% Marsanne in this intense, concentrated white. Yellow plums and grilled pineapple notes aren't exceeding complex, but offer plenty of enjoyment, finishing ripe, rich and long. Drink now.
Earthy and a touch gritty smelling on first take, this gets riper, cleaner and better the longer it catches air. A full slightly tannic palate is mildly abrasive, while tea, herbal berry and chocolaty oak flavors are appealing. A spicy peppery chocolaty finish is not shedding its drying tannins. Drink through 2022.
For a tight, snappy rendition of Rioja, this answers the call. Herbal plum and tomato aromas are earthy and a touch horsey. Tomato, plum and herbal flavors amount to a saucy whole, while this is fresh, herbal and brothy tasting on a crisp finish.
Classic hints of mint mark the black-cherry and cassis aromas of this wine. On the palate, the fruit is reasonably restrained but pure, barely touched by dried spices and cedar, then glides to a silky finish. Drink now–2020.
A fairly priced varietal wine, this shows currant, cranberry, raisin and a flurry of allspice on the nose. It takes on rose petal and lavender aromas as it opens, making it all the more pleasant and memorable.
This wine shows crisp apple and pear notes over a backdrop of minerality. Its ripe fruit is ribbed with anise, fennel and lemongrass scents.
An aromatic hint of pine mixes with the red cherry notes on the nose, creating a very appetizing opening. The ultralight palate is translucent and slender, with the same leafy conifer aromas and lots and lots of red currant brightness and freshness. The light crunchy nature of this wine suggests that this is ideal for chilling. It's a weightless, very aromatic, and ultra-light-bodied red.
Tart cherry, baking spice and dried chaparral show on the nose of this appellation blend from pioneering vintner Richard Sanford and Nick de Luca, making for a soft and easy entry. It's light and refreshing on the palate, with a bit of tannic depth, offering dried cranberry, juniper and garrigue-inflected flavors. Lively and vibrant with herbal depth.
This is a light, graceful red that's stemmy and fresh in a mix of well-integrated cranberry, rhubarb and cardamom flavors. An undercurrent of earthy truffle plays on the palate, weaving its way to a long finish.
A blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc, this opens with black-skinned berry, scorched earth and cooking spice aromas. The concentrated palate delivers black currant, mocha and licorice flavors with a hint of black pepper, all set against a backdrop of fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2021.
Melony floral aromas are friendly and easygoing. On the palate, this is clean and precise, with moderate weight and a touch of oak. Lime and kiwi flavors are a bit sweet, with a welcome oaky offset. On the finish, this Godello fades nicely, with core acidity extending the ride.
Ripe plum, coconut, vanilla and French oak aromas lead the nose. Youthfully assertive and austere, the palate offers toasted oak, licorice and espresso notes, set against a backdrop of bracing tannins that grip the finish. That structure should mellow and integrate with a few more years of bottle age.
This is from Alsace's only Grand Cru vineyard for the Sylvaner grape. The 2014 vintage is not as expressive as usual but still shows the inherent graceful and very fine-boned structure of this underrated variety. Pay attention to the lovely texture and beautiful slenderness.
Ripe fruit meets butter and spice in this medium-bodied, smooth and integrated wine. It opens with Bosc pear and golden apple aromas, melding with vanilla and marzipan notes, its richness of flavor nicely buoyed up by acidity.
Dark-skinned berry, underbrush and leather are some of the aromas you'll find in this juicy Brunello. The palate doles out fleshy black cherry, raspberry jam and clove flavors held together by fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Enjoy 2018–2023.
A classic Zinfandel with its unmistakable spice aroma and wild berry flavor, this is dry and tannic enough to provide balance. Medium bodied, it packs plenty of flavor and an appetizing mouthfeel.
Forest floor, leather, pressed violet and balsamic notes meld together in the glass. The palate is firm and linear, offering dried cherry, tart cranberry, crushed herb and licorice notes, set against youthfully assertive, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2019–2025.
This is a cohesive and well-integrated blend of 34% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 8% Malbec. It offers blackberry, black currant, cedar, toasty oak, violets, roast beef, black pepper and pencil lead on the nose. The well-hewn palate combines pepper and blackberry at the tip of the sip, followed by oaky vanilla and a touch of pine. it's very well focused.
Fresh citrus has a tang of green apple on the nose. The palate colors this with an equally zesty dollop of grapefruit, but something riper, richer, almost of dried fruit, also swings in there. This is intriguing and fresh, zesty and taut, lip-smacking and moreish. I feel that this will give up its secrets with a little more bottle age, but it already is delicious now.
Sites from throughout the valley contribute to the lovely layering of this accessible wine, softly structured and classically inspired in its dried herb and distinct purity of cassis. Delicate despite its ripeness and power, it leaves a smoky hint of sweet tobacco on the finish.
From a vineyard planted in rocky red soil, this wine shows a depth of concentrated and intense cranberry and black tea. It's currently youthful in feel, with structured tannins and full, rich chocolate and coffee flavors. It will benefit from time in the cellar, so enjoy 2020–2024.
Leafy underbrush, sunbaked earth, star anise and a whiff of new leather lead the way. The firm, elegantly structured palate offers mature wild cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and clove alongside a backbone of firm, rounded tannins. Drink 2018–2025.
Something floral and soft hovers above the fruit. There also is the rich hazel presence of fine oak. The fruit is beautifully luminous: very aromatic red cherry is drenched in the soft vanilla of oak. The tannins are silky but dense. White pepper shimmers everywhere, supported by the inherent freshness of the palate. This still needs time. Drink 2020–2030.
Perfumed and high-toned, this is an impressively crafted and priced blend of 35% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 16% Grenache and 5% Petite Sirah. It shows a peek into each variety's personality, luxuriating in black pepper, leather, meat and black jam, with a juicy lushness to the palate.
Fragrant ripe apricot, edged with notions of citrus foliage streams from the glass. The same intriguing flavor combo of ripeness and freshness, aroma and full fruit, makes up the precise and clean palate. The finish is lip-smacking and still veers and shimmers between full-on fruit ripeness and tart zesty citrus.
Hints of soy and pepper color the generously ripe notions of yellow pear and red apple on the nose. The palate reinforces the spiciness with more shimmering white pepper and the ripeness with extra juiciness. This is rounded but fresh, and just so full of sunny friendly fruit. The appetizing and moreish finish returns to that initial soy-like spice.
Made with Sangiovese, this vibrant red opens with aromas of fresh violet, woodland berry, underbrush, new leather and a balsamic note. The linear, elegant palate delivers crushed raspberry, wild cherry, star anise and a hint of white pepper. It boasts youthful tension, with taut polished tannins and bright acidity that give it an ageworthy structure. Give it a few more years to come together. Drink 2019–2028.
Baking spice wraps around sizzling acidity in this well-made, full-bodied red from the heart of the appellation's Westside Road. Dark fruit is represented within a stemmy, brooding and slightly carbonic texture that's complex and rewarding.
Made entirely from Sangiovese, this polished red opens with aromas of red berry, violet, sunbaked earth and a whiff of thyme. Structured and smooth, the palate delivers juicy red cherry, cinnamon and clove alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2023.
The very gentle but seductive notion of sun-ripened red-cheeked mirabelle plums radiates like sunshine from the glass. With a further sniff there also is peppery greenery: yarrow and hay. The palate also unites this friendly fruit with the savory spice of these herbs and comes in a light-footed, compact and fresh package that just dances on the tongue. This is deceptively frivolous Grüner with a seriously delicious concentrated core.
The lifted nose promises purity, which the palate follows thorough on, with the gentle fruit of ripe pear and mirabelle plum and the softer freshness of ripe lemon. There is just a smattering of white pepper. All is held with great poise and freshness, and there is something utterly clean and pure about this.
Soft vanilla hints of oak creep into the mossy aromatic hints of green and yellow pear. There also is a generous core of ripe fruit, almost reminiscent of lychee. While this is fresh with citrus, the deep mellowness and gliding fluidity of the palate will win you over. The finish is clean and lasting.
Funky yeast still holds sway on the nose. Underneath that are notions of ripe juicy pear and a soft hint of vanilla. The palate strikes a sonorous balance between smoky vanilla and gently peppered pears. There is concentration and promise. The finish is nutty and very long. This is still tightly closed and needs to unfurl, but will become a great gastronomic wine. Drink 2019–2025.
This sparkler was made from a majority of Chardonnay with a seasoning of Pinot Noir, the grapes grown at Hyde Vineyard, among other sites within the appellation. A doughy, tart wine, it brightly expresses green apple, orange, grapefruit and a more developed creaminess of biscotti, delighting in a persistence of lemon zest.
This has come to epitomize the Hawke's Bay style of Sauvignon Blanc, typical in it's ripe fruit and oak treatment. Hints of vanilla and cedar frame passion fruit and pink grapefruit notes, then leave a lingering impression of Creamsicle behind on the silky-textured finish.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based ode to Pauillac improves immensely as it sits open for days, suggesting great ageability. Black currant, gravel, teriyaki and dark chocolate show on the nose, leading into a palate that is tightly wound with chalky tannins. Flavors of black fruit, charcoal, pencil shavings and coffee slowly emerge. Drink 2019–2033.
This appealing wine is widely available. Blueberry, vanilla cream and gingerbread make for an inviting nose. The palate packs layers of intriguing, ripe and easily lovable flavors: baked strawberries, vanilla ice cream, blueberry sauce and baking spice.
A Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend from heritage vineyards farmed by Andy Beckstoffer, this wine tastes of chocolate-covered clove, sage and a waft of eucalyptus, thick in concentration and firm, integrated tannin. While it presents itself as a big, bold wine, it retains balance and grace in the glass.
Burgundy-raised vintner Christian Roguenant gets to show his stuff in this line of Firepeak wines. Wet cement, honeysuckle, crisp Asian pear and the slightest hints of tropicality show on the nose, while the palate offers yellow grapefruit, lemon skins, squeezed lime and lime-blossom flavors, wrapped around nervy tension.
Though an appellation blend, this bottling often comes from a single vineyard and is treated with great care, resulting in a complete package. That starts with baked red cherry, mulberry and tangy plum on the nose, dusted with nutmeg and hickory smoke. The intriguing flavor profile offers tangy black raspberry, suave hibiscus and other red-flower touches along with clove stick and cinnamon spice.
A haze of hazelnut and wood smoke envelopes the poised concentrated lemon and green-pear fruit on the palate. There is incisive freshness and a concentrated core with a downright lip-smacking finish. It would be a waste to drink this now when everything about this bundled, energetic wine still needs to unfurl. Give this time. Drink 2020–2030.
From a parcel on this 12-acre estate, the wine is structured and rich. It has layers of firm tannins under the black fruits. Acidity and a crisp mineral texture mix with the solid structure and concentration. The aftertaste shows the generous future of this fine cru wine. Drink from 2018.
The Chermette family has produced a rich generous cru wine. It is structured and dense with some firm tannins from maturing in wood. It also has a generous black plum and cherry fruits that are developing well. Drink this wine from late 2017.
Rich notes of yeast on the nose promise a rounded wine, while on the palate they become even more pronounced and deliver a big hit of lasting umami flavors. Here and there white pepper pokes through with its freshness supported by leavening citrus notes. This is powerful stuff: Handle with care and pair with food that is both subtle and robust—just like the wine.
Made entirely with organically farmed Sangiovese, this opens with aromas mature black-skinned fruit, French oak, exotic spice and a whiff of blue flower. The vibrant palate is both elegant and structured, delivering juicy black cherry, pomegranate, mocha, licorice and a potpourri of cooking spice. It's well balanced, with bright acidity and fine-grained tannins. It already dazzles, but hold for even more complexity. Drink 2018–2028.
Smoky, charred-oak aromas and flavors streak through this otherwise smooth, ripe and moderately fruity wine. It is full bodied and firmly tannic but not coarse.
Aromas of black cherry, cassis and desert brush hint at complexity. A flush, structured palate deals blackberry, cassis, spice, herb and chocolate flavors. Despite mild heat and rubbery tannins on the finish, this is largely a complete Monastrell.
This blends fruit from DeVoto in the Sebastopol Hills with grapes from Terra de Promissio, Umino and Alder Springs vineyards. It's soft and thick, with rich, ripe flavors of cranberry, pomegranate and cherry, a sizzling sense of cola spice underlying it all.
Presenting at first as somewhat reduced, this wine is tart and feral, with a muskiness reminiscent of mushroom and forest floor. Its intensely voluptuous body is concentrated in black cherry, cola and cardamom, with a richness and roundness on the palate and finish.
Finely structured and with a good balance between acidity and ripe black fruits, this is a perfumed wine. It is densely textured, firm and keeping plenty of fruit. Drink this wine from 2017.
Coming from the plateau above the river Douro, this wine has a cool edge with plenty of acidity. At the same time it is ripe with spice from 12 months of wood aging and full of black-currant fruitiness. Drink this wine now.
A shy nose of blueberry jelly, lilac and a touch of black tea show on this wine from a project connected to the Thomas Fogarty team. Light red plum, tart pomegranate and even raspberry show on the palate, where a dainty structure proves easy to sip, with additional chipped-slate minerality.
This is a dense yet dry wine, with a ripe blackberry jam aroma and flavor. Firm tannins give it pleasant grip; splashing it into a decanter will open it up.
This fragrant, foaming dessert wine opens with aromas of yellow stone fruit, chopped herb and a floral note of jasmine. The rich, bright palate doles out apricot, yellow peach, grilled sage and candied nectarine zest alongside a delicate mousse and fresh acidity.
There's surprising brightness to this wine that otherwise traffics in dense chocolate and tightly woven tannin. Beyond full bodied and undeniably ripe, it somehow finds a balance that allows for a palatable experience.
Pomegranate, hibiscus and dense red melon notes combine with clove and sandalwood on the nose of this wine that is a bit reserved though nicely layered. Red-plum fruit tones emerge from behind a veil of cracked graphite and dried oregano, with vibrant acidity making for a very easy-to-drink wine.
Overt and delicious oak aromas and flavors dominate this full-bodied, tannic wine. It smells like fresh-cut oak boards and tastes like cinnamon, cardamom and black cherries, finishing with lingering tannic grip.
This Verdejo hits the sweet spot, with a crisp nose focused on green-apple aromas. The palate has a free-flowing feel and well-presented flavors of apple, peach and melon. An easy-fading finish ends this well.
Wood fermentation has give this 85% Gouveio and 15% Rabigato wine a smooth character. That contrasts with the background fruitiness and tightly crisp acidity. The green fruits bring out a mineral texture as well as adding a fine zest to the aftertaste.
This wine is dense with tannins while not losing sight of the ripe berry fruits. The balance is coming together well, giving a structured wine that also has fine fresh black fruits. Drink from 2019.
This is a rich wine that's full of crisp fruit notes, with a touch of minerality. Ripe yellow fruits and melon come to the fore, balanced by the attractive acidity and tangy aftertaste. It is ready to drink.
Aromas of mature Golden Delicious apple, honey, walnut and bread crust lead the nose. The concentrated palate offers extremely ripe yellow apple, citrus zest, toast and bitter walnut alongside a vibrant, persistent perlage.
Aromas of toasted nut, oak and ripe citrus lead the nose. The soft palate offers mature yellow apple, candied lemon zest, roasted hazelnut and a hint of pastry cream alongside an airy perlage.
From a well-known vineyard in the heart of the appellation, this full-bodied, fulsome wine opens in a blur of buttercream and butter, before allowing for concentrated seasonings of ginger, nutmeg and preserved lemon to appear. Let it open for the full effect.
This wine presents as elegant and remarkably earthy, laced in a distinct tartness of cranberry and citrus. Lighter styled, it is integrated in tannin and oak, allowing for a smooth texture.
A blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Nero, this offers aromas of white stone fruit and toasted bread crust. The palate delivers mature Golden Delicious apple, hazelnut and a hint of candied tangerine. A refined perlage provides the backdrop.
With 90% Merlot, this is a full supple wine from the eastern end of Saint-Emilion. There are tannins that support the perfumed blackberry fruit and the balanced acidity. The wine is ready to drink now, although it will be better from 2017.
The seventh generation of the Carreau family has produced this rich full-bodied and structured wine. It has dense tannins as well as plenty of ripe red fruits. The structure suggests the wine will continue to age, so drink this ripe wine from 2017.
This is a smoky wine, full of rich strawberry flavors. Its tannins come from the wood aging that cuts through the fruit. With acidity as well, the wine is developing well and should be ready from 2017.
While there are plenty of firm tannins, there is also some fine red-berry fruit and layers of spice. The wine is structured as well, bringing the whole into balance. Drink this fine wine from 2018.
This is a ripe generous wine that has solid tannins as well as red-plum flavors. It is concentrated and full of flavor. As the tannins soften, it is likely to be ready to drink from 2018.
This opens with aromas of black plum, French oak and roasted coffee bean. The dense palate offers dried black cherry, mocha and cedar alongside tightly packed tannins that leave a grippy, astringent finish. Drink soon to capture the remaining fruit richness.
Crisp grapefruit and celery aromas set up a round palate with a pulpy texture. Flavors of scallion, citrus peel and grape skins finish citrusy on one hand and pyrazinic on the other. Possibly of interest, this was fermented and aged in egg-shaped concrete tanks.
Mild white-fruit aromas come with overt oak scents. A theme of heavy oak is continued on this barrel-driven blend of Tocai, Viognier, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. Woody flavors outweigh milder spiced apple notes, while this remains oak-dominated on the finish.
This wine is full bodied and rich on the palate, with a woody reminder of oak. Spicy apple notes are lifted by spritzy acidity.
Subdued aromas of wild berry, scorched earth and roasted coffee bean slowly take shape on this. On the bracing palate, assertive, tightly knit tannins support dried red cherry, espresso, orange zest and a hint of grilled herb. Give the tannins another few years to unclench then drink to capture the remaining fruit.
Aromas of red berry, chopped herb, moist underbrush and new leather lead the way. The firm palate is less inviting than the nose, offering dried cherry, roasted coffee bean and grilled sage set against bracing grainy tannins that leave a somewhat raspy finish.
Round and ripe frangipani, jasmine, honeysuckle and white peach aromas contribute to the pretty nose of this bottling, even though they feel as confected as bubblegum. There is a vibrant energy to the palate, which is rich in poached pear, baked apple, dried ginger and caramel flavors. Over the top but pleasant.
This wine blends 70% Viognier with 30% Roussanne, so it shows some of the flamboyant apricot fruit of the former, and some of the medium-bodied structure of the latter. It's clean and correct, with a bit of citrus on the finish. Drink now.
Pristinely ripe black cherry and blackberry flavors abound in this sweet, slightly syrupy red wine. It's plush and easy on the palate, held upright by sweet-tart cranberry acidity and the softest of tannins. It's an approachable, easy wine to enjoy now.
This wine is delicious, citrus- and yellow fruit-flavored, crisp and intensely fruity. With layers of acidity, a zesty texture and a bright aftertaste, it's already ready to drink.
This feels fittingly warm for a southern Burgundy wine. It's ripe with yellow fruit, a soft texture, attractive acidity and a crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine is full bodied, lush and oaky, with a generosity on the midpalate that speaks to a ripe vintage. Lemon-lime flavors and high acidity give way to a creaminess of tropical fruit and girth.
A ripe wine with violet aromas and layers of ripe jammy berry flavors, this has robust tannins under the fruit, lending structure to its bold character. Acidity follows, adding a crisp texture to the aftertaste. Drink now.
This third generation vineyard has produced a classic Cahors, with firm tannins that bring out the black fruits. It is richly structured while keeping fruitiness right to the fore. A wine for rich foods, it will be good to drink from 2018.
This is a classic Bordeaux-style white wine with its cool herbal character and light perfume from the Muscadelle in the blend. The wine has no oak aging, just ripe fruit that has citrus, pineapple and green fruit flavors. Drink now.
Aromas of ripe black plum, cooking spice and scorched earth lead the nose. The robust, bulky palate offers prune, dried cherry, vanilla and a hint of white pepper set against bracing tannins while the heat of scorching alcohol throws it off balance. Drink soon to catch the remaining fruit.
Produced from 30-year-old vines, this is a generous and open wine that is made to be drunk young. It has broad berry fruits, great tannins and acidity. The wine has no wood aging, keeping the bright fruitiness intact. Drink from 2018.
Hazelnut, candle wax, dried apple and nectarine aromas show on the nose of this rich and nutty bottling. Similar flavors show on the palate, including dried apples, Meyer lemon, and a honeyed character that lasts into the finish.
Ripe and fruity, this is a delicious wine. It has layers of red fruits and balanced acidity along with a gently smoky back taste. The structure is light, crisp and with the freshness that is typical of the vintage this close to Bordeaux. Drink from 2018.
Also known as the Mansois, the Fer Servadou has produced a bright and fruity wine from vineyards in the foothills of France's central mountains. It is soft, juicy and with fine acidity that cuts through its red fruits. Drink now.
Slightly shy dark fruit, spice and gravel aromas show on the nose of this affordably priced bottling. Cranberry, dried herb and mineral flavors are apparent on the palate, which finishes on a fruit punch note.
Easygoing wet cement, kiwi and nectarine aromas make for a standard but pleasing Sauvignon Blanc experience with this bottling. There is interesting grip to the palate, which pulls its flavors—apple, lime and bitter orange—forward.
The Merlot certainly does its job here of smoothing out the Baga tannins. Together, they yield a soft, red fruit-flavored wine with minimal tannins and juicy acidity, adding a burst of flavor on the finish. Drink now.
Zippy acidity drives this dry medium-bodied Riesling. Its fresh green-apple and lime flavors are delicate in concentration but refreshingly crisp. Drink now through 2020.
Soft, waxy apple skin, verbena and lime leaf aromas unfold on the nose and carry through to the medium-minus-weight palate. This is well-balanced and easy to enjoy, with medium acidity and a hay accent on the finish. Drink now.
A light rendition of the variety given time in bottle to mellow, this is a stand-out wine redolent of black olive, fig and gamy, sanguine meat. Delicately peppered, it slowly unravels its layers of blueberry and cherry fruit, complementing its savory register of flavor.
Tropical pineapple and guava flavors are restrained and balanced in this bright, soft and seductively smooth vineyard designate. Its high-toned acidity delivers stone and lemon peel characteristics, finding more citrus-tinged focus on the finish.
A blend of 44% Syrah, 31% Grenache and 25 Mourvèdre, this wine is aromatically very pure, with plenty of red and blue fruit, speckled with bay leaf, herb and black-pepper accents. It possesses a thrilling plush mouthfeel, with olive and black-fruit flavors, showing a fine sense of purity.
Ripe stone fruit notes, especially aromatic Mirabelle plum, rise from the glass, alongside more evolved chamomile tisane scents. With its slight bottle age, this shows where evolution can lead Grüner Veltliner. The palate retains its zesty, salty savoriness yet is wonderfully concentrated. Juicy Mirabelle reappears on the long, savory finish.
York Mountain actually predates Paso Robles as an appellation, so it's great to see Neil Collins making such excellent wine from its nearly forgotten western slopes. This bottling shows stewed blackberry, balsamic fig, licorice spice and purple flower touches on the nose. The well-integrated palate uses sprightly acidity to deliver blackberry and blueberry flavors, with thyme, nettle, dill and graphite accents.
Saturated berry, cassis and black-plum aromas are densely packed onto the nose of this tightly built iron-fisted Rioja. Berry, plum and cassis flavors are lightly toasted and spicy, while this is juicy and bold on the finish. Best from 2020–2024.
Lovely tart cranberry and just-ripe blueberry appear on the nose. The palate presents similarly appetizing crunchy red fruit that's pure and unpretentiously delicious, spiced with cinnamon and white pepper and brimming with freshness and verve. Don't let the light body deceive you; this has depth and will develop. Drink now–2025.
Pure and vibrant dark and red cherry notes create an irresistible nose. The palate displays the same, invitingly juicy fruit. This is supple, slender, fresh and plump, with a joyful, balanced ripeness. Its tannins are smooth and ripe, ready to enjoy.