A dense, bombshell of a blend, this is comprised of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache. This tannic beast is somewhat reduced and chewy, committed entirely to meat, tobacco and leathery flavor.
Flavors of bitter extraction spoil this wine, giving an unnecessarily hard character and masking the fruit. It probably will not soften much. The blend is 79% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc. Produced by Alliance Bourg.
Smoky flavors go with dry tannins to give this wine a solid structure. It is dry at the back, allowing room for the acidity and black currant fruits to come forward. Drink from 2016.
Light aromas of herbs and citrus lead to fleshy fruit flavors with a lightly spritzy feel. Pair it with baked chicken.
While there is plenty of wood around in this Gonfrier family wine, the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blend also has good black currant and berry fruits. At the moment it is smoky and toasty, so it needs to soften. Drink from 2017.
Flavors are restrained in this medium-bodied wine, so there are not a lot of fruits or herbs to shout out. However, it has a straightforward appeal and will make an unobtrusive pairing with many foods because it has a good, crisp mouth feel.
Very focused and pure fruit aromas and flavors give this medium-bodied wine a tasty and straightforward personality. The texture is relaxed due to soft acidity and tannins, and everything tastes fresh and clean.
Fleshy aromas of papaya are more oaky than fruity. This is plump and mild in feel, with moderate acidity. Flavors of barrel spice and resin match wits with papaya and melony notes, while the finish tastes briny and nutty.
A strongly perfumed wine, this is soft and just off-dry in character with some sucrosity. Crisp, fresh berry fruits are laced with acidity and finished with orange zest.
Between Nantes and Angers, the small appellation of Coteaux d'Ancenis hugs the banks of the Loire. This rosé, with its fresh while also ripe strawberry fruits, is subtly textured with attractive acidity and lightly perfumed. Drink now.
This ripe, crisp and intensely fruity wine does have a touch of tannin, inevitable with Cabernet Franc, but it is really all about red fruits and refreshing acidity. Drink now.
Gaseous aromas settle on saline, chlorine and gritty citrus. This is round and not overly acidic in feel, with pickled, briny, green-leaning flavors of lime, cucumber and bell pepper.
A good amount of sweetness fills the profile of this superjammy-smelling and thick-tasting wine. Aromas suggest dark raisins and prunes; the flavors are equally overripe with vanilla and maple accents. The texture is soft and unctuous.
The perfumed character of Vouvray leaps from the glass of this medium-sweet wine. It is lightly honeyed, with fresh acidity that is balanced by stewed apricots and sugared white plums. Drink now.
With some attractive tannins and strawberry fruits, this wine has kept its light character. It is developing well into an attractively fruity wine that will be ready from the end of 2016. This is part of a larger estate, Château Haut Rocher, across the line from Castillon in Saint-Émilion. It has been in the family since the 17th century. Jérôme et Béatrice de Monteil took over both properties for the family in 2010.
Packed with red fruits and soft tannins, this is fresh, crisp and with bright acidity. The tannins at the back offer a firm aftertaste, along with juicy red currant fruits. Thierry Lurton bought the 14th-century château in 2007.
This has a firm structure and dry tannins. Behind this wall lie stirrings of black currant fruits and acidity. The extraction and the hard edge need to soften, so drink from mid-2016. This is a Boissonneau family wine.
Fruity and crisp, this is an attractive lemon and pear-flavored wine from certified organic vineyards. With fresh, balanced acidity and a creamy texture, this 60% Sauvignon and 40% Sémillon blend is ready to drink.
The fruit has veered somewhat funky and stewy here, giving the wine a soft, lean quality that struggles to share its quiet undertones of cherry and vanilla.
Dry, spicy, lightly leafy aromas are mildly fruity. This is grabby and rubbery in feel, with plum and cherry flavors that fall a bit flat on the finish.
Earthy, muddled berry aromas are suggestive of prune and raisin. This is full and rugged on the palate, with leathery, baked plum and berry flavors that finish with a strong wood-based character and modest residual fruit notes.
While dry in style, ruddy, slightly overripe notes of melon and peach extend from nose to palate in this Gewürztraminer. Full bodied and soft in mouthfeel, it's brightened by a streak of tangerine acidity on the midpalate. Drink now.
Dusty mineral notes and hints of smoked nuts lend an earthy, savory feel to this otherwise peachy, fresh and floral Gewürztraminer. Dry in style, it's light-footed and spry. Drink now.
Shy aromas of graphite, rust, dried black cherries and a slightly sour element greet the nose on this wine. The palate offers rose petal and cherry flavors, proving a tad one-dimensional but easily quaffable.
There's a cider-like tone to this spry semisweet wine. Bruised apple and pear flavors balance savory and sweet against a backdrop of zesty lemon. It's a rustic, yet refreshing, Riesling for everyday enjoyment.
Pretty fragrances of white spring flowers and pears lead to a lively palate that offers white peach and green apple alongside bright acidity. It finishes clean and crisp.
Subtle aromas include fresh hay, exotic fruit and apples. The linear palate isn't very expressive but it reveals raw yellow peach, pineapple, light oak and a hint of mineral teamed with racy acidity.
Pretty fragrances recall white spring flowers and white fruit. The bright palate offers juicy Granny Smith, yellow peaches and citrus alongside crisp acidity that leaves a clean, dry finish.
Oak spice, mint, cocoa powder and berry aromas set up a medium-bodied palate with pinching tannins and depth. Spicy plum and berry flavors are toasty and finish with dark aftershocks of bitter coffee, black pepper and tobacco.
With delicate aromas of yellow flowers and notes of exotic fruit, this is a classic, bright Soave. The juicy palate offers subtle peach, apples and honeydew melon and a hint of almond alongside fresh acidity. Sip as an apéritif or pair with light first courses and appetizers.
At 12g/L residual sugar, this just barely qualifies as dry. Fruit flavors suggest lemon curd and green pineapple, and there's an interesting savory note. But flatness across the palate keeps the score from going higher.
This opens with intense floral aromas and a whiff of candied citrus. The slightly sweet palate offers lemon drops, exotic fruit and notes of honey and almond.
Subdued aromas of Alpine wild flowers, earth and mineral come with a whiff of hay. The reserved palate offers green apples, pineapple and mineral notes. It has nice weight and a smooth texture.
This is a spicy, rich, smooth wine, immediately attractive and ready to drink. It has ripe tannins, black fruits in abundance and delicious acidity to give a lift. It's a classic barbecue wine and great for summer parties.
Made from old vines, this concentrated wine has weight and a tight, mineral texture. Pears and hints of yellow fruits combine with acidity and a contrasting touch of honey. Drink from 2015.
A very attractive wine that has ripe yellow fruits that are cut by acidity and citrus flavors. The texture is soft, rounded and lightly creamy. It's can age a few months, so wait until the end of 2014.
While the tannins are still powerful and dense, the wine has rich berry fruits and juicy acidity that give freshness. It's ripe, well balanced, and full bodied, with a dark, concentrated character at the end. Drink from 2016.
Aromas of white spring flowers, ripe Bartlett pear and roasted almond take the lead. The juicy, round palate offers lemon pastry, juicy golden apples and a nutmeg note alongside fresh acidity. It finishes on a slightly sweet note recalling glazed brown sugar.
This is rich and full of superripe fruit that gives the otherwise structured wine a jammy feel. It has a solid, dense texture that brings out blackberry jelly flavors as well as a more tannic core. It's not a wine for long-term aging, so drink from 2015.
A ripe, rich and deliciously spicy wine, it has a light touch of white pepper, red berry fruits and a broad brush of acidity. It's rounded, although with some tannic structure, and can certainly be drunk now.
Oak extract dominates the nose on this wine together with aromas of Golden Delicous apple and lemon zest. The palate offers lemon, oak, vanilla and clove, but it lacks the fruit richness needed to support the oak.
The second label of Alorna, Portal da Aguia wines develop early. This bright and fruity red is based around soft tannins, very ripe fruits and a juicy, full-in-the-mouth texture. It needs little time to age, so drink from the end of 2014.
This juicy, fruity wine comes from an estate once owned by the Knights Templar. Full of red berry flavors and acidity, it has a light touch along with a layer of tannins and signs of wood aging. It's likely to age quickly. Drink now.
This medium-bodied wine conveys fragrances of yellow flowers and exotic fruit. The palate offers ripe apple, mature pear and white peach alongside fresh acidity. It closes on an almond note.
There's zero doubt about this Chardonnay's ripeness. The nose is warm, honeyed and a bit leaden. Round in the mouth, it offers tropical flavors of orange and nectarine. On the finish, a buttery note blends with residual citrus fruit.
A musky white-flower note melds into savory notes of hazelnut oil and nut skin on the nose and palate of this smoky, rather mysterious wine. Tart with tangerine acidity, it's refreshingly brisk but finishes long with a hint of smoky vanilla.
Though aromatically subdued, there's an intensity of tangerine and lime zest flavor in this dry, invigorating Malvasia. The midpalate is marked by elegant white-flower notes that linger on the slightly astringent lime-pith finish.
Super dusty, leathery and big shouldered, this is also quite bright and drinkable. Made using grapes sourced from old vines planted within the Esola Vineyard.
Simaens has produced a ripe style of wine here. Apple and rich citrus flavors add a delicious touch to tropical fruit flavors. This wine is fit for drinking in the next few months.
This is a yeasty offering that's full on the palate, with a rich mousse. Yellow and white fruits contribute to its richness, a touch of bitterness balanced with the fruity acidity. Drink now, or age for a year.
A juicy Touriga with nice structure and acidity, it bursts with notes of strawberry, cherry and vanilla spice, especially on the finish. A perfect pizza wine.
This is a pure Grenache, tart and spicy, with powerful herb components. It is not fruity or sappy-sweet by any measure, but it delivers moderately concentrated flavors highlighted by herb and earth notes, with good length and balance.
Dense, layered and juicy, this has a good concentration of bright blackberry flavor. The small amounts of Primitivo and Barbera are subtly apparent. With a snap of chocolate on the finish, it's well rounded.
Fenestra, an estimable producer of obscure Spanish and Portugese varieties in California, does not disappoint with this Verdelho. Like a just-ripe pineapple, the wine is high in acidity and savory in strong tones of lemon and lime. Clean and fresh, it pairs well with seafood.
This is a funky, pushy type of wine, with prickly aromas of green herb and berry. For a 2007, it is big and a bit rough, with an herbal, green-leaning berry flavor distinctive of this producer and its Los Lingues Vineyard. It finishes with additional herbal kick and heat.
Pristine flavors of cassis and black cherry give an elegant floral quality to this dry, full-bodied Cabernet. Crisp with acidity, it's balanced and impeccably crafted. It finishes long on a delicious coffee-inflected note.
Here's a fresh and approachable selection, with notes of crisp citrus, green melon and apple. There's a hint of sweet lemon on the palate, followed by a brisk, mouthwatering finish. Drink now.
This smells a bit green, with aromas of herb, juniper, cola and earthy black fruit. It feels tannic, with an herbal core. A minty, briary flavor of herb-scented blackberry leads to the firm, tight finish.
The bouquet is briary, with aromas of clipped berry and herb. It feels sassy, edgy and tannic, with herbal flavors of raspberry and red currant. The finish is a little choppy and tannic, with a subtle green-flavored accent.
A Grenache-based Rhône blend, C'est Si Bon is good and very subtle. Like a Beaujolais, an earthy leather note emerges in between soft violet and raspberry tones. With a line of acidity, it's a fine wine for food.
This 50-50 blend of Picpoul Blanc and Roussanne is ripe and fleshy, boasting round notes of melon, peach, pineapple and lemon custard. There's a soft, herbal accent of white flower and citrus zest that graces the lively finish. Drink now.
Totally mature, this shows a rustic character and firm, tarry tannins. It is weighty and dense, with a patina of sweet flavors that come with age. Drink it over the next few months.
Soft, warm and lightly tannic, this has an herbaceous character. Its fresh acidity balances its black currant flavor. It is fragrant, fruity and mature; ready to drink.
Hints of sun-dried hay and honey add rustic charm to crisp yellow-peach and apricot flavors on the nose and palate of this off-dry, aromatic wine. Spritely with lemon-lime acidity, it finishes with a refreshing spray of cut green herb.
Black fruit and cherry leads on this balanced red. Flavors of black pepper, black currant and plum on the palate are round but not overbearing. A good daily red to pair with pastas, stews and meat dishes.
Rich orange, lemon and citrus spices lead this Viognier from Page Springs. On the palate, it's fuller bodied, with lots of spice and citrus to balance out the honeyed fruit. Pair with cheese, fruit and spicy cuisine.
This wine has a nose of black fruits, mocha and toffee, and on the palate, warming spices, tart cherry and a touch of sweetness. The flavors aren't overly complex, but the wine is appealing, and the finish lingering.
A little dusty and also sort of briney on the nose, with citric acidity pushing orange, apple and pear flavors. A textbook sweet, simple South American Chardonnay with a tropical leaning and finishing flavors of pineapple.
Opens with earthy muscle but the nose soon loses focus and freshness as it transitions to rubber and paste along with berry fruit. Hard tannins work the driving palate, while the flavors are of black plum, grape jelly and herbs. Decent but doesn't inspire.
Appealing aromas of tobacco, smoke and spice herald the masculine edge to this red blend. Flavors of chocolate, smoke, spicebox and pepper are carried by a bright, red fruit wave. A touch tart on the finish but overall well rounded.
Floral blueberry aromas are candied, artificial smelling and sweet, and the palate is supremely rich, sweet, candied and unctuous. About as thick and ripe as you get in a value Malbec, but also over the top with baked fruit and candy. Needs to be dialed back a notch.
Fresh and fun with a nose of rhubarb and spice. On the palate, strawberry and spice is delicate with a touch of tartness. A great go-to summer sip that will pair nicely with salmon, grilled meats.
Oily matchstick aromas run counter to the wine's innocuous color. The palate is light in weight but heavy in blossomy flavors of orange, lime, tangerine and other citrus fruits. Lacks the lychee/tropical quality that makes Torrontés special, and finishes bitter and pithy.
A red-fruited wine, this is soft and ready to drink. Made from fruit sourced near the Lot River, this has ripe tannins and a juicy heart.
Produced to be consumed young, this is a breezy, fruity selection. Its black plum-skin texture is balanced by firm tannins and a medicinal, herby-filled aftertaste. Not for long aging.
A rounded wine, this has an attractive red-jelly flavor and light acidity. It is full and rich, with fine acids on the finish. Keep for six months.
This is an herbal, almost throwback style of Carmenère. The nose delivers a blast of tomato leaf along with a rooty, herbal aroma of red fruit suggestive of pizza. The palate is tight and smacks hard with tannins, while the core flavors are roasted and burnt, with a baked berry note and an earthy nuttiness.
The lightest wine in the range of wines produced at Château du Cèdre, this is dominated by sweet, soft red fruit. Attractive, bright and fruity, this is ready for drinking now.
Herbaceous and fruity, this has a textured character, with an orange zest note and a strong lemon juiciness. It's fresh and ready to drink, but it will likely age for a few years.
Attractive and finely balanced, this has red cherry and strawberry flavors, which come wrapped in soft tannins and crisp acidity.
With aromas of black fruit, earth, rubber and tomato leaf, this fits the bill for Carmenère. The palate is snappy and lively, with drying, rubbery tannins. Flavors of zesty plum and berry are herbal and spicy, and it finishes with vitality and a scouring scrub of acidity and tannic clamp.
Cranberry, spice and fresh herb give this peppery Pinot plenty of flavor interest. Definitely on the earthy and herbal side, this juicy wine is a good go-to bottle for everyday drinking.
This G-S-M blend is solid and flavorful, with mixed berry flavors and an underpinning of graphite. The tannins are drying, on the edge of being chalky.
This young Artist Series Viognier spent seven months in once-used American oak barrels. The impression is of citrus, with a touch of sweetness and heavy barrel influence. There's a slightly burnt flavor, a hint of alcohol heat and a biting finish.
Soft and fruity, this is a generous, ripe wine that's full of juicy red-cherry fruits and gentle tannins. It has some richness, giving a sweet character to this open, ready-to-drink wine.
A stiff, tannic wine, this slowly opens and brings brambly berry flavors into play, along with notes of earthy herbs. There's a touch of bitterness to the tannins.
This is a festive wine, with soft, ripe fruit and acidity, plus a red berry flavor.
Fresh herbs and green florals are fresh and fragrant on the nose of this semidry Riesling. Subtly sweet flavors of hibiscus nectar and peach gain complexity with whiffs of freshly ground white pepper and an elegant dusting of chalk on the finish.
Enticingly nutty on the nose, with hints of smoke, yeast and apricot kernel, this 2003 vintage bottling from Swedish Hill shows promising signs of development. While fairly aggressive on the attack, it's clean and lemony on the palate, with a softly saline, sea breeze note on the finish.
Smells good and correct for the variety, with leather, roasted berry and herbal-spicy aromas. Racy and tight in the mouth, with narrowing acidity and forward flavors of red plum, herbs, vanilla and heat.
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is clean and almost delicate, with cranberry fruit, red licorice, dry leaves and drying tannins. It fades rather quickly, but would make a nice companion to a simple skirt steak.
This is Primitivo-Barbera blend with dabs of Nebbiolo and Dolcetto in the mix. It's light and youthful, with cranberry fruit and the sort of juicy acidity that freshens the palate. Not especially concentrated, but crisp and clean, with a bracing minerality.
Herbal and tight, with a whiff of burnt rubber in front of some tart fruit. There is some concentration, and with more bottle age the wine may yet flesh out a bit.
Abundant tropical fruit and honeysuckle aromas get a fine zesting of lime skin on this surprising bang-for-your-buck Riesling. Semisweet in style, almost with a deeply concentrated fruit palate, it finishes quite dry on a supple, waxy lanolin note.
Light and a little scratchy on the bouquet, with leathery notes. Feels fresh and kind of light in weight, with basic but clean red-fruit flavors and a dash of peppery spice. Flows easily on the finish, with a bit of fire and heat.
A multigrape blend that seems to be lacking focus, this tastes strongly of vanilla and butter cookies, the fruit extremely light.
Solid and varietally correct, this brings citrus and melon fruit flavors in modest proportion to a simple, but balanced midpalate. It carries a hint of sugar in the finish.
A Bordeaux-style blend, tart and fruity, with an unusual fruit flavor mix that starts with citrus and orange and runs into bright berries. Two things keep the score down—a chalky edge to the tannins, and some noticeable volatility (a whiff of nail polish)on the nose.
Aromas of lemon drop, dried yellow flower, vanilla and butterscotch carry to the palate, along with toast, golden apple and a hint of savory herb. Balanced with bright acidity, it closes on a mineral note.
The winery remains committed to French Colombard, honoring its heritage with this wine. Wet stone, apple and lemon distinguish it most, both in terms of aromatics and taste. Crisp and refreshing, it's a fun wine to begin the night, served chilled and shared.
Toasted oak, espresso, clove and dark berry aromas lead the nose. The savory, easygoing palate offers ripe black cherry, licorice, vanilla and mocha alongside smooth, velvety tannins.
Crushed mineral and dried sage aromas belie the intensity of fresh nectarine and apricot flavors in this spry, invigorating wine. Striking acidity lends a delicate, lacy mouthfeel accentuated by a sheen of minerality.
A fairly subdued, mostly mineral-driven nose characterizes this wine by the Santa Clara Valley-based producer founded in 1978, with bits of brick and graphite most prevalent. The flavors are more prominent, with allspice-laced cherries, toasted oak and iron.
An intense perfume of tropical fruit, flowers and spice extends from nose to finish throughout this extravagant, yet small-footed Riesling. The palate is touched with honey and a bristling lemon-lime acidity that adds elegance and brace.
Barrel-fermented, this is medium-sized all the way around, offering medium acidity, texture, body and finish. Flavors are autumnal in juicy lemon-lime, Golden Delicious apple and creamy pear.
Dusty and leesy on the nose, this blend of Viura, Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca smells of peach pits and oak. Creamy on the palate, this is a touch flat but not flabby. Banana, melon, vanilla and pecan flavors end with a barrel-heavy mix of vanilla and butter.
A blend of 80% Nero d'Avola and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, this delivers ripe blackberry, black cherry, red currant and vanilla flavors with a hint of mocha. Firm, round tannins balance the juicy palate.
Fresh and approachable, this is a light, flowery expression of the variety, sourced from the Russian River no less, that's dry and flavored in fennel, apricot and apple. Medium in terms of weight and body, it finishes refreshingly.
This is oaky and resiny on the nose, but not overly so, with pear and apple aromas as well as a streak of saline. On the palate, this offers a good mix of oak resin, fruit pulp and acidity. Flavors of oak spice, white pepper, peach and apple finish fresh but with an oaky aftertaste.
A blend of grapes from Washington and Oregon, this includes 25% Semillon also. As you might suspect, it's an unusual wine, opening soft and spicy, with a lightly honeyed character. Fruit flavors emphasize lemon curd and key lime, and there's a refreshing ginger ale flavor running through the fruit core.
Ripe, heady aromas of toasty, creamy oak along with prune, raisin and cedar might be too much for those who are oak averse. Like the nose, the palate is woody and creamy, but also thick and somewhat flabby. Flavors of coconut, mocha, baking spices and blackberry finish woody and with chewy tannins.
A solid, well-made offering, this wine comes across as slightly chunky and full, but delivers plenty of satisfying dark cherry and plum flavors. The finish is slightly dry and dusty, so pair it with red meats rather than more delicate Pinot accompaniments.
The producer sources from older plantings of both Zin and Petite Sirah, of which there is 5% in this wine. Given more than a year in American oak, it's velvety on the palate with brown sugar, oak and high-toned raspberry, easily enjoyable on its own or on the table.
Apricot fuzz and grapefruit burst first in this white, surrounded by handfuls of generously high-toned tangerine. The oak presence is minimal, providing texture without impeding flavor. Refreshing, the wine's finish suggests thyme and lemon verbena. Under 10% Sémillon is also in the blend.
Char and gritty scents ride heavily on the bouquet, which also shows fresher notes of cassis and raspberry. This excels via a natural feeling, pulpy palate and flavors of raspberry and red plum accented by pepper and herbs. A lightly herbal, minty finish offers length and good texture.
Dark red-violet in color, this offers aromas of cherry, seawater and molasses, while flavors suggest cherry, cranberry, smoked meat, mocha, mint and eucalyptus. Cool notes outweigh fruit flavors, leading to a sense that something is off balance. Strong tannins back off on a bright finish that fails to diminish the minty notes.
Three months in stainless steel result in a very pale wine with aromas of lemon peel and grapefruit flesh. The palate is painted with bright, citrus zest acidity throughout, yet retains the varietal's flavors of nectarine flesh and yellow melons. It makes a leading option for the unoaked crowd.
Effervescent in honeysuckle and papaya, this vineyard-designated white offers medium body and a long length. It becomes a rounded expression of melon and minerality on the palate that's both fresh and fruity.
An unusual commingling of 50% Petit Verdot with 50% Merlot, this wine is expectedly big and soft. Aromas of coconut and baked bread waft to the fore before dry layers of cranberry and blackberry pack their own punch. This wine screams out for a juicy steak.
As befits a vintage bubbly, this is toasty and yeasty upfront, yet remains fresh and citrusy. It's a medium-bodied sparkler that comes across as fairly dry, making it clean and refreshing on the finish.
Named after the winery owners' kids Niki and Kiara, this blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 14% Petit Verdot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 4% Merlot offers roasted game and subtle blackberries on the nose. It's more complex on the palate, with smoked plums leading into licorice and coffee in the midpalate, finishing on nice and easy tannins.
This is ripe and ready, with rather funky aromas that recall meat juice, leather, truffle, scorched earth and fleshy berry. The earthy palate doles out mature sour cherry, licorice, game, raspberry jam and toasted almond. It closes on a note of orange zest.
Perfumey in Buddha's Hand citrus, this offers a well-executed combination of steely acidity and wet stone with tropical citrus, apple and creamy vanilla, lingering harmoniously on the seamless finish.
Dark and muscular up front, with a bright purple color and grapy, woody aromas, this Malbec is pleasant, albeit clipped on the palate. Short, punchy plum and boysenberry flavors finish with a barrel note or two, but not much more.
Ripe plum, berry and cocoa aromas lead the nose on this fruity, easygoing red. The soft, round palate offers ripe blackberry, juicy raspberry, a note of dark spice and a hint of chocolate. It's simple but well made and enjoyable, with silky tannins.
A juicy wine certain to please those who opt for the hip label, this is quite showy on the nose, with densely packed blackberries, clove, caramel and vanilla elements. The rich palate is equally poppy and boisterous, with black cherry jam, allspice and nutmeg notes.
Tight tannins support a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon with 21% Petit Verdot, 11% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. Black fruit, tobacco and leather give it a robust profile, finishing full bodied and ripe.
Consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt has helped this light wine to have a good balance and soft, generous fruitiness. The tannins are kind, rounded and already well integrated with the fruit. Drink from 2017.
This is a light- to medium-bodied example of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, one that offers somewhat pungent, sweaty aromas that veer toward scallion at times, followed by mouth-puckering grapefruit flavors.
Squeaky fresh and full of grapefruit, peach and nectarine flavors, this semi-dry Riesling is an irresistible quaffer. Straightforward, juicy and refreshing, it's a delightful wine for youthful consumption.
A blend of near-equal parts Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot topped off with a pinch of Petit Verdot, this wine exhibits aromas of barrel spices, dried herbs and cherry, showing whiffs of volatility. The flavors are soft and pure, lingering on the finish.
Almost dark enough, as well as fruity enough, to be a red wine, this tastes fresh and has a touch of candied character. The wine is medium bodied, resembles cherries and raspberries in flavor and carries enough acidity for good balance.
This robust red opens with aromas of toast, baked plum, menthol, espresso and vanilla that carry over to the warm, densely concentrated palate along with blackberry jam, licorice and oak-driven spice. You'll notice the heat of evident alcohol on the midpalate while close-grained tannins give it an astringent finish.
Made with organically farmed grapes, this opens with aromas that recall dark-skinned fruit, blue flower and an earthy whiff of game. The straightforward, juicy palate delivers red cherry, raspberry and a cinnamon note alongside smooth tannins. Drink soon.
This ripe, juicy wine offers blackberry flavors and young acidity. It is developing balance, fresh fruits and supporting tannins. The structure is integrating into the fruit, which will dominate if you wait to drink until 2017. The blend is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Aromas of black pepper are prominent and are followed by notes of dark plum that display purity. The palate is reserved in style, yet the fruit tones linger on the finish. It's hard to place the variety but it still brings plenty of appeal.
Strawberry, herb, orange peel and mocha aromas are subdued and show some reduction. The palate possesses tart acidity and chalky tannins with a mocha and citrus-filled finish.
The aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle, ripe peach and botrytis are bright. The mouthwatering stone-fruit flavors are sweet and persist, with white flowers on the finish.
This is not a showy wine, but the sense of reserve, good acidity, fresh flavors and good balance form an enjoyable picture that will be versatile with food.
Pungent and leafy at first, this also boasts honey and passion fruit aromas. It's medium in body, with tropical, pineapple flavors and a clean, refreshing finish. Drink up.
Traditionally, Hawkes Bay Sauvignon Blancs were riper and richer than Marlborough versions, but that isn't the case for this wine, which carries a modest 12% abv. It's pungently herbal on the nose, while the flavors of white grapefruit are complemented by greenish, leafy notes.
Spicy, leafy aromas of tobacco, dried cherry and plum lead to a round palate that's hollow in the middle. Earthy flavors of mixed berry fruits and spice end chunky and herbal, which is par for the course for Carmenère.
Slightly murky, earthy aromas of tree bark and baked fruits are herbal and soft. This is a blend led by Syrah and Carmenère; it's round, chewy and bulky on the palate, with flavors of blackberry and dark plum. A hint of cocoa sweetens a lasting but basic finish.
Quite light in the glass, this wine offers crisp and tight aromas of Japanese pear, peach blossom and custard torte. It's light and easy on the palate, with honeysuckle and cooked-apple flavors cut by lemon juice.
Soft and fruity, this opens with aromas of ripe plum, blackberry and dark cooking spice. The juicy, easygoing palate doles out fleshy black cherry, raspberry jam and a hint of ground pepper accompanied by round, smooth tannins.
Summer blossom, honeysuckle, even rose petals appear on the aromatic nose. The slight and slender palate is poised and comes on very light feet. This is a breezy, easy summer wine to be drunk as soon as possible.
Aromas of wild cherry, blue flower and a hint of cinnamon unfold in the glass. The no-frills palate offers black cherry, sage and a note of white pepper alongside soft, rather fleeting tannins. Drink through 2016.
Crisp apple and pear aromas take a richer, riper turn towards melon and peach on the palate of this medium-sweet Riesling. Its juicy, fruity demeanor is straightforward and lush, but a punchy strike of lemon-lime acidity livens up the finish. Drink now.
Aromas of leather, dark-skinned fruit and Mediterranean brush meld together in the glass. The medium-bodied but dense palate offers prune, raspberry jam and licorice alongside round tannins. A note of bitter almond closes the finish.
Typical varietal aromas of black-skinned berry, blue flower a spice note waft out of the glass. The straightforward, easygoing palate conveys mature black cherry, raspberry jam and a light note of ground pepper alongside soft, round tannins. Simple but well made, it makes an ideal quaffing wine.
Dried black-skinned fruit, leather and a dash of Oriental spice unfold in the glass. The firm palate delivers raisin, mature blackcurrant and licorice alongside fine-grained tannins that grip the finish. Showing the heat of the vintage, the fruit is starting to dry up so drink soon.
The pear and almond-butter aromas are quite light. The palate reveals more, with an elegant, textured feel and a finish that lingers.
Butterscotch and candle wax aromas signal a wine in the early stages of decline. In addition, this shows dusty apple and mild citrus scents. The palate is being kept upright by citrusy acidity, while flavors of nectarine and citrus end with bready, aged notes. Drink immediately or wait for the 2012.
Most of what this wine has to offer comes through its enchanting aromas of mint, cranberry, and toasty spice. The palate—light, delicate, and tart—can't quite deliver on this promise. Still, a varietally correct Oregon Pinot Noir at this price? Yes, please!
Jammy berrry, raisin and licorice aromas lead to a chewy, somewhat raisiny palate with prune, blackberry and herbal flavors. A mild-tasting finish with raisiny chunkiness and herbal notes is consistent with the nose and palate. This is good for under $10 despite being very ripe.
Sassy passion-fruit and feline aromas set up a crisp, clean-feeling palate with tangy, green, zesty flavors of scallion, lime and sour apple. A minerally, chalky finish is zingy and clean. This is nice for value-priced Sauvignon Blanc.
Intensely herbaceous on the nose and palate, there's a pleasant savoriness to the concentrated red cherry and raspberry flavors in this ripe, full-bodied Cabernet Franc. There's a touch of heat on the finish, but overall, it's a well-balanced wine that should please a wide audience.
Light in style, this is a pleasant, varietally correct wine with notes of violets, game and lemon playing off a soft, rounded mouthfeel and grainy tannins.
This Tempranillo is a heavy, saturated number with rubbery plum and berry aromas. It's totally Argentinean in style and shares little to nothing with Spanish versions; it's full bodied but not showing much in the midpalate, while generic berry flavors offer chocolate notes and finish short.
This is a new brand from a recently-created appellation for parts of Beaujolais. The wine has recognizable red cherry fruits, soft tannins and a juicy, slightly dusty texture. Ready to drink.
With aromas of salsa, chili peppers and tomato, this Cab Franc almost smells like the food it might go with. In the mouth, it's ripe and full of sweet cherry, plum and spice flavors. On the backside it shows milk chocolate, candied berry notes and modest tannins. Good with churrasco or roast pork; made with 20% Merlot.
Tobacco, dill and vanilla aromas transition to cherry and raspberry scents. The high-acid, cutting palate contains tart raspberry, plum and vanilla flavors that maintain through the finish. From a rough vintage, this wine is not excelling.
Ripe berry aromas approach raisiny, but settle on jammy plum and leather. This is tannic and wide, with ruggedness to the mouthfeel. Flavors of earthy berry, baked fruits and cocoa end with grab, heat and burn. This is good but rough, like a gravel road.
As per usual, Toso's regular varietal Malbec is pleasing, honest and shows the variety in its best, affordable form. Meaty and rich on the nose, with an inky accent. The palate has the right feel and solid flavors of blackberry and raspberry. Competently covers the spectrum of aromas, feel and flavors.
This 55/45 Cab-Merlot blend is dense and muscular. The fruit is substantial and chewy, with ripe cherries and black currants. Some bitter chocolate and an intriguing hint of funk add some character and depth.
From young vines on valley floor vineyards, this is a simple but delicious wine. Ginger, cinnamon and lime come together to give freshness with a twist. The finish is crisp. Screwcap.
Fine green fruit gives great freshness in this crisp, citrus and apple flavored wine, lightly softened with melon. Pure, clean, a lively, bright wine.
A great entry-level Riesling, fresh, floral and delicate, the Two Vines offers refined, even subtle flavors of green apple and melon, with lovely natural acidity. Despite considerable residual sugar, it does not seem overly sweet.
Aromas of red berry, wild cherry, clove and cinnamon give this Shiraz a stylish start. Flavors of red fruit, spice and anise are integrated and smooth. Well structured but drinkable now. The lingering finish offers pepper, anise and spice.
Bold, succulent black cherry and currant flavors combine with softer, more elegant notions of graphite, coffee and clove in this well-made, full-bodied, 100% varietal wine. Volcanic soils comprise the Sonoma Mountain slope where the vineyard is located, contributing a gravelly hint of reduction.
Troon is going all in on Tannat, and this latest release—all estate-grown—marks a dive into natural winemaking. That means hand-picked, foot-stomped, native yeast and no additions during fermentation. Smooth, almost burnished to a fine gloss, this has dense fruit flavors of blueberry, boysenberry and blackberry. A dark streak of espresso, graphite and charcoal adds extra weight and length.
Dark cherry and black licorice flavors combine in this wine from a 1,650-feet-elevation, estate-grown site. Moderate acidity buoys the fruit's ripeness and concentration, structured with firm, tight tannins.
Bright, round and delicious, this has exotic fruit, white flower and cantaloupe aromas that follow through to the lively palate, along with honeydew melon fruit. It has noteworthy freshness for the vintage.
A restrained nose leads to a cherry-fruited, sprightly, light palate. Ample freshness and peppery spice give this ease and poise, with fragrant forest fruit and cherry notes. A lovely summer red that can even be served slightly chilled.
Woody, herbal and integrated in oak and tannin, this wine comes from grapes grown in both Sonoma Valley estate vineyards and sites in Alexander and Knights valleys. Red currant, graphite and clove flavors highlight its medium-bodied density.
Candied macadamia nut, ripe pear and toasted marshmallow aromas may sound over the top, but they're all in balance in this bottling. The palate is tangy with mandarin and lemon skin accents that give depth to the toasted almond and beeswax flavors.
Cabernet Sauvignon makes up half of this wine, with the balance Merlot (31%), Malbec (15%) and Cabernet Franc. Barrel notes of vanilla and baking spice are up front, followed by herb and dark fruit tones that are backed by lively acidity. It currently drinks very tight. Give it some time in the cellar or an extended decant. Best after 2020.
Tart raspberry fruit limned with orange peel provides excellent definition across the palate. It's bright and tangy, with the balance and construction to develop nicely over the next five to eight years. Drink now through 2025.
Like most of Neil Collins' wines, this blend of 63% Grenache, 19% Zinfandel and 18% Petite Sirah draws from the region's intriguing, oldest, dry-farmed vineyards. It shows earthy wet clay, boysenberry and anise notes on the nose, while the palate delivers turned loam, wild thyme, pepper, soy and black plum flavors.
Pristine black cherries and berries extend from nose to finish in this deeply concentrated Pinot Noir. Invigorating acidity and firm grippy tannins accentuate its bold four-square palate. Finishes long, with a delicate murmur of spice and cedar. Drink now through 2025.
This tartly acid-driven effort from Mumm includes Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Honeyed aromas lead into a luxurious palate of thick mousse and crisp green apple flavors.
Light pretty red fruits mingle here, supported with tart citrus. It's an elegant, rather steely style, and one that needs aeration and a bit of patience. The best drinking window should be 2020 through 2025.
On the oaky side, but silky and long, this is a fine effort. Vanilla, cedar and baking spices, hints of cola and mocha all point to ripe fruit and ample new French oak. Drink now–2025.
This blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot and 7% Malbec is warm and inviting on the nose, with baked blueberry, caramel, vanilla and violet touches. The palate continues its purple flavor theme with a core of blueberry fruit, but dried herb and mocha spice provide more complex layers.
This densely layered wine has an underlying bright acidity and firm structure. Quiet, nuanced cranberry flavors ride a wave of earthy forest and black tea scents.
Muted aromas slowly unfold in this full-bodied, ripe white blended with 17% Sauvignon Blanc. A gravelly texture and mineral undertone curb its peach and fig flavors, which take time to open in the glass.
This blend of Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla and Sauvignon offers delicate, alluring yellow flower, Bartlett pear and white peach aromas. The bright, polished palate offers pineapple, yellow apple and lemon drop flavors with substance and finesse. Fresh acidity balances the juicy fruit.
Made from a mix of 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir, this delivers sweet peach and homemade biscuit scents. A dry, seductive mousse gives it body, while moderate acidity—which presents as fresh lemon peel flavor—gives it lift.
Thin and tart, with aggressively astringent tannins. There is a noticeable scent and flavor of rubber as well.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend almost has enough of the right stuff to rate higher, but in the end the wine's tart cherry fruit and sharp acidity is just too unfriendly. Like so many Brazilian wines, it's trying to be more than the country's terroir can give. So the end result is mediocre.
Brambly and stalky berry fruit aromas come with citrus and leafy accents. The palate is sheer and tannic, with candied, spiced, red fruit flavors. Heat and burning acidity make the finish rather rough.
Rather dilute wine, it does have some fresh cherry flavors with very soft tannins and a clean line of acidity. For the vintage, it could have done wth more concentration.
This Carmenère from an excellent vineyard is listed at a whopping 14.7% alcohol, but the nose and the palate do not comply. It is aggressively vegetal, with thin, canned pea flavors.
Flat aromas include iodine, butterscotch and cider, but overall the nose isn't that lively or fresh. The palate, meanwhile, is round, soft and mealy, with oaky, barrel-fermented flavors of buttered baked apple and resin. Proves why barrel-fermented Viura is sketchy terrain.
A raw, rough, oaky flavor overwhelms the light and simple red fruit. Disjointed, with a bitter streak in the finish.
Starts off with slightly confectionary cherry fruit, accented by peppery spice aromas and flavors. The structure is extremely soft, definitely making it a drink-now sort of wine.
This estate-grown 100% Syrah is sour and inelegant on its own but would have worked nicely in a blend where it could have provided meaty structure.
A Zin with notes of cedar, leather and sour red fruit, this offers tannic grip from start to finish. Slightly savory, it shows hints of toasty vanilla on the finish.
This rarely seen variety (a hybrid from a cross of a French grape with an indigenous North American one) brings notes of ash, green olive and an assortment of berries. It's medium bodied with a low-alcohol feel and cranberry-like tartness.
Within an immensely heavy bottle lies a Chardonnay dark-golden in color and with barrel-fermentation written all over its body, which is hearty and nonlinear. The flavors tend toward coconut, pineapple and dried apple, concentrated and extracted in a big California way.
Roasted, smoky initial aromas give way to olive and sassy red-fruit scents. This feels rubbery and grabby, with strong tannins. Rubbery, herbal flavors of plum and red berry finish racy and a bit tart.
In this very basic wine, applesauce aromas are followed by a plump, somewhat citrusy feeling palate. Flavors of nectarine are good and clean, while the finish is solid.
Firm layers of wood give a hard initial impression. There are hints of fruit under this plank-like character, but it will need some time to balance out, if at all.
Smooth-textured, this features a sprinkling of sugar, peachy flavors and a hint of honey. Light in body, attractively fruity and easy to sip.
Soft and pliable in body, it has gentle citrus hints and crisp acidity.
This smells gritty and herbaceous. In the mouth, it's narrow, tannic and astringent, with flavors of lemony oak sitting on top of black fruits, olive and green herbs. Overall this is a green-leaning wine with a rooty, herbal finish.
Opening with aromas of barbecued meat, this soft Cab is all about ripe, meaty tannins and smoky oak over any suggestion of fruit, which is hidden among its cedar and tobacco-lined walls.
A soft, basic Cabernet, it offers meaty cinnamon and berry-plum flavors.
This is light in color, with minerally aromas and a hint of tropical fruit on the nose. A shearing palate overwhelms with acidity, while flavors of zesty citrus and pink grapefruit create leftover sizzle on a tangy, scouring finish.
This big, spicy wine is dominated by licorice and heavy toast wood flavors. It is rich and full of black plum skins with only a hint of acidity. The aftertaste is sharp and bitter.
With a strongly juicy character and high acidity, this wine brings out the tannic character of the two grapes in the blend rather than the fruit. There's a spicy character and red fruit acidity at the end.
An attractively fruity wine that's easy to drink and fresh. Lemon and apples give a crisp edge, followed by a zesty, fragrant character. Drink this light wine now.
Light cherry and raspberry aromas come with a note of apple skins. The feel is plump but midland, with mealy notes. Flavors of cherry and plum are bland, while overall this wine is decent but lacking in personality.
Shimmeringly crystalline in the glass, this wine looks electric. A beautiful bouquet of tuberose and honey warns that the sipping experience may border on cloying. Though not a good fit for those who demand a thoroughly dry Gewürztraminer, this isn't a sugar bomb by any means, with flavors of honeydew melon, orange blossom and bubble gum.
This is an extracted Pinot Noir with dark, ripe berry flavor with a sourness to the finish and a taste of heat.
An easygoing, casual wine with melon and marshmallow flavors and a soft texture. It's cleanly made, light on the palate and almost sweet going down.
Made from the Spanish grape Tempranillo, this is light salmon in color, restrained in style and just slightly sweet. Fruit nuances do come out on the palate and finish, adding interest.
Vibrant and refreshing, this opens with aromas of tropical fruit, green apple and a whiff of white flower. The fruit flavors carry over to the linear palate, plus citrus notes and a vein of mineral. Zest acidity gives a clean, crisp finish.
Hedonistic notes of hot cherry pie prime the nose on this wine, which gains complexity thanks to sagebrush, eucalyptus and black slate aromas. The palate is driven by cranberries and boasts firm, incense-powered tannins, with chopped herbs and pine sap elements as well.
Pretty aromas of white flower, alpine herb and a whiff of citrus take shape in the glass. The sleek, vibrant palate offers crisp apple, lemon zest and a hint of nutmeg alongside lively acidity.
Subtle aromas of beeswax, white spring flower and a whiff of pear mingle in the glass. The linear palate offers crunchy green apple, nectarine zest and ground white pepper alongside brisk acidity. It's very pretty and extremely refreshing.
Melon and peach aromas are fresh and come with a touch of vanilla. This is a well-made, solid Chardonnay with good body and fresh acidity. Flavors of apple, melon and spice finish with a touch of oaky cinnamon and a somewhat waxy texture.
Deeply pigmented and plush, this wine opens with fruity aromas of dark berry and plum. The easy-drinking palate doles out juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry and a hint of licorice. Soft tannins support the juicy flavors, imparting a smooth texture and drink-now appeal.
Rubbery aromas of plum and wild berry turn toward earthy with airing. This blend from one of Uruguay's better wineries is full, hefty and tight, with grabby tannins. Blackberry, pepper and burnt flavors finish blackened and slightly bitter. Drink through 2018.
Bouza continues to lead the Uruguayan charge via wines like this Tannat, which is purple in color and concentrated on the nose, with blackberry pie and raisin aromas. A stout, full-bodied palate is chewy and oaky, while prune, blackberry, brine, char and toast flavors finish dark and spicy, with a raisiny note. Drink through 2017.
This stylish and well-priced wine from Brian and Stephanie Terrizzi offers aromas of grape juice, shattered slate, charcoal ash and a sharp, peppery spice. The blackberry juice flavors are broad, approachable and pleasantly airy on the palate, but quickly given complexity with coyote-brush woodiness, iron shavings and a solid tannic grip.
Delicate aromas of red berry, crushed flower and vanilla lead the nose. The palate offers dried cherry, clove and savory herb alongside firm, polished tannins that leave a drying finish.
Aromas and flavors suggest red berry, cinnamon, rhubarb and graphite. This wine is balanced and easy drinking, with lithe tannins and bright acidity.
Subtle aromas recall crushed rose petal and wild strawberry. The palate offers dried red cherry, grilled rosemary and a hint of green tea, but drink soon before the fruit dries out.
Made with native grape Prié blanc grown in high vineyards in Valle d'Aosta, this lively sparkler offers a pretty fragrance of hawthorn flower and nectarine peel. The fresh, refined palate doles out citrus, tart green apple and white almond alongside steely bubbles and crisp acidity.
Aromas of white flower, citrus, pineapple, crushed rock and tinge of medicinal herb lead the nose on this vibrant white. The vertical palate offers green apple, lemon-lime and mineral that follow through to the white almond finish. It's linear and balanced thanks to racy acidity.
Scratchy red-fruit aromas are a bit raw and chemical. This is grabby and gritty in the mouth, with flavors of plum, berry, green herbs and oaky carob. A woody, tannic, lightly herbal and green finish feels drawing and snappy. This is mostly Carignan with lesser amounts of Garnacha and Syrah.
Winemaker Francisco Olazabal, from Quinta do Vale Meão, produces this ripe, smoky wine from vineyards above the Douro River. Lab (as in Labrador) is fruity, with a cool element that brings in tannins as well as immediately attractive red fruits. Drink now.
Totally grassy and herbaceous, this green, crisp wine also has a more serious, ageworthy side. There is a firm minerality here, along with a nervy, tense character that will allow it to mature. Drink from 2016.
Made in large quantities, this is juicy and complex, offering soft, leathery layers of mocha and blackberry, with plenty of oomph and body to please a variety of palates. Approachable and easy to enjoy, the tannins are firm and the finish brief.
You'll want to enjoy this wine while it is expressing the freshness of youth. Fruit flavors pop out, a bright mix of apple, citrus and pear. A light suggestion of toast delicately frames the finish. It offers medium concentration and excellent balance throughout.
Dusty notes and beeswax aromas dominate this wine, which is 90% Garnacha Blanca and the rest Pedro Xímenez. Tight and grabby, with staunch acidity, this tastes of white pepper, grass and waxy stone fruits. Briny notes and citric acidity on the finish are offset by tropical accents of papaya and melon.
Made with Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon, this leads with subtle aromas of celery, mature yellow apple, vanilla and toast. The palate offers pink grapefruit, toasted oak, lemon drop, celery, and butterscotch. It's still has fresh acidity but the fruit richness has started drying out so drink soon.
This opens with pretty aromas of orchard fruit and a tinge of spring blossom. The juicy palate delivers tropical fruit, white peach and citrus alongside bright acidity. A light mineral note marks the close.
Heady aromas of passion fruit and herb leap from the glass. The round palate doles out yellow peach, nectarine, mint and a note of candied ginger alongside fresh acidity.
This blend of 95% Schiava and 5% Lagrein offers aromas of red berry, alpine herb and orange zest. The easy-drinking palate doles out crunchy sour cherry, crushed raspberry, almond and alpine herb. It's balanced with supple tannins and fresh acidity.
Ripe, spread-out aromas of mixed berry fruits are straightforward and good. A firm, rubbery, lively palate is capped by hard tannins, while cherry, plum and currant flavors finish baked, loamy and accessible. Drink through 2017.
This has lots of jammy and peppery aromas and flavors, tastes dry, is very full-bodied, and feels rich but tight with tannins. Although bone dry and almost austere, it's honest and refreshing.
Subtle aromas of wild strawberry, savory herb and fresh tomato carry through to the palate, with a green tea accent. It's bright and balanced with mouth-puckering tannins.
Everything is in place in this structured wine that's packed with big berry fruits that give a delicious succulence. At the same time, the tannins offer richness and concentration. It's almost ready to drink.
This second wine from Quinta de Roriz is ripe, structured and rich with plum fruits and sweet tannins. Some minerality brings out the texture, but the main pleasure of this wine is the great smooth fruit. It's ready to drink, although it will be better from 2016.
A dry, slightly washed-out Sauvignon Blanc, with varietally correct flavors of apple and herb. Thins out quickly, but a decent quaffer at this price.
Airy smelling, with citrus and grass aromas brewing underneath. Has a wet, simple, refreshing feel and rather intense flavors of lime, tangerine and other citrus fruits. Cuts a direct path.
This unoaked Chardonnay shows admirable weight on the palate, but slightly one-dimensional, citrusy flavors. Clean and correct on the finish; drink now.
Yorkville's Malbec has pleasing aromas of dark plum and fig and is medium-bodied. A good wine that's fairly low in alcohol.
Slightly spritzy and slightly sweet, this ready-to-drink Chardonnay has a soft entry that hints at oxidation. Perfectly pleasant for everyday drinking, it will show best if chilled.
Made from organic grapes and packaged in a 500-ml Tetra Pak, this Chard is made from ripe fruit with a toasty caramel molasses halo around it, and finishes sweet. It would be quite drinkable on a camping trip or tailgate party.
Crisply fruity, herbaceous and citric, with lemon zest and fine pineapple. The wine's acidity should soften in a year.
A black currant-dominated wine, with a stalky, herbal series of flavors along with a positive juicy, fruit-forward character. The tannins are firmly dry with some smoky spice at the end.
A touch hard, fiery and scratchy on the bouquet, then juicy and fresh in the mouth, with edgy flavors of peppery plum, raspberry, herbs and dry oak. Finishes herbal and minty, with average feel.
There's a funky, strange quality to San Pedro's high-end 2008 Syrahs from Elqui. Like the Kankana ultrapremium bottling, this wine is jammy and exotic smelling, with mulchy notes, rubber and horsey aromas. It's chunky and full in the mouth, with prune, vanilla and canned asparagus flavors. Has the weight and density but smells and tastes too odd to rate higher.
Consistent with the previous year, this Syrah-led blend is average at best, with sweet, foxy aromas of candied fruit. Feels chunky and tannic, with herb-infused, heavily extracted berry flavors. Herbal and peppery on the finish.
Aromatically a bit dull, this blend of 54% Syrah, 25% Cinsault, 11% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache is structured, dense and lush, tasting of tar and black fruit.
Clean and fresh with medium-intense aromas and flavors of watermelon rind, carnation, red cranberry and a touch of green banana. Balanced and straightforward, and easy to find with 5,000 cases imported.
Aged over two years in American oak with fruit grown in Amador and Lodi, this Syrah is all oak and leather, recalling bacon on the grill like a diner on a workday morning. Balanced in the mouth with come-hither tannins.
An earthy wine, with a strong herb and spice character. The fruit is fresh, laced with black currant acidity and soft tannins. A fine, food-friendly wine, ready to drink.
Cassis, raisin, vanilla and rooty spice aromas give this Tempranillo blend some class on the bouquet. It's resiny and fairly heavy feeling, with lightly burnt and earthy flavors of herbal red berry and plum. Dry and peppery on the finish.
A bright, citrusy, crisp, off-dry Vinho Verde. It is the perfect aperitif wine with its light texture, slight fizz and a delicious lemon and grapefruit aftertaste.
A dark pink color, this rosé promises rich, dark fruit notes of ripe cherry and muddled strawberry with a slightly medicinal edge. The medium weight mouth falls a bit flat, and closes abruptly on the finish. Drink now.
Faintly nutty notes of toasted grain accent this wine's otherwise straightforward pineapple fruit. It's medium in body, with a fine line of crisp acidity running through it from start to finish. Drink now.
A broad, richly textured wine made in a dry style, this packs in the pear, nectarine and melon flavors, then wraps them up with touches of spice on a harmonious, long finish. Drink now.
Dry and smooth, with balsam and cedar aromas wrapped around controlled fruit scents and toast. The wine is ripe and balanced, with hickory flavors adding a barbecued angle to the steady palate. Firm, structured and tasting of clove and woodspice on the finish. Drink now through 2011.
A super value in Pinot Noir, just so long as you don't expect a bright, berry-scented wine. This is a dark, mysteriously earthy and herbal Pinot, with savory, spicy elements backed by dark fruit and a long, dusty finish. Drink it now and over the next few years.
With only 6.5 g/l of residual sugar, this weighty wine comes across as almost dry, allowing the emphasis to be on the bold notes of melon, pear and citrus. It's rich without being overtly sweet, then finishes clean, adding a touch of white pepper to the mix. Drink now–2012.
A bracing, tart Riesling, quite dry and still under 13% alcohol, this mixes green apples, fresh citrus, pineapple and unusual suggestions of clove and spice. It's a fine follow-up to the winery's excellent 2007 bottling, though perhaps not quite as concentrated.
This is nothing more than a few barrels of wine bottled by Hughes, a so-called “global vintner.” And like its Lot 128 brother, it is really good juice. Inky and floral, with blueberry and wild raspberry flavors. It's smooth, fresh, bold and finishes with mint and chocolate. Shows the positives of Campo de Borja's Garnacha.
A serious, intense wine, a success for the vintage, with its dusty tannins, solid blackberry fruits and a firm core. The wine is weighty, maybe just giving a green pepper hint, but generally sitting foursquare in the mouth.
A densely textured wine, but one with the weight of fruit to sustain the dry core. It is sold, chunky, pulling black berry fruits and plum skins into a good mélange of flavors. It will soften, but will always remain on the firm side. Age for 3–4 years.
Extremely ripe and fragrant aromas of strawberry preserves smell quite quaffable on this decently priced wine. Flavors of raspberry, anise, rhubarb and clove-like spice are nicely rounded and finish up with smoky bacon fat elements.
Aromas of leather, graphite, saucy berry and tomato are good but not necessarily inviting. This high-elevation Cabernet is bouncy in feel and solid in structure. Flavors of briny berry fruits come with oaky notes of vanilla and caramel, while the finish is chocolaty but quickly loses its fruit character.
Made with 85% Sangiovese and 15% Ciliegiolo, this vibrant wine doles out black cherry and ripe raspberry. Hints of white pepper add depth while supple tannins and bright acidity give it an easy-drinking, refreshing quality.
A well-crafted, well-integrated interpretation of the classic white, this is juicy, rich and spicy in lemon, Bosc pear and toasty vanilla-kissed oak. Balanced and not overpowering, it's a great go-to white for the dinner table or cocktail party.
The nose is rich with aromas of butterscotch and vanilla, with a vein of melon and lemon adding levity. Rich and weighty, the palate follows suit, yet clean citrus brings brightness that shines through the finish.
A shock of sour cherry and pink grapefruit flavors penetrates through this revitalizing dry rosé. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Pinot Noir, it carries out a fine balancing act between fruit forwardness and elegance.
Profoundly mineral tones of earth and dust mingle with lychee and rose petal throughout this dry, light-bodied, yet brooding Gewürztraminer. The palate is marked with classic varietal notes of potpourri, stone fruit and spice, but they're uniquely exaggerated, with a deeply phenolic, bitter overtone that builds. Overall, it presents a fascinating play between the classic and unique.
Oaky and tannic at first sip, this wine has a softness waiting to let loose on the palate and reveal more floral cherry and raspberry notes. Through and through, the standout characteristic is dried herb, plenty of it, especially on the finish.
L&T stands for “leicht & trocken”—light and dry. This wine is true to its name. Yeast notes mingle with grapefruit zest on the still-closed nose. The palate refreshes with crisp green apple and freshly sqeezed lemon. An almost austere wine, it has backbone, verve and lasting freshness.
A beautiful shade of mauve, John Jensen's blend of grapes from Monterey and San Benito counties boasts complete aromas of dried rose petals, frozen grapes and raspberry shave ice. The palate is dominated by raspberry juice with lemon-lime elements, and is more tight than bountiful.
Very juicy if straightforward aromas of blueberry and blackberry rise off of this fun and easy-drinking Syrah from the Carhartt family, whose estate is in the middle of the Santa Ynez Valley. The palate builds on those ripe elements with a bit of tar and dried fruit.
Reductive at first, this wine opens to show aromas of coffee, dried herbs, carob and eucalyptus, with the barrel notes initially taking the lead followed by blue fruit. The fruit flavors are silky in feel with abundant coffee and plum notes backed by rustic tannins.
Aromas of underbrush, leather and blue flower lead the nose on this blend of Sangiovese and 15% Colorino and Canaiolo. The fresh, easy-drinking palate delivers wild cherry, raspberry and a hint of licorice alongside supple tannins.
This wine is soft and rich with dense apricot and red berry fruits over a spice layer. That gives the wine a tangy character, textured with minerality. A bite at the end comes from the pepperiness.
Fresh, enticing notes of grass and nettle meet with freshly cut slices of green pear. This zippy Chardonnay, called Morillon in Styria, is full of the characteristic 2014 freshness and slenderness and is strikingly scented. Drink soon.
Soft in classic layers of cinnamon and clove, this wine is almost entirely Cabernet Sauvignon, with a wealth of black plum and blackberry constituting its inner soul. The finish lingers in black pepper and more of that opening spice.
Aromas of melted caramel, barrel spices, kiwi and pineapple rise up from this wine. The fruit flavors are lighter in style and lead to a warm finish with abundant fig notes that linger.
Made with the up-and-coming Pecorino grape, this savory wine opens with a fragrance of jasmine and mature orchard fruit. The racy palate offers yellow apple, pear and candied citrus alongside crisp acidity.
This presents a feather-weight but super-clean rendition of the 2014 vintage in a slender and balanced package. With airing, the characteristic pepperiness of Grüner shines through.
This medium-bodied, slightly dusty-textured wine is a solid value. Intensely floral notes reminiscent of iris and violets mark the nose, lifting the bright cherry and raspberry fruit even further. Drink it over the next few years.
Aromas suggest stone fruit, peach blossom and Spanish broom. On the palate, notes of banana and nectarine accent a core of juicy yellow peach. It's balanced with crisp acidity that leaves a refreshing finish.
This comes out of the bottle with a little bit of funk, so give it a brief decanting prior to serving. Once the sweaty sock aroma blows off, it delivers modest cherry fruit and a peppery spice component that's reminiscent of nasturtium blossoms, a supple, round texture and a mouthwatering finish.
A soft, full-bodied wine, this has touches of caramel and ripe strawberry flavors. It is rounded, smooth and rich, while the acidity adds the essential freshness.
A generous expression of full-bodied fruit and oak, this wine is ripe in black cherry, plum and black licorice, robust and flavorful. The finish offers integrated tannins with a hint of cinnamon spice.
A relatively tiny offering from the winery, this white showcases a 44-acre estate site planted to the variety since the 1970s and offers subtle aromas of lemon and lime. Medium in weight and mouthfeel, it ventures into ripe kiwi and pear before ending in a lift of wet stone.
This opens with aromas that recall mature plum, resin and nail polish. The palate offers fleshy blackberry, nutmeg, anise and vanilla alongside fine-grained tannins. A subtle warmth of alcohol marks the close.
An inaugural release, this blend of Mourvèdre (85%) and Cinsault is pale copper with salmon tinges. Aromas of strawberry and rose petal lead to dry, full-feeling fruit flavors that linger.
This structured, mineral wine has a fine tension between tight acidity and zesty acidity that gives it a nervy, crisp character. It is still developing, with its steely structure still dominant; drink from 2017.
A Santos Lima estate-grown blend of Shiraz and Touriga Nacional, this is a ripe, spicy wine that shows its wood aging strongly. Rich tannins and red fruits are melded with acidity and a juicy, fruity aftertaste. Drink now.
This opens with aromas of sunbaked earth, mature berry, and a hint of grilled herb. The ripe palate delivers dried black cherry, licorice and a hint of coffee while fine-grained tannins give it a firm finish.
Delicate scents of wild berry and fragrant blue flower float out of the glass. The refined, easy-drinking palate doles out succulent black cherry, licorice and a coffee note while polished tannins provide lithe support.
Wild berry, new leather and menthol aromas meld together on this. The elegant, direct palate shows dried cherry, white pepper and chopped herb alongside austere, close-grained tannins and lively acidity.
Menthol, worn leather, moist earth, black plum and a whiff of Oriental spice aromas lift out of the glass. The taut, rather lean palate shows raw cherry, orange zest, mocha and white pepper alongside austere, fine-grained tannins and nervous acidity.
Alluring scents of wild berry, moist earth, truffle and grilled herb unfold in the glass. The vibrant, light-bodied palate offers juicy red cherry, chopped mint and star anise alongside lithe, polished tannins and bright acidity.
The name is not a Portuguese greeting, but a blending of Alvarinho and Loureiro, the grapes in the wine. It is a rich, juicy wine full of apricot, apple and pear flavors. It has just the right amount of tangy texture and refreshing acidity. The wine is fruity, perfumed and bright.
The Touriga Franca is the most widely planted red vine in the Douro, giving, as here, a ripe and fruity wine that is full of red fruits that come right to the fore. The tannins are there in background to give the structure, while it is the exuberant fruit and acidity that dominate. Drink from 2018.
Very light in aromas for two often-overpowering grapes, this delicately arranged bottling with patience shows rainy slate and pear-skin aromas. The minerally concrete character carries the sip, where yellow-apple skins and squeezed lemons make for a racy experience. It's a white wine for the cellar.
Quite grassy and brisk in style, this wine releases generous aromas of cut tennis ball, wet cement and sour limes. That citrusy acidity and sour-grass energy picks up lime pith, green-apple skins and a touch of white pepper on the palate, a very classic profile.
Fruity and forward, this is a pretty, approachable wine with bright berry and cherry fruit. There's a strong note of citrus, particularly orange flesh and rind, and it's the sort of no-nonsense, gluggable wine that one rarely finds associated with Pinot Noir. This will be best enjoyed by 2018.
Cherry compote and a flair of kirsch preside over well-tended acidity in this full-bodied wine. Earthy lavender and herb give the wine an ethereal character atop solid, velvety texture and a big oak finish.
Youthfully exuberant in fresh-squeezed grapefruit, lemon and lime, this wine has zesty acidity and pillows of vanilla, ending clean and bright. This is the first national release of this variety for the winery.
This slowly reveals subdued aromas suggesting ripe black-skinned fruit, scorched soil, violet, dark spice and a hint of espresso. The palate is on the lean side, with a sprinkling of clove, white pepper and a coffee note adding interest to the core of dried black cherry. Dusty tannins grip the close.
From a vineyard planted on the edge of Freestone by James MacPhail of MacPhail Family Wines and respected grower Jim Pratt, this wine opens with a splash of white pepper that persists on the soft, silky palate. Roses and black tea provide savory flavor, with an intensity of forest floor.
This refreshing sparkling wine made mostly from Pinot Noir grapes has a light-gold color and slightly toasted or earthy aromas. It feels lively and frothy in texture, nicely crisp in balance, and medium bodied. Ripe apple and peach flavors emerge with each sip.
Baking spice, perfumed berry and crushed floral scents mingle together on this bright red. The straightforward palate offers black cherry, white pepper and clove accompanied by zesty acidity and fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2018.
The standout fruit flavors are melon and grapefruit, with a backing of wet stone and spice. It's a refreshing style, and a useful white-wine choice for shellfish and other white fish or simple poultry dishes.
A blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with aromas suggesting mature dark-skinned fruit, toast, sunbaked earth and cooking spice. On the polished, straightforward palate, hints of clove, orange peel and anise back up a core of dried black cherry while close-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2018.
Hot, tarry aromas of plum and berry rank as gritty and rough. Clampy, jagged tannins make for a tough mouthfeel, while a mix of herbal and jammy red-berry flavors turn salty before finishing with rubbery tannins. Drink through 2023.
Full bodied, and firm textured, this wine emphasizes complexity and mouthfeel over simple fruitiness. It smells like ripe plums, tastes like cardamom and black cherry, and shows good balance between flavors, acidity and body.
While the Arinto is normally found further south in Lisboa, this wine comes from vines that have the same ocean influence. That keeps it fresh even through the oak aging, so the wine is both rich, toasty and cut with attractive citrus acidity. This one is still young and will be better from 2017, although it is ready to drink now.
Brisk and lively, this wine is a bit shy on the nose at first, then reveals red and purple flowers, dark fruit, brown spice and a touch of shattered asphalt. The palate is quite tarry despite being lighter, with blackberry-juice flavor and lots of acidic pizzaz.
Aromas of dark berry, toast, coffee and a whiff of forest floor lead the nose while the vibrant, light-bodied palate offers crushed black cherry, star anise and a note of grilled herb. Fine-grained tannins and bright acidity lend polished, easygoing support.
A blend of Sangiovese and 20% Merlot, this offers aromas of red currant, espresso, aromatic herb and French oak. The taut palate shows tart red cherry, coffee, toast, star anise and powdered sage while close-grained tannins leave an astringent, mouth-puckering finish.
Aromas of French oak, toast and spiced blueberry lead the nose. Showing the challenges of the cool, wet vintage, this is leaner than previous years but still offers wild cherry, coffee bean and anise alongside bright acidity and polished if not very persistent tannins. All in all an impressive effort for 2014. Drink soon.
Aromas of ripe dark-skinned berry, purple flower and a whiff of cake spice waft out of the glass. The firm palate offers black cherry, red plum and a note of ground pepper while fine-grained tannins and nervous acidity provide the framework.
This is the second wine of Château de Chambert, one that's made to be drunk young. It has bright red fruits and soft tannins that are well integrated into aromatic fruits that burst from the glass. Drink this wine now for its delicious fruitiness or wait until 2018 for the exuberant fruit to calm down.
This pure Malbec is generous and ripe. It has concentration and dark berry fruits that come strongly through the tannic structure. As it develops, its texture will become increasingly more velvety, bringing out richness. Wait until 2018.
Slightly funky aromas of dried, composting red and purple roses meet with crushed mint, vanilla and red berries on the nose of this complex bottling. Pomegranate, red plum and strawberry fruit show on the palate, bolstered by wet gravel, thyme and black-pepper spice.
Really nicely done, with bold cassis aromas tinged with hints of tomato leaf and vanilla and then waves of cassis, vanilla and dried spices on the palate. It's full bodied and lushly textured, with a long, velvety feel to the finish. Best from 2010–2020.
Solabal captures the essence of Rioja reserva with this fairly oaked, fruity wine. The palate is tight and demanding, with proper acid-to-tannin balance. Flavors of wild raspberry and plum are lively, while the finish shows some creaminess, tobacco and warmth. Drink now and over the next two years.
This intriguing stickie is predominantly (94%) Chardonnay—an unusual choice for a botrytized wine. Dried apricot and ripe pear aromas lead the way, with the flavors leaning toward intensely honeyed apricot preserves. It's full-bodied, lush and candy-sweet, with a mouthcoating finish.
A leader in user-friendly Monastrell from Jumilla is Luzón. Altos is the winery's high-expression baby, and if you like a bruiser with char, toast, coffee and other nocturnal characteristics, then look no further. Dynamite in terms of ripeness, with monster black-fruit, chocolate and coffee flavors. Not for the weak.
The Meyer Vineyard, in the Red Hills of Dundee, ripened especially well in 2006, bringing forth concentrated fruits that mix raspberry, cranberry, pie cherry and finishing hints of rhubarb. Spice and sharp acids add definition to the midpalate, and the careful barrel aging has introduced accent notes of nutmeg, licorice and black tea. Despite its heft and substantial 14.6% alcohol, this wine has a sleekness that carries it gracefully into a lengthy, elegant finish.
Le Cadeau's Equinoxe Cuvée is the winery's most limited offering, just 110 cases. Quite distinctive, it carries a high, piercing caraway note, but also offers rich, ripe, chunky cherry fruit and streaks of cola and caramel. It's concentrated and chewy, a substantial wine with a soft, lengthy finish incorporating earth, leaf and pepper.
This mature, ready-to-drink example of Coonawarra Cab offers complex aromas and flavors of leather, cedar and black cherry, plus hints of mint and roasted beef. The tannins are smooth, the mouthfeel moderately rich and the finish long and mouthwatering. Drink now-2015.
This is a fairly full-bodied Mosel auslese, with plenty of both alcohol (9.5%) and remaining sweetness. A hint of dried apricot marks the nose, while apple, honey and clover blossom also come into play. Finishes long, with mouthcoating intensity of spice and citrus. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC.
Dark, ripe and handsome. Those are the basics on this showy wine. Aromas of leather, shoe polish and char darken up the berry fruit, while flavors of blackberry and plum vie with oak-based mocha. Plenty of length and potential on the finish, but also some hard oak that needs more time to get absorbed. Best in 2009–2010.
A blend of 64% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, the resulting wine is complex, round and complete. Aromas and flavors of plum, leather, cured meat and spice are carried by plenty of weight, yet without seeming heavy. There's a lush, slightly creamy mouthfeel and a long, spicy finish. Delicious now, but should hold at least through 2015.
From elegant white producer Paul Cluver, this wine starts with a beautiful nose of fragrant peach, honey and apricot, then unfolds into an enticing balance of lush peach, pineapple and apricot flavors. Elegant but fresh, the complex flavors mingle perfectly with a bright, zinging acidity. The lingering finish offers a touch of orange peel and dried apricot. Delicate but full of character.
It's labeled Viognier, but the blend includes 20% Roussanne and a bit of Marsanne as well. It works terrifically, yielding a wine with a spicy mix of grapefruit, citrus rind, and Asian pear. Wonderful mouthfeel, with cut, focus and length.
A gorgeous Cab-based blend with 17% Cab Franc, 15% Petit Verdot and 7% Merlot, Edom is rich and seductive. Sultry notes of mulled boysenberry and blackberry are infused with cigar tobacco, cedar and roasted cocoa nib accents. A strong structure of firm tannins and moderate acidity carry through to the black-pepper-flecked finish.
Organically grown grapes have yielded a firm, dense wine that brings out the power of Morgon. It has dark plum skins and cherry fruit, layered with firmly structured tannins. It's an impressive wine for aging 2–3 years.
Initially a very soft wine, it slowly shows its ripe fruits, intense texture and blend of buttery toast and acidity. Yellow fruits dominate, bursting through the acidity to give a ripe, opulent finish. Age for 3–4 years.
All Pepper Bridge vineyard fruit—62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Syrah—this is right in line with the excellent 2006 Sayulita, which came from the Lefore Vineyard. Bright fruit, tart and tangy, gives a juicy, fresh quality to the mouthfeel. Lots of high-acid berry flavors, are accented by light chocolate and caramel notes from 20 months in second and third use French oak.
The fruit for this excellent Cabernet Franc is sourced from wide-ranging vineyards throughout the Yakima, Columbia and Walla Walla valleys. Aged 18 months in a mix of French, American and Hungarian oak, it is the most accessible of the new red wine releases from Barrister. The tart red fruits are coated with creamy caramel and pretty toast notes, and it sails like clean silk into a long, smooth, buttery finish.
Bésoleil remains Grenache-dominated, but this new vintage includes 14% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and (for the first time) 9% Cinsault. Bright and penetrating, the brilliant raspberry fruit is the star here, tart and fresh, with the juiciness of a young Zinfandel.
As before, this is 100% Syrah from the Red Willow Vineyard's oldest vines. It can seem rather light when first opened, with pretty raspberry scents that carry delicate hints of herb. Complexities emerge with airing: more subtle whiffs of earth and flower and flavors that don't overwhelm, but seem to keep adding interesting threads of blueberry, black cherry, Asian spice and game.
Ripe and leaning to the dark fruit side, with spicy blackberry aromas. Feels round and complete as it unfolds, and not at all edgy. Flavors of plum, cocoa and spice come with toasty oak, and the finish is bright and snappy. Will age for another decade without much trouble, but it's more than drinkable now.
Always one of the most approachable Pinot bottlings from Felton Road, the Bannockburn is a medium-bodied wine in 2009, redolent of earth, smoke and mushrooms. Silky tannins on the finish frame flavors of ripe cherries, dark earth and a hint of espresso. Drink now–2016.
Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault are included in this blend, along with a splash of co-fermented Roussanne. As with all the Tranche releases, the aromatics are seductive, the mouthfeel smooth and textural and the fruit immaculate. Brambly berry and plum flavors link to a finish with veins of graphite and cola.
A rounded wine, although still young. It has ripe fruit, creamed apples and fresh acidity. The wood flavors give an extra smoothness as well as a more complex long-lasting finish.
The blend in this new vintage remains three quarters Sauvignon Blanc and one quarter Sémillon, but amps up the alcohol a notch from the 2011 version. It's a lightly toasty, very flavorful wine, adroitly mixing slightly bitter skin flavors, citrus pith and flesh, and a tangy core of grapefruit and pineapple. The length and detail are impressive.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Petit Verdot and 9% Merlot. The PV shows through in the ripe, textural tannins. The concentrated berry and cassis fruit is annotated with barrel notes of vanilla, coffee and tobacco. This is a hand-crafted wine with distinctive, albeit somewhat rustic, appeal.
This is a knife-sharp Viognier, offering precise, chiseled flavors of citrus rind, Meyer lemon and grapefruit. The piercing acidity belies a wine whose flavors are fully ripe, and deliver an extended, mineral-drenched finish.
A fine companion to the winery's Lumière Chardonnay, this takes the grape in a much different direction. Here old vine grapes fall under the influence of barrel fermentation with wild yeast. Aged in 40% new French oak, and (presumably) put through malolactic fermentation, it's a buttery bonbon of a wine, tasting of brioche and baked apples, with a silky smooth finish.
This is a broad, leafy, late harvest Zinfandel, augmented with a splash of brandy. Mellow cherry tobacco flavors saturate the palate, smooth and lingering, with a lick of vanilla and butterscotch as they weave through the finish.
Named after the delicious perfume that wafts across the vineyards in the evening, Egarade is a fine example of how close in character Crémant de Bourgogne is to many Champagnes. It has just the right steely character, crisp and structured, a very mineral feel to the aftertaste.
Pale gold colored wine with a soft texture, light wood touches and ripe yellow fruits. The wine is rich, warm, opulent in character, open and fruity. A touch of texture brings out the acidity at the end.
A mix of raisin and tomato on the bouquet is touched up by spice notes. This has a medium-weight body and hard tannins in front of live-wire plum, raspberry and mild herbal flavors. A spicy, lengthy finish is just right for Rioja gran reserva, and this still has time left on the clock, so drink now or hold through 2020.
Dried black raspberry and cherry fruit aromas are accented by hints of forest floor, licorice and sweet spice on the nose of this Syrah, Grenache and Carignan blend. The medium-weight palate offers plum- and cherry-skin flavors, while a peppery spice lingers on the finish alongside a firm tannic grip.
Mature aromas of dried blackberry and cured meat immediately waft from the bouquet, while secondary scents of raspberry, macerated cherry and sweet spice follow shortly behind. Medium-plus in weight, with fine yet gripping tannins that linger long on the pepper-spiced finish.
This classic Amarone has a fragrance of blackberry and spice. The palate delivers succulent but restrained black cherry flavor, with accents of white pepper, nutmeg and almond. It's structured, but also has just enough freshness.
Aromas of ripe—almost overripe—berry, leather and tobacco lead the nose of this wine. The palate shows more restraint, with succulent sour cherry, clove and vanilla flavors accented by hints of white chocolate and orange zest. Very smooth and richly textured.
This Amarone offers blackberry, plum, and chocolate flavors layered with licorice, black pepper and vanilla notes from the well-integrated oak. This is structured, but it also has finesse. Drink after 2016 for additional complexity.
This is the winery's estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, and it opens rather stiff and herbal. It's a taut, dark and deep wine that rewards decanting, showing good concentration and dense layers of brambly berries, licorice and espresso. Age for at least another decade.
Young and still tightly-wound, this excellent example of Yakima valley Syrah combines fruit from both Boushey and Olsen, two of the best sites for the grape anywhere in Washington. Aged in 30% new oak, it's showing generous streaks of graphite, smoke and char, with accents of cured meat around the blackest of black fruits. Well-named and well-constructed.
A powerfully rich and concentrated Bordeaux-style blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller percentages of four other Bordeaux varieties, this wine presents itself as juicy and fresh on entry, with high-toned sparks of cranberry, cherry and cassis. It takes on more strength and structure as it opens, suggesting its worth for the cellar. Hold until 2023–2028.
This beautiful wine includes 9% Cabernet Franc that gives a lift of floral violet and grainy cedar. Classic all around in its etchings of coconut shavings, graphite, spice and dust, the fruit is additionally savory in bright red currant and a crunch of cassis, with an underpinning of soft, succulent blackberry.
This dark, concentrated blend of five grapes opens with spicy aromas of coffee, black fruits and toasty oak. If the palate is a touch firm, airing or more time in bottle will soothe that. Tar, spice, olive, herbs and black-fruit flavors are deep and seamless, backed by licorice and chocolate on the finish. Drink through 2023.
This wine combines ample fruit concentration with generous oak in ideal proportions. Peppery herbs and red berries get a boost from vanilla and baking spices, while raspberries linger on the tannic finish. Drink 2020–2030.
The Côte du Py, one of the best cru vineyard sites in Beaujolais, is on the slope of a 3,000-foot extinct volcano. It produces structured wines that can age well. Stéphane Aviron brought out the quality of Py with a wine that is powerful, ripe and dense with considerable tannic structure. It will certainly need to age, so drink from 2019.
Be grateful that Stéphane Aviron is an old-vine hunter. Serious tannins and concentration from 100-year-old vines give this wine its depth and richness. It has a great potential to age with black fruits, a mineral texture and acidity. This is an impressive cru wine, full of both fruit and density. Drink from 2019.
As the Stolpman family's top-of-the-line bottling each vintage, this wine impresses on all fronts. Candied boysenberry, dried lilac, snapped dark chocolate and hints of dried mint show on the nose. The entry into the palate is refined and soft with juicy mulberry and elderberry fruit plus touches of thyme and forest floor. Firm but polished tannins and a decent dose of acidity ensure long drinkability. Drink now–2029.
Hailing from a precipitously perched vineyard above Carmel Valley on the coastal end of the region, this bottling offers baked red cherries, beets, rhubarb pie, cinnamon spice and a touch of iron-rich soil on the nose. There's a powerful chalky grip to the sip, with rising oregano and marjoram herbs laid across an earthy core of deep red fruit and peppercorns. The finish shows dried mint.
The tanginess of grapefruit peel, paired with very ripe Bosc pear, is already apparent on the nose before becoming full-blown on the palate. There is concentration and precision. The ripeness of this vintage is nicely corralled and held in check by citrus freshness and countered by yeasty richness and spice. The finish is gloriously enlivening, fresh and moreish.
Pear and anise introduce this robust, voluptuous wine that's brimming in high-toned acidity. It becomes more lengthy and complex as it develops in the glass. Touches of baked pineapple provide a tropical edge amid wintertime nutmeg and spiced lemon. This is a beautiful, full-bodied wine that's lush and memorable.
This is a lovely, full-bodied wine from a historic vineyard site on Westside Road. Bready and brambly, it offers a juicy, exuberant palate that's rich and layered in blackberry, coffee and a persistent backdrop of white pepper. It's structured and balanced, with a deft twist of dusty dried herb.
This Guerneville-area estate is one of the last picked by the producer, and it delivers enviable depth and complexity. Highlights include a dollop of apricot jam beside rich honeycomb and toasty oak. Juicy acidity supports its creamy tendency toward tropical flavor, as streaks of citrus fiercely protect its freshness.
The nose is closed and only gives the merest hint of ripe Bosc pear. This fruit blossoms on the palate, which edges this rich and ripe core with hints of beeswax and grapefruit zest. These notions also appear as a textural element on a concentrated precise body. The finish majors on that wonderfully spicy zestiness and is amazingly pure.
Winemaker Doug Boeschen has but one acre of this variety, and he puts it to tremendous use here, in this tamed, food-friendly expression of a robust grape. This vintage is his first single-bottling of PV. Soft, integrated tannin supports juicy black currant and a svelte layering of dark chocolate, punctured by an arsenal of beautiful violet aromas.
Yeasty savoriness on the nose conjures up salty hints of miso and soy, alluringly so. The palate is even more salty and expressive, with waves of tingling white pepper. The fruit that lurks through is of green Conference pear and more greenish savor: think nettle and lovage, even watercress. A lemony fillip provides a fresh backbone. What a joy to drink. Lovely now but built to last. Drink 2017–2025.
X is for extra dry, and this is, made from 74% Pinot Noir, the remainder Chardonnay. It jumps out of the glass in an explosion of nutty, salty lemon peel, dry as a bone and rewarding in its full embrace of minerality. This sparkler begs for oysters and a skiff out to sea.
Full-bodied, rich and unctuous, this is an exotic, flamboyant white Châteauneuf-du-Pape for drinking over the next year. Grilled pineapple is drizzled with caramel and cinnamon, wrapping up long and lush.
Vibrant and loaded with finesse, this blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc opens with enticing scents of red woodland berry, new leather, Asian spice and a touch of menthol. The youthful palate delivers red currant, wild cherry, star anise and clove alongside a backbone of firm acidity and polished, tightly wound tannins. It will age majestically; drink 2020–2033.
The wine launched cinematically by Robert Redford in “Indecent Proposal,” this delivers a succulently memorable and seductive mix of crisp cassis and meaty rare beef, a sanguine underpinning that gives it intrigue. Full bodied and ripely crafted, it is completely satisfying in its classical components of sage and cedar, with a lingering lust of chocolate-covered cherry.
Baked black plum, gingerbread, dried mint, clove-laden cherry pie and a touch of light licorice show on the nose of this rich style of Pinot from the Santa Ynez-based, family-owned winery. The palate starts with rich black-cherry fruit, but then dives into an intriguing wash of thyme, sagebrush and anise, finishing on dried cranberry and pomegranate.
It's a good thing Garagiste Festival cofounder Stewart McLennan caught the winemaking bug. This delicious bottling shows black currant, plum, blueberry, fennel, lavender, vanilla and gingerbread spice on the nose. Elegant purple-flower elements kick off the palate, and then come waves of blueberry-chiffon cake, blackberry juice, sea-salt caramel and a touch of vanilla.
Plush black-currant aromas meet with light licorice and a plum-pudding note on the nose of this 70% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 1% Mourvèdre and 1% Viognier blend. It dries up tightly on the palate, showing blackberry alongside strong licorice and violet elements, all framed by a chalky structure.
This 100% varietal wine from the Lewelling Vineyard is a blockbuster, providing a showy demonstration of ripe richness that's gorgeously lush. Christmas plum pudding, clove and cinnamon lurk behind a chalky underbelly of firm tannin and black licorice, finishing fresh in the glass.
From the only producer to source Zin from this famous vineyard, this wine is abundant in a complexity of baked bread, blackberry jam and vanilla, with endless depth on the palate. Fresh and juicy, it balances its fruitiness with mountain-sized tannin strength and concentration.
The eponymous winemaker of this brand is based in San Francisco, from which, in this bottling, he turns out a stunner. Focused, intense, energetic and yet delicate, the nose is full of just-ripe raspberries, bay leaf, thyme, eucalyptus and chipped slate. A sip reveals crushed herbs galore, from oregano to anise, set against tart pomegranate and red plums. Menthol shows on the finish.
The gloriously intense lift of fresh lemon zest rises immediately. The concentrated palate is so precise, so taut and has so much tension that you can almost feel the citrus flavors exploding in your mouth. This is wonderfully aromatic Riesling that comes with a panoply of both ripe and tart citrus. Gloriously long, ripe and fresh.
This smoky, earthy, soft and delicate wine comes from an estate vineyard planted in 1999 in the Occidental Hills. Rose petals and cranberry mingle effortlessly on the silky palate, while a bite of black tea and tannin tease on the finish.
A firm and structured cru wine from 100-year-old vines that has layers of firm fruits and tannins. It is a wine that is likely to mature well, with its wood aging and dry core. A blend from four parcels, it is concentrated and with a rich black-cherry character. Drink this exceptional wine, from old-vine hunter Stéphane Aviron, starting in 2020.
From heritage clones of Wente and Mt. Eden, this top-end Chardonnay from the Foley family offers salted peaches, hazelnuts and crushed sea shells on a nose that recalls a steady sea breeze. It's light and brisk on the palate, with yellow pear, nectarine and lemon salt, all wrapped by a grippy texture. Excellent by itself, it would pair with foods from shellfish to roasted chicken.
Roasted and raw beef, dried strawberry, crushed marjoram and salt-and-pepper seasonings show on this Syrah. Extremely dark in the glass, it's bolstered by 4% Grenache, 4% Mourvèdre and 2% Viognier. Elderberry fruit kicks off the palate, following by pepper, coffee grinds, espresso beans and dark-chocolate sauce, surrounded by grippy tannins.
This wine is aromatically untoward with notes of seabreeze, green herbs, citrus and wood. It's medium bodied, somewhat gritty in feel, with barnyard flavors.
Can't-miss aromas of juniper, olive and tree bark dominate lesser notes of lemon peel and blackberry. This feels taut and rubbery, with tomatoey acidity. Woodsy, herbal, gritty flavors of currant and cranberry finish tart and with a note of minty green.
This plump, medium-bodied Pinot Noir lacks for fruit, instead showcasing savory notes of underbrush, smoke and roasted vegetables. Drink up.
Honey blossom and grassy aromas are all right, but struggle to offer much fruit. An oily, full palate is home to honeyed flavors of peach, nectarine and melon. Bitterness is a major player on a chunky finish. The blend is 45% Riesling, 43% Chardonnay and 12% Viognier.
Scratchy aromas of red plum and currant are herbal and rubbery. In the mouth, this is tart and shows sharp acidity. Herbal plum and raspberry flavors finish with minty, green notes.
Bright and herbaceous the wine is on the cusp between cool, fresh flavors and more tropical richness. It has a perfumed character, bright and crisp citrus and warmer apricot fruits. Drink now.
Bright, soft and herbaceous, this has a touch of sweetness as well fresh fruit. Citrus and gooseberries abound with only the lightest structure to hold it together.
Nutty and honeyed, this is a young, apple-fruited Chenin Blanc with lively acidity and a crisp character that's filled out with a touch of sweetness. It's ready to drink.
This has earthy aromas and sun-dried tomato flavors, full body, but a soft balance and smooth texture.
Hints of toast, mushroom and black coffee lend a savory, earthy tone to ruddy black cherry and plum flavors. A bit clumsy and fading on the palate, it's showing its age, so best to drink up soon.
It's rather understated in flavor, and more smooth and round than typical for the variety. This is a good, rich-textured, medium-bodied wine with straightforward flavors.
A blend of Cabernet and Merlot, this has red fruit notes, a light structure and plenty of final acidity. It finishes with caramel as well as freshness.
This opens with a strong sense of coconut that abruptly hits pomegranate and cranberry on the palate. The sweetness of the coconut dissipates on the finish, which veers slightly sour.
Aromas recall cellar floor, dried black fruit and a hint of black pepper. The palate tastes old, offering prune and clove alongside angular tannins but without much fruit richness.
The latest releases from Clos Triguedina aim to create wines for early drinking. Elegant is soft, juicy and fruity—perhaps so soft, it has lost any sense of Malbec character. Even so, it is a gentle red wine that is ready to drink.
There's a funky herbal, slightly green quality to this wine, possessed of plenty acidity, as the variety is known for, yet muted in its typical floral aromatics and bright fruit.
Aromas of charred earth, tire rubber, allspice and oak lead the nose. The palate seems older than it is, showing toasted oak and tertiary flavors of flint, mineral and black pepper along with steeped prune. The fruit is already dried up leaving only evident alcohol and oak sensations.
Dusty white-fruit and vanilla aromas are leesy and sweet smelling. The palate on this unoaked Chardonnay is light, with modest acidity. Ripe honeydew melon and apple flavors finish soft and simple.
Plum and wintergreen aromas are earthy but flat. This has a chunky, jammy, flabby feel along with flavors of stewed plum, green herbs and raw oak. Baked berry flavors with green notes control the finish, which has a stewy character.
Hailing from the interior Maipo Valley, this SB is oily up front, with an aromatic note of gooseberry and lime. A round mouthfeel matches the nose, while pithy lime and white grapefruit flavors finish melony and oddly honeyed.
This has a firm texture and ripe to overripe fruit flavors. With full body, flavors of tomato and balsamic, it should be best with hearty and rich dishes.
An enjoyable easy drinker with notes of bell pepper and sugared plum. It's broad in feel, lightly sweet with abundant plum flavors.
Crisp and flowery upon entry, this wine falls flat midpalate, offering a lopsided amount of ripe apple, pear and lemon curd that overpowers the more subtle aspects of minerality lurking in the background.
Yeasty, honeyed aromas are unfocused. This shows a combination of chunky weight and citric acidity on the palate along with oak-heavy flavors led by clove. Bland peach and apple flavors don't stand up to the wine's oak character.
Clean, fresh and fruity, this is soft and off dry, with red fruits and the softest texture. A fresh shot of acidity marks the end.
This opens with rustic aromas of barnyard, wet animal fur, game and overripe black fruit. The overripe quality carries over the palate along with notes of bacon, rubber and fleshy blackberry. It finishes on an unpleasantly bitter note.
Grassy cherry and red currant aromas start out raw and turn more muddled and cheesy-smelling with time. A choppy, acidic palate is fresh but unrefined, while sour citrus and raspberry flavors finish with zest.
This blend of Cinsault (75%) and Mourvèdre already seems quite advanced. Notes of raisined fruit and brown spices come along with light cranberry flavors that seem to have faded.
This blend of 10% skinless Carmenère and SB is almost entirely neutral on the nose, then soft on the palate. Flavors of honey and generic citrus fruits finish with amped-up pyrazines and bitterness.
This medium-bodied Bordeaux blend features deep spice, pepper and red cherry flavors. It's a soft wine with gentle tannins and a subtle overall character.
A dose of cherry cough drop adds sweetness to what is otherwise a tart, simple, steely version of Cabernet Sauvignon blended with Malbec. The mouthfeel is sheering and lean, while the finish offers some out of place butter to fatten up the astringent red fruit.
The style is obtuse and the wine is sweet as sin and unctuous. Aromas of canned pear and peach suggest a lot of residual sugar.
A pretty floral nose and appetizing, juicy flavors of jammy fruit should recommend this wine, but there's a bitterness on the midplate and finish that make the wine a touch too angular. Pair with food to even it out.
This Bordeaux blend from New Jersey has appropriate aromas and flavors of dark berry, cedar, tobacco and spice, but it lacks the dimension and muscularity that makes this type of blend memorable. Still, it's a pretty wine and will pair well with numerous meat and fowl dishes.
White peach and a bit of sweat accent the expiring bouquet, while the flavors are of dull, heavy apples dotted with sauerkraut and pickle accents. Imported by Kysela Pere et Fils, Ltd.
Very sweet at first, with aromas of cherry cough drop and crème de cassis. Turns cheesy with air, and once the palate arrives be prepared for tangy pie cherry flavors in front of a starchy, lean finish. Offers the basics but nothing more.
This is a bit stinky right out of the bottle, with some sour, rotten egg aromas. Ultimately they blow off, but there's still a palate impression of sulfur and burnt match. The net effect is to put a damper on the fruit, which pokes through the sulfurous fog tasting rather soapy and limpid.
This Mourvèdre/Grenache/Petite Sirah blend offers appealing aromas and flavors of spicy berry and smoke, with good structure and length. The smoky character borders on excessive, though, so pair it with some grilled, spicy ribs or kebabs for the best experience.
Flat, fruity and lacking in complexity.
This wine doesn't have much going on. It's dried out, chalky in the mouth, stemmy and bitter with green tannins. The fruit is dried out and there is a scent of brett as well.
An organic wine that is rough and oily on the nose and tannic and choppy in the mouth. It's a hard, wine with sweaty, sharp scents and too much black olive and funk. Not a disaster but it requires an awful lot from the buyer.
A flat tasting, slightly sweet, generic white wine.
Toasty but dull, with oily walnut aromas matched by stale fruit. This is heavy and baked out; sweet and flat as a board.
The Côte Est Pinot Noir is more structured and less immediately accessible than the winery's Rocheux bottling, but ultimately may prove to be the better bottle. It offers tightly woven, chewy fruit flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and plum, along with darker streaks of clove, leaf, smoke and earth. As always, the wine is structured with elegant precision.
Might this be the best wine Marqués de Cáceres has produced? The vintage is one of Spain's greatest, and gran reserva is supposed to be Rioja in its loftiest form. So indulge in this beauty's rock-solid structure, lovely violet and raspberry aromas, and long, stout finish. Best from 2012–2018.
A big-hearted wine, packed with intense fruits and sweet green plum flavors. There is acidity, but the wine shows a sunny character, with richness and some spice. The wine comes from the deep loess soil of the Grub vineyard, just north of the wine capital Langenlois.
Just 44 cases of this fragrant and elegant reserve were made from the estate vineyard's oldest vines; at 35 years of age they have the grace and sensuous elegance that only time can bring. Give the wine a few moments to open and up come sweet minty notes, chocolaty oak and rather delicate flavors of raspberry and pomegranate, struck against metal, mineral and earth.
The flavors are sappy and spicy and full, and the wine has a pleasing depth and richness. The fruits run through red and purple berries and lead into hints of chocolate and leaf. The winemaking is polished and confident, and yet Jacques Tardy has left just enough roughness in the flavors to give the wine personality and character. May be cellared for up to a decade.
The color and weight on this Spanish Cabernet are just right. After that, it becomes an insider's wine. Why do we say that? Because it's not like a Napa, Washington or Chilean Cabernet that oozes cassis, plum and sweet French oak. Instead, it shows the terroir of the Mas La Plana vineyard in northeast Spain, and with airing (decanting even better) it becomes a sexy, interesting, Old World Cabernet that delivers provoking, earthier flavors. And it should age well for another decade.
A selection of wines from 30 different parcels, this rich, smooth, open wine wears its toast well, the caramel and vanilla flavors melding easily with apricots, melon and finishing with acidity. The aftertaste continues this marriage of flavors.
This wine is made from estate-grown grapes and a selection of clones, offering robust dark cherry and berry fruit spiked with cardamom, cola and black tea. Smooth and silky on the palate, it finishes with a trace of tart pomegranate and smoke.
A touch of luscious peach plays amidst the ripe pear notes on the nose. The palate focuses on the ripe juicy pear fruit and counters this both with lovely lemony freshness and pleasantly bitter citrus pith. This is generous and friendly, easy to enjoy. The finish is off dry but has a fresh, appetizing finish.
This is an interesting red blend made from 61% Shiraz, 27% Petit Verdot and 12% Sangiovese. It's dense yet tight, with notes of small dark berries and tart cherries that are hit by accents of leather, sweet spice and pressed violets. The balance is superb, thanks to medium, well-integrated tannins, ample acidity and a pleasantly fruited finish.
Aromas of tire rubber mix with plum and berry on a rustic nose. This wine displays a strong grip but also shearing tartaric acidity. Smoky plum and berry flavors suggest char and hickory, finishing spicy and savory. Drink through 2020
Ripe, stout and smoky dark-berry aromas are spicy and a bit hot. This lush Merlot from a warm year is voluminous and chubby, with heft and full extraction. Spicy, toasty blackberry and cassis flavors come with chocolaty oak, while this is dense, chewy and mouth coating on the finish. Drink through 2019.
Cola spice dominates the nose of this thick, concentrated wine from the heart of Westside Road. Stemmy earth notes accompany its ripe red fruit, as toasted oak and vanilla flavors extend long into the finish.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Shiraz, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot opens with aromas of church incense, brambly berry, cherry cola and fruit cake. The palate shows a bit more restraint, offering flavors of small red berries and cherries that are dusted with baking spices. Structured tannins lend ample grip to the medium-weight palate, while moderate acidity lifts the red fruit flavors through the close. Drink now–2021.
Big-boned and soft, this reserve-tier wine is savory and serene, with forest flavors of wild mushroom. Soy, dried herb, sage and black currant notes pepper the scene.
This is an herbal, low-alcohol style. Tart wild berry, lemony citrus, fresh herbs and a streak of iron combine gracefully. This is a new trend in Oregon, emphasizing non-intervention, subtle detail, low alcohol and neutral oak, and here it's been done well.
Brightly perfumed with violet aromas, this is a soft, round and voluptuously lush red wine. Full-bodied, it shows leather and baked black cherry notes.
Yeasty pear and apple aromas set up a palate of mild citric acidity and leesy weight. Briny citrus flavors feature herbal notes of basil and tarragon, while this mature vintage brut nature is dry and complex on a slightly bitter finish.
This traditional-method Riesling sekt, made from a collection of Bernkastel vineyard sites, has been a consistent crowd pleaser from vintage to vintage. It's a cutting, spry wine with delicate, persistent bubbles and concentrated green apple, lemon and lime flavors. Brut in style, with revitalizing acidity and complexities of caramelized sugar and nuts, it makes an ideal apéritif.
The aromas are alluring, with notes of stem, dried herb, white pepper, cigar box and raspberry. The palate is chock-full of raspberry flavors that show a pleasing purity, and the finish lingers, showing just a touch of heat.
Nicely integrated, this large production wine is a fantastic deal for the quality, delivering layers of apple and Meyer lemon flavors within a frame of juicy acidity and balanced oak. A tease of nutmeg-dusted apricot lingers on the finish.
This red-fruit-dominated Pinot Noir is a tart, tannic embrace of earthy minerality, with a tease of citrus. Bright, persistent acidity keeps it fresh and forgiving, making it balanced and food-friendly.
Elegant and polished, this brings raspberry pastry flavors, a touch of crème brûlée and scents of light toast to a wine with impressive length. It was fermented with wild yeasts and aged 18 months in 25% new French oak.
Bright waves of cola and clove provide underlying spiciness and freshness to this thick, juicy wine. It explodes on the palate, with crisp red-fruit and orange-peel flavors.
Martin Woods wines are aged in Oregon oak, mostly neutral. This is exceptionally fragrant, with whiffs of violets, mint and body powder. Supple on the palate, those scents connect directly to flavors of rose petals, raspberries and red plums. The finish is as smooth and soft as the entry, with a gentle dusting of cocoa powder.
From a site in Green Valley, this crisp, light-bodied offering has a dusty rose aroma and a meaty consistency the provides body without weight. Cranberry and cherry notes form its fruit core, accompanied by a tease of grapefruit.
A smoky, charred nose includes notes of baking spice, chocolate and black-fruit scents. A tight, solid palate of firm tannins and oak tastes charred, spicy and ripe. On the finish, oak is out front but this has the body and depth to handle it. Drink 2018–2023.
Black cherry and berry jam aromas bring a touch of raisin as well. The palate is mostly fresh and zesty, with medium weight and intensity along with crisp red plum and raspberry flavors. Tight, mildly acidic and a bit toasty on the finish.
Dry, spicy and dusty on the nose, with red plum and cherry aromas that become more raisiny with airing. The palate is chewy and thick, with baked plum, blackberry and medicinal flavors. Finishes medicinal as well, with a peppery accent and lasting sweetness.
Smooth and oaky, with a soft and accessible appeal, this is a more limited production offering than the Chateau's regular Columbia Valley Chardonnay. Though undeniably charming, it thins out quickly and does not have the vivid complexity of its sibling.
This Livermore producer has sourced from Livermore and Amador County—both Portuguese varieties and Cabernet Sauvignon—to make this Port-style wine, a mouthful of caramel toffee melted and toasty. A hint of marshmallow's there too.
This blend of Rolle (Vermentino), Viognier and Roussanne is fresh and floral, with a lean, crisp feel that acts to rein in the citrus blossom and melon notes. Drink now.
Tight aromas of citrus and red fruits aren't expressive but at least they're crisp. Same goes for the palate, which is tight and juicy as it offers flavors of pink grapefruit, citrus and burnt grass/hay. Good as value-priced quaffers go.
There's a touch of heat to the nose of this Shiraz that slightly overwhelms the black plum and berry aromas. In the mouth, initial licorice and mulled boysenberry flavors transition nicely into the short but peppery close.
An interesting note of sweet smoke graces the nose of this Merlot, adding another layer to the otherwise traditional characteristics of rich black berry and dark plum guts. Round and satisfying in the mouth with approachable tannins and a medium finish.
A bit pruney and reduced on the bouquet, with lively acidity pushing traditional Rioja flavors of roasted berry, vanilla and cocoa powder. Falls off a bit on the finish, leaving buttery oak and milk chocolate flavors.
Roasted and earthy smelling, with a pinch of iodine and even a whiff of bacon or ham. Rich, full and a touch sticky on the tongue, with baked berry and chocolate flavors. Mellow and sweet on the back end. 100% Malbec.
Cherry and spice aromas are fairly oaky and resiny. The palate is also resiny, with drying wood tannins along with clove and generic berry and cherry flavors. Tastes peppery and also like a clove-infused barrel on the finish.
Solid from front to back. The nose is your normal mix of cassis, blackberry, latex glove and licorice nibs, while the palate runs hard and condensed, with ripe black fruit flavors. A little clacky and tough on the tongue and cheeks, but true as you can ask for from a Colchagua Cabernet.
Three quarters Sauvignon Blanc and the rest Sémillon, this attractive white wine has an appealing snap to the fruit and an underlying acidity that sets it up in lively fashion. It's a food wine through and through, lightly toasty, with green berries and apples providing the clean fruit flavors. A fine value.
Pure Merlot, from the Red Mountain vineyard, this displays that AVA's stiff, hard-edged tannins, keeping the fruit pinned down into a compact core. Cassis and black cherry, iron filings and some tar are all carefully balanced. There's plenty of muscle for further aging, and a hint of heat in the finish.
Lovely red berry fruits, with great acidity and fine perfumes. The elegance of the wine is spoilt slightly by a rustic edge, although the red berry aftertaste is fresh and clean.
The fruit for this Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from a dozen different vineyards, blended into a firm, purely varietal example of Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. The rich aromatics of black fruits, baking spices, dust, and cocoa powder roll into a full-flavored midpalate, enhanced with a light floral component.
There is a lovely balance to this Viognier, and a sense that these cool-climate grapes were not pushed too far. The winemaker, happily, chose to make the wine that the vineyard gave her. Delicate and layered, with paper-thin suggestions of citrus rind, grapefruit and white peach. Still tightly knit, this wine very slowly unwinds long after you've swallowed that first sip or two.
Intensely plush aromas of peach, daffodil, sweet rose and even pineapple show on the nose of this botting. There's lots of sizzle to the racy sip, where tart green apple, green pear and green-tomato flavors make for a tangy, refreshing wine.
This is a rare red wine in this Loir Valley appellation, wood aged and rich. A blend of Pineau d'Aunis with Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, it is densely textured and full of spice as well as blackberry fruit. Full in the mouth, replete with fruit, it is ready to drink.
With fine concentration and crisp fruit, this is a young wine with a future. Ripe apples and lemon zest are balanced with a strongly mineral texture as well as spice. The wine is rich, and will develop over the next two years. Drink from 2018.
This full-bodied wine smells like black currants and blackberries, tastes ripe, and is lightly tannic to give it a little grip. Bring on the beef or pork tenderloin.
Savigny-lès-Beaune, better known for its reds, also makes small quantities of white. From a three-acre parcel, this wine is ripe and tangy with orange peel and mineral acidity. It is a wine that is aging fast and that will be ready to drink from late 2017.
In the ongoing debate about how well Muscadet can age, this wine gives a good answer: yes it can. There is no sign of the fruit declining; in fact it seems to have become richer and fuller. The texture has softened to give a smooth, creamy wine that is still bright, although very ready to drink.
This wine is produced from old-vine Pinot Noir planted on flint soil. The wood from the wine's aging does show, giving a spicy, smoky character that is still dominating the red-cherry fruits. This will balance out over the next few months to give a wine with concentration. The aftertaste brings out acidity. Drink from 2017.
Vines over 45-years-old in the most northerly vineyard in Givry are the source of this rich smooth wine. It has a fine combination of blackberry fruits and pointed acidity that gives it a great lift. The balance is just right: the tannins comfortably part of the ripe fruitiness. Drink this wine from 2018.
Wiry, slightly volatile aromas of blackberry and cassis come with rooty notes and a mild shot of vinegar. This feels solid and creamy, with lactic oak creating chewy weight. Flavors of blackberry, vanilla and caramel are roasted and salty, while the finish tastes toasty, minty and oaky, with hard tannins.
The 12 Hanging Delta Vineyard is a plusher, more decadent expression of grapefruit, mandarin orange and stone fruit flavors common to all of Fox Run's 2012 geology series. It's lip-smacking with sweetness and exceptionally light in body yet maintains an elegant, vibrant style. The finish is tinged by an earthier touch of smoked nuts and slate.
This medium- to full-bodied Pinot Noir has strong savory overtones. Leather and mushroom notes take charge early on and never let up, dominating the modest plum fruit and lingering on the finish. Drink up.
Very ripe flavors make this wine seem almost sweet and the rich texture coats the mouth, augmenting the syrupy impression. Flavors suggest plump raspberries and fresh blackberries, while the finish brings out milk chocolate.
Intense aromas of candied orange peel and honeycomb are accented by pollen and spice on the nose of this rich, mouth-clinging ice wine. The palate is sunny and plush, marked by sunny acidity and ripe yellow apple and tangerine flavors. A lingering thread of bitter cardamom and spice lend interest to the finish.
Enticing complexities of bramble, rose and violet lend freshness to this ripe plummy Merlot. The palate is satisfyingly juicy, accented by crisp acidity and subtle notes of nuts and spice. A fine feathery layer of tannins cushions the finish.
Attractive sage and fresh-cut wood accents stay with this full-bodied, value-priced wine from the aroma to the finish. Generous, jammy fruit flavors fill in the middle. Extra time soaking with the grape skins helped make it delicious and spicy, mouthfilling and smooth.
Floral, tropical-fruit aromas suggest orange and mango. This is juicy and under control on the palate, with dry yeasty white-fruit and citrus flavors. On the finish, this is showing ample freshness. Drink now.
This wine delivers good value for its quality, a medium-bodied expression of ripe, exuberant honeycomb, baked pear and anise that is supported but never distracted by mellowed oak. Refreshing and balanced, it has moderate acidity and a luxurious mouthfeel.
Enticing, classic Sangiovese aromas of fragrant blue flower, wild berry, underbrush and a whiff of tilled earth lift out of the glass. The bright, supple palate offers crushed red cherry, anise and white pepper alongside zesty acidity and lithe tannins.
100% varietal, this wine exhibits aromas of dried herb, cigar box, and cherry. The flavors are tart, light and elegant, harmonizing on the finish.
Rich, melt-in-the-mouth fruit flavors and a smooth, supple texture make this wine hard to resist. Black cherry and blueberry in the aromas and flavors get a little grip from light tannins on the palate.
This powerful wine nicely balances big fruit flavors with a firm texture and full body. There are raspberries in the aroma, sweet and sour cherries in the flavor, and a nice, gripping mouthfeel.
Lively fruit flavors and great balance make this wine easy to appreciate and a versatile pairing with food. Fresh cherry and raspberry aromas meet rich flavors on a smooth texture that has just enough light tannins for a little grip.
This bottling of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre presents a dusty, slightly sweet-smelling nose, with blackberry syrup and leather aromas. Juicy blueberries and blackberries lead into a sip laced with licorice, tobacco and lava rock, finishing on a note of burnt caramel. It's quite dense so needs lots of time to open up.
Forest floor, chopped herb, iris and red berry aromas lead the nose on this medium-bodied red. On the smooth silky palate, notes of star anise and white pepper accent juicy red berry alongside supple tannins and bright acidity.
This robust red shows plenty of ripe berry flavors, firm texture and full body. It has a gripping mouthfeel and persistent raspberry and cranberry flavors that make the mouth water.
A fresh, grassy aroma and lively grapefruit and herb flavors give a lot of zest to this medium-bodied and almost peppery wine.
Equal parts fresh fruit and earthy complexity, this elegant off-dry wine offers loads of plush yellow peach, mango and yellow cherry flavors off set by undertones of crushed stone and soil. It's delectably juicy and vibrantly fresh through a moderately long finish.
Syrah makes up three-quarters of this wine with Grenache (20%) and Syrah accounting for the rest. It's fragrant with aromas of raspberry, cherry, herb and allspice that lead to plush, downright jammy fruit flavors that still show a deft touch.
Cigar box, café au lait, and dried tobacco aromas are followed by coffee and cherry flavors, with barrel spices lingering on the finish. The wood gets a bit out front but it still delivers enjoyment.
Although the blend includes 20% Primitivo and 5% Petite Sirah, which might be expected to add some tannic muscle to the wine, this is a simple red quaffer, with light raspberry fruit and a hint of milk chocolate.
Rubbery and jumpy on the nose, with sweet, candied aromas of raspberry. Feels hard on the palate, with driving cherry, raspberry and red plum flavors that don't rise above generic in quality. Clean and forward, but doesn't say much for Carmenère.
Olive and green aromas blend with leathery berry scents on what amounts to a common nose. Fresh enough in the mouth, with a pretty good overall feel and standard varietal flavors of herbal berry, chocolate and tobacco. Creamy on the finish.
Soft, rather unfocused wine, its spice and yellow fruit flavors creating a rounded warm cushion of texture. The acidity is light, a shadow behind the wine.
While sweet with cream, baked apple and warm oak notes on the nose, Bellangelo's Chardonnay is a bit underripe on the palate with a subtle green apple and pear profile. Overall, a bit lacking in intensity, but finishes on a pleasant hazelnut note.
Straightforward and enjoyable, this delivers sensations of crushed blackberry, clove and espresso. It's bright and easygoing with fresh acidity and soft, supple tannins. Drink through 2015.
This rich, full wine delivers great balance between acidity, fruit and structure. It's ripe, with delicious cherry fruits and soft tannins. It could well age through 2015, but is delicious now.
Marked by passion fruit and pineapple, with a bit of honey included in the mix, this is beginning to broaden out and lose a little bit of its vitality yet still remains attractive. Drink this medium-bodied wine before the end of 2014.
A blend of Sangiovese, Colorino and Mammolo, this straightforward wine opens with aromas that recall plum cake, ripe black fruit and a hint of balsam. The juicy palate offers crushed black cherry accented with cinnamon. Drink now to capture the succulent fruit and freshness.
Smoky, rubbery aromas run alongside berry and plum scents. This is full, loamy and soft in feel. Flavors of berry and cassis are short yet ripe and earthy, while the finish is mellow and easygoing.
Sourced from the DuBrul and Meek vineyards, this pure varietal Merlot remains tart, earthy and shy of fully ripe. Pomegranate and rhubarb flavors dominate, with plenty of leafy herb.
Coppery pink highlights and light hints of citrus are coupled with wonderfully refreshing acidity and some richer yeast notes in the background. An enlivening, zippy apéritif, with subtle strawberry hints.
Leafy underbrush, ripe black cherry, clove, mocha and licorice sensations come together in this robust Rosso. It's forward and shy on freshness so enjoy this soon with hearty first courses or stews.
The blend is 51% Nebbiolo and 49% Barbera. It's aromatically intriguing, with a whiff of Asian spices and a dusting of cocoa powder. Though almost four years old, it hasn't entirely jelled—it drinks like two different wines, one tart and acidic, with light red berry flavors; the other smooth and almost silky.
An appealing wine with notes of herbs, gooseberry and guava. It's medium-bodied with some residual sugar (1.2 g/L) helping it go down easy.
On the nose, this everyday SB delivers pungency and citrusy green-fruit scents. The mouthfeel is racy, while flavors of lime, passion fruit and grapefruit finish zesty and with green, herbal notes of thyme and oregano.
Oak, chocolate, vanilla and ripe black plum waft out of the glass along with spice notes. Dense and concentrated, it has a warm midpalate and round tannins. Drink soon to capture fruit freshness.
From a challenging Napa Valley vintage, this red is made in what the winemaker calls a “Right Bank” style, blending 56% Cabernet Franc with 42% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon from vineyards such as Hyde in Carneros. The wine is brimming in dark plum and severe chocolate and cherry, with a reasonable amount of grip.
This is a woody blend of 60% Carmenère and 40% Carignan, which is not a common mixing in Chile. Oak, graphite, cocoa and berry aromas set up a narrow, astringent palate with citrusy acidity and sharp flavors of plum, raspberry and spice. Fresh acidity and herbal flavors dominate the finish.
Pretty floral and apple aromas are laced with butter and smoke on this supple, elegant Chardonnay. Bright with sunny lemon flavor yet silky and smooth in mouthfeel, it's a satisfying, well-composed wine for any occasion.
Notes of pollen and nuts lend an earthy warmth to aromas of lemon zest and honey tangerine on this brisk, vivacious Riesling. While dry in style, it's waxy and slick mouthfeel finishes with a ripple of spicy orange peel.
Aromas of forest floor, berries and espresso waft over a ripe palate of dark cherry and baking spices. It's quite warm and already evolved so drink soon.
Produced from Malbec that comes mainly from the Cahors region, this soft, ripe and fruity wine has a light touch of tannins that show beneath the berry fruits, supple texture and tight acidity. It is ready to drink, but will be better in 2015.
Lightly spicy and quite refreshing, this is a gentle wine, with a mix of melon and white peach fruit. Simple but perfect for every day.
Tight and tart, this offers crisp and spicy flavors of raspberry fruit, with a sharpness to the flavors. About one-quarter of the barrels were new and deliver highlights of toast and chocolate.
A sniff of leather and limited fruit freshness detract this wine from reaching the level of the previous vintage. It's got some berry flavors and a bit of barrel toast and chocolate, but falls away quickly. Two bottles tasted.
Modest apple and citrus aromas are clean and pleasant, and the same can be said of the flavors, which add hints of melon to the mix. The wine is plump and round in the mouth, but finishes long and crisp. This is a solid effort from this négociant house, which has never been a favorite here. Let's hope it's a positive indicator for the future.
Already showing prominent bricking at the rim, this medium-bodied, supple wine should be consumed by the end of 2015. Scents and flavors of mocha, caramel and decaying leaves frame attenuated red fruits.
This wine is rich, with red fruits and balanced acidity. Soft and full-bodied, it delivers spice and red plum fruits at the end, with a juicy aftertaste.
The wine is warm and round, full of ripe berry fruits and soft tannins. It's ready to drink now with its full structure, balanced acidity and juicy aftertaste.
Soft, ripe and fruity, this is an immediately accessible, drinkable wine. It's soft with lemon and yellow fruits coming together to give a fresh, lively apéritif style of wine.
Cherry and cassis aromas are a touch flat and jammy. This shows grabby tannins as well as loamy, earthy, lightly bitter flavors of black fruits. The finish lumbers along with size and tannic grip, but overall this blend of 65% Tempranillo, 25% Graciano and 10% Garnacha shows well.
This displays evident oak sensations of sweet vanilla, toast, espresso, milk chocolate and mature black plum alongside drying tannins. There's not much fresh acidity so drink soon before it dries out.
Grape soda, prune, leather, graphite, dust and black tobacco blend into an intriguing nose on this estate Malbec from Paso's Eastside. It's a little rustic around the edges once sipped, but pleasantly so. The mouthfeel is soft, the flavors are peppery and the tannins and acidity are built to last.
This smells like sweet red cherries and ripe plums and tastes quite ripe, almost sweet, with more berries and cherries. The overall mouthfeel is full bodied and the texture is broad and rich. It is generous, fruity and tasty all around.
A pretty rose color, this is invitingly scented with fresh strawberries and floral highlights. Flavors follow, rather light and primary, tailing off quickly into a finish with a lick of mocha.
This refreshing Pinot Grigio opens with delicate aromas of white spring flower and pear. The easygoing palate offers green apple and lemon-lime alongside zesty acidity.
Wafts of campfire smoke, vanilla bean and wet granite greet the nose. The palate shows lemon-lime soda and hard caramel candies, with a touch of bitterness. It's clean and well made, but not too showy.
This is a crisp, fresh and fruity wine. With its sliced apple, pink grapefruit and lemon-zest texture, it has both fruitiness and a hint of minerality from the schist of the Douro. Drink now.
A typical Gers blend of Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc and Gros Manseng from South West France, this is a spicy, fruity and elegantly light wine. It is fresh, crisp with grapefruit and pear juice flavors and ready to drink.
Ripe and creamy, this has baked apple and generous pear flavors. The wine is all fruit, only lightly textured, crisp and clean. It's ready to drink.
This has big red berry flavors along with intense acidity topped by the dark, dry tannic structure. It will need some aging, so drink from 2017.
This bright Pinot Grigio delivers juicy pineapple and citrus sensations. It's simple and fresh with zesty acidity.
Named after the redwood tank where the first Riboli family vintners stored their best wine a century ago, this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 16% Petit Verdot and 14% Malbec shows blueberry and slate minerality on the nose, alongside licorice and mint spices. The palate is overwhelmed by tannins, though black pepper, tobacco and charred meat flavors emerge.
Grass, citrus fruits, feline and canned green-vegetable aromas lead into a plump, round palate. Green bean, passion fruit, lemon-lime and bell pepper flavors end with strong influences of arugula and asparagus. This is coastal-driven and green, but good.
This charming white opens with delicate aromas of pressed white flower, beeswax and orchard fruit. The palate offers green apple, citrus and an herbal note alongside brisk acidity.
Aromas suggest green pear, yellow flower and a hint of almond. The zesty palate offers unripe yellow peach, exotic fruit and pink grapefruit alongside tangy acidity.
Earthy, woody aromas of vanilla and dried red fruits filter into a raw, scratchy, acidic palate with plum, raspberry and medicinal flavors. On the finish, this wine is mildly oaky, with lively tartaric acidity driving racy, zesty length.
This Cabernet Sauvignon also blends in Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, combining for a straightforward red wine experience offering blackberry and raspberry juiciness. Plenty of toasty character tinged by tobacco is provided by the oak.
Cherry and blackberry aromas are simple and slightly rubbery and reduced. In the mouth, this is juicy, fruity and a touch scratchy. Flavors of jammy berry and black plum finish regular and easy.
This blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache offers heady and thick violet and plum extract aromas, and smells heavier in alcohol than it is. The palate shows ripe black cherry, but it's eye-wateringly tannic, and needs quite a bit of time in the cellar to evolve.
Alvarinho is hardly native to the Douro, hence the regional designation of this fruit-driven wine. It's fresh, crisp and creamy with just a touch of yellow fruits to go with the apples. It's ready to drink now.
This wine is still young, showing more of its red fruits than the structure that will develop. The crisp, red cherry flavor shows the freshness and acidity of the vintage. It will be better in a year, so drink from late 2015.
Stalky, lightly herbal aromas are suggestive of horse and leathery berry fruits. This has hard tannins and a moderate structure, while stalky, baked berry flavors finish tough, with little give.
This savory, salty and oaky white offers flavors of baked and dried apple and butterscotch. Medium to full bodied, it's a strong wine firm in tannin, with its sense of ripeness peaking on the finish.
Substantial in dense red plum and black cherry, this dry, chewy wine will benefit from a decant or time in the glass. It furnishes a high-toned kick of acidity on the finish.
Sassy aromas of stemmy red fruits, haystack and herbs set up a full yet raw feeling palate with herbal, gr een-leaning flavors of tart plum and raspberry. A shallow finish fades quickly.
Earthy, rubbery berry aromas are the set up to a full palate with flavors of rubber, roasted berry, saltiness and plum. A spicy, peppery finish with a spot of oak comes with freshness and good overall feel.
Foxy aromas of plum and berry come with a dusting of spice and earthy accents. This feels sticky and a bit heavy, while blueberry and boysenberry flavors carry and herbal streak as well as minty notes and heat on the finish.
A lean, high acid wine that has a dry edge to it. It does have of red fruit flavors but for a basic red Burgundy there is too much structure, not enough ripeness.
Citrusy aromas revolve around pink grapefruit and rose blossom. In the mouth, this is a bit flat for such a young rosé, with pithy and bitter flavors and notes of red plum and red-apple skins.
This dark-purple Cab is full of berry, horse hide and cola aromas. It's full bodied and chunky, with herbal, mossy flavors of buttery oak, salty berry and earth. A salinic, briny flavor lingers on the beefy finish.
This simple, rich white wine features a cheesecake graphic on the label, hence the name. The blend is a mix of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Fine for sipping cold if you're in the mood for a more luscious white.
Not far from Chablis, there is an enclave of Sauvignon Blanc in Saint-Bris. The wine is properly herbal, very fresh and citrusy. It has a definite animal flavor, tight and crisp to finish.
Blended with 15% Riesling and fermented and aged in stainless steel, it's lightly aromatic with notes of stone fruit and macerated grape skins. It drinks off-dry with the flavor concentration a bit wanting.
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and four other grapes, this toasty red will please anyone who likes a red wine with satiny, milk chocolate goodness. The fruit and mouth-coating barrel flavors are fine, though there is just a hint of a green edge to the tannins.
This blend of Syrah, Cabernet and Tempranillo from American-born winemaker Ed Flaherty offers floral aromas of raspberry and dusty plum. The palate feels fresh and vital, with good energy backing flavors of coconut and vanilla along with plum, raspberry and cream. A mild, slightly juicy finish delivers a final shot of oaky vanilla.
This wine comes from the Nussberg vineyards close to the Vienna woods. It is aromatic, spicy and richly textured. The wine has warmth as well as crisp acidity and green-fruit flavors. Give it a year to mature. Screwcap.
Here's a classic Barolo that shows impressive freshness for the 2009 vintage. Bright berry and floral aromas and lip-smacking cherry-berry flavors balance firm but fine tannins. Not much complexity, but lovely finesse.
Baked, spicecake aromas incorporate cola, raisin, herbs and foresty notes. This feels meaty and tannic, with a strong grip. Flavors of blackberry, blueberry, herbs and chocolate finish firm but mild, with richness and structure. Despite being a bit heavy, this is a really good example of Chilean Syrah.
A solidly built, rather chunky Cabernet, the 2009 Pillar Box Reserve delivers plummy fruit framed by vanilla and tobacco notes. The tannins are a bit coarsely textured on the finish, but leave behind an appetizingly mouthwatering sensation. Drink now–2020.
This Barolo offers tobacco leaf, porcini mushroom, roasted coffee bean and espresso aromas. The palate delivers ripe plum and coffee notes, and ripe, round tannins. This isn't a very typical expression of Barolo, but it's enjoyable. It's already approachable. Drink it now and over the next few years.
Similar to the 2010 Primus, this is earthy, wholesome and soundly built. Aromas of meaty fruit, leather and licorice are earthy and inviting. The palate feels chewy and medium to full, with dark plum, carob, loam and blackberry flavors. A warm, mildly baked finish concludes this round, very nice red.
Ripe and fruity, this is a wine made for drinking soon. It has ripe black-plum fruit, structured tannins and a juicy and smoky character that is already delicious.
This blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon is bright and balanced, with fruity notes of black plum and cherry dusted by accents of tobacco, licorice and lightly charred wood. Medium weight and enjoyable, the tannins are mouthcoating but fine and the finish deliciously spicy.
Fresh, fragrant and aromatic, this is a clean, clear, limpid wine. Its white fruit flavors are refreshingly crisp, offering delicious acidity. Finishes with a lively citrus aftertaste. Screwcap.
The Sandgrube vineyard is one of the most familiar names in Krems and produces warm, fruity wines like this. The wine has weight, a dense texture and green-fruit acidity, laced with pepper. It's very young and should be kept for 2–3 years. Screwcap.
This new cuvée features grapes from both Tokar and Yellowbird vineyards, located out in the Mill Creek region east of downtown Walla Walla. It's close enough to the Blue Mountains to allow for this experiment in dry-farmed (non-irrigated) grapes. Flavors are distinctive, showing wild berries, cola, grain and herb.
Whiffs of smoke and struck flint blow off with aeration, revealing bright orange and lemon peel notes on this off-dry Spätlese. It's broad and a bit luscious on the palate, with intense, dusty minerality and a spray of fresh herbs and lemon-pith notes that lend a bristling astringency.
Borra winemaker Markus Niggli, a Swiss native, has gone back to his roots for this innovative blend of 85% Kerner and 15% Riesling, proving that some of the best experimentation in California is happening in places like Lodi right now. Full of lively acidity, this wine is crisp, soft, sparkling with lime, apple, lychee and kiwi, easy to enjoy on a summer's day or any other day.
This Barbaresco has an unusual but appealing fragrance of incense, exotic spice and black fruit. The palate shows more classic Nebbiolo characters of cherry and spice, as well as oak-driven sensations of roasted coffee bean and vanilla.
Pale copper colored, this wine is more focused on mineral than fruit expression, with aromas of wet stone out in front of citrus rind. The medium-bodied flavors dance lightly on the palate but still show concentration, texture and balance.
An intoxicating whiff of musky floral perfume persists throughout this bright, full-bodied Sauvignon Blanc. Gooseberry and white grapefruit flavors are tart and crisp, gaining plushness through the addition of Chardonnay in the blend. Elegant and substantial in mouth feel, it finishes long.
This dry Merlot rosé is the benchmark from which to compare each of Channing Daughter's seven rosato wines this vintage. It's elegantly framed, perfumed with waxy-white florals and crisp strawberry and cherry notes. Dry and crisp, yet luscious in body with a lingering touch of bramble on the finish.
While this wine is still dense and tannic, it also has great layers of blackberry and black plum fruits that give richness. So although it is structured, it is also full and ripe, hinting at a delicious, generous future. Drink from 2018.
This is a solid wine, with complex tannins that sit over the ripe plum and berry-fruit tones. It is balanced, yet still young showing the wood aging as well as considerable juicy acidity. This wine, with its structure, needs to age. Drink from 2018.
Domaine de la Mordorée's 2014 rosés are fitting tributes to proprietor Christophe Delorme's final vintage (he died in June 2015). This blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Cinsault is weighty and rich, blending raspberries and white chocolate into a wine that could be served as a light red wine, with grilled meats or poultry.
This 100% Sangiovese opens with aromas of plum, wild berry, grilled herb and a menthol note. The structured palate offers ripe black cherry, mint and ground white pepper alongside firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2016–2020.
Made with 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot and 5% Colorino, this straightforward, savory wine opens with aromas of ripe berry, tobacco, blue flowers and a whiff of cedar. The bright, accessible palate delivers crushed black cherry, licorice and white pepper alongside supple tannins and fresh acidity. It's made for sheer drinking pleasure so enjoy over the next few years.
A blend of Sangiovese topped up with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with aromas of ripe plum, baked earth, pressed blue flower and brown spice. The firm palate delivers dried black cherry, mocha, anise and tobacco alongside fine-grained tannins.
Light aromas of wet stone, smoke, stone fruit and white flowers lead to ethereally light yet sweet and flavorful peach notes. It's a very pretty and compelling expression of the variety.
This wine is all about fresh fruit and refreshing acidity. Crisp citrus, green apples and a touch of apricot give a fruitiness contained with a steel and mineral texture. It is full of acidity while keeping a riper, fruity character. Drink from late 2015.
This pale straw-colored wine has a bouquet of melon and nutmeg. Flavors of pear, peach, apple, lemon curd and soft spice mingle on the palate into the smooth, lemon-tart finish.
Made with Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and Malvasia Nera, this offers earthy aromas of truffle, scorched earth, crushed violet and baked plum. The ripe, savory palate delivers juicy black cherry, raspberry, licorice, white pepper and tobacco. Chewy tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2018.
Bristling grapefruit pith and gooseberry notes are concentrated and crisp on this bright, punchy Sauvignon Blanc. While delicate in body, partial skin contact seems to lend richness to palate, freshened by swathes of herb and orange blossom on the finish.
Tilled soil, ripe plum, blue iris and a whiff of spice come together on the nose. The vibrant, juicy palate offers ripe wild cherry, crushed raspberry, mocha and clove alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2018.
This expression of Sangiovese and 5% Merlot opens with aromas of plum, red berry, toast, grilled herb and a whiff of mocha. On the savory palate, hints of exotic spice, mint and cocoa accent a core of wild cherry. Chewy but fine-grained tannins hold up the juicy flavors.
This wine pops with aromas of orange peel, raspberry, herb and clove. The jammy fruit flavors are pure in feel and linger on the finish.
All varietal with most of the fruit coming from Weinbau Vineyard along with pinches from Ciel du Cheval and Taptiel, this wine displays aromas of herb, plum, cherry and barrel spice. The palate shows elegant styling plus richness and balance.
Intense blue flower and mint aromas lead the nose and follow through to the juicy palate of ripe red berry and black cherry. It's well-structured and easy drinking, with modest but fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2017.
This crisp, lively and dry rosé is made from Mourvèdre and Grenache grapes. it shows great acidity and a rather lean and thirst-quenching texture that carries the vibrant raspberry and apple flavors right along. The color is a pale salmon, the body is light, and the finish fresh and clean. It's a perfect lunch wine for salads, seafood and grilled fare.
A blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot, this opens with aromas of red currant, cedar and exotic spice. The medium-bodied palate delivers black cherry, peppermint, black pepper and grilled herb alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
Made from a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon with a handful of Merlot and Petit Verdot, this wine is on the cooler-climate side of the sensory equation, a note of pencil and olive here, a bit of juicy cranberry there. Chalky tannins complete the picture, the wine balanced and medium to light in weight.
There's no mistaking the variety with this wine's aromas of dried and fresh savory herbs, poblano, coffee, dark chocolate and cherry, accented by earthy undertones. The palate is deft while showing good depth of flavor and persistence.
Pepper and focus characterize the slender, tart fruit of this refreshing, vibrant red. The tannins have that lovely palpable verve that signals just a little rusticity. Have this with hearty food or charcuterie. Thanks to the fresh acidity this is rather versatile with food—experiment.
Zingy and restrained Sauvignon Blanc, none of those tropical top notes but greenish concentration on the palate. The slender palate shows tingling freshness and verve reminiscent of grapefruit zest. Very refreshing.
Compared to Two Paddocks' 2013 The Last Chance bottling, this is lacier in texture—delicate and enchanting for its weightlessness. It still boasts many of the same flavors—tart cherries and herbal, tea-like notes, with a silky finish. Drink now–2020.
Holding 42% Mourvèdre, 31% Cinsault and 27% Grenache, this full-bodied wine has aromas of peppery spices, herbs and jammy red and black fruit. Flavors are sweet and ripe, with restrained oak.
This blend of Primitivo (43%), Petite Sirah (28%) and Zinfandel offers aromas of blackberry jam, plum, dried fruit and baking spices. It's full bodied and palate coating with high-octane fruit flavors that linger.
Charred, tarry, smoky aromas are gritty and outpace this boutique wine's fruit character. Hard and tannic, with citric acidity, this is steered by flavors of charred oak, licorice, chocolate and barrel resin. Toasty, spicy raspberry and blackcurrant flavors finish it up. Drink through 2026.
Forest floor, ripe berry and cake spice aromas emerge in the glass. The structured palate doles out dried black cherry, blackberry, licorice, ground pepper and tobacco alongside assertive tannins that need time to unwind. Drink 2017–2021.
Winemaker Adam Henkel inherited this vintage's barrels, but puts together a tasty blend, showing cracked peppercorns, obsidian-like rocks, layers of blackberry and a slight hint of green pepper. Pasilla chile opens the palate, which unfolds with boysenberry and blackberry, staying evenly balanced the entire sip.
Intense aromas of red currants, cedar, spice, crushed mint, blue flowers and a whiff of grilled bell pepper lead the nose of this blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The palate delivers dried black cherries, menthol, clove, white pepper and licorice alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2016–2021.
A smidgen of Cabernet Franc is blended into this wine, the grapes sourced from vineyards on both Diamond and Howell mountains. Ripe raspberry and cassis compote give it a juicy expansiveness on the midpalate, before finishing accented in cedar and pencil shavings within a complex wave of dry tannin.
Hot, salty popcorn, pan-fried apples and melting butter show the oak but in a judicious manner. Flavors of lemon are layered over poached apples, all presented with a mouth-enlivening acidity, and culminating with a touch of vanilla bean on the finish.
Deeply orange-mauve in color, this wine tastes much like the Pinot Noir it came from, with rich aromas of buttered cherries, clove and allspice. A similar familiarity carries through the sip, with dark raspberries, red cherries, brown spice and sandalwood elements, perfect for Pinot-philes.
Earthy berry aromas are typical of good Carmenère, meaning they are lightly herbal, spicy and a touch savory. This is a ripe specimen from a hot year, so it's plump and creamy in weight. Flavors of blackberry, fig and chocolate are lightly herbal, while the finish is smooth and generous.
Dark gold in color, this is a viscous, ripe and creamy white, layered in minerality and fresh-cut stone fruit. From a mighty mountainous vineyard, it offers bold, full-bodied flavor and texture, a testament to its site, and finishes big in juicy Golden Delicious apple and pear.
This revitalized négociant has bottled a fine rosé that's showing its best in 2015. It's deep pink in color, with perfumed aromas of rose petals and cracked pepper. It's ample in body, picking up hints of cardamom, cinnamon, watermelon and red berries on the palate, before finishing long and refreshing. Drink now.
A more restrained style from Brian Loring, this conveys aromas of plump blackberry and plums surrounding a line of licorice. The palate is a bit thicker, with black cherry flavors lifted by bergamot-like citrus skins and chopped herbs.
On first take, this smells ripe and raisiny, with accents of marzipan, cigar box and baked berries. The palate is blocky in feel, with big tannins and a sense of richness. Baked, earthy, chocolaty berry flavors reflect a hot vintage, while the finish is chocolaty and spicy. Drink through 2020.
This is becoming a golden age for quality, value-oriented Oregon Pinot Noir. But within that broad category, there are very few single-vineyard, Willamette Valley entries. Add this to the list. All Pommard clone, 30% new French oak, and a pale, lovely shade of rose, this brings substantial berry, root beer, earth and iron flavors into play. Complex and refined, it has subtle power.
Aromas of wild berry, rose, citrus and savory herbs lead the nose of this Sicilian sparkler. The vibrant, savory palate offers crushed strawberries, sour cherries, pastry, nectarine, wild mint and mineral alongside a soft, persistent mousse and lively acidity.
Aromas of spiced fig, resin, tobacco, grilled sage and underbrush lead the nose. The focused palate offers dark cherries, baking spices and savory herbs alongside velvety tannins and fresh acidity. A smoky mineral note heralds the close. Drink through 2021.
Made with dried Nebbiolo grapes grown in high mountain vineyards, this robust wine opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, spicy plum cake, Alpine herbs and a hint of prune. The full-bodied palate doles out black cherries marinated in spirits, clove, savory herb and ground black pepper alongside assertive but velvety tannins.
An assertive oak influence gives this full-bodied wine a cedar and pencil shavings aroma. On the palate ripe black cherry flavors mingle with more spicy, perfumed oak elements. It's quite tannic, but the ripe fruit and oak seem to balance out the astringency in a way that will make it a great match with rich, meaty dishes.
This has a red-brick rim, and mellow aromas and soft texture seem to confirm this is a mature wine that's ready to enjoy. Aromas resemble cranberry and raspberry, while the flavors are more like sweet red cherries and pomegranate seeds. The texture is soft and smooth.
Finely framed and cut by a lasered edge of acidity, this feather-light spätlese is a showcase of Riesling's ethereal textures. Crisp melon rind and grapefruit flavors fill out the midpalate, finishing on a long, lingering slick of honey and subtle cashew notes. Lovely now, but likely to intensify well into the 2020's.
For a superripe and full-bodied wine this also has good, firm tannins to beef up the texture and balance all the sweet ripe berry and cherry flavors. There are touches of clove and anise in the aroma, and a cocoa-like flavor on the finish.
With its classic blend of Douro grapes, this is a serious, structured wine from the heart of the valley. It has a leathery edge from dry tannins along with dense black fruit and wood aging flavors. It still needs cellaring, so drink from 2017.
Aromas of black cherry marinated in spirits, violet, vanilla, mint and toasted notes lead the nose of this full-bodied red. The concentrated palate offers steeped cherries, licorice, sage, espresso, oak and mocha alongside polished tannins.
The ripeness is evident in the full-bodied, round fruit flavors of plum and black cherry. Gentle suggestions of clean earth, graphite and coffee grounds bring up further flavor notes as it winds through the finish.
Full-volume cherry and cassis are in the lead on the nose. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Carmenère is robust and ripe. Raspberry, red plum, strawberry and pie cherry flavors cover the full red-fruit spectrum, while the finish remains fruity and bright, with a ton of energy. Drink through 2022.
Attractive and easy-drinking, this smells like pomegranate juice and vanilla, and tastes like raspberry jam but without the sweetness. Soft and soothing on the palate, it finishes with a dash of spicy-sweet oak flavor that lingers.
Coming from seven vineyards and showing more yellow, orange and tan than pink in the glass, this blend of 80% Grenache, 17% Mourvèdre and 3% Counoise suggests orange and lemon peels, just-sliced melon and frozen strawberries on the nose. The palate is more about great acidity and a stony minerality, along with some watermelon elements and orange rind.
Aromas of spiced plum, underbrush and exotic spice evolve in the glass. The rich, round palate offers blackberries, black cherries, espresso, licorice and grilled herbs alongside smooth but still chewy tannins. Drink through 2018.
This is a smooth and rich wine, with generous fruit alongside spice and ripe, black plum fruit accents. Ready to drink, it shows surprising balance between a perfumed character and an unctuous palate.
These vines date back to the mid-1970s and were originally planted by Dick Erath. This is their final vintage, as they've been removed. As a last hurrah it's a fine one, an intriguing melding of floral, mint and citrus components. With 13g/L residual sugar, it's just slightly off dry, with good palate penetration and superior length.
Balanced, with a lovely floral bouquet, this offers a richness of tropical fruit on the front palate, founded upon soft and subtle vanilla, tropical mango and oak. The medium-bodied style of the wine remains in check with cooler-climate aspects of wet stone and classic minerality, finishing crisp and lingering in ginger snap.
This is the second release showcasing this old-school clone. It works well as a stand-alone cuvée, with brawny and broad flavors of plum and black cherry. There's a whiff of compost and some savory notes also, but it's mainly the big-boned fruit that shines here.
The vineyard is one of the youngest at the winery, and the flavors reflect that, with bright, fruity, forward raspberry notes. It's lightly spiked with sweet baking spices, and makes a perfectly delicious choice while waiting for some of the winery's bigger, bolder 2012s to age a bit further.
Soft and fruity, with tobacco and smoke aromas, and fresh, vibrant red fruits, topped with fruit tannins and fresh acidity. There's the possibility of aging for 2–3 years.
This is unapologetically warm-climate Chardonnay, featuring tropical fruit, plenty of weight and texture and a whack of vanilla and cut-wood character. It's a broad, full-bodied wine that pulls together on the finish, ending with notes of pineapple and citrus.
A fresh, soft, citrus-flavored wine with freshness that comes from the green pear and lemon sharpness. Touches of wood round out a delicious, easy wine.
A fresh herbal and citric character give this extra appeal. Offering ample acidity but also a balanced weight on the palate, it's a friendly wine that can still hold its own against more complex dishes. A cut above the everyday Sauvignon, but sure to be a crowd pleaser.
This screwcapped Cab means business from the start, with its arresting blast of delicious black pepper, coffee and spice. On the palate, it's a little less grounded and tends toward a less complex, fruity character, but overall, offers good, standard Cabernet flavors at a palatable price.
There's an exotic character to this mouthfilling Chenin, with its round melon and tangerine flavors and aromas. Though the wine could use a touch more acid to enliven the mouthfeel, overall it has a classy, curvy character that recommends it.
Like many Navarran blends, there's some murky, flat aromas to this blend, but it shows more life in the mouth, where snappy red cherry and wild raspberry flavors take over. The finish is evenly textured and shows a bit of leftover oak resin. An honest wine but certainly nothing special.
There's good density here. This wine shows plenty of ripe Merlot fruit flavors, jammy, lifted with dried fruits and blackberries. It's a rounded, ripe wine, but shot through with a curious, unbalanced, very dry wood element.
Admittedly it's a bit late to be reviewing this 2005 Verdejo, but it's still fairly vital as it shows waxy citrus aromas in front of plump but anonymous white fruit. Still hanging in there with some persistence and mouthfeel, but get at it right away.
From one of South Africa's top Chenin Blanc producers, this Chenin is pretty and accessible, with waves of lemon, orange and citrus on the nose and fresh fruit flavors of pineapple and apple on the palate. Clean but balanced, it's both elegant and embraceable.
Juicy cherry fruit flavors with some fine tannins, pepper, spice and dry wood edges. This is a friendly, easy Bordeaux with plenty of fruit.
More sharp and jumpy than many over-$20 wines from the region, but if you like a more racy, acidic style it may be up your alley. The wine offers blackberry flavors, spice and some herbal notes, while the finish thickens with mushroom and chocolate. A good but sketchy wine with a few loose ends.
This is a powerful wine, although it wears its density easily. There is a streak of acidity that gives the wine its juicy, attractive character. Black fruits and firm tannins are equally to the fore along with a powerful, concentrated texture. The wine is still aging and will be ready to drink from 2018.
Tight, rooty, spicy aromas of cherry and cassis include notes of raw minerals and crushed rocks. This is a bit gritty and tannic, but it's not fierce or unyielding. Reedy, spicy plum, berry, coffee and cocoa flavors finish dry, with lasting notes of chocolate and baking spices. Drink through 2021.
Grilled herb, underbrush toasted hazelnut and stewed prune aromas meld together along with a floral note. The juicy, structured palate presents fleshy Morello cherry, raspberry, star anise, clove and a hint of orange zest alongside firm, polished tannins that give this a smooth mouthfeel.
Ripe, loamy blackberry, prune and cassis aromas lead to a structured palate that boasts big, firm tannins. This offers dark, ripe flavors of wild berry, black plum and chocolate prior to a toasty finish that's largely subtle and smooth. Drink through 2021.
Zenith is the winery's estate vineyard, and represents a particularly fine value in a splendid lineup. The ripe, plummy fruit is swathed in rich brown spices, a sweet streak of molasses, and notes of tobacco and black tea. Decant and enjoy immediately, or cellar for another couple of years to let the flavors continue melding.
From a vineyard in the hills overlooking the Santa Clara Valley, this bottling shows baked strawberry, cinnamon cream, Red Hots and black-plum juice, proving quite pretty if a tad candied on the nose. A light cinnamon-clove meringue flavor proves very inviting on the palate, where lush black cherry is leveled by a tart plum-skin grip.
Rubbery, slightly gritty aromas of olive and balsamic berry fruits are solid and introduce a well-balanced palate. Loamy berry and baked plum flavors are ripe and solid. Overall, this delivers an authentic taste of modern Argentina while not veering away from what's familiar; drink through 2020.
Alluring scents of ripe berry, dark spice, toast, grilled herb and a balsamic note set the tone for this youthful Barolo. The full-bodied, tightly wound palate offers red cherry, white pepper cinnamon and sage alongside assertive tannins and fresh acidity. A licorice note caps the finish. Drink after 2019.
It seems odd to produce a 100% Cabernet Franc wine in Bandol. However, the result is impressive and somehow seems to have a flavor of Provence, with its spice and herbal edge. The wine is rich, full and powerful, with good tannins and black fruits. Drink from 2020.
Named after the red soil of the vineyard, this wine is rich and full of generous red fruits. They are cut with the acidity of the vintage to give a crisp edge to this full-bodied wine. Spice and hedgerow fruits finish a wine that still needs to develop. Drink from 2020.
This warm, ripe wine offers good acidity, but its main thrust is rich yellow fruits and spice. It is drinkable now, but will develop well over the next few months to give a rounded, generous character. Drink from 2017.
Powerful and spicy, this is a concentrated wine. It has a firm and rich structure of solid tannins. That contrasts with the black plum and juicy berry fruits. Together, they make a wine that is impressive, dark and only just ready to drink. Best wait until 2017.
Made with a minimal-intervention mind-set, this marries classic French winemaking to tight, almost steely Willamette Valley fruit. It's a taut, tense wine, focused on raspberry/cherry fruit, with firm, chocolate-tinged tannins. Highlights of malted milk and tobacco sneak into the extended finish.
Owned by the Fourrey family of Domaine Fourrey, the vines come from two parcels in the premier cru. The wine is rich and smooth with good acidity that balances the ripe apple and crisp pear flavors. A strong line of minerality cuts through this still-young wine. Drink from early 2017.
A family operation, now run by Jean-Pierre and Philippe, Guillernot's flagship wine is generous and ripe. It has plenty of warm structure, while the red fruits are juicy and perfumed. This is developing into a full, rich wine that will be full of fruit. Drink from 2019 (this wine may age well beyond).
Ripe plum and berry aromas are wrapped in a bed of creamy, spicy, cheesy oak and related vanilla and tobacco scents. This is full and generous on the palate, but also a touch acidic. Plum, boysenberry and cherry flavors finish with spice, toast and blackened notes. Drink through 2021.
Composed, mossy aromas of fern, black fruits and cedar are more subtle than the palate, which is intense and a bit grating. Dark flavors of chocolate, wild berry and mocha finish with depth, integrated tannins and chocolaty richness. Drink this blend of three vineyards through 2021.
Ripe berry aromas come with a smoky accent of tree bark. This wine is extracted and brimming with black-fruit tannins. Flavors of blackberry and cassis are secure and framed by toasty, slightly burnt oak. Blocky, big and long-running on the finish; drink through 2022.
Bone dry indeed, and searingly tart as well, this is loaded with complex, deeply inscribed flavors of fruit, stone and rind. Citrus is the highlight—a compelling mix of lime, grapefruit and orange peel. The finish is world class. Drink now through 2025.
A healthy 8% Petit Verdot gives added strength and color to this wine, while the 5% Merlot adds smooth, layered, velvety-rich texture. Bittersweet chocolate and wild mushroom play off each other's sweet-savory tension, balancing at the end.
Mouthwatering aromas of tropical mango, melon and guava introduce this ripe yet deftly balanced spätlese. Brilliant lemon-lime acidity and a sheen of minerality lifts and lightens the midpalate, guiding a deliciously fresh, salty finish.
Aromas of violet, forest floor, ripe berry and a whiff of new leather emerge on this structured red. The ripe, full-bodied palate delivers mouthfuls of juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice, menthol and white pepper set against a backbone of assertive but velvety-textured tannins. Drink through 2018– 2026.
The producer is based in the Monção and Melgaço region of northern Vinho Verde. It is crisp—so fresh and cut with apple and citrus acidity. Light and poised, it has just the lightest touch of wood from the short oak aging. Drink now.
Inky-ruby colored, this wine has a complex bouquet of strawberry, watermelon, chocolate, violet and bell pepper. There is a nice interplay of fruit and cool herb notes, featuring flavors of black cherry, orange zest, eucalyptus and mint. A strong but subdued network of tannins recedes at the finish, making way for a pleasing jolt of bright acidity.
A small-production offering from the grower-producer, this is a restrained take on the variety, lightly bodied and ripened, with juicy acidity at its core. Cherry, earth and a tension of dried herb complement each other on the palate, before a lengthy finish of white pepper draped in violets closes things out.
Still quite closed, this is a firm wine with all its tight tannins still in place. It's dry at this stage, although the fruit is going to develop well. Acidity and a hint of perfumed red-berry flavors promise a good future. Drink from 2020.
Deep garnet to the eye, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah offers a rich bouquet of cassis, cherry preserves and lightly buttered toast. Tannins are strong but acidity holds its own among flavors of cherry, blackberry, menthol, pipe tobacco, and dried sage. The finish is marked by a nice tart cranberry note and lingering tannins.
Classic Nebbiolo aromas of rose, leather, blue flower, forest floor and ripe berry emerge in the glass. The chewy palate delivers mature Morello cherry, raspberry, white pepper, truffle, mocha and a hint of toast while fine-grained tannins provide support. Star anise closes the firm finish. Drink 2018–2028.
A wondrous array of blackberry, pepper, dried meat, soft lavender, well-integrated lilac and crushed graphite show on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard planted in 2008. A firm but not overpowering tannic structure and bright acidity present flavors of dried violets, blueberry and tar on the palate.
Raspberry, blackberry and tobacco aromas settle in front of a chewy, round, solidly built palate. Medicinal berry flavors come with notes of rooty spice and resiny oak. A finely oaked finish holds root beer and dark-berry flavors that smoothly fade out. Drink through 2021.
A solid rendition of Verdejo with apple and pear aromas along with basic minerality. The palate is standard and firm, with good acidity pushing apple and citrus flavors. Perfectly competent but not showing the nuances and higher qualities that would justify a $17 outlay.
Soft, attractive wine whose lightness is belied by its 14% alcohol. That makes it balanced, the black cherry flavors well integrated with the easy tannins, light spice and acidity. Drink this year.
The blend is 59% Merlot, 33% Syrah, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the flavors mix well. There's some not unpleasant volatile acidity and very tart, tangy red fruit flavors. All nicely integrated, and drinking pleasantly right now.
An attractive wine that is herbaceous, with a hint of citrus and with a richer texture that also offers fresh pears and cream. A good, fresh apéritif.
Bursting with bold, fully ripe fruit notes of pear and peach, followed up with tropical notes, this is a lush fruit bomb of a Chardonnay to drink over the near term (3–4 months).
Clove and pepper spice the dark red cherry aromas on this lovely Montepulciano. Judicious use of French oak makes for a smooth, full-bodied wine with rustic tobacco and smoke notes that highlight the wine's concentrated black fruit and sturdy tannins.
Raisin, black plum and peppery aromas make for a good bouquet, and the palate is healthy and dark, with snappy black cherry and blackberry flavors floating on a current of zesty acidity. Full on the finish, but still there's some acidic scour. Best with food.
Earthy and mossy smelling, which is true to the variety. In addition, there's mild balsamic and dark-berry aromas. The palate is full and easy, with black-fruit flavors that carry herb and peppery qualities. Sweet and sizable for a $9 wine, with toast, coffee and controlled bitterness on the finish.
Opens with aromas of burnt leaves, roasted bell pepper and tomato and finally secondary red fruit. The palate is saturated but hard, with herbal, leafy, dry red-fruit flavors and a backing of cured meat. Herbal late, with some old-school cherry and tobacco. A tough wine, but at least it's something different.
A classic, there's no mistaking this spicy confection of a wine. It has a great blast of lychee, Chinese gooseberries and spice, with just a hint of acidity in the background.
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.
A quick first nosing suggests a vegetal quality, and yes, the wine does have a green streak to it. But overall it rounds out and opens to show herbal black-fruit flavors, tobacco, coffee and earth notes. It's tannic and clacky, maybe a touch aggressive, but it does improve with airing. Good Chilean Cab with typical Maipo herbal notes.
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.
Basic and a little sweet and confected, but consider the price and you should be smiling. There's some bramble and pepper to the nose, but mostly it's just ripe and full of blackberry and black plum character. Candied and almost cloying, but remains flush and happy. Good in the midlevel category.
Attractive lemon-flavored citrus character with light acidity. This is a classic, creamy wine with a fresh aftertaste. A drink now wine. Screw cap.
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 big, fruity bold wine, packed with the ripest fruit, concentrated and complex, with room for tight acidity. It has citrus and green plum crispness, and needs time to fully integrate with the wood and ripe yellow fruits.
Deep colored, wood aged Malbec that gives powerful and dense tannins and concentrated black berry and plum flavors. The wine is deeply mineral, edging on austere, but still packed with richness for the future. Keep 3–4 years.
A finely structured wine, very firm, with a dark edge of tannins over ripe black fruit. The wine is concentrated and dense, still developing and showing great final juicy character.
Almost black in color, this is a concentrated powerhouse of black plum, damsons and dark berry fruits. It is explosively rich and densely structured, with intense juicy fruit.
On the Atlantic coast, south of Lisbon, the Herdade da Comporta style is rich, soft wines, generous in their warm tannins. The 2007 shows ripe fruit, figs, chocolate and plum flavors and dense texture.
The structure is the thing here, a square, firmly tannic wine. The dry core of this impressive wine spreads out to the dark plum skin and loganberry flavors, solid and finely angled.
Classic tannic Dão Touriga Nacional, packed with minerality, dark and dry tannins, firm and with a good juicy final character. Part of a range of wines from across the country under the name Azul Portugal.
A wine only made in the best years, this is rich, softly textured, opulent and ripe wine. It is a powerful statement of sweet plums, arabica coffee, dark tannins, immense rich concentration.
A wine created to celebrate 100 years of Madiran as a designated region, this is a solid, chunky, proper expression of Tannat. The tannins mold easily into the rich black berry fruits, a wine piled high with complex flavors.
There is dense chocolate and sweet berry flavors in this still young wine, its complex density still working its way through the solid fruit flavors and richness. It is powerful, yet still elegant.
The Loureiro is the grape of the Lima Valley subregion in Vinho Verde. The texture of the wine is rounded and creamy, although the crisp green fruits give a great bright lift to this delicious, fresh wine.
This wine does a nice job balancing its tropical fruit aromas and flavors with leafy, green notes. Ripe nectarine and grapefruit lie at the core, while herbal flourishes garnish the nose and finish.
A pleasant step up for Nobilo's top-of-the-line Sauvignon, offering slightly smoky, herbal but balanced aromas and plenty of melon and stone fruit flavors. It's full-bodied and rich, with a long, refreshing, slightly herbal finish.
Fresh, green fruit is topped by a creamy texture. It is apples and cream, with a touch of cinnamon—just like mom used to bake. And at the same time, there is minerality and lively acidity.
One of Chile's most honest producers of varietally correct Pinot is Kingston Family. This lovely, balanced example shows tea, red berry and floral aromas in front of a ripe, clean, racy palate. And finally a light dusting of chocolate and vanilla grace the finish. Ready to drink now.
Minty, creamy and as oaky as can be. Coconut, sawdust, carob and other barrel-based aromas steal the nose, with secondary black fruit and thick tannins composing the palate. This is a ripped, high-alcohol, almost soupy Syrah that in some people's eye may seem overdone and too woody. But the fruit is of unquestionable high quality, and if you give it time to air out you'll get the best results.
Smooth and supple, Amavi's 2005 Cabernet includes a healthy bit of Syrah, which adds details of spice and pepper to the smooth and supple cassis and black cherry fruit. Tannins are ripe and well-defined, and the wine carries subtle suggestions of olive and tea. It's focused and bright, polished and immediately delicious, though it could certainly cellar for a few years.
The estate's top Bordeaux blend, it's full-bodied and inviting, a vibrant bowl-full of red and black fruits, laced with baking spices. A worthy follow-up to the winery's outstanding 2004, this fruit-driven, well-balanced and flat-out bodacious style of winemaking should have enormous consumer appeal. Can it improve in the cellar? Give it five years to find out.
As in 2003 this is a blend of Stillwater Creek and Sundance Vineyard fruit. Some complex aromas of cured meat and smoke are added to an underpinning of berry and currant fruit. This is a graceful wine that will need decanting, but well worth taking the extra time to see what it's all about. Retasted 24 hours after being opened, the wine had blossomed into full-blown flavor.
This has a gorgeous nose redolent with dried spices and hints of incense. The moderate (13.8%) alcohol is a joy, and the use of oak (half new) is just right. The Cabernet character comes through, with a slightly herbal/black olive edge, but it is wrapped in toast and sweet baking spices, and balanced through a very smooth and surprisingly long finish.
White fruits and delicious soft acidity make this wine immediately attractive. It is rich and fresh at the same time, with just a touch of apple skin structure. The name of the wine refers to the Solutré rock which towers over the vineyards.
Not often do you find blends of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère. And it's been a while (1999) since we last tasted it; this version is ripe, a bit hard and very, very serious. The nose has complex olive, cassis and herb aromas, while the balanced but raging palate is ripped, tannic and fully acidic. Drink now, but with food.
This is all Lewis Vineyard Cabernet, though not as strong as the vineyard-designated bottling from the same vintage. There is noticeable volatility in the opening aromas, which slowly blows off and turns into concentrated raspberry, boysenberry, plum and cherry compote fruit. Dense and buoyed with firm acids, this wine needs a full 24 hours to smooth out. There is plenty of well-managed oak, adding smoky coffee and espresso to the finish.
“M” stands for Monumental, and at 15% this is definitely a powered wine. The Pichlers wait to get the ripest healthy grapes, and the result is a big, opulent wine, with pineapple and mango flavors. Some acidity remains in all this rococo extravaganza.
Light in body, yet sinewy in texture and a bit sweet, This Riesling has turned out well. Floral, green apple and lime aromas and flavors are almost Mosel-like, but the wine is richer and weightier than that, clocking in at 10% alcohol.
An excellent value, Hardys' Oomoo Shiraz can run with a pack twice its price, offering earth and cola aromas and a deep undercurrent of blackberries. It's full-bodied, mouthfilling yet structured. Adds flavors of black olives to the mix, along with velvety tannins and mouthwatering acids on the finish.
One of Chile's longest-held superpremiums is Albis, a joint-venture wine of the Antinori family of Italy and the Matte family from Chile. With this vintage, early mossy and leathery aromas yield to cassis and cherry flavors. There's a leathery, cheese-like element to the finish, which is offset by sweeter coconut and chocolate flavors. At 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Carmenère, Albis comes on strong the longer it sees air.
Traditional is the best way to describe this blend. It starts with tobacco and other sweet-leaf aromas, while the palate is lively and healthy, with mildly candied cherry and raspberry flavors. With hints of herbs, olive and tobacco, this comes across like a prototype Chilean red. Imported by Billington Imports, Inc.
Aromatic, chocolaty and deliciously smooth, the Sheridan vineyard bottling sends up sweet scents of ground coffee and chocolate. Compact fruit flavors of fig and black cherry run right into a bourbon barrel finish, with granular tannins that add welcome texture and a streak of graphite.
Woodland berry, forest floor, crushed iris, chopped herb, star anise and menthol take shape in the glass. The juicy, generous palate doles out ripe black cherry, cranberry, licorice, baking spice and a dusting of cocoa while fine-grained tannins provide a velvety framework. Drink 2018–2024.
This is a buttery style of Chardonnay, but done deliciously. Aromas of clotted cream, browned butter, vanilla custard, sea-salt caramel, roasted almonds and cashews meet with fresh lemon and apple-blossom touches on the chalky nose. The palate is very grippy with Meyer lemon and lime pith, but then reveals creamy flavors of clarified butter on toast.
An amazing wine for less than $30, this bottling by veteran Winemaker Dan Lee starts with tightly wound aromas of dried yogurt, Meyer lemon peel, honeysuckle and Asian-pear flesh. Great grapefruit-pith flavors kick off the sip, where lime juice and baking soda combine for a tight, bright, grippy, laser-focused and high-toned palate.
Intense aromas of charred, smoky, lemony oak add depth and masculinity to ripe black-fruit scents. Although tough and tannic, this is built like a fortress. Flavors of black pepper, dark chocolate and blackberry finish with complex notes of cocoa and herbs. Drink this currently young and tannic Toro through 2030.
Winemaker Rachel Silkowski takes cues from her mentor Brian Loring in her debut wine, which is brawny and lavish with nose-ticklingly spicy aromas of cloves and nutmeg laid across black plum, olallieberry and violets. Baked black plum and black peppercorn are lifted by Christmas spices galore, from allspice to dried ginger. It's an attention grabber.
Funk Estate (60%) and Watermill vineyards—both in The Rocks District—make up this wine. It's initially aromatically brooding with high-toned notes of stems, green herbs, coffee, funk and mineral, with generous floral notes providing accents. The palate is rounded and full, with fruit and savory flavors intertwining, showing a very pretty precision. The finish is lengthy.
This blend of 50% Grenache, 33% Mourvèdre and 17% Syrah is quite a delicious and full package. The nose is pretty yet also dense and brawny, with aromas of baked black plum, wild blackberry, leather, sagebrush and lightly roasted coffee. There is lots of chalky texture on the palate and a pointed acidity, presenting exotic flavors of plum, mulberry, pepper spice and a touch of nutmeg.
Mexican lime, crushed chalk, light jasmine, daffodil and lemon-lime soda show on the nose of this bottling by veteran Steve Dooley. Tight cement and lime-rind flavors pop on the palate, where a sharp kumquat quality dissects the Bosc-pear warmth and the nuanced influence of damp dill and other green herbs.
Salty lemon and ripe apple aromas combine for a very inviting nose that also shows pineapple and creamy lily scents on this bottling from a historic vineyard. A fine line of gunmetal tension runs down the middle of the palate, which opens toward a fuller-bodied wine with lots of lemon peel and butter flavors as well as a nicely chalky mouthfeel.
Aromas of dark-skinned berry, French oak, clove and a whiff of aromatic herb lift out of the glass. The structured palate offers black cherry, cinnamon, licorice, menthol and chopped mint alongside vibrant acidity and youthfully assertive, fine-grained tannins that grip the finish. Give this time to fully develop and unwind. Drink 2020–2029.
Graphite, grilled herb, toast and leather aromas emerge together with a balsamic note. Showing structure and finesse, the full-bodied palate delivers mature black cherry, raspberry, licorice, coffee, toasted oak and a hint of Asian spice. Firm, fine-grained tannins grip the finish. Drink 2020–2029.
A partnership between Ken Forrester and Sonoma County--based winemaker Jesse Katz, this 100% varietal wine comes from a single block of a rocky, hillside site that Katz also sources for his delicious Devil Proof Malbec. Creamy, concentrated waves of vanilla and cherry, with just a hint of almond, open the way to high-toned structure and integrated tannin and oak, finishing balanced and bright.
While 16 months in French barriques lends roundness of mouthfeel, there's hardly any oak embellishment here. Instead, this wine offers a showcase of perfumed, concentrated black cherry and berry that shines through. It's rich and mouthfilling, yet impeccably structured, with a long, delicately tannic finish.
Ripe and plump blackberries shine through in a showcase of fruit purity, lifted by dried fennel, hot black gravel, peppercorns, toasted sesame and soy. There is tremendous structure and acidity on the sip, with black pepper and black-sesame nuance plus juicy boysenberry character to the midpalate.
Alluring scents of violet and rose waft from the glass. The savory, succulent palate offers ripe strawberry, wild cherry, cake spice, chopped herb and anisette. Firm, refined tannins and fresh acidity provide balance while a saline note wraps up the finish. Drink 2018–2028.
Showing elegance and structure, this opens with aromas of underbrush, earth, leather, herb and a balsamic note. On the vibrant palate firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity frame dried cherry, mocha, licorice and exotic spice. Candied orange zest and a mineral note close the finish.
A warm and welcoming yet light dusting of vanilla lifts the Marcona almonds, honey, buttered toast and white peach on the nose of this bottling from the brand formerly known as La Fenetre. Cashew nuts pop on the palate alongside brown butter, lemon peels, salt and light caramel flavors, all in utter balance.
Sumptuous and hedonistic, this perfumed single-vineyard bottling shines a spotlight on luscious grapefruit, guava and pineapple flavors. It's decadently fruity, but crisp acidity and a delicate crushed-mineral undertone keep it fresh and invigorating.
Hidalgo may be based in Sherry, but this foray into Rioja is a success. This warm-vintage wine is rich and ripe, with earthy, baked plum and blackberry aromas. A full, drawing, muscular palate along with lusty flavors of black cherry, blackberry, oak and many spices finishes full, lush and harmonious. Drink this tannic heavyweight through 2028.
This study of St. Emilion-style wines shows a density of blackberry and blueberry fruit as well as bittersweet fudge and concentrated lilacs, proving both showy yet elegant. The palate is expertly layered with rich blackcurrant, milk chocolate, mocha and graphite flavors. This one is ready to drink now.
Very focused Key-lime aromas meet with strongly earthy, wet-clay scents on the nose of this wine that also offers a subtle minty kick. The palate is citrus-driven, with kumquat and tangerine flavors that give way to a warmer cream element before settling on a tense pink-grapefruit pith element.
Zesty lime and green fern aromas rise from the glass. The palate merely adds a little green pear fruit to this refreshing and enlivening combo of utter cleanness and verve. The linearity and drive make this moreish, very exciting and totally lip-smacking. Echoes of pepper on the aftertaste make it even more intriguing.
A consistent stunner vintage after vintage, this elevated Cabernet is velvety smooth and exotically laced in coconut, cola and clove. Mouthfilling and succulent, it's high-toned in approach and balance, despite a fierce concentration of black fruit. The highlights are vanilla, clove and dried herb.
Extremely fresh and fragrant aromas of black plums, baked alpine strawberries, vanilla and Mission figs prove rich and inviting on the nose. The ripe fruit flavors show on the palate as does an abundance of purple flowers, baked gingerbread and exotic brown spice, making for a tasty pour.
Done in the rich Paso style, this bottling shows fresh blackberry jam, crushed thyme, rosemary and vanilla on the seductive nose. The lavish palate offers espresso syrup, caramel and dense vanilla-laced blueberry. It's a great bottling for those who love a rich and decadent style.
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot inform the full-bodied flavors in this stunner. It shines in its luxuriously velvety texture, bright red fruit and intriguing elements of graphite and tar. Big and bold, it betrays its size with unexpectedly elegant tension and focus.
Made from the best four barrels of the vintage, this bottling shows an intriguing nose of soy and hoisin sauce, fresh-pressed blackberries, star anise and sandalwood. A similarly Asian-spiced character shows on the delicious palate, where nutmeg and clove meet with more blackberry fruit, black pepper, crushed herbs and a touch of caramel.
From a vineyard owned by veterans John and Helen Falcone in the Creston district, this expertly integrated bottling combines blackberry jam, thyme and white pepper on the elegant nose. Juicy black and purple fruits arise once sipped, riding a long line of zesty acidity and cracked black-pepper spice, alongside soy, plum sauce and roasted-beef tips.
Dark-skinned berry, new leather, aromatic herb and a whiff of cake spice lead the nose. Delicious and approachable, the smooth, full-bodied palate doles out juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and clove alongside supple tannins and vibrant acidity.
Whiffs of sweet white peach and melon agua fresca on this unabashedly fruity Pinot Gris are a delightful reminder of warm summer days. Semidry in style, it's quite rich on the palate, with concentrated fruit flavors accented by a touch of tart lemon. Drink now.
A spicy, blackberry Petite marked by stewed plums, anise and tar.
This Barbera has an almost Pinot-like character to it, with hints of coffee, earthy tobacco and mushroom to the red cherry fruit profile. It's lightweight and easy drinking, with a softly woody finish. Drink now.
Chalky accents add character to the red berry and white strawberry aromas and flavors of this wine. It's fresh and clean in the mouth with zippy acidity and an easy finish. Drink now.
A soft, earthy wine with light fruits and plum jelly flavors. It is a wine that should be drunk young to enjoy its balance of fruitiness, acidity and light tannins. Screwcap.
This wine shows a fair bit of oak influence; notes reminiscent of brown sugar and mocha mingle with savory, root-vegetable-like fruit. The tannins are supple, the wine reasonably balanced in terms of alcohol and acids. Drink now.
A cedary, slightly chemical aroma masks the fruit, and it is barrel flavors, more than berry flavors, that flood the palate. Overall it's a smooth, modestly-proportioned Merlot that's ready for near-term drinking.
A supple, medium-bodied Pinot Noir with a pronounced acidic edge. Cranberry is the starring fruit here, framed by coffee-like oak. Crisp and a bit astringent on the finish.
Soft and richly fruity, this has all the right red cherry and banana flavors that are immediately attractive. A delicious, juicy wine. Screwcap.
Thick, raisiny and a heavy on first take, with meaty aromas. Feels jammy and soft, but the middle layers aren't well defined. Tastes dark and sweet, with fig, prune and lemony oak. Bulky, but struggles to reach a higher plane.
There is no mistaking the firm tannins of Saint-Estèphe in this wine. At the same time, these tannins are balanced with the generous ripe flavor of black fruit and almost-sweet acidity. The property was  created by Joseph Laffitte in 1759, right in the center of the Saint-Estèphe plateau.
Everything about this Riesling is elegant and balanced: Sweet-tasting, honeyed fruit and flower elements are countered by smoke and savory fennel notes. Rich, creamy textures are enlivened by a shock of lemon-lime acidity. Juicy yet refined, it lingers long with a kiss of sweet nectarine flavor.
This is a rugged, firmly tannic rendering of Châteauneuf-du-Pape that requires time in the cellar to reach its full potential. That said, it may also pose a risk, because there are hints of Band-Aid on the nose and a slightly metallic edge to the finish that may worsen over time. The other flavors are potent and concentrated: plum, chocolate and licorice all leave lasting impressions on the palate. Try after 2016.
An oak-aged cuvée, this wine nevertheless exhibits tremendous fruit. An aroma of brandied black cherry leads the way along with hints of cinnamon and menthol, picking up notes of vanilla and cedar on the palate. This big wine boasts a velvety texture and plenty of finesse, although the cedary note stands a little apart on the finish. Give it another 2–3 years of cellaring.
This partnership continues to turn out marvelously complex wines from inland Victoria. Savory, herbal and intriguing on the nose, with hints of raspberry, mushroom and smoked meat, this is a medium-bodied, supple wine. Dusty tannins impart a silky quality to the finish. Drink now–2018.
Dark, mysterious aromas of smoke, petrol and brine are enticing on the nose. Semisweet in style, with an abundance of honeyed stone-fruit and citrus flavors, this wine shows glimmers of maturity already, but it's structured enough to improve for at least 7–10 more years.
Made using fruit that was sourced from 30- and 40-year-old plantings, this has captivating flavors of black cherry and cassis, wrapped in brambly hints of herb. It shows plenty of intense power, with many more layers surfacing with breathing time. In fact, it's just as good on its second day.
Winemaker Flint Nelson co-ferments this unusual Mourvèdre with Syrah and Grenache, yielding a wine with unusually smooth integration of flavors. Multifaceted and supple, this has layers of ripe fruit, spice, lead pencil, cedar and clean earth flavors, which continue smoothly onto the medium-long finish.
This opens with smoky, powerful aromas of black fruit and oak. The palate feels flush, offering several levels of character and complexity. Flavorwise, this pulses with blackberry, cassis and fudge, before finishing with subtle prune, mint and chocolate notes. Not edgy or hard. A blend of Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet and Syrah.
This is 98% Syrah, unlike past vintages where it was modeled after a Côtes du Rhône-style blend. It opens with enticing whiffs of soft leather and toasted nut, before bringing in a smooth mix of black and purple fruits, along with chocolate and anise highlights. It's supple and proportionate, with polished, coffee-flavored tannins.
Earthy, roasted aromas of dry berry and leathery spice are alluring. The wine feels mature but forward, with a mild, resiny oak note driving the roasted red-berry, tobacco, spice and lemon flavors. It feels smooth and plush on the finish, with structure and spine. Drink now–2018.
Château Brown continues its impressive push to quality with this fine 2010. It brings demonstrates the structure of the year with its firm, youthful tannins. But it also shows plentiful black-currant flavor, layered with acidity. Classic and serious, this is a wine for aging.
This is a hot, ripe, extracted style that will be quite appealing to many consumers. However, the volatile high-toned scents and the hot edge from the excess alcohol make it a tough match for food.
Flamboyant, exotic aromas of oranges and mangoes emanate from the glass, but the tropical and citrus fruits are more muted in the mouth, finishing with earth and a spicy, clove-pepper note.
A lean, toasty style that pairs dried spices—cinnamon and ginger—with zesty citrus fruits. The toast and vanilla battle green and lime flavors from the nose all the way through the finish.
This relatively lean wine focuses on pear and apple aromas and flavors. Some spearmint scents spice up the nose, while buttery nuances appear on the palate. Finishes a bit short, but with crisp and clean with herb notes, unencumbered by lots of oak.
A simple, lemony style that would work best with shellfish but has just enough pear and quince fruit to lend it flesh. Finishes tart and clean.
Tart and lemony, without anything to elevate it above the crowd. Some slight butterfat flavors hint at malolactic fermentation, but it falls flat in the finish.
Shows promise in its lightly toasty and citrusy aromas and lemon and green-apple flavors, but tails off rapidly on the finish. It's lean and racy, obviously from a relatively cool-climate region, and should be served as you would basic Chablis, with oysters and the like.
Fits the big-production Aussie recipe to a T, blending tropical fruit, vanilla, apple and citrus flavors. It's just a little lighter than expected and finishes short.
Basic Chardonnay—pear, citrus and green apple balanced by vanilla and wood. Lighter, leaner and more food-friendly than many Aussie Chards, finishing with tart acidity.
Bone-dry, hard and crisp, this is a basic, stainless-steel fermented, nonmalolactic style of Chardonnay. Brisk and competent, but neutral.
This stylish lightweight has some tasty pear, quince and citrus flavors, finishing with a hint of spice. Best as an apéritif or with a light fish course.
With a nose full of buttered popcorn and vanilla, it's clear that much if not all of this wine was barrel-fermented and aged, maybe a tad too much. The vanilla and toast flavors partially obscure pretty white peach fruit.
A nosing reveals pineapple juice; it's a bit too forward and sharp. In the mouth, lemony flavors mix with buttery oak. It finishes heavier than it should, but still it's pretty clean. In total, it's simple, juicy, properly acidic white wine, but nothing more.
Tobacco, baked plum, toasted oak, vanilla and mature blackberry aromas waft out of the glass. The dense, one-dimensional palate offers raspberry jam, prune, mocha and a confectionary note alongside velvety tannins.
Aromas of banana, melon and lemon curd are bright and effusive. The tropical aromas carry on to the sleekly styled flavors that narrow toward the finish.
A flat bouquet smells mostly of root beer, grass and herbal black fruits. This is chunky and lacking a central point of reference. Rooty, creamy, oaky flavors taste a lot like vanilla or a root beer float, while oak and caramel flavors control a finish that lacks drive.
Made with 75% Syrah and 25% Nero d'Avola, this silky, easy-drinking red delivers aromas and flavors of spicy blackberry, juicy wild cherry and crushed black raspberry. Notes of leather and ground pepper accent the fruity core.
Herbal and savory smelling up front, this cool-vintage Cabernet also shows plum, berry and mild green aromas. A tight, tannic palate offers flavors of herbal plum and cherry, while the finish is choppy, drawing and tannic, with herbal leftovers.
Rooty, minty aromas of blackberry and boysenberry are heavy on the nose. This feels blocky and full-bodied, with loamy, jammy black-fruit flavors that show a typical varietal greeness. A finish with herbal, tomatoey flavors includes a dusting of chocolate.
At the risk of overgeneralizing, Martinborough Sauvignons typically show less overt herbal characters than their Marlborough counterparts. At least, that's the case for this medium-bodied wine. White grapefruit, stone fruit and underripe melon notes finish crisp and clean.
Aromas of dried Marasca cherry and raspberry jam lead the nose on this smooth dessert wine. The soft, polished palate delivers fig, candied date and carob while a cocoa note backs up the lingering finish.
Young and fruity, this is an attractive red- and black-currant-flavored wine. Its youthful stalky character will soften quickly to highlight the fruit. Drink from late 2016.
Spicy, smoky oak aromas dominate this dark-colored and full-bodied wine. Cherry and raspberry emerge as the flavors. The texture is plush but not quite soft, as firm tannins and moderate acidity give it good structure.
This blend of 30% Viognier, 30% Grenache Blanc, 17% Picpoul Blanc, 17% Roussanne and 6% Marsanne offers hints of honeycomb and yellow apple on the nose. Green apple, bruised pear and salted nectarine flavors show on the palate.
This straightforward wine opens with scents of prune, blue flower, coffee and resin. The aromas follow through to the round, accessible palate along with fleshy blackberry and a hint of anise. Drink through 2016.
Light volatile aromas distract from this blend of Seven Hills (75%) and Les Collines vineyards. The fruit flavors seem a bit leaner than expected and also somewhat dried out.
This strong dessert wine is made from 100% Petite Sirah grapes from a particular site and was bottled in 2013. Salty, mushroom and earth aromas drift upward from the glass followed by a thickness of sour-sweet dark chocolate and raisins.
Aromas of dark-skinned berry, toast and coffee lead the nose on this soft, uncomplicated red. The dense, straightforward palate is full of ripe blackberry, raspberry jam and a light peppery note alongside rounded tannins.
Brambly blackberry and leathery tar make for a full-bodied atmosphere around what is actually a fairly light, integrated and smooth wine. Clove and black currant give the finish a spicy edge.
Red berry and intense white pepper aromas lead the nose on this bright, easygoing red. The fresh, easy-drinking palate offers wild cherry, clove and toasted almond alongside loose knit tannins. Serve chilled for an ideal summer red.
Blackberry, leather, clove and dark cooking spice aromas lead the way while the ripe palate extends dense wild cherry, raspberry jam and a dusting of cocoa. It's easy drinking and enjoyable, with round, velvety tannins.
An oaky, concentrated wine, this is briary in robust black and blue fruit that offers a smidgen of black tea. Tannic, this is a powerful wine from a powerful vintage, exuding much of the appellation's earthy signature.
Smooth and well balanced, this medium-bodied wine combines light cinnamon and cherry aromas with rich plum flavors. It has a good harmony between bright acidity and ripe fruitiness.
Fresh plum, blackberry, loamy earth and tobacco leaf elements shine on the nose of this bottling from the Uvas Canyon area between Morgan Hill and Gilroy. It's straightforward on the palate with decent acidity and a light body presenting plum paste, anise and cedar flavors.
Savory whiffs of dried herbs, pine needles and dusty minerals open to a bright, delicately fruity palate of crisp tangerine and quince. Dry and spry, it offers brisk, cooling refreshment. Drink now–2017.
Produced by the Cazes family of Château Lynch-Bages and Michel Lynch, this wine delivers quite a success from a difficult vintage. It is fresh and with plenty of acidity, balanced by the rounded red fruits and soft tannins. The wine is ready to drink.
Fresh and fruity, this straightforward red offers aromas of ripe dark-skinned berry, licorice and leather. The soft, juicy palate doles out dried blackberry and spiced blueberry alongside round, smooth tannins.
This is a fresh, fruity rendering of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Ripe, peachy notes on the nose give way to hints of nectarine and citrus on the palate. It's plump and round in feel, with a moderately long finish.
Aromas of lemon juice and green apple lead to delicious ripe fruit flavors and hints of butter and vanilla on the palate. The texture is round and soft on the medium body, making it easy to enjoy now.
Fresh-crushed red currant aromas mix with dried purple flowers and mocha on the nose of this bottling. The flavors are very evenly presented, ripe and round with black plum fruit and a touch of fig-laced balsamic vinegar.
Red berry and rose aromas come together on this young red. The fresh, straight-forward palate offers black raspberry and a hint of clove alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2017.
Rubbery, tarry, herbal berry aromas lead to a fresh, lean, somewhat acidic palate. Flavors of plum, red currant and green herbs finish with zest and juicy acidity.
Oaky aromas have a lacquer-like scent that dissipates into sawdust if given time. This is plump and melony in feel, with a resiny note to the texture. Fully ripe white-fruit flavors revolve around mealy melon, and there's an oxidized note to the finish.
Not quite dry, this is a creamy apple-flavored wine. It is fresh, fruity and immediately attractive, with a light, fragrant aftertaste. Drink now.
Notes of sour apple and lemon accompany this wine's dialed-high acidity. Priced to sell, it'll suffice in certain settings as an apéritif or quaffer with snacks.
Talk about an overoaked wine. From the start, this struggles to keep it real. Aromas of shoe polish, vanilla and scorched oak are dominant. Firm and tannic in the mouth, this Carignan tastes almost entirely of wood resin and mint. That this is oaky and resiny on the finish is no surprise.
A mix of blackberry and red currant flavors play on the nose and palate. Fruit is undoubtedly the core of this wine, with easy tannin and fresh acidity channelling it into a pleasant, fruity red for early drinking.
This blend of 70% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese opens with aromas of prune and mocha that carry over to the palate. It lacks fruit richness and freshness and it's easy to detect evident alcohol.
Light in color and with considerable acidity, this wine boasts cherry fruits along with a dry texture and spice. It is not for aging.
This is a light, steely white with more honeysuckle and floral characteristics than fruit. It's light in alcohol and texture, and especially good for the wine drinker looking for something subtle.
Hailing from Weinbau Vineyard, it brings notes of chocolate, cherry cordial and herbs. It's quite tart—almost sour—with a dry, chalky feel.
This appears to be a wine that's simply over-reached. Noticeably high-toned, with a vinegary bite to the cherry flavored fruit, it's pushed it a bit too far. Not even 28 months in three quarters new French oak can mask the volatility.
This is a simple, soft wine which has some sweetness as well as easy fruit. There is some perfume and a spicy edge as well as rounded orange flavor. Drink now.
New oak takes the limelight in this blend of 90% Montepulciano and 10% Sangiovese. The palate is dominated by wood, espresso, toast and vanilla alongside rubber, leafy sensations. It lacks fruit richness and has a drying, astringent finish.
Cranberry sauce flavors and refreshing acidity make this a very delicious wine to be consumed young. Unhindered by oak or undue extraction, this shows its charming, primary fruit in an open, uncomplicated way. This is a winner with charcuterie and salami.
The nose on this Chardonnay is quite attractive with notes of mango and musky florals accenting aromas of apples and sugar cookies. The dry, medium-bodied palate is a bit more subdued, with subtle apple and pear flavors accented with soft acidity. Finishes a bit short, but has a hint of spice.
Crisp red-fruit aromas are simple, direct and clean. This bounces along on rubbery tannins and tastes like blackberry and toast. Mild bitterness and grabbiness get going on the finish.
Stalky, herbal aromas infiltrate mild red-berry scents. This is crisp, juicy and light on the palate, with tart strawberry, cherry and raspberry flavors. A touch of oak and cocoa powder appear on a lightweight finish.
Crisp, leafy, peppery aromas accent core red-plum notes. In the mouth, raw acidity pushes the palate, which delivers dry, spicy cranberry and tomato flavors. Peppery spice and mild green-herb flavors carry the finish.
Made with organically farmed grapes, this opens with tutti-frutti aromas that recall Juicy Fruit gum. It has very ripe—nearly overripe—yellow peach and tropical fruit flavors.
Producer Jean-Yves Bretaudeau enjoys showing how well Muscadet can age. In this cuvée, now five years old, all the signs of freshness are still there, just that they are given an edge of nuttiness as well as spice. The wine is impressive, crisp and also full of character. Drink now.
This opens with aromas of dried yellow peach, white flower and ripe pear. Made with dried Garganega grapes, the savory palate delivers dried tangerine, apricot jam and a touch of caramel. It has good length and fresh acidity.
Raisin and prune aromas are components of the nose on this ripe Ribera del Duero that offers additional notes of fig and chocolate. A fleshy, thick palate deals earthy black-fruit, prune and spicy flavors prior to a chunky, chewy finish. Drink through 2024.
Smooth, savory aromas of prune and blackberry are foresty and lightly herbal. This round-bodied Cab Franc from Tupungato is solid and balanced, with controlled tannins. Oaky flavors of plum, herbal tea and smoke finish savory. Drink through 2023; contains 15% Malbec.
Tightly wound tannins enwrap the approachable, rounded black licorice, coconut and vanilla flavors in this mountain wine. With a tropical edge, it offers robust leather and tobacco aspects that linger on the long finish.
Based in Epernay, this cooperative has produced a crisp balanced wine. A zesty, lightly mineral texture gives shape and precision to the citrus fruit and bright aftertaste. It is still young, so drink this vintage wine from 2019.
The convergence of high alcohol, acidity and tannin will make this Super Tuscan-style blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot last quite a while. Intense plum brandy aromas meet nose-tickling licorice notes on the nose while the palate's grippy tannins present vanilla, cherry, blackberry and candied lilac flavors. Drink 2018–2028.
This wine from the sought-after site opens with spice, salty brine and a light imprint of acidity. It shows prominent preserved lemon and crisp green apple notes, as well as more developed layers of peach. The oak is well integrated and helpful to the whole, adding texture and weight.
This 50–50 blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon shows elegant layers of black currant, blackberry, purple flower, milk chocolate, anise and vanilla aromas. The palate is rich, thick and deep, with brooding yet well-integrated black fruit and hearty spice notes.
This excellent, medium-bodied wine matured in neutral oak barrels is the third of three straight outstanding vintages. It leads with earthy, smoky complexity rather than simple fruit. It smells meaty and peppery and carries those savory notes into its spicy black plum flavors.
Pure varietal, this spent 18 months in French oak. Dried cherries, plums and tobacco combine, at first quite tight and compact, but eventually opening into a full-bodied and flavorful red. A touch of maple syrup from the barrel aging sweetens the tannins and enlivens the finish.
This is the winery's reserve, made just twice previously, in 2010 and 2012. Production is up sharply, and it's a ripe, round fruit pie of a wine, best enjoyed while still young. Red fruits and citrus are in the mix, with a touch of papaya. It was aged 14 months in French oak, two-thirds of it new.
Robust tannins support bold swathes of leather, garrigue and dried herb notes in this complex, savory wine. Dark and brooding, it has a snap of fresh cherry, raspberry and orange fruit that lifts its denser aspects of brambly berry, meat and tobacco.
This old-vine Riesling matches medium sweetness (25g/L) to ample acidity. It's a dense and flavorful style, taut and fleshy at the same time. The peachy fruit hints at ripe banana as well, with a lick of butterscotch adorning the finish. Drink now through 2022.
Round rather than racy, this fruity effort rings out with peach, melon and papaya flavors. It's finished dry with just 4g/L residual sugar, and the delicious finish has a honeysuckle note.
Shy but very pure notes of ripe juicy pear and fresh ripe mirabelle plum appear on the nose. They continue seamlessly on the full-bodied palate where they find a fitting counterpoint in its phenolic texture, which has a pleasantly bitter edge. This is bone dry but unusually full-bodied for a Sylvaner, highlighting the ripeness of the 2015 vintage. The finish is long and underlines the quiet power of this wine.
The Lurtons get their fruit for this wine from the Carcassonne region, the coolest part of the Languedoc. That explains the simple freshness of the red fruits, the acidity and the supple but dry tannins. Screwcap.
Ripe fruit, good, even high acidity, a touch of wood: everything is here, except for the nagging edge of rusticity that often pervades the Carmo estate wine. It needs more polish.
A lean, edgy wine, which shows bramble fruits, red berries and tense tannins. There's fine structure and, given a few months, the acidity will turn this into a good food wine.
Nothing really sticks out on this perfectly good brut. It offers the basic aromas of green apple and lime, followed by flavors of apple juice, citrus and pineapple. It takes on weight as it opens and then finishes a bit sweet.
Blackberry, red berry and tobacco, along with exotic spiced meat and coriander flavors, offer complexity and intrigue in this concentrated treat. Good structure and a light touch of minerality—complete with a wave of the varietal alkaline—give the wine a distinctive character. Pair with grilled meat.
Time will only help this tough, rough Priorato that isn't offering a whole lot now besides tannin, dark-fruit flavors and searing oak. The flavors are middle-of-the-road in terms of friendliness and complexity, so expect a forward, hard-hitting wine. Should be more revealing in a few years.
Sage and anise characterize the nose of this single-vineyard offering. On the palate, there is a distinct element of elderberry, a native fruit to the Central Coast, as well as the expected balance between slightly grippy tannins and a bright acidity.
Lemony oak, tobacco, sandalwood and berry fruit aromas come together in fine form. This is a full, heavily oaked wine with big tannins and plenty of ripeness and power. Baked black-fruit flavors are propped up by spicy oak, pepper and herb notes, while the finish is spicy, woody, dry and long. Drink through 2018.
From the esteemed grower behind many a famous Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, this estate wine is golden colored and intoxicatingly inviting in layers of baked apple, lemon verbena and orange blossom. A toasty subnote gives the impression of voluptuousness in this otherwise lean and lovely wine.
White flower perfume and rain-soaked concrete scents make an interesting and appealing nose on this wine from the summits of the Santa Cruz Mountains. There is tight, barely ripe nectarine on the palate and a bright freshness, making it a perfect partner for shellfish or counterpoint to aged cheese.
Coming from the cool 2011 vintage, this lightly colored wine brings appealing notes of assorted berries, herbs and barrel spices. It's very pretty in style, soft in feel with a lingering finish.
This substantive Pinot shows definite toasted oak character along with ripe fruit, full body and firm tannins. Hints of oak smoke and caramel waft over the ripe plum aromas. The flavors go to dark cherries and coffee, the texture is attractively astringent from tannins, and the finish carries a little bite. Well done but not overdone.
The Hatcher delivers excellent value. Concentrated black cherry fruit runs on through a delicious, cherry cola finish. It's dusted with cinnamon and sassafras, and built for cellaring through 2024.
From an organically-farmed hillside vineyard planted to the Old Wente clone, this white is expressive in oak and intense aromas and flavors of delicate pear, peach and lime. Made in a fuller, creamy style, it's balanced in acidity with a crispness to the finish.
This full-bodied, lightly spiced wine seduces with fresh fruit flavors of pear, apple, kiwi and melon. Polished and bracing, it finishes with a lick of wet stone.
It conveys Asian influences, with lemongrass leading the nose alongside chalkiness, lemon curd and soft peach. Those elements power the palate too, with lemongrass, Thai basil and coconut milk framed by yellow grapefruit acidity and Chinese spice. Serve with pho.
This is a full-bodied Pinot Noir, showing lavish new-oak aromas and rich, ripe fruit flavors. Medium-deep ruby in tone, it has aromas suggesting vanilla, toasted oak and nutmeg, with a hint of rhubarb. Flavors recall cherry and blackberry. Gradually the oak flavors recede and the lively fruit character comes out, lingering on the finish.
If you like a bigger, broader style, with plenty of toast and buttery goodness, this is the one for you. It spent a year in one-quarter new barrels, another eight months in neutral oak. Oily, buttery and loaded with ripe peach, pear and pineapple fruit, it's a wine to drink chilled and early, while it retains all of its innate freshness.
There's a unique and pleasing savory character to the nose of this wine, like a just-seared filet mignon. On the palate, it's quite smooth, with rich plum, tart cherry and dark chocolate flavors, making for a complex yet quality sipping experience.
Tar and rich black cherries form the nose of this wine sourced from a vineyard planted in 1997. Luscious red fruit begins the palate, supported in the midpalate and finish by black pepper and fennel seed. It makes for a very approachable but complex, spice-driven wine.
Here's a polished Verdicchio made from 40-year-old vines. It opens with an attractive bouquet of Spanish broom and acacia flower, along with hints of citrus and mineral. The palate delivers generous peach and apricot flavors accented by energizing mineral notes. Hold a few years for more complexity.
This is a very good dry Gewürztraminer that's laden in jasmine and honey, extremely perfumed on the nose, and light and crisp on the palate. With a suggestion of vanilla on the finish, it's a balanced white, ready to be enjoyed with a salad dressed with figs and goat cheese.
A likeable Pinot from a stalwart Anderson Valley vineyard, this Ferrington is light in color but rich with baked strawberry and violet. With a distinct woodsy component remniscent of forest floor, it's an ideal wine for wintertime meals adorned in mushrooms and herbs. Its finish is particularly sauvage.
Off-dry, with 24 g/L residual sugar, this fragrant and refreshing wine blends in small amounts of Muscat and Gewürztraminer. Tangerine and peach flavors are concentrated in the core, while the finish brings in lovely flavors of English breakfast tea.
M.C.K. stands for Motor City Kitty, and along with the winery's Milbrandt Syrah, this is the entry-level offering in a vast portfolio of single vineyard bottlings. Tasty, toasty, supple and fruity, this carries slight hints of citrus, earth and stem and wraps its appealing, forward flavors in a light coating of milk chocolate.
Lemberger, also known as Blaufränkisch, was planted here in the 1970s—the winery believes it was the first commercial bottling in the country. This is a seriously good wine, worthy of special attention. It could be mistaken for a particularly fine country wine from Italy, southern France or Spain, with its old vine complexity, red and blue fruits and whiff of tanned leather.
Cassis, red licorice candy and leather are the key aromas on this full-bodied, ripe Syrah. Things run big but healthy on the tongue, while flavors of black fruits, toast, coconut and chocolate announce plenty of oak. A rich, persistent finish is just bright enough. Drink through 2015.
It is white pepper rather than fruit that pervades the nose and palate on this wine, displaying a tight grip and slender body—not to say that deeper berry fruit does not slumber in the depths. This still has to come out of its shell and is best served with subtle, nuanced food that will mirror its intriguing nature. This will certainly blossom in a year or two. Ready from 2015.
This is a jammy, lusty wine with aromatic notes of graphite on top of core blackberry scents. The palate is chunky and full, while the flavor profile is pure jammy blackberry. A quick, staunch finish is a fine conclusion.
This lovely blend of Sauvignon Blanc, and 14% Roussanne, is as crisp and fresh as its name implies. Bright fruit flavors of lemon, lime, orange and pineapple speak to the success of this unusual blend. It's a bracing, palate-cleansing white wine that will be appealing all year round.
The Réserve Personnelle line from Bott Frères decidedly greater intensity than the Tradition range. This Riesling exhibits great fruitiness allied with a very mineral structure and tight acidity. The wine has a future, so drink now and until 2019.
Hailing from old vines, this delicious blend of 70% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese is concentrated but elegant. Aromas of tilled soil, ripe blackberry, black cherry, black pepper and a hint of vanilla take center stage. The palate shows juicy sour cherry, accented with balsamic herbs and a mineral note balanced by freshness and supple tannins.
This classic bottling opens with enticing floral aromas of Spanish broom, acacia and a whiff of flint. The palate delivers succulent yellow peach, citrus and almond along with mineral notes. It boasts impeccable balance and nice length.
Aromas of wood-grilled peach, baked apple and sweet orange oil waft from the glass, all laced with threads of toasted oak and baking spice. The ample acidity keeps the palate lively and the finish fresh, although the woody accents dominate the close once the ripe fruit flavors subside.
This is a delicate, deliciously fragrant Riesling with just the freshest of fruits. Lemon and bright zest notes leave the palate totally refreshed.
Fox Run's Geology Series is a rare opportunity to taste wine sourced from a single vineyard site but vinified three ways. The Riesling 12, inoculated with commercial yeast, is extravagantly musky and floral with an intoxicating spice note that penetrates throughout. Semi sweet in style, it dances on the palate with concentrated flavors of peach and apricot, along with a piercing lemon acidity.
Named after the King of Sweden who was born in Jesi in 1194, this elegant expression of Verdicchio opens with a bouquet of dried Spanish broom, sage and stone fruit. The palate offers peach, lemon zest and tropical fruit flavors alongside savory saline and almond notes, all supported by vibrant acidity.
Here's a good, clean effort, not showing entirely bone dry but enough for the moniker. Mixed citrus, notably lime, green apple and spicy notes dominate, in a wine with excellent balance and a welcome touch of minerality.
Fresh green apple and herb notes flit and dance throughout the nose and palate of this delicate off-dry Riesling. It's rich with sweet peach and nectarine flavor, but also layered and complex with notes of minerals, blossoms and vibrant lime acidity.
Minty plum and berry aromas are herbal but ripe, with a note of chocolate and black tea. This is lush and layered, with top-end mouthfeel and herbal, floral flavors of berry fruits and plum. A smooth, herbal tasting finish is the finale to a well-made, flavorful wine.
Savory and earthy up front, this blend of Malbec and Petit Sirah is quite ripe and not at all herbal. In the mouth, it's cushioned and rich, while dark, toasty flavors of blackberry and pepper finish a touch bitter, like dark chocolate or a cup of espresso.
Blueberry, vanilla and cedar aromas start this rich, luxuriant red. On the palate, savory cigarbox and caramel flavors meld with bright red fruits and sweet vanilla. The wine finishes dry and will pair beautifully with lamb and beef dishes.
A well-integrated mix of grapes from a broad range of vineyards across the entire Columbia valley, this outstanding value proves that good Chardonnay does not have to be strengthened by age in new oak barrels. Stone fruits, hints of tropical papaya and banana, contribute to a complex, fruit-driven, well-balanced wine with medium-term aging potential.
An appealing wine with notes of dark fruit and sweet spices. It's broad in feel with the dry, grippy tannins the only thing holding it back.
Oak-derived aromas of vanilla, sweet wood and toast are forward in the bouquet and mouth of this wine, but they're supported by a solid core of lush black berry, cassis and plum notes. The palate is round and mouthfilling, with a creamy texture.
This starts with dense, murky, earthy aromas of stewed black fruits and rubber. In the mouth, it feels full and aggressive, with rubbery tannins supporting thick, herbal flavors of rooty black fruits. A chunky, chewy, layered finish is generous in every way.
A simple, big and fruity Malbec, softer than many although with all the right richness. This is a wine for drinking now, with its mature plum flavors and leather aroma. The French number for the department (county) of Cahors is 46.
This blend of 60% Carmenère and 40% Carignan opens with campfire, cassis, chocolate, oak and minty aromas. A wall of acidity greets you on the palate, creating a clampy, rough feel. In terms of flavor, oak is up front and behind that there's graphite and minty, herbal fruit in front of a finish with tobacco, vanilla and length.
An aromatic wine with barrel notes of toast, chocolate, and licorice alongside pepper and plum. It's tart and expansive with a soft, velvety feel and a cherry liqueur-filled finish.
Intensely aromatic, intensely fruity, this Riesling packs a powerful punch of flavor within a delicate frame. The fruit profile is tropical with concentrated guava and mango flavors spiced with hints of white pepper. It's semi-sweet in style, but bracing acidity leaves the finish quite dry.
This bold, fruity wine is all red berries and ripe cherry flavors. It has good juiciness, soft tannins and it will be ready to drink soon. A bright wine, with great acidity at the end.
Big, rich and bold, this is a finely concentrated wine that's marked by the freshness of the year. It's likely to develop quickly and be ready next year.
Rich and fruity, this wine shows black currant fruit along with a firm, dry and tannic core. This youthful balance is finished with a polish of new wood and fine acidity.
Consistent with past vintages, this tart, grassy and spicy effort features green apple fruit dusted with white pepper. There's a trace of grain in the aroma and in the finishing flavor as well. The blend includes 9% Sémillon.
A blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier (to add some southern spice), this is a soft, fruity wine with rich white fruits and attractive acidity. It's a wine that can be drunk soon, although it should age several years.
It has taken Concha y Toro a few years to get on the right path with Pinot Noir, but this cool-vintage wine is positive in nature. A dark color and toasty, charred aromas of spicy dark fruits set up a smooth, fairly deep and layered palate with cherry, plum and berry flavors. The finish, like the nose, is toasty, with cherry and spice flavors blending with obvious oak.
Briary berry flavors highlight this estate-grown Malbec. It's flecked with pepper throughout a medium-length finish.
Another satisfying Rosé from Horse & Plow, which uses organically grown Carignane, Syrah and Grenache grapes for this wine. With refreshing acidity, it's dry, bright in lime and grapefruit with spicy layers of strawberry and orange.
This straight Barolo has an exotic fragrance of spice, sandalwood and incense, while the palate shows ripe raspberry, spice and balsamic herbs. It's tannic and shy on acidity, typical of the hot 2007 vintage. Drink now.
Mixed in with the Syrah are small amounts of Merlot and Tempranillo. The structure is firm and carries generous acids, while the flavors suggest citrus and berry, vanilla and chocolate. It delivers a lot of pleasure for the modest price.
The deep color matches the bold grapy flavors. With a touch of sweetness, soft texture and syrupy balance, this will chase down a spicy burrito or kung pao chicken.
Still very young, this is an off-dry wine with bright acidity. The wine is not in balance with the sweetness clashing with the fruit. It could come together in a year, but that is somewhat doubtful.
Meager and slightly thin, this offers red fruit, herbal cedar and tobacco, though the flavors are subtle and hard to make out.
Aromas of barnyard, wet animal fur and overripe blackberry carry over to the rustic palate. The fruit is all dried up leaving this astringently bitter.
Waxy, stalky aromas lack freshness. This is chunky and citrusy on the palate, with wheaty flavors and a note of stale orange juice. A juicy-feeling finish doesn't much improve the impression.
A smooth, earthy wine, this smells a bit like tobacco and cedar, tastes mellow and meaty, and has enough tannin and acidity for a firm texture.
Thin on the palate and yet simultaneously oaky, this funky Merlot includes small amounts of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Funky aromas of game, leather, mature black fruit and a whiff of barnyard carry over to the rustic palate. Raspy, astringent tannins and prune sensations give it a bitter, mouth-puckering finish. Tried twice with consistent results.
This salmon-colored rosé is made from the País grape, a.k.a. the Mission Grape. On the nose, it's a cypher with weak fragrances of peach and mango. The palate is cidery and hard in feel, while briny, tart citrus flavors are pithy and fail to evolve or improve on the finish.
Tangy, citrusy aromas suggest sour plum and cranberry. In the mouth, this is shearing and high in acid, with sharp, tart flavors of currant and plum that finish with a distant hint of spice.
Freshness and purity are limited in this Pinot from Chile's deep south. Murky and muddled on the nose, this is cidery and fairly weak in constitution. Dilute flavors of currant and raspberry finish with an herbal accent.
Jammy raspberry aromas lack focus; the bouquet is also jammy and lacking in structure and tannins. Flavors of raspberry Kool-Aid are devoid of oak and spice contributions, while the finish more like juice than wine.
Blended with 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, this Merlot is floral in aroma but lacking in fruit on the palate. A bitter herbal character develops toward the finish.
This is downright herbaceous from front to back. Hard aromas suggest eucalyptus, black olive and sweaty leather. In the mouth, grit and high acidity provide little cushion, while herbal flavors of cherry and blackberry taste salty and baked.
Damp, dull, gritty aromas require patience to get through. This is a saucy, chunky Pinot with baked, roasted, stalky berry flavors that are heavy and lack precision. Chunkiness returns on the finish.
Dilute, tropical aromas of banana and salami are not inviting. This has a creamy, yeasty mouthfeel and bland flavors of papaya and hot dog, with a yeasty theme on the finish.
Aged in older American and French oak barrels for approximately one year, this lacks the fruit to stand up to the bitter tannins. It's green and short, with little fruit flavor.
Rustic aromas recall game, fetid flower, barnyard and black fruit past its prime. The bitter palate shows flint and a hint of tire rubber but no fruit richness. Tried twice with consistent results.
Aromas of coffee grinds and muddled blackberry lead to a shrill palate with a shaky structure. Stewy plum and raspberry flavors finish salty, lightly weedy and baked in feel.
This bottling is Bisquertt's first foray into the world of Pinot Noir. The wine smells like a wet dog, along with some candied, artificial fruit aromas. A chunky, sticky-feeling palate houses medicinal, green berry flavors, while the finish is oaky and remains medicinal and hot.
Harsh, resiny oak aromas are devoid of fruit. This is flat, creamy and mushy in feel, with flavors of melon, powdered sugar and raw wood. The finish is resiny and candied.
Sour plum and cranberry aromas are almost volatile, leading to a racy, acidic palate. Snappy, tart flavors of red plum and pie cherry finish with scouring acidity. This is a fresh but raw Malbec.
Sweaty, raw, sour aromas are harsh. The palate is flat and chunky in feel, with pithy grapefruit, nettle and bitter green flavors. Pyrazines and bitterness ride roughshod on the finish.
Rough, almost harsh aromas of petrol and sauerkraut are less than inviting. This is bland and soft in feel, with almost no spritz or lift. Innocuous flavors of melon, papaya and honey finish flat and sugary.
This is a vegetal, underripe wine, albeit one with a fresh palate. The nose, flavor profile and finish are decidedly green and pyrazinic. Made from 94% Sauvignon Blanc with Chardonnay and Viognier.
Rubbery, animal-like aromas are low on fruit. The palate is shrill and dominated by sharp acidity. Sour, herbal and pinched tasting, this is tart and green overall.
Strained and oily on the nose, this lacks freshness and fruitiness. Briny flavors are extreme and sweaty, while the finish tastes a lot like sauerkraut.
Peachy notes are accentuated by a very floral, creamy touch of oak to create a very appetizing, inviting nose. The palate is more rounded, flanked by sonorous but subtle oak spice and gentle fruit with a core of freshness and life that comes together on the long, spicy finish.
Bitter orange rind and spice notes accent layers of sweet honey, pineapple and mango in this lusciously sweet, silky ice wine. Strikes of lemon-lime acidity add zest and vibrance through a long, lingering finish.
Grenache (56%) takes the lead on this blend, which also includes Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Cinsault. It offers aromas of celery salt, coffee and dark berries. The palate brings fruit flavors that display the best this vintage has to offer—richness without excessive weight. The finish persists.
A unique blend of Syrah (78%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%) and Mourvèdre, this low-alcohol wine (for the vintage and region) offers aromas of high-toned dried herbs, earth, smoked meat, smoke and white pepper. The citrusy fire-pit flavors are elegant and show persistence. It's a unique expression of the area that should do well on the dinner table.
This blend of Syrah (58%), Merlot (33%) and Malbec (9%) offers immediate appeal, with ready-to-go aromas of raspberry compote, mocha and cranberries. The polished red-fruit flavors show depth.
Dating to the Middle Ages, this estate has produced a Merlot-dominated wine packed with dark tannins and a dusty texture that is becoming more elegant as it ages. The wine is still young and full of its concentrated structure. Drink from 2020.
André Lurton bought de Rochemorin in 1973, an estate with vines since the 16th century. This is an aromatic wine, perfumed with blackberry tones. It has plenty of fresh fruit, soft tannins and ample acidity. The structure plays a supporting role—dry while also showing some richness. Drink from 2019.
Slicks of butter, cream and spice in this unusual barrel-fermented Gewürztraminer may evoke divisive love-it-or-hate-it reactions, but the intensity and quality of this deeply concentrated wine is hard to deny. It's gorgeously fruity and floral, bursting of honeysuckle, rose petals and melons, yet elegantly balanced in acidity and alcohol. It's deeply penetrating, with reverberating waves of bright citrus notes and a lingering tea-toned astringency. Drinks well now, but should be an interesting wine to mature over the next decade.
This shows a touch less oak than the Maté's Vineyard, with more emphasis on pineapple and citrus. It's medium-bodied, with a slightly custardy texture, and turns tangy and crisp on the finish. Drink now–2020.
Plush, almost candy-like berry notes mingle with fresher inflections of moss on the aromatic nose. The soft and supple palate unleashes even more berry and cherry fruit, so much so that it takes a moment to realise that there is an actual, firm structure to support this purple-tinged display which finishes in medium-bodied spiciness.
There's an almost honeyed edge to the nose of this charming, composed wine. The sprightly palate is highlighted by a spritz of lemon here and there and the occasional flash of white pepper. This has a masterfully light touch.
A distinct whiff of tiny, black elderberries promises joy. This is joined by white pepper and iron oxide to play on luscious but soft red and black fruit. The spice is exciting and pervasive and highlighted by freshness. The fine balance this strikes is expressed as straight-laced elegance. What unpretentious, honest joy.
Aromatic stone fruit swings in those lively citrus notes. There is a creamy apple flavor in the background, softening the bold lemon notes. This is pure and lifted, graceful and slender.
A zesty nose of blackberry and mint also shows elements of plum, pencil lead and eucalyptus leaf in this single-vineyard exploration. The food-friendly, earthy and minerally palate offers more pencil lead as well as black pepper, coriander and thyme.
Ripe, yellow pear shines through the savory yeast notes on the nose. The palate unites white pepper and herbal notes of chervil and lovage with lemony freshness. Moreish and appetizing, with a lingering white pepper and citrus finish.
An layered nose shows pan-fried apples, caramelized pears, just-ripe banana, roasted chicken and slight quinine aromas. The palate starts tropical and fat, with banana and mango flavors, but settles into a smoked, oaky-apple groove, hinged to steely tension.
Baking soda, ripe citrus pith, lime blossoms and a soft petrol touch show on the nose of this wine from a vineyard to watch in southern San Luis Obispo County. Tons of sprinkling acidity shows once sipped, with the nervy palate offering orange oil, lemon pith and peel, chamomile, goldenseal root and sunflower-seed flavors.
Smoky, enticing notes of morello cherry fill the nose. The palate rings with that same delicious tart cherry aroma and presents a light-footed, elegant, unobtrusive but certainly seductive nature. There is real delicacy here and fine, pure fruit that lasts with smoky intensity.
White blossoms and grapefruit zest perfume this crystalline late harvest Riesling. Veiled by a gossamer spray of sugary lace rather than streaks of honey, it showcases peach and apricot flavors in their most pristine and primary state. It's dancingly delicate on the palate yet endures dramatically on the finish.
There is a smoky edge to the grassy notes on this slightly aromatic white. Underneath there is some appealing, creamy citrus that puts the palate on a different, more serious footing. This is very fresh and very light, but it has character.
The mocha, spice and dark raspberry aromas seem quite locked-up at present. The red and black fruit flavors meanwhile show subtlety and depth.
This bottling, an ode to Bill Foley's Texas roots, is reserved on the nose with hints of yellow melon, peach blossom and a kiss of vanilla. The palate is straightforward and very drinkable, with seared brown pear and sea-salt flavors cruising across lemon-pith texture and a chalky grip.
This négociant-style wine offers immediate appeal. Aromas of lemon, candle wax, mineral, lees and toast are followed by lively, sleek citrus flavors. This was a banner vintage for Washington whites and this wine is batting cleanup.
Champoux and Ciel du Cheval vineyards each make up 40% of this wine, with the balance coming from Gamache. It's locked-up tightly at present with earth, tar, cherry, high-toned herb and barrel-spice aromas leading to focused black-fruit flavors that display elegance and persistence. Give it time to open up.
The pencil lead, herb and vanilla aromas start out light and elusive. The black-cherry flavors, in contrast, are expressive, showing a good sense of balance and length.
Smoke, yeast, earth and peppery herbs unite to make an almost archetypal Grüner. The palate has the same savory core but also introduces green and yellow pear to create a very harmonious, textured palate that just sings with spice and pepper.
From a high perch on Howell Mountain, this producer has blended 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with 8% Petit Verdot—making for a darkly colored, robust wine. Thick, chalky tannins envelop plum, cassis and dark chocolate. Drink now through 2020.
Struck flint and tomato leaf notes add welcome complexity to this wine's grapefruit aromas and flavors. For a wild-ferment Sauvignon Blanc, it's reasonably clean, with moderate body and a long, dry finish.
This tastes a bit over-cropped; the varietal character is there, but it's a pale rendition. Lightly peppery and grassy, with hints of citrus and very green apple fruit. Straightforward and simple.
The nose on this soft red smacks of black cherry and spice, and the like flavors are smooth. Tannins are firm but the wine has a light touch overall. The finish has a spicy spin. Pair with lighter poultry dishes.
Vibrant aromas of red berry, vanilla and spice gives this Cabernet from Bulgaria an energetic start. A soft, mouthfilling style of dry red with flavors of pepper, leather and vanilla, the wine has style and substance, but is not overly complicated. A good go-to red for heartier dishes.
This wine starts with a soft, harmonious nose of cherry, cinnamon and pepper, and the flavors, though a touch tart and thin, offer a good spicy midpalate and elegant overall character.
Despite sufficient residual sugar to render it off-dry, this Pinot Gris retains a slightly tart, lean character. Underripe stone fruit and pineapple flavors lack richness and generosity, ending on a tart, citrusy note.
Fatter than any Loire Sauvignon Blanc, this has some rich fruit, flavors of currants, an oily texture and intriguing candy flavors. There is a structure of green apple skins, but the wine is essentially light, fresh and instantly pleasing.
Coconut-laden oak kicks off the entry of this wine, a crisp version of the variety that nonetheless exhibits plenty of oak characteristics and a rich ripeness of baked apple, pear and pineapple.
This is a friendly fruity wine that has a soft texture and bright acidity. If it does miss a sense of place, it makes up for it with citrus and white fruit flavors that are so fresh. Drink now.
Considering both grapes in the blend are known for their tannic structure, this is ripe and open. It is fruity with red berry flavors and acidity to balance. There is a round soft aftertaste. Drink now.
Crisp and textured, this is a ripe wine with a core of tight structure. Fruity with its lemon and apple flavors, it has a lightly herbal edge that adds a green, fresh aftertaste. Drink now.
Floral and inviting in vanilla and caramel, this wine tastes bigger and richer than it is, offering more in the way of ripeness and texture than acidity. It finishes full bodied.
The Bical grape is often found in Bairrada's sparkling wines. Here, aged in wood, it undergoes a metamorphosis. It is soft and smooth, lightly oxidized with the wood dominating the fruitiness. There are spices and a ripe feel that leaves a spicy tropical fruit aftertaste.
Funky aromas of scorched earth, overripe plum, game and a whiff of barnyard lead the nose. The palate has a raw quality, showing unripe red berry, leather, cured meat and a hint of chewing tobacco. Overall, this is rustic and lacks fruit richness.
The wine is rich, possibly too rich with its dark tannins and tarry character. While there are plenty of black plum fruits, there is also some bitter licorice that comes from extraction during winemaking. Considering its age, it is likely this character will remain. The wine is ready to drink.
Despite some grit and tar on the nose, this Rioja opens well with spicy cherry and plum aromas. A standard, mild palate is satisfactory, while lightly roasted slightly briny plum and berry flavors end with a hint of saltiness.
Produced just outside the Chablis region, the wine has the same minerality and steely character. It also offers ripe yellow fruits and intense acidity. The combination of these elements suggests the wine needs to age another year, so wait until 2017.
Gritty stalky aromas suggest that the original material for this Gran Reserva was not fully ripe. This feels wide chunky and grabby, with harsh tannins. Stalky flavors of herbal raspberry and plum come with oaky vanilla accents and tomatoey spice on the finish.
Aromas of baked plum, forest floor, roasted coffee bean and toasted oak lead the nose. The dense, one-dimensional palate delivers blackberry jam, licorice, peppermint and espresso alongside grainy tannins. The the heat of alcohol dominates the midpalate and the finish, throwing this off balance.
Touches of bramble and smoke meander curiously amid sweet strawberry and cherry in this off-dry rosé. While a bit candied on the palate, it's a juicy approachable wine for casual imbibing.
Aromas of chocolate, mocha and raisin lead the nose. The lean palate shows prune steeped in spirits, toast and a hint of cocoa alongside brisk acidity and raspy, almost gritty tannins that give this a rough finish.
Opulently dense, this wine opens nicely in orange blossom and caramel apple, followed by a palate that's somewhat incomplete in fruit-flavor follow-up. Concentrated and full bodied, it packs a powerful punch, ending in oak.
A mix of 37% Zinfandel, 32% Syrah and 31% Petite Sirah, this is a burly, thick and syrupy concoction from a high-elevation vineyard site known for its power and concentration. Sweet vanilla rides a dense wave of tannin and oak, finishing tight and leathery.
Fresh, light and fruity this is attractive young Chablis. It is soft, dwelling on the fruit rather than any texture. Crisp and with citrus and green apple flavors, it will be ready to drink easily by mid-2016.
Nectarine and white peach aromas are pithy, pointed and briny like sea water. This feels citrusy and pulpy, while zesty citric flavors of grapefruit, scallion and green herbs finish with residual pithy briny notes.
Sharply etched in pineapple and Meyer lemon, this wine retains a brightness of fruit and acidity throughout, never overly impeded by oak. A subtle, earthy herbal streak plays in the background.
This Torrontés smells round, leesy, soft and short on particular fruit aromas. Due to its age, this feels plump and low on edgy acidity. Powdery citrus and lime flavors end flat, with some burn. This is probably past its prime, but it's still in good shape to enjoy now.
Granted, this is a young wine, but on first impression it imparts a raw, burly earthiness that's hard to completely embrace, with a sense of cooked mushrooms and sour cherry around soft, light-bodied tannins. Give it plenty of air.
Light green-apple fruit and gentle highlights of cinnamon are in place, though this wine feels a little flat on the palate. A quick finish brings a hint of plastic.
A smooth and ripe wine with tropical fruits as well as more crisp apple. It is ripe wine, full in the mouth with a final perfumed acidity. Give it another six months.
Succulent apricot and creamy vanilla add to the round, full-bodied expression of this robust white wine, the Sémillon blended with 15% Sauvignon Blanc from a single vineyard. A thickness of caramel and more vanilla rises on the finish.
Cooked plums, ripe strawberries, cola and a bit of clove make for an interesting nose on this bottling from a reliable and widely accessible producer. The palate shows slate, rust and pencil shavings as well as nutmeg and sour cranberries.
Fruity and aromatic, this blend of Fernão Pires, Arinto and Sauvignon Blanc is fresh with attractive acidity and also riper tropical fruit and pear flavors. It has a mineral texture that gives the a fine structure. Drink now.
Tight and a little stemmy, but overall the raspberry and cherry aromas outmuscle the rhubarby side. Tannic and grabby in the mouth, but not rough or jagged; flavors of red berries have an herbal accent, and as a whole it's your average, drinkable Cabernet from Chile.
A simple but reasonably good white wine. Applesauce and citrus aromas are fruity and clean, while the mango-orange palate is tasty, a little sweet and citric. Pithy on the finish but mellow overall.
Yellow in color and chunky on the nose, which shows the common triple play of apple, banana and vanilla aromas. The palate is wide, with ample acidity and grabby, waxy flavors of orange and pineapple. Plump and soft on the finish. Drink right away or wait for the '08.
Slightly baked and raisiny on the nose, with char and licorice aromas backing that up. The palate is more acidic than you'd expect, with an outsized zesty bite to go with snappy, herbal plum and cherry tomato flavors. Baked and warm on the finish.
Pinot Grigio has yet to find a distinguishing style in Washington State. This is borderline generic, almost beery, a plain, pleasant, fairly neutral white wine with a mix of white peaches and green apples.
Rosy pink and good for warm-climate getaways this winter. Bright, candied aromas are controlled and don't veer into bubblegum land, while the palate is medium soft and has just enough acid to prop up nectarine and citrus flavors. Won't last long but showing well in its early days.
A bit herbal and brambly, with baked, earthy red fruit aromas. Modest raspberry flavors are mostly what you get off the narrow palate, and the finish follows suit as it fades out with a tight, herbal character. Rudimentary Cabernet.
Sweetly fragrant, with hints of pear and melon. The palate is wet, lean and acidic, which helps push the lychee and melon flavors. A clean, light, mild refresher with sharper-than-expected acids. Nothing more than that.
Merlot is on the comeback trail and this is a very fun style made by respected vineyard manager Erik Mallea. Woody red and black cherry meet with cola on the nose, while the palate remains bright, fruity, refreshing and easy to quaff. Flavors of black cherry soda meet with a milk chocolate character, yet without any overdone richness.
This big, ripe wine wraps intense and delicious fruit flavors in a plush but tannic texture, and does it so well that it's hard to put down the glass. The blackberry and cherry flavors taste pure and concentrated, seeming to gain intensity with each sip, and they linger through the finish with lip-smacking intensity.
A special reserve from the producer's vineyard designate of Stagecoach, this wine is layered and full bodied in red licorice and generous oak. Soft, integrated tannins wrap around an herbal underscore that's further cradled in cherry and chocolate.
A very deep color, unusually concentrated flavors and a thick blanket of tannins make this medium-bodied wine something to marvel at. It smells and tastes like black pepper, beef au jus, dark chocolate and blueberries, never gets too coarse, and has a long finish.
Beautifully balanced and quietly powerful, this full-bodied wine poises plenty of berry and dark plum flavors on a smooth, sophisticated texture that carries all that fruit through the finish. It's dry, and that's a plus for pairing with most food.
A fresh, zesty bottling very much in the style of Chablis, this bottling by Clarissa Nagy shows steely minerality on the nose alongside sharp green apple, Anjour pear, scratched lime and white lily notes. The racy, apple-driven palate is bolstered by lemongrass and cut-lawn flavors, showing a shred of passion fruit as well.
Spicy pepper and leather rise to the fore of this elegantly structured and ambassadorial wine, a good representation of the vintage in its integrated red and black fruit, tingling, bright acidity and impressive structure.
Though replanted, the vines designated for this bottling were taken from cuttings of the original vineyard blocks dating back to the early 1970s. Pretty in color, aroma and overall balance, this offers substantial black cherry fruit at its core, buttressed with barrel flavors of cacao. The wine shows good penetration and power, helped by aging 16 months in 38% new barrels.
The latest vintage is the best ever for this cuvée. A succulent mix of apple and pear, a touch of pineapple, and a generous swath of butter, caramel and toasted nuts all comes together in a sure palate-pleaser. It spent 13 months in 40% new French oak, and fires on all cylinders, with perfect balance and compelling aromatics.
A dash of Sémillon adds to the playfulness of this wine, which is medium-built and moderate-to-high in acidity. Tangy curls of lemon, lime and grapefruit evolve into a bristling back note of crispness that just begs for oysters.
Concentrated and slightly reserved at the same time, this deep-colored and full-bodied wine shows outstanding blackberry and blueberry flavors and a mouth-coating texture of fine-grained tannins. Still, it is not overripe, over oaked or over done, but is strong and beautifully balanced.
Meaty, savory aromas, and lush, dense cherry and berry flavors put a lot of personality into this medium-bodied, ripe and luxurious-feeling wine. It's effusive enough to fill the mouth and satisfy the taste buds, but still dry enough for great balance.
Fresh, floral, citrusy aromas precede a well-balanced palate. Sleek, dry raspberry and plum flavors are fresh and forward, while the finish on this sparkling Mourvèdre is salty, genuine, elegant and stylish.
Alluring aromas of ripe peach, grapefruit and lemon lead this stylish white. The wine offers integrated flavors of spicy citrus and lemon peel backed by a sea-salt salinity. Balanced and brisk but full of flavor, it's a great example of the elegance of this variety.
Winemaker and owner Chris Pittenger dips into his Campbell Ranch and Baranoff vineyard sources to make this fresh, light style of deliciousness, spiky in acidity and earthy in dark cherry. Additional hits of citrus compel on the palate and nose, before fresh-cut roses take their cue.
Lemon, lime and guava surround rounded acidity in this complex and layered white, fleshy and impressive in its approachability. This shows the ripe minerality of the appellation well, with just a wink of lushness on the finish.
Pink grapefruit and peach nectar flood the palate of this intensely concentrated off-dry Riesling. It's buoyantly fruity and forward, but balanced squarely by a frame of lemon-lime acidity. The finish is pristine yet lingering.
Loamy aromas of cherry and plum give off a sense of baked maturity, while a floral bath-soap note is ethereal. This feels lush, deep and on the cusp of full maturity. A generous mix of plum, berry and chocolate flavors ends with spice notes and a creamy feel. Drink through 2020.
Full of the lushness that comes with this brand in all forms, this bottling shows vanilla cake, toasty oak, red fruit, abundant baking spice, molasses and a touch of freshly shaved pork roast. The palate is heavy duty with similar flavors and even some fudge, which albeit delicious, hides much of the grape's varietal beauty.
This wine is particularly lively and well-balanced, with a relatively light color, bright red-cherry aromas and tangy cranberry flavors that open up to riper plum and maple accents. It's medium-bodied, moderately tannic and especially vivid in acidity.
A formidable expression of a high-elevation vineyard atop what is now known as Moon Mountain, this wine opens with a definitive note of spicy cinnamon stick before venturing into cherry and vanilla. Soft, likable and well-managed in terms of tannin and oak, it finishes rich and robust.
From a larger portion of viticulturist Anne Moller-Racke's home vineyard, this wine needs time to unravel itself out of a compact and concentrated funk of cedar and mint. The tannin weight is present and powerful. Roses and wild raspberries form a pact of flavor and beguiling aromatic invitation.
Fantastically concentrated fruit flavors seem to turbocharge this very full-bodied, superripe wine. Blackberry, boysenberry and dark chocolate weave in and out of the almost-thick and nicely viscous texture, lingering on the finish.
Concentrated fruit aromas, deep fruit flavors and a supportive, nicely astringent mouthfeel give this wine a great sense of structure and depth. It balances generosity with a bit of reserve in a traditional way that's very appealing. Best through 2020.
Rich cherry jam, dew-covered thyme and a touch of licorice show on this bottling from a vineyard on the eastern fringe of the Sta. Rita Hills. Round red fruits and an anise character show right away on the palate, which grows more complex with pencil lead, cinnamon and dried herbs.
This attractive, delicate wine features gentle tannins and immediately accessible red-berry fruits. The structure is well integrated into the fruitiness of the wine. Acidity and a jammy strawberry aftertaste suggests this wine will be ready to drink soon. Drink from 2018.
Light raspberry fruit carries a suggestion of clean earth and dried herb. The tannins show some substantial grip. The overall balance is fine, though the wine drinks younger than most 2012s. Best after 2020.
This wine is quite firm, but with plenty of black fruits under the severe exterior. Heavy losses from hail don't seem to have affected the ripeness and the structure of what will develop into a very fine wine. It offers spice and a touch of chocolate at the end.
The nose is closed but the palate is fresh and lithe, arriving light, citrus-scented, and surrounded by a chorus of freshness that leaves mouth and soul utterly refreshed.
A delicious Volnay, all warm fruits and sweet tannins. The wine is soft as well as juicy, enjoying ripe cherry and red plum juice flavors. The tannins and acidity give a gentle boost. Drink now, or age for 3–4 years.
A finely balanced wine, preserving the mineral edge and keeping fine acidity while displaying  ripe white and yellow fruits.
Cropped at less than two tons per acre, this is a full-bodied, creamy-textured Tempranillo marked by vanilla-tinged oak. Black cherries and plums comprise the core, with embellishments of tobacco adding complexity to this lush, easy-drinking wine. Drink it over the next several years.
Aged in acacia wood barrels, which give less wood flavor than oak, this is an attractive, lightly oxidized wine with a toasty edge, very dry with almond and honeyed fruit flavors.
Powerful scents of toast and buttered popcorn dominate the nose, but once in the mouth the wine shows some grip and depth. For those who love the buttery style of Chardonnay, this will be hard to beat at this price. Traces of apple and pear fruit show in the midpalate, and the wine lingers gracefully into a full-bodied finish.
Always one of Argentina's best and more fuller-bodied Torrontés. It's tropical and easy on the nose, with fleshy roundness and chunky flavors of melon and peach. Full in style, with some extra weight to the finish. Best to drink this as soon as you can, while it's fresh and lively.
It's not often that you get the chance to try an aged Malbec for this price. The nose is sweet but also a bit soupy, while the palate is lively and delivering mature flavors of stewed cherry, cassis and raisin. Long on the finish, with brown sugar notes. A wine with finesse and restraint to drink now.
This crisp wine has bright fruits, lively acidity and a vibrant mineral character. It could develop for another 1–2 years.
This appealing Bordeaux blend opens with seductive mocha and milk chocolate aromas, threaded with cedar and toast. The fruit stands up to the wood, with pretty berry and rhubarb flavors. Extra bottle age has smoothed it out.
This is 100% varietal, with a mix of vineyard sources including Champoux, Weinbau, Conner Lee and Dineen. It's a carefully crafted blend of different AVAs; a bright and clean example of Washington state Cabernet. Firm, compact, with blue and purple fruits, just a hint of barrel age and polished tannins.
Clean and full for starters, with big berry aromas and hints of freshly poured tar as well as minerality. The palate is pure and hits the nail on the head in terms of feel. Flavors of blackberry and plum are dark and generous. Finishes with pepper, espresso and chocolate. Very good wine for the price.
A superripe style of Malbec blended with Cabernet. It's dark as midnight, with a lush bouquet and palate that ooze bulky black fruit aromas and flavors. It's compact, dense and sweet as sin, with black fruit marmalade and chocolate running the flavor profile. Finishes syrupy and with café mocha flavors. Flavorful to the max but a bit too soft to be considered excellent.
Full, fresh and bright Malbec with only the good stuff that has made this variety so popular. The color is lusty, the aromas fruity and clean, and the feel is forward with proper body and acids. Tastes like pure wild raspberry and black cherry, with hints of vanilla and oak. Appealing in every way.
Yalumba's flagship Viognier is a broad, powerful wine, with pineapple and apricot flavors marked by hints of floral perfume and spice. Not quite as aromatically expressive as the Eden Valley bottling, it may be a touch denser and more concentrated, with potential to evolve through 2014 or so.
With its tropical melony aromas and crisp palate, this comes across as rock-solid Torrontés. It's tight and tastes of lime and pineapple. There's an exactness to this wine, sort of like savoring a perfect lime. Not complicated but very satisfying; drink immediately for maximum freshness.
Full-bodied wine, rich and rounded. It has its edge of tannins underlying the ripe cherry fruits. There is a jammy character that seems to diminish any acidity, making this a wine for drinking soon.
The nose on this wine is exotic, offering smoke, vanilla, lemon curd and spice. On the palate, it's a fat wine with lots of peach, lemon, vanilla and wood, but the acidity keeps it balanced. A distinctive wine that speaks to its origin.
Delicate mineral inflections lend elegance to flavors of pink grapefruit and peach on this sprightly semi-dry Riesling. Sunny with soft, Meyer-lemon acidity, it's a bit dainty on the palate but has enough power to drive a moderately long finish.
Here's a pretty blend of 50% Inzolia and 50% Viognier that has aromas of honeysuckle, hay and aromatic herbs. The palate offers yellow peach and golden apple accented by hints of sage and thyme.
This fruity and full-bodied wine offers much to like. The opposite of crisp and lively, it was made in an unabashedly ripe and rich style. Pear and butter aromas lead to ripe peach and vanilla flavors. The texture is rich in the mouth and the finish is soft.
Oily in green apple and lime, this crowd-pleasing wine is supple and smooth, with touches of honey and vanilla, especially on the finish. With a lilting ripeness at its core, it will pair well with roasted chicken in herbs.
Made from organic Nerello Mascalese grapes, this robust wine has sensations of mature black cherry that are accented by hints of balsamic herbs. It's not complex, but the ripe fruit offers easy-drinking pleasure.
Made from a blend of organically farmed Chardonnay, Grillo and 5% Viognier, this opens with delicate aromas of honeysuckle and stone fruit. The bright palate offers white peach, golden apple and a hint of citrus alongside crisp acidity.
Domaine Carneros' entry-level, estate-grown Pinot is intensely earthy and herbal, grippy on the back palate, a swirl of approachable blackberry, black cherry and sweet oak.
With oak aging providing a toasty top note, this dry, 100% varietal wine brings notes of apricot and spice. Despite the alcohol level, the concentration seems a bit wanting, and it doesn't all quite knit together.
Here's a dry version of the Zibibo grape that opens with intense aromas of white rose, stone fruit and candied citrus. The palate delivers ripe yellow peach, apricot and honeydew alongside a touch of rosemary on the close.
This fruity blend of Frappato and Syrah opens with pretty aromas of blue flower and rose. The round, fresh palate offers juicy black cherry and strawberry accented by black pepper.
A blend of Insolia and Chardonnay, this wine opens with subdued aromas of yellow spring flowers and pear. The round, straightforward palate offers golden apple, white peach and lemon zest alongside fresh acidity.
Crisp and light-bodied, this refreshing Insolia offers honeysuckle, exotic fruit and bright citrus sensations, along with notes of white almond. Fresh acidity gives it clean, quenching finish.
Mocha and spice notes add to the warm, plush feel of this deeply fruity, cherry-pie preserve Merlot. The palate is ruddy and rich with ripe red fruit brightened by a soft sheen of sour-cherry acidity. Finishes silky smooth with just a touch of tannins.
There's a dustiness to the nose of this bargain bottling by this Rosenblum brand, which also feature sanguine elements and ripe plum. Once sipped, juicy cooked strawberries are present, as well as a little cola and gaminess, but it fades quickly. Pair with a simply grilled steak.
Early aromas of wet cement and rubber transition to leafy, herbal and mildly green. This feels tight, drawing and unforgiving. Flavors of leafy, roasted plum and berry are slightly stalky, while the finish is juicy in feel and herbal in flavor.
Lightly pickled, briny aromas are distant. In the mouth, this feels pinched and high in citric acid, but also refined. Flavors of grapefruit and passion fruit are tart, while lime and tangerine flavors are prominent on a briny, tart finish.
This solid if standard Pinot Noir proffers raspberry, earthiness, herbs and a touch of leather on the nose. The palate comes on silky but winds up fairly tannic by the finish. Wait until 2015 and this will be a much better wine.
Tart and nervy, this cool-climate Cabernet Sauvignon bristles with fresh cranberry and sour-cherry flavors. Concentrated with red fruit yet touched with complexities of granite and steel, it's an elegant choice for lighter chicken or duck dishes.
Made with the native grape Piedirosso, this opens with aromas of red berry, cracked pepper and a hint of orange peel. The palate delivers plum, black cherry, toast and espresso alongside drying wood tannins that cut the finish short.
Here's a bright and fresh expression of Nero d'Avola that offers succulent black raspberry, sour cherry and ripe blackberry sensations, all accented by hints of cinnamon and spice. This easygoing style is made for sheer drinking pleasure, so enjoy now.
This informal but pretty Pinot Nero opens with fragrances of red berry and spice. The bright palate offers fresh acidity and flavors of crushed cherry, strawberry and cinnamon spice.
Here's a well-priced Chardonny from Sicily that boasts golden apple, citrus and pineapple sensations, with a hint of yellow peach. It's easy drinking, with crisp acidity that gives it a refreshing, clean finish.
Plum, spice and cedar lead this spicy red. The wine offers bright but balanced flavors of red and black cherry, cedar and warming spice. The finish has a clean, mineral edge. Pair this with strong cheeses and dried meats.
This blend of Aglianico and Montelpulciano opens with slightly funky aromas that include nail polish remover, stewed prune and oak. The palate offers toasted oak, vanilla, sweetened coffee and sugar plum alongside astringent wood tannins.
A blend of Primitivo, Piedirosso and other native grapes and made with no added sulfites, this dense wine offers mint, eucalyptus, oak, fig and cinnamon spice sensations. It could use more fruity richness, and astringent tannins mark the close.
Tarry, rubbery aromas of blackened berry fruits lead to a full, wide palate, with ripe blackberry, plum and chocolate flavors. This is full of oak spice on a long, satisfying finish.
Disgorged in October 2014, this smooth, now mature, wine has flavors of yeasty toastiness and a tight, mineral structure. Sliced apple and lemon zest still give freshness. Behind the fruit, crisp texture and a steely edge await. It is beautifully balanced, rich while dry and ready to drink.
This is a beautiful wine, so crisp, taut and refreshing. It brings out the fragrance and freshness of the chalk vineyards of the Côte de Blancs, fruity with apples and citrus. Still young although already balanced, the wine will age for several years and will be ready to drink from 2018.
Dark, dense and detailed, this outstanding wine seamlessly layers wild berries, cedar, sandalwood and sassafras. It's smooth and seductive, powerful and polished, with thick, ripe and fulsome tannins.
The musky notes of unfettered botrytis are on full display here, bringin candied apricot, bitter orange, burnt sugar and musky fruit into the mix. The luscious core of sweetness is concentrated and the acidic thrill lets the entire palate teeter on a delicious precipice. This sort of wine should require a license to kill in all its deadly, overwhelming force of concentration.
The great 2008 vintage has produced a textured wine that is still young. With its crisp citrus and green fruits, it is tight, mineral and tense. The wine is balanced with its texture and fresh fruits, but it needs to age. Drink from 2018.
Cool, earthy blackberry, cassis and boot-leather aromas are strapping and integrated. This feels layered and structured, with chewy depth, firm tannins and power. Baked, toasty, chocolaty flavors bring ripe-fruit notes of fig, prune and blackberry, while the finish is long and savory, with a strong accent of wood spice. Drink through 2025.
Randall Grahm notes that this is one of his best Syrahs from this historic vineyard, and it's hard to disagree. Aromas of gravel, just-crushed peppercorns and blueberries lead into a lighter, airy, mineral-driven palate of black rocks, black pepper and boysenberry fruit. It's one of the better cool-climate Syrahs around right now.
A multidimensional wine, this delicious example made from 130-year-old vines combines depth, breadth and length. It smells like ripe blackberries, tastes fruity and layered, feels luxurious and supple but at the same time firm in fine tannins and balanced by lively acidity. Medium to full bodied, it tastes great now and will improve through 2020.
Squeezed Key lime, kumquat rinds, light Marcona almond and a steel-driven minerality show on the nose of this wine, which comes from a vineyard planted in 1982. It's tightly wound on the palate though amazingly expressive with yellow lime flavors.
The lovely label does not deceive—this is a quality product from package to palate. It's expressively aromatic, as Pinot should be, with rose petals, orange peel, raspberries and cherries. That clean, pure fruit gains weight as it carries into a lingering finish, streaked with white chocolate and supported with perfect acidity.
A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Malbec, 19% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, spicy aromas of leather, black pepper, savory herbs, licorice and Mexican chocolate lead the nose. It's grounded by a solid fruit core of blackberry, boysenberry and mulberry fruit, lending a supporting spine to the toasted spice and earthy accents. Well balanced, with velvety tannins and a long, evolving finish, drink this lush, velvety red from 2018–2024.
This hedonistically powerful mix of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot traffics in blackberry and black cherry jam over a layer of soft tannins. Coffee, toffee and subtle Asian and cinnamon spice keep the proceedings lively, for this is a seriously ripe and playful wine. Cellar through 2020.
From a heritage site planted originally in 1859, this wine was made by Nils Venge and contains mostly Cabernet, with a small handful of Merlot and an even smaller pinch of Petit Verdot. Soft yet structured, it's layered in leathery dark-chocolate and black-fig tones, with juicy components of blackberry and cassis. It should age through 2022.
Produced from vines up to 80 years old, this is a powerful, wood-aged wine. Tannins are mixed with toast, spice and dark plum flavors. Acidity gives freshness and finishes the wine with very fine fruits as well as structure. Age this impressive wine and drink from 2018.
Estate grown from an historic vineyard planted by the producer's father, this wine is velvety smooth and decked in chocolate, densely rich and delicious in caramel and blackberry pie. Enjoyable now, it has the legs and structure to age through 2025–2030.
Ryan Cochrane left his San Francisco advertising gig in 2009 to make wine, and this bottling is evidence he made the right move. Wild mint shrubs, dried purple violets, elderflowers and pencil shavings show on the nose. The palate is heavily spiced with sagebrush, eucalyptus and other chaparral elements found near this increasingly amazing vineyard adjacent to Highway 101.
Matthias Pippig delivers a brilliant bottling on this smoky and ripe expression, with aromas of bacon grease, black pepper, violet and plump mulberries. The palate is thick and juicy, with lots of pork fat and dark fruit, though with the acidity and tannins required to provide balance.
A good show of restraint with ripeness, this wine by Mike Sinor conveys green olive, dark herbs, clove sticks, pencil lead, Kalamata olives and peppery raspberry on the nose. It's lithe and savory once sipped, with more black and purple olives, Bing cherry fruit at the core and a distinctive pencil-shaving minerality toward the finish.
This is a slightly riper approach from the longtime producer, with browned butter, vanilla, honeyed pineapple and a hint of seared marshmallow on the nose. The palate shows ripe brown pears and caramelized apples that carry deep into the finish. It's a balanced take on this style, never over the top.
Named after the river that flows through the Dão region, this wine is powerful, concentrated and serious. Still young and full of tannins, it also has ripe black fruits and balancing acidity. The structure brings out the granite soil of the region, with its dark, brooding quality. This is a fine wine that needs to age. Drink from 2018.
The local, high quality Alfrocheiro has produced a dark, brooding wine that has enormous potential. It has the beginnings of jammy fruit, ripe and juicy with blackberries. The structure is what gives it longevity, with a dense series of tannins that will need to soften. Great acidity at the end adds to the complexity. Drink from 2018.
Lovely notes of Golden Pearmain apple perfume the nose, with hints of soy sauce. The body and palate are luminous showing green apple freshness that come across as light, graceful and authentic. There is something honest and fresh-faced about this wine that is rather disarming. This is a very beautiful, classy crémant made from a blend of Riesling and Auxerrois.
Jammy, rich and leathery, this full-bodied, robust wine has a touch of smoke lingering in the back, beneath soft, well-integrated oak. Juicy, it's enjoyable now, while being structured enough to go another decade or so. Cellar through 2021.
The wine has a toasty character showing that it has considerable bottle age. The fruit has moved into the realm of secondary flavors with almonds, fresh bread and spice flavors. It is a delicious wine for those who like more mature Champagnes.
From a 2,400-foot elevation vineyard, this wine is unexpectedly elegant and definitively age-worthy. Floral and unusual, the palate brings integrated tannins wrapped around a core of ripe blackberry and cassis. Structured, it has plenty of body and length, bringing an old world sensibility to new world fruit. Drink now through 2022.
Delicious aromas of black raspberries, frozen strawberries and cola season a slight bit of gamy character on this wine that master sommelier Paolo Barbieri makes in Los Olivos with Syrah star Joey Tensley. Gravel and tar show on the palate, which is boosted by 5% Viognier, as does lots of lavender and violet.
Concentrate rose petals, crisp raspberries, and a rocky, black gravel—not quite as pungent as asphalt—pervades the nose on this wine from an extremely coastal, 13-acre vineyard planted in 1988. Flavors of freshly picked blackberry mesh with lots of fennel, licorice and anise-seed spice.
This bodacious but balanced wine from a wild corner of Sonoma County has smoke and black pepper aromas, rich grape, boysenberry and roast beef flavors, very bracing tannins and full body. It's big, yes, but it also gives up nuances that make it complex and compelling. Best to drink after 2018.
From vineyards in the southern section of Vinho Verde, this ripe Alvarinho is soft and fruity. It has a light texture that is balanced with crisp acidity and a juicy, perfumed aftertaste. Drink this wine now.
Lifted, floral blueberry, raspberry, tomato and herbal aromas set this apart from the norm. Fresh but limited on the palate, this tastes of herbal raspberry and savory meat. Similar to the palate, this is short on the finish, with pronounced oak.
Floral and dusty on the nose, this Chardonnay is racy, fruity and fairly full in body. Melon and citrus flavors are big but clean, and not much differs on the finish. Overall, this is juicy, bright and full of fruit.
Aromas of cherry, orange zest and vanilla custard set the stage for flavors of blackberry, blueberry, mocha, anise and flame-broiled meat. It is bright on entry, with soft but ever-present tannins. The finish features a burst of brightness and a note of aniseed.
This opens with pretty cherry fruit flavors, underscored with a touch of mineral and mocha. But there it ends, feeling one dimensional and fading fast in the finish. Three bottles tasted with similar results.
This is a generous wine, full of red-berry fruitiness and acidity with firm tannins. It is almost ready to drink. Wait until 2017.
From the Aegerter domaine, this wine is full of spicy red fruits. It comes from a vineyard in the hills above Nuits Saint-Georges, and the cooler elevation shows in the acidity and fresh fruitiness. The wine is ready to drink.
A solid all-around effort, this starts off with hints of struck match and citrus custard, then moves through apple and mandarin flavors. It's medium in body, with a refreshing finish and decent length.
Softly fruity, this brings a gentle wash of bananas and cream, with a touch of caramel. If that sounds appealing, it is indeed, as it glides along a seamless finish. Drink now through 2018.
This Rhône-style red blend is light bodied and fruit forward, with slight spice nuances to add interest. Cranberry, pink peppercorns and anise show good balance and concentration on the nose and palate.
It's not often you find a varietal Piquepoul Blanc outside of the south of France, but this seems to suit well to the hot Texan climate. Striking notes of ripe peach, apricot and white lily carry the nose and palate. There's good tension and texture in this light- to medium-bodied wine, which would lend well to pairing alongside grilled seafood.
This opens with aromas recalling stewed plum, nutmeg, vanilla and a suggestion of blue flower. The ripe palate has a firm structure that supports dried black cherry, clove and aromatic herb while astringent tannins generate an abrupt, somewhat raspy finish. Give the tannins a few more years to mellow then drink.
This is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, which come together to form a full-bodied package of earthy compost and generously ripe blue and black plum. Soft tannins make it easy to enjoy.
Deep violet-red to the eye, this wine has a nose of cherry, strawberry and toffee. It is a bit sharp at first sip, with flavors of tart cherry, lingonberry, thyme and white chocolate. Tannins are very soft on entry but gradually coat the entire palate.
Soft and buttery, this wine is smooth and creamy with hints of citrus and a tangy backdrop. With a lightly toasty edge, the wine finishes more tightly than it starts. Drink now.
With touches of the typical minerality of the appellation, this is a young, tight wine. Crisp apple, lemon and spice add interest to this perfumed wine. It will be better to drink from 2017.
Predominantly Loureiro, this is rich, ripe wine. It has a sunny character, ripe with green plums and apples and lightly shot with acidity. It is aromatic, fresh and ready to drink.
This opens with aromas suggesting mature berry, baking spice, menthol, scorched earth and oak. The ripe palate offers stewed prune and bitter chocolate while assertive, tightly wound tannins grip the finish.
Menthol, leather and underbrush aromas lead the nose while the dense palate offers raw sour cherry and dried sage. Bracing tannins grip the finish.
Scents of cocoa, ripe berry and a balsamic note come together on this. The jammy, straightforward palate offers dark cherry, raspberry, coffee and a hint of licorice alongside fine-grained tannins.
From the Nunes Vineyard, this robust red is concentrated in black cherry, tar and cinnamon spice, full bodied from having been cradled in French oak, 20% of it new. The acidity and body are both medium level, while the ripeness is high.
This semi-dry Saperavi offers a bouquet of blueberry, geranium leaf and white chocolate. It is well-rounded on the palate, with flavors of blackberry, strawberry, anise, chocolate and violet. Strong tannins do not overtake the sense of brightness that remains on the tongue from entry to finish.
A blend of Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane, this light-straw-colored wine has aromas of peach and freesia. It is very soft on the palate, with refreshing flavors of melon, clementine and passion fruit. The citrus finish offers a surprising touch of white chocolate.
This Furmint, grown in marl soils, has aromas of brioche, apple tart and caramelized pear and flavors of lemon-lime juice, green apple and lime blossom before a crisp clean finish.
This Sonoma County wine made by Santa Barbara-based Winemaker Andrew Murray is explosively juicy in black currant and berry, while offering soft, lean aspects of herb and pepper.
Marc Mondavi, who is the eldest son of the late Peter Mondavi, has a reputation as a bona fide water witch, hence the name of his wine project. This is his first venture into Oregon, and it's a welcome addition to the growing ranks of value Pinots from the Willamette Valley. Elegant and affordable, it's loaded with soft, accessible cherry and chocolate flavors, smooth as silk.
This creamy, light and soft wine offers attractive acidity and a touch of citrus. It is fruity and brings a bright aftertaste. The wine with its light buttery character is ready to drink.
This bottling is leveled by 10% Roussanne, and shows ripe yellow peach, honeydew melon, honeyed toast, pear custard and a slight cashew-like marzipan on the fairly dense nose. Rounded flavors of pear, melon, mango and honey dust comprise the palate.
A light and fruity wine, gently tannic while showing firmness at the edges. Red berry fruits dominate to give good acidity and an attractive fresh aftertaste.
Medium-intense scents of dark berries and black plum unfold in the bouquet of this wine, with soft hints of vanilla, toast and garrigue in the background. The mouthfeel is robust and gripping, with skin-driven fruit flavors and solid tannins that stay through the finish.
This wine's aromas are muted at first but open delicately into strawberry and cherry most predominantly, representing the 55% Mourvèdre and 35% Grenache in the blend. On the finish, the 10% Petite Sirah speaks up in the form of chocolatey tannins.
This is a soft and fruity wine, showing bright currant fruits in a perfumed context. Tangy, nervy, showing plenty of minerality to boost the acidity and fruitiness.
This opens with earthy aromas of tilled earth and a hint of farmyard that eventually blow off to reveal dark, ripe fruit scents. The palate is more polished, showing ripe black-cherry, espresso  and cinnamon flavors framed by chewy tannins.
Aromas of nearly overripe black fruit mingle with accents of exotic spice. The palate delivers a flavor reminiscent of raspberries soaked in spirit, along with hints of cinnamon and white pepper. This offers lovely fruit, but it's a bit shy on length.
This has aromas of ripe—just shy of overripe—black fruit that recall plum preserves. The palate is rich, with flavors of mature black cherry, prune and chocolate bar. This lacks complexity and restraint, but is big, lush and decadent.
This Amarone shows nearly overripe black fruit aromas, with just a hint of nail polish remover. The palate is better, delivering mature black cherry flavors accented by fennel, hay and raisin notes. Best to drink this soon.
This fresh and enjoyable wine has a bright bouquet of red berry and spice. The palate shows ripe black-cherry, nutmeg and chocolate flavors. This would pair well with pasta in meat sauce.
This opens with earthy aromas of turned soil, under brush and black cherry. The palate delivers dense black-fruit and almond notes, but it's already somewhat evolved so drink soon.
Here's a structured ripasso that seems more like an Amarone. It has earthy underbrush aromas, with notes of tobacco leaf and spirit-soaked cherry. The palate shows ripe black fruit, chili pepper and red-hot cinnamon. It also closes with the heat of alcohol.
Nearly all varietal with just a splash of Syrah (3%) added, it has notes of sweet spices, cocoa, and cherry backed by dry, chalky tannins. A pleasant easy drinker.
A forward and expressive wine, this blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre leads with attractively jammy black-fruit flavors and hints of vanilla and licorice root. The lush yet approachable structure and medium-length finish make this an easy choice for enjoying now.
The nose of this wine isn't very expressive, but reveals plum and prune aromas, with faint hints of graphite. The palate offers mature black fruit and chocolate flavors, but also very evident alcohol sensations. While it lacks complexity and vitality, it has more immediate charm.
Equal parts malbec and merlot with the balance (8%) petit verdot, it smells quite fruity with notes of plum and berry along with peat and bubblegum. There's no noticeable oak influence (all two year old and neutral barrels) to distract from the smooth fruit flavors and bright acidity.
Cassis and cherry aromas are raw and scratchy, but they are also pure and racy. This blend of Merlot and Cab Franc is choppy and fresh in feel, with jumpy acids propping up red currant, plum and raspberry flavors that come with oak-based vanilla. An earthy tasting, rough feeling finish is the closing act.
Meaty aromas lead on the nose of this wine, with additional supporting notes of red cherry, black pepper and curing spice. It's easy on the palate, with medium yet fleeting tannins and balanced alcohol. The finish is fully loaded with spice, ending quite peppery.
Blacker than night, this blend of 79% Petite Sirah and 21% Petit Verdot grown in the Clarksburg and Lodi appellations, is fragrant in blackberry and plum with just a hint of cassis. Juicy and measured in power, it's made to be enjoyed in its youth and will make a good companion to steak.
Here's a rather ambitious expression of Lugana that offers citrus, white peach and evident oak aromas. The palate delivers lemon and banana flavors, along with vanilla and toasted oak sensations.
This ripasso shows typical aromas of plum and prune, with earthy notes of turned soil. The palate offers ripe yet retrained raspberry and strawberry sensations, along with bitter almond and baking spice accents. It's straightforward, fresh and enjoyable.
Very floral, fragrant wine, its acidity a foil for the ripe tropical and white fruits. There is a definite mineral texture here, with just a hint of sweetness that will make this wine great with Asian food. Screwcap.
Smoky and rubbery smelling, with brambly, mildly stemmy fruit aromas. The palate is plummy and red in character, with herbal raspberry on the back side. Dry, tangy and herbal on the finish; adequate at best as a whole, even at $9.
Burnt rubber, roasted generic berry and rooty tobacco aromas define the nose, which sets up a tangy, sharp, angular palate that shows little more than tart, quick cherry and raspberry flavors. Short and light on the finish.
Not bad on the nose, where you get some tropicality, buttercup and flower blossom. But once you get onto the palate things go south. The acidity is high, creating tangy, lemony flavors, and all totaled there's not much here besides generic citrus and water.
Candied on one hand but also gassy, barnyardy and less than clean and pure on the other. A basic mouthfeel is probably the high point, while flavors of underdeveloped berry fruit are more salty and leathery than anything. Fails to impress.
Funky smelling and unfamiliar, with sweet, candied spice notes and strange candied cherry aromas. Vibrant and bouncy in terms of feel, but follows the nose by tasting sweet and weird. Weak on the finish as well.
Jammy and murky smelling, and lacking clarity and zap on the nose. Surprisingly, the palate is jacked up with acidity, and thus it's sharp in the mouth and strained. Flavors of red fruits are made creamy by forced oak, yielding a milk chocolate note to the finish.
Light, tropical but ultimately dilute, with chalky, drying, tart flavors that run toward lemon and underripe pineapple. Lemony on the finish and monotone.
Incredibly candied and sweet smelling, much like cotton candy or pink marshmallows. The palate has a cloying, sticky mouthfeel and flavors of raisin, milk chocolate and herbal, tart berry fruits. Creamy and carob-like on the finish. Tastes and smells affected.
Light green aromas of melon and lime are nice, while the palate is solid and full of lime and pithy grapefruit flavors. Like many Chilean SBs, this is salinic, citrusy and pithy, but also round as well as clean. Drink right away.
With alcohol at just 12.7%, this is one of several under-13% Pinots tasted recently that seem to be setting a new trend in Oregon. The elegance is welcome, and gives the flighty grape some room for nuance and even terroir. Light berry, watermelon, hints of earth and a fine balance make this an excellent quaffer.
Huber's entry-level bottling comes across as somewhat conflicted in 2008, with aromas of mushrooms and twigs, but flavors more reminiscent of ripe cherries; plump and round in the mouth, but crisply acidic, almost zingy on the finish.
With its layers of wood, the wine has weight. Herbaceous characters are mixed with ripe pear flavors. There is a good, tight final texture.
The mouthfeel of this wine is full and round despite lean flavors of tart tropical fruit and melon rind. The nose offers aromas of fresh herbs and green fruit that reappear on the finish. Drink now.
Nice aromas of floral berry, creamy vanilla and smoky spice work well. The palate is zesty, tight and forward, with saucy red berry flavors and olive. Long, zingy, zesty and saucy on the finish, with herbs, spice and chocolaty flavors. A nice and eager blend of 60% CS and 40% Syrah.
For as long as Chile has been taken seriously for its SBs, Veramonte has been a value leader. This wine is a bit softer and less pungent than previous efforts, but it's still tangy and shows good green apple and melony flavors. Finishes more flat and fleshy than in the past, so drink right away.
Berry, hickory and milk chocolate aromas yield smoky darkness with candied sweetness. The palate is staunch, but those chocolate and berry flavors hinted at up front reappear and finish in medicinal fashion. A sweet and creamy wine but also one that's hard and tannic. 70% Cab with 30% Syrah.
A blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Shiraz, 14% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec, this clean, approachable red offers notes of black plum, cherry, cocoa and spice on the nose and mouth. A peppery heat on the tongue lingers through the medium finish, as do the dusty tannins.
Here's a medium-bodied red with approachable tannins and a spicy edge throughout. Ripe black plum and cassis aromas flood the bouquet, while flavors of cigar box and licorice spice unfold in the mouth and linger through the finish. Drink now.
Fairly earthy on the nose, with some compost and leafiness to go with chunky berry fruit aromas. The palate is full, simple, chunky and a touch choppy, with cherry, raspberry and vanilla flavors. Creamy if a bit sticky on the finish, but mature and ready to drink
Though billed as a red blend, this is made from 98% Merlot and does justice to the variety. Complete on the entry in ripe fruit, it offers dusty cedar, graphite and oak elements within a cool-climate sensibility of savory grace and balance.
Complex, integrated aromas of cola, herbal berry fruits, earth and oak are smooth and inviting. This blend of 50% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère feels saturated, dense and right on. Exotic, oaky flavors of charred wood, coffee and chocolate are draped over berry and cassis fruit, while this is woody as well as long and graceful on the finish. Drink through 2021.
Piled high with tannins, José Perdigão's dark, firm wine is structured and rich. A blend of 35% each of Tinta Roriz and Jaen, 20% Touriga Nacional and 10% Alfrocheiro enmeshed in new French barrels for 12 months, it shows black plum, dark chocolate and spice tones alongside bright acidity. It is still working its way through the dry core of tannins and will certainly be better to drink from 2019.
Vines in the Douro Superior, the remote area in the eastern edges of the Douro wine region, go into this firm wine. With its dry tannins and firm structure, the wine is always going to be powerful. It has spice and rich blackberry and damson fruits. The aftertaste brings in acidity. Drink this wine now, but don't forget to let it breathe for a couple of hours.
This wine delivers handsomely for the price, made in a style that embraces balanced herbaceousness and moderate ripeness. Sage, cedar and graphite accent a sizable underlying grip of tannin that should mellow with age and a vibrant layer of black fruit adding context.
Earthy and brawny in pungent compost aromas, this wine has a citrus-laden edge of crisp mineral and bitterroot. Full-bodied and richly layered, its fruit components are dipped in baked rhubarb and black tea.
Rose, underbrush, dried berry and balsamic notes lead the nose. The taut structured palate evokes juicy strawberry, crushed cherry, star anise and cake spice framed in tightly woven fine-grained tannins. It's elegant and well balanced, with fresh acidity. Drink 2023–2033.
This is an impressive Touriga Nacional from its home region. Aged for 12 months in wood, it has mint and eucalyptus flavors to add to the dark tannic fruit. Blackberries and juicy acidity are combined with the core of tannins to deliver a powerful statement that needs some more time to mature. Drink from 2019.
This beloved annual bottling by Randall Grahm blends 39% Mourvèdre, 33% Grenache, 26% Syrah and 2% Cinsaut to create a very savory, Old World-style expression, with aromas of roasted game, pencil shavings, dried red fruits and blood. The palate is very iron-rich and rustic, with uncrushed black peppercorns and raw and dried meat flavors.
Dried blackberry aromas include welcome notes of cigar box and tar. This moderately complex Tannat is lush, round and smooth. Flavors of black plum and blackberry are supported by toasty oak, while this tastes blackened and spicy on a silky smooth finish. Drink through 2022.
Classic and compelling aromas of rose petal, candied boysenberry, hibiscus reduction and vanilla brioche show on the nose of this wine from a rugged appellation east of the Salinas Valley. The firmly structured palate shows rose petals and tart berries, dusted by fennel pollen, white pepper and chaparral spice.
The second wine from the Saint-Julien estate, this is every bit as elegant as the grand vin, its black currant fruit developing to envelop the fine tannins. There is fine fruit, plenty of acidity and a rich texture. It needs time, so drink from 2020.
A mineral texture gives this ripe wine an edge while its full, red berry fruit offers some solid tannins and concentration. It's smoky and full-bodied and will be ready to drink from 2019.
Maturity comes slowly to a Sauternes, but this wine is almost there. Its fine sweetness is balanced by a lemon curd-like acidity while its rich botrytis is finely integrated with the opulent texture. Drink now.
Rich and dense, this generous wine has considerable botrytis as well as perfumed apricot and bitter orange flavors. It's ripe and full of fruit and honey. Drink from 2020.
Ripe blackberry, marzipan and toast aromas amount to a rich, inky and lush bouquet. This is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, and it's stout on the palate, with intense acidity and tannins. Dark, oaky blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors end with exotic spice notes and baked, ripe berry and fig flavors. Drink through 2024.
Very light in the glass and subtle on the nose, this bottling from the John Sebastiano Vineyard shows cranberry-raspberry fruit with a pleasing mace and nutmeg spice, proving refreshing and easily quaffable. Tart red currants and raspberry meet with dewy herbs and fennel on the palate—elements that work well with a slight chill on a warm day.
This easy-to-drink appellation blend, which is 88% from John Sebastiano Vineyard and 12% from La Encantada, shows lively raspberry and pomegranate on the nose along with hibiscus flowers, rose petal, sweet sage and light pine forest aromas. It's lightweight on the palate, yet there is viscosity to the sip, where pomegranate-cranberry flavors meet with dried bergamot and Earl Grey tea. Simultaneously juicy and tart.
Produced from a field blend of old vines (Vinhas Velhas), this rich wine is powerfully structured. It has dark tannins and great concentration, balancing rich plum flavors and acidity with firm structure. This is a wine for serious aging, don't drink before 2020.
The second label of classed growth Château Chauvin, this wine is structured yet bears all the fruit that is characteristic of the vintage. Finely balanced, its acidity and black fruit flavors work together to create a wine that needs to age further. Best from 2020.
This ripe, juicy wine is already attractive and perfumed. Its tannins and wood-aging flavors give weight to its fruit. Spicy and full of black cherry and berry flavors, it's bold and will be ready to drink from 2019.
The wine has bold tannins, generous fruit and an excellent future. With its concentration and density, it needs time to soften. For now, the black fruit flavors are developing well, balanced with acidity and ripe tannins. Drink from 2021.
Ripe and structured, this wood-aged wine is still developing. It has a dark structure, dense blackberry fruit and powerful concentration. A peppery touch of alcohol gives it a bitter finish, which should dissipate as it ages. Drink from 2022
This is a ripe, smoky wine with fine tannins and rich black fruit. Dense with black chocolate and damson flavors, it gives concentration and richness and will age well. Drink from 2020.
Initially firmly tannic, this opens to reveal fine blackberry fruit and fresh acidity. It's a generous wine, the wood aging giving tannins and spice while the delicious fruit offers a rounder, smoother side. Drink from 2020.
This juicy, fruity wine has a great backup of tannins. It has a smoky character, along with black currant fruit, lending an attractive balance. That fruit that will develop well. Drink from 2020.
Ripe and soft, this is a smooth, dense wine. Yes, it has plenty of tannins, but they're smothered by the concentrated black fruit that gives it its generous, rich character. It's likely to age well, so drink from 2020.
Stony mineral notes lend a stately feel to this off-dry Riesling bursting with ripe peach, tangerine and quince flavors. It's brisk and bright on the palate with a lingering finish of lime and lemon zest.
This is sourced from the excellent Seven Hills vineyard, yet it lacks the heft and muscle of the winery's Columbia Valley Merlot, sourced from a mix of sites. Here the flavors suggest cherry candy, with a big streak of licorice. The tannins are chewy and astringent.
Dusty apple, spice and tropical fruit aromas feed into a mellow palate that isn't terribly acidic or cutting. Nectarine, passion fruit and mango flavors finish ripe and friendly, with residual sweetness and tropical fruit flavors.
Epineuil is a region between Burgundy and Chablis, producing light, fruity Pinot Noir. This perfumed and dusty wine does show some firm tannins. It is bright with red currant and raspberry fruits, with a fresh aftertaste.
This wine begins with a clean and cool nose featuring green banana and other subdued tropical notes as well as salty seaspray. Once sipped, the tropical side emerges more, with papaya and guava, as well as overripe peach. Altogether, the alcohol feels a bit high.
Wisps of smoke and earth lend a dark, mysterious tone to flavors of fresh apple, melon and pineapple on this delicate off-dry Riesling. Lemon-lime acidity pierces the palate, driving a long, honey-kissed finish.
The Cabernet is the best of the Girly Girl wines. This herbal, honest and no-frills Cabernet would be perfectly fine served alongside a grilled flank steak.
This young Aglianico opens with aromas of ripe black and red berries, oak, espresso, leather and vanilla. The concentrated palate offers red cherry, raspberry and licorice alongside drying wood tannins.
There's a briny note to the nose on this Xarel-lo, and otherwise not a lot of fruit besides a hint of nectarine. The palate brings bright acidity, while lime, tangerine and nectarine flavors finish with minerality, hence the name, which is Catalan for limestone.
With yellow fruit flavors and soft acidity, it's rich and fragrant. The wood aging shows at the end, along with some ripe pear flavors. Drink now.
This all-out Zin makes no bones about its sweetness, heavy oak spiciness and full body. Maple syrup, brown sugar and cherry jam are the dominant notes that crowd the aromas and flavors and linger on the finish. Very rich and full-bodied, it has prominent caramelized oak notes that keep the tannins from biting.
Light in color and body and modest in alcohol at 12%, this is a curiously intriguing Grenache, tightly wound in freshly picked strawberries and an undeniable earthiness. Aromas lean toward roses with a heavy hint of menthol. A touch of pepperiness on the finish completes the wine.
At 50,000 cases imported, this must be one of the most ubiquitous New Zealand Pinots in the United States. It's medium bodied and tightly wound, with a crisp core of mouthwatering acidity that adds zest to the flavors of dark cherry, earth and leather. Drink now.
This is a pretty solid value for the price, as long as you don't mind plenty of oak influence. A cedary note dominates the nose and casts a long shadow across the cherry-stained palate, imparting a vanilla flavor and some drying tannins along the way. Despite that, there's ample length and a mouthwatering quality to the finish. Drink now.
Light in weight and lacy in texture, this is a savory, subtly flavored Pinot Noir that's ready to drink. Notes of smoke, mushrooms and dried herbs intertwine with tart fruit.
Toasted nut, rhubarb, pepper and spice box aromas abound on the nose of this plucky red. Black cherry, spice and pepper flavors follow. Clean, spicy and food friendly, this selection is ageable and assertive.
The Dreambird Pinot Noir is cheerful and bright, and has a vivid cherry-pie flavor that's laced with vanilla and toasted wood notes. Brisk acidity leads to the crisp, refreshing finish.
This powerful blend of Moroccan Syrah and Grenache is intense and fruity, and it bears ripe black-cherry, plum and blackberry flavors, tinged with chocolate, cherry cordial and granite notes. Soft tannins on the midpalate add texture to this dense, richly structured wine.
While initially a bit musky and waxy on the nose, this Riesling gains strength on the palate as it offers rich honey and red apple flavors. The lemon-lime-like acidity lingers on the finish.
Syrah comprises more than half of this spicy, Rhône-style blend, which also includes Grenache and Cinsault. A scent of wild berry introduces this wine, which feels sharp and carries a hint of pickle barrel, though no American oak is indicated. The palate broadens to display a flavor of strawberry compote and a whiff of chocolate.
Redolent of ripe red berries and cherry blossoms, this semisweet Moscato has a delicate, sugar-laced quality, balanced by bright citrus and apple flavors. Crisp in acidity, it's easy drinking and refreshing on the finish.
This is a fragrant, floral wine, with a smooth touch of vanilla. It has a fruity, ripe feel, and it shows fresh, crisp, apple-like acidity. This is a ready-to-drink, balanced Chardonnay.
Lighter in color than many 2012s from Santa Barbara County, this wine begins with an inviting nose that offers scents of strawberry-infused balsamic vinegar and sandalwood. Once sipped, it's light and crisp, but surprisingly powerful, with cranberry, pomegranate and a leather finish.
Earthy, dry aromas of plum and cherry come with notes of vanilla, herbs, tobacco and leather. This feels fresh, acidic and generally well balanced. Flavors of spiced plum and berry are riper than many 2008s from Rioja, while a finish with tobacco and leathery flavors is solid and fairly long. Drink through 2020.
The savory side of Pinot Noir shines in this bottling from a vineyard south of the Arroyo Seco appellation. Aromas include stewed tomato and green olives with pimento. Falling in line are the Middle Eastern spices and olive tapenade on the palate, with tight pomegranate fruit. Serve with lamb gyros.
Sanguine in cranberry, pomegranate and cherry, it has well-integrated tannins. The texture is smooth and the acidity bright. Drink now or enjoy 2019–2024.
The wine balances acidity and full fruitiness. These show in the lively, fresh character as well as the rich apple and pear flavors. The end shows more youthful texture, offering the chance to hold this wine until 2015.
A Swiss blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay, this delightful wine has aromas of mint and black raspberry and flavors of cherry, red raspberry, fig and tobacco leaf. The finish is generous and long lasting.
Sure to please any wine-geek, this orange wine is a blend of seven grapes including Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Reisling Italica, Glera, Fruilano, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. It's aged for three years in large wooden vats and has aromas of dried nectarine, dried peach, apricot and freshly ground black pepper that lead to luscious flavors of apricot nectar and honeycomb.
Once known as Nugent Vineyard, Winside is a blend of Dijon and Pommard clones that's on the more robust side, especially in this climatically perfect vintage. Offering exuberant red cherry fruit and layers of cola and milk chocolate, it's ready to enjoy with pork tenderloin and similarly hearty fare.
Pretty scents of violet, rose, red berry, leather and forest floor rise from the glass along with a balsamic note. The palate offers crushed black cherry accented with notes of espresso, toast and sage. It has a tightly tannic, astringent finish. This will be better after 2018.
This wood-aged Vinho Verde is a world away from the light and sweetened wines. It is rich, almost Chardonnay-like in its smooth, creamy character. At the same time, it still shows its origin in its tight acidity and a crisp aftertaste. Drink now, or better in a year.
The personality of Pinot Noir comes through in this charming, medium-bodied, lighter-colored and aromatic offering. Nuances are reminiscent of cherry, herb and walking through a pine forest, along with a tangy texture and fresh finish that lingers.
Earthy, spicy and big-boned in rich tones of ripe black cherry, licorice and mocha, the wine is fully developed in weight, well-integrated in tannins and hearty, with plenty of power and mouthfilling fruit.
Green elements are often frowned upon in New World Bordeaux, but this wine shows why that's flawed thinking. Black pepper and sour cherry accompany vibrant jalapeño on the nose. That vivid herbaceous character extends to the palate, making for an intriguing, eye-opening drink. Why not pair with chile relleno?
Rose petal, violet, tilled earth, leather and a whiff of pastry cream lead the nose. The ripe palate delivers succulent wild cherry accented with cracked black pepper and cinnamon supported by assertive tannins. It's delicious and structured but also forward, so enjoy now–2019.
A handful of Sémillon adds to this wine's creaminess and texture, which is otherwise alive with citrus, stone fruit, grapefruit and ginger swirling through the glass. A lift on the finish makes the wine mouthwateringly juicy and complete.
Mouthpuckeringly tannic at first, this rustic, leathery Montepulciano grown in the hills above Jamestown has a lot of soul, its Italian roots easy to trace and enjoy. Chuck Hovey makes the well-structured, full-bodied wine, a liquid bowl of ripe plums and raspberries, which could stand a bit of bottle age and a gigantic plate of food.
Soft and chocolaty, this smooth and broadly expressive Merlot has immediate flavor appeal. From a pair of Walla Walla vineyards, it's a showcase for silky fruit and buttery tannins.
Mellow on the nose, with sweet aromas of maple, raisin and sautéed mushroom. Just fresh enough in the mouth, with toffee, vanilla, butter, coconut and mature roasted berry flavors. Delivers a lot of mocha on the finish as it maintains elegance and freshness. Ready to drink.
Winemaker Collin Cranor is superexcited about Casa De Vinas, a vineyard much talked about in the Livermore Valley. His Petite Sirah is clearly not petite, but everything PS lovers will love: oaky, dark and ripe, with smoke, chocolate and textured tannins.
Heavy doses of char, rubber, graphite and hickory dance with black fruit aromas. Tastes big, rich, resiny and lemony, with a ton of barrel action forcing up chocolate, resin and dark spice flavors. Warm and long on the finish, with power to spare. 100% Garnacha.
Big, yet creamy in texture and refined, with plenty of silky tannins to frame the superripe black cherry fruit. Just lacks a little complexity, but still a very good, juicy mouthful of fruit and oak. Drink now–2013.
A lovely example of mature Ventoux, revealing the sunny nature of the 2007 vintage in its velvety tannins and hints of chocolate and warmth. Raspberry and plum fruit carry a faintly peppery-herbal edge. Drink now–2016.
Roughly half Grenache, 38% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, this shows intriguing aromas of black fruits, citrus, pine needle and loam. In the mouth there is a somewhat disjointed impression, with raspberry fruit and coffee grounds dominating.
Drink this while it is still showing its youthful fruit. Black and purple berries abound, with excellent depth, some herbal grace notes and a spicy, lengthy finish.
Sauska's premiere bottling, the Cuvée 11 has a hefty dose of Cabernet Franc, giving it a distinct spice and bramble character. It's not a dainty wine at 15% abv, but the palate is clean with focused red fruit accented by fresh herbs and balanced tannins.
This tasty effort has very tart red fruit set in sharp acids, with highlights of spices and seeds. Still quite young, with the acidity and structure to improve over the next few years.
Smooth on the nose, with aromas of buttery oak, floral hints and lightly baked berry fruit. Maintains freshness and clarity on the palate, which has good weight and true flavors of dill, cherry and dried berries. Hits the spot despite being a bit oaky.
This is a crisp, Syrah-based rosé, with some passion fruit on the nose, but then ripe berry flavors on the palate. It's plump and medium-bodied, yet finishes with a zing of refreshing acidity. Drink now.
This three-grape blend of Xarello, Muscat and Gewürztraminer is floral and inviting, with melony aromas. The palate is light but has stuffing and creamy edges. Tastes flowery, with green melon, lychee, honey and clover. Smooth, tasty and different.
When caught fresh, this is one of the Txakoli region's best wines. It comes on hard, clacky and tight as a box of nails, with citrus and minerally aromas. The palate is crisp and tight, with apple, lime, kiwi and spritz. Long, clean and refreshing.
Lemony smelling but otherwise straightforward, with citrus blossom and apple aromas. Seems just creamy enough in the mouth, with mild citrusy acidity and normal, likable flavors of apple and orange. Uncomplicated, clean and ready to drink.
Tart and fruity, this Riesling bears flavors of apple and white peach, with an extra dimension of citrus rind. Balanced and lively, the fruit rules the day.
This aromatic rosé is a lovely shade of pale salmon, and has mashed apple and yeasty, almost hoppy notes. Flavors are bracing and lively, hinting at pretty cherry fruit.
This is pleasant and light, with a strawberry flavor that's lightly threaded with streaks of spice and sandalwood. It's a delicate and pretty wine, reflective of the cooler vintage.
The aromas here are a touch roasted, but once things settle, the bouquet is full of spice and leafy plum aromas. It feels entirely fresh and lively, with modest thickness, plus flavors of spicy oak and herbal, medium-strength berry fruit. The finish is zesty and almost citric.
Perfumed and fragrant, this is a blend from a number of Kamptal vineyards. It's bright, with an aroma of wild flower that mingles with flavors of currant, crisp apple and mineral-like acidity. Age this for six months or drink it now.
This has a firmly tannic structure and juicy fruit, suggesting its aging potential. It is rich and ripe, with black cherry and plum flavors that create a generous finish.
Sporting a much-improved label design, the 2009 Natasha brings pungent, assertive scents of tomato leaf, pepper and moist earth. Sharp and focused, the fruit is there, though it's the leaf and earth components that stand out. For its earthy style, it's a well-made and complex offering.
Toasty pear and apple aromas are lush and nice for Chilean Chardonnay. The palate shows good grip and a solid feel, while the flavors of smoky apple, bacon, toast and citrus blend nicely. Racy and juicy on the finish.
An ultrazesty, lemony Chardonnay, this has razor-sharp acidity that should mellow out when paired with the right foods, like seafood in a creamy sauce.
Bold and fruity, this is laden with bitter cherry and juicy plum flavors. The tannins are light and attractive, with juicy, refreshing acidity. Age this for a few more months.
This attractive blend of 53% Sémillon and 47% Riesling offers a bouquet of petrol and apricot, while the palate is lively, with honeyed flavors of caramel, vanilla and apricot. It's a bit sticky on the finish, but overall this is an eye-opener. Drink now–2015.
A full-bodied, extracted wine, this has a flavor of dark cherry and a hint of chocolate. It's a big, in-your-face style, with firm tannins and a solid, chunky structure.
While this shows its youthful tannins, it also bears blackberry fruit and juicy acidity. The chateau has produced a stylish wine that's rich while still keeping plenty of freshness and acidity. Age for 3–4 years.
Exhibiting all the richness of the vintage, this is a round, ripe, spicy wine. It has a full, warm, creamy feel, with notes of almonds and ripe peaches. Only on the finish does the suggestion of white Bergerac's characteristic herbaceousness show.
A toasty streak of espresso-flavored richness marks this single-vineyard offering. The fruit is ripe and clean, with a tart red-berry flavor at the core.
Surprisingly soft, with an easy-drinking roundness to the midpalate, this is a bit of a butter cookie Chardonnay despite the INOX (stainless steel) moniker. The pretty fruit is the highlight.
Clean and easy drinking, this is created using a fruit from all three estate vineyards. Lightly spicy apple, pear and peach flavors combine gracefully, giving the wine a solid and appealingly fruity core.
Simple and straightforward, this Chardonnay has notes of vanilla, caramel and oak. A bite of sweet baked apple is most pronounced on the finish.
Though quite light, this widely available Pinot could be tossed in with a group of village Burgundies without any trouble. Flavors of berry, compact earth and herb carry through onto the gentle, fading finish.
This rustic Barbera tastes of blackberry. It's medium bodied with just-right acidity and tannins that are well-integrated and smooth. The finish gets a little bit meaty, which will work fine alongside meaty, smoky foods.
This wine has a smoky character and a subtle touch of wood, along with firm tannins and red fruits. Age this for 1–2 years.
This wine has a fairly compact and closed nose, with black fruit and spiced plum aromas that are common for the variety. This is compact, firm and hard on the tongue, with dark fruit and roasted meat flavors that are marked by some bitterness. The finish tastes and feels toasted and narrow.
The bouquet offers a dose of toast to go with a standard baked-apple flavor, and the mouthfeel is plump and easy. Flavors of baked apple and pear are friendly and round, while the medium-length finish delivers touches of vanilla and caramel. Good for Maule Chardonnay.
Spicy on the nose, this has a strong blast of olive and herb. The body on this wine is full and well balanced, while the flavors veer toward herbal, spicy black fruit, pepper and cardamom. The finish is short and spicy, with a severe baked and roasted character.
Initial fiery aromas give way to notes of creamy oak, raspberry, plum and chewing gum. The mouthfeel on this blend of Cabernet, Carmenère, Syrah and Malbec is thick and syrupy, and the flavors suggest lemon peel, jammy berry and oak resin. Modest comlexity on the finish comes with a candied fruit flavor.
An herbal red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec, this is earthy, focused and straightforward.
Swathes of ripe fruit dominate this full wine that verges on being too alcoholic. While the acidity gives it freshness and the perfumed Cabernet Franc in the blend lends lift, the wine seems weighed down by its own richness.
The bouquet is neutral except for a spot of lemon-lime. The palate is clean and balanced, with decent weight and fresh acidity. Flavors of green fruit, scallion, mineral and herb fall off on the finish. Drink immediately.
Toasted aromas include popcorn and baked apple. The palate is medium in weight and features racy acidity and not much midpalate. Flavors of oak-driven spice and white fruits lead to a fast-moving, acidic finish, with leftover spice and resin notes.
This Syrah hails from northern Chile, and it deals aromas of sweet black fruit, olive, rubber and oak. It feels juicy and fruity, with racy black plum, wild berry and pepper flavors. It's rather raw in feel and modest in complexity, but overall it's interesting.
Nervy and tangy, this is laced with flavors of ripe apricot, lemon and lime zest as well as notes of basil and green apple skin. With its exotic, juicy character and tense acidity, this is a wine for food.
Light and fruity, this is full of refreshing red berry fruits, making this a clean, forward apéritif. It has fragrant acidity on the finish.
This is a classic, bold, fruity Nouveau, with firm tannins that add weight to the palate. Pair this with food.
This is properly fresh and fruity, with delicious herb and ripe apricot notes. Light, refreshing and crisp, this is ready to drink.
Initially this smells herbaceous and scratchy, with green leanings. The palate is hard-driving and edgy, with a powerful package of savory berry flavors and rubbery tannins. A strong, lusty finish seems right for a rugged wine like this.
Sugary and thin, this has a light mix of citrus flavors—lemon and lime—and a hint of pineapple. It's a pleasant wine, but not up to previous efforts from Chateau Bianca.
Big, fruity and juicy, this is a wine for drinking soon. It has lively acidity, a strong black-currant fruit character and light tannins. Already well integrated, it's a wine that accentuates freshness.
Ripe and full in the mouth, this is a forward, fruity wine. It has fragrant tobacco and spice notes followed by flavors of luscious blackberries. Softly tannic in structure, it will age, so drink now and until 2019.
Very fruity and fragrant, this is an attractive wine that shows potential. It has good acidity, firm tannins and fresh black-currant flavor. Drink this wine after two more years.
After a rubbery, gaseous smelling opening, things settle on standard berry aromas. The palate feels full and fresh, with zesty acidity. Flavors of rubber and generic black fruits finish solid and dark.
Although the nose and palate are mildly briny and green, there's enough cherry and berry fruit to keep this good-value red's head above water. A slightly grating mouthfeel isn't too punishing, while a long, aggressive finish comes with spice, mint, pepper and a final note of brine and green.
Compact dark-fruit aromas turn more jammy with airing. This is gripping in feel, with firm tannins. Flavors of spice, herbs and  black fruits finish with pronounced acidity, leftover tannins and a leathery accent.
While this is stout and dark up front, the nose comes with a note of stewed fruit. The thick, tannic palate is grabby and resiny in feel, while flavors of raw oak taste lactic, and the berry fruit component in the wine is loamy and feels big and blocky.
Smoke and leather aromas come with earthy, leafy berry and floral scents. This is crisp and acidic in feel, while flavors of peppery red fruits are spicy and drawing. Raw tannins and red-fruit flavors carry the finish.
Roasted, leathery aromas are reedy and minty but not too heavy or over the top. This feels straightforward, while crusty blackberry flavors come with doses of mint and herbs, ending with a lightly oaked finish.
This brooding blend of Syrah and Sangiovese has aromas of black berries and spice while the dense palate offers prune and black pepper along with oak and chocolate. The bracing tannins need time to tame while a lack of freshness leaves this flat.
This is a plump, medium-bodied Chardonnay ideal for casual sipping. Pear and citrus flavors combine easily, finishing on a soft note of chalk-dust.
Here's an easy drinking wine that opens with aromas of tilled soil and ripe, dark fruit. The palate offers blackberry and plum flavors, with a hint of spice and round, soft tannins.
Apple and mineral aromas are fresh yet simple in nature. This offers good body weight and healthy minerality. Flavors of almond skins, melon, papaya and citrus finish dry. Overall, this blend of Viura, Malvasia and Garnacha Blancav is a solid white to drink as soon as possible.
Made from the same blend as the dry Orvieto, in this version fermentation is stopped before all the sugars are converted to alcohol. A moderately sweet wine, it boasts apricot, honey and almond notes, with just enough acidity to avoid a cloying finish. Pair it with cream cheeses or almond cookies.
This blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Merlot and Colorino opens with aromas of violet, red and black fruit, and cinnamon-spice. The palate offers ripe but one dimensional blackberry, vanilla and chocolate flavors.
New leather, sun-baked earth, blue flower and gamy hints of cured meat are some of the aromas you'll find in this structured red. The bright, taut palate offers sour cherry, crushed raspberry, pipe tobacco and grilled herb flavors, while youthfully firm tannins provide support. It's chock-full of character but may need a few more years to unwind. Drink 2020–2032.
Pencil shavings and leather aromas mark the entry of this robustly full-bodied wine. It has a pronounced forest floor character, while blackberry and black cherry flavors combine with licorice and dark chocolate, filling out the richer notes that interweave throughout the palate, leading into a long finish.
From a range of vineyards including Cole and Rodgers Creek, this blend is thick and soft, highlighted in charcuterie, black licorice and tar aromas. Birch and leather add more savory personality, as the nose continues to suggest the aromatic landscape of an Italian deli. It's cofermented with a small percentage of Viognier.
From a south-facing hillside site on the edge of the Petaluma Gap at Dutton Ranch Cherry Ridge Vineyard, this fruity and complex wine shows white pepper and earthy notes, taking time to open in the glass. Varietal in its pepper, leather and violet aromas, it's sleek and tart—a cool-climate rendition of the grape.
You'll discover alluring aromas of grilled herb, saddle leather, cured meat and ripe berry in this enticing red. The palate is succulent and juicy, offering red cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and clove flavors. It's buttressed by bright acidity and youthfully firm, refined tannins for balance and a structure built for ageing. Drink 2018–2028.
From a vineyard owned by Talley but shared in equal parts with two other wineries, this bottling is snappy on the nose with black raspberry, graphite, sweet juniper and rose hip aromas. On the palate, it's light in body and lively with acidic energy, offering raspberry, tart plum skin and sour cherry, inflected with anise spice. There is significant length to the mouthwatering finish.
Truffle, chopped mint, woodland berry and eucalyptus aromas unfold in the glass. Bright and juicy, the palate evokes succulent red berries, star anise, clove and tobacco, set against a backdrop of firm, polished tannins. Fresh acidity lends balance. Drink 2019–2027.
This blend of 40% Malbec, 30% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon opens with ripe blackberry, underbrush and cedar aromas. Concentrated and juicy, the palate doles out black currant, bilberry, mint and licorice flavors, framed by chewy tannins. Drink through 2025.
Underbrush, grilled herb, new leather and spiced plum aromas lead the nose of this chewy Brunello. The palate doles out juicy black cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and pipe tobacco notes, framed by robust, fine-grained tannins. Despite the powerful structure and hefty alcohol, it has elegance. Drink 2019–2027.
This reserve begins as a vineyard-block selection, and spends nine months in 100% French oak. It's bright and brambly, melding citrus skins and oils, fresh raspberries and cherries, and a touch of chocolate. There's a hint of dustiness as well, and it's drinking quite well already: no need to wait.
Dark-skinned berry, new leather, and menthol aromas lead the nose, brightened by a floral tone. The palate delivers dried black cherry, crushed raspberry, clove and star anise flavors, made firm by framed tightly knit, rounded tannins. Drink 2020–2027.
This is one of the producer's more full-bodied wines, a blend from several sites along Eastside Road, including Calegari, Foss and a new source—Lewis MacGregor Estate. Rich, round and plush, it's as strong as black coffee in its marriage of earthy allspice, baked cherry, blueberry and smoke. Moderate acidity allows for an underlying minerality.
A subtle note of caramel adds richness to the baked apple aromas on the nose. On the palate, hints of chamomile tisane add to the baked apple flavors. The body is taut and linear. Rounded hints of baked apple persist even on the dry, clean and fresh finish.
Dry Riesling of this quality is capable of aging up to two decades, especially under screw cap. this one is medium bodied and dominated at the moment by ripe, citrusy fruit. It's more orange than lime, yet still shows great acidity and length. Drink 2020–2030.
This is a giant of a wine, packed to bursting with dark chocolate, black cherry, black pepper and clove flavors, all wrapped in a soft layer of tannins. Made of 63% Petite Sirah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and dashes of three other grapes, it has good depth, concentration and full body, and will make maximum impact at your next party.
Smooth and medium-bodied, this is a rounded, lovely expression of rhubarb compote and black tea that's softly layered on the palate. Rose petals invite first before wild blueberry and nutmeg make their mark, supported by juicy acidity and a grippy length of tannin.
A gentle lift of crushed black cherry rises from the glass. There also is an edge of medicinal herb. The body is light and juicy, fresh and highly aromatic. There is concentration without weight, luxuriant fruit without plumpness. This is fresh and pure, lifted and profound. An utterly honest and uplifting rendition of Pinot Noir.
Faint hints of aromatic tart cherry try to burst through the closed nose. The fruit is present on the fresh palate with astonishing purity. There is real concentration and a richer, almost plush texture at the core despite the svelte nature of this wine. A real triumph that expresses pure aromatic red cherry with real elegance. This has beauty, charm, length and authenticity.
Plump, sweet and plush peach flavors fill nose and palate. This is medium sweet and intense with a wonderful vein of freshness that brightens the stone fruit with zesty tang and gives glimpses of grapefruit peel. There is a wonderful spiciness reminiscent of tangelo peel on the clean finish.
Norm Yost is considered the sparkling pioneer of Santa Barbara County, and his bubblies continue to excel. This exhibits fresh lemon and lime zest notes, with wet cement, peach blossom and sourdough yeast on the nose. There is a grippy tension to the palate, where lemon, green apple and biscuity flavors intermingle.
Richness is the hallmark of this full-bodied, luxuriously ripe and fruit-drenched Zinfandel blend. Blueberry, black cherry and blackberry jam aromas and flavors coat the palate, crowding out any oak-derrived accents that might be present. It comes off as pure and fruity deliciousness.
A beautifully rich and rewarding expression of tropical fruit and creamy texture, this estate white spends nine months in large French oak casks and is selected from the best lots. Supporting acidity keeps it refreshing in waves of lime and grapefruit.
Full bodied, creamy in texture and lush on the palate, this wine offers a thrilling mouthful of satisfaction. Menthol, vanilla and cedar notes frame ripe, plummy fruit, while the velvety finish features lingering spice. Drink now–2025.
This is as well-balanced an interpretation of Roussanne as they come in California—proudly plump but not flabby. Light gold in color, it offers caramelized banana, custard, beeswax and apple blossom aromas. A backbone of lemony acidity runs through the palate, buttressed with ripe melon, mango and more tropical fruit flavors.
Underbrush, dark spice, mature berry and balsamic notes emerge in the glass. The chewy palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, black raspberry and licorice flavors with a hint of pipe tobacco, while youthfully firm, seasoned tannins provide the framework. Drink 2019–2017.
Comprised of multiple clones from five different vineyards, this exceptional value includes a rich cohesive core of purple fruits, amplified with barrel flavors of toasted coconut and bright spice. Everything is beautifully focused across the full palate, and even after being open for a full 24 hours, the wine tastes fresh and delicious.
There is a lot to like in this blend of 80% Syrah, 18% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, which offers deep blackberry, black cherry, star anise and pie crust on the ripe, exotically spicy nose. The palate is rich with black cherry and vanilla flavors, cut by dark spice, lingering acidity and tannic depth.
Mature berry, black plum, truffle and dark spice aromas take center stage. The chewy palate doles out crushed raspberry, tart cherry, licorice and clove flavors. This is fresh and balanced with firm, refined tannins. Drink 2018–2026.
Light, almost ephemeral, this pale Pinot does not give you much to hold on to. The fruit is thin to the point of invisible, tasting of watermelon and little else. Thin, watery and plain.
Oxidized almost to the point of being tawny in the glass, this soft and buttery wine has virtually no fruit left, and finishes with a bitter edge.
The numbers on this wine are amazing (380 g/l residual sugar, 17 g/l TA), but even more impressive is how such an extremely sweet wine can remain reasonably drinkable, complex and harmonious. It's musky and spice-laden, filled with dried apricot and honey flavors that linger on the incredibly long, citrusy finish. Should age indefinitely.
This wine's concentrated dark fruit shows in the color—a vibrant dark garnet—and in the aromas of blueberry, vanilla and dried spices. The 16% alcohol is well concealed, manifesting only as wonderfully full, creamy density on the palate, magnifying the intense cola, earth and spice complexity. A pronounced peppery, black licorice note adds extra length to the finely textured finish. Drink now–2020.
Ripe raisin, vanilla, tobacco and cassis aromas are more than adequately oaked. This feels grippy and bold, with an oak-based resiny mouthfeel. Toasty blueberry and blackberry flavors finish with a final note of oak and heat.
This wine is an unusual blend of Barbera (40%), Malbec (25%), Sangiovese (21%) and Cabernet Franc. It works, with aromas of sweet baking spices, vanilla, cherry and herb that are followed by generous, velvety cherry flavors. The oak is very primary but it still brings appeal.
The aromas don't hold back, with strong varietal notes of jalapeño and freshly cut green pepper along with cherry and hot-spice accents. The palate brings more of the same with light, tart, bright fruit flavors. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
Rich in texture but lean in fruit flavor, this medium-bodied wine relies on a buttery aroma and flavor to carry its weight while light apple cider and crisp melon notes add interest. The mouthfeel is nicely viscous, which contributes to a lingering finish.
This wine's prominent buttery aromas grab one's attention right away, and that same buttery element runs through the flavors and lingers on the finish. The fruit components are mild and melon-like, the body is medium and the texture reveals good acidity.
Fruity, savory and lightly oaky flavors are supported by moderate tannins in this medium-bodied and well-balanced blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Mint, cedar and thyme aromas give way to red cherry, raspberry and sage flavors on the palate, and the mouthfeel strikes a balance between suppleness and a light tannic bite.
Extremely light and floral, this bottling offers apple blossom, tangerine, apple butter and cashew notes on the nose. It's a straightforward Chardonnay on the palate, with butter, citrus and marzipan touches backed by healthy acidity.
This aromatic wine suggests a bowl of fruit, with notes of blueberries and blackberries sprinkled with herbs. The palate is tart and supple, showing good concentration of flavor.
This wine from one of Amador County's legendary vineyards is structured, oaky and pleasantly dry. Toasty, peppery, grilled aromas and straightforward blackberry and raspberry fruit flavors are backed by firm tannins and acidity, lending the palate appetizing bite. While this vintage tastes tighter than the last two, expect it to mellow through 2020 at least.
This opens with aromas of bread crust, citrus zest and a whiff of crushed aromatic herb. Aged on its lees in barriques, the medium-bodied palate offers toasted oak, mature yellow apple, candied lemon drop and a hint of bitter almond.
A blend of 60% Mavrud and 40% Rubin, this ruby-colored wine has aromas of black berry, black plum and a touch of powdered cocoa. In the mouth, flavors recall black cherry, black raspberry and a hint of mocha and espresso. Tannins are soft and the finish is persistent.
Herbal berry aromas come with oak-based toast and maple notes. This feels pumped up and grabby, with rocky tannins and high acidity. Blackberry and chocolate flavors are forceful, while this Cabernet from a cool vintage shows lasting oak and herbal notes on a wiry yet bulky finish.
This blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot has aromas of cherry, vanilla and a whiff of lifted eucalyptus. It conveys flavors of black cherry, red plum and dried herbs. Medium bodied, it has a persistent finish.
Ripe berry aromas show a note of prune as well as mocha and vanilla scents. Tight clampy tannins roughen up the mouthfeel on this Maule Cabernet, while a fairly heavy wood element blends with flavors of herbal berry fruits and beef jerky. This is a full-volume wine with a full-volume finish. Drink through 2020.
Somewhat lighter in color, this wine offers subtle aromas of raspberries, flowers and herb. The flavors are lithe and delicate, with coffee accents that persist on the lingering finish. It's a very pretty expression of this variety.
Raspberry and blackberry aromas and ultraripe, opulent, jammy flavors fill the big, soft frame of this full-bodied wine. It has fruit in spades, milk chocolate and raspberry notes that linger on the finish, relatively light tannins and a touch of richness.
Pale straw-colored in the glass, this wine has aromas of lemon zest and grapefruit. Flavors recall lemon, grapefruit and white peach. It is well balanced and there's a nice zest to the finish.
Aromas of ripe pear, white peach and tangerine zest carry over to the bright round palate. Energizing mineral notes, suggestive of wet stone, lift the savory finish.
The nose of this translucent red is very shy. The palate is exquisitely light with an aromatic touch of conifer on fresh tart red currants. The palate is very dry and light. Try chilling this as you would a rosé. While there is not a lot of body, there is lots of charm. Drink soon.
Black and purple fruit, toast, herb and spice aromas lead to abundant cherry flavors, tart acids and well-integrated tannins. Overall, this wine shows a lovely sense of balance, with a fleshy midpalate piquing the interest.
This wine comes from 35-year-old vines at French Creek Vineyard. Light aromas of spice, herb and candlewax are followed by a medium-bodied palate brightened by lively, lemony acidity. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of sweet blue fruit, herb and spice are followed by plump, plush plum flavors that go down easy. It brings a sense of deliciousness.
Cabernet Franc (54%) takes the lead on this blend, with the balance Merlot (29%) and Cabernet Sauvignon. The aromas of flower, barrel spice and herb are light, with slightly dried-out raspberry and cherry notes lurking in the background. It also has a medicinal top note. Flavors are super-smooth and palate-coating, finishing sweet.
Mushroom, tobacco, dried spice….this is a wine with unique character. It's distinctive but mellow on the palate, with red berry, pepper, cigarbox and smoke flavors. Pair with grilled meats, duck.
Grapefruit, citrus and flowers on the nose are followed by a lively, slightly sweet array of fun flavors in this “early” wine. Released young, it has an effervescent quality that makes it a nice choice for a warm weather sip or accompaniment to dessert. Not terribly complex, but appealing.
Red currant, sweet cedar and warming spices on the nose lead into like flavors on the palate. Slightly tart with a smoky edge, the wine is overall a good everyday sip. Pair with pastas, hamburgers, lamb.
A full nose of flowers and citrus is followed by quiet flavors of lemon and spice in this friendly Chardonnay from Keuka Spring. Subtle and easy, the wine will pair well with grilled fish or chicken salad.
A subtle, pretty nose of vanilla, cherry and strawberry is backed up by bigger flavors of sour cherry, spice and vanilla. Fun and exuberant but not terribly delicate. A good match with meats and poultry.
Fairly jumpy and foxy on the nose, but underneath you'll find zippy red fruit and gumball sweetness. The palate has a syrupy feel with decent tannins and a pedestrian structure. Tastes sweet, ripe and candied, with mild raisin on the finish.
Mildly horsey on the nose, with alfalfa, reedy fruit and grilled beef aromas. The palate is wet and lean, with good acidity and a dose of heat, while the flavors of cherry tilt toward medicinal and weedy without fully going there. Basic Tempranillo-Cab Sauvignon with a green streak.
A lively wine, layering wild strawberry and vanilla flavors with a light spritz and sweetshop candy. The acidity is crisp, apple skin fresh.
Fairly round aromas of blackberry are also slightly grapey, while the plump palate offers dark fruit flavors and a choppy mouthfeel. Finishes with a taste of powdered drink mix and grape bubblegum. Decent but shows all the signs of the large-production, commercial wine that it is.
Black fruit and cherry leads on this balanced red. Flavors of black pepper, black currant and plum on the palate are round but not overbearing. A good daily red to pair with pastas, stews and meat dishes.
Rich orange, lemon and citrus spices lead this Viognier from Page Springs. On the palate, it's fuller bodied, with lots of spice and citrus to balance out the honeyed fruit. Pair with cheese, fruit and spicy cuisine.
This wine has a nose of black fruits, mocha and toffee, and on the palate, warming spices, tart cherry and a touch of sweetness. The flavors aren't overly complex, but the wine is appealing, and the finish lingering.
Atypical on the nose, as air freshener, berry jelly and exotic but odd aromas take over. The palate seems superficial and wholly unusual, with floral blueberry flavors and then an angular, floral finish. Not terrible but doesn't seem much like Cabernet.
On first take, this mature Garnacha smells of padrón peppers and green herbs, although it comes around with airing. A medium-bodied palate with high acidity tastes of herbs, sour plum and pie cherry before finishing long and with a hint of oaky toast.
This is a structured wine, probably because of the Touriga Nacional in the blend. That also gives a perfumed edge to this ripe, full wine with its juicy red fruit acidity. It is fruity and will be ready to drink from late 2016.
From the Conti family, one of the best-known producers in Bergerac, this wine is a ripe blend of organic Merlot and Malbec. It is succulent with red berry fruits and acidity that are lightly spiced with some wood aging. The wine is fresh at the end yet still needs to age. Drink from 2017.
Raw, spicy, grating aromas of plum, berry and asphalt are fairly typical for basic Carmenère. This offers a medium-weight palate with decent balance as well as spicy but standard berry and plum flavors. A short finish sends this on its way.
This classic blend from the Gascony region is crisply fresh and light, the sort of wine that just dances in the glass. It has a herbal character that is balanced by lemon and grapefruit fruitiness. The wine is ready to drink.
Soft aromas akin to grape juice concentrate form the opening. A jammy, obtuse mouthfeel holds herbal blueberry aromas that lean in the direction of green. A softly textured finish closes out this purple-tinted Carignan.
All five red Bordeaux varieties are represented here, with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon leading the way. Red and black berries burst forth first, allowing for a juiciness on the palate, followed by tar, licorice and more blackberry. Balanced though full bodied, it finishes simply.
Bright pink in color, this is a soft, ripe and fruity wine. It has a light texture that supports the raspberry flavors. A delicate cut of acidity comes through at the end. Drink now.
This is the entry-level wine at Passadouro, with generous fruits and black plum flavors. It has spice from the wood aging along with generous tannins that don't detract from the rich nature and open fruits. The aftertaste shows a wine that is ready to drink.
This blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Marsanne from Rhône grape pioneer Bob Lindquist and partner Charles Banks is a new project focused on entry-level offerings. Steely aromas of lemon oil and pear give way to a plate of buttered apple slices and tart yellow-grapefruit peel, mixing warmth with tang.
This wine hails from the Sonoma Coast sections of the Russian River Valley and Petaluma Gap. It delivers in terms of price-versus-quality by opening with strong scents of earth and black plum baked in cinnamon and clove. Light, it's soft on the palate and finishes lean.
One of a series of single-clone offerings from Kason, this suffers from a sameness of flavors. Black fruits are soaked in aggressive and bitter oak flavors that push the smoke and char to the forefront, leaving bitter tannins as a result.
Asphalt, sour berries and purple flowers show on the nose of this brawny wine by winery owner, Tara Gomez, a descendent of the Chumash tribe. The rigid tannic structure on the palate allows only thicker espresso bean and more tar flavors to emerge.
Fresh-squeezed yellow grapefruit and pear juice trend toward white flowers and a tropical style in this widely available, stylishly labeled and crowd-pleasing bottling from the pioneering Niven family. Apple juice and apple blossoms combine on the palate, where flavors lean slowly into banana and ripe pears.
The wine is rounded, perfumed and fruity. It has touches of spice and toast from the wood aging, giving a firm background to the ripe black fruits. It is a generous wine that is ready to drink.
Raw aromas of tomato, spice, herbs and pie cherry accurately announce a pointy, lean, scouring palate. This Garnacha from a cool vintage is dominated by red plum, tart cherry and raspberry flavors that finish short and punchy.
Elusive aromatically, this wine begins to show hints of violet and rose as it opens, comforting whiffs that ride over powerfully, pillowy tannins. Savory in style, and fairly light bodied, it's a round, soft wine with a lot of juicy red cherry.
Strong iron, rosebuds, wet gravel and a touch of hibiscus show on the nose of this bottling, which seems ready to unfurl but remains quite reserved right now. The palate starts rather tarry, with more iron and some graphite as well as pine needle and touch of cranberry fruit.
Soft layers of well-managed tannin and rocky minerality stand out in this older vintage, which has taken on secondary characteristics that suggest it may be nearly past its prime. Baked raisin bread comes into play the longer the wine is in the glass.
Spicebox and lemon aromas start this assertive Assyrtiko from Crete. On the palate, ripe fruit and citrus mingle with a touch of allspice and mint, and the finish offers a suggestion of toast. Distinctive but not fully integrated.
Immediately this Malbec is defined by loud, toasty, overbearing oak. On the nose, it smells like vanilla, sawdust, campfire and creamy but generic black fruits. In the mouth, it's blocky, while heavy oak-influenced flavors of chocolaty mint and vanilla finish like an ice cream sundae.
Incongruous aromas of buttery oak, graphite and brandied cherry open this blend of 75% Tempranillo and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Following the bouquet, this feels thick and creamy, with grabby tannins and resiny stickiness. Overtly oaky flavors of vanilla, maple and chocolate are dominant, while this finishes with heat, heavy oak and stewed berry flavors.
This wine plays with the herbal, slightly green side of the Bordeaux grape, with oregano, thyme and just-cracked pepper spicing up the soft red strawberry and plum fruit on the nose. Dried herbs show strongly on the palate, alongside elderberry fruit and cedar.
A plethora of smoke and dried tobacco unveils a rustic quality to this estate-grown wine, big in tannin and somewhat diluted in fruit.
The wine is ripe and perfumed. It suffers from high alcohol that comes through in the peppery edge to the otherwise full-bodied black fruits. The wine is balanced, now mature and with an intense juicy aftertaste.
Pungent earth and forest floor surround big oak, full-figured body and a yeasty baked-bread quality. These are layered against soft tannins that pop big and hard on the finish.
Although based in Bairrada, further south, Messias does have considerable interests in the Douro. This wine, with its firm, mineral structure, brings out the tannins and concentration of the Douro. That goes with the black fruit flavors that are dark and dry. Drink this wine now.
Simple aromas of tropical fruits and green bean come in front of a spritzy palate with healthy balance. The finish brings notes of bell pepper and lime.
An easygoing blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this bright red offers aromas and flavors of black cherry, red currant, coffee and vanilla. It's simple but well made, with supple tannins and zesty acidity.
Market Vineyards wines take their names from the financial world, which leads to the question... Merval? Turns out it's the common name for the Argentine stock exchange (not a blend of Merlot and Valium). This is a fine, Washington-style Malbec, the tannins ripe and slightly grainy, with fruit flavors of strawberry compote, cassis and blueberry. Ground coffee permeates the finish.
This is classic Priorat from the opening gun. The nose is schisty on top, with molasses, spice, herb and stewed berry aromas below the surface. It's a spunky, racy wine with flavors of tomato, red plum, hard spice, pepper and tobacco, and the finish feels good and shows no detectable faults. Drink now; 80% Garnacha and 20% Carignan.
This is a concentrated, extracted wine, packed with black fruits and firm tannins. As a reserva, it is constructed for aging, both sweetly fruity and darkly structured. It has all the richness of Alentejano fruit, while still keeping some acidity and freshness to finish.
From the plateau that lies between the Loire and Vienne rivers, this is a firm, mineral structured wine. It has power and juicy red fruits that also show dark, dry tannins. It's a concentrated and dense wine for medium-term aging.
This needs more time in the bottle to unfold, but right away you can see there is substantial fruit and plenty of barrel flavors to go with it. Cassis, smoke, toffee and tobacco are all in play, and as the wine breathes it begins slowly unwrapping more and more detail.
Everything about this mid-tier Carmenère seems right. The nose deals black-fruit aromas along with black olive, licorice and herbal notes. The mouth is round, friendly and textured, with a mix of roasted plum, berry, herb, spice, olive and tomato flavors. On the finish, it's balanced and tuned up. Drink now–2016.
Aged for 22 months in 20% new French oak, this blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot completes a trio of excellent Conner Lee-designates from :Nota Bene in 2009. It's full bodied and streaked with herb, thistle, fresh greens, tart berries, and cocoa nibs. Pair it with a nice, juicy steak!
With its silver embossed label and wax capsule this is a luxury cuvée from the Plaimont cooperative. The wine is firm, and still quite youthful after four years, integrating its tannins with the concentrated fruit. Wait for at least five more years for this impressive wine to show its best.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Carmenère is the best wine from Santa Alicia I've come across. The nose is spicy, dry and delivers earthy cherry and plum aromas. It feels right and tastes of spicy raspberry and plum, with a fruity, complex finish. A good wine for food with nice acidity; drink now–2015.
High Slopes begins tannic and tight but settles down into a finely honed Syrah of notable structure, layered in pepper, smoke and tart blackberry flavor. It will pair deliciously with savory dishes along the lines of cassoulet or roast game and cellar another 5–10 years.
A selection of wines made after harvest, this Reserva is a firm, perfumed, structured wine. It has powerful tannins that go with the black fruits and acidity, but it's also deliciously juicy—a powerful and ripe wine that will improve for several years.
For a whiff, feel and taste of real Chile, this Carmenère-led blend is the ticket. The nose is prickly and intense, with aromas of juniper, leather and spicy black fruit. It's acidic and lively, with firm but smooth tannins and huge flavors of cassis, plum, green herbs, olive and chocolate. On the finish, it delivers structure and length, but also a final wave of herbal, Carmenère-based flavors. Drink now–2018.
Cedarville remains an estate producer to follow in the Foothills, melding a well-farmed site with clean, clear winemaking in the cellar. Grown on decomposed granite hillsides, this Syrah has 4% Viognier, just the right touch to bring out the best aromatics, highlighted by sage. Dark, earthy and leathery, this wine is holding onto its tannin and oak, but given time to rest in the cellar 5–7 years, it'll scream to be served with cassoulet.
A luscious sweet wine, very honeyed and liquorous. As a complete contrast, the wine has that intense acidity that is the hallmark of Loire sweet wines. The combination is a fragrant nectar that will benefit from aging.
Gone far away are the days when a Chinon normally clocked in at 12.5% alcohol. Now, as with this Clos de l'Echo, there is more power. Here, the power is put to good use, giving both a bold wine and one that has a sophisticated balance of firm, dry tannins and elegant black plum fruits. Age this wine for at least four years.
Still young, this rich and full-bodied wine is densely packed with red currant and bitter-orange fruit. Along with the fruit, there is a flinty, crisp edge that comes from the bright acidity. It needs at least two years to come together.
A wonderfully fruity, dry wine, it is exuberantly Chenin Blanc, with its ripe honey and pear flavors. It tastes of almonds, rounded with a rich texture and finished with acidity. The wine is both impressive and delicious.
The flagship wine from Fournier is rich, showing maturing Sauvignon Blanc along with smooth, creamy plum and apricot flavors. It is full and intense—a complex wine that will repay another 2–3 years of aging.
Dry spice, clay dust, tomato, herb and licorice aromas accent red plum and cherry notes on this racy yet balanced Priorat. Spiced plum, brandied cherry, coffee and chocolate flavors set up a toasty, warm and spicy finish. This is really nice and exemplifies what's great about the region. Drink now.
With spicy aromas of kirsch and dark plum accented by cedar and tobacco, this blend of Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot is a whopper. In the mouth, it's thick and syrupy, with chewy tannins and bold flavors of baked berry and chocolate. On the finish, brown sugar and coconut enter the frame. This is ultraripe and aggressive, but it honestly exemplifies Chile at the high end. Drink now–2017; 250 cases made.
Tannat and Pinenc, both native to this region of Southwest France, give a ripe, juicy wine, packed with red-fruit flavors surrounding a more dense tannic core. It has a smoky flavor that gives an edge to the great fruit flavors. Drink in 3–4 years.
Flower petal, mineral and blackberry aromas solidify the bouquet on this excellent Tempranillo. The palate is big and chewy, with fine balance and driving flavors of cherry, plum, vanilla and oak resin. With a finish that's bone dry and focused, this Ribera wine is ready to drink but can last another 5–8 years in a good cellar.
A generic expression of the variety with some notions of ripe plum, dark cherry and black pepper, this straightforward wine is ready to drink now. It takes on full tannic strength on the finish.
Smoky funkiness permeates this wine, which is lean on the palate and mushy in terms of structure. Cherry and pepper are the most distinguishable characteristics before the quick finish.
A straightforward wine, this has aromas of light spices and stone fruit. The flavors are lighter in style with the concentration a bit wanting but it still provides easy drinking pleasure.
Heavily roasted, leathery, earthy aromas slightly override the fruit tones. This has a grabby, tannic palate and burnt, herbal, earthy black-fruit flavors. Saltiness and blackened notes are to be found on a clampy finish.
It would seem like other varieties must be in the mix on this perfumed wine with its notes of apricot, grapefruit and flowers. The flavors are lighter in style with a fresh feel.
This is an informal wine that offers hints of raw red cherry, strawberry and a dash of cinnamon. Brisk acidity and fragile, fleeting tannins give it an abrupt finish.
Despite its youth, this wine seems dried-out with aromas and flavors of medicine cabinet, leather and raisinated black and blue fruit. Drink now.
Aromas of melon, grapefruit and herbs lead to sweet tropical fruit flavors. The concentration isn't all there and the acid seems a bit wanting.
There's a bitterness within this wine, a taste of tobacco and tomato leaf that lords over subtle blackberry, black cherry, plum and a healthy dose of cinnamon and pepper. Medium bodied, it finishes flat.
This wine is bone dry, very crisp and fruity. It presents a bright and lively character plus orange peel tang. The acidity at the end is very fresh, with just a touch of caramel.
Very fruity, this is a crisp, lemon-scented and flavored wine, with grassy, herbaceous character from the green Sauvignon Blanc in the blend. The aftertaste is tight with some bitterness.
Touches of red fruits give this soft and creamy wine attractive acidity. Pepper and spice lead to a bitter aftertaste.
A bold pink color suggests the richness of this vanilla-flavored wine that misses out on a truly refreshing character. It is full and soft, with a touch of bitter acidity at the end.
Pure fruitiness, this wine is full of black currant flavors and a stalky, dusty texture. Without wood aging, it has acidity, fruitiness and some dry tannins. Drink from the end of 2015.
Still dominated by wood and toast aromas, this wine is certainly too young to drink. The wood needs to smooth out and allow room for the fruit. It will age, with its fresh fruits and acidity, so drink from 2017.
This caramel-flavored, lightly pink wine is soft and full in the mouth, with a light touch of tannin in the background. Drink now.
Deep pink in color, this gently fruity wine has too much caramel flavor. It offers red currant fruit at the end and attractive acidity.
A sweet version of Riesling, this offers fresh apple and strawberry aromas, sweet melon and cucumber flavors, a soft texture and light body.
Light, ripe and fruity, this wine is bursting with black currant fruits supported by a firm base of dry fruit tannins. It can be drunk now in its youth, but will be better from 2016.
Peach and melon aromas are simple and clean. This has a wide but diluted mouthfeel and no real sense of direction. Citrus and white pineapple flavors are mild and limited, while the finish offers a touch of nectarine before fading out.
Red and black currants, wild berries and a graphite minerality show on the nose of this attractively priced wine. The palate is a tad sweet, showing dark red fruits.
Leathery cedar and ripe, almost baked blackberry and blueberry commingle in this generously tannic wine, which has a note of bitterness at its end.
Aromas of tomato sauce and red-wine vinegar create sharpness on the nose. Plum and raspberry flavors run short, with a fresh, basic finish.
Like most barrel-fermented Viuras from Rioja, this smells oaky but low on fruit. Round and resiny on the palate, this tastes mostly of saucy oak and briny citrus. The finish is sound in feel but challenging in flavor.
Aromas of lees, apricot, vanilla and wheat lead to full-bodied fruit and cinnamon flavors. It's fleshy in feel but the flavor concentration isn't all there.
The variety is hard to find on this wine with aromas of tire rubber, barrel spice, green pepper and herb in the lead. It's medium bodied in feel, with soft tannins.
An extremely rich texture, like pear juice, and sweet flavors of ripe pear, peach and pineapple give this wine a big personality. It has no apparent crispness to balance it out and keep it lively. All that sweetness and richness suggest a good pairing with salty cheeses.
There is a rosé here struggling to get out. This wine has strawberry fruits combined with tannins in a way that does not work. Bordeaux Clairet lies between rosé and red in color and in taste.
This is a soft wine, fruity without great definition. A ripe, red fruit character contrasts with a bitter acidity. It is ready to drink. The blend is 50/50 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Pinot Gris has been making inroads in Washington of late and this producer has been leading the way. Pleasing aromas of apple and melon lead to dry full-feeling fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
This wine has bright black-currant fruit and some firm tannins. Crisp, it's packed with acidity giving a fresh feel. It will be better lightly chilled.
Intensely ripened flavors of black plum and blueberry are accented by notes of spice, graham cracker and smoked nuts in this concentrated Merlot. It's forward and fruity but briskly composed with hints of dark herb and fine bitter tannins that lend a rustic Old-World feel.
Aromas suggesting smoke, dark cooking spice and mature black-skinned fruit emerge on this bracing, robust red. The firmly structured, one-dimensional palate displays evident oak, coconut, espresso, raisin and a hint of tobacco alongside forceful tannins that leave a firm somewhat grainy finish.
This firmly structured, velvety red opens with aromas of black currant, French oak, menthol, Asian spice and a whiff of grilled herb. The full-bodied, elegant palate doles out crushed blackberry, succulent morello cherry, licorice and tobacco alongside a backbone of taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2027.
This mellow, well-balanced wine hits the mark between almost-sweet fruit flavors, subtle oak influence and a firm, lightly tannic texture. Medium to full bodied, it smells lightly spicy, feels sleek on the palate and has a lingering finish.
Citrus aromas are solid while also pithy and dry. Following the nose, this feels juicy and citric, while flavors of lime and citrus are slightly bitter in front of a minerally finish that's persistently clean and fresh.
This 100% varietal wine comes from Gunselman Bench, McKinley Springs and Phinny Hill vineyards. Aromas of baking spice, vanilla, nougat and cherry are followed by fruit flavors that are surprisingly elegant in style considering the warmth of the vintage.
Bold but not too full bodied, this dry wine made from Syrah and Malbec has vivid, grapey, dark-fruit aromas and flavors liberally accented with spicy, smoky, earthy accents. Laden with fine tannins, the texture conveys a thick but smooth mouthfeel.
Dry earthy aromas of herbal raspberry and tomato are reserved in a good way. There's acidic lift to a rugged palate, while berry fruit flavors blend with spice notes prior to a tannic finish.
Tinges of saffron, pollen and hay lend a spicy, earthy undertone to this slick, honeyed ice wine. The palate is richly concentrated with sweet stone fruit and candied orange peel flavors bolstered by plush tangerine acidity.
Simple, straightforward and approachable, this fairly priced wine shows a depth of red currant, cherry and cassis alongside moderate acidity and subtle oak. It should please fans of lightly styled yet bold reds.
Heady aromas of black cherry, red and purple flowers and a strong cinnamon, Red Hot candy-like spice show on the nose of this bottling from a winery recently reinvigorated thanks to winemaker Colin Murphy. Spicy red fruit flavors pop on the palate, which is framed by firm tannins and also shows rosewater, hibiscus and crushed gravel.
Peach and stony aromatic notes are good but common. This has a fresh simple plump feel and nice but basic melon and lime flavors. A clean finish with firm acidity keeps this chugging along until the final whistle.
Reedy red-fruit aromas are woody and a touch medicinal. This feels round but edgy, with grabby prodding tannins. Savory herbal berry flavors with salted plum notes finish with overt oak and rubbery tannins.
Waxy slightly bitter aromas of peach pit give way to a palate with grip. This tastes salty and like white melon, while on the finish what fruit there is fades out quickly. Hailing from Chile's deep south, this is complex and challenging more than ripe.
Deep black cherry in color, this wine offers aromas of blackberry and bell pepper. There is a nice interplay of fruit and savory notes on the palate, with flavors of black cherry, plum, smoke, green pepper and eucalyptus. Slightly chewy tannins power on through a finish marked by notes of lingering fruit and smoke.
This wine is rich while also crisp. Refreshing red fruits are laced with a touch of orange peel and spice. A blend of the local Nieullucciu and Sciaccarellu, it is fruity and very ready to drink.
Full and perfumed, this wine has a rich character, with ripe apples, green plums and lively acidity. With its wildflower aromas and touch of pepper, it is both delicious and evocative.
On the nose, this smells of burnt oak, raisin and ultraripe cherry. The palate is compact and heavy, with chewy density. Baked, rooty flavors of cola, prune and chocolaty oak finish with thick, candied berry residuals.
Grape and blackberry aromas and flavors drench this full-bodied, smooth-textured wine in fruitiness. It's fat in texture and very easy to drink.
Grapy and floral smelling up front, this Bonarda smells reduced. A tight, rubbery palate is drawing but freshened by a mild shot of acidity. Savory oaky plum and berry flavors finish baked, minty and oaky.
Pale peach in color, this wine offers pleasing aromas of watermelon and strawberry. It drinks just a hair off dry, with a light spritz that perks up the interest.
Concentrated blackberries mix with lush and inviting purple flowers and baking-spice notes on the nose of this appellation blend. It's juicy on the palate with minty blackberry and licorice-laced olallieberry flavors, making for easy drinking.
Dark-fruit aromas are fairly oaky, and thus there's a hint of cinnamon to the nose. Fresh, angular and raw on the palate, this tastes of herbal plum and spice, with a touch of green olive. On the back side, olive and mint flavors accent plum and berry leftovers.
Not too heavy or too rich, this medium-bodied wine has mellow spice and fruit flavors, good balance and a gentle texture. It will be perfect when you don't want to drink a blockbuster.
Pale straw in the glass, this wine has aromas of lemon grass and grapefruit pith that pave the way for delightful flavors of Honey Crisp apples and red grapefruit juice.
Aromas of apple and pear are followed by dry, medium-bodied fruit flavors, dipping a bit in the middle before coming back together.
Menthol and savory herbs juxtapose rich black cherry and berry flavors in this off-dry Dornfelder. It's simple in style but enjoyable now for its juicy, fresh black fruit character.
Honeyed and caramel aromas are followed on the palate by a ripe, rich creamy texture. Yellow fruits are further smoothed by buttery flavors. This is a rounded wine, ready to drink.
Scratchy aromas of raspberry and licorice gumdrop precede a grabby, sticky palate with raw tannins. Plum and berry flavors are standard for Malbec, while the finish shows a mild baked character.
Rich fruit and cream flavors and a smooth, almost sweet impression in the mouth add up to a palate-pleasing taste. This smells like lime, honeydew and cream, feels rounded on the palate, tastes like poached pears and has a soft finish.
This wine is soft and fruity, although without great structure or sense of purpose. The finish is attractive and bright. Drink now.
The wine is soft, fruity and only light in texture. So although there are tannins, they are surrounded by superripe fruit. There is a touch of pepper from the alcohol that gives a burning sensation. Drink now.
This fresh, soft and simple wine has attractive acidity. Fruity and aromatic, it is totally ready to drink.
Toast and a yeast character gives an edge of bitterness to the fruit. There are hints of smooth melon and acidity, although the lightly burnt character masks the fruitiness.
There's not a lot of action on the nose of this wine, which instead shows red cherry, slate and a tiny pinch of allspice. There's turned earth, red berries and a juniper-powered herbal twist on the palate.
This lightly spritzy, sweet wine has the sort of orange flavor that recalls baby aspirin. There's an impression of artificality; the fruit does not come through with much freshness.
Crisp and light, this is a bright wine with attractive acidity and fresh fruitiness. It's not a wine for the long-term, with its simple caramel and spice flavors. Drink now.
Aromas of red currant with a dusting of green peppercorn and menthol show moderate concentration on the nose. Medium bodied, with grippy tannins, the palate brings tart red cherries into the mix.
Aromas of powdered bubble gum, plum and chlorine aren't great, nor is the clamping, gritty feeling palate. With flavors of tart citrus and not much more, this is a limited but decent South American rosé.
Oak notes are pervasive on the nose of this Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat blend, with roasted coffee, cinnamon toast and party shell aromas leading the way. The medium-bodied palate offers a bit more in the way of fruit, with dark cherry and cranberry flavors that lead to a green-herb finish.
There is a sunrise pink color to this soft, rounded wine. Made from Palmela's local Castelão grape, it is fruity, tinged by caramel and a fresh, crisp citrusy aftertaste. Drink now.
The grapes for this old-vine wine come from various appellations within Sonoma, including Dry Creek and Sonoma Valley. The Zin is blended with mixed blacks and Mourvèdre, which combine for a sweet, thick and jammy experience of cherry-raspberry molasses. A spicy hit of pepper peaks on the finish.
Soft and ripe, this is a refreshing wine that has a dash of Moscatel in the blend to give a perfumed character. It is light in texture, very fruity and ready to drink.
This is a soft, fruity and lightly crisp wine. It has citrus and warm yellow-fruit flavors and tangy orange peel acidity. Drink this fresh and light wine now.
Soft, with a light texture and approachable acidity, this is a bright wine that has plenty of apricot and pear flavors. The wine is fresh and ready to drink, with an orange zest finish.
Made from 50% Syrah and 50% Mourvèdre, this rosé offers direct notes of red cherry, currant and raspberry on the nose and mouth. Hints of savory herbs and underbrush add depth to the palate, finishing short and slightly bitter. Drink up.
Light and bright, this fruity wine has a more bitter element that gives a sharper character that will hopefully round out. At the back, plenty of acidity leaves a crisp aftertaste.
This simple wine has some attractive citrus fruit. It is light, bright with plenty of acidity to keep it all fresh. It should be drunk now.
Orange pink in color, this is a fat wine. It has acidity and red berry fruits although they are surrounded by a plump texture. It is ready to drink.
On the thin side of light-bodied, this has an abundance of oak that overpowers the subtle fruit in this wine from an estate property in a relatively warm appellation. Ripe dark cherry takes on a baked quality here.
One of the classic brands of Vinho Verde, this is still one of the best. It has great fruitiness and crisp acidity, only just off dry. Lemon sherbet and fresh orange zest give a delicious lift to the finish.
White flowers, lemon peel and vanilla lead this elegant white. Though the wine's tropical fruit flavors are forward, its minerality and spice give it grounding. This is a very good everyday white perfect for grilled chicken and heartier vegetable dishes.
This red-fruit-dominated Garnacha smells of earthy cherry and plum along with orange peel. A racy, chewy, slightly rough palate of pie cherry, red plum, raisin and chocolate finish juicy and aggressive.
Grapefruit, lemon and star anise aromas lead this refined but friendly wine. On the palate, lush, rounded flavors of melon and tropical fruit are supported by brisk acidity. Great combination with richer poultry or pork dishes.
Strong veins of licorice, vanilla and tobacco run through this wine. Light plummy fruit, supporting acids and smooth tannins roll into a finish with more heat than the listed alcohol suggests.
A well-balanced and focused wine, this is not big in structure but has tasty fruit flavors, a good crisp mouthfeel and moderate tannins for grip. The wine won't soon get tiring, and will make a good, versatile pairing with food.
Straw yellow in color, this widely available wine offers vanilla, lemon curd, honeysuckle and a touch of browned butter on the nose. Once sipped, seared lemon and yellow apple show first, settling into a vanilla cream groove and finishing on a touch of marshmallow.
Mild, controlled aromas of peach, apple and woodspice set up a cutting palate with noticeable minerality. Flavors of white pepper, apple and lime are slightly briny, while the finish feels fresh as a whistle but shy on flavors.
Kirsten's 2014 Rieslings each share a core of minerality that prevails over primary fruit, but this dry bottling is particularly savory in style. It's refreshingly spry with layers of smoke and chalk notes meandering amidst sheer streaks of fresh, white grapefruit and apple. The finish is brisk and clean.
Dusty aromas blend with cool-climate notes of bell pepper and lime on this racy, green-leaning SB. Flavors of wet stones, lime and salt are crisp, while this finishes with a bell-pepper flavor and zesty acidity. This was made for raw oysters or ceviche.
Napoleon's secret was that he liked Syrah in his Bordeaux blends, so this mix of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot shows why, offering fresh and vibrant aromas of blueberry and licorice candy. Bright blackberry preserves pop on the palate as does fudge in this easy-drinking wine.
Bracing and tangy, this light-bodied wine has distinct melon aromas, similar flavors and tasty accents of white pepper and fresh fennel. While nicely reserved it also has complexity and great balance.
Tart and tightly wound fruit flavors range from watermelon to strawberry, with a heavy infusion of citrus. It's sharply acidic, with some suggestions of toast from light barrel aging. A streak of cola runs through the finish.
Powerful fruit aromas and flavors send this full-bodied wine into the stratosphere of ripeness without interference from oak or too much acidity or any overtly tannic texture. It's all juicy and good in a high-octane style.
Pure varietal and estate grown, this opens with pretty fruit flavors of cherry and red plum. Aging in one-quarter new French oak adds a pleasing toasty note, along with a hint of dark chocolate.
Fruit is sourced from multiple sites, including Sangiacomo and Rancho Salina for this elegant wine which is slight in black and blue fruit with a subtle notion of leather. Structurally, it has a deep complexity of tannins that remains integrated on the back of the palate. It's ready for the table.
This appealing wine offers threads of pine needle, sage and parsley, augmenting a clean core of apple and white peach fruit. The complexity is compelling, and the length impressive, though it fades just a little too much to stand up to long term aging.
Snappy cool-coast aromas of wet stones and green fruits are pungent but not over-the-top aggressive. This is friendly on the palate, with moderate acidity. Flavors of green apple, lime and scallion finish mild and clean. Drink during 2016.
This wine is firm and structured, with complex tannins and dark black-fruit flavors. Under the tannins, juicy fruit with considerable acidity gives signs of great potential. The aftertaste again comes back to the structure. Drink from 2019.
This is a fresh but also full and rich wine with ripe pear and raspberry fruits. The wine is balanced and ready to drink.
At an impressive 13-years-old, this deeply golden-hued wine opens with subtle aromas of toasted nut, pressed acacia flower and honey. The round, evolved palate still boasts freshness while the tertiary flavors include lemon zest, ginger, smoky mineral and a hint of marzipan.
This luminous white offers delicate scents suggesting crushed rock, pear and a whiff of botanical herb. The taut, vibrant palate recalls Granny Smith apple, nectarine and mineral set against a backbone of firm acidity.
The nose is subdued but the palate shows the effortless, weightless charm of Sylvaner, with hints of green pear and lime as well as notes of stone and earth. It offers expressive slenderness.
The nose is secretive but the palate shows structure and poise. There is freshness and brisk, tart redcurrant fruit with some concentration, plesantly unexpected grip and lovely firmness. It's a light but impressive Pinot.
Some smoke and crushed boysenberry play on nose and palate. The pleasant smokiness reaches into all corners of this soft but fresh wine. It has a lovely rounded balance despite the relatively light body where earthiness is as present as fruit.
This tempting wine from one of Amador's biggest and oldest wineries has a great price and lots of big flavors. It smells like wild berries and light baking spices, tastes almost jammy, and has a classy dry balance. A very smooth texture wraps up all that goodness and makes it easy to enjoy.
This full-bodied red opens with aromas of ripe plum, vanilla and a hint of charred topsoil. The warm, chewy palate has flavors of ripe black cherry, licorice, baking spice and coffee bean while a note of bitter almond signals the finish. Drink through 2020.
Crisp and linear, this offers delicate aromas of Spanish broom and orchard fruit. The vibrant palate offers fresh green apple and juicy citrus while energizing mineral backs up the fresh, flinty finish.
This offers aromas of yellow stone fruit, chopped herb and a whiff of white almond. The round, juicy palate shows apricot, white peach, candied orange zest and a mineral note. Fresh acidity brightens the ripe flavors.
This is 100% Syrah from the Boushey vineyard. It's so compact that it's almost impenetrable, but the gorgeous aromas portend a glorious wine given appropriate bottle age and/or breathing time. A dark, dusty mix of black fruits, black olives, black coffee and licorice, this has such density that it's almost impossible to separate out all the fruit layers, let alone the earthier components that make it so distinctive. At 14.8% alcohol, this may be the biggest Betz Boushey Syrah ever.
This is Fred Loimer's star wine, the summit of his ambition at extracting the purest quality possible from his fruit. The wine has apricot, lime, touches of honey for a  very shapely but full-bodied profile. There is a hint of toastiness, fitting beautifully into the white fruits and final acidity. Age for 4–5 years at least.
This outright delicious wine brings aromas of herbs, coffee and pencil lead along with a mixture of red and blue fruit. The flavors are sweet, luscious and concentrated, bringing a very high yum factor. Give it plenty of time to open up.
Lemon and grapefruit rind provide a brightness to the nose and palate here, along a creamier outpouring of butterscotch and savory dried stone fruit. A lacing of minerality is pronounced throughout, with the finish complete in sharp edges complemented by a sense of soft brioche.
Woodland berry, forest floor, leather, toast and eucalyptus are just some of the aromas offered by this vibrant wine. The firm palate doles out juicy black cherry and plum while notes of espresso, mocha, licorice and tobacco provide backup. It's balanced with assertive tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2015–2022.
This producer owns the coveted vineyard designation, selecting some fantastic fruit that yields a wine that is intense in black cherry and forest floor, accented by wild mushroom. The style is substantial and generous in ripeness and oak, mouthfillingly rich and lushly layered, yet elegant on the finish. Cellaring, through 2020, should soften its edges.
The smoky, spicy aromatics lead into an intriguing Bordeaux-style blend that is dominated by Merlot (70%). Well-defined, dense and balanced, its flavors are stacked vertically, supple and tight, with berry, cherry, plum and chocolate interwoven. Tannins are firm and smooth. Drink now through 2025.
From the cooler reaches of the Petaluma Gap, a sub-area of the larger Sonoma Coast that is awaiting its own appellation status, this Pinot was made with 25% whole-cluster berries, giving it a rough-hewn, earthy edginess that's appealing in the glass. Tightly wound cherry and cranberry complete the picture, with a taste of dried herb and black tea on the lengthy finish.
The black and red cherry, herb and licorice aromas are spot-on but the pillowy soft mouthfeel and tart, focused fruit flavors steal the show, showing elegance and intensity along with a lingering finish.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this opens with aromas that recall red berry, mint, tilled soil and a hint of game. The structured, elegant palate offers juicy wild cherry, clove, tobacco and a licorice note alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. This will benefit from a little more aging. Drink 2016–2021.
This aromatically brooding wine offers aromas of black tea, cinnamon, herbs, licorice and dried cherry. It's full in feel, layered and rich with a lingering fruit- and herb-filled finish, and a good sense of tannic structure holding it all together.
Crisp, dry and searing in acidity, this 100% varietal wine is complex, showing sour lemon and brine notes, with orange blossom tones weaving their way throughout. A delight on the palate, the wine takes on structured weight toward the finish, making sure to leave an impression.
Initial wafts of cannabis-like herbs quickly emerge into lime pith, limestone, struck match and oyster shells, with white flowers and yeastiness showing as well. There's a vivid tension between tart apple flesh and citrus pith on the palate, with lemon curd and pineapple elements arriving over time. Sit on this until 2017 so the acid can mellow, then drink through 2027.
An assortment of cocoa, medicine cabinet, dried herb, licorice and cherry aromas take the lead on this appealing wine. It's rich and silky in feel with generous chocolate, cherry and vanilla flavors followed by a tart finish.
There's a strong nose on this single-vineyard from a reliable appellation in the middle of Monterey County, with white floral, crispy apple and light honey aromas. It's zesty with tongue-singeing acidity, showing flavors of dried apples, lime juice and honeydew melon.
This attractive sunset-pink colored wine has light acidity along with its rich, structured fruit. This is as serious as rosé gets, with red plum and berry fruits supported by a concentrated texture and acidity. It could age, so drink towards the end of 2015.
Made in a full-bodied style, this estate wine is generous in blackberry, black licorice and dark cherry, with classic cola spice dancing around its edges. Smooth and memorable, it is made from a handful of vineyards, including Nicole's, Bow Tie and Robert Thomas, all vineyard-designates of their own for the producer.
Aromas of golden honey and concentrated white flowers entertain the nose on this dessert offering from the urban winery on Santa Barbara's Eastside. Quite delicious and balanced once sipped, the viscous flavors blend honey, lemonade reduction and guava, with bright acidity keeping it nicely alive on the palate.
One of the trio of great white wine villages in the Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet makes the most classical wines. This village wine has the best of all worlds with its generous fruit and beautifully taut texture. It's ready to drink but will also age well. Drink now and until 2022.
Refreshingly mineral, yet deeply concentrated in red fruit, this wine is a standout amidst a growing contingent of quality New York rosé. It's revitalizing in acidity and nuanced, showcasing hints of bramble against a backdrop of deep cherry and berry flavors. Dry, elegant and quaffable, it's an ideal summer staple.
This wine comes from an assortment of top sites across the Columbia Valley and it shows. Aromas of dried herbs, pencil lead, toasty spice and blue and red fruit lead to sweet, rich and appealing flavors. There's intensity but also a good sense of acid and chalky tannic structure backing things up, along with undeniable deliciousness.
Aromas of meat juice, scorched earth, grilled herb and dried plum lead the nose. On the rich palate, notes of licorice, dried sage, mocha and orange peel accent the primary flavors of raspberry jam and crushed black cherry. It's balanced with firm tannins.
Punchy, sizable tannins make this wine a beast at first. It's dry on the palate, yet sultry, well-defined layers of dark cherry and toasty vanilla-oak manage to persist around seasonings of minty dried herb and cinnamon. From a well-known vineyard high atop what is called the Petaluma Gap, it's characteristically robust and age-worthy, able to cellar through 2022.
Coming from 11 different vineyards, Doug Margerum's blend of 43% Grenache, 41% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre, 4% Counoise and 3% Cinsault offers squeezed olallieberries and dried oregano on the nose. The palate shows lots of boysenberry jam, leveled by pine-sap and herbal elements as well.
Cedar, earth, black currant and underbrush aromas lead the nose on this wine made entirely with Cabernet Sauvignon. The smooth palate delivers black cherry, grilled herb and exotic spice alongside polished tannins.
Ripe, dense blackberry aromas are capped by creamy, toasty, chocolaty oak. In the mouth, this touches up against syrupy and cloying. Toasty oak, graphite, vanilla and milk chocolate flavors accent core blackberry, while heat and a chocolaty oak flavor drive the finish. Drink through 2020.
Herbal aromas of fynbos and menthol lead the bouquet of this wine, with supporting notes of blackberry, boysenberry and Thin Mint. The medium-weight palate is well balanced, with ample acidity and fine yet structured tannins. Earthy licorice and sweet spice notes grace the medium-length finish. Drink now–2020.
Cassis, black cherry and raspberry notes meander throughout this spirited blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Puckering with cranberry acidity, yet velvety and rich in texture, it's a kaleidoscope of fruit, earth and savory herb complexities that linger on the finish.
Curious hints of candied citrus peel, dried fig and apricot abound in this exotically spiced Riesling. Laced with honey and sweet apple flavors, it's off dry in style, yet impeccably balanced by a strike of spine-tingling acidity. While deft and dainty in mouthfeel, it finishes on a lingering cardamom note.
Dry and delicious, this lightly colored rosé opens with a compelling waft of rose water and exudes copper-pink color. A refreshingly searing acidity maintains vibrancy from start to finish, accented in grapefruit. This quaff is great on its own or throughout a meal.
About half Cabernet, the rest a Bordeaux mix, this opens nicely with forward plum and cherry fruit. There are notes of savory herbs in the nose, but the wine turns astringent and the finish a little chalky and stemmy.
Best for those who like a strongly leafy side to their Sauvignons, as this wine features plenty of crushed tomato and nettle and only a modicum of tropical fruit in the background. Drink it over the next few months.
This is appropriately intensely aromatic and flavorful, but the aromas and flavors come across as a bit simple and unnuanced. Modest grassy hints settle easily over white grapefruit flavors, which finish on a slightly chalky note.
Crisp and fresh, a well-balanced wine that shows vivid fruit, acidity as well as weight. The crispness at the end gives a delicious final burst.
Salad dressing, vinegar and a heavy herbal blast greet you on the nose. The palate is chunky and thick in feel, but the flavors mirror the nose with green notes, herbs and burnt coffee. Has its merits but there's no escaping the fact that this is an herbal, roasted red blend.
Shows some rather riper-than-expected fruit flavors, hinting at peach or nectarine as well as the standard apple and lime. The result seems a touch off-dry, although the actual residual sugar is only 3.5 g/L. Despite being lightweight in the mouth, it turns a bit honeyed and weightier on the finish. Drink it over the next few years.
Front-loaded fruit has a strawberry soda pop flavor, but the wine gains a little extra depth from the tannins and barrels, which add texture, spice and a bit of salty chocolate.
Offers what folks have begun to identify as pretty standard Marlborough Sauvignon, combining a struck-flint character upfront with grassy notes, melon and fig fruit and followed by a citrusy finish. Seems a touch soft; drink now.
This firmly tannic wine, characteristic of Saint-Estèphe, is very dry. Underneath the dryness, there is a delicious, opulent juiciness that brings out black currant and plum flavors. It's obviously a wine for the long haul; keep for at least six years.
A smooth, rich, almost toffee-flavored wine, this has ripe black-plum and raisin notes, with hints of pepper and dark chocolate. From what has become Cockburn's flagship quinta, this is a delicious wine for  medium-term aging.
Boasting notes of dried flowers and herbs in its bouquet, this is a silky, elegant rendition of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. There's a sense of wet-stone minerality, along with notes of dried black fruit and dark chocolate. Licorice comes through on the lengthy finish.
The best wine to date from Ashley Trout, this single-vineyard Malbec seduces with its thick, dense, decadently lush flavors of black cherry and cassis. Licorice, tar, coffee and cacao notes come into play on the deep and lingering finish. If anything, the wine is even better on the second day, as the fruit flavors mature into a plummy Christmas-cake delight.
It's a shame that just 100 cases of this wine were made, as this bright, fresh, exciting Zinfandel belongs with the best of California, not just Washington. The fresh-picked strawberry and raspberry flavors are concentrated and vibrating with juicy acidity. They lead into a sappy, lengthy midpalate, with an underpinning of rock.
From the cave cooperative located in nearby Vacqueyras, this is a full-bodied, plushly textured wine that manages to avoid being too soft. Black cherry and garrigue notes are joined by hints of licorice and mocha on the long, layered finish. Drink now–2020.
Deep and delicious with inviting layers of raspberry and berry cobbler, Big John is a brambly, structured Zin, with bright zaps of black pepper and clove, plus a long, satisfying finish. This is perhaps the best Zin in all of Calaveras County right now.
There are dashes of exotic spice and ash that permeate into the lavish stonefruit and waxy flower notes on the nose and palate. This is complex and intensely juicy; the brisk acidity and crushed gravel notes add a clean, minerally edge.
This Grenache-based blend derives considerable structure from its Shiraz (38%) and Mourvèdre (7%) components, giving it more firmness, length and ageability than might be expected. Dark chocolate and berry aromas and flavors pick up hints of dried tobacco and other herbs, ending on a crisp note. Give it two or three years, then drink it over the next 10–12.
This comes out swinging, with bullish berry and prune aromas that hint at being stewy but then pull back. It's saturated and tannic but not rough, with black fruit, chocolate, toast and pepper flavors. Minty and dark, with a licorice note on the finish. Drink now–2016.
Pretty flavors of pink grapefruit and stone fruit are cloaked in rich swathes of fennel, honey, petrol and spice on this expressive, penetrating wine. Sweet-tasting and juicy, it bristles with streaks of acidity and astringency. It's already showing its stripes, but it should be even more exciting in five years.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Dineen, Phinney Hill and McKinley Springs vineyards. Light aromas of cherry, raspberry, herb, flower and allspice are followed by sweet yet tart fruit flavors. It shows a pleasing sense of purity.
This distinctive wine is spicy and meaty in flavor and very firm in texture as lots of fine-grained tannins give it grip, and full body helps it flood the tongue and coat the sides of the mouth. Best after 2019.
Dried apple and salted almond aromas show on the nose of this bottling from a winery started in 1987. There is a flinty character to the sip, alongside squeezed lime and baked apple, with a light smokiness noticeable throughout.
Surprisingly silky on the palate, this approachable but elegant Pinot Grigio is a great value. Its punchy tangerine and lemon flavors are crisp and widely appealing, but there's also a nuanced slick of minerality on the midpalate. Drink now through 2019.
Made entirely with Aglianico, this offers aromas suggesting cassis and Mediterranean herb. The concentrated palate delivers blackberry jam, vanilla and toast alongside firm rather astringent tannins. Drink through 2019.
Pepper Bridge fruit makes up the majority of this wine, with the balance coming from Sheridan and Olsen vineyards. It offers aromas of barrel spice, herb, anise and exotic spice that lead to pitch-black, ever-so-slightly dried-out fruit flavors.
One of a range of single-vineyard wines, this is a selection from the producer's oldest vines. It has great white fruit, and is generously textured and ripe. Hints of yellow fruit in the background add richness. It has a soft aftertaste, suggesting it is ready to drink.
This wine is tight, textured and still young. With crisp, mineral acidity and bright citrus and white stone fruits, it needs to age to show its full, rich potential. Drink from 2018.
Crushed mineral and tart melon rind notes lend a crisp, slender tone to this medium sweet Riesling. Its spry, filigreed texture is accentuated by high-toned acidity. The finish is only moderately long but refreshingly citrusy.
Earthy black tea and clove are the highlights in this medium-bodied, moderately oaked wine, a fruity undercurrent of black cherry and strawberry lifting the savory, sassy elements to a bright core.
Chocolaty oak aromas rest heavily atop notes of scrub brush, briar patch and red fruits. This Pinot feels juicy but scouring and grating. Flavors of buttery oak, plum and raspberry are both woody and tart, while this is punchy on the finish. Give this another year or two and it may knit together better than now.
This is a rich style of Chablis that has the crispness of 2014 while showing a more creamy, yellow fruit character. Part wood-aged and part matured in tank, it's balanced and ready to drink.
Strong aromas of blueberries and blue flowers show on this rich and penetrating wine from the eastside of Paso Robles. Thick and chalky tannins coat the palate, delivering more blueberry and ripe grape flavors, cut by a strong acidity.
Aromas of dark plum, blue fruit and spice lead to full fruit flavors that show intensity, with vanilla flavors on the finish. The tannins show a slight grittiness that softens over time.
This 100% varietal wine brings aromas of black tea, cocoa, herb, coffee, spice and black cherry. The palate is elegantly styled, with abundant vanilla accents and lightly gritty tannins. It needs time to stretch its legs.
Pale in color, this wine offers bright aromas of potpourri and strawberry. The red-fruit flavors are full in feel, seeming overweighted at times but still bringing enjoyment, with a mouthwatering finish.
This pure varietal expression of the grape is a steely svelte spicy red with unusual complexity. The tart and tangy fruit could be any wild-picked red berry, and the acids are like a squirt of citrus. But there's extra depth and interest from the hints of herb, seed, stone and metal that reward your attention. This should drink quite well now through the mid-2020s.
Aromas of wild berry, espresso, dark spice and French oak take center stage while the firmly structured palate delivers raspberry jam, licorice, tobacco and coffee along with a slightly green note of powdered sage. Assertive fine-grained tannins provide an austere backbone. Drink 2019–2027.
A pale copper color, this is not a rosé, but it shows the effect of a cold soak prior to pressing, capturing the light blush color natural to the grape. Smooth and demonstrating suggestions of strawberry, it brings up pear-skin phenolics in the finish, adding texture, length and some sassy bite.
Fleshy tropical aromas are mature and not that lively or kicking. In the mouth, this single-vineyard wine feels tight and acidic but also oily and full in body. Salty citrus and stone-fruit flavors are braced by core acidity, while this offers another helping of salty nectarine flavors on a full, dense finish. Drink now.
Initially plush, rounded sweet yellow apple and lemon drop flavors get a kick of acidity on the midpalate of this bright, fruity wine. Fresh and precisely framed, its finish is piercing and linear. Drink now through 2019.
Ripe red fruits mingle gracefully, along with suggestions of toasted coconut, from aging in one-quarter new barrels. There is a metallic streak running through the finish as well, which might suggest that you give it some extra aeration before drinking.
It's nice to see high-quality dry Riesling at such a reasonable price. This does show some riper, peachier aromas and flavors than truly classic Eden Valley Riesling, but it remains true to the regional style, just more approachable. Drink now.
Baked earthy black-fruit aromas are followed by a blocky palate with jagged tannins and bold acidity. Blackberry, chocolate, coffee and raw-oak flavors finish with black cherry and plum notes as well as some hollowness.
The nose is a tad reductive at this point this wine's life, so it will probably only improve in the year to come. But it's exciting now as well, with candied lemon and dewy oregano on the nose leading into a racy palate full of sizzling acidity and grippy texture that clings to the mouth. A candied apple component flashes at the finish.
Big and robust in ripe black cherry and a richness of vanilla, this wine is full-bodied and then some, imparting plenty of tannin and structure. Forest floor, spicy cardamom and smoky cola give definition to the weight.
Good idea, but the execution isn't there. Watery, thin and charmless; like orange candy diluted with lemon juice.
A bit off course as Verdejo goes, with spritz to the palate and then mealy citrus and persimmon flavors. Lingers but doesn't do or say much on the finish. Not bad but it doesn't click.
Hard cherry and nail polish aromas rise up from the glass. The palate is high in acid and clampy, with tart, leafy, rubbery berry fruit flavors. Dry and reasonably fresh on the finish.
Forceful, edgy aromas of cherry and drugstore perfume precede a cloppy, choppy palate with red plum and red berry flavors. Scouring and with friction on the back side, but with lots of racy red flavors.
Smacky and hard right away, with compact black cherry aromas. Shows lots of gusto in the mouth but no elegance or touch. Tastes short and condensed, a blah mix of red berry and burnt candy.
Bell pepper and sharp red fruit aromas provide a shaky start, which is followed by cranberry, tart cherry and other pointed flavors. The feel is racy and tight, with gritty acids. Airing does improve it somewhat. Tasted twice; this is a review of the better bottle. Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Franc and Carmenère is the blend. From Brazil.
Apple and citrus aromas struggle to hold it together. Citrusy acids control the palate, yielding grapefruit, orange and pithy flavors. Feels unruly. Sauvignon, Sémillon, Chenin Blanc and Viognier.
Damp, mealy aromas offer a touch of melon. The palate, however, is tart and metallic, with sour citrus flavors and a weird note of burnt popcorn on the finish. Acidity is all that's keeping it afloat.
Hot and leathery up front, with stewy notes and candied red fruit aromas. The palate features smacking tannic bite along with foxy-tasting red fruit. Turns medicinal on the finish.
Disappointing given the price and how good Conti's white wines can be. This is leafy and piercing on the nose, then heavy and super tannic and growling on the palate. Tastes leafy, herbal and earthy.
A weird Cabernet with unfamiliar, odd aromas. Tight as nails and sheering, with sour plum and incongruent buttery oak flavors. Barrel influence shows up on the finish. Needs polish and improvement.
Grapey and pinched on the nose, jammy smelling and unconvincing. Supernarrow in the mouth, tannic, lemony and sucks the life out of your cheeks and palate. And that's not even mentioning the price.
Sketchy right away, with salinic, pool water aromas. Awkward and buttery in the mouth, with corn and baked apple flavors. Finishes salty and nutty.
Pressed hawthorn, mature orchard fruit and a whiff of aromatic herb lead the nose. Round and savory, the full-bodied palate offers creamy yellow apple, juicy pear and a hint of crystallized ginger. It's balanced, with just enough freshness and a lingering finish.
Dark color and black fruit aromas set the expectation for a big wine, but this is remarkably well-balanced, poised and smooth. Its black cherry and blackberry flavors are satifying, dry and not overripe, and its hints of cocoa add delicious complexity.
Back in fine form, this shows crisp and fresh apple, white peach and green melon fruit. Aged in 41% new and 25% one-year-old oak, it's not especially toasty, but has the concentration and balance to develop well over the next six to eight years.
Deep garnet in the glass, this wine offers a tight nose of black cherry before filling the mouth with flavors of blackberry, cherry, dark chocolate and lavender. Soft tannins that are slow to make their presence known persist into the bright cherry finish.
The nose is a subdued but evocative blend of rose petal, peach, lemon and mirabelle. The palate shows a similarly easy interplay of flavors on a concentrated, harmonious and off-dry body. This is fresh and fruity, lively and enticing.
The grape that is very local to the Dão region has produced a dense rich wine that is full of fruit. Black currants and berries shine through the firm texture and the solid tannins. The aftertaste has tangy minerality and plenty of acidity, both good for aging. Drink from 2019.
Reustle makes four different versions of this wine, each distinctive and worthy of attention. This is vinified in all stainless, and pushes sappy tart flavors of Meyer lemon and grapefruit front and center. The fruit is ripe enough that it leaves an impression of sweetness—a perfect counterbalance to the wine's natural acidity.
Friendly inviting notes of ripe juicy pear appear immediately on the nose and are also amply present on the palate. The body is concentrated and has warmth and texture that are amply countered by zesty citrus freshness. The finish is clean, medium sweet and lasting.
This Reserve Series bubbly accents its crisp green apple fruit with toasty aromas. Done via Méthode Champenoise, it spent five years en tirage. There's a fine bead and lingering persistent flavors with hints of nutmeg and lemon curd. All in all, this is a very fine effort.
A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot, this offers aromas of high-toned red fruit, French-oak spice and herbs that lead to luxurious but still in-check dark-fruit flavors. Tart black-tea accents persist on the finish.
Stoller offers fine value across its entire portfolio. This is solidly crafted and estate-grown, from the heart of the Dundee Hills AVA. There's a gentle touch of new oak, among a flavorful mix of strawberries, cherries and oranges. The moderate alcohol signals a balanced wine with ample acidity. Drink now through 2022.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. There's freshness to the fruit, with aromas of cherry and raspberry kissed by herb, clove and spice. The flavors are lush and palate-coating, with the tannins bringing a touch of astringency that hopefully will settle out with additional time in the bottle.
A bouquet of cherry, white chocolate and juniper berry sets the stage for flavors of raspberry, blackberry, blueberry pie and baking spices. It is smooth in the mouth, with a sense of soft sweetness that is neither overpowering nor cloying, bolstered by a pervasive backbone of acidity.
This broad-textured, complex and indulgent Rhône-style blend has cedar, cola and blackberry aromas and concentrated fruit, earth and spice flavors. Milk chocolate richness emerges on the midpalate and plays through the finish.
Rich with gooey marshmallow, crème brûlée and cotton candy aromas, this is an unabashed classic California Chardonnay from Austin Hope. Unctuous marzipan and sea salt caramel flavors make for a creamy mouthfeel, and yet firm acidity leaves the midpalate feeling clean, allowing butterscotch tones to linger on the finish.
Clean apple fruit with some yellow plum as well, this carries a whisper of citrus. It's a sleek elegant wine, that won't overpower you, nor obscure the flavors of more delicate foods such as prawns or whitefish.
Classic Carmenère aromas of leafy black fruits come with notes of herbal bath soap, tobacco and cigar box. A full fleshy palate is plump rather than tight or tough. Blackened peppery black-fruit flavors finish chocolaty and slightly herbal.
Schist, cola, cassis, berry and tobacco aroma cover all the bases in this wine. It's grippy and chewy but complete. Dark, earthy mulled berry flavors precede a tannic, pulpy finish with lasting plum and cassis notes. Drink through 2021.
Offering aromas of black cherry and vanilla, this wine is soft on entry, with flavors of black cherry, raspberry, chocolate and anise. It is round on the palate, with smooth tannins and a light vein of brightness on the finish.
Ripe, powerful red-cherry flavors are balanced with crisp acidity and a backbone of granite in this medium-bodied Pinot Noir. It's a fresh, forward wine, with firm, upright tannins and lingering nuances of licorice and dark toast.
Dusty mineral and pollen notes lend complexity to decadent honey and apricot in this medium-sweet auslese. It's lavish and creamy in texture yet tightly balanced by spine-tingling lemon-lime acidity. It offers an exceptional value for such an opulent wine.
This lovely, full-bodied white offers generous caramel apple and baked pear flavors cradled in toasted oak that brings nutmeg and vanilla aspects. The rich roundness finds refreshment on the finish in stony acidity.
The wine reveals a serious side to Castelão that is not often shown. Its wood aging and structured character give the wine longevity as well as solid fruits and concentrated tannins. Lightness comes in the form of the acidity and the juicy black fruits. Drink from 2019.
Generous, appetizing and juicy pear fruit dominates nose and palate. Flavors of ripe yellow Comice pear dance freshly, freely and fully expressed. The palate is compact, dry and juicy. The utterly inviting pear notes last and linger.
From a winery that holds back its few hundred-case production each year comes a very promising Old World-styled wine grown in the rocky terroir of the Malibu Coast. Amidst its dark blueberry and crushed graphite scents are dried pasilla chile, nettle and pine hints. The palate shows similar savory and herbal touches, with green peppercorn accenting ripe red cherry and clove, all framed by firm tannins.
Dark garnet in the glass, this wine's bouquet offers notes of raspberry, cassis and butterscotch. Harmonious on the palate, its flavors of cherry, black plum, chocolate, anise and smoke are set in a framework of sturdy tannins that give way to a bright finish with a closing touch of smoke.
One of Elliott Dolin's first attempts at a red blend from this coastal appellation, this blend of 42% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Syrah and 9% Petit Verdot offers an elegant nose of elderflower, dried blueberry, black pepper, oregano and crushed gravel minerality. It's dense and bone-dry on the palate, its concentrated lilac, violet and blueberry syrup flavors framed by chalky tannins.
Dark garnet to the eye, this wine offers aromas of raspberry, black plum and chocolate. It is fruity on entry, with flavors of black cherry and raspberry that recede to reveal notes of white chocolate and smoke. Velvety tannins linger on the palate amid a pleasing sensation of lasting smoke.
Brisk acidity and a crushed mineral sheen add levity to this dry, richly textured Riesling. The palate shows cool, penetrating lime zest and lemongrass tones. It's an elegant, subtle wine from a vintage that produced quite a few bruisers in this region.
Whiffs of sun-burnt slate lend contrast to bright nectarine and citrus peel flavors in this clingy, textured Kabinett. Bristling acidity balances delicate swathes of honey- and nectar-like sweetness that linger on the finish. It's delightfully refreshing, with complexity to linger over.
This is a creamy, compelling Bordelais style of Sauvignon Blanc. Candied lemon peel, dried apple, light honey and and petrol aromas show on the nose. The rich palate offers poached pear, sea salt and preserved lemon flavors, presented on waves of soft, plush texture.
Velvety and thick, this wine is tannic, oaky and still tenacious about its youth. Spicy cardamom, violet and dried herb notes make it more earthy than fruit-driven, begging for complementary fare at the table. Raspberry, black cherry and blackberry flavors vie for attention.
Bright and structured, this savory wine opens with intense aromas of crushed tomato vine, gooseberry and hay. The vibrant palate delivers layers of juicy white peach, honeydew melon, lemon and a hint of ginger alongside crisp acidity. There's so much to enjoy here!
There are two levels of aroma to this blend of 49% Grenache, 34% Mourvèdre and 17% Syrah: a bright floral touch and gravel-like minerality surround a deeper core of black currant and blueberry fruit. The palate is still quite tight, with elderberry, olallieberry and violet flavors, presented with a leathery texture. It shows lots of potential but still needs time. Drink 2018–2023.
Velvety, rich and intense upon first sip, this is a lively, well-built wine, held back in bottle and offering layers of blackberry, black cherry, anise and sage flavor. Fruity and feral, it delivers a lot of nuance within its powerful presentation.
Vibrant aromas of white flowers, ripe peach, fresh herb, cocoa butter and hard candy lead to nuanced, well-balanced fruit flavors that show just a touch of lees influence. It offers an exquisite sense of balance and depth along with an extended finish.
Mellowed with 20% Merlot, this full-bodied, structured wine shows supple tannin and dark cherry, blackberry and tobacco flavors. Oak-derived notes of vanilla, clove and smoke are also present, albeit in measured quantity.
Solidly built and fruity without seeming sweet, this full-bodied wine combines concentrated flavors with a firm structure of fine-grained tannins and supportive acidity. Light oak touches add interest, but the wine's power and appeal come from bold varietal-fruit flavors.
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.
Showing some maturity in its dried fruit notes, this is neverhtheless an attractive heavyweight for near-term drinking. Chocolate fudge and prune notes pick up hints of cinnamon and dried herbs, then end long and softly dusty. Drink now–2020.
From the high-elevation site long prized by this producer, this wine opens with a sturdy tannic grip that takes time to resolve in the glass. As it does, ripe and robust layers of blackberry, currant and wild sage flavors emerge, bolstered by leather and bittersweet chocolate notes.
Dark ruby to the eye, this wine has a nose of raspberry and birch root. Flavors of blackberry, black cherry, smoked meat, vanilla custard and anise move across the palate, with fruit and smoke notes rising and receding in rhythm. Zesty cherry notes linger on the tongue despite strong but pleasant tannins.
This elegant white opens with aromas of crushed tomato vine, yellow peach and elderflower. The juicy palate doles out grapefruit, honeydew melon and a hint of papaya. Fresh acidity provides support.
Aromas of spiced plum, tilled earth, new leather and a hint of baking spice lift out of the glass. The big chewy palate shows fleshy black cherry, chocolate and a hint of pipe tobacco while velvety tannins provide the framework. It's already approachable but will offer plenty of enjoyment for several years or more.
A nose of black plums and juniper berry paves the way for flavors of strawberry, pomegranate and mocha with a slight hint of eucalyptus. There is a subtle interplay of acidity and soft tannins that recede to reveal a bright drawn-out finish.
This 100% Lagrein boasts alluring aromas of blackberry, tilled earth and a whiff of baking spice. The ripe luscious palate doles out black plum, cassis, star anise and a note of ground pepper alongside supple tannins. It will offer fine sipping over the next few years. Drink through 2020.
This rich, juicy yet elegant bottling from an old vineyard in west Paso Robles boasts black currant and rosebud aromas. The palate is textural and lithe, with tangy black plum and blackberry flavors. This has the bones to grow into an impressive wine in the years to come.
This is a surprisingly bright and enticing wine, with forward scents of red apple and orange that are laced with notes of wood and baking spice. The palate is rich and creamy, but not overly so, with good acidic cut to the lingering flavors of wood-grilled apple and peach. Drink now–2019.
Made entirely with Müller-Thurgau grown in high mountain vineyards, this opens with aromas of toasted hazelnut, fennel and mature orchard fruit. The round bright palate delivers creamy yellow apple, white peach and a juicy orange zest note while an energizing mineral note lifts the finish.
A nose of mild green fruits is prickly and dances, while the palate offers minerality and pithy lime and other green fruit flavors. Finishes with consistent green fruit notes, dryness and a hint of bell pepper. Doesn't blow you away but delivers most of what Chilean SB is known for.
Big, meaty and dense, with dampness, earth and size. This is your typical deep and chewy wine, but the structure and core qualities are just above average. Flavors of black cherry, plum and brown sugar are good, while the finish shows a creamy vanilla flavor and cola. Good but not great for the price.
Light citrus, green herb and nettle aromas are just what you'd expect from Leyda SB, and the palate has a plump, easy feel along with fresh flavors of melon, tangerine and nectarine. More round than linear, with good length and clarity.
Saturated in color almost to the point of opaque. The nose is brash, with rubbery berry, chocolate and sandalwood aromas. Intense but not overpowering, with flavors of sweet black plum, berry and black currant. Spry and lively throughout, with licorice and bitter chocolate on the finish.
A tiny bit of Mourvèdre and Barbera are added into the blend, but this is honest and true to varietal Washington Syrah, with strawberry and cherry candy fruit flavor in abundance. Initially forward and light on the palate, it moves into more herbal, earthy flavors in the finish.
Delicious and inviting with notes of eucalyptus, chocolate-covered cherries and wild raspberries on the nose. The palate exhibits darker flavors by way of black cherry and plum, fleshing out the solidly structured medium weight mouth. A moderate, evolving finish closes nicely with a kiss of sweet oak.
Aromas of violets, blackberry and black currant jam are solid, while the palate shows sharper acidity than most Bonardas, and thus a juicy sensation along with flavors of snappy black cherry and boysenberry. Fresh and forward, with a lot of fruit and potency.
A ripe, rounded wine, with just some wood. It is soft, with flavors of apricots followed by a fresh acidity and a final waft of tropical fruits and spice.
NQN's Picada 15 line is a consistent source for good value among red wines. This four-grape blend (led by Cabernet Sauvignon) has a slight aroma of burnt leaves and tire rubber, but it settles with air into a good whole. Flavors of sweet berry fruits have an herbal edge, while the mouthfeel and finish are creamy, rich and smooth. Nice wine for the price.
Bright and perfumed while also rich, this is a full-bodied wine. It has spice and pepper that come from its alcohol although everything is kept fresh by the red-currant fruitiness. Drink now.
The Mourvèdre in this ripe wine lends a wonderful spice and herbal character. While the wine is full and rich, it also has a fine refreshing line of raspberry fruit. The wine is ready to drink.
The wine is ripe and bone dry. It has a tight structure, mineral texture and intense acidity. There is a bitter edge in this young wine that will blow away as the ripe white fruit asserts itself. At the end, there is a touch of honey.
Produced from old vines on the Chatelard estate, this wine is smooth, ripe and full of vibrant red fruits. There is a good balance between acidity and rich fruit with just a light core of tannins in the background. Drink now.
In Cahors Tradition means a wine that doesn't go into barrels for aging. That keeps the fruit vibrant and crisp, as it is here. The wine is ripe, full in the mouth with fruit tannins and black-currant acidity. It is a year away from maturity, so drink from 2017.
This wine, with its black fruits and still-firm tannins, is crisp with intense acidity as well as black-currant fruitiness. Its ripe structure suggests the ability to age a little longer, and the wine will be best from 2018.
A blend of Loin de l'Oeil and Sauvignon Blanc has produced a ripe and soft but balanced wine from a vineyard owned by the Wine Museum of Paris. It has refreshing melon and white-plum fruits, and an aromatic character that is rich and full bodied. Drink now.
Assorted aromas of blue, red and black fruit and dried herbs lead to ripe, full-bodied fruit flavors with a lingering finish. Chewy tannins back it, with the volatiles amped up.
Based in Fleurie, this producer has made a wine rich in fruit and tannins. It has a smoky spicy character as well as intense red fruits. It is warm, concentrated and ready to drink.
Floral overtones join ripe pear notes on the nose. The palate comes in with even more generous, juicy pear fruit, the rounded flavors boosted by a little residual sweetness that makes the wine finish off dry.
Gentle notes of creaminess and ripe pears signal a soft, creamy wine with lots of texture and body. The rounded body carries some weight and is edged with a bitter marzipan note. All this is countered by fresh acidity, more creamy, nutty notes and a vanilla finish.
Earth and apple notes unite to make this juicy, fresh and sprightly Riesling. The style is dry, helped by a slight phenolic grip and that characteristic, lime-lemon acidity that brightens everything.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Boushey, Artz and Red Willow vineyards. Aromas of tire rubber, herb and red and black fruit lead to a soft palate backed by fine grained tannins.
This pale peach, lightly bricked wine brings aromas of strawberry and melon rind. It drinks dry with a broad feel and fruit flavors that linger.
Quite light in the glass, this wine leans a tad sweet on the nose, with exuberant apple blossoms, jasmine and banana-chip aromas. There is a chalky tension and pithy grip to the palate, where apple, pear and white-peach flavors trend toward ripe guava.
The wine is built with a tannic structure that gives density. Red fruits vie with the dry tannins and acidity to produce a firm wine that could still age another few months. Drink starting from 2017.
This is a straightforward but tasty red with a nose of vanilla, herbs and blackberry. Flavors of tomato, herbs and blackberry are integrated and finish fresh. A good everyday pour with an exotic flair.
A little bit of the old world mixed in with the new, this elegant North Fork Cab balances lush black-cherry and plum flavors against savory accents of bramble, barnyard and dried porcini. Bright acidity lifts the midpalate and leads a long, delicately tannic finish.
This wine starts out seemingly reduced, with aromas of sulfur and funk in front of berry and smoke. The palate is lightly styled with grainy tannins. There are good things going on if the reduction blows off.
Some earthy tones cling to the ripe pear and peach of this wine. A hint of bitterness on the palate is leavened by a bright, pure streak of lemon on a dry and slender body.
Produced from a small parcel of old vines, this is a crisp and fresh wine. With red-cherry fruit and acidity, it is a bright wine, up-front with its fruitiness and lively aftertaste.
Blended from 70% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre and 12% Grenache, this concentrated refresher offers light, crisp waves of vanilla-cherry, grapefruit and orange. It will remain restrained in the glass if not revelatory in ripe fruit.
Roasted plum and savory meat aromas are more earthy than bright. Creamy and a touch sticky in feel, this deals flavors that follow the nose, including baked plum, pepper and savory notes. On the finish, it's oak and peppery spice in the lead.
A pretty pale peach color, this wine has aromas of cherry, herbs and mineral. It drinks dry with generous, mouthwateringly tart cherry and watermelon flavors.
Aromas of nettle and cactus pad are briny and typical of Leyda SB. This is full in body for Sauvignon Blanc, but balanced by needle-like acidity. Flavors follow the nose, meaning nettle, briny citrus and bell pepper. A long finish is sharp but balanced.
This unoaked Chardonnay showcases delicious pristine mango, peach and apricot flavors. Approachable and uncomplicated, it's a fruit-forward yet refreshingly structured wine for everyday pleasure. Drink now through 2019.
This blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot is dark garnet in the glass, offering a slightly wild nose of blackberry and green pepper. Flavors of cassis, blackberry, toffee and leather are joined by a potent burst of cranberry. Well-integrated flavors continue into the lasting finish, which offers comforting warmth before culminating in a jolt of acidity.
From three vineyard sites, this wine benefits from the skill of its blender, who composed lemon and lime fruit crispness with more sultry full-bodied creaminess to the texture. Apple skin and herb complete the picture, finished off by a lovely accent of subtle spice.
This wine packs a punch of flavor for the price, and is made in large enough quantities to find easily. Vibrant in lemon, lime and mandarin orange, it's smooth, refreshing and delicious.
Made with 100% native grape Carricante, this offers delicate aromas of honeysuckle, broom, brimstone and a note of stone fruit. The vertical palate offers green apple, citrus peel, mineral and rosemary, while aging in casks adds a layer of complexity. It's impeccably balanced with bright acidity.
Raspberry, dark cherry, cola and vanilla aromas are harmonious and introduce a tight, racy, pure palate with toughness and grip. Bold flavors of cassis, cherry, black pepper and vanilla finish with oak-based notes of mocha and vanilla, all pushed to the fore by juicy acidity. Drink through 2019.
Riesling that is just becoming mature is the foundation of this perfumed, white fruit and complex wine. Dried apricot and spice cake flavors give the wine richness and balance the fruitiness that is now maturing. Drink this fine wine now.
Structured and elegant, this opens with aromas of yellow flower, acacia, Mediterranean herb and just a slight whiff of petrol. The palate delivers mature green apple, citrus, mineral, oregano and aniseed balanced by bright acidity.
Intriguing aromas of Spanish broom, hay, mature pear and dried Mediterranean herb carry over to the palate along with green apple and dill. It's balanced and fresh, with a mineral-driven finish.
There's a tinge of caramelized sugar amid ripe yellow peach and apricots in this ripe, yet deftly balanced Riesling. Off dry in style, it has a strike of lemon-lime acidity that jolts the palate from its juicy, fruity ease. It's quaffable but equally penetrating.
This is firmly built for a wine that includes 69% Merlot. Mint and cedar notes emerge on the nose, while the flavors are black cherry and earth. This medium-bodied wine features an attractive licorice note on the finish, and should easily hold through 2020.
The granite soil of the Holder vineyard lends itself to Pinot Gris, allowing the grapes to keep freshness while adding a rich undertow. This wine is full in the mouth, medium sweet in style and generous. It will age over the short-term, so drink from 2016.
Can Paso Robles grow Pinot Noir? This wine suggests yes, at least in the cooler Willow Creek and Templeton Gap zones. This offers aromas of graphite, pomegranate and plums, followed by a palate that blends dark purple fruits with eucalyptus-like herbals. This will be even better with some time in bottle.
Vines more than 40 years old are the backbone of this ripe, concentrated wine. With bergamot and intense spices, it's a rich wine that's already beguiling. Vines from Katzenthal give the mineral edge to this pepper and spice wine that is only just moving towards sweet.
A powerful mix of Cabernet with 10% Petit Verdot, this soft, approachable wine reveals tightly wound layers of cassis, herb and sour cranberry. Dry tannins dominate on the palate and finish, suggesting a decant or airing beforehand.
Great potential is evident in this young wine from a recently planted vineyard. Spicy cranberry and raspberry fruit shines forth, buoyed by natural acidity. The weight and fruit intensity are just right, and the wine shows excellent depth of flavor, with a finishing lick of cocoa.
This homage to Chablis blends fruit from Bentrock (49%), Rita's Crown (22%), Zotovich (14%), Kessler-Haak (8%), Clos Pepe (3%), Esperanza (3%) and Radian (1%) vineyards, delivering tight aromas of yellow flowers and grilled peach. It dances across the tongue with playful, squeezed lemon acidity, showing crushed white rocks and baking soda minerality, and finishing its high tones on a grapefruit pith bitterness.
Peach and apple aromas are clean and fresh. In the mouth, this offers a nice blend of citric acidity and peachy roundness. Flavors of mango, grapefruit and passion fruit finish steady. In general, everything about this Verdejo is easy to like.
Balanced for dinner-time drinking, this lively and concentrated wine has fresh fruit flavors, moderate tannins and good acidity. Raspberry and blackberry notes blend with hints of smoke and black pepper to keep it interesting on the lingering finish.
Aromas recall ripe black fruit and a whiff of game. The round palate offers ripe cherry, graphite, crushed blackberry and touch of white pepper alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2016.
While effortlessly quaffable, this pretty, intensely floral off-dry Riesling also has a polished mineral tone throughout. Plush honeydew and yellow cherry notes are delicately sweet, offset by a revitalizing lime finish.
Made from 60% Inzolia and 40% Catarratto, this thoroughly enjoyable wine delivers aromas of Mediterranean brush and citrus. The tangy sensations carry over to the palate with a blast of nectarine and lemon zest alongside savory saline flavors. Bright acidity gives a crisp finish.
This wine comes from the fourth-generation winemaking family behind Los Angeles' San Antonio Winery, which owns vineyards in Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco. It offers aromas of smoked pork loin and wild berries and is peppery on the palate, with tart raspberry fruit and the driving sense of smoke throughout. The tannins are a bit firm right now, so wait until 2016 or so.
Earthy mineral and forest tones meld seductively in this off-dry Riesling. The palate feels juicy and revitalizing, marked by tangerine sweetness and racy acidity. It finishes lean on a cool, evergreen note.
This wine from the one of the cool appellation's most historic and widely tapped vineyards offers savory aromas of blistered cherry tomatoes, paprika, marjoram, caraway and black pepper, with softer strawberry scents emerging over time. It's light and airy on the nicely flavored palate, with the Eastern European goulash elements prevailing over stewed plums and other cooked red fruits.
Vibrant and savory, this delivers wild cherry, dark raspberry, rosemary, mint and Mediterranean herb flavors alongside firm tannins. It closes on a licorice note.
Attractive aromas of perfumed berry, baking spice, crushed flower and mint waft from the glass. The tight, austere palate offers raw, red berry, thyme, licorice, ground clove, light mineral and oak-driven spice alongside assertive, mouth-puckering tannins that dominate the finish. Drink after 2018.
Aromas of dark berry, anisette, cake spice and licorice carry over to the palate along with firm, austere tannins and a vein of mineral. The lingering finish closes on a note of grilled sage.
With a very light, almost water-like color, this offers expectedly light aromas of honey and a tiny bit of nectarine flesh. It's also quite dainty on the palate, with lemon blossom water elements emerging mid-palate that evolve toward lemon pith, Japanese pear and a lingering finish. Altogether, it's quite interesting.
Herbal aromas of tobacco and grass are light and spicy, reminiscent of Cabernet Sauvignon. A rubbery pinchy palate improves with airing, while this tastes of roasted black fruits and tomato. Herbal peppery chocolaty flavors are nice on the finish.
Dull and reduced on the nose, this wine grows earthy and hearty in the glass as it opens, offering a mix of leather, black pepper, coffee and baked plum flavors.
The old-vines Linda vineyard Malbec is a particular wine, one that shows a high herbal, almost weedy nose that's heavy with tomato leaf. This is choppy and bumpy on the palate. Spicy red-berry and tomato flavors finish with pulling tannins and a lasting herbal character.
Delicate varietal aromas including elderflower, grapefruit and tomato vine follow over to the bright, linear palate. A hint of graphite lends interest to the crisp finish.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah and smaller amounts of Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot shows prominent black cherry, cedar and licorice flavors, along with a streak of tobacco. Full bodied and moderate in acidity, it finishes simply.
Pristine lime zest and lemon notes add lift to rounded apple and nectarine flavors on the palate of this full-bodied richly textured Riesling. There's a weightiness on the midpalate but the finish is refreshing and crisp.
Subdued orchard fruit and white flower aromas lead the nose while the somewhat lean palate offers crisp red apple, crushed stone and chestnut notes. Zesty acidity gives it a fresh finish.
Barrel notes of vanilla, baking spice and dill are at the fore, with dark fruit lurking in the background. The palate brings lingering creamy-feeling fruit and barrel flavors. It provides appeal but the oak seems too forward.
This bold densely structured Chardonnay suggests notes of candied orange peel, preserved apple and pears accented with caramel and sweet spice. Delicate acidity accentuates a warm spicy finish.
Any winemaker will tell you how difficult it is to make Pinot Noir in large volumes, so this is a notable achievement. Delicate herb and cherry aromas pick up vanilla shadings on the palate, then finish with a silky texture and a hint of tomato leaf. 10,000 cases imported.
In almost any other producer's lineup, this would be deemed a success, but in the context of Rippon's exalted reputation, this is a bit of a disappointment. Ripe pear, melon and citrus flavors are off dry and marked by floral notes, finishing clean and mouthwatering, but don't have much of the expected complexity.
Tomato and plum aromas are savory and spicy, with raw oak notes that don't shy away. This blend of Cabernet and Tempranillo feels crisp, dry, exact and tight. Flavors of foresty berry fruits are herbal and spicy, while this feels firm across the finish.
Pressed Spanish broom, citrus zest and almond aromas lead the nose of this wine. On the lively palate, a lemon drop hint accents pink grapefruit and yellow apple notes. It's vibrant, with racy acidity.
Dark toast and savory dried herbs persist from nose to finish on this barrel-fermented barrel-aged Chardonnay. Zesty lemon and green-apple notes on the midpalate are delicate in concentration but elegant and refreshing.
This concentrated blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc is anchored elegantly by a backbone of crisp red-currant acidity. It's an herbal, fresh red framed by firm fine-grained tannins. The finish is lean and lingering.
Light to medium in body, crisp and grassy in style, this is a solid choice for the money. Pineapple and passion fruit peek through the herbal overtones. Drink now.
Aromas of baking spice, herb, vanilla, wood spice and cherry lead to lightly sweet fruit flavors. The oak is overwhelming, making the variety hard to find.
This syrupy, dense red exhibits tobacco and root beer flavors, framed with chunky tannins. Blackberry and black current fruit barely show through its leathery texture and profound weight.
This is the first Cabernet Sauvignon release from Meomi founder Joe Wagner. Sourced from vineyards across the appellation, it shows simple yet focused dark cherry and chocolate flavors, dusty tannin and subtle oak, within a framework of moderate acidity and ripeness.
Juicy cranberry and pie cherry fruit brings this wine into clear focus. There is an underpinning of wet cement that comes across in the mid-palate, a sort of a stone wall that the fruit can't quite overcome. It fades into an astringent, tannic finish, still buoyed by those juicy acids.
The lightest wine from the 500-year-old Stadt Krems winery. It has an attractive edge of spice to go with its apple and cream texture. Not for aging, but a delicious apéritif wine.
Dark hints of charred oak and cola accent bright berry aromas, while the palate is marked by bold berry and black cherry flavors and a whack of vanilla. It's a medium-bodied red that comes across as a bit hard-edged because of its acidity despite having rather soft tannins. Drink now.
A mongrel blend of Syrah, Sangiovese, Grenache and Cabernet Franc, this fruity red has a sweet core of blueberry jam, round and forward and quite appealing. It's dusted with baking spices and fades gently into a soft finish. Hard to imagine a more agreeable bottle of Washington red at this price.
A perfect balance of watermelon and strawberry fruit flavors introduce this lovely rosé. It's bone dry and as perfect a companion to your holiday turkey as your mid-summer picnic.
Simple and easy to like, with cassis and cherry aromas along with a hint of earth, moss and leather. The palate is fresh, juicy and healthy, with clean, regular raspberry and ripe currant flavors. And the finish is long and mildly toasty. Good, presentable and ready to drink.
Despite being six years old, this is still kicking. The nose is raw and stewy, but it's also ripe and rubbery, with cassis and berry aromas. The palate is thick, bulky and chunky, with heavy, chewy berry fruit flavors in front of a slightly baked finish. One-dimensional but not bad for Argentine Cab.
The light and soft bouquet offers faint glimmers of fresh-cut grass and tart green berries. More of the same unfolds in the mouth, with lime citrus and green gooseberry leading through to the crisp finish.
A lean, austere wine with a mineral character over the berry fruit and acidity. That said, there is a warm layer of acidity and spice that is now coming to maturity in the firm structure.
Slightly earthy and herbal smelling but with enough clean fruit on the nose to make the grade. The palate is fairly flush, with blackberry, baked notes and bitter chocolate flavors. Fleshy and warm overall, with a thick finish that's lightly peppery and toasty.
Mostly Merlot, with Syrah and Cab Franc filling in the rest, this pleasant, everyday red has forward, clean, but simple fruit flavors. It adds light streaks of vanilla, cut leaf, and a suggestion of moist earth. A good companion for a simple burger.
Fresh and juicy, this easy-drinking blend provides simple mint and cassis aromas and flavors at a reasonable price, with just enough structure to stand up to burgers and the like. Drink now–2013.
A touch sharp with prominent acidity and soft tannins in the mouth. Tart dried cherry, raspberry and plum fill palate, with a clean, medium-length finish sealing the experience. Drink now.
A chocolaty frame wraps around the tightly wound cherry-fruit core. There are delicious seams of coffee, vanilla and caramel, along with notes of tea and tobacco. It's fully accessible and intriguingly complex.
This 100% varietal wine is velvety and dense in all the right ways, striking a balance between fruit-forwardness and savory coomplexity. Blackberry, blueberry and coffee flavors lead the palate, highlighted in supple tannin.
Dusty mocha scents meet cedar and herb in this dense, full-bodied wine. Spicy acidity keeps it fresh on the palate, with a zing of clove, cinnamon and black pepper.
Made in a convincing dry style, this medium-bodied wine starts off with hints of lime and kerosene, then adds peach kernel and citrus flavors on the smooth-textured palate. Finishes long.
From a high-elevation, steeply sloped site, this lovely, balanced wine offers a wealth of white pepper, garrigue and blueberry aromas, hitting all the marks of cool-climate character. Dense and smooth, it reveals smoke and game elements as it unwinds toward the spicy finish.
This is sourced from a longstanding, well-respected vineyard, and it does the windswept, foggy site justice. Tightly woven and youthful, it shows broad, juicy black cherry, wild strawberry, baking spice, compost and brawny oak flavors.
Like so many wines from this site, this is explosive and powerfully rich, yet a lurking acidity keeps it fresh and in check. Notes of cedar, dried herb and pencil shavings meet integrated oak and firm tannin, as brambly blackberry and blueberry flavors linger with clove-tinged spice on the finish.
Oaky aromas of maple, blackberry and chimney grit set up a raw tannic palate. This tastes toasty and oaky, but with enough black-fruit flavor to support all that wood. Mild herb and spice flavors mix with tea and berry notes on the finish of this off-vintage Tempranillo. Drink through 2022.
This limited cuvée is made from the smallest block at the estate vineyard. It's entirely hand-farmed, with stem-driven savory notes around strawberry fruit. There's a sense of a slightly metallic minerality threading through, with drying tannins.
Pressed yellow flower, flint and Mediterranean herb aromas fuse with citrus zest and a balsamic note. The round, savory palate doles out ripe apricot, creamy pear and juicy nectarine flavors, tangy acidity carrying a bitter almond tone long into the finish.
Dark red cherry and baked red currant fruit meet a slightly meaty aroma on the tangy nose of this bottling from Chuck Carlson. It's lively on the palate, with punchy acidity and grippy texture, showing dried herb and tart red fruit flavors, making a strong case for growing Cabernet Franc in the region.
Rich and creamy poached pear, banana and coconut aromas show in a ripe but not overdone way in this blend of 46% Roussanne, 37% Marsanne and 17% Viognier. There is a strong textural grip to the palate, focusing its apple, cherimoya and lemon peel flavors.
The aromas are locked up at present, with notes of barrel spice, clove, herb and brooding dark fruit. The fruit and barrel flavors are concentrated and tightly wound. The oak is predominant at present. Give it some time in the cellar to strut its stuff. Best after 2022.
Organic Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat give this wine both its great fruit and its structure. It is a densely tannic wine with a solid core that then bursts out with black-currant and black-plum fruits. Intense acidity partners the concentrated fruit. Drink from 2020.
Two-thirds of this wine is Malbec and one-third is Merlot. Aromas of asphalt, plum and orange rind lead to a palate that possesses a lovely sense of balance and length.
Unconventional but outstanding, this wine is an earthy throwback to an earlier era, from its light, brownish color to its dried leaf, rhubarb and wet earth aromas to its lean but complex red cherry, rhubarb and cranberry flavors. Wild yeast and wild bacteria were used for the primary and malolactic fermentations, respectively.
Bright sparks of red currant, black cherry and cassis provide this full-bodied wine with a juicy, rounded personality. Bold tannins frame its dense layers of fruit, complemented by sultry, gamy meat and smoke accents.
The style of all the Craggy Range reds has evolved in recent vintages to reflect greater elegance and length. This is a medium-bodied red, supple and immediately approachable, filled with cherries, plums and vanilla and graced with a subtle floral note. Drink now–2025.
This is a pristinely fruity yet vivacious sparkling rosé. It's deft in body and scintillatingly crisp, offering layers of tart red-apple and raspberry flavors. Fine delicate froth and persistent bubbles set it apart, as does its long sugar-cookie finish.
Berry and black-plum aromas are dense. This wine from silt (limo) soils feels a bit tannic and rugged. Flavors of plum and berry fruits are spicy, while the finish is savory tasting and long, with moderate complexity. Drink through 2021.
This is an attractive, fruity wine, with citrus and creamed apple flavors. It is light and fragrant, with apricots and white fruits that pair with the crisp finish.
The grapes used for this estate-grown Cabernet are sourced from younger vines. Round and full, the wine seems to have spent a fair amount of time in barrel, showing pretty baking spices along with tangy fruit.
This is round, while also having a mineral edge. Apple and wood flavors power through the crispness, along with a charming touch of honey. For short-term aging.
Green herbs and grass add freshness to the sweet aromas of quince and peach preserves on this interpretation of the Georgian Rkatsiteli grape. Intense fruit flavors persist on the palate, highlighted by lemon-lime acidity and lime-pith astringency.
This is a dominated by new wood, but it still retains fragrant, fresh fruit. A touch of lemon pairs with the toast note, bearing refreshing acidity on the finish.
Honeyed in character, this has notes of toast, sweet tropical fruit and lemon, with light acidity. The wine feels warm, ripe, open and drinkable now.
Off-dry and loaded with flavors of lemon, honey and tea, this is a rather fleshy Riesling. The almost 2% residual sugar leads into a slightly sweet finish.
Whiffs of smoke and spice introduce heady aromas of white flower, lychee and stone fruit. The attack is sweet, with flavors of ripe melon and peach candy, but it tapers elegantly to a dry finish that's marked with hints of grape-skin astringency.
Made from estate-grown fruit sourced high in the Sierra Foothills, this is a black, true-to-type Petite Sirah. It's packed with dusty coffee, chocolate and tobacco.
This is rich and rounded, touched by a note of vanilla that softens the natural texture and acidity. It's ripe yet still with refreshing, with juicy acidity on the finish. Age this for a year for even better drinkability.
This is comprised of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Syrah, 5% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, with much of the fruit sourced from Mendocino and Lake counties. While its aromatically strong in Syrah, the wine's flavors lean more toward Cabernet, with cola, spice and black fruit notes atop layers of softened tannins. The finish is Rhône-like: meaty, with a strong dash of pepper.
A five-grape Bordeaux-style blend, this has a scent of rose water that drifts above earthier notes and tart berry flavors. Tight and focused, it finishes with a lick of cola and espresso.
Made in a more extracted, fuller style, this is overwhelmingly earthy and intensely aromatic. Its time in oak has not quite shaken off entirely, and its fruit expression veers on the darker side, with notes of black cherries and blueberries standing out the most. An herbal aura lingers around.
Restrained, rather savory aromas of dill, fennel, apple and saline are some of the many nuances of this dry yet surprisingly supple Riesling. The palate boasts notes of bright apple, lime juice and lime skin, highlighted by a rich, minerally sheen.
This is very spicy and smooth, with floral accents and a plummy core. It drinks well, although the finish fades rather quickly. A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Syrah and Cabernet Franc filling in the rest.
Structured and firm, this has perfumed acids and solid tannins. A fruity character surfaces, lending a round finish.
A new wine from La Clarine Farm, this is a blend of 37% Sémillon, 32% Viognier and 31% Marsanne. Unusual to say the least, it bears an interesting melange of herbs, flowers, pears and honey, finishing light and inviting to drink. The minerality in particular shines through, making this easy to pair with a wide range of appetizers and seafood.
Perfumed, with a rich texture and smoky flavors this wine has density and concentration. Aged for 16 months in large wooden barrels, the wine has spice, red-berry fruits and young tannins waiting to be aged. Drink from 2019.
This mature Muscadet is one that is in peak condition. In losing its youthful acidity, it has gained a depth of flavor and ripe apple and pear fruits that give it intensity as well as a strongly perfumed character. Drink this wine now.
Creamed apple aromas shine out of this intensely fruity wine. With its ripe pear and melon flavors and the concentration from the old vines, the wine is rich while keeping plenty of acidity in reserve. Its fruit is still young, still perfumed. The wine is ready to drink.
A compact bouquet with dense aromas of leafy berry fruits and compost is not entirely fresh and pure. On the palate, this is packed with pulpy fruit, but there's isn't much nuance. Short, stocky berry, plum and spice flavors finish fleshy but a touch leafy and abrasive. Drink through 2028.
Beautifully polished, this wine has an alluring blend of fruit and spice flavors and an especially lush texture. The bouquet evokes violets, raspberries and blueberries, and the palate goes deeper into blackberry and clove flavors. The balance is great because it matches its acidity with a feeling of richness and length.
This is a complex, muscular wine, with good aging potential. The nose carries a whiff of animal (in a good way) and the black fruits are buoyed with generous acidity. Drink 2020–2028.
This Pinotage-based blend, with 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot, opens with intense aromas of boysenberry, blackberry and plum that are hit with earthy accents of tree bark, balsamic herbs and cigar. The fruity concentration continues through to the rich, plush palate, framed by bold tannins that lend overall balance and structure. Final notes of cocoa nib, toasted spice and charred earth grace the long finish.
Crushed minerals and steel reverberate amidst concentrated lime and lemon in this racy, laser-edged Riesling. Dry and taut on the palate, it finishes long with spine tingling acidity and revitalizing tangs of mineral intensity.
A wonderful bouquet, like that of a well-aged wine, helps this spicy, fruity bottling stand out. It has gorgeous floral, tamarind and cola aromas, generous fruity flavors and a smooth, lightly tannic texture. An unusual and delicious twist on the variety.
Cola, black cherry, nutmeg and spicy vanilla show on the nose of this blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 25% Sangiovese and 25% Merlot, which winemaker Angela Soleno ages in bottle before releasing. The palate is framed by sticky tannins and offers dried black currant, black and green olive, clove and sarsaparilla flavors.
Fresh-roasted coffee notes emerge on the nose of this thick, concentrated mountain wine, with a dark dose of toasty oak. Extracted flavors of black, smoky fruit give it heft and full-bodied richness.
Dry, earthy plum, cherry, tomato and leather aromas are fresh but also a touch hard and harsh. This cement-egg-fermented Cab Franc features a medium body and cutting acidity. Raw red-plum and red-berry flavors finish tight, crisp and short. Drink this juicy, monoline red through 2020.
This very fresh and lively wine shows tart black currant, black plum and candied black cherry aromas, as well as elegant hints of lilac and potpourri. That purple flower note fuels the palate, with more lilac and lavender, and the structure is quite firm for its relatively light weight.
This especially ripe and deep style of Barbera grown at the Miraflores property looks quite dark, smells like dried fruit and tastes rich and full-bodied. It has admirable concentration, a smooth and layered texture and good length on the finish.
Bright and fruity, this blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Counoise and Syrah shows strawberry, pomegranate, hibiscus, rose, sumac and fennel scents on the nose. A fennel element plays on the palate as well, alongside cranberry, raspberry and turned earth flavors.
An opaque black color and gritty aromas of toast and tar announce a dense, saturated, warm-vintage Garnacha Tintorera that's pumping with herbal blackberry notes. A pinching, tannic finish is a bit abrasive, while this tastes of peppery black fruits, while the savory, oaky finish with stewed, gamy notes is intense. Drink through 2020.
Luscious green plum and white grapefruit flavors mark this taut, steely off-dry Riesling. While light in body, it's creamy in texture, filling the mouth with juicy fruit flavors off set by zesty, lime-inflected acidity. The finish is long and persistent.
The vineyard is in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, and here it yields an aromatic wine, with inviting suggestions of buttery cherry pie. It also offers blueberries, a touch of light herb and a deliciously smooth mouthfeel.
An almost exotic tinge of guava and lime plays on the nose. The palate majors on expressive, aromatic notes of lemon and green orange peel, supported by a fine, frothy mousse and dollop of stone-fruit richness. Made from Riesling grown in the coolest part of the Wachau, this wine is unusual but utterly moreish with a fruity but dry finish.
Made entirely from Dijon clones to emphasize the fruit from this site, this wine is voluptuous in style, with a backbone of caramelized apple and pear flavor. Fig and quince contribute secondary characteristics of rounded richness, as a bite of salty lime marks the finish.
Black pepper scents meet very ripe berry and cherry aromas in this full-bodied, flavorful wine. It has broad texture, moderate tannins and acidity, and lots of concentration. Saturated with fruit, its ripness keeps unfolding on the finish.
Well-polished and well-structured, this deep-colored, full-bodied wine blends ripe blackberry and black cherry notes with sophisticated oak nuances reminiscent of cardamom, cinnamon and wood smoke. The texture is firmly tannic and nicely supports the unusually generous fruit flavors.
Zestier and more herbaceous than Thörle's other Spätburgunder bottlings, this bristling red offers loads of cool, crisp black cherry and cranberry flavors. Hints of smoked nut and mint lend depth to the mid palate, augmented by fine-grained, persistent tannins. It's a penetrating wine that still needs time but should improve through 2025.
Flavors of ripe pear and lime juice make this wine both full in the mouth and crisp. There is an apple skin-like texture to this wine that is ready to drink.
This blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Carignan starts off tight and firm, but with time it reveals attractive aromas and flavors of small red berries and plums accented by garrigue and a hint of sweet woody smoke. It's firmly structured, with gripping tannins and a faint cocoa accent to the dry finish.
This wine heads the range of good value wines under the Monte Alentejano name. It has some weight and a tangy, structured character, and has not lost its black-plum flavors. Drink now.
Starts off with wet stone and lime aromas, then folds in Granny Smith flavors on the palate, giving it just the right mix of mineral, citrus and apple. It's lightweight but potent, with a lean but wiry frame. Drink now–2018.
Shy and clean on the nose, which offers up only mild grapefruit and lime. The feel is tight and stony, with pithy citrus and green apple flavors. Leans towards green and herbaceous on the finish, but never fully goes green while maintaining clarity and crispness.
On the light side for a reserve, this nicely balanced, elegant wine is from the southwest block of the estate vineyard. Red berries and pomegranate fruit, moderate acidity, smooth tannins and a full middle are the hallmarks. With a little decanting, it's ready to go.
In the full style of an Alentejo white, this is packed with flavors of tropical fruit and yellow stone fruit. Its richness is balanced by a good crisp line of citrusy acidity that yields a harmonious whole.
Round and grassy smelling, but turning more pungent and pointed with airing. Shows good grip and a slight spritz on the palate in front of grassy, green flavors of lime, bell pepper and tarragon. Pithy on the finish, where jalapeño and white-pepper notes rise up and take over.
A soft, fruity wine, with spice, strawberry and currant flavors. It has a warm, open feel, with a hint of tannin. Its name refers to the winding Douro River Valley.
Done half in stainless and half in barrel, this soft and supple wine boasts grapefruity acids and lightly buttery pear-flavored fruit. Medium long, fresh and complex, with a parting kiss of cinnamon spice.
Floral red-fruit aromas get heavier with airing. Feels thick and full, with soft tannins and mild acidity. Tastes oaky but not overoaked, with caramel, vanilla and standard red-berry and plum flavors. A touch stewy on the finish, with a resiny oak flavor hanging in there.
The Clifton is holding back at the moment, its tannins feel a little scrapey and the fruit is showing a cool-climate aspect, although the Wahluke is generally one of Washington's hot spots. Gravelly and dry, with a long finish that somehow holds your interest long after the fruit has faded.
Big and dark, with firm black cherry and blackberry aromas. Offers size, structure and crispness in the mouth, with driving, muscled flavors of cherry, black plum and integrated oak. Spicy and dry on the back end, with more than a hint of vanilla.
This is an unusual mix of both Rhône and Bordeaux grapes—46% Mourvèdre, 19% Syrah, 13% Cabernet, 11% Grenache, 7% Merlot and 4% Malbec. It comes together in a somewhat diffuse red with good balance, good fruit and highlights of barrel and spice. Very tasty, just not particularly focused.
Dusty and yeasty on the nose, with nectarine and peach aromas. The palate is dry and crisp, with green apple, green melon and powdered spice flavors. It's long, linear and dusty on the finish, with white pepper notes. Finely textured and fairly elegant.
Unlike most Costières de Nîmes, this is 95% Grenache, giving it a round, expansive mouthfeel and soft tannins. Warm baking spices complement black cherry fruit. Drink now–2015.
An eminently quaffable style of Gewürztraminer, this puts the fresh fruit flavors front and center, with floral highlights enriching the nose and the finish. Crisp and clean, it sings out for pad Thai.
Gold in color and loaded with heavily toasted, resiny barrel aromas. The palate is lush and Burgundian, with lemon, baked apple, woodspice and white pepper flavors. Toasty and well structured for a barrel-fermented Spanish white.
A lot is going on up front; there's cassis, raisin, prune and dill aromas. Medium to full in the mouth, with lively berry, plum and spice flavors. Not too sweet and fairly long and earthy on the finish. A pure example of Rioja Reserva.
This is Diemersfontein's “Original Chocolate/Coffee Pinotage,” made in a very modern style to show the maximum mocha expression possible. Insanely assertive notes reminiscent of a mocha latte are supported by secondary accents of caramel, baked black berries and raspberry sauce. Round and lush, this is one for the hedonists.
NH is making a heritage blend here from 50% Carignane, 30% Zinfandel from the Big John Vineyard and 20% Petite Sirah from Dalton Vineyard, all grown in Calaveras County. Superfull in body and texture, the blend is high in ripe raspberry and plum, Zin-spicy with savory cedar and smokiness too.
People will love this Cab Sauvignon-Merlot blend (60%-40%) that's got bright red fruit, mostly cherry and raspberry, finished with a tinge of cocoa.
Simple and airy on the nose, with melon, apple and citrus notes. It's spritzy, healthy and citrusy in the mouth, with comfortable, familiar pineapple and melon flavors. Holds steady on the finish. Very nice for immediate drinking.
With some firm tannins and considerable red fruit juiciness, this is a wine that combines a good fruity character with a solid structure. The balancing side is the acidity and very fresh finish.
Gianelli's first attempt with this Italian variety is all that one expects from an Aglianico that is meant to be deep, dark and dense, all chocolate and cherries, tight yet bright. Save it a few years for when you're next having osso bucco.
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.
Mild hints of tropical fruit are less than convincing. The palate on this Sauvignon Blanc is round, weighty and offers quiet flavors of melon and spiced apple. The finish remains soft and a touch bitter.
Dry, leafy, herbal aromas open this wine. The palate is full and ripe in feel, with amplified extraction and herbal, leafy flavors of spiced plum and mild acidity. Things wane on the finish, which is heavy in feel but mostly just ripe and rich.
This lightly oxidized Chard is powdery but not entirely fresh, as it shows aromas of pool water and mealy melon. The palate is chunky and just O.K. in feel, while fleshy flavors of melon and peach end briny and mildly bitter.
This odd blend of Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Sirah and Zinfandel is earthy and mulchy on the nose, with coffee and compost aromas. It never finds much freshness as the flavors suggest compost and leafiness.
A warm year ripens the fruit well at this cool climate site; so well that it's just on the edge of raisiny. There are mixed flavors of Bourbon-soaked raisins, plum pudding and coffee liqueur; the barrels show more strongly than the fruit, at least for now.
This is the first Tempranillo from Zefina (just 60 cases made) from vines planted at the Alder Ridge vineyard in 1999. It is soft, fruity and dark, with some pretty spice showing in the nose. There are attractive floral notes, sweet herbs and a mix of light red fruits to follow. The tannins are soft and the acids are well under control, leading into a lightly chocolaty finish.
It's forward and dark, with plenty of ripe berries and baking spices filling the nose. The fruit turns tart and tannic in the mouth, but the wine retains its balance and the tannins have been well managed, retaining some earthy underpinnings.
It is solid and somewhat tannic, with chewy fruit flavors of green banana and white peach, along with details of citrus rind. Nicely balanced, it carries just a hint of barrel toast into the finish, which holds steady through a long, slow fade.
Slightly more graceful and elegant than the same winery's Mathilde Reserve, which comes across as a bit chunky and oaky. This wine features cherry and vanilla notes, with a slightly creamy, easy-to-like texture in the mouth.
Crisper and leaner than the current style in Marlborough, the tart berry fruit really shines in this offering from a winery named for a nearby satellite listening post. Finishes with tangy cranberry flavors and a touch of dusty tannin.
Raspberry and cherry aromas are light and pleasing, while the palate exhibits those same friendly and inviting raspberry flavors along with some citrus. A fresh and clean wine, nothing more or less. But it manages to rise above the masses via its focus, length and purity.
Some diesel and cracker on the nose, along with the usual Gewürztraminer mix of citrus and soap. The fruit is substantial and fills out the midpalate, offering peaches, apricots, suggestions of papaya and some crisp, apple acids. In keeping with past vintages, this new release is finished at just under 3% residual sugar. It should stand up nicely to spicy noodle dishes.
Unusually supple for Fromm, but still featuring a heavy overlay of toasty, cedary oak. If you don't mind that in your Pinot, you may like this even more, because it does offer ripe cherry-berry flavors underneath. Drink over the near term.
Entirely varietal and estate-grown, this big-bottled wine offers a welcome taste of berry pie dusted in cinnamon and clove, the oak sturdy and sweet in vanilla. Luxuriously smooth, the texture is velvety and lush, like a river of dark chocolate. It ends in a flash of black pepper.
This is a remarkable effort at the price, the wine sourced from Beckstoffer-owned sites in Carneros. Apple, peach and lemon highlight an integrated, vibrantly fresh experience on the palate, which lingers and impresses long after the finish.
This Premier Cru vineyard lies north of the Grand Crus, with a west-facing exposure. It has yielded a wine with soft, generous floral character, ripe yellow fruit and a crisp, mineral edge. Finely sculpted and ageworthy, it will be best from 2019.
This refreshing wine comes from one of the Premier Cru sites on the north-facing bank of the Serein river. It's structured, tight and full of fine acidity and grapefruit and crisp apple flavors. Its texture and mineral character will allow it to age. Drink from 2019.
Ripe black-fruit aromas are the foundation of a complete heady nose that also includes balsam wood, tobacco, orange peel and especially chocolate. A round full voluminous palate deals woody spicy flavors of herbal berry and cassis, while this is fully ripe, oaky and long on the finish. Drink this ripe, thick Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend now through 2022.
Unctuous, with a profound sense of the salty sea, this wine is both rich and bright, balanced between crisp, defined acidity and complex depth of flavor. Lemon verbena and quince compete against a more nuanced, satisfying bite of caramelized pear as the finish refreshes.
Enticing scents of blue flower, woodland berry, moist earth and chopped herb lift out of the glass. The elegant palate delivers juicy black cherry, raspberry, star anise and cinnamon set against a backbone of firm but refined tannins. It's impeccably balanced, with bright acidity. Hold for even more complexity and to let the tannins unwind. Drink 2020–2033.
Brooding black currant, blackberry pie aromas meet with clove, sweet tobacco, black tea and hot cola on the nose of this blend of 49% Grenache, 27% Syrah and 24% Mourvèdre from the Coastview, Antle and Brosseau vineyards. There is candied Concord grape fruit to the energetic, light-on-its-feet sip, along with bay leaf, sage, marjoram and thyme.
This is a hugely structured and concentrated wine, the double plusses marked on barrel selections meant to call out the best of the best. Herbal, it offers complex characteristics of dried herb, cedar and leather, with a big grip of tannin tenacious on the palate and peppery finish.
This celebration of legendary Jerry Lohr's 80th birthday is a winner on all fronts. A zesty, uplifting nose of blackberry, cola, licorice, leather and clay leads into a cohesively woven palate of soy, shiitake dust, roast beef and dark chocolate. The acidity is well-measured, the tannins are chalky and grippy and it's powerful without being flashy.
This is one of a collection of Champagnes tasted and approved by a group of growers under the Special Club label. With a predominance of Chardonnay, it's still crisp and fruity, showing rich apple and pear flavors. Its citrusy acidity gives it lift, slowing any signs of maturity. It will continue to age gracefully but is delicious now.
Spiced plum, blue flower, vanilla, French oak and balsamic aromas lead the way on this firmly structured red. Full-bodied and elegant, the youthful, enveloping palate evokes blackberry, black cherry, pipe tobacco and ground clove framed in tightly knit fine-grained tannins. Drink 2020–2032.
This is a remarkably well-priced yet classic Mosel-style beerenauslese. It's deeply concentrated with unctuous honey and peach flavors, dusted with a veil of pollen and crushed minerals. It's effortlessly spry yet electric on the palate, with a high-toned lemon-lime finish.
There's a feral quality to this bottling by the trio of Brandon Sparks-Gillis and John and Steve Dragonette that makes it fascinating. Aromas of dark cranberry and rose petal meet up with funkier game and composting flowers on the nose. There is strong ginger and mace spice on the sip, giving intrigue to the light strawberry, red plum and pomegranate fruits.
Sunbaked soil, new leather, forest floor and a balsamic note are some of the aromas you'll find on this. The smooth elegantly structured palate delivers morello cherry, black raspberry, dried herb, licorice and tobacco while fine-grained tannins provide polished support.
Perfumed blossom and apricot aromas are especially appealing here. Dry in style, with a plush pink grapefruit palate, the wine's sharp acidic edges lend verve. The finish is long, marked by a cool, mineral tang. Delicious already, it should hold well through 2025.
Made with 100% dried Zibibbo grapes, this elegant dessert wine offers intense aromas of ripe apricot, lemon jam and acacia honey. The fresh balanced palate doles out juicy layers of tangerine zest, candied fig and a touch of cinnamon.
This aromatic brooder shows notes of dark cherry, barrel spice, pencil lead, vanilla and herb, along with a light floral note. The palate has nuance and detail with balance that is impressive. Give it some time in the cellar to strut its stuff. Best after 2023.
From a 16-year-old vineyard 2,200 feet up on the eastside of the Salinas Valley, this bottling offers fresh raspberry juice along with touches of bay leaf, pine and incense, like a morning walk through the forest. There is sizzling acidity at the start of the sip, which carries light, bright and tangy strawberry flavors along with more forest floor touches. The structure is upright but light.
This 100% varietal wine is a blend of fruit from Grand Ciel (42%), Upchurch (31%), Ciel du Cheval (19%) and Klipsun vineyards. Wound-up aromas of black cherry and barrel spice are followed by pitch-black-fruit flavors, with the tannins combed to a fine sheen. It flat out impresses.
Ultraripe aromas of blackberry, cassis, raisin, tobacco and vanilla lead to a plush flush palate with kick-ass tannins. This tastes of baked blackberry, cassis and chocolate, while the finish is stout and dense as a brick. If you like full-bodied, ripe and saturated reds, this was made for you. Drink through 2025.
Given extended time on lees to add richness and texture, this wine succeeds on every level, showing a brightly exotic nose of floral citrus before allowing nuanced layers of spicy nutmeg, grapefruit, fig and fennel to slow dance on the palate. Rich, it retains enough acidity to remain fresh and lively.
A longstanding estate wine inspired by the producer's Spanish heritage, this shows bright, measured acidity and stainless-steel fermentation, remaining fresh and fleshy in the glass in its offerings of green apple, lime and peach. Thirst-quenching, the fruit flavors are complemented by floral notes of jasmine.
Stark lime and lime pith tones lend invigorating balance to this piercingly sweet mélange of tangerine, peach and melon flavors. It's gorgeously fruity but anchored by laser-like precision. Delicious now but should improve through 2030.
A blend from several of the producer's finest vineyards, including Georganne, Flax, Olivet Lane and Klopp, this offers complex notes of smoky lavender and licorice. Velvety texture underlies mouth-coating flavors of blackberry jam, pomegranate and cardamom, finishing tartly in acidity.
A note of char greets the nose before this full-bodied and robustly ripe wine shows a softness of texture and wrapped-in tannin. Smoky black cherry continues the theme, while layers of plum, mocha and currant interweave on the palate, lingering in black pepper and clove.
This is an inaugural release from this site, an ocean-viewing, high-elevation perch overlooking the Pacific Ocean that loves the variety. A sanguine element rides a canopy of dense, thick forest floor and dark cherry compote, the tannins and oak sizable and present. A length of cardamom provides a memorable spiciness to the finish.
Floral and fruity, this opens with aromas of yellow wild flower and ripe orchard fruit. The bright rounded palate offers mature yellow apple, yellow pear and a hint of candied lemon drop alongside fresh acidity.
Composed on the nose, this has a berry aroma and a controlled herbal-olive scent. It feels solid and round, with berry and herb flavors. The finish shows a hint of oak and chocolate.
This needs decanting, but after some air this Pinotage—a rarity in California—bears aromas of dark plum, cherry and leather pouch, followed by a deep root-beer note. Strong in flavor and body, the finish veers bitter before righting itself back on course.
Simple, forward flavors of vanilla syrup and fresh-cut tobacco seem to define the Milbrandt lineup. A tart berry flavor and chocolaty tannins make for a supple, flavorful Merlot.
This medium-weight selection offers concentrated aromas and flavors of black currant and blackberry laced with accents of pepper and earthy spice. There's a bit of bite to the moderate tannins, while hints of tobacco leaf and cocoa nib spice up the finish.
A crowd-pleasing Barbera full of muted dark fruit, leathery aromas accented by cherry cola and blue and blackberry flavors that's soft and drinkable and packed with acidity.
Produced from estate-grown fruit, this also includes 10% Petit Verdot. A tart raspberry flavor fades into a light finish, with streaks of tobacco and vanilla that are bolstered with generous natural acidity.
Cherry and black fruit aromas are capped by a rubbery note. It feels juicy and fresh, with raspberry, red plum and vanilla flavors. Drying but fresh and nice on the finish.
A firm, dry textured wine, with tannins that are now losing more fruity character. It needs at least an hour in a decanter to show its more balanced nature. Ready to drink.
Smooth and structured, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot opens with intense aromas of ripe blackberry, red currant, exotic spice, menthol, blue flower and a hint of grilled bell pepper. The dense, concentrated palate offers juicy black cherry, raspberry, vanilla, mocha, Asian spice and a hint of game alongside velvety tannins that give it a polished texture.
Black-cherry fruit shows on the nose of this bottling by Silicon Valley veterans T.J. and Valeta Rodgers, but it is deftly hidden behind layers of earth and herbs, from dark clay and black pepper to budding violets and rosemary. The acidity is slowly simmering on the palate, unleashing flavors of dark chocolate, cinnamon, more rosemary, blackberry and pencil-lead minerality.
Deliciously varietal in its huge offering of white pepper and robust black and blue fruit, this well-crafted wine boasts a lithe texture that invites sip after sip. It remains light footed throughout the palate, yet with enough complexity and balancing weight before the refined finish gives a final hit of juiciness.
Vinha Paz is the property of surgeon, António Canto Moniz, who decided to produce wine on his family farm in the 1990s. This latest vintage of the Reserva is intense, dense, and concentrated while never losing sight for an instant of the structure and texture of the finest Dão wines. Dark berry fruits are sustained by tannins, wood aging and final acidity. Keep this wine until 2020.
This gorgeous, full-bodied and compelling wine is made from 84% Chardonnay and 16% Pinot Noir. It has a rich golden color, slightly earthy aromas, plus bread dough and white-peach scents that lead to very opulent, sophisticated and nicely aged flavors that range from toasted walnut to honeyed peach to white pepper. While it's already nine years old, this will easily age through 2022.
The Novak family continue to produce an understated style of gorgeous Cabernet year in and year out. This vintage provides a fine example, a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, all from the historic, 40-acre estate. Complex and smooth, it offers an exotic array of cigar, tar, black pepper and currant, the tannins soft and integrated, yet strong. Coffee and chocolate make appearances on the finish, ever so slightly, never at risk of dimming its freshness. Drink now through 2022.
A few minutes in the glass releases quintessential Sangiovese aromas of ripe dark-skinned berry, underbrush, baking spice, tobacco, leather and a floral note. The elegant, balanced palate doles out juicy Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and white pepper alongside polished, velvety tannins and fresh acidity. It's already almost accessible but also shows staying power. Drink from 2018 through 2025.
Aromas of ripe, dark-skinned berry, baking spice sunbaked soil, tobacco, grilled herb and a whiff of leather unfold on this smooth, structured red. The juicy, polished palate doles out fleshy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, candied orange zest, iron and nutmeg framed in velvety tannins that impart a silky mouthfeel. It's already delicious but will continue to develop complexity over the next decade. Drink through 2027.
Aromas of plum, black cherry and mulberry are enhanced by crushed graphite, clove dust, scarlet rose petals and menthol on the nose of this bottling. The palate reveals a stunning amount of depth, with eucalyptus leaf, white sage, violet petals, rose hips and pine needles giving depth to the rich black-plum fruit.
Produced from vines planted in 1900 (MCM in Roman numerals), this is a serious, major wine. It is so concentrated with its dark tannins yet never loses its elegant balance between fruit and structure. Dense dusty dry tannins are layered with black plum and damson flavors giving a surprising freshness to a wine that is still young. Drink from 2022.
Fairly light in color and body, this wine sings in fresh cranberry and orange before revealing a meatier underbelly of black tea and sautéed mushroom. Finessed and vibrant in minerality, it has pretty rose and fresh-picked cherry characters that dance on the palate as it evolves and unravels provocatively in the glass.
A structured, concentrated and classically crafted 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sanguine red currant and rhubarb combine with darker, more brooding tangles of blackberry and clove to define this beauty, enhanced by a velvety texture and lingering accents of cedar, pine and dried herb.
The home vineyard of Madiran's star, Alain Brumont, has yielded a superb wine that is full of dark tannins and with a considerable ability to age. It is balanced, concentrated and touched by spice and toastiness from the wood aging. In tandem with that are generous fruits within a dense structure that is just beginning to smooth out. Drink from 2018–2038.
The producer's larger-production offering, this in no way suffers from not having a vineyard designated. Instead, it shows the prowess of blending, delivering a big, bold style with elegance and grace. Tangy cranberry and orange rind wrap themselves around powerful acidity and a silky body, finishing with notes of earth and cardamom.
A silky, compelling wine full of minerality, this comes from a gradually sloping site within the larger estate ranch, where the soils are tightly packed and volcanic, and the air often drenched in fog. Silky on the palate, the red-fruit profile is crunchy and juicy, the body medium in terms of strength and length.
A stunning effort from Beckstoffer's famously gravelly site, this is a 100% varietal wine from one clone, made in a tiny amount. Exquisite aromas of blackberry and leather surround a velvety texture and spiky acidity, the tannins integrated and lengthy, with room to grow over time. Powerfully full bodied, this is a classic representation of the valley in expansive celebration of a ridiculously good vintage. Drink now through 2023.
An outstanding example of balance and reserve that doesn't lack in flavor, this wine will pair well with a wide variety of foods. It has a mild color as well as spicy, woodsy aromas due to 35% whole-cluster fermentation. Satisfying flavors resemble a wine-reduction sauce but are dry and crisp.
This wine features the signature, woodsy, savory aromas of Phillips Hill. It has a lighter, slightly tawny color compared with most of its peers from Anderson Valley. Flavors combine spice and fruit with meaty, mushroomy notes, giving character and personality to a delicious wine.
This is the Couture family's top-of-the-range wine from Eugénie. It is dense and layered with wood, blackberry fruits and a complex structure of tannins, smoky flavors and acidity. This is a serious wine that needs to age. It is still developing so drink from 2019.
There's a lot to love on this juicy, delicious wine, starting with aromas of ripe, dark-skinned berry, baking spice, leather, sun baked soil and menthol. The elegant, structured palate delivers ripe black cherry, cinnamon, anise and tobacco while firm, polished tannins provide support and finesse. A blast of orange zest signals the close.
Grenache is being treated with more and more respect around Australia, which means more bottlings are reaching the variety's potential. Gentle herbal notes intertwine with bunches of black cherries and a hint of vanilla in this medium- to full-bodied example. Hints of red peppercorn capture a unique combination of fruit and spice, while the finish is long and crisp.
Rippling layers of candle wax and honey lend roundness and richness to this spry, citrusy Riesling. A late-release bottling, it offsets fresh, concentrated tangerine flavor with dusty spice notes and a delicious mineral oil sheen. The finish is long and quite dry.
Delicate whiffs of spice and pine lend depth to crisp-tart white peach and grapefruit flavors in this spry yet penetrating Riesling. Dry on the palate, it's finely textured, as if etched by its acidity and stony mineral tones. It finishes with juicy, concentrated stone fruit flair. Drinks well now but should meld beautifully through 2024.
The most fruit-driven of the Baxter 2013s, this wine has beautiful, bright cherry aromas, pure cherry and raspberry flavors, medium body and enough support from acidity and moderate tannins to provide an appetizing balance. The fruit is especially tasty on the tongue and continues to linger on the finish. Drink now through 2020.
A wine made like this doesn't come along every day. It was 100% whole-cluster fermented with wild yeast and aged in all neutral barrels. Its rich, soothing and complex personality makes it perfect for a special occasion that involves something like roast quail, sauteed mushrooms or beef bourgignon. It has full body and layered aromas of black tea, ripe plums and cigar box, combined with both fruity and savory flavors and fine tannins.
It's a shame only the equivalent of one barrel of this wine was exported to the U.S., as it means only a handful of people here will get to experience it. It's perhaps the closest thing to great white Burgundy to come from Australia; subtly smoky at first, like grilled white peaches, adding hints of lime and vanilla on the palate. It's plump and slightly creamy in texture, but finishes with crisp, acidic verve. Drink now–2025.
This is a rich, concentrated wine, powered by both tannins and very ripe fruit. It is produced from vines planted in 1900 (MCM in Roman numerals), giving the dark color, density and power of old vines, layered with stylish black fruits and acidity. It's a fine expression of the complexity of pure Tannat with its layers of tannins and fruit. Drink from 2020.
The deep gold color of this relatively young wine suggests that oxidation is setting in. But wait! This wine explodes into full glory 24 hours after first being opened. It begins with intense aromas and flavors of dried apricots, apples and a hint of ginger, showing impressive length on the finish. It turns into a breathtaking, spätlese-style effort on the palate, with honey, Meyer lemon and ripe grapefruit flavors.
One of the iconic wines of Portugal, the brand dates back to the 15th century and the Portuguese discovery of Brazil. In its latest incarnation, it is hugely dense and concentrated. It could be that it is too much, with dark extracts, yet somehow the super-ripe plum and berry flavors are given enough freshness. The structure is all there in what is still a young wine. With power and a dense texture, the wine needs to age further. Drink from 2020.
Minerally in character, this is nervy, and tight. With its flavors of green apple, lime and a hint of spice, this is crisp and food friendly, with a refreshing, bright finish.
Shades of smoke, dried herbs and nut skins add savory tones to this dry Riesling. The palate builds intensity on the midpalate with layers of fresh apple, lime skin and underripe stone fruit, bolstered by sprightly tangerine-laced acidity.
Savory, rustic notes of dried mushroom and toasted nuts mingle with richly concentrated black-cherry and rose-petal flavors on this dry, medium-bodied Pinot Noir. Soft tannins and just a shade of toasted oak add richness and dimension to the palate.
A subdued raspberry aroma are sets up the elegant palate, with perky red-plum and raspberry flavors. It finishes dry, clean and slightly complex.
This shows a hint of green in its scents and tannins. Firm berry and cassis fruit anchors the palate, with tannins that remain a bit unyielding. Give this one a decanting, and it will soften up. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon,
Shannon Ridge is quietly becoming the king of Lake County, offering wines of both quality and value and this is no exception. This blend is made of Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre. The kitchen-sink approach doesn't muddle the wine in any way; it remains a smooth, fruity, ripe quaff, with a kick of vanilla on the finish.
Fruity and tannic, this has a dry character that dominates the red fruit underneath. It's full bodied, with a nervy edge of acidity and a smoky flavor that comes from having been aged in wood.
This small-production, barrel-fermented blend of white Tempranillo and Sauvignon Blanc smells neutral and fresh except for some barrel notes. It has a mix of spice, toast, citrus, almond and melon flavors. It spreads out on the finish, tasting spicy and cidery.
Glimmers of saline, nuts and smoke add dimension to the sweet apple and lemon flavors. Brisk with acidity, it has a bright, refreshing profile overall. Drink now.
Jumbled aromas of medicinal fruit, rubber and oak knit together with airing. The palate is clampy and angular but healthy, with a roasted black-fruit flavor that's accented by an herbal, medicinal note. This is big-boned, with a medicinal side.
Initially, this may smell a bit hot and leafy, but with time that quality settles. It feels narrow, tannic and condensed, with roasted flavors of red berry, spice and chocolate. The finish offers a mix of citrus, red berry and herb flavors.
Produced from old vines in a quinta in the high eastern end of the Douro, in Douro Superior, this wine is aged for 15 months in wood. That has broadened the tannins and given the wine its rich, opulent black fruit character. After four years, it is still young, and should not be touched until 2018.
Produced from a field blend of old vines, this is a powerful and dense wine. The fermentation, with traditional foot treading in stone fermenters, gives the wine its extra richness and density. The wood aging shows in the smoothness of the tannins that are enhanced by the rich black fruits. Drink from 2018.
A parcel of old vines in a field blend is the basis for this serious and richly powerful wine. Dark tannins, layers of ripe spice and black fruits along with bitter coffee flavors give a wine that is concentrated and still young. Fermented in open granite lagars, it needs time, and will be best from 2020.
Exotic spice, French oak, mature berry, menthol and a floral note are some of the aromas you'll find on this structured red. The ripe, chewy palate presents mature black cherry, raspberry compote, espresso, licorice and aromatic herb while firm fine-grained tannins provide support. Drink 2019–2027.
In its distinctive carafe-shaped bottle, this Champagne commemorates the French king who first said that Champagne had to be bottled (so the bubbles would not disappear). It is dominated by Chardonnay, giving a chalky, mineral texture to this ripe wine. While the fruit is still deliciously fresh, the wine is just beginning to add toast flavors to its repertoire. Drink now, or better from 2017.
This is a structured, full-bodied, generously layered wine, named for the soil in which its grapevines are grown. This is primarily on hillsides, where the fruit takes on a brooding quality of spiciness and texture. Baked cherry, cranberry and rose petals stand out most, as additional nuances of earthiness come into play in the glass.
A golden color and a nose of honeyed evolution, reminiscent of fresh field mushrooms and chalk already hint at a vintage wine. The palate surprises with the most gentle, generous and balmy fruit, like an essence of peach, without resorting to any sweetness added by dosage. Its fruity freshness is truly astonishing. This is an evolved, gloriously fresh testament to what Crémant d'Alsace can be. This might work better alongside food than as an apéritif. In any case: let it speak to you and savor the long finish.
Succulent and thick, with generous fruit flavors of apple, peach, nectarine and pear, this almost-decadent take on Chardonnay breaks the mold for Oregon. With more than a slight nod to California, it brings massive fruit, vanilla cream and barrel toast to the forefront. Drink up while it is young and bursting with fresh flavors.
Named for an apple variety once common to the area, this vineyard sits outside the town of Graton in Green Valley and was developed in 2007. Elegant and weighty, it shows a youthful tightness of tannin and oak, its savory twists of black tea, blackberry and rhubarb compote chomping at the bit to be enjoyed. The acidity is mouthwatering.
The delightful palate puts rhubarb pie, strawberry jam and cherry compote in play. The wine, at first broad and openly fruity, keeps building upon itself, adding hints of cured meat, smoke and chocolate. Don't quit on it before the extended finish is completely played out; it won't quit on you.
With seven years on lees before disgorgement, this wine already shows some maturity. It is rich while also having the intense acidity of the vintage. Turning to gold in color, it is balanced and dry as with all the Paillard wines, although with age that character becomes less obvious. Drink now for the fruit or until 2024.
This wine is mature, ripe and perfectly ready to drink. With hints of toast mingling with minerality and tangy acidity, it is a balanced, delicious wine full of rich flavors. The acidity has softened while keeping the tension of pure Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. Drink now. Gonet uses this label for the American market.
Smoky, chewy and dense, this is stacked with plum and black-cherry fruit. Strong streaks of cola and dark chocolate add complexity, with lightly dusty tannins supporting the extended finish.
Juicy hibiscus and pomegranate fruits converge with dried fennel stalks, purple flowers and a flinty smoke character on the fresh and inviting nose of this bottling from Rick Longoria's own vineyard. The energy that emerges on the sip is amazingly persistent, which guarantees long aging, presenting flavors of raspberry, pomegranate, dried sagebrush and black licorice. Drink 2017–2028.
This Champagne offers rich yellow fruit and crisp white stone fruits balanced with a full texture. Hints of the wood used in fermentation add to the ripe feel. Still a little young, it will be much better from 2019.
Dark hibiscus and pomegranate notes meet with black plum, hearty clove, allspice and dried violets on the nose of this very heady wine. Thickly structured with dense tannins on the palate, it speaks strongly of the rocky, rugged appellation, with boysenberry, dried fennel and wild-thyme flavors. Drink 2017–2023.
Celebrating 15 years of Monte da Capela, this is a limited-release wine. The blend of Alicante Bouschet and Touriga Nacional is rich, darkly colored and beautifully dense. Packed with still young tannins and black fruits, it is a serious wine that needs to age. Drink from 2018.
This standout wine has an extreme color that verges on black, while exciting aromas suggest wood smoke and grilled beef, with flavors so rich they could be chocolate. The wine puts those all together without becoming heavy or too stiff in texture, although it does have a flood of fine tannins that help layer in more fruit and spices as you sip. Best after 2019.
This big but elegant wine combines abundant fruit and oak flavors with a supple, multi-layered texture. It smells like dark and milk chocolate, mint and plums, and tastes concentrated, fruity and complex. Best after 2020.
This blend of 66% Tannat and 34% Petite Sirah by Santa Clarita-based winemakers Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper offers layers of rich flavors without being overdone. Deep aromas of black cherry, boysenberry, mocha and caramel lead into a sip full of blackberry paste, beef char, dried tobacco leather and a cocoa spice. The caramel finish is just delicious.
Zesty lime skin and slaty mineral tones anchor this dry, fairly full-bodied Riesling firmly to the Mosel. A testament to a ripe vintage, it's supple and a bit dense in mouthfeel, but bristling tangerine acidity keeps it punchy and vibrant. It's attractive already, but it should gain complexity and harmony from 2020–2025.
Charred aromas of shoe polish and toasty oak frame additional scents of lemon peel, blackberry, cassis and animal hide. This is on the syrupy side, with cutting acidity and fierce tannins. Flavors of maple, molasses, chocolate, vanilla and coffee accent core blackberry and cassis. It's rugged, rich and ripping on the finish. Drink this massive wine from 2020 through 2030.
A bit softer, plusher and creamier than the Shiraz-Cabernet from this producer, this is still an impressive wine. Smoky cedar and mocha notes complement plums and blackberries, turning velvety on the finish. Drink now through 2025.
While initially a bit earthy and savory on the nose, this ethereal kabinett abounds in fruity, floral complexities. Cutting and spry, its sweet, tangy citrus and stone-fruit flavors seem to dance nervously on the palate. It's nuanced and minerally, with a deliciously salty finish.
Subtle yellow peach and mineral tones on the nose intensify on the palate of this surprisingly tropical kabinett. Mouthwatering acidity pulses a laser beam through layers of sweet mango, melon and tangerine, extending a long, spine tingling finish. It's delightful now, but should keep drinking well through 2025.
This is a barrel selection, and as such, may be expected to show extra layers of concentration—more stuffing overall. It's a rich, smoky, lush wine, with a complex mix of red fruits ranging from rhubarb to raspberry to Bing cherries. Spicy highlights and a frame of orange peel also enter the picture. You might wish to give this another couple of years of bottle age before popping the cork. Drink 2018–2025.
This estate-grown wine comes from the vineyard that provides the backbone to the producer's well-known Les Pommiers Pinot Noir. Tart in rhubarb, pomegranate and plush, herb-kissed red fruit, it's juicy and young, complex yet approachable. Full bodied and grainy in tannin, it'll provide years of pleasure for drinkers who can wait.
From a terrific, old-vine site in the heart of the southern-lying appellation, this is a mild-mannered, juicy wine, structured and balanced despite the abundance of ripe red fruit. Cinnamon and pepper complement the restrained nature of the brambly cherry.
Earthy and beet-like on the nose, this medium-bodied Pinot Noir also boasts hints of cola and black cherries. It's round and silky in texture, with a softly dusty finish reminiscent of cola and espresso. Drink now–2020.
Yellow pear and plum tinged with savory yeast notes make for a spicy subtle opening on both the nose and the palate. The yeast flavors continue to add an extra flavor dimension to the fresh palate, which has all the generosity of the ripe 2015 vintage about it and a gentle acidity that is reminiscent of ripe Amalfi lemon.
The savory, yeasty nose comes with a hint of spicy sandalwood. The palate echoes this rounded harmonious spiciness and plays more to those mellow tones than to the shades of fruit. The body comes with a lovely, inviting and appetizing light-footedness. The finish is long and clean.
Richly extracted black cherry and cassis flavors flood the palate of this bold bruising Cabernet Franc. It's a nuanced wine despite its voluptuousness, accented by hints of leather, spice and lavender. Tannins are big and unyielding now but ripe enough to integrate with age. Hold till 2020.
This earthy, cool-climate wine is perfumed in a delicate layering of rose and spice, with subtle additions of brown sugar, tart cranberry and rhubarb. The oak is muted and supportive, while the body is light and bright.
Yellow mirabelle plums are just hinted at on the nose. They become clearer on the palate where they are joined by a generous dollop of white pepper and creamy yeast.
This is an outstanding choice for people who appreciate a really crisp and electric white wine. Lean in flavor and light in body, this wine is bright and refreshing to sip, alive with good acidity and light citrus flavors that light up all corners of the mouth.
Earthy and brimming with black tea, this is an exotic, medium-bodied wine. The palate starts off tangy in cranberry and strawberry flavors, with a hint of mint, while a forested, mushroomy underbelly provides extra complexity and a savory component.
The nose does not want to give a lot away. The palate, however, shows spicy hints of nettle and a fresh bouncy zesty backbone of lemon and grapefruit, which makes it all the more appetizing.
Sourced from a single vineyard on Oliver's North Bench, this was fermented and aged in one-quarter new French oak barrels. The time in oak has somewhat muted the snappy vitality of the fruit (some tasters might argue it has simply rounded it off). Grassy hints of fresh asparagus remain, and with peppery herb, juicy gooseberry and citrus peel.
Black licorice and orange zest star in this high-toned wine from a singular clone. It's moderate in acidity, with a strong presence of fresh lemon that lingers through the finish.
With a clarity of fruit and minerality, this wine is brightly floral and noticeably stony, with highlights of melon, lemon and green apple.
This medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc showcases some of the leafy, nettle-like character the Awatere is known for, but balances that with ample grapefruit and even a hint of red berries. It's clean and refreshing on the finish, a fine representation of grape variety and site.
Sanguine and meaty, this big-shouldered wine from a prime site on Westside Road showcases a ripeness of black cherry accented in forest floor, cola and cardamom. Mellow oak contributes softness to the texture as a length of licorice takes over at the end.
Tightly wound and floral, this wine has bright acidity with earthy cola and clove accents. Medium bodied, with some heft on the palate, it's ripe and rewarding in cherry and berry fruit flavors.
Velvety-smooth and rich in red plum and strawberry, this medium-bodied, varietally honest wine is textured and complex. It's well-crafted and balanced, with a lingering finish.
Searing acidity supports apple blossom and quince in this complex, light-bodied and entirely delightful wine. As it opens in the glass, it gets more velvety and tense, finishing on a refreshing bite of anise.
Beautiful oak accents help light up this rich, nicely complex wine. Cinnamon, nutmeg and clove dress up the aromas, while ripe, jammy black-cherry flavors spread nicely on the palate and linger on the finish. It's light on tannins and pretty light in texture for such a flavorful wine.
This bracing, precisely crafted wine emphasizes crispness and attractively lean fruit flavors over richness, and it will be great with appetizers and seafood, even raw oysters. It's fresh, clean and inviting.
Rounded strawberry fruit, clove and vanilla show on the nose of this single-vineyard bottling from the Hahn family of wines. Baked red cherry, cocoa spice, nutmeg, allspice and more clove pop on the palate and linger through the close.
High-toned aromas of cocoa, barrel spice, vanilla and dark fruit lead to plentiful, focused fruit and barrel flavors. The flavors linger on the finish.
Comprised of 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Merlot, this is a juicy, savory and lengthy wine, with herbaceous elements of cedar, brush and peppercorn. A lush, full-bodied complement of baked plum and cherry ride out a lengthy finish.
Spicy and supple, this has aromas of cured meat, white pepper, toast and dark plum that follow the warm robust palate along with dried black cherry, coffee and licorice. Round tannins provide the supple framework. Drink through 2020.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this opens with aromas of mature dark-skinned berry, violet and a whiff of baking spice. On the bright silky palate, notes of pipe tobacco, chopped herb and a hint of game add depth to the red-berry core.
The inviting notion of gently sun-ripened yellow plums on the nose draws you in. The palate follows this with gentle, juicy but balanced ripeness, featuring mirabelle plum and pear. There is a welcome grapefruit zestiness to the body and finish that makes this refreshing and moreish.
This wine has that wonderful but hard-to-pin-down Zinfandel essence that's extremely fruity but also uniquely spicy and brambly. It blends together ripe raspberry, creamy vanilla and red cherry on a smooth, nicely viscous and very full-bodied frame that helps the finish linger.
Lifted primary aromas of green pear peel hit you first with their inviting freshness. The palate has the gentle vanilla kiss of oak and an utterly creamy texture but finishes beautifully with pure lemon freshness.
Green apple, peach and a touch of saline define the nose of this wine. It's fresh in feel, like drinking nectarine juice. Flavors of nectarine, green plum, peach and lime finish clean and minerally, with refreshing acidity.
Black plum, tilled soil, leather and grilled sage aromas lead the nose on this structured wine. The dense palate delivers blackberry, blueberry, dried date, roasted coffee bean and mocha alongside firm, drying tannins. A licorice note marks the finish.
From a number of Premier Cru vineyards, the wine is solid and dark. Firm, dry tannins still dominate and give promise for aging. At the same time, black plum fruit flavors show a riper side and add richness to the mix. Drink from 2016.
This is a blend of grapes from a number of Premier Cru parcels. It gives a rich, ripe and fruity wine with a good depth of flavor and strong signs of the wood aging. At this stage, the wood is leaving some bitterness and toast, but this will round out. Drink from 2017.
This displays aromas of underbrush, tobacco, coffee, raisin, menthol and dried sage. The palate offers blackberry extract, prune, anise and black pepper alongside bracing tannins. It finishes on a note of glazed brown sugar. North Berkeley Imports, Glazer's.
This wood-aged wine is smooth with already a good balance between fruit and toast. Ripe and full-bodied, it aged for 10 months in new wood. That has smoothed out the acidity and rounded the corners to give a rich wine that could age. Drink from 2015.
Also known for its sparkling wines, the small region of Bucelas, just north of Lisbon, specializes in Arinto. This rich wine brings out the citrus and white fruits of the grape along with an extra depth of flavor that will allow it to age. Drink now, but also wait until 2016.
Called 3BB because it combines the three best barrels of the vintage, this is an earthy Pinot, soft, round and highlighted in cinnamon spice and electric acidity, especially on the finish. The fruit leans toward darker, lusher black cherry, a flavor that takes some time to develop aromatically.
Earthy, herbal, lightly leafy aromas blend with boysenberry and exotic spice notes. This Malbec-led blend is jammy and thick on the palate, with blueberry, oregano and cured-meat flavors. A solid finish holds onto the wine's core fruit and herbal notes.
Ripe, concentrated aromas of cassis and prune set up a rich palate with spicy black-fruit flavors. A loamy, meaty-tasting finish isn't complex but it is generous and jammy. This is on the cusp of being overripe but overall it weighs in as a full-flavored fruit bomb with a lot of positives.
Weight and a rich character bring out caramel and apricot fruits as well as a crisp citrus core. It's warm, round and ripe, and still fresh while full in the mouth. Age this very drinkable wine until 2015.
A unique wine with notes of smoke, citrus, leather and balsamic. The palate has a lovely texture that only improves with additional time open.
Smoke and dusty earth notes waft from this semi-sweet Riesling, adding a mineral tone to luscious yellow peach and cherry flavors on the palate. While satisfyingly juicy, it's brisk and sprightly in mouthfeel, with an energetic streak of lemon-lime acidity on the finish.
Dark black cherry dominates the mood of this wine, lively and light, with a delicate, unexpected punch of spicy cinnamon throughout and a tension of toned oak balanced against the fruit.
Considerably lighter than the previous vintage of Pinot Gris, this mixes cucumber, gooseberry and grapefruit flavors, with bracing acidity behind the fruit. It's a rather delicate wine, with a balanced palate of fruit flesh, skin and mineral.
Deep purple fruits swirl with marjoram and clove on the nose of this single-vineyard bottling by winemaker Jeff Fink. There's darkness on the palate too, with black loamy flavors alongside sour cherry fruit leather and cardamom-spiced raspberry juice.
From the northern Vinho Verde region of Melgaço which is the natural heartland of Alvarinho, this tangy, fruity wine bursts with acidity and creamed apple flavors. It is still young, a lively and fruity wine that will benefit from some calming down and broadening out. Drink from the end of 2015.
Aromas of leather, tobacco leaf, underbrush, and prune marinated in spirits take center stage on this dense wine. The palate delivers mature plum, blueberry extract, toast, black pepper and mocha alongside bracing tannins.
Aromatically exuberant, this offers notes of lychee, rose petal, spice and citrus rind. It drinks dry and is lighter in style, with abundant spices speckling a supremely long finish.
Light in color and spicy cherry fruit, it offers layers of oak and earth that compete for attention. The wine is a blend of three clones, including Pommard, which reveals itself in the wine's forested and floral character. Concentrated and relatively lush, it should stand the test of time and air; try from 2017–2019.
From old vines, this concentrated and ripe Chablis has rich red apple and pear flavors that are gently cut with a citrus element. Dense texture gives this wine great quality and structure. Drink from 2015.
This fresh wine opens with a pleasant blend of melon, citrus, white-flower and mineral aromas. The palate is similar to the bouquet: citrusy and minerally. Flavors of tangerine, orange and nectarine are tangy and bright, while the finish is citrusy and scouring.
Earth, leather, a touch of compost, soy, hoison sauce and raisin aromas all vie for attention on this tannic, ripe, almost stewy Toro. Seriously ripe flavors of sun-baked berry fruits and black currant veer towards prune and raisin on a rich, chocolaty, figgy finish.
A medium-bodied Pinot Noir that is quite sophisticated, despite the California AVA labeling. It has lots of cherry-berry flavors, great balance, velvety texture and long finish. It is substantial in flavor, smooth, and complete.
2 Jakes smells sweet and alcoholic at first, then veers left with cranberry aromas, veers right with a pinch of cola and finishes tannic. Keep the food fatty and simple and it'll go well.
Soft, fruity wine, a perfect foil for grilled meats with its light tannin structure. Ripe and very fruity, generous and juicy.
This was a cool, acidic vintage, and this has a fairly strong herbal streak, along with broad flavors of vanilla and tobacco. The Cabernet fruit falls a bit short of fully ripe, and the oak treatment does not completely mask the bitterness.
A lean, streamlined version of Aussie Shiraz, with leathery notes of dried currants that finish firm and crisp.
This wine's dark cherry aromas veer into lipstick territory a bit and then the North Coast-sourced Merlot becomes overly tannic and a tiny bit green. Decent for the $10 price tag but not going to convert anyone into Merlot (this one's got 22% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in as well).
Hard cherry and spice aromas are varietally correct, while the palate is standard in feel, with toasty, creamy flavors of sweet berry. Has enough acidity and vibrancy to rank as juicy on the finish.
An assertive menthol streak shines through the dark fruit core, along with a hint of spice cake. Soft and somewhat flabby on the midpalate; drink now.
Apples and strawberry combine easily in this soft, fresh rosé. It's fruity, light, with a slight prickle in the mouth.
Pointy on the nose, with modest fruit aromas suggestive of raspberry. A bit astringent across the palate, with red plum flavors that hit hard then fade fast, leaving bitterness akin to espresso. A crisp, juicy, tight style.
As its 14.5% indicates, this is a particularly rich wine. Maybe too rich, because it is all superripe black fruit without the balance of structure or acidity. Enjoy it as a blockbuster, probably not with food.
Straightforward raspberry and strawberry fruit aromas hit you first, followed by accents of bramble and soft peppery spice. Juicy and vibrant in the mouth with an easy structure and crisp finish. Drink now.
Sourced entirely from the Bacchus vineyard, this is an uneasy mix of dry and sweet, as if both styles were trying to come out in a single wine. The residual sugar is grainy and sweet, not quite integrated into the tart fruit flavors of nectarine and apricot.
Resiny oak is front and center on the nose, turning any and all fruit spicy. The palate is wet and basic, with a woody feel and oaky flavors that include spices and white fruits. Offers proper weight but smells and tastes overtly resiny.
A rare Washington Nebbiolo, from a recently planted Yakima Valley vineyard, this has young vine flavors of berry candy. It's high-toned and slightly volatile, with some heat in the finish.
A firmly tannic wine packed with both toast and blackberry fruits. It needs to soften to bring out the ripe fruitiness and jammy texture. Drink from 2015.
A 100% Viognier that's heady in ripe pit fruit, mostly sweet peach, and accented in nutty, floral aromas. It's full-bodied and  robust, with tannins that are soft and juicy.
Spice frames the bone-dry red fruit, which carries a sharp, astringent flavor profile into a rather short, tight finish. More cellar time might help to open this up further.
This wine shows apparent barrel aging on the nose, with vanilla bean and coconut oil alongside caramelized apricot aromas. There is a very ripe papaya and guava tropicality on the palate, with a slight finish of iodine.
This begins with aromas of overripe plum, nail polish remover, fig, raisin, nutmeg, vanilla, resin and sweet oak. The dense, warm palate delivers chocolate, coffee, vanilla, plum and sweet oak alongside searing alcohol. It's already tired and evolved, and almost past its prime.
Dark aromas suggest shoe polish and roasted black fruits. This feels rubbery and chunky, while the flavor profile includes quick pokes of cherry, plum and rubbery berry before a salty-tasting finish.
With its intense spice and rich texture, the wine seems bigger than it is. In fact, it is fresh while soft and very aromatic, with a pale salmon color. It's delicious, smooth and ready to drink.
Stony aromas of minerally citrus and nectarine are clean and upright. This Garnacha rosé is simple but good in feel, with generic but clean flavors of stone fruits. Bitter, pithy flavors rise up to dominate the finish.
This is tight, crisp and herbaceous, dominated by Sauvignon Blanc. A mineral character gives a firm texture. It needs to age a few months, so drink from 2015.
Aromas of underbrush, mushroom and dried tobacco leaves lead the nose. The muddled palate delivers a clash of flavors including dill, sugary vanilla, bitter dark chocolate, sweet oak and espresso alongside green tannins.
Pink lemonade and cherry pie mesh together into a strong, slightly boozy aroma on this adventurous blend of 30% Petite Sirah, 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Tannat from Matt Villard's Petite Sirah-focused project. Cherry and orange juice dominate the palate.
This Cabernet-dominated wine is elegant, structured with plenty of black currant and berry fruits that give a fresher element. With firm tannins that need to soften, it will age. Drink from 2016.
Bright plum and berry aromas are clear but basic. In the mouth, this young wine is crisp, tannic and a touch citric. Wild berry flavors dance alongside peppery spice notes, while the finish is zesty, a touch bitter and hot.
Ripe aromas of baked berry and raisin stop short of being too ripe. In the mouth, this basic Tempranillo is chunky but balanced by fresh acids. Plum, prune and spice flavors finish loamy and plump. Good wine for $8.
Floral and lightly soapy, this is clean and simple, with bare bones varietal character. Drink it chilled within the first couple of years after release.
Fresh and lightly fruity, it's crisp and fragrant. With great acidity and a touch of herbaceousness, it's ready to drink.
Sourced from Saralee's Vineyard-Matthew Station, it offers indelible savory and herbal notes, a chewy sense of wild strawberry and a drying finish for a curious, more thirst-quenching take on Tannat.
Quite cloudy due to being unfiltered, it offers subtle lemon peel and chalkboard at first on the nose. Some buttered croissant elements arise as the wine opens up. The mouthfeel is even and soft, with a slight creaminess alongside citrus, peach, and, fittingly, a bit of beeswax. Still very tightly wound, it would go well with a Cobb salad or shrimp Louie.
Soft while still herbaceous, this is simple and fruity. Lemon partners melon, bringing ripe fruit and acidity attractively together. It's a bright, fresh wine to drink now.
A big, ripe and jammy wine made from old vines. There are black plum fruits but the wine is dominated by licorice, black coffee and wood. It is powerful and very solid. Drink from 2017.
The earthy intensity of herbaceous Sauvignon leaps out of the glass, giving a wine that's concentrated with citrus and green herbs. It's crisp at the end, with a hint of thyme that gives a peppery aftertaste.
Fresh, light and fruity, it has ripe strawberry flavors, bright acidity and just a touch of caramel. It is full in the mouth, with a rounded feel and a soft texture at the end.
Clean, fresh and inviting aromas are simple as rosé should be. Plum, raspberry and other red-fruit flavors are full and tight, with ripeness, acidity and just a hint of sweetness.
This is a very ripe and raisiny specimen from a rocky vintage. It's chunky and somewhat grating in the mouth, with balance issues. Prune, raisin and chocolate flavors finish without much structure or spine. Drink now.
There's a spicy cinnamon character to this wine that's otherwise flush in blackberry and chest-pounding ripe fruit and oak.
The most widely available bottling from Evening Land, this has a strong streak of earth and bark, with somewhat flat-tasting fruit flavors of black cherry cola. It finishes earthy and tannic, with a rough edge that may smooth out with additional bottle age.
Raisin and berry aromas set up a medium-bodied palate. Herbal, lightly green-berry flavors revert to raisiny and leafy on a lively but middle of the road finish.
A majority of Merlot meets Cabernet Franc in this chocolaty-cherry wine, boldly full bodied and robust in tannin and oak. Brambly blackberry and black currant ride a soft mouthfeel that's moderate in acidity.
This wine all comes Chandler Reach Vineyards. The aromas seem to lack clarity while the cranberry, prune and cherry flavors want for midpalate concentration.
There's a peppy ease to the aromas of this bottling, with light raspberry and rhubarb lifted by cola and sarsaparilla notes. The palate is a tad fruit-punchy, with red cherry and some thyme to give depth.
This basic, intensely ripe wine shows less fruit and acidity than toasty spice and oak. Fruit is sourced from Sangiacomo Vineyards and the wine fermented in both barrels and stainless steel.
This interesting blend holds 67% Grenache and 33% Tempranillo, although the results are a tad thin and reedy, with dried berries, hay, smoke and allspice aromas. The palate is relatively light, with oregano and cherry flavors.
Herbal aromas of tomato leaf and thyme feed into a crisp raw palate. Leafy herbal flavors of tomato and dried green herbs finish with raw tannins that scratch. Think of this like you would basic Bordeaux.
This young fresh red has aromas of dark berry and a whiff of blue flower while the easy-drinking palate offers wild cherry and a hint of spice. It's extremely simple, so drink soon.
Layers of wood and bramble juxtapose flavors of pressed apple, pear and lemon here. While its light-bodied style and brisk acidity are refreshing, it finishes on slightly bitter tones of sap and resin. Drink now through 2019.
This straightforward red offers subdued aromas of leather, white pepper and a balsamic note. The simple evolved palate offers red berry, green tea and a hint of clove alongside loose knit, rather fleeting tannins.
Waxy, slightly mealy white-fruit aromas set up a pulpy citrusy palate. This offers salty orange and yeasty flavors in front of a finish that's struggling to stay fresh. Drink immediately.
This is a simple wine with a touch of menthol and astringency, a mix of dried herb and grapes picked at an early stage of ripeness.
Cherry, plum and vanilla aromas and flavors ride a dusty texture in this wine that's beset by astringent tannin and wisps of dried herb.
The nose reveals subdued aromas of red plum and bay leaf. With a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Sangiovese and 10% Syrah, the simple zesty palate offers orange peel and hints of cedar and clove alongside evolved, fleeting tannins. Drink soon.
Grainy, oaky aromas of clove, cinnamon and wood spice sit atop minimal white-fruit notes. This feels lean and linear, with overriding resiny barrel influences. Savory and forceful oak flavors dominate tart apple notes, while this offers mostly resin and spice on the finish.
Midlevel apple-based aromas are mild, as is a palate that's more basic than exciting. Oily tropical flavors of banana and pear turn slightly bitter on a finish that shows a green-leaning note of bell pepper.
Funky aromas of scorched earth, game, cured meat, and a whiff of barnyard carry over to the palate along with overripe plum and a distinctly bitter note. Grainy, fleeting tannins leave an astringent finish.
This starts out just fine, with promising aromas of ginger, pear and fig. It's plump and reasonably full in the mouth, but the flavors veer toward varnish and banana before settling down on the abbreviated finish. Drink now.
This is an abundantly ripe wine, big in oak and tannin, with a streak of earthy compost. A tinge of spearmint brightens the palate, while persistent acidity graces the close.
The vanilla, cocoa and dark-fruit aromas show some volatility. The flavors are sweet and ripe, not quite able to stay in balance.
In a vintage that yielded some attractive, supple wines, this wine stands out for its extraction and toughness. Chocolate, plum and clove notes are framed by firm tannins that come across gritty and hard on the finish.
A mix of lemon candy and apple Jolly Rancher overtakes a floral, fruity nose in this medium-bodied, concentrated and creamy wine. A severe streak of acidity shows on the finish.
Made entirely with Merlot, this isn't very expressive, offering aromas and flavors that suggest black-skinned fruit along with whiffs of tangerine and baking spice. It's extremely simple, with loose-knit tannins. Drink soon.
Made with 34% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Colorino, this has a restrained nose, eventually revealing aromas of black-skinned fruit and baking spice. The one-dimensional straightforward palate offers suggestions of plum, oak and a hint of coffee alongside fleeting tannins. Enjoy soon.
A sourness of bitter black tea overtakes a shyness of fruit in this light-bodied wine that holds on to its tannin with tenacity.
The wine is soft and fruity. Red berry and cherry flavors have a hint of banana as well as the layers of crisp acidity. Drink this fresh wine now.
Light cream, peach and malolactic aromas lead to a medium-bodied nuanced palate. It has plenty of subtleties to explore, with a finish that stretches out.
Bright minerality wraps around a taste of wet stone and unctuous, buttery apple in this silky smooth and well-integrated wine. Lemon rind and brioche each make strong companions to the concentrated richness and ripeness of the finish.
This is a beautifully aromatic wine with toast and yellow fruits mingling easily together. It is ripe while also light to taste, a crisp burst of acidity giving the wine a fine lift. Yellow fruits, citrus and toast play together in this attractive wine that is ready to drink.
Aromas of black currant and cherry set the stage for flavors of cassis, leather, juniper berry and dark chocolate. There is a nice balance of fruit and deeper savory notes, and velvety tannins make way for a splash of cherry on the lingering finish.
The wine is soft and rounded. With creamed apple and pear flavors over touches of wood, it is a toasty wine in a generous style that has made Meursault popular for many years. Fruity and ripe, the wine will be ready to drink from 2018.
This is a rich smooth wine, full of delicious citrus and apple-fruit flavors. It is ripe, still with signs of wood aging that add a juicy character to the wine. It is developing well and should be ready to drink from 2018.
Aromas of raisin, purple flower, stewed plum, Asian spice and a hint of resin lead the nose on this dense red. The big monolithic palate doles out mature black plum, raisin, blackberry extract and licorice alongside velvety tannins. A confectionery note closes the finish.
Estate-grown Roussanne (63%), Viognier (32%) and Chardonnay (5%) are blended together in a medium-bodied coming-together of floral, light aromatics and supportive acidity. Fruity highlights run the gamut of apricot, peach and lime, with a tiny touch of sweetness on the finish.
This is a ripe mango and pineapple flavored wine. It is rich, generous and with a fine balance between acidity and the bold fruitiness. It is young and fruity, ready to drink although it will be even better from 2018.
This deep-garnet-colored wine offers a nose of cherry and apple peel. Well-integrated flavors of cherry, cranberry, white chocolate and leather sit within a firm network of tannins, and an unforeseen splash of citrus makes an appearance on the smooth finish.
The aromas of milk chocolate, cherry and spice bring immediate appeal. The flavors are silky and polished, showing equal parts fruit and barrel.
Peachy aromas come with mellow notes of oak and woodspice. This feels citrusy, minerally and elegant. Flavors of lemon chiffon and orange are elevated by light oak notes and related vanilla, while this ends with chiseled refinement.
Aromas of chopped herb, exotic spice, coconut, menthol and a whiff of new leather lead the nose on this full-bodied structured red. The robust palate offers raisin, blackberry extract, coffee and tobacco alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
Old vines grown on a three-acre parcel on the lower slopes of Savigny have produced a finely perfumed wine. It has ripe raspberry fruit and a light layer of tannins. The aftertaste is more structured, showing hints of wood aging as well as acidity. Drink the wine from 2018.
This ripe, complex wine offers a delicate combination of apple, lemon and honey, with a mineral texture. Balanced already although likely to age well, it is full of fruit, with a more steely texture at the end. Drink now for the fruit, but it will be better to wait until 2018.
This wine is ripe and full of attractive fruit. With a light touch of pepper as well as rich apples, it is shot through with acidity. Full in the mouth, it finishes with taut minerality.
This comes from vines in Chichée on the warm right bank of the Serein River. It is a ripe wine, full of rich apricot and lime fruits and a straight line of acidity that gives the Chablis a crisp texture. The aftertaste is lively and the wine is ready to drink.
Warm woodsy berry and prune aromas blend with notes of animal fur and mint. This is full and grabby, but not out of shape. Flavors of raisin and blackberry feature accents of charred oak and creosote, while this ends with roasted, blackened, meaty flavors, mild heat and sticky tannins. Drink through 2021.
Aromas of freshly mowed grass, lemon pith, and lemon grass open for mineral-driven flavors of Bartlett pear, lemon juice and green apple in the midpalate.
From vines between 20 and 40 years old, this is a ripe, intense wine with great acidity. A good mineral texture enhances the white fruits, apricots and pineapple. The aftertaste is crisp and tight. Keep until 2017 for the wine to be at its best.
The most apt word for this wine is hedonistic, which it is most definitely by design, trafficking in big, soft waves of rich, dense black fruit and mocha-chocolate. It delivers lushness and plenty of power, a formidable wine for formidable situations.
The old vines give extra depth and richness to this ripe, creamy wine. It still has the proper crisp, tight texture that gives these cool mountain wines their character. Melon, crisp pear and acidity are all well in balance with the tangy aftertaste. Drink now.
Baking spice, vanilla, herb, anise and dark cherry aromas are followed by plump cherry and cocoa flavors. The acidity gives the flavors some snap.
Cracked pepper, dried blueberries, dried violets and strong bay-leaf aromas show prominently on the nose of this bottling from the southern stretches of the Bay Area. There is solid depth to the flavors, with dill, fennel and a savory, peppery teriyaki element spicing up the blackberry and olallieberry fruit.
You'll find aromas suggesting leather, mature dark-skinned fruit, moist earth and a whiff of game on this brawny red. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, raisin, licorice and tobacco alongside close-grained tannins that grip the finish.
Herb, pencil lead, plum and vanilla aromas are followed by smooth, soft blue-fruit flavors. It shows a beautiful sense of balance.
Dark, rich and full bodied, this wine has great structure and bold, tasty flavors like boysenberry and blackberry. It feels firm and tannic on the palate, but without overdoing it. Generous fruit flavors linger on the finish.
This opens with aromas of mature black currant and dark baking spice. The full-bodied palate offers mature black cherry, ripe blackberry, licorice and pipe tobacco alongside a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2017 through 2022.
A classic of the genre, this combines a deep color with luscious fruit character and spicy accents on a velvety texture. Firm tannins lend an appetizing grip, while the fresh ripe blackberry, clove and cedar flavors seem to melt on the tongue and linger on the finish. It shows great complexity and balance in a traditional dry style.
This directly appealing wine brings notes of the underside of a pineapple, chamomile, talc, wet stone and apricot, mixing delicacy and nuance. It's creamy in feel with rich, concentrated fruit flavors and a long, detailed finish.
This luxury-level project by Jeff Tanner and Rob DaFoe delivers aromas of rich blackberry jam nuanced with wet tobacco, loam, tomato leaf and a touch of spearmint. Blackberries and blueberries also line the edges of the palate, but the core is all about spicy tobacco and black pepper. There's lot of acidity four years in, so this will stand the test of time in the cellar. Drink 2017 through 2028.
Deep and lush up front, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cab Franc offers highly appealing aromas of blackberry and toast. Dense, layered and hefty on the palate, this extracted but well-balanced blend piles on blueberry, black plum, cassis and toast flavors. On the finish, darker notes of espresso and bitter chocolate take over. Drink now through 2018.
Gingerbread and graham cracker provide this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with a distinct warmth of character. Elegant, light and restrained, it opens with a prominent rose aroma. It then offers cherry and raspberry delicacy around subtle French oak and vanilla on the palate, all lingering long though the finish.
A well-crafted blending from several marquee vineyards within the producer's portfolio, this is a subtle, flirty and floral white, vibrant and dusted in minerality. An intense back beat of oak and power balances on the finish, in between a flurry of complex, compelling pear, apple and salty hazelnut.
Aromas recall mature dark berry, stewed plum, underbrush, leather and a hint of game. The firm palate delivers juicy wild cherry, cinnamon, clove, licorice and rolled pipe tobacco alongside youthfully assertive but fine-grained tannins. Drink 2020–2030.
Very structured and packed with tannins, this has the weight to balance those qualities, promising layers of black fruits as it develops. There's a mineral character here, the tannins in suspension. The aftertaste brings out delicious, lightly salty acidity. Drink from 2018.
Named after Bill Foley's jingle-writing mother , this wine sings, starting with the starry shine in the glass. Aromas of light salmon brittle turn to apple blossoms, and then a sip reveals sea salt, lemon rind and poached apple, with a nutty macadamia paste note throughout.
This impressive 100% varietal wine comes from Cold Creek, Candy Mountain and Windrow vineyards. With the oak (40% new French) pleasantly restrained, it offers aromas of dried herbs, coffee, cherry and light barrel spices. Lithe black currant flavors are tightly focused and flavorful with taut acidity, showing exceptional length and balance. Best from 2018 to 2023.
This wine from the Rocks District is vibrant, with aromas of smoked meat, flowers, citrus twist and blue fruit. It's packed with soft, flavorful huckleberry and mineral notes that lead to a tart, long fruit-filled finish.
Creamy compartments of fig and walnut greet the palate on the entry of this crisp, well-composed Chardonnay, light in oak and bright in minerality. Preserved lemon rises to the fore midway through the glass, befriended by just-sliced pear. The grapes were sourced from Keefer Ranch and Heintz Vineyard, a beautiful expression of the two exceptional sites.
Aromas of violet, underbrush, graphite, mature dark fruit and Asian spice lead the nose on this blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 15% Sangiovese. The ripe, smooth palate offers crushed plum, black cherry, clove and ground pepper alongside velvety tannins.
In this dynamic wine, the nose shows purple acai berries, fennel shavings, tight graphite minerality and a hot cherry-pie warmth. Boysenberries give tart vibrancy to the fun and lively palate, which picks up richness from blackberry extract in the midpalate and dark chocolate elements on the finish.
This dazzling wine—86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot aged in 40% new French oak—offers notes of blackberry, black currant, olive and anise. It's rich and flavorful yet understated with a supple feel and bright acidity. Firm tannins provide the core and a long finish. Just a baby now, this wine should offer drinking pleasure through 2030 or longer.
Dark and viscous, this greets the nose with expected aromas of raisin and prune, but rises above with nutmeg, cardamom, clove and sleek graphite notes. The first impression on the palate is sweet plum nectar, but the grippy tannins prove seductive and the ripping acidity keeps it quaffable. The fascinating finish is all about chocolate-covered nuts.
Blue flower, wild berry, savory herb and menthol aromas lead the nose. The intense palate offers ripe wild cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and mineral alongside firm but fine tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2018–2028.
Full bodied and balanced, this conveys aromas of menthol, underbrush, savory herb, fennel, tilled soil and leather. The vibrant palate offers bright red cherry, crushed raspberry, clove, grilled herb, anise and a balsamic note alongside tightly knit but poised tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2018–2025.
A flinty note appears first, but juicy pear and ripe lemon take over. This wine is zippy, refreshing and defined on the palate. A lovely bitter background of pith provides just the right balance and a great canvas for rich food. It has an appealingly clean and dry finish.
Subtle notes of concentrated rose petals and almost smoky honeysuckle come with a flinty aspect. The palate is defined by pithy lemon and bergamot interspersed with aromatic spices like lemon pepper and cardamom. It is the zesty core, however, that draws you in, with pithy grapefruit notes that last along with the fruity spice.
Fascinating aromas and flavors like cedar, grilled rosemary and stewed plums—all of which taste better than they sound—make this very dry wine a treat. It has great aromatic complexity, layers of fruit, spice and savory flavors, good concentration and a very firm texture.
This blend of Merlot (40%), Cabernet Franc (29%), Petit Verdot (18%) and Cabernet Sauvignon opens with quite pure aromas of fresh herbs, flowers, anise and red fruit that are followed by sumptuous red-fruit flavors that show vitality.
Tiny percentages of Syrah and Petite Sirah play minor roles in this vineyard-designate. They add to the soft, juicy and focused concentration of big-boned red fruit, cinnamon and tangy, tart acidity.
The nose of this wine is quite shy at first, and it takes patience to pull out aromas of plum, crushed berries and a touch of charcoal. The palate opens up more quickly, showing elderberries and elderflowers, plus rose hips and a touch of fennel.
This elegant Chardonnay offers aromas of pear, citrus fruits and toast on the nose, with flavors of tropical fruit and lemon rind following. Its oak treatment is balanced by minerality and focus. A refined white with exotic character.
Made from Zinfandel, this wine has dark color and an intensity of weight, but also enough of a high-toned taste of fresh tangerine to remain captivating in the glass, refreshing and substantial.
Blended with 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Syrah, this medium-bodied, soft and juicy red offers notions of berry pie and dusty leather, as backbeats of chocolate and blackberry play on the palate. With an intensely lengthy finish marked by clove this wine is memorably inviting.
This wine is a blend of Syrah (64%) and Cabernet Sauvignon. It opens with aromas of freshly brewed coffee and blueberries that lead to plump, silky fruit flavors that linger.
Fermented and aged in stainless steel, this well-made white has lively acidity and a linear approach to flavor, focusing clearly on orange, apple and melon around a full-bodied palate. Pear and lime appear on the finish.
This is a big, beautiful floral-tasting wine with rose-petal aromas, rich body, ripe peach and rose-hip tea flavors. It's very assertive in flavor and smooth in texture, with a lingering floral finish.
Light-bodied and lean yet ebulliently perfumed, this dry Riesling offers layers of floral, fruity refreshment. It's delightfully peachy on the palate, but zesty pink grapefruit and fresh herb notes lend structure and dimension. The finish lingers long, augmented by a bristle of green-tea tannins.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of coffee, dried herb, bittersweet chocolate and cherry are followed by ripe, full fruit flavors and nubby, drying tannins.
Aromas like cinnamon, cedar and sweet cherries lead to concentrated, lively flavors with tangy cherry and rhubarb notes. Relatively full bodied, the wine has a smooth, mouthfilling texture and a lingering finish that echoes the delicious fruit elements.
This wood-aged wine is ripe, lightly toasty and definitely spicy. It has a creamy, rounded texture that is rich and zingy, layering acidity with citrus and yellow fruits. Drink this wine from 2017.
This wine comes from the joint venture between Quinta de la Rosa and winemaker Jorge Moreira. It is ripe yet crisp in acidity, with smooth vanilla and rich apple, citrus and spice flavors. The wine is developing still and will be ready from 2017.
Herb, flower and espresso bean aromas are followed by a silky textured palate that is still tightly wound. Fine-grained tannins provide the frame. Give it some time to open up.
This wine is quite aromatic with notes of funk, mineral and dark fruit. The fruit and savory flavors are light bodied, with a mouthwatering quality that keeps the interest high.
This barrel fermented wine is full-bodied and rich with ripe yellow fruit and spicy toast notes. The wine has a fine tangy edge that gives it a real lift and contrasts with the dense, vanilla and fruit finish. Drink now.
This field blend comes from a number of old vine vineyards. It is rich and concentrated, full of black fruits and dense tannins. The wood aging shows with an edge of toast and the smooth texture. Drink this wine from 2017.
Crisp raspberry, red-cherry and blossom notes lend exhilarating freshness to this Cabernet Franc rosé. Dry in style yet concentrated and juicy, it's an irresistible quaffer that you'll want to keep drinking long after the summer's end.
Olsen and Upland vineyards provide the fruit for this wine. It brings aromas of cedar, herb and blueberry that are followed by a sweet luscious palate backed by lightly grainy tannins.
Aromas of cream and corn on the cob are followed by lively full-bodied fruit flavors with plenty of toasty accents. It offers an appealing sense of texture along with a lovely sense of balance.
All of the fruit for this wine comes from Catherine's Block at Dineen Vineyard. It shows bright fruit-forward aromas of blueberry pie, orange peel, flowers and smoked meat. The flavors are full yet show a sense of restraint, pulling up a bit on the finish.
Not much of this variety comes from this mountainous appellation, but this bottling suggests it can work well. Hearty blackberry aromas are leveled by anise, sage, black rocks and a touch of pencil lead on the nose. The palate is very tight and minerally, with chipped-graphite flavors providing structure to the prominent black and purple fruits.
Though this is in its infancy now, it's hard to pass up. Attractive notes of dried peach, golden raisin, orange marmalade and toasted almond are kept in check by mature oxidative and wood tones as well as a bright seam of rancio. It's delicious and well balanced, though more time in the cellar will allow it to develop additional layers of complexity.
Golden in color, this wine opens with a decadent nose of baked apple and raisin bread, and the sweetness of vanilla oak. Full bodied and round on the palate, it balances the richness and concentration with lengthy acidity on the finish.
Densely structured and full of dusty tannins as well as perfumed black fruits, this wine is named after Russian Tsar Peter the Great. With its crisp acidity and powerful dry core, it needs to age, so drink from 2019.
The Summum block sits at the vineyard's highest elevation, and seems to ripen more slowly and give extra complexity at lower sugar levels. Elegant and refined, with fruit flavors less in your face than its sister cuvées, this mixes citrus flavors of lemon, lime and pink grapefruit, along with lighter suggestions of pineapple and a hint of papaya. It's complex and captivating, with a long, racy finish.
Both rich and opulent, this complex and dense wine is packed with the richest strawberries and a firm, black core of tannin. The velvet casing of the wine is ripe and generous while still needing many years to age. This is a wine for the long-haul, don't touch before 2020.
Whiffs of smoke, wet earth and pressed apples seem subtle on the nose of this dainty auslese, belying the shock of sweet tangerine and grapefruit flavors that flood the palate. A nervous fringe of acidity bristles the palate, cutting through streaks of honey and nectar. It's powerful and concentrated, yet ephemeral in its delicacy.
The most serious of the Chablis Grand Crus has produced here a wine that combines that firmer nature with generous yellow fruits, toast and tender acidity. A strong sense of structure partners with a steely core and mineral texture that firms up the fruit and promises aging. Drink from 2017.
Impressively rich, this is smooth, dense and opulent in its concentration. It's full both of fresh acidity and toasty rich flavors that fill the mouth. The background is the steely texture that gives the wine a fine bite at this young stage. Drink from 2019.
Already beautiful, this comes from an estate that's managed by Louis Jadot in Puligny-Montrachet, always producing fine wines. It's smooth and toasty, although it is already showing ripe yellow fruits and fragrant acidity. Although drinkable now, it really needs to age, so keep until 2018.
This fresh, supple Pinot comes from a cool Russian River Valley site overlapping the Sonoma Coast AVA. Jenkins sits above the fog line and is rich in Goldridge soils. The wine is lightly mushroomy in earth, and a keen streak of exotic spiciness kicks in convincingly on the finish, after intense and complicated layers of red cherry, raspberry and lavender.
Combining richness and structure, this is a beautifully ripe wine. The wood aging is still showing strongly, although there is already opulent competition with the apricot and peach fruits that are cut with orange zest acidity. A strongly textured charactergives the wine an impressive shape and long-term aging. Drink from 2019.
The wood is still very present in this young wine, giving acidity and creamy, toasty character. The wine, as it develops, will become ripe, full of yellow fruits and honey while always keeping that great acidity. Since it needs to age, drink from 2018.
Intense fruit shines through the toast and youthful acidity of this opulent wine. A generous structure will develop in concentration, bringing out the rich apricot and pear flavors. This is a grand wine, waiting to age. Drink from 2018.
Full with dusty tannins from the intensely rocky Aux Cras vineyard, this wine offers rich and rounded fruits. Red berries come through strongly, offering an initially fruit-driven wine that then opens out into one that is dense, very structured and with aging potential. Drink this terroir-driven wine from 2018.
Deeply funky aromas of salted rhubarb and beets, grilled meats, anise and hot tar greet the nose on this fascinating Pinot Noir. Sanguine, bloody flavors evolve down a line of licorice and slate toward raspberry, with a bit of grilled meat at the very end.
Mature, toasty aromas give this wine an immediate sophistication. It is full in the mouth, showing almonds, ripe toastiness, coffee and tight acidity. It's ripe and full-bodied while keeping a more nervy character that allows it to finish with a great lift. It's ready to drink.
The wine has so much structure and tension. It is wound up and tight, full of acidity as well as the potential for rich fruits. A steely texture powers up the concentration of this wine, which has a strongly toasty component at this stage. Drink from 2018.
Juicy acidity cuts through this firmly structured, mineral wine. Great swathes of fresh citrus and ripe apricots go with the toastiness and dense texture. This is a very terroir-driven wine with a long future. Drink from 2018.
Structured and still very young, this richly exuberant wine is bursting to get beyond its tannins. The black fruits and dark texture are piled high and laced with intense acidity. It has the mineral character that seems often to appear in wines from the remote, mountainous Beira Interior, giving the potential for considerable aging. Drink from 2018.
A big, lovable Pinot Noir that is quite ripe and full of exotic fruit flavors that go beyond cherry to boysenberry and blackberry. Full-bodied, with a rounded texture and firm tannins, it is mouthfilling, generous, bombastic and delicious.
Rich and dense, this is full of ripe apple and lemon juice flavors. It's supercharged with acidity that shoots right through the fruitiness and gives a tight, crisp character. Delicious now, but it will be better in 2016.
Round and rich, this wine takes on renewed complexity in the glass. Seductive in earthy red and black berry fruit and exotic spice, it offers naturally realized structure in a stylized package that should remain interesting for years.
Fresh smoke from your grandpa's pipe swirls with aromas of cherry pie and cinnamon-vanilla cream on this wine named after the year Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was founded. Flavors range from Earl Grey tea to crushed violets and frothy blackberry sorbet. Only 22 barrels made.
Smoky aromas add to the red fruits and manifest themselves on the palate as the spicy, toasty wood aging. The fruits are still developing, a series of rich berries and currants that will be ripe and generous. For the moment, the dry tannins dominate, so give this wine until 2018.
Whiffs of pink grapefruit, guava and blossom entice on this dry, yet lush, full-bodied Riesling. The palate is round and ripe with flavors of yellow cherry and peach, but it's slick and steely with minerality too. Finishes long with a line of focused acidity.
Lush aromatics instantly alert you that this is an exceptional year for this vineyard. Aged in half new French oak, the wine takes it in stride, as it is dense with spicy red berry and plum flavors, and beautifully balanced throughout. Streaks of coffee and nut butter add to the compelling complexity, even at such a young age.
The latest vintage of Roederer Rosé shows all the finesse of which this producer is capable. It has fruit and the merest touches of bottle age. Red berries shine alongside the mineral texture and the pure line of crisp acidity. It's a beautiful Champagne that could age longer.
Inviting aromas of strawberry-vanilla chiffon, cinnamon and a hint of anise introduce this richly layered wine from the winemaker behind Chateau Margene, who sources these grapes from high up on Monte Nero. It's thick and creamy on the palate, with deep flavors of black licorice, beet juice and pomegranate reduction sauce.
Intense fragrances suggest blue flower, leather, truffle, ripe black fruit and spice. The savory palate delivers layers of sweet black cherry, crushed plum, black pepper, mocha and baking spices alongside firm, velvety tannins and fresh acidty. It's already accessible but will develop more complexity. Drink 2015–2025. North Berkeley Imports, Glazer's.
A rounded red fruit nose of pomegranate gets savory help from menthol, cinnamon and vanilla on this single clone 115 wine from the southern edge of the appellation. Dried orange rinds and smoked plums lead the broad palate, which picks up black pepper, brown spice and lingering sour cherry on the finish.
Ripe, loamy, rooty aromas of blackberry, cedar and marzipan are a fine draw. This is firm and juicy, with a solid foundation of acidity and integrated tannins. Robust flavors of black fruits and fig finish tight, fresh and proportional. This is good now but still evolving; drink through 2020.
Very dark and concentrated, this is a powerfully rich wine. Full of juicy black fruits that give a brooding quality, it's still waiting to spring to life. A selection of the best barrels, this opulent and long-lived release will be ready to drink from 2018.
Finely rounded wine, smoky wood and spice combining well with ripe yellow fruits. The acidity is rather underplayed, but all the other elements are well in place. The aftertaste shows more ripe fruit character.
Soft, with wood and honey flavors, white flower aromas and light acidity. The wine feels warm, rich and balanced.
From a vineyard just to the north of the line of Meursault premier crus, this is a fresh, crisp wine, very citrusy, with a strong element of spice and grapefruit. The fruitiness is tamed by some wood aging.
A soft, rounded wine, feeling generous, even opulent. The acidity is there, fitting into the folds of the rich texture.
Solid, compact and full-bodied, with blackberry, licorice and warm asphalt on the nose. The structure is quite good and tight, while the flavors of blackberry and cassis are sweetened and softened by mocha and creamed coffee flavors. Powerful but under control, and not too complicated.
Pure Syrah from Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills and Ash Hollow vineyard fruit, this shows the maturing of Walla Walla vines, which more and more reveal the earthy, herbal, garrigue qualities of the grape. Coopered in neutral oak, it showcases the typicity and regionality of the grape. Funk, earth, seaweed, green tobacco, and a hint of pepper dominate. You might wish for more fruit, but for those who love the funk this is a fine bottle.
A rather delicate Viognier, still lightly yeasty and very fresh. There is an underlying minerality that suggests water over river rock, and nicely cut and defined yellow fruits. A lovely bottle to pair with a wide range of mild cheeses, or simple fish such as fresh trout.
Big, bold wine, ripe fruits pushed forward by wood, some spice, rich in character. This is lush Chardonnay, but with a good mineral edge.
Smooth and fresh, packed with juicy fruit, this is an immediately accessible, young wine. Black currant and plum juice, bright acidity. Drink next year.
This wine recreates the medieval technique used to cook the fermenting must to make it more stable. In this case, it also produces a wine that is almost black in color, dark in appearance and in flavor. There is also some elegance here, with fine tannins that are well integrated into the juicy black fruits and ripe character. It's a wine to age, although it is juicy enough to drink now. Best, though, from 2018.
Sumptuously ripe fruit is held tightly in a structured, still crunchy body with a fine fault line of acidity. The tannins are fine but firm, and will take time to soften. This was made for the long run and should be kept at least until 2017–2018 when it will start to reveal its glorious fruit of red and black cherry and wild blueberry. This is juicy and promising, structured and unashamedly big.
This is the top bottling of Thomas Fogarty's ambitious Bordeaux-aimed brand, and it shows, with regionally distinctive aromas of crushed rocks, blueberry, tar and smoke. The intriguing palate is elegance defined, with sexy tannins and mineral-driven flavors of black dirt, wet slate and squeezed blueberry. It makes for enlightening drinking now, but offers measured components that will last until at least 2030.
Yeasty freshness swings along with the citrus, watercress, green pear and miso flavors, showing that this is made to last. Grüner's elementary savoriness is exemplified here with verve, weight and conviction. The length is stunning. the moreish flavors never seem to end. Drink as of 2017.
Sleek, citric freshness is coupled with a more generous, diffuse nature. The picture that results is focused and rich, with glints of ripe Bosc pear, honeycomb and earth, all shot through with exciting and zesty lemon rind. The finish is exquisitely clean.
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.
Creamy, rounded freshness with an immensely savory core of sage, arugula and white pepper make for an understated but seriously delicious white. There is weight and importance here, but it is lightly worn. The spicy, almost salty flavors keep you wanting more.
Don't let the Washington State label fool you. This Walla Walla Valley Rocks-region wine shows complex notes of roasted meat, blue fruit, earth, mineral, smoke and herbs. It's full bodied and rich with a dazzlingly polished feel to the fruit and savory flavors capped off by a long, meat-filled finish—beautiful stuff.
Yeasty roundness meets opulently ripe fruit: red-cheeked apple, yellow pear and juicy yellow peach. The spicy verve of grapefruit zest pulls it into focus. This interplay on fruit and freshness dominates the midpalate majestically and has a staying citrus-power.
Earthy fragrances of violet, tilled soil, leather, menthol and spicy plum jump out of the glass. The delicious palate boasts structure and finesse, seamlessly weaving together ripe wild cherry, crushed blackberry, juicy plum and baking spice alongside tightly knit but polished tannins. Drink 2016–2023.
Big and bold, with firm tannins, this powerful Shiraz shows all the ingredients that point to excellent aging potential. Hints of toast and cracked pepper accent dark-berry aromas, while the flavors mix ripe fruit and intriguing spice notes. The finish is marked by espresso, firm tannins and terrific length. Drink 2020–2030.
This wine that Doug Margerum makes from the Los Alamos Valley vineyard owned by Dan and Meghan Reeves presents intriguing complexity on the nose, from violet and rose petals to smashed boysenberry, thyme, rosemary and roasted boar meat. Blueberry, blackberry and black cherry soak the palate, which is evened out by pine sap, cedar, purple flowers and shiitake mushroom-powered umami.
Ripe Bosc pear with its textured peel sets the tone. An underlying base of luscious ripeness, is cut through with lively, zesty lemon freshness. It resonates with fruit at the very height of its expression: a pleasant edge of bitterness, ample texture, concentration and authenticity.
The scent of ripe Mirabelle plums engulfs the nose and unfolds even further on the palate. The plump fruit is tempered by sprightly, fresh lemon. It is purity of fruit with a wholesome edge of earthiness that distinguishes this streamlined, poised wine. The length is astonishing.
This Willow Creek winery hits a home run with this blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of dried black cherries, cola, soy sauce and balsamic reduction are pleasing. The sipping experience is cohesive, with blackberry fruit, black pepper spice, plum skin tartness and an expert amount of tannins.
This wine from a newer vineyard in the recently named Ballard Canyon appellation offers aromas of boysenberry, black pepper and a judicious amount of creosote. It's elegantly structured along a line of ripe purple to tarry black flavors—think burnt ends of beef tip coated in smashed wild berries and crushed Indian spices.
Michael Larner is making savory Syrahs to sit on. This one from 2010 offers perfectly ready black and white pepper scents along with blueberry, black licorice candy and violet flowers. It's viscous on the palate, with mace and all sorts of peppery flavors, picking up a bit of scorched lemon tartness and remaining a bit tannic. This may get even better in years to come.
Estate grown, this is the only white from the Wayfarer Vineyard out on the Fort Ross-Seaview coast, and it's stunning. Culled from several distinct blocks planted to a handful of clones, including Mt. Eden and Old Wente, the aromas are pretty in orange blossom and peach, the body expansive and flinty. Succulent, the wine offers a lot of layered complexity, making it enjoyable now and through 2020–2022.
Tender, fresh yeasty notes play among citrus, insinuating stones and ripe, yellow plums that unfold completely on the slender but ripe palate. Lemon blossom and fresh lemon juice keep a tight hold around the burgeoning plum fruit. Underneath it all is comforting and grounding earthiness. While its aromas soar, this wine keeps both its feet firmly on the ground.
Savory notes of autumn leaves play amongst the lively citrus flavors of grapefruit and lemon. The palate comes across as soft but focused: ripe pear juice and lemon freshness are its twin attractions. Wonderfully juicy and refreshing—but closed for now. This will take time to open.
Blue flower, wild rose, perfumed berry and a balsamic note waft from the glass. Structured but graceful, the vibrant palate weaves together crunchy red cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper, licorice and cinnamon alongside firm but polished tannins. Tempting now but hold for complexity. Drink 2018–2030.
This very substantive wine carries rich and complex flavors on a firm and lively frame. It has an exotic, perfumed aroma, and plenty of fruit flavor and firm tannins. The elements of ripe cherries, suave oak and vibrant acidity all support each other for great balance and a long finish.
Amid the pear and apple fruit plays a more exotic note of something alluring and spicy, perhaps passion fruit. This intense fruitiness plays on, supported equally by bouncy citrus freshness and deep concentration.
Blue flower, truffle, underbrush and perfumed berry aromas lead the nose on this structured but elegant wine. Firm, polished tannins provide the framework for crushed Morello cherry, black raspberry, white pepper and menthol flavors. It delivers an enviable combination of structure and finesse. Drink 2016–2029.
Winemaker David Galzignato is making bold but layered wines from the Willow Creek district, including this blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. It offers aromas of cherry-vanilla cream soda with wild mint in the background. Solid tannins frame the palate, which boasts rich flavors of blackberries, root beer, black dirt and port reduction sauce. Drink 2018–2024, perhaps beyond.
A wonderfully breezy, citrusy scent promises far fuller expression in the future. The palate is tightly coiled too, but already vibrates with pepper and herbal spice. Riper notions of yellow plums creep onto the palate but the spiciness and citrus zest remain, making for a truly long, lip-smacking finish.
A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Malbec, this lightly colored wine offers aromas of wild strawberries, coffee, tobacco and incense, showing pleasing purity and nuance. It's light yet palate coating, possessing a mesmerizing texture along with an assortment of fruit and savory flavors.
Though not labeled as such, this is truly a Red Mountain wine with all of the fruit coming from Ciel du Cheval and Taptiel vineyards. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, it shows a mixture of fruit and barrel. Flavors of herbs, plum, oak spices and black currant offer impressive density and finish with a tart lick of acidity.
Sangiovese and 10% Merlot are behind this savory red. It opens with aromas of plum, blue flower, forest floor and baking spice. The aromas follow through to the elegantly structured palate, along with juicy black cherry crushed raspberry, clove and tobacco.
Raspberry and plum aromas include notes of asphalt, coconut, peanut butter and tobacco. This is fresh and layered, but hard as rocks. Toasty oak, baking spice, raspberry and plum flavors end long and with complexity as tobacco and woody notes of cedar take over. Drink 2016–2024.
Aromas of green olive, tapenade, mineral, peat, flowers and earthy funk lead to plum and savory flavors. It's lighter styled and all about elegance of expression, with guava flavors on the finish.
This nose is a lovely mix of lemon peel and camphor leaves, intriguing and refreshing and just a little heady. The palate is streamlined and slender and of great purity. This is lithe but intense, slender but profound. It shows what Riesling is capable of in a cooler year. Stockpile this since it will last and get ever more delicious. Drink now till 2020.
Aromas of barrel spices, nougat and pear lead to a full-bodied palate, with tart, lemony acidity drawing out the flavors.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend shows aromas of blackberry, red and black currant and barrel spices (100% new French), seeming a bit wound up at present. The fruit and barrel flavors are elegant yet rich with a polished, seamless feel and a warm finish.
The six years this wine has had to stretch its legs have been well spent. It shows appealing aromas of chocolate along with dried and fresh dark fruit that lead to rich, ripe flavors. It's in full bloom and ready to drink.
Savory and full-bodied, this blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Canaiolo, Mammolo, Colorino and Barbera offers aromas of ripe dark berry, tobacco, ground pepper and truffle. The firmly structured palate delivers black cherry, black raspberry, mocha and licorice alongside velvety tannins.
While this needs a little air, the nose is spicy, full of that Zweigelt pepper, with subtle but gorgeously aromatic notes of violets and black cherries. This is understated and seductive. The floral, spiced fruit continues throughout the slender but concentrated palate and makes for a lovely, clean, evocative and lasting finish. It's elegance rather than power that convinces here. Hurray to that.
Appealing aromas of cocoa, vanilla and spice intermingle with dark fruit. The palate brings plenty of the same, with pleasing richness and texture to the flavors, and lots of hang time on the finish.
This wine is Cabernet Sauvignon (63%) blended with Merlot (19%), Petit Verdot (12%) and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of black cherry, herbs, cranberries and dry chocolate are reserved while the palate offers hedonistic fruit flavors, with lightly dry tannins that hopefully will smooth out with additional time in the cellar.
On first pour, this wine is still in its shell with aromas of huckleberries, dried herbs and plums, with savory notes lurking in the background. It's fleshy in feel with plush, pure blue fruit and smoked meat flavors that linger on the finish.
This wine, which shows a touch of age, offers heady aromas of damp morel mushrooms, dried seaweed, a soy-like umami, iodine and beef jerky. It's meaty on the palate, with tart cranberry and dried orange rind flavors, lifted with hints of violets, lavender and pepper.
Delicate, high-toned aromas of tight red raspberries, dried rose petals, pencil shavings and rust introduce this wine by Joshua Klapper. The palate is very alive, linear and focused on a blend of turned earth and brown spice.
Slender and pure, lemony and tight, yet fruitful and cushioned. While riper years often bring heft to Rieslings from Wagram, the rich loess soils here have rounded out a slender year. Notions of cologne via citrus foliage and heady conifer show themselves with time in glass. A slender but perfectly balanced beauty.
This wine commands attention with aromas of coffee, milk chocolate, toast, herb and black cherry. The palate has elegant, layered chocolate and cherry flavors, backed by a light squeeze of tannins. Just a baby now, it needs some time in the cellar to be fully appreciated. It will be best from 2018 to 2024.
Riper aspects of Mirabelle plum join the aromatic spectrum dominated by bracing citrus zest. Grapefruit and lemon echo along the palate and surpass themselves in a tight, bracing and concentrated finish. Slender but ultratoned.
A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Syrah and 7% Petit Verdot, this wine saw 30 months in barrel. Aromas of blackberry, licorice, herb, dark coffee and earth are primary and lead to full-bodied flavors that persist on the finish.
More than 75% of this wine comes from Ciel du Cheval vineyard, with the rest from Upchurch. A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, it's reserved at present, with light aromas of woodspice, coffee, assorted dried herbs and mineral. The cherry and cassis flavors show a mixture of richness and restraint, persisting on the finish along with enough tannins to go the distance. It will be best 2022–2027.
Pear drop aromas still dominate on the nose but yeasty spice breaks through. The palate is a similar mix of savory yeast and herbal flavors with the freshness of crunchy, green pear. This is inviting, savory and refreshing. The pepperiness of Grüner which is so often absent is abundant here. A wine with real personality and verve.
Dark berry, underbrush and tobacco aromas lead the nose of this vibrant, structured wine while the palate doles out black cherry, fresh raspberry, licorice and clove. Fresh acidity and supple tannins balance the juicy flavors. Drink through 2018.
This blend of 55% Mourvèdre, 39% Syrah and 6% Grenache comes from Syncline winemaker James Mantone. It brings generous aromas of white pepper, herbs, mulberry jam and dried tobacco. The palate packs a hefty punch with über rich, dense fruit flavors that coat the palate from end to end, leading to a warm, tart finish.
Modest on the nose, and then very little after that. The flavors are basic lime and citrus, and the feel is tangy and lemony sharp. Generic, with little to no varietal character.
Aromas of beets and dry spice drive the harsh nose. The palate is hard and defined by bitter pepper and cherry flavors. Too much harshness and not nearly enough core fruit or cushion.
Yellow straw, oxidized, with dull and flat flavors showing hints of banana and dried apple.
Not all of the new wines that we see from up and coming regions like Montsant are good. This one is a lean, burnt and minty offering with an odd baked, nutty character. Not up to standards.
Sharp and tannic, this wine hides its thin fruit behind gluey flavors of tobacco and licorice.
Torrontes is something we've never seen from the Trumpeter line. And maybe that's good, seeing that this is oily in the mouth, with pithy, unusual flavors coming from all directions. It's a wine that doesn't stride along with ease.
Mature for Cariñena, but it's still a hard wine with juniper and other narrow aromas. The palate is almost sour, with tight tannins and noticeable astringency.
Yellowish in color, a true indicator that this is on the way out. Tastes chunky and flat, with bland lychee and melon flavors. Short then bitter on   the finish.
Best on the nose, but sharp and narrow as can be on the palate. Cranberry and sour cherry flavors dominate, while the finish is astringent. No amount of swirling and saving is going help it much.
Trapiche's Broquel line has never featured Pinot Noir before, and maybe this is why. Talk about a sharp, scouring wine. It's lemony and lean, with piercing cranberry flavors and razor-sharp acidity. Crispness is one thing; sharp and edgy is another.
Beware of funky labeled Malbecs because many don't have much to offer. Case in point, this candied, scratchy wine with wild, rampant fruit and not much else. Tastes like a jug wine.
From Bouchard's home vineyard, this is one of their signature wines. In 2005, it has produced a luscious, fruity wine whose richness is only a part of its wonderful floating character. The ripeness of the wine is matched by its structure, which promises considerable aging.
Taylor's (marketed as Wakefield internationally) seems to be on a roll. This is a complex, multidimensional Shiraz laced with nuances ranging from mulberry and plum to meat and spice and on to coffee and black olive. It's medium-bodied, with tannins that are supple enough to make it approachable right away.
This is a serious, rich, concentrated wine. It has weight, density and a powerful structure that offers black cherry and plum fruits. Dominated at this stage by a dry, tannic core, it needs to age. Drink from 2017.
Palisade is Merlot-based in 2010, with 11% Cabernet Sauvignon filling out the blend. Muscular and complex, this is Merlot at a level rarely found at this price. Cherry, cassis, earth, graphite and mineral flavors mingle seamlessly. Sourced from a brilliant mix of vineyards including Champoux, Ciel du Cheval, DuBrul and Klipsun.
Made from vines in Tedeschi's steep Monte Olmi Vineyard, this is a structured, well-balanced Amarone, with an intense fruit-and-spice fragrance. The palate delivers black cherry, mint and nutmeg flavors, with a hint of tobacco. It has great depth, with a velvety mouthfeel supported by fresh acidity.
Every bit as good as the dazzling 2009, this is 100% Touriga Nacional grapes. Sappy and acidic, it has extraordinarily deep and succulent flavors of raspberries, along with lush, chocolatey tannins. It's startlingly good, and though entirely ageworthy, almost impossible to ignore at the moment.
2011 is another excellent vintage for this unique and aromatic blend from Brian Carter. The mix is 51% Viognier, 35% Roussanne and 14% Riesling, and it offers a riot of scents and flavors; a rotating Ferris wheel with lemon skin, beeswax, orange peel, tangerine, succulent lime and ripe pear. It's flat out luxurious, long and lissome.
This classic Amarone has a layered bouquet, with notes of prune, plum, nutmeg and clove, along with bell pepper notes. The palate delivers ripe blackberry and plum flavors, with hints of black pepper and chocolate. While this is very structured, restraint and freshness add elegance.
Black in color, this dense wine has power, concentration and a hugely tannic structure. Still in its infancy, it is darkly dominated by its dry, firm texture, the black fruits still hiding behind the framework and the acidity. Give this complex wine until 2018 before drinking.
This concentrated and lush wine opens with notes of black cherry and berry, with supporting accents of baking spice, toast and cigar tobacco. It's velvety and filling, but with good grip and a solid structure to keep the palate focused and centered. An herbal accent lingers through the finish; drink now-2018.
This powerful, fruity wine is full of ripe berry and plum fruit. It's delicious, its fruitiness right to the fore. The firm tannins are behind, giving a solid texture. This is a Port with a long-term future and an attractive medium-term.
This is an almost picture-perfect example of an excellent Washington Merlot, loaded with rich fruit flavors of plum and black cherry. The mouthfeel is satiny, the tannins round and ripe, with a smooth and supple finish.
This is a lovely rendering of Syrah from this outstanding Walla Walla vineyard. In terms of depth of flavor and range of detail, it's a fascinating wine sure to provide an evening's pleasure. Sassafras, spiced and cured meat, licorice, espresso, black cherry and cassis whirl through the palate, with excellent concentration and length.
The Gun Metal red is a Bordeaux-style blend—a smooth, seamless mix of spicy red fruits with new barrel highlights of coffee grounds, toasted walnuts and baking spices. There's a lick of citrus running through it also, a testament to the natural acidity that adds life and lift to Washington state reds.
This is an excellent wine comprised of Sangiovese and Syrah from the Boushey and Candy Mountain Vineyards, and Cabernet from Stonetree Vineyard—all top-tier vineyards. Bright and generous, with plenty of toasty barrel flavors, it's highlighted with cut tobacco, citrus, herb and floral hints. There is an underlying minerality as well, making this one of Washington's most complex “Super Tuscans.”
You can't go wrong with this Amarone from one of the area's most storied houses. It always shows consistent quality and the 2010 is no exception. It boasts ripe black cherry and white pepper notes, with hints of raisin and almond. Velvety smooth and round, it's also fresh and very drinkable. Enjoy after 2016 for additional complexity.
Here is a dark, smoky, meaty Syrah, smooth in the mouth and showing plenty of black cherry fruit. The silkiness plays nicely against flavors that are dark with olive, espresso and cacao, and highlighted with hints of orange peel and pepper.
This inky San Rafael red features power, heat, blackberry and cassis on the nose. In the mouth, it's full and balanced in feel, with black fruit, baked plum and toast flavors. A clean, almost stony feeling finish suggests minerality. Drink through 2018.
This fresh, young wine, showcases a palate-thrilling mix of ripe tree fruits—sappy apples, juicy citrus—and some hints of pineapple as well. The ripeness turns the lemony fruit into limoncello, and the finish is long and wonderfully refreshing.
Campolongo di Torbe shows aromas of plum cake, raisin, baking spices and a touch of leather. The palate delivers a nice depth of flavors that boast black cherry, white pepper, licorice and well-integrated oak notes.
This succulent Amarone has a fragrance of cherry and raspberry with whiffs of baking spices. The palate delivers gorgeous black fruit layered with white pepper and nutmeg. It's shows an intriguing balance of power and finesse.
White flowers and almonds give fragrance to this Chardonnay-dominant Champagne. It is a concentrated wine, full of ripe white fruits, with a tight core of acidity. Named after the producer's owner, it is a flagship wine, intense and just ready to drink.
This is the producer's prestige cuvée, a fine perfumed blend with a great balance between the ripe fruitiness, the balanced dosage and a crisp edge of pink-grapefruit flavors. This impressive vintage with its hints of toasty maturity is ready to drink.
This combines 53% Zinfandel with 45% Syrah and 3% Grenache, all from the producer's historic estate. Expansive with fresh, juicy blackberry, coffee and leather notes, it has black pepper and cinnamon accents that contribute extra verve to the robust body and fleshy ripeness.
This mature generous wine is perfectly ready to drink. Its red fruits are now balanced by a toasty character as well as ripe acidity and a touch of tannin. This is a very fine wine, balanced and rich. Drink now.
Deep color and intense, deep fruit flavors along with a good tannic structure mark this full-bodied wine as one to appreciate and age. The texture is fine grained, dry and layered, with concentrated black cherry, smoke, clove and cedar flavors that unfold slowly on the palate and finish. While tempting now, this will be best after 2022.
The senses are immediately captured by the purity of the perfectly ripe apple notes that rise from the glass. The palate continues in that pure, joyous, juicy vein. This has incredible power and despite its muscle and undoubted weight there is no fat. The palate is dry and streamlined and bouncing with fruit and life. Lovely now, sure to age beautifully. Drink 2017–2030.
The tart but tropical charm of passion fruit plays around the nose before more zesty citrus notes become apparent. The palate is generous with juicy peach, yellow pear and citrus. The vein of lemon freshness at the core is totally seductive. While the palate is patently dry, the absolute juiciness of the fruit will get you, as will the clean but aromatic finish. Drink 2017–2027.
There is something pleasantly bitter on the nose: Burnt sugar or bitter almond. The palate answers this with fluid, rippling sweetness expressed in ripe, juicy, refreshing pear fruit. The bitter notes remain and create an appetizing, tangy edge to this concentrated wine that is streamlined by balancing freshness despite the residual sugar. A lovely balancing act with a bracingly clean, medium dry finish and echoes of citrus zest. Drink 2017–2035.
Warming aromatic notes of fresh and dried peach reach the nose. The palate revels in the peachy sweetness, adding a lovely, pleasantly bitter phenolic edge. The flavors are concentrated and have both a welcome tangy zesty edge and some honeyed spice. There is quite a bit of palpable warmth. This is full on and exploding with peachy fruit. The medium-sweet finish is long and warming. Drink 2017–2027.
Intensely dark and focused, this bottling from Santa Barbara County's historic vineyard is unrivaled in intensity, showing mulberry, elderberry, crushed rock, roast beef and a hint of sagebrush. Full but not sweet boysenberry flavors come through on the palate, balanced by dusty earth, wet stone and more chaparral spice notes.
A very lifted touch of fir honey hits the nose first before ripe peach with the merest touch of vanilla follow. The palate is incisive and concentrated. Alcoholic heat fires up the mellow, rich and rounded palate that brims with peachy fruit and flavor while zesty lemon oil hints illuminate and brighten the richness. This seems to have only just started on its trajectory. It is ready to drink but it will evolve much further, becoming ever more itself. The finish is just off dry and very long with lemon zest and peach. Drink 2017–2037.
This vintage of the famous proprietary wine is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, a testament to how much the winemakers loved the variety on its own in this year. Root beer, cola and red plum notes make up its core of flavor, the texture velvety-soft. With its firm structure and clove accents, it will benefit from further time in bottle. Enjoy 2023–2033.
Aged for 15 years on its lees, this mature Champagne is toasty, shedding its bright fruitiness while gaining a richer, more developed and nuanced character. Almonds and spice are partnered with intense acidity, resulting in a beautiful wine that is ready to enjoy now.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this is a rich wine. Its lightly oxidative character gives it a smoothness as well as bringing out ripe white fruits and citrus. It is a finely made wine, worthy of aging for a few more years. Drink from 2019.
Aromatic notes of tangerine and mandarin play on the nose, making for a heady opening. The concentrated palate shows juicy ripeness against tingling tart freshness. The finish is absolutely dry and totally refreshing. Drink now–2027.
The wonderfully earthy touch of russet pear peel and the freshness of lemon and green apple all appear on the nose. On the beautifully dry incisive palate, the lemon shines through and takes over. This is bright, vivid and fresh but comes with a lovely earthy texture that grounds the soaring lemon freshness. The long finish once again features ripe but tart apple and green pear, but ends in lip-smacking pure lemon zest. Drink 2017–2030 at least.
An underpinning of soft, grippy tannin carries lingering red currant and cranberry flavors in this full-bodied, unabashedly ripe reserve-level wine. Cola and leathery earth notes combine to boost and contrast the fruit, which persists long into the finish.
Made from grapes grown in the Ritchie Vineyard, as well as others, this rich, mineral-laden expression of the variety is balanced and savory, with a touch of salty brine. Golden-hued, it shows complexity and focus, with a nuanced palate laced with apple skin and pear notes.
Made from three vineyards within the appellation, this displays exemplary blending. Slightly reductive now, in its youth, it effortlessly melds together dark blackberry, strawberry and chocolate flavors, with a surly shock of pine forest-like earthiness. Decadent and velvety.
An earthy touch of yeast plays promisingly on the nose. The palate then comes in with a concentrated load of ripe peach, bright lemon and rounded rose perfume. An edge of dark fir honey adds even more spicy richness. This brims with flavor, showing rich fruit against fresh lemon. There is lots of excitement here but also balance. This is a rich warming generous wine. Drink 2017–2027.
Earth and apple, citrus and herb all mingle on nose and palate. It is the green apple with its chamomile edge and above all the bright ripe lemon freshness which expands across the dry palate. This is full of bright refreshing citrus and a beautifully understated vigor which will live in this wine for years to come. The finish culminates in a gorgeously tart but ripe apple notion. Very moreish now and approachable but with lots of future promise. Drink 2017–2030.
Made from biodynamically grown grapes, this wine is remarkably floral, high-toned and rewarding—a complex commingling of anise, green apple and grapefruit flavors. A gravelly texture gives it context and supports the lingering, succulent acidity.
Alluring aromas of tree bark, licorice root, rose petal and ripe black fruit show elegance. This is a touch grippy and young in feel, but overall it's showing balance. Deep flavors of plum, cherry, wild berry and vanilla finish finessed by a balance of weight and acidity. Drink from 2019–2032.
This bold and distinctive wine from an outstanding vineyard in the Marin County hills has exotic blackberry and pine needle aromas, vivid and concentrated black cherry flavors and a focus that's unmatched. It's layered and persistent, with a luxurious tide of ripe fruit, moderate tannins and a nicely viscous texture.
Enticingly bracing grapefruit freshness streams from the glass. The palate has a milder sort of freshness—think very ripe bright lemon notes. The flavors are pleasingly focused—sharp and clean, with dryness and a soaring freshness that lightens up everything. There is a wonderfully light touch here. It's a beautiful and totally refreshing wine. Drink 2017–2030.
A touch of yeast still clings to the beautifully fresh apple nose of this wine while the palate still tingles with some residual carbon dioxide. This is rather young but the fruit is very pure in crisp green-apple notes and fresh, tangy lemon. The palate is absolutely dry and very taut and fresh. Some yeasty notes also swing along on the palate. This certainly needs bottle age but promises to become a lemon-scented, fresh and linear marvel. It certainly has bags of tension and freshness. The finish is bright, refreshing and utterly clean.
This wine is rich to the edge of voluptuousness. Delicious nutty, toasty and buttery flavors are wrapped around ripe apricot and papaya fruit. A full-bodied, complex wine, it was aged for a year in 55% concrete eggs, 25% stainless and 20% French oak barrels.
A fascinating wine, it was processed in a carbonic fashion, in which the juice is allowed to ferment inside the mostly intact grape skins, much like what's done in Beaujolais. The result is a transparent, ruby red wine that offers scents of a dust storm mixed with crushed rock and chile pepper herbaciousness. It's warm and soft on the mouth with a presence that suggests something between peppercorns and bell peppers.
Intense but classy aromas of berry fruits, minerality, vanilla and chocolate are milder and richer than the wine's racy, structured, acid-rich palate. Flavors of blackberry come with a shock of bracing tartness, while oaky aftershocks offer up chocolate and woodspice flavors. A zesty, firm, hard-driving finish brings a touch of sharpness. Drink through 2022.
Made entirely from the native grape Nerello Cappuccio grown on Mount Etna, this polished wine opens with aromas of ripe red berries, underbrush, violet and leather. The delicious palate delivers succulent wild cherry, ripe raspberry, carob, cocoa and orange peel alongside silky, smooth tannins.
Ripe raspberry, slight minerality, mossy earthiness and a minty lift kick off this offering. On the palate, expect sour cherry, mocha and a pleasing espresso finish bolstered by tingling acidity. Though 2010 was considered a less-than-optimal year, the vintage look like a shining star now that wines like this have had time to come into their own.
Kathleen Inman has gained such a following with her Rosé that she's given it a special designation, a nod to her happy marriage. Made in a direct-press style, the dry, refreshing wine is light salmon in color and marked by aromatic grapefruit and strawberry, mouthfilling and juicy as a slice of watermelon in summer.
Los Gatos-based Testarossa is building a powerful reputation as a single-vineyard specialist, but this more accessibly priced cuvée from Monterey County rivals their best efforts. There is nuttiness, brioche and slightly sour orange on the nose, followed by a very soft mouthfeel, with flavors of pound cake, vanilla cookie, peach cobbler and candied grapefruit.
This powerful, spicy wine offers structure and a thrust of wood. Firm and dark, as befits a Vosne-Romanée, it is densely powerful, full of black fruits that are already shining above the structure. Drink from 2017.
LVdM is shorthand for Les Vignes de Marcoux, a newer planting near Red Willow. Done in a lovely, savory style, it offers a mix of leaf, herb and earth components, rather than supersweet fruit. Graceful and detailed, it discloses pepper and iron ore minerality.
Funky earth tones of forest floor, brown button mushrooms and aged beef rise as leading scents in this Rhône-style blend. The nicely rounded, velvety palate, which emerges steadily over the course of a sip, offers plum flavors and soft but present tannins, representing a wine that could last a few more years.
The most affordable offering in the Clos de la Tech portfolio, it offers cinnamon and other baking spices plus caramel on the nose. These are followed by a palate rich in cola nut, cranberry, tar and cherry flavors. Like its sister wines, this is loaded with tannins, so expect steady evolution and improvement through 2019.
Sweet and rounded, this is a very satisfying wine. Packed with fruits, ripe strawberry flavor and balanced acidity, it also has solid tannins to give weight and structure. The fruit, full of juice, hangs from thE structure, making it round and rich on the finish. Drink from 2017.
Not to be confused with wines from the vineyard of the same name in neighboring Pernand-Verglesses, this balanced wine shows ripe tropical fruits as well as toasted wood flavors. It is structured and still developing its rich potential. Drink from 2017.
Despite showing a relatively dark straw hue, this wine is fresh and floral on the nose. The full-bodied palate is lushly textured, showing amply concentrated melon and apricot fruit and a dusting of white pepper. Drink it over the next year or two.
With brooding aromas ranging from wild crushed berries to clove to wet clay, the palate features layers upon layers of flavor, and the wine coats the mouth like silk. Cherries, cola and other savory elements come with a slight tannic grip that ensures a few more years to enjoy this wine.
This 100% varietal is blended from a mix of excellent vineyards, principally Candy Mountain. It delivers stiff, tart, elegantly proportioned red fruits, set in a frame of citrus and steel. Barrel aging in one-third new oak adds scents of cedar and spice.
Corton Grancey is the site of Louis Latour's winery and has a long tradition in the family's hands. This 2011 is powerful and solid while offering very ripe and jammy fruits. Attractive acidity cuts through the richness and contrasts with the finely modulated structure. It has good aging potential, drink from 2018.
One of Amadieu's top wines, this is a full-bodied, richly textured Gigondas that nevertheless maintains a sense of precision in its assertive herb-laced notes of plum and espresso. Cracked pepper plays a role, too,  adding focus to the long, silky finish. Drink now–2020.
From 70-year-old vines, with a low yield of tiny berries, this is a very textured, concentrated wine with a tight and mineral character. Melon and pear are shot through with intense citrus and wood flavors. It's a wine with structure, needing to age. Drink from 2017.
This solid, bold wine has a velvet texture. Black fruits are rounded with a generous texture, although a firmer, tannic character waits in the background. It is structured and elegant. Drink from 2017.
A blend of wines from different Premier Cru vineyards, this is firm, as befits a Pommard, but has such great ripe fruit that it feels almost opulent. Lovely rich raspberry fruits are touched wit red currants and supported by solid tannins  at the end. Drink from 2017.
Massive and dark up front, with gritty aromas of herb, cola and black olive. It feels chunky, ripe and full bodied, bearing an herbal, minty flavor and notes of black fruit, licorice and earth. A chocolate/carob flavor marks the finish.
A pleasing, well-crafted Riesling in a lighter, elegant mode, this brings a delicate stone-fruit flavor into a mix of mineral and breakfast tea highlights. The moderate alcohol makes it an ideal summer sipper.
Lightly grassy and pleasantly fruity, this mingles kiwi, melon and apple with notes of fresh herb. The flavors are fresh and balanced, with just a small percentage of the fruit fermented and (briefly) aged in new American oak.
This has a strong current of spearmint, cedar and eucalyptus running throughout, but it is nicely balanced against the blackberry and raspberry tones. It's light in tone and should be fine with food.
Notes of cola, black pepper and cocoa on the nose are followed by touches of red cherry, cedar and spice in this elegant red. It has a dry, sophisticated character but good red fruit roundness to balance the package.
Cedar, tobacco and mint aromas are followed by vibrant flavors of violet, red berry and black pepper in this elegant blend of Syrah, Merlot and Xinomavro. Dry and spicy but rounded by softer fruit, it's a very good red with exotic appeal.
This is an austere, very structured, leathery Zin, with notes of briary black pepper and dark, ripe fruit from start to finish.
Lusciously textured and bursting with citrusy acidity, this combines savory tones of burnt sugar and apple cider with hints of fresh orange peel and white flower. Crushed stone and a tea leaf astringency linger on the finish.
Whispers of cherry blossoms and briar patch add flair to the sweet black-cherry and blackberry flavors. Dry in style, with notes of fresh and dried herbs, it's a perfect pairing for an elegant late-summer barbecue.
There are notes of wild berry and rustic game that add a shadow of darkness to this refreshing, cherry-laden rosé made from the Italian Refosco grape. It's bone dry and vivacious with acidity.
A dark-colored wine, this is layered with a wood note that shows strongly along with the mint flavor. Rich, well structured and concentrated, this has black jelly fruit, and is meant for drinking in two years.
Pointy aromas of juniper, tree bark, pencil lead and blackberry come out rough but improve with airing. It feels mildly astringent, with rugged flavors of herbal berry and cola. The finish turns oakier, with coconut and vanilla notes rising up.
Reedy on the nose, with notes of pine and juniper to go with tobacco and earthy baked-berry aromas. It feels lively but clacky, with flavors of vanilla, coconut and secondary notes of cassis and berry. The finish is lactic and creamy, with a vanilla note.
Perfumed wood and black fruit aromas lead the way in this delicious wine. It's rich but still firm, with fine juicy fruit that will come through with time. Packed with tannins, it will be ready to drink from 2021.
This rich wine is already smoothly textured yet still has fine tannins that give aging potential. With its black fruit and acidity, it's ripe, smoky and likely to be very drinkable from 2020.
Full of the bright fruit typical of the vintage, this wine is made from 90% Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc. It's structured with still-young tannins and is dominated by red berry fruit, needing to age until 2021.
This attractive, juicy wine is full of red fruit. It has strawberry and crisp red currant flavors as well as fine acidity. The result is a wine with good balance, richness, spice and tannins. Drink from 2019.
With fragrant violet and red-fruit aromas, this is an enticing wine. Its structure and its concentration bring out its richness and dense black fruits. The wine is elegant, on the dry side of Ports with some firm tannins as well as fine ripe fruits and acidity. Drink this now or (better yet) wait until 2020.
This wine, made from 100% Sémillon, is aged in wood and richly endowed. The palate has a smooth texture, with ripe apricot and citrus alongside a hint of a herbs. Drink now.
Textured and lengthy, this full-bodied reserve-level wine is soft and round on the palate, expressive in black olive, black cherry, mocha and vanilla. It offers impressive richness and leathery grit on the palate.
This wine has a nose of black cherry, violet and espresso. It offers well-integrated flavors of blackberry, plum, white chocolate, lavender and coffee bean. Velvety tannins make way for a mellow finish with a lingering sense of brightness.
The top wine in the Periquita range, dominated by Castelão, is densely structured. Its dusty tannins and ripe black plum and black-currant flavors are full of intense ripeness and acidity. Produced in limited quantities with 10 months in wood, this is still young. Drink from 2019.
This is a tiny production wine, nutty on the nose in almond paste and an intensity of forest floor and earth. Still gritty in its youth, it shows a soft and delicate nature at its core, accented in rose petal and a persistent streak of minerality complemented by a richness of deep dark red cherry.
From an estate site, this wine offers power and concentration. Creamy in texture, the generosity of fruit is balanced by notes of stone, toasted oak and French butter, making for a wonderfully complete experience on the palate.
This bottling from the Scheid family, one of the region's largest growers, shows aromas of baked red cherry in a vanilla pie crust as well as marjoram, bay leaf and cinnamon. The palate balances tart and ripe cranberry and pomegranate with both dried and fresh herbs.
Heavy licorice bombards the nose on this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 14% Merlot, 8% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot, but there is plenty of cassis, fudge, brandy and mint to add complexity. Solid acid and firm tannins grab the palate's attention immediately, allowing blackberry, dried herbs and a rocky minerality to converge cleanly.
Fresh and broad aromas of strawberry syrup meet with eucalyptus oil and wild mint on the clean if simple nose of this bottling. It grows more tart on the sip, with roasted red plum, cranberry and pomegranate, but the fascinating parts are the curious hints of cannabis and hops, which give herbal depth to the fruit.
This is a wood-aged wine that's smooth with rounded and great fruit flavors. The wood is subtle, a hint of spice and no more, allowing the ripe apricot and citrus flavors to show strongly. It is a very fine wine, ready to drink now.
This José Ferreira family project in the Douro Valley had its first vintage in 2007. This partially wood-aged wine is rich and full of black fruits. Fermentation in open lagars has given the wine a ripe character as well as dense tannins. The wine is concentrated and likely to age a little further, so drink from 2018.
This ripe wine is concentrated in blackberry tones, with added spice from 12 months in French and American oak. The tannins and the dry core are still developing into what will be a sumptuous wine. Drink from 2019.
This wine offers high-toned cherry amidst a fresh, acidic backbone. The secondary characteristics are defined by cedar, forest floor, coffee and leather. Light in body, this is a great crowd pleaser.
Leafy, herbal aromas of eucalyptus, olive and juniper are big players on the nose of this firmly balanced Cabernet Franc. Spicy, herbal berry flavors are fully oaked and chocolaty. On the finish, this is blackened and tannic, with fleshy black-fruit leftovers and a dusting of oaky cocoa. Drink through 2023.
Structured with a strong mineral character, this is a full rich wine. Its density comes from the fermentation in stone lagars giving richness and opulence. The wood aging has added to the smoothness that is balanced by the intense acidity of the black currant fruits at the end. Drink from 2018.
Aromatic fruit and floral notes join delicious honeydew melon flavors as this full-bodied wine wraps around the tongue, leaving a soft smooth impression and lingering on the finish. Very good concentration, layers of flavor and that lasting finish lift this wine above the ordinary.
This wine has great potential to emerge as a classic in the years to come, but is a bit tightly wound right now. Hearty roasted plum and blackberry aromas are coated in smoke, chocolate shavings and subtle violet on the nose. The sip starts bright before the strong tannins take hold, hiding the dark berry and minty flavors.
From the mighty mountainous site, this 100% varietal wine is densely compact and thick, with a lift of acidity that keeps it fresh despite its power. Black currant, black cherry, graphite and sage combine effortlessly to provide fruit and complexity.
At 600-feet in elevation, this is the site that's behind a wine of structure and considerable power. A thick rich layering of currant and blackberry is soft with a tannic backbone. Clove and tobacco contribute secondary aspects of complexity.
This is a blend dominated by 85% Touriga Nacional from a single vineyard near the Serra da Estrela mountain range. The relatively cool climate shows in the crisp red fruits and the strongly mineral texture. The wine has an obvious aptitude to age further with its tannins and acidity still prominent, so drink from late 2018.
A rich, heady bouquet offers aromas of blackberry, sandalwood, prune and coconut. The palate is tightly layered, displaying a firm grip along with woody blackberry, spice, tea and herbal flavors. The well-built finish is muscular through the final note. This blend of Tannat, Merlot and Tempranillo resembles a modern Rioja. Drink through 2022.
High Note reaches the high notes, the middle notes and the bass notes. It starts with dark berry aromas and clarity, while the palate is lively and fresh, with cherry and a light undercurrent of olive for flavors. A full, honest Malbec with size, character and balance.
I can't say I'm a big fan of the Marlargo labels, but what's in the bottle is pretty good. This medium-bodied Shiraz boasts soft, supple tannins that support aromas and flavors of coffee, cola, leather and black olive. For all its dark flavors, the finish is mouthwatering, inviting another sip.
Finished at just 12.9% alcohol, the cuttings for this interesting wine came from Tablas Creek. It brings light, tart, cranberry and red fruit flavors. Somehow an impression of butter creeps into the finish, which lingers surprisingly given the lightness of the wine, over all.
French oak fermentation and sur lie aging give this wine just a hint of toast and softness in the mouth. It is just at 14% alcohol, which keeps it from getting either too bitter or too hot in the finish. It's downright elegant, with a refreshing light touch that is all too often missing from Viognier.
Known as Tinta Amarela in the Douro, this ripe, spicy, minty grape has a strong medicinal character. But allied as it is here with dark plum skins, fine acidity and dense tannins, it makes a powerfully rich statement.
Smells just gorgeous, combining classic lime sherbet notes with hints of petrol and fleurs blanches. But in the mouth it lacks the same finesse, and shows a riper, chunkier character that leans toward pineapple and peach. It's still very good, but don't expect it to age well past 5 or 6 years.
This crisp, focused wine may not be quite as racy as its namesake dog breed, but it is very fresh. There's a touch of green apple, but the majority of the fruit leans more toward white grapeffruit, with a long finish.
This barrel fermented Viognier delivers an intense nose mixing scents of flowers (lily of the valley), lime skin, green pineapple and a dash of papaya. Cool, crisp and utterly delicious, it is a perfect sipping wine, elegantly structured and under 14% alcohol.
A second wine from the Pintas range of Jorge Serodio and Sandra Tavares, this is a big, forward wine, pushing out ripe red plum and strawberry fruits. It's almost sweet in its ripeness.
Named after a Portuguese dance, this fresh, fruitcake and blackberry-flavored wine is easily ready to drink, a wine that powers through with its sweet, juicy fruit and final acidity.
A blend of 70% Semillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc, Plantagenet's Hazard Hill white is fresh and grapefruity, with hints of melon to help round it out. Crisp acids and modest weight make it refreshing--it would be fine as an apéritif or with seafood. Drink now.
This wine greets you with evocative scents that showcase Carmenère's leafy, herbal nature without becoming too raw or vegetal. The fruit is subdued and tart; the flavors are spicy and very peppery and lead into tannins that have the scrapey austerity of green tea. It's 100% varietal and brings both the good and the challenging flavor aspects of the Carmenère grape.
Blossomy pink-grapefruit perfume bursts from this fruity, floral, complex auslese. While lip-smackingly sweet with flavors of red berries and hibiscus nectar, it's grounded with a backdrop of acidity and steely minerality that resonates long through the finish.
Sheer in texture, this honeyed nectar falls on the palate like a whisper, but its stone fruit, red berry and grapefruit flavors are powerful and compounding. Multifaceted with touches of sugar cookie and guava juxtaposed with lime zest and slate, it delivers a long, ponderous finish.
This top wine from Quinta Vale Dona Maria comes from a small parcel of old vines on the estate close to the river Torto. Foot treading in lagars give the wine its richness and sumptuous character. It also provides tannins that are cushioned by the superripe black fruits and acidity. This long-term wine shouldn't be touched until 2020.
From the vineyard that helped propel the appellation's reputation into the stratosphere, this wine delivers both in terms of its historical significance, but also in present-day refinement and complexity. A flinty, earthy layer of black truffle and coffee open the aromatic profile of the wine before offering bold, brawny flavors of leather and black currant. The oak is well integrated and the tannins sizable yet behaved. This is a beautiful wine.
The original vineyard owned by winemaking husband and wife Jorge Borges and Sandra Tavares da Silva, this is halfway up the Pinhão Valley, close to some of the greatest Douro vineyards. Pintas is now well established as a Douro classic. It is powered by tannins at this stage, but the structure, the lush fruit that comes from fermentation in open lagars and the sheer density of the wine, speak of greatness. Drink from 2019.
Made from vines planted over a century ago and fermented in open lagars, this is a powerful and magnificent wine. With great tannins forming the base for opulent fruits black fruits and a serious structure, it should age for many years. Drink from 2020.
Vines over 50 years old are the background to this impressive wine. It's produced from a field blend of over 20 different varieties that assembled together give an enormous wine that's solid with tannins and lush fruits. With so much structure and concentration, it will need many years. Drink from 2018.
Concentrated in black currant and clove, this is a soft, silky wine, lengthy and substantial without ever becoming overbearing in terms of power or oak. Lovely anise accents the crisp fruit, providing a worthy example of the appellation and clean winemaking coming together in an elegant way.
Breathtakingly blossomy from nose to finish, this is textbook Mosel spätlese. On the palate, pristine white peach and apricot flavors are cut by a razor-edged streak of acidity. Shimmering minerality and a delicately filigreed sweetness linger.
Many of Oregon's best winemakers are scrambling to acquire Shea grapes. This small-scale producer does a fine job. Its Shea designate is a captivating wine loaded with blueberry, blue plum, black raspberry and a touch of violets. One-third new French oak brings a vein of chocolate. The balance is impeccable. Drink this with enjoyment immediately, or cellar it through 2025.
Strawberry syrup, scarlet-red rose petals, warm licorice-laced cookies and dried sage combine for a brilliant nose from this reliably exciting vineyard, planted by a longtime cattle ranching family. Flavors of raspberry torte and ripe red fruits float across the palate, with added complexity from lifting mint and lively yeast elements.
The winery's top estate-grown Cabernet, meticulously crafted to age, this is pungent in cardamon and clove, wrapped around hardbound layers of blackberry and raspberry. Elegant and refined, with chalky tannins that will further soften over time, it offers a polished, elegant expression of dried cherries, dark chocolate and brown sugar to round out the finish. This beautiful wine should continue to show well through 2030–2040.
A fruity nose of red currants and cooked cherries shows how well Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton achieve balance amidst ripeness. The palate allows a little raspberry juice, yet is powered by dill, licorice, wet sagebrush, anise and pencil lead, proving savory and supple all at once.
Raspberry and cinnamon spice hit the nose first followed by crushed cloves on this supremely balanced wine by Gavin Chanin from a vineyard that's northwest of the Sta. Rita Hills. Dried cranberry fruit leads the palate, but it's mostly powered by a potpourri of brown spices, from peppercorns to nutmeg. It's a study of restrained ripeness that's fresh and tasty.
Vibrant aromas of rose petals, stone fruit, pastry and smoke captivate throughout this multifaceted Riesling. Semidry in style, the palate apposes sweet flavors of honey and caramel against crisp peaches and tangerine. The lingering finish is marked by a flurry of blossoms and astringent tea notes.
Licorice, lemon peel, nutmeg, black cherry, requisite schist and smoke aromas set up a juicy, full-bodied, tannic palate with blackberry, mocha, cassis and mild herbal flavors. Blackened toast, licorice and black-fruit flavors are draped all over a smooth, controlled finish. Best from 2016 through 2023.
Yellow flower, Mediterranean herb, cut grass, crisp green apple, juicy citrus and intense mineral are some of the sensations offered by this structured and savory white. It boasts great depth and is impeccably balanced with vibrant acidity. Enjoy through 2021.
From a steep, densely planted estate vineyard, this is a lilting regional example of well-integrated oak in support of black raspberry, licorice and chalky clove. Silky tannins mark it most, providing a balance to the fruit and a pronounced, entirely delectable bite of black pepper on the finish.
This is a powerful wine, complex and structured. From one of the Douro's top quintas, now fully on form, this is full of red fruits, blackberries and acidity that's still so young. Concentrated and demanding aging, this should be kept at least until 2018.
Ripe cherry aromas swirl into graphite minerality, sweet wood and sagebrush scents in this delicious Jim Clendenen wine. The density on the palate is just about perfect, as is the tannic tension and mouth-cleansing acidity, with rich flavors of chemise, very ripe raspberry and elderberry juice proving quite sultry and addictive.
Spicy and leathery, this lovely wine unfolds with waves of red and blue fruit, from cassis to huckleberry and blueberry pie. Balanced and elegant, it has a substantive, complex finish, revisiting its black pepper introduction around a finely tuned finale of herb. Enjoyable now, it will take on deeper complexity through 2022.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc is the Creston winery's top-end offering, and it's beautiful. Aromas of blueberry, black cherry, turned earth and roasted vanilla bean meet with violet and sweet rose florals that keep you sniffing. It's dense on the palate but not overly ripe, with black-rock minerality and leather laid across blueberries and prime rib elements. The tannins are present but not in the way at all.
Reedy cherry and berry aromas are smoky and schisty, with a high level of purity and complexity. This wine is tannic but in great shape, with lockdown structure. Schisty plum, cassis, black cherry and cocoa flavors finish firm and mildly peppery tasting, with oodles of class and aging potential. Drink through 2022.
Packed with fruit, minerality and impressive wood-aging flavors, this is a single-parcel wine of immense power. Black fruits and tannin share the honors, giving structure and density. It's a wine for long-term aging, solid and concentrated. Drink from 2019.
Long wood aging and a selection of grapes from old vines have produced this firmly structured and concentrated wine. It is full of black plum-jelly flavors shot through with acidity. A solid, dry core promises even further aging. At the end, acidity gives a juicy, delicious aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
This challenging island vineyard, planted in 2007, delivers a stunningly delicate but ripe wine, with aromas of smashed cranberry and strawberry pairing perfectly to sarsaparilla and sautéed oyster mushroom elements. The continually emerging palate shows dried citrus peels, iron and sour cherries, along with riper raspberry and pomegranate juice flavors and a spicy edge.
Crushed blackberries compete with a hearty bouquet of violet in this gigantically powerful and structured wine. Soft and leathery, it features spikes of black pepper, vanilla and pungent black earth amid a dense, concentrated finesse of tannin and oak, with a lengthy finish awaiting. This is power at its best, a reflection of an idyllic vintage in the hands of a skilled producer.
Cabaços believes in releasing its wines when they are ready to drink. That's why it's possible to drink this Reserva for the first time. It's a magnificent, powerful wine, packed with dark fruits that are now mature. The opulent Alicante Bouschet is the backbone of the wine along with the more structured Touriga Nacional. Drink now.
There's a lemony leanness to this exquisite wine, from one of the most esteemed vineyards in its region, a site the producer has worked with for more than 20 years. Balanced, it opens with inviting aromas of white flowers and orange peel before delving into complex layers of fresh citrus, ginger snap and lavender.
This is introduced by scents of rose and cherry blossoms, with a hint of butterscotch. Once tasted it's a lush, forward, sweetly appealing wine with the impressive fruit concentration of the 2012 vintage, underscored with a layer of mineral. It's delicious already, but destined to improve. Drink some now, and put away some to taste between 2018 and 2025.
Pear and vanilla aromas are what you'd call basic, and there's a briney note as well. Feels about medium, with mild acidity and a dilute quality to the palate feel. Tastes of lime and green banana, with brine and fresh bell pepper thrown in.
Curious on the nose with whiffs of watermelon candy and a touch of resin, this medium-bodied, late-harvest Chardonnay is densely concentrated on the palate with a distinctly tropical mango and pineapple profile. Finishes with blossomy, floral flair.
Saline and sea breeze notes brighten soft, sweet vanilla and caramel flavors on this rich, oaky Finger Lakes Chard. Supple in texture, it's languid character gets a hit of verve from bright acidity on the midpalate.
Brambly plum and leafy berry aromas are quite typical of value-priced Chilean Merlot. The wine has a good mouthfeel and solid structure, with bright but basic berry fruit flavors. Short and generic on the finish. Good for the price.
Lilacs and roses mingle with ripe red cherry fruit on this crisp, easy-drinking Cab Franc. Delicate in body and structure, it picks up hints of vanilla and smoke on the finish.
Tropical and forward, and with three months spent in oak, the wine offers some resin and vanilla both on the nose and in flavor. Tastes sweet, honeyed and nutty, with banana and melon notes. An easy drinker that will do best if well chilled.
Soft and ripe, this is an easy, fruity wine. It has red berries, gentle tannins and attractive acidity. It is just as enjoyable as an apéritif as with food and ready to drink now.
Attractively balanced wine, its apple and pear acidity giving a very fruity character. There is a burst of lemon zest for extreme freshness with some grassy herbal character right at the end.
A Bordeaux saved from its high alcohol by its acidity. There is power and superripe fruit yet parallel to these is the black currant acidity that cuts right through. Age for 1–2 years.
Mild and approachable up front, with apple, banana and tropical fruit aromas. Feels fresh and about average, with sweet, candied flavors of mango and melon. Turns slightly bitter and pithy on the finish.
A crusty smelling wine with aromas of crude oil, roasted nuts and modest berry fruit. Feels acidic and scratchy, with balsamic flavors and a chalky finish. Prickly and teetering on sour, with a lasting herbal impression.
A soft wine, with some light wood aging while the fruit gives black currant stalkiness, dry tannins and fresh, juicy, smoky acidity. The wine needs no aging, but could develop for 2–3 years.
Spicy wood thrusts this wine forward. It does have enough weight of blackberry fruit to compensate.
Just a single barrel was produced. Volatile and slightly vinegary at first, it improves with aggressive swirling. The fruit remains quite tart, almost to the point of being sour, with little varietal character.
Generic red fruit flavors are set in a light wine with a slightly chalky finish. In the nose there are hints of volatility and leather, but it's perfectly quaffable.
Toasted hazelnuts and pressed apple cider notes lend a smoky, rustic character to this dry, medium-bodied Chardonnay. Orange-inflected acidity adds balance and brightness to a wine that's hearty enough to stand up to braised fowl or even lighter pork dishes.
Smells roasted and leathery, with a distinct earthy, baked bean-influenced set of aromas. Feels edgy but o.k., with generic boysenberry, chocolate and vanilla flavors. Shows buttery oak and carob on the finish.
Either this producer is one of the most honest when it comes to listing alcohol levels or this is as close to Port as it gets, a Primitivo that's got some cherry brightness to it, but gets bogged down by its own bigness.
Balancing power and grace, this wine delivers alluring aromas and flavors of ripe black cherry, raspberry compote, grilled herb, licorice and tar. Vibrant acidity and firm, velvety tannins provide freshness and structure, while a hint of pipe tobacco closes the lingering finish. Drink 2020–2032.
Marked by both reduction and oak, this wine feels lifted with acidity, opening in a vibrant shock of strawberry and Mandarin orange. Velvety layers subtle tannin carry a spicy finish of clove and salty sea air. A beautifully balanced, complete wine.
With 83% Sémillon in the blend, this wine has weight as well as richness. At the same time, it has a crisp edge, a smoky character from wood aging and the fine balance between citrus and more exotic fruits. It is a wine to age for many years. Drink from 2022.
This is a major wine. It has enormous tension, structure and a core of dark tannins. Amid all this, the wine is also packed with fruit and concentrated blackberry and black-plum flavors. It will age slowly and steadily with its enormous structure and concentration. Drink this wine from 2027.
Effectively half-and-half Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this is a tremendous wine. With very fine tannins, spice from a touch of wood and swathes of ripe fruits give this wine its concentration and its huge potential. The wine has weight and a dark, dense structure that will allow it to age for many years. Drink from 2027.
With seriously dense tannins, this shows great structure. Rich and full of ripe fruit, it also has a fresh streak that gives it a lift. The structure will allow the wine to age over many years while the fruit and acidity will give it crispness. Drink this impressive wine from 2027.
This is a great wine. It has all the elements in place to produce a wine that will last for years: powerful fruit, rich tannins and a structure that is built to last. This is elegant, impressive and concentrated. Almost entirely Cabernet Sauvignon, the grape gives the wine its fruit and its tannins. Drink from 2028.
This powerful wine has a superb mix of the crispest fruit and great structure. Blackberries and black currants shine through the tannins, expressing the liveliness of the vintage. It is so well delineated with everything in its place. The wine is certainly going to age for decades. Drink from 2027.
The label of this vintage is designed by David Hockney in memory of Philippine de Rothschild. It is a powerful wine in the rich style of Mouton with strong black-currant fruits from 81% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is dense and dark, ready to age for many years. Drink this impressive wine from 2026.
The wine is a velvet glove in an iron fist. The smooth surface of ripe fruits and rich blackberry flavors, masks the dense tannins that will allow this very great wine to age for many, many years. The acidity and the rich fruit combine with the fine dusty tannins. The wine will surely not be ready to drink before 2027.
This is a powerful wine, made to age for a long time, from this estate which is performing in top gear. Complex tannins and dark fruits both make their presence felt. It has weight, ripeness and a dense structure. A great success, it is unlikely to be ready to drink before 2027.
A fragrant and pure nose of slightly floral tangerine peel opens this wine. It offers a ripe fruit-driven dance of aromas and freshness—think tangerine, ripe lemon, crisp apple and a beguiling floral dimension. Lovely now in its primary-flavored youth, it's certain to become even more disarming in the future. Drink 2020–2035 or later if you like it really mature.
This riveting wine displays the exceptional finesse and precision that fruit from this AVA can deliver. It's Pinot Noir expressed in the most subtle and demanding way. Beautifully orchestrated red fruits, sappy acids, lush spices, perfect balance and an immaculate mineral-soaked finish are all on display. Drink 2018 through 2030.
Dark-skinned berry, forest floor, pipe tobacco, new leather and balsamic notes float out of the glass. On the elegantly structured palate, taut, polished tannins and vibrant acidity frame ripe red cherry, exotic spice and aromatic herb flavors. A lingering star anise note announces the close. Impeccably balanced and loaded with class, it's still young and needs time to fully develop. Drink 2022–2037.
A best-of blend from several of the producer's vineyard sites, this wine explodes in flavor and complexity as though celebrating each site's individual beauty and potential. Black pepper and crisp orange and pomegranate flavors show through its layered and focused texture—a savory package with a seemingly endless finish.
This single-vineyard Carignan is living proof of how impressive the variety can be, especially when hailing from a top year like 2012. Schisty aromas of blackberry, chocolate and mocha are smooth and alluring. This feels focused, pure and juicy, while dense blackberry, mocha and baking spice flavors tail off with exotic notes of Malabar pepper, toast and the finest black coffee. Drink through 2023.
With its high proportion of Cabernet Franc (45%), this is a finely perfumed rich wine. It has great tannins, a smoky character that comes from the wood. The tannins are quite marked, giving a tight firm edge to the wine that otherwise has generous fruitiness. This is a complex wine, impressive, and likely to age over many years. Drink from 2028.
A tightly coiled rich wine that has great acidity as well as a lively structure. Touched by spice from wood aging as well as intense citrus, it is fruity, firm and strongly textured. Drink this impressive still-young wine from 2022.
This is a finely structured wine with dark tannins and intense black fruits. The estate, with its biodynamically grown fruit, has given an impressively pure wine, packed with tight serious tannins and a fine structure of black-plum skins and intense acidity. It is direct, firm and with a huge potential over many years. Drink from 2027.
This wine from Jordan Fiorentini is a stunning study in how to achieve extreme richness with elegance. Deep black cherry, violet, espresso, milk chocolate and vanilla pastry show on the nose. On the palate, chalky, soft tannins bring forth baked blueberry, star anise and clove flavors, with floral tones and acidic lift on the finish.
This is possibly the most savory rendition of Syrah made on the Central Coast, each vintage as feral as the last. This bottling shows bloody lamb, crushed peppercorn, soy and barnyard elements on the nose. The palate is tense with tarry structure, revealing unusual kelp, stewed peppercorn, black miso and teriyaki flavors.
An extra dollop of toasty oak amplifies the deep black-cherry core. Cedar, pipe tobacco, espresso and dark chocolate highlights wrap around and through the finish. This is a wine with power, precision and exceptional detail. Drink now through the mid-2020s.
Underbrush, ripe berry, new leather and Mediterranean herb aromas slowly take shape in the glass. Showing youthful tension, the vibrant palate delivers red cherry, pomegranate, white pepper and pipe tobacco notes framed by bright acidity and taut, refined tannins. It already shows great balance and finesse but is still young and tight. Drink 2022–2035.
With the amalgamation of Château Magdelaine into this one property, the estate is now a considerable 58 acres. The wine is now performing in top gear. Powerful tannins drive the mainly Merlot blend with 10% Cabernet Franc. It still shows signs of the wood aging and these will disappear to leave a richly endowed wine with a fine future. Drink from 2026.
Here's an impressive wine that is so ripe and with great structure. It is a major wine with a dark complex texture and the finest acidity. The wine is very complete, all the elements in place from the black fruits to the tannins to the hints of wood aging. Now at the top of the tree in Saint-Emilion's classification, the wine will take years to mature. Drink from 2027.
Barley sugar, butterscotch, demerara sugar and the faintest hint of maple syrup suggest the richness of this SGN right away. The concentrated sweetness is countered with illuminating freshness and holds tons of tangy spice. Wow. This is incredibly concentrated and has an elixir-like bundled energy that seems to be alive. The effect is both mesmerizing and invigorating.
What to mention first? A hint of mossy earth, chamomile tisane, Cox Orange Pippin apples or lemon zest? All of these aromas dance on the nose. They are still totally shy on the taut, dry and concentrated palate. For now, it is mossy citrus that is most aromatic while rich fruit still needs to unfurl. This strikes a note of utter purity, of something soaring and bright. Right now this is totally brisk, invigorating and refreshing but its true colors won't show for some time. Drink 2020–2035.
Somehow, in a stellar 2014 lineup, this vineyard designate stands out, as the 2012 did when it was the Wine Enthusiast 2015 wine of the year. Power and precision work in tandem here. The fruit blend conjures up melon, berry, cherry and more, and the oak has the gentlest touch to its presence. There's tremendous midpalate concentration, and the clear sense that this could age for decades. Let's just say drink 2018 through 2030.
This almost 100% Cabernet Franc single-vineyard wine is perfumed and ripe. The velvet tannins and ripe black fruits are fine, structured and with enormous potential. The wine is generous, opulent and worthy of serious aging. Drink from 2027.
This wine shows a high degree of spiciness with a rose petal-like flourish—a stellar first effort from a new estate vineyard along Eastside Road. Brambly raspberry and dark cherry flavors seem brushed by a subtle waft of campfire smoke and molten chocolate, all swirling together in the glass as a lengthy, lively palate framed by acidity.
Lipstick cherry and vanilla provide a burst of red fruit succulence around a core of big oak and a leathery midpalate marked by dried sage. Drying tannins belabor the finish, before rediscovering its lovely, though bold, expression of fruit.
A touch of reduction still clings to the citrus and pear notes of this clean-cut wine. The palate fill out with notes of citrus and green, freshly cut Conference pear—it has juicy concentration and provides a lip-smacking finish.
The quality at the high end of the Giesen lineup has been steadily increasing over recent years. This is a supple, complete Pinot, combining brown sugar, black cherries and sous bois notes effortlessly into a medium-bodied wine with no hard edges. Drink now-2020.
Aromas of citrus zest, stone fruit, toasted almond and a whiff of light baking spice lead the way on this polished white. The vibrant, elegantly structured palate shows Bosc pear, white peach, nectarine and a hint of ginger. A mineral note backs up the finish.
The spice, green herb, cedar, pepper and purple-fruit aromas are brooding and reserved, with a sprinkling of vanilla rounding it out. The elegant fruit and savory flavors show a fine sense of polish, with puckering tannins supporting it all. The focus is on elegance.
Made entirely with Pinot Nero, this salmon-colored sparkler opens with aromas of toasted nut, McIntosh apple and red berry. The creamy palate delivers ripe red cherry, raspberry, toasted hazelnut and a hint of cake spice alongside a soft mousse.
Jammy berry aromas include a seemingly misplaced note of cinnamon. This feels full, blocky and tannic, with old-fashioned clamp. Flavors of oak, plum and cherry form a familiar whole, while this tastes earthy and dry on the finish, with modest heat. Drink through 2021.
Streaks of honey and apple-cider spice reverberate through this ripe, intensely concentrated Chardonnay. While fermented with indigenous yeast and unoaked, full malolactic fermentation gives it a creamy, almost palate-coating richness. It's a uniquely muscular Chardonnay from Long Island.
Enticing aromas of red berry, rose, exotic spice and chopped herb unfold on this straightforward Barolo. The palate offers up dried berry, oak, vanilla and clove alongside fine-grained tannins that give it a firm finish. This is already accessible so enjoy over the next few years.
Allspice, ginger, Red Vines and red-fruit aromas are out front on this Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) dominant wine. The palate possesses weight and suppleness to the mouthfeel, with lightly grainy tannins providing the frame.
Good depth and a sense of complexity are this wine's strong points. It layers red cherry, black cherry and a moderate dose of spicy oak through the aromas and flavors, and has a nice harmony of different elements, plus firm acidity and tannins to give the texture a little bite.
Warm spice, vanilla and cedar tones accent blackberry and cherry on the nose of this ripe, luxurious Merlot. Fleshy black fruits are densely concentrated on the palate, refreshed by a cool menthol breeze that extends through the finish. Powerful tannins linger.
Spanish broom, aromatic herb and orchard fruit aromas lift out of the glass while the rounded palate offers white peach, honeydew melon and a white almond note. Fresh acidity brightens the creamy flavors.
Named after Madeleine Herbeau, co-owner of the estate, this wine is a balanced, clean and crisp. It has intense red currant acidity allied to warmer strawberry flavors. The aftertaste is packed with bright fruit.
The entry-level wine in the Esclans range, this is as fresh and fruity as possible. Juicy red currant and tangy acidity combine in this delicious blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. The wine is dry while showing exuberant fruit. It can be drunk either as an apéritif or with food.
The estate wine of Sainte Roseline has a pale color and perfumed, lightly herbal fruit. It has structure from the Mourvèdre that also perfumes the riper Grenache and Syrah in the blend. This concentrated wine is destined to go with food.
Baking spice, vanilla, woodspice and dark fruit aromas are followed by sweet cherry and cranberries flavors supported by firm, lightly gritty tannins. There are lots of good things going on but the tannins need time to settle.
Pressed honeysuckle, beeswax and orchard fruit aromas come together on this. The medium-bodied palate offers passion fruit, creamy white peach, vanilla and mineral while a hint of toasted almond closes the finish.
A lingering vein of dark char, spice and toast acts as a counterpoint to this wine's ripe, black-fruited character. The palate is rich and densely concentrated, kept taut by a frame of bold tannins. It's pleasant now but should develop smoky, savory complexities through 2023.
There are blueberries galore: the nose bursts with them. On the palate they are held in a pretty tight tannic grip which makes this all the more crunchy and fresh. This is lively, medium-bodied and vivid with some welcomed rustic edges. This unusual Cabernet Sauvignon rendition will be a winner on the table.
Leather, smoked beef, beef jerky and black currant aromas show on the nose of this smoky bottling, whose name is a nod to one of the historic Hearst Ranch's old cowboy camps. Smoked meat and coffee-crusted beef roast arise on the palate, alongside dried oregano, dried cherries, brown coffee and milk chocolate lushness.
An unusually light California Pinot, this wine has lively grape and herb aromas and fresh but lean flavors that make it appetizing while being restrained in personality. It offers a good balance of fruit, acidity and mild tannins.
This is an imposing, enormous style of wine that smells minty, tastes dense and ripe, and feels massive due to full body and layers of fine tannins. It will be fun to drink with grilled lamb chops or something equally rich, where all the tannin and flavor will meet their match.
There is the slightest hint of ripe pineapple about this fruit-driven white. The palate offers up more texture than fruit with wonderful frank freshness and pleasant nudges of yeast. Drink soon.
A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Carmenère, this opens with aromas that recall red currant, toast and a balsamic note. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, leather, game, truffle and a cedar note alongside supple tannins.
This wine is named “the three brothers” after the owner's siblings. It is a tight, mineral-driven wine, although the citrus and apple fruit flavors are not far behind. With acidity and spice, the wine is rich and ready to drink.
Big-boned, this wine is juicy and herbal, a nice mixture of pipe tobacco and rustic, brawny blackberry and sage.
Malbec is an extreme rarity in this tiny appellation. This one brings quite light cherry and spice aromas followed by quite sweet cherry flavors. It brings appeal but one wants more aromatically.
The small village of Auxey-Duresses is well known for its attractive, cool and fruity whites. This bottling is only lightly oaked, showing plenty of fine acidity and a crisp, clean texture. Not a wine for aging, drink now for its tangy character and bright aftertaste.
Young and fragmented, this displays zigzag streaks of acid, purple plum, sour raspberry, citrus and wet rock. Time may well pull it together: at the moment it's a potpourri of not quite pulled together components.
Fermented and aged in stainless steel and neutral French oak, this wine shows a citrus-like complexion of tangy acidity and taste of wet stone. Full-bodied, it's layered and relatively dense.
Referring to the old-time pronunciation of this Rhône red in California, this wine is awash in flavors of baked plum, maple syrup and dried cherry, akin to raisin cake. The ripeness and rusticity are wrapped in tight, firm tannins that grip on the finish.
A deep color, ripe fruit flavors and a richly tannic texture make this full-bodied wine mouth-filling and satisfying without being heavy. A nice, moderate, spicy oak layer under the blackberries and a hint of pepper add welcome complexity.
Both cold-tank fermented and barrel-fermented, this white shows steely aromas of lemon and fresh lime, its acidity bristling with mouthwatering succulence and a lightness of body.
A floral tease of jasmine provides a perfumed opening to this wine, which follows in bright acidity and fresh, ripe layers of tangerine and peach. The oak is moderately present and integrated well.
This blend combines 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah. Fat, juicy and tart, it's robust in oak and meaty leather, its tannin profile grippy and tight. A background note of dried herb and cedar add to the classic touch in style.
Hints of tropical fruit, yellow pear and apricot show on the nose of this bottling by a Sierra Foothills-based producer. There is a slight sweet touch to the sip, but then it dries out nicely, offered pear, apple and honeysuckle flavors against a decent textural grip.
Sourced from Willamette and Umpqua Valley vineyards, this sweetly spicy wine carries a streak of orange peel and flesh. The pretty cherry fruit is fresh and tasty, and for an everyday bottle of Oregon Pinot, it's right on the money.
Herb, coffee and cherry aromas are followed by the sweet ripe taste of café au lait. A light grip of tannins provides support.
From Shauna Rosenblum, the daughter of Rosenblum Winery's founder, comes this pyrazine-forward bottling, which may wow sommeliers but could confuse the public. The nose is both grape-y and peppery with garden herbs, and then the palate is tart and tangy, which is odd for a Cab. Yet the high-acid approach makes for a bright, stylish and savory wine, worth seeking out a sip.
The aromas seem a bit muddled. The palate brings reserved blue-fruit flavors, with peanut shell notes on the finish.
This wine from the southern Mâcon appellation is crisp with a mineral edge as well as the ripe fruit of the vintage. It has a tangy, lemon-like texture that gives it a lift, adding to the fresh, fruity aftertaste. Drink now.
This zesty, off-dry Gewürztraminer is full of ripe yellow peach and orange blossom notes. It's not a deeply complex wine, but its pristine fruit flavors and light-bodied style are refreshing and approachable. Drink now through 2019.
An amplified green nose smells like lime infused with bell pepper and asparagus. A citrusy snappy palate is brash, while pyrazinic green flavors are balanced by citric notes. This is a typical San Antonio SB: racy, green and citric.
Full-bodied and richly textured, this more than delivers at its suggested retail price. Grilled plums, baking spices and mocha notes provide plenty of interest, finishing creamy and supple. Drink now–2020.
Herb, flower and exotic spice aromas lead to broad creamy-feeling fruit flavors that persist on the finish.
Black plum, baking spice and cedar aromas lead the way. On the firm medium-bodied palate, notes of mocha and toasted oak underscore blackberry jam while assertive tannins provide support. Drink through 2020.
This wine blends 53% Monterey County and 47% San Luis Obispo County fruit to deliver a well-priced winner. Key lime, lemon peel, white flowers and almond butter show on the nose, while the palate delivers nicely rounded nectarine, sea salt and oaky flavors that are buoyed by ample acidity through the finish.
Sourced from the Gamble Ranch in Oakville, this is a fleshy, full-figured wine, floral in honeysuckle and voluptuous in youthful oak. Gravensteins apple is overtaken by the richness of butterscotch and tropical pineapple before a brightness comes to life on the finish.
This wine comes from an up-and-coming vineyard site. Very varietal aromas of black cherry, herb and cedar give way to soft fruit flavors and lightly grainy tannins. The tart acidity keeps the interest high. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
An estate bottled Pinot, this wine is inviting in floral and fruity characteristics, offering concise layers of red cherry, rose petals and a spark of oak that builds in intensity through the finish. This is a nice place to start on the winery's lineup of Carneros-Napa Valley Pinot Noir.
The Dundee Hills cuvée shows the tight, tart, higher acidity that is characteristic of the 2011 Pinots from the Willamette Valley. It spent 16 months in 45% new barrels and offers raspberry and cranberry fruit with grippy tannins and a mineral base. Drink now though 2025.
This cool vintage helps keep the alcohol down, but the seductive aromatics more than compensate. Varietal nuances of rosewater and other floral overtones enhance a rather delicate, elegant reserve. Raspberry fruit and highlights of baking spices continue through a persistent finish.
Stony mineral notes accent fragrant blossom and grapefruit notes on this dry, elegant Riesling. The palate is lean and steely, with a distinct line of struck steel and lime, but it's also buoyantly fruity with notes of luscious white peach and honey. A dramatic wine with a long, lingering mineral finish.
Made from 100% Chardonnay, this opens with aromas of apricot, hazelnut and citrus. The bright palate delivers white peach, lemon zest and a note of just-baked vanilla cookies alongside accents of cinnamon and nut. Small, continuous bubbles give an elegant texture.
A delicate spray of violet lingers from start to finish on this lively Pinot Noir, melding into flavors of red cherries and berries, toast and granite. Brisk in acidity yet supple in tannins and mouthfeel, it's an elegant, nuanced wine that may surprise Pinot Noir drinkers outside of Germany.
Dense, roasted, earthy aromas of lightly stewed berry fruits and leather set up a deep, oaky palate with baked, loamy dark-fruit flavors that finish smooth, mellow and rich in feel. This is luxurious Mencía with modest acidity; drink through 2017.
Ripe, baked, raisiny aromas of blackberry, coconut, resiny oak, tomato sauce and herbs set up a racy, high-intensity palate with flavors of berry, fig and blackened spices. The finish is rooty in flavor, with notes of licorice and chocolate offset by sharp residual acidity.
The wine is firm and structured while still having fresh juicy fruitiness. Wood and fruit tannins give a dense core of dryness, leaving the acidity and red berry fruits still developing. From one of the best Premier Crus in Pommard, this will be best drunk after 2018.
The cool Côte de Lechet, facing north, produces a classically steely Chablis. This is still young, very tight and nervy, its acidity prominent even though the texture is ripe. Aging will bring balance between the crisp character and the richer green and white fruits. Drink from 2018.
Floral aromas are layered with notes of ripe black cherry, crushed blackberry, baking spices and a whiff of resin. Despite its full-bodied structure, this is one of the more elegant 2011 Amarones out there, delivering ripe black plum, cocoa and exotic spice. It's already accessible thanks to polished tannins. Drink through 2021.
The winery's high-end cuvée, this is a five-barrel blend, three of the barrels new. Dancing in cardamom and dark cherry, the background ripe and toasty, the flavors are exotic and long lingering. There's a tension and intensity to this wine that bests speaks to aging, or a full decant; either way, it'll be delicious.
The winery's most accessible and available Pinot Noir—still quite small in production—is from several vineyards, including single-vineyard sites like Jenkins. It offers classic Russian River Valley cola spice and bright aromatics and acidity, the texture soft and structured, a smaller percentage of new French oak used for aging.
Light-bodied and yet offering a depth of complexity, this is resplendent in rhubarb and spicy anise, layered and textured in silky waves of fleshy flavor. A well balanced and approachable selection that's enjoyable now.
Willful is the reincarnation of Daedalus, launched with this 2012 vintage. All Pommard clone and 95% estate-grown, this aromatic, welcoming wine brings nuanced black cherry and cola scents and flavors into focus. Lightly spiced, rather soft and open, it's a lovely example of the strengths of the 2012 vintage.
Here is an austere Pinot Noir that's both elegant and high-toned. The flavors mix black cherry and blueberry, while the finish is blithely earthy and herbal. A nice choice for mealtimes of an equally elegant nature, or an easy lunch of BLTs.
A blend of 70% Pinot Nero and 30% Chardonnay, this opens with aromas of toast, roasted nuts, mature apple and pear. The palate offers rich apricot, citrus, bread crust and vanilla alongside a fine, persistent perlage.
Made with no dosage, this is a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Nero. Ripe apple, toasted walnut, lemon zest and bread dough flavors are backed up by crisp acidity. The refined perlage adds softness and elegance.
Dried oregano and sage notes lend a dusty, savory tone to the nose of this racy, light-bodied kabinett. The palate, by contrast, surprises with layers of lush, ripe tropical fruit cut with a razor's edge of acidity and lime zest. Finishes snappy and bright.
Alluring, inviting aromas of white flowers, melon and peach are pure as stream water. This feels round and juicy, with flavors of green herbs, lettuce, lime and orange. Tangerine notes carry the finish, which is linear and racy in feel before turning slightly pithy in flavor.
Honey-kissed peaches waft from this ripe, rich off-dry Riesling full of juicy, luscious stone fruit and citrus. It's quaffable and thirst quenching, yet refreshingly brisk with a lingering shower of lemon-lime acidity.
Named after the 13th-century house at the center of the estate, this is a rich, full-bodied wine. With citrus flavors at its heart, it also shows a texture that gives minerality from the granite soil, followed by juicy yellow fruits and finishing with intense acidity. Give this wine until mid-2015 to settle down.
Made with Nebbiolo and Pinot Nero, this delivers freshness and structure. Intriguing aromas suggest rose, tilled earth, red apple, berries and a whiff of cake spices. The palate offers wild cherry and cinnamon alongside an elegant, persistent mousse and crisp acidity. Enjoy through 2018.
Whiffs of smoke and struck flint persist from nose to finish, lending dramatic minerality to this otherwise juicy, fruity Riesling. Sunny peach and tangerine flavors are semi-sweet on the palate, but it's a refreshing wine with a honed elegance throughout.
Spice, licorice and herbal notes complement red-fruit aromas, while the palate offers plenty of structure and tannic grab. There's an avalanche of blackberry, cassis, fig, chocolate and herbal flavors to process, while the finish is rich and rewarding before breaking up in bits.
Airy and woody on the nose, this textbook Rioja crianza is woody, dry, light and elegant, with a smooth but juicy palate that brings raspberry, plum and brown sugar flavors to the fore. Spice and dry red-fruit flavors meld with juicy acidity on the finish. Drink through 2017.
Inky, minerally aromas of blackberry, black plum and coconut filter into a round, fluffy palate that's friendly and pure but not very dense or structured. Baked flavors of molasses and gamy berry finish mild and easy.
This wine is attractively fruity, just off dry, offering creamed pear flavors cut with fresh acidity. Full of white flower perfumes, it's crisp and light in texture. Drink now.
Grassy aromas lead the nose, followed by darker notes of licorice and candied black fruits. This feels fresh but also acidic; flavors of tart berry fruits are simple to process and finish briny and snappy.
Soft floral and sweet grass aromas dance in the delicate bouquet of this wine, with supporting fruity notes of lemon peel and firm pear. The mouthfeel is light and breezy, with ample acidity that enlivens the palate and finishes briskly.
Earthy, rather savory notes of moss and dusty minerals contrast bright, fruity flavors of fresh peach and papaya on this semidry Riesling. It's refreshing and spry on the palate, with a brisk and cutting finish. Drink now.
This is a medium-sweet wine, very fresh while also with some richness. A creamed-apple texture is given a more exotic touch with white peach flavors and freshened with bright acidity. It would be good with Asian food. Drink now.
This wine seems slightly past peak with aromas of overripe apple, lees and pear. It's lightly sweet with the concentration not seeming all there.
From one of the small outliers in the Loire valley, this crisp wine made from Pineau d'Aunis is bright and lively. It has fresh acidity, red currant flavors and a light, tight aftertaste. Drink now.
This juicy wine conveys a ripe black cherry and lightly spicy character. It's all about the fruit, right up front and with a fresh, crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
Red currant and red berry fruits show strongly in this wine from Virginie Aubrion's biodynamic vineyards. The tannins are strong, although leaving space for the fruitiness. It needs to develop, with good acidity likely to come through. Drink from 2016.
Juicy black currant acidity dominates this light, bright wine that's 100% Merlot. It has a fresh feel and is structured with light tannins. Drink now.
There is a good balance between fruit and structure in this blend of 71% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Franc. It is not weighty, although it does offer attractive berry fruits and touches of red currants. Acidity is a powerful element in this wine that needs to soften. Drink from 2016.
While the tannins here are dry, this wine has enough fruit to show its potential. Blackberry flavors are ripe, cut with acidity and a juicy texture. The wine needs time, so drink from 2017. Enologist Sebastien and vineyard manager Nicolas are the latest generation managing the Carreau family estates.
This wine is bright and fruity, with acidity and some fresh red berry fruits. The background tannins do have a dryness but will soften over the next few months. Drink from 2017. This property, east of Saint-Émilion, is run by Florent Dubard.
This light, fruity and fragrant white has a strong herbaceous character that is recognizably Sauvignon Blanc. It is crisp, clean, fresh and ready to drink.
Still young, this wine has a tight character that needs to open up. Since there is plenty of fruit along with perfumed acidity, it will happen. Tannins and a bitter edge need to be softened, so wait until late 2016 for this wine's potential to really show.
A dense, bombshell of a blend, this is comprised of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache. This tannic beast is somewhat reduced and chewy, committed entirely to meat, tobacco and leathery flavor.
This is subtle and almost neutral in flavor, but does have enough crisp mouthfeel to make it taste appetizing. It delivers slight apple-skin aromas and cucumber flavors, light body and a short finish.
Fruit bowl aromas, then flavors like apple, pear and banana define this soft and medium-bodied wine made from a Spanish grape variety. It is a dry wine but the flavors are so fresh it seems almost sweet.
This wine is laced with wood and spice. It is ripe and fruity, also having a strong pepper and toast character and a light sprinkling of tannin. Juicy cherries give a lift at the end. Drink now.
From vines on the slopes above the River Cher, this steely wine has a tight texture that is restraining the natural fruitiness. It will open up, with its ripe yellow and green fruit flavors. Drink from 2016.
Aromas of citrus, tropical fruit and herb lead to just off-dry flavors with a lightly creamy feel.
Earthy, rustic aromas of tree bark and herbal berry fruits set up a fresh, fairly aggressive palate. Simple berry flavors are backed by chocolate and oaky char, while the finish is peppery and feels a bit hot.
Black plum, boysenberry and fig flavors fill this soft and generous wine. It has a medium-red color, medium body and very fruity aromas. A relaxed, broad texture makes it easy to drink.
The oak is at the fore on this wine, with aromas and flavors of vanilla, dill and baking spices in front of cherry and green pepper. The aromas give a sense of some oxygen exposure.
This light wine is gently fruity and with the minimum of tannins. It is juicy with acidity and red-berry fruits. The partial wood aging has smoothed out the ripe blend of most of the major grapes of the Douro. Drink now.
There's a crushed nut aroma on the nose of this bottling, along with sour tangerine and chamomile. Dried lemons and lime peels show on the sip, which is bitter with pithy flavors and framed with a bit of acidic zip.
Smoky, toasty aromas set the scene for a wine that has obviously seen plenty of wood aging. At this stage, it's all spice and wood, which will probably inhibit its development. Wait until 2020.
This blend includes 70% Merlot and a small (2%) amount of Malbec. Ripe blackberry fruit dominates, but it also has structure. It's likely to develop quickly and be ready to drink from 2019.
Still very firm, this wine shows the tannic structure of the vintage. Because it's beginning to mature, it also shows it's not likely to open up much more. Big and hard to like.
Foxy, lightly green aromas of cherry and tomato are racy and raw. This Malbec has a grating feel, while herbal, oaky red-berry and plum flavors are foxy. A choppy, aggressive finish is led by herbal berry flavors.
This opens with aromas of bell pepper, French oak and exotic spice. The aromas carry over to the palate along with prune, vanilla and a confectionery framed in close-grained tannins. The fruit is already drying up so drink sooner rather than later.
Jumpy, jammy aromas of foxy black fruits are slightly volatile. This has a narrow mouthfeel that's high in acidity. Blackened berry flavors are spicy and peppery, while this Tannat is toasty on a live-wire acidic finish.
This Cabernet Sauvignon smells ripe, with cherry cola, red currant and red plum aromas. Pleasant tones of church incense and vanilla lead to an oaky palate. Cherry and geranium come through, but the oak is prevalent and leads to a long, smoky finish.
This wine has upfront aromas of black cherries, dried herbs and baking spices. On the palate the spices take over, showing charred oak, bramble and vanilla. A full body and drying tannins crave an acidic lift. The finish is long and spicy.
Plenty of good plum and raspberry flavors give substance to this very smooth-textured and medium-bodied wine. It has a mouth-filling quality, ripe fruit and light touches of spice to keep it interesting.
Merlot and Sangiovese make up nearly equal parts of this wine, with smaller amounts of Montepulciano, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cola, vanilla and cherry are walled within full-bodied weight and tannin, with a simple structure and finish.
Smoky oak surrounds robust black fruit, peppercorn and a soft, supple core of easygoing texture and rounded richness. The fruit is sourced primary from the relatively cool Oak Knoll District.
Earthy, leathery plum aromas are dense and stewy more than bright. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère feels soft, jammy and saturated. Blackened, peppery flavors of lightly stewed berry fruits and plum taste of resiny oak, graphite and pepper on a plump finish.
This pure Cabernet jumps from the glass with luscious cherry fruit. Forward and tasty, it's a full-blown mouthful of cherries and chocolate, with a hint of warmth in the back of the throat from the alcohol. Drink soon while the fresh fruit is in play.
The Jaume family's négociant business is thriving because of wines like this that faithfully represent their terroirs while offering solid value. This raspberry- and garrigue-scented wine features ample weight framed by supple tannins that firm up on the finish. Drink now–2018.
This is a crisp, green-fruited wine with all its flavors concentrated in a full, fruity character. It has citrus and lively mineral notes, with a juicy texture. Ripe and rich yet not heavy, it's almost drinkable now. Screwcap.
A bit scratchy, leathery and herbal on the bouquet, but there's also a stony character and raspberry aromas. It feels crisp and a bit sheering, with flavors of zesty red fruit, citrus and vanilla filling in the gaps. The finish is long and lightly oaky.
Lightly spiced up front, with cinnamon and nutmeg aromas adding complex sweetness to cherry and cassis scents. It feels juicy and sincere, with a mix of berry, plum, herb, spice and licorice flavors. This turns toward vanilla on the finish. A traditional wine that's ready now.
Earthy, meaty berry aromas are solid and sturdy. It feels fresh and lifted by lasting acidity, with flavors of raspberry, strawberry and vanilla that are easy to like. A wine to drink now without too much contemplation, this finishes steady and smooth.
Elégance is a five-grape Bordeaux-style blend, sourced from a single vineyard. Sweet oak scents waft up from the glass, a lush melding of various toasts, over pretty raspberry flavors. The wine is sensuous and elegant, already quite drinkable, and seems to slip away gently before you are quite ready for it to leave.
Damp earth, subtle berry, plum and smoke notes define the nose. It feels typically tannic and clampy for Ribera del Duero, with leathery, roasted flavors of blackberry, rubber and herbs. Long, meaty and dense on the back side, with chewy tannins and sweet lasting flavors.
Full-bodied, broad and a bit oily in texture, this concentrated old-vine Marsanne seems a bit evolved, with open aromas of honeyed fruit and truffle backed by citrusy fruit and a hint of anise. Long and intense on the finish. Drink now.
A Meritage that's 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot, this wine is all leathery pouch—still chewy but with lots of well-intentioned structure and big blackberry flavor.
This is a round, silky Châteauneuf-du-Pape that's an appealing, early-drinking rendering. Cherry and leather notes aren't particularly complex beyond a certain horsiness, but the wine fills the mouth and the flavors do linger.
The blend in this cuvée is 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, aged in second-use oak. The oak provides hints of baking spices on the nose and some cedary notes on the palate, nicely accenting the bright black-cherry fruit in this medium-bodied wine. Soft tannins combine with mouthwatering acids on the finish. Drink now–2016.
Mature, earthy and soft on the nose, with roasted, spicy, integrated berry aromas. Full but baked feeling, with maturity and monotone flavors of sweet berries that don't vary. It remains roasted and warm on the finish. Drink soon.
For a 60,000-case Toro, this is very good and well recommended. It smells full, leathery and slightly cheesy, with baked berry aromas. The palate is smooth, with minty, spicy, black fruit flavors. A hint of young oak rises up on the finish.
The Reveler is Revelry's mainstay blend, a mix of roughly equal parts of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Floral and powdered sugar scents lead into a light and pretty palate, showcasing red berry flavors and a touch of minerality.
This has aromas and flavors of yellow apple, citrus zest, bread crust and a buttery note. Small vigorous bubbles provide the backdrop while a bitter walnut flavor marks the finish.
From an estate-farmed vineyard, this medium-bodied wine is earthy and aromatic in baked bread, with soft, moderate acidity. With length and breadth, it shows a tartness of black tea and stems, finishing in oak.
Delicately perfumed, yellow and tropical-fruit flavored, this is bright and very fruity. The citrus edge adds a further lift to this refreshing, ready-to-drink wine.
A pale-colored wine that has an attractive yeasty character that matches well with the crisp red fruits. It has a hint of tannin as well as red berries. The wine is fruity and ready to drink.
This is a smooth, clean, attractive wine that is bright and crisp. Lemon and pink grapefruit give the fine fruitiness while the acidity and lightly mineral texture add the structure. Drink now.
A blend of Syrah, Castelão and Aragonez, this is a ripe, full wine that has fine soft fruit. The tannins give just the right edge to the red fruits and final acidity. Drink now.
Surprisingly soft for a Cabernet, this is a rich, generous wine with very ripe black fruits and a minimum of tannins. It is dense and ready to drink.
With its fine tannins and touch of acidity to lift the berry fruits, this is a stylish, wood-aged wine. It is ready to drink with its spice and ripe fruit character.
Big tannins dominate this still young wine. It has spice and a dry toast character that will need to soften. With acidity and hints of red fruits that should happen, so drink this wine from 2019 when its potential should be realized.
A perfumed fruity wine, this has a light structure along with its forward red fruits. Acidity and juicy fruitiness complete this attractive, ready to drink wine.
This is a ripe and perfumed wine from Vignobles Marcel Petit. It has good aging potential—full of tannins and also of bold black fruits. Structure and fruitiness are a good sign. Drink from 2019.
This is a ripe toasty wine. With its red-berry fruits and acidity along with some dry, smoky tannins it is a wine in progress. Drink this concentrated wine from 2018.
This is a firmly tannic wine although with ripe potential. It has a dense character that is good, allowing the fruit to develop. For now, it is dry so give that fruit plenty of time. Drink from 2019.
This is going to be a fine fruity wine once its firm tannins have calmed down. It has enough black-fruit flavors and acidity to ensure that it will be perfumed, ripe and fresh at the same time. Drink starting from 2017.
The RR wines receive special packaging, but little technical information is provided. Though this is a 2013, it's of a piece with the winery's 2014 Pinots, which is to say that lemony acids and a plethora of herbal components overshadow the fruit. There are hints of wild berry, and a finish with light suggestions of chocolate.
The wet-cement aroma is strong in this bottling that also shows mowed lawn and scratched lemon skin on the nose. The zesty flavors convey freshly cut grass, lime skin and tart kumquat, rather than being rounded with stonefruit.
The deep orange-gold color makes this wine look like a late-harvest version, and fragrant floral and apricot aromas continue that impression. But the wine is dry, light-bodied, somewhat tannic and chewy in texture and nutty in flavor. It fits the distinctive Donkey & Goat style of skin-contact, non-intervention winemaking.
Sharply-defined with a lemony edge, this mixes fruit flavors of tart red berry and citrus. As it breathes it seems to develop some high-toned aromatics bordering on nail polish. Drink up.
Subdued aromas of pear, toast and a yeasty note of bread dough lead the nose. The bracing palate offers Golden Delicious apple, lime and toasted walnut alongside sharp acidity. It finishes on a somewhat bitter note.
This herbal, lightly earthy wine coveys aromas like thyme and parsley, but takes several minutes to open up. Flavors are subtle and citrusy and the texture smooth, with medium body.
What's not to like about this extremely fruity, easy-drinking Rhône-style blend? It smells and tastes like blackberry jam, with a lightly tannic texture. A touch of sweetness keeps it soft.
Smooth and accented by dried herb, this wine is tart in currant and lush in chocolate, offering a wide spectrum of aroma and flavor. Medium bodied, it picks up power and concentration on the finish, allowing for a ripeness to strike last.
This is a ripe juicy wine with fine red fruits and acidity. The smoky tannins are a fine support to the berry flavors. It is developing well and should be ready to drink from 2017.
This is an easy-drinking, smooth and generous wine. With its light tannins and red berry fruit, it is ready to drink young. The aftertaste adds some acidity to give a lift.
Ultratight cherry and plum aromas create a lean red fruit profile. The palate is extra crisp and sheer, with piercing raspberry then a wash of oak flavor. Paper thin on the finish, with freshening acids and a final blast of oak.
Harsh and nervy on the nose, with early aromas of horseradish and chemical that subside with airing. The palate is medium in size, with grabby tannins and dry, oaky flavors mixed with herbal berry notes. Finishes resiny and short.
Smooth, rounded wine, with vanilla, ripe pear and a bitter herbal finish. The wine feels fat, unfocused.
An earthy wine, softly fruity, with cantaloupe melon and pear flavors. It's simple, attractive, light.
Clipped and pruney smelling, with condensed, dull aromas. The palate is soft and mealy, with big tannins, heft and prune-like flavors. Never really finds solid ground or footing; substandard for Mendel.
Dark, crusty and minty on the nose, with obvious oak. The palate is tannic as a drill, with hard blackberry and herbal flavors. Toasty and peppery tasting on the finish, which is tough and drawing in feel.
Light, lemony aromas come with a hint of buttercup. The palate is basic, wet and juicy, with average citrus and apple flavors. Finishes solid and mostly fresh, with generic sweet apple and melon notes along with some weight.
Herbal up front, with pine aromas in addition to berry and plum. The palate is tannic and kind of gritty feeling, with medicinal cherry and candied berry flavors. Finishes sweet, with some burn.
Opens with oily, hard aromas of peanut brittle and resin. After it airs out, it's lively in the mouth and grabby, with resiny, bitter notes mixing with core citrus flavors. Zesty but pithy on the finish.
There's a good fruit core to this value Shiraz, with bright notes of cherry and strawberry thoughtout. The medium-weight mouth offers soft, approachable tannins and ends with a clean close.
The Ukiah Valley gets hot, no doubt, but 15.8% alcohol on a Mendocino Cabernet is still hard to take. This wine is very tightly wound, a little hot, a little flabby with a minty, cedar nose and flavors of blackberry and chocolate that eventually come through.
The Chartrons is the neighborhood of Bordeaux where the wine merchants traditionally worked. This branded Bordeaux is softly ripe, with an attractive density along with a dry core of tannins. Ready to drink now.
Baked plum and berry aromas come in front of a lively palate with earthy berry and baked flavors. It's medicinal and spicy later on, with some grab and a simple, standard structure. 65% Malbec and 35% Merlot.
Watermelon and strawberry fruit flavors, a bit faint, suggests grapes that were not quite ripe. Perfectly quaffable, with lightly earthy flavors and a finishing streak of herb.
Sweet melon and apple aromas fall off to cheesy. The palate has some jump in it, but the flavors are generic and sweet, suggesting mealy citrus and banana. A rudimentary wine with a gimmicky name.
Pink in color, a smooth wine, layered in caramel, missing real fruit.
Darker in color than normal rosé, Bordeaux Clairet also has more richness. This wine is concentrated with vanilla and sweet strawberry flavors, although with a lack of freshness. Treat this as a red wine.
Ripe and fruity, with some sweetness that does not seem to be fully integrated. So the green plum flavors are attractive, as is the acidity, but there is an intrusive sugary edge.
94–96. Barrel sample. This very ripe, full-bodied wine is powered by sweet blackberries and solid tannins. It is a full, concentrated and complex wine that has a great future.
93–95. Barrel sample. Full of ripe Cabernet tannins, this is a structured wine that's chunky in character. It elegantly balances fruit and structure, resulting in a wine that's sure to be impressive.
A Rhône-style blend that includes Viognier, Grenache and Mourvèdre, this is a standout. It's tight, focused and pure, bearing penetrating flavors of cassis and boysenberry, with streaks of coffee liqueur and chocolate, and a deep, resonant finish marked with fine-grained tannins.
This is remarkable, with modest alcohol and a concentrated, ageworthy structure. Lime and pineapple flavors are enhanced with lively, gin-like botanicals. There is vivid acidity and a lick of butterscotch on the finish.
The idea that Sauvignon Blanc cannot age is emphatically disproved by this impressive, mature wine. It is rich and concentrated, full of almonds, herbs and a great sense of length and ripeness. This is now perfectly ready to drink.
This is a unique and quirky blend, but so seductive. Half Sangiovese and half Cabernet Franc, it strikes an Italian pose, with scents and flavors of tobacco and sour cherry backed with lip-smacking acidity. The Cabernet Franc lends prune, plum and coffee notes.
Maturing well, this is a rich Champagne. Its fruit flavors have gained a golden glow of toast and almond flavors, while retaining a taut, textured acidity. Ready to drink now.
This is a ripe and full-bodied; it benefitted from the warm vintage, offering rich yellow-fruit flavors to go with its touches of toast and sweet herb. On the finish, acidity and minerality come forward to suggest its aging potential.
This is the third consecutive year this wine has been rated 92 points. It is dense and potent, with aromas of cola, pencil lead and wild berry. It feels smooth, polished and finessed, with cola, vanilla, baking spice and vibrant black-fruit flavors. It finishes with licorice, toast and cola notes. Drink now–2017.
This is dense, lusty and attractive from the beginning, with rich black-fruit, coconut, tobacco and pine aromas. It feels pure and deep, with ribald acids that keep the pulse up and push blackberry, plum and savory cured-meat flavors. The finish remains savory and saucy. Drink this Cabernet Franc-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend now–2017.
Pure, almost crystalline in its expression of fruit, this 100% Malbec captures the essence of mountain berries. Juicy and perfectly balanced, it suggests a range of notes from tangerine to blueberry to wild raspberry, with lightly peppery, fine-grained tannins.
This is unusually smooth and silky for Petit Verdot, which is often used in small amounts for blending. This is 100% varietal, with the floral aroma of the grape matched to deep flavors of cassis and smoky espresso. The tannin management is spot on.
At first it almost smells too Port-like, but then peppery spice enters the picture and it takes off. And while it weighs a ton and shows some aggression, it's lovable for its pure blackberry and complex spice and chocolate flavors. Long and grabby on the finish, with big tannins. Drink now, or hold through 2020.
Golden pear and citrus fruit shimmer in the glass. The palate is ripe and fresh, made taut by citrus but glowing with ripe juicy pear and red apple. There is a lovely textured midpalate that is reminiscent of chalk, shot through with freshness that underlines the ripe fruit of 2015 even more. This is tangy and refreshing, concentrated and dry with a lovely long and whistle-clean aftertaste.
Grown in what might be the coolest climate Syrah vineyard in the state, this bottling is ferociously peppery on the nose, where tar, elderberry and seedy huckleberry scents add to its dark aromatic profile. Pepper and tar show on the palate as well, alongside purple flower and espresso bean flavors, with a slight caramel touch on the finish.
A concentrated white peach element plays strongly on the nose of this coveted bottling, with touches of sea salt and a sharp tangerine-like edge. Ripe peach and cherimoya flavors show on the palate, but a crescendoing citrus-driven acidity cuts through the richness and allows more savory components like salt and smoked nut to blossom on the finish.
This is a deep, intense and focused wine sourced from 40-year-old vines. Its 28 g/l of residual sugar is all but buried in bright acids, creating tension and depth. Grapefruit, lime and pineapple flavors burst through, making this highly cellar-worthy wine irresistible already.
This opens with subtle aromas of wild flower and a whiff of exotic fruit. The bright fruity palate offers white peach, apple and a hint of honeydew melon. It's straightforward and refreshing.
Elegant and finely structured, this creamy fragrant white opens with heady scents of jasmine, honeysuckle and white stone fruit. The smooth delicious palate delivers green melon, white peach, cantaloupe, grapefruit and orange zest while a saline note lifts the lingering finish.
This 100% Touriga Nacional comes from the government-owned estate in the north of Tejo. Named after the barn owl that is found in the woods, the wine is structured with dense tannins as well as concentrated black fruits. It is balanced with its fruit and structure already working well together, but it will need time. Drink from 2019.
This fine low-production wood-aged wine is almost Burgundian in its creamy richness. The toast is nicely judged giving a wine that has just enough acidity and has plenty of textured apple and grapefruit flavors. The wine is named after the year of the creation of the Companhia das Lezirias.
This small production wine has a crisp crackly character with great fruitiness, as well as a tight mineral texture from the chalk soil. Its citrus and herbal flavor is balanced with taut acidity. The wine, one of two from this producer reflecting different soil types, is young. Drink from 2019.
Compost, earth and spicy cardamom notes provide the savory intrigue of this full-bodied, expressive wine, with additional pine forest, pomegranate and orange peel flavors that add to its complexity and appeal. Sourced from several vineyards in the heart of the appellation, it represents the vintage and the location well.
Juicy, tart and crisp with acidity, this is a standout vineyard designate with a bold, velvety texture. Blue fruit-driven, it's full-bodied and fleshy in all the best ways, with a plush finish that teases with cardamom and tea.
Made from old vines, this stunning wine opens with heady aromas of ripe apple and fragrant white flower. Round and creamy, the palate delivers Bartlett pear, white peach and nectarine zest alongside fresh acidity. A white-almond note graces the persistent finish.
A lifted, ethereal note of bitter almond suggests the beginnings of evolution. The palate, on the other hand, still seems closed but displays a streamlined concentrated core of flawless dryness and precise bundled freshness. This is taut, precise and sure to develop. The finish is lasting, refreshing and clean. Drink now through 2030.
The faintest hint of zesty lemon appears on the nose. The dry palate is of a concentrated slenderness, showing intense notes of ripe lemon zest but hinting at richer notions of ripe pear and candied citron. There is real impact, guided by rapier-like freshness and utter precision. This has an almost cleansing quality but is nonetheless imbued with the fruitful generosity of 2015. Lovely now, but sure to develop. Drink now through 2027.
A touch of flint flashes up briefly before fruity notes of ripe juicy apricot and peach take over. On the palate they are joined by a flash of lemon freshness that brightens and heightens the slender but concentrated palate. Lemon and peach, tangerine and mirabelle fill mouth and mind while the freshness blows away any sensory cobwebs. This is deeply satisfying, lovely now but sure to improve. Drink now through 2030.
Very ripe aspects inform the nose: ripe honeyed peach and pear dominate. The palate, on the other hand, is a picture of citric slenderness and steely concentration of freshness. Its absolute dryness highlights the brisk, clean and lemon-driven style perfectly. This is wonderfully bracing and cleansing and so very refreshing. Lovely now but sure to develope. Drink now through 2025.
Ripe with mocha, baking spice and heady berry fruit aromas, this is an excellent wine from a great vintage. Its firm, tight palate delivers oak, toasty spice and ripe fruit flavors while coffee and spice accents close out the long finish. Drink through 2027.
Coming from one of the state's premier Syrah vineyards, this wine offers perfumed, intense aromas of boysenberry, tar, mineral, smoked meat and fresh flower. The palate boasts dense, seamless purple and black-fruit flavors that sail on the finish. It's a standout example of the variety.
This limited production wine comes in a fancy bottle with wax seal. It is a rich blend of Touriga Nacional along with Merlot, which smooths out the structure and gives the wine its intensity and dense texture. It is a ripe smoky wine, packed with juicy black fruits and flavors of the wood aging. Drink now.
With an underlying current of power and tension, this wine offers a wealth of chocolate, dust and tobacco leaf flavors, its texture softly layered with integrated tannin and oak. Complex and long on the finish, it continues to unravel in the glass.
Sun-warmed ripe mirabelle notes beckon on the nose. The palate edges them with wonderful lemon zestiness. All is bright and luminous with citrus while more rounded peach and apricot notes appear on the slender, concentrated but absolutely full-fruited palate. The finish is whistle clean and lasting with pure lemon.
The nose is reticent but reveals glimpses of passion fruit and peach. These are intensified by honeyed richness on the concentrated palate. Flavors are luscious and round but tangy notes of grapefruit zest give tension and ease to this richness. The finish is all about freshness despite being medium sweet. The peach lasts and lasts.
The nose is a mere promise compared to the full-on experience that follows. The dry palate is a lovely synthesis of ripe, textured and tart elements: of russet-pear peel and flesh, of grapefruit zestiness and spice, of ripe and aromatic tangerine. This is concentrated and full of flavor, animated and full of impact. This seems like energizing fuel. Mouthwatering freshness creates a long fruit-rich driven finish.
A vivid freshness rises from the glass, recalling the wet stones of a cool brook. The palate has a rounder aspect of ripe citrus and is imbued with the tantalizing bitterness of grapefruit and tangerine peel. The body is smooth and concentrated, anchored in freshness and that animating pith. Very moreish, but in an advanced adult way. The finish is whistle clean, lip-smacking, dry and moreish.
Ripe luscious pear fruit almost has a touch of maple syrup on the nose. The palate, which still has ample carbon dioxide from the fermentation for a little fizz, is light and fresh, lemony and bouncy, alive with a kind of earthy goodness. It is the lemon that lasts longest on the dry refreshing palate and makes for a lip-smacking finish.
The nose is subdued. Even the palate only gives up its secrets slowly. Right now, there is a creamy richness informed by peach and mirabelle plum. It is framed by zesty lemon freshness that counters the palpable warmth. The body is concentrated and lip smacking, harmonious and moreish with an earthy, clean, textured and off-dry finish.
Sourced from the Teldeschi and Ramazzotti vineyards, with 12% Petite Sirah and 6% Carignane, this impressively bold, inky wine is undeniably pretty on the nose, recalling strawberries and cherries. Juicy, big and delicious, it has memorable structure and elegance that balances the ripeness of its fruit.
This stellar, gracefully understated Merlot is bolstered by small additions of four other red Bordeaux varieties. It opens with a fresh tropical note that's unexpectedly bright and slowly unwinds to reveal threads of plum, cinnamon, mocha and espresso bean flavor.
This wine's compact, lightly toasted berry aromas are reticent but also slyly complex. The palate is packed with firm, abrasive tannins. Dark berry, spice, toast and chocolate flavors finish long and harmonious, with equal amounts of herbal, exotic, oak and berry flavors. Drink through 2026.
Maple, mocha and raisin aromas announce an oaky, fully ripe wine with roasted tomato notes. The palate is saturated with mixed berry, spice and chocolatey oak flavors, finishing with heavy residual tannins. Drink this oaky powerhouse through 2028.
As reliable as the first flowers of spring, this perennial best-of-show winner offers lovely scents and flavors of fresh-picked strawberries. Subtle suggestions of rose water and orange peel can be found, along with some precise fruit-skin flavors.
Heady aromas of lemon blossom, jasmine and orange peel draw you into the glass. A crisp backbone of lime zest is supported by healthy minerality and a refreshing finish.
This reserve Cabernet is moving quickly toward full maturity, with a rich blend of cassis, figs and prunes, layered with streaks of stem and earth flavors. The tannins are beginning to dry out; it's a wine to drink up while it's at its peak.
Now sourced from the estate vineyard on Red Mountain, this exceptional rosé includes portions of Counoise, Cinsault and Grenache. Though the pale, coppery pink shade suggests a light wine, this is fragrant and full-bodied, with salmonberry and strawberry fruit, light spice and excellent length.
Sourced entirely from the Olsen vineyard, macerated on the skins for six weeks, and aged 10 months in neutral oak, this “orange” wine is bone dry, with head-turning aromas of orange liqueur, rose petals and citrus peel. Sip it slightly chilled as a warm weather apéritif.
Claire and Mike Allen's fine Sauvignon Blanc epitomizes the Wairau subregion, blending slightly grassy notes with passion fruit and riper stone-fruit flavors. It's medium bodied and tightly focused, with a silky mouthfeel and a long, citrus and white-currant finish.
Tre blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah from three vineyards in three different AVAs. Tasted just after being released, it showed good balance and flavors of cherries and spice, with some herbal threads running through the tannins.
An aromatic mélange of lemon custard, apple pie and salted caramel intrigue your nose while crisp flavors of lemon rind, citrus zest and grapefruit delight your palate. Pair this wine with freshly shucked oysters on a warm summer's day.
This ultraripe, happy Cab Franc bursts on the scene with jammy blackberry and prune aromas. The mouthfeel is lush, almost syrupy. Flavors of ultraripe blackberry, cassis and loamy earth finish warm, lusty and with chocolate and coffee notes.
The nose offers both minerally crispness and full-fledged black-fruit aromas. Chunky and meaty in feel, the wine has baked, loamy flavors of blackberry and plum that hold onto their vitality. A medium-long finish with hints of salted beef, leather and chocolate provides for a good ending.
This wine delivers just about everything you'd possibly expect from the variety and the region—grassy aromas, a bountiful mix of herb and tropical fruit flavors, ample weight and texture, and a long finish built around a solid core of grapefruit.
At this early stage of the wine's evolution, it shows some slightly pungent, sweaty notes, but they're balanced by ample ripe passion fruit aromas and flavors. It's medium in weight, with an attractively structured mouthfeel, and a bright, lengthy finish that echoes with grapefruit.
Tight and quite dry, this mixes dried herbs with wild blackberry and boysenberry fruit flavors. The ample acidity underscores just-ripe-enough tannins; but overall what most impresses is the wine's balance, tension and length.
Fragrances suggest exotic fruit, almond and slate. The focused palate delivers juicy citrus, nectarine and pink grapefruit accented with energizing mineral. It's already delicious, but hold until 2016 for more complexity.
Pure Malbec, sourced from the McClellan estate and Minnick Hills vineyards, this is a tight and well-crafted mix of flavors—fig, blackberry, blueberry jam, a whiff of dried herb and white pepper, and tannins grounded in clean earth. The aging, principally Hungarian oak, brings in coffee highlights.
Pretty honeysuckle and freesia notes lend a blossomy feel to this supple, impeccably balanced wine. Tart white peach, quince and pineapple flavors are juicy yet bracing on the palate. It ends briskly with a shower of crushed minerals.
Aromas of blackberry, balsam wood, lemony oak and forest floor lead into a fully stocked, hefty palate. Flavors of black fruits, licorice, herbs and oak finish bright but level. What this lacks in complexity is made up for in ripe berry flavors and overall balance.
In its tall square bottle, this makes a striking presentation. The wine inside has the same sense of presence, with a ripe, full-bodied structure that's full of red fruits with only light acidity. Fruitiness makes it delicious as an apéritif.
Quat' Saisons, meaning four seasons, suggests that this wine isn't just for summer. It is certainly a food wine with its dry, full-bodied character and ripe caramel and red plum flavors. Lively and fresh at the end, it's ready to drink.
Made with 70% Carricante and 30% Catarratto, this elegant wine features aromas of tree fruit and white peach. The focused palate delivers tart green apple, citrus and mineral accented with savory Mediterranean herbs alongside crisp acidity. It closes on an almond note.
The heavy bottle indicates the importance attached to this wine by its producer. Structured and full bodied, it bursts with crisp fruits, mineral acidity and a touch of herbaceousness. Keep it until late 2014 to broaden out.
Refreshing from the first whiff of green apple, fuchsia, and almond blossom, it has flavors of peach, eucalyptus, green apple, and white flowers. Harmonious tannins persist to the bright note of the vanilla custard and orange zest finish, undercut by strong minerality.
Dense black cherry and stewed plum aromas introduce this round, jammy and ultraripe Syrah. In the mouth, the wine is rich and chunky, with brandied cherry and baked berry and plum flavors topped with sprinkles of nutmeg and cumin. Nothing evaporates on the ripe finish. Drink through 2018.
Black-fruit aromas are lively and encouraging. The mouthfeel is a touch clamped and narrow, but airing and aging should help things expand. Flavors of ripe plum and berry get a push from bright acidity, and on the finish this mix of Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cab Sauvignon and Graciano offers plenty of bounce and pulse. Drink through 2018.
This falls a little to the thin side of Syrah, at least Syrah grown here in Washington where the grape thrives. Varietal flavors of herb, pepper and stem are in evidence, with an overall impression of lightly ripened berry fruit, stiff tannins, and ample acidity.
Austere in style yet refreshing and quaffable, this dry wine is crisp with fresh green-apple flavor and a tart lemon-lime acidity that bristles the palate. It's delicate in frame, but nicely concentrated with a lingering mineral finish.
Potent green notes of jalapeño and green onion accent nectarine and passion fruit aromas, while the plate is more restrained and actually very food friendly. There's ample weight and fleshiness on the midpalate before a relatively quick finish.
Aromas of crisp green apples, herbs and lemon waft on this rustic off-dry wine. Apple-like and mineral in tone, the palate recalls French apple cider, but with a kick with lemon-lime acidity. It finishes brisk and refreshing.
Plum and berry aromas are leathery but honest and not overreaching. The wine feels tight and pinched, while savory flavors of saucy plum and red-berry fruits finish lightly herbal, with a kick of tomato and spice along with leather.
A new addition to Boschendal's line-up, The Rose Garden Rosé pays tribute to the estate's iconic grounds and garden. Fresh aromas and flavors of raspberry, strawberry hull, white cherry and melon rind recall sunny days spent outside. Light sweet-spice accents carry through the refreshing finish, ending clean and mouthwatering.
Made with organically farmed grapes, this wine starts with an unusual nose that recalls Asian spices, curry, rosemary and citrus. The palate is less exotic, offering lemon-lime and grapefruit lightly accented with clove.
Rich in style, this full-bodied rosé boasts ripe red fruits and a rounded, smooth character. The lift from acidity gives essential freshness at the end.
While rich, this blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is also quite herbal in character. Maybe it gets its nature from the wild garrigue countryside of Provence, but its tannins are firm and the fruit is laced with licorice. It should age another year.
After 22 months in half new French oak, this blend of fruit from four widely separate vineyards inevitably kills the specificity. What's left is a quickly maturing wine with blueberry pie, clove and baking spices. Drink up.
Fermented and aged in barriques for six months, this retro-styled Chardonnay has aromas of toasted oak, butterscotch and vanilla that carry over to the palate along with yellow apple and citrus. You'll also notice the warmth of evident alcohol on the midpalate.
Close to Saint-Tropez the vineyards of the Massif des Maures have produced an attractively fruity wine that has an unusual blending including the rare Caladoc grape. Raspberry fruits are right up front, giving a bright, ripe character.
This is a bright and easy-drinking selection that opens with scents of green apple, pear and lemon-lime citrus. There's a slight weight to the palate, but it's immediately lifted by lively, cleansing acidity followed by a mouthwatering  finish. Drink now.
Aromas include dry apricot and papaya with a hint of cider. This is on the soft side in feel, with dilution along with apple-based acidity. Flavors of nectarine and peach finish monotone. Drink immediately or wait for a fresher 2012 version.
Aromatic of fresh apples and pears with just a hint of savory spice, this wine is full bodied yet refreshingly brisk. Dry in style with subtle apple flavors, it finishes with a pleasant tartness.
Made from organically grown Catarratto grapes that are native to Sicily, this delightful wine features aromas of citrus and tropical fruit. The palate offers peach, pineapple and lemon zest alongside a hint of sea salt and fresh acidity.
While subtle on the nose with hints of chamomile and pressed apple aroma, this ripe, full-bodied Chardonnay is concentrated with apple and lemon flavors. It's round in mouthfeel but marked with bright acidity that lends steely precision to the finish.
Saffron and pollen notes lend spice and earth to this sunny, tropical wine. Medium sweet in style, it's chock full of honeyed orange, peach and mango flavors. Searing tangerine acidity adds balance. It finishes moderately long with a waxy, honeyed slick.
An herbaceous selection, this leads with aromas of just-dried grass and yellow florals that are coupled with notes of green plum, melon rind and lime pith. The medium-weight palate is lifted by ample acidity, although the finish ends ripe and fruity. Drink up.
Smooth, ripe and rounded, it's ready to drink with its light perfume and spice. Rich pear and quince fruits add freshness to the fullness. Drink now.
Dusty, chalky tones accent fresh apple and pear flavors throughout this minerally off-dry wine. Honed and steely on the palate, it finishes briskly on a tart, lemony note. Refreshing and quaffable in style.
Properly light in color, this is crisp, fruity and deliciously fresh. Some weight comes from ripe strawberry fruits as well as touches of vanilla. The acidity at the end brings refreshment.
Stalky aromas suggest animal hide and roasted fruit. The wine is rubbery, firm and leathery in feel, with plum, berry, raisin and other dark-fruit flavors. On the finish, it feels earthy and tastes like stewed black fruits and prune. Drink sooner rather than later.
Dried raspberry, leather and spiced cherry aromas are basic. This has a bouncy, light mouthfeel and quick-to-dissipate flavors of dried cherry and earth. A simple finish fades fast, leving a mild raisiny aftertaste.
The nose on this isn't very expressive but the palate reveals crunchy Bartlett pear and yellow apple, while a hint of sage in the background adds interest. Brisk acidity gives it a zesty finish.
A blend of Carricante and Catarratto, this straightforward wine conveys delicate aromas of Spanish broom and acacia flower. The bright palate offers yellow apple, chamomile and a mineral note alongside brisk acidity. Enjoy soon.
From grapes predominantly grown in the Oak Knoll District, this has a dusty herbaceousness. It was given plenty of time in French oak, a sensation that is pronounced on the palate and somewhat distracting.
Tart and acidic, this does not entirely disguise its green-bean scents with aging in French oak, 30% new. That sweet oak sticks out, but the tannins are chalky and the fruit hard to find.
Just a tiny bit of cherry fruit shows on this wine's nose, which is otherwise focused on slate minerality and sagebrush herbals. The palate is soft but not very dynamic, with tight raspberry and flintiness as well as decent acidity and tannins. It finishes quickly.
This is a rounded wine, soft and spicy. It has a velvet texture, spice and lychees all attractively balanced. With a touch of dryness as well as a more medium-dry character, this is now ready to drink.
Red fruit notes of currant and cherry are bright, with a slightly spicy undertone and zesty acidity. This light-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Dornfleder and Cabernet Franc is accessible and easy, with mild tannins providing just enough structure to hold it together.
Dark in color with a magenta tint, this Malbec is spunky and a touch crude on the nose, with wild berry and animal fur aromas. There's angularity to the palate, which is bland in the middle. Black-fruit, herbal, savory flavors finish short on volume and complexity.
Just a subtle whiff of orange scents this dry, intensely mineral Riesling. It's delicately framed, invigorating the palate with cutting lime and lemon flavors, but fleeting.
A blend of Inzolia, Catarratto and Grillo, this opens with delicate aromas of Spanish broom and citrus. The vibrant, easy-drinking palate offers nectarine, lime and a saline note alongside zesty acidity for a refreshing finish.
Dusty cherry aromas are basic but also clean. In the mouth, this is fresh, citrusy and whole, with orange, tangerine and pink grapefruit flavors that finish dry and slightly bitter, like licking a nectarine pit.
Well balanced, this wine has acidity and a crisp character complemented by spice and a ripe, round texture. It's ready to drink, fresh as well as peppery.
Now fully developed, this rich wine boasts spice and generous lychee and mango fruits. Its acidity is light, a reflection of the wine's ripe texture. It's totally ready to drink.
The wine is all spice and sweet fruits. It has a honeyed character that gives the wine softness while also showing a dry core. The wine is rounded now and ready to drink.
Oak, roasted coffee bean and rubber aromas lead the nose. The palate displays oak extract, vanilla, espresso, mocha and mature plum alongside astringent wood tannins that leave a drying finish. It lacks fruit richness.
Light fruit flavors suggest pomegranate and strawberry, with a little hit of nougat and coconut from time in (almost) neutral wood. It's a well-balanced effort, one that does not overreach for power in this light vintage.
This bright and vivid wine has fresh raspberry and cherry aromas, concentrated fruit flavors and a texture that has enough tannin and acidity for good balance. It's nicely made in a traditional dry style.
Watermelon and light pomegranate fruit seem dusted in ash. Tannins are moderate but show some grip. It's a modest, quaffable effort without much varietal distinction.
A full, oily nose with aromas of orange blossom and lychee turns more fleshy and mealy with airing. This has a plump, flush body and flavors of lime, orange and white table grapes. A citrusy finish is fruity but doesn't glide.
Made with organically farmed Nero d'Avola, this opens with aromas of toast, oak-driven spice and blackcurrant. The palate offers up prune, anise, oak extract and coffee alongside drying, fleeting tannins.
High-altitude vines yielded this full while also crisp wine. It is fruity, touched by caramel and spice and some toast flavors from wood aging. This is a rosé style that goes with food.
The nose shows an aroma of blackberry that is cooked in nature, with notes of smoke, charred meat and cracked pepper adding nuance. On the palate, red currant rides over mild tones of crushed stone and green peppercorn.
Quince and lychee fruit flavors dominate this ripe, off-dry wine. It has a spicy character, allowing for a dry core of pepper while also giving a rich aftertaste. Drink now.
A healthy dose of Petite Sirah toughens this Zin, sourced from a benchland vineyard in the heart of the Dry Creek Valley. The wine opens with aromas of cinnamon bark and cranberry, a tugging mushroomy element standing by. Subtle notes of black pepper come into play on the finish.
Enticing aromas of black cherry conserves on toast lead to flavors of stewed cherries and raspberry, with licorice and clove notes. The deep fruit flavors are overly ripe and powerful. Although the flavors work well together, the wine lacks brightness.
This opens with aromas of toasted oak, coconut and vanilla. The palate also displays evident oak and oak spices, namely vanilla, mocha, coffee and a confectionary note that muffle the candied berry flavors in the background. Astringent tannins give it a short, drying finish.
Tropical fruit aromas suggest mango and melon, but this wine is fading and shows a mealy side upon airing. The palate remains citrusy in feel, with grapefruit, nectarine and citrus peel flavors coming in front of a pithy finish.
An intensely powerful combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel, this was given more than two years mulling things over in French oak. A menthol streak runs through the otherwise blackberry and leathery, tannic layers of this wine, the finish a tad short.
It must be challenging to grow Pinot Noir in this warm region, but this bottling shows some promise. Raspberry fruit lingers behind tarry rubber and black olives scents, and the palate blends bitter and sour with a bit of spice, trending toward the forest-floor style with hints of pine, soy sauce and seared fruits.
This friendly wine offers fresh, jammy berry and cherry aromas. The palate has a bit of grit and stickiness to it, while blackberry, black cherry and boysenberry flavors are ripe, sweet, not pushy and ultimately satisfying.
Stewed plum, savory herb and tobacco aromas carry through to the full-bodied palate along with dried red cherry, coffee, anisette and a confectionary note. It's big and brawny, with bracing tannins.
There's a lightness to this 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot that surprises, making for a friendly, approachable entry. Cassis, raspberry and cedar mix around rounded tannins and a medium-length finish.
Tawny in color and wafting of potpourri and fallen leaves, this raspberry-inflected wine is already starting to show its maturity. Briskly concentrated and light on its feet, it makes an elegant sip to enjoy now before it loses its delicate, perfumed charms.
The nose on this wine by oil worker-turned-winemaker Ert Sevtap offers lifting aromas of blueberry and mint. The spearmint notes carry to the palate as well, which also shows blackberry fruit and roasted beef meatiness.
This robust wine delivers aromas of spiced plum, stewed prune, vanilla and chocolate that carry through to the ripe, monolithic palate. Drink through 2020.
Aromas of dark berry, clove, bell pepper and cedar take shape in the glass. The tightly wound palate delivers dried black cherry, espresso, oak and a green note of dried sage alongside astringent tannins. While the tannins need time, the fruit is already starting to dry up.
Fresh apple flavors and a crisp vein of acidity make this medium-bodied wine lively and refreshing, while still delivering delicious Pippin apple and white peach flavors. It feels balanced, clean and easy to enjoy.
Aromas are dominated by oak with accents of vanilla, cocoa and woodspice along with cranberries, rose hips, herbs and raspberries. The palate is elegant with herb and cherry flavors that lead to a tart, cranberry-filled finish.
Wiry aromas of berry and spice are tempered by a touch of oaky vanilla. On the palate, there's a blend of creamy oak and sharp acidity, while flavors of plum and boysenberry are tart overall but again softened by barrel-driven vanilla notes. Snappy acidity makes for a moderately sharp, pointed finish.
Hot, stalky aromas of red chili flake and weedy raspberry lead to a lean, tomatoey palate with flavors of tomato, dried berry, vanilla and especially dill weed. A saucy, woody finish confirms that this is now mostly oak and acid; drink through 2020.
Briary plum and cherry cough-drop aromas give way to a crisp, fairly full palate with chewy tannins. Plum and peppery spice flavors are kept simple, while this finishes with some dark-berry character and a touch of bitterness.
Leesy on the nose like the name implies, this Godello smells creamy, with notes of apple and melon. The palate shows moderate citric acidity but nothing scouring, while flavors of ripe apple, orange and powdered sugar finish leesy and peachy.
Lemony-vanilla crème brûlée rises to the fore in this medium-bodied Chardonnay. Medium to high in acidity, it retains a crisp freshness throughout its layers of fruit, finishing clean.
A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, this conveys aromas of vanilla, oak, red currant and cedar. The hearty palate displays mature plum, dried cherry, espresso and bell pepper alongside drying tannins. It finishes with the heat of alcohol.
Herbal and foresty up front, this Bordeaux blend smells of fig, caramel and berry fruits. Big, tannic and chunky on the palate, this has toasty, chocolaty, burnt flavors and a blackened finish. This offers a lot of power and fruit but it's brusk.
Neutral on the nose except for a whiff of apple, this is a wine to drink now. A round, pulpy palate is balanced by citric acidity, while waxy flavors of baked apple and peach finish briny and round, with a hint of green banana.
One of the many chateaus with vines on the wide valley floor of the Dordogne, this estate has made a lightly extracted wine that has chocolate as well as blackberry stalkiness. There's freshness as well, with fruit acidity that cuts through the mineral texture. Drink from 2018.
The smoky aroma and toasty wood character smothers the fruit. It is a tough wine at this stage although it does hint at some of the 2012 juicy fruit flavors. Drink this firm, solid wine from 2018.
This smoky wine has firm tannins and a tough core. The juicy fruit is taking its time to develop, although it will give the wine density and ripe berries in time. The vineyard, created in the early 1980s is now at peak maturity. Drink from 2017.
Swathes of fresh tarragon lend a green, herbal tone to cassis and black plum flavors in this pretty wine. Penetrating, grippy tannins are jolting on the finish, underlining a tight, brisk finish.
One of Bordeaux's more memorable labels (orange nymphs supporting a picture of the chateau), Saransot-Dupré is one of a number of chateaus in Listrac with the Dupré suffix. This is a solid wine, chunky in a typical way for the appellation with plenty of black fruits and balanced tannins. Drink from 2017.
Juicy and fruity with acidity and black currant fruits, this wine comes from a vineyard on slopes at the entrance to Saint-Émilion. It's bright and fresh with lively, easy fruits and soft tannins. Drink from 2017.
This single-vineyard wine offers wild blueberry with vanilla and herb accents. It's full bodied and high-octane in feel with the flavors running straight down the fairway.
Grass and gooseberry are prominent on the nose and palate in this crisp SB, bright in dialed-high acidity. That sense of vibrant freshness mellows somewhat midway through the wine, allowing it to finish with a lushness on the tongue.
Oodles of black cherry and boysenberry fill the aromas and flavors of this bold but not-too-big wine. The rich, ripe fruit shows right away in the nose, and continues on the palate but gets reined in a bit (in a good way) by a firm texture created by good acidity and tannins.
Aromas of cured meat, stewed fruit and toasted oak lead the nose. On the ripe palate, notes of powdered sage, vanilla and oak spices accent fleshy black plum. Bracing tannins provide the framework, but drink soon to capture the fruit richness.
This is a blend of fruit from the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. The result is a wine that is now showing maturity while not completely losing the apricot and pineapple-flavored fruits. A taut mineral texture lies behind the richness, suggesting that this wine will age further. Ideally drink from 2018.
Produced from a field blend of 41 different varieties of 60-year-old vines, this estate wine from Cristiano van Zeller is powerful and dense while having such style. Smoothly polished, rich and concentrated. The wine is perfumed, full of black plum skins and with light acidity at the end. Drink from 2020.
Produced from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this balances ripe red berry and citrus fruits with more mature spice and vanilla. With this development has come depth, concentration and richness. It is a wine to drink with food, ripe and finishing with crisp, dry acidity.
Full bodied, creamy and lush, this is a prototypical Barossa Valley Shiraz from a longtime master of the variety. Smoke, cedar, mulberry and eucalyptus notes mingle easily on the nose, while savory notes of roasted meat and dried herb blend seamlessly into the fruit, ending long, velvety and rich.
A blend of grapes from Cumières in the Marne Valley and the Côte des Blancs, this is a rich, well-balanced and very young brut rosé. It is ripe, while keeping an almost austere texture and acidity that will soften and broaden out as it ages. Drink now for the lively red fruits, but better to wait until 2019.
Named for the winery's co-proprietor and founder, Lynn's is powerfully graceful, much like the man himself, offering seamless texture and length. Full bodied and complex, it's structured and ripely satisfying in its mix of black tea, grenadine and feral evocations of a walk in the woods.
Dark and dense as the dead of night, this robust RDD is pushing aromas of blackberry, cassis, black tea and cola. The palate is reaching maturity while showing energy and balance. Flavors of root beer, savory beef, soy and vanilla accent blackberry fruit, while the finish is plump, with ready tannins. Drink through 2022.
Ripe and structured, this full-bodied red opens with alluring scents of star anise, dark-skinned berry, underbrush, leather and a balsamic note. On the juicy palate, menthol, licorice and baking spice accent a core of black cherry. Noble tannins provide the framework. Drink 2018–2023.
The whole world of apricots is represented here: fresh, candied and dried. The concentration on the palate is immense, the scent is disarming, the sweetness is beyond luscious. Aromatic blood-orange peel and flesh provide an equally fragrant counterbalance. Irresistible now but of such richness and concentration that time will have nothing on it. Drink now and through 2030 at least.
There's an elegant weave to the aromas of this bottling, with soy, dried dill, peppercorns, crushed gravel and a touch of cedar laced throughout the black fruit on the nose. Perfectly rounded black currant, black cassis and black cherry fruits show on the sip, which is leveled by violets and pencil shavings.
Fragrant and polished, this offers enticing aromas of spiced plum, rose, aromatic herb and menthol. The elegant, linear palate doles out red cherry, crushed raspberry, anise, pipe tobacco and mineral set against firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2018 through 2028.
Technically off dry, this has so much defining acidity that the sweetness is just detectable, serving principally to round out the lush fruits. Delicious, lingering flavors of tangerine, pink grapefruit and orange peel combine in a wine with a sensational yum factor.
This latest Blanc de Blancs vintage from Roederer is well poised and balanced, already offering a hint of toast, while the minerality is prominent. It is in a dry style, relying on the ripe fruit to soften the impact of the acidity. A beautiful wine, ready to drink.
A stunning debut for this new boutique, a joint project between Jean-Nicolas Méo (Domaine Méo-Camuzet) and Jay Boberg, co-founder of the IRS Records music label. Deep and penetrating fruit flavors of blackberry and raspberry are buttressed by ample, proportionate acids and tannins. There's a graceful touch of fresh herb, along with black tea and clean loam.
From vines planted in 2004, this wine celebrates daughter Francesca's 18th birthday and is a ripe impressive wine that is rich and smoothly textured. A blend of classic Douro grapes, especially Tinta Francisca, the wine is full of black fruits and ripe tannins. It will be ready from 2019.
Pommard and 777 clone grapes were cofermented and aged in a single new Allier oak barrel. Ripe, round and bursting with flavor, this luscious wine is a paean to blackberry fruit. Veins of licorice, espresso and dark chocolate weave through the extended finish. Cellar this for another few years if you can keep your hands off it, but know that it is almost too good to wait for.
This well-aged Cab offers savory and lovely aromas of salted Asian plum, light licorice, dried violets and lilacs, and expertly seasoned beef. The palate retains a tense, chewy structure and juicy acidity that frames flavors of dried blueberry, rose hips and more plum.
An acid-lover's Riesling, this is bone dry and loaded with phenolic detail. Fruit flavors run the table on citrus, most especially grapefruit, with plenty of pith and rind. It's lush, tart and deeply penetrating.
This wine is fleshy and seductive, with irresistible layers of smoke, mint and plum. It's full bodied, creamy textured and lush, staying supple through the long, charming finish. Drink now through 2025.
Most of these grapes go into Antiquum Farm's estate wines, but Harper Voit has smartly snagged enough for a few barrels. Generous tannins frame ripe red and blue fruits, with streaks of artisanal chocolate and sea salt caramel. Zingy spices contribute to a complex, lingering finish. All the Harper Voit 2014 Pinots are built for immediate pleasure, so no need to wait.
While feather light in stature, this semisweet Riesling stuns with intensity. From nose to finish, dark earth tones and luminous stone fruit and cherry flavors meld seamlessly. It's intensely ripe, almost tropical in tone, but an electric tang of acidity and minerality keeps it rooted firmly in the Mosel.
An appealing wine for all types of Chardonnay palates, this bottling shows Meyer lemon zest, sea salt, tangerine pith, savory saffron and a touch of light butter on the nose. A salty lemon-curd flavor combo kicks off the palate, followed by honeysuckle and buttercream, proving rich yet dissected by smart acidity.
From select barrels, this “no name” reserve takes the signature elements of the winery's Pinots—notably forward, plush berry fruits and a strong whiff of tobacco—and punches them up to the next level. Big, solid, almost chunky with packed flavor, it touches lightly on lifted aromatics, and frames its tannins in dark chocolate.
Pommery's prestige Champagne is named after one of the great Champagne widows of the 19th century who took over when her husband, Alexandre Pommery, died. It is a rich, mature wine, with toast and almond flavors as much as fruit. Full of mineral Chardonnay (60% of the blend), this ripe wine is very ready to drink.
Dense, intense, concentrated and young, this wine is one for the cellar. It has tight aromas of cranberry, dried cherry and cardamom, while flavors offer ripe fruit character and a firm texture of fine-grained tannins. It should gain more complexity and smoothness after 2022.
Much riper than the previous vintage, this retains those complex aromatics, with cocoa powder, rose petals and chocolate highlights around ripe raspberry and cherry fruit. It is a graceful, precise and delicious wine, buttressed with fresh non-chalky acidity, baking spices and a hint of ginger. The long outstanding finish suggests tucking a few bottles away for enjoyment over the next decade.
Cola, forest floor and black fruit give this an almost ominous bouquet, but the wine is sweet, ripe and true. Extracted but rewarding, with lots of fruit, flavor and fun. Don't expect elegance but rather big fruit and generosity.
This medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc boasts a slightly oily texture to go along with decently intense aromas of stone fruit and fresh herbs. Flavors of pineapple, currant and tomato leaf provide a good introduction to Marlborough Sauvignon. Imported by Five Gold Hands.
Clean and fresh, with mineral undertones to the white grapefruit and fig flavors. Grassy upfront, providing that expected herbal edge. Drink now.
Good Cab, maybe a touch herbal and light, but very solid. Early aromas of cola, leather and blackberry show some herbal, green notes. But the tomato leaf character is not dominant or unappealing, thus in the end this displays classic Chilean Cabernet qualities on a light, agile frame. Drink now.
A wine that's all about grapefruit and white currant fruits. This is very fresh, very crisp, tightened by minerality, with a lively, juicy lemon finish.
Full-bodied and a bit soft, this is already showing some development, so it probably should be consumed over the near term. Baked apple and citrus aromas give way to poached pear and lemon flavors, finishing with a gentle sweep of fruit.
This wine has a rustic but appealing air about it, with its cedary pepper and luscious jam nose and elegant balance of berry, smoke and spice. The wine is approachable and will pair with smoked meats and spicy dishes well.
In this opulent, layered and full-bodied wine, a smoky beefy aroma and a melt-in-the-mouth texture come with flavors of dark maraschino cherries, dark chocolate and baking spices. It's very mouth filling and mouth coating as well as firmly tannic, but the richness of the flavors helps it to drink very smoothly.
Structured and dense with tannins, this is a big wine with a big future. Its black fruits, acidity and solid texture all point to its weight and richness. It is going to be a rich fruity wine. But wait until 2023.
From selected parcels of the Ollières estate, this wine is impressive. It has weight but that is balanced by the acidity and the generous black fruits and acidity. This is certainly a wine that has been well aged, although it would pay to wait another year before drinking. So drink this very fine wine from 2018.
This bottling, which is balanced by 16% Cabernet Franc and 9% Merlot, rides the savory edge of the grape, with aromas of underbrush and dried herbs giving depth to the black-olive and black-currant aromas. The palate offers a mix of red and darker fruits, including cranberry, plum and blackberry, with touches of thyme and anise.
The Suremain family winery in the main street of Mercurey has cellars going back to the 17th century. This wood-aged wine will have been kept here, where it has developed into a structured and firm wine, full of dry tannins as well as ripe red-berry fruits. Drink from 2023.
A blend from different parts of the Fleurie appellation, this wine is elegant and floral. Crisp red fruits are sustained by acidity and by a juicy character. As often with this appellation, it is a wine to age and will be better from 2018.
Produced from 100-year-old vines, this wine has been aged for nearly three years and has lost its intense fruitiness. Wood and spice flavors are present along with a perfumed intensity and toastiness. Drink this wine now.
Appealing black-fruit aromas include notes of tobacco and chocolate. This is a brooding, deep Tinto Fino with grippy tannins. Ripe berry, plum and cassis flavors are flush, while this wine finishes dark, with a reprise of young, rubbery tannins. Best from 2019–2030.
The 2015 harvest produced a bumper crop of excellent Bierzo wines, Baltos included. Aromas of black fruits and violets are full and floral, with a hint of nicely scented candle. There's balance to the palate along with toasty, blackened flavors of blackberry and spice. Toasty notes persist on a well-balanced finish. Drink this fairly dense and wholly delicious Mencía trough 2020.
Very fresh although not particularly fruity aromas of raspberry mesh with allspice, thyme and tarragon on the nose of this block-designate bottling from the historic vineyard. Energetic and lighter red-fruit flavors like pomegranate show on the sip, where fennel is the dominant spice.
This estate-driven wine combines 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot. Made in a classical Old-World style, it offers chalky tannin around composted earth, blackberry and cassis. The texture is firm and grippy, with supportive acidity at its core.
Flush aromas of raisin, blackberry and cassis are ripe through and through. This wine feels tight, with tannic scrape. Spicy, reedy flavors of red plum and berry fruits are textbook for Carignan, while mixed black fruits and fig show on a chocolaty finish. Best from 2020–2025.
This wine's aromas are a bit locked up at present, revealing plum, herb, clove and barrel spice notes as it opens. The palate is dense and rich, full of dark fruit flavors and generous barrel accents. It pulls no punches.
This wine is a blend of all six Bordeaux varieties: 35% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 4% Carménère, 3% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. Its coffee, cranberry, herb, currant, barrel spice and anise aromas lead to tightly wound, layered red and black fruit flavors. Plump, silky tannins provide the frame.
This blend of 47% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre and 18% Syrah is reminiscent of a walk through the dewy sagebrush, with dried wild herbs most prominent alongside cola, rustic plum and mulberry and a hint of pine forest. Those forest-like flavors show on the sip as well, with bay leaf, green peppercorn and a savory salts enhancing the baked berry and tangy plum skin elements—a GSM with teeth and structure.
Full and piquant aromas of black fruit, purple flowers, asphalt and pepper make for a rich and flowery nose on this bottling. Concentrated flavors of black currant and black plum ride a relatively light and airy body all the way into a grippy tannin-laced finish.
For those wondering what minerality means in a red wine, this bottling is the answer. Against the black cherry and dark strawberry on the nose rise powerful crushed slate and smashed graphite aromas. The palate starts with cranberry and pomegranate, but the slate and rocky-soil flavors swing back in, giving backbone to the hints of bay leaf and herbs.
This is a bold dry wine from one of Bonterra's biodynamically farmed vineyards, and it has plenty of tannin in the texture and an abundance of ripe black-cherry, wood smoke and baking spice flavors to fill out that firm frame. For all its power the wine is also polished and velvety enough to sip with pleasure. Best after 2020.
This wine's inviting aromas of tar, menthol and rose take shape in the glass. The elegant palate doles out red cherry, cranberry and dried herb flavors set against a backdrop of refined tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2021–2028.
This wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It's subtle on the nose, with currant, flower, crushed rock and herb notes. The palate is firmly structured, punctuating the flavors on the finish. Best 2025–2030.
This is a generous wine with fine potential. Its rich red fruits and acidity are contrasted with dense tannins and spice from the wood aging. It will be slow but sure to develop into a delicious wine. Drink from 2021.
Intense scents of violet and iris lead the nose of this wine, along with a whiff of woodland berry. The fresh, linear palate offers Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, star anise and chopped herb flavors framed by youthfully assertive, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.
A compelling spicy aroma and richly layered fruit give a lot of appeal to this full-bodied, fully tannic and nicely sculpted wine. It has a deep dark color, captivating oak and white-pepper aromas and a rich generous mouthfeel accompanied by an appropriately high level of fine-grained tannin. Best after 2020.
Aromas of vanilla-flecked and butter-laced pastry filled with cassis sauce show on the nose of this rich blend of 62% Syrah and 38% Mourvèdre from the Bien Nacido and Jada vineyards. The sip is very well structured by upright sticky tannins, which hold up flavors of crushed gravel and slate and a piquant boysenberry jam.
This beautifully perfumed wine is ripe, structured and well on the way to being delicious. Tannins and spice flavors have melded into rich black-cherry fruits cut with acidity. The wine could age for another few months, so drink from 2018.
Ripe tropical fruits star in this opulent, bold wine. The acidity is there, just enough to give this rich wine the support it needs. It is a complete wine—ripe and spicy, just give it some more time. Drink from 2018.
Fresh fruit aromas are a delicious part of this crisp, fruity wine. It is well balanced, with lively acidity sharing the stage with the ripe pear and pineapple flavors. It's ready to drink now.
Fruity and with plenty of acidity, this is a crisp wine, still exposing the tight mineral texture. The red-currant and raspberry fruits are prominent, shot through with acidity. Drink from 2023.
Dusty mineral notes add subtle complexity to refreshing apple, lemon and lime notes on this off-dry wine. Brisk and zesty on the palate, it finishes moderately long with a streak of lime-toned acidity.
Saffron and honey accent juicy tropical mango and pineapple aromas in this vibrant yet delicately framed ice wine. The palate is elegantly nuanced with hints of candle wax, herbs and crushed stone; savory spice notes linger on the finish.
A whiff of floral potpourri that persists from start to finish adds elegance to this full-bodied wine. The palate is expansive and rich, but finishes refreshingly tart with flavors of crisp green apple and lemon.
Loud berry and oak aromas are a touch herbal. Typical for Mendoza Malbec, this is round and oaky on the palate, with related vanilla, licorice and bitter coffee flavors on top of core blackberry. A relatively smooth finish makes this well worth a go.
This wine comes out of the chute strongly leafy and herbal, with notes of celery and tomato leaves. Despite all those prickly herbal nuances it's fairly richly textured and weighty on the palate and features a potent undercurrent of ripe gooseberries.
Ripe plum and berry aromas are supported by a full dose of smoky, savory oak. The palate is round yet jagged, while flavors of toasty, chocolaty berry fruits are also lightly herbal and heavily oaked.
A directly appealing wine with little obvious new oak influence to get in the way of the clean pear and pineapple flavors that are stitched together by just a touch of sweetness.
This wine opens with subtle aromas of toast, vanilla and white flowers. The palate offers lemon zest, yellow apple and a hint of cinnamon alongside fresh acidity.
Made from a blend of Falanghina, Biancolella and Pepella, it conveys aromas of honeysuckle, chamomile and exotic fruit punctuated with sage and mint. The linear palate offers citrus, grapefruit and pineapple alongside fresh acidity.
Aromas of Granny Smith, stone fruit and citrus carry over to the palate along with nectarine, yellow peach and mineral. The palate is balanced by racy acidity and finishes on a bitter, nutty note.
Barrel notes of toast, butterscotch and spice are at the fore along with melted butter and peach on this 100% Canyon Vineyard Ranch wine. It's full bodied with a rich, creamy feel, wanting a bit more concentration and acidity to keep it together.
This bright wine has red fruits, citrus and a light minerality, finishing crisply. Wait until late 2014 for it to open up.
Warm while also fresh, this rounded wine is full of red fruits, lit up by a touch of spice and freshened with acidity. Clean and crisp, it's just bursting with fruit at the end.
Fragrances of Spanish broom and orange blossom come with a hint of beeswax. The juicy palate offers grapefruit, nectarine and tropical fruit alongside a mineral note and crisp acidity.
Sourced from Les Collines and Pepper Bridge, this is very ripe, high in alcohol, and quite tannic. Blocky black cherry fruit is covered with charred wood flavors, after spending 22 months in 70% new oak. Drink soon.
Philadelphia-born Daniel Brennan has crafted this medium-bodied wine from a vineyard in the Crownthorpe subregion. Despite its modest alcohol level, it tastes ripe, offering attractive hints of snow pea, fig and nectarine before falling away a bit rapidly on the finish.
A simple, intensely perfume wine, over-the-top in its spice and lychee flavors. It conveys a wallop of fruit and a rounded structure. Drink this generous wine now.
A warmly perfumed wine, it has all the aromatic characters of Pinot Gris, rounded and soft with only a few hints of acidity. Off-dry, it is ready to drink.
Strong caramel aromas lead to a wine that is rich, vanilla-flavored with some attractive ripe strawberry flavors. It's soft and full in the mouth, revealing its acidity only at the end.
This perfumed wine is rich, full in the mouth while keeping plenty of fresh, crisp citrus and pear flavors. It is ready to drink, but will be better in 2015.
Blackberry, espresso and kitchen spice aromas come together in the glass along with a dash of new leather. The firm palate offers raspberry jam, dried black cherry, raisin and a note of bitter dark chocolate alongside fine-grained tannins.
Despite coming from a warm vintage, this appealing, well-priced wine has plenty of acid to go with its sleek yet ripe fruit. The fresh herb and cherry aromas and flavors distinctly announce it as Cabernet, with smoke on the finish.
Steely on the nose, this Amy Butler bottling shows lemon blossoms, dried apples, ripe pear, lime juice and a touch of peach. The palate is high-toned and tight with citrus zest and lemon-verbena notes, dancing across the tongue on acidic tippy toes.
Some smoky notes temper the exotic but subdued aromas of both stone and tropical fruit. The palate is slender and has a pleasing varietal edge of nettle and grass. Some oak lends a creamy palate structure that softens the bright freshness. A light but balanced wine.
A blend of 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato, this opens with scents of wild berry, rose and a light spice note. On the savory, easygoing palate, a touch of clove adds interest to crushed strawberry and Morello cherry. Fresh acidity brightens the juicy flavors.
Punchy, grassy aromas of citrus and tropical fruits capture most of what's good about coastal Chilean SB. This feels angular, fresh and minerally, with flavors of tangerine, lime, lemon and grapefruit. A tangy, lasting finish is pure Leyda.
The flavor expression is neutral on nose and palate—there is however a seam of fresh, lemony acidity at the core and some of that lovely midpalate texture of Chardonnay. This is fresh and has backbone, drink soon.
There is not a lot by way of scent, the palate, however, delivers the freshness of sliced lemon and yellow grapefruit. The body is light but wonderfully clean and refreshing.
A slightly green edge adheres to the zesty yellow grapefruit notes on the nose, the palate is light-bodied but fizzes with freshness and crunchy acidity. Drink soon.
For an Awatere wine, this isn't overly herbal. Instead, it delivers passion fruit and citrus aromas and flavors. It's plump, with a slightly creamy midpalate and medium body, making it an easy drink.
Anglophiles will enjoy this wine with its royal coat of arms on the label. The wine itself is less grand, although attractive with its black-currant fruits. At the moment, dry tannins are also a strong presence, and they will soften over the next few years. Drink from 2018.
Light aromas of vanilla, coconut, exotic spices and blue fruit are followed by plump, tart fruit flavors and firm, somewhat astringent tannins. There are a lot of good things going on but the tannins need to be tamed.
The aromas of cigar box, lemon peel, woodspice and green herbs are distinctive. The palate brings tart, spritely acids, sultry fruit flavors and firm, somewhat blocky tannins. It needs to be on a dinner table to show its best.
A very subdued nose precedes an equally tame palate. However, there is fruit at the heart of this and its innate freshness is balanced by supple mouthfeel and subtle aromas. The finish is clean and refreshing.
Enticing aromas of violet, dark-skinned berry, chopped herb and clove lead the nose while the vibrant palate offers wild cherry, black raspberry, licorice and a hint of ground pepper. Polished tannins support the savory flavors.
Immediate in its appeal, this young wine is redolent with aromas of blueberry and huckleberry pie. The blue-fruit flavors are saturated and smooth in feel, trailing a touch toward the finish.
Mediterranean herb, black-skinned berry and baking spice aromas float out of the glass. On the firm palate, notes of anise and ground pepper accent a core of dried black cherries while aggressive, close-grained tannins grip the finish. Give the tannins a few more years to soften then drink up.
Hailing from one of the state's premier Syrah sites, this wine leads with aromas of berry, coffee, chicory and violets. The flavors are supple, backed by lightly grainy tannins.
This structured wine has a severe aspect, with dry wood and fruit tannins. The fruit is there, smoky and with considerable acidity. It's a wine that will remain serious as it ages. Wait to drink until 2018.
From one of a pair of châteaux, both with Braude in the name and both owned by Château Mongravey in Margaux, this perfumed and fruity wine has ripe fruits that are now becoming mature. Soft tannins and juicy berry fruits are still fresh. Drink now and until 2020.
This small, seven-acre property has an unusually high (20%) proportion of Petit Verdot in its wine, giving it big color and structure. Ripe black currant fruits balance the tannins. Drink from 2018.
Chardonnay lovers with a penchant towards rich, buttery wines spiced with cinnamon and vanilla will appreciate this unabashedly oaky yet neatly balanced wine. It's enticingly creamy on the palate, but sunny streaks of Meyer-lemon acidity lend refreshment. Drink now–2018.
Perfumed wood dominates this wine, giving it structure and tannins. Juicy red fruits are still submerged beneath this welter of dryness. The wine needs time to integrate. Drink from 2019.
A very seductive nose of baked apple and even apple juice is tempered by a peppery, greenish spiciness. The palate shows even more of that pepper but makes the full-fruited nature of this Austrian native (not related to Grüner) a very moreish, lightbodied but richly textured wine with ample freshness. A very friendly style.
Ripe and juicy, this wine is soft, generous and full of rich, while very fresh fruits. It has black-currant acidity, a touch of spice and a perfumed aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
Ripe and rich without being overdone, this is a well-balanced Viognier with stone fruit and Anjou pear flavors lifted by accents of peony and orange rind. Vibrant acidity keeps things lively in the mouth, with a refreshingly crisp finish.
A négociant wine, sharp and spicy, with vivid acidity and some real punch in the midpalate. The flavors suggest thistle and fern – real Northwest fare – rather than riper fruit. It sets up well in the mouth and despite alcohol listed at just 12.5%, has good presence and power.
There is a depth of flavor and concentration from low-yield old vines. The style gives raspberry flavors and acidity, with a light tannic character.
Rich with butter, cream and caramel popcorn, this Croatian blend of Malvasia and Chardonnay with a hefty dose of new French oak is luscious both on the nose and palate. Savory in style with hints of salted butter, it's an interesting example of Croatian wine made in a decidedly international style.
Stony apple aromas are mostly neutral and lead to a fleshy, semisoft palate with citrus, kiwi and notes of oxidation. Nice and easy but sort of plump and bland. The finish indicates that it's starting to bend and will break sooner rather than later. Drink now.
Dark, with a complex nose mixing very ripe, raisiny fruit with smoke and a hint of spoilage. The wine seems pushed just over the edge, losing focus and definition. The fruit quickly gives way to leaf and forest floor flavors in an herbal, earthy finish.
Recommended with caution. The sample this note is based on was weighty and smooth, with apple and floral notes and then an almosty buttery palate with baked apple and citrus flavors. Oddly, it's a soft, ripe wine that's fading and not showing much Sauvignon Blanc typicity.
The bouquet is mildly intense, with soft pear and delicate apple skin as the only distinguishable elements. More apple and bitter citrus appear in the mouth, with almost a hoppy character developing on the finish. Drink now.
Toasted oak and cedar notes meld into lush, ripe black plums on the nose and palate of this fruit-forward, richly concentrated wine from Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's a straightforward, accessible wine, but well balanced with smooth tannins and a bright acidity
Dusty and subdued on the nose, but still friendly and varietally correct, with lychee and melon aromas. The palate is chunky, maybe a touch flatter than ideal, with citrus and lychee flavors. Finishes in regular fashion, with a pinch of bitterness and white pepper.
This is a fine budget bottle, with an aromatic mix of tart berry and pine needle. A streak of chocolate surrounds a supple, smooth wine that carries its tangy fruit through a satisfying finish, with just a suggestion of tanned leather.
Spicy and full-bodied, this features aromas of blue flower, ground black pepper, plum cake and a whiff of scorched earth. The palate offers dried black cherry, mineral, clove and a nutmeg note alongside tightly knit but refined tannins. It's a fresher and more approachable expression of Sagrantino compared to many of the heartier versions out there. Drink through 2019.
Dusty raspberry and cherry aromas are ripe on the nose. Wiry and astringent at first, this wine expands and develops with time in the glass. Basic berry flavors and a simple finish suggest that this should be enjoyed soon.
The Jaume family continues to turn out reliable, well priced wines from the Southern Rhône. This is filled with effusive cherry fruit and marries that to a soft, plush texture. It's a simple, yet highly satisfying glass of red wine to drink over the next few years.
A few years of aging may help this full-bodied, very structured and tannic Cabernet smooth out and gain more complexity. Alternatively, pour it now with something rich like a grilled rosemary lamb chop. It feels tight because of the dense, lip-smacking tannins, yet it does pack in considerable ripe plum, smoke and tobacco flavors. Best after 2017.
While the wine is structured and firm at the moment, it also has a solid character with plenty of berry fruits that are waiting to come through. It is smoky, fruity and likely to be ready to drink from 2016.
Smoky and assertive in aroma, this is concentrated in flavor, with ripe black cherry, a touch of almost-sweet boysenberry and plenty of toasty, oaky shadings. Not sweet, but as rich and compelling as a blackberry tart.
This chewy, dense and dark Syrah softly intrigues with black fruit and gamy notes. Given 20 months in new and used French oak, it's structured and ageable through 2020, a substantial wine with a sense of elegance around the edges.
Crisp and fruity are apt words to describe this bright, refreshing wine. Off dry in style, it's juicy in sweet white-grapefruit flavor accented by zesty acidity and a polished, mineral warmth on the finish.
Big and muscular, this opens with aromas of blackcurrant, grilled pepper and exotic spice. The solid palate delivers grilled porcini mushroom, roasted coffee bean and prune alongside teeth-coating tannins.
A new brand from Scott Paul, this relatively value-priced wine is tight and tart, with cranberry and black cherry fruit. The acidity juts out a bit, though that may improve with additional bottle age.
There's a faint hint of pink in the color of this bright, cheery, light and appetizing wine. It combines flashes of crisp green apple with ripe pear, golden cherry and white peach for a cornucopia of delicious fruit flavor.
Hailing from one of the state's top Syrah sites, this wine offers reserved aromas of violets and raspberries along with whiffs of smoked meat and green herbs. The layered flavors are elegant yet intense, with vibrant acidity and a finish with plenty of hang time. The pleasure is as much about feel as flavor.
Cabernet Sauvignon (81%) takes the lead on this wine with the rest Merlot. Intriguing aromas of dried herb, moist earth, funk and blackberry reveal a palate full of concentrated fruit and savory flavors. It shows a sense of freshness and finesse.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc (45%), Merlot (45%) and Cabernet Sauvignon. The aromas—both perfumed and subtle—pop with notes of flowers, cassis bud, moist earth, funk, orange peel and red fruit. The flavors are concentrated and velvety, displaying a soft, compelling feel.
One of the most compelling wines of its ilk, this big beauty has pure, focused and delicious fruit flavors, spicy and perfumed oak accents, and a very full body. The good mix of lively acidity and velvety tannins make it feel luxurious without smothering the taste buds.
Ripe, dark, baked aromas of pastry, turned-up earth, campfire and wild-berry fruits set up a seriously deep and tannic palate that's stacked with black-fruit power, toasty oak and intensity. This tastes blackened, toasty and chocolaty on top of core blackberry and cassis flavors, while an oaky finish with peppery spice is just right for this type of burly wine. Drink through 2022.
The wine comes from a parcel that is less than an acre. Vines aged for 45 years on average have created a structured, concentrated wine with powerful tannins and dark, black fruits. It is a wine for serious aging, It's unlikely to be ready before 2020.
A successful exploration of how Chardonnay can be both sharp with green fruit yet full in body, this bottling offers just-cut kiwi, crisp Asian and Anjou pear, lemon wedges and underripe mandarin on the chalky nose. A strong simmering acidity and intriguing texturality present flavors of lemongrass and green-apple flesh, with tangy lime pith in the background. Drink now while fresh.
This firmly structured velvety red opens with aromas of black currant, French oak, menthol, Asian spice and grilled herb. The full-bodied, elegant palate offers crushed blackberry, succulent morello cherry, licorice and tobacco alongside a backbone of taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018 through 2027.
Aromas of underbrush, stewed prune and baking spice waft out of the glass. The smooth, enveloping palate doles out dried black cherry, raspberry jam, pipe tobacco and cinnamon framed in velvety tannins that lend polished support. A cocoa note closes the finish.
A warm amber color and intense, concentrated honey and toasted-nut aromas are followed by a supple, soft texture and mouthcoating flavors of sweet apricot and baked peaches. This will be fantastic as a dessert in itself, or with some less-sweet cookies or sautéed almonds.
This blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre grown on the Chesebro family property indeed reflects the wild mountains, with aromas of black pepper, white pepper, lilac, wisteria, lavender oil, elderberry, cola and Dr Pepper on the lively nose. Root beer pops on the palate along with boysenberry, charcoal, tar and black pepper. It's vibrant and delicious.
A showcase of the vintage and varietal, this is a luxuriously thick and decadent wine, integrated in tannin and oak, with a length on the palate. Chocolate truffle, pencil lead and tobacco all have parts to play, meeting succulent raspberry and blueberry.
Daughter of Roger Belland, Julie has taken over and changed the name of this estate. Based in Santenay, they also have vines in other appellations. This wine, for instance, is rich and structured with just the right amount of wood aging. It has vanilla, spice and great acidity from the citrus and apple fruits. The wine is still young and will be best from 2018.
In an impressive line up of Premier Crus from Mercurey, this is the most structured. With dark dry tannins and a firm structure it has considerable potential for aging. The rich black fruits are still developing, filling the wine with fine perfumes and juicy acidity. The wine needs to wait, drink from 2020.
This is a small Premier Cru of two acres higher up the slope from the main line of Premier Cru vineyards. That gives it a cool mineral character as well as crisp red fruits. The tannins are solid, concentrated and are still driving the fruits. The wine needs to fill out, so don't drink before 2022.
Resin, fragrant blue flower, baked plum and cake spice are just some of the aromas you'll find on this densely concentrated wine. The syrupy palate offers blackberry jam, mature raspberry, pipe tobacco, mint and cinnamon while velvety tannins provide the enveloping framework. It closes on a chocolate note. Drink 2018 through 2026.
Les Collines, Minick, Old Stones, SJR, Oldfield and Olsen provide the fruit for this wine. It's perfumed and leads with aromas of violets, dried herbs, olive and earth, with raspberry notes emerging over time. The palate is all about texture and elegance, while lingering on the finish.
This is a funky briny wine that still seems a bit closed up on first pour. The palate is silky and focused, not having fully come together as of yet but still offering generous fruit, smoked meat and other savory flavors. It's all about elegance.
Pressed cranberry, underripe raspberry and white pepper form the alluring aromatic base for this bottling that dives into Kalamata olive and cardamom notes on the nose. There is great energy on the sip, with anise, buzzy Sichuan peppercorn and Indian spice enlivening the tomato leaf and cherry-tomato fruit.
One of Jolivet's single-vineyard wines, this comes from a south-facing parcel in the heartland of Sancerre. It is a classic fruity wine, but is developing an opulent character that brings in spice as well as wonderfully ripe flavors. The wine is very drinkable now, although still young and with a great future. Drink ideally from 2018.
This wine comes from a single vineyard, planted on flint soil. It has a definite steely character that has been softened by the year in bottle. That gives a pure wine shot through with citrus and apples, showing power and concentration from the intense fruit. Drink the wine now.
Underbrush, truffle, stewed plum and toasted aromas come together in the glass. The packed, densely concentrated palate offers raisin, blackberry jam, pipe tobacco, baking spice and dark bitter chocolate framed in bracing, close-grained tannins that still need to unwind. You'll also notice the warmth of alcohol on the finish. Give this a few more years to let the tannins loosen up. Drink 2018 through 2026.
The waves of aromas on this bottling are quite intriguing, starting with meat then moving to black olive and tobacco. It finally settles into dense rose petals, purple flowers, cinnamon, dark hibiscus and black plum. The sip focuses on minerality, with chipped slate showing first, then goes toward juniper and pine, all against a black raspberry and pomegranate backdrop.
Long a producer of high quality and good value, Navarro seems to be raising the bar higher on its Pinot Noir. A vivid, potent and concentrated fruit component lights up this full-bodied wine from the first whiff through the finish. Black cherry, violet and cassis come together in a powerful beam of flavor. A good backbone of acidity and firm tannins supports that power nicely.
Quite aromatic on first pour, this wine shows green peppercorn, violets, earth, smoked meat and savory aromas. The fruit and savory flavors are generous, showing length and depth.
Big, full, ripe and black as night, this may be the best Apartado Gran Malbec to date. With ripe berry weight and fresh acidity, this is in fine balance. Toasty, blackened flavors of blackberry finish deep, smooth and dense. While this cuts no new ground, it's a delicious, well-made, power Malbec. Drink through 2022.
This impressively textured, focused and voluptuous wine offers well-defined flavors and aromas of honey, caramel and crisp Golden Delicious apple. Seamless and well balanced, it impresses from start to finish, with buoyant, supportive acidity at its core.
Since its inception, Wölffer winemaker Roman Roth's namesake Merlot has been one of the best wines in Long Island. The 2012 bottling is no exception. It's a bold, densely fruity wine full of luscious black cherry, plum and currant flavors. Powerful yet finessed, it's keenly anchored by a core of cranberry acidity and complexities of bramble, violet and spice. Delicious already but sure to improve through at least 2030.
Lemon-jelly aromas give this a strange character. The fruit reflects the same artificial flavor. It is hard to see where it is going.
This clipped, sharp wine leads with berry and plum scents. In the mouth, it's all acid and no fruit, tasting extremely sour.
Jammy berry aromas come in front of green, vegetal notes. The palate is round and lacks balancing acidity.
With layers upon layers of spicy saffron, peach, honey and caramel to be enjoyed on the nose alone, this heady botrytized Riesling is pure hedonism. The sweet-tart palate is deft and spry yet deeply lusciously penetrating in flavor. Spine-tingling acidity darts through a honeyed, waxy slick that extends the finish endlessly. It's already a heart-stopping wine but will continue to improve for decades to come.
Polished and well structured, this vibrant, savory red hits all the high notes. It opens with enticing red cherry, pressed rose, ground clove and balsamic scents that follow through to the chiseled palate, along with crushed cranberry and licorice notes. Firm but refined tannins and fresh acidity lend impeccable balance and finesse. Drink 2023–2043.
Exhilarating tropical perfume leaps from the glass of this intensely aromatic Trockenbeerenauslese. Sweet peach and tangerine flavors are exceptionally concentrated, swathed by caramel and saffron. It's delightfully light in body but lavishly textured, filling the palate with waves of pristine fruit. Stunning already but will improve for decades to come.
This gorgeous wine's nose offers a potpourri of fragrant blue flowers, exotic spices, crushed herbs and wild berries. The palate delivers tart red cherry, raspberry compote, orange zest and cinnamon flavors framed by firm, refined tannins and bright acidity. A licorice note caps off the lingering finish. Drink 2022–2034.
Fragrant blue flower, dark spice, crushed herb and wild berry aromas are front and center on this impressive, structured red. The lively, energetic palate offers cranberry, red cherry, licorice and ground clove flavors set against youthful, noble tannins and firm acidity. A tobacco note lingers on the finish. It's still young and tightly wound but will blossom into a beauty over the next decade. Drink 2023–2045.
Named after neighboring winery owner Mike Etzel (Beaux Frères), this exceptional wine is brilliantly focused and rippling with muscular depth. The palate is etched with blackberry and black cherry fruit, immersed in lush vanilla, coffee and caramel tones. It's instantly gratifying, impossibly seductive and exceptional in every way.
Earthy, enticing violet, pressed rose, new leather crushed mint and game aromas follow through to succulent, savory palate, along with Marasca cherry and cranberry notes. Star anise, white pepper and clove accents add depth while youthfully assertive, refined tannins and vibrant acidity provide an ageworthy framework. Drink 2022–2034.
This is a new project from Christophe Baron. The aromas pop, with notes of earth, plum, nori, iron, sea salt, herb, olive tapenade, black pepper and smoked meat. The palate is concentrated and structured, with rich yet restrained bacon fat and smoke flavors that bring a sense of vibrancy and richness along with a near endless finish. It brings a fair amount of tannic heft that will benefit from some additional time in the bottle. Best from 2024-2028.
This wine comes from a vineyard, created in 1894, in which the vines are planted against walls to get the maximum reflected heat. It is a majestic wine—a smooth wave, opulent and rich with intense acidity and just a hint of spice. The wine is just ready to drink, although it will be even more impressive from 2018.
Beautifully perfumed, this is a ripe and structured wine. It has fine dusty tannins, intense blackberry fruits and a dark-licorice aftertaste. Acidity keeps the wine fruity and fresh although with those firm tannins, it will need time. Drink from 2027.
New leather, red berry, tobacco and menthol are some of the aromas you'll find in this powerfully structured but elegant wine. The firm palate delivers juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and cinnamon flavors framed by noble, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2025–2045.
The aromas explode with notes of potpourri, olive, smoked meat, fire pit, orange peel, mineral, mushroom, garrigue and white pepper. The palate is lifted, bright but intensely flavored, loaded with flower, berry, olive and charcuterie flavors. The finish seems near endless and the sense of balance is exquisite. It's shockingly good.
From Draper clone vines planted in 1965, this bright gold-hued wine brings myriad details to its apple, jicama, white peach and nut oil flavors. A whiff of smoke carries throughout, and its sheer complexity strains the vocabulary. Stay with it as more subtle layers unfold. Though seductive now, it should mature well through 2030.
This wine is ripe with tannins and powerful with ripe fruit. A solid character gives it density. The tannins and the richness of the wine are ripe and concentrated with fruit. Drink from 2026.
Rich, dense and intense, this is a big, muscular rendering of Barossa Shiraz. Scents of maple syrup and menthol intertwine with flavors of ripe plums and grilled meat. It's mouthcoating and long on the tannic finish, so give it some time in the cellar; drink 2020–2030.
Six grapes are in the blend of this generous, opulent wine. It has fine, velvet-smooth tannins, with a background dryness that gives structure. Black fruits shine through, enhanced by the spice and toast of the wood aging. Drink from 2019.
Powerful, dusty tannins dominate this ripe wine. With its great blackberry fruits, currants and juicy acidity, it is already balanced. The power comes from the dry tannins and the rich, concentrated fruits. Drink from 2026.
For fans of the variety, this is a consistently blockbuster wine, well made and remarkably fruity and floral. Violet aromas ride quietly over rounded flavors of cherry pie as the body takes on full-figured dimension. Richly voluptuous, there's balance here within the firm robust tannin structure and heady licorice-laden end.
Sweet butter and caramel notes linger amidst smoke and char on this unabashedly oaky, full-bodied Iowa Seyval Blanc. Savory pressed apple flavors are pleasant but subdued.
Aromas of ripe nectarines entice on the nose of this clean, crisp, medium-bodied Chardonnay. While initially quite soft, there's a tartness towards the midpalate that reflects hints of underripe stone fruit and quince.
Produced by the largest Bordeaux cooperative, this is a freshly fruity wine, with simple red fruit flavors and soft tannins. There is a smoky edge and pink raspberry acidity.
Abnormal by white wine standards, with oily aromas of smoked meat, air freshener and exotic spices. Feels flabby but also dilute, with just enough verve to keep it alive. Flavors of melon and apple are round and spicy, but it's already breaking up and won't last much longer.
Soft, lightweight wine, with gentle tannins and a thin fruit character. There is plenty of acidity to give freshness. Drink now.
Smells like grapey berry fruits and violets. Feels clampy and tannic, with a rubbery mouthfeel and oaky, slightly green flavors of blueberry and black currant. Grainy and grabby on the finish.
A thin wine that is all dry tannins and not enough fruit. It is lightweight with just a hint of juiciness.
Dark in color, this rosé made from Grenache grapes is quite sour and a little off-balance, though the bottle it comes in is very pretty.
Light in every way, from color to bouquet to weight to flavors. Smells like nettles and grapefruit. Feels wet and dilute, with spritz and flavors of grapefruit and melon. Drink chilled or in a spritzer or white Sangria.
Briary plum, cherry and lemony oak aromas ride high on this dark, aggressive PN. Feels full and bullish, with dark, lemony flavors that suggest black fruit but never really get there. Finishes fiery, with size and heat.
Taut, stalky wine, very structured. There is fruit but it is herbal, green, missing ripeness. The tannins have the same character.
Light and leafy smelling, with red fruit aromas as well as mint and green notes. Feels exceedingly angular and acidic, leaving quick, tart flavors of raspberry and red plum to match wits with buttery oak. Sharp on the finish, and ultimately a bit sour.
Scents of black coffee and ripe black fruit meld with notes of damp, forest soil on this earthy Hudson River Baco Noir. Pleasant, but a whiff of rubber that trails from start to finish detracts.
Sheer on the nose and palate with flavors of lemon and lime juice accented by hints of salted nuts and brine. These flavors are savory and clean, but could use a boost of concentration and depth.
Darker in color than a rosé, this Clairet is fruity with ripe strawberry fruit. But it does seem heavily laced with caramel as well as some tannins and spice.
Ripe yet crisp, this is a fine reflection of the excellent 2004 vintage in Champagne. It has a rich texture with concentrated apple, pineapple and toast notes, along with a tangy orange-zest character. Ready to drink now, but it will certainly age.
This is a juicy, perfect melding of citrus and light tropical fruit flavors. With impeccable balance and poise, this thrilling, entirely stainless-steel-fermented Viognier persists well onto the graceful finish.
The Gil family understands how to make fully loaded reds that are balanced and highly enjoyable. Look for a saturated, rich nose with brandied plum, blackberry pastry and toasty oak notes. The palate is both lush and racy, with dark berry and chocolate flavors. It finishes huge and masculine, almost like fudge. Drink now–2015.
Smooth and textured, this is a supple, lightly earthy and aromatic Bordeaux-style blend. The principal components are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with smaller amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot. One gets the feeling that the winery was still finding its way during production; this was made by a winemaker no longer at Corliss. Berry, plum, fig, dried herb and cedar are all in the mix—it's more genteel than generous.
This tastes far more expensive than the price would suggest. Sourced from both Red Mountain and Royal Slope vineyards, it's a smoke-, coffee- and licorice-laden wine, with expressive cassis and black cherry flavors at its core. It finishes with lovely, fine-grained tannins.
Thoroughly delicious, this clever blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier and Marsanne is a joyride of green and yellow fruit, citrus and pear, honeydew melon and sweet orange peel. It's complex and distinctive.
This is a serious and substantial Cabernet, using grapes sourced primarily from the Phinney Hill Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills. Muscular and loaded with purple fruits and cassis, it is thickly woven into a bed of earth and herb. The wine is graceful and balanced, with exceptional depth and detail; however, it leans heavily on the herbal side of the grape.
This is a three-grape Bordeaux-style blend that is three-fifths Cabernet Sauvignon and one-fifth each Merlot and Petit Verdot. It has tremendous flavor appeal, featuring a lush mix of red and black fruit—both berry and plum—with generous barrel flavors of mocha and espresso. It gains mass and breadth as it breathes.
Always one of Spain's best bubblies, this is precise and dry, with a dusty apple aroma and only a bit of yeast on the bouquet. It feels expansive and rich, with cutting acidity that's offset by yeasty cream, toast and butterscotch flavors. Juicy and generous at the same time.
Bésoleil gains complexity with each new vintage. Grenache makes up the bulk of the blend, plus 18% Mourvèdre, 11% Cinsault and 6% Syrah. Deliciously spicy with cranberry, raspberry and other red fruit flavors, this tightly wound wine will reward decanting. The minerality and supple tannins suggest that it may be cellared as well.
This is wonderfully aromatic and forward, with lush fruit-pie flavors of blackberry and black cherry. There are graceful notes sprinkled generously throughout, hinting at peppery herb and anise. At once smooth and supple, long and generous, this is drinking exceptionally well.
This shows lively acidity, with ripe but tart fruit and an alcohol level just slightly above 12%. The grapes used were sourced from the Benches (German clones) and old vine plantings at Dionysus. It's a lush Poet's Leap, lightly tasting of honey, and loaded with pretty flavors of Meyer lemon, ripe orange, and candied pineapple.
This steely, mineral-driven wine is crisp with an austere edge. The fruit is ripe, while taut and tense at the same time. As it ages, the wine will show rich peach and apricot flavors to round it out. Age for four years and more. Screwcap.
Still tasting like a very young wine, this opens with pretty fruit flavors that range from raspberry candy to dark layers of black cherry and cassis. The concentration and depth are apparent, though quite compact. The blend includes 14% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot.
Monolith is a Bordeaux-style blend—mostly Cabernet Sauvignon—that's dark, smooth and smoky. Citrus scents adorn the deep fruit, which resolves in earthy, substantial tannins. The wine spent 22 months in 100% new French oak, yet the barrel notes seem muted, and the intense fruit is certainly up to the challenge.
Big for a Riesling, this has concentrated, sappy, rich tropical-fruit flavors. The grapes used were sourced from the Lawrence Vineyard on the Royal Slope. It has a fair amount of residual sugar, adding extra richness. Succulent peach, apricot and papaya notes sends lip-licking flavors deep into the finish.
This introduces itself with sweet scents of plum and cherry, the sort found in young vines. It moves into a thick, well-structured midpalate, with big splashes of coffee, earth and roasted nut.
Emphatically toasty and charred on the nose, this offers chocolate and hickory aromas. It feels smooth, plush, layered and not at all simple, with baked black-fruit flavors that are draped over savory barbecue and spice accents. The toast is present but not overpowering on the finish.
Full body, ripe grapy fruit flavors and a healthy pinch of spicy oak join with a smooth texture that is just slightly tannic. The feeling is mouthfilling, and the wine is dense enough with cherry and berry flavors to be satisfying. It's a blend of mostly Zinfandel and Syrah.
The nose on this structured red offers oak-driven aromas of toast, coconut and vanilla. The warm palate doles out ripe plum, coffee, a confectionary note and oak spices alongside the warmth of evident alcohol. Wood tannins leave an astringent, mouth-drying finish.
Subtle berry and wildflower aromas lead the nose of this bright, friendly red. The informal palate offers crushed wild cherry, raspberry and a hint of clove alongside soft, rather fleeting tannins.
This lighter-style wine provides a break from your average California red and offers fruit flavors reminiscent of cranberries and dried cherries and a lean, lively texture with moderate tannins. It's medium bodied, not too ripe, and very well balanced to match with Italian food.
A nose of pear, honeydew melon and freshly-starched linens sets the stage for soft pear and melon flavors that are overpowered by intense minty notes. There is a burst of fresh citrus on the finish, but there is a lingering sense of cotton on the palate throughout each sip.
Muddled notes of ripe berry on the nose come into sharper view on the citrus-focused palate. There is a vestige of tannin and pleasant dryness. Drink soon.
Dark, dense, mossy aromas of leathery blackberry, baked black plum and forest floor feed into a grabby, heavy, slightly clumsy palate. Blackened flavors of baked plum, savory oak and peppery spice finish salty, resiny and woody.
Tropical fruit, apple and citrus aromas are chunky. A plump, mellow palate with modest acidity is home to peach, mango and papaya flavors. A soft finish is easygoing but suggests that this should be drunk as soon as possible.
Cutting aromas of rubbery red-berry fruits and wild herbs filter into a juicy, uncomplicated palate. Rubbery and medicinal tasting at first, this shows herbal raspberry and bitterness on the back end of the flavor profile and on the finish.
Made with Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this opens with aromas of red currant and a whiff of exotic spice. The straightforward palate offers dried black cherry, clove and a hint of grilled herb alongside smooth tannins. Simple but well made, it's is made to be enjoyed young so drink soon.
Punchy, raw cranberry and red-plum aromas turn more candied with airing. This has an easy flowing feel as well as simple, fresh cherry and raspberry flavors. Dry spice, cocoa and residual cherry flavors drive the finish.
Vanilla and green wood aromas are at the fore, followed by cherry and herbs. The fruit flavors are sweet and elegant, with the oak nearly completely overriding them.
This tastes bright and lively, just a bit sweet and brimming with fruit flavor. It smells like green apples and grapefruit, tastes like honeydew melon and adds a bit of acidity to balance out the ripeness.
Leathery, roasted plum and berry aromas come with a noticeable charred, smoky side. This is full and edgy on the palate, with rubbery tannins. Flavors of charred oak steer leafy berry flavors toward a dry, herbal, spicy finish.
Lighter in color, this Syrah (83%)-dominated blend shows aromas of dehydrated blueberries, milk chocolate, black olive and plum. The blue fruit flavors are lightly sweet, with some residual sugar holding it together.
This Navarran blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo opens with mulchy aromas of compost, tomato and herbs as well as currant and plum. The palate is thick and syrupy in feel, with a mix of baked, stewy berry flavors offset by green notes. Herbal berry and chocolaty flavors control a rooty, sweet-tasting finish.
The Sauvignon Blanc here never seems to hit the highs of the Burgundian varieties, but the 2013 is a solid effort. Aromas of struck flint give a faintly Old World character to this medium-bodied wine, followed by hints of stone fruit and pineapple and an abbreviated finish.
This medium-bodied blend features aromas and flavors reminiscent of bubble gum and cantaloupe. It's mainly Grenache and Cinsault, which impart ample weight, balanced by some slightly bitter, pithy notes on the finish.
Earthy, rooty aromas of cola, tobacco and baked black plum give way to a drawing, drying palate with rubbery, clampy tannins. Roasted plum, prune and herbal flavors finish loamy in feel but salty in flavor.
It's difficult to find the aromas of apple, pear and jasmine. This drinks off dry with nicely balanced acids.
A blend of Sangiovese and 20% Canaiolo, this opens with aromas of baked plum, dark berry, mocha and vanilla. The palate offers dried black cherry, sweet baking spice and a confectionary note alongside smooth but rather fleeting tannins.
Toasted oak and vanilla are noticeably present on the palate and nose of this wine, which evolves in the glass to take on a more tropical feel and tastes of ripe pineapple and guava. Medium to light in texture, it finishes smoothly and flat.
Aromatic for the variety, this wine shows notes of apple and pear. It's lightly spritzy with an almost unctuous feel.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this easygoing, friendly red opens with aromas of fresh plum and crushed blue flowers. The juicy palate offers up fleshy black cherry, raspberry and a hint of Mediterranean herb alongside round, soft tannins. Enjoy soon.
Aromas of wood shop, espresso and licorice lead the nose. The firm palate delivers oak extract, licorice, clove, dried black cherry and sage alongside tightly-knit, drying tannins. It has structure but not much fruit richness remains.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this opens with aromas of wet leaves, underbrush, leather and prune. The palate offers dried red and black cherry, grilled sage and a confectionary note alongside lithe tannins. Drink soon to capture the remaining fruit.
Golden in color, this wine has a light presence on the palate, offering both floral and herbal highlights of jasmine and cinnamon. A faint squeeze of citrus is perceptible throughout, before the wine finishes in a flash.
Syrupy and dense, this is a burly wine, soft but powerful, that keeps coming back to the theme of blackberry syrup. Velvety tannins buoy the midpoint, before it finishes in a burst of intense ripeness.
Light in color and medium bodied, this unusual wine presents a weightiness, a throwback to California's earlier days of more widespread plantings of Gamay. This one offers a thick, syrupy overtone of blueberry and cherry, soft on the midpalate with nominal structure.
A lovely medley of iris, violet, mature berry and cake spice aromas emerge on this polished, structured wine. The elegant palate doles out juicy Morello cherry, black raspberry, white pepper, chopped herb and a licorice note while firm, fine-grained tannins provide the framework. It's still tightly wound and needs time to fully develop. Drink 2018–2027.
Black as night in color then lush, ripe and silky smooth on the nose, this heady Malbec offers aromas of marzipan, balsam, licorice and cassis. The palate is intense and tannic, with lusty flavors of blackberry, prune and chocolate. Finishing flavors of mocha, cocoa and toast are lush and long. Drink through 2018.
Lavender, potpourri, cranberry-orange juice, Sichuan peppercorn, graphite and cinnamon hit the nose on this bottling from winemaker Aaron Walker. The complex, ever-evolving palate blends pomegranate and citrus rinds with black slate, peppercorns, dried oregano, thyme and rosemary.
Fresh lemon and orange blossom aromas make for an inviting entry to this impressively fragrant wine. Surprisingly light on the palate, despite the concentration and power, this is a focused, subtle expression of the variety, with layers of ripe apple, pear and peach, unimpeded by the supportive oak.
Wound tightly, this burly, brawny bruiser comes out of its shell slowly to reveal soft, perfumy notes of violet and blueberry. Flavors of dark chocolate and jam sit atop powerfully rich, dense pockets of leather and black pepper. Drink now through 2023.
A penetrating mineral streak cuts through layers of honeyed peach and cantaloupe in this intensely concentrated, complex Spätlese. It's lip smacking and succulently sweet, yet balanced by a zesty citrus backbone that pulses long through the finish.
This wine's distinct and intriguing nose pairs cola and cinnamon with cranberry, chopped chaparral scrub and wildfire smoke. That scrubby character of green sage and mugwort extends to the palate, spicing up the beet juice, ripe raspberries and a pencil-lead backbone.
Steeped plum, baked earth, grilled herb and tobacco aromas come together on this structured wine. The savory palate offers rich black cherry, mocha, clove, dried herb and licorice alongside firm, ripe tannins. Drink after 2018.
This is a pretty wine, vibrant in white pepper and braised meat. The nose is pure violet and blueberry, while the approach to the fruit is light-handed, with integrated tannins and a low oak imprint. Entirely varietal, it delves into earthy territory with elements of forest floor and dark chocolate.
Crisp undercurrents of tangerine, grapefruit and cranberry provide a brightness and light to this wine, which is velvety-smooth on the palate. An inaugural release for the producer from this vineyard, it bristles with cinnamon and clove, delving into black pepper spiciness as well. Drink this structured wine now through 2023.
The color alone catches your attention; it's a deep, smoky sunset hue that leads into an equally captivating palate. Rich, warm and dense with cherry pastry flavors, it also brings accents of cherry tobacco, orange liqueur and a glassy minerality.
A skyscraper-sized blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, 9% Cabernet Franc and 4% Malbec, this is a generously structured, tannic and bold expression of plum, leather and pencil lead that leans into gamy, black pepper notes as well. Velvety smooth, it has years to go in the bottle. Cellar through 2025.
Rose, violet, red berry, cake spice and aniseed are some of the aromas you'll find on this delicious Barolo. On the balanced palate, notes of tobacco, licorice, clove and dried herb accent the juicy cherry-berry core. Ripe, firm tannins and fresh acidity provide structure.
Ripe berry, aromatic herb, rose, violet, anise, leather and a whiff of tobacco all meld together on this firmly structured wine. The full-bodied, gripping palate delivers mature black cherry, licorice, underbrush and dark baking spice alongside youthfully assertive but velvety-textured tannins. Drink 2019–2029.
Dark berry, scorched earth, menthol and baking spice aromas come together on this along with a balsamic note. The tense palate delivers steeped plum, dried black cherry, mint, sage clove and licorice set against youthfully assertive tannins. Drink 2019–2028.
Worth the effort to find, this wine shows terrific balance in every respect. Subtle oak and spice frame ripe cherry fruit on the nose. Refreshing herb and spice elements add zest to cherry and cola flavors on the palate, where the wine is fleshy without being at all heavy. The ripe tannins on the finish are supple enough to make this approachable now, but it should also evolve gracefully for at least five-to-eight years.
A blend based on Alicante Bouschet, this ripe and rich wine is appropriately dark in color. It is a firm wine, full of juicy black plum fruits and dense tannins. With weight and considerable richness, it is a complex wine that is developing slowly but surely. Drink from 2018.
Attractive floral scents of crushed rose and pressed violet are joined by perfumed berry and a hint of menthol. The elegant, focused palate delivers wild cherry, raspberry, white pepper, clove and chopped herb alongside a firm network of fine-grained tannins. It's still young and tight but loaded with finesse. Drink 2019–2031.
This single-parcel, partially barrel-fermented Champagne is in effect a Blanc de Noirs. If all that sounds complicated (and so does the name of the wine), the wine itself is much easier to appreciate. It is certainly rich, with a touch of tannin and mineral texture. Full of ripe white fruits, it offers good acidity at the end. It could age longer; drink from 2017.
A Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant mixture with 11% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec, this powerfully generous wine has a thread of classic black olive and dried herb that provides a restrained edge. Tightly woven tannin and oak give added strength and structure.
The 170 acre Rocim estate has produced a serious, dense and powerful wine. It is rich, powered by blackberry and dark plum and damson flavors. The acidity that's there is enough to contrast with the ripe fruitiness while the tannins and layers of wood flavors both promise considerable aging. Drink from 2018.
From the 1,400-elevation Van der Kamp Vineyard, this wine conveys roses and black tea, along with a woodsy, truffle-like character. While powerfully round and soft, it offers elegance in abundance, alongside a swatch of fresh-dug earth and a thick finish of forest floor. Drink now through 2022.
Still young, this wine is showing structure and a dense texture as well as tight fruitiness. It's a blend of one-third of each of Champagne's principal grapes, giving good balance and intense acidity. The low dosage has made the wine dry without losing a ripe, full character. Drink from 2017.
Flinty lemon and caramel are flouted around rich layers of caramel and baked quince in this blend of two vineyard sites, both planted to Wente selection Chardonnay. The richness of the vineyards speaks loudly enough to call for only neutral oak to be used in aging. The finish brings a spark of pineapple and mango custard.
The 2014 vintage produced so many standouts for St. Urbans-Hof, it's hard to decide on favorites, but this luminous Spätlese pulls quite a bit of weight for its dimunitive price tag. While delicate in frame, it's dramatic in composure, shifting from floral fruity exuberance to waxy, mineral and taut in each sip. It's drinking gorgeously now but should hold well, and perhaps improve, through at least 2020.
Gorgeous fruit aromas and flavors fill out this plush-textured and softly balanced wine. It offers ripe black cherry and raspberry tones and a full body, but has a delightful, light touch on the palate. The finish lingers nicely, too.
An oily character of tangerine skin, peach flesh and condensed nuts meets with caramel, pinched soda and cut stone-fruit freshness on the nose of this top bottling from the Los Gatos producer. The palate shows ripe Granny Smith apple flesh, seared pears and almond oil, with a sea-salt splash on the finish.
The fantastic nose pitches French toast together with Meyer lemon pith, crushed rock, struck match and a slight sour-cream element. This wine is immediately lively on the tongue, with lots of but not overdone acidity. Yeasty toast flavors are cut by lemon and poached pear on a racy and focused palate.
Spicy orange rind and sunny tangerine notes offset steely shards of lime and mineral in this bracing, deeply concentrated Riesling. The midpalate smooths out richly, glazed by a sheen of lanolin that stretches out the finish. Drinks beautifully already, but should improve through 2020.
A serious and dense wine, this is rich and full of dark juicy fruit. It has plenty of structure of course, with its rich tannins and wood aging flavors right up front. The acidity is perfumed, underlining the ripe fruit. Drink this concentrated wine from 2018.
This wine from a cool corner of the Sierra Foothills has lots of varietal character, from a rather deep straw color to waxy, nutty aromas to mild walnut and pear flavors to a rich, viscous texture. It is appetizing and substantial enough for a bold seafood dish.
Textbook Moscatel aromas of lychee, honeydew and gardenia lead to a foamy, fresh palate, with coarse, heavy bubbles. Typical tropical flavors of lychee, banana and mango are sugary sweet, then quiet on the finish.
Briary and powerful smelling, with leathery aromas of blackberry and dark plum, this heavily extracted Malbec is grabby and tannic. Earthy, roasted blackberry and leathery flavors end with simmering heat. This is a big, fruity and gripping Malbec.
Citrus wafts up in the aroma, and brisk lemon, lime and grapefruit tinge the flavors of this wine. A rather soft texture and light body make it gentle to sip, and a touch of sweetness comes out on the finish.
Quite tropical on the extremely dense nose, with guava nectar and honey aromas, this late-harvest wine is extremely sweet and treacly on the palate, without showing much complexity. It's like drinking liquid sugar.
The wine has strongly catty aromas that seems to dissipate on the palate. A tense, mineral-driven acidity carries gooseberry flavors and a herbal aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a thick and savory wine, compressed and somewhat flabby on the palate. A curious nose takes time to develop into full-bodied black cherry and blackberry.
Quite a different style from last year's 15% alcohol version, this seems raw, slightly bitter, and hints at garlic in the nose. Black cherries, cola and earth are in the mix, but something is not quite settled.
Produced from high altitude vineyards to retain acidity, this is a fruity, crisp and bright wine. It has an herbal character along with lively lemon and quince flavors. The wine is ready to drink.
Stalky, lightly medicinal aromas of berry fruits are a touch horsey. This feels chunky and a little lazy, with salty red-plum and currant flavors that finish long, lightly briny and herbal.
Light in color, this wine seems already mature. It has a leathery character, the fruit subdued to the structure. It's attractive to drink as a mature wine that is ready now.
Fresh and fruity, this is a blend of local white grapes with Sauvignon Blanc is light-bodied and crisp. Full of citrus and herbal flavors, this is an easy wine to enjoy. Drink now.
An organic, low-sulphur wine, this is all about soft fruitiness. Red fruits shine along with the texture that has just an edge of dryness. Acidity penetrates right through this fresh, light wine. A member of Terroirs Originels, Victor Sornin is a ninth-generation winemaker.
Aromas of bananas follow through to the palate of this wine, spoiling the structured black plums and tannins. The wine is fresh and juicy, with some dry structure at the background. Drink from 2016.
While there is a good structure here, this wine is spoiled by banana flavors that dominate the otherwise attractive red berry fruits. Acidity and a dry tannic core suggest some aging, so maybe the wine will round out.
This dense, full-bodied wine exhibits characteristics of savory dried cranberry and pomegranate as well as an earthy sense of rose and herb. The contrast reaches its apex on the slightly sour finish.
Savory, smoky aromas of campfire and grilled beef become leathery as this airs out. This feels wiry and alive, but the flavor profile is stalky and briny, with hints of red plum and raspberry. An odd, nutty flavor rises up on the finish.
A helping of Petit Verdot adds to the strength and power of this gigantic, full-bodied wine, which shows elements of waxy plum, dried herb and even a touch of bell pepper on the palate, not quite resolved.
Basic apple aromas are stony and minerally. This feels clipped by angular acidity but also a bit oily. In terms of texture, this is slightly viscous, nutty and a touch bitter, with petrol and almond-skin notes on the finish.
Rich, thick and robust, this offers a mélange of black cherry and strawberry. A fruity element dominates over any savory varietal character.
Lemon peel and citrus granita decorate the nose on this light and icy wine that shows very little herbaciousness. The flavors are simple and easy, with green apples, limeade and a decent energy.
This wine is fruity although it also has weight and a rich strand of spice and red plum-skin tannins. This 100% Gamay could age at least until early 2016, although one can just drink it now.
A lively, impressively fresh Aligoté, packed with green and citrus fruits, bubbling with bright vivacity.
Angular on the nose, with earthy, semisharp red fruit aromas that are undoubtedly Pinot-related. The palate offers good depth and only slightly jagged acids, and the flavors of raspberry are snappy and just a bit herbal. Dry, toasty and endearing on the finish.
Crisp Grüner, bright, packed with tight, lively green fruits, laced with acidity. The wine is clean, fresh and has a lively finish. Screwcap.
There is plenty of wood here, quite a dominant feature. The fruit comes behind, showing bright ripe white fruits and a hint of apricot. The wood spice, though, has the last word.
A full-in-the-mouth, fat, oily-textured wine, the acidity going with spice and a peppered pear fruit character. It's ripe, still young, with a very clean character and a waft of fresh acidity. Screwcap.
Smoky and floral on the nose, and then thick and ripe in the mouth, with syrup to go with medicinal berry flavors. It's chewy and dense, with chocolate, cream and vanilla to the finish. A bit plodding, but its full weight, feel and depth of fruit push it along.
A wine that reflects the relative lightness of the reds in this vintage. It has a layer of tannins, but they don't suggest aging; they are more a base for the attractive raspberry and red plum flavor, freshened by the acidity.
A blend of charred oak and violets lead the bouquet, which also offers some floral berry. The palate is lifted, medium-weight and juicy, with boysenberry and cherry flavors. Very nice if you like a floral Malbec with bright berry fruit as opposed to something dark, meaty and oaky.
The yellow color and doughnutty, honeyed aromas give it away: this is barrel-fermented, Bordeaux-style SB. The nose is barrique heaven, but the vanilla and resin qualities are stylish. Creamy but balanced in the mouth, with flavors of oak, vanilla, spice, honey and baked apple. Smooth stuff but very oaky, and not for everyone.
A rounded style of Sauvignon Blanc, but one that doesn't lose sight of its herbaceous element. So there is crispness, a vivacious acidity, but also flavors of creamy apple and ripe pear. To drink this year.
A chunky, deep-fruited Malbec that is all about blackberry fruit. There's no funk or odd, floral, overcropped aromas here; instead, it's focused on roasted blackberry flavors, a natural herbal character, and coffee and mocha on the finish. Emphasizes size and friendliness.
An intensely wooded wine that is dominated by dark tannins. The red berry fruit is buried under the dry spice and toast character, although at the end there is a more juicy element.
A smooth, perfumed wine, with an initial barnyard character that then softens into red fruits and soft tannins. Relatively light, going more for juiciness than weight.
Sweet and ripe in aromatics, with notes of maple and inky black fruit scents. The palate is rock-solid and thick, with a good texture, tannic grip and flavors of cassis, berry and leather. Composed and medium-long on the sturdy finish. A mix of 85% Cab and 15% Syrah.
Dry, elegant and nicely reserved, this light-bodied wine is refreshing and intriguing. Subtlety works its magic in the bosc pear aromas and white peach flavors, and the crisp texture whets the appetite.
Buttery vanilla, cherry and plum notes give this wine a plush backdrop of fruit and rich, round texture. With small percentages of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, it reveals additional cedar and graphite components before unleashing a lasting chocolate flavor on the finish.
Crisply fruity, this shows some carbonic brightness, pushing cranberry and raspberry fruit ahead of lighter flavors of cherry Popsicle. It's a lightweight, yet delightful, summertime red.
This Bordelais blend of 67% Sauvignon Blanc and 33% Sémillon is named for Fred Brander's son and offers a richer fragrance than his straight Sauvignon Blancs. Lemon, Gala apple and rounded key lime flavors make it approachable for many palates, yet buoyant acidity and wet cement and apple skin flavors bring added complexity.
This wine's ripe plum and berry aromas feature an oaky note of bacon. On the palate, it's choppy and aggressive with tannic bite. Dark fruit flavors are bolstered by oaky spice, tobacco and chocolate hints that persist long on the finish. A texbook Toro wine.
This is a richly structured wine. With its juicy red fruits and generous structure, it is delicious now. Berry flavors and acidity go with the mineral edge of the texture to create a wine that is packed with acidity, tannins and fruit. Drink now.
Grapefruit, crushed tomato vine, exotic fruit and aromatic herb are some of the aromas you'll find on this fragrant white. The elegant medium-bodied palate delivers green melon, citrus and white peach alongside a vibrant saline note that energizes the finish.
Flavors roll from cranberry to sweet red cherry in a red-fruit riot. It was aged in 52% new and 24% one-year-old oak, but it's unobtrusive and not especially toasty. The barrel time has begun to smooth out any bumps and rough edges, though a touch of phenolic bite remains. Drink from 2018 to 2022.
Plump black raspberry and blackberry notes mix with vanilla and baked licorice on the fruit-driven nose of this blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Syrah. The tannic tension and strong acidity of the palate overwhelms the flavors at first, eventually revealing dark purple fruit and a vanilla-laced finish.
Made in a full-bodied and fleshy style, this comes from an estate vineyard long owned by the producer. Cloudy, with a distinct fresh cherry aroma, it opens with leathery tannins and pronounced oak notes before its bright, citrus-like acidity settles in.
This opens with juicy cranberry and cherry fruit, remaining concentrated through the core palate. Good as it is, the wine fades more quickly than its reserve siblings, which would suggest drinking this one first while the others gain further time in bottle.
This blend of local Douro white grapes with, unusually, Chenin Blanc, is delicious. With its wood-aged touch and rich creamy texture, the wine is generous and full. It has attractive acidity as well, emphasizing the apple and grapefruit fruit. The wine will be even better from 2018.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot with a bit of Norman Beko's estate Syrah shows concentrated blueberry, tobacco, dried dill, leather and sweet cedar aromas on the nose, in accordance with its age. There are elegant purple flower, caramelized fruit and mocha spice flavors on the palate, which is holding up well but should be enjoyed now.
The nose is shy but the palate is full of generous ripe pear fruit that's wonderfully countered by equally ample freshness. This interplay between opposite poles creates a friendly and appetizing wine. The finish is clean and just off dry.
The nose gives little away. The palate, however, is full-fruited and zesty: yellow mirabelle plum and juicy peach are intensified by lemon freshness. A touch of residual sweetness makes the flavors even juicier and fuller. This is off dry, intensely fruity but very balanced and refreshing.
Lovely red apple, ripe pear and mirabelle plum create an appetizing nose. These fruit notes are even more intense on the palate, boosted by a dollop of residual sweetness and framed by tangy textured phenolics. This is refreshing, intense and moreish.
A touch of narcissus precedes the full-fruited notes of peach on the nose. The palate has the same generous peach but also a slightly bitter tangy edge that gives structure to the rich wine. This is intense, rich and medium sweet, with a lasting rich finish.
Honey, honeysuckle and peach on the nose create a most inviting aroma. These flavors are even more clearly apparent on the medium-dry palate where they are brightened and intensified by lemon freshness. This is intense and fluid, rounded and soft, and yet it manages to remain fresh and appetizing. Drink soon.
Pure notes of russet pear rise from the glass with their wonderful combination of juicy ripeness and moreish freshness. The palate does these aromas justice and follows with fruit-driven full freshness of pear and lemon. The body is slender and zippy, the finish is clean and dry.
This wine has aromas of cherry, cherry pie, pomegranate juice and dark chocolate. In the mouth there are flavors of cranberry, cherry cola and a touch of dried oregano. It is well balanced with soft tannins and a splash of tart cherry juice before the persistent finish.
Freshness and lively acidity balance out the ripe apple and pear flavors in this medium-bodied, well-rounded wine from Mendocino County's cool, coastal Anderson Valley. It's a breath of fresh air compared to many overly sweet, buttery oak bombs.
Gentle hints of tangerine and lemon zest rise from the glass. These continue to charm on the broad palate. There is an earthy, pithy dimension to the midpalate flavors and ample freshness. The dry finish has a slightly bitter tang.
This 100% varietal wine is sanguine and meaty, with a big, brawny texture of soft, integrated tannin. Cinnamon, black cherry and plum highlights complete the picture.
Rich, smoky cassis, raspberry and cherry flavors define this estate wine. It's lush, round, powerful and full-bodied, with moderate structure and oak, seasoned with cinnamon and chocolate notes.
This impressive wine from estate-grown fruit, including 10% Cabernet Franc, is tightly woven, fleshy and youthful, with smoky cedar and dark cherry notes. Powerfully structured, it shows a classic approach to ripeness and oak, integrating both well and with restraint.
From a replanted block of the vineyard, this wine is zesty, savory and high in acidity. With a backbone of stony texture and a deep core of licorice and strawberry flavors, it's bold in tannins and intensity, yet finishes bright.
This is a rich wine, full of dark fruits and generous tannins. It has swathes of spice as well as the firm black-plum-skin and blackberry flavors. The dense texture and the acidity suggest a few more months aging, so drink from early 2018.
Earth and black tea meet forest floor notes in this dark, brooding and powerfully full-bodied wine. A touch of reduction accentuates the profuse oak, recalling clove and cardamom, as tingling acidity vies for attention and integration.
One of the best expressions from the classic Cannubi vineyard area, this fragrant red is all about finesse, opening with enticing scents of perfumed berry, iris, rose, chopped herb, baking spice and new leather. The vibrant palate boasts structure as well as an almost ethereal elegance, delivering succulent red cherry, crushed strawberry, cinnamon and licorice wrapped in refined tannins. Bright acidity lends impeccable balance. Drink from 2021 through 2043.
Always the firm's showstopper and one of the best expressions of this celebrated vineyard, the 2013 doesn't disappoint. It opens with alluring scents of wild red berry, Alpine herb, truffle, graphite and new leather while the dazzling palate boasts Marasca cherry, clove, cinnamon, tobacco and a balsamic note. It already shows remarkable finesse and complexity but still needs years to develop to its full and impressive potential. Drink from 2025 through 2050.
From one of the most celebrated vineyards in the entire Barolo denomination, this gorgeous wine boasts captivating aromas of new leather, underbrush, ripe berry, tobacco, a whiff of tilled soil and a balsamic note. Seamlessly combining elegance and structure, the long, compelling palate delivers layers of juicy black cherry, ripe raspberry, licorice and clove alongside a backbone of noble tannins. It's already a fantastic showing and will age wonderfully for decades. Drink 2021–2046.
Classic Nebbiolo aromas of new leather, menthol, pressed rose, perfumed wild berry and chopped aromatic herb continuously lift out of the glass. The luminous, delicious palate delivers layers of succulent Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and star anise set against a backbone of youthfully assertive but fine tannins. Bright acidity gives it wonderful balance while a note of pipe tobacco graces the lingering finish. Drink 2028–2048.
Wild berry, iris, rose and a potpourri of culinary spice aromas emerge on the nose of this stunning red. Radiant and full bodied, the palate is young and primary at this stage but already evokes morello cherry, licorice, pipe tobacco and aromatic herbs. Bright acidity and taut tannins provide impeccable balance and an impressive, age-worthy structure. Drink 2025–2043.
This structured wine opens with aromas of green apple, pear, clove and a hint of nutmeg that all carry over to the palate along with a mineral note. The creamy texture has nice weight and is brightened by vibrant acidity. Oliver McCrum, T. Edward Wines.
Another fine example of Bechthold's dry-farmed, old, gnarled-vine beauty in a glass, this wine is light in color and high-toned in cherry and rhubarb fruit. Buoyed by acidity, the finish offers just a light seasoning of pepper.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, it conveys aromas of red and black currants, black pepper and cedar. The straightforward palate delivers juicy blackberry accented with notes of white pepper, mocha and graphite alongside round tannins. It's ready so enjoy soon.
It opens with a floral fragrance of Spanish broom, jasmine and chamomile. The juicy palate delivers citrus, pineapple and almond alongside crisp acidity that lends a clean, refreshing close.
There's a minerally, earthy tone from nose to finish on this medium-sweet Riesling, balanced by a palate that's lush in ripe stone fruit and mango flavors. Sharp, laser-focus acidity kicks in on the midpalate, finishing long, with hints of warm spice and honey.
A forward, softly fruity wine closer to California Pinot than most Oregon examples. The vintage contributes lush fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry, while aging in 20% new French oak brings a layer of smooth milk chocolate.
Hints of crushed mineral and struck steel lend a honed, linear feel to this dry, medium-bodied Riesling. It's a bit austere in style, but elegantly composed, with intense apple and pear flavors as well as a streak of lemon-lime on the finish.
Dusty mineral and dried herb notes lend a savory tone to this elegant semisweet Riesling. The palate is intensely fruity, with ripe nectarine and tangerine flavors. It finishes moderately long, with a wet-stone minerality.
This savory blend of 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot has aromas of red currants, toast, cedar and baking spices. The juicy palate delivers ripe red cherries, clove and white pepper alongside firm but elegant tannins. Hold another year or two to fully develop. Drink 2015–2020.
With attractive mint aromas, this polished wine balances structure and fruit. New wood shows through but it doesn't dominate the black fruits that give weight and ripeness. It shows the typical juiciness of the vintage. Drink from 2017.
Recognized for its good value, Saint-Romain is particularly strong on white wines. This wine, from old vines, shows some concentration and rich fruits that are balanced by toast flavors. It is a ripe wine with a strongly refreshing feel at the end.
This is a ripe wine, full of apple and apricot fruit with a strong citrus line. A touch of minerality adds tangy texture and gives this rich wine plenty of life and freshness. Drink from 2015.
Blue flower, blackberry, leather, underbrush and vanilla aromas jump out the glass with this warm, full-bodied wine. The dense, one-dimensional palate offers ripe black cherry and sweet oak accented with vanilla and cinnamon notes. It's already reached its ideal drinking window so enjoy soon.
This golden-colored wine starts with delicate aromas that recall mineral, beeswax, golden apples and a whiff of acacia. The silky, elegant palate offers subtle sensations of dried apricot, pineapple and a hint of bitter almond alongside fresh acidity.
Restrained and tannic, this Zin needs time to resolve and mellow its fine layers of blackberry and tar. Complex and structured, from 95-year-old vines, it should do that with aplomb, the wine more savory than sweet, a refreshing alternative to super-sized Zins.
Intense aromas recall tropical fruit, crushed tomato vine and Granny Smith apples. The bright, juicy palate offers white peach, apricot, papaya, cantaloupe and almond, along with crisp acidity.
Made from the Turbiana grape, this dessert wine conveys aromas of apricot, mineral, toasted breadcrumbs and vanilla. The rich palate delivers ripe but restrained yellow peach, honey, roasted almond, and candied ginger alongside fresh acidity that gives this a clean finish.
This wine shows more character and finesse than most other Italian whites in this price range. Subtle aromas of apples, peach and mineral carry over to the bright, savory palate along with citrus notes and crisp acidity. It has nice length and leaves the mouth feeling clean and fresh.
A delicate dusting mineral accents notes of pressed apples, wildflowers and peach on this dry but intensely fruity Riesling. Tart tangerine and pineapple flavors add a vivacious tartness that lingers long on the finish.
Smoke and crushed mineral notes, along with a lean, herbal tone, make this off-dry Riesling especially elegant and savory in style. Lime zest and lemon flavors fill the mouth with vital energy. It finishes moderately long, on a juicy tangerine note.
Red fruit dominant, this has fine tannins and a juicy berry flavor. It's ripe, soft and open, with a touch of dark chocolate and an herbal finish. Glass stopper.
Whispers of charred wood, ripe bramble and earth add an elegant rusticity to this Pinot Noir's subtle black-cherry flavor. This is delicately structured, with bright, brisk acidity and a hint of dried mushroom that linger on the palate.
Berry, plum and pastry aromas carry a bit of stalky sweetness. It feels juicy, textured and mildly tannic, with lightly herbal berry and resin flavors. Oaky on the finish, it has a good set of outgoing flavors and length.
The 2009 Syrah, like its companion reds, needs plenty of breathing time to shed its hard shell of tannins and barrel flavors. Coffee and smoke are the aromas and flavors first noticed. Slowly the fruit emerges, offering pretty boysenberry that has a tangy snap.
Mineral-driven and hard on the nose, this features toasty, smoky, chocolaty notes in addition to medicinal berry aromas. It feels juicy but also resiny and creamy, with plum and wood flavors that finish long. This is a ripe, fruity wine with plenty of oak, size and body.
This is initially dark and earthy, with brandied cherry, leather and tobacco aromas. It feels complete and offers core acids to keep it feeling fresh. Flavors of black fruit and spice lead to a lasting finish with cola and cherry notes.
White peach and flower petal notes on the nose gain rich honeydew and fresh herb flavors on the palate of this refreshing, concentrated Malvasia. Bright acidity and a lovely saline touch keep the finish brisk and balanced.
Clean and fresh, this features largely neutral, mineral-driven aromas that hint at white fruit and melon. Citrus, particularly white grapefruit, is the lead flavor, while background notes of pith, melon and green banana make appearances. Fresh, crisp and nice on the finish.
Notes of dried dark berry, leathery spice, sweet tobacco and chocolate-covered cherry fill the nose of this wine. The satiny texture pairs well with the dusty tannins, and additional flavors of prune, sweet smoke and fresh caramel linger through the medium-length finish.
Dense and dark, this has earthy, crusty berry aromas and a sprinkle of herb on the nose. It hits with aggression but settles down nicely to offer raspberry, plum and savory herb flavors. Lively acidity allows for a long finish.
Clean fresh-berry aromas lead into a lean, leathery palate with tart cherry fruit and tight, astringent tannins. It isn't a bad wine; but it's definitely lean as a wisp and drying. Undoubtedly it will work best with food.
Smells white peppery and oily—like canola oil. Flavors are honey and diesel oil, but it's not sweet, just thick and full-bodied. Finishes with some alcoholic warmth and peppery spice.
Thin brambly aromas and wet rubber don't bode well for the mouth, which is thin, tart and dominated by pie cherries and apple skins. A long, starching finish sends it on its way without much charm.
Light berry and sugar cookie aromas kick it off, followed by peach pit and nectarine flavors. For a wine that's basic in composition and a little dilute, it's also fresh and held together by good acidity. Straightforward but solid.
Sold in 1-liter Tetra Prisma packaging meant to reduce greenhouse emissions, this is an ecofriendly wine that tastes good. Its bouquet is its strongest asset, offering floral, perfumy notes of white pepper and rhubarb, while the palate is on the light side for Shiraz, but clean and supple. Drink now.
A forward specimen with lots of oak that settles on cinnamon and wood tannin. Also a touch leafy on the nose, and that's backed by tangy cranberry and acid-driven cherry flavors. Very tight and piercing, which for a 2005 crianza is asking too much.
The fruit is forward and tart, mixing berries, cherries and plums; and the tannins almost disappear in a pillowy cloud. Up front this is a delicious wine, that seems to disappear in the middle and then return for a spicy flourish in the finish, marred a bit by a dominating chalkiness and a hint of dill.
Light and toasty, this is a pleasant, entry-level red wine with just a hint of chocolate in the finish. It's smooth and generic, but adds some spice and flesh once it's in the glass.
A soft, fragrant nose of balsam, spice and cherry unfolds into integrated red berry and spice flavors on this poised red. Approachable yet elegant, the wine offers slight smoke and pepper on the palate which would pair it well with grilled or roasted meat.
A soft, silky-textured Pinot Noir, this wine starts off with admirable complexity on the nose in the form of bacon, smoke, fresh greens and strawberries. Despite an overall lack of punch, it's easy to drink and offers decent value in Pinot Noir. Imported by AUSA Pacific, LLC.
Probably the best wine we've tasted from Santos Beck. This has a jammy, meaty nose accented by hard spices, while the palate is creamy and a touch brambly. Coffee, pepper and tannins work the finish. Drink now.
This budget-priced Syrah is lean and peppery, with plenty of color and tannin. There are simple flavors of red currants, supported with lightly earthy tannins and proportionate acids.
Waxy, round aromas are soft and properly indicate that this wine is already turning south. The palate lacks that certain Sauvignon Blanc edge but it does offer true flavors of melon, mango and orange. Full but fleshy.
Clean, fresh and simple. Gran Feudo will neither thrill nor disappoint as it delivers adequate citrus, raspberry and rhubarb flavors propelled by choppy, stinging acids. It shows a good attack before breaking up on the finish. A can't-fail rosé for the summer and fall of 2008.
Clean, crisp and dry, this gentle rosé has a light and pretty strawberry candy color and the flavors follow right along, with a citrusy snap in the acids.
Cheerful, light white aromas of citrus—lemon and orange mainly—lead on this white blend from Patras. On the palate, it's refreshing but offers some depth in its lemon and orange muscat flavors. Simple but appealing, and at an excellent price.
Fruity and herbal, this fresh wine suggests ripe apples and white peaches. The crisp texture brings out the perfumed character of the fruit. The wine is ready to drink.
Horsey aromas infringe upon basic cherry and tomato scents. This is lean on the palate, with scouring acidity. Tart, spicy plum and cherry flavors end on a crisp, dilute finish with that reverberates with sour plum and cherry notes.
A thick, tannic wine robust in blackberry, tar and tobacco, this full-bodied experience needs time to open in the glass.
Aromas of French oak, vanilla, coconut and a funky trace of barnyard dominate the nose. The muddled, rather rustic palate shows overripe black cherry, glazed plum, game, sweet and sour sauce and a note of bitter walnut. Dusty tannins give it a drying, fleeting finish.
An unusual tawny color blends with deep pink in this wine that conveys cinnamon aromas and persimmon flavors. It's certainly an unusual style but has its own appeal.
With 12 months in wood, this is a firm wine, with a rustic, funky character that masks the black-currant fruit. The smoky wood contrasts with the acidity while leaving a dry aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc (60%), Merlot (15%), Syrah (15%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of smoke, herbs, cedar and mushroom show some volatility. The cranberry and cherry flavors are light and elegant.
This 90-acre vineyard has produced an attractive, light wine. Fruity with red-berry flavors, it is already soft and fresh. Acidity and touches of tannin are balanced enough for the wine to be ready to drink.
Dusty potpourri tones pepper the perfumey floral and fruit aromas on this dry, light-bodied Gewürztraminer. It's lithe and refreshing with a crisp finish.
Given St. Clair's track record, this has to be viewed as a bit of a letdown. That said, it's still a well-made, light- to medium-bodied wine, offering a blend of modest tropical fruit and some grassy, tomato-leaf notes.
Herbal aromas of bell pepper and pimiento include tree bark and eucalyptus notes. A choppy, raw mouthfeel makes for edgy flavors of tomato sauce, green herbs and olive, while a crisp finish tastes mostly of green herbs and chocolate.
There's an inkling of Petite Sirah in this Cab-driven blend, an easygoing wine that's soft and enjoyable, with characteristics of herb, clove and black pepper. The fruit side of the equation is populated in black cherry and berry.
This offers subtle aromas of wild spring flowers and stone fruits. The lean palate suggests Bartlett pear and unripe white peach alongside brisk acidity.
An earthy, funky block-designated wine, this tastes thin despite its fuller-bodied alcohol level. A plethora of fresh-picked herb and forest characterizes this effort, which finishes in thick tannin.
A bit shy on the nose, this eventually shows red currants and sour plum-skin aromas. The palate is also reluctant at first, with purple fruit and black-pepper flavors.
Grapeseed, cola, concentrated plum, graphite and a touch of tar funk show on the nose of this bottling. There is a tangy raspberry-plum fruit character on the palate, with shaved pencil elements and decently grippy tannins.
This mellow, moderately fruity wine has berry and wet-earth aromas, mild strawberry and spice flavors and a soft texture.
Herbal aromas of olive and eucalyptus are stronger than the wine's briary berry scents. Herbal berry flavors are savory and feature a lot of olive, while a roasted meat note is the closing act.
Straightforward apple and peach aromas announce your basic everyday quaffing Chardonnay: this is low on minerality and acidity, and thus it tastes of banana, melon and vanilla. A flat, melony finish lacks acidic framework.
This opens with aromas of oak, dried plum, toast, espresso and dark spice. The lean palate offers oak-driven spice and a hint of dried dark-skinned berry, but it doesn't have enough fruit richness to stand up the dominant wood sensations. Astringent tannins give it a palate-drying finish.
Herbal aromas of tomato share the nose with spice, carob and berry notes. This has a clipped, tannic mouthfeel and gritty, spicy, oaky flavors of black fruits and herbs. The finish tastes green and minty, while the feel is chalky prior to evaporating.
Fresh and fruity, this wine is full of black currants and acidity that is structured by a core of dark tannins. While it is firm at the moment it's likely to fill out, with the fresh fruitiness emerging. Drink from 2017.
Situated outside Listrac, this estate has produced a soft, unfocused wine. It has tannins and gentle fruitiness and acidity. Drink from 2017.
Jammy berry and pastry aromas are basic but flat. This feels easy and fruity, but not the least bit exact. Generic black fruit and berry flavors end with notes of plum and licorice.
Apple and citrus aromas are accented by a floral hint of bath soap. This is a mid-level Chardonnay that's unexciting but not bad. Melon and pear flavors are low on oak and devoid of complexity.
Lightweight and lacking in intensity, this is nevertheless a respectable wine. Herb and passion fruit aromas give way to a blend of melon and salad greens on the palate. Drink up.
The variety seems to get lost in the aromas, with light notes of lees, stone fruit and almond. This wine is full in feel, with elegant peach flavors.
Right out of the chute this is a fresh, lively with scented with fresh cut pears. It's balanced and crisp, with subtle hints of cinnamon spice. A good spring/summer quaffer.
Lightly tannic and attractively fruity, it's ready to drink. It has a soft structure, red fruits and a finish that is full of bright acidity.
Here's a pretty, easy-drinking wine that reveals aromas of Granny Smith apple, hay and hints of exotic fruit that carry over to the palate. The ripe fruit is brightened by fresh acidity that leaves a clean finish.
A medium-bodied wine, it delivers sensations of Alpine wild flowers and Granny Smith apple. The round palate is brightened by fresh acidity but you'll also feel the warmth of evident alcohol.
Prominent notes of char and toasted wood lend a dark, oaky tone to preserved black cherry and plum flavors on this medium-bodied Pinot Noir. The palate is brightened by crisp acidity and faint hints of violet and blackberry, but overwhelmed at present by oak.
Delicate sensations of pear, citrus and peach team with crisp acidity that leaves a clean finish. Pair this with shrimp scampi or pasta topped with fresh vegetables.
Aromas include white spring flowers, banana peel and tropical fruit. The bright palate offers juicy white peach, green apple and citrus alongside lively acidity. It's simple but well-made.
Dry and intense in tannins, this blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre is dense and chewy. With hugely dark, savory fruit, it has acidity lurking on the finish. The wine otherwise offers big flavors of black licorice and coffee.
Sweaty leather, stewed berry, green herb and earth aromas set up a fresh, tomato-like and raw palate. On the flavor profile, this deals equal parts earth, dry spice, green peppercorn and red-fruit notes. A simple finish is adequately dry and spicy.
This is a ripe, lemon and orange zest-driven wine. It has a lightly mineral texture that gives structure as well as a cool feel. It's a delicious wine already but will be better by late 2014.
Aromas of pear, yellow apples and pineapple carry over to the palate along with a banana note. The juicy palate is balanced by bright acidity, making this perfect for everyday fare from lightly seasoned fish to pasta topped with tomato sauce.
This rather sweet wine leads with heady floral aromas that recall red and white roses. The off-dry palate offers lemon zest, pink grapefruit and ripe apple alongside fresh acidity. Try this as an apéritif.
Subdued aromas include white spring flowers, pear and apple. The palate delivers green apple along with a hint of lemon peel and almond. You'll notice the warmth of alcohol on the close.
This wine opens with vanilla, smoke, lemon peel and pear. The linear palate offers tart yellow apples, yellow grapefruit, graphite and a hint of vanilla alongside bright acidity.
Aromas include subtle yellow apple, pear, lemon zest and a hint of peach. Fresh acidity gives it a clean finish.
A light-drinking, high-acid white that's crisp with layers of floral-laced citrus and herb. An enjoyable sipping wine or one that'll pair easily with fresh seafood.
Made from the Turbiana grape, this easy-drinking wine opens with aromas of peach and pineapple. The lively palate offers tart green apple and citrus alongside bright acidity. Sip as an apéritif or pair with vegetable quiche.
This is pure fruitiness, a wine packed with spice, berry fruits and soft, open tannins. It is a great barbecue-style wine, ripe, with good acidity and a bright, crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
This copper-colored Pinot Grigio opens with aromas of green apples and whiffs of tropical fruit. The slightly sweet palate offers juicy pink grapefruit, ripe pear and peach alongside crisp acidity.
This very rich, wood-aged wine is dense and powerful. The power takes away from the natural balance of a Bordeaux, giving dark tannins that dominate. Spice from the wood is also a strong element. It will round out, but will remain very ripe.
Ripe, soft, with just the right amount of fresh acidity. The wine has a bright texture, crispness, rounded out by pear flavors, topped with cream.
Powerful and raisiny on the nose, with asphalt, char and cassis. The palate is saturated and sweet, with flavors of black raisin, plum and blackberry. Staunch on the finish, with licorice and blackness. Solid, strong Garnacha. Drink now through 2012.
Made in Dry River's hallmark Pinot Gris style of ripeness and lush fruit, this is a broad, fairly sweet wine that suggests honey, ripe melon and peach. The richness on the palate shows ample concentration, while the finish lingers, long and sweet, hinting at cinnamon and clove. 15 cases imported.
A terrific value, Dutchke's Willow Bend is a round, generous blend that features complex spice elements alongside lush fruit. Cassis and blackberry notes are tinged with cocoa, cinnamon and licorice.
A fine complement to the Forgeron Late Harvest Sémillon, this is equally sweet (9.5%) but fortified to just under 18% alcohol. It's reminiscent of Benedictine & Brandy – orange liqueur with some alcohol power. Nice focus and balance.
All estate-grown, this beautifully crafted Cabernet is a fine expression of Columbia Valley fruit. It's lifted with juicy berry and black cherry flavors, then expanded with notes of cola, earth, leaf, herb and roasted coffee. Everything is in proportion, and the overall impression is of balance and elegance; depth without excess. It's a style of Cabernet that may have fallen out of favor, but shows exceptional grape growing and winemaking skills.
Good wood, spice, ripe plum juice and balanced acidity. This is a wine with potential, balanced and rich.
A perfumed, spicy and ripe wine, wood flavors balanced by great wafts of black fruit. It is elegant, with a significant wood element. It will develop over 3–4 years, bringing more of the fine berry fruits.
Polished and varietal, this shows the skills of winemaker Chuck Reininger. The 2006 vintage produced tight, hard-edged, herbal wines, ageworthy but unyielding. But here it has been honed and softened, so that its Bordeaux-like traits are emphasized, with plenty of herbal character and spicy purple fruits. Still coming out of its shell, this is a wine to cellar and drink with a big, grilled steak.
Sassy, spicy, and sporting both floral and sweet citrus characteristics, this off-dry Gewurztraminer fills the mouth with candied lemon, sweet papaya and a squirt of fresh lime. Very tasty, with a lingering, refreshing finish.
The continental nature of Franconia only allows Riesling to prosper in locations such as this, where the special microclimate has imbued this wine with honeyed ripeness, a medium-bodied, creamy texture and hints of peachy fruit.
Young, sharp, and spicy, with underlying layers of peach, apricot, Meyer lemon, butter and caramel. This clearly needs a lot more cellar time to reach its full potential, but it is already a lovely wine to sip at meal's end.
The wine is earthy, leathery and leafy on the nose. In the mouth, hard tannins lead to a stalky tasting, lightly baked set of mature black-fruit flavors. Carob and raisin flavors along with rubbery tannins define the finish
Nondescript in aroma, this soft Cabernet Franc offers pronounced tannins and a taste of red currant.
Soft and lightly sweet at the end, it shows black and dried fruits, light tannins and spice from the wood aging. Drink now.
A marshmallow-kissed Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of grass and tropical lime, this is a straightforward white that finishes quick and is wanting in texture.
Leafy aromas with hints of farmyard lead the nose on this blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Overripe black cherry and mature plum flavors are interspersed with bitter sensations of burned rubber. It closes with green, astringent tannins.
Aromas of banana, tropical fruits and spun sugar set up a weighty, citrusy palate with flavors of fresh-squeezed orange juice and grapefruit. Fruity from front to back.
A lush, pure bouquet with plum and berry aromas fails to carry through. The palate on this seemingly ripe Malbec is tangy, shrill and high in acidity. Flavors of red plum and currant are semisour, while the finish is long and crisp due to churning acids.
Very light, crisp, fresh, it has some sweetness that is balanced by the acidity and raspberry fruit. For those who like a really pink color in their rosés, this is perfect. Screwcap.
Gold in color, then waxy and baked on the nose, this Verdejo seems a bit overripe and soft. Melony on the palate, with soft flavors of waxy citrus, melon and mango, the wine lacks kick come finishing time.
New wood aromas give minty character to this wine. The palate is dominated by that wood, which covers the fruit and just leaves structure. Considering that the wine is now five years old, this imbalance will probably remain.
Candied cherry and strawberry aromas are fruity but rudimentary. This young, no-oak Tempranillo feels gritty yet fresh, with black cherry and plum flavors that finish short and hollow.
This wine opens with aromas of burned tire rubber and asphalt. The palate offers bitter sensations of grilled sage, oak extract and roasted coffee beans alongside tongue-drying wood tannins.
Orange blossom and acacia aromas are clean but mild. This has an oily feel due to modest acidity, while flavors of almond, pear and melon finish quietly before turning bitter.
Brandborg really knocks it out of the park with this Gewürztraminer, the strongest in a very solid lineup of white wines. It perfectly captures the oily, floral essence of the grape, in a dense, focused wine loaded with citrus oil, Key lime, and tropical fruits. Great length and balance, as with all the Brandborg white wines.
Melis is a project backed by wine industry folks from California, but this blend of old-vines Grenache along with Carignan, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is very European. It's heady but well balanced, with smooth edges and not too much fiery attitude, roughness or scratchy tannins. It's forward and big-boned, but there's enough creamy richness to make it friendly. Needs plenty of air time now; should hold well for five-plus years.
The first Bishop Creek designation from Erath, this dark-toned, deep and concentrated Pinot Noir is one to cellar. The fruit is seamless, sappy and dense, suggesting a mix of ripe berries. Fourteen months in French oak, about 40% new, seems just right, as the barrel notes of toast and coffee dance around the juicy berry flavors without smothering them.
Crisp, crunchy apple and pear fruit appears first. This is followed by both more generous apple juice and tarter citrus notes. The midpalate shows concentration and some gentle but determined power. Texture and acidity lend structure to a wine that feels weightier than it is. Wonderfully balanced and dangerously moreish.
Despite the zesty lime notes which abound there is a hint of riper, more generous, almost tropical fruit: both mango and peach come to mind. The palate plays the same contrasting game and draws you in both with freshness and fruitfulness. A joy to drink.
A blend of Nebbiolo, Vespolina and Croatina, this boasts delicate floral and fruit aromas of white rose and wild berry. Juicy red cherry and fleshy strawberry drive the vibrant palate while hints of baking spice provide the backdrop.
Aromas of coffee, toast, licorice and a slight whiff of cellar floor lead the way. On the ripe, dense palate, anise and baking spice accent black raspberry and wild cherry. Firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity provide the framework while a hint of orange zest signals the close. It's already surprisingly accessible. Drink 2017–2022.
A 100% varietal wine from near the town of Glen Ellen, this is a healthy marriage of power and grace. The wine is fiery in leathery tannin and full-bodied blackberry ripeness laced in cinnamon and black pepper. Aged in new French oak, it's structured and age-worthy, though quite enjoyable now.
This is a relatively light-bodied and elegant version of the variety, softly approachable and enjoyable even in its youth. Leathery pepper sits atop nuanced layers of chocolate and blueberry, with a tang of sour cherry and a leanness to the finish.
Both yeast and yellow Mirabelle plum notes rise from the glass. The palate is more streamlined with its slender structure framed by mint and zest. Tart green apple notes add an extra dollop of appetizing freshness and compel you to take the next sip.
A riper aspect of Bosc pear plays about this Grüner. The palate, however, reins this back in with punchy, zesty flavors of arugula, lemon rind and green pear. There is quite some concentration on the core as well as real verve and nerve.
Coming from an up-and-coming region of the valley, this wine is direct in its appeal, with opulent aromas of dark plum, grape gummy, peppery spices and an herbal top note. The flavors are broad and pure, showing a deft touch. Coffee flavors linger on the finish.
Very tight yellow-pear-skin aromas meet with lemon rinds, scratched lime skin, fragrant wet clay and very pithy aromas on this intriguing bottling. Once sipped, the body is steely in acidity and texture, like licking gunmetal, with a warmer stone-fruit element arising in the midpalate. It's a very interesting wine that will appeal to savvy palates.
This vibrant, full-bodied wine combines truly vibrant fruit flavors like black cherry and black grapes with a broad and juicy texture. It delivers a sense of layering of fruit flavors on the palate and a lingering, ripe finish.
Pear freshness, yeasty savor and citrus zip combine on the palate of this easy-drinking, fresh and enlivening Grüner. There is an earthy, sonorous note at the core that balances the airy freshness.
From a newer vineyard located up Gypsy Canyon off of Highway 246, this wine shows light apple aromas along with lemon blossoms. Ripe yellow pears and apples show through a stony tightness that frames the midpalate, offering a Key-lime pith element and good saline quality.
Pear and savory soy notes take turns to shine. The palate is invigorated by a zesty lime freshness and has a slight touch of fizz. The herbal soy spice adds even more interest to this refreshing, clean-cut wine.
Defined by its voluptuous body, this wine is also elegantly accented in salted honey and lemon peel, complex and savory on the palate. The finish is marked by ripe apple and juicy acidity.
Tight, citrusy aromas suggest mostly orange and tangerine. This is fresh and clean in an appealing but easy way. Peach and melon flavors are friendly, while the finish is crisp, stony and maintains the wine's tasty core flavors.
Equal parts power and grace, this wine appeals widely with its forward, concentrated apple and lemon flavors. Oak tones of caramel, spice and smoke show prominently on the nose, but integrate neatly on the palate. It's lusciously mouthfilling, finishing with a kiss of butterscotch and spice.
This is an appropriately dark and leathery wine, saddle-like in aroma, with firm traces of black pepper. Blueberry tart and violet provide further complexity and invitation.
Steve Clifton takes this common grape on an uncommonly tasty spin, starting with taut and fresh aromas of green-apple flesh, grapefruit pith and light white flowers. The earthy palate shows river-stone and wet-cement minerality but also Key lime and Gravenstein apple warmth, all wrapped up in a compelling texture.
Fuzzy peach with a companionable co-host of Meyer lemon star in this medium-bodied, voluptuously appealing wine. It's balanced and easy to enjoy, its finish taking on added volume and likability.
Blended with 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, this mountain-grown wine offers bold black plum and berry around a compacted, extracted fullness of tannin and French oak. Dried herb, clove and vanilla accent the fruit, while the finish lingers gingerly.
The pure and evocative scent of wild huckleberries leads onto a concentrated but still medium palate that is light and sprightly on its feet—a reflection of the 2014 vintage. There is freshness but also some silky grip. The aftertaste presents a lovely dollop of white pepper.
Some grass and Elderflower foliage give a little aromatic lift. The palate is deliciously zesty and slender, lightweight, dry and refreshing, always with a slight grassy citrus perfume. It's hard to stop sipping when a wine has such feather-weight lightness.
Slightly briny pear and apple aromas lead to a stony, citric palate with granite-like firmness. Flavors of lime and wet stones are exact but limited, while this finishes fresh, tight and mildly salty in flavor.
Sweet scents of sun-kissed watermelon and raspberry perfume this irresistibly zingy wine. The bright berry palate is deeply concentrated, but also shaded by tones of bramble and mineral that lend depth and substance. It's satisfyingly full in body with a thirst-quenching finish.
Gentle purity and fluidity characterize the palate. There is a vein of lemony, citric freshness but also a creamy note of yeast. This is sleek but comes with rounded edges and gentle citrus and yellow plum notes.
Dark gold in color, this wine opens in decadent caramel and toffee and retains a slight thickness on the palate. Yet it's quite restrained and balanced in the end, showing an elegance of lemon crispness on the finish, and a focused bite of apple.
The nose isn't very expressive but eventually gives up aromas of toasted walnut, citrus and crushed rock. The lean palate offers lime, raw yellow peach and a mineral note accompanied by bracing acidity.
Black cherry aromas are grapy and simple, with spice and forced oak notes chiming in. This feels rugged with firm tannins. Short, spicy black cherry flavors finish with a lasting burn.
For the price, this is pretty decent. It shows ample volume in the mouth and features lightly stewed fruit notes of mixed berries balanced by a touch of wood.
Spicy tomato, rosemary and earth aromas comprise the nose on this basic, scratchy blend of Garnacha and Carignan. Red-fruit flavors combine with mild saltiness in front of a finish with tobacco notes.
Hints of camphor and adhesive bandage mingle with raspberry compote on the nose, while the flavors turn a bit stewed, with the camphor gaining in prominence. It's taut and tart, with a lean edge to the finish.
This Verdejo is past its prime. A leesy, chunky mouthfeel backs up basic aromas of orange peel, lemon and apple. Flavors of tropical fruits taste of stirred lees, while the finish simply stays the course.
Fresh and fruity, the wine is attractive, citrus-driven and light. It has a zesty character that zings through the palate. Drink now.
Fun and refreshing, this opens with aromas of tropical fruit and a hint of almond while the bright, fruity palate offers green apple and peach. It's simple but well made.
This is a dry, tannic estate wine that's rich and ripe with a leathery aspect of gun smoke and blackberry. It shows more in the way of black fruit and spicy pepper than fruit that's delicate or crisp.
Dark pink in the glass, this bubbly is incredibly foamy throughout the experience. It begins with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, plum and red apple, then explodes with bubbles on the palate, which make it hard to find the sour pomegranate and plum-skin flavors that eventually emerge.
Aromas of candle wax, corn and sweat are funky and oily. Speaking of oily, the texture on this Viognier is just that, while sharp acidity and heavily extracted pyrazines make this fiery. A mash-up of citrus and nectarine flavors turn slightly bitter in front of a monotonous finish.
Lightly scented, this straightforward, easygoing wine offers delicate apple and citrus sensations. It's lean but refreshing, with a racy acidity that gives it a crisp, clean finish.
You'll find light scents of apple, pear and a dose of wet rock on this brisk white that carry over to the rather raw palate. Racy acidity gives it a nervy edge.
This opens with aromas of citrus and white flower while the palate offers unripe apple, lime and a bitter almond note. It's on the lean side, with bracing acidity.
Punchy and grapy on the nose, this bright Malbec feels edgy and rubbery. Flavors of spicy black cherry and kirsch finish solidly, with a hint of chocolate flavor.
This is a tight, structured wine that shows more tannin than fruit. It has a lean austere character that needs to soften. Acidity at the end does show evidence of red currant and berry fruits. It will certainly be better if drunk after 2017.
This opens with hushed aromas of white orchard fruit and spring wildflower. The racy palate shows unripe green pear and a hint of lime alongside vibrant acidity that leaves a tangy finish.
This is a ripe, fruity wine that has both tannins and generous of black fruits. The combination has produced a rounded, fruity wine that is sustained by its structure although it is very ready to drink now.
Fine ripe fruit pushes through the young tannic structure in this fresh wine. It still has an edge of tannin which balances well with the red berry fruits. Acidity cuts through everything to leave a crisp, blueberry flavored aftertaste.
Powdery berry aromas are sketchy but don't offend. This Garnacha feels jammy, rubbery and on the tannic side, while buttery accents intermingle with briny raspberry flavors. A plump, almost sticky feeling finish shows smacking tannins.
Very shy in aromas, this wine eventually offers slight minerality and the faintest whiff of white peach. The palate is also light, though not unpleasant, showing fresh lime zest and melon flavors.
Wood aromas are front and center on the nose of this lush Pinotage, with notes of berry preserves and cherry compote in the background. The smooth palate boasts ample acidity and ripe tannins that lend a spicy grip to the rich chocolate and jammy fruit flavors. Drink now.
Winemaker Leonor Freitas runs her vineyard just south of Lisbon. This soft, fruity blend is light in both tannins and acidity. It's fresh in character, giving a ripe wine that is ready to drink now.
This Chardonnay pays homage to the winemaker's wife and business partner, Rae Lee, who unfortunately passed away from breast cancer in 2009. This is an enjoyable showing, displaying lemon and peach tones over a core of creamed corn. Having spent six months in neutral French oak, the palate shows a bit of breadth, balanced by lively acidity.
Aromas are floral and fruity, but also oaky, while flavors add ripe plum and black cherry jazzed up with vanilla accents. This is medium bodied, not very tannic, but packs a good amount of flavor.
Black fruit aromas come with spice and earth notes. This is saturated to the point of feeling heavy. Herbal raspberry and plum flavors end with grating, scratchy, unresolved tannic grab.
Here's a fun and zingy white that offers aromas and flavors of white spring flower, tart green apple and a hint of mineral. It's simple but well made, with zesty acidity that gives it a refreshing finish.
While there is plenty of fruit here, there is also a rustic, barnyard edge that is less attractive. The wood aging has produced some spicy flavors and tannins to give the wine structure.
Lushly scented with fresh-cut wood, red berries, cherries and toasted coconut, this delicately entwines the flavors that follow. It's a gentle, lovely, graceful and low-alcohol beauty that should continue to drink well into the mid-2020's.
Cool, earthy, rooty aromas of licorice, Graham cracker, cassis and blackberry are dark and brooding. This Malbec is loosely structured, with heavy extraction and blackened, gritty flavors of blackberry and toast. A dark, rubbery, blocky finish is giant like the rest of the wine. Drink through 2022.
A blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Nero, this elegant wine opens with an alluring fragrance of white flowers and stone fruit. Made with no dosage, the linear palate offers juicy yellow apple, citrus, toasted almond and a hint of spice. A refined perlage accentuates the mineral finish.
Lemony oak sits atop a heady bouquet supported by woody, baked-berry aromas. This is fresh and fast-moving across the palate, with rooty, toasty flavors of baked black fruits. A peppery, toasty, chocolaty finish is solid, dense and layered. Drink through 2021.
This elegant sparkler opens with alluring aromas of fragrant jasmine, wisteria and white peach. Thanks to 80-year old vines, the linear palate has both finesse and concentration, offering ripe yellow apple, Bartlett pear, energizing mineral tones and a saline note alongside a creamy mousse.
Produced from the estate vineyard's oldest vines, this CSV bottling is a dry, leesy, textural wine, with dominant flavors of citrus flesh and rind along with green apples. There's a strong streak of mineral also, and a well-balanced finish of medium length.
Dense and intense, with loads of fine-grained tannin, this is a deep, dark-colored wine with oodles of flavor and a very thick texture. As massive as it is in texture though, delicious flavors like blackberry, blueberry and dark chocolate come through and then linger on the finish. Drink from 2016 to 2026.
This big-boy, 100% varietal Cab is reflective of both its vintage and provenance, a celebration of black pepper, blackberry and tar around an intensely full-bodied, bittersweet palate. Tobacco leaf and leather saddle interweave themselves through the wine's middle and end. Drink now through 2020.
This is a rich, inviting wine with characteristics of dried cranberry and red currant, replete with dusty, spicy tannins and spicy, spiked vanilla. Lush, the tannins are soft and supple, a tad smoky, and the secondary elements darker in smoke, black licorice and espresso. Burly, it's balanced and refined.
Phil Sexton's wines under the Giant Steps label are becoming more consistent, and the 2014s may be his best yet. This is a medium- to full-bodied wine, with a supple, creamy texture and lingering notes of spring flowers and black cherries. Subtle oaking adds brown sugar and mocha shadings to the crisp finish. Drink now–2022.
Adam Comartin's San Jose-based label shines a bright light on this new appellation. This wine shows blackberry shave ice, black cherries, black pepper, cola and the lifting aromatics of violets on the nose. More black pepper spices up the palate, with the balanced cherry and berry power proving quite distinctive and regal.
Savory spiced apple with complex autolytic overtones of stone, oatmeal, soy and baked apple lend a rich, rounded to the nose and palate. There is real character in the classy, slender structure and the lingering taste is satisfyingly clean and long.
Cabernet Sauvignon makes up the majority of this Meritage, with 25% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The blending succeeds in offering a mix of chalky tannins and juicy cassis, with the wine structured and fairly elegant in style. Pencil lead and licorice mark the lengthy finish. Drink now through 2020.
Licorice aromas are matched by herbal, horsey notes on this earthy, muscular Monastrell. A bold, high-volume palate is home to plum, currant and blackened flavors, while an integrated, lightly herbal finish is fresh and powerful, with a firm structure that will ensure at least several additional years of life. Drink through 2023.
This wine comes from a single vineyard in the western part of the appellation. Aromas suggest honeysuckle, lemon cream sauce and a wild array of garden herbs and spices, from scallions and green garlic to fresh oregano. It's light and bright on the palate, with a steely focus of lime juice on peach.
The combination of acidity, dark fruits and a minerality give this wine both great density and a fine potential. It is firm, showing the terroir of the Douro well in its grainy texture while also bringing acidity into play. It is young, concentrated and needs to age. Drink from 2017.
Delamotte, the sister house of the legendary Salon, is based in the Côte des Blancs so it has plenty of experience with Chardonnay. This crisp, fruity and lightly toasty wine shows well-balanced freshness and poise. Drink now.
Bready, yeasty apple and pear aromas come with grassy hints and notes of green herbs. As a brut nature, it's no surprise that this hits with straight-ahead acidity and crispness. Flavors of sourdough bread, lemon and golden apple finish stony, tight and minerally. Drink through 2019.
Just 10% of this wine was fermented in new French oak which adds a bit of weight and length. Grapefruit, peach and lime mingle on the palate, a briny afterthought providing an edge. Smooth and refreshing, it ends in a long dream of lemon.
Concentrated violets, cherry blossoms and cola aromas show on this wine by master sommelier Paolo Barbieri (who works in the cellar of friend Joey Tensley) that gets 5% Viognier added to the mix. Flavors are dense and broadly approachable, with blackberries, black cherries and purple flower elements.
Juicy blackberry, cherry and leathery tannins characterize this full-bodied, dense and complex wine, which is velvety-smooth on the palate. Though the fruit is nicely developed and full figured, the tannins should continue to integrate with more time in the bottle. Cellar through 2022.
This blend of grapes from four vineyards—48% Alamo Creek, 18% Bien Nacido, 18% Spanish Springs and 16% Ventana—offers dense berries and smoke on the nose as well as black pepper and tar. The tar shows strongly on the palate, as do blackberry blossoms and denser black pepper spice.
This wine is still young, very fresh in its crisp acidity and lemon and grapefruit flavors. It has the potential to age well, with an underlay of tension between fruit and mineral texture. It is complex, structured and needs to mature further. Drink from 2018.
This is a rich, smooth wine that has ripe fruit and plenty of smooth plum flavors. It has some spice, balanced acidity and a fine dense texture. The wine, with its fresh aftertaste is ready to drink.
Savory oak, tobacco, vanilla and blackberry aromas create a nice opening. This feels tight and structured, with firm tannins. Flavors of savory oak, turned earth, blackberry and cassis end with smoky echoes of barrel spice and resin. Drink through 2022.
From a warm site in the heart of St. Helena's valley floor, this is a restrained, elegant version of a powerfully built wine, thick in tannin and yet nonetheless able to speak its mind. Mushroom aromas give it a Pinot Noir-esque personality at first, before layers of red and black berry provide sultry, juicy texture and flavor. The finish is chewy, asking for more time. Cellar through 2023.
From an area better known for red wines, this bottling by Paso Robles-based Jeremy Weintraub shows the strong white wine potential of this new Santa Barbara County appellation. Aromas of peach, cherimoya and white truffle cream lead into a waxy, restrained palate that shows golden flesh fruit, beeswax, a bit of yogurt and a minerally snap.
Spicy, fruity and fresh, this hearty vineyard-designate is high-toned in red cherry and citrus, well-integrated and softly layered, with a blistering note of tannic power on the finish. Drink now through 2020.
A complex blend of 76% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 6% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah, this opens with hints of raisins and Ruby Port, a reflection of the near-16% alcohol. But the wine is neither jammy nor hot, and the flavors bring concentrated raspberry and cherry compote, surprising acidity, and some intense herbal and stem highlights. All in all a big, chunky, potent wine that captures the distinctive style of this unique mini-micro winery.
With full-force aromas of leather, blackberry and licorice, this Levante blend is an aggressive wine with a tight, acidic body and racy flavors of cherry and tart plum. It's forward and pushy, with rawness, plenty of acidity on the finish, and flavors that take on a dark character.
Crisp and fruity, this is a classic rosé. It shows a lightness that comes from the delicately handled fruits, giving gentle berry flavors, bright acidity and a textured aftertaste.
A firm, still young wine, wearing its tannins right up front. The berry and black plum fruits are there in the background along with considerable weight. The wine, rich and full, will develop over the next 2–3 years.
This is dark as night, with boysenberry, blackberry, animal fur and smooth oak aromas. For $10, it's bringing all sorts of power and quality, like oak-influenced flavors of vanilla, chocolate, blackberry and cassis. On the finish, this is full and smacks down with tannic grab.
This focused, crisp Tempranillo from a nice, warm vintage offers a mix of fresh plum, raspberry, vanilla and spice on the bouquet. It's honest and correct in the mouth, with plum, cherry, dry spice and light oak flavors. A clean, mellow finish is an appropriate ending for this midtier Rioja.
Kimmel's Merlot is satisfying in dark cherry, vanilla and a streak of toasted coconut. Its finish is long and textured, and the wine should have a lengthy shelf life of 3–7 years more at least.
With savory, leafy, balsamic aromas, this is good but sedentary on the nose. In the mouth, it's full but a little flat, with a mild pulse and meaty, balsamic flavors of earthy berry and prune. A short, earthy finish closes it out.
Lush and fruit forward, Rapture, whose motto is “Don't be left behind!” is full bodied but soft, with leather and herb tones and a smoky finish. Blended with a smidgen of Petite Sirah and reaching 14.9% abv, it tastes every bit of that, with a smoky finish of oak.
A textured and layered Lake County SB that's rich, but savory in style. With a big mouthfeel and tropical taste, pair with richer fare, like crab or lobster in butter.
Pushy, forceful aromas of vanilla and oak blend with berry and spice notes. The palate is quietly full bodied, with plum and spice flavors in front of a toasty, dry, nicely oaked finish. For a lively, nervy wine, this is honest and good.
Initial medicinal, plastic aromas give way to rubber, carob and herbal berry scents. The palate is round and easygoing, with blueberry, blackberry and herbal flavors. An oak-based finish with chocolate, normal acidity and good but modest dark-fruit flavors closes this out.
With distinct aromas of field herbs, asphalt, gritty mineral, herbal berry and burnt toast, this is a challenging blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carmenère and Petit Verdot. The palate hits hard with aggressive tannins and abrasive acidity, while flavors of baked black fruits and coconut announce loud oak. This finishes hard and gritty, with a mule's kick.
Fresh and herbaceous, this is a light, attractively fruity wine. It has bright acidity, green fruit and citrus flavors and is totally ready to drink.
Slightly mealy apple aromas drive the nose. This wine is disjointed on the palate but contains lively citric acidity. Flavors of lemon, orange and briny gooseberry finish a touch bitter and tart.
Citrus peel, melon and peach aromas are ordinary. This feels pithy and citric, while flavors of white grapefruit and underripe stone fruits finish almondy and bitter.
Stalky, oaky and rustic on the nose, this is a creamy, woody, resiny Malbec with oak-based flavors of plastic and vanilla along with slightly stewed, baked fruit. Clove and medicinal flavors are prominent on the finish.
IToo much wood aging has masked the potential of the juicy black fruits of this unusual 100% Petit Verdot wine. It does have weight but that wood is overwhelming.
Grassy aromatically, this is a crisp, refreshing white that's slightly undefined in pear and melon. Light bodied and easy to quaff.
A bright, bouncy, fresh style of Grenache, made in an almost Beaujolais style. With its medium body and candied cherry fruit, drink this over the next year or so.
Red berry fruits are right up front in this juicy, fruity wine without great sense of structure. No matter, it's attractive and fresh now, ready to drink.
Big tannins dominate this dry, brushy expression of Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Merlot that is austere in fruit.
This aromatic wine is at the same time structured and tough. Its redeeming feature is the berry fruit layer that is waiting to show through from 2015.
Ripe tomato, prune and herb flavors come with some sweetness and a soft, full texture. Still, it has enough tannin and acidity to keep it lively on the finish.
Sulfur, burnt matchstick and powdered sugar aromas make up the bouquet. This Malbec-derived sparkler is round and full, with a light bubble bead. Heavy, sweet-tasting stone-fruit flavors finish melony and sugary sweet.
Fresh lime juice brightens savory tones of apple and pear in this brisk off-dry Riesling. It's racy and lithe on the palate, finishing on a puckering sour lemon-candy note.
Sweaty, pinched aromas are more alarming than inviting. The palate of this three-grape blend follows the nose and is angular and sharp. Flavors of green fruit and sour white grapefruit finish with borderline scouring acidity.
This is a touch mealy on the nose, with ripe stone-fruit and melon aromas. A juicy, direct palate follows, with citrus and green-fruit flavors that finish quick and clean.
Melon and pear aromas are simplistic on the nose. A weighty palate with citric acidity sets up tangerine and nectarine flavors that turn pithy and bitter on the finish.
This easygoing sparkler opens with aromas of dark fruit and blue flower. The simple, zesty palate offers blackberry and blueberry alongside steely bubbles.
Pungent and sweaty on the nose, the palate brings a heavy mouthfeel showing pithy flavors of citrus and almond skin.
The palate shows modest citric acidity which sets up a flavor profile of sulfur, grapefruit and tangerine. Pyrazines and bitterness run roughshod on the finish.
Aromas of tomato leaf, baked beans and stewed plum set up a narrow, pinched palate. Flavors of herbal raspberry and red plum have a green, minty component that starts early and carries onto a dry, raw finish.
This is a structured wine, with too many tannins from wood and fruit. The red berry fruits are likely always to remain second to the structure.
Aggressive on the start, this Garnacha smells gritty and rough. Overt oak creates a creamy mouthfeel, while herbal and green berry flavors finish bitter.
Preserved plum and cherry notes are tinged with dark chocolate on this ripe, easy drinking off-dry Dornfelder. Despite all the richness, it's a bit lacking in concentration on the palate.
Rubbery, medicinal aromas suggest iodine and latex. This blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah is heavy and flabby, with baked, herbal flavors that finish saucy and show notes of tomato and fennel.
While demure on the nose with just hints of yellow peach and spice, this dry, medium-bodied Riesling builds in intensity on the palate with concentrated flavors of tangerine and yellow cherry. A streak of lemon-lime acidity stretches out the finish.
From one of the Benziger family's coolest-climate vineyards, and one that is Demeter-certified Biodynamic, there's a richness of cherry amid subtle aromatics of rose and cinnamon spice. A delicate wine that's light in texture, it offers earthiness and a long, balanced finish.
This hearty Nero d'Avola opens with aromas of black fruit, turned soil and spice. The soft, juicy, palate offers a dense blackberry flavor that's accented by chocolate, carob and clove. While it's not complex, it has delicious fruit and a smooth texture.
Perhaps this rating will seem conservative in time, but for now this wine shows a bit too much oak-derived toast and vanilla, giving it an air of superficial attractiveness. Cracked pepper, cassis and mixed berries mingle easily on the palate, but seem to fade on the finish. Drink now, or hold another 4–5 years and see what direction things go.
This is a superb Cab at this price and case production level, tasting like one much smaller in production. With hearty tannins, it offers nuanced cranberry fruit and notable acidity, full body and a finish combining black olive and tobacco. Ready to enjoy now, it'll be just as good 2017–2019.
Well structured, it places its raspberry fruit in a compact, focused core. An appealing and balanced mix of herb, baking spices, citrus and white pepper highlights give the wine complexity beyond its apparent lightness. Drink now–2019.
Principally Malbec, with 18% Tempranillo filling out the blend, this tangy and appealing wine wraps its red currant fruit in streaks of vanilla, tobacco and light herbs.
Pleasing aromas of guava, watermelon rind and a hint of lemon zest set the stage for flavors of Cavaillon melon, peach, marzipan and orange rind. Smooth in the mouth, this wine features a nice interplay of bright and savory notes. A cool finish washes across the side palate, punctuated by a burst of acidity.
A bouquet of white peach, honeysuckle and rose petal with a whiff of freshly mowed grass yields to flavors of cantaloupe, Turkish delight and nutmeg joined by a touch of salinity. Soft mouthfeel and well-integrated flavors make way for a bright floral splash on the finish.
Here's a bright and delicious wine made with the native grape Frappato. It opens with intense fruity aromas of crushed strawberry, Morello cherry and orange peel that continue on to the palate along with nutmeg, white pepper and vibrant acidity. Chill for 15 minutes for a perfect summer red.
The Miller's Cove Red is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that shows an exceptionally fine calibration of ripe, concentrated cherry and berry flavors against a backdrop of bristling acidity. It's refreshingly quaffable, yet nuanced with hints of spice, mineral and violet that linger softly on the finish.
Dry and refreshing, it's steely in stone fruit and pineapple. The acidity is clean and bright but not so overpowering that the wine won't develop more nuance over time. It balances well between cool-climate minerality, an underpinning of herb and fresh California fruit.
This is a beautiful, rounded and soft wine with sweet fruits and gentle tannins. Embedded in the intense fruitiness, a solid structure will help the wine age. Drink from 2016.
In this ripe wine, solid tannins are attractively balanced with red fruits. It does have a cool character from the vineyard, showing structure as well as delicious fruitiness. Drink from 2016.
Aromas of blue flower, mature black fruit, underbrush and subtle oak lead the nose of this Taurasi. The palate offers solid tannins and flavors of mature plum, stewed prune and plum cake, accented by a hint of allspice.
Powdery, perfumed aromas of raspberry and red plum announce a palate with ringing acidity. Plum, red currant and strawberry flavors come with moderate loamy weight, while the finish takes on an earthy quality that's balanced by shearing, tangy acidity. This is only 60% Tempranillo while the rest is Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. Drink through 2020.
Toasty, oaky aromas of popcorn and modest fruits set up an elegant feeling palate with a mild but present bubble bead. Apple, nectarine and citrus flavors finish long and pure, with a dry, citrusy feel.
This was pressed whole-cluster and fermented in French oak, roughly one-third new. It's a flavorful wine with caramel apple appeal, good definition and medium length. The barrels put a pleasing toasty frame around the finish.
This wine is dark garnet in the glass, with aromas of raspberry and boysenberry that set the palate up for flavors of eucalyptus, thyme, oregano and black cherry. The flavor profile leans a little too far towards the herbal end of the spectrum, but it is ultimately a pleasant and easy-drinking wine.
Here's a refreshing and savory blend of Catarratto, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon and Traminer. It's loaded with succulent white peach, juicy pineapple and citrus zest. Crisp acidity gives this a clean, quenching finish.
From vines close to the premier crus, this is firm and solid while generous. It conveys power and structure along with a more delicious, perfumed side. Drink from 2017.
There is a vividly refreshing nose to this biodynamic wine, full of aromatic lift from brisk stone fruit and white rock minerality. It's full on the mouth, nicely balanced with no edges sticking out at all, and just a tad of tart apple on the finish.
Pegau's rare white Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 60% Clairette, 20% Grenache Blanc, 10% Roussanne and 10% Bourboulenc. Despite being full bodied and viscous on the palate, there's no sense of heaviness—the wine's aromas and flavors of barely ripe melon, anise and honeyed citrus seem to float on the palate, ending in a mouthwatering finish.
Faiveley possesses a considerable domaine in Mercurey, including vines in this premier cru. It is ripe and rounded, with jammy fruits and soft tannins. Plenty of acidity enhances red berry fruitiness and the full-bodied feel. Drink from 2015.
Firm tannins don't completely hide the bright red berry flavors of this full wine. Red cherries dominate, giving a broad feeling even while the tannic structure is still in charge. Good acidity at the end adds to the sense of aging potential. Drink from 2017.
Rich and rounded, it's full of ripe yellow fruits cut through with fresh acidity. Broad and well-balanced, it's ready to drink, but will be better at the end of 2014.
The terse nature of Assyrtico finds a friend in oak when properly administered, as this wine exhibits. On the nose, citrus and mineral harmoniously mingle with spice and toast. On the palate, the wine retains its bright lemon and citrus flavors but is given extra body through the subtle oak. A lovely wine with a clean finish.
Made from a blend of 80% Nero d'Avola and 20% Merlot, this hearty wine opens with aromas of underbrush, tobacco leaf, mature plum, bell pepper and black berry. The round palate offers notes of juicy blackberry, cocoa, vanilla and expresso.
The addition of 9% Traminette lends a blossomy flair to fresh apple and tangerine notes in this bright, unoaked Chardonnay. Brisk and revitalizing, with a zesty lime-toned acidity, it's a satisfying late-summer quaffer at a bargain price.
Made from the native grape Nerello Mascalese grown on Mount Etna, this salmon colored rosato offers bright red cherry, juicy pink grapefruit, nectarine, white pepper and mineral sensations. The savory palate is balanced by vibrant acidity.
Oaky and smooth, this is already drinking well and is likely near or already at its peak. The Sangiovese fruit is lightly peppery and somewhat insubstantial, but the wine is harmonious and perfectly sound.
An animal cracker aroma accompanies notes of peach and mineral. Spritzy, fresh and citrusy in the mouth, this features orange and peach flavors. The finish has a pithy bitterness.
Really sweet and unctuous in texture, this pale copper-hued Muscat is a blend of white- and dark-skinned grapes. Peach and berry flavors are balanced by a spicy, green-herb tinge to the finish.
The citrusy red-fruit aromas have a sharp note of brine. It feels broad and full, with sweet berry and plum flavors, while snappy raspberry flavors and scratchy tannins work the finish.
Peachy, crisp aromas are mild but standard. It feels puckery and tight, with some spritz. Flavors of tangerine, orange and lemon are tangy but not sour, while the finish is long and chalky in feel. Drink immediately.
This has a big aromatic presence at first, but it elegantly melts into a soft texture and crisp red fruit. It would be a winner with steak.
Although this is dense, rubbery and leathery on the nose, with airing the rubbery notes dissolve. It feels snappy and medium in body, with good concentration and flavors of raspberry, toast and herb. Dry, peppery and short on the finish.
This is a light wine, attractively fruity with peach and apricot flavors. Intense acidity gives a fine kick to the texture, while also showing a dry, citrus-dominated side. Ready to drink.
Lively, vital and fresh, this is typical of the new generation of Grüners that are made for early drinking. It's light and tangy, bursting with apple and lemon flavors. Screwcap.
Apple and mineral aromas are solid and fresh but don't deliver much kick. This feels lively, with a mix of citrus flavors that are enhanced by grass and a pithy finish. It ends on a green note, with a hint of scallion and a cut of acidity.
This is plush and velvety in feel, with superripe notes of chocolate and black cherries on the palate. Finishes a bit warm; drink now–2016.
This is a wood-aged Touriga Nacional that is smooth and rich. It shows some extraction offering dark chocolate flavors that cover the fruit, yet happen to provide a ripe, rounded feel. Drink from 2017.
With seven years in bottle, this Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend is what it is. The nose is stewy and raisiny, with baked berry notes. Like the nose, it feels raisiny and heavy. Flavors of raisin, fig and chocolate keep the theme going, while the finish is herbal and earthy in flavor, with heat.
Tropical ripeness shows strong on the nose of this wine, which is made from the Musque clone out of the Carter Estate Vineyard. It shows aromas of Juicy Fruit gum, papaya-orange-guava juice and daffodils. The palate offers a honeyed red-apple flavor.
Light and pleasant, this offers some punchy phenolics but rather limpid fruit. It spent eight months in one-third new French oak.
The nose is slow to emerge on this proprietary blend, with some berries, toasted cedar and hibiscus extract eventually arising. The palate blends smoked meats with blackberry juice, blueberries and a pine-like woodiness.
Bright, fruity and with light tannins, this is a generous, open approach to Malbec. It has fruit more than structure, plus plenty of black plums and ripe berries sharpened by acidity. It's ready to drink.
A vanilla bean element leads the nose on this wine, with cherry, olallieberry and caramel syrup coming in as well. The palate isn't quite so delicious, with the vanilla flavors remaining alongside woody elements, purple fruits and black olives.
This attractively crisp wine is full of fruit with just a touch of caramel. Light, bright and very dry, it finishes with intense acidity.
This deliciously crisp estate-produced wine is full of the freshest strawberry fruits. It dances with its acidity and light touch of spice. From one of the largest private vineyards in France (2,300 acres), the wine is ready to drink.
Light wood-aging has given this wine some rich structure while keeping its natural fruity character. Black currant fruitiness dominates the attractive juicy nature of the wine with its smooth texture and final acidity. Drink from 2016.
This fresh, young and fruity wine is made to be drunk young. It has soft tannins and intense acidity, mitigated by the ripe, red fruits and smoky aftertaste.
Dusty peach, nectarine and chewing gum aromas are clean and standard. A lively palate shows bright but controlled acidity and citrusy notes. Stone-fruit and red-plum flavors finish mild. Drink this year.
Despite the famed vineyard on the label, this seems a bit gauzy, chalky and stripped. There are light suggestions of berry and cherry, and hints of the nice details of earth and mineral that old vines can often bring. The finish is dilute and slightly metallic.
This mature Tempranillo shows aromas of fig and sherry vinegar along with raisin. A ripe yet pinched feeling palate deals aged flavors of raisin, caramel and toffee, while a chocolaty finish is low on vital fruit. This gran reserva exhibits multiple sherry-like characteristics.
Cherry, raspberry and spicy oak aromas open this chunky, standard Rioja. Roasted plum and currant flavors turn more oaky on the back side, while the finish feels fresh and tastes lightly spicy.
Snappy aromas of spring peas and fresh herbs come with punchy citrus scents. This is a full-volume, summertime wine that's in good shape. Loud citrus flavors, particularly grapefruit, turn chunky before falling off on the finish. Drink now.
An attractively perfumed wine that adds Muscadelle to the blend. That gives a spicy, bright character as well as fragrant acidity to accompany the lime and peppered pear fruitiness. Drink now.
Fresh and fruity, this simple red doles out wild cherry, crushed raspberry and strawberry alongside tang acidity and smooth tannins. This would match well with pizza or light pasta dishes. Drink now.
Grapefruit, flowers and peach aromas and flavors are the hallmarks of this distinctive white. The wine offers clean fruit flavors and a soft finish. Good with seafood and fruit salads.
Soft, low-intensity aromas of raisin, marzipan and cedar announce a wine that's not in the best of shape. This feels jammy and lacking in foundation. Flavors of loamy berry, prune and raisin finish with a note of licorice.
This bright, light wine shows floral aromas, lightly herbal flavors, crisp acidity and a lively mouthfeel. It will make a good, refreshing pour at lunch or before dinner.
Dusty, leesy aromas of lime and vanilla come with hints of peach pit and white flowers. This feels juicy, lean and scouring, while lemon is key on a one-note flavor profile. A long, minerally, citric finish leaves tang and clarity.
Named after the Knights Templar who were headquartered in the Tejo region of Portugal in the Middle Ages, this estate has produced a fruity, soft and rounded white wine. It has an attractively aromatic character from the inclusion of Riesling and Moscatel in the blend. Wait until the end of 2015 before drinking.
Citrus, red plum and currant aromas are wild and gamy. This has an edgy mouthfeel with a rubbery sensation, while citrus and candied red-berry flavors hum along.
Lightly fruity, this all-Pinot Noir rosé just hints at strawberry, but seems overloaded with flavors and scents of pastry crust and vanilla cookie.
Boldly flavored and slightly sweet, this blend of mostly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon smells jammy, tastes ripe and juicy and has a fairly smooth texture with a touch of tannin. The flavors resemble black berry and sweet red cherry, the body is full and the finish is fruity.
Shows wonderful purity of fruit—green apple and lime, perhaps a touch of flower shop greens—and impreccable balance, being light in body, off dry, crisp and refreshing. Delicious.
There's a real richness to this wine, as aromas of butter and cream flood the nose alongside notes of ripe peach and apple. The mouthfeel is as full and lush as one would anticipate from the bouquet, and the finish is long but clean. Drink now.
Much like the winery's Pinot Gris, this estate-grown Pinot Blanc is built around mineral-infused fruit that is immaculately clean and vividly refreshing. Tart and juicy, with Asian pear, green apple, and lemon/lime acidity.
Strong aromas of cassis, cocoa nibs, fresh mint sprigs, black currant leaf and licorice are the first things you experience with this wine. After that, the creamy mouth provides loads of black berry, plum and anise flavors that stay through the finish. A firmly structured and well-balanced Bordeaux-style blend.
Dried herbs, spicebox and cherry on the nose show this red means business. Masculine flavors of cigarbox, black fruit and vanilla give it a serious edge. The wine's character is rich, but a dry acidity keeps it focused. Pair with red meat, hearty fish.
Woody and smelling of sawdust early, this four-grape blend eases toward roasted berry, cassis, herbal plum and molten chocolate. It's massive and structured, with a big-boned skeleton and heat on the leathery, roasted finish due to 15.5% alcohol. Big, fiery, saucy and lusty, but short on refinement and elegance.
The Rapsani Reserve starts with aromas of bitter cocoa, leather and tobacco, leading into savory sips of plum, chocolate, pepper and cinnamon. Intense and assertive, this wine will offer more generous black fruit as it ages. A serious wine that pairs with robust meat dishes.
Soft barnyard mingles with dried thyme and lavender, adding complexity to the juicy plum, cherry and wild raspberry flavors. Creamy but firm, with gripping tannins and a cocoa-dusted finish. With 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Carignan, this is an intense Minervois that can stand up to beef stew or braised short ribs.
Fresh fruit, peach, vanilla and melon leads this likeable blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Roditis. Good, racy freshness and citrus and a touch of slate give the wine a perky character. Delicious with seafood, fresh cheeses and fruit.
Medium weight, round and tangy, this shows a core of cranberry/cherry fruit, a whiff of cola and a suggestion of the tack room. It's a detailed and somewhat earthy Pinot Noir. From the estate vineyard, it's what you hope to find in Oregon— Pinot that is artisanal, a little quirky, distinctive and above all, enjoyable. Fades just a bit too quickly.
A full and ripe wine that expresses the great 2005 vintage well. It is showing mature signs, with hints of dried fruits, raisins and spice over wood. The texture is dense, smooth, the layer of tannin blending well with the mature fruit.
The toast element is just right, giving a wine that is very rich, broad and opulent. At the same time, there is an edge of crispness as well as tropical fruits to add a final more vibrant character.
A little extra bottle age has helped this wine soften up, but it still seems to stop a bit short. The entry is firm and shows some Oregon herbal character, along with tart, wild berry and light baking spices. There is a vague hint of barnyard as well. The tannins are beginning to smooth out, and this can probably benefit from a few more years in the cellar.
From vines close to the Czech border, this wine is soft and yeasty in character, with juicy fruit, a ripe texture, citrus and bell pepper flavors. Age for 2-3 years.
Michael Mondavi's Folio Fine Wine Partners now offers an Oregon Pinot Noir, this one vinified by Rob Mondavi, a fourth- generation winemaker. Pale and elegantly styled, it shows refined winemaking skills and a European sensibility. Pungently herbal, this supple wine brings young fruit flavors of cranberry and raspberry, but shows ageworthy depth and persistence. It's the sort of subtle, classic style that rewards both time and attention.
Nicely balanced and detailed, this Malbec includes small amounts of Cab Franc and Syrah. Tangy raspberry and spicy strawberry jam fruit flavors are dusted with toast and cracker notes. The wine spent 18 months in half new, half neutral oak barrels.
Absolutely huge fruit blows out of this bottle as soon as it's opened. A rush of gorgeous black cherry is buoyed by snappy acidity and generously finished with smoke and coffee accents from having aged in 50% new oak. Details of iron and baking spice emerge also, and the silky tannins glide through a lengthy and delightful finish. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot.
This is beautifully rich and powerful, with tropical fruit flavors and a hint of wood. It has enormous concentration of sweet, ripe white and yellow fruits, balanced by the sharp cut of acidity.
Perfumed, floral and ageworthy, this combines a taut texture with a toast note, showing great depth of flavor. The line of pure green and white fruit is very apparent. On the finish, bright acidity matches the great fruitiness.
This blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc and 22% Merlot, using grapes sourced entirely from this iconic Red Mountain vineyard. Notes of spice and iron interplay with tightly wound berry and cassis fruit. This is a steely, muscular wine, with an underpinning of graphite. History has proven that it will age beautifully.
The vines here have produced a 2009 that is hugely ripe, rounded and concentrated. With its sweet wood and vanilla flavors, with balancing apple and apricot fruits, it's a wine for pleasure soon, but it will also age.
This reserve-level Cabernet—made from grapes sourced partly from 35-year-old vines—is lovely in its wealth of detail. A brambly, elegant mouthful of berry and cherry flavors mingles with a note of rose petal. The finish is soaked in graphite, with length, grip and finesse.
This pure Syrah—the first reserve Syrah from Gorman—pulls out all the stops. It's a tannic, bold, earthy and powerful wine that's loaded with black fruits. Aged for 20 months in 100% new French oak, it takes the wood in stride, adding Red Mountain minerality to the mix.
It's rare in Burgundy that a producer can add his name to a vineyard, but Faiveley's tradition goes back at least a century. This is huge and dense; the notes of spice, sweet black plum and acidity are all comfortably balanced with the powerful tannic structure. This needs at least seven years of aging.
Aged in French oak puncheons, this youthful, citrusy, big and smoky wine seems to flicker in and out—like an old movie—with each sip revealing a different view of the landscape. Herb, cacao, cassis and balsamic flavors intertwine. The lengthy finish is balanced and structured.
Opulento is made entirely- with authentic Portuguese varieties, based on 60% Touriga Nacional. It's truly Port-like in flavor, showing deep notes of black cherry and cassis fruit. Smooth and supple, this is thoroughly delicious and should not be missed.
Firm and closed, this shows both richness and minerality. It has hidden power, concentration and a steely edge. It's crisp and densely packed with minerality and ripeness. For aging over at least seven years.
Big and concentrated, this is packed with tannins and solid dark fruits. It's powerful with a dark plum flavor and an impressive density of texture. Give it at least 7–10 years.
Firmly tannic and powerful, this is dominated by a plum skin texture and a spice note. It's dense and rich, with a dry structure and the acidity of the vintage showing on the finish.
This has all the elements—fruit, tannin, acidity and wood, with powerful weight and concentration. Let this age for at least eight years; this is going to be impressive.
From this rich vintage comes this delicious, open wine. Flavors of tropical fruit and peach create an opulent and generous feel, with notes from having aged in wood offering complexity. It's concentrated and ageworthy, worth keeping for 4–5 years and more.
Crisp aromas of grassy green fruits, cactus and nettle set up a standard palate, which for this wine means ripped and racy. Flavors of stone fruits, lime, passion fruit and bitter greens end lightly bitter, juicy and green.
Freshly cut green pear mingles with ripe white currant in a restrained but fresh and focused body that also reveals numerous shades of pear fruit. In Styria, the local name for Chardonnay is Morillon.
Straitlaced and fresh, this is a simple but effective wine with zesty acidity cushioned by a fuller body. This one is a real all-rounder with a lovely clean lemon peel finish.
Lime zest and floral-but-clean edges accompany ripe mandarin fruit on the generous but slender body. The wine is both full-fruited and balanced.
Whiffs of lanolin, lime and mineral accent the steely, stony flavors in this dry, medium-bodied wine. Concentrated flavors of lime and lemon lend an invigorating briskness to the palate. An ideal summer dinner wine to pair with seafood or fowl.
Wood aging gives this ripe wine its toasty character. This texture is balanced by rich peach and apricot fruits, rounded and fruity. Old vines bring an extra concentration to this full, generous wine. Drink from 2016.
Road tar, hard spice, fennel and peppery red-berry aromas define the nose on this blend of Syrah, Cab Sauvignon and Carmenère. The mouthfeel is round, full and solid, while notes of herbs, spice and chocolate rest on top of earthy berry flavors. A long, oaky, lightly herbal finish is hot but sturdy.
Loamy, soft aromas of plum and berry don't show much punch. In the mouth, this is mostly fresh, with a solid feel. Flavors of plum, raspberry, red currant and herbal notes skew toward red, while a punchy, bright finish is upbeat. This is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Carmenère and 7% Cabernet Franc.
A pleasing mix of grapefruit, green apple and melon fruit flavors highlights this fresh and appealing wine. Crisp acidity buoys up the fruit and ensures a clean exit.
Lifted green pear and passion fruit come in a clean but slender package that offers easy, zingy refreshment.
Aged partly in casks made from acacia wood, this structured wine opens with aromas of Alpine wild flowers, herbs, green apple and spice. The juicy palate offers apple, pear and intense white pepper alongside fresh acidity.
This dark wine is still packed with tannins that give a dense, solid character. The acidity brings out the natural juiciness of the fruit but it does need a few more months to soften and round out. Wait until 2015.
Pretty in floral spiciness, this wine is a worthy continuation from the previous vintage, leathery and restrained, more soft red and blue fruit than burly black. Smooth and earthy, the finish is lingering. This food-friendly Petite Sirah is ready to enjoy now with a hearty roast.
From a vineyard just 4.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean comes this inky wine, heady in aromas of freshly turned black dirt, sagebrush, menthol and boysenberry. On the palate, there is black pepper spice, dark chocolate and Earl Grey tea. Since it's so multi-layered and powerful, it needs some time to breathe before diving in. Decant for sure.
Smoke and spice come through in this sensuous wine with pretty accents and flavors of rose petals, peaches and apricots. The mouthfeel is soft, even silky, and the length impressive.
A wine with great color, attractive smoky and red fruit flavors and a touch of tannin. It has a good structure as well, reflecting wood aging as well as fine fruit. Drink from 2016.
Fragrant on the nose with aromas of fresh apples accented with herbs and spice, this dry, full-bodied wine bristles on the palate with lemon and lime acidity. Ripe yellow peach and nectarine flavors fill out the midpalate and linger on the finish. It's straightforward in style yet deliciously quaffable.
While delicate on the nose with hints of lemon, white blossom and crushed stones, this dainty spätlese builds in intensity the palate. Juicy sweet peach and apricot flavors are mouthwatering, finishing long on a puckering sweet-tart note.
This is an amazing price for such quality, the wine resplendent in accessible red cherry and blackberry fruit and leathery tannins. Elegant and fairly restrained, it's soft, structured and young, with room to develop further. Juicy and creamy, it delivers minty spice on the finish.
Structured but polished, this vibrant wine has aromas of dried hay, honeydew melon and a touch of balsamic herbs. The succulent palate delivers juicy white peach, white grapefruit and mineral alongside fresh acidity.
Ripe Concord pear and lemon zest beckon on the nose, and a lively lemon vein goes right through this refreshing little number. Drink now, preferably with lots of sunshine.
The wine features very pretty aromatics and a soft and elegant entry that is just on the edge of high-toned. The fruit is nicely ripened and the mouthfeel satiny, with a lick of mocha sliding across the finish.
Smoky and savory with a touch of spring ramps and moss, this medium-sweet Riesling balances ripe, luscious peach and nectarine flavors with a gradation of green, herbal accents. It's delicately framed with a steely, honed acidity that lingers on the finish.
This savory, easy-drinking red opens with earthy aromas of tilled soil, forest floor, menthol, leather and raspberry. The medium-bodied palate doles out succulent wild cherry, baking spice and chopped mint framed in silky tannins and bright acidity. While it has structure, it's made for sheer drinking pleasure. Enjoy through 2019.
A softly layered, elegant estate wine, this slowly reveals shocks of cherry, vanilla and coconut. A tanginess to the tannins gives it an oomph of verve and freshness on the palate.
This is a rare chance to experience quality, aged Riesling at an exceptionally low price. Glimmers of apple, peach and pear still peek through, but it's more a showcase of tertiary complexities of mineral and earth. A fine, filigreed structure of acidity and sweetness remains firmly entact. Drink now through 2019.
This is an elegant, light-bodied and varietally compelling wine for a value-minded price. Lively acidity keeps it fresh on the palate, with delicious sparks of raspberry, cedar, pencil lead and clove. It finishes lengthy and complex.
Delightful and delicious, this opens with aromas of violet, red berry, cake spice and an earthy whiff of moist soil. The polished palate offers juicy red cherry, crushed strawberry, orange peel and cinnamon while bright acidity and silky tannins provide balance.
Aromas suggesting baked plum, menthol, aromatic herb and dark cooking spice lead the nose. The taut, lively palate offers black cherry, espresso and star anise alongside firm, fine-grained tannins and nervous acidity. It's still a bit austere and needs a few more years to unwind. Drink 2018–2025.
This is a young, gold-colored wine that is more rich than really sweet. It has acidity, ripe apricot and sweet apple flavors that give the wine fresh acidity. The wine is still developing, pushing the ripe fruits through the texture, so don't drink until 2019.
Salted lemons, seared nectarine, chamomile, yellow apple and a touch of sourdough show on this bottling, which deftly balances crispness with richness. Slightly browner flavors pop on the palate, with buttered peaches, lemon oil and Marcona almonds.
A fairly new player on the Napa Valley scene, this uses the talents of winemakers Cary Gott and Philippe Melka. The wine opens in luxurious aromas of baked blackberry cobbler and spicy cinnamon-clove. Mouthfillingly generous in fruit and texture, it's soft and approachable, serving as a nice representative of the vintage.
This dark, structured wine, with its balanced blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz, is firm with tannins and dense berry fruits. Full in the mouth, it is a concentrated wine that brings out a strongly chalky texture. The wine is still moving towards a rich future. Drink from 2017.
High-toned red fruit wraps around jolts of black tea in this savory, structured and nicely made vineyard-designate, a full-bodied, burly wine. Drinking well upon opening, it develops nuance and character in the glass as it goes along.
Cool mineral tones and citrus acidity collide on the palate of this dry Riesling like a glaze of tangerine sherbet. It's an invigorating, zippy wine but finishes with steel-edged force and persistence. Drink now through 2021.
Invigorating sprays of fresh green herbs perfume this dry, richly structured Silvaner. Concentrated with ripe gooseberry and green melon flavors, it's pleasantly plump and clingy on the palate. A spray of lime acidity highlights the finish.
This estate wine melds luxurious texture and ripeness with zesty, buoyant acidity, integrating the flavors with 100% neutral oak. Straightforward in its approach, it'll serve well at the table, offering soft, approachable character and a plethora of quality fruit.
Aromas of leafy underbrush, toast, grilled herb and dark-skinned berry emerge on this elegant red. The fresh, polished palate doles out juicy wild cherry, licorice, clove and a hint of toasted oak alongside fine-grained tannins.
This is a light, clear and moderately oaked vineyard-designate from a tremendous Westside Road site. Pomegranate, rhubarb and cherry-orange play on the palate in lithe, ethereal and elegant ways, remaining light bodied and refined throughout.
After the hot and heavy 2009 Anka, this spicy, dry, fresh version is welcome. Lightly leafy aromas of plum, berry fruits, brick dust and tobacco feed into a crisp, direct palate with cherry, plum and integrated spicy flavors. Lasting acidity creates a touch of scour on the finish. Drink through 2019.
A blend of Sangiovese and 20% Ciliegiolo, this opens with aromas that recall fragrant purple flower, new leather, aromatic herb and red berry. The ripe palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, chopped mint and a hint of star anise alongside fine-grained tannins that leave a firm, polished finish. Drink through 2019.
Somebody obviously went to Alsace to come up with this blend of Riesling and Gewürztraminer. It does have some botrytis which gives a honeyed character to the wine. It also has wonderful freshness that gives it such a lift and brings out the apricot fruit flavors. Drink now.
Mouthfillingly juicy red fruit opens this well-crafted and impressive wine from a marquee location for the variety. Measured and welcome acidity balances the larger aspects of brambly black fruit and leathery cinnamon spice.
This is a robust, dense and tannic wine, with 8% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. It needs time to unravel what are now just mere suggestions of coffee and black-cherry jam, with seasonings of cedar, peppercorn and dried sage. Full bodied, ripe and highly structured, this should be enjoyed in years to come, through 2023.
The fragrant mix of flowers and fruit introduces a wine already moving into secondary fruit flavors. Strawberry and cherry components are softened with highlights of cola and caramel. There's a hint of orange creeping into the hue around the rim. Drink now through 2018.
Pure Alicante Bouschet, this wine is rich and generously ripe. At this young stage it does seem to have surfeit of toasty wood and hopefully this will integrate. It's certainly not shy, with its bold black currant flavors and balanced acidity. Drink this wine from 2017.
Sleek and vibrant, this offers enticing scents of fragrant blue flower, small red berry and a whiff of pressed powder. The bright, juicy palate doles out tart red cherry, strawberry, star anise and Mediterranean herb. Silky tannins and fresh acidity provide balance and elegance for pure drinking pleasure.
Savory spice, pollen and fennel notes accent crisp, cutting white peach, grapefruit and lemon flavors in this refreshing dry-style Riesling. Racy lemon-lime acidity lends a lithe, lean feel to the palate. Drink now through 2019.
Fresh herb and dusty mineral tones lend an austere elegance to this lime-inflected dry Riesling. It's nimble on its feet but there's a lushness on the palate that offsets zingy lemon-lime acidity.
Stiff and tight at first, this punches through with skin flavors of citrus, flesh of grapefruit and a push into light tropical. You're left with a touch of papaya in a finish with excellent length.
From a vineyard in Nipomo at the southern end of the county, this fresh bottling show strawberries, ripe lavender, exotic rose petals, cinnamon and lots of red-spice notes. The palate is peppy, with tangy cranberry and pomegranate fruit as well as deeper notes of sandalwood, flint and gravel.
Opaque and thick in color, this bombastically powerful and concentrated wine has pruney sweetness lurking on the back palate, softened by sprinkles of vanilla and black pepper atop a sturdy helping of blackberry pie.
Intense notes of slate and smoke lead straight to the Mosel on in this spry, mineral-laden spätlese. The palate is bracingly acidic, but honeyed sweetness and streaks of sunny grapefruit and lemon brighten the finish.
This brings a lively mix of green citrus and green banana, with a light streak of white peach. All in all, it's balanced and fresh, though it falls on the lighter side, despite the generous finished alcohol.
Intensely earthy, savory tones juxtapose sweet tangerine and apple in this delicately concentrated yet lip-smackingly honeyed kabinett. The finish is refreshingly brisk and lemony. Drink now.
The aromas are somewhat light considering the variety and style, with notes of orange peel and flower. It drinks sweet, finishing with orange flavors. It's enjoyable but the concentration doesn't seem all there.
With mild red fruit, baked plum accents and a lackluster structure, this wine, blended with 10% Merlot, is big and dense.
Listed as well in excess of 15% alcohol, this is sourced from a single vineyard in a hot year. The grapes were left to hang while sugars rose precipitously. Flavors suggest mincemeat pie, brown sugar and root beer. Not typical, but tasty enough. Drink over the next year for peak flavor.
Merlot and Cabernet Franc make up equal parts of this blend. Aromas are up front, with notes of baking spice, dates, anise and slightly dried-out fruit. Dark-cherry flavors bring a sense of concentration and enjoyment.
From one of the leading producers in this small appellation in the central Loire Valley, the wine is lightly herbal, perfumed and with a fine balance between its crisp texture, citrus fruit and the riper touch of apricots. Drink now.
This wine starts out lightly reductive, providing initial distraction from the aromas of pear, lees and spice. The palate is medium bodied, with a creamy, generous feel.
Fresh-squeezed citrus marks the majority of this wine's profile on the palate, a lingering, lifted and accentuated expression of acidity that keeps it buzzing in freshness and a high tone of freshness, unfettered much by oak.
This wine's ripe berry aromas include integrated oak, tar and vanilla notes. Its plum, raspberry, vanilla and cream flavors are appealing, yet it finishes raw, jagged and a bit shrill.
Waxy in mouthfeel and dark gold in color, this wine offers simple fresh lemon and green apple flavors, its finish expansive and full.
This wine—part of the “Seeds of Empowerment” fundraising series benefitting female do-gooders around the world—is light in the glass, crisp on the nose and laced with lime blossom, lemon peel, wet stone and Gala apple scents. Its shows bracing freshness on the palate through key lime, white peach and Asian pear flavors.
Soft, smoky oak permeates this full-bodied wine, with light clove and cinnamon accents. The rich layers of blackberry and black currant fruit are complemented by mocha notes.
This is a rich-textured, full-bodied wine with lots of dark fruit flavors and thick tannins softened by a touch of sweetness. It has a very dark color, strawberry and blackberry aromas and darker, more concentrated flavors including dark chocolate and blueberry.
On first pour, the aromas of toast, char, spice and herb show some reduction that blows off over time. The purple-fruit flavors are lighter in style, showing a pleasing sense of purity, with the concentration dipping in the middle before coming back together on the finish.
Fragrant and floral with exotic figueroa, orange and peach scents, this wine is a feast for the senses, playing out on the palate with high-toned acidity, anise flavor and oak.
Some funk on the nose soon blows off to reveal generously ripe fruit of yellow pear. The palate benefits from a touch of flavor-boosting residual sweetness but the finish is dry. This is full fruited and balanced. Drink while flavors are at their peak.
A touch of pineapple informs the ripe pear fruit on the nose with extra tropicality. The palate is a little hot and boisterous but the fruit wins through. There is freshness, too, and a dry finish.
This wine is brooding, with aromas of dark cherry and game. The palate boasts bold fruit and savory flavors along with slightly bunched-up tannins.
This is an elegant edition of the Henry Estate Pinot Noir. It has shed its rusticity in favor of a delicate expression of varietal character. Crushed rose petals, wild raspberries and a dash of pepper are backed with stiff tannins. Give it another year to fully come together.
Ripe black plum and cherry notes are upfront, with subtle chocolate and fruit-cake spice accents in the background. The texture is plush and easygoing, with soft tannins and ample juiciness on the palate. Drink now.
Brisk and bright, this straightforward white blend offers fresh apple and pear flavors accented with a streak of grapefruit acidity. It's dry in style with an easy, quaffable character.
Scratchy raspberry aromas are low in depth and complexity. This has a drawing, clampy, tannic palate with tart plum and berry flavors. Lightly salty, herbal notes accent raw red-fruit flavors on the finish.
Ripe fruit and plenty of astringent tannins give this a bold but unbending feel. Fans of really big reds will enjoy it now with a juicy steak or bacon cheeseburger, and time will tell if it mellows into a more approachable style.
Hearty and rustic, this opens with a nose of crushed blue flower, ripe blackberry, mature plum, allspice and a whiff of barnyard. The aromas carry over to the palate along with ripe, chewy tannins.
Off-dry and fruity, this is a bright, lively rosé. It has a soft texture, aromatic from the Grolleau in the blend and with light acidity at the end. Drink now.
Muddled in a waft of spicy cola and wet forest-floor aromas, this wine has a funkiness on the nose and palate and a warmth to the finish that's hard to fathom.
Pale-colored Pinot Noir that has a jammy character, this is a red fruit flavored wine that is developing fast. It has rounded tannins and a soft texture. Drink from 2015.
Leather and dark plum aromas carry with them a bit of barnyard, and while the flavors are pleasantly dark and earthy, the finish turns slightly metallic. It's a reasonably full-bodied wine, but one that probably should be consumed soon.
This eclectic white blend is savory, with notes of pressed apples and nuts marked by a streak of high-intensity acidity. Dry and medium bodied, it's a straightforward wine at a reasonable price.
Another attempt at a low-impact Chardonnay unfettered by oak, this result is curiously confectionary and sweet. Apple flavors veer into candy territory and the wine is slightly fat instead of crisp, despite the low alcohol and stainless-steel fermentation.
Definitely sweet, this soft, red fruit flavored rosé has enough crispness to stop it being cloying. It is fruity and ready to drink.
This tastes straightforward and modestly fruity. Smooth in texture and not very tannic, it has just enough red cherry and plum flavor to be substantive. Made from 70% Zinfandel, 25% Sangiovese and 5% Syrah.
Lightweight but amply wooded, this is an earthy wine tinged with cedar, mocha and campfire smoke. Drink up.
This opens with oily stone-fruit, matchstick and mustardy aromas. Malic acidity drives the palate, while modest tropical fruit flavors finish sweet before falling off toward bitterness.
Tropical mango and pineapple flavors give this attractive wine an exotic character. It does have some herbaceous character but it is more about ripe fruits and a light texture. Drink now.
A small percentage of Petit Verdot was added to this Cab, the grapes sourced from throughout the Napa Valley. Cedar, mint and chocolate cassis come foreward on the palate, the wine slightly thin though oaky.
A Merlot with small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, this wine is sanguine and fairly thin, its streaks of tobacco and cedar not entirely decipherable.
Sweetness, softness and a little carbonation make this drink more like a Moscato. It would make a good dessert wine or accompaniment to cheese, and will be especially good for your non wine-geek friends. Light in alcohol, too.
This is entirely neutral on the nose, then dull-edged on the palate. Flavors of papaya, green banana and bell pepper don't offer much beyond the basics, while this finishes soft and mildly bitter.
With grapes sourced 60% from Sonoma County and 40% from Mendocino County, this is a soft, floral wine with a bright finish. A sister brand made by Martin Ray, it's priced affordably and will offer a pleasant experience for most palates.
Earthy aromas lead to a smooth and ripe wine that has a farmyard character. It also has red fruits and rounded tannins that could age further. The Merlot has acidity and a soft, while full aftertaste.
Grassy, lightly vegetal aromas of briny gooseberry and asparagus come in front of a citric palate. Flavors of citrus fruits, green bean and asparagus finish crisp but green, with scouring acidity.
From head to toe, creamy, candied oak is the driver of this resiny Merlot. Aromas of vanilla and sweet plastic are front and center on the nose, while flavors of clove, vanilla and maple syrup carry onto the finish without mellowing.
With plenty of ripe fruit flavors and an apparent touch of sweetness, this tastes smooth, soft and thick in texture, and full in body.
Initially this oozes oak-based milk chocolate aromas, but swirling reveals funky notes of earth, compost and overall roughness. Earthy, leafy raspberry flavors take on a briny, bitter, peppery quality on the back palate and finish.
A smoky, sharp aroma mingles with fruitiness. The wine tastes like raspberries and dried cranberries, and feels firm with tannins and acidity.
Lime, green bean, asparagus and a blast of punchy sweat greet you on the nose of this zesty, acidic, lean-bodied SB. Limited, tight flavors of lemon, lime and bell pepper finish tart and gritty, with a suggestion of sourness. Tasted two times with somewhat mixed results; this note and score reflects both tastings.
Showing some bricking at the rim, at nearly seven years of age this is a mature, herbal Cabernet. Vanilla notes frame tobacco, earthy and slightly vegetal flavors of bell pepper and tomato. Tannins are firm and chewy, while the fruit seems to be receding. Drink up.
This red wine named simply Blend is – guess what! – a mix of Columbia valley grapes, including Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Grenache. This is bigger and spicier than Sineann's other blend, called simple Red Table Wine, and shows more concentration. The acids and tannins are in a stand-off at the moment, but throw a steak into the mix and you'll have a party.
Ehmoser is a young grower going places. This Weissburgunder (aka Pinot Blanc) is full-bodied, but with an emphasis of green, fresh fruits. There is acidity in spadesful, giving a crisp aftertaste. Screwcap.
A lively, light, dancing wine that is lifted by acidity, white fruits, crisp currants and a touch of pepper. Enjoyable, fresh, vibrant and great as an apéritif. Screwcap.
It is odd to find a Pinot Blanc in the land of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. But a block of loam soil, planted with old vines gave Erich Machherndl the idea for this wine. The concentration of the old vines produces a full, creamy wine, green-plum flavored, with some cinnamon and weight.
More toast than fruit even at this young stage, this is a ripe wine, showing big woody, toasty flavors that leave freshness behind. There are flavors of cream, caramel and wood here. Acidity appears on the finish.
If anyone can make converts to Lemberger, Washington's one-time answer to Zinfandel, it's talented winemaker Don Townshend. This bright, tangy, raspberry-laden wine comes across as a stable-mate to Grenache or a light Dry Creek Zin, but it really occupies a niche all its own. Barrel-aged and ripened to a moderate 13.5% alcohol, it screams out for pizza.
Lush and already highly enjoyable, with a round, creamy texture and lingering finish. The aromas and flavors bring to mind dessert—ripe apple, honey and cinnamon—but the wine remains essentially dry.
A consistent wine based on the previous vintage, with nice melon, grass and tropical aromas. The palate runs quick and crisp, with tangy citrus flavors, particularly orange, lime and pineapple. Finishes tropical and healthy, with a hint of pine needle.
Hints of honey and orange marmalade on the nose suggest a wine moving toward maturity at a rapid pace, and one gets a similar impression from the palate, which shows similar development. It's stony and layered with honeyed citrus without being sweet, with a wiry feel to the lingering finish. Drink now.
Smooth, creamy wine, showing some good, rich, white fruits. It is soft, with ripe apple and lime juice flavors and vivid and balanced acidity. Attractive, ready-to-drink Champagne.
Narrow, forward black cherry aromas are dark and positive. It's a bit choppy and showing acidity on the palate, with plum, red berry and additional edgy zest. Flows fast and direct due to its bright fruit and lively acids. A good everyday red wine that's tasty and charged up.
Now 20 years old, Ponzi's five acres of this unusual Piedmontese grape yields a limited-production white wine that is always a joy to taste. Spicy and tart, with stone fruit flavors dramatically speckled with white pepper and herb.
Herbal, leathery aromas give way to a pretty strong blast of green that infiltrates the wine. Alongside the herbal, green core character is spiced chocolate, dark berry fruit and blazing acidity. This is full, saturated and masculine, with raking tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot.
Roughly half and half Viognier and Roussanne, this is vivid and fresh, with grapefruit flesh and rind in the flavor mix. Peach and apricot streaks slip into the midpalate, and the wine sets up bracing and clean, with just a hint of bitterness.
This focuses on the Wadensvil clone, and seems almost spritzy—it's definitely a tongue-tickler. Cherry cola flavors highlight sweet, primary fruit. Refreshing, though probably best enjoyed within the first couple of years.
Deceptively easy, with a soft, off-dry finish, this wine nevertheless has plenty of other things going for it, including a complex array of honey, melon and spice flavors framed by hints of wet stone. It's slightly sweet and peppery on the long finish.
Herb, cherry, wood spice and vanilla aromas are followed by cherry and blackberry flavors backed by a squeeze of dry tannins. There are good things going on but the oak gets a bit up front.
Dry, wooly aromas of apple and peach pit are steady. Pithy nectarine and apple flavors veer towards citrus on a mild, focused finish.
The aromas of stone fruit, spice and toast show nuance and detail. The palate is restrained, showing a beautiful sense of balance to the elegant lemony flavors.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (43%), Cabernet Franc (23%), Merlot (17%), Malbec (9%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of coffee, green herb, flowers and red fruit are followed by a full-flavored palate that provides a lot of appeal.
A nice salmon color, this subtle kitchen-sink pink blend of 77% Grenache, 8% Mission, 4% Petite Sirah, 4% Syrah, 4% Zinfandel, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot offers clove, raspberry and light plum on the nose. The palate offers more raspberry, a touch of bubblegum and a concrete-driven mineral tension that makes for excellent texture.
Rich blackberry and chocolate flavors, rounded tannins, good concentration and a velvety mouthfeel add up to a lot of pleasure in this full-bodied wine blended from Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.
This 100% varietal wine displays aromas of herb, leaf, cocoa, barrel spice and currant. The flavors are light and fresh, showing restraint and a pleasing mouthfeel. The finish lingers.
This wine shows a unique aroma profile of sweet herb, apricot and red plum, along with a kiss of vanilla bean. The flavors are light and elegant, showing subtlety and restraint along with a pleasing sense of purity.
Aromas of melted butter, vanilla, stone fruit and baking spices lead to full-bodied peach flavors. The palate brings a creamy feel and lemony flavors on the finish.
This cleverly named wine by Joey Tensley and Alex Guarachi indeed packs tension into the nose, with fairly ripe peach, creamy apple and tropical-fruit aromas cut back by clean and steely restraint. The palate shows apple custard, mango and banana tones set against a grippy structure.
Generous orange and ripe, red apple meet with the zesty freshness of tangerine peel in this wine. It's dry but fresh, with bouncy, joyful fruitfulness. The super-clean finish is lip-smacking.
Bold and unconventional, there's nothing quite like this late-harvest wine. Made from Sémillon grapes left to ripen and shrivel through midwinter, it's deeply concentrated with dried mango and orange-peel flavors. Fermentation via natural yeast on its skins lends a deeply phenolic astringency to the palate. It's dusty and mineral with a sherried aldehydic character attributable to deliberate oxidation in barrels, yet somehow, it maintains a luminous core of fresh fruit. A curious and thought-provoking wine for the adventurous wine lover.
Citrus, peach and rose aromas start this refined white. On the palate, it's a balance of tropical fruit, herbs and a clean, saline finish. Crisp but full of character, this is a very good and versatile white for the table.
This is a concentrated blend of local grapes. The Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon give it a rich texture. It is a complex balance of tannins, spice and ripe blackberry fruits. The acidity and tight aftertaste suggest it is still young. Drink from 2017.
Pretty white-flower, lemon and lime notes waft from the glass of this dry light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc. It's vibrantly fruity, full of fresh pineapple and nectarine flavors accented by a swathe of green herb and bramble. The finish is refreshing, crisp and mineral. Drink now through 2019.
Cascades of fresh white grapefruit and pineapple take center stage in this invigorating dry Riesling. Nimble-footed and delicate in texture, it extends long on a rippling mineral undertone. Drink now through 2020.
Intriguing aromas of lime zest and warm butter are enhanced by slightly botanical aromas of cut chives, kiwi and more green fruit. The palate is laced with easy flavors of apple, sea salt, dried peach and lime rind.
Red-fruit aromas of raspberry and plum come with a note of catmint. Fresh, snappy and true to the variety on the palate, this tastes of plum, tomato, herbs and barrel spice. A lean, fresh finish closes things out. Compared to prior years, this seems leaner and lighter in body.
Ripe notes of Mirabelle plums rise from the glass. The palate casts the aromatic richness of floral stone fruit against the citric freshness. Hints of honeysuckle and apricot play about this elegant, restrained and balanced wine.
This rosé starts with scents of anise, pepper and spice, followed by an earthy array of spice and cranberry and cherry flavors. Exotic but refined, the wine will pair well with aged cheeses and beef.
Pungent and green up front, with a shot of cool-coast pyrazines on the nose, this hits the palate with a lemony blast of citric acid. Flavors of orange and nettle are a touch briny, while a juicy, acidic, peppery finish is racy to the max.
A mere hint of citrus touches the nose. The palate is both light, easy and enlivening. The lovely purity of white pears and fresh citrus shines through.
Bold swathes of bramble, toast and smoke reverberate throughout this inky rich red. While lusciously concentrated, it's not at all brawny with tart red-currant acidity and fine-grained tannins lending a four-square frame of structure. The finish is penetrating and quite long.
Café au lait, mocha, wood spice and herb aromas are followed by sweet plentiful black fruit flavors. The tannins give a dry squeeze.
Bright olallieberrries, fresh lilacs and crushed graphite show on the rather boisterous nose of this bottling. The wine is quite soft upon the sip, starting a tad sweet and then gaining more serious notes of oregano, tarragon, mint and anise, all presented with strong acidity.
Sweeter aromas of citrus, chopped Gala apples and a little bit of melted butter make for a familiar nose on this well-priced bottling by Brian and Stephy Terrizzi. Clean flavors of white peach, lemon butter and ripe yellow pear make this bottling likeable for all types of Chardonnay fans.
Herb, red-berry, vanilla and cherry aromas are followed by reserved black-cherry flavors. It shows a lot of restraint.
Aromas of fresh, savory green herbs and red fruit lead to sumptuous black olive and red-fruit flavors. It shows a lot of elegance and grace, leaning hard into the savory.
The two varieties show themselves in turn, with notes of fig complemented by herb, citrus and tropical fruit. The palate has tart, juicy grapefruit-like acidity and a stretched-out finish.
Typical of Egon Müller's wines, this is light in body, but titanium-strong in structure, welding rather tart, lemony fruit to stony, minerally notes and embellishing it all with the merest hints of riper, apple-y fruit. It's just off-dry, with great persistence and lipsmacking appeal.
Beautifully concentrated aromas precede flavors of violets, pepper, sweet spice, plum and red berries. The wine is full and round in the mouth with excellent acidity and tannin. A little tight and closed right now, it should open up to be even more balanced and better integrated in 2–3 years.
A ripe and rich wine with black cherry, strawberry, lilac and rosemary notes on the nose. The mouth is full with a satiny texture and hints of tea leaves, structured by firm tannins and medium acidity. Aged in French oak for 12 months, it has a long and evolving finish marked by a lovely vanilla note.
Plum, soft smoke, grilled meats—this is a masculine wine with a lovely, savory style. Integrated and luscious, it offers smooth but ageable tannins and a spicy but balanced profile. Elegant but sturdy, pair it with beef, lamb, or roasted vegetable dishes.
Veramonte knows how to capture the pungent, alert character inherent to Sauvignon Blanc. This is a peppy wine with spiky tropical and green-fruit aromas and flavors. It's a mash up of citrus and nettles, with a controlled, fairly long grapefruit-driven finish. Modest in price, but the realthing.
This has a great nose, with bright cherry and berry fruit. Berry, black cherry, coffee and earth components combine in a pleasing and muscular blend. The midpalate is broad and chewy, with plenty of liquorous highlights. Tannins are a bit drying and the finish shows some sharp alcoholic burn.
Convincing and individual across its aromas, flavors and nuances. Casa Marin is a leader in coastal Sauvignon Blanc, and this full-bodied, racy wine grabs your attention with its crisp, pure personality. It is zesty and alive, with apple and green-fruit flavors, while the focused finish isnarrow and committed. Drink now.
This top cuvée from Château Cadillac has great fresh black currant fruits, dark plum skins and sweet tannins. It is also very obviously aged in wood, and this element needs to calm down. Wait another year, or decant now.
Ripe red raspberry notes, accented by cocoa, a chalky minerality and a hint of orange zest liven up the medium weight. With ample acidity and strong tannins, this wine will only improve with some time; you can tell that it's holding back and there's so much more that hasn't fully developed. Try it now or hold for 5–6 years.
Rich, solid, with ripe spice and black plum flavors. The considerable richness is balanced with dark tannins, which give a sense of fine-grained texture to this solid wine.
Rollat's Sophie occupies the entry-level rung on the ladder, behind the elegant and polished Rollat and the dense, compact and highly cellar-worthy Edouard. But Sophie is charming and accessible, a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc that is elegant and bright. The fruit focus is on cranberry and raspberry, tart and well-defined, and the wine is immaculately clean. It's light and charming, but a perfect choice for autumnal foods.
Who would have believed that one day we'd have Sauvignon Blancs paying tribute to 1980s pop groups? At least both share a New Zealand connection. The wine is a bit on the fuller side of things, but nicely balanced by mineral and grapefruit aromas and flavors, ending on notes of lime and cut grass. Drink up.
Interesting to see that Washington State vineyards can ripen Sangio in a wide range of microclimates; this is true to the variety with tart acids, sharp flavors of berry, hints of pumpkin pie spice and tobacco, and just enough butterscotch barrel notes to fill in around the rough edges. This is good winemaking, with a tough grape.
This is Pepper Bridge Merlot, and it beautifully expresses the vineyard trademarks: fresh fruit flavors of strawberry and raspberry, spread out broadly across the palate, and backed with tart acids and light tannins. There is a strong streak of Asian spicebox as well, but overall the wineis very approachable, which makes it is a Merlot to enjoy with rich fish, such as salmon. It's bright and lightly spicy and not too heavy.
Honey and pear aromas might tease you into thinking this is going to be a fruity wine, but the flavors say otherwise, offering strong heating-oil notes and finishing with mouthwatering balance and stony notes. The stunning minerality of the Doctor vineyard really comes through.
The delicacy of the cool Saar valley comes through wonderfully in this off-dry kabinett. Crushed-stone aromas lead the way, followed by zesty, citrusy flavors that elegantly interweave with mineral notes before lingering gracefully on the finish.
Classic open, generously juicy St. Laurent. The flavors just burst into the mouth: red cherries touched by wood, sweet fruit zest and ripe stone fruits. The wine is underpinned by a layer of very dry tannin, and topped by beautifully fresh acidity.
Pure Syrah, this is the most limited of the Kamiakin wines (in terms of production), but in many respects the star of the show. Peppery, racy and concentrated, it's packed with blueberry, kirsch and cassis. The finish is laced with coffee liqueur flavors, suggesting a far more expensive, barrel-aged wine.
Stiff, tannic, earthy and wrapped up tight. It's a big, bruiser of a wine, oaky, earthy and showing liquorous barrel flavors. Tasted three times over a four month period, it remains quite tight and hidden; the fruit is there but it's very difficult to get this wine to open up. In time, therating could significantly improve.
From vineyards at 2000 feet elevation, this is a rich and spicy wine that has a pure streak of fruit freshness and a firmly tannic core. It is perfumed from Touriga Nacional in the blend, with red berry and black plum flavors coming through strongly along, balanced by acidity. It will be better from 2017.
Apple and pear cider aromas mix with grapefruit peel, lime marmalade, peach blossoms and stone fruit on the nose of this rarely made varietal. The palate shows slightly sour, bitter apple peels and lemon skin.
Need a recommendation for a good house wine? This medium-bodied red has moderate fruit flavors, good structure from acidity and tannins, and a nice feeling of completeness. It is a catch-all blend of Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and four other grape varieties.
Woody, lightly oxidized aromas of Cream of Wheat and pool water give way to pure wood grain. This feels both resiny and briny, with unabsorbed, raw flavors of barrel oak, salt and sawdust. Lemony, tart notes enter on the finish, but overall this Viura-Malvasia-Garnacha Blanca blend is so woody it's like licking a fresh-cut plank.
Lemon and apple blossoms plus a tiny bit of honeydew meld for a pleasant nose on this widely available wine. The energetic palate offers fresh green apple and lemon salt flavors that make you salivate, though it packs almost too much punch.
Rounded melon, grapefruit juice, lemon chiffon, gray slate and a bit of white pepper swirl into a distinctive nose on this wine by the San Luis Obispo-based producer. The palate is tight and bright, though a bit sour with apple-peel flavors.
This firm wine has smoky tannins and red-currant acidity. It is still young, its structure still dry and solid. Wait until the end of 2016 before drinking.
This fresh and crisp raspberry-flavored wine is refreshing. It is all fruit with just a touch of tangy lemon zest to give extra freshness. The largest single plot of vines in Beaujolais and Burgundy, 244 acres in Bruilly cru, the estate has been in the same family since 1667 and is a historical monument.
Powdery melon aromas are soft and easy. This is varietal Verdil, a white grape indigenous to the Valencia region, and it's standard in weight and acidity. Mild orange, melon and yeast flavors finish short as a whistle burst.
This should have fairly widespread appeal for its bold cherry fruit aromas and balanced feel. Floral notes add interest on the nose, while the palate shows some savory mushroom and dusty earth character. The tannins are slightly astringent on the finish, so opt for red meat rather than a more delicate dish. Drink now.
Fresh apples and ripe pears give this wine its fruity character. The acidity behind this fruit is already in balance. It's a young Chardonnay that needs a while to fill out. Drink from 2016.
Horsey aromas of pine and juniper come with a blanket of oak that gives off lactic, plastic scents. Pinched, clamping and rubbery on the palate, this tannic blend of Garnacha, Cabernet Franc and Syrah tastes herbal, briny and saucy, with briary berry, salt and reprise of juniper on the finish.
Grape fruit leather, dense violets, black slate and a hint of barnyard aromas make for an interesting, purple-leaning nose on this wine. The palate is quite herbal, tinged with dried oregano as well as a berry-juice ripeness.
This rocky appellation delivers aromas of wet cement, lemon-lime ice, light mint and a tiny bit of asphalt on the nose. The palate shows cut apples, lemon peels and citrus-laced pear cider flavors.
Black cherry and blackberry aromas are ripe, with a touch of prune weighing in. In the mouth, punchy acidity sticks out. Wiry raspberry and plum flavors are surprisingly tart and underdeveloped, while lactic oak notes and choppy acidity make for a jumbled finish.
Fruity in a grapy, plummy way, this is a substantial wine with deceptively sweet undertones that finishes dry and with a slight tang of black tea.
Light red in color and smelling like raspberries, this wine adds earthy, spicy flavors while rounding out with red cherry notes and firm tannins that tend to bolster an otherwise relaxed texture. It has good balance and will be versatile with food.
Quite fruity and fairly rich, this medium-bodied wine has plenty of apple, lime and dried herb flavors, and a fairly crisp but smooth texture. More than just a thirst-quencher, it brings some heft to the table.
A curious mix of 77% Pinot Gris and 33% Chardonnay from a sought-after vineyard site, Buddy's is oaky, salty and thick, with a floral bouquet that lightens its load and represents the Pinot Gris component well. It may need more time to harmonize.
Almost 100% varietal, with tiny splashes of Viognier and Sémillon, this is a refreshing wine with medium acidity. It offers a plumpness of lemon and apricot on the palate, finishing dry and clean.
This blend of Arinto and Chardonnay is crisp and fresh, showing the cool, ocean climate of the Lisboa region in its light, bright texture. It is juicy with peach and pineapple flavors cut by lime-juice acidity. Drink now.
A blend that includes Merlot, this wine is ripe while also structured. The tannins go along with the black fruits and acidity. It has a crisp, juicy finish that makes it ready to drink now.
This wine is deliciously fruity and crisp, with perfumed red fruit and lively acidity. Bone dry, and full of bright fruitiness, it makes a classic, easy to drink apéritif wine.
Melony fruit aromas with a heavy dose of sulfur and match stick are gritty. This is juicy and bright in feel, with flavors of briny citrus fruits and green melon. A heavily briny and lasting finish closes it out.
Dominated by the local star grape Mourvèdre, the wine is ripe, spicy and packed with fresh red-currant and strawberry fruit. It has spice, crisp acidity as well as a full rich aftertaste. Drink now.
Owned by the Wine Museum of Paris, this estate has 172-acres of vines. This wine is rich, spicy and with mature tannins and red fruits. It is all fruit, ripe and ready to drink.
Spicy, peppery, herbal aromas are meaty, a bit leafy and blackened. Prickly, lively acidity creates tension and tightness on the palate, while blackened plum and berry flavors end dry, dark and toasty.
Floral plum and black cherry aromas are nice and fruity. A bright, juicy, simple palate holds flavors of plum, blackberry and chocolate. While nothing sticks out on the finish, this Garnacha ends nicely and overdelivers.
An attractive oaky theme runs through this medium-bodied and appropriately tannic wine. It smells like toasted bread, cinnamon and vanilla, and tastes both fruity and full of oak spices.
A creamy, almost hazelnutty aroma hovers over juicy, fresh peach fruit. This wine is lively and fresh, with enough citrus verve to balance the fruit. It's simple but appetizing.
While lean in style, this semi-sweet Riesling juxtaposes sunny tangerine acidity against a core of juicy apple and pear flavors. It's not a deeply complex wine but enjoyable for its fresh and fruity exuberance and delicate honey finish. Drink now through 2019.
This pretty Muscat leads with slightly lifted scents of candied orange peel, dried apricot, fresh honeycomb and a touch of straw. The rounded palate offers ripe fruit flavors that transition seamlessly into toasted nut and peach-skin flavors on the medium-length finish.
Friendly, juicy notes of peach on the nose are intensified on the off-dry palate, where the full juiciness of the fruit becomes apparent. The rather warm base is punctuated by hints of zesty, pithy freshness. Drink soon.
A blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo and Colorino, this has aromas of black plum and baking spice. On the brisk palate, racy acidity and rounded tannins support sour cherry, clove and herb. Enjoy soon.
This medium-bodied wine is a great value and strikes a good balance between pure fruitiness and more complexity. It has friendly cherry and berry aromas and fairly rich flavors. A smooth, lightly tannic texture adds the right bite.
Aromas of bitter greens and citrus feed into a full chunky palate. This Sauvignon Gris is quite salty in flavor, which makes it oceanic in every way, shape and form. A recurrence of heavy saltiness on the finish renders this one-dimensional.
An earthy, subdued nose leads to a clean palate of pear freshness. Rounded but dry, the body has a pleasantly bitter texture at its core. This finish is slightly warm but the pithy notes last with a touch of earthiness.
This is a textured wine from a six-acre vineyard. It has fine tannins as well as red-plum skin and red-berry fruits. It is balanced and fruity although the texture does give it a tangy edge that should soften out from 2017.
Allspice and plum aromas are followed by flavors of vanilla, dark cherry, smoke and cocoa in this young but friendly red from the north. Fine tannins and an elegant herbal finish give the wine finesse. A good entree into Greek reds for myriad palates.
The wine is structured and with a tannic edge to shape up the red fruits. It has the concentration of old vines that is good. Rich and full in the mouth, this is ready to drink.
Densely planted 20-year-old vines provide the fruit for this wine. With its layer of tannins over the red fruits and acidity, it is fruity while having structure. Drink now.
Earthy notes meet with full-blown honeysuckle on the nose. The palate has an earthy tinge on the peach and plum fruit, with a broad, rounded aspect and a little residual sweetness.
Soft notes of apricot on the nose become far more zippy on the taut, fresh but very fruity palate, growing flatter with the dry finish.
Ripe, soft and fruity, this is a black-cherry-flavored wine. It has a good balance between the fruit and the crisp acidity, giving a wine that is both rich and bursting with fruitiness. Drink now.
From vines around the medieval castle, this wine has brilliant cherry flavors that give fruitiness and balancing acidity. There is a refreshing juicy character that is sustained by the subtle touch of tannin. Drink the wine now.
Apple, vanilla and a hint of sulfur is what you'll find on the nose of this consistently solid value-priced Cava. A slightly soft body and flavors of green herbs, melon and white pepper finish well.
While initially quite closed, time and aeration seem to replace dusty mineral and smoke tones on the nose of this dry rosé with prettier notes of blossom and cherry. It's delicately concentrated but revitalizing and refreshing.
Bracing aromas of lemon and grapefruit meld into spice, caramel and red apple on the palate of this zesty off-dry Riesling. It's spry and lean yet juicy and gulpable. Drink now through 2019.
Aromas of mature dark-skinned berry and baking spice lead the nose. The palate is rather evolved, showing dried black cherry, prune and white pepper alongside firm tannins. Enjoy soon to capture the remaining fruit flavors.
This Long Island Petit Verdot is lighter on its feet and a shade brighter in style than most of its peers. Ripe but restrained black-cherry and plum flavors are accented by hints of cedar and bramble. The finish is marked by fine but slightly bitter tannins that should meld nicely by 2020.
This chewy wine has vanilla, mature black-skinned berry and clove scents. The palate doles out black cherry jam, marinated prune and licorice flavors, with a warm finish that suggests elevated alcohol. Drink through 2019.
Barrel aromas and malolactic notes are prominent in this wine, suggesting baking spice and vanilla. The palate is full and creamy, needing a bit more acidity to hold it together but still providing enjoyment.
This offers subtle black-skinned berry and cooking spice aromas. The straightforward palate evokes ripe blackberry, tobacco and licorice and is blanketed with velvety tannins. Drink through 2019.
This soft wine is ripe and creamy. With fruit mainly from the southern Burgundy, it offers warm apricot and spice flavors. As a contrast, the zesty texture adds a crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
This Cabernet Sauvignon's vanilla, baking spice, dill, herb and cherry aromas are locked up. The palate brings plenty of vanilla flavors backed by gritty tannins, but the oak is too prominent and distracting.
This wine's aromas suggest asphalt, herb and dark fruit, showing whiffs of volatility. The palate delivers bountiful black fruit flavors supported by smooth tannins, providing appeal.
Ripe tropical fruits permeate this ready-to-drink wine. Pineapple and mango flavors have just enough acidity to keep this generous wine crisp. Drink now.
This wine's light aromas include herb, black pepper, licorice and cherry notes, showing volatility. It's full bodied on the palate, with black cherry flavors that run a bit sweet.
From several of the producer's estate vineyards, this wine traffics in spicy, leathery texture and robust full-bodied power, layering in more tart savory characteristics of rhubarb, dark cherry and orange. The tannins are firm and supportive, taking on a velvety sheen.
Dark, fresh and somewhat sour red-fruit aromas meet with cedar on the nose of this bottling. The palate is juicy with red plums and strawberries at first, then shows more of a pine-needle edge. The tannins are a bit chunky and chewy, though, but may smooth out with time.
This wine's menthol, new leather, toast, eucalyptus and exotic spice aromas lift from the glass. The firm palate shows dried cherry, pomegranate, chopped sage and roasted coffee bean flavors while grainy tannins lend a raspy finish.
This opens with tobacco, black-skinned fruit and underbrush aromas. The straightforward palate offers black cherry fruit with hints of white pepper and nutmeg structured with rounded tannins. Enjoy through 2019.
One of the more reliable grocery store brands on the market right now, this bottling shows aromas of hot cherry pie with a vanilla and nutmeg crust. The palate moves more toward darker boysenberry flavors, with cola, mace and dried wild herbs.
This lighter-style wine smells like baked apples and has a straightforward fruity flavor backed by crisp acidity. It's not oaky and has plenty of refreshing qualities without a big personality.
Brooding raspberry, tobacco, herb, cedar and barrel spice aromas are followed by ripe cherry flavors in this wine. It's enjoyable but lacks precision.
Dusty, peachy aromas are mellow, while overall not a lot is happening on the nose. A somewhat collapsed, fallen palate is ultimately a bit flat. Mild apple and spice flavors last on a finish that's slightly bitter and tastes of almond.
This leads with herb, vanilla and plum aromas, along with a reduced note of tire rubber. On the palate, sweet plum flavors are backed by gritty tannins, proving somewhat disjointed.
Polished aromas of roasted nuts, sea salt, Meyer lemon peel and onion skin show on the nose of this widely available bottling from the Chardonnay kings. The sip is a little bit flat in terms of texture and acidity, but there are compelling and satisfying flavors of roasted walnuts and pecans, with a citrusy acidity that rises toward the finish.
This wine's barrel spice, licorice, cranberry and cherry aromas are high toned. The palate is broad, with generous fruit flavors that taper toward the finish.
This is a soft wine with red-berry fruits and only light acidity. Its tannins and perfumed fruitiness are now mature. The aftertaste is elegant and easy. Drink now.
Apricot and peach fruits dominate this creamy, soft wine. It's smooth, lightly toasty and ready to drink.
Released in the autumn of 2011 at nine years of age, the 2002 Citation, not surprisingly, has dried out. Fruit leather and earthy tannins are lightly streaked with citrus. Drink up.
Still young and not entirely pulled together, this is still showing some post-fermentation flavors of candied orange, with a somewhat grainy texture. It's off-dry, with the 3% residual sugar quite apparent.
A very ripe Zin with dry, dusty tannins and a taste of cherry liqueur, its alcohol ever-present. It's got good bones for its style.
A pleasantly balanced sweet Riesling at a bargain-basement price, the 2010 from Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler features typical Mosel notes of green apples and limes. There's also a hint of mint upfront and a dusting of crushed stone on the finish. Drink now.
Sweet black fruit aromas come with notes of animal hide, brown sugar, prune and fern. Feels good but a touch scratchy and acidic, with dark spice, ample barrel influence, vanilla and blackberry flavors. Tastes minty and fades quickly on the finish.
Done in what can deservedly be called a European style, this low-alcohol, delicate wine offers varietally correct scents and flavors, with a lightly woodsy character.
Barely ripe tropical fruit notes are paired with scents of fresh orange supremes, red apple, beeswax and a hint of honeydew in the nose and mouth. Lively and lifed with a hint of woody spice that lingers on the finish.
Hailing from Salta, this is a concentrated, fully oaked Tannat with deep red berry aromas topped with lemony oak, pencil lead and coconut. Feels tight as a box of nails, with zingy acidity framing tangy raspberry, currant, woodspice and peppery flavors. Aggressive stuff that requires airing and food.
With ripe aromas of cough syrup, baked berry, cherry and smoke, this Malbec offers a bit of everything. The palate is full but has energy, and the flavors of boysenberry, blueberry and chocolate come in a big, pounding wave. Finishes chunky and jammy, with adequate freshness.
White melon rind and key lime citrus abound in the bouquet of this intricate white blend made from 40% Rhine Riesling, 33% Viognier, 13% Sauvignon Blanc, 11% Chenin Blanc and 3% Chardonnay. The mouth is ripe and full of tropical fruit flavors, with sweet but zippy pineapple acidity lingering after swallow.
An estate-grown Pinot Gris, barrel fermented, with aromas of lime, tangerine and black tea. It's a somewhat delicate, pleasing style that thins out quickly.
Sourced from several different Dundee Hills vineyards, this wraps its black cherry fruit in tart acids, chalky minerals, and a hint of iron. Substantial, muscular and stiff out of the bottle, it will blossom with further bottle age. It's already a sturdy, expressive, impressive wine with deep flavors of fruit, earth and rock.
The famed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyard also produces amazing Syrah, as evidenced in this wine, with aromas of black pepper, blackberries, leather and spearmint. The palate is dominated by plump boysenberry flavors, cut with licorice-led, slightly strong tannins and a eucalyptus and pine sap character on the finish.
A light, clear color suggests a lighthearted wine, but this coastal vineyard-designate delivers plenty of power around a core of damp, earthy wild strawberry and blackberry. Soft, with managed and integrated tannins, it's relatively high in acidity and is well structured, with a pleasant jamminess and aromas of freshly cut rose.
A classic Dão blend, which includes Alfrocheiro and Jaen grapes, this is produced by top winemaker Alvaro Castro. A year in oak has given it richness and a smooth, almost velvety character. Underneath this surface, the tannins are all there, balancing the ripe fruit flavors. It will develop well; drink from 2017.
This dense wine full of dusty tannins and serious fruit is ripe and full while structured and elegant. It comes from the heart of the hills north of Lisbon, allowing room for a big, full-powered character as well as a fresher, blackberry fruitiness. The wood aging is still showing even after four years, so the wine still needs more time. Drink from 2016.
This is a powerful, ripe and generously fruity wine. With red berry and rich spice from wood aging, it is dense, complex and aromatic. Minerality and dark, dry tannins show the wine needs to age. Drink from 2018.
Cola, rooty notes, creamy oak and a smoke scent grace dry berry aromas. This has a grapy, padded yet tannic mouthfeel and a black-fruit potpourri of flavors that's big on black currant. On the finish, this aged but vital wine is steady like cruise control. Drink through 2022.
Still young, this has fine potential. As it matures, the ripe gooseberry and apple fruit notes will open up to yield a rich, complex and mineral wine. It will always have a tight texture along with vibrant acidity to finish. Drink from 2017.
Subtle and sophisticated, this opens with a floral and fruity fragrance of honeysuckle, peach and tropical fruit. The focused palate delivers creamy stone fruit, cantaloupe, citrus zest, mineral and a hint of candied ginger. It's impeccably balanced with fresh acidity.
Layers of honey and white tea alternate accents of silkly tannins throughout this delicate, pertly structured auslese. The palate is ripe and sweet, yet rippling with acidity, and extending through a long, saffron-kissed finish.
Medium-bodied and nicely integrated layers of cassis, black cherry and cola spice are on offer in this barrel selection of a single-vineyard designate. It's fleshy and velvety with a bite of acidity swirling throughout. It builds additional power and adds legs on the finish, and will cellar well, through 2022.
Jean Hoefliger is the consulting winemaker for this wine, an earthy 100% expression of the variety that's rich and lush yet fully balanced in acidity. Dark truffle, forest floor and Bing cherry characterize the aromas and flavors, around a tightly wound core of intense fruit that explodes on the palate on the finish.
There's a classic style to this Cabernet, from the enticing aromas of cassis, black cherry and licorice to the sizable yet velvety tannins that wrap flavors gracefully. Structured and medium in weight, the wine has a sense of restraint plus a balance of acidity and lushness. Enjoyable now, it will benefit with time, through 2020.
Deep and dark blueberry aromas are laced with blackberry-balsamic reduction, black tobacco, black sage and a brooding spice character on this blend of 71% Syrah, 24% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre. It's thick and chewy on the palate, with ripe purple fruits clinging to a dense backbone of bacon fat and fudge.
Fresh white peach and orange blossom aromas waft from start to finish on this richly concentrated wine. The palate is packed with unctuous peach and apricot flavors, but a streak of lime acidity and zesty citrus pith jolts the finish.
This late-release wine from a Livermore stalwart smells spicy and exotically fruity, with herbal/menthol and cigar box accents. On the palate it is rich, generous, deep and broad-textured, lush in feel and full-bodied. The essence is like warm blackberry jam but without being sweet. All the goodness lingers on finish.
This dry-farmed vineyard is often challenging for Winemaker Billy Wathen, but it worked this vintage, showing bright and ripe aromas of apple blossom, pear, honey and sweet lemon, all underlined by white-rock minerality. The lively palate shows lime soda and chalk flavors, with a pear-skin bitterness and ample acidity, which keeps the mouth tingling deep into the finish.
Smoke, earth and bramble tones meander amidst tart stone fruit and tangerine flavors in this bristling kabinett. Off dry in style, it's juicy and effortlessly quaffable, yet subtly nuanced with lingering hints of blossom, saffron and herb.
Juicy, soft and sublime, this vineyard site sits on the extreme Sonoma Coast, near the town of Annapolis, approaching the Mendocino County line. Fine tannins and bright acidity combine for a memorable taste experience, marked in fresh strawberry, raspberry and black pepper.
The centerpiece of Phil Sexton's current venture (he previously founded and sold both a brewery and a winery) is this single vineyard, from which he makes a Pinot Noir and this wine. The 2012 Chard is a bold yet elegant wine, filled with grilled pineapple and citrus fruit and framed by hints of toasted nuts, vanilla and graphite.
Hand-selected bunches from the Porto Franco estate of DFJ Vinhos went into this complex wine. It has solid tannins and a firm black-fruit character. The wood aging shows well and is already balanced, melding the fruit and structure together. Drink now.
Les Gras Moutons is regarded as one of the top vineyards of Sèvre et Maine. Here it has produced a richly fragrant, aromatic wine that is structured and tightly textured. It's full of acidity, freshly squeezed lemon and some minerality. Drink from 2016.
Large French oak barrels were used to ferment this toasty, ripe wine, which boasts notes of stone fruit and citrus. A mix of cool-climate Portuguese grapes and Chardonnay, it will smooth out and become rich and complex with time; drink after 2016.
A dry Vouvray, crisp and rich, this brings out all the complexity of Chenin Blanc. Nuts, yellow fruits and green apple flavors are well integrated and balanced. A light spice aftertaste gives an exotic finish. Drink now, or age until 2018.
Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton's shared vision for this popular grape is distinctive and rather unfamiliar for those seeking a buttery style. This shows chamomile, dandelion greens, Japanese pear and petrol on the nose, with bittery flavors of grapefruit pith, lemon juice and nectarine skins showing first. Patience allows wet wool, stone, sliced apples and white peach elements to emerge. Drink 2017–2027.
This structured white displays enticing aromas of beeswax, Spanish broom, acacia and chamomile. The round, structured palate offers mature apricot, juicy nectarine peel, yellow peach and Bartlett pear, with firm acidity. Savory herb and energizing mineral sensations signal the close.
Structured, this oozes blackberry fruitiness as well as a balanced layer of dry tannins. The wine is fruity and rich while keeping its elegance. A core of tannins and fresh acidity in the fruit promise that this wine will age. Drink from 2017.
Horsey, overripe aromas don't convey a sense of balance. As the nose indicates, this comes across heavy and syrupy, with blocky tannins. Stewy flavors of blackberry and prune finish with hard tannins.
Transparent in color, with a nose that is equally light and airy, this is a crisp, dry, slightly oaky wine, with a hard-smacking palate. Red plum, raspberry, strawberry and currant flavors are subdued, and lead to a sweet-and-sour finish.
Not at all a typical Sauvignon Blanc, this smells like apricot and honeysuckle and tastes like marmalade. It is dry, yet tastes like a late-harvest dessert wine. Expect a little taste adventure here.
Stainless-steel fermented and aged, it's lightly aromatic with notes of herbs and kiwi. The palate is medium-bodied with sweet tropical fruit flavors but the concentration doesn't seem there.
Dusty white fruit aromas come with a hint of matchstick on the nose. The palate is disjointed, with melon and palaya flavors which turn pulpy and bitter on the finish.
Totally herbaceous, this fruity wine has grassy aromas and gooseberry flavors. It's crisp, fresh and ready to drink.
Aromas of espresso, oak, vanilla, prune and mocha follow through to the warm palate along with dried black cherry, fig, roasted coffee bean, powdered sage and evident alcohol. It's already evolved, with fleeting but drying tannins.
Extremely oaky and resiny, this offers aromas of wood grain, resin, vanilla and sawdust that crowd out any fruit that might seek to escape. The palate feels heavy and resiny, with flavors of wood, vanilla and coconut, but again almost no fruit. This is 70% Chardonnay and 30% Sémillon.
A powerful, almost overbearing oak influence makes this wine bombastic. Toasty, maple sugar and smoked bacon flavors come from heavily charred new oak barrels or oak add-ins. It has a very dark color, full body, plenty of tannins and a smoky, oaky finish.
Not your average Zinfandel, this one could almost be a Syrah with all its peppery, meaty and smoky aromas and flavors. They are wild and different but puzzling. The wine is full-bodied, tannic and almost thick in texture.
This starts to fall flat even as it hits the mouth. It's got some puckery citrus and apple fruit, then rolls into a thin finish. The aftertaste shows some slightly bitter skin flavors.
Strong grassy aromas and flavors come with an almost sweet feel in the mouth in this medium-bodied, rather soft-texured white wine. It's blended from Viognier, Chardonnay and French Colombard, and it's hard to say which one it resembles most.
This structured wine is slow to show its fruity side although it has a layer of acidity with hints of black fruits. It is firm and dry at the moment with dense tannins and a dark aftertaste. Wait until 2017.
It's very clean and fresh in aroma, cool and clear in flavor and soft in texture. Vaguely pearlike aromas lead to more vivid and interesting canteloupe flavors on the finish.
This has a curious caramel aroma from the wood aging. It's tough and extracted, a powerhouse of hard tannins without enough fruit.
Damp, rubbery berry and hickory aromas lack ease. This offers a rubbery, midlevel palate-feel along with roasted, herbal flavors that carry heat. The finish is chunky in feel and tastes herbal as well as salty.
Herbal berry aromas come with a note of asphalt before veering toward eucalyptus. The palate is acidic, so much so that it pushes the wine's flavors toward salty and tart. Generic berry flavors pop up on the finish once the wine's tartaric acidity subsides.
This blend of 54% Grenache, 34% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre and 3% Cinsault boasts some brambly fruit, but that's dominated by notes of leather and clove. It shows decent weight and concentration on the palate, but just a bit rustic overall.
Berry aromas come with an oaky, lactic whiff of plastic. A scratchy palate is fruity but awkward, with generic plum and dark-berry flavors. Fig cookie and chocolaty flavors control a blocky finish.
Strong berry and horsey aromas set the stage for a fruity palate braced by a shot of acidity. Blackberry flavors are a touch funky and finish hot and big.
Dense berry aromas are a bit flat and medicinal. Expect a juicy, direct palate with hard plum and berry flavors that are also a touch briny/salty. A full finish loses its fruit fast, leaving ringing acidity and a lasting briny flavor.
A fruity wine, it also has some structure. Ripe yellow and pineapple fruit flavors are laced with acidity, an apple skin texture and lemon zest. It feels rich and generous, a wine to age for a couple of years.
This elegant Pinot Bianco boasts typical varietal sensations of spring flowers, Alpine herbs and green apples. The savory but reserved palate offers juicy apples, citrus, a hint of mineral and lively acidity. Pair it with appetizers, light fish dishes or as sip as an apéritif. Omniwines, Astor Wines.
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.
A blend of half Sémillon and half Chardonnay, this is an aromatic, fully fleshed-out wine that veers into richness without going too far. Swirling in layers of concentrated pear and lemon, it provides a long, substantial finish, ending in balanced acidity.
It opens with subtle aromas of white spring flowers, light spice and yellow apple. The juicy palate offers tropical fruit, pear and bitter almond notes alongside fresh acidity.
This well-priced Moscato offers intense sensations of honeysuckle, tropical fruit, ripe yellow peach and juicy honeydew melon. The palate is brightened by fresh acidity, which imparts a lively, bright character.
This wine opens with an intense bouquet of white roses with accents of baking spices. The flowery sensation carries over to the palate along with ripe banana, pear and clove, plus the heat of alcohol. It concludes with a slightly sweet finish.
It starts with a light fragrance of spring flowers and pear. The bright palate offers white peach and citrus notes alongside crisp acidity that leaves a clean finish.
Here's a zesty wine with attractive aromas of freshly picked roses, lychee and mineral. The palate offers juicy yellow grapefruit accented by spicy notes of white pepper and clove that add depth.
Aromas recall toasted bread crumbs, golden apples and a hint of vanilla. The palate offers Bartlett pear, yellow peach, lemon zest, roasted almond and mineral, but it closes on an unusual medicinal note.
Charred and heavily oaked from the opening gun to the closing tape. Amid all the barrel influence and toast, you'll find black plum and wild berry aromas and flavors. On the finish, oak reasserts its control over this wine.
Still so young, the wine is tight at this stage. It has dark stone fruits and dense tannins along with a lightness of red berry fruits. Power and structure as well as a smoky character from 50% new wood aging.
The Alta Vista single-vineyard wines are among the best in Argentina. This offers a soft, deep, alluring nose with plum, berry, minerality and a hint of rubber and bacon. It's rich, pure and a bit jammy in feel, with saturated blueberry, blackberry, molasses and caramel flavors. A cuddly, long finish confirms this Malbec's outstanding status. Drink through 2018.
A terrific value among top-flight Châteauneufs, even Janasse's entry-level wine excels in 2010. Sexy leather and suede trappings embrace ripe cherry and chocolate notes, while the palate exudes lushness yet retains enough firmness on the finish to suggest a lifespan of at least 6–8 years.
Firm and solid with great swathes of black fruits as well as dense tannins. Ripe fruits are a major element of this concentrated wine. The wine has power and a firm tannic core, and certainly needs aging for seven years.
Big and rich, this is a broad, open version of Corton-Charlemagne, a powerhouse of ripe white and yellow fruits. It seems initially without enough depth, a product of its youth, then gradually the ripe structure shows through, promising aging over 6–7 years.
Mint aromas and flavors lead to an intense wine that is powered at this young stage by firm, serious tannins. It has great richness from the black plum fruits, and a spicy, herbal character that adds complexity. From consultant Luis Duarte, this is a wine for long-term aging; hold for 6–7 years or more.
The top wine from Sogrape's Dão flagship quinta, this is a selection of the best parcels. It's a powerful, serious wine, showing great regional characters of dark, mineral tannins and rich black fruits. There's a fine line of juicy acidity that cuts through the firm structure. Age this major wine for at least six years.
From the mountainous far east of Portugal, the dense, granite feel of this wine is palpable and potent. It has weight, balanced by intense acidity, stalky black currant fruits and a core of dark, firm tannins. Age this concentrated wine for at least 3–4 years.
A rich wine with great fruits as well as structure. It has the weight and great concentration of a grand cru selection. Plum fruits and acidity offer the potential for long aging. It's powerful, while also showing elegance. Age for 6–8 years.
This wine has great power and so much complexity, with layer upon layer of fruit and structure. Black fruits give way to a dry, firm end, promising considerable aging.
This wine has a gamy character with spicy tannins. It is rich and succulent with black fruits, but has an earthy texture and is solid and powerful. It brings out both the terroir and the potential richness of a Volnay. For aging over seven years.
With a bouquet packed with pure blackberry, boysenberry, chocolate, baking spice and minerally aromas, this immediately registers as excellent Malbec. The palate, like almost all Cobos heavyweight Malbecs, is smooth and layered. Flavors of meaty blackberry, exotic spices and chocolate yield to a polished, elegant finish that's earthy and delicious. Drink now through 2017; 275 cases produced.
This is Yohan Lardy's top wine, produced from vines planted in 1903. Dark and dense although shot with acidity, the wine is firm and concentrated. It layers a floral character with minerality and black fruits. The wine needs to age further, so drink from 2018.
Neither McLaren Vale nor Adelaide Hills are particularly known for their Rieslings, but this is a fine example. Scents of wet stone and flower-shop greens lead into off-dry flavors of lemon zest and green apples. The balance between sugar and acids, lithe body and long finish is finely judged. Drink now–2025.
Merlot (44%) takes the lead on this wine followed by Cabernet Franc (29%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (18%), with the balance of blend of Petit Verdot and Malbec. Alluring aromas of black plum, earth, flowers and green herb are followed by generous, palate-coating dark-fruit flavors. It brings a sense of texture that captivates.
Coming from a warm vintage in a hot region, this wine brings light aromas of mineral and red and black fruit along with a barrel-spice top note. The black-cherry flavors are lush, full and palate coating, supported by firm tannins. It's high on the delicious scale.
Black cherry and blueberry fruit show on the dense, dark nose of this bottling, alongside clove, allspice, nutmeg, purple flower, crushed rosebuds and dust. Black and red plums show on the sip, as does chipped asphalt, charcoal and coffee. It's a standout in terms of darkness for a Pinot Noir.
This is a rich stylish wine from the Chanfreau family. It has fine tannins and signs of wood aging, both of which will meld into the juicy black-currant fruits. It has a predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon that gives the wine its structure and aging potential. The aftertaste is ripe and still crisp, still young. Drink from 2020.
Situated on one of the highest points of the Médoc, this vineyard is on deep gravel soil. It is one of a group of properties owned by the Chanfreau family of Château Fonréaud. This wine is firm and still young. However, it is already showing signs of the ripe black fruits and wood aging. Acidity and the firm structure will let the wine age. Drink from 2020.
From the producer's estate vineyard planted on the Olivet Bench, this sublimely textured white is perfumed, zesty and complex. It delights in voluptuous layers of pear and honey in equal measure, showing both sides of deliciousness, fresh and fruity.
The wine is structured and with intense acidity and a tight texture. A mineral character goes through the wine, contrasting with the red fruit. It is a serious wine that will repay aging, so drink from 2018. This organic vineyard is switching to biodynamic.
Still structured and with its tannins, this wine has the potential to develop well. Black currant and plum fruits bestow a dense, fruity character. Drink this wine from 2020.
This producer focuses on Rhône Valley varietals, and this wine continues the theme. Its apricot and very fine mineral texture are impressive and rich. Touched by spice from wood aging, the wine is generous, with the potential of a creamy, smooth texture as it ages. For now, it is fruity and rich. Drink from 2018.
Fruity and crisp, this wine hails from an estate owned by the Amorim family of cork fame, Red-berry flavors come through strongly along with spice and wood-aging flavors. The wine also has acidity, lightly toasty and with a core of tannins. Drink from 2018.
In a three-pack of 2014 Pinots from Saffron Fields, this shows reserve-level density and extra complexity. Tart and juicy berry fruit gathers into a concentrated midpalate, buoyed with a refreshing, mineral-laced acidity. The raspberry and cherry fruit resonates well into a citrus-tinged finish. Tuck this away for awhile longer, and drink 2020–2028.
Coming from a vineyard in The Rocks, this wine opens with aromas of savory herbs and moist earth, with flower petal and piercing cherry notes lurking the background. The palate is velvety in feel, putting a focus on elegance. It shows plenty of hang time on the finish.
The winery's flagship offering, this wine is a blend of 60% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache and 10% Syrah. It conjures up aromas of high-toned herbs, potpourri and the purest of cherry notes. The flavors coat the palate, showing a hypnotic sense of purity along with an impressive mouthfeel.
With 10% Syrah blended in, this wine offers high-toned notes of herb, kirsch, crushed flowers and cherry, bringing a wild element along with it. The black cherry flavors are pure and vivid, showing a sense of purity that captures the attention, with a lengthy finish that kicks it up a notch.
This is Yalumba's flagship Viognier, barrel-fermented for an extra layer of richness. Fig, melon and apricot notes mark the nose and palate, and while it is fully ripe and weighty, it carries its alcohol well. Fruit intensity easily balances the oak, which remains almost invisible.
While the trend among many Australian Cabernets is towards moderate, silky tannin structures, this austere, firm wine embraces its dry, dusty nature. Cedar and toast frame big cassis fruit, ending with chewy tannins. Drink 2018–2028.
This is a spicy, vibrantly realized wine from a coastal ridge five miles from the Pacific Ocean dusted in sandy, loam soils. It's planted entirely to the Swan clone, which can contribute an undeniable wildness to the variety. Baked cherry meets spearmint and clove, the acidity light and bright with plenty of texture atop the medium-sized body.
Roughly two-thirds Shiraz and one-third Grenache, this is a full-bodied, lush example of Barossa Valley product. Hints of mint and cracked pepper add nuance to the ripe raspberry fruit, while spice and red-fruit nuances linger on the supple yet spine-tingling finish. Drink now–2020 for its youthful exuberance.
Mourvèdre (45%), Grenache (31%) and Syrah (12%) make up the majority of this wine, which is fleshed out with Counoise, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul. Vibrant aromas of cracked pepper, raspberry, underbrush, dried violets, smoked meat and herb are followed by elegant yet still flavorful fruit and savory notes that show a pleasing tartness and generous mouthfeel.
A blend of fruit from Olsen, Elephant Mountain and Boushey vineyards, this wine is expressive, with aromas of smoke, high-toned herb, dark raspberry, blue fruit and mineral. The flavors are fresh and focused, putting a premium on elegance with a finish that sails.
This wine beautifully blends vivid fruit, enticing spice and luxuriously creamy flavors that are concentrated, layered and complex. It pulls it all off gracefully due to underlying acidity that supports a lush texture and leads to a long finish.
Complex and slightly austere flavors like rhubarb, clove and black tea lend complexity to this nicely tight, dry and well-balanced wine. The texture is firm due to good acidity and lightly gripping tannins, but the rich flavors soak through them for a lingering finish. It will be best after 2020.
Generous and mouthfilling, this is a medium- to full-bodied wine with fruity aromas. Rich cherry, spice and earth flavors partner with a firm texture and a lingering, slightly tannic finish. While showing a lot of fruit up front, this wine will also age well for a few years; best to drink after 2018.
There is no sign of the tannic punch of Malbec in this wine. Instead the texture is soft and open with just enough tannins to give shape to the delicious black currant fruitiness. The wine is ready for a glass now.
This rustic wine is pure varietal and spent a year in 20% new French oak. Scents favor asphalt and tar rather than oak and toast, and the candied red fruits do not speak the usual varietal flavors. But this is perfectly fine for every day drinking.
Aromas emerge slowly on this appellation blend, but eventually crushed slate, red cranberry, dark strawberry and dried sagebrush scents arrive. The palate is heavy on crushed oregano and bay leaf, with boysenberry fruit, grippy plum-skin tannins and an asphalt character.
Fresh and simple, this opens with aromas that recall blackberry and dark spice. The aromas carry over to the easy palate along with a note of orange zest offset by firm acidity and loose knit tannins.
If the staunchly herbal and green-bean scents and flavors often found with this grape are your cup of tea, this will prove enjoyable. It's smooth and not overly tannic, with those intense green-bean aromatics and a taste of tomato.
Straightforward apple and lemon flavors are bright and fresh on this zesty off-dry Riesling. It's not deeply concentrated but subtle honey sweetness lingers nicely. Drink now.
Herbaceous aromas of black olive, tree bark and pickle brine lead to a chunky, grabby palate. Unfamiliar flavors of briny berries and citrus struggle to find their way, while this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot is highly herbal on the finish.
The Cabernet accounts for just 10% of the blend, but presumably contributes the hints of dried marjoram that add interest to the vanilla and cassis aromas and flavors. This medium-bodied wine finishes dry, with softly dusty tannins. Ready to drink now.
Slightly green aromas of olive and horsehide shadow generic plum and berry notes. This feels lively but scratchy and tartaric. Toasty flavors of black coffee outweigh plum and blackberry, while this burns a bit across an acidic finish.
This is a soft, tropical-fruit flavored wine. It has a tangy, mineral texture that cuts through the riper fruitiness to give a wine that is easy and very drinkable now.
A ripe and soft blend of Portuguese grapes with a touch of Viognier, this is a smooth, creamy textured wine. The acidity is just right to give the wine its tight, steely aftertaste. Drink now.
Smoky and oaky past the point of balance, this tastes of charred wood rather than fruit. The tannins are chewy and smoky. After considerable breathing time, blackberry fruit emerges. Aeration is highly recommended.
This opens with aromas that recall moist underbrush, grilled sage, menthol and a whiff of cellar floor. The brisk, diluted palate offers raw red cherry, oak and a hint of star anise alongside stinging acidity and astringent tannins that leave a raspy finish. It lacks fruit richness.
Strong tarry and asphalt notes show on the nose of this wine, with a touch of boysenberry. Similar elements play into the somewhat rough palate, where tarry tannins interplay with tart boysenberry, bolstered slightly by a touch of soy.
Rustic, barnyard aromas give a wine that is tight with tannins and tough to handle. It is concentrated, very dry with only hints of rich black fruits. It will probably remain dense and tannic.
This is a wine that's ready to consume, with its ripe red fruits and spicy tannins. It is smooth with just a bite of structure along with considerable acidity. The wine is balanced and attractive in a summer barbecue style.
Alvarinho with a prickle is unusual, as is a Vinho Verde that has been aged an extra year before release. The wine doesn't quite work because it has lost its fruit and developed a strong pepper and spice character. The acidity at the end is the most characteristic part of the wine.
This is a ripe, fruit-forward wine. It has black currant and some attractive acidity. It seems to miss out on the structure and firm texture that would be expected from a Douro wine, so it is possible to drink now.
Herbal red-berry, tomato and cocoa aromas are strained and wiry. This feels tannic as a box of nails, with scraping astringency. Dry, tomatoey red-fruit flavors come with a smear of chocolaty oak prior to a raw, rough finish.
The wine has a rustic, barnyard character that will maybe blow off. For now, the fruit is subdued and layered with dry tannins and acidity. It could develop, so wait until 2017.
All five red Bordeaux varieties are represented here, the greater percentages being Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec, in almost equal proportion. Barbecue smoke enters the picture first, with a substantial aroma and taste of char. It makes for a one-dimensional experience.
This blend of and Syrah is more ripe fruit than freshness. It is rounded and soft with caramel and spice flavors as well as rich strawberries. Drink now.
A soft wine that has ripe red fruits and gentle tannins. Ready to drink immediately, it is fruity with spice, black cherry and acidity all in balance.
Sleepy and tannic, this wine is elusive in fruit both aromatically and on the palate, showing more green, herbal character than cherry or berry. Still, it is hugely full bodied and wrapped forcefully in oak, providing a dry finish.
Stalky, leathery berry aromas are a bit lacking in purity. This feels choppy, while stalky, lightly green berry flavors finish with herbal shadings and resiny oak.
This medium-bodied red is a bit obvious and confected, but delivers ample cassis fruit without any obvious structure to support it. It's jammy and a bit sweet-tasting on the finish.
This is a fruity, soft wine with a light texture and plenty of citrus fruits. It is crisp, clean with a hint of perfumes and a herbal edge that comes from the Sauvignon Blanc in the blend. The wine is ready to drink.
Tropical aromas of melon, pineapple juice and canned pears are friendly. A fresh palate with minimal depth and weight offers simple apple and white-grape flavors prior to a lean, melony tasting finish.
In general, Eola Hills Pinots lean more to the peppery and herbal side of the line, compared with pricier AVAs in Yamhill county. This well-made wine shows good color and concentration, and it's ripe enough that the herbaceousness is a feature, if not entirely an asset. There's a nice lift to the midpalate, which leaves a residual impression that finishes a bit vinegary, as the wine winds down into flavors of black olive and herb.
Waxy but also plenty acidic, which creates some clash on the bouquet. Flavors of lemon, orange and peach meet a little bitterness on the finish, and overall this won't be confused for French Viognier. It's scattershot and unique, but it has finishing harmony and a pretty good texture.
This is a pale, peach-scented rosé, with hints of cherries as well. The blend of 40% Cinsault, 30% Grenache and 30% Syrah lacks the lively acids of some Provençal rosés, but features a pleasant roundness on the palate instead, finishing soft and easy. Imported by Routas USA.
A blend of Grenache and Rolle, this easy-drinking rosé features peach and canteloupe aromas, simple ripe strawberry and grapefruit flavors and a fruit-driven finish.
Not quite up to the quality of the 2004, but this is still an authoritatively flavored Provençal blend. Black cherry and spice flavors show some gripping tannins on the finish; hold another year, then drink through 2012. Imported by Routas USA.
A négociant bottling from the ubiquitous Yvon Mau, this wine proudly boasts élevé en futs du chene on the label. You can certainly notice it in the cedary aromas and flavors, but it's adequately balanced by cassis and tobacco flavors. The fruit tastes a touch overripe, but it seems to work well here.
This wine, from a newly acquired property, is tart and young, grapy almost, with the fruit a little reduced. The wine seems to be in hiding. It falls off in the middle and finishes with tannin and little else. This may just need more time in bottle to blossom.
Cortina refers to the soil type. The wine shows forward, pretty fruit, mixing berries and cherries, and follows up with bright, clean, mouth-friendly flavors. Falls off in the finish, with some dry tannins.
Smooth style, with lots of vanilla cream and ripe berry fruit. Forward, inviting style of wine, with light tannins and a clean, focused finish. It's well balanced and professionally made, but ultimately unexciting.
Smells oily, with a diesel-fuel note that some may find offputting. Rich and earthy on the palate, this bottling emphasizes spice, mineral and loam flavors, not the bright fruit of so many other Ontario products.
Blueberry fruit mingles with cinnamon-tinged oak spice on the nose and palate of this offering. There's even enough depth and complexity to make it more than a simple quaff, worthy of washing down simply roasted chicken perhaps.
Dark earth and tobacco spice the aromas of this grand cru, followed by flavors of black cherries and herbs. The Cabernet Franc portion shines clearly through as a distinctive weediness, but it's somewhat balanced by roasted black cherries and only a hint of espresso-like oak.
Smells very ripe, almost stewed, and it lives up to its name (The Monster) with big, rustic, extracted, alcoholic flavors. For those who like old-style Zin, with no-holds-barred power.
Firm, tannic and fruity, with some nice tropical fruit flavors, wrapped around stiff tannins and some green, slightly stemmy flavors. The finish is hard and rough.
Cranberries and watermelon in the nose, leading into a soft, light, pleasant wine. Smooth and simple flavors; the wine needs to be chilled to show its best. This is made for near-term enjoyment.
This is the first wine from this new winery. Clean, light berry fruit is the whole show, and it's a forward, fruity Zin with friendly, simple flavors.
This gets the award for the most confusing label of the month. It says Vigil “Tradicion” and also names the vineyard, then writes Mokelumne River Old Vines, and finishes with Lodi. Talk about information overload! Bottom line: it's a fruity, oaky, simple and straightforward bottle of Zin. 'Nuff said.
Firm, fruity wine, with good clean varietal flavors. Simple and ripe, with a big, tannic finish.
Most everyone's first Bordeaux is back for another year, with fruity black-cherry aromas spiked with just a touch of vanilla and cedar. Juicy acidity keeps this crowd-pleaser lively through the lightly tannic finish. A good introduction to the genre.
Thick, chewy, cherry fruit, with lots of wood behind it. Simple, forward and quite pleasant, without pretension.
Alcoholic, volatile nose, with some pickley edges to it. The wine is smooth and fruity, with a quick, hot, alcoholic finish and very dry tannins.
Some earthy elements mingle with the fruit, which has a ripe tomato edge. Good structure, without the harshness or heat that affects so many '97s. If anything, it's a little underripe, with bell pepper, beet and earthy flavors.
Plenty of herbal, mushroomy notes in the nose. The wine is light, soft and fruity. The mushroom flavors could be a real asset with the right food. Finishes true to form, with nothing off.
A very oaky nose leads into a tough, tannic wine. There's good fruit under all the wood and tannin, and the tight, rugged finish should smooth out in time.
Magalanne's top wine is a wood-matured blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre and 30% Carignan. It's nicely balanced and spry on the palate, easily moving from raspberry, cherry and citrus to leather, spice and herb before ending on some stony, dusty notes. Drink it over the next year or two.
The winery has made SB since 1982, blending in Sémillon and barrel-aging in new oak to craft a fuller style of the wine that's well structured. In this vintage 16% Sémillon was used and barrel fermentation took place in 15% new oak. The result: a light, ethereal wine abundant in tropical aromas and flavors that's crisp on the palate.
The nose on this wine from the Willow Creek area plays between the lighter elements of bright red cherries and heavier hints of tar, with a bit of sour plum thrown in as well. The palate is loaded with chalky tannins, offering flavors of black cherries and licorice, but it could use some more time in bottle.
Loamy, ripe berry aromas come with leather and raisiny notes. This blend of five grapes is heavy, tannic and weighty, but not overtly out of balance. Stewed berry and raisiny flavors are as ripe as they can get and still stay somewhat fresh, while the finish is raisiny. Overall this is a one-dimensional, fully ripe wine.
Forward and quite light (the vintage was a cool one), this offers fruit flavors of pomegranate and tart berry. There is a generous swath of chocolate wrapping it, creating a rather silky yet simple, straightforward wine best enjoyed in the near term.
Aromas of black currant, plum, toast and espresso lead the nose on this young, soft Cabernet. The rich, easy-drinking palate doles out ripe black cherry and blackberry accented with notes of mocha and vanilla. Round tannins give it a smooth texture.
If a Cabernet can be smooth and creamy, this one is. It offers plenty of fruit flavor, firm tannins that coat the mouth in a good way, plus a plush texture that keeps it from being even a bit harsh. With medium body, a great mouthfeel and lingering finish, there's much to like.
Concentrated on the nose, with oak aromas that are under control, this Garnacha is fresh and firm on the palate. Flavors of loamy berry and cassis are ripe almost to the point of being raisiny. A plump yet dry and spicy finish ends with oak-based resin and creaminess.
Dark in color, this chunky, ripe Malbec opens with blackberry, earth and rubber aromas. That bold, full quality carries onto the palate, which is staunch and bullish, with pepper and berry flavors that finish dry, yet weighty and lush.
Tropical and creamy, the aromas thick in grapefruit and pineapple, this light, citrus-tinged, refreshing 100% Sauvignon Blanc is well-balanced and easy to enjoy, approachable with some depth.
Savory whiffs of nuts and mineral convey elegance to ripe white peach and grapefruit aromas on this off-dry Riesling. Easy-drinking in style, it's pleasantly tart, finishing on a sweet, lingering kiss of honey.
This grape can be styled as super acidic or tropically lush, and this version leans to the latter. The nose is consumed with white peach and light guava, but the tropical elements come alive on the palate, with passionfruit and tangerine skin laying atop a medium-low acidity.
Aromas of dried apricot and acacia honey lead the nose on this smooth dessert wine. The concentrated palate delivers candied citrus and white almond balanced by just enough freshness.
Well-made, well-balanced and medium-bodied, this combines moderate blackberry and black cherry flavors with subtle spicy notes. The texture is tannic enough to be great with food, but smooth enough to enjoy sipping.
Fruity and slightly effervescent, this is a classic California Sauvignon Blanc. Balanced and lingering in crisp melon and tropical fruit, it provides enough creamy texture to go well with food.
Though not known as a particularly cool region, the hills southwest of San Jose turn out solid Pinot Noirs for this winery. Aromas recall olives, forest floor and cloves, and flavors are quite smooth, with buttered cherries, peppery spice, cola and vibrant acidity that cuts a clean, quick finish.
The nose on this structured wine is rather subdued but eventually reveals notes of crushed blue flower, blackberry and leather. The palate offers mature black cherry, raspberry, black pepper and sage alongside raspy tannins.
Leesy peach and green melon aromas are standard but pleasing on the nose. The palate is fresh, with good body, showing melon and stonefruit flavors. This drink-now wine is friendly and attractive.
On this blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Petit Verdot from Adelaida Springs Ranch, iron-laced, gamy scents lead the nose, which also picks up aromas of elderberry and oak smoke. Plums and other purple fruit show on the palate, along with black licorice and strong but well-integrated tannins.
Producers Chris Condos and Richard Bruno put together a fairly priced wine, with aromas of herbed pie crust surrounding warm blackberry fruit. There's more smoked meat on the palate than ripe fruit, and it is quite tannic, so can handle heavy fare.
Whiffs of caramelized sugar and grilled peaches lend a ripe, fruity tone to this otherwise, brash, lean wine. Refreshing on the palate, it's zesty and spry, concluding with a steely, mineral tone.
As usual, this Garnacha is friendly, but serious enough to satisfy all palates. Floral berry aromas lead off the bouquet, leading to a juicy, fresh and pure palate. Flavors of raspberry, plum and a dash of spice finish with a good texture.
Done in a ripe and fleshy style, this vintage is in its prime drinking window. Mixed peach, lemon, stone and citrus fruit, along with a slice of honeydew melon, make this a mouth-filling, all-purpose Riesling, with barely perceptible sweetness.
Wood aromas of cedar are expertly spliced with purple fruits on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Merlot. A touch of greenness on the palate gives those deep purple fruits some depth, but the tannins are quite gripping, and should release more with time. Drink 2018 onward.
Smoke and caramel add breadth to crisp, lean apple and pear flavors in this bristling off-dry Riesling. It's zesty and refreshing from start to finish, ending on a taut, bitter lime note.
A ripe and fruity wine, very typical of the vintage. There's a strong stalky black currant character, with some dry tannins and wood flavors. The aftertaste, though, comes right back to fruit and juicy acidity.
A delicate wine that is completely ready to drink and needs to be consumed now before it ages further. The fruit has developed a secondary, animal character, the tannins starting to dominate with their dryness.
With rubbery, slightly herbal aromas of generic red berry, this comes across standard on the nose. In the mouth, it's fresh but smacks hard with acidity, while simple raspberry and plum flavors end herbal and lightly baked tasting.
A soapy scent marks the entry, and it is followed by a simple, fruity wine, that retains a slightly soapy aspect through the palate. There's a floral finish also; perhaps a splash of Gewürztraminer was added to the blend?
The nose on this racy Viognier is mostly tropical. In the mouth, this is lifted, tangy and acidic, with citrusy flavors of lime, lemon and green appple. A tangy, fresh, zesty finish with a lemon-based flavor is refreshing but angular.
This white Garnacha starts with a salinic nose that contains aromas of pear, papaya, salami and ham. It's a little flabby on the palate, with pithy, oily flavors of papaya, melon, lychee and salt. There's mild bitterness to the finish, but not enough to sink the wine.
Some light Graham cracker aromas come up quickly, but in the mouth the wine all but disappears. Watery and thin, it shows little promise of further improvement.
Wood-laden, spicy wine with some ripe black currant fruit and soft tannins. This is a warm, open wine that is likely to age over the next year.
Young, herbaceous wine, very fruity and lightly perfumed. It is crisp and delicate, with its citrus and pineapple fruits already lively and fresh.
The aromas are of wood as much as fruit. While the palate also shows plenty of wood aging flavors, there is also a more floral, red berry fruit character that's already attractive. The acidity at the end gives intense freshness.
The nose on this average SB is bland and neutral, but inoffensive. A fleshy, normal feeling palate leads to slightly dilute flavors of scallion, mustard green and apple. This finishes mellow and slightly pithy, with nothing in particular standing out.
This sports a smoky aroma, wrapped into tight, tart red fruits. There is an ashy undertone, and somewhat granular tannins.
Green, herbal notes are prominent on this brisk, savory Riesling. Lemony acidity and hints of bitter lime pith add a stark, refreshing quality that would accompany rich goat cheese or cured meats quite well.
This is a tropical-scented offering from New Zealand's first carbon-neutral winery. Pineapple and grapefruit flavors dominate the palate, with hints of jicama and jalapeño on the finish.
Pretty good Merlot, with varietally correct scents of black cherries and mocha leading into flavors of blue and black fruits. It's medium in body, with ample fruit and hints of chocolate and coffee on the finish.
Bright, crisp and fresh, as a 2009 Clare Riesling should be, this is a pretty wine, blooming on the nose with floral notes, apples and citrus fruit. The lime and green apple flavors are zesty on the finish, but not that long or intense. Probably best from now–2014, but could develop interesting nuances beyond that.
With a confectioned finish and sweet mocha notes on the nose, this might have seen a little too much wood in its 16 months in new French oak. Lovely notes of small red berries, sous bois and pepper appear in the bouquet, while sanguine notes overpower the soft mouth. Overall, it's easy to drink but a little disjointed.
A consistent performer from year to year, Villa Maria's 2009 Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc hints at asparagus, which kept my enthusiasm a little more limited than in the past. But there's ample grapefruit and bright Green Gage plum on the finish.
An authentic Chilean Sauvignon Blanc with celery and green-bean aromas along with oceanic salty notes. Zesty on the palate and fresh, with snappy citrus and green apple flavors, and then driving on the finish due to bright acids and citric flavors.
This is on the ripe side of the Sauvignon spectrum, with scents of honey and marmalade on the nose and flavors of ripe citrus, touches of stone fruit and hints of currant on the palate. It's simply fruit-driven, but satisfying nonetheless. Drink now.
One of NZ's first Sauvignon producers has turned out a commendable wine in 2009, offering classic grassy-herbal aromas and expressive pineapple and herb flavors. It's crisply focused and tight, just falling off a little on the finish. Drink now.
Smoky smelling and toasty, with peach, melon and cider aromas. The body is solid and held together by nice acidity, while the flavors of banana, melon and citrus are sweet but not quite candied in nature. Pretty much your standard, textbook, well-made Chardonnay.
A good grip of acidity and tannins shape the fruity, earthy aromas and crisp raspberry and cranberry flavors. It's a very lively, refreshing style that is not overripe, and will be great with all kinds of food.
Light lemon-lime aromas and fresh fruit flavors make this refreshing, crisp and lively. Not at all heavy, it's well-balanced, has good acidity and tastes dry.
This 100% varietal wine seems to still be in its shell, with light notes of coffee, plum and licorice along with other barrel spices. The fruit flavors are supple with some heft to the tannins and a tart lick of acidity that spruces things up. A lot of good things are going on here but they don't quite all come together.
A strong percentage of Petit Verdot (14%) marks this wine, a mouthful of sanguine cranberry and lightly ripe red fruit that's high in acidity and balanced by a richer dollop of milk chocolate, particularly on the finish.
Intriguing with bites of melon, stone fruit and bristling acidity, this bright, fresh white wine maintains a level of tension and creaminess. It balances the two personalities against each other with aplomb, before losing some of its luster on the finish.
Not quite dry, this offers flavors of honey and almonds, with a fresh element that brings in a more textured, mineral character. Ripe pears and fresh acidity shine through at the end.
Made by a winery outside of Gilroy, this bottling from eastern Salinas Valley fruit brings very nice aromas of blackberry extract, baking spices, gingerbread and a hint of root beer. The flavors are full and rich as the nose predicts, with juicy cherry-chocolate, a touch of tobacco and lingering cinnamon spice.
Light, lemony and crisp, this refreshing wine has some layers of complex herb midpalate and remains bright in acidity through the finish. From both the Miller Ranch in Yountville and Soda Creek Vineyard.
Supple and fresh, this informal but savory wine has aromas of dark berry and allspice. Crafted to be paired with fish, the silky, easy-drinking palate offers juicy red cherry, ripe raspberry and clove alongside smooth tannins and fresh acidity. Serve chilled for a perfect summer red.
This aromatic wine carries notes of movie theater buttered popcorn, peach and lees. It's full bodied with buttery stone fruit flavors that show a considerable amount of creaminess and elegance.
This wine seems to show some oxygen exposure, with notes of brown spices, vanilla, pepper and overripe pear. It's a shame because the luscious, rich cherry and raspberry flavors deliver. Tasted twice with consistent notes.
Aromas of coconut, espresso and spiced plum steeped in spirits lead the nose on this full-bodied red. The bold palate delivers oak extract, dried black cherry, sweet vanilla and roasted coffee bean, with bracing tannins.
Aromas of blackberry, blueberry and blue flower come together in the glass. The straightforward palate offers black currant, dried plum, licorice and a tobacco note alongside firm tannins.
Aromas of oak, espresso, steeped plum and cracked pepper lead the nose on this blend of 70% Negroamaro, 20% Montepulciano and 10% Malvasia Nera. The palate offers raspberry jam, clove, allspice and roasted coffee bean alongside assertive but fine-grained tannins. It ends on a note of bitter prune. Drink through 2017.
This moderately aromatic wine features notes of black cherry, clove and abundant high-toned herbs. A supple mouthfeel with black fruit flavors accompanies firm, dry tannins.
Blueberries, smoke and pepper-crusted beef aromas emerge on this solid offering. There's a lot happening on the palate, with flavors of tobacco, blackberries, dark plums and purple flowers, all grounded in tart plum-skin tannins.
Sleek and spicy, this delivers accents of white pepper, clove, licorice and mineral wrapped around a core of juicy black cherry. Firm but polished tannins provide support. It's easy drinking and made to be enjoyed young.
Firm and juicy, this hearty wine conveys aromas of spicy plum, tobacco and coffee. The dense, one-dimensional palate doles out succulent blackberry, raspberry, clove and mocha alongside hearty tannins.
From the vineyards of the grand castle of Sancerre, this has rich red and black cherry fruits, a line of the purest acidity and just the right amount of tannic structure to allow it to age a little longer. It has weight and final ripeness.
The aromas are light on this wine with notes of dried herbs, mocha and anise. It's soft and elegant in its styling but with rich fruit flavors and dry, chalky tannins.
This 100% varietal is completely made with fruit from Red Mountain Vineyard. Brightly aromatic, the wine offers notes of cherry cordial, black licorice and vanilla, with the volatiles amped up but just in check. It's rich, high-octane and liquorous with abundant cranberry flavors.
This is a well-priced example of Barossa Cabernet, laden with characteristic notes of chocolate, mint and berry fruit, wrapped in a layer of toasty oak. It's full bodied, yet easy to drink because of the soft tannins and mouthwatering finish. Probably best between now and 2020.
At 6+ years post-vintage, this wine seems pretty mature. The tannins are supple, while the fruit is starting to take on some dried character. Other notes include molasses, caramel, dried leaves and tomato. The blend is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Sangiovese.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Syrah (24%), Merlot (19%) and Malbec, this appealing single-vineyard wine suggests vanilla, freshly ground coffee, dark fruit and spices. It's sweet and richly flavored, with a firm squeeze of tannins.
This 100% varietal wine offers notes of coffee, vanilla and plum. It's medium bodied with espresso flavors and firm, slightly gritty tannins.
Mineral and wet stone are a pleasant entry into this wine, which continues into flavors of pretty pear, melon and citrus. The presence of oak on both the nose and palate is not overwhelming.
This new brand from Ventisquero has chosen the unoaked route for this fleshy, stone-fruit driven Chardonnay that also manages to fold in tropical-fruit overtones and undertones. Nectarine, yeasty vanilla and orange flavors finish fleshy and pulpy, but generally quite fresh.
The wine smells rich and opulent, like rose petals and bay leaves in a flood of blackberry jam, but tastes balanced and dry. It's an unusual table wine and a fun journey to take.
Bright and fragrant, this offers aromas of Asian spice and fresh berry. The fresh, savory palate delivers juicy blackberry, wild blueberry, licorice and hint of peppercorn alongside robust tannins. There's not much complexity but it's delicious. Drink soon to capture the fresh, succulent fruit.
Whiffs of raspberry are accented with bramble and dried herbs on this bold, richly textured Cabernet Franc. Big, bitter tannins frame delicate red fruit flavors, finishing with a kiss of cranberry acidity. It's brawny still, but should meld beautifully from 2016–2020.
Open-grain oak aromas are out front, followed by sweeter scents of marzipan, prune and chocolate. A full, tannic palate is deep and dense, while toasty blackened flavors of cassis and blackberry finish with notes of mocha, chocolate and pepper. This is a bit rough and tannic, so cellaring will help it calm down. Drink through 2023.
This is an impressively rich, still very young wine. Dominated by Bandol's own Mourvèdre grape, it is dense and concentrated. Spice and dark red fruits are shot through with a wonderful herbal character that conjures the southern warmth. The wine is still just setting out and will not be ready to drink before 2019.
Aromatically compelling, this offers a complex mix of clover, chocolate and cherry in the nose. It is a substantial, fruit-packed wine, with cherry and plum fruit, a full-bodied midpalate, mouthfilling texture and nicely integrated barrel spices. It finishes with a streak of Meyer lemon acidity. Drink now through 2030.
Winemaker Blair Fox loves this single-clone bottling, and for good reason. It's intensely dark in color but not overextracted, with soil, eucalyptus, black plum and baking spice aromas. Rounded strawberry and raspberry fruit shows on the medium-bodied palate, with star anise and white pepper accents.
Winemaker Bill Brosseau hits a single vineyard home run with this bottling from one of the Central Coast's oldest sites. It shows exotic plum, tangy cranberry, pine needle, juniper and pencil shaving scents on the nose. The palate is steeped in mulberry, marjoram and curry-like Indian spices, proving dynamic and delicious in the most compelling ways.
An aromatic textural wine, Wichmann sources fruit from the winery's oldest vines. Strawberry and cherry flavors are woven into details of citrus and tea. This elegant well-proportioned effort provides a feminine contrast to the sturdy Coast Range bottling.
This is the home estate of Madiran superstar Alain Brumont. The wine is big, bold, rich and packed with both fruit and tannins. It has great structure and a dense dusty tannic character that promises great aging. This is a major wine that needs time. Drink it starting from 2022.
The wine comes from the grand showpiece estate of Madiran. A blend that is dominated by Tannat produces a wine that is still so young. Bold fruits and firm tannins are right to the fore, along with acidity and a strong mineral texture. It's a powerful and impressive wine that also manages elegance as well. The wine will take several more years to soften. Drink from 2020.
Bergström has made a Shea designate since 2003, intent on showcasing a “pretty” style of the vineyard. Here are lovely aromatics, with grape jelly, rose petals and plum in the nose, and a complex run of red fruits in the mouth. Streaks of cola, brown sugar and more come up in a generous finish.
Eight years is about right for a Madiran to start its mature phase. This wine is just there, a ripe expression of Tannat. It still has tannins and they will remain, but the fruit has lost its raw youth and has become rich with dried fruits and acidity working well together. Drink this wine now and until 2025.
This is a serious wine with a lighter brighter side. Its wood aging adds spice to the ripe red fruits and brings out the concentration and intensity. It is, in its way, an unexpected side of Provence rosé, emphasizing richness and complexity. But it all comes together: a fine wine that, after a year of aging, is ready to drink.
From old vines in a tree-enclosed vineyard on the third terrace above the River Lot, this wine forms part of a range of wines featuring the soils and terraces of the Cahors vineyard. Named in homage to Marguerite de Massaut, a 16th-century owner of the estate, the wine is aged in new wood that gives it a minty character. That is balanced by the rich black-plum and truffle flavor and the intense acidity. The wine needs to age, so drink from 2021.
This impressive 100% varietal wine shows focused red fruit, a tropical edge of coconut and firm, structured tannin. Sage, cedar, tobacco and black pepper notes provide a sultry, savory counterpoint to the fruit, balanced with moderate acidity. Enjoy 2023–2033.
Cranberry, baked rhubarb, anise and crushed slate aromas show on the nose of this always-excellent bottling from the Franscioni family. The palate abounds with energy, driving black raspberry fruit accented with earthy loam, fennel, oregano and juniper through a compellingly round midpalate.
This standout Rocks District wine brings earth shaking aromas of black-olive brine, tapenade, green olive, stargazer lilies, orange peel and crushed gravel. The smoked meat, charcuterie and blue-fruit flavors don't hold back, bringing a lovely sense of texture and detail. It's an intense wine that completely demands your attention.
Cherry pie and nuanced spice flavors buoy this delicately layered, medium-bodied vineyard designate that's built of robust fruit and supported quietly by oak. A thread of white pepper persists throughout, making it especially irresistible.
Intensely aromatic, yet big and even chunky in the mouth, this young wine remains compressed and hard-edged. Give it ample aeration, and cranberry, blackberry and black cherry fruits come alive. Dense with fruit and detailed with wet stone minerality, this should be cellared a few years, and consumed from 2020 to 2030.
One of the finest whites of the vintage, this exquisite bottling has an enticing bouquet of almond, orchard fruit, almond and chopped herb. The elegantly structured palate delivers mouthwatering peach, apricot, almond and energizing mineral ntoes that carry over to the long, lingering finish, along with a hint of tangerine.
The estate's 13 acres were first planted in 1999. This lovely wine expresses itself with perfectly ripened black-cherry fruit, a dash of cola, and an underpinning of clean earth, complemented with a touch of mineral. The finish is superb.
There is a darker fruit spectrum evident in the reserve, with notes of coffee, smoke, black fruits, a touch of charred wood all worked through, and without damping the core fruit flavors. Those bright flavors spotlight raspberry, plum and black cherry. A light cola flavor pokes through, with ripe tannins and proportionate acids. The barrel treatment is beautifully applied, adding sweet spice to the finish.
This gorgeous wine deftly integrates a lively mix of currant, cherry, breakfast tea and dried leaves into a seamless and seductive whole. Produced from vines dating back to the early 1970s, it finishes with a delicious streak of milk chocolate. Drink now through 2030.
This single-vineyard estate wine is made by Nils Venge and Tom Rinaldi, who have somehow managed to capture quiet elegance and powerful fruit at the same time. Red-fruit driven, it's round and rich, with moderate tannin and cassis, clove and black pepper highlights.
Polished in every way, this brings an enticing potpourri of almond paste, apple and white pepper. Wild yeast fermentation in oak (30% new) marries complex components in perfect precise balance. As with all the Ponzi 2014 Chardonnays, the acids are bright but not biting, and the wines are built for both near-term enjoyment and medium-term aging.
From a prime site relatively high in elevation for the appellation, this wine shows beautiful, crisp acidity, as robust layers of mountain raspberry, blackberry and coffee flavor vie for attention. Full bodied and densely structured, it unfurls in wisps of black licorice and clove on the lengthy finish.
This pretty, floral wine made entirely from Chardonnay grapes from this site is both creamy and crisp. It offers impressive length, acidity and stoniness, accenting its focused green apple flavor. As it opens, it takes on a richer honey-like tone that adds further complexity and deliciousness.
The aromas pop, with notes of orange peel, ember, cured meat, black olive and wet stone, with purple fruit lurking in the background. The palate is surprisingly fruit forward, with plum and savory flavors that coat the palate from end to end. The finish glides for a full 30 seconds.
Spicy yet sweet aromas of sarsaparilla root, saddle leather and earthy berry fruits precede a rich dense palate. This tastes of dark cherry and berry fruit, with an herbal shading adding complexity. Chocolaty oak takes hold on a solid long finish. Drink through 2024.
Focused and dense, this intense wine captures the essence of ripe raspberries. Aged in 50% new French oak, it's got a strong vein of coffee and mocha. The flavors broaden out and penetrate, finishing with highlights of cedar, cinnamon and dark chocolate. Drink now through the 2020s, but decant if you want the full expression.
Great density here, with firm tannins and big fruit flavors, very generous and opulent, while also structured. The whole wine is suffused with black plum sweetness. It is also ageworthy.
This is an outlier in the Brian Carter lineup of Euro-style blends, a single vineyard, pure varietal Cabernet. As such, it drills down deeply into the character of Washington terroir as captured in a Cab-friendly site, the Stone Tree Vineyard in the heart of the Wahluke Slope AVA. Dark, deep, concentrated, smoky, with tendrils of earth and rock reaching all the way through the tart and tannic finish.
Serious, concentrated fruit and structure on this grand cru Chablis. White fruits, laced with lime and rounded with some toast, all contribute to a powerful, complex wine.
If there is a better vineyard than Boushey in Washington for Syrah, it has not yet been discovered. This young wine tastes like younger vines, with more green and less meat in the flavors. But the complexity and depth of Boushey fruit is there, and the wine takes you on a ride through a mélange of intriguing herb, fruit, cured meat and barrel flavors.
A dry, late-harvest wine from 20-year-old vines. Floral with a subtle honey note, more like pollen; lemon and orange candy, sleek and deep.
With smoky aromas and strict tannins, this is initially an austere wine. The fruit remains firm and tight, very powerful, while the final acidity gives a delicious, more juicy finale.
There is a fine layer of minerality in this wine, coming from the dry stones of the vineyard. It produces a tight texture that dominates at this stage. Underneath, green and yellow fruits are waiting to come out, bringing with them a great lift of acidity and delicious refreshing crispness.
Finely balanced, a wine that exudes class and freshness. The green and yellow fruits fill the mouth, round but always with a layer of crispness. Everything comes together, the fruit, the acidity and the rich undertow of spice. Screwcap.
Still our favorite Malbec from Chile, Viu 1 rises above the rest due to its pedal-to-the-metal combination of fruit, perfect oak and human attention. The bouquet here is deep and sultry, with oily black fruit and toasty aromas working a perfect pas de deux. The black plum, blackberry and leather flavors hit the spot courtesy of proper acidity and tannins, and the the finish is thick but not fierce or fat. Drink now (decant) through 2013.
Concentrated, firm, touched by caramel, this wine starts out intensely fruity. Then texture, mineral and fruit skins come in to play. The wine is impressively complete, its acidity ratcheted up a notch by the fine floral, green and white fruit flavors.
A pure Sauvignon Blanc, unusual in Pessac-Léognan, which normally also includes Sémillon. This is a purely fresh wine, but with a serious aging potential side to it. For now, the white fruits, currants and pears are delicious, with fresh structure and a touch of wood spice. Screwcap.
The top white wine from Chantegrive, this is a smoothly wood-aged wine. However it doesn't lose sight of deliciously fresh, herbaceous fruits which come through crisply. That makes the resulting balance immediately appealing, acidity and spice coming together well. Worth aging for 2–3 years.
An intense, creamy wine, showing fresh fruits as well as almonds, spice, yeast and toast flavors. It has been finely crafted to bring out a bouquet of spring flowers and a richer, warm feel. It should certainly be aged, at least for 4–5 years.
Here is the most engaging offering of the winery's 2013 single vineyard Pinots. It's bright with red-berry fruit and tropical-candy highlights. Meyer lemon peeks in, and the tangy fruit flavors continue into a finish of medium weight and length. Drink now and over the next couple of years.
Very pure notes of cherry and strawberry pervade this wine. They are perfumed with a slight conifer scent that spells freshness and lifted ease. The palate has an unforced, elegant concentration. This is charming and fresh, with convincing depth, purity and a lasting, fresh finish.
Reustle pioneered this variety (they now make three different bottlings) and this may be the best yet. The texture and depth are impressive, as is the detailed mix of melon and white peach, with just a faint trace of vanilla.
There is tons of lively action packed into the nose of this wine, from rosebuds and zesty cherry cola to cinnamon spice and rainbow peppercorns. The texture is relatively light on the sip, and yet grippy tannins and a bursting acidity swim across the palate, showing vibrant iron and red-fruit flavors.
Spicy, herbal plum and cassis aromas mix in notes of olive and wet dog fur. This is more spunky and fresh than dense. Leafy berry, plum and olive are the key flavors on this Carmenère-led blend that finishes herbal and spicy, with high-toned residual acidity.
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.
The slightest whiff of pepper on the nose leads to a spiced, leesy and slender palate on this unusual Alsace resident: it's Switzerland's Chasselas making an appearance. This is slender and while the nose is shy, the palate provides ample textures. Make as a local and have this with fresh white asparagus. The wine has a great acidic spine and luminous freshness.
Delicate white flowers and a spin of lemon peel on the nose start this refined white. The bright fruit on the palate is tropical and exotic, but the minerality gives it lift. Fuller-bodied but poised, the wine has aging potential and a food-friendly character.
What jumps out immediately is a bright spicy scent. The forward fruit is a zesty mix of cranberry, guava and citrus, and the flavors just punch up the palate in a most delicious way. Drink this over the next couple of years while it retains its freshness.
Stalky, gritty aromas of olive, eucalyptus and berry fruits are 100% Chilean. This feels big, wide and tannic. Flavors of roasted berry fruits are stalky and herbal, while this finishes with peppery, herbal overtones and gritty, chewy tannins. Drink through 2021.
This is fruity and ripe, forward and round, with appealing tropical fruit flavors. There's moderate, but adequate, acidity, and the flavors are rounded off with a toasty note from aging 10 months in 30% new French oak. Drink this now through 2018.
When a rosé pushes past 14% alcohol, that's an indication of a pretty potent wine. Here's a fine example, showcasing ripe strawberry and peach fruit, with excellent concentration and mouth-filling flavors. Using all free-run juice, this is fresh and full-bodied.
Tonella has 16% Merlot within, from the estate vineyard around the winery. Cedar, currant and dried herb greet the nose and palate before allowing chalky, dusty tannin to season layers of chocolate and black cherry, staying structured and bright from start to finish.
Here you'll find a mix of tart citrus (principally orange peel) with wild berry fruit. It's a tart and tangy wine, with a dash of herb and some earthy tannins. Optimal drinking should be 2018 through 2022.
Dry and delicate with mixed fresh herbs, melon, green berry, spice and rock—lots of rock. It shows surprising length and develops nicely in the throat, seeming to add flesh as you taste. A really nice bottle.
Powerfully rich, with plenty of the dry tannins of Tannat, but also rich sweet plum fruits and concentrated wood to soften and round. There is acidity, but it fits comfortably into the firm fruits and solid final chunkiness.
When some of the greatest Cahors weigh in at 13.5% alcohol, there is no need for this 15.5% monster. It's a shame, because there is much to admire here, with the powerful bitter chocolate and the sweetest berry fruits, a wall of polished concentration. It needs aging for four years at least.
Col Solare, the collaboration between Ste. Michelle and Antinori, brought in the first estate grapes this year, but it will be awhile before it becomes an estate wine. The current vintage uses five varieties from a half dozen vineyards scattered across four different AVAs. It's soft, fruity and open, with a firm core of black fruits wrapped into lightly smoky, polished tannins.
Deep and refined, this beautifully integrated Syrah opens with scents of briar, berry, and cherry. Details of light pepper, iron and earth are buoyed by vivid acids. Complex, aromatic and graceful.
With its dense color and sweet fruits, this is wine that works well, with a great rich, soft texture. There is a concentrated juicy and jammy character, with final approachable spice and acidity.
Delicious sweet raisin and mulled wine fruit, full of herbs and nutmeg spice. This is a ripe wine, but too heavy, showing some austerity, but no sign of tiring.
Ame means the spirit, the soul, and Alain Rotier believes this wine expresses the true nature of his Gaillac estate. On that basis, it's a place of great perfumes, coming through in the wine from wood as well as chunky black fruits. It is a relatively soft wine, the concentration in the dense fruit rather than the tannins.
Classic botrytis sweet and dry flavors bring out the rich honey and lemon juice. The wine also has freshness, a tight edge of orange and sweet chutney spice. A great example of sweet Gaillac.
A full-bodied wave of savory spice and rich fruit. Aromas of tobacco, mint, cassis and mocha lead, followed by smooth, luscious flavors of plum, smoke, and tobacco. Ageable but delicious now, the wine has a soft character that makes it good for solo sipping. It also will pair nicely with steaks and soft cheeses.
An intriguing blend of Négrette, Syrah and Malbec, this wine is a selection of the best lots of the vintage. It has purity of blackberry fruit, edged with an earthy, barnyard character. It is ripe, generous, but not overweight.
This is the first time a Cabernet Franc has been made at Spring Valley since 2003. It's rich and earthy, tannic and concentrated, with plum and black cherry dusted with light mocha. Smooth and supple in the mouth, it glides into a tasty finish with toasted almonds.
Initially it seems very dry, but there is freshness as well. The wine has a sweet, jelly core, with soft tannins, well balanced. Raisins and black figs dominate, with the aftertaste bringing a firming of tannins and structure. Powerful and impressive.
There are few varietal Petit Verdots in Washington, and even fewer pure varietals such as this, which goes right to the front of the pack. The fruit is sweet, tangy, grapey and young, with plum and cassis filling out the midpalate. The acids are juicy and natural, and the tannins—often aggressive and herbal with this grape—are polished and smooth.
This Cab opens with mellow, woody aromas on top of cassis and berry scents. The palate is a bit choppy and drying, but there's good structure to it along with attractive flavors of moss, earth, baked berry and light herbs.
Not just old vines, but ancient vines, this is a juicy, concentrated and ripe wine. It is sufficiently rich and textured to need some aging to bring out the full fruits even more. Drink from 2014.
Elysium is crafted from Black Muscat grapes grown in the Central Valley near Madera and it tastes of raspberry jam and citrus peel, thick in texture but holding on to enough acidity to balance itself out. The residual sugar is 17.52%. Mix with Champagne for a California-style Kir Royale, the bubbles will really make it pop.
Cold-fermented in stainless steel after being harvested at 31.4 degrees Brix, this Late-Harvest Riesling is ripe in apple and honey, with a sustained level of rich earth notes from the 134 g/L residual sugar. Crisp and light, it's balanced and ideal for after-dinner cheeses or poached pears.
Root beer, marzipan and wood-accented berry aromas lead to a pleasant, medium-bodied palate with cassis and blackberry flavors that are robust at first but hollow out with time. Toast, dark chocolate and herbal flavors ride high on a fresh, driving finish.
With almost half of this wine aged in new French oak, it's barrel forward with notes of char and caramel along with tropical fruit. This fruit expression helps to retain a sense of elegance that carries through the finish.
A wiry, minty nose with aromas of herbs, compost and strawberry is pushy and direct. In the mouth, this feels grabby and tight, with driving tannins. Flavors of baked berry, carob and herbs finish with a prune-driven character, heat and choppy tannins.
Just beginning to show its age, this is a wine that was once beautifully sweet. Now, it is the acidity that is coming through, emphasizing orange juice rather than honey. It's now become a food wine, ready for fish with the local beurre blanc sauce.
Gournier's rosé is a full-bodied, richly textured wine, filled with cherry-berry fruit and accented by hints of crushed stone on both the aromatic nose and lengthy finish. Drink up.
This refreshing white from Sardinia has a dried floral fragrance with a whiff of Mediterranean herbs. The palate offers creamy white peach and mineral flavors that finish crisp and clean.
The local cave cooperative has turned out a full-bodied, supple Vacqueyras under this label, plump with black cherry and plum fruit. It's an easy-drinking wine, with a spicy, leathery finish. Drink now.
About 5% Viognier is blended into this spicy, round and fruity Pinot Gris. Complex and lively flavors suggest lemon and orange peel, melon, pear, and a hint of vanilla.
This new Mistral is roughly half Grenache, the rest a mix of Syrah and four other grapes. It's immediately appealing, loaded with brown spices, plum cake, raisins and chocolate.
Made from the Coda di Volpe grape, this polished white from southern Italy opens with aromas of peach, citrus and yellow flowers with a whiff of flint. The palate blossoms with time in the glass, showing ripe yellow peach, pear and lemon drop along with mineral notes.
This dessert wine from southern Italy offers a fragrance of apricot, walnut and smoke. The palate delivers ripe but restrained apricot and honey with hints of walnut while the fresh acidity leaves the palate clean and refreshed. Drink after dinner or pair with apple pie. Serve slightly chilled.
Smoky, toasty and dark on the nose, this value-priced Rioja delivers plenty for the money. On the palate, it is smooth and ripe, with integrated tannins and proper acidity. Flavors of earth, loamy berry, plum and vanilla are supple and medium in intensity.
Tight, woody scents accent core plum aromas on this nicely balanced crianza. A fresh snap of acidity keeps weighty fruit and oak tannins in check, while raspberry, plum, pepper and bitter espresso flavors roll onto a seamless finish with black pepper and additional bitter notes.
Herbal and fresh, but balanced by bright cherry fruit, this is a supple, medium-bodied wine that would go great with grilled steaks or burgers, The slightly dusty finish has just the right astringency to stand up to those beefy flavors. Drink now–2017.
A $20 Châteauneuf-du-Pape? Yup, and it's pretty darn good, too. Thyme and clove notes accent the black cherry fruit, and meaty, savory flavors emerge on the palate. It's  appropriately full bodied and perhaps a bit rustic, but satisfying. Drink now and over the next few years.
Mostly neutral aromas include a note of peach and citrus, and a hint of butterscotch. The body is full and the textue is good, while the overall balance is on the money. Creamy flavors of vanilla, coconut cake, toffee and baked apple finish similarly, with some heat and burn.
A good value in rosé, this Tavel is medium bodied yet remains bright and juicy in style. Raspberry and cherry fruit sets the mouth watering, then lingers harmoniously on the finish. Should drink well through at least early summer 2014.
Smooth berry aromas have a vanilla leaning due to ample oak. The mouthfeel is fresh and a touch clipped and choppy, while flavors of vanilla and wood accent traditional red-berry and plum flavors. On the finish, vanilla and cocoa flavors create a good ending. Drink now.
This opens with staunch green aromas that shout out bell pepper and herbaceous. But give it air and this Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend comes around to show spicy baked-berry flavors on a tannic, full-bodied frame. On the finish, it's herbal, stout and round, with leafy flavors to go with dark-fruit notes. Drink through 2018.
Sangiovese gets a spicy lift from 5% Alicante on this bright, easy drinking wine. It offers scents of blue flowers, plum, blackberry and baking spice while the smooth, savory palate delivers crushed black cherry, white pepper and aniseed. Bright acidity and refined tannins lend it balance.
Pollen and dusty mineral notes persist from nose to palate, but are mingled into concentrated layers of orange, honey and quince in this light-footed spätlese. Zesty and spry, it finishes brisk and clean. Drink now.
Aromatic and quite fruity, this offers flavors of peach, candied lemon and orange marmalade. It's fully dry, but all that fruit gives it a roundness missing from steelier Spanish versions.
The inviting aromas of campfire smoke dominate the aromas of this wine, but there are also pressed red cherry, berry reduction sauce and roasted venison elements on the nose. The palate picks up morel mushrooms, mulberry, cranberry, smoked meats, ponzu sauce, black pepper and a bit of sour fruit, proving to be a very solid sipper.
A majority of Cabernet Franc combines with 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot. The result is a dense expression of cherry, strawberry and vanilla, sharp on the tongue in tar and tobacco, the tannins tightly wound.
The Blue Fish series of cheery, fruit-forward Rieslings provides consistent quality at an easy price point. Ripe white peach and grapefruit flavors are plush and sweet but balanced squarely by a squirt of lemon-lime acidity. Enjoy now for it's fruity exuberance.
Quite intense aromas of plum brandy and kirsch are boosted with scents of iron and black pepper on this bottling. The palate shows stewed cherries and strawberries, and there is both acidity and tannic grip, proving this to be a complete and solid wine.
Herbal berry aromas come with plastic tones of latex and rubber band. This shows a gritty palate of hard tannins, with peppery, green-leaning, herbal flavors of black currant and black plum. A clampy, heavy finish gives this blend a lumbersome lasting impression.
Lightly toasty, this wraps its yellow apple fruit with citrus rind. A hint of butter cookie comes up gently as it winds down in a soft finish.
A really good wine for the price, this offers a dark color and varietal aromas of black cherry, black olive and faint dried herbs. Next it layers handsome oak on the rich and fruity flavors. The texture is quite dense without being heavy; while somewhat tannic the mouthfeel is not drying.
With vines in the northeast of the Gers region, this winery produces impressively ripe red wines. This wood-aged and spicy wine is still young and needs time to integrate the wood with the red berry fruits. It does have weight and potential richness, so give it until 2016.
In this intriguing blend, the herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc dominates the smoother Chardonnay. The wine is all about crispness and freshness with a strongly aromatic component. Acidity and a touch of minerality come through at the end.
This medium-bodied blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan delivers just what you'd expect from the appellation, it just does it better than most, at a modest price. Hints of bay leaf and wild thyme accent black cherry fruit and a touch of licorice, while the supple texture features a just slightly astringent finish. Drink now–2018.
This vivacious white is a beach pour with class. Fresh lemon zest and floral aromas and a combination of white fruit, minerals and citrus on the palate are lively and light, but the wine has some weight behind it.
Dusty aromas of yellow apple and cream soda are creamier than the palate, which is tangy, lemony and green. This tastes of briny citrus and green apple, while tangerine, lime and green-herb flavors define the finish.
This winery produces luxuriously rich wines, and this blend of 47% Merlot, 30% Petit Verdot, 12% Malbec and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon fits right in. Aromas suggest vanilla-cherry cream, fresh cracked dark chocolate, mulberry extract and root beer. Cola, blackberries and woody herbs show once sipped.
Almost equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (with slightly more Merlot), this is a reduced and approachable wine. It's slightly syrupy-thick on the palate, juicy in clove, plum and blueberry. A trace of minerality fights for attention around a medium body, finishing fairly quick.
Melon, peach and honeysuckle swirl together on the very ripe nose, thanks to the blend of 42% Viognier, 24% Marsanne, 21% Grenache Blanc, 11% Roussanne and 2% Picpoul Blanc. Tropical fruits also power the peachy palate, yet it finishes crisply with a mineral sharpness, smartly combining the warm climate yet unique soils of the appellation.
A smooth and ripe wine, packed with black fruits and some firm tannins that lend support. It is structured, juicy and full of strong spice, with dense texture. It should age a while longer, so drink from 2017.
This is a satisfying, ripe and rich wine. It has big layers of red fruits, attractive spice from partial wood aging and fresh acidity. Still young, it will be even better from early 2016.
The Central Coast's pioneering sparkling house offers a quite-pink bubbly with aromas of lemonade, yeast, white rocks and ruby-red grapefruit flesh. The palate shows sour strawberry and lime zest.
This blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Petite Sirah grapes is so packed with flavors that they seem to stumble over each other at first. It leads with a definitely earthy aroma that fades, but then the flavors come out—effusive, chocolaty, almost sweet and definitely ripe. It is full bodied and rich in texture.
Mild aromas of cherry and nectarine come across simple and sweet. Following the nose's lead, this is mellow on the palate, with raspberry and cherry flavors that are, once again, a bit sweet in character. A controlled, candied finish is consistent with what came before it.
This intriguing wine reflects the typical wild and earthy characteristics of the grape variety. It has smoky, earthy raspberry aromas, plum and pomegranate flavors, a touch of tartness, a smooth texture and medium body. It tastes mature and mellow.
This blend of Syrah and Grenache provides a well-made, largely neutral canvas to wash down a wide range of foods. Hints of tangerine and peach add nuance and interest to the wet stone elements that dominate, then finish dry and mouthwatering.
Rounded aromas of melon and salty peaches rise to the nose on this wine from the Monterey County appellation just south of the Santa Lucia Highlands. The palate is driven by citrus, grass and a rather extreme sense of sea salt, enhanced with mouth-watering acidity and a nectarine flesh finish. It's tasty though varietally uncommon.
With a vivid golden color, bold and buttery aromas, and rich, almost nutty flavors, this is a full-bore rendering. It is full bodied and brings out the most flavorful aspects of the grape. The texture is rich and almost thick, and the buttery nuances linger on the finish.
Fleshy peach, melon and papaya aromas set up a round, pulpy, full-bodied palate housing a creamy weight. Grapefruit, lime, melon and guava flavors finish a bit herbal, with shades of tarragon.
Rose petals, violets, red cherries, plums, rhubarb and heavily peppered spices dominate the nose of this tasty wine from a little-known appellation 27 miles inland from Monterey Bay. It's softly textured upon sipping, then acidity shows up and holds through the sip, along with a stemmy tension. Fresh flavors include sour cherries and red berries.
Leafy underbrush, scorched earth, leather and vanilla aromas lead the nose, together with a whiff of game. The dense palate doles out black cherry, tobacco, savory herb and clove alongside polished tannins. It's already extremely accessible so enjoy soon.
Aromas of crushed flower, black raspberry, tilled earth, menthol and a hint of espresso lead the nose. The full-bodied palate delivers ripe black cherry, spiced plum and ground white pepper alongside assertive tannins that need time to unwind.  Drink 2016–2022.
Aromas of underbrush, wild flower, leather and ripe berry lead the nose. The juicy palate offers black cherry, cinnamon, anise and a hint of game alongside fresh acidity and velvety tannins. Drink through 2017.
This attractive wine is so drinkable, fresh and fruity. Its edge of texture gives it more than just simple fruitiness, while acidity adds just the right boost and liveliness. Red currants, tangerines and lemon peel are there to finish.
A Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this is rich, rounded and full of fruit and balanced tannins. It has weight, although that is lifted by juicy acidity. This wine has completed its aging and it is ready to drink.
This wine delivers a savory blend of earth, meat and leather notes, all softened by hints of red fruit, a supple texture and silky finish. Enjoy it over the next several years.
Beautifully perfumed, this wine is already developing well. It presents a good balance between juicy red cherry fruits and textured tannins that support the richness. It should age further, so drink from 2018.
Structured and dark-hued, this powerful wine is dense with tannins as well as black cherry fruits. It is initially tough, but behind the solid exterior lies a warmer wine, full of delicious fruit waiting to come out. Drink from 2018.
Ripe and rich, this offers layers of yellow fruits over a crisper, more steely texture. From one of the largest vineyards in Montagny, this concentrated wine needs time to develop. Drink from 2018.
From mainly clay soil, this is a rich and rounded wine. It starts soft and generous; the structure, intense fruits and acidity only slowly come through. It's smooth, rich and concentrated, ready to drink from 2016.
An impression of this light-bodied wine starts with a vivid golden-yellow color and enticing aromas of fresh bread dough and marzipan. The taste itself is more lean than the aromas, showing crisp lemon and apricot notes, noticeable acidity and a tart finish. It has a taut, dry character that is not typical in California, but the wine is fascinating and keeps improving for a day or two after opening.
Earthy in cranberry and pomegranate, this is a new vineyard-designate offering from the producer, light in texture and tannin imprint. Soft, it gets meatier and denser in intensity through the finish, with a backbone of acidity and grip.
Shy and reserved, this cool-climate wine opens coyly with a burst of spearmint on the nose, evolving into layers of flavor steeped in rhubarb, black cherry and tea. Soft and lilting, the wine's finish conjures thoughts of strawberry cream.
This is a smooth, supple, easy-to-drink rendering of Marlborough Pinot Noir. Gentle mushroom and damp moss shadings bring complexity to the cherry fruit, while the mouthwatering finish reveals hints of dark chocolate. Drink now–2018.
A fruit and barrel style predominates on this wine, with aromas of Mounds Bar and spice playing off the variety's red and black fruit. The flavors are elegantly styled yet bring a pretty texture followed by a tart, cranberry-filled finish.
This is a bold and muscular wine, with dense, concentrated aromas of black berry, plum and boysenberry that are accented by notes of black peppercorn, charred tobacco and soil. The palate is firmly structured yet plush in fruit tones, with flavors of black-fruit skin, leather and toasted oak that remain on the finish. Drink now–2020.
Juicy, yellow pear and red apple make for that irresistible sweet-sour combination. This is so full-flavored, rounded and yet fresh that you simply want to sip more and more. If you haven't yet discovered the Sauvignon Blancs of Styria, this wine tells you what treasures await if you start looking.
A structured wine, this is packed with tannins as well as dark fruit and flavors from the wood aging. It is solid, backed with a concentrated, dry aftertaste with great potential. Drink from 2018.
This opens with classic Sangiovese aromas of blue flower, ripe berry, tilled earth and a whiff of leather. The palate delivers black cherry, savory herb, espresso and a hint of tobacco alongside bracing tannins. Drink 2016–2021.
Aged four years in oak, this stately wine is adorned with layers of maple sugar, toast and smoked nuts, but its racy sour-cherry flavors shine through brightly. The backbone of this wine is taut with acidity, but bold, richly textured mouthfeel puts the palate at ease. It's sumptuous and revitalizing.
From a ripe and picture-perfect growing season, this wine has luscious and concentrated waves of fig, melon and vanilla, rounded out by an inviting, floral edge of orange blossom. Oaky toast and nutmeg highlight the midpalate, before the wine finishes in a sea of minerality.
Weighty in cinnamon, this wine is soft and entirely spicy throughout, medium in weight and slightly complex. Blackberry and black cherry play off the firm tannins and structured oak, providing girth but not overindulgence.
Lime zest and green pear peel on the nose turn into fuller, zestier flavor on the palate. Leafy pepperiness joins the fresh conference pear fruit and makes for a lovely, if very light, texture. The wine is an accomplishment for such a difficult vintage.
This immediately appealing wine offers aromas of plum, confection, blueberry, black olive and cocoa. The fruit flavors are sweet and concentrated, backed by lightly chalky tannins that will benefit from some time in the cellar.
Made with Vermentino, this opens with aromas of apricot, tropical fruit, pressed yellow flower and dry hay. The palate offers juicy yellow peach, banana, nectarine, crunchy celery and savory herb. Fresh acidity brightens the rich flavors.
Made using techniques employed in crafting Pinot Noir, this wine has 5% Viognier blended in. It conveys a rustic sense of leather and black pepper, with waves of high-toned cherry, plum and brooding blueberry that combine in flavor. Its concentrated structure is lifted by a lilt of acidity on the finish.
Dainty aromas of hay, toasted red-apple skin, orange blossom and citrus rind dance in the bouquet of this wine. The medium-weight palate offers clean fruit flavors of pear and apple flesh, with a subtle mineral streak. Soft sweet-spice accents unfold on the medium-length finish. Drink now–2017.
Made with 80% Malvasia-Trebbiano and 20% Sangiovese, this classic Tuscan dessert wine conveys aromas of pastry and nut. The palate delivers chestnut honey, dried apricot, citrus zest and a smooth, lingering finish. Imported by Wine Warehouse, Polaner Selections.
The nose is rather closed but this bursts into life in the mouth with lip-smacking citrus freshness and notions of tart stone fruit along a linear, driven palate. Whistle-clean and just a little bracing, this is a textbook Riesling from the fresh 2014 vintage. It's light-bodied but shows lots of verve.
Aromas of vanilla, cherry and cola start this impressive Cabernet Franc from Cooper. On the palate, pepper, cherry and spice is balanced and assertive. A lingering finish of cedar and plum adds to the appeal.
There is a fresh, crisp character to this light rosé. It is eye-watering in its refreshing character, with balancing acidity, smoothing out the edges with a touch of caramel.
The wine's barrel aging comes through immediately, with its toasted nut and vanilla nose. On the palate, the wine is balanced—with its citrus fruit, spice and touch of flowers. Elegant and easy to love—a good use of oak.
Nectarine and citrus aromas are solid, while the palate is more racy, sharp and linear than some, with narrow, semisour flavors of lemon and orange. Decent feel, maybe a little high in acid, and showing a pithy bitterness on the crisp finish.
Racy cherry and red berry aromas are salinic and light, while the palate is lean and revolves around tangy, citrusy red-fruit flavors. Fresh and a little rubbery on the finish, with a tight, singular personality.
Aromas of tree bark and rooty fruit are balanced by floral notes, while the palate is angular and juicy, with acid-propelled berry and mild citrus flavors. Jumpy, fresh and tomatoey on the finish. Could use more bulk, darkness and concentration; seems sort of dilute and high-acid.
Opens with red fruit aromas that are like a million other generic red wines, while the body has size, grab and stickiness. Flavors of cola, cherry, cassis and plum are red in nature and basically good, while the finish is candied but not overly so. An everyman's Cabernet in every sense of the word.
Cherry, coffee and spicy cedar starts this masculine Cab from Penns Woods. On the palate, tobacco, red currant and pepper offer savory and sweet elements. The wine is balanced with good acidity and tannins. Pair with smoked ribs, hamburgers.
A fresh, grassy, green herb wine, light, crisp and clean. It is a wine for easy quaffing, with no pretension, no thought needed, just summer pleasure. Drink this year. Screwcap.
Creamy dark-berry aromas carry a floral, blueberry hint, while the thick palate teeters on syrupy as it delivers gummy, mildly baked black fruit flavors. Lactic and full on the finish, with a touch of crusty bitterness along with milk chocolate and/or carob.
Indulgently rich on the nose and palate, this intensely concentrated blend of Cab and Syrah is full of ripe black fruit that melts into a coffee and chocolate-inflected midpalate. It's not a dainty wine at 13.7% abv, but velvety tannins, brisk acidity and an earthy forest floor note on the finish adds balance and complexity.
Harmonious on the nose and palate with ripe black plums and cassis enveloped by a layer of char and smoke. Medium to full bodied with structured acidity, it's a straightforward but sound Merlot with powdery, soft tannins and a tasty black cherry and graham cracker finish.
A fresh Carmenère made in a red, floral style. The nose is flowery and herbal, with cherry and red plum aromas. Clacky and bright across the palate, with herbal plum, wild berry, olive and chocolaty flavors. Finishes with brightness and drive due to zesty acids.
The Roman numeral 23 is an indication of the vineyard age; in the blend is 20% Cabernet planted at the same time. This is stiff and herbal, with brambly, wild raspberry and light cherry fruit and a dusty ash flavor as the tannins fade. Good length and balance.
Classic Meursault, big and bold with a rounded texture. That said, the wine does have a crisp edge of green apples to balance the spiced toast, which is very evident at this stage.
This Marlborough Sauvignon from a Hawke's Bay winery is a little on the herbal side—even close to vegetal, although it doesn't quite go that far. A trace of sweetness lingers to balance out the tobacco- and tomato-leaf elements.
While softly smoky on the nose and palate, this honey-kissed Traminer is gorgeously perfumed with notes of orange blossoms and waxy white florals. Lusciously mouth quenching with a pithy, citrus-flavored mid-palate, it finishes on a tasty lime juice and white pepper note.
Yellow freesias, fresh apples and quince preserves perfume this lovely, medium-bodied Malvasia from Istria. Dry on the palate yet elegantly fruity, it balances bright, fresh apple and tangerine flavors with nervy acidity and a lemon pith astringency on the finish.
Soft and warm, with toast and butter adding richness to the white peach and green plum fruits. The acidity and texture are very evident, giving this wine a certain nervous energy.
A light, easy Viognier　that's not oily like some versions of this variety, but pleasingly tropical, smelling of pineapple and guava with ripe melon on the finish.
Pleasant, with soft texture and tannins and notes of cinnamon and clove, this Lodi Merlot drops a bit at the finish and is 13.1% alcohol.
This seductive wine has aromas of mint and cassis leading to deliciously ripe and complex fruit flavors within a creamy texture. While braced by fine-grained tannins, the wine remains almost silky on the palate, bringing cherry, blueberry and mocha flavors that linger on the finish.
With smoky aromas and structured tannins, this is still young and firm. Under those tannins, the black currant fruit is developing to give a ripe wine with fine acidity and structure. Drink from 2020.
On the bank opposite the Sauternes region, Cadillac, with its fortified castle, is home to some richly liquorous wines. This 2010 is honeyed and opulent, with a smooth texture and just a bite of botrytis. Drink this peach- and bitter orange-flavored wine now.
This balanced wine shows fine potential. Its structure dominates at the moment, with solid tannins, but the rich black fruit is all there. Let it develop over the next several years and drink from 2021.
Beginning to mature, this rich wine with its beautiful honey and spice flavors is, as always with Petit Manseng, finely balanced with acidity. The texture is smooth and opulent, its mango fruit cut with lemon-like tang. Drink from 2018.
With its spice and mint aromas, this wine shows its 30% new wood aging strongly. On the palate, the mint flavors balance with rich black fruit and a strong, firmly tannic backbone. Rich and full of potential, it will be ready to drink from 2020.
This Merlot-dominated wine brings out both the juicy fruit typical of the vintage and a tight, smoky character that lends perfume. Still young, it's firmly structured and will age well. Drink from 2020.
Richly structured, this wine is dense and solid. It has swathes of ripe fruit, bold tannins and an impressive firm character. Its future is assured with its dense texture, black fruit and acidity all coming into place. Drink from 2021.
Cherry liqueur, candied rose petals, rhubarb, sweet truffle and wet earth converge for a very sultry and dynamic nose on this bottling, showing that quite a bit of complexity can come from one clone. Well-integrated flavors of dark red fruit, vanilla and nutmeg show on the sip, which is woven together by persistent acidity.
The tang of orange rinds and fresh lemon cake meet with hints of toasted coconut and white flowers on the nose of this solid bottling by Bill Foley's eponymous winery. The texture is crisp but grippy and tense on the sip, with seared orange slices and oak smoke flavors.
Fermented in open granite lagars, this rich wine with its violet aromas is generous and has considerable power. It comes from a great vintage and shows that in its dark fruits and still-firm tannins. This is a serious wine, showing the grapes from the hard soils of the Dão at their best. Drink from 2019.
There's a distinctive old-school quality that comes from these century-old vines, which make a slightly lighter wine with intriguing, almost pre-aged aromas of dried cherry, balsamic raspberry and salt-and-pepper spice. The palate is driven by a crushed rock texture and a bright acidity that drives deep into the finish, with flavors of aged cola and dried red fruit. It's even greater with a slight chill.
Toasty, charred aromas point at pencil lead and graphite in addition to inky black fruits. This old-vines Cabernet is voluminous but tight on the palate, with sandpaper tannins. Saturated, blackened flavors of cassis and blackberry finish with mocha and coffee notes along with abrasive residual tannins. Drink through 2028.
Very light in the glass, this single vineyard expression shows, fresh pomegranate and rose petals on the expressive nose. It's tight and bright in the glass, with light raspberry, cranberry, fennel and chaparral spice.
Richly layered with fruit, this full-bodied Bordeaux-style blend has wonderful concentration, a good sense of depth and a creamy texture that has mild and supportive tannins. The mouthfeel is very supple and the dark berry and black-cherry flavors are ripe and delicious.
Toast, moist underbrush, grilled herb and balsamic aromas lead the nose. On the full-bodied austere palate, fine-grained tannins support tart cherry, cranberry, vanilla and star anise. Give this several more years to unwind and develop. Drink 2013–2033.
Very light in the glass, this bottling shows tons of underripe cranberry, dried rose petals, marjoram, white pepper and tangy olives on the nose. The light-bodied palate shows similar qualities, with fully extracted flavors of tart red fruits, purple flowers and white tea.
This is classic Petit Verdot in Portugal: dark red, structured and firmly tannic with great fruits. The grape, normally found in Bordeaux, seems to be very much at home in this schist soil and hot climate of the Douro. Its tannins are there, but the blackberry fruit and acidity are just as important. Drink this from 2018.
Plump aromas of white peach, lemon syrup, butterscotch and prominent oak show on the nose of this bottling, one of the richer ones in the current Talley lineup. The oak smoke flavors mix with vanilla and a finish of caramel on the palate, but the winery's reliably bright acidity hold the larger elements in check.
Touriga Nacional is the principal component of this rich blend from the lower Douro vineyards of Valle da Fonte. It is a concentrated wine with black plum and spice flavors. They are underlined by the dark tannins and black chocolate. This makes for a wine that needs further aging. Drink from at least 2019.
This producer, firmly established in Vinho Verde and the Douro, also has vineyards at Quinta da Aguieira in the central coastal region of Bairrada. A blend of local white grapes along with some Chardonnay, this wine is ripe, with a touch of saltiness and minerality, plus plenty of concentration from old vines. With its rich texture and crisp aftertaste, this is ready to drink.
There's a deep sense of crushed rock minerality in this bottling, which is rare for a variety typified by rose petals and red fruit. It's darker on the fruit front, with black raspberry and elderberry on the nose along with sagebrush, turned loam and dust. The palate adds boysenberry, eucalyptus, fennel and light but impactful tannins to the mix, making for a very complex wine.
Buoyant aromas of boysenberry juice, white pepper and a touch of rosemary show on the nose of this blend of 34% Merlot, 33% Tempranillo and 33% Syrah, whose name means “my steps” and is an homage to the parents of winemaker Edgar Torres. Sticky tannins frame a medium-weight body full of sage, bay leaf and peppercorn flavors, which decorate the elderberry fruit. This is still a very young wine.
Crisp and clean aromas of chalk and lime pith meet with riper touches of honeydew and Anjou pear on the nose of this blend of 66% Grenache Blanc and 34% Roussanne, which hints at a biting acidity on the sip. The freshness extends to the palate, where riper guava tones are deftly cut by citrus peels and finished with a minty lift. The structure is tense and ideal, while the acidity is available but not overwhelming.
Beautifully bright aromas of pomegranate, cherry, rose petals, hibiscus and cola draw the nose deeply into this bottling by Sonja Magdevski, who's focusing almost exclusively on Grenache these days. The tannins are firmer than expected for a lighter style, carrying impressive flavors of violet, cola and rose. It's delicate but grippy.
This wine starts off with an assertive aroma of brambly berry, followed shortly after by touches of warm compote and sweet spice. The tannins are structured but fine, lending support to the otherwise round palate brimming with fleshy dark-cherry and black-plum flavors. 100 cases imported; enjoy now–2017.
This fruit-forward Syrah is brimming with aromas and flavors of raspberry, boysenberry and blueberry, all graced with a hint of vanilla cream. The mouthfeel boasts a satiny texture, with fine tannins, and the flavors evolve from fleshy fruit to spice and toasty oak. Drink now–2016.
Crushed chalk and wax notes add a striking minerality to this delicately framed, semisweet Riesling. A juicy wine, it offers an abundance of ripe stone-fruit and citrus flavors, with an earthen, waxy slick that lingers on the finish.
Fresh and fragrant, this offers notes of apple, vanilla spice and lemon rind on the nose and palate. The palate of this Croatian white feels surprisingly voluptuous. Dry in style, with penetrating fruit flavors, this has lavish minerality on the midpalate that lends the finish a brisk, crisp feel.
This has a delicate citrus character and a tangy, minerally texture. The ripe fruits are balanced by acidity.
This is an unusual New Zealand Pinot Noir in that it spent 36 months in oak prior to bottling. The result is a mature, ready-to-drink wine, with delicate, silky tannins and modest fruit flavors. The oak isn't dominant, but there is a smoky flavor element, along with hints of dried herb, briar patch and mushroom.
Cherry, red plum and soft herbs lead the nose of this Cabernet, followed by glimmers of chocolate and light coffee. The palate is plush and mouthfilling, but not flabby or overdone, with ripe fruit flavors that linger on the clean finish. Mevushal.
Round and fruity in character, this has initial freshness and ripe yellow-fruit flavors. On the finish, there is a tang of orange zest.
This is full of ripe plum and black cherry flavors that are richly textured and spiced. It has an elegant side, which makes for a round, full-bodied finish, and it has the potential to age well.
The bouquet starts off with moderately intense scents of plum, cherry and blackberry, with a cured-meat accent in the background. Glimmers of black pepper and bark add depth to the palate, while the medium-full mouthfeel boasts moderate tannins followed by a clean finish.
This vineyard-designated wine includes 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Syrah. The Syrah component seems to take over, in the form of tart berry, herb and dried leaf flavors. The alcohol, which is 15.5%, mutes any other complexities. It's a nice wine, but it doesn't offer standard Washington Merlot flavors.
Fleshy and fruity, fresh and full bodied, this generous wine offers scents of orange peel and citrus, and the palate exudes ripe flavors of grapefruit, lime and a hint of melon.
Syncline's winemaker James Mantone is putting out a fascinating lineup of single-vineyard 100%-varietal wines from unusual grapes like Grenache Blanc. Lime and grapefruit scents and flavors are evident, along with light Asian pear and jicama highlights. The cool vintage emphasizes a gin-like botanical flavor. This is a balanced effort, with a medium-long finish.
Spicy red-fruit flavors run the gamut from cranberry to cherry, which creates a substantial, flavorful core. The wine dries out and turns chalky on the finish, but it comes with highlights of nutmeg and cocoa powder.
This is a relatively gentle, light Cabernet Franc. It reveals a pretty, juicy blueberry flavor as well as a muted herb note. A whiff of violet and a dash of vanilla run through the finish.
Made from Celilo Vineyard fruit, this has a sharp-toned bite to its aromas and flavors. Hints of tropical fruits can be found, but the core of the wine is citrusy. A suggestion of light caramel surfaces on the finish.
Three-fifths Merlot, one quarter Cab Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, this Bordeaux-style blend shows ripe fruit scents of raisin and prune, offset with baking spices and plenty of chocolate and espresso. Full-throttle, smooth and concentrated, it's a big, concentrated, somewhat in-your face-effort, but delicious all the way through.
Thick, raisiny berry aromas come with notes of licorice, mineral and black peppercorn. Feels tight and juicy, with zesty red fruit flavors, sweet black fruit flavors and shadings of schisty minerality and licorice. Smooth and sturdy on the finish.
Named as commemoration of the Knights Templar whose Portuguese headquarters were in nearby Tomar, this is a seriously rich, opulent wine, full of red berry fruits and dark spices. Flavors of damson, strawberry jelly as well fine acidity all come through. Age for 3–4 years.
From 12-acre vineyard in Pauillac, a wine that is relatively affordable. It has fine Cabernet Sauvignon juicy black currant fruits, along with tannins that, in 2009, are so well integrated into the fruit already. The dusty texture promises good aging.
You won't be disappointed with this attractively priced Saint-Chinian. Floral and herbal, with strong scents of lavender, licorice, laurel and menthol all infusing the black cherry, currant and boysenberry center. Rich and concentrated with a tecture like crushed velvet and fine but well-structured tannins. Hints of black pepper and bittersweet chocolate grace the close.
Orange peel aromas emerge on this delectable fortified Moscatel. Aging in barrel for at least three years has given it roundness and some old toast character that adds to the dried raisin and apricot flavors. Not for aging, drink now.
An impressive wine that shrugs off the alcohol in favor of superrich fruit, intense and integrated tannins and an excellent aging potential. The wine is solid, packed with juicy black fruits. It needs at least four years.
Rich and toasty, this is a swirl of mocha and raspberry doing a lovely pas de deux. It's sharp and focused, a little high-toned, and thoroughly delicious.
More lush and internationally styled than their La Pompadour, the Grande Cuvée offers rich notes of creamy vanilla, jammy raspberry and blackberry, crushed violets and orange peel all graced with a mentholated lift. Big and velvety in the mouth, the long finish reveals seductive notes of black pepper and soft sweet spice.
Big, firmly tannic wine, smoky and warm, with great swathes of black currant fruit. It is firmly structured, but it is the rich sweet fruits that are the attraction.
It's the 100% Merlot that gives the alcohol and superripe fruit to this wine, redeemed by the acidity. Licorice and dark chocolate flavors go with the sweetest plums and spice. Age for 3–4 years.
Big and rich, powered with sweet fruits, rounded with black plums. The firm tannins are densely packed at the core of this ageworthy wine. With its swathes of ripe fruit and the edge of wood aging, it's already delicious, but keep for at least six years.
A Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine, packed with tannins and flavors of new wood. The black fruits are rich from the vintage, warm and jammy. This is a wine with fine concentration, coming into balance, finishing with black currant acidity.
A fine Cava with easygoing white fruit aromas and a cushioned, full and round palate. Tastes rich and honeyed, with toasty, nutty, dry apple and pear flavors. Elegant and complex, with texture and style.
The best of the new releases from Michael Florentino, which has changed hands since this vintage was harvested. Autumnal flavors marry vivid, distinctive fruit to hints of leaf and citrus, elegant and complex.
A soft, open wine with only light tannins. The fruit is just as light, with strawberry and some spice. For drinking now.
Dark, deep purple in color, this Petite grown in Contra Costa is still quite closed and tight with no signs of opening anytime soon.
Baked and raisiny smelling, with kirsch. In a word, it's stewy. Ditto for the mouthfeel, which is chunky and heavy. Features thick black plum, herb and carob flavors and feels beefy on the finish.
Pinched and hard, no two ways about it. The bouquet is herbal and rubbery, with blackened berry and plum aromas. Feels clampy, with hard tannins and herbal berry flavors. Leafy as it bangs and clangs its way along.
This Contra Costa-grown SB, fermented entirely in stainless steel, has grassy and flinty aromas and flavors but could use a little more oomph in its middle.
The wine has a bitter edge with a burnt character that clashes with the red fruit and banana flavors. Maybe better in a few months, but by then, of course, it will have been drunk.
Fresh apple and lemon on the palate of this Lake Erie Riesling are pleasant, but overwhelmed by oddly perfumed lemon-pine and floral notes. Simple and a bit savory. Drink now.
Hot and fiery up front, with raspberry and leather on the nose. Feels astringent, with tomatoey acidity and pointed cherry flavors that come with an herbal, peppery aftertaste. Has an aggressiveness to it.
Entropy only made 30 cases of this SB, sourced from the Blanches Vineyard in Livermore Valley. It's a tad thin, made in the grassy style of the variety.
The light bouquet offers faint notes of toasted red apple, while in the mouth this flabby wine exhibits notes of mealy flesh accented with soft spice.
Herbal, spicy and rubbery smelling, with mulchy berry aromas. Feels soft, creamy and confected, with more milk chocolate and vanilla flavor than legitimate fruit. Sweet and soft on the finish.
The nose isn't very expressive but it eventually reveals notes of red berry with undertones of game and a whiff of barnyard. The palate offers crunchy red berry and a hint of clove alongside fresh acidity and soft tannins.
This soft and rounded wine offers gentle acidity and warm cherry flavors. It's full, touched by smoke and a red plum skin texture. Give this attractive wine until 2015 for its full potential to show.
Rubbery, smoky berry aromas turn more dusty and earthy with airing. The palate is forward and fresh in feel, with herbal plum and spicy red-berry flavors. Notes of herbs and olive dominate a solid finish.
This straightforward, robust Rosso offers aromas of espresso, underbrush, and black berries. The warm, accessible palate delivers crushed black cherry accented with notes of baking spices and licorice. Enjoy now to capture freshness.
Spiky aromas of brambly, herbal berry fruits introduce a thick yet juicy palate with herbal, spicy flavors of berry and mild green notes. On the finish, this is fresh in feel, with a minty aftertaste.
This opens with pretty aromas of violets, plum cake and black berries. The juicy, smooth palate delivers crushed black cherry alongside supple tannins and bright acidity.
Swathes of floral and berry tones accent this blossomy blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It's aggressively foamy and frothy, but racy, vivacious acidity keeps the palate fresh.
Viognier represents 60% of the blend, unusual for the Southern Rhône, and it imparts white pepper and ginger to the bouquet, a broad, oily texture, and bold apricot flavor. The balance is 30% Clairette and 10% Grenache, but those varieties play only supporting roles. The spice notes integrate nicely into the wine with airing, but the wine does finish a bit short.
Completely mature, this lightly wood-aged wine has a smooth, mushroom and red fruit flavor. A touch of tannin gives dryness and delicious, refreshing acidity as an aftertaste. Drink now.
The oak is at the fore, with notes of roasted coffee beans, char and sawdust. The tannins are quite grippy with vanilla flavors taking over.
Dusty mineral and saline notes lend interest to aromatic peach and apricot on this pretty, perfumed Chardonnay. The palate is refreshingly mineral, while the finish is brisk and nervy.
Bright and juicy, this fruity wine has plenty of cherry acidity and bright acidity. It's attractive to drink now with its broad texture and crisp aftertaste.
This is a rich wine, with a texture that's comfortably cushioned by ripe cherry and plum flavors. It's a wine to savor now, full and fruity.
Green, herbaceous notes of lemongrass accent this steely, slightly nervy Chardonnay. While satisfyingly full in body and alcohol, it's a refreshing wine with cutting lemon-lime acidity highlighting fresh apple and pear flavors.
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot and Sangiovese, this forward wine offers sweet black cherry, red currant, black pepper, toasted oak and espresso sensations. The ripe palate finishes on a note of drying tannins. Drink soon.
The winery's first vineyard-designated Chardonnay, this comes from a vineyard in the Oak Knoll District AVA near Yountville, a relatively cooler area of the Napa Valley. Light golden in color, it offers pear and fig and is light in weight with a substantial finish of creamy vanilla.
Sensations of dark cherry, cinnamon-spice and a hint of orange peel can't support the searing alcohol that throws this out of balance. Drink now to capture the remaining freshness.
Aromas of ripe blackberry, toasted oak and a whiff of roasted coffee bean lead the nose and carry over to the palate of this forward wine. It's already extremely accessible so enjoy soon.
There are pleasant green elements on the nose, and it's light and racy on the palate, with pepper and blackberry flavors, before the mouth-drying tannins arrive. An affordable yet bold Cabernet.
A directly appealing wine with notes of peach, tropical fruit and buttered popcorn. It's lightly spritzy, with a creamy feel to the fruit flavors.
Ripe yellow peaches laced with honey and beeswax perfume this off-dry Finger Lakes Riesling from Long Island's Anthony Nappa. It's tart and fresh on the palate, with lemon and tangerine acidity cutting through savory flavors of apple and pear. The finish is brisk and sprightly.
A Bordeaux-style blend, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, from vineyards throughout the Napa Valley. This red is made in a more robust style, the tannins still a tad dry, the fruit earthy in sage and cedar with black cherry and chocolaty spice at the fore.
This companion to the winery's “Right Blend” is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, the rest an even mix of Merlot and Cab Franc. It's still a little stiff, lightly leathery, and shows a streak of green in the finish. But inside is some good Red Mountain material. A good decanting helps to open it up.
Dusty, earthy berry aromas carry a minerally accent. This feels balanced and medium in weight, with a mix of red-berry fruits making up the flavor profile. The finish loses some brightness and snap while transitioning to loamy and earthy.
A blend of 80% Cabernet and 20% Syrah, this easygoing wine offers blackberry and red currant sensations accented with notes of cracked black pepper. Round tannins make this extremely accessible so enjoy soon.
This is a pert, pretty Cabernet Franc fragrant of Maraschino liqueur, sage and tarragon. It's forward in oak with wide swathes of toast and char, but elegantly balanced with crisp blackberry and black cherry flavors. Finishes with a murmur of soft tannins.
Floral on the nose, this is a light, pretty Chardonnay steeped in straightforward citrus and apple. It has been aged partially in new French oak but doesn't come off as oaky.
Ample fruitiness is accompanied by an attractive tannin and mineral texture and well-integrated acidity. It's a rounded wine that is ready to drink, with red cherry fruits that are full and ripe.
Still young and closed up, this wine is all about the future. It has rich fruits contrasted with ripe acidity, and is given a push by the wood-aging flavor. It will need some time, so don't drink this generous wine until 2017.
Pale pink in color, it has a slender body and ample lemon acidity that promise soothing coolness on a hot day. Linear, lemony and very refreshing.
Minerally lime and peach-pit aromas set up a crisp, stony, elegant palate with lees-based flavors of vanilla that are softly matched by melon and papaya. Fresh and not too demanding, it's made from 70% Garnatxa Blanca and 30% Macabeo (Viura).
Fermented and aged in barrels, this wine leads with wood and butterscotch sensations that carry over to the palate, along with yellow apples and pear. The dense, buttery palate is brightened by fresh acidity. If you appreciate wines with evident oak influence, you'll enjoy this.