This wine doesn't have the easy elegance of Nik Weis's best vintages, but it still packs in plenty of mineral-tinged apple and citrus flavor. Give it a year or two to come together, then drink it over the next five.
This wine doesn't hold back from the representative California-style on its rich and strong nose: candied apples, browned butter, vanilla candies, sea salt caramel, browned marshmallow, even some Olroso Sherry tones. Yet the palate brings it all into focus, with bitter peach skin, pithy lime and grippy apricot playing the foil to vanilla bean and butter. It's a bold yet expertly restrained wine.
This wine doesn't quite know what it wants to be when it grows up. It vacillates between an intensity of oak, matchstick flintiness and a misplaced sense of austerity.
This wine doesn't reveal much age at all, with fresh golden pear and tangerine rind aromas punched up with a hint of sour yeast. The yeast dominates the palate, though orange and rounded melon tones add to the full experience.
This wine doesn't seem to have fully evolved and its aromas are  muddled in places with notes of mature fruit and natural rubber. In the mouth it has red fruit flavors and tight tannins, but it generally lacks definition.
This wine doesn't seem to have fully ripened, with green herbs along with plum and reductive notes. It's full bodied in feel with scratchy tannins.
This wine doesn't seem to have fully ripened, with green, reedy aromas along with notes of cranberry and cherry Jolly Rancher. The full-bodied palate delivers more but seems disconnected with tart, tangy cranberry flavors.
This wine doesn't seem to have fully ripened. Aromas that veer into the green compete with coffee, plum and woodspice. It's light and soft but concentrated in flavor, making up for any aromatic deficiencies.
This wine doesn't show the ripeness of Barker's Marque's other SBs, instead offering hard nectarine and underripe melon flavors accented by a grassy, herbal finish. It's still good, probably at its best served alongside simple fish dishes.
This wine doesn't skimp on barrel flavors or overall richness, even in this cool vintage. Oily, nutty and fragrant, with a scintillating mix of ripe yellow fruits and sweet toast, this viscous, generous wine is drinking beautifully and may be enjoyed immediately.
This wine doesn't try to conceal what it is, a 100% varietal exploration of a hearty grape, though in this case, from a relatively cool area. Black-purple in color, it offers structure and tension atop developed flavors of mocha chocolate and plum.
This wine draws a lot of its flavor power from oak, which is evident from the spicy, cinnamon aroma to the lightly sweet maple flavor and finish. Not too full bodied, it is also light in tannins and rather easy on the palate.
This wine draws from a handful of tremendous vineyard sites, including the producer's estate, Platt and Clary Ranch, all cool-climate and windswept. It's a tight, light and minimally messed-with wine, bright in cherry, pomegranate and rose.
This wine drinks qualitatively above and behind its low price, delivering light, clear color and tangy wisps of cranberry and citrus-tinged minerality. With a depth of character that builds on the midpalate, it finishes lean and crisp, a wonderfully elegant expression of the variety.
This wine earns a high score for sheer extravagance. It's soft, velvety and sweet-tasting, boasting chocolate, cherry, currant, cassis, bacon and smoky oak flavors. High alcohol makes it feel a little warm, but that's the price you pay for such ripeness. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Malbec, it will pair beautifully with barbecue.
This wine earns every penny of its modest price tag with a bright palate of petrol, talcum powder and wet stones propping up aromas of white flowers, cumin and lime. The finish could be longer but with this stunning nose and palate, we're not complaining. Drink now.
This wine earns its high score by virtue of sheer richness. It's enormous in blackberry, cassis, roasted meat, licorice, black pepper and smoky cedar flavors, and finishes dry and spicy. There's a tannic toughness that resists the palate, and doesn't seem likely to age out, so drink over the next few years.
This wine emits details of iron and citrus rind along with somewhat stark, tight fruit flavors that are often associated with Red Mountain Syrah. Racy and bracing, this will improve with 1–2 more years in the bottle.
This wine emphasizes some of the tougher elements of the Pinotage aroma/flavor profile, with lots of barnyard, earth and leather. The light cherry fruit struggles to balance with the rustic notes.
This wine employs 73% Spottswoode Estate Vineyard fruit, but also ventures to other sites, including Young Inglewood, Oakville Ranch and Darms Lane. Dusty cedar, blackberry and pencil shavings dot a structured, classically stylized landscape, additionally seasoned in black pepper and clove. It has length for miles; enjoy best 2023 through 2033.
This wine enjoys the fruitiness of the vintage with its black-currant flavors and light tannic structure. The blend is 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernets, with ripe berry flavors that dominate here, give a firm core to the wine while not losing the potential of the fruit. Drink from 2017.
This wine entices with its nuanced aromas of mineral, spice, almond butter, lemon pith, tropical fruit and chamomile. The flavors are concentrated while still showing exquisite restraint along with pitch-perfect balance. The extended finish kicks it up a notch.
This wine envelopes the senses and coats the mouth with its honey and ripe yellow fruit flavors. It's rich and unctuous yet has the acidity and poise typical of the vineyards in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. Young now, it will age. Drink from 2019.
This wine epitomizes the lush ripeness of the 2009 vintage, yet does so without going over the top into dried fruit. Instead, it delivers brandied cherries spiced with cinnamon and clove, plus a touch of chocolate. It's full bodied and maybe just a bit warm, but the long finish is textured like fine suede. Drink now–2020.
This wine eschews the current trends and sticks to its full-blown guns, remaining a broad, lush and creamy-textured wine, with open, inviting aromas of peach, cashew and pineapple. It's richly nutty and tropical at the same time, offering layers of complexity and depth to be enjoyed over the next several years.
This wine evokes aromas of spring—fresh peach, lemon and pomelo mix with white flowers and a fresh green stem note. The palate is velour-soft in feel, yet there is a crispness from a citrus note that offers balance. The finish is mid-length and offers layers of flavors.
This wine evokes black cherry pie cooling in a window sill. Kirsch, clove, anise and toast form a powerful bouquet that carries through to the palate. Fleshy tannins and a creaminess suggest a rich body and makes for a long finish that ends with a zing of tart cherry.
This wine exhibits all of the hallmarks of a good Bordeaux blend: balance with power, poise with spirit. Its gamy, spicy nose leads into elegant, supple layers of earthy spice, brooding fruit and a lingering finish. This wine can age but it's good right now. Imported by Sante Wines.
This wine exhibits obvious sophistication thanks to its elegantly aged appearance and its refined notes of leather, spice, prunes, licorice, tar and root beer. Oak tones come through as well in the form of clove, vanilla bean and espresso. This wine has aged nicely over the course of its 10 years and offers a much needed break from the youthful, immediate wine of today.
This wine exhibits pristine Syrah character from the first whiffs of cracked peppercorns, herbs and berries. It's only medium to full bodied, yet finishes long, picking up hints of espresso as it fades.
This wine explodes from the glass, with aromas of honeysuckle, mandarin orange, jasmine and lime. It drinks off dry, with generous orange blossom and citrus flavors that linger on the finish.
This wine explodes with a glorious mix of buttered nuts, toast, ripe yellow fruits and supporting acidity. The exceptional length proposes at least a decade of development ahead. Drink now through 2025.
This wine explores the variety's savory side, with aromas of fresh herbs, green pepper and dried tobacco followed by flowers and cherry. It brings suppleness and richness of flavor but also exceptionally well-balanced acidity with length to match, with cedar notes on the finish.
This wine expresses the mouthwatering acidity of both of its grape varieties, with Viognier's exotic tropical fruit and honeysuckle flavors, alongside Albariño's refreshing minerals and lemon flavors.
This wine exudes classic aspects of the appellation, combining power with graceful elegance and finesse, though that finesse is more tightly wound in this vintage. Plummy and thick in dusty tannin, it's a structured, lovingly crafted and complex wine, eager to be cellared and enjoyed at its best 2026–2031.
This wine exudes southern warmth with its rich, soft fruit and ripe tannins. Generous and opulent, it is packed with red and black berry fruits and already drinkable. The aftertaste with its juicy acidity gives the wine a lift.
This wine falls firmly on the fruity side. It has red berry fruits, soft tannins and a bright acidity that gives lightness. Not for aging.
This wine falls short of its rather lofty ambitions with lavish new French oak treatment resulting in a diminished fruit profile. Sawdust notes dominate the nose while the faintest hint of cherry can be detected on the palate. Finishes a bit tart. A good choice for those hankering for a vanilla milkshake.
This wine features a bouquet of blackberry, toffee and mocha. It is very soft in the mouth, with flavors of blackberry, blueberry and vanilla and a nice tart finish.
This wine features a bouquet of cherry, pomegranate and freshly ground black pepper. It is well-balanced on the palate with flavors of pomegranate, strawberry, mace and anise. Smooth tannins are present into the bright yet lasting finish.
This wine features a bouquet of peach and rose petal. It is well balanced on the palate, offering flavors of nectarine, lemon and freesia that lead to a floral- and citrus-laced finish.
This wine features a fresh nose of grapefruit and lemon peel. It is bright on the palate, offering flavors of grapefruit, pear and green apple. It remains crisp and clean across the entire tongue right into the orange zest finish.
This wine features a melding of concentrated fruit, toasty oak and toffee notes, especially on the finish, which is similarly ringed in smoky oak. It's a meaty Cabernet Sauvignon out of Lodi, with a touch of burnt ember reminiscent of a campfire.
This wine features a unique combination of stone fruit, citrus and chili pepper, making it a treat to pair with piquant dishes like ceviche. It's medium-bodied, but with plenty of freshness and zest on the finish.
This wine features aromas of raspberry and black currants with touches of coffee and bacon. Luxurious flavors of ripe black plum, black cherry, espresso and pipe tobacco wash over the taste buds in a web of velvety tannins, culminating in a vivid finish.
This wine features bright red fruits, with attractive tannins and a gentle, ripe character. It's dense, while not at all powerful, fruity or very forward. Keep for 4–5 years.
This wine features inviting aromatics of fresh plum, coconut and strawberry. The palate entices with savory rhubarb, bay leaf, mint and cola. A tight core of structure partners with soft, plush tannins.
This wine features noticeable nuttiness—part almond, part hazelnut—before allowing tart citrus and underripe peach to pronounce themselves. A robust wine, it has plenty to say in terms of a lush yet balanced mouthfeel and texture.
This wine features pleasing aromas of raspberry, jumper berry and black pepper. There is a nice mélange of fruit and spice flavors, notably black cherry, dark plums, anise, and cardamom. Smooth tannins ply the palate right into a bright finish that bears a touch of salinity.
This wine features soft apple and pear fruit with light tannins and grapefruit freshness. It is clean, well-made and ready to drink.
This wine features tempting clove, black cherry and pomegranate flavors. It has great balance, an easygoing texture and a clean, fruity finish. It's medium to full bodied, but the oaky flavors and tannins stay well within bounds.
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 wine feels a bit stripped, although the earthy tannins are still quite noticeable. Herbal flavors overtake the thin red fruits, with a wash of vanilla running through the finish.
This wine feels firm and dry and tastes appetizing due to light raspberry and tea flavors. Moderate tannins add good texture.
This wine feels flat, with no life to the palate. It's been fermented to complete dryness, leaving only tired skin flavors of dried lemon and mixed citrus. Two bottles were tasted, with identical results.
This wine feels full and heavy on the palate. It's sweet and fruity, with an edge of grapefruit zest.
This wine feels hard with bitter extraction that detracts from its fruitiness. There is a very dense texture that could soften over time, although bitterness could remain a problem.
This wine feels light, fruity and very open. Acidity and a light tannic structure provide a bright feel. The flavors are of black currants, while the aromas are of geranium, floral in character.
This wine feels thin, without great weight. Although it has fresh red berry fruits and acidity, it only has a short-term future.
This wine fills the senses with notes of grass, lemon curd, slate and unripe green apple. Flavors of peach-ring candies and lemon come though on the zesty and tangy palate. The finish is long and tingly, although the flavors quickly dissipate.
This wine forms a beautiful union of sweet, spicy oak with dark, brooding fruit and black-pepper flavors from the grapes. It smells complex and spicy, like cinnamon, clove and cedar backed by concentrated flavors of black cherry, pepper and clove. Built to age, this will drink best after 2019.
This wine from a biodynamic vineyard is powerfully spicy on the nose, with aromas of ginger snaps, cloves, nutmeg and Indian spices seasoning the bloody meats and blackberry core. Oregano and other chopped, dried herbs flavor the palate, with black pepper, blackberry syrup and licorice combining for a savory sipping experience.
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.
This wine from a densely planted southeast-facing vineyard is still firmly structured with a dry core of tannins. Its black cherry and plum fruit flavors are still developing yet show considerable potential. With its richness, it will age well. Drink from 2020.
This wine from a family-owned and -run vineyard in the sweet spot of the appellation is shy at first on the nose, eventually offering fresh lime peel and white rock aromas. It's rather straight ahead on the palate, with lemon juice, nectarine and yellow apple flavors.
This wine from a historic vineyard is hard to put down. It combines flint, pencil lead, smoked wood, chopped chives, sweet onion, crushed limestone and a touch of white pepper on the stonefruit-based nose. A strong toast and brioche character carries the sip, touching on white sesame, graphite and even shaved parmesan. It's savory, tangy and addictive.
This wine from a Loire Valley clone is light in the glass and reductive at first, showing dried grass and sour green apple skin scents on the nose. That grassiness comes through on the palate too, until more rounded stonefruit pops on the midpalate. Prominent acidity carries those flavors into the finish.
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.
This wine from a parcel in the Fourchaume vineyard is a step up from the Fourchaume premier cru wine. That's because it has an extra edge of minerality, of apple skins and tight, ageworthy green fruits. With its final burst of acidity, this will certainly mature over the next 3–4 years.
This wine from a prolific Sierra winery is dark in color, ripe and full in flavor, showing blackberry jam, chocolate and raspberry flavors while coating the palate with soft tannins and good concentration.
This wine from a single 25-acre vineyard in the appellation is lushly spicy in red currant, plum and clove, with seasonings of black pepper. Lively in the glass with balanced acidity and sumptuous weight and texture, it's lovely, focused and bold.
This wine from a small, high-elevation district in Lake County adds fresh cherry and raspberry aromas to rich, softly spicy fruit and oak flavors. Smooth and easy in texture, it's supported by good acidity and moderate tannnis in a style for which Barbera is well known in Italy.
This wine from an extreme coastal vineyard is framed by earthy notes of turned black loam as well as a cherry blossom ripeness, with a laid-back sagebrush element and touch of olive. There's a lot of thyme and marjoram on the palate, as well as orange rinds, plum peel, barely ripe cranberry fruit and a graphite tension.
This wine from an ownership team of former pro baseballers Rich Aurilia and Dave Roberts is plush on the nose with dried strawberry, gingerbread and baking spices. The palate offers pomegranate-cherry juice along with graphite and coffee notes.
This wine from Benjamin Silver is peaking right now, with fascinating aromas of exotic red fruits, sesame oil, maple syrup, hoisin sauce, Korean BBQ spareribs and smoked, coffee-crusted meats. It's in your face on the palate too, with pomegranate and rhubarb ripeness mixing into espresso and meatiness.
This wine from Blaye sister-brother team of Marie-Pierre et Pierre-Charles Dartier is perfumed, ripe with black fruits and with a generous smooth texture. With the hint of tannin from the wood aging and the black-plum fruits, it will be a rich, generous wine. Drink from 2018.
This wine from Bruno Martin's 3.3-acre vineyard is going to be a fresh and fruity. Already it has a fine juicy character and plenty of red fruits. Crisp acidity at the end confirms this bright character.
This wine from Caves de Rauzan is ripe, with a strongly floral and aromatic character. It also has good acidity and richness. It is on the cusp of being delicious, so wait until late summer 2017.
This wine from Château Lagrézette is powerful and dense in its own right. It has black, juicy, tar-like flavors with tannins concentrated into a dry, dark core. Blended with a small proportion of Merlot, there is just a touch of softness which will allow the wine to mature in the next 2–3 years.
This wine from Champagne native Christian Roguenant hits all the right Pinot notes with aplomb. Fragrant cherry blossom and red fruit aromas are spiced with mace and loamy earth notes. The palate combines rich red fruit with touches of earth and baking spice, manages to stay light and refreshing in body.
This wine from cool sites in the county overdelivers for its price. Floral pear, nutmeg and orange peel flavors give it crispness and a savory bite, as tart grapefruit notes provide additional liveliness. Focused and bright, it's well worth stockpiling.
This wine from cooler climate plantings of both grapes will appeal to many palates, with aromas of baked boysenberry pie and hints of vanilla, nutmeg and star anise. The hot pie flavors extend to the sip, where they are enhanced by hints of spearmint, pepper and fresh herbs. It's quite tasty and fulfilling.
This wine from Francisco Gillmore is earthy and full of tomato and leather aromas. The palate is also a bit like tomato and herbs. The finish is tangy, courtesy of healthy acids, while the finish is tannic and a touch hot.
This wine from high-altitude inland Victoria is built around acids, not tannins. It's full bodied but bright, lively and refreshing, with crisp cherry and cassis fruit framed by hints of tobacco, vanilla and mint.
This wine from Houchart's selective Sainte-Victoire appellation is distinct from the Quiot family's other Houchart rosés. This wine is rich and full on the palate, without losing any sense of acidity or freshness. It's ready to drink although it will be better from the end of 2015.
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 wine from Kendall-Jackson's Australian outpost offers aromas of butter, clove and tropical and citrus fruits. Dried spice flavors accent soft peach andvanilla, finishing with a touch of tangerine. Best Buy.
This wine from Klipsun and Alder Ridge vineyards—aged in 100% new French oak—offers notes of coffee, herbs, jammy fruit and green wood. Flavors are full, plummy and sugary-sweet backed by firm tannins and sharp-edged acids.
This wine from longtime Bonny Doon associate Nicole Walsh starts off with strong aromas of rhubarb and rose petals. Flavors trend toward savory elements, with upturned earth, pine tar and mushrooms surround by soft tannins that coat the mouth.
This wine from longtime Santa Cruz Mountains producer Cinnabar offers a very subtle nose with slight, brisk minerality. Once sipped, the flavors remain subtle, though are nicely rounded with a bit of guava-based tropicalitythat emerges toward the finish.
This wine from Maison Ginestet is all crisp, green fruit. Light and bright, it bursts with acidity and perfumed fruitiness. Drink now.
This wine from Moris Farms is ripe with thick layers of blackberry, forest fruit, green leaf, dried hay and earthy Porcini mushroom. It has a chewy, almost sweet consistency with bold texture and good length.
This wine from northern Italy offers bell pepper and red currant aromas that carry over to the palate along with notes of black pepper. The bright, straightforward and easy-drinking style is ideal to pair with everyday fare.
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 wine from one of Anderson Valley's pioneers has a lighter-than-usual color and plenty of red cherry, raspberry and turned earth aromas. It offers low-level fruit flavors and good balance of acidity versus ripeness.
This wine from Rick Grimm and winemaker Paul Lato shows stunning potential for this new vineyard. Blackberry, thyme, black pepper and crushed slate aromas lead to a tremendously savory, umami-packed palate, where bay leaf and stewed mushroom notes envelop a core of blackberry and black currant fruit. The structure is solid, and the finish is long and strong.
This wine from San Ardo Ranch in the San Lucas appellation wins against Zins twice the price. Black cherry and blackberry aromas meet with sensuous lilacs and wet asphalt on the nose. The palate's cherry juice front quickly turns to tobacco, dried blueberry and a tarry, dried-berry finish.
This wine from southern Italy is made with native grape Greco di Tufo. It has aromas of oak and mineral with hints of candied fruit. The restrained palate shows wood and hints of lemon peel, but it lacks fruit richness.
This wine from southern Italy shows notes of ripe cherry, prune, cinnamon and leather. The mouthfeel is soft and seemingly sweet, making this an excellent pairing partner to tomato-based pasta sauces.
This wine from Southern Moldova is aged six months in oak barrels, which give it a creamy texture. There are aromas of apple and orange flowers, and flavors of lemon pith and Granny Smith apple juice.
This wine from the Côte Chalonnaise is a lighter style of Chardonnay than Leflaive's rich Côte de Beaune wines. It's a delicious lightly toasty wine that has crisp acidity and a strong and refreshing dose of lemon juice. The wine is creamy at the end. It will be ready to drink from 2017.
This wine from the Corton Grand Cru vineyard is packed with tannins as well as smoky fruit. It is richly structured and firm, yet the fruit is equally powerful, showing bold black fruits struck against bright acidity. The wine will need considerable aging; drink from 2025.
This wine from the El Pomar district leads with 40% Mourvèdre, boosted by 30% each of Syrah and Grenache. Subtle aromas of hot bricks, purple fruit and rose petals lead the nose, and the stronger flavor profile trends toward red fruit, with hints of mocha and licorice on the finish.
This wine from the Fess Parker-owned Rodney's Vineyard shows inky purple color, offering slightly reductive aromas of tar and charred meat but also violets and black pepper. It's full on the palate, hitting first with purple fruit and dried purple flowers before delivering plum-skin acidity and peppery spice. It's an attention-grabber.
This wine from the Geneseo district offers aromas of sour plums and just enough cigar box to tempt the nose. The flavors are a bit flat at first, then the acidity and tension of sour cherries emerges in the midpalate, bolstered by some black licorice.
This wine from the Gonfrier family property is full of berry fruits. It's also a ripe wine that is already drinkable. It has generous tannins and balanced acidity that gives the wine its crisp edge as a contrast to the blackberry flavors. Drink now, or even better, wait until 2018.
This wine from the heart of the appellation is woody with cedar and sage notes, its leathery texture defined by firm tannins. Full-bodied, it shows an underlying streak of bright acidity, keeping it balanced and lively in the glass, highlighted with black cherry and currant fruit.
This wine from the historic vineyard is light in color but not shy on the nose at all: lime blossoms, lemon curds, honeysuckle and lemon-lime soda all leap from the glass. The palate combines chopped dill and dewy herbs with green fruits, from pears to kiwi to lime peels, all presented with a lot of briskness.
This wine from the historic vineyard offers classic oaky aromas of smoke, butterscotch and salty roasted nuts. Smokiness lingers throughout the soft, excellently weighted palate that surrounds rich apple, nectarine and white peach flesh, with a citrus pith tension holding it together.
This wine from the Loire-based Bourgeois family marries impressive ripeness with bright, red-fruit flavors. Vanilla and oak spice accent pomegranate and red-currant notes, then add a velvety texture to the long finish. Drink now–2024.
This wine from the most northerly of the Côte d'Or appellations is a blend from multiple growers. It has red cherry and plum fruit with a fresh streak, typical of the vintage. Underlying firm tannins will sustain it as it ages. Drink from 2018.
This wine from the mountain vineyards of eastern Portugal is rich, fruity and made to be drunk young. With soft tannins and juicy red berry fruit, it's open and ripe. Drink now.
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.
This wine from the Palos Verdes coastline is redolent with sagebrush, crushed anise and alpine strawberries on the herbally aromatic nose. The sage also powers the palate, alongside juniper and pine, all set against a wild berry frame. This is a big Pinot, though it is relatively light in structure and happily reliant on savory herbs rather than overly ripe fruits.
This wine from the personal vineyard of the winery's co-founder has assertive woodsmoke, toasted oak and forest aromas, its bright black cherry and pomegranate flavors accented by tamarind and black pepper. While strongly oaky and firmly tannic in texture, it has a sleek and nervy aspect that's very appealing.
This wine from the pioneering producer deep in the Santa Maria Valley shows sweet cedar, chopped herbs, mocha, licorice, cherry and red berry juice on the nose. The flavors cling to dried cherries and espresso, proving quite pleasant thought not extremely dynamic.
This wine from the recently approved El Pomar District is tropically perfumed with lychee candy and a hint of passionfruit. Bouncy acidity on the front of the palate leads into red apple fruit and citrus skin bitterness, and wipes up with a zing on the palate.
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.
This wine from the Santa Carolina family opens with ripe blackberry, prune and minerally aromas. It's rubbery and deep on the palate, with dark, toasty flavors of blackberry and bitter chocolate. A lightly herbal and spicy tasting finish with medium intensity fades away with lactic creaminess.
This wine from the shores of Lake Garda has fresh, attractively crisp fruit, and a touch of acidity over some broad, food-friendly fruit.
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 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 wine from the Tiefenbrunner estate at Castel Turmhof is a lively, crisp, fresh style of wine, with flavors of green peppers and mint, and good acidity.
This wine from the top of the Santa Cruz Mountains has a distinctively intriguing nose, with sweet chive, yellow onion, lemon shaved ice, wet cement and pink grapefruit blossom aromas. Iodine and a quinine character greets the palate, with slight hints of balanced almond, lime pith and citrus-blossom flavors.
This wine from vineyard close to the Atlantic coast is crisp, herbal and already refreshing. It has a touch of spice along with crisp lemon and warmer pear fruits. Tangy and juicy, it has a fresh, almost salty aftertaste. Drink from early 2017.
This wine from well-known winemaker Luis Duarte is structured, with a lean character that brings out acidity as well as black currant fruits. The tannins are still severe and firm, giving a dry, tight wine that is just lifted by acidity. It is really too early to drink, so wait until 2017.
This wine gets a bonus for venturing into new territory, aging Cab in used Bourbon barrels. The result is far from perfect, but not as gimmicky as one might assume. Aromas of leathery blackberry, cedar, roasted pasilla chile and tons of caramel lead into flavors of cocoa, coconut and caramel on the creamy, peppery palate.
This wine gets it right. The color is dark and opaque, while the nose offers perfume, Middle Eastern spice, fruitcake and solid black fruit. Enticing in the mouth, where full black fruit flavors are pumped up by fine herb and spice notes. And then coffee and chocolate fill the finish. Drink now through 2010.
This wine gets its name from the fossils that abound in the landscape of the vineyards. A blend of Arinto, Viognier and Chardonnay, it is ripe and perfumed. The texture is smooth, but with a mineral edge. Yellow fruits dominate the flavor profile that's balanced with acidity. Drink the wine now.
This wine gets neutral French oak and it shows in its zesty profile of orange and tangerine over apple and pear. The fruit is hearty and juicy, the texture light and refreshing.
This wine gets the all-star treatment, blending fruit from 14 vineyards, and aging it in 60% new French oak. It's a substantial, muscular effort, with dark fruit, earth and tar components. A small addition of Petit Verdot darkens the color and thickens the tannins. There is just a hint of alcoholic burn in the finish.
This wine gives a big bear hug with aromas like wild berries and black pepper. Then sweet oak and rich, savory plum flavors emerge on the palate as the ripeness comes through. The finish is long and reverberates with the nutmeg spiciness of perfectly seasoned barrels.
This wine gives a big, ripe nose and flavors of apricot, honey and melon, with balanced fruit and acid and a clean but rounded character. Full bodied and complex with a lingering finish.
This wine gives all kind of reductive funkiness on the nose, with overpowering rubber and tar aromas. It's sour once sipped and too tannic to drink right now, but time may forgive a little bit.
This wine gives plenty of sheer Zinny delight. The ripe, lush raspberry and blackberry flavors have a briary edge, with notes of wild nettles that give it a wildland personality. While the alcohol is high, it's in keeping with the wine's overall structure. Drink now with a great barbecued steak.
This wine goes deliciously towards the citrus flavors, spiked with minerality. However it does also offer some richness, flavors of pears and ripe red apples, softened with melon. It is balanced, vibrant, a full wine that also shows structure.
This wine goes for the tropical fruit approach to Sauvignon Blanc. Fruity with peach and mango flavors, it is tangy with orange zest and textured with minerality. The wine is ready to drink.
This wine goes from delivering savory spice, cured meat and smoked bacon to being lean and not too intense or persistent on the close. The alcohol and dry tannins want more plush fruit for support.
This wine grabs the attention with a distinctive earthy, wild yet sophisticated personality. The aroma is like forest floor, dried mushrooms and black tea. Flavors convey rhubarb and plum but also are savory and smoky as they fill the mouth and linger on the finish.
This 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.
This wine hails from a new vineyard region high above famed Seven Hills. Baking spice, cocoa and herb aromas are followed by focused black-fruit flavors, with espresso and vanilla notes that linger. It captures the attention.
This wine hails from a variety of Dutton family vineyards, many of them popular vineyard designates of their own. Together they show a deftness of blending, offering bright acidity within a lighthearted context of licorice and wild strawberry. The juicy core is further embellished in huckleberry and blueberry, finishing in a mild hit of nutmeg.
This wine hails from an estate that dates back to 1978, but was more recently purchased by San Luis Obispo developer Rob Rossi and Raytheon CEO Bill Swanson. They assembled a “dream team” of grower Kevin Wilkinson (of Talley Vineyards and Coastal Vineyard Services) and winemakers Mike Sinor and Nathan Carlson. The wine boasts a lifting nose of cream, hazelnut and baked apples, then dances across the palate with lemon-zest and flint flavors.
This wine hails from an up-and-coming appellation and one of the few dry-farmed vineyards in the state. Nuanced aromas of white pepper, dried flower, herb and lemon zest provide direct appeal. It's light, tart and elegant on the palate, showing a mesmerizing sense of purity and restraint.
This wine hails from Lawrence and Antoine Creek vineyards and was barrel-fermented in new French oak before being moved to stainless steel. It starts out quite reduced and then opens to show notes of peach, pear and mineral. It's rounded and lightly oily in feel, tapering on the back half.
This wine hails from six Napa Valley vineyards, including the producer's Calistoga-based estate Bone Ash, as well as Beck stoffer Georges III in Rutherford. It opens in mouthfilling black licorice and blackberry, juicy and soft with the backbone to age. Dried herb provides a savory component, while a fresh vibrancy offsets the wine's denseness. Cellar this concentrated wine through 2022.
This wine hails from the family's Eastside Road vineyard, planted to old Wente Chardonnay in 1982. It boldly opens in a robust, full-bodied explosion of ripe tropical mango and dried apricot, with an oaky underbelly that gives the texture grip and additional density.
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.
This wine hails from the terraced heart of the Romaneira vineyard. Dark tannins and a concentrated structure are just the tip of this ripe and complex wine. With its acidity, spice and ripe black fruits, this is a serious, impressive wine that begs to be aged. Drink from 2020.
This wine hails from two fine vineyard sources belonging to the Dutton family—Mill Station Vineyard and Shop Bloc—within the Green Valley AVA embedded within the boundaries of the Russian River. Dry and extracted, it exudes honeysuckle and jasmine around lush layers of lemon, ginger candy and melon.
This wine handles its elevated alcohol level (labeled at 16.5%) well, with masses of slightly jammy fruit and a creamy, lush mouthfeel. Hints of baking spices and leather add complexity and persist through the long finish. It'd be fun to throw this in a blind tasting with some of California's top Zins.
This wine hangs muscular cherry and berry flavors on a big framework of firm acidity and taut tannins, ready for a long haul in the cellar or tackling a rich dish like Peking duck now. Light whiffs of spicy oak lead to tangy red cherry, raspberry and cranberry flavors. Best after 2020.
This wine harmoniously blends hints of cut grass and struck flint with pink grapefruit. It's medium in body, not at all overdone, delivering the long citrus and berry finish with the precision of cut crystal.
This wine has a banana and lemon character on the nose, followed by complex layers of vanilla, citrus and pineapple. Good mineral balance gives tis fuller bodied wine balance. A pretty white with gravitas?pair with poultry and cheese.
This wine has a barnyard flavor, and its black currant fruit shows a bitter edge. The tannins are firm and dry, likely to soften with age.
This wine has a big personality. It's dark in color and oozing with ripe black-cherry flavors that intermingle with a high level of tannin for that lip-smacking tooth-staining effect. So approach with caution, and then enjoy for all its boisterous impact.
This wine has a bitter edge to it, although attractive fruit lies underneath. It is juicy, packed with red fruits and acidity, although that surface bitterness is off-putting.
This wine has a bouquet of black cherry, oregano and lavender. Flavors of cherry, cranberry, thyme, mocha and leather are supported by strong but smooth tannins, and the finish is equal parts savory and tart.
This wine has a bouquet of black currant, cassis and juniper berry. There is a very pleasant balance of fruit and cool herbal flavors, with an emphasis on black cherry, peach, anise and eucalyptus. The sense of coolness that persists on the palate is slightly overshadowed by a flash of brightness on the finish.
This wine has a bouquet of cassis, violet and black pepper. Well-integrated flavors of cassis, strawberry preserves, anise, fennel bulb and lavender are set amid silky tannins that feel as if they may go on forever but are surpassed at the finish when fruit flavors pull out all the stops.
This wine has a bouquet of raspberry, bell pepper, ground black pepper and a whiff of petrol. It fills the entire mouth with flavors of raspberry, cherry, rose petal, caramel, and flint. Offering a touch of salinity, to appeals to the entire palate, peaking with a grippy finish marked by smoke-tinged fruit flavors.
This wine has a bouquet of raspberry, tart cherry and menthol. A medley of fruit and cooling herb flavors—in particular black cherry, cassis, mint and menthol with a hint of juniper berry—fills the mouth. Tannins are smooth and soft and the bright finish is marked with a touch of menthol.
This wine has a bouquet of red raspberry, black cherry and ripe plum. Lively flavors of Turkish cherry juice, vanilla and toffee coexist in a satisfying balance that is bolstered by a framework of feather-light tannins.
This wine has a bouquet of tart cherry with a whiff of petrol. Soft in the mouth, it has flavors of slightly tangy cherry cobbler, cinnamon and nutmeg, with a balanced, persistent finish.
This wine has a bright cherry character in the aromas and flavors along with medium body and a dry, firm texture. Lighter than many of its peers, but still cloaked in lots of fine tannins, it will improve with time. Wait until 2020.
This wine has a bright yellow-gold color and assertive aromas of apple cider and cinnamon. Flavors start rich and then turn tart on the finish.
This wine has a bright, crisp character that is reminiscent of Chablis. It has refreshing lemon and apple flavors, and it's ready to drink.
This wine has a bright, lively texture and tasty, ripe fruit flavors that don't overdo it. A sense of crispness and tanginess will make it versatile for food pairing.
This wine has a brisk nose of lemon and lime and a palate that's full of tangy citrus and sea salt notes. Focused but full of character, this peppy wine will pair with myriad dishes from beef to grilled seafood.
This wine has a burnt rubber, mouth-puckering and slightly chemical undertone in aroma and taste.
This wine has a caramel edge that gives richness but also detracts from the fruit. It offers a smooth texture along with a spicy edge. Drink now.
This wine has a classic personality: round and soft in tannin, with a chalkiness lurking behind herbal tobacco leaf, tomato, cedar and rose notes. Full-bodied, it doesn't hold back on ripeness but displays more savory character than fruit.
This wine has a clean nose of grapefruit with a hint of violet. Flavors of apricot and lemon take a backseat to a strong vein of lavender. Soft on entry, it has good mouthfeel and a nice pink grapefruit splash on the finish.
This wine has a compelling earthy funkiness that's both varietal and fun, a tangle of red fruit, sassafras and cardamom that's light and bright. It makes a great companion to food.
This wine has a creamy texture on the palate, but the flavors don't match that level of ripeness. Pink grapefruit, nettles and cut grass are more Sauvignon Blanc-like than Viognier. There's even a hint of garden pea on the warm finish.
This wine has a creamy, smooth character. Lightly buttery and with some ripe pear flavors, it is soft, refreshing and ready to drink.
This wine has a crisp character, tangy with apples and laced with citrus fruits. It's totally ready to drink. Screwcap.
This wine has a crisp, breezy bouquet of salad greens, melon and pear. Fresh and textural, it's balanced with a lick of wet stone to wrap up.
This wine has a crisp, steely texture. The apple and citrus flavors and the wood underlay make this a food-friendly selection.
This wine has a crispness and upfront brightness that speaks to low oak. Lemony with a bite of green apple, it offers a backdrop of marshmallow on the finish.
This wine has a crystalline clarity both in its color and its palate impressions. Light and elegant, it offers highlights of rose petals and raspberries, pinpoint acids and polished tannins.
This wine has a dairy note to the nose; i.e., cheese, custard and yogurt. Lemony flavors are accented by dried baking spices, while the back palate is a touch chalky, offering some good and welcome grip. Overall, the wine seems a bit heavy. If it were pushing amps, it would be a high-power machine.
This wine has a dancing, delicate nature. Aromas of apricot and honey are followed by floral, apricot and honey flavors. Elegant and friendly with balanced sugar and acid.
This wine has a dark chocolate character that shows how it has been extracted, masking the juicy fruits and giving dark, dry tannins. It should soften, although a wine like this should be more about fruit than structure.
This wine has a dark color, classic cedar and black currant aromas, ripe fruit flavors and firm tannins along with raspberry-like acidity. It has been well-sculpted with barrel age—polishing any rough tannic edges—and will taste great with a thick steak or chop.
This wine has a dark red color, bold, smoky, tobacco-like aromas, full body, generous blackberry and dark plum flavors, firm tannins and a dry impression overall. It seems to improve and show more depth with each sip. Drink now through 2018.
This wine has a deep-gold color and aromas like apricots and toasted almonds. Flavors are almost as ripe as pineapple, while a creamy texture helps the fruit complexity linger on the finish.
This wine has a deep-gold color, attractive baking-spice and buttered popcorn aromas, appealing apple and pear flavors and medium body. The texture is soft and easy and the acidity tastes low.
This wine has a deep color, strong fruity aromas and substantial fruit flavors. Full bodied and moderately tannic, it has a good, grippy mouthfeel and honest black-cherry and plum notes. Tasty now it will improve through 2018 or so.
This wine has a deep pink color with a touch of amber, and very bright and zingy aromas. Mouthwatering, crisp fruit flavors are full of citrus and cherry. The lively texture is due to great grape acidity that lights up this wine.
This wine has a deep violet-red color and a nose of raspberry, vanilla and graphite. Fruit-dominant flavors of raspberry and cherry, with a touch of custard, showcase a satisfying cooperation between deep and bright notes that make for a satisfying sipping experience.
This wine has a delicate nose of citrus and spicy nuts, with robust, round flavors of apple, citrus and spice. Balanced acid and fruit means the wine has complexity, but is still refreshing. Mouthwatering and food friendly, the Chardonnay has added class.
This wine has a direct and approachable feel, with bright, fruity aromas and flavors of black berry, cherry, fig and currant alongside accents of toasty vanilla and cocoa. It's medium weight and well balanced, with a solid structure and an enduring finish.
This wine has a distinct personality beyond the normal jammy-fruit flavors of the varietal. A fragrance like sunbaked earth and wild sagebrush meets dried cherry, dried herb and meaty flavors, supported by firm tannins and good acidity for a lip-smacking texture.
This wine has a dry, firm and dark character. It also offers acidity to go with the tannins, ripe black fruits and a dense, concentrated structure. The wine should be aged longer, so drink from 2016.
This wine has a dry, solid character, with more tannins than fruit at this very young stage. Firm now, it will soften although its structure suggests it will likely continue to be a firm, structured wine for many years. Drink from 2020.
This wine has a dual nature, displaying both herbal and citrus characteristics. A crisp texture and some spiciness indicate its youth. It will be better with some age, so drink from 2017.
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.
This wine has a fine definition of minerality that's combined with tense structure. There is a hint of wood, a flavor of fresh-peeled apple and a taut, steely edge. Layers of acids mark the finish.
This wine has a firm structure as well as plenty of fruit. The wine's acidity, crisp red-currant fruit and bright character are balanced by the firm, smoky and dry tannins. Give this structure time to soften and fill out into a ripe wine. Drink from 2019.
This wine has a firm structure, solid with tannins and a dense, complex balance between acidity and perfumed red berry flavors. It is juicy, full of freshness as well as considerable tannins. It needs to be aged for several years; drink from 2019.
This wine has a firm tannic structure and fresh acidity but the fruit is drying up fast. You'll also detect the warmth of alcohol.
This wine has a flabby quality that takes away some of its complexity, showing a mix of flavors that lean into green olive and sour lemon.
This wine has a floral tone in the aroma that is quite lovely, along with strawberry, spice and pepper tones. On the palate, savory waves of spiced meat, balsamic and spice are rounded out by plum and cherry fruit.
This wine has a floral, almost sweet aroma, followed by tasty, tangy cherry and raspberry flavors and a lip-smacking finish.
This wine has a foundation of 57% Merlot, followed by almost equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, then smaller percents of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Perfumed, it expresses itself in tight, chewy tannins before revealing cedar, pencil shavings and cranberry in a medium-bodied package.
This wine has a fresh, herbal character with grassy aromas and crisp acidity. Apples and quince blend with a more citric element to give a tangy texture that needs a few more months to come together. The blend is 45% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Sémillion and 20% Sauvignon Gris. Drink from summer 2016.
This wine has a fresh, spicy green character on the nose: green pepper, mint, plum, cherry. Dark fruit flavors mingled with mint and smoke offer complexity on the palate. The wine is assertive but pretty. Pair with tangy grilled meats or stew.
This wine has a fruit-forward nose of black plum and lingonberry. Fully integrated on the palate, it offers flavors of raspberry, strawberry, dried plum and mocha. Soft tannins gently coat the tongue and gums before making way for the pomegranate-graced finish.
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.
This wine has a generosity of tannin that can be distracting, as the rest of its boldness seeks to make room for flavors of tart cherry, leather and hint of almond extract. Medium bodied, it veers into ripe characteristics that can come off as heat, particularly on the finish.
This wine has a geranium aroma and a strangely perfumed character. It is light and fruity although not likely to develop much.
This wine has a glorious floral nose highlighted in honey and wildflowers, revealing richer gingerbread and toasted oak undertones as it opens. Its creamy texture provides a sense of unctuousness, complemented by tart green apple and lemon on the finish.
This wine has a good balance between spice and ripe yellow and apple fruits. The taut, mineral texture will allow it to age well. Touches of toast support the rich fruits. Drink from late 2017.
This wine has a good structure both from ripe fruits and from rich texture. It is full in the mouth, given freshness with pear and apple acidity. Apricots go with a mineral edge that offers a fine texture. It's a wine to age until 2017.
This wine has a good structure that's overlaid with wood flavors and given richness by the generous black fruits, but everything is in balance. The dry core is enveloped by the fruit and fresh aftertaste. Drink from 2020.
This wine has a good, deep color, lots of fruity aromas and flavors, and a smooth mouthfeel. It tastes grapy and jammy but dry, with light spicy accents to add interest.
This wine has a gorgeous golden color, and follows through with a beautifully honeyed nose of vibrancy and richness. Lemongrass and ginger provide an exotic landscape on which to build integrated oak and lingering acidity.
This wine has a grassy element that won't appeal to all palates, complemented by medium body and citrus, wet stone and peach fuzz flavor. Neutral oak aging keeps it fresh and lively.
This wine has a great future, offering good acidity, crisp fruitiness and a tangy aftertaste. But in six months it will reveal a richer yellow fruits that will give it a rounded, ripe character. Wait until 2017.
This wine has a gritty, broad quality that recalls overripe cherries, plums and dried currant berries. There's also a touch of milk chocolate or fudge and the wine ends on an astringent, bitter note.
This wine has a hardness to it that's only partly offset by a touch of residual sugar. The yellow plum and citrus fruit is tart and ungenerous, marked by a slight prickle on the tongue and a lingering mineral finish.
This wine has a herbal character that doesn't mesh with the lightly tannic and tangy structure. The effect is of a wine that comes from grapes that were too green.
This wine has a high-toned richness that presents as clean and linear. Briny olive notes define the opening aroma, while more developed pear, apple and peach flavors fill out the palate.
This wine has a hot-pink color, effusive strawberry and cherry aromas and then sweet fruit flavors that give a sugary impression on the palate. It's very simple in approach and low in alcohol.
This wine has a hot character, full of spice and overripe fruit. Black plum notes combine with a strongly toasty character that needs time to soften. It is rounded and rich, with mild freshness at the end. Drink from 2016.
This wine has a jammy character with acidity that is unbalanced. Wine is made in cement tanks and aged in cement tanks and new and up to three-year-old French oak barrels.
This wine has a juicy black-currant character that is bright, with just the right amount of balanced sweetness. It is more fruity than rich and packs a welcome balance of final acidity,
This wine has a juicy, fruity character that comes from the 60% of Cabernets in the blend. It is just touched by wood and, like a true Bordeaux second wine, it is showing plenty of perfumed fruitiness already. With fresh acidity and a bright character, the wine will be ready to drink from 2018.
This wine has a layered fragrance of beeswax, acacia flower and smoke. The palate offers apricot, tropical fruit and bread crust and a hint of honey. It's elegant, but also has the structure to accompany most entrees as well as cured meats and cheese.
This wine has a lean side that takes away from the bright acidity and fruitiness. With its berry fruit flavors, it should be rich, but lacks a middle.
This wine has a leg up on the competition thanks to its elegance. Vibrant ruby red in color, its aromas include ripe cherry, milk chocolate, leather, tobacco and Indian spice. Yes, the aromas are intense, but they are weaved together in a seamless, harmonious fashion creating a polished and pristine whole. Try it with roast leg of lamb and broad bean purée.
This wine has a light color and appealing notes of candied strawberries, herbs, brown stems and forest floor. It's light and airy—surprising given the general power of the vintage—with delicate, mouthwatering fruit flavors.
This wine has a light delicacy that provides an ethereal quality to its wispy layers of wild strawberry, dried herb and spearmint. Bright and crisp, it finishes smoothly with buoyant acidity.
This wine has a light scent of animal funk and saddle leather around black-cherry fruit. Tannins are showing early signs of drying out, and it is probably best to enjoy by 2020.
This wine has a light, fresh character to go with the ripe spiced fruits. It's smooth with a tangy lime-zest flavor filled out with yellow fruits. Drink now.
This wine has a lighter-than-usual color, fresh aromas like cucumbers and jicama, and clean, straightforward apple flavors backed by good, crisp acidity. It's simply good and refreshing.
This wine has a lively, open and fruity side that promises plenty of good barbecues. Red fruits and acidity lie easily together. Drink now.
This wine has a lot of class and elegance, along with firm tannins that show how well it will age. It is dark and concentrated, the black fruits still developing under the solid structure. This wine will age slowly, so wait until 2022.
This wine has a lovely bouquet of blackberry, violet, lavender and church incense. They all translate onto the austere palate, with velvet tannins. The finish is long, herbal and woody.
This wine has a lovely nose with plenty of delicate floral nuances that come on the heels of bursting cherry, blueberry, almonds and smoked bacon. The mouthfeel is elegant and refined and there are sweet, nutty notes that carry through to the close.
This wine has a lovely rustic component that suggests forested earth and leaves. Juicy and explosive in cardamom and black cherry flavors, it offers a full-bodied experience of ripeness and concentration.
This wine has a lush nose—vanilla, spice—but its flavor is refreshing and crisp. Waves of spice and citrus are well balanced and elegant. A simple but food-friendly sip.
This wine has a mellow nose of apricot, honey and lemon, and is followed by creamy fruit flavors of apricot and honey. Complex and luscious but balanced by acidity and and spice, the wine has a lingering, sweet finish. A great find.
This wine has a mineral texture, cool and crisp. It is packed with citrus and green-apple flavors that give a bright, tight character. At the end, the vanilla flavor from wood aging comes through. Drink from 2019.
This wine has a mix of honey, sweet cherry fruit and fresh acidity. It is fruity while also sweet, giving concentration and richness at the end.
This wine has a more vinous nose with bold cherry and raspberry aromas followed by leather, spice and Spanish cedar. Textured and firm, bright and fresh.
This wine has a muddy aspect to the nose. The palate is fresh and sprightly but a little dilute and derives its fruit from a light, refreshing lemon note.
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.
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.
This wine has a nose of lemon peel, lemon grass, and a freshly cut lawn. It is clean in the mouth, with flavors of lemon, lime and Seckle pear that wind down to a mineral-laden finish.
This wine has a nose of lingonberry, juniper berry and toffee. It is round in the mouth, with flavors of black cherry, red plum, cranberry, spearmint, and caramelized sugar. An element of toffee fills the palate as fruit flavors recede on the silky finish.
This wine has a nose of pineapple and roasted fennel bulb. There is a nice balance of fruit and cool herb flavors, in particular guava, lemon, roasted fennel and a touch of mint. It is slightly waxy in the mouth and cooling herbs remain on the palate until the bright finish.
This wine has a nose of soft citrus and tropical fruits. It is very soft on the palate, with flavors of citrus, jasmine, acacia flower, lemon rind, and apple cider.
This wine has a pale orange color, apricot aromas, and jazzy peach and citrus flavors that are lively and fresh. It's nearly dry (1.5% dosage), and done in a sophisticated style, with fine-textured bubbles and a clean finish.
This wine has a perceptible tawny tone despite its youth, and the scents also seem to suggest that the wine is slightly oxidized. Whiffs of sherry and apple cider lead into a soft, flat, rather dull palate of nondescript fruit.
This wine has a personality that's both crisp and satisfying. White pepper and light earth aromas lead to tempting peachy flavors and an appealing texture that balances tanginess and richness. The blend includes small portions of Chardonnay, Albariño, Gewürztraminer and Orange Muscat.
This wine has a pretty honeysuckle aroma that invites from beginning to end, its silky texture met with moderate acidity along the way. Medium bodied and creamy, it offers additional layers of white peach and almond.
This wine has a pretty, honey-like element to the nose that is backed by chamomile tea and dried herbs. The ensemble gives it interesting personality and a clean, fresh dimension.
This wine has a pronounced nose of flowers and bright tropical fruit, followed by fruit-forward flavors of nectarine and lemon. The wine is a bit showy but a mineral finish gives it poise.
This wine has a pronouned nose of lilac, red currant, cranberry and violet. The palate features the same, as well as tomato leaf, nutmeg and clove. This is a big wine that feels lighter due to the fresh acidity. The tannins are big, but well integrated and make for a nice spicy finish.
This wine has a quiet entry and soft lilt of cinnamon and black pepper spice. A grip of strong-willed tannin envelops a firm concentration of red berry, leather pouch and mountain sage.
This wine has a restrained nose, featuring wooly aromas of leather, wild berry and cherry. The light- to medium-bodied palate has supple, fine-grained tannins, with light flavors of savory spice and grilled herb. A note of macerated strawberry lingers on the finish.
This wine has a restrained, elegant character that offers minerality and deep Chardonnay fruit on the palate. Aromas of lemon and spice on the nose are followed by full-bodied flavors and a toasted nut finish. Poised and pretty, it will pair well with most dishes.
This wine has a rich background to support its perfumed red fruits. Raspberry and mandarin-orange flavors roll around the mouth easily, with only the lightest sense of structure. It is an immediately attractive, balanced wine.
This wine has a rich core of black fruits, dense tannins and good acidity, offering testimony to the firm character of Saint-Estèphe. Concentrated. it will develop well. Wait until 2018.
This wine has a rich, fat, almost buttery character. Certainly the acidity is there, although it has a warm, summer feel. The structure typical of Les Clos is all there as well, giving concentration and density. At the end spice goes with the extreme freshness of the citrus aftertaste. Drink from 2020.
This wine has a rich, oaky feeling on the palate. The flavors seem lighter, combining crisp apple, light butter and baking spices with a touch of citrus.
This wine has a rich, velvety character that gives it solo sipping appeal. Pepper and mocha on the nose flow into dark fruit and mocha flavors on the palate. Paired with a good structure and long finish, the wine is both elegant and intriguing.
This wine has a richness that borders on candied, a celebration of ripe raspberry and cherry with medium weight and body around strong streaks of tannin.
This wine has a ridiculous alcohol of 16.3%, which makes it prickly, and the dryness makes it taste even hotter, since there's no sugar to balance and soften. It's got extremely ripe blackberry-pie flavors. Be careful if you drink this; a little goes a long way.
This wine has a ripe texture, rich fruit and touches of spice. Full bodied and tangy, it's smooth, with a hint of caramel. Drink now.
This wine has a rounded texture, with fresh, clean fruit flavors that recall crisp apple and lemon. It delivers an energized mouthfeel and finish due to good acidity and a rather light body.
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.
This wine has a rustic, unclean quality. At a high alcohol level it also tastes disjointed, all about heat without fruit.
This wine has a savory overall character, with clove, cinnamon and plum on the nose and espresso, red fruit and leather on the palate. A balanced spin of minerals gives it lift. Pair with roast lamb or poultry. A great deal and a good wine.
This wine has a severity of sour cherry and yeasty baked bread on both the nose and palate, showing a lightness of touch in terms of ripeness and oak. It's simple and bright.
This wine has a slightly lighter color than usual, aromas that resemble black plums and red cherries, and similar flavors. It is medium bodied, moderately tannic in texture and a good choice for a large crowd.
This wine has a slightly quiet and tight nose, but opens up into flavors of pineapple and melon buoyed by a steely minerality. Friendly and heightened with a lush character, the wine will pair well with cheeses, poultry and seafood.
This wine has a small amount of Syrah and is aged in new French, as well as Hungarian and American oak, much of it in older barrels. Opening like a perfumed rose garden, it offers a juicy core of cassis around integrated tannin and oak, with finishing touches of cedar, licorice and mocha.
This wine has a smoky char quality and a decadent richness of cured meat and bacon grease. Light, it's dusted modestly in spice, with an herbaceous tease of tannin on the finish.
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 smoky character and is full of spice as well as jammy fruits. An unusual Bordeaux blend of 53% Petit Verdot, 40% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is full, ripe and warm, with crushed strawberry flavors. Drink from 2016.
This wine has a smoky character that gives an exotic touch to the red fruits. It comes from 60-year old vines that give concentration and dark tannins. As it ages, the wine will broaden and expand to convey opulence and richness. Drink from 2022.
This wine has a soft texture. It seems unfocused, not balanced between fruit and structure.
This wine has a spicy allure, with seemingly more oak influence than most of the Lodi Native wines. Attractive nutmeg and cinnamon aromas lead to even more spicy flavors that are backed with moderate fruit flavors and some good tannic grip in the texture.
This wine has a strange juicy character, reminiscent of tomato juice. The tannins under the odd fruitiness are firm, with a bitter edge.
This wine has a strong herbal component of bay laurel and eucalyptus, girded in fully realized tannin and a juicy underbelly of cherry cola.
This wine has a strong layer of spicy oak from the first sniff through the lingering finish. Deep, ripe black cherry and blackberry flavors fill in the palate, and the full body of moderate tannins creates a mouthfeel that's plush.
This wine has a strongly tannic, dry character from the Malbec-inspired blend of 52% Merlot, 31% Malbec and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon. However the ripe blackberry fruits are match enough, giving ripe flavors with a squeeze of acidity and richness at the end. Drink from 2016.
This wine has a structured character suggesting it is still young. Stalky black currant fruit flavors give fresh acidity as well as firm tannins. It is very fruity, just needing to age. Drink from 2017.
This wine has a sun-dried quality to the grapes, which are moderately exuberant in cherry and leathery earth. It's lean, dry and robustly tannic.
This wine has a texture of softness and juiciness, with a leathery background. Tannic and rich in blackberry and powerful oak, it finishes lean.
This wine has a thin streak of eucalyptus throughout. As a foil to that green note, there is red licorice, cassis, sweet cherry and blk plum to entice. Pleasant notes of molasses, oiled leather and white pepper round out the palate.
This wine has a tight structure that's laced with wood. The complex fruit is still settling into the structure, promising richness. Age this for at least five years.
This wine has a touch of caramel as well as spice. Both work well with the red fruits that shine through this ripe wine. It is ready to drink.
This wine has a touch of perceptible sweetness on its tropical nose, yet tastes dry, showing a straightforward approach to this crisp, coastal-grown variety. Apricot, melon and guava wrap around a lightness of body and texture.
This wine has a unique, earthy fig aroma and flavor, full body and a broad, mouth-filling texture. Its slight rustic character is interesting to explore and doesn't overwhelm the palate. An enjoyable and different expression that's also reasonably priced.
This wine has a very deep color, aromas like blueberry syrup and dark chocolate, rich, mouthfilling texture and attractive ripe fruit flavors. It is full bodied, packed with fine-grained tannins yet so soaked with flavor that it finds balance.
This wine has a very direct appeal, with blueberry and boysenberry fruit, shot through with notes of earth and mushroom. The palate is juicy, smooth and reasonably crisp. Medium finish shows notes of forest floor and no tannin. Try with tuna in a bold sauce.
This wine has a vivid pink color, with strong aromas and flavors like canteloupe and peach. The rich, smooth texture keeps the fruit lingering through the finish.
This wine has a vivid spicy, oaky aroma and the same powerful woody character dominates the flavors. It also has full body and enough blackberry flavors to complete a tasty picture, along with a very reasonable price tag.
This wine has a weedy streak, beyond just herbal. Don't look for sweet berry fruit; it's a mélange of beet root, earth and dried leaf.
This wine has a zesty structure, with good minerality and ripe yellow fruits.Tightly structured with acidity, it comes from one of the cooler villages of the Côte de Beaune and shows a lively, bright aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
This wine has a zesty, effervescent aspect that provides a sense of refreshment, built around subdued oak and ripe lemon and lime. Medium in weight and dry, it finishes with a flair of salty brine, like an olive martini.
This wine has acidity and a good balance between the fresh, crisp character and the richer yellow fruits. It is ready to drink.
This wine has acidity and juicy black-currant fruits. It is relatively light in structure, giving a delicious wine with attractive fruits that's ready to drink from 2024.
This wine has all the deep, dark color and firm tannins that are expected, but it pleasantly sweetens the blackberry flavors ever so slightly and smooths the edges in terms of texture, for a big wine that's also quite friendly.
This wine has all the freshness of the grape, along with ripe, full lemon and red apple flavors. There is a strongly tangy character, a mineral texture from the granite soil and refreshing final acidity. Drink from summer 2016.
This wine has all the necessary smoothness, plus deep plum and cherry flavors and touches of spicy oak, too. The texture feels layered and the fruit components are vivid and tasty. It all comes together gracefully on the palate and the finish.
This wine has all the qualities you look for in a good Greco di Tufo: the aromas are fragrant and fruity and there is a solid mineral backbone for structure and dimension. Made from grapes grown in volcanic, sulfur-rich soils, the wine offers pretty tropical fruit flavors.
This wine has all the richness and ripeness of the Alentejo. Packed with dense black fruits and balanced acidity, it is a blend of two perfumed grapes, Touriga Nacional and Syrah. The wood aging has rounded out the natural tannins of the fruit and given a concentrated wine that will still need to age. Drink from 2017.
This wine has all the right elements with structure, tannins and ripe berry fruits. It's full of blackberry and plum flavors that are underlined with a firm structure and layers of toast. Drink from 2019. Third-generation owner Jean-Pierre Leymarie was born on the estate. It has grown from five acres in 1983 to 45 acres.
This wine has all the tannins you would expect from Gevry, although with some suppleness. They are surrounded by ripe red berry fruits, a rich texture of spice and delicious, refreshing acidity. It's a dense wine, complex and worth aging. Drink from 2018.
This wine has all the tight minerality of the appellation, surrounded by delicious, ripe yellow and white fruits. The wood aging is still there although balanced with the richness and the intensity of the wine. It is going to develop well. Drink from 2020.
This wine has already spent some time in bottle, but should withstand further time in the cellar quite well, through 2020. Inky, it's also fragrant and floral, with a depth of cherry and vanilla, offering big tannin structure and a black-licorice finish.
This wine has an abundance of baked-plum flavor wrapped in smoky char. A full-bodied, ripe expression of the grape, it delivers straightforward structure and an unfussy finish.
This wine has an almost sweet aroma of ripe plums and cherries, followed by a vivid fruity flavor that's fresh, dry and accented with black pepper and clove. Showing great balance from fine tannins and good acidity and vibrant but not heavy flavor, it will be a versatile and crowd-pleasing pour.
This wine has an attractive crisp edge refreshes and balances the ripe fruit and the generous texture. Toast flavors from the wood aging underline the richness. Drink now.
This wine has an attractive salmon-pink color followed by ripe caramel and spice flavors. The fruit and acidity don't feature as strongly, so the end result is a wine that is fat.
This wine has an austere character that comes from the tight structure. There are only hints of possible fruit. It is likely to remain severe even as it matures.
This wine has an austere character with a hint of tannins in its structure. Crisp apple backs up the bright luminous acidity. Almost startlingly fresh, it needs time in the bottle—drink from 2017.
This wine has an earthy character, with some bitter flavors as well as more generous acidity and yellow fruits, The earthiness should blow off as it develops to give a ripe, richly fruity wine.
This wine has an elegant edge, with its hints of tea, spice and mint on the nose and its pleasant, harmonious plum and red berry flavors on the palate. Easy to drink and food-pairing friendly.
This wine has an element of candied watermelon and cherry in the aromas that gives it a rocky start, but on the palate, bright cherry, watermelon and spice are a bit more becoming. A simple wine with a fruity kick.
This wine has an exotic, perfumed component to its beginning bouquet, spicy jolts of cinnamon and cardamom around the more classic clove. Juicy and creamy in texture, it offers blackberry, plum and licorice and is approachably easy to enjoy.
This wine has an extra measure of creaminess in the texture while giving up floral, lightly spicy and wonderfully fruity flavors. There's no obvious oak influence, just ripe raspberry, strawberry and macerated black-cherry notes that softly coat the palate and cling to the finish.
This wine has an exuberant, juicy quality to it that is extremely attractive for solo sipping. Bright berry and spice on the nose are followed by mouthwatering, round fruit in the mouth. Pepper and spice mingle with good structure and a long finish, making this an impressive showing from Schultz.
This wine has an herbal aroma and a crisp palate that delivers tropical fruits cut by grapefruit. The wine comes from the privileged Mont Saint-Victoire vineyards, named after the path that runs along the south side of the mountain. It has a distinctly mineral texture and perfumed acidity. At the end, the wine is bright, tight and crisp.
This wine has an herbal aroma that leads on to the palate. It goes with the almost jammy raspberry flavor, making for a wine that is fruity while not yet balanced.
This wine has an impressively floral and savory fruit bouquet. Squashed mulberry, cherry blossom and black plum integrate expertly into a generous but judicious hickory-smoke element. Black plum baked in sesame sauce, beef char and roasted coffee notes sing together on the palate chorus, which is enhanced by a 9% Grenache.
This wine has an initial strong tannic element that submerges the red fruits. As it opens, the wine reveals more juiciness, berry flavors and fresh acidity. It's still young and needs to be aged. Drink from 2018.
This wine has an intense structure while not losing sight of fruit. It's a solid wine with dominant tannins. It also has intense acidity and, in the background, red berry fruits. It needs time to come together into an impressive wine. Drink from 2017.
This wine has an intensity of strawberry that permeates thoughout, riding atop a distinct earthiness that becomes slightly sour on the finish. Medium bodied, its aromatics are all roses.
This wine has an intriguing bouquet of mango, straw and toasted nuts. Concentrated flavors of chamomile, lemon and a stony minerality mix playfully. Round in feel, with delicate acidity, the finish is smooth and dry.
This wine has an intriguing fragrance of dill, violet, black fruit, white pepper and new oak. The palate is still rather closed, but reveals ripe black cherry notes alongside hints of well-integrated oak and mint. It has elegant tannins and ample length to the finish.
This wine has an opulent nature, with layered toasted nut, lemon and orange spice aromas and flavors. On the palate, it's serious stuff, with honeyed flavors and an intense spice character. This is a great after-dinner sip or cohort to cheese.
This wine has an overtly oaky nose. Following suit, the palate is resiny and sticky in feel, with little fruit flavor but a whole lot of cheap-tasting wood character.
This wine has an overwhelmingly smoky character, like charred forest floor, along with layers of sweet vanilla in the background. Time in the cellar may allow it to meld, but for now it's meant for lovers of smoke and oak.
This wine has an uncertain future, hence the less-than-enthusiastic rating. On first opening, it's mute on the nose and simply earthy and dull on the palate, with a dry, dusty finish. Later on, it opened up some and showed some nice aged fruit as well, then shut down again. —J.C.
This wine has an unctuous nose that shows jasmine, plumeria, coconut and ripe apple scents most prominently. Ripe mango, coconut and banana touches show on the palate, which is clean but quite tropical.
This wine has an undeniable barbecue smokiness and curious suggestion of charcuterie, making for a savory, meaty opening. Juicy in blackberry and dark chocolate, it's cradled generously in oak, which marks the wine's palate, particularly on the finish.
This wine has an unusual candy-flavored character. Its tannins are fine, and there is structure, but the final character is unbalanced.
This wine has an unusual combination of sweet and sour sensations that include ripe plum, sour cherry, vanilla, dark chocolate, hay, dill, sage and leather. It's still very young with nervous acidity and aggressive tannins that need time to tame.
This wine has an unusually dark color, plus potent and spicy charred-oak aromas. A very aggressive sweet-oak flavor coats over the grape flavors. It stays somewhat sweet on the palate and finish.
This wine has an unusually rich gold color, aromas like ripe pear, vanilla and nutmeg, and similar pastry and baking spice flavors plus that core of pear. A creamy texture and soft finish round it out nicely.
This wine has aromas like toasted oak and baking spices, plus flavors like rich blackberry and boysenberry jam. It's also nicely dry and has a good gripping layer of tannin in the texture.
This wine has aromas of black berry, dried red raspberry and blueberry. In the mouth there are flavors of blueberry juice and black plum. The finish is slightly jammy yet persistent.
This wine has aromas of black cherry, vanilla and a touch of graphite. In the mouth there are flavors of cranberry, black cherry and pomegranate. It is well balanced, with rounded tannins and a persistent finish.
This wine has aromas of black plum and black raspberry, with flavors of tart cherry and ripe plum on the palate. The tannins have a bit of grip and the finish is persistent.
This wine has aromas of black plum, freshly baked pie crust, dried lavender and a touch of menthol in the nose and flavors of sweet cherry and red raspberry in the mouth.
This wine has aromas of cherry and violet. Acidity and silky tannins play nicely together among flavors of blackberry, blueberry, chocolate-covered espresso bean, thyme and a hint of spearmint. As the wine washes over the palate, savory flavors recede into a lively fruit-laden finish.
This wine has aromas of cherry cola and freshly picked cherries. In the mouth there are flavors of tart cherry and black raspberry, with balanced tannins and a long finish.
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.
This wine has aromas of coffee, toast, cherry meats, herbs, mocha and barrel spices along with a lightly green edge. It's tart and flavorful, with a supple feel and chalky tannins.
This wine has aromas of cranberry and black raspberry. It offers soft tannins and flavors of cassis, black cherry and cherry vanilla before the fruit-filled finish.
This wine has aromas of currants and strawberries and tastes fruity but dry, with supportive tannins and acidity that make it appetizing. Full bodied but not overpowering, it is very versatile with food.
This wine has aromas of freshly mowed grass, peaches and white flowers. It is slightly sweet with flavors of canned peach, white peach juice and apricot nectar.
This wine has aromas of honeysuckle and lemon curd, with flavors of lemon-meringue pie and lemon pith. The finish is clean and crisp.
This wine has aromas of lemongrass and apricot with a touch of petrol. It offers flavors of peach, apricot, vanilla and jasmine. It is very soft in the mouth, and the bright finish is marked by floral notes.
This wine has aromas of oak, red currants and roasted coffee bean. Oak dominates the palate, with toasted sensations and espresso taking center stage over the subdued red fruit sensation. Overall, this is dried up and tannic, closing on an astringent note of wood tannins. Veritas Imports, Tanaro River Imports, Crown.
This wine has aromas of pepper, cedar and red cherry fruit on the nose. On the palate, vibrant flavors of smoke, pepper and cherry give the wine a friendly, quaffable edge. Pair with lamb, cheeses.
This wine has aromas of pomegranate and black plum. It conveys flavors of cranberry and black raspberry. The finish is short-lived yet pleasantly acidic.
This wine has aromas of pomegranate juice and dried cherry. Flavors suggest pomegranate juice and tart cherry conserves.
This wine has aromas of underbrush, cherry and leather, with a hint of spices. The palate boasts wild cherry, mint, menthol, and meat juices and shows structure and balance. Give this a few more years to develop complexity. Siena Imports, Barsotti Wines.
This wine has artificial, plastic-like aromas that mar its opening and make it barely acceptable to drink.
This wine has attractive acidity as well as ripe tannins. It is perfumed and offers structure as well as fresh black-currant fruit. It's still young, with layers of wood still very obvious. This medium-weight wine will need time to develop. Drink from 2019.
This wine has attractive black-currant fruits and fresh, light acidity. It's an early-developing wine with soft tannins and a stalky backdrop. Drink from 2018.
This wine has attractive butter, ripe apple and pear aromas, and is nice and fruity in style. An almost-sweet sensation rounds out the texture, and tasty accents of baking spices and vanilla keep coming with each sip.
This wine has attractive fruit, crisp acidity and a good balance with the light tannic structure. Bright and fresh wine, it is ready to drink. This is one of the Ducourt family properties on the Right Bank of Bordeaux.
This wine has beautiful complexity and balance backed by a soft, generous personality. Oak aging has shaped tones of spice, chocolate and vanilla with a smooth, rich texture that lasts long on the palate. Hedonistic and opulent.
This wine has become a signature variety for this winery, and this vintage shows why. It brings aromas of cranberry and cherry that lead to ripe polished dark-fruit flavors. It's near irresistible and an exceptional value.
This wine has been in bottle a while, perhaps to round out its flavors components, which tend toward candied cherry and spice. Aged in American oak, the tannins remain tight-grained and the aromas focused, but the wine falls somewhat flat on the finish.
This wine has been in release for almost two years, but the extra time has only improved it. Nicely melding the strengths of Klipsun vineyard Cabernet and Merlot with 24 months in half new, half year-old French oak barrels, this powerful wine has concentrated cherry and cassis fruit, potent baking spices, suggestions of mint and pepper, and a host of details waiting to be noticed. A great bottle to toss into a blind tasting of high-end California reds.
This wine has been too heavily extracted, giving a series of tough tannins and a hard edge without the fruit to balance things out. It is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25/25 Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
This wine has been variable, but the '03 shows lots of varietal distinction. It opens with a burst of white pepper-infused blackberry, chocolate, licorice and oak aromas, and turns rich and soft in the mouth, with similar flavors. The smooth tannins make this immediately drinkable.
This wine has benefited from the warm vintage. It's ripe with attractive cherry fruit and a touch of spice from wood aging. It will be ready to drink from 2018.
This wine has bold aromas of wood smoke and vanilla, a very firm, fine-grained and tannic texture, and lots of black cherry and dark plum flavors. It's a big, robust wine—pour alongside hefty proteins and settle back for the evening.
This wine has both fruitiness and delicious, bright acidity. A subtle use of wood creates a firm structure under the black currant fruit flavors, giving a solid base on which to develop. Drink from 2017.
This wine has both great richness and a cool, stylish side. It's structured, with a strong streak of minerality as well as as spice and pepper. It has a cool, restrained feel at the moment, waiting for the time to burst out with its complex structure. Hold at least until 2017.
This wine has both structure and ripe red-plum fruits. It is dark and dense, solid and with good acidity. A clear line of freshness promises a good future. This needs time, so don't drink before 2020.
This wine has bright aromas of cherry, tart plum, and cherry vanilla. Flavors of cherry, pomegranate and strawberry with notes of Madagascar vanilla and aniseed are wrapped in soft tannins, and the bright finish is its own reward.
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.
This wine has bright fruit-salad aromas, ripe pear and apple flavors and some attractive hints of butter and vanilla. It feels medium bodied, mouthfilling and smooth in texture.
This wine has brisk acidity, a clean mouthfeel and satisfying flavors of green apples, Mandarin oranges and sweet buttered toast. It's a lovely Chardonnay to drink now, and priced fairly.
This wine has candied fruit aromas and flavors, plus heat in the aroma and in the mouth.
This wine has certainly been wood aged, the easy fruit well balanced with the layers of wood tannin, which come through in the aftertaste. Ripe, ready to drink.
This wine has classic smoky fruit, with a delicious layer of ripe raspberry flavors. It is is stalky, although that is a function of youth rather than underripe fruit. It needs time to fill out, so drink from mid-2016. Think about serving it lightly chilled.
This wine has classic style, showing a rather light, traditional color and woodsy, earthy, herbal aromas, with tantalizing and complex fruity and savory flavors. A firm texture and flavor complexity highlight elegance rather than ripeness. It was aged in barrels whose staves were seasoned four years before assembling.
This wine has concentration, but it also demonstrates great elegance in its crisp acidity, lemon-zest-like texture and bright fruitiness. It's a wine to age for several years, but it can also be consumed soon.
This wine has concentration, dark tannins and powerful fruits. A smoky character is balanced by the black-plum flavors. The wine will develop slowly, so wait until 2022.
This wine has considerable acidity and a crisp, raspberry flavor. A dry edge will need to soften to bring out its full, fruity potential. Drink from 2016.
This wine has considerable potential, with rich tannins and firm fruits. It is solid, very dry at this stage although this is balanced by dark plum skin and blackberry flavors. The wine will develop slowly, so don't drink before 2022. The first harvest at this estate was in 1252. The property is now owned by Bernard Magrez, a wine, art, culture and gastronomy patron.
This wine has crisp acidity and a simple message of fresh fruitiness. An attractive lemon character permeates the wine with an perfumed aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine has dark fruit and spicy oak flavors, plenty of concentration and a full body. It maintains a sleek, balanced feel despite the potent tannins of this grape variety. The finish is flavorful and long-lasting. Drink a bottle or two now and cellar several more until at least 2020.
This wine has dark tannins and considerable wood flavor at this stage. The structure and the weight are all there, allowing the fruit and rich texture to develop. Drink from 2017.
This wine has deeply concentrated yet focused and spicy purple-fruit tones. It's generously endowed with notes of tobacco, licorice, mineral and pepper. The highlights keep piling on through a finish that seems to run for several minutes. This bold wine is enjoyable now but should also cellar well through 2020.
This wine has distinct acidity, probably too much. Red currant fruits dominate, giving the wine elegance, but also showing some unripe fruit flavors and a texture that is too light and unfocused.
This wine has dramatic, smoky aromas and ripe blueberry and toasted bread flavors. The texture is supple, making it hard to realize that this wine is as full bodied as it is.
This wine has dry tannins and some concentration as well as the bright, cherry-fresh Beaujolais fruit. That gives it a serious side with structure and potential. The 100% Gamay vineyard is on slopes in the heart of Beaujolais Villages. Drink from 2016.
This wine has easy flavors that are bursting with red cherry. A shot of tannin gives this open, fruity wine shape. It is ready to drink.
This wine has enticing aromas of jasmine, white peach and orange blossom. It is well balanced with flavors of apricot and tangerine on the palate and a touch of bright orange flavor in the finish.
This wine has equal amounts of ripe berry fruit and structure. There is a smoky character, wood and spice notes, balanced acidity and a leather-like touch to the texture. It is slowly developing, and it has the potential to be rich. Age this for 6–8 years.
This wine has excellent depth, concentration and an array of subtle spices that mingle with lightly toasted oak, ripe plum and mulled-cherry flavors. Good acidity and a tart edge to the fruit lend nice balance against the full, velvety texture and rich finish.
This wine has excellent natural fruit intensity with loads of red berry, blueberry and forest fruit backed by slightly roasted almonds, dried flower and delicate spice nuances. It offers a pretty ensemble in terms of concentration, flavors and intensity and ends on a fresh, menthol-like note.
This wine has faint floral aromas and a note of the tropical, built around an unfussy core of caramelized oak that manifests as crème brûlée.
This wine has fine tannins, rich black fruits and a dry core. It is produced by the Roquette family, who owns this spectacular estate high above the Douro. A solid, structured wine, it's packed with tannins and fruit, finishing with acidity. Drink from 2018.
This wine has fine tannins, ripe berry fruits and well-integrated acidity. Rich and juicy, it offers blackberry flavors and a crisp aftertaste. Drink this wine, part of a range of wines from across Portugal, from 2018.
This wine has firm tannins and a dry, structured core. From vines that are close to Beaune, it is dense and concentrated, although with the pure fruit that marks out the vintage. It is going to develop well and with great style.
This wine has firm tannins certainly. However its main character is the delicious, juicy fruit that just bursts out of the glass. A fresh character suggests this wine will develop quickly, despite the tannic background. Drink from 2016.
This wine has flavors of Cavaillon melon, star fruit, kiwi and jasmine, with a pronounced woody taste. There is a burst of brightness on the finish alongside a hint of menthol.
This wine has flavors of wild blackberry, blueberry and mocha, with a rich vein of herb, tobacco and spice. However, it's hot in alcohol, and finishes with glyceriney sweetness—almost like a minor Port. Drink up.
This wine has fresh acidity and attractive black currant fruit flavors. They are given a hard ride by the dark and bitter tannins and dry texture. This is a Carreau family wine.
This wine has fresh snap pea and lemon aromas followed by crisp green apple flavors. It starts out tangy but is cushioned by a hint of sweetness for a soft finish.
This wine has fruit but it is overwhelmed by the darkly tannic structure. It is concentrated and dense, with signs of extraction giving a hard edge. The Aubert family has been on the Bordeaux Right Bank for two centuries and currently owns six estates. Consulting oenologist is Michel Rolland.
This wine has fruity red-berry flavors as well as a curiously perfumed acetone note. This is not a wine for long-term aging so enjoy now.
This wine has full aromas and flavors of rich, ripe strawberries and blackberries. The texture is both smooth and slightly gripping at the same time, with a medium to full body and a dry, lingering finish lingers.
This wine has geranium aromas and a fruity character. Its tannins are dry and disjointed from the fruit. Unbalanced at this stage, it needs time to balance.
This wine has good potential. While for now, it is dry and cut with tannins, the fruit and rich blackberry flavors are promising a rounded, full future. Wood aging has smoothed the wine and added a touch of toast to the black currant fruits. Drink from 2018.
This wine has good richness, with a sense of heft in the texture. Warm and dark fruit flavors suggest black plum and blackberry, with very full body and a touch of sweetness that lingers on the finish. This wine can be enjoyed like a Port after dinner.
This wine has good spiciness, ripe fruits and firm tannins. There is a good balance between acidity from red berry fruits and a dense, tannic character. It is solid and concentrated, and needing to age longer. Drink from 2015.
This wine has gorgeous aromas of honeysuckle and anise that make it undeniably heady on the nose. What follows are full and creamy peach-like flavors, with a pleasing lushness and measured acidity.
This wine has gorgeous ripe fruit aromas, mouth-filling flavors and a plush, generous texture. A hint of smoke shades the ripe black-cherry aromas. Layered flavors of clove, cedar, pomegranate and rosemary intermingle on the palate. Despite the ripeness and full body, a fine coat of tannins and supportive acidity keep the mouthfeel fresh and appetizing.
This wine has gorgeous, obvious cedar and toasted-bread aromas. Oozing with fruit and oak richness, it tastes like blueberry syrup and cocoa. Very full bodied, it wallops the taste buds, weaves around the mouth and lingers on the finish.
This wine has great fruit with soft tannins and accessible soft black currant fruitiness. A slight earthiness at the end needs to become better integrated. Drink from 2017.
This wine has great fruitiness, soft tannins and generous, ripe red fruits, while finishing dry. It's a wine with the structure for aging while also packed with big red fruits. Keep for 4–6 years.
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.
This wine has great power along with magnificently rich fruit. Wood aging provides a judicious support to its fullness and opulence. Acidity, black cherries and red berry fruits come together with firm tannins. Combined they are already in balance, but the wine needs to wait. Drink from 2018.
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 great richness. Along with its spice and honey notes, there are orange and lemon fruit flavors that give it lift. Beautifully balanced and ripe, it has the potential to be a superb wine. The botrytis core is what gives it its great aging potential. Drink from 2024.
This wine has great strawberry flavors with soft tannins and sweet fruits. It's fragrant, delicate, and very pure in style, with just a hint of structure and likely to age over the medium term.
This wine has great swathes of green fruits, like biting into a crisp apple. It's bright, shimmering with citrus and grapefruit. There is a tight, mineral bite at the end.
This wine has great, crisp fruit, perfumed and dominated by its white fruit flavors. The aromas are enticing, full of spring hedgerow flowers, and edged with minerality. Part of the everyday drinking range from Schloss Gobelsburg. Screwcap.
This wine has has a great core of dark-fruit flavors and dark chocolate, a firmly tannic texture that makes it appetizing, and nice balance. It's a very solid dinner wine that doesn't have to be the center of attention.
This wine has herbal, floral aromas and a candied lemon flavor. Medium-bodied, it is fruitier and seemingly sweeter than many of its peers.
This wine has hints of cedar and coriander, a luxurious, velvety and appropriately tannic texture, and flavors that are ripe and delicious. Its personality seems confident, well balanced and well behaved, but strong and focused.
This wine has immediate appeal with its aromas of coffee, mocha, vanilla and blueberry. The blue and black fruit flavors are concentrated, with a sumptuous feel.
This wine has intense acidity along with red fruits, showing the freshness of the year. A smoky, burnt character from the wood aging needs to integrate, with a youthful crispness that needs to soften. Drink from 2020.
This wine has intense acidity and a profoundly mineral character. Rich black-fruit flavors and firm tannins give it a sense of potential for the future. Drink from 2016.
This wine has intense acidity and a tight texture that will obviously need time to open up, but ripe apricot and honey flavors are present now. Drink from 2021.
This wine has intense and complex flavors while keeping a graceful texture and great balance between acidity, body and tannins. Aromas suggest raspberries and strawberries with hints of pine forest and earth, while the flavors are vivid and bright.
This wine has intense aromas of blueberry pie and vanilla, along with a barnyard note. The palate is jammy in prune and baked berry flavors. There is a yeasty and resinous quality as well. The finish is long, tart and mouthwatering, with a charred-oak note on the back.
This wine has interesting, fragrant tobacco and new-leather aromas as well as ripe fruit flavors that are backed by appetizingly firm tannins. Cedary, spicy new oak accents blend nicely with its black cherry and cola flavors, lingering long into the finish.
This wine has is high-toned in aromas with raisin, terriyaki, red currant and charred oak. The palate is a bit muted on the fruit tones, with red currant pervading and secondary characteristics of coffee and chocolate in the background. This is a big wine with chewy tannins, a full body and puckery acidity.
This wine has jazzy, jammy aromas and ripe blackberry and strawberry flavors, wrapping them in a warm layer of fine-grained tannins and a nice dash of sweet baking spices from aging in oak.
This wine has just about the lightest pink color possible, very tempting floral and cherry aromas, and vibrant, mouthwatering cherry and grapefruit flavors. It's essentially light in body but so alive with fruit that it will drink well with almost any dish.
This wine has just enough residual sugar to take it to the upper threshhold of dry. It's quite full flavored with a thirst quenching mix of citrus, apple and pineapple. Crisp acidity enhances the freshness and contributes a tangy, lemony kick to the finish.
This wine has lemon peel and apple skin flavors that come through the firm, tangy structure. It has richness and the potential to age for the medium term. The finish is full of refreshing acidity.
This wine has light citrus aromas and flavors of grapefruit, tangerine and yellow peach. Pleasant fruit sweetness marks the finish.
This wine has little to do with Marsanne. It's all about oak, with vanilla bean, buttered toast and caramel flavors.
This wine has lots going for it. It's bone dry and clean, with bright, perky flavors of chamomile tea, sour lemon candy, vanilla, wildflowers, and something rich and exotic, like sweet dates. A great job at a versatile, complex young wine, and easy to find, with 130,000 cases produced.
This wine has lots of fruit, a good dash of spicy oak, a very firm structure, and a great sense of depth and polish. It will be very tasty with a grilled steak or smoked brisket. While fun to drink now, it will improve through at least 2020.
This wine has lots to recommend, from its soft, slightly spicy introduction, to big berry and vanilla flavor follow through. But most memorable is its beautiful perfume, encompassing all those singular elements. Give it some time in bottle to show through.
This wine has lovely, inviting aromas of baking spice and earth. Full-bodied flavors of blueberry and raspberry are supported by spicy oak. Its boldness and density is met by fresh cranberry, while a tease of vanilla complements the other characteristics.
This wine has meaty aromas that lead into a bacon flavors. It has ample tannins but hardly any fruit.
This wine has mild flavors and a full mouthfeel. The aroma is light and vanilla-like while soft pear and nutmeg accents lay low on the palate.
This wine has more body and a richer mouthfeel than many of its peers, with mild floral and almond flavors and a touch of butterscotch.
This wine has more depth, volume and textural roundness than most of its peers in California, seasoning its ripe fruit flavors with the herb, leather and sage accents characteristic of the variety. It has good balance, complexity and a lingering finish that begs for another sip.
This wine has more than the typical backbone and texture. Fresh raspberry and red cherry flavors get support from good acidity and a hefty layer of almost chewy tannins. It is dry, firm and well balanced, and is made to accompany food.
This wine has mouth-puckering tannins that make it almost impenetrable. Its baked plum fruit meets a Dr. Pepper-type cola flavor.
This wine has muscle and grip; it's a densely layered Cabernet, based upon cassis and loam, with firm, muscular tannins. At the moment it does not extend its power into the finish, but rather it seems to stop short. Try giving it extra breathing time.
This wine has no added sulfur, giving crisp, clear and clean fruitiness. It also adds an light touch of oxidation that broadens the wine and makes the white stone fruit richer. Drink this impressively ripe wine from 2018.
This wine has notes of mint and crisp apple in the aroma and flavors that resemble peach and ripe apple so it balances the more tangy first impression with a richer feel on the palate. It's medium bodied, not too big and not too lean.
This wine has offers aromas of dark plum and chocolate. It is inky garnet in the glass, with flavors of cherry, cranberry, cured meat, thyme and sage. Stealthy tannins appear as if from nowhere just before a bright finish that is punctuated by a touch of smoke.
This wine has overlapping personalities. One drips richly in vanilla and honey, while the other is lemony tart and electric in acidity. They commingle on the finish, and will clearly decide whether to get along or part over time. Give the wine a good swirl.
This wine has peppery, meaty aromas, good flavors that meld beef with berry, and a rich, mouthcoating texture. It's full bodied, very ripe but not sweet, and it encourages one sip after another.
This wine has perfumed aromas of sagebrush, potpourri, herb, purple fruit and a light earthy note, showing a lot of nuance and detail. The palate has full palate-coating dark-plum flavors, with the emphasis on purity. Vibrant floral notes persist on the finish. This is the winery's best example from this vineyard to date.
This wine has pleasing aromas of pear and melon followed by medium-sweet fruit flavors. It's not particularly serious but it goes down easy.
This wine has pleasing richness, lending warmth across a full palate. Forward berry and cherry flavors fill the mouth, offering an accessible burst of fresh flavor in a somewhat blocky frame. There's a jolt of spice and a streak of cola, all quite tasty. The wine spent 19 months in 53% new French oak.
This wine has plenty of fruit, but even in the open 2013 vintage, it is still firm, structured and with nervy minerality. The richness and the ripe yellow fruits are still to come, meaning that this complex wine should wait until 2018.
This wine has plenty of honeyed sweetness. The apricot, orange and vanilla flavors are just delicious. Crisp acidity provides the perfect zesty balance.
This wine has plenty to offer, from brightly fruity and peppery aromas to flavors of cherry, leather amd spice. The tannins are silky in texture, and the lengthy finish develops hints of cocoa and clove.
This wine has potent berry, funky earth and herb aromas. Its fruity-floral flavors are tinged with a balsamic nip and a tart, rather tannic mouthfeel. To taste a little pioneering in terms of wine style, don't be alarmed at the sediment in the bottle.
This wine has potential, with ripe berry fruits and soft tannins that are already well integrated. It is dense, showing a structure that will broaden out as the wine ages. Drink this juicy, fruity wine from Vignobles Dulon from 2016.
This wine has power along with great fruit and a rich structure. Yellow fruits are laced with a more finessed texture that adds minerality. It is a dense wine, full of fruit, with a measured touch of wood. Age this until 2021.
This wine has power and firm tannins. Intensely fresh, it offers acidity and red-currant flavors that burst out of the dark, dry core. It's complex, with a touch of spice from wood aging that gives an elegant, delicious aftertaste. Drink from 2019.
This wine has prominent aromas that are often associated with Sangiovese: cherry, natural spice, wet earth, white mushroom, plum, cola and Mediterranean herbs. It slides broadly across the palate, with crisp freshness on the close.
This wine has quite fruity aromas but more lean flavors as it goes from banana in the smell to light celery and other savory flavors on the palate.
This wine has red-currant fruits, along with acidity and light tannins. The wine is crisp and fruity, maybe not expressing the full power of a Morgon but can be enjoyed now for its fruitiness.
This wine has rich blueberry aromas, a softly tannic texture and and black currant flavors that open more with each sip. Concentrated and full in body, it's a luxurious-feeling and abundantly flavored wine that lingers long on the palate.
This wine has rich flavors and aromas but an overall refined style. In the nose, savory pepper, coffee and a touch of cedar. On the palate, luscious flavors of cedar, coffee and pepper. An elegant wine with depth.
This wine has rich Meyer lemon, lime, fig, date, green apple and spice flavors that are brightened by crisp acidity. But the sugary finish is too sweet.
This wine has rich, almost sweet fruit aromas and vivid fruit flavors generously accented by clove, cinnamon and other spicy oak influences. The wine has full body, firm and supportive tannins and a lingering spiced-fruit finish. Best drink it after 2018 when the flavors will have married together.
This wine has rich, intense yellow fruit, orange marmalade and concentrated botrytis flavors. With all the elements in place, it is well poised to mature slowly and gently into a very fine wine. Its concentration is balanced by fresh fruit and and honey notes. Drink from 2023.
This wine has richness, with fine tannins along with exuberant fruit. With its concentration and ripe berry flavors it has power as well as elegance. Juicy and packed with blackberry and damsons, it will be ready to drink from 2026.
This wine has ripe berry fruits and balanced tannins. Fresh acidity marks the vintage and the wine is lightly textured, with an attractive smoky aftertaste. This is the first vintage for Thierry and Odile Bazin, with help from Jacques Chardat, her twin and owner of other Blaye properties.
This wine has ripe black cherry flavors, great acidity and firm tannins that keep it lively enough to balance the fruity richness. Full bodied, broad in mouthfeel, but with a background tanginess, it is well balanced and keeps encouraging another sip.
This wine has ripe black fruits, fresh acidity and black-plum flavors. It is rich while still showing plenty of bright fruity acidity. With a light sense of structure, the wine is more about fresh fruits that are also jammy. Drink from 2020.
This wine has ripe fruitiness that is rounded and soft. Some toast gives a warmer character that is emphasized by the rich apricot and pineapple flavors. Drink soon, in 2015 or early 2016.
This wine has ripe red fruit flavors, a dry core, balanced tannins and plenty of acidity at the end. Drink now. The Maurin family's organic vineyards have all permitted grapes in Bordeaux, which is a good thing In a difficult vintage. This blend is Merlot (60%), Carmenère (15%), Petit Verdot (15%) and Malbec (10%).
This wine has ripe red fruits, a touch of caramel and some spice. A definite mineral and tannic structure gives the wine a textured character. It needs food to show at its best.
This wine has ripeness and a kind of sweetness in the aroma. Good fresh cherry flavors glide along nicely on the smooth texture. It is medium bodied and balanced for easy enjoyment.
This wine has savory red fruit and a minty backdrop, with tannins that taste a tad overgrown. Simple and straightforward, this is ready to drink now.
This wine has showed no consistency over the years. This vintage is black and extracted with piercing inky blackberry aromas. In the mouth, it's huge, chunky and grating. Overdone black-fruit flavors finish clampy with oaky bitterness and a sense of reduction.
This wine has shown impressive results for this price category in the past. The 2009 edition, however, shows a mature and savory side with leather, cured meat, tobacco and cola. The mouthfeel is thin and not particularly persistent or intense.
This wine has simple fruit with fresh acidity, touches of lemon and a crisp, tangy texture. Still young, it offers a flinty edge and a steely aftertaste, both of which will merge into the apple and grapefruit flavors over the next few months. Drink from 2016.
This wine has smoky wood and rich fruit already well in balance. It offers ripe acidity from its strawberry and red-currant fruits along with a rich texture. The wine is already delicious although it will develop much further. Drink from 2019.
This wine has so many of the structural elements of a Saint-Estèphe, but also is enveloped by ripe fruitiness. Black in color and dense in character, it has sweetness from the plum juice fruits and great acidity. But it is also firm, powerfully projecting a serious potential. Drink from 2022.
This wine has so much new French oak that the toast and caramel become integral parts of the flavor profile. Why would you do that with great fruit? It just buries it. And the fruit of this wine is indeed rich in blackberries, currants, blueberries and licorice. This wine will dazzle fans of oak, but true enthusiasts should draw the line and signal the winery that oak is a seasoning, not the main ingredient.
This wine has so much of the structure of the vintage. At the same time, it offers rich fruit, black plum flavors and fragrant acidity. It is powerful and concentrated, needing to age. Drink from 2018.
This wine has soft apple and ripe pear flavors. It has a smooth texture that means it is ready to drink. The aftertaste, with its crisper acidity, suggests a wine that will be a good apéritif.
This wine has soft flavors, fruity and bright, with a light, easygoing character that will sip down easily. Drink immediately, well chilled.
This wine has soft fruit, a creamy texture and light acidity. It is balanced, fruity with apple and spice flavors. The aftertaste introduces a drier, woody character that is less attractive.
This wine has soft tannins, with heaps of vanilla-cherry and raspberry notes and a herbal hit on the finish that leans green. A blend of 88% Zinfandel, with smaller amounts of Petite Sirah, Teroldego and Barbera from one of Amador's historic producers.
This wine has some big shoulders. There's a dusty, aged quality, with sophisticated, silky tannins and tertiary aromas of black licorice, dried tobacco, peppercorn and dried berry fruit. It's firm, tight and compact; age 10 more years.
This wine has some bitter extraction giving it a hard edge. The fruit is lost in the dry, tannic structure. That hard edge will be tough to shift. Try drinking from 2017.
This wine has some off aromas, seeming to show some oxygen exposure, which distracts from its notes of orange peel and spice. The palate is considerably better but struggles to make up the difference.
This wine has some pleasant layers of black cherry and tea yet is marred by its unresolve between being thin and overly oaked. The earthiness on display is on the funky side of things.
This wine has some richness, with ripe black currants and balanced acidity. The wood-aging just shows but, again, is balanced. With its fresh fruitiness, the wine will age quickly, so drink from 2017.
This wine has some structure, with enough tannins to sustain the red-berry fruits. It's juicy, with stalky acidity and an attractive texture that will allow it to age a few months. Drink from early 2017.
This wine has some tannins that give structure as well as young fruitiness. A definite dry edge comes from the fruit as well as wood aging. The wood also brings out some bitterness that needs to soften. Drink from 2016.
This wine has spice and a good structure that comes from minerality and crisp, textured acidity. Tangy and full of green and citrus fruit, it will be delicious. Drink from 2016.
This wine has spice, concentrated yellow fruits and a delicious backbone of acidity. With its acidity firmly in place, the wine is beginning to reveal the richer yellow fruit and tangy lemon. Already delicious, it will be better from 2017.
This wine has spice, juicy wood and good acidity that are well integrated. The rich, smooth fruit character contrasts with the more tangy wood acidity. Together, they bring a wine that has bite, with a mineral as well as toasty aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
This wine has strong and tart blackberry aromas and flavors, a very firm and tannic texture and low alcohol. Hints of earth and new leather lend some complexity, but it will take time for this wine to relax for optimum enjoyment. Best after 2022.
This wine has strong aromas like wood smoke and grilled beef, then equally smoky, peppery flavors and a tart, rather tannic texture.
This wine has strong burnt-toast flavors, giving a hard edge and tough tannins. Less extraction might have helped. With some months, the buttered toast taste will give way to a more fruity character. Drink from 2016.
This wine has strong wood aromas that also dominate the palate. Happily, the yellow and citrus fruit behind the wood is ready to shine through. Give this rich wine time to balance out, from late 2018.
This wine has structure and concentration, but is less generous in terms of its aromas. There are evident notes of ripe cherry, leather, vanilla and some tobacco, but they never come into full bloom. The tannins are gritty and still a bit raw and the wine offers sour cherry flavors in the mouth.
This wine has structure and freshness although the fruit is on the lean side, offering black cherries and swathes of crisp acidity. The aftertaste is juicy, fresh and mineral.
This wine has structure and ripe black fruits. It is made to be drunk young, with plenty of berry fruits and soft tannins. Drink from 2019.
This wine has structure and some dense tannins. Even though there is plenty of black and red cherry fruit, the wine's dry core and tight, mineral texture are still developing. Drink from 2017.
This wine has structure and strong old-wood flavors. It comes from the most southerly Premier Cru in the Côte de Beaune, close to the Chalonnaise vineyards. The fruit is still working its way through the tannins of this firm wine. It will have a juicy red-berry character as it develops, giving the potential for aging. Drink from 2018.
This wine has structure and tannins. With ripe apples and quince flavors, it is tight, tense while also full in the mouth. A strong background of acidity gives concentration and considerable freshness at the end. Drink from 2017.
This wine has structure, typical of this appellation, as well as dark black fruits and rich tannins. Acidity cuts through this ripeness, bringing in freshness. Spice and an attractive perfume come along at the end. Drink from 2019.
This wine has structure, with firm tannins and black-currant fruit. That contrasts with a stalky, almost rustic character that gives dry, rough edges to the wine. Drink from 2018,
This wine has structure, with ripe red fruits and a good layer of tannin. Despite a difficult year in Bordeaux, the Queyrens family created a balanced wine with the acidity showing brightly through the firm, still-young texture. It could do with a few more months of aging so drink from 2016.
This wine has such nice hickory, dried-spice and red-berry notes, it'd be a shame to drink it anywhere but outside on your deck, with some slow-cooked baby back ribs. Medium-weight, with some chalky tannins, it finishes with more of the same flavors, plus some char and green herb. Fire up the grill. Best Buy.
This wine has tannins and a solid structure that is balanced by the bright red fruits. The wine is juicy, fruity and ready to drink.
This wine has tannins, a dense structure and concentration. Still firm, it offers wood-aging flavors as well as big black fruits. Drink this wine from 2018.
This wine has tart acidity that jumps from the glass, a taste of wet stone and lemon zest that's persistent through the midpalate. Along the way, a hint of grass, gooseberry and peach fuzz ride the waves of textured crispness.
This wine has that warm, spicy, friendly feel of new oak that is well integrated with the fruit flavors, and a velvety texture to match. It smells like toasted baguette, nutmeg and vanilla and tastes almost as rich as blackberry jam, but stays dry and full-bodied. It's so easy to enjoy.
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.
This wine has the alcohol of the vintage along with the tannins and some of the juicy black-currant fruitiness. Lightly perfumed, it's still dry with its firm texture. It will develop although it is ready to drink.
This wine has the classic richness of Pinot Noir, with a touch of textured tannin and bright red fruits. It needs more bottle age, so drink this wine from 2017. This is one of three Champagnes in a series of limited releases named after Dumangin ancestors (Hippolyte was the first to make Champagne).
This wine has the complete butter and baking-spice treatment from barrel fermentation to make it rich in aromatics and full and creamy in texture. It has a light tangerine and cream aroma, rich fruit and baking-spice flavors and a lingering finish.
This wine has the dark fruit typical of this quinta, but this year shows more elegance than usual, with dusty tannins and concentrated, sweet fruit.
This wine has the kind of beefy, muscular character that one expects in a Cab, with its earthy berry and leathery spice nose, and a layering of tobacco smoke, black pepper and rich berry on the palate. Decent tannins and minerality add to the weight. A good wine with ageable appeal.
This wine has the lightest of rosé colors, so fresh and light and fruity. With crisp acidity, raspberry and red currants, it just dances on the palate.
This wine has the lightest possible taste. Its hints of green fruit, light, citrusy acidity and crisp aftertaste are barely discernible. Drink now.
This wine has the magic mix of vanilla, tobacco and cherry that many consumers (and critics) love. It's a seductive Cabernet from an excellent Walla Walla vineyard, with a little bit of Yakima Valley Merlot blended in. With more time it may flesh out and show better depth to the fruit, but it's quite enjoyable as is.
This wine has the plucky character typical of Greece, but with a polished spin. The nose is allspice, cherry and cocoa, and on the palate, dried fruits, coffee, mesquite smoke and chocolate. The wine finishes spicy and clean. Good, if not a bit aggressive. Pair with meat or hearty fare.
This wine has the proper power and structure of Gevrey, with firm tannins under the ripe red berry and cherry fruits. There is great juicy acidity as well as a firmer structure that will let the wine age. Drink from 2017.
This wine has the richness of 2009, while still is mineral, taut and textured. The yellow fruits are balanced by intense acidity and a ripe, full-bodied feel. The wine is complex, needing aging; the aftertaste intense, crisp and fruity.
This wine has the ripe fruitiness of the vintage, fresh and crisp although with a rich background of apple and pear flavors. Not aged in wood, the wine is all fruit with lively final acidity.
This wine has the solid tannins the mountain is known for, and ripe flavors of blackberries, currants, cherries and chocolate, enriched with new oak. At twenty bucks, and with a low production, it's a stunning value. With real elegance and even ageworthiness, it's one of the best at its price point available now.
This wine has the variety's trademark notes of herb, green bell pepper, with a woodsy qulaity. This is a full-bodied effort, bearing a long, spicy finish.
This wine has the weight and silkiness of a Pinot Noir, but it has Merlot's cherry, currant and anise flavors.
This wine has the weight that is typical of this appellation. It is full bodied, ripe with melon and yellow fruits. Contrasting with that, a crisper edge brings out minerality and a nervy texture. Drink from 2022.
This wine has thick, ripe fruit and texture, making it robust and intense. Forest floor, black tea and tobacco notes give it memorable savoriness.
This wine has tight fruit, crisp cherry flavors and acidity. The structure comes from the fruit skins rather than tannins. It is ready to drink.
This wine has too much extraction to allow the fruit to develop. It will soften out, although not enough. It is an 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon blend.
This wine has too much tannin for its own good. It's tough and bitter, showing wood and extraction. In this difficult Bordeaux vintage, the vineyard produced less than half what is normal.
This wine has too much wood, with high toast and spice. The fruit is dominated by this wood that is not likely to soften.
This wine has traveled miles in the right direction compared to its early incarnations. It's piercing and potent up front, with cigar box, mocha, toast and coffee aromas in addition to fine flavors of tobacco, cassis, vanilla and lightly baked berry and cassis. Finishes wavy and long; 50% Syrah along with Merlot, Cab and Carmenère.
This wine has typical Condrieu aromas and flavors of honey, apricot and white pepper, all carried by a fairly full-bodied, slightly oily palate. It's a rich wine, with lingering spice on the finish.
This wine has uniqueness to it, as Central Otago is primarily Pinot Noir country. That said, the wine displays pretty traditional Sauvignon Blanc notes of passion fruit, pink grapefruit and nectarine. Attractive textural richness on the midpalate  fades quickly on the finish.
This wine has unusual, penetrating, floral aromatics and a liqueur-like character. It was fermented in a mix of new and neutral French oak, and a caramel character comes in as the wine breathes open. Citrus peel and floral flavors remain through an extended finish.
This wine has unusually herbaceous aromas and touches of smoke and earth accenting the green-apple flavors. It's medium bodied and feels lean in texture.
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.
This wine has varied over the years, but with the cool 2010 vintage, it really shows how fine its terroir can shine. A full degree of alcohol lower than the 2009, it's bone dry, brisk in acidity, and stimulating in its minerally taste and texture—like a lick of cold steel. There is a fortunate streak of Meyer lemon candy that lends enough richness to satisfy. Reminiscent of a fine Chablis, it's drinking well now.
This wine has very dark flavor characteristics, and is almost completely dominated by the oak barrels (40% American) in which it’s been aging for 33 months. That’s a long time, and American oak has strong aromas and flavors, perhaps too strong. The tannins are pretty and supple, and the fruit that’s buried under all that wood seems lovely, but this wine should have been released two years ago.
This wine has very intense vegetal, stemmy aromas and flavors. It was aged entirely in stainless steel.
This wine has very little going on aromatically and tastes slightly burnt.
This wine has very ripe, juicy fruit flavors that coat the mouth with rich blueberry and blackberry, while the texture is smooth and almost viscous. It is full bodied and has soft tannins and acidity.
This wine has vibrant aromas of lemon, lime and wet stone, with a hint of lightly buttered popcorn. Flavors of pineapple, lemon and yellow apple unfold on the palate, hit by a dusting of oaky spice. The crisp texture boasts a subtle viscosity, leading into a butterscotch-accented finish.
This wine has way too much wood, like drinking planks. It shows little signs of fruit.
This wine has weight and concentration, heavy on the tannins at this stage. Wild strawberry and dark plum fruits are taking their time to show through the structure. Dark tannins from firm wood aging and extracted fruit can also be found here. Drink from 2015.
This wine has weight and considerable richness. Spice and an attractive perfume meld with the blackberry fruits and juicy acidity. The Castelão grape is at home in this region, which shows in the sense of terroir in this bold wine. Drink now.
This wine has weight and richness. It is ripe with apricot and peach flavors that are happily balanced by a crisp edge of acidity. Its texture will give it a good future. Drink from 2019.
This wine has weight and the potential for ripe black fruits. At this stage, it is closed up, full of suggestions without realization. Wait until 2017 for the rich character to be fully revealed.
This wine has weight, richness and an intense texture and structure that brings tannins and a firm background to the generous yellow fruits, ripe apples and crisp green plums. The wine is still very young, needing several years. Drink from 2019.
This wine has weight, structure and richness. Spice comes from wood aging while the texture is concentrated and dense. It's powerful, full of apple and crisp pear flavors that are tight and firm. There is a dusty, almost tannic character to this powerful wine that is still young. Drink from 2018.
This wine has wood acidity more than fruit freshness, but its citrus and apple flavors show potential. Although spice and toast dominate for the moment, a crisper character comes through at the end.
This wine has yeasty aromas and a light character that brings out springy acidity before the dry botrytis. It is still forming itself around the dry core, waiting to become generous and rich. Drink from 2019.
This wine has yummy, fresh fruit aromas and flavors and a supple texture. The cherry, raspberry and plum notes are easy to savor due to medium body, light tannins and rather soft acidity.
This wine headlines the Charles Smith lineup, and has established a breathtakingly complex and rich style, that varies in saturation with each vintage but remains consistent in its flavors. Clove, baking spices and maple syrup flavors trump the ripe fruits that remain more in the background. Delicious now, or cellar for a few more years.
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.
This wine hews to the Milbrandt style, emphasizing notes of vanilla and tobacco ahead of the simple black-fruit flavor. It has a hint of smoky earthiness and a citrusy edge to the acids.
This wine highlights a balanced blend of the three Champagne grapes. In the house style of Henri Abele, it is ripe, with a tight mineral edge that gives a crisp aftertaste enhanced by lemon, pink grapefruit and touch of spice. Drink this attractive bottling now.
This wine highlights heady new-oak tones of spice, vanilla and cedar, yet maintains elegance from nose to finish. Ripe black cherry and plum flavors penetrate on the palate, with a framing of soft tannins and bright cranberry acidity. The finish is long and a touch mineral.
This wine hits all the right notes—gamy spice, a touch of minerality, savory, rich fruit. A touch of oak adds muscle and the overall package is satisfying.
This wine hits all the standard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc notes: ripe notes of fig and melon joined by cut grass and citrus. It's not overly concentrated, but it's easy to drink and comes together harmoniously on the finish.
This wine hits the mark for spicy aromas, rich flavors and a velvety yet vibrant texture. The complex aromas resemble pencil shavings and baking spices, with flavors of bright red cherry, ripe plum and clove. While absolutely delicious to drink now, this will improve through at least 2019.
This wine hits the mark, combining intriguing flavors of vanilla, shortcake and cinnamon with a bracing but supple texture and a fine-grained mousse. It is dry, subtle, complex and elegant.
This wine hits the nose with red cherry vibrancy. That almost dramatic fruit also fills the palate with its easy juiciness. This may be simple and light, but its absolute fruitiness makes it great for summer sipping, especially with a slight chill.
This wine hits the palate with authority, showing pretty black-cherry and cassis flavors, and soft, slightly leathery, drying tannins. The well-structured Red Mountain fruit has the potential to age well for a decade or more.
This wine holds an allowable amount of Anderson Valley fruit, in addition to grapes from Sonoma Coast, including many of the winery's vineyard designates. Rose petals and a helping of clove mark the entry, followed by savory elements of black tea, tart cherry, blueberry and black pepper on the palate. These continue with subtle force through the finish.
This wine holds the tension between sweetness and fresh apple acidity well. Crisp, light and fruity, it's a great apéritif wine, ready to drink.
This wine illustrates why most vintners prefer to use Petit Verdot as a blender for its dark color, thick tannins and heavy mouthfeel. It can give weight and body to Cabernet or Merlot. The wine itself has dark, brooding flavors of black currants, tobacco and unsweetened baker's chocolate.
This wine immediately wows the palate, bursting into full flavor with an explosion of apple and pear fruit. There's a light yeastiness as well, just enough to suggest a young, fresh, exuberant wine, and it simply grabs hold of your taste buds and never lets go.
This wine impresses from first pop, a complicated, well-crafted exploration of full-bodied flavor and brambly beauty. Blueberry pie, violet and cigar tease the nose as they follow through on a soft, supple layering of fine-tuned texture. But it's the stony minerality and undeniable coaxing of white pepper that imprint the memory. This wine should only get better through 2034.
This wine impresses from first sip. The addition of 20% Viognier adds violet and lilac hints to the nose. Meat and lavender notes highlight its dense midpalate, packed with flavor and gravelly texture, blanketed with tannin and seasoned with white pepper and clove.
This wine impresses in its mix of stone fruit, melon and tangy passionfruit, its texture soft and velvety, marked by moderate acidity. It's a complex, lengthy white that's easy to get lost in, with or without food.
This wine impresses in its succulence of black cherry and plum, the oak and tannin tamed and integrated to allow for a sensuality of texture along with such a boldness of flavor. Despite the concentration and ripeness, the wine is relatively light and easy to enjoy at the table.
This wine impresses with its richness and ripe red fruits. It comes from a 20-acre vineyard that gives the wine concentration and juicy acidity. Acidity and the crisp aftertaste give the wine its final lift.
This wine impresses, with cedar, black cherries, dill and licorice on the complex nose. Sagebrush and blueberries power the palate, which also shows charred beef, asphalt and smoked meats. This is proving to be a very heavy and deep wine.
This wine in a box is simple and direct, with pineapple, lime and peach flavors that are sugary sweet. But it's crisp and clean in acidity, and the box is the equivalent of four regular bottles.
This wine includes 20% Petite Sirah from the winery's property. Juicy, thick and tannic, as would be expected given the vintage and varieties, it offers pretty aromatics of violet and plenty of grit and grip on the palate. Dusty blackberry and black currant ride along a carpet of leather and meat.
This wine includes 8% Petite Sirah and smaller amounts of Petit Verdot, Syrah, Zinfandel and Merlot, fleshing out a rich, full-bodied embrace of chewy tannin and extracted blackberry and brick tar. Let it hang in the glass awhile and swirl a time or two to get it to speak.
This wine includes all five traditional red-Bordeaux varieties, Merlot the most dominant, resulting in tart Bing cherry and cassis flavors. It doesn't hold back on tannin or power, showing grippy persistence on the finish.
This wine includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and (somewhat unusually) Malbec. It's floral on the nose, with additional aromas of baking spices and blueberries. Full bodied, intense and relatively tannic, it finishes firm and dusty. Drink 2018–2030.
This wine includes grapes from a wide region that extends beyond Bordeaux. It's a classic, light, herbal expression of Sauvignon Blanc with citrus flavors and a tangy texture. Drink now.
This wine incorporates aromas of the barnyard, along with spicy cinnamon and pepper candy. Roundly fruity with abundant cherry flavors, it's well-woven and forward, giving every indication that drinking it sooner rather than later is the right approach.
This wine initially presents itself as lighter in body than it actually is, a tease from the cool-climate aromas of cucumber, dill and cranberry tea. The oak is toasty with a whiff of smoke, the acidity somewhat subdued. An appealing funk of earth gives it varietal distinction.
This wine inspires a pairing with foods that have a sweet cheese or butter element. It is well shaped and opulent, with loads of crushed black pepper, dried fruit and  dusty mineral nuances.
This wine intoxicates aromatically in wild cherry and strawberry before entering into an entirely different direction of feral earth. Softly smooth on the palate, it's enjoyable now and an interesting taste experience, with an unfussy finish.
This wine intrigues with its aromas of flowers, blue fruit, pepper and toffee. It's pleasantly sleek in style, well balanced and approachable now, with a finish that lingers.
This wine intrigues with its aromas of peppery spices, tobacco and purple fruit. The flavors are lush and focused, bringing a lot of hedonistic pleasure, though it trails a bit toward the finish.
This wine introduces itself with intense acidity and freshness, opening the palate to red berry flavors and tannins that are integrating well. It's a wine for medium-term aging. Drink from 2015.
This wine is  dark in color, with just a thin red rim. It smells of ripe blackberries, grilled beef and clove, with flavors as dense as the color. For all its color and flavor intensity and fine-grained tannins, however, it feels smooth and velvety on the tongue and is hard to resist, especially at such a reasonable price.
This wine is  refreshing, its red fruit juice laced with acidity and a touch of herbs. Easy and light to drink.
This wine is 100% Cabernet Franc coming from Dineen (75%) and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. Barnyard, cherry, pencil box and spice aromas are followed by lightly styled game, dried cherry and medicine cabinet flavors.
This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Champoux, Palengat and Wallula vineyards, all located with the Horse Heaven Hills appellation. Aromas of incense, dark fruit, licorice and barrel spice rise up from the glass, which also reveals penetrating cherry and anise notes. The flavors are rich and concentrated but far from over the top, with expertly integrated tannins. It brings a very pleasing sense of texture. Just a baby now, but it has the stuffing to go the distance. Best from 2027–2033.
This wine is 100% Cabernet, coming from Seven Hills, Loess, Summit View, Yellow Jacket, Stone Valley, Ferguson and Pepper Bridge vineyards. Locked-up aromas of barrel spice, toast, herb, vanilla and dark fruit give way to rich but well balanced black-fruit flavors. Lightly grainy tannins offer sufficient support.
This wine is 100% Cabernet, sourced from one of the winery's vineyards in a warm part of Alexander Valley. It's quite ripe, with flavors of cherry pie, red plum, currants, tobacco, cola and new French oak. The tannins are lush and soft, but the wine will develop for many years. Drink now–2020, at least.
This wine is 100% Sangiovese and is a pale pink color. Aromas of cherry bubblegum and herb lead to a dry full-feeling palate. The alcohol pokes out a bit at times but it still provides enjoyment.
This wine is 100% Syrah from Boushey, Olsen and Elephant Mountain vineyards. Alluring aromas of herb, blackberry, bramble, green olive, flower and smoked meat lead to a richly flavored palate that explodes with abundant savory, meaty flavors. It drinks like a charcuterie plate, with plenty of fresh herbs rounding it out.
This wine is 100% varietal and comes from a single block and clone (clone 3). Aromas of woodspice, blue fruit and herbs lead to sweet, supple fruit flavors and grainy tannins. There are a lot of good things going on but the wood steps a bit in front of them.
This wine is 100% varietal and fermented and aged in stainless steel. It starts out quite reductive before opening to reveal perfumed notes of rose petal, lychee and spice. The palate is off dry (16g/L residual sugar), broad and oily in feel.
This wine is 100% varietal and given two years in oak. The aromas and prevailing flavors veer into red cherry cobbler, cassis and mint, with a bright core of acidity around medium-level weight and length.
This wine is 100% varietal coming from Champoux, Palengat and Wallula Gap vineyards. The aromas bring plenty of appeal, with notes of incense, spice box and dark fruit that lead to full exquisitely balanced dark fruit flavors that show polish, poise and a lengthy finish.
This wine is 100% varietal coming from one of the state's most esteemed vineyards. Bright smoke, blackberry liqueur and anise aromas lead full-bodied black-fruit flavors. It brings an unabashed sense of richness, with firm tannins providing support. Give it some time to open up.
This wine is 100% varietal coming from one of the top vineyards in the state. Reserved aromas of spice box, blackberry, barrel tones and gun smoke lead to elegantly styled fruit flavors. There are some interesting thing going on but they don't all come together at present.
This wine is 100% varietal, aged entirely in French oak. Shy at first, it allows room for an earthy element of compost and is dark and brooding all around, with sizable, tamed, chalky tannin. Leather, black pepper, licorice and cinnamon all make an appearance, adding to the wine's complexity and likability.
This wine is 100% varietal, all aged in once-used French oak. It's packed to the brim with black fruit, herbs, licorice, jalapeño pepper and barrel spices, with crystalline clarity to the aromas. There's plenty of depth and richness to the full-bodied flavors, with exquisite balance and a finish that lingers.
This wine is 100% varietal, coming from old blocks at Dionysus and Upland vineyards. It enchants the senses with aromas of pure blackberry along with dried herb and coffee that are followed by restrained yet luxurious espresso and cherry flavors. The balance is impeccable and the finish lingers.
This wine is 100% varietal, featuring light and appealing notes of herbs, freshly tilled soil, purple fruit and violets along with high-toned barrel spices. It's full bodied yet remains elegant with abundant cherry flavors accented by peppery spices backed by a firm squeeze of tannins and tart acids—a high-quality example of the variety. It needs food to truly shine.
This wine is 100% varietal, with Cold Creek Vineyard providing the backbone. It starts out quite brooding, with aromas of savory herbs, spice, cranberry and blue and black fruit. The palate is layered with focused, plentiful dark-cherry, currant and spice flavors with a mouthfeel that downright dazzles. It's Cabernet at its finest. Give it time to open up.
This wine is 100% varietal. Pungent aromas of blue fruit, high-toned herb, pencil lead and plentiful barrel spice lead to exceptionally well-balanced polished fruit flavors. Lightly grainy tannins provide support. The balance is exquisite as is the lengthy finish.
This wine is 100% varietal. The aromas are locked up at present, with notes of luxurious French oak treatment and cherry. The flavors are dense and concentrated, but the tannins show a fair amount of grip, providing some distraction. There are good things going on but the oak is intense at present.
This wine is 29% each Mourvèdre and Syrah with the rest equal parts Cinsault, Counoise and Grenache. Aromas of vanilla, coconut and red and black fruit lead to a full-bodied, creamy palate that mixes fruit and barrel flavors. The wood influence is strong but the fruit largely stands up to it.
This wine is 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Malbec. It brings a whole lot of appeal with its aromas of coffee, woodspice, blackberries and dark cherries. The palate shows a mixture of grace and power and the finish won't quit.
This wine is 37% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with the rest split equally between Malbec and Syrah. Reticent aromas of vanilla and baking spices lead to full-feeling dark-fruit flavors, backed by lightly grainy tannins. The hang time on the finish is downright outrageous.
This wine is 38% Cabernet Franc, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 14% Petit Verdot. Aromas are locked-up at present, with notes of flowers, high-toned herbs, earth, licorice and dark fruit. The palate is reserved in style, with a smooth feel and a firm squeeze of lightly dry tannins on the finish.
This wine is 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Syrah, 19% Malbec and 14% Carmenère. It shows an unusual mix of cayenne, carob, pencil lead and dried herb aromas. The palate has sweet fruit flavors backed by dry, blocky tannins, falling a bit flat on the finish.
This wine is 40% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre with the balance Counoise. It's lighter in color, with aromas of plum, boysenberry, herbs, flowers and peppery spices. It's palate-coating with silky, sweet fruit flavors that linger.
This wine is 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc and 9% Malbec from Hedges Estate, Red Mountain, Stillwater and Weinbau vineyards. It's youthful at present, with aromas of woodspice, coffee, blackberry and graphite. The palate displays muscular fruit flavors surrounded by a framework of dry, chewy tannins.
This wine is 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. Aromas of herbs, coffee, barrel spice and cherry are followed by tightly wound tannins and fruit flavors. Give it time to open up.
This wine is 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Malbec, 21% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Aromas of blue fruit, plum and green herb lead to dry, slightly astringent fruit flavors, with lemon twist notes on the finish.
This wine is 45% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 11% Malbec. It charms with alluring aromas of herbs, black licorice, cassis and coffee. The palate has a creamy, rich feel with abundant black fruit flavors and exceptional tannin integration.
This wine is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The aromas are almost completely shut down at present, with just hints of barrel spice, herb and dark fruit. The fruit flavors are similarly locked up, backed by lightly grainy tannins. There are good things going on but it needs time to reveal itself. Best after 2022.
This wine is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Nebbiolo and 22% Sangiovese. The volatiles are amped up, bringing distraction from the aromas of cranberry, cherry and vanilla. The fruit flavors are broad and drink quite sweet.
This wine is 47% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Aromas of dill, dried herb, cocoa and spice are followed by soft elegantly styled dark-fruit flavors that show plenty of hang time.
This wine is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 25% Malbec. The aromas of plum and cherry are kissed with vanilla, coffee and spice. The palate is lush and full, with the tannins showing some grittiness. Still, it delivers a lot of appeal.
This wine is 50% Syrah, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 2% Malbec. The aromas pop, with notes of blackberry, blueberry, smoked meat and herb. The fruit flavors are lush, backed by tannins that bring quite a bit of grit to them. Perhaps some additional time in the bottle will soften them out.
This wine is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot. The aromas are light, with notes of blue fruit, ripe red apple, herb and barrel spice. The palate is medium bodied, with a tart uplift on the finish.
This wine is 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Sauvignon. Pleasing aromas of spices, herb, moist earth, cedar and cherry lead to a dazzling mouthful of cherry and strawberry flavors that show distinctive purity. It's a heart-stopper and an outrageous value.
This wine is 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 5% Syrah, 3% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. It displays fruit-forward aromas of blackberry seed, plum, asphalt and spice. The flavors are dense, focused and layered, showing depth, purity and texture.
This wine is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc. It's aromatically brooding, with notes of high-toned dried herbs and dark cherries. The flavors are textured and palate-coating, with firm tannins backing them up. Just a baby now, it has a long life in front of it. Enjoy after 2021.
This wine is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. Aromas of cocoa, bittersweet chocolate, wood spice, graphite and herb lead to sweet full-bodied plum and coffee flavors. It has a lot of textural appeal, with lightly chalky tannins providing support.
This wine is 57% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Viognier, 6% Merlot and 3% other varieties. The Viognier gives the aromas and deftly styled flavors, with notes of orange peel and flowers. The Syrah lends blueberries and gaminess, with herb and chocolate notes coming from Cabernet.
This wine is 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 10% Mourvèdre. It opens with aromas of white pepper, potpourri, herbs and raspberries. The flavors are soft, displaying a very pretty mouthfeel and a pleasing sense of restraint.
This wine is 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre. Vanilla aromas are prominent along with prune and other dried fruit. Fruit and barrel flavors intermingle on the palate, with the fruit seeming dried out.
This wine is 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache. Jammy aromas of red and blue fruit are followed by a plush, flavorful palate that shows a pleasing sense of balance and length with a raspberry-filled finish.
This wine is 60% Syrah with the rest equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of blue fruit and glue are followed by light-bodied flavors that show astringency.
This wine is 61% Syrah and 39% Mourvèdre. Appealing aromas of red and black fruit, mineral, spice, earth and braised meat lead to a full bodied, still quite tightly wound palate. All the stuffing is there but it needs some additional time in bottle or a short decant to open up.
This wine is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Cabernet Franc. Barrel aromas are at the fore, with baking spice, woodspice and clove in front of dark fruit and herb. The palate brings sweet, sappy fruit flavors, with plentiful licorice and game accents.
This wine is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Cabernet Franc. It shows aromas of green herbs, raisinated red fruit and raspberry. The cherry cola flavors are lighter in style, with a firm squeeze of tannins.
This wine is 63% Viognier and 37% Roussanne. High-toned aromas of candlewax, flower petal, green apple and herb lead to dry, acid-driven fruit flavors. It doesn't all come together but provides plenty of intrigue.
This wine is 64% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Franc. High-toned aromas of herb, cherry, cigar box, vanilla and baking spice are followed by coffee and cherry flavors that display a pleasing sense of balance, with espresso notes lingering on the finish.
This wine is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest equal parts Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It's aromatic and fruit-forward, offering red plum, herbs, milk chocolate and floral accents. The fruit flavors are rich and focused, showing great depth and intensity with a palate-coating feel.
This wine is 70% Grenache with the rest equal parts Mourvèdre and Syrah. Aromas of olive, earth, orange peel, black pepper and flower are followed by full-bodied red and black-fruit flavors. It shows intrigue but doesn't quite come together.
This wine is 70% Syrah and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, with fruit coming from Yellow Jacket, Stoney Vine and Pepper Bridge vineyards. Aromas of herb, ember, black cherry, earth, smoked meat and plum are followed by palate-coating, rich fruit and savory flavors, with enough tannic structure to benefit from some time in the cellar.
This wine is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and a whopping 27% Petit Verdot, with the fruit coming from Yellow Bird and Tokar vineyards. Brooding aromas of freshly tilled soil, dried flowers, herbs and cherry lead to a richly flavored but well-balanced palate. It should age well.
This wine is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Baking-spice aromas are at the fore, followed by dried-out dark fruit and herbs. The palate is reserved in style, with the tannins bringing some grit.
This wine is 76% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre and 9% Grenache. Aromas of black fruit, bittersweet chocolate, coffee, raw meat and spice are followed by smooth black-coffee flavors. It lingers on the finish.
This wine is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. It offers brooding notes of dried herbs, cassis, spicebox, blackberry and anise. Flavors are rich yet refined with mouthwatering acids and exquisitely polished tannins.
This wine is 80% Grenache, with the balance equal parts Cinsault and Syrah. It brings very pretty perfumed aromas of dried flowers, herb, plum, olive and earth. The flavors show crystalline purity, completely captivating, with orange peel notes on the finish. It's as much about feel as flavor.
This wine is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of barrel spice, herb and green pepper are followed by abundant fruit and savory flavors. It leans pretty far into the green, especially for a wine that could be varietally labeled as Merlot.
This wine is 80% Mourvèdre, 11% Zinfandel and 9% Primitivo. The aromas are bright and fresh, with notes of raspberry, red plum and spice. The flavors are pure and tart, bringing a real sense of vibrancy to the core cranberry flavor.
This wine is 80% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache. It brings unusual aromas of sawdust, mushroom, Band Aid, dark fruit and spice. The palate is lush and full, showing warmth on the finish.
This wine is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot and 8% Merlot, coming from Seven Hills, Loess and Mill Creek Upland vineyards. Light aromas of toast, barrel tones, flowers, licorice and dark fruit are followed by earth and other savory flavors that are light but still show weight and density.
This wine is 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, coming from Cold Creek and Four Feathers vineyards. Designed with the specific intent of aging, brooding aromas of blue and red fruit, earth and spice lead to a saturated seamless palate. It drinks beautifully now, but should have a long life in front of it. Best after 2022.
This wine is 85% Sangiovese, with the balance Canaiolo Nero and Cabernet Sauvignon. It shows bright cherry and raspberry nuances, backed by white almond and warm, earth-like tones. Bright acidity keeps the palate refreshed.
This wine is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Petit Verdot. Aromas are exuberant, with notes of dark cherries and raspberries along with soil, anise, savory herbs and light barrel accents. The palate is surprisingly restrained in style, with the fruit expression and oak dialed back. A core of acidity keeps the interest high.
This wine is 86% Sangiovese with 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. Puckering in black fruit and a leathery texture, it shows potential in cedar, tobacco and a hint of black tea.
This wine is 90% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of plum, smoke, orange peel and dried fruit are followed by a sweet full-bodied palate. It packs a big wallop but could use a bit more acid to balance out the abundance of fruit.
This wine is 90% Syrah, with the balance Grenache (8%) and Mourvèdre. The aromas are reserved initially, with notes of blueberry pie, dark-roasted coffee and raspberry. The palate is surprisingly light for the aromas (and producer), with the finish seeming attenuated. The oak also comes off as a bit heavy.
This wine is 95% Sangiovese and 5% Aglianico, hailing from Seven Hills, Loess, Mill Creek Upland and Serra Pedace vineyards. Aromas of cranberry, raspberry, and fruit leather lead to quite tart cranberry flavors. The concentration doesn't quite seem all there to stand up by itself but it should fit in well at the dinner table.
This wine is a “product” in every sense of the word. It's consistent from year to year, and if you know Esmeralda, with its sweet blend of Moscatel and Gewürz, then you know that it delivers simple but pleasant lime, kiwi and cantaloupe flavors with a certain watery freshness.
This wine is a big one, going all out to make friends. New-oak aromas like clove, cedar and cinnamon explode out of the glass, then flavors of dark chocolate and cherry spread across the palate for a generous—almost thick—impression. Fine layers of tannins and firm acidity blanket the texture.
This wine is a bit austere and tough to warm up to, with dry, leafy overtones encircling tangy cassis fruit like a cigar wrapper. Firm and crisp on the finish; try it in another year or two—it might improve with short-term cellaring.
This wine is a bit hard and ungenerous but certainly not lacking in concentration or intensity. Cassis and cedar scents give way to dark, chocolaty flavors. There's not a lot of bright fruit or nuance, but it will ably partner simple grilled meats.
This wine is a bit on the lean side compared to most southern Rhône whites, but the plus side to that is its freshnesss and vivacity. Pear fruit is underlined by hints of spice, finishing clean and crisp. Drink now.
This wine is a bit reductive out of the gate, opening to reveal aromas of pear, peach, melon, lees and spice. The palate is creamy and textured in feel. If the aromas come together, it could move up a notch.
This wine is a bit reluctant on the nose at first, eventually showing focused notes of honeysuckle, fresh-squeezed lime and kiwi. The palate is delicate and light, with apple cider and cut-pear flavors.
This wine is a bit rugged in texture, with firm tannins, but flavorful with ample blackberries, currants and spices. The blend is based on Cabernet Sauvignon.
This wine is a blend 44% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec and 8% Cabernet Franc. Aromas of cocoa, coconut, herb and cherry are followed by an elegantly styled palate, full of coconut flavors. There's enjoyment to be had but the oak plays too primary of a role.
This wine is a blend Cabernet Sauvignon (61%), Merlot (31%) and Syrah. The aromas open up with vibrant notes of cranberry, cherry, baking spice, licorice, vanilla and barrel spice. The palate is concentrated with cherry and blackberry flavors that show a lot of textural appeal. The tannins bring a touch of grit.
This wine is a blend from several of the producer's higher-elevation estate vineyards in the appellation. Floral and inviting in sugar apple, caramel crème brûlée and complex spice and salt seasonings, it's plush and voluptuous, with supportive acidity and a crushed stone minerality.
This wine is a blend of 33% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 22% Viognier and 15% Marsanne. Aromas of corn husk, pear and flowers are followed by light elegantly styled stone-fruit flavors. It shows a sense of grace.
This wine is a blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 29% Syrah from Ciel du Cheval, Obelisco, Quintessence and Conner Lee vineyards. Aromas of cigar box, herb, cranberry, smoke, sawdust and pencil lead are followed by rich, ripe red-fruit flavors. It has a lot of appeal.
This wine is a blend of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. It brings heady aromas of blackberry, black cherry, earth, herb and coffee followed by dense palate-coating dark-fruit flavors. The hedonism is dialed up and the finish won't quit. The balance is absolutely impeccable. Best from 2022 to 2030.
This wine is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc and 29% Merlot from Stillwater Creek Vineyard. Aromas of flowers, purple fruit, herb, barrel spice and cranberry lead to medium-bodied cherry flavors. Firm tannins provide support.
This wine is a blend of 40% each Mourvèdre and Syrah along with 15% Petite Sirah and 5% Viognier. Aromas of orange zest, flowers, raw meat and peppery spices lead to a soft palate, full of citrus flavors that seem a bit out of balance but that still provide intrigue.
This wine is a blend of 40% Merlot, 35% Feteasca Neagra and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. The bouquet is an intricate jumble of saddle leather, cigar box, black plum and spice that girds the taste buds for spice-heavy flavors of mace, anise and clove with a firm backing of tart cherry.
This wine is a blend of 45% Grenache, 37% Syrah and 18% Mourvèdre, coming from Boushey, Pepper Bridge, Olsen and Minnick vineyards. The aromas pop with notes of clove, orange peel, black pepper, funk and red and blue berries. The palate is lithe, pure and focused, with a pleasing mouthfeel and sense of balance to the citrus and blue-fruit flavors.
This wine is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Malbec. The aromas bring notes of blue plum, herb, cherry and spice. The palate features ripe, dense fruit flavors that display a spot on sense of balance.
This wine is a blend of 50% Syrah aged for 40 months in new American oak, with the other half Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new Slovakian oak. Aromas of cardamom, green pepper, cherry, vanilla and anise are followed by abundant baking-spice accents backed by tart fruit flavors. Barrel notes take over the finish.
This wine is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. Aromas of plum, dried herb, cocoa and barrel spice are followed by reserved fruit and savory flavors. It shows a sense of poise and polish.
This wine is a blend of 52% Syrah, 26% Mourvèdre and 22% Grenache. Aromas of black licorice, herb, barrel spice and cassis are out front. The palate is chock-full of black fruit flavors that bring a dry, lightly astringent feel.
This wine is a blend of 54% Grenache (Upland), 38% Mourvèdre (Boushey) and 8% Syrah (Blue Mountain). It shows pure aromas of green herbs, violets, raspberry, black pepper, orange peel and purple fruit. The flavors are pretty, plump and pure, putting a focus on texture, with fruit flavors stretching out on the finish and an orange-peel note running throughout.
This wine is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. It opens with intriguing aromas of graphite, cherry, barrel spice, garden herbs, coffee grounds and dark fruit. The flavors are pitch black and generous, showing density and layering.
This wine is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 9% Pinot Noir and 8% Petit Sirah. Freshly ground cranberry aromas are at the fore, along with notes of gardenia and medicine cabinet. The red-fruit flavors are tart and tacky in feel. It doesn't all come together.
This wine is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Syrah. The aromas seem a bit off, with notes of dried cherry, oregano, anise and medicine cabinet. The palate has a pleasing sense of restraint and elegance, with gamy notes on the finish.
This wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. High-toned aromas of raspberry, cherry, cranberry, barrel spice and dark fruit lead to concentrated, well-balanced red- and black-fruit flavors. The finish sails into the distance. It drinks beautifully now, but should have a long life in front of it.
This wine is a blend of 60% Syrah from Funk Estate in The Rocks and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon from McClellan Estate. It draws you into the glass with aromas of plum, coffee, huckleberry, black olive and light spices. The feel—plush and palate-coating—is the real star of the show, with persistent blue fruit and coffee flavors on the finish.
This wine is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 5% Syrah. It offers roasty-toasty aromas of dark coffee, bittersweet chocolate, char and cherry. The palate is appealing and silky in texture, showing elegant styling but with a lot of flavor intensity, followed by a lengthy finish. It's a pleasing mix of grace and power, barrel and fruit.
This wine is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec. Aromas of baking spice, red and black fruit and sweet spices are followed by dark-fruit flavors. The tannins come off as a bit dry and burly at present.
This wine is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, a whopping 23% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. The aromas leap up from the glass, with notes of garden herb, tar, black cherry and licorice. The flavors are rich and saturated, loaded with black-fruit notes that persist effortlessly on the finish. It shows a fine sense of structure and balance along with a compelling texture. Best after 2024.
This wine is a blend of 70% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache and 5% Syrah. It opens with achingly pure red currant, cranberry, black pepper, blue fruit, orange peel and dried herb aromas that completely captivate the senses. The palate shows a hypnotic sense of purity along with a sense of elegance that is dazzling. Smoked meat flavors linger on the long finish.
This wine is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Malbec. It shows the big, hard tannins of both varieties, as well as their dryness and intense blackberry, currant and dark chocolate flavors. The 100% new French oak is in balance with the size of the underlying fruit. Don't even think of popping the cork before 2015, and it should still be providing pleasure in 2021.
This wine is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Malbec and 8% Petit Verdot from Seven Hills, Loess, Mill Creek Upland and Serra Pedace vineyards. Aromas of fresh herbs, scorched earth, mineral, and red and black fruit—slightly dried-out-seeming—lead to a silky textured concentrated palate. The tannins are there but are beautifully integrated. It shows plenty of hang time on the finish. It should have a good 15 years in front of it. Best from 2024–2030.
This wine is a blend of 87% Petite Sirah and Zinfandel. The aromas of herb, graphite, barrel spice, plum and cranberry seem a bit muddled. The palate offers tart fruit flavors, with plenty of wood influence mixed in.
This wine is a blend of about equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a balance of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The nose is toast and oak driven, bringing notes of charred currant and dark-roast coffee. Medium bodied on the palate, structured tannins offer support to flavors of racy red and black currant, red plum skin and toasted vanilla.
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 wine is a blend of Aragonez with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Firm and rich while maintaining fresh fruit flavors, this is a solid, intense and stylish wine. The palate balances red-berry fruits with a core of dry tannins laced with acidity. Keep this wine for another year.
This wine is a blend of Art Den Hoed Petite Sirah (80%) and Gunkel Vineyard Zinfandel. Aromas of barrel spice, vanilla, raspberry and purple fruit are followed by full-bodied palate-coating fruit flavors, brightened by fresh acidity. The interest is as much about feel as flavor.
This wine is a blend of Bordeaux and Rhône varieties with Merlot (30%) and Syrah (24%) taking the lead. Aromas of raspberry, dark plum and black fruit are followed by plentiful dark-fruit flavors. It's unabashed in its easy drinking appeal.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc (32%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Merlot (24%) and Malbec. Aromas of green pepper, herb, cherry and spice are followed by full-feeling cherry flavors. It comes off as quite green but there's interest to be had.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc (33%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) and Merlot (20%) topped off with Malbec and Petit Verdot. It brings aromas of leafy herbs and dark brewed coffee that lead to easy-drinking flavors that persist.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc (42%), Merlot (41%) and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of flowers, herb, pencil lead and red fruit lead to light, flavorful, reserved and lengthy fruit flavors. The tannins are tightly wound and need some time to uncoil. Best after 2022.
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.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc (56%), Merlot (38%) and Cabernet Sauvignon. Earth, bittersweet chocolate, green herb and floral aromas lead to palate-coating, pillowy fruit flavors that display a beautiful sense of balance along with a lengthy finish.
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 wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (38%), Cabernet Franc (33%), Merlot (20%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of earth, herb, flowers and red and black fruit are followed by well-proportioned dark-fruit flavors that show a lot of structure. It's a great introduction to the house style.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (39%), Cabernet Franc (29%), Merlot (19%), Malbec (9%) and Petit Verdot. It explores the first two varieties's leafier sides, with aromas of garden herbs followed by graphite, orange peel and barrel spice. The palate is tart and fresh, full of cranberry flavors supported by lightly chewy tannins. It brings a pleasing sense of acidity that bodes well for its longevity.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Cabernet Franc (24%), Merlot (21%), Malbec (11%) and Petit Verdot. It offers aromas of barrel spice, herbs and flowers. The currant, cherry and cranberry notes bring a sense of vibrancy that lifts the flavors, providing intrigue, with lightly chewy tannins backing it up.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of black fruit, spice and black licorice are followed by dark-fruit flavors that bring a dazzling sense of purity and restraint. The balance is impeccable.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Syrah (30%), Merlot (18%), and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of pencil lead, raspberries, flowers, baking spices and herbs are followed by palate-coating red and blue-fruit flavors. It displays a lovely sense of balance.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Cabernet Franc (34%), Merlot (15%) and Malbec. Aromas are fresh and fruit filled, with notes of raspberry and black cherry, along with abundant spice and herb accents. The palate is vibrant and flavorful, delivering hedonistic appeal as well as freshness. The emphasis is on elegance.
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.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (46%), Cabernet Franc (24%), Merlot (22%) and Malbec. Aromas of dark fruit and spice are followed by cherry and black-fruit flavors, backed by lightly grainy tannins.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Petit Verdot (25%) and Malbec. Aromas of violets, herbs, plum, vanilla and mesquite are followed by palate-coating fruit flavors, with firm, slightly dry tannins and bright acids.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%) and Syrah, a first for this producer. The aromas bring notes of bittersweet chocolate, pencil lead, smoke, barrel spice and black and purple fruit. The flavors are well balanced and tart, supported by grainy wound-up tannins that need some time to unfurl. Give it a short decant if drinking in the near term.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (17%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Petit Verdot (9%) and Malbec. Pleasing aromas of baking spice, cocoa and vanilla lead to a well-proportioned palate, full of dark-fruit flavors that show a reserved styling.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot (28%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Malbec (4%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of freshly hewn wood, cherry and herb are followed by plentiful black fruits that linger on the finish. The oak plays prominently at times but it works.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot (33%) and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of milk chocolate, cherry, herb and moist earth give way to soft supple palate-coating fruit and barrel flavors. It shows a lot of elegance and refinement.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (14%) and Petit Verdot all coming from Quintessence Vineyard. Aromas of black tea, smoke, cassis and barrel spice are followed by saturated black-fruit flavors. The tannins bring a bit of grip and the midpalate dips a touch, but overall the wine delivers a lot of enjoyment.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), Malbec (22%) and Merlot. Aromas of blue and red fruit and spice lead to tart, broad fruit flavors that winnow somewhat toward the finish. Still, it brings a lot of enjoyment.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), Merlot (28%), Syrah (9%) and Malbec. Aromas of macerated cherries, baking spice and cranberry are followed by sweet fruit flavors. It brings a slight sense of astringency but otherwise delivers the goods.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), Merlot (33%) and Cabernet Franc. Each show themselves in turn, with aromas of high-toned herbs, spice box, pencil lead, cherries and flowers. The tart cherry flavors are still tightly wound, showing balance, focus and persistence. The finish lingers. Best consumed after 2018.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Merlot. Cocoa, baking chocolate and dark-fruit aromas lead to ripe generous black-fruit flavors, backed by well-integrated tannins. The finish lingers.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (20%), Malbec (15%) and Cabernet Franc. It brings notes of herb, espresso and cherry that are followed by concentrated fruit flavors backed by burly tannins that need significant time to stretch their legs. Best after 2021.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (26%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Petit Verdot (2%) and Malbec. Aromas of tire rubber and green pepper bring some distraction to the notes of spice and plum. The palate seems disjointed, with oddly smoky flavors that seem out of place.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), Cabernet Franc (30%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of coffee, dried herbs, green pepper and smoke are followed by creamy-feeling cherry and café au lait flavors. It brings a whole lot of appeal.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (8%) and Petit Verdot. Fragrant aromas of fresh herbs, flowers, pencil lead and black currant are followed by sweet, supple, concentrated red and black-fruit flavors backed by well-integrated tannins. Especially considering the warmth of the vintage, it shows a lot of finesse along with a long finish.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), Syrah (23%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of violets, black licorice, dried blackberries and dark fruit are followed by ripe, full-bodied dark fruit and baking-spice flavors. The tannins pack a hefty but still well-balanced punch.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (67%), Merlot (26%) and Cabernet Franc. It's aromatically expressive, with notes of raspberry, cigar box, mint, café au lait, blackberry, dried herb, anise and wet gravel. The palate displays a sense of elegance and refinement that captures the attention, with red-fruit flavors lingering on the long (slightly warm) finish.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Malbec (12%) and Merlot. The aromas draw you into the glass, with notes of poblano, herb, spice, vanilla and cherry. The palate displays a mixture of fruit and barrel, with tightly wound tannins and bright acidity heightening the interest.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Merlot (10%) and Cabernet Franc, with the fruit coming from Weinbau, Champoux, Lady Hawk and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. Light aromas of cocoa, herb, earth and cassis are followed by focused fruit flavors. It puts a premium on elegance.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The aromas suggest notes of high-toned herbs, cranberry, fresh cherries and cassis that provide appeal. The palate provides elegant, sophisticated flavors that linger.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Carménère, Merlot and Petit Verdot, coming from a block designed by the late Master of Wine David Lake. Light aromas of herb, green pepper and cherry are followed by elegant fruit flavors that seem a bit faint. The oak appears to be dialed way back. Best paired with food.
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.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. The aromas of spice, cherry and plum are quite reserved while the palate brings plump fruit and barrel flavors backed by grainy tannins.
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.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Intricate aromas of vanilla, cedar, powdered chocolate, pipe tobacco and black cherry lead to focused, layered fruit and barrel flavors that show persistence.
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.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Aromas of green wood mixed with tire rubber, red currant, strawberry and spice. It delivers red and black-fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot all coming from a single vineyard site. It's wound up tightly at present, with aromas of herb, dark fruit, spice and earth. The palate is big and bold, with rich fruit flavors and a firm lick of tannins. Best from 2024–2030.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The aromas are quite reserved, with notes of vanilla, berry, plum and wood spice. The palate brings plum, cranberry and raspberry flavors, backed by lightly grainy tannins.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot, all from Burgess Vineyard. The aromas display each variety in turn, with notes of high-toned herbs followed by plum and dried cherries. Tart flavors show a focus on acid, and are far more elegant in style than most wines from this vintage.
This wine is a blend of De Ponte, Schindler and Kalita fruit, smooth and supple, though falling a bit flat in terms of mouthfeel. Leafy herbal components come up soonest, followed with sweet barrel notes, from 15 months in half new French oak.
This wine is a blend of Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon and Benches Merlot (25%). Aromas of cedar, savory herb, barrel spice and cherry are followed by plush yet tart cranberry flavors. The finish lingers.
This wine is a blend of equal parts Art Den Hoed, Lawrence, Red Heaven and Stoney Vine vineyard fruit, with the latter stealing the show. The aromas pop, with notes of grilled asparagus, black and green olive, ember, wet rock and moist earth. The palate is chock-full of earth, smoked meat and other savory flavors that bring a textured feel and linger on the finish.
This wine is a blend of equal parts Grenache Blanc and Marsanne. The aromas are quite restrained, with intriguing notes of pear, almond, citrus, cream and spice. The palate brings a similar sense of restraint, showing no apparent new oak influence. It doesn't quite all come together but it provides a sense of intrigue.
This wine is a blend of equal parts Seven Hills and Ferguson fruit. Aromas of raspberry, plum, tobacco and dark fruit lead to flavorful, polished tart fruit flavors. It's undeniable in its appeal.
This wine is a blend of Evergreen, Schmitt and Oasis vineyards. It displays a mixture of butter, tropical fruit and red-apple aromas that lead to creamy feeling flavors and a drawn-out finish that impresses.
This wine is a blend of four distinctive sites—Minick and Olsen in the Yakima Valley, and SJR and Stoney Vine in the Walla Walla Valley. It pulls together the best of all of them, with brooding notes of mineral, wet stone, earthy funk, coffee, smoked meat and black and green olive. The palate steals the show, with hypnotic savory flavors that coalesce around a vibrant, extended finish. It's a textural marvel that is simply impossible to put down.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Alder Ridge and Olsen Vineyards. Aged in older barrels, it displays mesmerizingly pure aromas of raspberry, mortared dried herbs and pot roast. The flavors are elegant, textured and detailed, displaying a fine sense of balance along with plenty of length. It takes some time to get going but once it does it sails.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Anna Marie, Dugger Creek, McClellan Estate and Seven Hills vineyards. The aromas are light, with notes of barrel spice, graphite, herb and dark fruit. The flavors are elegant in style, possessing a pleasing texture that heightens the interest.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Bacchus, Phinny Hill and Loess vineyards. Brooding aromas of black cherry, herb and barrel spice are followed by pitch-black blackberry and game flavors, backed by tightly coiled tannins. It comes off as a bit richer than the norm for this winery but still delivers the goods. Best after 2022.
This 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 wine is a blend of fruit from Boushey, Bacchus, The Benches and Candy Mountain vineyards. Very primary aromas of smoke, toast, char and cherry are followed by sumptuous fruit and barrel flavors. The oak seems a little heavy handed at times but it still brings a lot of appeal.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Boushey, Olsen and Sagemoor vineyards. Light in color, the aromas bring vibrant notes of stemmy herb, smoked meat and raspberry. It's light and elegant in style, with pillowy fruit flavors that linger on the finish. It shows a sense of delicacy.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Canoe Ridge, Wallula and Wahluke Slope vineyards. Aromas of dried herbs and leaves, green pepper and cherry are followed by a fruit-filled palate. The tannins come off as a bit scratchy.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Conner Lee, Stillwater Creek and Otis Harlan vineyards. It's aromatically generous, with notes of pineapple, toast, candlewax and butter followed by lightly creamy flavors.
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 wine is a blend of fruit from five different vineyards scattered across the valley. The aromas of barrel spice, black cherry, dried leaves, herbs and flowers still seem quite locked up. The flavors are generous and full with palate coating milk chocolate and cherry flavors with a finish that lingers.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Gamache (65%) and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. Aromas of game, Band Aid and dried cherry are followed by lush, sweet fruit and savory flavors. There are some interesting things going on but the gaminess proves too distracting.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Les Collines, Forgotten Hills and SJR vineyards. It brings brooding but complex aromas of smoked meat, fresh herbs, citrus twist, red and blue fruit and mineral. The violet and red and blue fruit flavors show restraint and elegance, with an emphasis on purity.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Oasis (84%) and Olsen vineyards. A pale golden color, the aromas are light, with notes of lees, stone fruit, cinnamon, cream and spice. The palate is creamy and full in feel, with pleasing spice accents on the extended finish. A touch of warmth is the only thing that holds it back.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Obelisco, Olsen, Oasis and Kiona vineyards. Wood-forward aromas (60% new French oak) of char and coffee are out in front of herb and black cherry. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, pulling up short on the finish. There's enjoyment to be had but the variety seems hard to find.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Olsen (50%), Boushey (34%) and Clifton Hill vineyards, aged in 34% new French oak. Its aromas are bright, recalling flowers, dark raspberry, graphite, sweet barrel spice and herb. The palate is rich with luscious fruit flavors and oak characteristics.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Quintessence, Red Heaven, Fidelitas Estate and Shaw vineyards. The aromas are wound up tightly at present but with coaxing reveal notes of French oak spices, black cherry and black currant. The flavors show a surprising amount of restraint, with a pleasing cranberry tartness and a lick of tannins.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Ranch at the End of the Road and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. Brooding aromas of dark raspberries, black plum, spice and mineral are followed by ripe generous full-bodied fruit flavors that display a lot of hedonism while retaining a spot-on sense of balance. It's sensational.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Seven Hills, Loess, Mill Creek Upland, Leonetti Old Block and Serra Pedace. Aromas of mineral, black cherry, incense, barrel spice and scorched earth lead to a full-bodied textured palate full of black-fruit flavors and tightly wound tannins. It drinks quite young now, needing some time to come into its own. Best from 2024–2029.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Sheridan (73%) and Dineen vineyards. It offers aromas of dried herb, violets, mushroom and cedar that are followed by elegant, very pretty fruit flavors. It's more about subtlety than brawn.
This wine is a blend of fruit from six different vineyards across the valley. Alluring aromas of cassis, earth, spice, vanilla and flowers are followed by a structured palate, with enough tannic heft to reward time in the cellar.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Summit View, Klipsun and Doval vineyards. Aromas of wood spice, purple fruit, vanilla and exotic spice are followed by tart cranberry and cherry flavors, with the midpalate dipping in concentration. The tannins bring quite a bit of grip.
This wine is a blend of fruit from the Bacchus (57%), Dionysus (22%) and Olsen (21%) vineyards. The aromas are vibrant, with notes of lime zest, white peach, apple and mineral, along with whiffs of reduction. It drinks dry, with a sleek high-acid styling. Stone-fruit flavors linger on the finish. Pair it with food to see it at its best.
This wine is a blend of fruit from the Ciel du Cheval and Force Majeure vineyards. Aromas of black cherry, herb, graphite, barrel spice and violets are followed by dense yet focused and lively black-fruit flavors, as well as tightly wound tannins. Best from 2022-2028.
This wine is a blend of fruit from the Columbia Gorge and Terrace Heights. White pepper, green vegetable and flower blossom aromas lead to light, dry, puckering fruit flavors. Put it on the dinner table to see it shine.
This wine is a blend of fruit from top sites DuBrul (60%) and Klipsun. Appealing aromas of milk chocolate, herb, vanilla, French-oak spices and cherry lead to supple, focused cherry, date and spice flavors, capped off by an exceptionally long finish. It delivers both unabashed appeal and plenty of nuance.
This wine is a blend of grapes seldom found in the state: Souzão (34%) Tinta Roriz (33%), Touriga Nacional (31%) and Tinta Cão. The aromas jump out of the glass, with notes of violets, purple fruit, freshly peeled orange, barrel spice and earth. The soft plush fruit flavors are extremely fresh and piquant, with the oak influence seeming dialed back. It's a very intriguing wine.
This wine is a blend of Grenache (33%), Counoise (24%), Syrah (20%), Cinsault (17%) and Mourvèdre. Expressive fruit-laden aromas of red plum, raspberry, blue fruit and herb are followed by plump, pure fruit flavors, with the mouthfeel only adding the appeal. It's a gorgeous interpretation of these varieties.
This wine is a blend of Grenache (44%), Counoise (36%), Syrah (10%) and Cinsault. Quite pale in color, it offers appealing aromas of raspberries and cranberries along with smoke. The flavors are light and lithe, putting a premium on purity, trailing slightly toward the finish.
This wine is a blend of Grenache (44%), Mourvèdre (22%), Syrah (14%), Cinsault (13%) and Counoise. It delivers aromas of red fruit, celery stalk, white pepper and herb that lead to ripe full-bodied dark-fruit flavors that offer a lot of enjoyment.
This wine is a blend of Grenache (45%), Mourvèdre (36%) and 19% Syrah. Reserved aromas of dark berry and herb lead to vibrant fruit flavors that display a lovely sense of texture and detail. The balance and combination of richness and restraint is exquisite, as is the finish. It impresses.
This wine is a blend of Grenache (46%), Cinsault (31%) and Counoise. A very pretty pale peach color, it offers quite light aromas of strawberry and watermelon. The flavors are sleek and light, capped off by a tart finish.
This wine is a blend of Grenache (47%), Mourvèdre (38%) and Syrah. It's loaded with aromas and flavors of black raspberry, herbs, potpourri, peppery spices and kirsch. The plump red and black-fruit flavors show an exquisite balance of richness and restraint that carries through the long finish.
This wine is a blend of Grenache (49%), Syrah (20%), Cinsault (16%), Mourvèdre (9%) and Counoise. Complex aromas of raspberry, blueberry, dried herbs and pepper lead to reserved yet rich fruit flavors that put a premium on purity. Give it time to open up.
This wine is a blend of Grenache (53%), Syrah (22%), Mourvèdre (17%), Counoise (5%) and Cinsault. Smoke, char and black pepper aromas are predominant along with notes of tire rubber, white pepper and red fruit. The red-fruit flavors are lighter in style, showing a pretty sense of styling.
This wine is a blend of Grenache, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Salmon colored, it offers light notes of red apple, melon and a hint of strawberry. The flavors are dry and generous, with a broad feel bringing a lot of appeal.
This wine is a blend of international and indigenous Hungarian varieties, made from 60% Furmint, 17% Hárslevelu, 11% Chardonnay, 9% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscat. A bouquet of creamsicle and lychee set the stage for flavors of tropical fruits and orange zest. It is sinewy on the palate, with a surprisingly velvety finish.
This wine is a blend of Malbec (69%) and Syrah. Aromas of plum and spice lead to a plump, flavorful palate full of fruit flavors.
This wine is a blend of McKinley Springs and Alder Ridge fruit. Coffee and cherry aromas lead to restrained cranberry flavors, with the tannins bringing some dryness and grit.
This wine is a blend of McQueen, Bob Healy and Lefore vineyard fruit, aged 22 months in 73% new French oak. Alluring aromas of macerated cherries, scorched earth, coffee, barrel spice and dark chocolate are followed by supple, focused, concentrated dark-fruit flavors. It brings some tannic heft that will benefit from time in the cellar. Best from 2023–2030.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (28%), Cabernet Franc (26%), Petit Verdot (21%), Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) and Tempranillo. Aromas of red fruit, herbs, pencil eraser and tobacco are followed by full-feeling red and black fruit flavors backed by grainy tannins.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (37%), Cabernet Franc (31%), Cabernet Sauvignon (19%) and a whopping 13% Petit Verdot. Aromas of flowers, scorched earth, green herb and red fruit lead to concentrated, quite pure fruit and earth flavors. It brings a lovely sense of texture and the tannins add some heft.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (41%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) and Cabernet Franc (29%). Aromas of raspberries, blackberries, barrel spices and red and black currant lead to a rich mouthful of power-packed fruit flavors that lead to a warm finish.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (42%), Cabernet Sauvignon (35%), and Cabernet Franc. Brooding aromas of scorched earth, barrel spice, wood and dark fruit lead to a bold dark-fruited palate backed by firm tannins. It displays plenty of breadth and brawn, with the oak primary now but likely to integrate over time.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (44%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%) and Cabernet Franc. Fragrant aromas of raspberries, orange peel, red currant and garden herbs lead to restrained but sumptuous fruit flavors backed by a lick of tart acidity. It brings a sense of presence and depth.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (44%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Malbec (17%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas are brooding, with notes of cocoa, bittersweet chocolate, cherry, herb and spice. The dark-fruit flavors are full bodied, rich and saturated, packing a hefty punch with a finish that sails.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (45%), Cabernet Franc (34%), Petit Verdot (8%), Malbec (8%) and Cabernet Sauvignon. Brooding aromas of green herbs, flowers and cherry lead to a ripe full-flavored palate that shows a fine sense of balance.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (45%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Petit Verdot (10%) and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of savory herb, carob, wood spice and cherry lead to plump fruit-forward flavors that also show intriguing earthy accents. The finish lingers. There are lots of good things going on but the wood seems a bit prominent.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (58%), Cabernet Franc (22%), Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) and Petit Verdot. Brooding aromas of cherry, blackberry, wood spice, anise and bittersweet chocolate lead to dry, incredibly tightly wound tannins. It needs significant time in the cellar to soften a bit. Don't go near it until 2025 unless you give it an extended decant.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (58%), Cabernet Sauvignon (36%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot. Vibrant aromas of cherry meats, raspberry, dried herb and barrel spice are followed by a fruit-forward flavorful palate backed by firm tannins. It has a high yum factor.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (35%) and Cabernet Franc. Brooding aromas of blackberry, black currant, herb and spice lead to rich ripe hedonistic black-fruit flavors that bring a compelling sense of texture. It's not shy, but for those looking for a big bold ripe wine, this one's for you.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (63%), a whopping 22% Petit Verdot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of smoke, cedar, dried herbs, licorice, pencil lead, crushed flowers and red and black berries are followed by soft, plump fruit flavors. It brings an undeniable warm vintage appeal but with a compelling sense of elegance and balance.
This wine is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Brooding aromas of wood spice and red and black fruit lead to sultry, well-balanced dark-fruit flavors with a persistently long finish.
This wine is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Aromas of wood spice, herbs, black fruit and flowers lead to a full bodied palate with dark chocolate and cherry flavors, showing a lovely sense of balance.
This wine is a blend of Monette's Vineyard Grenache and River Rock Syrah (15%). The volatiles are amped up, along with aromas of raspberries and herb. The flavors are full and liquorous, showing a fair amount of heat.
This wine is a blend of Mourvèdre (63%), Grenache (27%) and Syrah. The aromas pop, with notes of freshly ground black pepper, black fruit and herb. The palate is action packed with juicy dark-fruit flavors that stretch out on the finish.
This wine is a blend of Mourvèdre (75%), Syrah (15%) and Grenache. Aromas of black pepper, dried herbs, moist earth, mango, papaya and lemon twist are followed by tart, lively yet reserved fruit and savory flavors that show impeccable balance and a lengthy finish. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
This wine is a blend of Primitivo (46%), Petite Sirah (29%) and Zinfandel. Aromas of huckleberry, raspberry, herb and spice lead to sweet blue-fruit flavors that provide enjoyment.
This wine is a blend of Riesling (70%) and Gewürztraminer. It brings aromas of pear, lychee and white flowers that are followed by an off-dry palate. It needs some more acidity to pull it all together.
This wine is a blend of Roussanne (45%), Viognier (40%) and Chardonnay. Red apple and melon aromas are followed by medium-sweet fruit flavors. It needs more acidity to hold it together.
This wine is a blend of Roussanne (58%), Marsanne (21%) and Grenache Blanc from Olsen and Boushey vineyards. Unusual aromas of apricot, herb, lees, toasted Grape-nuts and candle wax lead to waxy stone-fruit flavors. It doesn't all come together.
This wine is a blend of Sémillon (55%) and Sauvignon Blanc from Cave B and Mercer Estate vineyards. Aromas are reticent at present, with notes of reduction, grass, herb and spice. The palate is flavorful, with citrus and tropical-fruit flavors. It delivers a lot of enjoyment.
This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (52%), Cabernet Sauvignon (32%) and Syrah. Aromas of bittersweet chocolate, herb, pencil lead, smoke, cranberry and dark fruit lead to palate-coating black-fruit flavors that display depth and density. It shows a lovely sense of balance and detail.
This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (59%), Cabernet Sauvignon (32%) and Syrah. Toast, herb, cranberry and spice are followed by lush, ripe fruit flavors. It possesses a firm structure.
This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (65%) and Barbera. Cranberry, raspberry and baking spice aromas are followed by generous tart fruit flavors with an electric jolt of acid. The acid is quite bracing to have on its own. Pair it with pasta with a red sauce.
This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (66%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Syrah. The aromas are brooding, with notes of earth, toast, red fruit and spice. The palate brings tart tangy cranberry flavors that linger on the finish.
This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (69%), Cabernet Sauvignon (17%) and Syrah. Dried raspberry, herb and cocoa aromas lead to reserved cranberry and cherry flavors that linger.
This wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (73%) and Sémillon. Aromas of tropical fruit (that include kiwi and pineapple, along with toast and herb) lead to sleek spicy fruit flavors, with generous tropical flavors on the finish. It needs some time to settle in but shows a lovely sense of balance.
This wine is a blend of Seven Hills, Loess, Mill Creek Upland, Serra Pedace and Leonetti Old Block. Aromatically brooding at present, it shows intricate notes of barrel spice, thyme, coffee, cranberry, black tea and red and black fruit. The palate is tightly wound, with bright acid and lightly chewy tannins that need some time in the cellar to stretch their legs. Best from 2021 to 2030.
This wine is a blend of several vineyard designates for the producer, including Campbell Ranch and Baranoff. It's pretty and floral, its aromatics an inviting mix of cinnamon-clove and cherry-plum. Exotically spiced in cardamom, it offers a tangy texture and lingering bite of oak on the finish.
This wine is a blend of Syrah (44.5%), Grenache (33.3%) and Mourvèdre. The aromas are light and nuanced, with notes of raspberry, thistle, flower petal and herb. The red- and black-fruit flavors bring a pleasing sense of purity and freshness that carries through the finish.
This wine is a blend of Syrah (45%), Mourvèdre (27%), Grenache (25%) and Cinsault. It charms with complex, pure aromas of boysenberry, white pepper, raspberries and herbs. The flavors are full in feel, with the judicious use of oak heightening the enjoyment.
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.
This wine is a blend of Syrah (76%), Grenache (21%) and Viognier (3%). Perfumed aromas of orange peel, flowers, spice and dark fruit lead to plump raspberry and smoked meat flavors. It needs time to unwind.
This wine is a blend of Syrah (79%), Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of herbs, black fruit, licorice and fruit leather are followed by ample cherry and blackberry flavors. The fruit seems a bit dried out at times.
This wine is a blend of Tempranillo (63%), Graciano (26%) and Garnacha. Appealing aromas of red fruit, spice, cocoa and toasty barrel accents give way to fruit and barrel flavors brightened by tart acidity and supported by lightly grainy tannins. It's an intriguing blend of these varieties that shows impeccable balance and impressive length.
This wine is a blend of the five Bordeaux varieties. It's aromatically reserved, with notes of flowers, high-toned herbs, wood spice and dark fruit, but it's not yet fully ready to reveal its charms. The flavors are dark and dense, with chewy, lightly dry tannins providing support. The finish stretches-out.
This wine is a blend of top sites Les Collines, SJR and Red Willow. It's perfumed with notes of green olive, violets, dried herbs, mineral and smoked meat. The palate is tightly wound, sensuous and supple, lithe yet rich with tart fruit and savory flavors backed by tannins that need more time to come into their own—but this wine surely deserves it. It has all of the stuffing to be a 20+ year wine. Best from 2025 to 2032. Give it an extended decant if opening in the near term.
This wine is a blend of top sites Stoney Vine, Discovery, Olsen, StoneTree and Klipsun vineyards. Perfumed aromas of wet stone, earth, black olive and coffee lead to plush-feeling fruit and earth flavors that show persistence.
This wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Syrah, with an off-dry fruitiness and soft, raspberry flavors. It is light and crisp with just a touch of caramel. Drink now.
This wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Merlot and Syrah, giving fruit, fresh berry flavors and acidity. It has some structure, showing a dry background to the forward juicy flavors. It should be better in a year, so drink from 2016.
This wine is a blend of Two Blondes Cabernet Franc (50%), Benches Merlot (34%) and Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon. Appealing scents of green herb, dark cherry and barrel spice are followed by plentiful cranberry and cherry flavors. It shows an exquisite sense of balance along with a lengthy finish.
This wine is a blend of Upland Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Double Canyon Petit Verdot (38%) and McKinley Springs Malbec. It's aromatically reserved, revealing fresh and dried herbs, green pepper, vanilla, cocoa and dark cherry. The dark fruit flavors show a very pretty combination of richness and restraint.
This wine is a blend Viognier (60%) and Roussanne. Aromas of almond butter, lees and spice are followed by a broad palate with a creamy feel. The finish lingers.
This wine is a bold but well-mannered blockbuster that serves generous helpings of dark color, spicy aromas, concentrated flavors and a luxurious dry texture. It needs full-flavored, rich food to accompany it, and will deliver a lot of pleasure under those circumstances. Best to drink now through 2020.
This wine is a bombast of sweet liqueur and vanilla-infused candy, dusty with a sour finish.
This wine is a butterball—even though unoaked—from the butter and almond aromas, to the butterscotch flavors and rich texture. It feels full bodied, not overtly fruity, and does bring tasty acidity to the flavors and on the finish.
This wine is a classic of the type that can only improve with time. The aromas show tightly packed spices, superripe fruit and cedar. Dense blackberry, blueberry and dark chocolate flavors fill this full-bodied and lavishly tannic wine to the brim. The color is black, except for a slim ring of deep ruby at the edge. Best after 2025.
This wine is a combo of Paso Robles and Edna Valley. The Paso fruit brings slightly cooked, jammy pear and apricot flavors, while the San Luis Obispo grapes provide balancing acidity and a keen lime edge. The result is dry and easy.
This wine is a delightful nod to Old World styling. The nose of dry leather, humidor, and earth carries to the palate with additional notes of dried herbs, plum and apple skins. The light weight balance should give this wide appeal.
This wine is a field blend of 80% Zinfandel, with 10% Petite Sirah, 6% Alicante Bouschet and 4% other mixed black grapes. High-toned in plum and dark cherry, it's bright while also being plush and juicy. This is a small-production offering from a fairly cool area for the grape.
This wine is a field blend of eight different clones of this variety. It opens with reserved, slightly reduced aromas of sea shell, mineral and citrus that lead to lighter-styled fruit and mineral flavors.
This wine is a field blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache from Bishop's vineyard. Aromas of herbs, berry, cumin and wet copper penny are followed by smooth-feeling dark berry flavors with a tart, mesquite-filled finish.
This wine is a fine exposition of the structure and density of a serious Douro wine. A field blend, it is packed with dark berry fruits and sweet tannins, with a strong mineral element that reflects the tough schist of the vineyards. It's drinkable now, but the wine will be better in 2016.
This wine is a fresh, herbaceous and fruity blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Grenache Blanc. Touches of tropical fruits round out the crisp lemon and grapefruit flavors, with an attractive, fragrant tang at the end.
This wine is a giant in terms of concentration and structure, need plenty of time in the cellar to reach its peak of enjoyment. Cedar wood, tobacco and charcoal aromas lead to dark chocolate, sage, wood smoke and ripe black cherry flavors. The tannins are fine-grained but pervasive, adding a wonderful velvety touch to the texture. Best after 2021.
This wine is a golden color that is showing some browning despite its youth. The aromas offer notes of marmalade and diesel. The flavors are concentrated and sugary sweet. It delivers plenty of enjoyment but seems advanced for its age. Enjoy it sooner than later.
This wine is a great example of a specialty of the Jura: aging wines under a layer of natural yeast. That gives a wine that's at once nutty and fruity, with a yeasty, bready character, dried fruit notes and intense acidity. Drink now and until 2021.
This wine is a great example of why Riesling is so increasingly popular. Despite the “dry” title on the label, it's actually a bit off-dry and crisp in acidity, with clean, savory flavors of limes, kiwi fruits, honey and vanilla. So easy to like, and the alcohol is relatively low.
This wine is a great mix of fruit and a tight texture. The two are joined easily by the wood-aging flavors that give a smoky character as well as toastiness. The citrus and crisp peach skin acidity leave a lively aftertaste. Drink from 2016.
This wine is a joint venture between négociant Schröder & Schÿler and the Barton family of Château Léoville-Barton. It's fruity in style, with light tannins and attractive spice from wood aging. Its black currant fruitiness, typical of the vintage, has softened and filled out so the wine is ready to drink.
This wine is a joy to drink with its aromas and flavors of coffee, dark chocolate, herbs and cherry. The opulently styled flavors are rich but well balanced, with chewy tannins backing it all up. It's irresistible.
This wine is a kitchen-sink-style blend with Merlot and Syrah in the lead. It has aromas of herb, tire rubber, vanilla and dark fruit. The fruit flavors are tart and supple in feel with a lingering finish.
This wine is a light gold color, with appetizing pear and crisp apple aromas. Firm acidity, a lively texture and absolutely fresh flavors make it a pleasure to drink.
This wine is a light red, but packaged like a rosé, and shows rich aromas of ripe black plum and red cherries, mouth-filling body and generous plummy, meaty flavors. It's very enjoyable to start an evening with and is full bodied enough to pair with big proteins.
This wine is a little direct, but very tasty, showing rich, ripe cherry, red currant, cocoa and sweet oak flavors, wrapped into lovely tannins. A polished, pretty wine for drinking now.
This wine is a little green out of the gate, with notes of garden herbs and green flowers along with macerated cranberries and ripe blue fruit. The palate has a pleasing texture and sense of purity but ultimately the aromas are too distracting.
This wine is a little short and abupt on the finish. It's very similar to a minor Chardonnay, with buttercream, vanilla and tropical and citrus fruits. The acidity is quite brisk, like a squirt of lime.
This wine is a medium cherry-red color, with some bricking. The volatiles are quite high and lead to off-dry cherry flavors.
This wine is a mix of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot that is tight, tannic and a tad green.
This wine is a mix of fruit from Anna Marie and McClellan Estate vineyards. The aromas offer notes of dark roasted coffee, vanilla, herbs, spice and cherry, with the barrel notes initially at the fore. The palate is textured and supple, with the feel and flavors keeping the attention high.
This wine is a near equal split between three varieties: Gerenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Mesmerizing aromas of red cherry, plum, wood spice and herb are followed by quite tart elegant fruit flavors. It shows a lot of finesse but still needs some time to stretch its legs.
This wine is a new addition to the lineup. It opens with aromas of herbs, dark chocolate, barrel spices and dark fruit followed by a fresh lively palate loaded with dark-fruit flavors, fresh acidity and fine grained tannins, with the finish lingering.
This wine is a pale cherry-red in color, showing some bricking. It brings off-dry elegantly styled cherry flavors that winnow toward the finish.
This wine is a perennial overachiever, but the 2015 is even more so than usual. The aromas are bold and ripe, offering notes of cherries, ample garrigue and hints of tar. The wine is rich and velvety on the palate, folding in notes of chocolate, baking spices, plum and dried herbs. Drink now–2025.
This wine is a poster child for all those who complain that California Pinot Noir is too alcoholic, rich and oaky. This bottling is quite balanced, with a light, silky texture and complex waves of raspberries, red currants, red licorice and sandalwood. The fruit is a bit fresh and tart, so give it 5–6 years in a cellar to evolve.
This wine is a pretty very pale peach, almost bronze color. Light strawberry aromas are followed by bone-dry textured fruit flavors. Pink grapefruit lingers on the finish. Pair it with food to see it at its best.
This wine is a prime example of a dry but deeply satisfying style of Zin. It has aromas like dark chocolate with hints of wood smoke and cedar from aging in 50% new oak and focused, pure fruit flavors on a firm, lip-smackingly tannic texture that begs for another sip. It's not sweet, but so, so tempting.
This wine is a rare example of Nebbiolo in the state. A pretty pale peach, almost bronze color, it brings aromas of mineral and strawberry. The tart flavors drink bone dry with medium-bodied cherry notes that draw out on the finish.
This wine is a rarity for Washington in a number of ways. It's 100% varietal, comes from Golden Ridge Vineyard, and saw just 20% new French oak. It offers appealing, luscious raspberry compote and herb aromas and flavors backed by lightly grainy tannins.
This wine is a relatively dense, chewy version of Marlborough Pinot, with dark cherry, black currant, Dr. Pepper, and earth throughout. The grippy tannins on the palate are balanced by juicy dark fruit and coffee notes. The oak certainly isn't hiding in this wine but for those who like a more powerful style of Pinot, this is good option.
This wine is a result of careful winemaking in which both oak barrel and aging on the lees is used to render a rounder, creamier feel in the mouth. The excellent 2004 vintage adds fresh notes of apricot and stone fruit to the overall complexity of the nose.
This wine is a rich, dense wine that is maturing well. It has solid spice, wood and black currant flavors that are packed into a firmly tannic structure. It is ready to drink now–2020.
This wine is a shining example of the glorious minerality that singles out Mosel Riesling. The nose shows really appealing pear and gardenia scents overlaying wet stone notes. The mouthwatering acidity wakes up your palate and is in perfect balance with the substantial residual sugar. Drink now (with sushi) or hold five or more years for even more complexity.
This wine is a soft, lean selection, with closed aromas and tight flavors of black currant and cherry that struggle to appear fully. The palate is clean but fleeting, with little texture and a short finish.
This wine is a solid, stylish Meritage with assertive red fruit, a black pepper backbone and plenty of structure for aging. A touch of oaked spice adds dimension. A good overall red to pair with hearty winter fare.
This wine is a standout in an outstanding portfolio of 2013 vineyard- and block-designated wines from this producer. Five Sisters is big and burly at first, a fistful of leather and Asian baking spices that demands notice. Then subtlety takes over in lithe, sinewy waves of blueberry and blackberry, followed by a touch of licorice on the nearly endless finish.
This wine is a standout, with seasoned, full-bodied layers of peppercorn, clove, cinnamon and jammy plum, balanced in weight and length, with just a hint of sanguine character. While it plays the savory card successfully, it dabbles judiciously in dark chocolate, too, finishing like a chocolate kiss.
This wine is a straightforward, easy sipper with aromas and flavors of lilac and citrus. It drinks a hair off dry, with pink-grapefruit flavors throughout.
This wine is a study of how to make Pinot Noir both extremely light and yet powerfully flavorful. Underripe black raspberry meets with white pepper and dill on the nose. The bright and lively palate dances across the tongue with thyme, rosemary and pine flavors against tart red fruit. It's easy to guzzle.
This wine is a success for the vintage with its ripe Cabernet flavors and dark, dense tannins. It is fruity certainly, with a juicy, perfumed background. However, the structure and texture show best—firm and dry, indicating a good potential. This concentrated wine will not be ready to drink before 2024.
This wine is a tad thin and stewy. Dull on the palate with only the slightest suggestion of fruit, it opts instead to celebrate a thicket of forested earth.
This wine is a tour de force, dripping with luscious fruit flavor and packing power in the full-body and lip-smacking texture. The aromas are classic, ripe raspberry and blackberry, lightly spiced with oak, and the flavors ooze more wild berry and pomegranate. With concentration like this and a lively structure of fine tannins, it's good to drink now but will improve through 2020.
This wine is a unique blend of 40% each Mourvèdre and Syrah, with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. It brings intriguing aromas of black currant, violets, black licorice, black pepper, herbs and smoked meat. The flavors are full of lively, lip-smacking black cherry and plum flavors that linger. It shows impressive balance.
This wine is a unique blend of 50% Petit Verdot, 25% Syrah and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in a mixture of 59% new French and American oak. Unusual aromas of lemon twist, vanilla, white pepper, herb and green wood lead to high-acid elegant fruit flavors backed by coarse gritty-feeling tannins. It doesn't stand up by itself but has a place at the dinner table.
This wine is a unique blend of 59% Syrah, 31% Malbec and 10% Grenache. Dark in color for a rosé, it brings aromas of cherry and herb. The flavors tingle the palate with just off-dry flavors that seem a bit fat.
This wine is a unique blend of 61% Tempranillo, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Grenache. Aromas of coffee grounds, toast, spice and dark fruit are up front, with the oak playing a primary role. The palate mixes fruit and barrel, with the fruit concentration seeming a bit light.
This wine is a unique blend of Grenache (63%), Syrah (19%) and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of raspberry, garigue, blueberry and herb give way to palate-coating red and blue-fruit flavors that persist on the finish. It shows a lovely sense of balance, poise and polish.
This wine is a unique blend of Malbec (60%), Syrah (20%), Merlot (15%) and Petit Verdot. It opens with brooding but alluring aromas of dark plum, asphalt, and a kiss of baking spice. The flavors are full bodied and palate coating, showing weight but also a sense of suppleness that charms the senses.
This wine is a unique blend of Roussanne (59%), Sauvignon Blanc (26%) and Marsanne. The aromas are perfumed with notes of flowers, citrus, peach and lees. The flavors are sweet, with Sauvignon's herbal streak running throughout. It provides intrigue.
This wine is a unique blend of Syrah (55%), Petit Verdot (a whopping 27%) and Malbec. Aromas of firepit, woodspice, dried herbs, lemon and barnyard are followed by surprisingly elegant fruit flavors, with Petit Verdot's often burly tannins nowhere to be found.
This wine is a unique blend of Syrah, Merlot, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre. It seems locked up, with aromas of pickling spices, smoke, berry and vanilla that are followed by broad blue and black-fruit flavors that provide appeal.
This wine is a unique blend of Tempranillo (62%), Graciano, Cabernet, Merlot and Garnacha. Spice, coffee, tobacco, vanilla and red-fruit aromas are followed by a smooth, elegant palate, with flavors that linger.
This wine is a unique blend of Viognier (53%), Roussanne (35%) and Riesling. It's aromatic, with notes of flowers, green gummy bear and pear. It drinks dry with floral and grapey flavors, with it all not seeming to entirely meld.
This wine is a unique blend of Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Sémillon and Marsanne. Light aromas of melon and citrus lead to dry full-feeling fruit flavors that bring a rounded feel. It's an intriguing wine.
This wine is a unique in the state blend and features Cinsault (35%), Grenache (35%) and Mourvèdre. Pale peach in color with a slight bronze tinge, the aromas are light, with notes of strawberry, citrus zest and mineral. The flavors are dry, sleek and high acid. It's a perfect summer wine.
This wine is a very appealing pale bronze color with a light peach tinge. It brings bountiful aromas of wet rock, mountain strawberry and herb that lead to a dry, broad, flavorful palate, with mouthwatering fruit and stone flavors.
This wine is a very pale peach color. Aromas of strawberry candy, watermelon and citrus peel lead to light dry-fruit flavors. The concentration seems a bit lacking.
This wine is a vineyard selection, aged in wood for 12 months. A structured blend of Fer Servadou and Cabernet Sauvignon, it has black fruits, firm tannins and acidity, all in balance. The wood aging is only a hint of smoothness with the rich fruit. Drink from 2018.
This wine is überaromatic, with notes of raspberry jam, stemmy herbs, blackberries, smoked meat, orange peel, iron and an earthy funk. The palate brings a lot of intensity of flavor, with smoke and orange-peel notes lingering on the warm finish.
This wine is about as raisiny as it gets while still holding onto a sense of balance. Aromas of stewed berry fruits, prune and carob lead to a grabby, lemony tasting palate with raisin, vanilla and sweet tobacco on the finish.
This wine is absolutely what fans of traditional Rioja should be on the lookout for. It's smooth, elegant and complex on the bouquet, the perfect introduction to a firm yet classy palate, with berry, plum, spice, tobacco and vanilla flavors. Dry, toasty and just right on the finish. Drink now–2020.
This wine is abundant with aromas of cherry Coke, sarsaparilla and baking spice. The palate is delicate yet is given some weight from seven months in neutral French and American oak. This wine gains a soft texture from Tannat skins added during fermentation.
This wine is aged in neutral oak and shows salty lemon and guava notes atop a creamy, crisply layered texture. Bright and bold, it satisfies on the palate and should impress further as it opens in the glass, or even with a touch more time in the bottle.
This wine is agile and elegant, very firm in texture without being too full-bodied. It smells lightly smoky, slightly herbal and tastes moderately rich as subtle plum and pomegranate flavors transition to richer berry and cocoa notes on the finish. It needs time to show more complexity, so drink after 2020.
This wine is aging out quickly and will not meet reserve-level expectations for most consumers. The fruit tastes a little cooked and the tannins have a strong stemmy character. Drink up.
This wine is alive with flavors of citrus, honey and orange blossom. With its sour twist on the finish, it calls to be paired with seafood slathered in garlic and cream.
This wine is alive with herbacious notes that give it a savory quality—cut grass and green olive blend effortlessly with rosewater and baked lemon. These are all well represented on the palate, which also offers a welcome green apple flavor. Good acidity and balanced weight offer a long and lifted finish, complex with character.
This wine is all about acidity and citrus fruits. It is too tight and textured to give immediate pleasure and needs to soften. By late 2016, it should fill out and red-fruit flavors will dominate.
This wine is all about black and red berry fruits. It has a ripe, fruity character with soft tannins and generous acidity. Full in the mouth and with a crisp finish, it is ready to drink.
This wine is all about feel, with light aromas of soda water leading to off-dry, broad-feeling flavors that go down easy.
This wine is all about fragrant and refreshing fruit. It does have a dry core of tannin and structured minerality while allowing its fruitiness to express itself fully. In a few months it will be ready to drink so wait until 2016.
This wine is all about fresh cherries with only the lightest structure. It would be delicious drunk lightly chilled on a summer day.
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 wine is all about fruit. Balanced tannins and crisp, juicy acidity permeate its blackberry flavor. It has an attractive smoky character and finishes with dry tannins and stalky fruit. Drink now.
This wine is all about fruit. It is dry and so fresh and crisp with apple and green pear flavors. There is a light prickle there that adds a dancing lightness to this refreshing wine.
This wine is all about fruit—ripe, velvety in texture and rich on the palate. It is dense, black in character without allowing the natural tannins of the Tannat to dominate. With its fruit, it will develop over the medium term. Drink from 2017.
This wine is all about fruitiness, its crisp texture merely an aid to the lively acidity and herbaceous character. Cool and fresh, it delivers a bright aftertaste of lime juiciness.
This wine is all about herbaceous fruitiness. Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, it offers gooseberry, grapefruit and other crisp citrus flavors along with a tight, tangy texture. Fresh, crisp and fruity, it is ready to drink.
This wine is all about juicy blackberry and delicious ripe black plums. It is structured, with dry tannins in the background, but up front is fruity, bold and with a lightly smoky, perfumed aftertaste. It is almost ready to drink; just wait until late 2016.
This wine is all about perfumes and spice. It's ripe, fruity and already drinkable. Bergamot and fruity candy dominate the light acidity and soft texture.
This wine is all about power and hedonism. Brooding dark fruit aromas meld with black licorice and lead to a seamless full-bodied blackberry and black-cherry flavors. It demands another sip.
This wine is all about red berries and fresh cherries. Some tannins and an earthy edge to the palate add complexity. Drink this fruity, juicy wine now.
This wine is all bluster and brawn, pruney in its sweet, prolific tannin and oak. Dried cherry takes on a jammy, baked quality that devolves quickly amid the concentration and power.
This wine is all bramble and brawn. High-octane in power and ripeness, it has a juicy core of mocha-laced blackberry fruit. Pencil shavings and gravel notes add a tease of minerality amongst all that richness.
This wine is all bright cherry fruit with juicy acidity and a jammy character. It's delicious now, with its light tannins and bright raspberry aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine is all Chardonnay. Aromas of citrus peel, spice and baked bread are direct and appealing. The flavors are dry and crisp with well-balanced acidity.
This wine is all crisp cherries and lively acidity. Only the lightest edge of tannin gives the wine some structure, followed by more fruit all the way. Drink now.
This wine is all crisp red currants and acidity. Fresh, fruity and lightly textured, it is a wine to drink young, from 2016.
This wine is all Dijon clone, aged in two- to four-year-old puncheons. Bright and aromatic, it opens with a toasty scent and a mix of lemony citrus, pineapple and banana fruit. It's smooth and delicious and nicely layered, with an enduring finish.
This wine is all from Underwood Mountain and shows perfumed aromas of grape skins, pear and apricot. It drinks medium sweet with abundant stone-fruit flavors.
This wine is all from Yellow Jacket Vineyard, one of the oldest sites in The Rocks. The aromas bring subdued notes of black pepper, bacon fat, blue and blackberries, flowers, mineral and black olive. It has a hypnotic sense of texture—a very pretty interpretation of the variety and area.
This wine is all fruit that has some age to give it richness, with a high dosage that adds soft texture. The result is a balanced, smooth and very drinkable wine. Floral aromas and a spicy character bring out the final acidity. The bottling is ready to drink.
This wine is all fruit with a stalky character that comes from fresh black currants, tight acidity and dusty tannins. It's light and forward—a cool red that will be ready to drink later this year.
This wine is all fruit, ripe and full in the mouth. Touches of wood aging have given an extra dimension to the berry fruits and bright acidity. It's ready to drink.
This wine is all fruit, showing fresh berries and a balance of acidity. It is has a bright, lightly stalky character that comes from the black currant and blueberry flavors. The aftertaste continues the fresh theme.
This wine is all fruit, with bright acidity and refreshing apple and Rocha pear flavors. It is juicy, light and crisp, a fine apéritif style with its perfumed final acidity. Drink now.
This wine is all fruit. Its black-currant flavors and attractive acidity come from a blend that is dominated by Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca. It has minerality and a dry edge, although its fruitiness means it is ready to drink.
This wine is all fruity, juicy Merlot. It's soft, rounded and ripe with flavors of berries and dark plums to give richness. Drink soon, from 2018.
This wine is all grapey, jammy deliciousness. It's light-bodied, but full of blackberry jam and grape-jelly flavors, and hard to resist.
This wine is all herbal fruits, with spice from the wood-aging and lively acidity. It has considerable potential, full of its nervy texture, minerality and tight acidity. Wait at least into 2020. Tristan and Loïc Kressmann now run the family estate.
This wine is all Marsanne fermented and aged in stainless steel. Aromatically reserved notes of almond, lees and candle wax lead to medium-full, well-balanced flavors that linger.
This wine is all Merlot coming from equal parts Weinbau and Woodward Canyon Estate vineyards. It charms with aromas of café au lait, cherry, spice and earth. The chocolate and cherry flavors are rich and full bodied with a firm handshake of tannins. It's drinking young now, with the oak up front. Give it plenty of time to open up.
This wine is all rich candy and spiced cake flavors. It's soft, full of creamed pear, baked apple with nutmeg and only the lightest hint of acidity. Drink now.
This wine is all spice and sweetness. If the sense of terroir is missing, it does offer ripe swathes of apricot and spiced pear flavors lathered with honey. Drink now.
This wine is all structure and dark, dry tannins. The fruit is very subdued, giving a hard wine that could well remain tough.
This wine is all structure at the moment. Dense, dry tannins are masking the fruit that is waiting to develop. Great acidity is pushing forward to give a more juicy character. This impressive wine just needs time, so drink from 2017.
This wine is all structure. It tastes as if it has been over-extracted, with a bitter edge and concentrated tastes of burnt wood. It is dark with only hints of any fruit. Keep it for several years and it may come round.
This wine is all varietal coming from Canyon Vineyard Ranch and Blackrock vineyards. Aromas of herbs, vanilla, dill and coffee are followed by full-feeling chocolate and cherry flavors. Vanilla and coffee notes linger on the finish.
This wine is all varietal coming from the esteemed Seven Hills Vineyard. Aromas of moist earth, bittersweet chocolate, cherry and spice lead to beautifully balanced pit-fruit flavors that show intensity and suppleness, with a finish that won't quit.
This wine is all varietal, coming from one of the state's top sites. Despite the warm vintage and site, it opens with aromas of herbs along with barrel spice and tightly wound dark fruit. The black fruit flavors are fresh and lively, showing elegance and persistence with a tight core of fine grained tannins.
This wine is all varietal. It brings aromas of toast, barrel spice, licorice and jammy red fruit that are followed by full-bodied red-fruit flavors. The tannins provide a firm grip.
This wine is all wood, with no promise of fruit.
This wine is almost 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest near-equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The aromas convey mocha, toast, green herbs, dark cherries and spice, while the palate provides lithe, seamless raspberry and cranberry flavors that are impeccably balanced and brightened by tart acidity.
This wine is almost dry initially. Then sweeter yellow stone fruits come through along with bitter marmalade and pineapple acidity. They make for a wine that is fresh while structured and promising good aging.
This wine is already attractively balanced with ripe red plum fruits giving weight. That is backed by the firm wood and fruit tannins that offer spice and a creamy texture. Drink from 2017. An Alain Aubert estate, it is run by daughter and oenologist Amélie Aubert.
This wine is already balanced and developing quickly. It has fine acidity and crisp citrus and floral honey flavors. With its light touch, it's likely to be ready to enjoy. Drink now–2021.
This wine is already balanced, rich and structured. Acidity, honey and yellow fruits are well integrated. At the same time, aging potential is there with the dry core, firm texture and the strong final acidity. Drink from 2020.
This wine is already evolved, with aromas of overripe black fruit, raisin, prune, oak and espresso. The dense palate shows blackberry extract layered with chocolate and oak but it lacks freshness.
This wine is already finely balanced, full of a combination of black fruits and acidity. Behind this fruitiness there are solid tannins, a dry core and a concentrated aftertaste where the Tannat shows well. Drink this ripe, full-bodied wine now.
This wine is already in solid shape for near-term drinking. Black cherry fruit of medium weight is annotated with whiffs of smoke and coffee. It's fine for opening now through 2020.
This wine is already ripe and rounded. It has good balance between the rich apple and pear fruits and acidity, along with an attractive mineral texture. Drink this fruity wine now.
This wine is already showing hints of evolution in its aromas of kerosene, toast and honey. Developing flavors of apple and citrus marmalade suggest that this dry, medium-bodied Riesling should be at its best now and over the next 5–6 years.
This wine is already soft, warm and attractive. With blackberry fruit, ripe tannins and a crisp acidity at the end, it shows a generous nature. Drink from 2015.
This wine is already well balanced. Ripe strawberries and red cherries are shot through with the acidity of the vintage. The tannins are present, complementing the already attractive fruits. The aftertaste shows the considerable potential with its tannins. Drink from 2020.
This wine is always immense and the latest release, from a six-acre parcel surrounding Lagrézette's 17th century dovecote, is no exception. There is a sense of pent-up power here although it is not without its stylish elegance. Because it still so young, the black fruits stand out along with the concentrated tannins. It explodes in the mouth; dark and brooding. Drink this wine from 2022.
This wine is always impressive, but its degree of greatness is vintage driven, suggesting its extreme sensitivity to the Oakville terroir. The 2009 is ageable and concentrated, better than the 2008 but falling short of the 2007, which approached perfection. Dry and tannic, it's rich in blackberries, black currants and dark chocolate flavors. The long, spicy finish only hints at the intensity. Hold until 2015, and it should have a long life for many years beyond.
This wine is an aromatic tour de force with notes of apricot, pear, honey and slate. The off-dry fruit flavors are ripe, lightly spritzy and layered, with a drawn-out feel that leads to an explosion of fruit on the finish.
This wine is an eclectic blend of Pinot Noir, Gamay, Mourvèdre and Grenache. The Pinot Noir's red fruits and smooth texture dominate, giving a soft wine with acidity and light tannins. Drink now.
This wine is an equal split between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Heady black cherry and dark-fruit aromas lead to pitch-black-fruit flavors, with the tannins combed to a fine sheen.
This wine is an equal split of these two varieties. Aromas of pencil shavings, red and black fruit, wood spice and green herbs are followed by jammy, full-bodied fruit flavors that don't hold back. A lengthy finish caps it off.
This wine is an excellent value in the world of big, rich Shiraz. While the vanilla and boysenberry aromas seem simple at first, the bouquet and flavors develop impressively with time in the glass, adding hints of roasted meat, mocha and black olive. It's full bodied and rich in texture, with a long, mouth-coating finish. Drink now–2025.
This wine is an exemplary expression of Touriga Nacional. It has structure, perfumes, rich black-fruit flavors and a serious tannic background. Concentrated and with fine intensity, it needs to age, so drink from 2017.
This wine is an extrovert, boasting powerful jammy and smoky aromas, very ripe blackberry and maple syrup flavors, a dry impression and a good, thick layer of tannin.
This wine is an interesting journey from sniff to sip. Aromas of condensed pomegranate, hibiscus and red plum are lifted by crushed slate, light clove, marjoram and a whiff of smoke. Full flavors of red plum and cranberry start the palate, then come waves of herbaceous oregano, thyme and pepper, before the red fruit returns toward the finish.
This wine is an intrigue of lavender, rose and kirsch, young in firm tight tannins and tension. Black pepper, cherry and a light-bodied weight provide smooth drinkability and elegance, just waiting for the tannin to settle down. Drink now through 2020.
This wine is an intriguing blend of three-quarters Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest Syrah (20%) and Grenache. Aromas of café au lait, exotic spice, vanilla, wood notes and black cherries lead to tangy cherry flavors backed by lightly grainy tannins.
This wine is an oak bomb, from the wood smoke and charcoal aromas to the heavily roasted toasted flavors and woody tannins that make for a drying finish.
This wine is an unusual blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of tar, fresh dark plum, flowers and herbs lead to flavorful blue fruit and cherry notes. A sense of purity, texture and balance captures the attention. Give it plenty of time to open up.
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.
This wine is an unusual blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) with the rest Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot and Mourvèdre. Aromas of fresh raspberries, cranberries and toast lead to fleshy red and black-fruit flavors that skirt the edges.
This wine is an unusual blend of equal parts Carmenere and Petit Verdot. The former takes the lead on the aromas with notes of whole green and jalapeño pepper. The peppery flavors provide interest but the light concentration can't keep the focus together.
This wine is an unusual blend of Grenache (59%), Cabernet Sauvignon (29%) and Syrah. It brings aromas of herbs and red fruit that lead to a full-bodied palate, chock-full of plump, ripe cherry and raspberry flavors, with the tannins giving a squeeze. It's a unique interpretation of these three varieties.
This wine is an unusual blend of Touriga (38%), Tinto Cão (20%), Tempranillo (18%), Petit Verdot (15%) and Souzão. Alcohol aromas show prominently along with dark fruit. The fruit flavors seem dried out, juxtaposed by the sweetness of the wine, with the tannins having a real sense of grip.
This wine is another rewarding Cabernet from a winery with a great track record over the years. Blended with some Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it's dry and ultrasmooth, and while the tannins are thick, they're sweet and ripe. The blackberry, cherry, blueberry and cassis flavors have a rich, fleshy opulence. Drink now–2015.
This wine is appealing for its smooth mouth-feel, mildly spicy aromas and dried-fruit flavors. Medium to full bodied, it also tastes mellow and mature, with no rough edges poking out.
This wine is aromatic, spicy and likely to develop quickly. That shows in the fragrant black currant fruit and generous tannins. Its acidity should be fully integrated with the fruit and the wine ready to drink from 2019.
This wine is aromatically arresting, with notes of honeycomb, candle wax, corn husk, chamomile, almond and stone fruit. The palate has an outrageously textured, detailed, layered feel leading to an extended finish that displays both elegance and richness.
This wine is aromatically brooding but precise, with notes of umami, black olive, smoked ham, crushed violets, funk and peat. The flavors are hefty and concentrated—with notes of fire pit and wet stone—while showing earth-shaking depth and intensity. The finish stretches out as long as you care to count. This is a complete knee buckler.
This wine is aromatically expressive, with notes of apple juice and lees, seeming to show some oxygen exposure. It's full in feel, with sweet apple flavors on the finish.
This wine is aromatically reserved with notes of milk chocolate, char, berry, barrel spices and high-toned herbs. It's silky and polished in feel, with richness and elegance to the coffee flavors.
This wine is aromatically reticent with cocoa, berry, brown spices and light volatile notes. The palate is medium bodied with a thick feel and cranberry-like tartness.
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.
This wine is aromatically untoward, with notes of green herbs, bell pepper, dried tobacco and black pepper. The flavors are silky in feel and show decent concentration along with tart acids.
This wine is as dry as Chardonnay gets, almost severe, with the alcohol an amazingly low 13.2% by volume. The lean, angular mouthfeel provides hints of Meyer lemons, limes and wet stones, with a bit of tropical fruits suggesting that this is California, despite the vintage being the chilliest in memory. Drink it through 2020, but never too cold.
This wine is as fine as anything from Santa Rita Hills. Although it's young and tight now, its future is assured by the brilliant combination of audacious fruit and classic structure. The blackberry, currant, cherry, anise and clove flavors are wrapped into rich, silky tannins, and brightened with crisp acidity. Best now, with decanting, and for the next 6–8 years.
This wine is as light as a feather. It's crisp with citrus acidity and is totally ready to drink. It is clean, perfumed with an attractive, fruity aftertaste.
This wine is as lush as apricots, pineapples and peach juice, but with refreshing acidity. Ample honey and buttered-toast notes from oak give it warmth. It's a very good Chard for drinking now with rich shellfish dishes, or a buttery wild mushroom risotto.
This wine is as rich as its dark color suggests. It has a sense of power, while it has also kept its fruitiness. There is good acidity with wood aging flavors, the spirit only showing at the end.
This wine is at just the right moment of maturity. It's on the dry side, but with just a touch of rich honey flavor. It is ripe, full in the mouth, finely perfumed and ready to drink now.
This wine is at the fringes in Washington, exploring dry farming where irrigation is the norm. Fresh herb, blackberry and raspberry aromas lead off. Packed with rich, elegant fruit flavors, it also has an herbal streak running from head to tail.
This wine is at the top of its class in a new generation of super Tuscan producers. Plush and velvety, it opens with rich aromas of chocolate, cherry, peppercorn, black fruit and cola. Thick extraction sets the tone for a lush wine that requires a few more years in the bottle: Drink after 2012.
This wine is attractive, ripe and finely perfumed. With the spicy Moscatel flavors in the blend, it brings yellow fruit tones balanced by lively acidity. There is a great tangy character which yields a lifted, smooth aftertaste. Drink now.
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.
This wine is atypically fine and chiseled for this estate, combining bright, sweet fruity notes of lime and green apples with crushed stone and spring flowers. It's light in body, but impeccably balanced.
This wine is augmented by small percentages of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah, and shows flavors of candied red fruit, integrated tannins and a low presence of oak. It finishes with a taste of cherry vanilla.
This wine is balanced between fresh acidity and ripe apricot and pear flavors. It is textured, showing a light minerality but not enough to mask the fruits. Drink from 2017. Denis Dubourdieu and Christophe Ollivier consult with manager Philippe Lacoste for the Beraud-Sudreau family.
This wine is barely rosé in color, more off white. The flavor, from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, is bright and creamy, deliciously fresh with flavors of watermelon and creamed pear. Light and fragrant, it's ready to drink.
This wine is based on Sangiovese, with a tiny splash of Cabernet Sauvignon, and it's aged for 12 months in old and new oak barrels. It shows a savory side, with notes of candied fruit, prune, raisin and smoked meat. Drink now.
This wine is beautifully floral, with a honeyed touch of apple blossom on the nose. Stony mineral and sea breeze accents add to its complexity, as seductive, smooth layers of creme brûlée and preserved lemon flavor provide oomph and grace.
This wine is beautifully rendered, with pear and melon backed by hints of citrus. The length, persistance, balance and tension are superb, and the mouth-puckering finish will have you reaching for another glass.
This wine is beginning to get some age to it, but remains fresh. There is some toast, even coffee, while the aftertaste is soft and slightly candied.
This wine is big and beefy, full bodied and packed with meaty, spicy, cedary aromas and flavors that are well matched to its bold structure. Made from Spanish grape varieties, it has a fun bold flavor profile, good and grippy tannins and very good balance for a wine this powerful.
This wine is big and bold, but its opulent, generous fruit flavors perfectly fill out its frame, giving it the balance it needs for enjoyment. Ripe blackberry and black cherry notes mark the palate, unfettered by oak-inflected flavor. The texture is firm with lots of fine-grained tannins, while the fruit lingers nicely on the finish.
This wine is big and rich, with a lot of buttery, spicy oak showing in the aormas as well as the flavors, while it also brings out ripe pear, nutmeg and hazelnut accents. A toasty oak element and moderate acidity help to balance out the ripe fruit character.
This wine is big and ripe with layers of tannins and attractive fruitiness. Bright acidity comes from the strawberry and red-cherry fruit. The drier structure is integrating well, with plenty of richness behind. The wine will develop well; drink from 2019.
This wine is big in every dimension, from an unusually deep gold color, to a smoky, oaky, toasted-baguette aroma to almost sweet flavors like poached pear that are backed by more buttery, smoky nuances and surprisingly good acidity. While it makes a big first impression, further sips bring out even more complexity, layers and length.
This wine is big in tannin, extracted and full bodied, with dense blueberry and maple syrup at its core. For fans of a rich style, it will impress for  its ripe, dark fruit and sizable yet velvety mouthfeel.
This wine is big, burly and complex, showing a preponderance of dark, ripe black fruit built around dusty tannins, leather and lavender. It's compelling and drinking well now.
This wine is big, very full bodied and very lush in texture. Super-ripe in flavor, it rides at the place where plum notes segue to prune, and black cherry to cherry syrup, which is a very tasty place to be. Plenty of fine tannins frame all that concentration, yet the mouthfeel stays soft.
This wine is blend of 54% Touriga Nacional, 23% Souzao, 12% Tinta Roriz and 11% Tinta Cão—all relatively new varieties to Washington. It displays light aromas of dark chocolate, clove and spice. The sweet flavors are more restrained than the wine's name might suggest, bringing a pleasing sense of balance that carries through the chocolaty finish.
This wine is blessed with velvety texture and bombastic ripeness, which leaves its plum and cherry fruit feeling baked and prune-like. The brawny fruit profile is accented with leather, tobacco and black pepper, finishing with a touch of heat.
This wine is bold and brawny, defined by big, oaky tannin and concentrated weight. Fresh black cherry develops a candied quality in the glass, while an earthy undercurrent of minty forest adds complexity.
This wine is bold and full bodied, big enough for a grilled steak, with powerful ripe fruit flavors like black cherry and blackberry. Firm-enough tannins add grip to the texture, with slightly smoky, peppery accents on the finish.
This wine is bone-dry, although with some age the shock of the acidity has been rounded out by a hint of toast. It's linear, fresh and intensely crisp, with citrus and almond tones. Drink this wine from a good vintage now.
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.
This wine is both fruity and creamy, with a profile that's heavy in tropical peach and vanilla. Medium-bodied and bold, it has a softness to the palate buoyed by natural structure and length.
This wine is both fruity and structured, full of black fruits and firm tannins. Drink this solid wine from 2020.
This wine is both full of exotic fruits and tightly structured. The combination is fascinating and works, giving a ripe side to the steely core. Its yellow fruit hints that this wine will become rich as it develops. Drink from 2019.
This wine is both incredibly pretty and wild, a tenacious quality of feral forest and ocean at its core. Honeysuckle and rose provide the beauty first, followed by a depth of gorgeous cherry, strawberry and rhubarb, the fruit alive and fresh atop a gravelly texture of complexity.
This wine is both intensely ripe and veering on sugary, while not offering much in terms of body. It becomes somewhat flat on the finish.
This wine is both reduced and diluted, with astringency biting at its heels. It may simply be underripe.
This wine is both refined and robust, from a three-acre block replanted in 2007. It is aged in older French barrels, with the fruit sultry in cherry and black tea, the tension of the acidity hard to shake which contributes to its overall softness and complex intensity.
This wine is brawny with a haunting rustic barnyard character. Generously tannic and full-bodied, it offers blackberry, clove and black-pepper flavors.
This wine is bready and yeasty with notes of vanilla and spice from wood. Big and bold on the palate, it could intensify in fruitiness in the future.
This wine is bright and crisp in strawberry and red licorice flavors, with a depth of juicy plum that adds softness and velvety texture. Tawdry earth complements the exuberant fruit.
This wine is bright and fresh with a creamy subtext that gives just the right amount of richness. A good mineral character adds bite and brings out the final refeshing citrus. Drink now.
This wine is bright and fruity at first, with ripe and juicy black-fruit tones that dominate the nose. Hints of banana cream and vanilla sauce lend an overwhelming richness to the plush, medium-weight palate, finishing with loads of sweet spice.
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 wine is bright with cherry and incense aromas. Cherry and bramble flavors are juicy and fresh, with support from supersoft tannins and zippy acidity. This makes for an easy drinking summer red.
This wine is bright, fragrant and fruity, with a clean green-fruit and citrus character that's lively and attractive.
This wine is bright, fruity and packed with berries and juicy black cherries. The acidity gives a fresh character that balances the sweetly ripe fruits. Ready to drink, this is a deliciously fruity wine.
This wine is brightly aromatic with notes of tangerine, lychee, ripe peach and white flowers. It drinks medium sweet with a very light spritz and a full feel.
This wine is brightly aromatic, with notes of fresh herb, kiwi and pineapple. The palate is full flavored, showing a sense of poise along with a tart finish. The concentration doesn't seem all there.
This wine is brightly aromatic, with raspberry, mint, herb and woodspice notes. The palate is full of plush, plump fruit flavors that provide appeal, despite the prominent alcohol.
This wine is broad on the palate and creamy in texture. Bruised apple aromas mar the otherwise delicate melon and peach notes, while it finishes quickly.
This wine is brooding in black and red currant, with dusty, well-integrated tannins and a curl of smoke. Big bodied, it finishes in a puckering way, hefty on the palate.
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 wine is bursting with gorgeous cherry fruit, forward and luscious. The tannins are ripe and the acids in perfect proportion, keeping the fruit flavors buoyed upon a textural ride into a lingering finish.
This wine is buttery and has a creamy texture along with a fresh streak. Apple flavors are lifted with citrus while also filled out with that rounder character, making for an immediately attractive, ripe wine. Drink now.
This wine is buttery and toasty, with sourdough on the nose alongside a hint of clementine pith. The palate is a creamy blend of mango, pineapple, sourdough and sweet cream flavors, with a slightly nutty finish.
This wine is Cabernet Franc and Merlot with just a smidgeon (4%) of Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. It provides aromas of earth, high-toned dried herbs, licorice, black cherry and crushed granite. The dark fruit flavors are densely packed, surrounded by firms tannins. Drink after 2020.
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.
This wine is Cabernet Sauvignon (72%) and Syrah (30%), with the fruit hailing from both River Rock and Jack's vineyards. Aromas of green herbs, peat, mineral, cherry and spice are followed by smoke, olive and other savory flavors. It shows polish and impeccable balance from start to finish.
This wine is calm and cool. It tastes very smooth in texture and has soothing, simple fruit flavors and medium body.
This wine is characteristic of Salta in its initial hit of patented leafy, earthy, roasted aromas and subsequent entrance of brash, grabby tannins. Nutty, roasted flavors of baked berry, toffee, coffee and earth come next.
This wine is characterized by both structure and rich fruitiness. A dark, smoky character brings out the solid tannins that underlie the black currant fruitiness and the balance. Although it doesn't have power, an intensity gives a flavor that lasts in the mouth. Drink this wine from 2018.
This wine is characterized by thick concentration and mature notes of plum, prune, blackberry tart, coffee, chocolate and black licorice. The wine delivers thick consistency and dense tannins and is almost too much of a good thing. A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
This wine is cherry red with soft brown tinges, offering a nose of cherry with notes of summer farmstand. The predominant flavor is of tart cherry, interlaced with hints of red raspberry and bell pepper.
This wine is chock full of freshly crushed black pepper and blackberry jam flavor. It's big in tannins, but large proportions of aging in new French oak gives it hints of toast and a caramelized touch. The wine is disappointing given the bottling's history, but it's likely the chilly vintage that undermined it.
This wine is chunky and firm, and its lively red fruit brings freshness. With its dry core and touch of toast on the finish, this could age for a couple of years.
This wine is clean, fresh and fruity. It is medium sweet, with a bright candy-pink color and light acidity. Drink now.
This wine is clearly shooting for the modern style of Rioja; it's dark as night, soft and meaty. But it also has a lot of gaseous sulfur on the nose and hard tannins. Expect a chewy, broad Rioja that's hedonistic but on the cusp of overripe. Decant before drinking within the next two years.
This wine is closed and firm in character, but has considerable potential. It has the makings of a mineral and spice-flavored wine that is textured while showing ripe yellow fruits and a citrus backdrop. It needs to wait; drink from 2017.
This wine is closed and still very young. For the moment, acidity dominates, although plenty of ripe apples and peaches are waiting to come out. Drink from 2017.
This wine is closed and tight at this stage of its development, which is not a bad thing because it will age well. For now, it offers crisply fresh fruit layered with wood aging and with a tight, tangy texture. Spice and toast flavors complement the fruit. Drink this wine from 2018.
This wine is closed at this stage, offering just hints to its potential. At the core, there are ripe stone fruits, dark plums as well as blackberries. Fine and stylish tannins add balance. This is a fine wine with a future. Drink from 2016.
This wine is closed at this young stage but hints at an underlying richness. That leaves acidity and fragrant lemongrass-like crispness at the fore. It needs time to fill out, so drink from 2021.
This wine is closed, tight and possibly still developing, with some acidity and hints of citrus flavors. There's also a cheesy character that is less attractive.
This wine is closed, tight and steely, but the hints of apricots and balancing acidity are there. It needs time, so wait until 2017.
This wine is co-fermented with 12% Petite Sirah, both varieties from one estate block planted to a century-old clone of Teldeschi, a nearby vineyard still in existence. Tart in cherry, red plum and cassis, it's refreshingly unusual and deliciously vibrant. Anise, cinnamon and black pepper round out the finish. The tannins and oak are well-managed and integrated.
This wine is colored like a pale Pinot Noir and also shows some bricking. It brings blunt aromas of cherry and spice that lead to dry,seemingly watered-down fruit flavors. It falls flat.
This wine is coming into balance with wood, acidity and fruit all present. It has a dusty tannic character that's attractive and acts as a good base for the blackberry flavors. The wine will develop quickly, so drink from 2018. Laurent and Sophie Cisneros bought Rouillac with a focus: eliminate chemical pesticides and herbicides. They built a barrel cellar to environmental European standards. The vineyard is 60 acres Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with five acres of white grapes. Eric Boissenot consults.
This wine is complex and deep in flavors, traditional in style and simply gorgeous to sip and savor. It's dry in style, good and tannic in texture, lightly spiced with cedar and cinnamon and grounded in concentrated raspberry and dark cherry flavors.
This wine is complex and delicious. The vineyard, midway between the warmer Santa Ynez Valley and cooler Santa Rita Hills, is rich in tangerines, lemons and tropical fruits, with brisk acidity and lots of new French oak. It's ripe and full-bodied, suggesting pairing with veal.
This wine is composed of five varieties, with none making up more than 21% of the blend. Fresh aromas of berry, cranberry, red currant and herbs are followed by fruit-forward cherry and berry flavors that bring appeal.
This wine is composed of near equal parts Idaho, Washington and California fruit. It starts out a touch reduced, with black currant and sugared-plum aromas. It drinks a hair off dry, which offsets a dry lick of tannins. It's eponymous pairing should work perfectly.
This wine is comprised of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Pinot Noir, 7% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot and the remainder Syrah and Zinfandel. Neutral oak and stainless steel both played a part in housing its mix of juicy charcuterie and nutty robust amounts of cassis and baked strawberry.
This wine is comprised of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Dusty earthiness frames its green, vegetal flavors, wrapped in ripe, sturdy tannins and bitter leather and clove notes.
This wine is concentrated and dense. Big tannins flow up through this wine, giving shape to the ripe black fruit. In the back, acidity dominates bright red berries and the potential for a rich, generous future. The wine will age over many years. Drink from 2022.
This wine is concentrated and full in the mouth, and it bears a minerally texture and intense acidity. It's packed with flavors of sweet peach, lime, ripe Rocha pear and spice from the wood maturation. This promises to age for several years.
This wine is concentrated and shows hints of bitter extraction as well as ripe fruit. There is a tough dryness that will soften given time, yielding a palate that's rich and fulfilling. Wait until 2016.
This wine is concentrated and structured. With dark tannins and bitter-chocolate flavors, it is dense with a ripe texture as well as big black fruits. It comes from a vineyard selection, yielding a powerful wine that needs another year to be ready. Wait until 2018.
This wine is concentrated and very fruity while also being stylish and elegant. Combining white fruits, light citrus and a strong texture, it merits aging until 2016 before drinking.
This wine is concentrated with both tannins and fruit. With acidity and a fresh aftertaste the fruit is full of black-currant flavors. At the same time, the tannins assure a fine future. Drink from 2019.
This wine is concentrated with ripe, juicy fruit along with brisk acidity and a delicious sense of Southern French herbs. The wine has weight as well, giving it fine aging potential. Drink from 2016.
This wine is concentrated, deep and tannic, yet nicely polished around the edges. It shows harmony between the vivid cranberry, black cherry, dark chocolate and smoky oak flavors and the layered, fine tannins that give it a velvety texture. Drink now through 2022.
This wine is concentrated, dense and has superb acidity and fresh white fruits. Crisp apples, pears and spice from the wood aging are all there. Made with 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Sémillon, this is a wine for the long haul, so, if you can, wait until 2020 before drinking. Bonnet family owners are in the mix; Michel Rolland consults.
This wine is concentrated, richly textured and full of great dark fruit character. It smells like plump blackberries and raspberries, tastes ripe, lush in the mouth, and lingering on the finish. What's more, it has very good balance, full body and well-integrated tannins.
This wine is concentrated, with fruit that seems too ripe. Jammy berry flavors are mixed in with dry tannins and a firm backdrop. It's solid, although not quite balanced. The estate was founded in 1967 by Philippe Raguenot; daughters Emmanuelle and Marie-Pierre took over in 1997.
This wine is creamy, lactic and jammy on the nose, with flat, earthy, baked berry aromas. It's grabby and sort of gummy and soft feeling, with lactic strawberry and plum flavors that set up a creamy, sticky finish.
This wine is crisp and deliciously fruity. With bright acidity, apple and citrus flavors and a strong mineral texture, it is ready to drink.
This wine is crisp and fruity. It has attractive acidity, a nice touch of spice and a backbone of minerality. The juiciness leaves a bright, crisp aftertaste.
This wine is crisp and fruity. With acidity as well as a light toast character, it is already balanced, bringing yellow and melon fruit flavors into the mineral texture. Drink from 2022.
This wine is crisp and packed with both acidity and lively citrus fruits, balanced between fruit and freshness. It makes a good apéritif wine, light and very much in balance. The mostly red-wine property, owned by Régis and Hervé Grandeau, sits on a slope above the Right Bank of the Garonne River only four miles from Bordeaux city.
This wine is crisp and refreshingly fruity. A lively texture gives brightness, and a light touch of acidity finishes the wine on a citrus note. Drink now.
This wine is crisp and refreshingly fruity. With red currant and bright spicy acidity, it is lively, just hinting at a tannic edge. It finishes with a burst of raspberries.
This wine is crisp in character, with flavors of caramel and fresh red currants. The fruity tone provides a rich character that lies under the bright final acidity. Drink now.
This wine is crisp in lemon acidity while also having a strong, tight mineral texture. Produced from Arinto and Antão Vaz, it has bright grapefruit and apple flavors, with hints of exotic apricot and pineapple. Drink now.
This wine is crisp with acidity but rounded on the palate with concentrated pink-grapefruit flavors. It has a rich, fruity, juicy aftertaste.
This wine is crisp with refreshing acidity and fine lemon and grapefruit flavors. It's light and poised while still packing tangy fruit. Drink now.
This wine is crisp, floral and pretty in every way. It's classically structured and graceful, with tart apple notes and stony acidity. It allows the fruit to speak softly and subtly, its lower ripeness detracting from niether flavor nor complexity.
This wine is crisp, fruity and refreshingly textured. With white fruit flavors and tight acidity, it is on the dry side, with a softer aftertaste that brings in ripe pear flavors. Drink now.
This wine is crisp, full of red apple and green-plum flavors, with a touch of minerality in the tangy texture. From chalky soil, it is tight and bright with lively acidity. Drink now.
This wine is crisp, medium bodied and surprisingly firm for an inexpensive Merlot. Drink this wine over the next year or two for its potent cassis and black cherry fruit. Some rare beef will help show the wine to best effect.
This wine is crisp, tangy and bright with acidity. With a lively touch of vanilla and spice over the crisp fruitiness, it is developing well. Drink from 2018.
This wine is crisp, taut and with a strong mineral texture. Spice and green-fruit flavors are shot through with acidity and have a steely edge. Hold the wine until late 2017 for it to soften.
This wine is crisp, tight and mineral while also full of lively apple and citrus fruit. It offers concentration from old vines and a fresh, forward character that demands instant drinking.
This wine is crisp, with a mineral texture that is tight and allows for considerable citric acidity. A riper background conveys rich apple flavors and a taut, nervy, steely character. Drink this concentrated wine from 2017.
This wine is dark-colored, full-flavored and firmly structured, and will pair nicely with a big protein like a grilled steak or osso buco. It does a great job of combining concntrated dark-fruit flavors with some dark chocolate, on a bracing texture of good acidity and fine-grained tannins.
This wine is dark and dense, very closed at this young stage. But wait for that rich fruit to burst out to give its intense acidity and ripeness to the wine. It's a powerhouse of flavors, spice and dark minerality. Drink from 2022.
This wine is dark and extracted, with bitter chocolate flavors as well as hints of black-currant fruit. It does have weight and structure that could develop, but will need time, so wait until 2020.
This wine is dark and inky in color. Nearly impenetrable at first on the nose, this reluctantly giving up hints of plum, cocoa and earth. The plum-pudding palate is dense and weighty, with savory overtones. Give it until 2018 or 2020 to unclench and brighten up.
This wine is dark and structured, offering ripe fruits although they are covered at this stage by the tannins. Firm and dense, with a dry core, this will be a powerful wine full of black fruits and concentration. Drink this from 2023.
This wine is dark brown in hue with a greenish-gold tint to its rim, providing clues to its advanced age. The aromas are nutty, with mossy notes of rancio filled out by sweet flavors of dried dates and figs. It's full bodied and unctuous in texture, without being overblown or heavy on the palate. The intense finish lingers forever—or at least until you give in and take another sip.
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.
This wine is dark garnet to the eye, offering aromas of pomegranate, juniper berry and bell pepper. Overpowering tannins remain in the forefront of flavors of cooked cherry, pine needles, cassis and mint. While the tannins never feel to recede on the palate, there is a sensation of the faintest splash of brightness on the finish.
This wine is dark garnet to the eye, with a fragrance of raspberry, cherry and Mediterranean herbs. There is a pleasing balance of fruit and dried herb notes. Smooth tannins prevail, with flavors of black cherry, blueberry, eucalyptus, smoked meat and fresh-cut herbs of thyme and oregano paving the way for a blueberry, oregano and orange rind finish.
This wine is dark red-violet color to the eye, offering aromas of blackberry, roasted red pepper and juniper berry. It is very smooth on the palate, with flavors of black plum, blackberry, white peach, elderberry and violet. There is a slightly dominant eucalyptus flavor that backs off at the finish, replaced by a fresh cherry juice flavor.
This wine is dark, concentrated, initially hard and tannic. Underneath, there is a fresh character from the red berry flavors, sweetness and lively acidity. For medium-term aging over 5–6 years.
This wine is dark, deep and densely flavored with black cherry, cola and coffee. It tastes bigger than its moderate alcohol might suggest, and powers through to a long, lushly fruity finish.
This wine is dark, rich and delicious, if a little tannic. Waves of blackberries, currants, anise and dark chocolate lead to a dry but voluptuous finish. Good value in a full-bodied red.
This wine is dark, sweet and slightly effervescent in texture. It has an inky color, aromas like Concord-grape juice and roses, and jammy flavors.
This wine is dark, textured and full of ripe fruit. Not yet balanced, it still shows more wood than fruit, but all elements are coming together to give a full-bodied, wood-aged wine. Drink from 2020.
This wine is dark, with a strong sense of structure. Dense black fruits are cut with strawberry acidity and a dark tension between fruit and firm tannins. The coiled power will allow this beautiful wine age for many years. Drink from 2020.
This wine is deeply colored, quite oaky in aroma, bold in terms of fruit flavors and has a lively texture due to good acidity and moderate tannins. The fruit has a bright quality like red cherries and cranberries and the oaky spices wind through the finish.
This wine is defined by oak from start to finish, with brown sugar and liquid-smoke notes pervading. Undoubtedly there's some fruit in support, which fills out the wine's frame and adds some firm tannins to the mix, providing for potential longevity. The only question is whether it will hold up in the long term.
This wine is definitely woody, with tough toast over the fruit flavors and mineral texture, yielding a bitter, extracted character that will always feel dry. However, give it until 2016 and the fruit may get a chance to shine.
This wine is delicious with its fresh, concentrated blueberry and raspberry flavors, and the ripest tannins. The wine has a dark and tannic element, although this is well integrated into its beautiful layers of fruit.
This wine is delicious, citrus- and yellow fruit-flavored, crisp and intensely fruity. With layers of acidity, a zesty texture and a bright aftertaste, it's already ready to drink.
This wine is delicious, rich and buttery, from the aroma through the flavors and on to the aftertaste. It smells like lightly toasted almonds and cream, tastes like toffee and pear juice, and finishes almost like dessert.
This wine is deliciously elegant yet decadently rich in all the right ways, from a prime, longtime vineyard source planted to vines over 40 years old. Honeyed apple comes to the fore amid lush, formidable layers of complexity and high-minded pursuit, never getting bogged down, the minerality perfectly pitched and the oak fully integrated.
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.
This wine is dense and fruity, yet still a fresh and lively wine. The contrast between rich yellow fruits and crisp acidity gives the wine a good tension, offering a fine texture and nervous edge. Great to drink now, but worth aging a year. Screwcap.
This wine is dense and severely tannic. It has dense ripe-fruit flavors as well, although they are buried under the power of the structure. For a wine of such impressive character that is not a bad thing, it just indicates that it needs time to mature and will age well. Drink from 2023.
This wine is dense and still firm, although the red-berry fruits are being to integrate well into the structure. It shows signs of its wood aging that will need to go away for the wine really to develop. However, a juicy background promises well. Drink this wine, from a small Grand Cru close to the village of Aloxe-Corton, from 2020.
This wine is dense and structured, showing it this is still a work in progress. It has richness rather than huge sweetness with a dry core of botrytis. Bitter honey and spice go with the ripe yellow fruit flavors. Drink from 2018.
This wine is dense with tannins while not losing sight of the ripe berry fruits. The balance is coming together well, giving a structured wine that also has fine fresh black fruits. Drink from 2019.
This wine is dense, although you hardly notice the tannins for the weight of concentrated fruit. The tannins are there, though, a power to thrust this immense wine well into the future. It is well formed, firm while rich. Drink from 2024.
This wine is dense, ripe and full of rich apricot and peach flavors, with a line of crisp lemon and a background of toast. Full in the mouth, this generous wine will be ready to drink from 2017. It comes Louis Max domaine vineyards in and around Mercurey.
This wine is dense, tough and dark—a black plum-skin texture is concentrated and firm, giving a big and powerful wine that is solid. Drink from 2017.
This wine is densely packed in ripe red-fruit aromas and flavors, but still expressive in earthy notes of cocoa nib, anise and black tea. Medium tannins and plush berry flavors flesh out the mouthfeel, with a crushed satin texture. The evolving finish seamlessly transitions between ripe, fleshy fruit flavors to cherry skin and finally lightly charred oak and woody spice. Drink now–2018.
This wine is direct and candied, with cherry and raspberry jam and and sweet oak flavors, but brightened with crisp acidity. A very good Pinot, but pricey for the quality. Keep in mind that this is not one of Rochioli's vineyard-designated bottlings.
This wine is dominated by aromas of oak, toast and espresso that carry over to the palate along with black cherry. Extremely astringent wood tannins cut the finish short and leave the mouth feeling dried.
This wine is dominated by darkness, giving aromas of upturned black earth and coffee grinds. The palate trends a tad redder, with lava rocks, but the blackness returns in the form of blueberries, espresso and soil.
This wine is dominated by Grenache, which makes up 80% of the blend. That gives the spice and pepper edge as well as bringing out delicious red-berry fruits and crisp acidity. The wine, with its bright aftertaste,is ready to drink now.
This wine is dominated by oak. It's all about buttered toast, vanilla and butterscotch. Underneath is a ripe Chardonnay with tropical fruit flavors, but brightened by a shower of brisk acidity.
This wine is dominated by sweet oak aromas of mocha and spice alongside fruit flavors of wild strawberry and ripe red cherry. Lightweight and easygoing; drink now.
This wine is dominated by Touriga Nacional, which offers a backbone of dark tannins that gives it a firm structure and will allow it to age for many years. Produced in open stone lagares, it has richness and impressive opulence in black fruit tones that are cut by juicy acidity. Drink from 2022.
This wine is drenched with dark fruit flavors, like blackberries and boysenberries, and fills the mouth with a velvety texture. It's just so expressive and generous, without much oak influence, that it comes off as simply delicious. Best after 2018.
This wine is drinking well right now, benefiting from the tertiary qualities that come from bottle age yet remaining fresh and lively. Aromas of dried red cherry, rust, sandalwood and hibiscus lead to a spice-driven palate that's bright in acidity. That rusty cherry fruit comes through in flavor, boosted by woody spice.
This wine is dry and crisp and enormously complex. It flatters the palate with waves of blackberries, cherries, currants, tangerines, bacon, white pepper and sweet vanilla oak, and the all-important tannin structure is fine. It's 94% Syrah, while 6% Viognier brings the perfect bite of acidity and citrus.
This wine is dry and extracted, with firm, almost bitter tannins. Licorice and black chocolate flavors dominate. It will take several years for the fruit potential to show. Drink from 2021.
This wine is dry and firm, showing developing fruit under dark tannins. Big plum and berry flavors are ripe, juicy and fresh on the finish. Drink from 2019.
This wine is dry and likely to remain so. That's because the black currant flavors are too light for the structure, resulting in high acidity, firm tannins and a hole in the middle.
This wine is dry and rather full bodied, starting with fruity aromas like banana and coconut then seguing to more nutty, oaky, complex flavors and a rich texture. It's a serious dinner wine with heft and substance.
This wine is dry and smoky, with serious tannins. It is concentrated, with bitter chocolate flavors from the wood aging.
This wine is dry and smoky, with tannins that will allow it to age. The fruit, though, only hints at red berry fruits and should be more developed for a simple appellation wine such as this. Drink from 2017.
This wine is dry and structured, with fresh acidity. It is perfumed by red berry and cherry aromas and an attractive touch of spice. The aftertaste is crisp, light and fruity, ending sweet.
This wine is dry and substantial, emphasizing earthy, savory flavors over fruity ones. An attractive walnut and almond element carries through from the aroma to the flavors.
This wine is dry but rich enough with black-currant flavors to compensate. The juicy aftertaste suggests the wine will develop quickly. Drink from 2017. This wine is the latest result of renovations on the 15-generation and 400-year-old Trocard family estate.
This wine is dry, dark and packed with too many tannins and not enough fruit. A strong, tough character is the dominant feature and it is tough to see how this will broaden out.
This wine is dry, dominated by the new-wood flavors and toasty character that hide any fruit. The lean structure will probably remain. The property is owned by the Kressmann family.
This wine is dry, firm and structured. There is a tight, extracted character that brings out a bitter edge. Acidity and stalky black fruits are certainly not ready at the moment. Drink from 2018.
This wine is dry, firm with chocolate and bitter extraction flavors. It's likely to remain dry.
This wine is dry, full and brimming with ripe red-berry fruits. A blend of Syrah and Touriga Nacional, it has a rich character that gives the wine more weight than freshness. Drink now.
This wine is dry, full of tannins that mask the fruit and give the wine an austere character that will need time to soften out. The aftertaste contines the dry theme, but with hints of a more fruity future. Drink from 2018 when the fruit will have asserted itself.
This wine is dry, light bodied and brisk in acidity. It's tasty with cherry, licorice and spice flavors. A pretty good value, showing some real delicacy and complexity.
This wine is dry, packed with acidity at this young stage. It is crisp and lightly nutty in character, perfumed and still tangy with orange zest. Drink from 2016.
This wine is dry, rich and a perfect representation of a modern Napa Cabernet. Shows intricate layers of black cherries, black and red currants, cassis and minerals, with the funky layer of bacon and olives that the winery's other 2010 Cabs display. Way too young to drink now. Should begin to open after 2018 and hold its own for another decade.
This wine is dry, rich and tannic, showing true Napa elegance. It's rich and savory, with black and red cherry, red currant, licorice and mocha flavors. Provides beautiful drinking now and over the next year or two.
This wine is dry, structured and heavily extracted. That leaves a bitter note behind the fruit and acidity. It could have benefited from more gentle winemaking, and although it will soften with age, it will always be tough.
This wine is dry, with a hint of oaky vanilla and buttered toast. Rich orange, peach and honey flavors are brightened by a burst of citrusy acidity.
This wine is dry, with extracted tannins that overshadow the fruit at this stage. It will probably turn out all right in the end as the acidify and black-currant flavors should come forward. Drink from 2017.
This wine is dry, with hints of wood aging and fresh, juicy berry fruit. Firm tannins are freshened by acidity on the midpalate, while the aftertaste brings a tough, tannic structure.
This wine is dryish, crisp in acidity and clean in the finish. It has ripe apricot, orange, pineapple, grapefruit, mango and honey flavors, whose sweet finish makes it a great partner to Chinese food.
This wine is dull and diluted in nebulous black fruit and a medium-sized body, with plenty of supportive tannins. The finish is quick.
This wine is dull, soft with some redeeming acidity. It has weight and hints of a fresher character that might emerge by 2015.
This wine is dusty on the nose, with aromas of red pepper flake, citrus and red fruits. It's fleshy in the mouth and showing grip along with flavors of pomegranate, pink grapefruit and tangerine. Solid, cleansing and dry on the finish. Drink now.
This wine is earthy, heavyset and reflective of a hot vintage. On the palate, this is ripe and chewy, with almost syrupy weight. Showing notes of robust dark chocolate, with a mix of oak, fruit and tobacco flavors, this inaugural wine from Benjamin de Rothschild and Vega Sicilia is ripe and broad, but also full of complexities. Drink through 2024.
This wine is earthy, peppery and grippy. It is hard to penetrate in its mix of spicy clove and sour fruit.
This wine is earthy, with a yeasty edge. It offers plenty of Touriga Nacional's perfumed fruit although this is masked by a barnyard character that needs to blow away. The wine requires another year to show its full potential, so drink from 2018.
This wine is easy and accessible, with bright red fruits and a light structure. There is fresh character that brings out its fruitiness, lightened by acidity.
This wine is easy to like at first taste, a heady, interesting combination of ripe, rich red fruit and spicy earth, accented in black tea and truffle. Soft in texture, and from a wonderful grower, it may have gotten overly ripe, finishing a touch hot.
This wine is electric pink in color, with notes of strawberry bubblegum and cranberry. It drinks off dry, with watermelon and red fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
This wine is entirely Cabernet, using grapes from the southerly Coombsville area and warmer St. Helena. As such, it's wonderfully balanced, with a sprightly burst of acidity brightening succulent flavors of black cherry and dark chocolate. The use of 100% new French oak sounds excessive on paper, but it's perfectly integrated, providing a jacket of sweet buttered toast that in no way overshadows the fruit. Enjoy it now and over the next 10 years as it ages.
This wine is equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot with the balance Malbec (8%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (6%). Aromas suggest pencil lead, vanilla, herbs, barrel spices and an assortment of red and black fruit. The coffee and cherry flavors are elegant in style, soft and supple in feel, with a grip of tannins and a tart finish. The wood often leads but there's plenty of stuffing there too.
This wine is equal parts Dineen (Yakima) and Patina (Walla Walla) vineyard fruit. Aromas of blue plum, savory herb and peppery spices lead to light elegant flavors that provide enjoyment.
This wine is equal parts Grenache and Mourvèdre topped off with Syrah (8%). The aromas offer fascinating, focused notes of coffee, bacon fat, crushed gravel, spice and herbs. The blue-fruit flavors bring a sense of purity and delicacy, fleshing out over time.
This wine is equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, topped off with Petit Verdot (4%). Hailing from Dineen, Olsen, Stone Tree, Sheridan and Kiona vineyards, it offers aromas of herb, vanilla, and slightly raisinated-seeming fruit. Plush, rich flavors cap it off.
This wine is equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with a smaller percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon also added. Neutral French oak was used to age the blend, which opens with a strong, earthy aroma and a scent of wild blackberry. Soft, it features a twist of licorice on the tangy finish.
This wine is equal parts Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet takes the lead on the aromas, with notes of dark cherry and dried herbs along with hints of toast, coffee and cocoa. The elegant milk chocolate and cherry flavors are brightened by the Sangiovese's tart acidity.
This wine is equal parts Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon fermented and aged in stainless steel. The aromas and off-dry flavors of grass and fig seem a bit muddled but still bring enjoyment.
This wine is equal parts Syrah and Merlot (43% each), with the balance a smattering of other varieties. The coffee and berry aromas seem faint while the palate delivers all of the plush fruit flavors this vintage has to offer.
This wine is equal parts Viognier and Roussanne. It offers light aromas of peach and apricot that are followed by full-bodied flavors that show some warmth and bitterness on the finish.
This wine is equal parts Walla Walla Valley Viognier and Yakima Valley Roussanne. Aromas of lees, almond and apricot are followed by elegantly styled flavors that linger.
This wine is equally split across the two varieties. The aromas offer notes of baking spice, flowers, soil and dark fruit while the palate explodes with dark, full-bodied fruit flavors. It needs time to unwind.
This wine is equally split between Merlot and Cabernet Franc (38% each), with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon (22%) and Malbec. The aromas are brooding, with notes of barrel spice, coffee, blackberry, green pepper and dried herb. The flavors are bright and fresh, light on their feet, showing a fine sense of elegance and detail.
This wine is exactly why Pinot Gris/Grigio is so popular. It's simply delicious, with zesty acidity framing orange, peach, honey, vanilla and mineral flavors that remain basically dry.
This wine is expansive and juicy on the palate. A tight grip shows its youth while the underlying softness on the texture reflects the relative coolness of the growing spot. It imparts Napa's robust ripeness in its depth of cassis, chocolate and black pepper.
This wine is explosively juicy in black cherry and pomegranate, finding a way to offer fruity tartness alongside an intensity of savory complexity. Big boned and concentrated, the layers of flavor are complemented by a luxuriously velvety texture.
This wine is expressive, with aromas of violet, herb and purple fruit. The palate is lighter styled and tart, delivering a bit more tannic heft than this variety often shows. Give it some time to open up.
This wine is extracted and tough. The acidity does come through to help out, although it still has a hard edge with some bitter toast. It will soften, leaving some perfumed fruit for the future.
This wine is extremely well integrated and approachable on the nose, with crushed pepper notes spicing up the elegant black currant and plum aromas. Thyme, fennel pollen and licorice notes sing throughout the palate's dark but restrained black fruit, all held together by tarry structure. Drink 2018–2023.
This wine is fairly austere in taste, restrained in oak on the front palate before offering thick tannin structure on the back palate and finish. In between, expect cranberry, raspberry and clove to compete for affection, integrating well with one another.
This wine is fairly soft and muted, with delicate aromas of straw, apple and underripe white melon. The palate is similarly light in feel and intensity, with low acidity and a short finish.
This wine is fascinating on the nose with notes of ripe tropical fruit and heather mixed with dark, earthy scents of wax and lanolin. Dry in style with a rich, weighty mouthfeel, it finishes mysteriously with a smoky, floral flair.
This wine is fat and slightly oxidative. Bitter-orange flavors and acidity give the wine a tight aftertaste.
This wine is fat, fruity and creamy, with just a touch of minerality. Its ripe fullness lends plenty of depth and concentration, within a lightly structured frame. Drink from 2018.
This wine is filled with aspects of black licorice, leather and high-toned red fruit, along with interesting side notes of white pepper and dried herb. Full bodied, it has zestiness on the finish thanks to a pleasant note of acidity that balances out its burlier side.
This wine is filled with robust Zinny flavors, ranging from wild raspberries and red currants to tobacco, mocha and crushed black pepper. It's just beginning to pick up aged notes, making it sweeter and more mellow than it would have been two or three years ago. Kudos to Balletto for holding it back before  release. Drink now–2016.
This wine is finely balanced, ripe with plenty of fruit and crisp with an edge of acidity. Its blackberry fruit and attractive tannic structure make this a wine that is ready to drink.
This wine is finely balanced—an impressive mix of ripe fruit and rich tannins. A smoky character envelops its rich blackberry and plum flavors, all underlined with tannins. It needs to age and will be best from 2020.
This wine is finely structured with the red berry and black plum fruit flavors leading to a central core of tannins. There is good juiciness as well, the whole ensemble promising good medium-term aging. The second wine of Château du Glana.
This wine is firm although with plenty of attractive red fruits. It is perfumed with structure and tight tannins along with a streak of minerality. The wine should be ready to drink soon.
This wine is firm and closed up, with signs of heavy-handed extraction that give it a seriously dry character. It is hard to see these going away.
This wine is firm and concentrated, with serious amounts of wood. Luckily the fruit is dense enough to show the potential of the wine, with plenty of acidity, black-currant flavors and freshness at the end. From the freeway, this chateau looks like a movie set and until recently there was nothing behind a grand medieval facade. Frédéric Gonet bought it in 1999 and new vineyards and château renovations began. The first red wine was released in 2012.
This wine is firm and structured, although it allows plenty of room for the aromatic berry and black currant fruits. The tannins are the support system to give the wine shape and the potential to age. Acidity at the end adds freshness. Drink from 2016.
This wine is firm and structured, on the dry side with more sinews than flesh. That tough, stalky edge to the wine will remain always.
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 wine is firm and structured, with dark tannins and a dense texture that is still dry. It offers ripe fruit as well as acidity, currently overshadowed by the tannins but will come to the fore with some time. The wine will age well, thanks to the solid structure and dry core of tannins. Drink from 2020.
This wine is firm and structured. It also has fine black fruit and balanced acidity. Full bodied, fruity and backed by solid tannins. Drink from 2019.
This wine is firm and taut. Cassis, mulberry and blueberry fruit finishes with some dusty tannins and crisp acids. Drink now–2022.
This wine is firm with plenty of structured tannins along with warm, ripe blackberry fruit that will allow it to develop well. In the generous style of Giscours, the wine is concentrated, dense and finished with juicy fruits. Drink from 2020.
This wine is firm with powerful surface tannins. Underneath, its blackberry-like fruit is developing, bringing out spice, acidity and plenty of weight. Drink from 2020.
This wine is firm with solid tannins. It has rich fruit and concentration with layers of blackberry and dark plums. It comes from a small seven-acre property and is aged for 15 months in wood. This impressive wine needs to age, so drink from 2022.
This wine is firm yet ripe, with a bold yet tight character that foreshadows a rich wine in the future. The cherry and red plum flavors are lush and generous. It is going to be a delicious wine, full of concentration. Drink from 2023.
This wine is firm, dense and packed with tannins. Juicy acidity lends a crisp character to its dominant black currant fruit. It will take time to soften, so drink from 2020.
This wine is firm, solid and dense with ripe black fruits. It is structured, with a dry core that needs to round out. However, the main thrust of the wine is towards rich fruitiness and enough tannins, wood flavors and acidity to allow it to age. Drink from 2018.
This wine is firm, solid and strongly tannic in nature. Juiciness is there, along with wood aging, spice and some concentration. The acidity is very present and needs to soften over the next year. Drink from 2015.
This wine is firm, with dry, smoky tannins that underscore its rich black fruit, promising good aging potential. It will develop slowly and be ready to drink from 2021.
This wine is firm, with extracted tannins that give a bitter, dark-chocolate edge. Underneath await black fruits, acidity and a crisper edge. Drink from 2018.
This wine is firmly in the herbal-vegetal camp. It smells like yellow tomatoes and tastes like tarragon and parsley, with a full body and soft acidity. It finishes slightly sweet.
This wine is firmly structured while also supporting swathes of berry fruits. Tannins come from the Cabernet in the blend and from the wood aging that gives a toasty character. Black fruits and acidity shine at the end. Drink from 2018.
This wine is firmly tannic and dry. It has ripe fruits and these should develop well. With its structure and fruitiness, it will become a generous, full wine from 2018.
This wine is firmly tannic, while promising fine fruitiness as it develops. The acidity and black fruits are about to break through the imposing tannic edifice. This wine will be best from 2017.
This wine is five years old and is starting to show its age. Aromas of dried tobacco, tomato leaf, mesquite and vanilla are followed by velvety-feeling fruit flavors that show a pleasing persistence. Drink now.
This wine is flashy and there's no denying that, starting with a heady nose of toast, smoke and orange peel. The palate is viscous and grainy on notes of mint and ginger, with barely enough acidity to maintain balance. Nonetheless, it is inherently appealing.
This wine is flat and capped on the nose. On the palate, it's angular and narrow, with cidery flavors and little to no complexity.
This wine is flat and simple, with touches of herbaceous earthiness and cedar. Plum and blueberry-fruit flavors are welcoming if lacking in complexity, with the finish offering a hint of cinnamon.
This wine is flat in flavor and light in acidity and body, exuding more earthy notes—a mixture of cedar and foraged mushroom—than fruit.
This wine is flavorful and sturdy. Full bodied enough to accompany rich dishes, it's affordable, too. It has butter and caramel aromas, an almost thick, syrupy texture and firm tannins. Moderate cherry flavors accompany the oaky components.
This wine is flavorful, with plenty of blackberry fruit, as well as a dense, tannic heart. The fruit's edges are smoothed by the wood aging, but it is still fruit that dominates, ripe, hearty and packed with acidity to finish.
This wine is flawed, with rustic leathery undertones that veer into Band-Aid, and an intensely sour note. Multiple bottles tried over several months.
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.
This wine is floral and spicy on the nose, but lacks the richness on the midpalate to fully support those ambitions. The result is a highly perfumed but modestly flavored wine with medium body and a dusty finish. Drink now.
This wine is formulaic in a good way; L'Ecole “owns” Sémillon in Washington, and it is hard to think of any winery in the country that does a better job with the grape. Aged sur lie in neutral oak, blended with 14% Sauvignon Blanc and put through malolactic for added creaminess, this is a delicious, rich and succulent wine that deftly mixes flavors of nettle, lime and melon with vanilla custard and a hint of butterscotch.
This wine is forward and high-toned, with bright strawberry/raspberry fruit. It's front-loaded for flavor, drinking nicely, though on balance a bit simple, with a quick fade.
This wine is fragrant and ripe while having a balanced, delicate structure. It offers plenty of fruit and acidity, with dusty tannins and sweet berry flavors. It should develop well and quickly. Drink from 2019.
This wine is frankly high in alcohol, clocking in at 16% by volume. But it's also incredibly delicious, offering soft waves of milk chocolate, black cherry jam, red currants, bacon and black pepper. Drink this wine at night, with rich stews or barbecue, but be careful about driving.
This wine is frankly old and downsliding, with aromas of pumpkin and corn flakes. A gold color and mildly oxidized apple-like flavors are tired.
This wine is fresh and crisp, with tight red fruits cut with citrus. A bright wine with just a touch of pepper, it ends with refreshing acidity.
This wine is fresh and full of attractive apple and spice flavors. It is crisp, refreshing and tangy, with a great texture of lemon zest over spicy vanilla and fragrant acidity. It should be drunk now.
This wine is fresh and juicy with fine tannins and ripe red berries. Owned by the Baylet family, the estate has produced a full and fruity wine. The aftertaste shows acidity and a light spice.
This wine is fresh as can be, with loads of friendly black-fruit aromas upfront. The palate is juicy and bright, not the least bit hard or tannic, with huge flavors of berry fruits, baking spices, chocolate and even some bacon. This delivers a lot for the price.
This wine is fresh with acidity, rather than fruit. The dry core shows up in wood flavors that still need to integrate with fruit. Give this wine a few years and it will come together while always being on the lean side. Drink from 2018.
This wine is fresh with citrus and apple flavors, rich but showing good mineral texture. With its attractive juicy white-fruit aftertaste, the wine is full and ready to drink.
This wine is fresh without being too herbaceous. Sauvignon Blanc controls crispness with flavors of almonds, citrus and quince. The tangy, steely aftertaste will soften from the end of 2015.
This wine is fresh, bright and light, with citrus and ripe yellow fruits. Crisp, light and aromatic, it's ready to drink.
This wine is fresh, crisp and fruity. With its almost-white color and green and citrus fruits, there is only the merest hint to suggest a rosé. It's an attractive wine, but hardly typical.
This wine is fresh, crisp and still young. Crisp acidity dominates the strongly citrus character and gives a tight aftertaste of lime and pink grapefruit. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc was aged on the lees for six months to enhance aroma. Wait to drink until early 2016.
This wine is fresh, crisp with acidity and an attractive zingy character. It has a lift and brightness along with hints of yellow fruits and a touch of spice.
This wine is fresh, crisply fruity and toasty without missing the apple and pear flavors that give juiciness behind the texture. It's ripe and is developing well. Drink from 2017.
This wine is fresh, fruity and crisp. It has delicious, young citrus flavors that are bursting with energy and life. Aromatic and textured, with mineral hints, this is a delicious, refreshing wine to drink now.
This wine is fresh, fruity and still young. It has apricot, peach and crisp plum flavors, ripe and full-bodied. Since this rich wine has considerable potential for aging, drink from 2015.
This wine is fresh, perfumed with a juicy red-fruit character. It offers red cherries, with a soft texture and acidity. The great fruitiness leads to a bright, crisp aftertaste.
This wine is fresh, with plenty of acidity. It also has delicious raspberry fruits, the ripeness well integrated into the wine. For immediate drinking.
This wine is from a blend of four vineyard sites, including the single-vineyard-designated Silver Pines, chilled by Petaluma Gap air. Clear and light in color, the wine is vibrant and earthy in dark cherry, clove and petulant Asian spice. The tannins are well integrated and soft, rounded in forest floor and toasted oak.
This wine is from Alain Dominique Perrin's Lagrézette estate in Cahors, although it is not labeled as such because the Cahors AOP is only red wine. Made from Malbec, it has the palest rosé color and elegant texture, with strawberry fruitiness and lively final acidity. Drink now.
This wine is from one of the top vineyard sites in the village of Bué. It is tense with the typical minerality of this vineyard, giving a wine that always needs to age. Its tight tangy orange-zest flavors are concentrated and reinforce the need to age the wine. Drink from 2019.
This wine is from Talley, and while it's nowhere near as good as the parent company's Pinot Noir, it's not bad for the price. Shows a nice, silky texture with bright, juicy flavors of cherries, cranberries and toast.
This wine is from the Chenoweth grape-growing family and is made from three of its finest vineyard sites: Chenoweth Ranch, Treehouse and Bootleggers, all special spots that have produced grapes for special producers. Here, the result is a smooth and velvety expression of juicy cherry and raspberry, given freshness via vibrant acidity.
This wine is from the home vineyard of the Larochette family. It has produced a ripe, still young wine that is full of yellow fruits. Hints of butter and vanilla add a rich dimension to this full-bodied wine. Drink now.
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.
This wine is fruity and crisp, with attractive balanced acidity. It's all about raspberry and red currants. A refreshing character gives citrus tang to the aftertaste.
This wine is fruity and crisp. It is also full of ripe apple and rich pear fruits that give density and fine concentration to this delicious impressive wine. The acidity adds brightness while the minerality comes from the taut steely texture. Drink this wine now.
This wine is fruity and ripe with fresh red-berry fruits and layers of smoky tannins. Those tannins will open up to give a rich, juicy and spicy wine from 2018.
This wine is fruity and soft, with hints of citrus and herbal flavors. Its acidity is bright and attractive. Drink now.
This wine is fruity and with a crisp texture. Bright and lively, it's juicy with pears and apples with lively final acidity. Drink this delicious wine now.
This wine is fruity with attractive black currants. The tannins are very present, suggesting the wine is young. It is a wine with potential, so drink from 2019.
This wine is fruity, crisp and packed with clean, bright red fruits. The inland location of the vineyard gives the wine a cool feeling that is crisp and fresh at the end.
This wine is fruity, packed with red-berry flavors. It has plenty of the acidity that marks this vintage in rosés while keeping a riper backdrop. Drink now.
This wine is fruity, rich and well structured, with tannins that are already integrated with the fruit. Juicy and fruity, it is going to be delicious as it develops. Drink from 2019.
This wine is fruity, supported by firm tannins that integrate well with the acidity. While there is a delicious black currant and berry fruit character, this wine needs to develop richness as it matures. Drink from 2018.
This wine is fruity, with attractive supporting tannins and the concentration of old vines. Berry fruits are developing well, giving a wine that will be generous and full bodied. The aftertaste introduces layers of acidity. Drink from 2019.
This wine is fruity, with crisp, fresh lemon flavors. It is lightly textured and smooth, with green fruit acidity and a creamy aftertaste. Drink from 2016.
This wine is fruity, with only a light texture of acidity and stalky black currant fruit flavors. From the difficult 2013 vintage, it is lit with acidity and fresh fruit at the end. Drink now. The d'Arfeuille family is in its fifth century on Bordeaux's Right Bank.
This wine is full-bodied and extraordinarily rich, with massive blackberry and blueberry jam, Canadian bacon, sandalwood and pepper flavors. It's so sweetly delicious, you just want to keep on drinking. Almost too much of a good thing, though.
This wine is full and opulent, and its yellow fruit is at the fore. The ripeness is tempered by the complex notes of spice and almond as well as the taut, steely acidity. Age for at least four years.
This wine is full and richly fruity. It has a cool feel to it from the proximity of the vines to the ocean, which gives a mineral, crisp character that adds tang to the texture. Acidity lifts the ripe fruit, allowing it to age a few more months. Drink from late 2017.
This wine is full bodied and rich on the palate, with a woody reminder of oak. Spicy apple notes are lifted by spritzy acidity.
This wine is full bodied but not heavy. Light floral and citrus aromas lead to ripe fruit, spice and butter flavors. A generous, smooth texture coats the palate and helps the mélange of flavors linger on the finish.
This wine is full bodied, complex and layered, offering a good example of a flavorful, intricate wine that wins fans by finesse, not force. Cedar, mint and tobacco animate the aromas, and lightly tart blackberry and black plum flavors fill the midpalate. With a moderate dose of fine tannins, it has the grip for juicy beef and pork pairings.
This wine is full bodied, lush and oaky, with a generosity on the midpalate that speaks to a ripe vintage. Lemon-lime flavors and high acidity give way to a creaminess of tropical fruit and girth.
This wine is full in the mouth with a rich, rounded character. Spice balances with the red currant and lemon flavors to give great fruitiness with a more exotic, peppery aftertaste.
This wine is full in the mouth with a taste between pepper and fruit. It's ripe, rounded and tangy with clementine zest as well crisp apples and red currants. It could benefit from a few months in bottle, so drink from late 2015.
This wine is full in the mouth, with swathes of ripe apricot and mango fruit flavors. It has weight, a touch of spice and great acidity that emphasizes the general richness. Drink now.
This wine is full of acidity as much as red fruits. Crisp, tight and with freshness from the red currant fruits, it is ready to drink. This is one of the Vignobles Jean Queyrens et Fils wineries.
This wine is full of acidity, with a crisp edge that's a delicious part of the riper fruit. The wood-aging spiciness is well judged to give a balanced wine that is generous and ready to drink.
This wine is full of all the right elements, from juicy acidity to black currant fruit and a supporting layer of tannins. It has weight, concentration and delicious spice and berry flavors. Drink from 2020.
This wine is full of black-currant freshness. It is already delicious, crisp while just lit up by tannins. It is developing quickly, with a refreshing character that will make it drinkable from 2017.
This wine is full of bright fruit and attractive acidity. It's been made to take advantage of the fruitiness of the year and is likely to develop quickly. Drink from 2018.
This wine is full of fresh acidity, with a soft, gentle fruitiness that is immediately attractive. With its light touch of raspberry and red currant, it is poised and stylish.
This wine is full of fruit, dusty tannins and great structure. A smooth surface covers the complex, juicy black fruits, dense tannins and mineral texture. This wine will certainly age, so don't drink before 2017.
This wine is full of intense honey, orange, apricot, lemon, crème brûlée, vanilla bean and buttered toast flavors. Too soft for all that richness, but it sure is delicious.
This wine is full of juicy fruit along with a dark, smoky character. A firm undertow of very dry tannins brings out a firm structure. The hard edge needs to soften, so wait to drink until 2018.
This wine is full of juicy Merlot, ripe with sweet tannins and jammy fruit. It is soft, with the freshness of the year as well as having hints of structure. It is ripe, beautifully fruity and will be ready to drink from 2018.
This wine is full of lovely aromas and flavors, but something unique about its grippy texture makes it soar. It begins with fresh, mineral-laced scents of Asian pear, yellow-grapefruit pith, crisp yellow apple and chalk. Then comes a palate full of yellow apple skins, lemon wedge and the slightest hint of grass, all served atop energetic, mouthwatering acidity.
This wine is full of pure, fresh and crisp fruits that are delicious, fragrant, perfumed and lively. With a mineral edge, tangy texture and tight final acidity, it's a wine that could age for a few years
This wine is full of red-berry flavors with a dry, stalky background texture. It is light and is the style of wine that could be served slightly chilled. The aftertaste brings out crisp acidity. Drink from 2016.
This wine is full of red-berry flavors, fresh with acidity and a juicy texture. Lively and bright with a dancing, crisp character, it's a great apéritif-style wine.
This wine is full of red berry flavor and soft tannins. With its forward fruit and smooth texture, it's made to be drunk young, so drink now.
This wine is full of rich fruit. With apricots, mangos and a layer of caramel, this is a generous wine with enough acidity to sustain its richness. The aftertaste brings in spice, vanilla and a squeeze of lemon.
This wine is full of smoky tannins and ripe black fruits, with a light touch of acidity. It's dense, structured as befits the vintage, and still has a way to go. Set on the slopes above the river Garonne, this is a seriously improved estate, bought by the Dulon family in 2004. Drink from 2016.
This wine is full of the ripe fruit as well as the mineral tannins typical of the Douro. It is a blend of typical grapes with a dominance of Touriga Franca. The wood aging has given the ripe black currant flavors a smooth, rounded character as well as adding spice. Drink this wine now.
This wine is full, structured and still developing, with a bitter-chocolate edge that give a sharp character. This is balanced with warmer black-fruit flavors and acidity. The wine has great potential and needs another year. It will be best from the end of 2017.
This wine is garnet in color, with aromas of cherry, vanilla, red plum and cassis. Flavors of tart cherry, red raspberry and blackberry drive the palate and lead to a lingering finish.
This wine is generous, rounded and soft. Rich red fruits dominate, exploding in the mouth with red cherry and raspberry flavors. It is a soft wine, perfumed with delicious, forward fruitiness. Drink from 2017.
This wine is good but not altogether convincing. It has a raw, nervous edge with aromas of root beer, tealeaf, cherry cola and a brambly-wild berry flavor in the mouth. The texture is sharp, compact and tight and the wine leaves lingering freshness on the close.
This wine is gorgeous from the moment the cork is pulled. Sweet fruit—berries, currants and jam—is perfectly matched to more subtle scents of sassafras and tobacco. Nicely woven together, this youthful wine coasts along on a magic carpet of seamless flavors, gently sliding into a lightly toasty finish with a lick of bacon fat. Though fairly soft, it seems like a good candidate to improve for 5 or 6 years.
This wine is gorgeous, with flavors of hazelnut, pear and ripe green apple. It's crisp, balanced and perfectly sweetened. Mixed with vodka and fresh fruit juices, it also makes a fine cocktail.
This wine is grassy in aroma, lively and crisp in texture and tastes almost like fresh-sliced Pippin apples. It is fresh and well balanced, perfect for appetizers and seafood.
This wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Syrah, finished off with Petit Verdot. The aromas and flavors of dried herbs, blackberry, tar and fresh flowers show multiple layers, with the palate displaying density and richness. It needs time to be at its best but will be worth the wait. Drink 2020–2027.
This wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. High-toned aromas of dried herb, barrel spice and red and black fruit are followed by well concentrated fruit flavors. The tannins show considerably more grip than is often seen from this site. Give it some time in the cellar to unwind. Best after 2021.
This wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest equal parts Merlot and Petit Verdot. Aromas of violets, scorched earth, dark cherry, toast and coffee are followed by dark fruit flavors backed by firm but well-integrated tannins. Just a baby now, this wine should have a long life ahead of it. Best after 2022.
This wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc (22% each), topped off by Petit Verdot. The aromas of fresh herbs, flowers and blue fruit are still wound up. The palate shows more tannic heft than this vineyard is often known for, needing some time in the cellar to soften. Best after 2020.
This wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It leans slightly into the green, with aromas of fresh herbs mixed with vanilla, chocolate and other barrel spices. The palate is elegant, with a soft feel to the chocolate, cherry and barrel flavors.
This wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Merlot (20%), Cabernet Franc (18%) and a healthy dollop of Petit Verdot. Aromas of green herbs, fresh flowers, soil and barrel spice lead to dark cherry flavors backed by grainy tannins.
This wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It draws you into the glass with light, high-toned aromas of herbs, flowers and assorted spices. The palate brings a medley of black and red-fruit flavors, with herbal accents that display deftness, elegance and length. It's drinking well now but should only improve with additional time in the bottle. Best after 2018.
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 wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest equal parts Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Golden raisin, medicinal notes and abundant barrel spice aromas lead to full but balanced flavors backed by grainy tannins.
This wine is half Funk Estate Vineyard Syrah, with the rest McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. The two varieties somewhat seem to cancel each other out initially, with aromas of smoked meat, cherry, herb and earth that don't seem fully resolved. The palate brings a smooth, elegant styling to the red and blue-fruit flavors. There's plenty of interest, but it doesn't all entirely come together at present.
This wine is half Grenache, with the balance Mourvèdre (31%), Syrah (14%) and Counoise. Lighter in color, it brings aromas of cranberry, cherry, spice, smoked meat and herb. The tart cranberry flavors are full bodied, showing a sense of purity and balance, pulling up a bit on the finish.
This wine is half Merlot with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon (31%), Cabernet Franc (16%), Petit Verdot (2%) and Malbec. It draws you into the glass with high-toned aromas of dried herbs, espresso, red and black fruit, along with floral notes. The palate is poised and polished, showing depth, texture and layering well beyond its weight class. It appeals on every level.
This wine is half Merlot with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Aromas of vanilla, dill and candied cherries are followed by ripe, succulent red and black-fruit flavors, with firm, drying tannins providing support.
This wine is half Merlot, with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. High-toned aromas of baking spice, herb, dark chocolate and dark cherry are followed by luscious ripe red and black-fruit flavors. It's irresistible in its appeal.
This wine is half Merlot, with the rest equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Brooding aromas of black licorice, barrel spice and dark fruit lead to plentiful fruit and barrel flavors that show a lovely sense of balance. The tannins bring some grip.
This wine is half Syrah with the rest Cinsault, Grenache, Counoise and Mourvèdre. Aromas of red apple, watermelon and bubblegum are followed by lighter tart, lightly spritzy fruit flavors, with the acid pulling it all together on the finish.
This wine is half Syrah with the rest equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. Aromas of wet copper penny and herb are followed by sweet blue fruit flavors supported by firm tannins. The varieties seem to tussle.
This wine is half Viognier with the balance a blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Chardonnay. Aromas display a considerable amount of reduction that detracts from notes of peach and almond. It's dry and broad in feel, showing some bitterness on the finish.
This wine is half Viognier with the rest Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. It offers aromas of almond, lees and peach. It's unctuous in feel but lighter in style with a touch of bitterness that distracts.
This wine is half Viognier, with the balance Roussanne (35%) and Marsanne. The aromas of wild flowers, pear, peach, almond and grape skin lead to sweet full-feeling stone fruit notes that are quite flavorful. It shows a pleasing sense of balance.
This wine is hard, piercing and pushy on the nose, with a chemical note. A rubbery, soft palate carries little to no edge, while flavors of cooked berry and carob finish with notes of raisin and rubber. This bullish wine has its good points but it's tough and challenging.
This wine is heady in apple blossom and jasmine, deeply honeyed in color with an accompanying taste of honey and apple. Big on the nose, it impresses in surprising ways by being quite lean and well integrated on the palate, with a lingering heft of juicy ripeness on the finish.
This wine is heavily oaked, yet rich and enjoyable. Smoky, spicy, almost sweet aromas and flavors are backed by ripe blackberry flavors and a smooth texture.
This wine is heavily spiced from its wood aging. Fresher fruit flavors do come through to give black currants, bright acidity as well as firmer fruit structure. The wine still needs time, so drink from 2016.
This wine is heavy and full-bodied for Pinot Noir, with soft acids and rich cherry, currant, anise and mocha flavors. Doesn't have the structure for aging, so drink up.
This wine is heavy with tannins as well as raspberry-flavored fruit, with an edge of bitterness at the back. The blend is 50/50 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now.
This wine is held back for eight years by the winery before it is released for sale. It's named after the Fibonacci numbers, or the so-called “golden ratio” that appears repeatedly in nature, this is a soft, almost sweet wine, with aromas of cherry and ripe raspberry. The mouthfeel is plush and velvety.
This wine is herbaceous, crisp and lively. Tangy acidity envelops the citrus and green apple flavors, while the aftertaste is all about the tight, steely acidity.
This wine is herbal and burns on the nose, where aromas of horseradish and tomato sauce don't really work. Flavors of raisin, brandy and black cherry are hardened by fierce tannins and a chemical-like dryness. Rubs like sandpaper on the palate.
This wine is herbal and grassy in character, with a strong Sauvignon Blanc element. It has spiciness, tangy with squeezed lemon and very fresh acidity. Drink from 2017. André Lurton has owned the estate since 1965.
This wine is herbal, prickly and roasted, singing the Salta tune of oddness and earthiness. It feels medium to full in the mouth, with a roasted dark-berry flavor and plenty of herb and pimiento tones. Finishes deep but salty, with notes of roasted red pepper and stew. A blend of 80% Malbec and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.
This wine is high-toned with flamboyant aromas of pomegranate, cherry and grape. Cherry is front and center on the palate, with subdued notes of resinous oak and baking spice coming through. Mocha-tinged tannins lead on the finish.
This wine is highly perfumed on the nose, reminiscent of a dried-flower-filled sachet, with lilacs, rosewater candy, sweet tobacco and a little caramel making for a distinct aroma. The dried purple flowers hit the palate too, along with plums, Asian spice and black peppercorns. The gritty structure is sprinkled with ample acidity.
This wine is highly ripe and voluptuous, with a distinct boldness of tropical flavor and almond paste. Full figured, it's embraced by a generosity of oak that makes itself known.
This wine is hot, soft and simple, with blackberry jam, chocolate and anise flavors. The fruit is enormously concentrated. Inelegant, but it will partner well with barbecue.
This wine is hugely robust in concentration and power, a study in mountain-grown brambly berry and serious tannin. Bark, pencil and a wealth of spiced plum form the core of its character, with secondary elements of cherry and cigar box coming into play over time. Enjoy best beginning in 2024 through 2034.
This wine is hyperbright in acidity, with a lemony tartness that's pleasing on the palate. Its use of oak is subtle and integrated, allowing for a layering of peach cobbler to be introduced.
This wine is immediate in its appeal with aromas of lime leaf, flowers and peach. It drinks off dry with a zing of acidity that beautifully frames the full-fruit flavors.
This wine is immediately appealing with vibrant aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle, white peach and wet stone. It drinks off dry, with a fleshy feel and drawn-out fruit flavors that linger.
This wine is immediately attractive and seductive, with forward floral notes of crushed iris and violet that are supported by a decadent ripe-fruit core of black raspberry, wild cherry and boysenberry. Woody tones of toasted coconut and vanilla add richness to the dense, fully structured palate, while hints of black pepper and cocoa nib blossom on the finish. Delicious now, but should age well through 2018.
This wine is immediately attractive, with initial aromas of ripe cherry, plum and berry fruits that are spiced with hints of Thin Mint, licorice and black pepper. Plush, but not overdone, the mouthfeel is like crushed velvet, with black cherry-skin and raspberry flavors and fine yet structured tannins. Glimmers of sweet smoke and black tea unfold on the lengthy finish. Drink now–2016.
This wine is impressively full-bodied, layered and concentrated in rich fruit—a mix of dark cherry, raspberry and toasty oak that finds life in buoyant, freshly supportive acidity and a light reckoning of spice.
This wine is in keeping with the producer's goals of making restrained, balanced wines. It is both those things, characterized by firm, tight tannins and muted sage, the texture narrowly defined.
This wine is in the “velvet” school of red blends, showing a very supple, rich texture and a definite level of sweetness to soften the overall impact. It has sweet-seeming aromas like maple syrup and blackberry jam, and ripe fruits on the palate too.
This wine is in the tasty, full-bodied California tradition, showing lively aromas of toasted oak and butter, then ripe fruit flavors and a mouth-filling texture. It also has depth, bringing more nuances to the front with each sip, and lingering long on the finish.
This wine is initially austere, but then shows rich, ripe fruit and a solid structure. The wine's strong tannic character suggests considerable aging potential, while it already shows a deliciously gentle side.
This wine is initially marked by scents of charred oak and espresso beans. With aeration, the cherry fruit become more apparent. It's medium to full in body, with silky yet firm tannins that reflect the vineyard's clay soils.
This wine is initially soft and rounded. Only as it opens does the tight, crisp texture becomes apparent, bringing out crisp, green, citrus flavors as well as hinting at warmer apricots. The wine is still young; drink from late 2016.
This wine is initially tight and austere. The red-cherry fruit will develop slowly and with bright acidity to sustain it. Drouhin vineyards are biodynamic; this blend comes from its own and partner vineyards. Drink from 2018.
This wine is insanely good, from a dry-farmed, yes, rocky outcropping of vines planted first in 1910, then again in 1934 and the 1970s, with Carignane and Petite Sirah in the mix. It's thick, rich and beautifully put-together, full bodied and entirely balanced, with markings of cherry cordial and white pepper that seduce gently.
This wine is intense, herbal and aromatic. The palate shows some rounded citrus and yellow-fruit flavors although green gooseberry comes through strongly. It is fresh, floral and deliciously ready to drink.
This wine is intensely floral and gritty on the palate, showing a fleshy cloying sense of ripeness. Melon, pear and fig highlight the fruit profile.
This wine is jam in a bottle. Floods the mouth with ripe, spicy flavors of raspberries, cherries and blackberries, wrapped into a light, silky texture.
This wine is jammy and synthetic on the nose, with cherry, concord grape jelly and red Jell-o notes. More grape jelly flavors unfold on the palate, along with cherry pie. It's full bodied, but the tannins are harsh and the long finish is a touch warm.
This wine is jammy blackberry and blueberry forward on the nose, with sweet baking spice notes rounding it out. The juicy palate boasts zippy red currant acidity balanced by soft, stone-ground tannins. Drink now for immediate enjoyment.
This wine is juicy and fruity, with generous tannins that support its ripe black fruit and balanced acidity. It has a smoky edge and will be ready to drink from 2020.
This wine is juicy with wood and spice flavors. It has plenty of acidity to balance the tannins while the fruit will give it an attractive freshness as it develops. Drink from 2018.
This wine is juicy, with ripe black fruit and tannins. It's dry and structured, with spicy pepper and nutmeg notes. With its pure fruitiness and lack of wood aging, it's likely to age quickly. Drink from 2019.
This wine is just over half Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), with the rest Merlot (20%), Malbec (15%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of dark cherry meats, plum, herb and spice are followed by elegant fruit flavors backed by a firm grip of lightly dry tannins.
This wine is just over three-quarters Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Aromas of black currant, woodspice and a violet top note are followed by plentiful black-fruit flavors supported by firm tannins that need time to stretch their legs.
This wine is just over two-thirds Merlot, the balance in Syrah, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Dark plum, coffee, bittersweet chocolate and spice aromas are followed by medium-bodied fruit flavors backed by plump tannins. It goes down easy.
This wine is just under half Petite Sirah (48%), with the balance Syrah (24%), Counoise (21%) and Mourvèdre. It opens with brooding aromas of red and purple fruit, cigar box and barrel spice. The purple-fruit flavors are rich and palate coating, showing a lovely sense of balance.
This wine is just under half Syrah with the balance near equally split between Mourvèdre and Grenache. Peppery spices and sappy dark-fruit aromas are followed by juicy dark-fruit flavors that persist. It shows a very pretty styling.
This wine is just under two-thirds Syrah with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon. The first vintage to bear this appellation designation, it offers reserved aromas of stems, high-toned herbs and minerals that lead to a sultry, savory, full-flavored palate. It still seems quite closed at present but brings plenty of intrigue.
This wine is just what a Sonoma Valley Cabernet should be. It's softly tannic and likeable now, with rich, ripe blackberry, black currant, blueberry and oak flavors. Shows real elegance as well as structural integrity.
This wine is labeled medium dry, a fair description. Aromatic with waxy, mixed citrus components, it's refreshingly tart, with suggestions of lemon peel throughout. The finish brings in notes of orange-pekoe tea, with good concentration and length.
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.
This wine is layered with wood that has softened the young fruitiness, adding spice and toast. The wine just keeps the right, juicy side of being too woody. It should be drunk now–2015.
This wine is lean and austere, with extracted tannins that have left no sense of fruit. It will remain hard, although it will be less dry from 2018.
This wine is lean and stalky, with firm, dry tannins that don't give much room for fruitiness. It will be ready to drink from 2017.
This wine is lean and still young, with concentrated tannins, firm acidity and smoky fruits that will take some time to develop. The palate suggests it will always be a mineral, tight and firm wine, even as the tannins soften. The finish is pure, juicy black currants. Drink from 2018.
This wine is lean on the nose and perfumed in honeysuckle and apple blossom. With its power in balance, the fruit can shine. Lemon and Gravenstein apple exude from the entry while a medium-toned structure buoys the subtle spicy notes of the oak, never letting them overtake the finish.
This wine is lean with acidity playing over the red-currant fruits, leaving a character that's light and tight. While the wine will soften it's not likely to show any more weight or richness.
This wine is lean, austere with high acidity that leaves fruit well behind. It is structured and dry, only hinting at black-currant freshness. This third-generation family estate also hosts monthly musical and tasting events and sells fruit, vegetables and honey.
This wine is lean, based more on acidity and structure than on fruit. It has hints of red-cherry flavors although they ought to be more developed. It leaves a smoky aftertaste.
This wine is lean, more about structure than tannins. Some juicy fruitiness is overwhelmed by the dry core of the wine that seems over-extracted.
This wine is lean, with a severe character that gives tightness to the fruit. It's very mineral in character, full of acidity and just hinting at spice. Drink this nervy wine from 2016.
This wine is lengthy and earthy, with wraparound tannins that coat the mouth. Smoky char, black licorice and a depth of baked plum provide decadence and ripe rich flavor within complex structure of acidity.
This wine is lifted by vibrant acidity and shows bread-like aromas accented with wild strawberry, compost and forest floor flavors. Light-bodied and fresh on the palate, it's nicely crafted and table-ready.
This wine is light and fresh, full of crisp and ripe black currant fruits that lie alongside gentle and open tannins. The wine has weight and a rich underlay, although it will develop well and relatively quickly with its bright fruits and acidity. Drink from 2016.
This wine is light and fruity with citrus and red apples. It misses out on crispness, giving a more rounded character. It should be kept for a few months and drunk from 2017.
This wine is light and fruity, poised between rich tropical and herbal-laced green fruits. It has a perfumed touch from the Sauvignon Gris in the blend and a crisp texture. Drink from early 2018.
This wine is light and fruity, well balanced with plenty of red berry flavors and only light tannins. It will be fresh and ready to drink from late 2016. The 30-acre vineyard on one of the appellation's highest spots was bought in 2009 by Denis Durantou, the owner of Château l'Église Clinet in Pomerol.
This wine is light and perfumed, with crisp red currants and a tangy orange-zest texture. It dances from the glass, refreshing and poised to finish.
This wine is light and smooth. It has a crisp edge and hints of red berries, although the fruit seems dilute. Drink now.
This wine is light cherry-red in color, showing some bricking. Strawberry, bubble gum and orange-peel aromas are followed by off-dry flavors with a broad feel.
This wine is light in body but heavily perfumed. Clean fruit shows on the palate, with an addition of geranium aromas.
This wine is light in body for a Côtes du Rhône, elegant and spicy, with silky tannins and hints of cracked pepper on the finish. Enjoy this blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah over the next few years.
This wine is light in body, fruity and floral in flavor and smooth on the palate. Blended from seven varietals, it has peach and jasmine aromas, very generous fruit flavors that flirt with sweetness and a lush mouthfeel.
This wine is light in color, but still packs a mouthful of flavor. It's peppery and meaty upfront, filled out on the midpalate by tart fruit that verges on cranberry in flavor. Pretty rather than potent; drink now-2014.
This wine is light in tannins and ripe in fruit, with a delicious red-berry character. Drink this attractive wine from 2019.
This wine is light straw-colored, with aromas of lemon blossom, lemongrass and freshly cut lawn. Flavors of peach, passion fruit and melon finish with a touch of residual sweetness.
This wine is light, crisp and fruity, a real cool-climate red offering acidity, smoky black-currant fruit and a pinch of spice. The wine is ready to drink, with a mineral, fruity aftertaste.
This wine is light, fruity and with only a slightly tannic character. Aromatic cherry flavors give freshness and bring out a jammy character. It's ready to drink.
This wine is light, juicy and with attractive red fruits brightened with acidity. The tannins suggest a little aging, but there is no need to wait. This Beynat property has been in the family since 1917.
This wine is light, with touches of honey and dried fruit. Oranges, marmalade and dried sultanas are balanced by the acidity of this already attractive Sauternes. Drink now, but better from 2016.
This wine is lighter in color, with aromas of sawdust, cherry and barnyard. The style is quite faint, with spice flavors on the finish.
This wine is lightly herbaceous, with a crisp while creamy texture that emphasizes perfumed green fruits and refreshing acidity. It is light, fruity and ready to drink.
This wine is lightly layered and linear, with stony green apple notes over a backdrop of toasted brioche.
This wine is lightly structured with tannins and shows red berry and cherry fruit, although with little varietal character. It's attractively juicy due to its acidity and perfumed aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine is like an adventurous trek through the mountains, with wild, smoky, forest aromas, gamy, black-peppery flavors and a rugged texture that's inviting. Flavor nuances come out with each sip, yielding blackberry, blueberry and grilled steak.
This wine is like Zinfandel in its spiciness and briary, brambly wild red berry flavors. However, there's a vegetal undertow, and high alcohol makes the mouthfeel uncomfortably hot.
This wine is listed at 19.5% alcohol and it smells every bit of it. Alcohol aromas overwhelm any sense of the variety and provide a burn to the floral flavors.
This wine is lively and spicy, with cranberry and cherry flavors, juicy acidity and a strong impression of citrus. The tannins are firm and balanced, with a hint of stem showing through the finish.
This wine is living evidence of how Torrontés doesn't take well to oak and aging. The nose is clumsy and heavy, with a resiny note of lemon cleanser. Flavors of pickled citrus and sauerkraut hang around on the finish, which heads south.
This wine is lovely in aromatics of honeysuckle, as dense compact layers of ripe apricot highlight a full-bodied profile of concentrated flavor.
This wine is lush with blackberry jam and oak flavors, but high alcohol gives the finish a chili pepper heat.
This wine is lush, with aromas of cassis, lavender and kirsch enveloped in wafts of church incense. Bright cherry and violet meld with velvety tannins and delicate acidity. The finish is long and full of cedar and botanicals.
This wine is luxurious with intense pineapple and tropical fruit flavors, but feels a bit overworked with buttery, toasty oak notes.
This wine is made by Paso Robles-based Jeremy Weintraub, who also works at Adelaida Winery. Aromas recall beeswax, light banana, ripe nectarine, lemon curd and white flowers. Soft once sipped, it proves easy to drink, with flavors of chamomile tea, yellow pear, yellow apples and roasted nuts.
This wine is made by UC-Santa Cruz astrophysics professor Joe Miller, who's taught wine appreciation for years. Regal and wondrous, the nose conveys concentrated lavender, violets, cedar, oregano, rose petals and patchouli spicing up a grapy frame. The palate offers red fruits laced with clove spice and earth. Ginger, rose water and raspberry emerge in the midpalate, with just enough acidity to carry it through.
This wine is made entirely from the Martini clone of the variety, a heritage clone that imparts a lovely perfume of raspberry and rose that's hard to resist. Moderately spicy cola seasons a voluptuous midpalate that fills with length as the wine develops, never letting go of its unshakeable prettiness.
This wine is made from 100% Furmint and has an intriguing bouquet of jasmine and lemon blossom. It is crisp and acidic on the palate with pleasant flavors of lemon zest and lime juice.
This wine is made from 50% Cabernet Franc, 47% Zinfandel and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. It's decidedly herbal and savory, with a pronounced note of black olive. Juicy currant, cedar and cherry signal its Bordeaux varieties speaking loudly, as fruity cinnamon represents the Zin.
This wine is made from 50% Sémillon, 29% Sauvignon Blanc and 21% Sauvignon Blanc Musqué clone, the fruit sourced from both the Monte Rosso and Leveroni vineyards. It's fleshy and full of fig flavor, laced in mild lemon, quince and oaky vanilla.
This wine is made from 57% Petit Verdot (a variety of increasing interest, it seems) from mountain sites. An additional 29% Cabernet Franc and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon help soften its tastes of black licorice, leather and black currant, dotted by a dash of black olive. Opaque in color, it's savory and sizable in body without becoming overly concentrated. Drink now through 2021.
This wine is made from 75% Sangiovese with 18.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6.5% Merlot. A little pruney, it falls flat and veers hot on the palate, full bodied and quite ripe. Dashes of cinnamon stick brighten the experience.
This wine is made from a collection of vineyards dotted along mountainous ridge lines and benchlands, most of these spots along the Mayacamas Mountains. Winemaker Randy Ullom captures a classic character of dried sage, cedar and pencil shavings here, supporting the savory with bright acidity and a strong presence of tannin. This wine could stand more time in the bottle before enjoying; its youthful grip doesn't go without notice.
This wine is made from a duet of vineyards otherwise single-bottle designated: Cloud's Nest on Mount Veeder and Haystack from Atlas Peak. Smooth, rounded and rich in blackberry and raspberry, with a touch of currant, it has a woody, lasting taste of tannin.
This wine is made from a field blend that includes 2% Viognier, the vines planted in 1991. Co-fermented, it offers a soft texture accented in vanilla bean, leather and dusty blackberry. Intense, it's balanced and not overripe, a nice take on the variety that flirts with tastes of orange and white pepper.
This wine is made from a majority Merlot, with sizable percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Together they weave a lean, simple gathering of red berry and dried herb, that finishes in toasted oak.
This wine is made from a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by smaller percentages of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the lot aged almost two years in 75% new French oak. It presents itself as a classic example of the vintage and the valley, robustly bold and approachable in sage and red berry with a sturdy, sizable structure.
This wine is made from a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon, with tiny additions of Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. A minty, menthol streak is strong on the nose, veering into almost eucalyptus, while dried herb and a shot of gunpowder provide additional savory aromas and flavors. Big tannins need time in the glass to mellow.
This wine is made from a mix of 13 different grape varieties in a field blend. It's a totally terroir driven wine, full of mineral and gritty textures in its youth. Behind this structure is a wild range of flavors—spice, apples, pears and apricots—waiting to show through. It needs to age, so drink from 2016.
This wine is made from California's historic Mission grape variety, which winemaker Kevin Riley found planted as part of a field blend in his vineyard. The result is subtle aromas of lemon tart and night jasmine, followed by nectarine and bubble gum flavors, with a bit of tannins to hold it altogether. Check in on this wine in 2015 to track its evolution.
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.
This wine is made from fruit grown on the well-regarded Hudson Vineyard in Carneros, a sought-after site known for yielding grapes with tropical character. True to form, this offers ripe elements of guava, but also pear, vanilla and salty caramel, with a full-bodied texture.
This wine is made from fruit that was sourced from very close to the Pacific Ocean. As a result, it's ultragreen and vegetal on the nose, with a palate that bears high acid and a flavor of citrus extract, plus touches of beans and peas.
This wine is made from grapes grown at the Hop Kiln Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, a project of BR Cohn winemaker Tom Montgomery and winemaker Melissa Smith. It's Chardonnay-like in its grasp of green apple and generosity of toasted oak, medium bodied with a burst of ripe peach.
This wine is made from grapes grown in the Lake Balaton region and has aromas of lemon blossom, vanilla and lemon curd, which lead the way to well-combined flavors of green apple, pear and pineapple. It is medium bodied on the palate with a clean finish.
This wine is made from grapes grown on the producer's RockRise Mountain vineyard, 1,100-feet up. Graham cracker provides a decadent introduction to the nose and palate, as extracted, extended red fruit plays along. Full bodied and concentrated, with rounded corners, it ends in cola and vanilla.
This wine is made from mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, with smaller amounts of Syrah and Zinfandel. It has edgy tomato leaf scents and moderate acidity, muddling concentrated black and red berry, clove and leather flavors.
This wine is made from parcels on steep slopes and produced as the family's flagship wine. At nearly three years old, it has already mellowed into a richly endowed wine, ripe with green fruits, spice and concentrated acidity. There is so much complexity to this finely structured wine that will allow it to age further. Drink from 2019.
This wine is made from the Bastardo grape which, as its name suggests, is tough to handle and rarely found. Very light in color and with a rustic flavor, the wine is light with hints of red berry fruits. A curiosity. Drink now.
This wine is made from the same barrels as the producer's Finch Hollow offering, using the wine from the top of the barrels and left unfined and unfiltered. The result is an ethereal experience, creamy and crisp in golden apple and nectarine, its body rich, round, lush and delightfully satisfying.
This wine is made from two exceptionally cool coastal sites: Platt, a single-vineyard in its own right; and Martinelli Charles Ranch Vineyard. The wine follows suit, allowing for a concentrated take on golden apple and stony minerality, the nose crisp and focused in salty, floral notes.
This wine is made from two sites, English Hill and Que Syrah, both estate and within 10 miles of the Pacific Ocean. Made in a low-heat style, it retains plenty of complex notions of meat, blood, white pepper and citrus, with a subtle bit of dark plum. Concentrated in richness, it maintains a persistence of bright acidity on the palate that keeps it fresh and rewarding in the glass.
This wine is made in a full-throttle style, with aromas of toast, melted butter, spice and vanilla—the latter from the 100% new American oak aging. It's creamy in feel, with citrus and stone-fruit flavors on the finish. The barrel influence is a bit obvious but it's hard to deny its appeal.
This wine is made in a more complex, earthier style than many Marlborough Pinots, blending hints of beet, mushroom and tea with black cherries. If it seems a little chunky in texture right now, give it another 6–12 months in the bottle, then drink it over the next 4–5 years.
This wine is made in a ripe forward style, with lightly volatile aromas of apple, plum and dark raspberries. It's full bodied and pulls no punches as generous red and black-fruit flavors with cocoa accents show some warmth on the finish.
This wine is made in decent quantities, enough to hopefully find, and that's good news, given its quality for the price. Juicy, spicy and just the right amount of herbal, it has sizzling acidity that livens and refreshens the palate, dotted in chocolate-covered cherry, plum and clove.
This wine is made in the style of the winery's marvelous Finch Hollow Chardonnays, but is just a little less concentrated. Dry, crisp and elegantly clean, it has complex, mineral-infused flavors of tangerines, peaches and limes, enhanced with lots of smoky new oak. It should hold in the bottle through 2016.
This wine is made to be drunk young when it is still in the first flush of its fruitiness. Black plum and blackberry flavors are fleshed out with soft tannins. The aftertaste is fresh with bright acidity. Drink now.
This wine is made to be enjoyed young and fruity—it is a ripe, generous and full-bodied blend of Douro red grapes. There is a dry edge of tannins which are cushioned by the rich black fruits and lifted by final acidity. Drink now.
This wine is made to highlight the vintage and best vineyards, relying heavily on the producer's top-end site, Sacrashe. A hugely constructed wine, bold and brawny, it also manages to be soft and velvety, allowing for a greater contribution of savory elements than sweet, from leather to black pepper to Mexican chocolate. It pushes the boundaries on decadence in mysterious ways.
This wine is made with wild yeasts and is unfiltered. It has an earthy bouquet of plum, truffle, black currant and spice. The palate delivers a delicious blackberry core, layered with cinnamon, white pepper and nutmeg accents. This is well balanced, with velvety tannins and fresh acidity.
This wine is marked as sec (dry) and it is certainly that. The acidity is intense, cutting through the apple fruits and almond flavors. The wine obviously needs to soften and mature for a few months, so drink from 2018.
This wine is marked by a woody, herbal undertone that evolves into cardamom and clove. Fruitier, full-bodied waves of cherry, wild strawberry and vanilla play out on the boisterous, boldly built palate.
This wine is marked by dry tannins and is smoky and toasty, with little sign of fruit. While it will soften, it will stay somewhat tough.
This wine is marked by exceptionally ripe, forward flavors of blackberry jam and black currants, with a sweet coating of smoky oak. In fact, flavor is what drives this wine, although it also shows fine, complex Diamond Mountain tannins that give it a dramatic structure. Seems best now and for the next three years.
This wine is marked by oak, baked vanilla and bacon, and is quite thick and syrupy, offering generic tones of berry and plum.
This wine is massively fruity and grandly structured without being heavy or overpowering, but it will need time for the firm tannins to mellow. It smells and tastes like pure, concentrated black cherry and feels full of fine-grained tannins and sour-cherry crispness. It will be best after 2020.
This wine is massively ripe, with black currant, dark chocolate and anise flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon brings a black currant note and tannic power, Cabernet Franc adds a cherried richness, and Merlot lends a soft, feminine touch. The result is noble, but big, thick tannins call for time in the cellar. Consider opening from 2017, although it will go for a decade or two longer than that.
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.
This wine is maturing well, giving a firm, structure and some stalkiness. It's dry and will remain that way, showing some mineral texture as well as black currant flavors. The wine will be at its best in 2015.
This wine is meant to capture the American spirit in grapes grown across America. The wine lacks distinct personality, with just a tease of blackberry and spice that's characteristic of the variety, yet in a somewhat reduced, generic way.
This wine is medium-bodied, with slightly briny flavors of cherry, earth and herb. It's balanced and holds interest, with a clear emphasis on the herbal aspect of Oregon Pinot Noir.
This wine is medium bodied with spicy, brambly wild berry and tobacco flavors, as well as heady alcohol. It shows some unbalanced green notes. Drink now.
This wine is medium straw in color with aromas of freshly cut grass and lemongrass. It's slightly sweet on the palate, with pronounced fruit flavors of lychee and kumquat.
This wine is medium sweet in style with a rich, complex character. It has notes of spice and honey that accent ripe peach and apricot flavors. The richness of the wine comes from it's dense texture. It is ready to drink now, but will also age well.
This wine is medium to full bodied, with integrated, toasty oak and a healthy dose of baked apple and pear. Made in a luxurious style, it delivers in flavor and subtle elegance, with the structure to age further. Drink through 2020.
This wine is memorable on the nose and palate, offering bold anise, red currant and strawberry aromas and flavors. The mouthfeel is pleasantly light and accessable, with silky tannins and a lingering note of dried herbs.
This wine is messy on the nose, where compost, gas and animal aromas blend with jammy berry scents. It feels tannic and clampy, with baked and rooty berry flavors. The wine remains roasted in style and rooty on the finish.
This wine is mild and lightly fruity up front, with aromas of pear, apple, vanilla and other warm-climate standards. Feels round, with pear, peach and white pepper flavors. Turns bitter on the short finish.
This wine is mild and smooth compared to its peers, with good berry and cherry flavors, a broad, moderately tannic texture and a nice sense of layering.
This wine is mild in acidity and simple in structure, a light-bodied take on the variety that shows flavors of green apple and green olive tapenade.
This wine is missing great depth of flavor. It has bright acidity and hints of peach fruit flavors, but remains dull.
This wine is more a Bordeaux Blanc with Sémillon (15%) playing a prominent role. It leads with aromas of custard, barrel spices, pear and fig followed by lighter-styled fruit flavors. The concentration isn't all there but the balance of what is is spot-on.
This wine is more structured, tannic and textural than many, and shows the sophisticated personality of a dry wine that still has plenty of ripe flavors. It smells and tastes like wild blackberries dusted with cinnamon. Drink now through 2020.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) and Franc (43%) finished off with Merlot. A blend of Stillwater Creek and Stonetree vineyards, it leads with fresh herb, game, black cherry and barrel-spice aromas. The flavors are more reserved than the aromas suggest, pulling up toward the finish.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (64%) with the rest Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It beguiles, with penetrating aromas of black currant, red and black fruit, barrel spice and herbs. The flavors are pitch black with a firm scaffolding of tannins supporting them.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (71%), with the rest Merlot (18%) and Cabernet Franc. Very pure aromas of black cherry and black currant are followed by cranberry and tart fruit flavors surrounded by a firm structure. It shows a lovely sense of restraint and balance, especially considering the warm region and vintage.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (74%), with the balance equally split between Syrah and Merlot. Jammy aromas of spice, clove, blackberry and black currant are followed by full-bodied dark-fruit flavors that bring an irresistible sense of deliciousness.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (78%), with the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Aromas of barrel spice, cedar, green herbs and black fruit are followed by tightly coiled fruit and barrel flavors that need some time to settle in.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (81%), topped off with Malbec (10%) and Petit Verdot. Intense aromas of roasted coffee bean, char, wood spice, green herb and black fruit lead to soft supple cherry flavors, considerably more restrained than the aromas might suggest. The aromas and flavors seem a bit disconnected at present. Perhaps some time will bring them together.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (83%), with the balance smidgens of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The aromas bring notes of barrel spice, vanilla, herb, cherry and red and black fruit. The flavors are full and bold, with burly but not unyielding tannins giving support. Put it up against a juicy steak or give it some time in the cellar.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) along with 9% Petit Verdot and 6% Malbec, with most of the fruit coming from top sites of Cold Creek Vineyard and Stone Tree vineyards. Tightly wound up right now, it offers aromas of high-toned herbs, vanilla, spice and dark fruit. The palate is soft and flavorful, with plush yet delicate cherry flavors and fine-grained tannins that lead to an extended, fruit-filled finish. It's a very sophisticated wine with a long life in front of it. Best from 2021 to 2030.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (91%) along with pinches of Syrah and Merlot. The aromas of espresso, coffee grounds, fresh herbs and cherry pop, but don't always seem entirely harmonious. The black fruit flavors are more reserved than the aromas might suggest but still deliver.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller percentages of Alicante and Petit Verdot that render a soapy, herbal nose with accents of root beer, exotic spice, lavender potpourri and green pepper corn. It is very well balanced.
This wine is mostly comprised of Merlot that was sourced from 30 different parcels. It is smooth and ripe, with red berry fruits, soft tannins and attractive acids. From the hands of top consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt, this simple Bordeaux has character and style.
This wine is mostly Grenache (70%) along with Mourvèdre and Syrah. The aromas of raspberry and peppery spices are light and pure. The red-fruit and plum flavors are elegant yet sumptuous in feel, with the oak pulled back. It's unabashedly appealing and a great value to boot.
This wine is mostly Grenache, with about one-third Syrah blended in. There are pleasant cherry and blackberry flavors on the palate, but also a mushroomy streak that distracts. It's not likely to improve with age so drink up.
This wine is mostly Merlot (59%), with the balance a mix of five other varieties. Aromas of herb, baking spice, cherry and blue fruit are followed by quite sweet fruit flavors. It delivers easy-drinking appeal.
This wine is mostly Merlot (77%), fleshed out by Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Petit Verdot. Fresh aromas of plum, herb, bittersweet chocolate and red fruit are followed by medium-bodied, lightly sweet fruit flavors. The tannins bring some grit and it shows some heat on the finish.
This wine is mostly Merlot along with equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of barrel spices, red cherries, dried and fresh herbs and toast are followed by plump cherry and cranberry flavors, brightened by tart, puckering acidity that needs time to fully integrate. Drink from 2019 and beyond.
This wine is mostly Merlot and Cabernet Franc (42% each) with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. It's redolent with aromas of flowers, raspberries, herbs, coffee and barrel spice that lead to tightly wound focused fruit flavors. There's enough tannic heft to reward cellaring.
This wine is mostly Merlot with just a splash (5%) of Malbec. The aromas of red fruit, tire rubber and herbs are light and elusive. The tart fruit flavors provide considerably more generosity, with grainy tannins backing them up.
This wine is mostly Pinot Gris and Viognier along with a pinch of Orange Muscat. It's easy drinking, with flavors of peach and the underside of a pineapple plus a touch of sweetness and a crisp finish.
This wine is mostly Roussanne (58%) with the rest equal parts Marsanne and Grenache Blanc. The aromas of herb and peach are light and are followed by elegant lightly styled fruit flavors.
This wine is mostly Sémillon, with Sauvignon Blanc filling in the rest. It's one of the rare white wines from the Walla Walla AVA, graceful, full-bodied and tasting of fig and green banana. Just recently bottled, it still carries a bit of yeast in the nose and in the finish. Give it another few months to pull itself together.
This wine is mostly Syrah (47%), with the rest near equal parts Mourvèdre and Grenache. The aromas offer notes of cranberry and cherry, while the palate provides plump yet elegant fruit flavors, with barrel spices extending on the finish.
This wine is mostly Syrah (58%), Grenache (18%) and Petite Sirah, with small amounts of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cao and Tinta Madeira rounding it out. It brings aromas of dried herb, earth and blue and black fruit that are followed by palate-coating blue-fruit flavors, speckled with barrel spices, showing vibrant acidity.
This wine is mostly Syrah (80%) with the rest made up of Cinsault, Counoise and Grenache. A pretty pale pink color, it's aromatically expressive with fruit-filled notes of strawberry and cherry. The palate contains the slightest suggestion of sweetness, with light-bodied orange-peel and tart fruit flavors that draw out on the finish.
This wine is mostly Syrah, which gives juicy blackberry, plum and chocolate-covered raisin flavors. The slight percent of Viognier brings acidity and an uplifted floral note to this easy-drinking wine.
This wine is mostly Viognier (78%) blended with Roussanne. Pear, melon and almond aromas are followed by full-bodied flavors with abundant tangerine and floral accents.
This wine is much better than most in its class. The blackberry, graham cracker and exotic spice notes are particular to Bosca, while additional notes of bacon, chocolate and nutmeg add to the pleasure. For anyone looking for quintessential Argentine Malbec at a good price, we say start here.
This wine is much more convincing than Jenke's 2005 Cabernet, reinforcing the concept that Barossa Cab typically performs better in cooler years (2002 was the coolest on record). It's still broad and mouthfilling, but the plum and cassis flavors stay this side of overripe, buttressed by plenty of smoke, vanilla and spice. Long and savory on the finish. Drink now–2015. Imported by 34th Parallel, LLC.
This wine is much more easy-drinking than its pedigree might suggest. Made in Israel from an indigenous grape that is grown in a Palestine, it has aromas of apricot, jasmine and strawberry. It is very soft in the mouth, with flavors of guava, honeydew melon and lemon. The finish offers a light dose of bright citrus.
This wine is muted and still youthful, a blend of mostly Cabernet with 13% Merlot, 7% Syrah, 3% Petite Sirah and 1% Cabernet Franc. Pencil lead and dust fight for attention around big, bittersweet tannin and tobacco, not sure whether or not to let the black currant and cassis shine through.
This wine is muted, attractively balanced while missing the spicier character of Gewurztraminer. Light and uncomplicated, it's ready to drink, best as an apéritif.
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.
This wine is named after a windmill on the Conti family property. It is rich, with a spicy new-wood flavor. While it has plenty of structure, the acidity is subdued.
This wine is named after the mountain that dominates the west of the Côtes de Provence vineyards and gives an extra-rich dimension to the wines. It is structured and full of ripe red fruits and tangerines along with a touch of vanilla.
This wine is named for the four Sullivan brothers, one of whom makes the Benovia wines and another who makes this wine, among others. A clear labor of love, this small-production Chardonnay is well tended to. A sweetness of honeysuckle opens on the nose, followed by a depth of vanilla oak and stony minerality, the acidity fresh and bright.
This wine is named for the mother of one of the owners, an artist and teacher who provided the inspired artwork found on the label. It blends mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller handfuls of Cabernet Franc and Merlot and is soft in red currant with fully developed acidity.
This wine is named for the producer's son and his real-life 8th-grade project making one small barrel of wine. It continues on the theme, blending in 5% Merlot and aging again in new French oak, all small barrels. Meant to be enjoyed young, it shows a youthful exuberance of smoked wood, pillowy tannin, peppercorn and dried herb.
This wine is near-equal parts Marsanne and Picpoul. It brings zesty aromas of spice, lees, almond and citrus followed by a medium-bodied palate with a zing of acidity and good balance.
This wine is near equal parts Syrah and Merlot with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of blue fruit, vanilla, cherry and herb lead to full-bodied pit-fruit flavors that bring a sense of deliciousness that is hard to resist.
This wine is nearly dry—increasingly rare for NZ Pinot Gris—with aromas of slightly stewed fruit: white grapes and pears with sprinklings of clove and cinnamon. It's only medium weight, with a finish reminiscent of canned pears and a hint of tangerine. Drink now.
This wine is nearly two-thirds Cabernet Franc with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. It opens with fragrant aromas of cherry, coffee, green herbs and floral notes that are followed by an elegantly styled palate backed by a light grip of tannins. Coffee flavors linger on the finish.
This wine is nervy, steely, taut and lean, offering earthy, savory aromas, tart cherry and raspberry flavors and a nicely puckering mouthfeel. More minerally than fruity, it provides an interesting example of an alternative wine style.
This wine is nicely balanced and easy to drink, with clean notes of green plum, gooseberry, white melon rind and lime peel. Bright and flavorful with a fresh, mouthwatering finish.
This wine is no shrinking violet on the nose, resplendent in fresh roses and strawberry-raspberry. It confounds in its ability to provide huge flavor and personality while retaining a freshness and high level of acidity on the palate. A leathery, savory component speaks quietly amid the suggestions of cinnamon and cigar.
This wine is not aromatic at first, blossoming slowly into shy layers of red berry and subtle cinnamon before taking on a pleasant juiciness and medium weight. The tannins are non-agressive and integrated into the spicy finish.
This wine is not as bulky or dense as others from Bolgheri and boasts a more austere, yet elegant nose. But there's character and depth here thanks to its chewy tannins and long cherry finish.
This wine is not at all petite, with its richly layered and concentrated palate. It has an abundance of fine-grained tannins to support its opulent flavors of dark fruits and oaky spices. Full bodied but plush and soothing in texture, it blends in 15% Petit Verdot. Drink through 2022.
This wine is not balanced, with wood and acidity opposing each other. It has spice, high toast flavors and stalky black currants. Although it could have potential, it is likely to remain tough. The property is unusual—133 acres in one block.
This wine is not called a rosé on the label, but it has a definite light-salmon color and refreshing light red cherry and subtle strawberry flavors that resemble rosé. It feels medium bodied, smooth and frothy, and not too tart.
This wine is not impressive in any way. It's tannic, abrasive and tastes stalky and weedy. The finish is rough and green, like rocks in the mouth.
This wine is now in perfect condition. Just mature, it has great swathes of ripe plum and dark berry fruits that are textured with tight, spicy tannins. Balanced and rich, it shows mint and a concentrated structure. Drink now and until 2020.
This wine is now mature with firm tannins and spicy wood and fruit flavors. The edge of Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga Nacional in the blend has given the wine its shape and concentration. Drink this fine wine from 2019.
This wine is nutty on the nose, with faint hints of lemon, vanilla and ghee. More fruit comes through on the palate, boasting lemon, apple and pineapple, with nuts and chamomile adding depth. This straight-forward and balanced wine has a long and harmonious finish.
This wine is nutty, with a pronounced aroma of stone fruit and preserved lemon. These characteristics follow through on the palate, buoyed by crisp acidity. The finish offers more voluptuous mouthfeel and weight.
This wine is off dry, with honey and lemon flavors cut with tight acidity. Young and fruity, this simple wine is ready to drink.
This wine is on the austere, lean side, with firm tannins and fruit that is still only just showing and therefore lacking depth of flavor. The finish has attractive red berry fruits.
This wine is on the light side, with pretty cherry and mushroom flavors. Crisp and stony on the palate, a mouthwatering tartness rings on the finish. Drink now.
This wine is on the pale side for this vintage. There is a yeasty character that comes across as bitterness. By contrast, the acidity and the crisp fruits are fine, light and delicate. Drink now.
This wine is on the sweet side of crisp, with ripe strawberry and plenty of acidity. It is a wine to chill, with its bright aftertaste and slight prickle on the tongue. Drink now.
This wine is one-third each Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Aromas of game, medicine cabinet, barrel spice and herb are followed by barrel-forward flavors. Game notes persist on the finish.
This wine is one of a series of single vineyard wines from this Cistercian estate. The wine exhibits the pepper side of Grüner, full and flavorsome, along with spiced pear laced with citrus acidity. The wine is rich aging potential over the next 3–5 years.
This wine is one of Galante's better efforts over the years, with fine acidity and a silky texture providing a framework for raspberry and cherry flavors. It's a straightforward, simple wine for drinking right away.
This wine is only made in exceptional years from the green grapes in botrytised bunches. There is certainly some sweetness, but the wine is dominated by acidity and apples and cream flavors. The aftertaste, however, is soft.
This wine is opulent and rich without losing sight of the freshness of the vintage. Layers of new wood (100%) are blended with rich and perfumed fruits. At the same time, the acidity goes right through the wine, indicating an impressive future. It comes from a tiny patch of vines that gave two barrels. Drink from 2022.
This wine is opulent with flavors of orange, peach, mangoes and oak, with excellent acidity. Open now and pair with lobster, crab, scallops or tuna.
This wine is opulent with rich orange marmalade flavors and generous sweetness. Acidity balances it all, lifting the richness and giving it life. Ripe from the first sip, it finishes with apricot and orange notes. Drink from 2020.
This wine is outrageously perfumed. That's all there is, apart from a dry edge that stops the wine from totally tipping over into decadence.
This wine is overwhelmingly smoky in char and bacon flavor, with a side note of herbal mint. Extracted, the oak is intrusive.
This wine is packed with bright tropical fruit and citrus aromas and flavors, yet stays balanced and spritely through the long, citrusy finish. It's easy to like and easy to drink.
This wine is packed with cheerful red fruits that are given a more serious edge by the tannic structure and acidity,. With its touch of pepper and minerality, it will age well over the next two years. The cru wine comes from a family-owned property on steep slopes.
This wine is packed with crisp red currant fruit and plenty of acidity. Firm with tannins now, it will bring out more fruitiness as it develops. Ready to drink from 2019.
This wine is packed with flavor from the ripe blend of Shiraz, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional. Its berry fruits and balanced acidity give the wine an easy, juicy character. The gentle tannins are easily integrated with the fruit. Drink now.
This wine is packed with fruit tannins and dense black currant fruits. It's rich, structured, very dry with its tannins and firm. It's a solid effort that is going to develop well. Drink from 2017.
This wine is packed with red fruits, crisp apples and oranges. It is so fresh and bright, with good acidity that gives everything a total lift.
This wine is packed with ripe fruit, fresh acidity and crisply textured minerality. Finely wrought, it's structured and made to age, with a strong steely backbone to the otherwise fresh lemon and lime flavors. Drink from 2018.
This wine is packed with tannins, less packed with fruit. That gives it a tough character, very dry and not fruity enough. The estate is owned by the Perrin family of Château Carbonnieux.
This wine is packed with the purest stream of citrus flavors. There is a herbal background to the fruitiness along with acidity and a bright aftertaste. It's a wine to drink young for its delicious fruit.
This wine is pale peach in color. It starts with aromas of strawberry, herb and spice that lead to juicy, just-off-dry, well-balanced fruit flavors that provide a whole lot of appeal.
This wine is pale peach in color. The 100% Grenache, the wood influence (100% new 500L French oak) is almost completely overwhelming, showing notes of vanillin, wood spice and cream. It lightens up a bit on the dry palate but still can't make up the difference.
This wine is pale pink in color, with aromas suggesting herbs, cherry and red apple. It drinks off dry and is an easy-drinking porch pounder.
This wine is pale pink in color. Lightly reduced aromas of dried herb and cherry are followed by an elegantly styled palate, etched with orange-peel flavors. It brings intrigue but the concentration doesn't always seem all there.
This wine is pale salmon in color with aromas of pear and lees. It drinks dry with savory flavors of smoke and spice that linger. It's a unique offering from the appellation.
This wine is partially barrel fermented and blended with a small amount of Sémillon. Herb, citrus and passion fruit aromas are followed by flavorful yet sleek tropical fruit notes that linger on the finish. It brings a whole lot of appeal.
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.
This wine is perfumed with a high proportion of Cabernet Franc, giving structure and tannins as well as blackberry fruits. Like all the wines of the vintage, it is fruity although it balances that characteristic with the tight final texture. Drink from 2019.
This wine is perfumed with cherries and red berries. Its structure, which is certainly there, is almost secondary to this brilliant fruit. Balanced with a mineral dryness, the wine is certainly going to age into a ripe, pure-fruited wine. Drink from 2020.
This wine is perfumed with geranium aromas and rhubarb flavors. It is strange and not likely to improve.
This wine is perfumed with gorgeous fruit that contrasts with the strict minerality. The tannins under the fruit are severe, solid, dark and promising enormous potential. Concentrated even while it celebrates great fruit, it is going to last for many years. Drink from 2023.
This wine is perfumed with notes of potpourri, red fruit, funk, crushed gravel, ash, olive, orange peel and peat. The palate explodes with fruit and savory flavors that bring a sense of depth but also a sense of elegance and weightlessness. A hyper-extended savory finish kicks it up a notch.
This wine is perfumed, ripe and soft. It shows the richness of the vintage with plenty of warm fruit. Lemon flavors lend a final lift to richer apricot and pear notes. Drink now.
This wine is perfumed, soft and with a light character. An oddly floral character doesn't jell with the fruitiness that is behind it.
This wine is perfumed, with delicious notes of plum and spice that are balanced by light tannins and fine, elegant acids. A touch of mineral marks the finish.
This wine is plump, rounded and rich. Ripe hints of stone fruit suggest fleshy, juicy pear and ripe peach. The medium-sweet palate underlines the full-fruited nature more than freshness.
This wine is plush, with aromas of blueberry, blackberry and cranberry. There are also hints of sage and red currant on the nose. The palate has more cranberry—but a bit sour—along with tart cherry and charred oak, all framed by astringent tannins and mouthwatering acidity. The finish is flavorful, but short.
This wine is poised, balancing crisp acidity with ripe red fruit. That tension gives it a great lift, brightening its tight texture and background richness. Drink now.
This wine is polished in texture, sophisticated in flavor and a pleasure to sip. It exudes plum and blackberry aromas, adds rich plummy flavors and almost coats the mouth with richness. While full bodied, it has enough complexity and finesse for special occasions.
This wine is powerful and concentrated but sophisticated, too. It offers a medley of ripe fruit, dark spice, mouthfilling texture and age-worthy structure. The color is inky-dark and the aromas cassis-laden, with baking spice and a light smoky accent. The flavors recall dark chocolate and macerated cherries. Best after 2022.
This wine is powerful and full bodied, from the cocoa and raspberry-syrup aromas to the potent blackberry and Port-like flavors. It needs to pair with some aged cheese or a juicy cut of beef.
This wine is powerful enough to serve with wild boar carpaccio, if there is such a thing, or with blue cheese like a Port. The color is unusually dark and opaque, a stark black with a faintly purple rim. It smells spicy and tastes very concentrated, like blackberry jam, wood smoke and black pepper. The texture is almost thick and drenched with fine tannins while the body is quite full as well.
This wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) with the remainder Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah. Reserved aromas of toast, high-toned herbs, coffee and blue and black fruit lead to dense, rich, structured dark fruit flavors that show depth along with vibrant acidity and a long finish. This wine is built for the long haul and will be best from 2021–2028.
This wine is predominantly Merlot (44%) along with a whopping 33% Petit Verdot, with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Aromas of cocoa, vanilla, spice, green herbs and dark fruit are followed by generous dark-fruit flavors and plentiful tannins. It shows good cellaring potential.
This wine is predominantly Merlot (83%) along with Cabernet Sauvignon (9%) and Syrah (2%) all from Anna Marie Vineyard, with Cabernet Franc from Minnick Hills and Petit Verdot from StoneTree Vineyard. Pleasing aromas suggest blueberry, milk chocolate and high-toned herbs. It's elegantly styled with light blue-fruit flavors, at times seeming a bit faint.
This wine is predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with pinches of Syrah and Cabernet Franc blended in. Baking spice, cocoa and berry aromas lead to a layered cherry flavors that show intensity and persistence.
This wine is predominately Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller amounts of other Bordeaux red varieties. Together, they offer bold, ripe red-currant and -berry flavors, with a rich entry and gravelly texture. Highly stylized, grippy tannins and a leather note provide additional strength.
This wine is pretty and floral in violet and lavender, soft, smooth and simply rendered. High-toned in bright red fruit, it's out and out yummy and a tribute to a great old vineyard still planted to the rare variety.
This wine is pretty retrained on the nose for Condrieu, but still offers aromas of spring blossoms and white pepper. Fruit takes hold on the palate, suggesting apricot, peach and pineapple. Those flavors continue through the finish, which is silky in texture but only medium in length.
This wine is principally Cabernet Franc along with dollops of Malbec and Petit Verdot. A pretty pale salmon color, it offers very primary aromas of strawberry, green pepper and spice. The palate drinks dry with lovely fruit flavors and acid that brings tension and keeps the interest high.
This wine is principally Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Merlot (35%), along with dollops of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Carmenère. The aromas show complexity, with notes of herb, pink peppercorn, dark fruit, coffee and wood spice. The flavors are supple and layered, with bright acidity and firm tannins providing the frame.
This wine is principally Cabernet Sauvignon (57%) and Merlot (34%) along with dashes of Cabernet Franc and Malbec. A blend of Royal Slope and Seven Hills Vineyard fruit, it opens with aromas of black cherry, cigar box, green herbs, dried mint and potpourri. The herb and dark-fruit flavors are ripe and expressive, with the tannins combed to a fine sheen.
This wine is principally Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), with the rest equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of dried herb, black cherry, licorice, cocoa and barrel spice give way to plentiful tart-cherry flavors backed by bright acidity and lightly chewy tannins. It stretches out on the finish.
This wine is principally Merlot (57%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (33%) along with pinches of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Dark fruit, fresh herb and abundant barrel-spice aromas are followed by bountiful, restrained black-fruit flavors that carry through the finish.
This wine is principally Merlot (58%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (17%), with the balance Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of mortared green herbs mix with anise and the blackest of cherries. The palate is medium bodied, delivering enjoyment but coming off as a bit green.
This wine is principally Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc along with bits of Malbec, Grenache and Merlot. Aromas of green garden herbs and earthy funk are followed by soft, elegant earth and dark fruit flavors that bring appeal and intrigue.
This wine is principally Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the balance other Bordeaux varieties. Aromas of clove, sweet plum, vanilla and tire rubber lead to sweet, palate-coating blueberry and smoke flavors that linger.
This wine is produced by the Malan family of Simonsig Estate from purchased grapes. Light, fresh, with crisp, green fruit, it is an easy, pleasant wine to drink, well-made and delicious. There's a lovely, creamy, toffee aftertaste. Best Buy.
This wine is produced from a quinta owned by João Nicolau d'Almeida, a major figure in the development of Douro grape varieties and Douro wines. The wine is still young and firm, with concentrated tannins as well as rich blackberry fruits. It is a dense wine, with layered tannins and acidity supporting the ripe fruits. Drink from 2019.
This wine is produced from a range of small parcels right through the appellation (including some Premier Crus) to give a full ripe wine that has great acidity as well as spice from the wood aging. It is a wine that shows elegance as well as concentration and a fine balance between fruit and acidity. Drink from 2018.
This wine is produced from fruit that was sourced from Leithaberg vineyards in the northwestern corner of Lake Neusiedlersee. It's powerful with dense tannins that accompany the bright red-fruit flavors. Acidity cuts right through the solid structure, giving it a fresh finish. Glass stopper.
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.
This wine is produced from organically grown grapes. It is aged in tank, giving a wine that is all blackberry fruit with a crisp texture as well as generous tannins. With touches of Dão minerality, the wine is ready to drink.
This wine is produced from the best parcels of the estate, located an hour east of the Atlantic Ocean. The result gives an intense, concentrated character with crisp, tight lemon and pink grapefruit flavors. Still developing, the texture is mineral and nervy. The wine will benefit from a bit more time in the bottle so drink from 2016.
This wine is produced from two of the quintas owned by Ramos-Pinto. It's fruity and crisp, packed with bright fruit and lively acidity, and finishes on tangy citrus with a riper, creamy texture. Drink from late 2017.
This wine is produced from vines aged 62–88 years old. It has ripe red fruits and soft tannins creating a wine that is generous and ready to drink. It is a blend of grapes from the flat lands beyond the slopes in the Côte d'Or. The wine finishes with acidity as well as attractive fruitiness.
This wine is produced in microscopic amounts, the result of sourcing grapes from a notoriously difficult-to-farm site. It rewards in flavor: hearty cherry and pomegranate fruit, a crisp, crunchy texture, powerful tannins and oak, and an underlying minerality that presents as elusively as a cloud of fog.
This wine is produced solely with Nerello Mascalese grapes aged in terra cotta vessels and made with no selected yeasts or added sulfites. It offers concentrated black cherry, raspberry and licorice flavors accented with cracked black pepper and smoky mineral alongside big but velvety tannins. The warmth of alcohol marks the close.
This wine is properly steely, tight and with considerable acidity. To balance all this freshness it has layers of ripe yellow fruits that are developing and will likely give a fuller wine in a few years. Drink from 2017.
This wine is puckering in tannins with a chalky quality throughout.
This wine is pulled from vineyards across the Columbia Valley, including Heather Hill, Bacchus, Dionysus, Ciel du Cheval and Destiny Ridge. A nuanced wine, it shows winemaker John Abbott in top form with its rich, layered fruit flavors, dazzling sense of texture and lengthy finish. It's drinking beautifully but promises to have a long life in front of it in the cellar.
This wine is pure and fruity, with a strong, tight line of minerality. It is perfumed with apple and grapefruit flavors and a light touch of wood, with good acidity at the end. Drink from 2017.
This wine is pure apricot fruitiness, giving it acidity as well as the warmth that comes from the year. It also delivers balance and a delicious, refreshing character. The wine is ready to drink.
This wine is put together from multiple vineyard sources, including the well-known Morelli Lane and Widdoes, all farmed by the Duttons. Larger in production than many of the vineyard-designates, it offers baked bread and juicy overtones of cranberry-raspberry layered atop luxuriously toasted oak. It'll show well at the table.
This wine is quiet at first, with tight scents of dark berries, black currant leaf and German chocolate cake. A pleasant tartness enlivens the slightly round palate, expressed in hints of cassis and underripe black cherry. Ample tannins provide some structure, with a medium-length finish.
This wine is quiet on the nose, with light touches of toasty resin and butter. It's Burgundian in feel, with plump, fleshy fruit that accompanies resiny, spicy flavors of white fruit and citrus. Notes of wood and resin dominate the finish on this chunky, full-bodied Viura (with 8% Malvasia).
This wine is quietly powerful, packed with tightly wound fruit flavors that are wrapped in a firm coating of velvety tannin. It has plenty of grip on the palate, but also plenty of underlying blackberry, boysenberry and black-pepper flavors. It's sure to improve with time, so best to drink after 2022.
This wine is quite an accomplishment in flavor and complexity given the vintage and the price. From high-altitude vineyards atop the Mayacamas, it delivers peppercorn, herb and fine, well-integrated tannins, with mellow oak. Graphite and cedar also figure into the mix, with a shock of black cherry and cassis weaved within. Drink now through 2019.
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 wine is quite blue-fruited aromatically for a Cabernet. This continues on the palate, with boysenberry flavors backed by lightly grainy tannins. It provides interest, but you'd never peg it for Cabernet Sauvignon.
This wine is quite clear and a touch austere on the entry. It follows through with a sharpness of lemon and fuzzy apricot and peach, touched on the finish by oak.
This wine is quite clear in the glass and a touch tart on the palate, finding its way to a full-bodied, slightly flabby and gummy texture and sense of heaviness.
This wine is quite closed at this stage with dark tannins and a firm texture. The dry edge obscures attractive fruitiness, finishing with acidity and freshness.
This 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.
This wine is quite fruity on the nose. Next, it's dense and solid in the mouth, however the flavors turn quickly towards syrupy berry and stewed black fruits. A raisin-like flavor pops up on the finish to accompany chewy tannins and a pasty feeling residue.
This wine is quite light in color, with delicate aromas of cigar box, herb and spice. The cherry flavors are full and tart, with spice notes on the finish.
This wine is quite locked up at present, with barrel notes of cocoa and vanilla in front of high toned dried herbs, black cherry and dusty earth. The flavors are elegant yet rich, tart and fresh with bright acids and an extended finish. Though the wood occasionally gets a bit out front, it's a very pretty expression of the variety that needs time to fully stretch its legs. Best after 2018 or give it a long decant.
This wine is quite the bargain, offering nice fruit and spice for under $10. Simply structured with soft tannins, juicy black currant and plum flavors all accented by a hint of pepper. Drink now.
This wine is raisiny on the front end, heavy and prune-driven in the middle, and even more raisiny on the finish. Overripe in style with 60% Garnacha and 40% Tempranillo.
This wine is rather developed, showing leather, earth and tobacco on the nose. Savory and meaty rather than fruity, it is full-bodied and pleasantly supple. Drink now–2020.
This wine is rather hard around the edge with bitter almond and apple flavors. The acidity cuts through the sweetness, reining it in.
This wine is rather inexpressive and already evolved. The nose reveals red and black berries accented with notes of black pepper that carry over to the palate. It's one dimensional and tightly tannic.
This wine is rather too jammy and ripe for its own good. It does have acidity, but it is also soft without the essential structure. It's not a wine for aging.
This wine is red-violet in colour and has a nose of raspberry and fennel. There is a nice interplay of medium-weight tannins and bright acidity, with flavors of cranberry, tart cherry, chocolate and flint. The zesty finish is followed by the lingering presence of soft tannins on the tongue and gums.
This wine is redolent with aromas of blackberry, leather and spice. It's full bodied, with sweet fruit flavors that show richness, depth and purity, finishing warm.
This wine is reduced and somewhat flat in tone, with simple, light-bodied ripeness and plum and raspberry flavors.
This wine is reduced out of the gate but opens into kiwi, pineapple and herb aromas. It's light to medium bodied on the palate and needs more concentration and acidity to feel complete.
This wine is refreshing, seemingly light in body and texture. Fresh and fruity in flavor, it makes a good house wine to keep in stock.
This wine is relatively full bodied and ripe tasting, while also backed up by enough acidity to keep it refreshing. It tastes like crisp green apples with a hint of fresh herbs.
This wine is remarkably well made and memorable for its relatively large production scale, making it a great, accessible find. Integrated oak meets lifted acidity, the midpalate driven by floral and citrus highlights. The finish is light and refreshing.
This wine is reminiscent of ripe, plump pears and yellow plums fallen onto wet, cool autumn leaves on moss and grass. Those ripe notions are totally evident on the smooth, rounded palate that has a lick of vivacious lemon acidity. The long finish majors on citrus and clove-like spice.
This wine is restrained and wound a little tight, but it has great grip and nervy flavors. Note the woodsy and rhubarb aromas, tight cherry and cranberry flavors, a lean texture due to firm acidity and fine-grained tannins.
This wine is restrained on the nose and initially on the palate, showing a touch of reduction and tightly-held flavor. As it opens, it unleashes juicy dark cherry, berry and huckleberry notes, its core dense with tannin and oak.
This wine is rich and dense with blackberry, cassis liqueur and cedar flavors. It's frankly delicious, but those tannins are really hard—that's Diamond Mountain for you. Will be more mellow in 6–7 years, but it's fine now with a nice steak.
This wine is rich and dense, with dusty tannins suspended in the powerful texture. Firm at the core, this is a black-plum driven wine that has fine acidity and a juicy aftertaste. It is concentrated and likely to remain so with its dark, brooding finish. Drink from 2017.
This wine is rich and expressive, with the grip and texture of a fine Chardonnay—but it's Pinot Gris. Roughly half was fermented in a concrete egg; the rest in stainless steel and one new acacia barrel. The fruit is fleshy but not fat, crisply defined with exceptional phenolic details of citrus skin. The underlying minerality further frames the ripe, tangy fruit, and the three-dimensional flavors expand and extend through a lingering finish.
This wine is rich and flashy with flavors of blackberry and cherry jam, red currant, mocha, oak and spice. Firm tannins and zesty acidity add structure and brightness. It's tasty now, but should be better by 2016, as it begins to develop bottle notes.
This wine is rich and full bodied, already delicious with apricot and pear fruit flavors. They are given a shot by lemon acidity as well as an herbal element. Although the wine is ready to drink, it will be better in 2016.
This wine is rich and full in the mouth, with a generous texture and tangy acidity. It is refreshing with its crisp fruitiness and apple juiciness, a bright wine with good depth of flavor.
This wine is rich and full in the mouth, with swathes of ripe plum and cherry fruits. To balance that, a firm layer of tannins points up the ripe, juicy and rounded fruits of 100% Gamay. Drink this impressive wine now. It's produced by father and son, Michel and Sébastien Gutty, in Morgon.
This wine is rich and gently textured with acidity under the red-berry fruits. Hints of fruit tannins balance the essentially juicy character of the wine. Drink from the end of 2015. Most of the Les Merrains grapes come from the Ferraud family estate in Vaux en Beaujolais.
This wine is rich and packed with black fruits. The soft texture and ripe fruitiness mean the tannins will soon fully integrate. Drink from 2018.
This wine is rich and ripe with full strawberry and red currant fruits. A spice and pepper character adds a bite to the fruitiness. Acidity at the end gives lift.
This wine is rich and ripe, oozing with black cherry, boysenberry and strawberry jam aromas and flavors. It feels full and rather soft on the palate, as the acidity and tannins appear very mild.
This wine is rich and rounded, with plenty of spice, ripe berry fruits and acidity to balance. As it develops, the wine will fill out and give satisfying richness. Drink from 2019.
This wine is rich and rounded, with some wood flavors and plenty of spice. Creamy with swathes of ripe pear and quince flavors, it's just now ready to drink and has a great balance between acidity and richness.
This wine is rich and smooth, and the power of its tannins are already integrated into the complex plum and blackberry flavors. It has a solid structure, with weight and an open feel.
This wine is rich and soft with acidity rounded out by ripe melon and apple fruit flavors. The background is more structured, tense with apple skins and minerality. Packed with acidity at the end, the wine is crisp, tight and demands aging. Drink from 2019.
This wine is rich and spicy, with red fruits and soft tannins. Made to drink young, it is full of fruitiness with a layer of acidity. Drink now.
This wine is rich and spicy. At this stage, with its muted fruit, it is all potential, but one can sense the ripeness and generous texture that will make it excellent once it matures. Give this powerful wine until 2023.
This wine is rich and structured while also approachable. It is meant for drinking young with its ripe, black currant and plum skin flavors, stalky acidity and great depth of flavor. Drink from early 2016.
This wine is rich and surprisingly full-bodied. It comes from a great Champagne vintage, giving it both intensity and an acidity built for longterm aging. This half-bottle version is filling out, showing almond flavors yet retaining its citrus edge. Drink from 2019.
This wine is rich garnet colored, with flavors of pomegranate, dark plum and cranberry that excite the palate. Fruit forward, well-structured and thoroughly enjoyable.
This wine is rich in aromas and flavors of blackberry preserves, ripe cherries, raspberry sauce and vanilla bean. It's low in acid, leaving a round and soft impression on the palate. Drink now.
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.
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.
This wine is rich while at the same time having a stalky character that gives smokiness, texture and acidity. These combine with black-currant flavors that finish the wine with great freshness. It's a light vintage for this estate, fruity and certainly for the medium-term. Drink from 2020. The estate has been in the Dillon family since 1985.
This wine is rich with apricot and pineapple fruits that give ripeness and a smooth, while always tangy texture. It is beautifully structured with its creamy fruits, cut with intense acidity and delicious depth of flavor. This opulent wine is ready to drink.
This wine is rich with jammy fruits and ripe acidity. Firm tannins are only just making a mark on the sweet, fleshy fruitiness. It revels in its concentrated fruit and in the dark tannins that are still at the back. This wine will certainly age, dense while always fresh and juicy at the end. Drink from 2022.
This wine is rich with smooth ripe fruit that give the impression that it is off dry. In fact, it is the intensity of the fruit that is the driving force behind the wine. With acidity strongly in the background, there is a crisp element to this fine lemon and apricot-flavored wine. Drink from 2019.
This wine is rich with smooth tannins that meld into fresh red-fruit flavors. It's a juicy wine with a crisp, acidic finish. Drink now.
This wine is rich with the sort of firm tannins that will give great supporting structure to the ripe berry fruits. With a juicy character, the wine is fresh and balanced with the solid tannins. It likely will be ready to drink from 2018.
This wine is rich, concentrated and ripe. With its opulent mix of yellow fruits, citrus and sliced apple—a real fruit salad—it is also balanced with spice and wood flavors. The fruit is rich and will develop well. Drink this from 2020.
This wine is rich, firmly structured while also full of dense black fruits. It comes from one of the top premier-cru vineyards in the appellation, well situated halfway up the slope, facing east. The wine will develop slowly as the ripe fruit comes through the structure. Drink from 2021.
This wine is rich, full and densely concentrated. With wood aging not far away, it is still toasty, offering weighty ripe fruit that shows great potential. This impressive wine is produced by the joint venture between the Symington Family and Bordeaux consultant Bruno Prats. Drink from 2020.
This wine is rich, full in the mouth and softly textured. Ripe berry fruits are cut with acidity and with pepper. The fresher character is confined to the aftertaste.
This wine is rich, full of berry fruits and spice. The appealing juicy quality is crisp while also showing a balanced character. With a perfumed aftertaste, this attractive wine will be even better from 2016.
This wine is rich, full of black fruits. It has the typical Dão mineral texture that comes from the granite rocks of the region. A blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Alfrocheiro, it is ripe while remaining balanced and with a crisp edge of acidity. Drink the wine from late 2017.
This wine is rich, full of dark fruits and dusty tannins. It has a solid structure with ripe black fruits and concentration. Wood aging and a dry edge have given the wine a core that will allow it to age. Drink from 2018.
This wine is rich, full of fruit and with a medium-term potential. Attractive berry flavors are ripe and full of juicy acidity. Drink this lively, fruity wine from 2018.
This wine is rich, full of ripe red berry fruits and sliced with firm, still-young tannins. Produced from old vines, it has concentration and juicy acidity that lifts the full, fruity character. The structure will allow the wine to age further, so drink from 2017.
This wine is rich, ripe, concentrated and almost sweet. It's wonderful to smell the raspberry syrup aromas, taste the blueberry and blackberry flavors and feel the creaminess of the texture coating the palate. Low in tannins but high in viscosity, it's a pleasure to sip.
This wine is rich, rounded and smooth. It has enough citrus flavor to give a lift while also having ripe, apricot and red-apple tastes. Fresh at the end, it's also a wine to age, so drink from 2018.
This wine is rich, smooth and full of black currant fruits. It has a dense texture although the acidity suggests a crisper side. It will age relatively quickly, giving a fruity wine that has layers of acidity.
This wine is rich, smooth, perfumed and opulent. It shows the power of Malbec without completely losing its elegance. With generous black fruits that are round and dense, it's almost sweet in its ripeness. Conveying a dark, brooding character, this is a wine for serious aging, wait until 2018.
This wine is rich, spicy and full of black fruit. With solid tannins alongside its juicy black currant flavors, it's firm and will age well. Its density and richness are developing and will be best from 2020.
This wine is rich, still young and with a great presence. It layers yellow fruits and orange peel with a soft structure that masks the full-bodied nature of the wine. It is warm, not yet ready. Keep until 2016.
This wine is rich, sweet, extravagant and, finally, elegant. Its ripe fruit flavors, red plums, sweet strawberries and smoky acidity all work together. The wine shows considerable concentration, but never loses sight of freshness. Age for another five years at least.
This wine is rich, with generous black plum and berry fruits. It has a structure that is full, ripe and that will sustain the fruitiness of the wine over many years. The sensation is of velvet, with some force behind it. This remarkable wine will develop well over the medium term and then age for many years. Drink from 2022.
This wine is rich, with great fruitiness and a good sense of structure. It has weight, with plenty of full yellow and fresh pear flavors cut by intense acidity. Well balanced, rich and dense, it will age although it can be drunk from the end of 2015.
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.
This wine is ripe and balanced, with a tension between the fresh acidity and mineral texture. The red fruits, stylish and attractively bright, bring out the warmth of the south-facing vineyard. Drink now.
This wine is ripe and concentrated. It's packed with red fruit while also having solid tannins that give a firm structure. Acidity shoots through at the end to give a fresh lift, although the wine needs to age. Drink from 2017.
This wine is ripe and forward in fruit, along the lines of blackberries and black raspberries, with plenty of sweet oak. Yet it tastes and feels candied. Drink up.
This wine is ripe and fresh, with stalky fruit and balanced acidity. It tastes young, perfumed and very fruity. Black plums and blackberry flavors are integrated with the firm tannins at the end. The wine will develop well, so drink now for the fruit or age until 2018 for the maturity.
This wine is ripe and fruity, layered with attractive tannins and red-berry fruits. It is bright, crisp at the edges although also with a smoky, firm core. Drink this wine from 2020.
This wine is ripe and fruity, with a soft texture. Made in the northern Burgundy region of Saint-Bris, it conveys an attractive cool feel, emphasizing apples, lemon and a fresh, crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine is ripe and fruity, with solid tannins and juicy red-fruit flavors. Solid and concentrated, it is a dense wine that is still maturing. Drink from 2020.
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 wine is ripe and full of the fruitiness of the vintage, the citrus and the gooseberry flavors spiced by the fresher acidity. It will mature further, so wait to drink until late 2017.
This wine is ripe and full, with a soft, creamy character that is warm and smooth. A light brushing of toast brings out spice. This attractive, rounded wine is ready to drink now.
This wine is ripe and immediately drinkable. It has a rich feel, the yellow and white stone-fruit flavors giving a full character that is soft and creamy. It is very ready to drink.
This wine is ripe and juicy, with delicious damson and berry fruit. Being rich and full bodied, it's also densely textured, with smoky touches of wood from barrel aging. Drink from 2020.
This wine is ripe and lush in style, but hints of tart lemons and limes add brightness and an acidic edge. The finish is a tad candied.
This wine is ripe and packed with yellow-fruit flavors. It is smooth with a touch of butteriness. This is ready to drink, rich with bright acidity at the end.
This wine is ripe and potentially rich, but is firm at this stage. With its dark tannins and dense structure, it will age well. Drink from 2019.
This wine is ripe and rich, with fine tannins and structure. Great swathes of blackberry fruits come with a mineral edge and some tight tannins. Give this balanced wine until 2019.
This wine is ripe and round, with a full, yellow fruit character. It misses out on some initial acidity although a more citrus character does come through at the end. It's rich with a touch of caramel. Drink now.
This wine is ripe and simple, with jammy raspberry and cherry flavors, but it's clean and vibrant in acidity. The blend is Pinot Noir, Syrah and Grenache.
This wine is ripe and structured, dense with both acidity and minerality. It is rich with yellow and tropical fruits but always cut with lively acidity, making it opulent while fresh. Drink from 2022.
This wine is ripe in raspberry and cherry flavors, but it feels heavy. The sweetness and lack of structure make it taste like wine candy.
This wine is ripe in spicy black-currant aromas on the nose and intense in juicy black fruit on the dense palate. The rich, generous layers of fruit perfectly balance the tannins that build up to a harmonious whole. Still young, it will be best from 2019.
This wine is ripe in strawberry-raspberry notes. It's lush and velvety, with a richness that will appeal to those who like a hint of decadence in their Pinot. Round and soft, with a bite of earthiness throughout, it brightens with a trace of minerality on the finish.
This wine is ripe with a texture that remains tangy while also showing rich yellow and white fruits. A rustic edge adds interest rather than detracting from the quality. With its acidity and zesty citrus character, the aftertaste leaves a fresh, crisp feeling. Drink now.
This wine is ripe with acidity and red-berry fruits, with firm tannins that will soften. Drink this attractive, fruity wine from 2019.
This wine is ripe with attractive blackberry fruits and jammy acidity. The tannins play a fine supporting role, allowing the fruits to develop a warm, rich character. The wine could age, so drink from 2016. The Le Grix de la Salle family's sons have worked in Napa Valley, New Zealand and Spain before making wine at home. The château is a historical monument.
This wine is ripe with black-currant flavors and a stalky texture. The dominant Merlot gives it rich character, while Cabernet Franc adds a perfumed, smoky flavor. Still structured, it will be ready from late 2016.
This wine is ripe with dense blackberry fruits and some firm, dry smoky tannins. It has the fruitiness and acidity typical of the vintage, along with some depth of flavor and a smooth aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
This wine is ripe with generous strawberry flavors and perfumed acidity. A smoky edge accompanies tastes of red cherry. The wine is rounded and light with attractive final acidity.
This wine is ripe with red fruits and soft tannins. It is smooth, packed with red-berry flavors lifted by the acidity. Made to be drunk young, it is ready now.
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.
This wine is ripe with yellow fruits and apple acidity. The richness of the year is balanced by crispness, minerality and delicious fruitiness. It will age well, so drink from 2019.
This wine is ripe with yellow fruits and rich pears. It has a rounded character, with a creamy texture shot through with acidity. The aftertaste has touches of grapefruit and a minerality that gives good texture. Drink from 2018.
This wine is ripe yet still crisp, with a touch of honey flavor and apricot fruit lending ripeness, pulled taut by a tang of orange zest-like acidity. It's delicious and ready to drink, finishing on mineral texture.
This wine is ripe, balanced and full of bold, rich fruit. Solid tannins under the opulent black plums and black currants fit well with the acidity and the structure. Give it a little time and drink from 2018.
This wine is ripe, fruity and balanced. It has red-berry flavors along with acidity and a bright aftertaste. Drink from 2019
This wine is ripe, full in the mouth and rich. With grapefruit tanginess and crisp apple richness, it is generous with its fruits and texture. Like many wines from this appellation, it needs to age, so drink from 2016.
This wine is ripe, full of black fruits and soft tannins. With plenty of acidity to keep it crisp, the wine has a cool, flavorful character topped off by berry fruits. It's ready to drink.
This wine is ripe, full of black fruits and with hints of licorice and dark chocolate. The spice from the wood aging still shows strongly although that will integrate over the next few months. Drink this ripe wine from 2017.
This wine is ripe, full of blackberry fruits as well as layers of wood aging. It has spice, juicy fruitiness and fresh acidity at the end. Balanced and ripe, it merits waiting to drink from 2017.
This wine is ripe, full of easy fruits and likely to develop quickly. It has a juicy character, attractive berry flavors and gentle tannins. Drink from 2019.
This wine is ripe, full of fruitiness and already well balanced. Solid tannins are integrated into crisp cherry fruits that go with the fragrant acidity. All the elements are neatly there to give a wine that's ready to drink.
This wine is ripe, full of red plums and soft tannins. It has a rich feel, soft and fruity. The tannins are velvety with juicy acidity and a generous feel. The wine will be ready to drink from 2018.
This wine is ripe, full of spice, toast and intense acidity. It has the herbal character of Sauvignon Blanc along with a fresh, tangy edge. Still tight and closed, it needs to develop; drink from 2018. After two centuries under various ownerships, the derelict Couhins estate was purchased by the French agricultural research institute (INRA) in 1968. After renovating the vineyards, the institute began selling wine in 2007.
This wine is ripe, full of yellow fruits and soft acidity. It's creamy and ripe, but cut with orange zest and a mineral texture. It will be ready to drink from 2017.
This wine is ripe, full of yellow fruits that are balanced with crisp acidity. That gives a balanced wine that is juicy, perfumed and rich. The aftertaste is equally attractive, showing lemon-zest flavor.
This wine is ripe, generous with the opulence of the vintage. It has tropical fruits, rich acidity and a light touch of spice. Rounded and smooth, it has aging potential. Drink from 2019.
This wine is ripe, jammy and full of juicy red fruits supported by tannins. The wine is still young, with its bright fruit very much to the fore. Let it round out before drinking, so wait until 2018.
This wine is ripe, juicy and full of fruit. It has a jammy character, with soft tannins and a crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine is ripe, juicy and packed with fresh red fruits. It has the softest tannins, the whole point being that this wine can be drunk young. The aftertaste brings out acidity. Drink from 2017.
This wine is ripe, packed with tropical fruit and rich acidity. A hint of vanilla has rounded the wine out, giving a full body to the delicious fruitiness. Opulent and generous, it is kept in order by final, aromatic acidity. Drink from 2016.
This wine is ripe, rich and full in the mouth, like a fruit salad of red cherries, plums and berries. Yet there's a more solid side—rounded tannins support the concentrated fruits, and touches of wood aging broaden the feel of this impressive wine. Drink from 2017.
This wine is ripe, round, and fruity wine. It is refreshing and lively on the midpalate, with a crisp citrus note on the finish. Created by Producta Vignobles, a cooperative wine group.
This wine is ripe, rounded with a smooth vanilla and spice texture that complements the yellow fruit and rich pear flavors. The wine is generous and likely to age quickly. Drink from 2019.
This wine is ripe, smooth and rich. It has a generous feel to it, although never far from the more mineral, steely, terroir-driven character that makes good Pouilly-Fuissé. The top of the range from Château de Fuissé, this wine is selected from 30 different parcels giving an harmonious balance between richness and structure. Age the wine and drink from 2018.
This wine is ripe, soft and fruity. The acidity, already well integrated, gives a crispness that is balanced by yellow fruits with touches of pineapple. This will be a full wine, very characteristic of the year. Drink from 2019.
This wine is ripe, textured with an attractive touch of oxidation giving richness and concentration. Good acidity at the same time is balanced with quince and a touch of spice.
This wine is ripe, with a warm, yellow fruit character. It is bright and poised, elegant and sophisticated. Acidity shoots through the richness, bringing a strong citrus element. Sunny in character, it will still age; drink from late 2016.
This wine is ripe, with attractive red cherry fruit flavors. It bursts with fruitiness, fresh acidity and just the lightest structure.
This wine is ripe, with dusty tannins and blackberry fruits. It is balanced, fresh with acidity while keeping a good layer of fruitiness. The tannins and structure will allow it to age although it should develop quickly. Drink from 2017.
This wine is ripe, with good balance between acidity and the rich yellow fruits. It has a lightly tangy character, although it is more about delicious juiciness and a warm, generous character that is lightly sustained by toast. Drink from 2017.
This wine is ripe, with plenty of tannins that give it a rich, structured character. It is dense with black-currant fruitiness. Drink from 2018.
This wine is robust in flavor, appropriately laced with firm tannins and begs for a dry-aged Tbone to pair with. It has a deep color, moderately spicy blackberry aromas, and a firm mouthfeel. Blackberry and subtle blueberry flavors push through on the finish. Best after 2022.
This wine is roughly half estate-grown and half Shaw vineyard, all on Red Mountain. Along with tart berry fruit comes a generous dash of fresh herbs, clean earth and a bit of stem. Medium long in the finish, it carries a pleasant streak of toasty oak.
This wine is round and ripe. It offers spice and acidity along with warm apple flavors, with a light touch of minerality at the end. Drink now.
This wine is round and smooth, with attractive white-fruit flavors. The light acidity is more than compensated by the touch of toastiness and spice. With a juicy aftertaste, the wine is already very enjoyable.
This wine is round, opulent and beautifully perfumed., with a structure smoothed by the ripe fruits and generous texture. Acidity and a fresh aftertaste bring out cherry flavors and leave a bright aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
This wine is round, smooth and rich. The palate brings a tangy, herbal texture, but this is balanced by the ripe apricot and white peach flavors. The aftertaste reveals a more spicy flavor.
This wine is rounded, rich and full of ripe fruit. Its wood flavors, giving spice and vanilla, are a backdrop to the generous apricot and pear flavors and good acidity. Drink this wine from 2022.
This wine is rubbery and gaseous on the bouquet, with compost, creamy oak and milk chocolate scents. The feel is full but jumbled with jammy black fruit flavors.
This wine is ruby red in color, with aromas of black fruits and berries. The palate shows additional notes of tart black plums, fringed by soft tannins on the finish.
This wine is sanguine and elegant despite its full-figured size. Dried cranberry and cassis play on the palate, streaked by an elusive hit of white pepper. Bright and dancing in minerality, it finishes velvety and smooth, just the right amount of toasted oak showing through.
This wine is savory in style, with flavors of raspberries, orange peel and cola. Harsh in the mouth, with scoury acids and some abrupt tannins.
This wine is scented with apple and peach and a whiff of white flowers. It's crisp on the tongue with white stone fruits, grapefruit and lemon peel.
This wine is seemingly sweet and soft, with very ripe black cherry and persimmon flavors. In fact, it's almost too ripe, with a hint of raisins on the finish. Drink now.
This wine is sensationally rich and ripe with wild cherry, mocha, anise and tobacco flavors, with a long, spicy finish. It really impresses for sheer deliciousness. The blend is Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. It's easy to find, with production an incredible 125,000 cases.
This wine is serious in style, from the deep, dark color to the tempting touch of oak in the aroma to the plump but tangy fruit flavors. Its full body and nicely tannic texture gives it some grip on the palate.
This wine is serious in style, starting with a dark color, then concentrated aromas like pomegranate juice, black olive and blackberry come through. It is full bodied and moderately tannic for the kind of dense texture that's great with meat and cheese.
This wine is sharp and minty, with wintergreen flavors accompanying the riper blackberry and currant. That tartness gives this blend of Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon a dry bite. Drink now.
This wine is showing excessive oakiness at the moment, but it's so young that it could easily meld into the fruit with another few months in the bottle. Sharp and youthful, it has some real fruit power from the Gamache vineyard grapes. Apple and citrus rind dominate, with a touch of butter in the finish.
This wine is showy on the nose, with lilacs, lavender-laced crème brûlée and dense dried-black-cherry aromas that prove inviting. It is elegantly framed on the palate, with lots of lavender, potpourri, dried thyme and oregano set against the rich, dark-red fruits.
This wine is silky and medium bodied. An attractive array of rose-like notes mingle with hints of cola, cinnamon and damp earth on the nose. Cherry flavors on the palate fade slowly on the elegant finish.
This wine is silky and well-balanced in acids and tannins, with judicious oak influences framing complex cherry, red currant and spice flavors. Feels very rich, yet the alcohol is a modest 13.7% by volume. Coming after the high-scoring 2010 vintage, Dolina's 2011 is fine to drink now, and should develop bottle notes over the next six years or so.
This wine is simple and thin, with moderate notes of red cherry and plum, but it's solidly done and the winemaking is clean.
This wine is simple in its silky smooth expression of blackberry, chocolate and sweet tobacco flavors, imparting full-bodied concentration and modest oak.
This wine is slightly austere at the start, despite its fuller body and style. Leathery and dusty in tannin, the black and blue fruit remain elusive, teasing in between bouts of coffee and chocolate.
This wine is slightly flabby and overtly ripe, making for a dull experience on the palate.
This wine is slightly spritzy and sugary, with simple yet clean apple flavors. The finish is sweet, quick and pleasantly quaffable. Best to chill it down before drinking.
This wine is smoky and juicy, with swathes of attractive black currant fruit. It's lightly structured, crisp and likely to age quickly. Drink from 2018.
This wine is smoky and spicy in aroma, moderately sweet on the palate and nicely filled out with honey and peach flavors. A very good apéritif wine, it should pair well with spicy food.
This wine is smoky with hints of wood. The red-plum fruits are a little suppressed at the moment although the acidity and freshness hint at a good future. It has a cool character with plenty of acidity under the tannins. It will develop, but slowly. Drink from 2020.
This wine is smoky yet fresh and juicy. It has a light touch of red-currant fruits, a crisp texture and bright acidity. The tannins are gentle, leaving pride of place to the natural fruitiness of the wine. Drink from 2017.
This wine is smoky, ripe and packed with tannins. The fruit gives the wine weight although it is not yet fully developed. There is a toasty background to this rich wine with its juicy red-berry fruits and acidity. Drink from 2019.
This wine is smooth and complete, from the jammy fruit aromas to the slightly oak-accented flavors to the lingering, seemingly sweet finish. This limited bottling fermented with native yeast picks up attractive toast, vanilla and nutmeg flavors that enhance the ripe, pure raspberry and blackberry notes that fill out the full body.
This wine is smooth and densely packed in earth and blackberry, the overall tone voluptuously concentrated and full bodied, with a tenacious embrace of ripeness.
This wine is smooth and refreshing, showing fresh raspberry and strawberry flavors and a texture that's mouthfilling but nicely crisp. It's quite fruity and light, especially considering the bold grape variety from which it is made.
This wine is smooth and ripe, with soft tannins that are already so well integrated. The texture is dense, full of blackberry fruits, full in the mouth and with a velvet final texture. Drink from 2017.
This wine is smooth and soft, with an attractive creamy texture and light acidity. Yellow fruits and stewed pears are lifted by a mineral texture. The wine is named after the vineyard rather than after the literal Portuguese meaning of “scantily dressed.” Drink now.
This wine is smooth while keeping all of its fresh wits about it. Citrus, red apple and quince flavors give both spice and ripe fruits. With its lively, tangy aftertaste, it does need to broaden out, so drink from 2016.
This wine is smooth, delicious and almost soft in texture. Mild aromas and flavors like cinnamon, red cherry and peach are very attractive, with just enough light tannins and mild acidity to back them up.
This wine is smooth, floral and lightly honeyed. With tangy acidity that balances its creamy texture, it's also full, rich and stylish. Produced from the Vermentino grape (Vermentinu in the local dialect), it's generous and ready to drink.
This wine is smooth, mature and rich with yellow fruits and a rounded texture. A hint of wood and spice has plenty of crisp acidity to balance. Drink now.
This wine is smooth, ripe with fine tannins and red plum and black-currant fruits that are soft and gentle. Acidity dominates at this stage, supported by the tannins. It brings out the fruit and freshness of the year while also keeping some structure from the high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Drink from 2025.
This wine is smooth, soft and gently fruity, with a rounded texture that only hints at crispness. It's in an easy apéritif style.
This wine is smooth, softly balanced with attractive, tangy lemon-zest flavors. White fruit dominates giving freshness, while minerality adds texture. A full wine, it is ripe and ready to drink.
This wine is so colorful it almost glows. The bright pink hue is a clue to the vivid raspberry and strawberry flavors that follow, giving an almost sweet, candied effect on the palate and finish.
This wine is so compelling it's difficult to put the glass down. It smells buttery and lush and offers flavors of ripe pear, vanilla and a bit of caramel. It is full bodied and plush in texture; that rich viscosity carries the ripe but not over-the-top flavors to a lingering finish.
This wine is so crisp and piercingly direct in its acidity and minerality. On the palate, apples are fringed with grapefruit and white-currant flavors, with a texture that tight and edgy. Although hints of toast peek through, the wine is still young, so hold and don't drink before 2016.
This wine is so dry, sharp, and tart, it's like lemon juice. Some will like it, while others more used to ripe, sweet fruit may find it sour. One thing is for sure, it could use some food. One of those wines that's great with shellfish.
This wine is so light in color and flavor. It passes fleetingly across the palate, a wisp of fruit and acidity, before it is lost.
This wine is so light, all bright fruit and crisp acidity. A stalky, herbal element contrasts with the red currant fruit flavors. The wine could be better from 2016.
This wine is so light, it is almost insubstantial. Hints of white fruit float across the surface, backed up by acidity and a gentle, fresh character. It is ready to drink.
This wine is so pale in color, with bright fruitiness and a light pepper and spice touch. The wine is soft and tangy, with plenty of aromatic acidity at the end.
This wine is so ripe, rich and generous in flavor it's almost jammy, but there's no denying the appeal of all that fruitiness. Full body, velvety texture and soft acidity make it plush on the palate, helping the rich finish linger. Although it was aged in French barriques—two-thirds new—it's by no means an overoaked wine.
This wine is so savory, it is hard to decide what notions appear uppermost. There definitely is white pepper, also some soy-sauce depth, dried hayflowers and arugula pungency, all framed by ripe pear flavors and displayed on a textured, refreshing canvas.
This wine is so silky, it glides over the palate like a cool stream. Then the flavors kick in—fabulously rich in raspberry and cherry jam, vanilla and spicy sandalwood, brightened by crisp acidity. The verdict: A beautiful Pinot Noir, lush and fine, for drinking over the next four years, especially with something that includes mushrooms.
This wine is so soft it is almost without taste. Only the acidity remains.
This wine is so soft, gently fruity and easy to drink, but without much character or freshness. It's a gentle ramble that takes no effort.
This wine is so soft, rounded and fat. It has hints of red fruits and acidity with a herbal edge. But with the soft texture of the wine, it is misses out on fruit and acidity. Drink now.
This wine is so typical of the area. It's defined by a stony, dry nose, citrus and tropical fruit flavors, a lean, tight finish and mouth-cleaning acids. It's hardly the deepest, most complex wine you'll find, but not all good wines have to be complicated.
This wine is so well balanced with its acidity, crisp white and citrus fruit and tangy texture. A strong spice and pepper character gives the wine a bite, while the final acidity is deliciously refreshing.
This wine is so well balanced. It has all the right fruitiness that's filled out by a rich texture, apricot acidity and some spice. Wait a few months to really enjoy this ripe and full-bodied wine.
This wine is so woody and toasty upfront, the bouquet brimming with scents of wood-grilled apple, mealy melon and lemon custard. The medium-plus-weight palate follows suit, with forward toast and ripe-fruit flavors that are partnered with just enough acidity to keep the decadence in check.
This wine is soft and bland, just hinting at fruit and acidity. Drink now.
This wine is soft and creamy with baked apple and pear flavors. A line of acidity gives freshness and a mineral edge, offering a texture that will allow the wine to age. Fruity and soft, it will be ready to drink from early 2016.
This wine is soft and creamy with melon and green apple flavors. Light, fruity and crisp, it is ready to drink.
This wine is soft and creamy, although it does seem to miss out on fruit and freshness. It is smooth and ripe, with an aftertaste that is lightly off dry.
This wine is soft and creamy, with a layer of herbal fruitiness. As the name indicates, the grapes come from near two seas (mers): Sauvignon Blanc from the Atlantic and Viognier from the Mediterranean. The combination is refreshing and attractively, with a balance of crisp fruit and a soft texture.
This wine is soft and creamy, with the apricot flavor that is characteristic of Viognier. It is a ripe wine, although with a light and spicy aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine is soft and fruity with ripe berry fruits and gentle tannins. For a major second wine, it's surprisingly easy and soft, developing fast with its berry fruits, chocolate and wood flavors at the end. Drink from 2017.
This wine is soft and fruity, although without great structure or sense of purpose. The finish is attractive and bright. Drink now.
This wine is soft and fruity, lifted by a shot of acidity. Fragrant yellow fruits and crisper lime are attractively in balance. Drink now.
This wine is soft and fruity, with a smoky touch that adds interest. Red-cherry flavors and balanced acidity allow easy accessibility. The wine, with its gentle texture, is ready to drink.
This wine is soft and fruity, with just a minimum of tannin. It offers strawberry and red currant, combining softness with acidity. The aftertaste, with its acidity, is dry while fresh. Drink from 2016.
This wine is soft and fruity, with just an edge of dryness at the center. It is more about red berry and cherry brightness, with an attractive twist of pepper. Drink now.
This wine is soft and juicy with 12 months in barrel. It has rounded tannins and perfumed berry fruits. What it misses is the acidity, leaving an unbalanced wine.
This wine is soft and juicy without great focus. It has a light feel, with fresh jammy red fruits and a gentle breeze of tannins. Drink now.
This wine is soft and juicy, with attractive red berry fruit. Reflecting the vintage, it's a light with a dry core that will soften soon. The aftertaste is dry. Drink from 2018.
This wine is soft and juicy, with ripe red fruits balanced by acidity. A firmer backdrop offers serious tannins and dark-coffee flavors. The wine needs a few more months, so wait until 2018.
This wine is soft and light. It has a gentle fruity character, with soft acidity. Well chilled on a hot day, this will be refreshing.
This wine is soft and misses out on crisp fruitiness. Hints of the wood aging give some spice to the rounded wine.
This wine is soft and on the sweet end of the Brut spectrum. It is packed with red fruits, but its light on the acidity and finishes with a gentle ripe aftertaste. It would be delicious as an apéritif Champagne.
This wine is soft and rather shapeless. It has red fruits and a gentle texture while lacking in depth. It's a simple wine that will develop quickly.
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.
This wine is soft and ripe with a generous palate of wild-strawberry flavor, but a balancing act of acidity lends elegance. It's fruity but finishes crisp and dry.
This wine is soft and ripe, with fresh acidity over wild strawberry fruits. It is an attractive wine, with a sense of richness as well as fruitiness. The refreshing finish is fresh and crisp.
This wine is soft and ripe, with juicy black fruit and fresh acidity over a background of firm tannins. A smoky edge adds to its attractiveness.
This wine is soft and ripe, with layers of rich red fruits fronting a caramel and tangy orange backdrop. It's full in the mouth, delivering a real burst of fruitiness, mineral texture and delicious acidity at the end.
This wine is soft and ripe, with some attractive strawberry-jam flavors and fresh acidity. The rounded texture is already attractive, although the wine will be better from 2017, when it will have filled out.
This wine is soft and round, with attractive acidity as well as a light sense of structure from tannins. It features considerable acidity along with wild strawberry flavors that keep it lifted and aromatic. Drink from 2017.
This wine is soft and rounded with attractive red-cherry fruits, ripe strawberries and touches of wood and tannin. Acidity comes along behind this richness. It is going to develop quickly and will give great pleasure. Drink from 2018.
This wine is soft and rounded, ready to drink with its rich black-fruit character and fully integrated tannins. It holds a blend from five different parcels on the estate, ripe in berry fruits and fragrant with the wood aging. Acidity gives a lift at the end.
This wine is soft and rounded. It does have plenty of acidity but that is only a part of a ripe, smooth whole. The lemon fruitiness and touch of spice give the aftertaste a great lift.
This wine is soft and rounded. It has lemon and light spiciness along with cool acidity. It is an easy wine that is ripe with apple and fresh lemon juice and ready to drink.
This wine is soft and smooth, with just the right amount of acidity to ruffle the surface. An attractive floral character will remain as the wine ages. For now, the acidity and fresh white fruits are young and crisp. Drink from mid-2016.
This wine is soft and smooth. Its juicy black currant character makes it instantly attractive and drinkable now.
This wine is soft and somewhat disjointed, uncertain of its structure. Highlights are caramel-toffee oak and a tease of anise amongst blackberry and black current.
This wine is soft and subdued, inviting in its full-bodied embrace of vanilla. With all five red Bordeaux varieties involved, it makes an impact, showcasing rich red berry, cassis and cherry, while a dusting of clove spice finds length on the finish.
This wine is soft and velvety, awash in classic notes of black currant and berry, textured in full-bodied, oaky waves of toast and cigar box. Approachable on the palate, it winds its way powerfully though softly from start to lengthy finish.
This wine is soft and very rich. That takes away from the fruit and leaves a broad wine, smooth and with a touch of pepper from alcohol. It is too big.
This wine is soft both in acidity and tannins, and simple and semisweet, with sugared raspberry tea and cola flavors, and isn't going anywhere.
This wine is soft in tannins and bursting exuberant fruit-bomb flavors. It is fresh, obviously young but drinkable as a great summer red.
This wine is soft with some nice layers, and delicious in blackberry, cherry, currant, licorice and smoky oak flavors that finish dry, with a scour of sweet tannins.
This wine is soft, a gentle meander through white fruit flavors and light acidity. It has an attractive fresh character at the end.
This wine is soft, although with plenty of ripe fruit. It has a touch of spice and light acidity, showing the richness of the white-wine vintage. Drink now.
This wine is soft, creamy and light. Attractive acidity along with a fresh apple character gives a fresh aftertaste. Drink now. This is one of the first vintages since Labouré-Roi, which was hit by scandal in 2012, passed into new ownership.
This wine is soft, fruity, rounded and red fruit flavored. Soft tannins and black plum skins give the wine a light structure. The wine is developing well and will be ready to drink from 2016.
This wine is soft, full in the mouth while not having much focus.
This wine is soft, gently fruity with light raspberry and red-currant flavors. An attractive zesty lemon character adds to this pale-colored wine.
This wine is soft, herbal and earthy. It has a lovely smoky creaminess, as well as hints of white stone and tropical fruits, but lacks a certain vibrancy.
This wine is soft, indistinct at this stage. It needs to develop more of the fruitiness that is behind the bland exterior. The aftertaste has good freshness.
This wine is soft, juicy and light. It has only the slightest texture, leaving its flavors entirely with blackberry fruitiness. That makes it an attractive, open wine with a fresh aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine is soft, lightly fruity and refreshing. Apple and ripe pear flavors contrast with the textured acidity. It's a balanced wine, full of fruitiness and ready to drink now.
This wine is soft, open and full of fruit. It has a tang of acidity as well as rich berry flavors and a supporting layer of tannin. Fine, smoky and structured, it will be easy to drink from 2019.
This wine is soft, ripe and fruity. It is made to be drunk young with only hints of tannins and sweet black fruits. It's an easy, barbecue-style red wine that is rounded and ready.
This wine is soft, ripe and packed with red fruits. An attractive texture of orange peel gives freshness to the richness. It's immediately drinkable, fresh and bright with crisp acidity at the end.
This wine is soft, rounded and already ripe. With its gentle acidity and touches of spice and pepper, it is smooth and ready to drink.
This wine is soft, rounded and ripe. Good acidity is integrated into the light structure and juicy green plum and apple fruit flavors. This is fully developed and ready to drink.
This wine is soft, rounded and smooth. With just enough acidity to give a fresh character, it is ripe with pear and quince flavors. It's ready to drink, light and fragrant.
This wine is soft, simple, fruity and ready to drink. It has apple and apricot tones and light acidity to keep it fresh, with a bright and refreshing aftertaste.
This wine is soft, smooth and bland. It has gentle fruit without the crisp edge necessary to give it a lift. Drink as an apéritif.
This wine is soft, watery and misses out on character. It is gentle, but with a bitter almond aftertaste.
This wine is soft, with a light fruitiness and earthy flavors typical of some Pinot Noir. The tannic element gives a dry core to this simple, fruity wine. Drink now.
This wine is soft, with attractive, aromatic red fruits. It has the round, ripe feel typical of the village, with just a tannic touch to keep it together. At the moment, the wine is all fruit and acidity, and it needs to develop further to bring out its secondary flavors. Drink from 2017.
This wine is soft, with gentle tannins and red-berry fruits. It will develop quickly, so drink from 2019.
This wine is soft, with touches of honey and orange marmalade. It's made from late harvest grapes that have concentration and natural sweetness. Drink now.
This wine is softly fruity, not matched with the dry tannic structure. It is juicy, perfumed and with tight acidity. A hint of sweetness throws the fruit off balance.
This wine is solid and dense with probably too much extracted tannins. There are only hints of fruitiness. It will soften although it's likely to remain stalky. This is the first vintage in which some of the vineyard was managed organically.
This wine is solid, concentrated and tannic, and it has a dark chocolate flavor from having aged in wood. It's likely to develop into a chunky wine over the next few years.
This wine is solid, with firm tannins that are still masking the fruit. It is rich and still has the potential to give a ripe wine. For now, it is solid and firm with great tannins. Drink from 2019.
This wine is solidly built with tannin and oak, a searing earthiness dulling the fruit. Tar, earth and spicy cardamom aromas domainate its full-bodied concentration and youthful ripeness.
This wine is somewhat diluted and one-dimensional. It makes a straightforward attempt at bringing a richness of apple and anise to the fore around neutral oak dynamics before finishing ripe and full.
This wine is somewhat flat and sweetly tropical, aged for six months in both neutral French oak and stainless steel. With 5% Viognier added to the blend, it lacks precision.
This wine is somewhat green, with upfront tannins. It does have more weight than previous vintages, along with some black plum fruits, but there is still a touch of green that won't disappear.
This wine is somewhat shy in aroma, with rust, light raspberry, cherry, gravel, dust and a slight cola element arising with patience. Bright red-cherry fruit and hibiscus shows on the sip, yet it's a tad dried out. Slate and riverstone touches add minerality, and the structure is defined by a rocky grip.
This wine is somewhat weedy and herbal, with extracted black fruit displaying prominently on the palate. Oaky and tannic, it overwhelms somewhat, needing time in the glass to settle down.
This wine is sour, flat and past its prime, showing an abundance of tar and oak qualities.
This wine is sourced from a handful of sites in the appellation, combining tropical, fleshy pineapple and vanilla with a lush texture and body. As it develops in the glass, its concentration is further accented in a taste of baked pear.
This wine is sourced from a handful of stellar vineyards, including Pratt, Dutton, Sullivan and Chenoweth. It was given 18 months in French oak, all of it twice-used or older, which contributes to an integrated, understated wood presence that's refreshing in its restraint. Creamy acidity and a taste of baked bread cradles lemon zest and almond before a crisp, lengthy finish.
This wine is sourced from a unique block in the heart of the appellation and the producer's 165-acre estate, rich in sedimentary rock fragments of quartz and fossils. It's lush and soft on the palate, with leather, ripe red berry and cassis flavors. The tannins are strong and wrapped tenaciously around the fruit, requiring further time in bottle; drink 2020–2028.
This wine is sourced from grapes grown in an organic estate vineyard in the heart of the Green Valley. Flavors of raspberries and pomegranates are delicious, and new French oak marries seamlessly with the fruit. Vibrant coastal acidity makes everything sing. If there's an off note, it's a mushroom and veggie note, courtesy of the cold vintage. The wine is already softening in tannins so drink now.
This wine is sourced from Griffin's Lair, Sun Chase Vineyard and Terra de Promissio—three sites cooled by the coast. Candied and perfumed with robust oak and pine, it shows dark red fruit and supportive tannin, with a richness that remains balanced and fresh.
This wine is sourced from multiple sites across the appellation, including Rochioli, Mill Station and Laughlin Road, all of the vineyards relatively cool. Light and mineral-driven, the wine presents as crisp and subtle in oak, allowing for exotic fruit and floral elements to show and a richness to develop slowly toward the finish.
This wine is sourced from several vineyard sites across the appellation, showing off a healthy balance of acidity amidst crisp swathes of grapefruit, Asian pear and fennel, finishing in nutmeg spice.
This wine is sourced from single-vineyard grapes from the Arroyo Seco. It's rich and balanced, with crisp acidity highlighting ripe flavors of oranges, mangoes, apples and toasty oak.
This wine is sourced from the Wood Vineyard along the appellation's Eastside Road, a relatively warm location that adds rich lemon chiffon and graham cracker to the whole. Creamy and velvety on the palate, it remains lush on the finish, tasting of baked peach pie.
This wine is sourced from two parcels, one planted in the 1930s and the other in the 1950s. The low dosage is possible because of the concentration and ripeness of the fruit, resulting in a sophisticated, balanced and rich wine with a lemon zest flavor, a tight, mineral texture, and a crisp finish.
This wine is spicy and brooding on the nose, with dark forest berries and herbal tea aromas rising from the glass. The palate follows suit, offering additional notes of wildflowers and tart black currant. With 20 months in American oak, this red shows ample weight, supported by ripe tannins and balanced by a driving acidity.
This wine is spicy from new wood with ripe, black plum flavors and a polished feel to it. The dark tannins give a powerful structure, well integrated with the sweet fruit.
This wine is spicy in forest floor and sage. Strawberry hull and cranberry notes mark the light-bodied palate, with a tightly-woven tapestry of subtle tannin.
This wine is spicy with ripe tannins and juicy berry fruits. It is soft and ready to drink with its balanced fruitiness and acidity.
This wine is spicy, fruity and immediately attractiv with ripe yellow fruits as well as acidity and zesty lime. Balanced and refreshing, this lively wine is ready to drink.
This wine is spicy, fruity and packed with herbal and lemon flavors. It will soon be a refreshing wine, lively and with swathes of acidity. Drink from late summer 2017.
This wine is spicy, juicy and ripe, showing the the tannins of Malbec, balanced by the juicy, soft, black currant flavors of Merlot. Drink now.
This wine is spicy, ripe and ready to drink. Ripe white stone fruits are laced with citrus acidity to give a lively wine with good fruit intensity. Drink this wine now for instant pleasure.
This wine is spot on with the modern Aussie movement towards light-bodied, moderate-alcohol wines, with little to no oak influence. From the cool climes of Western Victoria, this is downright delicious and a total bargain. Bright, ripe red cherry, chocolate, cola and violet notes lead into a plush yet zingy palate of juicy red fruits, silky soft tannins and a long tangy finish.
This wine is stalky with wild blackberry fruits and spicy acidity. It has a crisp edge, with a fresh character that comes through the herbal tannic flavors. It is all youth and fruit, so will be better from 2016. Chill lightly before drinking.
This wine is steely, with tight acidity and grapefruit and lime flavors. It is bright and lively, with a tense edge that needs to soften over the next few months. Drink from the end of 2016.
This wine is still a baby, pudgy and withdrawn, yet still it imparts enough herbal and black cherry to be inviting and promising. It retains the girth of tannins expected in a youthful wine, but is already integrative in oak. Let it open for the full effect.
This wine is still a work in progress, but all the elements are there. Black-currant freshness underlies the firm surface structure and tight tannins. The wine has potential; wait until 2019 before drinking.
This wine is still closed, lean and firm with its fruitiness masked by a strong mineral structure. It needs plenty of time to develop, so drink from 2018.
This wine is still coming out of its shell, with lightly reduced aromas of mandarin orange, fresh flowers, and citrus. It drinks bone dry, with silky-feeling fruit flavors providing intrigue but not entirely delivering. The aromas and flavors don't seem to match up.
This wine is still firm, only hinting at its potential. The weight is there as well as the rich fruitiness. Give this wine a few months to bring out the generous fruit and texture. Drink from 2017.
This wine is still in its shell, with notes of dark raspberries, cocoa and barrel spices. It's lusciously rich, dense and layered with firm tannins that need time in the cellar to soften. Just a baby now, it will be best from 2017 on.
This wine is still settling in, with tiny bubbles coating the glass. The aromas of spice, flowers and lychee are vibrant and the palate drinks dry, showing plenty of richness and intensity.
This wine is still settling into the bottle, with light spritzy scents of honeysuckle, pear and ripe peach. The off-dry stone-fruit flavors exhibit well-balanced acidity that carries through the finish. The concentration comes off as somewhat light but what's there is good.
This wine is still so young and immature with fresh, jammy, berry flavors, spice and juicy acidity. Hold the wine for a year or three to allow it to settle and mature.
This wine is still so young but shows considerable potential. Its concentration and acidity are balanced by rich honey, dried fruit and bitter orange flavors that need time to come into balance, so wait until 2025 to open.
This wine is still tannic and firm, with a dry core of ripe fruit. The tannins will always be present, typical of this vintage. Drink now, but decant first.
This wine is still tight and closed. Hints of the lemon and fresh pear fruits are sustained by a crisp, mineral texture. This is a wine to age for a few months, so drink from 2016.
This wine is still tight and crisp. It has plenty of acidity as well as a strongly mineral texture. Taut and tense, the wine needs to develop to bring out the perfumed fruit of the vintage. Drink from 2020.
This wine is still very closed, and not yet showing its rich potential. That doesn't detract from its fine, botrytis texture, core of acidity and dried apricot flavors. It's a wine that needs to come out of its shell, so don't drink before 2018.
This wine is still very closed. That said, its promise is in the rich, weighty texture. It shows a ripe feel, with orange and lemon freshness. On the finish, the acidity is dominant.
This wine is still young and developing. It is beginning to show its richer lemon and apple flavors, but it still needs more time. Wait until 2017.
This wine is still young and precocious, but don't judge it too quickly. Let it air in your glass, and watch how it changes. One minute it's all cherries and smoke; the next it heaves up a great draught of currants, cocoa and cedar. It's a big wine but deceptive; the tannins are airy and lilting, there's charm and underneath, enormous complexity. It's best left alone for a few more years, but it's really very lovely now.
This wine is still young, crisp and needs time to bring out its fruit. It has lively acidity, to be sure, with hints of the citrus and white currant flavors that are to come. Give this wine until 2016.
This wine is still young, reveling in its bright fruit and mineral texture. Drawn from Côte des Blancs vineyards, it's tight, tense and loaded with citrus fruit. With its finely crisp aftertaste, it's delicious now for its fruit but will also be great from 2020, once its toasty character develops more fully.
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.
This wine is still young, showing spice and not yet enough fruit. It has the right weight and potential richness as well as concentration from the old vines. Drink this ageworthy wine from 2016.
This wine is still young, tight and on the crisp acid side. That doesn't mean it won't soften and fill out, although it will probably stay ultrafresh and packed with red-currant flavors for some time. Wait to drink until 2018.
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 wine is still youthful, but solidly structured, dense and concentrated. It's dry in style but laden with fruits that have only begun to show through. Give this impressive wine several more years in the cellar. Drink from 2016.
This wine is straight down the Cabernet fairway with aromas and flavors of black and green olive, plum, herbs, mocha and pencil lead. It's soft in feel with a pinch of sugar stitching it all together.
This wine is straight down the fairway with tropical aromas and flavors of pineapple, kiwi and spice. There's not a lot of complexity but it's hard to deny its appeal.
This wine is straight down the fairway, clean and simple with medium to full bodied yellow apple notes and a touch of residual sugar.
This wine is straightforward in approach and uncomplicated in its light-bodied gathering of cola, pine forest and tea notes.
This wine is straw in color, with delightful notes of lemon curds and apricot blossoms. On the palate, freshly picked apricot and Anjou pear provide the core to a slightly spiced backdrop, finishing crisp and clean. Pair this wine with your favorite spicy Asian dish.
This wine is strong in acidity and green, mouthwatering gooseberry flavors. It's so dry, your palate seeks out whatever fruity relief it can find, which comes in the form of limes, green apples and a squirt of honey. Very clean and elegant.
This wine is structured although it does have plenty of ripe and full of berry fruits. Drink from 2017. The blend includes 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc.
This wine is structured and concentrated with solid tannins. It has great ripe red fruits and plenty of berry flavors. It is going to be a fine wine, full of both fruit and structure as it develops. Drink from 2022.
This wine is structured and concentrated, showing a tight character that is closed and firm. It has enough fruit for the future to show its potential richness. Concentrated, very mineral, the wine should not be drunk until 2017.
This wine is structured and dense, benefiting from two years in oak to offer a balanced, round palate that's rich in spice and black fruit tones. Drink now.
This wine is structured and firm, its red fruits waiting behind the wood and tannin complexity. It shows plenty of potential through its good acidity and cherry fruitiness. Drink from late 2018.
This wine is structured and firm, with some bitterness. Acidity and red-currant fruits bring out the freshness of the year while still needing time to develop. The wine is concentrated and tight at the end. It will take time to be ready, so don't drink before 2022.
This wine is structured and firm, with tannins that need to soften. It has power and weight now, and although the red fruit flavors are there, they are still waiting to shine. Hold until 2015.
This wine is structured and full of tannin. It is dry, firm, the fruit still buried behind the dense texture. Hints of potential juiciness show the potential of the ripe wine that will come. Drink from 2018.
This wine is structured and stalky without the fruit weight, reflecting the difficult vintage. A smoky character comes through the acidity to leave a dry aftertaste. Through 2016, it will soften a little, although always missing the fruit. The blend is 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Ssauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc.
This wine is structured and tight with minerality and zesty lemon flavors. It has a definite texture and a nervy character that needs to round out.
This wine is structured with impressively ripe fruit. Black-plum juice and blackberries are balanced with a strong tannic content that gives the wine backbone and structure. It has weight, although with its already exuberant fruitiness, it is not likely to be really long-term wine. Drink from 2024. From 120 acres, only the best grapes go into this top wine and 2013 was a smaller crop than the average (10,000 to 12,000 cases). Believed to be the oldest of the five Bordeaux first growths, Haut-Brion has been in the Clarence Dillon family since 1935. The current president is Prince Robert de Luxembourg.
This wine is structured with red fruits. It has a thin texture, a metallic character that is less pleasant. It needs more weight and richness.
This wine is structured, dark and dense, with great swathes of smoky tannins plus plenty of red-fruit flavors. With its concentration, structure and richness, the wine will develop well and powerfully. Drink from 2021.
This wine is structured, firm and has a mineral, tight texture. It also offers plenty of red apples, green plums and a touch of apricot. However, with its nervy edge the wine needs to age; drink from 2017.
This wine is structured, packed with tannins and acidity. Blackberry flavors come from behind to give some flesh to the structure. For a difficult vintage, this is attractive and will be drinkable after 2016.
This wine is structured, with a strongly tannic character that's both fruity and tangy. A deliciously refreshing, zesty character gives lightness and lively acidity. Minerality cuts through to give a strong texture. Drink from 2017.
This wine is stunningly savory on the nose, with blackberry and blueberry fruit seasoned by melted chocolate mint, lush lilacs and a hint of caramel. The palate proves more tart than expected, but lively with licorice, dark coffee, boysenberry reduction and elderberry flavors.
This wine is stylish, with layers of wood, black currant notes and a structure that will allow the juicy fruitiness to develop relatively quickly. It's balanced, with fruit, texture and acidity all coming together. Drink from 2016.
This wine is substantial enough for rich fish dishes and other entrees. It smells and tastes like almonds and apricots and has a nicely viscous texture. Full-bodied, it is complex, sophisticated, dry and has a lingering finish.
This wine is subtle at first, but each sip brings more richness, nuance and layers. Soft, lightly spicy vanilla aromas lead the nose while Bosc pear, cream and marzipan flavors unfold on the palate. The texture is rich from the beginning and seems to grow more luxurious as it opens, lingering long into the finish.
This wine is subtle in aroma but extremely generous in texture. It seems to start out slow and then floods the palate with very ripe but not sweet flavors like kiwi, pear and honeydew melon on a nicely viscous, pillowy texture.
This wine is superfruity, gushing black-cherry syrup aromas and ripe concentrated cherry flavors backed by good acidity and very mild tannins. It emphasize the crisp zingy character that's inherent in the grape variety while being very full bodied.
This wine is superripe and fruit-forward, loaded with black cherry and plum fruit. It might even be a bit warm on the palate, but ends on a supple, silky note. Drink now–2020.
This wine is supremely pretty, inviting in rose petals and violets. Sourced from Oakville Ranch Vineyard and Vineyard Georges III in Rutherford, it deserves its own bottling. Generously soft and complex, it offers a deftness of black cherry, clove and cedar married expertly together.
This wine is surprisingly brooding for the variety, with notes of jasmine, flowers and apricot struggling to get to the surface. The floral flavors are dry and light weight, providing intrigue.
This wine is surprisingly soft for a Pommard. Juicy red fruits have been spiced by the wood aging. It is light, gently crisp and ready to drink.
This wine is tangy and cool in character. Red fruits are poised, reflecting the light color of the wine. Fresh and crisp, this is ready to drink.
This wine is tangy and textured with light tannins, a bite of citrus acidity and plenty of fruit. It's bright and has a juicy, lively aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine is tangy and zesty, with a strong mineral texture that partners with the perfumed acidity, lively fruitiness and citrus flavors. It is likely to age well because of its tight texture. Drink from 2020.
This wine is tannic and leathery and yet at the same time austere, revealing its historic vineyard roots. A blend of 75% Zinfandel and 25% Mixed Blacks, the property is thought to have been planted around 1900. Blueberry, earth and cinnamon-cardamom spice combine to beautiful, layered effect, flavors that will meld nicely through 2020.
This wine is tannic and slightly carbonic on the palate, offering a fresh, spritzy taste. Stemmy, it shows a distinct presence of forest floor, black tea and cranberry flavor.
This wine is tart and mouthwatering with strong notes of green gooseberry, lemon supremes, hay and a touch of green banana rind throughout. Balanced but bracing with a lively citrus finish. Drink now.
This wine is tart with dill and cedar notes, sharp acidity showing through its concentrated power and generous oak.
This wine is tart, with considerable crisp acidity. That gives it a fruit-juice freshness, although the acidity should be calmer than it is.
This wine is tasty with flavors of raspberries, cherries, cocoa, roasted almonds, cinnamon and sandalwood, but there's also a candied note that makes it a bit simple. The palate boasts a silky texture that finishes soft and lush.
This wine is tasty, tangy and nervy, bringing a very refreshing and appetizing mouthfeel, and wonderful fresh acidity. All of that tang shows good fruitiness too, as the red-cherry and cranberry flavors are vivid and concentrated. It's a versatile wine to drink now or buy by the case to save some bottles for more aging.
This wine is teeming with black fruit, cassis and sage. The palate is a complex and evolving accomplishment—bright black cherry and sage meld with earthy notes of cedar and tobacco, all framed by structured tannins. The finish is long and woody.
This wine is tenacious in its grassy mix of pea shoots and gooseberry, interwoven with acidity that takes on a tartness that's not entirely pleasant.
This wine is textbook New World Viognier—bright, focused and balanced, with sassy fruit flavors of citrus and apricot. The aromatics conjure up subtle notes of citrus rind and jasmine flowers, and the overall length and concentration are as good as it gets.
This wine is textured and fruity. Crisp citrus and red-currant fruits are layered with bright acidity and a refreshing aftertaste. The wine could do with a few more months before drinking, so wait until late 2016.
This wine is textured and tight with delicious, refreshing acidity that is softened by a round vanilla edge. It is still young, still developing its balance and rich, honeyed fruit character. Drink this rich and stylish wine from 2017.
This wine is textured, fresh and with beautiful acidity, along with an edge of tannin and a sense of structure. The freshness is palpable, leaving a steely, crisp aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
This wine is textured, tight and seems to be missing out on fruit. It has pepper, spice and just a few hints of green plums. There is a bitter aftertaste.
This wine is textured, with a firm backdrop to the ripe white fruits. Acidity cuts through everything, giving a fragrant character. Drink this developing wine from 2018.
This wine is the epitome of traditional Rioja Reserva. It opens with aromas of citrus peel, tobacco, earth, cherry, smoke and rubber. Fresh and medium in body, it has oak-based flavors of vanilla and spice on top of reedy red fruit. Oak persists on the finish.
This wine is the essence of the five premier crus that belong to the Devillard family (they also vinify them separately). It brings out the essential Mercurey: rich, generous and with great ripe red fruits. Tannins are there allowing this impressive wine to age. Drink from 2022.
This wine is the product of farming by Anne Moller-Racke and winemaking by Kenneth Juhasz, the original team behind Donum Estate in Carneros. Here, they've created a gorgeous, elegant expression of lemon zest and pear that harmonizes with stony minerality and brash, bristling acidity that becomes succulent on the palate. Atop it all is a scent of fresh-cut white flowers.
This wine is the result of a selection of 12 barrels that were chosen after aging. It is rich, smooth and concentrated, with powerful tannins behind the ripe texture and generous blackberry fruits. It needs to age further; drink from 2019.
This wine is the sum of many spectacular sites—including Ritchie and Heintz Vineyards—some of the cooler-climate spots for grapes in the Occidental. Together they sing a tasteful tune that's salty and demure, with an elegant imprint of green apple, ocean breeze and stone.
This wine is the top of the line for Black Kite, and it certainly does not disappoint. Tea leaves, raspberry and cherry make a great blend of aromas, while the fruit flavors are bright like red cherries, the texture lively and fresh, and the overall impression very elegant. Best now through 2020.
This wine is the vinous equivalent of biting into a ripe, juicy mango that has been drizzled with honey. It's viscous and full in feel, loaded with tropical flavors that linger on the finish. Perhaps a bit one note but represents it well.
This wine is the white partner to Masi's familiar Campfiorin. In this case, it is the 25% of Verduzzo grapes in the blend that have gone through the drying process known as passito. The 75% of Pinot Grigio adds spice, while the Verduzzo gives great richness and ripeness.
This wine is thick, rich, ripe and full-throttled. Extremely opaque in color, it's intriguingly tasty in its waves of blackberry jam, spicy cinnamon and black pepper. Leathery on the palate, it imparts a faint hint of dried herb.
This wine is three-quarters Grenache with the balance Syrah (15%) and Mourvèdre. Quite light aromas of raspberries, wood spice, herbs and spice are followed by strikingly pure, creamy-feeling red-fruit flavors that persist on the finish. One wants more aromatic generosity but the palate's appeal is hard to ignore.
This wine is tight and austere. It still shows the smoky wood aging that has left a bitter chocolate character in the wine. It should soften, although it will likely end up lean. The blend is 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.
This wine is tight and citrusy now, with a kick of acidity. It's elegantly structured, but not showing much generosity, despite a core of lemondrop candy, green apple and honeysuckle flavors. Give it a few years to develop.
This wine is tight and closed at this stage, although it has great potential. The fruit is lively and crisp, just waiting to burst out with citrus and sliced apple fruitiness. Wait until late 2017.
This wine is tight and closed up. It does suggest plenty of fruit weight, hinting at toast and apple flavors that will come through over the next several years to give a rich wine. Drink from 2022.
This wine is tight and crisp, with an earthy character. Touches of honey and ripe apricots fill out the back palate and give a richer feel to the aftertaste.
This wine is tight and flinty. Crisp lemon and apple flavors are textured with a steely character that needs time to broaden out. Drink this mineral wine from 2019.
This wine is tight and mineral textured. Still young, taut and nervy, orange zest flavors are blended with apple and grapefruit acidity. There is a juicy concentration that develops in the glass and will become more dominant as the wine ages. Drink from 2017.
This wine is tight and tannic, firm and missing fruit. It seems to have been heavily extracted, giving a bitter character to the wine. It could soften, although that is difficult to imagine.
This wine is tight and tannic, with a rustic hint of leathery saddle and barnyard that makes it hard to highly recommend.
This wine is tight and well-structured, emphasizing a good, gripping texture and firm tannins while tasty berry flavors lurk beneath. It's not something to sip at a party, but a gutsy dinner wine to pour with osso buco or mushroom risotto.
This wine is tight and young. It will have crisp citrus acidity as it matures, giving a bright, lively wine, refreshing to drink and just right for food.
This wine is tight as a drum at present. Brooding aromas of iron, black cherry, pomegranate, bacon fat, spice and cured meat lead to concentrated full superpolished dark-fruit flavors. It brings a sense of intensity and deliciousness that is impossible to ignore.
This wine is tight with the lightest hints of riper fruit in the future. It has spice, toast flavors and suggestions of yellow fruit. Wait to drink this wine until 2017.
This wine is tight, crisp with citrus flavors and intense acidity. It is developing into a refreshing, broader wine that will convey a riper character. Just wait until late 2017.
This wine is tight, crisp with citrus flavors and intense acidity. It is developing into a refreshing, broader wine that will have a riper character. Wait until late 2017.
This wine is tight, fresh with crisp red currant and red-cherry flavors. It is as bright as a button, fruity with layers of acidity that bring out a perfumed character at the end. The Colonge family has been growing grapes in Beaujolais since 1789.
This wine is tight, mineral and nervy. It misses out on fruitiness, giving a strongly textured character that has an austere aftertaste. Drink from 2016.
This wine is tight, nervy and crisp, with a strongly mineral texture. There is good acidity, crisp and textured. Apples and citrus dominate this structured wine. Drink from 2019.
This wine is tight, structured and taut. Still young, it has touches of wood as well as juicy apple flavors shot through with crisp acidity. The aftertaste brings in spice and citrus.
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.
This wine is tight, with layers of yellow fruit and spice that are masked by wood flavors. Drink from 2018.
This wine is tightly textured, firm and with a strongly tannic element. It will be better with food.
This wine is tightly wound and thickly colored. Full bodied in style, it shows plenty of oak influence, aged in entirely French oak for 16 months, 42% of it new. Cranberry and sour cherry dominate in terms of fruit, with an underlying agenda of clove and tea.
This wine is toasty and rich upfront, with decadent aromas of cedar-grilled apple and peach pit that are graced with hints of garribue and gardenia. The floral character gains intensity on the palate, before giving way to fresh fruit flavors of apple slices and lemon pith. It's well balanced and clean on the close; drink now.
This wine is toasty and spicy with black-currant fruits that are still developing. It is fresh although its firm structure needs time to soften. As it matures, it will develop a balance between fruit and tannins. Drink from 2018.
This wine is toasty, with an attractive vanilla and honey character. It's full in the mouth, with rich yellow fruits and a generous texture. Drink now.
This wine is too jammy for its own good with a texture that's soft and squishy. Notes of overripe strawberries are dominant, redeemed slightly by red-currant acidity. This wine is not for aging.
This wine is too toasty for its own good. It has dark tannins, high spice and bitter toastiness. There is a soapy aftertaste that only just hints at fruit.
This wine is totally fresh, with crisp red currant and riper banana flavors—a bright wine that's all fruit and refreshing acidity. The family has been in the wine business since 1811 and today works with some 50 small-production growers.
This wine is tough and structured, while still having plenty of weight and fruit for the future. As it integrates, ripe berry flavors will balance those tannins, giving a classic, structured Bordeaux. Drink from 2018.
This wine is tough, extracted and still very bitter. The fruit is there, well behind the tannic front in this Merlot/Malbec blend. Give the wine until 2017 and decant although it is likely to remain tough. A Châteaux Solidaires wine.
This wine is two-thirds Marsanne and one-third Roussanne, both extreme rarities in this appellation. Aromas of pear, peach and fresh flower are followed by dry lightly styled stone-fruit flavors. The concentration doesn't seem all there but it still brings appeal. Try it at the dinner table.
This wine is two-thirds Merlot, with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Mesquite, dark cherry, vanilla, herb and spice aromas lead to tart, tingly flavors with bunched up tannins.
This wine is two-thirds Sémillon and one-third Sauvignon Blanc. Aromas of toasted grapenuts, lemon and spice are followed by broad-feeling fruit flavors that show a lightly creamy feel.
This wine is two-thirds Syrah with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. Reticent aromas of vanilla, woodspice, cigar box and plum lead to elegantly styled fruit and barrel flavors that trail toward the finish.
This wine is two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance being Merlot (25%) and Syrah. Vanilla, cocoa and dark fruit aromas lead to rich, well balanced fruit and barrel flavors that linger on the finish.
This wine is uncomplicated in approach, light bodied enough to be food-friendly and approachable. It has notions of apple and tropical fruit at its core.
This wine is undeniably floral and voluptuous and hard to resist on the nose alone. Honeysuckle, lemon peel and flint tease and please around a focused core of oak and gritty texture of stone. Full bodied, it's lush and slightly reduced—a compelling statement on power and grace.
This wine is unmistakably Cabernet with its aromas of olive, herb and cherry along with whiffs of game. The palate shows a mixture of fruit and savory elements with a restrained styling and a finish that lingers.
This wine is unquestionably about power and punch, not subtlety. Superripe fruit flavors of kirsch and dark, toasty, coffee liqueur coat the palate. It's flavorful, but not a trace of varietal character remains.
This wine is unusual for its smoky, earthy, petrol character that's easy to catch in the aroma and that lasts through the finish.
This wine is unusually soft and luscious, easy to drink, and marked by aromas of cinnamon and brown sugar followed by ripe lightly sweet flavors of blackberry jam. It has low acidity, low tannins and medium body.
This wine is unusually taut and crisp for a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with cherry and cranberry fruit framed by hints of earth and leather. Drink now–2020.
This wine is velvety-smooth and full bodied in cedar, black licorice and blackberry jam, and is an approachable wine given its mountain beginnings. Compact and concentrated, it ends with length and plenty of toasted oak.
This wine is velvety smooth, thick and savory—a complex and nuanced celebration of a great site that's meticulously farmed. It unspools black tea, clove and spicy cola flavors as it opens.
This wine is very aromatic, perhaps too much so, giving it an oddly tight, geranium and rosemary-scented character.
This wine is very dry, dense and tough, the black fruit and acidity just peeping through. However, it should all come together from 2020.
This wine is very fresh and crisp, with plenty of fresh herb aromas and vibrant grapefruit flavors. Light bodied and well balanced, it has good acidity and a snappy finish.
This wine is very fruity, fresh and crisp while also showing texture and tight apple-skin flavors. Refreshing acidity brings out the fragrant, fresh aftertaste.
This wine is very good in a ripe, almost-sweet style. It smells and tastes like blackberry pie, has full fruit flavors and a smooth, rich texture without noticeable tannins.
This wine is very juicy with fruit, but also exhibits a strong mineral element that adds texture and tightness. With acidity prominent, it seems to be a wine that will always be taut and firm.
This wine is very pale in color, but the aromas are anything but understated, zooming out in full floral, orangy Muscat character. It's soft and sweet, balanced a bit by citrusy acids on the finish.
This wine is very rich and ripe with tangerine, Meyer-lemon and peach flavors, but with a stimulating cut of green grass. Crisp acidity and super-clean winemaking gives it a finish that's pure and intense. Another fine bottling from this veteran winery.
This wine is very ripe and jammy in aroma, and delicious like fresh blackberries in flavor. Full bodied, it's almost sweet and very smooth in texture. Made with the Lodi Native hands-off winemaking protocols, it's as close to pure, beautiful fruitiness as a wine gets.
This wine is very soft ,with only light acidity to balance the raspberry fruitiness. What makes this wine is its aftertaste with a final crisp bite. Drink now.
This wine is very soft and only lightly fruity. Some spice and touches of acidity give a crisp edge to the otherwise dull wine.
This wine is very soft, rounded and gentle. A touch of light pepper accompanies melon and creamed pear flavors. It's a good apéritif wine and it can be paired with amuse-bouche.
This wine is very structured and firm. With some barrel aging, the tannins have been smoothed out although the wine remains with a dry core and fresh acidity. Black-currant flavors dominate, giving a wine that is bright and fruity at the end.
This wine is very young and needs time to come together. Currently, it's all about tart acidity and fresh, penetrating Dr. Pepper, cherry, pomegranate and oak flavors. It's elegant and complex, with the potential to develop for 6–8 years, maybe longer.
This wine is very young, still with layers of wood. It is going to be a structured, dense and packed with a strong mineral texture. To contrast, generous red plum fruits and intense acidity are ready to convey a deep, rich character. Drink this impressive wine from 2019
This wine is very young, with its bright purple color, spice and wood aromas and firm texture. Although the wood is still integrating, its ripe blackberry fruit and rich texture show it has great potential and needs to age. Drink from 2020.
This wine is volatile and grassy on the nose, and extremely horsey. Odd flavors of mango and pineapple are way out of place, and the finish tastes of bad tobacco.
This wine is warm with touches of wood and spice. Juicy pear and apple flavors are filled out with white peach, while the toast gives extra complexity and richness. The wine, from the first vintage in this newly named domaine by François Lequin (Lequin-Colin) and Matthieu Ponson, is attractive now, but will be better from 2017.
This wine is way too light, too fresh and without much in the way of structure. Green fruit and acidity are dominant with just hints of red fruits.
This wine is weightier than expected, with a broad, round, soft mouthfeel that delivers subtle notes of green fig and citrus. There's a hint of wet stone as well, which adds a bit of interest.
This wine is well-rounded, lightly toasty, and soft on the palate. Flavors of butter cream, blueberry and cherry pie make it a hedonistic delight that's perfect for immediate enjoyment.
This wine is well balanced and solidly constructed, wrapping its ripe blackberry and dark plum flavors in firm tannins. Light oak spice, vanilla and cinnamon touches are the icing on the cake.
This wine is well balanced between its juicy black-currant fruits and dry tannins. The high percentage of Petit Verdot (20%) gives both the color and the firmer tannic background. It is beginning to age well, so drink from 2017.
This wine is well balanced, ripe with apricot and white-peach flavors that contrast with the kiwi and grapefruit freshness. A more mineral edge gives texture. This delicious wine will be even better to drink from 2017.
This wine is well balanced, with red-berry and plum-fruit flavors giving richness. A ripe, juicy character comes with the tight acidity. The smoky wood is just right. Drink from 2019.
This wine is well made and competitively priced. Characteristic variety notes of orange blossom, rose and lychee mark the nose, and meet additional notes of ripe mango mixed with banana on the palate. Exotic and fun, this medium-bodied, heady wine would perfectly quell a spicy kick.
This wine is well made in the lightly sweet but full-bodied style. It has plenty of ripe fruit flavors, high alcohol and moderate tannins to add texture.
This wine is well made, structured and built to age. A wealth of baked plum meets clove, leather and mouth-coating tannin weight, as a full-bodied concentration of meaty texture provides heft and depth.
This wine is well poised between structure and fresh red fruits. A dark side of firm tannins gives a dry core to the wine, while the bright red-berry fruit is perfumed and fresh. The two elements are integrating well. Drink from 2019.
This wine is well sourced, its grapes coming from Brown Ranch, Toyon and Trefethen, among other sites. Aging takes place partially in barrels that have been soaked in water before toasting to lessen the impact, and in stainless steel. Light, crisp honeyed apple, pear and vanilla star alongside caramel and a floral flourish.
This wine is widely distributed and often discounted, but don't shy away from it because of that—it's really well made. Subtle herb and citrus shadings mark the nose, but so do riper hints of fig and melon. Those riper notes shape the palate, giving it breadth up front, then gently tapering into a long, elegant, citrusy finish.
This wine is woody, showing concentrated toast and vanilla flavors. It seems to be missing its fruit.
This wine is wound extremely tight, but opens like a lotus with decanting or overnight patience. Aromas of rose buds, black-raspberry extract, wet clay and dried purple flowers show on the nose, bolstered by the slightest smoky kiss of oak. Savory flavors of roasted black-plum skins and elderberry meet with soy, graphite and loam on the palate, which will gain amazing tertiary flavors with time. Drink 2018–2028.
This wine is young but ripe, with spice and blackberry fruits. It has a core of mineral tannins that are a reminder of the hard schist rocks of the Douro. With this dry structure, it needs to be aged, so drink from 2017.
This wine is young, fruity and tannic, in the house style. The 2010 is particularly rich and ripe with cherries, but complex, intense and worth repeated sipping. A very good representation of a Suscol Merlot. Drink now–2016.
This wine is young, full of the initial burst of crisp fruit. Apple and citrus flavors, and mineral texture, are still developing, filling in from the taut character and acidity. It will be ready to drink from 2018.
This wine is young, surprisingly fruity at this stage for this normally textured, structured Grand Cru. A pure line of sliced apple and green-plum flavors are shot through with tangy acidity. The fruitiness and intense acidity will pass soon and the wine will develop the proper steely, tight and mineral character. It will drink at its best from 2020.
This wine is young, with firm tannins and structured tannins. It has a solid character, with spice from the wood aging and a dark, bold character. Drink this powerful, concentrated wine from 2019.
This wine is young—full of acidity and rich yellow fruit. A blend of Petit and Gros Manseng, it has the typical honeyed edge yet is bone dry. It will take time for its intense acidity to calm down, so drink from late 2018.
This wine is youthfully pugnacious, gamy and nutty with sharp acidity that has yet to come into its own. From good fruit grown by good people, it has potential to soar in richly layered green apple and pear once it settles into itself.
This wine isn't very expressive, with alcohol dominating both the nose and the palate. It reveals some licorice notes on the palate, along with decent acidity, but no fruit richness.
This wine just avoids an excessive amount of wood. Instead the wood flavors enhance the black-plum and berry fruits. It is a dry wine, dense and firm. It does need time, so wait until 2018.
This wine just bowls you over from the first sniff, a lush mix of white flower and citrus-rind aromatics. It's precise and penetrating, leading into a thoroughly captivating palate of sharply defined grapefruit, peach and papaya, underscored by racy minerality.
This wine keeps true to the varietal character of German Riesling, with an aroma of petrol—that British term that describes Riesiing's oddly attractive and mild diesel smell—plus peach and green apple. It tastes crisp, dry, medium-bodied and well balanced.
This wine kept improving in the glass over a period of hours, and as it did so, the score kept rising. Initial scents of Bourbon barrel gave way to rich blueberry and black cherry fruit, set in a roasted, potent mix of darker flavors. Smoke, coffee liqueur, a whiff of stem, a streak of vanilla, all tightly wound and elevated with scents of citrus peel.
This wine kicks off with awesome aromatics of jasmine flowers, white beach, green tea and Rainier cherry. The palate is clean and crisp with ripe honeydew melon, Gala apple and Anjou pear flavors that are pleasant but simple.
This wine knocks the flavors out of the park again this vintage, with spicy grapefruit and pine needle notes leading the charge. Think more cool fruit—lime flesh and skin—than tropical flavors. Add vivid acidity, impeccable balance and a refreshing, wet stone finish, and this is a must-have, everyday, goes-with-anything white.
This wine lacks a bit of intensity, but otherwise shows reasonably complex flavors of dried cherries and old wine barrels and a supple, creamy texure. Turns a bit tart and astringent on the finish, limiting its appeal.
This wine lays on the vanilla, cream and butter flavors along with a seeming sweetness and smooth texture due to soft effervescence and apparently low acidity. It's very flavorful and plays outside the bounds of traditional sparkling wine.
This wine leads with a touch of smoke and cinnamon. The underlying blueberry fruit is brooding and crunchy, bringing freshness to the medium-bodied palate. Aromatic waves of spice and pure, vibrant fruit carry long into the finish.
This wine leads with big, rubbery, almost stewy aromas. In the mouth, this rich Malbec feels reduced and jammy, with heavy tannins. Flavors of blueberry and blackberry are infused with herbal notes, while the finish offers flavors of licorice and chocolate.
This wine leads with light mineral, pear and white grapefruit aromas. It's medium-bodied on the palate, with bright acidity and citrus rind flavors that persist into the finish and keep you coming back for more.
This wine leads with lovely touch of flint, accentuating its green pear and lemon zest aromas. On the palate, it's light and dry, with a phenolic character that lends both texture and structure, adding complexity to all the freshness.
This wine leads with new leather, dark spice, iris and eucalyptus scents. Its linear, slender palate offers sour cherry, pomegranate, white pepper and ground clove—flavors that are held taut by fine-grained tannins and racy acidity.
This wine leads with somewhat locked-up, slightly porty aromas of herb, barrel spice and dark fruit. The ripe, rich dark fruit flavors show considerably more generosity, with firm, slightly gritty tannins backing them up.
This wine leads with the fruity scent of fresh Conference and yellow pear. Its slightly spritzy palate comes with some yeasty, herbal savoriness and finishes fresh and dry.
This wine leads with tire rubber, bacon, forest floor, juniper and blackberry aromas, requiring as much air or time as you can give. In the mouth, it's hard, tannic and almost astringent. A mix of oak and herb-laced black fruit flavors finishes long, with plenty of energy and power in reserve. Drink 2018–2027.
This wine leads with vanilla over characteristic varietal notes. The palate is spritzy, while modest flavors of nectarine and citrus finish light.
This wine leads wqith a a bright personality, showing strawberry, cherry, white pepper and cinnamon aromas that carry over to the palate along with a hint of orange peel. It's linear and vibrant, with fine tannins and nice balance.
This wine leans into the green side of the variety, with aromas of garden herbs, green pepper, dark chocolate and cherry. The palate brings abundant savory flavors along with chewy tannins.
This wine leans more toward the earthy, savory side of Pinot Noir, yet still boasts enough plum and black cherry fruit to please most consumers. It's medium bodied, with a velvety or suede-like texture and hints of root vegetables, mushrooms, sassafras and cola. Ready to drink.
This wine leans toward the brown-orange side of the Pinot Noir scale, with burnt orange, cranberry and whiffs of anise. Cooked fruits dominate the palate, with fruitcake and gingerbread flavors.
This wine leans toward the vegetal side of Sauvignon Blanc, without ever crossing over into objectionable. In fact, it shows attractive notes of struck flint and snow pea, accompanied by hints of citrus and tomato stalk. It's fresh, clean and would be perfect with a ceviche starter.
This wine leaps out of the glass with aromas of peach, wet stone, lime and high-toned flowers. The palate drinks off dry, with vibrant stone-fruit and floral flavors that linger on the finish.
This wine leaps out of the glass with fresh and bright aromas of strawberry blossoms, ripe raspberries, red flowers and a tiny bit of iron. The flavors are reminiscent of a potpourri satchel, with dried hibiscus flowers, tart cranberries, sour cherries and touches of pencil lead.
This wine leaves no doubt about the variety, with its freshly peeled orange and jasmine notes. The palate is sweet yet not cloying, with impeccable balance. For those looking for a well-priced sweet wine, look no further.
This wine lives and breathes terroir, with the rock and wild herb character of the AVA and the vivid cherry fruit of the vineyard. It's beautifully proportioned, with a vein of cola, a toasty bouquet and a focused finish.
This wine lives up to its name in the pure, perfumed flavors that are an enticement for sipping. An edge of tannin and lemon zest liven the wine even more. The tight, bright acidity at the end is mouthwatering.
This wine lives up to its name with generous aromas of lychee, jasmine, apricot, and honeysuckle. It drinks off dry, with mouthful of stone-fruit flavors that are easygoing and immensely enjoyable.
This wine looks and tastes bright pink. It is creamy, not quite dry and soft, although the aftertaste shows some fresh acidity. Crushed strawberry flavors suggest that it will pair well with fruit salad.
This wine looks clear, with aromas of chewing gum, watermelon and cherry. The palate is regular and nebulous in feel, while flavors of melon and peach are slightly oxidized and pithy. A blend of 50% Tempranillo with 30% Garnacha and 20% Viura.
This wine looks, smells and tastes on the light side. Herb and red-cherry aromas precede rather lean flavors from cherry to clove and dill, and a brisk texture with some tannic grip.
This wine made from an aromatic indigenous Turkish grape offers a pleasing aroma of honeydew melon and freesia. It is soft on entry and remains smooth on the palate, with flavors of guava, pineapple and rose petal that meld into a soft floral finish.
This wine made from an indigenous Romanian grape has a bouquet of red raspberry, tart cherry, and clove with a touch of brambles. Flavors of cassis, cherry vanilla, red plum and raspberry work their way across the palate, concluding in an agreeably spicy finish.
This wine made from estate-grown, dry-farmed fruit has a large presence on the nose, offering earthy rose and lavender aromas. Velvety on the palate, it broods in tart cherry and rhubarb flavors, with allspice and toasted oak notes that accentuate its spice on the long finish.
This wine made from Muscat Canelli grapes is slightly spritzy and sweet, pungent in apricot fuzz and grass, a mélange of tropical goodness from there on out. Mango, kiwi and pineapple fill the medium-weight waves of viscous texture, concluding in a vanilla-tinged, light, fresh finish.
This wine made from Zinfandel grapes has an attractive, light coral color and effusive melon aromas. It follows up with vivid canteloupe and watermelon flavors buoyed by lively acidity. Light in body, it's also appetizing in texture.
This wine makes a big impression with wild, earthy aromas and dense, fruit-laden flavors. It blends ripe plum, smoke, tart blackberry and rich black cherry notes on a base of firm tannins and fresh acidity. These are rich, complex and carry through to the lingering finish. It's made from 85% Mourvèdre, plus Syrah, Grenache and Counoise.
This wine makes an interesting contrast to the estate's GG from the Wallhausen Johannisberg—it's seemingly much tighter. There's passion fruit and fern fronds, wrapped in crisp acids that leave the wine finishing long, but tart and scoury.
This wine makes reference to certain vineyards in France's cult Côte-Rôtie. The flavors are immaculate, suggesting fully ripened blackberries and currants, grilled wild mushrooms, black pepper and sweet oak. The tannins are thick and tough, but beautiful enough to warrant aging. One troubling aspect is acidity. It's very strong, and may take some time to smoothen out.
This wine makes you work harder than many of its neighbors to find the flavor but it's worth the effort when you uncover an intriguing mélange of hay, apricot and early summer fruits. The crisp, minerally finish puts one in mind of a platter of choucroute garnie. Drink now to 2013.
This wine manages to combine firm structure with the finely perfumed fruit associated with Chambolle-Musigny. It's rich, fruity, lifted by acidity and held together by solid tannins. Impressive and full bodied, it's a wine to age. Drink from 2024.
This wine marches to its own tune, with appealing but unusual opening notes of berries, plastic, chocolate and petroleum that add to the prominent red cherry note on the palate. There's a lot of extract here and a sweetish palate that takes on a coffee edge on the finish. Drink up.
This wine marries Napa Valley's elegant tannin structure with Zin's naturally briary rusticity, with good results. The flavors abound in wild berry, currant, tobacco, cola, tabasco and exotic spice. It will be great with grilled beef.
This wine may age to interesting things, but currently it's hard in tannins and acidity, and so dry it makes you long for some sugar. But you'll find a deep core of black currant, licorice and spicy plum flavors. Should pair well with rustic grilled meats.
This wine may be on the fleshy, supple side of the spectrum, but it remains grounded in savory spice and earth. Cola and baking spices end on a mouthwatering note.
This wine may have potential in the years to come, but is still searching for its soul at this young age. Aromas of dried black cherries and strawberries meet with black tea, juniper and a touch of tar on the nose. The palate is framed in a foamy acidity, offering plum and squeezed blackberry fruit, but dominated with a very herbal character that's still integrating.
This wine may lack the dramatic power of its top-flight brethren, but it still satisfies, delivering reasonably complex notes of cherries, rhubarb and olive carried by silky tannins and moderate alcohol. Drink this terrific value over the next year or two.
This wine may not be quite as rich or expressive as the other Viogniers in the Yalumba stable, but it's still an attractive effort. Pineapple and apricot flavors pick up hints of gingery spice on the vibrant finish. Drink now.
This wine may not have much of Syrah's typical character but it certainly does have rich black fruits and a ripe texture. It is full and very ripe with its tannic structure well integrated into the full-bodied fruitiness. Drink now.
This wine may surprise you with its rich round full-bodied fruit. It's not the racy, high-acid style you might expect from a BC winery–rather it pumps up the flavors with pear, peach and papaya front and center, clean and fresh. Fermentation took place in a mix of oak, concrete egg and steel.
This wine melds firm tannins with fruit that is ripe, concnetrated and juicy. Brisk acidity brings the elements together, producing a wine that is full bodied and with good potential. Drink now and until 2020.
This wine melds smoky wood-aging flavors with richly packed black fruits. There is a juicy component that gives both freshness and a jammy, ripe character, with a touch of dark chocolate and coffee flavors that give a bitter edge. Drink this concentrated wine from 2017.
This wine might knock your socks off with massively rich, ripe flavors of cherry pie, blueberry jam, mocha and toasty oak, wrapped into ultra-smooth tannins. For all the richness, it's brightened with just enough acidity for balance and finishes dry. There's no reason not to drink it now. Production was only 96 cases, but it's worth a search.
This wine might need more time in bottle before truly blossoming. Its soft layers of red fruit are just starting to open up.
This wine might start off a touch medicinal but that blows off rather quickly, allowing the beautiful bouquet full of red cherry and raspberry with soft touches of cocoa to shine through. Fresh and juicy in the mouth with moderate acidity and tannins providing a solid structure. A touch of citrus glimmers on the clean finish. Drink now.
This wine mostly hails from Les Collines, with a splash of fruit from Upland Vineyard (12%) rounding it out. Aged in neutral oak, it displays brooding aromas of black pepper, plum, smoked meat, parsley and fresh violets. The plum and savory flavors bring a rich textured feel all the while displaying exquisite freshness.
This wine moves quickly past its tight red currant fruit into flavors of red licorice, hints of caramel and a rather light, almost airy finish. Crisp and well-made, but a bit ambiguous.
This wine needs air in order to get at its dark-fruit aromas. In the mouth, this blend of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cab Franc is ripe but smacks down hard with tannins. Flavors of blackberry, cassis and herbs end with complex notes of graphite and chalk. This gets better the more time you spend with it. Drink through 2024.
This wine needs food so much, it practically cries out loud for it. It's like the essence of lemons and grapefruits, in a bone-dry, crisply tart package that makes the taste buds sing. The oak has been kept in the background to emphasize the clean, racy flavors, although partial sur-lie aging adds creamy notes. Oysters and this wine would be a marriage made in heaven.
This wine needs plenty of breathing time, revealing pleasant hibiscus, rose, cranberry and tart cherry aromas as it opens. The flavors suggest pepper and red fruit, with a somewhat leathery aged character.
This wine needs some coaxing at first to come out of its shell. Once settled, it entices in warming cardamom, clove and damp earth, taking on savory airs. Exuberant as it develops, it offers high-toned cherry and tangerine that surround a silky, subtle body. Hints of spicy cinnamon and white pepper mark the finish.
This wine needs some time to open up after pouring to fully express itself. With time, rich notes of black currant, brambly berry and black cherry grace the nose and mouth, with a touch of licorice root and espesso unfolding after swallow.
This wine needs time to open, but when it does it reveals smooth, thick oakiness on the palate that settles into a complementary note to the spicy clove and cherry vanilla. Medium to fuller-bodied in style, it finishes softly.
This wine needs time to open, offering a dense and reduced imprint at the beginning which blows off to reveal a succulent core of smoky maraschino cherry. It's medium in body, well integrated and moderate in oak.
This wine needs to be decanted. At first the scents and flavors of green produce abound, and the fruit is masked. After some hours, it begins to show more fruit and less of the vegetal flavors, but remains a bit sharp and short.
This wine never saw any oak. What you get is what the grapes contributed, which is pure, intense tangerine and lime fruit, brightened with brisk acidity. It's a chiseled wine, but there's a streak of honey that relieves it.
This wine nicely captures Pinot Noir's elusive silky texture and weight without heaviness, then combines those attributes with complex earthy flavors and touches of sassafras and cola. Finishes long, with hints of maraschino cherries and caramel. Drink now–2014.
This wine nicely displays the fleshy pear, melon and citrus notes of unoaked Chard. It's plump and medium-bodied, with a clean, refreshing finish. What it isn't is particularly complex, but it will still go well with any number of seafood or chicken dishes this summer.
This wine of unknown grape varieties shows a thread of sweet cola and vanilla throughout a larger tunnel of smoky char, remaining somewhat flat, bitter and simple on the palate.
This wine offers a balance of apple and citrus crispness with a touch of buttery oak. The nose is redolent of crisp fruits; on the palate it's refreshing and seafood-friendly. Pair with shellfish or creamy egg dishes.
This wine offers a bouquet of baking bread with a touch of lemon curd. It presents a sophisticated palate of lemon, lime, orange blossom, piecrust, and eucalyptus. It has pleasing acidity that overcomes cooling herb flavors on the finish, and while it is light in the mouth, soft tannins persist on the gum line for a short while after swallowing.
This wine offers a bouquet of black cherry and butterscotch. Its cherry, blueberry and mint flavors are enwrapped in forceful tannins that give way to a finish marked by black fruit.
This wine offers a bouquet of canned peaches and tangerine zest. It is creamy on the palate, with a strong white peach flavor offset by nice vanilla notes.
This wine offers a bouquet of raspberry and smoked meat with a touch of bell pepper. Flavors of black cherry, smoked meat, black pepper and eucalyptus mingle on the palate, with savory notes outweighing fruit. Soft tannins coat the mouth, and ultimately black cherry lingers on the back palate.
This wine offers a complex, intoxicating bouquet: espresso, charred meat and black olive notes meld seamlessly together, adding notes of blueberries and pastry crust on the palate. It's not overly weighty, remaining fresh through the long, silky finish.
This wine offers a delicate fragrance of pressed white flower, apricot and peach. The palate delivers citrus and toasted almond notes, creamy texture and small, persistent bubbles.
This wine offers a delightful bouquet of blackberry and rose petal with touches of salinity. It is smooth and silky at first sip, with flavors of black plum, cherry, chocolate, lavender, and freshly roasted coffee. As it makes its way around the mouth, stern tannins make their presence known and then recede into a finish notable for a lingering espresso bean flavor.
This wine offers a direct and immediate delivery of aromas that hits the nose in an intense and vertical fashion. The bouquet consists of dried apple skin, black currant, old spice, cola, licorice, soapy lavender and road tar. It's softer than the 2004 vintage and ends with a blast of sour cherry on the close.
This wine offers a distinctive nose with very noticeable aromas of ripe pear backed by white stone, yellow rose and almond skin. Made from the little-known Mantonico grape from the Lamezia Terme area of Calabria, it has personality and is genuine and compact without being one-dimensional.
This wine offers a full-bodied lushness on the palate and a mix of preserved lemon and dried herb flavors that veer tart against the riper backdrop of sweet, peach-like fruit.
This wine offers a full, bright bouquet that is packed with notes of cherry, chocolate, exotic spice, leather, rum cake and a touch of cinnamon. The palate shows smooth, fine tannins and a long, fruit-driven finish.
This wine offers a generosity of caramelized, toasty oak before presenting full-bodied richness and concentration in baked apple and pear flavor. A note of sea spray complements the fruitier aspects and gives a hint of minerality.
This wine offers a lighter side of Petite Sirah. It conveys more red fruit than brooding black and blue, a taste of red licorice and lean, balanced red cherries sleekly layered over earthy plum and spice. Its structure and acidity make it food-friendly, ready to accent a black pepper steak or similarly seasoned roast.
This wine offers a lot of fruit, with subtle background notes of leather, wet earth and prune. It's a fresh, easydrinking selection.
This wine offers a pleasing mixture of aromas and flavors of baking spices, pear and apple. Viscosity and weight gives it a sense of gravitas but never gets bogged down.
This wine offers a punch of deli meat and bacon on the entry, following through on the palate with a meaty, gamey quality cushioned by soft, sizable tannins. The end goes through a phase of bittersweet chocolate and tobacco.
This wine offers a ripe abundance of apple and pear, veering almost into tropical flavors. It conveys richness amid a streak of high acidity, the oak semi-restrained. It finishes in vanilla crème brûlée.
This wine offers a sizable mouthful of blackberry and softened though persistent and present tannins. On the nose a whiff of rubber glove mars the wine.
This wine offers a somewhat uncomfortable mix of herb, vanilla, caramel, green pepper and cherry notes. The mocha-filled flavors are tart, broad and supple, with good acidity and a dry lick of tannins backing it all up.
This wine offers a somewhat untoward combination of herbs, nori, tire rubber and blue fruit. Flavors are sharp-edged backed by chalky tannins.
This wine offers a spicy, green nose with tones of herbs, grass, blackberry and mint. It has a raw, thick feel with fresh fruit nuances and sour cherry on the close.
This wine offers a tight nose of cherry cola and petrol. It opens on the palate by featuring flavors of smoked meat, eucalyptus, cherry, and ripe peach. Lush tannins contribute a fatty umami sensation to the palate.
This wine offers a wealth of big flavor and plush structure within a context of savory oak and firm tannin. Black olive and licorice highlight a nicely composed framework of plum and dark cherry, dotted with fresh tobacco.
This wine offers a wealth of dried cherry, chocolate and licorice, remaining relatively medium bodied and sublime on the palate. Hints of dried herb and minerally thickets of violet dot the experience.
This wine offers abundant aromas of vanilla, coconut shavings, mocha and dried cherries. It's luscious with generous fruit and barrel flavors, with the barrel notes winning out and taking over on the vanilla-dominated finish.
This wine offers an aged quality to its accompanying freshness. A taste of honey and dried apple surround soft layers of citrus and a toasted oak finish.
This wine offers an aromatic medley of sweet cherry fruit and chalky mineral tones. This Merlot with 10% Sangiovese has great texture and a threadwork of blueberry fruit, Pez candy and drying, dusty tannins on the finish.
This wine offers an attractive bouquet of yellow apple, peach, garrigue herbs and subtle toasted spice. Those notes continue through to the round, medium-weight palate, with additional flavors of melon and pear adding richness. Ample acidity shines through on the finish, along with a hint of dried apple-skin flavor.
This wine offers an attractive mix of mango and kiwi fruit, with a light structure. A fresh, fruity tang makes it full while also refreshing. Drink now.
This wine offers an austere entry of crunchy red fruit akin to cranberry and pomegranate. Accents of clove and leather ride along toward a lengthy finish of broad expansion and balanced strength.
This wine offers an inviting fragrance of red berries, violet and Mediterranean herbs. The palate delivers ripe red cherry, white pepper, clove and thyme balanced by firm tannins and fresh acidity. Pair this with hearty pasta dishes or grilled red meats.
This wine offers an uncharacteristic bouquet of grapefruit pith and white flowers. It is full in the mouth, with flavors of green apple and crème brulee. The finish is dominated by a streak of minerality.
This wine offers an unusual combination of hot, jammy fruit backed by crisp acidity. Its aromas are big and bulky yet the mouthfeel is surprisingly fresh. Pair this wine with roasted duck or other fatty meats.
This wine offers appealing aromatics of caramel apple before delving into viscous territory on the palate. Flavors fall somewhat flat and the finish is muddled.
This wine offers aromas of clove and woodspice, with blue-fruit notes in the background. The flavors showing pleasing density and weight, shortening up on the finish.
This wine offers aromas of herb, tobacco, barrel spice and plum. The palate brings plush rich textured plum flavors, showing a beautiful sense of purity along with a crazy-long finish. It's a shamelessly delicious but still impeccably balanced wine that is nearly impossible to put down.
This wine offers aromas of herbs, black cherry and spice, showing a bit of heat. The dark-fruit flavors have good intensity, with dry, astringent tannins backing them up.
This wine offers aromas of jammy red fruit, golden raisins and abundant barrel spices. It's full bodied in style with rich cherry flavors, sharp-edged acids and barrel notes that run throughout and linger on the finish.
This wine offers aromas of leather, maraschino cherries, rose petal and medicine cabinet. It shows a bit of its age but still has time, with grainy tannins and soy flavors propping it up.
This wine offers aromas of lemon blossom, orange zest and honeysuckle. In the mouth, flavors of pear, apple and white peach precede a crisp finish.
This wine offers aromas of mocha powder, red apple, dark raspberries and woodspice. The red fruit flavors are quite sweet and concentrated, backed by a dry lick of tannins.
This wine offers aromas of overripe black plum along with notes of bell pepper and a hint of prune. The palate opens with black currants, raisin and cherry but then falls apart almost immediately. It's rather evolved and diluted, with dusty tannins.
This wine offers aromas of raspberry and toffee. There is a nice interplay of fruit, floral, and minty flavors, notably raspberry, cherry, toffee, rose petal and eucalyptus. Mildly gripping tannins make themselves evident, and fruit flavors remain prominent through the smooth finish.
This wine offers aromas of ripe plum, raisin and mocha, with hints of toasted oak. The palate opens with ripe blackberry and plum notes, but finishes abruptly, closing on an astringent note.
This wine offers aromas of rose petal and geranium with a hint of lemon. It is full on the palate, with flavors of toasted pineapple, white peach, lilac and Turkish delight. The smooth finish is marked by savory touches, with a nice balance of fruit and floral flavors.
This wine offers aromas of spice and anise, but its flavors are overpowered by tart berry and strong pepper notes. Lacks dimension and elegance.
This wine offers aromas of tire rubber and blue fruit. It drinks off dry, with tangy coffee and plum flavors, trailing toward the finish.
This wine offers aromas of underbrush, meat juices and farmyard together with notes of overripe red berries. The palate delivers wild cherry accented with almost-sugary sweet vanilla extract sensations, mocha and cinnamon-spice alongside assertive tannins that carry through to the drying finish. Drink 2015–2019.
This wine offers aromas of white flowers, spice and citrus. On the palate are easygoing flavors of white fruit, flowers and minerally spice. A simply good white wine with a feminine touch.
This wine offers aromas of wild berry, flowers, barrel notes and spice. The palate is lighter styled, backed by chalky tannins. The variety seems somewhat hard to find.
This wine offers aromatic notes of blueberry and barrel spices. It's smooth and easy-drinking, not offering much complexity but bringing plenty of appeal.
This wine offers assertive aromas of plum, mint and cherry, and on the palate, easygoing red berry and vanilla flavors. Tannins are smooth and the mouthfeel velvety. A friendly, tasty red with class. Pair with stew, grilled lamb, robust cheeses.
This wine offers astounding quality for the price, a juicy expression of fruit and spice with a depth of firm resolved tannin, lively acidity and layers of black cherry and cola. Approachable and delicious, it hits the mark on every level being light bodied and refreshingly balanced while complex.
This wine offers attractive brilliance and surprising aromatic intensity with harmonious notes of honey, stone fruit, fresh apricot and melon. It has a creamy, thick texture that underscores its great potential for food pairing.
This wine offers attractive citrus and yellow-fruit flavors. It is fresh, with a richer backdrop of perfumed fruit. The texture brings out the ripeness.
This wine offers attractive layers of green apple built around a lush palate of pear and tropical pineapple. Its richness is met by complementary structure, balance and a subdued construct of oak that supports without distraction.
This wine offers attractive vanilla and red-cherry aromas plus bright cherry flavors. It has a tangy texture due to crisp acidity and moderate tannins.
This wine offers baked flavors of red raspberry, black cherry and grapy plum. It finds its balance between juicy approachability and a swat of tannin that provides depth and body. It finishes ripe and with a suggestion of char.
This wine offers barnyard scents: saddle leather and silage, compost and herb. It's got the sort of aromas that are found in some biodynamic wines, smells of moist earth and what one winemaker calls the good funk. But it doesn't follow through in the mouth. It offers no depth and little weight, leaving an astringent, earthy impression. Maybe with time it will show more flesh.
This wine offers berries, black currants and just a hint of greenness. It has fruitiness and a dry structure, just not the weight of the vintage.
This wine offers big-shouldered notions of black cherry and damson plum, the fruit providing juicy succulence on the palate. Softly approachable tannins give it texture without distraction, while the entire experience is balanced in weight and body.
This wine offers billowy, bittersweet tannin and a flirtation of gunpowder, highlighted by a ripe, full-bodied midsection of black currant and tobacco leaf. It's well-balanced and flavorful, with a lingering finish.
This wine offers black cherry, chocolate and lavender aromas. It has a good mouthfeel, with blackberry, pomegranate, juniper and violet flavors set in a web of supple tannins that give way to dried Mediterranean herb notes on the finish.
This wine offers blackberry, raisin and spice aromas upfront, with a whiff of vanilla. The palate shows a dense black-cherry flavor, with accents of white pepper and Asian spice, all wrapped up in a velvety mouthfeel. Bright acidity gives this energy and keeps it lively.
This wine offers bright aromas of watermelon and cherry Jolly Ranger. It drinks dry with candied fruit flavors that show a pleasing sense of texture and richness.
This wine offers caramelized apple, seared pear, honeysuckle, a touch of buttercream and vanilla ice cream on the even, well-measured nose. The flavors lean more green but not underripe, with lime juice, green apple and green mango, offering some bitterness and an alkaline/iodine character.
This wine offers citrus—orange, grapefruit—and spice on the nose. On the palate, a sweeter array of apricot, tropical fruit and some lemon is buoyed by its minerality. A lusher style of Gewürtz that will pair well with spicy cuisine—think Indian curries.
This wine offers classic Napa Valley richness and fruit-forwardness, while also maintaining an underlying elegance of balance. Apple and honey star on the nose and palate, complementing each other, becoming more developed in the glass as they go.
This wine offers clean aromas of freshly-peeled clementine. Flavors of white peach, apricot, quince and a pleasing bouquet of flowers offer a nice interplay on the tongue, with smooth tannins that continue into the slightly chalky finish.
This wine offers clean, minerally aromas and a palate of honey and apples. Pair with poultry or fresh seafood. Not overly elegant, but a good wine from a great producer.
This wine offers clean, slightly dilute raspberry fruit, along with lovely aromatics and a persistent, engaging finish. In spite of the lightness, it holds your interest.
This wine offers concentration in spades, a toasty rich bevy of heavy, black fruit flavors that sit with purpose on the tongue. From a Green Valley-area vineyard the grapes hung long until profound ripeness, resulting in this big boy wine.
This wine offers dark coffee, green olive, savory notes and barrel spices. The flavors are lighter in style but with good concentration backed by firm, lipsmacking tannins.
This wine offers delicious acidity, crisp fruit and plenty of red berry flavors. It has a lively, perfumed aftertaste.
This wine offers drying aromas of dried hay or graham cracker that are very unusual for a dessert wine. In fact, they suggest an obvious pairing with dried biscuits or sponge cake. That said, the wine certainly has personality and offers a smooth, honey-like finish.
This wine offers earthy funkiness and simple coconut and red currant notes, its structure somewhat muted and one-dimensional.
This wine offers fragrances of vanilla, cherry and cherry cola. A fruity palate of cherry and black plums is backed by soft notes of vanilla and a core of satiny tannins.
This wine offers fresh lemon and a lightly creamy fruitiness. It is floral in character with attractive acidity. Fruity, with a crisp citrus tang at the end, it is ready to drink.
This wine offers fruit-forward aromas of raspberries, plum and cranberry. It drinks off dry (10g/L residual sugar) with abundant red fruit flavors and a light squeeze of tannins leading to herb flavors on the finish.
This wine offers good value in aromas full of violet perfume and a suggestion of cedar. Taste-wise it offers raspberry liqueur in a soft, understated package, and long, straightforward finish. A great go-to for mid-week meals and larger gatherings, it'll pair with versatility.
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.
This wine offers immediate appeal, opening with aromas of black olive, funk, flowers and moist earth. It does not disappoint, with soft fruit and savory flavors that coat the palate. Meaty flavors add to the enjoyment and the balance is spot on.
This wine offers impressive quality for the price, combining hints of toasted hazelnuts with white peaches and pineapple. It's medium-bodied and crisp, with refreshing, citrusy acids on the finish. Drink now–2020.
This wine offers intriguing notes of peach, mango and spice. It's lighter in style with just off-dry fruit flavors that linger.
This wine offers light medicinal aromas followed by red raspberry, cherry and woodspice. It's creamy in feel and richly flavorful, with smooth tannins and a finish that lingers.
This wine offers light pear, citrus, cream and lees aromas. The palate is broad and lightly creamy in feel, lacking only a bit of concentration.
This wine offers lively citrus and moderate acidity—a simple dry expression of the variety that refreshes. Stainless-steel fermented, it's been aged in both stainless and neutral Burgundy oak, adding complexity around the seasonings of lemongrass and ginger.
This wine offers lush aromas of orange blossom, rock, saline and pear, with a hint of richness that plays out like crème brûlée. Complex and layered, it remains light on its feet, with an undeniable streak of mineral and lime that lifts the finish.
This wine offers lychee, apple and pear on the nose and palate and is both fresh and floral. Mouthwatering with a lingering finish. Pair with grilled poultry, salads, fruit or Indian cuisine.
This wine offers more power and heat on the palate than would be expected given the listed alcohol by volume, a hammering of huge tannins holding the fruit hostage. An unpleasant fish-sauce aroma mars the nose.
This wine offers most things one wants in the variety, from an opening hit of cinnamon spice and toasted oak with an overlaying of juicy blackberry, licorice and mocha. Undoubtedly ripe and bold, it was aged in American oak for 20 months, only one-quarter of it new.
This wine offers nice balance between the ripe-fruit tones of pear and green-apple and the green, stemmy herb and grass notes. There are subtle smoke and spice accents that unfold on the finish, following a plush mouthfeel that's enlivened by bright citrus tones. Drink now.
This wine offers notes of black olive, sweet plum, confection and herbs. The flavors are lighter in style with gritty tannins.
This wine offers notes of Hershey's chocolate along with high-toned herbs and dried cherries. The cranberry and chocolate flavors are tart, puckering and full bodied with a firm squeeze of dry tannins and a cranberry-filled finish.
This wine offers notes of peach, honeysuckle and lime leaf. It's sweet and lightly spritzy in feel, with lavender flavors on the finish.
This wine offers notes of Red Hots, coffee, vanilla and herbs. Cherry and blackberry flavors are sweet and viscous in feel backed by dry tannins.
This wine offers notes of smoke, tire rubber and red currant that show a hint of confection. Flavors are sweet and elegant, with a dry squeeze of tannins.
This wine offers notes of sugared plum, herbs and tire rubber. It's lighter in style with plump, slightly sweet blackberry and cherry flavors with a wash of tannins.
This wine offers notes of toasted vanilla bean, herbs and red fruit. It's broad in feel while the fruit flavors are elegant in style, with the supple feel bringing much of the enjoyment.
This wine offers notes of vanilla, coconut, chocolate and cherry candy. It's richly flavored with a core of dark fruit backed by lightly grippy tannins.
This wine offers notes of woodspice, butterscotch, coffee and blackberry. The fruit flavors are lighter in style with mouthwatering acids and firm, grippy tannins that need some time or perhaps a big, juicy steak to tame them.
This wine offers perfumed aromas of clove, blue fruit, orange peel, toast and wild flowers. The flavors show restraint, with fruit and barrel flavors lingering on the finish.
This wine offers pleasing aromas of raspberry, coffee bean and butterscotch. It is easy on entry, with flavors of cherry, cranberry, toffee, mocha and mint. Soft tannins glide over the palate into the almond-toffee finish.
This wine offers pure fruit flavors of crisp lemon, ripe apricots and apples, all nourished by carefully judged wood that gives a touch of toast. A strong mineral element gives the wine tight texture. As it develops, this will become a well-balanced wine. Drink from 2018.
This wine offers quality that over-delivers on its comparatively modest price. Aromas are perfumed in rose and lavender before opening up a zingy palate of black fruit and bacon.
This wine offers red berry fruits, the softest tannins and texture and an earthy, rustic aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine offers rich red fruit, oak and smoke around a soft texture and fading finish. A pronounced sweetness hits mid-palate after the smoky oak that makes it seem higher in alcohol than is stated.
This wine offers ripe yellow fruits and soft acidity. A honeyed character adds to the richness and generous character of this warm wine that is lightly cut by acidity at the end.
This wine offers scents of peppered meat and ripe blackberries, then adds hints of black olive and licorice to the mix on the palate. It's concentrated and full bodied, with a richly textured, lingering finish. Drink now–2025.
This wine offers simple richness around a full-bodied frame, dotted in well-defined flavors of golden apple and white flower. Honey and toasted oak provide added concentration and texture in this tiny production wine from a small producer.
This wine offers soft structure and rich, dark blue fruit, revealing its addition of 4% Malbec. Vanilla and cinnamon notes accent the juicy fruitiness.
This wine offers soft, malleable red berry, vanilla and marshmallow flavors, making for a ripe, perceptibly sweet experience. Full bodied and densely packed in mellow tannin and oak, it includes a notable hint of peppercorn, and will go well with something similarly appointed, like pepper steak.
This wine offers some meaty fruit flavors that gather round the midpalate and hold there; a big bundle of berries, cherries and plums, annotated with cinnamon and spice. There's even a hint of mint, and the slightest suggestion of fresh cilantro; the only off-note is a little gluey flavor in the finish.
This wine offers some remarkable value for the quality, from a good appellation to boot. Plum and cassis form around smoothly layered tannins and subtle oak, finishing in a seductive wave of black pepper and graphite.
This wine offers touches of tropical fruits as well as a crisper edge of citrus and herbal flavors. It is a lightly textured, tangy and very fresh 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now.
This wine offers tropical fruit against a background of intense acidity. That makes it fruity, ripe with a tight structure that gives delicious lift and freshness. Drink now.
This wine offers very ripe and vivid fruit in the aromas and the flavors, like blackberries and dark plums picked when they're just beginning to shrivel. The texture is broad and the body full, but the tannins and acidity feel low, so the wine's personality is both big and soft.
This wine offers very ripe fruit that gives an almost-sweet character to what should be a dry wine. There is acidity that helps. Drink now.
This wine offers very yellow aromas of stewed lemons, pound cake, egg flour, peach blossom, ambrosia melon and even a shy bit of hazelnut on the nose. The fascinating palate shows orange sponge cake, acacia flower, dried papaya, stone fruits and a pithy minerality. Scents and flavors are altogether mysterious yet delicious.
This wine oozes ripe lush flavors of boysenberry jam, milk chocolate and strawberry. It's very deep in color, has some tannins for added texture but is pretty smooth overall and seems to turn sweet on the finish.
This wine opens in a combination of herbal mint and brown sugar, ultimately smacking the palate with a big, bold presence that's hyper-ripe. The size is significant and in need of equally bold, brawny and spicy food.
This wine opens in a curious mix of cucumber and mint, herbal and inviting in its unexpected charms. Tart cherry, raspberry and black tea contribute further flavor atop a light texture of still-developing concentration and ripe fruit.
This wine opens in a depth of compostable earth and leathery smoke, unleashing a bold, big-boned body of tannin and oaky weight as it expands on the palate. Juicy, it releases aromas of violets within the more robust waves of flavor.
This wine opens in a flurry of pungent apple blossom and orange zest aromas. On the palate, it shows a zesty fullness of apple, Meyer lemon and lemongrass flavor, complemented by competing notions of stony minerality and lush creaminess on the finish.
This wine opens in a reduced way, with plenty of barrel influence apparent. It develops in the glass into a mix of chalky tannin and red and blue fruit, with accents of black licorice and white chocolate. Aged in new French, American and European oak, it has a tannic finish that should benefit with time. Drink now through 2021.
This wine opens in candied ginger and orange peel, invitingly light in color and weight, with elegance at its core. Silky texture wraps around plum, sage and that classic notion of forest floor.
This wine opens in classically delicate characteristics of clove and cedar, as expressive as a forest floor. It then unveils a combination of red and black plum deftly sifted through soft layers of integrated oak and tannin.
This wine opens pleasantly with floral scents over tangy citrus fruit, especially lime. It's tart and juicy, but it seems to close down in the back, and there is an impression of light toast, unexpected in a Viognier.
This wine opens softly, with faint aromas of lemon-lime citrus and lean green fruit. The medium-weight palate offers a bit more concentration in green plum and lime tones, finishing pithy and somewhat bitter.
This wine opens sweet, smelling of lemon and grapefruit, and is appropriately creamy in mouthfeel, with a sliver of sweetness on the finish.
This wine opens with a candied, grapy, almost baked plum kind of ripeness that's fruity, approachable and likable. It benefits from a bite of muscled tannin that is tamed on the finish. Oak aging took place for 22 months in French barrels.
This wine opens with a confectionary nose, slowly unleashing its thick, concentrated richness of dark cherry and cassis on the palate. Between the layers are grippy tannins and shakes of meaty leather and black pepper. This could stand some time in a decanter or swirling in the glass before enjoying.
This wine opens with a curious aroma of fried foods, like hashed browns from a diner, before finding its sense of black fruit, mild spice and leather. Dry and somewhat puckering on the palate, it's full bodied and powerfully concentrated.
This wine opens with a curious waft of pastry-like vanilla cream underneath cherry tart and a squeeze of citrus. Oaky on the back palate it struggles to find itself in the glass, the fruit trying to make its way through the thickness of tannin. Letting the wine air a bit should help.
This wine opens with a full Zin-like nose, all pepper and plum with traces of blackberry and though it's a touch oaky the wine's easy to drink with soft, ripe tannins. A blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Merlot.
This wine opens with a lovely fragrance of violet, iris, wild berry, licorice and a whiff of leather. The smooth palate doles out ripe wild cherry, cinnamon, clove, white pepper, tobacco and anise. It's impeccably balanced, with glossy tannins and fresh acidity. Already drinking beautifully, it will also age well for several years.
This wine opens with a perfumed nose of lavender and geranium. Wafts of blueberry, raspberry and red plum abound and carry through to the palate, which is also quite floral. Nicely balanced, easy to enjoy, the finish is smooth and flavorful but doesn't last long.
This wine opens with a pretty fragrance of blue flower, black fruit and spice. The juicy palate is one dimensional but delicious, offering ripe black cherry and blackberry layered with milk chocolate. It's extremely accessible so enjoy soon.
This wine opens with a rich nose of graham cracker and a concentrated midpalate, which becomes full bodied and toasty in oak. Around a gravelly texture are flavors of green olive, brine and baked pear, a mix of savory and sweet that finishes with a dash of nutmeg.
This wine opens with a stemmy aromas and remains basic in the glass, with a sweet ending.
This wine opens with a strong aroma of oak and vanilla-toffee-caramel. The plethora of richness gives way to tropical pineapple and ripe, baked apple, revealing a spear of minerality just in time to keep the decadence from getting messy.
This wine opens with a strong herbaceous character, as scents of forest floor and menthol accent the red plum and cherry core. Fine tannins and medium weight make this an accessible wine now, with hints of black pepper and licorice spice that develop on the finish.
This wine opens with a touch of fleshy ripeness. The palate is expansive, brimming with fresh red berry notes. Light in body, it finishes with uplifting lemon.
This wine opens with a touch of reductive qualities on the nose, allowing the oak to speak loudest. Soon, dark berry and cherry make their presence better felt, with the oak taking a lesser role and the soft, integrated tannins coating the palate in this light-bodied, unfussy effort.
This wine opens with an assertively spiced bouquet of gingered white-peach tea, orange blossom, honeysuckle and toasted almond. The palate offers more fruity character in flavors of ripe stone fruit and citrus, but it's still dominated by spicy notes of ginger, clove, anise and honeycomb. Drink now.
This wine opens with an explosion of Granny Smith apples underlined by firm minerality. The honeyed palate shows nice grapefruit and lemon character. Medium, citrus finish. Best now, but will gain complexity over three to four years.
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.
This wine opens with animal and farmyard aromas that aren't unpleasant and which burn off in the glass to reveal mature black fruit and leather. The sweet palate offers fleshy, almost overripe blackberry, black cherry, cinnamon-spice and balsamic herbs. It finishes on an astringent note of wood tannins.
This wine opens with aromas of apricot and pear. The flavors coat the palate while showing a lot of restraint and exquisite balance.
This wine opens with aromas of baked plum, leather, underbrush, grilled herb and a toasted note. The ripe, chewy palate offers raspberry jam, fleshy black cherry, licorice and a hint of vanilla alongside solid tannins. Drink through 2020.
This wine opens with aromas of beeswax, white flower, acacia, lemon drop and smoky mineral. The savory palate delivers lemon zest, grapefruit and yellow peach accented with thyme, rosemary and mineral.
This wine opens with aromas of black plum, grilled bell peppers, cedar and spice. The dense palate offers black cherry, espresso, chocolate and black pepper alongside firm but fleeting tannins.
This wine opens with aromas of blue flower, mature black fruit, vanilla, cake spices and toasted sensations. The dense palate delivers ripe red cherry, vanilla, plum, oak and bracing tannins. It lacks freshness and essential energy, so enjoy over the next few years.
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.
This wine opens with aromas of citrus, grapefruit and stone fruit. The palate offers yellow peach and mineral alongside sharp acidity. It has a bitter, nutty finish.
This wine opens with aromas of earthy funk, steak tartare, potpourri, pepper and earth, showing outrageously minerality. The flavors are dense and textured, leaning hard into the savory with abundant flower and fire pit notes that linger effortlessly. It's a very cerebral wine but with no shortage of hedonism.
This wine opens with aromas of forest berry, sour cherry and white almond. The finish is tangy, fruity and fresh, with bright acidity and crisp fruit.
This wine opens with aromas of green herb, purple fruit, orange peel and wood spice. The palate brings sweet but tart cranberry and cherry flavors that possess a velvety feel. It's an intriguing example of the variety.
This wine opens with aromas of leafy underbrush, meat juices and stewed prunes. The palate initially reveals rich black plum combined with extremely sweet sensations of cherry syrup. But the fruit doesn't stand up to the assertive and astringent tannins that generate a hollow midpalate and an abrupt, bitter finish.
This wine opens with aromas of leather, old spice and candied fruit that seem past their prime. There's a sour note on the finish.
This wine opens with aromas of lemon zest, grapefruit and an unusual sensation of Band-Aids that carries over to the palate, along with ripe apples and tropical fruit. It closes on a medicinal note.
This wine opens with aromas of oak, butterscotch and dill that carry over to the palate alongside flavors of vanilla, lemon zest and apricot. This would be a nice alternative for fans of oaked Chardonnay.
This wine opens with aromas of overripe black fruit, coffee, oak and hints of balsamic herbs. The palate, however, is rather tired; most of the fruit has dried up, leaving oak, espresso and alcohol sensations that finish abruptly.
This wine opens with aromas of prune, plum, blackberry and graphite. The palate offers raw red cherry, raspberry and a light touch of mineral alongside fresh acidity and drying tannins.
This wine opens with aromas of sawdust, oak, tire rubber, coffee and mature black fruit. The palate is also dominated by wood sensations, offering oak extract, roasted coffee bean, vanilla and espresso that smother the hints of ripe black plum that peek through.
This wine opens with aromas of toast, black berries, espresso, balsamic herbs and black spices. The extracted palate offers up ripe black cherry, chocolate, coffee and licorice alongside bracing, drying tannins.
This wine opens with aromas of toasted oak, butterscotch and vanilla. The palate delivers toast, oak extract and mineral, but it lacks fruit richness to fully balance the dominant wood. It ends on a bitter coffee bean note.
This wine opens with aromas of ultraripe grapes, despite the relatively moderate listed alcohol. Baking spices, Christmas cake, plum pastry and almost Port-like flavors (without the alcoholic heat) suggest that very ripe grapes were included in the the mix of fruit. Drink up.
This wine opens with aromas of vanilla and baking spices that are followed by broad, silky-feeling fruit and barrel flavors, finishing on a somewhat bitter note. The oak holds a prominent role but still plays its part well.
This wine opens with aromas of woodland berries, forest floor and spice with hints of menthol. The ripe, low-acid palate delivers fleshy black cherry accented with thyme, sage and a hint of licorice alongside tight tannins. Drink 2015–2019. Vinity Wine, Artisan Wines.
This wine opens with aromas that recall burned tire rubber, asphalt, coffee bean and eucalyptus. The palate offers jumbled sensations of sweet, mature plum, blackberry and powdered sage alongside green, astringent tannins that generate a bitter close.
This wine opens with big, full-bodied and extracted flavors, highlighted by black cherry, smoked meat and clove. Blended with 4% Merlot, it exudes textural complexity and velvety lushness, with length and breadth to spare. Within its fountain of power exists a strong sense of grace, accented by aromas of wild violet and forested earth.
This wine opens with brooding aromas of green olives, capers and smoked meat, along with an herbal lift. The flavors show concentration and richness, mixing fruit, herb and savory flavors in equal parts. It finishes a tad warm.
This wine opens with delicate scents of red currant, spiced cherry and tart currant. Light tannins and slightly astringent red-cherry flavors unfold on the palate, finishing short but clean.
This wine opens with forest fruit, chopped herb and fresh almond-blossom notes. The finish feels full and silky.
This wine opens with freshly peeled mandarin segments and notes of white blossom. The palate is soft, subtle in its flavors and full of appetizing and fruity juiciness. The Riesling backbone of zestiness makes itself felt on the clean, long and citrusy finish.
This wine opens with full-bodied, rich aromas of caramel-laced apple pie before taking on fresh lightness on the palate defined by floral apple blossom, guava and mango, the midpalate maintaining crisp acidity. The finish is lengthy in butterscotch.
This wine opens with funky aromas of earth, wet leaf, black raspberry, vanilla and hints of farmyard and tire rubber. The tight palate offers tart cherry, cocoa, vanilla, espresso and oak alongside drying tannins.
This wine opens with funky aromas of tire rubber and nail polish remover that carry over to the palate along with toast and expresso notes. It lacks fruit richness and has a green, bitter finish.
This wine opens with intense aromas of smoked bacon, leather, black fruit and prune. Dry, wood-derived tannins appear on the finish, and, overall, the wine is more spicy and savory than it is fruity.
This wine opens with intense floral aromas that recall room freshener and cold cream. The dense palate offers exotic fruit and flavors that suggest canned peaches alongside a hint of clove. It has a bitter, nutty finish.
This wine opens with just a touch of reduction followed by quite pure aromas of red and blue fruit. The flavors are sweet and fresh, with the tannins bringing a light grip.
This wine opens with mature black plum, blue flower and cooking spice aromas. The juicy, easy-drinking palate delivers ripe blackberry and blueberry jam flavors, with a hint of pink peppercorn. Velvety tannins provide smooth support. Enjoy through 2020.
This wine opens with mineral aromas and a whiff of oak. The lean palate offers restrained sensations of apple, lemon zest, slate and a hint of vanilla, but the fruit is dried up.
This wine opens with nondescript aromas of oak, espresso, coffee and plum. The low-acid, one-dimensional palate offers black cherry, oak extract, and sweet, almost sugary vanilla and butterscotch alongside evident alcohol and soft, fleeting tannins. It lacks energy and intensity, so drink soon.
This wine opens with notes of cedar, toast, black olive and smoke, with the Syrah showing prominently. The palate is quite restrained in style, with tart acids framing the fruit and savory flavors nicely. Floral and orange peel flavors round out the finish.
This wine opens with pleasing cocoa, dark raspberry and graphite aromas. The palate offers medium-bodied, tart fruit flavors cinched with tannin. A big, bold interpretation of Merlot.
This wine opens with potential that is realized as it develops in the glass. It starts powerfully grippy and closed, then earthy loam and dried herb emerge aromatically before bites of black cherry and pomegranate tease the palate.
This wine opens with red apple peel and citrus aromas that also play on the fresh, light and zippy palate, made livelier by slight spritz. It's dry, refreshing and light, with lots of red apple fruit.
This wine opens with red berry, spice and spearmint aromas. The dense palate is surprisingly sweet, with sugary black plum alongside drying, rough, wood tannins.
This wine opens with ripe aromas of black plum and boysenberry fruit, accented by hints of licorice root and menthol. The fruity core continues to shine on the smooth, round palate, alongside accents of purple violet, black tea and oak-driven spice that linger through the close.
This wine opens with ripe berry tones and light touches of moist earth and dried beef. It's simple but clean, and finishes with a bright cherry accent.
This wine opens with sensations of yellow spring flowers and a whiff of citrus. The linear palate offers lemon zest and tart apple flavors, framed by racy acidity. Siena Imports, L'Amore di Vino.
This wine opens with slightly rustic, leafy aromas that blow off in the glass to reveal mature black fruit and spice. The soft palate offers up ripe black cherry, blackberry and cinnamon. It's round and ready so enjoy soon.
This wine opens with spicy cinnamon and clove aromas before diving into soft, dark fruit, mellowed tannins and oak. It's brooding and zippy at the same time, and on the balanced finish, it's all mocha.
This wine opens with stewed plum, used leather, vanilla and coconut aromas. The palate is evolved, offering prune, espresso and sage flavors, with close-grained tannins that leave an astringent finish.
This wine opens with subdued floral and citrus aromas that carry over to the palate alongside evident oak sensations and lime. While it boasts racy acidity, the fruit is already starting to fade.
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.
This wine opens with tertiary aromas of damp earth and mineral, along with notes of brown-banana peel and beeswax. The palate shows a loss of fruit richness and oxidation.
This wine opens with the fresh liveliness of stemmy earth and black tea notes, growing funkier and more herbal on the midpalate. Brightly layered and deeply flavored, it's a full-bodied rendition that remains true to its variety.
This wine opens with toasted nut, dried herb and citrus zest aromas. On the linear, lean palate, thyme and mineral notes back up yellow apple flavors, with lively acidity. It closes on a bitter almond note.
This 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.
This wine opens with very flinty aromas of struck graphite and pencil shavings, with touches of fermenting orange and cranberry. It's light in weight but darkly flavored on the palate, with slate and clove spice.
This wine over-delivers a mouthful of juicy quality vis-a-vis price, combining Cab with smaller dabs of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Savory blackberry and cassis lift the fruitiness, seasoned in savory tones of black tea and cranberry that give it an edge. Fleshy and smooth, it's a good wine to stock up on.
This wine over-delivers in quality for the price. It's made from mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with handfuls of Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc blended in to good effect. The whole combines into layers of chocolate and graham cracker, dappled in vanilla and jam. Thick tannins suggest a swirl or two of the glass. The finish is all tobacco.
This wine packs a big wallop of superripe flavors, so it doesn't taste as petite as its name. Aromas like raisins and rhubarb lead to deep, overripe fruit flavors recalling prunes and dried cherries. An overall feeling of full body persists, but without much tannin to support it.
This wine packs a playful nose, with strawberry, plum blossoms, crushed cloves, cedar and a touch of vanilla proving quite inviting. The palate is light, ripe and drinkable, if not very complex, with flavors of strawberry jam, licorice and milk chocolate.
This wine packs a punch and overdelivers quality for the price. This is a crowd-pleaser in its lush, soft and fruity combination of grilled meat, bacon and smoky tannin. Those big bold elements are complemented by plenty of black-cherry jam.
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.
This wine pairs toasty, buttery, fresh bread aromas with ripe fig, cream and almond flavors. It's medium to full bodied, rich and viscous, keeping the luxurious flavors flowing over the palate and the toasted bread and almond notes echoing on the finish.
This wine plays at the edges of ripeness, providing well-structured citrus and spice atop layered acidity. Aromas of salted caramel give it an additional intrigue before a lean, fresh finish.
This wine plays close to the edge of overripe-ness, becoming baked and syrupy-rich in cranberry sauce and clove. Nutmeg spice help pique the palate before the high-octane finish.
This wine plays out broadly across the palate, showing tart berries and espresso components, along with a whiff of asparagus. The fruit is somewhat thin and front-loaded, with barrel flavors of toast and cigar box masking some—not all—of the herbaceousness.
This wine plays to the variety's savory side, with aromas of smoke, raw meat and generous amounts of black pepper. It's full bodied, with mesquite and spice flavors that linger.
This wine plays tricks on the palate, tasting much lighter in body than its alcohol suggests. Layered with red fruit along with a lift of herb, it is structured and composed, with a long, lingering finish. This is a good one to stock up on if you love big Zin with a smaller footprint.
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.
This wine pops with aromas of blue and black fruit, vanilla, orange peel and cocoa. The palate is full of restrained, supple-feeling cranberry and cherry flavors that draw out on the finish.
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.
This wine possesses a dense core of concentrated raspberry fruit on the nose, but not in a jammy way, further entertained by fluffier rose petals, cherry blossoms and a drizzle of vanilla syrup. The high-toned, vibrant palate is also rich in restrained sour raspberry fruit, spiced with a clove cream, making the mouth sing.
This wine presents an interesting mix of herbal, citrus and stone-fruit components. Lemon pepper and grapefruit, with a touch of Satsuma orange, all stand out. A slick lick of caramel carries on the finish.
This wine presents an intriguing blend of ripe tomato, dried herbs and Dutch cocoa on the nose, then follows that up with plenty of weight and richness on the palate. It's a savory rather than fruity version of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with a long, finely textured finish. Ready to drink now.
This wine presents an intriguing mix of green, nearly vegetal, aromas and tropical and stone fruit. It's plump and mouthfilling, then finishes on a ripe, honeyed note. Drink now.
This wine presents an old-fashioned style, marked by hard, numbing tannins that frame ripe flavors of blackberries, licorice, cherries, mocha and black currants. Hard to tell where it's going beyond the next six years, but give it a proper decanting and drink with roasted or grilled meats.
This wine presents an unusual aroma profile with notes of dough and cheese overlaying a base of mineral and lime. The palate is simple and austere with a short finish redolent of peaches. Overall, a bit disappointing for a Grand Cru.
This wine presents aromas of flowers and purple fruit that are almost animalistic in nature. The palate boasts bright acidity and firm but far from inaccessible tannins. It's the purity, however, that most impresses.
This wine presents as elegant and remarkably earthy, laced in a distinct tartness of cranberry and citrus. Lighter styled, it is integrated in tannin and oak, allowing for a smooth texture.
This wine presents itself full-bodied and big in style, with an inkling of red plum and cherry fighting for attention against a tide of rounded concentration and darker, smokier tinges of cigar and chocolate.
This wine presents itself initially as having a bold, big body, yet is actually light on its feet as it opens, revealing aromas of cherry liqueur, rhubarb joined with a funk of black licorice and sassafras.
This wine presents oxidized aromas of caramel and butterscotch, followed by apricot and pear notes. A touch of bitterness appears on the finish.
This wine proclaims itself with forward and nicely integrated aromas of black currants, lavender and toasty oak. The wine displays a great deal of finesse, and the mouthfeel is velvety and rich, with dried cherry and anise flavors that extend through the spicy, long and even finish. A very impressive red with some tannins to lose, this is one Minervois that's capable—and worthy—of aging.
This wine produced from vines on the Corton hill is dense and dark, with great power and concentration. Its rich, dark fruit is paired with intense, juicy acidity, ensuring slow development over many years. Drink from 2025.
This wine provides aromas of iron, red currant, cranberry and herb, along with a rubbing alcohol note that provides a bit of distraction. It's reserved but flavorful, with fruit and savory notes lingering on the tart, extended finish.
This wine provides immediate appeal with its aromas of citrus peel, starfruit, mineral and apricot, with tropical notes lurking in the background. It's fleshy in feel with a tart zing of acid that stitches it all together.
This wine provides plenty of aromatic intrigue, with notes of wet stone, black pepper and umami. The savory and citrus flavors are quite restrained, showing a lot of elegance.
This wine provides plenty of drinking pleasure for a moderate tariff. Smoke, toast and vanilla aromas speak to barrel fermentation and aging, while the apple, pear, pineapple and citrus flavors show off top-notch fruit. It's all put together in a balanced, medium-weight package that finishes clean and fresh.
This wine pulls everything together for great enjoyment: vivid, fresh fruit aromas and a dash of oak spice, deep and layered fruit flavors like ripe but tangy black cherries, and a powerful but soothing texture that carries along all those flavor impressions through a long finish. Best now through 2020.
This wine pulls it all together for a full-bodied, full-flavored and well-balanced taste experience. It smells like fresh-cut oak in a good way, tastes ripe and fruity, yet at the same time is somewhat tart and dry like cranberry juice. It's rich, well made and could even improve through 2020.
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.
This wine pumps up the jammy fruit flavors of the grape variety. It packs in the typical thick but fine tannins, and also contributes spicy complexities like cardamom and black pepper that lend it an extra dimension. The oak flavors seem very intense but there is so much grapy richness that the wine remains powerfully balanced. Drink now through 2020.
This wine pushes the envelope on concentration and ripeness. It's full of prune, raisin and licorice on the nose, but also a lot of weight. It's quite jammy and soft by Priorat standards, as intense blackberry and molten fudge flavors take over. Chewy, warm and ready to drink.
This wine pushes the envelope on ripeness, not unusual for the variety. Toasted oak and black-cherry jam make up the majority of the experience, riding a supple wave of soft tannin and concentrated power.
This wine pushes the limits of what is commonly thought of as California Chardonnay. It's refreshingly brisk in light, citrusy quince and razor-sharp minerality. Vibrant, it showcases the site well, coaxing crystal clarity to complex layers of ginger-specked apple and pear.
This wine pushes the notion of low alcohol, giving soft and subtle an extreme definition. As such, it will not please everyone. Earthy spice and an exotic notion of orange blossom dance around a light, clear body and high-toned minerality. It hails from a foggy, shaded vineyard in Freestone.
This wine puts jammy aromas, very ripe flavors, full body and deep, dark fruit flavors on a broad, soft texture.
This wine puts the floral aspects of the varietal front and center. Rose petal and flower-soap aromas lead onto the palate that bears similar flavors and a hint of residual sugar. It shows nice concentration.
This wine really benefits from the delicious ripe fruit of the vintage. So broad, rich red-berry flavors give the wine a generous character with just the right amount of the balanced acidity. The wine is full, fruity and ready to drink.
This wine really captures the personality of the grape variety. Aromas are smoky, meaty and a touch earthy, while the flavors combine black pepper, dark chocolate and roasted fruit. It's an adventure in a bottle.
This wine really opens a fascinating window on the aging potential of Barbera. From the 2004 vintage, it still exhibits elegant mineral notes with polished granite and slate. There's plenty of fruit there too, mostly cherry, and the wine ends with vanilla and spice.
This wine really shows the wild herb side of Central Otago terroir, offering intriguing hints of thyme, rosemary and mint on the nose. There's also plenty of ripe cherry fruit, silky tannins and a long finish. Drink now–2020.
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.
This wine reeks of intensity, from its powerful aromas of musk and dried pineapple to its somewhat monolithic honeyed fruit flavors and enormous sugar levels. It's impressively concentrated—enough to stand up to almost any dessert you choose to throw at it.
This wine reflects a fruity, young and fresh style. It's packed with bright red fruits; a soft texture hints at minerality and great acidity. It's made to be drunk young, without any wood aging, so drink now and until 2017.
This wine reflects both the challenge and some of the enjoyment of the cool 2011 vintage in Washington. Aromas of green herbs intermingle with barrel spices. It's elegantly styled with abundant vanilla, coffee and cherry flavors.
This wine reflects many of the refinements that have crept into New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc over recent years. There's just a hint of sweatiness, not out-of-control thiols, and the texture is silky, giving a rich feel without requiring high alcohol levels. Gooseberries and pink grapefruit round to the flavor profile, ending on a clean, refreshing note.
This wine reflects the difficulties of the 2009 vintage. It open with aromas of toasted oak and espresso that carry over to the palate along with restrained black berries, menthol and drying tannins. The fruit richness is already fading, giving this wine a lean, unbalanced character.
This wine reflects the difficulty of the cool, wet 2014 vintage. It's lean and diluted, with medicinal sensations that recall adhesive bandage and mineral.
This wine reflects the fresh, cool character of Lisboa, with its ocean influence. A tangy, steely edge brings out a mineral character to top up the crisp citrus and apple fruitiness. The wine needs until 2016.
This wine reflects the ripeness of the vintage while still retaining crisp minerality. Creamed apples are balanced with a tangy texture and soft acidity. The wine finishes with a crisp aftertaste that gives a great lift. Drink the wine now.
This wine remains a benchmark for the Vinho Verde region, even though the producers have now recast it as a Minho wine. It is steely, tight and crisp, with a touch of creaminess that gives it a more rounded aftertaste. Drink now through 2015.
This wine remains astringent in tannins, with a lockded-down mouthfeel that's hard to get past. But it's very rich in blackberry and cherry fruit. Is it worth aging? It's hard to tell if 10 years will be of benefit, but the tannins seem likely to outlast the fruit. Drink up over the next 5–6 years.
This wine reminds one of salty apple pie, with big, drying oak and a whiff of potpourri. Given nine months in 25% new French oak, it holds on to that toasty taste through the finish, with a sprinkling of bitter lemon.
This wine represents an excellent value, and one that showcases the quality potential of Langhorne Creek. It's creamy in texture, voluptuous in feel and full in body, with a bold flavor of red currant that's framed by ample cedar and vanilla notes. Long and creamy on the finish. Drink now–2018.
This wine required considerable aeration before it began opening up. Once there, the airy pretty fruit flavors emerged, a mix of Bing cherries and a dusting of malt powder. It's got a buoyant midpalate and a pleasing streak of orange Creamsicle.
This wine requires decanting, as it seems to have entered a dumb phase. But there is clearly a good core of blackberry and black cherry fruit, lightly dusted with fresh herb.
This wine resembles Zinfandel, although it's drier and smoother in the mouth, with a silky texture. Nonetheless, it has robust flavors of wild, dried dark fruits and berries, sprinkled with cocoa and black pepper. It's a nice wine to drink now with everything from roast ham to grilled chicken.
This wine reveals the intense acidity of the 2007 vintage, while managing to balance that juiciness with solid tannins. With its acidity, it can age for over 3–4 years.
This wine rewards in full-bodied weight and lushness, its color additionally dark and brooding thanks to the addition of 11% Petit Verdot. Compost tea and a sanguine, meaty character combine forces against pillowy tannin and a length and breadth of complexity, finishing in pomegranate and cassis. Drink now through 2020.
This wine rises up from the glass with an earthy funk, dried herbs, black pepper, cherry, smoke and mineral, showing complexities and detail. The palate is restrained yet rich, with savory flavors that linger.
This wine runs the gamut of crisp, mineral flavors. It is tight, driven by green flavors and acidity, with just a touch of vanilla. As befits a Petit Chablis, there is lightness rather than weight, but it makes a delicious aperitif style of wine.
This wine saw no oak barrel aging, but it's so rich and satisfyingly clean, it's probably better off not being weighed down by caramel and buttered toast. Brimming with brisk acidity, it shows brilliantly pure citrus fruit, tart gooseberry, Asian pear, green apple, mineral and white pepper flavors. The vineyard is in Green Valley.
This wine seemed better a vintage or two ago. Fortunately, it's still a nice easy-drinking Shiraz with grape and blackberry fruit, some dried spices and a hint of black pepper. —J.C.
This wine seems a bit confected and simple, combining ripe stone fruit with lemon zest to achieve a sense of balance. Short on the finish.
This wine seems a bit locked up at present, with aromas of garden herbs, plum and spice. The flavors show more generosity, with abundant cherry flavors backed by grainy, slightly astringent tannins.
This wine seems a bit muddled, with aromas of cranberries, dried herbs, vanilla, cashews and barrel spices struggling to get to the surface. The palate is medium bodied with tart fruit flavors and blocky tannins, with the concentration not seeming to all be there.
This wine seems a bit reduced right out of the bottle. Give it plenty of oxygen, and light blueberry fruit flavors emerge. The aging in 60% new French oak brings in a lot of barrel flavors that seem mismatched with the light fruit.
This wine seems a bit stretched—it has been pushed to its limits, and perhaps beyond. The flavors are complex, and dance up against the borders of over-ripeness, with prune, smoke, balsamic, tar and earth all in evidence. Right now this is a fascinating bottle, but it may or may not age.
This wine seems advanced for its years with aromas of medicine cabinet and woodspice. The cranberry flavors are tart and soft, seeming somewhat diluted with medicinal flavors on the finish.
This wine seems barely ripe, with thin, herbal, almost vegetal flavors and a sour streak. The barrel aging may have contributed some suggestions of vanilla and licorice.
This wine seems broad across the palate, but not quite as deep as some Condrieus. The fruit is understated, resembling gently toasted marshmallow and maybe a touch of baked pineapple, rather than flamboyant apricot and spice. Plan on serving it with fish or chicken rather than something rich or extravagant.
This wine seems disjointed at present with notes of green herbs, leather, cherry and orange peel. The cherry flavors have good density and richness along with tart acidity but the dry, scratchy tannins distract. Give it extended time in the bottle or a very long decant.
This wine seems disjointed from the initial aromas through the finish. Its perfume, lemon polish and other mismatched components don't indicate any improvement ahead.
This wine seems fruity, sweet and pure, with wonderfully bracing acidity and gentle tannins. The mouthfeel is light and graceful. Its notes of raspberry and smoky oak make it amazingly drinkable.
This wine seems fully mature. Caramel, dried fruit, scorched earth and underbrush notes are backed by tart acids, yet this Pinot still comes across as attractive enough for casual drinking.
This wine seems overtaken with scents and flavors of tree tar and resin. The impression of pine resin cuts out the fruit, leaving some woody flavors in the finish.
This wine seems quite evolved for its age, with aromas of leather and dried cranberry. It's light bodied with gritty tannins.
This wine seems quite reduced out of the gate, delivering aromas that prove distracting. The palate shows more depth with an array of pleasing dark fruit flavors.
This wine seems rather unfocused with indistinct tannins and fruit. There is a soapy texture, and the red berry fruits seem awash with acidity.
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.
This wine seems soft and silky on the surface, but boasts a sinewy structure that should enable it to age well through 2025. Floral and cedar notes add nuance to the black cherries on the nose, while the flavors include hints of cola and herbal tea that linger on the finish.
This wine seems strained, with a nose that's outright lemony and pinched. The palate is surprisingly thick feeling, with a herbal plum flavor and a weedy finish.
This wine seems sweet and refreshing, with juicy flavors of orange, apricot and peach, leading to a spicy finish. It's polished and drinks well now; try it with Asian fare.
This wine seems sweet, with apricot, orange, lemongrass and vanilla flavors. A good blast of acidity provides balance.
This wine seems thin and rather tight. It has as much acidity as it does fruit, and a dry tannic structure. Not a wine for aging.
This wine seems to be a casualty of the cold vintage, with thin fruit and overall earthy flavors. A whiff of barnyard is evident as well.
This wine seems to be quickly maturing. Scents of rose petals and cherries carry over into similar flavors, punctuated with a light dusting of cocoa powder. There's ample acidity, and the wine is completely ready for near-term drinking.
This wine seems to have a bit of everything. Lovely aromas of fresh cut grass mix with pear and melon on the nose while the palate offers some nice minerality and ends on a lingering peach note. Drink now to two years.
This wine seems to have just barely ripened in this vintage, but is very well made and interesting. The tart, waxy red fruit has a vein of pine resin threading around rhubarb and sour berry. Firm and focused, it will work best with poultry in an herbal preparation.
This wine seems to reach out to the mainstream: flavors and aromas of sweet vanilla, cinnamon toast and brown sugar are met with lightweight red fruit, a soft balance and just a touch of white pepper. Inoffensive on all counts, but lacks the depth needed to set it apart.
This wine seems to show a bit of oxygen exposure, which distracts from its aromas of orange peel and flower. It's a shame as it is flavorful and varietal, with floral notes persisting on the finish.
This wine seems to show some of the effects of the cool 2010 growing season, where ripeness and botrytis presented issues in some areas. Notes of tobacco, ash and orange peel surround a sweet cherry core accented by grainy tannins.
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.
This wine seems unripe, and while it's nicely dry and crisp, it has an aggressive aroma and flavor of tart lime.
This wine sees less new oak than many top-of-the-line Shiraz (30%), so it showcases mulberry and black cherry fruit. Sure, there's a hint of vanilla, but the oak plays a suitably supporting role, while the ripe fruit tannins are rich and velvety on the midpalate, then firm up a bit on the finish. Drink 2018–2030.
This wine sees only 10–15% new oak, which allows the gritty peach and tangerine fruit flavors to shine through, dressed up by hints of toasted hazelnuts. White peaches and a powdered talc texture give the impression of richness without excess weight. Finishes long, with notes of mineral and citrus.
This wine shines with notes of smoked meat, mineral, dark coffee and earthy funk. The flavors are dense, rich and voluptuous, while retaining an exquisite sense of balance. It's an exclamation point of a wine that's approachable now.
This wine should be Cesarini Sforza's crown jewel, but this sparkling riserva has a fragrance dominated by oak and vanilla. The palate is aggressively sparkling and shows vanilla, oak and Golden Delicious apple flavors.
This wine showcases the fruit of the vintage—ripe black currants and plums with a juicy, generous character. It is full bodied and rich, with good structure plus acidity to give the right freshness. Drink from 2022.
This wine showcases the native Greek variety Robola beautifully, with its crisp, clean citrus aromas and flavors and minerally/sea salt spin. The wine has a fresh quality but offers layers of lemon and orange. The finish is like a spray of the sea on the palate. Pair with seafood and light salads.
This wine showcases the producer's historical devotion and prowess with the variety, leaving a light-bodied impression of floral honeysuckle, wet stone and succulent peach. Fleshy and creamy, it works on every level, and offers value at the same time.
This wine showcases the producer's prowess with two varieties, adding 25% Petite Sirah into the mix. Woody, funky earth meets tobacco and black tea while firm, soft tannins provide structure and luxury. A generous helping of chocolate adds warmth to the flavors.
This wine shows a classic Washington Malbec profile of green, stemmy herbs, citrus, black pepper and plum along with light barrel accents. It's soft in feel, palate-staining with plum flavors, tart acids and lightly gritty tannins, disclosing blood-orange flavors on the finish.
This wine shows a classic Yakima Valley profile, with aromas and flavors of orange peel, fresh green herbs and cherry, along with barrel spice accents. It's made in a restrained style, with tart flavors carrying on the finish.
This 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.
This wine shows a fine balance between sweetness (74 g/L) and acidity, reminiscent of a spätlese style. Striking scents of crushed stone, beeswax and lime burst from the glass, while the flavors combine peach and citrus notes. The finish shines, marrying sugar and acid into a long, tongue-tingling finale.
This wine shows a full-bodied wealth of cassis and black currant within a bold, brooding body. Mild in texture, it allows for robust notes of toasted oak and coffee to form additional complexity.
This wine shows a grape jelly note that might be a little on the ripe side, but the cedary, cigar box characters balance things out beautifully. The palate is medium bodied, with a long line of focused acidity, herbs, an earthy core and a long cigar-box finish.
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.
This wine shows a lot of Bourbon-barrel oak flavor, underscoring fruit that has plenty of apple and melon intensity, enlightened with pleasing herbal accents.
This wine shows a lot of reduction that provides off-putting aromas. The strawberry and cranberry flavors are full and show pleasing purity and length. The disconnect between the aromas and flavors is substantial but some time in a decanter might sync them up.
This wine shows a lot of spice and pepper as well as the more usual herbal fruitiness. The ripeness of the grapes gives a wine that is plush, full in the mouth and ready to drink.
This wine shows a lovely bouquet of red cherries, purple flowers, rooibos tea and smoky mushrooms. These carry over to the palate and meld with an herbacious bounty of dried thyme and rosemary. Bright acidity and smooth tannins result in a gorgeously long and complex finish.
This wine shows a more savory side of Cabernet Sauvignon without being in any way underripe or malnourished. It's a big, ripe wine, but the mulberry and cassis fruit is marked by cinnamon and clove shadings. It finishes lush, velvety and warm, with hints of chocolaty richness. This should drink well through at least 2024, and possibly for longer if it firms up a little.
This wine shows a pleasing nose of black currant cordial, violets, hot cocoa powder and some smokey oak aromas. The palate is relatively light in feel for the powerful three (Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre), yet with a juicy fruit core, grainy texture and savory tannins, this is a solid GSM.
This wine shows a ton of oak influence, from the smoky charred aromas to the sweet-seeming maple syrup flavors to the velvety clinging texture. It is medium bodied, lush in mouthfeel and high in spice content that dominates the fruit flavors underneath.
This wine shows a touch of age or flatness and its ruby color also shows some mild browning. The wine will hold a few more years but the fruit tones present now won't last forever. You'll get aromas of wild berries and red apple.
This wine shows a touch of spicy, smoky oak from aging in 20% new French barrels, setting off powerful fruity, earthy flavors that create a complex, layered and fascinating personality. It's full bodied, mouth-filling and moderately tannic.
This wine shows a tough unripeness that makes it hard to appreciate. There's a green peppercorn edge to the raspberries and cherries that accentuates the dryness and acids, and makes the tannins feel metallic. Still, it does display Bien Nacido elegance. Hard to see this wine aging, so drink soon.
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.
This wine shows a very intriguing nose of iodine, preserved lemons, orange marmalade and dried daffodils. The palate is quite distinctive with dried jasmine flowers, dried lemon peels and a sour-orange element shining throughout.
This wine shows ample weight and concentration for a rosé. Bold, berry-scented aromas lead into similar flavors on the palate, joined by a hint of white chocolate. The texture is silky, lingering gently on the long finish. Drink up over the next few months.
This wine shows an almost-black core with a red rim. Jammy blackberry aromas lead to rich and mouth-coating fruit flavors that are ripe. The full body and firm tannins create a thick texture. This rich wine begs for aged cheese or a chocolate dessert for accompaniment. It's made with 50% Syrah and 25% each of Petite Sirah and Zinfandel.
This wine shows an intriguing nose of buttercup flowers, grapefruit, lemongrass and damp grass cuttings. The palate is where it shines, offering a slight roundness, balanced by mouthwatering acidity and plenty of citrus notes on the lingering finish.
This wine shows an intriguing touch of flinty, fumé character as well as ample melon and fig fruit. It's reasonably full bodied and textured for a wine of its ilk.
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 wine shows aromas of green olive, herbs, flowers and tire rubber. Flavors are sweet with a light spritz and chalky mesquite notes.
This wine shows aromas of toasted oak, black berry and espresso. The palate offers forward flavors of black cherry, café au lait and chocolate. It's soft and round, but lacks a bit of vibrancy.
This wine shows bacon fat, boysenberry and tarragon on the nose. It's full and ripe on the palate, bringing similar flavors, also showing blackberry, roasted pork and black pepper. It proves quite delicious and just what one expects from a warmer-climate Syrah.
This wine shows beautiful results with a darkly concentrated appearance and bright aromas of prune, leather and tobacco. The wine is balanced and crisp, with lingering red cherry and chocolate flavors, but ultimately the purity of wine puts it slightly ahead of this estates's other vineyard-designate Brunello.
This wine shows black currant fruit, with just the right balancing acidity. Talbot is progressing well in its quest to bring out its fine terroir.
This wine shows both sweet and bitter sensations that include ripe fruit aromas along with rustic farmyard notes. The palate shows overripe plum and vanilla extract framed by green, bitter tannins.
This wine shows cocoa, vanilla and barrel spice aromas on the nose. The medium-weight palate shows decent fruit tones however is overshadowed by heavy-handed oak.
This wine shows crisp apple and pear notes over a backdrop of minerality. Its ripe fruit is ribbed with anise, fennel and lemongrass scents.
This wine shows dark spice, ripe fruit, teriyaki sauce and savory notes of black pepper and leather. It's a dark, penetrating Sangiovese-based wine that will pair with grilled meat or sausage.
This wine shows everything that Chardonnay lovers want. It's enormously rich and ripe in mango, pineapple, orange and peach flavors, enriched with sweet new oak and creamy lees. Drink now.
This wine shows exceptional detail—scents of rose petals and milk chocolate, subtle suggestions of dried wood, incense and smoke, and a vein of maple syrup. The foundation is the beautifully ripened cherry fruit, set in 50% new French oak.
This wine shows exceptional freshness on the nose with newly mown grass, hay and lemon fruit. Yarraman is Aboriginal for “wild horse” and the palate has an appropriate kick to it, with crisp acidity suppporting complex lanolin, citrus and pineapple flavors. The finish is surprisingly long. Drink now.
This wine shows extraction, new wood and firm tannins. What it also has is the fruit weight to sustain all this. Given 4–5 years, the wine's richness and smoky flavors will come together with the black currant fruit.
This wine shows finesse, driven by its seamless mix of citrus, melon, peach and pear fruits. Immediately delicious, it actually improves by the second day, showing its perfect acid-to-fruit balance. Give it a light chill—not too much—and it's a perfect autumnal sipper.
This wine shows good balance between the lively acidity and ripe notes of red apple flesh, pear and orange oil. The round mouthfeel of ripe fruit flavors are lifted on the finish by a tangy, green plum and lime zest accent. Drink now.
This wine shows good Chardonnay character, from the creamy texture to the notes of buttered toast, vanilla, lemons and limes.
This wine shows grapey and plummy purple fruit notes lead to an earthy palate, with hints of stem and coffee. No new oak was used, but it spent 22 months in barrel prior to bottling.
This wine shows great potential but is still so young and tightly wound, it takes time to suss out its delicately floral aromas of lavender and violet, which then give way to smooth, soft layers of peppercorn and chocolate. The tannins mellow on the finish, but this is big, bold wine made in a big, bold style.
This wine shows growing intensity the longer it stays in the glass and a very silky, polished feel in the mouth. Aromas include red fruit, spice and rosemary: this is a beautiful, balanced wine that will have a long life in your cellar.
This wine shows hints of tar or rubber when first poured, so decant it for best effect. Once past those, berry and citrus aromas and flavors emerge, lingering on the long, mocha-tinged finish.
This wine shows how aromatic and floral this varietal can be. It offers clove and rose petal along with raspberry in the aromas. The full body is supported by good acidity and moderate tannins.
This wine shows how well Sancerre can age. While the initial herbal fruitiness has calmed down, the citrus and green fruit is still vibrant and crisp. The fruit has been joined by a touch of spice, pepper and a hint of toast from the partial wood aging. Drink this wine now.
This wine shows how well the Russian River Valley does with Pinot Noir. Dry and delicate in texture, the wine is also potent in flavor. The fruits range from ripe red cherries and pomegranates to earthier tones of heirloom tomatoes and sautéed wild mushrooms. Drink now.
This wine shows intense mountain tannins and fruity concentration. The flavors differ from those produced in Napa's mountains, veering more toward red berries and red currants than Napa's black ones. Oak plays a major role, but never overpowers. With 24% Merlot, this needs cellaring; don't pop the cork before 2018.
This wine shows its 40% whole-cluster fermentation in its stemmy and exotic nature that won't please every palate as it develops a strong, savory character that holds on dearly on the palate. Chewy and peppery in leather, tar and pine, it shows the cranberry and rhubarb qualities of grapes picked just-ripe.
This wine shows its age in the dark coffee color rimmed with green. Dates and raisins provide the foundation for complex molasses and rancio notes that build on the finish, where enough citrusy notes provide balance to the syrupy-sweet flavors.
This wine shows its warm, sunny Napa origins through its incredible concentration of fruit. Don't look for subtlety here. It's the power of blackberries, currants and chocolate that impresses, as well as the penetrating quality of the tannins. Will age beautifully over the next 12–15 years, but it's so good now, you might be tempted to pop the cork.
This wine shows its youth in its thick, concentrated fruit and viscous and dry tannins. Dark cherry and tobacco interweave themselves across a broad, full-bodied palate that's flavorful and cola-defined.
This wine shows itself in the glass as bold, ripe and finely structured. It is concentrated, with the young tannins of Baga and the juicy perfumes of Touriga Nacional that yield a wine that has several years to develop. Firm at the end, it will be an impressive wine as it ages. Drink from 2018.
This wine shows juicy, ripe fruit without much structure. Full of red fruit, smoke tones and considerable acidity, this is a drink-now sipper.
This wine shows light aromas of blue fruit, plum and spice. The palate boasts sculpted fruit and barrel flavors, conveying a good sense of structure and balance.
This wine shows lots of finesse for the price. The mousse is exceptionally refined, carrying complex flavors of limes, strawberries, brioche, vanilla and honey. The blend is mostly Pinot Noir, with about 9% Chardonnay.
This wine shows mint aromas and big black-fruit flavors. With high toast wood aging, it feels extracted, with bitter chocolate paralleling the blackberry fruits. It has considerable power and density and needs aging. Drink from 2017.
This wine shows molasses and Boston baked beans on the nose along with peppery spice. The bouquet is a touch stewy, but the palate delivers core black cherry and cola along with tight, ripe tannins. The wine takes a little while to warm up and it remains saucy, but that's not uncommon for Mendoza.
This wine shows more age than it should, but is quite good now, with aromas of vanilla, honeysuckle, molasses, white-flower extract and liquid marshmallow ice-cream topping. The palate brings apple extract and roasted nut flavors.
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.
This wine shows much less oak influence than Pepik's Zdar bottling, but in this case that's a good thing. The fruit is herbal and perhaps a bit tomatoey, but there's enough cherry to hold things together, with smoke and sous-bois notes for complexity. It's a light- to medium-bodied wine that finishes on a crisp note. Drink now.
This wine shows off Yountville fruit at its finest, starting with a floral component to the nose. Spicy, bright and lifted, it coats the palate in ripe berry and cherry, ending with a snap of vanilla.
This wine shows perfumed lychee on the nose, before weightier tones of melon, lemon and oak enter the picture, providing a richness of body and power. The oak and a sprinkling of nutmeg remain firm and focused on the finish.
This wine shows Pinot Grigio's bright, ripe lemongrass and peach flavors, touched with a kiss of honey. But it's balanced and crisp in acidity.
This wine shows plenty of Chardonnay and oak character, with a creamy core of honey, peaches and toast. It will go with a wide variety of fare, from halibut and grilled tuna to broiled chicken and mushroom risotto.
This wine shows plum and toasted oak sensations with hints of animal and barnyard. The palate offers overripe black fruit flavors along with astringent tannins that cut the finish short.
This wine shows potent smoky aromas and big flavors that are almost more like grilled meat than fruit. It's made in an oaky, bold and obvious style with a firm, tannic texture.
This wine shows power and ripeness on the palate, with an oaky nuttiness on the nose. Lemony pear and stony minerality combine with a graham cracker creaminess, providing weight and length.
This wine shows pristine aromas of cherry and forest fruit, followed by well-etched tones of spice and tobacco. This has a focused, tight personality, with supple, polished tannins.
This wine shows quite a bit of tropicality on the nose, with lychee and kiwi fruits, yet manages to remain restrained at the same time. It's soft on the palate, with white peach flesh, and shows a very intriguing herbal side, with tarragon and mint flavors, but not in a green pepper way at all.
This wine shows real depth, beginning with earthy aromas of underbrush, ripe berried fruit, blue flower and smidge of leather. The palate offers a core of black cherry accented with notes of baking spices and a hint of truffle alongside a solid tannic backbone and nervous acidity that restrains the berry richness. Drink 2016–2024.
This wine shows real first-growth quality in its intensity and concentration, with orange nectar, golden mango, pear, peach pie, buttercream, vanilla, buttered toast and spice flavors. The balance is exquisite, and the way the acids dance along the palate make the wine clean and lively.
This wine shows red plum, Rainier cherry, rose petal and churro spice aromas. The palate is clean and crystalline in its red cherry and cinnamon spice flavors, proving light and easy, with bright acidity and grippy texture.
This wine shows reductive notes initially, requiring aeration to burn off the aromas. The palate is sharp-toned, with simple flavors of apple, making it perfect for simple enjoyment.
This wine shows ripe dark fruit, cedar, intense whole-bunch stalkiness and a perfumed quality throughout. The tannins are clunky and soapy while the alcohol feels a little hot.
This wine shows ripe fruit, sweet tannins and soft acidity. Strawberries are prominent along with a bright, fruity feel. The wine doesn't seem likely to age and will be enjoyable in a year.
This wine shows ripeness, depth and purity. In the mouth, it is saturated and thick. Flavors of saffron, tomato paste, oregano and stewed berry fruits are pure Kankana. A different breed of Syrah, it reflects San Pedro's pioneering efforts in the Elqui Valley.
This wine shows roasted beef with blackberry crust, fresh-cracked black pepper and tarry asphalt on the nose. The asphalt and charred meat play strongly on the heavy-duty palate that also offers blackberry balsamic reduction. It's brawny and burly, perhaps too much so for the everyday drinker.
This wine shows shows characters of berry fruits and soft tannins, matched by juicy acidity. Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend gives the structure while Trincadeira and Aragonez provide the smooth fruits. Drink now.
This wine shows smooth red fruit that is light and generic, with modest weight and an earthy flavor. The wine spent a bit of time in 25% new oak, though it doesn't show up in the flavors.
This wine shows so much rich fruit. It has a herbal edge, but the yellow and white fruits really define it. Wood-aging has left hints of spice, and the wine also has a tangy, mineral edge. It is ready to drink.
This wine shows some intriguing complexity in its herbal, leafy aromas tinged with woodsmoke and berries. It's medium-bodied, with tart berry flavors and some slightly astringent, tea-like notes on the finish. Drink now–2012.
This wine shows some maturity, with toast flavors coming through the creamy mousse. White stone fruit and streaks of citrus give a fresher end to this well-balanced wine.
This wine shows some of the cool-climate notes associated with Western Australia and its maritime climate; green tobacco and other herbs intertwine with bright cassis fruit. At the same time, the fine quality of the tannins is evident in this wine's velvety texture, which makes it a pleasure to drink. Best now–2017.
This wine shows some of the less appealing aspects of American oak: overt spice and vanilla flavors and a slick, oily mouthfeel.
This wine shows some of the natural tannic structure of the Douro while really bringing out plenty of fruit. It is rich, full of black fruits, ripe berries and elegant acidity. Firm and fruity at the end, it could age until 2016, but is good to drink now.
This wine shows somewhat generic black and purple-fruit aromas, with a hint of purple flowers as well. The palate picks up the pace with brown sugar, pork fat, juicy boysenberry fruit and touches of white pepper, violet and fennel.
This wine shows strong barnyard and sulfur notes overwhelming an otherwise appealing nose of herbes de Provence and grilled pork. The palate is juicy, with appealing cherry notes while the smooth finish winds up on an ashy note.
This wine shows strong extraction with hints of bitter chocolate as well as licorice flavors. The fruit is still compressed at this stage, with acidity showing through most prominently. The wine is solid, though, and could yield some more fruity pleasure in the future.
This wine shows superb balance between ripe fruit tones, attractive oak influence and natural freshness. It leads with scents of lightly toasted nuts, orange cream, freshly dried grass and yellow flowers. The medium-weight palate offers decadent flavors of toasted apple skin and brioche, with orange-flavored acidity that lift's the wine's richness. An evolving finish seals the deal. Drink now–2020.
This wine shows that top Chablis should be aged. This is like tasting the barebones of the wine without the flesh that is still very hidden. There is suppressed power, as well as green acidity and potential richness. Wait 5 years.
This wine shows the acidity of its cool Central Coast appellation, with ripe, long hang-time flavors of tropical fruit, apricot and peach, along with plenty of toasty oak notes. You'll want to drink this wine with rich fare, like complex scallop and shrimp dishes.
This wine shows the characteristic granitic texture of the region. Berry fruits smother the firm tannins to give a rich, juicy wine that's bold, ripe, and ready to drink.
This wine shows the chilly vintage in it's linear, focused palate. It has black cherry flavors, infused with notes of mushrooms and tannic green tea. The structure is elegant, but the wine is likely not ageable.
This wine shows the continuing evolution of this property even in a difficult year. Structured, balanced tannins are already integrated with the fresh black-currant fruits. With a balance between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the wine is fruity and still young. Drink from 2019.
This wine shows the fresh, juicy raspberry character of the grape. It has fruity aromas, fresh berry and cherry flavors and a deceptively full body, with a good streak of crispness on the palate.
This wine shows the glamour you expect from a Phelps Cabernet. It's softly tannic and rich in blackberries, currants, licorice and cedar, with a lovely structure. Nice to drink now, right out of the bottle. Easy to find, with 17,300 cases produced.
This wine shows the hand of the winemaker in the buttered toast, vanilla, crème brulée, honey and creamy lees that dominate the palate. The underlying fruit is a little thin, suggesting tangerines and papayas. The price-quality ratio is fair.
This wine shows the honeyed notes of a top vintage, spiked with clove and petrol. At 13% alcohol, the additional weight shows in the mouth, where there's also just a hint of residual sugar on the lingering finish.
This wine shows the intense fruitiness of the 2014 vintage. It's all about crisp acidity, green fruits and tight, steely texture. It's a refreshing wine, with a bright aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine shows the local Baga grape richly, full of black fruits as well as the more typical dark tannins. The structure is firm, balancing the ripe black plum and spice flavors. This wood-aged wine is now ready to drink.
This wine shows the meaty, masculine side of Sangiovese, offering dark tones of prune, plum, wet earth, tobacco and dried violet. The grape's signature freshness washes away any residual heaviness imparted by the wine's richness.
This wine shows the Paso signature of softness and rich, juicy fruit. The palate bursts with flavors of chocolate, cherry pie filling and spice. It's dry and easy to drink, although it does turn a bit hot on the finish from high alcohol.
This wine shows the rich, exotic flavors of tropical fruits, peaches, green apples and honeysuckle characteristic of Viognier. The finish is dry and crisp, ending with a hint of spice.
This wine shows the richness of the vineyard, offering flashy flavors of raspberry and cherry jam, licorice, brown sugar and  smoky oak. Balanced with bright acidity, this is meant to be consumed now and over the next few years.
This wine shows the riper, spicier side to German Pinot Noir. Lush black cherry and plum flavors are fleshy and dense on the palate, tinged with notes of cassis and bramble. Crisp acidity adds elegance and structure, along with a penetrating layer of finely textured tannins. Drink now for its bold, decadent style.
This wine shows the soft, dusty tannins and sour red cherry fruit that the vineyard is known for, while more than four years have mellowed it to beautiful drinkability. Should continue to develop in the cellar for another 10 years or so.
This wine shows the structured side of Gevrey-Chambertin. The vineyard is situated at the opening of a small side valley, a location that allows the grapes to ripen slowly. This is elegant and structured, and it's full of solid tannins as well as cherry and red berry flavors. Age this for 7–8 years.
This wine shows the tropical fruit side of Sauvignon Blanc with pineapple and mango flavors. The acidity is there, floral and ripe. The wine is ready to drink now.
This wine shows tremendous minerality for a wine from a mix of parcels. Almost smoky, saline mineral aromas combine with crisp, citrusy fruit to typify the Pfalz dry Riesling style. Picks up hints of orange and clove on the finish, with a suggestion of citrus pith.
This wine shows ultraripe fruit, with cola and sweet-oak spice wrapped in a plush texture and juicy finish. A simple, user-friendly weeknight glugger.
This wine shows underripe red currant and strawberry notes, with a tinge of green stems and black pepper on the nose and palate. The mildly concentrated body is round, approachable and ready-to-drink.
This wine shows unusually prominent aromas and flavors of dried rice that are followed by wilted flowers, dried leaves, cocoa and dark fruit. It doesn't all come together.
This wine shows vanilla, celery root, mesquite and herb aromas on the nose. Its baking spice flavors are quite sweet, suggesting heavy-handed oak. Vanilla flavors take over on the finish, leaving a disjointed impression.
This wine shows very ripe flavors of blackberry and cherry jam, cassis, chocolate, licorice and smoky oak, and is balanced with a nice bite of acidity and tannin.
This wine shows wet cement, lime rinds, light honeysuckle and fragrant minerality on the nose. The texture is solidly grippy and intriguing once sipped, with flavors of yellow grapefruit pith and Gala apples in the midpalate, sliding into a lime-rind tang on the finish.
This wine shows what a fine place Dry Creek Valley is for growing Sauvignon Blanc. With no oak at all, it's clean and brisk in citrusy acidity, with refreshing peach, lime, green grass, tropical fruit and spice flavors.
This wine sings in the glass, offering substantial aromas and flavors of charcuterie, dried herb and orange creamsicle, conjuring up visions of picnics in a glass. It will do well in such settings, but is also a worthy addition to the table, balanced and structured to pair memorably with a wide range of foods.
This wine skirts the boundaries of ripeness, veering close to an extreme edge. Aged in American oak, 25% of it new, it's hedonistic and jammy in raspberry cobbler, brown sugar and baking spice, intense and tart, with a dry, peppery finish.
This wine skirts the limits of low alcohol, given added weight and body through 75% whole-cluster fermentation and time in 25% new French oak. Light in color and weight, it's sauvage and floral in a crispness of rose petal, with accents of cranberry and cherry. Tightly wound, it could stand some time in the cellar, through 2021.
This wine smacks you in the face first thing, demanding attention, before settling into mouthwateringly succulent layers of Asian pear, graham cracker and Nilla wafer. An underbelly of oak supports the fruit, remaining subtle and providing structure. The acidity shines most on the finish, inviting further exploration.
This wine smells and tastes clean and fresh, like green apples and chopped celery, then gains a little more heft and ripeness on the tongue to complete a good profile. It has crisp acidity and great balance, and will be very versatile with food.
This wine smells and tastes like blackberry syrup, with a touch of sweetness on the palate to match. One of the easier-to-drink versions of the variety, it has a smooth texture and broad mouthfeel.
This wine smells and tastes overripe and oaky. It starts out with the aroma of raisins, and then tastes like caramel, chocolate and blackberry jam. The finish is hot and porty. Still, it does define this big, baked style of Zinfandel.
This wine smells and tastes quite mature but is still interesting to drink. It has sun-baked earth aromas, raspberry and Madeira flavors and a soft texture.
This wine smells baked and rasiny, and the bouquet brings charcoal and toast notes into play. It feels mature and ready, with raisin, molasses, chocolate and rooty berry flavors. Ripe and ready on the finish. The blend is Garnacha, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now.
This wine smells extra ripe, like raisins and black figs, and tastes rich, chocolaty and almost fat in texture. It has a sense of sweetness akin to brown sugar and mostly soft tannins. It is unusual for the varietal.
This wine smells fruity, like raspberry and cranberries, and turns very tart and astringent on the palate. Sharp fruit flavors come out on the finish along with a metallic edge.
This wine smells hard and lemony, and thus it's not surprising that the palate feels citric and tangy, with hard tannins. The flavor profile includes lemony oak, rubbery red fruit and mild earthy flavors in front of a drying finish. Drink now.
This wine smells like a bowl of fresh fruit. Aromas of huckleberries and raspberries mix with dried flowers, orange peel and milk chocolate. It's rich and hedonistic in style, with a velvety texture and a finish that won't quit.
This wine smells like a Danish pastry, with strong, very sweet almond flavors that cling to the taste buds long after sipping.
This wine smells like an ice cream sundae, with scents of mint-chocolate chip and cookie dough, plus touches of strawberry and cherry sauce. Light to medium bodied, it has a malleable midpalate, but the tannins gain astringency on the finish. As the wine sits in the glass, the fruit seems to fall away, and the palate becomes more brittle feeling.
This wine smells like dried herbs and white pepper, tastes herbaceous and feels rather stiff on the tongue. Being lean in style, it's not a great stand-alone drink but will be good at the dinner table.
This wine smells like flowers, peaches, lemons and limes and tastes soft and soothing. It's light bodied, easy to sip and styled in a richer and more luxurious vein than many others in its category.
This wine smells like moist earth after a rainfall. Aromas of earth, smoke, peat, olive tapenade and tobacco lead to abundant savory flavors with a lightly chalky feel. It captivates the senses.
This wine smells like toasted bread, salt and black pepper, and tastes like a grilled steak, with smoke and blackberry accents. The tannin meter goes high, as the varietal's notorious thick texture and controlled astringency show through. Best to hold this and drink after 2019.
This wine smells mildly herbaceous and tastes sufficiently ripe and round to make it attractive to sip.
This wine smells more like an Amarone than a Brunello. Aromas recall nail varnish, raisin, prune and overripe black fruit with whiffs of toast and espresso. The extracted, one-dimensional palate offers black plum, mature blackberries, oak, vanilla, coffee, and the warmth of noticeable alcohol alongside bracing tannins. Overall, it lacks finesse and nuance.
This wine smells more savory than fruity, and tastes smooth, moderately fruity and easy to enjoy. Medium bodied, it's well balanced between acidity and richness, and not too tannic, giving an appealing mouthfeel.
This wine smells smoky, minty and almost meaty. It tastes rich and complex, brightened and spiced by lavish use of new oak, yet built on enough ripe blackberry flavors to achieve a robust balance. It's well made in a deliberately oaky style.
This wine smells subtly of hickory and resin but is otherwise neutral on the nose. It feels creamy, smooth and woody, with oak leading the flavor profile, with other notes of melon and honey. This is a plump, oaky, honeyed style of Chardonnay.
This wine smells yeasty, a character that follows through on the palate. It is soft and round, conveying ripe red fruits without freshness. It reveals bitter acidity at the end.
This wine sources from both Montecillo Vineyard in Sonoma County and Georges III in Napa, bringing together one barrel of each for an herbal, savory and edgy experience. Cedar, clove and a healthy dose of fresh herb make it compelling in a classical sense.
This wine sources fruit from throughout Napa Valley, as well as 9% from Lake County and 1% from the Sierra Foothills, incorporating all five red Bordeaux varieties and a smidgen of Syrah. It's juicy in black currant, with a tension of acidity and a smooth, simple focus, aged in both French and American oak.
This wine sources this rare variety from Saralee's Vineyard in the heart of the appellation. Meaty strawberry meets refreshing acidity and ample structure, taming the big boldness of flavor, all while remaining light and bright in the glass.
This wine speaks to cool-climate with a crispness of rhubarb and strawberry deftly held together by beguiling cinnamon, clove and a bouquet of rose petals. Spicy in acidity, it evolves in the glass to become velvety and seductive in texture, ending in a lingering warmth and depth.
This wine spent 20 months in French oak, which has given it an appealingly smooth, lightly buttery character. It's medium rich, quite tasty, with a nutty flavor and a lime-inflected finish.
This wine spent more than two years in barrel, yielding some grainy, textural tannins. The plummy fruit is backed with licorice, vanilla and black tea flavors, all nicely integrated.
This wine spent three months in 38% new French oak, which softens and adds a bit of barrel-induced richness to the mouthfeel. It remains a fascinating mix of flower and citrus, with lightly-buttered toast and a lush, lemon-custard flavor.
This wine spent time in French, American and Hungarian oak, 25% of it new. It offers a classically herbal expression of the variety, exhibiting notes of black olive and leather over fruity tones. Tight and grippy, it needs to open over time to let the aromas catch up on the palate.
This wine sports a green-apple and pear nose with some extra weight from barrel fermentation. Well-balanced and right on the border between stainless- steel and barrel-fermented styles: steel meets butter on the palate. Best Buy.
This wine starts a tad reductive, but that blows off quickly to reveal aromas of seared citrus, pear blossom, apple sorbet and lemon curd. There is zippy acidity on the sip, with intriguing flavors of dried apple, chamomile and lemon syrup, as well as an earthy quality of sandy soil and dried yellow flowers.
This wine starts broody and dusty, with dark cherry, mocha, and woody notes. The palate feels a little hot and at the moment the tannins are huge, tightly wound, and overpowering. The pretty cherry notes are eventually revealed again with time in the glass.
This wine starts off a bit closed, but with time opens up to express attractive notes of small red berries, herbal twigs and whole baking spice. Medium weight with soft tannins and balanced acidity, this is a food-friendly wine that's sure to pair with most red meat or game dishes without overpopwering them.
This wine starts off a bit smoky and cedary, but with time it develops more typical Hermitage notes of cassis, hickory smoke and meat. It's medium to full in body, with a rich texture and long finish. Approachable now, but should age easily through 2018.
This wine starts off a bit tarry at first, with scents of asphalt and roasted meat that then give way to brighter notes of blackberry and vanilla. On the palate, it's full, supple and rich, with a finish marked by hints of campfire and cherry.
This wine starts off a bit tarry or rubbery, but decanting allows the bright berry fruit to come forward. Raspberries are limned with hints of mint and other herbs and framed by vanilla. It's medium-bodied, with a tangy finish and a crisp, satiny texture. Drink now.
This wine starts off a bit tarry or rubbery, but with airing that dissipates to reveal a dry, savory, complex rosé. It's a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre that builds in layers of texture from chalky to silky on the finish.
This wine starts off a touch rubbery, so give it some air prior to serving if you can. The payoff is a pleasant mix of pear and citrus that's fairly broad on the palate yet balanced, and lengthy, too. This year's blend is 56% Chardonnay, 30% Sauvignon Blanc and 14% Verdelho.
This wine starts off dark, laden with prune, cola and coffee notes, but it really freshens up with some air, developing a lively interplay between bright red-plum fruit and darker notes of earth and tobacco. It's richly textured with velvety tannnins that impart a slightly chewy feel at this stage; best from 2010–2018.
This wine starts off herbal and earthy, with forward aromas of pepper, tree bark and cherry tree. The palate is rich and velvety, with ripe notes of raspberry, blackberry and plum. Dusty tannins provide a nice texture, while the medium-length finish boasts a spicy cocoa flavor.
This wine starts off on notes of lemons, almond skins and mushrooms. The palate is quite different with lots of green flavors, from grassiness, to green apple and celery stalks. This is simple in body and has a long nutty finish.
This wine starts off quiet and reserved, but with time, reveals itself as a lush and ripe selection. Aromas of red apple, toasted challah, honeycomb and banana cream pie slowly unfold in the bouquet and carry through to the medium-weight palate, where it is balanced by medium acidity and supporting tones of sweet citrus oil and baking spice. Drink now–2019.
This wine starts off smelling overly ripe, with sweet orange, yellow apple flesh, peach supreme and juicy melon aromas that flood the bouquet. The mouth is full and round, but a nutty accent adds depth to the palate while medium acidity helps to lift the medium-length close.
This wine starts off well with an aromatic mix of red fruit, citrus and toasted grain. The palate shows thick tannins and a stemmy finish which cut the flavors short.
This wine starts off well, with a pretty nose and fruit that shows nice ripeness. But once in the mouth all the fruit seems to disappear, and the wine falls flat.
This wine starts off with a broad blend of berries and cherries, and well-integrated, smooth tannins. But in the finish and aftertaste, a chemical bitterness emerges and persists.
This wine starts off with a nose of fresh grass and subtle rosewater. These translate well on the palate, alongside additional hints of ginger and lemon. Tingling with acidity but thin in weight, the midpalate is slightly disjointed. A zing of citrus on the finish brings a bit of focus.
This wine starts off with an appetizing, savory, grilled-meat element on the nose, then showcases flavors of dark chocolate, mocha and plum. It's hefty on the palate, with a velvety texture and long, rich finish. Drink now–2027.
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 wine starts off with an enticing honeycomb and baked apple aroma, followed by secondary accents of baking spice and orange zest. The fully textured mouth is loaded with dried peach and apricot flavors, followed by a nice citrus zip that adds spring to the long finish.
This wine starts off with aromas that recall charred wood and meat juices; soon these waft away to reveal black fruit and spice. The dense palate reveals a black cherry punctuated with black pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon along with a note of tobacco. It's well-balanced with brooding tannins and will develop more depth over the next few years.
This wine starts off with great aromas of baking spice, plum and vanillin. The palate has some nice fig and prune flavors, but there is also a charred oak note that is bitter. Disjointed in body, it has austere acidity, an opulent body and rough tannins. It finishes long, dry and bitter.
This wine starts off with intense aromas of blackberry, sandalwood, vanilla and oak. The palate boasts a ripe plum flavor, along with spicy pepper and cinnamon accents. It has ample freshness as well as brooding tannins and depth. Hold this for a few more years for additional complexities to develop.
This wine starts off with intriguing aromas of sour cherry, raspberry, amaretto and barnyard. Tart cherry and sandalwood whisper on the palate. The tannins are fine, yet astringent, and the finish is soft and medium in length.
This wine starts off with notes of blackberry, mint and asphalt on the nose, unfurling on the tongue to reveal tar, black olive, meat and blackberry flavors. It's full bodied and intense, even a bit warm on the finish. Impressively concentrated, but slightly bitter as well.
This wine starts off with some reduction, opening up to show aromas of pineapple and herbs. The palate has generous tropical-fruit flavors, backed by tart acidity.
This wine starts off with typical Sangiovese aromas of blue flower, pipe tobacco, underbrush, black berries and baking spices. The dense palate shows fleshy black cherry, black raspberry, black pepper and a hint of coffee bean alongside forward, round tannins. Drink 2015–2019.
This wine starts off with vanilla, cinnamon and dark cherry notes on the nose, with the oak-derived elements marrying nicely with the Grenache fruit. It's full bodied, liquorous and lush, with a long, velvety finish. Probably best over the next 4–5 years.
This wine starts on intense aromas of charred oak and roasted nuts. It eventually gives way to stone fruits and marmalade that, while soft on the nose, are stronger on the fruit-forward palate. Nutty flavors and rough oak seem out of place among the fresh fruit and viscous mouthfeel, and makes for a long yet disjointed finish.
This wine starts on the shy side but with several minutes in glass reveals delicate notes of lemon-lime, watermelon rind and grass along with a touch of butter in the background. It's the palate that's of real interest here. Prickly acidity is backed up with a chalky texture, a hint of spice, and a long lemony finish. This is a light and refreshing drop, with a hint of seriousness thrown in for good measure.
This wine starts out a bit reduced before it opens to display aromas of kiwi, pineapple and pink grapefruit. The flavors drink dry and seem quite dilute.
This wine starts out a bit reduced, along with aromas of melon and red apple. It drinks a hair off dry, with a blend of stone-fruit and tropical flavors.
This wine starts out a touch reduced before opening to reveal light aromas of almond, marzipan and spice. The palate puts a premium on elegance, with the concentration at times seeming a bit light but with the balance still there and a lingering finish.
This wine starts out as dense and fruity, but turns floral with airing. In the mouth, it's a bit jammy and overextracted, making for a weighty drinking experience. Flavors of prune, blackberry and dark chocolate end quickly on a finish that lacks the structure to go the distance.
This wine starts out brawny and tannic before finding itself in a more vibrant light of cherry, cinnamon and dried herb. Aromatically, it's a field of violets on a spring day, backed by a complex structure that makes for a food-friendly companion that's fresh from start to finish.
This wine starts out brooding, with aromas of vanilla, herbs and brown spices. The cherry flavors are full bodied yet show subtlety, with a captivating mouthfeel and meaty flavors on the finish that increase the interest.
This wine starts out lightly reduced, with aromas of apple and baking spice followed by a full weighty just-off-dry palate, with a touch of warmth on the finish that adds some bitterness.
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.
This wine starts out quite locked up, with aromas of flowers, plum, dried herb, black pepper and mineral, showing more fruit expression than this area is often known for. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, bringing a sense of elegance, sophistication and freshness.
This wine starts out quite reduced before it blows off. Aromas of toast and barrel spices are followed by elegant fruit flavors. It goes down easy.
This wine starts out quite reductive but opens to reveal aromas of fig and citrus. It drinks off dry, with the flavors seeming dilute.
This wine starts out quite reductive which provides distraction. Aromas of flowers and ripe pear lead to broad flavors that seem to fall a bit flat.
This wine starts out quite reductive, while also showing aromas of black olive, herbs and chocolate. It's full bodied in feel with abundant dark fruit flavors that show persistence. There are good things here but the aromas and flavors seem disconnected.
This wine starts out quite reductive, with sulfurous aromas that provide significant distraction. The flavors are light and show a pleasing elegance but can't make up the difference.
This wine starts out reduced before opening to reveal aromas of earth, peat, pencil lead and dark fruit. Dark plum and black-olive flavors show concentration and sophistication, with the barrel influence dialed way back. It's an intriguing example of the variety. Give it a short decant.
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.
This wine starts out strongly reduced, making it a challenge to get at the pink grapefruit, lychee and spice aromas. The flavors drink just off dry, with high wire acidity. There are good things going on but the reduction is a challenge to overcome.
This wine starts shy but after some swirling reveals broody black cherry, raspberry, dark chocolate, Chinese Five Spice, and some medicinal notes in the background. Medium to full bodied, it's well balanced, with soft tannins and a short finish. Drink with beef stir fry.
This wine starts slowly, but a little bit of air really loosens it up, yielding aromas of vegetable oil, apples, and spring flowers. In the mouth, it's light in body yet crisply flavored, with Granny Smiths dominating. Enough floral elements persist on the palate to provide moderate complexity.
This wine starts with a combination of herbs, allspice and cinnamon leading into spicy, red berry flavors. A touch angular, but its dry character makes it easy to pair with food. Think spicy cuisine, grilled beef or hamburgers.
This wine starts with a combination of white flowers, spice, tropical fruit and green notes, with dry, crisp flavors of citrus and mineral on the palate. A good wine for fans of more angular whites, the wine will pair well with spicy Asian cuisine, grilled spicy fish or chicken.
This wine starts with a creamy nose of apricot, banana and orangesicle but then a more oxidative quality comes through of slightly sour guava and pineapple. It's tight and tart on the sip, combining banana, guava and macadamia nut richness with grapefruit peel sourness. It's an interesting and unique wine.
This wine starts with a curvy nose of pineapple, apricot and melon, leading into a very pretty interplay of tropical melon and spice on the palate. Elegant with a cheerful overall character, this Chenin balances acid and fruit well, creating a rounded wine with a delicate edge. Overall, dependable and fun.
This wine starts with a lovely perfumed nose of jasmine, oranges and rose. The full-bodied flavors are big to be sure, but a brisk acidity keeps everything in check. Pretty and full of personality.
This wine starts with a refined nose of lemon, peach and flower notes. The palate is lively and balanced, and it offers ripe citrus flavors, buoyed by spice and flint notes. An expressive medium-bodied white with style.
This wine starts with a sexy nose—dried herbs, plum, balsamic, pepper— and on the palate, marries fresh fruit and dry spice with an herbal spin. Balanced and approachable, and a good sip on its own.
This wine starts with a shock of acidity, followed by a ripe blackberry note. It is upright, structured and still young, and its sweetness is just beginning to show through the tannins and acidity. Give it 3–4 years.
This wine starts with a showy nose of vanilla, nuts and oranges/citrus, leading into like flavors with a spin of spice. It's a bigger style Chardonnay that will pair well with richer dishes: think salmon, creamy poultry, steak.
This wine starts with a soft nose of rose, tropical fruit and a touch of spice. Its flavors of citrus and spice are complex but buoyed by a laser focused minerality. Elegant and classic, and worthy of aging.
This 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.
This wine starts with a spicy nose of black cherry, pepper, and a touch of green pepper. The palate offers lean and spicy flavors of green pepper, herbs and cherry. The wine is a touch angular, but paired with a richer dish, will balance out.
This wine starts with a spicy nose of tobacco and mocha tinged with a green character. The wine's dry style offers flavors of wooded spice, red berry, tobacco and a slightly lean spin. Spicy and food friendly, but a touch rustic.
This wine starts with an attractive nose of melons and lemons, followed by bright and exuberant melon and fruit flavors. Balanced with curvy midpalate weight and a clean but exotic finish, it's a fun wine that offers complexity with charm.
This wine starts with an enticing, perfumed spicy aroma. Once sipped, a big burst of dry tannins coats the mouth and makes the mild fruit flavors seem thin and spare in the middle. The structure and the texture seem to need more richness and depth from the flavors. Drink after 2020 to let the tannins mellow out.
This wine starts with an intriguing nose that is at once floral, fresh and spicy. On the palate, it's racy and fun but has an elegant, delicate edge. A combination of lemon and grass flavors with tropical melons and fruits are balanced and enjoyable. A good go-to white that will pair well with grilled seafood and salads.
This wine starts with aromas of black pepper, anise and grape candy followed by a combination of wild cherry, cocoa and pepper on the palate. A soft character with a slight kick. Pair with poultry, cheese, pork.
This wine starts with aromas of bread and butter, a richness that's inviting and unusual, before filling in on the palate with juicy, high-toned layers of red berry and cherry. Young and approachable, the wine is light bodied and delicate.
This wine starts with aromas of espresso, underbrush, berries and menthol along with a slightly medicinal note. The palate opens with black cherry, coffee, licorice and espresso alongside assertive tannins but then finishes abruptly, closing on an astringent note.
This wine starts with aromas of macadamia nut, Meyer lemon, yellow roses, banana flambée and an underlying stony character. It's soft on the palate, showing sea-salt caramel, seared banana, creamy white fruit like cherimoya and tons of depth.
This wine starts with aromas of toasted oak, coffee, mature blackberries and hints of bell pepper. The palate offers overripe plum, black currants, toasted oak, chocolate, and espresso alongside astringent and drying wood tannins that give this an abrupt finish.
This wine starts with aromas that recall farmyard and wet fur; these burn off to reveal leafy underbrush and forest floor. The palate offers dried cherry, blackberry, fennel, tobacco leaf, oak and fennel. It closes on a jumbled note of sugary vanilla and bitterly astringent tannins.
This wine starts with light melon and stone-fruit aromas on the nose. The palate brings a light bubble bead along with dry, briny citrus flavors and a touch of tropical papaya and mango. This brut nature is clean, fresh, zesty and citrusy on the finish.
This wine starts with typical Pinot Gris aromas of apple, pear and ginger, then picks up some citrusy flavors on the palate before ending on a note of orange zest. It's medium in weight, with a dry, silky feel as it glides across the palate.
This wine still appears to be coming out of its shell, showing some reduction with reticent notes of red plum, cherry and berry. The flavors are lipsmacking and rich, but it's difficult right now to get a clear sense of where it's all going.
This wine still seems to be in its shell with brooding notes of bittersweet chocolate, blackberry, raspberry and woodspice. It's a full-bodied mouthful of a wine. Layered black and red fruit flavors show good depth and density along with a firm structure of supporting tannins. Just a baby now, it should last well in the cellar until 2025 or more.
This wine still seems to be in its shell, showing considerable reduction that persists in the aromas and flavors. It drinks off dry with broad apple flavors.
This wine still shows its youthful tannins. Juicy acidity brings up the blackberry and blueberry. A touch of bitterness will blow away, giving an attractive, fruity wine by 2016.
This wine stops you in your tracks with its aromas of earth, peat, fire pit, tapenade and coffee. The flavors are outrageously rich, dense and textured, with a lightly tacky feel to the tannins and a hyperextended finish. It's a knockout.
This wine strikes a balance between crispness and fullness as it offers tart green apple aromas, richer, riper apple and Bosc pear flavors and a texture that's more rounded than sharp.
This wine strikes a nice balance between sweet and savory spice on the nose, with ripe fruit, prune and leather in the background. This is a velvety, warm, earthy wine with a broad aromatic delivery and bold Brunello style. It's smooth and round, without any of the sharp acidic accents you sometimes find in Sangiovese Grosso.
This wine strikes a perfect balance, showing the jammy, slightly raisiny ripeness of Paso Robles fruit, but keeping enough acid in the mix to buoy it up. Plump and ripe, it gives a lot of flavor for the price, with interesting layers of fruit and earth through the finish.
This wine strikes a resonant balance among mixed tree fruits, sappy acids and leesy, textural highlights that enliven the mouthfeel. The finish brings on golden raisins and a hint of nut butter.
This wine strikes a superb balance between herbaceous, green notes and ripe black fruit, all graced with a kiss of sweet vanilla. Rich blackberry and cassis flavors flood the palate, but then transition to sweet smoke and oak flavors on the finish.
This wine strikes a wide purple fruit note at first before centering on plum jam, wood smoke and a licorice element. On the palate, medium tannins frame a medium and smooth mouthfeel, with flavors of tobacco leaf giving way to richer coffee and woody elderberry flavors.
This wine struggles in its overripe, nearly sweet confections of vanilla and marshmallow.
This wine struts the full oak treatment. It smells like vanilla, toasted bread and cherry syrup, and tastes almost like cherry pie. It may be technically dry, but it seems sweet with all its baking spice and ripe fruit characters.
This wine subdues the simple fruit aspects and instead brings out aromas like white peach and almond, then subtle flavors like almond, butter and hard cider. It is dry but has a richness in the texture that comes off as creamy and inviting.
This wine succeeds in showing ripe, robust and even slightly rustic fruit flavor within a complex, integrated mix of tannin and oak. Dried cherry, chocolate and nutmeg accent a succulent backbone of juicy acidity and likable texture. The vines are 60-plus-years old.
This wine successfully embodies the tropical fruit side of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, blending hints of pineapple and passion fruit into a package that includes ample weight and a clean, refreshing finish.
This wine suggests green, savory herbs along with cherry and currant. It's elegant in style, velvety in feel, and delivers good concentration to the fruit flavors plus barrel notes (20% new French) on the lingering finish. The variety gets lost with the herbal notes taking over, but it still offers enjoyment.
This wine surprises and delights in its heady perfume and depth of cherry, cinnamon and brown sugar. Undoubtedly ripe, it holds its boldness well, allowing for glimpses of elegance amid the velvety layers of serious flavor.
This wine surprises by being so very pretty—unexpected from such a hot site. Lovely scents of raspberry, strawberry, mint and spice lift the nose; the palate is medium-bodied, nicely tart, perfectly balanced and long. The mix of sweet and tart red fruits lasts deliciously, with the spice adding grace notes. Though blended and aged in 100% new French oak barrels, the oak is muted, and the fruit shines through.
This wine surprises in its sanguine nature, dusted in currant and cranberry, with a dustiness to the firm, but not overbearing tannins. Structured and light-bodied in an elegant way, it remains lively in the glass.
This wine swings between structure and ripe fruitiness. With a dense tannic background, the foreground has jammy, black fruits and a rich character. Not a wine for long aging, it's attractive now and ready to drink from 2016.
This wine symbolizes extended barrel aging, thus the name, the winery's holding back of certain barrels for extra aging. This is the incredible result, ready for more time in bottle, a thick, dense and smoothly layered expression of red raspberry, fig, plum and coconut. Structured, it'll do well in the cellar, best to be enjoyed from 2023 to 2033.
This wine takes a kitchen-sink approach, blending 28% Syrah with sizable percentages of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah, as well as small additions of Merlot, Malbec and Zinfandel. It works, offering a dryness of red fruit, cedar and tobacco in an understated, medium-bodied package.
This wine takes a light approach to a robust red grape, in this case mellowing it with the addition of 15% Merlot. It remains buoyant on the palate and well structured, a combination of black olive, toffee, chalky tannin, juicy blackberry and blueberry. It allows for a richness of flavor without ever going overboard in texture or weight.
This wine takes a light approach to ripeness and oak, letting the freshness of the fruit speak with abandon. Bristling in acidity, it offers a layering of complementary dark cherry, huckleberry, pomegranate and cola, before a thick concentration of power peaks on the finish.
This wine takes a modern approach, recognized by the ripe blueberry, currant, vanilla and toasted nut aromas that characterize it. The wine is soft and silky in the mouth with a caressing quality and bright spice notes on the finish.
This wine takes a new-world view of Cabernet Sauvignon—juicy, fruity and with a mouthful of black fruit and chocolate-flavored tannins. At the same time, there's a Portuguese twist in the spice, and the is structured with bold acidity and a firm, dry core. Drink from 2014.
This wine takes time to come around, but once it does, oak and pencil shavings season an herbal core that's tight and classic. Black licorice and espresso enter the fray, expanding on the palate's blackberry and cassis. Cellar through 2020–2022.
This wine takes time to unravel and reveal itself, rewarding the patient with a wealth of high-toned citrus and elegantly wound, medium-bodied honeyed pear and caramel. Lengthy and complex, it's one to consider aging and allowing to further mellow over time. Drink now through 2021.
This wine takes white Châteauneuf-du-Pape to rare heights. Mouthwatering aromas of toasted nuts and pineapple set the stage for a full-bodied, rich, succulent wine experience whose finish lingers. Yet despite the wine's undeniable heft, it never seems overly weighty. Drink this blend of 80% Roussanne and 20% Grenache Blanc over the next couple of years.
This wine takes you on a trip to an outer wine world where deep, cushioned berry aromas come with exotic perfumes, bath oils and crushed flower petals. It's ultrasaturated and jammy, but not clunky or heavy. This tastes like a storm of blackberry, espresso and Swiss chocolate, while black spices and length bring up the rear. A blend of 50% Malbec, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cab Franc; drink now–2017.
This wine tames the notoriously stiff texture of the varietal with a little extra richness of fruit and a slight softening of the usual tannic mouthfeel. So it tastes generous, coating the palate with ripe boysenberry and black-pepper flavors, and finishing smooth. It's still a big wine, but won't need extended aging.
This wine tastes appley, fresh and crisp, beginning with bright floral aromas, then offering vibrant Pippin apple and citrus flavors. The body is light and the texture smooth but nicely tangy.
This wine tastes concentrated and powerful, from the first whiff of spicy cedar and black pepper to the smoky, dried fruit flavors and mouth-coating texture. It owes its savory, smoky character to its exceptionally long 30-month oak ageing. Yet while bold and assertive, its alcohol is restrained.
This wine tastes fresh and brisk, like apricots and lemons, yet a silky-smooth texture adds depth and interest to make it more than just a one-note, fruity style of wine. It comes from an over-achieving winery located one county inland from Napa.
This wine tastes heavy and rounded, with whiffs of petroleum and peppermint on the entry that settle down over time. With ripe fruit and oak at its core, it's a wine for fans of a more generous style.
This wine tastes like a rosé Champagne without the bubbles. It has a classic light salmon color, light aromas like white cherries and raspberries, and a surprisingly layered texure that curls around the tongue. And what a great value, too.
This wine tastes like a superripe, late-harvest and lavishly oaked version, so that all the aromas and flavors seem to be in overdrive. It smells like cinnamon and vanilla, tastes like strawberry jam, and has a little white pepper in the finish.
This wine tastes more like a barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc than a Rhône-style blend of 67% Viognier, 16.5% Marsanne and 16.5% Roussanne. It's dryish to off-dry and crisp in acidity, with citrus fruit and green apple flavors. The oak is a little heavy.
This wine tastes of the hard landscape from which it comes. It is firmly tannic, tough in its youth and packing a structured punch. Impressive, it hints at the black berry fruits that are underneath. Give this wine several years and drink from 2018.
This wine tastes rather light and lean. The aromas are like cherry and apple candy, and the flavors resemble not-quite-ripe red cherries and raspberries. It is dry and medium bodied.
This wine tastes relatively light and easy despite full body. It has aromas like raspberry jam, flavors that are exuberantly fruity, and a feeling of freshness and brightness.
This wine tastes sweet and grapey, with a softness that becomes cloying and a preponderance of baked flavor.
This wine tastes taut, young and tannic, as ripe red and black cherry are held in by good acidity and strong tannins that give a bite to the mouthfeel. Made from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, it is full bodied but not heavy, feeling very vibrant and structured.
This wine tastes very tangy and crisp. Medium bodied, with lemon and green-apple flavors, it's refreshing and mouth-cleansing.
This wine teeters between superripe (bold black cherries) and overripe (raisined and browning black cherries) on the nose, but comes out very good in the end. It's full bodied and richly textured, with pretty notes of lavender and thyme accenting black cherry flavors and a long velvety finish. Drink it over the next several months.
This wine tends toward an orange coloration, and shows aromas of warm watermelon, a touch of cantaloupe and even some orange rind. The flavors are very lively, if a little sour, with tangerine peels laced across the cotton-candy warmth.
This wine tests the critic's judgment. Is it just a fruit bomb, bursting with cherries, raspberries and blackberries, enhanced with caramelized oak? Or is it a Cab that needs time? All indications suggest the latter. The tannins are thick and hard, courtesy of the vineyard's high altitude in the Mayacamas Mountains, and the acidity is perfect to protect the wine as it evolves in the bottle. Give it until at least 2017.
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.
This wine that includes 65% Antão Vaz conjures up a warm, ripe character from the Alentejo. With its yellow fruits and almond flavors, it's soft although finished with some attractive acidity. Drink now.
This wine that shows the ripe tannins of Saint-Estèphe. It has a dry, dark core that's surrounded by rich black currant fruit. Situated close to Calon-Ségur, this is a stylish selection that exudes power and structure.
This wine ticks all the boxes, but just lacks the excitement and drama to take it to the next level. Smoke and vanilla notes add interest to the juicy, easy-to-drink cassis fruit. There's ample but not too much weight on the palate. Supple tannins. Perhaps it just needs additional cellaring time to warrant the price, although it doesn't come across as needing it in the structural sense.
This wine ultrarich—perhaps too much so. With intense apricot and spice flavors, it's a dense powerhouse of bitter botrytis that lacks elegance. Although it will soften with time, the superripe character will remain.
This wine unfolds with aromas of underbrush, toasted sensations and black fruit with a whiff of balsamic herbs. The palate delivers vibrant black cherry, black currant and oak-driven flavors including coffee and chocolate. It finishes on an astringent note of wood tannins. The Marchetto Company, Imports Inc., Pio Imports.
This wine used to come from Jumilla and contain Monastrell in addition to Shiraz and Tempranillo; now it's from Extremadura, with Carignan instead of Monastrell. It's rudimentary on the nose and scouring in the mouth, with firm tannins and sharp acids. The palate pulses with raspberry and plum fruit, then finishes with resiny grip and oaky flavors.
This wine utilizes 40% neutral oak, 40% stainless steel and 20% new French barrels, and is fermented with native yeast. It's a deep, vibrant gold color, sporting sexy aromas of pineapple, pear and peach. The palate is fully ripe, round and forward, with luscious fruit flavors throughout.
This wine varies in quality and perception based on when in its lifespan you taste it. Now, toward the end of the line, it's tropical and hanging in there, with green apple, citrus and other typical SB aromas and flavors. Even with 15% Carmenère in the blend for kicks, it's standard and workmanlike.
This wine veers between firm tannins from old wood and red fruit acidity, without finding balance. It's very dry, with a hard edge.
This wine veers between richness and austerity. Ripe berry fruits contrast with a tough core and dry tannins. It comes from the mountain region in northeast of Portugal, which explains the structured aftertaste.
This wine veers slightly sweet, like many overripe red blends. It's deep in color, soft in and makes a good counterpoint to spicy foods.
This wine was 20% barrel fermented with the rest in stainless steel. The aromas bring appealing notes of green apple, white pepper and herb. The palate is dry and sleek but still rounded in feel. This is as impressive an example of the variety that has come out of the state to date. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
This wine was aged 15 months sur lee in all-new French oak. The barrel aromas and flavors are in the lead, with notes of vanilla, butterscotch and spice followed by pear. It's creamy in feel but with an elegant styling.
This wine was aged almost a year in 45% new French oak. It shows its its powerful concentration of cherry-vanilla jam and tobacco, the tannins layered and thick. A smoky element of char permeates the finish.
This wine was aged five months entirely in stainless steel and yet it presents a medium-bodied, velvety texture and lushness of tropical fruit and vanilla bean. Deliciously floral in honeysuckle it finishes simple and crisp.
This wine was aged for 30 months in new French oak before subsequently seeing time in bottle. It offers aromas and flavors of herbs, woodspice and red and black fruit, with firm tannins providing the frame.
This wine was aged for 32 months in 85% new French oak but you'd never know it based on the vibrant aromas of iron, earth, bacon fat, black olive, garigue, orange peel, dried flower and purple fruit. This leads to a mouthful of fruit and savory flavors that coat the palate from end to end, finishing savory with abundant black olive notes. The sense of balance is exquisite as is the delicacy.
This wine was aged for 34 months in a mixture of French (85%) and American oak. Light aromas of dark fruit, vanilla and barrel spice lead to full-bodied slightly sharp-seeming fruit and barrel flavors supported by firm tannins. It shows a lot of warmth on the finish.
This wine was aged for a few months in barrel, and that woody character is evident on the nose, which shows butterscotch and dusty spice aromas, as well as the palate, which is lightly oily in feel, with baked, spicy flavors of toasted apple and pear. This Verdejo is woody but has freshness and a refined texture.
This wine was aged in hogsheads (300 liter) and demi-muids (500 liter). The oak provides a subtle frame, adding hints of pencil shavings and scorched pie crust to the ripe berry flavors. The wine is still big, lush and unmistakably Barossa Valley, showing off raspberries and blueberries to an unusual (and welcome) extent. Supple enough to drink now, it should also age well through at least 2025.
This wine was barrel-aged for 36 months and saw additional time in bottle prior to release. It displays brooding aromas of vanilla, cranberry, cherry, woodspice and light meaty notes. The palate is densely packed with tart cranberry flavors backed by firm, somewhat dry tannins.
This wine was barrel fermented and aged in 100% new French oak. Aromas of sweet spices, toast and stone fruit are followed by a full-bodied palate. It shows a lovely sense of texture.
This wine was co-fermented with 15% Petit Verdot from the same rocky, hillside site. The two varieties marry seamlessly in the glass, exuding a distinct perfume of forest mushroom and violet. Though pronounced in structure the wine is also soft and round, with a dotting of dried herb and a considerable length of clove and dust. It's rich, intense and memorable.
This wine was crafted by Napa veterans Bill and Dawnine Dyer, from grapes grown on the estate Coombsville vineyard. It defines the modern style of ripe, soft, luscious Napa Cabernet, yet brings a firm structure that suggests the cellar. Give it 6–8 years, and it could still be going strong at the age of twenty. A mere 75 cases were produced.
This wine was fermented and aged in French oak, 25% of it new. It shows a touch of nutmeg dotted along a light-bodied swath of pear, apple, peach and vanilla. The wine is deliciously simple and focused, with a short finish.
This wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel. The aromas bring pure notes of apple, Bosc pear and candle wax. The palate is clear and crisp, with a creamy feel and long finish. It impresses.
This wine was fermented half in stainless steel and half in neutral oak, and did not undergo malolactic fermentation. The result is a textured, rich explosion of honeysuckle, spice and lemon zest flavors that finishes with a minerally, flinty character.
This wine was given quite a bit of time in bottle. It offers cranberry, olive and a sanguine touch of dried cherry. Medium in weight and oak, it finishes with tart acidity.
This wine was half barrel-fermented, with just 25% of it new and French oak. It benefits from this treatment, offering fruit that leans toward Meyer lemon, melon and a vaguely tropical vibe, remaining balanced throughout, but especially on the finish.
This wine was inadvertently tasted against a bunch of Barossa giants, so I may have underestimated it. It still held its own, delivering subtle notes of plum, cinnamon and clove, plus hints of olive and mocha. It's medium in body, with some herbal notes, yet finishes dusty and mouthwatering. Drink now–2028.
This wine was made by Bordeaux-trained winemaker Denis Malbec and his wife, sommelier May-Britt Malbec. They've sourced some exceptional fruit from the Reichel Vineyard, including some Malbec, with some Cabernet Franc also blended in. Offering big tannins that await the cellar, it is otherwise a juicy wine rich in black and blue berry fruit, as well as a taste of graham cracker and cigar. Enjoy through 2025.
This wine was made by fermenting the skins and juice of several white Rhône varieties and Rolle, also known as Vermentino, together. It has a brassy color and more textural elements than usual for a white. Orange peel and toasted almond aromas are followed by dry white peach and white pepper flavors and a firm mouthfeel due to some tannin. With time, it opens up and tastes wonderful in an unorthodox way. Best after 2020.
This wine was made by Rhône-variety specialist James Mantone of Syncline. The aromas are locked up at present but suggest mineral, spice and red and blue fruit as it opens. The palate is full bodied, seamless and pure, showing depth and detail.
This wine was made for grilled meats, with its tobacco and spice aromas and combination of fruit and savory flavors. The wine has an assertive character and finishes with a spin of cedar.
This wine was made from grapes grown on the Petit Thouars estate by sparkling-wine producer Langlois-Château. It is ripe, deliciously fresh with touches of yellow fruits as well as brighter citrus. Fruity acidity comes in at the end. Drink now.
This wine was made from very specific Pinot Noir clones planted in a small block of the estate vineyard. It's exceptionally ripe with raspberry and cherry flavors, and plenty of new oak. A big wine, it's dark in color and impressive in weight, yet maintains a complex lightness of being. Drink now–2017.
This wine was made with 76% whole-cluster fruit, and it shows with iron rich notes on the nose as well as strong thyme, dark hibiscus, crushed cinnamon stick and other powerful red spices. Light and tannic cranberry fruit and plum-skin tartness pop on the palate as does thyme, green peppercorn and green cardamom.
This wine was sent to me with little information about the owners, and their Web Site doesn't reveal much. The paperwork says it's from Knights Valley, although the label reads Sonoma County. It's a dry, fairly tannic wine, quite ripe in currants and dark chocolate, with an herbal edge and a firm structure. Aged in 100% new French oak, it impresses for its richness and depth, and could develop over the next 6–8 years.
This wine was sourced from three vineyards along the West Sonoma Coast, from as far north as Annapolis and as far south as Sebastopol. Cranberry, raspberry and dark earth are on offer around a lilting, soft texture and medium-toned body. On the finish, expect black tea and minty herb, the acidity providing crispness.
This wine was sourced from three vineyards, including Gap's Crown atop what may one day be officially known as the Petaluma Gap, and the estate property known as Last Stop Ranch. It offers a mix of smoky charcuterie alongside tart cherry and cranberry, a balance of savory and sweet. Lightly textured and bodied, it finishes in piquant cinnamon spice and ginger.
This wine was whole-cluster pressed and puncheon fermented, with native malolactic fermentation. It's intriguing, with aromas of corn on the cob, lees, almond butter and chamomile that are followed by a dense flavorful palate. The balance is exquisite.
This wine wears its 15.8% alcohol better than any similarly heady wine out there. Yes, it's a bit hot, but the heat comes across as a slight chili pepper edge to the blackberry and dark unsweetened chocolate flavors, and the wine is, in its own way, balanced and elegant. Hard to imagine a more perfect barbecue red.
This wine wears its high alcohol well, appearing light in the glass and delivering loads of chaparral spice, sandalwood, beet, rhubarb and earthy dust scents on the nose. Although light in body, the palate boasts an underlying juiciness, packed with cranberry, thyme and pencil shaving flavors.
This wine will be ideal for picnics, or to bring a little summer to the cocktail hour in the cold months. It smells like fresh-cut apples, tastes deliciously fruity and has crispness rounded off by a dash of sweetness.
This wine will benefit from aging, as it's quite tannic and dry right now but has substantive flavors packed in tightly. It has smoky, meaty aromas, rich blackberry and tart cherry flavors, a very firm texture and gripping mouthfeel. Best after 2017.
This wine will divide aficionados. Some will find it too soft and fruity. Others will marvel at its sheer deliciousness. It's fantastically rich, a wine of deliriously decadent flavors, ranging from blackberry jam and crème de cassis to mocha, blueberry extract and buttered cinnamon toast. Yes, it's soft, but it's the softness of fine velvet. After all that richness, the finish is amazingly dry. Drink over the next few years to enjoy its youthful beauty.
This wine will suit those who are drawn to Riesling's food-pairing genius but don't want the explosion of fruit this variety normally provides. The nose is mineral-driven with aromas of beeswax while the palate is quite austere and finishes with a dry, acidic kick.
This wine with great potential is produced by the husband-and-wife team of Jorge Serôdio Borges and Sandra Tavares da Silva. it is structured, although the fruit is already rich enough to indicate its ripe character. Drink this smoky, wood-aged wine from 2020.
This wine with its tight black-currant character, is still also firm with tannins. It has a juicy edge that will develop well as the wine matures. With crisp acidity and structure, it should age. Drink from 2018.
This wine won't be available until 2013/2014, but for the moment it is a mouthful of extremely ripe blackberry and blueberry jam, with layers of tar and dirt. Big and ripe, the additional time in bottle will help smooth out its edges.
This wine would be a great value even for more money. It's bone dry, soft and extremely balanced, with cherry, black currant, plum and carob flavors that are grounded with a nice, sweet edge of fresh herbs and tobacco.
This wine would make a great impression on an elegantly dressed table with a fine meat-based menu. The wine's natural structure and freshness make it very food friendly and its elegant aromas of cassis, small berry, cola and white truffle will evolve beautifully throughout your meal.
This wine, a blend from many Mâcon vineyards, is crisp and full of acidity, making it bright and tangy. Its freshness is up front with apple and citrus fruits. The mineral texture gives an attractive tautness, and the wine is drinkable now.
This wine, a blend of Chardonnay and Gros Manning, forms a pair with a Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat blend from the same producer. Here, the style hails from the cooler southwest of France. Bright and crisp, it offers a hint of honey as well as good acidity cutting through to give a refreshing, lively aftertaste.
This wine, a regional blend, shows remarkable achievement in winemaking. Wild strawberry and red cherry exude on the entry, alongside floral elements of violet and lilac. Velvety, resolved tannins make it enjoyable from the get-go, layered in acidity for a buoyant lift on the midpalate and finish, which suggests cinnamon and tea. Enjoy now and through 2020.
This wine, aged in stainless steel barrels, offers muted berry fruit, somewhat masked by aromas of rubber tire and plastic. The finish is short and slightly bitter.
This wine, and its partner rosé, are Portugal's answer to Asti Spumante. It has the same lemon and honey character, very fresh and light in acidity. An attractive wine for apéritifs.
This wine, blending one-third each of the three main Champagne grapes, is crisp, although with a dosage that gives it a soft edge. Full of ripe apple and warm melon fruit, it has acidity as well as a gentle texture. The wine is balanced and ready to drink.
This wine, boosted by 8% Syrah, is relatively light in the glass, showing vanilla and plush red cherries on the nose. The palate offers lots of baking spices and touches of dried herbs, but is based primarily on rose petals and ripe olallieberries.
This wine, bottled with minimum sulfur, is ripe with concentration and firm tannins. It is fruity although there is also a bitter edge to the ripe cherry flavors. The wine is ready to drink.
This wine, combined with 10% Petite Sirah, impresses in grip and softness, offering big, rich waves of raspberry, cinnamon and allspice, before unveiling a leathery finish. An all-around likable wine, it's ready to enjoy now.
This wine, even at the age of four-plus years, remains dry, tannic and acidic. It has modest raspberry and cherry jam fruit, but isn't going anywhere.
This wine, for Maule PN, is a consistent, proven value. It's lightly perfumed and peppery on the nose, with herb and leather hints. Has a good body, smooth tannins and acidity, and earthy flavors of strawberry and raspberry. Mild on the finish; tastes like Pinot should.
This wine, from a label named after one of the state's wine pioneers, is Chardonnay in the traditional California style—done exceedingly well. Aromas of caramelized apples and butterscotch lead into a palate full of apple flesh, vanilla custard and sea salt, yet with enough pithy acidity to keep the mouth watering.
This wine, from a new collaboration between San Miguel vintner David DuBois and Santa Ynez winemaker Andres Ibarra, shows excellently on the nose, with apple blossoms, white peach flesh, cold butter, seared lemons and garden herbs. The dynamic, engaging palate is framed by pencil shavings and browned butter, with lemon peels, nectarine flesh and hints of salted pineapple.
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.
This wine, from a prime block of a famous vineyard, shows nectarine flesh, lime and lemon peel, salted butter and green herbs on the nose. The palate is still wound a little tight, but reveals green pear, citrus pith, lime juice, cheese rind and a touch of sour grass. Hold until 2016.
This wine, from one of the coolest parts of the Russian River Valley, has hints of the mushroomy earthiness that plagues some 2011 Pinot Noirs. But for whatever reason (good viticulture and careful sorting are likely), that slight unripeness remains only in the background as a complex counter to the tart cranberries, cherries and cola. The wine is marked by dryness and bright acidity. Surely it wants some time in the bottle. Drink after 2017.
This wine, from perhaps Montalcino's most famous single vineyard, opens with fruit aromas of black plum, black berries, cake spices and a whiff of new leather. The ripe, round palate delivers sweet black cherry layered with notes of chocolate and hints of vanilla alongside friendly tannins. While it lacks its usual complexity, it's juicy, delicious and extremely accessible. Drink 2015–2019.
This wine, from remote Basque vineyards in the Pyrénées mountains, is a blend of Petit and Gros Manseng and Petit Courbu. It is very aromatic, with fascinating smoky, white fruits and honeyed mix of flavors. There is a textured character, tangy as well as ripe. Drink now.
This wine, from selected vineyards owned by the Carrille family, is rich and now mature. Its tannins are merging with the secondary flavors of the fruit as it softens and develops a spice and tobacco character. Drink this wine now.
This wine, from selections of Touriga Nacional, is dense and firm. It has a dark structure that is only slowly developing to bring out the rich black-currant fruits. It is a ripe wine with a strong, mineral texture to balance the final acidity. Drink from 2018.
This wine, from the Les Clos Grand Cru vineyard, is a flagship for Laroche. It is richer than the producer's regular Les Clos offering, bringing roundness and a fullness to the mineral, textured character. It's open, ripe although it needs aging. Drink from 2018.
This wine, from the man who invented the name "Fumé Blanc," is not for everyone. It's way on the citrus, hay, and gooseberry side of the chart (as it is in every vintage), making for a lean, tart, almost sharp drink that some will find sour despite softening with 6% Sémillon and lees aging. Others will appreciate the sleek, almost severe elegance. Again, a wine that absolutely demands the right foods.
This wine, from the producer's estate vineyard on Atlas Peak, relies on the addition of nearly 15% Petit Verdot, which provides additional prettiness and power. Well structured and in balance, it imparts cedar, dried herb and pencil shavings, as firm tannins and subtle oak play background roles. It's defined by cool-climate restraint and grace. Drink from 2022–2027.
This wine, from veteran winemaker Steve Dooley, shows an herbal side on the nose, with charred pine prominent, alongside licorice and dried strawberries. The palate combines cranberry and pomegranate with healthy amounts of sage.
This wine, like so many from the 1998 vintage in Chile, is very light in texture and displays little depth. The flavors are accurate for a claret—mild berry and a touch of earth—and there's even a decent finish. A light quaff; don't expect weight.
This wine, made as the second label under the very reliable Talley Vineyards, is a solid purchase, offering black currant and herb-crusted roast pork aromas on the savory nose. It's juicy while smoky once sipped, with nice herbal touches that last deep into the finish. Drink now.
This wine, made by a relative of the Jocko's Steak House family, is vibrant. Bright and racy, the welcoming nose offers light cinnamon notes, plump raspberries, dried rose petals and a touch of slate. The palate winds tight cranberry-raspberry fruit through layers of bay leaf and dark clay, finishing with a menthol character that lingers into the finish.
This wine, made by Native American descendent Tara Gomez from the Chumash tribe, is dynamic on the nose. It shows both ripeness and minerality, with aromas of crystallized white peach, dewy herbs, green apples and a hint of guava. It's tight, steely and chalky once sipped, opening toward ripe pome fruit and cut grass, ever-evolving in the glass without going overripe.
This wine, made by the Thomas Fogarty team, presents a complex nose, with aromas of roasting oregano, marjoram, dill and thyme, smoked meat, blueberry and crushed lava rock. Those herbal touches swirl together on the palate amid hearty tannins, rounded blackberry fruits and soy flavors. Drink 2018–2033.
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.
This wine, made from organic grapes, opens with a nose of steely lemon but it devolves quickly into lemony cough drop territory, with a sourness in taste.
This wine, made from organically grown grapes, is ripe, full of red-cherry fruits and soft tannins. It is an immediately attractive wine, packed with fruitiness and ready to drink. The village of Leynes is on the border between Beaujolais and Macon.
This wine, named after a swarm of bees, comes from a small region in the center of the larger Côtes de Provence. From high-altitude vineyards in a state park, it is cool while keeping plenty of richness. The acidity and the red-currant fruits dominate this attractive, ready-to-drink wine.
This wine, named for the present owners' mother, is full of red berry fruit, attractive acidity and toasty wood to balance. It has soft, generous tannins, an open, juicy texture and is very ready to drink.
This wine, now mature, is ripe with jammy black fruits. It has soft balanced tannins as well as juicy acidity and a rich aftertaste. It is totally ready to drink.
This wine, now mature, shows a fine toast and yeast character. That still leaves room for crisp apple fruit and bright acidity, exuding a stylish elegance. It's poised with delicious balance. Drink now.
This wine, one in a series featuring the Avesso grape, is a blend of two of the major Vinho Verde grapes. Avesso comes from the south of Vinho Verde; Loureiro is from the central section. The wine is ripe, rounded and full of apple, pear and green-plum fruits. The aftertaste is crisp and tangy.
This wine, produced by négociant Rivière in Saint-Émilion, is a fruity, red-berry and black-currant flavored wine. It has tannins as well as a good structure that points up the fruitiness. The wine is ripe, smooth and ready to drink.
This wine, produced by the team of Château du Glana, is big, bold, solid and very firmly structured. With weight, richness, black plum skins and dark tannins, it's a fine wine for aging, so give it at least 6–7 years.
This wine, produced from 80-year-old vines on the Dupuy family's property, is firm and dense. It has new wood aging that shows in the juicy eucalyptus flavors and touches of mint. The youthful blackberry fruits and the structure show the wine has considerable aging potential. Drink this concentrated wine from 2019.
This wine, shows its spirit through the ripe fruit. It is textured and structured, with very firm tannins and powerful, spicy fruit. Hard-edged at this stage, the fruit is still developing. The aftertaste brings out the vintage's hallmark acidity.
This wine, solid and dense, is full of firm tannins as well as red cherry fruits. It's also fruity, with a great juicy character that permeates right through the wine. For drinking now, but better kept for 2–3 years.
This wine, the first vintage produced by the Esporão winemaking team, gives fine, elegant Douro tannins along with new wood and rich flavors of damson and blackberry. It is structured, powerful and very age worthy. Keep for at least four years.
This wine, though still young, reveals much about the Deutz style as well as the vintage. It strikes a balance between softness and crispness that fits the ethos of the house. At the same time, it's an attractive medium-term bottling, in line with what many producers acheived in 2010. It should be kept until 2019.
This wine, unlike the regular Porta bottling, comes across fat and bulky. It's overloaded with tropical fruit and combative oak. And while better qualities seem to be fighting to show themselves, they can't seem to fake it past the glaring oak. This is for barrel lovers only.
This wine, which blends 75% estate fruit with 25% from Rodney's Vineyard, offers black raspberry juice, black cardamom, allspice, buttered cherries and sandalwood on the nose. Bright strawberry fruit flavors are enhanced with clove spice, and a decently tart tension holds it all together.
This wine, which comes from thin, granitic soils, is lean, taut and dry. Hints of lime blossom and green apple on the nose and palate give it a springtime feel, while the finish is crisp and refreshing.
This wine, which hails from the Napa side of the sprawling Carneros appellation, is somewhat heavy and full-bodied for a Pinot Noir. Yet it's dry in style and the tannins are light and silky. It might improve with a year or two in the bottle.
This wine, which has a surprisingly evolved light garnet color with some brick on the edges, opens with a delicate floral perfume of violet, red berry and cinnamon. The spicy palate offers red cherry, white pepper, clove and cinnamon alongside fleeting tannins and a note of warm alcohol. Not much weight or complexity and extremely approachable for such a young Brunello.
This wine, which includes 17% Grenache, is a blend of fruit from Les Collines, Discovery and Riviere Galets vineyards. Smoked meat, dried herb and baking-spice aromas are followed by red-fruit flavors that display a sense of elegance.
This wine, which includes 17% Mourvèdre and 8% Grenache, is a blend of fruit from Arianses, Stone Tree, Ciel du Cheval and Heart of the Hill vineyards. Baking spice, vanilla, dark fruit and cocoa aromas lead to ripe, generous black fruit flavors. It's a bold, hedonistic interpretation of the variety, with oak playing a prominent role.
This wine, which is 100% varietal, brings aromas of fresh herbs, coffee, toast and char. The palate is rich with dark-fruit flavors while maintaining a lovely sense of balance.
This wine, which is 100% varietal, is a blend from the Upland, Stoney Vine and French Creek vineyards. Fermented using 75% whole cluster and seeing just 15% new oak, the emphasis is on freshness and purity. It displays aromas of stems, white pepper, earth, funk and black olive, with the Stoney Vine influence winning out. The earthy and savory palate-coating flavors heighten the interest, with fruit and savory notes sailing on the finish. There are lots of good things going on but it needs time to come together. Best after 2019.
This wine, which is 100% varietal, is a blend of fruit from Art Den Hoed and Gunkel vineyards. Aromas of cranberry, clove and fresh flowers are followed by coffee and floral flavors that show elegance and persistence.
This wine, which is bolstered with 4% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier, shows aromas of tar, charred beef and white pepper. That spice shows strongly on the vibrant palate, with crushed peppercorns dominating in a pleasant way, alongside black sage and other dark herbs.
This wine, which is dominated by Sauvignon Blanc, is from a small plot in the vineyard of La Garde. It is wood aged, giving spice as well as ripe, smooth fruit. There is a young herbal edge that will certainly soften as it ages. This is an aromatic crisp wine that will be ready to drink from 2021.
This wine, which is enhanced with 6% Roussanne, is quite floral on the nose, with tuberose and stargazer lily trending toward ripe tropicality. The flavors are a little more subdued, with hints of guava jam on toasted brioche.
This wine, which is from the Napa side of the sprawling Carneros appellation, is superb. It's soft, rich and chocolaty, with a rich vein of ripe blackberries, but it also has a tannic structure and dry finish that make it balanced and complex. Drink now–2015.
This wine, which is named after vintner Bill Foley's grandma, is quite light in the glass, and shows a lot of florals on the nose, along with strawberry syrup and brown spice. It's a little flat on the palate, yet suggests fresh raspberries and rose petals, proving a nice light and bright sipper that wouldn't overwhelm a fish dish.
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.
This wine, which takes the family name of Franz Haas's wife, is an extraordinary blend of 50% Riesling, 20% Chardonnay, 20% Traminer and 10% Sauvignon Blanc. And yet these disparate elements come together into a harmonious, ripe wine, with just a hint of toast from the barrel-fermented Chardonnay. It is powerful, rich and complex.
This wine, while rich, has all the minerality and crisp texture associated with the appellation. Wood aging adds spice. It needs some aging, not much, and will be ready to drink from 2019.
This wine, while so fresh and fruity, also has some weight behind it, giving ripe plum and black-cherry flavors. A tannic texture behind the wine balances with the final acidity.
This wine, whose producer is owned by Campania's celebrated Feudi di San Gregorio, bears a dense consistency and pretty aromas of blackberry, cola, cherry and tobacco.
This wine, with impressive intensity for a red Vinho Verde, is ripe in attractive red berry flavors alongside crisp acidity. It is fruity, soft and ready to drink. Wines called Pardusco were exported from Portugal to England in the 14th century.
This wine, with its acidity, is so crisp and bright. Touches of red fruits give the wine a riper character, although what makes it most attractive is the freshness and the delicious fruity aftertaste. Drink this bottle as a fine apéritif.
This wine, with its black color, barely escapes being too much. Initially, it seems too rich, too concentrated. But slowly its more elegant character, ripe and smooth, comes through. The acidity gives surprising freshness considering the weight and density. It does need time, 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.
This wine, with its equal proportions of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, is full of potential. With dark tannins and concentrated fruits, it's a big wine that needs years to show its underlying freshness. Drink from 2018.
This wine, with its gentle wood aging and ripe fruits, is the more accessible early of the two wines made at the estate. It is full of ripe berry fruits, while having a background of firm tannins and a dusty texture. The wine should be ready from 2018.
This wine, with its late release and maturity is aiming to show that Alvarinho can age. The verdict: Sometimes, but not this time. The wine is definitely old with a strong oxidative character and no sign of any fruit.
This wine, with its massive tannins and rich fruit, is obviously set for a long life. It does have the contrast of fresh black-currant acidity to give it a lift. But with the power behind it, the wine will develop slowly. Drink from 2025.
This wine—aged in a mixture of 20% new American and French oak—shows a pleasing interplay of fruit and barrel. Notes of vanilla and cocoa intermingle with dried herbs, cranberry and bell pepper. It brings focused, lightly styled but high-octane cranberry flavors that are almost creamy in feel, with the focus more on elegance than sheer power.
This wine—made using fruit from 60-year-old Marsanne vines—is full bodied but crisp and reined in at the same time. Hints of toast accent citrus and melon notes that turn more lemony and lean on the finish. Could improve with 3–5 years of cellaring.
This wine—named for two adjacent vineyards—is 75% Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Bacchus Cabernet Franc. It provides a pleasing assortment of dried and fresh herbs, cherry, flowers and mocha with a seamless, almost creamy feel, bringing an impeccable sense of balance. It's irresistible now but has the stuffing to go the distance.
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.
This wine—sold direct only through the winery —gets better with time, with stony, cherry and cardamom brightening up through the tannins as the wine has a chance to breathe. Big and full, V. Sattui gets its grapes from mostly Lake County, rounding it out with a smaller percentage of Napa Valley fruit, as well as a handful from Dry Creek. Very solid.
This wine—the first vineyard-designate to come out of this young site—is 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Cabernet Franc and 22% Merlot. It takes time to get going but once it does, it provides generous aromas and flavors of coffee, vanilla, herbs, plum and cherry along with lightly grainy tannins. The precision and elegance the winery is known for is on full display.
This wine—the only of its kind in the state—is a blend of 70% Carignan and 30% Grenache. It brings appealing, quite pure aromas of herbs, bramble and red fruit. The flavors also bring a compelling sense of purity, with no new oak influence anywhere in sight. Put it on the dinner table to see it shine.
This winery's basic Pinot has had a mixed record over the years. The '08 is dry and silky, but not particularly interesting at this price. It has gentle cherry, raspberry, cola, spice and oak flavors, offset by crisp acids. Drink now.
This winery's best bottlings are its red blends, and this is certainly one of them. Made from a unique combination of Syrah, Malbec and Petit Verdot, it's bone dry, deeply tannic and sweet in blackberries, plums, herbs, tobacco, bacon and sandalwood. The tannins suggest drinking with rich meats and cheeses.
This winery's bottlings manage to pack bright, fruity energy and a wide array of herbs and seasonings into the same lithe frame. In this case, sagebrush and chaparral meet candied red cherry and dark pomegranate on the nose. The palate shows lots of oregano, thyme and bay leaf against a ripe cranberry base, with touches of black tea and rosehip adding to the complexity.
This winery's investment in organic viticulture seems to have paid off. Fresh apple mixes with cotton candy on the nose while more serious notes of apricot and pear take over in the mouth. Vanilla and caramel linger on the zingy finish.
This winery's name is a nod to the adjacent Pleasant Valley Cemetery in San Miguel, where the warm climate suits Zinfandel well. Plump and bursting boysenberry and lingonberry aromas are dusted with vanilla and marjoram on the nose. The palate's flavors range from ripe red fruit to clove-driven spice and herbal touches, with pepper-laced acidity.
This winery's Pinots rarely rise to the top, but are almost always soundly made, very good wines, with extra points for complexity. The '05 is directly on par with previous vintages, a silky, dry wine showing rich flavors of cherries, cola, pomegranates and spices. It's the kind of Pinot that pairs well with foods without taking center stage.
This winery's Santa Barbara bottling has established a track record as a fine, elegant Pinot Noir at a fair price. It's not one you need to age, but it shows a clean, pure approach, with a silky mouthfeel and classic Pinot flavors of persimmon, cola and mushrooms.
This winery's Walla Walla Valley debut displays aromas of ash, green olive, grilled asparagus, dried flowers, smoked meat and blue fruit. The smoke and savory flavors are soft and reserved in style, showing a pleasing persistence on the finish.
This winery's workhorse blend of 45% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 8% Counoise and 7% Mourvèdre shows aromas of boysenberry, asphalt, peppercorn and lilac on the nose. The mouthfeel is soft yet the palate is still wound up nicely, offering tart plum, black raspberry, black pepper, chipped slate and earthy flavors.
This winery's young estate vineyard shows lots of promise. Aromas of dried herbs, bittersweet chocolate, mineral, licorice, raspberry and cherry lead to textured, rich cranberry flavors with a firm handshake of tannins and a tart, cranberry-filled finish. It needs time to all come together but has the stuffing to go the distance.
This winery always manages to pack in rich fruit and hearty spice. This bottling shows bay leaf, anise, pine needle and black tea aromas that accent a core of plum. That hearty dark fruit carries through to the palate as well, but warms up with earthy soil, licorice and minty fudge flavors. A luscious, lingering mouthful.
This winery always seem to offer a more European style of Shiraz, combining slightly earthy, dusty notes with savory hints of spiced meat and fresh dark-berried fruit. The 2004 shows a fair amount of complexity allied to firm tannins and crisp acids, and will probably require another 4–5 years to show its best.
This winery atop the mountains overlooking Silicon Valley makes amazingly earthy and age-worthy wines. This bottling's nose is soil-driven, with sun-baked loam laid across red cherry, condensed lilacs, cola and sandalwood aromas. The sip is structured firmly and strategically like the frame of a well-built home, where dark mulberry and savory spices reside. Drink now–2028.
This winery does a great job at producing an affordable Sauvignon Blanc that satisfies on many levels. It's properly dry and crisp, with refreshing lime, lemongrass and tart gooseberry flavors that have a honeyed mellowness. Should be easy to find, with 25,000 cases produced.
This winery does an excellent job of providing a range of styles in their single-vineyard bottlings. In this case, richness is on display, with aromas of concentrated lemon cream, buttered toast and a bit of crushed chalk. Strong yellow-apple and melon flavors show on the sip as well as a jasmine and gardenia elements and a butterscotch finish. Fairly unctuous and loose in texture.
This winery expertly differentiates its single-vineyard bottlings, here exploring the warmer, riper side of the grape, but with style and grace. Aromas of vanilla, sea-salt caramel, macadamia nut and hazelnut lead into a palate where lightly buttered yellow apples meet with jasmine tea, honeysuckle and a light touch of marzipan.
This winery gives its wines extra years in bottle prior to release, and it pays off with powerful, muscular, densely structured that have been polished to a fine luster. This Syrah emphasizes fruit, not funk, with opulent flavors of black fruit, dried cherry, fig and plum. The 30 months it spent in two-thirds new French oak adds dark streaks of coffee and cocoa. It shows tremendous depth, and it could be cellared for another few years—but why wait?
This winery has a good track record for producing rich, opulent Chardonnays. The cool 2010 vintage was beneficial, yielding a low alcohol wine with extraordinarily rich tropical fruit flavors and bright, graceful acidity. It saw a majority of new French oak, lending it a note of buttered toast, but the underlying wine is so big, it easily handles that weight.
This winery has always taken a light-handed approach to Sangiovese, preferring a delicate, drinkable wine to a ponderous one. The trend continues with this appealing release. It's deeply flavored with berry and spice, in a dry, airy package with just enough weight to qualify as a serious wine. Try it with almost anything, it's that versatile.
This winery has been making rosé for more than two decades, and nails the recipe especially well this vintage. The brilliant salmon-pink wine shows watermelon, light red cherry and a stony quality on the nose, while the grippy palate engages from the get-go with red plum, riverstone and gravel on the tip of the sip. Strawberry flavors carry through the strong acidity, and the finish is all about texture.
This winery has been working for years with Barbera, but it's a tough grape to perfect in California. This shows the variety's rustic side, with briary flavors of wild berries and thick tannins. It's also sweet on the finish, like a simple Port.
This winery has had a reputation for making Cabs in a leaner, more ageworthy style, but that is no longer true, to judge by this '05. It's as ripe and fruity as anything out there, and immediately drinkable for its beautiful blackberry, black currant, chocolate and cedar flavors. Still, the tannins are considerable, and the wine should easily negotiate the years. Best now and through 2013, at the least.
This winery has made a nice Sauvignon Blanc as far back as I can remember. The 2016 is a linear, precise example, tightly focused and crisp on the finish. The ample pineapple and grapefruit aromas and flavors are zesty and refreshing.
This winery has made its mark over the years exclusively with blended wines, yet here is a single-varietal, single-vineyard offering. The aromas are expressive with notes of black cherry and high-toned herbs along with spice accents. The dark fruit and licorice flavors are tightly wound with a core of firm tannins and lively acids.
This winery has really figured out how to make fruit flavors that are remarkably delicious, and this wine displays that talent admirably. It just bursts with the tastiest stone fruit flavors, but they're dry, and the wine's balance is impeccable.
This winery has shown a knack with Malbec and it continues on its young estate project. Aromas of herbs, tobacco, red plum and clove are fresh and appealing. The palate is lush, textured, concentrated and flavorful with a spice-filled finish that keeps you coming back for more. Expect this wine to drink well through 2030.
This winery has succeeded in producing a lovely Bordeaux-blend wine in this difficult vintage. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, and including all five classic Bordeaux grapes, this wine is rich and opulent with blackberry jam, blueberry, currant and anise flavors, enhanced with new oak. Give it a decant and enjoy it over the next year or two.
This winery has turned out a couple of terrific BAs in 2006 as the family focuses its efforts on its estate wines. Pear, peach, pineapple and spice notes lead the way, garnished by hints of dried apricots in this rich, viscous offering. Finishes long and mouthwatering, not cloying at all—a remarkable achievement in a wine this sweet. Drink now–2040 or beyond.
This winery is adept at crafting unusual blends. In this case, 55% Syrah, 40% Zinfandel and 5% Viognier join forces to offer elderberry, blackberry, pine oil, toasted oak, crushed black pepper and charred meat on the nose. The palate gives chocolate, allspice, baked cherry and blueberry, vanilla and a toasty cedar tone.
This winery is approaching cult status, and for good reason. Rather than compete with over-extracted competitors, this bottling shows a medium richness that pairs black plum and dark chocolate with light mint and dried herbs. Oregano, thyme, sage, bay leaf and black pepper power the palate, where boysenberry fruit and pencil lead complete the fresh but layered experience.
This winery is at the extreme edge of the pick-early, low-alcohol movement, which can make the wines challenging for the usual California Pinot fan. But this Pinot begins on familar territory, with heady aromas of dried violet and scarlet rose, damp forest floor, and cinnamon-laced cranberry sauce, managing to be both brisk and funky. The flavors are light and tart, but will pick up more savory characteristics from 2018–2024.
This winery is better known for its Marsanne, but this Viognier is an excellent value. It exudes hints of apricot, pineapple, ginger and honey, coming across rich and creamy on the palate. Despite the heft, it finishes long, framed by mouthwatering acidity.
This winery is earning a place among Oregon's best with its top tier wines, like this one. Complex and loaded with bee pollen, crisp apple, lime zest, seabreeze and toasted cracker notes, it leaves you breathless the longer it breathes.
This winery is making one of the best cases for Pinot Noir in the Paso Robles area. This bottling, which is quite dark in color, starts with black plum, mulberry, wet loam and a strong sense of umami on the nose, with hints of nori and teriyaki. The palate shows tart black-plum-skin flavors alongside juniper and more moist, turned-earth flavors. The acidity is persistent and tannins firm enough.
This winery is one of the region's bright spots, in this case offering expertly layered touches of vanilla, caramel, cappuccino, blueberry and a touch of oregano in the blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot. Cocoa nibs, coffee, black cherry, dill, bay leaf and black olive pop on the palate, where the lingering acidity ensures aging potential.
This winery is part of the Santa Carolina group, and the Cefiro Chardonnay is toasted and mildly buttery and baked, with spiced apple and mild citrus flavors. The palate is basic but controlled, with a toasty, vanilla-tinged finish. Standard and familiar, but well executed.
This winery is striving to show that Burgundian varietals can work in the cooler Willow Creek region of Paso Robles, where sea breeze comes through the Templeton Gap. This bottling provides good evidence, with aromas of crushed rocks, vanilla toast, roasted apple and peach. Brisk apple cider dominates the palate, picking up roasted almonds in the midpalate and possessing quite a bit of pear skin grip.
This winery is taking quick steps forward and carving out its own identity for quality wines. This nicely aged vineyard designate boasts sweet cherry, marzipan, vanilla and loads of raspberry candy aromas. Instead of berry candy, the mouth is dominated by exotic spice, root beer and crushed pepper. Despite these distinctive characteristics, it remains a harmonious whole.
This winery makes just a single, estate-grown Pinot Noir each year. Pomegranate and red plum fruit flavors are gracefully showcased in this elegant vintage. Silky and smooth, it retains focus through a medium-weight, impeccably clean finish.
This winery makes one of the better, more consistent white Txakolis, but this rosé is fruitless and smells of grass and green beans. A spritzy palate similarly tastes of beans and bell pepper, and the finish maintains that vegetal character.
This winery northeast of San Diego sources from up north and experiments heavily with stem inclusion on this bottling, which shows cherry blossoms, crushed cranberries and an earthy line of anise through the nose. Plush purple fruit flavors of olallieberry and boysenberry power the medium-bodied palate, with sage and peppercorn spice throughout.
This winery not only makes a bunch of single vineyard bottlings, but also tries to show off different styles. This one shows sweeter white peach, ripe cantaloupe, lush mango and a touch of vanilla on the nose. The palate is ripe and round with more mango, melon, papaya and banana flavors, yet that opulence is bound by chalky structure and lots of back-end acid.
This winery produces a slew of Pinot Noirs each year, and this specific clonal study shows clove and cardamom on the somewhat subdued nose. The flavors are more forward, dominated by black tea and cherry, with a touch of tannin.
This winery produces a vast array of wines, yet Syrah seems to thrive best in this vineyard deep up the Santa Maria Valley. The nose is white pepper, sweet plums and rich blackberries, while the relatively light palate is all pepper and verve, with darker hints of leather, tobacco and espresso. It's a great food wine.
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.
This winery seems to be trying to find an identity. The Cabs are vintage-driven, and do better in cool years, which 2004 wasn't. This wine is a little soft and direct, but delicious enough, with ripe, pastry-filling blackberry, cherry, boysenberry and chocolate flavors. You can taste high-char oak on the finish.
This winery uses ample amounts of oak, but in years when the fruit concentration matches that intensity the wines can be compelling. Cedar and vanilla notes frame blackberry and cassis fruit in this firmly structured wine that folds in savory notes of roasted beef and black olive on the finish. Drink 2020–2030.
This winery was named after the Dragon's Blood tree, and the label for this bottling features the owners' late Weimaraner, Draco. The wine itself shows dark red fruit and cinnamon on the nose, with savory touches of white pepper, thyme and oregano. The palate's tangy cranberry fruit is paired with herbal notes, leather and tobacco.
This winery was originally developed as a Cabernet specialist, and the regular 2012 bottling is another fine success. Briery, herbal shadings frame blackberry fruit, while the finish features a mouthwatering combination of mocha, dark fruit and lingering tannins. Drink this medium-bodied Cabernet now through 2025.
This winery, with its Los Alamitos tasting room east of Long Beach, sources from a variety of vineyards to make some impressive wines. This bottling shows crushed black pepper, tar, roasted lamb and savory herb notes on the nose. The palate is tangy with underripe boysenberry, thyme, black tea and roasted lamb flavors.
This wines arrives on tiptoe, citrus-scented and fresh, but once it expands on your palate it soon fills the mouth with all manner of stone fruits. As befits this vintage, everything is tempered with grapefruit zestiness but both mirabelle and apricot richness not only lend flavor but also a beautiful texture that insinuates quince and blood orange zest. What a triumph, what a marvel. Irresistible now but with incredible concentration this is built to last. Drink now till 2020 at least.
This winning blend of 75% Nero d'Avola and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon is firm and structured, but coddles that structure in a layer of lushness. Briary, raspberry fruit is balanced by darker notes of cassis and chocolate. Drink now-2010.
This women-owned château above Cadillac produced a crisp wine, tight and nervy. With lively acidity, it focuses on the citrus side of life, finishing with a mineral edge. It will drink best from the end of 2017.
This wonderful and youthful wine shows how the Rhône varieties blend so well. It tastes as if the Grenache gives ripe fruit and the Syrah adds power and tannins. It's a big wine, with ample grippy texture, full body and good potential for aging through at least 2019.
This wonderful blend of Carignano (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah is one of the island's emerging “super Sardinian” wines. Plush, rich and extracted, the wine offers the density and longevity to stand up to veal or pork.
This wonderful Brunello opens with sultry aromas of black fruit, cherry, spice, leather and tobacco. It's a rich and penetrating wine with a soft, lush mouthfeel and a hint of crisp acidity on the close. You'll want to keep this treasure in your cellar for a few more years.
This wonderful ruby-colored Riserva delivers notes of ripe cherry, milk chocolate, herbs and pipe tobacco. It has loads of zest and pizzazz, with lingering spice tones, solid structure and silky tannins. It presents a complete and very pretty package.
This wonderful under-$20 Malbec opens with a blast of black-fruit aromas as well as mild rubber scents and minerality. The palate is solid, with baked berry and integrated saline and mineral flavors. A bright, lively finish with a ton of berry essence closes this out.
This wonderful vintage of Tortoniano (a blend of Nebbiolo grapes from the best vineyard crus) opens with amazing intensity and purity of its varietal aromas. The wood element, in the form of toasted almond and espresso bean, is integrated and the close is persistent, smooth and firm.
This wonderful wine showcases the blender's art. The grapes come from 11 appellations throughout the valley, and the wine, while notable for its delicious flavors, also is great in structure. It has soft tannins and refreshing acidity, and is entirely dry, with moderate alcohol. Those flavors include raspberry jam, cherry-vanilla cream, cinnamon and white pepper. So easy to like.
This wonderful, mineral wine boasts the ripe apricot and peach fruits of the year combined with a taut texture, well-integrated wood and a great waft of citrus to close.
This wonderfully elegant cru expression is full bodied and rich with smoky tones of cedar and tobacco over blackberry, cassis and red rose aromas. The tannins are big, firm and lend a sturdy, powerful feel in the mouth that will become silkier and even smoother with time.
This wonderfully refreshing, dry Riesling is redolent of ripe honeydew melon and freshly pressed Granny Smith apples. Lime and a nice steely backbone combine mid-palate with the sour tang of lemon drops and a lingering bitter almond finish.
This wondrously vibrant and energetic wine shows fresh-pressed raspberries and strawberries on the zesty nose alongside fennel bulb and sandalwood. The just-ripe raspberry and cherry-tomato flavors on the palate make for an intriguingly light elegance, but it's sewn together with a defined structure. Thyme and oregano herbs complete the experience.
This wood-aged and structured wine is concentrated and dense. It comes from the Premier Cru vineyard just to the west of the village. With generous tannins and juicy ripe red fruits, the wine is broad and going to be rich. Drink from 2023.
This wood-aged blend of Arinto and Chardonnay is a fine contrast between the round toastiness of the Chardonnay and the fresher, tank-fermented Arinto. It works to give a ripe, full wine that is textured, with ripe apple flavors lifted by acidity. Drink from 2017.
This wood-aged blend of Merlot and Malbec comes from the range of hills that continue from Saint-Emilion and Castillon in Bordeaux. There are similarities in the richness of this wine giving a fine balance between fruit and acidity. The tannins and the spice from wood aging are showing well, suggesting the wine will age. Drink from 2019.
This wood-aged blend of Rolle and Ugni Blanc comes from selected parcels on the ancient estate Hubert Rouy began renovating in 2003. It is smooth, rich and full of toasty flavors as well as ripe, tropical fruits. It can be drunk now although it will be so much better from 2017.
This wood-aged blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon has ripe fruits and plenty of the crisp acidity typical of the vintage. Its wood touches are subtle, just enough to give a creamy texture. The wine has a rich texture and will certainly age for another few months. Drink from 2018.
This wood-aged blend of seven grape varieties is sourced from biodynamic vineyards. It's richly structured and dense, with fine tannins and bold red plum fruit. Balanced, with a crisp aftertaste, it's ready to drink.
This wood-aged effort shows its wood flavors strongly. In the future, the rich blackberry flavor will take over, yielding a complex, ripe wine that will always have tannins, but it will also have a concentrated structure. Age for at least four years.
This wood-aged Guru is a rich (while lemon- and lime-flavored) spicy wine. It has a strong mineral element with a crisp, tangy, steely character. Its fruitiness is tempered by the complex texture that promises aging for a few years. Drink from 2017.
This wood-aged Pinot Bianco offers ripe, full fruit with accompanying wood and spice flavors. It is rich and quite soft, but has a touch of crisp acidity.
This wood-aged reserve wine has structure and fine dry tannins. Under that the black fruits are still developing. Give it another year in the cellar before drinking.
This wood-aged rosé is complex and intense. The rich fruit is only one part of the structure of the wine which is perfumed, mineral and, for a rosé, dense. It is surely intended for food with its concentration and ripe aftertaste. The extra year of aging has made it ready to drink.
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.
This wood-aged white is richly endowed with yellow and crisp apple fruits. Balanced with the toast and spice, they give a ripe, opulent wine that is ready to drink.
This wood-aged wine achieves a good balance between the toast and the bright citrus fruits. It's ripe, full of fruitiness and with a crisp texture that contrasts with the smoky backdrop. The aftertaste suggests the wine will benefit from another year's aging, so drink from 2016.
This wood-aged wine bases its smooth character on firm tannins as much as fruit. It has concentration, firm extraction and a hard edge.
This wood-aged wine brings together some of the freshest of Portuguese white grapes along with Sauvignon Blanc. It's a surprisingly successful blend, with toast that smoothes out the herbaceous, crisp character of the fruit and adds some apricot highlights. Drink from 2015.
This wood-aged wine comes from a single vineyard in Mercurey. It is lightly toasty with touches of apricot, a crisper edge of citrus and a mineral aftertaste. Drink the wine from 2018.
This wood-aged wine conveys mint aromas and new-wood flavors. It is rich, full in the mouth and developing quickly. The black currant fruitiness is fresh, giving a delicious, juicy wine to drink from 2016.
This wood-aged wine from old vines delivers good concentration and a firm tannic backbone to the red fruits and light acidity. It needs aging, so drink from 2016.
This wood-aged wine has a powerful structure that doesn't leave out the ripe fruits. Along with a dense texture, black fruits and dry tannins, it offers concentration and delicious potential. Drink from 2017.
This wood-aged wine has a ripe fruitiness about it. The tannins give some structure while not taking away from the generous blackberry fruits. It's rich and warm, just hinting at pepper on the finish. Drink now.
This wood-aged wine has juicy black fruits that are given shape by the firm tannins and dense, concentrated structure. Initially austere and packed with acidity, it needs time to develop. Drink this powerful wine from 2016.
This wood-aged wine has spicy aromas. On the palate, it's creamy and toasty, its ripe fruit and tangy texture giving it richness. Acidity keeps it crisp and fruity. Drink from late 2017.
This wood-aged wine is a fascinating example of how rosé can age. It is certainly mature and has lost its crisp fruitiness. But it has gained toast, a smooth rich texture and plenty of spice. It's obviously a food wine, ready to drink now.
This wood-aged wine is a product of the new venture Sogrape has launched in Alentejo. It is powerful, dark in color and seriously concentrated. Dense tannins and a solid structure are rich with black plum and berry fruits as well as acidity. The wine is still young and needs to age. Drink from 2018.
This wood-aged wine is an impressive blend of Loin de l'Oeil and Sauvignon Blanc. The result is a wine that is rich, spicy, layered with creamy wood while preserving an intense freshness. From a stony vineyard, it has some of minerality that comes from the soil. It is a wine to age; drink from 2017.
This wood-aged wine is crisp and displays a great balance between acidity and rich fruits. The wine is still young, although you can see the good acidity, mineral texture and refined toastiness. The elements are coming together to give a wine that will age well. Drink from 2017.
This wood-aged wine is full of generous fruits. The hints of toast from are already well integrated into the elegant structure. A blend of Touriga Nacional with Merlot and Aragonez, allows ripe fruit to speak easily and with just a touch of tannin. Drink this wine now.
This wood-aged wine is full of toasty fruits and a mineral texture. Ripe apricots and sweet apples give a fruity aspect that is balanced by the toast and spice. Perfumed acidity finishes this wine that suggests further aging. Drink from 2016.
This wood-aged wine is now mature. Along with spice and toast, it also has an oxidative character that gives softness and warmth. Its rich flavors are full bodied, bringing out citrus and intense acidity. The wine is ready to drink.
This wood-aged wine is rich and full of tropical fruits as well as a light touch of toast. Crisp acidity lies in the background, giving freshness to the natural ripeness of the fruits. It's still young, still showing a strong, tangy texture, so wait to drink until 2016.
This wood-aged wine is rich and full. Its intense fruits are balanced by subtle wood flavors and a tight texture. Named after the Romans who were the first to plant vines in Sancerre, this is a concentrated wine that will repay some aging. Drink from 2019.
This wood-aged wine is rich and smooth with light toast blending with the yellow fruit and spice. Acidity gives the wine its freshness contrasting with the complex fruit and wood balance. Drink this fine wine from 2017.
This wood-aged wine is rich, full with tannins and great black fruits. The vineyard is in the heart of Cahors to the west of the city, able to produce classic Malbec, ripe and full of fruits and acidity. The wine is made to age, so drink from 2019.
This wood-aged wine is rich, spicy and with a stylish combination of acidity and rich yellow and white fruits. The acidity cuts through the ripe texture and gives the wine its full-bodied character. The aftertaste shows a wine that is still young and will be best from 2018.
This wood-aged wine is ripe with black fruits and dense with dark tannins. It has a warm feel to its structure, developing into a concentrated, black-plum-flavored wine backed by toast and firm tannins. Drink from 2018.
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 wood-aged wine is seriously rich and powerful, with some bitterness from extraction. Dark chocolate flavors and firm tannins dominate it now; the fruit is there, but submerged. Give it until 2020 before opening.
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.
This wood-aged wine is smooth, with berry fruit flavors, solid tannins and a touch of mint. It should age well for the next few years, so drink from 2019.
This wood-aged wine is soft and round. Touches of spice and vanilla partner with warm pear and peach flavors. It is still young, still integrating the wood with the fruit. Drink from 2016.
This wood-aged wine is soft and rounded. It has a ripe black-plum flavor and a generous texture, which brings out the richness of the vintage. There is a fine line of refreshing acidity on the finish.
This wood-aged wine is spicy and toasty. It comes from a small property 1,000 feet above the Douro. Although it offers blackberry flavors and acidity, these are dominated by the wood. Let the wine soften a few months more and drink from 2018.
This wood-aged wine is spicy, ripe, packed with rich yellow fruits and finished with acidity. It is beautifully balanced, the spice and toast well integrated with the fruit. Drink this still-young, tangy wine from late 2018.
This wood-aged wine is still young. It has plenty of bright fruits and a smooth texture from the dominant Chardonnay in the blend. A mineral edge to the apple and peach fruits shows along with crisp acidity at the end. It will become a rich, smooth wine as it ages. Drink from late 2017.
This wood-aged wine shows as much fruit as wood. It's complex and dense, with wonderful acidity and sweet raisin fruits that give richness. Acidity gives the wine a lift, but it's the aromas and silky texture that have the last word.
This wood-aged wine shows dark berry fruits and a dusty structure. That goes with the juicy fruitiness that is perfumed, fresh and spicy. The wine has a stalky aftertaste with plenty of acidity. Drink now.
This wood-aged wine shows equal notes of toasty spice and ripe fruit. On the palate, it's full and round, with pear and apricot flavors giving it richness. This is concentrated and worth aging for another 2–3 years.
This wood-aged wine, one of the château's top white cuvées, needs to age. With its toast and ripe yellow and white fruits, it is rich and full, a reflection of good whites in a drab red Bordeaux vintage. After a bitter smoky edge from the toastiness softens, it will be a very fine wine. Drink from 2017. This Lévèque family estate is a member of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux.
This wood-aged, fortified Moscatel has retained its fruitiness while also showing older, wood and toast flavors. Perfumed and fragrant, with integrated acidity, enjoy this offering soon.
This wood-aged, perfumed wine is serious, complex and will take its time to develop. It is full of dark tannins and ripe black fruits, laced with acidity. It comes from old vines, planted in the 1970s, which give great concentration and depth to the wine. It will be ready to drink from 2019.
This wood-laden effort is polished and initially herbal. Beneath the wood, there is the weight of black fruit, spice and dark tannins. The result is a wine that's full and dense, powered by structure as well as acidity, and needing to age for several years. Screwcap.
This wood-laden wine has light berry fruit and burnt toast flavors. The acidity cuts through, offering a glimpse of stalky black currant flavors.
This wood-laden wine, spicy and toasty, also offers plenty of fruit weight, giving richness to the palate. Fresh black currants carry through to finish the wine with a lift.
This wood-matured wine features toast and spice as well as some pineapple and peach fruits. The wine is warm, rounded and soft, ready to drink now.
This wood aged Chenin Blanc has a strongly oxidative character. It has lost its fruit in favor of grilled almonds, toast and intense acidity. Drink this mature wine now.
This workhorse vineyard supplies grapes to a wide variety of wines across the entire Ste. Michelle portfolio, but the vineyard-designated wines are much more limited, and they're often the best of show. As the alcohol reaches 15.5%, this selection is sappy, dense and a bit warm. There's plenty of fruit flavor and concentration, but it's difficult to pair such a blockbuster with food.
This world-class blend of 52% Cabernet Franc, 20% Malbec, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot is concentrated, structured and powerful, with the promise of a long life ahead. Earthy, herbal streaks of cigar box, licorice root, char and minty fynbos frame the lush fruit core of muddled boysenberry, black raspberry, plum and currant. The palate is bold and assertively flavored, with good evolution from jammy black fruit to earthy spice and finally leather and toast on the finish. Drink 2018–2024.
This worthwhile bottling from an appellation better known for Zinfandel offers a burst of big flavor against soft, pliable tannin. Cinnamon, clove and red currant beg for attention alongside brighter, crisper undercurrents of acidity, making for a tight package of power and elegance.
This would be a straightforward Bordeaux red blend if not for the 5% Petite Sirah within. Together, it's 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec as well, sourced from Howell Mountain and valley floor sites. Dusty and herbal, the wine is thick and sizably tannic, with dense black fruit, leather and coffee.
This would be a wonderful wine even if it cost a little more. As it is, it's a steal. Shows refined apricot, peach, lychee, mineral and floral flavors, finished with brisk, mouthwatering acidity, and an absolutely dry finish. One of the best Riesling values available in Cailfornia, and a tremendous cocktail wine. Just 600 cases were produced.
This would be easy to mistake for Grenache—it's ruby-colored, cranberry-flavored, with hints of strawberry and licorice. Clean, crisp and noticeably acidic, it would be most enjoyable with a richly sauced breast of duck.
This would pair perfectly with the sweet and savory qualities of a dish like Roman saltimbocca—veal scallops wrapped with prosciutto and sage. Black cherry, cassis, dark spice and tobacco flavors all play a part in the wine's appeal.
This would pair with a cigar or dark chocolate cake. It's a smooth, rich wine, with firm tannins and lasting tones of ripe blackberry and raspberry.
This would pair with cold cuts, oven-roasted pizza or bruschetta with wild mushrooms. It is simple, clean and redolent of wild berries and tart cherry.
This Xinomavro offers red cherry, spice and black pepper aromas and layers of smoke, vanilla and plucky spice on the palate. Approachable and great for everyday drinking—think lamb gyros or short ribs.
This Xinomavro, with its compelling nose of coffee, cinnamon spice and olive, has a rough character that both distinguishes it (showing its Greek blood) and makes it tough to embrace. Tannic and slightly tart, with an underlay of spice, the wine wants more balance and less barb.
This Yakima Valley bottling highlights fresh herbs and sharp, juicy pear and apple fruit flavors. The vivid fruit is racy and tightly defined, and seems to gather strength and focus as it sits in the mouth. A splendid effort that really sets the standard for Washington Pinot Gris.
This Yakima Valley Merlot is forward and leafy, with hints of dried herb alongside fruit flavors of strawberry and raspberry. It seems more delicate than its listed alcohol (13.8% abv) would suggest, but it's a nice bottle for near-term enjoyment.
This Yakima Valley Merlot is forward and light, with a dried leaf character complementing the fruit flavors of melon and strawberry. A peppery note strikes home in the finish, with just a hint of Band-Aid.
This year's best expression from the celebrated Rabajà cru, Bruno Rocca presents a beautifully integrated Barbaresco that shows equal parts fruit (prune, plum and cassis) and spice (vanilla, root beer and clove). The wine is smooth, silky and very enduring on the close with excellent structure. Drink after 2015.
This year's blend of 53% Mourvèdre, 18% Counoise, 17% Grenache and 12% Cinsault shows squeezed elderberries, black raspberries, dried rose petals, potpourri, dried sagebrush and wet slate on the nose. The palate pops with more raspberries, pomegranate, dried fennel, white pepper and a touch of cooked lamb.
This year's dry conditions produced a fine crop of single quinta vintage Ports. That's perfect for the concentration in a Colheita tawny. This wine is rich, dense and with perfumed fruits that are still in evidence behind the old gold flavors of the wood aging. Drink now.
This year the wine displays a tight structure of high acidity framing flavors of minerals, stones, and lime. On the finish a rich vein of tropical fruit and spice shows up. This young, steely wine possesses great authority and style, and may be an ager.
This yeast bomber from one of the first serious sparkling projects in Santa Barbara jumps at the nose with warm bread and poached pears. On the slightly sour palate, the roundness of yellow melon precedes the tang of fermenting orange juice.
This yeasty funky Chardonnay is on its last legs. The mouthfeel is mealy and the flavors are dull, yeasty, generic and lightly oxidized on the finish.
This yeasty wine is bone-dry, mature and ready to drink, a toasty element having replaced any fruitiness. The aftertaste is crisp and bright.
This yeasty, ripe and fruity wine is given great shape by the mineral-taut texture. It is on the dry side, crisp with well-structured apples and pears. The bready character gives extra richness and balances the tight acidity at the end.
This yellow-colored blend is weird and wooly, with aromas of blowsy apricot and herbs. A pulpy, melony palate is creamy and odd in feel, with nectarine and chunky peach flavors that turn rubbery on the finish.
This yellow-gold wine is packed with bright floral and citrus scents and flavors. It's a mouthful of lemon-drop goodness, with the rough edges smoothed by a percentage aged in neutral oak. The finish features light honey, with a slight burn.
This yellow-looking Chardonnay smells briny and like oily popcorn. The palate is both watery in feel and resiny. Nutty, salty flavors of popcorn crowd out apple notes, while the finish is dilute.
This yellow-tinted blend of Friulano, Chardonnay, Viognier and Pinot Gris is classy and smoky on the nose, with no shortage of toasty oak. Core apple, melon and citrus flavors are rich and smooth, while this finishes round and full in body. Corte Friulano is really good for an oddball Argentine white blend.
This yellow-tinted blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay smells more like freshly waxed floorboards and wood resin than fruit. In the mouth, this is resiny and plump, with mild acidity. A weird set of woody, waxy flavors falls flat on the finish.
This yellow-tinted Viognier shows ripe aromas of peach and melon. In the mouth, it's more sharp and zesty, albeit a touch oily. Flavors of briny citrus and green fruits end in a citrusy, tangy, racy finish that's acidic and lemony.
This yellowish SB from Argentina's northern Salta region is a strange bird that has never caught our fancy. This vintage shows melon, peach, lychee and wax aromas, while the palate is both sweet and tart, with a fresh-for-now feel that doesn't inspire confidence that it will last for long. Flat on the finish, and unsusual overall.
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.
This young and fruity wine brings out red berries, soft tannins and spicy acidity. It's a wine to drink now, full of warm flavors and a smooth texture.
This young and fruity wine has red cherries that lie over soft tannins and a stalky texture. It's all about fruit that's ready to drink, and not for aging.
This young and fruity wine has soft tannins and the typical warm rich character of Alentejo. Its spice and juicy red flavors are all ready to drink, full of fruit and with a fine cut of acidity.
This young and quite tart Pinot is subtly flecked with mineral, dried seaweed, and a dusty, saline character. It tastes much better than that may sound; it's complex, well structured, and unique.
This young and structured wine has ample fresh red-currant fruitiness, but is ensconced in dry tannins that will soften over the next few years. The wine holds good potential, with its bright fruit and final acidity. Drink from 2019.
This 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.
This young Barbaresco is somewhat closed, but offers floral Nebbiolo fragrance and toasted oak. The palate shows cherry, spice and coffee notes, but also green, unripe sensations. Finishes short, with drying wood tannins.
This young Barolo offers a distinctive nose enhanced by fresh herbal notes and loads of pretty mineral tones that follow black fruit and forest berry. There are subtle shadings of sweet vanilla, powdered licorice and cinnamon as well and the wine offers soft, yielding tannins and a drying note of graphite or black stone on the close.
This young Brunello opens with a dark garnet color and shows elegant aromas of cassis, dried raspberry, ginger, cola and licorice. The wine really comes alive in the mouth thanks to the bright acidity and its inherently traditional style.
This young Brunello opens with a dark, penetrating color and thick aromas of exotic spice, chocolate, toasted espresso bean, nutmeg and peppercorn. There's a raw, chewy feel to the wine that gives it heft and power, followed by sweet tannins and a rich, chocolaty consistency.
This young Cabernet feels thin and earthy, with little to offer in the way of fruit. Aged in American oak, roughly one third new, it is tart and unyielding.
This young Cabernet has aromas of black plum, vanilla and a big bowl of freshly picked blackberries. There are flavors of black fruits and freshly ground black pepper in the midpalate, with good acidity on the finish.
This young Chardonnay packs an overpowering array of scents and flavors, and it may get better if they mellow over time. The nose offers grapefruit, guava and vanilla, while the palate is dominated by canned pears.
This young Chardonnay still shows plenty of yeasty scents and flavors, turning it almost beer-like. Light lemon and tea flavors, with a dash of baking spices, complete the picture.
This young Chianti Classico is still a bit closed, but it reveals cherry and raspberry sensations along with black- and white-pepper notes. It's still tightly knit but it should should open up well after one or two more years bottle aging.
This young Dolcetto opens with loads of fresh fruit, but there's also a slightly musky smell at the back that gives the wine a touch of complexity. It's an earthy, warm wine with a full and velvety feel.
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.
This young Garnacha is fresh and fruity, and entirely approachable and likable given the price. The palate is fairly smooth and medium in weight, with blackberry flavors that fade to darkness on the finish. This was made for everyday sipping.
This young Nebbiolo has aromas of wild strawberry, rose petal, dark baking spice and a whiff of new leather. The bright palate offers juicy red cherry, raspberry, Alpine herb and white pepper. Firm, refined tannins and vibrant acidity provide balance and structure.
This young Nebbiolo is loaded with ripe red cherry and black raspberry sensations accented with notes of white pepper. It's straightforward, with a round, soft palate and velvety tannins. Not an ager so enjoy this soon.
This young Nebbiolo shows bright berry, spice and smoked notes on the nose and palate, along with crisp acidity and firm but fine tannins. Simple but well-made, this would pair well with mushroom risotto.
This young Pinot is tight and stubbornly hard, showing some rhubarb and pepper scented fruit, with just a hint of raspberry. It's underscored with a quick, slightly chalky, tannic finish.
This young Pinot Noir is difficult and challenging. It's all acidity, cherries and pomegranates, tightly wound and aloof, giving little of itself. Yet there's enormous promise. The color is pale for a California Pinot, the alcohol is modest, and there are tantalizing hints of herbs, minerals, forest undergrowth, mushrooms, cedar, truffles. All indications suggest that this is a seriously ageable wine. Cellar until at least 2015.
This young Pinot opens hard and tight and remains so, even after many hours. The raspberry fruit is somewhat hidden, and some off scents creep into a finish that has a bitter edge.
This young red blend marries sweet raspberry and blueberry fruit to peppery, drying tannins. It's drinking well already, and should continue to over the next 3–5 years.
This young release carries strong scents and flavors of cranberry, along with the sharp acidic attack that implies, which qualifies it as a good choice for many fatty dishes. It's rather simple, fruity, with no hint of new oak. Drink up while it's young and fresh.
This young riserva needs a few more years of cellar aging before it reaches its peak drinking window. It opens with bright fruit tones and blackberry followed by spice, leather and moist pipe tobacco. The tight tannins and bright acidity will evolve with time.
This young Roero shows Nebbiolo's charming side. It has a lovely fragrance of rose, violet and crushed berry, while the palate delivers bright cherry and cinnamon spice. It's fresh, polished and enjoyable.
This young sparkler is bracingly tart, and seems to have zero dosage. Flavors are simple, fruity and fresh, and the wine works well as a base for cocktails.
This young Syrah is loaded with an aromatic mix of vanilla, espresso, dark chocolate and black pepper. The fruit is light and the tannins supple.
This young Syrah is marked by jammy berry, cherry and mocha flavors, wrapped into an elegant structure of soft tannins. Sweet new oak adds a lovely touch of toast. Round and mellow in the mouth, it should develop additional nuances with up to six years in the bottle.
This young Tempranillo is a touch stalky and herbal on the nose, but in the mouth the wine is full, generous and tannic. Grapy flavors of blackberry and prune come with an herbal tweak, while the finish holds form but doesn't improve or evolve.
This young Tempranillo shows light, pretty strawberry and tart cranberry fruit flavors. It's sharp and herbal, young and tight; a pleasant red that does not show any particularly strong varietal character.
This young vineyard is starting to make a name for itself with winemakers, and this 100% varietal wine demonstrates why. It's a classically Washington Merlot that shows appealing aromas of milk chocolate-covered raspberries. The feel is supple with sweet, luscious red fruit flavors that linger.
This young vintage Champagne is drinkable now because it is made from Pinot Meunier, which has produced a fruity, softly textured and balanced wine. It offers a touch of pepper as well as ripe red-currant and lime fruits. It's tightly crisp at the end.
This young vintage is outside the usual Grande Année range of vintages. Bollinger sees the unique heat of 2003 as a reason to make a special vintage for release early. The wine is rich, but being Bollinger, the richness has translated into the full character of the house style. It is relatively dry, packed with white fruits. Not for aging. Drink now.
This young wine balances ripe tangy fruit flavors of apple and peach against barrel flavors from aging in roughly one-quarter new French oak. The good components are in place, but a bit more bottle age should help to pull them together.
This young wine brims with fresh acidity and primary cherry, blackberry and cola flavors. The complexity is considerable and so is the elegance. It feels graceful and silky in the mouth, despite the power of the fruit. Should hit its peak in two or three years.
This young wine brings scents of cola, truffle and black cherry. It's light and lively, with those flavors coming along with notes of chicken stock and a juicy mouthfeel. Though not a big wine, it's complex and interesting.
This young wine could use additional bottle age. The edges are sharp and there is some bite to the fruit. Citrus pith and rind flavors dominate, rather than flesh. It's spare and lightly bitter in the finish.
This young wine has great potential. With powerful tannins and a dense texture, it is rich in black fruits and acidity. Concentrated and with a firm structure, the wine will age well. Produced from a blend that puts Bordeaux grapes with a small proportion of the local Abouriou, it will be ready in 2020.
This young wine has tart, rather thin fruit flavors of pomegranate and wild berry. There's ample acidity—maybe too ample for some tasters. Flavors seems to fall off and fade quickly.
This young wine is a blend of Sangiovese and Mourvèdre. It shows some reduction out of the gate, with tire-rubber aromas out in front savory herb and plum. The red-fruit flavors display a pleasing sense of purity and acidity. If the reduction settles down, it moves up a notch.
This young wine is all magnificent structure. It is intense, with fruit and acidity given richness by the powerful texture and tense tannins. The dense symphony of ripe fruits is kept in check by the structure. This wine needs many years; drink from 2019.
This young wine is already softening up around the tannic edges, and showing some early maturation of the plum and berry fruit flavors. A streak of mint and licorice runs into the finish, along with some not-quite-integrated oak tannins.
This young wine is classic and spicy, with still-yeasty aromas of pear and apple. The flavors are focused, with vivid, lightly lemony acidity underscoring highlights of beeswax and flowers.
This young wine is finding its way, tight and grippy still, with a strong sense of oak and tannin. Leathery and savory, with a suggestion of the rustic, it offers a crispness of black cherry and plum on the finish. Drink now after a slight decanting.
This young wine is fruity and fresh, perfumed with spice and lemon blossom. The tight texture will soften as the wine ages to bring out the warmth and richness of the vintage. Keep this long-term wine and drink from 2018.
This young wine is full of black currant fruit and balanced tannins. It has the richness of high alcohol, which brings out a touch of pepper. But juicy fruit dominates. Drink from 2018.
This young wine is in your face now with strong acidity, powerful oak and jammy apricot, tangerine and green apple fruit. It's all too much of a good thing. It may be showing better by early 2015.
This young wine is packed with a mix of fruit flavors, including apple, pear, touches of citrus and other light tropical tastes. Compact and bound up tightly, it should be cellared for another year or so, and/or aggressively decanted. The lightly buttery finish is proportionate and lingers, suggesting that further development in bottle may bring substantial rewards.
This young wine is packed with firm tannins and juicy black plum fruit. Its structure of tannins, both from the fruit and from wood aging, gives it a rich texture. It's spicy and ripe and needs some aging. Drink from 2020.
This young wine is so full of fruit. Blackberry and delicious acidity combine with some light tannins to bring out the charm of this fine vintage. Drink from 2018.
This young wine is still pulling itself together. A small percentage was barrel-fermented, but what dominates are crisp fruit flavors of lime and apple. There's a whiff of flint and cinnamon also, with caramel creaminess rounding out the finish. All good components that need more time to knit together.
This young wine may need more time to reveal itself; though Resonance is proven as a top vineyard, here it seems shuttered and not yet woven together. Tart berry and cherry fruit turns sour in the finish, and does not display the power and depth of which it is capable.
This young wine needs some time in the cellar. Released at the age of two years, it's mouthwatering in acidity with fresh, juicy cranberry, raspberry jam and persimmon flavors that finish spicy and long. The alcohol is refreshingly low, adding to the delicate mouthfeel. Drink 2017 and beyond.
This young wine offers a potent mix of brambly berry and citrus-rind flavors. The tannins are a bit on the rugged side, but the wine packs in plenty of flavor and raw power. Another couple of years in bottle should help smooth it out.
This young wine offers aromas of jammy black fruit and spice. The dark chocolate and cherry flavors are pretty and polished, with fine-grained tannins backing them up.
This young wine offers aromas of underbrush and mushroom, along with evident oak and toasted notes. The palate is still rather closed but reveals oak, plum, espresso and coffee flavors. It's tightly knit, with astringent wood tannins that linger through the close.
This young wine offers fresh raspberry and pomegranate scents on the lively, simple nose, with dashes of anise and wet slate. Those bright red fruit flavors show on the palate, too, seasoned with thyme and bay leaf and finishing clean.
This young wine remains tight and tannic, with light cherry fruit highlighted with fresh orange. The tannins are stiff and carry a hint of earthiness.
This young wine seems to be just coming out of bottle shock, and initially the flavors pull up short. It's showing strawberry and red plum with a bit of milk chocolate, sourced from Whistling Ridge, Durant and Bishop Creek vineyards. Just 10% saw new French oak. Give this elegant wine another year or so to smooth out, and drink 2017 through 2020.
This young wine still seems to be in its shell, with a whiff of matchstick along with herb aromas. The cherry flavors are light and tart with a supple feel. Try it with food to see it at its best.
This young wine with its edge of dry botrytis is just starting out. Apricot aromas are a sign of what is to come, as its fine balance between honey and fruit comes into play. Acidity keeps everything crisp. Drink from 2020.
This young winery continues to impress. This deep, dark, concentrated wine builds upon black cherry, vivid acids, a touch of Meyer lemon, and a powerful midpalate that unveils some gently savory notes along the way. The extended, seamless finish brings a pleasing touch of baking spices.
This young winery has made huge strides with its red wines, as this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon demonstrates. Young, tight, tart, and expressive, it takes the cranberry and cassis components from cool-vintage, cool-climate grapes, and turns them into a complete and complex wine. High acid, with well-integrated nuances of mushroom, earth, and smoke.
This young, brash Cabernet is filled with adolescent power and angst. It's all sinew and potency now, in the grip of strong, masculine tannins that overshadow the blackberry fruit. It's clearly a cellar candidate, and should emerge, in eight years or so, with authority.
This young, citrus flavored wine is crisp and still with its yeasty and fruity flavors. The wine is fresh and ready to drink.
This young, easygoing wine opens with fresh aromas of violet, red berry and a touch of leather. The simple palate delivers crunchy red cherry and crushed raspberry alongside fleeting tannins.
This young, firm wine offers aggressive tannins and prominent acidity, with cherry, blackberry and prune flavors. The wine shows ample structure, so give this time in the decanter before drinking now.
This young, fresh, fruity Zin tastes like raspberry and cherry jam and bubblegum. It's an effusively easy wine, and very dry and soft. Okay with everyday fare like ham or a juicy cheeseburger.
This young, fruit-driven sparkling red delivers the party in a bottle. Currants and black cherries abound, accented by touches of cigar box and vanilla, while the palate is ripe and creamy-textured. Drink now.
This young, fruity and ripe wine blends 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. The generous tannic structure goes with the red fruits and the light acidity. A juicy texture will allow it to age quickly. Drink from 2017. The Gondreau family is a member of Alliance Bourg.
This young, fruity and spicy Cabernet Franc is perfumed and ready to drink. The wine is structured, tight and offers delicious red fruit. Drink the wine, lightly chilled, with salmon as well as meat dishes.
This young, fruity Champagne has delicious red-berry flavors balanced by lemon-zest acidity. It conveys a cool texture with its blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. The aftertaste is mineral-tight.
This young, fruity herbal wine also has a smooth, ripe character from the warm vintage. That means it is developing fast to drink young, while the texture indicates that it can age, at least until 2022.
This young, fruity wine from Vignobles Lesgourgues has great potential. Along with its bright red and blackberry fruits, it has succulent acidity and touches of wood aging that have smoothed the fruity character. It needs to age longer, so keep until 2018.
This young, fruity wine is almost ready to drink. Attractive black currant acidity and light tannins t bring a bite to the natural smoothness of the wine. Drink from 2015.
This young, fruity wine is crisp with acidity and light in texture. The wine is bright and lively, ready to drink for its fruitiness.
This young, fruity wine is soft and fresh with acidity. It is light, rounded and, with its red-cherry flavors right to the fore, ready to drink. Pierre Ferraud created the wine in 1986 to show that a simple red Beaujolais is not just nouveau.
This young, grapy wine has buoyant flavors of raspberry jam. It needs more time, but the fruit is excellent; the finish just a little warm.
This young, high-density vineyard delivers the goods, with purple, plummy, spicy fruit and excellent concentration and texture. There is a pleasing graininess to the mouthfeel, and layers of complexity that are just beginning to open.
This young, massive Rioja smells of raspberry, plum, char and tar. The mouthfeel is chunky, rich and deep, with manageable tannins. Blackberry, mocha, char, clove and chocolate flavors announce generous oak, while the finish is spicy, peppery, toasty and ripe. Drink 2018–2034.
This young, massively built wine needs time to age and develop in the bottle. It has great concentration of black olive, beef and black-pepper flavors, mounds of fine tannins that build texture, very full body and a lingering finish. Best after 2022.
This young, oaky Tinto Fino opens with charred aromas, but soon scents transition to cheesy and chocolaty. This wine is bullish in texture, with a ton of oak-driven clove, spice and burnt flavors. For the most part, fruit is not a big factor, as the “roble” in this wine drives the car.
This young, precocious wine is still knitting together, but is already quite tasty. Vanilla custard and tart red-berry flavors combine in the core, then smooth out through a silky, chocolatey finish.
This young, purple-colored wine has young fruit to match. It offers stalky red plum and blueberry flavors, light acidity and a fresh character. It is ready to drink.
This young, ripely fruity wine is made to be drunk quickly and easily. It has light tannins, plenty of red fruits and acidity. It is smoothly textured, with a crisp aftertaste.
This young, stainless steel-fermented Chardonnay has a beery hoppiness to the aromas, leading into a tart, juicy and crisp palate of lime and grapefruit. The acids taste of wet stone, and that vivid minerality brings dimension and lift to the finish.
This young, textured wine shows a mix of strong minerality and ripe white fruits. The Albert Bichot Chablis domaine has a fine parcel from this premier cru. Refreshing citrus and tight acidity contrast with the warmer vanilla and yellow fruits. Drink from 2021.
This young, tight tart wine is a fine example of pure Syrah, as if tasted fresh out of the fermenter. Tart black cherry, cassis, coffee liqueur, vanilla and a light streak of metal all combine to make this a full fascinating example. The odds are that another three to five years of bottle age will continue to improve this wine, but it's already quite flavorful and interesting.
This young, vigorous Cabernet is full of ripe, upfront fruity flavors, yet it's dry and complex, and is grounded by a pleasing tug of herbaceousness. Most notable is the rich blackberry, raspberry and currant fruit, and the way the sweet, smoky oak complements it. Drink now for freshness.
This youthful and fruit-forward Chianti Classico is balanced and fresh with bright berry and raspberry aromas that give it a cheerful, bright personality. The wine is fresh and zesty on the close and would pair with creamy vegetable risotto.
This youthful and lively Barolo comes from a winery in the La Morra municipality of the Langhe. Although the oak influences are still discernable, this wine will relax and soften with time. At this young age, you'll recognize aromas of cherry, vanilla, pipe tobacco, spice and red rose. The mouthfeel is marked by bright acidity and firmness.
This youthful Barbaresco opens with soft layers of ripe cherry fruit and a plush, rich texture. There's substance, firmness and a deeper color here that will give this wine a long aging future.
This youthful Chianti opens with burnt notes of popcorn and campfire, which make it difficult to find the wine's natural fruit and flower essences. Some may enjoy this toasty style and would have success pairing it with creamy, butter-based dishes.
This youthful crisp blend of Chardonnay and Fernão Pires comes from the Lisboa region. With a light texture, plenty of acidity and a fruity aftertaste, it is a great apéritif style.
This youthful expression of Barbera comes forth with ripe and raw aromas of black fruit, plum, prune and wild berries. You really feel the freshness of the fruit here and this wine would pair perfectly with pasta or pizza.
This youthful pink-colored number smells of dusty cherry and Lifesavers. A juicy palate has a soda-like feel, while flavors of raspberry and cherry are light and dilute across the finish.
This youthful rosé spent 16 hours on the skins, then was fermented and aged in stainless steel. It's light and tart, best enjoyed well-chilled on a hot summer day.
This youthful ten-year-old demonstrates the impressive aging potential of well-made Greco di Tufo, opening with compelling dried stone fruit, Spanish broom, herb and smoky aromas. The round, smooth palate doles out creamy peach, mature Bartlett pear and lemon drop flavors. An energizing mineral note lingers on the finish. It's at its peak so drink now.
This youthful wine is heavy on oak with aromas of toast, vanilla and coffee bean backed by black cherry, leather and tobacco. There's good depth and dimension, especially in the mouth, thanks to the 3% Petit Verdot that is added to a rich Sangiovese base. Only 300 cases were made.
This youthful wine might just be holding some of its nuances back, but for now it's singularly minded in caramel and toffee with a baked-apple pie vibe, wrapped in generous oak.
This youthful wine offers aromas of fresh raspberries, plum and tire rubber. The flavors are soft and generous, with tart acids and no new oak anywhere in sight. It doesn't seem entirely varietal but brings appeal all the same.
This youthful wine plays most of its cards in the mouth, where it offers a plump, fruity feel with fresh accents of tangy acidity on the finish. The bouquet is redolent of red berry, cola and leather.
This youthful wine shows the exuberance of tannin and power of the vintage, finding its time to unwind. Small percentages of Merlot and Petit Verdot figure in the blend. Oak, cedar and herb jump out most, with faint layers of blackberry and black cherry.
This youthful wine will benefit from further time in bottle, but its full-bodied concentration is heady for now, a punchy, temperamental mix of sweet peach, vanilla bean and medium acidity. Intense on the nose and palate, it displays a quite ripe personality.
This youthful, full-bodied red is restrained but slowly reveals aromas and flavors of crushed violet, bright red berry, baking spice and tobacco. The tannins are tightly packed so give it a few years to unwind. Drink 2018–2025.
This youthful, medium-bodied wine opens with pretty aromas of violets, rose petals, orange zest and woodland berries that carry over to the palate alongside firm, rounded tannins. Juicy and fresh, it will offer enjoyment through 2016.
This youthful, soft wine has juicy acidity and a green, herbal character. It offers red berry fruits and enough crispness to cut through any steak. It's not for aging.
This youthful, tannic wine needs time in the glass to unfold, benefiting from the additions of 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. A reductive style shows slightly on the nose before streaks of soy, leather and tobacco provide plenty of savory elements with which to play.
This youthfully full-bodied, grippy wine has juicy cassis and a leathery texture at its core, with dried herb and cedar playing at its edges, a fine representation of a tannic vintage that offers structure in spades. Densely concentrated, it has ages to go in the bottle; drink now through 2023.
This zesty and fresh bottling offers thyme, bay leaf, cooked cranberries and piles of dried chapparal on the garrigue-focused nose. Light berries and cherry tomatoes decorate the palate, where dried basil, tomato leaf, pepper, bay leaf and crushed sage shine.
This zesty dry Furmint leads the way with aromas of lemon juice and freshly cut pineapple. It has delightful flavors of apple, peach and Bartlett pear with a nice amount of heft on the palate. There's a great deal of minerality and the finish is creamy and brisk at the same time.
This zesty icewine, with its lemon, spice and mineral backbone, offers a light and playful take on the dessert wine coveted by so many worldwide. Delicate and not overly sweet, this shows some restraint and subtlety, lending it to food pairing and solo sipping.
This zesty Moldovan Feteasca Regala has aromas of pineapple, lemon zest and pear. In the mouth there are flavors of lemon juice, lime pith and a hint of cantaloupe.
This zesty Provence white is starting to show its age a bit, with faded flowers upfront and a slightly waxy texture. Nonetheless, there's enough to keep the senses entertained, with a pleasant floral edge to the pear-inflected palate and a final butter note. Drink up.
This zesty red has pretty aromas that suggest small red berry, blue flower and a whiff of moist soil. The vibrant palate offers sour cherry, pomegranate and a hint of anise alongside zesty acidity and refined tannins.
This zesty wine opens with aromas of peach and exotic fruit with a whiff of mineral. The palate offers sweet tropical fruit and nectarine with a hint of spice alongside racy acidity.
This zesty, almost spicy white wine opens with citrus, honey and crushed white-pepper notes on the bouquet. There's a very subtle, almost invisible touch of sweetness that renders the finish slightly round.
This zesty, light-footed Riesling is a showcase of puckery lime, lemon and yellow-plum flavors off set by a delicate haze of sweetness. Just a shade off dry in style, it finishes moderately long with touches of herb and bramble on the finish. Drink now through 2018.
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.
This zesty, straightforward white offers aromas of Spanish broom and acacia flower while the bright palate offers golden delicious apple and citrus. A pleasant note of bitter almond backs up the finish.
This Zin also has 7% Petite Sirah and 6% Carignane, from both the Teldeschi and York Creek vineyards. The berry fruit is elegantly entangled with violet perfume and dusty tannins, a suggestion of brick on the nose. Succulent, it shows its strong tannins on the finish.
This Zin contains percentages of Petite Sirah, Sangiovese and Grenache, offering powerfully dusty tannins and layers of blackberry. Chewy, the finish is all leathery saddle.
This Zin has candied, fruit punch flavors of cherries, licorice, raisins, brown sugar and cinnamon. It's a robust wine, mouthfilling and heady, that's best paired with barbecue.
This Zin is a little on the soft side, but it's very good, even charming in the way it flatters the palate with richness. Offers a burst of ripe blackberries, currants and pepper, wrapped into perfectly ripe Napa tannins. Drink now through 2010.
This Zin is a little too soft and simple for true classicism, but you have to consider the price. With its pleasant berry and spice flavors and rich, smooth tannins, it's a nice value.
This Zin is actually a field blend including Petite Sirah, Alicante and Carignane. It's sweet with raspberry jam notes, but also a bit vegetal with flavors of asparagus.
This Zin is luxurious in texture, with rich, intricate tannins and balance. The flavors suggest black and red currants, red plums, Dr. Pepper cola and exotic spices. Great with highly spiced beef, chicken and game dishes.
This Zin is made from a combination of four of Newsome-Harlow's vineyard sources, including Locke, Big John's, Dalton and Shake Ridge Ranch, the latter three of which are all single-vineyard bottlings, and incorporates 12% Petite Sirah. It's solid, with pretty raspberry flavors and hints of spice and admirable acidity. A little sweeter and tighter than the winery's single-vineyard efforts.
This Zin is made in the St. Francis style of dryness at the cost of extremely high alcohol. It's a good, lusty wine made for drinking with rich fare that will counter-balanced the heat. The flavors of blackberries, currants and peppery spices are very rich.
This Zin is powerful and delicious, yet never loses sight of balance and elegance. With the tannic structure of a fine Merlot, it has Zin's classic flavors of wild berries, cocoa and spices. At this price, a very great bargain. Sommeliers, scoop this one up by the case.
This Zin is rich with flavors of liqueur and spice with a suggestion of Dr. Pepper. Let this Zin open a bit in the glass. It's softly textured on the finish with a taste of raspberry and vanilla.
This Zin is so ripe and rich in milk chocolate, cappuccino and blackberry jam flavors, you hardly know what to make of it. You could drink it on its own, for it's delicious and heady. Or you can pair it with big beef or game dishes that are inherently sweet on their own, especially if you add to the umami intensity with sauces or cheeses.
This Zin is too sweet and simple. Tastes like raspberry tea with a couple spoons of white sugar.
This Zin shows classic Sonoma County character, but it's also a tannic, young wine that wants a little time in the bottle. Tasted at the age of two, it's astringent and jammy, with pepper-infused blackberry and mulberry flavors and a gamy touch of smoked beef. Give it until mid-2009, when it will be fantastic with grilled beef.
This Zin speaks to compelling red fruit, plum and vanilla, with light oak presence. It's balanced yet still plenty big, showing off its well-worn roots within an historic vineyard. Before veering into syrupy territory, it pulls back, letting leathery cinnamon and black pepper have their say.
This Zin specialist shows she knows her way around this hearty variety as well, creating a wine that's expressive in voluptuous notions of chocolate and blackberry pie. Soft and smoky, it shows ripeness balanced by underlying acidity and a wisp of black licorice as it goes down.
This Zin tastes of smoke, oak and grilled meats, but has an odd acidity to it. It would be good paired with something off the barbecue.
This Zin wants two or three years to round off the jagged edges. There's a lot going on, from the supple blackberry, leather and pepper flavors, wildly exotic spices and smooth tannins to an undefinable earthy-mineral taste that must come from the soil. There's some burn from alcohol, as Zins from the Maple Vineyards tend to exhibit.
This Zin, which contains a bit of Petite Sirah, isn't quite as concentrated as the winery's single-vineyard Zins. But it's close, and the price isn't as high. It's a powerful wine, full-bodied and rich in blackberries, currants, mocha, licorice and prunes, with a long, spicy finish.
This Zin, which gets a boost from 20% Grenache and 5% Petite Sirah, shows a slightly sweet touch on the nose, where dark strawberry and baked cherries meet with a touch of asphalt. The palate is quite syrup and fruit-driven, with blueberry, blackberry, cola and root-beer flavors reminiscent of soda-pop concentrate.
This Zinfandel's tannins are starting to resolve, which gives the palate a soft, melted quality. The primary flavors are transforming into rich, dried black-raspberry and cherry notes, with leather, mocha, dried mushroom and spice accents.
This Zinfandel-based wine, which blends 13% Tempranillo and 6% Petite Sirah, shows strawberry, cherry, baking spice and cola aromas. There is decent tannic tension on the palate, and the flavors—sarsaparilla, cola, stewed plum and clove spice—are easily enjoyable.
This Zinfandel-dominant blend also contains Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah in sizable amounts, rounded out by a handful of Merlot. Relatively light bodied, it has a muted nose. The flavors lean towards overripe, more dried fruit than fresh.
This Zinfandel from a warm area that hugs the Arroyo Seco appellation boundary (and will likely one day be part of it) shows baked blueberry, nutmeg, clove, licorice and turned loam aromas. Its dark plum and boysenberry flavors are strong, yet rocky mineral notes, cocoa spice and upright tannins kick it up to the next level.
This Zinfandel from the eastern section of Napa Valley is unexpectedly structured and bright in acidity, offering notes of strawberry and cinnamon. The acidity provides a kick to the finish, awash in memorable sprinkles of white pepper.
This Zinfandel is a bit rustic, with a jagged mouthfeel. It offers sweet-tasting varietal flavors of wild berry, spice and tobacco, plus a touch of prune.
This Zinfandel is a bruiser. It's hot from high alcohol, overripe and Porty. But it is true to a certain Dry Creek style. The flavors are mixed, of berries, herbs, tobacco and prunes. Drink up.
This Zinfandel is alcoholic, and it's dominated by overripe prune and raisin flavors.
This Zinfandel is bone-dry and classically varietal, with briary, wild berry, black currant, mocha, raisin and peppery spice flavors. But consumers should understand that the alcohol is 16.7%. It's a great example of a superripe Sonoma Zin, but be careful to not drink too much.
This Zinfandel is high in alcohol, soft and alluring. It takes Zin's briary, brambly personality and whips it into Cabernet-like balance. There are varietally correct berry-cherry flavors, containing a touch of raisins, chocolate and lots of exotic spices.
This Zinfandel project comes from a block that combined plantings from historic vineyards across the state, and the result is excellent. Aromas of red and purple flowers meet with wild sagebrush, roasted coffee and persistent black-cherry ripeness. The mouthfeel is soft but with an upright tannic structure, delivering flavors of blackberry, cocoa and dried sage.
This Zinfandel specialist tries its hand at Cabernet, with excellent results. With modest alcohol, the wine is thoroughly ripe, showing complex flavors of blackberries, crème de cassis, herbs and cedar. It will be fascinating to watch this Bordeaux-style wine develop over the years.
This Zinfandel takes time to unlayer, but once it does, the combination of leather and blackberry is tasty, and the finish is pleasantly spicy.
This Zinfandel tastes and feels hot and Port-like. While some people enjoy this style, it feels a bit clumsy and overripe. Nonetheless, the blackberry, raisin and chocolate flavors are tasty.
This zippy, fresh sip starts with tropical fruit and citrus aromas, followed by balanced citrus and asparagus flavors. All of it dances on a racy acidity. An elegant, world-class white.
This zippy, fruit-forward wine opens with bright raspberry and pungent spice aromas, adding in milk chocolate streaks through a supple, medium-weight middle. The finish gets a little tight, with some plastic flavors creeping in.
This Zweigelt is soft and fruity, showing the delicious cherry flavor of the grape along with perfectly textured tannins. It is full, fruity and delicious now.
This, like the winery's other wines from this remote northern region, carries a soupy, stewy, leathery set of aromas. In the mouth, the acidity level is high. Rustic, earthy flavors of beef stew, leafy berry fruits and marinara sauce finish blunt, oaky and herbal.
This, the first of 12 grades of richness in the Kracher range in 2008, is already an intense wine, with concentrated orange marmalade and honey flavors. What gives it just the right fresh lift is the lemon acidity on the refreshing finish.
Thistle consistently produces one of Oregon's best Pinot Blancs. This is creamy and fresh, bursting with ripe pear and melon, and streaked with a gentle hint of coconut and vanilla. The lush finish seems to carry on for a full minute or longer.
Thistle makes a spicy, herbal, earthy style of Pinot Noir, so don't look for sweet, ripe, jammy flavors. The fruit tastes like the tart, wild berries of the Northwest, and it's backed with tart acidity and chewy tannins. But the concentration, focus and detail of the wine elevate it, and it persists in the mouth far longer than you anticipate.
Thomas Fogarty's Bordeaux project unleashes aromas of black pepper, Bing cherry and cedar in this wine that proves light, airy and vivacious. Flavors of black and sour cherry dominate the acid-driven palate, which picks up more pepper and is quite easy going down.
Thorn Clarke has taken its Shiraz to a new level with this single-vineyard wine, bottled only in exceptional vintages. The 100% new American oak gives this a classic Barossa profile, starting with vanilla, cedar and maple syrup-like notes and flowing seamlessly through ripe blackberry and plum flavors. It's full bodied, lush and creamy in texture, with a long, velvety finish. Drink now–2025, possibly beyond.
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.
Thoroughly delicious. This captures a distinctive side of the grape that blends a sweet grassy herbaceousness with a lively mix of apple, lemongrass, citrus and orange peel, finished with the slightest suggestion of honey.
Thoroughly oaky and spicy, this full-bodied wine smells toasty and smoky. Flavors suggest nutmeg, cinnamon and smoked meat, followed by tangy and fresh black cherry.
Those cherry fruit flavors so characteristic of St. Laurent just fill the mouth with their lightly spicy edge. Around them, wood polishes the tannins and the acidity and gives the wine an ageworthy character. This is a sophisticated wine, its juicy fruit character in fine harmony with the tannins and wood.
Those familiar with Altocedro's Malbecs know that oak will be a key player. For this 200-case, small-batch wine, the nose offers a blast of barrel power that initially smells like a sawmill. The palate is bold and full, with flavors of buttery oak, vanilla and salty black fruits. There's grip to the finish, which, not surprisingly, tastes woody, dark and minty. Drink through 2022.
Those familiar with Morgan's more expensive Chardonnays, such as the Double L (which comprises 55% of this blend) will find true value in this regional wine. It shows similar power and authority in a showy, Chablis-style wine whose acidic, minerally structure frames intense citrus and oak flavors.
Those mountain tannins are here in spades, and even though they're ripe and sweet, they give the wine a powerful astringency that demands cellaring. But age will certainly reward, for the wine is huge in currant, black cherry and unsweetened chocolate flavors. Open after 2010 and the fruit will shine through in all its ripe, succulent glory.
Those notorious mountain tannins have largely melted, making the wine drinkable now, although it will hold for a decade with proper cellaring. Lush and velvety, with a drop of Cabernet Franc, this is voluptuous in cherries, black currants and fine, toasty oak.
Those used to the fabulous richness of Ed Sbragia's Chardonnays at Beringer might find this disappointing. It's a good wine, with the Burgundian formula of half-barrel fermention in new oak, malolactic fermentation and weekly lees stirring, so it has those winemaker-added notes of creamy, yeasty smokiness. Yet the underlying pear and apple flavors are a little thin.
Those who buy Riesling for its intense aromas will be disappointed with the subdued nose on this example from the Finger Lakes. Nonetheless, the palate delivers attractive stone fruit flavors of peach and apricot and the truly crisp, dry finish makes for a refreshing package.
Those who buy this wine because it has a cool label will not be disappointed by the fresh 'n' clean aromas of lemon rind, chalk, nectarine, pink peach and lemonade. The tight and bright palate is also a plus, with a limestone character cutting the ripe apple fruit, proving even-keeled and easy to drink.
Those who seek out Gewürztraminer for its intense, exotic nose will want to look elsewhere. Despite the subtle aromatic profile, the rich palate is bursting with flavors of rose water, spice and cloves. It finishes fairly dry, with just a hint of residual sugar.
Those who think they prefer anything but Chardonnay may be convinced otherwise with this wine. It is so powerfully evocative in crisply rendered Meyer lemon and tangerine notes, with aromas of fresh white flowers teasing provocatively on the nose. Seamless and seductively bright in acidity, it glides down the palate, hinting at a richness that never becomes overdone.
Though 100% Merlot, it seems more reminiscent of a Syrah with notes of blue fruit and ash. The flavors are light with chalky, mouthcoating tannins.
Though 2014 is a fine, accessible vintage for many Oregon Pinots, this one is rather stubbornly shut down. At first it shows stem and herb flavors, along with chewy tannins. With hours of breathing time, the fruit emerges, a mix of rhubarb, cherry and a dash of cola.
Though 28 g/L of residual sugar is indicated, this lushly fruity and thoroughly delicious wine does not seem at all sweet, and just barely off dry. Peaches and pears combine in a lightly spicy but intensely flavorful wine with a myriad of food pairing possibilities, notably Thai noodle dishes, or poultry with a fruit sauce.
Though 60% Sémillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc, this wine reflects herbaceous Sauvignon in style. It is lightly perfumed while also having intense acidity. The aftertaste, all fresh fruit, conveys a lifted green-fruit character. Drink now. In 1991, enologist Jacques Chardat bought the estate where 19th-century windmills (moulins) still stand above the Gironde Estuary. Consulting enologist is Eric Delacroix.
Though a bit sulfury at first, some nice aromas of grilled vegetables come through, followed by cedar chips and dragon fruit. It's fairly one-dimensional in the mouth, though nicely structured, with ripe acidity and gentle tannins. Short, dried-cherry finish. Try with grilled flank steak. Drink now.
Though a bit timid on the nose, this example is impressive for its intense tangle of flavors in the mouth, which run from watermelon candy, to raspberry, wet earth, leather and chocolate. A good structure of firm acidity and brawny tannins as well as the moderately long finish suggest this wine will improve with a few years in the cellar. It can also be consumed now alongside hearty fare.
Though a reserve bottling, this shows a very fresh and sprightly side of the grape rather than its dense face. Squeezed blackberries, just-picked thyme and a touch of burnt caramel show on the nose, while the palate offers Concord grape, boysenberry and iced-coffee flavors.
Though a slightly riper style of rosé than is de rigeur today, this is a solid and lively wine, its ripe raspberry and red plum aromas cut by lime pith and squeezed lemon notes. Ruby red grapefruit, mulberry and baking spice elements pop on the palate.
Though a tad funky at first, this wine's nose leans toward tropical but not heavily so. Aromas convey cut lemongrass, lime candy, pineapple guava skins and a lean stone character. It's also grassy on the palate, with tight lemon juice acidity and a nectarine finish.
Though a touch green on the nose, that's countered by plenty of wood and vanilla. Hints of plum, faded cherry and licorice appear in the mouth, with a sweet, cedary finish. Drink now.
Though Adelsheim offers a large assortment of single-vineyard Pinots, this is the first they've made from Zenith. It surely won't be the last. Concentrated, thick black raspberry and black cherry fruit centers a substantial wine, laced with vivid streaks of vanilla, tobacco and spice. The immediate impact of the fruit is amplified by the density on the palate, and the finish, loaded with baking spices, reflects the aging in one-third new French oak barrels.
Though aged in just 20% new French oak, the wood seems to take over much of the show in this young wine. Notes of char, caramel, and sawdust accompany tobacco and dark berry aromas and flavors. The fruit flavors are light and citrusy with a spice filled finish and a gritty feel to the tannins.
Though aged in just 40% new French oak, the barrel notes of mocha and roasted coffee bean take up much of the stage with dark fruit and herbs fighting for attention. The flavors are ripe and lush but seem a bit clipped.
Though aged in neutral French oak, the wood shows fairly prominently, with vanilla and woodspice out in front of the lees and almond. The flavors are off dry with the variety seeming to get lost between the staves.
Though aged in neutral oak, this wine opens with scents and flavor hints of toast and butter. The fruit is clean and generic, like a fresh apple, but the mouthfeel lacks life and fades into a flat finish. Drink up.
Though already five years old, this wine still seems to need time. Notes of cocoa, coffee, pencil eraser and dusky spices are still coming into their own. The acidity is fresh with some dryness to the tannins that provides a bit of distraction but may just need some additional time to settle.
Though already four years old, this blend of 77% Zinfandel and 23% Petite Sirah shows lots of promise for a long-lasting wine. Complicated aromas of tobacco and ripe boysenberries become sagebrush herbs on the palate, bolstered by blueberry and elderberry fruits. The tannic grip is still strong, so drink 2018–2028.
Though an accidental opening in a blind tasting, this wine was stellar a decade old, easily rising above its current counterparts. Extremely complex and savory aromas of au jus sauce, porcini mushrooms, charred beef, black olive, mulberry and hearty black plum give way to a mushroom-laden palate. Black truffle, baked cranberry, underbrush and rugged but refined earthiness shine on the sip.
Though an appellation blend, this bottling often comes from a single vineyard and is treated with great care, resulting in a complete package. That starts with baked red cherry, mulberry and tangy plum on the nose, dusted with nutmeg and hickory smoke. The intriguing flavor profile offers tangy black raspberry, suave hibiscus and other red-flower touches along with clove stick and cinnamon spice.
Though Andrew Will has been known more recently for its vineyard-designated blends, this is a return to a 100% varietal offering. Coming from five year-old vines, it shows grace and texture with high toned leafy notes, herbs, bittersweet chocolate and plum. There's a wonderful sense of tension between the lively acidity and the chewy tannins as the wine continues to open and evolve.
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.
Though bearing the Willamette Valley label, this is principally Pommard clone fruit from Northridge vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. It's a barrel selection, tough and chewy at this point. The muscular structure pushes pomegranate and black cherry fruit to the center. Ripe tannins provide an undercoating of chewy earth. It's big-boned and generous.
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.
Though billed as a Super Tuscan, this is an odd but refreshing wine for those seeking something different. The Cab-Sangio blend offers strong black pepper, brambleberry, pink peppercorns and a touch of pasilla chile on the underripe nose. The palate is light in body but full of bright cranberry fruit and intriguing herbals, led by green peppercorns.
Though Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc each make up just 3% of this wine, they seem to show themselves aromatically, with herb and floral notes that provide the backdrop for Merlot's cocoa and cherry. The red fruit flavors are plump and juicy, backed by bright acid that leads to a long, fruit filled finish. It doesn't always come off as completely varietal but it's nearly impossible to resist all the same.
Though Columbia Crest is widely available, the reserve tier is not. Just a few hundred cases of this reserve were made, done in an oaky, buttered popcorn style. Think California with more acidity.
Though coming from the warm 2013 vintage, this wine still retains its balance with notes of peach, mango and crushed granite. It's light and airy in style for a Washington Viognier without sacrificing flavor or length.
Though considered a rosé, Grenache Gris is actually its own grape, and a delicious one at that. Pale pink in color, this shows bubblegum, watermelon, rose petal, strawberry and cola spice on the nose. The palate is marked by boisterous, lemon-like acidity yet remains soft and welcoming, with sweet cotton candy touches.
Though definitely grassy in the nose, this round and juicy wine has compelling freshness. Flavors of grapefruit, lime, fresh herbs and a dash of wintergreen give complexity and length.
Though designated simply as Washington state, this five grape, Cab-dominated, Bordeaux-style blend is sourced entirely from Kiona's Red Mountain vineyards. Aromatic—almost pungent—it's built around soft, ripe red fruits, augmented with a touch of leather and toast. Round, full, and ready to drink, it spent a year in 60% new oak.
Though excessively foamy, once it settles down this wine has a pretty pale copper shade, and a hint of strawberry and cherry in the fruit flavor. It's dry and delicate, with a clean, persistent finish.
Though fairly light in color, the aromas on this single-vineyard wine are quite dark and meaty: dried mushroom, dried cherry, even beef jerky. Once sipped, macerated cherry, chai, black tea and espresso combine into a soft, expressive mouthfeel that finishes with tart cranberry.
Though found in some Chardonnays, there's a heaviness to this wine, with its orange Muscat nose and syrupy flavors, that seems out of sync here. The wine seems to flop onto the palate and sit there, without much progression. Needs more acid and a lighter touch.
Though from a cool region, this is a more powerful style of Syrah, showing elegant fudge and caramel notes as well as blackberries, blueberries, espresso cream and strong cola aromas. Tangy black currant and baked black-cherry fruit pop on the palate, along with tobacco, smoked beef and baking spice.
Though fruit-driven, forward and accessible, this surprises with the chewy density of its midpalate, and the depth and texture of the finish. It begins with somewhat sweet with candy flavors of raspberries, red currants and Bing cherries. Then it opens up, adding moist earth, minerals, flint and wisps of chocolaty smoke. Firm acidity and a balanced structure complete this classically proportioned and well-defined wine. An amazing 51,000 cases were made.
Though given ample time in bottle, this wine can still use more time to open, or be cellared, through 2020. Structured, it's meaty in oak and wild game, the deep, dark fruit conservatively remaining in the background. A peppery finish makes it memorable.
Though given extra bottle age prior to release, this remains a bit stiff and tannic. Floral highlights and smoky tannins book-end the black fruits. Deep cassis and a bit of licorice wind through the finish. This is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc.
Though golden-hued in the glass, this is rather mellow on the nose, with soft lemon cream, toasted apple and marzipan aromas. The palate shows intense acidic energy, with zippy, tight and clean nectarine sorbet and Meyer lemon rind flavors.
Though Grüner doesn't have a reputation in Austria for ice wine as do other varieties, based on the strength of this wine, maybe it should. It has a great balance between toffee sweetness and high acidity, the intensity softened and broadened by spice and toffee.
Though hailing from the warm, dry 2012 vintage, this wine remains quite restrained in style with its notes of wild strawberry, freshly rubbed mint and cola. It doesn't quite have the concentration to deliver all that the aromas promise.
Though handsomely balanced, this medium-weight Chardonnay shows only modest complexity, with apple, tropical fruit and mild toasty notes on the nose and palate. A slight caramel note gives a vaguely sweet cast to the basically dry fruit flavors. Has appeal and some length, but it's not the statement one would expect at the price. —M.M.
Though it's 100% Chardonnay, this wine doesn't taste particularly Chard-like: it has light floral and stone fruit notes more akin to a Riesling. It's a lightweight in the mouth, rounded out by a little creaminess. A decent, economical choice to quaff on a hot day.
Though it's 100% Merlot from Red Mountain, this seems more generic than representative of what that AVA can produce. It could be any modestly priced Bordeaux red variety or blend—red fruits, stiff tannins, and a seamless, yet one-dimensional mouthfeel.
Though it's 100% varietal, this sports a strong floral streak, as if dominated by Gewürztraminer. Baby-powder scents and accents shift into a fruit core of citrus, with Meyer lemon, oranges and pineapple.
Though it's 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, this includes small amounts of four other Bordeaux grape varieties. Aged in 30% new French oak, it's nicely detailed with dried herb, baking chocolate and a dash of cinnamon. Black cherry fruit anchors the core, and the impression is of an Old World style, with well-integrated herb and earth flavors.
Though it's 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, this includes a splash of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The pretty, floral nose is all about rose petals and milk chocolate. It tightens up in the mouth and battens down with blueberry, blue plum, milk chocolate and a somewhat astringent finish. A streak of smoke and tar runs through the tannins.
Though it's a huge tannic monster right now, this Bordeaux blend, a first release and new brand name from Steven Kent Winery, is an ode to Steven Kent Mirassou's family's long lineage in California winemaking and the roots of Livermore's history in wine as well. A majority Cabernet (75%), with all the lush cassis and black cherry one would hope for, the wine shows nicely honed herbal notes from its 15% Cab Franc in the middle, with a little touch of spice on the finish coming from 5% Petit Verdot (3% Malbec and 2% Merlot round out the blend). Give this one time and it will surely reward.
Though it's a niche variety in the state, Carmenère has always been a flagship wine for this winery. This one is all varietal, with aromas of herbs, freshly cut green and jalapeño peppers. It coats the palate with dark fruit and savory flavors.
Though it's barrel fermented, this is a thin, hard-edged wine with green and slightly stemmy flavors only partially masked by the buttery barrel notes.
Though it's been held back since being bottled, this remains tight and closed. Suggestions of strawberry and chocolate come up from a firm and compact body, with plenty of acidity and hints of green olive and coffee grounds. Aerate, decant, and/or cellar this wine.
Though it's crisp and fresh in the mouth, this wine has some weight (and some oily viscosity) to it. Starts off in the mouth with a burst of sweetness, and a limey, grassy streak carries it through to the finish. Nose is fruity, with nectarine and mango highlights.
Though it's designated as reserve-level, and lists rather high alcohol, this seems thin, stemmy and green. The fruit is nearly invisible. The addition of 14% Cabernet Franc has not had any noticeable impact. Drink up.
Though it's Grenache, you can't really tell from the flavors. This is similar to many ice wines from western Canada—a bit fat and unctuous for icewine, tasting of caramel, simple and sweet.
Though it's had some extra time in the bottle, the oaky edges of this wine still seem a little rough and tumble. Or maybe it's the banana cream pie flavors—appealing in their way, but opposite end of the spectrum from, say, the minerality of a Chablis. Front loaded, creamy and rich, this has generous amounts of the oak and toast that many consumers crave.
Though it's not mentioned on the label, the Malbec is sourced from the Pepper Bridge vineyard, and compares favorably with high end Argentine versions. Yummy and deep, its sweet berry flavors are matched to firm, polished tannins, and finished with a touch of pretty toast.
Though it's relatively light for Syrah, this offers flavors that are true to classic varietal characteristics. Red and purple berries, anise and a vein of steel are all in the mix, and continue through a gentle fade-out.
Though it's unusually low in alcohol for Cabernet, this offers extra aromatic complexity as a bonus. Black tea, menthol, pepper and cherry fruit scents and flavors mingle well. It's forward and backed with juicy acidity, topped with a hint of orange peel.
Though it didn't see any oak, this wine—a sister brand of the pioneering Santa Barbara Winery—presents rich and complex aromas of saffron, seared lemon rinds, rosemary and roasted chicken. It's elegant and supple on the palate, with just enough citrus juice, salt and Italian spices.
Though it is in the unscrewcapped minority, this is a well-built Riesling, and one that somehow seems engineered to please a wide-reaching audience. It offers white peach and other subtle fruit flavors dusted with sweet talc, make no mistake—its dry, minerally mouthfeel is the key player here. Has a little spritz in the mouth, with white pepper and a burst of peach fruit on the back end.
Though it lacks the broad, sweet fruit of the 2005 reserve, this is a fine reflection of the vintage. It's compact, tannic, and a bit unyielding, but structured with enough density to age for a few years. Light red fruits are somewhat overwhelmed by grainy, toasty tannins; that should balance out with a little more bottle age.
Though it makes up only a fifth of the wine, Cabernet Sauvignon seems to win out in this largely Bordeaux-style blend with notes of mixed herbs, mint and green tea. Lighter in style, it offers a fresh feel, slightly chalky tannins, and little obvious new oak influence. It adds up to a low-alcohol wine that goes down easy.
Though it seems quite light on first impression, that is a bit deceptive. The biodynamic grapes show a muted earthiness, while over time the cranberry and raspberry flavors gain focus and concentration in the mouth. A graceful, nicely proportioned wine, with some stem and grip to the tannins.
Though it seems to have some of the lightness of young vines in the cherry fruit flavor, there is clear Red Mountain terroir in the mouthfeel. Tight, dark, supple and almost steely, this layers its fruit atop a mineral base, and finishes with a whiff of smoke and pickle barrel.
Though it starts with a burst of tropical yellow fruit and its accompanying sweetness, this is still a dry wine, with a strong mineral-and-citrus backbone. Finishes with more tropical fruit and some white pepper. Try it with Asian cuisine—this plus a ginger-based sauce makes for a good match.
Though it was given twice as many new French oak barrels as the Estate bottling, this Vintage Select could be its twin. Solid and balanced, it mixes berry, herb and earth components, making for a well-structured, no-frills wine.
Though it was picked at 29 brix and fermentation stopped with 87 g/L residual sugar, this carries a bitter streak all through the palate. The sweetness shows as a burst of caramel apple.
Though its standout aroma is of toasted campfire marshmallows, on the palate, this wine is toasty without being too creamy, and offers pleasant toast, apple and pear flavors that persist on the finish. It's a medium-weight, crowd-pleasing wine.
Though just 12% alcohol, this wine is ripe and vibrant, with a thrilling bouquet of violets, cranberries and fresh herbs. Light and delicate, perfectly balanced and complex, with a whiff of chocolate in the finish.
Though just five years old, this wine seems advanced, with notes of pencil box, leather, dried orange peel, mesquite and brown spices. There's still plenty of juicy acid to be had that provides interest with some grit to the tannins.
Though just four years old, this wine seems advanced with notes of dried cherry, vanilla, dried tobacco and blackberry. The dried cranberry and cherry flavors are rich and tart, backed by quite astringent tannins.
Though just two years past fermentation, this is already taking on a mature hue with hints of bricking around the rim. It's soft, smooth and lightly toasty, a blend of rose water and wild raspberry flavors that have the precision and elegance to impress. Though light and low in alcohol, it's a well-made, true-to-variety style.
Though labeled a white wine, this more properly may be called a rosé. It's a pale copper color, made from a mix of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes that were pressed lightly to minimize color extraction prior to fermentation in stainless steel. It offers a mix of tree fruits, toasted nuts and tart acids.
Though labeled as a red blend, at 94% this could be a varietally labeled Merlot and it drinks like it. Aromas of cocoa, raspberry and spice box are followed by plump, soft chocolate and raspberry flavors accented by tart acids that hold the balance through the finish.
Though labeled as a red wine, this could just as easily be labeled as Cabernet at 91%, and it drinks like one. Spice, herb, coffee and black-cherry aromas are followed by plump fruit flavors that show purity and depth, trailing ever so slightly toward the finish.
Though labeled as a Syrah, this drinks more like a GSM, with 11% Mourvèdre, 5% Grenache and 2% Viognier contributing prominently to the blend. Aromas of cocoa, orange peel, coffee grounds, raspberry and dark fruit are followed by full-bodied fruit and barrel flavors.
Though labeled as Merlot, this smells more like Syrah which makes up 20% of the blend, with aromas of blue and purple fruit along with whiffs of smoked meat and dried herb. The fruit flavors are sweet and plump, backed by soft, luxurious tannins. It's enjoyable but doesn't seem varietally correct.
Though labeled Cabernet, it's a full-on, four-grape Bordeaux-style blend. It sports a classic Cabernet nose, dusty, smoky, with cherry tobacco, forest floor and a whiff of barnyard. The fruit remains tart and showing a fair amount of acidity; the tannins stiff and the mouthfeel tight but sensual. Give this one until 2017 to pull itself together.
Though labeled Columbia Valley, this is actually Wahluke Slope fruit, 100% varietal. Licorice, smoke and herbs race up the spine, rounded out with black fruits, fig, tobacco and coffee. Good grip and length.
Though labeled Columbia Valley, this is in fact 100% Merlot from the estate vineyards on Red Mountain. It's chewy and tannic, as is often the case with Red Mountain reds, with black cherry and cassis fruit wrapped by astringent tannins hinting at dark chocolate. In short, a fine steak wine, that needs some fat to cut the tannins.
Though labeled merlot, this is truly a Bordeaux-style blend with Cabernet Sauvignon (6%), Malbec (5%), and Petit Verdot (2%) added to the mix. It is reserved in style with notes of cherry, dried herbs and pickling spices backed by firm, dry tannins.
Though labeled reserve, this is barely distinguishable from the winery's regular Cabernet. More toast, and a little chocolate is showing, but the fruit flavors—pale blackberry and black currant—are quickly covered up by the aggressive tannins.
Though labeled Riesling, it's blended with 16% Muscat and 9% Gewürztraminer. The residual sugar is listed as 2%, but rather than sweetness, the wine carries a sour lemon snap and a palate of tart citrus and orange soda flavors.
Though labeled Sauvignon Blanc, this includes 20% Muscat, which makes it more of a proprietary white wine than a pure varietal expression. The flavors combine grassy, salad greens with citrus and grapefruit rind. The Muscat shows up in the orange blossom highlights. As the low alcohol would suggest, this dry wine has plenty of natural acidity.
Though labeled simply “Oregon,” this is 100% Hyland vineyard fruit from the McMinnville AVA. Done in a refined, lightly smoky style, it pushes subtle berry flavors into a substantial midpalate laden with highlights of milk chocolate, café crème and a touch of caramel. Smooth as silk, this will be tough to ignore in your cellar, though it will reward another three to five years of bottle age.
Though labeled simply “Red”, this is pure Cabernet Sauvignon, and blends grapes from Pepper Bridge and Candy Mountain vineyards. It has a satiny mouthfeel, with generous red fruits, licorice and hints of sweet herb. There's a dash of white pepper in the crisp, clean finish.
Though labeled simply Columbia Valley, the grapes are single vineyard, Rattlesnake Hills AVA fruit. The best of the Girly Girl lineup, though the promising beginning (cassis and berry, scented with black olive and herb) quickly fades into a forest floor finale of decaying leaves.
Though labeled simply Columbia Valley, this is a classic example of Wahluke Slope Syrah. Well-integrated layers of citrus, berry, roasted coffee beans, vanilla cookie and Graham cracker combine into a most accessible, yet complex wine. It's ready to drink, and should be consumed over the next 3–4 years.
Though labeled simply Washington state, this Bordeaux-style blend is sourced entirely from Kiona's Red Mountain vineyards. The wine includes 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, yielding a deep, darkly fruited wine with cassis, black coffee, graphite and a whiff of barnyard. It's young, tight and chewy, but has excellent aging potential.
Though labeled simply Willamette Valley, the vineyard is set in the Eola Hills AVA. Complex aromas meld sassafras, Asian spices, baking spices and delicate notes of leaf and stem. The fruit is lightly brambly with an accent on raspberry flavors. The wine is well-proportioned throughout.
Though labeled sweet, this has just enough acidity to feel off-dry in the mouth. It brings a mix of pear and peach, apple and orange peel flavors, which fade rather quickly into a flat finish.
Though labeled Syrah, this includes 25% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. The addition somewhat mutes the Syrah character, though it may bump up the concentration of cassis fruit flavor. Espresso-laden tannins put a frame around the finish.
Though labeled Willamette Valley, this is single vineyard Chehalem Mountains AVA fruit. Smooth, ripe and buttery, from sniff to swallow, it's loaded with Satsuma orange, Meyer lemon and pink-grapefruit flavors. The acids snap and the finish lingers, with a streak of vanilla and a slight sensation of heat.
Though Leah Jørgensen models all of her wines on Loire Valley icons, this wine is more flower and fruit-powered than anchored in rock and herb. Ripe and complex, it's a cherries jubilee wine with amazing depth and Amaro-like details of bitters, cloves and macerated fruit.
Though less expensive than the Artisan series releases from Foundry, the Alla Prima seems better balanced. There's less new oak (though 40% is not insubstantial) and the alcohol is well under 15%. The wine weaves together cherry, dark chocolate and espresso with plenty of tart acidity to buoy it up.
Though light in color and body, this wine carries tremendous aromas and flavors, thanks in part to its 5% cofermented Viognier. The nose shows charred beef, crushed elderberry and potpourri scents, while the palate shows tart red currant and cranberry fruit, with smoked beef, white, pepper, rosemary and fennel accents.
Though light in color, this flagrantly floral expression of the variety offers a crème brûlée-like richness on the nose. The palate is a different story—all tart fruit, lifted acidity and gravelly minerality.
Though lightly colored, this is a powerful Pinot Noir from the estate vineyard of Norman Beko. He cold-soaks the fruit and ferments with native yeasts to deliver aromas of raspberry, pine and wet slate. The flavors range from pomegranate to violet to red rose to a fruit punch that lingers a long time thanks to a nice acidic lift.
Though lightly ripened, this opens with classic varietal aromas of mint, spicy berry and pepper. It tends slightly to the green side of the fruit spectrum, with the acidity to age a bit further.
Though lightly ripened, with alcohol at 13.5% and flavors keeping to the yellow-green fruit spectrum, the use of oak barrels for both fermentation and aging adds pleasing layers of butter and caramel. It's a French style, with a welcoming elegance.
Though low in alcohol even by David Hill standards, this excellent Pinot Gris does not lack fruit or flavor. Ripe and tasting of pretty pear and orange fruit, it shows evidence of some well-balanced residual sugar. Vivid acidity cuts through to a satisfying finish.
Though more focused on Bordeaux varieties, the Daou brothers produce a fantastic Pinot Noir to chew on, with rich aromas of cherry pie set in a anise-flecked crust. The wine is soft and plush once sipped, with black cherries, root beer and strong black licorice elements.
Though mostly Cabernet from an excellent Horse Heaven Hills vineyard, this also includes 15% Merlot from Pepper Bridge. It coats the tongue with velvety softness and drying tannins. It suggests elegance and breed immediately, Cabernet's classic cassis married to herbal grace notes and a strong mineral streak. A lovely food wine.
Though much lower in price than the single vineyard offerings—and without the microchip on the label—this bottling carries all of the earthy aspects that characterize this iconoclastic winery. Umami aromas of nori wrap meet with dried purple flowers and blackberry on the nose. The mouthfeel is soft and full, with flavors full of loam, beet juice, incense and crushed boysenberry.
Though no new oak was used in the élévage of this wine, it has a lovely, toasty backdrop to the aromas of fresh rose petals, spicy tobacco and tart plum. This is nicely rounded, keeping the acids from dominating and allowing the fruit to display itself gently and without any rough edges. In the mouth the acids come forward, but they are so fresh, natural and clean that it's a genuine pleasure.
Though no residual sugar is listed, this appears to have a hint of sweetness, along with light fruit flavors of strawberry and candied cherries.
Though not a blush wine, this has a hint of a tawny color, and a whiff of alcohol reflecting the riper, warmer vintage. The fruit flavors range from Key lime to orangeade.
Though not as concentrated as many examples from this AVA, this brings identifiable Pinot Noir character, albeit in a rather thin, austere style. Pale cranberry and pomegranate fruit is matched to tart acidity and a veneer of herb.
Though not as powerful and concentrated as the Spofford Station Syrah, this wine displays the same distinctive, complex flavor palette—a mix of earth, herb, compost, fungus, smoke, rock and, oh yeah, baby, oodles of fruit. This sort of flavor profile is similar to the biodynamic wines of Cayuse, but at half the cost.
Though not as rich as Viña Izadi's 1997 Expresión, this wine still has a lot to like: aromas of toasted bagel, dried apple and orange peel that are followed by flavors of cranberry, raspberry, clove and fennel
Though not at all unsung (in fact, mailing list is closed), Abeja wines offer exceptional quality for the price across the entire lineup. Case in point: this super-long, ultradelicious Chardonnay, a generous wine with green apple, lime and white peach; add in notes of butter, brioche and baking spices. The length and balance, along with the pure pleasure, far exceed the price.
Though not designated as such, this is a reserve-level effort, as noted by the special label (with Owen Roe in large, old-fashioned cursive lettering) and its overall concentration. Dense black fruits are strongly accented with flavors of espresso and baking spices. It's a powerful wine that is already drinking well, and should continue to do so into the late 2020s.
Though not designated, the grapes for this white come from the Dutton Sullivan Vineyard, outside of Graton, planted to a heritage selection of Wente. Wet stone and salty apple make for an inviting beginning, followed by a length of complex Mandarin orange specked in spice. Andrew Berge is the winemaker.
Though not indicated as such on its label, this is a sweet wine. It has spiced, ripe fruit flavors, notably pear, which are deliciously laced with honey and cinnamon notes. There is also a fine streak of lively acidity that keeps this very fresh.
Though not indicated on the label, once again the Morrison Lane vineyard—the oldest Syrah planting in Walla Walla—is the source of the fruit. The wine is peppery and tannic, with cherry fruit and dried herbal accents. There's a whiff of toast in the finish.
Though not indicated on the label, this is sourced from a single vineyard in the Columbia Gorge AVA. Cool-site flavors abound, from the lemony fruit to the snappy acidity. The wine did not go through secondary malolactic fermentation, yet shows a tasty streak of butterscotch running through its core.
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.
Though not labeled as such, this 100% varietal all hails from Red Mountain, with the fruit coming from Klipsun (64%), Scooteney Flats and Tapteil vineyards. The aromas are brooding and locked up at present with notes of mineral, black currant, spice, pencil lead and blackberry. The fruit flavors are black as night, supported by firm but exceptionally well-integrated tannins. It will be at its best from 2023 to 2031 but should last well beyond that.
Though not labeled as such, this 75% Sauvignon Blanc/25% Sémillon blend is moderately ripe, lightly toasty, and a well-balanced, all-purpose white wine for poultry and richer seafood.
Though not labeled as such, this could be a varietal Cabernet Franc (80%). Dried herb, tobacco and wood spice aromas lead to well balanced, expressive dried black cherry flavors that stretch out on the finish. The aromas and flavors don't quite sync up but it still brings a lot of appeal.
Though not labeled as such, this is a single-vineyard offering from Pontin del Roza Vineyard. It brings notes of apple and apricot, drinking dry with a quite elegant yet flavorful styling.
Though not labeled as such, this is a single-vineyard wine coming from Dineen Family Vineyard. It shows appealing aromas of toast, nut oil and melon. The flavors are lighter in style but bring a sense of balance that carries through the finish.
Though not labeled as such, this is single vineyard Malbec all coming from Canyon Ranch Vineyard with varietal notes of plum and black pepper. Aged in one-quarter new American and French oak, barrel spices play off the elegant fruit flavors that largely paint around the edges.
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.
Though not labeled as such, this thrilling Riesling comes from the Ancient Lakes appellation and brings aromatic notes of peach, orange blossom and pear. It drinks medium-sweet with abundant stone fruit flavors.
Though not labeled as such, this wine is all Gewürztraminer. It's aromatic with aromas of lychee, rose petal and spice. The flavors are light and dry, almost delicate, with abundant floral accents.
Though not much Chardonnay is grown in Rutherford, this one's pretty good with rich citrus and tropical fruit flavors accented with buttered toast. It's a little soft and herbal, but feels festive.
Though not officially certified biodynamic, this vineyard is farmed according to those principles. Subtle textures and threads of umami run alongside the ripe blackberry and cherry fruit. The wine gains heft and depth as it breathes, and fills in the back end with barrel accents of coffee and nutmeg. Drink now through 2025.
Though not one of the producer's single-vineyard bottlings, this estate blend manages to stun the nose and palate nonetheless. Tart mulberry, Kalamata olive, hibiscus, rose hips, red plum and sandalwood aromas wrestle attention immediately, then the sip delivers bergamot, cedar ash, exotic cranberry and rosemary depth. It delivers an excellent combination of wood, fruit and herb.
Though not terribly complex or exciting, this is a well-made Minervois with soft red fruit and kirsch aromas backed by hints of spice and light floral characters. Approachable tannins and light acidity followed by a short, clean finish make this an easy-to-drink and enjoyable selection.
Though not treating the grape with quite the same reverence as other varieties, Central Coast vintners are having fun with Merlot, making quaffable, easygoing bottlings like this one. It shows caramelized blueberry, black currant and asphalt touches on the nose. The graphite minerality also pops on the palate, giving a tension to the cassis flavors.
Though not yet certified, this estate vineyard is biodynamically farmed. This is the first release from these grapes. A Rhône blend (61% Syrah, 34% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre), it's aromatically captivating, with a fascinating mix of violets and stones. The wine itself seems carved out of rock, its flavors in bas-relief. Intense raspberry and cassis, white pepper, fine length and crystalline acidity.
Though obscure in America, this Tempranillo-Grenache blend is not uncommon in Spain, and the results are solid. Thick aromas of plum extract, black pepper, fudge and tobacco lead into a rich and luxurious mouthfeel. Ripe flavors of boysenberry and olallieberry are cut by a very spicy edge of black pepper and mocha.
Though only aged in 30% new oak—half French and half Hungarian—the wood is far out front here with notes of vanilla and butterscotch overtaking the cherry. It's light in style with vanilla flavors throughout.
Though only seeing about a quarter new oak—mostly American—it's this aspect that stands out with notes of vanilla and woodspice which overpower notes of cherry, plum and pepper. Still, it's pleasant enough with quite tart fruit flavors and abundant wood accents.
Though pale in color, this is a tannic and flavorful wine with an earthy underpinning. Lightly spiced red-fruit flavors unfold and gather strength midpalate. This nicely captures the elegance of Naramata Bench Pinot Noir.
Though pale in hue, this is big in flavor. It's a textbook Pinot Noir rosé, sharp, tight and showing deep flavors of rhubarb, rosewater and strawberry fruit. There's exceptional length along with the lovely, fresh fruit flavors.
Though picked at 23.6 brix, this Riesling reaches 14% alcohol and 1% residual sugar, an interesting combination of data. It's plenty concentrated, with a flavor mix of flower, sugar, honey and peach. A mouthful to be sure, substantial and packed with flavor, though a little heavy through the finish.
Though pleasant aromatically with lots of freshly cut grass and gooseberry notes, this full-bodied, dry Bulgarian Sauvignon Blanc has a dense, clunky mouthfeel and a bracingly high acidity. There's some decent lemon and grapefruit flavors, but plenty of tinned green asparagus as well.
Though quite dark, spicy, smoky, fragrant and seductive, this is a very flavorful wine. Citrusy acids underscore flavors of grapefruit and orange, but the core of the wine is straightforward, pure and ripe berry. It's nice not to fight the fruit with oak; the aromatics are beautiful.
Though quite different stylistically from the 2009, this is just as good. The structure in 2010 is noteworthy for its high acid focus. There are streaks of berry and cassis, with touches of smoke and espresso. This is a wine to cellar while you are drinking up the delicious 2009.
Though quite high in alcohol, this blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah doesn't overwhelm the nose with heat. Instead, complex and integrated aromas recall beet juice, cinnamon and Christmas spices. It's lush and flavorful on the palate, with brandied cherries, boysenberry sauce and a strong backbone of licorice, sage, creosote and pine.
Though quite light in color, this is a very ripe-smelling wine, with aromas of honeysuckle, peach, pineapple and guava. It proves light on the sleek palate, with subtle tropicality emerging via tuberose flower flavors that are cut with a green apple skin bitterness.
Though quite light in the glass in color, this is a very and tropical take on the grape, with honeysuckle, jasmine, pear and apricot aromas leaping from the wine. There is a nicely wound tightness to the texture of the sip, and then come the white peach, guava, melon and papaya flavors.
Though quite light in the glass, this bottling shows dark Indian spices and cinnamon as well as strawberry and candied cherry on the nose. Those same red fruits arise on the palate, lifted by thyme, more cinnamon and a peppery spice.
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.
Though quite pale in color due to no barrel aging, there is a nicely rounded candy nose of bright green apple and vanilla, alongside some sharper spice. On the palate, more green apple dominates, along with lemon-lime, slight guava and an acidity that causes the wine to dance across the tongue.
Though quite young this wine seems a bit desiccated with notes of dried cranberries and raspberries followed by orange peel and Twizzlers. The palate is ripe and sweet with the alcohol showing on the finish.
Though relatively young (planted in 2001) this Dundee Hills vineyard can deliver the goods. This is full, juicy, packed with ripe fruits, moderately deep in color, and limned with sharp, herbal, astringent tannins. It could profit from a bit more bottle age, to take the edge off the green tea in the finish.
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.
Though reserved in the nose, this wine from a vineyard to the west of the Sta. Rita Hills already presents a bit of aromatic age, with honey, almond and dried apricot. It's lean, bright and flinty once sipped, with gravel, tangerine pith and chamomile, proving to be a refreshing sipper that never tires. Drink now.
Though reserved on the nose at first, this bottling begins to show dense blueberry, coffee and soy with patience. There are boisterous flavors of squeezed elderberry and blackberry fruit once sipped, along with beef char, black coffee, dark chocolate and purple flowers on the finish. This still needs a little time to open, but shows lots of potential.
Though richly perfumed with rose petals and elderflower, the flowery aromatics are reined in by bright lemon and citrus peel notes. The palate is plush and rich with flavors evocative of earl grey tea served with rose petal jam, with a gentle acidity to keep things fresh.
Though shy on the nose, this popular bottling delivers intrigue on the palate. Light red-cherry flavors are bolstered by pepper spice and a chalky tannic grip. Even for geeky connoisseurs, it's a good bottle for later in the night.
Though simple, this is a fresh, crisp, lightly herbal wine, with fruit flavors emphasizing melon and citrus.
Though single vineyard wines can be impressive, there are times when they'd be better as components in a blend. This is the case here. Just on the edge of sour, the very tart grapey flavors seem overtaken by acidity, without compensating depth or complexity.
Though sourced principally from Red Mountain grapes, where the Col Solare winery is located, this Cab-dominated Bordeaux-style blend is simply labeled Columbia Valley. It's a user-friendly wine with plump cherry fruit and notes of tobacco, licorice and vanilla. Soft and supple and ready to drink.
Though still exploring the zesty acid-driven side of Pinot Noir, Marc Piro adds depth and richness to this bottling. Red cherry compote and cordial meet fennel, dill, tarragon and tapenade on the nose. The extremely lively and fresh palate unleashes an array of flower petals, just-pressed tart berries and Kalamata olives. A deep structure and thorough acidity complete the picture.
Though still quite young, this cuvée is immediately flavorful and intriguing. Earthy and showing a whiff of leather, its tart berry fruit opens up quickly and broadens across the palate. Best guess is drink it young, now through 2018, for maximum pleasure.
Though still very young, this bottling is already compelling. Black currant, black plum, fig, rosemary and game aromas arise on the concentrated nose. The layered palate offers fennel, cracked rainbow peppercorn, black currant jam and hoisin sauce flavors, cut by a vibrant acidity that penetrates into the finish.
Though Syrah is not new to Southern Oregon, the recent rise in quality may surprise you. DanCin's Danseur is estate-grown in the Applegate Valley. It's an aromatic, tightly woven gem, loaded with plum, berry and kirsch, highlights of herb and bramble and a finish streaked with chocolate, espresso and licorice. Tannins are polished and the flavors linger delightfully.
Though Syrah makes up only 14% of this wine, it seems to take over the show with its notes of plum and smoke playing against barrel accents of pencil lead and vanilla. It drinks off dry (9.5g/L residual sugar), with dry grainy tannins.
Though tart and chalky, this has interesting notes of rose petals and saddle leather, with light berry fruit. It does show varietal specificity, but the wine fades quickly and lacks concentration.
Though technically off-dry, this tastes tart and racy, following its lively aromatics with crisp citrus-fruit flavors of Key lime, Satsuma orange, and ripe apricots. The fruit sources—Evergreen and Wahluke Slope vineyards—are among the best in Washington for Riesling.
Though the 2013 vintage has generally been deemed a challenging one, this astonishing bottling proves that great wine can be made somewhere in almost any year. This warm and fruity, perfectly structured single-vineyard effort opens with a smooth and supple palate offering strawberry and cherry fruit, defining acidity and superb length. Give it a few hours to breathe and it shows depth, finesse and the ability to age and improve through 2025 and beyond.
Though the alcohol comes close to 15%, this is still relatively light compared with other Spofford vineyard Syrahs. Sweet cherry candy, or cherry pie fruit is slathered in flavors of coconut/vanilla cream. It's tasty, though relatively simple, especially for fruit from this vineyard, which is known for its earthy terroir.
Though the alcohol level on this Pinot Noir is modest, the heavy handedness of the oak is high, with the wine taking on a burnt flavor—almost akin to barbecue-flavored CornNuts.
Though the alcohol lists at 14.3%, this seems thin and flat. There's little depth to the one-dimensional, green fruit flavors, a hint of plastic and some burn in the finish.
Though the aromas of orange and apple blossom, honey and peach extract feign a touch of sweetness, this wine's steely minerality belies such a conclusion. And so does the palate, where a lemonade acidity and wet slate element cut clean through fresh apples and pear flesh, revealing that it's not sweet at all.
Though the blend includes small portions of other grapes—9% Syrah, 3% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc—this really champions the essential character of great Washington Cabernet. Its core fruit is supple and compact cassis and black cherry, with a spicy top note that resonates well into the finish. Concentrated and beautifully proportioned, with black olive and just a hint of leaf in the finish.
Though the blend leans heavily toward Tempranillo, it's the Syrah (16%) that shows itself with its notes of black pepper and smoked meat. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, with tart, lively acidity and chalky firm tannins that need some time to settle. Best at the dinner table.
Though the first sniffs seem to promise a light, floral, elegant Pinot Noir, it turns vegetal in the glass, with tomato and herbal flavors.
Though the flavors are one dimensional, they are substantial, with a mix of plum and black-cherry fruit at the center. There are strong streaks of citrus and soil, with astringent tannins and acids that stick out with a somewhat chalky, citrus character.
Though the listed alcohol pushes well past 15%, this wine does not show that much heat or concentration. Aggressive oak-treatment flavors of vanilla and tobacco mingle with mint, cola and black cherry.
Though the listed alcohol tops 15%, this remains a fruity and rather simple wine, with dominating flavors of raspberry and cherry cola. As good as it is, this could use a bit more muscle.
Though the nose is a bit muted, assertive juicy black plum and muddled mulberry unfold in the round mouth. Firm tannins follow through to the dry, waxy finish. Try in another year or two, or give it a good long decant before drinking now.
Though the oak is high quality (62% new American and French), it's in your face on this 100% varietal wine, with notes of char and toast. It's soft, silky and elegant in feel but the barrel flavors take over making it hard to get all the fruit notes.
Though the palate can't deliver all that the aromas have to offer, there's intrigue to this estate Tempranillo with notes of dark flowers, sweet tobacco, and dried tea leaves playing off olive and other savory notes.
Though the term late harvest would suggest a sweet, dessert wine, this is more on the off-dry side of Riesling, with juicy acids that cut the impression of sugar. Fragrant with scents and flavors of apricots, apple pie, honey and biscuit, it is expressive, nicely balanced and loaded with flavor.
Though the vineyard sits at 1,100 feet, hints of tropical fruits give this wine a ripe feel. Pineapple and mango mingle with crisper citrus flavors, yielding a wine that is both fresh and ripe. Drink now.
Though the vineyard sources—Stillwater and Conner Lee—are first-rate, this wine seems a bit disjointed at the moment. Sweet, juicy fruit opens up into a midpalate that seems to have a hole, and then the aggressive flavors of vanilla surface. The vanilla-tinged finish feels tacked on, though perhaps some further bottle age will help to smooth it.
Though the vintage helped create a lighter-than-usual version of this benchmark Pinot, it's beautifully crafted and fully realized. Like Burgundy, it disguises its power in a framework of elegantly defined fruits, acids and polished tannins. Cherry, plum, peach pit, pineapple and lemon oil notes are all in the mix. It's a wine that invites contemplation and rewards your time and attention.
Though the wine saw less than 10% new oak, it carries a rich, smoky note of espresso from first whiff to last swallow. It's dusty and dense, with fragrances of baking spice and incense. The flavors bring accents of citrus rind, orange peel and white pepper, showing lovely balance and varietal strength throughout.
Though the winery claims just 10% new French oak was used, the impact of smoky, charred wood is clear. Some bright, tart raspberry fruit is at the core. The tannins carry flavors of coffee grounds and dark chocolate.
Though the winery indicates that just one quarter of the barrels (all French oak) were new, this wine puts those spicy, toasty scents and flavors of mocha and cinnamon front and center. It's soft and silky, with round, forward flavors of plums dipped in chocolate.
Though there's no oak on this Chard, it's still quite rich and ripe with loads of honeydew, yellow peach slices, lightly baked apple and tangerine oil. The mouth is round and lacking a bit more acidity, but as a whole the wine is enjoyable and easy to drink.
Though there is noticeable residual sugar in this quite sweet wine, the flavors are rich and appealing. Candied pineapple and lemon drop fruit flavors dominate;  this was barrel fermented but aged in tank so there is only the barest hint of toast and oak.
Though this bottling is Peter Hunken's least-expensive Syrah, it gives his single-vineyard expressions a serious run for the money for best of vintage. Amazing aromas of chipped asphalt, smoked beef, dense boysenberry, soy, cedar, sandalwood and soy drop into a palate of peppery berry juice, beef jerky, underripe blackberry and elderberry, and pepper-crusted teriyaki beef.
Though this bottling saw no malolactic fermentation or oak, the aromas are well rounded, with smoked lemon and kiwi notes. The palate offers lemon curd and apple-sauce flavors, with hints of smokiness, even without the oak.
Though this bottling still needs a year or so of patience to truly shine, it's a great example of cool-climate low-alcohol Syrah. Dark in the glass, it shows tar and lavender, but the core is like a black and blue pepper-crusted steak, with charred beef, raw beef and strong spice converging. The palate is all about raw meat, fresh-ground black peppercorn and squeaky tannins.
Though this dessert wine is already excellent, it's quite exciting to imagine how good it will be as its delicate flavors mingle over time. Made by the Szepsy family, whose roots go centuries (perhaps 1,000 years) deep in Hungary, the wine starts with a dense, slightly musky but floral nose. On the tongue, apricot, honey and spice mingle in a rich, opulent union, buoyed by a sparkling acidity that keeps the wine light and pretty.
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.
Though this is just the first vintage from the estate vineyard's Viognier grapes, it is immensely satisfying, with juicy, rich, dense flavors of limoncello and tropical fruits. Peach and papaya, mango and pineapple, all sharply defined by just enough tangy acid.
Though this is near the bottom end of the Rex Hill Pinot pole, it does not suffer from a lack of flavor. Big fruit, organically grown, runs right through the core, a mix of berries, cherries and plums; woven into the fruit is a lightly leafy vein, a whiff of tobacco, and a suggestion of earthy, organic compost. Thoroughly delicious.
Though this is one of the first wines from winemaker Jennifer Hoage's own label, it's a study of soft integration from what can be a powerful site. Cherry, allspice and rose aromas lead into a palate full of wild berry and hearty sagebrush notes, framed by pitch-perfect acidity. A light yet spicy licorice-inflected finish completes the experience.
Though this is pure Cabernet from an excellent Walla Walla vineyard, the flavors seem rather harsh and quite astringent. The dark fruit is cloaked in bitter, chalky tannins that require some rich food to cut through.
Though this is their appellation blend, Mikey Giugni and Michael Brughelli don't hold back, offering elegant aromas of rose petals, purple flowers, rich pomegranate fruit, rusty strawberries and light vanilla on the nose. The palate begins with a light cranberry-raspberry flavor that deepens into tart mulberry before showing dried rose petals, uncrushed clove and a lava-rock minerality.
Though this wine's mouthfeel is chalky, its dark fruit, touched with black olive, coffee and licorice, offers interesting, complex flavors. It's tight, tart, lightly saline and peppery, with the fresh berry fruit flavors holding up through the finish.
Though this wine offers the vibrant cherry fruit and pepper of a good New York Cab Franc, it's a bit one-dimensional. On the nose, candied cherry and spice lead, followed by a slightly tart wave of cherry. Oak adds just a bit of interest. Pair with duck or fowl to soften it.
Though this wine saw only 35% new French oak, the barrel notes show first, with aromas of vanilla and coffee ahead of the variety's peppery spices. The palate displays a better sense of balance with plump, elegant cranberry and cherry flavors that linger.
Though this wine was aged in just 26% new oak (French and American), the wood makes the first impression. Aromas of caramel, coffee and vanilla extract fare are followed by dark fruit and spices. Flavors are rich, hedonistic and sweet, supported by firm, somewhat rustic tannins.
Though two years older than the widely available Oregon bottling from Firesteed, this wine is almost its twin. Elegant and balanced, with light flavors of wild berry and an herbal underpinning.
Though unstated on the label, this is made from Pinot Gris. It seems to be glowing, an almost day-glo shade of orange, and is quite dry, with flavors of pine needles and watermelon.
Though very pale in the glass, this wine holds no shortage of interest. Honey and roasted marcona almonds consume the nose, and the palate blends bright citrus, lemon curd and cinnamon, all propped up by a perfect, judicious use of oak.
Though Viognier only makes up 1% of this wine, it substantially lifts the aromas, which bring notes of wild flowers along with blue and black fruit. The flavors are bold and full bodied, pulling no punches but showing exquisite concentration and length.
Though Washington is rarely recognized for its Gewürztraminers, the grape does exceptionally well here, and Celilo in particular has become a treasured hunting ground for winemakers specializing in the grape. This one is a gem: spicy and off-dry, it expands across the palate with authority and precision. Rather than sweetly floral, it leans toward flavors that are sweetly grassy, but lets pretty rose petal highlights fill in the back of the palate.
Though without the richness that has defined California Cab in recent decades, this bottling is more of a classic Old World-leaning expression that is slowly coming back in vogue. Tightly wound blackberry meets with cigar box, dust and dried oregano on the nose, while the palate combines a strong tannic profile and solid acidity with more dried herbs, crushed slate, black olive and dark fruits.
Though young in age, this has a light brown tinge and an orange-peel edge to its berry and herb aromas and flavors. There's a touch of soy and leather for complexity, and an even finish, but not the life or verve that makes us enthusiastic.
Though younger than most current Petite Sirah releases, this bottling impresses wildly with fragrant boysenberries and crushed lavender on the nose, proving to be a floral-driven style that's not beaten down by richness or ripeness, despite the higher alcohol level that doesn't show at all. Insane amounts of cracked white and black pepper meet with toasted sesame seeds, tart boysenberries and more lavender on the palate.
Though, at present, it isn't quite as powerful as past vintages, the winery's newest Syrah still shows some classic SQN hallmarks, such as malted-milk and powdered-cocoa aromas and flavors, a smooth mouthfeel and dusty tannins. Smoke, ash and bacon fat notes appear on both the nose and the palate, as does a hint of green herb. Is, as always, an ode to ripe, juicy blackberries.
Thoughtfully made and sourced from two excellent vineyards—Walla Walla's Seven Hills and Canoe Ridge in the Horse Heaven Hills American Viticultural Area—this is 75% Merlot, with smaller portions of Petit Verdot and Malbec. Black cherry, black olive, clean earth and fine tannins mark its passage across the palate. This has excellent balance and medium-term ageability.
Thoughts of Black Forest cake, cherry chocolate brownies, and baked plums are immediately conjured upon smelling this Pinot Noir from one of New Zealand's largest producers. Violets, dusty books, and cola are in the mix too. The palate promises more of the same, with silky tannins and balanced acidity. It's on the rich side, but is an undeniable crowd pleaser.
Threads of dark char, nuts and spice meander throughout this rich, deeply concentrated Bordeaux-style blend. Plump black cherry and cassis flavors are luscious on the palate, but invigorated by a bright flash of acidity and spice on the finish.
Threads of licorice, steel, earth and smoke weave through the proportionate strawberry and raspberry flavors, offset by hints of herb and baking spice. It's a seamless, complex wine of moderate length.
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.
Three-fifths was whole-cluster fermented, and the wine spent 18 months in 20% new French oak. This bottling amplifies the house style, which favors ripe, concentrated flavors of strawberry and raspberry fruit, adding highlights of chocolate and espresso. A whiff of dried straw wraps this up.
Three-plus years in the bottle have been kind to this Pinot, letting the parts meld together. The oak is knitting with the cherry, raspberry and cola fruit, resulting in a creamy-sweet mouthfeel. Very nice, and should hold over the next 4–6 years.
Three-quarters Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest Syrah, Merlot and Malbec, it brings notes of bell pepper, herbs, plum and black currant. The flavors are sugar sweet and plump with distinct residual sugar remaining.
Three-quarters Cabernet Sauvignon, this blend also has Sangiovese, Syrah and Merlot. The result is a pleasant, unfocused red wine, with candied flavors of berry and cherry, plus some tannic bite. Drink up.
Three-quarters of this wine is from Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley with the rest from Monette's in the Walla Walla Valley. The aromas are redolent with notes of raspberries, kirsch and white pepper. The palate has a compelling mouthfeel and a dazzling sense of purity,
Three-quarters of this wine was whole-cluster fermented, and spent 18 months in one-third new oak. Blending the winery's three best barrels of the vintage, it's a spicy, edgy wine which marries bitter herbs to black cherry and chocolate components. Firm and muscular, young and powerful, it should be cellared for a few years. Drink 2020–2025.
Three appellations are called into service for this red, the majority from Sonoma and Monterey counties, with the remainder from tiny San Benito County. Together the fruit feels somewhat unformed while savory, a hodgepodge of red berry with a high-toned finish.
Three barrels were made of this structured, tannic wine that offers a juicy balance between acidity and dark tannins. It is perfumed with acidity that cuts through the red berry and dry concentration. It is a dense wine, full of fruit. Drink from 2019.
Three different clones are used, all estate grown. There's a lovely wild clover scent to it, and very tart, dark fruit. Though it needs more time to smooth out, it shows streaks of iron and mineral, adding excellent flavor and depth. Structured to age.
Three elements, already in balance, contribute to the success of this wine. First, the rich fruit, juicy blackberry and mulberry, lifted by acidity. Second, the new wood, which spices the fruit but is already smoothing out the third element, the dark firm tannic layer.
Three excellent vineyards—Stonetree, Bacchus and Minnick Hills—contribute to this firmly-built Cabernet Franc. Fine tannins, a light touch of barrel toast and a hint of dark chocolate surround tart blackberry and cassis fruit. A lick of caramel comes out in the finish. Not a big wine, but exceptionally well-balanced.
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.
Three native grapes – Inzolia, Catarratto and Grillo – create the blend and show the potential of warm climate, Sicilian whites. This is a surprisingly fresh and crisp wine – reminiscent of cooler climates – with pungent aromas of kiwi, honeydew melon and cut grass.
Three parcels, totaling 16 acres from the Hospices de Belleville estate, provide the fruit for this wine. Wood aged and rich, the wine is fruity, packed with generous red-cherry flavors. There are concentration and some dark tannins as well as fine fruitiness and acidity. Drink this wine from 2018. This is Drouhin's second vintage making wine in partnership with the Hospices de Belleville charity.
Three popular grape varieties, Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, are blended to produce an easy, food-friendly wine with pretty berry tones and background renderings of exotic spice.
Three quarters Merlot, with 17% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a bit lighter than the 2007 Merlot, but just as good, if not better. Lush and loaded with black cherry, blackberry, cocoa and baking spices, it extends deliciously and seamlessly into a long, ripe, smooth finish.
Three quarters of this wine was sourced from Taptiel, and 20% from neighboring Artz vineyard, both on Red Mountain. A 5% addition of Petit Verdot came from Dionysus. Heavy and tannic, this is a big-boned muscle wine, with the requisite tannins you'd expect from ripe Red Mountain fruit. Great structure and depth, with lush flavors of cherry tobacco, plum and fig.
Three quarters Sauvignon Blanc and the remaining Sémillon, this young and fresh wine has vivid citrus and grapefruit flavors leaning toward a hint of fresh cut pear. This is clean, crisp and leesy, with bracing acidity.
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.
Three red-Bordeaux varieties combine in this blend, a soft, supple expression of baked plum with a subtle grip of leather. Texturally medium bodied, it shows an abundance of ripeness on the midpalate before settling into more classic elements of cedar and dried herb.
Three Sixty comes from four blocks of the Bucher Vineyard, planted to a range of clones. Made in small amounts, it offers a wealth and breadth of black cherry, vanilla and smoky oak, the tannins softened and well integrated into the whole. It takes on savory aspects of coffee and clove as it opens.
Three sources of fruit make their way into this wine: Petite Sirah from Sonoma Valley's Rossi Ranch and Del Carlo Ranch in Dry Creek Valley, as well as Syrah from Rosella's in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Together they offer leathery black licorice and a smooth, yet grippy texture, balanced by decent acidity and length, with a twist of milk chocolate.
Three things characterize this 100% varietal wine. It's crisp with acidity, fruity with lemons, limes and tropical fruits, and honeyed on the finish. Easy to drink it with slightly sweet, salted, smoky pork dishes.
Three things characterize this wine: exceptionally intense blackberry and currant flavors, thick, hard tannins and a bone dry finish. It's big and firm with a lot of promise, so do try to cellar it for at least six years, but people who like their wines young could try it sooner.
Three vineyards contribute to this lovely wine, two in Rutherford, both certified organic, and another in Soda Canyon which is at 800-feet in elevation. Red and blue fruit open for leather and a touch of cedar and dried herb—the wine ultimately elegant and Old World. The tannin weight is substantial but never distracting.
Three vineyards provided for this dry, easy-drinking wine, medium bodied and fermented both in stainless steel and oak casks and puncheons. Nectarine, pea shoots, corn and a zest of grass give it solid fruity footing, refreshed in acidity.
Three vintages into this project, and it seems like Arte de Vivir has found its stride. At this price, finding a good Ribera wine is akin to the proverbial needle in the haystack; so seek out this meaty, ripe number and dig into its plum and berry body that's backed by vanilla, coconut and good tannic structure.
Three widely-separated vineyards from the Yakima, Horse Heaven Hills and Ancient Lakes AVAs are in the mix here. It's ready to drink, starting to dry out a bit but still with tart, fairly light berry flavors and plenty of leafy, woodsy grace notes.
Three years aging have softened the tight acidity of this wine and given it a rounded and creamy character. It still has great freshness and a light touch of apple and crisp grapefruit. Drink this attractive wine now.
Three years ago Trapiche started making three high-end single-vineyard Malbecs; Aciar's seems a little more closed and flat than its cousins, but it does pump forward with rock-solid blackberry and cola flavors. It's better on the attack than the follow-through, but the flavors are excellent and the balance is proper even if the length is short.
Three years of barrel ageing lends an intoxicating flair to this lushly textured Cabernet Franc. Rich vanilla and spice notes are unabashedly oaky, but the palate is concentrated with black cherry and cassis flavors, elegantly framed with brisk acidity and soft, velvety tannins.
Throw some steaks on the barbie, or shrimp wrapped in bacon, or almost anything grillable, and then enjoy it with this soft, lush wine. Sure, it's high in alcohol, almost Porty, but that's the price of hitting the sweet spot of fruit and chocolate.
Throw some steaks onto the grill and drink them with this robust Petite Sirah. It's high in alcohol and dry, with somewhat overripe flavors of blackberry jam, raisins and prunes.
Throwing a party? Need plenty of white wine to make the rounds? This is the solution. With slightly sweet apricot, orange and vanilla flavors, it's clean, brisk and likeable.
Ths wine has firm tannins although these are well balanced by ample fruits and rich red-cherry flavors. It's a big wine, bold with fruit as well as tannins, a generous texture that just needs some time. Drink from 2017.
Thunder Mountain wines often display a lot of character and evoke strong responses from our tasters. This ultradark Cabernet is no exception, with its overt heavy toast and black-olive aromas and flavors, heavy extraction, and full, but somewhat astringent, mouthfeel. Through all this it remains compelling, if not presently accessible. Needs five to seven years.
Thurston Wolfe pioneered Zinfandel in Washington. This is the seventh vintage from the Zephyr Ridge vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, vinified to California-style alcohol levels of 15.5%. A fruit bomb to be sure, but along with jammy raspberries and strawberries you'll find interesting nuances of pencil lead, oak and chocolate.
Thyme and crushed herbs on the nose of this red lead into flavors of sweet spice, smoked meat and boysenberry. The wine has an exotic spin and a balanced overall character. Elegant and distinctive.
Thyme, bay and lavender aromas provide strong regional character to this wine, a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Carignan. Mixed berries form the core of this supple wine, which should be consumed over the next couple of years.
Tiamo is a playful (and organic) expression of Sangiovese that opens with sweet fruit and spice followed by thin crispness and tonic freshness.
Ticking all the standard Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc boxes, this wine offers straightforward feline, grapefruit, grass and green bean characters with refreshing acidity. Drink now.
Tiers of aromas and flavors in this expressive wine reveal themselves like a Matryoshka doll. Wafts of dried apricot and chamomile open into tangerine peel and marmalade, then finally marzipan and ginger come forth on the nose. Concentrated flavors mimic the aromas and introduce fresh vanilla bean and hay. Racy acidity thrills, while two years in neutral French oak keeps the wine round and full-bodied. The finish is long and compelling.
Tiers of blackberry jam, plum, milk chocolate, anise and smoky cedar flavors mark this layered Cabernet. It shows the thrilling balance of the vineyard, with ripe fruit in tension with minerals, brisk acidity and wonderful mountain tannins. A splash of Merlot and Cabernet Franc add soft, cherried relief to Cabernet's hardness. Drink this wine now and over the next 15 years, as it gradually sheds its fruit.
Tiezzi's 2010 Rosso shows a dark, austere side, with aromas of ripe fruit, blackberry preserves and rum cake. The acidity is lively and fresh, and the mouthfeel is balanced and smooth.
Tiezzi's vineyard- select Brunello has an austere and sophisticated edge that comes forward thanks to the wine's aromas of leather, spice, dried blueberries and cassis. The wine is bright and chewy in the mouth and offers a clean, polished quality of tannins.
Tight-grained oak, vanilla, graphite, plum and cassis aromas are attractive as a whole. This feels good but a bit tartaric and scratchy. Ripe black-fruit flavors are pure Peumo, while touches of licorice and chocolate add to the fun. A saturated finish tastes of blackberry, black currant and peppery spice. Drink through 2022.
Tight-grained tannin and texture signal a youthful vigor in this medium-bodied wine that presents itself as thick and dense in wild red fruit. The richer, lusher components are met by bright acidity and a mouthwatering freshness.
Tight-grained tannin plays a supporting role to this wine's undeniable earthiness, a mix of compost and wild mushroom. Subtle on the nose, the savory character gives way eventually to a density and concentration of brighter flavors, from cherry and citrus to spiky pine.
Tight-grained tannin wraps around a firmness of oak and high acidity in this brawny, full-bodied wine. The fruit comes baked, like a strawberry-rhubarb pie, seasoned in cinnamon.
Tight-grained tannin wraps around dark, brooding swathes of black cherry, blackberry and cinnamon; dustings of dark chocolate and graham cracker weaving their way underneath. Strong herbal components balance the fruit and complexity, brightened by dashes of fresh citrus and herb.
Tight-grained tannins that stick on the palate support a core of full-bodied extracted raspberry flavor and a distinction of herbal brashness. Leather, tobacco and pencil shavings add context and complexity. This is 100% varietal and from one site, Pedroni Vineyard.
Tight-grained tannins wrap around full-bodied earthiness and fruit, while a mixture of strawberry and cherry is met by bay and a hint of mint. Bright, lively acidity adds to the experience, which succeeds in length and depth.
Tight-lipped aromas of golden fig and dried strawberry are underpinned by a touch of chocolate. Supple and chocolaty tasting on the palate, this has balanced tannins and acids that lend just-enough structural support.
Tight-wound minerality jumps from the glass in this crisp, delightful white, the grapes sourced from the famed Ritchie Vineyard. With just the right amount of richness, it remains balanced and elegant, exhibiting a complex mix of white flowers, crushed rocks and a squeeze of salty lemon.
Tight acidity and a smoky, burnt character give this complex wine considerable intensity. It has a a dry character, full of flavors from its wood aging with an almost medicinal intensity.
Tight acidity and grassy herbaceous character, the wine has crisp fruit, a flinty structure and a brittle apple skin texture. For fresh aperitif drinking.
Tight acidity characterizes this wine. It's fresh, touched by some toastiness and minerality. The dominant character is the fresh herbaceous character that brings out sliced apple and chive flavors. Attractive now, it will be even better in 2016.
Tight acidity layers a wine that has freshness and a stalky character. Flavors of currants and acidity highlight its light fruitiness.
Tight acidity with a strong minerality, apple and apricot flavors just touched by vanilla. This is fruity, while also textured and structured. Worth aging, so drink from 2015.
Tight acidity, cherry flavors and a hint of banana give this wine a light and fruity character. It has probably too much acidity for its own good, making it too crisp, missing out on richness.
Tight acidity, fresh fruit, with lightness and poise. It shows flavors of apple, lemon and herbs with a crisp seafood-friendly aftertaste.
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.
Tight and acidic, with a sharpness that's a little cutting now, despite elaborate cherry pie filling, cola and red currant flavors. Could develop over the next few years, but it's a gamble.
Tight and aromatically intense, this delivers layers of ripe fruit, prune, black pepper, blackberry jelly and cinnamon. Those beautiful tones are followed by soft, velvety tannins.
Tight and bright, this tasty wine hits the mineral button under tangy lemon flesh and rind. The tart fruit is refreshing, clear and clean through a driving finish.
Tight and brittle now, with acidity and dryness starring. The thing to understand about this Pinot is that it's quite modest in alcohol and understated in flavor, showing rhubarb, pomegranate and cherry Lifesaver flavors with a minerally edge. Elegant now, it should develop over the next six years.
Tight and closed right now, with a touch of sulfur and scrambled eggs on the nose. It's classic Chianti, meaning it's hard in its youth, with racy tannins and not much overt richness. Some caramel appears on the finish, courtesy of the oak. If given time, this wine will certainly open up more than it does currently.
Tight and compact, this delivers tangy, spicy intensity that's packed around a solid core of red fruit. The midpalate is driven by sensations of cherry, cassis and blackberry, and the finish shows signs of smoky barbecue and roasted chestnut.
Tight and concentrated, this is a very fine wine. Great acidity and great tannins go with the most intense fruit. Blackberry and black-cherry flavors power through this structured wine. There is also elegance and a fine sense of style. Drink from 2025.
Tight and crisp initially, this broadens out into a ripe, full wine that is well balanced. A great swathe of tangy citrus and orange is offset by the more generous background of ripe apricots and spicy quince. Drink from 2016.
Tight and crisp initially, this wine opens up with spice, ripe flavors and a touch of minerality. Taut and textured, it needs to age; drink from 2017.
Tight and crisp, it has a mineral character. Nervy acidity combines with lemon and apple skin flavors, giving a fresh, textured wine. Drink from 2015.
Tight and crisp, this wine is laden with acidity as well as dry tannins. The fruit element is still developing, hints of red berries beginning to come through. It's a wine to age for several months, so drink from 2016.
Tight and crisply fruity, this wine comes from a property in the Vignobles Signé family since 1649. With a strong herbal character, it is refreshing and already delicious, bright and lively. Plenty of acidity keeps this wine packed with forward fruit. Drink now.
Tight and dry in tannins now, with an astringent mouthfeel that feels like sandpaper. So is it an ager? It's dry and balanced and rich in blackberries, cherries and currants, so it might be. Try after 2012, if you're the gambling type.
Tight and earthy, this spent 18 months in French oak—30% new. Flavors of wild berry and light chocolate are set in a tightly wound wine, with a strong mineral accent and drying tannins.
Tight and edgy but ultimately oaky and generous on the nose, with earth, vanilla, dried cheese and blackberry notes. Feels cushioned and complete, with depth of feel and flavor; tastes of deep berry, mild herbs and finally a toasty wave of coffee and chocolate takes over. Impressive for a 2008; drink now through 2014.
Tight and firm, this has a perfumed character, with hints of almond and lime juice and a slight bitterness on the finish. Too young at this stage, age this for at least a year.
Tight and firm, this wine's herbal character and black currant fruit bring out the dry character of the wine and intense acidity on the finish.
Tight and focused, this has a fine core of black cherry and cassis. Layers of coffee and dark chocolate are wrapped around the fruit, and the wine is compact and textural. Excellent now, but probably better in a few years.
Tight and focused, this opens with aromas of wild berry, red rose, culinary spice and a whisper of menthol. Chiseled and austere, the palate offers sour cherry, pomegranate, white pepper and a hint of anise. Youthfully assertive fine-grained tannins and bright acidity provide the framework. Give it time to soften and fully develop. Drink 2023–2033.
Tight and fresh aromas of Asian pear, honeysuckle and key lime pie converge on this sparkler from a new estate in Temecula. The palate shows sliced apples, yellow pears, ripe nectarine, rounder white peach and even creamy cherimoya flavors. Though the region is known more for almond-flavored sparklers, they seem to do regular bubbles well.
Tight and fruity, this is a crisp wine with considerable acidity. It has a fresh, crisp background, cut with a mineral texture and a stony, steely character. This wine, with its structure, needs to age; drink from 2017.
Tight and gritty on the bouquet, with licorice and herbal aromas. Comes across hard and tannic in the mouth, with blackberry and herbal flavors. Tannic like nails on the finish, with lemony oak notes.
Tight and hard in tannins now, with a dusty astringency, especially on the finish. But there's a considerable heart of blackberries, currants and dark chocolate, accented with complex notes of violets, leather, dried herbs and peppery spices. Not ready now, but should easily negotiate the next 4–6 years.
Tight and herbaceous, this bright and fruity wine offers grapefruit, very fresh acidity and lemon zest flavors. It's all about fruit with no complexity, just pleasure.
Tight and herbaceous, this is a very Sauvignon-oriented wine. It has the classic, intensely grassy feel, a tangy lemon texture and green acidity. It is very intense and concentrated.
Tight and herbaceous, this nervy, crisp wine is full of lemon and lime juice cut with an orange zest. Floral and full of acidity, it leaves a mineral, steely aftertaste.
Tight and herbal, this budget bottle brings a taste of wild strawberries, along with chewy tea-infused tannins. The finish conveys an impression of chicken broth more than fruit.
Tight and intense for a $10 varietal, with crusty, charred oak aromas on top of ripe berry fruit. The palate is thick and full, with clamping tannins and flavors of lemony oak, plum and blackberry. Vanilla and mocha work the woody finish.
Tight and largely neutral white fruit aromas show a little apple but little more. The palate is friendly and easy, with melon as the lead flavor. Turns more citrusy and weighty on the finish, which fades fast.
Tight and lean, this expression from Mt. Etna boasts delicate aromas of light blueberry, forest fruit, blue flower and smoky ash. There's power and structure here and the wine could stand up to lamb, pork or veal.
Tight and lean, this Rosso di Montepulciano shows nuances of white cherry and wild raspberry, followed by thorny acidity.
Tight and light in color and weight despite 14 months in 100% new French oak, this offers flavors of watermelon and strawberry, some leesy texture, and a bit of dilute minerality. It's surprisingly short and light given its pedigree. Tasted three times with same results.
Tight and linear on the palate, this is evolving very well for a $12 wine. Struck flint is prominent on the nose, adding a touch of Old World character, while the flavors feature cut grass and citrus. It's light bodied, but remarkably intense on the finish. Drink now.
Tight and mineral wine, with a great citrus character, fresh green fruits broadened by wood toast, while the acidity is as crisp as possible. It has a youthful apple skin texture, and would repay a couple of years' aging.
Tight and mineral, this crisp wine also is ripe with apple flavors and lime-juice acidity. It has a zesty quality and is lively and bright at the end.
Tight and mineral, this is firmly structured, a solid wine that speaks of the dark granite soil of the region. With vineyards against Portugal's highest mountain range, this is a dark, always dry and tannic wine.
Tight and minerally aromas of grapefruit pith, crushed white rocks, lemon zest and the slightest hint of petrol make for a tense and fresh nose on this bottling. That textural tension shows brightly on the palate, along with nicely rounded flavors of melon and mango, leveled by a touch of tonic water.
Tight and nervous now, with edgy acidity. The oak is strong and unintegrated, while the apricot, orange and peach fruit stands by itself, primary and powerful. It's a fine, complex wine, but needs time. Give it three to four years in the cellar.
Tight and nervy, this wine is still finding its future. White fruits under the mineral texture promise an attractive wine with a rich backdrop of citrus in the next months. Drink from 2018.
Tight and nicely constructed, this is not afraid to show its herbal side. Tannins are earthy and firm, the fruit tight and focused, and the wine might benefit from a few more years in the bottle. What's already there is cassis, tar and earth, finishing with a light but balanced fade.
Tight and oaky in the nose, with some funky green notes. The palate is a bit herbal and mildly vegetal, but there's also some cherry fruit and spice. The texture on the finish is the high point, but the vegetal flavor at the wine's core is a sore point.
Tight and packed with acidity, this is a very fruity wine dominated by herbaceous Sauvignon flavors that need to soften. It seems one-dimensional, just herbaceous and citrus.
Tight and perhaps in a bit of a dumb stage, this opens slowly, and shows raspberry and black cherry fruit, with a streak of cola and orange marmalade. Sleek and fruity, perhaps best for near-term drinking.
Tight and precise, with sharply defined edges, this needs hours of breathing time. Dense black fruit, pretty herbal grace notes, supple, slightly grainy tannins. Built for the long term.
Tight and precisely hewn, this is crystal clear and medium weight while pushing strawberry and cherry fruit into the core. Its 14 months in one-quarter new French oak added hints of vanilla custard.
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.
Tight and reductive when first opened, with a mix of strawberry and raspberry fruit, and a hint of rubber ball. Let this one breathe! It's well-built, the fruit nicely matched to the French oak (two thirds new), and still a baby.
Tight and rubbery at first, but with time it settles to show jammy wild-berry aromas and density. The palate has bounce and life to spare, while the flavors are bright, fruity and full. A serious Malbec with a bit of hit and scratch to the finish. Drink now into 2012.
Tight and scattered right out of the bottle, marked by acidity, fresh fruit, firm tannins and sweet oak. The balance seems to be there for this wine to develop some admirable qualities about 5–6 years down the road.
Tight and sharp, this is an herbaceous wine with a strongly citrus character. The aftertaste has some spice.
Tight and slender on the palate, it has green and yellow citrus flavors in the foreground. Lime and grapefruit peel appear first, followed by stirrings of pink grapefruit flesh. It all adds up to a wine that offers concentration and depth plus exquisite purity.
Tight and spicy, it carries an underlying ripeness of apples and pears. A subtle Riesling, it shows breezy freshness and an acidity-spiked texture that makes it invigorating. The slighest suggestion of pineapple lingers on the finish.
Tight and spicy, this offers a mix of red fruits, strong streaks of clove and licorice. There's an underlying taste of stem, and the acids leave a chalky aftertaste.
Tight and stalky wine, the black currant, spice and tobacco characters all pushed to the front. It has a severe, more mineral style that shows acidity as well as lean fruit.
Tight and stalky, this wine has considerable acidity. Firm tannins in the background give some promise of aging. At this stage, the wine is more about structure than fruit and thus is very early in its development. Drink from 2019.
Tight and stalky, this wine has smoky red-berry fruits and a strong layer of acidity. Still young, it will certainly soften, although it is likely to remain light and lean. Drink from 2018.
Tight and still very young, this wine has great aging potential. The fruits show apricot and green plum balanced by a tense, steely minerality that cuts through like a razor. Ready to age for several years, this wine will be best from 2020.
Tight and streamlined, this has elegant tones of smoke, crushed granite and dried berry. It shows a simple linearity, and its purity and honesty is ultimately the wine's strongest card.
Tight and streamlined, this has fresh acidity, polished tannins and pretty aromatic highlights of dried berry, licorice and cured meat. It shows an elegant personality.
Tight and structured, this has a strongly crisp character. It is fresh, fruity and touched by spicy toast. There is a great line in attractive acidity here, along with a tight, mineral aftertaste.
Tight and structured, this mineral, nervy wine tastes of stony vineyards and tenacious grapes. It is cool in character, with lemon and green stone-fruit flavors that leave a crisp impression. Drink from 2017.
Tight and structured, this wine has minerality as well as tangy lemon character. It has a crisp side, with citrus fruits and attractive acidity. The aftertaste is bright with freshness.
Tight and sulky right now, showing little more than earth and minerals on the nose. Later, it opens up to reveal apple and pear fruit along with some oily flavors. Finishes with citrus and green apple. Hang out the “Do Not Disturb” sign; this crisp, flavorful Chard could use another year or two of cellaring.
Tight and tangy, this is the epitome of an herbaceous wine. Packed with fruit, it is just emerging into a rounder, fuller future, conveying great acidity along with hints of richer yellow and white fruits. Drink from early 2016.
Tight and tannic with as much structure as fruit. The freshness comes from the acidity, although at the end strawberry juiciness shows through.
Tight and tannic, like red brick, bread and caramel, this Lodi Primitivo has 5% Barbera mixed in but the entire effort tastes of not-quite-ripe blackberries.
Tight and tannic, the wine reveals acidity, structure and red cherry juice flavors. There is a definite minerality here, giving the wine an austere feel. It needs a year or two to be at its best.
Tight and tannic, this 99% Cabernet Sauvignon also has 1% Petit Verdot, which provides a faint floral note to the bouquet that is otherwise punctured by ripe swirls of cherry, vanilla and coconut, themes that repeat on the palate. Hard to penetrate fully, the wine needs time to open in the glass to reveal its charms.
Tight and tannic, this majority Cab wine is distinguished by a thickness of black fruit and herbaceous back palate that gives it density, separated by bursts of vanilla and oak. Give it time to open and notes of mocha chocolate should also come through.
Tight and tannic, this opens with aromas of Amaretto, ripe berry, Alpine herb and a balsamic note. The firm palate offers black cherry, licorice, white pepper and cherries marinated in spirits. Firm but refined tannins provide structure.
Tight and tannic, this single-vineyard offering emphasizes flavors of herb, grass and green leaf. There's a hint of pale, generic red fruit, but it's more in the veggie camp—think rhubarb rather than raspberry. A hint of brown sugar rounds out the finish.
Tight and tannic, this wine is still young. The stalky fruit is cut with intense acidity coming from the crisp black currant flavors. It's a wine that needs some aging although it will probably remain dry and stalky. Drink from 2016.
Tight and tannic, very taut, the tannins initially long and one-dimensional. Then great fruit kicks in, black jelly, ripe plums and cherries and a fine fresh aftertaste.
Tight and tannic, with an herbal edge, this stiff and rather unyielding wine remains a bit puzzling. Hints of cranberry, mulberry and blueberry are somewhat overtaken by herbal, earthy notes.
Tight and tart, this entry-level bottling marries sharp fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry to a high-acid foundation. It's fruit-forward, perfect to gulp down with a favorite sandwich or football food.
Tight and tart, this is packed with concentrated, high-acid flavors of cranberry and raspberry. The wine is young and fresh, with both grip and depth, and should age nicely through 2019–2021.
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.
Tight and tart, this wine shows aromas of delicate roses and raspberries that follow through on the palate. Flavors are pure and true, somewhat simple, with a fruit-forward aspect that suggests young vines.
Tight and tart, wrapped up in a core of smoky black currant fruit. The acids seem a bit adjusted, and the wine needs time to breathe open, but the main thing is that it's a clean and well-defined evocation of the almost 40-year-old vineyard, the oldest in the Rattlesnake Hills.
Tight and textured, this is a mineral structured wine. Green fruits and acidity keep the wine fresh. The aftertaste is flatter, not bringing out enough fruit.
Tight and textured, this tannic and structured wine shows the power of very old vines. With dark fruits as well as tense bitter cherry acidity, it needs to age. Drink from 2017.
Tight and textured, this wine is still young. Minerality from the chalk soil gives it a nervy, crisp character. The citrus and fresh pear flavors are balanced with the bright, juicy acidity that is too intense at the moment and needs to soften. Drink from 2017.
Tight and unyielding, with a dominating Band-Aid streak that does not disappear even after many hours of breathing time. There is some Walla Walla Syrah berry and loam character evident, and the vineyards are first rate (Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge), but the reductive, plastic flavor masks much of the fruit.
Tight and wound up on the nose, this bottling shows lime blossom and tangerine skin aromas with laser-sharp focus. Tangerine, sea salt and lime flavors show on the palate, where flinty minerality accents all that lush citrus.
Tight and youthful, this wine unwinds slowly, in full command of its power and intensity. Compost, wild strawberry and a hit of citrus give life to the generous tannin and oak character, while savory black tea and cocoa flavors provide bite.
Tight and zesty, this is a crisp, citrus-flavored wine, full of fruit that is still developing. Give this attractive wine until 2017 and it will be delicious.
Tight aromas of berry, tar, smoke and roasted hazelnut open this wine. It's linear, silky and long on the finish, with a fine quality of tannin.
Tight aromas of cherry and cassis come with orange peel and licorice scents. It feels edgy and acidic on the palate, but there's enough body and fruit to absorb the acids. Tastes like schisty licorice, black fruits and spice, with a choppy, tannic, medium-long finish. Drink this Syrah-Carignan blend 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.
Tight aromas of cranberry and red plum turn cheesy and like saline when allowed to air out. This is wide in feel but hollow in the center, with flavors of buttered oak and generic red fruits. Fresh in feel but medicinal tasting on the finish.
Tight aromas of Montmorency cherry, rhubarb and hibiscus are spiced by cinnamon stick and vanilla-laced brioche on the complex and delicious nose of this bottling by Edgar Torres. It's a very well-rounded Pinot Noir, with dark refreshing cranberry juice at the core and ample amounts of thyme, fennel, tarragon and black pepper throughout.
Tight aromas of yellow apple, green pear, lemon sorbet and slate are sharp and wound-up in this bottling. The palate is light without much complexity, just simple flavors of apple and lime.
Tight as a drum, but a little cherry fruit escapes from the nose. It opens up into a sweet, lovely bottle of wine, with a bit of cocoa and coffee in the finish. Well-balanced, with sweet, clean fruit.
Tight astringency and silky tannins demonstrate that this has ageability. There's an elegant and dry nature to the bouquet that is reflected in the aromas of cassis, currant, pressed rose and grated ginger.
Tight at first, this elegant Pinot from cooler climes is velvety on the palate, with a back note of juicy blueberry fruit that maintains an edge of acidity and tension. Earthy black tea wraps the fruit in a savory core of intrigue and desire.
Tight at first, this has a fine tannin structure that wraps around the wine like a scarf. The aromatics come with force, with intoxicating wafts of violet, pepper and herb.
Tight at first, this opens to reveal flavors of strawberry and red plum. A bit earthy and astringent, it has drying tannins that should smooth out with a bit more bottle age.
Tight at first, with aromas of olive, brick dust, cured cheese and dark fruit. The palate on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère (15%) is narrow but healthy. There's a tough juiciness to it, and eventually it reveals black plum and cherry flavors along with a chocolaty finish that holds its pose until the cameras are off.
Tight berry aromas lead the way, followed by a lively but aggressive palate with jammy, sweet, candied berry flavors. Turns a little syrupy and sweet on the finish, but overall it succeeds in a generic sort of way.
Tight black cherry and black-olive aromas meet with mocha and loam on the juicy, approachable nose of this bottling from the northern edge of Paso. The lively blackberry and boysenberry-juice flavors of the palate are framed by a chalky texture and bright acidity, rounded out by crushed gravel and cocoa dust.
Tight black fruit and hints of stem and wood suggest that this herbal Cabernet needs more time in bottle. The tannins are slightly green, and the softening influence of buttery barrel aging has not yet been fully integrated.
Tight blackberry and blueberry flavors give this wine a stalky, fruity character at the start. It's still very young, very textured, mineral and chewy. Underneath there is a more juicy fruit with a touch of herbal acidity at the end.
Tight blueberry, hot blacktop and a flash of purple flowers combine for an earth-driven nose on this wine from a hot region in southern Monterey County. The flavors are quite distinctive, with barely ripe mulberries, cedar-edged blackberries, sandalwood shavings and a touch of graphite.
Tight but gently touched with ripe apple, lime and grapefruit, this wine is refreshing now, although it is still too closed to show its fuller fruits. This will flesh out with time but the wine will always be among the slender, invigorating Rieslings with a precise touch of minerality.
Tight but ripe elderberry aromas mingle with lots of sagebrush, hints of smoke and a crushed slate minerality on the nose of this blend. The palate's tart acidity and aggressive tannins could use a tad more mellowing, but the bright and pretty boysenberry flavors are easy to enjoy right away.
Tight citrus and apple fruits give a distinct texture to this single-vineyard wine. It has young acidity that will soften in a few months, layered with grapefruit and green apples. Screwcap.
Tight citrus aromas meet with bubblegum and wet stone on the somewhat reserved though clean and inviting nose of this wine. The flavors are also quite light, with strawberry and lemon touches, so the point is more of the racy acidity and slight tannic grip.
Tight cranberry and sour-cherry aromas meet with turned earth, iron and woody herbs like dried sticks of sage on the nose of this wine. The palate shows iron, sagebrush-laced cranberry juice and pomegranate fruit, proving lively and energetic on the tangy palate.
Tight fruit aromas of cassis, cranberry and wild berry give this wine a bright and crisp first impression. The acidity is sharp, lively and definitely cuts straight across the palate. There's medium body here to hold up all that freshness.
Tight grapefruit flavors, very perfumed and totally dry and crisp, this is a pure-fruited wine, packed with acidity, flavors of white currants and a final zesty minerality. Screwcap.
Tight grass aromas give way to passionfruit, lemongrass and nectarine, with a touch of sweetness on the nose of this wine. That sweetness vanishes when sipped, yielding a bone-dry, tightly wound wine offering more grass flavors and a steely acidity.
Tight green apple and citrus acidity dominates this wine. It is very crisp, at this stage too crisp, and the structure is on the lean side. It certainly reflects the cool growing conditions of 2007.
Tight green apple, lime zest, nectarine shavings and a green fruit-leaning kiwi element aligns nicely with the fresh yeast aromas on this sparkler's nose. Tart lemon, green apple skins and underripe orange show on the palate, which is framed by mouthwatering acidity and finishes on a white flower element.
Tight honey, Asian pear, honeysuckle and light custard aromas show on the delicate nose of this restrained wine. But the restraint fades a bit on the palate, where apple blossoms, pear ice cream, vanilla bean and meringue flavors start light, then grow richer toward near-sweetness.
Tight in acidity and tannins now, but very complex, offering a range of cherry, tangerine zest, mushroom, cola and Indian spice flavors that swirl to a long finish. The mouthfeel is delicate, but the power is impressive. Drink now–2015.
Tight in elegant raspberry and cassis fruit, this small-production Cabernet is on the cool-climate side of the equation, reflective of the vintage. Tastes of black and bell peppers are interspersed with cedar, and the finish is purely oak.
Tight in oak barrel and tar-licked tannin, this red is a tad on the hollow side midpalate, but shows promise in its cinnamon spice and blackberry fruit flavor. It finishes lean.
Tight in tannin weight and breadth, this big-boned wine is muscular in leather, blackberry and mocha, and robust in power and ripeness. The force of its flavor finds additional strength and length on the finish.
Tight in texture and rich in vanilla bean, white sugar and lemon-curd flavors, this is a simple bubbly. For the price, it's fancy enough to toast weddings and other special occasions.
Tight lightly charred blackberry and cassis aromas open this blend of Malbec and Cab Franc. In the mouth, this is flush, stacked, tannic and dense. Black-fruit flavors of cassis and black plum include baking-spice notes, while this ends with toasty, spicy, blackened flavors. Drink through 2020.
Tight mineral notes shape this wine and created extra dimension over what is a simple, genuine and fruity Chianti Classico. The wine offers chewy cherry, some chocolate notes and spicy acidity on the close.
Tight on the nose, with dense aromas of black fruit, leather, dried cheese and earth. It's also fairly smoky and lively, with textured tannins, a generous mouthfeel and complex flavors of berry, pepper and spice. A lively, forward style made from Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha and Mazuelo.
Tight purple fruit smells of black raspberry meet with violets, crushed slate, dried rose petals, raw beef and black peppercorns on the focused nose. The palate is very slate-driven and rocky, offering turned earth, juniper and more dark raspberry flavors. It is still very tightly wound, and needs more time to unfurl.
Tight red cherries, dried sweet sage, crushed graphite and a touch of smoke show on this clonal study by Richard Sanford and winemaker Nick De Luca. Snappy raspberry fruit meets with pencil lead on the fairly delicate palate, showing that is bound by a tart structure that will ensure long ageability.
Tight red fruit and a solid whack of oak make for a fine wine. Tobacco mingles with coffee on the otherwise black-cherry and curranty palate. It's definitely clean and polished, and will drink well for the next three to five years.
Tight tannins dominate this highly scented wood-aged wine. It has rich blackberry flavors, spice and perfumed acidity. The juicy fruits are bright and will soften into the rich texture over the next few years. Drink from 2019.
Tight tannins mask the ripe fruit in a wine that is set for long-term aging, so there is a dry core that dominates at the moment. But not for long: the bold black fruits are insistent and are going to be delicious. This is a structured wine that will be ready in 2026.
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.
Tight while fruity, this is going to be an attractive wine from the Gadras family, who have owned the property since the early 19th century. With its layers of citrus acidity and richer pear and apples, it is packed with fruit that's given added interest by spice. Drink from late 2017.
Tight wild berry and cherry aromas come with a soapy accent. This is blocky and fiercely tannic, with muscular, grapy flavors that hint at blackberry before turning hot and bitter on the finish.
Tight wine, its black currant flavors layered with dry tannins. It's finely structured, although the stalky element tends to dominate. Not for aging.
Tight with lean fruit and texture, this is a wine with more tannins than fruit. It does have a juicy edge with some attractive acidity but this is pushed to one side by the dry core of tannins and wood.
Tight with shocking acidity, this wine confirms that red Vinho Verde can often be an acquired taste, perhaps best left to the local market back in Portugal.
Tight with tart cranberry acidity but juicy cassis flavor, this is a structured Cab with herbal undertones that'll serve you well in a series of settings, from midweek meals to casual gatherings.
Tight yet inviting aromas of honeysuckle, cement and green banana show on the nose of this ready-to-drink though possible-to-age wine. It's a lively sipper, with fresh-squeezed lime and tangelo flavors laid across an incredibly chalky texture.
Tight, acidic and dry in youth, this Pinot has a don't-drink-me-now austerity. It resists efforts to break it down at every point. However, it seems well able to age, given the balance, and the wealth of cherry, pomegranate, persimmon and rhubarb fruit. Cellar this fine wine until at least 2014.
Tight, acidic and very crisp, it's propelled forward by lemon zest and grapefruit flavors. It is bright, fruity and light in texture.
Tight, angular aromas of cranberry, red plum, crushed mineral and dried leaves lead to a tough palate with black fruit flavors led by prune. A very concentrated, powerful wine based on Carignan and Syrah, with lemony oak and pounding tannins. Should be more tame by now; hold another year or two, and keep your fingers crossed.
Tight, bright acidity leads off this elegant, perfumed wine. With its white fruit and citrus flavors it is both rich and refreshing. A fine mineral streak runs right through this complex, certainly ageworthy wine.
Tight, bright and very crisp, this is a lively and fruity wine. Citrus fruit flavors compete happily with the red berries to give a bone-dry wine, light and fresh at the end.
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.
Tight, clean and fresh but reluctant aromas of apple greet the nose on this boxed wine. The palate lacks discernible flavors, with just a touch of steely apple flesh.
Tight, clean and refreshing aromas of sliced green apples, lemongrass, river rocks and a bit of chive power the nose of this bottling from a winery that owns estate vineyards in four of the new Paso sub-appellations. The palate is full of wound-up energy, with pear and apple skins and a grassy character quite prevalent.
Tight, compact and dense, this should continue to evolve with time, easily through 2020. Deep, heady aromas of blackberry, cassis, black plum, tobacco leaf, leather and licorice dance in the bouquet. The palate starts off ripe and juicy, with fresh black-fruit flavors that give way to spicy notes of black tea, licorice root and charred cedar on the long finish. It's structured and gripping, with fine yet powerful tannins and good concentration.
Tight, compact and rubbery on the nose, with a mineral, medicinal edge to the black-fruit aromas. Snappy and hard on the cheeks, with midland berry fruit and a scouring, juicy, woody finish. Lots of red fruit but scratchy and a little medicinal.
Tight, crisp and fruity, this is a refreshing and bright wine. Lively acidity cuts right through the lightly mineral texture. Full of fruit, fresh and lively, this should be drunk now.
Tight, crisp and mineral driven, this wine has citrus fruits and a steely texture, demonstrating that it needs to age for a year.
Tight, crisp and with herbal as well as citrus flavors, this wine comes from flinty soil. That creates all the intensity, the tautness, the mineral texture and the ability for the wine to age. True to style, this wine will need to be kept, so don't drink before 2017.
Tight, dark and oaky on the nose, this has woody power, cedary complexity and lots of staunch berry character. It is full, grabby and tannic, showing a firm spine to support toasty, oaky, clove-influenced flavors. Dark, tight and toasty on the finish; drink now–2019.
Tight, dark tannins and meaty flavors suggest a wine that is losing fruit, gaining maturity. There is a distinct dry side while the spice and juicy acidity act as a contrast. It is now ready to drink, great with strong meat dishes.
Tight, dry and still astringent, this should evolve slowly over the next 10 years. It has a bright ruby color, and it opens with a compact berry note followed by elegant tones of spice and white truffle.
Tight, dry, minerally aromas of citrus and wet stones set up a snappy, alert palate with bright flavors of citrus fruits and nectarine. A long, racy, citric finish is crisp and refreshing. Drink now.
Tight, earthy, spiced up with leaf and pepper, this old vine Zin gathers strength in the mid-palate and displays a perfect blend of sweet cherry, berry and some finishing tomato leaf. This 2007 seems a bit less ripe than previous efforts, so the fruit does not have the same sweetness, but the winemaking is exceptional and the flavors are woven beautifully. These 2007s may yet prove to be among the most ageworthy wines that Sineann has ever made.
Tight, focused and crisp on the nose, with clean berry and spice aromas. About as good and healthy on the palate as Ribera gets, with wild berry and correct tannin-acid balance. Toasty and peppery on the finish. A well-made, stylish wine done right.
Tight, grippy tannin complements sharp acidity in this youthful wine from a rich vintage and mountainous appellation. Rich, red fruit yields to more savory currant aspects, dusted in clove spice and rooted in full-bodied weightiness.
Tight, gritty, steely aromas of nettle and ocean mist allow for a modest amount of citrus fruit to poke through. A narrow, high-acid palate may peel back the enamel on your teeth, while flavors of sour green apple and gooseberry finish shear and tart.
Tight, herbal and peppery, the winery's entry-level Pinot Noir displays tart red fruits with plenty of acidity. There's a splash of grapefruit in the finish, a hint of minty chocolate, and slight bitterness.
Tight, juicy and tannic on the entry, this wine is medium bodied and layered in dusty oak, chocolate and black cherry. Lush and not overly oaked, it's a good choice for the table and for fans of Napa Valley ripeness.
Tight, lean, severe, this wine only has a hint of fruit. It is firm, on the thin side, not a pleasure.
Tight, light and crisp, this is a great aperitif wine, all white fruits, citrus and layers of minerality. The aftertaste is vibrant with the acidity. Glass stopper.
Tight, light and layered in freshly baked bread and firm cherry and cranberry, this is a soft, rounded Pinot from an inland Sonoma Coast site that's balanced, food-friendly and ready to enjoy now through 2016.
Tight, linear and compact. Clean, crisp and precise. Small berry aromas of cassis, wild berry and cherry are framed by firm, dusty tannins and a touch of toasted oak.
Tight, mineral and closed, packed with dark tannins. The fruit lies behind all this texture, leaving an impression of toughness, the acidity dominant.
Tight, mineral wine, with apple and spice flavors. There is some weight as well as clean green fruits. There is an attractive fresh feel here, very drinkable now, best with food. Screwcap.
Tight, mineral, taut wine, showing citrus, lime zest and pear skin flavors. Stone fruits emerge in an elegant texture. This is structured, powerful, offering serious aging potential.
Tight, minerally aromas of charred oak, vanilla, toast, black cherry and cassis carry an herbal note. A fresh, juicy, layered palate shows controlled rawness, with classic Chilean flavors of spice, green herbs, mint and mixed black fruits. A peppery, blackened finish with toasty, herbal blackberry flavors suggests this is built to last. Drink through 2023.
Tight, nervy aromas of lime peel, green plum and gooseberry are hit with hints of grass and fresh herbs. The lightweight, sprightly palate boasts a fresh lemon-lime flavor and refreshing acidity that results in an extremely mouthwatering finish. Drink now.
Tight, polished and bright, this expression of Nebbiolo (with 10% Vespolina) would pair with game meat, pork ribs or succulent lamb chops. Aromas include cherry cola, mesquite and balsam notes of chopped herbs and mint. The mouthfeel is surprisingly soft and supple.
Tight, pure blackberry and cassis aromas are composed. This is a better-balanced wine than the sticky, overly oaked 2012 version. Leading toasty chocolate flavors go well with secondary spiced berry and cassis notes. A note of vanilla comes out on the finish.
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.
Tight, savory and austere, this mountain-grown Zin needs time to show its very peppery nature and sly red fruit, but will pair expertly with pizza or other pasta.
Tight, scalped, rubbery aromas lead to a hard, pinched palate. This Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon blend has a particular flavor profile defined by campfire, hoison sauce, raw wood and peppercorn. With an overriding roasted flavor akin to barbecue, this struggles to show a fruit component on the finish.
Tight, sharp, and toasty, this thick and compact wine shows plenty of cherry fruit wrapped in chocolaty oak. It hints at toast and cracker, but never quite breaks through into the complexity that is promised by the first whiff or two.
Tight, snappy and linear, this is a clean and refreshing rosé that's a perfect pairing for light fare or dining al fresco. Notes of white melon, cherry and strawberry hull dance on the nose and palate, with underpinnings of white flowers and fresh savory herbs. The medium acidity lends good cut to the mouthfeel, finishing bright and juicy.
Tight, snappy aromas of citric red fruit and lemon peel set up a driving, tight palate with brambly berry, spice and herbal flavors. This shows chocolaty oak on the finish and juicy acidity that ensures freshness and long-lasting flavor.
Tight, structured wine, with intense acidity as well as red berry fruits. It feels lean and sinewy, needing a few more months to settle and round out. Keep a year.
Tight, tannic and bone dry, this ultralow production wine comes from the small, somewhat obscure Sonoma Mountain appellation. It aims high, with the Northern Rhône the model. The blackberry and black currant flavors have an edge of smoky oak. Judging from the way the wine gains interest in the glass as it warms, it should have a fine future.
Tight, tannic and undrinkable now because it's so young, this 100% Cabernet needs a great deal of time to come around. Right now, it's hard as nails, a wine whose astringency stings the gums despite impressively intensely ripe blackberry jam and black currant flavors. It should be great in 2020–2025.
Tight, tart and nearly effervescent aromas of pear cider greet the nose on this bottling, which features a Spanish dancer on the label. The palate is laser-focused on lemon rinds and blood orange pith, showing a tad of ripeness thanks to poached pears, with a slight saltiness on the palate.
Tight, tart raspberry fruit is immediately juicy and inviting, set atop a crisp and refreshing mineral base. The concentration is impressive, and this seems likely to age well over the next decade. Drink now through 2025.
Tight, taut and mineral, tense and concentrated. There is intense acidity and a touch of spice, but this is all about structure and suppressed fruit. Keep this wine at least until 2010.
Tight, taut, crisp and mineral in character, this is the epitome of a lemon-flavored wine. It is totally fresh, bright and full of green fruits and a tangy character. One in a series of single variety wines from Vilacetinho.
Tight, taut, mineral-driven wine, lively with a light prickle on the tongue. This is very fresh, with citrus and grapefruit flavors. Delicious, bone-dry Vinho Verde.
Tight, textured and crisp, this shows the freshness of the 2013 vintage while missing some of the natural spice of Pinot Gris. It's all about sliced green apples lightly brushed with pepper, with crisp acidity at the end. Drink now.
Tight, textured and mineral, this wine just hints at the fruit to come. It is dark, brooding and concentrated, with black-plum flavors just beginning to shine through the dry texture. It needs aging, so drink from 2022.
Tight, textured wine with delicious green apple and mineral character. The wine has some softness, but is more dominated by a fine steel core of acidity. It could age well.
Tight, woody and refined on the nose, this is concentrated and dark in style, with good grip but nothing fierce or grabby to the palate. Toasty peppery black-fruit flavors finish warm and easy. Drink this bold Mencía through 2019.
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.
Tight, young and tangy, this wine will be delicious when it all comes together. The elements are all there, with the quince and pear fruits, intense acidity and the crisp texture that is so refreshing. Drink this ageworthy wine from 2017.
Tight, zingy and crisp, this wine has fresh, citrus character that comes right up front. It is light and fruity, with raspberries and red currants. With its very dry aftertaste, it is for food.
Tighter blackberry and blueberry fruits meet with a touch of fennel on this nose of this appellation blend by Billy Wathen and Dick Dore. Flavors range from refreshing blackberry soda to root beer and cola, achieving a measure of elegance thanks to dill, tomato leaf and a tannic grip.
Tightly-defined raspberry fruit, with sharp and vivid acidity against a backdrop of wet rock, characterizes this young Pinot Noir. The brightness and delicate definition suggests that there are unseen layers of flavor lurking beneath the youthful shell. Give this at least a half decade in the cellar.
Tightly closed like a fist, the only intimation of flavor is the seam of lemon-zest acidity. Purity and precision are stony straightjackets that this wine will never escape, but its aromatic development will yield ample pleasure for the patient. Drink as of 2017.
Tightly closed, still young, this has wonderful promise for the future. It offers a fine tannin structure around which iron-oxide-tinged blueberry and cherry play, along with earthiness and savory spice. This needs time to loosen its tightly coiled flavors. Drink as of 2016.
Tightly coiled in fruit and oak, this is a young yet vibrantly lush, plush and juicy wine.It's ready to expand on the palate as it opens to reveal exotic baking spice, textured velvety softness and swathes of black cherry and pomegranate. Medium bodied and exuberant, it'll drink well with food.
Tightly coiled, the firm tannins hold down the exuberant berry fruits and fresh acidity. It is certainly young, but the elegance is already here, as well as the herb and spice seasoning from wood. The dry aftertaste reinforces the need for aging, at least 4–5 years.
Tightly constructed for an entry-priced Chardonnay, this has faint almond nuttiness accenting pineapple and grapefruit flavors. Drink this medium-bodied wine through mid-2018.
Tightly focused acidity is the star of this well-executed, estate-grown and unoaked white. Floral jasmine and apple blossom ride along the nose, while flavors of lemon peel and apple integrate seamlessly on the rounded palate.
Tightly focused, as is often true of single-vineyard bottlings, this matches spicy berry fruit to light barrel flavors of milk chocolate. It's smooth and accessible, but finishes a bit short.
Tightly herbaceous and very crisp, grassy and citrusy, this is the epitome of cool, fresh Sauvignon Blanc. It's a light, bright, easy-drinking wine that's ready to go now.
Tightly herbaceous, this is also a friendly, fruity wine. With bright acidity, crisp lemon and grapefruit flavors, it's cool and bright. Drink now.
Tightly herbaceous, this light and crisp wine is all citrus and gooseberries, with a tangy lemon zest texture. Drink now.
Tightly herbal and packed with green fruits, this is a full and ripe wine. It is still very young with its initial fruit flavors still intact. It will calm down over the next few months and be better to drink from 2017.
Tightly layered and opulent, this has loads of fruit intensity, with notes of spice and moist earth. The palate shows firm density and supple smoothness.
Tightly linked to its territory of origin, this vineyard specific Extra Dry sparkler is fresh and zesty in the mouth with soft perlage and loads of melon and white peach to keep up the momentum.
Tightly packed and loaded with bright aromas of dried currants, cherry, cassis, wet earth and blue flower, this Brunello beautifully reflects it Tuscan roots. There's depth and dimension to the mouthfeel and the wine boats a vibrant personality overall.
Tightly structured and quiet in oak, this wine instead exudes bright notes of lemon peel and orange blossom, offering plenty of well-traced minerality on the palate. It finishes lean and crisp, refreshing enough to enjoy all night long.
Tightly structured in a ripe, bold bundle of cherry and berry flavors, this is an intensely tannic and youthful wine, clearly indicative of the vintage. Sage, dried herb, marshmallow and toasted oak aromas round it out, giving it flavor beyond its innate concentration.
Tightly structured, this is a dense wine. Packed with dry tannins, it is starting life as a firm wine. It is equally rich in fruit, a panoply of black plums and red currants. Drink this concentrated wine from 2026.
Tightly tannic and very firm at this stage, but you can feel the ripe fruit underneath, giving great structure and power. Black currants layered with acidity, while the center, a dry core.
Tightly tannic, this 100% varietal wine comes from the producer's family estate. It's big in blackberry fruit and oak, the tannins generous on the palate. Ripe, plush plums figure into the finish, the wine bound to appeal to fans of Zinfandel for its robust nature.
Tightly wound and a little muted, without much fruit on the nose or palate until the finish, which ends sweet. The Cab spent 26 months in barrel and is blended with 1% Petit Verdot.
Tightly wound and acidic, with forceful red-berry flavors that are spicy and zesty. Finishes a little on the raw side, with cranberry notes and a hard crescendo. Tempranillo with Garnacha and Cabernet.
Tightly wound and dry, this is an elegant, fruity Pinot marked by tart flavors of cranberries and pomegranates and relieved by richer notes of cherry pie and sweet oak. Turns sharp on the finish, with a cut of acidity. Drink up.
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.
Tightly wound and leathery on the palate, this wine is ultimately light-bodied. The flavors mix dried cherry, blackberry, tobacco and sage.
Tightly wound and sculpted fruit anchors an appealing Chardonnay with ample influence from barrel aging. In this excellent, fruit-forward vintage, plenty of weight characterizes the core apple flavors, which are wrapped in a lush coating of toast, butter pecan and nougat.
Tightly wound and sharply focused, this bottling mixes white-fleshed fruit and lime zest scents with herb and mineral touches of chive, clay and wet slate. Its acidity stays zippy into its second day open, while sesame, sake and more mineral flavors emerge. Drink now–2024.
Tightly wound and sleek, a nervous, elegant young wine that needs time in the cellar or decanting to begin to open up. The lemon, lime, honeysuckle and buttered toast flavors have a distinctive tang of minerals, which makes the finish bracing. Now through 2015.
Tightly wound aromas of blueberry and black currant ride a cedar backbone on the elegant nose of this blend of 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot, which also offers a touch of vanilla. The palate balances dill and marjoram with tangy red fruit and cinnamon spice.
Tightly wound aromas of rubber and black fruits preview a rubbery, fruity palate that's generous in its delivery of vanilla, creamy berry, black plum and cassis flavors. A comfortable finish with mocha and smooth tannins confirms that this is a cleanly made, modern red wine.
Tightly wound blueberry, black plum and barnyard aromas show on the nose of this Bordeaux blend. Presented with judicious acidity, the palate combines its fruit flavors with savory touches of smoked meat and licorice, finishing on a salted caramel note.
Tightly wound in black fruit and integrated tannin, this is a medium-bodied wine with interwoven oak that retains a healthy amount of acidity. Black fruit dominates along with a thickness of violets and meat. Made in tiny amounts from a small producer, it showcases a good vineyard site for the variety.
Tightly wound in oak and smoky forest floor, this intriguing wine walks a tightrope between savory characteristics and power that somewhat over take the fruit.
Tightly wound now, with firm acids and tannins providing a good structure. There's a solid core of cherries and currants, but it's obscured. Needs time. Give it 4–5 years in a proper cellar.
Tightly wound on the nose at first, this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 13% Malbec and 12% Petit Verdot opens slowly to show blackberry, anise and baking spice on the nose. The palate offers boysenberry, slate, oregano and bay leaf, wrapped in decent tannins and acidity. Patience will allow this wine to come into its own.
Tightly wound on the nose, this wine eventually releases blackcurrant and blueberry fruit along with aromas of black rock and turned earth. The palate is dense with black peppercorn, char and asphalt, lifted by hints of violet. Since the structure is dense and tannic, it will be fun to watch this wine emerge over the years.
Tightly wound purple fruits are decorated by peppercorn, roasted lamb and a tarry touch on the nose of this bottling by Bob Lindquist, which also includes small bits of Tempranillo and other varieties. The cool climate character is carried to the sip as well, where charred black-currant, white-pepper, rosemary and grilled-beef flavors abound.
Tightly wound raspberry fruit is the dominant flavor here, with slightly chalky, lemony acids wrapping up the finish. It's a pleasant, fresh wine, a bit lighter than the other designates, and best enjoyed over the next couple of years.
Tightly wound still, this wine isn't showing much yet beyond ripe cherries, pomegranates and new oak. Firm tannins and crisp acidity provide structure, and the finish is dry and long. But the balance and complexity suggest that this block selection will age well. Hold until 2018.
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.
Tightly wound, but clearly big and bold with massive tannins, this Tempranillo has amazingly dark, brooding fruit and spicy undertones and should develop into a stunner with time.
Tightly wound, dry and acidic, this Pinot Noir offers direct and jammy flavors of cherry and persimmon. The structure is fine, with firm tannins and stony minerality. Once decanted, it can be consumed now, or it can be cellared for 3–5 years.
Tightly wound, layered, moderately tannic and oozing excellence, this is a fantastic high-end Toro from the superb 2012 vintage. The minerally, toasty aroma of blackberry is stylish and shows a balsamic note. Flavors of licorice, sweet balsamic vinegar, chocolate and toasty blackberry continue on a long, deep, complex finish. Drink this ace-level red from 2017–2028.
Tightly wound, this young Merlot, from a blend of Red Mountain vineyards, has a steely spine and muscular tannins. The fruit is a bit subdued at the moment, but there is a clear sense of structure, verticality and depth. Notes of graphite and earth accent the tart red fruits. Give this one plenty of decanting.
Tightly wound, with big, edgy tannins that accentuate the acidity. Underneath you'll find dry, elegant flavors of tart cherries, red currants and violets. A polished, pretty wine that could pick up some nuances over the next 2–3 years.
Tightly woven and deeply concentrated, this brawny, full-bodied wine from the mighty mountain site boasts expansive tannins. Firm acidity invigorates its spectrum of flavors that range from cherry, marshmallow and clove to forest and tobacco.
Tightly woven tannins mark this blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese and 9% Merlot. From there, it's a story of soft leather, black tar and rich, velvety blackberry, given 20 months in large French oak barrels. More time in bottle should help make friends of the disparate elements; drink through 2020.
Tightly wrought and still young, this is a concentrated wine. It has great fruitiness that is tangy with a strong mineral texture from the silex soil. Green asparagus and lemon fruits are combined. Drink this complex wine from 2019.
Tilled earth, blue flower, leather, blueberry and cured meat aromas jump out of the glass of this concentrated wine. The rich palate delivers black berry, licorice, chocolate, clove and black pepper alongside firm, chewy tannins. Drink 2016–2023.
Tilled earth, game, red berry and orange peel aromas lead the nose on this concentrated wine. The ripe, savory palate delivers fleshy sour cherry, crushed raspberry, notes of baking spice, mineral and a suggestion of game. It's delicious, with an earthy charm that gives it a distinct character.
Tilled earth, mature black-skinned fruit, leather, eucalyptus and truffle aromas come together on this concentrated wine. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, blackberry jam, coffee and licorice aromas alongside brooding tannins. Drink 2016–2021.
Tilled earth, ripe dark-skinned berry, leather and menthol aromas show this wine's Sangiovese pedigree. The robust, concentrated palate doles out crushed black cherry, raspberry jam, cinnamon, licorice and the warmth of evident alcohol—the latter a common characteristic of this hot vintage. Firm, ripe tannins provide the framework. Drink 2017–2021.
Tilled earth, underbrush, rose petal, perfumed berry, aromatic herb and a balsamic note are some of the many alluring scents you'll find on this gorgeous red. The juicy palate is both earthy and loaded with finesse, doling out ripe dark cherry, raspberry, pipe tobacco, licorice and energizing mineral. Firm, polished tannins provide structure. It's already almost accessible but will continue to evolve and age beautifully. Drink from 2019 through 2029.
Tilled soil, blue flower and Mediterranean herb aromas follow through to the young, tightly wound palate. Juicy dark-skinned berry flavor is supported by taut, fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2018.
Tilled soil, forest floor, mature black-skinned fruit, leather and a truffle note come together in the glass. The firmly structured palate presents juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, vanilla and an earthy hint of game while assertive, close-grained tannins provide support. Give it a few years for the tannins to relax then enjoy. Drink 2019–2023.
Tilled soil, iris, violet, black plum and tobacco aromas come together on this classically crafted blend of Sangiovese, Colorino and Mammolo. The structured, balanced palate delivers black cherry, licorice, ground pepper, leather and grilled herb alongside youthfully austere tannins. It's still tightly knit so give it time to fully develop and bloom. Drink 2017–2027.
Tilled soil, lead pencil, thyme, iris and wild berry aromas take center stage on this fragrant red. It's vibrant and young, with crushed strawberry, red raspberry cinnamon and white pepper flavors framed in lively acidity and taut youthfully austere tannins. A licorice note closes the finish. Drink 2023–2033.
Tilled soil, mature berry, menthol, leather and a suggestion of game unfold on this delicious, full-bodied red. The structured, polished palate doles out juicy Morello cherry, raspberry jam, cinnamon, chopped herb and licorice while firm, refined tannins lend finesse and a silky texture. Drink 2018–2028.
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.
Tilts towards sweet on the nose, where maple, molasses, pecan and baked fruit aromas hold court. The palate is layered and lively, with a nice blend of pit fruits, toast, nuts and butter. Long and elegant on the finish, it's highly drinkable and enjoyable within the oloroso class.
Tim Knappstein's decision to focus on the Adelaide Hills bears fruit in this terrific-value Pinot Noir. The aromas and flavors are a colorful mélange of beets, black cherries and purple heirloom tomatoes, backed by a rich texture and a long velvety finish. Drink now until 2020.
Tim Mondavi is back with this interesting Cabernet blend. It's very much in the modern Napa style, soft, rich and sophisticated, with cherry, red currant, Asian spice and new oak flavors. It's an elegant wine, but a fairly tannic one, with a dusty astringency that suggests mid-term aging. An auspicious, if expensive, new beginning.
Time has not tamed this in-your-face, oaky, high-octane Syrah, which on the label says it's also known as “rasta red.” The wine is very tannic, smelling of earth and tar and sticky caramel and could use a touch more fruitiness to give it a lift. Do not attempt to drink without a sauce-slathered side of beef.
Time in oak has given this wine great depth and richness. Its tannins are finely integrated into the spice and black fruit flavors. Solid and concentrated, it is going to develop into a serious pour. Drink from 2017.
Time to rock with this new, lightly oaked cuvée from Esclans, a fresh, bright, full wine with forward fruit. Despite its alcohol, the wine has a light touch with a hint of pepper and rounded red fruits making it ideal for food. The wine will be best to drink from late 2016.
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.
Timid but clean as a whistle on the nose, with apple and vanilla aromas along with a sprinkling of talcum powder. The palate is lively and fresh, with flavors of pineapple, lemon and other tropical hints. Entirely pedestrian as cava goes, but 100% clean and refreshing.
Timing is everything with this full-bodied PG. Get at it right away and it will still be almost viscous, but it should also show ripe tropical fruit flavors, core acidity and lots of personality. Just don't let it hang around for long, especially not at room temperature.
Timpune (100% Grillo) is a full-bodied Sicilian white wine that boasts summertime notes of apricot, nectarine, cantaloupe melon and fragrant acacia flower. The mouthfeel is broad, creamy and fat, suggesting a pairing with fried mozzarella or salads with thick Ranch dressing.
Tin House has been producing good Pinot Noirs that have been pushing the possibilities for Edna Valley, although the prices are going up every year. This bottling shows pure, ripe cherry, currant and cocoa flavors and rich, sweet oak, with the acidity that characterizes everything from this cool part of the Central Coast. Drink now through 2010.
Tinata is a sultry blend of Syrah and Grenache, a Rhône-style blend unlike any other wine in the area. These grapes seem perfectly adapted to the little-known region of Capalbio in the southern part of Tuscany and deliver intense aromas of blackberry, leather, chocolate and cured meat. It's plush, rich and extremely long-lasting.
Tinged by layers of earth and herb, this delicately framed wine carries surprising nuance and complexity. Concentrated in black plum and berry flavors, it's levitated by a streak of cranberry acidity that lingers moderately long.
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.
Tingling acidity keeps this wine fresh. It is an impressive Cab, blended with small amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot, that's aged in French oak. Lively, the oak is soft and approachable, making room for the bright notions of dark cherry, cassis and vanilla that linger on the generous finish.
Tingling acidity wraps around a core of pear and peach fruit in this well-integrated, layered and lush wine. The oak is quiet through the entry and midpalate, picking up power and weight on the finish. Lovely on its own, it's also a good choice for the table.
Tingling in acidity, this substantially juicy, full-bodied rosé is made from ripe fruit that leans toward flavors of strawberries and Russian River Valley Pinot's classic tell-tale of cherries. The aromas are floral; think Lady Day gardenia.
Tingling lemon and grapefruit pith make for a tantalizing experience in this white made from several vineyard sources throughout the Napa Valley. Saline and wet stone provide the minerality, with a searing seasoning of lemongrass. The wine finishes on a tart, herbal note that yearns to be matched with seafood.
Tingly acidity complements the lush, full-bodied concentration of this estate-grown beauty. It's both soft and sensual in tone. Pine, orange peel and pomegranate notes play against the richness and add freshness to the chewy tannin. Best enjoyed 2024 through 2034.
Tinny and minerally on the nose, then citric and zesty in the mouth. Flavors of lemon, lime and scallion are narrow but crisp. Tangy on the finish.
Tinta Barroca, one of the Douro grape varieties, produces a rustic style of wine by itself. This wine comes from a vineyard at 1,800 feet, giving a cool feel and plenty of acidity as well as a barnyard, black fruit character. The aftertaste is juicy and spicy.
Tinta Francisca is one of the older varieties of the Douro, generally passed over in new vineyards. Perfumed, ripe and with an almost intense acidity, there is a dry core of tannins that are balanced by ripe red berry fruits, showing concentration from old vines. The wine is still young, finishing with considerable acidity. Drink from 2017.
Tinta Miúda, known as the rare Graciano grape in Spain, is not often found in Portugal. Here it makes a ripe, juicy and jammy wine that's soft, with only a minimum of tannins to keep it together. It has a typically warm character and is ready to drink.
Tinta Negra Mole, widely planted in Madeira, is a chameleon grape that can take on the character of any grape or style the producer fancies. Here it has transmuted into a rich Bual, wood aged and with old-gold flavors and color. The acidity at the end, which is what will preserve the wine for many years, is intense and impressive. Drink now.
Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo) was once believed to be the finest grape for Douro table wines. While that view has been modified, it still makes an impressive wine. With 18 months in wood and super-ripe fruit, the wine is concentrated and opulent. It has fine tannins and acidity that are at the service of this great fruitiness. The wine will age further, with maturity likely to occur by 2020.
Tinta Roriz (in Spanish Tempranillo) is recognized in the Douro as a great table wine grape, and this big-hearted wine is good proof. It is surprisingly elegant for its weight and alcohol, a smoothness coming from wood aging. The fruits are black cherry and black plum skin, with tannins showing a tight, mineral edge. For aging.
Tinta Roriz is one of the grapes that is very much at home on the granite soils of the Dão. Here winemaker Hugo Chavez produces a structured, densely tannic wine, swathed with loads of red fruit, with acidity to balance. This 100% Tinta Roriz is a powerful wine, needing more aging. Drink from 2016.
Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional from two Ramos-Pinto quintas results in a consistently smooth, finely rich wine. It has ripe blackberry fruits that are layered with subtle wood accents and given a great lift by ample acidity. It's a ripe wine, with enough tannins to age for the medium-term, although it can be drunk now.
Tintilia is a little-known red grape from central Italy that is made into wine by a handful of boutique producers. This expression shows aromas of red cherry, soft cinnamon spice and ripe blackberry. It doesn't have long staying power, but it does deliver freshness.
Tiny amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot were added to this succulent, elegant wine with cassis, cranberry and black cherry flavors and rounded structure. A light note of cocoa dust and soft texture balance its exotically spiced lushness with delicious integration.
Tiny amounts of Zinfandel and Malbec are added to this wine, which otherwise delivers varietally appropriate notes of tart cranberry and black currant. From there, leather comes onto the palate, bolstering an already heady mix of tannin and oak, finishing rich in tobacco and dark chocolate.
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.
Tire rubber aromas provide some distraction from the notes of black pepper, citrus and fresh herbs. The elegant dark fruit, pepper and savory flavors are unmistakably varietal. There are many good things to explore.
Tire rubber, currant and spice aromas are followed by pleasing, plentiful dark-fruit flavors. The tannins bring some grit.
Tire rubber, heat and funky, oak-based spice aromas are ominous and foretelling. The palate on this Garnacha is creamy and feels sticky, while the flavors are sugary and emphasize vanilla and marshmallow over clean fruit. Flaccid on the finish, with candied flavors.
Tire rubber, herb and locked-up barrel spice notes are followed by bountiful yet elegant black fruit flavors that show a spot on sense of balance along with exquisite length. There's no hiding the warm vintage it comes from but it shows the year well.
Tire rubber, smoke, cranberry and red-currant aromas lead to quite-sweet plum flavors. The palate provides appeal but the aromas are difficult to get around.
Tired and oxidized on the nose, this offers just-adequate freshness on the palate, but the wine is losing steam. Flavors of oxidized white fruits and bitter citrus finish dully.
Tired of oaky fruit bomb Chards? This one's notable for structure. Crisp acidity and a firm streak of minerals undergird the grilled pineapple, cinnamon apple sauce and buttered toast flavors. Drink this elegant wine now.
Tired red fruit lurks under the black-pepper and charred-oak flavors on the palate, though the woody, rustic mouthfeel is interesting. Nose is rather mute, with a little dried herb showing through.
Tiregand has long been the big name in Pécharmant. Although the estate fell behind, it seems now to have managed to use a traditional approach to create a impressive wines. This wood-aged wine, with its mint aromas and dense yet elegant tannins, is a good case in point. Wait for 5–6 years before drinking.
Titus's regular '06 Cab is a wonderful wine. Their Reserve is even better, showing a more dramatic structure of smooth, complex tannins and a more intense, fruity profile. Offers lavish waves of blackberries, black currants, cassis, smoky oak and minerals, with notes of chocolate and cappuccino. Delicious now and through 2013.
To add a touch of much-needed freshness and acidity, a small percentage of Barbera is added to this traditional blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. The quality of fruit is very nice and resembles cherry, cassis and prune.
To age an extra brut vintage before release is a great idea. It leaves a wine that hints at toasty aromas as well as still-crisp fruitiness. The apple and pear flavors are filled out by the tangy edge and the hints of maturity to come. Drink this fine vintage now.
To be fair, the Cabernet Franc portion of this wine is only 3%, so don't expect to be bowled over by Loire-like florals or leafiness. Rather, it's a dense full-bodied wine, savory in style, with edgings of charred meat, grilled plum, mocha and a long cocoa-tinged finish. Drink 2020–2030.
To call it entry level does not do justice to the quality here—this would be reserve level at many wineries. A generous mix of blueberry and black cherry fruit rolls seamlessly through the fruit-driven core, annotated with barrel notes of cola, coffee and cream.
To call this a big Cab would be an understatement. It's a black-colored, saturated wine that detonates on the palate, offering a blast of black and red berries, currants, cassis, dark unsweetened chocolate, anise and fine, upscale new oak. But the tannins are fierce. Very fine, among the best St. Helena Cabernets of the vintage. Needs time. 2012–2020.
To call this a fun wine—which it is—is to suggest that it's not complex and compelling, which it also is. It features brilliant acidity and orange-like intensity, remaining bone dry despite its honey-tinged finish. Pair it with Chinese chicken dishes.
To call this anything other than modern in style would be incorrect. It's soft and silky and direct in blackberry and cherry jam, chocolate and caramel flavors, although the finish is technically dry. Delicious and fancy, and will appeal to fans of ripe, sweet fruit, but it doesn't have the structure for aging.
To call this Cabernet huge is an understatement. The tannins are hard and dramatic. As for the fruit, you can hardly find strong enough descriptors. It shows blackberry jam and black currants, cassis liqueur and minerals raised to fabulous mountain concentration. Violets and oak add to the equation. Somehow it all balances out, resulting in a wine of unusual grace and power. But it needs age. Drink 2019–2031, if not beyond.
To call this Cabernet muscular is an understatement. It's a mixed martial arts wine that kicks butt and takes no prisoners. The fruit is immensely forward and ripe in cherries and currants, and the tannins are as strong as anything out of the valley. Give it until 2020 to begin with.
To call this rosé deep is an understatement. In color and body, it's almost a red wine. But it does have the silky delicacy of a blush wine, and is frankly delicious in cherry jam, red licorice and Dr. Pepper flavors. It finishes thoroughly dry, and the acidity is racy.
To call this wine easy for the price is no insult. For 10 bucks, you get a soft, dry, full-bodied Cab with pleasurable cherry and currant flavors. Perfect for everyday red wine fare.
To call this wine huge is an understatement. Blended from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Carmenère, its most notable feature is tannins. It's hard, dry and astringent, making it difficult to appreciate now. But there's a gigantic core of blackberries and black currants. With richness like this, it should age and improve through 2020 at least.
To call this wine lusty is an understatement. This old variety lost some fashion years ago, but is being rediscovered for its lush, full-bodied fruit. It has delicious black currant, cassis, licorice and mocha flavors wrapped into firm tannins. It resembles a big, darkly colored mountain-grown Syrah. The wine will age for many years.
To celebrate its 1843 origins, Besserat de Bellefon has released this limited-edition wood-fermented wine. It is a classic yet exceptional blend of Chardonnay/Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier from eight cru vineyards. The taste is ripe and rich, with the wood treatment reducing the acidity while filling out the fruit. A complex wine, it will repay further bottle aging.
To celebrate the family's 150th anniversary (founded in 1864), the Milans have released two Champagnes, half fermented in wood the other half in tank. The result for this Blanc de Blancs is a full wine, with a future that will bring out richness as well as a tight, mineral structure with just a hint of toast.
To date, Godelia has done better with its Mencía than Godello. This wine smells like pine, wheat and match stick, all aromas related to underripe fruit. A stalky, corny flavor profile lacks ripeness, a theme that's replayed on the finish.
To get the best results, you'd better chill this one down. That way you'll get more of the refreshing apple and pear element of the wine and less of its fat, chunky body and rough, unpolished edges.
To harvest this wine, successive passes are made through the vines to get the ripest grapes. The result is a rounded, very rich wine, whose ripe fruits are right up front. There is some caramel and bitter almond, with a smooth final texture. It has weight and a good future over 3–5 years. Screwcap.
To judge by its nose, this medium-bodied Riesling is quiet and introverted. And the flavors are also relatively neutral, with a slight earthiness and savory character defining its profile. Has the same lingering beefy-brininess on the finish as the other Liebfruenstift wines, just not as intense.
To judge by the aromas—a complex herbal mélange containing hints of cabbage leaf, tea and acacia blossom—this includes a healthy proportion of stems. On the palate, the black cherry and plum fruit asserts itself, while the texture is crisp and silky, lingering through the finish. Drink now–2025.
To judge by the blast of white pepper and strong tannins, the Northern Rhône is the model for this dry, single-vineyard wine. It is a distinguished Syrah, but too tannic and closed down now for thorough enjoyment. Best to cellar for 3 or 4 years, maybe longer, until it throws some sediment.
To judge by the cork, this bottling has some age, giving it a toasty as well as fruity character that adds complexity to this baked-apple and citrus-flavored wine. It also means that it needs no further aging and is delicious to drink now.
To judge by the weight of the bottle, this is regarded as an important wine by the producer. The wine inside is attractive and fruity, ripe with berry fruits and considerable freshness. The tannins give the power for the bottle, dry and dense at this young stage. Drink from 2017.
To judge by the weight of the bottle, this wine is meant to be taken seriously. In fact, its wood aging is the only serious thing about this attractive, dense and fruity wine. It is finely structured with yellow fruits just supported by the toastiness. Drink the wine now.
To make this luscious wine, Muscat Ottonel and the hybrid Vidal Blanc are air dried on open racks, causing the grapes to raisin, concentrating their sugars. The result is a decadent wine with expressive aromas of apricot purée, tea and baking spice, plus a drizzle of caramel. It feels opulent and weighty, with a wash of zesty acidity and a zing of tangerine on the finish.
To me, this luxury cuvée loses a bit of its identity to oak and ripeness while remaining an excellent red wine. Delicious? You bet. It's dark and intense, marked by the vanilla and cedar notes that overlay cherry and cracked pepper. The tannins are supple to the point of creaminess, creating a lush, soft mouthfeel.
To my mind, Te Mata's strength s are in its red wines. That said, this is a solid Chardonnay. Subtle wood shadings add richness to the flavors of mandarin orange and vanilla custard before ending on a persistent citrus-oil note.
To preserve the freshness of its aromas, this was aged only in stainless steel . This bright Sauvignon delivers a spicy, fresh finish with lasting tones of white flower, peach and wild sage.
To say the least, it comes out guns blazing and oozing mountain character. Animal and barnyard, coffee and earth, even burnt toast and smoky bacon are all over this wine. Fruit definitely plays second fiddle to the dark, earthy essence of this Cabernet, Merlot and Cab Franc trio.
To tame Durell is no easy feat—indeed at first this wine exudes matchstick and robustness on the nose and palate. But tameness comes in the form of lemon and grapefruit pith, brightening the load, with a sinewy structure supporting its core. The finish is succulent in honey and stone. Drink now through 2020.
To the blend of local Aragonez and Trincadeira, the producer has added the Dão's Alfrocheiro. That gives a ripe and attractively perfumed wine. It is soft and juicy, full of rich berry fruits and with a generous, warm texture. Drink now.
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.
Toast and blackberry aromas set the scene for this ripe, bold, fruity wine. With tannins, spice from wood-aging and a still-firm texture, it's showing its youth, but the rich blackberry fruit and density promise long life ahead. Drink from 2020.
Toast and brioche aromas lead this rich, generous wine. It has considerable bottle age, meaning the youthful freshness has been replaced by a mature character. Dry in style yet quite ripe, this is a Champagne for food.
Toast and butterscotch flavors lead the way in this relatively full-bodied wine, featuring a fine array of crisp apple, peach, pear, melon and citrus notes. Long and full on the finish. Best Buy.
Toast and caramel aromas set the scene for this ripe, smooth wine. It has weight and richness, with a vanilla flavor that meshes with the yellow fruit. With all of its opulence, the acidity is lost somewhere, meaning the wine is ready to drink now.
Toast and caramel notes mingle with mocha and dark plum flavors, resulting in a sleek wine with soft yet palpable tannins. As it opens up, soft plum and cherry fruit is revealed. The concentrated midpalate also signals that this will age and develop well.
Toast and char sit atop the bouquet like a heavy king on his throne, but there's nothing fake or weak about it. The color is dark and the palate is round; flavors of black plum, figs and black olives convey a meaty, true personality amid all the char, chocolate and vanilla. A good wine in the massive category that is value-priced Merlot.
Toast and chocolate take center stage and shape a modern expression of one of Puglia's most traditional wines. This riserva has good density and persistency and ends with firm tannins and lingering notes of sweet spice.
Toast and dill accent zesty green apple and lemon flavors in this lithe, sharply composed Chardonnay. Fresh acidity abounds on the palate, leading a moderately long, slightly tart finish. Drink now through 2019.
Toast and dried herb notes lend an oaky tone to pressed apple and pear flavors on this Seyval Blanc. It's dry and full bodied in style, with a bright, lemon-focused midpalate that finishes a bit sour and woody.
Toast and dried herb tones in this Chardonnay lend savoriness to fresher, fruitier expressions of apple, lemon and pear. It's light on its feet and delicate in concentration, finishing briskly.
Toast and fresh hay aromas immediately waft from the glass, with supporting notes of red apple and spiced orange peel. Round and full in the mouth, it has good mousse and a soft honeyed accent that carries through onto the finish.
Toast and herb mingle with lavish lilac and lavender perfume on this unique red blend (made predominantly from Cabernet Franc). Brisk berry and cherry flavors are expansive and bold on the palate, and fringed with savory herb tones on the finish.
Toast and leather aromas support modest berry scents. This is full, loud and banging on the palate. Roasted blackened flavors of blackberry and plum carry a meaty note, while this remains dark and toasty on an aggressive finish.
Toast and mocha scents and flavors surround a core of tart red berries. More barrel influence comes out as the wine breathes—clove, spice and smoke—as it rolls into a tightly-wrapped, tannic finish. Give this a lot of aeration, or tuck it away for another five or six years.
Toast and nut aromas set the scene for a wine that has a rich character with vanilla and smoky flavors. The wine is strongly driven by wood acidity, a touch of oxidation and a final crisp texture.
Toast and ripe spice go well with the warm red-berry fruits in this wine. It is rich, layering new wood and fine tannins along with a firm structure. Drink this wine, with its good potential, from 2019. This is one of seven château in the Médeville family and 2014 was their 188th harvest.
Toast and spice notes add warmth to crisp blackberry and cassis on this elegantly composed Meritage. Richly concentrated on the palate, it's bold and mouthfilling, with big, brawny tannins that should meld beautifully over the next 3–5 years.
Toast and yeast on the otherwise lime-scented bouquet. Clean citrus and green-apple flavors lead into a zesty, smooth soda-like finish. Overall it’s just a nice, clean, bright Champagne, one that has the right level of dryness and zip.
Toast aromas accent ripe pears and golden-delicious apples in this soft, easy-to-like Chard that only lacks a bit of depth. A slightly bitter note on the finish should become less noticeable over the next few months.
Toast aromas precede layers of wood flavors that give the wine a tough, dry, spicy character that masks the fruit.
Toast with apricot jam comes first to mind in this nicely balanced white that begins in richness and evolves in the glass to offer a freshness of lime zest and grapefruit, the minerality well-defined.
Toast, baked earth, grilled mushroom and roasted coffee bean aromas come together on this full-bodied wine. The evolved palate offers dried black cherry, raisin, oak, espresso and black pepper alongside firm tannins. Drink soon to capture the remaining fruit richness, which is already fading.
Toast, baking spice, fruitcake and anise are some of the aromas that emerge on this structured red. On the forward palate, notes of black pepper, licorice and a hint of tobacco accent a core of dried black. Firm, velvety tannins provide support. Drink 2018–2026.
Toast, berry and espresso aromas lead the nose and follow through to the palate along with sour cherry, bitter chocolate and a hint of licorice. Astringent tannins leave a firm finish.
Toast, bittersweet chocolate, vanilla and barrel spice flavors are followed by a palate that mixes equal part fruit and barrel. It goes down easy.
Toast, black fruit and herbal aromas are 100% typical of value-priced Merlot from Chile. This feels fresh, wiry and a bit choppy, while herbal plum and raspberry flavors come with touches of licorice, mint, toast and anise.
Toast, Bosc pear, spice, lees and flower aromas are followed by a sleekly styled palate. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
Toast, bread crust and citrus aromas carry over to the firm, lively palate together with candied lemon drop. Brisk acidity and sharp bubbles provide the edgy framework.
Toast, butter and tropical fruit aromas are all typical of Chile, but there's a touch of saline and minerality as well. Lemony and tangy in the mouth, with a juicy, acidic feel that's a bit like Chablis. Only trouble is, it finishes bland and pithy.
Toast, buttercup and baked apple aromas give it some richness and sweetness to start, and the palate is creamy but well balanced, with toasty apple, peach and vanilla flavors. Solid and creamy on the finish, with tropical afterburners. Drink soon before it fades.
Toast, camphor and Asian spice aromas carry over to the palate, along with raw cherry, coconut and vanilla. Astringent tannins dry out the finish, leaving a lean impression that's at once sweet and sour.
Toast, char, wood spice and dark-fruit aromas lead to generous coffee and red-fruit flavors. It shows a pleasing sense of balance along with a finish that sticks around.
Toast, coconut and pineapple all work the bouquet. It's zesty and healthy on the palate, with pear, coconut and baked apple flavors. Much less oaky than in the past, yet still endowed with a lot of coconut and vanilla. A very nice wine that runs ripe and sweet, as evidenced by the 14.5% alcohol.
Toast, coffee and French oak aromas lead the nose and carry over to the one-dimensional palate along with dried cherry and a hint of dill. Soaring alcohol throws it off balance. Give the raspy tannins another year or two to soften then drink before the fruit dries up completely.
Toast, coffee, mocha and spiced plum aromas mingle in the glass. The firm palate offers black cherry, plum, espresso, licorice and tobacco alongside a tannic backbone. It's ripe and powerful but also has the intensity many 2009 wines lack. Drink 2016–2022.
Toast, coffee, vanilla, dill and other wood spices are far out-front on the aromas. They vie for attention on the palate as well, never seeming to marry with the fruit while still providing enjoyment.
Toast, dried sage, menthol and a whiff of coconut lead the nose. The raw, extracted palate offers roasted coffee bean, espresso, anise, coconut and hints of dried berry but it lacks fruit richness. Burly, astringent tannins give it a bitter, mouth-puckering finish.
Toast, espresso and mocha aromas lead the nose while the bracing palate offers raw red berry, anise, coffee and a hint of chocolate. Grainy tannins provide firm support but leave an astringent finish. Wait another few years for the tannins to soften a bit then drink up.
Toast, espresso, black plum and leather aromas open up in the nose. The round, juicy palate delivers ripe black cherry, blackberry, dark cooking spice and a gamy note alongside fine-grained tannins that give it a firm finish.
Toast, espresso, coffee bean and dark berry aromas emerge on this firmly structured red. It's still very much on its oak, showing unripe sour cherry backed up by oak-driven spice including vanilla and coconut alongside grippy tannins.
Toast, espresso, mocha, plum and leather aromas lead the nose on this structured wine. The palate offers bracing tannins and succulent Morello cherry and cassis layered with notes of chocolate, licorice, mint and vanilla. Drink after 2018.
Toast, espresso, oak and grilled herb aromas lead the nose while the palate offers dried black cherry, raw cranberry, orange zest and oak. Raspy tannins leave a bracing, drying finish.
Toast, espresso, oak and grilled sage aromas lead the way while the firm palate delivers ripe raspberry, fleshy cherry, powdered sage and star anise. Astringent tannins provide support but also dry out the finish.
Toast, espresso, underbrush and scorched earth aromas carry over to the palate along with unripe red berry, licorice and chopped herb. It's still tight, with youthfully aggressive tannins.
Toast, hay, pear, light ginger and savory herb aromas take shape in the glass. The linear palate offers tart green apple, citrus, brimstone and a smoky note, while crisp acidity adds freshness.
Toast, hazelnut and pastry aromas lead the way. The elegant palate delivers yellow apple, citrus zest and a hint of bread crust alongside small, persistent bubbles and fresh acidity.
Toast, iodine, steel and kumquat-skin aromas show on this bottling from one of the region's older properties. The palate offers stone fruit ripeness but is driven by a sharp, citrusy acidity of Meyer lemon and Mexican lime.
Toast, lemon peel, apple and butter are the opening aromas, and they are followed by solid but pedestrian peach, apricot, melon and pear flavors. Big in the mouth, with modest acidity. Thus, while it's holding firm now, our advice is to get at it soon.
Toast, lightly roasted Marcona almonds, a touch of hazelnut and hints of melon and lemon blossom converge on the nose of this delicious and cleanly made wine. The flavors are savory, full of lemon zest and sea salt, hinged together by lines of well-rounded acidity. It would pair with everything from lighter fish dishes to smoked chicken.
Toast, lime and nut butter aromas lead to full-bodied but well-balanced kiwi and pineapple flavors that carry on the finish. The concentration wavers at times but there's plenty to hold interest.
Toast, mint, red berry and leather aromas come together on this firm red. The palate offers up ripe wild cherry, grilled herb, clove and anise while assertive tannins provide the framework and leave an astringent finish.
Toast, mocha and vanilla aromas lead the charge, followed by a lactic palate with a lot of oak resin and creaminess. As for flavors, this blend deals upfront oak and medicinal berry fruits. A resiny, sticky finish teeters on cloying.
Toast, mocha, spiced plum and pipe tobacco aromas come together in this savory red. The palate offers juicy raspberry, wild cherry, star anise and vanilla notes with firm, refined tannins. Drink 2018–2026.
Toast, moist earth, iris and grilled herb aromas lead the nose. The lean, simple palate offers sour cherry, French oak and clove flavors, while raspy but fleeting tannins leave a drying finish. You'll also find a bitter, green note of powdered sage on the finish.
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.
Toast, oak and sage aromas follow through to the lean palate along with espresso, dried cherry and a note reminiscent of buttered popcorn. It's tightly wound, with aggressive tannins that leave a bracing finish. Give the tannins a few years to soften then drink soon.
Toast, oak, coconut and mocha aromas take center stage and carry over to the palate along with star anise and baking spice. It lacks fruit richness while bracing tannins grip the finish.
Toast, oak, coffee, underbrush and baked plum aromas unfold on this extremely ripe, full-bodied wine. The densely concentrated palate delivers blackberry jam, licorice, oak roasted coffee bean, coconut and a vanilla note alongside astringent tannins. Give the tannins another few years to soften then drink sooner rather than later.
Toast, oak, menthol and coconut aromas carry over to the bracing palate along with mocha and mint. It lacks fruit richness while raspy tannins generate an astringent close.
Toast, oak, roasted coffee bean, mature plum and underbrush aromas lift out of the glass. The taut palate is loaded with oak-driven spice, espresso, a green note of bitter sage and dried berry but it lacks fruit richness. Astringent tannins clench the finish.
Toast, oak, underbrush, pressed rose and coffee aromas lead the way. The palate delivers roasted coffee beans, coconut, licorice and mint but it lacks fruit richness. Astringent tannins give a mouth-drying finish. This is already tired so drink soon.
Toast, plum, dark berry, ground pepper, tilled soil and coffee aromas come together in the glass. The chewy palate offers fleshy black cherry, juicy blackberry, licorice and tobacco alongside smooth, velvety tannins and bright acidity.
Toast, ripe dark berry and camphor aromas take shape in the glass while the chewy palate offers ripe raspberry, juicy black cherry, uplifting mint and a mineral note. Youthfully assertive, fine-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink 2018–2025.
Toast, roasted coffee bean and anisette aromas lift from the glass. The tense palate offers dried cherry, toasted oak, star anise and a hint of white pepper alongside bracing tannins.
Toast, savory herb, vanilla and dark cherry aromas are followed by lush, full-bodied fruit and barrel flavors. Vanilla and dill notes are speckled throughout and at times intrude.
Toast, spice and juicy citrus flavors blend together in this crisp wine. Its acidity is prominent, giving plenty of freshness to a wine that is also tangy. With the toastiness now well integrated, the wine is ready to drink.
Toast, spice, lees and baked-apple aromas are followed by medium-bodied flavors that show restraint.
Toast, truffle, coconut and oak aromas unfold on this robust wine. The densely concentrated palate shows dried black cherry, bitter chocolate and oak-driven spice alongside austere, teeth-coating tannins that leave an astringent finish. It doesn't have quite enough fruit richness to stand up to the oak sensations.
Toast, underbrush, fragrant blue flower and woodland berry aromas lead the way. The firm palate offers tart red cherry, licorice and baking spice alongside fine-grained tannins that lend elegant structure. Drink 2018–2024.
Toast, underbrush, leather, truffle, mature black-skinned berry and game are some of the aromas you'll find on this. The round, juicy palate offers ripe Morello cherry, a hint of stewed berry, grilled herb, hazelnut and clove while firm, fine-grained tannins offer seamless support. Drink 2018–2025.
Toast, vanilla and spice on the nose start this elegantly constructed white from, Attica. The wine's lemon and lime flavors are layered with cedar and vanilla notes. An appealing pour with more years to age.
Toast, violet and plum aromas lead the way and carry over to the inviting palate along with mature blackberry, vanilla and cinnamon. Dusty tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2018.
Toasted almond aromas follow through to give this wine a creamy, nutty character. There's vanilla, soft acidity and a final thrust of acidity.
Toasted almond aromas lead the way in this elegant, harmonious offering. It's medium bodied and plump, easily supporting intriguing notes of smoke, pineapple, peach and citrus. Drink now–2020.
Toasted almond, wild berry, plump cherry and wild raspberry open the nose on this Sangiovese, which has the varietal's characteristic freshness as well.
Toasted aromas come along with fragrances of espresso, forest floor and woodland berries. The palate delivers raw red cherry layered with mocha and coffee bean alongside astringent wood tannins that generate a drying, bitter finish.
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.
Toasted aromas, oak and a whiff of woodland berry lead the nose. The bright palate offers strawberry, bread crust, toasted hazelnut and a hint of graphite alongside a silky perlage. Enjoy soon.
Toasted bramble berry aromas come with hints of tree bark and mixed spices. This feels chewy, dense and round, while flavors of roasted plum and berry are well spiced. The chewy, round, tannic finish is rooty and spicy.
Toasted bread crust, citrus and apple are just some of the aromas that characterize this lovely sparkler. A blanc de noirs made with 100% Pinot Nero, it offers a vibrant palate that delivers nectarine, roasted almond, pastry cream and mineral alongside persistent bubbles and fresh acidity. It also boasts enough structure to age for several years. Drink through 2017.
Toasted bread crust, citrus blossom, honey and a balsamic note are some of the aromas you'll find on this wine which is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero. The palate offers Golden Delicious apple, nectarine, hazelnut and dried herb alongside firm, persistent bubbles.
Toasted bread crust, pressed yellow flower and yellow stone fruit aromas lead the way while the linear, slightly lean palate offers yellow apple skin and citrus notes. Bright acidity lends freshness while bitter almond colors the finish.
Toasted hazelnut and apple flavors infuse this wine's light- to medium-bodied frame, which comes with a coarse, foamy bead.
Toasted hazelnut, beeswax, chamomile, sea breeze and citrus zest aromas carry over to the bright, medium-bodied palate, along with flinty mineral and pear notes. A warm honey tone anchors the linear finish.
Toasted hazelnut, charred earth, underbrush, stewed prune and roasted coffee bean aromas all carry over to robust, one-dimensional palate along with mocha and a confectionary note. Solid tannins provide the robust framework.
Toasted hazelnut, dark spice and roasted herb aromas lead the nose. The ripe, approachable palate offers dark chocolate, ground pepper, stewed prune and mocha alongside velvety tannins.
Toasted hazelnut, espresso and eucalyptus aromas lead the nose. The bracing palate is tight and rather closed, but eventually reveals licorice, tart cherry and orange peel alongside grainy tannins. An anisette note closes the warm finish.
Toasted hazelnut, golden apple and citrus scents lift out of the glass. The linear, elegant palate delivers ripe pear, lemon zest, bread crust and mineral alongside a refined perlage. It finishes crisp and dry.
Toasted hazelnut, Honeycomb cereal, apple pie and orange cream lead the powerful nose of this decadent Chenin. The medium-weight palate is lush and smooth in texture, with ample acidity to counter the ripe baked apple and honeydew fruit. Toasted, buttered nuts and sweet spice flavors abound on the finish. Drink now.
Toasted hazelnut, menthol, culinary spice and mature berry aromas lift out of the glass. The straightforward palate offers dried black cherry, licorice, clove and firm tannins.
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.
Toasted hazelnuts, lime zest and broad peach notes show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is relatively flat and easy with yellow apples and a tang of lemongrass with a buttered finish.
Toasted herbs, pressed violets, cola and a touch of tar frame the nose on this wine from pioneer Pierre Lafond and winemaker Bruce McGuire. The palate offers purple-flower candy flavors, with light elderberry juice and a lifting clove-meets-mint character.
Toasted marshmallow aromas lead the way, underscored by hints of white peach, vanilla and citrus. The palate is broad at first, then progressively narrows into tight, crisp notes of lemon and orange zest on the finish.
Toasted notes of almond and spice give this expression of Cabernet Sauvignon momentum and density. Blackberry, moist earth and tobacco aromas make up the generous bouquet.
Toasted notes of roasted almond, popcorn, dark coffee and vanilla extract set the stage. Doppiozeta is a new wine from Zisola that offers soft, sweet flavors and bright fruit succulence. Pair this wine with lamb, beef or pork.
Toasted nut and balsamic notes and a whiff of cellar floor dominate the nose of this wine. Although shy in terms of fruit richness, it shows assertive and brooding licorice, espresso, fig and dried cherry notes on the palate. The tannins are close grained.
Toasted nut and bread crust aromas carry over to the bright palate along with mature apple, strawberry, citrus and a note of dried herb. Soft small bubbles lend elegance while fresh acidity lifts the finish.
Toasted nut and yellow apple aromas segue over to the ripe structured palate along with citrus peel and graphite. A hazelnut note closes the lingering finish.
Toasted nut, caramel and sweet cedar aromas are followed by hot, spicy flavors, rounded by sweet cherry and vanilla. Earthy but a touch flirty, this wine has an indigenous appeal.
Toasted nut, pressed chamomile and citrus aromas follow through to the palate, joining apple skin and yellow pear notes. A saline hint marks the finish.
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.
Toasted nut, smoke and slate aromas lend complexity and nuance to this high-pitched Riesling Sekt. Lemon-lime acidity and vivacious effervescence give the palate an electric feel, countered nicely by delicate swirls of sweet red apple and caramel. It's concentrated and boldly penetrating through a long finish.
Toasted nut, yellow melon, pear and struck match scents show on the nose of this bottling from a steep, rocky vineyard in the mountains between Malibu and the Conejo Valley. It's tightly wound on the palate, with a core of pear, apple and nectarine flesh, accented with sea salt and oak smoke flavors.
Toasted nuts, seared marshmallows, roasted corn and dried apple play on the nose of this richly layered wine. The palate shows plenty of lively sea salt from front to back, along with concentrated citrus character and an apple-syrup ripeness.
Toasted oak adds spice and vanilla notes to the red cherry, pomegranate and leather flavors. This is forward, structured and rich in body, balanced by brisk acidity and a ruffle of fine-grained tannins. It finishes long on a minty sour-cherry note.
Toasted oak and caramel apple mark the entry of this wine, from a coveted and steady source of Carneros fruit. Lush and hedonistic in Golden Delicious apple and pear, it retains a core of minerality throughout, finishing clean and bright.
Toasted oak and cardamom aromas give way to powerful oaky flavors on the palate, where maple, stewed plum and toasted bread flavors accompany a soft, easy texture.
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
Toasted oak and maple syrup aromas meet indulgent brown sugar and blackberry jam flavors in this very ripe-tasting, full-bodied wine. It's easy to gulp and enjoy, not being especially brawny or tannic, and should be great with pulled pork or Mexican molé.
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.
Toasted oak and vanilla give this wine substance and style. It's fuller bodied and robust on the palate, still young and holding on to some weight. A touch of grapefruit spruces up the proceedings, providing crispness just in time.
Toasted oak integrates nicely with fresh fruit aromas. The flavors are more hidden, with subtle strawberry, black tea tannins and just enough acidity making for an even, well-priced wine.
Toasted oak scents of espresso and char coat the underlying blackberry note. Although the palate is lax, the acidity becomes heightened as the wine unfurls across the palate. A pleasant note of raspberry coulis marks finish. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Toasted oak, citrus and yellow apple aromas lead the nose. They follow through to the medium-bodied palate,. along with a hint of candied lemon. A bitter almond note marks the finish.
Toasted oak, citrus zest and honey aromas lead followed by a balsamic note. The palate offers walnut, oak and the barest hint of butterscotch but it lacks fruit richness.
Toasted oak, coconut, espresso and exotic spice aromas come together in the glass. The firm palate offers blackberry, licorice and oak-driven spice alongside grainy tannins and brisk acidity.
Toasted oak, coffee and vanilla lead the nose and carry over to the palate along with dense cherry extract and espresso. Raspy wood tannins leave an astringent, abrupt finish.
Toasted oak, coffee, scorched earth, baked plum and a whisper of exotic spice lead the way. The chewy, full-bodied palate offers mature black cherry, raspberry compote, anise and espresso alongside fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins that lend restraint and finesse.
Toasted oak, espresso and a whiff of tire rubber open the nose on this wine. The palate displays crushed black cherry alongside coffee, sweet vanilla and plum. Bracing tannins need time to integrate.
Toasted oak, espresso and exotic spice aromas emerge on this structured red. On the palate, French oak, vanilla, and chocolate underscore ripe berries while raspy tannins leave an astringent mouth-drying close.
Toasted oak, espresso and red berry aromas lead the nose. The palate delivers roasted coffee bean, toast and black pepper but not a lot of fruit richness. Astringent wood tannins give a mouth-drying finish.
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.
Toasted oak, espresso, new leather and steeped plum aromas waft out of the glass. The bracing palate offers grilled herb, licorice, toast and dried berry flavors, framed by grainy tannins that grip the finish.
Toasted oak, hazelnut and fresh herb aromas carry over to the lean, linear palate, along with lemon drop, yellow apple and a confected notes. Crisp acidity lends a racy elegance.
Toasted oak, pressed flower, exotic spice and aromatic herb aromas emerge on this firmly structured wine. The mature palate doles out dried black cherry, iron, coffee, sage and anise accompanied by close grained tannins that give the finish grip. A hint of graphite announces the close.
Toasted oak, roasted coffee bean, dill and espresso aromas lead the nose on this Tuscan red. On the palate, notes of exotic spice accent the core of dried black cherry alongside drying but fleeting tannins. It lacks fruit richness and is shy on freshness so drink sooner rather than later.
Toasted pastry-crust and macadamia nut notes frame core aromas of white orchard fruits. The palate tastes concentrated and feels round, and snappy acids invigorate the finish.
Toasted popcorn kernel is the chief note. Medium in body, it bears simple pomaceous flavors and even-keeled acids.
Toasted popcorn kernel, apricot pit and vanilla aromas lead onto the pliant palate. It offers slender flavors and acids that pick up verve as the wine works its way toward the finish.
Toasted sandalwood, hints of sagebrush, crushed pencils, tart cranberry and vanilla brioche show on the nose of this bottling. The tannic structure is light but shows structure and tension, with rich flavors of cherry, cola, vanilla and clove.
Toasted sourdough bread and briny lemon show on the nose and palate, with dusty oak and slightly burnt toast on the finish.
Toasted wheat bread is layered with fresh peaches and honey in this lightweight yet flavorful Chardonnay. Peach and vanilla flavors finish cleanly, marked by a lingering toasty edge.
Toasted, smoky oak is the dominant aroma, veneering the herb-tinged raspberry and dark cherry notes. Drying tannins frame the shallow flavors, and the cranberry-like acidity adds tartness to the light- to medium-bodied palate.
Toastier and smokier than the other bottlings, with clove and coffee accents dressing up sturdy plum and earth flavors. Finishes long, with hints of tart plum skin and dusty tannins. Seems as if rare duck breast would be a perfect match.
Toasty and bright, this garnet-colored wine offers fresh cherry and roasted nut aromas that balance each other nicely. The wine's medium body is backed by a touch of heat and a note of tangy exotic spice.
Toasty and citrusy, this is a prototypical méthode Champenoise sparkler, blending Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from the cool island of Tasmania, off Australia's southern coast. It's medium in weight, with a crisp lemony finish that invites a second sip.
Toasty and creamy, with just a touch of earthy mustiness on the nose; this is like a star just starting to do an elegant fade. There’s tangy fruit with a touch of oxidized maturity, a full texture, but a very faint bead. Good elements abound here and the wine still displays class, but it seems like it might have been brighter before
Toasty and dark-fruited, Huber's 2007 Bombacher Sommerhalde R falls somewhere between the Wildenstein and Malterdinger Bienenberg in style. It's less herbal and more powerful than the former, but not as muscular as the latter. The tannins are still silky, yet there's great intensity, ending on a long, slightly charred note. Drink 2012–2020.
Toasty and elegant from the beginning. The nose breathes Christmas spice and mature berry fruits, while the palate deals a persistent structure and acidity for added spine. Tastes a little rooty and savory, with root beer and chocolate notes to the finish. Drink now or hold thru 2016.
Toasty and firm, this pure Petit Verdot is rich with black cherry and cassis. Whiffs of smoke and a slight burn in the finish suggest that further bottle age will bring in more barrel nuances (from 40% new American oak) and smooth out the finish.
Toasty and honeyed in scent, this has aromas of glazed apples and pears, butterscotch and an edge of Meyer lemon zest. Medium to full bodied, the palate is vibrant and expressive, with the lemon note carrying the finish.
Toasty and mellow on the nose, with aromas of baked apple and papaya. It feels good, with lively acidity that boosts the wine's core texture. Meanwhile, flavors of toasted apple and quince get richness from vanilla and oak accents. Long, viscous and baked on the finish.
Toasty and nutty upfront, with hints of minerality showing through, this is a refined Chardonnay that should have the structure to age. Despite being barrel-fermented, there's no malolactic fermentation, so it stays crisp through the long finish that barely hints at pear and peach.
Toasty and oaky, but in a warm and lovable way, all underpinned by lean citrusy fruit that helps maintain a sense of balance and proportion. There's even a bit of crème brûlée thrown into the mix. Finishes smoothly, with nary a rough edge. Best Buy.
Toasty and oaky, with wood-grilled peach and roasted apple-skin aromas unfolding on the nose. Melon and pear flavors flesh out the medium-weight mouth, and linger alongside hints of sweet spice and charred wood on the close.
Toasty and oily smelling, with baked apple aromas for fruit. The palate is medium in intensity and round, with standard peach and apple flavors. Finishes soft, sweet and a tiny bit mealy. Drink soon.
Toasty and relatively smooth, with a comfortable nose and body. Smoothness is this wine's prime attribute, while the flavors are your basic apple and citrus. Finishes with tang and zest, and overall the wine satisfies while not pressing too hard to do so.
Toasty and rich, this offers generous blackberry and black cherry fruit, scented with cigarbox and streaked with veins of dark chocolate. It's long and supple, matching instant flavor appeal to long-term cellar potential. Drink now through 2025.
Toasty and ripe, this is a smooth, lightly textured wine full of yellow fruits lifted by crisp apple and lime juice. Rich while also fresh, it's a warm wine. Drink now.
Toasty and slightly roasted scents introduce a wine dominated by barrel flavors. Aged for 30 months in one-third new oak, the fruit seems pushed back and out of reach, at least temporarily. Light hints of simple red fruits quickly yield to a liquorous finish, showing some heat and, oddly, a distinct impression of banana.
Toasty and solid on the nose, with hints of mineral, dark spice, black olive and cassis. It's structured but a little rich and sticky, with sweet berry and cassis flavors along with brown sugar on the finish. A blend of six grapes that's easygoing and generous. Drink now through 2013.
Toasty and sweet on the nose, however it's not very complex. Feels juicy and refined, with raisin, fig and date flavors. Long on the finish and chocolaty tasting, with raisin and a lightness of being. Sweet within the style, but not unctuous or candied.
Toasty and tart, this lively wine is built upon wild-picked berry flavors. There is a streak of iron or metal running through the center of the palate; a flavor that some tasters will enjoy more than others.
Toasty and vanilla-scented, with deeper, riper fruit than the Reserva and an extra layer of textural richness. It's plummy, chocolaty and slightly fudge-like in flavor.
Toasty and yeasty, this medium-full rosé opens with berry, rose and earth notes, and has full cherry-berry flavors with herb accents on the palate. Displays a good bead, and closes dry and long with berry flavors and appealing tarragon and ripe tomato notes.
Toasty aroams of grilled apple, peach and honeycomb lead the way on the nose of this attractive wine, though with some restraint and overall balance, thanks to supporting acidity and ripe, juicy fruit flavors on the palate. Notes of sweet orange oil and ginger-peach tea grace the medium-length finish. Drink now–2019.
Toasty aromas abound, and the acidity is well integrated with the fruit and biscuit flavors. Pure brioche and ripeness. Ready to drink.
Toasty aromas announce a strong barrel influence, but otherwise there's not much going on. In the mouth, this is plump and soft, with moderate acidity. Flavors of baked apple are heavy, warm and finish resiny, with a leftover note of tropical fruits including melon.
Toasty aromas are followed by intense black plum fruits twisted with tannins and polished with wood. It's an impressive, powerful wine, with a complex structure. Firm at this stage, it need 4¬–5 years at least to age.
Toasty aromas are not enough to smother the intense, rich and concentrated fruitiness of this powerful wine. Structured and with a firm backbone, it is slow in developing. its brooding dark character still very obvious. However, the fruit is all there, waiting to release the burst of red-berry flavors. Drink from 2022.
Toasty aromas fold in baked apple notes. Sharp, sizzling and high in acid, the palate is citric and tough to navigate. Flavors of orange, lemon and sour apple are no shock given the palate.
Toasty aromas go through to the palate, highlighting the wood aging. It is tense, mineral, packed with apple and lemon acidity. The aftertaste is equally crisp and bright.
Toasty aromas include popcorn, scrambled egg and briny white fruits. There's smoothness to the ripe palate, while apple, peach and citrus flavors—the Big Three of cava—finish fruity and with stuffing. This is a ripe winner that's richer and more flavorful than your average brut nature.
Toasty aromas lead the nose of this bottling from the Parker family's own vineyard, with brioche, freshly peeled lemon and a slight walnut touch. The palate shows restraint, just barely allowing its crushed chalk, Asian pear, exotic white flower and chamomile flavors to shine through.
Toasty aromas mix with notes of freshly shucked corn and biscuit. The flavors are spritzy and lively, with berry flavors on the finish.
Toasty aromas suggest maple, along with a note of sawdust to accompany earthy berry scents. A rich, pure palate is intense but shows balance and comportment. Blackberry, cassis, peppery spice and integrated oak flavors are detailed, with a smooth finish. Drink this full-bodied wonder through 2028.
Toasty as well as fruity, this serious and complex wine has powerful tannins, a dense structure, red fruits and good concentration. There is weight here and aging potential.
Toasty black-cherry aromas are also minty and a bit leafy. In the mouth, this veers off course. It's highly acidic, with a shearing character that turns plum and berry fruit sour. Tongue-smacking and astringent on the finish. Tasted twice with mostly similar findings.
Toasty blackberry and prune are the key aromas on this plush Cabernet. A generous mouthfeel includes choppy tannins that will mellow in due time. Dark flavors of cassis and blackberry include spice and chocolate notes, while this finishes with ripe flavors of blackberry touched up by chocolaty oak. Drink this calm, slightly flabby Cab through 2021.
Toasty but also pickled, with a lot of wood spice and other oak-based aromas and flavors. At one moment the wine seems to have the right stuff: citrus and some length. But upon further inspection the fruit turns foxy and shows itself to be overripe. Loses steam as it unfolds. Imported by North American Beverage Group.
Toasty but dull, with oily walnut aromas matched by stale fruit. This is heavy and baked out; sweet and flat as a board.
Toasty graham crackers and nutmeg make for a compelling entry into this wine, a blend of Petite Sirah, Merlot, Carignan, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The disparate elements come together in a bold, concentrated way, the tannins integrated around dark, black fruit and leathery black pepper.
Toasty melon and peach aromas are oaky but elegant, sort of like nice Burgundy. A round balanced palate definitely suggests quality Chardonnay, but this is 95% Viura and the rest Malvasia. Oak and spice flavors render white-fruit notes secondary, and the finish is more of the same. Drink through 2020.
Toasty mocha and coffee-bean aromas play around the nose before the dark plum fruit hits the palate, where the mocha theme continues. Luscious, rounded and soft, this is a winner on cool evenings, even without food—or perhaps just a little square of dark chocolate.
Toasty nose, bright fruit, makes for a classy, creamy, zippy Zin. This is really a pleasure, balanced and forward and full of life. There are some nuances of tar and spice in a balanced, exceptionally lively, seductive wine.
Toasty notes dominate a low-fruit bouquet. This feels foamy on the palate, with flavors of burnt wood, berry and peach. The finish is brings burnt sugar, with a mildly bitter character.
Toasty oak and backed structure appear first, with lots of charming cherry fruit and savory notes of undergrowth, inside. Tightly knit and well made, with a dense core of red cherry and an appetizing length.
Toasty oak and black pepper hit first on the palate and nose, followed by savory, dry tannin, black cherry and vanilla. Restrained and in balance, the Cabernet is supported by 12% Petit Verdot, which adds girth and intensity without becoming extreme.
Toasty oak and rich crème caramel are top of mind in this estate-grown wine, sourced from two distinct blocks on property planted to Clone 4, as well as the Platt Wente Clone. Together they combine to offer an intensity of body and texture, finishing softly in citrus and red apple.
Toasty oak and vanilla aromas are draped heavily over blueberry and blackberry notes. Staunch, rubbery tannins and bold acidity make for a high-toned flavor profile of herbs, black fruit and briny salt. A long, oaky, herbal finish is silky and lusty.
Toasty oak aromas are mild and fold in some baked apple notes. The palate feels layered and rich, while toasty flavors of peach, nectarine and melon end in a medium-length finish that's well controlled and juicy.
Toasty oak frames dark, earthy flavors in this Cabernet from Western Australia. Despite being medium to full in body, it turns crisp on the finish, an enjoyable contradiction highlighted by tart plum notes and hints of tapenade. Drink now–2018.
Toasty oak is wrapped around some complex elements: blackberry, violets, tar, cedar, coffee and game. Big, very dark fruit, tobacco and toast flavors soar, and the mouthfeel is intense yet not weighty. Fine structure on the finish, with black-currant fruit and tar, coffee and cocoa accents. Great potential; hold two to five years at least.
Toasty oak kicks off the nose of this bottling, and then come touches of vanilla, lemon cookie, flint, buttered toast and almost marshmallow. Flavors are quite smoky, with roasted almond and sea salt, but the grippy texture is the most intriguing part.
Toasty oak yields a smoky nose, but the fruit aromas are mild and hidden, showing only basic apple notes. With ample oak, the wine is slightly resiny in feel, with tropical fruit flavors followed by a wave of oak flavor. Ditto on the finish, which feels solid and good.
Toasty oak, coffee and rooty berry aromas feed into a full, fleshy but still fresh palate. Black-fruit flavors come with an accent of black coffee, while this blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Syrah finishes with toasty mocha and herbal berry flavors.
Toasty oak, oodles of sweet fruit, and supple tannins are hallmarks of superconsultant Michel Rolland, and he has managed to bring them to the masses in this gently constructed Merlot. Bing cherries and toast, with mocha and herb shadings, are brought together with a deft touch.
Toasty oak, pineapples, oranges and vanilla combine in this Chardonnay to make it an easy-drinking everyday sipper. It seems little sweet, like jam.
Toasty oak, wood smoke and baked white-fruit aromas carry the nose. Juicy, cidery acidity bolsters flavors of hickory and bitter peach pit, while apple and woodspice flavors dominate the finish on what amounts to a woody but tangy wine.
Toasty on the nose, with plenty of baked apple and warmth. The palate is round, smooth and toasty, with caramel running alongside baked apple and pear flavors. Sweet on the finish, plump in feel and good overall in a tropical, fun way.
Toasty peach and guava notes unfold on the bouquet, followed by secondary hints of orange essence, woody spice, peach pit and honeycomb. Round and smooth, this shows a certain decadence on the palate. Lush tropical and melon notes are spiced by touches of vanilla and sweet spice but finish clean and mouthwatering. Drink now–2016.
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.
Toasty right away, with lightly baked apple aromas. The palate has a fine feel and good overall intensity, while the flavors of lemon, white grapefruit and apple are subtle and clean. Long and persistent, and showing quite a bit for a standard nonvintage Cava.
Toasty ripe fruit, very yeasty in character, with flavors of biscuit and bread crust. The fruit is less obvious, but this is a wine with some serious intent, better with food than as an apéritif.
Toasty scents from having aged in 40% new French oak waft over the tart raspberry fruit. This is a very clean, focused, well-defined Syrah. It's not too big, but crisp and classy, with some aging potential over the next 6–8 years.
Toasty vanilla and cinnamon aromas mingle with densely packed note of blueberry, blackberry and plum. The weighted midpalate is supported by structured yet ripe tannins and an interesting meaty streak. Drink from 2015.
Toasty wine, maybe over-toasty, giving a buttery malolactic feel. Its acidity and its freshness are both enveloped in a more opulent embrace.
Toasty wood and crisp lemon complement one another in this medium-bodied, richly layered and developed wine, complex in green apple and nutmeg. There's lovely structure behind this wine as well, making for a food-friendly pairing that should age well in bottle another couple of years.
Toasty woodsmoke aromas are matched by wild berry, cassis, cherry and marshmallow scents on the nose of this huge Malbec. Creamy feeling but also inky and fully concentrated, this tastes like black cherry and cough drops. Candied ripeness carries onto the finish along with chocolate and dry spice flavors. Drink through 2022.
Toasty, bready and oxidized, this lacks freshness. The palate is low on structure and carbonic foundation, while flavors of papaya and scrambled eggs are sulfuric. A yeasty, bready finish seems spent.
Toasty, briny citrus aromas lead to a pinched and strained palate. The flavors are a touch bitter, with oily apple and stone-fruit flavors. The nutty finish is solid but low on fruit character.
Toasty, buttery and laced with tropical fruit, this is a full-bodied, fully-oaked Chardonnay that manages to pull all that off with grace and aplomb, thanks to healthy acid levels and admirable concentration. Long on the finish; drink now through 2013.
Toasty, buttery and spicy, this blend's aromas and flavors are heavily influenced by barrique. So if you are oak-averse, be warned. The lavish wood is adequately supported by a wine that has good weight and density but doesn't contribute much additional flavor.
Toasty, caramelized oak and sweet heat from high alcohol dominate this wine. The blackberry and cherry fruit flavors are very ripe. Drink now.
Toasty, caramelized oak dominates the aroma and flavor of this Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. It tastes soft and a little short of power.
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.
Toasty, charred, fiery aromas of black fruits are anything but shy. This feels tannic in general, with softness around the edges of the palate. Flavors of prune, spice cake and coffee finish toasty and warm, with lasting, hard tannins. Drink through 2023.
Toasty, dense and tannic, this combines blueberry fruit, roasted walnut and sappy acidity in a fresh, youthful and delicious wine. Drink now through 2022.
Toasty, dense, dark and complex, this is suffused with a complex mix of coffee, earth, butterscotch, cherry and mineral, with an underlayer of game, roasted almond, herb and earth. Still a baby, young and tight, it opens out with decanting, turning silky and supple. The balance is impeccable, and herbal nuances are preserved, despite the 14.7% alcohol.
Toasty, inviting aromas of apple and melon lead to a balanced palate with layered flavors of resiny oak, pear and peach. The finish continues with resin and oak, but by then it has already established itself as a well-balanced wine, with tasty flavors of white and tropical fruit.
Toasty, mealy aromas combine with peach and smoke in a beguiling, complex nose that resembles a fine Chassagne-Montrachet. Flavors of peach and citrus coat the palate without ever seeming overly rich, heavy or oily, extending through the long ripe-citrus finish.
Toasty, minty and sweet smelling. The palate is dark, full and choppy feeling, with cola, coconut, mint, blackberry and cassis flavors. There's good power and depth to this Malbec; a bit rough and herbal at the finish line.
Toasty, oaky and a bit lemony on the nose, this has baked apple notes that are friendly. It feels round and honeyed, with toasty, candied flavors that veer toward pear, apple and honey. Resin and cinnamon flavors work the soft, sweet-tasting finish.
Toasty, oaky aromas of graphite, pepper, barrel char and black fruits properly announce a palate of chewy tannins and several layers of blackberry, cassis, barrel-spice, toast and chocolate flavors. Chocolaty depth on the finish only adds to the package. Drink through 2030.
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.
Toasty, pomaceous scents lead onto the lithe, medium-bodied palate. The acidity gains steam on the finish, making the wine feel zesty and tense.
Toasty, resiny blackberry aromas open this full-bodied, tannic, grabby Tinto Fino that piles on the lushness. Loamy blackberry, earth and mocha flavors are backed by a smooth, chocolaty, heady finish that's hot but not vicious. Drink through 2022.
Toasty, roasted aromas of baked berry and earth head straight to a narrowly built yet weighty palate with earth, plum and raspberry notes. On the finish, this holds onto its plum and raspberry flavors as well as its fresh feel.
Toasty, roasted aromas of earthy plum and berry fruits set up a full-bodied but friendly palate of soft tannins. Dark, oaky, minty flavors of black fruits finish with peppery spice, good length and some heat.
Toasty, smoky aromas from new oak come close to concealing shy apples and citrus fruits, but the strong spicy flavors assert themselves on the palate. A very long finish completes the picture.
Toasty, smoky black-fruit aromas come with a fair amount of density and char. This is plush but balanced, with blackberry, blueberry and toasty oak flavors. A solid but quick finish isn't complex but it does confirm the wine's quality. The wine is 85% Malbec with the remainder Bonarda, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Toasty, smoky oak aromas and flavors dominate this medium-bodied wine that is soft around the edges. With little noticeable tannin and low acidity it comes off as slightly sweet.
Toasty, tarry aromas include dark berry and baked plum notes. This offers ample tartaric acidity to cut the wine's weight, while flavors of berry, tea, mint and herbs lead to a good tasting but hollow feeling finish.
Toasty, warm, charred aromas accent earthy, enticing plum and prune scents. This ripe, round, well-structured Rioja is moderately deep on the palate but also bouncy and elegant. Earthy baked-plum flavors come with leathery accents and savory oak, while the finish is lasting and balanced. Drink through 2018.
Toasty, warm, lusty dark-berry aromas are laced with a subtle animal accent. This is a big wine, with a fleshy, tannic, muscular feel. Flavors of blackberry, mocha and chocolate finish in fine form, with moderate tannic grip and all sorts of length. Drink this excellent Toro through 2022.
Toasty, with a bit of cedar or menthol on the nose; red berries and licorice on the palate. The fruit here is delicate and tart, particularly on the finish, where the flavors are almost lemony.
Tobacco and cedar aromas add complexity to this medium-bodied wine that relies more on savory, herbal and spicy notes than fruit flavors.
Tobacco and clove aromas ride high on the mildly leafy bouquet. It feels round, juicy, tannic and tight, with mature berry, spice, earth and leather flavors. It remains earthy and mature on the finish, which fades to a blackened, spicy expression with notes of tomato and spice.
Tobacco and mint aromas cloud the wine's bouquet, while the palate starts out rough and scratchy, with a heavy dose of grape-skin tannin. Upon airing it offers more berry fruit but also salty, leathery finishing flavors. And the tannins never really cease.
Tobacco and some green pepper on an otherwise fruity plain. When you think of cru bourgeois Bordeaux, this fits the image and flavor profile. It's lean, but balanced. Tea and licorice are definable on the finish.
Tobacco and spice aromas lead into flavors of jammy fruit and vanilla. A touch smoky on the finish, with pretty aromatics typical of the grape. Pair with lamb or grilled meats.
Tobacco and tar stand out in this densely packed, robustly built estate, 100% varietal wine. Full bodied, it's a study in dark chocolate and smoked meats, wrapped in oak and black pepper. There's some serious power to this wine.
Tobacco aromas and tight tannins set the scene for a wine that is light and fresh, with tangy berry fruits.
Tobacco aromas are followed by a palate that is classic smoky, cool Cabernet Franc. With tannins, juicy acidity and light red berry flavors, it's a fruity wine with a bright aftertaste.
Tobacco box and cedar notes lend savory nuances to this stately, but slightly subdued Cabernet Sauvignon. Delicate black plum and cherry flavors are crisp and cool, fringed by soft fine tannins. Drink now through 2018.
Tobacco leaf and dried herb dot the landscape of this velvety wine, made from the producer's estate-grown grapes. Blackberry and dusty mocha are girded by bittersweet tannin and toasted oak.
Tobacco leaf, black currant and cinnamon color the nose of this Merlot. Suggestions of black fruits are buried by oak flavors of cigar box, vanilla, cinnamon and tobacco on the palate. Intensely tannic, the wine finishes with a strong cigar box flavor.
Tobacco leaf, new leather, forest floor and blackberry open the nose of this nicely ruby-colored Brunello di Montalcino. This wine delivers aromas of cedar wood, vanilla seed, black fruit and exotic spice. In the mouth, it is bright and tonic with sweet oak or cherry fruit flavors on the close. It's almost ready to drink now.
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.
Tobacco, black pepper and allspice lead this accessible red blend from Elios. On the palate, cheerful red berry and raspberry flavors are both smooth and friendly, with a touch of tobacco spice to add kick. Pair with grilled lamb, pizza.
Tobacco, brown sugar, dried fruit and vanilla aromas work the bouquet, which is very nice. In the mouth, however, it's acidic, almost to the point of being citrusy. Flavors of earthy sour plum and raspberry are propped up by lasting acids, while the palate teeters on lemony and shear. Drink now.
Tobacco, cassis and vanilla notes bring the aromas and flavors, while the wine's firm structure gives a medium-weight feel and dusty texture. Drink now–2025.
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.
Tobacco, earth, sage and pencil notes contribute inviting character to this full-bodied, structured red. Softly layered and rounded on the palate, it offers moderate complexity and a grippy, leathery finish.
Tobacco, mature plum, espresso and toast aromas lead the nose. The round, full-bodied palate offers dried black cherry, mature blackberry, licorice, black pepper and toasted oak alongside velvety tannins.
Tobacco, mocha, lemony oak and red-fruit aromas comprise a good, traditional Rioja bouquet. The mouthfeel is pinched and raw, while herb, tomato and dried raspberry flavors carry the palate to an earthy, mossy conclusion. Drink this very good Rioja now through 2018.
Tobacco, rooty spice, black cherry and earthy aromas set up a high-acid palate that's racy and shearing. Flavors of toasty oak, plum, raspberry and carob finish long and wiry, with a note of citric acidity. Drink through 2023.
Tobacco, toast, French oak and cured meat aromas lead the nose. The rather lean palate offers dried cherry, licorice, oak-driven spice and a green note of powdered sage but not a lot of fruit richness. Grainy tannins leave a mouth-drying finish.
Tocai Friulano and Ribolla Gialla give this wine attractive floral aromas and full flavors of tropical fruits (lychees?), while the Sauvignon Blanc in the blend provides grapefruity notes that perfectly balance the effusiveness of the other varieties.
Toffee and almond aromas are a touch aggressive and hot. Matching the nose, this is intense but still well balanced by core acidity. A giant heaping of rancio blends with flavors of almond skins, apricot and salt in front of a never-ending finish.
Toffee and rich spice give this wine its concentrated flavors. It has intensity rather than weight, soft and smooth with final caramel and light acidity.
Toffee and vanilla aromas give an intensely sweet, molasses and caramel flavored wine in an almost syrup-like consistency. It is very ripe, with some honey, balanced with a surprisingly fresh citrus character.
Toffee sweetness on the nose introduces a rich wine with plenty of sweet flavors. Intense in its structured character, solid, this is a wine with good potential.
Toffee, black cherry and orange combine around a softened, yet tightly woven layer of leather and bitter espresso bean in this full-bodied, robust Zinfandel with an approachable palate.
Toffee, caramel and good maturity on this sophisticated wine. There is a spirit edge, but it works because the fruit is subservient to the maturity, ripeness and richness. The aftertaste is just perfumed.
Toffee, exotic spice, vanilla, raspberry and cranberry aromas are backed by full-bodied fruit and barrel flavors. There's a lot of fruit in the bottle but the oak seems to get in the way.
Toh! offers excellent value in the form of fragrant aromas of peach, honey, melon and light floral tones. The wine is lean and compact, yet offers that creamy smoothness that is characteristic of the Friulano grape.
Tohu's latest Pinot Noir boasts somewhat simple cherry and charred-oak flavors but decent weight and texture, with some fine-grained tannins on the finish. Drink now.
Tohu is a wine company owned by New Zealand's indigenous peoples, the Maori. The wines have been mixed over the years, but this is an excellent bottling. It boasts a full, ample mouthfeel and plenty of supple tannins. Black cherry fruit marries well with complex savory notes, while hints of pomegranate brighten the aromas. Drink now.
Toil spearheads an ambitious Oregon project for Chris Figgins (Leonetti Cellar and the Figgins Family). A new vineyard is being developed in the Chehalem Mountains; meanwhile grapes are sourced from Ribbon Ridge and the Eola-Amity Hills. This svelte generous wine still has some baby fat from barrel aging in 30% new French oak. Cherry, cola and toasty oak flavors come together with a touch of underbrush. It's best to give this another year or two of bottle age. Drink it 2020 to 2026.
Tolloy brings us a bright and luminous Pinot Grigio with a very attractive price tag. You'll recognize aromas of citrus, peach, passion fruit and kiwi and the wine would pair with tuna or curry chicken salad.
Tolosa may be the only vineyard to produce two unoaked Chardonnays in the same vintage. Their '11 Central Coast is quite good. This one, from estate Edna Valley fruit, is even better. With keen acidity and a brisk minerality, it shows complex flavors of limes, kiwis and grapefruits, and hints of riper, richer tropical fruits.
Tom Meadowcroft's second label, Thomas Henry, is also sourcing from Borden Ranch in Lodi, as is his slightly higher-priced, lower-alcohol Riesling under the Meadowcroft name. This one not as as fragrant at first, more austere, but fully inviting wih melon, honey and pear. Thai food would be the perfect pairing.
Tomato and basil aromas are suggestive of bolognese sauce. In the mouth, this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvigon and 30% Merlot is rich, syrupy and full of sweet, savory flavors that include molasses, brown sugar, baked berry fruits and oak. A spicy tasting finish includes chocolate and lasting savory notes. Drink through 2018.
Tomato and earthy, soupy notes run alongside blackberry and plum aromas on this mostly fruity, ripe wine. A solid grip and staunch tannins make for a firm mouthfeel, while rubbery, earthy flavors of blackberry and herbs finish lightly bitter and dark.
Tomato and herb aromas are followed by red fruit and peppery notes. The simple finish does nothing to hurt or improve the wine. It's very Average, but drinkable.
Tomato and herbal aromas tell you most of what you need to know about this bargain-priced Cab. It's somewhat green and sweet, with a raw feel and tannic bite. Tastes of tomato and herbal red plum. Feels light on the finish.
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.
Tomato and spiced plum aromas are lightly earthy and a touch rubbery. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo feels ripe and juicy, not rough or scratchy. Plum, berry and spice flavors finish with a shot of pomegranate and red currant.
Tomato leaf and nettle aromas join with grapefruit and tropical fruit. This is both more pungent and rounder than the Reserva, with greater concentration and verve.
Tomato leaf features on the nose and palate of this wine, a characteristic of the Awatere Valley (a subregion of Marlborough). Gooseberries provide a fruity base to this medium-bodied wine, but fade quickly on the finish.
Tomato leaf, cut grass and tropical fruit aromas lead the nose on this racy, linear wine. The vibrant, savory palate doles out juicy yellow grapefruit, yellow peach and a mineral note while lively acidity leaves a crisp, clean finish.
Tomato leaf, herb and spice aromas mix with green-leaning raspberry and marshmallow sweetness on the nose. The palate is gritty and tough, with salty, herbal cherry and brambly flavors. Short and choppy on the finish.
Tomato leaf, olive and floral notes carry the nose on this wine that offers a juicy mouthfeel and raspberry, plum and spice flavors. Although it's a generic, textbook Chilean Cab, it's balanced in feel and good in flavor.
Tomato leaf, red bell pepper and dry spice aromas overrun the fruit, and in the mouth it's rather tart and acidic for the grape type. Flavors of cherry tomato, red plum and green herbs are good but sharp, while the finish features oak in the form of vanilla. More fresh and tart than most Carmenères.
Tomato leaf, rhubarb and herbal aromas come in front of a tight, tannic and prickly palate with green, spicy berry flavors. Turns hot and smacky on the finish, with carob and herbal flavors.
Tomato vine, cut grass, crushed stone and grapefruit aromas almost leap out of the glass. The crisp savory palate delivers juicy citrus, ripe honeydew melon, Alpine herb and a mineral note framed in bright acidity. It has a bright, clean finish.
Tomato vine, elderberry flower, hay and dill aromas mingle on this crisp white. The vibrant palate delivers grapefruit, pineapple, celery and graphite accompanied by vibrant acidity. Nectarine backs up the finish.
Tomato vine, elderflower, cut grass and tropical fruit aromas lead the nose on this vibrant wine. The savory palate offers honeydew melon, peach, grapefruit and flinty mineral while zesty acidity gives it a tangy finish.
Tomato vine, gooseberry, crushed stone and cut grass set the racy tone. The aromas follow through to the vibrant palate, along with grapefruit, chopped herb and mineral. Lively acidity gives it a crisp, clean finish.
Tomato vine, mango, pink grapefruit and papaya aromas take center stage and carry over to the elegant palate along with notes of flint, chopped mint and sage. Lively acidity carries the fruit and herb flavors while a saline note closes the tangy finish.
Tomato, chili pepper, saucy notes and roasted berry and plum aromas give this a traditional nose. The body is rich and round, with an extra layer or two of structure and tannins. Flavors of baked, stewed berry fruits and herbs provide a salsa-like component, while dryness and herbal flavors drive the finish.
Tomato, herb, rubber and olive aromas are gritty. This Syrah fits right into the house style for this grape variety; the palate is pointed, acidic and scouring, while flavors of lemon rind, currant, graphite, herbs and pepper finish zesty, with herbal leftovers and lots of oak.
Tomato, red bell pepper, plum and currant aromas have a slightly sharp, varietal-related minty, green angle. This feels round and creamy on the tongue, with good acidity propping up flavors of baked berries, spice, chocolate, raw oak and vanilla. A medium-length finish with baking spice flavors confirms the wine's power.
Tomato, red fruit and resiny oak aromas don't exactly scream “fresh.” Feels rustic and scratchy, with herbal, sawdust and vanilla flavors clouding out any quality fruit that might exist. Not much here, really.
Tomato, savory spice and earthy, mildly stewed red-fruit aromas lead to a crisp palate with firm acids and flavors of tomato, raspberry, herbs, vanilla and dried cheese. Lasting but light on the finish. Contains 30% Gracianio, which helps explain the sheer, red-fruit character.
Tomero is a new line from the Carlos Pulenta group, and this one sings the tale of Salta with sincerity. You get telling acacia and lychee aromas, but none of the cheap perfume that can sometimes ruin the variety. The palate is lightly oily but linear, while the papaya, citrus and melon flavors just roll along.
Tommasi's easy-going Romeo is a well-priced Italian red with fresh aromas of wild berries, blue flowers and slight shadings of sweet spice. Complete with a screw-cap closure, the wine would work well at picnics and informal lunches.
Tommasi's easy Soave offers vibrant notes of mature fruit and melon followed by a clean, but generous mouthfeel. There's enough structure here to pair with spicy Thai dishes.
Tommasi is a celebrated producer based in Valpolicella, but in recent years the family has invested heavily in Maremma, Tuscany, to produce a solid line of value-driven wines from the region. This shows the darkness and ripeness of this sunny region backed by Cabernet Sauvignon's structure.
Tommasi is a Veneto-based winery with an innovative property in Tuscany that produces a complete range of wines including this sun-drenched Vermentino. There's slightly more heft and density here, suggesting a pairing with white meat or ham.
Tommasi presents a light and informal Pinot Grigio that would wash down beautifully with salad, grilled vegetables, fish or chicken. Fragrances here include ripe peach and honey and the wine offers a playful touch of sweetness in the mouth.
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.
Tones of almond, hazelnut and natural rubber give this golden wine thicker density and a heavier impression overall. This Greco di Tufo offers honey-colored highlights and has some sour almond skin flavors on the close. A Marc de Grazia selection, various American importers.
Tones of black cherry and cassis are pure and pristine on this fresh, herb-infused Cabernet. Vibrant acidity and soft, furry tannins on the midpalate give way to a finish that's flecked with spice and menthol.
Tones of leather, tobacco and wild mushroom are followed by accents of ripe fruit and blackberry preserves. Notes of rum cake, licorice and Indian spice give complexity to this blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Tones of lemon, yellow apple and cereal with milk carry on the nose and palate. Not overly complex, it's a nice easy-drinking wine. Thin in body, with a short but pleasant finish.
Tones of mineral and steel hold center stage in this steely dry Riesling. Lemon and lime flavors bristle on the palate, but the finish is polished smooth, honed by a cool mineral touch that lengthens the finish.
Tonic and fresh with a creamy froth in the glass, this Prosecco is typical of this category. You'll get notes of lemon zest, peach and lime soda. In the mouth, the wine is lean and neutral but it does produce loads of fun creamy foam and froth.
Tonic and fresh with vibrant tones of wild berry and forest floor, there is a rustic, almost savage quality to this wine that is really quite attractive. It would pair well with home-cooked meals of hand-kneaded pasta or boiled meats.
Tonic and lean with a nearly transparent color and lively perlage, this non-DOC Prosecco offers candy-like aromas of butterscotch and lemon soda. There's an interesting touch of crushed white peppercorn in there as well and this well-priced wine would make a perfect match to appetizers and finger foods.
Tonic and lean, this foamy sparkler delivers aromas of stone fruit, honey and yellow flower. It's a delicate, feminine wine with characteristic almond-like sourness on the close.
Tonic and luminous, this bright Prosecco offers floral aromas, ripe peach, ginger and lemon soda but it also creates a flat and broad impression in the mouth. It delivers piquant effervescence and mature fruit flavors on the close.
Tonic and refreshing, with hints of fresh florals and apple skins, this light bodied Pinot Grigio is a pleasant aperitif. Airy and brisk, with a just a touch of astringency on the finish. Drink now.
Tons of blackberry, black cherry and cassis flavors in this dry, tannic wine. It's somewhat direct now, like fruit jam tarted up with citrusy acidity. Could age well, but it's a close call to predict.
Tons of candied grape and lilac aromas show on the nose of this rather aged blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, with root beer and blueberry-sorbet notes. The palate offers a similar array of sweet dark fruit, but the tannic structure and acidity clean it up nicely.
Tons of fruit in this easy, direct Pinot Noir. Raspberry, cherry, pomegranate, persimmon and cola begins to describe it, further sweetened by smoky, caramelized oak. Rich and crisp, if a little one-dimensional. But it's a really nice dimension.
Tons of jammy fruit in this softly tannic, easy-to-drink wine. Explodes with the essence of blackberries, cherries, raspberries, mulberries and chocolate, with plenty of pepper and other Asian spices.
Tons of raspberry, vanilla and licorice, backed by spice, coffee and all sorts of size and depth. The complexity is excellent, but so is the straightforward attitude it shows. Given time, it unfolds in layer upon layer of excitement. A gem of an appellation wine; it makes you wonder just how good the Ponzi Reserve will be.
Tons of ripe, jammy blueberry, cherry and blackberry fruit in this delicious wine, with the most scrumptious caramel sweetness. Easy to like with almost anything calling for a fruity red wine.
Tons of sagebrush, dried thyme and chaparral scrub enliven the dark mulberry fruit on the earthy nose of this bottling. It's a hearty mouthful of wine once sipped, with more sagebrush, clove and garrigue elements adding complexity to the juicy black fruits. There's quite an aromatic mintiness to the palate.
Tons of spice notes entertain the nose on this bottling, from white pepper and dill to sandalwood and incense, all against a cranberry-fruit backdrop. The palate, framed by an impressive though not oppressive structure, shows a touch of pasilla chile and black pepper before riper boysenberry and cranberry arise in the midpalate. Rose petals, pencil lead, thyme and oregano add nuance.
Tons of upfront fruity flavor mark this crisp, tannic wine. It's almost sweet in jammy cherries and blackberries, with a smoked meat edge of bacon and caramelized notes from oak. Could be drier and have greater structure and complexity. Drink now with robust grilled meats.
Too acidic and tart in wintergreen flavors, a real disappointment from this well-regarded vineyard. On the plus side, it's bone dry and silky, and shows cherry and cola flavors accented with sweet, smoky oak. Ready to drink now.
Too acidic for comfort, with a harsh bite that's almost vinegary. Too bad, because the underlying cherry and cola flavors are just fine.
Too acidic, almost sour, and pretty sweet, with pineapple and orange flavors. Gets the Chardonnay job done, but seems pricey for what you get.
Too alcoholic for its own good, the wine is full bodied and heavy. It has tannins, superripe black fruits while missing structure and acidity. It is developing fast and will be ready to drink from 2017.
Too bad the vineyard owner is pulling out the Sauvignon Blanc, because this is a fresh, vibrant, juicy one, crisp in acidity and rich in citrus, figs, pears and melons. Just a touch of tart gooseberry shows up in the finish.
Too big by far for a Pinot Noir, this single-vineyard bottling is heavy-handed. It has caramelized cherry and blackberry fruit flavors and a soft, candied quality. Ultimately, it lacks the elegance and delicacy of a fine wine.
Too dark and heavy for a Pinot Noir, with extracted, jammy flavors of grilled blackberries and cherries, as well as an herbal note of jasmine tea. Almost more like a Rhône wine, although on its own, it's a nice, dry sipper. Ready now.
Too enthusiastic use of wood has left this wine bereft of fruit and unbalanced.
Too green and acidic for pleasure, with mint dominating the rather modest cherries and red currants. Sleek and elegant in the mouth, but the absence of richness hurts the score.
Too green and acidic to earn a higher score, although it's pleasantly dry and clean, and there are some savory citrus flavors. But they're dominated by tart leafy tobacco and feline notes.
Too heavy for a Pinot Noir, and lacking in lively mouthfeel, although the cherry and red currant flavors are distinguished. Your best bet is to cellar it and see what happens.
Too heavy for a rosé, with black cherry, cola and leather flavors that lack the delicacy and zest you want in a blush wine.
Too heavy, murky and pruney on the nose; this wine has a lot of size but little freshness. It's big and bust-out, but with no direction or finesse it comes across earthy and oily. Only 250 cases made.
Too high in alcohol and too overtly sweet in sugar. Tastes like an inexpensive Port.
Too hot and sweet, this Zin weighs in at 16.2% of alcohol. It has blackberry and cocoa flavors spiced with chile peppers.
Too many California Sangiovese suffer from all sorts of problems, mainly unripeness. But this one is soft and smooth and juicy. It offers rich flavors of cherries, red currants, chocolate, anise and pepper, and will be fine with a grilled steak, or even tempura veggies dipped in soy sauce.
Too many overripe, sunburnt flavors in this tannic wine. It smells like Port and tastes hot and baked. The alcohol is 15.9%.
Too much acidity in this dry wine, making it almost sour. Yet it has an enormous core of red and black cherry fruit, with a tasteful application of smoky oak, and a lovely, silky texture. Seems too unbalanced to age, so drink up.
Too much acidity on this Syrah and Mourvedre blend feels like a knife through the palate. But the cherry, cola and spice flavors are good, and the wine is fully dry and moderate in alcohol.
Too much extraction has given this wine a dry character. It does have juicy red fruits underneath and these should come out as the wine ages. It is likely, though, always to be a dry wine.
Too much oak on this Chardonnay. It's dominated by the aromas and flavors of buttered toast and caramelized, vanilla accented wood. Underneath all that are some pretty good pineapple, peach and pear flavors.
Too much of a good thing is how to characterize this Merlot. It's exceptionally ripe with cherries, red currants and mocha. It's also strong in oak. The result is a soft, syrupy confection.
Too much tobacco on this wine that comes off as slightly overripe and sweet.
Too much unripeness in this wine, which shows aromas of asparagus and broccoli. Tastes somewhat better than it smells, with blackberry and black cherry notes.
Too much volatility, and too much oak take over here, obliterating the fruit. As a result, flavors are thin, the finish sour.
Too much wood aging gives this wine a burnt, dry character. Beneath this almost-bitter texture lie hints of ripe red fruits and acidity. Wait until 2016 and the wine may become more fruity.
Too much wood aging yields a wine that is lean and lacks fruitiness. It has intense dark, burnt wood flavors and doesn't have the weight to round out.
Too oaky-sweet, with buttered toast, honey and buttered popcorn flavors overwhelming the natural pineapples and tropical fruits. Lots of people will like it, but for purists, it's too much of a good thing.
Too oaky and forward in tropical fruit flavors. Takes the popular style and exaggerates it. It will nonetheless appeal to lots of people.
Too oaky, this is dominated by buttered toast and crème bruûlée flavors. Underneath all that are some nice notes of pineapple, orange and apricot. Drink up.
Too oaky, with buttered toast and vanilla swamping the underlying pineapple fruit. The malolactic fermentation has added buttered popcorn notes. An over-manipulated wine made to appeal to the popular style.
Too oaky, with dominating tastes of buttered toast that swamp the pineapple and orange fruit. The oak follows through in a sweet, caramelized finish.
Too oaky, with toothpicky vanilla and caramel flavors swamping the underlying fruit. Too bad, because the basic wine is nice and crisp in pineapples.
Too oaky, with vanilla, smoky toothpick influences leading to sweet-and-sour pineapple flavors. This problem has plagued Kunde's reserve Chard for the last several vintages.
Too oaky. Vanilla, buttered toast, caramel and sweet oak aromas dominate, and the wine turns sweet and extracted in the mouth. There are some decent blackberry and cherry flavors, but this is a pretty common wine.
Too overtly sweet. Some wines like this are super-fruity in cherries and raspberries but finish dry. This one doesn't, despite a scour of acidity. Feels unbalanced. Drink now.
Too porty and tart to earn a higher score. Shows sour cherry candy flavors.
Too powerful in feline and gooseberry aromas and flavors, this dry, tart in-your-face Sauvignon Blanc just isn't ripe enough to recommend.
Too ripe and obvious in fruit, with raisin, currant and black cherry jam flavors, accented with smoky, caramelized oak. Good and rich, but lacks subtlety. Drink now.
Too ripe and too oaky, and both attributes reinforce each other. The blackberry and currant fruit approaches Port in raisiny ripeness, while the oak accentuates the tannic sweetness. Clumsy now, but sometimes these wines improve in the long run. Try holding until after 2013.
Too ripe for balance or longevity, the blackberry and currant flavors in this Cab veer into raisins, with a bitter finish. It's also soft and very oaky, more like a warm, interior valley wine than one from this fine appellation. Drink now.
Too ripe, almost Porty, although it's bone dry. Shows flavors of currants, chocolate and raisins, with a bitterness throughout.
Too ripe, with prune, chocolate and raisin flavors that taste hot and sweet in high alcohol. With hard tannins, it could almost be a minor Port.
Too ripe, with red currant and raisin skin flavors giving it a bitterness despite some tasty chocolate and cherry jam richness. The alcohol feels high, leading to a hot finish.
Too sharp and aggressive in tart acidity, which emphasizes the tannins, making it feel overly astringent. Not a bad wine, with pleasant cherry and blackberry flavors, but it sure is tough in the mouth.
Too sharp in acidity, with an aggressive mouthfeel. Other than that, the cherry and sandalwood flavors are fine, and the wine is dry and silky. But that tartness is a turnoff.
Too sharp in acids, giving the cherry and raspberry flavors a real bite. Almost sour on the finish. Drink now.
Too sharp in texture, with a cut of acidity that emphasizes the white pepper, and seems to bring out some greenness. Other than that, you'll find a smoothly tannic wine, with blackberry and currant fruit.
Too sharp, with a bite of acidity and green tannins, but otherwise a decent introductory wine for learning about Pinot Noir's charms. It's dry and silky, with red cherry flavors.
Too soft and Porty, with sweet blackberry jam and chocolate flavors. There's also a burn from high alcohol.
Too soft and sugary sweet for a dry table wine, although the cherry, blackberry and chocolate flavors are decadently delicious. Needs dryness and greater structural integrity.
Too soft and sweet, like melted raspberry jam. Feels tired and syrupy.
Too soft and sweet, with pie-filling flavors of blackberries, cherries, raspberries, anise and cocoa. Lacks the acidity and tannic structure to balance the sweetness, but lots of people will savor it anyway.
Too soft by far, with sugary sweet, medicinal cherry-berry flavors and a sharp cut of acidity. Tastes like an inexpensive Port.
Too soft for comfort, and too sweet, although the softness may exaggerate the true sugar content. Either way, this simple wine has cloying, candied blackberry and mocha flavors.
Too soft in acidity, so the blackberry, currant, cherry liqueur and spice flavors have a curious jamminess. The softness and high alcohol emphasize sweetness, affecting the finish.
Too soft in structure, and sweet, too, like berry fruit concentrate. Fans of sweet, simple red wines will like this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel.
Too soft, lacking vital structure, and too sweet for a dry table wine. Shows candied flavors of berries and cherries.
Too strong and extracted in blackberry and cherry fruit, almost like pure jam, a sweet, candied impression that the caramel of new oak compounds. Feels like the winemaker tried too hard to make it flashy. Pretty good, but could use restraint and finesse.
Too sugary sweet by far, which is partly the result of very high alcohol but may also be due to some residual sugar. The sweetness draws attention to the oak, and makes it taste stronger than it really is. Despite flavors of blackberries, blueberries and mocha, this wine is too Porty and unbalanced.
Too sugary sweet, with jellied flavors of cherries and spices. More like a dessert wine than a dry table one.
Too sweet and oaky for comfort, with caramelized flavors of pineapple and apple juice that finish with a white sugar aftertaste.
Too sweet and oaky to earn a higher score. It's rich and jammy in sugary raspberries and cherries, with lots of caramel and buttered toast. Ready now.
Too sweet and oaky, with sugary vanilla and pineapple jam flavors. Could be a Starbucks drink. Saved a bit by crisp acidity.
Too sweet and Porty with sugared, caramelized wild berry flavors, and a pie-filling sweetness made heavy by high alcohol.
Too sweet and Porty. This mountain-grown Syrah has rich cherry-berry flavors and smooth tannins, but seems to have some residual sugar that makes it taste more like a dessert wine than a table wine.
Too sweet and sharp for balance, with an acetic bite to the rich raspberry, cherry, cola, cocoa and spice flavors. The blend is Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Too sweet and soft, like a confection in a glass. Tastes like a raspberry and cherry tart, spiced with cinnamon and dusted with cocoa, and turns hot and Porty-like on the finish.
Too sweet by far for a table wine, with simple, medicinal cherry and blackberry flavors and a harshly tannic mouthfeel.
Too sweet by far, like melted cherry and blackberry jam, with heat from alcohol and a hit of acidity. Drink up.
Too sweet by far, with a white sugary finish to the pineapple and pear flavors. Crisp acidity helps to provide a framework of balance, but the sweetness really feeds into the perception that California white wines have residual sugar.
Too sweet for balance, with sugary flavors of blackberry and cherry jam. The sweetness accentuates the tannins, making them more astringent and rustic than they really are.
Too sweet for comfort, with sugary pear, nectarine and orange flavors, liberally enhanced with caramelized oak. Shows good acidity, but really needs to be drier.
Too sweet in jellied blackberries and cherries, and too acidic, which gives it the taste of a sauce in a Chinese restaurant.
Too sweet in residual sugary flavors to earn a higher score, this Merlot shows jellied cherry and blackberry flavors. Those who like their red wines sweet will enjoy it.
Too sweet in sugary blackberry jam to earn a higher score, but if that's your liking, go for it.
Too sweet, like pineapple and pear juice sweetened with white sugar. The underlying wine is pretty good, with decent acidity and a clean minerality. But that sweetness is over the top.
Too sweet, like pineapple, orange and lemon soda with a squeeze of vanilla. Has some nice acidity, though.
Too sweet, soft and simple in cherry-cola flavors, this Syrah would benefit from more dryness and greater structure. It turns Porty on the finish. Drink now.
Too sweet, with a sugary finish that tastes like lemonade and pineapple juice.
Too sweet, with a sugary, dessert wine taste to the briary berries. Otherwise, it's a clean Zinfandel, with good acidity and tannins.
Too sweet, with sugary orange, pineapple and banana flavors.
Too sweet. Whether that's because of leftover sugar, high alcohol or both, this Zin is more like a Porty dessert wine. It's delicious and rich, but the sweetness has to be counted as a defect.
Too unripe to earn a higher score, this Cab shows stemmy, mint-green flavors that overwhelm the modest cherries and blackberries.
Too young for drinking now, or anytime soon for that matter. It's all primary blackberry and currant fruit, new oak and tannins. But there's a dramatic quality to the structure, a purity of parts that suggests the cellar. There are waves of licorice, mocha and buttered cinnamon toast, with everything vying for supremacy. Let all the elements battle it out for a good six years. This wine should age gracefully through 2015, at least.
Too young now, a tight wine whose oak, acidity, alcohol and fruit are all over the place. The cherry, currant, cola, beef jerky and Asian spice flavors are quite intricate and delicious. There's a dry, elegant wine in here that's just waiting to bust out and come together after 4–5 years in a good cellar.
Top-notch Malbec blended with other varieties gives Corte A a chance at greatness. In its current juvenile state, the wine is fresh, expressive and exotic on the nose, with mineral, licorice and spice in addition to a lot of driving berry character. The core is a touch racy and acidic, so this is no mushy fruit bomb. Instead it is serious wine with a lot of oak, polish and pizzazz.
Top consultant Luis Duarte has produced this wine from vines in the southeast Alentejo district of Reguengos. It's bold and ripe, with a heady mix of Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet and Touriga Nacional giving powerful, dense, black fruit flavors. The aftertaste, with its acidity and tannins, suggests aging potential. Drink from 2019.
Top flight Merlot, brimming with ripe black cherry, blackberry, chocolate, smoke, sage, thyme, anise and pepper notes. It's all framed in silky ripe tannins, smooth, sleek and lush. The finish is long. -J.M.
Top lots from Sheridan, Dineen and Meek vineyard grapes go into this reserve. This is always the most thick and dense of the Stevens wines, and the tannins, though very well managed, are chewy and substantial. They dominate this young wine, but the stacked and subtle layers of red and black fruits, leaf and forest floor materials, moist earth and ashes keep the flavors complex and interesting. This wine absolutely must be decanted, and can be cellared almost indefinitely.
Top of the range from Eugénie, this pure Malbec is huge, firm and very concentrated. Wood aging has added spice and emphasized the dryness that comes from the fruit and wood tannins. But the fruit is all there, a juicy background that will come out as the wine ages.Drink this impressive wine from 2020.
Topaz Imperial is Sparkling Pointe's first nonvintage blend of the three traditional Champagne grape varieties. While intensely aromatic of ripe red berries and plums, it maintains an elegant dryness throughout. Rich on the palate with a soft, delicate mousse, it lingers long on an earthy, mushroom-scented finish.
Topel uses the Syrah Noir clone that was originally sourced from M. Chapoutier to make this tasty wine. It's packed with spicy red fruit and smooth, silky tannins. On the finish, it has a leathery tobacco note, with the richness of a cinnamon roll. Enjoy this with meaty dishes.
Topped with 18% Malbec, aromas of wood spice, vanilla, pencil lead and dark cherry lead to juicy full-bodied dark-fruit flavors that show a lovely sense of balance, despite the wood being forward. It's a very pretty expression of Cabernet.
Torcicoda is a thick and deeply extracted Primitivo with mature notes of fruit preserves, blackberry and jasmine tea. The wine is big and bulky upon first impression but then relaxes and evolves slowly with more time in the glass. It imparts sweet tannins and a long, spicy finish.
Torcolato dessert wine offers a very clean presentation of aromas that span honey almond and dried jasmine to stone fruit and caramel. Try this beautiful wine with sharp Gorgonzola cheese or Stilton.
Tormaresca delivers a beautiful expression of Negroamaro. Quality aromas of blackberry and cherry liqueur emerge on the bouquet, and oak-driven tones of almond and chocolate follow through on the finish. It's soft, plush and bold.
Tornamira is a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that shows dark and sophisticated aromas of cured meat, leather, Teriyaki sauce, black fruit and toasted almond. There's a modern touch of oaky spice on the finish, with soft, velvety tannins to boot.
Tornamira is a blend of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that offers plush, fruity layers of black fruit, spice, cola, tobacco and softly worn leather. Pair this wine with grilled sausage and bell peppers.
Toro is known for its massive wines, and this fits the bill. Oak, tobacco and mocha aromas share space on the nose with cassis and berry scents. Fully extracted tannins and resiny oak create a sizable palate of plum, cassis and vanilla flavors. Oak-derived spice notes inflect the intense black fruit flavors on the finish. Drink through 2026.
Toro is not usually a prime hunting ground for Best Buys, but this full-throttle wine is solid, gritty and tastes and smells nice. The nose is full, mildly raisiny and dusty, while the palate tastes of cola, raspberry, cherry and toast. Rubbery and long on the finish.
Torre di Giano is a remarkable example of the freshness and easy drinkability that can be achieved with Umbria's Trebbiano and Grechetto grapes. The blend is food-friendly, well-priced, easy on the palate and makes a great companion to fish, white meat and vegetarian dishes.
Torre di Luna is an Italian brand you can count on for value and good cheer. This offers crisp aromas of citrus and tomato leaf, followed by a fresh mouthfeel.
Torre Pieve is a thick and creamy Chardonnay that is half aged in oak and half in stainless steel. These two methods give the wine structure and softness, but they also allow for the wine's natural fragrances to stay intact.
Torres' Celeste debuted in 2003, and the '05 is the best vintage to date. The wine has penetrating berry and spice aromas and an accent of animal leather. The palate is healthy and polished, with plum, blackberry and herbal notes. Comes together well and should be good in the cellar through 2012.
TorreTesta demonstrates the beauty and power of Puglia's little-known Susumaniello grape. Enhanced by careful oak aging, the wine offers dark fruit aromas, followed by tobacco, chocolate and rum cake notes. On the palate, it is soft, plush and rich, with a mocha-tinged finish.
TorreTesta is an amazing wine that points to the full potential of winemaking in Puglia, the heel of the boot of Italy. Made from a rare indigenous grape called Susumaniello, this is a ripe, soft, enduring and ever-so satisfying red wine that could pair with any hearty meat dish. Aromas of blackberry, chocolate and exotic spice are enhanced by a beautiful velvety texture.
Torrontés is not known for aging well in the bottle, and this one is almost past its prime. There's some tropicality left on the nose, but it mostly smells sweaty. Flabby on the palate, with an oily, bitter peach-pit flavor.
Torrontés is usually a one-year wine, so this 2011 is showing well via flowery white-fruit aromas and notes of lychee and bath oil. The palate is largely fresh and full, with melon, lychee and tangerine flavors. A touch of wheat flavor and creaminess on the finish are the lone indications of age.
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.
Tortoise Creek makes bargain wines from the Languedoc region of France as well as from Lodi. “The Chelonian” is a new label a portion of the proceeds of which will go to the Chelonian Research Foundation to help benefit the conservation of turtles and tortoises. The wine itself is a decent representation of Lodi's bigger, more raisiny style.
Tortoniano shows very exciting results thanks to the wine's evident softness and richness. Aromas recall sweet Christmas spice, black cherry, licorice and rose petal but the wine really picks up speed in the mouth where you will experience a blast of chocolate and espresso. Drink 2015–2020.
Toso's first-ever rosé of Malbec comes in a salmon color, with clean but generic aromas of melon, cotton candy and wet stones. The palate deals sweet peach with some spice, and the mouthfeel is full. Good in a round, drink-me-soon style.
Total fruity freshness emanates from the glass: fresh Conference pear, lemon zest and a riper notion of yellow mirabelle plum. This is utterly appetizing. The palate adds a dimension of pepper and a broader notion of yeast in the texture. This blooms with fruit and finishes on clean lemon zest and white pepper.
Totally creamy notions of rose and carnation create a seductive nose. The palate joins in with ample fruit and sweetness. The residual sugar is finely balanced with lemony freshness: a very traditional, if not to say old-fashioned Gewürztraminer, but totally charming and rather delicious. Finishes medium sweet.
Totally delicious and so easy to like for its soft mouthfeel and luscious upfront fruit. Just wows with raspberries and cherries, with polished tannins, balancing acidity and a touch of smoky oak.
Totally fresh and fruity, the wine also shows a light touch of vanilla. It is deliciously packed with ripe fruits, as well as acidity and some structure. Drink now.
Totally fresh, this is crisp and packed with citrus. A complex, tight texture brings out nervy acidity, a strongly mineral character and a firm structure. Age this youthful wine and drink from 2018.
Totally fresh, this offers attractive, young citrus flavors that are given a broader brush by the creamed apple texture that rounds out the wine. Crisp, it could be drunk now and will be better from 2016.
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.
Totally hedonistic, this is a ripe, lychee and tropical fruit-flavored wine. It's spicy, laced with bergamot and cinnamon and immediately attractive. Drink now.
Totally herbaceous and crisp, this is a rich, citrus-flavored wine. Grapefruit flavors dominate with a twist of lemon on top, giving a zesty texture that shows a young wine. For it to calm down and broaden out, wait until the end of 2015.
Totally herbaceous, this fruity wine has grassy aromas and gooseberry flavors. It's crisp, fresh and ready to drink.
Totally herbaceous, this is a lemon and mown-grass scented wine. Crisp, light and with gooseberry flavors, it shows a direct, bright, tight aftertaste. Ready to drink. Screwcap.
Totally lemon-focused but very textured Pinot Blanc with a mineral dimension. Its slender palate with pointed, brisk acidity that is very typical for the vintage. The lemony freshness on the finish destines this for the table.
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.
Totally pale in colored this wine has delicate hints of red fruits as well as a tight crisp mineral texture. There is a salty edge with touches of spice and pepper. The aftertaste is bright and fruity.
Totally refreshing as well as structured, this offers great acidity, lime and grapefruit flavors, crisp and bright texture and a lively aftertaste. Clean and fruity, this will be good to drink from 2015.
Totally sumptuous peach notes dance on nose and palate. They are boosted by plump sweetness and given shape by zesty freshness. Everything about this is opulent and intense. The freshness of 2014 makes it lip smacking and bright, despite all of its richness. This finishes medium sweet while the peachy flavors last and last.
Totally unusual and totally fun, this dark amber-colored wine is unexpected. It smells like flowers and honey, as if it will be sweet, but tastes dry and tangy, like blood oranges and raspberries. It's medium bodied and has a slight tannic or astringent finish, so it should pair well with toasted nut and cheeses.
Totally zesty swirls of ripe citrus sweep up green pear and yeast notes as they rise from the glass and flow across the palate. This has verve and liveliness and acts like a tonic: it's light-bodied, balanced, scented refreshment.
Touched by caramel, this is a bone-dry rosé, very crisp and fruity, with raspberry, red cherry.
Touched by spice from wood aging, this is a balanced wine. Its toastiness supports the ripe peach and apricot fruits, lifted by acidity. It will be a good wine; drink from 2018.
Touched by wood, this is a warm wine with soft plum flavors and light tannins. It could age well for 4–5 years, but is ready to drink now.
Touched with spicy wood, this is a classic smoky wine from Cabernet Franc, ripe while still held in tension by the acidity and dry tannins. It's dry with red plum and black currant freshness. Drink from 2016.
Touches of autumn leaves and dried herbs lend a savory feel to this dry and tightly composed Riesling. Bracing acidity and savory apple and pear flavors mark the palate.
Touches of balsamic vinegar, violet and wet granite lend complexity to this crisp, elegant Pinot Noir. Black cherry and plum flavors are penetrating and pristine, finishing with a fringe of dusty tannins.
Touches of bitter toast and roasted almond sit at the top of this wine, followed by smooth aromas of blackberry, prune, leather and tobacco. The palate feels tight and compact, and the finish shows lingering tones of black licorice and spice.
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.
Touches of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot contribute to this wine's overall complexity. The cuvée formerly known as “Cask,” it now emphasizes the historic estate property. Red currant and cedar notes and firm tannins strike first, as bright, underlying acidity provides balance. Tobacco leaf and chocolate flavors mark the long finish.
Touches of candlewax and savory herbs add intrigue and complexity to bright, sunny peach and apricot flavors in this semi-sweet wine. Vivacious and brisk, the palate plays out like a joyful tug-o-war of tangerine acidity and a lingering sweetness that's so refreshingly tasty.
Touches of caramel and apple cider offset intense lemon acidity in this medium-dry spätlese. It's refreshingly juicy, with a reverberating citrus-rind finish.
Touches of caramel and bright red cherry fruit give this pink-colored wine a great lift. It's as fresh as possible for summer drinking.
Touches of cedar and fresh-cut oak in the aroma join ripe but dry fruit flavors and firm tannins on the palate. Well structured for mid-term aging, this wine will be best after 2019.
Touches of cinnamon and spice accent crisp red apples in this dry, medium-bodied rosé. The palate is tart but refreshingly brisk on the finish.
Touches of cinnamon, turned earth, iron, dark cranberry and fresh raspberry hit the nose on this bottling from a celebrated vineyard. The palate shows lots of potential with more bottle age, offering notes of graphite, underripe berries, black pepper and bay leaf.
Touches of cola, cherry and berry work the jammy bouquet, and the reasonably sturdy body offers up flavors of berry backed by vanilla. There's ample grab and pretty good balance to this fresh wine.
Touches of crème fraîche seems to lend a lactic richness to this bristling, light-bodied sparkling wine. A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it's mouth-filling and rich in mousse, lingering long with a kiss of biscuit. Drink now through 2018.
Touches of crushed purple violets add depth and interest to the brambly black berry and raspberry core of this lush wine. Hints of menthol and charred oak dance in the background, with flavors of cherry skin and blackberry taking centerstage on the solidly structured palate.
Touches of dill, cherry, rose and cassis compose this wine's soft-spoken nose. On entrance, it pops with a dark fruit flavor, but loses some steam on the midpalate. Minimal tannic traction lends a slick texture, while the uplifting acids make the palate glow.
Touches of earth, new leather and sweet vermouth fill the aromas and flavors of this edgy but very enjoyable wine. It has a seeming-sweet blend of maraschino cherries, baking spices and spicy, barnyard accents.
Touches of exotic spice and crushed minerals lend complexity to sun-kissed peach and melon flavors in this medium-sweet Riesling. It's punchy and spry, full of high-toned acidity and lift, but finishes long, lean and elegant. It's youthful and exuberant now, but should continue to meld beautifully through at least 2027.
Touches of fennel and saffron lend an earthy touch to this sweet, silky nectar of peach and marmalade. While lavishly glycerin on the tongue, the palate extends to a bristling lemon-lime finish. Penetratingly fruity, yet anchored with acidity and minerality, this is delicious now but has a bold future through the next decade.
Touches of flint play subtly on this elegantly restrained wine. A central seam of fresh, mineral acidity also provides an extended finish. This strikes great harmony between a rounded but defined body, streamlined acidity and a mineral background.
Touches of ginger and orange zest lighten up the ample fruit flavors of this well-balanced value-priced wine. It has good acidity to match the ripeness of the Anjou pear and white peach flavors.
Touches of heat and ripe cherry fruit give this bold wine a big impact on the nose and the palate. It delivers intense aromas of chocolate, leather, cured meat, cedar and cola.
Touches of honey, saffron and spice lend warmth and suppleness to this dry, exceptionally brisk Riesling. It's a bit lean on the palate, but vivaciously fresh, finishing on a deliciously astringent bite of lime pith.
Touches of matchstick, garrigue herbs and lime leaf complement the green apple- and pear-fruit core of this well-balanced, attractive Chardonnay. There's a slight creaminess to the palate, lifted by medium acidity to keep the mouthfeel fresh and the finish clean. Accents of toast and sweet spice dance on the close.
Touches of menthol and pine flavors set this wine apart from the crowd, dominating the fruit flavors from the aroma to the finish. It is medium to full bodied, tastes a little earthy and smoky, and is relatively lean in texture.
Touches of red fruits give this soft and creamy wine attractive acidity. Pepper and spice lead to a bitter aftertaste.
Touches of ripe cherry and strawberry emerge at the front of the bouquet, followed by notes of cola and rum cake. The blend consists of Nero di Troia and Morellone, and the fruit is harvested according to biodynamic principles. Tight tannins appear on the finish.
Touches of rum cake and licorice lend this 60-40 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot an impression of intensity and persistence. The wine delivers flavors of blackberry and candied cherry.
Touches of sage and tarragon breathe freshness into succulent red cherry and berry aromas on this rich, full-bodied Cabernet Franc. The palate shows off pure, pristine red fruit, jolted by a shock of cranberry acidity and a lingering wet-granite finish.
Touches of smoke and grain extend throughout this uniquely savory off-dry kabinett. Rich streaks of peach and marmalade brighten the palate, accented by bursts of lemonade acidity, but overall, there's a bit of disarray throughout.
Touches of smoke and wet stone accent ripe peach and apricot aromas on this dry, boldly structured Riesling. Despite it's expansive mouth feel and body, it's refreshingly brisk with flavors of crisp green apples and limes. The finish is long, lean and steely.
Touches of smoked nut and dry clay lend earthiness to this crisp, light-footed wine. Dry in style and briskly acidic, it's invigorating refreshment with a zesty, lime pith finish. Drink now through 2021.
Touches of soy, cedar and smoked meat enhance the base of blueberry on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard in the geographic heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. Mocha and blackberry flavors show on the sip, where an even-keeled acidity holds it all together.
Touches of spice highlight ripe yellow-plum and pear notes on the nose of this delicately framed Chardonnay. The palate is surprisingly mineral in character, with shades of wet stone against a backbone of tart peach. Finishes moderately long.
Touches of sweet berry and blossom lend flair to this vivaciously fresh, fruity Riesling full of fresh apple, pear and lemon flavors. Sweet-tart honey and lemon brighten the midpalate. The finish is brisk but clean. Drink now through 2017.
Touches of sweet peach and honey open the bouquet of this easygoing, well-priced sparkler. Pair this with barbecued shrimp or tempura vegetable appetizers.
Touches of tangerine decorate a brisk nose that's also redolent with mineral elements of chalk and wet river stone. Flavors of mandarin-orange peels, cut grass and wet cement skip across the tongue, winding into a finish that leaves a menthol-like sensation, though not flavor, on the tongue.
Touches of toast and tannin give enough structure. The red berry fruits taste firm and extracted, giving a bitter edge. It's a wine that brings out the structured character of Pinot Noir rather than its fruit.
Touches of toast from the wood aging give a spicy character. The toast brings out acidity at this stage rather than sweetness, with lemon and lime flavors dominant over the honey and botrytis in the background. Drink from 2018.
Touches of toastiness give a wine that is ripe, honeyed and accented by smooth caramel. It's a generous wine that has almost sweet acidity. Full and broad in character, it can be drunk now.
Touches of tree bark, barrel spice and olive accent core berry and black currant aromas. A jammy widespread palate offers its fair share of tannic bite, while flavors of berry fruits, cassis and brown sugar are a bit overripe and syrupy in front of a heavy finish.
Touches of unripe vegetal aromas and flavors compromise this wine, despite some jammy blackberry and cherry flavors. Because of its thinness, its high alcohol content makes it feel hot. Drink now.
Touches of vanilla accent flavors of freshly pressed apples and pears in this bold, full-bodied wine. Piercing lemon acidity adds freshness to the palate, but the finish is a bit warming overall.
Touches of vanilla and caramel give this wine an extra dimension of richness. It is full while remaining crisp and herbaceous, with a lively, bright aftertaste. Drink from 2016. The Richard family's two-acre Sauvignon Blanc vineyard is certified organic.
Touches of vanilla and spice give this wine an attractive character. Its light, tangy texture adds crispness that supplements the bright acidity. Drink now.
Touches of vanilla, cream and lovely hints of oatmeal allude to developing, evolving autolytic notes. These are edged with pure lemon, giving equal expression to emollience and freshness. On the midpalate the creamy, generous richness of yeast comes through, providing stucture and a canvas against which tart apple and Amalfi lemon can play. Depth and serious intent shows amid the sensuously fine fizz. Although this wine is refreshing and bright now, more bottle age will make it even more alluring. The pure and lasting finish leaves you wanting more. Drink 2017–2017.
Touches of vanilla, spice and smoked nuts lend complexity to straightforward apple, lemon and pear flavors in this dry, medium-bodied Chardonnay. It's refreshing and easy drinking with a brisk, clean finish.
Touches of vanilla, toast and sweet biscuit waft sumptuously from this classically-styled Chardonnay-Pinot Noir sparkler. Delicate and supple in mousse, it finishes vivaciously and fresh with a streak of lemon-lime acidity.
Touches of warm radiator dust and minerality accent citrus aromas. In the mouth, this is juicy and stony, with flavors of pithy green citrus and peach pit. The finish is solid and just crisp enough.
Touches of wood meet with ripe tannins and acidity. Black-currant flavors, spice and toast are balanced with acidity and a finish that brings in black-cherry fruits. Drink from 2018.
Touches of wood smoke and cardamom give an exotic streak to this full-bodied and dark-colored wine. It has deep fruit flavors like blackberry and prune, good balance and light tannins to enhance the texture.
Touches of wood, not new, give this wine spice and roundness. It is an attractive, citrus-flavored wine, with yellow fruits coming from behind as the wine opens up. Drink now.
Touches of yellow apple and sponge cake entice on the nose. The palate adds ripe, friendly and appetizing notes of yellow plum and lemon alongside creamy fizz set against a softly autolytic background. This presents a lovely union of fruit, freshness and development. Full of flavor, is has a dry, lemony finish.
Tough and acidic in the mouth, but with a nice silky texture, and the finish is dry. Shows cherry and raspberry flavors, alongside less ripe ones of green mint, with a touch of the veggies.
Tough and chewy now, with a fibrous, tannic mouthfeel like a bite of beef jerky. Similar flavors, too, of teriaki beef, but the underlying fruit is massive, offering waves of cherries, black raspberries, currants and cola. This is a very fine wine, but an immature one. Give it 4–6 years in the cellar, if you can keep your hands off.
Tough and defiantly tannic, a hard-edged wine that gives a powerful dry texture. The fruit is less obvious, but has a potential to offer red fruits and fresh acidity. This does need aging, over 4–5 years.
Tough and earthy, with gritty tannins framing tobacco, black cherry and oak flavors. A good everyday Cab from this warmish appellation.
Tough and gritty but dry, with overripe flavors of raisins and pepper.
Tough and gritty for a Merlot, with sweet and sour cherry and blackberry flavors wrapped into stringy tannins. With its briary, peppery finish, it could almost be a Zinfandel.
Tough and gritty in tannins and acids, with very dry flavors of black currants leading to a spicy finish that's hot in alcohol. It lacks the rich opulence of the 2008, and feels a bit resistant and brittle throughout.
Tough and gritty in tannins, this Cabernet is still raw. There's a flattering core of ripe blackberry and black currant fruits, but the wine doesn't show the approachability of other 2007 Cabernets. Give it another five years in the cellar, but no guarantees that the fruit will outlast the tannins.
Tough and gritty in tannins, this showcases sweet cherry, cola and spice flavors, with a nice earthiness. Not an ager, it needs the richest foods you can pair it with, like steak or game served in rich sauces.
Tough and gritty in texture, with a raisined edge to the black cherry and currant flavors. Finishes in a scour of astringency. Clean and dry, but not going anywhere, so drink up.
Tough and gritty in the mouth, this has sandpapery, astringent tannins. While the fruit is ripe in blackberries, those tannins dominate. Barbecue will cut right through them.
Tough and gritty in youth, this Pinot is showing edgy tannins, tart acidity and unincorporated oak. It's almost like a barrel sample. But it's stuffed with currant, licorice and mocha flavors, and should develop well in the bottle. Try after 2009.
Tough and gritty now, due to a combination of hard skin and seed tannins and unintegrated new oak. The intensely concentrated blackberry fruit has a slight edge of raisiny overripeness that adds to the sweet, fruity richness. Seems perfectly capable of aging for many years. Try after 2012.
Tough and gritty now, with dominating acids that give the wine a hard mouthfeel. Yet there's some impressive red currant, tangerine, ruby grapefruit and cola fruit in there. Will it develop polish and softness? Hard to tell. Decant if you drink now.
Tough and gritty, this is an everyday Cabernet. It's full-bodied and dry, with some green flavors.
Tough and gritty, this Zinfandel-based blend has brusque tannins and sweet berry, black pepper and cola flavors. Drink this lusty wine with everyday fare.
Tough and gritty, with Cabernet-like blackberry and currant flavors. It's the structure that's awkward, with astringency and even sourness on the finish.
Tough and gritty, with edgy tannins framing rustic flavors of blackberries and sweetened berry tea.
Tough and gritty, with hard tannins, this is definitely astringent and dry, but it does show classic Napa character. Blended with Cabernet Franc and Merlot, it's rich in blackberry, black cherry, currant and dark chocolate flavors that finish long. It would be a mistake to drink this wine too young. Cellar it until 2018, and it should provide mature beauty well beyond.
Tough and gritty, with uneven tannins and some minty green flavors alongside the cherries, mulberries and red currants. Not going anywhere, so drink up.
Tough and hard, this is a Cabernet that tastes old fashioned with its dry, tannic astringency. It certainly marches to a different beat, even for the Diamond Mountain District that's known for difficult tannins. Will it age? There's a solid core of black currant and green olive flavor that suggests it will. Hold until 2018, at least.
Tough and resilient in acids and tannins, but elegantly streamlined. Shows tart flavors of sour red cherry candy, vanilla and sweet sandalwood. Now–2014.
Tough and tannic now, although it's fully dry, and the tannins are finely sculpted. Shows deep flavors of blackberries, currants, cocoa and spices. There's a hint of funkiness that may detract from ageability.
Tough and tightly wound, this wine is currently marked by acids and tannins. It may lack immediate generosity, but it does offer underlying elegance. Decanting helps mellow the cherry and cola flavors. This will pair well with steak.
Tough at the moment, this is a wine with impressive concentration. It's solid and chunky, with massive structure. The fragrant finish is a sign of the pleasure to come.
Tough cherry and plum aromas lead it off, followed by simple, semitart raspberry flavors. There's not much depth or complexity; the palate bounces along inoffensively, and the finish is quick and light. Clean and basic wine.
Tough in acidity, with a harsh mouthfeel only partially relieved by cherry, berry and toasted oak flavors. It's hard to like, even at this price.
Tough in tannins and bone dry, this Merlot's raisin and blackberry fruit simply isn't strong enough to stand up to the astringency.
Tough in tannins and dustily dry, this is a hard wine to warm up to. It's not just the astringency but the absence of fruit. Shows modest flavors of cherries and blackberries, and doesn't seem like an ager. A disappointment.
Tough in tannins and soft in acids, this Malbec has a syrupy texture. The flavors of blackberries and currants have a raisiny, Porty edge.
Tough in tannins, but rich in black currant flavor, this 100% Cab has some elegant features in its purity of structure and dryness. Let it air in the glass for 30 minutes or so before drinking.
Tough in tannins, with a gritty mouthfeel, although it's also soft and jammy sweet. A blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, this rustic wine is a little hot in alcohol. Drink now.
Tough in tannins, with a minty, green streak to the cherries and blackberries. Tasty but hard now. Could develop with some time in the bottle. Try after 2010.
Tough in tannins, with an astringent, lockdown quality. That's the iron fist of this wine. The velvet glove is the rich, flamboyant core of blackberries and cassis. Give this young wine at least six years to come around.
Tough in the mouth, and chewy, like a gristly piece of steak you can't quite break down. It's certainly rich in blackberry, black currant and smoky oak flavors, and is properly dry and brisk in acidity. But you have to wonder if that toughness will ever age out.
Tough in the mouth, with green, minty tannins framing jellied flavors of blackberries and cherries. Okay for fast foods and such.
Tough tannins give this wine a kick. It's like rubbing sandpaper on the tongue, but there's a brilliantly ripe core of blackberries, cherries and blackberry liqueur. Oak adds richer levels of caramel and vanilla. Not clear if it will age well, so drink soon after a few hours decanting.
Tough tannins set the scene for this firm and extracted wine, giving it a smokiness and a touch of bitter fruit. However, the wine has the weight to support the tannins, and it hints at future juicy fruit. Keep this for at least five years.
Tough tannins, acidity and extreme dryness mark this Merlot. While it has some nice, complex black cherry and licorice flavors, it's just too astringent to enjoy, and will not age.
Tough to appreciate now due to its acidity and tannins, which lock it down behind a cloak of impenetrability. There are exotic wild raspberry and cherry fruit, cola, licorice, Provençal herb, bacon and pepper flavors, but you can't quite get to them, because they're behind bars. Obviously needs time. Give it 3–5 years in the cellar, and it should begin to blossom after that.
Tough, dry and gritty in tannins, with a bite of acidity. There's a solid core of blackberries, ripe and sweet from the summer sun, but this wine isn't offering much, and it finishes a bit on the hot side.
Tough, dry and gritty, this Syrah has stringy tannins and citrusy acids. Its austerity is relieved by the blackberry and black currant flavors. Pair this with rich, fatty meats and cheeses to help soften the mouthfeel.
Tough, dry and gritty, with astringent tannins framing black cherry and oak flavors. Finishes hot, with a scour of alcohol. Lacks elegance and breed. Drink up.
Tough, dry and tannic, this Cabernet punches its way through the mouth like an angry kickboxer. Deep down inside beats a heart of blackberries and black currants, impressively ripe and delicious. Will it age? Probably. Try after 2013, and could go for the long haul.
Tough, dry and tannic, with a gritty mouthfeel that needs rich fare, like a char-broiled steak, to wake it up. Tucked inside the astringency are some cherry, black currant and black pepper flavors.
Tough, earthy berry aromas provide a fierce outlook. The palate answers the call, showing syrupy richness amid piercing tannins. Flavors of baked black fruits yield to molasses on the short, stout finish. Tannic and solid, but very sweet. Could it use a bit more balance perhaps?
Tough, gritty,  peppery and bone dry, this junior version of the winery's higher-priced Syrahs is a good, country-style wine. It really needs a grilled steak or a rich, hard cheese to balance it.
Tough, tannic and still young, this is a powerful and dense wine. Huge and concentrated black fruits are merged into dry tannins that are still waiting to soften. This ripe, potentially fruity wine needs to age for several years. Drink from 2018.
Tough, tannicly dry and gritty, this simple country Zin needs big barbecued beef or chicken dishes slathered with sweet BBQ sauce. It's packed with blackberry and cherry jam, blood orange, licorice, beef jerky and spice flavors.
Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Casteão and Syrah—the four grapes in this blend are gently wood aged. That has smoothed out the already gentle tannins, giving the wine a creamy ripe texture enhanced by red fruit flavors. Drink now.
Touriga Nacional's home is believed to be the Dão and this 100% variety wine gives a very fine, ripe and textured red. Still young with dense tannins and a rich and concentrated structure, it is powerful and needs several years to reveal its real, rich self. Drink from 2018.
Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon merge seamlessly in this richly structured but fruity wine. It is densely concentrated, with a line of tannins cutting through the blackberry fruit flavors. Firm, textured and likely to age well, this is impressive.
Touriga Nacional and Syrah make a harmonious blend in this dense, structured wine. With complex tannins that need to soften into the ripe fruit, the wine is still developing. It's dry for now, although the black plum and berry flavors will be delicious. Drink this age worthy wine from 2017.
Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz are blended together in this rich yet structured and fruity wine. It has fresh acidity and a hint of the ocean in its crisp red-currant fruits. The structure is softening and filling out, so drink from 2016.
Touriga Nacional is as much, maybe more, at home in the Dão as in the Douro. That's shown by this ripe and powerful wine that is still so young. The dark structure of tannins and wood flavors has a great mineral texture along with the potential for delicious blackberry fruits. It needs several years aging, wait until 2018.
Touriga Nacional is even more at home in the Dão than it is in the Douro. Here it gives an initially austere wine, very mineral and textured. There is fruit there, juicy black currants, red berries balanced by dark tannins and condensed acidity. Drink from 2017.
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.
Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Aragonez (aka Tempranillo) give this wine a fine balance between structure and fruitiness. While the alcohol suggests power, in fact it's the freshness and attractive red berry fruits that dominate. The wine is soft and ready to drink.
Towards the dry end of the Pinot Gris spectrum, this is a crisp, apple and pear flavored wine that has a light character. It's fruity, crisp and ready to drink.
Towards the southern end of Chassagne, Morgeot is a large premier cru that once belonged to an abbey. This wine is full of fruit, spiced with the wood aging and with a strongly mineral texture. It has the potential to be rich, round and smooth. Wait until 2018.
Towards the western end of the Douro vineyards, Avidagos is a fine place for table wines. This young, ripe and rounded wine is made to be drunk young. It has great black fruits and acidity that are linked by the firm tannin background. The wine will be ready from the end of 2016.
Traces of charred oak in the aroma and a flood of extremely ripe dark-fruit flavors come with a sense of depth and concentration in this full-bodied, very firm and tannic but nevertheless polished wine. This is higher in alcohol than the last two vintages reviewed. It will benefit from more age or a high-protein pairing.
Traces of light cherry fruit give way quickly to a thin dilute finish. This is marginally riper than the non-reserve 2014 Pinot Noir.
Trademark hints of flint and smoke often attributed to the Devonian-era slate of the middle Mosel abound in this sprightly off-dry Riesling. Its mineral backbone doesn't deflect, however, from buoyant white grapefruit and peach flavors that penetrate through the finish. Drink now through 2020.
Trading opulence for elegance, this Chardonnay tastes dry and streamlined, with tart acidity. It's spicy, fresh and lithe, and it offers subtle citrus and flower notes.This should develop creamy, nutty tones over the next six years.
Tradition in Alsace means an entry-level bottling. This fruity wine is a good introduction to Gewurztraminer with its touch of spice, rounded texture and fresh acidity at the end. Drink now.
Tradition indeed with the traditional skittle bottle. The wine inside is structured with concentration as well as plenty of fruity acidity. It is crisp with red-currant flavors and a bright aftertaste.
Traditional and bright with berry aromatics that really pop, Sesti's Brunello delivers a steady stream of cherry, cassis, dried ginger, leather and tobacco aromas. The acidity feels sharply etched in the mouth and the wine could use 5–7 years in the cellar to soften.
Traditional and elegant, this Barbera opens with notes of leather and seasoned wood. More fruit shows through on the palate, with cherry and plum flavors leading to a leather-infused finish offering up just the slightest brush of tannins.
Traditional Carmenère aromas of olive, greenish plum and berry are on full display here. It feels a bit acidic, with scratchy and herbal flavors of spiced plum and red berry. The finish is persistent but also abrasive and aggressive.
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.
Traditional Maipo Valley aromas of eucalyptus and wild herbs form the opening, while spicy, oaky shadings fill out the bouquet on this Cabernet-led blend that contains 15% Syrah. A full, oaky palate is lively, while heavily herbal, briny flavors of olive and tobacco confirm the wine's Chilean character.
Traditional oak-based aromas of mint, dill, tobacco, vanilla and coconut sit on top of tarry black-fruit scents. In the mouth, this is a snappy, tight, structured wine with flavors of oak, coffee, licorice, spice and blackberry. It's stylish on the finish, with toasty, peppery flavors that linger for a good, long while.
Traditional Rioja aromas of leather, vanilla, dried red fruits, spice and dill turn earthy with airing. This is healthy but mature on the palate, with oaky flavors of vanilla accenting core pie cherry, red plum and raspberry. Oak spice and acidity reverberate on the finish. Drink now.
Traditional, compact and elegant, this Chianti Superiore offers bright luminosity and delicate aromas of red berry and spice. This is not a beefy or intense wine, nor was it meant to be. It would taste best with pasta or pizza.
Traditionally one of the major Champagne brands, this delicious crisp wine retains the Lanson house style. It is tight, fruity while having a mineral edge. White fruits and citrus combine easily to give a wine that is ready to drink.
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.
Traditionally, Prosecco sparkling wines were executed in a dry style, which means they have enough sweetness to change the aromatic profile and softness of the mouthfeel. Indeed, fresh peach and apricot emerge from the bouquet and the wine feels round and creamy overall.
Tradizione stands out in a crowd of Brunellos thanks to that extra layer of intensity and richness it offers in both the nose and mouth. Ripe fruit, leather, prune and tobacco build momentum on the finish.
Tradizione, as the name suggests, does evoke the storied traditions of Piemontese winemaking. Aged in Slavonian oak casks (instead of French barrique) the wine exhibits bright berry aromas with raw tones of raspberries and white cherries.
Tramin's light and silky Pinot Bianco opens with aromas of peach, citrus and honeydew melon. This variety tends to show more structure in the mouth, making this wine a great choice for grilled shrimp or seafood risotto.
Tramin presents this fresh, easy-drinking Chardonnay that boasts coolclimate aromas of stone fruit, white flower and citrus. It's zesty and clean in the mouth and perfect for seafood salad.
Tramontana refers to northern winds that wash across Italy. With those winds as inspiration, this easy Pinot Grigio opens with a lean, watery mouthfeel and crisp endnotes of melon and lemon.
Tranche does an excellent job with this grape; here the palate-filling flavors are round and fleshy, with peach and pear fruit. Short-term neutral-barrel aging has further smoothed out the mouthfeel, and it finishes delightfully with just a hint of butter.
Tranche is exploring lesser-known (for Walla Walla) grapes such as this Tempranillo, producing wines with structure and depth. Blueberry fruit and a big wash of roasted coffee ground flavors are here, with dry, firm tannins. The length is impressive.
Translated, the name of this vineyard means fogs, maybe a reference to a predisposition to get misty in the morning. Adjacent to Pommard, the wine has some of the structure of that village allied to the rounder character of Volnay. Together, these elements make for a wine that is likely to age well. Drink this ripe and smoky wine from 2023.
Translating to “The Boss's Red,” this blend of 50% Zinfandel and 50% Merlot is a bomber, with aromas of violet-laced fudge cake, ginger snaps, stewed black cherries, vanilla and sarsaparilla. The palate is all about purple flavors, with ginger-molasses spice as well as lifting spearmint and lilacs.
Translucent in color, silky in the mouth, this Mendocino-grown Pinot shows ripe, forward flavors and crisp acidity. You'll find pie-filling cherries and rhubarb, with a cola and root beer soda finish.
Translucent red in color, this coastal Pinot is light and peppery on the nose, with saline and celery stalk scents along with baked plum and raspberry notes. Oak aging has left a buttery texture that's cut by acidity, while flavors of cherry and plum are supported by barrel notes and acid-based juiciness.
Translucent, fresh aromatics, like green pears glimpsed through clear water, characterize this wine. There's also an herbal edge of fresh, green foliage on this slender and refreshing wine. The limpid purity is very convincing.
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.
Trapiche's Broquel is definitely one of Argentina's most consistent Bonardas. It opens with balsamic notes that accent chocolate and blackberry aromas, while the palate is sweet and steady as it delivers plum and ripe berry flavors. Good structure and feel, with just enough acidity to keep it in balance.
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.
Trapiche has never bottled much Sauvignon Blanc, but this one is true to its name: Pure. Easy citrus aromas are mild and clean. This feels medium in body, with a touch of weight. Orange and other dry citrus flavors are steady across the finish.
Trapiche is doing all sorts of experiments with terroirs and soils, and this Malbec is from vineyards planted on top of clay. On the nose, it's oaky, with notes of clove, mint and barrel spice accenting black-fruit scents. A full chewy palate deals spicy oaky minty blackberry flavors in front of a chocolaty finish with wood spice and minty berry notes. Drink through 2019.
Trapiche may be on to something with this Atlantic Coast Pinot Noir. Earthy aromas suggest bacon, tire rubber and oak-infused berry and cherry. The mouthfeel is fresh but weighty. Flavors of roasted cherry and plum are earthy, while this inaugural Pinot from south of Buenos Aires tastes meaty and feels warm on the finish.
Travis Scarborough has produced an outstanding Riesling, with a light coating of honey over rich and tart lemon and pineapple fruit. The concentration and length are admirable; this wine is delicious now but could be cellared for a decade or longer.
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.
Tre Saggi (“three wise men”) is a plush and rich, oak-driven Montepulciano designed by an Italian winemaker who is an absolute expert on barrel aging and oak toast. Dark chocolate, spice, clove and blackberry are presented in an incredibly soft and integrated fashion.
Tre Saggi is steadily becoming a representative wine for the Abruzzo region in central Italy. It shows loads of ripe fruit and blackberry, with shadings of spice and leather. That tight, bitter close would pair with succulent grilled meats.
Tre Saggi, or three wise men, is a terrific wine at a realistic price. This luscious vintage shows bright fruit nuances of black cherry and currant backed by soft, oak-inspired aromas of spice, leather and tobacco.
Treading between sharp citrus and the grape's more oily tendencies, this offers aromas of Lemonhead candy, honeysuckle and browned butter. The smoky flavors lean toward marshmallow and cooked peach, but the amazingly punchy acidity gives a long, vanilla-laced finish.
Treads the line between dry and sweet, with sugary, pie-filled raspberry, cherry and chocolate flavors, wrapped into Petite Sirah's big tannins. Drink this lusty wine with roasted meats, especially sausages.