This blend is mainly Shiraz (50%) and Grenache (28%), which accounts for the wine's ample, plummy fruit flavors. Accents of grilled meat and slightly briary overtones add complexity, and the wine finishes dry and savory. Drink now-2012.
This blend is mostly Merlot (86%) along with Cabernet Franc, with the fruit coming from two of the state's top sites, Boushey and Champoux. Initially brooding raspberry compote, graphite and dried herb aromas are followed by supple, tart fruit and coffee flavors that sail on the finish. The balance is impeccable. It charms with its subtleties rather than its power, but make no mistake, it charms.
This blend is mostly Syrah, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon backing it up. Dense, earthy, meaty and lightly roasted on the nose, the palate is mildly tannic, with lively acidity. Roasted, foresty plum and red-berry flavors end short and baked in character.
This blend is near-equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon along with a healthy dollop of Petit Verdot (18%). It shows a mix of fruit and savory elements, with notes of potting soil, green coffee bean, mocha, fresh herbs, licorice, generous barrel spices and red and black fruit—showing more with each swirl. The fruit and chocolate flavors are dense and rich, with bright acids and a firm core of tannins. The balance is spot-on and the finish lingers. It drinks beautifully now but you can expect it to age for another 20 years.
This blend is part of a new label for Syrah master Joey Tensley, and it's actually far more accessible at this young age than his more expensive bottlings. Fascinating aromas of game, animal hide and tar meet with black currant and elderberry on the nose. There is a strong density and tannic frame to the palate, where flavors of bay leaf, thyme and pepper spice up the undercurrent of elderberry and black plum skins.
This blend is principally Cabernet Sauvignon (48%), Cabernet Franc (23%) and Merlot (20%), with the balance Petit Verdot and Malbec. Appealing aromas of toast, barrel spice, vanilla, black cherry and herb lead to tart red- and black-fruit flavors that flow down the middle of the palate, with lightly grainy tannins supporting them.
This blend is principally Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a pinch of Petit Verdot blended in. The barrel aromas (24 months in all-new French) stand out at first, with notes of chocolate, coffee and spice. The black-fruit flavors are full bodied and high-octane, showing some warmth on the finish. The oak needs more time to integrate.
This blend is proprietors Claire and Gonzague Lurton's foray into California fruit: the two of them together owner several estates in Bordeaux. Their estate vineyard site, still in replanting mode, sits atop a compelling knoll atop Chalk Hill. Leathery and smoky, this wine is classically styled in currant and pencil lead, with a dry, restrained body that lingers on the palate.
This blend is roughly half Cabernet Sauvignon. It spends 18 months in barrel, 40% of it new American oak. Smooth and open, it's a tasty young wine reminiscent of chocolate-covered cherries.
This blend is so oaky and sticky on the nose that it smells like a Hershey's Kiss. The palate is out of balance, with chunky weight and unintegrated acidity. Like the nose, this tastes like a drugstore chocolate bar, while the finish is hot.
This blend is soft and fruity. It has flavors of cherry jam, licorice, bacon and peppery spices. Earns an extra point for the attractive mouthfeel.
This blend is very light in color and similarly shy on the nose, where it takes coaxing to find some citrus fruits and dried spices. Tastes like mixed citrus, but folds in a dash of cherry juice as well
This blend mixes the estate fruit with several different vineyards, making a more fruit-forward, accessible wine than the single-vineyard offerings. Flavors show bright raspberry and tart cranberry, leading to some tangy acids, backed with earth, rock and hints of caramel. The new oak is gently applied, adding to the finish without taking away the wine's naturally juicy fruit.
This blend of 10% skinless Carmenère and SB is almost entirely neutral on the nose, then soft on the palate. Flavors of honey and generic citrus fruits finish with amped-up pyrazines and bitterness.
This blend of 25% Sangiovese, 25% Petit Verdot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 25% Merlot shows the winery's characteristic tobacco spice in a subdued way, along with red and black cherry, hibiscus and red currant-filled chocolate truffle scents. The palate is leathery and full of dried cherry, nutmeg and vanilla flavors.
This blend of 26% Viognier, 25% Grenache Blanc, 25% Marsanne and 24% Roussanne manages to be both lush and light, showing candied melon, clover honey, pretty green pear and lime-butter on the nose. The palate offers Gala apples and fresh lemon zest, yet retains and intriguingly savory quality throughout the sip.
This blend of 27% Mourvèdre, 23% Cinsault, 18% Counoise, 17% Grenache and 15% Syrah by the Fess Parker family shows cherry cola and concentrated plum on the nose. Blackberry and other purple fruits power the palate, with aromatic elderflower elements adding complexity.
This blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 10% Syrah and 10% Teroldego opens with violet, cinnamon and Mediterranean herb aromas. The soft, succulent palate delivers raspberry, red cherry and cinnamon flavors, with supple tannins and fresh acidity. Enjoy through 2018.
This blend of 30% Carignan, 40% Grenache and 30% Syrah is easygoing and approachable, with medium-intense aromas and flavors of wild strawberry, black cherry, raspberry and fresh herbs. The palate is ripe and fruity, with dusty tannins and a clean, bright finish.
This blend of 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 30% Carignan and 10% Mourvèdre is not showing its true age. Sure, it boasts some developed notes of charcuterie, balsamic herb and garrigue, but it's also still brimming with full, ripe black-fruit notes of plum and berry. With a crushed velvet texture, gripping tannins and a long, heady finish that's laced with hints of espresso and vanilla, this shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Enjoy now, or try after 2016.
This blend of 30% Viognier, 30% Grenache Blanc, 17% Picpoul Blanc, 17% Roussanne and 6% Marsanne offers hints of honeycomb and yellow apple on the nose. Green apple, bruised pear and salted nectarine flavors show on the palate.
This blend of 32% Alvarelhão, 31% Souzão, 24% Touriga and 13% Tinta Cão shows baked black cherries, licorice, gingerbread, iron and smashed asphalt on the nose. The palate is soft and rich, with jammy cherry, blueberry and blackberry flavors eloquently spiced by clove, framed by silky tannins and cut with a welcome acidity.
This blend of 32% Syrah, 16% Grenache, 14% Petit Verdot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 12% Alicante Bouschet, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petite Sirah truly sings, as the name implies. A strong boysenberry pie aroma is lifted by purple flower scents on the nose, and the palate's lush black cherry, vanilla and mocha spice flavors are reminiscent of a dessert wine without being sweet.
This blend of 33% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot, 27% Petit Verdot and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon is mildly concentrated on the nose and palate, with rubbery blackberry, cranberry juice and geranium leading the way. Light bodied, with a soft grip of tannins, these flavors lead to a short finish of green peppercorn.
This blend of 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Malbec, 20% Petit Verdot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 12% Merlot is very approachable on the nose with blackberry and black-pepper aromas. The palate also offers the black fruit with a touch of purple flowers, but it is somewhat simple and weak, especially compared to this winery's other bottlings.
This blend of 34% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Syrah and 19% Cabernet Franc is dark violet-red in color. The nose offers a fruity and spicy mélange, like baked blueberry pie. Tannins slightly overpower flavors of blueberry, cherry, clove, anise and thyme.
This blend of 35% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Blanc and 30% Pinot Gris from La Encantada Vineyard is a stunner, starting with its crystalline brilliance in the glass. Lime blossom, pomelo, baking soda and lanolin aromas lead into a grippy palate of green apple, chalk and wet cement. Extremely tense and compelling.
This blend of 35% Kékfrankos, 34% Merlot, 27% Pinot Noir and 4% Cabernet Franc has aromas of tart cherry, pomegranate and black pepper. It is medium bodied with flavors of red plums and tart cherry.
This blend of 35% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Petite Sirah is actually a party of three, but the results are solid. Chocolate, black cherries, scarlet rose buds and toasted oak pop on the nose. The smooth and dense palate shows boysenberry, black pepper and a chalky tannic structure.
This blend of 36.5% Syrah, 32% Mourvèdre and 31.5% Grenache (the Syrah and Grenache were co-fermented) produces aromas of tart berry, tar, anise and a touch of raw lamb on the nose. The palate is strongly driven by a pencil-lead quality and framed by a nicely rising acidity, offering tart cranberry fruit.
This blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Shiraz and 26% Merlot boasts assertive aromas of cassis, black plum and licorice root. The medium-weight palate offers similarly concentrated fruit flavors, with a slightly chewy texture and a long, spicy finish.
This blend of 37% Grenache, 37% Syrah and 26% Mourvèdre is brooding, with its char, smoke, cranberry, dark plum and woodspice aromas. On the palate, silky black cherry flavors are accented with barrel-derived notes, striking a lovely balance.
This blend of 37% Pinotage, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 9% Shiraz is dense and concentrated, with deep aromas and flavors of fleshy black plum, boysenberry, crème de cassis and fruit cake. The lush, creamy palate is decadent and satisfying, with enough balancing tannin to provide a crushed velvet texture. Notes of coffee and toasted oak unfold on the close. Drink now–2018.
This blend of 39% Mourvèdre, 31% Grenache, 21% Syrah and 9% Durif shows black-plum pastry notes on the nose as well as crushed asphalt, dried rose petals and smoked pork. A line of graphite minerality grabs the palate first, then comes dark red and olallieberry fruit that are lifted by notes of lilac, lavender and potpourri, followed by grippy tannins that entertain the mouth for awhile.
This blend of 39% Petite Sirah, 35% Zinfandel, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc spent two years in barrel, allowing the flavors to mesh. Juicy acidity marks a soft, approachable palate of sugarplum and kirsch, sure to please a crowd with its full, plush texture.
This blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec shows umami-driven notes of beef char and campfire on the fairly tight nose, along with condensed violets and black cherry. Grippy tannins contain the palate, where layers of herbs, black fruits, asphalt, roast-beef char and blueberry pie show strongly.
This blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot and 7% Malbec is warm and inviting on the nose, with baked blueberry, caramel, vanilla and violet touches. The palate continues its purple flavor theme with a core of blueberry fruit, but dried herb and mocha spice provide more complex layers.
This blend of 40% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc, 20% Viognier and 10% Roussanne offers up delicate lemony scents alongside hints of pineapple. It's a medium-bodied white, displaying freshness and finesse in its citrus, pear and melon flavors. Drink it over the next year.
This blend of 40% Furmint, 40% Pinot Gris and 20% Riesling has aromas of pineapple, lychee fruit and fresh herbs. It's thin and racy in the mouth with flavors of mango, apple and guava.
This blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre starts with very cohesive aromas of fresh-pressed blackberry and slight fudge. The palate is extremely powerful in overripe flavors of black currant, Concord grape and milk chocolate, finishing with a wash of strong acidity. It's very juicy and approachable, but a tad sweet.
This blend of 40% Malbec, 30% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon opens with ripe blackberry, underbrush and cedar aromas. Concentrated and juicy, the palate doles out black currant, bilberry, mint and licorice flavors, framed by chewy tannins. Drink through 2025.
This blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 9% Cinsault and 3% Counoise offers boysenberry, hot bricks and condensed violets on the nose. The palate is quite pleasant with olallieberry jam flavors alongside sanguine elements and dark slate on the edges, altogether quite light and easy to drink.
This blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 30% Syrah, 21% Grenache and 9% Counoise shows a dense core of fruit on the fresh, tart nose, with blueberry, blackberry and boysenberry, as well as lava rocks and a licorice lift. The palate is all about texture, with good acidity and grip containing the purple fruit flavors
This blend of 40% Ribolla Gialla, 30% Chardonnay and 30% Sauvignonasse has aromas of freshly cut grass, lemon grass and white peach. It is clean and bright in the mouth with flavors of peach, apple, pear and apricot.
This blend of 40% Sangiovese, 40% Merlot and 20% Malbec is an intentionally beastly wine, with aromas of black cherry liqueur and plum brandy overcoming the nose. It's quite thick on the palate with cherry syrup and licorice flavors, but they are properly laced with decent tannins and acidity.
This blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 30% Carignan opens with attractive aromas of fudgy brownie, mocha latte, dried cherry and raspberry sauce. Medium weight and plush, it's rich and attractive, but not overly done, with flavors of blackberry and cherry that lead into a spicy finish of black pepper and roasted cocoa nib.
This blend of 41% Chardonnay, 26% Marsanne, 18% Roussanne and 15% Viognier shows notes of grilled sweet corn on the cob and Golden Delicious apple. It's broad in feel but seems to only have one trick to show.
This blend of 42% Grenache, 37% Mourvèdre, 16% Syrah and 5% Petite Sirah offers plum and mulberry aromas, with touches of thyme and sage. The palate delivers a similar range of dried fruit and wild herb flavors, showing dark strawberry and plenty of savory garrigue.
This blend of 42% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot offers aromas of carob, plum, barrel spices, anise and herbs. It's light but fleshy in feel with abundant blue fruit flavors.
This blend of 42% Petit Verdot, 36% Sangiovese and 22% Merlot shows strawberry, light caramel and expressive baking-spice aromas on the nose. A powerful burst of acidity starts the palate, which combines red currant and purple-flower flavors into a very interesting and lively wine.
This blend of 42% Syrah, 31% Petite Sirah, 20% Zinfandel and 7% Grenache from the Templeton Gap area shows aromas of grape soda, pencil lead, sweet violets and effervescent cola, all fun yet elegantly restrained. Blueberry, black pepper and fresh purple fruit combine for a very lively wine, with strong acidity on the palate.
This blend of 42% Viognier, 42% Roussanne, 8% Sémillon and 8% Riesling from Edna Valley and Paso Robles would be great to sip on the porch during a sunny afternoon. Chamomile, poached Asian pear, white peach and light honey aromas show on the nose. The palate tightens up a bit, with hints of honey, pear and baked apple set against a pithy structure.
This blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot is bitter and astringent.
This blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Syrah and 20% Petit Verdot offers purple and black fruit on the nose, with a touch of black pepper. The flavors are also quite dark, with dried mint, thyme, cigar leaf and blackberry fruit.
This blend of 43% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 20% Syrah and 17% Petite Sirah offers boisterous berry, cherry and plum-juice aromas on the nose. Black-cherry juice flavors dominate the ripe palate. This would make a great wine for backyard barbecues with burgers and ribs.
This blend of 43% Merlot, 26% Petit Verdot, 22% Carmenère, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Syrah offers orange peel, herb, raspberry and spice aromas that don't seem entirely knit together. Dry tannins back up its blue and black fruit flavors.
This blend of 43% Merlot, 27% Petit Verdot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec continues King Family's spate of solid releases. The aromas are rich but restrained, showing layers of curry powder and dried basil, with notes of spiced blueberry compote and blackberry. The full-bodied palate kicks into overdrive, with intense flavors of black fruit and dried rose that fill in the soft core, but the tannic framework keeps them from seeming effusive.
This blend of 43% Merlot, 28% Malbec, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc is the winery's star bottling of the vintage, offering aromas of plum, leather, sage, chocolate syrup and crushed breathmints. The palate is excitingly dynamic, ranging from mocha-blackberry reduction sauce to tobacco, coffee and cassis. The tannins could use a touch more mellowing.
This blend of 43% Syrah, 31% Mourvèdre, 23%  Grenache and 3% Alicante Bouschet opens with an elegant and nuanced nose, featuring scents of blackberry crumble, lilac and other purple flowers. The tart, earthy flavors combine black raspberry and vanilla with beet root, black earth and sagebrush. A deep, heady blend.
This blend of 43% Zinfandel, 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 6% Petite Sirah and 1% “other,” this is overly acidic and watery, with thin fruit flavors.
This blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Malbec and 22% Petit Verdot is rich and layered on the nose with black-cherry, blueberry, dark-chocolate and roasted-beef aromas. The palate kicks off with a touch of mint, then offers thick blueberry, coffee syrup and soy flavors. The structure is still quite sticky, and will open with time.
This blend of 44% Malbec, 33% Petit Verdot and 23% Cabernet Franc shows lots of meaty notes on the nose, including both the charred edges and raw center of a prime rib slice, alongside blueberry and cedar oil. The blueberry core holds strong into the sip, where finely chiseled tannins provide a chalky mouthfeel and carry more flavors of black olive and charred wood.
This blend of 44% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc makes a strong case for growing Bordeaux varieties in Malibu. Deep and round black currant, Concord grape and wisteria aromas lead into a palate of similar flavors laced with chalky tannins and a buoyant acidity.
This blend of 44% Shiraz, 34% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon boasts dense notes of black berry, cherry and raspberry on the nose and mouth, with soft hints of game, char and roasted cocoa nib. The mouthfeel is lush but lifted, with medium acidity and structured tannins that lend grip to the finish.
This blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 18% Malbec, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot opens with attractive green, herbal notes of peppercorn, laurel, blackcurrant leaf and plum skin. Smooth at first, with ripe plum and berry flavors on the palate, the fine tannins offer a pronounced yet dusty grip throughout the long, dry finish. It's a well-balanced wine that should continue to gain complexity through 2022.
This blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon impresses with its accents of dried herbs, cherry and bittersweet chocolate. It's palate-coating in feel, with a dazzling sense of texture backed by fine-grained tannins.
This blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc is still quite fresh for being seven-years-old, offering aromas of concentrated red-cherry juice, allspice, sandalwood and nose-tickling cinnamon. Cedar and myrrh flavors lead the woody palate, where a buoyant acidity lifts up the red cherry and tart red-currant fruits.
This blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 20% Mavrud has aromas of dried cranberries and ripe red raspberry. It is full bodied in the mouth with flavors of ripe black plum and pleasantly chewy tannins.
This blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 10% Syrah was too sweet for this taster. It's full of huge ripe fruit and a lingering aroma of burnt toast.
This blend of 45% Cinsault, 45% Carignan and 10% Syrah offers vanilla-kissed aromas of blackberry, raspberry and plum, as well as a touch of menthol. The slightly creamy, full-flavored palate boasts ripe black-fruit flavors and a touch of milk chocolate, all of which linger through to the medium-length finish.
This blend of 45% Grenache Blanc, 25% Roussanne, 15% Clairette and 15% Viognier features notes of melon, banana and pineapple backed by a hint of wet stone. It's medium to full in body, with a silky texture, then thins out a bit on the tart finish. Drink up.
This blend of 45% Grenache, 28% Shiraz and 27% Mourvèdre does show a trace of heat in its finish, but is otherwise a pleasant, medium-bodied sipper at a realistic price. Tart, slightly minty cherries feature undercurrents of chocolate and coffee, turning crisp and lemony on the finish. Drink now.
This blend of 45% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 25% Syrah from Bob and Lynn Tillman's Adelaida Road estate offers an intriguing, aromatic mix of sanguine blood elements alongside ripe black cherries and white pepper. Solid acidity and good tannins frame the palate, which delivers espresso, elderberry, licorice and forest-floor flavors.
This blend of 45% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc and 23% Petit Verdot has medium-intense scents of char, leather and mushroom, plus touches of dark cherry and mocha. Medium to full in body, the palate feels lax on entrance, but the acids quickly become perky and carry on through the finish.
This blend of 45% Petite Sirah, 40% Syrah, 10% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre releases aromatic licorice and rich black cherry on the nose. The tannins are quite mouth-drying right now, but flavors of tobacco, espresso, coffee grind, cedar, cigar and pencil lead give spicy, earthy depth to the blueberry fruit.
This blend of 45% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Freisa is very approachable and food-friendly, showing baked black-cherry pie, star anise and pine resin on the nose. The palate dries up with red plum and flashes of strawberry set against shaved clove spices. It's layered in flavor but softly textured.
This blend of 45% Shiraz, 30% Grenache and 25% Mourvèdre is full bodied and supple, not heavy or overextracted. Herb notes accent cherry fruit, while hints of mocha creep in on the finish. Enjoy this easy-drinking wine now–2017.
This blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Malbec, 18% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, brings barrel aromas of cocoa and chocolate that complement the cherry and plum notes. The flavors are soft and supple with some firmness to the tannins that still need some time to soften.
This blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Syrah and 20% Zinfandel is a little simple at first on the nose, with loamy soil and tart elderberry aromas eventually apparent. It's quite dry on the sip, with dried oregano and marjoram, and then come flavors of black fruit, graphite and black pepper.
This blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Syrah and 17% Petit Verdot retains a reductive quality on the nose even after being opened for quite a while, with slightly funky blackberry and burnt cedar aromas. Dried blackberries and black cherries show on the palate, but the tarry sensation permeates throughout.
This blend of 46% Sauvignon Blanc, 39% Sémillon and 15% Viognier pleases in a light-bodied frame. Lychee meets lemon, lime and a lengthy complexity of wet stone on the finish.
This blend of 47% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre and 18% Syrah is reminiscent of a walk through the dewy sagebrush, with dried wild herbs most prominent alongside cola, rustic plum and mulberry and a hint of pine forest. Those forest-like flavors show on the sip as well, with bay leaf, green peppercorn and a savory salts enhancing the baked berry and tangy plum skin elements—a GSM with teeth and structure.
This blend of 47% Grenache, 39% Syrah and 23% Mourvèdre packs dense fruit on the nose, showing plump blackberry and black plum, with touches of pepper, tar and charred beef. The palate is dry and leads with savory peppercorn and asphalt notes, then rounds out with blueberry and dried herb flavors, all balanced by spry acidity.
This blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 12% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot seems slightly muddled, with notes of dried herbs, flowers, barrel spices and plum. Flavors are soft and chocolaty, with an elegant styling and grainy tannins.
This blend of 48% Counoise, 38% Mourvèdre and 14% Grenache shows gravel, dried cherry, hibiscus and charred wood scents on the lively, fresh nose. Cooked cherry notes are dusted with vanilla and clove on the palate, where tart plum skin flavors the tannic backbone, and a smoky bacon fat finish makes it all the more delicious.
This blend of 48% Grenache Blanc, 14% Roussanne, 14% Viognier, 12% Marsanne and 12% Vermentino is one of the best and zippiest white Rhône-inspired blends on the market right now. Its clean nose offers key lime, grapefruit pith and gunpowder tea aromas. The palate is grippy and fresh, with zesty lime skin and the slight bubblegum flavors.
This blend of 48% Merlot, 35% Malbec and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon is plush and accessible, with attractively ripe notes of brambly blackberry, raspberry and cherry on the nose and palate. Soft, spicy tannins lend the wine a crushed-velvet texture, while hints of licorice, vanilla bean, fruitcake spice and black tea add depth to the medium-weight mouthfeel and linger long through the finish. Drinkable now, but should hold well through 2020.
This blend of 48% Roussanne, 35% Marsanne and 17% Viognier is delightfully drinkable, viscous and fresh in steely acidity. With beautifully potent floral aromas, it shines in focused pear and apricot flavors.
This blend of 49% Roussanne, 36% Grenache Blanc and 15% Viognier hits the nose with lemon zest, cooked apples and a bit of banana. It's very fresh on the palate, with honeysuckle, green apples and a pear skin tension, enhanced with wisps of smokiness.
This blend of 49% Syrah, 27% Cabernet Franc and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon leads with boysenberry, blackberry and sweet spice aromas, followed by full-bodied, lush fruit flavors. The tannins are a bit tacky, but it's otherwise appealing, showing pleasant balance.
This blend of 50-50 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is lightly herbal, with a touch of attractive tannins. It's ripe but preserves a crisp edge to balance the caramel flavor. The wine is ready to drink.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 37% Petit Verdot and 13% Malbec is dark purple in color, with rich blackberry and brambleberry tones accented by liquorice and bubble gum. The rich palate carries similar dark fruit tones, framed by silky-soft tannins.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Syrah, 7% Petit Verdot, 9% Mourvèdre and 4% Sauvignon Blanc is straightforward yet lush, with assertive oak-infused notes of plum, black raspberry and boysenberry. Spicy accents of vanilla bean and sweet smoke lend a rich impression to the close. Very drinkable now, with modest tannins and a plush texture.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 19% Cab Franc and 10% Petit Verdot is sourced from the Hedges, Stillwater, and Conner Lee vineyards. At first soft and smooth, it morphs into a textural wine with a mouthful of purple and black fruits—from blackberry on through cassis. Streaks of smoke, graphite and espresso highlight the finish.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc is the Creston winery's top-end offering, and it's beautiful. Aromas of blueberry, black cherry, turned earth and roasted vanilla bean meet with violet and sweet rose florals that keep you sniffing. It's dense on the palate but not overly ripe, with black-rock minerality and leather laid across blueberries and prime rib elements. The tannins are present but not in the way at all.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 25% Petit Verdot offers aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, blue flowers, vineyard dust and dark cooking spices. The firm palate delivers black currants, licorice, cinnamon, ground pepper and Mediterranean herbs. Bracing tannins offer support and leave an astringent, drying finish.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah and 20% Merlot has a fruity nose, the Syrah's leathery-ness is quite strong, surrounded by raspberry sweetness and red cherry from the Cab and Merlot. Although it's been in bottle some time, the finish is grippy and strongly tobacco-infused.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc and 19% Merlot has aromas of toast, fresh-brewed coffee, graphite, dried herbs and milk chocolate. It's silky and elegant yet densely flavored, backed by grainy tannins.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 8% Petite Sirah and 5% Cabernet Franc shows aromas of sweet plum, cherry jam, grape candy and chocolate spices. The palate presents a medium level of density, with flavors of Bing cherry, ollallieberry and dried oregano, thyme and marjoram.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot has aromas of orange peel, plum, coffee, vanilla and herbs. It's elegant in style with soft fruit flavors and a light tannic structure along with quite tart acids.
This blend of 50% Carignan, 30% Syrah and 20% Grenache opens with juicy scents of red cherry, blueberry and a touch of bramble. Those notes continue through to the palate, alongside a soft, spicy accent that adds depth. Medium tannins provide a solid structure and carry on through the medium-length close.
This blend of 50% each Tempranillo and Garnacha opens with wiry plum and cherry aromas. The palate is lively and spunky, with ample acidity. Flavors of berry, cherry and plum are more basic than special, while the finish is firm.
This blend of 50% Friulano, 25% Sauvignon and 25% Malvasia opens with aromas of apple, crushed rock, chamomile flower and a whiff of tomato vine. The tense, tangy palate offers white peach, citrus zest, fennel and mineral. An almond note accents the finish.
This blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Viognier and 20% Roussanne seems a bit lean and tightly structured for a white from the generally warm communes of Laudun and Saint-Gervais. Aromas and flavors are clipped, with hints of wet stones and underripe pineapple.
This blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre is reasonably light in body. The notes of crushed stone, berries, citrus and spice pick up a hint of brine on the palate, then finish tart and cleansing.
This blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Cinsault shows the same attention to quality as the Domaine's other bottlings. Ripe red berries, dried spices and crushed stone all mingle easily on the bright nose and round palate, finishing long and intense. Drink now.
This blend of 50% Grenache, 33% Mourvèdre and 17% Syrah is quite a delicious and full package. The nose is pretty yet also dense and brawny, with aromas of baked black plum, wild blackberry, leather, sagebrush and lightly roasted coffee. There is lots of chalky texture on the palate and a pointed acidity, presenting exotic flavors of plum, mulberry, pepper spice and a touch of nutmeg.
This blend of 50% Grenache, 42% Syrah and 8% Mourvèdre shows broad aromas of strawberries, baked red plums and sagebrush, proving quite inviting and playful despite the dramatic and intense label. That playfulness arises on the sip too, where wild berry and red-currant flavors pair with garrigue touches of dried sage and pepper.
This blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet opens with earthy aromas reminiscent of mature black plums, along with whiffs of farmyard and wet fur. The palate is rather lean, offering licorice, prune and espresso alongside astringent tannins, but there's not much fruit richness.
This blend of 50% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc shows cocoa dust, leather, beef jerky, dried blueberries and boysenberries on the nose. The palate is dense with tarry fruit notes, offering dark elderberries and smoked beef flavors.
This blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Sangiovese and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon starts with aromas of cedar, plum and hints of lemon thyme. The palate offers black cherry, Mediterranean herbs, espresso and mint alongside round, soft tannins. It's ready, so enjoy soon.
This blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc is ambitiously priced, but the quality is in the bottle. Next time you need a ringer for a right-bank Bordeaux tasting, here's a perfect candidate. Dried spices and a smooth, rich texture are the only hallmarks left from two years of barrel aging—the mocha and black cherry fruit is rich and luscious, developing tobacco nuances on the moderately tannic finish. Drink now and over the next 10 years.
This blend of 50% Mourvèdre and 50% Syrah shows some deep, plummy aromas and flavors and blackberries, spice and cola. It's medium-bodied, with soft tannins and a touch of warmth on the finish. Drink now–2014.
This blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 25% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 5% Counoise shows blackberry, rose petal, hibiscus and Dr. Pepper spice touches on the nose. There's decent structure to the palate, where blueberry notes meet tarry elements and a touch of charred meat.
This blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 38% Syrah and 12% Grenache is fairly light on the nose, showing smoked beef, soy and black-plum paste. The flavors are also quite restrained, with leather, blackberry, fennel and wild-mint elements.
This blend of 50% Nebbiolo, 25% Barbera and 25% Syrah offers aromas of fudge, blackberry and plum that are somehow both lean and rich. It's thick and full on the palate, with pepper spice, leather, tobacco and violets, yet the acidity is quite powerful. Serve with hearty pasta.
This blend of 50% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc and 20% Clairette is soft in texture. A welcoming mix of ripe stone fruit and spicy nasturtium blossom finish clean and refreshing.
This blend of 50% Sémillon, 30% Sauvignon Blanc Clone 1 and 20% Sauvignon Musqué from Monte Rosso and Leveroni vineyards was aged in French oak. Succulent as a peach, it's intensely ripe and flavorful, with vanilla bean and melon notes and a wisp of sweetness.
This blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Cabernet Franc is a bit over the hill, so drink up now. Prune, raisin, leather, roasted meat and pepper show on the nose, while the palate offers dried cherries and dust.
This blend of 50% Syrah, 23% Petite Sirah, 17% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache presents a delicious strawberry cake nose, backed up with dried purple flowers and cigar box backbone. On the palate, elegant purple fruits are laced with leather and pepper, finishing with a cleansing tartness.
This blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Carignan starts off tight and firm, but with time it reveals attractive aromas and flavors of small red berries and plums accented by garrigue and a hint of sweet woody smoke. It's firmly structured, with gripping tannins and a faint cocoa accent to the dry finish.
This blend of 50% Viognier, 19% Chardonnay, 19% Sauvignon Blanc and 12% Pinot Gris offers notes of pear and flowers. It's broad and creamy in feel with stone fruit flavors on the finish.
This blend of 50% Viognier, 25% Grenache Blanc, 17% Roussanne and 8% Marsanne offers candied banana, crème brûlée and sea-salt caramel on the very tropical, rich and creamy nose. Similar flavors show on the palate, where a banana-cream-pie character is delicious, though it may be too ripe for many.
This blend of 51% Syrah, 32% Mourvèdre and 17% Grenache shows root beer, smoked black cherries, dark chocolate and sweet tar on the nose. The palate is powered by dried red fruits, more smoke and a dusty character.
This blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 14% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc offers a minty character that prevails among the intense black plum and berry aromas and flavors. Well-integrated, with a decadent crushed velvet texture and a long oak-kissed finish reminiscent of dark chocolate-covered cherries.
This blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 17% Syrah, 8% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc offers plummy chocolate and leather notes and dense, layered tannins. Toasty oak adds to the concentration and body, before a lift of acidity closes out the finish. This wine is available in three Halloween-themed labels all created for Flora Springs by CD-cover artist Wes Freed.
This blend of 52% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 23% Mourvèdre is quite sultry on the nose, with crushed boysenberry, dried violets, wet clay and the slightest touch of soy. Pepper and moist earth arise on the palate, alongside blackberry and blueberry fruit, a touch of cocoa and concentrated lavender and other purple-flower flavors.
This blend of 52% Syrah, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot offers strong notes of green olive, ham hock and herbs. It's loaded with mesquite flavors with slightly astringent tannins, narrowing toward the finish.
This blend of 53% Grenache Blanc, 34% Viognier, 10% Roussanne and 3% Marsanne, which features a painting by Santa Barbara artist Chris Potter, shows interesting touches of honey and orgeat with a macadamia nut backbone. The tinge of honey extends to the sip, where it joins baked apple, nectarine and peach flavors, along with a chalky texture and decent acidity.
This blend of 53% Grenache, 23% Petite Sirah, 20% Syrah and 4% Viognier offers cinnamon spice, red cherry and slight pomegranate on the nose. The palate shows tangy cranberry fruit, a bit of baking spice and a very clay-like minerality and texture.
This blend of 53% Mourvèdre, 42% Grenache and 5% Cinsault mixes up fresh raspberry fruit aromas with mint, light licorice, charred meats, white pepper, lavender and bouquet garni. The palate centers on strawberry and raspberry, balanced by plum-peel tannins and seasoned with sage, anise and chaparral herbs. It's a very versatile Rhône blend.
This blend of 53% Zinfandel, 26% Petite Sirah and 21% Syrah shows grape candy and roasted beef crust on the nose. The flavors are dark with creosote, licorice and dark chocolate, proving to be a heavy, thick wine that's balanced by plum-skin tannins.
This blend of 54% Grenache Blanc, 44% Roussanne and 2% Viognier makes for a very floral nose at first, then it unleashes aromas of grapefruit peels, seared yellow pears and candied apples. The palate is racy with joyous acidity and chiseled with wet stone, showing crisp apple and nectarine flavors.
This blend of 54% Grenache, 28% Shiraz and 18% Mourvèdre often offers solid value. The 2009 features hints of mocha, vanilla and red plum on the nose, accented by a pinch of peppery cinnamon. In the mouth, it's medium to full in body and richly textured without being over the top, then ends on a warming spice note. Drink now and over the next few years.
This blend of 54% Grenache, 34% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre and 3% Cinsault boasts some brambly fruit, but that's dominated by notes of leather and clove. It shows decent weight and concentration on the palate, but just a bit rustic overall.
This blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot is quite ripe on the nose, with lavish black-currant fruit as well as dried dill and fennel touches. Impressively soft and thick, the tannic structure coats every corner of the mouth, carrying flavors of black cherry, mint-laced chocolate and black truffle.
This blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot is initially firm with dry tannins and a powerful structure. This will soften as the bright black-currant flavor from the Cabernet begins to shine. The wine, produced in the southern part of Haut-Médoc, will develop well. Drink from 2021.
This blend of 55% Frappato and 45% Nero d'Avola opens with red cherry, crushed strawberry, clove and white pepper aromas that carry over to bright, polished palate. It's ready and enjoyable, with silky tannins and fresh acidity.
This blend of 55% Grenache Blanc, 26% Viognier and 19% Roussanne smells like golden sunshine, with aromas of hot beach sand, lemon pound cake and vanilla pudding. The palate shows pan-fried green apples, red apple flesh and fortune cookie flavors. It makes a good alternative for lighter Chardonnay lovers.
This blend of 55% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre shows considerable weight and richness for the price. Subtle garrigue shadings lead into dark flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola and licorice, ending with hints of mocha and espresso. Drink it now–2017.
This blend of 55% Mourvèdre, 39% Syrah and 6% Grenache comes from Syncline winemaker James Mantone. It brings generous aromas of white pepper, herbs, mulberry jam and dried tobacco. The palate packs a hefty punch with über rich, dense fruit flavors that coat the palate from end to end, leading to a warm, tart finish.
This blend of 55% Roussanne and 45% Grenache Blanc offers broad aromas of cooked apples, honeydew melon and peach custard. The palate is tighter, with seared green apples, lemon rind and yellow grapefruit zest, then slowly opens more tropically, with banana elements. This is a full-bodied white wine.
This blend of 55% Sémillon and 45% Sauvignon Blanc offers aromas of fresh-cut apple and pear with an undercurrent of grapefruit and lime. Light and ephemeral, the finish leans savory in a big way, a taste of salinity lingering.
This blend of 55% Shiraz and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon is full bodied and rather tannic, with dark notes that run the gamut from leather and grilled meat to espresso and mocha. Fortunately, the texture turns velvety on the finish, allowing some mouthwatering elements to shine through. Drink now–2020.
This blend of 55% Syrah and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon offers tightly wound elderberry, beef char and deep black-plum aromas on the nose. The flavors are balanced between a blackberry ripeness and a tarry bitterness, lifted by touches of lavender, rose petals and tart black-plum skins.
This blend of 55% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre has a dark and gamy nose, with smoked beef, chocolate, black cherry and cola aromas. The palate is well-structured and expertly balanced, offering familiar Rhône flavors like fennel, pepper spice and blackberry jam.
This blend of 55% Syrah, 29% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre and 6% Counoise offers boisterous yet elegant aromas of blackberry, boysenberry and dried violet that are met with hints of crushed marjoram and white pepper. Once sipped, mulberry and exotic plum flavors mesh with wild mint on a brooding yet bright and fresh palate.
This blend of 55% Viognier and 45% Grenache Blanc offers a fairly rich nose of banana cream, marzipan, apple custard and light caramel. The mouthfeel is quite full and ripe, with lemon, mango cream and vanilla-custard flavors held together by a sizzle of acidity. Drink this cold so the riper elements don't overwhelm.
This blend of 55% Viognier, 30% Marsanne and 15% Roussanne has never been better. It's loaded with juicy stone fruits, accented with hints of tea tree oil and lemon verbena. A streak of black tea comes in gracefully as well, and along with its own unique flavor profile, it has the length and supple power of a very fine Chardonnay.
This blend of 56% Grenache Blanc, 23% Viognier, 12% Roussanne and 9% Marsanne from nine vineyards offers a pretty nose that mixes Key lime, honeydew, just-ripe nectarine and lily florality. It's bright and fresh on the tightly wound and texturally intriguing sip, with lime pith and lemongrass flavors.
This blend of 56% Sauvignon Blanc and 44% Sémillon opens with flinty, toasty notes that complement the rich wood-grilled apple, clementine peel, straw and nutty aromas. The round mouthfeel shows a bit of heaviness on the midpalate, full of vanilla custard, orange cream and buttered toast flavors that continue through the medium-length finish. Drink now.
This blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Malbec begins with a very smooth nose of baked plums, toasted bread, coffee, vanilla and barbecue char. The palate is approachable and easy to enjoy, with flavors of black cherry, milk chocolate and baking spice. Both the tannins and acidity are low and hiding in the background.
This blend of 57% Chenin Blanc and 43% Viognier is opulent and forward. Rich scents of baked apple, clove-spiked orange, honeysuckle and hazelnut crisp dance on the nose and mouth, but the palate remains lifted with fresh acidity and a saline note. Accents of spice and toast remain through the long close. A gorgeous wine now, but it should age beautifully through 2015.
This blend of 57% Marsanne, 40% Roussanne and 3% Grenache Blanc manages to be very light and crisp on the nose, with aromas of underripe nectarine and apricot as well as lemon peels and crushed white rocks. There is a defined grip to the sip, with lemon and nectarine flavors.
This blend of 57% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 6% Mourvèdre and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon shows black plums, roasted figs, cinnamon stick, uncrushed clove and star anise on the nose. That great nose doesn't translate yet to the palate, which is sticky with dark plum skin tannins, and proves a bit too leathery for drinking right now. Wait awhile and this one might work better.
This blend of 57% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 3% Mourvèdre brings grilled asparagus, stewed fruit and black olive aromas. It's plush and palate-coating, but the aromas and flavors are out of sync.
This blend of 58% Petite Sirah and 42% Zinfandel provides a good example of a winery going over the top and succeeding. Aromas recall blackberry-laced tea, dried rose petals and Luxardo cherries. Cassis provides the centerpoint of the flavor profile, with a backbone of ample tannins and touch of tar.
This blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc and 18% Merlot offers complex, alluring aromas of dried herbs, flowers, dry chocolate and black currant along with a prominent mineral streak. The fruit flavors are elegant and supple in feel. A pleasing interplay between the structured tannins and acid creates a sense of tension through the lingering finish.
This blend of 59% Roussanne, 36% Grenache Blanc and 5% Viognier is very lemony on the nicely restrained nose that also offers mango, yellow apple and grapefruit pith. Once sipped, the wine is wide and welcoming with red and yellow apples, Meyer lemon and tangerine flavors, proving quite easy-drinking.
This blend of 59% Syrah and 41% Cabernet Sauvignon plays to the savory side of the two grapes, with dominant dried oregano and thyme aromas edged with violet, blackberry and caramel scents. The palate provides great cohesion of those elements, its plush plum fruit laced with dried herb flavors, proving easy to enjoy and relatively light on its feet.
This blend of 59% Syrah, 21% Mourvèdre and 20% Grenache from the Sierra Foothills tastes a bit indistinct and slightly warm on the finish. It does deliver dark fruit flavors and plenty of vanilla-tinged oak. Drink now.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Malbec is a bit shy on the nose, with aromas of charred black plum, lava rock and soy sauce. Dried black-cherry and charred-oak flavors show on the sip along with thyme, oregano and marjoram. The tannins are still quite firm.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot offers blackberry, leather and baking spice aromas. The savory palate offers mature plum, ripe black cherry and black pepper notes, held together with polished tannins.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot opens with aromas of green bell pepper, roasted coffee bean, red currant and cedar. The palate delivers blueberry, black pepper, espresso, toast and herbaceous notes alongside subtle but drying tannins. Drink through 2016.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Syrah offers varietally blended aromas of black currant, charred hardwood and black pepper. It's very jammy and hedonistic on the palate, with hot blueberry pie and toasted vanilla-bean elements, yet the tannins and acidity hold the powerful flavors in check.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with 40% Merlot is youthfully exuberant and full of life. Plum aromas lead into pencil and clove, the fruit at first subdued in order to make way for the complexity of savory seasonings. Ready to enjoy, it packs a refined punch of leather on the finish.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese opens with aromas recalling blackberry, cedar and Mediterranean herb. The savory, medium-bodied palate delivers ripe black cherry, mocha and black pepper notes with firm tanninc underpinnings. Drink through 2019.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot opens with aromas of blackberry, cedar and cooking spice. On the palate, notes of bell pepper, espresso, toast and black pepper accent a firm black cherry core. Drink through 2017.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Shiraz, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot opens with aromas of church incense, brambly berry, cherry cola and fruit cake. The palate shows a bit more restraint, offering flavors of small red berries and cherries that are dusted with baking spices. Structured tannins lend ample grip to the medium-weight palate, while moderate acidity lifts the red fruit flavors through the close. Drink now–2021.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah and smaller amounts of Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot shows prominent black cherry, cedar and licorice flavors, along with a streak of tobacco. Full bodied and moderate in acidity, it finishes simply.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot, aged nearly two years in 80% new French oak, is a ripe, extracted and mightily concentrated wine, offering big flavor in a complex package. Highlights include cedar, cherry and cocoa powder dusted in tobacco.
This blend of 60% Carignano, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Syrah opens with aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit and ground spice. The concentrated, one-dimensional palate doles out fleshy blackberry, black cherry and black pepper alongside velvety tannins.
This blend of 60% Carmenère and 40% Carignan opens with campfire, cassis, chocolate, oak and minty aromas. A wall of acidity greets you on the palate, creating a clampy, rough feel. In terms of flavor, oak is up front and behind that there's graphite and minty, herbal fruit in front of a finish with tobacco, vanilla and length.
This blend of 60% Chardonnay with 40% Viognier opens with buttery popcorn aromas that lead into lithe, silky apple and apricot flavors. Restrained in its oak use, just hinting at vanilla, it has a tangy finish.
This blend of 60% Gamay, 28% Cabernet Franc and 12% Pinot Noir, sourced from widely separate vineyards throughout Oregon, is a surprising success. The flavors are ripe, recalling sweet mulberry and blackberry, and the polished tannins wrap it up nicely. Drink up.
This blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah is a bit feral, with sweaty leather notes that actually work well with the wine's meaty, black olive and dark plum elements. It's full bodied yet supple, with a lingering finish. Drink now–2015.
This blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah is a terrific bargain. It's full-bodied and creamy in texture yet without excessive weight, featuring complex notes of garrigue and cherries, plus hints of chocolate, cinnamon and clove. Finishes silky and long. Drink now–2025.
This blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah offers restrained fruit and medium body. Struck flint marks the nose, while the palate is slightly ungenerous, dominated by underripe stone fruit flavors. The finish is clean and dry.
This blend of 60% Grenache Blanc and 40% Viognier is quite lively. Chalk, lemon-lime, cider apples and yeast show strongly on the nose. A sourdough-bread element also pops on the palate, giving intrigue to the red apple, yellow pear and ambrosia-melon flavors.
This blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah shows ripe red berries, strawberries, vanilla bean and a touch of clove on the nose. There is a strong woody character to the dynamic, evolving palate, with pencil shavings giving way to hibiscus and raspberry notes.
This blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Counoise shows sharp aromas of pressed olallieberry, cola, uncracked peppercorns and dried oregano on the nose. A strong central line of smashed plum, fig and sweet berries arises on the sip, but with tons of herbal lift. It's a buoyant and well-rounded flavor profile, fruity but herbal.
This blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre delivers juicy, almost gulpable fruit, supported by a loose spine of soft tannins. Purple raspberry and black cherry flavors linger on the supple finish. Drink now–2018.
This blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Cinsault would be a crowd favorite if more than 700 cases were available in the U.S. The black cherry fruit is punched up by hints of herbs and cracked pepper, there's ample weight but great freshness and zest, and the finish is long and complex, showing off hints of licorice, pepper and dusty earth. Drink now–2020.
This blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon delivers notes of savory herbs, vanilla, cocoa and dark plum surrounded by a salty brine. The cranberry and blackberry flavors exhibit depth, elegance and purity, with a mesmerizing mouthfeel that leads to a hyper-extended, fruit-filled finish.
This blend of 60% Malvasia and 40% Trebbiano boasts caramel, candied ginger and pine nut aromas. The concentrated, polished palate doles out candied apricot, maple syrup and toasted almond flavors, with a touch of carob.
This blend of 60% Malvasia delle Lipari, 30% Carricante and 10% other native grapes features aromas of subtle oak, coconut and hints of exotic fruit. The round palate delivers sweet nectarine, peach and juicy tropical fruit accented with Mediterranean herbs.
This blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Mavrud has aromas of cherry cola, red raspberry and a whiff of mint. Flavors recall cherry vanilla and black berry. It's well balanced, with soft sweet tannins and a persistent finish.
This blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon is bright and balanced, with fruity notes of black plum and cherry dusted by accents of tobacco, licorice and lightly charred wood. Medium weight and enjoyable, the tannins are mouthcoating but fine and the finish deliciously spicy.
This blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot boasts black currant and cedar aromas. The savory palate delivers black cherry, cassis, tobacco and white pepper notes, set against firm tannins. Drink now–2021.
This blend of 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Merlot has a pretty fragrance of blue flower, black berry and baking spice. The simple palate is less expressive, offering fleeting wild cherry flavors.
This blend of 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Nerello Mascalese has game, black plum and orange peel aromas that carry over to the straightforward palate. Polished tannins give it a smooth texture. Drink soon.
This blend of 60% Petit Verdot, 15% Malbec, 15% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon offers a grape-driven nose, boosted by dried black cherry, licorice and baking spice, more playful than brooding. Bright flavors of blackberry and red cherry make for a juicy, tangy wine with decent tannic structure.
This blend of 60% Petite Sirah, 21% Syrah, 7% Grenache, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Tannat and 1% Viognier is tightly wound but likely to improve with time. Opened now, it offers elderberry, black currant, pencil lead and loam on the nose, with lava rock, crème de cassis and kirsch flavors slowing emerging on the palate.
This blend of 60% Pinot Grigio and 40% Viognier offers sharp green-apple candy, lemongrass, candied lime and yellow lily on the fresh and attention-grabbing nose. Grassy tension on the palate highlights lime blossoms, kiwi and apple skins. The interplay between racy Pinot Grigio and riper Viognier is intriguing.
This blend of 60% Pinot Nero and 40% Chardonnay opens with aromas of ripe orchard fruit, yellow flowers, citrus and a yeasty note of bread crust. The vibrant palate offers ripe apple, candied nectarine zest, toasted almond and a hint of pastry cream alongside small, vivacious bubbles.
This blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from the Fess Parker team offers lemon blossom, baking soda and lime zest aromas on the light and flowery nose. Broad flavors of yellow apple and pear meet with a citrus twist on the finish.
This blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay has a lovely rose-petal perfume and a dry, luxurious mouthfeel. Raspberry, strawberry and a flourish of orange provide a depth of fruity flavor.
This blend of 60% Riesling and 40% Pinot Gris is less than the sum of those parts. In fact, the two grapes cancel each other out. Slightly volatile, it's got lemon-polish aromas, thin fruit and a sour finish.
This blend of 60% Sangiovese 25% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon boasts enticing dark berry, menthol, new leather and dark spice notes. The taut palate doles out black cherry, cassis and licorice flavors, with a pleasant hint of game and fine-grained tannins. Drink 2019–2027.
This blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in oak for 40 months, which contributes dark, woody spice to the nose, enhancing the fresh-pressed elderberry and crushed lava-rock aromas. The sip is soft at first before the tannins tighten around the dark flavors, and the acidity is powerfully fresh. Give it a tad more time for all components to marry. Drink 2019–2028.
This blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon offers fresh blackberries on cold slate and a light herbal character with dill, oregano and tarragon. A minty quality carries into the sip, where black plum, pepper dust and light tar show.
This blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache blend is high in alcohol and ultra ripe with fruit. It's pushed well past any subtlety, with dark black fruit flavors, chewy tannins and some heat on the finish.
This blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Tannat works quite well, with rounded aromas of caramelized blackberry, vanilla and vibrant violets on the nose. Black currant, dried herbs and pepper show on the palate, which is nicely balanced and not as unctuous as the nose implies.
This blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Carignan and 20% Grenache opens with pleasant but soft scents of herbed cherry, plum and violet. The palate is light and easy, with soft tannins and juicy red-fruit flavors that finish clean and bright. Drink now.
This blend of 60% Syrah, 21% Grenache, 17% Mourvèdre and 2% Petite Sirah pulses with racy red fruit and sizzling acidity. Fiercely tannic, it builds in sweet flavors as it opens, recalling graham cracker, marshmallow and chocolate—a children's treat in a glass. The texture is leathery and wholly satisfying.
This blend of 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 15% Carignan offers prominent wild gamy notes framed by aromas of ripe berry compote, crushed violets and soft, lush mocha creaminess. The palate is elegant and fruit-driven, with the soft spice accents unfolding on the finish.
This blend of 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 15% Mourvèdre is plush and brooding, with dense aromas and flavors of macerated blackberry, black plum and boysenberry that are laced with hints of bramble, violet and baking spice. The medium-weight palate boasts approachable tannins, ripe black-fruit flavors and a crushed satin texture. Notes of black tea, pepper and licorice grace the long finish. Drink now–2020.
This blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Carignan is bright and fruit-driven, with rich notes of plum, cherry and boysenberry on the nose and mouth. It's medium in weight, with accessible tannins and good balance, finishing fresh and fruity, with just a subtle hint of earthy spice.
This blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Cinsault is just a bit too confected. Bubble gum, melon and stone-fruit notes are bold and forward, then finish tart and dry.
This blend of 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache starts off with scents of charred beef and smoke, then adds coffee and blackberry flavors to give it plenty of complexity. The tannins are soft, lingering on the finish with traces of caramel and vanilla. Drink it now and over the next few years.
This blend of 60% Viognier and 40% Roussanne bursts with honeysuckle, jasmine, pear and ripe peach aromas. The flavors are broad and fleshy, with a slightly sharp finish that shows some warmth.
This blend of 60% Viognier and 40% Roussanne opens with a pretty nose, that carries whiffs of honeysuckle and beeswax. The flavors follow, with a hint of lemon polish in the finish.
This blend of 60% Xarel-lo and 40% Chardonnay deals notes of petrol, yeast and powdered sugar on the bouquet. It's acidic and citric in feel, with lime, tart apple and other green-leaning flavors. Feels watery and tangy on the finish.
This blend of 61% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Merlot is dense and boldly tannic, with varietal characteristics of dried herb and a fruity core reminiscent of wild blackberry.
This blend of 62% Syrah and 38% Petite Sirah conveys mocha, smoke and woodspice. It's full bodied in feel with coffee flavors backed by astringent tannins that provide a bit of distraction.
This blend of 62% Syrah, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Grenache shows relatively restrained aromas of dark chocolate, blackberry, crushed asphalt and baking spice. There is decent tension to the sour and ripe elements of the palate, with hearty flavors of black cherry, black pepper, fennel and vanilla.
This blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot is dark garnet in the glass, offering a slightly wild nose of blackberry and green pepper. Flavors of cassis, blackberry, toffee and leather are joined by a potent burst of cranberry. Well-integrated flavors continue into the lasting finish, which offers comforting warmth before culminating in a jolt of acidity.
This blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 7% Petit Sirah is fun yet serious, with roast beef, asphalt, dried herbs and elderberry aromas. Its tannins are firm and clinging, making the palate quite dry, with more dark fruit and char elements.
This blend of 63% Marsanne, 28% Viognier and 9% Roussanne is a warm, broad wine, ably reflecting its grape varieties and geographic origins. It's slightly toasty and honeyed on the nose, then delivers hints of toasted marshmallow and poached pear on the palate.
This blend of 63% Zinfandel and 37% Cabernet Sauvignon showcases upfront fruitiness, with supportive structure. Smoky oak cradles its extroverted ripeness, with a concentration that's sure to win over fans of the style.
This blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot is focused on cedar, crushed dried herbs and cracked, hot blacktop aromas, but also shows blueberry and boysenberry fruit on the nose. The savory palate coincides, with pencil lead, dried sagebrush and juniper, oregano and thyme and the ever-so-slight hint of dried New Mexico chile.
This blend of 64% Malbec, 21% Merlot and 15% Mourvèdre is forward in ripe red cherry and plum as well as strawberry-rhubarb pie. Notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla bean weave throughout the nose and palate, spicing up the fruity core and lingering on the close. It's smooth and plush, with a crushed-satin texture and excellent overall balance and harmony.
This blend of 64% Marsanne and 36% Roussanne is one-dimensional, and it tastes a bit sour.
This blend of 64% Roussanne, 24% Viognier and 12% Grenache Blanc from White Hawk, Camp 4 and Zaca Mesa vineyards begins with an oily nose of dried apricots, dried apples, smoke and intriguing pecan and macadamia nuttiness. The palate is crisp and more restrained, offering honey, pears, dried mango and a woody, white mushroom-like earthiness.
This blend of 64% Syrah and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon is starting to show its age, with light prune, dried cherry-tobacco and clove aromas. Dried strawberry, star anise and baking spice arise on the palate, which is full of flavor but should be enjoyed soon.
This blend of 64% Syrah and 36% Grenache opens with white pepper and fresh rose petal scents. Thickly concentrated and robust, with meaty leather and blue fruit notes, it remains balanced and lifted on the finish despite its density.
This blend of 64% Syrah, 24% Zinfandel and 12% Petite Sirah shows warm and inviting aromas of cherry, blueberry, brioche, vanilla and brown sugar on the nose. The palate is lush with black cherries, maple and smoke flavors, proving rich and ripe though extremely juicy and tasty. It's an attention grabber.
This blend of 64% Syrah, 26% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre is unabashedly rich and lush, with cassis, vanilla, baked pastry, white chocolate, brown sugar and caramelized pork fat on the nose. Fudge, caramel and vanilla show powerfully on the sip, which will pair with a juicy steak or simply wow everyone at the table, even toward the end of a long night.
This blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot boasts bright raspberry and cherry aromas, with green wood, baking spice and whiffs of game. The palate delivers concentrated fruit and medicinal flavors that carry through the finish.
This blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 5% Carmenère is fragrant, with raspberry, freshly sliced bell pepper and green herb notes. The palate is full of cocoa and chocolate flavors, leaning heavily on oak attributes but still providing appeal.
This blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Syrah and 2% Petit Verdot offers broad aromas of cooked cherries with black rocks, mud, dried oregano and pepper. Pepper also shows on the palate, along with pomegranate fruit and tarragon.
This blend of 65% Chardonnay and 35% of the Soave grape Garganega is aged in French oak for 10 months. The result is rich, spicy and toasty, with soft vanilla flavors and concentrated green plum and almond flavors from the fruit.
This blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Mourvèdre from a very promising winery in Paso shows both primary Concord grape tones alongside deeper elderberry fruit on the nose, with Dr. Pepper and baking spice aromas as well. The palate is very candied with blackberry fruit and caramel, proving quite easy to drink if a tad on the sweeter side of dry.
This blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre needs more time to develop. In its youth it's shy to reveal much beyond a robust, earthy and tannic taste of inky black fruit and tobacco. Let open further or set this wine down through early 2017 or so.
This blend of 65% Syrah and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon offers less showy aromas than similar counterparts, with blackberries, black pepper, light cedar and unsweetened licorice notes. The palate offers a graphite minerality laced through dark olallieberry fruit.
This blend of 65% syrah, 30% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre comes across as slightly confected in style, featuring bright, raspberry pastilles accented by herbal notes. It's bouncy and fresh, and resembles Beaujolais stylistically, including the faint tannic structure and crisp finish. Drink up.
This blend of 66% Grenache Blanc and 34% Viognier is almost dessert-like in aromas, conveying lemon candy and browned honey. The palate proves very dry, with flavors of orange-blossom honey, marzipan and lemon, without any perceptible sweetness.
This blend of 66% Roussanne, 28% Grenache Blanc and 6% Viognier shows even more Roussanne character than the pioneering winery's single variety Roussanne. Honey, marcona almond, praline and lemon curd aromas lead to a grippy palate full of judiciously presented vanilla, marzipan, and mango flavors, with a beeswax note on the finish.
This blend of 66% Shiraz and 34% Cabernet Sauvignon has an appealing green pepper edge that provides a lift to the intense berry and toast notes that float on a soft carpet of tannins. Solid length and definition. Drink now or hold a few years for more complexity.
This blend of 66% Shiraz, 16% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache and 4% Cinsault is pure and balanced, with an immediately perceptable core of brambly berry that's accented by notes of white pepper, charred cedar, forest floor and cocoa nib. The medium-weight palate is fleshy yet firm, with spiced-fruit flavors and structured tannins. It's certainly drinkable now, but this will continue to mature and evolve nicely through 2018.
This blend of 66% Tannat and 34% Petite Sirah by Santa Clarita-based winemakers Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper offers layers of rich flavors without being overdone. Deep aromas of black cherry, boysenberry, mocha and caramel lead into a sip full of blackberry paste, beef char, dried tobacco leather and a cocoa spice. The caramel finish is just delicious.
This blend of 66% Touriga Nacional and one-third Syrah is unique for Spain but qualifies as “international” in style. Cola, blueberry and floral aromas dominate, giving way to an easy feeling palate with cola, molasses, brown sugar and blackberry flavors. It's flavorful and rich but not overly complex or layered; drink this magnum now through 2017.
This blend of 67% Cabernet Franc and 33% Petit Verdot is packed with layers of aromatics, ranging from cassis and grilled meats to mocha and coconut shavings. A hefty wine, it sports a deep, warm and concentrated midpalate that is bolstered by polished tannins and tender acids.
This blend of 67% Stonetree Vineyard Syrah and 33% Arianses Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. delivers vanilla, baking spice and dried cherry notes. Its fruit flavors are sweet but seem dried out. Drink now.
This blend of 67% Viognier, 19% Chenin Blanc and 14% Grenache Blanc is crisp and tasty, with forward aromas of pear, hard peach, yellow florals and a touch of oak-driven spice. Roundly structured, with a lush texture and a nice, clean herbal characteristic to the close. Drink now.
This blend of 68% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot hits the nose with aromas of brick, uncrushed clove, red cherries, wet gravel, rosewater and a touch of tobacco. The palate is surprisingly light, but packs cedar, pipesmoke, clove and nutmeg against a red cherry and cranberry backdrop.
This blend of 69% Syrah and 31% Grenache is smoky and oaky, with a strong charred meat flavor that obscures its lightly ripe strawberry fruit. The finish is simple and light.
This blend of 70% Blaufränkisch, 20% Pinot Noir and 10% Zweigelt has aromas of cranberry, pomegranate and dried cherry with flavors of blackberry and red raspberry. There's a pleasant touch of spicy black pepper in the finish.
This blend of 70% Cabernet and 30% Merlot shows pristine, lively accents of cherry, blackberry and prune. Spicy leather and tobacco tones bring up the rear, which give the palate extra girth and density.
This blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc shows soft tones of milk chocolate and plush cherry, backed by a tangy spice note. The fruit feels ripe and round, although the palate remains firmly structured thanks to the polished tannins.
This blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc starts with aromas of black fruit, earth, cedar wood and exotic spices. The densely concentrated, one-dimensional palate delivers fleshy black cherry accented with black pepper and licorice alongside round tannins. It's already accessible so enjoy soon.
This blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot and 10% Merlot opens with aromas of blackberry, cedar and exotic spice. The bold, concentrated palate delivers ripe black cherry, blackberry, graphite, anise and clove alongside assertive tannins.
This blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Saperavi and 5% Rara Neagra has aromas of red raspberry, violet candy and black cherry. There are flavors of cherry vanilla and pomegranate with soft tannins and an elegant finish.
This blend of 70% Chenin Blanc and 30% Sauvignon Blanc is clean, direct and easy to like. Aromas and flavors of orange pith, firm pear, melon rind and green plum abound. It's balanced and refreshing, with a bright, mouthwatering finish. Enjoy now.
This blend of 70% Ciliegiolo and 30% Canaiolo opens with muddled aromas that includes chalk, black berries, antiseptic and barnyard. The simple palate delivers overripe blackberry and a hint of black pepper along with a meaty rusticity. It ends on a bitter, medicinal note.
This blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Carignan is smooth and easy to drink, with friendly aromas and flavors of red cherry and raspberry that are kissed by a hint of mentholated character. The tannins and low and the finish is short; drink up.
This blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah is a chunky, slightly rustic style of Côtes-du-Rhône. It starts off with tar and herb aromas, then turns plummy and chocolaty on the palate. Drink now–2017.
This blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah offers remarkable value. Thyme- and bay-scented black cherry aromas fill the glass, while the flavors add an intriguing hint of raspberry. It's not overly weighty or tannic, making it ideal for drinking any season.
This blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Carignan and 10% Cinsault smells plummy and superripe, balanced out by hints of crushed stone. It's medium in body and creamy in texture, with nearly overripe flavors that stay just on the fresh side of raisin. Drink now.
This blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Shiraz and 5% Mourvèdre features surprisingly dark fruit flavors akin to blackberries and cola. A hint of mint or eucalyptus enlivens the bouquet and helps to lighten this otherwise rather full-bodied, brooding wine. Finishes long, with enough dusty tannins to warrant cellaring through 2015.
This blend of 70% Malbec with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Syrah is woody and smoky up front, with aromas of raw oak, char, shoe polish, blackberry and cassis. The longer it breathes, the better it gets, with black-fruit, baking spice and licorice flavors leading the way to a rich but short finish. Drink through 2019.
This blend of 70% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese is bright and approachable. It opens with pretty aromas of red cherry and blue flower that carry over to the palate, along with white pepper and a hint of tobacco leaf. Juicy and extremely accessible, enjoy this now.
This blend of 70% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese opens with aromas of prune and mocha that carry over to the palate. It lacks fruit richness and freshness and it's easy to detect evident alcohol.
This blend of 70% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese opens with earthy aromas of tilled soil, underbrush and ripe black fruit. Ripe black cherry and raspberry flavors are layered with chocolate and espresso, alongside rough, drying tannins.
This blend of 70% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese opens with notes of prune, raisin and dried flower petals. The staunchly tannic palate offers red cherry flavors but feels a bit lean, despite a layer of chocolate. Alcohol sensations are also detected, even though the alcohol percentage is modest.
This blend of 70% Nerello Mascalese and 30% Nocera offers ripe red-skinned berry, violet and Mediterranean scrub aromas. The juicy, vibrant palate doles out crushed raspberry, red cherry, almond and citrus zest notes with bright acidity and refined tannins. Enjoy through 2025.
This blend of 70% Nero d'Avola and 30% Syrah opens with aromas of blackberry and blue flower. The lean palate is drying out, but still offers a black cherry note and astringent wood tannins that give it an abrupt, drying finish.
This blend of 70% Pinotage and 30% Merlot shows herbal notes of bramble and black plum skins alongside a rubbery accent. Medium weight with a soft, round mouth and a clean finish.
This blend of 70% Roussanne and 30% Viognier from one of the young appellation's newer vineyards is a white Rhône done right, balancing restraint with ripeness. Aromas of beeswax, daffodil, yellow rose and ambrosia melon rind lead into a fresh, tightly wound palate of lemon mousse, yellow apple skins and cherimoya, all framed by a chalky grip.
This blend of 70% Roussanne and 30% Viognier makes a great option for those seeking an strong white wine alternative to rich Chardonnay. The nose is touched by honey, honeysuckle, crème fraîche and ripe cherimoya fruit. The palate is very creamy and full bodied, with flavors of sea salt, lemon and dried apricot.
This blend of 70% Roussanne, 14% Grenache Blanc, 10% Viognier and 6% Picpoul Blanc shows potential but is still finding its way. Aromas of Key-lime pith, sea salt, honeydew and walnut oil lead into a slightly bitter palate with tobacco flavors, dried yellow fruit, orange rinds and more nut oils.
This blend of 70% Sangiovese with Canaiolo, Colorino, Ciliegiolo and Malvasia shows fruity berry and violet aromas. On the palate, juicy black plum fruit is laced with baking spice and structured by smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
This blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 8% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon offers aromas of underbrush, espresso, mocha and blackberry. On the palate, coffee and vanilla notes back up ripe plum, black cherry and white pepper. Firm, tightly knit tannins give structure but needs time to soften and unwind.
This blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot displays black plum and baking spice aromas. The straightforward palate offers black cherry and white pepper flavors with a gamy note and smooth tannins. Short on the finish, it's ready for immediate drinking.
This blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot suggests black-skinned fruit and underbrush on the nose. The straightforward palate offers black plum, tobacco and clove flavors, with a firm tannic structure. Enjoy through 2019.
This blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from a vineyard at the 33rd degree north latitude shows blackberry jam with vanilla bean, shaved cinnamon and plump purple flowers on the nose. Red currant and red cherries pop on the palate alongside lots of earthy flavors of wet clay. The tannins need a bit of mellowing still.
This blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon is lean and racy. Grassy, lemony notes on the nose include a touch of pickled jalapeño, while an acidic laser beam of citrus creases the palate, leaving behind a puckery, austere impression.
This blend of 70% Syrah, 10% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese delivers vanilla, shaved coconut and dark fruit aromas. It's full bodied, with fruit and barrel-derived flavors that linger on the finish. The oak influence is cumbersome.
This blend of 70% Syrah, 15% Carignan, 10% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre opens with an assertive garrigue character—lavender, thyme, bay—that's supported by notes of red berry, cherry and plum. The medium-weight mouthfeel shows fine tannins and an easy texture, while violet tones unfold on the close.
This blend of 70% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre is a beautiful shade of purple in the glass, and offers aromas of black plum and milk chocolate. The mouthfeel is silky, with zesty acidity that rises through blueberry and boysenberry flavors toward the caramel-layered finish.
This blend of 70% Viura with Verdejo and Sauvigon Blanc smells a lot like Bartlett pear juice. In the mouth, it's fleshy and dilute, with briny grapefruit and a pithy tasting finish.
This blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot is sourced from the excellent DuBrul Vineyard. The fruit is magnificent, smoothly presented in a flow of cherry, plum and prune flavors. It seems soaked in chocolate, with a Bourbon-barrel highlight. The tannins are fine-grained and contribute to the overall length.
This blend of 71% Chardonnay, 23% Viognier and 6% Sauvignon Blanc offers good concentration and ample richness, with pure yet powerful aromas and flavors of wood-grilled apple, peach pit, beeswax and yellow melon rind. Accents of toasted challah and pressed yellow flowers add depth to the bouquet, while finishing touches of orange oil and sweet spice unfold on the round, lush finish. Drink now–2018.
This blend of 71% Grenache and 29% Syrah is lively with smashed strawberries and cherries on the nose as well as stewed beef, lilacs and berry-laced pastries. Black plums and cherries show on the sip, held up by tart plum skins, rose hips and lilac flavors, rounded by a sprinkling of brown sugar.
This blend of 71% Roussanne, 21% Grenache Blanc and 8% Picpoul Blanc offers cut Meyer lemon, tangerine and pink-grapefruit aromas on the nose, along with the promise of a creamy palate. Instead, the palate is quite tight and restrained, starting tart but opening toward lemon rinds and pear flesh, and wiping up clean on the finish.
This blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Cabernet Franc shows black cherry extract aromas along with leather and an appealing sense of oak-grilled pasilla chile in the background. The easily quaffable but still serious palate is redolent with juicy black cherries and charred plums, leveled with mocha and a tiny bit of herbaciousness that gives balance.
This blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Syrah and 4% Cabernet Franc shows smashed blueberries and blackcurrant on the nose alongside dried dill, pencil lead, cola and beef char. The palate is frame by judicious acidity and strong graphite flavors, with bright cherry and tart dark cranberry fruit, lifted by smoke and black pepper.
This blend of 75% Barbera and 25% Merlot smells and tastes of strawberries in dirt, a strange sensation for a wine.
This blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot smells 100% Chilean, meaning there's green tobacco, olive, eucalyptus and earthy berry aromas draped all over the bouquet. A linear, zesty palate ranks as fresh, while lightly oaked red currant and plum flavors finish with spice and vanilla notes along with tomatoey acidity.
This blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Petite Verdot is one big mouthful of intensity, with big tannins and big wallops of dark cherry and blackberry flavor. It's a wine that's not afraid of the 34 months it spent in French oak, 75% of it new.
This blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Syrah is fairly weak on the nose, with black cherry, dark spice and crushed rocks emerging with steady swirling. Purple fruits and graphite minerality show up on the palate, but this wine still needs time to come out of its shell.
This blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite Sirah, 8% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot shows grape-candy aromas along with uncrushed peppercorns and blackberry jam. The palate offers fresh olallieberries with chocolate, pencil lead and a touch of dried mint.
This blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 12% Merlot shows very interesting aromas of cola, root beer, licorice, blackberry leather, violet and a hint of caramel. Black-cherry juice flavors are seasoned with lavender, black pepper and black tea, quite tasty, though not as intriguing as the nose.
This blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc opens with intense aromas of black-skinned fruit, purple flower, oak and exotic spice. The taut, elegant palate offers black currant, black cherry, chopped mint and white pepper alongside bright acidity and polished, fine-grained tannins. It's still youthfully austere, so give it time to fully develop. Drink 2020–2033.
This blend of 75% Garnacha, 20% Tempranillo and 5% Viura opens with oaky aromas of cigar box, floral notes and raisin. A snappy, fresh palate reflects high elevation and a north-facing vineyard exposure, while this tastes oaky and of herbal currant and raspberry. A spicy finish of dried red-fruit notes and a saucy snap fits into the traditional mode for Rioja. Drink through 2021.
This blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah is a well-made rosé at a realistic price. Scents of crushed stone and bubble gum emerge from the glass, followed by medium-bodied strawberry and cherry flavors and a faintly chalky finish.
This blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre offers intriguing cherry candy, rhubarb and hibiscus scents, with touches of exotic cinnamon and woodsmoke. Caramel and baked cherry flavors mark the cherry pie-like palate, dusted with star anise and clove over a solidly tannic frame.
This blend of 75% Marsanne and 25% Roussanne is extremely floral, fruity and tropical on the nose, with coconut, mango, guava and tuberose scents. Acidity helps keep that ripeness in check on the palate, but the tropical flavor is powerfully persistent.
This blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon is light, bright and crisp. It has red fruits and perfumed acidity along with a softly tannic aftertaste. It is not a wine for aging long so drink from 2018.
This blend of 75% Pinot Grigio and 15% Vermentino is a light, simple quaff with some snap to it and not much on the finish.
This blend of 75% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Colorino opens with aromas that recall underbrush, woodland berries and tobacco leaf. The bright palate delivers tart sour cherry punctuated with white pepper and clove alongside supple tannins. It's already very drinkable so enjoy soon.
This blend of 75% Tempranillo and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon opens with dry, earthy, spicy aromas of tomato, red plum and horse hide. It's racy and lifted on the palate, with good balance. Flavors of olive, herbs, spice and red-berry fruits are slightly green, while this is chocolaty and lightly oaky on the finish.
This blend of 76% Sta. Rita Hills and 24% Russian River Valley fruit plays to the denser side of the grape, with black cherry and nutmeg aromas most prevalent. The palate offers cola, ripe cranberry, oregano and sage flavors, set against grippy tannins that ensure a few years of solid cellar life.
This blend of 77% Zinfandel, 14% Syrah, 8% Petite Sirah and 1% Grenache is a solid choice at this price. Vibrant fruit tones of strawberry, cranberry, black raspberry and mulberry mix with exotic vanilla and clove on the nose. Juicy and fresh flavors of pine-smoked blackberries give a peat-like character to the palate.
This blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 4% Malbec offers black cherry, cedar, espresso, oak, bacon fat and dried mint on the nose. It's dense on the palate, with more extracted cherry and cigar box flavors, making for very nice, uncomplicated drinking.
This blend of 78% Carignan, 18% Syrah and 4% Chardonnay deals a complete aromatic package of marzipan, fine oak and smooth berry fruits. A compact wall-to-wall palate is boldly acidic but balanced by pulpy berry fruit. Flavors of black plum, blackberry and burnt toast finish under control, with elegance and length. Drink through 2023.
This blend of 79% Grenache, 13% Syrah and 8% Mourvèdre starts with a mellow nose of black cherry, vanilla and dried ginger scents. The palate's powerful acidity carries black currant and licorice flavors, making for a rich albeit slightly boozy expression.
This blend of 79% Sauvignon Blanc and 21% Semillon is pungent and sweaty, with an almost Collio-like pungency. It's a bold, in-your-face passion-fruit monster that fades quickly on the finish.
This blend of 79% Syrah and 21% Petite Sirah is a powerhouse, showing hot asphalt, blueberry pie, mocha and teriyaki-pepper pork on the nose. The palate is quite dense with elderberries and roasted beef elements, with sour and bitter accents pulling the flavors in interesting directions.
This blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc shows prominent blue fruit aromas, with plum, mountain blueberry, herb and spice notes to round them out. The flavors are concentrated and texturally rich, providing a lot of appeal.
This blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Sangiovese opens with aromas of crushed blackberry, ripe plum and blue flowers. On the palate, notes of anise and black pepper accent the core of fleshy black cherry while assertive but polished tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2016–2019.
This blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Tempranillo opens with spicy berry and plum aromas. It's tight and minerally on the palate, with lightly medicinal cherry and plum flavors that are darkened by a blast of peppercorn. Spice notes and soft oak make the finish friendly. Drink through 2019.
This blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot was aged for 15 months in American and French oak. It shows a nice balance of earth, fruit and oak flavors in the form of turmeric, red flower, tobacco and blackberry notes. It feels lithe and medium bodied, and the acids gain momentum on the cherry-skin- and graphite-flavored finish.
This blend of 80% Clairette and 20% Bourboulenc seems to be fading a little, losing its freshness in favor of greater palate breadth. The flavors are largely neutral, but hint at oranges. Drink up.
This blend of 80% Clairette and 20% Roussanne offers an engaging mix of fruit-cocktailish flavors. Floral aromas give way to pear and pineapple, then end on a slightly chalky note. Drink now.
This blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Cinsault comes from a 100-acre property in the center of the Côtes de Provence. The wine is ripe and with great fruit. There is a touch of spice and pepper that gives the wine an attractive edge. It is all about delicious red-currant and orange-zest fruit. Drink now.
This blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah doesn't have the most effusive red-cherry fruit, but instead shows an appealing earthy, savory side. Pepper, clove and some dusty earth elements impart complexity above its price point. Drink now.
This blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Roussanne and 10% Clairette is medium-bodied and silky in texture. The nose features hints of crushed stone, underripe pear and melon, then fills out with slightly riper notes on the palate. Drink now.
This blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre is plump and charming, filled with cherry fruit and just a hint of spice. It's clean and correct, a fine option for everyday drinking.
This blend of 80% Malbec and 20% Syrah from Tolliver Ranch Vineyard shows blackberries, violets and loam on the nose. Red juice flavors entertain the lean and lithe palate, which offers decent tannic grip.
This blend of 80% Malbec with 20% Syrah is dense and rich but a touch flat on the nose, with blueberry and cumin accents. The palate feels heavy and tannic, while flavors of blackberry, prune and herbs are nice. A drawing, hard finish harks back to the tannic palate, and given that this is already six years old you might as well drink it now.
This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc displays aromas of cherry, blueberry and bramble berries, backed by aromas of vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. The palate is medium bodied with supportive tannins and shows flavors of red berries and baking spices. Leather and cedar carry to the finish joined by a swath of acidity.
This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon offers lots of thyme and oregano on the savory nose as well as black plum, mocha dust and graphite. The palate is rather light bodied, with dried herbs and the slightest hint of green pepper, all set against richer black fruit and pencil shavings.
This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, sends up toasty aromatics richly imbued with the scents of new oak. John Bookwalter consistently makes wines in this style, which in a cooler year such as 2010, can seem to mask the fruit. Give it plenty of breathing time and the blackberry and black cherry core will begin to emerge from the toast, mocha and coffee.
This blend of 80% Montepulciano and 20% Merlot opens with aromas of berry, mocha and toasted coffee bean. The palate is friendly and forward, with plum and blackberry accompanied by a hint of chocolate.
This blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims is rich and full in the mouth. It has intense acidity and a firm texture as well as ripe red currant and cherry fruits. It needs time to develop, so leave this bottling (disgorged January 2016) until 2018.
This blend of 80% Roussanne and 20% Clairette is rich and round, sumptuous and honeyed. It's largely barrel fermented, and carries a hint of tannin through the finish, which actually helps balance out the wine's lushness. Drink now.
This blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot starts with aromas of blue flower, plum, blackberry and spice. Juicy red and black cherry flavors are accented by white pepper, cinnamon and hints of espresso that add depth. It's well-balanced but tight so give this a few more years to soften and develop fully. Drink 2015–2020.
This blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Ciliegiolo has dark-skinned fruit and underbrush aromas. Black cherry jam brightened by a hint of green tea is the core flavor, set against a backdrop of easygoing tannins. Enjoy soon.
This blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Colorino has black cherry and underbrush aromas. The juicy black plum-inflected palate is accented by cinnamon and leather notes and a healthy dose of polished tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
This blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot commences with aromas of black plum, green bell pepper, blue flower and balsamic notes. The juicy palate delivers a core of black cherry along with black pepper, espresso and chocolate. Still tightly tannic, it also shows the warmth of the vintage. Drink 2015–2018.
This blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% Ciliegiolo opens with bright aromas of red berry, violet and a whiff of Mediterranean scrub. The vibrant, easygoing palate brings juicy black cherry, raspberry and a note of clove alongside bright acidity and supple tannins. Enjoy through 2016.
This blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% Merlot opens with a fruity fragrance of plum, black currants and prune accented with toasted notes. The one dimensional palate delivers juicy black cherry and blueberry mingled with hints of black pepper and cinnamon. Soft and round, this should be enjoyed soon.
This blend of 80% Sangiovese, 12% Ciliegiolo, 6% Canaiolo and 2% Colorino displays spice-laced blackberry and leather aromas. On the palate, firm, grainy tannins frame mature plum, espresso, tobacco and clove flavors. Drink through 2019.
This blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon reveals plenty of blackberry and plum fruit, carried along by a full-bodied, somewhat tannic mouthfeel. Finishes with soft tannins, making it approachable in the near term.
This blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache offers heady and thick violet and plum extract aromas, and smells heavier in alcohol than it is. The palate shows ripe black cherry, but it's eye-wateringly tannic, and needs quite a bit of time in the cellar to evolve.
This blend of 80% Syrah, 10% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre shows black pepper, light boysenberry, tangy raspberry and a teriyaki-hoisin plum-sauce savoriness. More black pepper and boysenberry show on the palate, where the body is relatively light but with plenty of verve and pop, thanks to plum-skin sourness, concentrated hibiscus and dried purple flowers.
This blend of 80% Tannat and 20% Cabernet Franc has given a wine that is both dense and smoothly ripe. Rich black fruits dominate, supported by a dry, solid structure from the Tannat. It is a wine to age, so drink from 2019.
This blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon is softened by 19% Merlot, providing a sanguine experience marred by ponderously huge tannins that make the fruit almost impenetrable. Once pierced, expect currant, cedar and leather.
This blend of 83% Albariño and 17% Grenache Blanc is slightly incongruous from the juicy nose to the tight sip, but it works. Sunny aromas of honey, peach and white flowers hint at a sweeter wine, but the palate is tight, bright and bone dry, showing orange mousse, Key lime and grassy flavors.
This blend of 84% Grenache Blanc and 16% Roussanne combines the former's sharpness with the latter's lushness, showing thinly sliced lemon rinds, yellow pear, nectarine and light almond on the nose. The palate is light, delicate and quite quaffable, with chalky tension framing stone fruit and whipped-butter flavors.
This blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Alicante and Merlot opens with a fruit and spice aroma that recalls bright red berries and black pepper. The one-dimensional palate offers juicy black cherry and raspberry along with notes of white pepper and clove. Simple and easy-drinking, it will pair well with hearty Tuscan soups.
This blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Alicante has aromas of espresso, blue flower, red and black berries. The palate offers toasted oak, coffee, bell pepper, and black cherry accented with black pepper. It closes with astringent wood tannins.
This blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot is heavy on oak. It starts with aromas of toasted oak, coffee and vanilla with just a whiff of black plum. The palate is also dominated by oak extract, chocolate and espresso that muffle the ripe, black fruit gasping beneath the surface. It closes on a bitter note of wood tannins.
This blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Can aiolo and 5% other red grapes opens with aromas of ripe dark-skinned fruit, crushed blue flowers and a whiff of clove. The easygoing palate offers dried black cherry, espresso and a hint of anise alongside dusty tannins.
This blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino shows delicate plum and underbrush aromas. It's medium-bodied, approachable and smoothly tannic, delivering prune and clove flavors. Drink through 2018.
This blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon leads with aromas of underbrush, plum, spice and toasted notes. The palate opens with juicy black cherry accented with black pepper and mocha but it has an abrupt, tannic finish.
This blend of 85% Syrah, 10% Grenache and 5% Carignan is aging beautifully, and still shows great life ahead. Spice and toasted-oak notes are front and center, with supporting aromas and flavors of dense black-fruit preserves, crushed violet and cocoa powder. The texture is still firm and tight, with slightly chewy tannins and a long, earth- and wood-flavored finish.
This blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon is light and leafy but not dirty or harsh. It's a thin-sided, tangy sort of wine with as much citrus as there is berry fruit. For something aged and mild, it's pretty good but not what you'd call substantial. Imported by Luneau USA Inc.
This blend of 87% Grenache and 13% Syrah shows red apple, deep strawberry and yeast touches on the fresh and lively nose. It hits the palate with brilliant, tactile energy, delivering rounded red fruit and bubblegum flavors that make it a certain summertime crowd pleaser.
This blend of 87% Grenache, 8% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah is big, bold and robustly flavored, showing its youth. Juicy cherry and licorice flavors are edged in smoke and tannin. The cinnamon-laced finish is soft and long.
This blend of 87% Syrah and 13% Merlot mixes plummy blackberry, blueberry and leather flavors. An earthiness marked by roses permeates the nose and palate, buoyed by bright acidity and a tangy lift of cranberry and white pepper.
This blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc is rustic smelling, with a rubbery, tannic mouthfeel and flavors of roasted plum and berry. Let this wine aerate to show its best.
This blend of 88% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre is crisp, crunchy and direct, delivering brambly, blackberry fruit spiced with a touch of licorice. This is tart and firm without being particularly tannic, so enjoy it over the next few years.
This blend of 89% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Chardonnay and 1% Muscat is fulsome, lush and rounded, with deep layers of pear, fig and vanilla flavors. Acidity provides a zippy end to its lengthy finish.
This blend of 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon opens with bell pepper, cassis and grilled herb aromas. The palate offers ripe black currant, anise, sage and mocha flavors, buttressed by crunchy tannins. Drink through 2020.
This blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of blueberry and black plum accented with vanilla and coffee notes. Still tight, the palate offers up a core of rich black cherry accented with espresso, oak, vanilla and licorice alongside astringent, drying tannins. Give this a few years to unwind and fully develop.
This blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo has aromas of blue flower, underbrush, leather and spice. The bright, lively palate offers juicy black cherry, raspberry, black pepper and whiffs of cake spices. It's easy-drinking and well balanced with supple tannins and fresh acidity.
This blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot boasts ripe black-skinned fruit and cedar aromas. The concentrated palate delivers smoke-laced black plum and tobacco flavors held together by firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2022.
This blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot opens with acrid aromas that recall sweat and wet leaves. The palate delivers a mouthful of raw oak, roasted coffee bean and espresso. It lacks fruit richness and finishes on a bitter note of astringent wood tannins.
This blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, easily recognizable for its fun label showing antique cars and cyprus trees, has earthy aromas that suggest leafy underbrush, wet soil, woodland berries and plum. The palate delivers black cherry accented with black pepper, espresso and menthol. Tightly woven and tannic, it will benefit with a few more years aging. Drink 2015–2019.
This blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot opens with leafy, almost weedy aromas that burn off to reveal black fruit and green pepper. On the palate, a core of black cherry mingles with espresso and coffee notes. Round with velvety tannins, this is already accessible so enjoy soon.
This blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino offers blackberry and cooking spice aromas. The straightforward palate delivers juicy black plum and clove flavors with an underpinning of smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
This blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Malvasia Nera offers ripe black plum and black tea scents. The firm palate displays black currant and clove flavor, supported by clenching tannins. Drink through 2019.
This blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot and 5% Alicante opens with earthy aromas of turned soil, espresso, tobacco leaf and black fruit. The earthy element carries over to the palate together with black cherry, white pepper, licorice and coffee alongside firm but refined tannins.
This blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc with some Sauvignon Gris and Musque grapes does its best to achieve ripeness, but it's dominated by green flavors of gooseberries, along with a hint of ammonia. Dry and a bit vegetal in style, this barrel-aged wine finishes on a tart note.
This blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Grenache offers plum, blackberry and blueberry on the nose with sweet cedar, tobacco and vanilla spice touches. There is strong acidity through the sip, which delivers similar elements as the nose, with baked black-purple fruit and clove spice.
This blend of 90% Viura and 10% Malvasia gives off scents of saline and pool water along with apple, citrus and green herb notes. The palate is zesty and high in acid, leaving a clipped feel and flavors of lime, pineapple and green apple. It's nicely built but modest in its overall expression.
This blend of 91% Syrah and 9% Grenache delivers a load of wild herbs and forest undergrowth to the savory nose, giving depth to the cassis and vanilla aromas. That garrigue character is wrapped around the mulberry and boysenberry core of the palate, where touches of smoke and roasted pork complete the sip.
This blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Negrette shows treacly candied cherry and crème de cassis as well as a composting purple-flower element on the nose. Thick kirsch and blackcurrant flavors are present on the boozy palate, which would pair with a cigar easily.
This blend of 95% Schiava and 5% Lagrein offers aromas of red berry, alpine herb and orange zest. The easy-drinking palate doles out crunchy sour cherry, crushed raspberry, almond and alpine herb. It's balanced with supple tannins and fresh acidity.
This blend of 95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier displays some cool-climate character in its red berry and herbal pepper notes. It's medium bodied and slightly dusty in texture, with a tart, mouthwatering finish. Drink it over the next few years.
This blend of Aglianico and Montelpulciano opens with slightly funky aromas that include nail polish remover, stewed prune and oak. The palate offers toasted oak, vanilla, sweetened coffee and sugar plum alongside astringent wood tannins.
This blend of Aglianico and Piedirosso opens with mature plum and prune aromas as well as whiffs of hazelnut and chestnut. The robust, warm palate delivers ripe blackberry, stewed prune, licorice and espresso notes alongside aggressive tannins that will need years to tame.
This blend of Aglianico, Merlot and Sangiovese opens with aromas of ripe black plum, toasted oak, chocolate and game. The thick, one-dimensional palate is overripe, offering stewed black cherry, prune, vanilla and chocolate alongside drying wood tannins.
This blend of Albanello and Moscato opens with an off-gold color and rich aromas of yellow rose and honey. There's a touch of bitter almond on the palate.
This blend of all five Bordeaux varieties hails from a smaller, high elevation appellation bridging Sonoma County and Napa Valley. It's jammy and spicy in red fruit, berry and cocoa flavors. Drink now.
This blend of all five Bordeaux varieties has cranberry, plum, sage and herb throughout and is good, with a medium-body and tart finish. Aged almost two years in nearly all new French oak it's fairly light on its feet. Much of the blend (27%) is Alexander Valley Cabernet, the Merlot is from Sonoma Valley and the Cab Franc from Dry Creek. The Malbec and Petit Verdot, earthy and leathery both, come from Clear Lake.
This blend of all six Bordeaux varieties is lighter in color and offers wound-up aromas of savory herb, char, exotic spice, green pepper and cherry. The flavors are light and silky in feel, intertwining with charry barrel notes on the lingering finish.
This blend of all the Bordeaux varieties satisfies for its wealth of well-ripened fruit. It just floods the mouth with the flavors of crushed, perfectly ripe blackberries, black raspberries and wild cherries, picked under the warm summer sun. Oak adds smoky nuances. A good job from Madrona. Drink now.
This blend of Altesse, Jacquère and Chardonnay is bitter at first. That edge gives way to a creamy mousse that fills the mouth with nut, dried plum and spice flavors.The aftertaste is dry.
This blend of Alvarinho and Trajadura is initially crisp and fresh. Gradually, it broadens out into a rich wine with a blend between lemon and yellow fruits that is delicious and concentrated. This tangy wine is developing well, and is ready to drink now although it will age.
This blend of and Syrah is more ripe fruit than freshness. It is rounded and soft with caramel and spice flavors as well as rich strawberries. Drink now.
This blend of Antão Vaz and Verdelho is rich and creamy with spice and green plum flavors given a boost by vanilla and ginger flavors. There's a fine perfumed aftertaste from the Verdelho.
This blend of Aragonez and Syrah gives a wine that has a ripe crushed-strawberry flavor that is supported by a soft texture and a juicy aftertaste. It is dry, although its ripe fruit gives it a sense of sweetness.
This blend of Aragonez and Touriga Nacional is particularly crisp and fruity. It has some richness, but it is the bright red berry and red currant fruit that makes it so refreshing. Drink now.
This blend of Arinto and Chardonnay is crisp and fresh, showing the cool, ocean climate of the Lisboa region in its light, bright texture. It is juicy with peach and pineapple flavors cut by lime-juice acidity. Drink now.
This blend of Arinto and Fernão Pires is soft and bland. Its light fruit and acidity feel open and ripe.
This blend of Baga and Chardonnay is structured, almost tannic in character with spice and acidity dominating the fruit. That suggests the wine needs to age in bottle a little longer, so drink from 2017.
This blend of Barbera and Bonarda opens with an inky dark appearance and offers fresh aromas of plump cherry fruit, cola and cherry liqueur. The wine is thick, dense and slightly sweet with an almost syrupy finish.
This blend of Barbera, Petite Sirah and other red varieties tastes hearty, fruity, full flavored and full bodied, without being too tannic to enjoy easily. Aromas like blackberry jam and flavors reminiscent of dark plum and spicy, smoky oak make it tempting and delicious. Enough fresh acidity keeps it balanced.
This blend of barrique-aged Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon has a fragrance of oak and bell pepper. The palate shows red currant, cherry, oak, coffee and chocolate notes. Although it has generous fruit, it lacks complexity and is shy on freshness and vitality.
This blend of best barrels from Terravant shows rhubarb, turned earth, chaparral funk and black cherry at the deepest core of the nose. The mouthfeel is broad and welcoming, with steady flavors of blackberry, olallieberry, licorice and a touch of citrus tartness.
This blend of Biancolella and Forastera opens with subtle aromas of white spring flower and tree fruit. The rather lean palate offers crisp yellow apple, mineral and Bartlett pear alongside prominent acidity.
This blend of Bical and Cercial is toasty and dominated by its wood aging. Wood-derived spice notes cover its crisper green fruits.
This blend of Blaufränkisch, Syrah and Merlot is Höpler's signature wine. It makes for a fascinating combination of ripe black-plum flavors highlighted by juicy acidity and wood notes. The wine will age well, so drink from 2015. Screwcap.
This blend of Bobal and Garnacha is clean and neutral up front. A healthy feeling palate is highly regular but solid. Standard citrus and currant flavors end with moderate length.
This blend of Bordeaux grapes with Syrah is rich and spicy. It is made to be drunk young, with touches of toast and a dense texture that brings out the perfumed character of Syrah balanced with Bordeaux structure. The wine is ready to drink, although it will be better from late 2016.
This blend of Bordeaux varieties (39% Cab Sauv, 37% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 8% Cab Franc and 4% Malbec) opens with a nice purity of fruit, mainly plum and cassis and shows a deftness of blending. There's a touch of green pepper at the finish.
This blend of Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Merlot is young, rambunctious and tight, but also very interesting. The aromas of chocolate, clove, pepper and black plum do the trick: you are drawn in. Intense flavors of cherry, plum, cassis and pepper, and a finish of piquant spices and oak are equally satisfying. Based on how this wine responded to air we say give it a few years to settle down.
This blend of Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot is heavily oaked to say the least. Early on you must battle through a blanket of woody aromas to get to strawberry and vanilla flavors. Airing gives the wine a milder personality, but a dialing back of the oak treatment wouldn't hurt. Imported by Pelco Inc.
This blend of Cabernet and Merlot tastes more like a Shiraz than a Bordeaux blend. It's jammy and peppery and also Porty, with an overripe, brandied taste.
This blend of Cabernet Franc (46%), Merlot (28%), Cabernet Sauvignon (17%) and Petit Verdot (9%) starts out brooding, with black cherry, herb, black currant, anise, and spice notes. The palate is rich and structured, loaded with dark fruit flavors and firm tannins. Give it some time to open up.
This blend of Cabernet Franc (52%) along with Syrah (38%), Cabernet Sauvignon (8%) and 2% Merlot saw just a smidgeon (10%) of new oak. Notes of dried herbs, raspberries and dark chocolate partner with lithe fruit flavors backed by grainy tannins.
This blend of Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin has a subdued, muddled nose, offering touches of cassis, asparagus and leather. On the palate, the soft acids make this wine feel pliant, and a thread of minerality gives it character.
This blend of Cabernet Franc and Gamay concentrates on fruit and soft acidity. It has some smokiness and rounded tannins, fresh and full of red fruits. It is ready to drink.
This blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot is not one of Justin's best efforts. It's simple in construction, with soft tannins and cherry pie, red licorice and sandalwood flavors that finish with a touch of bell pepper.
This blend of Cabernet Franc and Montelpulciano opens with earthy aromas of tilled soil, blackberry and evident oak. The palate offers up plum, red berry and roasted coffee-bean flavors. It's soft and ready to drink.
This blend of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot opens with fiery, oaky aromas that include cherry, cassis and vanilla. The palate has a severe tartaric shear to it along with clampy tannins. High-toned flavors of raspberry and plum are propped up by blazing acidity, while the finish is herbal and peppery in taste, with a scouring feel.
This blend of Cabernet Franc and the light, fruit and acidic Austrian variety Lemberger is on the whole  successful, displaying a unique, masculine nose of deep cherry and leathery spice. On the palate, elegant flavors of cherry, raspberry and spice are balanced and friendly. This is a wine that can pair with heartier dishes: think duck or lamb stew.
This blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot saw 31 months in French oak and another two years in bottle prior to release. There's plenty of detail to the concentrated coffee, cherry, graphite and blackberry aromas and flavors that reflect perfect balance. It's drinking exquisitely now but has a long life in front of it. It will be best from 2020–2026.
This blend of Cabernet France, Malbec and Pinot Noir shows the eclectic range of red grapes at the disposal of a Touraine vigneron. It has also produced a soft, gently tannic wine with perfumed fruits, bitter cherry and a herbal aftertaste.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot and Cabernet Franc is full bodied and firm, the tannins just beginning to soften. The aromas and flavors are classic: cedar, vanilla, cassis and tobacco. Drink now–2020.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (33%), Merlot (33%), Petit Verdot (16%), Malbec (16%) and Cabernet Franc (2%) delivers high toned notes of cocoa, purple flower, green herb and plum, showing whiffs of volatility. The palate is velvety-smooth, with plentiful dark fruit and chocolate flavors backed by burly tannins. Give it time to stretch its legs.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Merlot (33%), Cabernet Franc (17%) and Petit Verdot brings vanilla, baker's chocolate, woodspice, dried herb and cherry aromas. It's medium bodied on the palate, with cherry flavors and cinnamon accents throughout.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Merlot (35%) and Cabernet Franc comes from Bacchus, Dionysus, Weinbau and Seven Hills vineyards—some of the top vineyards in the state. Dark roasted coffee bean, char, herb and cherry aromas lead to restrained fruit and barrel flavors that show a fine sense of elegance. It delivers a lot of quality and value.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (43%), Merlot (31%), Petit Verdot (12%), Cabernet Franc (9%) and Malbec was assembled after just a little more than a year in barrel and then aged for an additional year in 500-liter French oak puncheons. It's 85% free-run juice and locked up with notes of graphite, dark chocolate, cassis and wood. The flavors are elegant, tart and tightly coiled, surrounded by chewy tannins that still need some time in the bottle to be tamed.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Malbec (10%) and Petit Verdot comes from the winery's young estate vineyard. Aromas of vanilla bean, dried herb, licorice, cranberry and cherry are brooding. The palate offers focused yet restrained fruit flavors and well-balanced acid and tannin. Built for the long haul, it will only improve with some additional time in the bottle.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Syrah (32%) and Petit Verdot offers notes of blueberries and high-toned herbs that don't entirely seem to marry. Flavors are rich and concentrated with a supple feel.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (54%), Merlot (31%) and Syrah (15%) boasts blue fruit aromas, from plum and huckleberry to bramble, along with vanilla and spice. The palate shows depth and density, with silky fruit and barrel flavors that heighten the interest. Its balance is spot on.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (54%), Merlot (33%), Cabernet Franc (8%) and Petit Verdot hails from six up-and-coming vineyards on Red Mountain. It suggests coffee and cream, vanilla and dark cherry, with a high-toned herbal grace note. The feel is soft and supple with coffee flavors that linger, winning on its elegant, ultracharming appeal.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Syrah (27%), Petit Verdot (15%) and Merlot delivers a medley of herb, baker's chocolate, smoke, plum and black tea aromas. Fine-grained tannins support its dark fruit flavors, which stretch long into the finish. Highly styled yet lovely.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (62.5%), Merlot (25%) and Cabernet Franc (12.5%) is aged in one-third new French oak for 10 months, resulting in a lovely marriage of vanilla and cedar with cassis. The wine is youthful and primary, but the oak and fruit are seamlessly integrated, blending baking spices and chocolate into the mix. Richly textured, with a long finish, this wine is delicious now, but should age well through 2030.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot and Sangiovese is tad jammy and cooked. The wine delivers tight, tart tannins with impressive structure and length.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (67%), Merlot (22%) and Cabernet Franc draws you in with aromas of dark coffee, dried herbs, medicine cabinet and dark cherry. The sweet flavors are layered and tightly wound, with tart acidity and lightly gritty tannins stitching it all together.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (68%) and Syrah offers aromas of blue fruit, smoked meat, tire rubber and herbs. It's sweet and flavorful with abundant plum notes.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (2%) and Malbec offers generous notes of chocolate, vanilla, pencil lead and dark fruit. It shows a nice interplay of elegant fruit and barrel flavors with vanilla taking the lead on the finish.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (73%), Merlot (20%) and Cabernet Franc (7%) comes from vines at Champoux Vineyard that average 34 years of age. It's soft and seductive with notes of coffee bean, chocolate, and olive backed by slightly gritty tannins.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Cabernet Franc, Merlot and -Syrah opens with unique aromas of candied fruit or sweet cherry. The wine's appearance is of dense, dark garnet, and it finishes with soft, yielding tannins.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Blaufränkisch is dominated by the black currant flavors of the Cabernet. It is tight at this young stage with firm fruit tannins that lie under the acidity. This is a wine for long-term aging over at least 6 years.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc opens with aromas of oak, earth and ripe black fruit. The palate offers flavors of succulent black currant, plum, black cherry, espresso and roasted herbs, all layered with chocolate and vanilla. It boasts velvety tannins and a smooth texture.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère seems to do better in cooler vintages. In this hot year, the wine is soupy and sticky in feel but herbal in aromas. Flavors of cherry and plum are oaky and medicinal, while the finish is flabby and hollow. This is still good but it has its issues.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec is overtly woody smelling in support of chunky earthy berry aromas. A full, racy, balanced palate deals structured tannins and salty plum flavors backed by a heavy dose of wood spice. On the finish, this is dry, oaky and tannic. It's good now, but will be best from 2020–2025.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot combines the sharp, herbal edges of Cabernet with the plumminess of Merlot to fine results. Umami notes of brine, mushroom and forest floor add savory complexity. It's a complex yet thoroughly approachable wine that's drinking elegantly now.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from coastal Tuscany opens with some sharp or thorny aromas of bramble or forest fruit. It delivers firm, etched tannins with a dry, polished close.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot has aromas of coffee, black cherry and dark chocolate. It is tart in the mouth, with flavors of cherry and red raspberry.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is as sweet as a candy. It has licorice, cherry, sweet cola and persimmon flavors.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is assertive with black currant and chocolate flavors, but saved from being a fruit bomb by intricate tannins and a nice hit of acidity. The fleshy fruitiness is best enjoyed now.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot offers tight aromas of cola and tar, followed by soft layers of berry, cherry and spicy cinnamon.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot opens with aromas of cherry liqueur and cassis, followed by accents of leather and toasted nut. The palate is tight and fresh, and it offers touches of citrus and forest fruit.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot opens with forest berry and cassis notes, backed by rum cake, leather and tobacco accents. The palate is sharp, tight and streamlined.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot is soft, with berry, cocoa and spice flavors. Drink it with summer barbecue and enjoy.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot shows an uneasy mix of green coffee bean, cherry, char and meaty notes. The cherry flavors are medium bodied backed by a wall of firm, dry tannins.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese has a rather inexpressive nose that eventually reveals bell pepper, cedar and spice. The palate offers dried black cherries, oak, sawdust and oak-driven spice while astringent wood tannins give it an abrupt, drying finish. It lacks vibrancy and there's not enough fruit richness to stand up to the oak.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah is too ripe and obvious for its own good. It's very good, offering a vast wealth of pie filling blackberries, cherries, cassis, licorice and chocolate flavors, but you find yourself wishing that, at this price, it had greater structure and was a little more aloof and tantalizing.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot from several appellations within the Napa Valley is soft and smoothly textured, offering brawny black cherry and toasted wood flavors.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Carmenère is the best wine from Santa Alicia I've come across. The nose is spicy, dry and delivers earthy cherry and plum aromas. It feels right and tastes of spicy raspberry and plum, with a fruity, complex finish. A good wine for food with nice acidity; drink now–2015.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot opens with aromas of bluish-black fruit, toasted oak, espresso and licorice. The palate delivers blackberry extract, anise, clove and tobacco while dusty tannins provide support.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot saw just a kiss (15%) of new French oak, putting the fruit aromas of plum, blueberry, cherry and herb at the fore. The coffee and berry flavors are lighter in style backed by a firm squeeze of slightly gritty tannins.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Sangiovese shows bright aromas of cassis and blackberry. Light touches of spice and leather lend the finish heft and determination.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc offers licorice and soft layers of red and black fruit. Intense and full bodied, veering into a leathery texture, it finishes long and ripe, dusted in mocha.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot is quite sizable on the palate. It explores where these varieties can go in terms of smokiness and deeper, more savory tastes of tobacco and clove.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Aglianico from southern Italy delivers plum, raspberry, spice and espresso along with integrated oak sensations. It's easy drinking and made for everyday enjoyment.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Barbera opens with aromas of bell pepper, black currant and cedar. Plum, blackberry and cherry flavors carry the palate in a soft and ready-to-drink style, accented by a hint of black pepper.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc offers aromas of red and black berries, bell pepper and cedar. The palate delivers concentrated blackberry, cherry, chocolate and spice. It has rich flavors but lacks freshness and energy.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec is a steal, offering a robust touch of char on the front end aromatically before unleashing bright red fruit and soft tannin. Ultimately light bodied, it retains just the right amount of grippy tannin to give it some bite.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec offers classic peppercorn and big juicy cassis and blackberry notes. It's enjoyable now in its vibrant fruit forwardness but also structured enough to let sit 2018–2020. On the finish are touches of bittersweet chocolate and dried herb.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot with a bit of Norman Beko's estate Syrah shows concentrated blueberry, tobacco, dried dill, leather and sweet cedar aromas on the nose, in accordance with its age. There are elegant purple flower, caramelized fruit and mocha spice flavors on the palate, which is holding up well but should be enjoyed now.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese is much drier, more acidic and earthier than many other Napa reds. Therein lies its strengh and its weakness. It's a firm wine with suggestions of cherries and tobacco that will satisfy folks who complain about fruit bombs. But it's also pretty tart. Drink now with rich Italian-inspired fare.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz has aromas of cherry and green pepper. Minty tones and a touch of green pepper hold sway over flavors of cherry and cranberry, continuing into the cool, peppery finish.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah begins with leafy, almost weedy aromas along with hints of graphite and mature black berries. But the lean palate lacks fruit richness and reveals evident alcohol sensations despite the modest level.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah is the best of the three new releases from Mannina. It simply has better focus, more concentration and is a well-balanced wine with a pretty mocha/toasty finish. Why is this the cheap wine? Who knows, but it is clearly the best overall value as well.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah offers appealing, fruit-forward aromas of plum and blackberry. The flavors are direct and fruit filled, providing a lot of enjoyment.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah shows quite a bit of volatility. Herb and dried red cherry lead to plush, full fruit flavors with a light grip of tannins and oak accents on the finish.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel offers lots to like at the price. It's soft, rich and finely tannic, with savory berry and spice flavors that straddle the border between dry and sweet.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec offers reserved aromas of green herbs, mineral and dusty chocolate. It's elegant and filled with juicy cherry flavors.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from one of the state's most esteemed vineyards brings aromas of baking spice, savory herb and cherry. Flavors are medium bodied, with bright acidity. The tannins currently show a bit of grit that should soften with time. It will be best after 2022.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah has aromas of cocoa, baking spice, green wood, plum and black cherry. It's concentrated and richly flavored, with layers of dark fruit, coffee and mesquite. Firm tannins lead to a warm finish.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Mourvèdre offers aromas of toast, coffee, bittersweet chocolate, cherry and black pepper. The fruit flavors are lighter in style, with chewy tannins and mouthwatering acids.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot shows oaky tones of exotic spice delivered in a steady and even manner with loads of plump fruit and blackberry at the back.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese brings bright aromas of cranberries, red currants and cherries. The palate packs a punch of dark-fruit flavors, showing some heat on the finish.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese initially distracts with reductive aromas, but bright plum, cherry and spice notes follow. The flavors are plush, with light, grippy tannins. A great value that goes down easy.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese offers earthy aromas of violet, plum, leather and meat juice. The palate delivers ripe blackberry, chocolate, orange zest, pepper and nutmeg flavors, all enveloped in smooth, round tannins.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Tempranillo comes from four estate vineyards. It's direct and appealing with plump, juicy notes of coffee bean, herbs, dried cherries, and vanilla.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot doesn't seem to have fully ripened with prominent herbal notes that lean into the green, along with green olive and saline. It tastes quite sweet, giving the perception of lingering residual sugar.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d'Avola and Merlot opens with bright intensity, especially in terms of the quality of its fruit aromas. The palate is smooth and silky, with a long, fruit-driven finish.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc shows all the charms of the 2007 vintage. It's an opulent, delicious wine, immediately likeable now for its broad array of blackberry, cherry, raspberry, mocha, cassis and new oak flavors. The tannins are soft, but strong enough to protect this wine for the next six years at the very least.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Syrah initially smells cool and earthy, then more woody, spicy and animal-like. On the palate, this is concentrated and deep, with milder tannins than the winery's varietal Petit Verdot. Flavors of blackberry and cassis are powerful, while burnt wood, bitter chocolate and peppery flavors drive a muscular finish. Drink now through 2020.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Carménère, Malbec and Cabernet Franc offers aromas of purple fruit, green herb, clove, barrel spice and spice box. It's light and supple, filling out with palate-coating fruit flavors. The tannins bring a bit of grip that softens with additional time open. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Merlot delivers warm tones of mature berry fruit with nice earthy renderings and a determined, mineral-driven backbone. Delicate aromas of berry fruit and dried violets are backed by deep spice flavors and firm tannins that are slightly on the green side.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot comes across as simple and generic. None of the three components stands out, and the blend is diffuse and slightly sour.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot opens with blackened aromas of charred oak and creosote, but it quickly sheds that oak-heavy character to display toasty flavors of olives, herbs and berry fruits. All together, this is a classic Chilean red blend, with fine tannins and patented lightly herbal, balsamic flavors. Drink through 2020.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot starts off a bit murky and brooding but then displays raspberry and plum fruit, and some big-time heft. A tad oaky and simple, but with grilled meats it should more than do the trick. If you like 'em big and a touch funky, get tattooed.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot starts out with aromas of dark coffee, toast, blackberry, fresh herbs and barrel spices (53% new French). It pulls no punches with rich blackberry and cherry flavors.
This blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah has a lot of heat and power locked within, recognized by slightly cooked or jammy fruit notes. But you'll also get very pleasant, warm tones of soft leather and sweet pipe tobacco.
This blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah has decent concentration, moderate acidity, and chewy raspberry fruit flavors. There's a hint of something burnt in the nose and the finish, which thins out rather quickly.
This blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah shows a decadently soft side thanks to its aromas of black cherry, tobacco, chocolate and subtle spice. It delivers density and substance on the finish and would pair with pasta and creamy porcini sauce.
This blend of Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon includes Pinot Noir. The nose is floral and redolent of blueberry, red plum and licorice root. On the palate, it's an acid bomb, with sour flavors of plum and red currant. A pinching, drawing finish is lively and fresh.
This blend of Cannonau, Carignano and Bovale opens with bright, intense fruit, with notes of blackberry, crème de cassis and pomegranate juice. The mouthfeel is firm and structured.
This blend of Carignan, Garnacha and other red grapes opens with stewy, herbal, slightly weedy plum aromas. A sticky, sinewy mouthfeel is more clumsy than agile, while flavors convey stewed berry fruits and prune. Low acidity throughout, especially on the finish, is a bit compromising.
This blend of Carmenère and Carignan opens with very woody, resiny aromas as well as black-fruit depth to support all that oak. An austere, oaky, acidic palate is drawing, while toasty, herbal, roasted berry flavors are resiny and salty tasting prior to an all-wood finish.
This blend of Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah is stellar given that 2011 was a cool year. Earthy aromas of wet clay, violet, blackberry and fresh herbs set up a balanced, ripe palate with flavors of plum, berry, mocha and vanilla. On the finish, tobacco, herbs, spice and vanilla flavors are textbook for the Alto Maipo, where this wine comes from. Drink through 2018.
This blend of Carricante and 20% Catarratto features aromas of dried chamomile flower, Spanish broom and acacia. The bright palate delivers citrus, raw pear, mineral and almond.
This blend of Castelão and Touriga Nacional is well balanced. Spice from wood aging for nine months mingles with the ripe black-currant fruits. A firm wine with rich fruitiness, it's ready to drink.
This blend of Castelão has benefited from its touch of Cabernet Sauvignon to give some tannins and structure. It is a ripe wine, full of red berries, plenty of spice and a crisp aftertaste of acidity. Drink the wine from 2018.
This blend of Catarratto and Chardonnay shows a tiny touch of oxidation, with butterscotch and caramel aromas behind candied fruit, apricot and pineapple. The mouthfeel is soft, thick and sticky.
This blend of Catarratto, Grillo and Inzolia shows Sicilian personality, with bright lemon, almond and sea breeze aromas. The palate's freshness and lightness would pair well with grilled fish or shrimp.
This blend of Chardonnay (44%), Viognier (39%) and Roussanne (17%) has surprisingly light aromas of melon, peach and straw leading to full-feeling, tingly stone-fruit flavors. It wants more aromatically but the palate delivers the enjoyment.
This blend of Chardonnay (70%) and Sauvignon opens with a touch of bitter almond followed by peach, apricot and pineapple. Warm climate characteristics of smooth, creamy fruit are definitely evident in this white wine from coastal Tuscany.
This blend of Chardonnay (72%) and Pinot Nero (28%) opens with aromas that recall white spring flower and a hint of sage. The palate offers easy drinking appeal with yellow peach, mature apple and toasted walnut flavors alongside bright acidity.
This blend of Chardonnay (that sees some time in barrique) and Insolia offers deep and sophisticated notes of exotic fruit, chalky mineral and toasted hazelnut. This interesting combination works very well and the wine ends with pretty flavors of spice and almond.
This blend of Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer opens with pungent aromas of peppermint, dried apricot and caramel candy. Loads of honey and yellow fruit flavors follow on the palate, backed by a rich, almost chewy, consistency.
This blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco is dark-gold in color, with citrus and green apple aromas that get riper as the wine gradually warms in the glass, eventually developing peach overtones. Flavors are of buttered stone fruits. Drink up.
This blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Nero offers aromas of white flower, beeswax, toasted almond and a yeasty note of bread crust. The palate displays mature golden apple peel, citrus zest, walnut and candied ginger alongside a soft mousse. It finishes on a note of bitter walnut.
This blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon delivers pretty floral and white-fruit aromas, while the long and linear palate shows restrained fruit flavors punctuated by pear and a hint of mineral.
This blend of Chardonnay and Touring Nacional works well, producing a sparkling wine that is fresh and crisp like a sliced apple. There is just a hint of the wood aging, giving it a light toastiness. It is ready to drink.
This blend of Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne boasts upfront aromas of yellow peach, orange and honeydew, with just a touch of white florals. The round, slightly creamy palate offers additional notes of apple and white plum flesh, with ample acidity to keep the mouthfeel fresh and the finish clean. Well balanced and approachable now.
This blend of Chardonnay, Nosiola and Pinot Bianco offers up apples and cream on the nose, along with flavors of peach and citrus. It's a comfortable mix of fruit that finishes lively and fresh, making it a fine apéritif.
This blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier is fancy, elegant and enjoyable to drink now. It has that indefinable quality of luxe, bearing a smooth, creamy texture, with rich fruit, yeast and toast complexities. With a production of 5,000 cases, it should be relatively easy to find.
This blend of Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla and Sauvignon offers delicate, alluring yellow flower, Bartlett pear and white peach aromas. The bright, polished palate offers pineapple, yellow apple and lemon drop flavors with substance and finesse. Fresh acidity balances the juicy fruit.
This blend of Chardonnay, Sémillon and Roussanne brings notes of lees, honeycomb and dried apricot. It's medium bodied and creamy in feel, bringing plenty of appeal and going down easy with abundant lees flavors.
This blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio opens with intense aromas of lemon blossom, pear, apple and flint. The linear palate delivers succulent white peach, green apple and lemon-lime alongside bright acidity.
This blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Marsanne from Rhône grape pioneer Bob Lindquist and partner Charles Banks is a new project focused on entry-level offerings. Steely aromas of lemon oil and pear give way to a plate of buttered apple slices and tart yellow-grapefruit peel, mixing warmth with tang.
This blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Roussanne and Orange Muscat shows extra ripeness in 2012, reflected in both the higher alcohol and the noticeable sweetness. It's fragrant and expressive, with sweet orange peel and candied grapefruit dominating, along with slices of pineapple and apricot. The sweetness makes it a bit of a challenge with food.
This blend of Chardonnay, Viura and Verdejo is light in body, with stalky haystack aromas and dilute nectarine and melon flavors. Its yeasty finish is somewhat bland.
This blend of Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc is the most successful of the Baumard sparkling wines. It is fruity, very fresh and crisp while also having the potential for some bottle aging. Acidity and a tangy aftertaste contribute to its lively freshness.
This blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay is immediately attractive. With its balanced acidity and lightly crisp texture, it finishes with a lively sliced apple flavor. Drink now.
This blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc is ripe and yeasty. It has perfumed fruit, although the fruit is ensconced in a bitter, nutty character. The acidity is intense, giving freshness at the end.
This blend of Cinsault (75%) and Mourvèdre already seems quite advanced. Notes of raisined fruit and brown spices come along with light cranberry flavors that seem to have faded.
This blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah is attractively fruity. It has a crisp texture that gives it a bright character, red-currant fruitiness and intense refreshing acidity. The aftertaste is elegant and fruity. The wine's name (meaning to dare) is an anagram of Rosé. Drink now.
This blend of coastal and desert grapes smells and tastes tropical, with floral notes and a preponderance of citrus character. There isn't too much variation to the flavor profile, which is centered on white citrus fruits.
This blend of Corvina and Merlot has a smoky nose with plum, tobacco and oak aromas. The palate shows dense black fruit, chocolate and oak. Pair it with for savory pastas and barbecued red meat.
This blend of Corvina, Oseleta and Cabernet Franc delivers deeply etched tones of black fruit marmalade, red apple skin and drying minerals. The wine exhibits a deep ruby color and thick extraction to back up all those intense flavors.
This blend of different vineyards is immediately appealing for its silky mouthfeel and delicious flavors. Floods the mouth with raspberries, cherries, red currants, licorice, bacon, dusty herb and sandalwood flavors. So pretty, so polished, so refined. Will develop over the next two–four years.
This blend of DuBrul and Meek vineyard fruit broods with aromas of dark raspberries and licorice. Ripe fruit flavors accompany exquisitely balanced tannins and acidity. It's drinking well now but should have a long life in front of it.
This blend of Encruzado and Malvasia Fina is both rich and perfumed. It has a smooth texture that is pointed up by apple and lemon acidity. There is a floral character to the bouquet, while the mouthfeel is ripe and full. The finish, with its textured acidity, promises aging, so drink from 2016.
This blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese delivers bright cranberry, vanilla, coconut, baking spice, raspberry and milk chocolate aromas. Fruit and barrel flavors play off each other nicely on the light, lifted palate. Oak plays a primary role but is well integrated.
This blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel from the same site is a complex aromatic display of clove and bay. Simple and succulent, it's full-bodied and densely concentrated, emphasizing blackberry and strawberry flavors.
This blend of equal parts Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a black fruit aromas and a whiff of toasted oak. The palate delivers ripe plum and black cherry flavors, with a coffee bean accent, presented in a forward and ready-to-drink style.
This blend of equal parts of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is impressive. On the dry side of Brut, it is crisp, tight with intense acidity and a nervy texture that will soften. It's a perfumed, structured wine full of potential with its citrus and spice flavors. Drink this bottling from 2019.
This blend of equal parts Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, vanilla and chocolate. The palate offers sweet plum, black cherry, bell pepper and mint in a one dimensional, friendly style.
This blend of Fernão Pires and Arinto is soft, fresh and fruity. Juicy green plums, citrus and bright acidity all give a lively character. A tangy texture needs several months aging. It will be best at the end of the 2014.
This blend of Fernão Pires and Arinto offers lime and orange-peel fruitiness. It is smooth and rounded, with touches of caramel and vanilla to give extra richness. Drink now.
This blend of Fernão Pires, Arinto, Sauvignon Blanc and, unusually, Marsanne is ripe, with a deliciously perfumed character. Acidity and bright fruit give crispness that contrasts with the rich texture. Drink from 2018.
This blend of five Bordeaux grapes has the style and lightly herbal character of a cru Bordeaux. Notes of brambly red fruit and peppery herb combine in a well-balanced wine of medium length, with restrained, lightly earthy tannins.
This blend of five different grape varieties yields by its very nature nonspecific fruit character, but it is ripe and round, honeyed and spicy on the finish. Drink now.
This blend of five varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, is soft and sweet. Call it bistro style. It's jammy in cherries, licorice and mocha. Proceeds from the wine's sales go to heart disease research.
This blend of four Bordeaux varieties (40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot) is reasonably full in the mouth, with subdued aromas of blackberry and cola. Dark berry, earth and mocha flavors finish long and velvety. Drink now–2025.
This blend of four grapes, partially fermented in wood, is an immediately attractive wine. Fresh and fruity with only the lightest toasty hints, the wine has citrus acidity, crisp pear and green plum flavors and a zingy, mineral aftertaste. Drink from late 2016.
This blend of four Italian grape varieties melds highlights of oak spices and pepper with just-ripe cherry and raspberry flavors for a tasty, complex but not heavy personality. The texture is mildly tannic, the balance is spot-on and it has an appetizing, crisp finish.
This blend of four parcels from different premier crus is structured with all the density of this fine village. Its black fruit gets a fresh edge of acidity, while the tannins are firm and tight. The wine needs to age and will be best from 2022.
This blend of four red-Bordeaux varieties opens with fresh cassis notes that lead to a juicier core. Structured and robust yet accessible, it features chocolate and blackberry jam flavors.
This blend of four varieties boasts notes of almond skin, orange zest and honeydew melon in a full-bodied, slightly warm wine. The long finish shows ample concentration and a hint of bitterness.
This blend of four vineyards, which spent 34 months in older French oak, shows cranberry, pomegranate, cherry pie and exotic Turkish spices on the nose. It's light and easy on the palate, with hints of plum, violet, rosewater and white pepper—much like drinking a bouquet of flowers.
This blend of Friulano and Pinot Bianco from Friuli in northeastern Italy offers a nice balance of elements. The wine is fragrant and floral with jasmine, honey and almond yet the texture is creamy and thick. You get both power and elegance here.
This blend of Friulano, Malvasia Istriana and Pinot Bianco has ripe pear, fragrant yellow flower, herb and graphite aromas. The elegant, medium-bodied palate doles out yellow apple, candied lemon drop and bitter almond hints, with fresh acidity.
This blend of fruit from Ciel du Cheval (85%) and Force Majeure vineyards was fermented in concrete before aging in three- to seven-year-old oak barrels. It's dazzling in feel, with rich, supple, focused cranberry and cherry flavors that lead to a tart, drawn-out finish.
This blend of fruit from Joey Tensley's home vineyard as well as his more recently acquired Colson Canyon Vineyard is a dark and brooding monster, with blueberry, black pepper, chocolate, tar and caramel on the nose. It's very full on the sip but not overripe, with flavors of seared meat, blackberry, pepper and purple flowers.
This blend of fruit from several estate vineyards bears a brown label, to differentiate it from Trisaetum's vineyard designates. Bright raspberry and cherry fruit is accented with sweet brown spices and hints of barrel toast and chocolate. Drink now through 2020.
This blend of Gaglioppo, Magliocco and Merlot is light in color and seems older than it really is. The wine is accented by aromas of leather, spice, licorice, root beer and small berry fruit. It has a slightly sweet mouthfeel and bright cherry flavors on the close.
This blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir is soft and ripe with red fruits. The wine is all fruit: red cherry and raspberry with a light touch of spice and tannins. The wine is ready to drink.
This blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir, mainly from Beaujolais, is fruity with soft cherry flavors. Its attractive fruitiness and balanced acidity are immediately accessible and ready to drink.
This blend of Gamay and Prokupe has aromas of tart cherry and Mediterranean herbs. Flavors recall cherry, black plum and stewed prune.
This blend of Garganega (the grape that makes Soave wines) and Pinot Grigio, here is an easy and fast-drinking picnic wine from Northern Italy. The nose shows tones of stone fruit, melon and citrus.
This blend of Garganega and 10% Trebbiano di Soave shows a bright, luminous straw color, fresh aromas of citrus, stone fruit and blanched almond. It delivers a blast of lively tonic freshness on the finish.
This blend of Garganega, Trebbiano, Tocai, Cortese, Chardonnay and Riesling delivers clean simplicity and crisp aromas of stone fruit, lemon drop and mint leaf. It's lean and easy on the palate and would pair nicely with vegetable wraps, bite-sized quiche or any other finger food.
This blend of Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense, ripe bruiser with huge blackberry aromas that set up a wide-bodied, raw-feeling palate with tons of extract and monster tannins. Blackberry, espresso, chocolate and spice flavors are full, ripe and deep. Things hold firm on a staunch, youthful finish. Drink through 2021.
This blend of Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo opens with leathery, earthy aromas that suggest coffee grinds, black olive and stalky berry fruits. In the mouth, it comes through with a dense, layered feel and spicy flavors of baked berry fruits and black cherry. Overall this is a ripe, chewy, spicy wine with some rusticity. Drink through 2022.
This blend of Garnacha, Marsellan and Syrah opens with a dark, inky, smoky nose that's full of lemony oak along with black-fruit aromas. It's hard as nails on the palate, with drilling tannins. Rubbery, herbal blackberry flavors end with burnt toast, rubbery accents and a briny aftertaste. Best from 2017–2022.
This blend of Garnacha, Monastrell and Syrah is magenta in color, with earthy, spunky, jumpy aromas of gritty blackberry and boysenberry. A saturated, dense palate offers blackened, peppery berry flavors in front of a toasty, medium-length finish. Overall this a strapping wine with rough edges. Drink through 2018.
This blend of grapes from across the region is a simple fruity wine. There are plenty of red-fruit flavors as well as a soft creamy texture. A touch of spice gives the wine a lift at the end. Drink now.
This blend of grapes from Bien Nacido, Presqu'ile and Riverbench vineyards is light in color with aromas of turned earth, dust and sliced strawberries. It's elegant and lean on the palate, with lots of slate and graphite minerality warming up toward macerated strawberry sauce. Pair with everything from white fish to pork tenderloin.
This blend of grapes from four vineyards—48% Alamo Creek, 18% Bien Nacido, 18% Spanish Springs and 16% Ventana—offers dense berries and smoke on the nose as well as black pepper and tar. The tar shows strongly on the palate, as do blackberry blossoms and denser black pepper spice.
This blend of grapes from three different Columbia Gorge vineyards is immediately appealing, with round, smoky, relatively soft and accessible flavors. It's smooth and seductive, offering bright cherry fruit augmented with that smoky streak and a whiff of tobacco in the finish.
This blend of Grecanico and Viognier offers a generous bouquet with exotic fruit, pineapple, white flower and dusty talc powder. The wine also shows creamy thickness in the mouth.
This blend of Grechetto and Trebbiano Spoletino opens with a fragrance of tropical fruit and cantaloupe. The fresh but creamy palate offers rich flavors of green melon, pineapple and green apple, brightened by citrus notes and refreshing acidity.
This blend of Greco and Fiano shows a dry note of crushed mineral, followed by notes of peach, honey and a touch of spice and lemon zest. Pair this with Thai mango salad.
This blend of Grenache (53%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%) and Syrah (13%) explodes with potpourri, peat, white pepper, smoke and earth aromas. The palate is loaded with fruit and savory flavors that glide into the extended finish. The texture is absolutely dazzling.
This blend of Grenache (63%), Tempranillo (25%) and Syrah offers barrel notes of fresh brewed coffee, woodspice and vanilla bean along with red and blue fruit. It's silky-soft with a creamy feel backed by grainy tannins.
This blend of Grenache (72%), Syrah (14%) and Mourvèdre offers aromas of barnyard, red cherries, flowers and spices. It's tangy and full flavored, displaying good richness but it doesn't all come together.
This blend of Grenache and Cinsault comes from the small cru area of La Londe. Produced from organic grapes, it is pale in color, although rich in texture and with touches of white peach and strawberry. With its pepper and tangy texture it is a style of rosé that could well age. Drink from 2018.
This blend of Grenache and Niellucciu comes from vines that are up to 40 years old. It is a big, bold ripe and juicy wine, bursting with black plum and berry flavors. The wine is fruity enough to drink now, although it should age for at least 10 years.
This blend of Grenache Blanc and Vermentino offers slightly floral aromas that hint at apricot or peach, then follows those up with similar flavors and just a touch of spice on the finish. Marrenon is emerging as a dependable source for value wines from the Luberon.
This blend of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Roussanne and Maca­beau is a tad closed and shy now, but should develop more intensity with time. Peach skin, white melon and orange notes are present on the nose and mouth, and are dusted with a lovely sweet-spice accent on the finish, but the mouthfeel comes across as slightly flabby.
This blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah presents a lively, aromatic mix of raspberries, Kirsch and strawberry preserves, with pitch-perfect structure and balance. The intensity, immediately upon opening, is riveting. Drink this now–2017 while it's so delightfully fresh.
This blend of Grenache, Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre is fighting (and winning) above its weight (price) class. Tarry, gritty, asphalt-like aromas blend with smoky berry notes to form an inviting bouquet. The palate is round and juicy in feel, with herbal, minty red-berry flavors and a deep, flush finish that's showing a high level of complexity. Drink through 2018.
This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignane offers aromas of ripe wild berries and bit of hickory smoke. The ripe, approachable flavors are edged by vanilla, with boysenberry fruit at the core. It's not complicated, but very easy to drink, perfect for a hamburger barbecue.
This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault comes across as slightly confected. Bubble gum and cotton candy hint at sweetness, although this medium-bodied wine is technically dry. Serve well chilled.
This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault is light and fruity, with a touch of red-fruit candy. It has a soft aftertaste that suggests the wine is not bone dry. Drink now.
This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre is dry, acidic and not quite ripe. There's a green tobacco edge to the fruit. It's also a bit funky.
This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre is unbalanced. It's sweet in dessert red berry fruit, with an awkward streak of acidity.
This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Petite Sirah from the Warner Springs area southeast of Temecula shows lots of promise for this producer. Smoky berries, uncrushed black peppercorns and a bit of asphalt show on the nose, with juicy, plump red fruits benefitting from lots of cardamom, allspice and other black spices on the palate.
This blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Clairette is marked by hints of onion or wild garlic on the nose, and followed by a subdued palate that only hints at wet stone and subdued fruit.
This blend of Grolleau and Gamay has an attractive onion-skin-pink color. Fruity and with red-currant flavors, it is soft and lively. There is a nutty character that adds to the pleasure of this easygoing ready-to-drink wine.
This blend of Groppello, Marzemino, Sangiovese and Barbera from Italy's Lake Garda displays a fresh note of cherry marmalade upfront. There's a rustic but genuine feel to the wine (in a screwcap bottle) that would help it match hamburger or barbecued meats. The mouthfeel is lean, crisp and thin.
This blend of half Gros Manseng and half Sauvignon Blanc is crisp, lightly herbal and with a touch of honeyed pear to give it a ripe taste. It has a refreshing, cool character that's bright and tangy at the end.
This blend of half Merlot, half Cabernet Sauvignon is rustically earthy and soft, betraying the plush, plummy Merlot. Tight on the finish and medium in weight, it has a black peppery finish that appeals and suggests pairing with well-seasoned meats.
This blend of hand-picked 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc is still tough with dark tannins and a black plum-skin texture. It has a lean side, with a severe character that seems likely to remain part of the wine. Drink from 2016. The d'Arfeuille family is now in its fifth century on Bordeaux's Right Bank.
This blend of Horse Heaven Hills and Red Mountain fruit delivers brooding cherry and herb aromas and full-bodied black cherry flavors. The tannins contribute grit.
This blend of Incrocio Manzoni and Vermentino opens with bold floral intensity, plus solid background tones of peach and lemon mousse. It offers a creamy, soft mouthfeel that could stand up to white meat or shellfish.
This blend of Incrocio Manzoni, Trebbiano, Malvasia and Grechetto opens with tutti frutti aromas of ripe banana, pineapple and pear that carry over to the palate, along with mango. The savory palate also has a certain salinity that restrains the exuberant fruit.
This blend of Insolia and Chardonnay opens with easy layers of citrus, pear, kiwi and cut grass. Balanced acidity gives it informal, easy-drinking appeal.
This blend of Inzolia and Chardonnay has subdued aromas of orchard fruit and nut. The extremely simple palate offers suggestions of lime and citrus zest alongside brisk acidity.
This blend of Inzolia and Chardonnay has subdued aromas of orchard fruit and nut. The simple palate offers lime and citrus zest alongside brisk acidity.
This blend of Jaén, Alfrocheiro, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz is ripe and juicy, with black fruit tones. It does have a structure that will allow the wine to age for a few years, so drink from late 2016.
This blend of Les Collines (60%), Lewis (20%) and Portteus (20%) vineyards, which saw 25% new French oak, offers blueberry and huckleberry along with herb and dark chocolate accents. It's supple and soft in feel, deft but with depth to the fruit flavors.
This blend of local Douro white grapes with, unusually, Chenin Blanc, is delicious. With its wood-aged touch and rich creamy texture, the wine is generous and full. It has attractive acidity as well, emphasizing the apple and grapefruit fruit. The wine will be even better from 2018.
This blend of local Duras and Braucol with the more Mediterranean Syrah is attractively spicy and juicy. It is packed with red fruits, sweet berry flavors and ripe tannins. The wine is maturing well and will be ready to drink from 2016.
This blend of Loin de l'Oeil and Sauvignon Blanc gives a crisp, lightly textured wine, floral in character with flavors of white peach and plum. Ready to drink.
This blend of mainly Syrah, with Grenache, is heavy and dull, with candied raspberry-cherry flavors that finish a little sweet.
This blend of Malbec and Syrah is dark as night, with rubbery, heavy aromas of reduced blackberry and plum along with a hint of volatility. Chunky, heavy and tannic on the palate, this offers blackberry, oak and acidic coffee flavors in front of an herbal, leathery finish.
This blend of Malbec, Bonarda, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is oaky and minty up front, with pencil lead and exotic blueberry aromas. In the mouth, this has a fast pulse, while flavors of Middle Eastern spices, cassis and blueberry finish briny but short.
This blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc opens with rustic, untamed earth and leather aromas. On the palate, however, it is more tame and balanced, with ripe, rich depth and cushion. Flavors of blackberry, chocolate and toast finish with simmering heat and chunky weight. Drink through 2021.
This blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot is powerful, with a blueberry flavor, a mild green note, a balsamic hint and a molasses tinge. It's saturated and clampy in feel, with aggressive flavors of lemony oak, balsamic fruit and baked berry. Warm, oaky and full of licorice flavor on the finish. Drink 2014–2019.
This blend of Malbec, Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah opens with oak-driven aromas of hard spices and briny berry fruits. The palate is wiry and juicy in feel, with pointed acidity. Baked berry flavors plus strong notes of clove and nutmeg finish spicy, with a lasting blend of cocoa and saltiness.
This blend of Malbec, Merlot and Tannat is lean and austere—probably the effect of the vintage. That gives powerful tannins and less in the way of fruit. It's firm, hinting at more juicy fruit but likely to remain dry and structured. Drink from 2018.
This blend of many vineyard lots seems less than the sum of its parts. Pungently herbal with characteristic Oregon tomato leaf tannins, its fruit remains hidden beneath the tannins. Age may enhance its beauty, but for the moment it remains tight and unyielding, with suggestions of heat around the cranberry/pomegranate fruit.
This blend of Marsanne and Roussanne comes across as something of a hybrid between Hermitage and Burgundy. It has grilled peach, citrus and smoke notes, ample weight and a long, hazelnut-tinged finish. Drink it over the next 6–8 years.
This blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier displays aromas of almond, corn husk and apricot. There's a pleasing, nuanced feel to the sweet, full-bodied fruit flavors along with a finish that won't quit.
This blend of Marsanne, Viognier and Roussanne has a sweaty note and does not show the fruit ripeness that one would hope for. It's rather generic, lightly lemony, and just a little off-putting with that stale, sweaty character lingering into the finish.
This blend of Mencía, the local Grand Noir and Merenzao opens with raisiny, spicy, slightly baked aromas that suggest nutmeg. The palate is drawing and hard, with earthy, slightly cooked flavors of cherry and kirsch that end with a dash of lemony oak.
This blend of Merlot (40%), Cabernet Franc (29%), Petit Verdot (18%) and Cabernet Sauvignon opens with quite pure aromas of fresh herbs, flowers, anise and red fruit that are followed by sumptuous red-fruit flavors that show vitality.
This blend of Merlot (45%), Cabernet Sauvignon (38%) and Cabernet Franc doesn't seem fully ripened with notes of bell pepper, dry chocolate, cherry and licorice. The tannins are dry and rustic with a scratchy feel.
This blend of Merlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (42.2%), Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is somewhat lighter in color, with reserved aromas of woodspice, coffee, café au lait, cherry and herbs. The flavors are rich yet restrained in style, with firm tannins and a lingering finish. Best after 2020.
This blend of Merlot (61%), Cabernet Sauvignon (27%), Syrah (8%) and Petit Verdot brings notes of anise, black currant, herbs, mint and raspberries. The palate brings good depth of flavors and richness while showing both elegance and precision.
This blend of Merlot (81%), Cabernet Franc (11%) and Cabernet Sauvignon is directly appealing with accents of baker's chocolate, vanilla, blackberry, crushed flowers and raspberries. It's soft and supple in feel with focused fruit flavors and a finish that won't quit.
This blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc from just north of Saint-Émilion is still structured and firm. Big tannins and smoky flavors give a dense character. The black fruits still need time to round out and show smoothness. For now decant, or wait until 2017 to drink.
This blend of Merlot and Cabernet has aromas of bell pepper, black currant and a hint of cedar wood. The palate shows one-dimensional flavors of plum, black currant and oak.
This blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is full of black currants, rounded berry fruits and some solid tannins. The fruit dominates, spicy and fruity with final acidity. It is both drinkable from 2016 and worth aging until 2018.
This blend of Merlot and Mourvèdre melds fruit from the Kestrel View and Olsen Vineyards. Bursting with mixed plum and cherry flavors, it's accented by a spice note and a streak of nougat.
This blend of Merlot and Sangiovese from Tuscany shows plum and black pepper flavors with toasted oak and espresso notes from aging in barriques. It opens with ripe fruit but ends on an astringent note of wood tannins.
This blend of Merlot and Sangiovese offers a bright aroma of red berry with hints of orange peel and violet. The palate delivers juicy black cherry, raspberry and black pepper flavors in a straightforward and easy-drinking style.
This blend of Merlot and Syrah is a plush sip full of bright black-cherry and berry flavors. It's soft on the midpalate with a ripe yielding fullness in mouthfeel.
This blend of Merlot and Tempranillo, with touches of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, opens with notes of warm cherry pie, black tobacco and cedar. Fresh boysenberry starts the palate, with mouthwatering spice in the midpalate and mocha on the finish.
This blend of Merlot and the two Cabernets is similar to Blackbird's far more expensive proprietary bottlings, but is nearly as good. It displays the house style of accessible fruit, in the way of blackberries, cherries, currants and cocoa, wrapped into refined but firm tannins. Drink it now with Cabernet-friendly food, especially a great char-broiled steak.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Pinotage is complex yet restrained from start to finish. Aromas of red cherry, cranberry and grape fold into vanilla, smoke, fig presserves and a sanguine character. On the palate, these are met with a smooth tannic structure and a rooibos tea note. It is lush and silky in mouthfeel and boasts a long, harmonious finish.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec is concentrated on the nose, with a mélange of red and black berries, red plum, fern and sweet-spice-inflected cured meat. The well-integrated palate carries similar characters supported by ample weight, firm tannins and balanced acidity. A black pepper note rings on the finish of this well-balanced, inviting wine.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc boasts a spicy personality, with overtones of cardamom, clove, curry and rosemary. There are bold notes of ripe blackberry and prune, backed by drying sensations of tar and licorice. The oak-driven exotic-spice nuances are almost over the top.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot has some oak flavors on top of the jammy blackberries and cherries. It's simple and direct; ideal for drinking now.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot opens with rustic aromas of animal sensations along with prune and white pepper notes. The palate shows overripe black cherry along with bell pepper and vanilla accompanied by massive, astringent tannins and not enough freshness.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and several other varieties defines the word rustic. It's soft in texture, and combines unripe vegetable and mushroom flavors with sugary sweet raspberry jam.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah brings aromas of Mounds Bar, spice and cherry. The flavors are tightly wound, showing a mixture of fruit and barrel with a persistent finish. The oak rides heavy but there are good things going on.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot offers aromas of cranberry, cherry, mesquite, vanilla and herb. The fruit flavors are sleek and elegant, lingering on the finish.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Syrah shows a somewhat uneasy mix of woodspice, green herb and cherry aromas. Flavors are pleasant, lighter in style and easy drinking, with a refreshing finish.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Zinfandel shows aromas of green olive, lemongrass, herb and woodspice. The style is elegant with sweet fruit flavors backed by lightly astringent tannins.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Malbec offers vanilla, herb and cherry aromas that seem a bit coarse. The palate is full of baking spice flavors—notably vanilla. It's heavy on the oak notes, despite having aged in just 42% new French barrels, the rest older French and American.
This blend of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon is succulently smooth yet big boned and slightly smoky. Red cherry and berry fruit provides plushness on the palate, upheld by tight, firm tannins and supportive oak.
This blend of Merlot, Malbec and Tannat is soft and rich. With its ripe plum fruit, rich texture and soft, dusty tannins, this feels full on the palate. The finish shows crisp acidity.
This blend of Merlot, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and rich. Aromas of baked black currant, vanilla and brioche are inviting, as are the palate's black cherry and cola flavors. The tannins are a tad chunky, but a grilled steak will take care of them.
This blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc opens with jammy, almost impenetrable aromas of blackberry, maraschino cherry, pipe tobacco and dark chocolate. “Huge” is the operative word.
This blend of Merlot, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is dry and tannic. Complex flavors of cherry and blackberry jam, sandalwood, bacon and black pepper are interesting but one-dimensional. But it's also a little hot in alcohol, with a glycerine-sweet finish.
This blend of Merlot, Refosco and Cabernet Sauvignon offers dense flavors of plum extract, red currant and bell pepper that are layered with oak, vanilla and chocolate. However, it lacks energy, and you'll notice the warmth of alcohol as well as a bitter, wood finish.
This blend of Merlot, Syrah, Petit Sirah and Primitivo is aromatic and fruit-filled, with notes of confection, blueberry pie, plum, licorice and red fruit. The flavors are sweet, primary and direct with a smooth feel.
This blend of Merlot, Tannat and Syrah comes from the southwest near the Atlantic Ocean. That locale gives the tannins and the juicy red fruits a cool, perfumed and lightly stalky character. The acidity is right there along with the soft berry aftertaste that makes the wine drinkable now.
This blend of Merlot, Tannat and Syrah is soft, fruity and very tasty. It has a juicy character, its red berries lightly enveloped by some dry tannins. Acidity cuts through the wine, giving a lifted character that is ready to drink now.
This blend of Merseguera and Sauvignon Blanc is modest as a church mouse, with clean but dilute green-apple aromas. An easygoing, round palate offers orange and lime flavors in front of a pithy, citrusy finish.
This blend of Montepulciano (85%) and Sangiovese is perky and clean with a nice touch of acidity beyond forest fruit, cherry and light shadings of exotic spice. It's solid, simple and easy-drinking.
This blend of Montepulciano and Aglianico offers deep notes of resin, spice, plum, black fruit, cherry and root beer. The wine has a slightly raw quality with nervous tannins that are characteristic of both grape varieties but many years in the bottle have softened them.
This blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese opens with initial aromas of wet earth and blue flower, along with hints of berry and vanilla. The palate delivers ripe blackberry layered with chocolate, alongside dusty tannins. Not very complex but enjoyable and ready to drink now.
This blend of Montepulciano, Syrah and Sangiovese offers aromas of wet earth, black fruit and oak. The palate is a bit closed but reveals blackberry and cherry flavors, with a hint of licorice. This already drinking well so enjoy soon.
This blend of Monterey and Santa Barbara county vineyards offers fresh aromas of lemon-lime soda, chives and a hint of smoke. The palate is framed around sour-sweet green apple, with more bitterness and tension coming from green pear flesh and citrus pith.
This blend of Moschofilero and another indigenous variety, Roditis, marries aromatic and floral notes with a crisp, lively character. Apple and citrus aromas and flavors abound, with a mineral-driven finish adding pep.
This blend of Mourvèdre (78%) and Grenache is a very pretty pale peach color. Aged in a mixture of concrete, stainless steel and neutral French oak, it suggests aromas of citrus, strawberry, herb and spice. It tingles the palate with fresh, lively flavors, showing poise and presence with a citrus-filled finish that lingers.
This blend of Mourvèdre and Counoise is soft and sweet. It tastes like the wine version of a milk-chocolate candy bar, infused with blackberry essence and alcohol.
This blend of Mourvèdre, Carignane and Syrah is still quite young but already shows lots of savory potential. Wild berry, underbrush, subtle game and crushed slate aromas lead into a palate of loaded with mulberry, sagebrush and cedar flavors. It has loads of energy out of the gate.
This blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah is soft, simple and a little sweet. It has jellied flavors of blackberries, cherries, black raspberries and anise.
This blend of multiple varieties, some of them rare in California, can be described as rustic. It's dry, tannic and moderate in alcohol, with pretty cherry, red currant and pepper flavors. Needs food, especially cheese, to tame it.
This blend of Muscat and Gewurztraminer is all spiciness. It has peach freshness as well with just a touch of honey. It's immediately attractive.
This blend of Nasco and Vermentino from Sardinia leads with heady floral aromas of honeysuckle and spring flowers. The palate delivers rich white peach, melon and tangerine peel. Crisp, refreshing acidity reins in the lush flavors, lending a polished feel.
This blend of native grapes (80% Caprettone and 20% Catalanesca) conveys delicate fragrances of Spanish broom and white fragrant flowers. The vibrant palate offers apple, citrus and peach accented with notes of Mediterranean herbs. Vinity Wine, Panebianco.
This blend of native grapes boasts an aromatic nose of fragrant white flower and yellow stone fruit. The crisp palate offers apricot, lemon zest and hint of nut alongside bright acidity.
This blend of native white grapes Fiano, Greco and Falanghina is aged for six to eight months in barriques. Aromas of tropical fruit, coconut, oak and apple carry over to the palate.
This blend of nearly equal parts Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah is food-friendly and approachable, with smoked meat, blueberry jam and cherry highlights, the oak thick and slightly reductive.
This blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera has dark fruit and floral aromas, but they're dominated by toasted oak and espresso notes. The palate offers dense and dark fruit flavors framed by obvious wood sensations of coffee and oak. Bright finish.
This blend of Negroamaro and Primitivo opens with savory aromas of cured ham, pipe tobacco, jammy fruit and prune. The mouthfeel is soft and velvety. This wine will appeal to those who enjoy a ripe, raisiny style.
This blend of Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera, Montepulciano and Primitivo sees no oak aging but tastes rich and soft nonetheless. You'll get aromas of blueberry jam, cherry fruit and drying mineral. It's a crisp and clean wine with bright fruit flavors.
This blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio opens with pretty aromas of violet, berry and spice. The palate offers white cherry, pink grapefruit and mineral with a hint of baking spice.
This blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato delivers a tight, compact mouthfeel, with lively aromas of forest berry, blueberry and white almond. Pair it with roast chicken or pork.
This blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato opens with blackberry, red rose and baking spice aromas. The vibrant palate delivers succulent Marasca cherry, raspberry jam, anise and white pepper flavors, set against bright acidity and polished tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
This blend of Nero d'Avola and Merlot shows a black-cherry note backed by toasted nut and leather accents. It feels tight and fresh, with an easy, crisp finish.
This blend of Nero d'Avola and Syrah offers balance and harmony, with no aromatic element out of place. It presents a steady wall of black fruit, soft cherry, tobacco, rum cake and dark leather. The soft, velvety tannins make this a great pasta or lasagna wine.
This blend of Nero d'Avola and Syrah opens with savory aromas of cured meat, dried berry, cassis, tobacco and wet earth. There's a touch of almond bitterness on the finish.
This blend of Nero d'Avola, Merlot and Syrah opens with aromas of  black-skinned berry and baking spice while the straightforward palate offers black cherry and white pepper alongside chewy tannins. It's made to be consumed young so enjoy soon.
This blend of Niellucciu and Grenache brings the two French Mediterranean wine cultures—Corsica and Provence—together. With its structure and dark tannins, it's a dense wine. It has a stalky edge and black currant juiciness, both of which will soften as it ages. Drink from 2019.
This blend of Niellucciu, Sciaccerellu and Syrah is both rich and stalky. That gives acidity, black currant fruit and a youthful texture. It's balanced with rich tannins which will allow it to age further. Drink from late 2018.
This blend of of 51% Chardonnay and 49% Semillon tastes big and ripe, mostly of pineapple, guava and very-ripe pear, with a rich vanilla finish.
This blend of organically grown Sangiovese (90%) and Colorino (10%) offers delicate violet and raspberry scents. The juicy palate delivers black cherry and chopped herb flavors with a hint of tobacco and chewy tannins. Drink through 2021.
This blend of perfumed Verdelho and crisp Alvarinho belies the Alentejo heat. It's powered by its fruitiness, with zesty lemon, lime and apricot flavors, its texture still firm with minerality. Drink this rich wine from 2018.
This blend of Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng shows fresh apricot fruit, with delicate acidity and nervy texture. It's not for aging, so drink it now.
This blend of Petit Manseng and Petit Courbu is dry, although the Petit Manseng gives its characteristic hints of honey even here. It is floral, fragrant, rich and balanced. Acidity cuts through the richness to give shape and allow the texture to fill out. The wine is ready to drink.
This blend of Petit Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier is intense on the nose, offering heady notes of pear drop, geranium and savory herbs. The palate boasts mango, pear, citrus rind and a bouquet of wildflowers. The acidity dances in your mouth and gives it a long finish that is tangy, zippy and lasting with fruit.
This blend of Petit Verdot (28%), Malbec (27%), Syrah (20%), Cabernet Sauvignon (16%) and Merlot (9%) leads with wild blueberry, crushed flower, herb, vanilla and spice aromas. Soft, elegant blueberry flavors follow, persisting on the finish. Light on the midpalate, it still brings appeal.
This blend of Petit Verdot (40%), Grenache (29%), Shiraz (29%) and Mataro (2%) ends up being a pleasing recipe at an even more pleasing price. Mulberry, plum and vanilla flavors emerge from the glass, while the mouthfeel is full and lush. Probably best over the next year or so.
This blend of Petit Verdot (65%) and Cabernet Sauvignon is an aromatic brooder, with notes of lemon peel, flowers and cherry. Bright acidity livens up the palate, which is full of cherry flavors and well-integrated tannins. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
This blend of Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon incorporates wonderful, spicy oak with a ripe and generous core of black fruits to a firm texture of fine-grained tannins. It has plenty of oak character, but the oak is well integrated and complements the blackberry and blueberry flavors deftly.
This blend of Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Syrah and Colorino shows notes of green grass, clover and plump red fruit. This is a wine of medium structure and build with a plump cherry core and a dusty finish. Simple and genuine overall.
This blend of Petite Sirah and Syrah is soft, rich and heavy. The alcohol is high, and the wine has some heat in the mouthfeel, with jammy raspberry, cherry and sweet oak flavors.
This blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre offers a wide array of aromas to start, from cocoa and mocha to brown spice, gingerbread, dark purple fruits and potpourri. The palate shows lavender, blueberry-strawberry juice, roasted oregano and thyme.
This blend of Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling starts off with barrel-fermented notes of butter and baked apples, then folds in tropical fruit flavors. But for all its buttery ripeness, it avoids going over the top, and finishes long, with lemony acids holding its components together.
This blend of Pinot Bianco, Friulano, Sauvignon and Ribolla Gialla has oak, butterscotch and pressed acacia flower aromas. They carry over to the tangy, linear palate, along with pineapple and citrus zest flavors. A toasted almond note leaves a lingering, rather bitter finish.
This blend of Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay brims with spicy tangerine, orange cream and vanilla flavors. It's very rich, yet dry, while brisk acidity makes the finish clean. Not terribly complex, but an agreeable wine.
This blend of Pinot Grigio, Tocai Friuliano and Pinot Blanc from three different vineyards made by winemaker Doug Margerum shows brilliantly juicy aromas of pressed pear, dried apples, apple blossoms and cantaloupe. Poached pears and boiled apples come with the sip, which allures with just a touch of sugariness.
This blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Petit Meslier, Arbanne, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay must be one of the most complex blends in Champagne. It is very different and its flavors are exotic and spicy, hinting at tropical. There is a haunting perfume to the aromas, while the palate is intensely structured. For the adventurous.
This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay features yeasty aromas of baked bread, ripe red apple and spice. The tangy palate delivers sour cherry, strawberry and candied nectarine alongside a ginger note and brisk acidity.
This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is orange in color and smells neutral except for a note of orange peel. On the palate, this has a grabby skins-driven texture. Short flavors of stone fruits are chunky and clunky. Other than having a mild flavor of nectarine, the finish is neutral.
This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is the producer's nonvintage wine. Crisp and fresh, it's delightfully tangy and bright with acidity, citrus and juicy apple flavors. It is made to be a great apéritif style with its fruity, light aftertaste.
This blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier combines richness with tight, crisp acidity. It has a softer side, recalling ripe apples, with a Pinot Noir-like structure and taut, mineral edge. A great Champagne for food.
This blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier is full bodied and rich. Red-berry aromas are followed on the palate with tangy apricot and strawberry fruitiness. It is a ripe wine, ready to drink.
This blend of Pinot Noir and the rare local César grape is as light as red wine can get in Burgundy. This northern region close to Chablis produces bright fruity expressions that attractively balance red cherry flavor with racy acidity. Drink now.
This blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc presents a very pretty nose of nectarine, yeast and chalk. The stone fruit flavors persist on the palate, kicked up by white flowers and lime juice.
This blend of Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc, French Colombard and Chardonnay has poise. It's dry to slightly sweet, with a brisk scour of acidity to lift the lime, orange and vanilla flavors.
This blend of Pommard, Coury and Dijon 667 clones shows bright cherry fruit, bedecked with lovely spices. It's round and forward, with medium weight and depth.
This blend of premier crus and some village Côte de Beaune shows generous red-cherry fruit and a touch of acidity. Its depth of richness and complexity highlight its fine origins.
This blend of Primitivo (43%), Petite Sirah (28%) and Zinfandel offers aromas of blackberry jam, plum, dried fruit and baking spices. It's full bodied and palate coating with high-octane fruit flavors that linger.
This blend of Quinta del Mar and Drum Canyon vineyards makes for a very powerful and attention-demanding wine. Sultry aromas of roasted red cherry and caramelized berry meet with well-integrated clove and allspice on the potent nose. The palate explodes with ripe but acid-cut blackberry and raspberry syrup flavors, with thyme, star anise and more dark spices rounding out the power.
This blend of Rabigato and Códega do Larinho grapes brings out the crisp acidity of a Douro white. The wine has a fragrant character with hedgerow fruits and white flower aromas. The aftertaste goes more towards yellow fruits while keeping all the freshness.
This blend of Rara Neagra and Malbec has aromas of black raspberry, black cherry and spice. There are flavors of black plum and vanilla toast with rounded tannins.
This blend of Rara Neagra, Malbec and Syrah has espresso, mocha and raspberry scents. It offers smoked meat, tart cherry and black plum flavors before the softly tannic finish.
This blend of Roditis and Moscofilero offers floral, flirty aromas and a palate that's both fresh and layered. Flavors of lemon, violet and orange are rounded but balanced by lively acidity.
This blend of Roditis and Viognier starts with aromas of fresh lemon blossom, sea salt and jasmine, leading into a nimble and delicate array of citrus and spice on the palate. Clean and focused but with a curvaceous edge.
This blend of Rolle (Vermentino), Viognier and Roussanne is fresh and floral, with a lean, crisp feel that acts to rein in the citrus blossom and melon notes. Drink now.
This blend of Rolle and Ugni Blanc, typical of Provence whites, is smooth, ripe and only lightly textured. The Rolle (Vermentino) that dominates gives an attractive perfumed character as well as a mineral texture and acidity. Drink now.
This blend of Rolle, Ugni Blanc and Clairette is bright and tangy. It offers a definite herbal flavor as well as ripe yellow fruits integrated into a texture that is crisp and mineral. The wine is ready to drink.
This blend of Roussanne (33%), Grenache Blanc (30%), Viognier (22%) and Marsanne has light aromas of apricot, citrus and flowers. The flavors are similarly restrained but it shows a sense of balance and length that holds the attention. Drinks best at 60 degrees.
This blend of Roussanne, Chardonnay and Viognier is a wine of tremendous interest and complexity. While it's quite dry, it shows powerful flavors, but is not a bomb, with the voluptuous, flowery fruitiness retreating into firmer minerals in the finish. Sweet oak is present in the most exacting balance. An exciting experiment in control and verve from this distinguished winery.
This blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette and Grenache Blanc shows some plumpness on the midpalate thanks to lees contact rather than oak. Aromas are of struck flint and passion fruit, but the flavors are riper, skewing toward melon and nectarine yet remaining crisp and focused on the finish. Drink now.
This blend of Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc has a serious line of minerality apparent on the nose as well as pear blossom, pineapple-guava skin and a dairy tang. The palate clings to Meyer lemon pith and Greek yogurt flavors.
This blend of Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc offers aromas of honey and beeswax. It's light and airy on the palate, refreshing if a tad watery with lemon juice, and a buttered-roll finish.
This blend of Sémillon and Rolle is ripe and fat. It has a rich character that is crispened by a herbal edge. Now that it is mature, it's well balanced while keeping plenty of fruit. There is a nutty soft aftertaste. Drink now.
This blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc is bone dry and sophisticated, with a bite of acidity that makes it exceptionally food friendly. Made with just a touch of oak, it's marked by brisk flavors of lemons, limes, green apples and Asian pears, with a hint of tart gooseberry. A mouthwateringly clean wine that's great as a cocktail sipper with little appetizers.
This blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris is medium dry in character, with fruity acidity and a floral character from the Sauvignon Gris. A crisp, light fruitiness makes it an attractive apéritif wine.
This blend of Sagemoor, Weinbau and Heather Hill vineyards displays barrel aromas of cocoa and woodspice followed by dark cherries. It's medium bodied with abundant dark cherry and barrel flavors backed by gruff tannins.
This blend of Sangiovese and 10% Merlot opens with aromas of forest floor, ripe blackberry, cedar and menthol. The warm, evolved palate offers dried black cherry, licorice, mint, ground pepper and a gamy note alongside assertive, almost gritty tannins that leave an astringent finish.
This blend of Sangiovese and 10% Merlot opens with delicate aromas of violet, berry and baking spices. The palate delivers black cherry, toast and clove alongside close-grained tannins that grip the finish.
This blend of Sangiovese and Alicante Bouschet holds savory aromas of grilled herb, toast, black fruit, earth and flint. The palate offers dried cherry, toast, mineral and licorice alongside rather drying wood tannins. Drink sooner rather than later to capture fruit flavors and freshness.
This blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of black berries, cedar and spice with a hint of meat juices. The palate delivers dense black cherry and black berry flavors along with vanilla, espresso and chocolate notes. It's ripe, concentrated and velvety but it also lacks freshness and energy.
This blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon is clumsy. Although it's dry, it shows an unpleasantly green, minty sharpness to the cherry and cocoa fruit flavors. Drink now.
This blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon is light in color and offers aromas such as old leather, pipe tobacco, prune and chopped herbs with a slightly dirty, earthy quality. Yet it's lively in the mouth, with tight tannins, fresh acidity and bright cherry flavors.
This blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon opens with impressive intensity, with notes of bold cherry, crushed black pepper, clove, dried currant and tobacco. The mouthfeel is velvety and rich, with a touch of bright acidity on the finish.
This blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo is enhanced with a small percentage of Merlot. That addition heightens the wine's softness and renders a richer mouthfeel.
This blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo offers a nose of berry fruit and light almond shadings backed by an easy, informal mouthfeel. Pair this fruit-driven red with pasta or pizza.
This blend of Sangiovese and Merlot from Tuscany is a bit closed, but it reveals subtle underbrush and violet aromas along with raspbberry and black cherry flavors. Pair this with pasta topped with meat sauces.
This blend of Sangiovese and Merlot has found enduring harmony and long-lasting persistency in this vintage. The quality of the aromas is top-notch, with cherry and toast spread equally in balanced competition. It is firm but yielding in the mouth with chewy tannins.
This blend of Sangiovese and Merlot is almost too black, too concentrated and too extracted. Aromas are of blackberry pie and chewy tannins leave a gritty impression in the mouth.
This blend of Sangiovese and Merlot starts with aromas of espresso, toasted oak and plum. The palate offers one-dimensional plum and cherry with oak notes alongside firm tannins and uplifting acidity.
This blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano is definitely on the ripe and jammy side with aromas of mature blackberry and fruit marmalade. It boasts a pretty ruby color with deep saturation and a velvety feel in the mouth with good structure and some sour notes on the close.
This blend of Sangiovese and Sagrantino is aged in tonneaux and offers aromas of black berry, cherry and oak. The palate has a vibrant black-cherry core accented by pepper, cinnamon and espresso notes, as well as bracing yet ripe tannins.
This blend of Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% Merlot offers aromas of violet, black plum and a whiff of baking spice. The simple but fleeting palate offers black cherry, raspberry and a hint of clove alongside mild tannins and fresh acidity.
This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot exhibits excellent intensity and sweet, spice-box fragrances that are long-lasting and seductive. The wine's intensity is enhanced by crisp red apple and sharper tones of cherry cola and root beer.
This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot is genuine and direct, with deep aromas of berry fruit, spice, herbs and cherries.
This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot opens with subdued aromas of black berries with whiffs of cedar and spice. The palate offers cherry, plum and cinnamon notes but it is also flat and lacks nerve.
This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet and other varieties opens with rustic aromas that recall earth, farmyard and over-ripe plums. The palate is a bit better, with mature black fruit flavors accompanied by spice notes, although it finishes on a bitter note.
This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and Malvasia Nera delivers chocolate, cherry, blueberry and coffee bean, and it's built like a rock with solid tannins and engaging power.
This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot features a dark ruby color and balanced aromas of black fruit, leather, spice and rum cake. It's fresh and fruity in the mouth, with just the right measure of concentration to pair with lasagna.
This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is an Oregon winery's take on a super Tuscan red. Aromas are volatile and those high tones carry into the flavors. Light raspberry fruit, high acidity, and a sharp astringency characterize the wine.
This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is vinified in steel and bottle aged. It's young and fresh, boasting bright red cherry and raspberry sensations along with notes of freshly tilled earth.
This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot opens with earthy aromas of leather, tobacco and button mushroom, followed by fresh cherry. Crisp acidity makes this a good wine to pair with cheesy risotto or pork.
This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot opens with savory aromas of cured meat and dusty black pepper with some black olive, licorice and dried cassis. The wine shows a brawny personality with tight, slightly gritty tannins on the close.
This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot shows impressive intensity and carefully measured oak tones that add nuances of clove and nutmeg. At the base are notes of red fruit, cherry and blackberry, plus dried tones of prune and cassis.
This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah had no problem achieving ripeness. It explodes in blackberry, cherry, chocolate, licorice, teriaki beef, black pepper and sandalwood flavors that go on and on. The structure is a little too soft and weak to support all this weight, though. Drink now.
This blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino and Merlot opens with subdued but fruity aromas of red and black berries. The palate offers wild cherry, blackberry, vanilla and white pepper along with supple tannins. Its soft, uncomplicated structure allows for easy drinking.
This blend of Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Colorino, Canaiolo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon presents violet, wild berry and spice aromas. The savory palate offers up wild cherry, raspberry and cinnamon-spice flavors. It has a simple, pleasant structure made for easy drinking.
This blend of Sangiovese, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and other varieties plays well to type. It shows a wealth of ripe, dusty black fruit that's richly round and soft on the palate, approachable and lightly oaked.
This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon offers excellent fruit and shapely oak tones of spice, chocolate and sweet tobacco.
This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of evident oak, saw dust and blackberry. The palate delivers ripe black cherry, black currant and raisin flavors, with accents of white pepper and clove.
This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon shows remarkable richness and smoothness. It delivers bright, fresh tones of black cherry and blackberry that are backed by touches of leather and tobacco. It's velvety and taut, not too heavy or extracted.
This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Sagrantino is a simple, fruit-forward wine with loads of red cherry, blueberry, cedar wood and exotic spice. It has a gritty, spicy mouthfeel and big, powerful tannins.
This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Sagrantino is redolent with aromas of ripe black fruit and blue flower, with a whiff of leather. The palate delivers a savory wild cherry flavor, punctuated with white pepper, cinnamon and clove spice. Bracing yet fine tannins are balanced by fresh acidity. Drink 2015–2020.
This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Sagrantino offers rustic, almost funky but not unpleasant aromas of tilled soil, toast, meat juice and truffle. The palate opens with delicious black cherry, raspberry and clove flavors, along with notes of well-integrated oak and evident alcohol.
This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Sagrantino opens with a floral and fruit fragrance of violet, dark berries and spice, with a hint of pressed powder. The palate offers a bright, cherry Jolly Rancher flavor, accented by notes of spice and orange peel. Very elegant and ready to drink now.
This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Syrah offers a fragrance of black fruit and Mediterranean herbs. The palate is a bit restrained but reveals black cherry, licorice and black pepper along with notes of espresso and toasted oak.
This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah is a tad too ripe and jammy. Chocolate fudge and ripe blueberry are backed by strawberry preserves, cinnamon, exotic spice and ground clove. The tannins are chewy.
This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah has aromas of black fruit, cedar and oak. The dense palate is a bit forward, reflecting the vintage, and delivers black cherry, black currant, toasted oak and spice notes along with bracing tannins.
This blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Montepulciano has aromas of toasted oak, mocha and blackberry preserves. The dense palate offers dried black cherry, fig, espresso, toast and clove alongside chewy, drying tannins. You'll also detect the presence of alcohol on the midpalate.
This blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Merlot and Colorino opens with aromas of violet, red and black fruit, and cinnamon-spice. The palate offers ripe but one dimensional blackberry, vanilla and chocolate flavors.
This blend of Saperavi, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot has prominent aromas of smoke and cured meats. There are flavors of red and black fruits and a touch of smoky sweetness in the finish.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc (60%) and Sémillon—all from Klipsun Vineyard—saw only eight months of neutral French barrel aging. It brings a pleasing assortment of fig, herbs, tropical fruit and corn silk notes with a broad, creamy texture and a drawn-out finish.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc (65%) and Sémillon comes from Sagemoor, Boushey and Klipsun vineyards. It starts out barrel-forward with aromas of char and toast followed by citrus oil, spice and herbs. The concentration of the tropical fruit flavors is light and elegant but shows pleasing nuances and a good sense of balance.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Arinto is bright and herbaceous. There is also a more tropical character with pineapple and mango adding their riper notes. The end has a mineral edge. The wine will improve by holding until 2015 in bottle.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay is simple and slightly sweet. It has flavors of oranges, pineapples and apricots, wrapped into a creamy texture.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Fernão Pires is aromatic and ripe. Its fruitiness is tropical, with pineapple as well as apricot flavors. It's softly textured  and ready to drink.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Grenache Blanc is light and fresh. Gently fruity, hinting at herbs and citrus and with an easy, open texture, it is a soft quaffing wine. The aftertaste is lightly sweet.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Grenache Blanc tastes more of the crisp and herbal Sauvignon. It is floral, with spice, apple and lime flavors. With its bright aftertaste the wine is ready to drink.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Moschofilero offers floral aromas of rose, lemon blossom and a touch of spice. On the palate, the wine is focused with a floral flair. Tropical fruit, citrus and rose are layered but the wine finishes clean and with pep.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo opens with aromas of bath soap and apple juice. Plump and standard in feel, this tastes of stone fruits and salt. On the finish, which is steady but basic, this tastes bready and leesy.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier is quite pale in color, with aromas of ripe pear and squeezed lemon. It's bright and lively on the palate, with cold crushed apples and pear blossoms bringing lots of life to the wine.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Garnacha Blanc is a good-to-go white with fruity, spicy aromas and creamy flavors of pineapple, pear and tropical fruit. A friendly midpalate and spicy finish give it dimension. Its versatile character is good for myriad foods—from creamy cheeses to fresh seafood. Or, sip it alone—it has enough going for it on it own.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle and Sémillon is round, full and softly textured. White fruits, spice and fresh acidity are already well integrated. The end is tangy with lemon zest flavors. Drink now. The estate has been in the Forcato family since 1950.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle is fruity and lightly perfumed. It has a herbal character as well, along with bright acidity and a chalk and mineral texture. It is ready to drink, although it will be better from late 2016.
This blend of Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Incrocio Manzoni and Chiavennasca (another name for Nebbiolo, but in this case the red variety is vinified as a white wine) originates in Sondrio, in the far north of Italy. The nose is indeed slightly muddled but the wine does deliver cool climate tones of white peach and fragrant flower.
This blend of Savatiano and Roditis is very popular in Greece and perhaps a bit too exotic for mainstream palates, but it's easy drinking and priced well. Aromas of citrus and melon are followed by peach and honeydew melon flavors. Simple but friendly.
This blend of Sciaccarellu and Niellucciu is delicious and light—full of refreshing red currant flavors and crisp acidity. It's bright, fruity and ready to drink.
This blend of Semillon, Traminer, Shiraz and Frontignac (a form of Muscat) features orange, berry and spice aromas and sweet flavors not unlike berry sherbet, with just a squeeze of citrus on the finish. Soft and frothy; drink now.
This blend of Shiraz and Castelão is in a soft and ripe rosé style. There is just a touch of tannin from the Shiraz to give weight. The aftertaste is lightly sweet.
This blend of Shiraz and Garnacha is simple on the palate, with modest acidity. Powdery berry and stone-fruit aromas are basic.
This blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot has aromas of cherry, vanilla and a whiff of lifted eucalyptus. It conveys flavors of black cherry, red plum and dried herbs. Medium bodied, it has a persistent finish.
This blend of six Bordeaux varieties is a little funky out of the gate with notes of woodspice, mushroom, cayenne, dry chocolate and cherry. The palate has mouthwatering cherry flavors that bring along some warmth on the finish.
This blend of six grapes is led by Cabernet Sauvignon. On the bouquet, it's dry and dusty, with tobacco, cherry and a hint of raisin. The palate feels a touch baked and/or cooked, while reedy, minty, lightly herbal flavors are offset by cassis and berry. Mild astringency defines the finish.
This blend of six local Corsican varieties is the top wine from the Clos Venturi estate. Its dark color and blackberry perfume promises a rich, complex palate. It's serious—densely packed with both tannins and opulent fruit. Drink from 2019.
This blend of St. Laurent, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon offers glossy, polished plum fruit that is still closed now, but promises to come to the fore after some cellaring. Great concentration on the midpalate, fresh acidity and finely-woven tannins also bode well for the future of this wine. There is a mineral, gravelly, spicy background that promises more interest and aromatic layers. Ready from 2016.
This blend of Stillwater Creek and Conner Lee vineyards conveys aromas of pear, yellow apple, pineapple and butter. The concentration is light yet creamy with a warm finish.
This blend of Syrah (40%), Sangiovese, Alicante, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot offers creamy aromas of milk chocolate and blueberry followed by a chewy, slightly raw mouthfeel.
This blend of Syrah (50%), Petit Verdot (18%) and equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon carries appealing aromas of herbs, cherries, orange peel and sweet barrel spices. It shows a pleasing sense of restraint, accenting the Syrah's suppleness with an elegant styling that keeps the attention high.
This blend of Syrah (52%), Petit Sirah (24%), Mourvèdre (16%) and Grenache from StoneTree and Red Heaven vineyards is appealing with its chocolate, mulberry and peppery spices. It's high-octane and richly flavored with a lingering blue-fruit and meat-filled finish backed by lightly chalky tannins.
This blend of Syrah (56%), Cabernet Sauvignon (22%), Cabernet Franc (12%) and Mourvèdre saw just a trace of new oak (10%). It delivers them all with notes of berry, coffee, raw meat, herbs and tar, with lighter-styled fruit flavors and tart acidity.
This blend of Syrah (57%), Merlot (29%) and Sangiovese suggests candied raspberries, blue fruit, vanilla, cola and fruit leather. Rich, concentrated flavors give a sense of confection with the tannins providing a chalky feel.
This blend of Syrah (58%), Merlot (33%) and Malbec (9%) offers immediate appeal, with ready-to-go aromas of raspberry compote, mocha and cranberries. The polished red-fruit flavors show depth.
This blend of Syrah (72%), Grenache (21%) and Viognier brings vibrant aromas of green olive, smoked meat and orange peel, which don't entirely meld. It's tangy and flavorful with abundant mesquite notes on the finish.
This blend of Syrah and Cabernet from Manchuela is earthy, baked and mature, with an intriguing mix of peppery spice aromas, leafiness and stewed fruit notes. The palate is rich in feel, with baked berry, dark spice, tobacco and licorice flavors. Overall, this is a rooty, earthy wine to drink now.
This blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and concentrated. It is full of dark tannins as well as spicy fruit. Blackberry flavors are perfumed, ripe and shot through with dry, smoky wood tastes. It's still a firm wine that will need more time. Drink from late 2016.
This blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, which is only sold in Bermuda, shows the tang of anise alongside cranberry, dried oregano and pencil lead on the nose. The palate's boysenberry fruit is leveled with black pepper, roasting herbs and a long finish that's quite intriguing.
This blend of Syrah and Grenache bears ripe, forward flavors of blackberry and cherry jam, dried currant, anise and cedar. The tannins are massive, but ripe and sweet, and there is a green note that gives the wine some bitterness.
This blend of Syrah and Grenache has minty, wet-plaster aromas, but also some pure Grenache notes. The palate runs tart, with cranberry and cherry. And the finish is tight and bitter, with more acids than tannin. A viable bistro wine but go no further.
This blend of Syrah and Grenache is hard and tough, with stringy, dry tannins and flavors of vegetables and cherry cough syrup. Lots of new French oak does little to make it more palatable.
This blend of Syrah and Grenache is soft and melted, with green peppercorn flavors along with riper cherries, chocolate and rhubarb. Ready to drink now.
This blend of Syrah and Grenache provides a well-made, largely neutral canvas to wash down a wide range of foods. Hints of tangerine and peach add nuance and interest to the wet stone elements that dominate, then finish dry and mouthwatering.
This blend of Syrah and Malbec was sourced from the estate's Doc Stewart Vineyard. Light, tart rhubarb and watermelon flavors show an accent of mocha. Drink up.
This blend of Syrah and Merlot offers a trove of enticing aromas, including plum sauce, soya, spice, leather and ripe blueberries. Those blueberry tones continue in the mouth where the wine exhibits great freshness and intensity.
This blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah is made in a drink-me-now style that emphasizes sheer deliciousness. Soft and almost sweet, it dazzles with pastry-filling cherries and raspberries, with exotic touches of cocoa, anise and cinnamon. Tannins provide a sturdy architecture, but they're ripe and accessible.
This blend of Syrah and several other Rhône varieties is easy to like for its full-bodied flavors of currants, leather and spices. With its grippy tannins, this will pair well with ribs, burgers and tacos.
This blend of Syrah and Touriga Nacional is rustic with some hard tannins and intense acidity. Since it is still young, the wine could soften but it seems to be more about its structure than its fruit.
This blend of Syrah from Thompson and White Hawk vineyards, as well as a touch of Mourvèdre from Alta Mesa, shows lively anise and dill herbs on the nose, along with black strawberries, dense blackberries, damp sage, violet and tar. The oregano-thyme-bay leaf herbal side of the sip is strong, giving nuance to the elderberry and blueberry fruit.
This blend of Syrah, Cabernet and Tempranillo from American-born winemaker Ed Flaherty offers floral aromas of raspberry and dusty plum. The palate feels fresh and vital, with good energy backing flavors of coconut and vanilla along with plum, raspberry and cream. A mild, slightly juicy finish delivers a final shot of oaky vanilla.
This blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon offers up decadent juicy flavors of sun-kissed red cherries and watermelon. While dry in style, there's a slightly caramelized ripeness on the midpalate that balances out pertly against brisk grapefruit acidity. Enjoy now for its forward fruity exuberance.
This blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Petite Sirah is quite dark in the glass, with blueberry, sharp cedar, clove and vanilla aromas. It coats the palate with soft, lavish tannins, offering zesty black fruit with cappuccino, teriyaki and cracked pepper flavors.
This blend of Syrah, Carmenère and Malbec is better than EW's varietal wines made from those same grapes, which proves that sometimes blends are best. It offers plum, currant and floral aromas before a fairly rich palate. Chocolaty blackberry and burnt notes end with a chocolate-driven finish.
This blend of Syrah, Castelão and Aragonez has the typical cool feel of a wine from coastal Lisboa. It offers firm tannins, stalky black currant fruits and bright acidity, all packaged in a smooth texture with a soft, juicy aftertaste.
This blend of Syrah, Grenache and a few other varieties feels hot in the mouth, even though the alcohol is officially only 14.5%. It's thin and dry in jammy berry flavors.
This blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault is less obviously fruity than many Provençal rosés, but makes up for that in weight and richness. It's a round, full style, with a layered texture, some dark fruit flavors and a minerally finish.
This blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre grown on the Chesebro family property indeed reflects the wild mountains, with aromas of black pepper, white pepper, lilac, wisteria, lavender oil, elderberry, cola and Dr Pepper on the lively nose. Root beer pops on the palate along with boysenberry, charcoal, tar and black pepper. It's vibrant and delicious.
This blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Petite Sirah grapes is so packed with flavors that they seem to stumble over each other at first. It leads with a definitely earthy aroma that fades, but then the flavors come out—effusive, chocolaty, almost sweet and definitely ripe. It is full bodied and rich in texture.
This blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Petit Syrah and Carignane begins with a tartness of earthiness and firmly built tannins, followed by layers of strawberry, licorice and black pepper. Not overpowering, it'll pair nicely with cassoulet or duck breast over risotto.
This blend of Syrah, Malbec, Grenache and Merlot seems intended for contemplative consumption, with its baked-plum flavor accented in tar and cigar. Quite ripe and full bodied, it packs a punch, with swathes of toasty oak on the finish.
This blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache has some pretty raspberry, pomegranate and Bing cherry fruit flavors. Dried herbs add a nice grace note, but the finish brings a darker, roasted character that turns slightly burnt and bitter.
This blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Counoise, Grenache and Cinsault immediately appeals with its aromas of plum, candied raspberry and garrigue, with no oak influence anywhere in sight. It's fruit laden, focused and supple, with a feel that dazzles the senses and pure fruit flavors that just won't quit.
This blend of Syrah, Petit Verdot, Aragonez and Alicante Bouschet shows power, with dense tannins shouldered by ripe black fruit flavors and a solid structure. From the Estremoz region of the Alentejo, it's a powerhouse of flavors and juicy acidity. Drink after 2016.
This blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre and Grenache is enormously fruity. It erupts in the mouth with black raspberries and cherries, with a hint of smoky oak and raisins. It's a little rustic in the tannin structure, but refined enough to drink with a great steak.
This blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre and Viognier offers intriguing aromas of blackberry and plum with woodspice accents. It's pleasingly fresh and pure with rich, focused fruit flavors that linger.
This blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Grenache is perhaps unprecedented in California, but it's a very good wine, and the price makes it a relative bargain. It's dry, with significant tannins and crisp acidity framing rich, complex cherry, red currant, mocha and buttered cinnamon toast flavors. Versatile across a huge range of foods, a great house wine. Production was 4,400 cases.
This blend of Syrah, Tempranillo, Cab Sauvignon and Merlot shows the upside potential of Valencia, one of Spain's low-profile regions. A nice mix of vanilla, root beer, spice, plum and chocolate aromas reflect 18 months in oak. With full stout tannins and deep ripe flavors of plum, cassis, tobacco and chocolate, this barrel-influenced middleweight should age nicely through 2022.
This blend of Syrah, Zin and Petite Sirah is dry, tannic and full-bodied, with blackberry, currant, plum, cherry, mulberry and tobacco flavors that make up in power what they lack in subtlety.
This blend of Tempranillo (61%), Merlot (13%), Graciano (11%), Garnacha (8%) and Cabernet Sauvignon recalls burnt coffee, red fruit, tobacco, vanilla and exotic spices. It's supple in feel with lightly chalky tannins.
This blend of Tempranillo and Grenache is gritty up front, with strong black-fruit aromas and lemony oak notes. A palate with minty, dark flavors of licorice, plum, cherry and even citrus is attractive and shows acidic balance. For a big wine with grip, it's more meaty than mean.
This blend of Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional delivers aromas of dried cherries, light herbs and graphite. There is a lot of acid on the palate, and the red fruit, lightly spiced flavors are reminiscent of an everyday table wine, just with higher sugar levels.
This blend of Tempranillo, Malbec, Dolcetto, Merlot and Syrah could have turned into a generic red, yet it is seamless and nicely proportioned. It's a real crowd-pleaser, with a ripe red-fruit flavor and generous new-barrel-derived toast and spice notes.
This blend of Tempranillo, Malbec, Grenache and Mourvèdre offers such generosity of fruit, but manages to finish dry and clean. Tannins are grippy in the mouth, but flavors of dried currant, leather and black cherry jam burst through. What a great wine to decant for a few hours and serve up with rich beef dishes.
This blend of Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Garnacha is gamy on the nose, with aromas of tomato leaf, compost and cherry-pie filling. The palate is decidedly acidic, while flavors of zesty red fruits like red currant and sour plum come across herbal and a touch weedy.
This blend of Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Graciano and Syrah is concentrated in currant and blackberry, with accents of smoked meat and anise. While light in tannins, there's good grip and structure, with additional spice notes of anise and herbal spice.
This blend of Tempranillo, Mourvédre and Cinsault yields a rosé that melds red fruit and herbal tones: strawberry hull, white pepper and fresh tarragon mark the aromas, with pink grapefruit and chalk adding additional verve to the medium-bodied palate. While slightly hot on the finish, this is still quite enjoyable as an apéritif.
This blend of Teroldego and Lagrein isn't very expressive but the the nose eventually reveals black fruit and smoke. The palate is also closed, but eventually opens enough to show cherry, blackberry and hints of oak-driven spice.
This blend of the 1996, '98 and '02 vintages is mature and browning in hue. The nose is superripe, with prune, brandied cherry, tobacco and molasses notes. A soft, creamy palate holds vanilla, tobacco, baking spice, prune and raisin flavors, while the finish is an echo of what came before. Excellent when judged in its own right, this doesn't quite compare with Vega's best wines. Drink through 2025.
This blend of the local white grapes has been given a herbal twist with Sauvignon Blanc. It is fruity and still young with its lively acidity and crisp texture. Drink from the end of 2017.
This blend of the rare Caladoc with Tinta Roriz has plenty of the red-berry fruitiness and cool acidity typical of a wine from the ocean-influenced Lisboa region. The tannins are soft; the fruit is up front, with just with a touch of spice.
This blend of the three estate vineyards is the first Pinot to be released from each vintage. Here it spent time in 22% oak, roughly half new. Cranberry, pomengranate, dried herbs and some gently earthy tannins combine in a tart, gulpable style.
This blend of the three estate vineyards opens with lightly musky aromas and pinpoint herbal highlights. The fruit rolls from cranberry to strawberry to cherry, and the wine has a slightly woody character. Tannins are proportionate, still a bit stiff, and showing leafy notes. A light suggestion of chocolate infuses the finish.
This blend of the two Cabernets is, in a word, delicious. It's rich in blackberries, cherries and raspberries, but is no mere fruit bomb. The tannins are firm and fine, the acidity is bright, and for all the sweetness, the finish is dry. At the age of five years or so, the wine has achieved a mellowness that makes it good for drinking now.
This blend of the two classic grapes of Vinho Verde, Loureiro and Alvarinho, is packed with fruit. Apples, lemons and a touch of ripe pear just fill the palate. It is a dry wine, refreshing and crisp with a mineral aftertaste.
This blend of the two Manseng white grapes is full of late-harvest richness and intense acidity. It has a touch of honey, lemon curd sweetness and a light texture. It will be ready to drink from 2019.
This blend of the very local Petit Courbu and Petit Manseng grapes comes from the same region as Madiran. The wine is dry but rich—very rich—with apricot and honey flavors. It has concentration, a great tang of lemon and just enough acidity to keep everything in order. This is ready to drink.
This blend of the white Trincadeira das Pratas and Arinto is soft and perfumed. It has some ripe acidity and an open texture. The aftertaste brings in some attractive melon flavor. Drink now.
This blend of this wine is popular in Alentejo with Syrah now part of the repertoire. The wine is warm, with a ripe character and a sunny feel. Its structure and acidity keep the wine balanced. Drink now.
This blend of Tintilla and Listán Negro opens with savory aromas of latex, plum and cherry dusted with minerals. The palate is full but racy. Flavors of plum and cranberry show spice and mineral notes before a long, peppery finish. Overall, this is bright, floral and interesting. Drink now.
This blend of top Zin lots from across the region isn't made every vintage. This wine shows slightly sour black plum, dark leather, wet soil and a touch of tar on the nose. Dried red fruit is spiced up by dried herbs on the energetic. Acidity and soft tannins emerge toward the caramel-laced finish.
This blend of Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon is soft and ripe, with a good sense of structure and fruitiness. Rounded and with acidity as a counterweight, the wine is ready. Drink now.
This blend of Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon is solid and ripe. It's packed with dry tannins that interplay with the herb and spice characters. A zip of acidity rings on the finish. Drink from 2017.
This blend of Touriga Nacional and Castelão has produced an impressive wine that is packed with rich tannins and a dark brooding structure. Intense acidity cuts through the rich, powerful texture to give a fresh aftertaste. It is still young, so drink from 2018.
This blend of Touriga Nacional and Merlot gives fresh red fruits that are crisp and sharp as a needle. The wine is lively and fruity, soft and ready to drink.
This blend of Touriga Nacional and Syrah brings together two perfumed grapes in an harmonious whole. The wine is structured and also richly fruity. It has a great swathe of spiciness from the wood, giving an almost-sweet character while still sustaining the tannins. Drink from 2017.
This blend of Touriga Nacional with Merlot is perfumed and light. It has a salmon pink color, layers of citrus as well as red-currant fruit and a soft texture. Drink now.
This blend of Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is surprisingly soft and ripe, considering the tannic nature of the grapes. Instead it has fruity black currant flavors and plenty of forward acidity. Ready to drink now, its tannins just form the background.
This blend of Touriga Nacional, the local Baga and Merlot is smooth and ripe. It has soft tannins and a fine level of acidity to give the wine a fresh character to finish the warm red fruits. Drink now.
This blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro and Jaen is a satisfying melting pot of complex flavors. Its tannins are solid, although now complementing the rich berry fruits. It is an impressive wine that could still age further before complete maturity. Drink from 2019.
This blend of Trajadura and Alvarinho comes from the far north of the Vinho Verde region. The wine is cool and perfumed with apricot as well as creamed pear flavors. Drink the wine now.
This blend of two-thirds Sauvignon Blanc and one-third Semillon gets a touch of barrel aging, reflected in its silky texture more than any overt aromas or flavors. The palate is fruit-forward, offering hints of citrus, underripe nectarine, wet stone and green apple, finishing long and mouthwatering.
This blend of two-thirds Syrah and one-third Mourvèdre is fresh and aromatic, showing some peppery-gingery spice to go with watermelon and strawberry notes. It's medium in body, with an abbreviated finish.
This blend of two herbal grapes gives a tangy zesty wine. Lemon peel and crisp acidity are dominant, with tight fruitiness and a perfumed aftertaste. Drink now.
This blend of two native Turkish grapes is deep red-violet in color, with a bouquet of blackberry, blueberry and anisette. It is fairly tart from entry to finish, with soft tannins and flavors of raspberry, strawberry and lingonberry that dominate over touches of espresso bean and leather.
This blend of two types of Garnacha and some Carignan is a consistently top performer from this Catalonian region. This edition smells reedy and spicy, but also like ripe plum and raisin. A generous balanced palate holds flavors of vanilla, plum, cherry and peppery spice. On the finish, this is composed in feel, dry and spicy. Drink through 2019.
This blend of Umpqua and Applegate Valley fruit, cofermented with 2% Viognier, is crisp and varietal, with mixed berries, peppercorns and cured meats all vying for your attention. Seamless and balanced, it keeps the alcohol down around 14.3%, which keeps the integrated structure intact. Silky tannins carry a whiff of roasted coffee through the finish.
This blend of undisclosed varieties is a charming red wine to drink now. It's dry, smooth and ripe in blackberry, cherry, currant and spice flavors. Beef is its natural partner.
This blend of undisclosed varieties is a fine wine for drinking with a huge array of foods. It's brisk in acidity and forward in lemonade, peach, pear and orange flavors that linger into a long, rich finish. The wine will pair especially well with Thai, Vietnamese and Cambodian fare.
This blend of Uva di Troia and Negroamaro shows sophisticated tones of toasted nut and spice behind the notes of ripe fruit and prune. The mouthfeel is soft and smooth.
This blend of Verdejo and Viura deals floral aromas along with hints of honey, apple and peach. It's zesty enough in the mouth, with ripe peach and melon flavors, but it's not sweet. The texture on the finish holds up to scrutiny and the afterflavors are good. Drink now.
This blend of Verdesca, Bianco d'Alessano and Fiano Minutolo (three white grapes indigenous to southern Italy) shows a slightly oxidized style, with aromas of caramel, peach and exotic fruit. A touch of peach cobbler appears on the finish.
This blend of Verdicchio (90%), Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc opens with fragrant aromas of honeysuckle, white rose, exotic fruit and papaya. The wine shows balanced structure and acidity with long endnotes of peach and yellow fruit.
This blend of Vermentino (45%), Grenache Blanc (40%) and Roussanne (15%) is aged in a combination of oak and stainless steel, resulting in a round, mouthfilling wine that nevertheless remains crisp and easy to drink. Hints of smoke and marshmallow serve to accent the ripe melon, pineapple and honey flavors. Drink now.
This blend of Vermentino (70%), Fiano, Incrocio Manzoni, Verdicchio and Petit Manseng opens with generous tones of peach, apricot, lemon curd and soft almond paste. The wine is creamy and silky on the long finish.
This blend of Viognier (51%), Roussanne (36%) and Riesling offers bright aromas of nectarine, honeysuckle and almond. It drinks dry, holding up a bit on the finish.
This blend of Viognier and Arinto blends the apricot flavors of the Viognier and the fresh steeliness of Arinto in a bright while rounded package. It's fruity, touched by vanilla and herbs and given a final boost with crisp acidity. It's ready to drink.
This blend of Viognier, Roussane and Marsanne isn't typically Chilean but it doesn't smell or taste all that French, either. Tropical floral aromas are similar to bath oil, while this feels full, pulpy and oily. Peach and persimmon flavors finish distinctly salty, with an oily feel and flavor notes of citrus peel.
This blend of Viognier, Syrah and Mourvedre begins with a spicy but floral nose and is followed by ripe, forward fruit backed by black pepper and spice elements. Interesting and layered, the wine is affordable and ideal for everyday sipping.
This blend of Viura and Malvasia is mild, low on aromatic punch and suggestive of saline solution. This is friendly but flat in feel, with modest structure. Leesy flavors of peach and apple finish chalky and grabby.
This blend of Viura, Malvasia and Tempranillo Blanco smells a bit sweaty and like passion fruit. The palate has a fresh, citrusy feel and flavors of lime and grapefruit. It's fresh and clean but dilute on the close.
This blend of white native grapes from Lazio has delicate, fruity aromas of pear and apple that carry over to the palate along with an almond note. Fresh and crisp, this makes a perfect apéritif, or pair it with lightly-seasoned dishes.
This blend of wines from Dão, Bairrada and Lisboa is ripe, full of black fruits and with subtle signs of the wood aging. Named to celebrate the Portuguese mariners who sailed to the spice islands of the East Indies, it is warm with its own spiciness as well as a juicy aftertaste. Drink now.
This blend of Zin, Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre is sort of old fashioned, a dark, full-bodied wine whose berry fruitiness has an earthy, balsamic vinegar edge. It's tannic and slightly sweet.
This blend of Zinfandel (80%) and Petite Sirah is aromatic with notes of vanilla, cocoa, dried raspberry and dried cranberry. The flavors are sweet, with dry, astringent tannins and a quite tart finish.
This blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Petite Sirah offers suave aromas of cherry, vanilla and white chocolate. The palate is dense with fudge flavors as well as black-cherry sauce, dark chocolate, slight bits of chopped mint and decent acidity to clean it all up.
This blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is soft and slightly sweet, like a dessert. Tastes like a melted mélange of blackberry and cherry jam, milk chocolate granola and dusty spices. Drink now.
This blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Carignane sure did get ripe, but it's too fruity and simple, offering little beyond massive blackberry, blueberry, cherry and currant flavors. An only-in- California wine, it's easy to drink now if you need a full-bodied, tannic red.
This blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Charbono is similar to wines made from those field-blended vineyards where several grape varieties are inter-planted. The wine is dry and robust, with intensely fruity, spicy flavors and firm tannins. Best now for its sheer exuberance.
This blend of Zinfandel, Syrah and Sangiovese shows dense, dark notes of chocolate, boysenberry, leather, lavender and a sprig of mint on the nose. The tannins are chalky in texture, with a balance of blueberries and menthol tones.
This blend offers a touch of matchstick on the nose, before unleashing vibrantly vervy acidity. Highlights of wet stone, apple, lemon zest and peach show within a medium-bodied context.
This blend offers beguiling, complex aromas of violets, scorched earth, cassis, black licorice and graphite. The flavors are tightly wound, showing poise and presence. It drinks well out of the gate but cellaring will be particularly rewarded. Best from 2022 through 2030.
This blend offers flavors of blackberry jam, pastry spice, plum and licorice. It's full bodied, with a sturdy structure and forward flavors. The medium-to-long finish offers a spiced-berry note. Pair this with barbecued ribs or grilled New York strips.
This blend offers notes of herbs, woodspice, black licorice and cherry. It's full of sweet black fruit flavors, with the alcohol riding high and providing some distraction.
This blend offers notes of nori, olive, cherry and tire rubber. The full-bodied flavors are sweet and palate-coating, with abundant savory notes and lightly grainy tannins.
This blend opens with ripe aromas that recall blueberry and strawberry jam, followed by notes of spice, chocolate and moist tobacco. The finish is soft and velvety, and it comes with a touch of plush richness. This is complex and balanced.
This blend remains severely tannic, but it's also very ripe, with flavors of baked cherries, blackberries and prunes. It's a big, deep, dark, brooding wine that's probably at its best now.
This blend results in a complex, wholesome wine of richness and integrity. The blackberry, cherry, currant, roasted meat and cedar flavors are ripe and complex. There's a sweetness at the wine's core that makes it irresistible. It's ready to drink now.
This blend showcases Grenache and Mourvèdre, with small amounts of Syrah, Counoise and Carignan. Raspberry, cherry and chocolate flavors combine with and are enlivened by a dash of white pepper. Excellent focus and length suggest that this can be cellared for at least five years.
This blend showcases the many varieties that shine at Stagecoach, from Tempranillo, which makes up 44% of the whole, to Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Floral and marked by a rocky, gravelly minerality, it tastes of cherry compote, pencil lead and black pepper, showing juicy acidity throughout. Drink now through 2023.
This blend showcases the soft lusciousness and ripe fruit of Paso Robles. It's rich and sweet in jammy blackberries, cherries, chocolate and spicy sandalwood. Drink now.
This blend shows decent weight and texture, along with elegant aromas and flavors of scorched citrus peel and grapefruit. It's long and mouthwatering on the oak-free finish, making it a versatile food companion. The 2012 looks to be even better.
This blend smells outright herbaceous and weedy. An astringent volatile palate is grating, while this tastes much like it smells: weedy and green.
This blend starts with panache, offering aromas of vanilla cream, lemon, banana and crushed herbs. On the palate, it balances brisk acidity with alluring citrus and melon fruit flavors. The wine has a spicy spin that gives it extra spunk.
This blend that seems to include every Corsican and Provence red grape works out as a wild and wonderful wine. With acidity, spice, perfume and tannins that bring in a bramble texture, this is a wine for drinking young.
This blend works in commingling 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc and 4% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot, all from the producer's vineyard. Caramel sparks a richness against which herbal, woody tannins speak. The body expansive and full, and the finish awash in spicy clove.
This blend, based on Cabernet, is soft in structure, with easily accessible blackberry jam, sugared herb tea, red licorice and oak flavors.
This blend, dominated by Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris, gives a rich, perfumed and ripe-tasting wine. Acidity balances its full apricot and pear fruit flavors. With its creamy texture, it's ready to drink.
This blend, from a well-regarded vineyard, is too tannic. It's like chewing on nails, and the astringency masks whatever charms the wine may have, by way of blackberry fruit.
This blend, from several estate vineyards, is slightly off-dry, with a power and thickness to it in the mouth that belies its modest 12.5% alcohol. Honeyed pear and briny gravel notes are complex and satisfying, while reflecting the limestone marl soils of the region.
This blend, which is mainly Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, is robust. It's a trattoria or bistro wine, dry, tannic and spicy, with earthy flavors. Drink now with rich foods to tease out the berry fruit.
This blend, with 50% Touriga Nacional, is deliciously crisp while also ripe. It has a softly tannic texture that gives it a zesty character. The aftertaste is bright and fruity.
This blend—mainly Grenche Blanc and Roussanne—is fairly neutral on the nose, but weighty and rich on the palate, where it delivers succulent notes of pineapple, perked by a sprinkling of white pepper. That peppery spice picks up in intensity on the finish, imparting vibrancy and length. Drink now.
This blended red brings in four of the five Bordeaux varieties (61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot). Some prominent mint notes may limit its appeal, but it's otherwise a classic example of the genre, accenting cassis fruit with hints of vanilla and cedar. Despite the ample alcohol and a bit of warmth, there's also some austerity and firmness to the tannins. Drink 2018–2025.
This blended red from the little-known Piceno area of Central Italy offers ripe cherry fruit and prune followed by a dusty note of Graham cracker or rye bread.
This blended rosé is ripe and fruity, with a spicy edge that makes it excellent with food. Its red fruit, acidity and crisp, tight texture make it tangy and ready to drink.
This blended study of 2A, 115, 667 and Pommard clones shows black pepper, red cherry, pressed purple flowers, eucalyptus and a touch of hot asphalt on the nose. The lean and light palate conveys lots of dried herbs and raspberry-cranberry juice, enlivening the tongue with sourness.
This blended trocken offers plenty of Pfalz character at a reasonable price. Brined peaches and honey show the warmth and minerality of the region in a flattering light, carried by a rich texture and a long finish.
This blended white combines Tocai Friulano (60%) with Pinot Bianco (25%) and Pinot Grigio (15%) in a tasty, corpulent wine well worth its modest price. Bold flavors of oranges, pink grapefruits and ripe cherries mingle in the mouth; the only quibble is that it finishes a little short.
This blended white from Friuli has pretty white flower and exotic fruit aromas. It has pineapple, pear and banana peel flavors, although it finishes a bit short.
This blended white shows simple citrus and mineral notes, with touches of peach and Golden Delicious. The mouthfeel is linear and direct.
This blended white wine from Sardinia opens with fragrant tones of soapy spring flower, honeysuckle and peach blossom. There are touches of caramel and butterscotch as well.
This blended white—a sweetish mix of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer and Riesling—has a honeyed character that suggests that at least some of the grapes may have been touched with botrytis. Regardless, look for that sugary, honeyed flavor to dominate.
This blending house adds 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec to boost this Zinfandel-based wine, which shows baked strawberries, blackberry puree, beef char and smoke on the nose. The fruit is tart and black on the palate, with mint and anise notes.
This blends 20% each of all five red-Bordeaux varieties, showing grapy, plummy flavor that's juicy and soft on the palate. With a core of tobacco, tar and graphite, it complements the fruity with the savory, ending simply and elegantly.
This blends 38% Merlot with 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc. Together these find a healthy companionship of wood, cedar, currant and dried herb, allowing the two Cabernets to speak loudest. Lightly spicy nutmeg and clove linger around well-defined layers of cherry and vanilla.
This blends 51% Cabernet Sauvignon with 31% Zinfandel and 18% Sangiovese. Together they offer juicy red fruit, licorice and leather in a thickly concentrated package, ripe and full-bodied with a bright core of acidity. Mountain sage is sprinkled throughout.
This blends 51% Merlot with 29% Zinfandel, 15% Petit Verdot and 5% Petite Sirah, combining nicely for a full-bodied expression of chocolate and dried dark cherry. On the palate, it becomes dusty and somewhat rustic, with an intensely juicy finish.
This blends 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir in a seamless, focused package of bright acidity, moderate mousse and tangled peach, tangerine and blood orange flavors. It has impressive complexity and length, with a nutty note that closes out the finish.
This blends 53% Cabernet Sauvignon with 29% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc from the producer's estate in the heart of the appellation. Together, they form a spicy, pleasing palate that's velvety smooth, soft and rounded, the richness relatively tame. Underlying currant, mocha and oak notes contribute additional complexity.
This blends 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Syrah from estate-farmed vineyards, the result a mix of cured meat, charred oak and rich, dark cherry. Full bodied and concentrated, it offers structure amid the ripeness.
This blends 61% Sauvignon Blanc, 36% Sémillon and 3% Chardonnay, opening in strong currents of honey caramel and dried apricot, with a back note of raisin. Voluptuous and nutty, it drinks big in style and personality, delivering plenty of defined flavor.
This blends 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 18% Petit Verdot. Spicy and lean, it was aged in all-new French oak that provides a nice background of structure and strength.
This blends 64% Syrah with 26% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot to good effect, offering tomato leaf, leather, dried herb and lavender aromas. Savory, meaty and medium bodied on the palate, it pairs well with heavier fare.
This blends 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Syrah to create a juicy expression of both varieties. Cassis, vanilla and blackberry notes show both aromatically and in flavor, as the wine builds in depth and concentration.
This blends 68% Syrah and 32% Cabernet Sauvignon from one site, the whole having aged for 16 months in 50% new French oak. Bright, brooding and velvety, it tastes of berry pie and chocolate-covered strawberry, with a softness to the leathery finish.
This blends 70% whole cluster-pressed juice with 30% saignée, vinified entirely in stainless steel. Fresh flower, cherry, strawberry and tangerine flavors wash brilliantly over the palate, lifted by acidity and just enough weight to feel lush.
This blends 70% Zinfandel with 14% Petite Sirah, 6% Alicante Bouschet, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Carignane and 2% Viognier. It succeeds in its full embrace of juicy red berry and big tannin concentration, showing good structure and powerful waves of caramel and pie crust.
This blends 75% Cabernet Sauvignon with 25% Petite Verdot, the Cabernet hailing from vineyards such as To Kalon and Dr. Crane. This wine is defined by its ripeness, a high-octane expression of coconut and soy with a syrupy concentration of blackberry and cherry that explodes with richness on the palate.
This blends 76% Cabernet Sauvignon with 12% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec. Bright and mellow on the palate, it shows black raspberry, cola and brown sugar flavors offset by earthy undertones. The oak is integrated and supportive.
This blends 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot into a tightly woven package of red fruit, soft tannin and robust concentration. Full bodied, it shows the warmth and distinct power of the vintage.
This blends 84% Merlot, 11% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot, the three varieties combining to full-bodied effect. Earthy in mushroom and cedar, its texture is leathery, with the palate dotted in tobacco and black pepper, the character savory and full of spice.
This blends a majority Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot, coaxing soft, rounded texture and substantial flavors of red berry and vanilla. With a density on the palate, it carries with it a streak of smoked meat.
This blends almost-sweet fruit flavors of strawberry and red cherry with savory and spicy notes, making a nicely complex and multi-dimensional, medium-bodied wine. It's smooth and fruity, with no harsh tannins.
This blends Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Meunier, with a slightly sweet dosage providing rich creaminess. Soft, moderate acidity leans against a taste of vanilla cream, ripe peach and honey.
This blends cool-climate Syrah (50%) from the Edna Valley with warmer-site Petite Sirah (45%) and Grenache (5%) and shows candied cinnamon, black cherry, plum and cedar aromas. Tangy black plum and raspberry notes lead the palate, underpinned by chewy tannins.
This blends Dijon clones 76 and 96, and is partially barrel fermented. The spicy nose sharpens the palate with pine needle aromas, and the flavors follow. It's a precise wine, showing pine and mineral more than fruit.
This blends estate-grown Wädenswil and Dijon 115 clones into a briary, open and forward expression that accents its core of cherry fruit with a dash of cola. It lightens up as it finishes but remains nicely balanced and layered, with subtle hints of chicken stock.
This blends fruit from DeVoto in the Sebastopol Hills with grapes from Terra de Promissio, Umino and Alder Springs vineyards. It's soft and thick, with rich, ripe flavors of cranberry, pomegranate and cherry, a sizzling sense of cola spice underlying it all.
This blends fruit from Force Majeure, Blackrock and Alder Ridge vineyards. Aromas of crushed rock, dried leaves, cherry and barrel spices lead to sweet cherry and chocolate flavors. The oak (58% new French) plays a big part but it works.
This blends fruit from Red Mountain's Force Majeure Vineyard and Boushey Vineyard. Fermented using native yeast, it shows black cherry, cola and earth, with a drying finish that's redolent of wet cement. This is complex and even delicate.
This blends fruit from two vineyards, one 80-plus years old, the other 120-plus, then adds ample oak. Cedar, vanilla and plum lead the way, with brighter notes of raspberry emerging with time in the glass. It's not overly extracted or tannic, with a slight creaminess to the texture and an admirably long, supple finish. Drink now–2025.
This blends grapes from four separate vineyards, matured in older barrels. It's best enjoyed young, with the freshness that brings to the sharp-edged, brambly berry fruit. A whiff of pine resin and ample herbal accents add further complexity.
This blends intensity and nutty richness on the nose, backed up by a full, balanced palate. Flavors of dark caramel, toffee and chocolate end with the distinct flavor of café mocha and a lasting streak of caramel.
This blends modesty with clarity, and the end result is excellent. Crisp and minerally at all check points, the palate is juicy and citric, but with good body. Citrus, mango, melon and green-fruit flavors drive the palate into a cleansing, finely cut finish.
This blends nearly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with a quarter Malbec and smaller addition of Merlot. They get along nicely, offering a lush, full-bodied palate that remains balanced, showing an exuberance of succulent cherry, tobacco, graphite and meaty leather.
This blends nutty notes with aromas of chemical and saline. The palate is tight, sharp and citric, while flavors of briny apricot come with bitter as well as nutty notes. A dry, salty finish feels angular and sharp.
This blends Pinot Noir and Chardonnay into a sparkling experience that's dry and floral, with yeasty, toasty overtones that give it a deep sense of richness. Along with developed flavors of plum, cherry and apple, it lingers in nutmeg.
This blends together grapes from several vineyard sites in three AVAs. It opens with a bouquet of milk chocolate and mocha, leading to a tart cranberry flavor. There's are hints of herb and bark in the finish. This is designed (successfully) as a fruit-driven, drink-now style of Oregon Pinot.
This blends vineyards from across the valley, successfully capturing a compact and full-bodied explosion of black cherry and chocolate that benefits from bright, balanced acidity. Though offering depth and concentration, it finds a focused freshness that adds length and breadth.
This block-designate wine shows flamboyant aromas of red cherry, cola, purple flowers and light caramel. The palate offers an amazingly cohesive and zesty experience, combining piquant cranberry and tart raspberry with slate-driven minerality and a persistent woody spice. The texture is soft, but lifted by strong acidity.
This block-designation wine from the tip of the appellation shows an extremely spicy nose of incense and concentrated hibiscus. It proves rather light on the palate, yet bounces with the flavors of rose petals and violets, emerging into black pepper, clove and cinnamon. It's lean yet bountiful with intrigue.
This block-grown Pinot from the estate vineyard, in the heart of the cool Green Valley, shows the signature Marimar style of tight acidity, dryness, silky elegance and red fruit. It's not a big, fat, blockbuster Pinot, but a leaner, more masculine style. The raspberry, cherry, red currant and sandalwood flavors should hold up well to the aging process. Now–2013, at least.
This block-selection Syrah is a kissing cousin of Polkura's more basic yet excellent Syrah from Marchigue in western Colchagua. It shows plenty of oak, vanilla and black-fruit ripeness, but on the palate it's nicely balanced and runs a mile deep. Toasty, smoky blackberry flavors end with mocha notes and oomph. Drink through 2019.
This block is singled out in order to present a wine that has received full western exposure throughout the growing season. That's reflected in the ripeness and fullness on the palate. It's a fruit-driven vintage, and this matches it perfectly with strawberry preserves, enhanced with streaks of cola, sassafras and coffee grounds. Mineral-drenched acids provide the perfect support.
This block selection from the estate vineyard is planted to the old Pommard clone. It's an elegantly dry wine, dense in black and red cherry fruit, with hints of cola, wild herbs and spices. Feels very fine and silky in the mouth, and gets better with airing. Drink now and over the next six years.
This block selection hews closer to more conventional Oregon Pinots than the rest of the winery's portfolio, with powerful focused black-cherry fruit at its heart. It was fermented with native yeast and spent 17 months in barrel, 12% new. Those flavors come through in deft touches of graham cracker and cocoa powder, underscored with a wet-cement minerality.
This block selection is a field blend of four different clones, and brings complex flavors of herbs, tree fruits and melon. The low alcohol content and high acidity make it a good choice to drink slightly chilled. There's a light touch of toasty oak resonating through the finish.
This block selection is from the vineyard's highest elevation vines. It shows extra cut and precision, with mineral flavors under tight raspberry fruit. Tannins are polished and proportionate, and the wine has a sculpted mouthfeel. It was fermented with native yeast, and aged 15 months in one-quarter new French oak.
This block selection is supple, almost silky, and coats the palate with lip-licking cherry-fruit goodness. Streaks of hazelnut and nougat extend the finish. This delicious wine spent 15 months in 50% new French oak.
This block selection really works, showing more muscle and meat on its bones than the excellent vineyard-designated bottling. Black fruits, cassis and clean earth are flecked with cinnamon. The wine has authority and power, yet retains a sculpted, fine-tuned precision.
This block selection shows a delicate, elegant touch in this vintage, opening with pretty floral accents and continuing with light but compelling flavors of citrus and honeysuckle. There is a well-tuned bitter streak, presumably from some skin contact, and a refreshing minerality throughout.
This block selection strikes a good balance between forward fruit, spicy barrel, tangy acids and a textural, lingering finish. It's medium bodied and well balanced, with a finish that leaves an impression of astringent tannins.
This blocky Tempranillo smells dense and damp, with curry and earthy berry notes. Its chunky palate deals in heavy berry flavors that are low on elegance and high on tannin, and its finish is earthy and flat.
This blush is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault, from the estate vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. Tart and spicy in strawberries and cherries, with something exotic, like papayas, it's a lovely rosé. Versatile with so many different foods, and the price is fair.
This blush is made from Pinot Noir. Full-bodied in style, it's ripe with raspberries, strawberries and pink grapefruits, and a rich finish. Great with charcuterie.
This blush sparkling wine is made from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Moscato, offering simple, slightly sweet flavors of raspberries, oranges, vanilla, smoke and yeast. The bubbles scour the palate a bit.
This blush tastes like a peaches-and-cream soda, with hints of strawberries and vanilla. It's soft and mellow, with a honeyed finish.
This blush wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. As you'd expect, it's a big wine for a rosé, a little heavy, but there's a nice cut of acidity that helps. Is it dry? Sort of, with a jammy finish of black raspberries. Try this easy-drinking wine with grilled tuna or a hamburger.
This blush wine shows plenty of Merlot fruit in the form of cherries and raspberries. It's slightly sweet to off-dry, with pleasant acidity providing balance.
This blush wine will appeal to the Moscato crowd that likes sweet wines. With pretty pink and orange hues, its scoury bubbles frame flavors of honey, raspberry jam and yeast.
This boasts a bright ruby color, and it shows fine nuances of wild fruit, dried ginger, licorice and dried tobacco. The palate finishes with smooth, silky tannins.
This boasts a brilliant, linear progression from pepper to lush cherry and berry fruit. It's spicy and floral in nuanced, beautiful ways, with perfectly balanced acidity. Creamy and silky, this wine lingers, building complexity as it coats the palate.
This boasts a Christmas spice note on top of an earthy, baked berry aroma. It feels grabby, flat and gummy, with syrupy berry flavors along with a load of odd spices. As a whole, this is strangely oaked and doesn't show Garnacha in its best light.
This boasts a classic nose of red berry, forest floor, spice rack and a balsamic note. The full-bodied palate delivers juicy red cherry, mature strawberry, clove, grilled herbs and anise alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. An earthy note of truffle closes the finish.
This boasts a dark amber color, with thick extraction and superintense aromas of candied fruit, honey, brown sugar and maple syrup. The mouthfeel is divinely rich and supple.
This boasts a pretty nose of peach, honeysuckle blossom, tangerine and cantaloupe and stony minerality. Lively, juicy texture with a medley of zesty citrus fruit, and fresh stone-fruit flavors. Hints of honey and blossoms and a lingering minerality linger on the finish.
This boasts alluring aromas of pressed rose, perfumed berry, baking spice and a balsamic note. The elegantly structured palate is still young but already expresses bright red cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice, menthol and chopped herb. Firm, polished tannins and fresh acidity provide the framework.
This boasts alluring scents of Spanish broom, lychee and orchard fruit. The creamy elegant palate delivers mature pear and grilled herb while a juicy nectarine note closes the linear finish. Drink through 2020.
This boasts appealing tropical fruit flavors that have been generously oaked. The honey quality lends smoothness and a round mellowness, and the finish is quite dry. It shows a softness some may fault, but this is ultimately delicious, and it will be a great accompaniment to rich shellfish.
This boasts aromas of plum cake and vanilla, with whiffs of toast and oak. It has a ripe-cherry flavored palate, with espresso, coffee and oak sensations.
This boasts bright, chewy red-fruit and cherry notes, with a soft, round mouthfeel. Pair this with grilled sausage or gorgonzola pizza.
This boasts brilliant clarity, purity and aromas of orange blossom, pear, melon and peach. It's a tad flatter and creamier than other renditions of this native grape but nonetheless would make an idea match to fish, pasta salad or most chicken dishes.
This boasts citrus fruit, lemongrass and buttercream flavors that are brightened by zesty acidity. It's clean and complex, and it's a fine wine to drink with shellfish in rich buttery sauces.
This boasts enticing aromas of pressed blue flower, perfumed red berry and a balsamic note. The smooth palate delivers dried black cherry, licorice, clove and tobacco while velvety tannins provide the framework. Reflecting the hot vintage, it's a bit shy on fresh acidity so enjoy soon.
This boasts intense aromas of crushed thyme, new leather and a balsamic note of camphor. Firmly structured but elegant, the linear palate offers dried sour cherry, tobacco, clove and sage set against assertive, close-grained tannins. Drink 2021–2031.
This boasts just the right touch of distant sweetness that makes it perfect to serve with cocktails and finger foods. It closes with fresh tones of peach nectar and lemon zest.
This boasts oak-driven aromas of honey and vanilla, with notes of exotic fruit, citrus and Golden Delicious. It is soft and supple, with a lively, fruit-driven finish.
This boasts some rather prominent herbal (dill, perhaps?) notes, but this is an otherwise creamy-textured, soft Cabernet meant for immediate consumption. Vanilla and black cherry notes start upfront and persist through the slightly warm finish.
This boasts thick, sun-drenched notes of mature fruit, intense spice and moist earth. The wine's nose is slightly stewy in essence and has some medicinal qualities on the finish. Drink it with pasta and ground beef ragù.
This boasts tiny portions of Teroldego, Merlot and Croatina that give the wine a soft, lush disposition. Some 42 months of oak aging also add to the palate's overall silkiness. Flavors of chocolate, cherry, plum, tar, resin and licorice are all recognizable.
This boasts typical Marlborough characters of passion fruit and herbal notes, layered with a hint of nectarine and extra pungency. It's round in the mouth without being especially concentrated, finishing short but pleasant.
This boats balanced structure, density and alcohol, with pretty aromatic renderings of cherry and spice. It's not too thick and chewy, but rather polished. It would pair nicely with breaded Milanese veal chops.
This Bobal's dark, earthy berry and leather aromas are closed but presentable. On the palate, herbal plum, tomato and lightly baked berry flavors finish with the scrub of rustic tannins.
This Bobal's roasted berry and funky animal aromas hardly lay down the red carpet. Its dry spice and oak flavors smother berry and plum fruit, tasting herbal and minty on a heavy, grippy finish.
This bodacious but balanced wine from a wild corner of Sonoma County has smoke and black pepper aromas, rich grape, boysenberry and roast beef flavors, very bracing tannins and full body. It's big, yes, but it also gives up nuances that make it complex and compelling. Best to drink after 2018.
This bodega always puts out a charred, roasted Carmenère, and this keeps the tradition going. Burnt, roasted aromas of coffee, campfire and blackberry lead to a full but angular feeling palate with vinegar-like acidity. Herbal, clipped flavors are mostly charred, while herbal black-fruit flavors vie with even more char on the finish.
This boisterous Pinot Noir offers heavy cedar, raspberry liqueur, cola syrup and Kahlua aromas. Bright red fruit flavors of strawberry pie are rich and mouth-coating like a fine brandy, but remain soft and tasty throughout. This is a no-holds-barred wine.
This bold Aglianico has mature black-fruit aromas, with whiffs of eucalyptus, spice and leather. The juicy palate delivers a concentrated, black cherry flavor that's accented by black pepper. It's well balanced, with fresh acidity and firm but tightly-knit tannins.
This bold Aglianico opens with earthy sensations of tilled soil, leather, mature black plum and vanilla. The dense palate is loaded with blueberry extract, fig and ripe blackberry flavors that are layered with mocha, chocolate and vanilla. Drink now through 2022.
This bold and distinctive wine from an outstanding vineyard in the Marin County hills has exotic blackberry and pine needle aromas, vivid and concentrated black cherry flavors and a focus that's unmatched. It's layered and persistent, with a luxurious tide of ripe fruit, moderate tannins and a nicely viscous texture.
This bold and flavorful wine has a strong black-tea element in the complex flavors, full body and a smooth, mouthcoating texture. It tastes riper and more roasted or beefy than many of its peers and is compelling for its concentration on the palate and length on the finish.
This bold and fruity rosé carries scents and flavors of cherry candy. It's a fine bottle for chilling and sharing with summer picnic foods.
This bold and full-bodied wine has fragrant fruit aromas and oodles of berry flavor, plus a firm texture created by ample fine-grained tannins and supportive acidity. What makes it special is how the grippy texture wraps around the opulent blackberry and boysenberry flavors for great balance and a sense that it will age well through 2022.
This bold and full-bodied wine has vivid smoke and spice aromas, with rich blackberry and espresso flavors. A healthy wrapping of tannins add an appetizing bite and a lingering, lightly spicy finish. Overall, the tasty oak nuances are well blended with the ripe fruit.
This bold blend has aromas like charred oak barrels and saturated flavors suggesting blackberry, black pepper and clove. It is full bodied, thick in texture and moderately tannic. For those who like obvious oakiness, it will be a treat.
This bold blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc leads with aromas of ripe plums, graphite and a hint of coffee and balsamic herbs. The soft, concentrated palate delivers ripe black berries, chocolate and mocha. A licorice finish arrives alongside velvety tannins and the warmth of evident alcohol. It's delicious but fast approaching its ideal drinking window.
This bold but easy-drinking wine offers a good combo of lightly spiced oak notes along with fairly generous blackberry and raspberry flavors. The texture is smooth but with a good tinge of tannin.
This bold Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany offers thick layers of chocolate folded within equally thick layers of black cherry. The wine is dense and rich with smooth tannins and a succulent, chewy finish. Drink it with grilled meats marinated in olive oil, garlic and rosemary.
This bold Chianti Classico opens with earthy aromas of cured meat, tobacco, pipe tobacco and rum cake. The fruit aromas come forth as candied berry, plum and crème de cassis. This wine is aged for one year in oak barrel, resulting in a soft, plush and velvety finish.
This bold densely structured Chardonnay suggests notes of candied orange peel, preserved apple and pears accented with caramel and sweet spice. Delicate acidity accentuates a warm spicy finish.
This bold effort opens with notes of jammy blackberry and prune. It is soft and slightly sweet, with flavors of of plush fruit and cinnamon.
This bold Langhe blend of Barbera, Dolcetto and Nebbiolo opens with funky aromas of barnyard, used leather, moist earth, black fruit and cured meat. Zerosolfiti means “zero sulfites” in Italian.
This bold offering delivers nicely integrated red fruit and spice aromas. The close is polished and dry, showing tight tannins that need 10 years or more to evolve.
This bold offering shows jammy fruit aromas of blackberry pie and cherry marmalade, followed by a chewy spice tone. The mouthfeel is soft, savory and sweet all at once.
This bold Pinot Grigio is a far cry from the many watered-down versions of this popular wine. It's loaded with creamy white peach, Bartlett pear and green apple accented with lemon zest and a hint of pastry filling. Crisp acidity brightens this up and it finishes clean and dry.
This bold red has an inky, dark appearance, with ripe aromas of moist earth, tobacco, blackberry, peppercorn and bitter almond. The finish is plush and smooth.
This bold red made from Argaman—a cross between Souzão and Carignan—offers upfront notes of boysenberry and black plum, accented by hints of bark and spiced chocolate. It's inky and dark, but with a good acidic cut that keeps the finish fresh and the wine approachable now.
This bold red opens with aromas of resin, stewed plum, leather, cake spice and a balsamic note. The chewy palate doles out dried black cherry, blackberry jam, candied nectarine zest and licorice while big velvety tannins provide enveloping support. A pipe tobacco sensation closes the finish. Drink 2018–2028.
This bold red wine works its magic by offering hearty helpings of yeasty brioche, baked, stewed plum, black pepper and clove, remaining varietal and unabashed in its hold on the ripe vintage and sun-kissed appellation. Integrated, the tannin imprint is sizable, yet well managed.
This bold Sauvignon opens with classic varietal fragrances of crushed tomato vine, stone fruit and honeydew melon. The creamy palate delivers layers of white peach, apricot, cantaloupe and mineral supported by fresh acidity. Balance and structure seamlessly support the alcohol.
This bold wine doles out vivid aromas of black fruit, earth, tobacco and spice. The palate offers layers of blackberry, cherry, currants and black pepper along with balsamic and mineral notes. It should develop more complexity over the next few years. Drink through 2018.
This bold wine has a charred oaky aroma, flavors that are almost sweet and also plenty oaky, along with ripe and concentrated berry flavors that peek out from under the smoky toasted layer after a few moments.
This bold wine has a very dark color and fresh, concentrated blackberry aromas. Generous berry and black pepper flavors seem to saturate the taste buds, leading to a lingering fruit and spice finish. The texture is almost viscous, as lots of fine tannins add grip. It's the rare wine with no added sulfites.
This bold wine opens with intense aromas of mature black fruit, black cooking spice, mint, blue flower and leather. The savory palate offers juicy black cherry accented by sage, thyme and black pepper. Racy acidity and bracing tannins need time to tame. Drink 2016–2026.
This bold, balanced wine opens with classic Sangiovese aromas of underbrush, dried tobacco leaf, red berries, blue flower and a waft of leather. The juicy palate shows depth, delivering ripe wild cherry accented with white pepper, licorice and a mineral note alongside solid but refined tannins. Drink 2016–2024.
This bold, beautiful wine benefits from the addition of 14% Merlot from the famous site, as well as smaller amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec. Together they weave a story of smoky power and dusty black fruit, layered with raspberry, black pepper, clove and mocha flavors that linger into the finish.
This bold, beautiful wine has toasted, oaky undertones that support concentrated layers of apple skin, caramelized crème brûlée and a texture of gritty minerality. Papaya, mango and baked pineapple tug at the palate amidst a strong streak of stone.
This bold, beautiful wine opens with earthy aromas of freshly tilled soil, violets, truffle and leather. The delicious palate offers succulent blackberry, woodland berry and cinnamon-spice accompanied by big, brooding tannins. It's already stunning, but give this terroir-driven wine time to develop even more complexity. Drink 2015–2024.
This bold, boisterous wine offers a depth of black cherry and is expansive on the palate, tingling in spicy acidity and swathes of cinnamon-laced cola. Silky smooth, it hails from a selection of Dutton Ranch-farmed vineyards, including Thomas Road and Manzana, and delivers full-bodied flavor.
This bold, broad-shouldered wine shows focused truffle, gravel and cassis flavors. Densely layered, it's 100% varietal, 100% barrel-fermented and further aged in new French oak. With its firm structure, it shows plenty of ability to age and will be best from 2022 through 2023.
This bold, burly wine has a pretty shine to it. Attractive honey, melon and buttered-toast aromas dance on the nose, and the creamy yet structured palate offers coconut and banana flavors along with proper acids. It's very much like the inaugural '99 wine, maybe a bit better balanced, but less concentrated. Regardless, it's still potent Chardonnay featuring plenty of high-grade oak.
This bold, densely flavored and impressively tannic wine is dry, very well structured and will be interesting to age until 2018–2019. It smells darkly fruity, smoky and spicy, and tastes like cranberry and black cherry, finishing with a firm tang of tannin. It will be best after 2018.
This bold, dry, firmly tannic wine will taste good now with rich foods, but could easily improve with aging through 2017. It is deeply colored, full bodied and a bit sandy in texture, yet that grip seems O.K. in this wine, balanced by the ripe fruit flavors.
This bold, earthy Malbec delivers aromas of cured meat and stewed notes, with some medicinal and floral smells. It's concentrated and chewy but not syrupy, with roasted plum and berry flavors running side by side with savory spice, pepper and brown sugar. A toasty finish has mild heat to it.
This bold, earthy wine opens with aromas that suggest underbrush, meat juices, tobacco, cooking spices and woodland berries. The palate shows red and black cherries layered with notes of black pepper, toast and a hint of tobacco alongside assertive, brooding tannins. Drink 2015–2022.
This bold, expressive Pinot Noir bursts open with spice, herb and leaf then rolls into flavors of vanilla cream and tangy red fruits. The spicy elements wrap into all the other flavors, giving lift and life; this is an exciting wine, though not necessarily one to cellar.
This bold, firm-textured and full-bodied wine still sips easily because of its elegant balance and fine-grained tannins. It smells like sweet oak and red cherries, tastes like ripe black cherries and chocolate, while the texture is mouthfilling but velvety. Those delicious nuances linger on the finish, too.
This bold, firm wine strikes a fine balance between structure and ripe black plum fruit. It has dense tannins that indicate it needs time. A blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca, it will be ready from 2018.
This bold, fruit-forward Merlot is voluptuously ripe and chock full of rich, luscious blackberry and blueberry flavors. It's dense and a bit jammy in texture, but brightened by crisp red-cherry acidity and the faintest shroud of gossamer tannins. Drink now.
This bold, fruity wine is all red berries and ripe cherry flavors. It has good juiciness, soft tannins and it will be ready to drink soon. A bright wine, with great acidity at the end.
This bold, full-bodied and flavorful wine wraps ripe, generous blackberry flavors in a blanket of fine-grained tannins that helps support the richness and keep the wine in balance. It's from a little-known, tiny winery doing interesting things.
This bold, full-bodied white is a nifty showcase of Pinot Gris's unique duality. On the nose, it seems quite spry and cutting, wafting of crushed minerals, crisp green-apple skins and blossoms. The palate, however, is weighty and mouth filling, a testament to 30 days of maturation on its lees. It maintains its fresh, fruity flair and pleasantly sunny citrus acidity.
This bold, full-bodied wine is understated in its layering of cassis, currant and juicy black cherry, with hints of clove and smoked meat. It's well balanced, with an enduring and evolving finish.
This bold, full-bodied wine with lots of fruit flavor seems to have faded a bit. It shows volatile aromas and overripe fruit notes that are getting a bit frayed around the edges.
This bold, intense expression of the variety entices with an exuberant nose of white pepper, clove and cardamom scents, a spark of pine needle fragrance just underneath. Tingly acidity provides freshness and added succulence to its otherwise rich texture and black cherry decadence.
This bold, leathery red includes sizable additions of Petite Sirah, Merlot, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc. These wrap layers of reduced oak, cedar, dried herb and pepper around a relatively light but round body, with a distinct taste of blackberry.
This bold, mouthfilling wine was aged in large-format barrels, helping make it polished and relaxed in texture. Aromas and flavors are ripe and inviting, like blackberries and black cherries, while the mouthfeel is well supported by fine-grained tannins.
This bold, off-dry Riesling is loaded with flavors of poached pear and baked apple, with a lavish dusting of dried spices adding complexity. Tongue-tingling acidity provides great balance and lengthens the finish.
This bold, perfumed Cabernet Franc is richly, lusciously textured, as if infused with a heady dose of crème de cassis. Ripe, ruddy black cherry and berry flavors are plump and forward, cut by brisk acidity and a jagged edge of tannin on the finish.
This bold, purple-colored wine is fruity and soft. Its acidity combines with black fruit and a juicy, lightly tannic texture. Drink now.
This bold, ripe blend even contains some Muscat that gives richness and a touch of honey and spice to what is otherwise a dry rosé. The acidity acts as a balance to this attractive wine.
This bold, ripe wine is full of smoky tannins from the wood aging, plus blackberry jam flavors that are nicely cut by the acidity. The dry core and dark chocolate flavors are balanced by the fresher, richer fruit. Drink now.
This bold, ripe wine is full of tannins as well as great fruit. Juicy with black currant flavors, smoky from wood aging and rich with tannins, it's finely structured and ready to mature gently. Drink from 2021.
This bold, round and supple wine manages to remain bright and light, offering supple streaks of cranberry and cherry that take on some of the appellation's inviting cola spice. Brick tar in color, it gets better in the glass and offers good value.
This bold, smoky wine has great fruitiness to match the dense, dry structure. It is firm with wood flavors still strongly present. The acidity and the black currant fruits give promise of a well-integrated future.
This bold, spicy wine will appeal to those who love modern reds with thick concentration and lingering oak-driven flavors. Black cherry, prune and ripe blueberry do come into view, but the protagonist here is the oak. The wine has chewy tannins, good length on the finish and would pair with grilled meats or aged cheeses.
This bold, spicy, well-structured makes a big impact on the palate. Cedar, clove and black pepper aromas lead to rich, ripe blackberry and dried plum flavors, while firm tannins and good acidity lend both grip and texture. Known to age well, this wine will be best after 2022.
This bold, sturdy wine brings together mature plum, black cherry, citrus, blue flower, clove, mocha, black pepper and licorice sensations. The savory palate is supported by a backbone of assertive, drying tannins. You'll also notice the evident alcohol. It's delicious but extremely forward so drink soon for freshness.
This bold, well-structured wine is packed with both rich fruit and tannins. Dense black fruits are layered with a dry, firm structure, with power and concentration for medium-term aging. Drink this wine from 2018.
This boldly flavored and deeply colored wine has aromas of dried herb, wood ash and anise. Flavors convey ripe black cherry, dried plum and black pepper, while the texture is quite firm from tannins and acidity. The wine is full in body and assertive in flavor.
This boldly structured wine opens with aromas of baked plum, clove, tobacco and graphite. The firm full-bodied palate displays dried cherry, raisin, licorice, clove and espresso alongside gripping, close-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2025.
This Bolgheri blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Cabernet Franc offers green tones of pepper and chopped spice over natural rubber, bramble and wild berry. The wine feels tonic and sharp in the mouth and ends with a twist of sour cherry.
This Bolgheri blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah opens with raw, foxy aromas of cherry and sour fruit. But it also shows fine tones of root beer and black licorice on the finish.
This Bolgheri Superiore shows luscious and clean notes of mature black fruit, plum, prune and loads of vibrant black cherry. Wood elements of spice, tobacco and leather are well integrated and the wine is impressively smooth and generous on the finish.
This Bonarda could be your everyday red or house pour with no issues. Solid berry aromas are fairly woody and a bit earthy. A bouncy, fresh palate is cheerful, while flavors of plum, blackberry, cassis and spices are toasty and forward-moving on the finish.
This bone-dry-tasting wine is made from grapes that were sourced from the Alayt Vineyard. It marries light hints of flowers to notes of citrus, apples and pears, which taste more like the fruits' textural skin than its sweet flesh. The impressive minerality, depth and length elevate this bottling to the A-list of Washington Rieslings.
This bone-dry and floral wine will taste great with simple appetizers like toasted nuts or fresh cheeses. It is very well concentrated and has medium to full body. An opulent texture helps carry the floral, appley, grapefruity flavors into the finish.
This bone-dry blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah is picking up aged notes, with the primary fruit flavors drying out. In its place are dried currants, cured meats, funky mushrooms. The tannins and acids provide firm structure. Already throwing some sediment, it will appeal to fans of older wines.
This bone-dry blush has flavors of pepper, herb tea and baked cherry pie filling, and finishes very dry. It tastes a little tired, despite its young age.
This bone-dry high-acid wine puts flavors of grapefruit flesh and rind front and center. It's a no-fuss summer sipper, perhaps not quite as rich as previous vintages, or maybe just exceptionally young. It's tangy, fresh and focused.
This bone-dry wine has a soft, ripe touch. It is crisp at the start and at the end, with attractive fresh sliced apple and pineapple fruit flavors. It can be drunk now.
This bone-dry wine has rasping tannins and despite some pleasant blackberry fruit has a green herb edge of sage that gives it a leafy bitterness. Seems at its best now.
This bone-dry wine is beautifully perfumed, rich and full bodied. Its ripe texture is cut through with floral, apple and mineral characters that all contribute to the complexity of this concentrated wine. Drink from 2017.
This bone-dry wine is made using Pinot Noir skins to give its salmon-pink color. It is dry and tightly crisp, compared with the brut nature cuvée also made from Pinot Noir. The ripe red fruits give a fruity character that balances the dryness. Like many really dry Champagnes, it needs to age to soften the intensity of the acidity, so drink this bottling from 2017.
This bone-dry wine is rather severe in tannins. It feels elegant, but lacks immediate reward, with cherry, currant and tobacco flavors that disappear into a cloak of astringency. Could develop after 2011, but no guarantees.
This bone-dry wine made from 85% Arinto has crisp freshness and texture. It's lively with a strong mousse and lemon and green apple fruitiness. Sophisticated and wearing its bottle age well, it finishes with a toasty aftertaste. Drink now.
This bone-dry wine offers flavors of white fruits. Its crisp acidity is tempered by a touch of honey and spicy almonds. Balanced and fruity, the wine is ready to drink.
This bone-dry, acidic wine does not dazzle, but has elusive flavors of apricots, oranges, tobacco, honey, white pepper and sandalwood. The blend is Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Roussanne. Drink it now, but not too cold.
This bone-dry, fresh wine is crisp with citrus and apple flavors. There are touches of wood aging that adds spice to the tangy acidity and touches of honey. Perfumed and bright at the end, the wine is ready to drink.
This bone-dry, full-bodied Syrah has firm tannins and intense concentration. It's a little warm in alcohol, with flavors of dark chocolate, blackberry jam, cassis liqueur, grilled bacon and black pepper, plus a coating of sweet, smoky oak. You might want to give this wine a year or so in the cellar to let everything meld together.
This bone-dry, poised wine is finely structured with floral aromas and flavors. It opens deliciously in the mouth, long-lasting and rich.
This bone-dry, Southern Rhône-style blend consists of 61% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre, 12% Cinsault and 9% Counoise. Elegant and detailed flavors of light berry and Bing cherry are dusted with a cocoa accent.
This bone-dry, steely-textured wine is crisp and bracing due to firm acidity, fruity-but-not-sweet flavors and maybe a touch of tannin that adds to the firm mouthfeel. Like a squeeze of lemon on the pan-roasted fish, it will make a great counterpoint to lots of things on the menu.
This bone dry wine has some good apricot and orange flavors, but also lots of dried herb notes that veer into bell peppers. It lacks richness.
This Bonhur family wine is perfumed although it seems to lack definition. The fruit is still coming through—this wine has the potential for crisp apples and citrus flavors as it develops. Wait until late 2016.
This Bordeaux-blend red is as structured as you would expect. It has fine tannins, blackberry fruits and a firm, dry core. With its dense character and powerful acidity it needs to age still. Drink from 2015.
This Bordeaux-inspired blend (2005 is the second vintage made) represents the collaborative effort of Lodovico Antinori and Michel Rolland. You'll get clear berry fruit, green peppercorn, dried herbs and smoky oak tones. The estate's flagship wine, Biserno, will be released later this year, and expect great things from this duo in years to come as the estate matures.
This Bordeaux-Rhône blend is quite soft and lush. It has chocolaty flavors of mashed ripe blackberries, currants, plum jelly and black pepper, wrapped into exceedingly finely ground tannins. Drink now.
This Bordeaux-Rhône blend is rustic and dry, with significant tannins. It has earthy, herb, berry and spice flavors that finish with a touch of bitterness.
This Bordeaux-style blend comprises 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and a smattering of three other grapes. There's an herbal frame around dark cassis fruit and a powdery mouthfeel from stiff, dry tannins. The accents of char, graphite and smoke are well integrated.
This Bordeaux-style blend comprises 68% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and a splash each of Malbec and Petit Verdot. The massive tannins dominate, to the detriment of balance and fruit. Perhaps those tannins will mellow with ample age, but that's a ways off. Right now it offers hints of plum and cherry, a dash of mocha, and a lot of stem and earthy tannins.
This Bordeaux-style blend enters with a sharp, tannic, rough-hewn mouthfeel. The fruit may be ripe enough, but the hot finish makes it difficult to taste.
This Bordeaux-style blend has pretty aromas of cassis, fig, molasses and strawberry jam. The palate picks up some dried fruit and more molasses. This is an easy drinker, with a soft tannic structure and mild weight.
This Bordeaux-style blend includes 44% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc and 24% Malbec. The fruit flavors are light and lean toward red berry notes, while the mouthfeel is dominated by thick, drying tannins. It finishes short and chalky.
This Bordeaux-style blend includes 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 14% Cab Franc. It's a balanced and fine-tuned effort, with a lovely mix of tart, sleek, red and purple fruits. There's a nice underpinning of dried herb, ripe tannins, and a graceful, lingering finish. At almost six years of age, the wine remains fresh and lively.
This Bordeaux-style blend includes all five grapes. It's light and seamless, with a peppery, herbal streak running under compact, tannic dark fruit.
This Bordeaux-style blend includes all five of the region's classic grapes, and the resulting wine has a bit more body and complexity than the single-variety offerings from the winery. Leafy and tart, it shows cranberry and rhubarb flavors, typical of this cool climate site.
This Bordeaux-style blend includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot and Malbec. A tasty, toasty bottle, it's loaded with ripe black fruits, notably cherry and cassis. The tannins are supple and seem soaked in Kahlua.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 25% Merlot, the rest an even split between Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Stiff, tannic and earthy, it delivers robust flavors of herb and bark more than ripe fruit. With its assertive tannins, it should stand up well to a grilled tri-tip.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 28% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. Sweet scents of cracker open into a wine with pretty red plum and details of coffee and chocolate. It does not in any way reflect the rather high-listed alcohol, but seems more elegant and lightly refined.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 34% Cabernet Franc. Some 20% saw new French oak, and the wine has lovely concentration and flavor integration. Blueberry, blackberry and cassis are wrapped in cacao and coffee—thoroughly luscious and nicely concentrated.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cab Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot filling in the rest. The winery states it's their “signature wine,” combining fruit from Dineen, DuBrul, Meek and Sheridan vineyard sources. Despite its age, the wine remains tight and tart, with the balance and structure for further cellaring.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 43% Cab Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 5% Malbec, with no Petit Verdot in 2009. Young and muscular, it's built upon a base of firm black fruits, with plenty of cassis. The wine spent 20 months in 60% new French oak, and brings plenty of roasted coffee bean and dark cacao goodness to the finishing tannins.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 6% Malbec (new this vintage) and 3% Petit Verdot. Carrying a whiff of musty leather, it nonetheless impresses with mixed black berries, a hint of cigar and polished, firm, substantial tannins. It's a fine steak wine to enjoy now through 2022.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. It's on the rough and rustic side, showing ample stem and herbal flavors. Tannins are stiff and carry the impression that they did not achieve optimal ripeness.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance a mix of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. It's a sophisticated blend that retains its youthful freshness. Deep flavors run from black cherry through cassis, adding streaks of licorice, baking chocolate and a hint of bark and herb. Supple, graceful and polished, this wine would seem to have another decade of life ahead.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Petit Verdot and 9% Merlot. The PV shows through in the ripe, textural tannins. The concentrated berry and cassis fruit is annotated with barrel notes of vanilla, coffee and tobacco. This is a hand-crafted wine with distinctive, albeit somewhat rustic, appeal.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, and splits the rest among Merlot, Cab Franc and Malbec, sourced from six different vineyards. It's a lovely blend, balanced and judiciously earthy, with a mix of red and blue fruits. The blend and balance suggest that a decade of cellaring would not be too much.
This Bordeaux-style blend is a mix of Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot, tart and falling on the thin side. Wild raspberry fruit is accented with scents and flavors of earth and hay. It's aromatic, astringent, and well-suited for grilled meats.
This Bordeaux-style blend is Baer's top wine. A bright bouquet of violet, berry, pepper and stone greets you at first sniff, and it gets better and better from there. Dark fruits weave through a supple and striated flavor palette, long and detailed.
This Bordeaux-style blend is bone dry and scented strongly with dried leaves, earth and herbs. The lightly-ripened fruit suggests pomegranate and rhubarb.
This Bordeaux-style blend is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated, showing vivid red fruits, with drying, somewhat leafy tannins. It has an earthy foundation and impressive length, it just needs more bottle age to fully integrate its flavors.
This Bordeaux-style blend is colored like inky violet and has matching aromas of black plums, cassis and violet. It offers a nice interplay of firm tannins and zesty acidity among flavors of blackberry, black cherry, violet, anise and toffee. The finish is characterized by an impressive burst of brightness and a lingering caramel note.
This Bordeaux-style blend is comprised of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc. The fruit flavors of raspberry and blackberry are light and tangy, the tannins mellow. A note of dark chocolate highlights the finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend is enticing on the nose with bold scents of cherry-pie preserves, spice and menthol. It's juicy and concentrated on the palate with soft, ripe cherry and plum flavors, but accompanied by raw, jagged tannins.
This Bordeaux-style blend is equal parts Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, aged in French oak. It's a tasty, forward, appealing wine with a juicy mix of red, blue and black berries. It offers a streak of red licorice and a drying, mineral-laced finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend is fresh, showing aromas of red currant, tomato leaf, licorice and mint. These notes continue onto the palate along with shots of tart cranberry. This is zippy and enjoyable but needs a little more tannic structure to balance.
This Bordeaux-style blend is half Cabernet Sauvignon, the rest a mix of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Light, leafy, somewhat green flavors suggest thin, plummy fruit with a strong herbal streak. It looses weight quickly and turns tannic.
This Bordeaux-style blend is inky, reduced and heavily oaked up front, with aromas of sawdust, vanilla and jammy black fruits. Interestingly, it is somewhat sharp and shrill on the palate, with lively acidity. Flavors of raw oak, coconut, vanilla and blackberry finish savory and briny, with shearing acids and choppy tannins. Drink through 2019.
This Bordeaux-style blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with small percentages of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. It's high-toned, and it comes with a pungency that brightens the highly extracted, sweet-tasting berry fruit. It has lots of appeal, but you must like wines that have a volatile edge.
This Bordeaux-style blend is mostly Merlot. Fragrant and spicy, it intrigues with a sensuous mix of brown spices, cumin, citrus and toast. Soft and open, it moves into the lush middle with blackberry and black cherry fruit, more spices and citrus, all nicely melded.
This Bordeaux-style blend is nothing like anything from Napa Valley. It's more acidic and tighter, with rustically old-fashioned tannins. Yet the blackberry, cherry, plum and raisin flavors are thoroughly modern. Pleasant now, and should hold for a few years.
This Bordeaux-style blend is oaky at first, with aromas of vanilla, caramel and mocha that slowly mellow and marry with the berry compote, fig and black plum core. The lush, mouthfilling palate has a texture like crushed velvet: rich, seductive and fruity, but with some tannic edge. Nuances of mocha and anise grace the long finish. Drink now–2018.
This Bordeaux-style blend is three fifths Cabernet Sauvignon, and one fifth each Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Winemaker Charlie Hoppes goes for a big-boned, oaky, deeply fruited style. The structure (tannins, acids, barrel flavors) is in place to support the dark, cassis fruit flavors. Highlights of violets, licorice and clean earth add welcome details.
This Bordeaux-style blend leads with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Very dark in color and potent in flavor, the wine has grand proportions but is finely polished, leaving no rough edges. It starts with light wood smoke and cedar aromas, and proceeds to mouthfilling black-cherry and dark-chocolate flavors on a creamy but moderately tannic texture. The tannins are well integrated, the flavors are deep and persistent. Best after 2022.
This Bordeaux-style blend may strike those unfamiliar with Okanagan reds as tilting toward an astringent, tannic style, which many of these wines do. That said, it's complex and compelling, with an array of dried herbs, dried tobacco, dried fruits (cranberries and cherries) and dark chocolate. The granular tannins are ripe and supportive, with a finishing lick of espresso. It's best to decant this for a couple of hours before drinking.
This Bordeaux-style blend of 25% Merlot, 25% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Franc, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot greets the nose with purple fruits, cigar box and menthol. The soft palate is saturated with blackberry pie and peppery spice, presented with nicely chalky tannins.
This Bordeaux-style blend of 40% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon offers a trio of plum, leather and char aromas. Although the wine feels slack and broad on entrance, the fine tannins strike on the midpalate, which gives it a sense of muscularity. A black raspberry note surfaces on the bright finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend of 48% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cab Franc looks a bit murky, unfiltered, and is currently showing a lot of influence from barrel aging. Medium-weight blackberry and cassis fruit is married to dark chocolate, with a dash of black olive in the mix. It's tasty for drinking 2017–2019.
This Bordeaux-style blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot is shy and demure now, requiring a decant or time to air before opening up to reveal notes of red-plum flesh, muddled raspberry and soft sweet spice. Medium weight, with soft tannins and an herbal finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc is surprisingly open and accessible now, with forward aromas and flavors of ripe brambly berry, forest, fresh tobacco leaf and a touch of espresso bean. The fine tannins lend an approachable texture to the wine, with a rich, jammy black-fruit flavor lingering on the medium-length finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend offers licorice at the forefront, with baking spice, fig, prune, soy sauce and Lipton tea queuing behind. Showing more of the same on the palate, these flavors help to quench the parching tannins that carry this blend to a lingering finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend offers reserved aromas of cedar, dried herbs and cranberries, vanilla and woodspice. The dark-fruit and spice flavors are retrained and elegant, possessing a sense of balance.
This Bordeaux-style blend remains a fair value, showing some sweet barrel spices along with opening fruit flavors of red and black berry. It thins out in the middle and finishes with a simple, fruity flourish.
This Bordeaux-style blend screams out friendly, from its warm, earthy bouquet of marzipan, earth and black fruits to its flush, layered palate to flavors of plum, berry, chocolate and fig. Finishing notes of licorice, spice and chocolate are plump and generous. Drink through 2019.
This Bordeaux-style blend showcases the intensity of the vineyard's grapes, with aromatics suggesting bright berries and iron filings. It's still a tight, compact wine, sharply acidic, and will require further bottle age to really deliver on its potential. Try after 2018.
This Bordeaux-style blend shows bright cherry notes, with hints of rosemary, blackberry, espresso bean and exotic spice. The structure is firm, tight and shows the complexity found in excellent cool-climate wines.
This Bordeaux-style blend that is three-fifths Cabernet Sauvignon, has light berry flavors and a wash of new oak. Mocha and toast and chocolate smother the fruit, which fades quickly. If you love chocolaty reds, you will find this wine delightful.
This Bordeaux-style blend, from a choice section of the Seven Hills Vineyard, is fragrant with a beguiling mix of fruits, flowers and fresh herbs. Cassis and pepper, Asian spices and a lingering, textural mouthfeel, make this a wine that disappears all too quickly from the bottle.
This Bordeaux-style blend, made from 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Malbec, 16% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, is a complex and layered wine. Pleasant green notes of savory herbs, peppercorn, blackcurrant leaf and brambly berry drive the bouquet, while the medium-weight palate offers flavors of black-fruit skin, char and cigar box all framed by a crushed-velvet texture. It shows good grip, concentration and length, and should drink well through 2021.
This Bordeaux-style blend, one of four from this tiny winery, is two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon. The somewhat thin cranberry and raspberry fruit, high in acid, is not quite substantial enough to completely shed its candied character.
This Bordeaux-style blend, using the old-fashioned term Claret, may be a sly indication of its age, drinkability and overall balance. Scents of sandalwood, musk and black cherry greet you, with maturing flavors of ripe cherries and cigar box. Supple and seamless, with impeccable balance, it's now drinking at its best.
This Bordeaux-style blend, which includes all five classic Bordeaux varieties, opens with herbal aromas of forest berry, black-currant leaf and tobacco, all grounded in ripe, fruity tones of blackberry and cassis. The palate is concentrated and dense, with a full yet firm texture and flavors of black-plum skin, cherry, leather, bittersweet chocolate and anise that carry  through to the long finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend, which this year contains a bit of Syrah, seems to vary vintage to vintage. The '05 is based on Cabernet Franc. It shows a fine structure and is very dry and tannic, but needs time to soften. However, the oak-infused black cherry, black currant, violet and anise flavors are impressive. Best after 2010.
This Bordeaux-style blend—57% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc—shows California ripeness, with blackberries, cherries and currants co-starring alongside sweet, smoky oak. It's a good wine for drinking now.
This Bordeaux-style blend—60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 6% Cab Franc—comes from Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills and McClellan vineyard fruit. Round and approachable, it puts the sweet and tangy flavors of cherry and berry front and center, yet has the structure to age for up to a decade. These are the oldest blocks of fruit that Saviah uses, and this, says winemaker Rich Funk, stands as the winery's signature wine.
This Bordeaux-style blend—with an addition of Mourvèdre—is soft, simple and cloying, with vegetal flavors alongside the sweet raspberry jam note. High alcohol makes for a hot mouthfeel.
This Bordeaux-style red blend from Bolgheri offers delicate blackberry, espresso and exotic spice aromas. The palate is charged with blackberry, graphite and licorice, its pliant tannins carrying those flavors into the finish. Drink through 2019.
This Bordeaux-style red blend from Northern Michigan sees 14 months in a mélange of oak: American, Hungarian and French. Charred red berries and cherries meet toasted savory herb notes on the nose. The medium-bodied palate brings fresher fruit tones, lightly supported by gossamer tannins and sharp acidity.
This Bordeaux-style red blend is pleasantly fruity, with blackberry and red cherry components buoyed by supporting acidity. A slight suggestion of tar and earth adds a bit of gravitas to what is otherwise a fruit-driven, simple quaffer.
This Bordeaux-style red blend, made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, opens with pleasant herbal tones of green pepper, blackcurrant leaf, plum skin and tobacco leaf. Black fruit flavors abound on the solidly structured palate, finishing with hits of milk chocolate and charred earth.
This Bordeaux-style red is blended from the Seven Hills, Klipsun, Canoe Ridge and Wallula vineyards. It shows a lovely structure, which takes its ripe blueberry, black cherry and cassis fruit and complements it with lush barrel flavors of coffee and dark chocolate. Fine-grained, dusty tannins smooth it along through an elegant, mouth-coating finish.
This Bordeaux-style red starts promisingly, with a big nose of smoky meat, tobacco and pepper, but on the palate, there's a slightly rubbery edge and the fruit needs more complexity. Tannins are good. In the right direction but not quite hitting the mark.
This Bordeaux-style white blend is 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon. It carries a hint of sweetness, possibly some residual sugar above threshhold level. Flavors of butter cookie accompany simple, light yellow fruits.
This Bordeaux-style wine is ripe and rich, balance between dusty tannins and stalky red fruits. Acidity and an attractive generous texture give it shape. It is ready to drink.
This Bordeaux blend (with some Syrah in the mix also) opens with dark, toasty, smoky scents underscoring sleek berry fruit. It's done in a somewhat lean style, but nicely balanced. Details of olive, tobacco, cedar and coffee run through the finish. The best Narcissa released so far.
This Bordeaux blend brings expressive, dark, tannic, coffee/toasty flavors to the party. The juice is dark and tangy, tight and compact, but fully ripe and balanced nicely against the tannins and natural acidity. The flavors are layered and seamless, rather than floating along the top of the wine and relying on sugar and oak to fill in where the fruit is lacking. This should be your everyday go-to bottle for Cabernet.
This Bordeaux blend features charred, barrel-driven aromas along with leather and black-fruit aromas. The palate is snappy and acidic, with plum and raspberry flavors poking through a heavy coating of concrete tannins. The finish is equally tight and grippy, and here the tannins are even more pronounced. Very tight and hard; time in the cellar could be the prescription.
This Bordeaux blend feels harsh in the mouth. It just doesn't offer the richness you want from a Napa wine. The blackberry flavors are edged in overripe raisins, but the biggest problem is the bitter tannins.
This Bordeaux blend from New Jersey has appropriate aromas and flavors of dark berry, cedar, tobacco and spice, but it lacks the dimension and muscularity that makes this type of blend memorable. Still, it's a pretty wine and will pair well with numerous meat and fowl dishes.
This Bordeaux blend from Sunstone has been getting softer, sweeter and more melted over the years. This latest bottling is almost like a dessert wine, with pastry-like cherry, currant, cocoa, anise and vanilla flavors. It lacks structure and full dryness.
This Bordeaux blend has a different artist's label every year but otherwise has no identity of its own. This new release is tight, hot and shows signs of reduction; it's got a burnt rubber scent underlying the ultraripe, almost pruny fruit. It's just not a compelling wine; it hasn't jelled and it doesn't seem as if it will. There is concentration and power to be sure, but pleasure is in short supply.
This Bordeaux blend has a surprisingly broad aspect, with very young fruit that opens up and then sits on the midpalate. It's much more open and expressive than the last few vintages. At first it seems dumbed down on the finish, but it slowly opens, and retasted on the second day it has filled out with muscle and verve.
This Bordeaux blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% each Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. Dry and astringent, it opens with a burst of pretty cherry fruit. As it breathes, some green-bean aromas and flavors develop. Best to drink this by the end of 2017.
This Bordeaux blend is a complex and sappy red with plenty of raspberry, cherry and cassis fruit flavor, tangy acids and ripe tannins. Young and tart, it is structured for age, compact and quite young. The oak brings in hints of butter and caramel.
This Bordeaux blend is a little rough around the edges. It has a sharp, jammy feeling, and seems too sweet in raspberry- and cherry-pie filling. Will appeal to fans of an easy drinking, accessible style of a Cabernet-based wine.
This Bordeaux blend is a powerful, dark, earthy wine, scented with Bordeaux-like forest floor, herb and fungus. It's the sort of Cabernet that is not afraid of the grape's true varietal character, and promises to age beautifully. Right now it would need some considerable airing to show its best, but the compact and intriguing finish, with its panorama of earth, green and black tea, spice and cassis, is well worth the wait.
This Bordeaux blend is based on Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a big wine, full-bodied and very dry, with a long, spicy finish. Certainly packs a lot of flavor, with tons of blackberry jam, cassis and raisins. Has the inherent balance to age for a little while, so give it until 2015, but not much longer.
This Bordeaux blend is dry, smooth and complex. There's a wonderful earthiness and herbalilty to it, with green olives complementing Cabernet's blackberry and black currant fruit, as well as the effects of oak aging. Shows real elegance and interest, at a very fair price. Drink now.
This Bordeaux blend is full-bodied and ripe in blackberry, cherry, currant and cola flavors, with smoky, oaky notes. Tasted in the winter of 2008, it had a dry, tannic astringency that suggested pairing with rich, marbled meats. Should develop in the bottle through 2012.
This Bordeaux blend is juicy and inviting, with notes of tropical nuts and caramel over a base of plum fruit. The palate is crisp and berryish, winding down to a short vanilla finish. Drink up.
This Bordeaux blend is partially barrel fermented and aged in one-year-old oak, which explains why this blend of 56% Sémillon and 44% Sauvignon Blanc has both an oakiness and a steeliness over its pear and citrus fruit. Mouthfeel is subtly creamy; closes with banana and pear.
This Bordeaux blend is soft and somewhat sweet, with jammy blackberry, cherry and currant flavors accented with oak and tannins. It seems at its best now.
This Bordeaux blend is soft, fruity and a little sweet, with the flavor of a cherry and blackberry confection in a cinnamon and anise pastry crust. Drink soon.
This Bordeaux blend is solidly in the Darby style, but bigger and fuller and rounder than the other wines, with lovely, plummy aromas that lead into mouth-filling blackberry, cassis and cherry fruit. The use of 75% new oak is not intrusive; it's truly just an accent, and does not overtake the fruit.
This Bordeaux blend is strong in oak and primary fruit flavors. It bursts in the mouth with an explosion of blackberry and cherry jam, caramel and buttered cinnamon toast. Delicious now, but a little direct and obvious. Hard to say where it's going.
This Bordeaux blend is three fifths Cabernet Sauvignon, yet deftly weaves in smaller percentages of Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Fruit-driven and complex, it's a smooth ride through fresh fruit flavors of plum, blueberry and cherry, focusing into a finish with ripe, polished tannins.
This Bordeaux blend is very dry and very tannic. There's something old-fashionedly rustic about it. With deep blackberry flavors, it may age, but it's not very hedonistic right now.
This Bordeaux blend with a little Syrah is easy and fruity. It has jammy, sugary flavors of raspberries, cherries, mint candy and vanilla.
This Bordeaux blend, based on equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is softly opulent and ripe, in the way of many Paso Robles red wines. It floods the mouth with blackberries and currants, with spicy complexities from oak, and is fairly tannic, although not so much that a good steak won't cut through it. Best Now–2012.
This Bordeaux blend, made from the five classic varieties, is tough and resilient, compared to the standard Napa bottling. It's dry, tannic and herbal, yet with enough cherry-berry flavors to establish varietal character. The challenge for the vintner is greater richness.
This Bordeaux variety more often than not produces a light, fruity wine of charm and early drinkability. Here, the sour cherry fruit is framed in dry, dusty tannins and soft acids. There's an elegance and spicy aftertaste that are very nice. —S.H.
This Bordeaux white is heavily oaked, and it's therefore overloaded with coconut aromas, creamy custard and pear flavors, and a taste of banana on the finish. At every point along the way the wood towers over the fruit, which ultimately makes the wine duller than it could be.
This Bordelais blend of 67% Sauvignon Blanc and 33% Sémillon is named for Fred Brander's son and offers a richer fragrance than his straight Sauvignon Blancs. Lemon, Gala apple and rounded key lime flavors make it approachable for many palates, yet buoyant acidity and wet cement and apple skin flavors bring added complexity.
This borderline overripe big boy tosses out aromas of raisin, baked black plum and jammy black currant. It's lush, solid and steady, but blocky on the palate. Flavors of cassis and black cherry finish with ripe, sweet flavors of brown sugar, cassis and chocolate. Drink through 2021.
This botrytis-affected Riesling is dark and unctuous, with a nutty stone-fruit aroma and a petrol-like accent. The feel is tight like Sherry, while the flavors of citrus peel, cinnamon and resin lead to a creamy, sticky finish that comes with some heat.
This botrytized wine came from 2011 vintage grapes that were not harvested until February 2012. A light-golden color, it's bright with aromas of dried apples, pears and flowers. It's sweet (170g/L residual sugar) but not weighty, retaining a sense of lightness and elegance.
This bottle has much of the history of Italian winemaking inside. You remember the hay-wrapped flasks at the local trattoria? This is a modern interpretation with simple aromas of cherry, wild berry and wet earth. It would pair beautifully with pizza or pasta thanks to the fresh acidity and lean mouthfeel.
This bottle is quite unusual for a Washington Malbec with abundant notes of freshly squeezed Meyer lemon, plum and herbs. Still, it's well constructed with tart, plush plum flavors that keep you coming back to it.
This bottled-aged beauty, made by Syrah expert Andrew Murray, is redolent on the nose with lavender, violets, dense black fruit and a touch of tar. Great depth and structure show on the chewy palate, with black flavors of tar, espresso and nearly fudge complementing the rich yet tangy red-cherry fruit.
This bottling's core of black cherry fragrance is wrapped in sugar plum, balsamic, allspice and nutmeg notes, combining elegance and power. Mulberry and wild cherry flavors show on the palate, lifted by baking spice and gingerbread accents and balanced by solid acidity and tannins. A sagebrush note pops on the finish.
This bottling's deeply layered nose shows black plum, blackberry, vanilla and licorice aromas. The impressive palate starts with rich baked-blueberry flavors before clove and dried ginger spices arrive to provide depth. The tannins are firm but not in the way.
This bottling's extreme grapefruit pithiness meets with rainy cement and a touch of rubber on the nose. The flavors are quite reductive, with tar and sour crab apple touches.
This bottling's extremely fresh aromas of lime meet with a rounded clarified butter, drawing one in for sip after sip. That vibrancy extends to the lightly presented palate, where flavors of lime juice, lemon peels and crisp pear ride a rising wave of acidity across a tightly wound texture.
This bottling's nose is earthy and hearty, with rhubarb, wild berry, tea, garrigue and a touch of game all coming into play. It's soft and creamy on the palate, with dried herb notes like thyme, marjoram and mint spicing up the plum-inflected, pleasantly rustic flavors.
This bottling's slightly dank nose recalls the front lawn being cut on a hot summer day, but a warmer, more inviting peach and nectarine fruit component awaits in the background. The palate is tangy with sharp lime peels and a bit tarry.
This bottling always strives to avoid a heavy hand and express more of a terroir-driven Chardonnay. This is bone dry, tart in mouthwatering acidity and complex in citrus, tropical fruit and herb flavors. It's not an opulent attention getter, but instead prefers to seduce through subtlety and nuance.
This bottling belongs to a series of wines from the legendary Jerry Lohr emphasizing Rhône varieties. It shows candied blackberry, violets and potpourri on the fruity, flowery and inviting nose. The palate leads with savory black pepper, which accents its core of black plum, blackberry and purple flower flavors.
This bottling blends 60% Monterey County, 23% Santa Barbara County and 17% Sonoma County fruit to deliver bright and juicy berries on the nose, from strawberry to blackberry as well as graphite and tree bark. The flavors are very full, with more berries and star anise, although the texture is somewhat simple.
This bottling blends Syrah and Viognier from Chalone's Brosseau Vineyard with Cabernet Sauvignon from Santa Clara's Betchart Vineyard to deliver a dense, lavish core of blueberry and black currant fruit on the nose with hints of milk chocolate and mint. Thick tannins coat the palate, releasing more of that inky fruit along with peppery spice and lilac florality.
This bottling brings strawberry preserves right up front; it's a light and spicy wine with immediate appeal. There's plenty of acid—rarely an issue in Oregon—but not much depth. It's got fruit and malted chocolate, and the finish lasts a bit longer than you might expect from the light fruit.
This bottling by fine producer Kunde always shows a grassy, hay-like note to the citrus fruit flavors, so if that's your style, you'll like it. The wine itself is only lightly oaked, and feels crisp and clean in the mouth, as well as dry. The low alcohol is a pleasure.
This bottling by Foxen has been consistent over the years in producing a wine of great varietal purity. The 2012 vintage is a dry, crisply mouthwatering wine with gooseberry, grapefruit and peach flavors. Goat cheese comes to mind as the ideal pairing, perhaps in a salad of bitter greens and grapefruits.
This bottling by Hobbs typically is a compelling Pinot Noir, but with the 2011 vintage, they've exceeded even the outstanding 2010. The wine is extraordinarily delicate in the mouth, with a cloud-like airiness that's like pure silk. Yet there are powerful raspberry, cherry, herb, cassis, mushroom and sandalwood flavors that are a delight to experience. The wine has none of the unripe vegetal notes that mar so many other 2011 Pinot Noirs. Drink this gorgeous wine now and over the next 10 years.
This bottling by Jim Clendenen is all about subtlety, with red currants, tiny bits of strawberry and iron showing on the nose. A rusty cherry character shows once sipped, with chaparral and pencil lead emerging as well. This wine requires attention, but rewards those with focus and patience.
This bottling by Josh Jensen shows sharp aromas of black plum and blackberry, with hints of lilacs. The palate combines a strong earthy quality with gravelly minerality, rose petals, lavender and dark cranberry fruit. Tannins are a bit rigid this early in this wine's life, so wait for the mellowing. Drink 2018–2034.
This bottling by pioneer Richard Sanford is much more widely available, affordable and stylistically accessible right now than the single vineyard option. It's delicate on the nose with bright lime spritz, Meyer lemon pith, crushed lemon verbena and a grippy brie cheese rind component, then proves tangy on the nuanced palate, with lemongrass and pomelo skin meshing into nectarine and apple flesh.
This bottling by the respected Silverado winery has been consistent over the years. The 2009 vintage is unsurprisingly quite good and drinkable, with elegance. It's a soft wine, with a creamy mouthfeel framing black cherry, mocha and oak flavors. Ready now.
This bottling by the Scheid family of wines is a solidly reliable deal, with dried black cherries, beef jerky, leather and a bit of tar on the nose. Crushed, dried herbs show on the palate, along with roasted pork and more black cherry, proving both juicy and meaty, with a slate-driven minerality.
This bottling by veteran Foxen offers one of the starkest, most appealing choices available in California Chardonnay. Far from a superripe buttery monster, it's a lean, elegant machine. With vibrant acidity and a mineral undergirding, it offers rich flavors of citrus fruits and rind and yeasty, Champagne-like lees.
This bottling can be variable, but the '05 vintage helped craft a balanced, likeable Cab that shows true Napa quality at an everyday price. Dry and richly tannic, the wine shows herb-infused black currant, black tea and cedar flavors. Drink now through 2011.
This bottling changes dramatically from year to year; here it is 100% Riesling rather than a blended white. A little sweet and a little sweaty, it falls flat on the palate, leaving you wondering why a wine barely a year old is already entering old age. Drink up.
This bottling combines all the intriguing facets of this grape, from freshness to rusticity. The nose begins with strawberry, plum and mulberry wrapped in dust, leather and tan tobacco. Cinnamon and allspice kick off the palate, with light, refreshing cranberry fruit in the midpalate, dried leather and earth on the edges, and a thyme-oregano finale.
This bottling combines the variety's zippy character with a touch of ripeness, which makes it accessible to many palates. Aromas of fresh-cut apple and green papaya meet with a very stony minerality on the nose. The palate's powerful texture and sizzling acidity carry riper flavors of Gala apple and Anjou pear that continue deep into the finish.
This bottling combines, as usual, ripe tropical fruits, oak and minerals with excellent acidity to yield a wine that's opulent in the way of a rich Chardonnay, yet balanced and elegant. It's a full-bodied wine whose richness is almost over the top at this point. Give it up to three years of aging to mellow.
This bottling comes from a vineyard belonging to winemaker Bill Brousseau's parents on the Salinas Valley's eastern slopes. The nose intrigues with iron-laced purple fruits and a touch of feral beef jerky. Blackberry and black pepper show on the palate, as does shaved nutmeg, dark chocolate shavings, bay leaf and a tart coffee element.
This bottling comes from the best blocks and barrels from this single vineyard, co-owned by a number of Edna Valley luminaries. The result is stunning, with baked raspberry, strawberry, maple, and peppery bacon aromas comprising a spicy, exotic nose. Black plum fruit melds with white pepper and crushed herbs, diving into tangy strawberry and sandalwood incense notes on the finish.
This bottling comes from the winery's Rhinefarm Estate Vineyard near the town of Sonoma, planted to eight separate Pinot Noir blocks. Savory in cranberry and cassis and quite austere, it's balanced in aromas of rose petal and a taste of black tea. Tannins are ripe yet firm, providing structure to help age the wine further.
This bottling comes from two Pinot clones planted within a 6.5-acre vineyard in Blucher Valley, a frigid, low-yielding site. On the edge of ripeness, the wine is unusual in orange pith, cranberry and pomegranate with a vividly tangy crispness. Soy, balsam and pine tar provide an edgy character that adds complexity and texture.
This bottling comes off a select corner of the Talley family ranch and is quite shy on the nose at first, reluctantly offering beet, cranberry, and cooked strawberry aromas, with the slightest touch of caramelization and loam. The flavors tend toward bramble, with wild thyme, white pepper and oregano, starting off simple but growing persistent and beautiful as the wine opens.
This bottling continues to impress after all these years with its complexity and sheer deliciousness. The '06 shows charred barrel fermentation notes of pungent, smoky wood, but there's a great heart of citrus, melon and pepper spice flavors that makes the wine rich and rewarding. It's made even better by zesty acidity and a bone-dry finish.
This bottling exhibits all of the classic aromas expected from Nebbiolo: tar, rose, dried cherry, sandalwood and cola. The palate offers much of the same, with dried mulberry and rooibos tea touches. The acidity is strong and the tannins are polished but still very structural. Drink now–2023.
This bottling exhibits both the ripe and fresh aspects of the grape. The nose shows peach custard, honeysuckle and tuberose touches, while the palate is framed by acidic verve. Candied yellow apple, melon and lemon custard flavors are cut by that racy acidity.
This bottling explores the more concentrated side of Pinot Noir, with hearty aromas of balsamic fig sauce, cooked berries, clove and rum cake. Roasted blackberry clusters and charred figs show on the sip alongside potent baking spices, making for a rich and heavy expression, although leveling acidity pounds into the finish.
This bottling from a region known for savory, earthy wines fits the bill, with strong gravel, black pepper, elderberry and wet pine aromas. It's dry and dense on the palate, with forest spice, menthol and black fruit touches. Characteristic of the region and still very firm and tight in structure.
This bottling from a region northeast of San Diego is almost austere at first, but then restrained aromas of candied nuts and ripe pears show on the nose. The palate is also well-restrained for this often unctuous grape, especially coming from a warmer region, with flavors of kaffir lime, citrus pith, nectarine, melon and guava.
This bottling from a relatively new vineyard in Ballard Canyon shows blueberry fruit surrounded by strands of black licorice and chunks of damp pine wood on the nose. The blackberry, blueberry and crushed violet flavors lead into slight beef char and burnt wood on the palate.
This bottling from a vineyard northwest of the Sta. Rita Hills opens with buttercream, lemon peel, lime spritz and toasted almond scents. The buttery quality extends to the full but energetic palate, where it's cut by lemon marmalade, savory smoke and toast notes. The finish is nutty.
This bottling from a vineyard owned by the Fess Parker family is extremely gamy out of the gates, with raw lamb aromas lifted up by peppercorns and laid atop elderberry fruit. The lighter-bodied palate is framed by zesty acidity and a zippy pepper spice, with flavors of black currant and wild chaparral herbs.
This bottling from a vineyard west of the Sta. Rita Hills by David and Anna deLaski explores the lower ripeness, exotically spiced range of Pinot Noir. Aromas of tart boysenberry, sour hibiscus, sumac and white pepper show on the nose. The palate picks up a bit more viscosity to deliver cranberry, Kalamata olive and cardamom flavors.
This bottling from a warm part of the upper Carmel Valley is lavish, rich and inviting on the nose, with cassis, French toast, vanilla and lilac aromas. It's thick on the palate, with blackberry syrup, maple and snickerdoodle flavors, cut by bountiful acidity.
This bottling from a winery that uses both the highest of technology and most old school of techniques is incredibly subtle at first, but then come waves of mace, mulberry, forest floor and dried shiitake aromas. The palate starts with sharper herbs and spice, from thyme to nutmeg and allspice, and then the purple flower flavors explode like a bouquet in the mouth. Elderflower touches fly into the finish.
This bottling from a winery whose owners are originally from Brittany shows peppery spice, tart red fruit, rose petal and lava rock scents on the nose. The flavors range widely from white pepper and dill to fresh-pressed strawberry and red plum, with a slight hint of caramel. Varietally pure and very fresh.
This bottling from an extremely cool-climate vineyard is light and easy on the nose, with ripe apples, sharp herbs, moss and an inherent grassy character deep within. It's extremely lively on the palate, with compellingly delivered acidity and a lime-skin tension carrying flavors of dried dill and sharp lemony citrus. It's one of the better Sauv Blancs of the vintage.
This bottling from an iconic vineyard is subtle yet steady on the nose, with cinnamon and nutmeg spice giving character to a red-cherry base. The vibrant palate keeps the mouth watering, showing clove and more nutmeg atop sharper cranberry and warmer cherry fruit tones.
This bottling from Brack Mountain Wine Company shows butter, sea salt and caramel on the nose, balanced by tangerine and faint jasmine aromas. The wine is elegant and easy to like, with Meyer lemon and prominent-but-not- overpowering honey butter on the palate, and a pink lemonade touch that carries into the finish.
This bottling from EOS is almost always one of the most dependable and satisfying dessert wines in California, and the price is good compared to its peers. The '07 is a very good sweetie, a pace or two off the previous four vintages. But it offers rich, honeyed apricot, pineapple and crème brûlée flavors and is very sweet.
This bottling from esteemed producer Williams Selyem is a rich, concentrated wine, brimming with savory flavors of wild cherries and raspberries, red currants, milk chocolate, cloves and black pepper. The extraordinary tannins are smooth and as fine as velvet.
This bottling from fine winery Foxen has varied over the vintages, sometimes quite good, sometimes ordinary. The '11 is somewhere in the middle. It's a bit thin, with the blackberry, coffee and currant flavors disappearing quickly on the finish. It's also oddly acidic, whether naturally so or added. Either way, it's not an ager.
This bottling from Fintan du Fresne has all the hallmarks of savory, cool-climate Syrah: deep blackberry aromas wrapped in black pepper, rosemary, game and tar. The palate adds pine and boysenberry to the mix, making for a compelling and lively wine.
This bottling from five vineyards across the region, which also includes 18% Syrah, is dark and concentrated on the nose with aromas of plum, crushed gravel, rose petals, composting violets and gamy pepper-crusted meats. The palate is more fresh and floral, with lilac touches and kola nut spice, proving lighter weight in body and easy to quaff.
This bottling from John Sebastiano Vineyard is a great example of how a light Grenache can entertain needy palates. Sagebrush-laced aromas of wild thyme and tree bark mesh with tart pomegranate, red currant and a touch of red-cherry pie on the nose. The tea-leaf-laced sip shows raspberry, red plum and red apple, which just enough tannic structure.
This bottling from John Tyler has been variable over the years. The 2009 offering is dry, silky and crisp, and it bears pleasant red currant, sour cherry candy and persimmon flavors. Drink now–2015.
This bottling from Kick-on Ranch is fresh and easy on the nose, with lemon-lime soda, crisp Asian pear and sweet jicama aromas, making for a refreshing experience that almost everyone can enjoy. It's light in body and acid-powered on the palate, with Pink Lady apple hints.
This bottling from Lost Canyon is one of California's best-kept Syrah secrets. Year after year, it's a rich, tannic, dramatically structured wine of impressive depth and deliciousness. Packed with dry berry, cherry, leather, mocha and toasty oak flavors, it's beautiful now, with decanting, and should hold and even improve for up to six years.
This bottling from McMurray Vineyard at Rancho Sisquoc packs all of the beloved Syrah characteristics: ripe plum, blackberry and blueberry fruit, a vanilla-laced oaky frame and underlying hints of lavender and pepper. The palate offers herb and pepper touches, underscoring its black fruit and caramel flavors.
This bottling from Merriam has been all over the board over the years. It seems to do better in a warmer vintage. The 2003 vintage was not a great one in the North Coast, and this wine, while showing some polished flavors, is a bit lean. The cherry and currant flavors have been enriched by 50% new oak. Drink now.
This bottling from Napa veteran St. Clement has been variable in recent years. The '05 is similar to the '02. It's a likeable, elegant Cab that drinks well now. The cherry, blackberry, plum and mocha flavors are wrapped into rich, soft tannins.
This bottling from neutral barrels is reserved on the nose, showing dust, light red fruit and earth aromas. The flavors are equally light, evoking red mulberry fruit and turned earth. Clean and quaffable, but not very exciting.
This bottling from one of the showcase vineyards in this eastern region of the Santa Ynez Valley shows a very cohesive and well-integrated nose, combining dried red and purple flowers with licorice, dill, nettle and boysenberry. The palate's solid and persistent acidity frames flavors of plump black plum and mocha.
This bottling from Radda in Chianti delivers an even, horizontal approach with wide-reaching tones that recall ripe fruit, smoked bacon, marinade and spice box. The wine tastes raw and pulpy thanks to its meaty intensity and ends with bright notes of red fruit.
This bottling from Santa Barbara County's oldest Syrah planting is always like tasting history. Aromas of roasted coffee beans and charred wood meet with pressed blackberry, vanilla and caramel on the nose. The palate combines tart black-plum skins with charred meat, more roasted coffee and lots of cocoa dust, with riper hints of fig and blueberry fruit arising toward the finish.
This bottling from Syrah legend Bob Lindquist, sourced from the biodynamic vineyard that he planted, delivers snappy boysenberry, white pepper, rosemary and lavender aromas. The palate judiciously balances savory, peppery spice and lush purple floral notes with tangy black plum fruit and rosehip accents, making for a wondrous sip.
This bottling from the 55-year-old winery is one of the most reliable and well-priced Chardonnays in California. Plump nectarine and cherimoya aromas meet honeysuckle on the nose. It's tightly wound on the palate, with a sizzle of acidity that opens into peach and pineapple flavors.
This bottling from the Beckett brothers—bolstered with 14% Syrah—is yet another crowd-pleaser from their stylish, affordable label. Plump black-fruit aromas meet iodine and dried purple-flower notes on the nose. The palate is rich and soft at first, growing tannic over time, with dark purple-fruit flavors that last long into the finish, edged in bright acidity.
This bottling from the cool-climate Jespersen Ranch offers baked black cherry, graphite, gingerbread and vanilla on the nose. There's a kick of white pepper on the palate, possibly owing to the 10% Syrah that's blended in, along with dark boysenberry fruit. The texture is grippy and serious for the grape.
This bottling from the Dwarf Oak Vineyard offers pear, struck flint and smoked nut aromas, with the slightest hint of tropicality. The palate is rich with melted butter and roasted macadamia nut flavors—due, perhaps, to the warmer valley climate.
This bottling from the family's estate vineyard in the Foxen Canyon area rides the gamy side of the grape, with sizzling lamb crust, rosemary, black pepper and lavender on the nose. Dense elderberry fruit shows on the palate, with touches of asphalt, chopped thyme and more purple flowers. The acidity is balanced, and the tannins are firm but approachable. A touch of vanilla marks the finish.
This bottling from the family's smallest vineyard is as special as the three-acre site itself, offering intriguing chive blossom aromas on the nose alongside key lime and pungent honeydew. The palate is laser focused and tense with acidity and structure, showing lime pith, pink grapefruit zest and a chalky minerality reminiscent of crushed sea shell on the finish.
This bottling from the famously rich wine-making vineyard shows incredible restraint on the nose, starting with the reserved aromas of lavender, white pepper, bergamot, pomegranate and snappy raspberry. The blackberry fruit runs quite deep on the sip, edged by bay leaf, menthol and purple flower touches. Simultaneously elegant and powerful.
This bottling from the historic vineyard boasts a balanced, smoky quality on the nose that pairs well with its sharper white flower and salted nut aromas. Its acidity and tongue-tingling texture on the palate is addictive, revealing ripe Gala apple flavors backed by lemon juice, sea salt, oak and wet stone notes.
This bottling from the Kathryn Hall family of wines is rich and juicy but not sweet at all. The nose begins with sage, clove, black cherry, concentrated violets and rose petals, with a turned-loam quality. The palate shows beets, fennel, sagebrush, dark red cherry and plum. A eucalyptus and menthol quality rises on the finish.
This bottling from the large négociant Ogier features attractive aromas of black olives and ripe cherries. It's full bodied and creamy in texture, with flavors of mocha, olive and dark earth that finish warm and long. Drink now–2020.
This bottling from the San Francisco-based producer is about as Burgundian as California gets. Aromas of honeydew rinds, Meyer lemon pith and honeysuckle meet with briny chalk, chiseled marble and a touch of almond warmth on the nose. The extremely fresh, clean and chalky palate shows stunning texture as well as rounded lemon blossom, sea salt and the faintest butter flavor.
This bottling from the Scheid family, one of the region's largest growers, shows aromas of baked red cherry in a vanilla pie crust as well as marjoram, bay leaf and cinnamon. The palate balances tart and ripe cranberry and pomegranate with both dried and fresh herbs.
This bottling from winemaker Chris Cameron shows smoky touches of vanilla and caramel on the nose, proving quite ripe and buttery. Dried lemon skin and smoked white meat flavors show on the palate, making this a solid weeknight sipper for anyone who likes a full-bodied Chardonnay.
This bottling from young winemaker Michael Miroballi shows lime blossom, chalk, fresh rain on concrete and nectarine flesh on the nose. The palate is exuberant with flavors but they're not ripe, instead showing lime peels and juice, a cement-like grip and a buzzing sensation that overtakes the mouth like a Sichuan peppercorn.
This bottling gets the thumbs up for intrigue, as Neil Collins manages to take a notoriously acidic grape and tame it with enough warmth and ripeness to make it appealing all alone. Pan-seared apples, caramel crisp, Meyer lemon rind and a touch of chamomile show on the nose, leading into a palate loaded with stonefruit, green mango, Gala apples and a touch of sweet onion flavor.
This bottling goes for a ripe, buttery style of Chardonnay and succeeds. Pillowy aromas of buttered popcorn, plumeria flowers and vanilla-laced peach brûlée play into candied apples on the palate along with ripe cantaloupe and a long finish of vanilla-soaked poached pears.
This bottling has a creamy texture, with pleasant, simple flavors of citrus and buttery oak.
This bottling has a solid track record from Envy, but the 2010 vintage, good as it is, is their least successful in years. While it's luscious with blackberry and blueberry jam, mocha and oak sweetness, it's one-dimensional, and lacking ageworthiness. Drink now, with sweet, smoky barbecued meats.
This bottling has been a real success for Zaca Mesa. It's a vibrantly fruity Syrah, packed with sweet cherries and blackberries, with a meaty, umami spiciness suggesting grilled bacon. Deliciously soft, it's best consumed over the next few years.
This bottling has been getting steadily richer and better over the years and has now reached the point where it's an authentic Carneros beauty. The '06 is a Pinot Noir to drink now, to savor its rasp-berry and cherry freshness, crispness and silky texture.
This bottling has been pretty consisent over the years, offering plenty of ripe, spicy fruit and brisk Carneros acidity, with some complexity. It has rich flavors of lemon, lime, pineapple, exotic tropical fruit and savory spice.
This bottling has been remarkably consistent over the last several vintages. Always exotic in lemondrop-candy fruit that's been well-oaked, it has nuances of flower petals, white peaches, minerals and honey. The '06 may be a little softer than past vintages.
This bottling has been variable over the decades, but this 2010 shows fine form, a good sign coming on the heels of the excellent 2009. It's richly oaked and flashy in pineapple jam, buttered toast and creamy, yeasty flavors.
This bottling has been variable over the years, and the '04 is not showing it at its best. It's a good but not a great Cabernet, ripe and a little sweet in cassis and cherry flavors, backed up with firm, dry tannins. Drink now.
This bottling has been variable over the years, but with the '06, Vina Robles seizes full command of Petite Sirah. Shows a classically thick, full-bodied texture, with dark currant, plum and licorice flavors edged with baker's chocolate. Fully dry, it's marvelous now with tri-tip, and should age for many years.
This bottling has consistently been one of Eberle's specialties for quality and price for many years, and it still is. With residual sugar of 5.6%, it's sweet in honey, apricot, orange, guava and Meyer lemon flavors, brightened by crisp acidity.
This bottling has had its problems over the years, and while Barber's '12 is their best effort to date, it's still troubled. The fruit is overripe, with raisin and prune notes and bitter raisin-skin tannins. Still, you can gulp it down with barbecue.
This bottling has turned out to be one of California's more important Merlot releases. The '05, like its immediate predecessors, is a dry, richly tannic wine of great elegance and structural complexity. It pleases now for the wealth of black currants, anise, herbs, spices and smoky oak, and should develop bottle nuances through 2011.
This bottling includes 14% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Sharp blackberry, smoky cedar and slightly green tomato-leaf aromas give way to a medium-bodied palate that's complex, with flavors of crushed oregano, dill, thyme and marjoram, all surrounding a smoky, juicy blackberry core.
This bottling is a bit slight on the nose but does show olallieberry, coffee, crushed lilac, soy and ganache aromas. There's interesting Asian spice to the palate, with sour plum and chocolate-sauce flavors.
This bottling is a blend comprised of wines from the 2011–2013 vintages, hence the nonvintage Vin de France labeling. Aromas of leather, clove and cinnamon come with a hint of adhesive bandage. The tannins are firm, so pair this with rare beef or lamb to bring forward the long, mouthwatering finish.
This bottling is a great representation of the savory style that's typical of the Santa Cruz Mountains, but with enough rounded, approachable ripeness that it will appease those seeking juicier wine as well. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, spicy vanilla and sharp cinnamon-allspice lead into a black and white pepper-laden palate, full of ripe elderberry, blueberry and elderflower.
This bottling is a reference to the Guns 'n' Roses hit song, and proves to be quite a destination itself, with aromas of cocoa, coffee, smoked meats, ginger snaps and cinnamon strudel against a canvas of deep blueberry. Tannins provide tension on the palate, with rich flavors of mocha and blackberry, coming in just a tad hot.
This bottling is a testament to how fascinating Pinot Noir can grow after just a few years in the cellar. It shows kirsch, juniper, gingerbread and chai spice on the elegant, layered nose. The palate offers a compelling curry-like spice alongside crushed kalamata olive, eucalyptus, bay leaf and cedar flavors.
This bottling is a two-block selection from the highest spots in the vineyard. Don't be fooled by the lightness of the flavors, but do pay attention to the refined, elegant structure. Raspberry and cherry flavors, abundant acidity and a mineral underpinning all contribute, along with almost a year in 50% new French oak.
This bottling is adorned with one of the prettiest and most interesting label designs on the market right now. Tropical aromas of pineapple, jasmine and ripe white peach are leveled by squeezed tangerine and orange-blossom scents. Lime juice shows first on the sip, followed by waves of kiwi, green papaya and a touch of mango.
This bottling is Alsatian in style and almost reductive, with pink grapefruit pith, bitter orange, rounded peach and quinine touches. It's tightly wound on the palate, with high-toned petrol flavors accenting its crisp stone fruit core
This bottling is an ode to Bill Foley's Texas roots. It shows dried strawberry, rich olallieberry, baked cherry, black-cardamom cream and plum cookies on the deliciously spiced, fruit-forward nose. The palate is refreshing and fresh, with black raspberry and black-pepper flavors.
This bottling is Bisquertt's first foray into the world of Pinot Noir. The wine smells like a wet dog, along with some candied, artificial fruit aromas. A chunky, sticky-feeling palate houses medicinal, green berry flavors, while the finish is oaky and remains medicinal and hot.
This bottling is boosted by 10% Grenache, 9% Petite Sirah, 5% Malbec and 1% Syrah. It shows fresh violets and lilacs on the nose along with sharp brown spice, pressed boysenberry and hot asphalt. Juicy blueberry and black plums hit the palate first, followed by elegant touches of thyme and bay leaf.
This bottling is classic in its ample, smoky marshmallow, campfire and jam sandwich flavors. The palate is laced with notes of red licorice and vanilla.
This bottling is consistently among the best Margaret River Chardonnays, and the 2013 doesn't disappoint. Subtle notes of grilled peach and pineapple slices are carried by ample weight and richness on the midpalate, then gain focus and fold in citrus flavors on the long finish.
This bottling is curiously at odds with the winery's other 2011 single-vineyard Pinots. It's less ripe, with a mushroomy earthiness alongside flavors of raspberries and pomegranates. You might call that Burgundian, but it does cut down on the wine's opulence, and seems to limit ageability.
This bottling is dark and dense on the nose with black cherry, dried blueberry and espresso notes that balance the strong minerality of iron and volcanic rocks. It's quite lively on the sip, with tart blackberry juice and touches of tar.
This bottling is easy, light and crisp, starting with squeezed orange and ripe yellow apples on the nose. It's delicate on the palate, with citrus and stone-fruit flavors, just right for an afternoon sip in the sun.
This bottling is even better than the 2010: drier, crisper and more elegant, without a trace of sweetness. It's balanced, with a long finish that should pair well with any kind of spiced food.
This bottling is extremely chalky on the nose, with white rock aromas dusting its Asian pear, buttercream and grapefruit pith scents. The palate is tense and Chablis-like in style, offering lemon pith and sour orange rind flavors that settle into more lavish almond cream tones on the finish.
This bottling is extremely light in aroma and flavor (though both will increase with bottle age), so its texture is its strongest selling point. Faint peach skin, nectarine flesh, melon and citrus aromas lead into a perfectly grippy palate, where citrus peel and beeswax flavors crescendo into the finish.
This bottling is fruit-forward on the nose with aromas of black currant and black plum, but the touches of dark chocolate and roasted game provide depth. It tightens up on the sip, where the blackberry-jam elements are enhanced by vanilla and milk chocolate shavings. The tannins are present but soft, and the acidity is decent, making for a very drinkable expression.
This bottling is less ebullient than previous vintages, but that only makes it more appealing. It still has its hallmark blackberry, spice and cocoa shadings, they're just in better overall proportion and balanced by more of an earthy, savory streak. The tannins are ripe and silky, the fruit bright on the finish.
This bottling is leveled by 10% Roussanne, and shows ripe yellow peach, honeydew melon, honeyed toast, pear custard and a slight cashew-like marzipan on the fairly dense nose. Rounded flavors of pear, melon, mango and honey dust comprise the palate.
This bottling is quintessential Red Mountain in style, with potent aromatics of concentrated black fruits, gun metal and rock. Sourced from Ciel du Cheval, Obelisco, Force Majeure and Klipsun, it's a one-wine showcase for the AVA. The spectrum of fruit flavors is impressive, compact and deep, and despite the high alcohol it retains its precision and detail.
This bottling is quite tropical on the nose, with plumeria, banana, honeysuckle, sweet peach and Gala apple aromas. The palate is also quite ripe with yellow melon and more Gala apples, but an intriguing texture of crushed rocks and slate keeps it grounded.
This bottling is ripe and tropical but approachable on the nose, with honeydew melon, banana and nectarine aromas. There is a decent punch of acidity and noticeable texture upon first sip, veering toward sweet apple and bubblegum flavors on the finish.
This bottling is showing a touch of age on the nose, with clove, allspice and black-plum aromas most prominent. Dried ginger spices up the dried fig and plum on the sip, which approaches prune as well. Drink up now before more age sets in.
This bottling is simply delicious and accessible to all sorts of wine lovers right out of the gate. Black cherry pie, brown sugar and purple flower aromas lead to a palate of cherry, vanilla, licorice and milk chocolate. A silky mouthfeel completes the experience.
This bottling is sourced from the Wit' End estate vineyard. The palate boasts broad cherry flavors, showing medium concentration and definiton. It's clean, clear and one-dimensional.
This bottling is still a bit disjointed, the acids stick out and the fruit seems confined to a tight corner. The raw materials are good enough—berries and watermelon, a whiff of tomato, moderate tannins and more than a hint of new oak. Give this one another year or two to smooth out the wrinkles.
This bottling is still very young and will vastly improve with time, but already shows many of the components that make this remote mountain-surrounded vineyard one of the more exciting slices of the region. Aromas of black currant and purple flowers are deep and heady, while the palate's richer blackberry-syrup notes are cut by a black-plum tang, fresh underbrush herbaceousness and tons of cola spice.
This bottling is the winery's most expensive wine, and usually its best. Production of the '08 was unusually low, resulting in amazing concentration. It's basically a detonation of cherries, raspberries, currants, cola and mocha. New oak is present, in the form of delicate toast and wood spice, but is balanced. So silky and delicious now, you can drink it, but the tannic balance suggests the cellar. Will evolve over the next 12 years, maybe longer.
This bottling is the work of Jaffurs general manager David Yates, and the 2014 shines as a great example of blending wines of varying degrees of ripeness. The nose shows thyme, olive, cranberry and fennel, with a warmer hint of vanilla. The palate offers intriguing mulberry and red plum fruit, with exotic notes ranging from sichuan peppercorn to preserved lemon to kalamata olive.
This bottling is typical of the style of Zin this vineyard produces. It's very high in alcohol, soft in acids, firm in tannins, and luscious with blackberry, cherry and milk chocolate flavor. Palls after a few sips due to its glyceriney richness.
This bottling is usually among the more opulent, successful white dessert wines in California, and the '07 certainly fits that bill. With 20.1% residual sugar, it's fantastically sweet, yet has enough fruity stuffing, balanced by high acidity, to satisfy. The pineapple, apricot and orange flavors could be somewhat more intense but it's certainly a very delicious dessert wine.
This bottling is very grassy on the nose, with some lime peels and a definite touch of reduction at this stage of its life. The flavors are clean and steely, with yellow apple rinds, Anjou pear and a sharp acidity.
This bottling is very herbal on the nose, with bay leaf, pine needle, juniper, tart strawberry and black-pepper aromas. The palate shows sour red fruit, dried leather and much more forest-floor flavors.
This bottling is very showy on the nose with tons of white flowers, tuberose, guava and mango, though a slice of lime peel cuts the tropicality a bit. Guava peel, feijoa and bitter limes show on the sip, where that slightly treacly tropicality reigns.
This bottling isn't perfect, but it shows the potential for exploring a less ripe style of Pinot Noir in the Paso Robles area. Snappy sagebrush aromas meet with olive, wet bay leaf, myrrh and plum skins on the nose. The palate is driven by pine-sap, with lots of eucalyptus and juniper as well as dark elderberry, and a hint of elderflower.
This bottling kicks off with a strikingly distinct aromatic profile recalling an elegant fruit punch, with hibiscus, raspberry sorbet, sour-cherry candy, sandalwood, incense and an underlying anise scent. Plump raspberry shows on the rounded red-fruit palate, with a minty, herbal touches of cedar and tobacco.
This bottling marks a stylistic shift in labeling for the winery toward more youthful and creative, and the wine is quite tasty, with aromas of deep black cherry and leather, proving pleasantly rustic. The palate is easy to enjoy, if no particularly complex, with lots of blueberry, Concord grape, white pepper and dark chocolate flavors.
This bottling masterfully handles the young appellation's tropically inclined fruit, with apple candy aromas and a soft, rich mouthfeel. The flavors nod briefly toward the traditional greener, grassy side of the grape, but it's a smoother experience, less biting, with a hint of barrel smoke.
This bottling named after vintner Bill Foley's mother shows apricot, gardenia and smoke aromas, accenting its underlying minerality that recalls hot sand on a beach. The clean and crisp flavors combine sea salt and lemon peel with Asian pear and a touch of honeydew melon.
This bottling occupies the middle step between Ponzi's Tavola and reserve-level Pinots. The exceptional 2012 vintage delivers a wine with unusual concentration for its price. It presents a refreshing mix of briary berry, mineral, hints of chive, pepper, chocolaty barrel notes and a suggestion of yeast, and is finished with fine-grain tannins.
This bottling of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre presents a dusty, slightly sweet-smelling nose, with blackberry syrup and leather aromas. Juicy blueberries and blackberries lead into a sip laced with licorice, tobacco and lava rock, finishing on a note of burnt caramel. It's quite dense so needs lots of time to open up.
This bottling of an American hybrid grape demonstrates a floral side of the variety, with potpourri aromas riding over lychee and grapefruit. Green apple-skin flavors mark the light-bodied palate while sprtizy acidity keeps everything energized.
This bottling of one of the Central Coast's most promising white grapes is light and lithe on the nose with apples, lemon zest, lilies and a touch of vanilla bean. The palate is also delicate, showing apple blossoms, sour apple candy and cut pear.
This bottling of the 667 and Pommard clones starts with a stewed-cherry note before the sagebrush, forest floor and moss aromas start to dominate. There's an exotic sesame touch to the sip, where cherry and berry flavors are lifted by savory hints of salt, pepper and nori wrap. Really unique and delicious, it leaves the mouth watering and invigorated.
This bottling of the classic Italian variety hits the right notes, with cherry, rose and tar on the nose, along with hints of sandalwood and incense. It's smooth on the palate, with dried cherry flavor and touches of chocolate, dried mint and caramel on the finish. It's still young and the firm tannins ensure a long life. Drink 2018–2029.
This bottling of the Mt. Eden and Clone 4 clones shows apple sauce, lemon rinds and a bit of browned butter on the nose. The palate offers plenty of salty energy, with flavors of seared nectarine, lemon rinds and toasted orange zest.
This bottling offers a tarry backbone on the nose with a hint of crushed elderberry. The palate is a bit bitter, with Concord grape flavors cut by tar and bittersweet dark chocolate shavings.
This bottling offers an expression of velvety plush texture that's persistent in stony minerality and an edge of graphite. Cranberry, rhubarb and orange provide tart, tangy fruit flavors that are irresistible around the complex spice core.
This bottling offers cassis, blackberry syrup, crushed slate and lots of purple flowers on the nose. It's a big and boisterous expression of the grape at first sip, which bursts with boysenberry, but then grows very mineral in the midpalate, with gravel and lava rock flavors. The tight tannic structure goes deep into the finish.
This bottling offers gingerbread cake, baked blueberry and smoked pork on the nose. It's soft on the palate, with finely polished tannins imparting a plush texture. Black plum, strawberry and a touch of mint mark the palate. The structure shows itself just enough on the finish.
This bottling offers key lime, golden apple, preserved lemon and honeysuckle touches on the nose, proving quite delicate despite its yellow, oxidative-seeming color in the glass. Buoyant acidity kicks off the palate, which is smooth with candied lemon peel and yellow peach flavors.
This bottling offers more density and heft than usually found in this category of Italian reds. The bouquet offers bright berry, cherry, leather and spice notes.
This bottling offers much of the richness and fruit-forward character of Paso Robles. Accessible aromas of black cherry, vanilla ice cream, black-currant juice and licorice lead into a juicy palate. It's very likable and hedonistic.
This bottling offers plum and plump blackberry on the nose along with milk chocolate, leather and cedar. It's quite tight and tannic on the palate at first, but all the expected and delicious components are in place: tart blueberry, tobacco, coffee and hints of licorice and chocolate that will emerge emerge more with time.
This bottling opens with clean and light yet pure aromas of peach blossoms, beeswax, rounded nectarine and sharper Granny Smith apple-skin notes. The palate is very high-toned and pithy with flavors of pear skin, Key lime, chive, sea salt and a touch of smoke, leaving the mouth with quite a sizzle on the finish.
This bottling packs in all that the grape can be: honeydew melon ripeness, crushed chalk and slate minerality and a grassy edge. The palate shows a citrus rind pithiness, some sea salt and a lime zest freshness. Classic and uncomplicated.
This bottling reflects the past several years' fine-tuning the winery's vision in the vineyard and in the cellar. Including small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it's a rounded, concentrated wine that expresses the vintage with ripe, grippy tannins that beg for further resolution. Blackberry, clove and leather flavors rise to the fore. Cellar through 2035.
This bottling resembles the New Zealand paradigm of Sauvignon Blanc, bearing aromas of grapefruit, passion fruit and kiwi; a sprinkling of graham cracker adds interest. The wine hits the palate like a fleshy fist, with an intense, grassy gooseberry flavor that provides plenty of punch. Pair with apricot-glazed roasted chicken.
This bottling reveals that this historic vineyard can produce incredibly rich wine as well as the zestier styles it is known for. It shows black cherry, candied strawberry and bourbon-like spice on the nose. The mouthfeel is lavish, full of purple fruit and floral flavors, as well as peppery spice and vanilla warmth. The acidity and structure are solid, and there's a touch of tar on the finish.
This bottling screams white earth, with a chalk- and riverstone-like minerality and clotted cream and lemon scents. That minerality carries through to the palate, where a chalky note blends with Asian pear and marshmallow. It's a study in how to present delicate flavors with pizzazz, which the Talley family has been known to do.
This bottling showcases Jim Clendenen's brilliance at making light wines packed with flavor. Rustic sagebrush, oak forest and animal pelt aromas meet red plum and alpine strawberry fruit on the nose. There's a salt and white pepper quality to the palate, where wild sage and more chapparal spice decorates the pomegranate and red plum fruit flavors.
This bottling shows a rich, wood-aged wine, full of ripe yellow and tropical fruits as well as rich toasty flavors. The wine is warm, rounded, spicy and with its impressive structure still developing, it has the potential to age well. The wine is named to celebrate the second Lança generation in charge at the estate. Drink from 2017.
This bottling shows deep black plum, elderberry, rose and purple flower aromas. The palate is dense, with black plum and tart cranberry enhanced by Earl Grey tea and potpourri. Thanks to a strong tannic backbone and buoyant acidity, these flavors are interesting now but will meld together more compellingly in the years to come. Drink 2019–2034.
This bottling shows fresh blueberry and blackberry aromas as well as a bright purple-flower touch reminiscent of wisteria. Bright and juicy on the palate, it features hedonistic touches of strawberry and olallieberry lifted by clove dust.
This bottling shows great promise for the San Diego region's potential. Lavish and rich blackberry aromas are enhanced by cocoa dust on the nose. Savory flavors of pepper and soy give depth to the blackberry and roasted-meat flavors. Tannins are firm but gracious.
This bottling shows its 88% stainless steel aging with bountiful tropicality, including guava and tuberose on the nose as well as toasted nuts and honeydew. Crisp lime peels start the sip, and then come more guava touches as well as mango. It's quite fruity.
This bottling shows off both sides of Sauvignon Blanc—at once lush and tropical and racy and crisp. Ripe Gala apple and Bosc pear aromas meet tart orange peel and rubber on the nose. The palate is bolstered by energetic acidity, with a stony texture and flavors of sour Granny Smith apple and yellow grapefruit.
This bottling shows off more savory smoke than fresh fruit, with soy, black and white pepper and teriyaki/peppercorn-crusted beef aromas. The structure is surprisingly fresher and more clean, with lighter blueberry, pepper and more soy.
This bottling shows rich kumquat, peach, pear and mango flavors, along with the brisk acidity of a well-grown Santa Maria Chardonnay. Yet it has the extra features of minerality and flintiness that make it especially memorable.
This bottling shows the richness that a well-grown Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir can achieve, seemingly effortlessly. You'll find deeply ripe raspberry, cherry and cola flavors, wrapped in a silky texture. However, there's quite a bit of sharpness that draws into question the wine's ageability.
This bottling shows the sweeter side of the Chardonnay, offering honeydew, lemon blossom and pear cider notes on the nose. The acidity is powerful upon first taste, yielding to peach, nectarine and ripe apple flavors, which come across as confected after a couple of sips.
This bottling shows touches of smoke, flint, Meyer lemon peel, honeysuckle and crisp jicama on the nose. A hint of ripe nectarine kicks off the palate before its knee-buckling acidity takes hold, bringing forth lemon peel, lime juice and more honeysuckle elements.
This bottling slips in many corners of the flavor experience at once. On the nose, a bit of tropical fruit mixes with evenly spread buttercream, followed by precursor hints of bright acidity on the palate. That citrus-led vibrancy does come, as does a mix of creaminess and limestone-inflected tang, as if the rocks themselves delivered the acidity.
This bottling smells much like a bundle of freshly cleared sagebrush, with hints of fennel, charred tomato, wood, cola and wild black cherry. Its extremely soft mouthfeel massages the tongue with lush tannins, and its black cherry richness is cut by tart pomegranate-like acidity and lifted by cocoa, coffee and ginger spice notes.
This bottling spent 20 months in French oak (30% new), and incorporates fruit from Ponzi's Aurora, Abetina and Madrona vineyards. Superripe aromas and flavors conjure up a rich and riveting mix of black cherry with amaro-like botanical nuances. This profound wine is already irresistible, but stash a few bottles in your cellar, to drink now through 2030.
This bottling starts with a pretty nose of peach, melon and nectarine. It's more about the crisp, refreshing mouthfeel than anything, and would partner well with lightly seasoned shellfish or soft cheese.
This bottling utilizes fruit from the winery's original 1975 plantings. Aromas of jasmine, flowers and lime lead to off dry, lightly spritzy stone-fruit flavors that linger.
This bottling was supervised by retired Tualatin founder Bill Fuller. It saw 80% new oak, and barrel flavors dominate the palate. Big bursts of vanilla and tobacco somewhat mask the light cherry fruit, giving the impression that the wine is a little out of balance.
This bottling will please many palates, as the very light wine offers cool and crisp aromas of Gala apple, gardenia and scratched pomelo skin. It's clean and crisp on the palate at first, and then come waves of riper yellow-apple and Anjou pear flavors, making it a Pinot Grigio with some body to chew on.
This bottling, all estate, mixes a number of different vineyard blocks. Roughly one-third was whole-cluster fermented, and it all spent 17 months in 58% new French oak. Earthy with a hint of resin and bark, its fruit runs to cranberry and raspberry, fully ripened with excellent concentration. The finish is a bit high-toned, leaving an impression of tart pie cherries.
This bottling, an ode to Bill Foley's Texas roots, is reserved on the nose with hints of yellow melon, peach blossom and a kiss of vanilla. The palate is straightforward and very drinkable, with seared brown pear and sea-salt flavors cruising across lemon-pith texture and a chalky grip.
This bottling, from a vineyard planted in 1972, is still fresh despite being six-years-old, and represents a much lighter style of Cabernet Sauvignon that goes great with a chill. Aromas of strawberry, pepper, bay leaf, leather and black pepper lead into a tart and tangy palate, which shows a light hint of barnyard funk.
This bottling, from grapes grown in the winery's estate vineyard, has varied over the years. The 2011 vintage is not the finest expression, but it's a soft, easy-drinking Chardonnay with modest peach, pear and mango notes, along with substantial oak influence.
This bottling, from seven cool climate vineyards, makes a great intro into savory Syrah, showing all that peppery might without shoving it down the throat. Cracked peppercorn is redolent on the nose and palate, with the latter also showing raw lamb and beef char. The sip tends toward soy and leather, but with a core of dried blackberry fruit that's familiar to most palates. The texture is tightly woven.
This bottling, from the winery's estate vineyard in the warm Pope Valley region, is ripe and relatively high in alcohol. It's a full-bodied blend, mainly Cabernet but with a drop or two of Malbec and Merlot, and rich in blackberries, chocolate and toasty new oak. The tannins are thick and furry, suggesting aging for six or so years.
This bottling, limited to just 25 cases, comes out scented with oaky toast, cherry pipe tobacco and baking spices. Flavors of spiced cranberries, strawberry preserves and cherry compôte carry it along into a finish streaked with vanilla. It's big without any awkwardness, and should be consumed now through 2020.
This bottling, sourced from the popular Tondre's Grapefield, is imbued with the scents and tastes of passionfruit. Fleeting spearmint and picked pear characters also arise on the nose, while apple tart flavors emerge midpalate. But passionfruit rules the day, and that's not a bad thing at all.
This bottling, which blends 15% Barbera, shows smoy cranberry and baked raspberry scents, accented with beef jerky. The smoke persists into the palate, where ripe red fruit meets with salted caramel and vanilla flavors. It's an easy wine to enjoy.
This bottling, which features an elephant's painting on the label, is extremely rich and ripe, showing caramel-laced blackberry, coffee cake, brown sugar and molasses aromas on the nose. Luxurious tannins rein in its sweet flavors on the palate, blending Vietnamese coffee, vanilla and espresso cordial notes. A great wine to accompany cigars.
This bottling, which includes 20% Sémillon, offers aromas of cut grass, sliced Anjou pear and a lemon-lime freshness on the nose. Sour Granny Smith apple and green lime rinds rule the palate, making for a solid and classic style of Sauv Blanc.
This bottling, which includes 8% Zinfandel and 3% Syrah, shows gingerbread, sandalwood, olallieberry, violet and maraschino cherry on the nose. It's delicate on the palate at first, with candied-strawberry flavors as well as cinnamon foam and purple flowers. It features a nice textural tension as well.
This bottling, which is already good but shows potential to be great, eschews overly obvious fruit aromas to instead deliver notes of peppercorns, pencil shavings and green bell pepper. The palate is powered by a lively bitterness of underripe raspberries, raw coffee beans and more green peppers, yet will probably age better than most of its vintage counterparts. Drink 2018–2024.
This bottling, which is balanced by 16% Cabernet Franc and 9% Merlot, rides the savory edge of the grape, with aromas of underbrush and dried herbs giving depth to the black-olive and black-currant aromas. The palate offers a mix of red and darker fruits, including cranberry, plum and blackberry, with touches of thyme and anise.
This bottling, which is bolstered by 9% Malbec, 3% Merlot and 2% Carmenère, shows rounded black currant, blueberry, smoked beef and graphite on the nose. Soft tannins make for an elegant presentation, with heavy black-fruit flavors of crème de cassis and dark chocolate.
This bottling, which is bolstered by 9% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec, shows zesty blackberry, boysenberry, thyme and cedar on the fruit-driven nose. The flavors are approachable and easy, with baked berries, black pepper and charred beef, laid across a very friendly and soft structure.
This bottling, which is both a reference to the Lynyrd Skynyrd song and an ode to the grape growers, offers vibrant blackberry, slate and vanilla aromas. The palate is ripe and juicy but balanced, with tangy plum skin and dark spice flavors, framed by a chalky tannic structure. It's fruity enough for traditional California Zinfandel fans but complex enough to win converts.
This bottling, which is enhanced by 2% Petit Verdot, shows deep black plum, dark chocolate and bright strawberry touches with a slight hint of barnyard on the nose. The latter element carries into the palate as well, adding nuance to the black cherry, fennel and milk chocolate flavors, all wrapped in firm tannins.
This bottling, which is heavily bolstered by a 22% addition of Petite Sirah, shows aromas of chocolate, blueberry and fresh violets, with a leathery backbone. It's lavish and soft on the palate, rich with fudge and espresso notes and ripe with blueberry sauce.
This bottling, which is leveled a bit by the inclusion of 13% Zinfandel and 12% Grenache, shows blackberry jam, black cherry and concentrated lilac aromas on the nose. The palate is nicely layered with just enough tannic structure for optimal drinking now, combining flavors of blueberry and black cherry with caramel, milk chocolate and plum-skin tartness.
This boutique estate was founded in 1926 by Alessio Grasso and is now run by his grandson Giuseppe. The generational shift has brought equal attention to tradition and technology and this wine shows aspects of both. Pristine aromas of wild berry, crushed peppercorn and white truffle make for a very compelling bouquet.
This boutique winery from Montalcino proposes a compact and traditional expression of Brunello with penetrating balsam aromas of root beer, chopped mint, white almond and plump cherry. The wine earns high points for presenting such an elegant side despite the hot year.
This boutique winery in central Sicily benefits from extreme isolation that has helped it nurture its own clone of Nero d'Avola. Oak tones and vanilla come in the foreground of cherry, blueberry and leather. The wine is balanced and soft with bright freshness on the close.
This boxed Malbec is burgundy-colored and opens with spicy reedy aromas of dried herbs and red-berry fruits. On the palate, this is tight but shallow in the midtier. Flavors of baked plum and berry fruits come with a note of cocoa powder prior to a stable finish.
This bracing, minerally Pinot Gris is perfect for hot weather; racy and crisp citrus rind and fresh grapefruit flavors abound. It's made with organically grown grapes from the estate vineyard.
This bracing, precisely crafted wine emphasizes crispness and attractively lean fruit flavors over richness, and it will be great with appetizers and seafood, even raw oysters. It's fresh, clean and inviting.
This Bradgate blend of Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc offers food-friendly aromas and flavors of lemon spice, pepper and slate. It's zippy but fruity, with a spicy character that will pair well with like foods—think Asian spice. The Chenin offers roundness, while the SB gives citric, clean flavors. A nice match.
This brand continues to impress in terms of quality-to-price ratio. This blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot comes from a great appellation and is ready to enjoy now. Raspberry, black cherry and cranberry serve as the finesse side of the equation, before a brawny, chewy sense of power wanders in.
This brand is a sort of junior label for Schramsberg, one of California's premier sparkling wine houses. It's quite a good bubbly, showing plenty of balance and finesse, with rich, dry flavors of yeast, citrus fruits and vanilla.
This brand is winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett's ode to Rhône, as well as a place for her own Bordeaux-varietal wines. The first vintage of this 100% varietal wine on its own, it's soft and supple with a tannic backbone. Pretty plum aromas and a streak of peppery spice and leather are joined on the palate by juicy blueberry and finished off in restrained oak.
This brand new, crisp and fresh wine is so young. Even a rosé can benefit from a few months aging, and this wine with its tight red fruits and lightly tannic texture will be better being drunk after the summer when its fruitiness will explode in the mouth. It is ripe, light and packed with acidity at the end.
This brand offers excellent value across the board, and this Zinfandel competes strongly with much more expensive bottlings. The balanced nose offers hearty blackberry, roasted meat, charcoal, violet and black pepper. The dark fruit and purple flowers of the palate are offset by gravelly minerality and dark chocolate flavors.
This brand plays at the lower end of the Côtes du Rhône price spectrum, sometimes successfully. This wine has a subdued nose, then combines cherry, leather and earth notes on the palate. It's a bit astringent for the modest level of fruit, but still solid.
This brand reliably produces varietally correct, down-the-middle wines, and this is no exception, starting with aromas of Anjou pear, underripe honeydew, tight white-flower buds and freshly cut key lime. The ripe stone-fruit flavors on the sip are cut by citrus and wet cement, offering all the elements to please many a Sauv Blanc fan.
This brand, first produced in 1881, has been among the most famous in Portugal. In its latest manifestation, it has a fresh red fruit character, smooth, with light acidity and soft tannins. There is a burst of juicy flavors that promises easy drinking.
This branded Bordeaux is packed both with fruit and with a firm structure. It has a dense texture and solid tannins although the generous fruit will allow it to age relatively quickly. Drink from 2018.
This branded wine produced by the Cazes family of Château Lynch-Bages is ripe and rounded with dense tannins and sweet fruit. It has weight, spice from wood and a fine ready-to-drink balance.
This brawny blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot offers subdued aromas of raisin, black currant, bell pepper and a whiff of menthol. The evolved palate offers toast, coffee and hints of dried black fruit alongside the warmth of evident alcohol.
This brawny red conveys aromas of wood shop, oak, spearmint and coffee. The one-dimensional palate displays oak extract, dried red berry, and roasted coffee bean alongside drying wood tannins. It doesn't have enough fruit richness to balance the oak and the heat of alcohol is evident on the midpalate.
This brawny red opens with aromas suggesting resin, stewed prune, blue flower, cooking spice and leather. The robust palate offers raisin, blackberry extract, cinnamon and mocha while solid, velvety tannins provide support.
This brawny wine has attractive oaky, smoky, spicy aromas, generous fruit and spice flavors, full body and a good, gripping layer of tannin to add texture.
This brawny wine has intense aromas of plum, tobacco and spirit-soaked black cherries, with a hint of oak and leather. The palate delivers ripe blackberry, tobacco leaf and licorice flavors, with a warm midpalate. It shows nice fruit but evident alcohol dominates the palate, cutting the flavors short.
This brawny wine leads with aromas of blue flower, red berry, spice and a whiff of wet soil. The palate offers succulent wild cherry layered with notes of sweet vanilla, mint, espresso and thyme alongside rather angular tannins and evident alcohol.
This brawny wine opens with aromas of nail polish remover, resin, leather and plum cake. The warm, syrupy palate doles out blueberry extract, prune, raisin, mocha and vanilla alongside robust tannins. The heat of alcohol throws this off balance and gives it a monolithic quality.
This brawny wine opens with aromas that recall resin, nail polish remover, prune and nutmeg. The warm, monolithic palate offers dried black fruit steeped in spirits, raisin and licorice alongside assertive tannins. The burn of evident alcohol and lack of fruit richness throws it off balance.
This brawny wine opens with subdued aromas that recall leafy underbrush, roasted coffee bean and a whiff of stewed plum. The warm, monolithic palate offers prune steeped in spirits, toasted nut, dark spice and a green note of powdered sage alongside raspy tannins that leave an astringent finish. The heat of evident alcohol on the close throws it further off-balance.
This brawny, dry wine has oak, tannin and body in big portions, its dark color leading to cut wood aromas, tart black cherry and blackberry flavors and a firm, somewhat drying texture. It needs rich food as a pairing or more time in the bottle to mellow.
This brawny, earthy 11-year-old opens with aromas of leather, game, tobacco, graphite and mature plum. Given its age, it's surprisingly youthful, displaying dried dark cherry, fig, prune, black pepper and tobacco flavors alongside an assertive, tannic backbone. Drink through 2018.
This brawny, forward wine opens with aromas that recall spirits, steeped plum, roasted coffee bean and menthol. The dense, chewy palate offers black cherry liqueur, licorice, espresso and the warmth of evident alcohol accompanied by brooding tannins. Drink sooner rather than later.
This brawny, one-dimensional red offers flavors of raisin, dark spice, a note of powdered sage and the heat of evident alcohol. Bracing, grainy tannins leave a sharp finish.
This Brazilian Merlot smells rubbery and gaseous, with saucy berry notes. In the mouth, this is severely tannic and drying. Toasty, blackened and bitter in flavor, this ends with peppery notes and hard-pounding tannins.
This bright-colored, quite fruity wine has strong berry and cherry flavors, rich-feeling bubbles and a slightly sweet finish.
This bright-pink medium-sweet wine is crisp, bright and with a clean soft texture. Light, lively and with an easy line in wild strawberry flavors, the wine is immediately ready to drink.
This bright Aglianico delivers a dark fruit aroma, with touches of rum cake and dusty mineral at the back. The brightness of the acidity will refresh your tastebuds.
This bright and attractive dry wine has exotic floral and pistachio aromas, rich grapefruit and rosewater flavors, and a lively texture that seems to keep the flavors tripping over the tongue on the aftertaste. It will be a real treat for brunch or with spicy food.
This bright and crisp Valpolicella Classico delivers clean aromas of cherry, blackberry and plum. The wine sees no oak and for that reason, its fruity characteristics really shine on the finish.
This bright and delicious wine is everything a young Morellino should be. It delivers juicy black cherry, white pepper and clove flavors alongside firm but ripe tannins and soft acidity. Made for everyday pleasure, this isn't an ager so enjoy now.
This bright and easy-drinking wine opens with delicate floral aromas of acacia and Spanish broom. The linear palate offers notes of lemon zest and peach alongside racy acidity that leaves a refreshing finish. Simple but well-made.
This bright and easygoing Rosso offers cheerful aromas of cherry, blueberry, white almond, smoke and spice. It has a very nice tannic structure, and good dimension and density as a result. Drink it with red or game meats.
This bright and engaging wine looks quite deep in color, smells jammy, tastes fresh, young and gushing with ripe blackberry and blueberry flavors. It's not too tannic, not too full-bodied, appropriately dry and easy to enjoy.
This bright and fragrant wine opens with red-skinned berry, rose petal and exotic spice aromas. It's juicy and savory, evoking strawberry, red cherry and clove on the palate, with silky tannins and fresh acidity providing lift.
This bright and fresh Cesanese opens with ripe raspberry and berry fruit followed by a fresh, but short-lived finish. The wine would pair perfectly with toasted country bread rubbed with garlic and drizzled in olive oil.
This bright and fruit-forward Nebbiolo d'Alba offers clean notes of white cherry, raspberry and cassis. There's a subtle layer of tar, spice and licorice and the wine is fresh and well structured overall.
This bright and fruity Beaujolais-style wine is as light and refreshing as a young wine can possibly be. It delivers a smile-inducing burst of strawberry and cherry fruit—round, ripe and juicy. You absolutely want to drink this sometime in 2016 while all that youthful energy remains.
This bright and fruity wine is attractively ready to drink. It is fresh, crisp with apples and lightly touched with citrus.
This bright and fruity wine is made from Gamay, bringing out a cherry character as well as crisp acidity. The wine is lively, perfumed and ready to drink.
This bright and fruity wine, with its typical and delicious local blend of Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc, is full of citrus and grapefruit flavors. It's a light wine, all fruit with just a light texture of steeliness. Drink now.
This bright and lively wine offers aromas of flower, honey, papaya, mango and stone fruit. The finish is smooth and silky.
This bright and luscious Barbera offers a full range of aromas that span from blueberry to elegant smoke and exotic spice. The wine ends with a fresh, crisp finish but there's also good density and fullness here on the close.
This bright and nicely layered Chianti Classico opens with characteristic Sangiovese aromas of forest fruit and blue flower followed by leather and tobacco. Since the wine spends many months in oak, the finish is soft and spicy.
This bright and polished Barbera d'Alba would make a perfect companion to tortellini with grated Parmigiano cheese and melted butter. The wine boast bright berry and cherry flavors backed by fresh acidity.
This bright and simple wine offers citrus, Mediterranean brush and peach aromas and flavors. It closes on a saline touch.
This bright and spicy wine is packed with botanical flavors. The aromatics are pungent and intense, pushing sharp notes of lime, Meyer lemon and orange soda deep into the palate. In some ways this has the penetrating density of Gewürztraminer. It's bold and distinctive, though clearly different from other domestic Viogniers.
This bright and spicy wine refreshes with palate-cleansing minerality. The crisp, fresh-cut pear and apple fruit carries hints of orange liqueur. Drink this while it's in the bloom of youth.
This bright and vivid wine has fresh raspberry and cherry aromas, concentrated fruit flavors and a texture that has enough tannin and acidity for good balance. It's nicely made in a traditional dry style.
This bright and well-balanced sparkler leads with attractive aromas of fresh lemon and orange slices, lightly toasted brioche and subtle fynbos herbs. The palate is creamy and smooth, with crisp acidity and medium carbonation that lifts and refreshes the finish. Delicious now, or hold through 2017 for a more mature character and additional depth.
This bright and well-balanced wine opens with typical aromas of gooseberry, green plum and fresh herbs, all of which carry through to the light, easygoing palate alongside additional notes of lime and grapefruit peel. It's approachable and clean, with crisp acidity and a mouthwatering finish.
This bright and youthful sparkler offers a thin mouthfeel that is embellished by foamy cream and persistent effervescence. The bouquet is simple, fresh and fruit forward.
This bright Barbaresco delivers an austere, traditional style with small berry nuances backed by ethereal tones of cola, licorice and tar. The thin, compact nature of the mouthfeel gives rise to a touch of alcoholic heat on the close.
This bright Barolo with fruit sourced from two of the most important crus in the Langhe area of Piedmont opens with ripe red fruit aromas with toasted almond, cola and exotic spice. The long finish shows elegant accents of mesquite and cedar wood.
This bright blend of 75% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot and 10% Ciliegiolo discloses aromas of ripe berry and cooking spice. The soft, easy-drinking palate offers black cherry, white pepper and grilled sage alongside round tannins. Enjoy soon.
This bright Brunello delivers slightly thorny aromas of bramble and forest floor followed by smoother fruit tones of cherry and cassis. The intensity is big, but not overdone and the wine offer a fine quality to its tannins with a touch of chopped menthol herb on the close.
This bright Brunello is accented by a few sharp points of acidity that will soften with more years of bottle aging. On the nose, the wine shows layers of wild berry, bramble, white mushroom, moist earth and pressed violets.
This bright Brunello opens with a medley of aromas that span from vanilla bean to Spanish cedar to cherry cola and blackberry. You'll love the harmony, intensity and immediate nature of the delivery. In the mouth, the wine is soft, structured and persistent.
This bright Brunello shows elegance and finesse, and it offers pretty aromas of cherry, blackberry, cassis, leather, spice and tobacco. The palate is firm and compact, with a long finish that bears sweet-tasting fruit flavors and silky tannins.
This bright Chianti Classico offers cherry, forest berry and blue flower notes, backed by touches of wet earth and leather. The palate is smooth and firm, and it has a fresh, almost herbal finish.
This bright dessert wine from northeast Italy offers a luminous golden color and opens with sweet aromas of dried apricot, honey and almond marzipan. The wine would pair with pâtè or aged cheeses.
This bright Dolcetto d'Alba offers fresh fruit and berry flavors on top of rich concentration and a plush, velvety feel. This is a very easy, uncomplicated wine that will pair with most home-cooked pasta dishes.
This bright Dolcetto offers tones of mature fruit and wet earth that are enhanced by the wine's soft and silky mouthfeel. Clean acidity brings up the rear and makes this wine a perfect match to tortellini with a creamy cheese sauce.
This bright elegant Champagne is from a family firm now run by three sisters. With its balance between acidity and ripe apple flavors, it is poised between bone dry and a richer Brut style. The wine is fruity although with a crisp mineral aftertaste. Drink now.
This bright Fiano is very well put together, with a tight, linear mouthfeel that is backed by opulent aromas of pear, white peach, crushed mineral and lemon zest. A very fresh, food-friendly wine.
This bright Franciacorta Italian sparkler offers pristine aromas of citrus, stone fruit, baked bread and toasted almond. The wine is smooth and creamy and its mature melon and apricot flavors last long on the palate.
This bright Moscato d'Asti delivers pure expressions of both the fragrant Moscato grape and the special territory in northern Italy that shaped this delicate dessert wine. Floral aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine are presented in a compact, elegant manner thanks to the temperate growing conditions in Piedmont. The finish is creamy, frothy and rich.
This bright Moscato d'Asti opens with a pristine appearance and a radiant pale gold color. The aromas are slightly closed and nutty, with white almond, stone fruit and yellow rose. There's a touch of crushed white pepper at the very end.
This bright Moscato d'Asti opens with full, generous tones of peach, honey, acacia blossom, jasmine and freshly peeled tangerine skin. The rich and foamy mouthfeel would pair with soft cheese on dry rye crackers.
This bright Moscato Giallo offers a fragrant bouquet of honey, peach, white flower and almond blossom. The wine shows nice thickness in the mouth, with a touch of sweetness.
This bright Nero di Troia represents the values of the natural wine movement in southern Italy. Organically farmed fruit shows simple aromas of cherry and wild berry, matched with a pristine, polished mouthfeel.
This bright passito dessert wine delivers a steady stream of apricot, honey, almond and candy-like aromas. The wine is thick, syrupy and ends with a fresh note of citrus zest.
This bright peach-pink colored rosé is made using Syrah from the Cortona area. It shows aromas of peach, cranberry, white almond and pink grapefruit.
This bright pink-colored wine is made from Malbec. It is fruity and fresh with strawberry flavors and layers of acidity that give it a crisp, tight aftertaste. Drink now.
This bright pink-ruby rosé features attractive aromas of watermelon rind and cherries. It's medium in body, fresh and vibrant on the palate, bursting with crunchy fresh fruit reminiscent of raspberries and cherries. Drink now.
This bright pink rosé has a fun, playful personality and offers aromas of raspberry, boysenberry and pomegranate juice. (It's made with Negroamaro and a small part of Malvasia Nera.) You can taste the integrity of the fruit here and you will enjoy its clean freshness.
This bright pink rosato opens with touches of apple skin and citrus, especially pink grapefruit. This exceedingly informal box wine could work at picnics or pool parties.
This bright pink wine is lightly sweet and full of strawberry flavor. It is crisp, clean and fragrant—delicious as an apéritif. Screwcap.
This bright Pinot Grigio delivers juicy pineapple and citrus sensations. It's simple and fresh with zesty acidity.
This bright red blend from southern Italy offers modest aromas of black cherry, blackberry pie and crushed black pepper. The mouthfeel manages to be plush, clean and crisp at the same time.
This bright Refosco Riserva offers bitter notes of white cherry and cranberry followed by light spice and toasted nut. It's a lively, fresh red wine with a citrusy, crisp close. Pair it with chicken in creamy mushroom sauce and wild rice.
This bright Riserva Merlot offers chewy cherry flavors followed by elegant notes of spice, tar and cola. The mouthfeel is rich and velvety. Pair this ruby-colored wine with duck confit seasoned with ginger and orange.
This bright Riserva opens with floral, soapy notes of church incense, Spanish cedar, dried orange peel and polished river stone. It's a feminine wine with power and intensity on the close due in part to the immense firmness of the tannins.
This bright rosé from central Italy opens with aromas of cranberry and raspberry, followed by white almond and pressed flower. There's enough power and determination here to pair with roast chicken or vegetarian pasta.
This bright rosé made with Negroamaro and Malvasia offers aromas of raspberry, cranberry and almond paste. It is balanced and elegant and offers good density in the mouth. The wine delivers everything you should expect from an easy-drinking rosé.
This bright rosato delivers a core of wild cherry, juicy strawberry and crushed raspberry, while notes of white pepper and clove add interest. Crisp acidity generates a clean, fresh finish.
This bright Sauvignon is redolent of lemon zest, pink grapefruit and honey, making it a perfect late-afternoon cocktail wine. It has an easy, linear feel and keeps the palate refreshed.
This bright sparkler is redolent of yellow flower, peach, citrus and baked bread. There's also a slightly pungent note of apple skin or apricot that gives the bouquet lift and momentum.
This bright sparkling wine delivers a touch of sassy spice in front of softer aromas of stone fruit, white flower and dried herb. Pair this with cocktail snacks, like potato chips or green olives.
This bright sparkling wine shows creamy nuances of peach and citrus with background notes of freshly baked bread and a touch of vanilla spice. The perlage is smooth and persistent.
This bright Syrah-based rosé from Sicily (this is the second vintage that the wine is produced) offers vibrant flavors of blueberry, raspberry and rose petal. The wine is easy and crisp in the mouth and would make a perfect pairing partner to fried fish.
This bright ten-year-old has enticing aromas of red berry, pressed rose, dark cooking spice, leather and a balsamic note. Balancing ripe fruit and finesse, the juicy palate delivers succulent cherry, cranberry, star anise and white pepper set against a backbone of refined tannins and fresh acidity. A savory mineral note closes the lingering finish. It's smooth and enjoyable now but will offer years of fine drinking pleasure. Enjoy through 2027.
This bright Trebbiano from the beautiful Spoleto area of southern Umbria offers creamy peach and citrus aromas with a touch of dried hay at the end. The wine matures in stainless steel to lock in its fruity freshness.
This bright Trebbiano offers aromas of cut grass, green olive, citrus and stone fruit. The light, lean mouthfeel would wash down with fried calamari.
This bright Vermentino opens with an off-gold color and intense aromas of yellow fruit, cantaloupe and chestnut honey. There's a piquant hit of tangy acidity on the close.
This bright Vernaccia layers pretty tones of citrus, pear and cut grass over a lean texture and medium body. This is a good choice to pair with seafood or light salads.
This bright white is redolent of tomato leaf, wild salvia and citrus. The brightness of the bouquet is followed by a satisfyingly creamy mouthfeel.
This bright white offers aromas of lime, pineapple and citrus blossom. The fresh palate delivers juicy lemon, apple and a hint of nut alongside tangy acidity while a saline note closes finish.
This bright white wine opens with a touch of crushed mint or basil followed by fruity tones of peach, citrus and peach. It's an easy, compact wine that would wash down well with steamed mussels or baked clams.
This bright white wine opens with pretty touches of apricot, melon and citrus all presented with delicately measured intensity. In the mouth, the wine is light and lean.
This bright wine bursts with crisp acidity as well as layered pear and apple fruits. It is already a delicious wine, its vivid texture a foil to the edge of spice. Screwcap.
This bright wine has aromas that suggest citrus blossom and tropical fruit. The lively, slender palate shows crunchy Granny Smith apple and pineapple accompanied by brisk acidity.
This bright wine has red fruit and just the hint of structure. It is still young, still bursting with energy. The tannins will develop quickly to give a crisp, fruity wine. Drink from mid-2017.
This bright wine has red fruits, citrus and a light minerality, finishing crisply. Wait until late 2014 for it to open up.
This bright wine offers delicate fruit notes of wild berry and white cherry, backed by hints of black pepper and cola. Easy on the palate, it shows a fresh point of acidity on the finish.
This bright wine offers fresh and tangy fruit, dark concentration and bold aromas of blackberry and toasted almond. That nutty note is typical of this popular Sicilian grape variety.
This bright wine opens with aromas of white flowers and citrus. The palate offers juicy lemon-lime and white almond alongside crisp acidity that gives it a clean, fresh finish.
This bright wine opens with sweet tones of cherry, chocolate and a touch of cinnamon spice. That characteristic Barbera acidity kicks in at the end and the wine offers smooth richness and plenty of fruit in the mouth.
This bright wine reveals fragrances of white flower, pear, citrus and slate. The juicy palate offers grapefruit, lemon-lime and mineral. A succulent finish closes on a note of white almond.
This bright, bold blend of Tannat and Merlot is direct on the nose, with lemony oak, pencil lead and berry aromas. It's a full, weighty, warm wine with flavors of blackberry, cassis and chocolate tinged with citrus. Oaky notes, with a licorice flavor and heat, drive the finish.
This bright, brambly red blend of two Turkish grapes, the Öküzgözü and the Bogazkere, is brisk and bold on the palate with a striking red cherry acidity. It's delicate in fruit profile, but lushly textured with layers of fine, chalky tannins that penetrate deeply on the finish.
This bright, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc is full of mouthwatering grapefruit and lemon flavors. It's delicately framed, yet cutting and spry with a mineral-tinged backbone that begs for pairing with oysters and other briny seafood.
This bright, citrusy White Barbera has aromas and flavors of lemon, lime and baked bread. Its balance and tropical fruit finish will please a crowd.
This bright, creamy sparkler offers delicate aromas and flavors of fragrant spring flowers, white peach, green apple and citrus. The rich flavors are brightened by brisk acidity while a foaming mousse adds finesse.
This bright, easy-drinking red offers aromas and flavors of wild cherry, crushed raspberry and freshly ground pepper. It's fresh and enjoyable, with soft tannins. Drink soon.
This bright, easygoing red offers aromas of truffle, chopped herb and wild berry. The fresh, easy-drinking palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, white pepper and star anise alongside racy acidity and pliant tannins. Drink soon.
This bright, easygoing red opens with aromas of wild berry, violet and a hint of scorched earth. The enjoyable no-frills palate offers red cherry, raspberry and a hint of ground pepper framed in supple tannins. Enjoy through 2017.
This bright, easygoing wine is endowed with fragrant violet, iris, red berry and tilled soil aromas. The sleek, no-frills palate offers crushed red berry, white pepper and a hint of coffee alongside lively acidity and limber tannins. It's simple but well made. Drink through 2017.
This bright, elegant wine opens with wild berry, violet, cake spice and aromatic herb notes. The palate delivers red cherry, cranberry, white pepper and licorice flavors framed by taut, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity.
This bright, focused wine with tense acidity blends fruit from five vineyards across the appellation. Silky tannins enwrap its nuanced dark cherry and wild strawberry flavors tinged with earth.
This bright, fragrant wine offers aromas of an orchard in bloom, spring flower, peach and a hint of banana. The crisp palate shows crunchy apple, pear and mineral alongside bracing acidity. A light almond note signals the crisp close.
This bright, fresh and captivating white wine has crisp citrus (think Sauvignon Blanc) and peachy flesh (think Chardonnay). It goes still further, with an extra dollop of spice, extending the flavors well into a long clean crisp finish. All stainless steel fermented—what you taste is simply great fruit from an emerging vineyard.
This bright, fresh and fruity wine presents an appealing mix of apricot and peach aromas, ripe and round peach flavors and a smooth texture. Rather full bodied, it is lifted by a good amount of tangy acidity.
This bright, fresh wine offers aromas of woodland berry, alpine herb, graphite, and a touch of cake spice. On the palate, green tomato and peppermint accent the bright strawberry core.
This bright, fruity wine has attractive acidity plus crisp sliced apple and green plum fruitiness. It is open, soft and ready to drink.
This bright, fruity wine is crisp with acidity from the red-currant flavors. A blend of Aragones and Touriga Nacional, it is light with just a touch of tannin. Drink now.
This bright, informal white has light wildflower and tropical fruit scents. The uber simple, diluted palate offers citrus and peach flavors, alongside zesty acidity.
This bright, intensely citrusy Sauvignon Blanc boasts concentrated lemon rind and white blossom notes highlighted by a shower of minerality. It's a dry, refreshingly brisk wine with hints of wax and honey that add richness to the palate.
This bright, juicy red offers rose, dark berry, baking spice and new leather scents that mingle together in the glass. On the palate, crushed raspberry, wild cherry, licorice and clove notes are bolstered by chewy tannins and fresh acidity. It's delicious now but will reward a few more years in the cellar.
This bright, juicy, charming wine smells like crisp apples, tastes of herbs and citrus, and has a slight sweetness that is balanced by crisp acidity. It's great for a concert in the park or day at the beach.
This bright, lemony wine is lightly mineral as well as fruity. A crisp apple character gains even more tightness from a shot of lime juice. The wine is ready to drink, light and refreshing with a buttery aftertaste.
This bright, light and acid-driven wine is juicy and fresh—a full embrace of tart lemon and tangerine flavors. Its liveliness is long-lived and welcome.
This bright, light wine shows floral aromas, lightly herbal flavors, crisp acidity and a lively mouthfeel. It will make a good, refreshing pour at lunch or before dinner.
This bright, medium-bodied red offers aromas and flavors of ripe black cherry, ripe plum, ground black pepper, clove, grilled herb and a hint of anise. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink 2016–2020.
This bright, medium-bodied red opens with aromas of underbrush, rose, violet and ripe berry. The lively palate offers juicy dark cherry, black raspberry, orange peel and a hint of baking spice alongside fresh acidity and lithe tannins.
This bright, pink-colored wine is full of caramel and vanilla flavors that give a fat, dull character to the taste. It is dry, touched by bitter almonds and with a sharp aftertaste of acidity.
This bright, ruby-colored rosé opens with lively tones of cranberry, raspberry and white almond. It's soft and creamy with a touch of sweet berry or ripe cherry on the close.
This bright, savory red opens with intense red cherry, tilled soil and Mediterranean brush aromas while the round, easy-drinking palate doles out juicy raspberry, strawberry jam and white pepper flavors. It's nicely balanced, with supple tannins and refreshing acidity. Enjoy soon.
This bright, savory sparkler delivers Rainier cherry and orange zest flavors, along with hints of bread crust and pastry cream. Crisp acidity and a foamy mousse lend balance and finesse.
This bright, savory wine delivers aromas and flavors of juicy wild cherry, black raspberry, violet, white pepper and mocha. Polished tannins provide the framework. Enjoy through 2020.
This bright, savory wine offers yellow peach, citrus and green melon sensations accented with a light almond note. Crisp acidity gives a refreshing, clean finish.
This bright, straightforward red offers aromas of wild berry, coffee and a whiff of tilled soil. On the soft, easy-drinking palate, notes of chopped sage and baking spice add interest to the red cherry core. Drink through 2016.
This bright, structured Sangiovese opens with aromas of blue flowers, tilled earth, red and black berries. The savory, silky palate doles out juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, clove and licorice alongside supple but chewy tannins. Drink through 2019.
This bright, tangy wine offers crisp acidity and plenty of herbal, green fruitiness. It is light and ready to drink.
This bright, well-priced Syrah shows typical aromas of bright cherry, blueberry, smoked meat and peppercorn. The mouthfeel is equally attractive with plush ripeness and a soft, supple texture.
This bright, young Dolcetto opens with easy berry fruit, cinnamon and a sprinkling of crushed white pepper. The mouthfeel is thin and informal but the wine tastes fresh enough to pair with pasta al forno.
This bright, young wine is full of citrus, apples and apricots, leaving plenty of room for fresh acidity at the end.
This brightly colored rosé from northeastern Italy offers aromas of small berry fruit and delicate floral tones. It tastes clean and crisp and leaves a cheerful endnote of fresh berry flavors.
This brilliant and affordable wine will be amazingly versatile with food, as it shows wonderful ripe black-cherry aromas, equally fruity flavors, and a fresh, almost crisp, texture that's unusual for a red wine. It has good concentration, too, and enough depth to stay interesting.
This brilliant Chardonnay has the ripe citrus and tropical fruit you want, but is also refined in winemaker technique, particularly a leesy note that marries well with the pineapples in sweet clotted cream. The oak is perfect and the acidity lovely in this wonderfully drinkable wine.
This brilliant Pinot Noir exhibits the finest qualities of the great 2007 vintage. It's a big wine, filled with fruity flavor and sizable tannins, but so fresh and silky, it's drinkable now, with decanting. But give it 3–4 years to let the black cherries, anise, sweet sandalwood and dusty spice flavors mellow.
This brilliant Sauvignon Blanc should be scooped up by sommeliers. It's exceptionally dry and tart in citrusy acids, with a mineral scour that's perfect for shellfish or savory appetizers. The flavors are of lemons, limes, gooseberries and white pepper. Beautiful and compelling.
This brilliant straw colored Chardonnay has aromas of lemon blossoms and green apples. On the palate, it's smooth and clean with flavors of lemon curd and baked apple.
This brilliant Vernaccia (with 10% Viognier) has a sweet, candy-like nose that recalls caramel and butterscotch but that also has fresh aromas of stone fruit and pear to give it dimension. It's fresh and thin in the mouth and would do a good job of cleansing your palate.
This brilliant wine is dry and tart in acidity, minerally, and supremely refined in Meyer lemons, pears, limes and tart apples. It's not one of those fat Chardonnays that melts in the mouth, but instead has firm texture and elegant complexity. It makes a beautiful accompaniment to grilled salmon, crab cakes, or a simple but glorious roasted chicken. Don't drink it too cold.
This brilliant wine is supremely focused from the aroma to the finish, like a laser beam of rich and concentrated Bing-cherry flavor. The purity of the fruit makes it delicious to taste, and to feel the burst of cherry spread from the bright aromas on to the palate and to linger on the finish. Drink after 2019 when it should broaden a bit.
This brilliantly luminous white delivers aromas of pear, kiwi, citrus, apple, white rock and subtle background notes of pineapple and exotic fruit that add dimension and depth. Immediate and straightforward, it leaves the palate tingly-fresh.
This brims with ripe, forward flavors of pineapples, golden mangos, honey and spicy pears, with vanilla and buttered toast notes despite being unoaked.
This brings a boatload of flavor for the price. It's packed with fruit;  citrus, pineapple, apple, and peach, round and succulent, with just the right amount of sharp acidity to give it some verve.
This brings a lively mix of green citrus and green banana, with a light streak of white peach. All in all, it's balanced and fresh, though it falls on the lighter side, despite the generous finished alcohol.
This brings a lot of flavor to the table for its relatively modest price. Round and spicy, it leads with juicy strawberry, cherry and apple pie fruit flavors. Hints of cinnamon wind through the finish, and overall the impression is of a pretty, lively and slightly sweet wine without pretense.
This brings a pleasing mix of apple, melon and peach fruit, with a good grip and moderate length. It's a fine all-purpose Oregon Chardonnay, widely available at a wallet-friendly price.
This brings a tight but well-balanced blend of cranberry and raspberry fruit flavors, with snappy acidity. The fruit is bolstered with firm, lightly earthy tannins. It was aged in a mix of half American, half French, all-neutral oak.
This brings an intriguing assortment of dried fruit including pear, spiced apple and apricot. It drinks off dry, with abundant stone fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
This brings bracing minerality into the forefront, in a terroir-driven wine with excellent penetration and depth. A fresh mix of citrus and stone, this elevates Viognier into the top echelons of Washington white wines.
This brings light flavors of leaf and hard cherry candy, with a hint of cola.After its quick start, the wine tails off gently.
This brings off-putting aromas of barnyard, compost and rubber, without the fruit to compensate. Thin dilute berry flavors are buried in the mix, and it feels flat in the mouth.
This brings substantial density to the midpalate, mixing fresh flavors of strawberry, cherry cola and malted chocolate. It gains focus and grip as it breathes open. A slim frame of stem and earth sets up the finish.
This brisk and refreshing wine never saw a splinter of oak, so what stars are the pure, ripe flavors of tropical and citrus fruits, lemongrass, honey and a hint of white pepper. The acidity gives it a keen, clean finish. This would be great with everything from roast chicken to Vietnamese food.
This brisk Pinot offers a rich array of raspberries and cherries, with oak influences. It's bright in acidity, with a dry finish, and the alcohol is relatively low. It tastes a little rude and rustic now, but could develop some bottle complexity over the next 5–6 years.
This brisk, satisfying Chardonnay offers plenty of varietal flavors of tropical fruit and green apple, with a smoky jacket of oak.
This brisk, vinous red, made with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo, shows aromas and flavors of crushed berry, grape juice and the barest hint of spice. It also has sharp acidity and an abrupt finish.
This broad-shouldered, burly and feral wine is ripe with smoky cherry and vanilla notes. Smoothly textured, it imparts dusty leather and black licorice accents amid a serious slathering of oak.
This broad-shouldered, full-bodied wine shocks and awes with its clove and black pepper notes that are as savory as a fine steak, with which it would pair brilliantly. Oak and tannin form a shield of power that girds the black fruit for further battle.
This broad-textured, complex and indulgent Rhône-style blend has cedar, cola and blackberry aromas and concentrated fruit, earth and spice flavors. Milk chocolate richness emerges on the midpalate and plays through the finish.
This broad wine has apple and pear flavors and a smooth texture. It's all ripe and creamy fruit, with well-balanced acidity.
This broad wine is ripe, although some minerality and acidity balance the generous yellow fruits. The wood aging is subtle, allowing the rich fruit to speak. The wine shows both the ripe vintage and a crisp, tight aftertaste. Drink from 2019.
This broad wine is soft, indistinct and suffers from overripe fruit. It needs a shot of acidity to give it life and interest.
This broad, fragrant wine has both great acidity and delicious ripe green plum and gooseberry fruits. Tangy and bright, it is going to fill out as it ages. Drink now or from 2016.
This broad, fruity wine brings out ripe berry flavors in spades. It has generous fruit, soft tannins and a smooth, open texture. Drink now.
This broad, generous expression of Amarone has black fruit aromas that are fleshed out by pretty mineral tones of slate roof or schoolroom chalkboard. Although the fruit tastes very ripe, the wine's firm tannins create a drying effect in the mouth.
This broad, mouthfilling dry Riesling features powerful flavors of baked apple and dried spices, uplifted and amplified by oily, minerally accents. It's just a touch off-dry, balanced on the finish by crisp acids and pronounced minerality.
This broad, mouthfilling Grenache rosé features hints of berries, chocolate and some herbaceous notes. It's more like a light red than a true rosé, showing considerable weight and body, then finishes dry, with a hint of minerality.
This broad, muscular blend is sourced from seven vineyards and aged for 18 months in French oak. It's relatively open and fruity, with berries, earth and spice all in proportion through a gentle fade.
This broad, open, tongue-tickling wine comes on quickly with a blast of chocolate and cherries. Highlighted with an underpinning of tart raspberry jam, it's immediately accessible and utterly delicious. A hint of caramel crunch provides the perfect finale to this yum-fest of a wine.
This broad, ripe wine has plenty of ripe red fruits but the minimum of structure. It is soft, generous and ready to drink. Much of the hand-picked production is from old vines on a 45-degree slope.
This broad, soft wine has hints of spice as well as ripe apricot flavors. The texture is easy and attractive. Drink now.
This brooding blend of Syrah and Sangiovese has aromas of black berries and spice while the dense palate offers prune and black pepper along with oak and chocolate. The bracing tannins need time to tame while a lack of freshness leaves this flat.
This brooding red opens with aromas of dried plum, espresso, toast and dark spice. The palate shows the heat of the vintage, offering dried black cherry, fig and a licorice note alongside bracing tannins. Give the tannins another year or two to soften then drink up to capture the remaining fruit.
This brooding wine opens with aromas of mature blue and black fruit, allspice, charred earth and whiff of game. The palate delivers spiced blueberry, blackberry, ground pepper, licorice and tobacco alongside assertive tannins.
This brooding wine opens with balsamic aromas of eucalyptus and leather, along with whiffs of freshly turned soil and plum. The palate offers up ripe black cherry, white pepper and the warmth of evident alcohol. It also has massive, astringent tannins. Drink after 2019.
This brooding wine provides aromas of flowers, moist soil, raspberry and herbs. It's velvety in feel with abundant cherry and chocolate flavors that linger on the finish.
This brooding wine shows notes of tire rubber, herbs, dark chocolate and blue fruit. It's elegant, with mouthwatering acids and grainy tannins.
This brooding wine starts with aromas that recall underbrush, overripe black fruit, mint, iris and baking spices. The palate is tightly knit, with ripe red fruit, black pepper and black spices alongside solid tannins. It's already accessible so enjoy over the next few years.
This brooding, brawny wine made from mountain fruit is all about mushroom and compost notes—a true expression of the vineyard's surroundings. Black cherry fruit and youthful tannins provide context, with a sizzling streak of acidity.
This brooding, dark Syrah is medium to full in body, built upon layers of of firm, dusty tannins. Intense blackberry and hickory smoke notes fill out the flavor profile. The chewy tannins come close to being overdone, but mouthwatering stone fruits save the day on the lingering finish. Drink 2018–2028.
This Brouilly is light and smooth in character. The wine has hints of tannins under the bright cherry fruits, fresh acidity and open texture. It's not a wine for aging.
This bruiser of a blend is Petit Verdot dominant, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc in the background. Initially tight on the nose, after time dark plum, black currant and warm spice notes emerge. The broad palate is silken in feel, supported by a solid grip of ripe tannins. Juicy red-fruit flavors work hard to lighten things up on the palate, leading to a black pepper finish.
This Brunello begins with a fragrance of mature black fruits, Mediterranean herbs, blue flower and espresso. The palate delivers rich red raspberry and black cherry layered with espresso, vanilla and chocolate alongside forceful tannins that generate an abrupt finish.
This Brunello delivers an intense and complex bouquet featuring beautifully integrated aromas of dark fruit, spice, leather and tobacco. Tight tannins promise a long future ahead.
This Brunello has a smoky, spicy element that recalls crushed white pepper, vanilla and dried herbs. Succulent fruit is delivered in the form of chewy blackberry and blueberry preserves. It's a nice wine with good structure and medium length.
This Brunello has a warm, earthy personality embodied by its wild mushroom, leather, tobacco and ripe fruit notes. There's crème de cassis and cherry liqueur as well. The wine's mouthfeel is bright and crisp.
This Brunello has an edgy, raw feel that translates into aromas of white cherry, wild raspberries and violets. It's a streamlined and traditional wine with a vibrant, buoyant personality topped by sharp acidity and firm tannins. Pair it with creamy or cheesy dishes.
This Brunello is definitely on the ripe side with meaty aromas of smoked bacon, bresaola, Indian spice, smoke and crushed black pepper. Fruit notes are few and far between and include dried currants and prunes. Despite the wine's chewy boldness, it does offer a much needed blast of tonic freshness on the finish.
This Brunello is jammy and hot with aromas of blackberry preserves, leafy greens and coffee bean. The mouthfeel is on the short side, although it does offer a flash of fresh fruit on the close.
This brunello offers a pretty bouquet, showing elegance and restraint at the same time. There are layers of small berry fruit, spice and leather, with dusty, dry tannins. The wine's overall astringency should soften with time.
This Brunello offers bright aromas with lively cherry, cola, humus, dark spice and pipe tobacco, as well as savory tones of beef bresaola and even a touch of white peppercorn. Impressive complexity. Elegant and streamlined on the close.
This Brunello opens with a bright ruby color and delivers aromas of cherry cola, Spanish cedar, cigar box, wild berries and spice. It's a streamlined wine that puts more emphasis on elegance than brawn or power. A Marc de Grazia selection; various American importers.
This Brunello opens with a sweet nose of bright cherry fruit, mocha and vanilla bean. The wine's flavors are more savory, with some background notes of forest floor and wild mushroom. The mouthfeel is firm and steady, but also fresh and compact.
This Brunello opens with a sweet nose of vanilla and cherry. The bouquet is straightforward, giving the wine a frank, no-nonsense personality. Flavors of spice, leather and tobacco appear later, rendering more depth. It feels youthful, soft and chewy on the close.
This Brunello opens with an intense, dark garnet color and shows lush softness and ripe blackberry fruit with perfumed notes of blue flower, plum cake and sweet spice. The mouthfeel is characterized by firm structure and yielding tannins.
This Brunello opens with elegantly on the nose, with small berry, cassis and wild blueberry aromas. Beyond the steady, feminine bouquet is a wine that has power, determination and personality, with savory endnotes of spice and fresh pipe tobacco.
This Brunello opens with floral notes of pressed red rose and clay soil. Bright fruit, blackberry, leather and tobacco aromas are framed by firm tannins.
This Brunello opens with inky, dark concentration and definitely shows a chewy, almost raw quality of cherry fruit that will most likely disappear withdonn just two or three more years of cellar aging. Cola, spice, leather and smoke fill in the rear and the wine ends with crisp acidity.
This Brunello presents mature aromas of cured meat and old spice behind a pulpy berry profile. The acidity is biting and sharp and presents a strange juxtaposition against the roundness of the cherry fruit flavors.
This Brunello represents the 2005 vintage perfectly. The wine is not dense or over-concentrated and the aromas are bright and polished. Everything comes in moderation. Pair this wine with lean cuts of red meat on the grill.
This Brunello Riserva is defined by a layer of coffee and espresso that peels back nicely to reveal dark fruit, cassis, leather and tobacco. It's smooth, ripe, fresh and structured.
This Brunello Riserva offers wood-driven notes of spice and smoke backed by ripe fruit and blackberry preserves. It is sweet and rich in the mouth with loads of jammy fruit on the close.
This Brunello Riserva opens with a saturated garnet color and segues to aromas of blackberry, cherry, dried currants, leather, tar and Indian spice. There's a very nice juicy or chewy quality to the mouthfeel that gives the wine succulence and substance.
This Brunello Riserva shows a very rich and dark side thanks to its firm structure and integrated acidity. Blackberry and dark fruit tones are backed by dense concentration and extraction. Bets are on that this wine will age beautifully over time.
This Brunello Selezione epitomizes the clean, polished and easygoing style of the 2008 vintage. The wine shows a savory side with aromas of cured meat and dried herb, as well as a bold fruit side with plush cherry and blackberry. The acidity is high, but is also balanced out by its natural density and rich texture.
This Brunello shows a feminine and bright personality, with aromas of leather, small berry fruit, cassis and licorice. It's structured and crisp, with good freshness and a silky mouthfeel.
This Brunello shows a pristine and bright bouquet that hinges on polished mineral nuances, like wet river stone, cherry cola, ripe blackberry, ginger and rum cake. The wine shows great evolution and complexity despite its young age and just enough fruity pulp to support the lively acidity.
This Brunello shows an austere and sophisticated side with dusty tertiary aromas of leather, old spice, pressed rose and dried berry fruit like currants or cranberries. There's a bit of snap or bite to the mouthfeel with lingering tones of cola, citrus and ginger.
This Brunello shows aromas of leather and cured meat without much fresh fruit to hold it up. The structure and acidity is there, along with tertiary aromas of crushed mineral, asphalt, candied fruit and dried sage.
This Brunello shows elegant aromatic restraint in its tight aromas of wild berry and red currant. Dark flavors of barbecue spice, cured meat, leather and tobacco layer the midpalate, then turn fine and full on the finish.
This Brunello shows nice balance and a very comfortable level of aromatic intensity that is playful and bright without going over the top. You'll recognize tones of sweet berry fruit, cinnamon, tobacco and even a touch of zesty ginger snap. The wine feels silky and firm with bright freshness on the close.
This Brunello stands out because of the brightness of its color. Many of the other wines of 2008 show garnet and browning amber hues, but this wine is ruby red with purple rims. It shows a soft and modern side with bright cherry, chocolate and nicely structured tannins.
This Brunello starts on the timid side and slowly reveals aromas of cherry, cassis, sweet spice, almond paste, plus earthy tones of leather and button mushroom. The palate feels fresh and tight, and the wine ends on spicy notes of clove and cinnamon.
This brushy, foresty wine offers big, ripe blackberry and cherry flavor around a smoky core of oak.
This brut-style bubbly is comprised of 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay and shows aspects of both varieties. It's fairly full bodied, with raspberry, strawberry, lime, brioche, vanilla and toast flavors. Feels elegant, complex and lush in the mouth, and should develop additional bottle notes over the next six years.
This Brut-style wine feels extraordinarily refined in the mouth, with a silky, airy texture. The flavors of toffee, butterscotch, orange marmalade and vanilla bean are rich, but balanced with yeasty bitterness and bright acidity. Gorgeous to drink now, anywhere, anytime, with practically anything. Pricey, yes, but worth it for special occasions.
This brut Cava is made entirely from the Xarello grape. It's bready, leesy and yeasty on the nose, with touches of apple and nectarine. A low-verve palate tastes briny, with a hint of lime. On the finish, this tastes like the dust of vitamins.
This Brut expression from northern Italy boasts elegant aromas of honeysuckle, stone fruit, spice and crushed almonds. The wine is clean and smooth with creamy effervescence that sits tight over the palate.
This Brut expression of Prosecco is easy and tight in the mouth with fresh floral fragrances of jasmine and white rose as well as fruity tones of stone fruit and lemon. The mouthfeel is tight, sharp and compact.
This brut has a fragrance of liqueur and oak, which is also evident in the palate. In the mouth, it's lean and linear, lacking fruit flavors and richness.
This brut has a lovely fragrance of tropical fruit, peach and a whiff of vanilla. The elegantly sparkling palate shows apple, pear and citrus flavors, plus sage and other Mediterranean herbs. Pair this with light first courses and fresh seafood.
This brut has heavy aromas of liqueur di dosage, along with subdued citrus and pear notes. It lacks fruit richness and finishes on a dry, bitter note of walnut.
This Brut interpretation of Prosecco (“Brut” means it tastes dry in the mouth) offers tangy fizz and soda-like intensity backed by subdued aromas of white mineral and stone fruit. Pair it with puff pastry appetizers.
This brut made from Pinot Noir is sweet and simple on the nose, suggesting a welcome note of applesauce. It's a bit foamy and lacking in texture, but the flavors of tangy apple, lime and lemon are nice. It finishes with a seltzer character.
This brut nature is citric and bubbly on the palate after opening with aromas of weeds and spring onion. Flavors of lemon, herbs, onion and mustard coalesce in front of a bitter finish.
This brut offers notes of citrus, stone fruit and Mediterranean herbs. It's fresh and linear, with an elegant perlage. The quenching finish closes on a note of bitter walnut.
This Brut Prosecco opens with bone-dry aromas of talc powder and white mineral followed by slight hints of peach and citrus. It closes with steely, sharp effervescence and a hint of bitter almond.
This Brut Prosecco opens with dry, almost dusty aromas of talc powder and crushed mineral followed by white flower and stone fruit. That dryness continues to the mouth and thanks to this unique quality, you could imagine a pairing with salty appetizers.
This Brut Prosecco Superiore opens with mineral dryness and a touch of smoke or crushed granite that gives it a steely and vibrant personality. White almond and citrus mark the close.
This Brut Prosecco Superiore opens with very citrusy characteristics of lime, lemon and tangerine skin. The acidity is snappy and lively and the wine ends with plush sensations driven by its natural foam and mousse. This wine is very nice and distinctive.
This Brut Prosecco Superiore shows a tight embroidery of white flower, almond and citrus aromas. The wine is simple and clean on the finish with a drying mineral touch on the close.
This Brut shows lemon and sweet Wonder Bread aromas on the nose. The palate starts frothy but quickly mellows, and carries ripe lemon and white peach flavors to the sweet bread and citrus finish.
This brut sparkler is made from Chambourcin, a hybrid grape of uncertain parentage. Fresh figs and dates come to mind on the nose, while the linear palate is persistently citrus-driven.
This brut sparkler is out there on the nose, as earthy, not-too-fresh aromas of peanuts and compost set up a coarse palate. Nutty stale citrus flavors end in sour fashion, with a hint of mustard.
This Brut sparkler sees Chardonnay and Pinot Nero blended together to produce a fragrant and creamy whole. Aromas here include stone fruit, mineral and sourdough bread. It feel silky, rich and offers sharp, tonic perlage that keeps the palate refreshed.
This Brut sparkling wine (from Italy's prestigious Franciacorta appellation) opens with attractive luminosity, persistent bubbling and is followed by toasted notes of stone fruit, honey and almond. Pair this wine with delicate seafood salad.
This Brut style Prosecco from Gancia (one of the most historic producers of this popular Italian sparkling wine) offers fresh floral aromas backed by drying mineral tones and pulpy notes of peach and apricot. The finish is crisp, cleansing and tonic.
This Brut, Chardonnay-based sparkling wine is fantastically fresh and light with lively aromas of green apple, citrus, talc powder and drying mineral. It shows steely perlage and a foamy texture.
This BSH is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and includes 15% Cabernet Franc. It's among the best of the recent releases from O•S, with the two Cabs dominating with berry and cassis, earth and cacao. The tannins are lightly grainy and well-balanced.
This BSH is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Ripe to the point of showing some scents of raisin and prune, this is most expressive of baking spice highlights, clove and licorice. It turns a bit volatile and the tannins seem to be quickly drying out. Drink up.
This bubblegum-like Merlot has candied red-currant, vanilla and white sugar flavors. The acidity seems harsh.
This bubbly brings a rich buttery Chardonnay flavor, smooth texture, lively effervescence and rather full body. It smells like toast and butter, and tastes ripe and appley. Intense buttery flavors stay with you on the aftertaste.
This bubbly charms with cherry and raspberry flavors and a touch of limes and vanilla. It's nice and smooth in the mouth, with a creamy mousse. Showing real finesse and elegance, this sparkler will be delicious with raw tuna.
This bubbly delivers plenty of pleasure for the price. It's crisp in acidity, with sour lees, vanilla, honey, lemon and lime flavors. The bubbles are a little tart.
This bubbly from Schramsberg has a deepish, salmon color and peach, melon and ginger cookie aromas. It combines crispness and finesse, fruit with complexity. Hints of almond, walnut and subtle spices come out on the lingering finish.
This bubbly is on the sweet side. It has sugary pineapple and orange flavors. A little scoury in texture, it's an easy sparkling wine to drink with sweet foods, like wedding cake.
This bubbly is rich in cherry and raspberry fruit, in addition to the usual sparkling wine notes of bread dough and smoke. It's a little sweet and scoury on the palate, but a fairly polished sparkler for this price.
This bubbly is simply irresistable, from the pale coppery color to the aromas of raspberries, limes, and apricots to the subtle fruity flavors. The texture is notable for its smooth creaminess, and the wine is dry and very clean. Superb balance suggests ageability, but it’s so delicious now, why wait? 91% Pinot Noir, 9% Chardonnay.
This bubbly Prosecco Superiore offers vibrant tones of white flower and cut grass followed by light touches of peach and honeydew melon. The mouthfeel is creamy and soft with a subtle touch of sweetness.
This bubbly, semisweet and simple Lambrusco offers bright fruit flavors of crushed strawberry and red raspberry alongside a confectionary note and tangy acidity.
This budget-minded white veers toward overripe fruit and a layering of vanilla sugar yet retains enough minerality on the back end to remain vibrant and juicy.
This budget-priced rosé sparkler is earthy and mushroomy, with modest berry flavors, a slightly creamy texture and citrus zest on the finish.
This budget-priced Syrah is lean and peppery, with plenty of color and tannin. There are simple flavors of red currants, supported with lightly earthy tannins and proportionate acids.
This budget-priced Syrah offers hints of why the grape does so well in Washington. It has a bit of peppery bite, some very tart cranberry fruit, crisp acids and a lifted, citrusy finish. Clean and varietal, it's a good everyday effort.
This budget Pinot is light but honest—meaning it has not been blended with Petite Sirah to make it seem darker and more tannic than it actually is. Sour cherry and cranberry fruit, with sharp acids and a hint of ground coffee threaded through the finish.
This budget Riesling sets a good standard for the style and the price. It's off-dry, low alcohol (11.5%) and solidly varietal. The fruit is full bodied and ripe, with vivid peach and apricot flavors. Additional notes of honey and lemony breakfast tea keep the finish up and running.
This budget wine has sweet fruit and soft tannins, along with surprising concentration and length. Offsetting a hint of stemminess are generous, varietally true flavors, and a rich, meaty nose that suggests beef and coffee. Best Buy. —P.G.
This Bulgarian Chardonnay has aromas of guava, custard apple and lemon pith. In the mouth there, are tropical fruit flavors like banana and mango with a crisp, clean finish.
This Bulgarian Chardonnay has aromas of lemon curd, custard apple, mango and lemon blossom. It is soft and round in the mouth with pleasant acidity and has flavors of guava, green apple, mango and white peach.
This Bulgarian Chardonnay is fermented in egg-shaped concrete vessels and has aromas of anise fronds and citrus blossom. There are lively flavors of lemon zest, grapefruit pith and lemon curd in the mouth. It has nice balance and a pleasant touch of ripe yellow peach in the finish.
This Bulgarian Mavrud presents the nose with suggestions of dried cherry, black plum, freshly ground black pepper and a whiff of eucalyptus. In the mouth it is balanced with soft tannins mingling with dried cherry, cassis and black plum.
This Bulgarian Pinot Noir has aromas of black cherry, red raspberry and cinnamon. In the mouth, there are flavors of dried black cherry, fresh cherry juice and brown baking spices before the pleasant, persistent finish.
This Bulgarian Pinot Noir offers the nose black and red cherries and dried violets. It is well balanced in the mouth with soft, rounded tannins and flavors of dark cherry, cranberry and dried Mediterranean herbs.
This Bulgarian red blend is composed of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah and 20% Merlot. It has aromas of black cherry and eucalyptus and flavors of black pepper and black cherry.
This Bulgarian red blend is produced under the supervision of flying winemaker Michele Rolland. It consists of 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. It has aromas of black raspberry, black plum and a touch of graphite. In the mouth, there are flavors of dark cherry, blackberry and pomegranate with chewy tannins and a pleasantly tart finish.
This Bulgarian Syrah has aromas of black raspberry and black cherry with tastes of cherry vanilla and cherry cola in the mouth. The finish is smooth with velvety tannins.
This bulky bullish Malbec opens with big tarry aromas that go heavy on the oak. The palate is tannic like the clack-clack of heels on a tile floor. This tastes earthy, oaky and like blackberry, while the finish echoes with those same flavors. Drink through 2023.
This bullish La Mancha Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero's Alejandro Fernández is ripe, earthy, mossy and woody on the nose, with aromas of cedar, cassis and blackberry. Saturated and chunky on the palate, with roasted black-fruit flavors, this finishes oaky, thick and with full tannins.
This Burgundian negociant take on Beaujolais is soft and ripe. Juicy red-berry fruits and supporting acidity receive a firm base of tannins. It is young, fruity and ready to drink from 2018.
This Burgundian producer has made a lightly wood-aged, ripe wine. It shows sophisticated balance between ripe fruit and spicy acidity and is smooth, generous and ready to drink.
This burly Tempranillo opens with an alluring blend of graphite, stony mineral, marzipan and ripe black-fruit aromas. The palate is lusty, giant and tannic, but not mean or fierce. Blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors end with café mocha and licorice notes, while tannic grab suggests aging this until 2015–16 and drinking through 2023.
This burly, robust wine is smoky in oak, with a twist of cedar and sage. The tannins are sizable and soft, providing weight and structured body, while the fruit remains elusive behind dried herb and cracked black pepper.
This bursts from the glass with some almost smoky mineral aromas that nicely complement lime scents. The flavors are riper, resembling peach and apple, with a touch of sweetness that's balanced by chalky notes on the finish.
This buxom Pinot Noir from a historic vineyard in the heart of Russian River suffers from its ripeness, providing a lot of oak and stewed fruit flavors over a smothered earthiness just trying to get out.
This Côte Chalonnaise appellation has done well in 2015 with its broad, ripe wines. This wine has the same character, with touches of wood and concentration from old vines. It is rich, the yellow fruits cut with some acidity. Drink this full, ripe wine wine from 2019.
This Côtes du Rhône, from a plot of vines located just outside Châteauneuf-du-Pape, is a terrific achievement in a challenging vintage. Hints of garrigue, black olive and cocoa add nuance to the ample black cherry fruit, while the finish of this full-bodied wine shows enough grip and astringency to warrant short-term cellaring. Drink 2019–2025.
This Cab-based blend sources 51% of its grapes from Sonoma County, including small amounts of Merlot, Petite Verdot, Malbec, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Franc. Medium in weight, the wine at first is slightly muted, but upon opening it provides Syrah-like meatiness and peppery spice around an intriguingly brooding sense of tar and black currant.
This Cab-based Bordeaux blend is harsh and tannic, with baked berry and currant flavors. May be technically dry, but tastes sugary sweet.
This Cab-based Bordeaux blend is very dense in fruit and also very Tannic with a capital T. Such is the astringency that it may never go away before the blackberry and black currant fruit drops out. Nonetheless it's dry and savory and, in its own Rockpiley way, classic. Drink with superrich barbecue, well-marbled grilled beef and such. Tasted twice.
This Cab-Carmenère blend's more of the olive-earth-tree-bark kind than the blackberry-and-oak variety; still, there's enough black berry fruit underneath the outdoorsy aromas and flavors. Finishes with lots of green herb, and a vegetal note.
This Cab-dominant blend with 15% each Merlot and Cabernet Franc is aged for 25 months in medium-toast new French oak, and the result is a balanced and supple red with flavors of black plum, cassis, hickory bacon, bramble and a touch of milk chocolate on the finish. Ready to drink now.
This Cab-driven Meritage offers a heavy presence of tobacco leaf on the nose and palate, as well as cedar, both built around smooth, refined tannins. Then well-integrated blackberry, tar and black cherry take over, with the finish awash in dried herbs.
This Cab already has nearly five years on it, but it still has tough, bitter tannins. That raises the question: will it age? Fruit-wise, it's rich in blackberries, cherries and currants, with an exotic cassis finish. The acidity is crisp and zesty. But those acids and tannins are likely to outlive the fruit.
This Cab blend proves that Hungarian reds are becoming more of a contender on a global level. An enticing wave of pepper and wooded spice on the nose rolls into flavors of juicy red fruit, pepper, raspberry and wood on the tongue. The structure is solid but elegant, so though the wine can age, it's good to drink now. Balanced and stylish overall.
This Cab boasts big cherry and vanilla-oak flavors, but it's slightly smoky and herbal, too. Entirely comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Livermore, the wine might benefit from some more time in bottle, another 1–3 years.
This Cab doesn't pretend to be anything but what it is: dry, full-bodied and characteristically Cabernet. Grab a burger or beef taco and enjoy.
This Cab doesn't taste especially Spring Mountain-ish. It could come from anywhere, with its jammy red cherry, mocha and oak flavors that veer into raisins. Soft and a bit hot, it provides pleasant drinking now.
This Cab follows a similar protocol to previous vintages, with 22 months in French oak. It comes from a single vineyard planted entirely to Clone 7 and is dry and generous in tannin, though nicely juicy in currant and pomegranate.
This Cab Franc has some nice features, starting with the cherry and herb flavors that finish dry and spicy. It's a bit rough-edged right out of the bottle, but the combination of decanting and drinking it with a rich, fatty steak will improve it tremendously at the table.
This Cab Franc is considerably lighter in body than a Cabernet Sauvignon. Its silky texture frames red cherry, red currant, red licorice, cola and sandalwood flavors that finish very dry. It's a lovely wine of some charm, but give it a decant before serving.
This Cab Franc is rich and ripe in red and black currants and cherries, with a mocha sweet earthiness leading to sweet oak buttered cinnamon toast and a slight caramelization. It's dry and smooth in tannins. Best of all is an acidity and minerality that lend structure. Drink now–2015.
This Cab Franc is simple and jammy, like a wine version of melted black cherry jelly enhanced with an infusion of sweet, smoky, vanilla oak. It sure is fruity, but not very interesting in terms of complexity.
This Cab Franc is very delicious for its soft cherry pie and oak flavors. The tannins are pure Napa— thick, rich and detailed. Easy to like it now with a smoky grilled steak.
This Cab has a prominent streak of eucalyptus-like menthol on the nose as well as cranberry. This continues on the palate, which is fairly juicy and soft. With dry tannins the finish is on the dusty side, a pairing quandary solved most likely by juicy red meat.
This Cab has all of the classic notes one would expect: rich dark berry fruit, black plum skin, cigar tobacco and black currant leaf are all front and center. The tannins are surprisingly firm and tightly structured, but the nuances of milk chocolate sauce and graham cracker crumb add decadence to the finish.
This Cab has some nice things going on in its velvety mouthfeel, but it's rather jammy-fruity and chocolatey, like a Starbucks coffee-based drink with a squirt of raspberry syrup. Doesn't seem to be ageworthy, so drink up.
This Cab has the fruity concentration of its famous mountain origin, and is explosive in blackberries, blueberries and currants, along with plenty of caramelized oak. It's also quite tannic, which gives it a jaw-breaking astringency. Interestingly, it's already throwing some sediment. The long-term prospects are unclear, but it should have no trouble negotiating the next six years.
This Cab is a bit sweet in raisin and currant fruit and astringent in dry, hard tannins. Together, they give a rustic feeling. Not going anywhere, so drink now.
This Cab is a country-style wine, simple and thin, with cherry-berry flavors and a touch of oak. It's not bad for the price.
This Cab is about fruit and oak, sculpted together with precision and lusciousness. Flavors of blackberries, cherries, licorice, toast and exotic spice flood the mouth, leading to a long finish. Drink now.
This Cab is blended with Petit Verdot, Tannat, Syrah and Petite Sirah to produce a dry, interesting wine. It's silky in texture with flavors of cola, sour cherry candy, prune, pomegranate and raspberry. Refreshingly moderate in alcohol, it has remarkable delicacy.
This Cab is deeply layered, full-bodied and bone dry, with thick, raw-boned tannins that call for some time in the cellar. With modest alcohol and fine acidity, it will have no trouble negotiating the next 6–8 years, allowing the cherry and blackberry flavors to shine through.
This Cab is drinking very dry, tannic and austere in its youth. It really needs time in the cellar to soften and throw some sediment, and allow the heart of black currants and dark chocolate to emerge. Should begin to show interest after 2013.
This Cab is dry and properly tannic, with good blackberry, mocha and herb flavors. On the downside is a strange ashiness, like the grapes were hit by smoke from a wildfire. Drink up.
This Cab is earthy and mossy smelling, with tomato, herb, coconut and raspberry aromas. It's tannic on the palate, with oaky tasting cassis, herb and tobacco flavors. With a lot of body and power, this is a very good wine that suffers only from narrow, hard tannins.
This Cab is hard-capped on the nose, with chocolate, vanilla and plastic-like aromas. In the mouth, it's nervy and hints at astringency, while the flavor profile is led by lemony oak but also shows dark cherry and cassis. This is bold on the back side, with a resiny, oaky finish.
This Cab is in a bit of a hole now, caught midway between the fresh fruitiness of youth, and what it will be at the age of, say, ten years. It feels very soft and dense, with blackberry, cassis, chocolate and funky leather flavors. You're best off leaving it in the cellar for another 5–6 years.
This Cab is in a somewhat awkward state now, poised between fresh blackberry and cherry fruit and mature notes of dried fruits and mushrooms. That tension lends it interest. The grapes come from Calistoga and Carneros, which also gives a dynamic play between lushness and acidity. It's a fine, stylish wine for drinking now–2017.
This Cab is minty and leathery, with overwhelming vanilla-y tannins at first—maybe from the time spent in all new American oak—that mellow with opening, giving it a soft mouthfeel.
This Cab is nearing the end of its useful life. The raspberry and cherry flavors are starting to pick up a mushroomy note. It's not unpleasant, adding a rich, loamy earthiness to the fruit, but the wine doesn't have much time left.
This Cab is pretty good for the price. It's ripe and fruity, with a full body and rich but soft tannins. Turns a bit treacly on the finish, with a dulcet, honeyed richness.
This Cab is pretty thin in flavor, with some unripeness that gives it a green mintiness. However, it has a good core of blackberry flavor. Call it a rustic sipper and drink it now with simple fare.
This Cab is quite soft and melted in structure, a gently appealing wine of early drinkability. The flavors are pleasant and ripe, suggesting spicy blackberry and cherry jam with chocolate.
This Cab is so attractive to drink now that most people will lose the opportunity to age it. Don't be one of them. As delicious as it is now in blackberries and chocolate, it will be better in 2015 or 2016. But don't hold it much beyond that.
This Cab is so softly decadent, there's no reason not to drink it now. It's as mellow as any Napa red out there, with lush, intricately sweet flavors of cherry pie, cola and cinnamon.
This Cab is soft and lush with cherry, red currant and anise flavors that linger long into a spicy finish. It gains extra points for the tannin-acid structure, which is so easy to like.
This Cab is starting to turn raisiny and pruny, and hot in alcohol as well, with a porty taste and a finish that's bitter in tannins.
This Cab may be in a bit of a dip. It's awkward, with a sharp, edgy mouthfeel, and as the wine ages, raisin notes creep forward. Still, kudos to Ehret for holding the wine back for so long, as it does possess a certain complexity.
This Cab offers big blackberry aromas, brown sugar, dark concentration and a brooding disposition. It's plush and modern, and a true bruiser, with firm tannins and opulent flavors of toast and plum. Ready to drink.
This Cab opens with mellow, woody aromas on top of cassis and berry scents. The palate is a bit choppy and drying, but there's good structure to it along with attractive flavors of moss, earth, baked berry and light herbs.
This Cab opens with soy and molasses and then moves seamlessly into a mouthful of blackberry jam. Dense, it's still young but should develop well.
This Cab shows how ripe the Happy Canyon area can get grapes even in a cool vintage. The wine brims with red cherry, currant and licorice flavors that are, in a word, delicious. It's adequate in acidity, but is a little candied. Drink now.
This Cab shows intensely pure blueberry fruit alongside cocoa, sandalwood, dried scarlet rosebuds, leather and pencil shavings on the nose. Very savory on the palate with restrained fruit, this offers crushed oregano, marjoram, thyme, black pepper, sea salt, soy and miso flavors. It's pleasantly approachable and enjoyable now.
This Cab shows the firm tannins and concentrated fruit of Atlas Peak, combined with the modern style of soft approachability. It's rich in blackberry and cherry pie flavors, with a generous overlay of sweet oak. Seems too sweet and one-dimensional for aging, so drink it now and through 2015 for freshness.
This Cab wants a few more years to let its internal inconsistencies resolve. The primary cherry and blackberry fruit has faded and is turning nutty. But it's still pretty tannic. Needs to throw some sediment to let the inherent fruit emerge. Try after 2016.
This Cab, ripe as it is in cherries, black currants and dark chocolate, nonetheless is too soft in structure. It has a melted mouthfeel. The finish suggests caramelized wood. Drink up.
This Cab, which contains small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, is the poster child for the modern Napa style of exceptional fruitiness, softness and sweet oakiness. You'll either love the mélange of blackberries, cherries and mocha, or you'll find it overbearing.
This Cab/Merlot/Syrah blend is very much in a Washington style, with crisp acids and tart berry and currant flavors, wrapped in chocolate and showing a few specks of pepper, presumably from the Syrah. It's solid and well-made and a good example of how Oregon vintners are breaking out of the Pinot box.
This Cabernet's penetrating green notes are very much in character with the variety: tomato leaf, leafy greens, medicinal notes, exotic spice and cherry cola. Its meaty consistency is topped by a blast of sour cherry.
This Cabernet-Agiorgitiko blend has a big personality, starting with aromas of chocolate-covered cherry, rich black fruit and pepper. Red and black fruit, spice and a touch of flowers on the palate are buoyed by a fresh acidity and chalkiness on the palate. A touch spicy and fiery, but a fun wine with character.
This Cabernet-based blend is loaded with intense aromas of black currant leaf, briary forest, black cherry and tobacco leaves. Solidly structured with moderate tannins and medium weight, the palate is juicy and satisfying with blackberries and plum skins leading through to the coffee-infused finish.
This Cabernet-based blend is reminiscent to an old-fashioned Paso style that's soft, ripe and simple. It has candied cherry and blackberry flavors. Drink up.
This Cabernet-based blend is what the French call à point: right on target. It's soft and generous in cherry, mocha, plum and cedar flavors, leading to a sweet, spicy finish. Drink now.
This Cabernet-based blend offers lovely black cherry flavors and scents of violet, with a hint of licorice and substantial, ripe tannins on the palate. It can age for at least another 6–8 years, though it's drinking quite nicely already.
This Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend is from Jess Jackson-owned vineyards high above Alexander Valley. Made solidly in the modern style, it's very ripe, very soft, and extraordinarily rich in chocolate-infused cassis, cherry, date and violet flavors that are liberally treated with new oak. It's a delicious, seductive wine that should ride out the next 8 years with ease.
This Cabernet-based wine is supremely elegant. It brings together new wood flavors, firm and dry Cabernet tannins and powerful concentration. It has great depth of flavor; very complex, the acidity promising good aging.
This Cabernet-basred blend, with 13% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec, opens with intense aromas of tobacco, leather, sweet smoke, cured meat, dried fig and fruit cake. Flavors of black berry, cherry and cassis unfold on the medium-weight palate, alongside firm, muscular tannins that hold on through the lingering finish. Drink now–2016.
This Cabernet-dominant blend is drinking young, with firm, gripping tannins and a tight structure. There's plenty of black fruit flavors to flesh out the palate, along with complex nuances of licorice root, creme de cassis, cigar-box spice and a touch of bitter chocolate. Give it a few years in the cellar for the tannins to mellow a bit.
This Cabernet-dominated wine is elegant, structured with plenty of black currant and berry fruits that give a fresher element. With firm tannins that need to soften, it will age. Drink from 2016.
This Cabernet-dominated, Bordeaux-style blend is smooth and forward, with a mix of red and blue fruits. Buoyed by juicy acidity, it floats across the palate, light and approachable. There are some hints of stem and green olive in the tannins.
This Cabernet-led blend has leafy, stalky, dried-out aromas of rubbery berry and compost. It feels raw and rubbery; leafy red-berry flavors are roasted and stalky. It finishes with a mixture of burnt and green flavors.
This Cabernet-led blend is compact on the bouquet, with clay, spice, balsam and rubbery berry aromas. The palate offers fine structure and intensity, with blackberry, toast, coffee and mocha flavors. It's long and chocolaty on the well-oaked finish. The blend contains 15% Petit Verdot and 5% Syrah; drink through 2017.
This Cabernet-led blend is Montes' new icon wine from Marchigue in the Colchagua Valley. It is ripe, warm, leathery and earthy, with aromas of aged cheese, tobacco, raisin and cedar. The mouth is hefty and bold, with a mix of coffee and herbal flavors as well as cassis and blackberry. The finish is heavy and a bit raisiny, with depth and density. Drink now through 2015.
This Cabernet-Merlot blend is definitely dominated by spice that takes shape as cumin, turmeric and ground clove. The fruit is present, although there's not much, in the form of mature plum and dried prunes. The wine tastes ripe, slightly sweet and is a bit short on the finish.
This Cabernet-Monastrell blend tips the scales at 15.5% and asks you straight out: how big do you like your red wines? It is smoky, sultry and massive, with spicy boysenberry aromas, a deep, syrupy palate and plodding flavors of molasses, roasted berry, cedar plank and herbs. Bullish but drinkble now and over the next few years; probably not one for the cellar.
This Cabernet and Carmenère blend deals aromas of cedar, cigar, vanilla, tomato, herbs and dried red fruits. A medium-bodied palate is just big enough, tasting of medicinal cherry and chocolate. A lightly woody finish with pepper and cocoa notes provides for a happy ending. Drink through 2020.
This Cabernet blend includes about 20% Syrah in the mix, which perhaps contributes to a lack of varietal character. It seems to be in a dumb phase, with no specific aromas and nondescript fruit. The finish turns acidic and chalky.
This Cabernet blend is one of Baja's best reds. Cured meat, dry spice and brandied berry aromas lead to an elegant (by Baja standards) palate with herbal hints, plenty of spice, solid cherry and berry flavors, and modest tannins. This wine has guts and delivers the goods; contains 18% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot. Drink through 2020.
This Cabernet blend shows the future of the new Coombsville region, which was officially approved as an appellation in 2011. It's a powerful wine with penetrating blackberry, currant and mocha flavors, while the structure is especially fine and firm.
This Cabernet comes in three different labels, displaying the archetypes of the explorer, the business man and the adventurer. In taste, the wine is smoky and soft, with plum, cassis and dark cherry all making a play.
This Cabernet couldn't be riper. Its blackberries and cherries are explosive, and veer into chocolate-covered raisins. Yet the wine is very dry and tannic. It's direct in its appeals now, but could easily develop bottle complexity over the next 6–8 years.
This Cabernet delivers a complete package at an incredibly attractive price. Aromas of mocha, graphite and vanilla play nicely with core berry scents. Baked berry, vanilla and pastry flavors settle softly, with mellow tannins. Drink through 2018.
This Cabernet discloses plenty of varietal character and is easy to drink. It's dry and softly tannic, with ripe blackberry, cherry and oak flavors that have a candied finish.
This Cabernet doesn't seem to have fully ripened with notes of jalapeño pepper, green herbs and cherry with a light styling and gritty tannins.
This Cabernet doesn't show any signs of age, even though it's more than four years old. It's still fresh and powerful in tannins, with intensely concentrated blackberry and cassis fruit. With an impeccable structure, it should easily negotiate the next decade. Cellar it.
This Cabernet equivalent to Grange has exploded in price (I remember tasting the 1996 on release when it was $25 per bottle), but there's no questioning the quality. A deep, intense nose of cassis, earth, menthol and cedar is followed by a full, rich palate that's supple without being soft. Brighter notes of red fruit emerge on the lengthy finish, which is dominated by sweet fruit and creamy lactones. Drink 2020–2030, and probably well beyond.
This Cabernet fits the steakhouse red formula to a T. Ripe, lusty fruit—blackberry in this case—is matched by a big whack of vanillin oak. It's not the most complex wine, but offers plenty of full-bodied, softly tannic flavor. Drink now–2012.
This Cabernet Franc-based blend has rich flavors of red and black cherry jam, cherry liqueur and tobacco. The oak influence shows in the form of toastiness and wood spiciness. With its smooth tannins, this wine will drink well now with a great steak.
This Cabernet Franc-dominant blend, with additional splashes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec, leads with earthy tones of menthol, black-currant leaf and tobacco. There's ample black-fruit flavors to support the herbal core—think blackberry, plum and cassis—all framed by medium tannins and a clean, peppery finish. Drink now–2016.
This Cabernet Franc (70%) and Merlot blend brings aromas of green herbs, dark chocolate, flowers and a mixture of red and black fruit. It's soft in feel with polished fruit and barrel flavors that linger.
This Cabernet Franc blend opens with herbal oaky aromas of coffee and red fruits. The palate feels tartaric and shocking, with heavy extraction and an overall wiry feel. Jacked-up berry flavors come with more than enough oak, while this is steady but not finessed or elegant on the finish. Drink through 2021.
This Cabernet Franc from Hungary has aromas of tart cherry, black plum and purple flowers. It is a medium- to full-bodied wine with flavors of tart cherry, pomegranate and cranberry juice. The tannins are soft and the finish is persistent.
This Cabernet Franc has a slightly watery, sweet fruit element that lacks the cheerful vibrancy and pluckiness of the variety. On the nose, it offers soft red fruit and some spice, but the flavors feel weak. Not a bad wine overall, but needs some muscle.
This Cabernet Franc has pronounced aromas of red and black cherries, violets, lavender, licorice and juniper berries. Tart berries and toasty oak show on the palate, yet mild tannins offer little structure. The finish is long and tart.
This Cabernet Franc is an intense, penetrating wine with thick aromas of black fruit and exotic spice that form a compact, powerful whole. It's a bit tough on the palate where its bruising density leaves it mark.
This Cabernet Franc is beautiful, with incredible succulence, persistence, heat, power and a full plate of enticing fragrances. Coffee, root beer, chocolate, Nutella, graham cracker and cherry liqueur are only a few elements of the wine's complexity.
This Cabernet Franc is superripe and oaky, with earthy, stewed and woody aromas. In the mouth, this feels grippy, resiny and dense. As it airs out, vanilla, woodspice, prune and cassis aromas come to the fore. The chocolate-tinged finish is slightly sticky in feel, exuding a strong sense of ripeness.
This Cabernet Franc leans toward the green side, revealing aromas of cassis, green beans and leafy herbs. It feels elegant in composition, with soft red-fruit flavors and silky tannins. A mushroom note peaks on the short to medium finish.
This Cabernet Franc starts off with dynamic aromas of red cherry, red plum, bramble, fig and incense. These scents translate to lovely flavors that are complex, yet elegant. In body and structure, this is an intense wine—ample crushed-velvet tannins harmoniously mesh with racy acidity and a full body. The finish is long and evolving.
This Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Agiorgitkio blend is both authentic and versatile, with aromas of strawberry, cinnamon and cedar and robust flavors of mocha, cigarbox and red cherry balancing a firm acidity. A touch of smoke and leather adds earthy appeal. Pair with burgers or grilled lamb.
This Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah blend starts with a sultry wave of juicy plum, smoke, pepper and cherry. On the palate, it's full-bodied with flavors of cherry, currant, plum and clove. A brooding, unfolding wine perfect for a fireside sip.
This Cabernet Franc—with 10% Petit  Verdot—has easygoing black-cherry and raspberry notes, plus mocha and turmeric subtleties. It has light, pliant tannins, while the medium to high amount of acids keep the palate feeling energetic.
This Cabernet from one of Spain's best-known producers is mature and structured. An attractive, complex nose offers berry, tobacco and leather aromas, while the wine is darkly fruited and a touch brown at the edge. Finishes long and dry, with some drying tannins. Drink now through 2006. Despite the tannins, sooner is preferable, as the fruit seems fully mature. —M.M.
This Cabernet gets the job done with its blackberry, cherry and oak flavors. It's nice and dry, and it will wash down a hamburger.
This Cabernet has a rather bubblegummy, candied, gassy taste. It's exuberantly ripe in cherries, red currants and mocha, and fun to drink, but expensive.
This Cabernet has a wonderfully smooth texture. It's tasty and rich in blackberry fruit, with a touch of sweet, savory raisin and lots of exotic spice. Easy to drink this dry wine over the next few years.
This Cabernet has blackberry and dried herb flavors, with sizable tannins and pretty hefty acidity.
This Cabernet has rich blackberry-jam and black licorice flavors, and it also has a funky bacon note. The oak provides a pleasant backdrop of sweet toast. This shows how well Cabernet can perform on the far Sonoma Coast, which is now  more oriented to Pinot Noir.
This Cabernet is a bit on the green side, with sharp, slightly bitter tannins that are not completely masked by the overlay of chocolatey barrel flavors.
This Cabernet is a blend of estate and purchased fruit. In a successful year, it rivals Stag's Leap's best wines, including Cask 23, and 2008 was a very successful year. Blended with 2% Merlot, and aged in lots of new French oak, the wine is, in a word, stunning. Rich, flashy blackberry and dark chocolate flavors are anchored by an earthiness suggesting cured olives and dried herbs. Delicious now, this beauty should develop additional complexities throughout the decade.
This Cabernet is a guaranteed cellar candidate. It's enormously rich and extracted, with flavors of blackberries, currants, plums and mocha, but finishes firm, dry and tannic. Give it at least four more years in a cellar.
This Cabernet is a mixed bag. It's oaky and also fruity, but a little vegetal, with some green notes alongside sweet raspberry and cherry candy and caramel flavors. A real disappointment, coming after a series of good bottlings, but the vintage was difficult.
This Cabernet is built for current consumption, boasting a savory, complex blend of meat and herb elements nicely balanced by just enough dark plum fruit. The tannins are soft to the point of creaminess, letting just a bit of warmth show through on the lingering finish. Drink now–2016.
This Cabernet is enormously extracted in blackberries and cassis, and oaky, too, while the tannins are rich, hard and refined. It's a flashy wine. Drink now–2018.
This Cabernet is immediately succulent, with smooth tannins, gorgeous layers of oak, and intricate flavors of blackberries, black cherries, plums and mocha. The alcohol is high, giving this 100% Cabernet some heat, but it should pair well with char-broiled steak.
This Cabernet is not too loud, herbal or funky on the nose, but it does smell a touch rubbery, with cherry and cassis notes. A firm palate with strong acidity creates sizzle, while savory, saucy plum flavors finish with notes of brine and tomato.
This Cabernet is topped with a coating of char and oak. Creamy and resiny in feel, this is a sticky, confected wine, with flavors of vanilla, resiny spice and berry fruits backed by lactic oak on the finish.
This Cabernet is very dry, with a high level of acidity. It lacks generosity, but it's elegant. The green edge mellows as it warms in the glass, giving way to a note of blackberry jam. Drink up.
This Cabernet isn't particularly Rutherford-esque due to excessive softness and fruitiness. It could come from almost anywhere, with its raspberry and cherry jam, milk chocolate and toast flavors.
This Cabernet opens with a light whiff of green leafiness, then cola, berry and rhubarb notes appear. The mouthfeel is lively and crisp, with a shot of acidity in the midpalate sticking out. Slightly tart flavors of berry and cassis are spicy and herbal, while the finish is quick.
This Cabernet opens with lush mocha and coffee scents, and is a soft, well-rounded wine with well-rounded fruit flavors. Small amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot are included in the blend.
This Cabernet remains tough in tannins and a little harsh in acidity. The blackberry, roasted meat, pepper and toast flavors are rich and complex.
This Cabernet Sauvignon's char, vanilla, caramel, toast, herb and dark fruit scents are followed by equal parts fruit and barrel flavors. It delivers enjoyment notwithstanding the heavy oak influence, which may yet integrate in the bottle.
This Cabernet Sauvignon's vanilla, baking spice, dill, herb and cherry aromas are locked up. The palate brings plenty of vanilla flavors backed by gritty tannins, but the oak is too prominent and distracting.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend contains smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The grapes come from all over the valley, mountains as well as flatlands, making it a testament to the art of blending. The warmer, riper areas bring lush chocolate and blackberry jam flavors, while the cooler areas contribute structural elements of firm tannins and acidity. The result is delicious and compelling. Drink over the next four years.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend has high ambitions, to judge by the richness. It is absolutely massive in blackberries, black currants, dark chocolate and caramelized oak. It's far too strong to enjoy now, lacking any sense of proportion, but it does seem like a good cellar candidate. Give it until 2017 and see if it begins to calm down.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend is a best-of-barrels selection from Summers' various Cabs throughout Napa Valley. It's unquestionably a big wine, densely packed with blackberry, cherry and dark chocolate flavors. It's also very young. The tannins pack a real punch. New oak, to the tune of 100%, is apparent in the buttered toast richness. Don't drink it now, good as it is. Give it until 2014, and it will develop long beyond that.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend is deep red-violet in color, with a nose of black cherry and Tuscan peppers. Cool notes trump fruit in a mélange of black cherry, vanilla, mint and aniseed flavors with a hint of brambles. Stiff but forgiving tannins linger on the palate with a flash of acidity at the back of the throat.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend is supported by 18% Merlot and smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Generous in oak and tannin, this powerful wine is robustly juicy in black and red cherry and dried herb, a complex mix of savory and succulent. The finish is long and thick, accented in coffee and oak.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend shows aromas of blackberry, red and black currant and barrel spices (100% new French), seeming a bit wound up at present. The fruit and barrel flavors are elegant yet rich with a polished, seamless feel and a warm finish.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend, with 25% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, is complex and intriguing. It boasts a full profile of ripe fruit tones, expressed in layers of baked cherry, plum and rhubarb cake that are accented by notes of cured bacon, leather and pressed purple flowers. The palate is surprisingly smooth and silky, thanks to resolved, approachable tannins and a lingering sweet-smoke hit on the finish.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based Bordeaux-style blend is extraordinarily rich, with flavors of raspberry and cherry tart, milk chocolate, red licorice and sweet oak, plus soft, gentle tannins. It shows a direct deliciousness that makes it easy to like.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based Bordeaux-style blend is very rich and ripe in blackberries, cherries and currants. It has smooth tannins, and the finish is dry. It's a fashionable wine that feels plush in the mouth, but young. Give it 3–4 years, but it doesn't seem to have the stuffing for the long haul.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based Bordeaux blend has some Petite Sirah folded in, presumably for color and tannins. It's a big, sturdy wine, dry yetsomewhat soft, with complex black currant, blackberry jam, sweetened herb tea and sandalwood flavors. It's a little rustic, but fine to drink now, with everything from hamburgers and grilled steak to short ribs.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based ode to Pauillac improves immensely as it sits open for days, suggesting great ageability. Black currant, gravel, teriyaki and dark chocolate show on the nose, leading into a palate that is tightly wound with chalky tannins. Flavors of black fruit, charcoal, pencil shavings and coffee slowly emerge. Drink 2019–2033.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine is a blend of all the Bordeaux varieties, including Carmenere. It's soft, luscious and a little hot in alcohol, with very rich, almost overripe blackberry, dark chocolate and currant flavors.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine, a celebration of cherry, vanilla and clove that's seasoned in black pepper and smoke, is impressively crafted. Firm yet integrated tannins ensure a seamless texture and smoothness that's instantly compelling, while the finish continues to add to the intrigue with further layers of savory meat.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère blend is a green machine with a pyrazine-led explosion of green bean and bell pepper aromas. Robust and grabby on the palate, this tastes heavily of herbal plum and canned green bean, while a minty finish includes flavors of olive and bitterness. This feels right but smells and tastes extremely green.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-centric blend includes all six Bordeaux varieties. It has sweet, ripe notes of fresh dark cherries, herbs and chocolate drizzled with butter backed by slightly dry tannins.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend boasts leather, tobacco leaf and black pepper flavors, giving it muscle and a rustic edge, the tannins and fruit mellowed with age.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend includes smaller percentages of Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Together they are a velvety thick and rich exploration of berry-patch flavors and smoky oak founded on a floor of soft tannin.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend comes with a deep, minerally aroma as well as with lush black-fruit, herb and spice notes. The feel is plump and smooth, while the core flavors are of blackberry, tobacco, raw oak and spice. It's predominantly round and ripe, but there's more than enough crispness and tannic bite to keep things framed.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend from the south-of-Madrid area represents no designated region other than Spain. It's an intense blend with aromas of blackberry, pepper, toasted oak and smokiness. A deep, pure palate pumps out cherry, plum and especially cassis flavors, while baking-spice notes come prior to clove, toast and char on the finish. Drink through 2024.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend opens with gritty black fruit aromas accented by licorice, olive and old leather. A racy red fruit palate has plenty of acidic fuel, while flavors of raspberry, red plum and spicy oak eventually turn chocolaty. Fig, herb and tomato flavors add complexity to the finish. Drink through 2019.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend opens with oaky, medicinal aromas of mint and cherry candy. The palate is fairly full but raw in feel, while scratchy, long-running flavors of leather and earth accent core red fruit. Licorice and mint lead an oaky finish.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend almost has enough of the right stuff to rate higher, but in the end the wine's tart cherry fruit and sharp acidity is just too unfriendly. Like so many Brazilian wines, it's trying to be more than the country's terroir can give. So the end result is mediocre.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot dominated wine is dense with tannins, although with enough fruit richness to balance. It has a dark texture and shows plenty of wood flavors at this stage. Its weight will allow it to age well, so wait until 2022. The Bonnet family has renovated vineyards and installed a gravity-fed winery. They also own a winery in Argentina and nearby Gazin Rocquencourt.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz blend has a lot of personality and individuality. It's full of earthy tobacco and blackberry aromas, while the texture is nice and the volume is generous. Flavors of oak-driven vanilla and cream accent core berry flavors, while there's depth and length to the finish. Drink now.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blend from the Warner Springs area in the mountains northeast of San Diego shows grape soda and blackberry chews on the juicy nose. The palate gains tartness accented by black pepper and crushed oregano.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blend is soft and ready to drink now. It's also very delicious, almost like a dessert pastry, with ultra-ripe black cherry, cassis, anise liqueur, melted milk chocolate and vanilla flavors that finish spicy-sweet.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blend shows the ripe, exuberantly friendly type of red wine Paso Robles excels at. While it's filled with sweet cherries and currants, it has a good structure of acids and tannins for balance. The alcohol is pretty high, but the wine wears the heat well.
This Cabernet Sauvignon also blends in Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, combining for a straightforward red wine experience offering blackberry and raspberry juiciness. Plenty of toasty character tinged by tobacco is provided by the oak.
This Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot-dominant blend has reserved aromas of herbs, cherry and freshly cut grass. The coffee and dark fruit flavors are full bodied, with a polished feel.
This Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend opens with black-skinned fruit and incense aromas. The palate is straightforward, delivering black plum and vanilla flavors with a hint of leather. Round tannins provide laid-back support. Enjoy through 2019.
This Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominant blend comes from some top quality vineyards that are seldom seen in a wine at this price, including Seven Hills, Canoe Ridge, Wallula, Tapteil and Champoux. Aromas of herb, berry, cherry and toasty spices give way to clearly high-quality fruit that has seen a lot of love and care. It's a big time winner at this price.
This Cabernet Sauvignon blend includes Merlot, Syrah and a small amount of “other,” yielding a well-rounded, ripe wine with lush flavors of blueberry and blackberry. The tangy acids spark a finish of fresh herb, licorice and tobacco.
This Cabernet Sauvignon blend is very young and ready to drink with its sweet fruit and forward, vanilla-laced flavors. It fades quickly, leaving a lingering impression of soda pop (root beer).
This Cabernet Sauvignon demonstrates proportionate fruit, acid and barrel components. The only downside, if there is one, is a hint  of underripeness, manifested as a whiff of asparagus.
This Cabernet Sauvignon emphasizes delicate, feminine aromas that are rare to find in the variety. Small berry, toasted almond and herbs are buoyant and fresh. But Cabernet's hearty character definitely comes through midpalate thanks to jackhammer tannins and thick concentration. Drink after 2012.
This Cabernet Sauvignon from Penedès is on the money. A smooth, creamy nose of vanilla, oak and berry aromas leads to a ripe, saturated palate with a meaty texture. Flavors of black fruits, wild herbs, licorice and spice are long, savory and chocolaty on a finish that lasts three minutes. Drink from 2019–2030.
This Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany offers up aromas of bell peppers, cedar wood and black currants. On the palate, this shows black cherry, raspberry and black pepper notes mingled with espresso. It finishes on a bitter note of unroasted coffee bean.
This Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of black plum, violet and vanilla that pave the way for bright flavors of red plum and blackberry on the palate. The tannins are a bit chewy, but the long finish is rewarding.
This Cabernet Sauvignon has enormously high alcohol that results in a glyceriney sweetness. However, in that category it's one of the best of the vintage. Hard to imagine a wine richer in currants and mocha, and the tannins are as beautiful as any Napa has ever produced. But it's difficult to see the wine aging well, so drink it soon with the most Cabernet-friendly food you can find.
This Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold expression of Tuscany with generous layers of clove, Indian spice, crushed black pepper and black plum. The nose is distinguished by a lingering clove aroma. The tannins are thick but smooth and the mouthfeel is plush and rich.
This Cabernet Sauvignon is already approachable. It's full bodied and supple, showing a little lightening at the rim. Cherry, earth and herbal notes take on hints of anise and chocolate on the finish. Drink now–2020.
This Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied and spicy. A good, sound wine for drinking now.
This Cabernet Sauvignon is subtle and restrained on first sniff, but only takes a few swirls to unlock its expressive aromas of blackberry, cassis, brown spice and undergrowth. Medium to full bodied, the palate bears seamless acidity and refined tannins. The finish shows some warmth, but mocha notes linger, creating balance.
This Cabernet Sauvignon shows a dark fruit aroma, with an herbal note at the back. It has a smooth texture and medium intensity, and it would stand up to pork or roast turkey and gravy.
This Cabernet Sauvignon smells ripe, with cherry cola, red currant and red plum aromas. Pleasant tones of church incense and vanilla lead to an oaky palate. Cherry and geranium come through, but the oak is prevalent and leads to a long, smoky finish.
This Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese blend opens with dark berry aromas and a whiff of new leather. The straightforward palate offers black currant and cedar flavors, sweetened by a touch of vanilla and round tannins. Enjoy soon.
This Cabernet Sauvignon, with 11% Merlot added, offers intense ripeness and a plush texture of soft tannins. Rich blackberry jam and chocolate flavors are layered with soy and leather notes, benefitting from integrated oak.
This Cabernet Sauvingon includes 6% each Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. It's herbal and austere, though not at all tricked up with vanilla flavor. Short and to the point, it's a good every day red for heartier meals.
This Cabernet Sauvingon, Syrah and Merlot dominant blend offers aromas of wet copper, zesty spice and herb that are followed by a silky soft, flavorful palate. It brings a lot of easy-drinking pleasure.
This Cabernet shows its Spring Mountain terroir in the big-time tannins and concentration of black currant fruit. It's almost a wine-reduction sauce, but there's a loss of weight on the midpalate that suggests this isn't a wine to cellar, but to enjoy now.
This Cabernet shows the austerity and dry tannins of a Howell Mountain wine, as well as a fine streak of acidity and oak. It has a blunt core of red currants and mocha. Seems to want some time, so give it 4–6 years to settle down.
This Cabernet shows the winery's signature style of massively extracted, ripe black currant, plum and chocolate flavors with elaborate oak. The finish is thoroughly dry, long and spicy. This is a flashy, showy wine, but it's in somewhat of a slumber right now. Give it another few years to wake up.
This Cabernet starts out tight and resistant. Although it has plenty of ripe cherry and blackberry fruit, there's something pinched about the mouthfeel. It's a good wine that will benefit from airing, but doesn't seem likely to improve in the cellar.
This Cabernet wants some time to come together. Right now, it's tannic and oaky, with fresh berry, cherry and dried currant flavors, yet it's very well balanced. Give it 6–8 years.
This Cabernet was made to be consumed as a dessert wine. It's soft, simple and very sweet, with white sugar and cherry jam flavors.
This Cabernet with smaller percentages of Merlot, Petite Sirah and other, unspecified varieties, is slightly overripe in taste, like plums left in the sun. The finish is a bit herbal, verging on green.
This Calabrese wine takes a light, easy approach and offers ripe fruit, spice, tobacco and cola. Gaglioppo never has heavy concentration or color but does do a nice job of cleaning the palate and makes a good companion to pasta with smoked bacon and pecorino.
This Calabrian rosé made from the native Gaglioppo grape exhibits fine notes of sweet berry, raspberry and blueberry. Bright in color and density, this is very nice wine from southern Italy that is clean and bright, but not banal.
This California-made Oregon Pinot captures a sense of the particular terroir of Chehalem Mountains fruit. Wild strawberries are laced with peppery spice and a streak of cola. Good penetration and texture.
This California bottling of an Italian varietal is rustic, with flavors suggesting cherry pie filling. This should pair with burgers and similar fare.
This California Marsanne is deliciously ripe and fruity with flavors of apricots, oranges, limes, papayas and honey. A touch of oak adds vanilla toast, and there's just enough acidity for balance.
This California Vermentino starts on a sour tone, its acidity turned way up, before veering into a more comfortable world of lemon, lime and herbal grapefruit. Drink young and fresh.
This calmly seductive wine has a deep, dark color, absolutely gorgeous fruit, wood smoke and baking spice aromas and a gentle texture that lets all the berry, black-cherry and pomegranate flavors soak into the taste buds. While quite full-bodied, it's easy on the tongue but does have an extra fine-grained wrapping of tannin to keep it firm. Best from 2020 through 2030.
This can be a somewhat edgy wine, but the warmth of 2009 has softened it, imparting a rich, velvety texture and flavors of dried cherries, leather, cinnamon and clove. The long finish features a chocolaty note. Drink now–2025.
This candied rosé is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Syrah. Full of soft red berry fruits with only light acidity, it is off-dry to taste. A touch of pepper at the end is less attractive.
This candy-pink-colored wine offers candy-pink-colored flavors. It conveys caramel as much as fruit, although with acidity and a tangy aftertaste.
This canned white is slightly dark in color, smells and tastes nicely fruity and has vanilla and cream accents. It's full-bodied, soft and smooth on the palate.
This Cannubi Barolo offers dark concentration and a bold personality with elements of sweet spice, black fruit, toast, chocolate fudge, licorice and anise. It's an elegant and linear wine with a direct and immediate delivery followed by jackhammer tannins and cooling freshness. Drink after 2015 with game meat and chestnut dressing.
This captivating wine treads the line between Rhône and Bordeaux. A splash of Cabernet, though just a fraction of the blend, stands out. The wine has depth and persistence, and the mix of grapes works well, showing brambly red fruits, like a Zin, spice and pepper, like Syrah, and some herbal and leafy tobacco in the finish. Complex, unique and quite appealing.
This captivating wine, from vines dating back to the early 1970s, will reward your patience. It must be decanted if you want it to burst open past the initial tart flavors of green apple and grapefruit. Once it does, it will delight with juicy citrus, ample acidity, and plenty of grip.
This captures all the ripe fruit and fresh mouthfeel you could ask for in a young Riesling. Succulent and peachy, with references to other mixed tree fruits, this also brings highlights of orange pekoe tea. Residual sugar is 20 g/L.
This captures attention with piercing cherry and cranberry aromas and with herb and orange-peel grace notes. The palate is soft, polished and layered, with a mouthfeel that dazzles and the flavors to back it up. The finish lingers.
This captures the essential flavors of Washington Sauvignon Blanc. There are no aggressive grassy-herbal flavors, none of the vegetal or canned pea flavors that show up in other New World Sauv Blancs. Here it's all about clean melon and yellow fruit flavors, backed with bracing natural acids, round and ripe.
This captures the gamy, herbal, earthy complexity of Washington Syrah, but mutes it somewhat behind a wall of raspberry fruit. Not a bad combo by any means! This one carries some stemmy flavors into the finish. Just enough to put a hard edge on it.
This captures the spicy vitality of Les Collines Merlot, with pretty cherry and plum fruit set against a smattering of new oak toast. It's a clean, well-defined wine that continues into a tasty finish with highlights of roasted walnuts and clove.
This caramel- and red-fruit-flavored wine is fresh with red berries and balanced acidity. A food style of rosé, it's round with just a light tang of orange zest at the end.
This caramel-flavored wine has a light red fruit character. It is off dry and needs to be severely chilled.
This caramel-flavored, lightly pink wine is soft and full in the mouth, with a light touch of tannin in the background. Drink now.
This carefully oak-aged Chardonnay opens with a bright golden color and sophisticated aromas of ripe fruit, apricot, honey, pineapple, toasted almond and vanilla. Rich creaminess drives a long finish.
This Carignan-based blend with 25% Grenache is dense and concentrated, highlighting just how well the old Carignan vines from the region can express themselves. Ripe blueberry and boysenberry flavors are matched with medium-intense notes of bay, menthol, sweet bark and bittersweet chocolate. The silky mouth offers a round but balanced feel, with a nice mineral lift to the close.
This Carignan-based rosé is soft and pretty, with delicate aromas of pink peony, white cranberry and strawberry hull that dance in the bouquet. The palate is fresh yet ripely fruited, with lingering tones of lime and orange peel on the clean close.
This Carignan from Cachapoal is one of Santa Ema's best wines year in and year out. This vintage is woodsy and dark on the nose, with boysenberry jam and shoe-polish aromas. It's tannic and powerful for sure, with flavors of ripe tomato, graphite, black plum, herbs and even salt. A rugged, briny tasting finish confirms the inherent rustic character of Carignan. Drink through 2019.
This Carignan welcomes you with fresh berry aromas that are like jam, accented by spice notes. Secondary aromas of coffee and toast lead to a full, saturated palate with a vise grip. Deep, savory flavors of roasted plum are spicy on a complex finish that blends power and elegance to the end. Drink from 2018–2030.
This Carmel Valley-based winery has modernized its label without losing its classic appeal. It's reserved on the nose at first, with tightly wound seared lemon peel, Gravenstein apple and marmalade aromas. Rounded lemon curd, browned butter and orange cream flavors show on the palate, with a strong honeysuckle element and a caramelized finish.
This Carmenère-led blend is heady, meaty and inviting up front. In the mouth, clamping tannins are delivered amid serious structure. Flavors of berry, cassis, chocolate and spice lead to a lasting, pure finish that fades slowly and in phases. Best through 2019.
This Carmenère-led blend opens with composed aromas of cherry, cassis and chocolate along with herbs and spice. The palate feels crisp and intense, with firm tannins and elegance. Roasted black-fruit flavors are peppery and chocolaty, while licorice and baking spice flavors grace a long finish. Contains 15% Cabernet Franc. Drink through 2022.
This Carmenère from an excellent vineyard is listed at a whopping 14.7% alcohol, but the nose and the palate do not comply. It is aggressively vegetal, with thin, canned pea flavors.
This Carneros Chardonnay shows ripe flavors of peaches, pears, green apples and tropical fruits, with hints of dried herbs. The acidity is bright and mouthwatering. Drink this polished wine now, but not too cold.
This Carricante offers aromas of citrus, white almond and cut grass. There are pretty touches of drying mineral and brimstone on the finish.
This carries true-to-variety flavors of peppery blackberry fruit, here cloaked in coffee and toast from aging in 40% new French and American oak barrels. The lemony acids contribute to the overall balance and ageworthy structure.
This Cartizze expression of Prosecco Superiore shows gorgeous fullness and softness with pretty layers of peach, nectarine and dry talc powder. The sparkler is smooth and creamy and renders a generous and soft feeling in the mouth.
This Cartizze Prosecco is a bit unusual in the sense that is it extremely tonic and focused in the mouth whereas other wines from this vineyard tend to be softer and more feminine. Aromas include lime, kiwi and powdered mineral.
This Casablanca SB opens with crisp, dry, capped aromas of ocean foam, citrus and green herbs. It's true to form in the mouth, with nice acidity and citrusy zest. Flavors of citrus and green herbs are focused but pithy, while the finish is fresh, crisp and tastes of lime and thyme.
This casual wine shows aromas of lemon soda, cut grass and ripe peach. The mouthful is simple and fresh.
This Catalan red is dense and ripe, with aromatic notes of beef broth and raisiny fruits. The mouthfeel is jammy and chunky, while flavors of raisin, prune and stewed berries come across loamy and soft. On the finish, this offers herbal flavors and lasting thickness.
This Catalonian blend is a concentrated number with a narrow, fruit-forward nose and cheesy leather on the side. The palate is full, grabby and ripe; flavors of blackberry and cassis are jammy and dark. It finishes sweet in flavor and ultraripe in feel, with a syrupy aftertaste. Another year or two in bottle will help this settle down; drink through 2020.
This Catalonian Cabernet is roasted and woody on the nose despite being more than seven years old. In the mouth, it has thinned out, leaving more acidity than weight and body. Flavors of oaky red plum and cherry finish lean, long and with noticeable flavors of vanilla and butter. Drink now.
This Catalonian sparkler is attractive from the start. Aromas of bready yeast, crisp white fruits and white flowers feed into a full but friendly palate with smooth bubbles and nothing caustic. Complex flavors of citrus, nectarine and mustard finish with intensity and character.
This catchy named, three-grape blend is a nice wine that's sinewy and leathery; overall it ranks as a natural and controlled reflection of Jumilla. The nose is forward and fiery, while the palate has berry-driven ripeness and plenty of oak. Better with food; the tannins are kind of scratchy with nothing to absorb them.
This Cava has a funky nose that's unusual. The palate is a bit flabby, with sweet banana and peachy flavors. There's not much to the finish and overall this comes across as overly simple and strained.
This Cava is mustardy smelling, with apple in tow. The palate feels fresh and solid, while flavors of yeasty, dry apple and white pepper lead to a toasty, firm finish. A likable sparkler but regular as a whole.
This Cava is so heavily oaked that it smells savory and saucy, with almost no fruit to speak of. Woody flavors are barrel-dominated, and so is the monotonous finish.
This celebration of legendary Jerry Lohr's 80th birthday is a winner on all fronts. A zesty, uplifting nose of blackberry, cola, licorice, leather and clay leads into a cohesively woven palate of soy, shiitake dust, roast beef and dark chocolate. The acidity is well-measured, the tannins are chalky and grippy and it's powerful without being flashy.
This celebration of Tannat is a balanced while severe and structured wine. Plenty of juicy fruit is ready to come out from behind the dry, tannic structure. There is power here as well in this wine that is firm and needs to age. Drink from 2019.
This cellar-worthy treasure has attention-grabbing spice, leather and smoky oak aromas. Ripe fruit flavors are heavily shaded with undeniably delicious accents of cedar and chocolate. It is bold in flavor, full in body and quite tannic in texture. Hold until at least 2018; the wine should improve even more after that.
This cellar-worthy wine is enjoyable now, rich and powerful in bright red and blackberry fruit, spice, toast and black licorice. Concentrated and layered, the tannins are thick and interwoven, and the juicy texture offers balanced acidity. Streaks of chocolate and earthy menthol on the nose and palate give distinctiveness. Enjoy now through 2024.
This Central Coast offering is sly and crafty, with a pretty cola and herb nose, a fine not-too-extracted color, and a supple mouthfeel. It has California richness, as it should, but also a reserved way about it. Sizable amounts of cinnamon, vanilla and oak are found on the persistent fadeaway. Smooth enough to be drunk now.
This Central Coast vineyard has produced an extraordinarily rich, vibrant Viognier, brimming with tropical fruit, wildflower, honey and vanilla-spice flavors. It benefits from crisp acidity, and finishes clean and off-dry.
This Cerise Vineyard Pinot is rich and bright and as delicious as a cherry tart. Silky and substantial, the finish has a pleasant herbal undertone that almost delves into leather. A great food-pairing wine, enjoy it with pork tenderloin or bacon-wrapped figs or dates.
This certainly has maturity, giving it toasty flavors and a touch of oxidation. But it balances that with ripe yellow fruit, ripe acidity and a firm texture. It's rich and complex, balancing ripe fruit and more a rounded finish. Don't age it, though—enjoy it with food now.
This certified organic and biodynamic wine has no sulfites added. It offers deep color plus bold black cherry and smoke aromas. Rich but dry flavors are both fruity and meaty, while a high level of fine tannins make it firm and almost chewy in texture. Not quite full bodied, it feels well balanced despite the intensity. Drink now through 2020.
This certified organic white wine from San Gimignano opens with lively notes of citrus, dried hay, stone fruit and a touch of exotic papaya. The wine is fresh and zesty with a cool, cleansing finish.
This certified organic wine from Damien Lorteau is juicy with attractive blackberry fruit. Spice and warm tannins (aged 12 months in barrel) give it a rich structure. It will have a fine future—a ripe wine with plenty of fruitiness. Drink from 2019.
This château in the middle of the Clos de Vougeot claims fame as the only winery situated inside the walls of this fabled vineyard. This ripe, rich and concentrated wine is full of jammy strawberry fruits that are deepened by the wood aging. The structure and the density of this wine show that it will age well. Drink from 2023.
This Château tends to release rich wines. The tannins and fruits are there, but they have been exaggerated with a hint of bitterness. In a year or two it will soften, but the harshness will remain.
This Chablis-esque bottling from Leo Hansen—the Danish, Healdsburg-based sommelier-turned-winemaker—offers Gravenstein apple, buttered toast and mandarin orange zest aromas. The palate is high-toned and brisk, with zesty citrus peel and grapefruit pith flavors and a prominent chalk-like minerality.
This chalky-textured wine has bright, citrusy acidity to contrast its warmer tropical fruit character. Balanced and fruity, it will be ready to drink from late 2017.
This challenging island vineyard, planted in 2007, delivers a stunningly delicate but ripe wine, with aromas of smashed cranberry and strawberry pairing perfectly to sarsaparilla and sautéed oyster mushroom elements. The continually emerging palate shows dried citrus peels, iron and sour cherries, along with riper raspberry and pomegranate juice flavors and a spicy edge.
This Chambourcin has medium-intense aromas of chocolate-covered cherries, dill and caramel popcorn. The medium-bodied palate feels limp due to soft tannins and languid acids.
This Champagne-method bubbly incorporates several different grape varieties, much like the Evolution white. It's round and creamy, with fat bubbles but good persistence. Flavors are in the sekt camp, with hints of honey and vanilla.
This Champagne-method bubbly uses seven different white wine grapes to create a bright, spicy, rather foamy and entirely tasty product. Lemon, orange, apple and pear fruit flavors abound, and the freshness and crisp definition make this a great mixer.
This Champagne exhibits both the freshness of the vintage and a sense of toasty maturity. Baked apple aromas are touched with notes of almonds and cookies. The palate is substantially weighty with a density of flavors and a rich, full aftertaste. Ready to drink now.
This Champagne is beautifully mature, its ripe fruit and soft texture magnified by toast and yeast. Rich and full bodied, its fine acidity keeps it in great condition. With a crisp aftertaste that gives it a delicious lift, it's ready to drink now.
This Champagne is produced for the Bordeaux Rothschild families to serve at events in their chateaus (Mouton, Lafite, Clarke). It is a beautiful wine that manages to be both rich and tightly textured with minerality, crisp apple flavor and a hint of toast balances all elements so well. A limited amount is available outside the family circuit. Drink now.
This Champagne is produced from a small parcel of Chardonnay in the heart of the city of Reims above the Lanson cellars. It has more than rarity value with its wonderful mature flavors, richness and flavors of vanilla, baked apple and hints of the wood in which the wine fermented. It is ready to drink now.
This Champagne is soft and has some sweetness (although technically Brut). Ripe melon and pear fruits are cut with enough acidity to keep the wine fresh and fruity.
This Champagne is soft with ripe red fruits and a gentle acidity. It is an immediately attractive wine, with an orange-tang aftertaste. The bottling is ready to drink.
This Champagne offers rich yellow fruit and crisp white stone fruits balanced with a full texture. Hints of the wood used in fermentation add to the ripe feel. Still a little young, it will be much better from 2019.
This characteristic blend of Braucol, Duras, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is light, soft and fruity with red berry flavors. It is ready to drink with its rounded, smooth aftertaste. Braucol is the local patois name for Fer Servadou.
This Chard's oak accents pineapple and lemon fruit flavors. It's dry yet honeyed, that paradox of Chardonnay, with a good burst of citrusy acids for brightness.
This Chard bowls it right down the middle of today's popular taste, offering ripe tangerine, apricot and mango flavors, enriched with plenty of caramelized oak. It's not particularly complex. Drink up.
This Chard comes down on the citrusy side of things, with just enough nectarine flavors to round out the more angular lemon and lime notes. It's medium-bodied, but boasts plenty of acidity to give it zest on the finish.
This Chard competes well with others that are considerably more expensive. The palate exhibits the cool growing conditions of the vintage with tart acidity that brightens flavors of tropical fruit and orange. Notes of oak and lees lend complexity to this delicious wine.
This Chard did not go through malolactic fermentation, allowing the acidity to stand up to what otherwise would be an overripe wine. It's strong in tropical fruits, peaches, brown sugar, vanilla bean and buttered toast flavors that are soft, direct and one-dimensional.
This Chard doesn't taste quite ripe. There's a green pea note that compromises the citrus fruits and nectarines. Other than that, it's nicely crisp and creamy.
This Chard has always been dependably rich, and here's another tasty offering, with powerful scents of tropical fruits and Oriental spices, and leesy-smoky notes of butter and vanilla. You'll especially enjoy the creamy texture, accented with peach, pineapple and spicy-buttery flavors. The finish is long and rich, too.
This Chard has lots going for it, crisp acidity balanced with intense flavors of tropical fruits, orange, buttercream and baking spices. It's easy to drink now with classic California fare like Dungeness crab and buttered sourdough bread.
This Chard is a bit heavy and oaky, with buttered toast, orange, pear and spicy fruit punch flavors. It's ripe with juicy fruit flavors but balanced by crisp acidity.
This Chard is a straightforward, good quaffer, with a light, pleasant sweetness more suited for late-summer picnics than dinner parties. Offers crisp yellow fruit, plus light citrus and mineral notes on the palate; on the nose, the fruit is tropical. Drink it before the weather gets too crisp.
This Chard is dry and crisp in acidity, with subtle kumquat, peach and tangerine flavors, as well as hints of buttered toast. It's a little on the thin side.
This Chard is gold in color, with mushy, oxidized aromas of honeyed peach and apple. The palate feels flabby while flavors of vanilla follow on the finish.
This Chard is rich yet crisply acidic and complex. Shows plenty of new French oak, but wears it well, with the pineapple, mango, honeysuckle and mineral flavors standing up. Delicious now, and will hold in the bottle for 4–5 years.
This Chard is ripe with tropical fruit, lime, buttered toast and caramel flavors, but saved from flaccid simplicity by firm acidity and a stony minerality. The source of the grapes is the Dutton Ranch, one of the most superbly managed vineyards in Sonoma County.
This Chard is smooth in the mouth, with white stone fruit on the palate, plus white pepper and mineral notes that extend through the finish. What's here is pleasant enough, but more of these good things wouldn't hurt.
This Chard is so rich in tropical fruit, green apple, lime, nectarine, orange, honey and vanilla flavors that it simply doesn't need any oak. With a fine burst of acidity, it provides plenty of drinking pleasure.
This Chard offers a delicate but intricate bouquet with aromas of apple, vanilla spice and tropical acidity. The palate shows more floral and ripe red apple flavors, with a moderate weight in the mouth and a balanced finish. A solidly made and easy-to-enjoy wine.
This Chard offers a fair dose of oak (and the creamy-toasty goodness that goes with it), yet has tropical yellow fruit to back up the wood. Soft in the mouth; finishes dry and oaky.
This Chard will divide lovers of the variety. It's certainly ripe in tropical fruits, peaches, Meyer lemons, pears and limes. It's also oaky, with a rich coating of buttered toast and vanilla bean. And there's no denying the crisp acidity that makes it finish clean. If you like that opulent California style, it's for you.
This Chardonnay's acidity and minerally structure are finely balanced, and its palate already shows richness. Full, fruity and textured, the wine's touch of toast creeps into notice. This is worth aging for 2–3 years.
This Chardonnay's lees, custard, pear and spice aromas are somewhat inharmonious. It's elegant on the palate, however, showing graceful apple flavors.
This Chardonnay's tropical and citrus fruit flavors are dripping with honey richness. There's also a lot of buttered toast and vanilla. Will appeal to all those Chard lovers out there who like ripe, lush wines.
This Chardonnay-based Brut expression matures for two years on the lees, and shows a creamy, dense personality. There are citrus notes with apricot, honey and white almond skin.
This Chardonnay-based Satèn sparkling wine opens with creamy aromas of vanilla, lemon custard, apricot and dried sage. The wine has a smooth, rich and persistent character thanks to the delicate quality of its perlage.
This Chardonnay-based sparkler opens with immediate elegance and intensity. The bouquet delivers tones of apricot, exotic fruit, toasted nut and yellow rose. The perlage is steady and clean and the acidity is very nicely balanced.
This Chardonnay-based wine, with 10% Chenin Blanc, opens with aromas of pressed yellow flowers, peach blossom and just-ripe tropical fruit. There's good zip to the bright fruit flavors, finishing fresh and clean. Drink now.
This Chardonnay-led blend, with 20% Viognier and 10% Sauvignon, opens with mature notes of apple peel, orange rind, toasted walnut, honeycomb and baking spice. The round, robust offers those same notes, followed by a subtle, refreshing salinity that appears on the finish.
This Chardonnay-Viognier blend is a touch viscous in feel but honest as a whole, with floral and melon aromas. Mild flavors of white flowers, orange and green herbs are light in intensity, but are coupled with a sense of roundness on the palate.
This Chardonnay-Viognier blend is slightly sweet, with vegetable-infused pineapple flavors.
This Chardonnay already shows quite a bit of age. Hazelnut and chestnut dominate the nose with burnt lemon peel acidity at the edges. The palate picks up roasted marshmallow and roasted nut flavors, followed by a toffee finish. Drink now.
This Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier blend is perfectly ready to drink with fine mature fruit, layers of toast and tangy spice. From a very good Champagne vintage, it's rich while having plenty of acidity to allow it to age further.
This Chardonnay breaks away from the typical varietal profile, with aromas of freshly cut grass and lemongrass. Delightful tropical fruit flavors of mango, lychee and guava dominate the palate. The zesty, clean and crisp finish is characterized by flavors of lemon pith and lime juice.
This Chardonnay brings scents of pear juice, apple and a light whiff of mint. It is smooth on entry with flavors of caramelized pineapple and golden apple. It has good balance and a clean finish.
This Chardonnay carefully straddles its price point. It offers plenty of rich, flamboyant tropical fruit, pear and oak flavors, with brisk acidity and a long, spicy finish, without offering much complexity. It's ready to drink now.
This Chardonnay from Dan Kessler and Ellen Haak-Kessler is a blend of of clones 95 and 76, featuring tangerine, pear, and chamomile on the nose. The palate is framed by tension and bright acidity, opening up to riper flavors of peach and melon, with a hint of sea salt.
This Chardonnay from Marcel Grillet's horse-plowed biodynamic vineyard called Pizay is still very young, showing a candy, confected flavor that needs to calm down. It has the potential for attractive fruit from 2016.
This Chardonnay gets its salty character and crisp texture from the nearby sea. That crispness is sustained by creamy fruit, acidity and a full-bodied structure that makes it ready to drink.
This Chardonnay has a prominent scent of dusty chalkboard, with background tones of toasted butterscotch, sweat and pear. The flavor intensity is subdued on this light- to medium-bodied wine, with a discreet note of hydrogen peroxide that surfaces late.
This Chardonnay has all the bells and whistles the winemaker can bestow on it. It's soft and creamy, with flavors of sweetly-sour pineapple and lemon-drop candy, buttered toast and savory cinnamon spices. Fine acidity gives a sheen to the richness.
This Chardonnay has all the highlights of Central Coast white wines. It's dry, acidic, pure and clean in varietal character, which in this case means pineapples, golden mangoes and white peaches. There's something so vanilla rich, you'd swear there was new oak, but there isn't. This is an entirely unwooded wine.
This Chardonnay has an appealing nose that's both fruity and toasty, with complex, lush flavors of Chardonnay fruit, vanilla and toasted wood. A spirited but elegant wine that will pair well with poultry, cheeses or richer fish.
This Chardonnay has brisk, crisp acidity and flavors of pineapple, orange and mango. There are dominating notes of buttered toast and sweet butterscotch.
This Chardonnay has depth, starting with its unfolding nose of ripe Chardonnay fruit, minerals, hazelnut and citrus. The palate offers flavors of pear, citrus and grapefruit, its character refreshing and fruity but somewhat complex. An impressive white that can handle richer dishes.
This Chardonnay has dilute peach, citrus and vegetal flavors.
This Chardonnay has fine acidity and even some minerality giving a bracing edge to ripe tropical fruit, peach and citrus flavors. It's heavily oaked, though, and has a soft ripeness that makes the wine almost off dry.
This Chardonnay has flavors of jammy tangerine, peach, tropical fruit and white sugar.
This Chardonnay has flavors of rich, ripe tropical fruit, tangerine, apricot and lime. The tangy acidity provides a keen finish.
This Chardonnay has good flavors of pineapples, golden mangos, green apples and honey. It's pretty good, but one drawback is that the acidity is very strong, almost overpowering.
This Chardonnay has plenty of ripe pineapple, pear and tropical fruit flavors. Having aged in 100% new French oak barrels, it offers rich notes of vanilla and buttered toast. Like all of Smith-Madrone's wines, this has great acidity and minerality, and even some tannins. Give this some time, and see how it is after 2017.
This Chardonnay has ripe, rich tangerine, pear and pineapple flavors. It wasn't aged in oak, and the malolactic fermentation was blocked. The result is a clean, vibrant and mouthwatering selection.
This Chardonnay has something for everyone. It's rich in tropical fruit, apple and peach flavors, with a jacket of oak. The texture is creamy, and the acidity is brisk with flavors of lime.
This Chardonnay has vanilla, lemon blossom and peach aromas. Lemon curd and green apple flavors come through on the palate before a pleasantly acidic finish.
This Chardonnay heavy offering shows mild lime and apple aromas. The palate is plump and full, with bready, yeasty apple flavors that end on a lees note and clean, mild apple flavors.
This Chardonnay hits all the right marks, as toasty oak influence is coupled seamlessly with ripe fruit tones and balancing acidity. Gorgeous scents of yellow apple, melon and honeysuckle transition through to the medium-weight palate, where they are met by attractive oak spice tones, a subtle tannic texture and refreshing acidic lift. The finish is long and evolving, and this should drink well through 2020.
This Chardonnay in a box is the equivalent of four regular bottles, but it's not a very good wine. It's ultradry and acidic, with unripe, vegetal flavors that just approach citrus fruits.
This Chardonnay is a little heavy-handed on the butterscotch or caramel, top to bottom, but its citrus and mineral accents keep the toastiness in check. Offers yellow fruit on the palate and on the nose.
This Chardonnay is a touch volatile on the nose, which deals some gym sweat and brine. Eventually things break down to dusty, soft white-fruit aromas. Flavors of banana, papaya and white pepper end with tropical notes. This is just good enough.
This Chardonnay is a world-class wine available at a fraction of the cost of other excellent French examples. It boasts soft wood accents to the ripe yellow apple, pear and spiced orange tones, with zippy acidity and a mineral streak that lend freshness to the medium-weight palate. It's a layered, complex wine that will evolve well through 2022.
This Chardonnay is almost Chablisian—it's bone dry, bristling with acidity, and modest in alcohol. There's a lick of minerality to the lemon peel, apricot and buttered toast flavors that makes the wine tangy. It's ready to drink now.
This Chardonnay is barrel fermented, aged on the lees and spends additional time in the barrel, all resulting in a big, honeyed wine. It is tremendously rich, on top of the underlying ripe fruit flavors of mangoes and peaches. Excellent acidity and firm minerality add complexity.
This Chardonnay is creamy and scented with vanilla, ripe apple and pineapple. The fruit has a slightly overripe quality, a suggestion of funk on the finish, and the vanilla seems artificial. It says unoaked, but that's a lot of vanilla nonetheless.
This Chardonnay is dry, with vibrant acidity and tangy, mineral-infused flavors of stone and earth. It shows subtle notes of Meyer lemons, limes and tangerines. Don't drink this too cold.
This Chardonnay is extremely close in style and complexity to Gary Farrell's best single-vineyard bottlings, for a lower price. The wine is mouthwatering in acidity, with rich tropical fruit, peach and lime flavors.
This Chardonnay is fairly oaky, as evidenced by savory BBQ and resiny aromas that run heavily over the top of apple and citrus scents. This is plump, resiny feeling and woody on the palate, with a mix of banana, tropical fruit and citrus flavors. The finish is oaky and tastes sweet.
This Chardonnay is flamboyantly ripe with orange, peach and vanilla flavors. It's made in an oaky style that's appealing to a wide audience, and brightened with crisp acidity.
This Chardonnay is generally solid. However, on the nose, palate and finish you'll find a briny, almost pickled character to go with aromas of citrus fruits, flavors of melon and apple, and finishing notes of melon and lime. All in all, there's not a lot to this wine.
This Chardonnay is generous, closer to Chablis, in a rich southern Champagne style, offering minerality but a rich, wine-like character, with vanilla as well as ripe peaches and soft acidity. Despite its age, the wine shows no sign yet of maturity.
This Chardonnay is made in a leaner, lower alcohol style. In place of the fat, rich fruit of some Chards you'll find a tart minerality, with the citrus and peach flavors containing hints of sweet green peas. Gains extra points for elegance.
This Chardonnay is marked by brisk acidity, and pure, clean flavors of pineapples, golden mangoes, stony minerals and smoky butter. It's made for drinking now with upscale fare.
This Chardonnay is marked by tart acidity, lemon and pear flavors and oak. While it's technically dry, it has a honeyed note that suggests Asian fare, or Sunday brunch with a cheese omelet.
This Chardonnay is minerally and dry, and it has taut acidity and structured quince fruit. The finish is crisp.
This Chardonnay is mostly about oak. It's strong in buttered toast and butterscotch flavors, with suggestions of pineapples, green apples and pears. Shows good acidity, but is just too oaky to earn a higher score.
This Chardonnay is one of the family-owned winery's workhorse bottlings, and it pulls its weight with finesse, showing light aromas of Pink Lady apple, grapefruit peel and almond on the nose. Lemon-lime acidity frames each sip, while grapefruit flavors meld with lemongrass and kaffir lime, finishing on riper stone fruit notes.
This Chardonnay is rich and decadent with plenty of ripe fruit and oak. It's a crowd pleaser with flavors of mangoes, pineapples, limes, buttered toast and vanilla, all brightened by acidity.
This Chardonnay is rich in all the bells and whistles, such as aging on the lees in French oak barrels. The underlying fruit shows ripe, racy tropical flavors, as well as peach and pear notes that are deep and delicious. With production of 8,400 cases, the wine should be easy to find.
This Chardonnay is similar in flavors and texture to far more expensive bottlings, with a wealth of peaches, pears, pineapples and buttercream. For the price, it's hard to beat.
This Chardonnay is slightly metallic and briny on the bouquet. It feels plump and chunky, with citrus and pineapple flavors coming in front of a quiet finish.
This Chardonnay is soft and tasty, with orange, pineapple, apricot and vanilla flavors. Drink now.
This Chardonnay is soft, with attractive and gentle green fruit and sliced-apple flavors. A tang of lemon juice gives extra freshness.
This Chardonnay is striking in its ability to convey marshmallow roasting over a campfire. It's full-bodied and lush, its rich fruit core of apple and pear seemingly dressed in clarified butter. That richness, however, doesn't weigh down the palate; it finishes with refinement.
This Chardonnay is tight and concentrated, with ample acidity and flavors of citrus, peach, apricot and tropical fruit. There's a hint of minerality, and the finish is touched with toast and vanilla. Don't drink it too cold.
This Chardonnay isn't as oaky as the winery's more expensive estate bottling. Its barrel notes don't overwhelm the wine, allowing bright citrus, tropical fruit and peach flavors to show through. The palate is accented with brisk acidity.
This Chardonnay needs a few more months to come around. It's tart with acidity, along with oak and tropical fruit flavors that have plenty of potential, but haven't meshed together yet.
This Chardonnay offers a lovely balance of vibrant fruit, spicy vanilla toast and lemon zest. Balanced and elegant, it's a great example of the marriage of Old and New World styles that makes South African wine so food friendly.
This Chardonnay offers broad, subtle scents of fresh oak and pear with a soft, fleshy palate. It finishes on a woody clove note.
This Chardonnay offers nothing but deliciousness, and doesn't apologize for any lack of subtlety. It's as rich as a dessert pastry, with pineapple and orange pie, buttered croissant and vanilla flavors. Brisk acidity makes it all shiny and bright. It's arguably one of the best Napa Valley Chardonnays out there.
This Chardonnay opens with a strong blast of oak resin that frankly doesn't smell very natural or nice. The palate feel is heavy and mealy, while flavors of resiny oak and salt lack fruit. The finish is much the same: salty and oaky.
This Chardonnay pays homage to the winemaker's wife and business partner, Rae Lee, who unfortunately passed away from breast cancer in 2009. This is an enjoyable showing, displaying lemon and peach tones over a core of creamed corn. Having spent six months in neutral French oak, the palate shows a bit of breadth, balanced by lively acidity.
This Chardonnay remains dry and resistant in acids and tannins. The flavors are elusive, suggesting minerals and lemons, with plenty of brisk, citrusy acidity.
This Chardonnay seems a bit overmanipulated; the oak sticks out in the form of vanilla and butterscotch flavors. But you'll also find plenty of tropical fruit and tangerine notes that are brightened by brisk acidity. Drink now.
This Chardonnay showcases Edna Valley's signature intensely pure varietal flavors, yet the winemaker's interventions, of oak barrel aging and sur lie influence adding complexity. It's delicious with flavors of lemon curd, pineapples, guavas, nectarines, vanilla and buttered toast.
This Chardonnay shows a beautiful minerality supported by rich and pronounced flavors of cantaloupe, wood-grilled peaches and smokey roasted almonds. It's medium weight and lush in the mouth, with a long evolving finish. Drink while it's still got some chill to it, as the alcohol is a bit too pronounced after warming too much.
This Chardonnay shows flashy orange, pineapple, peach and honey flavors, enriched with the buttered toast of oak barrels. The texture is creamy smooth.
This Chardonnay shows plenty of ripe, sunny California richness. It brims with oranges, pears and mangoes, with oak-inspired vanilla bean and buttered toast notes.
This Chardonnay shows the ripe fruit and tangy acidity derived from this cool-climate vineyard. It bears tart apricot, orange and mineral flavors, balanced by oaky notes of vanilla and buttered toast. Drink now.
This Chardonnay straddles the line between complexity and simplicity, with toasty orange and pineapple flavors brightened with citrusy acidity. Savory minerality adds interest and food friendliness.
This Chardonnay takes flavors of Meyer lemon, lime, papaya and buttered toast, and carries them over the finish line with a drive of acidity, minerality and complexity. Finishing dry and crisp, it's a wonderful wine with an everyday price that makes it a stunning value.
This Chardonnay tastes like a supermarket fruit punch of apricots, peaches, mangoes and oranges, along with the stimulating heat of alcohol. It's ripe and oaky.
This Chardonnay telegraphs barrel, barrel and more barrel. To its credit is its creamy texture.
This Chardonnay underwent aging in new French oak and sur lie battonage, yielding a wine that's certainly rich, but also jammy with flavors of pineapples, oranges and vanilla cream.
This Chardonnay wants time to warm and breathe in the glass, so don't pour it right from the fridge. After a little while it develops considerably in generosity, offering waves of tropical fruits, peaches and pears. The oak is pretty strong, even jarring. Give it a few years in the cellars to let everything knit together.
This Chardonnay was blended from several vineyards in Dutton's extensive portfolio. It's not only a great example of the art of blending, it's a fine wine in itself, showing brisk acidity and dryness, with rich, complex orange, Meyer lemon, kiwi fruit, honeysuckle and buttered toast flavors.
This Chardonnay, a blend of various coastal vineyards, is marked by high acidity and great dryness. It is emphatically not a soft, honeyed fruit gusher. The sleek minerality and elusive citrus fruit flavors have just the right touch of buttery, toasted oak. Drink now.
This Chardonnay, as you may have guessed from the designation, is unoaked. What you get is fruit, and plenty of it, in the form of pineapples and peaches. There's a good burst of acidity on the finish.
This Chardonnay, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier blend is a good, all-purpose white wine but lacks focus.
This Chardonnay, Viognier and Vermentino blend from Lebanon starts with aromas of candied allspice, flowers and toast. On the palate, the wine offers soft, subtle flavors of spice, flowers and vanilla. Unusual but approachable—pair with poultry, cheeses.
This Chardonnay—one of the best tasted in months—is light in the glass and shows clean, refreshing, yet compellingly rich sea salt, toasted sourdough, key lime and daffodil aromas. Its unique palate blends bright lemon-lime, Asian pear and Marcona almond flavors with a crushed shell minerality that brings the seashore to mind.
This charming and refreshing wine has aromas like green apples. Richer flavors that suggest white peach accompany a tangy but smooth texture. Light to medium bodied, it is perfect for lunch or pre-dinner drinking.
This charming blend of Vermentino, Trebbiano and Grechetto opens with pretty aromas of white spring flowers, tropical fruit and peach. The palate offers apricot, pear and citrus flavors, ending with a refreshing finish.
This charming Chardonnay-based white (with 10% Viognier) from Tuscany offers both strength and elegance. It sees three months of oak for softness and smoothness but also has pretty floral aromas that fill in the edges. Drink it with pasta or risotto.
This charming Pinot Grigio has a pretty nose of pear and white peach that carries through to the palate alongside lively citrus notes. This is simple but delicious, with crisp acidity that leaves a clean, dry finish. A perfect partner for pastas or grilled fish dishes.
This charming red opens with aromas of woodland berry and violet. The savory, easy-drinking palate offers plum, black cherry, a hint of spice and a smoky note alongside soft, polished tannins. Enjoy soon.
This charming sparkler is made exclusively with Chardonnay grapes, and offers delicate aromas of walnut, Golden Delicous apples and a hint of baked bread, all of which carry over to the palate. It's crisp and frothy, with a clean, nutty finish.
This charming white discloses delicate aromas of yellow flower and stone fruit. The bright palate displays tart apple and Bartlett pear alongside bitter almond. It's balanced and fresh, with lively acidity.
This charming white opens with delicate aromas of pressed white flower, beeswax and orchard fruit. The palate offers green apple, citrus and an herbal note alongside brisk acidity.
This charming wine has a bright character, showing notes of juicy wild cherry, mint and eucalyptus and accents of leather and truffle. Drink now or wait a few years for tannins to tame down.
This charming wine isn't big or rich, but it has an appetizing tang, supportive texture and attractively restrained flavors. There's a tawny rim to its medium garnet color, loads of fruit and spice to the aroma, and cherry, tart cranberry and oolong tea flavors. Well-balanced, it will drink best after 2019.
This charming wine opens with an alluring floral fragrance of Spanish broom and hawthorne. The palate delivers flavors of juicy peach and lemon zest, with a savory salinity that recalls the seaside. Pair this with pasta topped with clam sauce.
This charming wine shows the benefits of extra maturity. It has a light salmon color, and spicy, doughy aromas. Complex and layered flavors like cinnamon, ginger, hints of cream and fresh bread provide a lingering finish.
This charming, easy-drinking blend of Grechetto, Procanico, Malvasia and Verdello opens with a fragrance of yellow flower and spice. The palate offers flavors of tropical fruit, apple and lemon-lime, with a clean, refreshing finish.
This charred specimen smells resiny and of blackened oak, with grapy berry scents thrown in. In the mouth, this is rock solid and balanced. Heavily oaked resiny flavors rest on top of core blackberry fruit, while this shows woody dry tannins and salty baked berry flavors on the finish.
This chateau deserved its promotion to Premier Grand Cru in 2006. Nicolas Thienpont has made a wonderfully firm, dense wine that piles rich fruit upon tannin upon rich fruit, while still preserving considerable elegance. The after effect is of a solid wine, powerful, long-lasting.
This chateau is under the same ownership as Saint-Julien's Château Talbot. The wine is firm, fruity, rich and concentrated, showing all the best qualities of 2010. There is a complex array of black fruits which are sustained by the firm, solid tannins. Age for at least 6–7 years.
This checks all the aromatic boxes for Riesling, hitting notes of spring flowers, stone fruit and citrus. Then it settles down on the palate, offering classic wet stone and lime sherbet flavors that would be classic, if only they lasted a little longer on the finish. Drink now–2025.
This cheeky blend of Chardonnay and Bordeaux-inspired Sauvignon Blanc is delicately framed. Fresh and fruity, it discloses apple and lemon notes accented with hints of smoke and savory nuts.
This cheerful 60-40 blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc offers pristine aromas of white flower, honeysuckle, peach blossom and a touch of crushed white pepper. The wine is smooth and silky on the close and shows a sunny Tuscan personality.
This cheerful Barolo shows many of the most common characteristics associated with the Brunate cru. Because this site has darker, denser soils, the wine shows more richness and intensity of aromas and flavors. You'll get black cherry, plum, peppercorn and Indian spice. The mouthfeel is tight and firm.
This cheerful Prosecco delivers pretty floral tones and delicate peach intensity. The texture is lean and compact and the wine offers bright acidity on the close: Pair it with appetizers and finger foods to enjoy on a sunny afternoon.
This cheerful Prosecco opens with foamy bubbles and soft perlage and then segues to low-key aromas of honey and citrus. The mouthfeel is lean and watery but the wine does offer attractive crispness on the close.
This cheerful Rosso di Montalcino offers a distinctively oak-driven bouquet of smoke, spice and mesquite followed by a bright ensemble of berry fruit aromas. The wine is soft and slightly sweet on the finish with a burst of cherry and blueberry at the close.
This cheerful wine starts with a bright cherry and vanilla nose, followed by flavors of raspberry, strawberry, vanilla and smoke. Integrated and easy-drinking, it's a good go-to wine for everything from pizza to a more serious steak entrée.
This cheerful, screw cap Valpolicella offers crisp raspberry and cherry flavors over a lean, compact body. It's a lightweight, easy-going wine that would pair with soups or sandwiches.
This Chenin-based blend—with 10% Clairette Blanc and 10% Viognier—offers great richness and a lush texture. Notes of beeswax and brioche add depth to the orange oil, pear, melon and honeysuckle aromas and flavors. The medium weight mouth offers a fresh lemony citrus and green plum tartness, keeping the palate clean and vibrant. Drink now–2014.
This Chenin Blanc-based blend, with 13% Clairette, 10% Viognier and 4% Sémillon, starts off with notes of fresh herbs and verbena, supported by notes of lightly toasted-apple skin, white peach and melon. There's a pleasant roundness to the body, though ample acidity and a lingering clove accent pick up the midpalate and carry through to the lingering finish. Drink now–2020.
This Chenin Blanc-based white, with 13% Clairette Blanc and 7% Viognier, boasts a harmonious blend of fruit and floral tones throughout. Scents of underripe tropical fruit, green plum, apple and lime peel are kissed with hints of rose petal, ginger and honeysuckle, while the medium-weight palate boasts ripe flavors of green melon and fleshy pear. A hint of white pepper and minty fynbos lingers on the clean finish. Drink now–2019.
This Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc blend is classic Loire. It is lightly honeyed with perfumed apricot and pear flavors. Bright acidity and a crisp, clean aftertaste create a fragrant, fresh wine to drink now.
This Chenin immediately draws you in with notes of baked apple, beeswax and softly toasted brioche. The rich, medium-weight mouth carries similar notes of spicy toast and ripe pear flavors. Full-flavored and easy to drink; enjoy now.
This Chenin seems to have an older soul than its peers, with mature notes of honeyed almond and sweet spice that infiltrate the Anjou pear and hard peach flavors. Citrus pith adds a touch of bitterness to the otherwise toasty, sweet spice-infused finish.
This cherry-colored wine offers the nose baking spice, tart cherry and black peppercorns. It has a medium body with nice minerality and flavors of blueberry jam, tart cherries and dried violets.
This cherry-fruited wine is spicy, but a strong acid streak gives a raw aftertaste that should have softened by now. It is ready to drink.
This cherry-red wine is made from 100% Kadarka and has aromas of cherry, dried cherry, black pepper and cherry cola. It greets the palate with tastes of dark chocolate and tart dried cherry while finishingly lively.
This cherry-scented Pinot is straightforward, supple and easy to drink. Complexity comes from hints of cedar and menthol, while the finish is lined with fine, dusty tannins that elegantly linger.
This cherry pink rosé is a mix of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and offers plenty of pretty strawberry and cherry candied fruit. There's a sense of cotton candy also, as it wraps into the finish.
This chewy wine has vanilla, mature black-skinned berry and clove scents. The palate doles out black cherry jam, marinated prune and licorice flavors, with a warm finish that suggests elevated alcohol. Drink through 2019.
This chewy, dense and dark Syrah softly intrigues with black fruit and gamy notes. Given 20 months in new and used French oak, it's structured and ageable through 2020, a substantial wine with a sense of elegance around the edges.
This chewy, still-tight Cabernet is full-bodied on the palate, revealing savory, herbaceous characteristics. Made in a robust style, it's approachable and enjoyable now.
This chewy, tangy white wine is an engaging blend of 42% Viognier, 33% Marsanne, 23% Roussanne and a splash of Grenache Blanc. Fresh flavors of citrus, apples and pineapple abound. If you're looking for an unoaked alternative to Chardonnay, this is a good option.
This Chianti Classico is composed of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot. This last variety really shines through, rendering jammy aromas of cherry and blackberry followed by dense, chewy fruit.
This Chianti Classico Riserva has deep layers of spice, chocolate, wild berry, cherry, licorice and black pepper. The mouthfeel is smooth, long and fresh.
This Chianti Classico Riserva is a balanced and intense wine with beautiful aromas of dark fruit, sweet spice, chocolate fudge, espresso bean and pipe tobacco. That bright Sangiovese freshness pops in on the finish.
This Chianti Classico riserva offers black fruit aromas accented with spice, coffee and oak. The palate delivers black cherry, oak, vanilla and black pepper along with bracing tannins. It's a bit shy on fresh acidity and finishes on a drying, tannic note.
This Chianti Classico strikes a beautiful balance between elegance and intensity. It has both and its pretty aromas of wild berry, rose, ginger, anise and spice come forth in a continuous, steady manner. It feels bright and lively in the mouth and ends with a touch of piquant spice.
This Chianti has a fragrance of berry with a whiff of violet. The palate is soft and offers plump black cherry and raspberry with a note of nutmeg and clove. Not much complexity but it has savory flavors. Drink soon with cured meats or pecorino cheese.
This Chilean wine displays two personalities. The nose offers aromas of ripe peaches and cream, with honey and buttered-toast accents. On the tongue it turns crisp and tart, with citrus and green-apple flavors and fairly sharp acidity. It finishes short and bright.
This Chiles Valley producer, on the eastern edge of the Napa Valley, has made a big Chardonnay that doesn't exude much aromatically at first and veers sweet, but is otherwise balanced and could develop some interesting minerality over time.
This chocolatey sexy wine tastes of cherries and sandalwood, with a strong dark chocolate note. A hint of pine needles comes out in the bouquet, and although it's already drinking well, it will surely improve with a few more years of bottle age.
This Christian Roguenant wine, which translates to “Red Falcon,” offers a plump and inviting nose of black plum, cherry, cinnamon,and gingerbread aromas, with a touch of crushed slate. The palate tightens up remarkably, revealing gravel notes and dark berry fruit, proving minerally throughout the sip.
This chunky Côtes du Rhône blends 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache to yield deep notes of black cherries, dark chocolate and new leather, finishing long and fruit driven. Drink now–2015.
This chunky, beefy Pinot Noir offers plenty of flavor for a realistic price. Hints of smoke, violet and tomato leaf add complexity to the black cherry fruit. The finish is long and lightly dusted with tannins. Drink now.
This chunky, fruity wine is full bodied and rich. It shows all the structure and weight of the vintage allied to ripe black fruits and a dense texture edged with minerality. Still very firm and youthful, it will need many years to mature.
This chunky, full-volume wine straddles the line between soft tropical tones and a cool, crisp character. Hard-pounding orange and grapefruit flavors finish monotone and citric. This is vital but lacks sophistication.
This chunky, funky blend is led by the local Caiño Blanco grape, with Loureiro and Albariño in the mix. Lanolin is a more prominent aroma than any particular fruit, and this wine feels round but mature. Peach and dried melon flavors finish with little drive. Drink immediately.
This Cinsault is a departure for Michael David in that it's hardly oaked, leaner and more subtle in flavor and aroma than many of its other signature wines, a testament to both the 130-year-old Bechthold Vineyard and fine farming. Floral, it delights in cranberry and raspberry with a hint of peppery spice.
This citrus-flavored wine is crisp and fresh with intense lemon and grapefruit. The mineral texture gives the wine its refreshing zing while the fine fruitiness means the wine is really ready to drink when young.
This citrus-laden wine shows its fresh fruits right up front. It is bright, crisp and full of lime and lemon flavors. Spiciness adds extra interest. Drink now.
This citrus flavored wine is fruity and crisp with bright acidity and just a hint of herbal character. The wine is light, bright and ready to drink.
This citrusy wine is all grapefruit, lime and citrus peel, with green notes poking through. Enjoyable, easy and varietally characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc.
This classed growth is taking on a new life after years of not achieving its potential. With this vintage, the team from Château Chasse-Spleen has taken charge, and it shows in the structured density of the tannins, maybe edged with austerity, but also based upon rich, black fruits and a mouthful of vivid acidity.
This classic-style wine has cedar, tobacco and dark fruit aromas, bold and ripe flavors and a structure that's very firm yet not harsh. Cinnamon, clove and allspice accents complement its black cherry and dark chocolate notes, while a thick blanket of tannin wraps it all up.
This classic Amarone has a fragrance of blackberry and spice. The palate delivers succulent but restrained black cherry flavor, with accents of white pepper, nutmeg and almond. It's structured, but also has just enough freshness.
This classic Amarone has a layered bouquet, with notes of prune, plum, nutmeg and clove, along with bell pepper notes. The palate delivers ripe blackberry and plum flavors, with hints of black pepper and chocolate. While this is very structured, restraint and freshness add elegance.
This classic Austrian red wine blend, a specialty of the Gols region north of the Neusiedlersee, is here shown at its best. Peel away its tight, mineral outer shell, and the wine inside shows richly dark tannins, juicy fruit and an appealing red and green pepper vitality that contrasts freshness with the serious structure. Age for 3-4 years.
This classic Barolo delivers a lovely rose and violet fragrance and rich cherry flavors accompanied by hints of truffle and tobacco leaf. Still tough and tannic, this may soften a bit, but isn't structured for lengthy cellaring.
This classic Barolo is fermented with wild yeasts. The fragrance is earthy and floral, suggesting truffle, leather and ripe berry. The palate delivers ripe wild cherries and herbs, and reflecting the vintage, this is already forward and enjoyable now.
This classic Barolo opens with aromas of ripe dark berry, forest floor and a balsamic note. On the palate, clove, pepper and licorice back up a core of crushed black cherry and raspberry. It's young but already remarkably well balanced, with tightly knit, refined tannins and nervous acidity. Drink 2019–2029.
This classic Barolo reveals ripe dark fruit and earth aromas, and hints of orange peel and herbs. The palate is still closed, but you can detect ripe fruit, spice and mint notes. It has bracing but fine tannins, and promises to open up in a few more years.
This classic Barossa Shiraz is full bodied and lush, with velvety tannins and a long, mocha-tinged finish. Cedar and vanilla notes frame mixed berry fruit—raspberries and blackberries. Drink now–2025.
This classic blend from the Gascony region is crisply fresh and light, the sort of wine that just dances in the glass. It has a herbal character that is balanced by lemon and grapefruit fruitiness. The wine is ready to drink.
This classic blend of Bordeaux grape varieties maintains a classic feel throughout. It's elegant in frame, medium bodied and invigorating in acidity, yet rich with blackberry and cassis flavors. Tannins are bold and dense, but ripe, suggesting improvement with age. Hold till 2019.
This classic blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Savoie has resulted in the palest rosé that rivals only Provence in color. It has a touch of tannin, plenty of red-fruit acidity and a soft, creamy aftertaste. Drink now.
This classic blend of Douro grapes is soft, fruity and fresh. It has a mineral edge to the texture, giving a tangy character as well as a more complex set of flavors to the palate. Drink now, although the wine will be better from 2016.
This classic Bordeaux-style blend—made with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot—is a stunner now, and it shows the potential to age for another 5–10 years. Black cherry, cassis and wild blackberry notes dominate the nose and mouth, but supporting accents of forest and cigar box spice add depth and interest to the fruit core. Thick and slightly chewy, the dense texture and firm structure promises longevity and additional development to come.
This classic Bordeaux blend—67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 17% Cab Franc and 6% Petit Verdot—is crafted from 100% Sagemoor vineyard grapes. It's chewy and herbal, with substantial tannins. It probably needs some time to smooth out the rough spots, but it's got character and a mix of Bordeaux-like cassis and herb flavors, all in good balance and finished entirely in older neutral oak.
This classic bottling opens with enticing floral aromas of Spanish broom, acacia and a whiff of flint. The palate delivers succulent yellow peach, citrus and almond along with mineral notes. It boasts impeccable balance and nice length.
This classic Brunello is slightly more closed aromatically and subdued at first, but opens to deep layers of berry fruit and exotic spice as the wine stays in the glass. Elegant flavors of almond and cassis appear as pretty accents on the long fade.
This classic Champagne blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is dry and crisp with raspberry, orange and leesy flavors. It's quite a good brut, but slightly rough in texture. Drink up.
This classic Chardonnay brims in lemon chiffon, stony minerality and luscious pear. The complex, soft, supple layers continue to surprise in the glass, teasing the palate with unexpected notes of nutmeg and Tahitian vanilla.
This classic cool-climate California Chardonnay shows intensely concentrated kumquat, lime and peach flavors, off set by bright acidity. There's quite a bit of oak on it, but it's balanced, and adds a pleasant layer of buttered toast flavor.
This classic example comes from a cru vineyard called Terre di Dora, which is named after the Mastroberardinos’ mother. They should all be proud of this one. Wet stones, apples, peaches and pears start it off. On the palate, the structure and mouthfeel are nearly perfect. The finish features the butterscotch tones of malolactic fermentation. A wonderful example of what Fiano di Avellino can be.
This classic Napa Cabernet is juicy in explosive black cherry and cassis flavors that pair with firm, integrated tannin and an elegant structure. The oak is restrained, contributing complementary baking-spice accents. Long and sublime on the finish. Best from 2024–2040.
This classic offering combines Petite Sirah with Carignane, Grenache, Syrah, Peloursin and Mourvèdre. Truffled earth and black pepper give it a savory edge that's completely inviting, while the mouthfeel remains soft despite the powerful tannins. Enjoyable now, it should disclose a depth of complexity over time; cellar through 2021.
This classic Pinotage starts off somewhat tight and closed, but the layers of ripe, dark fruit and sweet spice unfold with time spent in the glass. A hint of barnyard adds depth to the black plum and cherry fruit core, spiced with notes of fynbos and sweet smoke. Medium weight, with gripping tannins and concentrated fruit flavors that suggest this is one for the cellar; try after 2015.
This classic Portuguese blend from five grapes is rich and opulent. Although the firm tannins need time to soften, the rounded, powerful black fruits are all there along with balanced acidity. Drink from 2019.
This classic site provides a grippy, structured experience of juicy, leathery blackberry and black pepper. The wine also reveals a brighter, more vibrant underside of red berry, perhaps from the contribution of 5% Grenache into the mix, alongside 17% Petite Sirah. Firm, focused and full bodied, this is a delicious wine.
This classic South American red has robust, rustic berry aromas that are matched by chewing gum, animal hide and spice. This is muscular stuff, with oaky, spicy, drying flavors of dark cherry and fudge. It's not a cuddly wine; it could use some aging.
This classic sparkling wine has aromas of pears and white flowers plus an intriguing whiff of smoke. The palate delivers creamy peach and apricot flavors, along with hints of walnut and just-baked bread. It finishes dry, with notes of toasted oak.
This classic vineyard delivers the goodies—ripe, round and quite pretty flavors of raspberry and cherry fruit, with orange peel highlights. The tangy acidity keeps it lively and the length suggests that it will drink well through the mid-2020s.
This classic Washington blend is 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Syrah—a perfect storm of power, precision and compact fruit. From the Merlot comes a thickly generous layer of strawberry/black cherry fruit. The Franc beefs up the tannins and adds highlights of coffee grounds, while the Syrah lifts the wine's aromatics and lightly spices it with pepper. Masterful blending by Andrew Rich.
This classic, bone-dry Riesling is sourced from almost 40-year-old vines. Made with native yeast, fermented in stainless tanks, and not put through secondary fermentation, it's an acid lover's wine. Aromatic and textural, it brings citrus, yellow plum and green pineapple into focus, with penetrating tartness.
This classic, fresh wine has citrus flavors and a light herbal touch. It is fruity, with a light tannic edge that adds to the attractiveness of the wine.
This classic, iconic Pinotage opens with dense aromas of pressed purple violets, forest berries, raspberry sauce and fudge brownie. The lush and decadent palate offers more of the same, with a crushed velvet texture and final notes of licorice and toasted spice that linger long. It's delicious now, but should hold well through 2022.
This classic, versatile, dry table wine has everything in good proportions, from a cherry-like aroma to ripe but not cloying fruit flavors. The moderately tannic texture has an appetizing bite. It's something that can be enjoyed with almost any meal.
This classically coastal wine, influenced by wind and fog, is light bodied and buoyant in acidity, perfumed by clove, cola and cherry. The oak is present, while integrated, providing a thickness of texture that should mellow in time.
This classically crafted wine opens with earthy aromas of rose, violet, leather and a whiff of game while the juicy palate offers black cherry, cinnamon and star anise. Chewy tannins provide support. It's already approachable but will continue to drink well over the next several years. Drink through 2022.
This classically crafted, 100% Sangiovese offers varietal aromas of forest floor, freshly turned soil, dark berry and a whiff of violet. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, ground pepper and aniseed alongside assertive tannins. It's still rather closed and needs a couple more years to open up. Drink 2017–2022.
This classically styled Barolo from one of the denomination's most storied houses shows archetypal Nebbiolo scents of dried rose petal, eucalyptus and hints of leather and berry. The palate delivers cassis and truffle notes, with layers of Alpine herbs. While tannic, the wine is surprisingly forward.
This classically styled Barolo has hallmark Nebbiolo scents of rose, violet, spice, leather and forest floor. The creamy palate delivers wild cherry flavors, layered with spice, mint, licorice and eucalyptus notes. It's well balanced, fresh and structured. While it's already enjoyable, drink it after 2018 for more complexity.
This classically styled red with 9% Merlot and 2% each of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot impresses with perfumed violet and its soft, smooth and succulent black cherry and currant flavor. Approachable and round, it has cedar and mocha undertones that make it memorable and compelling.
This classically styled wine has a spicy bouquet and wonderful cedar, cherry and tobacco flavors. The posh texture is supported by moderate tannins and good acidity. It's full bodied, well balanced and will make a great pairing with all kinds of meat and fowl.
This classy Cabernet marks a high point for Salentein. On the nose, it's redolent of oak grain, tobacco, vanilla and all sorts of berry fruits. The palate is full, ripe and solid as an ox. Spiced berry, tobacco and cedary flavors finish dry, sturdy and lightly herbal. Drink through 2022.
This classy example opens with a very floral nose and almost flower-shop aromas. But it’s not at all sweet on the palate, as tangy lime quickly moves to the fore. Impressively light and elegant, it displays some unusual elements and has a fine bead as well as a supple, herb-tinged finish.
This classy Syrah opens with a note of pretty funkiness, wrapped around stiff, tight, rather herbal flavors. The berry flavor is ripe but in no way jammy. Here the emphasis is on nuance, earthiness and herbal details.
This classy Walla Walla Syrah is still young and tightly wound, with juicy acids and flavors of tart berry and wild mountain fruit. As it opens in the glass it starts to show smoked ham and bacon, with black pepper in the back. Tannins are chewy and right on the border between green and black tea, but the bright raspberry fruit shines through. It's got good, crunchy structure and a substantial finish.
This classy wine is rich, with its firm structure still intact. It has bold tannins, ripe blackberry fruit and bright acidity. Its concentration, together with its dry, tannic core, confirms that it will age further. Drink from 2020.
This classy young Pinot is the second release from the winery's only Petaluma Gap vineyard. It's bone dry, mouthwateringly tart in acidity and delicate in structure, with complex cherry, cranberry, persimmon and cola flavors, nicely augmented by smoky oak. You can drink it now, after decanting for an hour or two, and it will soften a bit, or hold until 2020.
This classy, dry wine looks coppery in color, smells like cinnamon and cherries, and tastes crisp and appetizing. It has great balance, good flavors and a lingering finish.
This clean-tasting, nearly neutral-flavored wine is dry and medium bodied. Traces of cucumber and white pepper can be detected with effort, but it mostly offers just simple refreshment.
This clean and bright expression of Sangiovese from Tuscany would make a great companion to a simple roast chicken dinner. It offers bright berry aromas with distant shadings of toasted nut and leather
This clean and leesy Chardonnay was fermented half in stainless, half in neutral oak. Its flavors are apple, melon and celery, with a lightly beery, textural mouthfeel that refreshes and lingers. Just a hint of toast comes up on the finish.
This clean and relatively crisp wine has mild fruit-salad flavors and lively acidity. It's medium-bodied, not too assertive and should please a crowd.
This clean and sleek rosé comes from the Santa Maria Valley-by-way-of-Louisiana Murphy family. Watermelon candy and juice on the nose come with a touch of peach. These are followed by nice tension on the palate between strawberry fruit, bright acidity, chalk minerality, and quite a noticeable tannic grip for a pink wine.
This clean if somewhat simple bottling starts with an extremely light and delicate nose of red cherry, rust, sagebrush, thyme and anise. The texture is light on the sip but the tannins prove somewhat grippy, with flavors of pomegranate and cracked pepper.
This clean, crisp, medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc boasts standard regional notes of tomato leaf and white grapefruit without going too far into the tropical-fruit spectrum. Drink now.
This clean, dry white begins with aromas of spicy lemon and orange, leading in to flavors of lemon, orange rind and pepper. Light and mild, it's a simple but versatile food wine. Think grilled seafood, elegant cheeses.
This clean, fresh and fine-tuned wine brings apple, green melon and green leaf flavors together, with a burst of tangy acidity. A perfect pour for pasta and poultry dishes.
This clean, fresh, bracingly grassy wine makes you wish there were more Sauv Blancs from the Willamette Valley. It has the crisp elegance of the Loire, along with a delicate suggestion of chalk.
This clean, mild quaffer offers basic white-fruit aromas and a light-bodied, fresh palate. Apple and mild citrus flavors are short on the finish, which takes on an apricot flavor as it fades away.
This clean, simple and tasty sparkling wine is a Chardonnay/Pinot Noir cuvée, done in the traditional methode Champenoise. Pale straw in color, it brings flavors of green apple and pink grapefruit, with a clean finish.
This clean, thick, full-bodied expression of the grape balances into elegance as it goes. A splash of 9% Sémillon adds to its charm, the flavors a lush combination of pear and vanilla.
This clean, zesty Sauvignon Blanc has plenty of attractive white peach, green apple, citrus and vanilla flavors. It's a little on the sweet fruit juice side of the spectrum, but sure is tasty.
This cleanly made blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 25% Clairette, 20% Bourboulenc and 5% Roussanne displays an exotic ginger note on the nose. Melon and citrus flavors dominate this medium- to full-bodied wine that's slightly creamy in texture. Shows good length and hints of wet stone on the finish. Drink now.
This cleanly made Shiraz boasts decent aromas and flavors of blackberries, chocolate and earth, but lacks weight on the palate and shows some heat on the finish.
This cleanly made wine has potential to live long in the cellar. Intensely focused aromas of black raspberry and black plum combine with crushed asphalt and a touch of purple flowers on the nose. The tightly wound palate slowly reveals tart boysenberry, char and pine resin, flavors that the firm structure will reveal even more deliciously with time. Drink 2018–2029.
This cleanses the palate thanks to its alcohol and acidity, and aromas of red cherry, cedar and cinnamon. Pair this savory effort with spicy marinated pork or lamb.
This clear and bright cranberry-red wine sports a pungent nose with spice, cranberry, mocha and light cherry scents and flavors. Shows some interesting herbal nuances of thyme and oregano. Good focus in a fruit-forward style; tight and delicious with a pretty finish.
This cleverly named blend of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot is rustically likeable. It's a soft, slightly sweet and gigantically fruity wine, with some softening, creamy influence from oak.
This cleverly named wine by Joey Tensley and Alex Guarachi indeed packs tension into the nose, with fairly ripe peach, creamy apple and tropical-fruit aromas cut back by clean and steely restraint. The palate shows apple custard, mango and banana tones set against a grippy structure.
This cleverly named wine, which is a blend of several vineyards, is an astounding value. It comes very close to the quality of Pali's single-vineyard, far more expensive Pinots, with complex cherry, cola and smoky cedar flavors. Absolutely one of the best under-$20 Pinots in California.
This clipped, sharp wine leads with berry and plum scents. In the mouth, it's all acid and no fruit, tasting extremely sour.
This clonal combo from a meticulously tended family vineyard shows iron, cranberry, strawberry blossoms, sagebrush and a wound-up minerality on the nose. Sanguine flavors power the tip of the palate alongside cranberry and pomegranate fruit. A suave spiciness of dried mint and menthol emerges in the midpalate.
This clonal selection is sourced from vines planted in 2002. Fresh and precise, it's tinged with slightly bitter herbs. The cranberry and raspberry fruits set up with ample acidity. There's excellent definition and pull through on the flavors, with a lick of milk chocolate from limited time in once-used barrels.
This clonal selection shows powerful aromas of cinnamon, mace, sandalwood and plump boysenberry on the attention-grabbing nose. There is a refreshing black-plum-skin tartness to the sip, which is decorated with potpourri, sagebrush, bay leaf and eucalyptus flavors. The mouthfeel is soft, yet zesty acidity and firm structure hold it all together.
This clonal study blends rich black cherry and sassafras notes with cola, savory herbs, strong iron and slight scorched rubber aromas. The palate jumps from a red cherry and cranberry tartness right into a toasted sage and pencil-lead character.
This clonal study by Clarissa Nagy shows lots of brown spice, pomegranate fruit and wet slate on the nose, which is shy at first until a deeper sniff reveals juiciness. The palate offers an herbal medley of oregano, thyme and marjoram, spicing up the cranberry fruit, graphite and cocoa shavings.
This clonal study could have used a touch of help from other clones, but it's still a very tasty and vibrant wine. Quite light in the glass, it shows rust, earth, forest floor and tart berries on the dainty nose. The equally demure palate offers light cranberry plus touches of thyme and white pepper.
This clonal study explores the earthy side of the grape, with mulberry and dark cranberry fruit running alongside damp oak forest and slightly funky chaparral aromas. Lively flavors consume the palate quickly with tart cherry and peppery spice, all lifted by mouthwatering acidity.
This clonal study leans into a quite tropical area, blending aromas of honeysuckle and other white flowers with guava fruit. There is good energy on the palate, with a sour apple-cider character midway, dried pears throughout, stony minerality and a bitter aftertaste.
This clos within a clos has produced a crisp red-fruit and light-tannin-flavored wine. Its red-currant and raspberry fruits are balanced with acidity as well as tannins. The wine has a bright aftertaste. Drink from 2019.
This closed, reticent wine promises to pack a rich, generous punch in the future. Its potential shows in the botrytis flavor and the touches of smoky wood and apricot jelly. With this leashed power, it promises to be a very fine wine.
This closed, youthful wine is wrapped up in the ripeness and grippy nature of the vintage. It has a tropical edge to the fruit, a mix of pineapple and guava supported by juicy peach that finishes full bodied and lush on the palate.
This cloudy, unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc charts new territory for Argentina. Ripe flavors of peach, pear and melon turn more bitter on the finish, which isn't long due to modest acidity.
This cloudy, unfiltered white has delicate grilled herb, wet stone and ripe orchard fruit aromas. The crisp, linear palate delivers saline-inflected white peach and nectarine flavors while a bright almond note closes the finish.
This co-mingling holds 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Petit Verdot. Juicy blackberry and cassis make up the wine's fruit component, accompanied by solid structure and tannins, and an unusual sprinkling of coconut macaroon.
This coastal-influenced Chardonnay smells of green olive, iodine and sea brine more than fruit. A citric, high-intensity palate is chalky and minerally, as intended. Flavors of dried, briny stone fruits and apple are outright salty like the ocean, while the finish on this new wine from chalk-based soils is woody and briny, with juicy acidity.
This coastal Chardonnay is ripe and forward in apricots, orange and mangoes, bright in acidity and strong in oaky flavors of buttered toast.
This coastal Pinot exhibits ripeness, but also hints of green bitterness. It's dry and crisp with acidity, and boasts flavors of sour cherry candy, cranberry, baking spice and sweet oak. It's not likely to be a longterm ager so give it 1–2 years and enjoy.
This coastal Syrah smells reduced and funky, with notes of juniper, blueberry and green herbs. A jammy, saturated palate is more flat and dull than ideal, while flavors of stewed, herbal blue fruits and carob finish minty and green.
This coastal wine hails from two sites, including the Gloria Vineyard in Sebastopol, and Hummingbird Hill in the Petaluma Gap. It stays true to form in its light approach and high-toned acidity. Earthy, light in color and bristling in black tea, cranberry and pomegranate, it's lightly spiced in cardamom.
This coastal, cool-climate estate wine is fresh and fruity, with plush tannins that feel velvety on the tongue. Cranberry, pomegranate and orange flavors provide complexity, complemented by black tea and forest floor notes.
This Coda di Volpe has a subdued nose that lets aromas of chopped herb and mineral reveal themselves slowly. It's tonic and firm with good crispness and an easy overall approach. A Marc de Grazia selection, various American importers.
This Coda displays fresh and bright raspberry fruit. The acids come with a crisp snap, and there's an overall juiciness that makes it especially quaffable.
This cofermented field blend is 60% Tannat and 40% Malbec. It's big, black, bold and captivating, with rich blackberry and boysenberry fruit. The tannins are grainy and flecked with graphite, and there's a suggestion of mocha throughout. This might fool some tasters if it were to be tossed into a blind tasting of high-octane Sonoma Zinfandels.
This Colchagua Petit Verdot, something you don't see much of, is huge and saturated. Woody, spicy aromas include scents of chocolate but also pinched rubber and olive. Black-fruit flavors are herbal and give way to char, toast and chocolate notes, while heavy tannins take over on the finish.
This Colchagua Valley blend smells of lead pencil, coconut, black cherry, spice and vanilla. The mouthfeel is firm, solid and complete, with dark berry, fine herbs and spice flavors. On one hand it's fresh and alert; on the other hand its dense and brooding, with coffee and dark spice accents. Drink now–2017; only 355 cases produced.
This cold-climate vineyard is source to some of the most powerful Chardonnays in California. The '05 shows the massive tropical mango, guava, nectarine, apricot and pineapple flavors the vineyard effortlessly delivers. Almost over the top, it's saved by very crisp acidity.
This collaboration between American winemakers Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton and Japanese entrepreneur Takahide Sugimoto is stunningly high-toned and buttoned-up at first, with sour cream, yogurt, crushed ant, gunmetal, flint and quinine elements on the nose. The palate is complex and fascinating, with chalk and cement minerality bolstered by lime blossom, kumquat and tonic that opens graciously with time. Drink 2016–2026.
This collaboration from winemaker Austin Hope and Texas chef Tim Love starts with a crowd-pleasing—albeit sweet—nose, full of cherry sorbet and berry candy scents. The palate brings decent structure and offers plummy flavors.
This collectible botrytis Riesling grown on the banks of the Danube in Romania is very concentrated, with heady flavors of honey, caramel and apricot and a nutty overall character. The finish is crisp and there's some acidity to keep the wine light on the palate. An unusual dessert wine and perhaps not for every wine lover, but definitely worthy of tasting and discussion. Imported by Vidalco International, LLC.
This Columbia Valley Syrah boasts strong varietal aromatics. It seems to have a spine of iron and a streak of garrigue-like dried herb, with lovely flavors of pomegranate and wild berry.
This combination of 63% Roussanne with 37% Viognier goes through native fermentation and given time in neutral oak, making for a refined, light-bodied white pungent in pretty honeysuckle. Sharp acidity provides a powerfully lingering zip on the finish, the whole punctuated in herb and honey.
This combination of Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon is so heavily oaked that it smells almost entirely of clove. A grabby palate delivers flavors of blueberry, blackberry and clove in front of a finish that's woody and tannic. Time will tell if the oak will subside; at this moment it's dominant.
This combination of tingling grapefruit spice, pure lemon and leafy lemon balm on the nose is utterly disarming. The touch of green apple makes it even more alluring. The palate jumbles all of these fresh, lithe, bright and appetizing flavors together and swirls them across the palate on a joyous, light-footed lemon sweep. Oh for the pleasure of Riesling in a vintage that majors on freshness rather than ripeness. This dances on the tongue with its dryness, purity and aromatic ease. Underneath all that is concentration and a stony, firm core that anchors this in quality. A lovely, promising and utterly charming wine. Drink 2017–2030.
This combines 53% Zinfandel with 45% Syrah and 3% Grenache, all from the producer's historic estate. Expansive with fresh, juicy blackberry, coffee and leather notes, it has black pepper and cinnamon accents that contribute extra verve to the robust body and fleshy ripeness.
This combines 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Malbec. Its baking spice, black fruit and herb aromas are followed by silky-smooth dark fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
This combines 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Syrah and 11% Cabernet Franc, the trio integrating perfectly, with density and tannic grip. Oaky vanilla notes enwrap jammy blackberry, clove and a dark chocolate flavors, its juiciness lingering long into the finish.
This combines 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Zinfandel into a voluptuously lush and rounded package of blackberry fruit and tobacco leaf flavor. The texture is dusty and gravelly, complementing the jammy ripeness.
This combines 70% Cabernet Sauvignon with 30% Syrah, all estate-grown, and crafted into wine by Robert Foley. Herb, peppercorn and a sanguine note of wild game adorned in dried cranberry and plum pop on the palate. The finish brings strong, lasting notes of cardamom and clove.
This combines 73% Grenache, 16% Syrah and 11% Mourvèdre from Stone Tree, Arianses, Ciel du Cheval and Heart of the Hill vineyards. Its vanilla, pencil box, green herb, raspberry and purple fruit aromas are followed by quite sweet, ripe, full-bodied red and black fruit flavors. The balance seems off.
This combines 79% of the variety with 14% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. Together they offer crisp red fruit and a hearty sense of the forest, an aroma of pine persistent and lingering. Silky, with good acidity, it showers the finish in an oaky grip.
This combines 85% Pinot Blanc with 15% Viognier. Together, they offer a full, fleshy and fruit-forward expression of peach and pineapple that's fresh in uplifting acidity.
This combines 95% Pinot Noir with 4% Chardonnay and 1% Pinot Meunier in a just slightly sweet, rounded taste of fresh berries and lush, somewhat piquant acidity.
This combines a majority of Cabernet with 4% Malbec for a huge, powerfully made wine, aged almost two years in French oak. It is named for the block from which it is sourced atop the mighty Stagecoach. It's reflective in leathery tobacco and cedar and fully concentrated with flushes of dark chocolate and caramel. Drink now through 2022.
This combines all five predominant red Bordeaux varieties, with Cabernet Sauvignon dominant at 41% Cabernet Sauvignon. It opens in a juicy core of black raspberry and cherry, vibrant in lively acidity. Integrated oak and tannin make it feel richer and fuller than it is, which is elegant and food-friendly.
This combines all five red Bordeaux varieties, with half of the wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon. Juicy black cherry, cedar and integrated oak make for a straightforward, light-bodied and high-toned experience in the glass.
This combines bold fruit flavors reminiscent of peach or nectarine with leafy, herbal notes. The tomato and celery leaf tones provide a cool contrast to the ripe fruit, and a burst of crisp acids on the finish keeps the wine refreshing.
This combines bright fruit aromas of cherry and raspberry with dried tones of tobacco, earth and crushed stone. It's food friendly and easy going on the finish.
This combines Chardonnay, Malvasia Bianca, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc in nearly equal parts. A sweet, floral nose of honeysuckle dominates before apricot jam and vanilla flavors enter the scene. Thick and concentrated, it finishes with a dry, crisp lemon note.
This combines fruity and savory aromas, with a rich but tannic texture and full body. Aroma recall black olive and cedar, while flavors focus on the fruit components. Everything is in place for an enjoyable, well-structured dinner wine.
This combines Merlot from Minnick Hills and Birch Creek vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley and Candy Mountain in the larger Columbia Valley with smaller amounts of Malbec from StoneTree and Petit Verdot from Dionysus. It's generous in aroma, with with plentiful coffee, raspberry, bittersweet chocolate, flower and graphite notes. The palate displays a lot of elegance, with tart acidity providing support. It's a very pretty expression of the variety that should show especially well at the dinner table.
This combines nearly proportional percentages of all five Bordeaux varieties, grown on the founder's estate, allowing each room to speak. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot together make up the majority, paving the road to full-bodied ripeness with supportive acidity, the highlights being smoky plum, blackberry and mocha.
This combines ripe fruit flavors on the verge of being sweet with smoky, spicy oak accents and full body for a smooth and nicely complex taste experience. Aromas resemble black plums, the flavors are like black cherry, cinnamon and clove, and the finish lingers. The Grenache gets help from 18% Syrah.
This combines the sweet spiciness of oak with the apparent sweetness of the grapes in a full-bodied, extreme-flavored package. Aromas suggest charred wood, vanilla, maple syrup and cherry juice, while the flavor conveys blackberry jam.
This comes across a bit dilute on the nose, with aromas of green melon and underripe banana. The palate shows good weight, balance and a lightly oily texture. Minerally flavors of nectarine and peach finish solid, with lasting acidity providing support.
This comes across as quite sweet and tannic at the same time, with plummy fruit and drying tannins warring on the palate.
This comes across as so light, friendly and easy to drink that one almost forgets to note the outstanding purity of fruit. Fresh cherries and blueberries present themselves honestly. Silky tannins and a spicy aftertaste suggest that it took top-quality fruit and lots of experience to make something so deceptively simple.
This comes across as the best Don Melchor that Concha y Toro has produced, and at $69 it should be. It's very ripe, with oak sitting atop pure cassis and plum aromas. The palate is sweet, juicy and packed with dynamite blackberry and black plum flavors. Dark, chocolaty and long on the finish, with ripe tannins. Drink now or hold for five years.
This comes down on the sweet side, with orange, apricot and peach jam flavors. But the acidity is bright and clean. If you don't like sweet California wines, this isn't for you.
This comes from 30-year-old vines in the Quinta da Manoella, the family vineyard of Jorge Borges, one of the winemaking husband-and-wife team at Wine & Soul. This bottling shows the fruit-driven side of this vineyard, which also has 100-year-old vines. It's dense and solid, with powerful tannins that are beautifully integrated into the big plum fruits. The aftertaste is smooth, rich and concentrated.
This comes from a complicated blend of Muscadelle, Loin de l'Oeil and Sauvignon Blanc: a touch from both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Grapefruit and peach flavors bring out the best of the grapes, giving a wine that is both fresh and ripe. It is bright and tangy at the end. Drink from late 2017.
This comes from a dry-farmed site, all the better to coax out its stony minerality and delicate aromas of rose garden an d geranium. Fully expressive, it's voluptuous and lushly balanced, offering wild strawberry and tons of forest floor.
This comes from a field blend of old vines. It has a crisp and herbal character that is still young and still very fruity. Tangy and zesty, the wine is concentrated while also light and bright. Drink from 2017.
This comes from a mountain-high vineyard atop a relatively new Sonoma County AVA that straddles into Mendocino County, too. Savory and herbal, the 100% Cab offers dark sour cherry and blackberry and plenty of tannin.
This comes from a parcel of red clay that is not found elsewhere in the region. It gives a powerful and hugely dense wine that boasts good concentration and ripe black fruits. There is no sense of any aging yet on this impressive wine with its acidity and opulent ripeness still intact. Drink now, although the wine will age for many years, certainly until 2025.
This comes from a part of the Château de Cérons vineyard in Bordeaux's Graves region. It is a fruity crisp wine, light in texture and with attractive black-currant fruits. The wood aging has smoothed the wine, opening up the stalky texture. Drink from 2019.
This comes from a popular vineyard in the Los Alamos Valley, and offers nose-tingling aromas of black pepper, tar and a slightly sour take on purple fruit. It's not as exciting as some of the winery's other wines, but still serves as a solid take on the grape, mixing ripe fruit, crushed herbs and brown spice.
This comes from a producer based in the Marne Valley, so it is not unusual to find a 100% Pinot Meunier wine. It gives great fruitiness, apples and crisp pears as well as bright, ready-to-drink acidity.
This comes from a single vineyard that is owned by several growers but whose fruit is made into a single wine. It is rich, ripe and fruity, a powerful and full-bodied Muscadet. It has spice as well as citrus fruitiness and a rounded texture. Some aging has really improved this wine.
This comes from a single vineyard—Folie Hill—and shows the pinpoint flavors that such wines can deliver. Cherries and milk chocolate, with light notes of dried herbs, sail across the palate. It's drinking well and needs no further cellaring.
This comes from a six-acre vineyard of 30-year-old vines. It is steely and taut with an almost flinty character. As a contrast, the young fruit is crisp, full of citrus and green plum fruits. It is a ripe wine that has a few more months to be at its best. Wait until 2018.
This comes from a vineyard established in 1971—one of the first in the appellation to contribute a single-vineyard bottling of the variety. It features a treasure trove of rich red cherry, leathery tannin and dry mocha on the palate, emboldened by a twist of cedar and dried herb.
This comes from an underrated appellation, in the shadow of the Corton-Charlemagne vineyard. It's touched lightly by wood aging, showing ripe yellow fruit and a cool streak of minerality. Still young, it's developing well and will be ready to drink from 2018.
This comes from Bacio Divino, which has been crafting wines under that label for some years. The consulting winemaker was the veteran Nils Venge. The wine is dry, full-bodied and very ripe, showing classic Napa cassis flavors wrapped into superfine tannins. As good as it is, one wonders what sets it apart from all the rest.
This comes from estate-grown fruit in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Spicy and sharp-toned, it brings tart acidity and highlights of orange peel to flavors of wild mountain berries. The tannins are still a bit rough, but should smooth out with more bottle age.
This comes from one of Josh Jensen's vineyards that got barely a half-ton an acre this vintage. It offers aromas of sandalwood, leather, dried strawberry and sagebrush and is light and airy on the palate, with medium red fruits, roots and bark complexity on the midpalate. The wine finishes on nuances of hibiscus and black tea.
This comes from one of the new waves of wines from Alentejo that are fermented in clay amphoras. A fruity wine with lots of acidity and gentle tannins, it's ready to drink.
This comes from one of the Premier Crus that line the lower slopes of the hill of Corton. It has weight, richness and a densely tannic character that promises aging. Its packed red fruits are cut with juicy acidity as well as a firmer structure and dark-berry flavors. This finely perfumed wine needs to age, so drink from 2018.
This comes from one of the small Margaux vineyards that are dotted amongst the big-name estates. René Renon's wine is ripe and juicy—still young and exuberant. It balances Merlot and Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc in almost equal proportions, giving a wine that has structure and plenty of berry fruits. Drink this wine from 2020.
This comes from the northern end of the line-up of Premier Crus, which shows in the lively, crisp and tightly fruity character of the wine. It is developing slowly, still controlled and with light hints of toast. It will be a beautiful, bright wine. Drink from 2019.
This comes from the oldest estate vineyard, now reaching full maturity. Tart citrus flavors underscore pretty strawberry, drifting into a hint of well-ripened preserves. There's a light touch with the new oak, keeping the wine in perfect balance. Drink now through 2020.
This comes from vines in Chichée on the warm right bank of the Serein River. It is a ripe wine, full of rich apricot and lime fruits and a straight line of acidity that gives the Chablis a crisp texture. The aftertaste is lively and the wine is ready to drink.
This comes from vineyards close to the Bandol appellation, and therefore close to the sea. It is a rich, full wine that has a concentrated character and ripe tannins. Bold plum and blackberry flavors give the wine ripeness while keeping everything in structure. Drink from 2017.
This comes in at 15g/L residual sugar, but it's more than offset with mineral-drenched acidity, so it drinks like a dry wine. Pale lemon in hue, it offers citrus flesh and rind in a young, yeasty, medium-bodied wine. The persistent, crisply-defined finish leaves a pleasing aftertaste of tangerine.
This comes off a bit tight and rustic, with astringent notes of black plum and cherry skin, tea leaf, black olive and licorice root. A cigar tobacco accent unfolds on the palate and marries harmoniously with the black-fruit core, while peppery spice lingers through the medium-length finish.
This comes on tight and tart, with substantial flavors of apple, pear and peach. The depth and juicy acids suggest you'll want to put this on the dinner table alongside grilled halibut or swordfish, lightly spiced with lemon pepper and a splash of olive oil.
This comes out of the bottle a little tarry and rubbery, so splash it around a bit while pouring, or opt for a quick decant if that's possible. Once those off aromas dissipate, the wine delivers plenty of herb-tinged cherry fruit, with a medium body and a mouthwatering, fine-grained finish.
This comes out of the bottle with a little bit of funk, so give it a brief decanting prior to serving. Once the sweaty sock aroma blows off, it delivers modest cherry fruit and a peppery spice component that's reminiscent of nasturtium blossoms, a supple, round texture and a mouthwatering finish.
This comes out swinging, with bullish berry and prune aromas that hint at being stewy but then pull back. It's saturated and tannic but not rough, with black fruit, chocolate, toast and pepper flavors. Minty and dark, with a licorice note on the finish. Drink now–2016.
This commemorates the original Russian settlement of Fort Ross. The wine is dry, intense and delicious, showing brisk acidity and tannins that frame ripe raspberry, cherry and pomegranate flavors. It's fine to drink now, but will develop bottle complexity over the next 5–6 years.
This compact Aglianico embraces a traditional style with a leaner appearance and elegant tones of bramble, forest berry and balsam notes that recall cola and dried mint. It tastes fresh and offers enduring notes of berry fruit on the finish. Made with grapes from 70-year-old vines.
This compact and lean Barolo Riserva opens with a light but luminous ruby color with amber highlights. The aromas here are elegant and ethereal with loads of menthol, balsam and root beer-like overtones. In the mouth, this is a particularly polished and silky wine.
This companion to the winery's “Right Blend” is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, the rest an even mix of Merlot and Cab Franc. It's still a little stiff, lightly leathery, and shows a streak of green in the finish. But inside is some good Red Mountain material. A good decanting helps to open it up.
This compelling Amarone has an earthy fragrance of moist earth, dark fruits, leather and meat juices. The palate delivers ripe black cherry flavor, with velvety, brooding tannins and hints of raisin dusted with white pepper and cinnamon. This already has great depth but drink after 2016 for more complexity.
This compelling and delicious bottling has a grand bearing, sophisticated flavors and elegant texture, like something the staff at Downton Abbey would serve. The aromas are lightly smoky and spicy, like white pepper and walnuts. Flavors are subtle, dry but somehow rich, as hints of white peach, almond and dried cherry develop.
This compelling and distinctive wine is redolent with scents and flavors of sweet cherry and pipe tobacco. It punches up the palate and tickles the nostrils. Crafted from old vine Pommard (planted in 1973 and 1984) and cropped down to three-quarters of a ton per acre, this spent 14 months in 20% new French oak. It's one of those Pinots that requires your full attention.
This compelling blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (49%), Merlot (27%), Cabernet Franc (19%) and Petit Verdot provides aromas of coffee, mocha, sautéed herbs, cherry and woodspice. The flavors are rich and focused, backed by chewy, slightly dry tannins. It needs significant time in the cellar to show itself and will be best after 2021.
This compelling blend of Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne—aged for three months in 20% new French oak—brings notes of barrel spices, apricot and pear. There's a touch of sweetness to the full -bodied, textured fruit flavors that provides a perfect counterbalance to the sharply defined, lingering finish.
This compelling Monument Tree Pinot offers a sauvage earthiness, layers of red cherry and blueberry fruit and a depth of character packaged deftly around its silky smooth texture. This is a knockout wine, a testament to the power of great farming and winemaking in a cool year.
This compelling wine comes largely from The Rocks District. Seeing just a kiss of new French oak (25%), it offers exquisitely fresh, rich aromas and flavors, with notes of plum, pipe tobacco, leather and earthy funk.
This compelling wine delivers a tidal wave of chocolate, dark berries, earth and black olive aromas and flavors. It's huge in the mouth yet amazingly supple in texture, leaving no sense of excessive weight or alcohol. Hints of toast, menthol and coffee linger on the surprisingly elegant finish. Drink now-2025.
This complement to the Lost Soul Syrah comes from the other end of the Yakima Valley, the Red Mountain vineyards of Klipsun and Ciel du Cheval. Cranberry and strawberry fruit shows good concentration. It's a compact wine with plenty of minerality from the vineyard sources, and an extended finish once it gets some breathing time.
This complete wine has all the elements of delicious rosé right in place. It is fresh and fruity, crisply mineral and with a lively acidity. The texture makes it a good food wine. It comes from vineyards that are certified organic. Drink now.
This complex and distinctive wine is dark and brooding, and reveals itself reluctantly through an elaborate overlay of well-toasted oak. Below all that char and vanilla is polished blackcurrant and cassis fruit. The sweet tannins and weight of the wine are pedigreed, but there's a rawness that demands cellaring. Best beyond 2008.
This complex and positively charged wine has light savory aromas, and nicely earthy and spicy flavors that evolve into focused fruitiness with each subsequent sip. It ends up tangy on the finish due to crisp acidity and firm tannins.
This complex and savory wine has a noticeably gold color, rather quiet aromas of light baking spices and blanched almonds, and then reserved oak, mineral and almond flavors on a soothingly broad texture. It has good presence on the palate and leaves a lingering finish.
This complex blend of Duras, Syrah and Braucol has a definite rustic, earthy character. It is tannic and stalky, showing some greenness. With its berry fruits right to the fore it is not for aging.
This complex Chardonnay shows lots of smoky-sweet oak, with notes of buttered toast that are perfectly integrated with flavors of Asian pear, tropical fruits and spices. There's a wonderfully pure minerality that, together with brisk acidity, gives the wine a bracing quality.
This complex rosé effortlessly combines hints of flowers, dried spices, garrigue and red berries. It's full-bodied yet paradoxically weightless, buoyed by a long finish of crushed stone and fresh lime juice. Drink it over the next few years.
This complex sparkling wine was held back on the lees in the bottle for nearly a decade, which is the meaning of late disgorged. Tasted beside J's 2000 Vintage Brut, it's not as immediately luscious or delicate, having a more scoury edge, although the flavors are similar. The impression is one of ageability. Try holding until after 2010.
This complex spicy wine is tangled up in blue fruits—plum and blueberry—with a side order of raspberries. It's bright, youthful, in perfect balance, and sporting a palate-pleasing toasty note.
This complex Syrah has a surprisingly deep, dark red color, almost like a Port, but it's not nearly as heavy as it looks. It boasts intricate flavors, a firm but not fat structure, and signature cool-climate Syrah characteristics of black pepper, wood smoke, plum and grilled meat flavors. Medium-bodied and silky textured, it sips smoothly and leaves you wanting more.
This complex vineyard-designate is memorably full bodied and richly concentrated. It's integrated in terms of oak, with bold, forceful aromas and flavors of cured meat, salt and dried herb. Made in small amounts, it impresses from the pull of the cork through the last sip.
This complex white comes from cuttings procured in 2004 from one of the oldest surviving vineyards of this variety, thought to have originated in the Loire Valley, then replanted by the producer onto older rootstock. Lemony acidity meets light, bright floral intrigue around hints of peach, grapefruit and lime, remaining velvety smooth and balanced.
This complex wine has a touch of sweetness allowing the fruit to be ready to drink sooner. At the same time, it has structure, strong minerality and a floral, fragrant character. Drink from 2015 or wait for the full effect until 2018.
This complex wine has rich tannins and layers of new wood atop dark black berries. At the same time, it is rounding out well, offering spice, sweet acidity and a terse freshness that is infectious. It's a very fruity wine for the medium term. Drink from 2017.
This complex wine lists no fewer than eight different clones in the blend, harvested at an average of just 1.8 tons/acre. The winery suggests that it is their most ageworthy Pinot Noir, and the structure of this young wine would support that assertion. It's tight, hard, compact with black fruits, smoke and chewy tannins. It's a wine that needs time to stretch its considerable muscles. The roughly 50/50 mix of new and once-used barrels adds baking chocolate, licorice and charred toast to the finish; well-integrated and buttressed with crisp acids. But the lingering flavor is of raspberry jam; so good you want to spread it directly on your tongue.
This complex wine manages to combine dry minerality and sweet fruit in an interesting way. There's a briny note similar to crushed shells on the nose, but also bright cherry aromas, while on the palate an extra note of honey creeps in, imparting sweetness and length on the finish.
This complex wine shows a whiff of stem, from 37% whole-cluster fermentation, and quickly moves into a soft center, loaded with strawberry preserves. It coats the mouth, smooth and textural, with graphite highlights. The tannins are substantial and suggest it's worth tucking into the cellar for a few more years. Drink through 2020.
This complex, already ready Pinot melds flavors of fruit, root, spice and earth in a bold, almost over-the-top style. Blueberry, root beer, cola and soft leather components come into play, with a dried-cracker character as it resolves in the back of the palate. Best for near term enjoyment.
This complex, assertive dessert wine starts with aromas of orange marmalade, honey and tobacco spice, and on the palate, its smooth, integrated flavors of honey, citrus, cigarbox and spice are both elegant and unique. Its spicy, dry finish is an extra boost.
This complex, flavorful wine walks on the wild side with a bit of funky barnyard in the aromas and flavors. It's dry, moderately tannic, rather light in body, and brings spicy black pepper, grilled beef and ripe plum flavors.
This complex, light and floral estate wine is subtle in lemon and green apple, tart without being sour. It has low to no oak imprint interfering with the freshness of the fruit and texture, the minerality lasting a long time on the finish.
This complex, mature wine has plenty of red fruit flavors, but its main character displays concentrated, tannin and spice. Hints of leather and rich acidity add their notes to this dense, dusty wine. It is ready to drink although it will still mature until 2020.
This complex, ripe wine reflects the steely character of Dão whites along with perfumed acidity and rich white fruit flavors. Lime, apples and pears are smoothed by wood aging and given a final burst of freshness. It's ready to drink.
This complex, sophisticated and undeniably delicious wine blends strong flavor components into a harmonious whole. Aromas are lightly smoky and toasty, while flavors emphasize black tea, Bing cherry and sweet vermouth. The texture is firm and fine-grained giving a very smooth mouthfeel, and the finish lingers nicely.
This complex, spicy-herbal wine is also well-fruited, with a core of ripe black cherries. Anise and thyme notes mingle easily on the nose, while the medium-bodied palate eases into a long, supple finish. Drink now and over the next few years.
This complex, spicy and fruity wine is big, with attractive acidity. It is piled with berry fruits that give a rich character. The fruits are supported by well-judged wood. This full-bodied wine will develop well; drink from 2017.
This complex, tightly wound effort from a four-acre block planted to a single clone tastes of luxurious caramel and toasted oak, its flavors superimposed over a backdrop of forest-like scents.
This concentrated and fruity red blend has effusive black-cherry aromas, ripe black-plum flavors and a slight sweetness that makes the texture smooth and soft.
This concentrated and lush wine opens with notes of black cherry and berry, with supporting accents of baking spice, toast and cigar tobacco. It's velvety and filling, but with good grip and a solid structure to keep the palate focused and centered. An herbal accent lingers through the finish; drink now-2018.
This concentrated Barolo opens with aromas of violet, plum, subtle oak and menthol. The dense palate delivers crushed black cherry and raspberry layered with milk chocolate, coffee, clove and white pepper alongside fresh acidity and bracing tannins. Drink 2018–2038.
This concentrated blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc is anchored elegantly by a backbone of crisp red-currant acidity. It's an herbal, fresh red framed by firm fine-grained tannins. The finish is lean and lingering.
This concentrated blend of Nero d'Avola and other grapes opens with aromas of earth, game, underbrush and mature black fruit. The dense palate offers velvety tannins and doles out juicy black cherry flavor layered with fig, chocolate, white pepper, carob and mint.
This concentrated but not overwhelming wine has charred-wood aromas and ripe, almost sweet blackberry and raspberry flavors. It's ripe enough to be syrupy, but doesn't go over the top.
This concentrated Cabernet offers aromas of cured meat, dried fruit and rosemary. Barbecue spice and teriyaki sauce flavors give the wine a bold, chewy feel.
This concentrated effort boasts rich, ripe yellow-fruit and citrus flavors as well as fine acidity. It is packed with fruit, but it also has a firm, steely, nervy texture. It should be aged for 2–3 years, maybe more, for maximum effect.
This concentrated Merlot is blended with smaller percentages of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Dense in black licorice and toasty oak, the fruit character is dominated by red plum and berry aromas and flavors.
This concentrated Pinot Noir calibrates power with finesse, juxtaposing rippling black cherry and berry flavors against complex mineral and earth tones. It's luscious and layered in mouthfeel, enriched over four years of extended lees contact. While decadently delicious now, it has enough structure to age elegantly through 2019–2021.
This concentrated red conveys aromas of menthol, mint, dark-skinned fruit and espresso. The dense palate delivers dried black cherry, mature blackberry, oak, vanilla, anise and mocha alongside assertive tannins.
This concentrated red opens with aromas of mature black fruit, toasted oak and a whiff of Mediterranean herbs. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, red currant, powdered sage and espresso alongside bracing, tightly packed tannins that leave an astringent finish.
This concentrated Sangiovese opens with aromas of underbrush, toasted oak, vanilla, mature plum and ripe berry. The firm palate offers fleshy blackberry extract, clove, licorice and oak-driven spice alongside a backbone of bracing tannins. Drink 2017–2022.
This concentrated white is a mix of green olive and fig flavors that punctuate a thick full-bodied palate of toasted salty oak and lingering heat.
This concentrated wine brings tannins together with superripe black fruits and a firm aftertaste. A bite of alcohol spoils the rich fruitiness. Drink from 2018.
This concentrated wine floods the mouth with flavors of cherries, blackberry jam, milk chocolate, vanilla and toast. The tannins are remarkably pure, and the finish is dry. The one issue is high alcohol, which gives the wine a chili pepper heat.
This concentrated wine has dark tannins as well as perfumed red fruits, blackberry flavors and a dense structure. The old vines give extra intensity and the need to age. Drink from 2016.
This concentrated wine hits the palate like the shock of a cold shower. As the fruit settles, it shows depth of flavor, with notes of green apples and honey. Young and crisp, this is worth aging for another year at least.
This concentrated wine is also well balanced. Deep red color comes with bright aromas that combine red and black cherries with cranberries. Flavors repeat the cherry-berry mix and ride on a surprisingly light, agile texture. Tasty now, it should gain complexity through 2020.
This concentrated wine is dense with black fruits. Dark with chocolate and richness, it is still young and firm. Wood aging has smoothed the tannins and given extra fullness. The smoky aftertaste promises well. Drink from 2018.
This concentrated wine is dry and dense, its blackberry fruit still dominated by dry, solid tannins. It's built to age, so drink from 2020.
This concentrated wine is solid with tannins. The fruit is evident from the fine acidity and hints of black plum that push through the wall of tannin. Give it time and drink from 2021.
This concentrated wine offers aromas of tobacco leaf, stewed plum, grilled porcini mushroom and sage. The lush palate delivers blackberry extract layered with notes of chocolate and vanilla alongside velvety, embracing tannins.
This concentrated wine offers warm-climate aromas of stewed plum and scorched earth. The dense palate offers prune, baked black cherry, nutmeg and clove alongside velvety tannins. It's already accessible so drink soon to capture the remaining fruit flavors.
This concentrated wine opens with aromas of blueberry, leather and a whiff of cocoa. The rich robust palate delivers cassis, blackberry, chocolate and white pepper alongside firm, chewy tannins. Drink through 2023.
This concentrated wine opens with aromas of toasted oak, dried flowers and a note of burned rubber. The palate offers lemon zest, dried apricot, golden apple, vanilla, oak, honey and a hint of flint.
This concentrated wine was wood aged for six months, giving the lightest touch of oak along with ripe yellow fruits and a crisp tangy aftertaste. It has a touch of spice along with bright acidity at the end. Drink now.
This concentrated, almost syrupy Malbec smells mossy and mulchy while also displaying scents of coffee grinds, tree bark and blackberry jam. A bolt of tartaric acidity keeps it from being flabby, while flavors of blackberry and black currant are salty, woody and finish resiny. Drink through 2020.
This concentrated, assertive Barbera is also expertly balanced. Its black plum juice and spicy, smoky oak aromas lead to rich blackberry and black plum flavors coupled with velvety texture and full body. Moderate tannins provide some grip in the mouth, but the finish is smooth.
This concentrated, full-bodied wine blends 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, all grown from the producer's Upper Bench blocks known for cobbly soils. Brick, tar and pencil shavings accent a considerable presence of tannin and toasty oak. It should show best from 2020 to 2022.
This concentrated, full-bodied wine has fine, ripe tannins and rich fruit. Red plums, juicy red currants and an generous, rich texture are all there. The structure at the end is firm while still integrated into the fruitiness of the wine. Drink from 2022.
This concentrated, herbal wine has a good balance between the great fruit and the tangy, zesty texture. With its fruity character and spicy aftertaste, it's already a pleasure to drink.
This concentrated, midnight-black Malbec delivers the aromatic goods in the form of charcoal, grilled meat and blackberry scents. An extracted palate benefits from core acidity, while black cherry, cassis and blackberry flavors come to rest on a rich but controlled finish. Drink through 2018.
This concentrated, oak-driven Chardonnay opens with a rich golden color and offers opulent tones of vanilla, butter, pineapple, apricot and peach. It is a creamy, dense wine that could stand up to lobster or white asparagus. Imported by MW Imports.
This concentrated, ripe Sauvignon Blanc brims with rich apple, gooseberry and citrus flavors. It has a strongly mineral texture, tense acidity and a delicate, floral finish. The wine should be aged until 2015.
This concentrated, ripe, dark wine carries aromas of lead pencil, shoe polish, creamy oak, coconut and blackberry. It's loud and oaky on the palate, with modern flavors of black fruits, chocolate and coconut. This finishes mildly bitter, toasty and almost fat, but with healthy acidity.
This concentrated, structured wine has an earthy quality, typical of some Listracs, along with a more juicy, fruity character that's boosted by acidity. Balanced, it will age over the medium-term. Drink from 2017.
This confusing SB is bold in color, with aromas of petrol and apple juice. Dry, bitter melon, papaya and white pepper flavors control a dull finish.
This Connecticut white starts out with a successful combination of yeasty baked vanilla aromas paired with some lemon citrus, then leads into clean, light flavors buoyed by a lively acidity. Refreshing and easy to drink, and priced fairly, this wine will pair well with broiled and grilled seafood dishes.
This contains a higher proportion of Roussanne than Nalys's regular white cuvée, and more barrel influence as well. Toast accents pineapple, melon and honey flavors, finishing clean and pleasant.
This contains all five red Bordeaux varieties, aged individually before blending and barrel aging. Merlot is the majority, and it shows in the wine's coaxing of soft plumminess and simple seasoning of cinnamon and allspice.
This contains only 10% skinless Carmenère, so in essence it's Sauvignon Blanc. Peach and melon aromas are straightforward and mildly grassy. A fresh mouthfeel and simple flavors of tangerine, lime and grapefruit finish slightly pithy but steady.
This contends for the best $10 Riesling in the country. It's off dry, with 30g/L of residual sugar, but not too sweet for some Asian noodle entrées. The mouthfeel is thick and borders on syrupy, with penetrating flavors of mango, papaya and peaches. It could also be served after dinner with fruit and soft cheeses.
This Contra Costa-grown SB, fermented entirely in stainless steel, has grassy and flinty aromas and flavors but could use a little more oomph in its middle.
This conveys a heady mix of luscious French oak, butter and toast, plus roasted nuts, a dash of Cognac, orange oil, apple sauce and baked pear. This thrilling wine is the first Chardonnay from Trisaetum. It reflects the growing partnership between winemaker James Frey and Jacques Lardière formerly from Jadot.
This conveys aromas of mature dark fruit and leafy underbrush. The firm palate displays stewed plum, ground pepper and a hint of dried sage alongside extremely astringent tannins that cut short the finish. Tried twice with the same notes.
This conveys creamy richness while seeming almost weightless. The color of bright straw-gold, it's crisply defined, with citrus flesh and rind, melon and lemon verbena highlights.
This conveys pure strawberry fruit with just the right amount of tannin, making for a beautiful, perfumed wine. The dry core is still juicy with acidity and raspberry fruits, while acidity shoots through at the end. Drink from 2020.
This conveys the purest, most evocative scent of ripe Sicilian blood orange, embedded in a sea of rose petals. Floral notes and aromatic citrus freshness lead a dance on the slender palate that has the slightest edge of smoke and stone. The finish is dry, imbued with a haunting, elemental quality that makes this light but profound wine irresistible.
This cool-climate bottling from the young producer shows tons of florality and spice, from violet and lilac to white pepper and dried herb, underscored by blueberry and tar aromas. It's light and lithe in body, with elderberry, potpourri and pepper flavors, but the tannic tension is most compelling, clinging to the palate from start to finish.
This cool-climate Chardonnay offers beautiful aromas of white peach, honey, apricot and exotic fruit. It's silky but fresh mouthfeel should pair with shellfish or sophisticated Thai dishes. Very nice.
This cool-climate expression shows exceptionally-beautiful tones of peach, melon and pear. A tiny percentage of the wine is aged in French barrel. This is a fantastic white wine to pair with fish, white meat or vegetables..
This cool-climate Merlot opens with aromas of bright cherry, chocolate and a shading of toasted espresso. It's opulent and complex, with length and intensity—but it's never over the top.
This cool-climate Pinot Gris is balanced and light, and it offers refreshing layers of citrus, almond and peach. It will pair with goat cheese and seafood-based appetizers, and it will also be enjoyed on its own
This cool-climate Pinot Noir is soft and gentle. Its ripe tannins and cherry flavors are both lightly structured and juicy. Although still young, it's ready to drink.
This cool-climate Riesling, technically off-dry with 2% residual sugar, has very tart, highly extracted flavors, with flavors including tangy citrus, peach, apricot and papaya. The length, acidity, texture, mouthfeel, depth and surpassing freshness are exceptional.
This cool-climate wine conveys a super-strong sense of gamy meat, like just-roasted lamb with mint jelly, along with boysenberry, bacon fat, Sichuan pepper and, with patience, prettier violet aromas too. The palate, which walks the balance beam between tannins and acidity, shows bloody meats along with black pepper, boysenberry and earth.
This cool-climate wine is crisp, steely and full of fruit. Its acidity and touch of saltiness add to its refreshing nature.
This cool-climate wine offers relatively low alcohol and a delicate, mineral-driven structure. A light floral note opens into a complex, invigorating palate, mixing honeysuckle, beeswax, apple and wet stone. It comes from original, own-rooted, 1965 plantings according to the winery.
This cool-climate, northern Italian expression of Pinot Nero opens with nice aromas of blue flower, small berry and white chocolate. The wine is compact and short in the mouth with a fresh, crisp close.
This cool-vintage blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc brings light aromas of woodspice, and dried and fresh herbs, with dark cherries lurking in the background. The acids are bright and tart, while the tannins bring some grit, with coffee flavors lingering on the finish. It needs time to come together.
This cool-vintage Cabernet is a bit grassy and herbal on the nose, with standard berry aromas lurking in the backdrop. A tight, raw, driving palate feels focused but a touch raw, while herbal, dried flavors of plum and raspberry end with peppery spice, minty flavors and hard residual acidity.
This cool-vintage Syrah is lightly herbal and complex up front, with blueberry and boysenberry aromas. Compact and tight in the mouth, this is firm and shows no leaks or weak spots. Herbal plum and berry flavors finish toasty, and the overall feel is firm, serious and in balance. Drink through 2015.
This cool-vintage wine offers aromas of vanilla, coconut, barrel spice, clove and red fruit. The palate is full of restrained cranberry flavors that show persistence.
This cool-vintage wine saw just 10% new oak, putting the fruit front and center with aromas of smoke, freshly ground black pepper and whiffs of bacon fat. It's supple and lithe in feel, showing purity and detail in a style that is all about elegance.
This cool climate region is well-suited to this grape, producing aromatic, elegant wines such as this without the over-the-top perfume that can drive consumers away. Subtle aromas suggest light talc, acacia and calla lily, while in the mouth this is soft and smooth. Overall it's just plain pretty, with details of apple and apple skin.
This cool climate Roussanne shows more of a steely side of the grape, rather than ripe, round and fleshy. Citrus skin and peach pit flavors combine with a slight suggestion of chalk and mineral.
This cool site, set on sedimentary and volcanic soils, brings a blend of five clones into focus. Dark and juicy, muscular and complex, it weaves together plum and cherry fruit, a whiff of truffle, and finishes with a touch of coffee from the barrel aging.
This cool vintage helps keep the alcohol down, but the seductive aromatics more than compensate. Varietal nuances of rosewater and other floral overtones enhance a rather delicate, elegant reserve. Raspberry fruit and highlights of baking spices continue through a persistent finish.
This cool wine features considerable freshness cutting the fragrant fruits. The single-vineyard site of Hohrain is next door to Pfersigberg Grand Cru. The wine is still young and showing textured mineral character. It needs several years to bring out its depth of flavor. Drink from 2017.
This cool, crisp wine shows its bright character right from the go. Very fruity, fresh, clean and with a fine aromatic character, it's a wine to drink now or age a year. Screwcap.
This cool, mineral-textured wine has crisp fruit. It is refreshing while still tight, with a firm structure. It likely will remain nervy, taut and dominated by citrus. Drink from 2017.
This cool, minty, dark specimen smells deeply of chocolate and blackberry. In the mouth, this is saturated to the max, just like the wine's name implies. Flavors of toast, dark chocolate and black fruits finish with coffee notes and a blast of oaky chocolate. This is delicious but still fierce. Drink from 2018 through 2030.
This cooler-vintage Le Dix, which is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, is one of the best on record. Dry, lightly oaked aromas of ripe berry and cassis include a hint of vanilla. A compact palate delivers blunt-force red-berry and black currant flavors. On the finish, this simmers with modest heat as well as oak and café mocha flavors. Drink through 2026.
This Coonawarra Cab is dark and earthy, yet a bit herbal and tobacco-y as well, marrying coffee and herb flavors in a firmly built, full-bodied wine that needs a few years in the cellar to develop greater textural richness.
This cooperative, based in Aÿ, has benefited from the fine Pinot Noir in the village to produce a ripe red fruited wine. With balanced acidity and a soft aftertaste, it is ready to drink.
This cooperative, based in the Sézanne area south of Epernay, has produced an attractive blend of all three main Champagne grapes. The wine is soft, well balanced with its ripe apple fruit cut with a squeeze of lemon. Drink this fruity, floral wine now.
This cooperative, situated in Aÿ in the heart of the Montagne de Reims, has produced a rich, structured wine from this fine vintage. It has tension, with a taut mineral character along with excellent white fruit flavor. Even at 11 years, the wine is young and will benefit from some bottle age. Drink from 2017.
This copper-colored Pinot Grigio opens with aromas of green apples and whiffs of tropical fruit. The slightly sweet palate offers juicy pink grapefruit, ripe pear and peach alongside crisp acidity.
This copper-colored rosé is based on 85% Pinot Gris and 15% Syrah. It smells of dried apricot and cantaloupe, while the palate feels fleshy and round. Moderately complex flavors of salt water and stone fruits finish full.
This copper-colored sparkler opens with aromas of white flowers and bread crust. The palate offers dried cherry, bitter walnut and toast alongside brisk acidity.
This copper-colored wine has good, light cherry and apple aromas, and fresh, tangy but lean fruit flavors. It is nicely dry, well balanced and a bit crisp in texture.
This copper-colored wine was made from mostly Rhône-style grapes and has earthy meaty aromas and flavors, a light to medium body and a texture that's rich and smooth. This is not a crisp fruity version, but a more savory complex one that can fill in for a red.
This copper-colored wine, the result of extended contact between the just-pressed juice and the grape skins, opens with pretty aromas of wildflower, stone fruit and an herbal note. The savory palate delivers juicy apple, peach, pink grapefruit and a mineral accent alongside zesty acidity.
This copper-tinted rosé of Pinot Noir smells like a rubber gym ball and citrus fruits. A full round bouncy palate brings it around, while dry citrus and stone-fruit flavors show a skins-like quality on a steady finish.
This copper colored rosé is a touch flat, with notes of mushy red berries and melon rind that are hit with a minty accent. The palate is zippy and lifted by ample acidity, though there's a noticeable sweetness to the ripe-fruit flavors.
This coppery-pink rosé shows the same classy toast and citrus notes as Jansz's Premium Cuvée, with just a hint of cherry and mushroom to differentiate it. It's medium bodied, with a clean, refreshing finish. Good value.
This coral-pink-colored wine brings light aromas of cherry and spice. It drinks a hair off dry, with a rounded, fleshy feel and a mouthwatering finish.
This Corbiéres blanc is 50% Marsanne and 50% Roussanne, and it is a stunner. Aromas of toasty red apple, soft bouquet garni and a hint of sweet spice draw you in immediately. The medium- weight mouth is fruity and spicy all at once, with accents of butter and peach pit developing on the close. Drink now through 2013.
This corner of the Carmel Valley can make some awesome Pinot Noir, and in this wine's case, it presents an amazing bouquet that starts with spearmint and moves to olive tapenade, cooked strawberry and rhubarb, with some barnyard gaminess on the edges. The flavors are distinctive—tart berries to charred lamb to rosemary, thyme, clove and crushed herbs.
This could be Chardonnay, or any light white wine. Fruit flavors are apple and pear; there's lots of acidity. A simple, pleasant, everyday style.
This could be classified as a red wine—it's as dark as some Pinot Noir. But the winery recommends chilling it, so we'll call it a blush. The blend is not disclosed. The flavors are rich with strawberries, persimmons and limes.
This could be considered a liquid dessert, with a rich gold color, abundant aromas of baked apple and pear tart, and tasty vanilla and marzipan flavors. But with 1% dosage it's not overly sweet, just very lush in texture, concentrated in flavor and long on the finish.
This could be crisper. It's a little on the soft side, which gives it a melted, candied feeling. But there's no question that it's a delicious wine. It just floods the mouth with pineapple custard, lemon, pear, vanilla, honey, almond cookie and crème brûlée flavors.
This could be in a mute phase, but this straight Barbaresco is inexpressive right now. While the nose shows hints of violet and herb, the palate reveals only modest hints of cherry and spice.
This could be labeled as Cabernet Franc, since it comprises 80% of the blend. The youthful lightness of the estate-grown grapes seems to lift the naturally tannic nature of the variety. It's clean and balanced, and it comes with an herbal underpinning. This is best for near-term drinking.
This could be labeled Cabernet Sauvignon; the only other grape in the blend is a 14% Cab Franc component. Rich black cherry fruit provides the solid base, but after that the wine tightens down, so decanting would be essential if you plan to drink it soon. The scents weave together black fruits, spices and licorice; more than any of the other new releases from Soos Creek, this needs more time to settle.
This could be labeled Cabernet Sauvignon; the only other grape is Cab Franc (11%). The vineyard's characteristic lush black cherry fruit is surrounded by even darker components: earth, balsamic, baking chocolate, and espresso. There's an interesting walnut flavor (from the barrels?) and the fruit threads through to the very end of a long finish, supported by firm acids.
This could be labeled Merlot, which comprises three-quarters of the Bordeaux-style blend. Big, bold, dark and intensely aromatic, it's a bit tight and tannic at first, but opens gracefully into well-layered, powerfully-structured flavors of violets and smoke, cherries and chocolate. Highlights of ground coffee and graphite extend through the finish.
This could be straight out of New Zealand given its styling, which features pungent notes of crushed tomato leaf and gooseberries. It's light and refreshing, with a clean, crisp finish.
This could be the best Astrales to date. Alluring scents of plum, blueberry and spice are backed by balsam dust and briary pipe-tobacco aromas. Deep and tannic on the palate, then packed with mocha, chocolate, toasted marshmallow, cassis and cherry cough drop flavors, this is fixed and firm now, with a staunch, intense, nervy finish. Drink from 2015–2028.
This could be the best Pinot Blanc in Oregon right now, with lushness from barrel fermentation offset by the delicate balance throughout. Despite its modest 12.5% alcohol, this is a wine of considerable depth, with a mix of ripe yellow fruits and persistent, toasty highlights.
This could very well be Chile's most expressive, interesting white Sauvignon. It's got all those prickly pineapple, passion fruit, scallion and pepper notes that are typical, and also a lot of pure citrus flavors backing it all up. The mouthfeel is zesty and spirited, but there's natural roundness, too. Some licorice adds complexity to the finish. Best Buy.
This county-derived Cabernet is plush and pronounced in big, smoky tannins. A taste of berry pie evens things out, before a long, dry finish. It's a good pick for larger gatherings.
This creamed-apple flavored wine is soft, smooth and ripe. It has a dense texture, concentrated structure and rounded corners attractively touched by acidity. The aftertaste is crisp with a fresh, clean finish. Screwcap. Artisanal Cellars, Select Wines.
This creamy and delicious blend of 80% Petite Sirah, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre truly outperforms all its parts. It offers high tones of red fruit, earthy licorice and tamed tobacco. Medium in body with well-behaved tannins, it has a dusty finish that's very appealing.
This creamy and viscous white from one of the valley's cooler appellations is kept fresh and lively by moderate acidity. Its fruit is of the lush peach and nectarine variety, laced with vanilla.
This creamy blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco offers a solid structure, firm and persistent perlage, backed by fragrant aromas of yellow fruit and pressed flowers. You could pair this wine with shellfish or smoked salmon.
This creamy blend of Friulano and Ribolla Gialla offers beautiful intensity and bold aromas of yellow fruit, Golden Delicious apple, almond and honeydew melon. The wine's rich texture is both smooth and fine.
This creamy expression of Insolia is redolent of citrus mousse, melon and a touch of baked apricot. Pair it with spaghetti and clam sauce.
This creamy feeling wine is dry and spicy on the nose more than bold and fruity. Candied cherry, raspberry and milk chocolate flavors carry mild spice accents, while the finish is lightly oaked in flavor and a touch chewy in texture.
This creamy Pinot Grigio from Northeast Italy delivers thick aromas of mature melon, peach and honeysuckle. The wine offers breadth and width in the mouth thanks to its naturally rich consistency.
This creamy Sauvignon from Central Italy opens with ripe fruit aromas of citrus and melon followed by a tangy point of sage or Mediterranean herb. It feels thin and shows mild acidity.
This creamy Soave Superiore opens with a playful note of vanilla and mature peach backed by drying mineral and white almond. Fresh acidity is enhanced by the wine's naturally rich density.
This creamy sparkler has a floral fragrance of white flower and pear. The palate delivers tropical fruit, citrus, bitter almond and sage notes. This is a classic apéritif and perfect for making toasts.
This creamy Tuscan Chardonnay shares many characteristics with its distant cousin in California. It shows a decidedly New World style, with aromas of vanilla cream, dried apricot, honey, peach cobbler and crème brûlée. The finish is marked with a spicy toasted-oak intensity.
This creamy Vermentino offers aromas of peach, exotic fruit, honey, pine nut and chopped herb. There's a touch of green fruit, kiwi and basil as well.
This creamy white is soft and smooth, with just the right kick of acidity at the end. Delicious and perfumed, it's ready to drink now.
This creamy wine has a really ripe character. Acidity comes from the cooler location of the vineyard, while the warmth of the summer shows through in the yellow fruits as well as in the fresh, crunchy red apples. A textured edge conveys minerality and leaves a fresh, clean taste in the mouth. Drink from 2017.
This creamy wine has soft fruit flavors and light acidity. It has a touch of spice as well as pear and melon fruits. The texture is warm, ripe and rounded with just enough acidity at the end to keep the wine buoyant. Drink now.
This creamy wine offers attractive red fruits and balanced acidity. It is on the sweeter side of brut, giving a soft, ripe fruit character to this easy, ready-to-drink wine.
This creamy, candied Viognier comes across hot and high in alcohol, with banana and vanilla aromas that are not very encouraging. Flavors of Animal Cracker cookies, vanilla and canned fruits end in a sweet, soft, cloying finish.
This creamy, fragrant wine seamlessly combines the rich fruit typical of Cartizze with the drier Brut style. It opens with heady scents of jasmine, wisteria, exotic fruit and green apple while the creamy palate offers juicy peach, thyme and citrus zest alongside a foamy mousse. It closes crisp and clean.
This creamy, fresh wine opens with orchard fruit, citrus and banana scents. The medium-bodied palate delivers white peach and nectarine flavors, with bright acidity that leaves a tangy finish.
This creamy, light and soft wine offers attractive acidity and a touch of citrus. It is fruity and brings a bright aftertaste. The wine with its light buttery character is ready to drink.
This creamy, lush wine expresses orange and tangerine fruit mostly, with slight cherry and strawberry accents. High-toned acidity lifts the riper, plush mouthfeel.
This creamy, oaky Malbec opens with aromas of rubber and raw oak, although with airing black plum, blackberry and chocolate scents rise up. Full, creamy and jammy in feel, this tastes of black plum, blackberry, chocolate and vanilla. A heady, oaky, sticky finish wraps it up.
This creamy, rounded wine shows soft spice, baked apple and nutmeg flavors. It is rich, medium-dry in character and softly textured.
This creative blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 15% Tannat, 13% Petit Verdot, 8% Syrah and 1% Petite Sirah offers roasted red-bell pepper, black gravel, black plums, chocolate cake and caramelized beef on the umami-driven nose. The palate is tighter, with elderberries, cranberries and decent tannic grip, proving tasty but not quite as exciting as the nose suggests.
This creative blend of 64% Zinfandel, 21% Grenache, 11% Petite Sirah and 4% Syrah shows chalky cherry, nose-tickling violets and a bright bloodiness on the nose. The palate is framed with a tongue-tingling acidity, offering flavors of olallieberries, spicy peppercorn and a sanguine character throughout.
This creative blend of 74% Viognier, 19% Chardonnay, 4% Grenache Blanc and 3% Albariño delivers a juicy nose of squeezed orange and peach with tangerine-rind edge and yellow-cake warmth. There's a flash of acidity at first sip, then the flavors dive toward green apples, guava and banana, altogether both ripe and sour.
This creatively labeled bottling by Herman Story alum Chris Kiranbay uses 70% whole cluster fruit to produce a complex nose bursting with strawberry, kola nut, mulberry, elderflower and maraschino cherry aromas. The palate starts with mulberry fruit, growing more serious as it opens, with slate-inflected textural tension, finishing on cinnamon spice.
This creeps up slowly, gradually revealing its rich, spicy character that's laced with creamed pear and vanilla. What it lacks in fresh acidity, it certainly makes up for in ripeness.
This Cretan indigenous white offers aromas of toast, lime and grapefruit with following g flavors pf peach, lemon and spice. The wine has seen oak but offers a brisk edge. Pair with poultry and light fish dishes.
This Crianza has leathery aromas, a tannic mouthfeel and roasted, spicy red berry flavors. It's dry, oaky and not particularly ripe.
This Crianza is strapping on the nose, with fairly big but not overdone black-fruit aromas. A ripe, chewy palate with moderate tannins holds peppery wild berry flavors that settle on plum. A dark, toasty, peppery finish is mild and smooth. Overall, this offers a lot to like.
This crisp and balanced wine offers lemon, guava and papaya, tropical without being cloying. With enough viscous creaminess to keep it medium in weight, it's soft and herbal, with measured acidity and a golden color. It finishes lean and savory.
This crisp and fresh wine suggests citrus and green apple fruits. It is light, fragrant and ready to drink with its bright final acidity.
This crisp and fruity blend is dominated by 80% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is bright with intense, refreshing acidity and a lively aftertaste. Drink now.
This crisp and fruity wine has intense raspberry flavors along with equally dominant acidity. It's tangy, tight and just off dry, with a bright, perfumed aftertaste. Drink now.
This crisp and fruity wine is bright with tight apple and grapefruit flavors. It is cool, with a strongly mineral streak and considerable youthful acidity. This bottling will be better from 2018.
This crisp and lengthy vineyard-designate shows a depth of earth and rose petals against baked plum, orange zest and rhubarb. Mouthfilling acidity provides a freshness on the palate that persists through a long, spicy finish.
This crisp and lightly floral bottling shows Asian pear, yellow apple rind and white rose petal on the nose, revealing hints of petrol and wet stone as it opens. The palate is tight, sharp, and racy, with chalky limestone, lime peel and apple skin flavors.
This crisp and snappy wine shows varietal characteristics of stone fruit, cut grass and pear, backed by a full and generous mouthfeel that speaks of the warm Tuscan sun. Pair this with assorted Chinese dim sum.
This crisp and tangy wine smells like cantaloupe and cucumber and tastes more citruslike as lemon and grapefruit burst through. It maintains good, mouth-cleaning acidity that is thirst-quenching and will help it pair up easily with lots of appetizers, salads and seafood.
This crisp blend of Arinto and Fernão Pires is light and fruity. Acidity and a lively mousse make for an attractive bright wine, with toast and almonds at the end. Drink now.
This crisp blend of Braucol and Syrah comes from a gravel terrace. While it has fine acidity, the wine also has ripe red fruits, sweet plum flavors and an attractive sprinkling of spice. Drink this wine from 2017.
This crisp blend of Chardonnay and Viognier is bright, with lively fruit and a smooth texture behind its crisp facade. It's ready to drink now but will soften over the next few months and be richer from mid-2018.
This crisp but full-bodied wine smells like fresh herbs, white pepper and grapefruit, and tastes as crisp and citrusy as it smells. The effect is lively and refreshing, ideal for light appetizers or seafood.
This crisp Chardonnay conveys aromas of lemon blossom and mature pear. The refreshing palate offers juicy yellow apple, citrus and a hint of mineral brightened by zesty acidity.
This crisp Chardonnay has a disjointedness about it. Its aroma and flavor is most akin to Lemonheads candy.
This crisp herbal wine is light and fruity. Its acidity, grapefruit and lime flavors and the tangy texture create a wine that is clean and ready to drink.
This crisp Muscadet offers an attractive bite of apple skin and lemon juice. It also has a tight texture along with layers of very fresh acidity. The wine is ready to drink, bright and lively at the end.
This crisp red-currant-flavored wine is packed with acidity. It is tense and juicy with a light brushstroke of vanilla. But it is the intense acidity that sets the tone for this wine. Make this a food—not an apéritif—wine.
This crisp red blend from the Langhe in northern Italy offers sharp notes of dill and green olive backed by forest berry and white cherry. There's a taut, linear feel that is enhanced by the wine's fine, compact texture.
This crisp Riesling starts with elegant, floral aromas, followed by refreshing apple and pear flavors. Balanced by a refreshing acidity, the wine is friendly and versatile. Pair with Indian and Chinese cuisine.
This crisp Sauvignon Blanc shows how well the variety can perform in Dry Creek Valley. It offers lots of savory citrus, green grass, tropical fruit, honey and white pepper flavors. The acidity makes the mouth water.
This crisp sparkler is characterized by drying mineral tones and delicate aromas of stone fruit and citrus. The wine is foamy and slightly sweet in the mouth and does an excellent job of representing this category of Italian wine.
This crisp sparkler opens with aromas of chopped, aromatic herbs and white tree fruit. The racy palate offers yellow apple, pear and a hint of roasted almond alongside bright acidity and a vibrant mousse.
This crisp Swiss white grape is rarely seen in the U.S. and that's a shame. Spritzy, racy, fresh as a mountain stream, it possesses impressive minerality under lemony fruit. Bone-dry, low alcohol, and surprisingly dense, it has a pleasing finish with a light almond note.
This crisp tightly woven white is showy in fresh-cut grass and gooseberry flavors, with an underlying grasp of grapefruit and lemon. The texture is gritty.
This crisp value wine packs an aromatic punch of cherry, raspberry and blueberry. Bitter almond and nutmeg spice appear on the close.
This crisp Vermentino would make a great companion to smoked salmon or swordfish carpaccio. The wine is bright and zesty with simple citrus and spice on the close.
This crisp white is inviting and dry, with aromas of citrus, fig and fennel. Reminiscent of a fine Sancerre, it's finely structured, steely and still lushly textured and full enough in the mouth to enjoy with seafood, a creamy goat cheese salad or entirely on its own.
This crisp white opens with a delicate floral fragrance of white spring flower and touch of stone fruit. The refreshing palate offers crunchy yellow apple and tangy lemon zest balanced by bright acidity. It finishes clean and fresh.
This crisp white wine from Etna offers a bright, luminous hay color and fragrant aromas of green fruit, citrus and white peach. The mouthfeel is creamy but not heavy or thick and those characteristic mineral tones render it unique.
This crisp wine brings out good flavor depth from the cherry and red-berry fruits. It is concentrated for a simple Beaujolais, ripe and fruity, Drink now.
This crisp wine comes from one of upper vineyards of the village. It is packed with apples and citrus, plus a touch of toast. With lively acidity, this wine will age well. Drink from 2021.
This crisp wine has a creamy background that presents an attractive blend of fresh apples with honey and lemon. It's a light, perfumed wine that is ready to drink now.
This crisp wine has bright fruits, lively acidity and a vibrant mineral character. It could develop for another 1–2 years.
This crisp wine has plenty of acidity as well as fruit. It is young to taste, still showing its fresh side that should round out over the next few years. Drink from 2016.
This crisp wine has plenty of acidity as well as lively fruits. The structure and texture are light and lifted, with a clean aftertaste. Drink now.
This crisp wine hs a light prickle and creamy apple and pear flavors. Still young, it needs to develop its rounder texture and open, warm nature. Hold this attractive wine until early 2016.
This crisp wine is as light as a feather—fruity and perfumed. The fruit came from the highest altitude of the quinta, resulting in the wine's cool character and considerable acidity. Drink now.
This crisp wine is currently tightly closed. It is textured and mineral, with apple and citrus flavors coming through slowly. This perfumed wine needs to age. Drink from 2017.
This crisp wine is light and simple and offers measured aromas of exotic fruit and peach. It's lean and easy in the mouth with zesty lemongrass flavors on the close.
This crisp wine is packed with acidity and fruitiness. It is tangy, tight, full of attractive acidity as well as lively citrus and white fruits. It is ready to drink.
This crisp wine is packed with delicious fruit and balanced acidity. It shows some of the richness of the vintage, but goes more in a tangy, mineral direction. With lively acidity, it is refreshing and ready to drink.
This crisp wine offers plenty of acidity as well as green fruits, pears and a totally refreshing aftertaste. It's a wine to drink as an apéritif as well as with food, with great energy.
This crisp wine with light citrus, toast and spice flavors is open and fruity. Behind the apple and pear flavors there are almonds, pepper and tangy acidity. Drink this wine now.
This crisp wine, flavored with black fruit is lightly tannic and deliciously full of lively fruit. It is full of juicy black-currant fruit and acidity with a soft texture that means it can be drunk now.
This crisp, acidic Sauvignon Blanc leans green with pea and canned bean aromas, but it offers enough green apple and citrus character for enjoyment. The palate is zesty and lemony, with flavors that include green veggies, herbs, limes and tangerines. The finish is mildly green and citrusy.
This crisp, balanced wine has lively citrus fruits, light spiciness and some tight, mineral acidity. Drink now.
This crisp, bright sparkler gets depth of flavor from the Loureiro grape. It has a taut texture that makes this fruity, fresh wine a perfect match for food.
This crisp, citrus-flavored wine has bright acidity and a touch of vanilla. It has great fruitiness, dominated by lemon with the tang of orange zest. It is ready to drink.
This crisp, citrus and pear-flavored wine from native Portuguese grapes is very ready to drink with its bright acidity, mineral texture and juicy aftertaste. It is a fine apéritif wine that's fruity and fresh.
This crisp, citrusy Chardonnay is zesty and refreshing. It avoids any sense of heaviness, finishing on a tart, lemony note.
This crisp, clean and ripe wine is finely balanced. The toastiness from wood aging in new barrels is balanced with the rich citrus and sliced apple and a tight, mineral character. This is a full-bodied wine needing a few more months to age. Drink from 2018.
This crisp, clean and zesty wine is lightly herbal and immediately appealing. It's full of citrus and gooseberry flavors and is ready to drink.
This crisp, clean Chardonnay is a good find for $20. Fruity with a suggestive note of caramel on the nose, it delivers a taste of citrus and green apple on the palate that evolves into a satisfying finish that's entirely tropical.
This crisp, clean Chardonnay offers aromas of apple, honey and tropical fruit, and the flavor profile is not terribly complex, but friendly. Fresh fruit is balanced by acid and the mouthfeel has an appeal creamy quality. Good for food pairing; think anything from lobster to spicy ethnic cuisine.
This crisp, clean wine has both fruit and acidity in just the right proportions. With lively acidity and hint of herbal and citrus flavors, it is a fine apéritif style. The aftertaste continues this bright and lively character.
This crisp, clean, lightly herbal wine has apple and grapefruit flavors that come through intense acidity. Bright with ripe fruit, the wine is ready to drink.
This crisp, clean, stainless-steel style of Chardonnay brings has mixed flavors of cucumber, celery, lime and light melon. It's fresh and immaculate—a wonderful sipper.
This crisp, coastal wine was fermented in half concrete and half stainless steel. It blithely retains plenty of acidity amid its medium-bodied layers of quince, white peach, lemon, forest floor and a touch of dried herb.
This crisp, delicate Blanc de Blancs is full of white fruit, but steely and citrusy on the palate. Taut, tight and complex with a layered acidity, this is a nervy, textured wine. Although it is ready to drink now, a few more months in the bottle will make it even better.
This crisp, delicate Pinot Noir should be consumed over the next few years for its elegant cherry and rose petal notes and silky tannins. Hints of scorched earth and dry leaves add extra interest to the reasonably complex bouquet.
This crisp, dry and elegant wine is light-bodied, with delicate bread dough and flower aromas, citrus flavors and gentle effervescence. It's smooth, clean and delicious.
This crisp, dry Champagne has citrus fruits and a light, bright texture. Acidity makes its presence felt, giving a tight aftertaste of lemon zest.
This crisp, dry rosé brings out citrus and orange fruits as much as red berries and red currants. It is tight and lightly mineral in texture, with a touch of tannin from the 100% Pinot Noir. The wine is ready to drink.
This crisp, dry rosé is very fresh with delicious acidity. It has a bright character, lively and full of raspberry flavors. Drink now.
This crisp, dry style of Champagne with its tightly wound texture and acidity is deliciously balanced, showing just the hint of toasty maturity that lies behind the apple and citrus fruits. Relying on ripe fruit for its richness, the wine is on the cusp of drinkability. Ideally wait until 2017.
This crisp, dry wine is full of bright red fruit and has a bite of attractive acidity. It refreshes with a lift of red currant fruit on the finish. Drink now.
This crisp, easy-drinking entry-level Riesling from the Peter Nicolay estate represents a good buy. It's plump, with a nice balance of sweet and tart ripe apples and zesty limes that provide great refreshment value.
This crisp, focused wine may not be quite as racy as its namesake dog breed, but it is very fresh. There's a touch of green apple, but the majority of the fruit leans more toward white grapeffruit, with a long finish.
This crisp, fruit-driven wine is full of sliced apple and bright acidity. It has a touch of pepper and a juicy aftertaste of squeezed blood orange. Drink now.
This crisp, fruity wine has delicious acidity. Gray-pink in color, it is ripe with red berries that also impart attractive freshness. The wine is crisp, tangy and textured at the end.
This crisp, fruity wine is fresh with citrus, grapefruit and an attractive zesty texture. Aromatic and bright, it is ready to drink now, clean and fragrant.
This crisp, fruity wine is packed with acidity as well as citrus flavors. It has a cool feel, beautifully fresh and with a strong mineral element. Drink this structured, textured wine from 2019.
This crisp, green-fruit-flavored wine has refreshing acidity along with a tangy, citrus texture that is immediately attractive. A mineral edge gives this wine extra bite. Drink now.
This crisp, herbaceous selection is a blend of Rabigato and other rarer varieties. It has a citrus note and lively acidity, with deep apple and pear flavors. There's a tangy, steely edge that suggests that the wine will age.
This crisp, lemon-flavored wine has a ripe, full character. It is rich with apples, apricots and delicious acidity at the end.
This crisp, lemon-scented wine has a light texture and the freshest fruit. It comes with apricot and apple flavors. It is lively and bright and ready to drink.
This crisp, lightly sparkling, off-dry Vinho Verde offers attractive acidity and bright citrus flavors, with hints of apple and green plum. Light and fresh, it's ready to drink now.
This crisp, lightweight Pinot Noir could easily go with salmon or chicken. Its peppery, pie-cherry and currant fruit and spicy, tangy finish would make it a refreshing choice in warmer weather.
This crisp, lively and dry rosé is made from Mourvèdre and Grenache grapes. it shows great acidity and a rather lean and thirst-quenching texture that carries the vibrant raspberry and apple flavors right along. The color is a pale salmon, the body is light, and the finish fresh and clean. It's a perfect lunch wine for salads, seafood and grilled fare.
This crisp, lively blend of Niellucciu (Sangiovese) and Grenache is deliciously refreshing. Its acidity and orange fruitiness are lifted by its tight texture and bright aftertaste. Drink now.
This crisp, lively red shows off the herbal notes of Provence—what the French call garrigue—and tart cherry fruit. It's less ripe than many Côtes du Rhône wines, but bright and mouthwatering. Drink now–2020.
This crisp, lively rosé is balanced between ripe red fruits and the tight, mineral texture. A high proportion of Pinot Meunier in the blend adds extra fruitiness. With tangy acidity as well as richness, it's ready to drink now.
This crisp, medium-bodied Pinot Noir features tart cherry and cranberry fruit alongside hints of tomato leaf. Drink now.
This crisp, medium-bodied wine showcases Cabernet's hallmark cassis fruit. Sure, there are hints of cranberry, raspberry and cherry, but black currant defines this wine, running from start to finish. Dusty tannins swirl gently on the palate, combining with tart acidity to offer just the right amount of structure. Drink now–2025.
This crisp, refreshing and all-stainless Chardonnay represents exceptional value. Bright, fresh fruit flavors mix apples, pears and ripe citrus. It's full-bodied and delivers plenty of mouth-filling richness without resorting to barrel aging for support.
This crisp, refreshing wine opens with subtle white flower, orchard fruit and wet stone aromas. The bright, simple palate offers citrus, peach and saline hints.
This crisp, relatively light-bodied wine comes across as a bit lean in a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc context, offering hints of struck flint, grapefruit pith and underripe melon. Drink it over the next several months.
This crisp, ripe Malbec rosé comes from vineyards in Cahors. Its red currant acidity and perfumed, fruity character make it immediately drinkable and refreshing. Drink now.
This crisp, savory white offers layers of white peach, tart Granny Smith apple and lemon-lime flavors. It's vibrant and well balanced, with refreshing acidity. An almond note signals the close.
This crisp, simply fruity wine is light, bright and bursting with lemon and crisp apple flavors. It is direct, full of juicy acidity and ready to drink.
This crisp, straightforward white has delicate orchard fruit and white spring flower aromas, while the simple palate offers Bartlett pear and citrus flavors. Bright acidity gives it a clean finish.
This crisp, tangy and refreshing wine has lemon and green-apple aromas, bright citrus flavors, medium body and a lean texture, due mostly to the generous acidity. Raw oysters on the half shell, garlic shrimp and goat-cheese toasts come to mind as good pairings.
This crisp, tangy wine is packed with citrus flavors. Brightly textured with a mineral edge, it is fruity, hinting at spice along with a floral, fresh character.
This crisply fruity wine is primarily composed of the local Loureiro grape. It is light, bright, dry and full of citrus flavors. Drink now.
This crisply herbal wine also introduces some richer apricot flavors. A joint venture between négociant Schröder & Schÿler and the Barton family of Léoville and Langoa Barton, it's attractive, fruity and full in the mouth. Drink now.
This Croatian Pinot Gris is easy and likable, with its citric, spicy nose and simple, balanced flavors of spice, citrus and steely minerality. Fresh and fun, the wine will pair well with salads, seafood and spicy Asian cuisine.
This Croatian white has delightful aromas of pineapple, tropical fruits and fresh cut honeycomb. It's round and generous in the mouth, with flavors of guava and lime rind that lead in to the clean, astringent finish.
This Croatian white is made from 100% Debit and has aromas of dried apricot, toasted brioche, peach and just a touch of cinnamon in the bouquet. The palate is generous, with delightful flavors of white and yellow peaches and fresh apricot nectar. It's aged for 24 months in French oak; 150 cases produced.
This crowd-pleasing Zin is deeply aromatic, with cedar notes, and boasts a palate that's smooth, leathery and layered with tones of earth and black tea. Fairly priced and with a cleverly designed label, it's a great bottle to take to your next biker party or gathering for the Day of the Dead.
This Cru Bourgeois estate has produced a rich, minty and spice-flavored wine. It has ripe tannins and rich blackberry fruits. It is dense, with a firm structure that gives the wine potential. It also has the fruitiness of the year. Together, they will make a fine wine, so drink from 2019.
This Cru Bourgeois estate has produced a structured wine that is still showing strong wood-aging flavors. Toasty as well as ripely fruity, it has firm tannins and good aging potential. The aftertaste is fruity and spicy. Drink from 2019.
This cru estate is owned by the Duboeuf family. The wine has some wood aging that adds to the rich texture while not detracting from the ripe juicy red-cherry fruit. With its tannins, the wine could age, so drink from late 2017.
This cru expression of Sangiovese was born in 1974 and offers beautifully plush and rich aromas of dark chocolate, cherry and opulent vanilla. The wine is very smooth, soft and long-lasting in the mouth. It's a wonderful and very pleasurable wine.
This cru is a solid wine. It has a dense structure spearheaded by the tannins and lifted by acidity. Black plum and berry fruits are still developing behind the firm facade. It will take some time to develop, so wait until early 2019.
This cru is a structured wine that is full of dry tannins. It has hints of the typically Morgon dark-cherry fruit underneath along with acidity. It is likely to remain a firm wine. Drink from 2018.
This cru surrounds the hamlet of Cerretta in Serralunga d'Alba and offers different exposures and soils. The wine exhibits mature aromas of blackberry preserves backed by cured meat, hickory, barbecue sauce, black pepper and road tar. It's a big and bold expression of Barolo with firm, dusty tannins and a tight but polished mouthfeel.
This cru wine comes from a 44-acre vineyard with 50-year-old vines supplied by one of Duboeuf's regular growers. It is structured and dense, perhaps too dense with its heavy dry tannins. The wine will need time. Drink from 2019.
This cru wine is still young and firm. It has great tannins and a dense character that will give a rich generous wine as it matures. Black-cherry fruit dominates along with the structure. It is a solid wine that will be ready to drink from 2018.
This crunchy, tart and tasty blend is 55% Viognier, 30% Marsanne and 15% Roussanne. Highlights of green berry, lemon-lime and grapefruit are refreshing and well matched to lighter pasta dishes or simple poultry entrées.
This crystalline Galician blend is composed of 95% Godello and Albariño, and it gets going with mellow apple, peach and other white-fruit aromas. The palate has a tangy, citrusy outlook with corresponding flavors of lime, orange and tangerine. Things turn pithy and more chunky on the finish.
This crystalline sparkling wine delivers very distinctive aromas of apricot, mature melon, caramel, butterscotch and yellow rose. The wine has enough natural structure and acidity to pair with quiche Lorraine.
This culty project of Rob Dafoe and Jeff Tanner shows that big is not necessarily better when it comes to Bordeaux varietals. In this case, the blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc offers smoked jerky, soy, dill and baked boysenberries on the nose. The palate delivers cedar, slate, blackberry, blueberry and tart elderberry fruit.
This curious blend of 61% Riesling and 39% Sauvignon Blanc manages to succeed, with lime rinds, limestone and wafts of gasoline intriguing the nose. There's not much acidity on the palate, but it does offer a chalky grip along with limeade flavors.
This curious Chardonnay transforms rather dramatically in the glass. It's initially savory, with notes of dried herbs and leaves, but gradually it reveals touches of fresh lemon, apple and vanilla, accompanied by dashes of dusty minerals that linger on the finish. Full bodied and dry.
This cuvée features grapes from some of the vineyard's oldest vines. It's a light, elegant mix of pomegranate and cherry pie flavors with plenty of natural acidity behind it. Cola and dried herb highlights add complexity, and a persistent minerality buoys the finish.
This cuvée gets some extra time in 40% new wood, and is bottled unfiltered. Plush blackberry and black cherry fruit flavors, accented with streaks of cola and chocolate, capture your attention. It's a rich tasty forward immediately enjoyable bottle, so go for it now through 2020.
This cuvée has a steely quality. The fruit hits solidly on raspberry, with a nice tang to the acids. It's still tight, focused and young, suggesting that further bottle age will lead to further improvement. It has a light touch of caramel in the finish.
This cuvée has more complexity than its companion releases, perhaps owing to the inclusion of 10% whole clusters and/or the use of native (wild) yeast. Citrus, orange flesh and peel, and tart raspberry fruits are finished with a tannic burst.
This cuvée has the prettiest aromatics of the entire 2012 lineup, highlighted with rose petals and spice. Apples and cranberries are the fruit components, amped up with stiff acidity. It finishes with a faint touch of chocolate.
This cuvée honors a sailor who, in 1919, docked his boat, La Favorite, at Blaye in the Gironde estuary and bought the property. It is still owned by the l'Amouller family. Juicy and fruity, this wine is immediately attractive and accessible. Red fruits, soft tannins and a bite of acidity all contribute to the ready-to-drink taste.
This cuvée is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, and the nose leaps out with vanilla wafer, yeast and toasted nuts. It has the extra fruit power of domestic bubbly, and lacks the finesse of real Champagne. Yeasty and round, it finishes a bit short with a hint of plastic. But at this price point it's a wine to savor, that brings a lot of enjoyment to the table.
This cuvée is a barrel selection, aged in 35% new oak. It's a mix of cola, beet root, stem and earth flavors, but lacks the presence of ripe fruit. In fact, it feels a bit green through the finish.
This cuvée is a barrel selection, fermented with whole berries and aged in 35% new oak. Simple strawberry and raspberry fruit seems almost weightless, and the quick finish carries a strong streak of bouillon.
This cuvée is based on the 2014 vintage, with 40% reserve wine added for richness and maturity. It delivers intense red fruit along with equally intense acidity. With the dry crispness that's a hallmark of the producer, it's balanced, and bright, with a mineral texture.
This cuvée is billed as the “little sister” to the winery's Evenstad Reserve, and the flavors fit the title. There is a pleasing roundness and an immediate accessibility, with flavors of red fruit and light chocolate in the foreground. Brambly berries are at the core, with highlights of malted milkshake, spice and a hint of finishing citrus.
This cuvée is comprised of 43% Syrah, 40% Merlot and 17% Petite Sirah. It exudes black tar and leather, but it's more savory than fruity. Tannic still, showing off the Petite, its finish is long and lingering. This is a good pasta wine.
This cuvée is made with the oldest block in this biodynamic vineyard. Planted in 1998, all Pommard clone, and given some extra bottle age, it's drinking well at the moment. Spicy cranberry-raspberry soda flavors come with a textural midpalate. There is a significant scent and flavor of tanned leather, which pleases some tasters more than others. That aside, the wine is complex, balanced and reasonably long.
This cuvée is made with the oldest Pommard clones in the estate vineyard. It's a sharp-edged, reserve-level wine with a defining streak of peppery herb. The black fruits and barrel flavors of licorice, espresso and dark chocolate promise further depth as it ages. Drink 2020–2030.
This cuvée is made with the oldest Wädenswil plantings at the estate. It's broadly fruity with delicious strawberry flavors front and center. Supporting acids are proportionate and fresh. Although relatively light, this elegant, graceful wine is ready for immediate enjoyment.
This cuvée is not as ripe as it was in the 2010 vintage. It has a pleasant tomato-soup character—a mix of ripe tomato and light, fresh flavors of basil and cilantro. It also has plenty of tart cherry flavors filling in the midpalate, and is well proportioned for drinking over the next few years.
This cuvée is principally from the estate (Appassionata) vineyard. Lush, spicy and spread broadly across the palate, it pleases with strawberry-raspberry fruit, milk chocolate and a dusting of cocoa powder. The wine does seem to lighten up rather quickly at the finish, but further bottle age may fix that.
This cuvée is put together from several estate vineyards, most of them marked by low vigor and cool ridge-top climates. The blend shows them all off well. Dark cherry and plum delve into classic earthy forest floor and sautéed mushrooms, the texture soft and silky.
This cuvée is the product of a collaboration between Phelps Creek owner Bob Morus and Burgundian winemaker Alexandrine Roy. She has crafted an elegant wine with unusual nuances—hints of bacon fat and butter, lightly woven into the tart, racy pomegranate and raspberry fruit. Elegant and refined, this is as Burgundian as Oregon Pinot ever gets.
This cuvée offers a classic mix of rose petals, black cherry and cola. It's lively, fruity and light on its feet. Delicate touches of herb, pinpoint acidity, a hint of lime and perfect balance keep it satisfying through an extended finish.
This cuvée offers a mix of blue and purple fruits, with a forward grape-candy-character dominant. It's fruity and drinking nicely, but lacks the stuffing to improve much further with age.
This cuvée offers interesting complexity, with black cherry, wood smoke, cedar shake and a whiff of bacon fat. It's tannic and stiff, a bit hard to unwrap, but far from a simple wine. It will reward your patience, whether you give it extra breathing time, or tuck it away in the cellar for a few years.
This cuvée offers the pleasures of sweet, sappy red fruits, soft tannins and broad swaths of caramel, toasted hazelnuts and mocha. It coats the tongue with flavor and has a sort of insistence that the next sip will be even better.
This cuvée quickly finds its deep core of cherry fruit, pleasingly annotated with sweet spices and a dusting of cocoa powder. The length is impressive, as is the overall balance. It's a beautifully crafted expression of the grape, the vineyard and the vintage.
This cuvée reflects the lean vintage with modest alcohol and slightly dilute fruit flavors. Pretty aromatics suggest rosewater and sandalwood, and the wine fades gracefully with plum and cherry fruit.
This Cuvée Royale delivers candy-like notes of sweet honeysuckle and butterscotch. It is a luminous and fresh wine with a clean and simple mouthfeel backed a touch of tangy spice that is driven by the wine's tonic effervescence.
This cuvée saw 20% new oak and is the little sibling to the winery's Barrel Select. It offers the same hint of funk, slightly murky color, and rich, textural makeup. Black cherry, cola, chocolate, bramble and spice are all in play, making for a complex wine that captures your attention.
This cuvée stands in firm contrast to the winery's more feminine-styled Dame de Piegros, showing the meaty, gamy side of Syrah, powerful spice and blackberry fruit and lashings of vanilla. Ends with firm acids and gripping tannins. This needs 3–4 years of cellaring.
This cuvée starts out quite sharp and tight, and will want decanting and/or further bottle age to show its best. Notes of steel, stone, toast and butterscotch candy annotate tightly-packed orange, apricot and peach fruit, with some high-toned aromatics. The components are all in place for a wine that should age gracefully for a decade or longer. Drink now through 2026.
This cuvée, named after a statue in the vineyards, is dark and dense. There is a strong chewy character to this wine which is obviously much too young to drink now. The dark fruits are surrounded by considerable tannic structure. It is powerful and concentrated, perhaps all too much. Drink from 2020.
This cuvée, says winemaker Josh Bergström, is crafted to compete with village Burgundies. Principally Temperance Hill fruit, it more than does the job, with great mouthfeel, and a succulent tangy ripe mix of citrus and stone fruits. There's a lick of caramel apple coming through also, and the wine is bursting with bright flavors across the board.
This Cypriot white has a rich, lemony nose and on the palate, a delicate array of white and yellow fruit. The finish is crisp and clean, but overall, the wine has some weight. A good everyday white made from an ancient grape.
This Cypriot wine has a spicy, somewhat candied fruit nose that leads into savory and sweet spicebox flavors. Fragrant, fresh and complex, it's a pronounced style with a mysterious edge.
This Dão grape makes a firmly dry and tannic wine at this young stage. The hints of blackberry fruit and acidity promise a fine future of a rich wine with stylish, mineral-driven fruitiness. Drink this promising wine from 2018.
This dainty off-dry Riesling is marked by aromas—ripe stone fruit and florals against a backdrop of tea leaves and crushed minerals. On the palate, it's intensely juicy, with flavors of orange, mango and peach, but with a streak of acidity that ripples the tongue.
This dar, dusty Aglianico opens with enticing aromas of liquid smoke, pipe tobacco, ash, candied fruit, leather and exotic spice. It delivers bold, dark intensity and a long-lasting finish. It speaks highly of Basilicata, one of Italy's most fascinating and unexplored regions.
This dark-colored and smooth-textured wine has classic aromas and flavors like black cherry, black olive and bell pepper along with medium body.
This dark-colored Merlot offers reduced berry, chocolate and herbal aromas. In the mouth, it's displaying rubbery tannins. Dried berry and oak-based flavors of spice and wood grain finish with hints of clove on a finish that could use more harmony and depth.
This dark-colored rosé comes from a single vineyard in the village of Dizy. It is certainly dry as its Extra Brut description indicates, but it offers so much ripe red fruitiness that it is also rich and concentrated. There is bright acidity at the end. Drink now.
This dark-colored rosé gets its color from the skins of the Pinot Noir. That makes for a ripe, structured wine with good balance between crisp red fruits and the soft aftertaste. The wine is ready to drink.
This dark-colored wine is herbal in character, showing spicy red berries and soft tannins. Wood aging has rounded out the structure, giving it some depth of flavor from fermentation in traditional open fermenters. Drink from 2017.
This dark-colored wine shows Malbec's rustic side, with scratchy tannins and tons of blackberry flavor. It's one-dimensional, but perfect to enjoy with a barbecued steak.
This dark-colored wine, dominated by Touriga Nacional, is rich, perfumed and dense. It has impressive tannins and rich blackberry fruit. The structure is concentrated, giving the wine power as well as a sense of style. This ripe wine is ready to drink.
This dark-colored, extracted Priorat smells largely of oak and mint on top of lightly herbal, green-leaning plum and currant. The palate is wiry, with citric acidity that creates tartness to go with monotone red-fruit flavors. Rough, tough and crisp on the finish, with tomatoey acidity and hard tannins.
This dark-fruited Pinot Noir is sturdily constructed yet never seems hard or tough, thanks to the silkiness of its plentiful tannins. Black cherry fruit picks up shadings of mocha on the dusty finish. Drink 2015–2020.
This dark-fruited, full-bodied Shiraz isn't for the faint of heart. Espresso, dark chocolate, roast meat and plum notes come together in a creamy-textured wine that finishes with a tart, hard edge of acidity and a dusting of cocoa powder-like tannins.
This dark-garnet wine has aromas of eucalyptus, balsa wood and black cherry. Flavors of cassis, leather and black cherry lead to a long finish.
This dark-hued blend of Syrah and Grenache shows ample length and suppleness to go along with aromas of fresh herbs, black cherries, espresso and black olives. It'd be a fine casual pairing for burgers or pizza.
This dark-hued Cab is piquant and herbal on the nose, with power, eucalyptus aromas and a spot of cheesy oak. The mouthfeel is good, while flavors of oak, herbs and plum set up a lightly green finish. This tastes and smells like a good Cab from a chilly year.
This dark-hued wine is still very closed and firm. Dark chocolate and licorice flavors are prominent against a backdrop of black fruit, hinting at the wine's considerable wood aging. It does have great weight and richness, so let it develop and drink from 2017.
This dark-looking Cabernet smells chunky, raisiny and earthy. In the mouth, it's dense and extracted but blocky and heavy. Roasted oaky blackberry flavors finish with tannic residue and an oak-based flavor of clove.
This dark-pink wine has aromas to match, recalling black cherry, strawberry and cola. The palate is surprisingly more restrained, offering fruit punch and a wide array of spice-rack flavors. It makes a perfect pairing for Indian or other rich and spicy Asian cuisine.
This dark-purple Cab is full of berry, horse hide and cola aromas. It's full bodied and chunky, with herbal, mossy flavors of buttery oak, salty berry and earth. A salinic, briny flavor lingers on the beefy finish.
This dark-ruby wine offers a bouquet of black cherry and violet. There is a nice balance of bright fruit and silky tannins amid flavors of cherry, cola, cranberry and mocha, with the slightest hint of green pepper. The long-lasting finish is marked by a fruity brightness.
This dark-salmon-colored fortified sweet wine has a nose of toasted almond, apricot jam and honeysuckle. It is like liquid honey on the palate, with flavors of marzipan, apricot jam and caramel and a smooth, bright finish.
This dark-tinted Cab shows aromas of blackberry, spice and olive along with some grit and herbal character. The palate is jammy but propped up by juicy acidity. Herbal-leaning flavors of blackberry, black plum and cocoa finish fresh and snappy. Drink through 2017.
This dark-tinted Carignan smells of licorice, lemony oak and loamy, candied cassis. In the mouth, this is rough and raw on the surface but jammy in the midpalate. A mix of ripe raisin, cassis and licorice flavors are herbal and peppery, while the tannins on the finish don't cease. At 15.5% abv, this is over the top and heady.
This dark Aglianico offers lush concentration and generous aromas of toast, leather, earth, exotic spice, black cherry, coffee and blackberry tart. It's got complexity and character and delivers both freshness and thick density.
This dark Amarone is savory and spicy, with rosemary, forest floor and bramble notes. Fresh fruit and dark cherry aromas make for a nice balance, but overall it demonstrates an elegant, herbal side. The tannic structure is fine and firm, and there's enough crisp acidity to carry this wine for 10 years or more.
This dark and attractive Shiraz shows excellent balance and a satiny texture. Notes of brambly raspberry and cherry mingle with seductive hints of sweet smoke, game and pepper. Hints of spicy mocha and forest berry linger on the finish. Approachable now, but should hold well and develop additional complexities through 2016.
This dark and brawny Brunello shows distant whiffs of cured meat, curry leaf, campfire and brimstone to frame its bright cherry essence. Silky tannins and lean fruit consistency is followed by bright, zippy freshness.
This dark and brawny wine opens with savory notes of black pepper and cured meat backed by prune and dried currants. The wine has aged well and shows bright acidity on the long finish.
This dark and brooding blend of 52% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 13% Petite Sirah, 7% Mourvèdre and 3% Tannat shows concentrated dark strawberry, meat char, white pepper and purple flowers on the nose. Those scents and varieties all come together in a savory show of roasting herbs and baked blackberry flavors on the plush palate.
This dark and dense wine is closed, with its tannins very dominant. It's a solid, dark wine intense with juicy acidity, firm dry structure and a rich core. This is a magnificent wine for serious aging, with all the elements coming strongly into play. Drink from 2022.
This dark and extracted Ripasso opens with an inviting, inky color and aromas of toasted nut, spice, red cherry and cola. There's a touch of new rubber and moist earth in there as well and the wine feels weighty but smooth on the close.
This dark and luscious Cannonau opens with spicy aromas of barbecue and teriyaki sauce, followed by dark fruit and prune accents. Softly toasted notes of sweet almond and rum cake also appear.
This dark and meaty blend of 58% Syrah and 42% Grenache shows black currant, charred game and black licorice touches. The palate combines pepper-crusted beef flavors with pretty violet and lilac accents, framed by a tannic structure that's robust but not obstructive.
This dark and sappy Syrah is packed with black fruits, earth and stem flavors. It's a big, chunky style that piles on licorice, espresso, and plenty of tannic bite. But the fruit is outstanding, and the use of all neutral French oak keeps it front and center.
This dark and savory nose blends dried cranberry, orange peels, woody mushrooms and rose-petal potpourri. Flavors are strongly sanguine at first, starting with iron before morphing into dark chocolate. The finish comes on quite bitter and tart, without much overt ripeness.
This dark Brunello by Ferrero offers a nice ensemble of mineral and graphite notes followed by mature berry fruit and smooth, rich extraction. Dark spice and toasted almond pick up the rear.
This dark cherry-red wine has aromas of red plums and dried black plums that flow to the palate. An easy drinking wine, with pleasantly tart cherry flavors.
This dark concentrated Syrah is loaded with spicy black-fruit aromas. The mouthfeel is hard and tannic as well as fresh, racy and juicy. Spiced plum, cherry and blackened gritty flavors turn peppery on a tannic finish.
This dark expression of Dolcetto opens with richly concentrated fruit and generous aromas of black fruit, plum, slate roof and granite stone. The wine is correct but simple in the mouth and offers a tannic bite at just the right level of firmness to pair with meat or cheese.
This dark garnet-colored blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot has aromas of blackberry, raspberry and rose petal. Flavors of black cherry and anise with touches of green pepper and menthol ride a layer of barely-there tannins into the soft finish.
This dark garnet colored Brunello opens with straightforward and uncomplicated aromas of wild berry, spice and leather. This wine also shows a high level of confidence that is seen in its firm tannins, crisp acidity and rich aftertaste of clove and black fruit.
This dark Primitivo has an awkward nose that recalls tomato soup topped by a generous serving of milled white pepper. It's slightly bitter, with plenty of those thorny, peppercorn flavors in the mouth.
This dark purple blend of 55% Ancellota and 45% Lambrusco Salamino has subtle mature grape and black-skinned berry aromas. The dry, foamy palate offers dried black cherry and raisin hints alongside bright acidity.
This dark purple wine expresses the bold blackberry flavors of Malbec. It has ripe fruit, soft tannins and a generous richness. The aftertaste adds some freshness. Drink from the end of 2016.
This dark Recioto dessert wine opens with an inky black color and intense aromas of chocolate fudge, rum cake, Christmas spice, Spanish cedar and mesquite. In the mouth, the wine is thick, sweet and astringent at the same time, so pair it with pudding or chocolate cream cake.
This dark red sparkling wine made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier smells like Dr. Pepper, has lively bubbles and leaves a dry, very fruity impression on the palate. Dark cherry and ripe plum flavors dominate.
This dark red wine shows the brawniness and tannic hardness of a young Petite Sirah. It's bone dry and relatively modest in alcohol, but it lacks the richness and depth of flavor to enable it to age.
This dark Rosso opens with aromas of dark fruit and bramble, with subtle background hints of wild mushroom and cured meat. Endnotes of crushed black pepper and crushed clove bring up the rear.
This dark ruby Valpolicella Classico delivers soft tones of mocha coffee and java cream over a tight base of bright berry fruit. Sour cherry and bitter white almond bring up the rear and contrast the wine's softness with crisp freshness.
This dark tannic Malbec with ripe black-fruit aromas hits the right notes on the nose. In the mouth, things are tight and rubbery in feel. Salty blackberry flavors are rustic but balanced by a note of sweet marzipan. On the finish, this is dry, drawing and fiercely tannic. Drink through 2023.
This dark wine is characterized by jammy notes of blackberry marmalade and sweet Christmas spice. It's lean and compact in the mouth with long-lasting flavors of blueberry and black currant.
This dark wine is still full of young tannins from a cool, east-facing vineyard. The red-berry fruit is beginning to show through, crisp and tight with considerable acidity. The wine will take time to develop and will not be ready before 2019.
This dark wine is still packed with tannins that give a dense, solid character. The acidity brings out the natural juiciness of the fruit but it does need a few more months to soften and round out. Wait until 2015.
This dark wine opens with bright fruit aromas that are soft and straightforward. The wine presents bold cherry, blackberry and spicy rum cake flavors, and a mouthfeel that is fresh and round. The finish is dominated by chewy berry fruit.
This dark, almost black-colored blend combines Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Syrah. They all come together in a rich, powerful palate full of explosive black fruit and fine, focused acidity. The structure shows that the wine needs to age further. Drink from 2020.
This dark, brawny expression doles out lavish aromas of smoked bacon, black olive, molasses, maple syrup and rich blackberry preserves. It's spicy and rich, but also tart and crisp. Those contrasting elements give it a sweet and sour feeling.
This dark, brooding wine is still tight and closed. It's powerful and concentrated, with gripping tannins as well as delicious black fruits. It's solid, chunky and very firm while retaining the generous fruitiness of the vintage. Don't drink before 2020.
This dark, brooding wine shows many of the qualities of this great vineyard, just across the road from Romanée-Conti. The dense tannins dominate, but the rich black cherry fruit is their equal, creating structure. A wine to savor over many years.
This dark, concentrated blend of five grapes opens with spicy aromas of coffee, black fruits and toasty oak. If the palate is a touch firm, airing or more time in bottle will soothe that. Tar, spice, olive, herbs and black-fruit flavors are deep and seamless, backed by licorice and chocolate on the finish. Drink through 2023.
This dark, concentrated number is new from the García family, known for the wines of San Román and Mauro. Like most reds from this clan, this is loaded with blackberry and toasty oak aromas. A massive, raw palate shows abrasive tannins. Oak-forward flavors of blackberry, cassis and coconut finish woody and powerful. Drink from 2018–2028.
This dark, concentrated wine is jammy in red and black fruit, with a doughy hint of biscuits. On the heavier side, it is structured with a hit of acidity on the dry, tannic finish. A sizable wine, it will require sizable pairings to tame its strength.
This dark, concentrated wine offers flavors of blackberry preserves, peanuts, hickory and smoked barbecue sauce. The wine is succulent and slightly sweet.
This dark, dry, tannic wine is rich in blackberries and cherries, with earthy notes of mushrooms and herbs. It's pretty tight and astringent now, but should soften over the next 5–6 years. The blend is Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional and Souzão.
This dark, exotic blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah is impressive given that 2008 wasn't a good year in Spain. This shows integrated oak, graphite and inky aromas in front of a full, balanced palate that's home to berry flavors, schisty minerality and mocha accents. A generous finish with plum and berry flavors as well as licorice is the right ending. Drink through 2018.
This dark, extracted wine is firm in character. It has bitter coffee and licorice flavors, which rather elbow aside the fruit.
This dark, full-bodied and well-balanced effort is jam-packed with flavor. A big burst of blackberry, blue plum and black cherry holds down the center palate. It's focused, fresh, ripe and lingers broadly. It's a wine to buy by the case and drink over the next decade.
This dark, fully saturated red wine starts with scents of eucalyptus, black cherry and dill. The ample weight and dusty texture is appealing, but purists may quibble with the amount of dill in this robust Cabernet. Drink now–2025.
This dark, heavily oaked Cabernet is lemony on the nose, but also full of typical cassis and black fruit aromas. The palate is muscular, with firm tannins. Flavors of black fruit are matched by resiny oak, leading to additional notes of licorice on the finish. Drink through 2017.
This dark, heavy Pinot Noir is surprisingly soft for a Sonoma Coast bottling, despite its rich layers of black cherry pie, licorice, cola and smoky sandalwood. Drink it now.
This dark, inky expression of Sagrantino offers jammy aromas of strawberry jam and blackberry preserves, followed by notes of prune, dark chocolate and spice. Expressive and structured, it would pair with roasted pork or grilled prime rib.
This dark, intense wine is solid with rich tannins and brooding black fruits. It is almost too concentrated for its own good, with super-ripe plum fruits and a spicy, peppery character from the alcohol. There is a luscious aftertaste that is both immediately appealing and opulent. Drink now.
This dark, meaty Malbec has some Agrelo fruit in it but it's mostly from La Consulta and Vista Flores in the Uco Valley. Aged in new oak for 18 months, it smells rich, smooth and inviting, with asphalt, mineral, violet and coffee aromas. The palate has bold acidity and healthy flavors that settle on blackberry and dark chocolate. Drink now through 2011.
This dark, muscular Carignan smells cool and earthy, with a heavy dose of unintegrated oak creating woodgrain and vanilla aromas. This feels full but shows structural gaps, while blackberry, clove and resiny, grainy flavors finish with tannic hardness and lasting woody flavors.
This dark, potent, full-bodied wine is made from two of the darkest, most tannic grape varieties—Petit Verdot and Petite Syrah—and there is nothing petite about this blend. Its color is almost black and opaque, while aromas and flavors suggest smoke, blueberry and espresso. The texture is tannic but not overbearing.
This dark, ripe and modern Syrah features wild berry, leather and cheesy smelling oak on the bouquet. It's plump and grabby, with plenty of oak and raw tannin to support black-fruit, vanilla and spice flavors. Oak dominates the finish, which has good density, weight and length.
This dark, ripe wine combines 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 10% Zinfandel and 4% Petit Verdot. Together they form an alliance of black cherry, blackberry jam and clove, richly rounded and expressive.
This dark, ruby-colored rosé made with the rare Casavecchia grape (which has existed since ancient Rome, when  Pliny the Elder referred to it as Trebulanum), opens with soapy aromas of rosewood, raspberry, blueberry and almond paste. It shows a surprising touch of tannic firmness on the close.
This dark, structured wine, with its balanced blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz, is firm with tannins and dense berry fruits. Full in the mouth, it is a concentrated wine that brings out a strongly chalky texture. The wine is still moving towards a rich future. Drink from 2017.
This dark, very ripe Crianza smells extracted, jammy and slightly soupy, with aromas of raisin, pipe tobacco and blackberry. The palate is heavy and a touch hollow, with baked berry, vanilla, licorice and resiny flavors. An oak-based finish tastes ripe, succulent and like mocha.
This dark, young wine is brooding. It's hiding itself in a purple velvet cloak, revealing only hints of spicy blackberry fruit and smoked meat. The tannins are chewy, but yielding, like gum. It's a very beautiful wine that will improve for a couple years in the cellar.
This darkly-colored wine is a little on the heavy, fruity side for a rosé. But it's fantastically delicious, offering waves of berries, cola and spices. The acidity is refreshingly high. You can drink this instead of a red wine with lighter meats, such as lamb or pork.
This darkly colored blush may be technically dry, like the label says, but it tastes as sweet as raspberry Kool-Aid. If you like that fruity style, it's for you.
This darkly colored Primitivo opens with sweet notes of Christmas spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, blackberry jam and plum cake. The wine is sticky and chewy on the close with sweet, succulent tannins.
This darkly colored, smooth blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah is widely appealing. It's soft and luscious with dark chocolate, blackberry jam and oak flavors that are heady and mouth filling. Despite an official alcohol level of 13.2% abv, it's feels a little hot.
This darkly colored, tannic, young wine boasts lots of rich black cherry, currant, cola, pie-spice and sandalwood flavors. It also has a rich mushroomy streak. A bit angular and jagged now, give it 5–6 years in the cellar and see what it does.
This darkly concentrated Dolcetto offers fresh fruit aromas of blackberry, plum and ripe black cherry. There's loads of dark fruit intensity here followed by a plush, dark and slightly raw feel in the mouth.
This darkly concentrated Sangiovese from Puglia opens with ripe aromas of raspberry jam, maraschino cherry and sun-soaked lavender flower. There's a sweetness you'll identify on the finish that is enhanced by the wine's chewy texture.
This darkly concentrated wine delivers rich flavors of black fruit, prune, leather, rum cake and cured meat. The wine is layered and complex, with touches of acidity and smoky oak flavors that give the wine momentum in the mouth.
This darkly inclined Pinot Noir is the top-end bottling from one of Edna Valley's premiere producers. Black raspberry, crushed clove and iced tea form the nose. Those midnight elements carry to the palate, with rich blackberry, thick coffee and black tea flavors.
This darkly tannic, firm wine is very concentrated in character. Black fruit flavors show through, yielding a wine with weight and the potential to age well. The finish is marked by rich berry flavors and bright acidity. Drink from 2016.
This David Lake Signature Series wine blends two different clones, Sangiovese Piccolo and Sangiovese Grosso, and starts with a lovely, complex bouquet of rose petals, strawberry, watermelon, cherry and cocoa. It's supple, elegant and graceful, with pretty accents and subtle spicy highlights nicely spaced across the palate. A delicate, sensuous wine.
This dazzling expression of Nebbiolo opens with classic varietal scents of red berry, rose, tilled earth, baking spice, truffle and a whiff of tar. The luminous, racy palate offers sour cherry, crushed raspberry, star anise and energizing mineral framed in firm, refined tannins.
This dazzling red boasts aromas of wild berry, chopped herb, violet and a whiff of truffle. The linear balanced palate also boasts surprising structure for the vintage, delivering juicy wild cherry, licorice and clove alongside silky elegant tannins and bright acidity. Incredibly enjoyable, one bottle may not be enough.
This dazzling red is still in its infancy but promises to bloom into a stunning beauty. It opens with delicate aromas of red rose, perfumed berry, forest floor, exotic spice, aromatic herb and a light balsamic note. Energy abounds on the full-bodied, elegant palate, which delivers bright red cherry, strawberry, white pepper and licorice alongside a backbone of vibrant acidity and firm, refined tannins. Drink 2020–2040.
This dazzling sparkler opens with enticing aromas of wisteria, spring wild flowers, vineyard dust and freshly picked orchard fruit. The crisp, linear palate doles out green apple, nectarine, pear and energizing mineral notes alongside a creamy perlage and vibrant acidity. It's perfectly balanced and refreshing.
This dazzling white is a lesson in finesse and balance. It opens with alluring, delicate scents of white wild flowers, chopped herbs, almonds and orchard fruits. The elegant palate offers layers of crisp apple and creamy pear, and radiant acidity brightens the intense flavors while a mineral note closes the lingering finish. Drink through 2023.
This dazzling wine smells like lemon and orange slices drizzled with fresh honey, tastes sweet but balanced with good acidity, and feels rich and viscous but not heavy. The flavors seem layered and complex and the finish lingers a long time.
This dazzling wine—86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot aged in 40% new French oak—offers notes of blackberry, black currant, olive and anise. It's rich and flavorful yet understated with a supple feel and bright acidity. Firm tannins provide the core and a long finish. Just a baby now, this wine should offer drinking pleasure through 2030 or longer.
This dazzling, dry and restrained wine was matured in new French oak but with such a light touch that it feels more lean than fat in texture. It has enough fruitiness—crisp apple and lemon flavors—and spice to make it tempting now, though it will improve with age. Best after 2020.
This debut effort from a small, family-owned winery offers light, pretty scents of Dr. Pepper, red berries, rose petals and vanilla. It's a delicate wine, sculpted to capture the nuances of Pinot, without attempting to bulk it up unnecessarily. The flavors play out sweetly across the palate, finishing with milk chocolate and spice.
This decent-quality wine is smoky in aroma, a bit earthy and cherrylike in flavor and medium in body. There's a touch of tannin to add some grip in the texture.
This deep-colored Malbec hits hard with cola and blackberry aromas. It's a muscular, oaky specimen on the palate, with noticeable tannins. Flavors of wood and toast are in the lead, followed by black fruits, clove and lemon rind. Drink now through 2016.
This deep-colored wine has a concentrated smell like dried figs and lots of ripe blackberry flavors that glide along on a smooth, nicely dense texture. One gulp easily leads to another one.
This deep-colored, full-bodied red gets a little swagger in its step from enticing smoky oak aromas and powerful black-fruit flavors that also carry that spicy oak streak. This is brash enough for slow-cooked barbecue but sophisticated enough for osso buco. The texture is fine-grained from supportive tannin, and the finish lingers. Best now through 2018.
This deep-colored, rich-tasting and thick-textured blend does a fine imitation of a more expensive red. Made with a majority of Merlot, its dark cherry and dark chocolate flavors blend well in a texture of fine-grained tannins and firm acidity.
This deep-garnet-colored wine offers a nose of cherry and apple peel. Well-integrated flavors of cherry, cranberry, white chocolate and leather sit within a firm network of tannins, and an unforeseen splash of citrus makes an appearance on the smooth finish.
This deep-pink-colored wine has ripe red-berry flavors and swathes of acidity and a touch of tannin. The fruit for the wine comes from grand cru vineyards on the Montagne de Reims, gives the wine depth, richness and concentration. This is a fine wine, ripe and ready to drink.
This deep-violet colored wine has a bouquet of cherry and butterscotch. Powerful tannins lay the groundwork for bold fruit flavors of blackberry and cranberry laced with notes of butterscotch, pipe tobacco and cocoa. It is full in the mouth, with a lingering finish marked by a pleasing vein of bright acidity.
This deep and dark Chianti riserva opens with slightly oxidized aromas of candied fruit and raspberry roll-up. Cola, dark spice and bresaola round off the finish.
This deep and rich wine is as much about tense structure as about fruit. It's a full-blown, very ripe wine that hasn't lost one iota of elegance. From selected fruit, this is a serious wine for aging. Drink from 2017.
This deep black-cherry colored wine has a fruity nose of pomegranate and strawberry. It is smooth on the palate, with flavors of black currant, plum, white chocolate, lavender and a hint of baking spice. The finish is characterized by a splash of tart strawberry.
This deep brown wine smells like a damp, mossy cave. Then add complex rancio notes, plus maple syrup and molasses. It's full, round and harmonious, wonderfully rich yet without any sense of heaviness and long and bright on the finish.
This deep garnet-colored wine proffers fragrances of black cherry and dark plum with a flourish of green pepper. It is smooth on the palate, with silky tannins and flavors of black cherry, raspberry, Mediterranean herbs and licorice. A mélange of bright berries and smoky spice permeates the sleek finish.
This deep garnet colored wine offers aromas of dried cherry, black raspberry and smoked sausage. It has an interesting balance of fruity and savory characteristics among raspberry, saddle leather and spicy tobacco flavors.
This deep garnet Kosher blend of 55% Rubin and 45% Merlot is scented with black plum, blackberry and freshly ground black pepper. It flavors are those of dried cranberries and tart cherry. It has balanced tannins with a pleasantly tart finish.
This deep golden, almost amber-colored wine is showing signs of oxidation. It has an unusual and intensely balsamic nose while the palate offers muddled sensations of eucalyptus, lemon drop, mineral and a hint of candied ginger but no fruit richness.
This deep red-violet wine has a nose of blackberry, cassis and roast meat. With strong tannins buffered by equally strong acidity, it has flavors of cassis, black cherry, flame broiled meat, leather and violet. Rigid tannins are subdued by a bright burst of cranberry on the finish.
This deep rosé—made from 70% Barbera and 30% Merlot—exhibits intense aromas of red plum and strawberry, along with a hint of pomegranate. Light weight but fruit forward, this has assertive flavors of red cherry and berry that show good length on the finish.
This deep ruby-colored wine features a bouquet of blackberry, tar and smoked meat. Chalky tannins provide a backdrop for a medley of fruit and savory flavors, including black cherry, cassis, flint and bacon. The soft finish is marked by a lingering smoke note.
This deep ruby-colored wine has a bouquet of black cherry with hints of smoked meat and red bell pepper. Flavors of smoked meat and cherry pie with notes of orange peel never completely coalesce. There are some pleasant moments on the palate, but they don't all come together at the same time.
This deep ruby-colored wine has a nose of black cherry, apple peel, and anise. It is soft on the palate, with mild tannins and flavors of raspberry, strawberry, black pepper and aniseed that lead up to a mellow but fruity finish.
This deep straw-colored wine has a nose of mango, caramelized pineapple and canned apricots. A strong backbone of minerality runs through the core, bolstering flavors of peach and tropical fruit.
This deep violet-red blend offers aromas of black cherry, spearmint and freesia. A bright entry fades to tongue-coating tannins, with flavors of black cherry, menthol and orange zest. Slightly chewy tannins linger through the finish, where they are joined by a lustrous vein of acidity.
This deep, dark and concentrated wine made by Alexandre Remy is big in every way—from the almost-black color to amped up aromas of dark chocolate and blackberry jam. Ripe blueberry and blackberry flavors coat the palate while a thick layer of soft-edged tannins shape the texture. It's not at all shy, and is a blast to drink with something grilled over open flames.
This deep, dense Syrah offers layers of dark berry aromas mixed with spice and herbal notes. The palate feels stylish and smooth, while driving flavors of blackberry and chocolate finish with smooth tannins. This is clean and New World in character.
This deep, grippy wine has the bones of a mastodon. Its thick blackberry, black cherry and cassis fruit carries even darker streaks of chocolate and espresso. Though still rare, Tannat is making a home for itself in Southern Oregon. It's a meaty, steak-friendly alternative to pricier Cabernets.
This deep, smoky, minerally wonder is full to the brim with ripe blackberry, tobacco and fine-oak aromas. In the mouth, this Tempranillo-led blend is rich and jammy but not out of shape. Blackberry, prune and toasty flavors finish lusty, with a touch of heat and burn that should settle in due time. Drink now through 2023.
This deeply-colored wine has a bouquet of cherry, pomegranate and white chocolate. It has flavors of black cherry jam, anise, mocha and a touch of orange peel. Mouth-coating tannins provide a matrix for an interesting touch of spiciness that gives way to a final taste of pomegranate.
This deeply colored and solidly built wine smells like black olives, dried plums and cedar, while tasting concentrated and ripe, with a polished texture. This will pair well with a rich dish like osso buco.
This deeply colored Tuscan rosato, made entirely from Syrah, opens with a lovely fragrance of blue flower, red berry and spice. The vibrant palate delivers crisp acidity and flavors of raspberry, blueberry and white pepper.
This deeply colored wine has a nose of raspberry and juniper with a hint of summer farm stand. It is well-balanced in the mouth, offering flavors of blackberry, cherry, green pepper and smoke. Strong tannins coat the palate, while a steadfast note of cherry hangs in through the soft smoky finish.
This deeply colored wine offers a spicy nose of white pepper, ginger and cinnamon with a whiff of citrus peel. The smoky palate delivers candied citrus, nectarine and mineral. While it still has fresh acidity, the fruit richness is already drying up.
This deeply colored wine opens with aromas of black-skinned berry, cedar and vanilla. On the dense palate, notes of toast and tobacco underscore mature black plum. Assertive tannins leave a mouthcoating finish. Drink through 2020.
This deeply colored wine shows plum, blueberry and black currant on the nose, with turned earth and pencil shavings providing depth. It's a bit thin on the sip, despite the chalky, somewhat clunky tannins, and the acidity is quite bright, delivering flavors of dark fruit and herbs.
This deeply colored wine unfurls with aromas of dark berry, juniper flower and a hint of vanilla. The concentrated palate delivers sour cherry, plum and pipe tobacco alongside firm but fine-grained tannins.
This deeply colored, full-bodied wine adds chocolaty richness to ripe plum and blackberry flavors, backed with light tannins that counter a bit of sweetness.
This deeply colored, full-bodied wine is as good as many at twice the price. Smoky, charred aromas lead to potent flavors that combine toasted oak nuances with concentrated espresso and dark chocolate. Plenty of fine-grained tannins add to the suede-like texture.
This deeply colored, generous-tasting and mouthfilling wine is dry and well balanced without obvious oak to fancy it up. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, it tastes full bodied, ripe and grapy in aroma, with blackberry jam flavors.
This deeply colored, slightly sparkling dessert wine opens with aromas of ripe plum and raisin. The dense palate offers dried black cherry and sweet blueberry extract.
This deeply flavored wine bursts forth with ripe blueberry, plum and cherry fruit. The mouthfeel is silky and succulent, wrapping the forward fruit into darker flavors laced with minty cacao, licorice and espresso. Drink now through 2026.
This deeply fruited wine is a rich cranberry/purple in hue, and flavors put blueberry and plum front and center. There's a touch of cassis, and the tannins are brushed velvety smooth, while remaining substantial, even muscular. Bergamot, pomegranate and marionberry flavors come through as well, in a lush cascade of spicy fruits.
This deeply hued wine opens with aromas of toast, roasted coffee bean and butterscotch. The palate delivers lemon drop, baked Golden Delicious apple, custard, tangerine zest and vanilla while a walnut note closes the finish. Drink sooner rather than later.
This deeply hued, golden colored wine opens with aromas of orchard fruit, citrus and crushed rock. The linear, vibrant palate tastes of Golden Delicious apple, candied lemon zest and mineral alongside racy acidity that leaves a firm, clean finish.
This deeply impressive blend of 20 different varieties comes from a vineyard at the top of the Gaivosa estate that was oddly ignored for many years. With black plum fruit, dense tannins and intense acidity, it's built for longterm aging. Drink from 2021.
This deeply saturated wine opens with a nice balance of ripe, chewy fruit, vanilla and spice. The wine promises to evolve over time, giving more space to the mineral nuances you can already detect now. Tones of licorice, black spice and clove are lively and intense in the mouth.
This deeply yellow-gold coloured wine opens with mature aromas of nut, flint and dried apricot. The lean palate is also already evolved, offering smoky mineral and yellow apple skin alongside firm acidity.
This defines elegance with respect to South American Pinot Noir. A fine blend of cherry, leather and tea aromas leads to a round yet crisp body with toasty, smoky oak framing juicy, light-framed red-fruit flavors. A fresh and precise finish holds onto the wine's generous but refined oak component.
This defines mainstream, affordable Chardonnay via its soft apple, pear and pineapple bouquet, pleasing mouthfeel and nice, lightly sweet blend of fruit, butter and spice elements on the palate and finish. Best Buy.
This defines small-production, high-end Priorat. Leather, tomato, spice and tobacco are draped all over subdued plum and cherry aromas. The palate is silky in feel, with peppery spice, mocha and red-fruit flavors. On the finish, anise and mild herb flavors dominate. Drink now–2017. Only 250 cases made.
This definitely fits the bill as an affordable weekday red. Red berries, vanilla and spice on the nose and palate offer plenty of enjoyment, while there's just enough softly dusty tannins to provide structure on the crisp finish. Drink now through the end of 2018.
This deftly hits on all cylinders, delivering big fruit, firm acid, fresh mineral and rich, toasty new-barrel highlights. Juicy, textural and deep, it's a wine to gulp, to savor and to share.
This deftly made wine from a newly built winery in California's San Joaquin Valley balances pure fruit flavors, mildly spicy oak nuances, firm acidity and fine tannins. It has tasty black cherry and raspberrry flavors backed by good acidity and a mouthfeel that's velvety, and should make a great pairing with a variety of proteins.
This delicate Barbaresco moves over the palate lightly and softly, imparting notes of wild berry, cedar, white truffle and licorice. The intensity builds in the mouth, where the wine gains momentum thanks to its tight, compact structure and its lingering tones of smoke and ash.
This delicate but plush bottling is of a rare grape known in the Rhône as Rolle. Sharp aromas of pear skin and Meyer lemon rind evolve into fleshier scents of stone fruit, white flowers and wet river stone. Lime juice and fine flavors are laced across sizzling acidity and grippy minerality on the palate.
This delicate cool-climate Pinot Noir is fresh and dainty, with a red cherry flavor and plumes of rose petal and green flower perfume. Sour plum acidity and fine-grained but penetrating tannins add brace and backbone.
This delicate Hungarian white wine is a blend of 86% Furmint, 9% Yellow Muscat and 5% Kabar. It has enticing aromas of white flowers, botrytis, gardenia, apple blossom and apricot that prepare your palate for flavors of peach juice, citrus zest, grapefruit juice, caramelized pineapple and a crisp clean finish.
This delicate Pinot Noir might leave you wishing for a boost in power, concentration and depth. Nevertheless, this wine is quaffable and bright, with red cherry notes that lead to a refreshing, brisk finish.
This delicate rosé offers a subtle bouquet of muddled cherry, carnation and mentholated berry. The light and slightly astringent palate boasts tangy, tart notes of currant and lime rind that linger through the medium-length finish.
This delicate white offers aromas of roses and a palate of spice and flowers that are both lively and sweet. Distinctive and elegant. Pair with poultry, pork and seafood.
This delicate wine exudes swathes of lemon chiffon and white flowers, offering similar experiences on the palate. Staying light in oak, it has texture and body to spare, without ever overpowering, making for a food-friendly, versatile wine.
This delicate wine shimmers with minerality from start to finish. Steely and dry in style, it's brisk with lemon and lime flavors that linger on the finish. It's a bit austere, but notable for the honed, linear feel.
This delicate wine, a medley of rose petals, cherries and a streak of cola, is labeled simply Oregon due to TTB regulations, but in fact is a single-vineyard effort from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. It's pale and pretty, and seems to be on a fast track for aging. Drink now through 2017 and you're in for an elegant and complex Pinot.
This delicate yet straightforward wine has blue flower and baking spice aromas. Smooth tannins back up cherry jam and white pepper flavors on the palate. Drink soon.
This delicate, elegant NLH wine starts with alluring aromas of lush honey, apricot and citrus and offers a vibrant, lively balance of fruit and acid. Pair with cheeses and fruit salads.
This delicately carbonated Riesling sparkler offers all of the grape's characteristic aromatic exuberance. It's blossomy and plump in notes of sweet peach, apple and lemon, yet bristling and spry. An easy going, light-bodied sip for everyday enjoyment.
This delicately colored rosé is made by adding red wine to Chardonnay, allowed in the Champagne region, and hence the name Rosé des Blancs. It's a new venture for Gimonnet, under the current direction of Didier Gimonnet, and is a great success. Fruity, crisp and steely. it is light and bright; a fine apéritif style.
This delicately effervescent sparkling blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is fresh and fragrant like a just-bitten apple. Quite dry on the palate, it balances elegant berry and rosehip flavors with nuanced minerality and a shower of zippy acidity.
This delicately perfumed wine opens to reveal power combined with elegance. The wine has great ripeness—a soft texture on the surface masking the severe tannins at the center.
This delicately sparkling dessert wine opens with scents of yellow stone fruit, citrus and white wild flower. On the softly foaming palate, notes of candied lemon drop, grapefruit and an herbal note accent yellow peach.
This delicately spritzy bottling of Diamond, a Concord grape hybrid, offers all the juicy, grapy deliciousness of Concord with twists of tropical and citrus fruit flavors. Moderately sweet and light in alcohol, it's straightforward, fun and guzzle worthy.
This delicately spritzy Riesling carries a whiff of orange rind, along with fresh flavors of lightly sweet tree fruits. Tasty on its own, or use it as a mixer for cocktails or punches.
This delicious 100% Cabernet is supple and generous. The tannins are gentle, the acidity soft yet supportive of the structure, and as for the flavors, they go beyond satisfaction into sheer delight. They include blackberry, cherry, blueberry, currant, mocha and red licorice, but the wine has an earthiness and minerality that give it true complexity. This is Stag's Leap's most accessible 2009 Cabernet, easily earning its high score for sheer delight. Drink now–2015.
This delicious Amarone has both structure and finesse. It offers a fragrance of pressed iris petals along with dark, ripe fruit and spice. The silky smooth palate delivers black cherry layered with cocoa, nutmeg and black pepper along with a hint of dried fig.
This delicious Amarone is loaded with ripe plum and black cherry flavors, layered with black pepper and clove. It's structured but elegant, with firm tannins and enough acidity to age well and develop complexity. Drink after 2016.
This delicious Amarone offers intense aromas of plum and spice. The palate delivers ripe black cherry and raisin flavors, layered with accents of chocolate, white pepper, licorice and almond. It already has fantastic depth and should gain more complexity over the next few years.
This delicious Amarone offers intense flavors of black cherry, raisin, white pepper, cinnamon and clove. It has a great structure, with big yet smooth tannins supported by just enough fresh acidity.
This delicious and affordable wine offers a fragrance of blue flower, tilled soil, game and leather, along with whiffs of mature black fruit. The juicy palate delivers ripe blackberry, black cherry, black pepper and licorice alongside firm but refined tannins.
This delicious and distinctive take on the grape as a pure varietal impresses with its solid core of purple plum and blueberry fruit. Aromatic accents of lemon and green tea continue into the palate as well, and the lengthy finish is fresh and multi-dimensional.
This delicious and refined Sauvignon Blanc from Tuscany offers classic varietal aromas of crushed tomato vine and green melon. Succulent cantaloupe, peach and apricot flavors are balanced by crisp acidity and a creamy texture.
This delicious and refreshing wine comes from the plateau above the Douro Valley, giving it a cool character along with a mineral and spice texture. The wine is perfumed from the 20% Moscatel in the blend. Drink now.
This delicious and spicy dessert wine from Montepulciano offers a fragrance of dried apricots, honey, spice and walnut. The palate delivers orange peel, ripe peach, walnut, cinnamon and maple syrup notes with a hint of lemon drop. This isn't sticky sweet, and has a fresh quality that gives it great energy.
This delicious and velvety expression of Nero d'Avola opens with aromas of earth, ripe black berry, leather and clove. The juicy palate offers blackberry pulp and ripe blueberry, accented by a note of unsweetened black licorice.
This delicious blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah, sourced from the Old Stones vineyard. Young, tight and peppery, it gains briary boysenberry flavors as it opens up, along with hints of soy and umami. A streak of maple syrup richness fills out the finish.
This delicious blend of Alvarinho and Trajadura comes from the northern part of the Vinho Verde region. The flavors are ripe yet crisp, with notes of apple and pink grapefruit. The acidity is prominent, yet well integrated into the rich fruitiness. Drink now.
This delicious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot has an inviting fragrance of cedar wood, black currant and a whiff of toasted oak. The palate delivers a solid core of black cherry, raspberry, white pepper and a tobacco note along with firm but refined tannins and just enough fresh acidity. Drink 2015–2020.
This delicious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot opens with an intense, brooding fragrance of dark fruit, spice and leather. The palate delivers a concentrated black-cherry flavor that's framed by big, chewy tannins and  punctuated by spicy accents of white and black pepper, licorice and pipe. Drink 2015–2024.
This delicious blend of Sangiovese, Barbera and Sagrantino opens with expressive floral scents of rose and violet alongside notes of berry and orange peel. The palate offers dense black cherry, white pepper and licorice notes balanced by big but polished tannins.
This delicious blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, berries, tilled soil, blue flower and spice. The concentrated palate delivers fleshy black cherry, red currants, black pepper and graphite alongside smooth tannins. The long finish closes on a licorice note.
This delicious bottle sings out with a burst of bright raspberry fruit. As with all the Winderlea designates, the exposure to new oak is fairly minimal—just 10 months in one-sixth new barrels. Juicy acidity keeps flavors buoyant, and the barrels add light notes of caramel and nougat. Drink this with great enjoyment over the next two or three years.
This delicious Brunello opens with classic Sangiovese aromas of dark-skinned berry, new leather, crushed herb and baking spice. Showing impressive freshness and elegance for what was a scorching vintage, the balanced palate delivers layers of juicy morello cherry, licorice and cinnamon while refined tannins provide polished support. Drink through 2026.
This delicious Cabernet Franc shows good varietal character, although it does include 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, which gives the cherry and red currant fruits a deeper note of blackberries. There are hints of wild herbs and black pepper that add to the complexity. What a lovely wine for drinking now, but first give it a good decanting of several hours.
This delicious Chardonnay combines brisk acidity and ripe tropical fruit and oak flavors, resulting in a rich wine. What it lacks in complexity it makes up for in opulence.
This delicious Chardonnay offers creamy opulence and rich notes of vanilla, honey and peach. It has dense, slightly sweet, fruit flavors lavished over good structure and ends with spicy crispness. Pair it with white meat or pasta salad.
This delicious Dolcetto d'Alba has ripe berry and spice aromas. The palate delivers strawberry black pepper and licorice with a hint of almond. Soft and fresh with a silky texture, this is perfect to pair with cured meats or savory pasta dishes.
This delicious Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend offers an alluring fragrance of blackberry, red currant and thyme punctuated by tarry, leather aromas. The palate shows ample plum flavor layered with chocolate and cinnamon accents, as well as round, polished tannins.
This delicious Pinot Noir is Miro's best ever. It's ripe in fruit and spices, offering wave after wave of raspberry Newton, brown sugar, Dr. Pepper cola, cinnamon and sandalwood flavors that persist through a long finish. Easy to like now, but it's not an ager.
This delicious Ripasso has a spicy fragrance of black pepper and tobacco leaf layered with black fruit aromas. The rich and concentrated palate delivers dense plum and black cherry along with cinnamon, clove and white pepper notes. Pair this with aged cheeses or cured meats.
This delicious ripe wine is made with a high proportion (40%) of Encruzado and it is this grape that gives the wine its richness. It also adds to the smooth texture while the fine perfumed character comes from Cerceal. This is a refreshing wine that is ready to drink.
This delicious rosé is a combination of sweet strawberry and a touch of lemon crispness on the nose and the palate. Its light, elegant character is supported by a dancing acidity and a balance of ripe berry flavors and minerality. A great food pairing choice or stellar solo sip.
This delicious rosé is packed with citrus, watermelon, strawberry and apple power. There's plenty of acid and a dry finish, with a pleasing firmness to the palate.
This delicious spicy white has an almost Latin flair. It smells like mango and cilantro, tastes crisp and peachy, and finishes with a sensation of mild chili peppers. It's fun to encounter something so arresting and unusual to drink.
This delicious wine balances acidity and citrus fruits with riper melon and pear flavors. It offers an attractive, refreshing crisp edge. Drink now.
This delicious wine drinks well now for its soft, fruity approachability. It's full with raspberries and cherries, while exhibiting lots of buttery, toasty oak. Fancy enough to pair with a fine steak.
This delicious wine from old Sémillon vines offers a hint of nuts and spice as well as crisp, clean fruit. It is lively with acidity as well as having a richer side. The wine will be just right from the end of 2017.
This delicious wine is as soft, silky and supple as can be. The fruit is slathered in spicy, chocolaty oak, which lends some sharpness to the edges. Red berries and red licorice lead into finishing flavors of baking chocolate. But as tasty as it is when first opened, it fades quickly, suggesting that this is one to drink up rather than lay down.
This delicious wine is fresher and more lively than typical California Tempranillos. Cola, red cherry and vanilla aromas combine for a beautiful nose while the palate shows tart sour cherry and slight hints of leather. Both the acidity and tannic grip are strong but expertly measured.
This delicious wine makes you wish that a lot more Sauv Blanc was coming out of the Willamette Valley. It's sharp, spicy and bright. The grapefruit and pineapple flavors carry well-defined accents of herb and pine needle. The pinpoint acidity adds further focus.
This delicious wine offers subtle barrel nuances, with ripe plum and strawberry fruits. Along with this is a stylish crispness, just touched by spice and toast. This is a serious wine, intended for food.
This delicious wine shows focused black cherry, cola, cream soda and baking spice flavors. It's perfectly balanced, with all components in proportion and settled nicely together. Drink now through 2022.
This delicious wine shows Paso ripeness in the form of blackberry, cherry, anise and chocolate, with soft tannins and just enough acidity to balance the richness. The cool vintage played a part here, giving the wine long hangtime flavors while keeping the alcohol level low.
This delicious wine smells very fresh, like putting your nose into a fruit salad. It tastes more dry, like lemons and crisp apples. Medium bodied, it offers good acidity and appetizing balance.
This delicious wine, on the dry side of brut, is fresh and fruity while also finely textured. Initially, it seems light and then more complex minerality and steely acidity come through to give a structure that promises aging. Drink this impressive wine from 2017.
This delicious Zin has almost everything one could ask for. It offers aromas of spicy oak and enticing ripe fruit. Flavors of black cherry and blackberry layer over subtle baking spices and smoke, while a great texture combines fine-grained tannins and firm acidity. A velvety viscosity helps flavors linger on the finish.
This delicious, accessible, easy-sipping wine has everything in moderation, from gently fruity aromas, to light but complex flavors of plum, black tea and spices, to medium body and a supple mouthfeel. It will taste good on practically any occasion.
This delicious, compelling, full-bodied wine blends luscious fruit flavors like red cherry and boysenberry with stylish, spicy oak accents and a firm backing of acidity and tannins to keep the mouthfeel vital. The fruit and softly spicy nuances mingle beautifully and seem to melt in the mouth. It's great to drink through 2020.
This delicious, complex wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. It draws strength from both varieties, with a clean, minerally feeling and crisp acidity framing lime, kiwi, tropical fruit and peach flavors.
This delicious, crisp wine conveys a great bite of fruit and acidity. It has light tannins, tasty crushed raspberry fruits and lively acidity at the end.
This delicious, dark, full-bodied wine smells like blackberry jam and tastes like blueberries and dark chocolate. It has a richly tannic but not harsh texture and lingering finish. The gorgeous fruit flavors make it drinkable now, but it will mature nicely through 2020.
This delicious, fruity wine is full of acidity and crisp fruit. Light, bright and dominated by green and citrus fruits, it is ready to drink now.
This delicious, fruity, lightly sweet wine blends ripe berries and black cherries on a smooth, supple texture. A touch of lip-smacking tannin balances it out.
This delicious, opulent Blanc de Blancs emphasizes rich fruit as much as minerality. Full of ripe apple flavor, along with hints of lemon juice and apricot, this has a fine depth of flavor and delivers a fragrant, refreshing finish.
This delicious, refreshing wine has crisp acidity and bright red apple fruit. Shot through with with zesty lemon character, it finishes with a waft of white floral perfume. Drink now.
This delicious, refreshing wine is textured, tight and mineral, with fruity acidity. Tangy and crisp, it has a tight structure, touches of toast along with apple and citrus flavors. The wine is still young and very tight, so should not be drunk before 2017.
This delicious, reserve-level effort keeps the alcohol low without sacrificing power, weight or depth of flavor. Barrel-fermented and aged sur lie, it's a full-bodied wine with scents and flavors of ripe stone fruit, buttered toast and caramel. Decant and drink now or cellar for a few years.
This delicious, ripe and juicy wine is full of rich yellow fruits and refreshing balancing acidity. It has a crisp, mineral side to it, with a tangy lemon zest flavor. It's an attractive wine that's just ready to drink now.
This delicious, sweet and fruit-driven wine smells like pineapple and honey. It tastes full bodied, very ripe and unctuous, and has a long, lingering finish. It will be great with salty cheeses and toasted nuts.
This deliciously crisp estate-produced wine is full of the freshest strawberry fruits. It dances with its acidity and light touch of spice. From one of the largest private vineyards in France (2,300 acres), the wine is ready to drink.
This deliciously crisp wine is full of lemon and grapefruit flavors. It's light, poised and tangy, with a fine burst of acidity that goes right through it. Drink now.
This deliciously fresh and crisp wine comes from the Marne Valley. It's a blend of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, giving the attractive salmon-pink color and red currant fruit flavors. Tense acidity suggests the wine could age in bottle. Drink after 2015.
This deliciously fruity wine is all about citrus, pear and crisp apple. Lively and ready to drink, it will improve through 2016 as the intense acidity softens.
This deliciously fruity wine shows some good depth of apple, apricot and orange zest flavors. The wine is light, crisp and finished with white currants. Easy and refreshing. Screwcap.
This deliciously full-bodied and rich Chardonnay is unabashedly New World in style. From its caramel and tropical fruit aromas through its flavors of Golden Delicious apples, mango, vanilla and baking spices, it screams “Australia.” Best Buy.
This deliciously perfumed wine originates from a small appellation west of Sancerre. With its crisp texture and aromatic Sauvignon Blanc grapes, it is a wine to appreciate as an apéritif rather than drink with food.
This deliciously warm and ripe wine has swathes of red fruit that are full of energy and richness. It offers a touch of perfumed spice and good acidity. Drink now, although the wine will be better from early 2016.
This delicously crisp wine is light and full of fresh citrus and red fruits. It dances out of the glass, bright with acidity. The name says it all—it's ready to drink this instant.
This delightful and refreshing wine is atypical in all the right ways. Intensely aromatic, it conveys a lush mix of honeysuckle, sweet hay, smoke, lime and honeydew melon. And that's before you take the first sip. The low alcohol and bright acidity set it up for a wide range of poultry, pasta and seafood options, and anything with goat cheese is sure-fire.
This delightful bottle opens gracefully with lush aromatics, showing snap and complexity. The palate mixes red fruits with hints of seed, grain, pepper and pretty herbs. It's long and seamless, with a coffee streak across the finish.
This delightful Chianti Classico shows Sangiovese charisma with bright fruit aromas, cherry, white almond and pressed violets. It's smooth and silky, with a touch of sourness on the close.
This delightful drink is just what you want a nice Merlot to be. Fruity and rich, with a nice balance between the blackberry flavors and deeper ones of earth and sage, it's marked by soft, dry tannins and a dollop of smoky oak.
This delightful Pinot Grigio offers remarkable clarity and precision and generous tones of stone fruit and citrus while being creamy and rich in density. Pair it with your favorite seafood recipes.
This delightful rosé bursts open with ripe watermelon and strawberry scents and flavors. Highlights suggest candied rose petals, and the flavors continue into cherry soda and hints of pink peppercorn. It's a big bold fruity simply fabulous bottle.
This delightful rosato (made from the Lagrein grape of Northern Italy) opens with fragrant tones of wild berry, white almond, stone fruit, white cherry and sweet cassis. It feels fresh and light in the mouth and would pair with smoked salmon.
This delightful rosso has enticing fragrances of violet, iris and red berry. The bright palate delivers wild cherry, white pepper and mint flavors framed by silky tannins. This is made to be drunk young, so enjoy soon.
This delightful Sauvignon Blanc is unoaked, and did not undergo malolactic fermentation. The result is pure Russian River fruit, rich and spicy in pineapple, tangerine, grapefruit, green apple and fig flavors, brightened with tangy acidity. Delicious and lively, a perfect wine for cocktails and Asian fare.
This delightful sparkler delivers aromas and flavors of crisp green apple, lime, white peach and a hint of sage. Vibrant acidity and invigorating bubbles offset the fruit flavors.
This delightful sparkler shows the versatility of the Verdicchio grape. A metodo classico, it has bright and delicious apple, tropical fruit and citrus flavors, with a walnut note on the finish. It's enjoyable now and the silky mousse makes this extra drinkable.
This delightful surprise from upstate New York features Pinot Grigio-like lime and herb aromas. A touch of chalk and the faintest hint of peachy fruit on the palate add to its appeal. Displays good feel and finish, with lingering citrus flavors.
This delightful wine exhibits crisp acidity and Riesling's characteristic petrol, citrus, lychee and honeysuckle flavors. It's slightly off dry with a clean edge of minerality.
This delightful wine has aromas of dried violet, cocoa powder and cherry juice, with flavors of fresh cherry juice, dried herbs and pomegranate. It is balanced and has a touch of acidity in the finish.
This delightful wine opens with notes of blue flower and ripe red berries that carry over to the palate. It makes a warm, soft accompaniment to everyday fare such as hearty pastas or dense Tuscan soups.
This delightful wine shows the charming side of Nebbiolo. It has a floral and fruity fragrance of rose and raspberry accompanied by bright cherry and white pepper flavors. It's vibrant and fresh with silky tannins.
This delightful wine, principally fermented in neutral oak, and aged sur lie, offers lovely details of apple flesh and skin, white melon, a hint of daikon radish, and the pinpoint persistence that is the mark of superior winemaking. Pinot Blanc can go in various directions in Oregon, but this bright and acidic wine really shows the way to a style that is at once drinkable, complex and food friendly.
This delightful, off-dry white is a blend of Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Müller Thurgau, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling,  perfectly matched to deliver crisp, fruity aromatics and flavors of apples, oranges and pears. It's a terrific anytime quaffer.
This delightfully fruity wine also has a great tang of acidity and minerality. It shows a crisp character, with a bite of apple peel and a lively mousse at the end. Drink now.
This delightfully pure expression of the Syrah grape seduces from the first sniff, which sails along on a flying carpet of blue and purple fruits, licorice, clove and tobacco. The beguiling aromas continue in the mouth, where the wine assumes a seamless, plump and powerful presence. Ciel du Cheval Syrah is every bit as good as the Bordeaux grapes for which the vineyard is most famous.
This delivers a bit of extra grip and weight compared to the widely-available Three Vineyard bottling. Pear and peach fruit flavors are lightly toasty, leading into a full-flavored midpalate and a medium-long finish.
This delivers a bold nose of ripe blackberry. The mouthfeel is plush, thick and slightly on the sweet side.
This delivers a cheerful aromatic embroidery of cherry, cassis, toasted almond, Indian spice, leather and bitter chocolate. The mouthfeel is another selling point thanks to its smoothness and persistency.
This delivers a classic Sangiovese nose of wild cherry, leather, violet, iris, flint and spice. The dense palate reveals fleshy black cherry uplifted by menthol, eucalyptus, black pepper and sage. It's still young but should develop more complexity over the next few years. Drink 2016–2023.
This delivers a delicate bouquet of wild berry, white cherry, peppercorn, dried mint and forest floor. The aromatic intensity of this ruby-colored wine is intense and pure.
This delivers a delicately fragrant bouquet of white flower, stone fruit and lemon zest backed by a spicy touch of cracked white pepper. Pair this bright sparkler with smoked salmon on toast.
This delivers a no-holds-barred Paso-style of richness, with black plum, vanilla, caramel, cola and cherry-filled ganache aromas leaping from the glass. It's soft and luxurious on the sip, with caramel-laced fudge, espresso cream, black-cherry sorbet and loads of milk-chocolate flavorings.
This delivers a playful touch of sweetness in the mouth, with bold aromas of blackberry, plum, spice and leather. It shows harmony, with a velvety mouthfeel.
This delivers a solid mix of red fruits, herbs and spices on the nose. The palate feels a little jagged, but it's forward and contains lively flavors of cherry, plum, nutmeg and brown sugar. It's fruity on the finish, with a dash of cocoa.
This delivers a spectacular explosion of fruity, floral flavors. Notes of apricot preserve and honeysuckle are exuberantly aromatic, balanced with a delicate palate of sweet, sugared peach and tangerine. It's sprightly and lean, yet elegantly lingering on the finish.
This delivers a very lively and plush quality of ripe blackberry, leather, tobacco, cola and cigar box. The mouthfeel is bold, soft and velvety. Keep this wine in your cellar for five years or more.
This delivers about the same intensity and concentration as a top shelf Amarone—but for half the price. It offers loads of spice, ripe fruit, leather, tobacco and black olive flavors that drive the long, supple mouthfeel.
This delivers aromas of oak, espresso and roasted coffee bean that carry over to the palate along with notes of dill and parsley. It lacks fruit richness and has astringent wood tannins that leave a mouth-drying finish.
This delivers aromas of sweet honeysuckle and peach blossom, with notes of crushed mineral and natural rubber. The thick, sweet bouquet is followed by a lean, drying mouthfeel.
This delivers berry flavors, with a touch of white pepper and citrus. There's a hint of balsa wood on the nose and an intriguing tart mineral note on the palate. It spent 10 months in 27% new French oak barrels.
This delivers bright aromas of peach blossom and lemon zest. It has steady perlage, with a touch of softness on the close that's followed by a dense mousse and foam.
This delivers classic Sangiovese aromas of pressed rose, violet, perfumed berry and forest floor with a balsamic note. The palate shows dried black cherry, vanilla, licorice and confectionary note alongside a bitter accent of powdered sage. Astringent tannins lead to an abrupt, drying finish.
This delivers dark, masculine concentration backed by firm astringency and dusty tannins. Rather than fresh fruit, the opens with aromas of crème de cassis, cherry liqueur and dark prune.
This delivers dense and chewy flavors of spirit-soaked raspberry, nutmeg and chocolate-covered orange. Its velvety smoothness is energized by fresh acidity, making this very easy to enjoy. Pair it with mushroom risotto or semi-seasoned cheeses.
This delivers enormous aromatic intensity that rises from the glass in a determined and immediate manner. The nose is awash in aromas of ripe fruit, leather, tobacco, exotic spice and black pepper. The soft, chewy mouthfeel is capped by a strong blast of roasted coffee bean.
This delivers excellent value, with dark fruit aromas, tight tannins and a lingering spice note. The wine is aged partly in oak and partly in stainless steel. It would make an excellent partner to barbecued meats.
This delivers fresh aromas of white peach and sun-ripened apricot. Dry and tonic on the palate, this has a lively blast of acidity on the finish.
This delivers fresh flavors of cut grass, lime, stone fruit and honeydew, backed by tangy acidity. It should pair well with fried calamari, sardines or baked fresh-water fish.
This delivers great Pinot-like character for its price tier. Give it credit for the dry silkiness, clean acidity and vibrant cherry, cola and oak flavors.
This delivers handmade, natural wine character. It's a limited release from King's “Vineyard Designate” series, and a bold, deep, supple and smooth one at that. Red plum, citrus peel, a thread of caramel and a whiff of chocolate combine in a wine that should drink well through 2026.
This delivers impressive fullness and ripeness, with hearty aromas of black cherry, leather and tobacco. It's dense and soft, with savory accents of exotic spice, clove and cinnamon on the finish.
This delivers inky dark, brooding aromas of black fruit, dark spice, molasses, resin, tar and cured meat. The mouthfeel is soft and chewy, with a sticky mocha flavor and a spicy endnote of barbecue spice.
This delivers smoke, coffee bean, dark red fruit and spice aromas. It's oak-forward on the palate, somewhat obscuring the fruit flavors, but it still brings appeal.
This delivers soft aromas of leather, blackberry preserves, tobacco and dark chocolate. The grape is Negroamaro, and the wine's mouthfeel is rich, velvety and smooth.
This delivers textbook aromas of candied berry, tobacco, cured meat, teriyaki, cinnamon and Spanish cedar. There's a touch of heat on the finish that is cushioned by the wine's rich density and velvety mouthfeel.
This delivers the best of both worlds for this aromatic grape. Crispy cut-grass notes blossom into tropical pineapple guava and green papaya. A laser focus of lime on the palate subsequently opens toward green pears, freshly cut oregano and dill, and an apple skin-driven bitterness.
This delivers the soft, velvety texture you want in a nice Merlot, along with ripe black-cherry, anise, cola and sandalwood flavors that finish dry and spicy.
This delivers top quality at an attractive price point, with floral aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle and orange blossom. The finish is soft, feminine and very smooth.
This delves into the more sanguine side of California's historic yet stylistically versatile grape, with rare meat and red earth aromas. On the tart palate is pomegranate and cranberry, with bay leaf and kalamata olives giving an herbal lift.
This Demeter-certified Biodynamic Chardonnay has nice color and full apple aromas, as well as a lot of depth and texture. The finish veers into caramel and vanilla, no stranger to oak.
This Demeter-certified biodynamic wine is made in an immediately enjoyable, drink-now style. Brandied black cherries and sun-baked earth mark the nose, while the palate is full, creamy and plush. It's warm, ripe and welcoming from start to finish.
This demi-sec (off dry) means there is some initial roundness that makes it more attractive young. But the underlying acidity and the green plum flavor, along with an edge of tannin, all suggest some aging ability. Drink now–2012.
This demonstrates a fine balance between the crisp white and peach fruits and the nervy texture that keeps this feeling taut and sharp. Beneath the fruity surface there is structure and a mineral character. Age for another 2–3 years.
This demonstrates a good balance between minerality and ripe pineapple and apricot fruits. With a twist of lemon and an herb accent, it has both crispness and richness.
This demonstrates the complexity of firm and concentrated Vosne-Romanée, with a generous, fruity character. It shows its structure first, followed by beautiful red fruits. Age for 4–5 years or more.
This demonstrates the power, concentration and firm structure that comes from the vintage. The fruit is rich and powered by opulent black fruits, with a dark, intensely textured finish.
This demonstrates Viognier's typical full, fleshy, intensely flavored palate, with tropical flavors of kiwi and bitter papaya seed, plus an ultraripe note of honeydew and a hint of flower.
This demonstrates, as well as any other example, that exceptional wines were made in the often-maligned 2011 vintage. Cranberry, raspberry, cola and allspice elements are woven gracefully in a lovely wine that closes with just a faint, beguiling whiff of smoke.
This dense Aglianico opens with aromas that recall resin, nail polish remover, stewed plum and chocolate. The meaty palate offers overripe black cherry and prune alongside aggressive tannins but it's evolved and shy on freshness. It finishes abruptly, with an astringent, tannic close.
This dense and complex wine comes from one of the magnificent Grand Cru vineyards in Morey Saint-Denis. It is a powerful wine with its rich, generous fruit and dense tannins. It has everything larger than life: big fruit, big tannins and a big future. Drink this exceptional wine from 2024.
This dense and concentrated Amarone offers an intense bouquet of marinated cherry, blackberry and tobacco. The palate delivers rich flavors of blackberry, prune, licorice and a touch of carob, along with round tannins and soft acidity. It has layers of flavor and nice depth. Drink through 2017.
This dense and dark wine is full of ripe, richly juicy black fruits. Solid tannins and layers of wood are softening into the rest of the wine. It's going to develop slowly, releasing the fruit into the tannic structure. Wait until 2018.
This dense and dark wine is showing as much tannin as fruit at this stage. It's powerful, the dark fruits ripe and seriously structured. Spice, berries, coffee and a tense, mineral texture are all part of the mix. It needs considerable aging, so don't drink before 2019
This dense and dark wine offers spice and toast flavors. It has a big, generous feel, leaving room both for the dry, still-young tannins and for aromatic blackberry fruits. It does need to age, so drink from 2017.
This dense and ripe Syrah offers mature black-skinned fruit, allspice and smoke tones. Its core of ripe black currant fruit is accented with a confectionary note of vanilla and punctuated by rounded tannins. Enjoy soon.
This dense and solid wine comes from the eastern ends of the Entre-deux-Mers. It is full of black fruits that balance the firm, dry tannins. Juicy acidity bursts in at the end for a wine that's already delicious and will age well. Best to drink from 2017.
This dense and spicy wine is powerful, with a dry core that tends toward sweetness. It features pepper as well as lychee flavors, followed by a light touch of acidity and a firmly structured finish.
This dense and structured wine comes from a small walled vineyard within the larger Les Vignes Franches premier cru, partially owned by Louis Jadot. Robust tannins frame its rich, juicy black fruit, showing potential for long aging. Drink from 2024.
This dense Cab is chewy on the palate with highlights of green olive, sour cherry and minty tobacco. It's fairly priced and approachable.
This dense dessert wine conveys aromas of fig, prune and blackberry jam. The palate offers dried black cherry, dark chocolate and cake spice alongside chewy tannins.
This dense dessert wine opens with subtle aromas of black fruit, prune, leather ?and spice. The palate delivers concentrated notes of black­berry, dried cherry, cinnamon and chocolate alongside firm, drying tannins that need a few more years to soften. Sip it on its own as a mediation wine or pair with tarts made with dried fruit. Drink 2016–2028.
This dense Taurasi opens with black fruit, toasted oak and chocolate aromas. The extracted palate shows a heavy oak influence and is framed by coffee, mocha and vanilla alongside evident alcohol and bitter, raw wood tannins.
This dense wine comes from a 50-acre estate, large by the region's norm. It's concentrated, showing signs of extraction although not enough to hide the black fruits and fruit tannins. Dominated by ripe Merlot, it will develop relatively fast. Drink from 2017.
This dense wine doles out sensations of sweet oak, espresso, chocolate, plum cake and vanilla alongside notes of mature black berries. It's shy on freshness and has an almost sugary finish. Drink now.
This dense wine from Bierzo is rich, chocolaty and reticent in its delivery of black-fruit aromas. The round, pure palate is rich and easy to like, while flavors of baked berry, earth and chocolate lead to a chewy, round finish that's friendly but structured and substantive. Drink through 2017.
This dense wine full of dusty tannins and serious fruit is ripe and full while structured and elegant. It comes from the heart of the hills north of Lisbon, allowing room for a big, full-powered character as well as a fresher, blackberry fruitiness. The wood aging is still showing even after four years, so the wine still needs more time. Drink from 2016.
This dense wine has a strong sense of dry tannins as well as red-berry acidity. It is balanced, in keeping with the cherry and strawberry fruits. The acidity, cutting through, keeps the wine bright and fruity. The end is strawberry jam with attractive acidity. Drink from 2018.
This dense wine has black plum and chocolate flavors, which are lifted by attractive acidity. It shows structure, richness and power, but all of that is mitigated by the fresh edge that elevates the finish.
This dense wine has ripe tannins and generous fruits. Its black-fruit flavors are full of spice and acidity with a crisp texture. Drink this wine from 2018.
This dense wine is now beginning to mature. It has the bold black fruit of the vintage, which is overlaid by dark chocolate notes and some bitterness. Still firm, it will probably need to age. Drink from 2019.
This dense wine is still very young. The fruit still needs to express itself in a wine that is broad and ripe. Give this rich wine, with its creamy texture and touches of spice from wood aging, until 2021.
This dense wine opens with aromas of blackberry, blueberry and a touch of vanilla. The extracted palate offers dried dark cherry, bitter almond and a hint of clove alongside drying, astringent tannins.
This dense wine opens with blackberry, plum, toast, earth and leather aromas. The palate is overwhelmed by oak, showing espresso, toast, spearmint and vanilla while licorice and blackberry sensations remain in the background. It lacks the fruit richness to support the heavy oak influence, and astringent wood tannins dry out the mouth.
This dense wine starts with aromas of blue flower, black berries, vanilla and toasted oak. The palate delivers ripe black cherry and raspberry accented with clove and white pepper alongside astringent wood tannins that dry out the mouth. Drink 2015–2020.
This dense, black-colored wine throws great weight around. It's firmly concentrated, with stylish elegance from perfectly ripe black-currant fruits. Dark and lush, it finishes with soft acidity. It could benefit from several years aging, so drink from 2017.
This dense, full-bodied wine exhibits characteristics of savory dried cranberry and pomegranate as well as an earthy sense of rose and herb. The contrast reaches its apex on the slightly sour finish.
This dense, full-flavored Chenin exudes ripe fruit aromas and flavors of red apple flesh, wood-grilled peach and sweet orange oil. The mouthfeel is round but not fat, with good acidity and a spicy but clean finish. Drink now–2014.
This dense, purple wine is packed with roasted, charred aromas of burnt toast, espresso and plum. The palate is creamy and smooth, with good core acidity. Flavors of loamy berry, raw oak, chocolate and herbs finish smooth, woody and lush. Only 300 cases made; drink through 2019.
This dense, rich and ripe varietal Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in new French oak for 19 months. It shows smoked meat and bacon flavors that last into the finish.
This dense, richly thick wine is full of black pepper and leather flavors that complement its bright layers of black currant, plum and dark cherry fruit. Full bodied and balanced, it offers further complexity as it unwinds in the glass.
This dense, round, full-bodied red from a quiet appellation offers smoked plum and dark cherry flavors, with integrated oak and tannin.
This dense, ruby-colored Barbera delivers aromas of plush fruit, drying mineral, toasted nut and moist tobacco. There is a nice ensemble of fresh cherry and blackberry in the background and the wine tastes rich and dense in the mouth with a long, smoky aftertaste.
This dense, savory wine has tobacco, black-skinned berry and red plum aromas and licorice, blackberry jam and black pepper flavors. Fine-grained tannins provide support. Drink through 2022.
This dense, tannic and concentrated wine needs more time in the bottle. It features aromas of flint and dried herb, with similar flavors on the palate. With pronounced oak, it's expansive and rich. Cellar through 2020.
This dense, tannic wine has spice and black fruit aromas that follow through on the palate, with new wood and black plum flavors. Concentrated and firm, it has fine potential. Drink from 2019.
This dense, wood-laden wine has ripe spice and dark tannins. It's heavy with wood as well as black currant fruits and acidity. It is young and needs time to integrate, so don't drink before 2016.
This densely colored wine is still very much on its oak, with toasted coffee bean and sawdust aromas. The palate shows evident wood, vegetal notes and red currant. Green, bitter tannins cut the finish short.
This densely concentrated wine is intense with blackberry and black currant flavors. The tannins are strong but very finely textured, giving the wine a velvety mouthfeel. It finishes with sweet oak notes and a warmth from alcohol that barbecue will easily handle.
This densely extracted expression of Pinot Nero opens with aromas of tilled soil, espresso, toasted oak and sage. The concentrated palate delivers blackberry extract, coffee, vanilla, chocolate and a hint of herb alongside assertive but fine-grained tannins.
This densely flavored and full-bodied wine has a very deep, dark color and aromas that suggest oak barrels, nutmeg and cardamom. The palate shows tension between firm tannins and acidity, and carries ripe blackberries, with spicy accents. Drink now through 2020.
This densely hued wine has aromas of black plum and vanilla that carry over to the simple palate along with a touch of cedar. Pliant tannins give it an easygoing nature. Drink soon.
This densely layered wine has an underlying bright acidity and firm structure. Quiet, nuanced cranberry flavors ride a wave of earthy forest and black tea scents.
This densely packed and very firm-textured wine will need aging to show its full potential. It has smoky, black pepper aromas and concentrated, dry flavors that layer with blackberry, blueberry and dark-chocolate impressions. A welcome sense of austerity keeps it from seeming sweet, and it features an elegant balance. Best after 2019.
This densely structured wine has firm tannins and concentration. The juicy black fruits are still developing to fill out the wine even further. Drink from 2018.
This densely structured, finely crafted wine is the latest vintage from one of the Douro's iconic brands. It has great weight and, at the same time, elegant fruits and structure that offer good aging potential. It could be drunk now, but best to wait until 2016.
This densely tannic wine is bold and linear, with concentrated chocolate and spice flavors. Rich black fruits are layered with acidity and a tight, mineral texture. Still firm, the wine is not likely to soften more, so drink now.
This densely textured wine is packed with dark tannins and concentrated fruit. With its firm structure, weighty black fruit flavors and intense acidity on the finish, it will age well. Drink from 2017.
This densely textured wine is ripe with blackberry fruits over firm, smoky tannins. It has a generous feel to it, rich with fruitiness while just moving into a more mature mode. Drink this wine now for its forward fruit, although it will be even better from 2017.
This densely textured, deeply flavored wine showcases the beauty of old vines in Amador terroir. It has an opaque color, opulent clove, blackberry and cassis aromas, and ripe, jammy flavors that drench the palate yet are supported by tannins firm enough to keep it balanced and appetizing. Best after 2020.
This deservedly popular value bottle gets the star Pinot treatment—nine months in French oak, 27% new. It's spicy and full-flavored, with resonant blue plum fruit, buttery toast and a tannic frame.
This desirable appellation wine hails from several well-farmed vineyards, including the producer's hillside Wildcat Mountain site in the Petaluma Gap. Apple blossom aromas lead to a taut body of ripe, balanced fruit—an exploration of pineapple and mango that's food-friendly, with high-toned acidity.
This dessert-style wine has notes of dried pineapple, orange peel and granulated sugar. It's sugary sweet at 14.7% residual sugar.
This dessert-style wine is very fruity, quite sweet and boosted in alcohol. It has a spicy, earthy aroma, lots of plum and prune flavors, a rich mouthfeel and lingering finish.
This dessert blend of 56% Sémillon and 44% Sauvignon Blanc smells like liquid honey, with beeswax and concentrated apple syrup as supporting aromas. It's viscous with decent grip on the palate, offering flavors of crushed apples, lemon syrup and a lime freshness, with lots of length.
This dessert blend of 66% Zinfandel, 21% Carignane, 8% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre begins with a pruney and alcohol-laden nose, but then peppercorn, clove, Indian spice and plum skin aromas emerge. The palate is tense despite the wine's 11% residual sugar, with dried red and black fruit flavors, spicy acidity and a vanilla finish.
This dessert bottling is extremely boozy and woody, with aromas of stewed kirsch, charred oak, tobacco, leather and Bourbon. It's incredibly thick and treacly on the sip.
This dessert wine from southern Italy offers a fragrance of apricot, walnut and smoke. The palate delivers ripe but restrained apricot and honey with hints of walnut while the fresh acidity leaves the palate clean and refreshed. Drink after dinner or pair with apple pie. Serve slightly chilled.
This dessert wine is a blend of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. Dark-golden in hue, it tastes like a fresh apricot tart glazed ever so slightly with sugar. Light drinking and very beautifully made, try enjoying this poured over vanilla ice cream.
This dessert wine is such a deep amber color, it is reminiscent of a gleaming copper pot. Aromas of resin, pine nut, roasted almond, maple syrup and butterscotch denote a Vin Santo that shows its years without seeming old. It's thick and syrupy in the mouth with loads of honey-roasted nut flavors.
This dessert wine is sweetly complex, with apricot jam, peach pie, honeysuckle, vanilla fudge and smoky butterscotch flavors. Fortunately, the acidity is fine and crisp, providing a clean balance to the sweetness.
This dessert wine is very sweet but not incredibly so, with a flavor like apricot and tangerine jam, drizzled with honey and vanilla extract and sprinkled with cinnamon. If that sounds delicious, it is, and the acidity makes it clean and zesty. The price isn't bad, considering that this is a full bottle, not a half bottle as so many dessert wines are.
This dessert wine made from Moscato begins with an opulent nose of orange peel, citrus and flowers. Rich waves of white fruits, flowers and a touch of spice follows. A great choice for desserts, cheeses.
This dessert wine offers rich aromas of spice, flowers and burnt orange/citrus, followed by opulent waves of honey, flowers and butterscotch. Pretty and a good pairing with cakes, fruit and cheeses.
This dessert wine opens with aromas of honeysuckle, jasmine and a hint of cinnamon that carry over to the lively palate alongside ripe pineapple and yellow peach. Fresh acidity balances the sweetness.
This dessert wine opens with earthy aromas of underbrush and tobacco, with whiffs of chocolate and oak. The palate offers up dense black cherry, blueberry and licorice, along with smooth tannins.
This Dijon-clone wine is well defined and complex. The mixed fruit flavors bring lime and lemon, pineapple and pear together. It's supple and long, with balanced supporting acids and a pleasing goodnight kiss of toasted marshmallows.
This Dijon clone fruit, barrel fermented and aged on the lees, delivers a wine of exceptional concentration and intensity. Deeply fruity, with a lush mix of apple, pear and peach, it also brings flashy barrel flavors and impressive length. The persistent, tightly wound finish bodes well for further aging. Drink now through 2028.
This dilute red wine could be anything. It's green, tannic, and generic.
This diluted wine opens with aromas suggesting old cut flowers and wet soil. The thin watery palate has just a hint of unripe sour cherry.
This direct-press rosé is correspondingly very pale in color, with delicate aromas of peach and melon. On the palate, it's medium weight, with a slightly creamy texture and hints of spice and citrus on the finish. Drink now.
This direct and appealing wine offers notes of maple, sugared plum and woodspice. Flavors are light but plush in feel, straight down the fairway.
This directly appealing wine brings notes of the underside of a pineapple, chamomile, talc, wet stone and apricot, mixing delicacy and nuance. It's creamy in feel with rich, concentrated fruit flavors and a long, detailed finish.
This directly appealing wine has notes of fresh blueberry pie, char and barrel spices. It's richly flavored with blue fruit, showing excellent depth and intensity. Seemingly out-of-place tart acids and astringency need some time to (hopefully?) settle.
This directly appealing, 100% varietal wine offers aromas of raspberries, cranberries, fresh tobacco and a touch of spice. The fruit flavors are lush and forward, with soft tannins and a finish that won't quit.
This discloses funk, rubber and sulfur , but otherwise is a good but chunky and beefy Garnacha. Aromas of rubber and scrambled egg veer toward boysenberry and cassis, while the palate is grabby and jammy. Flavors of baked black fruits, prune and licorice finish pasty and oaky, with a note of sweet plastic.
This dishes out out generous servings of ripe berry fruit and smoked hickory sauce. It's chewy, richly concentrated and slightly sweet, with lively endnotes of jammy fruit and maraschino.
This displays a particularly rich style of Sancerre, full bodied and opulent. It has the purest white and citrus fruits, with plenty of crisp acidity. But it is the intensity of the wine and its generosity that marks it. The wine is young and could age—although why wait when it is so good now?
This displays aromas of underbrush, tobacco, coffee, raisin, menthol and dried sage. The palate offers blackberry extract, prune, anise and black pepper alongside bracing tannins. It finishes on a note of glazed brown sugar. North Berkeley Imports, Glazer's.
This displays evident oak sensations of sweet vanilla, toast, espresso, milk chocolate and mature black plum alongside drying tannins. There's not much fresh acidity so drink soon before it dries out.
This displays primary aromas of black fruit along with whiffs of roasted herbs and espresso. The palate offers black plum, prune and Morello cherry accented by black pepper, coffee, toast and vanilla. Youthfully aggressive and tightly packed, this needs time to fully develop. Drink after 2022.
This displays ripe black-skinned fruit, Mediterranean herb and baking spice aromas. The dense palate delivers blackberry, clove and tobacco flavors, with close-grained tannins that leave a grippy finish.
This displays the big, chunky, California-style fruit of the 2012 vintage. It's forward, ripe, lusciously fruity, with plums, cherries, orange peel and more. Highlights of cinnamon and chocolate add complexity to the finish. Drink now through 2020.
This displays the bright and polished fruit of this excellent vintage. Highlights are pretty cherry and strawberry candy, which touch on cotton-candy charm without becoming sweet or cloying. Just 15% of the wine saw new oak.
This displays the immaculate freshness of all the Eyrie white wines, with an extra serving of phenolic bite. There's a sense of real depth to the gooseberry, grapefruit and pineapple flavors. Subtle and a bit enigmatic, this compelling effort should be tucked away and tasted again in 2020. Drink 2020–2030.
This distinctive and bold dry wine has a flavor signature that incorporates blueberry, black olive and blackberry, while filling the mouth with fine-grained tannins and full body. Those tannins and firm acidity give it a great, grippy texture and help extend the finish.
This distinctive biodynamic vineyard is near the Van Duzer Corridor, destined to become its own AVA soon. The fruit is a mix of berries and cherries, with a touch of Popsicle sweetness. There are notes of earth and barnyard also, well-integrated, and often found in such natural wines. Still pulling itself together, but complex and compelling already.
This distinctive bottling offers aromas of tobacco, wet coffee grounds, roasted pasilla chili, charcoal and charred beef that seem curious at first but quickly grow interesting. The palate shows much of the same, recalling a chile-flecked dark-chocolate brownie served atop a black cherry-blackberry reduction sauce.
This distinctive Chianti Classico has a multifaceted bouquet of iris, crushed cherry and truffle along with accents of meat and balsamic herbs. It has a delicious wild cherry flavor, with a hint of orange zest. It's already enjoyable thanks to its forward personality.
This distinctive offering is light in color, with aromas of rose petals, red raspberries and minerals. It's supple and elegant in feel, all about purity of expression as it dances lightly on the palate.
This distinctive white starts with an aromatic, almost Riesling-like nose of flowers, with a touch of citrus focus. On the palate, vanilla spice and pronounced fruit mingles with the bracing edge of lemon peel and mineral. An elegant white with unique regional flair.
This distinctive wine boasts aromas of pine resin and maple syrup that add spicy accents to this otherwise fruit-driven white wine from Campania. You can feel the southern sunshine in the mouth thanks to the wine's slightly sweet nature and powerful finish. A Marc de Grazia selection, various American importers.
This distinctive wine has a light-garnet color and intriguing raspberry and cranberry aromas that lead to full red- and black-cherry flavors accented by rosemary and wood smoke. Fermented by native yeast and using some whole clusters for the astringency and flavor that stems can add, it has a texture that's moderately tannic and nicely supported by acidity.
This distinctive wine has a light to medium color, with complex and somewhat earthy aromas. Very tasty and diverse flavors suggest black tea and rhubarb. It has medium body, a soothing, smooth texture and lingering finish.
This distinctive wine has a slightly peachy color, which is natural for this varietal. Aromas suggest white pepper and orange zest, while flavors recall peach skin and apricot. A nervy, crisp balance makes it feel lively and refreshing on the tongue, despite full body.
This distinctive wine is spicy and meaty in flavor and very firm in texture as lots of fine-grained tannins give it grip, and full body helps it flood the tongue and coat the sides of the mouth. Best after 2019.
This distinctive wine opens with distant notes of volatility that recall green apple and cider, which give it a sense of lift and buoyancy. In the mouth, you'll get cherry and chocolate and long persistency. It does a good job of cutting through butter sauces or succulent meat.
This distinctive wine shows aromas of rain-soaked herbs, mineral, cocoa and red fruit. It's filled with luscious, jammy raspberry flavors that combine with an alluring, silky feel. With time, the aromas and flavors might unite to kick it up a notch.
This distinctive, complex and layered wine brings a unique aromatic profile of raspberries, sage and spice before fanning out across the palate with gorgeous raspberry syrup, dark chocolate and blackberry flavors. Its lightly grippy texture of fine-grained tannins perfectly counters the plush effusiveness of its fruit.
This distinctly woody wine's eucalyptus perfume derives from its wood aging. Luckily, that quality shares space with black fruit and dark fruit tannins. Dense and powerful, it needs time. Drink from 2021.
This distinguished Cabernet deserves its reserve status. It shows the softness and herbal quality of Alexander Valley, along with rich tiers of red currants, cherry pie and mocha flavors. The tannic structure gives it special complexity. Now through 2012.
This does a good job of balancing lively pear and apple flavors with dashes of toast and butter. It's medium to full-bodied, dry and has enough crispness to help the flavors linger.
This does not offer much in terms of aromas other than measured tones of stone fruit and shadings of white mineral. It is equally as easy and informal in the mouth.
This doesn't appear to be the strongest recent vintage of this wine, but it remains a benchmark for McLaren Vale Shiraz. Hints of vanilla and tobacco leaf add nuance to a mix of berries ranging from red raspberry to black currant, but there's also a hint of bruised fruit and a green toughness to the tannins. Give it some time in the cellar. Drink 2020–2030.
This doesn't fit the current fashion in Australian Pinot Noir toward lightness and delicacy. Instead, it delivers rich and mellow flavors of black cherry, tinged with licorice, earth and moss. Drink it over the next several years.
This doesn't have the same floral notes on the nose as the other 2014s from Escarpment, but instead offers aromas of baking spices, vanilla and black cherries. In the mouth, it's crisp and medium in weight—not the most generous wine right now—but the tart, lingering finish suggests it should age well. Try after 2018.
This doesn't have the sheer breadth of many Australian Viogniers, but it offers more structure and length on the palate. Vibrant lemon-lime and pineapple aromas set the stage for flavors of tropical fruit and lemon custard. There's a slightly creamy texture and a lingering finish. Imported by Tom Eddy Wines.
This doesn't show any particular Stags Leap character; it's another dry, tannic and lean Cabernet, with cherry syrup flavors. Drink now.
This doesn't show any Rutherford character; in fact, it could come from just about anywhere. But it's a proper Cabernet, dry and full-bodied, with simple black-currant and oak flavors, and the price is right.
This doesn't taste quite ripe, with vegetal flavors marring the raspberry and cherry notes. Otherwise, it shows a softly tannic mouthfeel.
This doesn't taste ripe, with a green, minty edge to the cherry and oak flavors. The tannins and acids provide nice structure, however.
This doesn't taste true to the grape variety, but it's a good white wine with orange peel, jasmine and tangerine aromas, fairly quiet fruit flavors and then a floral, citrus finish. Light to medium bodied, it has an appetizing texture.
This Dolcetto from the Vantrino Albarella vineyard offers a simple and easy approach, laced with plush fruit and natural richness as it makes its way down the palate. Try it with fried zucchini flowers.
This Dolcetto offers a correct nose with fresh layers of cherry, blueberry and wild berries. There isn't huge intensity here but the wine does offer a full, soft mouthfeel with some mild tannins on the close.
This doles out multiple layers of cinnamon, red cherry, vanilla, blackberry, espresso and tobacco flavors. It's modern, chewy and bright, with slightly sweet flavors that would pair with pork and roasted fennel or steak with a creamy mushroom sauce.
This domaine is now sold through the Jean-Marc Brocard family. This is a rich wine with yellow fruit as well as crisper citrus. There is a touch of pepper that lifts the fine acidity and the ripe apple and peach. At the end, the wine is crisp and clean.
This Domaine, based in the Pouilly-Fumé region across the Loire, also has vines in Sancerre. The wine is rich, with melon and juicy apple flavors. Its acidity and steely texture form a contrast to its deliciously refreshing character. Drink now.
This domaine, which sprawls across several appellations, is now being farmed organically. More importantly, this wine is a terrific value. Thyme and bay leaf notes add vibrance to the ripe raspberry flavors in this blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. It's weighty without being heavy, with a velvety finish that makes it easy to drink now.
This domaine—situated at a higher altitude than most Corsican vineyards—produces wines with an extra zest of freshness. This bottling is crisp and tight yet has great swathes of red fruit and balanced acidity. Drink now.
This Douro wine is a new venture for Lagoalva, which is based in Tejo near Lisbon. Fermented in open stone fermenters, the wine is rich, endowed with fine tannins that are integrated into the full-bodied black fruits. The finish has acidity, layers of wood and a smooth aftertaste. Drink now.
This Dr. Crane vineyard has really rocked in recent vintages. Enormously rich and deep, with a fabulous compaction of black currant, dark chocolate, baking spice and cedar flavors. There's an interesting grilled meatiness, like the charred fat on a great steak, and lots of new oak, but it's perfectly integrated. The smoky, toasty barrel notes are perfect companions to the fruit's power. Drink this 100% Cab now and over the next 12–15 years.
This dramatic and stunningly rich Syrah shows depth, power and ripely smooth, finely ground tannins that make it drinkable now. Black currants, licorice, mocha, violets, mushu plum sauce, black pepper and Provençal herbs fascinate as the wine changes in the glass. Drink now through 2010.
This dramatically structured Cab needs time in the cellar. It straddles the old-fashioned style of long-aging and the modern style of immediate opulence. The tannins star, sticky and firm, but the wine, which contains minor amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, is so rich, so loaded in black currants, cherries, sweet ripe plums, chocolate, anise and smoky oak, that it seduces now. But best after the age of six.
This drily austere Zinfandel tastes like it hardly got ripe. It's tough in acids and green tannins, with mint and sour cherry candy flavors. Oak helps to provide richness, but the cold vintage has taken its toll.
This drily elegant Zin needs food to perk it up, especially lighter meats, like veal, pork or chicken. It's not full-bodied enough for beef, with flavors of cherries and tobacco that are almost Pinot-esque in their silky texture. Good value for its complexity.
This drinkable Pinot does have a tannic toughness. On the palate, there are good notes of cherry and cola, but hints of green unripeness compromise its future. Give it a good decant and drink now.
This drinks a bit lighter than previous vintages, with light strawberry and thin, tart cherry fruit. The tannins are astringent and slightly green. It's worth cellaring until 2019 to let additional bottle age smooth out the finish.
This drinks like a Port, with extremely ripe and definitely sweet flavors of raisins, dried plums and blackberry jam. It's not so much a dinner wine as something to sip around the campfire or with a dark chocolate dessert.
This drinks like a young Amarone but is priced like a Valpolicella red. Carefully aged in oak for 12 months, this is supple and soft, bursting with red fruit aromas and a long, spicy finish.
This driving blend of Malbec with Syrah and Cabernet hails from Argentina's most northern vineyards.Bruising black plum and cassis aromas have mossy, floral sidenotes. It's grapy but not monotone, so you get boysenberry then spice flavors, especially clove. This is toasty on the finish, which has drying tannins.
This dry-farmed portion of the exciting family-owned estate delivers aromas of cardamom, pomegranate extract, cherry juice, ollallieberry, sweet woods and the yeastiness of a baking croissant. The palate shows cherry pie, pulverized cloves, star anise and more yeast, with a very full mouthfeel and silky tannins.
This dry-farmed property produces concentrated grapes. Particularly in this vintage, it offers burly, tannin-laced fruit with a tendency to brood. Soft and velvety on the palate, it veers into tangy, oaky and spicy finishing touches.
This dry-farmed Syrah and Merlot blend opens with foresty berry and black-olive aromas. A tight, zesty, acidic palate deals lively flavors of red plum, currant, olive and toasty oak. On a dry, almost astringent finish, this tastes of tomato, red plum and herbs.
This dry-farmed vineyard is often challenging for Winemaker Billy Wathen, but it worked this vintage, showing bright and ripe aromas of apple blossom, pear, honey and sweet lemon, all underlined by white-rock minerality. The lively palate shows lime soda and chalk flavors, with a pear-skin bitterness and ample acidity, which keeps the mouth tingling deep into the finish.
This dry-farmed vineyard reliably delivers memorable wines, including this Syrah, redolent with notes of oregano, thyme, charred beef and tar. The herbs, fruit and smoke integrate smoothly on the palate, with boysenberry fruit in the background and crushed bouquet garni on the front.
This dry-farmed whopper of a wine, which is boosted with 10% Counoise and 10% Mourvèdre, offers rich aromas of blueberry, pine sap and mushrooms. It proves tremendously lush on the palate, with jammy, ripe fruit, picking up tannins and a tiny bit of acidity to approach balance in the midpalate. It's for those who prefer power to finesse.
This dry-farmed, small-batch wine offers dark purple-fruit aromas alongside spicy spearmint notes and a bit of unique nuttiness. It's fleshy, with ollallieberries and plum-skin flavors on the palate and a fresh fennel herbalness giving licorice grip on the close.
This dry-tasting Riesling contains only 6.6 g/L of residual sugar. Balanced and fresh peach, pear and tangerine fruit flavors combine on the palate for a full, round and tasty take on the grape.
This dry and full-bodied wine is a little rugged and heavy in texture, with an astringently tannic finish. But it has enough cherry, berry and oak flavors to make it a pretty good buy at this price.
This dry and restrained wine offers spice in profusion. Balanced with acidity and a firm texture, it's very much for food.
This dry and sophisticated wine made from 77% Pinot Noir and 23% Chardonnay has just what's needed in a rosé. It has a vivid light-copper color, an aroma like red cherries and apple skin, and flavors that are bright and fresh. The balance is almost austere but rounds after a couple of sips.
This dry appetizing wine comes from one of Lodi's more adventurous winemakers, Markus Niggli. A hot-pink color and red-cherry aromas lead to bright fresh cherry and raspberry flavors, while a medium body and mild acidity form a smooth texture. Niggli made it from Syrah and Carignane grapes fermented by native yeast.
This dry Champagne forms a good contrast with the Brut Nature Rosé from the same producer. There is more weight to this wine, more richness and, in the case of this bottling, more bottle age. With its flavors of white fruit and toast, this wine is very ready to drink, with a rich aftertaste.
This dry Chardonnay shows the minerality, acidity and herbalness that mark some Carneros Chardonnays. It's an elusive wine, less ripe than many, but has enough fruit, cream and oak richness to hit the right Chard notes. Call it elegant.
This dry estate wine is voluptuous and richly floral, with well-developed stone fruit and melon flavors. Medium-bodied, it's weighty enough to be enjoyed on its own or at the table with a wide array of foods.
This dry expression of Moscato from southern Italy opens with fragrant tones of white flower, peach and honey. It shows some roundness on the palate, capped by fresh acidity.
This dry expression of Zibibbo (a grape normally used to make passito dessert wines), opens with a fragrant bouquet of white flower and honey, backed by a lean, crisp mouthfeel. The acidity offers a big surprise.
This dry Furmint from Hungary's Balaton region has aromas of lemon blossom and green apple. In the mouth, there are flavors of crisp apple cider and fresh pear.
This dry Furmint hails from one of Tokaj's most famous vineyards—the Saint Thomas vineyard in the town of Mad. It has a complex bouquet of honeysuckle, mango blossoms and lemon flowers that lead to flavors of lemon rind and white peach. It is well balanced and has a crisp, clean finish.
This dry Furmint has aromas of caramelized pineapple, citrus blossom and peach with flavors of apricot, grapefruit and lemon lime. There is pleasant brightness in the crisp finish.
This dry Furmint has aromas of lemon curd, vanilla, fresh apricot and canned peaches and flavors of apples, peach and apricot preserves. It has a crisp clean finish.
This dry Furmint has beeswax, freshly cut peach, ripe apricot and lemon blossom aromas. The palate recalls apricot and peach, with a pleasantly tart finish.
This dry Furmint is brilliant gold in color, with notes of Bartlett pear, Granny Smith apple, and lime zest in the complex bouquet. These aromas transfer seamlessly onto the palate as vibrant fruit flavors, with round body and bracing minerality. Delightful with food or by itself as an apéritif.
This dry Grenache is light in body and silky, but shows firm acidity that will work well with grilled beef steak or lamb. The red berry and stone-fruit flavors have interesting nuances of minerals and herbs. A great restaurant wine, and one of the finer examples of Grenache on the market.
This dry Hungarian wine is made from Muscat Lunel. It has sweet tart candy, dried basil, rosemary and lemon blossom aromas. On the palate, expect dried Mediterranean herb, lemon zest and white peach flavors.
This dry interpretation of the Cartizze cru shows chalky mineral notes with background tones of peach, honey, wild flower and lemon zest. The soft sweetness feels great next to the naturally foamy quality of the mouthfeel.
This dry light-bodied wine smells very fresh—even green—and tastes like tart green apples, white pepper and fresh parsley. It has very crisp acidity and a mouth-puckering texture that will make it a good pairing with raw oysters.
This dry light-footed blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris offers zesty grapefruit and lemon flavors edged with white tea leaves. Balanced in alcohol, subtle and refreshing, it finishes on a clean, slightly mineral tone.
This dry Merlot is marked by strong tannins and ripe fruit. It shows bursts of black cherry, currant, cola and cedar flavors, and it has an astringent texture that's unlikely to age away. Drink now.
This dry Merlot rosé is the benchmark from which to compare each of Channing Daughter's seven rosato wines this vintage. It's elegantly framed, perfumed with waxy-white florals and crisp strawberry and cherry notes. Dry and crisp, yet luscious in body with a lingering touch of bramble on the finish.
This dry Moscatel has intense floral perfumes along with equally intense acidity. It is a combination that works because of the flavors of spice and lychee that give the wine richness as well. It is crisp at the end, always fragrant and ready to drink.
This dry Moscato Giallo from Lodi is delicious, with an intensely perfumed nose that follows through in the taste, alongside Meyer lemon, jasmine and cantaloupe. Very unusual, incredibly well priced and modest in alcohol, this lush, ginger-tinged Moscato is this taster's desert-island white.
This dry Pinot has a lovely, silky mouthfeel and ripe flavors of strawberries and oak. Tough tannins, marked acids and some green flavors distract.
This dry Pinot Noir is a little ungenerous, offering modest sour cherry candy and wintergreen flavors. It's also a little bitter, tasting almost like press wine.
This dry Prosecco Superiore opens with easy aromas of peach and white flower followed by sweet cream and fresh lemon or lime. The style dictates a touch of sweetness in the mouth and although this Italian sparkler does deliver that, the wine is light and refreshing overall.
This dry red blend is as sophisticated, structured and balanced as many high-end Cabernets. Made from old-vine Zin, with Syrah, Cabernet and Petite Sirah as well, it has a deep, exotic aroma of dark fruit plus cedar and cardamom. The flavor is richly fruity, the mouthfeel is firmly textured and the finish lingers nicely. It's medium bodied and full-flavored.
This dry red wine offers bold black cherry and blackberry aromas. Similar fresh fruit flavors and subtle accents of baking spices come out with the second sip and linger on the finish. A good, gripping texture of moderate tannins and acidity helps to make it really appetizing.
This dry Riesling boasts intense apricot, yellow peach, citrus and smoky mineral sensations. The rich but polished palate is restrained by crisp acidity that leaves the mouth feeling fresh and clean.
This dry Riesling offers rich floral aromas of lilies and freesia. Soft floral notes continue on the palate, where they are joined by stronger flavors of citrus, honey and roasted hazelnut.
This dry Riseling is richly mouthfilling and intensely mineral, with delicate stone-fruit flavors that mingle with notes of wax and orange rind. It's lush and full  bodied, but balanced with tart lemon acidity and a drying astringency on the finish.
This dry rosé is 100% Merlot, fermented in stainless steel. It's rather flat in both mouthfeel and flavor, with nondescript one-dimensional red fruit.
This dry rosé is made, as are most of the wines from this producer, from Merlot. It gives a soft, smooth and lightly caramel flavored wine though with plenty of acidity to keep it crisp. Drink this wine now.
This dry rosé is perfumed with red-currant fruits. On the palate, the theme of crisp red fruits continues, with acidity, a touch of pepper and smokiness from the Cabernet Franc in the blend. Drink the wine, with its tight acidity at the end, now.
This dry rosé is soft and fruity. Red-berry fruit permeates a wine that also has a rich texture from lees aging giving the wine some weight. Its acidity balances all this, finishing the wine with crisp acidity.
This dry rosé sparkling blend would pair with easy appetizers or fried vegetable tempura. The wine is sharp and crisp, with a steely effervescent close. Bardolino Chiaretto is from the shores of Lake Garda in northern Italy.
This dry rosé takes a serious approach and can be enjoyed in lieu of red. It has a salmon color, plummy and lightly earthy aromas, and red cherry fruit with a hint of meatiness on the palate.
This dry Sauvignon Blanc is wonderfully adaptable to today's wide variety of foods. Bone dry and crisp in acidity, it has rich, varietal flavors of Meyer lemon, lime, pink grapefruit and blood orange.
This dry Silvaner balances a crisp, lean fruit profile of white peach, lime and green apple, with a palate that's full, voluptuous and weighty. It's intensely minerally, with a slight mineral-oil slick, but finishes clean with brisk lemon and citrus pith notes.
This dry sparkler (made with the indigenous Durello grape variety) opens with a light, golden color. It follows through with subdued aromas of dried herb, mineral and white peach. The sparkler is very drying and tight on the palate.
This dry sparkling red wine opens with an inky dark color and offers pulpy tones of raw fruit and blackberry jam with tart cherry and cranberry on the finish.
This dry sparkling wine is made from 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. Full of finesse, it delivers yellow apple and Bartlett pear aromas that carry over to the palate together with notes of almond biscuits and a note of vanilla. It's extremely elegant, with a refined mousse and lively acidity.
This dry style of Pinot Gris brings out a strong acidity as well as ripe fruitiness. The wine is structured, tangy with surprising amounts of lemon as well as pear flavors. It is still too young and needs time. Drink from 2016.
This dry style of Pinot Gris has a rich character, which allows the spice to come through strongly—the acidity lingering behind. Flavors of tropical fruits are allied to the smooth, ripe finish.
This dry version of Jurançon can't go far from its sweeter partner. It is rich and dry with considerable acidity, but underneath there is honey, spice and a wonderful ripe apricot fruits. It is full, tangy, a wine for food. Drink from 2018.
This dry Vinho Verde shows great crisp, green apple and grapefruit flavors, a deliciously fresh wine, with green edges and lively flavors. Great summer drink.
This dry white has apricot, peach and white floral scents and lemon curd and orange zest flavors. It's well balanced, with a creamy finish.
This dry white shows softness and a light, creamy, gentle touch. The wine has apricot and fresh lime juice flavors, opening easily as it gets air to finish well-rounded but properly crisp.
This dry white wine opens with aromas of acacia flower, honey and stone fruit. The lack of sweetness holds back some of the aromatic intensity, and the wine is easy, fresh and zesty on the finish. Pair it with fried cocktail shrimp.
This dry white wine seems to be all about smooth texture and reserved flavors rather than overt fruitiness. It has a gold, Chardonnay-like color, mild aromas of almond and butter, a rather full body and a lingering but subtle honey-like finish.
This dry white wine, made from red Malbec grapes is intensely aromatic with quince, almond and lychee notes. It's a fascinating combination that has produced a rare style of wine. Although it is dry, its perfumed character brings out ripeness on the palate.
This dry wine delivers aromatic complexity, firm tannins and solid fruit flavors for an appetizing balance. It smells like raspberries and cedar, tastes like cranberries and raspberries, and finishes with a nice touch of astringency.
This dry wine from one of Anderson Valley's storied vineyard properties is full bodied, with a wonderfully rich texture and subtly fruity and layered flavors. Try this in place of a Chardonnay with cheese or seafood for a change of pace.
This dry wine from the Ribbon Ridge vineyard, adjacent to the winery, is briskly tart without being sour. Flavors of lemony tea and Meyer lemon meringue intrigue immediately. There is splendid structure and complexity in play here, with layers of flower, citrus and mineral, all in perfect harmony. It's easy to believe this wine could age through 2024, even longer.
This dry wine has a light salmon color, aromas like melon and prosciutto and flavors that are light and slightly meaty or herbal. Guess what we would serve it with?
This dry wine has a medium-dark color with a mahogany rim. It offers strong berry, black pepper and clove aromas and flavors, and a broad, smooth texture. It's full bodied, mouthfilling and spicy.
This dry wine has a nice sense of reserve along with subtle lemony, earthy and milky flavors that linger on the finish. The texture has a nip of acidity and the body is light to medium.
This dry wine has an appealing fruit character, light spiciness and a firm grip of tannin. It will pair well with roast birds or grilled sausages.
This dry wine has that combination of tight minerality and great acidity that is common to young Chenin Blanc. It comes from a narrow valley carved into the steep cliffs of Vouvray, giving a wine that has richness as well as this tangy aftertaste.
This dry wine is strongly dominated by tannins. It is structured, firm and hard-edged. Without the fresh acidity at the end, it would be a tough proposition.
This dry wine made from Syrah, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah is smooth and gentle, nicely fruity but also spiced with touches of black pepper and clove. The mouthfeel is especially silky so it's easy to sip and enjoy.
This dry wine offers light fruitiness and more in the way of caramel flavors and structure. It's textured, full in the mouth and very much set out for food.
This dry wine shows hints of honey as well as pure sliced apple and white stone fruits. It is deliciously crisp, bright with acidity, almonds and a tangy texture. The wine is totally ready to drink in its fruity youth.
This dry wine tastes ripe and jammy but not plodding, full of blackberry and boysenberry flavors. It feels smooth but not soft, having enough tannins to support the richness. Dark chocolate flavors develop on the second and third sips and the texture turns even more soothing. It's made with Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Malbec and Syrah.
This dry, 100% Pinot Noir Champagne has tense acidity as well as crisp apple- and citrus-driven acidity. With its taut mineral character, it needs at least a year to soften.
This dry, acidic young Pinot Noir isn't offering much richness, but does have a nice heart of cherries and persimmons. Nice and elegant, it's pretty good for the price. Give it an hour in a decanter and drink now.
This dry, acidic, minerally Chardonnay brings Burgundy to mind. It has a lot going for it, but is rather tight and angular despite a rich vein of pineapple and lemon drop. Distinguished in its way, it's a fine wine, at a great price.
This dry, almost austere wine has some tasty but subtle characteristics including a toasty, slightly earthy and buttery aroma followed by subtle almond and apricot flavors. It will make a great choice with tapas or fish, and a nice change of pace anytime.
This dry, balanced aged tawny is both fruity and showing good aging characters. Red fruits are cut with acidity and shaped by the old wood and spice flavors. It has a delicious, ripe aftertaste.
This dry, brusque Merlot has hard tannins and tart acidity, and the fruit isn't very concentrated. Gets by with a taste of black cherries and currants. Drink up.
This dry, complex Cabernet Sauvignon bears classic Napa tannins, plus layers of blackberry, black currant, violet, mineral and cedar flavors. The grapes were grown in the Coombsville area. Drink now, after decanting, and continue to drink it through 2016.
This dry, firm wine shows a hint of bitter extraction, but the core of the wine is smooth. Give it several years' aging.
This dry, fragrant and acidic Argentinian white joins a number of other similar varieties that are expanding Americans' choice of varieties. Stainless-steel fermented, it's crisp and zesty, with lime, pineapple, floral, pepper and clove flavors. Tremendously versatile, from the cocktail party to the dinner table.
This dry, fruity wine made from Germanic grape varieties gains extra richness in mouthfeel and body due to being fermented in 60% new barrels. It has ripe apple and peach notes and buttery, toasty accents that add interest and complexity.
This dry, full-bodied selection benefits from the rich Pinot in the blend. It has a tight, minerally texture, its acidity cutting the flavors of lime juice and orange zest.
This dry, full-bodied wine has lots of rich, exuberant blackberry and black currant flavors accented by smoky oak. It's a little heavy, and not likely to age, so decant it for a few hours before service.
This dry, layered and rich-textured wine smells like fresh-cut canteloupe, tastes like peach and melon, and has a generous, mouthfilling feel.
This dry, light-bodied wine smells vivid and fresh, like sliced peaches and canteloupe. It tastes equally fruity and ripe, backed by good acidity to keep it mouthwatering. Notable richness in the texture helps the flavors linger on the finish.
This dry, light-footed Riesling offers savory notes of bruised apple and walnut skin. It's refreshingly breezy on the palate with streaks of lemon acidity, and finishes crisp and clean.
This dry, lithe and almost athletic Rhône-style wine made from 55% Grenache Noir and 45% Cinsault shows a different approach to rosé from the candy-sweet versions. It's a perfect pour for lunch or a pre-dinner drink and has the acidity and body to pair with cedar planked salmon or even beef tri-tip. It's that good.
This dry, mature wine tastes older than a 10-Year-Old, with complex wood aging, spirit and acidity that have taken over from the fruitiness. It is serious and structured.
This dry, medium-bodied wine has lively grapefruit aromas, good acidity to keep it tasting fresh, and a crisp mouthfeel.
This dry, medium-bodied wine has mild berry aromas and flavors. It offers a firm mouthfeel and moderate tannins.
This dry, medium-bodied wine has slightly earthy aromas, a tart cherry flavor and nicely tangy texture with light tannins. Lively mouthfeel makes it a good dinner wine.
This dry, powerful 100% Viognier dazzles with intensely ripe Meyer lemon, lime, peach, honeysuckle and oak flavors. With crisp acidity for balance, it's an opulent wine for drinking now.
This dry, puckering wine driven by 76% Cabernet Sauvignon also contains 11% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The flavors tend toward the dried cherry, cranberry side of taste, with the oak dense and overpowering.
This dry, remarkably minerally Riesling highlights tones of granite and wet slate against a backdrop of fresh apple, lemon and tangerine. It's broad and textural on the palate, with sharp lime juice acidity and a hint of lemon pith and herb on the finish.
This dry, savory, small-production sparkler has deep layers of fresh-baked brioche and orange blossom. The golden yellow color provides a sign of its longer evolution in bottle. The finish is long and lingering, making this a memorable wine.
This dry, silky Pinot Noir is a good introduction to the variety, for those who want to learn more about it without paying a premium price. It shows proper cherry, raspberry and cola flavors, with a spicy finish.
This dry, single-vineyard bottling is extremely aromatic, as only Gewürztraminer can be. The ripe lychee and grapefruit is subsumed in a cloud of baby powder. It's quite dry, and for those that want a supremely floral varietal expression of this grape, this is your go-to bottle.
This dry, soft wine has slightly herbal flavors of sage that ground the ripe blackberries and cherries. It's a pleasant wine, although it's rather rustic and calls for everyday fare.
This dry, spicy Cabernet starts with aromas of tobacco, tea and savory spice. Its rich fruit and smoky spice flavors are big and have an appealing roundness, but the overall character is clean, spice-driven. A hearty red that will pair well with grilled ribs, BBQ.
This dry, spicy wine has its white fruit flavor layered over attractive acidity. It feels firm, and its flavors of almond and lychee are balanced with an austere structure. Give this wine at least three years.
This dry, spicy wine shows the rustic, rugged quality that often accompanies Dry Creek Cabs. It has the briary texture of a Zinfandel, but with Cabernet's classic blackberry and black currant profile. Drink now–2012.
This dry, spicy, solidly tannic wine is still young. Its fruit, still hidden behind the structure, promises ripe plums and berries. For now, it's impressively powerful, with layer upon layer of chocolate and coffee marked with bright acidity on the finish. Drink from 2016.
This dry, Syrah-based Rhône-style blend feels like a worthy effort, but the vintage had the final say, lending a vegetal note to the wine's berry and cherry flavors. Give it time in a decanter, as airing does help bring out richer notes of cola and licorice.
This dry, tannic wine is astringent now, in the way of a young Cabernet. It has a heart of ripe blackberries and currants, and finishes dry and clean. There's a rustic edge that  suggests drinking over the next 2–3 years.
This dry, tart wine smells like sliced apples and has lemon pastry-like flavors without the sweetness. The palate is full-bodied but cut with a zing of lemon and green apple.
This dry, vigorous Pinot Noir has tart acids, with flavors of jammy red berries, stone fruits and sandalwood, plus hints of cola and nutmeg. It's a refreshing Pinot Noir that you can even chill a little; drink now.
This dry, well-aged tawny definitely tastes more than its 10 years indication. It has strong wood and toast characters and a smoky flavor cut with old-gold acidity. It's complex, dried fruits and nuts coming through at the end.
This Dubois family wine is soft and fruity with attractive blackberry fruits and light tannins. Drink this generous wine from 2018.
This Ducourt wine is tight, with considerable acidity that masks the fruit. Let it calm down for a few months when those red fruits can assert themselves. Drink from late 2017 (think Thanksgiving).
This dull, rustic wine offers earth and anise flavors around a core of soft cherry fruit. Light bodied, its acidity is moderate and unobtrusive.
This dull, tired wine is quickly moving past drinkability. Flat and lifeless, it hints at leather and little else.
This Dulon wine is full of wood flavors that are currently dominating the fruit. That will change as the blackberry fruitiness emerges from the background. So give this wine until 2019 to bring out its inherent juiciness.
This Dundee Hills site captures the sweet, rich black cherry fruit flavors typical of the AVA, here highlighted with accents of fresh tarragon. It's young, bright and focused, with a lingering finish that adds a pleasing pat of butter and a hint of vanilla.
This Dundee Hills vineyard makes a cellar-worthy style of Pinot Noir. It takes some breathing time to get past a rather thin start. But it blossoms into a wine that is both deep and tightly wound, tannic and concentrated, with raspberry and cherry fruit accented with coconut. The finish is long and textural.
This Dundee Hills vineyard really shines in 2012, with multi-layered flavors of sweet, spicy, slightly candied fruits. Kirsch, orange peel, smoke and sandalwood play against each other, with a citrus kick to the underlying acidity. Bright and focused through a long finish, this is one to tuck away for a few years. Drink 2017–2025.
This dusty wine has weight and concentration. Fruit lies behind its firm facade, giving the potential for juiciness. Drink from 2019.
This dusty, tannic wine from the Oak Knoll District is rich with cedar, graphite and herb notes that complement its black cherry fruit.
This dynamic producer (with the help of consulting enologist Carlo Ferrini) delivers a modern, plush wine with rich chocolate tones and solid cherry nuances in the mouth.
This dynamite Tempranillo hails from a top producer and a top vintage. Aromas of toasty oak, graphite, coffee and blackberry feed into a rugged but generous palate fueled by firm tannins. Dark, toasty flavors of blackberry, cassis and chocolate finish long, with mild heat and menthol notes that suggest aging is appropriate. Drink from 2015 through 2025.
This eagerly anticipated Drew Bledsoe/Chris Figgins collaboration is a serious effort, dusty, dense, and dark. To begin are whiffs of cinnamon, smoke, cured meat and bacon; then come tight, dry, stone-soaked flavors of cassis and sweet black fruits. Floral highlights elevate the nose, and lead into a finish with delicious accents of toasted nuts, almond paste, and chalk. A dazzling debut.
This early-drinking Nero d'Avola opens with ripe black-skinned fruit, tilled soil and cooking spice aromas. Straightforward and savory, it delivers black cherry, blackberry and ground pepper flavors alongside round tannins.
This early 2016 release smells like a scented sandalwood candle. In the mouth, things are sticky and scratchy, while olive and herbal berry flavors finish with little to no change.
This early peek at Margerum's 2012 Rhône-style red wines holds the promise of future great releases from the acclaimed vintage. The wine, a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Counoise, is enormous in ripe red cherries, red currants, cola and oak flavors, and while the acidity is fine, it's soft enough to drink now.
This earns its Best Buy designation for the rich, creamy orange, peach and tropical fruit flavors and the note of caramel-tinged vanilla from oak aging. It tastes sweet, but it provides what many consumers love about Chardonnay.
This earthy and spicy Barbera possesses an intense fragrance of black cherry, plum, clove and herb. The palate shows ripe black cherry, raspberry, white pepper and hints of well integrated oak and roasted coffee beans.
This earthy Barolo has funky sensations of game, meat juices, oak, vanilla, spice and ripe black berry fruit. The warm midpalate and sweet fruit are balanced by tightly packed, astringent tannins that leave the mouth feeling dry. Drink after 2020.
This earthy Brunello leads with aromas of underbrush, mushroom, bay leaf, cherry and Mediterranean herbs. The palate offers juicy black cherry and ripe raspberry punctuated with cinnamon-spice, vanilla, mocha and licorice alongside smoothed but fleeting tannins. It's nicely crafted and boasts decent freshness for the vintage.
This earthy Chardonnay from a limestone plot has more to do with texture and tight acidity than fruit. It presents a sharp, too-crisp edge.
This earthy Chianti Classico offers bold aromas of truffle, underbrush, dried tobacco and ripe berry. The palate delivers succulent black-cherry balanced by white pepper, cinnamon and hints of carob. Drink now–2020.
This earthy expression of Cannonau opens with aromas of charred topsoil, baked plum, ground pepper and a whiff of wild game. The palate offers ripe black cherry, fig, clove, leather and licorice alongside firm tannins.
This earthy expression of Sangiovese and 10% Colorino opens with funky aromas of scorched soil, truffle and game. The palate offers dried black cherry, toast, clove and a truffle note. Round but somewhat fleeting tannins provide the easy-drinking framework. Drink through 2015.
This earthy expression of Sangiovese offers aromas of fennel, dried hay, rose and a balsamic note. The palate delivers wild cherry, raspberry, clove, savory herb and licorice alongside gripping tannins and firm acidity. It still needs to develop. Drink 2020–2030.
This earthy Meritage is a standout of the Virginia wine scene. The nose is suave and subtle, dominated by notes of forest floor, strawberry and espresso. Gripping tannins frame the palate which is packed with fresh black cherry fruit. Finishes dense and black. Give it a few years in the cellar.
This earthy number is authentic for Tempranillo. Aromas of dried leaves, leather and herbal berry are attractive and set up mossy black plum flavors. There's a nice texture and chunky power to this traditional but generous wine.
This earthy red offers aromas suggesting stalky underbrush, Mediterranean scrub, toast, leather and a whiff of espresso that carry over to the robust palate along with dried cherry, grilled herb and a hint of licorice. Close-grained tannins provide the framework.
This earthy red opens with funky but appealing aromas of tilled soil, crushed black olive and ripe berry. The juicy, medium-bodied palate provides crunchy tart red cherry, succulent raspberry, ground pepper, energizing mineral and a gamey note. Ripe tannins and bright acidity provide the framework.
This earthy red starts with aromas of cedar, smoke and pepper, followed by flavors of red berries, smoke and minerals. A dry and peppery backbone fishes clean on the tongue. Spunky and fun.
This earthy selection offers aromas of black cherry, bitter almond, graphite and freshly tilled soil. On the palate, this presents mouthwatering blackberry and raspberry flavors layered with cinnamon-spice. The bold character is supported by ample freshness and structure.
This earthy Syrah starts with mint and tobacco aromas and on the palate, spice, pepper and cigarbox flavors are restrained and elegant. Good tannic structure and balanced acids give the wine class. A touch of smoke on the finish adds to the serious nature of the wine.
This earthy Taurasi opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, blue flower, wet soil and leather. The ripe, structured palate doles out fleshy black cherry accented by cracked black pepper and balsamic herbs. With bracing tannins, give this time to fully develop depth and complexity; drink after 2019. Oliver McCrum, Polaner.
This earthy Tuscan offers aromas that recall underbrush, berries, violet and spice. The juicy palate delivers ripened dark cherry, black raspberry, white pepper and cinnamon-spice alongside chewy tannins and fresh acidity.
This earthy wine conveys aromas of pipe tobacco, prune, thyme and a funky whiff of barnyard. The palate offers prune, raisin and bitter walnut alongside dusty, drying tannins.
This earthy wine features aromas of truffle, ripe plum, leather and just a whiff of barnyard. The palate offers black cherry, crushed raspberry and notes of baking spice alongside assertive tannins.
This earthy wine has almost overripe fruit sensations alongside rustic notes that eventually blow off in the glass. The palate shows very ripe plum, black cherry and spice notes. Drink soon.
This earthy wine has barnyard aromas and a rough edge. The redeeming feature is the juicy black-currant fruit that provides a crisp aftertaste.
This earthy wine has black-currant acidity, awkward dry tannins and a tough texture. The aftertaste is medicinal and herbal.
This earthy wine has overripe fruit aromas and sweet apple flavors. It's medium-bodied and soft in texture.
This earthy wine is full of firm and dry tannins. It has a dense and dark character, very concentrated along with its red berry fruits and acidity. At five years, it still tastes young and certainly tannic, not moving very far.
This earthy wine offers dusky, mossy aromas, raisin and light black-pepper flavors, and a touch of sweetness. It has full body and a soft, soothing texture.
This earthy wine opens with aromas of meat juices, baking spices and black fruit together with notes of leather and balsam. The rich palate delivers dark red cherry layered with mint and a tad of milk chocolate alongside dusty tannins. It' well balanced and should age moderately well. Drink 2016–2024.
This earthy wine opens with aromas of ripe plum, tilled earth, game and a whiff of barnyard. The rustic but juicy palate doles out black cherry, spicy blueberry and ground pepper framed by hearty tannins.
This earthy wine opens with aromas of tilled soil, leafy underbrush, game and ripe dark-skinned fruit. The palate offers dried black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice grilled sage and tobacco alongside youthfully assertive tannins.
This earthy wine opens with aromas of wild red berry, wet soil and a gamey note. The vibrant palate offers juicy red cherry while touches of cinnamon, dried herb and orange zest add interest.
This earthy wine opens with rather funky aromas of tilled soil, leather and a whiff of barnyard. The hearty palate offers ripe black cherry, game and savory herb alongside chewy tannins. It's a bit rustic but has charm. Drink 2018–2025.
This earthy wine opens with slightly funky aromas including tilled soil, game, leather and just a whiff of farmyard that quickly burns off. The delicious palate delivers ripe black cherry accented with notes of cracked red pepper, orange peel, sage, thyme and licorice. It's still tightly tannic so give this time to unwind. Drink after 2020.
This earthy wine presents barnyard flavors over the riper red fruit and licorice flavors. Drink now when the fruit is at its best.
This earthy wine unfolds with aromas of wet soil, leather, underbrush, mature black fruit and just a whiff of barnyard. The warm, dense palate doles out overripe and sugary black cherry extract, milk chocolate and cinnamon.
This earthy, concentrated Malbec is dense on the nose, with herbal flavors of blackberry, spice and heat. A toasty finish carries a choppy feel and fresh acidity, while the finish tastes toasty but doesn't rise up or improve. Overall, this is perfectly good but not complex. Drink now.
This earthy, cool-climate wine is perfumed in a delicate layering of rose and spice, with subtle additions of brown sugar, tart cranberry and rhubarb. The oak is muted and supportive, while the body is light and bright.
This earthy, dark, well-balanced Nebbiolo shares nothing in common with Italy but it's very good by Baja standards. The bouquet of baked black fruits and earth is modern and in good shape. This feels big and dense but structured, with blackberry, pepper and mild raisin and prune flavors on the finish.
This earthy, mature Cab is rusty in color, with aromas of dried red fruits, tobacco and leaves leading to a medium-bodied, smooth palate. Flavors of cola, cocoa, red licorice and cherry finish with mellow tannins and a final dusting of cocoa powder. Drink now.
This earthy, stewy blend of Malbec and Cabernet is classic Salta, and even more particular to Dávalos, the producer. Soupy aromas give way to a lush, chewy palate with edgy acidity. Saucy, roasted, salty berry flavors finish meaty and baked in character. Drink through 2020.
This easily affordable wine is a full-blown oaky version that has prominent toasted oak and wood smoke aromas that meld with butter, caramel and ripe pear flavors. It feels almost sweet and is full-bodied with mild acidity.
This east-facing vineyard is in the village of Fuissé. With the wood-aging giving spice and toast flavors, it is a ripe wine. The wood marches well with the apple and green-plum fruits. Still young, this rich wine has a mineral texture that comes from chalky soil. Drink from 2019.
This easy-drinking blend of 33% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah and 17% Merlot opens with blue fruit, herb and spice aromas and leads to sweet, plush fruit and barrel flavors. Lightly grainy tannins provide structure.
This easy-drinking blend of 75% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Malvasia has spice-laced ripe black cherry aromas. The light, simple palate shows sour cherry and clove with soft tannins. Drink soon.
This easy-drinking blend of 86% Viognier, 8% Roussanne, 3% Marsanne and 3% Grenache Blanc—featuring a sailboat painting by Santa Barbara artist Chris Potter—offers aromas of flambéed bananas and toasted coconut on the nose. The palate shows grapefruit pith and the warmth of browned pears and seared red apples, seasoned with a nice sparkle of acidity.
This easy-drinking blend of Cabernet and Merlot opens with aromas of bell pepper, cedar, black currant and a whiff of orange peel. The palate delivers ripe plum, ?blackberry and clove in an unfettered style accompanied by smooth texture.
This easy-drinking blend of Montepulciano, Merlot and Sangiovese opens with aromas of scorched earth and prune that carry over to the palate alongside flavors of raspberry and licorice. It's already reached its ideal drinking window, so enjoy soon.
This easy-drinking blend of Sangiovese and Merlot offers red cherry, strawberry and a hint of anise. Simple and rather diluted, it's made to be drunk young, with brisk acidity and fleeting tannins.
This easy-drinking blended red wine opens with offbeat aromas of banana, mixed fruit salad and sour cherry. With more time in the glass, those bright fruit aromas are slowly replaced by spice and almond flavors.
This easy-drinking Cabernet has flavors of blackberry jam and toast, wrapped into firm tannins. It won't improve with age, so drink up with a juicy burger.
This easy-drinking Canadian Gewürz leads with aromas of pear, allspice and lychee. Medium-bodied, its cheerful fresh fruit sweetness is balanced by a refreshing zip and energetic spice. Lively but with some weight. Pair with Indian cuisine, sushi.
This easy-drinking Chardonnay boasts flavors of sweet cream, buttered toast, honey and apricot-orange juice. Drink it over the next few months with shrimp salad, smoked trout or a weekend brunch of scrambled eggs and lox.
This easy-drinking Chianti opens with subtle red-skinned fruit and leather aromas. The tannins are rather evolved for such a young, simple wine, so drink soon to capture the red cherry and raspberry fruit.
This easy-drinking Grigio from the deep south of Italy opens with bright lemon and peach followed by a thick, waxy feel in the mouth. It could use a tad more acidity to keep it fresh.
This easy-drinking Merlot has enough cherry, spice and smoky oak flavors to satisfy wine drinkers looking for a decent red. Earns extra points for the long finish.
This easy-drinking Pinot Grigio opens with a crystalline appearance and clean citrus, pear and peach aromas. Fresh acidity and a touch of peachy sweetness characterize the mouthfeel.
This easy-drinking Pinot leads with bright aromas of red currant, raspberry and strawberry hull, all leaning slightly sour. The palate is light and tangy, with tart red-berry flavors that finish clean.
This easy-drinking Pinot Noir offers layers of softened cola, pomegranates, red licorice and pepper, wrapped into supple tannins. It's ready to drink now with everything from tuna tartare to roasted salmon and grilled burgers.
This easy-drinking Primitivo opens with dark, inky concentration and sweet aromas of ripe fruit, cinnamon and nutmeg. The mouthfeel is plush, rich and velvety soft.
This easy-drinking red delivers aromas and flavors of ripe blackberry, black cherry and a hint of clove. Round tannins provide soft support. Drink through 2016.
This easy-drinking red opens with aromas that recall moist soil, leather, berry and a hint of leafy forest floor. The simple, zesty palate offers wild cherry, orange rind and a sprinkle of white pepper alongside bracing acidity and fleeting tannins.
This easy-drinking red opens with pretty aromas of purple wild flower and red berry. The slim, simple palate offers tart sour cherry and orange zest alongside brisk acidity and angular, somewhat fleeting tannins.
This easy-drinking red wine has aromas of cherry, black plum and eucalyptus. Flavors of red cherry, cherry turnover and vanilla remain on the palate through the soft finish.
This easy-drinking Riesling finishes dry, but still it's relatively soft, with green apple fruit and some spicy skin phenolics. Good balance and gentle persistence through a clean finish.
This easy-drinking Shiraz features some plummy—almost pruny—fruit aromas, facile plum and berry flavors, little tannin and bright acids on the finish.
This easy-drinking white marries citrus and green pear with just a hint of herbal spice. Simple and straightforward, it would make a refreshing, light-bodied party-pleaser.
This easy-drinking white wine is broad on the palate, with just enough acidity to provide a clean, refreshing finish. Ripe melon notes mingle easily with citrus in this mix of Viognier, Roussanne and Clairette.
This easy-drinking wine boasts sensations of tart green apple, ripe Bartlett pear and juicy pineapple. The succulent palate is supported by crisp acidity that gives it a clean, refreshing finish.
This easy-drinking wine has a bouquet of honeydew melon and lime juice. Flavors of lemon, tangerine, guava and white peach with a soft hint of baking spice continue into the finish, which is marked by flavors of stone fruits and nutmeg.
This easy-drinking wine has a light spiciness like cinnamon in the aroma, good cherry flavors and a smooth but slightly tangy texture. Not too full bodied, it shows good balance.
This easy-drinking wine is full of fruit in the aromas and flavors and has a smooth, non-tannic texture and full body. Its concentrated raspberry and red cherry aromas are followed by ripe plum and cherry flavors, with juicy acidity.
This easy-drinking wine offers bright red cherry, wild strawberry and crushed raspberry flavors. Sleek, simple and well made, it should be enjoyed young to capture the fresh fruit.
This easy-drinking wine offers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and a touch of Mediterranean herb alongside round tannins. It's made to be drunk young, so enjoy soon.
This easy-drinking wine opens with aromas of ripe blackberry, blueberry and cooking spices. The palate offers one-dimensional but delicious blackberry and black cherry along with notes of black pepper. It's soft, round and ready to drink.
This easy-drinking wine shows the rich, exotic flavors of Viognier, with fresh peaches, tangerines, papayas, honey, vanilla and oak. A brisk edge of acidity keeps the richness under control.
This easy-drinking, estate-grown, Bordeaux-style blend tilts more toward Merlot than Cabernet Sauvignon in this new vintage. Medium-bodied and fully ripe, it falls just a little flat on the midpalate, and finishes with a suggestion of alcoholic heat.
This easy-drinking, value-minded wine offers notes of plum, tobacco, bell pepper and green herbs, with a vanilla top note. It's straightforward in style, with clunky tannins.
This easy-going Prosecco opens with a fresh bouquet of white flowers, citrus, peach and talc powder. The mouthfeel is crisp, fresh and very informal.
This easy-going Prosecco Superiore Brut opens with a fresh bouquet of dried white flower, citrus and crushed mineral. The wine's dry, lively mouthfeel is backed by the softness of its creamy perlage.
This easy-going Valpolicella offers medium heft and density with fresh notes of cherry, blueberry, white almond and cola. Pair this wine with bruschetta topped with wild mushrooms and olive oil.
This easy-to-drink appellation blend, which is 88% from John Sebastiano Vineyard and 12% from La Encantada, shows lively raspberry and pomegranate on the nose along with hibiscus flowers, rose petal, sweet sage and light pine forest aromas. It's lightweight on the palate, yet there is viscosity to the sip, where pomegranate-cranberry flavors meet with dried bergamot and Earl Grey tea. Simultaneously juicy and tart.
This easy-to-drink blend of 50% Shiraz, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot starts off jammy, with black cherry liqueur and clove notes before settling down and developing some interesting peach and mocha nuances. The persistent finish, lined with velvety tannins, makes it stand out from the crowd. Best Buy. —J.C.
This easy-to-drink Merlot is lusciously forward in blackberries and cherries, yet has extra qualities of structural complexity that recommend it. Beyond the sweetness are rich tannins, just-in-time acidity and a subtle floweriness of rose petals and violets.
This easy-to-drink wine combines a lightly oaky aroma with good but light fruit flavors and savory accents. It's dry and well balanced, with a smooth mouthfeel.
This easy-to-drink wine has aromas of blackberry and cassis with a touch of bell pepper. Offering good mouthfeel and smooth tannins, it has flavors of black cherry, eucalyptus, chocolate and smoked meat, with a touch of orange peel on the finish.
This easy-to-drink, medium-bodied red blends 31% Merlot, 28% Shiraz, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Cabernet Franc, then adds lashings of toasty, vanilla-scented oak. The result is a supple wine redolent of plums, vanilla and baking spices that finishes soft and creamy-smooth. Ready to drink now.
This easy-to-enjoy wine from the family of Silver Oak has lots of vanilla and fruit flavors and a broad but soft mouthfeel. Hints of cinnamon and red cherries come out on the palate and linger on the finish.
This easy-to-like wine is loaded with forward citrus tones alongside additional scents of gooseberry and fresh grass. The lightweight mouthfeel gets a little lazy on the midpalate, but bright citrus flavors and ample acidity help to keep the finish fresh and lively. Drink now.
This easy-to-love wine from the Michael Mondavi family has an obvious but attractive oaky character, from the abundant cedar and cinnamon aromas to the spicy nutmeg and cardamom flavors that bolster its red cherry fruit and medium body.
This easy and straightforward white boasts pleasant notes of fresh apple and lemon-lime citrus throughout. The palate is lush but braced with medium acidity that lingers into the close. Enjoy it now.
This easy blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Montepulciano  and Alicante opens with a bright cherry note and slightly bitter tones of spice and almond skin. The palate is smoothly textured and rich.
This easy blend of Friulano (60%) and Malvasia opens with subtle tones of exotic fruit and peach followed by bright citrus and tangerine skin. The wine's lean, watery finish makes it perfect for appetizers or finger foods.
This easy blend of Primitivo, Negroamaro and Cabernet Sauvignon opens with fruity aromas of dark berry and a whiff of tobacco. The palate offers dried plum, mature blackberry, a hint of clove and bitter almond alongside round tannins.
This easy but elegant sparkler offers candy-like aromas of butterscotch and caramel followed by apricot and dried fruit. The wine is firm and tonic in the mouth with thick consistency and a crisp, cleansing finish.
This easy but fresh Chianti Classico makes a great choice for simple pasta dishes. It's a lean, compact but fresh wine that would cut straight through cheese toppings.
This easy Chianti Superiore opens with bright red fruit, wild berry and small but determined touches of spice, clove and cinnamon.
This easy drinking rosato has pretty but fleeting aromas of strawberry and baking spices. The fresh, informal palate offers wild cherry, raspberry and a hint of clove. Sip this as an apéritif or pair with summer salads.
This easy expression of Sangiovese from the Orcia area of southern Tuscany delivers a clean nose and an easy mouthfeel. The wine is supple and compact with fresh notes of red cherry, anise, root beer and some toasted nut on the close.
This easy expression of Sangiovese offers an unusual set of aromas that spans from sweet Christmas spice to blue flower to green herb. A touch of cola or eucalyptus gives the wine a bright, vertical lift.
This easy expression of Syrah is redolent of ripe berry, moist earth and forest floor. There's a touch of fresh mint or peppermint as well, and a drying mineral feel on the close.
This easy food wine (a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon) offers aromas of wild berry and white almond. There's a nice balance between crispness and a touch of sweetness on the close.
This easy going blended red from Tuscany opens with bright cherry and blackberry aromas against a backdrop of bitter almond and a touch of Indian spice. The fresh acidity makes this a perfect pasta wine.
This easy Montepulciano d'Abruzzo opens with ripe, jammy aromas of black cherry, blackberry pie and moist pipe tobacco. The wine is soft, slightly sweet and well structured on the close.
This easy opens with good structure, a silky mouthfeel and abundant aromas of stone fruit and citrus.
This easy Pinot Grigio is marked by ripe orange, peach, tropical fruit and green apple flavors, brightened with crisp, mouthwatering acidity. Moderate in alcohol, it's a versatile, lush white wine to drink now.
This easy Poggio Stella Merlot is redolent of black cherry, mature raspberry and currants. It's aged in oak casks for six months to add a playful touch of spice and toast. Pair this well-priced Italian wine with grilled sausage or meatloaf.
This easy Prosecco opens with aromas of honey and peach with a hint of lemon candy or lemon soda on the finish. It's fresh, clean and should be served at informal occasions with friends and close family.
This easy Prosecco shows delicate aromas of white flower, citrus and stone fruit followed by a crisp, lean mouthfeel and a fresh finish.
This easy Ruché opens with herbal notes of dried tea and chamomile. There's a touch of sweet spice on the palate linked to the ripe cherry flavor.
This easy Sangiovese should pair with a pizza or a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. There are mild fruit flavors here, followed by sun-drenched aromas of leather and spice.
This easy Sicilian white offers peach blossom and citrus over a tight, crisp mouthfeel. This is the kind of no-fuss wine to drink on a hot weekend afternoon.
This easy Valpolicella opens with sharp green notes of grass and herb, followed by white cherry and cranberry. The mouthfeel is thin and very simple.
This easy wine offers a rainbow of fruits—raspberries, cherries, blackberries and plums—that wash over the palate rich as jam, with a veneer of caramelized oak. Tasty, if a little one dimensional, and hot in alcohol.
This easy wine will pair nicely with slightly sweet fare, such as sausage risotto, Chinese pork and chicken dishes, or a ham sandwich with Dijon mustard. It's crisp in acidity, with flavors of honey, apricots, lemons and limes.
This easy wine would pair with a roast chicken or a pork chop. The flavors are redolent of wild berry, white cherry, cola and black pepper.
This easy, early-developing wine has balanced tannins that lift the black-currant fruitiness and the fresh acidity. It is developing fast, with its fruit right to the front and the tannins in the background. Drink from 2017.
This easy, open wine has ripe red fruits and lively acidity. A warmer, rich core brings out a generous character. It is fruity and soft at the end.
This easy, ruby-red wine displays fresh berry flavors and a light, crisp mouthfeel. Pair this no-fuss wine with homemade pasta sauce or potato gnocchi and cheese.
This easy, screwcap Chardonnay from northern Italy opens with fresh lemon, honey and cut grass aromas. It's a crisp, sharp wine that would cut through cheese or creamy cracker dip.
This easy, thin and crisp expression of Nebbiolo would pair nicely with cheddar burgers and spicy mesquite barbecue sauce. The wine's compact structure would complement the fat of the cheese and meat and its crisp acidity would keep the palate refreshed.
This easy, thin Valpolicella opens with one-dimensional aromas of cherry and almond skin. It's crisp and clean in the mouth and would pair with Chinese food like spicy beef and broccoli.
This easy, value wine opens with a bright ruby color and raw aromas of white cherry and blue flowers. It finishes with a bright but watery mouthfeel.
This easygoing blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot is ribbed with black-skinned fruit and baking spice aromas. The palate is soft and simple, offering suggestions of red plum and a touch of white pepper. Drink now.
This easygoing blend of Nero d'Avola and Merlot has black-skinned fruit, Mediterranean underbrush and blue flower aromas. The juicy palate offers mature blackberry, baking spice and nutmeg flavors, accompanied by round tannins.
This easygoing blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot would make a perfect companion to a hearty pasta dish like bucatini all'Amatriciana or spaghetti alla carbonara. It delivers red cherry, leather and tobacco notes over a clean, bright mouthfeel.
This easygoing expression of Cannonau offers cherry, raspberry, ground pepper, anise and a note of toasted almond. It's already accessible thanks to lithe tannins. Drink through 2016.
This easygoing off-dry Riesling boasts pretty orange blossom and white-peach perfume. Crisp stone-fruit flavors on the palate are accented by honey and bee pollen. The finish is long and zesty.
This easygoing red has aromas of dark berry, wild herb and a hint of cooking spice. The simple zesty palate offers dark cherry, raspberry and a hint of cinnamon alongside dusty tannins.
This easygoing red offers aromas of ripe raspberry, coffee and a whiff of herb. The simple, rather diluted palate offers wild cherry and a hint of clove alongside fleeting tannins.
This easygoing red offers aromas of wild berry, violet and a whiff of clove. The juicy, simple palate doles out ripe blackberry, Morello cherry and a hint of baking spice alongside soft, fleeting tannins.
This easygoing red offers fruit-driven sensations of wild cherry, plum and accents of black pepper. On the palate, bright acidity supports the juicy fruit flavors. It's direct and clean, and will work nicely for informal occasions.
This easygoing red offers subdued scents of woodland berry, blue flower and a whiff of moist earth. The straightforward, enjoyable palate doles out tart cherry and a hint of baking spice alongside soft flexible tannins and bright acidity. Drink soon.
This easygoing red opens with aromas of black-skinned berry, baking spice and a whiff of violet. The bright shows black plum, cinnamon and a touch of white pepper alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
This easygoing red opens with aromas of dark fruit, red berry, toast and a whiff of cooking spice. The palate offers crushed plum, clove and a hint of chocolate alongside soft tannins. It's simple but well made.
This easygoing red opens with black-skinned fruit and baking spice aromas. The straightforward palate displays red plum and leather notes, with a hint of black pepper and pliant tannins. Enjoy soon.
This easygoing red opens with delicate aromas of violet and red berry. The fresh, easy-drinking palate offers juicy wild cherry and a light note of white pepper alongside pliant tannins and bright acidity. It's made for sheer drinking pleasure so enjoy soon.
This easygoing red opens with fruity aromas of plum, wild berry and a whiff of violet. The informal palate offers red cherry, pomegranate and a hint of clove alongside round, rather fleeting tannins.
This easygoing rosato has delicate aromas of red berry and wild flower. The light-bodied refreshing palate offers candied red cherry, Granny Smith apple and just a hint of baking spice. It's simple but well made.
This easygoing Sangiovese opens with fruity aromas of red and black berries. The straightforward, enjoyable palate delivers black cherries and baking spices alongside smooth tannins and fresh acidity.
This easygoing sparkler has aromas of honeysuckle and apple that carry on to the off-dry palate along with mature yellow peach and candied lemon drop. It's simple but well made.
This easygoing sparkler offers subdued aromas suggesting white flower and a whiff of white stone fruit. The simple lively palate offers yellow apple and a slightly candied citrusy note alongside firm acidity and vivacious steely bubbles.
This easygoing sparkler opens with aromas of dark fruit and blue flower. The simple, zesty palate offers blackberry and blueberry alongside steely bubbles.
This easygoing sparkler opens with delicate scents of spring flower and a whiff of ripe orchard fruit. The lively palate shows peach, banana and pineapple alongside brisk acidity and a vigorous perlage.
This easygoing Verdeca delivers slightly oxidized aromas of apricot and butterscotch, with bright touches of lemon zest and honeysuckle.
This easygoing white conveys delicate aromas of white flower and citrus. The simple palate offers lemon drop and a hint of Mediterranean herb alongside zesty acidity.
This easygoing white is just what most people will want to sip with tapas, appetizers or on its own. It's briny and citrusy on the palate, which is typical for Rueda, and the finish is lasting, with green-herb flavors, cutting acidity and elegance.
This easygoing white starts with a fresh nose of grapefruit, fig and flowers and leads into zesty but complex flavors of tropical fruit and citrus. Approachable and balanced, the wine will pair well with seafood and chicken dishes.
This easygoing wine falls into the soft side, bordering on a soapy mouthfeel. Flavors of banana-cream and coconut-cream pie abound, with 30% new oak making its impact felt. The finish is yeasty. This is best enjoyed well chilled.
This easygoing wine offers aromas of red and dark-skinned berry and a whiff of moist soil. The soft, round palate doles out juicy black cherry, blackberry and notes of baking spice alongside fresh acidity and silky, smooth tannins. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy soon.
This easygoing wine opens with a cherry aroma, followed by leather and wet earth touches. Easy tannins and bright acids make it pair well with pasta or pizza.
This easygoing wine smells mellow and plummy, tastes more like brown sugar than fruit and has a soft texture and medium body.
This easygoing wine starts with fresh fruit aromas and offers ripe melon and tropical fruit flavors on the palate. The wine has an undercurrent of acidity but overall is a full bodied pour. A nice patio choice and great with cheeses, fish.
This easygoing, friendly wine features aromas of rose, violet and dark berry. On the palate, soft tannins lightly frame wild cherry and crushed raspberry flavors while a hint of vanilla adds interest. Drink through 2015.
This easygoing, generously fruity wine has candied fruit aromas, just enough tannin for balance and leaves a nice blackberry nuance on the finish.
This easygoing, informal wine offers subdued aromas suggesting cassis, raisin and a note of dried herb. The simple palate shows mature plum and a hint of clove alongside fleeting tannins.
This easygoing, simple red offers hints of dark berry flavors while a note of dark spice fleetingly appears in the background. It's uber-informal and rather diluted with a short but clean finish.
This eccentric blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Merlot, and Sangiovese achieves unusual finesse and complexity for a Paso Robles red wine. The aromas are of indeterminate wild berries, cassis, oak, and mint. Tastes very rich, dry and ripe, with gorgeous, sweet fruit, cocoa and spice. Tannins are soft and plump.
This eccentric Chard marches to its own beat. It's drier and more acidic than most, and the flavors offer a mélange of peaches, oranges, tropical fruits, Meyer lemons, cashews and white flowers. Yet it's delicious and compelling. Made with full-throttle techniques that include partial barrel fermentation, malolactic fermentation and battonage, it was bottled unfined and unfiltered. The vineyards are Sierra Madre, in the Santa Maria Valley, and Oaks Savannah, in the Santa Ynez Valley.
This eclectic blend of Grenache, Alicante Bouschet and Marselan mixes high-toned blackberry compote with bramble-patch. The juicy red fruit is supported by just enough sharp acidity and tannins to maintain balance.
This eclectic blend of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat along with Syrah, Malbec and Merlot is, in fact, a fresh, soft, caramel flavored wine. It has red fruits, light acidity and a smooth texture. It is ready to drink.
This eclectic mix of 42% Chardonnay, 28% Viognier, 19% Petit Manseng and 11% Pinot Gris smells a bit muddled, bearing notes of peach, apricot and the paper-thin crust of caramelized sugar on a crème brûlée. It feels easy-going and unassuming, lacking some depth, but would be a good wine to pair with honey-glazed grilled chicken.
This eclectic white blend is savory, with notes of pressed apples and nuts marked by a streak of high-intensity acidity. Dry and medium bodied, it's a straightforward wine at a reasonable price.
This eco-friendly wine is demure and elegant on the nose, with medium-intense aromas of black fruit, incense, tree bark, licorice root and schist. The palate offers more oomph, with firm, gripping tannins that yield a tight structure. Slightly smoky black cherry and berry flavors help to flesh out the palate, before transitioning into the peppery, gamy finish. Drink 2018–2022.
This edition of Barolo Borzoni shows jammy aromas of cherry preserves and raspberry. You'll also detect a note of greenness that comes across as dried sage or olive. The mouthfeel is astringent and tight.
This edition of Dosaggio Zero shows delicate harmony and complexity with layers of stone fruit, citrus, almond and white flower. Zesty perlage is enhanced by more stone fruit flavors on the silky finish.
This edition of Le Sughere di Frassinello shows impressive softness and richness, with round tones of red cherry, chocolate, spice, leather and tobacco. It's soft, luscious and very smooth on the finish.
This edition of Nicolis' base Valpolicella Classico wine shows more heft and greater concentration of cherry fruit. Background tones include mocha, dried mint and candy cough drop.
This edition of Nicolis' Valpolicella blend shows simplicity, but cleanliness and balance as well. It's a straightforward expression with lingering tones of cherry and cola on the close.
This edition of Pian di Nova from the Ferragamo-owned Il Borro estate in Tuscany shows ripe notes of raspberry and black cherry with slight shadings of bitter chocolate and spice.
This edition of Pietrabianca (a creamy Chardonnay from Puglia in southern Italy) shows nice integration between its fruit and oak elements. Both parties play a leading role in creating a rich, soft white wine with lingering tones of apricot and toasted almond.
This edition of Rosso del Soprano from boutique winemaker Salvatore Geraci offers bright berry tones with easy background notes of almond, pistachio and tobacco. There's also a drying mineral note of crushed stone or talcum power that gives the wine backbone.
This edition of Sapaio (a hearty blend of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot) shows ripe fruit nuances of cherry, blackberry, dark spice and moist tobacco. The wine boasts a soft, thick and velvety feel and would pair with any winter meat dish.
This edition of Soave Classico Runcaris offers simple aromas of pear, Golden Delicious apple, stone fruit and melon. There's a drying point of minerality at the back and crisp acidity to boot.
This edition of The Creator is a one-time only mix of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon from Stoneridge, 21% Cabernet from Cailloux, and 36% Syrah from Morrison Lane. It's edgy and tight, with sharply defined corners—herbal, with a leafy/stemmy note, well-integrated into wild, brambly berry fruits. The 50% new oak is virtually invisible at this point; it fills out the mouthfeel but does not show specifically.
This edition of the Spinner is 50% Merlot, 37% Syrah and 13% Malbec. It's scented with leaf and raisin, streaked with smoke and baking spices, and offers up a medium-bodied midpalate with a mix of black cherry, currants and pomegranate. Fine for near-term drinking.
This effort from the Bieler family is a plump, round offering, with moderate complexity and an attractive medium-pink color. Hints of chocolate, leather and spice mark the nose, while cherry fruit comes through on the finish.
This effort has a beautiful, fresh cherry aroma, silky texture and bright but ripe fruit flavors subtly accented by spices. It strikes a harmonious chord with great flavors, vibrant texture and wonderful varietal personality.
This effort is similar to Chappellet's past vintages, with citrus and tropical fruit flavors, tastefully accented by oak and brightened with a squeeze of lemony acidity.
This effort shows the dry earthy and herbal qualities that often mark Trefethen Chardonnays grown in this southerly district of Napa Valley. It has flavors of tobacco, tropical fruit and oak, with lots of zesty acidity.
This effusive wine is so fruity and plush that it tastes almost sweet, as the strawberry and boysenberry jam flavors flood the tongue followed by black pepper in the wake. High in alcohol and ripeness, it would make a great pairing with chunks of Parmigiano-Reggiano.
This effusive, expressive wine offers deep citrus, lemon drop, grapefruit and peach flavors. The fruit is further boosted with a powdered sugar note. Delicious already, it should drink well over the next three or four years.
This eight-year-old blend of 68% Nebbiolo, 12% Sangiovese, 8% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc shows very reserved plum fruit on the nose alongside leather, dust, cedar and just-snapped pencil. The palate offers a complex array of roasted beef crust, stewed plums, Mission figs and roasting herbs like oregano.
This eight-year old wine, based on Touriga Nacional, is ripe, now mature with the tannins fully integrated into the rich black fruit. It is firm with a structure that gives concentration and perfumed acidity. The wine is still dark and dense although ready to drink.
This eiswein is supersweet, yet remains decently balanced, thanks to a laser beam of bright acidity. After an initial hint of volatility, the flavors of preserved citrus and stone fruits are almost painful in their intensity, so sip it in small doses and savor the nearly endless finish.
This El Dorado-grown Tempranillo has handfuls of Petit Verdot and Malbec, made by Sonoma Valley-based producer En Garde. Soft and dusty, the wine offers elegance in a brooding, broad-shouldered package, its fruit exhibiting a roasted quality and plenty of tobacco and pepper.
This El Dorado wine opens with aromas of sweet floral jasmine and is very pretty through and through. Its acidity sings perfectly through the middle of the wine, lifting the flavors of apple and dried apricot as well as the notes of lemon and lime on the finish. This should pair with a range of midweek dinners.
This elaborate Chardonnay is ripe in tropical fruits, limes and pears. Lees aging brings a rich, Champagne doughiness, while French oak brings the usual buttered toast, caramel and vanilla notes. With a buttery, creamy texture and fine acidity, it's a fancy Chard for drinking now.
This elaborate wine offers delicious cherry-pie, mocha, red currant and sandalwood flavors. The tannins are smooth and flashy, and it's easy to drink. But it shows the limits of Cabernet Franc, which simply doesn't have the depth of Cabernet Sauvignon.
This electric-pink-colored wine is a saignée-blend of Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Barbera. Aromas of cherry and herb lead to broad off-dry tangy cherry flavors that don't seem fully connected together.
This electric-pink rosé of Syrah opens with aromas of yeast, chewing gum and pie cherry. The palate is on the full side, but it's not flabby or awkward. Citric flavors are more generic than specific, while this finishes with a burst of preserving acidity and then a lasting note of spent yeast.
This electric pink colored wine is both too rich and too heavy. It only survives because of a fresh streak of acidity that comes through at the end. Otherwise, it is too much.
This elegant 50-50 blend of Barbera and Nebbiolo (a popular blending formula for many Langhe red wines) offers the pulpy fruit and acidity of Barbera set against the finesse and menthol-like intensity of Nebbiolo. It's a match made in heaven.
This elegant 80-20 Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc blend delivers mature aromas of ripe berry, black cherry and fresh aromas of dried herbs and powdered licorice. The somewhat subdued bouquet leads to a generous mouthfeel that leaves a long-lasting impression.
This elegant and detailed Pinot Gris offers fresh floral accents around spicy, toasty, well-mixed fruit. Pear and orange fruit flavors carry just a slight hint of honey, and the concentrated finish extends into a long, clean fade-out.
This elegant and flavorful wine has a vivid salmon color. Aromas combine cherries and a slight earthiness, paired with a luxurious texture from the tiny bubbles and slight sweetness. Attractive layers of flavor and the rich texture keep it lingering on the finish.
This elegant and savory Nero d'Avola offers cassis, blue flower and baking spice aromas. It's a full-bodied expression of the grape, boasting ripe black cherry, blackberry and black pepper hints alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2021.
This elegant and tightly wound Grenache shows hints of black plum, boysenberry and blackberry alongside dried rose petal, gravel and sagebrush scents. The palate is effusively floral, with lilac and lavender flavors accenting an exotic backdrop of damson plum. The structure is firm and the acidity judicious.
This elegant Barbaresco has an intensely floral bouquet of rose, violet and iris, plus whiffs of sage and balsam. The palate offers juicy, wild cherry flavors punctuated with truffle, and balsamic notes of Alpine herbs. It's impeccably balanced, with ample length.
This elegant Barolo delivers both intensity and complexity thanks to its pure berry aromas and tones of cola, white licorice, tar, wet river stone, dried herb and cedar wood. Power and firm tannins suggest this wine would be best consumed 10 years from now.
This elegant Barolo from Verduno's famed Monvigliero hill shows plenty of character. It has layers of dark cherry, white pepper, mint, spice and chocolate. This has a wonderful creamy, silky texture and is just loaded with finesse. It's already very enjoyable.
This elegant Barolo shows tight astringency and firm layers of red fruit, spice, crushed stone and tobacco. It needs a few more years to find harmony. Drink after 2018.
This elegant blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet and Canaiolo displays fragrant floral aromas of red roses, violets and dried lavender. There's fruit, too, but it takes the shape of cassis and dried berries. The wine finishes with polished tannins and a smoky touch of white mushrooms or leather.
This elegant blend of stainless- and barrel-aged lots captures the fresh fruit flavors of red apples, kiwi and lime, letting just a hint of barrel toast creep into the finish. It's leesy and bracing, finished at 14.8% alcohol but tasting much lighter.
This elegant bottle (both in terms of content and presentation) would make an excellent option for an aperitivo or could pair with summer salads or seafood lunches. Citrus, drying mineral and honey make for textbook Prosecco perfection.
This elegant bottling by two service-industry veterans shows tons of potpourri, dried lavender, black raspberry and red plum on the nose. The flavors are quite broad and inviting, with hibiscus and ripe tomato meshing into juniper and clove. It's light in mouthfeel and weight, but well structured.
This elegant bottling is named after the late actor-turned-vintner's daughter, who still runs the company. It features well-integrated aromas of cherry, rhubarb and smoke. That smoke also shows on the palate, where piquant raspberry, dried lavender, thyme, rosemary and allspice sizzle toward a lively finish.
This elegant Brunello opens to a lean, streamlined style. The garnet color is true to the Sangiovese variety and so are the wine's aromas of forest berry, earth and pressed flower. You'll like the bright, soft close, with its tiny touch of fruity sweetness.
This elegant Brunello opens with a ruby-garnet color and offers enticing aromas of mature berry fruit, cedar, and a touch of cola or tar. There's a smoky, mineral note in the mouth and although the texture it not too dense, it delivers a soft, sophisticated edge.
This elegant Brunello shows loads of Montalcino typicity thanks to its aromas of cherry, forest floor, moist earth, dried violets and white almond. It delivers a tight, streamlined feel that is driven forward by the wine's polished tannins and bright acidity.
This elegant but firmly structured white wine opens with an alluring fragrance of honeysuckle, exotic fruit and cantaloupe. The linear palate offers juicy white peach, apricot and mineral alongside crisp acidity.
This elegant Cabernet Franc is drinking beautifully, just beginning to round out the hardness of youth. The wine has a firm and confident backbone, which seems to wrap the acids and tannins tightly together. The framework supports the crisp, clean, immaculately ripe fruit, with flavors of plum, cherry and red licorice. Just 25% new oak was used, adding a light toasty touch to the finish.
This elegant Cabernet nicely threads the needle between fruit and herb, slaloming down the palate with a lingonberry here, a sprig of thyme there, underpinned with earth and chocolate. It's a wine that may be sipped and savored, offering subtle pleasures along the way.
This elegant Chardonnay offers aromas of pear, citrus fruits and toast on the nose, with flavors of tropical fruit and lemon rind following. Its oak treatment is balanced by minerality and focus. A refined white with exotic character.
This elegant Cypriot white from the monastery of Chrysorroyiatissa offers a blend of complexity and freshness. The clean, lush fruit and citrus flavors are balanced with fresh acidity and a touch of floral sweetness. An intriguing white with class.
This elegant effort is 46% Cab Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 18% Cab Franc; still wrapped up tight and showing tart cassis and berry fruit. There is a lot of the classic Ciel minerality underlying the fruit, with hard tannins and lightly peppery herbal details. At just 14.1% alcohol, this is a classic example of how Washington brings bright New World fruit and terroir to a style that retains the elegance of the Old World.
This elegant Elgin white starts with a slightly grassy nose, flecked by aromas of cspice and lemon. The wine's flavors of citrus and spice have a light touch and fruit is balanced by good minerality and acid. A refreshing, easygoing Sauvignon Blanc that will pair well with seafood and lightly spiced ethnic cuisine.
This elegant expression of Nebbiolo from the Prapò cru takes a feminine, delicate approach with pretty floral tones, rose petals, light shadings of spice and tobacco, cola and tangy licorice. The fine texture of tannins underscores the wine's long, silky feel.
This elegant expression of Nebbiolo opens with aromas of dried rose, crushed violet, tilled earth, savory herb and a balsamic note. The palate offers juicy black raspberry, dark cherry, truffle, vanilla and a hint of mocha. It's balanced, with fresh acidity and supple tannins.
This elegant expression of the Nerello Mascalese grape grown on the slopes of Mount Etna has a lovely fragrance of blue flower, berry and spice. The polished palate offers flavors of wild cherry, crushed strawberry, mint, cinnamon and vanilla alongside fresh acidity. Energizing mineral signals the close.
This elegant Nebbiolo d'Alba has a lovely, bright character and heady aromas of rose petal, strawberry and mineral. The palate is vibrant and refined, offering strawberry, cherry and mineral notes. Will pair perfectly with pasta topped with porcini mushrooms.
This elegant Nebbiolo delivers the grape's classic sensations of crushed raspberry, dark cherry, violet, sweet cake spices and a hint of orange peel. It's juicy and fresh with supple tannins. While this can age for a couple more years, enjoy it now for maximum freshness.
This elegant Nebbiolo has an alluring fragrance of rose petal and ripe berry while the palate delivers succulent strawberry, mint and mineral notes. Silky smooth and very fresh, drink this young to catch the softer side of Nebbiolo in all its glory.
This elegant nectarine-scented Riesling is a notable solo project by Hazlitt winemaker Michael Reidy. It's deft on the palate, but offers plenty of ripe quince and tangerine flavors accentuated by zesty lime acidity. It finishes moderately long.
This elegant Pinot Bianco boasts typical varietal sensations of spring flowers, Alpine herbs and green apples. The savory but reserved palate offers juicy apples, citrus, a hint of mineral and lively acidity. Pair it with appetizers, light fish dishes or as sip as an apéritif. Omniwines, Astor Wines.
This elegant red blend—the new flagship wine from Bedell—starts with a soft, juicy nose with hints of cedar and cinnamon. On the palate, a burst of cherry, plum and blackberry flavors mingle with spice and smooth tannins. The finish has an appealing spin of exotic spices. Though ready to drink now, the wine will benefit from a few years in the cellar, allowing its elements to even further integrate.
This elegant red offers aromas and flavors of toast, raspberry, sour cherry, espresso and white pepper. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2019.
This elegant red opens with alluring aromas of violet, tilled earth and red berry. The savory juicy palate doles out black cherry, raspberry, white pepper and cinnamon framed in firm, polished tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2017–2026.
This elegant Riesling smells beautifully of honey, fresh apples and petrol. Dry and austere, but not the least bit bony in style, its refreshing lime juice palate and saline finish would pair wonderfully with sashimi or raw oysters.
This elegant Rosso opens with an intense and alluring fragrance of rose, blue flower and crushed red berries. The palate is more evolved than the fresh aromas suggest, delivering ripe black raspberry and crushed red cherry lightly accented with cinnamon-spice. A note of orange zest marks the close.
This elegant Sagrantino boasts a dark, inky color, with aromas of blackberry, tobacco, spice, leather, tar and a touch of cherry cola. It shows power and concentration but is well balanced overall.
This elegant sparkler achieves a nice balance between sweet, fruit flavors and lively crispness. Peach, pear, jasmine and white stone characterize the nose and make for a very approachable, friendly wine.
This elegant sparkler has a lot going for it, from the complex aromas of bread dough and thyme to flavors of lemon and lime. Made from organically grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, it offers a very clean and fresh personality and crisp and tangy texture.
This elegant sparkler opens with alluring aromas of fragrant jasmine, wisteria and white peach. Thanks to 80-year old vines, the linear palate has both finesse and concentration, offering ripe yellow apple, Bartlett pear, energizing mineral tones and a saline note alongside a creamy mousse.
This elegant sparkling wine has a subdued fragrance that reveals delicate floral and nut aromas. The palate is more expressive, offering citrus, tropical fruit and roasted almond flavors. The pleasant foamy texture is accompanied by lively acidity.
This elegant Superiore expression of Barbera d'Alba offers loads of spice and black fruit aromas and slightly jammy notes of strawberry and blackberry pie. You'll also get pretty tones of chocolate and tobacco, capped by a smooth, velvety finish.
This elegant Syrah opens with earthy aromas of fynbos, white pepper and raspberry tea alongside core notes of red cherry, licorice and clove. A structured and gripping selection, the plush mouthfeel is lushly fruited and full of brambly berry and plum flavors. Accents of cola spice and tree bark grace the lingering finish.
This elegant Terzetto is equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot from the Chiles Valley District on the far eastern side of Napa Valley. The grapes are grown organically by the Eisele family, who have farmed these parts for 40 years. Dusty red fruit entice from the beginning, unveiling a soft, round and drinkable wine with the structure to age until 2024–2029.
This elegant Vermentino from Tuscany has a lovely floral fragrance of white flowers and stone fruit accompanied by succulent peach and ripe pear flavors. The fruit richness is balanced by crisp freshness.
This elegant vibrant red offers aromas of tilled soil, Mediterranean herb, red berry, a hint of leather and a floral note. The polished palate doles out black raspberry, red currant, licorice and white pepper alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. A mineral note lifts the finish.
This elegant vineyard-designate Barolo opens with deep and penetrating aromas of cured meat, candied fruit, hazelnut, licorice and pressed blue flower. It shows intensity and alcoholic power, with silky, but firm tannins on the finish.
This elegant white opens with aromas of crushed tomato vine, yellow peach and elderflower. The juicy palate doles out grapefruit, honeydew melon and a hint of papaya. Fresh acidity provides support.
This elegant wine appeals from the first sniff to the last lingering flavors. Vibrant in color, it tastes of rose petals, raspberries and cocoa powder. Supple and balanced, it shows impressive structure and length, with hints of citrus. Drink now through the mid-2020's.
This elegant wine boasts a floral and spice fragrance of crushed violets and clove. The bright palate offers juicy dark cherry with cinnamon and cake spices. Supple tannins reveal a surprisingly accessible side to Serralunga, home to the most structured Barolos. Drink 2015–2025.
This elegant wine boasts fragrances of violet, exotic spices, cinnamon and alpine herbs. The vibrant palate displays bright red cherry and crushed strawberry layered with truffle, clove and white pepper alongside brisk acidity and supple tannins. Drink 2018–2028.
This elegant wine combines subtle nutmeg and cardamom aromas with crisp apple, bosc pear and mild vanilla-bean flavors. Its firm texture and lingering finish bring everything into balance, with no single element overpowering the others, making it a pleasure to sip.
This elegant wine is all about silky texture and balance. It delivers crushed flower, sour cherry, black raspberry, cinnamon and balsamic sensations alongside supple tannins and vibrant acidity. It's already accessible but is still young and promises to blossom into a Barolo with complexity and depth. Drink 2020–2040.
This elegant wine is spicy and aromatic, with pretty floral highlights. Orange peel, rosewater, cherry soda and clean, refreshing acidity are all in play. The lingering finish is a bonus.
This elegant wine opens with a floral fragrance of rose petals, violets, perfumed berries and cake spices. Black pepper and clove accent the juicy dark cherry and black raspberry flavors, while assertive but refined tannins give structure. Drink after 2019.
This elegant wine opens with a pretty fragrance of pressed violets, perfumed berries aromas and sweet cake spices. The vibrant palate offers crushed black cherry, wild raspberry and clove alongside supple tannins. Drink soon to capture the fresh fruit flavors.
This elegant wine opens with a spicy fragrance of white pepper, clove and nutmeg along with notes of violet and forest floor. The palate offers crushed red cherry and raspberry accented with allspice and cinnamon alongside silky tannins. This is already accessible but will also age well over the next decade. Drink 2015–2025.
This elegant wine opens with enticing white spring flower, freshly picked orchard fruit and herb aromas. The vibrant palate offers juicy white peach, nectarine and yellow apple flavors, framed by crisp acidity. An almond note graces the dry, refreshing finish.
This elegant wine opens with fragrances of white flowers and green apple. The silky palate offers ripe pear, Golden Delicious apple and mineral alongside crisp acidity that leaves a clean, bright finish.
This elegant wine opens with rich concentration, an inky black appearance and intense aromas of blackberry, cherry liqueur and rich mocha chocolate. It's soft, well defined and very long on the finish, which bears spice and oak-derived flavors. Let it age for 3–4 more years.
This elegant wine puts flavors of apple and citrus with floral highlights into the mix. It gains strength in midpalate, finishing strong with cinnamon, paprika and white pepper.
This elegant wine shows why the Waitaki Valley is an up-and-coming region. The fruit is ripe and cherry-laden, yet there's also earthy, mushroomy depth, imparting a strong savory element. Weight and richness combine with silkiness and length. Drink now–2018.
This elegant wine smells subtly like blackberries, lilac and plum skin. It tastes very firm with tannins and acidity, well balanced and medium to full bodied. Built to age, the rather subdued but complex fruit and spice flavors will come out more fully with time, and will be best after 2018.
This elegant wine typifies Moschofilero's alluring nature, with an opulent nose redolent of rose, violet and citrus, and fresh and elegant flavors of melon and lemon.
This elegant wine, one of very few brands from Humboldt County, strikes a good balance between a ripe, delicious fruit character and moderately spicy, buttery themes, without the influence of oak. Good, tangy acidity supports the flavors of vanilla, Anjou pear, and marzipan that come out first in the aroma and then spread to the palate.
This elegant yet fun Pinot Noir-based rosé is characterized by a voluptuous body, a supple frame on which to affix the typically pleasing rosé scents and flavors of bubblegum and wild strawberry. The finish lingers, with sour apple warmth that recalls the last lick of a Jolly Rancher candy.
This elegant, Burgundian wine carries nuanced flavors of cranberry, crabapple, raspberry and beet root. Tart and acidic, with nicely-balanced tannins, it neither masks nor apologizes for its herbal aspect. Excellent length and structure overall.
This elegant, complex wine tastes like a delicate throwback to 1970s Burgundy in the way that it weaves its exotic, spicy and savory aromas with subtle fruit flavors. It's medium bodied and built of fine-grained tannins, reveal layer after layer with each sip. Best after 2019.
This elegant, dry bubbly has a light-gold color, aromas like peach skin and white cherries, and flavors that are crisp, fruity and vivid. It starts out reserved before opening up to riper, richer tones, partly due to 15% reserve wine in the blend. Not just for toasting, it will make a very good match with seafood.
This elegant, finely balanced blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot displays the supple, silky tannins for which Margaret River is justly famous. Gentle cigar box aromas and flavors that suggest cherry and mocha round out the wine's ample charms. Drink it over the next few years.
This elegant, fragrant expression of Orvieto delivers heady aromas of tropical fruit, apricot and citrus. The linear palate doles out juicy peach, pineapple and lemon zest accented with a hint of aromatic herb. Vibrant acidity provides the framework.
This elegant, full-bodied red opens with a lovely fragrance of red berry and violet. The juicy palate doles out crushed wild cherry, mocha, grilled sage and cake spice alongside firm, polished tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2015–2025.
This elegant, full-bodied wine opens with delicate scents of rose, iris and wild berry. The palate is juicy and delicious, offering ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, grilled herb and tobacco alongside a backbone of firm, velvety tannins. Drink 2020–2028.
This elegant, gentle Pinot is made for immediate enjoyment. Dry and crisp, it shows true varietal flavors of cherries, cola, tobacco, vanilla, peppery spices and toast.
This elegant, lithe little wine is ready to drink. Leather, dried fruit, black olive and cocoa notes fade into a softly dusty finish tinged with lingering espresso nuances.
This elegant, medium-bodied kabinett boasts textbook Mosel flavors of green apples, lime, pineapple and slate. Its slightly creamy texture is nicely balanced by crisp acidity and a light touch of spritz.
This elegant, medium-bodied Nebbiolo starts off with aromas of berry, herb, leather and violet. The savory, polished palate delivers wild raspberry, mint, cake spice and a balsamic note alongside velvety tannins. Drink through 2018.
This elegant, medium-bodied wine has fresh lemon and apple flavors, subtle butter and vanilla accents, good supportive acidity and a polished texture. The mouthfeel turns richer with each sip yet the appetizing balance remains.
This elegant, nicely spiced wine from an Amity grower displays the subtlety that comes from attention to detail. The alcohol is a moderate 13%, and if any time has been spent in oak, it has also been moderately applied. Gentle flavors mix pear, apple and citrus, moving gracefully into apple butter and a whisper of caramel. Light and lovely.
This elegant, refined, ageworthy, pure Cabernet is sourced from the oldest vines at Windrow, which date back about two decades. There is plenty of round cherry fruit in the core of the wine, along with red plum, golden raisin, and Christmas cake spices. Cinnamon and chocolate scents waft up from the glass, nothing overblown, but exotic and compelling.
This elegant, savory red opens with aromas of wild berry, baking spice and a whiff of toast. The supple palate offers sour cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and a hint of cinnamon alongside silky tannins. Enjoy through 2016.
This elegant, sophisticated wine confirms Longoria's reputation as one of the premier Albariño producers in California. As in past vintages, the wine is bone dry and crisp in acidity, with mineral, citrus zest and apricot flavors that finish with a honeyed richness.
This elegant, structured red opens with a potpourri of perfumed berry, wild flower and a whiff of cake spice. The juicy palate doles out black cherry, wild strawberry, cinnamon, star anise and menthol alongside firm but fine-grained tannins. Drink 2017–2022.
This elegant, structured wine has layers of intense acidity surmounted by firm tannins and red currant fruit. It's a real food wine, that acidity ready for rich meats. It's also likely to age well. Drink now and until 2024.
This elegantly structured blend of Pinot Bianco, Friulano, Sauvignon and Ribolla Gialla delivers aromas that suggest white flower, yellow stone fruit and a whiff of tomato leaf. The fresh, balanced palate shows grapefruit, apricot, lemon drop and mineral alongside bright acidity.
This elegantly structured red opens with aromas of dark-skinned berry, sunbaked earth, new leather, thyme and a whiff of pipe tobacco. The balanced, polished palate offers wild cherry, strawberry, vanilla, coffee and star anise alongside integrated tannins. It's already accessible and will offer fine drinking over the next several years. Drink through 2021.
This elegantly structured red opens with aromas of red and black berry, lightly toasted oak and a whiff of coffee. The smooth palate offers wild cherry, black raspberry, espresso and white pepper. Firm but silky tannins and bright acidity provide the framework. Drink through 2017.
This elegantly structured white opens with scents of citrus, yellow stone fruit, chopped herb and a light whiff of oak. The polished palate offers yellow peach, apricot, tangerine zest and mineral alongside fresh acidity. A hint of vanilla closes the finish.
This elegantly structured wine is a wonderful expression of Sauvignon's serious side, offering delicate yellow stone fruit, wildflower and toasted nut scents. On the polished, full-bodied palate, a hint of nectarine backs up creamy yellow peach fruit while fresh acidity lends balance.
This elegantly structured wine opens with aromas of black plum, mocha, Mediterranean herbs and a hint of scorched earth. The round, enveloping palate doles out ripe black cherry, blackberry, cinnamon and white pepper, while firm, silky tannins provide the framework. A fantastic wine, it's already enjoyable and will offer fine drinking over the next few years.
This elegantly structured wine opens with aromas of perfumed berry, game, leather and a whiff of cake spice. The delicious palate delivers juicy dark-cherry and -berry flavors, with cinnamon, white pepper and anise alongside a backbone of fresh acidity and firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2028.
This Elqui SB delivers green-fruit aromas of underripe melon and pea along with passion fruit. In the mouth, it shows good body and acidity, while grassy flavors blend with tropical notes. A green but not vegetal finish provides a good ending.
This Elqui SB smells about as neutral as you'll come across, with a hint of burnt grass to the nose. Oily and dense in feel, this tastes of salt and bitter dried melon.
This Elqui Syrah is topped with resiny oak aromas that emphasize clove and nutmeg. Big, full-bodied, sticky and tannic, this barrel-heavy wine tastes charred, toasty and burnt, with chocolate and campfire notes to the finish.
This embodies a bold, opulent and modern style that will appeal to those who enjoy wines with chocolate, spice and ripe fruit flavors. It's sticky and soft on the finish, with notes of sweet fruit and mocha.
This embraceable, fruity Pinotage offers mocha, plum and red berry aromas and a full, mouthfilling wave of citrus, plum, spice and banana on the plate. The finish is soft cut spicy. A great go-to red with everyday appeal.
This enchanting rosé starts off slightly flinty and citrusy on the nose, but follows up on the palate with waves of creamy concentration and ripe berry fruit balanced by a bright, refreshing finish.
This energized white wine has a German accent. Aromas recall honey, honeysuckle, tart apple and pineapple, and the flavors are like orange zest—tart, crisp and slightly bitter in a good way. This blend of Kerner, Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Bacchus grapes should be brilliant with rich shellfish. It was barrel-fermented in 60% new oak, which one can't so much taste as feel subtly.
This engages the taste buds with bright, ripe fruit flavors and balances them with good crisp acidity and light tannins, plus spicy oak accents that resemble vanilla, allspice and nutmeg. Medium to full bodied, it feels smooth in the mouth but the lip-smacking tannins carry through on the finish.
This engaging Primitivo retains a very youthful, grapy fruit profile, almost like a lightly foxy vitis labrusco. But then the tannins kick in, and it becomes something like a cross between a Washington Lemberger and a Zinfandel. In any event, it's got plenty of fruit, distinction, balance and flavor interest.
This engaging, full-bodied and densely textured wine has a great bouquet and structured yet fine-grained tannins. It exudes an engaging mix of spices, smoke and cedar in the aroma, and serves equally layered and complex fruit and spice flavors. Best after 2018.
This engaging, multilayered, flavorful and nuanced wine has subtle aromas like black pepper and grilled meat. Flavors suggest ripe Bing cherries and blackberries, while the seductive mouthfeel is rich and velvety. Aged 20 months in American oak barrels, the wine has great structure and will improve through at least 2020.
This enjoyable all-Sangiovese wine offers black cherry, tilled earth and new leather aromas. The savory palate delivers red plum flavors accented by cinnamon and clove, framed in lithe tannins. Enjoy through 2019.
This enjoyable blend of wood-aged Chardonnay and Fernão Pires is rich; the two grapes together lend a smooth and creamy wine.
This enjoyable Chianti Classico offers a sweet-smelling nose that recalls Christmas spice, cinnamon, pipe tobacco and blackberry. It has a friendly, sunny disposition and good concentration of flavors and aromas. Blue flowers, cherry and almonds put in appearances on the finish.
This enjoyable Nebbiolo opens with aromas of black cherry, rose petal and graphite. The bright accessible palate delivers ripe raspberry, white pepper and a hint of licorice alongside firm but refined tannins. Drink through 2019.
This enjoyable white opens with aromas of pressed white flower and exotic fruit. The aromas follow over to the round palate along with banana and a hint of toast.
This enjoyable wine's fruity black-skinned berry, violet and baking spice aromas leap out of the glass. The full-bodied palate doles out mouthfuls of juicy black cherry and ripe blackberry flavors alongside polished tannins and fresh acidity. Thanks to succulent fruit and freshness, the alcohol is seamlessly integrated.
This enjoyable wine opens with aromas of red berry, blackberry, blueberry and hints of white pepper that carry on to the palate. It has an easy-drinking style thanks to fresh acidity and smooth, soft tannins.
This enjoyable, informal red delivers fruity flavors of juicy red cherry and crushed raspberry. Fresh and easy drinking, it would match nicely with pizza and pasta dishes topped with tomato sauce.
This enormously gluggable wine is like an ode to cherries, both red and black. This has a textured palate but remains light and is very attractive in its fresh-faced, straightforward style with barely-there tannins and ample, generous fruit. If you love lighter yet full-fruited reds this will be your winner.
This enormously rich Chardonnay was grown in the winery's dramatic mountain vineyard. It's powerful in concentrated pineapple jam and lemon fruit, while winemaker interventions add creamy notes of vanilla, honey and buttered toast. What it trades in nuance, it more than makes up for in sheer power.
This enormously rich, extracted Pinot Noir will please flavor-forward fans. It's explosive in raspberries, cherries, cola, figs, bacon, orange zest and other umami tastes, wrapped into a silky texture and brightened with crisp acidity. Seems best now and for a year or two.
This enticing and alluring wine opens with lovely crushed mint, new leather, iris and culinary spice aromas. The savory palate shows juicy Marasca cherry, ripe raspberry, cinnamon and pink peppercorn flavors while firm, refined tannins and fresh acidity provide balance and structure. A licorice note accents the finish.
This enticingly fragrant wine offers scents of white spring flower, apple, ginger and flint. On the elegantly structured palate, radiant acidity underscores crisp apple, Bosc pear, white peach and lemon drop, while a salty mineral note closes the tangy finish. It's an impressive effort for what was overall a washout vintage. Drink through 2024.
This entry-level cuvée delivers as much pleasure in 2014 as the single vineyard examples. It's beautifully detailed, with well-orchestrated flavors of citrus rind, red berry, cherry, chocolate and coffee grounds. Tannins are pinpoint focused as well, and it's drinking beautifully right out of the gate.
This entry-level cuvée from the cooperative in Tain l'Hermitage is a solid value, offering up peppery, dark fruit aromas and ample flavors of cassis. black olive and espresso. The tannins are firm, so pair it with rare beef or lamb over the near term.
This entry-level look at the family vineyard that overlooks Ballard Canyon and beyond brings scents of graphite, pepper, blackberry and dried, slightly dank herbs. It's tight and tart at first on the palate, with skins of black cherry and plum unwinding into pencil shavings, oregano, wood and emergent mushrooms. The tannins are best for drinking 2017–2025.
This entry-level offering from Seresin offers a pleasing blend of root veggies and mushrooms, with cranberry and raspberry fruit. It's crisp—almost lemony—on the finish, and it has a dusty layer of tannins to ensure that it lasts for at least a few years.
This entry-level Pinot from Carrick is a strong effort in a cool vintage. Dried porcini aromas and flavors are earthy and savory, backed by cherry notes and some slightly tough tannins. Drink up before 2020.
This entry-level Pinot from Domaine Serene outshines more than a few Oregon reserves. It's splendidly clear, refined and aromatic, with a tantalizingly smoky note in play. There is a pleasing dusty character to the cherry fruit and the finish is dappled with highlights of cinnamon toast. It's flat-out irresistible.
This entry-level red from this estate is aged in tank, preserving bright red fruits and a touch of stalky acidity. The 30% Cabernet Sauvignon gives a smoky flavor and a good sense of structure to go with the juicy Grenache fruits. The wine is ready to drink.
This entry-level Riesling from Zind-Humbrecht is very fresh, crisp, aromatic and delightfully fragrant. Some tighter minerality adds nerviness to the texture, but it's ready to drink.
This entry-level white from the Roblins is fresh, crisp and fruity. The light texture is dominated by acidity and the bright apple and pink-grapefruit flavors. Drink now.
This entry-level wine from Domaine Fouassier is produced on limestone soil, giving a crisp, bright and lightly herbal wine. It is clean and clear, packed with citrus and gooseberry flavors. The aftertaste continues the fresh, fruity character.
This entry-level wine from Lagrézette is certainly purple in color. With touches of wood under the juicy red fruit flavors, and soft tannins, it cries out for a barbecue.
This entry-level wine from Laurou is spicy and fruity. With a layer of tannins as well as attractive acidity, it is a wine to be drunk young. The aftertaste with its hint of licorice continues the spicy character that comes from the Négrette grape in the blend.
This entry-level wine of the Saint André de Figuière range is pretty impressive in itself. It has a rounded, smooth character that is lifted by attractive red berry acidity and a nervy, mineral texture. Balanced acidity completes the picture.
This entry level cuvée is finished with a screw cap, and pulled from a mix of barrels and clones from across the estate. It's forward, fruity and big, like an especially bold Beaujolais. Along with primary berry fruit there are light touches of pine needle and chocolate. It's full bodied and ready to go with your winter meal's roasted fowl.
This entry level wine from top Douro estate Quinta do Vallado is soft and full of red berry fruits that are laced with firm, solid tannins. It has weight and concentration, the ripe fruits balanced by a fresher side to the wine. With its tannins and touches of wood aging, it needs to age a few months. Drink from 2016.
This eponymous label of winemaker Nathaniel Rose is one of his many endeavors in the Michigan wine scene. While the name “Left Bank” evokes Bordeaux, this is clearly a New World-style red, boasting bouncy fruit aromas of dark cherry and spiced raspberry, with cola and cough-syrup notes in the background. The medium-bodied palate is supported by grainy tannins, yet there's a good balance of juicy, red fruit and streaks of granite.
This especially firm and well-structured wine was aged longer than usual in mostly new French barrels. It tastes great now but should improve through 2020. Cranberry and black-tea aromas give way to bold cherry and pomegranate flavors, and a layered texture of fine-grained tannins and good acidity.
This especially ripe and deep style of Barbera grown at the Miraflores property looks quite dark, smells like dried fruit and tastes rich and full-bodied. It has admirable concentration, a smooth and layered texture and good length on the finish.
This estate's flagship wine delivers sugar beets, Indian spice, black currant, cedar and sandalwood. It's smooth and fruity but a bit short on the finish.
This estate's French owners seem to experience more pronounced vintage variation than some of the neighbors, as other years have rated considerably higher. This is pretty green and herbal, with pronounced leafy, nettle-y notes and some tart passion fruit.
This estate-bottling shows single vineyard focus, and a more herbal profile than the winery's Columbia Valley Merlot. Accents of clean earth and dark, cassis fruit suggest a wine with Bordeaux-like strengths and the possibility of cellaring for a decade or longer.
This estate-driven white combines 75% Grenache Blanc, 25% Marsanne and 5% Viognier. Together they tease in juicy pear and apricot, supported by honeyed oak, reflecting its time barrel-fermenting. Tingling acidity shows a streak of lime and lemon on the crisp, creamy palate.
This estate-driven wine combines 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot. Made in a classical Old-World style, it offers chalky tannin around composted earth, blackberry and cassis. The texture is firm and grippy, with supportive acidity at its core.
This estate-grown 100% Syrah is sour and inelegant on its own but would have worked nicely in a blend where it could have provided meaty structure.
This estate-grown Chardonnay comes from one of the most expressive sites in the Yakima Valley. In this cooler vintage, it puts the accent on elegance. A judicious mix of apple, pear and peach fruit is matched with toasty accents from 100% barrel fermentation.
This estate-grown effort is almost jet black, and scented with tar, smoke and black fruits. It's dense beyond dense, and completely shut down. Even after aeration, decanting, and hours of breathing time, it remained stubbornly closed. Brief hints of tobacco and earth, cassis and coffee suggest that with more bottle age, this one could really blossom.
This estate-grown inland Mendocino Zin has an inviting spiciness and is plenty briary with a full body of flavor but its high-alcohol level masks any other nuances.
This estate-grown Merlot is a standout among the Goose Ridge reds produced in 2010. A firm and substantial mix of red and black fruits comes on a bed of juicy acidity. Medium-bodied, it extends gracefully through the finish with hints of chocolate-covered raisins.
This estate-grown offering was a standout among several dozen tasted for a feature story. It's loaded with bright fruit flavors of grapefruit and pear, and even in the warm 2012 vintage, it maintains the grape's signature minerality, while moving gracefully into a detailed, focused finish.
This estate-grown Pinot Grigio takes the variety's basic citrus, straw, green apple and tropical fruit flavors and lifts them with partial barrel fermentation. It's a rich, but balanced, wine for drinking with almost anything.
This estate-grown Pinot is still pretty rough and chewy, with earthy tannins that are chalky and drying. The fruit leans toward cranberry, with some vanilla flavors threaded in.
This estate-grown Pinot Noir artfully blends seven different clones, capturing the nuances of each, and melding them into a fascinating wine. Dig in—you'll find plenty of black cherry and cassis fruit, streaked with iron, espresso and licorice. The texture and length add more subtlety, with a delicate hint of sandalwood at the very end.
This estate-grown Riesling brings fresh apples and white peaches to the table. Fresh and concentrated, it hits a generous 13.6% alcohol, with suggestions of sweetness from the quite ripe fruit, although it is technically dry. It seems to have real potential for aging and developing over a decade or more.
This estate-grown Riesling is sourced from some of the oldest vines on Red Mountain—planted in 1975–1976. Lush and textural, it's both rich and elegant, with flavors of pink marshmallow, honeycomb, pear and meringue. It fills the mouth with pleasing confectionary flavors, fine layering and depth. Residual sugar is 13 g/L—still dry enough for most foods.
This estate-grown Syrah brings forward red fruits and a wash of chocolaty barrel, simple, round and appealing.
This estate-grown Viognier was whole-cluster pressed and barrel-fermented in neutral French oak with no malolactic fermentation, giving it a fresh and fruity personality amid a creamy core of honey, pear and fig. On the finish is a layer of pineapple and lime, giving it a refreshing finish just right for a plate of butter-smeared lobster.
This estate-grown white is consistently yummy, tangy in lemon peel and fresh-squeezed lemon, with a splash of fresh grapefruit. Dry and crisp, it finishes refreshingly, an ideal wine for light appetizers and most rewardingly, raw oysters.
This estate-grown wine comes from one of Livermore's best boutique wineries. A generous mouthfeel and plenty of ripe fruit flavors make this youthful and full-bodied wine easy to taste and swallow. Hints of milk chocolate ride along with solid cherry and blueberry flavors.
This estate-grown wine comes from the vineyard that provides the backbone to the producer's well-known Les Pommiers Pinot Noir. Tart in rhubarb, pomegranate and plush, herb-kissed red fruit, it's juicy and young, complex yet approachable. Full bodied and grainy in tannin, it'll provide years of pleasure for drinkers who can wait.
This estate-grown wine conjures up thoughts of pepper steak in a glass, so spicy and tannic on the palate that it begs for succulent meat with which to pair. Full bodied and roundly soft, its burst of blueberry fruit is juicy and expansive, mellowing on the finish.
This estate-grown wine has a really fresh character. With red-currant and red-cherry flavors, it has a juicy fruity style that is ready to drink. Light and perfumed, it is delicious now.
This estate-grown wine honors the historical vineyard that brought the Napa Valley worldwide attention for Cabernet. It offers both complexity and elegance, as well as an herbal underbrush accented by tobacco. Chocolate, caramel and coffee add to the intrigue around smooth, velvety tannins.
This estate-grown wine is burly, brambly, dense and syrupy, with blackberry, chocolate, cinnamon and leather flavors. Its thick texture persists on the finish.
This estate-grown wine is exuberantly lemony and floral on the nose while the palate boasts lush, concentrated flavors of honey, oak, vanilla and baked pear. Full bodied, it wears its oak well, allowing it to speak in tandem with the ripe fruit.
This estate-grown wine is made by Ken Wright. Showing some sharp, high-toned volatility in the nose, it opens into a smooth, spicy wine with pomegranate and black cherry fruit. A slight whiff of vinegar underlies the tannins, but for most tasters, it will not be noticeable.
This estate-grown wine is tart and tangy, with a backbone of enviable structure. Orange citrus adds an illusion of heightened acidity that balances the burly tannins that give strength and power. Red cherry and pomegranate round out savory clove and black tea on the way to an earthy finish. Drink now through 2023.
This estate-grown wine mixes earthy strawberry and raspberries against a tannic backbone that lends plenty of strength. Let it unwind a while in the glass.
This estate-grown, organic Chardonnay is a terrific value, detailed and brightly fruity, with precise angles and spicy details. The apple/pear/pineapple fruit flavors are crisply defined, perfectly ripe, and beautifully balanced.
This estate-grown, pure varietal effort is exceptionally rich and succulent. The flavors of sugared grapefruit, lemon pulp and rind and sweet tea are concentrated and lingering. Despite the impression of sweetness, it's not a dessert wine, just an especially ripe and rich one.
This estate-grown, single-vineyard Pinot Blanc is succulent, tart and tangy, with lightly spicy citrus, kiwi and starfruit flavors. The lingering finish, lightly flecked with dried herbs, shows amazing grip and texture, with a mineral ridge across the mid palate. Great elegance and length.
This estate-grown, single-vineyard, 100% varietal bottling is smooth, rich and forward. Scents of baking spices, caramel and toast introduce a full and lengthy palate loaded with black cherry and cassis fruit. A steely firmness to the wine anticipates further development in the bottle.
This estate (owned by the Zonin family) has recently overhauled its white wine program, and the excellent results show with this beautiful Insolia. Fragrant citrus and peach aromas are followed by a creamy thickness and a spicy citrus-like intensity.
This estate beauty offers a depth of cola spice and lovely acidity, with just a hint of underlying richness. From a site that's slightly more coastal than the vineyards around the producer's winery, it shows savory characteristics of rhubarb and wild strawberry amid a plushness of forest, all within supportive, integrated oak.
This estate blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 26% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot is smoky and tart. Its robust underbelly of tannin and persistent charred oak notes frame a core of red currant and cranberry fruit, peppered with clove.
This estate bottling showcases ripe apple and melon fruit, spiced with sweet barrel notes and toast. The wine spent some months in 20% new French oak.
This estate Chardonnay is keeping stylistically with the winery's other offerings, though a tad weightier and richer in oak and crème brûlée. Fresh peach, pineapple and anise intermingle on the palate, with a silky yet complex texture. There is a palate-refreshing hint of lime on the finish.
This estate continues to improve every year and has made an outstanding effort with the 2009 vintage. It opens with aromas of underbrush, violet, red berries, menthol, thyme and a hint of orange peel. The palate offers wild cherry layered with notes of chocolate and espresso alongside dusty, drying tannins. It ends on a licorice note.
This estate delivered a fine Rosso di Montalcino in 2008 and less certain results with its Brunello the same year. The issue is the sharp acidity that really makes your mouth pucker. Thankfully, the intense crispness is balanced by softer spice, black fruit and tobacco aromas.
This estate dominates one of the most beautiful wine valleys in the southern half of Sicily. Rolling hills and chalky white soils help shape a bright but polished Syrah with sharp berry tones and lingering notes of crushed stone and talcum powder.
This estate has been producing wine in Morgon since the 11th century. The wine comes from structured granite soil in a blend of different parcels. It has a strong mineral elements as well as layers of ripe black-cherry fruits. There is just a hint of banana that does spoil the full effect of the wine and hopefully will blow away as it ages. Drink from 2018.
This estate has produced an impressive wine for the vintage. It balances acidity, tarry wood flavors and ripe black-berry fruits. Initially it is still showing its structure more than fruit, although this will even out as it matures. Drink from 2020.
This estate in Estremoz—the heart of the Alentejo—has made a ripe and full-bodied wine from the Bordeaux grape Petit Verdot. Produced in open-top stone fermenters, it's deeply colored, firm with tannins and brightened by ripe blackberry fruit. Drink from 2018.
This estate in the Aube region has produced a pink-colored rose that is soft. It is full of ripe strawberry fruits that are rounded out with fresh acidity and with a full aftertaste. The wine is ready to drink.
This estate in the east of the Entre-deux-Mers region has produced a ripe white blend that balances its white fruit with a crisp herbal element. With acidity and a touch of spice, it's crisp and ready to drink.
This estate is a clear cut leader in the Conegliano subzone of Prosecco Superiore. Not only does it produce great sparkling wines, but it offers an entire ecosystem of farming, agriculture and animal breeding that follows a stringent model of ecological sustainability. Hats off for this clean and focused bubbly.
This estate is right in the south of the Vinho Verde. That gives the wine extra weight, with added richness from the Avesso grape. The aftertaste brings in crispness.
This estate is under the same management as the neighboring large vineyard of Larose Trintaudon. The wine is stylish with ripe fruit that is balanced with fine acidity. It has structure from a core of tannins that are just beginning to soften. The wine will be ready to drink from 2020.
This estate lies in a valley one set of ridges behind the Mediterranean. The sheltered location gives a warm style of wine, properly pale in color but also with delicious ripe red fruits touched by caramel. Drink the wine now.
This estate obviously believes in experiments, presenting here an apéritif-style blend of Syrah and Muscat. It's not hard to taste the strongly perfumed Muscat character, which dominates the palate. Ripe with more spice than fruit, it's ready to drink.
This estate red is named after its mountainous locale—a brambly vineyard on Pritchard Hill above Oakville. It combines quite ripe Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot, projecting power and prestige with perfumed violet, dark cherry and savory leather and tobacco notes. Soft, pliable tannins add weight and texture. More time in bottle should add nuance; enjoy 2024–2034.
This estate reserve wine has more texture and length than their regular estate Pinot Noir, and displays varietal flavors mixing rubarb, strawberry and raspberry preserves.  Some spicy herb adds life to the mid-palate, finishing with a bit of mint.
This estate vineyard in the heart of the appellation provides this wine with a generosity of spirit and flavor, all within a light-bodied package of elegance and restraint. Pear and applesauce give it a fruity edge of ripe round flavor that's likable and nourished by touches of citrus. The finish is as crisp as a lime chaser.
This estate vineyard is generally prone to cool-site characteristics, meaning more of an emphasis on leaf and root and herb. Peppery herb and tart red fruits combine in an elegant, precise midpalate, suggesting wild strawberry and carrying a dash of sea salt caramel through the finish.
This estate whose name means four winds is in the Douro Superior, the easternmost part of the Douro region. It is intensely rich and solid—a classic blend for the region with a dominance of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, aged in wood and with plenty more aging ability. This black-fruit-flavored wine will be best from 2020.
This estate wine comes from vines planted two decades ago and was named for John Drummond, who owned the land in the 1800s. With a touch of Cabernet Franc in the mix, it offers black licorice, buoyant acidity and a back beat of tannin that integrates well. Bark, dark plum and chocolate round out the full-bodied picture.
This estate wine from Château Moulin-à-Vent comes from a selection of different vineyards. It has a very direct, structured character, firm with tannins and ripe with delicious berry fruits. It is developing well, still structured and needing some time. Drink from 2017.
This estate wine has 10% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and is made in small quantities. Big-boned tannins surround puckering red fruit like currant and cassis before a brawny dusting of clove and black pepper hit on the finish.
This estate wine has rich fruits that are totally balanced with the acidity and the ripe red fruit flavors. A crisp texture offers acidity and a full body. It will be even better by the end of 2014.
This estate wine is packed with attractive fruit. With grapefruit and orange-zest flavors, it is tightly crisp. Set against that are the ripe red-currant and berry fruitiness, layers of acidity and a pinch of pepper. Drink this refreshing wine now.
This estate wine is puckering in dry, lengthy tannins and extracted fruit, a leathery texture in the way of further exploration. Mint and cedar season the power and concentration.
This estate wine is seriously structured, with tones of dried herbs alongside richer elements of dense tannins and ripe black fruits. A bright acid backbone maintains a fresh and lively character. It might be best to lay down this selection for further integration.
This estate wine is soft, smooth and ready to drink. With its ripe red fruits and gentle tannins it is a fruity, generous wine, rich in juicy acidity and with a crisp aftertaste of acidity. Drink now.
This estate wine made of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot spent nearly two years in all-new French oak. Time has elevated its sanguine, herbaceous characteristics, melding them within a context of graceful softness dotted in black pepper, black olive and meat.
This estate wine melds luxurious texture and ripeness with zesty, buoyant acidity, integrating the flavors with 100% neutral oak. Straightforward in its approach, it'll serve well at the table, offering soft, approachable character and a plethora of quality fruit.
This estate wine of Belcier is rich and complex. It has great tannins as well as dark black fruits that give a ripe character. Juicy, fruity and still young, it has great potential. Drink from 2018.
This estate wine, originating from the vineyards that has been in the Queyrens family for more than 50 years, offers plenty of fruit here. The taste laces acidity and attractive black-currant flavors. There are tannins and a structure that will allow the wine to develop. Drink from 2018.
This estate, belonging to the Compagnet family, is in the northern Médoc. Some firm tannins are contrasted with the attractive acidity and berry fruits to create a warm spicy wine. Almost equal amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot give a balanced wine. Drink from 2018.
This estate, dating to the 18th century and close to the Gironde estuary, has produced a rich wine. Young tannins and fine fruity acidity are both present in a wine that is serious and dense. Its weight, ripeness and the potential of the black-currant fruit will all allow it to age. Drink from 2022.
This estate, managed for the owner by Producteurs Plaimont, surrounds a perfectly preserved medieval castle. The wine is firm with tense tannins and intense juicy acidity. It has a structured character full of blackberry fruit and with a dry core. It hints at being mature already although it will be much better to drink from 2018.
This estate, now owned by the negociant Champy, specializes in the vineyards around Pernand-Vergelesses. This single parcel wine is ripe and jammy, benefiting from the richness of the year. Soft tannins and red strawberry fruit dominate and will remain the main theme as the wine matures. Drink from 2018.
This estate, owned by the same family since 1787, has amazing stocks of old sweet wines maturing in its cellars. With red apple, honey and apricot aromas, this wine, mature and yet so fresh, is proof of the aging ability of Chenin Blanc. It is the balance between the ripe honeyed flavors and the intense acidity that keeps it so vibrant. Drink this superb wine now.
This esteemed winery's annual bubbly is crafted much like its still Chardonnays, showing focused aromas of chalk, lemon zest and a telltale brie cheese rind dairy element. It's very yeasty and slightly sour on the mouthwateringly sharp palate, with squeezed limes, lemon pith and underripe kumquat flavors.
This esteemed winery's younger Chardonnays are all about tension and the future. This begins with slightly sour aromas of yogurt and goat cheese along with shave fennel, radish, daikon and lemongrass. The palate is power by citrusy pith, brine and nectarine peels, with just the tiniest touch of green apple ripeness. Drink 2018–2024.
This ethereal expression of Nebbiolo (also called Chiavennasca) opens with rich density and ripe fruit intensity. Pretty tones of cola, dried ginger and licorice round out the back and the wine is fresh and well structured overall with firm, drying tannins.
This ethereal Tokaji Aszú is golden in color, with aromas of delicate acacia flower, honeysuckle, fresh peach and tinned apricot. The flavors come alive on the palate, showing luscious apricot, floral honeycomb and fresh pear juice. The acidity is perfectly balanced to prevent this delightful wine from being too cloying.
This ethereal, crisp white is pretty in guava and melon, approachable, easy to enjoy and not fussy. The majority of the experience is in the beginning and midpalate.
This evenly balanced Cabernet has a Bordeaux-like profile, with berry and cassis flavors, nicely integrated oak, and a mild herbal, bell pepper note. Shows good fruit for a 1998 wine and some attractive tobacco and earth shadings. Medium weight, it finishes nicely with moderate tannins and some spice-pepper notes. Drinks well now and may improve over two or three years.
This eventually reveals aromas of dried red fruit, chopped herb and a hint of cooking spice. The tightly wound palate shows raw red berry, clove and powdered sage that are set against a backdrop of bracing tannins.
This everyday Chardonnay will appeal to fans of the modern style of ripe fruit and plenty of oak. It's rich and creamy, with pineapple, tangerine and mango flavors.
This everyday drinker leads with concentrated but mellow aromas of black plum, turned earth, anise and sweet mint. It's quite full on the palate, with baked red fruit and baking spice flavors. Very fruit-forward.
This everyday Tempranillo opens with mildly burnt and stalky aromas, but there's enough fresh plum and berry on the nose to keep things positive. The mouthfeel is wiry and alert, while plum and raspberry flavors finish short.
This everyday Viura opens with yeasty aromas of green fruits and chewing gum. It's crisp on the palate, with a medium-weight body. Flavors of apple, citrus, peach pit and white pepper finish fresh.
This everyday wine feels chunky due to low acidity. Its dusty aromas are generic and not very fruity or expressive, and its meandering cherry and plum flavors precede a simple finish.
This example shows a bit more character than many Pays d'Oc Chardonnays. Pretty scents of lemon and honeysuckle lead to a palate with above-average concentration and lovely lemon meringue pie flavors. Tangy acidity renders this a good choice for salmon.
This exceedingly light wine was given very subtle amounts of oak. It offers a sophisticated take on sassafras and Bing cherry within an earthy, structured shell that imparts a medium-bodied mouthfeel and plenty of acidity. From a site in Sebastopol, it needs time to open in the glass.
This excellent and beautifully crisp Sauvignon from Alto Adige would make a perfect companion to regional dishes including dumplings, omelets and frittatas flavored with fragrant mountain herbs. The screwcap bottle locks in fresh floral aromas, natural rubber and citrus.
This excellent and rich wine smells beautiful, and coats the mouth with velvety smoothness. The flavors range from green olives to tobacco and blackberries, with oaky complexities. The finish is dry, spicy and intense.
This excellent blend of 70% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon shows caramelized black cherry, mint chocolate chip and a bit of smoke on the dense nose. The palate's soft mouthfeel is held up by firm tannins that last deep into the finish, presenting rich cherry juice flavors, along with caramel, milk chocolate and pleasant oak character.
This excellent blend of Chardonnay and Friulano offers a rich and reassuring feel in the mouth that would stand up to creamy artichoke risotto or white meat. Its beautiful aromas include melon, pear, apricot and a touch of butterscotch.
This excellent boutique brand is slowly expanding, doubling the production of the estate wine in 2014, and adding two new vineyards to the mix in 2016. Consistent from vintage to vintage is the elegance and depth of detail, beginning with subtle, entwined fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry. Hints of dried herb, cigar box, and a touch of chocolate come up through the finish. The tannins are proportionate, though still a bit astringent, suggesting a few more years of bottle age would be beneficial.
This excellent entry-level Pinot is bursting with a delightful bouquet of cherries and white chocolate. It's crisp and direct, with well-defined raspberry fruit at the core. The finish is a little stiff and tight, but unpacks well with ample aeration.
This excellent estate-grown Merlot is a standout in the current Goose Ridge lineup. A scent of violet introduces a dark and potent wine. Plum and black cherry are enhanced by streaks of rock and tar. The tannins are supple and substantial.
This excellent Merlot speaks to many of Reininger's proven strengths. It's quite smooth and supple, loaded with ripe plum and cherry fruit, seamless and chocolaty. The balance is right on, the length and texture captivating.
This excellent Pinot Gris balances aromas and flavors of citrus blossom and tart apple. Fermented in stainless steel, it retains firm acidity and a pleasing, textural finish.
This excellent Pinot Gris brings crisp, enticing flavors that perfectly mix pear skin, citrus and spice with a finish that somehow evokes coffee grounds and caramel. Huh? Don't know how that happens, but what a riot of flavor in such a simple wine. Better yet, the alcohol rests at an unbelievable 12.5%—unheard of in the last two decades. Tart and juicy, this is as European as it gets in Oregon.
This excellent Pinot Gris offers a rich mix of ripe citrus and tropical fruits, acacia flowers, honeysuckle and a hint of buttered toffee. It's rich and full-bodied without being tiring or flabby, with excellent length and structure. Almost 24,000 cases were produced.
This excellent red is 75% Cabernet Franc, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. O•S generally produces one of the best Francs in Washington, lifted and intense, occasionally a bit high-toned, but always packed with juicy red fruits and barrel highlights of coffee and tobacco.
This excellent regional wine opens with aromas of black raspberry and iron. The palate shows sour pomegranate as well as thyme, bay leaf and dried oregano, framed by an earthy though relatively light structure.
This excellent rosé is one of a handful given extra bottle age before release, and it rewards that time with unusual flavors––rhubarb and strawberry, hints of banana and a touch of creamsicle in the fade. Not typical in any way, but tasty and full-bodied.
This excellent single-vineyard varietal Syrah is thick with blueberry/boysenberry fruit. A real crowd-pleaser, the aging for 22 months in half new French oak layers in smoke and coffee liqueur. Powers does a fine job of achieving ripeness and keeping alcohol levels in check.
This excellent Syrah captures much of the depth and complexity of higher priced bottles. Boysenberry fruit provides a concentrated core of flavor and rings of licorice, earth, coffee, smoke and vanilla circle through the lingering finish. Tannins are a bit on the crunchy side.
This excellent vineyard-designated wine showcases salty brine and explosive minerality. It's light and bright on the nose but fleshy in lemon, lime and peach, with a zesty quality to the texture. Integrated oak, only 40% of it new, plays a background role, allowing for a soft, lengthy palate and a structure that suggests this will age well.
This excellent vineyard has a proven track record, though here the grapes seem unevenly ripened, with brambly berry fruit that turns a little hot and raisined in the finish. Hints of cola and Dr. Pepper add some welcome depth to the flavors.
This excellent vineyard reserve (an Umbrian blend made with Sangiovese and Canaiolo and aged 12 months in oak) has a clean and polished nose with territory-driven aromas of red berry, spice, chocolate and tealeaf. It offers deep penetration and succulence in the mouth and has a soft personality capped by fresh crispness on the close.
This excellent vintage of Coronato (a hearty blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot) opens with inky, black concentration and aromas of chocolate fudge, espresso, black fruit and spice. The wine tastes velvety and rich and will age for 10 years or more.
This excellent wine has good concentration and pretty, fruit-sweet flavors of berry, cherry, and a splash of Dr. Pepper. It brings in elegant details of truffle and more of that pleasant cola character, and lingers through a generous finish.
This excellent wine represents a model for straddling the line between the past and current styles of Brunello. The cherry and raspberry fruit gets a kick from oak-based notes of charcoal and vanilla. Hold for at least four years, if possible.
This excellent, medium-bodied wine matured in neutral oak barrels is the third of three straight outstanding vintages. It leads with earthy, smoky complexity rather than simple fruit. It smells meaty and peppery and carries those savory notes into its spicy black plum flavors.
This excellent, restrained bottling is compelling. Lemongrass, kaffir lime and lemon-lime aromas lead into a palate laced with fresh, high-toned citrus notes. More exotic touches of sweet onion, yuzu and wet slate complete the experience.
This exceptional effort is packed with sweet and tart fruits, beginning with lemon-lime, then moving through peaches and apricots and on into hints of papaya. Good length and splendid acidity.
This exceptional release is firm and focused, with lip-smacking acidity. Tart apple and tangy limeade pack the core flavors, underscored with wet-stone minerality.
This exceptional Sangiovese's aromas are true to the variety, with forest berry, blue flower and warm earthy tones that wash over its solid structure. However, most of the action is on the finish where the wine excels in terms of length.
This exceptional vineyard, more than 35-years-old, brings a wealth of subtle details to a wine that has both grace and power. There's truffle, earth, mocha, plum, spice, coffee and on and on it goes, all well integrated already. Experience would suggest that wines from this vineyard, previously made for Sineann, are exceptionally ageworthy. Drink now if you must, or cellar and drink from 2022 to 2030.
This exceptional wine explodes in classic, characteristic aromas of rose water, dried rose petals and orange blossom, so floral and sublime. Edgy in taste, with a trace of salt, it exhibits no oak, celebrating instead an exuberance of fresh pear and grapefruit.
This exceptional wine was made by the late David Lett to celebrate the birth of his granddaughter. It's drinking beautifully, and has the color and scent of a mature wine, though Eyrie Pinots can often live longer than those who bet against them. Delicate and subtle, it nonetheless shows surpassing power and length. Mature, fully-evolved dried fruit and herb flavors are highlighted with notes of cinnamon and brown sugar.
This exceptionally pretty Blaufränkisch is sultry on the nose, offering notes of preserved blackberry and blueberry. The palate is rich and ripe, with crème de cassis flavor, brightened by tart acidity and a flourish of violet on the finish.
This exciting blend of Oseleta and Merlot (the grapes are partially air dried for extra concentration) offers a bright cherry aroma, with notes of leather and dried rosemary. There's are touches of humus and dried ginger as well.
This exciting Brut Prosecco shows a very floral and fruity bouquet followed by a crisp, drying mouthfeel. The high quality of the aromas is what sets this wine apart from the competition.
This exciting project comes from veteran winemaker William Hill. Although it's packed with rich black-currant and cassis-liqueur flavors that sink down in the midpalate and offer fruity satisfaction, the finish is firm and classic. The vineyard is on Atlas Peak, and the wine shows those mountain tannins but also fine minerality. Drink 2017–2025.
This exciting selection offers spicy nutmeg and cinnamon notes behind the ripe fruit and prune aromas. A soft, slightly sweet finish is carried forth by the wine's medium density.
This exciting, refreshing, superbly balanced wine has crisp green apple aromas and lively, almost electric lemon, lime and cucumber flavors. It's a great choice for lunch or with an appetizer course, since it's sure to get the conversation—as well as the appetite—going.
This exemplary Chenin starts with aromas of peach, pineapple and vanilla, rolling into juicy flavors of melon, honey and rich fruit. Balanced and with a slightly creamy mouthfeel, the wine is elegant but approachable enough for every day. Pair with salad, seafood. Imported by GBW, LLC.
This exhibits overripe characteristics and a sweetness that seems overdone. There is 8% Petit Verdot blended in.
This exhibits stalky fruit, with some weight behind it. A black currant flavor dominates, with a ripe, jammy feel. For short-term aging.
This exotic and memorable white wine brings a floral, perfumed aroma, ripe fruit flavors and a nicely viscous texture. Rather light in body for its richness level, it delivers a lingering finish. It has the generous texture of a Chardonnay but with more intense fruit flavors.
This exotic Cabernet Sauvignon, which is aged entirely in new French oak, needs time to develop. A savory edge of forest floor and cranberry drive the palate, while notes of pencil shavings, cedar and garrigue add depth. The palate is lifted in acidity, with tightly gripped tannins on the finish. Cellar through 2019.
This exotic white blend from Iowa offers aromas of orange and citrus with a minerally zip, and on the palate, is a bit on the sweet and curvy side. Not terribly inspired but still pretty, it will pair well with Asian cuisine.
This exotic white starts with aromas of white flowers, lemon and mint, followed by fuller-bodied flavors of peach, apricot and flowers. Balanced with a viscous mouthfeel. The wine is well-suited for robust dishes—think lobster—but also adds depth to simple grilled fish.
This exotic, spicy wine's wood flavors give it a lively character. This is a medium-bodied wine, not heavy in any sense, its fruitiness and attractive acidity producing a wine that will soon be ready to drink.
This expands the winery's portfolio with a nod to the $20 pricepoint that's become a defining limit to affordable Oregon Pinot. This wine is hard, slightly burnt and bitter in the finish, with simple candy cherry-fruit flavors.
This expansive wine is generous on the palate in dusty tannin, currant, pencil and tobacco, more savory than sweet. Firm texture and structured acidity provide a classic edge to this 100% varietal wine that will do well at the table.
This expensive wine is softly tannic, earthy and fruity, with dried herb and raspberry tea flavors. From Francis Ford Coppola.
This expertly structured wine will last for ages. It begins with dense blackberry jam, caramel, vanilla, fresh licorice and chocolate-ganache aromas. There is a density of flavors on the sip, but not an overwhelming weight, with black cherry, chocolate syrup and asphalt tones hung on chalky tannins that are a little firm right now. Drink 2018–2033.
This expertly woven wine proves very cohesive and well balanced, despite its intent to compete with the bigger, often richer wines of the luxury category. Blueberry and blackberry aromas meet with charred wood, graphite and chocolate on the elegant nose. The ripe berry flavors are wrapped in cocoa and light cedar spice, laced together with buoyant acidity.
This explodes aromatically with honey and apricot and is balanced and silky on the palate, with 13.9% residual sugar. Somewhere midway through and on the finish, a hint of jalapeño provides a stark segue, before an appearance of pear and honey saves the day.
This explodes in sizable red cassis and berry fruit along with darker shades of blackberry and espresso. With leathery tannins that remain puckeringly huge, it can stand some time in the cellar mellowing out, through 2026.
This explodes with ripe raspberry, strawberry and cherry flavors, while the heat from the alcohol gives it the headiness of a liqueur. It's definitely not a subtle wine, but one to enjoy now with grilled tuna, lamb or wild mushroom risotto.
This expresses pretty Nebbiolo aromas of violet, saddle leather, truffle and red berry. The vibrant palate offers crushed raspberry, Morello cherry, cinnamon and tobacco hints while assertive tannins and bright acidity provide support. Drink 2021–2029.
This expresses the greatness of its vintage and vineyard, offering wave after wave of raspberry and cherry pie flavors, plus notes of red currant, sweet licorice, spicy Dr. Pepper and smoky sandalwood. There's also something exotically briary and wild that intrigues. Even more remarkable is the texture, an amalgam of acids and tannins that rivals any Pinot Noir ever produced in California. It should age for up to 20 years.
This expression beautifully showcases Moscato d'Asti's typical sweet, musky aroma, along with notes of peach, citrus, white flower and honey.
This expression is beautifully integrated and balanced, with notes of forest fruit and cassis that are set against touches of tar, licorice, brown sugar and cola. The lush and opulent finish delivers an impressive load of dark chocolate and exotic spice.
This expression is rich and smooth, with silky tones of melon, Golden Delicious apple and honeysuckle.
This expression of Aglianico offers delicate shadings of almond paste, sweet spice, candied fruit, pipe tobacco and cedar wood. The mouthfeel is simple and clean and ends with a burst of sour cherries.
This expression of Ansonica from coastal Tuscany (from cult winery Testamatta) shows impressive smoothness and silkiness with flavors of citrus, stone fruit, melon and white almond. Pair this wine with baked fish.
This expression of Barolo from the Castiglione Falletto area of Piedmont delivers sweet spice notes of cinnamon and clove over a solid base of red fruit, cassis and dried berries. Lighter and more delicate tones of cola and licorice appear in the background and the wine is firm and polished in the mouth.
This expression of Cabernet Sauvignon shows Tuscan characteristics of maraschino and dried Mediterranean herb. This is enhanced by tones of chocolate, espresso bean and cinnamon. The tannins are silky and long.
This expression of Carmenère shows soft, plush aromas of blackberry and cherry fruit. The wine is aged in oak for two years, rendering rich flavors of espresso and dark chocolate, and a firm structure.
This expression of Carricante shows a bright future for this native Sicilian grape. It opens with a drying mineral note, followed by citrus, almond, peach and white flower accents.
This expression of Chardonnay from Abruzzo in Central Italy delivers amazing intensity and opulence, but what sets this particular vintage apart is the purity of its aromas. The drying mineral note in particular appears vibrant and fresh and gives backbone to the whole wine. Long-lasting flavors of apricot, honey and almond cap the finish.
This expression of Chardonnay from Basilicata delivers aromas of butterscotch, apricot and pear. The wine tastes rich and dense and ends on a bright, menthol-like note.
This expression of Dolcetto is packed tight with loads of bright berry and black fruit aromas, but also has a polished mineral vein at the core. This is a lively, cheerful wine with good intensity, sour cherry flavors and firm tannins. Drink now.
This expression of Fiano comes forward with crisp, clean aromas of freshly cut lemon, orange blossom and almond paste. The mouthfeel is tonic and lean, but the real point here is the wine's freshness.
This expression of Freisa from the Asti area of northern Italy opens with sharp berry and underbrush aromas with earthy, rubber-like tones in the background. Notice the commemorative bottle for Italy's 150th Unification anniversary.
This expression of Müller-Thurgau is thin and crisp in the mouth with lemon and candied fruit aromas on the nose. The aromas are flatter and less floral than you might expect from this fragrant grape variety.
This expression of Magliocco and Gaglioppo (two native grapes of Calabria) is less opulent and rich than SerraMonte but shows more elegance and harmony overall. You still get mature fruit aromas of raisins and prunes but the mouthfeel is bright, thick and delicious. From Giampaolo Venica and his Calabrian venure, Balbia is an ancient name given to this part of the world by the Romans.
This expression of Merlot is soft and plush, and it offers layers of cherry, raspberry and soft spice. Oak-derived aromas of toasted almond and clove are delicate and well integrated.
This expression of Montepulciano opens with a good deal of spice and chocolate backed by cherry and plum. The tones are simple and well-defined, making this a great value wine for homemade meat sauce and pasta.
This expression of Moscadello di Montalcino opens with a dark, golden color and intense aromas of candied fruit, orange zest, roasted almond and dried apricot. The wine is thick and smooth with a strong element of sweetness balanced by a touch of crisp acidity.
This expression of Nebbiolo (from Gattinara) offers simple and clean aromas of wild berries, raw almond and cherry cola. The wine offers linear harmony and a straightforward approach that relies on a combination of fresh berry flavors and crisp acidity. The mouthfeel is smooth, slight sour and tight. This is a very nice effort for a hot vintage.
This expression of Nebbiolo from the celebrated Serragrilli cru is loaded tight with blue flower aromas, violets and soapy scented candle. The wine is tight, fresh and compact with the acidity and tannic structure you need to pair with red meat dishes. Drink after 2015.
This expression of Nebbiolo offers elegant layers of berry, smoke, spice and cola that build in intensity and persistency over the palate. This is a cellarworthy wine that will drink best five to 10 years from now. When it's ready, pair it with braised lamb with aromatic herbs.
This expression of Nero d'Avola offers some vegetal overtones that come forward in the form of bramble, forest fruit and green spice. In the mouth, you'll taste soft espresso coffee and chewy cherry.
This expression of Nero d'Avola paints a rosy picture of the future of this indigenous variety and Sicilian winemaking in general. Aged in large casks and cement, this is elegant and fine, with an extremely polished texture. The finish is marked by a note of dried berry fruit, plus warm, earthy tones of leather and dried spice.
This expression of Perricone (a little-known grape from Sicily) is weighed down by aromas of Band Aid, dried rose petal and old spice that distract from the variety's natural fruit flavors. The wine appears old and past its prime.
This expression of Petit Verdot from Maremma in southern Tuscany boasts thick concentration and lively aromas of prune, plum, black fruit, root beer, peppercorn and licorice. It's still raw in the mouth and needs time; drink after 2010.
This expression of Roero by vintner Renato Buganza opens with an inky-dark, saturated color and imparts pretty oak renderings of vanilla and cinnamon over cherry and cassis. There's a gritty, textured quality to the finish along with a blast of freshness at the end.
This expression of Sangiovese and 5% Merlot opens with aromas of plum, red berry, toast, grilled herb and a whiff of mocha. On the savory palate, hints of exotic spice, mint and cocoa accent a core of wild cherry. Chewy but fine-grained tannins hold up the juicy flavors.
This expression of Sangiovese is dominated by wood-driven sensations. It opens with aromas of toasted oak, espresso and underbrush that carry through to the palate alongside a dense black-fruit flavor that stays just behind the oak. It finishes on an astringent, tannic note.
This expression of Sangiovese offers thick extraction and intense aromas of cherry, blackberry, vanilla, toast and spice. It's a dense and modern wine with chewy succulence and long-lasting berry flavors. Drink it with roasted lamb or grilled beef.
This expression of Sangiovese shows a pungent, polished, wet river-stone aroma that is backed by black olive, blackberry and cherry. Spicy oak-driven aromas of toasted almond and pipe tobacco give the wine momentum on the close.
This expression of Sauvignon offers very nice richness in the mouth thanks to its creamy density and medium structure. The aromas, instead, recall peach, apricot, yellow rose and honey. Pair this wine with chicken tandoori.
This expression of the Cannubi cru offers delicate tones of wild berry, forest floor, almond Amaretto, Spanish cedar, white truffle and cola. It has a direct and uplifting effect that brings those aromas straight to the nose. Clean berry flavors, bright acidity and polished tannins follow in the mouth. Drink after 2012.
This expression of young Nebbiolo boasts a pretty floral and strawberry fragrance. The palate delivers bright strawberry and raspberry flavors and fresh acidity. It's simple, yet well made, with good balance and a silky texture.
This expression shows aromas of bright cherry, cola and almond paste. It's an easy, informal red wine, with a bitter touch on the close.
This expression shows hints of chocolate and cinnamon, wrapped around a core of plum, prune and blackberry flavors.
This expression shows lightness, freshness and clear luminosity; Delivers creamy, foamy bubbles with bright aromas of peach, honey and citrus.
This expression shows ripe fruit and a bold, creamy style. Pear and Golden Delicious apple notes give the wine momentum and the added freshness it needs.
This expressive red starts with aromas of raspberry, sour cherry and vanilla, leading into a medium-bodied, mouthfilling array of fruit, spice and a touch of sweetness. Balanced and structured, with an appealing spice backbone, this wine is an example of an indigenous red with true global appeal.
This expressive wine has notes of vanilla, whiskey barrel and dried red fruit. It's ripe and full but without all of the alcoholic weight that this variety sometimes brings. Some grit to the tannins provides a bit of distraction.
This exquisitely crafted model of balance offers lemon-bar meringue and baked pear on the nose before revealing a tightrope of minerality and lush concentration on the palate, weighted perfectly against each other. Fleshy and delicious, the wine has so much fine fruit to offer now it'd be shame to wait, yet it will clearly hold onto its beauty with age.
This extended skin contact experiment from winemaker Ed Kurtzman was a success, its chamomile, lime and meringue-like scents framed by chalky minerality on the nose. The palate is tightly wound with saffron, lemon peel and grapefruit touches upheld by a persistent acidity that seemingly crescendoes on the finish.
This extra brut is a quintessential Franciacorta, offering a fragrance of white and yellow flowers and a whiff of citrus. The palate delivers ripe Golden Delicious apple flavors, accented with hints of hazelnut, along with a creamy texture supported by crisp acidity.
This Extra Brut sparkler offers drying mineral tones backed by passion fruit, kiwi, pear and Golden Delicious apple. The aromas are delicate and so are the flavors, although they do linger long on the palate. The wine is cheerful and bright throughout.
This Extra Dry (slightly sweet) vintage Prosecco delivers a lean, slightly watery style and piquant bubbles that recall lemon soda. The wine is firm and steely in the mouth with tonic bubbling and layers of fresh fruit on the close.
This Extra Dry Prosecco opens with fresh citrus and peach at the forefront of white flower and crushed mineral. The wine is light, easy and crisp with a subtle touch of soft sweetness.
This Extra Dry Prosecco opens with frothy cream and floral tones of jasmine and honeysuckle. It tastes lively and fresh in the mouth thanks to its well-integrated acidity and its piquant effervescence.
This extracted Malbec blend deals full doses of blueberry, blackberry, balsamic vinegar, vanilla and mocha aromas. The palate weighs in on the jammy, overripe side, with almost no acidic cut. Soupy, ultraripe flavors of crème de cassis, carob and prune finish raisiny. Drink this syrupy wine through 2017.
This extracted purple Malbec is furry and grapy smelling. A heavy sticky palate feels creamy, while cherry and boysenberry flavors are so ripe that the word syrupy is in play. A note of chocolate and lasting creaminess come up on the finish.
This extracted wine has too hard an edge for the Vin de France category. Softer, more accessible black currant fruit is just hinted at underneath all its structure.
This extracted wine opens with aromas of toasted wood, coffee, mushroom, chocolate and vanilla. The dense, one-dimensional palate offers thick, jammy black fruit and oak extract.
This extracted, dark-colored Cabernet Sauvignon opens with olive, herb and blackberry aromas. In the mouth, it's round as a ball but not overly dense or tannic. Burnt, charred flavors of plum and berry come with a saucy, savory accent, while this finishes with herbal notes and unresolved tannins. Drink through 2020.
This extracted, dense and one-dimensional Taurasi delivers mature black fruit, fennel, black pepper, licorice, toasted oak and coffee bean sensations alongside drying wood tannins. It finishes abruptly.
This extracted, oaky wine is generous on the nose, with minerally notes, iodine and potent blackberry aromas. It's big but balanced, and the flavor profile delivers common berry, toast and oaky flavors that finish strong and with espresso-like bitterness.
This extraordinarily rich Syrah swamps the mouth with jammy blackberries, raspberries and cherries. There's nothing subtle about it. But it's basically dry and properly balanced with acids and tannins, which gives it needed balance. Drink now and through 2014 to experience the youthful opulence.
This extraordinary wine put Cabernet Franc on the map in Bolgheri. The 2010 reveals an exquisite bouquet of black currants, crushed blue flower, leather and baking spices. The smooth palate delivers mouthwatering blackberries, black cherry, white pepper, thyme and licorice alongside an age-worthy structure boasting firm but elegant tannins and fresh acidity. It's already gorgeous with intriguing depth but it will age and develop beautifully. Drink 2015–2040.
This extraordinary winery continues to produce some of Napa's most distinguished Cabernets. The vineyard is in the cool-climate appellation of Coombsville, which accounts for its superb structure of acids and tannins. Perfectly ripe black-currant flavors meld into toasty new-oak tones. At the age of more than six years, the wine is starting to mellow, but is only hinting at the drama to come. It has enough splendor to glidepath through the decades.
This extravagantly perfumed wine has great juicy, ripe fruits. The tannic structure is almost secondary in the welter of ripe fruits, but it is enough to promise aging. Acidity and rich fruitiness partner each other to give a wine that is both fresh and powerful. Drink from 2020.
This extravagantly styled wine shows aromas like black pepper and grilled beef, then opulent deep black-cherry and dark-chocolate flavors come through. The spicy oak component is dominating and very tasty. Made from 61% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 14% Mourvèdre.
This extreme-coastal vineyard bottling shows fresh, expressive yet diligently restrained aromas of Key-lime pith, scratched tangerine, wet chalk, Meyer lemons and a touch of dairy. Tongue-tingling acidity starts the sip, followed by sea salt, warm Marcona almonds, toasted sunflower seeds, a flinty minerality and citrus oil toward the finish.
This extreme coastal vineyard behind Cambria delivers extremely pungent herbal aromas of bay leaves, incense, eucalyptus oil and pine, proving intensely intriguing and pleasing, like a walk through the wet pine forest. Similar elements show on the palate, with rosemary, wild mint, juniper and pine-needle tea spicing up the condensed plum flavors.
This extreme wine has vivid earthy aromas like wood smoke and cured meats and equally smoky, meaty flavors. The mouthfeel is quite dry and tannic, and any fruit flavors take a back seat to the gamey character.
This extremely aromatic bottling shows cola, dark red cherry, black plum, nutmeg, cinnamon and concentrated hibiscus on the nose, which remains light despite all of the aromas. The acid-driven zippy wine leaps onto the palate with exotic plum and mulberry flavors, proving quite amazing in how so many flavors can ride such a light frame.
This extremely dark-colored Malbec offers mellow blueberry and blackberry aromas. The palate is big, jammy feeling and features only pokes of acidic cut. Inky black-fruit flavors come with licorice, peppercorn notes and heat. The finish is solid but limited in scope. Drink now through 2016.
This extremely elegant sweet wine from Umbria has a distinctive element to its nose that recalls honey tea and dried spring flowers that is achieved thanks to naturally occurring noble rot. The wine tastes creamy and luscious and has long-lasting sweetness with honey and lemon meringue flavors.
This extremely flavorful but young and tightly wound wine has black pepper, dark chocolate and smoke aromas, concentrated blackberry and cassis flavors, firm tannins and full body. This is a powerful, full-bodied, firmly structured wine that needs time to show its best side. It should drink beautifully after 2018.
This extremely flavorful wine smells like fig, almond and custard, and tastes like butterscotch, lemon meringue and toasted almond. It is quite full bodied, almost thick in texture and about to burst at the seams with richness.
This extremely informal sparkler doesn't reveal any aromas while the shy simple palate offers suggestions of yellow apple skin and citrus. It's brisk, with firm acidity and vigorous bubbles.
This extremely limited-production Merlot (about 250 cases) is Alex and Paul Golitzin's “other” great red. It's all Klipsun Vineyard fruit, 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet, and its soft, chocolatey tannins envelope the taste buds in a sensual, textured landscape comprised of luscious cherry fruit and laced with hints of anise and roasted coffee. Big and extracted, yet more approachable than the Cabernet.
This extremely limited selection is from the oldest section of the original estate vineyard, planted in 1972. Those old vine flavors are subtle and spicy, opening with pretty berries and breathing into subtle layers with just the right barrel touches of chocolate and espresso to smooth out the finish.
This extremely pale rosato doesn't have a very expressive nose, but the lively palate delivers juicy white cherry, light raspberry and flinty mineral alongside crisp acidity.
This extremely simple but pleasantly fresh white offers green apple, peach and citrus hints. Zesty acidity gives it a lively character.
This extremely simple off-dry sparkler has light floral scents and flavors of mature yellow apple and canned pineapple. Brisk acidity and vigorous bubbles offer an edgy backdrop.
This extremely simple red has aromas recalling dark-skinned fruit and leather. The lean diluted palate shows suggestions of sour cherry, dried plum and a hint of dark spice alongside fleeting tannins.
This extremely simple sparkler has subdued aromas suggesting adhesive bandage that carry over to the lean, brisk palate along with freshly squeezed lemon and a candied note. It's tart, with bracing acidity and vigorous bubbles.
This extremely simple white offers subdued tropical fruit and citrus aromas that carry over to the light, rather diluted palate. It's lean and racy, with brisk acidity.
This extremely sweet wine tastes of rich, seductive honey. The underlying fruit suggests extremely ripe apricots, peaches, pineapples and vanilla. It's all balanced with fine acidity.
This extremely sweet, rich, ripe, fortified dessert wine is made from the rare black variation of Muscat grapes. It smells and tastes like dried figs, sweet prunes and milk chocolate.
This extroverted and very yummy wine is dark and deep in color. It smells like it's drenched in blackberry jam and tastes almost as thick. Gobs of boysenberry and blackberry flavors carry hints of chocolate and cherry. It's not too full bodied, just full flavored.
This extroverted dry wine has big rose-petal and honeysuckle aromas. Powerful floral and grapefruit flavors flood the palate and linger long on the finish. It's full bodied and very concentrated, with a mouthfilling viscosity that leaves a lasting impression.
This extroverted reserve-style wine combines generous buttery and nutty nuances with crisp and bracing apple and Anjou-pear flavors to find a very good balance. It feels full bodied and luxurious but stays lively due to good grape acidity.
This extroverted wine brims with toasted oak, chocolate and smoke aromas, followed by ripe, jammy fruit flavors. With full body and a velvety texture of soft tannins, it's both smooth and tongue-gripping at the same time.
This exuberant and friendly wine has delicious and very pure straightforward fruit flavors of black cherry and blackberry and a smooth non-tannic texture that make it easy to sip despite being full bodied. It's a very solid value and a great example of a unique Italian varietal grown in California.
This exuberant Tokaji starts with an enticing nose of orange peel, honey, flowers and toast, and explodes in the mouth with intense, delicious waves of lemon, orange and honey flavors. A perfect balance of acid and fruit keeps the wine fresh without losing its luscious appeal. A memorable wine loaded with personality and excitement.
This exuberant white opens with aromas of Spanish broom, tropical fruit, ripe Bartlett pear and wild herb that carry through to the round, full-bodied palate. Fresh acidity brightens the rich flavors while a mineral note closes the finish.
This exuberant wine has aromas of raspberry jam, thyme, orange peel, earth, iron and olive. It's rich and intensely flavorful, with waves of mouthwatering fruit and savory notes that lead to an extended finish.
This exuberant wine has pineapple, pepper and perfumed toast. It is open, generous, kept in check with some crisp acidity, but essentially rich, lively and buttery. This is a down-to-earth wine, fat, prosperous and friendly.
This exuberant wine has sunny pineapple and banana flavors and a rich, almost sweet feeling in the mouth. It's light in color, tropical in aroma and light bodied, with good crispness and a lingering finish.
This exuberant wine is rich in tannins and fruit. It has power and a direct in-your-face fruitiness. The structure is soft only because there is so much fruit. In fact, it has a firm core. Juicy blackberries and almost refreshing acidity balance this wine that is now ready to drink.
This exuberant wine oozes with delicious black cherry and blackberry flavors, delivered on a lively texture of fine-grained tannin and fresh acidity. On subsequent sips, a light toasty, meaty flavor drifts in, adding even more complexity and interest.
This exuberantly aromatic ice wine leaps from the glass in plumes of mango, sweet citrus and caramel. Hints of mushroom and hay lend a slightly earthier tone to candied orange peel and apple flavors on the palate, but bright, citrusy acidity lends to a clean finish.
This exudes classic Chardonnay richness. Pure and heady, it explodes with tropical fruit and orange essences, with buttered toast and vanilla flavors from oak barrels and lees contact. Zesty Russian River acidity kicks in to provide perfect balance. The creaminess is delicious, suggesting shellfish in a buttery sauce.
This exudes funky aromas, suggesting sweaty leather. In the mouth it turns softly sweet and hot in alcohol.
This exudes notes of ripe yellow fruits while keeping an edge of structure. It's fragrant, with a fine dense texture that brings out acidity and a caramel flavor. It has aging potential, so keep it for over three years.
This eye-opening blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Petite Sirah is dark and sexy in color, showing aromas of black cherry, sarsaparilla and black tobacco on a densely complex nose. It is soft and lush on the palate, with caramelized blueberry and black-cherry flavors, boosted by a touch of smoked meat.
This eye-opening wine has a really tangy, herbal aroma. Next, vivid and bright citrus flavors like lemon and grapefruit are shaped lightly by a crisp but smooth texture and subtle hints of vanilla and almond. It's difficult to imagine a more vibrant example.
This fabulous blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot delivers loads of plush softness and succulent richness. Aromas of chocolate, ripe fruit and spice are distinct and clear, and the wine shows compelling complexity and intensity overall.
This fabulous Cabernet has been blended with Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. It's incredibly complex in both flavor and structure, offering waves of blackberries and cherries, currants, dark chocolate and toast that go on and on into a long, spicy finish. The grapes come from various sources, including St. Helena and Atlas Peak, showing winemaker Tom Hinde's mastery of the art of blending.
This fabulous vintage offered all sorts of possibilities. The winery chose an austere route. Tightly controlled blackberry and cassis notes are wrapped in oak, and the wine is very dry. It may age. If you drink it now, do so with the richest beef or lamb you can find. —S.H.
This fabulous wine comes from a legendary Vintage Port year. Aged in wood and only bottled in 2015, it is so concentrated and intense. The old gold and wood flavors are dominant in a beautiful wine that may be old but certainly has every possible nuance of flavor. It is one in a succession of rare and treasured Ports that occasionally emerge from Port producers cellars. Drink now.
This fails to overcome its thin, unripe fruit. Strong scents of smoke and oak carry into the flavors, bringing a bitter end to the finish.
This faint, elusive wine takes lightness and low alcohol to pronounced levels, offering intense lemon and Asian pear around a tight core of acidity. From the Pratt Vineyard, it spent time aging in both new air-dried Vosges oak barrels and small stainless steel.
This faintly copper-tinged Pinot Grigio offers ripe melon and apple aromas and flavors. It's medium-bodied, with a refreshing crispness to the finish. Drink now.
This fairly bursts with a luscious mix of tropical fruits. Pineapple, guava, starfruit, kiwi and more occupy center stage, leading into a creamy finish with suggestions of banana cream pie.
This fairly limited production, single-vineyard effort was barrel fermented, and shows aromatic notes of popcorn, toast and grassy citrus. The fruit mixes oranges and apples, and the wine has a nice balance with ample acidity.
This fairly limited release remains sturdy and tight, with flavors stacked impressively. Deep cherry kirsch fruit is at the core, with streaks of cola and sassafras. As the wine breathes, it gains both flesh and momentum, moving into a long and delicious finish.
This fairly rich and heavy rosé is produced and bottled for Xavier Flouret by Domaine de Rimauresq. It does have attractive peach and melon aromas, but the flavors are weighty in the mouth and could use a touch more zest and zip on the finish. Best with meaty dishes. A blend of 45% Cinsault, 25% Tibouren, 25% Grenache and 5% Syrah.
This falls a little to the thin side of Syrah, at least Syrah grown here in Washington where the grape thrives. Varietal flavors of herb, pepper and stem are in evidence, with an overall impression of lightly ripened berry fruit, stiff tannins, and ample acidity.
This falls on the light side, with appealing flavors of strawberry and cherry candy. The tannins are just thick enough to give an edge. It's rare to find vineyard-designated Pinots in this price range.
This falls prey to the overly sweet, residual sugar attempt to mask stemmy character. Tannins still a bit green and hard.
This falls sbetween a rosé and an orange wine in its appearance, a pale salmon/copper shade that results from 36 hours of skin contact before pressing. Scents of hibiscus tea and rosewater put a delicate top note ahead of rich, ripe, round and spicy citrus fruit. A strong impression of cinnamon marks the finish.
This famed single vineyard on its steep slope above Mareuil-sur-Aÿ produces a warm, always elegant wine. This 1999 is softer than some vintages, while still having a power and texture to go with fruit that is now maturing, giving a yeasty final character. Drink now, or age another few years.
This familiar brand of Vinho Verde has long been in a sweeter style. But this latest vintage seems to have brought out the fresh, crisp fruits, and pushed back the sweetness. The result is a delicious summer apéritif style that leaves a clean, light taste in the mouth.
This family-owned boutique winery is releasing some outstanding Pinots at modest prices. This saw 50% new French oak—the quality barrels put a toasty frame around juicy fruit flavors of cranberry and raspberry. The scale, definition  and balance are exceptional for the price.
This family-owned Champagne house has sourced grapes from one of the finest villages in the Côte des Blancs. The zero dosage is balanced by the ripeness of the fruit and the rich texture. Mineral and flinty, this totally crisp Champagne deserves some bottle age. Drink this bottling disgorged in March 2016 from 2017.
This family-owned estate has produced an immediately attractive entry-level wine. Lightly spiced with wood, it blends Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca to show black fruit, ripe tannins and bright acidity. Drink now.
This family-owned estate winery tosses three top clones into the mix to produce a plush wine full of red cherry, red currant, sweet sage and black tea on the nose. The red cherries lead into black cherries on the palate, where a woody herbal component of sage, thyme and pine needle keeps the sip interesting.
This family-owned producer based in the Aube has made a ripe Pinot Noir-dominated wine. It's full and structured with light tannins and minerality. Its acidity and ripe currant fruit lend balanced richness. Drink now.
This family-owned producer has made a distinctly crisp herbal wine. With gooseberry and aromatic green fruit, the wine is light while packed with acidity and lively fruitiness. The wine is ready to drink.
This family-owned producer in the Aube region of Champagne has made a pale colored rosé. Dominated by 70% Pinot Noir, it's ripe and softly rich, its red fruit balanced with an almost-warm acidity that gives it a welcoming character. Drink now.
This family-owned winery comes out swinging with this blend of 81% Zinfandel backed by bits of Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah, casting aromas of boysenberry, cola and freshly cut grilled rib eye. On the palate, it's smooth and evenly balanced with blackberry pie, vanilla and milk chocolate, offering the perfect partner for barbecued ribs and flame-broiled steak.
This family-run vineyard and winery continues to excite, delivering delicious, broadly appealing aromas of caramelized yellow pears with a cinnamon-butter glaze, honey-laced pineapple and lemon soda. The creamy mouthfeel carries flavors of yellow cake, lemon custard and warm peach, yet candied grapefruit peel carves a sharp line down the middle.
This family domaine has produced a rich, structured wine from its holding in Vosne-Romanée. It is firm, dark and concentrated with rich tannins and red-berry fruit. Spice, acidity and a dense aftertaste promise aging. Drink from 2018.
This family estate, established since the 14th century, has produced a light, beautifully fruity wine in the difficult 2013 vintage. With red fruits and soft tannins, it is fully of ripe berry flavors cut by acidity.A light structure in the background will allow the wine to age, although it is ready to drink now.
This famous site was planted in 1972 by Dick Erath, and the 44-year-old vines deliver an aromatic, elegant yet substantive bottle of Pinot. It's a complex mix of wild berries, cherries and chocolate, showing the generous flavors of the vintage. Delicious already, it's got the power and presence to age gracefully through 2023.
This famous vineyard supplies the fruit for this excellent, limited selection. Ripe, well-rounded cherry fruit is highlighted with a rich mix of spice, herb and bark. The AVA's characteristic notes of cola and moist earth are there in proportion as well. A fine effort in a difficult vintage.
This fascinating and extremely appetizing wine is very dry, almost steely, with aromas like cinnamon and lime. These are followed by bracing and bone-dry flavors like lemon and Bosc pear with a touch of tannin in the texture, which is unusual for a white wine. Cellar for the mid-term and drink after 2018.
This fascinating blend of biodynamically farmed Malvasia, Ribolla and Welschriesling balances savory smoke and toasted wood notes with sweet elements of apple, lemon and cream. Fermented with indigenous yeast, it's a richly textured wine with deep complexity.
This fascinating blend of Greco, Fiano and Falanghina (the great white grapes of Campania) is aged 8 months in oak to produce a thick, creamy wine, with spicy intensity and a candied fruit note. Notes of honey, butterscotch and apricot all play supporting roles.
This fascinating Chardonnay combines elegance with the opulence you expect from California. It's ripe and forward in papaya, quince, mango, pear and pineapple fruits, but also shows a steely minerality that's as fresh and pure as snowmelt water in a pebbly stream. It is never forward or over-the-top.
This fascinating medium-bodied wine has a wild streak that first brings rhubarb and forest-floor aromas, then deep dark flavor nuances like mushroom, black cherry and more tangy rhubarb. It has good acidity and fine-grained tannins to support all that complexity. It offers all the complexity one looks for in a Pinot.
This fascinating nonvintage solera blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from five vintages (2010–2014) offers elegant touches of licorice, blackcurrant and lavender on the deep nose. Blackberry, cedar, sandalwood and incense flavors mesh with a dried tea-leaf element on the palate.
This fascinating wine comes from one of Oregon's highest vineyards, which grow at 2,000 feet. Superdense and impenetrably black, the fruit is steely and detailed, the flavors of black raspberries defined with crystal clarity.
This fascinating wine has a deep gold color, aromas like toasted nuts, flavors like apricots and a rich but tangy texture. Winemaker Pietro Buttita fermented it with the skins like a red wine and aged it without oak. It would be fun to try with a chunk of Pecorino or some liver pate on toast.
This fascinating wine is quite dry, smoky in aroma, black peppery and beefy in flavor, and rather lean and fresh in texture. While firmly tannic, it sits more lightly on the palate than is typical, and feels surprisingly light bodied.
This fascinating, distinctive wine has a frame of grapefruity citrus around peppery pomegranates. It's well knit, textural, and finishes with more citrus rind phenolics. It's sleek and polished, though not a opulently fruity as the listed alcohol might suggest.
This fascinating, sweet but light wine wraps lemongrass and thyme flavors around lemon and peach for interesting layers of complexity. The sweetness helps to round the texture and carries everything into a long finish.
This fascinating, wild-yeast wine is on the lighter, rustier side of the color spectrum. It smells exotic and complex, like oolong tea, dried mushrooms and forest floor. Flavors are plummy yet savory, while firm tannins and medium body add good structure. The emphasis is on finesse and grape-driven personality, as the wine uses no new oak barrels and 30% whole-cluster fermentation.
This fat, yeasty Champagne is comprised predominantly of Pinot Noir. It has ripe red berry fruit, light acidity and a soft, creamy aftertaste. It's ready to drink.
This features aromas of oak, coffee, vanilla and dried black cherry. Oak carries over to the palate, delivering espresso, licorice, roasted nut and vanilla but not much fruit richness. Astringent tannins give it a mouth drying finish.
This features clean, straightforward apple-flavored fruit, a mix of both barrel fermented and tank fermented. The finish is lightly toasty and buttery, with a hint of warmth.
This features notes of cranberry, raspberry, clove and jammy red fruit. It's medium-plus bodied—far from over the top as this grape often is—with tart acidity and a vanilla and toffee-filled finish.
This features plum, berry and leather aromas that are accented by a hint of lemon. It feels narrow and drawing, with black fruit, herb and carob flavors. The finish, which doesn't taste green or herbal, is better and wider.
This features savory aromas of cured meat and smoked hickory sauce. The quality of the fruit is dried and candied, with hints of cassis, prune and raisin. The finish shows acidity and an almond-like bitterness.
This feels a bit sharp in the mouth, the oak (25% new) punching through some fairly light fruit. Wild-berry flavors come up against chewy tannins. The wine has some power, but lacks a little bit of balance at the moment.
This feels a bit stripped, though the bottle says the alcohol hits almost 15%. There is a chocolaty coating over sharp, herbal, rather thin fruit flavors. The wine shows pleasant strawberry and watermelon fruit flavors, though the tannins and chocolaty barrel flavors quickly take over.
This feels a bit thin, even in this warm, ripe vintage. Its rhubarb and mountain berry fruit comes with green tannins, finishing with light coffee and mocha suggestions.
This feels a bit tough and gritty, with stringy tannins that give the palate a rustic texture. The flavors are ripe, with notes of cherries, licorice and mocha. Drink now.
This feels a little flat in the mouth, especially when tasted alongside other 2010 Oregon Rieslings. It's a simple, somewhat oily wine, with flavors of lemon oil and orange candy.
This feels a little thin at first sip, but it's balanced and shows tart cherry fruit that has attained a modest level of ripeness. It has a pleasing softness in the mouth, opening into a mix of plum and red cherry, with some phenolic bite.
This feels bone dry and tannic, and it has a ripe core of blackberry, mulberry and raisin flavors, with some bitterness on the finish. It is a sturdy wine, and while it's not an ager, it will pair well with rich barbecue.
This feels dramatic from the start. It's silky and refined in texture, with brisk acidity and a bite of tannic astringency. It shows a rich core of cherry, cola and sandalwood flavors. This should hang in there over the next five years.
This feels fittingly warm for a southern Burgundy wine. It's ripe with yellow fruit, a soft texture, attractive acidity and a crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
This feels good in a regular sense, with apple-driven acidity and leesy notes of vanilla. A standard, zesty, pithy palate offers briny, slightly bitter flavors of peach and pulpy citrus, while the finish feels citric and tastes briny.
This feels lifted and spritzy, with friendly, soft apple aromas and flavors of lime, apple and pineapple that are almost juice-like. The finish mirrors the palate, tasting ripe yet feeling zesty, with faint hints of chalky mineral.
This feels light and rather dilute. It has varietal pepper and some spice, but the main effect is one of acidity, crispness and freshness. The lychee tropical fruit element is underplayed in favor of crispness. It should certainly work with food.
This feels lush and important right out of the bottle, tantalizing with tart cherry, cola and persimmon flavors that are wrapped in acids and tannins. Give it up to six years, and enjoy. All of the fruit comes from the Foray Vineyard in the Green Valley.
This feels mildly citric, with limited portions of lemon, apple and peach making up the flavor profile. Mild on the finish.
This feels over-cropped, dilute, with more than a little tomato leaf and vegetable among its rather delicate scents and flavors. In this price range, from this excellent vintage, you might expect more ripeness and concentration. It's perfectly pleasant, but drinks like a village wine, not a premier cru.
This feels rustic in the mouth, with edgy tannins and a streak of green mint. Still, it's dry and silky, with enough raspberry and cherry fruit to satisfy.
This feels sharp and raw, with ripe, jammy blackberry and cherry flavors, plus a streak of sweet, toasty oak. Drink now.
This feels slightly softer in the mouth than the massive 2006, but carries the density and gravitas that one associates with Quilceda Creek. Wonderful balance, with a deeply detailed set of flavors that gather strength as they move through the palate. Mixed berries, threaded with chocolate, lingering with black cherry, cassis, smoke, cedar, lead pencil and more.
This feels the lightest of the three Poças Douro reds. It is medium-bodied, full of red fruits layered with tannins and plenty of fresh acidity. The texture is dry, while always full of fruit.
This feels thin and common, with notes of tangerine and buttered toast. It's a wine to drink at parties and such.
This feels tight and pinched, with lots of acidity. It's pretty good for everyday drinking, with cherry candy, raspberry jam and white pepper flavors.
This feels very ripe, perhaps overripe, with its seemingly sweet flavor of black fruit juice and its soft structure. It's appealing and does have some tannins, but it is not for aging.
This feisty, fragrant blend unites the citrus zestiness of Riesling and the herbal savor of Grüner Veltliner. The palate is light and bright but gently spiced, with Grüner's toothsome texture. Fresh, easy-drinking and ideal for summer.
This feminine Prosecco Superiore offers bright floral notes of jasmine and honeysuckle followed by peach and melon. The style is extra dry, meaning there is a veil of sweetness at the back, that is enhanced by the soft sparkling foam. This wine is truly enjoyable.
This feminine, delicate rosé sparkling wine from northern Italy opens with a beautiful peachy-pink color and lively aromas of stone fruit, cranberry, pink rose, dried grass and crushed mineral. Pair this wine with caviar or smoked salmon.
This feral and gamy wine shows roast lamb, rosemary, dried fennel, rose petal and forest floor aromas on its dynamic nose. The palate leads with explosive acidity, before waves of Concord grape and blackberry flavor take hold. It's light on its feet but has some textural firmness, finishing on rosemary, lavender and game notes.
This feral, smoky Merlot-based Bordeaux blend relies on a mix of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Red and black berry fruit intermingle amidst robust, dry tannins to make a statement of size and power.
This Ferreirinha Douro Superior wine is made in exceptional years. The 2007 is the 16th vintage since 1960 (the previous release was 2003). It is an immense wine in its grandeur while being sophisticated and structured. There are complex flavors from the long wood aging. The dark, dense black fruits are impressive while perfectly meshed into the concentrated tannins and black currant acidity. This wine, even at nine years, is young, and should not be drunk before 2020 (or decanted if you can't wait).
This Fiano is a bit flat in the mouth and offers aromas of pressed yellow rose, butterscotch and sun-dried apricot. The wine is correct, albeit one dimensional.
This Fiddletown Zin has a sweet graham cracker and marshmallow quality about it, soft and round in the middle, and a finish that's long and a touch green.
This field blend comes from a number of old vine vineyards. It is rich and concentrated, full of black fruits and dense tannins. The wood aging shows with an edge of toast and the smooth texture. Drink this wine from 2017.
This field blend holds some 60 varieties, among them Syrah, Zinfandel, Cinsault, Dolcetto and Viognier. The concoction works, remaining vibrant in floral violet and just-picked blueberry, before richer elements of dried cherry and plum wander in. Velvety and robust, it pairs with meats from the grill.
This field blend is produced from old vines. It is rich and smooth with touches with spicy wood. The wood is showing strongly, perhaps not leaving enough room for fruit, however, that could improve as the wine ages more. Wait until 2017.
This field blend of 50% Grenache 32% Syrah and 18% Mourvèdre, the lots co-fermented, impresses with dense blue fruit and meat and lavender accents. Big and brawny on the palate, it reveals more leather and black pepper intrigue as it opens in the glass.
This field blend of 56% Zinfandel, 41% Alicante Bouchet, 2% Burger and 1% Orange Muscat from Red Head Ranch shows smoked pine wood, plums, incense, sandalwood and a touch of sour red fruit on the complex nose. There is solid consistency between the nose and the palate, which is powered by cedar along with smoked black cherries and mulberries.
This field blend of aromatic white varieties intoxicates with its exotic haze of cinnamon, orange peel and turmeric spices. It's lusciously phenolic in mouthfeel, with a deep, penetrating core of dried peach and pear flavors that lingers on and on and on.
This field blend of Grenache, Zinfandel, Carignane and Cinsault was fermented in stainless steel and partially aged in neutral oak. Its strawberry and orange flavors combine effortlessly within its light, dry frame.
This field blend of old white-grape vines—a rarity in the Douro—is rich in the bottle from a mélange of stainless steel, wood fermentation and barrel aging. It is smooth with concentration from the toast flavors and floral complexity. Its ripe character and generous texture make it a wine to drink now.
This fiery Grenache delivers heat, bold fruit and cured meat aromas on what amounts to a flaming bouquet. Red fruit flavors dominate this forceful wine, while the finish turns meaty and salty tasting.
This fifty-fifty blend is rich and ripe, with forward aromas and flavors of red plum, blueberry and blackberry. Secondary accents of licorice root, black pepper and light toast add depth and interest. Silky and accessible, this is a surprisingly approachable selection that's ready to drink now.
This fills the basic need for a steakhouse-ready red at a reasonable price. Cassis fruit is framed by hints of cedar, vanilla and tobacco, while the tannins are smooth to the point of creaminess. Drink now.
This fine-honed Chardonnay hews to the Eyrie house style. It may seem austere at first, but the green and yellow fruit flavors are ripe, not vegetal, and the firm acidity makes it a fine food match. Give it plenty of time to breathe before serving.
This fine and delicate Brunello shows soft elegance and sophistication in the form of cassis, wild berry, white pepper, root beer, toasted nut and cigar tobacco. The mouthfeel is firm and clean, with elements of tannic structure and fresh acidity that work well together. The oak element still needs time to integrate.
This fine and elegant Brunello is accented by plush softness and bright flavors of wild berry, raspberry and sweet almond paste. Thicker tones of espresso and chocolate appear on the close and are carried forth by the wine's velvety richness.
This fine dry style of rosé with its crisp red-currant fruits is typical of the Lanson style. It is tangy, zesty and with a mineral texture from the high percentage (62%) of Chardonnay in the blend. The wine comes only from Grand Cru vineyards. It is stylish and with intense acidity at the end.
This fine estate has produced a ripe, fruity wine in 2014. It has spice from wood aging as well as juicy black currant fruit flavors. Generously textured, it's ready to drink.
This fine low-production wood-aged wine is almost Burgundian in its creamy richness. The toast is nicely judged giving a wine that has just enough acidity and has plenty of textured apple and grapefruit flavors. The wine is named after the year of the creation of the Companhia das Lezirias.
This fine marriage of site and winemaker shows experience and intuition at work, presenting a full-bodied, lush and plush expression of tremendous depth and complexity. It offers notes of tart apple, licorice and a wealth of orange zest, which adds a touch of citrusy crispness to the naturally buoyant minerality and nuanced oak. It has much more to share; drink now through 2020.
This fine new offering is whimsically packaged with a screw cap and a floral label. That spirit is further evidenced by the wine's pretty pink color and subdued, light building of flavor, highlighted by orange, peach and strawberry notes and a substantial bite of mouthwatering acidity.
This fine offering from Victoria's Mornington Peninsula nails Pinot Noir's elusive texture, gliding across the palate in a silky veil. Cherry-berry fruit is framed by hints of brown sugar, coffee and vanilla, but the oak should integrate with a few more months' aging.
This fine Pinot Noir easily holds its own when tasted against far more expensive bottlings. It's softly silky and delicately structured and enormously rich, offering delicious waves of raspberries, cherries, oranges, cola, beef jerky and black pepper. A perfect Pinot Noir to drink now. Easy to find, with nearly 13,000 cases produced.
This fine producer, based in Morgon, has made a rich and structured wine. With its perfumed red-berry fruits and balanced acidity, it is a savory wine that is ripe and ready to drink.
This fine ripe wine is smooth and rich. Its acidity and apple-fruit aspect is balanced by richer yellow fruit and a touch of almonds. Drink this finely made wine now.
This fine vintage of Insignia combines 87% Cabernet Sauvignon with 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. Soft, supple and seamless, it offers rich but balanced cassis and milk chocolate flavors, with supportive and complementary oak. It should do well in the cellar and will be best from 2024–2034.
This fine wine has firm tannins and a solid feel from serious wood aging. The toast and spice flavors merge with the black fruits, the dark plums and the rich texture of this ripe wine. It is still young, needing further aging to soften those tannins. Drink from 2019.
This fine wine is made in larger quantities than many of the producer's other offerings, affording a chance to be introduced to a lovely white characteristic of the vintage and region in its friendly waves of pineapple, lemon and Gravenstein apple. Chalky on the palate at first, it provides a medium body and length with a back note of herb and anise.
This fine wine shows how well the variety grows in Napa Valley. The tannins are lovely and refined, acidity is perfect, the finish is dry, the alcohol isn't too high, and the fruit flavors are ripe and accessible. That resolves most of the problems that plague Petite Sirah. Should develop bottle complexities over the next several years.
This fine wine straddles the border between good and complex. The elements are terrific: pedigreed blackberry and cassis fruit, fine oak nuances, and soft Sonoma tannins. It's just a tad thin in the middle. Drink it with meat.
This fine wood-aged wine is rich with ripe yellow fruit and a subtle toasty character. It's smoothly textured, brimming with fruit and spice, finishing on vibrant acidity. Impressive in its youth, it will be better from 2018.
This fine, ageworthy wine is rounded, smooth and full of ripe yellow fruit. There is a zesty tang on the back palate that will allow it to mature, its richness shining through a frame of crisp texture. Drink from 2020.
This fine, perfumed wine is richly endowed with tannins and black fruit. It has good concentration as well: ripe and juicy, with its acidity and crisp texture in place. Drink from 2019.
This fine, perfumed wine is soft and stylish—a hallmark of the nonvintage Champagnes from this producer. It has plenty of red berry flavors and balanced acidity. Drink now.
This fine, rich, fruity wine is from a chateau controlled by the Lurton family. It is solid, concentrated and dense, packed with blackberry flavor. Deliciously juicy now, it has the tannins and acidity that suggest it is capable of aging for many years.
This fine, small-production wine is fermented and aged predominantly in concrete egg—the better to preserve and promote its beautifully crisp, briny green-apple and pear flavors. Its sharp acidity acts as a squeeze of lemon, making it all the more satisfying.
This finely balanced wine is both crisp and fruity. Zingy acidity and lemon crispness are contrasted by riper apple and pear fruitiness. On the drier side of Brut and with lively mousse, this is a great wine for an apéritif.
This finely balanced wine is both crisp and packed with fruit. Its mineral texture is balanced by the sliced green apple and lively acidity. With its lightly toasty aroma, it is ready to drink.
This finely balanced wine is poised between spicy wood notes and black currant fruit. It's lightly structured with fine tannins and plenty of juicy acidity. Although young, it has been made to drink now.
This finely balanced, juicy wine is full of red-fruit aromas and brisk acidity. Juicy and bright with strawberry flavors and refreshing acidity, it's a value wine with great potential. Drink from 2015.
This finely made wine has weight and firm tannins, along with intense acidity. Faiveley owns 12 acres of this premier cru which produces structured wines with fruit tannins and smoky fruit. At the end, the wood aging gives a burnt edge that needs to soften. Drink from 2017.
This finely structured wine from the Quinta dos Murcas estate has ripe flavors of spice and red berry. Its warm feel is shot through with acidity for the perfect amount of tension. You can drink this now, but it would benefit from another year of aging.
This finely structured wine is ripe and full of blackberry flavors, with a soft, rich texture. That suggests it will age relatively quickly and be ready to drink from 2019.
This finely structured wine with its intense acidity and tight tannins has a cool, high-altitude feel to it. It's a single vineyard wine from Quinta Terra, fresh and with red currant acidity. The wine can be drunk, although the acidity is such that it will be better to wait until the end of 2016 for it soften.
This finely wood-aged wine is rich and packed with ripe toast and generous fruit flavors. Its balanced combination of intense acidity, tangy citrus and apple flavors are supported by the spice from the wood aging. It is a generous wine, still young and best from 2016.
This finessed and delicious blend of 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio delivers creamy strawberry, Morello cherry, white pepper and clove sensations, with hints of Mediterranean herbs. The silky palate is balanced by bright acidity.
This firm's top Crozes-Hermitage cuvée is the Domaine Raymond Roure, which sees plenty of new wood in its upbringing, to judge from its somewhat coarse vanilla and cedar notes. There is plenty of blackberry fruit lurking beneath, so hopefully this will come together in time. Try after 2010.
This firm and austere Taurasi opens with dark aromas of plum cake, chocolate, dried currant, cola and smoky barbecue sauce. The tannins are firm and dense and the wine needs a few more years of cellar aging before it softens.
This firm and dark Cabernet features notes of charcoal, smoke and plenty of berry on the bouquet. Clampy tannins and staunch acidity make for a lively, structured palate, with a saturated berry flavor and a vanilla shading. It is ripe and modern, providing proof that Argentina can make excellent Cabernet in addition to Malbec.
This firm and dry wine is also full of acidity. A juicy start is then given a firm jolt by the tannins, but the complex structure allows plenty of room for the bright fruits. Drink from 2018.
This firm and generous blend of Touriga Nacional and Alicante Bouschet is powerful, with great black fruits and layers of firm tannins. Its structure and concentration are made for aging. Drink this wine from 2020.
This firm and structured wine is also warm and rich with blackberry and black currant fruit. Its structure lends weight while the juicy fruit and acidity show strongly. It will be a rich wine to drink from 2020.
This firm and tannic wine is more structure than fruit. It is dense with a dry core. The acidity suggests that there may be some fruit there, although the rest of the wine is ready to drink.
This firm and tannic wine shows the structure of the Malbec grape. It is also fruity with red currant and black plum-skin flavors that are supported by intense acidity. The wine, with its dry texture should be aged, so drink from 2016.
This firm and tonic Pinot Grigio offers an extra layer of depth and complexity that makes for a compelling appetizer or lunchtime wine. You'll get aromas of white peach, pear and pink grapefruit backed by pulpy density and consistency.
This firm but approachable Toro opens with rich, raisiny aromas that include integrated oak and cassis. There's some scratch and tannic bite to the palate, but not enough to make this too harsh. Flavors of loamy, rooty black fruits, chocolate and coffee finish long. Drink through 2017.
This firm Malbec comes from old vines. It is concentrated and dense, while wearing its power easily and openly. Wood aging adds complexity as do the leather, dark chocolate and black fruits that are followed by juicy acidity. A wine with great potential, don't drink before 2018.
This firm Pinot Noir has made subtle use of wood aging to round out and become rich. Red cherry fruits fill the mouth with soft tannins and toasty spice giving some complexity. The wine could age, although it is ready to drink now.
This firm red offers aromas of underbrush, French oak, exotic spice, dried rose and a balsamic whiff of menthol. On the full-bodied palate, a bracing tannic backbone supports dried black cherry, coconut, licorice, roasted coffee bean and oak-driven spice. Drink 2019–2026.
This firm Tempranillo-led blend is meaty and leathery on the nose, with minerally black-fruit scents. The palate is wide and tannic, while flavors of blackberry, cassis and chocolate flow into the toasty finish alongside solid but not fierce tannins. Give this another couple of years; best from 2016 through 2022.
This firm wine fits well with the image of Pommard. A tannic core contrasts with the potential of the red cherry fruits. Wood aging is still prominent, and the wine needs time to balance out. Drink from 2017.
This firm wine has a delicious perfumed character that comes from the high proportion of Cabernet Franc in the blend. Already delicious, it will become more so as the tannins soften. Drink from 2017.
This firm wine has black-currant and red-plum fruit, nicely integrated with the dry core. Ready to drink, although capable of aging a year or two.
This firm wine has smoky tannins and red-currant acidity. It is still young, its structure still dry and solid. Wait until the end of 2016 before drinking.
This firm wine has structure as well as enticing sweet red berry fruits. Dynamic and fruity, it has a dark structure that impressively expresses this solid terroir. Drink from 2018.
This firm wine is solid with tannins while also having the fruitiness of the year. A dry element will allow the wine to age balanced, with bright juicy fruits shining through. It comes from one of the lesser-known premier cru vineyards in Beaune. Drink from 2018.
This firm wine shows fresh, compacted fruits and vivid acidity. Its tight tannins suggest aging potential, while the black plum juice and blueberry fruit flavors make it attractive now. Layers of smoky toast show through on the finish.
This firm wine still needs to shed its youthful structure of tannin and bring out the underlying ripe fruits. It has weight, hints of juicy acidity and a medium-term potential. The end shows some of the natural concentration from old vines.
This firm, dark and still young wine has intense acidity that comes from the red currant and raspberry fruit. The tannins though form the real basis of this concentrated wine. Great juicy fruits at the end will develop well. Drink from 2018.
This firm, mineral-textured wine is full of solid tannins and dark black fruits. A blend Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional, it's a classic, structured, dense Dão. Still young with its rough edges, it nonetheless will age well. Drink from 2018.
This firm, perfumed, dry wine has concentrated spice and raisin flavors. Owned by the group that also owns Taylor Fladgate and Fonseca, Romariz continues to forge its own identity.
This firm, powerful and structured wine is rich with tannins and dark fruits. Spice and wood flavors compete with the ground coffee and juicy fruitiness. A concentrated wine for the long-term, it needs to age, . Drink from 2017.
This firm, smoky wine with fine tannins and ripe fruit is developing well, allowing the berry fruits to come through the structure. Give this wine until late 2016.
This firm, structured wine is lean and austere. Spice and toast notes dominate, leaving little room for fruit. It's a tough wine to like.
This firm, tannic wine's plum and black cherry aromas are matched by oaky maple and spice scents. Toasty, spicy black fruit and mocha flavors finish with a wave of toast, chocolate and spice. This is more bullish than elegant; drink through 2021.
This firm, well-crafted wine reflects the lightness of the vintage. Raspberry, citrus and stone components come across in a balanced effort that should continue to drink well until 2020.
This firmly built Merlot shows almost Cabernet-like reserve in its tobacco, cherry and cassis shadings that finish woody, warm and firm. At the moment, the copious oak sits atop the fruit, suggesting at least another 2–3 of cellaring prior to full enjoyment.
This firmly built wine is big in flavor and bolstered by a broad layer of fine-grained tannins. It tastes like blackberries, cranberries and dark chocolate. This wine should improve and soften a bit after 2019.
This firmly structured red opens with aromas of menthol, eucalyptus, cherry steeped in spirits and a whiff of balsam. The bracing palate offers toast, tobacco, oak-driven spice, raw red berry and coffee alongside tightly packed, assertive tannins that leave an astringent finish.
This firmly structured Sangiovese opens with aromas of underbrush, fragrant purple flowers, ripe berry and a whiff of ground pepper. On the savory palate, notes of licorice, clove and espresso add depth to the core of ripe cherry.
This firmly structured velvety red opens with aromas of black currant, French oak, menthol, Asian spice and grilled herb. The full-bodied, elegant palate offers crushed blackberry, succulent morello cherry, licorice and tobacco alongside a backbone of taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018 through 2027.
This firmly structured wine brings out the spiciness of Blaufränkisch, boosting its structure. Beck's entry-level wine is finely crafted, the tannins and ripe berry fruits balancing well with the freshly grated nutmeg and final sweetness. Screwcap.
This firmly structured wine has a good, gripping texture and lots of black cherry and black-plum flavors. Backed by bracing acidity and a modest layer of tannin, it's a versatile wine for lunch or dinner.
This firmly structured wine has dense tannins that are built for aging. It's a rich, complex blend that is half Touriga Nacional, yielding both perfume and minerality. Drink from 2019.
This firmly structured wine has robust tannins and concentrated black fruit. It's ripe and juicy, with blackberry flavor and acidity. Although drinkable now, it will be better from 2018.
This firmly structured wine is packed with solid tannins as well as ripe juicy red fruits. It comes from the upper part of the Rugiens Premier Cru, one of the top sites in Pommard. Dense and needing to age, the wine will be ready from 2023.
This firmly structured wine opens with toasted aromas, baked plum, fennel and a licorice note. The palate offers dried cherry, fig, roasted coffee bean and anisette alongside bracing tannins. Drink through 2020.
This firmly structured, beautifully crafted wine has a solid backdrop of tannins and plenty of concentration. Beyond that, it is already well balanced, bringing together its dark texture and blackberry fruit flavors with generous acidity. It needs to age, drink from 2020.
This firmly structured, dense wine is packed with dark plum and fig fruits, laced with chocolate and tannins. It's a solid, foursquare style of wine, with acidity and fruit forming a fine partnership. Like many wines from this year, it is likely to mature quickly, so drink from 2016.
This firmly structured, velvety red opens with aromas of black currant, French oak, menthol, Asian spice and a whiff of grilled herb. The full-bodied, elegant palate doles out crushed blackberry, succulent morello cherry, licorice and tobacco alongside a backbone of taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2027.
This firmly tannic blend of 50-50 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is still developing. While its juicy black currant fruits are right there, it needs another few years to soften the dry, hard-edged tannins and minerality. The juicy acidity at the end promises the wait will be worth it.
This firmly tannic wine boasts solid structure and density. It has powerful concentration, due to very low yields. The fruit is ripe, driven by notes of black plum and berry. This is a wine with a long-term future.
This firmly tannic wine has all the structure of 2010 without the fruit. It's a skeleton without flesh, and it will be unlikely to soften in the coming years.
This firmly tannic wine is a selection made for aging. It has structure and a dry core. Set against this are the blackberry fruits, the acidity and the juicy aftertaste. It will be ready from 2018.
This firmly tannic wine shows rich fruit and warm black berry flavors spiced with fig juice and sultanas. It is a solid, chunky effort, needing a few months' bottle age to achieve its full, impressive character.
This firmly tannic wine, characteristic of Saint-Estèphe, is very dry. Underneath the dryness, there is a delicious, opulent juiciness that brings out black currant and plum flavors. It's obviously a wine for the long haul; keep for at least six years.
This firmly tannic, full-bodied wine smells lightly oaky, tastes rich and concentrated and has a velvety, mouthcoating texture. Cranberry and blueberry flavors fill out the middle. Best to drink after 2019.
This firmly tannic, serious wine has great potential for aging. It shows the structure and acidity typical of the Baga grape, while also bringing out red berry fruit that will be delicious as it develops in the bottle. Drink from 2019.
This first-time Riesling from CyT delivers petrol/diesel aromas along with mild apple and peach scents on what amounts to a true, varietal nose. The palate has a punch-like, juicy feel that's fresh but light, while tropical flavors of lychee and mango end juicy but with weight.
This first aged tawny release from Wine & Soul is a dry wine that feels older than 10 years—the average age of its blend. Fine and rich, it's a serious blend with flavors of spice, raisins and prunes.
This first estate-grown bottling of Rediviva is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Syrah. Amazing aromatic complexity grabs you and leads you into the dark interior of the wine, a riot of red and black fruits, moist earth, smoke, anise, herb and toast. Power and elegance combined, with the structure to age for a decade or more.
This first Grüner Veltliner from Sineann is lightly aromatic with notes of citrus, apple, and spice. It drinks off dry with sharped edged, green apple-like acids.
This first showing of the new soil-focused partnership between vintner Bill Price and winemaker Gavin Chanin promises great things. Aromas of cardamom, raspberry, violet, black pepper and herbes de Provence give way to a herbal palate of oregano, thyme, dried basil and sage that give lift to the sour-cherry fruit.
This first vintage of Coevo (a super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot) represents a new and dynamic project for Tuscany's historic Cecchi estate. The wine is rich, opulent and redolent of all kinds of dark fruit and spice.
This first wine of the vintage, a blend of Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Valdigue, is largely the result of carbonic maceration, a winemaking technique that creates the freshest, sharpest, zingiest aromas and flavors imaginable. ItÕs vibrant and juicy, like Beaujolais. The gorgeous ripeness of the fruit bodes well for the 2001 vintage. Great value.
This fits properly into the brut nature category courtesy of neutral aromas and a direct tightly built palate. Mild citrus and melon flavors lose some clarity on a finish that hints at mealy apple and butter.
This fits squarely into the mold of value wine from Jumilla. It is dark and crusty on the nose, with rich plum and blackberry flavors. The structure is solid but soft, with chocolate and savory flavors carrying the finish. A very healthy and appealing blend of 60% Monastrell with 20% each of Tempranillo and Syrah.
This fits the mold of Clare Valley Riesling perfectly. Struck flint notes give way to bright citrus on the nose, followed up by pineapple, cardamom and cinnamon flavors. It's dry to the point of austerity, framed by a slightly dusty texture, yet boasts mouthwatering acids on the long finish. Drink now–2025, possibly longer.
This five-acre property has produced a ripe wine that is more about fruit than structure. Although there are tannins, the bold, black fruits and fresh acidity show best. The aftertaste is fruit with a generous texture. Drink from 2018.
This five-grape blend is dark and concentrated, but also a touch soupy and mulchy. Interestingly, the palate shows snappy acidity along the edges, yielding crisp flavors of cherry, raspberry and spice. Finishes dry, herbal and spicy, but needs a boost of fruit to equal previous efforts.
This five-grape blend is harmonious, with aromas of sweet spice, ripe berry, cherry, licorice and mineral. It's racy, deep and powerful, with dark berry, black plum and oaky, spicy flavors. It's long, elegant and potent on the finish. Drink through 2018.
This five-grape blend is heavy, oaky and green at its core. Aromas of cassis and raisin suggest ripe fruit, but the palate is acidic, with shaky balance. Flavors of blueberry and boysenberry are minty, while licorice tones and jammy weight define the finish.
This five-grape blend is muscular and wide on the palate, with oaky berry flavors that are also tarry and toasty. Hard tannins and some chop on the finish suggest further aging would be beneficial. Drink this Cabernet-led blend that also includes Garnacha, Syrah, Merlot and Cab Franc through 2025.
This five-grape blend is ripe, smooth, loamy and rich on the nose, with aromas of pastry, syrupy berry and cassis. A flush, oaky palate has just enough acidity to maintain its poise, while creamy oak and vanilla flavors shadow mellow black plum and cassis. On the finish, oak hangs around and creates a coffee note. Drink this mouthfilling, friendly and generous wine through 2017.
This five-grape blend straddles the gamut of aromas and flavors. It starts with a flat, aged cheese and tobacco nose before opening to show cassis, raspberry and other solid fruit flavors. The finish is sturdy and lengthy, and overall it delivers a round feel and good expression.
This five-grape Bordeaux-style blend is 54% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cab Franc, 8% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot. Sleek, subtle and sporting an overall elegance, it's a sophisticated take on a Right Bank Bordeaux style, with black olive and cassis, espresso and dark chocolate in perfect proportion.
This five-grape Bordeaux blend offers sharp-edged fruit flavors of berry and cassis. Acids are firm, and the tannins have a biting, slightly green, slightly bitter edge. Perhaps more time is the key.
This five-grape, Bordeaux-style blend is more than half Merlot, fragrant and forward in both aroma and flavor. It's broadly displayed across the palate, with pretty cherry fruit, steely tannins, and lighter hints of nut skin, cacao and dried earth. The complexity and balance are impressive. Drink 2015–2030.
This five-grape, Bordeaux-style blend is principally Cabernet Sauvignon, and offers forward, moderately light fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry. It's balanced and pleasant tasting, though lacking the depth that you might wish for in this price range.
This five-grape, Garnacha-led blend captures the essence of Terra Alta with laser-focused aromas of blackberry, spice and stony minerality. A full, lively, acid-driven palate is balanced by creamy oak, while flavors of vanilla and coconut accent plum and berry fruit. Lasting acidity creates definition and length on the finish. Drink through 2020.
This five-vineyard blend of Chard has superripe, possibly botrytised, flavors of apricots and new oak. It's almost late-harvest in style, although it's fully dry. A disappointment.
This five grape Bordeaux-style blend has a sharp, spicy aroma, a strong suggestion of clove. The fruit is quite light and tastes of strawberries, but quickly is overtaken by the tannins and the barrel flavors. Drink soon.
This five grape southern Rhône-style blend shows sour cherry fruit, set in an earthy frame. Simple and rugged, it's suitable for every day drinking.
This flagship blend is sourced from 25-year-old vines. It's sharply focused and bright, the strawberry and cherry flavors front and center. The flavors have a hard candy quality, with pleasant hints of toast and caramel through the close.
This flagship effort showcases the winery's oldest block of Cabernet, planted in 1975—the first vineyard on Red Mountain. The subtle, slightly grainy and grassy nuances of old-vine grapes are here, with red-fruit flavors that are soft and delicate, yet substantial. There's a light dusting of cinnamon, a whiff of smoke and an over-riding elegance. Such old vine, 100% Red Mountain Cabernet from a great vintage doesn't come along very often.
This flagship super Tuscan from Piccini shows us the serious winemaking potential of one of Tuscany's most charismatic and playful wineries. The softness and richness of the wine is impressive and its long finish is driven forward by chocolate, red cherry and spice.
This flamboyant wine won't let down fans of expensive, good vintage North Coast Cabs. It has it all, starting with almost aggressive new oak. If you're looking for flavor, you'll find it in the extracted blackberry and cassis fruit. The tannins are considerable. If it has a fault, it's softness. Drink within the next few years.
This flamingo-pink wine comes across as a bit confected, with bubble-gum aromas and flavors of cherry and melon. It's a simple but clean fruit-driven rosé to casually quaff during warm weather.
This flashy Cabernet is one of Coppola's best Sonoma County Cabernets ever, a fine followup to the great 2007. It immediately impresses with richness, smoothness of texture and complexity, offering waves of ripe summer blackberry, blueberry and smoke. The tannins are firm, dusty and soft, making the wine drinkable now and over the next six years with steak.
This flashy, complex Zinfandel wants to be paired with a burger. It's just luscious in blackberry jam and teriyaki beef flavors, with tart acidity that can't wait to bite into greasy protein and fat.
This flat-lining wine is yellow in color and shows aromas of dusty apple and nuts. The palate is too soft and fleshy to be considered lively, and the flavors suggest mealy melon and apple. For a 2012, this is dull.
This flat, watery wine has yeasty, generic stone fruit flavors and salty, bitter grape skin flavors. It's round in mouthfeel but inexact on the finish.
This flavorful and beautifully contoured wine is simply delicious. It has a lightly spicy aroma, plenty of fresh red-cherry and plum flavors, moderate acidity and tannins, and medium body.
This flavorful blend of Müller-Thurgau, Muscat and Riesling is lightly fizzy, and off dry, with residual sugar listed at 22.5g/L. Citrus fruits are limned with ginger, and it is a thoroughly refreshing and low-alcohol delight.
This flavorful wine smells citrusy and lightly herbaceous, offering just enough richness on the palate to feel complete. Spicy oak aromas meet crisp apple and lightly butter flavors, making it fun to sip.
This flavorful, lively red wine was made with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, but it doesn't fall easily into a category. Earthy, herbal aromas turn spicy, smoky and rich with raspberry and blackberry flavors as you sip. The other four Bordeaux red grape varieties complete the blend.
This flavorful, medium-bodied, oaky wine smells almost like apple pie, tastes ripe and round, and has a lingering buttery finish. Nuances like nutmeg and vanilla add to a baked apple character.
This fleshy white has a tropical ripeness that almost appears sweet, set against a prodigious use of caramelized oak. Tart lemon and apple complement in crispness within a boldly textured body.
This fleshy, tropical wine offers a wealth of rich peach, pineapple and golden honey flavor in a medium-bodied frame. It finishes light and bright, with an undercurrent of toasted oak.
This Fleurie in the small production Prestige range shows firm tannins and structured fruit. It has a dry character, the fruitiness still developing as it ages. Acidity, a dark core and black cherry fruits promise aging for 2–3 years.
This flinty Chardonnay shares a full oak expression with a whiff of petrol, suggesting a decant or cellaring until 2016 to fully soften. It offers sublime lemon curd and minerally peach flavor amid tangy acidity and a bright finish. It displays a ying-yang between polish and power.
This flirty white is a perfect beach or patio wine, with its clean floral aromas and flavors and pronounced acidity. Balanced body and a pretty finish give it extra elegance.
This floral white carries aromas of elderberry, mango, lemon zest and lemongrass on the nose. The palate brings mango, apple and lemon zest, with a clean and crisp finish.
This floral wine has attractive quince aromas. Its crisp acidity and bright character are upfront, bursting with fruit and freshness. Ready to drink.
This floral wine is bright, crisp and zesty. It has the herbal character that is the mark of Touraine Sauvignon—ripe while also intensely green and tight. Drink this wine now.
This floral wine is bursting with notes of jasmine and honeysuckle backed by sweet fragrances of candied fruit and caramel. The wine is sweet and thick in the mouth but the well-dosed acidity keeps it from being cloying or too fat. It would pair well with slightly sweet foods such as honey glazed ham or lobster.
This floral wine opens as if in a damp but not wet forest, surrounded by ripe, red cherry trees. Likable from the start, it's grippy on the palate, expressively juicy, seductive and refined. Blackberry and dried herb pop on the finish, providing a darker side to the red fruit.
This floral wine shows geranium and white fruit notes. These are in relief against a background of great acidity and generous honey flavors. All these elements need time to come together but show great potential. Drink from 2025.
This floral, fresh wine has great acidity over its apple and intense citrus flavors and stays very fresh to the finish. Clean, fragrant and ready to drink, it is delicious now.
This flowery, perfumed wine is full of red currants and berries that balance a solid, dry element. With the potential of rounding out and becoming rich as well as structured, it should be cellared. Drink from 2017.
This fluorescent pink rosé is fairly full on the nose, with a grape skins character. Lively, balanced and lightly oily in feel, this delivers plum and citrus flavors prior to a finish that's pithy and tastes like ripe pink grapefruit.
This focused effort features fresh-cut apple and pear flavors that are spicy and tightly wrapped with a Bourbon-barrel-like accent. Delicious now, but it can be cellared for a decade at least.
This focused white opens with alluring aromas of citrus, yellow stone fruit and a whiff of baking spice. Made with Malvasia Istriana, Friulano and Riesling Renano, the savory palate offers juicy peach, nectarine, apricot and ripe pear. It has a tangy lemon-drop finish.
This focused, crisp Tempranillo from a nice, warm vintage offers a mix of fresh plum, raspberry, vanilla and spice on the bouquet. It's honest and correct in the mouth, with plum, cherry, dry spice and light oak flavors. A clean, mellow finish is an appropriate ending for this midtier Rioja.
This focused, full-bodied wine opens with aromas of scorched earth, ripe black-skinned fruit and a whiff of game. The tight palate is still rather closed but already offers dense black cherry, clove, licorice and grilled herb alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2021–2031.
This focuses on the Wadensvil clone, and seems almost spritzy—it's definitely a tongue-tickler. Cherry cola flavors highlight sweet, primary fruit. Refreshing, though probably best enjoyed within the first couple of years.
This follows the standard blueprint for NZ Pinot Gris in its pear, ginger and lime aromas, medium body and apple-pear flavors, but there's a slightly bitter, pithy edge to the finish.
This follows the tried and true path of making Chardonnay with ripe fruit and plenty of creamy oak. The flavors are of apricots, oranges, sour lees and buttered toast.
This Fontana family wine is concentrated and ripe. Blackberry and red fruits go with balanced acidity to give a wine that's already drinkable. Tannins support the ripe, full foreground. Drink now, or, better, from late 2016.
This food-friendly Chardonnay is California's equivalent of great Chablis. It's totally dry and high in acidity, with elegantly structured flavors of citrus fruits, white peaches, apricots, minerals and yeasty lees. Give it a good decant, and don't serve too cold.
This food-friendly Pinot Grigio offers aromas of melon, pear, apricot and citrus. On the palate it's easy and creamy.
This food-friendly Pinot Noir has a light body, dryness and crisp acidity that make it easy to pair with steaks, chops, salmon, mushroom risotto and similar fare. There's nothing shy, however, about the flavors, which brim with ripe raspberries, cherries and pomegranates, accented with toasty, spicy oak. Drink now–2017.
This food-friendly rosé has a light pink color and fresh aromas of peach, grapefruit and wild berry. The mouthfeel is soft and fresh, showing a subtle touch of sweetness.
This food-friendly wine is most remarkable for its structure and gracefulness on the palate. Herbal on the entry, it offers grip and elegance within sturdy elongated tannins, a note of brushy cedar and sage and integrated French oak.
This foot-stomped, Sangiovese rosé offers aromas of lush strawberries and cream, with a hint of watermelon sweetness. It's fun, forward and fruit-powered all the way.
This forceful Mencía blend pounds away with heavy oak, lemon and violet aromas. The palate is scorching, scouring and short on balance. Inky berry and bitter flavors come with overpowering oak-based clove notes in front of a short finish.
This forcefully oaked Garnacha offers rustic berry fruit aromas over clove. The high acidity is offset by resiny oak, while flavors of clove and char vie with generic red-berry flavors over a slightly hot finish.
This formal, upright wine has solid, dense tannins and is well structured: with acidity and firm fruit, it shows its more opulent side slowly, leading to a smoky finish.
This formidable Rhône-style blend has a deep color, smoky, toasted, and grilled-meat aromas, a dense and chewy texture and focused flavors like blackberries and black pepper. The concentration is quite good, the balance and tannins are very firm, preparing this wine for a long life. Drink after 2019.
This fortified dessert red, its grape varietal makeup unknown, rests at about 6.6% residual sugar. Its profile suggests Zinfandel, dark black in color with plummy, blackberry fruit, a smoky finish and hint of black pepper.
This fortified Nebbiolo-based wine can be consumed as an after-dinner bitter. The aromas recall root beer, medicinal herbs, cough syrup and juniper berry. Its natural bitterness sends a shock to the body: the wine has been infused with sugar, herbs and spices.
This fortified red blend was aged in wood for 20 years. That has taken away fruitiness and, as with an aged Tawny Port, has given the wine flavors of dried prune, spice and old wood aromas. The wine is for sipping and savoring, ready to drink now.
This fortified wine is made in a Port style by a California producer who has mastered the craft of fermenting Portuguese grape varieties over several decades. It is sweet and fortified, but also elegant, well balanced and not cloying. Nicely concentrated plum and chocolate flavors lead to a vivid, lingering finish.
This fortified wine made from Blanc du Bois brings aromas of orange rind, caramel and sultana all under a blanket of a crushed-pill tone. The sweet, luscious palate brings notes of toasted almonds and hazelnuts drizzled in butter.
This fortified wine made from Blanc du Bois recalls roasted mixed nuts and dried leaves on the nose. The full palate brings a dried fig tone, with sharp acidity and an astringent nut accent.
This fortified wine made from Seyval Blanc has lovely aromas of peach, ginger, butterscotch and marzipan. On the palate it's full of peach nectar, marzipan and Sprite. It is cloyingly sweet and mouthfilling but lacks concentration and acidity.
This fortified wine made from Tannat certainly has the grape's tannins. However, these are surrounded by sweet plum flavors and contrasting acidity. It is a sweet wine while fresh and fruity, and can be drunk now.
This forward Amarone reflects the heat of the vintage. It has somewhat evolved aromas of leather and prune, accompanied by rich black fruit flavors and soft acidity. The tannins are starting to fade, so enjoy now and over the next few years.
This forward Brunello opens with a fruit and spice fragrance of ripe black berries, cinnamon and hot red pepper. The dense palate delivers fleshy black cherry, ripe black raspberry, black pepper and cake spices alongside dusty tannins.
This forward wine opens with aromas of dried plum marinated in spirits, fleshy black cherry, baking spice and chopped mint that follow through to the warm, full-bodied palate. Velvety tannins support the rich flavors.
This forward wine opens with aromas that recall mature black plum, grilled herbs and meat juices with whiffs of farmyard and leather. The palate delivers ripe black cherry, sweet vanilla extract and round tannins. Even though it lacks complexity, it's enjoyable drinking for the near term. Drink through 2019.
This forward wine opens with aromas that recall nail polish remover, varnish, overripe black-skinned fruit and a confectionary note. On the palate, notes of coconut, espresso and sage backup raw red cherry. It's aggressively tannic but is already losing fruit richness so hold for just a few years to let tannins unwind and then drink.
This forward wine opens with funky aromas of game and leather, with a whiff of barnyard. The palate is evolved and much of the fruit has already dried up, leaving bitter prune alongside green, astringent tannins.
This forward, fruity Cabernet Sauvignon is plummy and ripe with notes of black cherry preserves and cassis liqueur. It's plush on the palate, with soft, sunny acidity, but moderate alcohol keeps it fresh and quaffable.
This forward, full-bodied Rosso opens with aromas that recall resin, mature black plums, incense and spearmint. The one-dimensional palate delivers black cherry and vanilla alongside velvety tannins. It closes on a sugary-sweet note.
This four-acre, east-facing slope has produced a rich, ripely maturing wine, with rounded red fruits layered with acidity. It's a generous wine, full in the mouth. The aftertaste continues the juicy, fruity theme, firmly sustained by the tannins.
This four-grape, Bordeaux-style blend offers firm, concentrated plum and cassis fruit, stiff tannins and a touch of iron and graphite. It saw 45% new French oak—pretty impressive for a $25 red.
This four-variety blend shows that crisp, refreshing white wines can emerge from the Southern Rhône. Hints of pineapple, pear and mandarin orange mark this medium-bodied white. Drink now–2016.
This Foursight Pinot is one of two, in amount of oak used (40% new oak in this case).This is light in color, earthy with mushroom-y spice tones and a darker fruit and oak expression than other, lighter-styled Anderson Valley Pinots. The vineyard is closer to Boonville and thereby typically warmer than the valley's Deep End.
This fragrant and fruity wine is crisp and fresh. It has a perfumed character, soft apple acidity and a crisp texture. It's a wine for apéritifs that's light and ready to drink now. Screwcap.
This fragrant and luminous sparkling wine delivers sweet-smelling aromas of butterscotch, caramel and honey. In the background, you'll find both mineral and herbal shadings that create a beautiful balance.
This fragrant Barolo has lovely floral and underbrush aromas and a restrained palate showing cherry and spice. It's tightly tannic and very nervous, needing more time to soften up.
This fragrant blend of 70% Nebbiolo and 30% Vespolina opens with enticing scents of violet, rose, truffle and baking spice. The chewy, accessible palate delivers juicy black cherry, raspberry compote, white pepper and cinnamon while smooth supple tannins provide the framework. An almond note closes the finish. Drink through 2022.
This fragrant blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato boasts alluring blue flower, black-skinned berry and leather aromas. The balanced, savory palate doles out ripe black cherry, clove and licorice flavors, with round, polished tannins that give it a smooth texture. Enjoy through 2021.
This fragrant Chardonnay presents bright fruit aromas of mango, pineapple and peach usually associated with the variety. There are some nutty almond notes at the back that give it softness and endurance but they don't interfere with the wine's overall freshness.
This fragrant confection smells like caramel and toasted French bread, and tastes like milk chocolate and cherries without the sugar. It is medium-bodied, very smooth in texture and almost sweet on the finish.
This fragrant dessert wine opens with intense aromas of citrus blossom, white peach and a touch of sage. The elegantly foaming creamy palate offers candied apricot, tangerine zest and ginger. Lively acidity gives it a crisp refreshing finish.
This fragrant Falanghina shows bright aromas of white flower, jasmine and honeysuckle. Very subtle tones of banana and pineapple fill in the back and give the wine momentum and depth on the finish.
This fragrant Gewürztraminer from one of the best producers in northern Italy offers aromas of jasmine and honeysuckle, with background tones of apricot and candied exotic fruit. It's creamy and rich on the finish.
This fragrant Lugana opens with aromas of Spanish broom, pressed flower petals, ripe stone fruit, and hints of Mediterranean herbs. The savory palate offers juicy peach, green apple, lemon drop and mineral alongside fresh acidity. White almond marks the finish.
This fragrant Malvasia opens with enticing floral aromas that recall acacia and yellow flowers. The palate offers creamy peach flavors, with hints of thyme and sage that are balanced by edgy acidity and a crisp finish.
This fragrant Moscato Giallo opens with floral aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine backed by stone fruit and even a touch of spicy vanilla. The wine is soft but mostly dry and would make a fantastic pre-dinner drink or would pair with spicy Indian dishes.
This fragrant Nebbiolo opens with intense, ample aromas of kitchen spice, chopped herb, leather, dark-skinned berry, tilled soil and a whiff of pressed rose petal. On the firmly structured smooth palate, notes of licorice, cinnamon and truffle accent a core of juicy dark cherry. Polished tannins provide the framework while a mineral vein energizes the finish. Drink through 2022.
This fragrant red offers alluring scents of rose, red berry and cake spice. The radiant, structured palate is endowed with finesse, offering ripe black cherry, raspberry, licorice and flinty mineral. Firm, refined tannins and bright acidity provide the framework. Drink 2020 through 2025.
This fragrant red opens with aromas of violet, rose, woodland berry, tilled earth and a whiff of new leather. The polished, fruity palate delivers juicy morello cherry, red raspberry, white pepper, and mineral alongside refined tannins and bright acidity. A licorice note wraps around the lingering finish. It's already tempting but will be even better in a few years. Drink 2018–2023.
This fragrant red opens with lovely scents of perfumed berry, blue flower and Oriental spice while the polished palate offers dried black cherry, blackberry, anise and clove. Fine-grained tannins give the finish grip.
This fragrant red opens with scents suggesting aromatic Alpine herb, ripe dark-skinned berry, flint and a whiff of exotic spice. The luminous, elegantly structured palate displays ripe wild cherry, raspberry, mineral and a hint of star anise alongside a backbone of firm, refined tannins. Drink through 2024.
This fragrant red opens with violet, red berry, crushed herb and menthol scents. It's bright and elegant, offering raspberry, juicy Marasca cherry, white pepper and clove flavors alongside polished tannins. A saline note signals the close.
This fragrant Sauvignon Blanc performs well on the nose thanks to its characteristic aromas of tomato leaf, kiwi and chopped herbs. The mouthfeel is lean, tonic and refreshing.
This fragrant selection offers red rose and black-cherry aromas punctuated by whiffs of leather and bell pepper. The succulent palate delivers ripe black-cherry flavors lifted by firm acidity, youthful tannins and notes of white pepper. Drink after 2015, and through 2020.
This fragrant sparkler offers bright floral aromas of honeysuckle and spring flower, with pretty tones of stone fruit and passion fruit. There's a touch of fruity sweetness backed by foamy, thick perlage.
This fragrant white opens with aromas of white spring flower, jasmine, citrus, pear and a hint of alpine herb. The vibrant, elegant palate delivers layers of creamy Granny Smith apple, nectarine zest and steely mineral balanced by bright acidity.
This fragrant white opens with aromas suggesting tomato vine, cut grass and gooseberry. The slender, rather angular palate offers fresh herb, grapefruit, green melon, mineral and a note of yellow bell pepper. It has a crisp, racy finish.
This fragrant wine from an excellent vintage offers terrific value. Silky and potent, it features mixed flavors of berries, cherries, cola and mocha, with a dash of white pepper.
This fragrant wine has perfumed aromas and a light candy-flavored palate. It's crisp with apples, tangy with citrus, finishing with bright acidity and a fragrant aftertaste. Drink now.
This fragrant wine is a an unusual blend of Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Malvasia. That combination of northern and southern Europe works to give a crisp wine that is also intensely perfumed as well as full of acidity. It is an attractive wine that is already drinkable.
This fragrant wine is also tightly structured, very mineral and packed with acidity. It is based around tannins as much as fruit, giving a wine that is now severe. Drink from 2017 when it will be rounder.
This fragrant wine starts with aromas of rose, violet, cake spice and woodland berry. The vibrant palate doles out juicy black cherry, licorice, cinnamon, pipe tobacco and mineral. It's impeccably balanced with velvety tannins and bright acidity.
This fragrant wine will entice with you its heady perfume of woodland berry, wild herb, graphite and blue flower. It's still quite young and tightly wound, delivering strawberry, cherry, white pepper and thyme wrapped up in taut tannins. Vibrant acidity provides balance and energy but give this time to fully develop. Drink 2023–2033.
This fragrant, concentrated wine offers vivid mint, cherry and clove aromas followed by rhubarb, red cherry and rosemary flavors that are focused and memorable. The balance is spot-on, with good acidity and velvety tannins that brace the richness of the fruit components. Best after 2022.
This fragrant, elegant white opens with scents of orange blossom and white wild flower. The savory palate has a lovely depth of flavors, including yellow peach, Bosc pear, juicy lime and mineral alongside fresh acidity. A hazelnut note backs up the finish. It's an outstanding effort, especially given the difficult vintage.
This fragrant, foaming dessert wine opens with aromas of yellow stone fruit, chopped herb and a floral note of jasmine. The rich, bright palate doles out apricot, yellow peach, grilled sage and candied nectarine zest alongside a delicate mousse and fresh acidity.
This fragrant, light-bodied and savory Sicilian red opens with intense aromas of blue flower, rose and red berries. The bright, silky palate delivers juicy strawberry, crushed red cherry and white pepper alongside fresh acidity. Chill this for 20 minutes and sip on the deck for a perfect summer red.
This fragrant, musky wine is scented with dried rose petals, spiced cranberries, pepper and chocolate. It rolls comfortably into a full-bodied core with cherry cobbler, medium length and polished tannins.
This fragrant, red cherry- and sage-scented Chianti is made from organically grown Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Colorino. The easygoing palate delivers raspberry, redcurrant and leather notes, framed by smooth tannins and fresh acidity. It's meant to be enjoyed young.
This fragrant, spicy wine is soft and rounded. It is still developing to give a wine that will be warm and full. It misses something of the essential fruitiness.
This fragrant, thoroughly delicious blend is the most widely available offering from this esteemed grower/producer. Floral highlights, ripe cherry fruit, and lightly herbal, slightly stiff tannins are in balance, and show the muscle and structure of a big wine still in its infancy. Tuck it away for a couple more years and watch it blossom.
This frankly sweet sparkler smells like toasted almonds and pistachios, and tastes rich, round, floral and nutty. It has a good, fine bead, nice balance from the wine's acidity, and feels smooth and broad in texture.
This French-Australian collaboration has turned out a soft, easy-to-drink Merlot with notable complexity. Cassis and black cherry fruit is backed by shadings of cedar and vanilla and eased along by a creamy texture and supple tannins. Without any track record, it's probably prudent to drink this over the next few years.
This French-run estate (the family is involved with Gosset Champagne and Cointreau liqueurs) has produced a stunning Chardonnay. Big on creamy fruit and nutty, buttery flavors, this wine pairs toast, acidity and ripe fruit in a fine, complex balance. Best Buy.
This fresh-smelling wine blends aromas of caramel apple and light grapefruit juice. The palate is racy in acidity, like a glass of fresh orange juice splashed with squeezes of lemon and grapefruit, and a vanilla warmth toward the finish.
This fresh 70-30 blend of Corvina and Rondinella benefits from oak aging that helps showcase the wine's spice and smoke aromas. At its core, however, this ruby-colored wine offers tonic flavors of sour cherry and raspberry.
This fresh Amarone offers an inviting fragrance of perfumed berry and exotic spice. Notes of graphite, black pepper and clove give depth to the ripe plum and blackberry flavors. It's balanced with firm, chewy tannins. Drink through 2019.
This fresh and bright rosé opens with a peachy-pink color and aromas of simple fruit, raspberry and cranberry. It's tight and tonic in the mouth with a simple, clean close.
This fresh and crisp raspberry-flavored wine is refreshing. It is all fruit with just a touch of tangy lemon zest to give extra freshness. The largest single plot of vines in Beaujolais and Burgundy, 244 acres in Bruilly cru, the estate has been in the same family since 1667 and is a historical monument.
This fresh and easy Sicilian white is a blend of Insolia, Grecanico and Catarratto with easy citrus and stone fruit aromas. Pair it with Chinese chicken salad.
This fresh and enjoyable wine has a bright bouquet of red berry and spice. The palate shows ripe black-cherry, nutmeg and chocolate flavors. This would pair well with pasta in meat sauce.
This fresh and flavorful rosé is as easy to like as its gentle price tag. There's loads of youthful strawberry and peach fruit, propped up by a bright line of acidity that carries the flavors through to a medium finish. Pick this for your next warm weather gathering.
This fresh and food-friendly Chianti Rufina opens with lively berry nuances, forest floor and white almond. The wine is crisp and zesty overall.
This fresh and food-friendly Pinot Grigio opens with delicate floral notes of white rose and almond blossom followed by exotic fruit and citrus. The balanced acidity would pair with chicken salad and mayonnaise.
This fresh and fruity sparkling wine is crisp with apple skin and apricot flavors. Ripe and full in the mouth , it has a lightly creamy mousse. The blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay gives delicious fruitiness and tight final acidity.
This fresh and fruity wine from Esterházy estates in northern Austria gives a strongly zesty, textured character. It is crisp, green and packed with lemon-citrus flavors. Drink now. Screwcap.
This fresh and fruity wine has good acidity along with black currant fruits. It is fresh and rounded with a firm layer of tannins in the background.
This fresh and fruity wine is made with without wood. Citrus crisp and with lively acidity, it refreshing, and perfumed. Drink now.
This fresh and fruity wine is soft with gentle spice. It has a crisp side as well, making for an easy, ready-to-drink wine that is well balanced.
This fresh and fruity wine opens with aromas of lychee, white fragrant flowers, exotic fruit and beeswax. The fresh palate offers pineapple, white peach, melon, lemon peel and Alpine herbs.
This fresh and juicy wine is marked by berry fruits and acidity. It's bright and crisp in character, while also having weight and richness. With its soft tannins, it is ready to drink now.
This fresh and lively Barolo exhibits earthy aromatic nuances with some iron, currant berry and white mushroom. Those typical floral aromas of blue flower and rose also emerge, and this Nebbiolo-based wine is characterized by excellent structure and acidity.
This fresh and youthful expression of Montepulciano shows a very nice and proper side of the grape. The wine is easy and genuine overall with just enough complexity to keep the palate entertained. Bold cherry and blackberry is segued  by bitter chocolate and light shadings of spice.
This fresh blend of Négrette with both Cabernets is fruity and lightly crisp with refreshing final acidity. It's bright, while also having a ripe character that allows it to broaden out. Drink now.
This fresh blend of Nero d'Avola and Syrah opens with a ripe raspberry note, and it shows a soft, plush texture and a chewy close. It has a ripe blackberry flavor, with a smooth, creamy texture.
This fresh blend of Trebbiano and Vermentino from the hills outside Pisa offers pretty aromas of green fruit, kiwi, melon, cut grass and passion fruit. This is a crisp and fresh with a sharp, determined close.
This fresh but fruity white starts with aromas of white rose, grapefruit and citrus, followed by light and elegant flavors of lemon, grapefruit and sea salt. Playful but memorable.
This fresh but generic Sauvignon Blanc offers white-fruit aromas and zesty passion fruit scents. The mouthfeel is juicy, while flavors of grapefruit, lime and orange finish with a touch of pithy bitterness. Along the way, riper notes of melon fade in and out.
This fresh but spicy Chardonnay starts with tropical fruit, citrus and floral aromas leading into a great fruit and acid balance. The minerality keeps the wine fresh and lifted, giving it a food-friendly edge. A great go-to white.
This fresh expression of Sangiovese Grosso offers tight berry aromas, with shades of spice and toasted almond in the background. Bright acidity brings up the rear.
This fresh Gavi comes at an attractively low price and offers characteristic tones of crushed mineral, citrus and stone fruit. This easygoing wine can be consumed alone or with light finger foods.
This fresh Müller-Thurgau from the far north of Italy offers an impeccably clean mouthfeel that is accented by flavors of passion fruit and honey. Pair this wine with Thai peanut sauce and grilled shrimp.
This fresh Mencía's bright red fruit aromas exude rocky mineral tones. Raw, popping red plum and cherry flavors finish herbal and tomato-like, with a bit of tannic bite. Drink now or any time through 2021.
This fresh Nebbiolo-based Roero from Cantina dei Nebbiolo offers pretty intensity with aromas of tar, licorice and a touch of sweet cherry liqueur. There isn't much pulp or meat here but the finish is both crisp and tart.
This fresh Rosso di Montalcino is redolent of pressed violets and rose petals and has more of a floral characteristic than it does a fruity one. The wine is thin but firm in the mouth with a lean but crisp aftertaste.
This fresh Saint-Chinian rosé exhibits a beautiful, earthy, floral core, as notes of peony and baby's breath take center stage against a soft white strawberry and peach backdrop. Medium weight with good, lifting acidity and a clean, refreshing finish.
This fresh Sauvignon does a great job of contrasting its fresh, aromatic characteristics against a fuller, more generous mouthfeel. The wine ends with citrus, passion fruit and white almond.
This fresh simple sparkler opens with aromas of jasmine and a whiff of citrus. On the soft palate, tangy acidity lifts apple, white peach and a hint of glazed lemon peel.
This fresh sparkling blend from Franciacorta in northern Italy opens with a touch of citrus zest followed by yellow rose and crushed white pepper. It offers a tonic, drying mouthfeel with steely effervescence on the finish.
This fresh Vermentino from Lazio in Central Italy opens with fresh notes of cut grass, peach and citrus. There's a touch of dusty mineral that adds a dry feeling to the finish.
This fresh version of a Cabernet/Merlot blend starts with a minerally, red berry and leather nose, followed by juicy flavors of berries. Balanced and approachable, the wine has sturdy tannins and a lingering finish. Elegant but ageable.
This fresh white has delicate aromas of white spring flower and yellow stone fruit. The bright, easygoing palate offers yellow peach, bitter almond and a light saline note alongside bright acidity. It's simple but well made.
This fresh white should pair with chicken salad or fish tacos. It offers aromas of lemon, pear and honeydew melon. Screwcap.
This fresh white wine from Mt. Etna offers pristine aromas of honey, peach cream and white mineral. Lasting notes of brimstone and slate give the wine added dimension and you will surely imagine a natural pairing with seafood or shellfish risotto.
This fresh wine also offers plenty of ripe fruit and exotic flavors. Crisp, juicy and rich, it's just lightly touched by honey and is a refreshing wine to drink now.
This fresh wine has attractive citrus and yellow fruit flavors and an orange tang. It needs more time; drink from 2017. The property includes five acres of white grapes and 65 acres of red. Sylviane Garcin-Cathiard also owns Clos L'Église in Pomerol, Château Barde-Haut in Saint-Émilion and Château Branon in Pessac-Léognan.
This fresh wine has plenty of acidity as well as some firm tannins. It is still young, waiting to fill out with riper fruit flavors. The aftertaste just repeats the acidity.
This fresh wine is all about fruit. Soft tannins and attractive strawberry flavors are lightly cut with acidity. Coming from vines between 50 and 60 years of age, it has some extra concentration. Drink this fragrant wine now.
This fresh wine is all bright red fruits marked with citrus acidity and a raspberry jelly finish. The wine is finely balanced, bright and dancing in style, and needs to be drunk now.
This fresh wine is vinified in tanks rather than wood to retain the bright strawberry fruit flavors. It is elegant, light and has good acidity. Drink now.
This fresh wine opens with a pleasant blend of melon, citrus, white-flower and mineral aromas. The palate is similar to the bouquet: citrusy and minerally. Flavors of tangerine, orange and nectarine are tangy and bright, while the finish is citrusy and scouring.
This fresh wine shows fruit tones balanced by a light mineral note. It is bright with acidity and grapefruit flavors alongside a crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
This fresh young wine brings lively, tart fruit flavors of pineapple and grapefruit, with a crisp, wet stone finish. A lick of lime keeps you coming back for more.
This fresh young wine has a pleasing leesy character upon being poured. With extra breathing time it fills out, adding details of citrus pith and skin to clean green apple, melon and cucumber flavors.
This fresh, appealing wine is lightly spritzy, with flavors of pear and melon that show persistence.
This fresh, balanced wine has acidity that gives a refreshing character. Perfumed and full of lemon and crisp apple flavors, the wine is ready to drink, although it wil be better from 2016.
This fresh, Catarratto-based white wine opens with a bright, crystalline appearance and a thin, crisp mouthfeel. Aromas include lemon, grapefruit, dried grass and mango.
This fresh, cherry-flavored wine is full of fruit. It has bright tones, highlighted by acidity and a crisp texture. This is a wine to drink young, still fruity and perfumed.
This fresh, clean, subtle wine offers green apple, melon and light citrus fruit, snappy acids and mouth-refreshing texture, all in a very light and moderately low-alcohol style.
This fresh, crisp wine has a light salmon-pink color. It bursts with attractive red and citrus fruits to give a bright character plus tight acidity. Drink now.
This fresh, crisp wine has layers of lemon over a lively mousse. It offers a mineral texture allied to great fruitiness and youthful acidity. Drink now, although this bottling will benefit from further aging.
This fresh, crisp wine has plenty of lively citrus fruits that are enriched by red apple and zesty orange flavors. The wine is already delicious in its fruitiness and ready to drink.
This fresh, crisp wine hovers attractively between crisp, herbal Sauvignon and riper yellow fruits. Touches of wood adds richness to this already-drinkable wine. Drink now or better, from 2017.
This fresh, crisp, textured wine has pepper as well as red fruit flavors. It offers a touch of spice, ripe strawberries and delicious final acidity.
This fresh, crisp, textured wine has pepper as well as red fruit flavors. There's a touch of spice, ripe strawberries and delicious final acidity.
This fresh, easy-drinking wine offers aromas of black cherry and green bell pepper, followed by flavors of lightly cooked cherry and blueberry, pomegranate, anise, orange zest and a hint of bell pepper. Sheathed in soft tannins, the finish is a tad savory, with a bright, fruity splash.
This fresh, easy-going Sicilian white would go with fresh seafood or spicy Thai curry. The wine shows bright notes of peach and citrus with a touch of soft sweetness on the close.
This fresh, easy white (made from Catarratto grapes grown in central Sicily) offers notes of yellow peach, mineral, dried sage and exotic fruit. It's a simple, no-fuss wine that would pair with light salads or appetizers.
This fresh, enjoyable white has passion fruit, citrus and saline aromas and flavors. It's simple, with a clean, fresh finish.
This fresh, enticing wine is crisp and well-structured, with lemon, grapefruit and tangerine rind and flesh. The expansive palate has resonant minerality and excellent length, with ripe apple and pear fruit, plus highlights of toasted cashews and butter brickle from limited exposure in wood and partial malolactic.
This fresh, fragrant wine is buoyed by citrus acidity and green apples. It's all fruit—light and bright—finishing with a tangy lemon-zest character. Screwcap.
This fresh, fruit-driven wine opens with aromas of black pepper, blackberry and violet. It's not overly complex but very tasty and bright, with berry juice, cola, sassafras and a pinch of spearmint.
This fresh, fruity wine also has a core of smoky tannins. It is both structured and offers plenty of bright red fruits. The wine is crisp, ripe with a dry core. Drink from 2020.
This fresh, fruity wine is full of red cherry and berry flavors. A light touch of tannin holds the fruit and acidity together. It's a fine, simple Burgundy, ready to be drunk now.
This fresh, fruity wine offers pure red fruits with light tannins. Very much in a Beaujolais style, this is juicy, with balancing acidity over sweet raspberry fruit flavors. Screwcap.
This fresh, informal white opens with subdued aromas of yellow flower and white orchard fruit. The lean, simple palate offers unripe pear, apple skin and a mineral note alongside crisp acidity.
This fresh, juicy wine is full of red fruits and has light tannins. A dry core supports the perfumed red-berry flavors. With acidity, the wine is likely to develop quickly. Drink from 2019.
This fresh, leesy, almost creamy young Riesling is the first release from this new Walla Walla start-up. Gooseberry and lemon custard flavors compete for attention, and the texture and overall balance are good. It's finished dry, with just a touch of residual sugar to round off the edges.
This fresh, light-bodied dessert wine opens with classic Moscato aromas of sage, exotic fruit and yellow stone fruit. The frothy palate delivers apricot, yellow peach and a hint of honey alongside mouthwatering acidity. It has a quenching crispness that stops it from being too sweet while the restrained alcohol makes it perfect for brunch and summer picnics.
This fresh, light and cherry-flavored wine has acidity, soft tannins and bright fruit. It's all about the crisp fruitiness, ready to drink now.
This fresh, lively and assertive wine comes off as a touch sweet but it has such tangy acidity that it stays well balanced. Bright cherry and raspberry flavors have a big impact on the palate and will help it pair nicely with strong foods.
This fresh, outgoing white opens with enticing aromas of Spanish broom, citrus and tropical fruit. The round, generous palate doles out juicy yellow peach and ripe apricot while chopped mint and a eucalyptus note provide backup.
This fresh, pure value red cranks out raspberry and boysenberry aromas in front of a crisp, tight palate. Ripe, quick-hitting flavors of red-berry fruits and toasty smoke finish zesty, with a lasting note of pie cherry.
This fresh, ripe wine has plenty of juicy black-currant flavor. It is crisp, strengthened by tannins and with a great burst of acidity. It needs to calm down and round out before it will be ready to drink. Wait until 2018.
This fresh, savory blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese offers a bouquet of blue flowers, cedar, wild berry and light cooking spices. The vibrant, focused palate doles out juicy wild cherry, ripe red currants and white pepper alongside silky smooth tannins and bright acidity. Drink through 2020.
This fresh, simple white smells of white wild flower and yellow stone fruit. The zesty palate offers lime and Bosc pear alongside tangy acidity that leads to a clean finish.
This fresh, soft and simple wine has attractive acidity. Fruity and aromatic, it is totally ready to drink.
This fresh, softly mellow and creamy wine is utterly captivating with bright summer red-berry and tree-fruit, vanilla, cherry liqueur, brown sugar and toast flavors. Absolutely delicious now, it is a silky feast for the senses and should easily negotiate the next 8–10 years.
This fresh, spicy blend of Frappato and Syrah opens with heady scents of rosebud, red berry and ground pepper while the easygoing, silky palate shows juicy morello cherry, anise and a hint of dark cooking spice. Drink soon.
This fresh, spicy Merlot is easy to drink, and it deals jammy berry, cola and fruit punch flavors. It's a great wine to serve at parties.
This fresh, stalky wine has hints of wood. The fruit is light and only just ripe, giving it a tight character, with plenty of acidity and a dry core of tannins. It will be ready to drink in a crisp way from 2017.
This fresh, straightforward white offers aromas of lime, acacia flower and a whiff of Mediterranean herb. The bright palate offers lemon zest, unripe peach and bitter nut accompanied by bright acidity.
This fresh, supple Pinot comes from a cool Russian River Valley site overlapping the Sonoma Coast AVA. Jenkins sits above the fog line and is rich in Goldridge soils. The wine is lightly mushroomy in earth, and a keen streak of exotic spiciness kicks in convincingly on the finish, after intense and complicated layers of red cherry, raspberry and lavender.
This fresh, tangy wine (69% Sangiovese) smells like spicy oak, red cherries and raspberries and tastes equally bright and fruity. The texture is nicely lean, cleansing the palate with each sip, and it doesn't feel full bodied.
This fresh, vibrant wine is light and fruity. A classic blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, it has an herbal character along with bright green and citrus fruits. The wine is ready to drink.
This fresh, young Albariño is offering mild citrus and pear aromas. The palate is crisp, light in weight and good as a whole, with citrus, green apple and nectarine flavors. On the finish, peach and papaya flavors show a tinge of bitterness.
This fresh, young and fruity wine is made to be drunk young. It has soft tannins and intense acidity, mitigated by the ripe, red fruits and smoky aftertaste.
This fresh, young wine, showcases a palate-thrilling mix of ripe tree fruits—sappy apples, juicy citrus—and some hints of pineapple as well. The ripeness turns the lemony fruit into limoncello, and the finish is long and wonderfully refreshing.
This friendly red blend, made with Cabernet, Steuben and Ives, starts with aromas of allspice, cherry and pepper followed by flavors of fresh, tart red berry and spice. It's a fun and easy-drinking red that will pair well with myriad dishes, from pasta to grilled steaks.
This friendly Ripasso opens with sweet and slightly overripe aromas of strawberry, spice, honey-roasted nut, cassis syrup, new leather and cola. It's simple and straightforward in the mouth however with a raw, sharp feel.
This friendly rosso has aromas of ripe plum and black fruits, with a hint of tobacco leaf. The palate shows sweet black cherry and plum flavors laced with cinnamon spice. The warm midpalate is uplifted by just enough freshness, but this is best enjoyed young.
This friendly wine offers fresh, jammy berry and cherry aromas. The palate has a bit of grit and stickiness to it, while blackberry, black cherry and boysenberry flavors are ripe, sweet, not pushy and ultimately satisfying.
This friendly wine starts with a spicy and aromatic nose and leads into floral, honeyed flavors, a balanced acidity and a touch of minerality underneath. Pretty and poised, it will pair well with shellfish and spicy Asian cuisine.
This friendly, likeable wine offers approachable, slightly sweet flavors—fruity and fresh—that are not complex but will pair well with food.
This Friulano from northeast Italy offers aromas of caramel, stone fruit and butterscotch, with a thick, slightly oily finish.
This Friulano is characterized by special qualities that include smoothness, roundness and bright fruit aromas. Stone fruit and Golden Delicious apple give way to generous richness and a silky close. Steamed shellfish, seafood pasta or white meat could work nicely here.
This frizzante expression of Pinot Nero (made as a white wine) opens with a transparent color and thick white foam. It delivers aromas of white flower, citrus and peach and shows balanced acidity against those soft bubbles.
This frizzante sparkling wine offers a cool, crisp mouthfeel followed by aromas of butterscotch, yellow flower, peach and a touch of crushed pepper. It's a perfect companion to easy finger foods.
This frizzante, or delicately sparkling wine, is a fun, zippy alternative to Riesling sekt. Bright apple, lemon and quince notes are forward and fresh, offering easy quaffability and soft, yielding effervescence. Drink now through 2020.
This frothy dessert wine opens with delicate aromas of honeysuckle, chopped herb and yellow stone fruit. The soft creamy palate shows peach, candied nectarine zest and a hint of apricot.
This frothy wine offers aromas of cut grass, hay and chopped herb. The aromas carry over to the sweet simple palate along with ripe apricot and a confectionery note.
This frothy wine opens with aromas of green apple and white stone fruit. On the simple, clean palate, bright acidity lifts up peach and citrus flavors that are offset by fun, invigorating bubbles.
This frothy wine opens with floral aromas that recall acacia flower, dried chamomile and a whiff of honey. The palate offers yellow apple, peach and a hint of bread crust alongside brisk acidity. It ends on a note of bitter almond.
This frothy, straightforward wine offers citrus zest, yellow apple and canned pears packed in syrup. Zesty acidity gives it a bright finish.
This fruit-driven Pinot Gris blends green apple, melon and pear, with a hint of celery suggesting some less-than-ripe fruit in the mix also. The finish turns a little bitter.
This fruit-driven white blend is powered by Roussanee, which showcases its hallmark pineapple fruit. Hints of honey and pear add a bit of nuance, but this easy-drinking, medium- to full-bodied wine remains pretty straightforward.
This fruit-driven wine doesn't show the complexity of much lees aging, but satisfies with its clean, refreshing flavors of pineapple, peach and melon. It's light in body and nearly dry.
This fruit-driven wine lacks a touch of minerality but features admirably pure, focused notes of perfectly ripe apples, pineapple and citrus. It's a sweet, medium-bodied spätlese that's plump and succulent, delicious sipped on its own on a warm summer evening. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC.
This fruit-driven, medium-bodied rosé is a perennially worthy addition to the cooler of poolside staples. Hints of peach and raspberry are ripe but restrained, with just enough thirst-quenching acidity on the finish.
This fruit-driven, minerally Malbec hails from the Altamira section of Mendoza's Uco Valley. Blueberry, cassis and stony aromas feed into a deep, pure palate with plenty to offer. Flavors of cassis, blackberry, peppercorn and exotic spices finish with moderate tannins and flavors of fig and black pepper. Drink through 2019.
This fruit-forward offering is 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. Dark cherry notes are framed by just enough tannin to contrast the ripe fruit, while a hint of dark chocolate sneaks in on the mouthwatering finish. Drink it over the next couple of years.
This fruit-forward Pinot offers a blast of cherries and raspberries. It's almost as sweet as jam, but it finishes dry, as the acidity and tannins that constitute its structure rush in. A lovely wine to drink now, right out of the bottle, and over the next few years.
This fruit-forward Sauvignon Blanc offers a blend of pineapple and nectarine up front, then shows a stony, austere side on the palate, where it ends on dry notes of crushed stone.
This fruit-forward Syrah is brimming with aromas and flavors of raspberry, boysenberry and blueberry, all graced with a hint of vanilla cream. The mouthfeel boasts a satiny texture, with fine tannins, and the flavors evolve from fleshy fruit to spice and toasty oak. Drink now–2016.
This fruit-forward wine offers plenty of ripe plum, cherry and berry aromas and flavors, with accents of black-forest cake and chocolate sauce on the palate. The mouthfeel is easy and refreshing, while the finish is short but clean and refreshing.
This fruit-forward wine opens with bursting notes of cherry, blackberry, vanilla, almond paste, cola and delicate touches of resin or wet river stone. It's an impressive achievement that straddles a fine line between modernity and tradition.
This fruit-forward wine shows crisp apple and orange blossom aromas and loads of juicy lemon and pineapple flavors. It's full bodied, ultraripe, and lush, albeit a touch sweet and low in acidity.
This fruit-forward, elegant wine offers gentle flavors of strawberry and cherry, with a lightly candied aspect. It's like a cherry lollipop, with a lingering, slightly earthy finish.
This fruit-forward, entry level release is nonetheless all estate grown and spent just under a year in French oak. It's a supple flavorful mix of plum and cherry fruit, accented with iron filings, lead pencil and dark chocolate.
This fruit and acidity-driven wine has bright red cherry and raspberry flavors. Young and fruity, it is best drunk now, although waiting until 2015 will soften the fresh tones.
This fruit did not attain full ripeness in 2011, at least as far as this single-vineyard bottling would suggest. It's thin in the mouth, with considerable herbal character. Though balanced in terms of tannin and acid, the finish feels dilute.
This fruitless Garnacha Blanca smells a bit too much like rotting compost. A plump palate holds bitter flavors in front of a pithy finish. Overall, there's very little that's good about this.
This fruity and forward wine delivers fresh and juicy orange flavors, along with light touches of citrus peel and pith. It strikes the perfect balance between fruit, acidity and sugar and is best when slightly chilled.
This fruity and full-bodied wine offers much to like. The opposite of crisp and lively, it was made in an unabashedly ripe and rich style. Pear and butter aromas lead to ripe peach and vanilla flavors. The texture is rich in the mouth and the finish is soft.
This fruity and juicy wine has red-berry flavors and fresh acidity. The fruit from this single vineyard gives concentration and some firm tannins as well as allowing a fresher side to sing out. Drink now.
This fruity and sweet bubbly has a vivid hot-pink color and aromas like maraschino cherries, then red-cherry flavors, a smooth texture and cotton-candy flavors on the finish.
This fruity blend of Frappato and Syrah opens with pretty aromas of blue flower and rose. The round, fresh palate offers juicy black cherry and strawberry accented by black pepper.
This fruity blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc offers aromas of red currants and raspberry along with whiffs of bell pepper. The palate delivers vibrant blackberry and black cherry along with hints of black pepper. It's straightforward and made to be enjoyed young.
This fruity blend shows spice from oak aging and black-currant flavors. Soft and only lightly textured, it is a wine to drink young to benefit from the fruitiness.
This fruity fizz majors on the aroma of freshly cut Golden Delicious apples, while the body is very light, slightly tart and pleasantly dry. The mousse is rather frothy but if refreshment is what you are after, this is your ticket.
This fruity forward wine boasts punchy tangerine and lemon flavors with a tart melon-rind edge. It's a touch herbaceous and dusty but finishes brisk and clean.
This fruity Nero d'Avola offers distinctively warm and earthy tones of blackberry, dried currant berry, espresso and candied cherry. There's balance and harmony here, and the wine delivers thick density and chewy cherry flavors.
This fruity Pinot is loaded with ripe strawberry preserves, mixed in with tomato leaf and slightly resiny flavors that are typical in Oregon. It's an interesting mix, both ripe and herbal at the same time, but not yet entirely melded together. It will be fun to see where it goes in the next five years.
This fruity red wine has firm tannins and juicy acidity. Its soft, rounded aftertaste makes it easy and warm.
This fruity red wine is one of Portugal's best sellers. Along with its red fruit and attractive acidity it is soft with just an edge of tannins. Drink this young wine now.
This fruity rosé is produced at the property owned by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie along with the Perrin family of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is lightly spicy and full of friendly, crisp red fruits. It can age for a few more months, so it could be enjoyed in 2018.
This fruity selection has light fizz and soft, gently sweet flavors of citrus and grapefruit. With its crisp apple edge, this makes for a great apéritif.
This fruity selection is full of apple, citrus and white peach notes. Its fruit is balanced by a crisp texture and a tang of orange zest. The wine is round and warm, fitting for a Chardonnay from southern Champagne.
This fruity Syrah is rich in cherries, raspberries, white chocolate and spices. Syrah hardly gets more flamboyant. And yet its structure is firm and pleasant. Drink now–2016.
This fruity wine balances citrus and ripe white fruits. There is a steely edge that lends freshness and structure, and suggests the wine could age well. The aftertaste has some tight citrus acidity.
This fruity wine boasts flavors of mango, pineapple and apricot. It is full and ripe, with bright fruitiness and ample acidity. Some wood aging adds an attractive toasty accent to this warm wine.
This fruity wine brings a mix of strawberry and watermelon, in a smooth and simple format. There's a suggestion of some over-ripe fruit in the mix, so best to drink this chilled down.
This fruity wine bursts with the warmth of the Alentejo. It has a rich texture, black currant and berry fruits, and just the right amount of acidity. It is a good wine to drink young.
This fruity wine features strawberry and bitter cherry flavors. A lightly tannic structure accompanies a very fragrant and smoky character. Wood shows through at the end. Drink from 2015.
This fruity wine has a refreshing citrus flavor. Lightly textured, it is lively and crisp. A mineral edge gives it tight structure, putting the wine into the food category.
This fruity wine has an aroma of tobacco and a spicy black-currant taste. It is full bodied, and it should be kept for another year.
This fruity wine has attractive acidity and a lively black-currant note. The brightness on the surface masks the wine's firmly tannic structure, although it's the fruitiness and forward nature of the wine that will provide the most pleasure.
This fruity wine has bright acidity and a perfumed character. With its crisp texture, it is full of lemon and green apple fruit. Drink now.
This fruity wine has crisp acidity and lemon flavors. It is tangy, zesty and lightly perfumed from the Verdelho in the blend. The Sauvignon Blanc adds its own tropical fruit note. Drink the wine now.
This fruity wine has fresh pineapple, peach and white fruit flavors. It is crisp and dry, with an attractive touch of honey. This would be a great partner with Asian foods.
This fruity wine has soft and tannins and a jammy backdrop. It is ripe and full in the mouth with strawberry and red plum jelly flavors. Drink now. This is one of the first vintages since Labouré-Roi, which was hit by scandal in 2012, passed into new ownership.
This fruity wine has wood flavors that structure the bright red-berry note. It's an upfront wine, and it has a touch of minerality that gives depth to the tannins. Age this for 2–3 years.
This fruity wine is a sugary mix of bubble gum, mint and syrupy peaches. It consists of bold flavors, but lacks the delicacy that Riesling can show in many vintages.
This fruity wine is already easy to drink. It is soft with a layer of wood-aging flavors that don't take much away from the open fruitiness. Drink from the end of 2015.
This fruity wine is full of bright acidity. Crisp and clean, it shows yellow fruits and a shot of citrus. The aftertaste is lively and bright. Drink now.
This fruity wine is full of cherry and blackberry flavors. It has a soft texture, lightly spiced and with an attractive balance of acidity and firmer tannins. Drink from 2018.
This fruity wine is full of juicy red berries that are laced with acidity. Hints of wood aging stay in the background of this essentially fresh and bright wine.
This fruity wine is light in texture. It has gentle tannins, with bitterness and a stalky character that brings out the acidity.
This fruity wine is light with apple flavors and a touch of honey. Its acidity and floral character bring out a crisp texture, and its ripe fruitiness is refreshingly attractive. Drink now.
This fruity wine is made to be drunk young. It has soft tannins, perfumed blackberry fruit and just enough acidity. Smoothly textured, it's a great barbecue-style of red. The wine is named after the vineyard rather than after the literal Portuguese meaning of “scantily dressed.” Drink now.
This fruity wine is ripe with black fruits and generous tannins. It has plenty of acidity to balance the fruit, giving a wine that is both crisp and packed with fruit. The structure is already just right. Drink from 2018.
This fruity wine is ripe with crisp red apples. It has acidity as well as a touch of pepper, although the main thrust of the wine is the rich fruitiness and rounded texture at the end. Drink now.
This fruity wine is still developing. It hasn't achieved the full ripe fruit experience, still showing structure and a mineral, terroir character. Drink this textured wine from 2016.
This fruity wine is young and full of black-currant flavors. The wine still has a stalky character that will soften. This is going to be a crisp while also structured wine. Drink from 2018.
This fruity wine offers attractive cherry flavors that are spoiled by touches of banana. However, the acidity is good, keeping the wine fresh and indicating that it will be very drinkable in 2015.
This fruity wine, free from any oak aging, revels in its attractive tropical flavors. It's as ripe and rich as the vintage suggests, with light, balanced acidity. The aftertaste is soft, keeping up the fruitiness. Drink now.
This fruity wine, named after the family that owns Rocim, has attractive acidity, spice and delicious citrus flavors. The aftertaste is tangy and zesty. Drink now.
This fruity wine, with its blackberry fruit, is ripe, generous and developing fast. A fine juicy character bursts through its firm structure to give a crisp aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
This fruity young wine has a ripe spring in its step. It has red-berry fruitiness as well as sweeter candied fruits balanced by an edge of spirit and acidity. This is an easy style of Port, ready to drink at any time.
This fruity, aromatic wine is fresh and crisp. It has a strongly herbaceous, citrus character and an intensely perfumed backdrop. Drink now.
This fruity, black-currant-flavored wine comes from a blend of Merlot and Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc. A strong, smoky tannin character lies under the fruit and makes the wine both structured and fresh, with blackberry acidity at the end. This promises some aging; drink from 2017. An Alliance Bourg member.
This fruity, crisp blend of local white grapes offers a touch of vanilla as well as creamy white stone fruits. It is juicy, full of acidity and minerality. Drink this wine from 2018.
This fruity, crisp wine offers layers of acidity and bright fruit, with a refreshing burst of red currants. It's delicious and ready to drink now.
This fruity, friendly Pinot opens with ripe berry aromas mixed with touches of minerality and latex. It feels fresh and sturdy, with black cherry and raspberry flavors. A pure, sweet, lightly chocolaty finish wraps things up.
This fruity, jammy and ripe wine is full of black-plum flavors. It has solid tannins and a dense structure along with layers of wood aging and fruitier acidity. Drink this wine now.
This fruity, light and fresh wine offers easy tannins and red berry fruits. It's rounded and juicy, smoothed by wood aging that gives it a ripe aftertaste. Drink now.
This fruity, light wine is full of red berries. The tannins are there, playing a supporting role to the intense fruitiness and acidity that's typical of the vintage. This wine will develop quickly, so drink from 2017.
This fruity, off-dry Riesling is sourced from the Lawrence Vineyards on the Royal Slope. Despite the relatively cool climate site, it has a ton of very ripe fruit, peaches and apricots. There is a slight bitterness, perhaps from skin contact, in the finish.
This fruity, one-dimensional wine has flavors of blackberries, brown sugar and caramelized oak. The tannins are nice and thick, suggesting grilled meats for pairings.
This fruity, perfumed wine (the Moscatel Roxo in the blend sees to that), is ripe and full bodied, with some light sweetness giving a soft, gentle aftertaste. Screwcap.
This fruity, ready-to-drink wine is crisp and packed with citrus and grapefruit flavors. With bright final acidity, it is refreshing and herbal.
This fruity, soft wine is ready to drink. With apple and pear flavors, just the right amount of crisp acidity and a bright aftertaste, it's made for this summer.
This fruity, sweet wine is immediately attractive and ripe. With its great apricot and pineapple fruit, hints of spicy wood and balancing acidity, it's perfect as an apéritif—light and refreshing. Drink now.
This fruity, unoaked wine is bright with citrus and crisp apple flavors, lightly perfumed from the Verdelho and Cerceal grapes in the blend. It's a refreshing wine that is ready now.
This fruity, very fresh wine has attractive acidity under its crisp apple and citrus flavors. It is light in texture, just tangy from lemon zest and with a bright, refreshing aftertaste.
This fruity, wood-aged wine has plenty of potential. Its stone fruit flavors are full and rich, a contrast to the herbaceous edge. A smooth texture is just showing through. Keep for 2–3 years.
This fruitywine has crisp acids and a pretty overlay of toasty oak. Drinks rich in apple, citrus and pear flavors, with a creamy texture, and is dry.
This full-bodied and apparently sweet Zinfandel drinks more like a Port than a dry wine. It smells like boysenberry syrup on waffles, has a juicy, soft texture, and raisin and prune flavors.
This full-bodied and assertive wine from hillside vineyards has earthy aromas, ripe but dry fruit flavors, and a dense texture due to mouth-coating tannins. It will need time in the bottle to round off, but should be delicious after 2018.
This full-bodied and beautifully flavored wine goes deep in terms of ripe fruit and subtle spices, and has a calm, composed character and ultrasmooth, slightly restrained texture. Delicious black-cherry and currant notes come out in the bouquet, weave through the palate and linger on the finish.
This full-bodied and complex wine has loads of personality. An exotic, slightly earthy aroma leads to fruity richness and good viscosity on the palate, with a creamy texture and wonderful sense of layering.
This full-bodied and densely textured wine has a deep color, aromas like wood smoke and blackberries, and flavors that saturate the palate with berries, clove and dark chocolate notes. It's bold in body, has plenty of tannins for grip, and a lingering, rich finish.
This full-bodied and earthy-tasting wine has berries and cherries in the aroma and beefy, savory flavors that fill out the rather tannic texture nicely.
This full-bodied and earthy wine has a very dark color. Aromas suggest dark chocolate and barnyard, while dense, dark-fruit flavors come with plenty of tannin behind them.
This full-bodied and effusive wine has a sweet, oaky aroma and similarly rich flavors of black cherry and blackberry jam. It feels smooth and luxurious.
This full-bodied and extroverted wine has become one of Lodi's best-selling. It has an unusually deep color plus lavish aromas of ripe fruit, maple syrup, and milk chocolate. Rich, nearly sweet fruit flavors suggest boysenberry jam.
This full-bodied and firmly tannic wine from a star winery in Lake County has wood smoke and anise aromas, generous black fruit flavors and a good, grippy texture. That structure will help the wine age well, allowing the rather intense flavors to mellow and evolve. Best after 2021.
This full-bodied and relatively pale-colored wine offers a pretty combination of light cherry, cinnamon and nutmeg flavors. A sweet-seeming ripeness adds to the luxurious texture. Firm acidity and a backdrop of fine-grained tannins balance it out and counter the richness beautifully.
This full-bodied and ripe wine shows the richness of the Pinot grapes in the blend. It has crisp red apple and grapefruit fruit, followed by a tighter, steely texture that increases the freshness. At the end, it is as much fruity as textured.
This full-bodied and robust wine is marked by dense tannins and heavy-handed oak, suppressing its ripe, bold strawberry and rhubarb flavors. The acidity is moderate and as of yet not fully integrated.
This full-bodied and robustly concentrated wine has chocolate and cherry aromas, rich and ripe plum and blackberry flavors and layers of chocolate and vanilla on the palate and finish. It feels broad and juicy in texture, too.
This full-bodied and savory blend of Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla and Sauvignon opens with lovely aromas of hawthorne, apple and stone fruit. The vibrant palate delivers yellow peach, nectarine, Golden Delicious apple and candied citrus alongside bright acidity.
This full-bodied and smooth-textured wine has subtle aromas like cinnamon, mint and raspberry. Bold flavors recall ripe plums and dried cherries. A soft mouthfeel is partly due to light tannins.
This full-bodied and tannic wine balances richness and restraint well. The color is basically black with a smoky red rim, while the aroma is full of inviting ripe fruit, like boysenberries and blackberries with a whiff of wet earth and dried herbs. Flavors are almost as rich as the aroma, and the texture is quite grippy with tannins to give it structure.
This full-bodied Assyrtico offers aromas of pineapple, citrus and spice on the nose, while the palate brings layers of fruit, minerals and lemon. Delicious with a good acidity, imagine this white with grilled chicken or fish.
This full-bodied attractively dry wine has very flavorful blackberry and black-cherry accents and a good grippy moderately tannic texture. Blended from Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, it's nicely balanced and complete: a go-to wine for almost any occasion.
This full-bodied Barbera's especially dark, opaque color is difficult to miss, and its aromas are equally intense. It smells like a late harvest wine, and its blackberry jam and cherry compote flavors seem to coat the palate. Although dry, it's ripe to the extreme and structured with moderate tannins.
This full-bodied Barbera has ripe black-cherry aromas nuanced with toast and coffee notes. The palate is structured, with dark fruit flavors, pepper, toasted oak and espresso notes, but the drying wood tannins result in an abrupt finish. Grape Expectations and Massanois Imports.
This full-bodied Barbera opens with aromas of mature plum, violet, vanilla, toasted oak, sage and coffee. The firm palate offers black currant, raspberry, clove and anise accompanied by vibrant acidity and fine-grained tannins.
This full-bodied blend of 50% Cabernet, 20% Petit Verdot, 20% Syrah and 15% Merlot delivers aromas and flavors of black currant, tobacco, licorice, clove and dried mint. Tightly wound, dusty tannins offer support and need time to unwind. Drink 2017–2022.
This full-bodied blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo Nero and 10% Colorino opens with aromas of plum, ripe berry, smoke, leather and a hint of baking spice. The smooth, savory palate delivers layers of dark cherry, black raspberry, clove and cinnamon alongside firm, velvety tannins. Drink 2015–2021.
This full-bodied blend of Clairette (60%) and Roussanne (40%) is concentrated but a bit simple, with aromas and flavors of grilled pineapple. It's crisp and clean on the flavorful finish.
This full-bodied blend of grapes from a wide assortment of top vineyards shows fine acidity, a good phenolic frame of citrus rind, and core flavors of lemon and grapefruit, green apple and white peach. There's a seam of butterscotch also, from aging in one-third new French Burgundian oak barrels.
This full-bodied blend of Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo opens with heady scents of iris, violet, dark berry and a note of pipe tobacco. The firm, savory palate doles out ripe black cherry, licorice, ground black pepper and clove while assertive but well-integrated tannins provide support. Drink 2016–2021.
This full-bodied blend of Viognier, Clairette and Grenache Blanc is a pretty typical white from the Southern Rhône. It's largely neutral in aroma and flavor save for a modest melon note, with a weighty mouthfeel. Drink soon.
This full-bodied blockbuster strikes a good balance between very ripe, lavish fruit aromas and spicy oak and berry flavors and a sense of good structure. It has gobs of strawberry and mulberry, a light and lively texture despite the high alcohol, and lingering, almost sweet finish.
This full-bodied Bordeaux-style blend is hardly simple and fruity. It has earthy spicy leathery aromas along with raspberry flavors tinged by earth and tobacco, plus moderate tannins for a pleasantly grippy texture.
This full-bodied but agile wine combines smoky, toasty, peppery aromas with tasty black currant and dark chocolate flavors that remain on the austere side, but promise good development through at least 2018. The texture is tannic, but the mouthfeel is not harsh, conveying plenty of power gently contained.
This full-bodied but far from heavy wine has wonderful aromatic complexity, evoking Bing cherries, black tea, clove and pine forest, while the flavors gush with red cherry and rhubarb. The slightly lean and crisp balance combines with bright and layered flavors in an appealing way. Best through 2020.
This full-bodied but informal wine has sensations of leafy forest floor, mature black cherry, prune and tobacco alongside firm tannins. It's straightforward with a warm midpalate and shy on fresh acidity so enjoy it soon.