Petit Verdot is a hard variety to successfully make on its own. Although this has intense flavors of blackberries, black currants and dark chocolate, there's not much beyond the seemingly sweet flavors. The high alcohol lends this a Port-like heat.
Petit Verdot is hard to make well on its own, but Bon Niche has succeeded with this bottle. It's midnight black in color, bone dry, thick in tannins and enormously rich in blackberries. Could be the perfect steak wine. Drink now–2017.
Petit Verdot is known for its color, and this wine is dark purple, almost black. The tannins are also pretty prominent, although they are balanced by a freshness from black currant fruits and a fine, mineral structure. There is a touch of pepper and spice at the end. Drink from 2018.
Petit Verdot is normally a blending grape, but with this bottling, Stryker has produced a very interesting and very good wine. Like a fine Cabernet Sauvignon, it's dark, full bodied and tannic, filled with blackberry purée, dark chocolate and toast flavors. Delicious now, and should age well for many years.
Petit Verdot is not an easy grape; here it turns volatile, the grapes pruney, and the finish tannic and short.
Petit Verdot is the current darling of the Bordeaux crowd in California. It's not hard to see why. It produces darkly colored, dry wines, deeply flavored in currants, cassis, chocolate and, often, violets, wrapped into firm tannins. This 100% varietal bottling is a good example. While not an ager, it's a flashy, complex wine to drink over the next few years.
Petit Verdot makes up a full 14% of this wine, which also includes 9% Cabernet Franc. Penetrating aromas of raspberries, fresh cherries, licorice, herb, vanilla and barrel spices are at the fore. The flavors are plush and juicy, bringing a sense of elegance and poise. The barrel aromas and flavors are prominent, but it still brings appeal.
Petit Verdot makes up a full 62% of this wine, with the rest Merlot (18%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Malbec (5%) and Cabernet Franc. The aromas offer notes of blackberry, Fruit Roll-Ups, herb, dark soil and flower. The palate brings cherry flavors, bright acids and chewy tannins. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
Petite Sirah's big tannins are here, though the blackberry fruit notes are diluted. Not going anywhere, so drink up.
Petite Sirah and Syrah are included in this intensely fruity wine, aged for one year in French and American oak, 25% of it new. Aromas and flavors of barbecue smoke provide a hint of char, offset by the background sweetness of vanilla.
Petite Sirah has a long history in Livermore Valley and the Del Arroyo Vineyard from which this wine hails is planted to the heritage Concannon clone. Restrained and spicy, it offers velvety blackberry and raspberry fruit and a lingering tropical aroma, encased with a morsel of dark chocolate. With well-managed tannins, the wine begs to be set on the table alongside peppery steaks.
Petite Sirah is Concannon's specialty, and their Livermore vineyard makes a California classic. The wine is varietally true, with firm, dry tannins framing massive flavors of berries, cherries, chocolate, plums and Asian spicebox. Should age effortlessly for a very long time, in a proper cellar.
Petite Sirah makes up 60% of this wine, with the rest equal parts Syrah and Grenache. It brings aromas of herb, cherry, black licorice and spice. The palate is dense and structured, with layers of dark fruit flavors.
Petite Sirah remains a curiosity in Oregon, and at such a low level of ripeness, this turns generic. Tart cranberry fruit remains herbal and thin as it hits a quick finish. The wine is well made, but lacks varietal punch and authenticity.
Petite Verdot is a difficult wine to make interesting in its own right, but Reverie has pulled it off. It's very much like a Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, dry, tannic and filled with blackberry, cherry and cassis flavors. Not exactly clear why you'd want a Petite Verdot instead of a Cabernet, except for the interest value, but it's certainly an achievement.
Petite Verdot is a hard variety to succeed on its own, but Calcareous has produced a fine, dry wine made from that Bordeaux variety. It's full-bodied and complex, with flavors of currants, mushu plum sauce, violets, dark chocolate and anise. Such are the tannins that the wine should develop through 2010.
Petrol and citrus aromas and flavors merge seamlessly in this medium-bodied dry Riesling. It seems atypically round for such a young Eden Valley Riesling, so maybe not a long-term proposition, but it goes down easily now, with a long, slightly oily finish.
Petrol aromas lead to a wine that has ripe fruits balanced by intense acidity and delicious freshness. The palate is marked with flavors of almonds and red fruits with a crisp, bright aftertaste.
Petrol aromas lead to a wine that has seen some wood aging and that seems to miss out on fruitiness. It has toast, a burned character and a taut texture. The rest of the wine is bland.
Petrol leads the nose, which also deals pear and melon in a solid facsimile of Alsace. The palate is lemony and cut by streaking acidity, while the flavors of citrus run tart and monotone. Finishes zesty, with green apple and lemon.
Petrol, motor oil and peach aromas, along with a whiff of cheese, entice the nose. The wine feels chunky and tastes of tarragon, thyme, grapefruit and green apple. Overall, it's a basic wine, and it doesn't improve on the finish.
Petrol, sliced tennis ball and fresh-cut grass show on the nose of this bottling that is boosted in the suavity category by 13% Sémillon. It's immediately lively on the tongue, with soda and lime-pith energy giving tension to the Anjou pear skins and kumquat fruit.
Petruccino is a delightful and elegant wine with great red fruit intensity folded within leather, spice and tobacco. The blend is Sangiovese (60%), Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and the wine offers crispness, softness and structure, respectively, thanks to these three varieties.
Petrussa's Pinot Bianco opens with a rich, golden color and vibrant aromas of peach, melon, pineapple and white almond. The wine shows solid structure with a dense, creamy texture.
Pezzo Morgana is a hearty red wine that opens with savory aromas of ripe blackberry, leather and cured meat. The finish is smooth and rich.
Pfendler has striven to raise the quality of their Pinot Noir, and this 2011 keeps them firmly in place. It's a good, sound wine, dry and silky, with bright acidity and fine raspberry and cherry flavors.
Pfersigberg, the hill of peach trees, is an apt name for this ripe wine. Yellow and tropical fruits show strongly along with spice, bergamot and concentration from the 50-year-old vines in the wine. The chalk soil gives a touch of minerality to the aftertaste that remains rich and full-bodied in style. Drink from 2017.
Pfister's Riesling is classic, simple and fruity. With its light mineral texture, tight acidity and delicate lemon and grapefruit flavors, it's totally ready to drink.
Phebus is a new label from Fabre Montmayou, and frankly this wine has issues. It smells a lot like gumballs and a wet, dirty dog. It doesn't have much substance or flow, and that gamy, wet-dog character is persistent, even on the flavor profile.
Phelps is, of course, a red wine house, but they do a credible job with Sauvignon Blanc. The ‘06 is stylish and balanced, and while it's not especially complex, it offers up a crisp mouthful of citrus, fig, melon, spice and oak flavors.
Phiale (an unusual expression of oak-aged Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio) shows power, extraction and concentration in the form of toast, spice, cedar, bramble and blackberry. The mouthfeel is dense and long-lasting and the wine tastes very exotic with a touch of bitter almond on the close.
Phil Sexton's wines under the Giant Steps label are becoming more consistent, and the 2014s may be his best yet. This is a medium- to full-bodied wine, with a supple, creamy texture and lingering notes of spring flowers and black cherries. Subtle oaking adds brown sugar and mocha shadings to the crisp finish. Drink now–2022.
Philadelphia-born Daniel Brennan has crafted this medium-bodied wine from a vineyard in the Crownthorpe subregion. Despite its modest alcohol level, it tastes ripe, offering attractive hints of snow pea, fig and nectarine before falling away a bit rapidly on the finish.
Philip the Bold was Duke of Burgundy in the 14th century and owner of this estate. This wine that comes from vines next to Saint-Aubin is cool and fresh, emphasizing red currants and acidity. It needs to broaden out, which will happen in the next two to three years. Drink from 2019.
Philippe and Gilles Reich have produced this rich while structured wine from their family vineyard. It has generous black fruits that are supported by wood-aging flavors and finely balanced tannins. The majority Cabernet Sauvignon blend gives juicy black-currant fruit. Drink this wine from 2018.
Phillips Hill's Two Terroirs is very subtly marked “AV + MR,” signaling that the fruit was sourced from both the cool Anderson Valley and even cooler Mendocino Ridge. It's lightly earthy and resplendent in bright, just-ripe cherry tones. Gorgeously crisp, with undeniable structure, this is ready to drink, but it would also shine in a few years time.
Phinny Hill is in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington, a prestigious location near Champoux and other high end growers. This Carmenère has 5% Syrah added, but the varietal character dominates, with strong green leaf and herb flavors. The tannins are woody and the fruit fragrant with blackberry and cassis. Good varietal expression is the hallmark of this wine.
Piña has a spectacular record with this wine, and indeed with all their Cabs from Howell Mountain. The '07 is notable for its superb structure. It has pristine tannins and a good, dry mouthfeel, with very rich flavors of blackberries, currants, chocolate and cedar that are grounded with notes of anise and sweet herbs. Very fine and dramatic, this 100% Cab should develop for at least the next eight years.
Pian delle Vigne's 2004 Brunello is worlds apart from the scorching hot 2003 vintage—so different, in fact, the wine seems utterly reborn. You can smell those hallmark Sangiovese aromas: cherry, blue flower and wet earth, and taste the variety's elegant acidity.
Pian Piano is a simple, pleasant rosato from Tuscany made from equal parts Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has subdued aromas of red berry and cinnamon-spice that carry over to the palate. Pair this with light pasta dishes and grilled vegetables.
PianCornello opens with very nice intensity and a dark Brunello color with aromas of cured meat, ripe blackberry and exotic spice. It's a bigger, thicker expression of the wine with firm tannins and ripe berry flavors backed by just enough acidity to keep the palate refreshed.
Piano Maltese is a fragrant and floral blend of Grillo and Catarratto with pretty notes of jasmine, honeysuckle and essence of peach blossom. The wine has a buoyant, vibrant personality with crisp freshness and long peach flavors.
Piastraia is a luscious and decadent wine with a plush, smooth mouthfeel. This blend of Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon opens with focused mineral tones backed by cherry, blackberry and spice.
Piattelli is an under-the-radar label that makes very good to excellent Malbec from old vines in Luján del Cuyo, Mendoza. And the prices are more than fair. This wine is big and focused, with intense blackberry, chocolate and espresso qualities throughout. And the finish is midnight dark. Good through 2012.
Piccini's nod to the '90s (the other wines are fairly traditional) is this internationally styled “mini Tuscan” that blends ripe plum fruit with the chocolate and vanilla flavors imparted by oak.
Piccini's top wine is this super Tuscan that puts 60% Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot in a successful blend of tobacco, earth and dark fruit flavors. The '99 is firmer in structure than the '97, a reflection of the vintage.
Piccini offers a great opportunity to experience Brunello di Montalcino to those who may not already be familiar with this storied Tuscan wine. Available at a more attractive price, the wine is lean and compact with bright notes of cherry, blackberry and exotic spice.
Piccini offers good value deals from Tuscany and this Riserva Chianti Classico follows in that tradition. The wine is compact and clean, in typical Sangiovese fashion, and ends with a bright blast of mouth-freshening acidity.
Piccini shows confidence and consistency with this best-selling value wine. Easy aromas of wild berry, blue violet and moist earth reveal its Tuscan soul.
Piccole Gioie (“little joys”) delivers a steady stream of tiny bubbles that form a foamy, creamy appearance and texture. In fact, a frothy cap remains long in the glass and provides a solid platform for aromas of honey, peach blossom, fragrant flower and dried sage.
Picked a bit soon due to an early freeze in 2009, this had plenty of sugar ripeness but lost a bit of the complexity that extra time on the vine can bring. Fruit forward with flavors of boysenberry and some brown sugar, this is a wine to enjoy while it's young and fresh.
Picked and vinified expressly for this rosé, the grapes were sourced from the Armada Vineyard. It has a pale, copper-like onion-skin shade, it is aged for a year longer than most rosés, but it has lost none of its freshness. The pretty strawberry note gains complexity and textural interest as it lingers on the palate. Persistent, focused, leesy and long, this elegant rosé looks deceptively light, but offers powerful flavors.
Picked at 33 brix and fermented in new French oak, this heavy, almost oily dessert wine has a floral aroma as intense as bottled perfume. Flavors suggest orange liqueur, honey and candied apricots. It pulls together just enough acidity to avoid falling into a fat, cloying finish.
Picked from selection of grapes from the estate's best parcels, this is a perfumed, dense and rich blend of Syrah, Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its concentrated black fruits and rich tannins are impressive. It has style, too, as well as great ripe fruits and power. Drink this fine wine from 2019.
Picked in November, the late harvest grapes make up this rich wine, with honey and ginger flavors along with light, dancing acidity that gives the wine great poise. Great with pâtés or terrines.
Picked late and fermented on native yeast, this Viognier brings some snap and spice to its scents and flavors. The lime and quinine quality recalls a good gin and tonic; it definitely leans to the herbal rather than the tropical side of Viognier, but is crisp and refreshing.
Picked on the early side, this is a lean, tight expression of what can be a plump endearing variety. Melon and fresh herbs turn grapefruit as the wine progresses across the palate, finishing tart and crisp. Drink now.
Picked relatively early—the finished alcohol level is only 11%—this is suprisingly soft and round while remaining light in body: It's a charming sylph. The only quibble is that the lime-like flavors fade relatively quickly on the finish.
Picking the grapes at night gives extra freshness to what is a rich wine. The acidity is very present, with ripe yellow fruits and pineapple. Fruity, textured and needing a year to age.
Picking up just a tad of spice from the 2% Syrah addition, this offers aromas of freshly tanned leather, blackberry jam and mint-laced coffee. The palate is all about gripping tannins, cigar ash and tart cherry skins, proving quite extracted but certain to improve with a bit of patience and mellowing.
Pickle and sweet funk on the nose give this chunky wine a nose that's less than fresh. Flavors of orange, peach and cantaloupe are sweet but flat, and in the end it tastes more like a fruit juice than a really solid dry rosé.
Pickle barrel scents and a strong impression of green wood, along with a whiff of cedar, characterize this rough, rustic, tannic wine. The 2007 is the current release and is drying out quickly. Drink up.
Pickle, rubberband and briary berry aromas give way to a full but choppy palate with stewy, herbal berry flavors. Oak rises up on the finish in the form of burnt toast and mint. Standard but herbal; average for inexpensive Chilean Merlot.
Pickled and briny smelling up front, this semisweet wine doesn't open well. A cloying, low-acid palate is another strike against it, while flavors of candied apple, canned peaches and vanilla finish sticky.
Pickled and leesy on the nose, this kosher Cava runs low on verve and bubbles. Scallion, green herb and green banana flavors finish similarly, with herbal notes leading the way. 100% Macabeo.
Pickled and nutty on the nose, the palate brings little nuance in briny, savory flavors of cidery apples.
Pickled aromas are a touch funky and muted on the nose. Green, grassy flavors of lime and bitter melon are just good enough.
Pickled aromas of citrus and apple suggest sauerkraut. A bit flat and lazy on the palate, this tastes of briny citrus and green herbs. A grassy-tasting finish brings back pickled, briny notes.
Pickled on the nose, with aromas that hint at white grapes such as Verdejo. This is jumpy and unsettled, with citrus and white grapefruit flavors leaving a tangy burn on the finish. Jangled and sharp.
Pickled, briny aromas come up short and the palate is snappy but not well defined. Flavors of bitter citrus finish equally pithy.
Pickled, briny aromas lead to a palate defined only by pithy citrus fruit. This tastes mostly of bitter citrus, while the finish brings herbacious tones.
Pickled, briny aromas of canned vegetables are common for this wine and Casa Marin. On the palate, high acidity sticks out and lends an iron grip to this original coastal SB. A mix of citrus and vegetal flavors include notes of pumpkin and pickled beans.
Pickled, briny aromas of citrus and berry fruits are modest. On the palate, this is soft and low on acidity. Flavors of raspberry, cherry and red currant are mild, with a touch of bitterness.
Pickled, briny aromas set up a plump palate that is the best part of the wine. Flavors of bland melon are salty, while the finish fails to improve on anything that came before it.
Picol is an oak-aged Sauvignon that incorporates notes of toasted almond nut and honey along with the variety's standard bouquet of exotic fruit and citrus. Pair it with poached salmon or Mediterranean fish with a creamy butter sauce.
Picolit is a precious and uniquely Italian dessert wines that relies on a variety of special conditions to produce overwhelming elegance and concentration. Livio Felluga does a wonderful job with this wine that opens with a luminous golden color and segues to luscious, creamy flavors of honey, white flower and almond paste.
Picolit is a rare and precious dessert wine from northeast Italy that delivers extreme concentration and sweetness thanks to extremely low vineyard yields. This expression shows a deep golden color with apricot, honey, orange zest and fragrant honeysuckle.
Picolit is a rare and precious dessert wine that shows aromas of candied fruit, pressed flower and honey. This expression has a touch of bitter almond on the finish.
Picture-perfect coastal California Sauvignon Blanc, dry and crisp in acidity, with mouthwatering flavors of citrus fruits, tart green apples and minerals. Really elegant, with a steely streamlined framework that makes it super versatile at the table.
Picture-perfect Dry Creek Valley Zin. So lush, so delicious, you just can't get enough. Power-packed with cherry, raspberry, cassis, chocolate, licorice, tobacco, oak and spice flavors, the wine's structure is beautiful, with elegant tannins and brisk acids.
Picture grandma standing over a pot of stewed prunes, which fill the dusty old house with their sickly aromas. Cooked, earthy and rustic, this wine has little going for it. Just barely acceptable.
Picture perfect Gewürz, this is crisp and incredibly flavorful, with notes of grapefruits, Asian pears and tropical fruits, exotic spices, wild honeysuckle and vanilla. While the label says it's dry, it's rich in honey and butter flavors.
Picture perfect Sonoma Zin, said to be made from old-vine vineyards. It's dry, softly tannic and sweetly ripe in black raspberry, cherry and blackberry fruit, with a rich earthiness and even an umami touch of grilled bacon. Delicious for drinking now.
Picturesque with a crystalline salmon color, it begins with the scent of just-bitten nectarine. The following flavors of tart apple and a slightly bitter salinity ensure the uniqueness of this wine. Mourvèdre (57%) is in the lead, followed closely by Grenache (28%) and Counoise (15%), all coming from the original cuttings of the Château de Beaucastel. This age-worthy blend will be fun to track 2017–2019.
Pie-filling blackberries, cherries and currants star in this heavy, soft, oaky Cabernet. It's fully dry, and the tannins are rich and fine, but it lacks a bit of liveliness. Drink now.
Pie cherry and raspberry fruit flavors open, with gentle barrel notes of toast and caramel. Balanced and light, this has a pleasing elegance, though a quick finish suggests a lack of depth.
Pie cherry and rhubarb notes make a bright impression on the nose, followed by tart flavors bundled in a mocha-tinged wrapper. The texture is almost syrupy on the midpalate, but turns dry and dusty on the finish. This is a bit disjointed at this stage, so perhaps it will improve with cellaring. Try after 2018.
Pieluni Riserva is a superdense and rich expression of Montepulciano that could use another 3–5 years of aging. Oak spice aromas (the wine aged in French barrique for 18 months) are evident and will relax with time, ulimately revealing black fruit, cassis and sweet cinnamon spice.
Piercing and pungent up front, with sharp-edged aromas of nettle, lime, arugula and green bean. The palate is lithe and crisp, with green-leaning flavors of lettuce, lime and passion fruit. Lasting on the finish, with bell pepper and celery. A prime example of cool-climate Chilean SB.
Piercing aromas announce that this is no basic quaffer. The palate shows blazing acids that narrow everything down to citrus, lemon, underripe pineapple and Granny Smith apple flavors. While almost sour, it's not, with briney green fruit on a long, scouring finish.
Piercing aromas of char and creosote are like a laser pop surrounded by a note of blackberry. This is raw, tannic and hard on the palate. Chunky berry flavors are heavily oaked, while this is jammy in feel and tastes of blueberry on the finish. Drink through 2021.
Piercing aromas of grapy blackberry are full-on and a touch hot. This ripe bruiser is plump and chunky in feel, with hard tannins. Luscious flavors of boysenberry, blackberry and herbs end with oaky fanfare, length and clarity. Drink through 2023.
Piercing aromas of red-berry fruits and red-apple skins are a touch rough but improve with airing. This feels fresh, medium in size, and tastes of herbal plum and cherry prior to a lightly herbal finish.
Piercing aromas of very ripe fruit, verging on scents of raisins and prunes, mix in with dark streaks of cedar, coffee, and baking chocolate. Nothing shy here! This is full-bodied, forceful, big, bold and still balanced, though not a wine to pair with anything but the most robust foods.
Piercing aromas, but not very fruity. It's a bit like wasabe at the sushi joint. The palate has some cassis, cherry and spice, while the finish is also spicy. At first it shows some power but things fade fast as opposed to improving.
Piercing black cherry and cassis aromas are a touch rustic and massive, but hey, that's old-vines Carignan from Maule (this one also contains 12% Cinsault). So saturated that it's beastly on the palate, this tastes of hard-rolling blackberry and black plum. Plenty of gritty spice, tomato and integrated oak fill out the menu. Drink through 2025.
Piercing blueberry and wild berry aromas are prototypical of this label. A juicy, high-acid palate is linear and a bit edgy, but its composition bodes well for the future. Spiced plum and currant flavors finish with toast, spice and berry notes. Drink through 2024.
Piercing choppy aromas of balsamic plum, tobacco and cherry lead to a tannic, scratchy palate with saucy, oaky berry flavors that come with a baked overtone. This Rioja from a poor vintage runs long on the finish, with an oak-based vanilla flavor and residual balsamic notes.
Piercing green aromas are far out front, distracting from the notes of cherry and herb. The cherry flavors seem a bit attenuated.
Piercing leather, berry and foresty aromas lead to a zesty palate of medicinal cherry and raspberry flavors. The acidity here is high, and so there's some tartness and scour to the palate and finish. Tastes pretty good but rides rough and bumpy.
Piercing lemon-lime acidity cuts a razor's edge through this dense, mouthfilling wine. Dry in style, it's a showcase of minerality rather than overt fruit flavors, finishing long on a breathless flurry of orange blossom.
Piercing lemon and lime notes are offset by juicy peach and pear flavors in this fresh, easy-drinking Riesling. Off dry in style, it's fruity and forward, with a crisp, refreshing finish.
Piercing lime notes hit a staccato beat against ripe, luscious white grapefruit in this spry, zesty Riesling. A shade off dry, it's vibrant yet satisfyingly easy drinking. Enjoy now for its youthful exuberance.
Piercing minerality with pure plum and berry aromas greet you on a rock-solid bouquet. This thoroughbred Rioja is racy and juicy, with inky black fruit flavors over subdued oak. A muscular and minty finish is full of verve and potential. Drink from 2016 through 2026.
Piercing oak deals aromas of lemon and graphite, and there's serious berry fruit, herbal scents and sous-bois to go with that. Lively and showing good maturity and acidity, with flavors of black fruits, vanilla, chocolate, toast and tobacco. Good on the finish, with everything coming full circle.
Piercing on the nose, with aromas of cola, graphite, juniper and blackberry. Feels thick, with meaty flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, herb and flower notes. Layered and relatively long on the finish. Impressive for under-$20 Chilean Syrah, with complexity and sauvage notes.
Piercing on the nose, with hickory smoke, char and exotic boysenberry aromas. Feels high in acid and low in density, with a tight and biting mouthfeel along with heavily oaked flavors of berry fruit, vanilla, butter and coconut. Very fresh and colorful, but lacking in stuffing and complexity.
Piercing on the nose, with toasty oak scents, mint and lemon along with standard blackberry and raspberry. Feels good and tight, with a structured composition and bright flavors of cherry, plum and toast. Turns chocolaty and a touch salty on the finish. A nice, stocky, lively wine.
Piercing quince and tangerine flavors brighten this deeply rocky, smoky wine that's full of earthy, savory complexity. Delicate and off-dry, it balances juicy citrus flavors withpert acidity. The finish is refreshingly brisk and dry.
Piercing sour raspberry aromas introduce an edgy, scratchy feeling wine with a combo of minty, herbal pie cherry and red plum flavors. This dries out and finishes modestly, but always with true Pinot Noir character.
Piercing to start, with leathery, bacony and campfire aromas. Saturated, although healthy, if a bit hard and tannic. Flavors of bacon and clove are right up there with black fruit and syupy richness, and clove carries onto the finish. Needs time to breathe and unfold; 65% Garnacha and 35% Syrah.
Piercing woody aromas are about all you get on the nose of this barrel-fermented blend of Viura and Tempranillo Blanco. The palate is crisp, tight and resiny, while overtly woody flavors outweigh background white-fruit notes. A resiny flavor is front and center on a barrel-driven finish.
Piercing woody aromas create a fiery nose of spicy red-fruit scents. Narrow, gritty and scratchy in feel, this tastes of red-berry fruits, vanilla and buttery oak. The finish hints at buttered movie popcorn.
Piercing, heavily oaked and smelling a bit of turpentine, this is grabby and tannic on the palate, with resiny, oaky flavors of raspberry and plum. It finishes hot and thick in feel as well as minty in flavor.
Piercing, jabbing aromas of wood and berry fruits lead to a juicy, acidic, fresh feeling palate with light, oaky, generic flavors of minty berry, herbs and oak. A modest, oaky finish is undistinguished.
Pieropan's base Soave is not labeled “Classico” only because the wine is packaged in a screw cap bottle. You'll love the fresh notes here of chopped sage, citrus, pear and spring flower. Fifteen percent Trebbiano di Soave is added to the blend.
Pieropan's basic Soave Classico offers refreshing aromas of stone fruit, honeysuckle, grapefruit and lime. The wine is light and crisp with tonic acidity on the close and an easy, direct approach.
Pieropan's La Rocca distinguishes itself from the Calvarino bottling by firmer structure and greater ageability. Tasted in spring 2003, this effort still has plenty of life left. Mimics Sauvignon a little in its gooseberry and red-currant flavors and grapefruity acidity.
Pierre Henri Morel is Chapoutier's general manager, but he also has his own line of wines that can often represent excellent value. This blend of Grenache, Clairette and Bourboulenc is full bodied and rich, toasty and smoky with oak influence and well endowed with peach and pineapple fruit. Drink it over the next year.
Pierre Léon is a selection of different clones from the winery estate. Maybe it's the vintage, but the wine seems dilute. The flavors of tart wild berry, earth and herb have a thin, edgy character; and the tannins seem greener than what would be optimal.
Pierre Lurton runs Cheval Blanc and d'Yquem and this winery, his home château. This is a smooth wine, full-bodied and with a soft texture. It is ripe with apricot and pear flavors, cut with sliced apple. A touch of spice adds interest. With its ripe, full aftertaste the wine shows the plumper side of the vintage. It is ready to drink.
Pierres Blanches (white stones) constitute the soil of this parcel. That gives a strongly textured, mineral character, as well as allowing room for the ripe apple and citrus flavors. The wine is rich, rounded and will age. Drink from 2016.
Pietracalda (“hot stone”) is Fiano di Avellino done in a vibrant and lively style to enhance its natural aromas of pear, peach and white stone. The wine has crisp acidity and a creamy, pulpy feel in the mouth.
Pietracalda (which translates into “hot rock”) seems indeed to release aromas of sunbaked granite or river stone over lush background tones of peach, pear and yellow lemon zest. There's a drying, polished feel in the mouth with a touch of bitter almond on the close.
Pietramarina (a pure expression of Carricante) shows light touches of lemon rind and exotic fruit followed by etched mineral notes of crushed granite and brimstone. The finish is tight, fresh and capped by a slightly menthol-like sensation.
Pietramarina (Carricante grapes grown with the labor-intensive alberello system on Mt. Etna) is a beautiful white wine with well-defined mineral tones, solid structure and focused aromas of peach and almond. It even has a hint of tannin, and this white wine will safely age five or more years.
Pietramora Riserva is a dark and masculine wine with aromas of blackberry, black cherry and plum backed by soft renderings of spice, rum cake and leather. The wine shows nice density that is filling without being heavy.
Pignoletto is a little-known grape variety that is rarely produced as a mono-varietal expression. It's even rarer to see it in a sparkling, or frizzante, version like this: Sweet floral aromas are backed by bright peach nectar.
Pike's top Riesling features aromas of crushed stone and damp moss, while the flavors bring to mind tangy limes and underripe nectarines. It's actually a bit rounder in feel than expected, then gains focus on the long finish.
Piled high with tannins, José Perdigão's dark, firm wine is structured and rich. A blend of 35% each of Tinta Roriz and Jaen, 20% Touriga Nacional and 10% Alfrocheiro enmeshed in new French barrels for 12 months, it shows black plum, dark chocolate and spice tones alongside bright acidity. It is still working its way through the dry core of tannins and will certainly be better to drink from 2019.
Piled with tannins, this is still a dry wine. The weight of ripe black fruit gives it potential. Wait to drink this concentrated wine until 2019.
Pinay is a tight and defined red blend from northern Italy with bright accents of cherry cola, forest berry, licorice and dark mineral. There's a sharp, sour note on the close that would pair with smoked cheese.
Pinched and fiery at first, the bouquet on this Mallorcan blend evolves to show earthy cherry and plum scents. A flush, mouthfilling body is dry and classy. Flavors of baked, earthy, savory cherry and plum come with a load of spice and herbal accents, while the finish is fit and complex. Drink through 2015.
Pinched and hard, no two ways about it. The bouquet is herbal and rubbery, with blackened berry and plum aromas. Feels clampy, with hard tannins and herbal berry flavors. Leafy as it bangs and clangs its way along.
Pinched and sharp on the nose, this has nettle and citrus aromas that are more typical of Sauvignon Blanc than of Chardonnay. It feels juicy and acidic, with passion fruit, grapefruit and lasting citrus flavors. It's fresh and racy, but it's varietally confusing.
Pinched and wiry-smelling on the nose, this Garnacha comes around with earthy red-berry aromas in front of a full, chunky, fairly oaky palate. Flavors of blackberry and vanilla are good but common, while the finish is dense but basic.
Pinched aromas of herbal plum show a hint of ammonia before settling. This feels raw due to high tartaric acidity. Oaky, roasted plum and berry flavors are backed by notes of carob and wood resin on the finish.
Pinched aromas of leather, tomato and Mexican chile are low on fruit. This Bordeaux-style red blend is chewy and dense, with full tannins. Rubbery, herbal black-fruit flavors are gritty, while the finish is minty and exceedingly herbal and leafy, with a compost note.
Pinched austere aromas of cat pee and oily sweat are extreme and unusual for a Rías Baixas wine. A citric and raw palate tastes like this smells. Fresh acidity is about all this underripe, sour and bitter blend of Albariño, Treixadura and Loureira has going for it.
Pinched cherry and berry aromas are lean and leathery. It feels tight and scouring, with oaky, green flavors of berry and cherry. It tastes dried out and herbal on the finish.
Pinched on the nose but solid in terms of aromas: blackberry, cassis and a touch of oak come together well. The palate is just big enough to hint at richness, while plum and berry flavors are good despite being a touch briney. Toast and mint come up on the finish.
Pinched smelling at first, with a note of turpentine. Airing eliminates that burn, leaving standard nut and vanilla aromas. Feels good and lively, with refreshing acidity and nutty, dry flavors of white fruits including peach and apricot. Finishes long and fresh.
Pinched, briny red-fruit aromas are rubbery. This has a distinctly raw but juicy and fresh palate. Tea, plum, currant and pink-peppercorn flavors are gamy, savory and a bit salty on the finish. In every way, this reflects its cool coastal origins.
Pinched, lightly medicinal aromas of raspberry and plum feed into a bright, jumpy palate. Quick blasts of plum and berry flavors come with spice notes, while the finish is light, fresh and a touch peppery. This delivers true Mencia character for not much money.
Pinchy, staunch citrus and briny aromas are gritty and lacking in fresh fruit notes. Tight citric acidity makes this austere, while juicy but bitter flavors of orange and lime are tangy but pithy-tasting on the finish.
Pine and herb and green apple scents introduce this sharply defined wine, with crisp acidity and bright fruit flavors. It's tight and juicy, an excellent companion to creamy dishes or soft cheeses.
Pine and juniper aromas mix with berry and plum scents on a lively but dense and slightly volatile nose. Airing leads to an edgy, full-bodied palate with baked berry, plum and tomato flavors. This is long, lively and mildly herbal on the finish. A bit wiry and high in acid.
Pine forest and tart, lean drops of cranberry, rhubarb and pomegranate combine for a complex, savory and compelling vineyard-designate. A strong presence of tannin marks the finish.
Pine needle, cedar plank and forest floor define the mature nose, while the full, grabby, tannic palate is loaded with likable cola, black fruit and chocolate flavors. Ripe, pure, rich and tannic, with some bite, burn and ruggedness. Drinkable now but needs food to cut the tannins.
Pine needle, lilac and some musk on the nose. Citrus is the driving force from then on. There's tangerine and some melon for flavor, and plenty or orange and passion fruit on the finish. A drink-now citrus ball that's full and flavorful.
Pine needle, orange peel and vanilla aromas are scattershot but pure. The palate is lean, tight and juicy due to pronounced citric acidity, while flavors of orange, tangerine and mango finish fresh but with a smear of resiny oak.
Pine needles, rhubarb and strawberry wrap around a depth of fresh earth and rose petals in this medium-bodied and well-integrated wine. As it reveals fully developed layers of fruit and nuanced texture, it sizzles in white pepper, a twist of intrigue that differentiates this wine.
Pine notes and an aroma akin to floor polish make for an iffy start. This carries a slight chemical flavor as it moves along, while honey and brown-sugar notes sweeten things up. A chunky, obtuse finish feels sticky due to mild acidity.
Pine resin and a light, oily brine character define the nose on this lithe, fresh fino. Crisp acidity and healthy weight mesh into balance on an easy-to-navigate palate. Flavors of almond, sea brine and toffee finish crisp.
Pine resin, apple and sea brine aromas set up a plump palate with a slick mouthfeel. Dry slightly bitter melon and salty flavors finish long and briny, which is standard for a well-made fino like this.
Pine resin, bay leaf and cedar aromas give depth and intriguing forest floor nuance to the tart cranberry and red flower scents on the nose of this bottling. The palate is extremely savory, with incense, damp anise and more woody spice flavors decorating the sour plum fruit. Light, energetic and extremely flavorful.
Pine, apple and melon aromas straddle the line between fruity and green. Flavors of banana, melon and apple end bright and juicy, with a note of green onion.
Pineapple and apple aromas are fairly attractive and fresh, as is the light, wet and zippy palate, which shows mostly citrus and apple flavors. The finish is mild and clean, and overall the wine delivers clarity and a dominant citrus profile.
Pineapple and grapefruit flavors are accented by hints of tomato leaf, meaning this conforms to the basic Marlborough profile that blends fruit with grassy, herbal notes. Pretty good, it just fades a bit quickly on the finish.
Pineapple and lemon-curd bring freshness to the nose of this wine, while buttery toast and vanilla tones offer richness. The palate shows similar notes, with butter the most prominent. While the flavors and aromas are intense, the structure is soft.
Pineapple and lemon cream pie converge on this viscous, deep-yellow blend of Chardonnay and Roussanne, made by urban winemaker Matthias Pippig on Santa Barbara's Eastside. There is an emergent acidity on the palate, powered by nectarine, but it's nicely dense and rich.
Pineapple and lemon rind aromas lead into flavors of full-bodied honey, apple and tropical fruit. Robust and layered with flavor, but the finish is bright. An assertive and fruit-forward wine with ageable potential.
Pineapple and lime peel start the nose of this layered Assyrtiko. On the palate, it unfolds with a combination of lemon peel, grapefruit and sea salt. This wine can age for several years but is good to drink now; pair with lamb, fresh fish or Asian cuisine.
Pineapple and mango aromas mix with notes of baking spices. The flavors show a fine sense of balance, tapering toward the finish. It's oak driven at times but provides a lot of enjoyment.
Pineapple and mango dominate this full-bodied, ripe wine. Soft and given a lift by lime juice, it is a well-balanced blend of Arinto and Fernão Pires. The aftertaste is fresh and fruity.
Pineapple and other tropical fruits comprise the simple, straightforward nose. Pear and tangerine flavors come across sharp, as does the finish. The wine is a bit edgy and lean on its own.
Pineapple and peach rise to the fore in this wine, a suggestion of waxy caramel apple lurking. High-toned acidity keeps it structured and clean on the palate, a zesty mix of orange and lemon weaving throughout the soft layers. A richer bite of graham cracker finishes things off.
Pineapple and spice on the nose are followed by like flavors on the palate. An interplay of acid adds quality to the wine but overall, it lacks dimension and the kind of layering that typifies good Chardonnay.
Pineapple and sugar-cookie notes waft sweetly from the nose of this off-dry Gewürztraminer. Dense and mouth-filling, it's a bit brawny in structure, but refreshing grapefruit acidity and subtly sweet honey tones lend brightness. A hint of bramble lingers on the finish.
Pineapple appears first on the nose and palate, followed by high-toned acidity and a back-up of lemon and lime. Medium bodied, the wine remains light and crisp throughout, finishing in a swirl of lemon zest and grapefruit pith.
Pineapple aromas lead to a soft, smooth, but lifeless palate of slightly bitter melon and banana flavors. Pithy on the finish and short on pulse. Drink immediately or let it go by altogether.
Pineapple fruit rings out loud and clear, with a slightly grainy, though not sweet, entrance. A blocky but powerfully fruity Riesling, with overtones of orange peel and black tea.
Pineapple fruit shines through this excellent young wine, made with minimal intervention, indigenous yeast, and Dijon clones. Harvested early for juicy acids and moderate alcohol, it doesn't short you on flavor, with pineapple, citrus and green melon in the mix. Drink now through 2020.
Pineapple rind, lemon pith and orange blossom start off the aromas. The palate is a bit more opulent, with notes of honey-drizzled guava and mango giving way to a slightly astringent, semidry finish.
Pineapple rind, steely lemon and white flowers carry the notes of this blend of Roussanne, Chardonnay and Viognier. The palate is broad and buttery in feel, with a string of acids that cut the finish short.
Pineapple, banana, peach and apricot are followed by a dusty mineral quality that adds extra dimension. This is a tasty, fruit-forward wine that closes with tingling, spicy crispness.
Pineapple, candied apple and a touch of guava jelly on toast achieve great aromatic balance on a rare Rancho Santa Rosa Chardonnay. The flavors are lush, not racy, and evolve in a mellow fashion, from apple to nectarine and then papaya.
Pineapple, citrus blossom, and white peach aromas prepare your palate for tastes of green apple, lemon zest and apricots. The finish is crisp and acidic.
Pineapple, grapefruit, and apricot show brightly on the nose and palate. Simultaneously refreshing and sophisticated on the palate, this wine has a crisp, lingering finish laced with flavors of almond blossom.
Pineapple, honeysuckle, baked apple and citrus all blend together in the nose. On the palate it is sweet but not too sweet, with good acid balance and just 10% alcohol. It adds up to a light, flavor-intensive dessert wine, with good concentration and appeal. Best Buy.
Pineapple, peach, ripe melon and sweet orange oil lead the way on this fresh, unoaked Chard. It's easy-drinking and clean with a medium-weight mouthfeel and a bright, mouthwatering finish. Drink now.
Pineapple, pear and honey on the nose are followed by tropical fruit and melon on the palate. Sweet and fruity with a honeyed finish, it's not the most sophisticated wine in the world, but will please fans of sweeter styles.
Pineapple, sulfur and matchstick, and finally some woody toast steer the bouquet. The palate is big and blowsy, with toasty baked apple and pineapple flavors. Finishes sweet, with honey and a sprinkle of white pepper. Yet another sweet, resiny, basic Chardonnay from Chile.
Pineapples, pears and citrus fruits fall over each other in this soft, fruit-driven Chardonnay. It's medium in body, with just enough citrus on the finish to keep it together. A solid effort, especially for the price.
Pineau d'Aunis vines planted in 1920 by the grandfather of the estate's current owner have produced a smooth, ripe and spicy wine. It has some red fruits and acidity, but the edge of tannins in the texture gives the wine its real character. Drink now.
Piney sage and crisp sour cherry surround a bombastically brawny structure and outpouring of power in this 100% varietal wine. It should be enjoyed slowly and with plenty of food.
Pink-grapefruit rind, sea salt, Meyer lemon and nectarine aromas show on the nose of this wine made by Santa Barbara-raised Steve Gerbac. The medium-bodied palate offers light touches of pan-seared apples, white peaches and tangerine peel with a deliciously salty edge to it all.
Pink-graprefruit zest and fresh strawberry, tart red apple and shortbread—what the nose promises, the palate keeps. These flavours swirl briskly around the palate, supported by a multitude of tiny, creamy bubbles. Red currant and cranberry, freshly cut red-apple peel and wonderful depth leave a lasting impression and leave you wanting more.
Pink-orange in color, this is a tangy, high-acid wine that's not for everyone, given its bracing mix of tangerine and grapefruit. Light-bodied, yet textured, it's a good quaffer and food-friendly companion.
Pink-orange in color, this straightforward, even-keeled wine offers a bouquet and taste of fresh strawberries and pink grapefruit, with mellowed structure behind it. It has enough weight to pair well with antipasto and the like.
Pink-salmon in color, this blend of 61% Grenache, 29% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre and 2% Viognier shows sharp and ripe citrus scents of kumquat and pink lime on the nose, along with a showy bubble-gum aroma. All the pink flavors come to the party on the palate, from watermelon to pink lemonade to bubble gum.
Pink and light, with a sharp nose that's sweaty and sour. The palate is quite strong in acidity, so there's razor-like sharpness and spiky flavors of grapefruit and early season red plums. Overly zesty and tart; made from Malbec, Syrah and Petit Verdot.
Pink apple notes mix with lime and lemon skins as well as the slightest touch of vanilla on the inviting nose of this Foley bottling. It's sleek and tight on the palate, with citrus pith, salt and apple-butter flavors clinging to a crisp centerline.
Pink fruited and light, with an attractive herbal character. The crisp acidity cuts right through the rich mouthfeel.Bright and lively, the finish has a grapefruit note that lends lift.
Pink grapefruit and blossomy floral aromas are exuberant and perfumy on this dry, slightly demure wine. Tart with lime acidity, it's quaffable and unusually brisk on the palate, but lacks the variety's characteristic volume and drama.
Pink grapefruit and lemon rind notes are elevated on the nose, with wet stone and candied watermelon lingering in the background. The palate on this 100% Merlot rosé is citrus-driven, yet an impression of roundness comes from tart peach and melon tones.
Pink grapefruit and peach nectar flood the palate of this intensely concentrated off-dry Riesling. It's buoyantly fruity and forward, but balanced squarely by a frame of lemon-lime acidity. The finish is pristine yet lingering.
Pink grapefruit and waxy lanolin notes entice on this intensely fruity, honey-kissed Riesling. Medium sweet in style, it's chock full of luscious pineapple and blossom notes, but nervous with bristling lemon-lime acidity. Gorgeously balanced, yet decadently enjoyable, it lingers endlessly on the finish.
Pink grapefruit is most pronounced on the otherwise soft, sweet bouquet. The mouth is tangy, with green apple and crisp pear and green melon. In the mouth, there's a welcome creaminess, then a long citrusy finish that offers plenty of sweetness closes things out.
Pink grapefruit plays among the greener top notes while the palate is juicy with green plum fruit. This is appetizing and utterly friendly with a totally clean, long finish.
Pink grapefruit, a linear chalky component and the aromas of apricot jam on brie cheese rind show on the nose of this bottling from one of the region's oldest vineyards. There is tight focus to the palate, where green pear skins, pomelo pith, lemon zest and lime juice weave into an acidity that's strong yet expertly integrated.
Pink grapefruit, freshly cut grass and ripe peaches create a winning trio, neither overtly aromatic nor too restrained. Ripe but zesty acidity and mineral depth ensure that this is serious but eminently enjoyable.
Pink grapefruit, gooseberries and a floral accent mark the attractive bouquet of this winner. Round melon, kiwi and natural spice flavors do a dance on the palate, which also features red currants and more of the grapefruit present in the nose. The finish is lengthy and amply layered, so it goes out the way it comes in: with class.
Pink grapefruit, Meyer lemon and watermelon candy notes show on the nose of this rosé. There's a burst of vibrant energy to each sip, with lemon, raspberry and cherry syrup flavors. It's lively and fun.
Pink in color, a smooth wine, layered in caramel, missing real fruit.
Pink in color, this fruity, spicy wine conveys a juicy red currant fruit character. Clean and fresh, it's packed with fruitiness and topped by intense acidity.
Pink in color, this has fresh, clean aromas of stone fruits. Feels medium to full, with red licorice, sweet baking-spice and raspberry flavors. Quick, round and solid on the finish, which lingers for quite some time. A fine summer sipper.
Pink in color, this is a full wine that misses out on freshness. It is clean with ripe strawberry fruits, but it feels fat and heavy. Screwcap.
Pink in color, this light wine has attractive raspberry fruits that contrast with a more yeasty character at the end. It's bright and fresh with a soft aftertaste.
Pink in the glass with the slightest yellow hue, this bottling offers broad nectarine, Pink Lady apple, soda and bubblegum aromas. It's clean and fresh on the palate, showing poached apple, citrus and wet slate flavors, with a citrusy acidity and decent grip that frame the finish.
Pink lemonade and cherry pie mesh together into a strong, slightly boozy aroma on this adventurous blend of 30% Petite Sirah, 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Tannat from Matt Villard's Petite Sirah-focused project. Cherry and orange juice dominate the palate.
Pink meets orange in terms of hue, while the nose gives a nice blend of sweet and snappy berry and citrus. The palate has a little weight and heft along with dry, white-peppery flavors of nectarine and apricot. Pithy, citrusy and healthy throughout. Good wine for the money.
Pinker in color than many Provence rosés, this full-bodied wine has ripe strawberry fruits, rich acidity and a touch of caramel. With the weight and smooth texture, it will be better with food.
Pinkish-gold in color, this is a faint, dry and herbal rosé that's pungent in fuzzy stone fruit such as peach and apricot. Made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes, it's light and bright, with a finish of tart grapefruit.
Pinkish-orange in color, this is made from 84% Pinot Noir and 16% Pinot Meunier and offers a wealth of ripe cherry and strawberry. Dry, it has a taste of sour orange and is fairly simple, without much in the way of a finish. The acidity is quite moderate.
Pino is a new Oregon entry from the Bronco Wine Company. It delivers the goods, with chunky cherry fruit done in a bold, clean, full-flavored style. It's got small amounts of Syrah and Maréchal Foch in the blend, probably for color and spice, which works quite well. This is a fine everyday mealtime option with versatility to spare.
Pino is a new Oregon entry from the Bronco Wine Company. This fragrant wine, from Willamette Valley grapes, brings fleshy pear fruit and penetrating spices. There's big, forward flavor to spare, with just a slight burn in the finish.
Pinot-phile Brian Loring lends his deeply extracted style to this Rhône grape, delivering concentrated blueberry, black plum, dark chocolate and mint aromas. The palate is hearty, with mint chocolate chip ice cream, eucalyptus, fennel and ripe black cherry flavors.
Pinot Bianco from the Collio region of northeast Italy generally tends to deliver firm structure and texture. This wine is an excellent example of the variety because it balances density and heat versus elegance of aromas. Pair it with Thai or Chinese chicken dishes.
Pinot Bianco is a fantastic food wine that delivers good density and natural creaminess without being too fragrant or perfumed. This beautiful expression delivers the best that this grape variety awards in an exceedingly crisp and clean package.
Pinot Bianco is an underappreciated variety from northern Italy that has recently been exposed to much-deserved critical praise and attention. Vorberg Riserva is a beautiful expression with aromas of peach and citrus and a dense, creamy mouthfeel.
Pinot Blanc gives this wine a classic, yet soft and creamy character. There is just a touch of smokiness adding interest to the ripe red-apple flavors. It's a luscious wine that's ready to drink now. Screwcap.
Pinot Blanc in a warm year such as 2012 veers closer to the fruitiness of Pinot Gris, as shown here. Barrel fermented in French oak, it remains sleek and crisply defined, with pure fruit flavors of golden apple and ripe pear.
Pinot Blanc is both under-produced and under-valued, yet delivers exceptional flavor and a distinctive profile, especially in the better vintages, such as 2013. Generous fruit flavors of apple and Asian pear dominate, buoyed with a refreshing amount of natural acidity. Delicious now, and should age well through 2017.
Pinot Grigio and Verduzzo are blended to shape a fresh and luminous white wine that would pair with seafood or light chicken dishes. The wine is clean and sharp on the palate with zesty acidity on the close.
Pinot Grigio Bella Donna is distinguished by a drying mineral note that comes on the heels of fresh citrus, stone fruit, spring flowers and white peppercorn. The wine is simple and clean with fresh acidity and an easy ability to pair with fried shrimp or calamari.
Pinot Grigio Campodipietra is a zesty, fresh wine to pair with appetizers or fried finger foods. It offers the characteristic easiness and informality of the grape variety with a soft, creamy mouthfeel that is typical of the Piave wine region in northern Italy.
Pinot Grigio can be made in almost any style, but Seghesio nails the dry, elegant approach. This is a terrific wine, mouthwateringly tart, and the lime flavor is satisfying. Unoaked, this is so versatile, you can drink it with almost anything calling for a dry white, or all by itself as an apéritif.
Pinot Grigio doesn't get better than this. Fresh and fragrant, this lovely wine offers beautiful intensity and a soft, smooth consistency. Peach nectar, tangerine, lemon curd and white almond all appear in perfect doses.
Pinot Grigio from the Friuli Grave tends to show extra creaminess and structure in the mouth. Here is a stellar example that's backed by flavors of peach, citrus and Golden Delicious apple.
Pinot Grigio grape berries aren't actually gray; instead they are tinged with pink or purple. Maybe it is just the power of suggestion, but this wine even seems to taste pink, showcasing ripe berries and apples that are backed by tangy acids and great length. Classy stuff.
Pinot Grigio has yet to find a distinguishing style in Washington State. This is borderline generic, almost beery, a plain, pleasant, fairly neutral white wine with a mix of white peaches and green apples.
Pinot Grigio is more commonly associated with northern Italian regions, but Banfi's Tuscan entry is a solid and fairly full-bodied contender. Lime and herb notes underlay the melon and pineapple fruit, and the mouthfeel is supple, almost rich-unusual for this varietal. The wine finishes positively, with herb and subdued tropical fruit notes. Best Buy.
Pinot Grigio Posto Bello (“pretty place”) has a high mineral content that recalls crushed stone and slate. Beyond those drying tones are fruity notes of citrus, pear, peach and a distinctive herbal component. The wine ends with sweet fruit flavors.
Pinot Grigio Punggl opens with rich, creamy density and lovely aromas of peach, lemon zest and cantaloupe melon. That dense texture in the mouth is what sets this wine apart from the rest.
Pinot Grigio Unterebner offers a beautiful contrast between cool-climate aromas of white flower and passion fruit and spicy, oak-driven aromas of vanilla and cinnamon bun. Pair this wine with a savory appetizer strudel filled with spinach, cheese and pine nuts.
Pinot Grigio, also known as Ruländer in the bilingual German-Italian region of Alto Adige, shows fragrant notes of honeysuckle and cantaloupe melon here. The wine is pristine, tonic and very refreshing in the mouth. Nicely done.
Pinot Grigios like this helped make the variety one of America's most popular wines. While it's basically dry and crisp in acidity, it offers jammy green apple, lemon and lime Lifesaver candy and vanilla notes that appeal to consumers.
Pinot gris as it should be — ripe and full-bodied, with expressive flavors of fresh pears, spiced with cinnamon. Rich and satisfying, yet tangy enough to accompany even delicate seafood. This is a home run, with just enough of a hint of barrel to give it a finishing kiss of butterscotch.
Pinot Gris can often show a little bit of a tawny blush, as it's a fairly dark-skinned white grape, but this is downright coppery, like a French Rosé. It's closer to an Oregon style than to other Washington Pinot Gris, with fleshy pear-flavored fruit and light hints of cinnamon and baking spices. Gets off to a good start, then falls away quite rapidly into a quick, generic finish.
Pinot Gris from 2013 is looking very good in the Willamette, with crisp, concise, complex flavors. Here it's a mix of lemon, lime and pineapple, with refreshing minerality.
Pinot Gris has been a Lange highlight since the winery was founded in 1987. Fermented in neutral puncheons, this is a distinctive, focused wine, with pretty pear, spicy apple and a touch of citrus. The puncheons add a light hint of vanilla cookie.
Pinot Gris has been making inroads in Washington of late and this producer has been leading the way. Pleasing aromas of apple and melon lead to dry full-feeling fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
Pinot Gris is a fast-rising grape in Washington, but most plantings are young, and prone to being a bit over-cropped. Whatever the case, this is sharp and acidic and does not have the concentration of fruit it needs. Green apples and celery flavors lead into a short, sharp finish.
Pinot Gris is starting to have a presence in Washington, and the straightforward, citrus-flavored fruit shown here suggests a middle-of-the-road style. It's a tart, palate-cleaning wine with a hint of citrus-rind bitterness in the finish.
Pinot Gris makes a Crémant that is not quite dry, with spicy intensity and delicious acidity. It's rich, with almond and buttery flavors that are followed by a crisp, fragrant aftertaste.
Pinot Gris, with its pale-pink skin, is the grape of choice in Reuilly for rosés. With a color that matches pale rosés from Provence, the wine is lightly spicy while also dry. Its balanced acidity is just right. Drink now.
Pinot maestro Longoria continues to try his hand at Bordeaux blends despite the uphill challenge. This '07 is a Cab Franc-based bottling. It's uneven, with cherry pie filling flavors, edgy tannins and unintegrated sweet, caramelized oak. There's even a bit of heat from high alcohol. Ready now.
Pinot Meunier is seldom bottled on its own. Vintners prefer to use it in sparkling wine blends. But Bouchaine is serious about it, and with this 100% varietal wine, has succeeded in producing a Pinot Noir-esque wine of great beauty. With some new French oak, it has a smoky edge to the raspberries and cherries, with savory hints of white pepper and cinnamon.
Pinot Nero (or Blauburgunder as the Italian-German label reads) from the bicultural and bilingual Alto Adige region of northern Italy exhibits some of its finest and most elegant characteristics here. This bottle opens with delicate embroidery of tiny berry nuances followed by beautiful freshness and persistence in the mouth.
Pinot Nero in Sicily either works or it doesn't. This one does. The wine shows aromas of wild berry, peppermint, chopped mint, white cherry and red rose.
Pinot Noir and Portugal don't normally go together, but DFJ seem to have made a specialty of growing this variety in the cooler Estremadura region. This has more Portuguese than Burgundian character, with its spice, juicy red berry and dried fruits, finishing with blackberry and acidity.
Pinot Noir blended with Tannat? Like it or not, here it is, and this unicorn wine from Uruguay smells cheesy and murky. A linear palate is not well padded, while this tastes earthy, like saucy plum and tomato.
Pinot Noir character suffuses this wine, imbuing its aromas with a compelling meaty, leathery, sweaty quality. Full-bodied and earthy, it nevertheless shows great verve and liveliness in its brisk, citrusy finish. This is one Champagne that's badly in need of age.
Pinot Noir doesn't get much riper in fruit than this. It detonates on the palate with a blast of raspberries and red cherries that taste like they were baked into a pie. Oak adds the usual rich notes of vanilla and caramel cream. Not particularly subtle, but decadent and delicious.
Pinot Noir from Canada can often be quite delicate, but this is a full-bodied, even muscular effort. Toasty and tasty, it puts a pleasant roasted character upon ripe strawberry and cherry fruit. Tannins are substantial, along with some barrel flavors from nine months in French oak.
Pinot Noir from Carneros forms the basis of this dry rosé that has seen no time in oak. Dark red-orange in color, it's a fresh, zingy take on raspberry and strawberry goodness, never cloying or annoying, that finishes in a burst of grapefruit.
Pinot Noir from Washington? Yes, it's possible, and in this case, exceptional. Don't look for California sweetness and extract here, but you'll find genuine varietal character and perfect ripeness, without the leafy, tomato flavors that can plague parts of Oregon. This is gentle, elegant, light and captivating, like a perfectly made Bourgogne rouge from a great vintage.
Pinot Noir in name only, a dry, silky wine whose berry flavors are definitely on the thin side. It's somewhat sweet.
Pinot Noir is a relative rarity in Washington, especially coming from this appellation. This one charms with abundant aromas of strawberry and sarsaparilla followed by an elegantly styled yet flavorful palate. One of the better examples coming from the state.
Pinot Noir is a relative rarity in Washington, this one coming from the highlands above the town of Husum. It brings aromas of earth, game, dried mushroom and strawberry that lead to plump elegantly styled fruit and savory flavors, with a finish that lingers.
Pinot Noir is not often blended (Champagne being the clear exception), but here it is partnered with 23% Syrah from Southern Oregon. The results are mixed, with neither grape showing much varietal character. A lightly fruity, cherry-flavored red, it finishes with some stiff tannins.
Pinot Noir is relatively rare in the state. This one offers aromas of strawberry, cherry and peppermint candy that are followed by broad fruit flavors that show the warmth of the region. The tannins provide a touch of astringency.
Pinot Noir is something winemaker Anthony Nappa makes only in rare vintages. This intensely earthy expression offers slightly muted tones of red currant and cranberry accented by dusty minerals, cedar and dried oregano. It's a sharp slightly peppery wine with firm persistent tannins on the finish.
Pinot Noir just doesn't get richer than this. It floods the mouth with ripe flavors of raspberries and cherries, with fascinatingly earthy things, like truffles and pine cones. Vibrant acidity and a hint of furry tannins give it a fine structure. This upscale Pinot Noir is drinkable now and should evolve over the next six years.
Pinot Noir pro Adam Lee shows his Rhône colors with this cool-climate bottling that offers scents of black pepper, violets, purple fruit and fried pork. It's both lush and energetic on the palate, presenting dark blackberry flavors but with acidic verve. An exciting look at the grape's varied potential.
Pinot Noir specialist Bryan Babcock explores this aromatic white grape, delivering a lush and creamy expression. Poached pear and orange blossom notes combine with a nutty quality on the nose, while the wine's creamy consistency meets buoyant acidity on the palate. Lush apple, pear and cashews flavors complete the picture.
Pinot Noir specialist Norm Yost hits the varietal's geeky purists with a straight clonal take, pulling just Clone 2A to deliver this wine. The nose is lighter, with cranberry, leather, butter, vanilla and root beer aromas. Meanwhile the palate is stronger—soft but a tad tannic on entry, with licorice and charred pepper steak on the finish. Equally elegant and forceful.
Pinot Noir specialist Rick Longoria continues to tackle this difficult variety, which may be the hardest to master in California. His results are inconsistent. The '09 is a very good wine, bone dry and dusty, with tobacco and cherry flavors.
Pinot Noir thrives in the Aube region giving rich wines like this. It has a yeasty aroma which follows through to the ripe fruity palate. The wine is warm, while still crisp and tangy. This bottling is ready to drink.
Pinotage's “love it or leave it” character—bright red fruit, plucky spice, a touch of rubber—is in full force here, meaning the wine will pair well with grilled meats and stews and is both fun and exotic. Flavors are balanced, acidity good, and the finish is dry and clean.
Pinots from this AVA have a bit of an herbal edge which, in good hands, can help to define and frame the cool climate fruit flavors. Here is a mix of plum and wild berry, the purple fruit set against balancing tannins that carry that hint of earth and heather.
Piny and minty, which combine to give the pineapple fruit a decidedly medicinal edge. It's lightly sweet, balanced by healthy acidity, so might work well with herb-scented desserts, like lavender sorbet.
Pio Cesare's Barbera is a modern interpretation of a traditional grape, and a well-done one at that. Refined notes of mocha, cinnamon and vanilla vie with vibrant strawberry fruit while lively acidity lifts and supports the wine. Coffee notes dominate the perfumed, medium-length finish.
Pio Cesare and the 2007 vintage marry beautifully to produce a layered, opulent, textured, rich wine that is bursting with zesty red fruit, sassy spice, leather and toasted espresso bean. What really sets this wine apart is the dense smoothness of its texture. Save this bottle in your cellar 10 years or more.
Pio Cesare was founded in 1881 and has consistently represented the best of Piedmont winemaking tradition over its many years in existence. This pretty Barbaresco offers a potpourri of aromas from dried rose petal to pressed violets, spice, cinnamon stick and vanilla bean. It's an elegant and harmonious wine with extraordinary intensity and complexity and it ends with firm, drying tannins.
Pioneering winemaker Josh Jensen delivers pure and focused aromas of deep red pomegranate and dark purple fruits, a shred of violet, a noticeable chalkiness and a hint of sweet sage. It's rich and zesty on the palate, offering dark fruit flavors with a pine sap backbone, finishing strong on chocolate-dipped cherries.
Pipe and chewing tobacco appear at first and are followed by mature tones of prune, plum and dark spice. This masculine and brawny expression has the acidity to pair with deep pan pizza piled high with toppings.
Pipe tobacco, exotic spice, mature black-skinned berry aromas and a balsamic note slowly emerge on this brawny red. The powerfully built palate delivers raisin, dried morello cherry, licorice, espresso and clove alongside bracing, close-grained tannins that grip the finish.
Pipe tobacco, fruit cake and baking spice aromas come together on this vibrant red while the structured palate offers red cherry, cranberry, coffee bean and star anise. A zesty note of orange peel closes the firm finish while tightly wound fine-grained tannins provide the backbone.
Pipe tobacco, raspberry reduction and a sweet sagebrush character promise an interesting experience. Once sipped, the overwhelmingly sweet cherry, cough-syrup flavor pushes this wine beyond a dry, and the typical Cabernet Franc herbs that emerge in the midpalate don't overwhelm its cloying nature. Good for dessert, by itself.
Pipe tobacco, spiced plum, underbrush, vanilla, new leather and balsamic aromas jump out of the glass while the juicy delicious palate doles out fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and ground pepper. Firm, velvety and enveloping tannins provide smooth polished support. Drink through 2029.
Piquant aromas of cinnamon meet with strawberry, plum, gravel and bay leaf on the nose of this appellation blend by Steve Dooley. That bay leaf joins eucalyptus on the very clean and fresh sip, which surrounds tart raspberry, vanilla and clove flavors.
Piquant black raspberry, sweet anise, thyme and game notes show on the nose of this bottling from a new brand that took over the Addamo Vineyards property. On the palate, there's a nice interplay between snappy cranberry fruit and the garrigue.
Piquant in allspice, this soft, single-vineyard designate from a property known for Pinot Noir conveys a sense of elegance and subdued tannins, offering plum and red cherry atop shy waves of cedar and sage. A smoky component on the robust finish makes it memorable.
Pirouette is a Cabernet-dominated Bordeaux-style blend, with 31% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot completing the mix. Scents of violets and raspberries lead on the bouquet, with plenty of rich new-oak aromas. It's bright and spicy in the mouth, youthful and balanced, with terrific energy and aging potential.
Pisca vineyard is a recent purchase by Niepoort, although the company has bought fruit there for many years. This is a first as a single quinta wine, softer than the Niepoort vintage, immediately attractive, finely balanced. It has structure and sweet fruit.
Pitch-black in the glass, this is a meaty, deep wine, with inviting aromas of beef, black currant, caramel and smoke on the nose. The acidity is quite explosive on the palate, where flavors of charred beef, plum sauce, peppercorns and blueberry migrate towards a dark-roasted coffee note.
Pitch-black wine, very dense. It is spicy with concentrated black fruits, layered with equally intense acidity. Wood, fruit and sweet berries are all there. Tannins surround this firm wine, promising aging over 5–6 years.
Pitch black wine, densely concentrated, powerful, its wood aging giving shape to the huge fruit and tannins. Ripe black fruits add a juicy character, with a jammy richness complemented by exotic spices. The wine needs five years' cellaring.
Pithoi opens with light aromas of forest berry and raw fruit backed by touches of spice and bitter almond. It's an easy wine that could pair with pizza or take-out fried chicken.
Pithy and citrusy on the nose, but ultimately it's rather neutral. The palate is citric and lean, with orange, lemon and sour apple flavors. Zesty to the point of tartness, with a citrusy, juicy finish. A pointed SB with zing.
Pithy aromas of melon and apple are low in oak and emphasize minerality. This feels full and chunky, but also acidic. Briny flavors of stone fruits lean toward sour, while an oily, briny tasting finish is short on elegance.
Pithy citrus and an oily aromatic note give this white blend some funk on the nose. The palate is in good shape but typical in terms of feel and weight. Flavors of orange, papaya and mango finish with citrusy notes of lime as well as chalky minerality. This wine holds Parellada, Macabeo and Chardonnay.
Pithy citrus and nectarine aromas announce a palate that's citrusy all the way. Flavors of orange, lemon and grapefruit keep a persistent citric character through the finish, which is basic but refreshing.
Pithy citrus aromas are heavy and strangely herbal for a white wine. Pulpy and wide in feel, with little midpalate structure, this tastes of citrus rind, white grapefruit and nopal. A zesty note reprises on the finish.
Pithy citrus aromas are plump but wayward. This feels a bit flabby but holds it together for the most part. Flavors of citrus fruits, melon and green herbs are good in the most basic sense of the word.
Pithy citrus, radiator dust and grassy aromas are basic. A simple, plump palate is showing signs of flattening, while leesy, creamy flavors of pear and melon finish similarly. Drink immediately.
Pithy green fruit aromas are short but within normal parameters for the variety. Feels a bit heavy, with a baNAa influence. Flavors of soft citrus and melon are middling, while the finish is weighty.
Pithy lime aromas get this fresh Chardonnay going. The palate is citrusy in feel, with a mix of lime, grapefruit and orange flavors that are limited in scope and complexity but clean.
Pithy white-fruit aromas smell a bit like compost. Stony and citric on the palate, this tastes briny and like sour peach.
Pithy zesty notes rise from the glass. The palate has the same lifted, pithy, and slightly bitter edge but some residual sweetness rounds the pear apparent on the palate into fluid fruitiness. The bitter edge remains and the wine finishes dry.
Pithy, citrusy aromas are about all the nose offers. This feels citrusy, with adequate weight. Flavors of citrus, apple, melon and bitterness end chalky and dry.
Pithy, heavy and chunky, with waxy fruit mixed with oak. The wine has a pretty good mouthfeel and balance, but it just doesn't do much in terms of aromatics or in the flavor category. Decent for a barrel fermented Viura but nothing to write home about.
Pithy, with grapefruit and lemon peel flavors, this wine is deceptively crisp and light on the nose, offering a wealth of body and lushness on the palate, accented with nutmeg and peach. It includes 4% Sémillon, partly from the winery's beloved To Kalon vineyard.
Pizza, burgers and other everyday foods that forgive rusticity are what to drink with this ripe, highish alcohol wine. It offers typical warm climate California flavors of black cherry jam and mocha.
Pizza, burgers, tacos and similar everyday fare will go well with this Merlot. It's smooth in cherries, currants and cola.
Pizzolato brings us an easygoing Pinot Grigio with a thin, watery mouthfeel and measured aromas of citrus, white mineral and passion fruit. This informal style of wine works well at outdoor lunches and barbecues.
Plan de Dieu is a broad, stony plain near Gigondas that's an underrated commune. This is a firmly built, medium-bodied wine, with lifted, floral aromas and bright cherry and raspberry fruit. chocolate notes emerge on the finish, which simultaneously shows some dusty tannins and mouthwatering acids. Drink now–2022.
Plan de Dieu is an oft-overlooked commune within the Côtes du Rhône Villages that frequently produces very ripe wines. This one is chocolaty and chunky in style, with intense notes of black cherries and some extracted, bitter notes of coffee and cocoa on the finish. Drink it over the next few years with heaty stews or braises.
Planeta's Chardonnay is one of the nicest expressions of this international grape variety made on Italian soil. From sunny Sicily, the wine recalls some of the characteristics of Chardonnay from California, with its creamy, rich mouthfeel and beautifully intense aromas of stone fruit, citrus, vanilla, yellow rose and exotic spice.
Planeta's flagship red is a lush, modern wine that showcases Nero d'Avola's vast enological potential. The aromas are deep, layered and generous and draw attention to chocolate fudge, creamy espresso, plump cherry and smooth blackberry preserves. The finish is silky and long with bright notes of red fruit and spice. Dusty tannins back the robust structure.
Planeta's fresh rosé (made with Syrah) shows attractive berry, citrus, herb and sweet almond-paste notes.
Planeta's precious Moscato di Noto is always a pleasure to drink. This vintage is no exception; the wine is wonderfully generous and redolent of honey, apricot and bright yellow rose. It excels in the mouth, thanks to its perfect balance of sugar and acidity.
Planeta breaks new ground with this Sicilian rosé made from Syrah. Clean packaging and a screw cap bottle set the stage for a modern, pristine and impeccably made wine that is fresh, zesty and very easy to drink.
Planeta has done a terrific job of communicating the merits of Cerasuolo di Vittoria to wine drinkers around the world. This light, ruby-colored red wine is packed with bright fruit nuances and a crisp mouthfeel. It makes an ideal pairing partner to the best Italian pasta recipes.
Planeta was among the first to bring this delicious sweet wine to the United States and demonstrate that great Sicilian dessert wines hail from places besides Pantelleria. There's a light, buoyant quality that is enhanced by fragrant floral tones of jasmine, honeysuckle and peach blossom. There's no better pairing for sweet almond cookies.
Planks of brawny oak are framed around the blueberry and raspberry fruit brimming in this Merlot, a tribute to Jack London's once-home in nearby Glen Ellen. The herbal component lingers ominously, a refreshing taste of mint popping out on the finish.
Planky and a bit tart, this Zin hails from 45-year-old vines and is soft and suggestively herbal.
Planted around a 12th-century fortress, the vines of this estate have given a crisp wine with red-berry fruit. Along with its fruit, the wine has fine bright acidity and a core of dryer tannins. Like most cru wines from Beaujolais's biggest appellation, it is ready to drink now.
Planted by Guy Moreau in 1934, the vines for this wine are now over 70 years old. This vintage is richly endowed, layering delicious wood spice and yellow fruit flavors over crisp, citrusy acidity. It's firmly textured with a mineral edge, finishing with concentration. Drink from 2020.
Planted in 1935, this single vineyard wine is rich and structured. At this stage, it is dominated by firm tannins as much as by the perfumed juicy black fruits. As the wine softens with age, this generous fruitiness will comet through to give a deliciously ripe wine. Drink from 2019.
Planted in 1965, these are the oldest examples of this variety in the country. Jason Lett showcases this special fruit in this natural wine with no sulfites added and no cold stabilization. Light gold in color, the crisp apple flavors are forward, the balance is spot on and the finish polished. Drink now through 2020.
Planted in 1965, these are the oldest examples of this variety in the entire country. Splendid texture is a defining characteristic, with a yeasty, creamy mouthfeel. Ripe apples and toasted grains come through, as the wine extends through a long and powerful finish. Try it with grilled shrimp and a wine and butter sauce.
Planted in 1974, principally with Pinot Gris, this limited selection mixes high-acid citrus and pineapple flavors with a touch of leather and wild mountain-berry fruit. It's complex and hints at great detail, but remains stubbornly tight even after several hours. As with many Eyrie wines, the ageability is unquestioned, and this should continue to improve for many years to come.
Planted in 1979, the Wädenswil block brings raspberry, cherry and cola flavors together into a nicely textured wine with a wide streak of vanilla. Round and forward, it gently resolves into a balanced finish with light highlights of herb, nutmeg and coffee.
Planted in 1983, this is the original Willamette Valley Vineyards estate vineyard. The wine remains stiff and wrapped up tight, with a mix of wild strawberry, raspberry and cherry fruit. There's a light dusting of baking spices, the result of aging 14 months in one-quarter new French oak.
Planted in 1983, this is the original Willamette Valley Vineyards estate vineyard. These old vines give an extra dollop of herb and stem, well integrated into concentrated raspberry and cherry fruit. This has the tannic muscle and acid underpinning to age well. Drink now–2025.
Planted in 1988, this vineyard 's fruit captures the unique minerality found in this AVA. It leaves an impression of sucking on rock—not a bad thing in a wine. The black-cherry fruit grips the palate with real power and some density, with potent herbal highlights as well. Drink this now through the mid-2020s.
Planted in 1993, this four-acre, cool-climate vineyard had a relatively late harvest in 2005, which can, in the Pacific Northwest, result in more European, vertically structured wines. This is wrapped up tight, and is far away from the sweet, succulent fruit of California Pinot Noir, but its pleasures are many and varied. Clear and bright, its berry-cherry fruit is shaded with leaf and earth. The tannins are firm but quite polished, and the flavors meld together seamlessly.
Planted in 1998, this vineyard is relatively new to Soléna's lineup. Plenty of toast and Bourbon-barrel scents lift the open, with a hint of sharpness from the alcohol. Though only a quarter of the barrels were new, the spice and coffee accents are in full display, wrapped around tart red fruits. An earthy bottom, hinting at forest and mushroom, completes the experience.
Planted in 1999 specifically for the producer, this vineyard block provides power and structure, revealing shocks of blackberry jam, mocha and gunpowder amidst a streak of wild anise and black pepper. Robust and bold, it begs for another 10 to 15 years in the cellar before finding its complete composure.
Planted in 2001 above the Laguna de Santa Rosa near Sebastopol, Baranoff Vineyard is tightly spaced to mostly Calera-clone Pinot, providing the wine's bright raspberry and cherry overtones atop a layering of earth and spice. Thickly structured, it finishes with tart cherry.
Planted in 2006 to heirloom clones, most of them Pommard, this is a concentrated, tannic wine that needs time in bottle to develop. For now, expect rose and raspberry, with a depth of black cherry compote—flavors that are immediately inviting and richly layered. Yet, it will tell more of its story down the road. Allow it to open now or cellar through 2029.
Planted in 2006, this vineyard is one of the newer sites for the “Queen of Pinot,” who coaxes a strong-willed, high-strung complement of charcuterie and wild lavender from its vines. Bright red currant and raspberry are met by floral, herbal competition, which vies for attention on the palate, girded by strong tannins and mellow oak.
Planted in a parcel in the Château Montus vineyard, this gold colored, rich Chardonnay is balanced now and perfectly ready to drink. It shows wood aging flavors along with hints of juicy yellow fruits that are moving towards maturity.
Planted in the 1970s, the Frank Herbert Vineyard is owned by winemaker Marco Cappelli. Newsome-Harlow winemaker Scott Klann made a great Zin from this vineyard in 2009, but the 2010 seems sweeter, dialed up on a lot of levels, with more intensity of fruit and alcohol and less of the savory spice that was so attractive last vintage. Still, it's worth tasting for the sake of understanding the vicissitudes of vineyard, vintage and vintner.
Planted on a relatively cool site for the Russian River, the Laguna Ridge, this Pinot is velvety and lush in baked strawberry and black raspberry, a celebration of finely grown, ripe fruit, with sharp-edged acidity and waves of savory mocha. With pronounced oak that mellows in the glass, it should only become more interesting with a few more years in the cellar, through 2022.
Planted to a single Dijon clone (114), this single block of Pinot Noir from the estate vineyard expresses its individuality with precision and spot-on balance. Barrel toast meets buttery berries, and the 15% alcohol shows no trace of heat or burn. Rather, it suggests an increasingly rare honesty and lack of manipulation; this is what it takes to ripen these grapes. Many people would love to see that number come down, but the flavors are there, the balance is there, and most importantly, the elegance is (still) there.
Planted with cuttings from many Austrian wine regions, the Aussere Bergen vineyard produces a ripe, full wine, packed with yellow fruits, spice and a feeling of opulence, while always balanced.
Planting Alvarinho in the Lisboa region, many miles south of its native Minho, could be risky. But winemaker José Neiva Correia took a chance on the ocean-climate similarities and the result is a wine that's as fresh and crisp as possible. Citrus, green plums and lively acidity all come together in a wine that has a bright, spicy aftertaste.
Plastic, rubber and latex aromas dominate the nose on this Carmenère. Tomatoey, cloying and tannic in the mouth, the palate tastes mostly of carob, oak and herbal berry fruits.
Playful and nearly effervescent on the nose with lemon-lime soda notes and a sparkling pear-cider character, this bottling also shows aromas of pink grapefruit and pink lemonade sorbet. Tart lime and lemon verbena pop on the palate as does melon pith, with a slight herbal character on the finish.
Playful aromas of sweet fruit and watermelon candy open the nose of this bright Piedirosso wine. It's smooth and easygoing in the mouth and would pair with grilled sausage or lamb chops.
Pleasant acidity and a tannic edge supports the oak-accented cherry, rhubarb, pomegranate and plum flavors. Rich and ripe, this Pinot Noir is for drinking now.
Pleasant and fairly clean for the price, with hazelnut, honey and a dusting of talcum powder on the nose. The palate is on the thin side, and that helps the wine stay fresh and manageable. And along the way the flavors of apple, kiwi and gooseberry are relaxed and easy.
Pleasant and fruity to sip, soft in texture, light- to medium bodied, it has a rich yellow-gold color, butter-candy aromas, ripe apple flavors and a slightly sweet finish.
Pleasant and melony on the nose, without the sharp, piercing aromas that sometimes push Chilean SB over the edge. New from the north of Chile, Elki is medium-bodied and generous, but not too angular. It's a whole wine with common citrus flavors as opposed to something demanding and sharp.Drink right away.
Pleasant and simple, this offers light strawberry and cherry flavors, with a pretty streak of mocha. The finish shows some earth and stem notes.
Pleasant and straightforward, this displays true-to-varietal scents and fruit flavors plus good balance. It's a simple wine that does not reach past pleasant vin ordinaire.
Pleasant and straightforward, this has notes of pear, mead and herbs. It's full in feel with a big ball of fruit flavors in the middle but less around it. The tannins have a slightly drying feel.
Pleasant and straightforward, with light fruit flavors of citrus and white peach. It's simple, slightly dilute, with an awkward resolution.
Pleasant and tasty, this has the raspberry, lime, dough and smoke flavors typical of a fine California sparkling wine. It's a little scoury, especially by the standards of Iron Horse, with a sand­papery roughness to its bubbles. Drink it now, well chilled.
Pleasant apple and woodspice aromas are basic and limited but good. This feels balanced, with friendly melon, banana and tropical-fruit flavors. Light oak and related vanilla flavors drive the finish on this easygoing Chardonnay.
Pleasant apple, peach and melon aromas show a coastal-based saline side note. In the mouth, this Chardonnay is tight, crisp and focused by pointed acidity. Flavors of melon, papaya and salt finish tangy and fresh, something that's normal for the Aconcagua Coast.
Pleasant apple, pear and white-flower aromas are accompanied by a slightly earthy, mushroom-like note on this dry Pinot Blanc. It's stark and lean with acidity, savory apple flavors and a brisk finish.
Pleasant aromas of candied walnuts, rancio, dried apricot and vanilla-wood tones are upfront on the nose and carry through to the medium-bodied palate. The mouthfeel is plush yet not overdone, with ample acidity and well-integrated alcohol offering balance. The evolving finish first showcases the fruity richness, followed by notes of mushroom, roasted nuts and then woody spice.
Pleasant aromas of stone fruit, candied orange peel and white gummy bear waft from the glass and carry through to the round, fruity palate. Ample acidity keep the mouthfeel fresh and the finish clean. Drink up.
Pleasant but light on the nose, with strawberry and cough syrup notes. A bit monotone in the mouth with slight sweetness and a short cherry-flavored finish.
Pleasant but then rather persistent oak aromas occupy the nose on this wine, with lemon rinds and lime juice hiding beneath. The palate is also quite reliant on the oak, offering smoked vanilla beans, pear juice and a touch of citrus peel bitterness, but it's really a very plush white wine.
Pleasant cherry, cola, spice and sandalwood flavors mark this bone dry Pinot Noir. It's a little harsh in texture, with sharp acids and tannins defining a certain rustic style from California.
Pleasant floral aromas and sunny fruit-bowl flavors meet light buttery, earthy touches in this rather light-bodied wine. This shows nice complexity on the palate, with pear, peach and apple flavors.
Pleasant melon and pear aromas show sea-spray notes as the wine breathes. The palate is fresh and coastal in feel, with green melon and tropical fruit flavors that finish a touch salty.
Pleasant pear and melon notes, a light- to medium-weight feel on the palate and a crisp, citrusy finish add up to a decent simple quaff. Drink now.
Pleasant red-fruit aromas kick it off, followed by regular-weight cherry and cassis flavors that come with a hint of herbal essence. The finish is racy and almost rough, but there's enough body and weight to the wine to push it across the finish line.
Pleasant red-fruit aromas of cherry and raspberry are low in octane for Toro. A fresh but not overly dense palate is lively and vital, with wild berry, plum and brown sugar flavors. A warm, heady, generous finish is fruity and bright. Drink through 2018.
Pleasant red fruits awash in chocolaty oak craft an accessible, broadly open Syrah. Though it seems a bit generic, it is balanced and tasty; a good bottle for near-term drinking with simple grilled meats.
Pleasant richness and depth of fruit flavor accompany the deep color and nicely chewy tannins in this full-bodied Cabernet. It tastes dry and well balanced between acidity, tannins and fruitiness, and will be a great mealtime wine with all kinds of protein.
Pleasant scents of fresh herbs and white flowers lend depth and character to ripe fruit tones of green melon and guava. The lightweight palate is direct and refreshing, with lively acidity and bright citrus flavors that clip the short and clean close. Drink now.
Pleasant scents of toasted apple and peach pit lead the nose of this rich yet well-balanced wine, with additional notes of grilled pineapple and fresh straw. The medium-weight palate is plush and creamy, yet it offers ample acidity to lift the wine's richness and ripe fruit flavors. Spiced orange, lemon custard and fresh honeycomb all grace the long, evolving finish. Drink now–2020.
Pleasant whiffs of eucalyptus help to lift aromas of bright cherry, red plum and red raspberry. Zesty acidity on the tongue leads to a fruit-packed finish.
Pleasant whiffs of smoked nut and blossom accent fresh apple and pear in this squarely balanced dry white. Fresh acidity on the midpalate lends zip to a lingering but refreshing finish. Drink now through 2020.
Pleasant, soft wine, easy to drink, its fruits round and somewhat dilute. It doesn't resonate, but is certainly fresh and crisp.
Pleasant, with soft texture and tannins and notes of cinnamon and clove, this Lodi Merlot drops a bit at the finish and is 13.1% alcohol.
Pleasantly bitter hints of orange peel mingle with notes of ripe pear on the nose. The juicy palate adds tart orange and zesty grapefruit to this incisive, aromatic and very moreish mix. The palate is precise and lip-smacking, fresh and concentrated. The full refreshing impact becomes clear on the long finish.
Pleasantly crisp raspberry, cola and oak flavors mark this easy to drink Pinot Noir. It has a good burst of acidity for balance, and feels silky in the mouth. Drink up.
Pleasantly dank aromas of smoldering pine needles, leather and gamy meats hit the nose on this 2% Viognier coferment. Flavors are reminiscent of roasted wild boar, with dark chocolate, creosote and beef crust, presented against grippy tannins.
Pleasantly fruity and almost sweet, this medium-bodied wine offers a fruit bowl of flavor and freshness on the palate.
Pleasantly fruity, with tart raspberry fruit, this easy, accessible Merlot from a single vineyard finishes with a light lick of toast.
Pleasantly plump and custardy in texture, this complex, mouthfilling wine offers a whirl of aromas and flavors, ranging from fresh asphalt to lime custard and green apple. By the finish, any objectionable notes have vanished, leaving a clean, lingering finish beaming with elegance. Consider decanting if drinking in the near future, or simply hold 3–5 years before sampling.
Pleasantly pungent in ripe damson plum, this Pinot has lovely acidity, giving it a spicy mouthfeel around firmly present tannins. Full-bodied midpalate, the wine mellows through to the finish, ending in juicy fruit and earth.
Pleasantly savory on the nose with fresh apple scents draped in smoke and lightly toasted wood, this Ontario Viognier would be a perfect companion for grilled fish or fowl on a warm summer evening. Dry and medium bodied with a nicely integrated palate of fresh pineapple and apple flavors, it's an elegant wine flecked with smoke and a brisk, lemony acidity. Drink now.
Pleasantly smoky overtones herald a sophisticated, subtle wine whose thrilling acidity is beautifully tempered by soft creaminess, here and there are notions of hazelnut, and of lime zest. Beautiful now but with mileage. Drink until 2018.
Pleasantly spicy, yet soft in the mouth, this is a medium-bodied Syrah to drink over the near term. Hints of anise, cracked pepper and cedar accent cherry fruit.
Pleasantly yeasty and nutty on the nose, this is a slightly drier offering within their charmat method line. Frothy with a fresh apple palate, it's the perfect value sparkler meant for everyday entertaining.
Pleasantly yeasty on the nose with hints of sweet biscuit and brioche, Wiemer's Cuvée Brut is dry and fresh with a bright, lemony midpalate. Persistently effervescent with clean, nervy acidity.
Pleasing aromas of a warm croissant mix with sharper hibiscus, rose petals, cola and strawberry on the nose of this wine. The palate shows rose petals and tart raspberry fruit, then gives way to more bitter elements of tar and sour cherries.
Pleasing aromas of butter, spice and apple lead to elegant, creamy-feeling flavors. It's a very tasty, very varietally correct wine.
Pleasing aromas of cocoa, bittersweet chocolate, dried herbs and plum lead to black-currant flavors that display a reserved styling. A light grip of tannins provides the frame.
Pleasing aromas of cocoa, coffee, vanilla, smoke and blue and red berries lead to a palate full of plump fruit flavors with barrel accents throughout. It's a very pretty and elegant expression of the variety.
Pleasing aromas of cocoa, dried herb and red fruit lead to a full-bodied palate with a tight core of grippy tannins. Vanilla and spice notes run throughout.
Pleasing aromas of dark plum, clove, vanilla and spice are followed by a deft, flavorful palate. It hangs on the finish.
Pleasing aromas of fresh pear, tropical fruit, melted butter and vanilla are followed by rounded pear and vanilla flavors that show a light touch.
Pleasing aromas of guava, watermelon rind and a hint of lemon zest set the stage for flavors of Cavaillon melon, peach, marzipan and orange rind. Smooth in the mouth, this wine features a nice interplay of bright and savory notes. A cool finish washes across the side palate, punctuated by a burst of acidity.
Pleasing aromas of herb, cherry, vanilla, and cocoa are followed by soft subtle cherry flavors. Lightly grainy tannins provide support. It doesn't seem entirely varietal but still provides enjoyment.
Pleasing aromas of honeysuckle, apricot and rose petal give way to invigorating sweet flavors of ripe peach, rose petal, orange blossom and honey. It's a light dessert wine with good acidity.
Pleasing aromas of marionberry, cocoa and spice are followed by lightly styled but still palate-coating fruit flavors. A velvety texture heightens the appeal, with fruit and barrel flavors lingering on the finish.
Pleasing aromas of raspberry jam and spice lead to soft plump raspberry and cranberry flavors. It's fruit forward and brings a lot of enjoyment.
Pleasing aromas of toast, nut oil and citrus are followed by textured, well-balanced stone-fruit flavors and a long, drawn-out finish. This is a thoroughly delicious, nuanced wine that keeps you coming back for more.
Pleasing aromatics send up a mix of cherry, black tea and clean earth. The wine is tannic and substantial, with ripe black cherry fruit and a streak of caramel.
Pleasing toasty notes greet your first sniff, followed by apple pie fruit flavors with hints of plum and banana. It's a light, creamy, easy-drinking confection.
Pleasingly aromatic and fresh, this fragrant Gewürztraminer from the far north of Italy is layered with honeysuckle, passion fruit and papaya-like aromas. Spicy foods from the Far East would make an ideal match.
Pleasurable and accesible, yet remarkably complex, this Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend is deliciously drinkable now with everything from burgers and tacos to an elaborate beef stew. It's strong in acidity and dry on the finish.
Plenty of acid underscores rich flavors of pineapple, Meyer lemon and lemon curd. The wine dives deeply into the palate and lingers, with crisp highlights of citrus rind and a long, smooth finish.
Plenty of charcoal, toast and resin work the bouquet, while the fruit seems a little candied. There's a mix of black berry notes and oak, which results in a creamy mouthfeel and lingering vanilla and sweetness. A complete Malbec, but one that's neither unique nor overly special.
Plenty of crisp acidity balances the citrus, tropical fruit and pear flavors in this ripe Chardonnay. There's also a strong jacket of smoky oak with its buttered toast and vanilla richness. The result will please Chard lovers at a good price.
Plenty of dark Malbec tannins here, giving a tight, mineral wine with a core of dryness. Around the core are black plum and fig fruits, and an edge of the crispest black currants. Firmly extracted, with fine wood toast flavors.
Plenty of deep color, thick tannin and dark streaks of smoke and tar make this a stand-up steakhouse wine. The fruit does have an herbal edge but it is lingering, complex and interesting. Think of it as the vinous equivalent of a cello-viola sonata—dark and mysteriously intertwined.
Plenty of Douro tannins and minerality give this wine a strong character. It's dark and structured, full of blackberry fruits and acidity as well as a mouthful of young tannins. The wine needs to age; drink from 2017.
Plenty of dry Malbec tannins here. In fact, this verges on the austere, piling high on to the fruit. There is density, those tannins going right through the wine, finishing with acidity. Tough at this stage: give it 2–3 years.
Plenty of flavor in this extremely ripe wine. Bursting with blackberry and cherry pie filling, currant, chocolate and cedar flavors, it's clearly delicious. Yet it's a very soft wine. Makes you wish it were firmer in structure, to support all that decadent flavor. Made entirely from the Stagecoach Vineyard, and the alcohol is 15.5%.
Plenty of flavor, with tastes of black raspberry jam, cherry, tobacco and pepper. Has a nice texture, satiny and velvety, with good acidity. Straddles the border between simple and complex, but it's certainly tasty with a good, long finish.
Plenty of fresh purple flowers, from violets to lilacs, show on the nose of this bottling, as well as cola spice and a strong core of blueberry fruit. It's lightweight but well structured on the palate, where rose hips, lavender, fennel fronds and tarragon meet with boysenberry and light elderberry. This is still very fresh and young.
Plenty of fruit aromas and flavors make this wine a pleasure to drink. It smells and tastes like ripe red and black cherries and has a broad, rich texture. Medium bodied, it maintains a good, tense acidity that keeps flavors going on the finish.
Plenty of good plum and raspberry flavors give substance to this very smooth-textured and medium-bodied wine. It has a mouth-filling quality, ripe fruit and light touches of spice to keep it interesting.
Plenty of green, crisp fruits here, but the wine is only just starting out and will certainly become broader and richer. For now, it brings in vivid acidity, toast flavors and a taut texture.
Plenty of herbal, mushroomy notes in the nose. The wine is light, soft and fruity. The mushroom flavors could be a real asset with the right food. Finishes true to form, with nothing off.
Plenty of leather, rose and vanilla from toasty French oak make for a very pretty opening. The full-bodied palate shows exuberant cherry and boysenberry flavors wrapped in a refined tannin structure. A modern expression that can be enjoyed now or laid down to await more complexity.
Plenty of new oak is announced via aromas of coconut, mint, vanilla and burnt toast. but offsetting that is lively berry and cola flavors. As it opens and settles in, you get a wall of fierce tannins that aren't likely to fade any time soon. So unless you have years to cellar this wine, it will likely hold onto its hard, tannic personality. Hold another three years, if possible.
Plenty of oak is manifested on the nose as mocha, coffee and vanilla, but there's also prune, herbs, tobacco and spearmint in this blend of 65% Syrah and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. Shows big cassis, blackberry and bitter chocolate flavors on a tight, almost narrow palate. Finishes with tannic grip and blast of espresso.
Plenty of oak right out in front gives it a bountiful bouquet of smoke, toast, charcoal, etc. Underneath waits a nice core of black-cherry and cassis fruit, balanced with decent acids, but overall the wine seems lightweight for a reserve. It’s definitely ready to drink right now.
Plenty of rich, forward raspberry and cherry pie filling flavors in this Pinot, which shows a delicate, silky mouthfeel. With crisp acidity and a spicy finish, it's easy to drink now with burgers and grilled salmon.
Plenty of rich, hearty blackberry, cherry, currant and spice flavors are found in this soft wine. A little on the sweet side, it's throwing some sediment, so decant it before service.
Plenty of ripe black currant, licorice and cedar flavors in this dry, full-bodied young Cabernet. It feels luxurious in the mouth, with a depth and spicy finish that are notable. Drink by 2017.
Plenty of ripe fruit and big texture on this intense wine, which hasn't shown half its potential yet. The pear and white peach fruits are edged with minerality and a closed-in texture. The wood gives an unfortunate burnt edge that needs to soften out. Age for at least five years.
Plenty of ripe, forward fruit here: It brims with cherries, blackberries and plums. Shows its Alexander Valley origin in the softness and herbaceousness that accompany the fruit. Drink up.
Plenty of ripe, luxurious fruit and flowers in this Viognier, accented with brisk acidity. Floods the mouth with tangerine, pineapple, lemon, lime, honeysuckle and vanilla flavors that finish fairly sweet and sugary. Drink now.
Plenty of sleek character in this well-grown Napa Petite Sirah. Shows lots of class and balance for a variety that can be hard to control. Likeable for its array of fresh, ripe berry, cherry, currant, bacon and spice flavors, and the smoothness of its tannins.
Plenty of smoky, spicy oak on this Chard, along with ripe, orange, pineapple and apricot flavors. It's a little rough around the edges, though. Drink now.
Plenty of spicy, toasty wood is balanced by the rich black, dense fruits. The wine is coming together well. Blackberries come through strongly, partnered by the firm tannins and lifted by acidity. It needs to age, so drink from 2016.
Plenty of tannins give this wine a firm and dense structure, but it also shows the potential of black-currant fruit flavors and perfumed acidity. Give this wine time and drink from 2019. Spring and fall weather in 2013 forced Marie-José (Perrin) Lerichecut to reduce production to 20% of an average year.
Plenty of toast and menthol aromas let you know this has seen new oak; it also masks some pretty black-cherry notes that you now have to ferret out. Finishes with some bitter, woody tannins and juicy cranberry fruit. A wine with promising raw materials that’s fighting to find itself.
Plenty of toastiness in this ripe wine gives an extra element of acidity that needs to be tamed. At the same time, it has good white- and citrus-fruit flavors. Drink this attractive wine from 2017.
Plenty of tough mountain tannins in this classically-huge Howell Mountain Cabernet. Combined with dryness and acidity, it makes for one tough drink. Deep down is a solid core of blackberries, complexed with spices and earthy-mineral notes. This is surely one to age. Hold until 2018, and could go well beyond that.
Plenty of wood aromas, but the palate combines the wood notes with smoky acidity, textured green plum and vanilla flavors with a refreshing acidity. There's a tang here: a wine that has bursts of great fruit to go with the wood.
Plenty of wood flavors give this wine a ripe, spicy and toasty character. It is rich and perfumed, with attractive hints of yellow fruits as well as the new wood. The wood does need to calm down before the wine is ready. Drink from 2017.
Plenty of Zinny character in this lusty, spicy young wine. It shows how well Zin ripens in a good Napa vineyard. With firm, supporting tannins, it's bone dry and rich in wild berry, pepper, bacon and cinnamon spice flavors, with just a hint of raisining in the finish.
Plowbuster is Carabella's second label, offering this light, balanced, moderately priced Pinot Noir. Wild berries and cocoa powder compete with astringent tannins that taste of green tea. Though slightly bitter, it softens up when paired with heartier stews.
Plozner's Malpelo boasts a very pretty copper color with pink and amber highlights and aromas of grapefruit, pear and peach. Pinot Grigio has a dark skin color so this wine represents the way the variety was made before it earned fame as a white wine.
Plum-jam-flavored wine, this is very sweet, rich and very direct. The freshness is here, but this is more about the dense, superripe fruits.
Plum and animal aromas are okay. A chunky, rubbery palate is full but lacking in shape and nuance. This tastes of peppery plum and berry in front of a limited finish with notes of hard spice and berry fruits.
Plum and berry aromas are a bit grassy on the nose. This is plump and full in body, with herbal notes held in check by ripe black-cherry and black-plum flavors. On the finish, the flavors are mild and easy.
Plum and berry aromas are a touch prickly, as if there were notes of herbs and wild pasture infused into this Garnacha. Tight and drawing on the palate, this tastes of black fruits, chocolate and savory spices. A firm, tannic, rubbery-feeling finish maintains the wine's integrity.
Plum and berry aromas are clean and fruity, with no funk or oak to wade through. A juicy palate deals slightly medicinal plum and red-berry flavors in front of a solid yet slightly hot and spicy finish.
Plum and berry aromas are clean but regular. The wine feels wiry and bouncy, with pointed acidity. Fresh, tangy flavors of red berry and cranberry finish dry, oaky and tight. It's good and familiar in an old-school way.
Plum and berry aromas are floral and suggestive of perfumed soap. This has a friendly, easy mouthfeel and limited but good flavors of spiced plum and raspberry. A mild, low-tannin finish leaves a peppery aftertaste.
Plum and berry aromas are forward, fresh and composed. This blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon is zesty and snappy in feel, while the flavors veer toward plum and berry with toast and oak accents. A juicy, pure finish makes it easy to like.
Plum and berry aromas are infiltrated by touches of leafy green and leather on the nose of this texturally sound, herbal-tasting Malbec. Flavors of plum and spice are a touch weedy, while baking spice and clove notes take over on the finish.
Plum and berry aromas are leathery and solid. This feels a bit wiry, but full of energy and sharp acidity. Loamy plum and blackberry flavors are boosted by tartartic acidity, while mild herb notes fade on the finish.
Plum and berry aromas are leathery but honest and not overreaching. The wine feels tight and pinched, while savory flavors of saucy plum and red-berry fruits finish lightly herbal, with a kick of tomato and spice along with leather.
Plum and berry aromas are lively and come with a mild scent of animal fur. This blend of four grapes, led by Tempranillo, feels blocky and loosely defined, while flavors of plum, raspberry and a touch of herbal green finish spicy and woody. Will function best as an everyday wine.
Plum and berry aromas are mild and a bit metallic. A drawing, grapy mouthfeel and generic but solid flavors of blackberry and blueberry finish with a touch of oak. This doesn't have a ton of character, but it's balanced and tasty.
Plum and berry aromas are straightforward, but also clean and nice. The palate on this wine from San Rafael is focused and orderly, with flavors of red fruits, spice and mild woody notes. Long lasting on the finish, with freshness and just a modicum of tannic bite.
Plum and berry aromas are superficially good, but this nonvintage Garnacha feels pulpy and chunky. Forceful berry flavors are a bit flat, as is the finish, which is ripe in feel and flavors but weaker on acidity and vitality.
Plum and berry aromas are tight and focused, with no indication of oak. A blend of Tempranillo and Rufete, this wine is snappy and drawing in feel. Plum and currant flavors finish long and juicy, with ripping acidity.
Plum and berry aromas come with a floral accent. This feels raw and a touch abrasive, with woody, saucy flavors of berry fruits and plum. The oaky, heavily spiced finish brings a grippy tannic feel.
Plum and berry aromas include notes of lemon and shaved roots. This is a funky Cabernet with choppy tannins that create an abrasive mouthfeel. Salty berry, tomato and oak flavors finish woody.
Plum and berry aromas show a touch of varietal green. In the mouth, this wine is a bit jammy as well as dense. Woody, herbal blackberry flavors are satisfying. It stays firm and balanced across a ripe finish that includes a touch of resiny oak.
Plum and berry, cherry and red apple all appear readily on nose and palate of this fruit-driven rosé. The palate tones this down with some bitter edges but they still remain lithe and refreshing. The finish is reminiscent of bruised apple. This will work better with food than as a mere apéritif.
Plum and blackberry aromas are fresh, while the palate on this fruity red is round and chewy. Blackberry and mild herbal notes make for a nice, familiar flavor profile, while the finish is solid and holds form.
Plum and blackberry aromas dominate a fruit-forward nose with palpable oak and toast. This is rock-solid and firm on the palate. Ripe flavors of baked black fruits are darkened by toast and chocolate notes. On the finish, this tastes of fig and peppery spice. Drink through 2023.
Plum and blackberry shout from the glass, wrapping around an oaky, leathery texture and hits of smoky char and vanilla. This full-bodied wine finds a groove of balance as it goes, adding a lengthy streak of pepper on the finish.
Plum and blackcurrant aromas are rustic, dark and leathery. In the mouth, this strikes the right notes courtesy of good body weight and solid overall balance. Lightly oaked, medicinal flavors of plum and raspberry finish with juicy acidity and a reasonable amount of oak.
Plum and blueberry aromas come with a hint of green herbs. Feels fresh and clamps down with good tannins in the mouth before unleashing dark plum along with toast and peppery spice flavors. Juicy on the finish.
Plum and blueberry aromas display a hint of desert herbs. A full dense palate is jammy in feel, while blackberry and prune flavors come with herbal savory notes. A mix of toasty oak and prune-like flavors on the finish leave a lasting impression of maximum ripeness. Drink through 2021.
Plum and blueberry combine to nice effect in this wine that is dense and chewy at the beginning but yields softer textures as it goes. A sprinkling of cocoa and cinnamon accents the finish.
Plum and bubblegum aromas show on the inviting nose of this bottling from the Barton family. There is an energetic tension to the palate that propels its light raspberry fruit flavors into the finish.
Plum and candied berry aromas come with a touch of horseradish and chemical harshness. Chunky, plump and short on crispness, this tastes of plum, berry and salt. A bready tasting finish runs low on acidity and fruit.
Plum and cherry aromas are earthy and generic. This wine feels pinched and high in acidity. Flavors of tart plum and berry fruits are racy, while a long, salty, tannic finish is pushed by crisp acidity.
Plum and cherry aromas are generic in nature. This feels jammy and candied, while heavy berry fruit and oak flavors combine to keep things basic and muddled.
Plum and cherry aromas are good but undistinguished. The palate is a bit rubbery in feel, while the flavor profile is fruity but nonspecific. The finish offers citrus and red-fruit notes, but nothing beyond that.
Plum and cherry aromas are riper than might be expected for a cool-vintage 2013 crianza. Chewy, drawing tannins lend grip to the palate that tastes of black plum, tea and dry spices. A bit of oaky chocolate is present on the finish.
Plum and cherry aromas are the slightest bit stalky. In the mouth, this coastal Pinot is round and full in feel, with reedy cherry and plum flavors matched by creamy oak. Briny hints, vanilla and integrated oak help this Pinot finish with elegance.
Plum and cherry aromas carry a lemony oak note. This is fresh but rubbery, as you might expect from a young Monastrell-Petit Verdot blend. Plenty of black currant and plum fruit is supported by mild toasty bitterness on the finish.
Plum and cherry aromas seem a touch oxidized. The palate holds it together but doesn't offer much, while flavors of chunky berry and plum are hollow and show additional oxidation. Like many inexpensive 2011 rosés, this is past its prime.
Plum and cherry aromas turn herbal and piney with airing. Definitely a leaner, sharper Alazan than in the past, with body as well as piercing acidity. Black fruit flavors have an herbal undertone as the palate transitions to peppery spice. Bright and zingy; not much finish.
Plum and cherry fruit notes combine here, feeling concentrated through the midpalate. Although aged in one quarter new oak, the barrel character has little impact on the flavor. It remains a bit tight and should continue to improve with bottle age. Drink 2019–2031.
Plum and cherry fruit show on the nose of this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot, but an iodine character adds a counterpoint to the fruit. Deep black fruit shows on the palate, meshing with savory spice and lifted by boisterous acidity.
Plum and cherry notes struggle to show themselves under a heavy layer of coconut and sawdust from new American oak. This wine is tightly wound and dense in the mouth, with refreshing acidity and a medium-to-long finish. A year or two in the cellar will allow for better integration.
Plum and cola aromas set up a spunky, rubbery Merlot that features a mix of roasted berry and chocolaty oak flavors. It is mild on the finish.
Plum and cranberry mark the entry into this clone-specific wine, which becomes expansively juicy as it makes its way on the palate. Orange peel, cranberry and cardamom provide an exotic take on the variety, ending in earth and spice.
Plum and currant aromas are gaseous at first, then minerally. This is tight, high in acidity and tannic. Rubbery, lightly briny cherry and plum flavors are held together by firm acidity, while this feels tight and wiry late, with herbal notes and tannic grab.
Plum and currant aromas are supported by asphalt, dried leather, herbal hints and grit on the bouquet. The palate is full, ripe and steady, while flavors of currant and wild berry are peppery and spicy. An elegant, lightly toasted finish is what this fine Cabernet deserves and delivers. Drink through 2022.
Plum and dry spice aromas are solid and don't steer you wrong, while the palate has reasonably good depth and feel along with sweet berry flavors that show no variety or evolution once they get going. A little sugary on the finish, but solid as a whole.
Plum and especially blueberry fruit compels your interest immediately. It's cloaked in precisely focused tannins that frame an extended, lightly chocolaty finish.
Plum and grape aromas kick off this bottling from Brian Loring, accented by clove, Indian spice and crushed cinnamon. Stewed black plum, peppercorn, turned earth and broad fruit flavors combine in a somewhat muddy formation on the palate.
Plum and light green aromas define the nose on this standard, medium-bodied Cabernet. Plum and raspberry flavors are racy and finish with a tight feel and nothing that's too woody or forced.
Plum and pomegranate play off each other in this monument to Howell Mountain, the wine dense and Rubenesque, suggesting further time in cellar, through 2022. With 1% Cabernet Franc blended in, the tannins and oak are well-integrated, spiking in tobacco and licorice.
Plum and raspberry aromas are clean and fresh. This feels solid and tastes of bright yet medicinal plum and cherry. A balanced finish with bolstering acidity and reasonably good berry flavors makes this worth a go.
Plum and raspberry aromas are clean, fruity and simple. The palate follows suit with lively acidity and punchy tannins in support of plum, cherry and moderate spice flavors. A light, zesty finish preserves this Monastrell's easy drinkability.
Plum and raspberry aromas are fresh, clean and simple. This is a solid, full-bodied Cabernet with currant and plum flavors accented by notes of herbs and spices. A minty, lightly herbal finish feels fresh and healthy.
Plum and raspberry aromas are herbal and slightly grassy. On the tongue, wiry acidity feels citric. Flavors of red plum, spiced cherry, tomato and herbs ride a road of choppy acidity and rough tannins to a bold finish. Drink through 2020.
Plum and raspberry aromas are honest and pleasant. This is fruity and plummy on first take, but soon it becomes narrow and acidic, with tart, shrill berry and plum flavors that finish juicy and angular, then bitter.
Plum and raspberry aromas are modest on the nose. This everyday Tempranillo feels a bit choppy and edgy, while plum, raspberry and prune flavors end slightly bitter.
Plum and raspberry aromas are wiry in nature and “red” in character. The wine feels healthy and not overly heavy, with roasted, slightly herbal flavors of berry fruits and creamy oak. A spicy, lightly herbal finish ends this Malbec-Syrah-Merlot blend in solid fashion. Drink through 2015.
Plum and raspberry aromas come with a spicy topping and distant notes of dried cheese and leather. This feels fresh and feminine on the palate, where dry plum and cherry flavors come with hints of vanilla, loam and cocoa. A smooth finish with tea notes is finely composed and elegant. Drink through 2019.
Plum and raspberry aromas grace a simple but clean bouquet. This Toro is lively on the palate, with high acidity that's reflective of a cool, wet vintage. Plum, currant and earthy, herbal flavors end with grabby tannins and zesty acidity. Drink through 2018.
Plum and raspberry fruit, intriguing spice notes reminiscent of allspice and cardamom, and ample weight and suppleness make this bargain-priced offering a winner. Drink now.
Plum and red-berry aromas are clean and fresh. This skips along on the palate, while flavors of wild berry and plum are a touch raw in character and feel. A rubbery finish is fresh and turns mildly bitter once the fruit fades.
Plum and red berry aromas start this integrated red blend, which is released only in the best years. On the palate, plum, warm spice and oak tones create a rich but clean character. The wine is structured and has room to age.
Plum and rose on the nose introduces this beautiful blend from De Toren, and on the palate, it shows ample structure and firm tannins with a shock of acidity that brings freshness to the overall flavor profile. Subtle, reserved strains of spice and soft fruit flavors end up with a clean and fresh twist. A unique and attractive wine at a good price.
Plum and wild berry aromas are slightly briny and volatile. Pinched acidity and related sharpness result in a rough mouthfeel, while plum, raspberry and currant flavors feel wiry, with an earthy, lightly oaked finish.
Plum and wild berry aromas come with graphite and minty oak scents. This feels big, pushy and juicy, while the flavor profile is oak-dominated, with mint and resin outmuscling raspberry. The finish is barrel-driven via raw, woody flavors and a resiny feel.
Plum and wintergreen aromas are earthy but flat. This has a chunky, jammy, flabby feel along with flavors of stewed plum, green herbs and raw oak. Baked berry flavors with green notes control the finish, which has a stewy character.
Plum aromas are pounded home with notes of meat and menthol. When you next hear the word “opaque,” think of this. But the body is surprisingly svelte, and the flavors emphasize red fruit. Some tannins are manifested on the finish, which shows licorice and buttery oak.
Plum aromas meet dried oregano, graphite and bell pepper touches on the nose of this bottling. Light strawberry flavors are accented with an iron-tinged character and more bell pepper on the palate.
Plum cake, leather, cocoa, eucalyptus, and exotic spice slowly take shape. The firm palate offers dried black currant, raisin, leather, licorice, mocha and sage alongside tightly knit, close-grained tannins.
Plum cake, resin, leather, raisin and exotic spice aromas come together in the glass. On the dense palate, licorice, chopped sage and tobacco notes accent prune and blackberry while firm, fine-grained tannins offers support.
Plum cake, underbrush, dark berry, menthol and a touch of mocha unfold in the glass. The taut, full-bodied palate offers chewy black cherry, raspberry jam, licorice and sage framed in youthfully assertive, fine-grained tannins. A tobacco note closes the finish. Drink 2022–2032.
Plum clafouti and a marriage of cherry and clove provide a foundation above which lies a spicy mix of dried herb and cedar in this integrated, softly approachable wine of medium-build and length.
Plum flesh, grapeseed and black-peppercorn aromas introduce this leaner, less-extracted style of wine. The palate shows deep cherry and plum juice with lots of peppery spice and decent tannic structure, and will probably intensify with a bit of patience.
Plum reigns supreme on the nose but there are also funky, earthy notes. The flavors are a lovely blend of red cherry, raspberry, rooibos tea, lavender and clove. This full-bodied wine has supple tannins and bright acidity, finishing long and dry.
Plum, baking spice, pressed blue flower and tobacco aromas emerge on this full-bodied red. Showing the heat of the vintage, the palate is rather evolved, displaying dried cherry and licorice alongside firm tannins. Drink over the next few years to capture the remaining fruit.
Plum, berry and a noticeable oaky streak define the bouquet on this well-built Rioja. Flavors of raspberry and plum are creamy and end with thickness and full-bodied grip that's balanced off by good acidity. This is perfectly good, healthy and adequately fruity, yet woody.
Plum, berry and compost aromas are earthy and a bit herbal. Tight, drawing acidity drives the palate, while minerally plum and berry flavors are sinewy and tough, with raw tannins steering a rugged, staunch finish. Drink this gritty Carignan now through 2018.
Plum, berry and milk chocolate aromas are not too aggressive. The palate is round and friendly feeling, with flavors of wild berry, sweet oak and carob. Finishes with solid oaky flavors. Good Syrah that's uncomplicated and generally well made.
Plum, berry and raspberry aromas are light and elegant. This feels medium to full in body, with tannins that grab a little but don't clamp down. Ripe black-fruit flavors of plum and currant finish with an herbal note of basil along with flavors of oak and tomato sauce.
Plum, berry and spice aromas are a touch volatile. A hard, flush palate is loaded with rubbery tannins. Baked berry, cassis and prune flavors fall off on a finish that tastes slightly cooked.
Plum, berry, licorice and balsamic aromas are earthy and classy. This feels chunky and heavy but not ponderous. Flavors of prune, rooty spices, mint and chocolate finish with mocha and fig notes. Enjoy this ripe, full-bodied wine anytime through 2017.
Plum, berry, rubber and herbal aromas are earthy and solid as a whole. This Garnacha is dry and complex across the palate, with peppery, herbal flavors of plum, cherry and raspberry. Cocoa and spice notes drive a finish with medium intensity and an overriding sense of freshness. Drink through 2020.
Plum, black cherry and anise lead the nose of this rich red. Flavor of vanilla, mint and cherry give it a somewhat medicinal; edge but the wine is overall balanced and offers an exotic edge.
Plum, black cherry and fruit cake spice take center stage on the nose of this wine. Flavors of dried dates and crushed violets appear in the medium-weight mouth with a satiny texture, while the finish provides a touch of fudgy chocolate richness.
Plum, black cherry and mocha cflavors ombine in this smooth, well-integrated wine. It must have seen some time in new oak, and the pretty baking spice accents add length and pleasure to the finish.
Plum, black cherry, sandalwood and spice aromas work well together. This feels well balanced. Spicy, minty plum and berry aromas are common for Carmenère, while a chewy finish is smooth and not demanding.
Plum, blackberry and boysenberry aromas show nuances of citrus peel and rubber band. On the palate, this is tight, mildly tannic and slightly astringent due to firm tannins. A mix of ripe blackberry and cassis flavors come with chocolaty oak in front of a hard-pushing, lightly herbal finish. Drink through 2018.
Plum, blackberry and dusty earth aromas set up a racy, linear palate with sharp acidity and just enough padding. Raisin, wild berry and black pepper are the key flavors, while the finish is zesty, acidic and blackened in flavor. Drink through 2020.
Plum, blackberry and earthy mushroom aromas lead here, followed by soft, balanced flavors of violet, plum and tobacco. Mellow and soulful, this wine will pair well with almost any meat-based dish.
Plum, blackberry and toasty aromas are pure, heady and classy. Immediately this wine shows itself to be powerful: The tannins are grating and the overall outlook is far from shy. Toasty, dark flavors of black fruits, spice and licorice end spicy and blackened, with hard-ripping tannins. Best from 2016 through 2026.
Plum, blue flower and chopped mint aromas lift out of the glass. The straightforward palate offers blackberry, dried sour cherry and a hint of anise. This is for informal, everyday occasions. Drink soon.
Plum, blue flower, baking spice and a whiff of French oak lead the nose along with new leather. The juicy palate shows both chewy concentration and finesse, doling out raspberry compote, ripe wild cherry, vanilla, dried rosemary and coffee alongside bright acidity and fine-grained tannins. Drink 2019–2027.
Plum, blueberry and a tinge of sour dried-fruit aromas get lifted with dill, spearmint and anise on the nose of this wine. It's juicy on the palate with purple and blue fruits, but cut with a strong and nice mint character, also showing some dark chocolate nibs.
Plum, blueberry, tea and earth notes make for an interesting set of aromas. This is a very good example of Uruguayan Tannat, even if the tannins are unresolved and clampy. Toasty top flavors shadow blueberry fruit, while this is dark and slightly bitter on the finish. Drink this tasty but choppy wine through 2020.
Plum, cassis, floral hints and spicy, charred aromas open this Syrah-led blend. Hailing from a warm year, this feels jammy, dense and full in body. Peppery, chocolaty blackberry flavors end dark and deep, with a strong aftershock of olive and herbal flavors. Drink through 2019.
Plum, cassis, herb and spice aromas make for a full, pleasant bouquet. This shows a thick tannic plodding palate along with quick-hitting berry and cassis flavors. Lasting acidity on the finish creates welcome freshness and length.
Plum, cherry and animal aromas give this wine a funky nose. A full, grabby, rubbery palate deals boisterous plum and berry flavors. The finish is tight, clamping down with solid tannins and a touch of heat.
Plum, cherry and blueberry appear in concert and ease into a dense but very pliable, supple body that seductively winds itself around tongue and palate. This is serious stuff, yet there is a playful elegance inherent in the dense but sinous curls of fruit that stretch and swirl their cherry-ish tentacles everywhere. This is a whole lot of power in a most elegant package.
Plum, cherry and cassis aromas are lightly charred but not really dark or dense. This shows high-toned, edgy acidity and hard tannins. Punchy, borderline sharp flavors of raspberry and herbal plum finish rough.
Plum, cherry and cassis aromas are mildly woody. This feels firm, choppy and rugged. Flavors of cherry, plum and cassis reflect the nose, while this finishes ripe, with fresh acidity that comes with a controlled citrusy character.
Plum, cherry and raspberry aromas come with a note of bath soap. Fresh and solid across the palate, this Bobal tastes like it smells, while the finish shows a candied element along with a touch of chocolate.
Plum, cherry and strawberry aromas are light, true and minerally. This is a juicy, fresh, medium-weight wine with plum and raspberry. Nothing about this is pushy; overall, it's a bright, lifted quaffer that's totally satisfying.
Plum, cherry, cassis and earth aromas are as is, with little nuance or complexity. In the mouth, this is plump, maybe a bit chunky. Quiet, ripe plum and spice flavors finish with more of the same and little to no change. Drink now.
Plum, chocolate and herbaceous notes make for  an attractive flavor package. A smooth mouthfeel, medium body and a long finish add further positive notes. You won't go wrong with this one.
Plum, cinnamon, Chinese five spice, egg nog, strawberry compote and sour cherry team up for a memorable nose. The palate proves more straight-ahead and savory, with sandalwood up front and fleshy plum, cooked rhubarb and some strawberry in the background.
Plum, coffee, tilled soil, leather and savory herb aromas come together in the glass. The concentrated palate offers mature black cherry, raspberry, espresso, mocha and ground black pepper alongside brooding tannins.
Plum, cranberry and blueberry aromas come with earth and ample oak. The wine is jammy and a touch lazy on the palate. Flavors of savory, baked plum and spicy, stewed berry fruits finish with leftover oak and spice flavors as well as a jammy feel.
Plum, currant and spice aromas are cool and lightly herbal. A bright, juicy palate delivers robust berry, plum and spice flavors. Dry, complex and harmonious on the finish, this is a shining example from a tough vintage. Drink this blend of 75% Tempranillo and 25% Merlot through 2020.
Plum, dark berries and a slick streak of almond paste combine in this supple wine. It has a touch of dried herb and soft leather, with light tannins wrapping up the finish.
Plum, dark berry and baking-spice aromas slowly emerge on this full-bodied red. The taut spicy palate offers sour cherry, dried blackberry, ground clove and licorice set against a backbone of assertive but fine-grained tannins. It's still young and primary. Drink after 2025.
Plum, dark chocolate, blackberry jam and licorice flavors star in this ambitious Cabernet. It's soft and appealing, but a little too one-dimensional, and it's hard to see it aging.
Plum, dark cooking spice and menthol aromas emerge in the glass. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, toast, licorice and espresso alongside assertive, grainy tannins that leave a rather raspy finish.
Plum, dark spice, aromatic herb, blue flower and tilled earth are some of the aromas you'll find on this smooth full-bodied red. The structured, already approachable palate delivers black cherry, raspberry, star anise and coffee alongside ripe, polished tannins. Drink through 2022.
Plum, dill, oregano, pencil lead, tobacco and woody berry aromas show on the nose of this bottling. Light in body and flavor, the palate offers leather, tobacco, dried berry and plum-skin elements.
Plum, espresso, cedar and underbrush aromas unfold on this straightforward Sangiovese and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon blend. The ripe, warm palate doles out juicy black cherry, blackberry, vanilla, white pepper and a licorice note alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
Plum, French oak, coffee, vanilla and Oriental spice aromas emerge in the glass. The concentrated palate offers mature black cherry, blackberry jam, vanilla and licorice alongside fine-grained tannins.
Plum, graphite, menthol and exotic spice aromas jump out of the glass. The big, round palate delivers dried black cherry, mature blackberry, licorice and vanilla alongside chewy tannins.
Plum, herb and vanilla aromas lead to easygoing black-currant flavors. It provides a lot of easy drinking appeal.
Plum, herb, blue fruit, vanilla and spice aromas lead to soft, plush fruit flavors in this wine. The texture and blue fruit flavors bring appeal.
Plum, moist earth, leather and a whiff of crushed violet aromas lead the nose on this straightforward red. The easy drinking palate shows dark berry, cinnamon, orange peel and a hint of game accompanied by dusty tannins zesty acidity.
Plum, prune and raspberry aromas are solid. This shows a bright, juicy palate along with traditional Rioja flavors of vanilla, tobacco, savory oak and dried red-berry fruits. Drink through 2018.
Plum, prune, black cherry and toasted oak sensations take center stage in this wine made from 100% Montelpulciano. The rich, dense cherry and crushed blackberry flavors are accented by mint, white pepper and a hint of espresso. Give this a few more years to tame the bracing, but fine tannins. Drink 2015–2019. Worldwide Cellars, A.I. Selections.
Plum, prune, oak and vanilla aromas combine to form a welcoming, solid bouquet. This feels snappy, fresh and firm, with no weaknesses. Toasty, earthy plum and cherry flavors finish lively, zesty and spicy, with mild tartness. Drink through 2018.
Plum, raisin and red licorice aromas are ripe and heady. This feels tight and structured, with meaty tannins. Black cherry and oaky chocolate flavors end mild and chunky, with length. This should raise no complaints.
Plum, raspberry and animal fur aromas settle with airing. Rubbery, grabby tannins create a hard-as-rocks mouthfeel, while blackberry and cassis flavors turn toasty on the finish. This is hard on the palate straight up; holding through 2016 can only help.
Plum, raspberry and floral aromas create an appealing nose. This everyday Rioja feels tight and pulling, with scratchy tannins. A flavor profile dominated by red berries feels tannic and rubbery on the finish.
Plum, raspberry and spice aromas stick out on this otherwise dusty smelling Cabernet. This is medium in body, with little in the midsection. Reedy, oaky red-berry flavors come with a cocoa powder note and a spicy finish.
Plum, raspberry, dried herb and light spice aromas lead to a choppy but solid palate. Oaky flavors of toast and coffee sit atop blackberry fruit, while this finishes with richness and dominating barrel-driven flavors of spice and toast.
Plum, red berry and wild herb aromas combine to create a briary whole. As it airs, the nose turns lemony and hard, while the mouthfeel is tight and limited, with herbal, saucy, red berry flavors. Tomato and basil notes appear on the finish.
Plum, red berry, cinnamon and mint aromas give this savory-style red from Lebanon a serious start. Soft and elegant on the palate but with a touch of spice and lively acid, the wine is balanced and unfolding, and will pair well with dishes that offer complex spice. An interesting red with exotic appeal.
Plum, sassafras and dark cherry form a contingency of flavor in this brooding, velvety smooth wine with a sizable finish. Cinnamon and clove are peppered throughout this full-bodied, well-made effort from the famous vineyard site.
Plum, slate and cherry blossoms show on the nose of this wine, grown along the Foxen Canyon corridor. Red fruit and hibiscus highlight the top of the sip, followed by brick minerality, bright acidity and a spice that leans toward anise.
Plum, soft smoke, grilled meats—this is a masculine wine with a lovely, savory style. Integrated and luscious, it offers smooth but ageable tannins and a spicy but balanced profile. Elegant but sturdy, pair it with beef, lamb, or roasted vegetable dishes.
Plum, spice and cedar lead this spicy red. The wine offers bright but balanced flavors of red and black cherry, cedar and warming spice. The finish has a clean, mineral edge. Pair this with strong cheeses and dried meats.
Plum, spice and red berries on the nose and palate give this wine character. The palate is dry and spicy with a focused edge.
Plum, spice and sweet herb aromas lead to rounded blue-fruit flavors surrounded by dry, astringent tannins that are unyielding.
Plum, toast, violet and savory herb aromas lead the nose on this firmly structured wine. The tightly compacted palate delivers toasted oak, concentrated black cherry, dried sage, tobacco and licorice alongside a backbone of assertive tannins.
Plum, tobacco and cheesy aromas register as spicy and rustic on the nose. A raw, hard-tannin palate offers herbal flavors of thyme and rosemary to go with chocolate and raspberry notes. Toasty oak, heat and length on the finish suggest that this may improve over the next five years.
Plum, tomato and animal aromas feed into a tight, pulling, tannic palate. Salty and savory plum and berry flavors end with dry tannins and an overall scratchy feel that's rugged but stout.
Plum, tomato and spice aromas turn more floral with airing. This is a dry pinching tannic Malbec with herbal plum and cherry flavors that are also peculiarly salty. A tannic dry sturdy finish offers plenty to chew on. Drink through 2022.
Plum, truffle, tilled earth and a hint of mocha lead the nose while the ripe, round palate offers fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, baking spice and pipe tobacco. Velvety tannins support the savory flavors and carry through to the chewy, licorice finish. Drink through 2020.
Plum, vanilla, chocolate and subtle oak aromas carry over to the palate. The palate displays chocolate-covered cherries, fig and coffee alongside bracing tannins that leave a drying finish. Drink 2018–2025.
Plum, vanilla, sunbaked earth and espresso aromas take shape in the glass. The structured palate offers dried red cherry, roasted coffee bean and vanilla alongside fine-grained tannins that clutch the finish.
Plum, violet and menthol aromas unfold on this medium-bodied red. The round palate offers black cherry accented with notes of ground pepper and star anise while ripe, close-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2020.
Plum, violet, leather and menthol aromas float from the glass. The soft, smooth palate offers juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, vanilla, espresso and anise alongside round, polished tannins. It's easygoing and made to enjoyed young so drink soon.
Plum, violet, vanilla and espresso aromas swirl around the glass along with a hint of herb. The linear palate offers toast, sour cherry, roasted coffee bean and a licorice note while fine-grained tannins give it a firm finish. Drink through 2018.
Plum, white peach, pineapple and mango show on the nose of this wine that is quite tropical in aromas. The palate offers yellow pear, buttered toast and salty acidity that come together in a delicious package that is affordable and widely available.
Plum, wild berry, a note of grass and oak aromas carry the nose on this fresh Carmenère that delivers mild tannins and basic plum and berry flavors backed by woody notes. Modest spice and pepper flavors are simple, making this is a friendly type of red.
Plumbago is a pure expression of Nero d'Avola that portrays the natural characteristics of this indigenous Sicilian grape. Red berry, cherry, almond skin and pistachio open the bouquet and give way to zesty freshness on the palate.
Plumes of intensely aromatic fresh raspberry and red cherry abound on this sweet rosé. Unabashedly fruit forward, it's an easy, approachable sip marked by a tinge of pink bubblegum. Drink now.
Plummy and chocolaty in profile, this medium- to full-bodied sparkling Shiraz remains surprisingly refreshing on the long, dusty finish. It makes for a crowd-pleasing introduction to the style.
Plummy and confected, with the baked-fruit character and hints of raisined fruit that can sometimes affect wines from the Plan de Dieu. Thankfully, the tannins are supple, and while there's some alcoholic warmth, it's still easy to drink. Drink now–2014.
Plummy and dark, with accents of cedar, dark chocolate and hints of coffee. This is always the most robust of the Felton Road Pinots, and really deserves a few years in the cellar; although it's approachable now, expect the already soft tannins to turn silkier in time.
Plummy and hinting at black cherry, this wine is otherwise soft and simple, with a distracting, full-throttled descent into raisin cake and prune.
Plummy and ripe, with a sheen of glossy, cedary oak, this is as plush as it gets in the northern Rhône. It's full-bodied, supple and open, with a long, velvety finish. Drink now–2030.
Plummy and savory, this plump, supple-textured wine is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre. It offers an easygoing mouthful of fruit in an early-drinking style.
Plummy and spicy, this Barbera is yummy in aromatic blackberry fruit, concentrated and structured with well-managed tannins. On the finish a teeter-totter of vanilla and chocolate.
Plummy and tight, this wine comes from the Green Valley section of the Russian River Valley. Youthful, it hints at fierce acidity around delicately woven specks of mint, pine forest, rhubarb and clove. In the background, the region's classic cola cherry characteristic shows as well. Drink now through 2021.
Plummy aromas are light and subtle. The palate is tart, lithe and flavorful with the oak seeming dialed back, putting the focus on the freshness of the fruit. Put it on the dinner table to see it shine.
Plummy aromas mix in the glass with whiffs of pressed blue flower, vanilla and mocha. The taut structured palate offers dried black cherry, coconut, licorice, espresso and black pepper while firm fine-grained tannins provide the framework. A note of pipe tobacco closes the tight finish. Give it a few more years to unwind and fully develop. Drink 2020–2027.
Plummy aromas with vanilla, blue flower and a touch of exotic spice lead the nose on this firmly structured, elegant wine. On the palate, notes of cinnamon, tobacco and licorice accent the vibrant, black cherry core while fine-grained tannins provide a linear, age-worthy structure. Drink 2016–2025.
Plummy aromas, black-cherry and oak, and accents of vanilla and cream. It's tight now, fairly begging for time to unfold. Presently the cherry core borders on tart. With time it should soften.
Plummy aromas, peachy flavors and a bright mouthfeel lend a lot of appeal to this medium-bodied wine. It tastes smooth and rounded in texture, ripe and somewhat rich but not overdone.
Plummy blackberry and cherry flavors abound in this Cabernet Franc, anchored by a taut frame of fine, firm tannins and cranberry acidity. It seems lavishly oaked, but pronounced aromas of cedar and toast integrate smoothly on the palate. The long finish is marked by an enticing pencil-shaving edge.
Plummy cherry and vanilla meet cedar and black pepper wrapped in toasted oak in this bold, full-bodied, ripe wine from Moon Vineyards. Aged for two years in all French oak, it shows a classic structure and firmness, with succulence that builds on the finish.
Plummy chocolate stars in this densely textured yet nicely lean wine, which finds balance and power in the glass. Cherry, blueberry and cedar make appearances, before a finish kissed in tobacco.
Plummy cinnamon and grape notes highlight this well-made, full-bodied wine's lush, soft-textured expression. It boasts integrated oak and compelling concentration, finishing in a plume of smoke.
Plummy cinnamon notes meet fruity coconut depth in this ripe, soft and brightly constructed wine that's rich and full-bodied.
Plummy fruit aromas meet with nutmeg and vanilla on the pleasing if somewhat simple nose of this bottling. The palate grows much more interesting, lively and delicious, as rounded, juicy red fruits are cut by star anise and cinnamon flavors. A spicy acidity cuts through the elegant tannic structure.
Plummy in dark chocolate, cedar and coffee, this well-structured, 100% varietal wine offers much to enjoy and admire. Exuberantly fruity, with polished, integrated tannins, it's rich and full bodied, finishing with the unexpected elegance of delicate clove and toffee notes.
Plummy with a sour hint of leather, this light-bodied wine, is somewhat flat in structure and finishes lean.
Plummy yet cool, with a greenish, floral note that adds lift and interest to the dark-fruit aromas and flavors. This is a bit austere and dusty, but long on the finish, so drink 2018–2030.
Plummy yet herbal at the same time, this Pinot from the folks at Craggy Range hints at rhubarb and beet greens, but relies on a sturdy core of sour plum to carry it. It's a bit chunky, with a dusting of tannins on the finish. Imported by Kobrand Corporation.
Plummy, ripe, beginning to oxidize. Ready to drink right now, it's got a leafy, tomato flavor to it. Unusual.
Plummy, smoky, chocolatey aromas lead to a richly flavored but slightly heavy wine. The soft, gentle tannins are easy to negotiate. There's a big wad of rich, jammy fruit that hits midpalate, while the finish is juicy and fruity.
Plump and aromatically subdued with a touch of residual sweetness (halbtrocken), this shows some midpalate concentration and provides some citrusy refreshment.
Plump and fleshy for an unoaked style, with tangerine, lemon and passion fruit notes that finish clean and refreshing. A good summer wine at a fair price. Imported by USA Wine West.
Plump and food friendly, this has a rich fruit flavor backed by notes of spice, balsam, toasted almond and leather. It shows pleasant, restrained elegance.
Plump and inviting black cherry fruit melds with char, soy and purple flower aromas on the nose of this atypical blend of 38% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Franc and 31% Merlot. The wine is cohesive on the palate, with persistent tannins and smoke, coffee, red fruit and dried herb flavors.
Plump and loaded with sweet and tangy red and purple fruits, this lush table wine mixes flavors of raspberry, black cherry and plum hard candy with bracing acids. The juicy, forward fruit gives it a Beaujolais-like quality; nothing too substantial here, but quite delicious.
Plump and meaty, this opens with dark aromas of blackberry, spice, crushed pepper and bresaola. This would drink well at informal occasions with family and friends.
Plump and mouthfilling, this easy, peachy Pinot Grigio offers forward fruit in a bold yet balanced package. It's a bit dense in body, but crisp acidity refreshes the midpalate. The finish is bright with tangerine notes. Drink now through 2019.
Plump and powerful yellow plum and cherry flavors seem peppered by spice and tea leaves in this lithe but penetrating wine. Sunny, ripe flavors don't detract from the 2014 vintage's trademark acidity—the finish is pure citrus refreshment. Drink now through 2020.
Plump and ready to drink, this is big and meaty stuff, and in the end it's like so many ultraripe, fat Chardonnays from Chile. This doesn't mean that there isn't citrus on parade, all ending in a finish on tangerine alley. If it lacks nuance it makes up for it in ripeness of fruit.
Plump and ripe Montmorency cherry kicks off the aromas on this bottling, followed by rain-on-slate minerality, slight hints of cola and a growing sense of sour cranberry. The palate also begins with riper red fruit before diving into extreme minerality and intriguing texture. Then comes tart plums and cranberries, all dusted by savory touches of white pepper. It's quite a ride.
Plump and round in the mouth, with clean, fresh flavors of pear and pineapple. This year, the Marsanne is better, although the Roussanne should win friends for its charming fruit.
Plump and round on the nose, with some heavy oak and awkward plum/beet aromas. The palate is robust and forward, but a little confusing; the fruit is muddled. And the finish is grapey and thin, leaving a mildly sour lasting impression.
Plump and round on the palate, this is a bit soft and lacking bite, but does offer a reasonably complex array of pungently herbal notes and melon and fig flavors. Drink now.
Plump and slightly sweet, this late-harvest Riesling comes in at 10% alcohol—something along the lines of a rich spätlese in terms of its alcohol-acid-sugar balance. Notes of pineapple and crushed stone open up to melon fruit on the palate and finish long, with a bit of cinnamon or ginger spice.
Plump and somewhat jammy flavors of vanilla and baked cherry meet with soft clove dust on the nose of this bottling by the Foley family. The palate is tight in bright acidity, with flavors of red plum and cracked pepper that linger long on the finish.
Plump and spicy, mixing mint and apple, with flavors running into riper fruits—pear and peach. This fills the mouth with luscious fruit, suggestions of vanilla cream and butterscotch, with just enough acidity to bolster it on through into the finish. It's big and thick for Riesling, yet beautifully balanced and quite delicious.
Plump and succulent, the 2015 Hunting Hill displays attractive notes of hickory smoke and white peach, underscored by the suggestion of citrus custard. Like all of the 2015 Chardonnays from Kumeu River, it shows great length and intensity.
Plump and sweet, this corpulent kabinett features aromas and flavors of honey, tangerine and melon, with just the vaguest hints of slatey minerality. A hint of bitterness on the finish helps balanace some of the weight and sugar. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC.
Plump and thick aromas of black cherry and blueberry are backed by delicate nuances of red apple, tar and cola. There are pungent, balsam-like layers here that give the wine lift and buoyancy and ultimately help the wine taste refreshing and clean.
Plump and voluminous on the palate, this full-bodied wine is marked by swirls of caramel, orange and peach flavors. It's a bit plush in feel but accents of spice and smoked lend nuance.
Plump apricot, melon and white peach abound are luscious. Yet it's dry in style and bracing too, edged by taut acidity and a steely, mineral edge. Accessible and elegantly balanced, its a four-square wine with excellent value.
Plump aromas of black cherry, mulberry, vanilla and star anise rise on the rich but not overbearing nose of this wine. There is dark-fruit ripeness on the front, but then comes a heavy array of spices, from allspice and clove to thyme and dried sage. The texture is soft, yet the tannins are noticeable and the acidity is buoyant.
Plump aromas of lemon butter, gardenia and hot sourdough toast with tangerine marmalade show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is pillowy in texture, offering ripe flavors of peach custard, sea salt, butterscotch, tangy grapefruit and mandarin slices.
Plump aromas of lemon mousse, meringue, wet limestone, white flowers and ripe key lime show on the nose of this excellent bottling. The palate bursts with flavors of cool cream, sea salt and lemon pith, set against a chalky texture. A mysteriously compelling experience.
Plump aromas of melon and almond candy announce a chunky palate with citric acidity. Pithy orange and melon flavors are straightforward, with some sweetness. Consider this a decent, generic white wine.
Plump aromas of white peach, lemon syrup, butterscotch and prominent oak show on the nose of this bottling, one of the richer ones in the current Talley lineup. The oak smoke flavors mix with vanilla and a finish of caramel on the palate, but the winery's reliably bright acidity hold the larger elements in check.
Plump Asian pear and sea salt aromas accompany lighter hints of butterscortch and marshmallow in this barrel blend from William Foley's estate in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills. There is a textural pull to the palate, while Gala apple, sea salt and marzipan flavors provide richness.
Plump black cherry and plum flavors resonate through the core of this juicy, ripe Cabernet Franc. Its fruity forward style is approachable and appealing but there's a good dose of elegance as well. Brisk cranberry notes brighten the midpalate, leading a delicately tannic finish.
Plump black currant, lavender extract, bright purple flowers and touches of raw beef and tar show on the nose of this bottling, made with 20% whole-cluster and 7% Viognier. Black pepper and asphalt show first on the palate, where tannins softly coat the mouth and then stand up to boost elderberry flavors. Thorough, zesty acidity ensures long cellar potential. Drink 2017–2032.
Plump black currants, fragrant purple lilacs and a tiny bit of roasted beef show on the nose of this blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 16% Malbec, 16% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The palate is less showy, with firm tannins, energizing acidity and a mineral-driven center line, offering cooked purple fruit on the finish.
Plump black plums and concentrated hibiscus fruit meet with cola, sarsaparilla and tart dried orange rind on the nose of this bottling. The palate is more earth-driven, with crushed rocks, pine needle and mint flavors spicing up the tart plum skins and berries. The texture is excitingly grippy.
Plump black raspberry and blackberry notes mix with vanilla and baked licorice on the fruit-driven nose of this blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Syrah. The tannic tension and strong acidity of the palate overwhelms the flavors at first, eventually revealing dark purple fruit and a vanilla-laced finish.
Plump blackberries and blueberries gain complexity on the nose of this bottling with touches of chipped cedar and smashed grapeseeds. Woody flavors show on the palate, with more grapeseed and some black tea. It's quite firm in tannins.
Plump blackberries and ready-to-pop cherries are laced with touches of fresh tobacco, graphite and turned earth on this very well done Cab. The rich black plum fruit of the palate is cut by a strong acidity and firm tannic grip, with flavors of pencil lead keeping the wine serious and driven.
Plump blackberries and warm gingerbread dusted with clove, nutmeg and anise makes for a very complex and layered nose. The palate is hearty with black plum skins, bramble and ripe elderberry, with lots of sage and coyote brush playing into a strong chaparral spice.
Plump blackberries, grapeseed, pencil lead and a touch of smoke converge on this blend of Syrah, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The flavors are woody, with cedar, tart elderberry and pencil lead, while the structure is chalky and tannic. It's a heavy-duty sip, with beef char lingering into the cooked-fruit finish.
Plump blackberries, sweet violets and a slight brushing of tar show on the nose of this straightforward, everything-you-expect Syrah. Bright acidity contains the dark fruit on the palate, with dense blackberries and elderberries dusted by black pepper and a touch of thyme.
Plump blackberry and black currant meet with asphalt and dark chocolate on the nose of this bottling from a relatively new vineyard on Gypsy Canyon in the heart of the appellation. Dried violets, lavender, tart boysenberry, peppercorns and a hint of cardamom make for an exotic yet balanced palate.
Plump blackberry and ripe black cherries meet with caramel sauce and a hint of slate on this nonvintage exploration of Petite Sirah, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. A sip reveals blackberry, dark chocolate, cola and a bit of smoke flavorings, proving plush yet brisk, ripe yet restrained with a rocky minerality.
Plump blackberry, dark strawberry, dried herbs and baking spice show on the nose of this well-rounded and easily likable bottling. The palate mixes fleshy red and purple fruit with a strong chaparral component in the midpalate. The firm grippy texture makes this a more serious Zinfandel than most.
Plump blueberries, slate, gravel, turned earth and a light fennel character show on this wine, which comes in a custom bottle exclusive to the appellation's estate-grown Syrahs. The palate shows a lively acidity that briskly expresses the black pepper, black currant and espresso flavors.
Plump blueberry and blackberry fruit meet with crushed slate and root-beer notes on the nose of this widely available bottling. It's a bit thin in body and a tad sweet-leaning, but shows caramelized black fruit and rocky earth on the palate.
Plump blueberry, baked black plum, cracked-rock earthiness and bloody meats show in a reserved way on the nose of this bottling from one of California's oldest vineyards. The sip begins with dark strawberry and ripe red-cherry notes but is quickly consumed by chalky tannins and lively acidity that unleash a wave of white pepper and cola into the finish.
Plump boysenberry and dewy sagebrush meet with a touch of wet asphalt on the nose of this bottling by Bob Lindquist, whose pioneering brand is now part of Charles Banks' portfolio. Dark purple fruits, from blueberry to blackberry, show on the palate, but with refreshing tartness, as do more complex nuances of menthol, eucalyptus and incense.
Plump but not overripe raspberry and alpine strawberry notes greet the nose on this bottling, with hints of shiitake mushrooms, turned earth and lavender. There's lots of herbal depth and chaparral character on the palate, with a touch of candied cherry, all presented with zesty energy that buzzes through the sip.
Plump but sour cranberry fruit aromas meet with sweet sandalwood, clove and forest floor on the nose of this San Francisco-made bottling from the historic property. Sanguine touches on the palate lead to raspberry, cherry, cinnamon and juniper flavors, ending in a menthol finish.
Plump but wholly generic, with semisweet aromas that are neither here nor there. The palate is round, with adequate to good mouthfeel. And the flavors of citrus are solid but kind of pithy and bitter. A full, chunky wine with virtues as well as some flaws. Drink right away for best results.
Plump cranberries, anise, charred cinnamon and a touch of a forest floor character hit the nose on this bottling from a longtime regional farming family. It's light but bright on the palate, with Earl Grey tea, chaparral scrub and citrus rind decorating an elegant pomegranate fruit structure.
Plump dark raspberries and ripe cherries combine with herbes de provence, slight lavender and a slightly gamy quality on this wine's elegant nose. Floral-driven flavors of hibiscus, rose hips and elderflower spice up the woody elderberry fruit, settling into Mediterranean herbs and a soft zing that goes deep into the finish.
Plump lusciously ripe black plum and cherry flavors are offset by a tantalizing edge of acidity and fine penetrating tannins in this neatly composed Malbec. It's supple and full in body yet refreshing and brisk. Drinks well already but should continue to improve through 2021.
Plump melon and stone fruit aromas are a touch broken down and mealy. This Godello feels fleshy and round, with pulpy weight. Tangerine and tropical fruit flavors weigh in on the heavy side, while the finish is chunky and pithy in flavor.
Plump Meyer lemon aromas meet rounded coconut, pineapple cream and honeysuckle on the nose of this bottling from the pioneering Franscioni family. On the palate, it's tightly wound, needing a second to breathe before revealing a sharp lemon peel freshness that cuts through the peachy fruit flavors.
Plump mulberries and ripe black cherries meet with black sage and dark, clove-y herbs on the nose of this wine from Bentrock Vineyard. The rich, concentrated palate surrounds a dense raspberry core, proving quite lively thanks to the camphor and sage-like spice that carries deep into the finish.
Plump mulberry, asphalt, lavender and cola aromas power the good though slightly curious nose on this wine from a renowned vineyard. The distinctive palate is very aromatic and violet-like, with strong fennel elements alongside boysenberry and herb-laced cherry cola flavors.
Plump plum and dark raspberry aromas meet with a chiseled-slate minerality and a strong oak spice on the nose of this reserve bottling by the regional pioneer. There's a hickory smoke character throughout the sip, which adds a savory note to the bright and racy red fruit.
Plump plum, blackberry and a bit of Christmas spice show on the fairly reserved and simple nose of this twist-top table wine. Tangy acidity enlivens the palate's dark red fruit, with a touch of oregano to add some nuance.
Plump plums, boysenberry, concentrated violets, slight tar and a touch of bacon-fat aromas show on the nose of this smaller-batch bottling from the pioneering property on Foxen Canyon Road. The palate packs a great acidic and textural verve, and is reminiscent of lavender-laced lamb chops, with rosemary, blackberry, blueberry and a touch of asphalt flavors.
Plump raspberries, darker blackberries, a touch of red and purple flowers, a bit of pork fat and a splash of root beer show on the nose of this blend of 51% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 12% Mourvèdre and 7% Zinfandel. It's full and fruit on the palate with cooked blackberries, surounding a line of lavender, white pepper and thyme.
Plump red and black fruit is immediately evident in this wine. Plum, black cherry and forest berries come with a touch of licorice and cinnamon spice. The palate is mellow and supple, brimming with uncomplicated, ripe, juicy fruit. Freshness provides balance and verve.
Plump red cherry and red cranberry meet with touches of anise, sagebrush, cola and purple flowers on the nose of this smartly priced bottling. Strawberry candy, smashed herbs and more anise show once sipped, framed by lots of acidity.
Plump red cherry and star anise aromas meet sagebrush and rust on the nose of this appellation blend. It's light bodied on the palate, where tangy acidity presents cranberry, mace and dried meat flavors.
Plump red cherry notes meet clove, allspice and dried ginger on the nose of this bottling. Though light in body, there's decent grip on the palate, where candied cherry and cranberry flavors are spiced with anise.
Plump soft aromas of berry fruits, raisin and prune hint at ripeness. This feels dense and chewy, with integrated tannins. Saucy savory berry and plum flavors suggest tomato sauce, while this tastes lightly oaky and minty on the finish.
Plump strawberry and black cherry fruit provide power, but elegance is what carries this bottling, thanks to its well-integrated rose and hibiscus aromas. Cooked raspberry and ripe pomegranate notes make for a rich palate, but floral rosewater touches complete the picture. This packs punch while still being approachable in style.
Plump strawberry, strawberry blossoms, candy licorice and pencil lead aromas show on the nose of this wine from viticultural legend Louis Lucas and retired judge Royce Lewellen. Candied strawberry shows on the sip alongside tart cranberry, red cherry, fennel and thyme notes.
Plump tangerine, pink grapefruit and warmer tones of Gala apples show on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard that's slightly northwest of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. Rounder nectarine and apple flavors show on the sip that fattens up in the midpalate with poached Asian pear and popcorn, deftly leveled throughout with a zesty lemon-wedge touch.
Plump tannins and ripe black cherry mark this wine, the structure and savory components also standing out. The finish carries a suggestion of cinnamon spice.
Plump tree fruits carry the weight, with a dash of toast—though the winery notes say the fermentation was 100% stainless steel. It's delicious and ready to drink, now through 2018.
Plump tropical fruit aromas show on the nose. A fruity but not complex palate deals short melon and tropical-fruit flavors prior to a briny finish.
Plump with sunny peach and apricot flavors, this offers a steely precision that's bracing and revitalizing. Dry in style, it's pristine and fruity with an endlessly persistent tangerine finish.
Plump yellow peach and blossom notes are contrasted by dusty herbal and bramble notes on this slightly savory Pinot Blanc. It's a quiet wine, delicately acidic and featherlight in texture intended for youthful consumption.
Plump yet bright with fruit, suave yet spicy with herbs and gamy elements, this bottling shows candied cherry and cranberry alongside sage, eucalyptus and slight barnyard notes. The same juicy red fruit immediately elevates the palate, which is then leveled by lively Mediterranean spice and a buoyant acidity.
Plump yet sleek, with slightly tarry, rubbery notes that only slowly fade to reveal a medium-bodied dry rosé. Turns minerally on the finish.
Plump, almost overripe yellow plums are ample on the nose. The palate rescues this somewhat with freshness, but flavor and taste seem slightly disjointed.
Plump, buttery aromas of apple and peach suggest popcorn. Typical of a Lapostolle Chardonnay, this feels a bit chunky and oily. Flavors of pineapple are slightly syrupy and oaky, while this tastes of honey, butter, stone fruits and mango on the finish.
Plump, clingy peach and honey notes are cut with streaks of lime in this delicate yet intensely satisfying wine. Off dry in style, it's refreshingly juicy, with a rich, supple mouthfeel offset by bristling acidity.
Plump, easy, mostly neutral aromas of white fruits and crushed vitamin set up a drawing palate with citric acidity. Simple, ripe nectarine and citrus flavors confirm a good but largely innocuous Chardonnay.
Plump, fleshy and colorful, which is really the most you should expect from an under-$10, cutely packaged wine like this. The variety is Tempranillo, and while it's sort of bulky and roasted, it offers a ton of soft blackberry aromas and flavors along with cassis and kirsch. Broad with some faux-butter flavors to the finish.
Plump, fleshy black cherry and berry flavors command this ripe, lusciously textured wine. It's unabashedly forward in fruit, but is still an elegant, nuanced wine shaded by lingering tones of spice, crushed rock and smoke. Cranberry acidity extends through a long, persistent finish. Ready to drink now but should improve through 2021.
Plump, juicy blackberry and cassis are accented by granite and woodsy pine notes in this deeply fruity yet nuanced Cabernet Franc. Supple in mouth feel and tinged with the faintest whisper of tannin, it's an accessible yet elegant wine.
Plump, juicy pear is cut beautifully by lemon freshness that also carries zest and spice, brightening the entire palate. The finish is dry and textured with the zing of the zest.
Plump, juicy yellow cherry and plum aromas on the nose contrast the taut, steely nature of this off-dry Riesling. Zesty lime and lemon acidity makes it refreshingly brisk and easy-drinking.
Plump, lively and packed tight with cherry and blackberry, this blend of Nero d'Avola and Merlot would pair well with grilled sausage or hamburgers. The mouthfeel is soft, easy and fresh.
Plump, mouthfilling and sweet, this is an easy-to-appreciate auslese loaded with fruit-driven flavor. Honeyed apples and pear lead the way, garnished by touches of stone fruit, orange marmalade and hints of slaty minerality. There's a slightly bitter tinge to the finish, but it actually helps the wine's overall balance.
Plump, rich and meaty, this Syrah offers ripe fruit aromas of blackberry and prune, followed by tobacco and wet earth notes. It will appeal to those consumers who appreciate a bold, chewy style.
Plump, ripe apricots play above a peppery, lemony core that bursts with juiciness and teases with salty minerality that keeps you wanting more. Delicious now, it promises lots of mileage. Drink until 2020.
Plump, ripe fruit—blackberry and jammy raspberry—open the nose of this pretty blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and other grapes. The wine offers sophisticated tones of dried tobacco and soft leather that suggest some development is already taking place.
Plump, ripe notes of blackberry jam, prune, spice cake, tobacco and black tea steal the show and make for a very prominent, sweet and intense nose. The mouthfeel is less bulky but it does offer the length you should expect.
Plump, slightly stewy aromas of blackberry and cassis are just shy of fresh. This hot-vintage, beefy Cab is bulky and low on acidity, but friendly and easygoing. Flavors of jammy, baked blackberry fold in chocolaty richness in front of a slightly syrupy finish. Drink through 2017.
Plump, supple and a joy to drink, this wine features a complex mélange of aromas and flavors, ranging from menthol and cracked pepper to mocha and roasted meat, all wrapped around a core of red berries. Drink now–2018.
Plump, sweet and creamy in texture, with apple and citrus flavors that offer simple, straightforward pleasure. Good quality, impressive for the 50,000 cases produced.
Plump, sweet and plush peach flavors fill nose and palate. This is medium sweet and intense with a wonderful vein of freshness that brightens the stone fruit with zesty tang and gives glimpses of grapefruit peel. There is a wonderful spiciness reminiscent of tangelo peel on the clean finish.
Plump, sweet and tropical on the nose, but also not that focused or powerful. The palate is flat in feel and a bit sticky, with vague, candied flavors of papaya and melon. There's even an Animal Cracker quality to the finish. Good but not great.
Plums, black slate and concentrated lilac aromas frame the nose on this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah and 8% Malbec. The palate offers blueberry fruit that's leveled by sour cherry and plum-skin tartness, along with some earthy tobacco spice.
Plums, purple flowers and graphite characterize the nose on this wine from the producer that's now owned by the Foley family of wines. Spicy cherries and blackberries show on the palate long with pencil lead and hints of dried oregano.
Plums, vanilla, toasty oak and a bit of chocolate fudge. The 2007 Angels Share features all of those flavors in a full-bodied, chewy Shiraz. The long, richly textured finish suggests pairing with grilled steak or lamb chops.
Plush and bright passionfruit aromas waft from this bottling drawn from five different vineyards, yet they are linked to sharper grass, lime rind and yellow grapefruit-pith tartness. Extreme energy shows on the sizzling palate, where Key lime, lemongrass and lemon peels conspire for a light-but-sharp experience.
Plush and creamy in texture, loaded up with toasted coconut and vanilla, this is a tasty, well crafted oaky red. Hints of berries add depth to the vanilla-laden palate, then linger on the supple finish. Drink now.
Plush and dusty, this splendid Merlot offers unusual depth and texture, even for Washington versions of the much-maligned grape. Along with black cherry fruit come highlights of herb and olive, spicy oak and rich earth. The density and detail carry through a long finish.
Plush and elegant dried purple flower, baked black fruit, graphite and char aromas show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is full of flavors that range from rich black currant to lively anise and cedar. Quite tasty and complex all around.
Plush and modern, plump and decadent: this is a blockbuster Brunello with huge concentration, density and intensity especially where those oak-related aromas are concerned. Yes, you get loads of spice and mesquite wood here but the natural intensity of the cherry and blackberry is not overwhelmed. The wine is soft, chewy and dense in the mouth. Drink after 2014.
Plush and mouthfilling, this blend of Petit Sirah, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Tinta Cão comes with notes of wild berries, cedar, flowers and spiced cocoa. Dusty, tongue-coating tannins keep the palate grounded.
Plush and pillowy in texture and very ripe in flavor, this wine is smooth and delicious. The aromas are plummy and the flavors almost sweet, as subtle oak adds baking spices. Moderate tannins give a little structure while the balance leans to the soft side.
Plush and plump, this is an easygoing off-dry Riesling with wide appeal. Fresh white grapefruit, apple and lemon flavors are cushioned by soft acidity. The finish is brisk and clean. Drink now through 2018.
Plush and rich, but not too meaty or thick, Mediterra (as its Mediterranean-sounding name suggests) delivers aromas of small fruit, wild sage, leather and moist earth. The bouquet paints a pretty picture of the territory in coastal Tuscany that inspired this blended red wine.
Plush and softly textured, this modern expression of Brunello boasts generous tones of black fruit, cherry, tobacco, leather and cola with smooth, silky tannins. You could age this wine many more years, or drink it sooner thanks to the inherent softness here.
Plush and supple, this is an easy-drinking blend of Dornfelder, Portugieser, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a soft, juicy wine full of primary black cherry and berry flavors, without even a whisper of tannins, but enjoyable for uncomplicated, immediate consumption.
Plush and velvety in texture, this is a reasonably mouthcoating and rich wine made from organic grapes. Blackberries, plums and dark chocolate mingle easily on the palate, lingering on the finish. Drink now–2020.
Plush and velvety, this has loads of red fruit, leather, tobacco and overall intensity. The finish is smooth and soft, with a touch of black pepper.
Plush black-currant aromas meet with light licorice and a plum-pudding note on the nose of this 70% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 1% Mourvèdre and 1% Viognier blend. It dries up tightly on the palate, showing blackberry alongside strong licorice and violet elements, all framed by a chalky structure.
Plush blackberry, fennel, mocha, char and peppercorn aromas show on the nose of this bottling from longtime friends Paul Quinn and James Schreiner. Dried plum skin, cherry and elderberry flavors show on the palate, which is layered with tannins and turns savory with charred beef, charcoal and tobacco flavors.
plush wine, it's made from 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. It starts off with aromas of black berries, plum and stewed prunes along with a whiff of cedar. The warm, low-acid palate delivers mature black cherry, black currants, tobacco and black pepper alongside big, ripe tannins and the warmth of the noticeable alcohol. Drink through 2020. Lyra Wine, The Shepherd Company.
Plush yet structured tannins and juicy, easygoing cassis and cranberry flavors allow this wine to sing. Deeper black fruit touches complement the brightness, adding power and concentration.
Plush, almost candy-like berry notes mingle with fresher inflections of moss on the aromatic nose. The soft and supple palate unleashes even more berry and cherry fruit, so much so that it takes a moment to realise that there is an actual, firm structure to support this purple-tinged display which finishes in medium-bodied spiciness.
Plush, forward black cherry and plum flavors get a firm bristle of tannins in this rich but structured red. Hints of coffee grounds and rubber lend an earthy complexity to the mid palate. The finish is brisk but clean.
Plush, fruit-forward and soft, Riserva di Fizzano shows a modern, confident style. The wine's appearance already shows darker hues of aging and the bouquet is characterized by dark fruit, leather and spice.
Plush, full and warm, this is an immensely attractive wine now, though it should cellar well through 2021. Dark, intense notes of berry preserves, menthol, curing spice and vanilla bean all mingle harmoniously on the nose and palate. Lush and mouthfilling, it is carried by a full structure and a crushed-velvet texture. Notes of muddled black berries and sweet spice linger long on the finish.
Plush, lip-staining blueberries and blackberries permeate through this rich, inky-black Petit Verdot. It's intensely fruity, but dense layers of tar, char, cedar and spice add striking counterpoints. Fine-grained tannins are still taut and unyielding but should meld nicely from 2020 through 2026.
Plush, lush and warmly seasoned in Asian spice, this wine offers length and balance, with a delicate layering of black cherry and cola flavors.
Plush, ripe apple and apricots are dusted in savory, earthy notes of slate and spice. It's a dancing, delicately framed wine with a balance of soft, sweet fruit and zesty acidity. Drink now.
Plush, showy aromas of candied apples, caramelized pears, condensed honeysuckle, yellow peach, quinine and cinnamon spice show on the nose of this wine. The palate takes a sour turn, with lemon peels, pear skins and a touch of chamomile.
Plush, smooth and packed tight with complex flavors. Blackberry, anise, black cherry, tar, coal, spice, earth and herbs remain tightly wound, waiting patiently to reveal their full charm in time. Supple, smooth tannins and beautiful balance give this wine classic elegance.
Plusher and rounder than the Special Reserve bottling, Millbrook's standard label Merlot suggests soft red-cherry flavor accented with cocoa powder, savory mushroom and beetroot. Gentle acidity and fine-grained tannins accentuate its plump juicy feel. Drink now through 2019.
Plushly textured and a bit jammy, this semi-sweet red offers straightforward cherry and berry flavors. Low in alcohol and juicy in style, it's a casual quaffer that will satisfy a sweet tooth.
Poached apple, tart nectarine skins and a tiny whiff of petrol decorate the nose of this single-vineyard study that received 14% new oak. It's clean and easy on the palate, with Golden Delicious apples, cement stoniness and a pear skin tartness.
Poached pears, yellow apples and a touch of butter show on the classic nose of this Chardonnay that holds to steely frame. Very sharp acidity kicks off the sip, where Pink Lady apples and warm vanilla surround a tight minerality. It's both sharp and slightly sweet.
Podere Canalino makes just over 200 cases of Brunello and offers a rustic, but genuine interpretation of the wine. There are dark, vinous aromas of black currants and red apple backed by old spice and pipe tobacco. It's slightly tart and bitter in the mouth and the tannins need a few more years to soften.
Podere Paganico offers an impressive level of aromatic complexity thanks to layers of forest floor, dried apricot, underbrush, wet earth, cured meats and dried apple skins. It's a chewy, big wine with solid texture and firm tannins.
Poderi Luigi Einaudi consistently produces some of the world's best Barolo and its Cannubi cru expression is particularly elegant and refined in the 2005 vintage. The wine boasts power and density backed by delicate aromas of wild raspberry, spice and drying mineral notes. It imparts a firm but smooth feel in the mouth.
Poema is an extraordinary wine that straddles a fine line between tradition and modernity. Its aromas include chocolate-covered cherry, vanilla, black volcanic mineral and exotic spice. It's got a chewy texture and huge intensity in the mouth thanks to its blockbuster tannins and long staying power.
Poggio ai Ginepri (a luscious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot that is aged 50-50 in stainless steel and oak) shows fresh fruit characteristics of blackberry, cherry and plum. There are spice and tobacco notes but they are distant and well dosed. This is a great food wine to pair with any beef, veal or pork dish.
Poggio al Merli is a 100% Merlot that shows a perfect marriage between variety and territory. It's an opulent, soft and round wine that is woven tight with blackberry, pipe tobacco, rum cake and a touch of black olive. Velvety tannins drive a long, intense finish.
Poggio al Tesoro, located in coastal Tuscany, is showing amazing results with Cabernet Franc. This plush and decadent expression boasts rich extraction and a long list of ripe, dark fruit aromas. It's a thick and meaty wine, with a smooth but rock-solid quality of tannin. Drink after 2015.
Poggio al Vento (from the 2004 vintage) shows smoky and savory notes of forest floor, bramble, cured meat, barbecue spice and teriyaki sauce. The wine is compact in the mouth, with polished tannins.
Poggio all'Oro (a wine only produced in the best vintages) is a sophisticated and austere Brunello with just a tiny dab of sweet spice and red rose aromas on the bouquet. Beyond those are steady, savory pulses of tobacco, leather and dark cedar. The wine is plush, textured and rich, with a polished firmness that keeps it grounded on the palate.
Poggio alla Guardia opens with tart, bright aromas of white cherry and forest berry. There's a touch of white almond at the end that lends a bitter touch.
Poggio alla Sala offers a pristine and fresh Rosso di Montepulciano with bright aromas of red berries, cola and drying mineral tones. There's a touch of tangy spice on the close and the wine is approachable, easy and cheerful overall.
Poggio alle Mura is a cru expression of Brunello from a flagship estate in Montalcino. The wine offers bright berry aromas and crisp acidity, but it also shows carefully measured accents of spice and tobacco that give it heft and importance on the palate. Hold this wine a few more years before opening.
Poggio alle Mura, a special selection Brunello from Castello Banfi, exhibits depth, intensity and a very clean palette of aromas. There is forest berry, drying mineral, exotic spice and green curry leaf. The wine is firm and compact without being nervous or sharp.
Poggio Antico consistently delivers standout Brunello, and this expression from the 2006 vintage is no exception. The wine is plush and rich with deliciously soft succulence. In the background, it delivers loads of vanilla, sweet spice, clove and black cherry.
Poggio Antico is one of the best estates in Montalcino but the 2008 vintage doesn't reach the impressive heights of 2006 or 2007 that showed much fuller and more generous results. This edition offers plum, wild berry and leather aromas with a lean mouthfeel and sharp acidity that will soften with a few more years of bottle aging.
Poggio Antico is one of the brightest stars in 2004 Brunello di Montalcino. Paola Gloder and her team deliver a gorgeous wine that reaches to the highest levels of aromatic richness and intensity. The wine is succulent, concentrated and elegant with amazing persistency. Only the slight sourness of its tannins prevented it from scoring higher. Age five more years.
Poggio Argentato opens with a bright bouquet of green apple, kiwi, cut grass and lemon zest. You'll also recognize green caper and olive notes on the finish. The wine shows good density, freshness and would pair with smoked salmon and cream cheese.
Poggio Calvelli opens with thick aromas of ripe fruit and apricot. However, the mouthfeel is thinner and less intense with an easy, but crisp fruity feel.
Poggio di Sotto has steadily worked over the years to produce extremely elegant and polished expressions of Brunello that show the best of the local territory. Candied fruit, smoke, light shadings of licorice and tobacco, crushed mineral and white pepper appear on the bouquet. But there's just enough fresh cherry fruit to make your mouth pucker.
Poggio Nardone delivers a thick and succulent Brunello with ripe notes of forest fruit and blackberry backed by spice and tobacco leaf. The wine is dense, creamy and ends with a note of sweetness followed by lingering smoke and spice.
Poggio Querciolo (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot) opens with bright fruit and rich overtones of smoke and toasted espresso bean. The wine is densely concentrated and soft with a bitter almond finish.
Poggio Teo offers excellent quality of fruit with berry, cherry and cassis overtones. This is a bright, crisp wine that flows nicely over the palate with rich intensity and integrated acidity.
Poggio Valente opens with a fragrance of ripe black cherry, oak and vanilla. The palate delivers cherry and plum layered with mint, toasted oak, chocolate and coffee notes. It has soft tannins and is already at its ideal drinking window so enjoy soon.
Pointed and herbal on the nose, with olive and a hardness that suggests paint or chemical. The palate is tight, grating and tastes of jumbled fruit and olive. Herbal and minty on the finish.
Pointed red-fruit aromas of currant and plum are light but direct. This feels fresh, with mild raspberry flavors and not a whole lot else. On the finish, mellow notes of vanilla and red plum are supported by not overly aggressive tannins. Drink this fresh Garnacha through 2015.
Pointed red-plum aromas are lemony and leathery. The palate is decidedly tomatoey and acidic, with flavors of plum skin, currant and pepper. An herbal, spicy, drying finish feels raw and tastes sour.
Pointed, powerful aromas of herbs, olive and tobacco scream Chile. The palate on this blend of Syrah and Cabernet is moderately complex, albeit a bit clipped. Cassis, red plum, herbs and tobacco dominate the flavor profile, while the finish is smooth, with zero heat or bite. Drink through 2015.
Pointed, sharp aromas leave an angular bouquet. The rest of the wine is jumpy, furry and a bit funky, with pointed plum and raspberry flavors and then a toasty, oaky finish with bitterness, heat and leftover butter flavors.
Pointed, toasty aromas of black fruits and graphite are lemony, woody and not bashful. A giant palate with rock-hard, piercing tannins is drying but generous. Flavors of wild berries, earth and oak finish toasty and tannic, with lasting acidity. Drink through 2023.
Pointy and sharp at first, with earthy, dry aromas. Edgy feeling, with heat and scour to go with peppery, herbal berry flavors. Finishes mossy and warm, with a minty burn. Improves with airing.
Pointy aromas of citrus, red berry and juniper are nice but a little sharp. The palate is similar; it's closed, snappy and juicy but fresh, with cherry tomato, herb and raspberry flavors. Long but basic tasting come finishing time.
Pointy aromas of juniper, tree bark, pencil lead and blackberry come out rough but improve with airing. It feels mildly astringent, with rugged flavors of herbal berry and cola. The finish turns oakier, with coconut and vanilla notes rising up.
Pointy cherry aromas initially suggest nail polish and volatility. A gritty palate with candied red-fruit flavors seems generic, while berry, chocolate and marshmallow flavors lend sweetness to the finish.
Pointy cherry, tomato and horsey aromas announce a fresh, raw palate. Bright, peppery red plum and citrus flavors finish lean, dry and grating.
Pointy on the nose, with modest fruit aromas suggestive of raspberry. A bit astringent across the palate, with red plum flavors that hit hard then fade fast, leaving bitterness akin to espresso. A crisp, juicy, tight style.
Pointy, pinched black-fruit aromas come with complex notes of graphite, tobacco, tree bark and horse hide. A young, fierce palate is tannic like sandpaper, while roasted blackberry flavors are backed by savory spice notes and wood grain. Big, lusty flavors of coffee, mocha and toast unfold on the finish, which is everlasting. Drink 2018–2028.
Poised and elegant, this has deliciously restrained fruit that shows green plum flavors and a layer of pepper. To finish this finely balanced wine, there is a layer of fresh acidity. Needs another 3–4 years to develop and round out.
Poised and focused Mencía with lush, bold aromas that are powerful and alluring. The palate is healthy and stout, with tannic grip that props up black fruit, toast and charcoal flavors. Black pepper, spice and licorice are the finishing notes.
Poised and poetic, this wine starts with a lovely floral nose of violet and unfolds in the mouth with smooth but structured elegance. Overall spiced wood and pepper flavors are meaty but soft.
Poised and polished, this opens with aromas of mature plum, baking spice, menthol and a whiff of new leather. The ripe but restrained palate shows structure and elegance, offering mature black cherry, pomegranate, star anise, and chopped herb. Tightly wound, fine-grained tannins proved the framework.
Poised and structured, this gorgeous wine opens with intense, enticing scents of perfumed berry, rose, violet, leather and a balsamic note. The delicious palate doles out juicy wild cherry, black raspberry cinnamon, white pepper, nutmeg and star anise alongside firm, velvety tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2018–2028.
Poised between sweetness and acidity, there is a good jammy character here, edged by tannins and layered with herbs and spice. A fine wine, with some aging potential.
Poised, elegant, light and fresh, this is delicate Riesling, with an edge of minerality, steel and green fruits. This comes from the Kögl, at the heart of the Salomon Undhof vineyard holdings. Glass stopper.
Poised, ripe wine that revels in its richness allied to a tight texture of apples skins, white currants and juicy acidity. An edge of pepper gives extra interest and brings out the dry nature of the wine.
Poised, stylish and elegant, this is a wine that recalls a more leisured time. Pristine apple and citrus flavors combine easily and fresh on the palate. It is fruity and bright in character, while showing just a hint of the maturity that should develop in the next two years.
Poised, stylish and very fruity, this wine is fresh with acidity, showing lemon and red currant, with a touch of pepper on the finish. It's just right as an apéritif.
Pojega is an expressive and polished Ripasso that shows a united aromatic front composed of spice, mature blackberry, leather and sweet tobacco. It delivers power and intensity but not in a heavy or exaggerated way.
Pol Roger's excursion into a bone-dry Champagne brings a house style with natural weight up against an almost bony wine style. The resulting mix is certainly dry, edgy, very crisp, leaning towards austere. Extra bottle time would help the wine to gain weight and flesh out the structure.
Polarity is an unusual golden-hued wine made from Pinot Noir grapes that have minimal skin contact after pressing. Barrel fermentation and aging, as well as substantial lees stirring lend a rich, rounded palate and abundant notes of caramel, butter and popcorn. All this lusciousness is balanced by fresh apple and lemon flavor, and brisk acidity.
Polished and balanced, this elegant red opens with scents of rose, red berry, tilled earth and truffle. The firmly structured palate delivers juicy raspberry, crunchy red cherry, licorice and a hint of nutmeg alongside bright acidity and taut, refined tannins. Drink 2018–2030.
Polished and balanced, this masterpiece shows restraint and it's already drinkable. With its great acidity and its fine intermingling of spice and red fruit flavors, this wine will appeal to lovers of Gamay and Pinot Noir.
Polished and creamy, this is made to appeal to the popular style. It's rich and ripe in tangerine, apricot and lime fruit, with toasty, vanilla overtones. Brightened by crisp acidity, it's a lovely wine to drink now.
Polished and crisp, this offers enticing scents of cut grass, gooseberry, tomato vine and a whiff of green bell pepper. The racy palate offers peach, juicy nectarine, grapefruit and mineral alongside a backbone of vibrant acidity.
Polished and crisp, this opens with aromas of exotic fruit accompanied by whiffs of celery, slate and hay. The juicy palate delivers creamy white peach and green melon accented with mineral notes and balanced by fresh acidity. Omniwines Distribution, Astor Wines.
Polished and flavorful, and a good price for this wealth of creamy pineapples, limes and peaches. Really rich all the way through to the spicy finish.
Polished and fragrant, this charming red offers alluring scents of freshly picked rose, red berry, tilled soil and a whiff of aromatic herb. Vibrant acidity and supple tannins balance the bright cherry, strawberry, white pepper and anise flavors. Enjoy through 2017.
Polished and pretty, this Merlot delivers plenty of juicy cherry, red currant, mocha and toast flavors that are lovely to drink now. The wine is smooth and softly tannic—just what you want Merlot to be.
Polished and sleek, this wine opens with tropical fruit and citrus aromas. The steely palate offers grapefruit, lemon zest and nectarine alongside energizing mineral and fresh acidity. It has a clean, refreshing finish.
Polished and sophisticated, with lush green apple, pineapple, buttered toast and cinnamon flavors. Likeable for its balance and sheer drinkability.
Polished and spicy, this structured wine features aromas of leather, truffle, blackberry and savory herb. The juicy palate delivers layers of fleshy black plum, black cherry, freshly ground peppercorn, tobacco and thyme alongside big, velvety tannins. Drink 2016–2024.
Polished and structured, it's loaded with fragrant yellow flower, peach, nectarine, white pepper, ginger and mineral sensations that are supported by a backbone of crisp acidity. The lingering finish closes on a note of hazelnut.
Polished and structured, this opens with aromas of crushed violets, red berry, leather and intense balsamic notes. The delicious palate is surprisingly approachable for a Barolo from Serralunga, delivering succulent wild cherry, cocoa, clove, and sage alongside big, velvety tannins. Hold for complexity. Drink after 2020.
Polished and tight, this riserva opens with delicate berry tones backed by tobacco and tangy spice. The wine's personality is elegant and austere with a touch of playful sweet-cherry fruit on the mid palate. Give it 5–10 more years to continue its evolution.
Polished and varietal, this shows the skills of winemaker Chuck Reininger. The 2006 vintage produced tight, hard-edged, herbal wines, ageworthy but unyielding. But here it has been honed and softened, so that its Bordeaux-like traits are emphasized, with plenty of herbal character and spicy purple fruits. Still coming out of its shell, this is a wine to cellar and drink with a big, grilled steak.
Polished and well structured, this vibrant, savory red hits all the high notes. It opens with enticing red cherry, pressed rose, ground clove and balsamic scents that follow through to the chiseled palate, along with crushed cranberry and licorice notes. Firm but refined tannins and fresh acidity lend impeccable balance and finesse. Drink 2023–2043.
Polished aromas of roasted nuts, sea salt, Meyer lemon peel and onion skin show on the nose of this widely available bottling from the Chardonnay kings. The sip is a little bit flat in terms of texture and acidity, but there are compelling and satisfying flavors of roasted walnuts and pecans, with a citrusy acidity that rises toward the finish.
Polished but concentrated, fruity but complex, this beautifully shaped wine is simply delicious. While fairly full-bodied, it has an elegant texture, focused black-cherry flavors, harmonious and moderate oak notes. This is so tempting to drink now, but will be best after 2019.
Polished in every way, this brings an enticing potpourri of almond paste, apple and white pepper. Wild yeast fermentation in oak (30% new) marries complex components in perfect precise balance. As with all the Ponzi 2014 Chardonnays, the acids are bright but not biting, and the wines are built for both near-term enjoyment and medium-term aging.
Polished mineral nuances come on the heels of berry fruit and floral aromas. This is a spicy and piquant wine with cool freshness and delicate fruit flavors that last a long time on the palate.
Polished, elegant and supple, this offers upfront aromas of plum, strawberry and red cherry. The flavors are pure and fruity, but nicely complex, bringing in light nuances of vanilla, clove and cinnamon to top the cherry and berry freshness. Made from one of the state's oldest Cinsault plantings, this is supremely smooth and sophisticated.
Polissena is loaded with sweet cherry and oak-driven aromas of spice, caramel and coco butter that underline the sophisticated wood aging process behind this Sangiovese. It's a modern wine with a cheerful personality and a plump, juicy center.
Polkura's first value-priced Syrah opens with earthy black-fruit aromas that are thick yet not precise in character. The palate feels wide, chunky and not particularly elegant. Flavors of baking spice and herbal blackberry finish peppery and chunky, with a touch of resiny oak.
Pollen and dust notes lend an earthy, mineral tone to ripe tangerine and peach flavors in this bristling, bright eiswein. It's strikingly acidic, but broad swathes of honey and nectar balance things out elegantly.
Pollen and dusty mineral notes persist from nose to palate, but are mingled into concentrated layers of orange, honey and quince in this light-footed spätlese. Zesty and spry, it finishes brisk and clean. Drink now.
Pollen and dusty mineral tones lend earthiness to melon and lychee aromas on this off-dry Gewürztraminer. Medium bodied in style, it balances tart tangerine acidity with a round, rich mouthfeel.
Pollen and dusty minerals lend an earthy savoriness to lemon, saffron and honeysuckle in this off-dry Riesling. The palate is bright and brisk, finishing on a delicately honeyed note. Drink now through 2019.
Pollen and wilted-flower tones are mild on the nose. Watery lychee and peach flavors are the markers for the flabby, sugary palate.
Pollen, candle wax, citrus cream and blanched almonds mark the nose of this single variety white. The rich, broad palate carries notes of charred pineapple and toasted meringue, balanced by a lively river of citrus. This is a perfect white to enjoy when there's a slight chill in the air.
Pomatia is an almost mythical creation—like one of those half man, half beast monsters from ancient times. The blend is not that unusual, but the results might be likened to a sculpture by Picasso—a piece of wood here, an old newspaper there, and a bicycle seat for a head. Not to disparage the wine—it's flavorful and full-bodied, but a puzzler. Funkadelic meets Clapton? Cherries and earth, tannin and tea.
Pomegranate and cranberry aromas gain complexity from wet slate and wild-thyme touches. The palate blends tangy fruit with earthy herbs, showing sage, dill, Earl Gray tea and fennel against a dried berry backdrop.
Pomegranate and raspberry fruit are highlighted with sharp scents of orange flesh and peel. The buoyant acidity and overall tightness suggest that this will continue to evolve and improve over the next several years. It's lightly spiced with a well-managed touch of new oak.
Pomegranate aromas on the fairly tight nose of this wine combine with sandalwood, hibiscus tang and minerality. It's tight, bright and rocky on the palate, with chipped slate flavors providing an earthy backbone to the cranberry fruit.
Pomegranate fruit scents emerge alongside licorice, black olive and green tea on this appellation blend from esteemed sommelier Raj Parr. It's light and bright on the palate, with plum-skin-driven tannic tartness, but there's not much else going on.
Pomegranate, cherry cola and forest floor aromas lead to flavors of mint, pomegranate and cherry cola. Well-rounded in the mouth and with strong tannins, this blend of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot has a pleasantly chewy yet refreshing finish.
Pomegranate, concentrated cola, brown dirt and oregano aromas emerge on the nose of this blend of 41% Zinfandel, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Sangiovese. Light and subtle flavors of raspberry juice, boysenberry, black rocks and chocolate nibs prove pleasant thought not overly complex.
Pomegranate, dark plum and slate show on the simple nose of this appellation blend. The palate is light, with hints of strawberry and plum as well as pencil lead and mace. It's a great option for chilling a bit and drinking on the beach.
Pomegranate, hibiscus and dense red melon notes combine with clove and sandalwood on the nose of this wine that is a bit reserved though nicely layered. Red-plum fruit tones emerge from behind a veil of cracked graphite and dried oregano, with vibrant acidity making for a very easy-to-drink wine.
Pomegranate, sour cherry, cranberry and slight anise emerge with patience on the shy nose. The flavors are also light, with cranberry sauce, brown spices, a touch of pepper and an herbal finish.
Pomele is a sweet red wine made from the Aleatico grape that could pair with salty and sweet foods. The wine offers bright tones of black cherry, blackberry and a touch of exotic spice.
Pomino Rosso is unique within the vast world of Tuscan wines with its own special blend of mostly Sangiovese with smaller percentages of Pinot Nero and Merlot. The result is a complex wine with aromas of violets, cinnamon, vanilla and raspberry.
Pommard and 777 clone grapes were cofermented and aged in a single new Allier oak barrel. Ripe, round and bursting with flavor, this luscious wine is a paean to blackberry fruit. Veins of licorice, espresso and dark chocolate weave through the extended finish. Cellar this for another few years if you can keep your hands off it, but know that it is almost too good to wait for.
Pommard and Dijon clones planted in 2001 fuel this tasty wine. Its dusty plum and black cherry fruit carries a touch of dark chocolate, all framed by firm yet polished tannins. Built to age, it can be enjoyed now with a good decanting.
Pommard and Wädenswil clones are combined here, yielding a stylish, well-defined wine with spicy berry fruit. Flavors punch through into a deep and detailed finish, with streaks of cola and caramel. The balance is spot-on.
Pommard and Wädenswil clones make up this cuvée. Chunky fruit flavors of sour plum and cherry are on display, with decent penetration and moderate length. Drink now through 2022.
Pommery's prestige Champagne is named after one of the great Champagne widows of the 19th century who took over when her husband, Alexandre Pommery, died. It is a rich, mature wine, with toast and almond flavors as much as fruit. Full of mineral Chardonnay (60% of the blend), this ripe wine is very ready to drink.
Pommery's style is soft and creamy, the richness coming from the dosage. But the wine is also elegant, everything in place, with a light, floating layer of Bartlett pears and light acidity. The soft finish could be fresher.
Pondera's Sericus is based upon Merlot, while this Bordeaux-style blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon. Solid fruit flavors of blueberry and plum are set amid sweet spices from the barrel aging. Cinnamon, sweet black tea and fine tannins lead through a balanced, lingering finish, with good grip and weight.
Pontin scores with a sweet, lemony, ripe mouthful of fresh and fruity Riesling. Shows the verve and juicy deliciousness of Yakima Valley fruit.
Ponzi is promoting a multi-clone winemaking approach they label “Clonal Massale.” This single vineyard example co-ferments five Dijon and 22 heritage clones of Pinot Noir—the most extensive in the country, according to the winery. Dark and lengthy, it's a sexy, complex yet subtle wine, with blackberry and black cherry fruit, a touch of soy and ample Asian spices.
Poolside lunches, seafood salads and quick finger foods call out for a simple, un-oaked Chardonnay and this crisp white from northern Italy fits the bill perfectly. The wine is light as a feather with cool crispness on the close that reinforces distinct citrus flavors.
Pop the cork and let it breathe for an hour before drinking, as this wine needs some time to open up and show it's true colors. Cassis, black pepper, mocha, balsamic reduction and a hint of tar unfold in the bouquet. The medium acidity and tight tannins take firm hold of your palate and linger through the finish.
Popcorn and apple aromas ride highest on a lightly baked and toasty bouquet. This feels clean and correct, but basic. Flavors of spiced apple and melon blend with fresh celery and lettuce notes in front of a minerally lime-tinged finish.
Popcorn and baked apple aromas are oaky but not overly woody. This feels fresh but with substance. Flavors of baked apple, woodspice and toast finish healthy, long and with acidic kick.
Popcorn and butter are the lead aromas, and they give way to dusty baked apple over time. This wine feels round, but with just enough acidity. Flavors of candy corn, vanilla, spun sugar and ripe stone fruits finish sweet and fleshy.
Popcorn and nutty notes announce the ample oak, but a complex combination of mineral and baked white-fruit aromas also emerge. It feels big, layered and chunky, but with good acidity and some finesse. It tastes of candied apple, melon and sweet peach, with a fleshy finish and lasting oak.
Popcorn and white-fruit aromas are toasty, nutty and appropriate. This is zesty and well-cut across the palate. Flavors of apple, peach, papaya and buttered movie popcorn finish oaky, briny and elegant, with a chiseled, acid-driven feel.
Popcorn, butter-fried apples, seared mandarins, marzipan and a touch of marshmallow show on the very ripe and oily nose of this bottling. The palate is thick with walnut oil, apricot, condensed jasmine and savory salts, right up the alley of those who love big Chardonnays, but not for people seeking fresher expressions.
Popcorn, mustard, pickle brine and a heavy blast of oak create a barrel-driven bouquet. This is acidic and juicy on the palate, but also resiny. Flavors of briny citrus, nectarine and raw oak finish long and woody, with a cidery aftertaste.
Popcorn, paint thinner and other oak-driven aromas control the nose on this resiny, woody wine. Like the nose, the flavor profile is barrel dominated. It finishes with resin, sawdust and bitter flavors.
Popcorn, sweet melon and pear aromas dominate the nose. This feels pure and chunky, with honeyed melon, apple and spiced peach flavors. Fruity, thick and tropical in style, this is not too serious but not bad either.
Popping with aromas of lychee, rose, geranium and violet this wine is quite perfumed. There are also citrus notes of lime zest and lemon curd. Flavors are perfumed and soapy as well, and it wine coats your mouth. The finish is long with a slightly bitter end.
Pora Barbaresco offers an incredibly elegant and fine personality with beautiful accents of wild berry, dried ginger, cola, leather, spice and black licorice. The tannins are silky and very polished.
Pora is an excellent cru with west- and south-facing vineyards that is known to produce Nebbiolo with a great capacity for aging. Indeed, this Riserva seems to yearn for more time in the bottle. It has direct aromas that carry a hint of greenness in the form of tar, curry leaf and crushed peppercorn. The mouthfeel is soft, full and feminine. Drink after 2015.
Pork marinated in teriyaki sauce or spicy tandoori chicken would pair nicely with this hearty offering. It has a generous accent of spicy clove, black pepper and cardamom that is followed by supple tannins.
Port-like cedary aromas and mature flavors mark this full-bodied, ripe and broad-textured wine. It's tasty in a superripe way, although the high alcohol is apparent on the finish.
Port-like, with raisiny, baked cherry and caramel flavors. Finishes dry.
Port made from white grapes is a great cocktail base (think white Port and Tonic for a start) as well as a delicious drink in its own right. This wine, well poised between sweet and dry, is a rich golden color, with dried apricot and plenty of fresh citrus to give it a crisp texture. Drink now.
Portal's vineyards high above the Douro Valley produce wines that are fresh and poised. This is structured while also fruity wine is firm with tannins and ripe with blackberry fruits. It has acidity, spice from wood aging and a dry aftertaste. The wine can be drunk soon, from late 2016.
Portfolio is a full-on, five-grape, Bordeaux-style blend—half Merlot. Dark, dense and textural, it's loaded with blackberry and black cherry fruit, swathed in baking spices, cinnamon and mocha. The tannins are beautifully managed, and it should drink magnificently through the mid-2020s.
Portugal's native Touriga Nacional originally comes from the Dão and this wine shows it in its glory. Planted around an ornate 16th-century palace, the vines have produced a richly structured wine, still showing some signs of wood aging. It is concentrated, with ripe red-cherry and blackberry fruits, solid tannins and acidity. Drink this wine from 2020.
Portugal's popular brand is a lively, fresh, spice- and dried fruit-flavored wine. There are flavors of pound cake and nutmeg surrounding a core of solid, firm tannins. Great with food, this is not for aging.
Portuguese Sommelier Marco Alexandre selected the best barrels of Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional and Petit Verdot for this wine. Rich and stylish, it offers plenty of black fruits and juicy acidity, with a touch of spice and hints from the wood aging. It is ready to drink.
Porty and bitter and hot. High alcohol gives a peppery burn, while overripe fruit gives raisiny, pruny flavors. But some people will like it for its heady exuberance.
Posh fruit aromas, gentle and ripe flavors and a very polished texture make this wine more fun to drink now than its big sister, the Ferrington single-vineyard Pinot. Delicious red cherry, cinnamon and cedar threads weave a complex and layered flavor, with a good underpinning of fine-grained tannins.
Positive, bright citrus elements in this Albariño are marred by uncomplimentary mushroom and sour hay notes. Though the mouthfeel is even, and one can detect the crispness behind, the odd qualities depress the flavor profile. —M.M.
Possesses deep flavors of currants and blackberries, and yet you still have to wonder why it merits bottling on its own. It's bone-dry and tannic, and its austerity is a challenge. —S.H.
Possesses some decent black-cherry aromas and flavors with leathery, earthy accents, but also a sour streak and a sulfurous note that refused to yield. The wine finishes dry, with some of the astringency shown by many 1998s.
Possessing bold waves of pineappley fruit, this is an intensely flavored Chardonnay at a reasonable price. It's fruity and direct, with clean citrus featuring prominently from start to finish.
Possessing intensely floral aromatics, this distinctive wine also pulls in Asian spices, specifically curry. The fruit hangs on the light side of the red spectrum, with a dash of cherry candy.
Possibly a little sweet, this is a soft, easygoing Chardonnay marked by clean, modest pear and melon flavors.
Possibly just in a sullen phase, this reserve bottling from Craggy's home vineyard is dominated for the moment by smoke and cedar on the nose, and while there is some cherry fruit apparent in the mouth, it doesn't appear to be fully expressing itself. The impression is of a wine that's tightly coiled and may yet improve with another year or two of aging.
Possibly the best Walter Clore to date, this is firm, with substantial dark-fruit flavors swathed in swirls of loam, blood, sweet tomato and red licorice. The relative coolness of the vintage seems to have allowed extra details to emerge, and the barrel aging has been handled sensitively.
Possibly too much wood has been used in maturing this wine, which results in a toasty, burnt character to the otherwise ripe fruit. At four years, the wood should have mellowed.
Possibly too rich, this is a full, sumptuous wine. It has great weight, density, a smooth, wood-aged character that shows through the sweet plums. For what it is, a very rich wine that shows some pepper alcohol—it offers a juicy character and ageability. Drink from 2016.
Possibly understating it, this Australian Malbec is boldly colored, with intensely fresh and grapy aromas and robust blueberry flavors. It's a bit simple and possibly a little on the sweet side, but fills the mouth with plenty of flavor.
Potent and black, with inky, minty aromas that suggest asphalt, tobacco and blackberry. The palate is gritty and seriously concentrated, with dark, oak-driven fruit that carries a tight, lemony personality. Licorice, toast and other black-ish notes bring it home. Ripe but can still age for another 5+ years.
Potent and herbal, this has aromas of tomato, olive, mineral and tobacco. It feels tight, drying and lively, with herb-infused flavors of plum and berry along with spicy oak. Rich in feel, but it's distinctly foresty and herbal tasting on the finish. This is 100% Malbec with an undeniable Salta imprint.
Potent and intense, this has a dark red color that goes to the rim and exotic huckleberry and dark cherry aromas. Thick layers of fruit, dark chocolate and spice on the palate combine with firm, framing tannins and acidity for a lip-smacking finish. It will get better with age through at least 2018.
Potent and pungent, it holds juicy acids tasting of grapefruit. It plunges into a chocolaty midpalate with strawberry fruit that thins into light flavors of soda pop.
Potent and raring to go, with lots of young oak and intense fruit that causes the wine to change in the glass in the blink of an eye. What we can tell at this early point of development is that it is saturated, healthy, balanced and clean. There's vibrancy and full tannins, with lip-smacking acidity. Already a good one to ponder, but should be even better from 2009–2011. Just 750 cases made.
Potent aromas of red fruit, rubber and lemony oak kick things off, followed by a very typical mix of cherry and berry flavors. The finish is properly tannic and round, with an acid-driven freshness that secures the mouthfeel. This has more red than dark fruit, but it's still a perfectly quaffable Cabernet.
Potent aromas of road tar and black pepper meet very concentrated blackberry jam flavors and a sweet but not syrupy mouthfeel in this very dark-colored and full-bodied dessert wine. Made from traditional Portuguese grape varieties, the wine's density and richness of fruit is impressive, and everything tastes in balance.
Potent black-fruit aromas are forward. In the mouth, this is choppy and punchy. Flavors of mint, coconut and jagged black fruits finish oaky and grabby, with tartness. There are many disparate parts to this wine.
Potent black-plum and black-cherry aromas come with a ton of grainy, spicy oak. This is both fresh and bright as well as dark, brawny and roasted in character. Flavors of ripe blackberry and cherry share the stage with toasty, charred oak and spice flavors in front of an aggressive but tasty finish.
Potent but integrated oak and blackberry aromas come with a note of licorice. This blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc is blocky and almost collapses under its own weight. Herbal, spicy flavors of fresh mushroom, roasted plum and tomato are typical of Salta. It finishes full, saturated and a bit chunky. Drink through 2020.
Potent cedar and black pepper aromas, deep smoky, spicy flavors and a stiff, tannic texture make this dry, full-bodied wine powerful but a little challenging to drink now. It has the concentration to age well and should be best after 2020.
Potent earthy cherry and animal aromas are neither too pushy nor overbearing. This is quite full and concentrated, with a ripe-fruit mix of black plum, blackberry and chocolate flavors. Chocolaty oak is even more out front on a deep finish. Drink through 2024.
Potent green notes of jalapeño and green onion accent nectarine and passion fruit aromas, while the plate is more restrained and actually very food friendly. There's ample weight and fleshiness on the midpalate before a relatively quick finish.
Potent herb aromas and flavors mark this medium-bodied wine. It will need something assertive like pesto pasta to make a good match.
Potent Malbec with aromas of leather, bacon, blackberry and smoke. It's thick and dense, but well balanced, with flavors of blackberry, cola, pepper and nutmeg. More smooth and easy than complex, with a long, creamy, sweet finish that cements the wine's character. Probably the best Felino Malbec to date, and a good value at 20 bucks.
Potent oaky aromas like nutmeg, cinnamon and toasted baguette meet abundant, jammy fruit flavors in this full-bodied and smooth-textured wine. It has moderate tannins that provide nice grip and shore up the oak and fruit components for balance.
Potent smelling, with black pepper, lots of oak and true berry fruit aromas. The palate is a bit pointed and high in acidity, while the flavors of raspberry, currants and red plum are solid. Finishes a little jagged and acidic, but at worst that staunch acidity will keep it alive for years to come. Hold until at least 2011.
Potent up front, this deals juniper and olive aromas in spades. In the mouth, it shows good body and depth. Herbal berry and olive flavors are a touch green, which is standard for the variety, while vanilla and carob flavors on the finish are derived from heavy oak.
Potent vanilla announces a sizable oak presence on the entry of this wine, which follows somewhat on the palate before it weaves in a bite of preserved lemon and generous acidity.
Potent, inky aromas of blackberry and licorice reflect this beefy Malbec's opaque black color. In the mouth, this is energetic and not just heavy and extracted. Lightly salted black-fruit flavors are lifted by acidity, while this finishes deep and strong. Drink through 2022.
Potentially an aromatic wine that will develop a rich, velvety character. At this young stage, the fruit is dominated by firm tannins that sit at the heart of the wine. It has all the density for a good development, aging over 5–10 years.
Potentially this is a delicious, fresh but firm Chardonnay in the more delicate Deutz style. Potentially, because this is still young. Wait a couple of years for the mineral and ultra-fresh apple flavors to blend together.
Potpourri, toast and leather notes transfer onto the middleweight palate, which comes with burnished tannins and a touch of bitterness.
Potting soil, pencil lead, vanilla, flower and cherry aromas lead to dense, pitch-black-fruit flavors. There's a lot of tannic heft but it's well integrated.
Pouilly-Fumé is often the source of wines for the Sancerre producers. This wine is ripe, full in the mouth with its yellow fruits. There is a spicy character from the oak aging. The wine could age a little longer so drink from 2018.
Pour Me is a new label produced by the talented Anna Shafer of àMaurice Cellars. This is a blend—mostly 2010 vintage—of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese, forward and fruit-laden, but in no way simple. Berries and cherries are here in abundance, lightly touched with spicy mocha highlights from aging in 40% new French oak. It's an elegant, well-crafted red for every day enjoyment.
Pours atypically dark for a Pinot Noir, and the color is reflected in the mouth, where the wine turns as heavy and full-bodied as Grenache. It's a good wine, hearty and flavorful in berries and cola, but lacks Pinot Noir's signature delicacy.
Pours kind of pale and feels light in body in the mouth, with acidic flavors of cherry skins and anise. Nice for its clean silkiness, but there's not a whole lot going on in terms of complexity.
Powdered sugar and lifted lemon scents mark this blend of traditional Georgian white grapes. The off-dry, charmat method produced wine is a bit more aggressive on the palate than Bagrationi's méthode Champenoise counterparts, but a value alternative to Prosecco.
Powdered sugar and other lightly confected aromas set up more steely apple and pineapple flavors. Finishes pithy, with grapefruit. Drying and short, but still a reasonable facsimile of Champagne.
Powdery and oaky smelling, with not much fruit to get excited about. Feels soft and mushy, with banana, pear and resiny vanilla flavors. Feels resiny on the finish, too.
Powdery and sweet smelling, with an acidic palate propelling pedestrian green apple, lime and orange flavors. Fruity but not very refined, with a tenuous balance that indicates that it should be drunk as soon as possible.
Powdery aromas of acacia blossom and bath oil come prior to a slightly oily feeling palate. Pithy citrus, melon and papaya flavors finish with a touch of greenness.
Powdery aromas of bath soap are more generic than varietal. The mouthfeel is a touch gritty, while flavors include sulfur, bitterness, pithy white fruits and citrus. An almond-skin bitterness and a chalky feel define the finish.
Powdery aromas of generic white fruits suggest bath soap. This feels creamy and pulpy, with modest acidity. Peach, papaya and melon flavors are maintained on a mellow finish.
Powdery bath-soap aromas are odd on the nose. The mealy palate boasts flavors of bitter melon and papaya.
Powdery berry aromas are sketchy but don't offend. This Garnacha feels jammy, rubbery and on the tannic side, while buttery accents intermingle with briny raspberry flavors. A plump, almost sticky feeling finish shows smacking tannins.
Powdery berry aromas lead to a basic palate that's chewy but hollow in the middle. Cherry and plum flavors are generic, while this wine displays a solid feel on the finish.
Powdery citrus aromas are mild yet friendly. In the mouth, this is both acidic and a touch sticky. Nutty, almondy flavors of stone fruits and bitterness finish with stalky notes of hay and stems.
Powdery melon aromas are soft and easy. This is varietal Verdil, a white grape indigenous to the Valencia region, and it's standard in weight and acidity. Mild orange, melon and yeast flavors finish short as a whistle burst.
Powdery notes, bath oil and white-fruit aromas make for a fragrant nose. This is solid on the palate, with citric acidity and a slight oiliness to the feel. Flowery nectarine and orange flavors set up a weighty but fresh finish. Drink now.
Powdery notions of white peony petals against a stony background suggest concealed aromas that need time to come to the fore. Right now the palate is tight, with buffered acidity at the core, long, lean and promising. Lime zest lurks amid suspicions of ripe peaches in a sherbety, lemony sharpness. The wine will blossom as of 2017.
Powdery on the nose, with aromas of sweet pear and lime. The palate is round and melony, indicating a warmer origin. Tastes a lot like basic Pinot Grigio; peach and green melon are the lead flavors. Finishes solid but soft, with lasting sweetness.
Powdery pear and rounded, ripe red apples play on a textured palate, where they are joined by pithy grapefruit peel. A streamlined but full-bodied white, it offers deep, intriguing notions of earth and stone and a long finish.
Powdery, creamy notes of rose, orange and mandarin oil unite in a concentrated, punchy palate that focuses on taste rather than aroma. This is rounded and rich with an immensely concentrated phenolic vein that lends structure and poise. The finish is lasting but demure.
Powdery, dusty tannins form the core of this wine, which is soft in plum, currant and cedar, with a leanness to the palate. The acidity provides a freshness before speckled pillows of cocoa powder appear on the finish.
Powdery, oily aromas are like fruity bath soap. This feels more whole and round than edgy. Slightly salty flavors of melon and ham finish with decent acidity but not much depth or complexity.
Powdery, perfumed aromas of raspberry and red plum announce a palate with ringing acidity. Plum, red currant and strawberry flavors come with moderate loamy weight, while the finish takes on an earthy quality that's balanced by shearing, tangy acidity. This is only 60% Tempranillo while the rest is Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. Drink through 2020.
Powdery, soapy aromas are exotic but not fully convincing. Fresh but nothing more than wet and basic on the palate, this shows briny flavors of orange rind through the finish.
Powdery, sweet aromas of peach and melon are tropical and suggest botrytis. The palate is smooth, juicy and fresh, with weight and flavors of orange, peach and mango. A honeyed, creamy finish with good acidity is a nice ending.
Powdery, tropical-fruit aromas are fine but innocuous. This feels clean and good, with ample acidity to keep things afloat. Flavors of tropical fruits come quickly and shutter down just as fast in front of a finish that's slightly oily in feel.
Powdery, tropical aromas are light and fresh. And that pretty much describes the wine. In the mouth, it's bouncy, with citrus flavors, tropicality and a hint of nutmeg. The finish is true to the grape, with nice feel and clarity.
Powdery, wayward aromas pick up more raciness and green character with time in the glass. A linear palate flat-lines at lime and green apple in terms of flavors, while the finish brings a slightly vegetal tone.
Power and concentration exude from this wine. Very structured, very firm, it has solid tannins backed up by powerful black, juicy fruits. Blackberry flavors are still developing in this seriously ageworthy wine. Drink from 2020.
Power and concentration mark this Syrah. It's explosive in cherry, raspberry, bacon, mocha, pepper, mineral and new oak flavors that are frankly delicious, and the mouthfeel is pure silk. Could be a bit firmer and more structured, but it sure is a good red wine to drink now.
Power and elegance combine in this beautifully structured wine. The vineyard, of course, does the work, but the intensity of the rich fruits is given a fine twist of minerality, of tension, and of firm acidity. This wine will age 5–10 years and beyond. The acidity of 2006 will see to that.
Power and elegance come together in this beautifully proportioned, flavorful and pure-tasting wine. It has depth, concentration and a luxurious but structured texture that pulls the pomegranate, black cherry and cranberry flavors through to a lip-smacking, lingering finish. This can only get better with time; best after 2022.
Power and grace combine in this great fortified wine. Already 10 years old, it will age gracefully through at least 2030 if kept in a cool cellar. The aromas combine ripe, vivid cherry and blackberry with caramel accents. Flavors are very ripe but tangy at the same time, echoing plum jam and toffee on the finish.
Power and grace combine in this tour de force from Helen Masters, Ata Rangi's winemaker. Toasty oak frames intense black cherry fruit, with hints of herbs adding a savory element. Firm tannins provide ample structure, while the lengthy finish prolongs the pleasure. Drink 2018–2025.
Power and grace come together in this deceptively concentrated, full-bodied, complex, sophisticated and age-worthy wine. A light hand on the new-oak nuances allows the pure, focused fruit flavors to course through on the palate and linger on the finish. It will be best after 2020.
Power and polish come together in this full-bodied, firm-textured wine. A gutsy structure of acidity and tannin keeps the ample fruit flavors from becoming cloying. Hints of black pepper and clove add flavor complexity.
Power and precision are accounted for on a deep, minerally nose that's loaded with cassis and blackberry aromas. A tight, rounded-by-oak palate offers flavors of coconut, vanilla, buttered toast, blackberry and cassis, while toast and vanilla flavors steer a potent finish. Aged six months in oak; drink through 2016.
Power from black fruits and dense tannins, create very intense wine. The fruits are sweet, the color big and dark. But in the end, it works, with an elegance showing through the richness.
Power is the best word to describe this solidly structured wine. Its tannins are dominant at this stage, giving a dense, dry core to the rich black fruits and bitter chocolate. The final adds on appealing black currant perfumes.
Power is the name of the game with this Petite Sirah and Zinfandel blend. It just detonates in the mouth, with red chili pepper-inspired flavors of cherries, orange marmalade, and red plums, finishing with a dash of tabasco. The acidity may be a little too much for some people, but it makes the wine lively and cutting.
Power marks this gigantic Syrah. What it lacks in subtlety, it makes up for with its sheer size. Syrah doesn't get much riper in blackberry, cherry and chocolate flavors. With its thick, rich tannins, drink it soon with beef and game dishes.
Power vs. finesse. Which wins out? It's pretty much a draw in this blend of various sites throughout the sprawling Sonoma Coast appellation. It shows the acidity and dryness of the coast, as well as the long hangtime richness of the vintage, with spicy raspberry and cherry flavors liberally oaked. A gorgeous wine, and a bargain given that it's the least expensive of the winery's 2010 Pinots. Drink now–2014.
Power, density, huge richness—all the attributes you would expect from a Corton-Charlemagne. But, this being 2006, the ripe tropical fruits are crispened with acidity which cuts through the impressive opulence and ripeness.
Powered by intense botrytis, this wine is opulent and ripe, with spice, yellow fruit and honey flavors. It has just the right balance of acidity to maintain its shape and proportions. It's likely to age well over many years. Drink from 2024.
Powered by its structure and texture, this complex wine is dense, structured and firm. Plenty of dry and taut tannins dominate at this stage, but it is also full of fruit. The wine will age over many years while not being one of those vintages that will mature forever: the fruitiness will see to that. Drink this impressive wine from 2025.
Powered by tannins and dense blackberry fruit, this is a rich, perfumed wine. It has structure and a solid texture that's cut with acidity, feeling stylish and built to age further. Drink from 2019.
Powerful and assertive but poised, this exemplary Shiraz from Abraham Perold is a study in balance. Beautiful and subtle berry, pepper and spice mingle, set aloft by a restrained wave of minerality. The wine is structured but delicate, unfolding quietly on the palate. A lovely meeting of Old and New World styles.
Powerful and complete, this shows all the juicy fruit as well as the structure of the vintage. It's big, ripe and concentrated with great fruitiness and tannins. Give this rich wine several years to age to bring out its ripe fruits and complex structure. Drink from 2022.
Powerful and complex, this dark wine comes from vines at the heart of appellation, rich and dense. It offers the potential of great fruit, rich acidity and considerable structure, and will develop giving richness and long aging. Drink from 2023.
Powerful and complex, this is solid and impressive, made from a selection of wines. It is dark, dense, full of blackberry fruit and dry tannins. The wood aging still shows in the spiciness, while the tight fruit flavors bring out the acidity. Drink this wine from 2016.
Powerful and concentrated, this has a dark red-plum flavor and solid tannins. It is dense, and it shows the structure of the vintage. This is worth aging, and it certainly needs food to show at its best.
Powerful and concentrated, this has an intense expression of ripe tropical fruits. The wood shows strongly at this stage, although with this amount of richness, it has the weight and the power to develop well over many years.
Powerful and concentrated, this is just at its peak. Ripe, rich fruit and tarry tannins give it freshness and a dry core. It's solid and serious, a dense wine that calls for equally rich food. Drink it now while it's at its prime.
Powerful and concentrated, this Shiraz is seemingly imbued with the essence of dark fruit, framed by well-managed oak. Cedar, mint and cassis notes are a bit Cabernet-like, but the structure is pure Shiraz, broader and suppler than Cabernet, with a rich texture and a long finish. Drink now–2025.
Powerful and delicious flavors are matched by bold and supportive tannins in this almost larger-than-life wine. Ripe black cherry, plum and anise flavors are nicely wrapped up in a texture that lifts and balances them for a seamless impression on the palate. The delicious fruit notes and lightly spicy nuances linger beautifully on the finish.
Powerful and dense, this shows structured, ripe and concentrated black plum and dark cherry flavors. It has dense, firm tannins, which look likely to dominate the wine for many years, leaving a strong, dry aftertaste.
Powerful and dense, this wine exudes the darkest of tannins as well as intense black fruit. Layers of richness and structure show in this Port's considerable ageability, while its acidity lends freshness. This is a wine that should be aged for 15 years or more.
Powerful and dense, this wine has great potential. With full-bodied blackberry fruits and acidity that push through the dark tannins, it shows a rich character that is impressive for the year. Drink from 2020. The property has been owned since 1999 by Sophie Lurton of neighboring Château Bouscaut.
Powerful and dramatic, packed with polished flavors of blackcurrants and cassis, sweet roasted pepper, and dried herbs. Tannins are thick and there's a bite of acidity in the finish, suggesting that this delicious young wine will age. But it's drinkable now.
Powerful and elegant aromas of tobacco, dark herbs, cedar and a touch of green pepper keep the nose entertained for quite a while. There's a peppery, meaty character to the palate, with purple fruits arising over time. This one will be even better in a few years.
Powerful and entering its mature stage. Aromas on this Cab-Carmenère blend are typically earthy and lightly baked, with leaf, tobacco and nutmeg accents. Feels solid and ready, with rooty berry, olive, cocoa and vanilla flavors setting up a spicy, earthy finish. A fine wine if you can tolerate some classic Chilean olive and tobacco qualities.
Powerful and finely structured, this rich wine has swathes of red plum and red berry flavors that balance the core of solid tannins. It shows the ripe fruit and structure of the vintage. Age this for 2–3 years.
Powerful and intense in delivery, this Pecorino-based white delivers immediate aromas of mature fruit, maple syrup and chestnut honey. It has firm texture and medium density and would wash down well with white meat or pork.
Powerful and intense in flavors of pineapples, mangoes, sweet cream and buttered popcorn, with good acidity. Flamboyant, but it feels over-worked and too sweet.
Powerful and lush, this is a velvety, classically styled Russian River Valley Pinot, weighty and lip smacking in black cherry and touch of earth buoyed by finely hued acidity. Perfectly enjoyable right now, it'll age, too, the spicy undertones coaxed to take center stage.
Powerful and muscular, this would pair with succulent red meat or piquant cheese. The mouthfeel is velvety and supple, and the bouquet is redolent of cooked berry, prune, dried bay leaf, humus, toasted coffee bean and licorice.
Powerful and precise, but with a cloudy color. On the nose and in the mouth this aged version of the venerable Drysack shows considerable freshness, tang and complexity. It's edgy yet deep, with caramel and mushroom notes going head to head with acidic intensity. Sherry is rarely more balanced than this; it's lively and rich, balanced yet racy.
Powerful and raisiny on the nose, with asphalt, char and cassis. The palate is saturated and sweet, with flavors of black raisin, plum and blackberry. Staunch on the finish, with licorice and blackness. Solid, strong Garnacha. Drink now through 2012.
Powerful and rich, from superripe grapes, this wine follows a style in Bordeaux that seems to want to make white Burgundy. It is creamy, rounded, spicy from toast, with white fruits, only a touch of citrus, and a full, intense aftertaste.
Powerful and rich, this has a great spice component that shoots through the pure fruit flavors. It is already a delicious wine with its juicy acidity and fresh, zesty, mineral character. But at the same time, it has a great structure, beautifully ripe fruitiness and excellent potential. It will drink at its best from 2022.
Powerful and rich, this is a concentrated, wood-aged wine. It has toasted almonds as well as ripe pear and green-plum fruit. With a fine tension under the fruitiness, it will age over several years.
Powerful and rich, this wine tastes of black and red berries. The ripeness of the vintage is evident, with a dense character that lends weight and concentration, while adding fresh black-currant-like acidity.
Powerful and ripe, this is loaded with dark black fruit, spice from wood aging, licorice and bitter chocolate flavors. It's impressively rich, concentrated and dark in both color and feel; age it for four years.
Powerful and spicy, this is a concentrated wine. It has a firm and rich structure of solid tannins. That contrasts with the black plum and juicy berry fruits. Together, they make a wine that is impressive, dark and only just ready to drink. Best wait until 2017.
Powerful and structured, this has dense tannins that will always be an important part of the wine. The juicy, fresh fruit gives a perfumed character to the wine and brings out acidity as well as the dry texture. It needs to age, so drink from 2018.
Powerful and structured, this offers both the weight and the potential for rich fruit. Dominated at this stage by tannins and wood-influenced flavors, the black plum note is likely to come through in the next year. The acidity is crisp, and a bitter cherry character flavors the finish.
Powerful and structured, this wine is dark with black fruits. The rich fruit and acidity are surrounded by firm tannins provide a solid scaffolding. With acidity and tannins at the end, this complex wine will age slowly, so don't drink before 2022.
Powerful and structured, with a dense texture, this is packed with dark, brooding tannins. It's intense and concentrated with damson fruit. Ready for long aging.
Powerful and tannic, this is a brooding wine that will need many years aging. It is powered by its dry core, with the structured red plum skin flavors adding to the sense of concentration. Drink from 2018.
Powerful and tannic, this is a dense and complex wine. Made from selected barrels, it is structured as well as rich in fruit. Blackberry flavors come through the dry tannins and give acidity as well as ripeness. It's a wine that will need time; don't drink before 2017.
Powerful aromas of black tea, black currant, anise, clove, and soy sauce jump from the glass. The palate follows suit, with plenty of fruit and mint giving depth. The tannins are grippy and massive, but there is ample acidity to keep them in check. The finish is long and intense.
Powerful aromas of lychee, mango and peach give a vibrant feel tropical to this wine. These aromas show the palate and are joined by peach candies and rosewater. With decent acidity, this still feels viscous on the palate and has a medium finish that ends with ginger spice.
Powerful berry and spice aromas open this jammy slightly heavy Monastell. Desert-herb notes of sage and thyme accent a core blueberry flavor, while this tastes of carob, roasted beet and toast on the finish.
Powerful black cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors seem to infuse this full-bodied wine with lots of fruit energy. It tastes vivid and unique because of that deep vein of black fruit impressions, and stays balanced by firm acidity and fine-grained tannins in spite of its alcoholic strength.
Powerful blackberry aromas are matched by creamy oak. This Monastrell-Syrah blend is a driller, with strong tannins and more than enough body weight. Oaky flavors of dark-berry fruits and black plums finish with vanilla and lactic notes. This is rock solid from head to toe; drink through 2021.
Powerful blackberry, prune, juniper, cola and fern aromas are demanding but appealing for Spanish Cabernet. This feels tannic, full and generous, with flavors of spicy, lightly green berry fruits. A foresty note accents an elegant yet strong finish. Drink through 2022.
Powerful but well cut and elegant. The nose is hardly bashful and hits with a mix of fresh greens, bright citrus and minerality. Healthy in the mouth, with blazing acidity, grapefruit and lasting green notes. The epitome of a zesty white wine.
Powerful flavors and a muscular structure make this wine big and imposing. It has intense oaky, spicy, earthy and barnyardy aromas. Dark-fruit flavors like blackberry accompany meaty, beefy nuances and a firmly tannic, dry mouthfeel.
Powerful from the start, this has an herbal berry aroma, with a rubbery hint and a lactic element. The palate is chewy, dense and rubbery, with creamy, milky flavors of blackberry, carob, vanilla and plastic. Generally speaking, this wine is full and solid.
Powerful fruit aromas and flavors send this full-bodied wine into the stratosphere of ripeness without interference from oak or too much acidity or any overtly tannic texture. It's all juicy and good in a high-octane style.
Powerful fruit flavors and a firm, high-octane feeling on the palate make this a big, imposing wine. It offers tasty, ripe boysenberry-jam flavors, moderate tannins and a lip-smacking finish.
Powerful in black pepper, smoked oak and leathery tannins, this is a substantial wine, its fruit concentrated and dense. Integrated oak and tannins give it a softness to cushion its sizable strength, finishing dry.
Powerful in pungent gooseberry flavors, this wine will appeal to aficionados of New Zealand Sauvignons, but will leave those craving riper, lusher fruit flavors out in the cold. The acidity is very high, almost making the wine what the French call pétillant, or fizzy.
Powerful in wildflower-accented white and yellow fruits that have a baked, pie-filling flavor, this Roussanne has the weight and creamy texture of a Chardonnay. It turns spicy and a little tart on the finish, making it a disappointment after the fine 2005.
Powerful notes of tobacco leaf and curing spice lead the bouquet of this value wine, with a backbone of cassis, black cherry and plum. Medium tannins offer grip and texture to the palate, while coffee and toasted oak flavors flood the finish.
Powerful oak flavors and a firm texture make this wine imposing at first sip. It smells like cedar and tobacco, tastes like tart cherries and cranberries and feels astringent on the palate. Within that tannic framework, it has enough fruit concentration to make it well balanced and complete.
Powerful oaky elements meet very ripe and concentrated fruit flavors in this deeply colored, bold and full-bodied wine. Charcoal, wood smoke and clove aromas are followed by blackberry jam and black-cherry flavors, while light, smoky and peppery nuances weave through them. While the first whiff is oaky, everything comes together well on the palate and finish.
Powerful punches of black licorice dominate in this stewy, chewy, generously oaked wine, grown on a mountainous appellation. It finds a softness and gentle fruit character midway through on the palate, finishing on supple notes of tobacco.
Powerful scents mix dried herb, wet grass and petrol—it could be mistaken for Sauvignon Blanc in a blind tasting, and it has that much density and extract. The label says dry, and it is certainly that, much in the Australian style. Big, concentrated, high acid and quite cellarworthy.
Powerful scents of black olive, brine, seaweed and umami introduce this classic Syrah from the heart of what's known as The Rocks District in Walla Walla. The flavors are a complex mix of iron, rock, saline minerality and crushed raspberries. The No Girls project is distinct from Cayuse, sourced exclusively from the La Paciencia Vineyard, and provides a showcase for wines with elegant aromatics, great balance, length and complexity.
Powerful scents of toast and buttered popcorn dominate the nose, but once in the mouth the wine shows some grip and depth. For those who love the buttery style of Chardonnay, this will be hard to beat at this price. Traces of apple and pear fruit show in the midpalate, and the wine lingers gracefully into a full-bodied finish.
Powerful spice and charred wood aromas and flavors dominate this full-bodied wine blended with 13% Zinfandel. It is quite unusual for the type, if tasty in its own way. Flavors resemble toasted bread, cloves and blackberry jam.
Powerful spicy and smoky aromas join honeydew melon and honey flavors in this sweet, mouth-coating yet light-bodied wine from the second-generation German immigrant family of Schug.
Powerful tannins and a firm, dry mouthfeel suggest long aging may be needed for this wine to drink well. It has a hearty dose of ripe cherry and tart cranberry fruit, held tightly in check by its structure. Try after 2020.
Powerful tannins and wood flavors dominate the wine at this young stage. It has plenty of the richness of the vintage to promise a generous future. Packed with ripe red-berry fruits and balanced acidity, it will be a very fine wine. Drink from 2024.
Powerful tannins are still at work in this structured and dense wine. Produced from grapes that were foot trodden in open fermenters, this wine shows considerable richness and dark plum and damson flavors. Spice and licorice add depth, while ample acidity and the firm texture suggests a considerable future. The wine comes from the Foz Vineyard at the mouth of the Pinhão river in the heart of the Douro. Drink from 2017.
Powerful tannins are the dominant theme of this still-young wine that is dark, brooding, very firm and young. Big and muscular, this is a wine for long-term aging. Even the black currant fruits need time to soften the intensity of their tannins. Drink from 2019.
Powerful tannins are the hallmark of this dense wine, hardly surprising considering the blending of Malbec and Tannat. The wine also has the concentrated fruit to go with the structure, with its black plum and dark berry flavors. Structure and fleshy fruit are coming together well, just needing time. Drink from 2018.
Powerful tannins dominate this serious wine. It has a complex, dense structure, full of wood and fruit tannins, along with blackberry fruits and a touch of spiced bitter cherry. This is Beaujolais for aging. Give it at least 3–5 years.
Powerful tannins give this wine its dense, concentrated character. It is dark and dense, very dry at this stage and needing at least 10 years to round itself out. However, the presence of fruit promises a good future.
Powerful tannins push the wine forward to a more fruity, spicy hinterland, where the red cherry acidity prevails.
Powerful tea and bergamot notes are fresh and orangey, balancing deeper, richer notes of toffee and honey. Long on the finish, and not overly sweet.
Powerful vanilla scents rise from the glass, but the fruit, even in this difficult vintage, comes out immediately. It's tart and sharp, with a strong herbal component, and the wine snaps into focus quickly with fruit, acid, tannin, herb and vanilla in equal proportion. Firm and tight, still quite young, this wine needs decanting and/or further bottle age to show its best.
Powerful whiffs of smoke and nuts lend a dark, savory tone to this brisk, medium-bodied wine. The palate is tart with flavors of pressed apple accented with grapefruit acidity and a hint of freshly cut grass.
Powerful while still fruity, this shows acidity and notes of ripe black cherry and spice. Very structured and solid, this complete, tannin-packed wine is definitely for long-term aging.
Powerful wine, structured with apple skin tannins, layers of ripe, spicy toast and a taut, mineral character. There is something of the Meursault richness here, in the full white fruit flavors, but this is also a wine that needs to age.
Powerful wine. It has intense berries, a definite edge of black plum skins, spicy tannins and big black berry fruits. This is serious stuff, but the fruit is always there, a big burst of flavor followed by bright acidity.
Powerful yet restrained, this wine beautifully expresses the delicate and nuanced aspects of Cabernet Sauvignon with the herbal side of the grape in full force. Everything is tied together in a neat and tidy bundle, with sweet blackberry fruit surrounded by leaf and earth, leading into ripe but stiff tannins and just the right elements of mocha toast. Will it age? Undoubtedly; but hard not to drink it right now.
Powerful yet still retaining a sense of restrained style, this wine is packed with ripe plum and sweet berry fruit flavors, laced with firm, dusty tannins. Acidity filters through the dense texture to give great freshness.
Powerful, complex and ripe, this is a magnificent and concentrated wine. Juicy blackberry fruits, tight acidity and finely integrated tannins give a smooth, rich texture. This beautiful wine has long-term aging potential.
Powerful, concentrated Chablis. It is rich, with ripe apricot and nectarine fruit, laced with Seville orange acidity. With a touch of toast, a well-integrated structure, this is a wine for medium-term aging.
Powerful, concentrated wine, a very solid Cabernet-dominated wine. It has dark tannins, the black currant fruit still hiding in the background. Dark and dense, it's destined for good aging, at least over the next six years.
Powerful, dark syrupy flavors and strong salt and pepper spices vie for attention in this full-bodied wine. It has heady fruit aromas, savory, spicy accents and a lingering finish.
Powerful, driving Merlot with spice, cherry, herbal olive notes and some meatiness to the bouquet. The palate is racy and forward, with cherry-berry flavors, cola, mocha and oak notes on the finish. A solid, strong-boned wine.
Powerful, dusty tannins dominate this ripe wine. With its great blackberry fruits, currants and juicy acidity, it is already balanced. The power comes from the dry tannins and the rich, concentrated fruits. Drink from 2026.
Powerful, hard-driving aromas of herbal red-berry fruits and spice are enticing. This feels juicy, firm and full, with chewy tannins. Toasty flavors of plum, cassis and pepper show an herbal side in front of a racy, spicy, finish that emphasizes olive and eucalyptus.
Powerful, mouthwatering, concentrated black-cherry and blackberry flavors form the core of this full-bodied, full-flavored and well-balanced wine. Starting with aromas of toasted oak and wood smoke, the wine has a broad rich mouthfeel and moderate tannins that propel the gorgeous fruit flavors across the palate and linger a long time on the finish.
Powerful, natural, uncomplicated grape aromas and flavors fuel this light-bodied but memorable wine. With each sip its depth, complexity and appeal improve. The density and intensity of the fruit flavors combine with very firm tannins and lively acidity to make it nervy and delicious. Best now through 2019.
Powerful, pure and tightly wound, meaning it's a candidate for short-term cellaring, say 2–5 years. Smells ripe and fruity, with blackberry, cola and coconut resulting in a spot-on nose. Concentrated and juicy, with a strong constitution and potent plum, berry and cassis flavors. Toasty and lightly oaky on the finish; 73% Malbec and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Powerful, pure aromas of cherry, cassis and leather stay focused as the wine unwinds. The wine's body, tannins and acids are in harmony, supporting intense flavors of cherry, berry, roasted meat and chocolate. Chewy on the finish, with sweet pastry accents. Drink now–2015.
Powerful, rich and chunky wine. It has the ripest jammy plum and crushed strawberry fruit, along with a serious tannic structure. Just approaching drinkability, its texture is now refreshed with delicious fruit.
Powerful, rich, firm and solid. The tannins are rounded and there is a noticeable amount of wood here, although the wine has preserved its fresh fruit at the same time. Very linear, the finish showing ripe plums and sweet fruit.
Powerful, ripe fruit, now beginning to open up, is the dominant character of this wine. It's full in the mouth, packed with black plums and ripe damsons and finished with soft tannins and a slight warmth.
Powerful, ripe wine with black fruits and a great swathe of dark tannins. The flavors of berries, black plums, black figs and sage are echoed by the warm, herbal and wild flower aromas. This is a big wine, which needs at least a year to age.
Powerful, ripe wine, plump and structured. There are fresh black cherries and plums and structure that promises some aging.
Powerful, thick and concentrated, this has plush aromas of cinnamon stick, crushed clove, toasted nut and cracked black pepper. The fruit element appears on the palate, aided by the wine's velvety softness.
Powerful, very rich and very concentrated, this epitomizes the opulent style of Cos d'Estournel. A sense of extraction is overwhelmed by the huge, ripe fruit. It shows velvet texture at first, but then the tannins come on strongly, leaving a wine that will age over many years. Drink from 2022.
Powerful, with concentrated tannins, this bottle remains a tough proposition. Its acidity suggests some fruitiness, though the structure is lacking real flesh. This will obviously round out, but could well be a firm wine for many years.
Powerful, with tannins that are seamlessly woven into the fruitiness, this is a rounded, ripe and concentrated wine. The berry fruits and the juicy damsons are as important as the generous, soft texture. The wine will develop over the medium-term; drink from 2017.
Powerful, yet beautiful and smoothly structured. It has ripe, rich fruits, spice and sweet acidity. As a contrast, there is a dense core of tannins where the wine shows some severity and youth.
Powerfully brambly this gigantic wine hails from a monumental vineyard that consistently delivers fine-tuned tension between structure and intensity. Sizable tannins surround a soft mouthfeel of plum, leather and black pepper, the concentration suggesting aging through 2020.
Powerfully built with nice depth, this is loaded with succulent black cherry sensations layered with underbrush, tobacco, licorice, black pepper, clove and mocha accents. The palate is balanced by firm, velvety tannins and fresh acidity. Hold for complexity. Drink 2016–2026.
Powerfully built, this opens with a potpourri of aromas including pressed rose, violet, mature berry, baking spice and a whiff of leather. Dried black cherry, licorice, pipe tobacco, nutmeg and a balsamic note wrap around the gripping palate alongside a backbone of ripe, assertive tannins. Hold for even more complexity. Drink 2020–2032.
Powerfully dark in color and strong in aromas of blackberry and chocolate, this smooth, sizable wine has big tannins that soften as they go. Black pepper, tobacco and cinnamon round out on the palate, before a lengthy finish of coconut and vanilla.
Powerfully intoxicating in aroma, this North Coast Cab turns slightly thin and tannic upon tasting, with a melange of herb and coffee flavor.
Powerfully led by wood flavors, this concentrated wine has dark chocolate flavors, a feeling of bitter extraction and a hard edge. It should soften, but it is likely to remain austere.
Powerfully oaked but awkward, with bruising aromas of fresh-cut wood, sawdust and campfire smoke. Amid the woodiness and thick body you'll find roasted plum and berry flavors, but on the finish resin reappears and lingers. Tastes too saucy and resiny to be called “clean.”
Powerfully rich wine, with jammy fruit flavors to go with its strawberry fruits. The wine is driven by its ripe fruit, the acidity coming through the sweetness to finish freshly and with some tannic, ageworthy structure.
Powerfully rich, creamy wine that has considerable yellow fruit flavors to broaden the pear juice. The wine is ripe, full, while the acidity is just an afterthought.
Powerfully rich, with plenty of the dry tannins of Tannat, but also rich sweet plum fruits and concentrated wood to soften and round. There is acidity, but it fits comfortably into the firm fruits and solid final chunkiness.
Powerfully structured and concentrated, this is a rich, tarry and tannic wine. The dense texture doesn't lose sight of the jammy black currant and berry fruits that are just underneath. For the moment, even after four years, the wine is very young, firm and dry. Drink from 2018.
Powerfully structured, this is a dense wine, with layers of ripe fruit as well as tannins. It is concentrated, firm and showing its structure. The black plum fruit flavors from the 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon blend give weight and a broad character to the aftertaste. Drink from 2017. Produced by Alliance Bourg.
Powerfully tannic, this dense and firm wine is dark in both color and fruit flavors. Tannins dominate the structure, giving a solid core to a wine that will certainly age. It has richness, juicy berry fruits and plums shining with acidity. Drink from 2018.
Powerpacked stuff, no ifs, ands or buts. But it's also a tannic heavyweight with a clamp-down palate that feels a bit like chewing on bolts. Starting aromas of raisin, char and black olive are brooding and mulchy, while the main act is dark, with coffee and cassis. Better flavors than feel; however, time could tame the beast.
Pozzan turns his attention to Zinfandel, with good results. The wine shows crisp acidity, rich tannins and brambly flavors of blackberries, cherries, milk chocolate, pepper, cloves and vanilla. So ripe, it tastes sweet, but this Zin is fundamentally dry.
Practically a liquid fruit salad, this smells and tastes like orange, apple, cantaloupe and banana. The texture is smooth and rounded, rather than crisp. A little buttery flavor comes through on the finish.
Practically opaque, this Bordeaux-style red blend shows rich dark cherry, blackberry syrup, star anise and tobacco on the nose. The full palate is heavy with ripe dark fruit, leading to a warm baking-spice kick on the finish.
Prail is a crisp, fresh and beautifully aromatic Sauvignon from northern Italy that delivers layers of passion fruit, citrus, tomato leaf and chopped basil. Drink this wine before dinner or with fragrant exotic Thai dishes.
Prapò is textbook Barolo with classic aromas of wild berry, white truffle, cola, ginger and root beer. The wine has a menthol-like lift and tastes elegant and fine on the close. This is a perfect wine for Barolo purists.
Precise and polished, this wine offers up a mix of fig, plum, black cherry, chocolate and caramel. A streak of graphite underscores the polished tannins. Good already, this can be cellared and enjoyed through 2028 and perhaps beyond.
Precise yellow grapefruit, currant bud and apricot notes lead onto the medium-bodied, zesty palate. The grapefruit note remains dominant on the palate, and the lively acids give it a vibrant edge.
Preda is a solid and dense expression of Barolo with oak-related notes of vanilla and spice that need a few more years to integrate fully. The quality of the fruit is evident and with 10 more years of cellar aging all those elegant Nebbiolo aromas of licorice and white truffle should shine through.
Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), with the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this offers aromas of vanilla, baking spice, green pepper and dark fruit, with the oak showing somewhat prominently. The palate brings well-balanced dark fruit and green-pepper flavors, with spice lingering on the finish.
Predominantly Cabernet, this the most interesting and complex of all the Long Shadows red blends. It's an aromatic and compelling wine with mixed scents of brambly berries and a touch of violets. Tannins are compact and fully ripe, with none of the chalky character shown in some other reds from this vintage. The juicy acidity and compact strength suggest that further cellaring will reward your patience.
Predominantly crafted from Chardonnay, this features a fistful of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier to add silky smooth layers of texture and a seductively elegant body. It's marked by a long finish and spiciness.
Predominantly Grenache, with smaller amounts of Shiraz and Mourvèdre, but the aromas reflect the Mourvèdre's tendency toward dark fruit and tree bark. The flavors show some redder fruit flavors—raspberries—as well as touches of caramel and rhubarb, and this slightly syrupy wine finishes with a tangy edge. It's a little eccentric in style and flavor profile, but savory and tasty in its own way—and a relative bargain.
Predominantly Loureiro, this is rich, ripe wine. It has a sunny character, ripe with green plums and apples and lightly shot with acidity. It is aromatic, fresh and ready to drink.
Predominantly Merlot, this Bordeaux-style blend includes 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cab Franc and 11% Malbec. Given extra bottle age prior to release, it's drinking quite nicely, with plum and black cherry fruit, a rich layer of mocha, and a firm finish with polished tannins and lemony acids.
Predominantly Sagemoor vineyard, along with some Champoux and estate grapes, including some old vine fruit and 13% Syrah. Somehow, the Artist Series Cabernet has an open softness that seems more like Merlot; it's lush and approachable, sleek and liquorous, dotted with malted milk/chocolate highlights around deep black cherry fruit. The aromas are lovely, though at first taste it sags a bit in the late going; the fruit falls off and the chocolaty notes take over. The tannins have a little green tea flavor.
Predominantly Sangiovese, this opens with aromas of wet soil, black fruit, toast and baking spices. The palate delivers fleshy black cherry and prune accented with black pepper, tobacco and a hint of mocha alongside solid tannins. It's reached its ideal drinking window so enjoy now.
Predominantly Syrah (80%) with Petite Sirah and Viognier, this wine conveys raspberries, cherries, flowers, black pepper and dark coffee. It's lighter in style with lip-smacking fruit and barrel flavors.
Predominately made with La Crescent, a hybrid grape with Muscat heritage, this sparkling wine brings exotic notes of lychee and rose over muddled pear flavors. The aggressive bubbles do little to cover the sugary-sweet finish.
Prelius is run by Castello di Volpaia's Federica Mascheroni Stianti and this light Vermentino offers tight tones of peach, green fruit and mineral. The wine is fresh and compact with loads of citrus on the close.
Prelius offers a crisp and bright Vermentino from coastal Tuscany with green highlights of kiwi and lime spread over thicker notes of stone fruit and melon. The wine is very refreshing and zesty on the close.
Première Trie means a wine from the first selection of grapes during harvest. This wine, now firmly closed up, as is expected with Chenin Blanc, is headed towards an opulent future, even though the fruit is kept firmly in check by the long-term aging potential.
Premstaler Sauvignon shows wonderful balance and pure fragrances of exotic fruit, citrus and fresh sage. The rich aromatic component is countered beautifully by a silky, fine mouthfeel that shows density but not heaviness.
Preponderant green, herbal aroma and flavor marks this wine. The mix of pencil lead and a smoky char never really make friends.
Presented in extremely elegant packaging, this is a beautiful expression of Nebbiolo from Piedmont. Not as austere as Barolo or Barbaresco, this wine does offer familiar aromas of black currant, pressed violets, tar, licorice and leather. The wine is smooth, silky and structured on the close.
Presented with subtlety on the nose, this bottling by the iconic Santa Cruz Mountains winery delivers scents of toasted pine nuts and almonds, tangerine rind and lemon balm. There is racy acidity on the sip, where lemon peel, crisp pear and buttered apple flavors make for a very thorough Chardonnay.
Presenting at first as somewhat reduced, this wine is tart and feral, with a muskiness reminiscent of mushroom and forest floor. Its intensely voluptuous body is concentrated in black cherry, cola and cardamom, with a richness and roundness on the palate and finish.
Preserved black cherry and berry notes seem lush and ripe on the nose, but are surprisingly tart on the palate. The palate is full bodied, with concentrated black fruit flavor and soft, drying tannins on the finish.
Preserved lemon and lemon curd combine for dramatic effect in this wine sourced from three estate-grown vineyard sites. Fleshy on the palate, it continues the lemon theme throughout, with weighty additions of oak and crème brûlée that hit their peak on the finish.
Preserved mandarins are evoked on the nose. The palate continues this rich and luscious but zesty citrus game: tangerine, clementine and orange weave their sweet-tart aromatic course across the palate and into your heart. This has lovely richness but not an ounce of fat. Streamlined Riesling freshness bathes rich late harvest sweetness in bright refreshing light. The zesty finish makes you crave more. Drink now through 2030.
Preserved plum and cherry notes are tinged with dark chocolate on this ripe, easy drinking off-dry Dornfelder. Despite all the richness, it's a bit lacking in concentration on the palate.
Preserved red-cherry and strawberry notes penetrate throughout this ripe, full-bodied Pinot Noir. Bright acidity and hints of brambly wood, baking spice and florals on the palate add complexity and balance.
Pressed acacia flower, moist earth and aromatic herb scents mingle with fresh orchard fruit ntoes. The vibrant, ethereal palate is spare and subtle, offering yellow apple, tangy citrus and toasted nut nuances, with racy acidity.
Pressed acacia flower, orchard fruit and yeasty bread-dough aromas waft out of the glass. On the lean racy palate, tangy acidity underscores yellow apple, tangerine and bitter almond before a crisp close.
Pressed acacia flower, Spanish broom and yellow stone fruit aromas come together on this sunny wine. The bright palate offers nectarine zest, green apple and Vernaccia's typical accents of bitter almond. Brisk acidity gives it a lively character.
Pressed and fermented in stainless steel vats and partially aged in neutral oak, this wine rewards in a vibrancy of grapefruit, tangerine and peach flavors, allowing space for a plush texture through the long-lasting brightness of the fruit.
Pressed apple and dusty mineral notes scent the nose of this subdued slightly savory Riesling. Juicy tangerine and Meyer lemon flavors lend sweetness to the midpalate. The moderately long finish is accented by dustings of pollen and saffron.
Pressed apple and pear are touched with petrol and crushed rock notes in this savory dry Riesling. More mineral than fruit, it's slightly restrained yet elegant, with a lingering, delicately astringent finish. Drink now through 2019.
Pressed apple and pear notes are accented by hints of cinnamon and clove in this fresh, approachable wine. It's ripe and rounded but balanced by a kick of lemon-lime acidity that lingers through the finish.
Pressed apple and pear notes are accented with penetrating layers of smoke, nuts and clove on this full-bodied Chardonnay. Tart lemon acidity lends freshness to the midpalate and into a spry finish.
Pressed apple and pear notes are brightened by a kiss of yellow cherries and lemon in this delicate wine. The palate has a pleasant roundness despite its light-bodied frame. The finish is brisk.
Pressed apple and pears are dusted in pollen and saffron in this earth-toned Spätlese. Delicately sweet honey tones brighten the midpalate, accompanied by bracing lemonade acidity. The finish is moderately long, marked by a lingering touch of dried herbs.
Pressed apple and pears seem to be dusted in pollen and saffron on the nose of this savory, spicy Riesling. It's off dry and delicate in style, but concentrated in lip smacking tangerine and lime flavors. Dusty, earthy tones persist through the moderately long finish.
Pressed apple notes are touched with butter and creamed corn on this savory-style Chardonnay. It's rich and full on the palate with a satisfying silkiness that's brightened with lemony acidity.
Pressed apples and honey scent this slightly musky spicy off-dry Riesling. Delicate body and brisk acidity lends freshness on the midpalate, accentuating lingering notes of potpourri, tea leaves and dried orange peel. Drink now.
Pressed apples and pears are accented by hints of orange rind in this juicy concentrated Riesling. It's semi dry in style, honeyed and plush, but balanced neatly by a brisk streak of lemon-lime acidity. Drink now through 2019.
Pressed apples meld with coconut on the nose. The medium-bodied palate brings notes of banana, melon and an oddly floral note.
Pressed apples meld with notes of hay and cheese rind on the nose. The mellow palate brings similar elements, brightened by a squirt of citrus on the finish.
Pressed berries, plum flesh, toasted cherry pits and a charred cedar scent carry the nose of this bottling by a producer in Paso's Adelaida region. It's quite easy going down, with flavors of cracked pepper, blackberry fruit and a vanilla-licorice combo toward the finish.
Pressed black plum and crushed dill team up for a lively and fresh nose on this bottling that also offers tobacco and coffee aromas. Woody cedar flavors lead the palate that is full of lighter-toned strawberry and red-plum fruit. Black pepper adds spice and pencil lead adds minerality.
Pressed blackberries, bubbling cola, and violet-lilac extract shows brilliantly on the nose of this wine by Annette Hoff Danzer, one of Monterey's few women winemakers. The purple flowers concentrate on the front of the palate, followed by a dark, tannic rush of espresso, dark chocolate and black pepper.
Pressed blue flower, ripe black-skinned berry, baking spice, tobacco and leather aromas come together on this round, full-bodied wine. The delicious palate offers juicy wild cherry, raspberry jam, vanilla, cinnamon and licorice while pliant, velvety tannins offer elegant support. It deftly combines power and finesse. Drink through 2024.
Pressed blue flower, ripe dark-skinned berry, forest floor and baking spice aromas emerge on this big, bold red. The full-bodied palate delivers dried black cherry, ground pepper, anise and mocha alongside ripe, velvety tannins. It's warm but has enough fruit to support the hefty alcohol. Drink 2018–2025.
Pressed blueberry, black pepper and pencil lead show on this nose of this 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah blend by former football pro Terry Hoage, who recently renamed his brand. The palate on this juicy yet spicy bottling offers smoked meats and beef-jerky flavors with tar, black pepper and tangy boysenberry.
Pressed boysenberry aromas highlight simultaneously dark and fresh fruit on the nose of this bottling by Adam Lee, which also conveys Earl Grey tea, lavender, hibiscus and crushed pencils. The palate picks up the same tack, offering delicate fruits and florals, from cranberry to elderflower.
Pressed carnation and violet lead the bouquet of this red blend, surrounded by notes of raw fennel, licorice root, cassis, boysenberry and black plum. It's a rich and ripe selection, but well balanced, with medium, gripping tannins that frame the lush black-fruit flavors. Hints of black tea and baking spice linger on the finish.
Pressed cranberry, underripe raspberry and white pepper form the alluring aromatic base for this bottling that dives into Kalamata olive and cardamom notes on the nose. There is great energy on the sip, with anise, buzzy Sichuan peppercorn and Indian spice enlivening the tomato leaf and cherry-tomato fruit.
Pressed directly to barrel prior to fermentation, it's dusty and fragrant, capturing the higher acidity of the vintage, and some underlying minerality. This 2008 does not have the ripe peachiness of the previous year, but the citrus/pineapple fruit makes an excellent food wine, stylish and affordable.
Pressed flower, Mediterranean herb and beeswax aromas waft out of the glass. The zesty palate offers nectarine, green apple and white almond alongside bracing acidity. A hint of candied ginger signals the close.
Pressed flower, pear and crushed rock aromas lead the nose. The lively palate offers lime, green apple skin and mineral alongside racy acidity.
Pressed flowers, undergrowth and blood orange lead to a lithe, medium-weight palate that comes with juicy acidity. The finish features hints of desiccated black fruit and clover honey.
Pressed from Lagrein grapes native to northern Italy, this bright rosé offers an easy, crisp finish with tones of wild berries, peach and pink grapefruit.
Pressed hawthorn, mature orchard fruit and a whiff of aromatic herb lead the nose. Round and savory, the full-bodied palate offers creamy yellow apple, juicy pear and a hint of crystallized ginger. It's balanced, with just enough freshness and a lingering finish.
Pressed honeysuckle, beeswax and orchard fruit aromas come together on this. The medium-bodied palate offers passion fruit, creamy white peach, vanilla and mineral while a hint of toasted almond closes the finish.
Pressed iris, scorched earth, ripe berry and cake spice lead the way. The juicy palate delivers wild cherry, raspberry, clove, cinnamon and tobacco alongside fresh acidity and polished tannins. It's almost approachable but will be even better in a couple of years. Drink 2017–2022.
Pressed iris, violet, dark-skinned berry and cake spice aromas unfold in the glass. The full-bodied palate doles out ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, sage and clove alongside firm, velvety tannins. You'll notice the warmth of alcohol on the finish but the juicy fruit keeps it in check. Drink 2018–2028.
Pressed iris, violet, dark-skinned berry, tobacco and a whiff of game emerge on this robust red. The ripe, full-bodied palate delivers juicy Morello cherry, raspberry, crushed aromatic herbs and licorice alongside tightly packed, velvety tannins. The fruit richness deftly supports the hefty 15% declared on the label.
Pressed jasmine, yellow stone fruit, oak and a whiff of medicinal herb lead the nose. The lean palate shows toasted oak, vanilla, yellow apple skin, coffee and a note recalling adhesive bandage.
Pressed olallieberries, lilacs, a touch of pine smoke and fairly grapy aromas show on this easy-drinking bottling. The palate is straightforward with quaffable grape and olallieberry flavors, with a judicious amount of tannins and acidity to keep it exciting.
Pressed plum and dried berry meet with leather on the nose, becoming a bit musty over time. The dusty flavors carry to the sip, where underripe bramble provides tang but little else.
Pressed rose, dark berry, baked earth, forest floor, licorice, walnut and a balsamic note are some of the intriguing aromas you'll find on this fantastic, balanced Barolo. The structured, elegant palate delivers mature black cherry, dark raspberry, anise, white pepper, tobacco, orange peel and clove alongside assertive but refined tannins.
Pressed rose, slightly dusty mineral shadings, spice and black fruit make up the bouquet of this elegant, harmonious wine. This expression is astringent and firm, with bright acidity and a solid tannic backbone. Let it soften with more cellar aging.
Pressed rose, violet, dark-skinned berry, a balsamic note and a whiff of oak-driven spice lift out of the glass. The juicy spicy palate offers a wonderful purity of raspberry and cherry flavors offset by licorice, chopped mint and pipe tobacco. Taut fine-grained tannins provide a firm, polished framework. Drink 2018–2027.
Pressed rose, violet, forest floor, baked plum and cake spice aromas emerge on this full-bodied red. The concentrated palate also has finesse, offering dried cherry, licorice, cinnamon and pipe tobacco framed in fresh acidity and a backbone of firm but refined tannins. Drink 2017–2025.
Pressed rose, woodland berry, sage and a whiff of exotic spice emerge on this firmly structured wine. The taut palate delivers mature black cherry, ground pepper, clove and licorice alongside tight, fine-grained tannins and the warmth of alcohol. Give it a few more years to unwind. Drink after 2019.
Pressed Spanish broom, citrus zest and almond aromas lead the nose of this wine. On the lively palate, a lemon drop hint accents pink grapefruit and yellow apple notes. It's vibrant, with racy acidity.
Pressed violet, baked plum, baking spice and coconut emerge on the nose and carry over to the full-bodied palate along with ripe black cherry and licorice. Tightly packed but refined tannins provide firm support.
Pressed violet, perfumed berry and a hint of baking spice aromas unfold on this sleek, savory red. The medium-bodied palate delivers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, clove and star anise alongside firm, polished tannins. Drink through 2021.
Pressed violet, ripe berry and a whiff of cake spice unfold in the glass. The bright, structured palate doles out juicy wild cherry, white pepper and a cinnamon note while supple tannins and fresh acidity provide the easy-drinking framework. Enjoy through 2018.
Pressed violet, tilled soil, menthol and wild berry aromas waft out of the glass. The juicy palate doles out ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and licorice alongside polished, fine-grained tannins that lend structure and elegance.
Pressed white flower, nut and dried apricot lead the nose. The firm, structured palate offers baked yellow peach, candied citrus zest, toasted almond and mineral alongside bright acidity.
Pressed white flowers and white orchard fruit aromas emerge on this racy sparkler. The palate offers white peach, kiwi, pear and apple alongside bright acidity and a vibrant perlage. An energizing saline note closes the finish.
Pressed white flowers and white peach aromas come together on this crisp, refreshing wine. The racy palate offers crunchy green pear, crisp apple and a hint of white almond alongside crackling acidity and a firm but refined perlage.
Pressed wild flower, hay, fennel and ripe berry scents mingle together in the glass. The refreshing palate combines crushed strawberry, juicy red cherry, saline and a hint of baking spice alongside bright acidity.
Pressed yellow flower and spring orchard fruit are the primary opening scents. The lean palate shows rennet apple skin, lime and a mineral note alongside zesty acidity.
Pressed yellow flower, dried fruit and toasted oak aromas lead the nose. The lean palate offers candied citrus zest, vanilla and drying, wood-driven sensations but not much fruit richness. It finishes on a bitter, nutty note.
Pressed yellow flower, flint and Mediterranean herb aromas fuse with citrus zest and a balsamic note. The round, savory palate doles out ripe apricot, creamy pear and juicy nectarine flavors, tangy acidity carrying a bitter almond tone long into the finish.
Pressed yellow flower, ripe stone fruit, pear and Mediterranean herb aromas come together in the glass. The juicy palate boasts yellow peach, mature apple and honey accented with a spicy note of white pepper.
Pressed yellow flowers, citrus zest, walnut and bread crust aromas lead the way on this elegantly structured wine. The foaming, velvety palate doles out ripe yellow apple, lemon drop, toast and a light note of crystallized ginger framed in vibrant acidity and an ultrafine perlage. An energizing mineral note closes the finish.
Prestigio is dense and plush on the bouquet, with concentrated blackberry, cassis and cumin aromas that come across entirely positive. The palate is ultra ripe and packed with earthy, baked flavors of raisin, black plum and Middle Eastern spice notes. Things turn meaty, rich and a bit soft on the finish. Drink now through 2015.
Presumably unfiltered, this wine is slightly cloudy, which leads to a nicely creamy mouthfeel. But first come aromas of blistered cherry tomatoes, fennel seeds and green olives, followed by flavors of soft strawberry, tart cranberry and a tongue-tantalizing finish of cracked peppercorn. Serve with roasted pork.
Pretty and complex, this delivers a mélange of interesting flavors. Round, tart fruits—berries and sour plum— mingle with dried leaves, cut tobacco and mushroom. Somehow a citrus streak sneaks into the finish, giving the wine a lemony lift. Delicious already, it can be cellared for another 5–6 years.
Pretty and deep, this has notes of juicy boysenberry, blueberry and cherry. The balanced acidity and racy tannins give it substance and style.
Pretty and floral, juicy and substantial, this wine delivers in flavor and texture, conveying caramel, baked pear and pineapple. Notable oak wraps around the fruit, ending with hazelnut and nutmeg.
Pretty and floral, this is a field blend of Gewürztraminer, Trousseau Gris, Riesling and other mixed whites, all farmed by organic guru Phil Coturri. Full-figured and lithe, it lingers in fruit sweetness, the right call as an apéritif with spicy nuts, but especially with chips and guacamole or any other piquant fare.
Pretty and forward, this lovely wine bursts forth with raspberry and sweet cherry tomato fruit flavors. A slight mintiness can also be detected, all within the context of an impeccably balanced, firm, pleasingly acidic young red wine.
Pretty and fresh, with vibrant, well-defined strawberry fruit on the nose set against a backdrop of white flowers. Turns a bit simple and fleeting in the mouth. Drink up.
Pretty and pale, this wine is already showing some sunset shades around the rim, and drinking like a wine with more than just a couple of years under its belt. That works in its favor, as it offers cherry-pie fruit, cut tobacco, some minerality and a chocolate/coffee kiss in the finish.
Pretty and perfumed it exhibits dark cherry from start to finish. Spice and cola notes explode midway through, and that see-saw balance between fruit and spice persists into the finish. Round and soft, with a lean texture, it's very enjoyable.
Pretty and perfumed with green florals accented with fennel and lemon peel notes, this semisweet Riesling has a bit of sugary sweetness on the midpalate, but finishes clean with a refreshingly citrusy acidity.
Pretty and pink, this light-bodied but nervy wine brims with white raspberry and pomegranate flavors and a texture that is crisp and mouth-cleansing. The balance between fruitiness and acidity is precise and appetizing, so it pays off sip after sip. It was made from Grenache, Mourvèdre, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc.
Pretty and pink, this light-colored wine has subtle peach aromas that continue to dry fruit flavors that are peachy and crisp. A little bite in the texture makes the mouth water.
Pretty and plump, this is bursting with ripe cherry fruit. Highlights include a dusting of cocoa powder, and the wine sits perky on the palate with fine-grained tannins and ample acidity.
Pretty and polished Pinot, with a light, delicate mouthfeel and good varietal flavors. Offers waves of cola, red licorice, cherry pie and sandalwood. Notable for its attention to detail, and could even develop over the next six years.
Pretty and polished, an elegant, lighter style Pinot Noir to drink now with rich pork, lamb and beef dishes or grilled salmon. It's silky and satiny, with pleasant wild strawberry, cherry, red currant, licorice, cola and cedar flavors.
Pretty and polished, this Pinot is delicately structured, with a great burst of acidity and a dry, spicy finish. The raspberry, vanilla and toast flavors are a little thin, but pleasant and complex. It's ready to drink now.
Pretty and scented with watermelon and strawberry, this rosé turns tart in the mouth, tasting of rhubarb and sour berry. It's fresh and refreshing, especially drunk cold in hot weather with a picnic spread.
Pretty aromas convey rose, wild red berry, savory herb and a hint of baking spice. The palate opens with wild cherry, black raspberry, clove and sage but drops off quickly on the midpalate. It's already accessible, with fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.
Pretty aromas of Bartlett pear and a floral note lead the nose on this easy-drinking wine. The simple, refreshing palate offers lemon zest and apple alongside tangy acidity.
Pretty aromas of blue flower and forest floor take center stage in this straightforward blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Alicante. The fresh, juicy palate is dominated by wild cherry, while black pepper notes add interest. Soft and round, this isn't complex but it is extremely friendly and delicious. Enjoy soon. Guido & Son Italian Imports, Old Bridge Cellars.
Pretty aromas of blue flower, rose, wild berry and graphite lead the way. The firm palate delivers mature black cherry, raspberry, star anise, black pepper and chopped sage alongside bright acidity and tightly knit tannins that need to unwind. Drink 2018–2026.
Pretty aromas of blue flowers, red berry and dark cooking spices lead the nose on this straightforward red. The bright, savory palate doles out wild cherry, cassis, clove and a dash of white pepper alongside silky tannins and fresh acidity. It's easygoing and made to be enjoyed young.
Pretty aromas of blueberries and raspberries adorn the nose, leading into a palate of mixed berries and chocolate. This wine, which is in the medium- to full-bodied category, has a silky mouthfeel, ending in a fine dusting of cocoa powder.
Pretty aromas of cassis, cherry and sweet cream are inviting. Feels good, with zesty acidity and nice overall balance. Flavors of black currant, Bing cherry and plum cover the bases, while the finish is easygoing. The epitome of everyday Cabernet.
Pretty aromas of cherry and plum blossoms give way to fully ripe, slightly confectionary fruit, backed by hints of mocha. This medium-bodied Pinot Noir is supple in texture and softly dusty on the finish, making it an easy one to drink over the next couple of years.
Pretty aromas of cola, rosebuds, dried strawberry, fennel and Dr Pepper show brightly on the nose of this blend of 55% Grenache, 29% Syrah and 16% Mourvèdre.There is a slightly charred flavor to the palate, where grilled black cherries and berries are intriguingly savory and lifted by crushed black pepper.
Pretty aromas of crushed blue flower and red berry lead the nose on this easygoing red. The fresh palate offers up juicy black cherry and savory herb alongside supple tannins and bright acidity.
Pretty aromas of fresh-picked raspberries and cherries invite you into this lovely young Pinot. It's fresh as a spring day, with perfect balance and clarity. Drink now through 2018–2020.
Pretty aromas of fresh white flowers and apple blossom open this mouthfilling, satisfying wine. Complex and interesting on the palate, it's layered with tension and acidity. It has a lean, clean finish that's dialed-in for the table.
Pretty aromas of pure Pinot fruit, a mix of cola, earth, cherry and root beer introduce this estate bottling. Still a bit tight, perhaps even bottle shocked, it nonetheless opens up with breathing time into a balanced, elegant and stylish effort.
Pretty aromas of red berry, crushed flower and a hint of rosemary lead the nose on this bright red. The fresh palate offers crushed raspberry, green tomato and cinnamon. It's fresh, sleek and balanced.
Pretty aromas of red berry, menthol, savory herb and cooking spice lead the nose. The palate offers tart red cherry, white pepper and Mediterranean herb alongside firm, refined tannins and bright acidity. It needs time to develop fully. Drink 2017–2022.
Pretty aromas of rose and lavender mark the entry of this full-bodied, concentrated wine characterized by pomegranate, cranberry and a lightness of cardamom. Lengthy and dense, it opens in the glass, its tannins softened, with a length of earthiness that lingers on the finish.
Pretty aromas of rose petal, raspberry, hibiscus and slate make for a lovely entry to this wine from a historic vineyard in southern San Luis Obispo County. Made from just the 2A clone, it has refined cranberry-fruit flavors laced with eucalyptus oil and Earl Grey tea.
Pretty aromas of spring blossom and orchard fruit waft out of the glass. The bright palate offers juicy white peach and green apple alongside lively acidity. It closes with white almond.
Pretty aromas of stone fruit and yellow flower come together in the glass. The vertical palate delivers dried peach, yellow apple, nectarine zest and a flinty note balanced by bright acidity.
Pretty aromas of strawberry and raspberry fruit push those flavors forward, with supporting acidity. A light vein of pine needle and herb underscores the tart fruit. It's all in sync with lovely definition.
Pretty aromas of underbrush, crushed blue flower and perfumed berries lead the nose on this robust Rosso. The dense palate delivers succulent black cherry, raspberry, mocha and sweet cake spices alongside firm tannins. It's not an ager so enjoy soon.
Pretty aromas of violet, iris and woodland berry waft out of the glass. The vibrant palate offers raw red cherry, orange zest and dried Mediterranean herb alongside racy acidity and sleek tannins.
Pretty aromas of violet, red berry and crushed herb lead the way. The bright, accessible palate offers pomegranate, sour cherry and white pepper flavors within a frame of solid tannins and vibrant acidity. Drink through 2023.
Pretty aromas of violet, rose and wild berry lead the nose. The bright but rather lean palate offers raw red berry, peppercorn and saline together with notes of dried sage. Astringent tannins create an abrupt finish.
Pretty aromas of white flower, alpine herb and a whiff of citrus take shape in the glass. The sleek, vibrant palate offers crisp apple, lemon zest and a hint of nutmeg alongside lively acidity.
Pretty aromas of white spring blossoms and Bartlett pear lead the nose on this bright, easy-drinking white. The lively palate offers tart green-apple and light mineral notes alongside crisp acidity.
Pretty aromas of white spring flower, orchard fruit and crushed stone waft out of the glass. On the crisp palate, bright acidity balances green apple, Williams pear and a hint of citrus while a mineral note closes the finish.
Pretty aromas of white spring flower, sage and apple lead the nose on this blend of 90% Fiano and 10% Chardonnay. The palate offers green apple, nectarine and lime alongside fresh acidity.
Pretty aromas of wild strawberry and a hint of baking spice take shape in the glass. The luminous palate delivers red cherry, vanilla, cinnamon and a cedar note brightened by fresh acidity. It's balanced with silky tannins. Drink through 2017.
Pretty aromas of yellow florals, wood-grilled red apple and walnut skin lead the bouquet of this wine, while continued rich flavors of red apple flesh and Key lime pie unfold in the round and softly fat mouth.
Pretty aromas of yellow flower and stone fruit lead the nose. The bright palate offers yellow apple, apricot, vanilla and delicate notes of lightly toasted oak alongside crisp acidity.
Pretty aromas recall Golden Delicious apples and white peach. The bright palate delivers apricot, pear and lemon zest accented with a ginger note, while crisp acidity leaves the mouth feeling clean and refreshed.
Pretty aromas suggest elder blossom and white stone fruit. The vibrant palate offers white peach, green apple and citrus zest. Brisk acidity gives it a clean, refreshing finish.
Pretty aromas suggest plum, red berry, leather, graphite and eucalyptus. The understated palate isn't as expressive as the nose, but reveals subdued black cherry, black pepper, espresso and oak. Astringent tannins still need to integrate, but for now leave the mouth feeling dried out. Drink after 2020.
Pretty aromas suggest ripe berry, spiced plum and a bit of eucalyptus. The polished palate offers mature blackberry and cinnamon alongside smooth but rather fleeting tannins.
Pretty aromas suggest violet, rose, strawberry and mint. The vibrant palate offers red cherry, crushed raspberry and cinnamon alongside supple tannins and bright acidity. Enjoy through 2017.
Pretty aromas suggest violet, sandalwood, incense, plum and chocolate. The ripe palate offers crushed black cherry, mocha, espresso and vanilla alongside firm tannins. A licorice note signals the close.
Pretty aromatic layers of mint, cola, almond paste, blueberry and currant mark this wine. The mouthfeel is silky and clean, and there's a bright note of acidity on the finish.
Pretty aromatically, Lava Cap's Battonage has inviting flavors of pear, honey and toasty vanilla. With well-integrated oak, it's a classically robust California Chardonnay, weighty but structured.
Pretty aromatics include balsam wood, blackberry and blueberry. The palate is lush but well structured, with bullish berry, chocolate and creamy oak flavors. Minty and super spicy and long on the finish, with a lasting dark toastiness.
Pretty as all get-out, this wine is a floral masterpiece—a study in coastal rose and forest scents with a counterpunch of white pepper that leaves one wanting more. Juicy raspberry, strawberry and tangerine flavors are seasoned in allspice and tobacco, the palate so beautifully delicate yet fully realized in savory complexity and length.
Pretty astringent in young tannins now, this Syrah has a tough, lockdown quality that suggests aging. You could have it with beef and barbecue, but it really wants three or four years of cellaring to start to mellow and show off the black currants and cherries.
Pretty basic red wine, with a tough, tannic mouthfeel and not much fruit, but dry and balanced, with lots of pepper. Sipped from a plastic cup at a big party with pizza and Buffalo wings, it's fine.
Pretty basic, a dryly tannic red wine with cherry and herb flavors. Feels hard and sharp in the mouth, with astringent tannins and acids. Could age out.
Pretty black cherry fruit is overwhelmed by the wine's other elements: mint, cedar, vanilla and maple syrup. In case you haven't guessed by now, it's oaky, with some drying, woody tannins on the finish.
Pretty black cherry, char and menthol aromas gently perfume Tarara's Cab Franc. On the palate, soft black fruit flavors are not deeply concentrated, but ripe with firm grape and wood tannins for balance. Bright acidity carries through on a tart, sour cherry finish.
Pretty blossom and apricot aromas bolster ripe, rich flavors of honey tangerine and yellow peach in this forward, fruity wine. There's no pretense here: It's a hedonistic guzzler of a wine, but its tangy salt-and-lime finish makes it hard to resist another glass. Drink while young.
Pretty blueberry fruit highlights this clean, fresh, forward wine with genuine fruit character. Any rough edges have been softened by aging in neutral oak.
Pretty brawny. It's a tough, chewy wine, with searing acidity and strong tannins. Even with polished cherry, red currant and cola flavors, this wine is rustic. Drink with barbecue and rich Italian fare to cut through the dryness.
Pretty cedar, spice, cherry, herb, chocolate and anise flavors are smoothly integrated. It's rich and dynamic on the palate, a mix of creamy smooth texture and firm acidity that adds interest. Long on the finish.
Pretty cherry blossom perfume wafts midst dusty granite and crushed mineral tones in this approachable Spätburgunder. While a touch more nuanced than the producer's basic-label Pinot, it shares its juicy, easy black cherry and plum flavors. Sunny acidity and fine, yielding tannins add to its easy drinking feel. Drink now through 2020.
Pretty cherry fruit is at the center here, with light scents of fresh cut tobacco. The blend is two thirds Syrah, one third Cabernet Sauvignon, balanced and highlighted by a streak of cinnamon toast.
Pretty cherry fruit shows some spicy highlights, along with hints of leather. The funky aromas will be more pleasing to some palates than others. You make the call.
Pretty cherry fruit, lightly candied, steals the show here. There's a dash of cinnamon and a pleasantly toasty frame around the tannins, all in proportion and delivering clean, generous flavors through the lingering finish.
Pretty citrus tones are backed by white peach and soapy floral notes to produce a clean, fresh sparkler that is easy and approachable. The wine is beautifully crisp with smooth citrus flavors that leave a lasting impression.
Pretty coffee and tobacco aromas add weight and persistency to this garnet colored Brunello. There's fruit here in the form of cherry, pomegranate and dried raspberry but those savory notes at the back really add to the wine's overall complexity.
Pretty coffee notes are offset by ripe aromas of raspberry, black cherry and chocolate: There is nice softness and density in this wine that is balanced against the natural acidity of the fruit. Pair this wine with cheesy pasta al forno.
Pretty complex for an unoaked Chardonnay, with hints of anise, cinnamon and yogurt accenting apple and citrus flavors. It's plump in the mouth, and easy to drink.
Pretty concentration and deep saturation set the stage for penetrating aromas of blackberry, exotic spice and chopped green herbs. This is a rich Sangiovese (with 10% Canaiolo) with bright freshness and lingering spice on the finish.
Pretty cranberry and light red berry fruits are swathed in a decidedly herbal, earthy blanket. Nothing is over-matched however, as all these 2012 Winderlea Pinots show perfect balance. The finish brings a light dusting of cocoa.
Pretty dark and full-bodied for a rosé, and too extracted and heavy in cherry-berry flavors to be considered elegant. It's almost a red wine you could drink at room temperature.
Pretty dark for a blush, and very strongly flavored. The raspberry flavors veer into framboise, it's that extracted and liqueur-like. So there's nothing shy about it. Unusual and eccentric, but a pretty, flavorful wine. —S.H.
Pretty dark for a rosé, and heavy and rich, too. Tastes like a raspberry Newton cookie.
Pretty dark for a rosé, and heavy in the mouth, with the density almost of a red wine. Shows soft cherry and spice flavors.
Pretty dark in color and full bodied for a sparkling wine, even one that's majority Pinot Noir. But it's delicious and dry, which surely are prime requisites for any bubbly. Shows ripe, flashy raspberry, strawberry, orange, vanilla, honey, yeast and toast flavors, and the mouthfeel is silky and refined.
Pretty dark, almost plum-like in color, this is a blend of 76% Grenache and 25% Syrah from an estate-grown vineyard in the Foothills. Lots of watermelon in aroma and flavor, the wine finishes slightly sweet, reminiscent of a Shirley Temple.
Pretty decent for a 10-spot, with slightly floral aromas, a hint of ginger and underripe pear fruit. It's medium bodied, with a dry, lightly textured, bitter finish. Drink now.
Pretty deep and sweet-smelling, with aromas of marzipan and dense fruit that hint at raisin but don't fully go there. The mouthfeel is sensuous and smooth, yet lively enough to push the cassis, raspberry and plum flavors in the right direction. Tobacco, herb and dry fruit flavors work the finish, and overall this is one balanced, pleasing wine. Drink now through 2011.
Pretty ensemble of bright fruit, spice and cured meat, with ample concentration. Plump and round in the mouth, with loads of aromatic intensity. The mouthfeel is tight and chiseled.
Pretty expensive for a Petite Sirah, but it really is fantastic. Shows the variety's powerful tannins and fruit, with a velvety texture framing jammy blackberries, blueberries, carob, vanilla, exotic spices and smoky cedar. Will develop for many years, but there's no reason not to drink it now.
Pretty expensive for a varietal yet to prove itself in California. ItÕs got pretty enough fruit and an elaborate overlay of oak, but no particular depth or complexity. In fact, itÕs simple and flat.
Pretty fierce in acidity, but flavorful enough, with plenty of raspberry and cherry jam, accented with cola and spices. Drink now, after decanting.
Pretty flavors of forest berry, cola and almond lead into a silky, menthol finish. Pair this with wild turkey or delicate ravioli stuffed with minced veal.
Pretty flavors of pink grapefruit and stone fruit are cloaked in rich swathes of fennel, honey, petrol and spice on this expressive, penetrating wine. Sweet-tasting and juicy, it bristles with streaks of acidity and astringency. It's already showing its stripes, but it should be even more exciting in five years.
Pretty floral and apple aromas are laced with butter and smoke on this supple, elegant Chardonnay. Bright with sunny lemon flavor yet silky and smooth in mouthfeel, it's a satisfying, well-composed wine for any occasion.
Pretty floral and fruit aromas suggest violet, iris, blackberry and a whiff of saffron. The palate delivers sour cherry, prune, black pepper, ground nutmeg and espresso alongside big, chewy tannins. Drink 2015–2024.
Pretty floral and white grapefruit notes on the palate scream Gewürz, but fresh apple flavors layered in smoke and a chalky, crushed stone minerality make this unusual New Mexico bottling an interesting treat.
Pretty floral aromas accent notes of fennel and savory apple on this dry, crisp Riesling. Bright and bold on the palate, this has lemony acidity and an abundance of fresh apple flavor.
Pretty floral aromas of peach blossom, broom and a hint of beeswax waft from the glass. The round, straightforward palate offers tropical fruit, peach and apple alongside tangy acidity.
Pretty floral aromas with whiffs of red berry and savory herb take shape in the glass. Flinty mineral, pink grapefruit and a hint of baking spice back up the red cherry core.
Pretty floral notes mingle enticingly with smoke and nut aromas in this vanilla-kissed Chardonnay. It's rich and creamy on the palate, with concentrated apple flavors and bright, lemony acids that add vibrancy to the finish.
Pretty floral notes rise to the top: lavender and pressed rose. That intense floral element gives the wine an elegant, sophisticated personality that's tight and structured, with great balance between firm tannins and bright acidity.
Pretty floral perfume mingles into delicate apple and pear in this fragrant full-bodied Chardonnay. Broad and richly textured, its softness is accentuated by its yielding tangerine acidity. The finish lingers on a touch of butter and lemon pith.
Pretty fragrances and freshness characterize this popular Pinot Grigio with aromas of stone fruit, acacia flower and honeydew melon. It's a simple, easy wine with a thin consistency but those floral aromas help make it stand out in a crowd.
Pretty fragrances include white flowers and green apple. The fresh, linear palate offers pear and Granny Smith apple with a hint of lemon zest. Pair with light pasta dishes or sip as an apéritif.
Pretty fragrances of white spring flowers and pears lead to a lively palate that offers white peach and green apple alongside bright acidity. It finishes clean and crisp.
Pretty fragrances recall blue flower, forest floor, spice and bright berry perfume. The palate isn't quite as expressive as the nose, delivering licorice, red cherry and a hint of white pepper. It's shy on freshness so drink now.
Pretty fragrances recall white spring flowers and white fruit. The bright palate offers juicy Granny Smith, yellow peaches and citrus alongside crisp acidity that leaves a clean, dry finish.
Pretty full-bodied for a rosé, with a copper-pink color and upfront red currant, raspberry cream, vanilla and cinnamon flavors that finish a little sweet. The acidity is just fine. Nice with charcuterie.
Pretty generic-tasting but basically good, a dry red wine with considerable tannins and acids that frame herbal cherry flavors.
Pretty golden hues set the tone and segue into floral aromas of acacia and honey. There are some soapy, Moscato-like qualities to this aromatic white and its floral fragrances transfer to the mouth where there's a smooth, creamy texture.
Pretty good  Pinot for the price, showing Russian River silkiness, dryness and acidic structure. The cola, sour-cherry candy and persimmon flavors are classic, if a little thin. Drink up.
Pretty good and solid for an uncommon blend, but the Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio thrown together results in nice buttercup aromas along with some apple pie and pear. The palate runs sweet but maintains its freshness, and the flavors of apple, pear, melon and powdered sugar come together. A novelty wine that shows the right signs.
Pretty good Cabernet for the price. It's dry and zippy in acidity, with blackberry, red currant, licorice and toasty oak flavors that go down nice and easy.
Pretty good Cabernet, dry and very tannic, and rich in black currants and oak. It's made in the modern style, and not likely to age, so drink up.
Pretty good Cabernet, fine for easy, inexpensive drinking. It's bone dry and modest in alcohol, with decent berry, cola and cedar flavors.
Pretty good for a California-appellated Chard at this price, showing ripe flavors of pineapples, pears and green apples, with a touch of smoky vanilla from oak. Finishes a little too sweet, but lots of people will like that.
Pretty good for a California-appellated Pinot Noir at this price. Dry and silky, it shows pretty flavors of cherries and spices, with a nice, silky texture.
Pretty good for a Petite Sirah with a statewide appellation. Satisfies for its lush array of flavors and for the way the sturdy tannins and brisk acidity provide a fine framework of balance. Blackberries, cherries, leather, olive tapenade, grilled beef, tamari and white pepper are just a few of the flavors.
Pretty good for a ten buck red, this has proper varietal flavors of blackberries, cherries and oak, and is fullbodied and tannic. There's a rustic edge, but it will do fine with roast chicken or even macaroni and cheese.
Pretty good for its price, this wine shows classic Pinot character in its light, silky mouthfeel and zesty flavors of cherry and ripe persimmon. Although it's a little too sweet, many consumers will like that.
Pretty good for the price, a balanced, smooth Cab with polished blackberry, cherry, plum, cedar and rosemary flavors. Good value in a dry red table wine.
Pretty good for the price, although in Pinot Noir, the old adage of you-get-what-you-pay-for remains true. It's simple, with a flavor of oak-infused raspberry jam and lots of zesty acidity.
Pretty good for the price, with jammy cherry, berry, cocoa and spice flavors. An easy Zin to drink with BBQ or pasta with tomato sauce.
Pretty good for the price, with ripe cherry, raspberry and oak flavors. Fine for burgers, pasta with sausages or pork buns. The blend is Cabernet, Merlot and Petite Sirah.
Pretty good for the price. It's a bit rustic, with edgy tannins and some mint and raisins. But the wine is dry, with good blackberry and mocha flavors.
Pretty good for the price. It's glamorous enough to serve with a classy entrée, its luscious black cherry and cola flavors wrapped into firm tannins. Might even improve over a year or two.
Pretty good for the the price. It's bone dry and zesty in acidity, with mouthwatering flavors of oranges, lemons and limes, finished with a touch of vanilla and white pepper.
Pretty good Merlot for its dryness and classy mouthfeel. Shows blackberry, cherry, herb and oak flavors, with solid tannins. Beginning to dry out, so drink now.
Pretty good Merlot, with varietally correct scents of black cherries and mocha leading into flavors of blue and black fruits. It's medium in body, with ample fruit and hints of chocolate and coffee on the finish.
Pretty good price for a bone-dry, crisply elegant Sauvignon Blanc with such good flavor. It's citrusy in limes and grapefruits, with richer notes of figs and melons, and finishes with a scour of spice.
Pretty good price for a Cab of this richness and balance. Offers dry, forward flavors of blackberries, cocoa, anise, spice and cedar, with an olivaceous streak. Drink now.
Pretty good price for a Cabernet this elegant and rich. Starmont is a kind of second label to the excellent producer, Merryvale, and this '07 shows a fine pedigree, as well as the general quality of the vintage. It's dry and balanced, with complex blackberry, currant and oak flavors. Drink now–2013.
Pretty good price for a Napa Cabernet as elegant as this. It's a polished wine for drinking now. Shows smooth, refined tannins, with interesting flavors of blackberries, red plums, red currants, tobacco and dusty spices. Easy to find, with 15,000 cases produced.
Pretty good price for a Napa Syrah of this quality. It's a pleasantly fruity sipper, immediately appealing for its ripe, fresh blackberry, cherry and leather flavors. Has a level of dry elegance and tannic complexity that lifts it above the ordinary.
Pretty good price for a nice, fancy Merlot. It's made in a restrained style, with a firm, dry structure framing cherry, currant, tobacco, herb and cedar flavors.
Pretty good price for such a nice Sauvignon Blanc. It's a little one-dimensional in ripe tangerine, mango and lime flavors, but the acidity is bright and clean, and the finish is long and spicy.
Pretty good price for this flavorful Merlot. It's dry and crisp, with firm tannins housing lots of fresh, ripe blackberry, cherry and anise flavors.
Pretty good price for what you get. Shows everyday flavors of pears, pineapples and peaches, with a touch of nutmeg and cinnamon. Best Buy.
Pretty good red wine here, nice and juicy, with well-etched flavors of blackberries and tobacco. The texture is especially pleasing and limpid. Needs an extra edge of depth and complexity to hit the big time, but it sure is delicious.
Pretty good southern Rhône-style red blend, with rich cherry-berry, chocolate, spice and sandalwood flavors that finish dry and robust. Needs a juicy burger to cut through the tannins. Ready now.
Pretty good wine for the price. Semi-sweet flavors of apricots, citrus fruits and spices are balanced with crisp, Central Coast acidity.
Pretty good wine with only the mildest weedy, herbal notes. For the most part this is full, sunny Malbec; only a hint of green and finishing black pepper vies with the dark berry and plum flavors that one should expect. Decent balance; ordinary as a whole.
Pretty good, but a little on the rustic side, with baked blackberry, cherry and currant flavors wrapped into some rugged, edgy tannins. Could just be going through an awkward phase, but its future is hard to predict.
Pretty good, but surprisingly soft and heavy for a Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir, with pastry-filling cherry, raspberry and blackberry flavors that finish dry. Tasty, but lacks the vivacity and complexity you expect from the appellation.
Pretty good, sturdy and clean. The nose shows good white fruits and minerally notes, with a bit of toast. In the mouth, it's healthy and sweet, with tropical flavors of melon and papaya along with creamy pear. Finishes sweet, with some vanilla.
Pretty good, with ripe pineapple flavors brightened with crisp acidity. But the oak is too strong, coating the fruit with a heavy plaster of butterscotch and smoky caramel.
Pretty green floral, apple and pear notes scent this fresh, easy-drinking Riesling. Brisk and semidry in style, it seems sweetened by a lacy haze of sugar that lingers on the finish. Drinking now.
Pretty grippy stuff, with astringent tannins accentuated by tart acids. Mint, cassis and cigar box elements pick up mocha notes on the finish.
Pretty hard to like. It's harsh in acidity, with watered-down raspberry jam flavors that finish sweet.
Pretty harsh and unrewarding, even for this price. It's soft and simple, with Lifesaver raspberry flavors.
Pretty harsh, with green tannins and minty flavors, relieved by some modest cherry notes.
Pretty harsh, with unripe, green tannins and tart pepper and blackberry flavors. The price is pretty good, at least.
Pretty hibiscus nectar and lychee notes add an exotic twist to this dainty late-harvest Riesling. Light on its feet, it's deliciously juicy on the palate with showers of pink grapefruit and stone fruit. Finishes clean with a brisk, black tea note.
Pretty honest on the nose, where it's mostly melony, peachy fruit and no faux oak. The palate is on the sharp side, with blazing acidity and not much body to go with citrus and apple flavors. Hits you with a lot of juiciness and aggression but doesn't bring a lot of mouthfeel and complexity.
Pretty honeysuckle and freesia notes lend a blossomy feel to this supple, impeccably balanced wine. Tart white peach, quince and pineapple flavors are juicy yet bracing on the palate. It ends briskly with a shower of crushed minerals.
Pretty impressive for the price, offering mint and cedar aromas followed by flavors of black cherry. There's also a sturdy core of savory elements, like roasted meat and coffee. The wine is full bodied and velvety in texture, with a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now and over the next few years.
Pretty impressive for the price, this Merlot has juicy, candied flavors of cherries, blackberries, red currants and chocolate that are wrapped into a smooth texture. A great buy for a wine this tasty.
Pretty in color, with a clean nose that's not too forced, pungent or potent. The palate has a good feel and lift, with light bubbles, nice acidity and dry flavors of red plum and nectarine. Finishes dry and composed, with a bit of elegance.
Pretty in floral aromatics of orange blossom and lemon verbena, this balanced, lush, delicious wine comes from a relatively new, small producer. Grapes were sourced from the Charles Ranch, which is planted to Wente Chardonnay. Apple and citrus intermingle in nice balance, as do minerality and creaminess on the texture. Though the wine spent over a year in French oak, 40% of it new, the oak is unobtrusive, detectable mostly on the finish.
Pretty in floral spiciness, this wine is a worthy continuation from the previous vintage, leathery and restrained, more soft red and blue fruit than burly black. Smooth and earthy, the finish is lingering. This food-friendly Petite Sirah is ready to enjoy now with a hearty roast.
Pretty in honeysuckle and gardenia, this bright wine, blended with 5% Sémillon, recalls fresh-squeezed lemonade before the sugar, refreshing and intensely delicious. The acidity is balanced by enough weight to dial the volume down and flavors of rich, lush melon.
Pretty in jasmine, lemon and orange, this is a crisp, dry and lovely wine, integrated with just enough heft on the body and a surprisingly deft length on the finish. Stock up for gatherings.
Pretty in orange and pink, this sparkling Rosé is 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, creamy in texture with a pleasing taste of strawberries and cream atop a homemade biscuit. With solid acidity, it'll be both an attractive and effective addition to your springtime brunch or lunch table.
Pretty in pink and orange hues, this stainless-steel-fermented charmer has a candied orange flavor that's delicious, followed by fresh, crisp strawberry and tangerine-laced acidity. Medium bodied, it ends with a burst of peach.
Pretty in violet and rose petals this is a lower-octane Pinot Noir for the winery. Exquisitely rendered in spicy dark cherry and soft, supple tannins, it hails from a cool, coastal vineyard site 1,000 feet atop Occidental Ridge, the coolest source of grapes for Davis.
Pretty is the word that comes to mind upon sniffing and sipping this wine, with its beguiling strawberry and cherry fruit. It gathers strength in its core, while maintaining an elegant, well-structured acid/tannin frame. It's an outstanding value in Oregon Pinot from a top producer.
Pretty lavender and violet notes shaded with wax and lanolin scent this delicious, honey-coated wine. Decadently rich with a sunny, bright acidity and elegant tones of tangerine, black tea and heather, it's lip-smackingly good through its long, smooth finish.
Pretty long in the bottle, this rich, soft, thick Zin offers a stewy taste of plums that veers sweet into molasses and jam. On the finish is an additional thickness of black pepper and leather.
Pretty milk chocolate wraps around fresh strawberry fruit in this estate-grown, single-vineyard selection. A gentle wine, it turns almost soft in the middle, finishing with delicate flavors of rose water.
Pretty mineral notes recall chalk and dusty ash and provide depth and dimension to this fresh and fragrant white wine. There's not much fruit, but the wine pulls its own thanks to those mineral nuances and its crisp acidity.
Pretty mineral tones color the background of this fruit-forward Falanghina from Molise (a tiny region in Southern Italy). The wine offers stone fruit, green melon and warm honey: It's creamy but not too thick and ends on a fresh, citrusy note.
Pretty mineral tones of delicate talc power and dried flowers frame a powerful wine that reveals a dense core of dried fruit and raisins at its heart. This Amarone is dense and sweet in the mouth with chewy tannins and good length.
Pretty much a near replica of the winery's previous vintage, a sound, clean and dry Cabernet for drinking soon. It's rich in tannins, with varietally proper flavors of blackberries, black currants, plums and cedar. Give it a good decant before pouring.
Pretty much a successful repeat of the winery's '09. It's dry and high in acidity, giving it a zesty, clean mouthfeel. The flavors are refreshing, of citrus fruits, pears, vanilla and white pepper. A compelling and beautiful cocktail-style wine.
Pretty much as good as any Cabernet out there, if not better, and at a fraction of the price you'll pay for the “cults.” If there was ever a wine made for the cellar, it's this one, the antidote for those who consider California Cabernet a simple fruit bomb. Completely dry, with exquisite tannins, its blackberry, currant, red licorice and oak-inspired flavors are massive and classic. Hard to exaggerate how good this fine wine is. Drink 2013–2020 and beyond.
Pretty much as good as Bjornstad's single-vineyard bottlings. It's opulent and creamy, with exotic tropical fruit, green apple, pear and honey flavors, elaborately oaked and spicy. Wonderful acidity gives a clean scour to all the richness.
Pretty much as good as Napa Cabernet gets. Shows the blackberries, black currants, blueberries and spicy plums of Oakville and scads of spices, and the tannin-acid structure is, in a word, superb. The oak elaboration is just about perfect, adding a tasteful layer of smoky, buttered toast. The finish goes on and on.
Pretty much as good as Paso Robles Syrah gets. Shows incredibly fine tannic structure and ripe, luscious flavors of blackberry and cherry pie filling, cola, cocoa, bacon and sweet, smoky sandalwood from oak barrels. Pull it back a little in fruit, and it's near perfect. Drink now.
Pretty much as gorgeous as California bubbly gets. It's dry and yeasty and rich in citrus, peach and apple flavors, with an enormously fine structure. Feels smooth as silk, clean as a whistle, with a delicate but complex mousse. Young and vibrant, with mouthwatering acidity, this Champagne-like brut should develop bottle complexity through 2013, at least.
Pretty much like a good Dry Creek Zinfandel, maybe even spicier. This red wine is medium-bodied, dry and very fruity, with flavors of wild cherries, blackberries, blueberries and chocolate. Great with a charbroiled steak or burgers.
Pretty much what you'd expect from a blend of Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys, it starts with dusty, wild-berry aromas leading to a fruity, spicy wine encased in substantial tannins and moderate acids. It will age, but losecharacter. Drink it now or soon in its bright, exuberant, wild youth.
Pretty Nebbiolo scents of red berry, mint and leather emerge on this straightforward red. On the solid, balanced palate, firm tannins support red cherry, grilled herb and clove. Drink through 2021.
Pretty nice for a lean, more traditional Rioja crianza. The palate is clean and tangy, with strawberry, raspberry and citrusy flavors. Freshness is this wine's middle name. It's old-school, so don't look for a lot of color, body or sweetness.
Pretty nice for a statewide appellation, with true Zin characteristics of wild, brambly berries. The alcohol is high and the wine is very dry, a full-throttle assault on the senses, with its maximum load of jammy fruit. Nothing subtle, just a bases-loaded, ripe wine that leaves little to the imagination. Best Buy.
Pretty nice Merlot, soft and sensual, like Merlot is supposed to be, and wonderfully ripe in blackberry, cherry, blueberry, plum, chocolate, cedar, vanilla and spice flavors. A pretty complex wine that finishes long and smooth. Drink now.
Pretty notes of black-cherry blossom and fruit are bolstered by black pepper, dried violets, deep red roses and a touch of cinnamon on the nose of this wine from the region's most famous vineyard. It presents a hearty, earthy style on the palate, with anise, bay leaf, black tea and coffee flavors that spice up the dense elderberry and strawberry fruit.
Pretty notes of Italian espresso, chocolate and spice revolve around a core of solid black fruit. This is an elegant and refined wine that boats a traditional style that is never overdone or too powerful. In fact, it showcases its delicate berry nuances very nicely in the mouth. Drink after 2014.
Pretty oaky, with buttered toast and butterscotch flavors. But there's some good, strong pineapple and pear fruit underneath, and fine coastal acidity gives the wine a keen freshness. Drink now.
Pretty oaky, with toothpicky vanilla and charred wood flavors dominating everything else. Underneath is an okay wine, with pineapple and honey flavors.
Pretty on the nose and palate with an abundance of spring flower, pineapple and vanilla-cream notes, this dry, full-bodied Chardonnay is easygoing but impeccably made. Judiciously oaked, it finishes on a sweet-and-salty caramel note.
Pretty on the nose, with mild apple and pear scents. The wine shows good balance and body, with flavors of pineapple, apple and green melon. It's got all the fruit you could ask for, but some of that fruit is of the sweet banana and plantain family. Which for some means too sweet.
Pretty orange blossom and yellow peach aromas against a backdrop of petrol make this “gently dry,” light-bodied Riesling a classic expression of the grape. Lots of ripe stonefruit and florals shower the palate, leading to a persistent finish marked with vibrant acidity and a bright lime skin finish.
Pretty orange blossom notes morph into zesty white grapefruit and lime in this exceptionally light off-dry Riesling. It's delicately concentrated on the palate but offers loads of invigorating, waterfall-like refreshment.
Pretty ordinary stuff, a tannic wine with sharp, jammy berry-cherry flavors and a fast, hard finish.
Pretty peach in color, this 50-50 sparkling blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with a small percentage of the Pinot added to the blend before secondary fermentation, is a light, high-toned, flinty bubbly rich in strawberry aromas and a savory, herbal streak.
Pretty pear, apple and other dusty white-fruit aromas start this cleansing cava on its way to pure citrus, Granny Smith apple and lime flavors. It has a mildly linear, angular feel but it doesn't come across sheer or sour; to the contrary, it's balanced and generous with its fruit.
Pretty pink-flower tones lead the nose of this white blend, framed by fruity notes of white peach, lychee and musky grape. The palate is surprisingly light in feel, with ripe fruit flavors and good acidity to keep the finish fresh.
Pretty pink in color, this wine is inviting in aromatics, offering a depth of fresh strawberry and watermelon atop a substantial mouthfeel of body and weight. It finishes balanced and dry.
Pretty plum fruit and pencil-eraser aromas lead to similar flavors, with a light underlay of fresh herb. Finishes a little brief, though with gummy tannins.
Pretty pricey, but it's a lovely Pinot Noir. Offers lots of upfront raspberry and cherry tart flavors, with a jacket of sweet, smoky oak. The mouthfeel is nice and light. Drink up.
Pretty raspberries, red currant and a hint of iodine spark the taste buds, then darker streaks of wood smoke and black licorice kick in. There's snappy acidity and an undertone of metal and stone. Complex and captivating.
Pretty raspberry fruit scents and flavors dominate, and in the mouth there is a sense of grainy sugars. It has good fruit and ripeness, but still seems a little disjointed. Perhaps more time in the bottle will help sort it out.
Pretty red fruit leads the nose on this blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre, along with brown spices, anise and chopped herbs. The forest flavors are strong, with pine sap and eucalyptus, as riper boysenberry fruit emerges with chopped oregano and thyme.
Pretty red roses and a red-cherry element mix with crushed pencils, sandalwood and strawberry jam on this wine's light, bright but underlyingly rich nose. The baked strawberry carries into the palate, lifted by hibiscus, lavender, white sage and potpourri flavors.
Pretty rich and exotic for a Sauvignon Blanc, with tropical fruit and orange fruit flavors that might easily be Viognier. But it shows Sauvignon's zingy acidity, and finishes a little sweet. Easy to drink on its own.
Pretty rich and full-bodied for Pinot Noir, this is a big wine that grabs your attention. It floods the mouth with flavors of sour cherry candy and spicy persimmons, with a rich overlay of toasty oak and exotic spices. The acidity lends a nice bite. It's too young to appreciate now, but it should gain traction after 2014.
Pretty ripe stuff, featuring aromas of brandied fruitcake to go along with its 14.5% alcohol. Plenty of spice, vanilla and toasty oak frames the blackberry fruit, finishing with a touch of coffee. Drink now–2012. Imported by International Vines, Inc.
Pretty ripe stuff, marked by hints of stewed berries and chocolate. It's medium to full in body, with soft tannins, yet the acids remain crisp, turning tart almost to the point of being citrusy on the finish.
Pretty robust in style for Merlot, with the ripe black-cherry fruit framed by plenty of structure. There's a minty or resiny note to the aromas and flavors, which imparts a slightly medicinal edge to the prolonged finish. Drink now–2012, possibly beyond.
Pretty rough and tough for a Stags Leap Cab. Shows hard tannins and some overripe flavors, with a funky, sweaty note. Lots of ripe, crushed blackberries and cassis, but it doesn't seem like an ager, so drink up.
Pretty run of the mill, a tannic Cab with flavors of herbs and berries. Fulfills the basic requirements of dryness and full-bodied balance. Drink now.
Pretty rustic even for a Petite Sirah, with big, edgy tannins and a scoury mouthfeel. But it shows rich flavors of cherries, berries, cola, bacon and sandalwood, with a spicy, peppery finish. Ready to drink now.
Pretty rustic, with sharp acidity giving a bite to honey-sweet pineapple, green apple and lime flavors. The blend is based on Chardonnay.
Pretty savory tones and barbecue aromas combine to create a bold Brunello. Ripe fruit, black pepper, rum cake, black currant and blackberry preserves all appear in the background. Silky-smooth and firm, it shows a clean, sharp, bold close.
Pretty scents and flavors of bright cherry fruit come up quickly, with enough concentration to batten down a medium-long finish. A light hint of sweat or animal comes up also.
Pretty scents and flavors suggest raspberry jam and blueberry compote; then some rather scrapey acids and stiff tannins kick in. The excellent fruit is there to begin, but it quickly turns one dimensional and finishes tannic and stemmy.
Pretty scents of fragrant white wild flower and white stone fruit lift out of the glass. On the round, straightforward palate, fresh acidity offsets ripe Bosc pear, lemon zest and a hint of hazelnut.
Pretty scents of grapefruit, green apple and wild flowers rise up from the glass, followed by tasty citrus in the form of orange, lemon and grapefruit. Some oak adds texture and character to the mix, while chalkiness provides grip to the finish.
Pretty scents of raspberry, baked strawberry, rose potpourri and exotic spice carry onto the lithe, open-knit palate. The dried herb and licorice flavors that extend onto the finish lend this Cabernet Franc a savory bent.
Pretty scents of rose petal and white chocolate introduce this smooth, mouth-coating wine. There's a hint of peppery herb and a finishing touch of light toast, with clean, well-structured red fruits displaying excellent varietal character.
Pretty scents of rosewater, raspberries and cherries introduce this light and pleasing wine. It carries some of the charm of a good strawberry soda, with forward fruit and a delicate frame. That said, it is not just a simple fruity wine, and gains weight and complexity as it breathes. Give it time to show you all it has.
Pretty scents of violet, rose, red berry, leather and forest floor rise from the glass along with a balsamic note. The palate offers crushed black cherry accented with notes of espresso, toast and sage. It has a tightly tannic, astringent finish. This will be better after 2018.
Pretty scents of white spring flower and orchard fruit rise from the glass. The off-dry refreshing palate offers sweet white peach and candied citrus peel alongside bright acidity and a soft mousse.
Pretty scents of woodland berry, fragrant purple flower and baking spice float out of the glass. The vibrant, straightforward palate offers crushed wild cherry, white pepper and a hint of star anise alongside bright acidity and sleek tannins.
Pretty scents show pure varietal character, with the accent on fresh berries and sweet herb. Flavors follow suit, with well-managed, ripe and smooth tannins. A medium-bodied wine drinking well right now.
Pretty sharp in tannins and acids, even for a Stags Leap Cab. Although it has plenty of blackberry, cherry, currant and oak flavors, it's a hard wine. The palate finds so much to like, it wants it to be softer, but it's not, so the gamble is on aging. Try after 2013.
Pretty simple, but gets the job done with a creamy texture and peach and oak flavors.
Pretty soft and delicate for a Petite Sirah, with the silkiness almost of Pinot Noir, except for the dark black color and firm, dry tannins. The blackberry, currant and leather have a touch of smoky cedar. Drink this pleasant wine with Mexican food, spare ribs, lasagna.
Pretty soft for a Pinot Noir, and lacking the structural integrity the variety needs. Nonetheless, the flavors of black and red cherries, cola, orange zest and spices are delicious. Drink now.
Pretty soft, in the manner of Paso Robles, and a little overripe, with a raisiny taste. But it's nice and dry and smooth in tannins, with rich blackberry fruit.
Pretty standard Chardonnay, with a creamy texture and oaky tropical fruit flavors. Not bad for the price, if you're in a Chard mood.
Pretty standard Chardonnay, with fruity, oaky flavors that are diluted, and a creamy texture. The finish is nice and dry and the acidity is balanced. It's alright for the price.
Pretty standard Chardonnay. Shows the wine's cream, buttered toast and fruit flavors, but in a thin, simple way.
Pretty standard dry Riesling but done well, marrying bold fruit aromas of apple, pear and melon with undercurrents of spice and minerality. It's medium-bodied, harmonious and shows excellent persistence on the finish.
Pretty standard in terms of flavor profile, but well-executed, marrying toasty, pain grille aromas with flavors of vanilla, ripe pears and melon. Medium- to full-bodied, it finishes with a flourish of oak and spice.
Pretty standard Merlot. It's dry and tannic, with blackberry, earth and cedar flavors. There are some unripe notes that approach asparagus. Drink now.
Pretty standard stuff here, with thin, watery aromas that carry only faint traces of wood and apples, and watery flavors. It's clean, but hot from alcohol, with high acidity. —S.H.
Pretty standard stuff, making it something of a disappointment in an Erste Gewächs context. Petrol notes upfront, followed by honey, pear and citrus fruit and a long, mineral-inflected finish. It's good, but this sample didn't sparkle.
Pretty straightforward Cabernet, done well and blended with bits of Petit Verdot and Merlot. Vanilla, tobacco and cassis aromas mark the nose, while the flavors are similar, but with a slightly plummy edge. Soft and supple on the finish, there's no need to cellar this wine.
Pretty straightforward Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but done well, featuring passion fruit, pink grapefruit and melon aromas and flavors that end on a gently herbal note.
Pretty strawberries and cherries are paired with softly minty nuances in this lightweight charmer. No, there's not a lot of intensity, but you could even serve it slightly chilled as a picnic wine.
Pretty strawberry fruit, definitely on the tart side, provides a delicate but flavorful core to this wine. It's light, fresh and clean, with the appealing simplicity of springtime rosés.
Pretty tannic now, but very well-structured, with a minerally exoskeleton framing dramatic black currant, cassis and cedar flavors. Needs time. 2010–2015.
Pretty tannic now, with underlying fruity flavors of plum, blackberry, herbs and earth. Drinks very dry and a bit austere, and there's tartness in the dusty finish. May gain with an additional year or two of age.
Pretty tannic, with a hard edge, although it's very fruity and rich, and should soften and mellow with time in the cellar. Thoroughly dry, it shows complex flavors of wild raspberries, cherry compote, cola and spices, compounded with smoky, sweet oak. Give it until 2011 to begin to come around.
Pretty tannic, with an astringent hardness. But the flavors are so rich and powerful, they break through, offering a wealth of ripe blackberries, black cherries, mocha, sweet smoky cedar wood and Asian spices. Nice now with a grilled steak, or stash for up to six years in the cellar.
Pretty textbook cool-climate Chardonnay here, from the lovely aromas of toasted grain, white peach and pineapple, to the balanced alcohol levels, medium body and vibrant, citrusy finish. Drink now–2020.
Pretty thin for the price, this Pinot is dry and crisp and silky, with a refined mouthfeel. The only problem is that the cherry and cola flavors are watery.
Pretty thin going, almost like a Sauvignon Blanc with its tart, citrusy fruit flavors and high acidity. Not a bad wine, but if you're looking for a rich, oaky Chardonnay, shop around.
Pretty thin in substance, but clean, dry and proper, with enough blackberry and currant fruit to satisfy your basic Cabernet instincts.
Pretty thin, with very high acidity and just a trace of lemon, grapefruit and pepper flavors. The dryness and tartness are really clean and bracing, but if you're looking for richness, this will disappoint.
Pretty threadbare in fruit, with watery pineapple flavors covered with lots of toasty, sweetly caramelized oak. Will satisfy Chardonnay fans who like this sweet style.
Pretty tight and closed down in its youth, this mountain Pinot shows tannins unusual in California versions of the variety. Totally dry, it has a deep core of blackberries, currants, wild berries and chocolate. Will probably develop, but it's a bit too full-bodied for a Pinot Noir.
Pretty to look at and lovely in the mouth, this all-Pinot rosé offers gentle hints of plum, sour cherry and orangeade. Bracing acidity puts a tight, tangy twist to the finish.
Pretty to sniff, with aromas of lemon, fresh white fruits and minerals. Feels crisp, chiseled and racy, with blazing acidity propelling green apple, lime, green melon and saline flavors. Long on the finish. Drink now.
Pretty typical New Zealand Pinot Gris, featuring a fair bit of residual sweetness. There's plenty of weight and density in the mouth, but less intensity of flavor and aroma, only hinting at almond, honey and melon.
Pretty varietal aromas include raspberry and rose petal. The sleek, easy-drinking palate offers crushed strawberry, green tomato and a hint of mineral alongside polished tannins.
Pretty violet and bright green-herb notes add freshness to rich black-cherry and plum flavors in this boldly concentrated yet softly framed wine. It's delicately oaked, with brisk acidity that counters a lusciously full-bodied palate, and a flurry of soft tannins lingers on the finish.
Pretty violet and red cherry aromas perfume this aromatic Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate, ruddy, slightly overripe tones of plum and cherry contrast markedly against a finish that's zesty and tart.
Pretty violet aromas elevate this off-dry wine, accenting sunny flavors of quince and tangerine on the palate. Brisk lime acidity lends a brash, nervy feel that extends through the finish. A touch of savory herb lingers.
Pretty violet notes reverberate through this richly concentrated, nuanced Pinot Noir. Dried cherry and blackberry touches are succulent and lip smacking yet anchored by delicate veins of mineral and spice. Fine-grained tannins persist through a long finish. Drink now through 2023.
Pretty violet perfume wafts from this aromatic Cabernet Franc. The palate is lush, with black cherries offset by streaks of cranberry and currant acidity. Expansive on the finish, its silky supple mouthfeel lingers long after the last sip.
Pretty well composed on the nose, with a core of blackberry. The palate runs narrow and grabby, but the generic sweet berry fruit is tasty, albeit ultrasimple. Snappy on the finish, with the gritty feel of cherry and grape skins. Good in a basic way.
Pretty whiffs of rose petal and stone fruit mark this fragrant sunny semidry Riesling. Suggesting delicate extractions of apricot and white peach, it's softer and rounder on the palate than Keuka Lake Vineyard's dry Rieslings. The finish is brisk and citrus.
Pretty whiffs of tangerine and blossom are accented by savory notes of bramble and dust on this late-harvest wine. It's a quiet, light-footed wine but piercing shards of sweet-tart orange and pineapple brighten the midpalate. It finishes crisp and brisk.
Pretty whiffs of violet, cinnamon and vanilla intensify roasted plum and cherry on the nose of this full bodied but balanced Cabernet Franc. The palate suggests crisper, more pristine red-berry flavors. Delicate earth tones and fine-grained tannins frame a long finish.
Pretty white-flower, lemon and lime notes waft from the glass of this dry light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc. It's vibrantly fruity, full of fresh pineapple and nectarine flavors accented by a swathe of green herb and bramble. The finish is refreshing, crisp and mineral. Drink now through 2019.
Pretty white blossom and fresh apple notes are cast in a veil of crushed minerals in this deft, delicate Riesling. Lacy sweetness and sunny tangerine acidity brighten the midpalate. This is a lovely off-dry wine that's delicious now for it's fresh, fragrant youth.
Pretty white floral and peach notes perfume this fresh, fruity unoaked Chardonnay. While lush and rounded on the palate, it balances bright honeydew and yellow cherry flavors against a backdrop of crisp acidity.
Pretty with aromatics of rose petals, this layered, complex wine offers restrained power and demure fruit. In taste, it's a mix of black cherries and that cola-like allspice that is prevalent in many Russian River Valley sites. The mouthfeel is round and soft, with just the right tension between tannin and acidity, with a protracted finish of toasty oak.
Pretty, balanced and elegant, this wine offers varietally correct aromas and flavors of citrus, melon and apple, all buoyed by a crisp minerality that offers lift. Also true to the style, there's a round sweetness here that gives the wine an opulent edge. Pair with a chicken salad or seafood.
Pretty, delicate and soft, initial scents of redcherry and strawberry carry through to the lightweight easygoing plate. It's fresh and easy to like, with good zip to the finish.
Pretty, elegant aromas of lime, vanilla and bread dough. Quite rich in the mouth, with pronounced citrus flavors. Very dry, with good acidity. Has a tightness and austerity that indicates it may age, but right now it’s balanced and harmonious. Contains 71% Pinot Noir.
Pretty, floral and sweet aromas of blue flower and forest floor are doled out in a very controlled and feminine manner. The wine is elegant and refined and shares many of the same characteristics that you would find in a top-rated Pinot Noir.
Pretty, lush and modern, this well-extracted Aglianico del Vulture offers aromas of soft spice, cumin, cinnamon, church incense and candied fruit. Its color is ruby red and lively, and the wine delivers loads of vibrant spice.
Pretty, pale and poised, this offers light pear flavors with a touch of cinnamon. Snappy acidity and a clean, fresh finish all contribute.
Pretty, structured, layered and bright, Kite's Rest is a blend of all three block designates found on the 12-acre Black Kite Vineyard on the southern side of the Anderson Valley. The wine highlights attributes found in its sister wines.
Pretty, supple purple fruits infuse this interesting blend of Tempranillo, Grenache and Mourvèdre. No one grape dominates; the flavors are smoothly integrated and well-matched, with an undercoating of smoke, licorice, pastis and coffee. Nicely polished tannins.
Preuillac continues to out-perform its appellation with a rich, full wine that has structure and balanced wood-aging flavors. Nearly 60% Merlot, it is rich while showing a more firmly tannic character with the Cabernets in the blend. Black currant crispness is still in a dry mood and needs to age. Drink from 2017.
Prevailing lemony, citrus-cocktail aromas with hints of almond macaroons. Though medium sweet, it is lip-smackingly crisp and racy, with zesty citrus flavors following through on the palate. Moderately intense and reasonably taut, if a little austere.
Prevalent black pepper scents swirl alluringly with leather, air-dried meats, tea and blackberry fruit on the nose. It's light, vibrant and peppery on the palate as well, making it a refreshing wine that also delivers a hefty, satisfying flavor profile.
Previous bottlings from this vineyard have been much better. This vintage is intensely ripe, almost Port-like, with cherry pie, cola and red currant flavors, and a hit of sweet oak. The acidity is just fine, but the wine lacks subtlety.
Previous vintages have impressed more than this one, which admittedly wasn't an easy year in Marlborough. The marriage of toasty oak and ripe fruit comes across as similar to popcorn, aligned with linear notes of pineapple and citrus that extend through the long, clean finish.
Previous vintages tasted more balanced than this super-oaky one. The wood erupts from the glass, suggestive of caramel, buttered popcorn, vanilla cream pie and charcoal, overwhelming what seems to be a perfectly nice wine. Some folks will love it. Others will find it the poster child of overoaked California Chard.
Previously called Cuvée Le Blanc, this Rhone-style white blend is 62% Viognier, 26% Roussanne and 12% Marsanne. The wine is a bit dull, as if the fruit has already begun oxidizing. The finish falls off a cliff.
Previously from all Seven Hills vineyard grapes, this estate bottling now sources almost half its grapes from the high-altitude, mineral-driven Ferguson vineyard. Peppery spices elevate the nose, leading into a young, tight wine with compact cranberry and strawberry fruit. The depth and minerality are exceptional.
Previously known as Feudo Arancio, Stemmari is a beautiful estate in Sicily owned by the Mezzacorona Group in northern Italy. This sun-drenched expression of Pinot Grigio offers aromas of ripe melon, dried grass and stone fruit.
Previously labeled as Les Gourmandises, this is now The Long Run in honor of Scott Wright's completing his first full-length marathon in 2011. It's all Nysa vineyard fruit, graceful and delicate, scented with rose water and satin smooth. Cranberry and wild strawberry fruit accents lead into a mouthful of cherry soda, delicate but lingering.
Previously lableled Quatre Journaux, this is now vineyard-designated, but otherwise everything remains unchanged. It's a pretty wine, with rhubarb and red-plum fruit. Further details of orange peel and chocolate emerge as it opens. The perfectly balanced acids and tannins suggest it will thrive in the cellar. Drink now–2006.
Previously this Syrah was sourced completely from Lawrence vineyard grapes, but here they are mixed with fruit from Stonetree. It's a dark, smoky wine, with highlights of licorice around deep cassis fruit flavors. The chewy tannins finish with a pleasant streak of lovely cherry fruit.
Price aside, this is a fine, ready to drink, full-bodied Carmenère with earth, cola, tree bark, cherry and cassis aromas. It's full and a touch soft in the mouth, with easy tannins and bold flavors of blackberry, herbs, bitter chocolate and leather. On the finish, it's peppery tasting and mildly herbal. Drink now through 2016.
Price aside, this is a ponderous wine with rooty aromas of Dr. Pepper mixed with burnt toast, coffee and baked berry fruits. It's very rich and syrupy in the mouth, while caramel, chocolate and baked berry flavors bring this overripe wine to rest.
Price aside, this is absolutely wonderful Malbec. The nose is pure and toasty, with minerally dark-berry aromas, cola and pastry notes. The palate is so rich and smooth it's like liquid heaven, while flavors of polished blackberry, espresso and mocha pudding finish mellow as can be, like a silk robe coated in Swiss chocolate. Drink through 2016; 170 cases made.
Price rise. With broad flavors of berry and chocolate, this is pleasant and undistinguished. This does not have the weight or varietal presence of the winery's Merlot.
Priced affordably for the appellation, this is a somewhat balanced Cab suggestive of bell pepper and jalapeño that dance around in smoke, currant and cedar. It finishes dry and tannic in vanilla oak.
Priced just above the Best Buy level, Quatro is still a great value. MontGras brings Cabernet, Malbec, Carmenère and Syrah together in a well-meshed way. The wine is big and full of blackberry fruit. It has some woody characteristics, but mostly it's harmonious as it builds to a nice finish of mocha and fine tannins.
Prices for this estate's wines have skyrocketed, but there is no doubting the quality in the bottle. The 2009 Cuvée Réservée is a huge wine, overflowing with intense black cherry and plum flavors to the point of seeming a bit sweet. Yet it's all framed by strong yet softly dusty tannins that should see it age well for at least 15 years.
Pricey for a blush wine, but this is an excellent one, among the best rosés of the year. It's fairly dark in color and full-bodied, but very rich in strawberry and spice flavors, and the finish is smooth and dry.
Pricey for the variety, especially considering the quality, which is not high. Smells and tastes vegetal, with traces of asparagus, oregano and mint, and a weird sweetness on the finish. —S.H.
Pricey, but it's a very good Sauvignon Blanc. You can tell right away that it's pedigreed, from the perfumed aroma to the complex flavors of citrus fruits, peaches, sweet hay, vanilla, toast and white pepper. With a dry finish, it's versatile across a range of foods.
Pricey, yes, but Madrigal pulled out all the stops on this flashy wine, making it their best Cabernet ever. It's a big, tannic and dry wine, stuffed with blackberry, currant and oak flavors. Voluptuous and dramatic, but it needs age, possibly a lot. Give it a rest until 2015 and see how it's doing then.
Prickly acidity marks the entry of this wine, blowing off over time to reveal cucumber, dill and a layering of black cherry, clove and tobacco. The thicket of tannins softens in the glass.
Prickly and briney on the nose, with cool-climate crispness to the aromatics. The palate is smooth and fairly thick, with a sticky, grabby mouthfeel and sweet, lightly green and herbal flavors of cherry and plum. Full but flattens on the finish.
Prickly and varietally correct on the nose, this opens with grassy aromas and a pop of citrus. A standard mouthfeel with adequate acidity projects salty citrus and green flavors, while grapefruit pith and lime notes work the finish.
Prickly aromas are ruled by pyrazines. This feels heavy and grabby, with a mouthfeel dictated by grape skins. Flat, salty white-fruit flavors finish wan, with a green note of bell pepper.
Prickly aromas are short on fruit. This is a streamlined SB with spritz on the palate. Lean citrus flavors are briny and slightly bitter on the finish.
Prickly aromas of juniper and cherry are sharp and lean towards green. This Malbec feels tight and lean, while plum and herbal aromas qualify as basic. A light, racy finish pinches and tastes generic.
Prickly aromas of nettle and cactus include crushed vitamin scents and tropical fruit notes. This feels gritty and dilute. Tart tropical-fruit flavors of lychee, pineapple and lime finish crisp, tangy and angular.
Prickly aromas of nettle and green herbs are matched by spicy blackberry and lactic oak notes. A tight, tannic palate is firmly built, with spicy flavors of cherry and cassis as well as olive. A peppery, herbal, toasty finish sends this on its way. Drink through 2018.
Prickly aromas of nettle and minerally lime are reflections of the coastal climate that influences this citrusy SB. Flavors of orange peel, white grapefruit and passion fruit turn more pithy and pyrazinic on the finish, which keeps its juicy ripeness without turning green.
Prickly aromas of nettle are simple as well as diluted. This feels basic and fresh, while green, citrusy flavors end with pithy notes and an oily feel.
Prickly aromas of nettle, bell pepper, dust and white pepper set up a fresh yet plump palate. Melon, peach pit and green-herb flavors finish with a note of lemon-lime and juicy acidity.
Prickly aromas of vinegar, pickled rhubarb and bramble don't exactly roll out the red carpet. The palate has a decent feel, but it's thick and borderline cloying. Tastes both green and sweet, with creamy vanilla and carob flavors. Burnt tasting on the finish.
Prickly berry aromas include notes of both candied raspberry and cinnamon. This feels a bit clunky and sticky, with sugary berry flavors and a slightly cloying finish.
Prickly citrus aromas are jumpy and a touch sulfuric. This feels leesy, creamy and fat in the mouth, with creamy, tropical flavors of melon and papaya. Bitter flavors of almond and citrus pith vie with lees-based vanilla notes on a round, plump finish.
Prickly foxy aromas are mildly pyrazinic. While this Pedro Ximénez feels plump and mostly healthy, it's short and simple in terms of flavors, with a note of briny citrus prior to a low-intensity finish.
Prickly green-herb and cactus aromas are punchy but not overly pungent. This offers a mix of softer tropical acidity and harder citric brightness, which sets the stage for flavors of grapefruit, lime and tropical fruits. A steady, lively finish is lasting.
Prickly pickled aromas are offset by candied fruit notes, while the palate is thin and candied, with nectarine and other less-than-berry flavors. An edgy wine that does little for the image of the obscure Bonarda grape.
Prickly refers to the wine's texture, which is definitely lightly frizzante (spritzy). That helps boost the wine's aromas, making it perfumed and floral, even Muscat-like. It's light in body and slightly off dry, with notes of apricot, apple blossom and gingery spice. Drink now.
Prickly smelling, with pointed red-fruit aromas. Feels snappy and high in acid, with quick, zippy flavors of tangy red plum and red currant. Not too much flavor or feel on the quick, crisp finish.
Prickly, briny citrus aromas announce a juicy, acidic wine that dances on the palate while delivering flavors of lime, briny apple and nettle. Things stay prickly and turn bitter on the back side. 50% each Verdejo and Viura.
Prickly, briny stone-fruit aromas are citrusy and largely fresh. This offers weight, grab and texture on the palate along with briny orange and grapefruit flavors. A slightly salty finish with notes of green herbs closes it out.
Prickly, herbal berry aromas are gritty and then fall flat. This is big, grabby and clumsy on the palate, with flavors of roasted berry and green herbs. A soupy-tasting finish turns more green the longer it sits. From a hot vintage, this Carmenère tastes baked and compromised.
Prickly, punchy, pryazinic aromas will have you thinking this is Sauvignon Blanc or Spanish Verdejo. A sharp palate is more about acid than body, while this continues with its SB-like character via green flavors of lime and arugula. A crisp finish evaporates into nothing.
Prickly, sharp aromas of citrus, matchstick and haystack are low on fruit. This Verdejo has a sharp acidic feel and pyrazinic flavors of cactus and bell pepper along with standard citrus.
Prickly, snappy and herbal on the nose, this edgy Pinot is crisp and cutting on the palate. Tea and spiced raspberry and plum flavors are matched by spicy oak and juicy acidity.
Prickly, sweaty aromas include matchstick and herbaceous green-fruit notes. In the mouth, this is chunky yet citrusy. Flavors of grassy citrus trend toward green, while a pithy, citric finish is bitter.
Prickly, sweaty aromas of cactus and nettle are not overly attractive. This is weakly built, with hardly any spine. Bland, salty white-fruit flavors finish quick and a touch sour.
Pricy for Chilean SB, but clean, good and spunky, with citrus, nettle and bell pepper on the nose. The palate is wet, fresh and snappy, and the flavors exhibit grassiness along with tropical fruit and lime. Cleansing and crisp on the finish, and ready to drink now.
Pride continues to struggle with this variety, as does everyone else in California who tries their hand at it. The '05 is semisweet and simple, with candied cherry-blackberry flavors that finish more like a dessert wine than a dry table wine.
Prieto Picudo is largely an unknown variety with a propensity for yielding weird wines. But this offering is made cleanly, and in an internationally familiar style. Aromas of licorice root, tobacco and cedar rest atop a base of black-fruit scents. The palate is juicy and tannic, while plum and berry flavors are surrounded by mocha, coffee and graphite notes. Drink or hold through 2018.
Prieto Picudo is the grape here, and it's not your run-of-the-mill red variety. The nose is minty green and rustic, and you can tell it's not cut from a common cloth. In the mouth, Carroleon shows cassis and carob, while the finish has chocolate and a medicinal essence. Top-heavy in terms of concentration, with a thin middle tier.
Prima Volta (“first time”) is a fresh and easy wine, with medium intensity and bright aromas of honey, peach and white flower. The mouthfeel is lean and compact, but the persistent perlage keeps it lively.
Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (the balance is Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc), this is full bodied, lush and richly textured. Cassis, blackberry, vanilla and tobacco leaf notes give this a convincingly Bordeaux-styled profile, although much riper and plusher. Drink now–2023.
Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this wine opens with aromas of dried herb and blue and black fruit, along with a toasty top note. The flavors show restraint, with firm tannins backing them up. The concentration isn't all there in the middle but there's still much to enjoy.
Primarily Merlot, with 18% Cabernet Sauvignon (from the Bacchus vineyard) filling out the blend. Lovely aromatics open into a high acid red with raspberries and plums. It profits from extended breathing time, though ultimately fades away into a somewhat chalky finish.
Primarily sourced from vineyards on Howell Mountain and within Napa Valley's Glass Mountain area, this wine aims to take its cues from Bordeaux, according to the producer. It's soft and revelatory in cinnamon and black-pepper spiciness, with black currant on the palate. It finishes in chewing tobacco and tar.
Primarily Syrah, this was barrel aged in 40% new French and American oak––surprising at this price. Complex and layered, with dark berries, licorice, coffee liqueur and roasted meat. Though lighter than many Washington Syrahs, at less than half the price it captures the essence of the grape, with a citrusy finish.
Primary aromas include peach blossom, lanolin and Gala apple dusted with confectioners' sugar. Crunchy acidity gives this medium-bodied wine plenty of cut and a tart finish.
Primary aromas of black cherry and cassis come with minerally notes, herbal hints and a drop of iodine. This feels good but narrow, while saucy, lightly herbal berry flavors end with tolerable saltiness. Drink through 2019.
Primary aromas of grapeseed and blueberry are mixed with touches of old clove and dried tobacco on the nose of this blend. Dusty and dried fruit flavors show most intensely on the sip, with extremely strong gingerbread spice.
Primary flavors of luscious cherry, berry and plum reverberate throughout this fleshy red blend. Sunny acidity and a silken rounded mouthfeel lend to a juicy and easy-drinking demeanor. Fine but persistent tannins lend structure to a vanilla-spiced finish. Drink now through 2019.
Primary fruit flavors of cranberry are at the core here, with medium concentration and acidity. Flavors of leaf and stem come into play and turn the finish slightly bitter. Give this until 2015.
Primary green and yellow pear notes play on the nose of this easy, refreshing summer wine. The palate is lemony and enlivened with spritz. Lemon and pear dominate the fresh, simple and friendly palate.
Primary notes of green pear dominate the nose. The palate is tight with grapefruit zestiness, while some ripe yellow pear in the background provides measure and balance.
Primary red-cherry notes charm the nose, while gentle vanilla and hints of oak, flowers and clove build a framework. There is some grip in this medium-bodied wine, thanks to the finely-woven tannins.
Primary yet deeply complex, this powerful Auslese juxtaposes intense mineral complexities against a bounty of luscious white grapefruit, yellow plum and lemon flavors. Though it feels so lithe in texture, it builds in fruit and smoky mineral tones, catapulted by a brisk line of acidity. It drinks beautifully now, but should deepen through 2025 and hold even longer.
Primary, concentrated raspberry and cherry flavors pierce through the core of this rich, fruity Pinot. Subtle oak aging lends delicate vanilla, spice and nut tones, but it's an elegant, finely structured wine with crisp acidity and fine, persistent tannins. Drinks well now but should improve through 2021.
Primary, fruity peardrop notes dominate this wine's aroma, with zesty lemon accents. The palate, which still has some noticeable spritz, has lovely herbal tones. Light, dry and very refreshing.
Primary, light fruit flavors of strawberry touched with herb. Not much else going on in this young, still raw and grapey wine.
Prime grapes from this outstanding vineyard offer full-bodied plum and cherry fruit, highlights of iron filings and lighter hints of funk. This is a powerful effort, with the depth to age through 2024.
Primitivo is a close relation to Zinfandel, and it slides easily into the Angel Vine lineup which includes four other Zins. This carries a touch more earthiness than the others, with darker fruits and a distinctive streak of espresso. Good grip and density mark this as the most muscular wine among the 2011's.
Primo Rosso is an easy, informal Carignano-based wine, with sharp aromas of berry, bitter almond and cherry cola. The zesty freshness would pair with baked scamorza cheese.
Primo Volo is a blend produced by three winemakers (Andrea Faccio, Giordano Emo Capodilista and Sergio Zingarelli) of three grape varieties (Barbera, Merlot and Sangiovese) from three estates spread across Italy. It opens with a plush, dark color and delivers aromas of black fruit and sweet, oak-driven spice. The texture is rich and penetrating.
Principally a Bordeaux-style blend, with some Oregon Zinfandel included, this is toasty and dark, a muscular wine offering strawberry preserves, cassis, cola and a swirl of smoke. Quite young and fruit-powered, it's got the concentration to develop further 2018–2020.
Principally a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend, it's quite dry, to the point of being austere, with earthy tannins behind chunky black cherry and cassis fruit. It offers plenty of flavor, fair value and decent length.
Principally blended from Abbey Ridge vineyard fruit, this offers red plum and cherry fruit, with a distinct streak of pineapple. Native yeast was employed, along with aging in one-quarter new oak, adding hints of Asian spices. The length and balance are impressive.
Principally blended from top sites that include Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun and Obelisco, this wine appeals with its fruit-forward aromas of black cherry, blackberry, barrel spice, herb and mineral. The flavors are rich but focused and well balanced, showing the brawny tannins that this region is known for. Just a baby now, it needs time in the cellar to grow up. Best after 2021.
Principally Cabernet Franc with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec (8% each) blended in, this wine is almost irresistible with its pretty, pale salmon color. It does not disappoint with its aromas and flavors of melon, white peach and grapefruit, with a light spritz giving it some lift.
Principally Cabernet Franc, it's tight and reductive, with a tarry note. In the mouth it is surprisingly soft, almost silky, offering plummy fruit flavors that seem to be quickly maturing. Drink soon.
Principally Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this dark and smoky wine from Black Hills Estate Winery brings exceptional complexity to a more budget-friendly blend. Generous streaks of soy, espresso, dark chocolate and smoke wrap around a cassis core. The roasted black fruits and continuing flavors of smoke, tar and tobacco create a wine with power and length.
Principally Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from old vines at the Dionysus vineyard, this includes 12% Cabernet Franc and a splash of Merlot. It's spicy and toasty, with ripe fruit flavors recalling strawberry preserves and cherry pie. Coffee and smoke hints thread throughout and into the finish. It's oaky in the best way and delicious from start to finish.
Principally Cabernet Sauvignon, this also holds with Merlot, Malbec and Syrah. The coolness of the vintage shows through with aromas of dried and fresh savory herbs along with coffee, licorice and dark fruit. The palate is equal parts elegant and flavorful, with supple fruit notes that glide.
Principally Cabernet Sauvignon, this blends in small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Broad fruit flavors range from strawberry into red plum, with some stemmy earth leading into stiff tannins. The astringent, earthy character is well-managed and balanced against the pretty fruit.
Principally Dundee Hills fruit, this is like a bowl of ripe pears with a dab of vanilla ice cream. It's smooth, creamy and fresh, with a broad and delicious streak of vanilla running right through the heart.
Principally Grenache (55%) and Mourvèdre (43%) topped off with a pinch of Viognier, this wine brings barrel-forward aromas of vanilla, toast and char along with red fruit. The cherry and plum flavors are lush, full and creamy but they struggle to get beyond the oak treatment.
Principally Klipsun vineyard fruit, this is a mass of black cherry and cassis, wreathed in smoke from aging in 80% new French barrels. Great balance and length carry it through into drying tannins. A perfect steakhouse Cabernet.
Principally Malbec, with 18% Tempranillo filling out the blend, this tangy and appealing wine wraps its red currant fruit in streaks of vanilla, tobacco and light herbs.
Principally Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon along with smidges of Malbec and Petit Verdot, this wine offers subdued aromas of dark coffee, herb, blackberry and graphite. The coffee and cherry flavors are lighter in style, tapering slightly toward the finish.
Principally Pinot Noir, the blend includes 25% Pinot Meunier and a splash of Chardonnay. It's a light and pretty salmon pink in hue, with hints of honeysuckle and moist earth in the nose. Flavors suggest tart raspberries and Bing cherries, with impressive minerality in the crisp, lingering finish.
Principally sourced from the Cold Creek Vineyard, this reserve-level Merlot does not quite come up to past vintages. It's balanced and firm, with red and black fruits that currently seem overtaken by the time (22 months) spent in 78% new French oak.
Principally sourced from the winery's oldest block of Cabernet Sauvignon, this offers a solid core of dense black cherry and cassis fruit. There's a streak of cola and sassafras, and the wine seems to lighten up as it sails into the finish. The blend includes 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.
Principally Syrah, this includes 15% Grenache and 3% Mourvèdre. Rich and complex, supple and subtle, the mix of red, blue and purple fruits is potent, but also brings a welcome wash of wet stone and a dash of pepper. The focus and intensity are exemplary.
Principally Tempranillo, this blended red shows light berry fruit and stiff, earthy tannins. Aged 17 months in 17% new French oak, it doesn't quite come into balance, and finishes with chalky acids.
Prinsi's Gaia Principe cru is located very near the Gallina vineyard and shows slightly softer and less intense aromas. Winemaking plays a big role here: This is an oak-driven wine that melds supple aromas of vanilla and sweet spice over a lively base of red fruit. There's also a mineral note of chalk or wet stone that lingers long on the finish.
Pristine and luminous in appearance, this typical northern Italian Sauvignon Blanc is clear and clean with enticing aromas of exotic fruit, peach and kiwi. Peach flavors flood the mouth and are cut clean by zesty acidity on the finish.
Pristine apple and lemon aromas are glazed with honey on this sprightly, fresh sweet Riesling. The palate gushes with juicy nectarine and peach flavors, but maintains brisk composure from start to finish.
Pristine apple and peach aromas lead to a zesty, clean palate of citric acidity and minerality. Nectarine, tangerine and lime flavors control the front palate, while a stony, crystalline finish is refreshing as can be.
Pristine apple, pear and peach are marked with hints of nuts and crushed stones in this sprightly yet deeply complex auslese. It's lacy and sheer on the palate, yet lime and lemon tones are bracing. Hold till 2020 to allow the subtleties to intensify.
Pristine Asian pear and lemon perfume on the nose of this full bodied Chardonnay take a slightly darker savory tone on the palate. The mouthfeel is rich and textured, but brambly slightly vegetal notes and a bite of astringency distract on the finish.
Pristine black cherries and berries extend from nose to finish in this deeply concentrated Pinot Noir. Invigorating acidity and firm grippy tannins accentuate its bold four-square palate. Finishes long, with a delicate murmur of spice and cedar. Drink now through 2025.
Pristine black cherry and plum flavors are layered in swathes of savory dried herbs, char and coffee on this bold, big-bodied red. Juicy red-fruit flavors are unabashedly forward on the palate, but reined in with a shower of revitalizing acidity. It finishes with soft tannins.
Pristine flavors of cassis and black cherry give an elegant floral quality to this dry, full-bodied Cabernet. Crisp with acidity, it's balanced and impeccably crafted. It finishes long on a delicious coffee-inflected note.
Pristine fruity touches of fresh apple, pear and lemon shine in this unoaked Chardonnay. Full bodied and round, it's an easy approachable wine with soft sunny acidity. The finish lingers on a bright lemon-candy note.
Pristine grapefruit and apple blossom notes lend perfume and elegance to this dry, intensely mineral Riesling. Bracing lemon-lime acidity shocks the palate to attention, intensifying a lean, lingering finish.
Pristine grapefruit and gooseberry notes are offset by persistent layers of smoke, dusty mineral and earth in this Sauvignon Blanc. Full bodied on the palate yet vibrantly citrusy, it finishes brisk yet clean. Drink now through 2019.
Pristine grapefruit and lemon are cloaked in savory notes of crushed mineral, pollen and fennel in this light-bodied Riesling. Off-dry and spry in style, it's lifted by a racy crush of lemon-lime acidity on the finish.
Pristine grapefruit, lemon and cantaloupe perfume this bold, fruit-forward Gewürztraminer. While off dry in style and densely concentrated in apricot and citrus flavors, it's balanced keenly in acidity and finishes with mineral refreshment.
Pristine grapefruit, lemon and tangerine flavors reverberate throughout this cutting, crisp wine. Its fresh, breezy style belies its alcoholic breadth and weight, making it an ideal interloper between Pinot Grigio and Gris styles.
Pristine honey and tangerine sweetness falls on the palate in a delicate filigree here. It's breathtakingly light in body, yet unctuous and concentrated. Sunny citrus acidity leads a long, slightly spicy finish.
Pristine honeydew, apricot and yellow peach notes entice on the nose. Pleasantly off-dry in style, the palate is lush and tropical, bursting with melon and mango flavors. A tight frame of acidity lends vibrance and edge. Drink now through 2020.
Pristine is the word that comes to mind. Also pure, transparent, lucid. It's bone dry and crisp and elusively complex in citrus, pear, mineral and floral aromas and flavors, subtlely enhanced with oak. Only 45 cases were produced, but it's worth the search.
Pristine layers of guava, blossom and green plum are etched by crushed stone and acid in this pure, crystalline Auslese. It's ethereally light with a delicate sweetness that meanders long on the finish. Drink now to enjoy its youthful exuberance but hold a few back to savor over the next decade.
Pristine lime zest and lemon notes add lift to rounded apple and nectarine flavors on the palate of this full-bodied richly textured Riesling. There's a weightiness on the midpalate but the finish is refreshing and crisp.
Pristine on the nose and palate, this dry, full-bodied Chardonnay is a prime example of how thoroughly modern Romanian winemaking can be. Juicy and floral with pretty hints of apple blossoms, it's creamy and rich in texture, yet impeccably refreshing on the finish.
Pristine orange blossom and tangerine hints turn riper and richer on the palate in this delicately honeyed Riesling. It's lively and deft in mouthfeel, with sweet yellow cherry and peach flavors that dart on the midpalate. A sun-filled yet gorgeously balanced wine, it's calibrated by scintillating acidity and a mineral sheen on the finish.
Pristine peach and grapefruit flavors contrast with slightly stinky but captivating soil and saffron complexities in this sprightly auslese. Its honey-kissed sweetness pierces through a long, lemony finish. It's delicious already but should continue to improve through 2030, likely beyond.
Pristine peach, tangerine and blossom notes form the core of this fragrant fruity Riesling. Balanced in sweetness and reverberating with acidity, it's an exceptional value for such a juicy satisfying sip. Capture its youthful exuberance now through 2020.
Pristine red-plum and berry flavors abound in this fresh easygoing red. Semisweet on the palate and soft in acidity, it's a straightforward, juicy wine for everyday enjoyment.
Pristine red apple and raspberry flavors lend fresh, fruity exuberance to this classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Its fine, mouthfilling mousse and delicate pétillance are quite elegant, edged by touches of bramble and smoked nut that linger on the palate.
Pristine tangerine, cantaloupe and lime flavors are refreshing and tart in this delicately concentrated, dry wine. Briskly composed, it's approachable and fresh, with just a hint of earthiness on the finish.
Pristine white grapefruit and peach flavors reverberate from nose to finish on this juicy off-dry Riesling. It's unabashedly fruity yet elegantly quaffable, marked by tart lime acidity and a lingering suggestion of minerals.
Pristine white grapefruit and pear are accented by hints of fennel and saffron in this light-bodied, dry Pinot Gris. Sunny lemony acidity lends a soft, yielding feel to the palate.
Pristine white grapefruits, tangerines and limes abound in this revitalizing, light-bodied Riesling. Just a touch sweet and refreshingly mineral on the palate, it offers loads of thirst-quenching enjoyment with a lingering, salty finish.
Pristine white peach mingles with saffron, candle wax and dusty minerals in this enticingly spry wine, but the shriekingly high acidity cuts the palate with a razor's edge. Welcome touches of honey add some balance towards the finish.
Pristine white peach, lychee and honeysuckle notes are framed by a laser-edged strike of acidity in this vivacious ice wine. While its blossomy, perfumed exuberance is pure Gewürztraminer, its crystalline demeanor and wildflower-honey sweetness exhibits a classic ice-wine elegance.
Pristine, primary tangerine and grapefruit flavors shine brilliantly throughout this crisp, light-footed Spätlese. It's dangerously quaffable, yet nuanced by shades of candlewax, mineral and saffron that extend the finish dramatically.
Pristinely ripe black cherry and blackberry flavors abound in this sweet, slightly syrupy red wine. It's plush and easy on the palate, held upright by sweet-tart cranberry acidity and the softest of tannins. It's an approachable, easy wine to enjoy now.
Pristinely ripe, juicy black plum and cherry flavors mark this fresh, fruity wine. Rich and full bodied, it's straightforward in its fruitiness, but touches of pine and bramble lend elegance and nuance to the finish.
Prius is a bright rosé from Sardinia that offers fun aromas of myrtle berry, chopped herb, bramble and savory spice. It's a crisp, silky wine that would pair with Thai or Indian dishes.
Privilegio (made with a blend of white grapes from Campania, in southern Italy, that are dried on racks after the harvest) delivers musky and sophisticated aromas of bright fruit, natural rubber, apricot, almond paste and baked apple pie. It tastes sweet and syrupy but remains lively and bright to the end.
Pro Nobis is a good example of the Ruché grape (a mysterious variety from Piedmont with some similarities to Brachetto). The wine offers aromas of wild berries and blue violets, backed by medium consistency and bright acidity. Pair it with cheesy pasta dishes.
Probably because of its youth, this wine comes out of the chute a little tight and rubbery; try giving it a quick decanting, or swirl it aggressively in the glass to bring out the underlying cola and blackberry aromas and flavors. Turns slightly dusty on the finish, suggesting at least a few years' worth of drinkability.
Probably the best expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Cefalù area of Sicily (north of Palermo). This beautiful estate, crowned by an ancient stone abbey, has seen a few difficult years, but thankfully, the vines remain productive. Gorgeous, rich and round, Litra delivers black cherry and chocolate flavors and velvety tannins.
Probably the best vintage of this wine yet, this is a medium-bodied Chardonnay, showing restrained oak and understated white peach. Elegant and subtle, it finishes on a gentle citrus note. Drink it over the next year or two.
Probably the best wine from this producer that we've rated. It's meaty and rich, with mocha, crusty oak, aged cheese and kirsch aromas. The palate is juicy and balanced, with licorice, blackberry, blueberry and other dark, ripe flavors. Finishes lengthy and toasty, with some refinement. 1,500 cases made.
Probably the best wine we've tasted from Santos Beck. This has a jammy, meaty nose accented by hard spices, while the palate is creamy and a touch brambly. Coffee, pepper and tannins work the finish. Drink now.
Probably the most expensive unoaked Chard out there, this is a stunning wine, showing the laserlike purity and bright acids that this northwestern part of the Highlands coaxes from the grapes. The brilliantly illuminated flavors range from limes and kiwis to green apples, peaches and guavas. The finish is dry, but with a honeyed unctuousness that could be a touch of botrytis.
Probably the wine that put Australian Chardonnay on American consumers' maps, the current vintage boasts aromas of creamery butter, tangerine and lime, with a touch of movie-theater popcorn. Soft peach and vanilla flavors finish with spicy oak.
Produced as a wine that is ready to drink young, this comes from the 100-year old Mouchão winery. It is fresh with red fruits along with a dry structure, although it is the fruits that win out. Fresh and bright, it will be ready to drink from 2017.
Produced at a Domaine that is run by the Arnoux family, the wine has both a rich side and a firm side. The rich side is expressed in the bold red fruits, while the firm side comes through in the tannins and structure that will allow the wine to age. Drink this dense wine from 2020.
Produced at Château Haut-Bailly, this concentrated red show the attractive fruit of 2011. It's tannins are relatively gentle, a fine counter-point to the red berry and currant fruits. It's a wine for medium-term aging over the next 4–6 years.
Produced at Château Ravatys for négociant Florent Descombe, this wine is rich and creamy. Wood aging has given it light toastiness and fine, ripe white fruit flavor. Already sophisticated wine, it will age further and be better from 2018.
Produced at Domaine la Gemière in Sancerre, this ripe full-fruited wine is perfect to drink young. Packed with citrus fruits with a strong mineral edge, the wine is rich and floral. Drink now.
Produced at Domaine la Gemière, the wine is soft, rounded and easy to drink young. It has a lively edge to the ripe citrus and apple fruitiness. It is open and ready to drink.
Produced at Quinta do Carmo, this easy and ripe wine is totally ready to drink. With bright red-berry acidity and soft tannins, the blend of Aragonez and Trincadeira is all fruit, finished with acidity.
Produced at the Candeeira estate in central Alentejo, this structured blend of local grapes includes Alicante Bouschet, giving the wine deep color. It has black fruits, balanced tannins and plenty of acidity to convey a crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
Produced at the classed-growth Sauternes estate, this 100% Sauvignon Blanc comes from a 17-acre parcel. It has plenty of herbal flavors while also having a riper, yellow-fruit tinge. Lightly oaked, the wine is ripe from this warm vintage and ready to drink.
Produced at the iconic Mouchão estate, this wine comes from old vines of Aragonez, Trincadeira and Alicante Bouschet. It has all the richness that comes from fermentation in open stone lagars, giving density and juicy black fruits. Wood aged, the wine is spicy, jammy and fruity; ready to drink now.
Produced at the largest family-owned vineyard in France, this is a simple, fruity, immediately attractive wine. There are both citrus and more tropical fruit flavors in the wine, alongside a herbal, grassy touch from the Sauvignon Blanc and Colombard in the blend. The wine is ready to drink.
Produced at the medieval Quinta da Romeira, this ripe, tropical-fruit flavored wine has richness and a smooth texture. Full-bodied and fruity, it shows minerality from the chalk soil as well as a bright, tight fruitiness and balancing acidity.
Produced at the Quinta do Gradil estate, this is a crisp, stalky and fruity wine. Black currants and hedgerow berry fruits are pushed forward by acidity. A hint of light wood aging helps smooth out the otherwise mineral aftertaste. Drink now.
Produced at White Rose winery, this estate bottling is compact and spicy, framing its raspberry and red plum fruit with aromatic herbs. Tannins are stiff and granular, stretching out in a finish streaked with cacao, espresso and mineral.
Produced by a négociant based in Nuits-Saint-Georges, this is a ripe, Burgundian take on Beaujolais. This creates a full, plum and black cherry flavored wine where the tannins have been cushioned by the generous fruit. It does have the typical acidity and freshness of the year to give a lift. Drink now.
Produced by a talented winemaker in the Kutjevo region, it has brilliant ruby color plus enticing aromas of purple violets, lavender and freshly picked red cherries. There's great mouthfeel, artfully woven flavors of red berries and black plums, and chalky tannins.
Produced by Cahors negociant and vineyard owner Georges Vigouroux, this wine from vines on the slopes of the Garonne valley has just enough tannic structure to give it richness and potential aging. The tannins are balanced by the generous black fruits. Drink from 2019.
Produced by Château Larose Trintaudon for historic Bordeaux merchant Schröder & Schÿler, this is a rounded, black-fruit flavored wine. Now soft and ready to drink, it still has attractive juicy flavors as well as ripe blackberry. Soft tannins form the background and sustain the structure. Drink now.
Produced by consultant Pascal Chatonnet, this is basic Saint-Emilion with attitude. Spicy new wood, rich, bitter chocolate flavors and superripe berry fruits are kept in order by the acidity and the dense core of dry tannins.
Produced by Dominique Piron in association with the Lameloise family, this wine from strong granite soil reveals a firm texture and dense tannins. The fruit suggests very ripe, concentrated black plums and damsons. It is wine to age, drink from 2019.
Produced by Georges Duboeuf under a separate brand name, this is an attractive, fruity wine. It has a ripe, tropical and citrus character that brings out fragrant aromas and flavors. While it's not for much aging, it is a wine with a steely edge that could mature over the next few months.
Produced by John Grochau (Grochau Cellars), this is stubbornly shut down, with hints of rubber tire in the aromas. Once you work past the reductive scents and flavors, it's a short wine with generic fruit and a quick finish.
Produced by one of Valpolicella's best producers of Amarone, this offers a crisp citrus aroma followed by notes of peach, white almond and pear. It is crisp, compact and medium in length.
Produced by probaby the most popular brand found in the many trattorie of Rome, this creamy Chardonnay delivers aromas of peach, apricot and vanilla cream.
Produced by the Baron family, this nonvintage blend is soft and as balanced as the other wines in the range. It has a ripe feel to it, creamed apple and green plums giving the fruity element. Drink this attractive wine now.
Produced by the Barton family of Château Léoville-Barton, this is a soft and smooth. It has blackberry fruits and gentle tannins, both now at their best. The aftertaste has a lift from acidity. Drink now.
Produced by the Bunan family whose main estates are in Bandol, this light, simple and fruity blend includes Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault. It is soft and approachable, fruity with strawberry flavors and totally ready to drink.
Produced by the Cazes family of Château Lynch-Bages and Michel Lynch, this wine delivers quite a success from a difficult vintage. It is fresh and with plenty of acidity, balanced by the rounded red fruits and soft tannins. The wine is ready to drink.
Produced by the Château de Bligny close to Beaune, this soft, perfumed wine has stalky red fruits, laced with a dry core of tannin and fragrant acidity. It could age for another year.
Produced by the cooperative of Santo Isidro de Pegões south of Lisbon, this wine comes from the grape variety that's planted across the region. It's an open, soft wine, great for pasta dishes with plenty of ripe fruits and gentle tannins. Drink now.
Produced by the cooperative of the Hautes Côtes, this wine is bright and fruity. It has light tannins and warm, red cherry character. With its acidity and structure it could age, although not for long. Drink from 2018.
Produced by the Domaine de Chevalier team, this is a bright and crisp wine with red currant and tight red-berry flavors. These are lifted and given a refreshing character by the acidity. The wine is clean, bright and fruity. Drink now.
Produced by the family that owns Château la Gaffelière in Saint-Émilion, this is a fruity, smoky and lightly stalky wine. It is red and blackberry fruits that are structured with easy tannins that just give shape to the wine. Drink now.
Produced by the fourth generation of the Dragon family, this delicately pale wine is full and bold in the mouth. Tasting of the sunny 2015 vintage, the soft texture is warm. Acidity is less apparent, lost in rounded strawberry flavors.
Produced by the largest Bordeaux cooperative, this is a freshly fruity wine, with simple red fruit flavors and soft tannins. There is a smoky edge and pink raspberry acidity.
Produced by the major négociant Castel, this juicy, fruity wine is proving to be drinkable already. Soft, with a black currant flavor, it has fine acids and spicy, toasty touches on the finish.
Produced by the Meursault-based Comtes Lafon, this smooth and creamy wine is beautifully poised between acidity and exotic yellow and tropical fruits. It is crisp, more about fruitiness and lively acidity subtly cut with minerality. The wine is ready to drink in its fresh and fruity state.
Produced by the owners of Châteauneuf-du-Pape estate Château Mont-Redon, this is a full and fruity wine. It has a good balance between acidity and red berry fruits that give a rich character. Packed with flavor, it's ready to drink.
Produced by the same ownership as Château Giscours, this well-made wine has ripe, soft fruit packed with black-currant flavors. The tannins are gentle and the wine will develop quickly. Drink from 2018.
Produced by the same team as Château Cambon la Pelouse, this wine is already drinkable. With attractive black currant fruits and acidity, it is gently tannic with a dry core. The aftertaste is juicy and full of fruit.
Produced by the team from classed growth Château Giscours, this is a successfully ripe wine with smoothly integrated tannins. Cushioned by the ripe fruit, the structure is concentrated and impressive. Drink this wine from 2022.
Produced by the Terravant facility in Buellton, this shows lots of smoked pork and bacon fat against a boysenberry-fruit frame on the nose. Flavors are quite sanguine, with iron and blood elements, as well as more smoke and some dried herbs.
Produced by the transfer method, with gas levels adjusted and a dosage the results in approximately 14g/L of sugar, this is a slightly mint and eucalypt-scented sparkler dominated by black cherries and coffee. Ends on a slightly dusty note. Multipe U.S. Importers.
Produced by the winemaking team from Château la Gaffelière in Saint-Emilion, this is a fine, smooth and ripe wine. It has black fruits and a structure that is well integrated into the rich wood and acidity. Drink this fine wine from 2018.
Produced by the winemaking team of Casa Santos Lima in Lisboa, this wine has rich black fruits and a soft texture. Its depth, concentration and richness are finely integrated—full and fruity with a core of firmer tannins. Drink now.
Produced by the winemaking team of Château de Belcier in Castillon, this is a firmly structured, dry to the core wine. There are hints of ripe and juicy berry fruits to go with the dark tannins and dense texture. It needs several years to age.
Produced by the winemaking team of Château Giscours in Margaux, this is finely ripe blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. With rich tropical fruits and lime flavors, it is balanced and already delicious. Drink now.
Produced by the winemaking team of Château Giscours in Margaux, this is impressive for a simple Bordeaux. It has weight, rich blackberry fruits, structure and concentration. It could even age.
Produced by the winemaking team of Léoville las Cases, this wine comes from a separate part of the estate. The wine, with its dominance of Cabernet Sauvignon, is dense with tannins as well as dark fruit. It is firm, powerful and a very fine wine for long-term aging. Drink from 2024.
Produced by Three Rivers for celebrity winemaker Geoff Tate, the Insania is actually rather tame. Pretty fruit flavors of berry, cherry and plum introduce the wine gracefully, then run into some stiff, drying, chalky tannins.
Produced by Three Rivers for celebrity winemaker Geoff Tate, this new Insania is a full-on Bordeaux blend, with all five red grapes in the mix. It's a powerful wine, with heavy metal flavors of deep black fruits and thick tannins. Pair it with a juicy steak or Kobe beef burger and rock on.
Produced by two members of one of Burgundy's grand families, this wine is fruity and soft. With a lightly toasty flavors, it's smooth and creamy, lit by lime-like acidity. Although young, it's likely to develop quickly. Drink from mid 2017.
Produced by vintner Fernando Campagnola, this shows a touch of apple skin as well as aromas of raspberry, currant and sweet tobacco. The finish is sweet and succulent, with a hint of candied almond on the close.
Produced by Winemaker Luis Duarte, this wine is darkly colored and boldly composed, with long wood-aging leaving traces of spice and toast. The fruit is rich and complex, with firm tannins. It is still young and will need time; drink after 2019.
Produced close to Fronsac, this Merlot-based wine has rich fruits and a warm, rounded character. A touch of bitterness and dark chocolate from extraction mar this otherwise ripe and fruity wine. Drink from 2016.
Produced close to the sea at Bandol, this wine has a good proportion (20%) of Mourvèdre in the blend. That adds to the richness and brings out a fine aromatic floral character. Wild strawberries flavors give a rich ready-to-drink aftertaste.
Produced cryogenically, this sweet dessert wine is made with estate-grown fruit. A floral nose is rich with scents of orange blossoms, while in the mouth it coats the palate with flavors of lemon drops, candied papaya and dried mango fruits. The concentration and balance are superb, with more than enough acidity to counterbalance the sugar. Drink now through 2030.
Produced entirely from Petite Sirah, this wine is dark in color, with notes of cherry, melon and strawberry. It's a bit ponderous but still offers enjoyment.
Produced entirely from vines planted in 1978, this drinks drier than its 13 g/L of residual sugar would indicate. It's juicy and loaded with apple, pear and tangerine fruit. A tangy taste of orange baby aspirin lingers on the finish.
Produced entirely with organically farmed Sangiovese, this earthy, structured red opens with classic aromas of ripe berry, fragrant blue flowers, leather and a whiff of forest floor. The savory palate delivers black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice, ground pepper and tobacco alongside big, velvety tannins.
Produced exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs, this is a beautiful, dry wine. It has a chalky texture and ample acidity that frames the tight fruit. The pure line of citrus and crisp green apples goes right to the heart of this balanced, bright wine that will age well. Drink now for the forward fruit, or wait for another two to three years.
Produced for Force Majeure by Syncline's James Mantone, this riveting wine is a blend of 47% Mourvèdre, 42% Syrah and 11% Grenache. Lush and redolent with wild berry and wet rock aromatics, it carries a thread of sweet grain along with bright, detailed berry fruit and balancing acidity. Delicious already, it can be enjoyed now through 2020.
Produced for the owner of Château Cos d'Estournel in Bordeaux, this wine was wood-aged before undergoing its second fermentation. That gives it a rich, creamy character, attractively oxidative while also having fresh apple and citrus flavors. It's an intense, complex wine that has been bottled ready to drink, marking a very fine launch.
Produced for the Xavier Flouret brand at Château des Demoiselles in the Vallée d'Esclans in the heart of the Côtes de Provence, this is a fresh wine that wears its fruit on its sleeve. With citrus mingling with red fruits, it is bright with acidity, finishing with a tangy aftertaste. Drink now.
Produced from 10- to 20-year-old vines, this wine is bold and fruity. It has delicious apricot and white peach fruitiness that is cut by intense zesty acidity. Its fruit and crisp texture are still young and the wine will be better from 2018.
Produced from 100-year-old vines, this wine has been aged for nearly three years and has lost its intense fruitiness. Wood and spice flavors are present along with a perfumed intensity and toastiness. Drink this wine now.
Produced from 100% Niellucciu (Sangiovese), this wine is packed with intense acidity plus citrus and red-berry fruits. It is tangy and refreshing with its tight, bright aftertaste. Drink now.
Produced from 100% Touriga Nacional, this is a crisp, dry wine, full of red-currant fruits and with a tang of citrus. This attractive wine is ready to drink.
Produced from 20- to 30-year-old vines on terraces above the Lot Valley, the wine is structured and still firm. It has ripe tannins that are contrasted with stylish red fruits shot through with acidity.
Produced from 25-year-old vines, the wine was aged in oak for 24 months. It is a concentrated wine that is ripely spicy, full of black fruits and tannins that are still very present. It is a dense wine that will develop well, impressively rich and still balanced. Drink this wine from 2019.
Produced from 25-year-old vines, this is a delicious, crisp and clean wine. It has attractive apricot and melon flavors that are cut with lime acidity. Drink this fruity wine now.
Produced from 25-year-old vines, this is a fresh as well as ripe wine, well balanced between herbal flavors and white and citrus fruitiness. It has a rounded texture that is juicy as well as full in the mouth. The wine is ready to drink.
Produced from 30-year-old vines, this 55% Cabernet Sauvignon wine is firm with tannins as well as black-currant fruit. It is balanced with the potential to become a fruity wine with a soft texture. The acidity will keep it crisp and on point. Drink from 2018.
Produced from 30-year-old vines, this is a generous and open wine that is made to be drunk young. It has broad berry fruits, great tannins and acidity. The wine has no wood aging, keeping the bright fruitiness intact. Drink from 2018.
Produced from 40-year-old vines on a 15-acre vineyard, the wine is almost entirely Merlot. It has dense, dark tannins and signs of wood aging that will integrate with time. It is a very fine, rich wine with black-plum fruit flavors. The aftertaste brings out the acidity and black currant fruits.
Produced from 40-year-old vines with Merlot dominant in the blend, this is a dark wine showing tight black-currant fruits and crisp acidity. With its texture and dry tannins still prominent in its youth, the wine needs to age so drink from 2018.
Produced from 40-year-old vines, this wine is ripe, full of red fruits with good concentration. It is packed with crisp acidity and lively fruitiness, making it refreshing and drinkable. The lees aging before bottling has added extra depth to the flavors. Drink now.
Produced from 40-year old vines, this smooth, rich wine oozes black plums, sweet spices and an undertow of dry tannins. With its fresh acidity, it is immediately appetizing, leaving juicy currants lingering in the mouth. Screwcap.
Produced from 45-year-old vines, this is a fruity ripe wine. It has concentration and some firm tannins as well a generous black-fruit character. The wine's acidity and structure will allow it to age another year, so drink from late 2017.
Produced from 52 acres of vines close to Cadillac, the wine is ripe, just hinting at a herbal character. Fresh lemon and apple fruit is crisp and light. It is a fruity wine that is ready to drink.
Produced from 60-acres of vines on the plateau east of Saint-Émilion village, this is a fresh and fruity wine. It has layers of tannin surmounted with red cherry and black-currant fruits. The wine, with its dominance of Merlot, is developing well and will be ready to drink from 2018.
Produced from 60-year-old vines, this wine has a great balance between crisp acidity and ripe yellow and white stone fruit flavors. It is rich with a touch of toast and spice from wood fermentation and aging. The wine is still young and will be better from 2018.
Produced from 60-year-old vines, with some new wood aging, this complex, ripe wine has an intense structure, with layers of vanilla and spice. The crisp nature of Sauvignon Blanc adds brightness to the ripe roundness. Drink now.
Produced from 65-year-old vines, this is a rich and perfumed wine from the estate of Nicolas Potel. It is structured, balancing the red fruits and acidity with a solid framework of tannins. Spice from the wood aging shows lightly, while the wine finishes with crisp red-currant acidity.
Produced from 90% Merlot and 10% Malbec, this wine is made by two young brothers. It is ripe and structured, still young of course, but with delicious ripely fruity potential. Black-currant and berry flavors are lifted by acidity and held firmly by the structure. Drink from 2019.
Produced from a 17-acre vineyard, dominated by Merlot, this is the top wine of Château Renard. It is structured and firm with tannins and dense concentration that will probably remain with this rich wine as it matures. Drink from 2018.
Produced from a 2.5-acre parcel of vines planted in 1949, this is a sophisticated wine. It has a fine balance of fruit, maturity and concentration. Its fruit richness lends weight and a fast-maturing quality. Drink from 2018.
Produced from a 3.7-acre vineyard, this immediately attractive wine has pure fruitiness, crisp acidity and just a touch of minerality from the chalk soil. The lime and grapefruit acidity cuts through easily at the end.
Produced from a 40-year-old densely planted vineyard this wine is the epitome of crisp, light and fruity Beaujolais. Cherries and a touch of spice are cut with acidity. The structure is light, just right for such a lively wine from Xavier and Nicolas Barbet.
Produced from a 7-acre parcel within the premier cru, this wine is tight and nervy at this young stage. It has acidity, a tangy mineral texture and crisp white and citrus fruit but needs time to fill out and show its full potential. Drink from 2021.
Produced from a field blend of 41 different varieties of 60-year-old vines, this estate wine from Cristiano van Zeller is powerful and dense while having such style. Smoothly polished, rich and concentrated. The wine is perfumed, full of black plum skins and with light acidity at the end. Drink from 2020.
Produced from a field blend of Douro varieties, and foot trodden in open granite fermenters, this is a wine that has an excellent future. It also has such delicious juicy black fruits that it could be drunk soon. Ideally, though, keep this ripe sweet wine until 2026.
Produced from a field blend of old vines (Vinhas Velhas), this rich wine is powerfully structured. It has dark tannins and great concentration, balancing rich plum flavors and acidity with firm structure. This is a wine for serious aging, don't drink before 2020.
Produced from a field blend of old vines in a gravity-fed winery at Quinta da Faísca, this is a concentrated and structured wine from grapes grown in the Vale de Mendiz in the heart of the Douro. Still young and still masking the black fruits with the tannins, it is slow to develop. It is rich, though, full in the mouth and likely to be a fine wine as it slowly matures. Drink from 2019.
Produced from a field blend of old vines, this is a powerful and dense wine. The fermentation, with traditional foot treading in stone fermenters, gives the wine its extra richness and density. The wood aging shows in the smoothness of the tannins that are enhanced by the rich black fruits. Drink from 2018.
Produced from a mix of clones and vineyard sources, this is a chewy, substantial wine, with dark fruit flavors of plum and black cherry. Light suggestions of coffee, gravel and iron also factor in. It's a rugged, earthy, tannic wine that will be best decanted.
Produced from a number of parcels around the village of Katzenthal, this is a fresh and fruity wine, easy to drink. It's bright with acidity, flavored with ripe quince and apple fruits. It's ready to drink.
Produced from a parcel of 60-year-old bush vines on the Cadaval estate, this wine is structured, intense and concentrated. Layers of black fruits, tannins and acidity come together into a rich wine, balanced and ready to drink.
Produced from a parcel of less than a third of an acre, this wine comes from 30-year-old vines. It is properly dark and dense, with great tannins and rich black fruits. The 18 months in wood show in the spice and the complex texture. This serious wine will age for many years. Drink from 2024.
Produced from a parcel of old vines, this wood-aged wine has spice as well as white fruits and a touch of honey. It's a generous wine with its toast, almonds and rounded texture. The lightest touch of minerality gives structure and the potential to age. Drink now and until 2020.
Produced from a selection of 80-year-old vines, this is a dense, smooth wine. It has a dry core although this is surrounded by such rich fruit and spice. The wine is now almost mature, ripe and full with a great shot of final acidity.
Produced from a selection of grapes, this is a bold, fruity wine that has rich tannins and a generous structure. It is all about the black-fruit flavors with balanced acidity and just hints of toast. It is now a delicious, mature wine from a fine year. Drink now.
Produced from a selection of old vines, the wine is structured and dense. It has powerful tannins that are integrated with the dark black fruits and mineral acidity. This is a serious, concentrated wine, solid with its firm structure and with a good future. Drink from 2018.
Produced from a selection of old vines, this is a structured firm wine. Its black-cherry fruits and acidity are well integrated into the dense structure to give a spicy wine that is richly packed with fruits. Drink now and until 2020.
Produced from a selection of small parcels, this perfumed wood-aged wine is big and concentrated while also keeping style and balance. It is dark, firm in the center with tannins that are surrounded by juicy acidity and black currant fruits. Keep for a few more months and drink from 2016.
Produced from a single clone—Dijon 777—this late release has a hint of leather around candied cherry fruit, mixed with sweetened cranberry. It's concentrated and rounded off, with brown spice highlights. Drink now to 2020.
Produced from a single clone—Dijon 777—this offers pretty, fragrant raspberry scents and flavors. It's just rounded out enough for ready drinking. A fairly light wine, it fades gently with a saline minerality.
Produced from a single parcel at 1800 feet, the wine is a blend of nearly every Dão red grape. It is firm, with dark chocolate and plum skin flavors. Acidity and a concentrated structure are now working together, meaning the wine is ready to drink.
Produced from a single parcel in the family vineyard, this wine shows concentration and density. It has a tense structure that is softened by wood aging, resulting in a fine balance between the natural fresh acidity of the fruit and a smooth character. Abundant in ripe yellow and citrus fruits, this is ready to drink now.
Produced from a single parcel, whose origins go back to 1492, this fresh, herbal and crisp wine is fruity and complex at the same time. Intense acidity is allied with pineapple and apricot flavors. The elegant mineral texture cuts through the fruitiness, giving a fine structure. The wine is now ready to drink.
Produced from a single vineyard, this fresh, fruity wine combines intense citrus and crisp apple fruits. They are shot through with a zingy, textured character that adds interest and brings out the bright acidity. Drink now.
Produced from a small acre of land in Margaux, this is made in the same extravagant style as the cult wines of Saint-Emilion. With 100% new wood, it is definitely modern in style, but there is sufficient concentration in the fruit to balance all that vanilla. It misses the 2006 freshness,but everything else is there.
Produced from a small parcel of old vines, this is a crisp and fresh wine. With red-cherry fruit and acidity, it is a bright wine, up-front with its fruitiness and lively aftertaste.
Produced from a small vineyard in Pouilly Fuissé, this rich wine is full of ripe, generous fruit. Spice and yellow-fruit flavors blend seamlessly with the soft texture and perfumed acidity. It is developing into a very fine wine, ready to drink from 2017.
Produced from Alvarinho grown in the southern Minho region, near the Douro Valley, this is a particularly crisp and fruity wine. Great streaks of acidity give it a fresh character. It needs to age a few months to round it out; drink from 2015.
Produced from an estate on the border with Spain, this rich blend of Viognier and Alvarinho with Arinto and Antão Vaz is generous and full bodied. Yellow fruits, a rich texture and a touch of spice give the wine its warm character. Drink from 2018.
Produced from Aragonez this is a soft wine, full of red-currant flavors as well as a touch of vanilla and caramel. It is an easy, refreshingly spicy wine, ready to drink now.
Produced from Aveleda's Quinta da Aguieira, this is a blend of typical Portuguese white grapes with a dash of Chardonnay. From old vines, it has concentration and a rich texture that is cut by fragrant acidity. There is a ripe feel to this impressive wine, generous and full of fruit. Drink now.
Produced from biodynamically grown grapes (as are all the Olivier Leflaive family grand and premier crus), this is a gorgeous, opulent wine. It has richness and great intensity as well as fine acidity and crisp apple fruits. Toast and vanilla come from the wood aging. The wine is so generous and packed with fruit as well as a strong mineral texture. Drink from 2022.
Produced from biodynamically grown grapes in the stunning Les Baux de Provence region, this fresh wine is crisp with sliced apple fruit and a touch of citrus. Drink now. The former owners of Château Montrose in Bordeaux, Anne-Marie et Jean-Louis Charmolüe, purchased Romanin in 2006.
Produced from biodynamically grown grapes, the wine honors the fact that the Romans got here 2,000 years ago. It has intense fruit, yellow and whites stone-fruit flavors and just the right bright acidity to go with all this opulence. The aftertaste brings in spice and vanilla that add complexity. Drink the wine from 2018.
Produced from biodynamically grown grapes, the wine is structured with firm tannins and an austere character. The sixth generation of the Hubert family at the estate has made a wine that will need time for the acidity and the structure to soften. From 2019, it will have richness and a more full-bodied character.
Produced from biodynamically grown grapes, this is a fine, smooth and rich wine. Great tannins are cushioned within the ripe blackberry fruits and generous texture. It is already a delicious wine, although certain to age as well. The estate is close to Château Figeac. Drink from 2022.
Produced from biodynamically grown grapes, this is a ripe smooth wine. Its green fruits and acidity are well in balance with the generous texture. The wine's crispness comes through at the end with a tight lifted aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
Produced from bled-off Pinot Noir juice, this is a robust, high alcohol rosé. It was put through partial malolactic fermentation and offers candy strawberry flavors up front, without much depth.
Produced from Cabernet Franc on the family-owned estate, this caramel and redfruit flavored wine is attractive, tangy and bright. It has a crisp texture, shot with acidity and with red-berry flavors. Drink now.
Produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, this aromatic, crisp rosé has refreshing red-currant acidity and a light, lively character. Screwcap.
Produced from Chardonnay grown on the Montagne de Reims and in the Sézanne region further south, this is a fresh wine, more fruity than mineral although with a definite tilt towards citrus acidity and perfumed acidity. It's delicate, stylish and the bottling is ready to drink. Palmer is the brand name for a grouping of seven growers.
Produced from cru vines at the base of Mount Brouilly, the wine has structure as well as ripe black-plum fruits. It is generous and its fruit is well balanced by acidity and solid tannins. The wines is ready to drink.
Produced from estate-grown fruit, this also includes 10% Petit Verdot. A tart raspberry flavor fades into a light finish, with streaks of tobacco and vanilla that are bolstered with generous natural acidity.
Produced from flint soil (silex), this wine is intense, delicious and has a great future. Lemongrass and grapefruit flavors give a lift to the tight, strongly mineral texture. Spice and just a hint of wood bring out riper fruits as well as a refreshing, tangy texture. Drink from 2017.
Produced from four parcels of 100-year-old vines, this field blend wine is stylish and fruity while also being densely structured. It is complex with red fruits and dry wood flavors layered with perfumed tannins and richness that comes from fermentation in stone lagars. It really needs to age, wait to drink until 2020.
Produced from four vineyards throughout the valley, this Cabernet shows the art of the blend. It's softly tannic and frankly delicious, with dazzlingly rich blackberry, cassis liqueur, anise and mineral flavors. Hard to describe how attractive this wine is now.
Produced from Gamay in a small enclave of vines south of Sancerre, this is a cherry-blossom-perfumed wine, bright and crisp with red-cherry flavors. It is ready now.
Produced from Grand and Premier Cru vines in the Côte des Blancs, this crisp, mineral-driven wine has intense acidity, citrus flavors and a tight, steely texture. Still young, it needs to age and will be best from 2018.
Produced from Grand and Premier cru vineyards, this ripe wine is from a good, not great, year in Champagne. It has good structure and a tense texture that shows that it is still maturing. With crisp acidity and layers of complex fruit and structure, it could still age further. Drink from 2017.
Produced from Grand Cru vineyards in Oger, this is a intensely fresh and crisp wine. It has the brightest lime juice acidity that is cool, perfumed and bright. This lively bottling could do with a few more months in bottle.
Produced from Grand Cru vineyards on the Côte des Blancs, this wine, now mature, is ripe and rich. While the initial fruit has diminished, it has not forgotten its tight, mineral texture and crisp acidity. The toast flavors, now dominant, are given a final lift by hints of honeyed almonds and steely acidity.
Produced from Grand Cru vineyards on the Montagne de Reims, this dry wine has been given some bottle age to soften the intense acidity. That makes for an attractive, balanced wine, the apple flavors working alongside almonds and yeastiness. The aftertaste is fresh and full of citrus flavors.
Produced from Grand Cru vineyards on the Montagne de Reims, this wine is rich, dry and tightly structured. A mineral texture gives a steely edge that is balanced by perfumed fruit with apple and creamed pear flavors.
Produced from Grand Cru vineyards, this pale-colored rosé is warm and ripe. An attractive blend of red fruits and crisp acidity is rounded out with a soft, full aftertaste. It could be drunk as an apéritif, although it would be better with food.
Produced from grapes from the island of Corsica, this soft, open Pinot Noir has some pleasing fresh berry fruits, hints of strawberries and soft tannins. Ready to drink now.
Produced from grapes grown on granite soil, this expresses the extremes of the Douro that produce the finest wines. This perfumed, structured wine, produced in open fermenters, is juicy with black plum fruits and dense with tannins. It is remarkable for its complexity, minerality and potential. Drink from 2018 and until 2030.
Produced from grapes purchased from local growers, this is the entry-level wine of the Rosaline range. It is crisp, clean with an attractive ripeness from the red-berry fruits. It is in a refreshing apéritif style.
Produced from Henry Fessy's own cru vineyards, the wine is fruity and very accessible to drink young. Generous berry fruits and soft tannins make this an attractive wine. The aftertaste brings in light acidity. Drink now.
Produced from high-altitude (1,800 feet) vines, this wine is ripe while also crisply fresh. Its lime and lemon flavors are balanced by the mineral texture and intense final acidity. Drink now.
Produced from high altitude vineyards to retain acidity, this is a fruity, crisp and bright wine. It has an herbal character along with lively lemon and quince flavors. The wine is ready to drink.
Produced from indigenous red varieties grown on the slopes of Mt. Olympus, the Rapsani Grand Reserve starts with voluptuous aromas of blackberry, spice box and liquorice, offering full-bodied flavors of black fruit and olive on the palate. The fruit is well balanced by a spice and mineral backbone. A very good red for lamb, dried meats or stews.
Produced from Languedoc grapes by the Château d'Esclans team in Provence, this is an easy, open wine with both red berry richness and delicious acidity Drink now.
Produced from late-picked grapes, this 100% varietal concentrates perfumed scents and flavors into a wine that is almost syrupy. The score reflects a slightly bitter flavor that comes up in the finish and lingers stubbornly through the next sip.
Produced from less than half an acre of the Grand Cru vineyard, the wine has power and dark concentration. It is a rich wine with black fruit and solid tannins that promise long-term aging. The wood aging has given the wine an even richer character, bringing out spice and licorice flavors. The wine should not be drunk before 2023.
Produced from low-yield organic grapes grown close to the sea, this wine is intense and ripe. Smooth strawberry flavors are lifted with wild thyme and pepper. Bone dry, juicy and full of concentrated flavor, the wine comes from an estate owned by Lord and Lady Bamford.
Produced from Malbec and fashionably pale, this wine is named after Julie Perrin, daughter of owner Alain-Dominique Perrin. It is light and deliciously crisp and refreshing. Bone dry, it is certainly a food rosé, although with its light raspberry flavor it will also be good as an apéritif. Julie Perrin, an artist, worked on the blend and created the château watercolor on the bottle.
Produced from Malbec that comes mainly from the Cahors region, this soft, ripe and fruity wine has a light touch of tannins that show beneath the berry fruits, supple texture and tight acidity. It is ready to drink, but will be better in 2015.
Produced from Michel and Isabelle Dietrich's oldest vines on the plateau above the Cadillac fortress, the wine is rich. There's plenty of black-currant fruit and acidity to balance while still showing its wood aging. The wines are vegan (no animal products in production). Drink this wine from 2018.
Produced from Niellucciu, this wine is ripe, perfumed and also packed with crisp acidity. Fresh raspberry, citrus and a touch of caramel are brought comfortably together by the acidity and zesty aftertaste. Drink now.
Produced from Niellucciu, this wine is ripe, perfumed and packed with crisp acidity. Fresh raspberry, citrus and a touch of caramel are brought together by the acidity and zesty aftertaste. Drink now.
Produced from old bush vines, this is densely rich wine, with great structure and layers of full-bodied black fruit tones. It has a fruit and acid balance supported by concentrated tannins. It does need to age, so drink from 2017.
Produced from old Malbec vines in the second terrace above the River Lot, the wine is darkly concentrated, with solid tannins and generous black fruits. Aging for 12 months has smoothed the square corners to create a wine that is hugely rich and rounded. It has the potential to age and become more opulent. Drink from 2020.
Produced from old Pinot Noir vines, this wine shows attractive age as well as balanced fresher fruitiness. This well-made cooperative wine is ripe while also crisp and fresh. Apples and white currants come together with a steely texture to give a wine that could age in bottle.
Produced from old vine Castelão, this wine is ripe and full of dark fruits. With the background acidity and spice, it has a crisp edge that gives the wine a great lift. It is ready to drink.
Produced from old vines grown on the property, this fruity wine is packed full of red berries. It is well balanced between fruitiness and acidity, with just a light touch of tannin to give this ready-to-drink wine its shape.
Produced from old vines in a quinta in the high eastern end of the Douro, in Douro Superior, this wine is aged for 15 months in wood. That has broadened the tannins and given the wine its rich, opulent black fruit character. After four years, it is still young, and should not be touched until 2018.
Produced from old vines in the Aegerter Domaine, this wine is dominated by red fruits and spice from wood aging. It is fruity, perfumed and likely to be ready to drink soon. Drink from 2018.
Produced from old vines in the Côte du Py on the slopes of an extinct volcano, this cru wine is structured with generous black fruits and a series of ripe tannins and balanced acidity. It has the structure and density to age while also having a light touch of black cherry fruit. Drink from 2019.
Produced from old vines in the Grand Cru vineyards of Chouilly in the Côte des Blancs, this is a beautifully crisp, ripe wine, showing taut fruit and fine, stylish acidity. As a Special Club bottling, it adheres to stringent qualitative guidelines set out by an elite group of growers. Still young, it will be best from 2019.
Produced from old vines in Verdigny, this is rich while still totally crisp. Ripe yellow and white fruits, apricots and apples are cut with acidity and a taut, mineral character. While this wine is ready to drink, it will improve for some time, and will be better in 2017.
Produced from old vines on schist soils, this is an intensely structured wine. While it has power, it is the texture and the firm fruit that give it character. Black fruits combine with dark tannins to create a dry, solid aftertaste.
Produced from old vines on the Bourgeois estate, this wood-aged wine certainly shows its toastiness although it also has plenty of red-berry flavors as a balance. It is richly concentrated, a good example of the richer, more serious style of Pinot Noir that is coming from Sancerre. It is structured and can age, so drink from 2017.
Produced from old vines on the Chatelard estate, this wine is smooth, ripe and full of vibrant red fruits. There is a good balance between acidity and rich fruit with just a light core of tannins in the background. Drink now.
Produced from old vines on the schist slopes of the upper Douro, this is an impressive wine from Carla Costa Ferreira and winemaker-daughter Rita Marques Ferreira. Dark tannins in this still-young wine bring out bitter chocolate flavors as well as enhancing the dense black fruits. Along with the rich structure and concentration, this superb wine has a sense of restrained authority and certainly the ability to age. Drink from 2021.
Produced from old vines, this big and rounded wine has dark, dusty tannins that come from the concentrated fruit flavors as much as the wood. It comes from a producer whose main quinta, São Bernardo, was created in 1912. It is a dense, brooding wine that shows great weight and power. Black plum, dark berries and intense acidity are there in richness and profusion. Drink from 2018.
Produced from old vines, this blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz is rich and dense. It has firm tannins at this young stage although it is obviously going to become a generous rich wine as it develops. It has a fine future of complex structure and fruit. Drink from 2019.
Produced from old vines, this crisp wine is floral and fresh. Concentrated with white and citrus fruit flavors over tight steeliness, it has a serious side of complex textures that will allow it to develop over the next few months. Drink now for the fresh fruit tones, although it will be better from late 2016.
Produced from old vines, this generous wine is ripe with black fruits, with a juicy, dense texture as well as ripe tannins. The structure is comfortably cushioned within the rich fruitiness, giving way to a crisp, lingering aftertaste. Drink now.
Produced from old vines, this is a beautiful wine. It has great structure, minerality and concentration along with a full-bodied richness that is developing well. Combined with the ripe yellow fruits, they give an opulent wine that will age for several years. Drink from 2018.
Produced from old vines, this is a crisp, bright wine. Its caramel and perfumes give it an exotic edge while acidity keeps everything lively. It is ready to drink.
Produced from old vines, this is a serious and concentrated wine. It has a strong mineral texture that adds to the dark tannins to make a forceful structure. Powered by the structure and the black fruits it will age well. Start drinking in 2018.
Produced from old vines, this is an impressive wine, rich and dense. It brings together dark tannins and opulent black fruits that cushion the firm structure. A lively acidity and a silky character show that the wine is ready to drink.
Produced from old vines, this textured, solid wine has a tight and firmly tannic character. Underneath, red cherry fruits are already releasing a fragrant side and the potential of bright fruitiness. Drink from 2016.
Produced from old, low-yielding vines, this delicious wine balances crisp acidity with intense white fruit. It's poised and stylish, with a cool character expressed in its acidity and lemon zest-like aftertaste. Drink now.
Produced from oldest vines of the estate (Primeiras Vinhas), this is a rich and concentrated wine. Yellow fruits show strongly, giving ripe, intense flavors that are both refreshing and dense. It's full of fruit as well as delicious final acidity. Drink now.
Produced from organic and biodynamic grapes, this wine is tangy and crisp, a perfect model for white Sancerre. With its bright apple and ripe pear flavors, it's bursting with fruit and lifted by acidity that has just the right intensity. Drink now.
Produced from organic grapes from the plateau above the prestigious slopes of Chablis, this is a cool and fresh wine with plenty of citrus as well as acidity. Drink now.
Produced from organic grapes grown in the dry Côa valley, this is a pure, fruited wine with a black-plum-skin texture and firm tannins. With its layers of acidity, it is crisp at the end while remaining solidly textured. The wine needs to age further, drink from 2018.
Produced from organic grapes, like so many in Provence, this is light, fruity and lively. Fresh acidity goes with the red currant fruits and the tight, nervy texture. It's lightly perfumed and fine as an apéritif.
Produced from organic grapes, the wine is beautiful and honey touched. Its acidity keeps crispness while the fruit shines with lemon and creamed-apple flavors. Drink from 2018.
Produced from organic grapes, the wine is ripe and packed with fruit. It has a delicious line of acidity, as well as weight and peach and red-fruit flavors. The acidity keeps the exuberance in check. Drink now.
Produced from organic grapes, this is a ripe, full and deliciously fruity wine. It has a good balance between wild strawberry fruits and tight, textured acidity that gives the wine shape. The aftertaste is bright and crisp.
Produced from organic grapes, this is a smooth, lightly toasty wine. It has ripe apple and a crisp tight, mineral texture that adds to the refreshing character of the wine. The aftertaste is all fresh fruit.
Produced from organic grapes, this lightly structured wine is full of black currant fruitiness. With a touch of spice from wood aging, it's soft and easy to drink now.
Produced from organic grapes, this wine is totally crisp with red fruits, a touch of pepper giving an extra edge. It is rich and full in the mouth and, with its alcohol, certainly needs food.
Produced from organically-grown grapes, this ripe wine has the proper crisp texture, bright acidity and salted lemon flavors. It is totally ready to drink.
Produced from organically grown fruit, this is a delicious refreshing wine. Its red fruits and crisp lemon zest are balanced with the intense acidity and touch of herbs. It is great for summer drinking or as an apéritif.
Produced from organically grown fruit, this is a pure cleanly crisp wine. It has great acidity and generous red fruits that are shot through with acidity. The 50% of Mouvèdre in the blend gives the wine its perfumed, structured character. Drink now.
Produced from organically grown grapes and bottled without added sulfur, this wine is full of life. With its juicy fruit and jammy texture, bursts with blackberry and black plum flavors. It's likely to age quickly, so drink from 2018.
Produced from organically grown grapes, the wine is fruity, lightly structured and developing quickly. It has generous black currants and black plums that are already attractive and crisp. There is a firm back drop of tannins. Drink from 2019.
Produced from organically grown grapes, the wine is rich and structured. It comes from an estate that has never seen pesticides or artificial fertilizers (the previous owner was 104 years old when she died and never used them). It is a full of blackberry fruits, rich with tannins and firm with a dark core of dryness. Drink this wine from 2020.
Produced from organically grown grapes, the wine is soft, ripe and full of fruit. Red cherries dominate, with a touch of wood from the 12 months of barrel aging. It has a bright, crisp and juicy aftertaste.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this is a light, very young and stalky wine. It has tight black currant flavors and a dry core of tannins that need to soften for a few months. Drink from the end of 2015.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this is a rich wine. Its lightly oxidative character gives it a smoothness as well as bringing out ripe white fruits and citrus. It is a finely made wine, worthy of aging for a few more years. Drink from 2019.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this is a ripe, easy and fruity wine. It has light tannins, juicy black-currant fruit and acidity. It is still young, showing off its fruitiness and will be ready to drink soon, from early 2017.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this is a soft, simple wine with attractive, clean acidity and a good splash of grapefruit and gooseberry. It's fruity, lightly textured and fresh. Drink now.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this is a young, fruity wine that has been produced to be drunk young. Light tannins and pure black currant flavors give the wine plenty of freshness and acidity. The wine is rich and ready to drink.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this is the top of Troteligotte range. It is made from 25-year-old vines, and aged in amphorae. That gives a wine that is rich with soft rounded tannins and juicy blackberry fruits. It has a dense texture from aging on the lees in the amphorae. Rich and concentrated it will age and should not be drunk until 2020.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this Merlot-dominated wine is bright with red fruit and lined with tight tannins. It has the crisp edge of youth that will fill out with time. Drink from 2019.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this powerful and impressive expression of pure Malbec is generous while also solid and firm. It has plenty of dark tannins to go with the solid fruits and tense acidity. Produced from selected parcels, it is a wine to age further. Drink from 2019.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this razor-sharp wine is fresh with caramel and red berry flavors. It's a lively wine enhanced by a zingy orange zest character. Drink now, although the wine will be better at the end of 2015.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this soft wine has red fruits that miss much definition, only hinting at some stalky acidity. It is ready to drink.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this soft, fruity wine is full of red-cherry fruits. It also offers a touch of banana flavor as well as acidity and a bright, crisp juicy aftertaste. Drink now.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this structured wine is complex and still very closed up, with dense tannins and dark fruit. Powerful with dark plum flavors, it is firmly textured and needs plenty of time for aging. Drink from 2020
Produced from organically grown grapes, this wine has attractive red fruits and a warm ripe character. Dominated by Grenache, it has a light peppery edge as well as plenty of bright acidity to contrast the fruitiness. Drink now.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this wine has firm tannins as well as ripe fruits. A tough edge needs to soften as the wine matures. Drink from 2019
Produced from organically grown grapes, this wine is full of fragrant, clean red-fruit flavors. It is ripe and full bodied—perhaps too full-bodied for a really fresh rosé. It does have all the fruit, generous and with a soft aftertaste.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this wine is soft, with raspberry flavors and acidity in equal abundance. It's light in color, tastes mature and should be drunk now.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this wood-aged wine from the Dupuy family is rich and full, packed with black plum and ripe berry flavors. With 30% Cabernet Franc in the blend, the wine is perfumed and structured with a smoky aftertaste that is balanced by acidity. Drink this well-made wine from 2017. The vineyard was certified organic in 1996, early in Bordeaux terms, and is managed by Gérard Dupuy.
Produced from Pinot Gris, this is so crisp and fresh. It has light red currant flavors that give an intensely fruity character to this attractive wine that is ready to drink now.
Produced from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this balances ripe red berry and citrus fruits with more mature spice and vanilla. With this development has come depth, concentration and richness. It is a wine to drink with food, ripe and finishing with crisp, dry acidity.
Produced from Pinot Noir, this is a particularly crisp example of a Sancerre rosé. It has red-currant fruitiness along with an edge of tannins. The finish is smoothed with caramel. Drink now.
Produced from selected parcels of fruit in top vintages, this is the flagship wine from this Jorgensen family estate. Aragonez and Syrah dominate this ripe still-young wine. It is rich and concentrated with powerful tannins and layers of acidity, dark chocolate flavors and generous black-plum flavors. It will certainly age further and this fine wine will be best drunk from 2019.
Produced from selected parcels, this wine is solid with rich tannins and dark fruit. It has the flavors of new oak aging well integrated into the ripe texture and juicy acidity. Still firm, with tannins well in place, it needs to age a little longer. Drink from 2018.
Produced from Syrah, this is still a cool wine, with crisp fruitiness to the front. Lively acidity and fresh red fruits are balanced by a warmer layer of caramel. Drink now.
Produced from the best parcels of the estate, this wine is structured, firm and concentrated. It is rich, hinting at dark chocolate flavors at this young stage along with dense tannins. As it matures, this will transform into a ripe and concentrated wine that is dark with black plum and juicy acidity. Drink from 2017.
Produced from the best selection of vines at Bélingard, aged for 18 months in wood. This 2005 certainly tastes of wood aging, high toast flavors dominating. It needs time for the black plum and spice flavors to show through this almost astringent wood.
Produced from the Boavista vineyard at the base of Casa Santos Lima, this wine comes from old vines. It is a serious, complex and structured wine that will develop well over many years. Dark fruits, dense tannins and really fresh acidity are integrated into a fine wine. Drink this impressive wine from 2019.
Produced from the Boavista vineyard, the base of Casa Santos Lima, this wine comes from old vines. It is a serious, complex and structured wine that will develop well over many years. Dark fruits, dense tannins and really fresh acidity are integrated into a fine wine. Drink this impressive wine from 2019.
Produced from the Clos Mireille, within sight of the Mediterranean, this fresh-faced wine shows peach and citrus flavors rounded by ripeness, although with an attractive tangy aftertaste.
Produced from the cool vineyards at the southern tip of Africa, Hamilton Russell's Chardonnays are world-class wines, fine examples of French winemaking in a South African context. This 2000 is one of the estate's finest to date, a melange of lemon and nuts, mingled with smoky wood flavors, with a layer of acidity and structure that give it great aging ability.
Produced from the Dão's top white grapes, this wine is a beautiful combination of apricot-like fruitiness and taut texture. Full of crisp acidity and richer fruits, it will age well. Drink from 2018.
Produced from the Espadeiro, a grape widely used in red Vinho Verde, this is a crisp wine with just a touch of candied sweetness. Strawberry fruit is given a blast of acidity. It is ready to drink.
Produced from the estate's old-vine Grenache, this is a silky, medium-bodied rosé. It's pale in color, but bold in flavor, offering hints of strawberries, peaches and brine that finish long and mouthwatering.
Produced from the estate's oldest vines close to the Douro river, this is a structured wine with tannins and rich spiciness. It will develop gently, giving a wine that is structured without being too tannic. Drink from 2020.
Produced from the estate vineyard's oldest vines, this CSV bottling is a dry, leesy, textural wine, with dominant flavors of citrus flesh and rind along with green apples. There's a strong streak of mineral also, and a well-balanced finish of medium length.
Produced from the Foglia Tonda varietal, this is aged for two years in oak barrels to produce a hearty, dense wine. It exudes aromas of ripe fruit, raspberry jam and pipe tobacco, and the palate feels generous and velvety.
Produced from the old vines of one of Cahor's emblematic estates, this is a dark, dense and concentrated wine. Full of black plum skins that are balanced with acidity, it is rich with black cherry and a smoky character from the wood aging. This 100% Malbec does need aging and should be drunk from 2019.
Produced from the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the Willamette Valley, this extraordinary wine is history in a bottle. Glorious aromatics offer intense scents of citrus, pine needle, pepper and berry, with flavors following. There's a welcome kick of citrus in the natural acidity, and this promises a long cellar life, as proven over and over again by this founding Oregon winery. Drink 2020 through 2040 and beyond.
Produced from the oldest vines of the Domaine, the wine is taut while also ripe. It has a crisp edge along with hints of the year's wood aging. That adds spice and a peppery edge to the ripe yellow and golden-plum flavors. Drink from early 2018.
Produced from the oldest vines on the Bourgeois family estate, this is a flint and steel-textured wine. The fruit is still coming through the intense texture of this complex wine. The hints of apple and grapefruit will develop as the wine ages. Unlike so many Sancerre, this needs to age. Drink from 2018.
Produced from the organic vineyards of Les Baux, this wine is pale in color but full of fruity flavor. The blend is Grenache (50%), Cinsault (30%) and Syrah (20%). It has a crisp, mineral texture that's tangy and fragrant with white flowers and red currants, giving it delicious apéritif style.
Produced from the rare Romorantin grape, this wine is honeyed as well as crisp and fragrantly fruity. The 50-year-old vines give extra concentration to this lightly wood-aged wine that is ripe while also light and poised. Drink now, although it would be better to keep it until 2017.
Produced from the totally local Négrette, this wine has the violet aromas typical of the grape. Along with that, it has some firm tannins, and a generous sprinkle of spice and red fruits. The wine is still developing and will be better from 2017.
Produced from the vines that surround the family house at Quinta da Aveleda, this is an exemplary Vinho Verde. Dry and crisp, with richness as well as freshness, it is a bright, tight and lightly mineral wine to drink now.
Produced from the young vines of Château de Fuissé, this wine is soft and rounded with just enough acidity to go with the sweet peach flavors. It's a gentle wine, ready to drink now.
Produced from this famous cool-climate vineyard, the wine is zesty in acidity and dry, but enormously rich and impressive in pineapple and pear flavors, with a distinct minerality that makes it feel drier and earthier. It's a strong wine, but subtle. Drink now, but not too cold.
Produced from three vineyards in the north of the Sancerre appellation, this is a crisp, ripe wine. It offers a blend of green plum and lime with a touch of white peach. The acidity, still young, will soften over the next few months when the wine will be even better. Drink from 2017.
Produced from Touriga Nacional, this fresh wine keeps the acidity of the grape while losing any tough tannins. The result is an attractive, crisp wine, with final strawberry flavors.
Produced from two parcels in Aloxe Corton, this structured wine has red-plum fruitiness that is still masked by a dry tannic coating. It has concentration and good potential. Drink this textured, firm wine from 2018.
Produced from two parcels on the Montagne de Reims, this dry yet soft wine is ripe and richly fruity. Still young, its minerality and bright fruitiness are firmly intact. It will be a delicious Champagne as it matures. Drink from 2019.
Produced from two parcels totaling 2.8 acres, this is a properly powerful wine. It has a concentrated texture and firm tannins. They are balanced with the black fruits and strongly mineral texture of this impressive wine. Like any wine of this quality, this needs to age for a considerable period. Drink from 2024.
Produced from two separate vineyards, the wine has all the concentration of old vines. It has tannins and dark fruits, blackberry and black plum. This is a finely structured cru wine that will need to age. Drink from 2020.
Produced from vines a half century old, this is fermented completely dry yet retains a distinct floral/talc character. Although Alsatian in style it, exudes a bit of extra fruit flesh, as one would expect of Oregon. It's a lovely wine, with rose petal scents and light peach flavors.
Produced from vines aged between 25 and 30 years old, this is a ripe yellow and citrus-flavored wine. It has a strongly mineral edge as well as crisp, tight fruitiness. With its structure and tension, it is likely to age further. Drink from late 2017.
Produced from vines an average of 24-years-old, the wine comes from an 86-acre vineyard to the south of Bordeaux. It is firm with tannins and with ripe, textured Merlot. There is a juicy character from the black-currant fruitiness. The wine with wood flavors needs to age. Drink from 2021.
Produced from vines around the grand chateau, this is a crisp wine that has banana flavors and tight red-currant acidity that is crisp and lightly perfumed. It will probably be softer from early 2017.
Produced from vines around the hilltop village of Oingt (claimed to be the most beautiful in France), this has a soft texture, a banana flavor and light acidity. It is the sort of wine that will be better slightly chilled.
Produced from vines around the showpiece medieval château of Monbazillac, this is a lightly honeyed, fresh and orange marmalade-flavored wine. It has botrytis to give the proper dry core along with a rich feel that is just cut with acidity. It's delicious now and will get better. Drink now, or wait until 2016.
Produced from vines close to the chateau of Santenay, this is a tight, mineral wine. It has intense crisp acidity, tangy citrus and excellent potential. The fruit is asking for time to fill out, so drink from 2018.
Produced from vines grown in a boulder and fossil strewn vineyard, this is a rich smoky wine. It has a deep color from the Alicante Bouschet in the blend, with firm tannins and dark juicy plum skin flavors. It's going to be a ripe rich wine as it develops. Drink from 2017.
Produced from vines grown on the plateau above the Loire east of the town of Saumur, this wine is beautifully ripe and honeyed while still dry. Acidity cuts through the fruitiness and creamy texture to give a crisp aftertaste. This wine is young and drinkable, although it will be so much better from 2018.
Produced from vines high up the Grand Cru slope, this wine is finely textured and stylish while also full-bodied. It has weight, spice from wood aging, precise acidity and a strongly mineral, salty edge. Drink from 2021.
Produced from vines in the heart of Dão, just south of Viseu, this is a rich, ripely tropical wine. It has a great perfume from the Malvasia Fina in the blend, along with fresher acidity. Generous and full in the mouth, it is delicious and ready to drink now.
Produced from vines in the hills above the Côte de Nuits, this is an attractively cool wine. It has lively acidity and a crisp mineral texture. With its white-fruit flavors, it is a wine with weight as well as crispness. Drink now.
Produced from vines in the Lima Valley in northern Portugal, the home of the Loureiro grape, this light and fruity wine is immediately attractive, with its gentle citrus flavors and intense acidity. Drink this aromatic wine right now.
Produced from vines in the Mâcon region, this citrus and yellow-fruit-flavored wine is rich, rounded and mature. It still has plenty of freshness, supplemented by almond and butter flavors. Drink now.
Produced from vines located between Chavignol and Sancerre, this comes from pure chalk soil. It is crisp while having a warmer, more rounded character. It's full of apple and pineapple as well as citrus fruits which are added to the young, tight mineral texture. Aromatic and ripe, the wine should age a year or two and will be better from 2017.
Produced from vines mainly planted in the 1970s, this is a concentrated dark wine. Rich and ripe, it has powerful tannins mingled with beautifully perfumed fruits. The wine is dense and packed with floral fruitiness as well as fine, sweet tannins. Drink from 2025.
Produced from vines more than 100 years old in the heart of the Clos de Vougeot vineyard, this is an impressive wine with a long future. The wood aging is already surrounded by ripe, intense black fruits. A fresher character comes from the bright acidity of the vintage, giving the wine a lift. The aftertaste is long and concentrated. Drink from 2024.
Produced from vines on the plain of Saint-Émilion near the Dordogne river, this is a Merlot-dominated wine. It has big tannins, bold ripe fruit and a dark core of dryness. As with so many wines in this vintage, the fruitiness makes it work so well, ripe and bold black fruits that are finished off with acidity. Drink from 2018.
Produced from vines planted in 1900 (MCM in Roman numerals), this is a serious, major wine. It is so concentrated with its dark tannins yet never loses its elegant balance between fruit and structure. Dense dusty dry tannins are layered with black plum and damson flavors giving a surprising freshness to a wine that is still young. Drink from 2022.
Produced from vines that are up to 40 years old, this is a firmly structured wine. Concentration and dry tannins come from some firm extraction. The fruit though is ripe and juicy, showing red-berry flavors along with spice from the wood aging. Drink the wine from 2019.
Produced from vines that are up to 80-years-old and now organic, this concentrated wood-aged wine is perfumed, rich and firmly structured. Dark tannins line the wine supporting the black plum and cherry fruits and acidity. Richard Rottiers, new on the scene in 2007, created a cru that is going to be a very fine wine. Drink from 2018.
Produced from vines up to 80 years old, this is a powerful, wood-aged wine. Tannins are mixed with toast, spice and dark plum flavors. Acidity gives freshness and finishes the wine with very fine fruits as well as structure. Age this impressive wine and drink from 2018.
Produced from vines with an average age of 30 years, this wine was aged on lees until bottling. That gives extra richness to the ripe green and white fruits. Laced with citrus flavors, they are fresh while also having a concentrated aftertaste. Drink now.
Produced from vineyard around the 13th-century castle, the wine has concentration, rich tannins and ripe berry fruit. Pepper and spice bring out the texture of the wine that is freshened by acidity.
Produced from vineyards around the chateau Gilles Pedini took over in 2011, this is warm and ripe wine. It balances rich red-berry fruits with acidity to give a crisp edge to a smooth wine. With intense fruitiness and a delicious aftertaste, this is a great food wine, ready to drink now.
Produced from vineyards donated to a charitable hospital in the 19th century, this wine is rich and now perfectly mature. It has smoky tannins that lie under the fine, elegant cherry and red plum fruits and acidity. The wine still has freshness although the attraction here is the ripe structure. The ornate label dates back to 1926.
Produced from vineyards in the hills above the Côte de Nuits, this wine benefits from the ripe vintage of 2015. It has open red fruit and soft tannins that are both lifted by the acidity. Made to be drunk young, this is ready to enjoy now.
Produced from vineyards in the mountains away from the coast, this cool wine still gives free rein to the richness of Vermentino. There is an herbal touch, some spice and ripe apricot flavors. Balanced and fruity now, it will be better from 2016.
Produced from vineyards owned by the monks of Clairvaux abbey, this is Drappier's top vintage. It shows the most structure and tense character of the wines in the Drappier range. The apple, pear and toast flavors are given final crispness by lemon zest.
Produced from young vines at Château Phélan-Ségur, this is a rich, spicy and open wine. It is bursting with fruitiness, packed with blackberries and with a rounded texture. Drink from 2016.
Produced from young vines at Château Siaurac, the wine, dominated by 90% Merlot, is generous, approachable and ripe. It was matured in tank rather than wood, allowing the black fruits to come through strongly. The aftertaste brings out fruitiness as much as the gentle tannins.
Produced from young vines, this attractive, ready-to-drink wine is soft and ripe. There are just enough tannins to give this fruity wine its shape. The acidity and the spice add another element to this rich wine.
Produced from young vines, this fresh, fruity wine offers immediate pleasure, with red berries and sweet fruit flavors over a spicy layer of wood and a soft, generous texture.
Produced from young vines, this is a fresh, fruity, and crisp wine. It has attractive apple and pear flavors, brightened further by citrus overtones. Drink this attractive wine now.
Produced from young vines, this is a soft and fruity wine. Wood aging has added richness to the yellow fruits and balancing apple acidity. It's perfumed, opening out with ripe apricot and white peach flavors at the end. Drink from 2016.
Produced from young vines, this is the third wine of Larrivet Haut-Brion. As such, it is very accessible with its ripe, red exuberant fruits. The tannins are in the background, giving the necessary structure to a wine that will age quickly. Drink from 2017.
Produced in a small, 1.5-acre vineyard, this wine is named after a Boissieu ancestor from the 18th century. It is a rich wine, beautifully perfumed and with a rich, lightly wooded texture that shines with yellow fruits and juicy acidity. It is still young and really should age. Drink from 2018.
Produced in an estate created in the 1980s, this wine is soft, gentle and warm. The 5% of white grapes in the blend adds extra lightness to the wine. A mineral edge along with pepper brings another dimension to the red fruits. Bone-dry, it is more of a food than apéritif wine.
Produced in Anjou, this is a totally crisp wine, with lemon and fresh gooseberry flavors that just burst from the glass. It is bright and fruity, with just a touch of mineral texture to add interest at the end.
Produced in Boudes, one of the cru villages of the Côtes d'Auvergne, this is a young fruity wine. It has light tannins that are there to enhance the stalky red fruits. Acidity and a crisp aftertaste complete this attractive wine. Drink now.
Produced in central Alentejo in the warm region of Redondo, this is a surprisingly cool, crisp wine. Its blend of Antão Vaz and Arinto give plenty of acidity and citrus flavors. Green plum adds an extra richness. Drink this wine now.
Produced in clay amphoras from organically grown grapes, this is an almost honeyed wine even though it's dry. It is richly textured and ripe, with floral and bitter spice tones. Enjoy from 2017.
Produced in eastern Alentejo, near Spain, this light and soft wine is easy and drinkable. It has a smooth texture, just hinting at lemony acidity. Drink now.
Produced in Estremoz by the Serrano Mira family, this rich wine is dense with dark tannins and a powerful structure. This concentration is surrounded by bold ripe berry fruits and acidity that give the wine its richness aided by the wood aging. Drink this finely structured wine from late 2018.
Produced in Israel from an ancient native grape that grows in Palestine, this wine offers a lean lemon aroma with a faint whiff of petrol. Citrus and light floral flavors are dominated by lime-sorbet notes, and this interesting yet easy-drinking quaff leaves one with a lingering lemon tingle on the palate.
Produced in one of new crus villages of Muscadet, this is a deliciously ripe rounded wine. Those four years of aging have filled the wine out, given its ripe tropical fruit a chance to come forward. The spice and pepper at the back add complexity to this fine wine. Drink now.
Produced in one of the estates belonging to the Lapalu family, this wine is soft, rounded and ready to drink now. Gentle tannins give shape and structure to the black currant-fruits that finish on a fresh, crisp note.
Produced in one of the great sweet wine regions of France, this rich honeyed wine is intense while always preserving acidity and a crisp apple character. Honey and flavors of botrytis are balanced with the acidity and apricot flavors the give the wine its freshness. Drink this beautiful wine from 2018.
Produced in one of the newly designated Muscadet crus, this mature wine has spice, almond and toast flavors while still retaining a strong mineral character. It is a far cry from typical Muscadet with its rich, soft texture. Drink this unusual wine now.
Produced in partnership between Schulz Cellars and Lamprydae Vineyards, Communication Block wines benefit Napa Valley Kids Connect, a non-profit for kids with motor and communication difficulties. Light and very pretty, this Grenache Blanc is easy drinking with a swish of vanilla on the finish.
Produced in the area of the Alpilles mountains surrounding Les Baux de Provence, this fruity wine is full and ripe. A touch of caramel gives richness and balances the acidity and the intense red currant final fruitiness. The blend is Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mouvédre and Cabernet Sauvignon
Produced in the Aube region, this ripe full wine is rich and generous. With apple and pear fruitiness and a smooth creamy mousse, the wine has just the right amount of bottle aging. Drink now.
Produced in the Baja region of southern Alentejo, this blend of Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah is structured and firm. It has robust tannins, rich spice from wood aging and a serious, firm structure. Drink from 2019.
Produced in the Douro Superior region in the far east of the Douro Valley, this wine is dense with tarry tannins and black fruits. Wood aging and the concentration of old vines make it impressive. Drink now until 2022.
Produced in the Entre-deux-Mers region, this light, fresh wine has young tannins and stalky black-currant flavors. It is crisp with lively acidity and a juicy aftertaste. Give it another few months and drink from late 2016.
Produced in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, this structured Tannat-based wine is dense and firm. Its tannins though are just the beginning, the entry point to the rich black fruits and concentrated texture. The wine, from a good vintage, is powerful, dense and needs to age. Drink from 2018.
Produced in the hills above the small town of Castillon, the wine is fruity with a stalky texture and some firm tannins. It is balanced, though, with its acidity and black-currant flavors and should mature well over the next few years. Drink from 2018.
Produced in the Languedoc, this wine tastes of the warmth and the sun. It has a touch of butter as well as ripe green-plum fruits. Acidity gives an attractive lift to this fruity, soft wine.
Produced in the Lima Valley, in the heart of the Vinho Verde region, this is fruity and crisp. It is medium sweet in character, the sweetness balanced by the refreshing acidity and citrus flavors. Drink now.
Produced in the region that also produces wine for Armagnac distillation, the wine is soft and light. It has a tangy edge along with white and citrus fruit. The mineral, zesty texture will allow the wine to age for a few more months. Drink from mid-2017.
Produced in the same area as many of the Armagnac vineyards, the wine is gently sweet and with a herbal edge. It has fruit flavors of dried apricot, citrus and apple jelly. The wine is shot through with attractive acidity and is ready to drink.
Produced in the small white-wine enclave within the Madiran appellation, this wine is a blend of the two emblematic grapes of the region. It's rich and full bodied, hinting at the ripeness of the sweet wines that are also made here. It has style, along with intense acidity, apricot and pear flavors and smooth fruitiness. Drink now.
Produced in the typical flinty (silex) soil of parts of Sancerre, this wine has a crisp steely texture that is balanced by the ripe yellow fruit. The combination is both taut and ripe, giving good balance and tension. Drink this wine from 2017 to allow it to develop further.
Produced in the Vallée Noble sub-region in Soultzmatt, this is ripe and powerfully rich. It is strongly perfumed, full of white fruit and very floral in character. A thread of minerality runs through this still-young wine giving structure. Drink from 2017.
Produced in the vineyards of Estremoz, the marble capital of Portugal, this wine is a ready-to-drink blend of red fruits and soft tannins. A juicy character gives it a crisp aftertaste. Drink the wine now.
Produced in the west of Gascony, with a strong oceanic influence, this Chardonnay is cool, fruity and with bright acidity. It does have a creamy texture that fills out the fruitiness. It is an attractive, ripe wine that is ready to drink.
Produced in the western end of the Loire, close to the Atlantic Ocean, this tightly herbal wine is packed with crisp lemon and grapefruit. It is dry, tangy and light, ready to drink.
Produced in this village in the hills behind the main slope of the Côte de Beaune, this wine is smooth and rich. Fine, soft tannins easily integrate into the sweet texture and red-plum fruit. The acidity is there, giving a wine that is both fresh and generous. Drink from 2018.
Produced in traditional stone lagars, the wine has typical rounded smooth tannins. It has spice, juicy black currant and fine acidity. The wine is rich and needs another year. Drink from 2019.
Produced in vineyards close to Mont Saint-Victoire in the west of the Provence vineyards, this perfumed, floral wine has crisp acidity along with orange and citrus flavors. The wine is light, very fruity and bright at the end.
Produced in western Touraine, close to Chinon and its red wines, this soft wine is ready to drink. With its smoky character and jammy fruit flavors, it is very much a light, perfumed Cabernet Franc. The aftertaste is dry, although the fruit is always there.
Produced just north of Sancerre, this wine shares many of the fresh, lightly herbal characters of those wines, just on a smaller, softer scale. Fruity with lemon zest and crisp acidity, it is ready to drink now, though will be better from late 2016.
Produced just outside the Chablis region, the wine has the same minerality and steely character. It also offers ripe yellow fruits and intense acidity. The combination of these elements suggests the wine needs to age another year, so wait until 2017.
Produced mainly from Merlot with only 10% of Cabernet Sauvignon, this fat, juicy wine has red-berry flavors that are supported by dry tannins that are in the process of softening. Notes from the wood-aging also need to integrate. Drink from late 2016.
Produced mainly from young Cabernet Sauvignon vines on the Château Smith Haut Lafitte vineyard, this is a solid, dark and dense wine. It has rich black-currant flavors that are cut by acidity and firm tannins. Both mean the wine needs to age, so drink from 2020.
Produced on a small family-run estate that is surrounded by Bordeaux first growths, this wine is structured and firm. It has dark tannins and black currant fruit, together giving a ripe, smoky wine. The 40-year-old vines add to the concentration of this wine. Drink from 2019.
Produced on clay and chalk soil, this wine is soft, with a plump texture that is ripe but has refreshing fruitiness. Very aromatic and with a rounded apple flavor, it is ready to drink.
Produced on flinty soil and aged in large wood barrels, this is a complex, rich wine. Ample apple and pear flavors are lifted by the smoky flavor and the concentration from aging on lees. The wine needs to age; drink from 2018.
Produced on silex and flint soil, this is fruity, juicy and lemon-flavored wine. There is a strong mineral element here, giving a crisp texture. It's really the perfumed character and the intense fruit that sets this wine apart. It is ready to drink if you like fruit, although it will be better as the fabulous texture kicks in, so wait until 2017.
Produced only from Grand Cru vineyards on the north side of the Montagne de Reims (with some Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs), this wine is beautifully balanced. It is rich and creamy, with just a zing of mineral acidity to give extra freshness. It is just now ready to drink, still fresh although with touches of toast at the end.
Produced only in good years, this wine comes from selected parcels in the Haute-Serre vineyard. With eucalyptus perfumes, it is a smooth and wood-aged wine. The smoothness masks the powerful tannins that are beginning to balance with the rich black fruits. This dense wine needs to age. Drink from 2019.
Produced only in outstanding vintages, this rich Bordeaux blend exudes fantastic flavors of black plum, blackberry and black cherry accented by notes of tobacco and white pepper. The bold palate and creamy texture lead in to a long and evolving finish that closes on a hint of mocha. The solid structure and assertive backbone ensure this wine will be a pleasure now and for years to come. Imported by Yarden Inc.
Produced only in top years, this rich wine is impressive. It has great fruit, ripe strawberries and red currants bringing juicy fruitiness. There is also a more serious mineral texture that comes with tangy acidity. Age this wine for a few more months and drink from the end of 2017.
Produced only in top years, this Tannat-dominated wine is named after the Greenwich 0-degree longitude that passes through the vineyard. The wine itself is powerful and structured while keeping a great sense of style. Black fruits push through strongly. offering richness and balanced acidity. The wood aging combines easily with the fruit tannins to give a textured, dry background. Drink from late 2015.
Produced to be consumed young, this is a breezy, fruity selection. Its black plum-skin texture is balanced by firm tannins and a medicinal, herby-filled aftertaste. Not for long aging.
Produced using natural indigenous yeasts, the wine is rich and firmly structured. It has dark tannins as well as generous black-cherry fruits. The wine is serious and complex without losing the cool, mineral texture of the cru appellation. Drink from 2017.
Produced with advice from consultant Michel Rolland, this delicious, easygoing rosé is ripe and full in the mouth. It has plenty of acidity coming from its red currant fruitiness. The wine finishes softly, ready for a summer's day.
Produced with advice from the late Denis Dubourdieu who was instrumental in revolutionizing Bordeaux white wines, this is impressive. The wood aging is just right, giving toast and allowing the ripe fruits to blossom and smooth out. The wine will age well, so don't drink before 2020.
Produced with consultant Hubert de Boüard of Château Angélus in Saint-Emilion, this wine is complex, impressive and packed with red and black fruits. It has a fine juicy character as well as a dry core of tannins and wood aging. It could probably do with some more aging and will be better from 2018.
Produced with dried Garganega grapes, this boasts aromas and flavors of dried apricot, baked apple, citrus zest and toasted sensations. It ends on a note of roasted hazelnut.
Produced with grapes from Aube vineyards in southern Champagne, this wine is dominated by Pinot Noir. It is full in the mouth, ripe and with a rich texture that gives fruitiness as well as a more mineral, tangy texture. This well-balanced wine is ready to drink.
Produced with organically grown grapes, the wine is firm, still tight and with ripe black fruits. It is full, structured with enough fruitiness to balance the tannins. As it ages, this wine will come together into a rich while fruity wine. Drink from late 2017.
Produced with Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Mammolo, this opens with subtle aromas of turned soil, ripe plum and dark cooking spice. The palate offers dried black cherry, licorice, coffee, oak and a leathery note accompanied by solid tannins.
Producer Jacky Gauthier has made a ripe wine that is full of black-cherry fruit. It has structure and acidity both suggesting the wine should age another few months to bring out its potential richness. Drink from 2017.
Producer Jean-Yves Bretaudeau enjoys showing how well Muscadet can age. In this cuvée, now five years old, all the signs of freshness are still there, just that they are given an edge of nuttiness as well as spice. The wine is impressive, crisp and also full of character. Drink now.
Producer Michel Gonet has made this 50-50 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, using this label exclusively for the American market. It is a soft, ripe wine, well balanced and attractive with white fruits and a touch of citrus. The texture is crisp, leaving a bright, tight aftertaste.
Producer of one of the first rosé Vinho Verde, Casa do Valle continues to make one of the best. Full of delicious strawberry flavors with great acidity, deliciously fruity.
Producers Chris Condos and Richard Bruno put together a fairly priced wine, with aromas of herbed pie crust surrounding warm blackberry fruit. There's more smoked meat on the palate than ripe fruit, and it is quite tannic, so can handle heavy fare.
Producers in Cahors are re-introducing Chenin Blanc back to its original home. That it is a happy grape in a Cahors vineyard is proved by this deliciously ripe and perfumed wine. It is full with a balance with crispness and white and yellow fruits. It could age another few months, so drink from 2018.
Producers, aware of the Tannat grape's reputation for tough tannins, have set about reinventing Madiran, emphasizing fruit rather than structure. Here is a good example, with its softness, juicy red fruits and almost Beaujolais-like freshness.
Producing wines at the western end of the Douro vineyards since the 18th century, this family estate presents a young, vibrant tawny with this vintage. It has a fine mix of fresh and dried fruits along with wood flavors that come from the aging in old barrels. It is a dry tawny with some acidity at the end to give this rich wine a final lift.
Production from 41 acres of land donated over more than a century to the Hospices of Lyon produces an attractive and aromatic wine. It is full of light, juicy fruit and fresh red cherries. Drink this refreshing wine now.
Production has doubled and the price has risen in this latest vintage, but Portlandia has yet to land on a consistent identity for its Pinot Gris. This shows apple and pear fruit, showing more than a touch of skin contact flavors, with some bitterness drifting through the finish.
Production has increased dramatically, but quality remains quite good for this estate-grown Cabernet Franc. Deep and plummy, it's a rich, round mouthful of blue and black fruits that are dressed up with plenty of spicy oak tones. The tannins are polished and bring some finishing flavors of black tea. This should age for a decade at least.
Production has increased six-fold in this vintage, good news for rosé lovers. Dry and flavorful, this all-Pinot wine deftly incorporates floral (rose petals), botanical (gin-like), citrus (orange peel) and peach-skin components. It's fresh and penetrating.
Production has more than doubled, which may account for a dilution in quality from past vintages. Lightly spicy, with a streak of pepper and cinnamon, this is a pleasant wine, but thins out quickly.
Production has more than tripled in the past three vintages for this wine. This is a full-throttle, tannic young wine, with muscle and verve, but lacking finesse. The midpalate offers cherries, earthy tannins and stem flavors.
Production has zoomed to almost 11,000 cases, but the quality remains. Deep, delicious flavors of melon, grapefruit and kiwi anchor the wine. The sensation of wet rocks and bracing minerality runs alongside the lip-smacking fruit. Perfectly ripe, dense and wonderfully sappy, this is a real gem.
Production is down, quality, cost and finished alcohol are all up for this estate-grown designate, now labeled as a reserve. There's a sniff of leather and underripe blackberry and black cherry fruit, along with a somewhat unusual, though not unpleasant, scent of chicken boullion. The wine opens up quickly but stops just a bit short of a full-length finish. Give it extra breathing time if you plan to drink it soon.
Production is lower for this cuvée in 2010, and the sources now incude Nysa and Ribbon Ridge along with Maresh. Aged in one-fifth new French oak for just under a year, it remains tightly wound, with tart, primary raspberry fruit wrapped in moderate acids. There are delicate herbal notes sprinkled throughout. Overall this is elegant, balanced and strongest on the midpalate.
Production is only about one-tenth as much as the Willamette Valley cuvée. For a couple bucks more you get a tight, less opulently fruity wine, with compact skin flavors over-riding fruit flesh. Hints of apple, pear and peach accompany a streak of minerality, and the persistence suggests that this will age nicely. Drink 2020 through 2026.
Production is up and the price down on this joven-styled Tempranillo. Though labeled simply Oregon, it's Applegate Valley fruit, lightly aromatic with generic red-wine flavors. What elevates it is a strong sense of underlying minerality, that keeps the finish from tailing off immediately.
Production is up six-fold from 2013 levels. Spicy cherry/berry fruit is set against tongue-tickling acids. That tart raspberry-candy core is tasty right now, so no need to wait on this one.
Production is way up on this cuvée, while quality remains consistent. It's a sassy mix of tart, juicy cranberry and raspberry fruit, which punches down through the palate into a lingering finish. Light notes of fresh tobacco and baker's chocolate add further interest.
Production of the winery's most affordable red wine has zoomed up, with six different grapes—principally Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah—comprising the blend. It's a kitchen sink wine, pleasant but wholly generic in flavor, with a saline edge to the brambly red fruits.
Production of this barrel-fermented reserve is roughly half of what it was in 2013, and in this instance, less is more. A sleek, sophisticated effort, it's bursting with flavors of pear flesh and skin, set against a wash of stony minerality. It's leesy, long and luscious.
Production of this Merlot was further dampened in 2009 by an early freeze. But the quality is as good as ever, which is apparent in the pretty core of strawberry, raspberry and red plum flavors. Aging in 55% new French oak gives the fruit a Bourbon-soaked appeal as it rolls onto the rich finish streaked with dark chocolate.
Production size of this pure, estate-grown, Red Mountain Malbec is much lower in 2011. Earthy and showing a whiff of leather, it brings dried cherry fruit, a streak of dark chocolate and smooth tannins in a juicy wine with a lively finish. Hints of orange peel linger long after the last swallow.
Production volume is up, but the concentration does not match the excellent 2014 edition of this reserve-level wine. There are modestly ripe melon and green apple flavors, along with a touch of buttered toast.
Production was 10,000 cases, amazing when you consider how good this mountain wine is. Immediately drinkable for the soft purity of the tannins and complex cassis, chocolate and oak flavors, it has the sturdy structure to develop for some years, but is best now for its elegant purity. Hess is on a real Cabernet roll, and is one of Napa's overlooked stars.
Proemio has a bouquet of mature black fruit and mushroom, layered with bitter almond. The warm palate delivers ripe raspberry and prune flavors, accented by black pepper and nutmeg. This is already developing complexity but is fast approaching its ideal drinking window, so enjoy soon.
Profile has been an important, but sometimes overlooked, member of the Napa Valley pantheon for many years, and their '06 shows why. It's a rich, complex and smooth wine. Packed with blackberry, cassis and smoky, new oak flavors, it shows a firm structure of tannins and acidity. Beautiful now with a grilled steak, and should age well for at least a decade.
Profiting from the richness of 2009, this is a smooth blackberry-flavored wine. It has ripe fruit, a center of dry tannin and juicy acidity. The aftertaste is firm with some dryness.
Profiting from the ripe 2009 vintage, this full, elegant wine has a dense, concentrated texture. Named in memory of winemaker Luc de Conti's father, this is packed with stylish blackberry fruit and ripe tannins. Age for at least four years.
Profiting from the ripeness of the 2015 vintage, this 65% Merlot wine is rich and soft. The balance of Cabernet Franc in the blend lends spice, perfume and a fine tannic structure. Drink from 2019.
Profound enough for serious contemplation but with enough broad fruit appeal to serve to a crowd. There's loads of upfront Asian spice and lychee, afloat on a luxurious, sensually textured palate. Notes of geranium and macadamia nuts keep the taste buds entertained and carry over to the lingering finish. The noticeable residual sugar suggests pairing with something slightly sweet, like Tilapia in a mango salsa. Drink now to 2011.
Profoundly aromatic, Schloss Vollrads's 2012 eiswein leaps from the glass with waves of orange, melon and yellow-flower perfume. It's intensely honeyed on the palate, with penetrating tangerine, peach and apricot flavors, spiked with saffron and spice. Unctuously sweet, it finishes long, with honed citrus acidity.
Profoundly aromatic, this Pinot Noir bursts from the glass with plumes of ripe red cherries, cedar and spice. Fruity and forward, the palate is accented by a touch of cherry menthol that lingers through a softly tannic finish. Drink now through 2020.
Profoundly beautiful aroma on this Cab, a perfect union of oaky char and vanilla with ripe blackberries and cassis. Hard to exaggerate the beauty. Powerful, yet never pushy, with classic Napa balance. Rich, sweet, almost meaty, with massive tannins that are refined and smooth. Very great density and weight. Really defines the vineyard, and should age effortlessly for 20 years
Profoundly floral, this aromatic white balances ebullient violet and lavender perfume against crisp grapefruit and gooseberry flavors. Made from the Rivaner grape (also known as Müller-Thurgau), it's an exotic, yet dry, refreshing wine. Drink now.
Profoundly mineral tones of earth and dust mingle with lychee and rose petal throughout this dry, light-bodied, yet brooding Gewürztraminer. The palate is marked with classic varietal notes of potpourri, stone fruit and spice, but they're uniquely exaggerated, with a deeply phenolic, bitter overtone that builds. Overall, it presents a fascinating play between the classic and unique.
Profoundly rich and complex, a blend of all five Bordeaux varietals. This results in a melange of flavors including blackcurrants and cassis, olives and sweet roasted peppers, dried herbs, and cured tobacco. The tannins are soft, but there is a boost of firm acidity that suggests ageability.
Progressive wineries like Emiliana enjoy experimenting, yet not all new wines are successful. A case in point: this sweet, warm, mushy Gewürztraminer from the Cachapoal Valley. Compared to global benchmarks, this is clumsy and sweet, with mealy apple and peach flavors. And it finishes candied and fat. Too much of a stretch, with no staying power.
Prolific winemaker Andrew Murray crafted this blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah for the Petras family, and it shows aromas of boysenberry, dark chocolate, coffee and dark licorice. The flavors are a bit wound up, dense yet not thick, with espresso and bitter chocolate most prevalent. This will improve with time.
Prominent aromas of freshly hewn wood, butterscotch and vanilla are out in front of cherry. It's full flavored, seeming a bit boozy with grainy tannins backing it all up.
Prominent aromas of toast, dried cranberry, herb and cherry lead to straight down the fairway to more cranberry flavor. It delivers a lot of appeal.
Prominent crushed gravel and stone notes meet leather and dust on the nose of this very earthy bottling, which shows a bit of blackberry as well. The palate is redolent with potpourri flavors and incredibly floral, with plum as the dominant fruit.
Prominent menthol aromas hit you first in the bouquet of this wine, followed closely by bright red cherry and pepper accents. More of the same unfolds on the palate, with accents of raspberry sauce and mocha developing on the finish. Lighter weight with delicate tannins; very drinkable and enjoyable.
Prominent mushroom and forest floor notes take center stage on the nose of this wine, with supporting notes of ripe muddled berries, cherry and licorice. Tightly wound tannins and flavors of small red berries develop on the palate, while notes of game, mocha and black pepper appear on the finish. Drink now–2016.
Prominent notes of char and toasted wood lend a dark, oaky tone to preserved black cherry and plum flavors on this medium-bodied Pinot Noir. The palate is brightened by crisp acidity and faint hints of violet and blackberry, but overwhelmed at present by oak.
Prominent oak and butter aromas and flavors give this medium-bodied wine a sweet impression, and its mouthfeel is smooth and soft. It smells like caramel and tastes like pears.
Prominent oak aromas meet with baked apples and toasted cashew on the nose of this widely available bottling. There is solid acidity at the tip of the sip, but then the sweet oaky elements take hold, adding hints of smoke to the candied lemon flavors.
Prominent on the nose with scents of apple and pear, this is a dry, medium-bodied Pinot Grigio with subtle nectarine and citrus flavor. It's puckery from acidity, but refreshing with a clean, brisk finish.
Prominent yet not overpowering oak smoke aromas lead the nose, with buttermilk, wet wool and chopped green herb elements as well. It's salty on the palate, with cooked apples and dried pineapple flavors, proving a nice balance between the familiar buttery and more elegantly restrained styles.
Promising aromas of tangerine, light honey and plumeria flowers make a good introduction to this rare look at Chenin Blanc in Paso Robles. The flavors fall a bit flat, though, proving very round with a just a hint of chopped herbs.
Promising aromatics include lifted scents of ripe redcurrant, blood-orange peel and a wild streak of elderberry. These fruit notions carry through on the slinky and smooth palate. Elderberry notes are joined by something more resonant and earthy, reminiscent of truffle and autumn. The structure has light feet but is sure-footed, and the purity of the fruit indicates that it will continue developing. It's a subtle, convincing wine.
Promising juicy ripeness of peach and mirabelle appears on the nose. The palate takes this rounded fruitiness and frames it with intense lemon freshness. The palate is concentrated and fluid, shot through with freshness and verve. Dry and refreshing.
Pronounced aromas of char, smoke and bramble lift with time and aeration, revealing prettier notes of fresh herb and red cherry. Plump cherry and berry flavors are supple and concentrated, but have a distinctly green, herbal tone on the midpalate. The finish is marked by a bite of fine-grained but delicately bitter tannins.
Pronounced aromas of charred wood are imposing on the nose, but intense black fruit shines through on the palate, taming char into a more palatable blend of rich blackberry preserves, smoke and barnyard. The long finish ends with supple tannins and a touch of vanilla and mocha-kissed fruit.
Pronounced aromas of citrus and yellow stone fruit take center stage. The palate offers nectarine zest, unripe apricot and a hint of chopped herb alongside crisp acidity.
Pronounced aromas of dried savory herbs impart a distinctly earthy tone to this Pinot Noir rosé. While a crush of fresh watermelon flavor shines brightly on the palate, it finishes brisk and tart.
Pronounced dust, pollen and earth tones lend savoriness to this otherwise citrusy wine. Racy acidity and fresh tangerine and lemon flavors turn herbal on the finish. Drink now.
Pronounced FOO-kway, this is the highest in alcohol but the lowest in flavor of the Erath line up. The first bottle tasted flat, leafy and dull, but a second bottle was significantly improved. Nonetheless it appears to be aging quickly, with an astringent, tannic finish.
Pronounced Kay-lee, this is sourced from Red Mountain, hence the graphite and grain in the tannins. Lush cherry, tobacco and earth flavors combine, with a whiff of smoke wafting through the wine from start to finish.
Pronounced Kay-lee, this Red Mountain Syrah remains a bit tight and tannic, with hints of green tea in the finish. The fruit is tart and compact, with a nose of blueberry and brown sugar. Tannins are quite hard and slightly bitter; this will require some further cellaring.
Pronounced Kay-lee, this Syrah is unabashedly funky. If you like a wine with generous aromas of barnyard and garden, along with potent, ripe, berry-laden fruit, this delivers in spades. Barrel aging adds chocolate and dark espresso character to the finish.
Pronounced like “Cyrano,” this blend of 63% Petite Sirah, 28% Pinot Noir and 9% Syrah successfully mingles these distinct varieties. Crushed mulberry, strawberry and black plum meet with thyme and mint-chocolate-chip aromas on the nose. The palate shows similar flavors, yet is more subtle than a typical Petite Sirah, with a plush mouthfeel.
Pronounced mature plum, black-skinned berry, vanilla, dark spice and French oak aromas lift out of the glass. The firm palate delivers dried wild cherry, roasted coffee, licorice and cocoa notes, while compact tannins provide support. Drink 2020–2028.
Pronounced minerality and fresh, bright fruit are balanced nicely in this stylish wine. A touch of spice adds dimension. Pair with poultry dishes.
Pronounced mint and menthol in the nose, with good, ripe cherry fruit underneath. It's like a mint chocolate covered cherry in the mouth, distinctive and delicious.
Pronounced notes of butter, cheese and canned cream corn dominate this savory Chardonnay. It's a rather fat, cream-textured wine but sunny tangerine acidity and fresher notes of apple and pear flavors do get a peek through the midpalate.
Pronounced notes of strawberry and red cherry are laced with notes of vanilla and brown sugar on the nose. The light-bodied palate follows suit, with toasted vanilla lingering to the finish.
Pronounced notes of struck flint and burnt matches take quite a while to dissipate, but reveal prettier tones of lemon, grapefruit and lime aromas with aeration. It's a smoky savory wine with delicate fruit concentration but it's also zesty and refreshing.
Pronounced notes of vanilla, spice and toast extend from nose to finish on this creamy, silk-edged Chardonnay. The palate is marked by soft peach, apple and pear flavors lifted by sunny lemon acidity. It's overtly oaky, but elegantly composed.
Pronounced struck flint and candle wax aromas fade with time and aeration, revealing delicate white blossom and lemon rind notes in this off-dry wine. It's an intensely racy Kabinett with salt-rimmed lime and lemon flavors that dart and dash on the palate. Enjoy now for its radiant youthfulness, but also as it matures over the next decade.
Pronounced wood and toast notes open this rich, oaky Chardonnay. The palate boasts bright lemon and caramel-apple flavors, but hints of unripe stems and leaves distract.
Pronto red is 77% Grenache, with the remainder a blend of Touriga Nacional (11%), Syrah (7%) and Monastrell (5%). It starts off with leather and spice, then folds in cherries and licorice. It's full-bodied, round and slightly warm, with a supple, spice-driven finish. Drink now-2015.
Proof again from Pierre Luneau that Muscadet can age. This wine, 11 years old, still tastes fresh. The only concession to age is the loss of the high green primary fruits, but the flavors have then rounded out, still creamy, still full of vivacious acidity, but now with almonds, some toast and ripeness.
Proof that that a pink wine can be as serious as it is delicious, this copper-tinged wine from James MacPhail offers almond, cured meat, raspberry, melon and lemon peel flavors. No shrinking violet here; it's at once crisp, fleshy and fully expressive.
Proper Nuits-St.-Georges, all dry tannins powering through the dark cherry fruit flavors, and balanced with tasty acidity. There's great potential here, the ripe fruits just showing their intensity, but for the moment, the tannins are the core.
Proper rather than exciting, this Chard was made classic style, with 100% barrel fermentation, 100% malolactic fermentation and plenty of lees. It's creamy and smooth, with modest flavors of peaches, pineapples and green apples.
Properly almost black in color (as befits a wine from the red-juiced Alicante Bouschet), this wine reveals an impressive depth of flavor. It is dark and concentrated, powered by still-young tannins. There is an unfortunate edge of extraction that takes away from the ripe black-plum fruit and the acidity. It will be ready from 2019.
Properly dry and crisp, this is a zesty mineral-driven Champagne. It has acidity, citrus and green-fruit flavors. The texture and the direct fruitiness reveal a wine that is still young. Drink this bottling from 2018.
Properly light in color, this is crisp, fruity and deliciously fresh. Some weight comes from ripe strawberry fruits as well as touches of vanilla. The acidity at the end brings refreshment.
Properly old gold in color, this is a wine from a single year, aged in casks. It's poised between amazing fruit and a wonderful velvet texture that is shot through with acidity. A feeling of lightness comes from the acidity that gives great freshness as well as complex flavors. It's ready to drink.
Properly opulent, this is a generous, subtly wood-aged wine. Ripe apricot and peach fruits are shot through with crisp apple. The wood and the rich fruits give this structured wine a warm character. It is still young, of course. Drink from 2023.
Properly rich and majestic, this wine also has impressive amounts of crisp acidity to balance its concentration. The wine has layers of peach and apricot along with beautiful acidity and a taut texture that will allow it to age. It is generous and will become opulent and full bodied as it develops. Drink this powerful wine from 2022.
Properly rustic, this has firm and dry tannins, a powerful structure to go with the wood aging and black plum flavor. It has pepper, spice and toast notes, with layers of acidity. The finish is very dry and firm. Screwcap.
Properly structured, this is a solid wine. Great swathes of plum fruits are partnered with firm tannins. It is dark and firm, with a dense character. Touches of chocolate and roasted coffee go with the rich plums. Drink from 2015.
Properly varietal, dry and smoothly tannic, this has a ripe, rich blackberry-jam flavor, with a healthy overlay of sweet, smoky oak. It's a fine wine for drinking now.
Proprietary cool-climate aromas of spicy meaty black fruits are suggestive of peas. While this is raw, choppy and bumpy in feel, it's not ponderous. Roasted salty meaty plum flavors are spicy, while this remains herbal in character but fresh on the finish.
Proprietor Jean Marot's entry-level blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah is aged entirely in cement and stainless steel, resulting in a fruit-driven, medium-bodied red that delivers cherry fruit, supple tannins and a slightly peppery finish. Drink now–2014.
Proprietor Jon McDaniel, a sommelier, has crafted a Pinot Noir that's modest in alcohol and brisk in acidity, with an elegantly earthy touch. It's rich in cherries, pomegranates and dried herbs, a wine to savor and linger over as it warms up in the glass.
Proprietor Maurizio Fuselli's 100% Syrah from coastal Tuscany—his debut vintage—could not be more encouraging. The wine exhibits pure berry fruit: Blackberry and cherry is backed by leather, spice and cigar box. The wine has tight, solid tannins, good length and a long, cherry-driven finish.
Proprietor Michel Gassier is turning out excellent values at all levels. This supple red blends 72% Grenache with 24% Syrah and 4% Mourvèdre. Raspberry and rhubarb notes on the nose give way to flavors of ripe cherries, baking spices and dried herbs. The finish is long and velvety. Drink now–2020.
Prosecco Riva dei Fiori is executed in a Brut style (with low levels of sweetness) and offers compelling aromas of stone fruit, citrus and white stone. The mouthfeel is sharp and fresh and this wine would pair with seafood salad or calamari.
Prosecco Superiore 5 Grammi is a beautiful and delicate sparkling wine that delivers citrus, white flower and a touch of sour grapefruit, That fresh acidity coupled with the foamy effervescence of the wine keeps the palate refreshed.
Prosecco Superiore Dei Casel is a soft, foamy wine with apple mousse, lemon zest and soft layers of peach cobbler. The wine is delicate, elegant and fine.
Prosecco tastes great when it offers a measured flirtation of sweetness on the finish—as found in this wine. A soft, creamy mouthfeel is followed by peach blossom, citrus and honey.
Protected by the Massif de Sainte-Baume, kept dry and sunny with the Mistral winds that blow down the Rhône Valley, this vineyard can produce ripe wines like this. It has a crisp cool feel to it, bright with acidity as well as red currant and tangy orange. This is a delicious wine, with a fruity aftertaste.
Protos is a venerable RDD label that doesn't try to do too much with its wines. This youngster is tight, polished and deep, with rich, oily aromas and creamy, saturated blackberry, plum and chocolate flavors. With spice and depth, it shows how good the 2005 vintage is, even for a big-production joven like this.
Proud and distinctive, This Aglianico del Vulture has intense notes of exotic spice and freshly milled peppercorn behind aromas of blackberry and prunes. The aromas penetrate deep at the back of the nose and the dark fruit flavors are succulent, rich and make your mouth pucker. This is a big wine on so many levels. A Marc de Grazia selection, various American importers.
Proudly boasting that there were no added sulphites in the winemaking process, this is a structured wine, firm with tannins that are backed with some juicy berry fruits. It is made to be drunk young although, in fact, it will be better with another six months of bottle aging, so wait until mid- 2016.
Proudly claiming to be a blend of eight grape varieties, this wine is soft and gently fruity with a spicy background that gives it a bitter edge. That will blow off in a few months, so drink this food friendly wine from late 2017.
Proudly displays the leafy side of Sauvignon Blanc, with aromas that veer toward tomato and even tobacco, but rounded out by ripe fig and melon flavors. Long and mouthwatering on the finish. Drink now.
Proving one of the more reliable affordably priced brands from the region, this bottling offers fresh jasmine, tangerine pith, crushed chalk and pineapple aromas. The palate is a bit more tropical, delivering coconut and mango flavors with enough restraint to please many.
Proving that exceptional wines can be (and were) made in this cool, light vintage, this estate-grown selection is both elegant and complex. Flavors of mixed wild berries, a streak of tea, a whiff of peach and compelling balance carry it through an extended finish.
Proving that not only single vineyards can make great wine, this outstanding offering entices with forest floor, black tea, herb and cherry compote flavors. It's full-bodied, laced with fine-grained tannins, expansive in mouthfeel and long-lasting on the finish.
Prugnolo Gentile (another name for Sangiovese) is blended with small percentages of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to produce a firmly intense wine with black fruit aromas and spicy cardamom. There's a gritty quality to the tannins and overall texture.
Prunaio delivers aromas of prune, rum cake and cherry liqueur. The fruit is dark and savory, and there's an aged, almost gritty quality to the mouthfeel.
Prunar is a deep and sophisticated Pinot Bianco (aged 50-50 in large oak casks and stainless steel) that excels in terms of mouthfeel. It delivers a long, creamy finish accented by tones of apricot, pear and grapefruit.
Prune and lead pencil are the key aromas, and there's raisin in the background. The palate offers a mix of lushness and pulsing acid shocks, while the flavors are dark, sweet and pruney. Short on the finish and overall it's more dark and sultry than your average Graciano.
Prune and metallic aromas are not fully integrated and fresh but improve with airing. The palate is heavy and tannic, a touch abrasive in feel, with big berry flavors that hammer away due to fierce tannins. Comes on big with berry fruit but always feels rough.
Prune and raisin aromas announce ripeness, which comes with woodsy, earthy, murky berry scents. This feels snappy at first, then more heavy and baked. Prune and spice cake flavors are clumsy, heavy and lack cohesion on the finish.
Prune and raisin aromas are dominant and suggest overripeness. Following that lead, this is chunky and heavy on the palate, with pounding tannins. Baked blackberry, prune and savory flavors finish long and dense.
Prune and raisin aromas pour off the bouquet, providing more than a clue that this wine is on the overripe side. That's confirmed in the mouth, where things feel tannic and over the top; flavors of raisin, sugar beet and chocolate finish with heat and hardness.
Prune is the most distinct aroma on a generic yet ripe nose. This feels shearing and high in acidity, while raspberry flavors fold in sharp tartaric notes. Short on the finish, as might be expected.
Prune, exotic spice, leather and cured meat aromas take center stage while the bright rounded palate offers dried black cherry, blackberry, licorice and tobacco. A flinty mineral note closes the finish. It's already accessible, with silky tannins. Drink through 2020.
Prune, grilled herb and a whiff of salted-game aromas carry over to the light-bodied palate along with dried black cherry and a hint of clove. It's über-simple, with loose fleeting tannins.
Prune, leather, oak and balsamic aromas lead the nose of this wine. The palate shows oak, vanilla, coconut and fig flavors alongside close-grained tannins. The fruit is already starting to dry out so drink soon.
Prune, leather, oak, vanilla, underbrush and mint aromas lead the nose. The austere palate isn't very expressive, showing subtle oak, toast and espresso in the forefront with notes of dried cherry alongside tightly drying tannins.
Prune, raisin and gamy black-fruit aromas fold in a note of iodine. This Uco Valley Malbec features tough but manageable tannins in front of a savory tasting palate with roasted plum and berry flavors. A note of salt lends complexity to a rubbery, tannic finish. Drink through 2023.
Prune, ripe berries, freshly ground black pepper and clove aromas lead the nose on this ripe, muscular wine. The palate delivers black cherry marinated in spirits and juicy plum while accents of nutmeg, tobacco and licorice add depth. It's still young, with youthfully assertive and tightly compact tannins. Drink 2017–2024.
Prune, stewed plum and warm cranberry sauce blend with anise and brown spice on the nose of this wine from Paso Robles' Eastside. The flavors, framed by good acid and tannins, are evenly presented red fruits, with a distinct strawberry finish.
Prunelard (or Prunelart) is a Gaillac grape that had almost disappeared. Revived by a few enterprising producers, it produces a distinctly fruity, aromatic wine. This bottling's firm edge of tannins and juicy acidity contribute structure and intense fruitiness. Still bursting with youth, it should be aged for another year. Drink from 2018.
Prunes and dark chocolate, rather than fresh fruits, dominate this dark-hued wine. It has big spice along with dense tannins, power and immense concentration. The acidity brings a light moment of freshness. For aging, 4–5 years.
Pruney and somewhat reduced, this thick offering of chocolate and blackberry jam needs food to mellow it out, preferably meat covered thickly in sauce.
Prunotto's Barolo from the Bussia cru delivers ripe and jammy tones of strawberry preserves and blackberry pie that sit heavy over Nebbiolo's characteristically ethereal aromas. This wine will appeal to those who enjoy a bigger, bolder style of Barolo that finishes with rich, succulent fruit.
Prunotto's straight Barolo shows juicy, ripe cherry, white pepper and balsamic sensations, and just a hint of espresso. It's nicely balanced, although there's not a ton of complexity. Enjoy it now and over the next few years.
Prunotto's wines are easily available in the United States and make a perfect option for those of us who just can't get enough of the Nebbiolo grape. This elegant wine opens with tones of pressed violet, cola, natural rubber and menthol. The wine shows a healthy, vibrant feel with tannins that could use five more years of aging.
Prunotto tends to exemplify a ripe, almost jammy style of Barolo with succulent cherry and smoked meat characteristics followed by vanilla, cinnamon, mineral, blackberry and licorice. The intensity is wonderful here but the wine still needs a few extra aging years in the bottle to relax those young tannins.
Puckering in mouthfuls of leathery, burly tannins, the color and power indicate Petit Verdot all right, so dark black is the wine and bursting in black licorice.
Puckering in tannins with a rubbery imprint around blackberry and black tar, this is a huge wine that may need a bit of decanting to enjoy.
Puckering lime zest and lemon notes are softened by crisp yellow peach and nectarine in this dry, light-bodied Riesling. Racy and brisk, it finishes with an elegant crush of minerals. Drink now.
Puckery lemon-lime acidity is a bright contrast to sweet honey tones on this medium-dry Riesling. Shades of dusty minerals lend a savory tone to ruddy apple and pear flavors on the palate.
Puckery lime and lemon flavors collide into lavish streaks of honey and marmalade in this penetrating, lip-smacking kabinett. Delicately composed with the faintest hint of sweetness, it reverberates through a high-toned, tangerine finish. Drink now through 2018.
Pugnitello is a little-known native variety that has recently started enjoying some time in the spotlight. This expression is tight, inky and intense with raw aromas of smoked beef, black olive and ripe fruit.
Puiten is a slightly wider and creamier expression compared to the estate's base Pinot Grigio. The wine shows pretty aromas of peach and citrus as well as a very thick and succulent feel in the mouth.
Pull's well-priced portfolio delivers consistent quality, and this 54% Syrah, 27% Petite Sirah, 16% Grenache, and 3% Viognier blend is appealing, with black cherry aromas lingering amidst rose petals and mint. Blackberry juice wins the palate, with a touch of black licorice and ample yet easygoing tannins.
Pulled together with fruit from a mix of estate vineyards, this wine boasts delicate flavors of raspberry and pomegranate with light accents of barrel toast, along with substantial acidity. It's tart, clean and simple.
Pulling from both the Sacrashe and Bergfeld vineyards, as well as other partner sites, this is a tremendously impressive wine, bright in herb, cedar and cassis, with soft, integrated tannins. Concentrated, it maintains elegance despite the full-bodied luxuriousness, finishing in decadent chocolate. Drink now through 2022.
Pulpy and also minerally on the nose, with basic white fruit aromas. Zesty, crisp and defined by slate and lime in the mouth, with apple, lime and dryness to the flavor profile. A composed little white wine for simple sipping or white sangria.
Pulpy aromas of applesauce are a bit flat. This feels chunky on the palate, with low acidity. White-fruit flavors suggest canned peach and pear, and it tastes sweet on the finish.
Pulsing and lively, the nose bears aromas of red plum and dark berry. The palate feels jumpy and rubbery, with black fruit and sweet cherry flavors. A big, fruity and flavorful wine.
Pulverized peppercorns and dried oregano aromas give ample seasoning to lush blackberry fruit on this wine from a vineyard planted by the Pisoni and Franscioni families. The firm structure implies that this wine will improve with time, but it's already deliciously savory with lots of thyme, anise, menthol, charred beef and pepper throughout the purple fruit flavors.
Pun alert. Matchless might suggest a peerless wine, but then you notice that the label has been burnt, as if in a fire. The blend is roughly two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one third Syrah, and the wine is broadly fruity in the Walla Walla style, with suggestions of cherry pie and berry jam. The finish has a rather chalky feel, with chewy tannins.
Punchbowl aromas of melon and papaya are a bit watery. The palate is round and simple in feel, with modest acidity. Easygoing flavors of melon and peach finish nice but short. This is basic white wine in every way.
Punchbowl aromas of red currant, raspberry, cherry and bath soap set up a bright yet sinewy palate. Flavors of baked berry, roasted plum and minerally earth notes finish with mild herb and spice flavors, ample residual fruit and juicy acidity.
Punchbowl sweetness and pineapple aromas come in front of a chunky palate with banana and oily green-fruit flavors. A short finish is heavy before it fades.
Punchy and bright with tones of honey, pineapple and quince, this medium-sweet Riesling is an alarm clock to the senses. Juicy and forward, with a streak of sunny, lemon acidity, it's a straightforward but unabashedly satisfying quaffer.
Punchy and concentrated, this off-dry Riesling juxtaposes plush, peachy fruit against a backdrop of spine-tingling lemon acidity. Its uncomplicated forward style makes it quite quaffable.
Punchy and forward, this fruity concoction offers loads of ripe pineapple, peach and citrus flavors. It's slightly off dry and straightforward in style but neatly balanced. Sharp lemon-lime acidity lends a pleasantly zesty kick to the finish.
Punchy and grapy on the nose, this bright Malbec feels edgy and rubbery. Flavors of spicy black cherry and kirsch finish solidly, with a hint of chocolate flavor.
Punchy and prickly up front, this has sharp aromas, which signal that the grapes were picked early in a hot vintage. Flavors of nettle, white pepper and jalapeño rest on a zesty palate. This wine finishes with snap and freshness.
Punchy and pure on the bouquet, this has nicely presented blackberry and cassis aromas that are offset by a whiff of dried cheese and leather. It feels snappy, fresh and firm, with toasty, mildly-spicy plum, berry and toasted flavors. Lengthy, juicy and healthy on the finish. Drink now through 2015.
Punchy aromas of grapefruit and jalapeño form the greeting on this lean but refreshing wine. A straightforward palate offers zesty acidity, while flavors of white pepper, sea salt, grapefruit and lime lead straight through the finish.
Punchy berry aromas lead to a fresh, direct palate with fairly sharp acidity. This shows flavors of plum, berry, herbs and spice, which are standard for Rioja. A lasting finish with mild oak and acidic snap wraps up this easy-to-gauge Crianza.
Punchy black-cherry and plum aromas are dry, earthy and toasty, with stony minerality and crispness. This is a full, lively, generous Monastrell offering blackberry, spiced cake and chocolate flavors over a dark, coffee-laden finish that goes the distance. Drink through 2018.
Punchy citric aromas come with a note of fresh celery. This is zesty and crisp in the mouth, while orange and celery stalk flavors end with a refreshing, cleansing finish.
Punchy citrus and minerally aromas open this fresh SB. A juicy, citric palate points in the right direction, while this tastes like tangerine and orange peel mixed with lime and green herbs. A crisp, persistent finish closes it out.
Punchy citrus aromas are natural like they should be for an unoaked wine. Angular and a bit sharp on the palate, this spunky style of Chardonnay deals tart peach and nectarine flavors in front of a fresh finish that's a touch sour.
Punchy citrus aromas are prickly on the nose. This wine is quite citric in feel, with lemon extract and lime taking charge.
Punchy citrus aromas have a tropical accent. This is soft on acidity, with flavors of grass, green fruits and bitterness that end in a swirl of green herbs and pepper. Overall, there isn't much fruit.
Punchy citrus, apple and lanolin aromas are a bit dusty and entirely typical of Rías Baixas Albariño. Direct citrus flavors and a note of briny orange peel finish a bit salty, with a hint of green banana.
Punchy grapefruit aromas come with a touch of minerality. An oily yet spritzy feeling palate doesn't score many points, while the flavor profile is bitterness offset by pithy citrus flavors.
Punchy hibiscus and pomegranate notes mix with crushed black rocks and rose petals on the nose of this very reliable every-day drinker. The palate is earthy and herbal in character, with flavors of bay leaf, camphor, dried mint, pine sap and tangy cranberry juice making it very food-friendly.
Punchy lime and lemon mark this off-dry Riesling with a staccato rhythm, adding edge to honeyed tones of peach and honeysuckle. Exceptionally priced, it's satisfying and elegant.
Punchy out of the chute, this smells mostly of dry herbs and spiced plum. It's fresh on the palate, with good body and modest depth. Juicy plum and red-currant flavors finish lightly oaked, with peppery spice and acidic tang.
Punchy plum and raspberry aromas are light and fresh, as is the palate, which introduces jumpy acidity to the equation. Like the nose, this tastes of basic red fruits, cherry and plum in particular, while the finish is persistently fruity. This is 54% Tempranillo and 46% Garnacha.
Punchy prickly citrus aromas are clearly that of Sauvignon Blanc. Light in color and weight, this tastes of tangy citrus with a shot of black and green pepper. Lime is the key flavor noted on a clean but mild finish.
Punchy pyrazine and citrus aromas suggest austere Sauvignon Blanc. This feels tight and lean, while boxed-in flavors of grapefruit and bitter citrus pith finish short but with vitality.
Punchy raspberry and plum aromas indicate that this Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) is no weakling. An edgy, slightly grating palate offers plum and medicinal flavors along with bright acidity. Mild resin and oak-spice flavors are detectable on the finish.
Punchy raspberry and red-plum aromas are light and airy. That also describes the palate, which is dilute and lacks stuffing. Flavors of raspberry Kool-Aid and mild oak are fresh and floral on the finish. This may do best as a chilled simple sipper.
Punchy raspberry and strawberry aromas mingle with darker shades of blueberry, with tarragon and anise in the background. Soft and silken on the palate, the flavors mimic the nose, supported by a gentle dusting of tannins. This is a perfect light-bodied summer red, great alongside grilled fare.
Punchy raspberry, plum and spice aromas are straight from central casting as far as Pinot goes. This feels medium to full, while spicy, lightly leafy plum flavors are a touch herbal. Round and generous on the finish, this closes with dry, spicy, herbal flavors and a solid oak component.
Punchy red fruit aromas and plum notes give this Malbec energy up front. A ripe, round palate feels good and right. Spicy plum flavors with an herbal note finish woody, salty and with rubbery, lively tannins. Drink through 2019.
Punchy red fruit meets brawny tannin and substantial oak in this red, which includes small amounts of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its cherry and cassis notes are seasoned with dried herb highlights.
Punchy tannin and oak wrap around brushy sage and a taste of the mountain site, herbal and rocky in a wet stone kind of minerality. Juicy cassis and black currant provide a brightness of fruit and roundedness that offsets the more powerful concentration that just begs to be paired with grilled meat.
Punchy up front, with aromas of wet dog, wild berry and raspberry, this blend of Carmenère, Syrah and Cab Sauvignon runs deep and ripe in the mouth, with loamy tannins and overall smoothness. Blueberry, blackberry and toasty flavors become more chocolaty on the finish. Overall this unfolds bit by bit to show complexity and intrinsic qualities. Drink through 2022.
Punchy yet secure aromas of apple, pear, grass and green herbs are expansive. A forward, layered, sensuous palate delivers yeasty, toasty apple and pear flavors. On the finish, softness, depth and richness share space alongside acidity and length. Drink through 2019.
Punchy, grassy aromas of citrus and tropical fruits capture most of what's good about coastal Chilean SB. This feels angular, fresh and minerally, with flavors of tangerine, lime, lemon and grapefruit. A tangy, lasting finish is pure Leyda.
Punchy, mildly herbaceous aromas of olive, herbs, tobacco and plum are classic Chilean scents. This cool-vintage Malbec is lively and a bit raw on the palate. Savory, roasted, oaky flavors of minty blackberry and plum finish dry, hot, peppery and ultimately a touch salty.
Punchy, raw cranberry and red-plum aromas turn more candied with airing. This has an easy flowing feel as well as simple, fresh cherry and raspberry flavors. Dry spice, cocoa and residual cherry flavors drive the finish.
Punchy, rubbery, full-force aromas of black fruits, graphite and bacon are loud and oaky. This feels stocky and full, with blackberry, cherry, fig and prune flavors. On the finish, vanilla and coconut take over a very good, ripe Rioja.
Punchy, sizable tannins make this wine a beast at first. It's dry on the palate, yet sultry, well-defined layers of dark cherry and toasty vanilla-oak manage to persist around seasonings of minty dried herb and cinnamon. From a well-known vineyard high atop what is called the Petaluma Gap, it's characteristically robust and age-worthy, able to cellar through 2022.
Punchy, slightly pyrazinic aromas lead to a tight and narrow palate. Lightly pickled flavors of celery, cucumber and citrus fruits finish salty and with just enough ripeness.
Pungent and a little pickled on the nose, with oak and cream coming on a second wave. The palate is composed, normal in feel and shows slightly choppy cherry and berry flavors. Regular but short on the finish. Good wine; nothing more than that.
Pungent and acidic to the brink of sour, this tastes like unsweetened grapefruit juice. Though not especially typical for Riesling, it might be a pleasant match for fresh oysters.
Pungent and assertively herbal, this blend of Chehalem's three estate vineyards has aromatics to spare, along with an earthy mix of root, stem and brambly fruit. There's a streak of cola also, and it delivers plenty of power for a cool vintage wine that clocks in at 12.7% alcohol.
Pungent and grapey, with notes of violets and dusty chocolate. The astringent fruit shows varietal cassis flavor, somewhat overtaken by the extremely charred, coffee ground flavors of the finish.
Pungent and grassy on the nose, with a strong nettle and green herb character. The palate is soft and playful, with pithy white fruit flavors and then a soda-like dry finish. Plump, wayward and a bit green overall.
Pungent and green on the nose, this is showing cool-climate aromas. In the mouth, this is shear and tangy, with a high level of citric acidity. Flavors of lime, Granny Smith apple and asparagus finish briny, crisp and scouring.
Pungent and green on the nose, which makes it 100% varietally correct. It smells and tastes of cool-climate terroir, and if you enjoy simple but likable citrus, melon, snap pea and bell pepper characteristics, this has it. Good by the glass or by the bottle.
Pungent and green up front, with a shot of cool-coast pyrazines on the nose, this hits the palate with a lemony blast of citric acid. Flavors of orange and nettle are a touch briny, while a juicy, acidic, peppery finish is racy to the max.
Pungent and herbal aromas make for a vivid splash upon entry. The wine quickly evolves into pretty cherry fruit, wrapped in cinnamon, sassafras and cocoa, then runs into gently fading barrel spices.
Pungent and leafy at first, this also boasts honey and passion fruit aromas. It's medium in body, with tropical, pineapple flavors and a clean, refreshing finish. Drink up.
Pungent and nettle-y, but those elements are nicely counterbalanced by a medium-bodied core of pineapple and fig. Finishes pleasantly soft; easy to drink.
Pungent and precise, with a textbook mix of green aromas, tropical fruits and lushness. Feels lively and juicy, with lime, lychee, green apple and pineapple flavors that settle on passion fruit come finishing time.
Pungent and pure up front, this 12-year-old Palo Cortado smells nutty and like toffee, with notes of orange peel and apricot. The palate reflects the bouquet, meaning it's clean and exact, with buttery flavors of dried nuts and not too much salt. This runs smooth on the finish and would be ideal in a savory soup or with sautéed mushrooms.
Pungent and sharp, and that's exactly the style that Los Vascos has mastered in recent years. This wine tastes very much like a coastal, Casablanca Chardonnay yet it hails from Colchagua. The nose is pithy and citric, and the palate is more of the same. Good mouthfeel and fresh, but green, citrusy and too much like Sauvignon Blanc.
Pungent and smoky, filled with minerals and grapefruit, this is top-flight Sauvignon Blanc. The mouthfeel is smooth, silky and slightly creamy; the finish, long and delicate.
Pungent and snappy up front, with grapefruit and nettle aromas, this is classic Leyda Sauvignon Blanc on the bouquet. On the palate, this is fresh, juicy and upright. Well-cut flavors of green pea, lime and tangerine finish pithy and firm.
Pungent and spicy, dark and brooding, this wine brings it with deep, sappy berry fruit and overtones of meat and garrigue, all with muscle and verve. Tannins are firm and hard, showing some ripe stem and earth flavors, and plenty of barrel toast. Muscular and warm, this Syrah walks the line perfectly between the Rhône and Barossa.
Pungent and spicy, with a sulfurous opening. Once the SO2 blows off, the minty, licorice flavors poke through.
Pungent and sweaty but nevertheless inviting, this is a walk on the wild side of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. It's full-on boxwood and passionfruit; a potent, weighty wine with a intensely feral quality. Drink now.
Pungent and sweaty on the nose, the palate brings a heavy mouthfeel showing pithy flavors of citrus and almond skin.
Pungent and sweaty smelling, with nettle and other sharp aromas. Surprisingly, the palate is short on acidity so there's a flat feel along with green, salinic flavors that border on vegetal. For proof, there's a clear wave of asparagus to the finish. Not as good as in past years.
Pungent and sweaty, this makes an immediate impact on the nose. That vibrancy carries over onto the plushly textured palate and electric, mouthwatering finish. A fun, flashy wine for near-term consumption.
Pungent and teetering on the edge of herbaceousness. But then it draws back, settling on passion fruit, tropical breezes and lime. The wine has pulsing acidity and it dances on the palate. It's also sort of bracing and sharp, which some may find too razor-like for their palate. Very nice for coastal Aconcagua, an outland where few besides Errazuriz have gone.
Pungent aromas of asparagus, sea grass and lime are pure Leyda, and while the wine seems to be softening with age, it does offer enough acids to keep it moving. Flavors of lime and green bean are green in nature, and there's seltzer and more lime on the finish. May already be past its sell date.
Pungent aromas of cactus and sweaty citrus suggest Sauvignon Blanc or Verdejo, but this is mostly Merseguera with Macabeo and Moscatel thrown in. A pulpy palate is marginally focused, while this tastes of tropical fruits, namely grapefruit and passion fruit.
Pungent aromas of field greens and citrus lead into a palate defined by racy lime, grapefruit and passion fruit. The finish is a bit watery, which is a disappointing drop off from the solid citrus flavors present on the front palate. Overall it's a nice wine, nothing more, nothing less.
Pungent aromas of herbs, cherry cola, orange peel and dark fruit lead to well-balanced blue-fruit flavors. It shows a lot of purity and appeal as well as good length.
Pungent aromas of lemony oak, peanuts and maple are the opening act. The next act is a big, sweet palate with monster extraction and the flavors of brandied black cherries. For some it might be too sweet, especially when the acidity kicks in to create a juicy palate feel not unlike fruit juice.
Pungent aromas of nettle, grapefruit and green herbs are true to Rueda and Verdejo. This feels tight and minerally, almost to the point of seeming raw. Nettle, lime and scallion flavors are tangy, citric and lightly pickled on the finish.
Pungent aromas of pine needles and saw mill start it off. Next comes a juicy palate with flavors of orange and pineapple. The finish is fine, but it's kind of dull. The is a basic wine that veers toward flatness. But for now it's hanging in there.
Pungent aromas of tangerine and passionfruit get it going, so it's not shocking that the palate is zesty and citric, with flavors of passionfruit, lemon and orange. A little dilute in body, with passionfruit as the prime survivor on the finish.
Pungent aromas of tight-grained oak meet with almonds, pecans and lemon sorbet on the opulent attention-grabbing nose. Woody flavors of sandalwood and cedar continue to the palate, which is crisp, clean and salty but not unctuous at all, with tangy citrus on the finish.
Pungent aromas of wet stones, citrus fruits, grass and bell pepper are lively and intense. This has a crisp, clean palate and pyrazine-based flavors of nettle, bell pepper and lime. On the finish, it remains racy until the end.
Pungent boxwood notes unfold on the nose, while the palate offers hints of tomato and tobacco leaves alongside white grapefruit. This medium-bodied wine finishes bright, marked by fresh greens.
Pungent briny citrus aromas announce a lean, tangy palate. This edgy SB features zesty, sharp citrus and green-herb flavors, which are typical for Casablanca. A dilute finish displays watered-down snap.
Pungent citrus aromas settle on grapefruit. This feels regular and tastes like grapefruit and citrus pith. A standard feeling finish is fresh, citrusy in flavor and mildly bitter.
Pungent citrus notes of kumquat, tangerine, Meyer-lemon pith and grapefruit give depth to accents of apple blossom and toasty seared lemon. This well-constructed wine shows Meyer lemon-rind flavors, a pithy grip and a touch of almond that provides richness to the midpalate.
Pungent clove and cinnamon appear upon entry to this medium-bodied wine, which also offers smooth, rounded tannins and subtle oak. Plum, raspberry and tobacco all make an appearance, finished off by a healthy dose of black pepper.
Pungent earth and forest floor surround big oak, full-figured body and a yeasty baked-bread quality. These are layered against soft tannins that pop big and hard on the finish.
Pungent earth dominates the nose of this wine while cherry and cassis notes play on the painfully light-bodied yet smoothly textured palate. Smoky oak lingers on the finish.
Pungent earth is met by dark handfuls of baking spice, dried cherry and chocolate in this rich, velvety and full-bodied wine that's smooth and rounded on the palate.
Pungent earth opens this wine, the small-production label of Napa Valley geologist and worldwide soils expert Dr. Paul Skinner, who has named it appropriately to mark its literal roots. A strip of red berry and vanilla highlight the palate of this overall bright and balanced wine.
Pungent grassy aromas vie with passion fruit on the nose, while the flavors lean more toward the tropical fruit side of things. This is a medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc that plays it safe, offering a comfortable drink at a reasonable price.
Pungent grassy notes lead the nose of this bottling from Vina Robles, with rounder passionfruit scents as well. The palate combines flinty minerality with lime zest, kumquat and herbal flavors, recalling its initial grassiness.
Pungent jasmine and orange blossom take hold of the nose right away, ensuring that this won't be one of those flavorless Pinot Grigios to forget. On the palate, roasted pear and slight toffee tones mingle with lemon-lime acidity, making this wine a nice fit for backyard gatherings featuring shrimp on the barbie.
Pungent kiwi, peach fuzz and notes of herb and gooseberry surround a full-bodied, robust and rounded palate with streaks of citrus and medium acidity.
Pungent notes of cocoa, herb, medicine cabinet, vanilla and cherry liqueur mark this wine's nose. The palate is full bodied with firm, dry tannins and dried out fruit flavors.
Pungent notes of cranberry and pruny oak mark this wine, with tannins that are a bit tough and slightly out of balance.
Pungent notes of saffron and orange rind waft from this unusually spicy ice wine. The aromatics then lift, and honeyed orange flavors take over on the palate.
Pungent notes of white pepper and dried herbs are followed by tonic acidity, foamy effervescence and a polished finish. This is the perfect wine to pair with spicy finger foods. Sweet fruit flavors round off the experience. Prosecco grapes are enhanced by small percentages of Verdiso and Perera.
Pungent of baked plum and baking spice, this Shenandoah Barbera is soft and rustic, yet refined, with a jolt of mocha espresso on the finish. The expert acidity enveloping this wine should pair with Mediterrean-themed food.
Pungent oily, tropical aromas of pineapple and melon come with a distant shot of turpentine and/or chemical cleanser. In the mouth, this is round and melony, with solid framing. Citrus and lychee flavors finish with a light coating of bitter pith. Drink right away.
Pungent on the nose with aromas of dried herbs and and sweet spices, there's an exotic character to this full-bodied, semidry Riesling. Flavors of dried pineapple, honey and oolong tea on the midpalate end sharply in steely acidity on the finish.
Pungent orange blossom and jasmine aromas show on the extremely floral nose of this bottling, which almost smells sweet. But the palate is dry with very vibrant acidity and a lot of interesting texture, showing ripe apple and pear flavors.
Pungent pyrazine-heavy aromas of bell pepper and asparagus are typical for this winery. A chunky palate is oily in feel, while vegetal-leaning, green flavors of pickled citrus fruits end with a salty note.
Pungent scents of crushed tomato or nettle leaves enliven this lightweight wine. It's citrusy and pleasantly leafy on the palate, with a finish that turns slightly chalky.
Pungent stony citrus aromas include a distinct whiff of passion fruit. This feels tight, crisp and elegant on the palate, while slightly salty citrus flavors suggest grapefruit and sea brine. A briny finish retains snap and freshness.
Pungent tobacco, sage and grape juice aromas lead the nose on this tasty wine. The tannins are well dispersed on the palate, and the flavors balance between dark purple fruits and herbals of licorice and crushed marjoram.
Pungent tones of almond skin and peanut disturb this Prosecco Brut that otherwise shows bright luminosity and persistent perlage. The sparkler has sour notes on the close and lingering nutty flavors.
Pungent up front, with green herb, white pepper and citrus aromas, this is zesty and acidic on the palate, with a monotonous lemon flavor on the finish. It turns more tart and acidic as it airs.
Pungent upfront, marrying freshly cut grass with hints of sweat and backing those scents up with bright citrus fruit. Flavors are musky and complex, adding fig and melon to the mix, all carried by a plump texture and a moderately long finish.
Pungent with strong aromas of stem and herb, the fruit suggests green banana and other minimally-ripe flavors. The wine is a bit disjointed, with stiff tannins and a green edge to the finish.
Pungent with true Sauvignon character. Tangerine, green fruits and grapefruit share the flavor profile, and the finish is mild but clean. Zesty, straightforward and tasty if served chilled.
Pungent, borderline sweaty aromas of passion fruit, mango and orange peel are classic SB. This Rueda-based Sauvignon is zesty on the palate, with strict flavors of grapefruit, passion fruit and tangerine. A crisp, fresh, slightly pithy finish doesn't hurt.
Pungent, briny aromas of sweaty citrus and green herbs are typical of the variety, while this feels fresh on the palate. Lime, lettuce and tarragon flavors end short, with modest acidity. Drink immediately.
Pungent, feline aromas of green citrus and passion fruit filter into a citric, pulpy palate. Flavors of mixed citrus fruits, green herbs, onion and passion fruit finish heavy, with a lingering note of pickle brine.
Pungent, feline aromas of nettle and passion fruit are sharp and uric. This feels narrow and angular, with racy acidity. Flavors of passion fruit, grapefruit, bell pepper and cactus pad finish with pink-grapefruit sharpness and pithy bitterness.
Pungent, feline aromas of sweat and cactus set up a sharp, citric palate that's loaded to the brim with acidity. Austere flavors of passion fruit and lime end with a note of mango along with a wave of citric burn.
Pungent, grassy and ultrafresh, with citric aromas and textbook scents of wild grass, nettles and passionfruit. The palate is similar, with passionfruit, green melon and citrus front and center. The feel is wet and flashy, and overall this is a very nice wine to match with salads, fish and the like.
Pungent, grassy aromas seem off center for Chardonnay, while the mouthfeel is heavy and the flavors seem derived from overripe fruit. The finish is woody and has plenty of texture, but there's also a piercing bolt of acidity running through the middle.
Pungent, high-pitched notes of turmeric and dried flower hit the nose first, with underlying scents of tobacco, char and cassis. The palate is medium bodied and chocolaty, and it bears chalky tannins that keep the finish firm.
Pungent, leafy and loaded with passion fruit on the nose, this is green, but in a good way, balancing those notes with just enough pineapple and citrus flavors. For a medium-bodied wine, it shows remarkable creaminess on the palate. A long, tomato-stalk-accented finish completes the picture. Drink now.
Pungent, pure aromas of citrus and tarragon are appealing. This feels upright and tangy, with bright, driving acidity. Grapefruit, lime and jalapeño flavors finish juicy, with leftover citrus notes and a dash of white pepper.
Pungent, rudimentary berry aromas come across as candied, while the palate is very narrow and sweet. Drying on the finish due to wayward tannins; doesn't go beyond the ordinary. Imported by USA Wine Imports.
Pungent, spicy earth and cinnamon rise out of the wine's bouquet, inviting one to enjoy a structured expression of cranberry, raspberry and black tea. The tannin structure is well managed and the oak strong, yet integrated. Gap's Crown is among the vineyards that figure into the blend, along with several Dutton family properties. This is fresh and focused.
Pungent, sweaty aromas include match stick and green citrus. Flavors of citrus, melon and green apple mark the palate and finish pithy and bitter, with strong pyrazines.
Pungent, sweaty aromas of nettle and cactus are sharp and muddled. This feels citric and alert, with an oily sense to the palate feel. Flavors of pink grapefruit turn pithy and bitter in front of a chalky finish.
Pungent, with grapefruit and grassy aromas that are true to the variety. The palate is fresh, the flavors good and fruity. There's mango and tangerine, and also some garden-fresh asparagus in the mix. The finish, too, is perfectly fresh; it's there one moment and gone the next.
Pungent, yeasty, almost sweaty notes of onion and garlic blend with oak-infused cider and citrus aromas. This is round, fresh and not too heavy on the palate, while its oaky, smoky barrel and baked-apple flavors end with overt woodiness and mounting bitterness.
Pungent, zesty and quite varietal in its expression. The nose is racy and intense, with nettle, sweat and passion fruit aromas. Expect a wet, almost spritzy palate with green-edged fruit flavors and light herbaceousness. There's bite and sass to this one, and the finish is quite long.
Pungently bell peppery at first, this wine also features enough stone fruit and citrus flavors to carry the herbal overtones. It's medium in body, and finishes crisp and zesty—a very likeable summer quaff.
Pungently earthy in cigar box and compost, this is a compact and densely powerful wine, full of blackberry-jam flavor dipped in chocolate and cinnamon spice.
Pungently earthy in forest and truffle, this is a soft, medium-built wine with a density beneath it, the palate explosively juicy in blackberry and currant. Balanced despite a significant concentration of savory fruit, it'll pair well at the table with seared and grilled meats.
Pungently earthy in red strawberry and cherry, this is a seductively textured wine from a fine vineyard, made in tiny amounts. Fresh-cut roses and black tea provide a savory element, balancing exuberant fruit and complex notes of cola.
Pungently perfumed, all lemon, mandarin orange and spice, this Gewürztraminer is moderately textured and aromatically pretty, an interesting companion to spicy food but also the myriad of flavors found around a holiday meal.
Punggl is a very expressive Pinot Grigio (one third of the wine is aged in large oak casks) that imparts fruity tones of peach and melon along with some spicier tones of pastry cream and vanilla. It shows good structure and silkiness in the mouth.
Punset is a very interesting organic and biodynamic winery that tends to release its vintages much later than the others. This 2004 Riserva Barbaresco is amazingly intense and complex with deep layers of cola, white licorice, balsam notes, forest berry and dried mint. Drink from 2015–2020.
Punset is an excellent organic and biodynamic winery in Neive, Piedmont. This easy Barbera d'Alba opens with dried fruit and cassis followed by dried herb and black olive. The mouthfeel is fresh and streamlined.
Punset offers organic and biodynamic wines that require long years of cellar aging to complete their evolution. Currently, this is still disjointed and gritty; give it some time as this has potential for the greatness.
Punset releases its wines much later than others and its organic, Nebbiolo-based wines really do need a lot of time in the bottle before they are ready to drink. Take this 2004 Barbaresco: The wine is very alive and bright with firm tannins and a long finish that will gain traction over the next decade.
Puntay is a fresh and floral Gewürztraminer with a bright, lively appearance and a fragrant bouquet that is redolent of white flower and peach blossom. The wine feels thick and creamy on the finish.
Purchased by the Gaja family in 1967, the Costa Russi vineyard produces elegant expressions of Nebbiolo with beautifully saturated, sun-drenched flavors. Indeed, this vintage shows wild berry with beautiful background renderings of smoke and graphite. Five percent Barbera is added and the wine shows amazing harmony and sophistication with bright acidity and firm tannins. It will only become more beautiful in time.
Pure Alicante Bouschet is rare in the cooler Lisboa region, but this wine certainly reveals much of the richness and intense fruit that makes this grape so popular among producers. It is a rich wine, with structure as well as fruit, that is ready to drink now.
Pure Alicante Bouschet, this wine is rich and generously ripe. At this young stage it does seem to have surfeit of toasty wood and hopefully this will integrate. It's certainly not shy, with its bold black currant flavors and balanced acidity. Drink this wine from 2017.
Pure Alvarinho from the north of the Vinho Verde region makes this a smooth, ripe wine. It is perfumed, stylish and with a good balance between acidity and refreshing green and white fruitiness. Drink the wine now.
Pure and clean, this has notes of toasted hazelnut, green apple, lemon blossom and white peach that scream Chardonnay, with zesty acids that keep the medium-bodied palate feeling lively. Although the flavors could use a boost of concentration, it's a fine wine to pair with chicken or tilapia.
Pure and crisp on the nose, this lightly oaked Mencía smells of currant, raspberry, mixed spices and herbs. It's bouncy and firm in the mouth, with pronounced acidity. Flavors of berry and currant are more generic than special, while the finish holds form as it fades away.
Pure and delicious, this generous, lightly spicy and velvet-textured wine does a great job of combining ripe, tasty fruit flavors with an enticing oaky layer that seems to bring subtle sweetness. While full bodied it is not heavy, and has firm, fine-grained tannins to add texture.
Pure and driving, but also acidic and woody in aromas and flavors. Can't say that this barrel fermented Viura-based white is Muga's best wine. It's crisp with green apple and pineapple, but also a little sour and simple. With 10% Malvasia.
Pure and focused in flavor, this is a great example of a natural-tasting wine in which the cherry, strawberry and blackberry flavors inherent in the grapes shine through and there's little oak to complicate things. It is medium bodied, well balanced, with light tannins and mild acidity.
Pure and focused, Bruwer Raats's love of and attention to Cabernet Franc results in a wine that always impresses, and is a bit of an anomaly in the South African wine world. Bright notes of red cherry and currant unfold on the nose and mouth, with accents of ashy tobacco, foliage, pepper and just the faintest suggestion of vanilla bean. Medium weight, with dry, dusty tannins that lend grip to the finish.
Pure and friendly notes of ripe Bosc pear entice the nose. The palate shows freshness and generosity in equal measure. Balance and zip makes this wine moreish and expressive, while the pithy, citric core lends structure and balance.
Pure and friendly tart apple and sweet pear fruit are very appetizing. The palate emphasises fruity sweetness but is kept in check and balance. Residual sweetness will make this shine in certain food contexts while the backbone of bright, citric acidity provides a great counterpoint.
Pure and fruity, this has a fine line of steely acidity that cuts through the crisp apple fruit. The Loiser Berg is a south-facing, sheltered site that helps to create a taut wine with considerable aging potential. Keep for 4–5 years.
Pure and fruity, this medium-bodied wine is supersmooth in texture, quietly flavorful and well balanced. The light acidity and mild tannins are well integrated and support delicious black-cherry and blueberry flavors perfectly.
Pure and intense notes of red-cheeked, ripe pear and red apples are tinged with baking spice. These flavors become even more concentrated on the palate that is shot through with fresh acidity, providing a stimulating midpalate experience. The finish is a little warm but full-fruited. This wine needs a robust food counterpart to come into its focused, concentrated own.
Pure and intoxicating on the bouquet, with lush, primal aromas of molasses and raisin. So rich and black that you almost need a knife to get through it, but it's not sludge in a glass. There's fudge, cocoa and mocha on the finish, yet as a whole it's an upright sweet wine, not something pudgy and simple.
Pure and penetrating, with full berry aromas and power throughout. Tight and generous in the mouth, with nice acidity and structured tannins. Tastes toasty and black, with loads of berry, chocolate and spice flavors. Impressive and big; drink now through 2017.
Pure and soaring elderberry fruit with overtones of Morello cherry puts this in the darker fruit spectrum. Nonetheless, it has all the freshness and verve of red-fruited styles. This balanced and immensely enjoyable wine only reveals its seriousness slowly. Velvety texture and definite but gentle structure spell that this will also age well.
Pure and striking from the start, with menthol aromas that come with blackberry and cassis. Feels dense and concentrated, with blackberry, prune and dark spice flavors. Layered, mellow and slight jammy on the multitiered finish. Drink now.
Pure and vibrant dark and red cherry notes create an irresistible nose. The palate displays the same, invitingly juicy fruit. This is supple, slender, fresh and plump, with a joyful, balanced ripeness. Its tannins are smooth and ripe, ready to enjoy.
Pure apple aromas and flavors give this wine a refreshingly fruity feel. It has touches of almonds, a light and mineral texture and very crisp, fresh acidity. It tastes cool, collected and ready to go.
Pure apple fruit emerges above the wonderfully biscuity autolysis notes and a touch of oak lends generosity and body, but nothing ever subdues the genuine fruit here, which expresses itself as the poised scent of ripe yellow and red apples. The acidity is exemplary, tight and focused, while the bready yeast notes add extra dimensions of body and texture. The length and persistence are a marvel. A total class act that is delicious now and will become honeyed with age.
Pure apple, peach and melon aromas precede a fresh, tangy palate with depth, minerality and complexity. Tangerine and lemon-lime flavors are pure as glacial ice, while lime and apple flavors control the finish. Drink through summer 2016.
Pure Arinto from the Lisbon region, this wood-aged wine is delicious and Chardonnay-like in its richness, with great swathes of apples and cream flavors, layered with toast. This is a great advertisement for a neglected region in Portugal's viticulture.
Pure Baga in all its glory, packed with dry and dark tannins and a brooding character that is mitigated by the rich dark plum and blackberry jelly flavors. It's a wine that is probably at its peak, still with its tannins and structure although now with rich fruits and intense final acidity. Drink now and until 2022.
Pure berry and plum aromas are nuanced by notes of tobacco, cedar and spice. This wine is tight and rock solid on the palate, with laser-like focus. Flavors of plum, blackberry and toasty oak finish woody, smoky and resiny. Best from 2016 through 2023.
Pure black berry juice, ripe and solid, this is a chunky, fresh wine. The wood edge is a major factor; there is a final stalky, mineral element. Drink now.
Pure blackberry and cherry flavors shine in this pristinely fruity yet nuanced red. Unoaked, unfiltered and unrefined, it's a fascinating glimpse into Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc without makeup or adjustment. Crisp, cranberry acidity is sharp and penetrating on the midpalate, accentuating a long finish marked by subtle tones of green herb and tobacco leaf.
Pure blackberry aromas are dosed with spice, lemon peel and grit. This blend of Malbec and Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc is saturated and concentrated but still well balanced. Creamy, rich blackberry and chocolate flavors finish smooth, lusty and dark. This may not be overly complex but it tastes great and feels right; drink through 2022.
Pure blackberry aromas are friendly, however the palate is scratchy and sharp, with acidity that creates angularity and tartness. That's offset by generic black-fruit flavors and a touch of mocha. This is good Monastrell although the acidity is piercing.
Pure blackberry, cassis and charcoal aromas come with a sweet oak-based scent of maple. This is a beast of a wine with lushness and padding to the palate along with huge tannins and fine oak framework. Toasty, chocolaty oak flavors caress a black-fruit explosion prior to a saturated finish that spreads out like a slow-moving lava flow. Drink through 2022.
Pure Blaufränkisch, giving sweet fruit, an earthy series of tannins and fresh acidity. Pepper and spicy black currants give texture and a bright, red-hued finish.
Pure blueberry and red cherry fruit is pervaded by lashings of aromatic white pepper. It tingles at the edges and gives even more freshness to the fruit. The body is structured by fine-grained but palpable tannins and leaves a long, aromatic trail of cherry behind. This is elegant and seductive.
Pure blueberry fruit is given extra lift by sprays of white pepper. There is a wonderful balance between the crunchy freshness of just-ripe fruit with all its grip and bite and the generosity and purity of well-farmed fruit. There might be some rusticity around the edges but there also is innate elegance.
Pure bright smoky fruits give this wine its edge of tannin and great red plum and spice flavors. Its youth adds a dry character to the fruitiness and acidity. Drink this from 2018.
Pure but restrained violet, plum and berry aromas are on the money. This feels racy but also saturated, with kick as well as commendable overall balance. Flavors of plum, ripe tomato, schist and spice finish smooth, peppery, herbal and slightly warm, with a note of coffee. Drink through 2022.
Pure butterscotch aromas seem to leap from the glass, yet the flavors are dry and rather reserved, not nearly as obvious as the smell. The balance leans toward tartness, the flavors are lean and the finish lemony.
Pure Cabernet from Conner Lee, Stillwater and Gamache vineyards, this represents fine value. Dollops of herb and stem show the grape's varietal character, while the aging in French and American oak barrels brings robust flavors of bacon fat and toast. Firm black fruits hold down the core.
Pure Cabernet from some of Washington's oldest vines at Champoux and Sagemoor, this is a superb bottle, dense, compact and textural. A full mix of black fruits underscored with clean, moist earth and polished, silky tannins, finishes with pretty barrel flavors of spice and vanilla. Broad, deep and immensely pleasurable.
Pure Cabernet is on display here, offering modestly interesting flavors for the price. It's leafy and light, with strawberry and herb. Tannins are herbal and balanced.
Pure Cabernet Sauvignon from older vines, the Cold Creek bottling often begins life rather compact, even hard, and will usually benefit from some years of bottle age. This 2005 is a tough, somewhat stemmy wine, with tightly wound black fruits, herbs and leather wrapped into its core. Tannic and unyielding, even after some hours of breathing time, it is a bit too soon to know exactly how good it will ultimately become.
Pure Cabernet Sauvignon from the Pepper Bridge vineyard; now with several extra years in bottle. It's drinking well at five years of age, with strawberry and cherry fruit, bracing acidity and chalky, highly astringent tannins. The finish brings in leaf, pepper and coffee grounds.
Pure Cabernet Sauvignon from the Yellow Jacket, Waliser and Pepper Bridge vineyards, this supremely rich and expressive wine is riveting for its depth and detail, and it's packed with red, blue and black fruits. Whiffs of smoke, graphite and stone add complexity, and the hint of bitter chocolate in the finish is the capper.
Pure Cabernet Sauvignon, deep and sappy, with the dark, licorice and coffee-infused complexity of Walla Walla's best bottles. Sharp and young, with a potent, liquorous finish, this explosive bottle of cassis-driven fruit should cellar well for a decade or more.
Pure Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from Gamache, Stillwater Creek and Red Mountain vineyards. Berry, cherry and plum fruit flavors fill the mouth, gaining strength and detail as they broaden out across the palate. Highlights of loam and tobacco fill in the finish, with just a slight suggestion of alcohol burn.
Pure Cabernet Sauvignon, this wines comes from the same region as Bordeaux. It has black currant flavors, balanced acidity and a touch of wood aging. Drink from 2018.
Pure Cabernet Sauvignon, young and fruity, with tart berry and bitter herb. The light but slightly green tannins add some useful counterpoint to the cherry pop fruit, giving the wine a more substantial palate impression and length in the finish.
Pure Cabernet sourced from a trio of Walla Walla vineyards, and finished at 14.9% alcohol. Supple and spicy, this displays a firm core of tart fruit, annotated with lead pencil, graphite and charcoal. Though it seems almost deceptively light alongside the Tulpen Merlot, this compact and layered wine is built to age over a decade or more.
Pure Cabernet sourced principally from the Cold Creek Vineyard, this instantly accessible reserve plays out broadly across the palate, with black cherry, caramel and creamy coffee flavors in abundance. Hints of graphite and chalk carry through the tannins and into the well-defined, balanced finish.
Pure Cabernet, aged in the same Vicard barrels as winemaker Randy Dunn's Howell Mountain wines. About 90% is new oak, but it doesn't strangle the fruit in any way. Tart and vibrant, with black cherry/black currant fruit, this balanced effort shows a velvety character and a fine touch in the vineyard. Nuances of coffee, earth, leaf and dried herb are threaded through, in perfect harmony and balanced for medium-term aging.
Pure Cabernet, ageworthy wine. Right now it is quite tight, somewhat herbal and compact. The fruit is layered, a range from strawberry through cherry and into cassis, and it leads sharply into spicy tannins with a clear edge. This cellarworthy wine will need considerable breathing time; or pop it in the cellar for up to a decade.
Pure Carmenère can seem heavily tilted toward the green, stemmy side of the Bordeaux equation, as it is here. Cranberry fruit, tight and tart, hits a wall of tannins, not entirely ripe. The barrel flavors need more time to settle in.
Pure Chardonnay from the Grand Cru village of Oger, this wine is creamy and ripe. It also has a chalky mineral mouthfeel that keeps it crisp and tight. With its grapefruit and white stone fruit flavors, it's both fruity and textured. Let it age a few months and drink from 2018.
Pure Chardonnay from the walled vineyard in the heart of Le Mesnil, this intense wine from a great vintage is tight and mineral, still showing hints of toast from its barrel fermentation. With its taut texture, complex acidity and crisp citrus, it's very young, but will age indefinitely. Showing the beauty of Chardonnay in Champagne at its best, it will certainly still be impressive come 2030.
Pure Chardonnay, Luxe is finished at lower alcohol (at least according to the fact sheets) than the other sparklers in this lineup. It is definitely the wine with the most depth; it has a roundly fruity core of lemon cake and light citrus.
Pure cherry and cassis aromas carry the bouquet to a juicy and tightly wound palate that bears cassis, chocolate and toast flavors. This hits the spot with a long, lightly herbal and solid finish. Drink now through 2015.
Pure cherry, blackberry and plum aromas are dense, toasty, minerally and smoky. Intense plum and blackberry flavors soften a bit on a loamy, lightly baked finish. Overall, this is a ripe, thoroughly drinkable RDD with tons of fruit and well-applied oak. Drink through 2020.
Pure citrus aromas give this wine an immediate and attractive lift. It is supremely fresh, light and airy, its freshness highlighted by the lightly toasty wood. The texture gives more density, showing rich apple skins and pear spice, followed by a finish that again shows great acidity.
Pure citrus zest rises from the glass: lovely, ripe lemon and zesty lime. The palate reinforces these flavors in a rapier-like fashion, with drive and energy in a very linear energetic way. This seem like an elixir or a tonic full of vim, all informed by a central dynamic freshness. This has barely blossomed but promises much future pleasure. This genie should be contained in its bottle for a while longer before letting it loose. It's something to look forward to. Drink 2020–2035.
Pure crushed blackberry exudes great charm on the nose and plays alongside toasty oak notes on the palate. Neither ripeness, nor juiciness, nor muscle allow for even one ounce of fat here. Toned and concentrated fruitiness, with soft tannins and bright acidity, result in an enticing wine.
Pure fruit aromas and delicious pear flavors give this an immediate appeal, but hints of butter and marzipan come out, too, adding complexity. It's medium bodied, dry but rounded in texture, and finishes with more fruit.
Pure fruit flavors and zesty acidity mark this wine. It's rich and ripe in orange, apricot and papaya flavors, with little or no oak influence.
Pure fruit flavors are fresh, but still show the ripeness of 2009. This is a fruity, ready-to-drink wine that has citrus, green plums and fresh acidity.
Pure fruit flavors of cranberry and raspberry, tart and forward, introduce this light and approachable Pinot. Elegant and stylish, without much staying power, it's a good choice for drinking now while your heartier Pinots rest in the cellar.
Pure fruit with some concentration, this wine also has a steely texture and a touch of saltiness. It's fresh and crisp with delicious green fruits, citrus and white peach. Ready to drink now, the wine will be better from 2016.
Pure fruitiness holds the balance of this wine between crisp acidity and a tightly mineral texture. It comes from the producer's Bué vineyards, one of the top villages of Sancerre. The wine is crisp, made to be drunk young and fruity.
Pure fruitiness, this wine is full of black currant flavors and a stalky, dusty texture. Without wood aging, it has acidity, fruitiness and some dry tannins. Drink from the end of 2015.
Pure grapefruit and other citrus fruits make for an inviting bouquet. The palate is pure, round, fresh and full of green melon, citrus and passion fruit flavors. Overall this is ripe but properly green, with a hint of pithy lime and mineral on the finish.
Pure in character, this has a taut line of perfumed white fruits, with a nervy, tight character. It is young, needing several years of aging to bring out its complex flavors.
Pure in its fruitiness, this wine has a crisp character and light texture, making it very accessible now. Quince, grapefruit and blood orange flavors combine seamlessly, accumulating in weight on the palate. Drink now. Screwcap.
Pure is yet another addition to Trapiche's overflowing stable of Malbecs. This is big, grabby and shows chocolate, floral, herbal and perfumed berry aromas. A choppy but flush mouthfeel stages herbal-leaning, red-fruit flavors that carry a touch of green that's seconded on a minty, herbal, plump feeling finish.
Pure lemon zest mingles with peppery pungency and makes for pepper-speckled refreshment. Linearity and focus abound and this wine is so lively, it seems to fast-forwarded into the future.
Pure Malbec from one of Washington's best vineyards, this is power personified. Cassis and black cherry fruit is tightly wound around mineral-drenched tannins. There are telltale streaks of earth and stem, a dusting of ground coffee, and other nuances that show the varietal details often missing from domestic Malbec. A fine effort.
Pure Malbec from the new estate vineyard, this is forward with sweetly grapy fruit flavors. Aging in 80% new oak adds a streak of espresso and pretty baking spices.
Pure Malbec, estate-grown, this has a slightly green edge around tart, light red fruit. Sour cherry and dried herb components interplay, with some bitterness in the finish.
Pure Malbec, sourced from the McClellan estate and Minnick Hills vineyards, this is a tight and well-crafted mix of flavors—fig, blackberry, blueberry jam, a whiff of dried herb and white pepper, and tannins grounded in clean earth. The aging, principally Hungarian oak, brings in coffee highlights.
Pure Malbec, this wine from organic grapes is black, dark and powerful. It's driven by its tannins and dry wood and fruit flavors. For the moment, this serious, structured wine is waiting on the fruit to develop. It's a complex, spicy, dense wine that shouldn't be drunk before 2020.
Pure Merlot from a cool site in a cool vintage yields a somewhat attenuated wine with tart berry fruit. The barrel aging has contributed flavors of sandalwood and chocolate, but the chalky tannins need some rich red meat to soften them up.
Pure Merlot from the Barde-Haut vineyard gives a smooth and ripely fruited wine that is now on the way to maturity. It combines soft tannins, an elegant structure and juicy acidity. The aftertaste is fruity with a more mature edge.
Pure Merlot from the Red Willow vineyard, this does not skimp on the scents and flavors of green herb. It's true to the vineyard's style and will require further bottle age to flesh out a bit and show its best strengths.
Pure Merlot from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard, this finished its fermentation in concrete egg, then spent 20 months in 100% new French oak, and another two years in bottle prior to release. Tightly wound and dense with cherry and chocolate layered throughout, it brings in flavors of red licorice and baking spices. The tannins are silky and the structure and flavors are bold.
Pure Merlot sourced from several Columbia Valley vineyards, this opens with inviting toasty scents, quickly moving into a broad, flavorful palate loaded with pretty cherry fruit. The balance between fruit and barrel is perfect, and the wine is ready for near-term enjoyment.
Pure Merlot, from the Red Mountain vineyard, this displays that AVA's stiff, hard-edged tannins, keeping the fruit pinned down into a compact core. Cassis and black cherry, iron filings and some tar are all carefully balanced. There's plenty of muscle for further aging, and a hint of heat in the finish.
Pure Merlot, ripe and fruity, this wine has only the lightest of tannic structure. That makes for a soft rounded wine from the area close to Lussac Saint-Émilion. Black plum and berry flavors are laced with acidity and finish with a smooth aftertaste. Drink now.
Pure Merlot, with muscle and sharp tannins. The scent suggests butter and caramel, but the wine itself has more herb and earth flavor than barrel or grape.
Pure minerals, peach and melon aromas come with a hint of leesy dust. This wine is elegant, chiseled and minerally on the palate. Flavors of dusty apple and citrus end long and stony, with class. Laxas is a top-flight Albariño producer and this vintage is one of its best. Drink now.
Pure Mourvèdre from a mix of Columbia Valley vineyards, this is clean, sharp and varietally accurate. Tart raspberry fruit is set in a balanced frame of clean earth, wet stone and mineral. It's a fine-boned wine, well-structured and powerful.
Pure Mourvèdre remains a rare bird of a wine, even in grape-happy Washington State. This is a good example, with flavors that carry the leafy, herbal character often found in Carmenère and the bright, mineral-laced fruit of southern French wines. It's not a big wine, and the vines from which the grapes are sourced are still young, but it's well made and will hold your interest.
Pure Négrette produces a smooth, black cherry and red berry-flavored wine. Light hints of wood from aging in big barrels have helped to give the wine a rich and spicy character. This is further enhanced by black-fruit acidity that adds a fresh streak to this warm, ripe wine. Drink now.
Pure Nebbiolo from the Elerding Vineyard, aged 40 months in a mix of French and American oak. Nebbiolo does not have much color to begin with, and this seems a bit washed out, with acids and barrel flavors overtaking the fruit. Astringent and aggressively oaky.
Pure notes of black cherry rise from the glass. The palate comes in with equal purity and quite some concentration. There is a creamy richness countering that fresh crunchy cherry fruit which shimmers and shines. This is medium bodied, bone dry but juicy and wonderfully aromatic, even elegant.
Pure notes of Conference pear define both nose and palate. The body is textured and concentrated but remains slender. Fresh acidity, dryness and slightly bitter pitch make for a beautiful, poised outline. Purity and length stand out.
Pure notes of fresh apple and pear peel are appetizing on the nose, with a touch of spicy tangerine peel. The palate amplifies these expressive fruit notes. Ripeness of fruit and concentration characterize the midpalate that also shimmers with white pepper. The finish is long and intense, again with that lovely tangerine pith.
Pure notes of red apple rise from the glass, promising freshness, tart briskness and mellow fruit. A hint of shortbread conveys body and generosity. All of this comes together on the rounded palate that has the aromatic lift of rosehip tisane. Mellow autolysis gives the central freshness a generous background. Red-berry fruit flashes amidst the red-apple notes with appetizing tartness. This is a rounded but compact package that takes freshness onto a higher, elegant plane, finishing with enticing saltiness. Lovely now, it's sure to develop. Drink 2017–2027.
Pure notes of red fruits reach the nose: Morello cherry and mulberry harmonize beautifully. Their purity pervades a palate that has the lightest touch: there is something authentic, beautiful and unforced about this. There is a suggestion, too, of herb, moss or undergrowth. This unpretentious winemaking style lets this pure, glorious fruit speak for itself and brings with it a profound sense of honest depth, bountiful earth and full-fruited balance.
Pure notes of ripe but crisp pear on the nose turn into concentrated, herb-spiced pear and citrus notes on the palate: the ripeness of the pear vies with the zesty freshness and makes of a lively, vivid and most enjoyable and refreshing wine. This is crisp, light bodied but balanced and puts a little Austrian spring in your step.
Pure notes of russet pear rise from the glass with their wonderful combination of juicy ripeness and moreish freshness. The palate does these aromas justice and follows with fruit-driven full freshness of pear and lemon. The body is slender and zippy, the finish is clean and dry.
Pure notes of tart but ripe, red apple shine on nose and palate. They pervade this fresh, clean and dry wine with immense, appetizing juiciness. There is concentration and joy at the heart, backed by focussed, taut acidity that brightens everything. The lemon zest on the finish is impressive and long.
Pure on the nose, with a delightful mix of graphite, wild berry, cedar and minerally aromas, this is a rich, plump, mildly tannic Cabernet that will show best in the near term. Flavors of cassis, subdued oak spice and vanilla finish with ripe dark-berry sweetness and proper overall weight. Drink through 2018.
Pure on the nose, with plenty of pop. Aromas of dark black cherry are tight and smoky, with minerality. Flavors of cola and wild-berry fruits are right on the money, and the feel is firm but deep and layered. Offers fine character and ageability. A blend of Malbec from three top vineyards; drink through 2014.
Pure Petit Manseng harvested in November has given the essence of Jurançon. Superbly ripe, botrytised fruit is perfectly balanced with layers of freshness, apricot juice and a crisp, nervy texture. It's a young wine and really should not be drunk before 2018.
Pure Petit Verdot from Red Mountain's quintessential Bordeaux varietal vineyard—does it get any better? Big, deep and tannic, with lovely purity, this features ultraripe fig and plum fruit with a pleasing salinity. The finish is persistent and shows a streak of iron. Note the alcohol is pushing 16% however it is beautifully integrated.
Pure Petit Verdot has a loyal following, and fans of the unadulterated varietal version will find this a spot-on example. Scents of violets overlay dark red and black fruit aromas; flavors follow with earthy tannins well-modulated through a medium-long finish.
Pure Petit Verdot is not an easy wine to balance. Here the cool vintage seems to have led to a disjointed wine with flavors that don't quite sync up. The grapy fruit shows a hint of residual sugar, the acids are tart and citrusy, the tannins chalky. More bottle age may help pull it all together.
Pure pink in color, this ripe wine is soft with rich red fruits. It is attractive and fruit-driven, delicious as an apéritif.
Pure Pinot from the winery's estate O'Connell Vineyard, planted to one clone, this is a tremendous celebration of the grape, fresh in cherry and raspberry and pillowed by gentle wafts of rose petal. Light on the tongue and yet girded by enough structure to age and enjoy over time, this wine is simply delicious.
Pure Pinot Meunier from a select parcel of vines called La Grosse Pierre, this impressive limited-production bottling is an anomaly in Champagne. It fits Huré's crisp style yet also has rich fruitiness and generous acidity. Drink now.
Pure Pinot Meunier from the Marne Valley, this is a soft, fruity wine. Apples and ripe pears show strongly along with a lightly tangy citrus edge. The basic nonvintage wine in this Meunier specialist's range, it is attractive and ready to drink.
Pure Pinot Noir from the south of Beaujolais, this is soft, fruity and with attractive acidity. Red fruits and a crisp acidity give this wine its bright character. Ready to drink now.
Pure Pinot Noir has produced a full, fruity sparkling wine. It is lightly crisp, fresh with wild strawberries and acidity. The aftertaste, soft and rounded, has a satisfying creamy character.
Pure Pinot Noir, an unusual style, gives a powerful rich character to a wine. This ripe, dense and full-bodied Champagne is full of apricot, pear and green plum flavors that are linked with the tight, lightly tannic texture. It is a well-balanced wine, ready to drink.
Pure Pinot Noir, this has weight as well as intense acidity. It's a crisp wine, sourced from near Chablis, cool in texture while showing ripe red apples and quince fruitiness. Drink now.
Pure Pommard, this has more concentration and forward fruit than the other single-block wines in this series. A pleasing mix of strawberry, raspberry and cherry flavors, along with a dash of flat seltzer, it carries through clean and refreshing to a moderately long finish with a hint of herb.
Pure purple aromas of boysenberry jam and Concord grapes swirl amidst melted dark chocolate, maple-drizzled bacon and touches of beef carpaccio on the nose of this bottling from a coveted vineyard. Starting with strong blueberry and blackberry fruit, the palate then sizzles with acidity through the fine-grained tannic structure. The midpalate shows meaty depth with roasting herbs and minty lift throughout.
Pure purple fruit and flower aromas hit the nose on this straight-ahead bottling, with plum candy, sour cherry and a touch of soy sauce as well. Strong energy and purple fruit show on the palate, along with violets and blueberries, proving floral and fairly tangy.
Pure purple fruit aromas arise on the nose of this bottling by pioneer Fred Brander, as do heady cocoa, leather and herb-crusted beef roast scents. Fresh black currant and espresso cream flavors show on the palate, with a chalky tannic structure that steadily reveals more layers of flavor, from blackberry to dried dill.
Pure purple in color, this is a chunky, extracted blend of Syrah and Cabernet with plum and berry aromas along with hints of mint and olive. A full, tannic, somewhat raw palate houses earthy flavors of molasses and herbal black fruits, while the finish is heady and a touch green.
Pure red fruit seems to have a bruised apple edge. The palate is simple and easy-drinking and despite its pretty ruby color comes across as a rosé, with barely a touch of tannin. Chill this for a surprise at a party.
Pure Sauvignon Blanc, this is a light and fresh wine, with notes of lime, melon and a hint of bell pepper. It's nicely rounded off with a touch of residual sugar—a perfect thirst-quencher.
Pure Sauvignon Blanc, this is herbal while also crisp, very fruity, bright and lively. Gooseberry juice dominates this intense wine.
Pure Sauvignon, this is a tropical fruit flavored wine. It's bright and fruity while also showing a dense texture of grapefruit and steely minerality. The combination makes for an intense wine that's likely to need time, so drink from 2017.
Pure strawberry and red cherry fruits with a twist of acidity make this a wine that is already delicious. Just under the surface is a firm wood-and-tannin character and a dense, if juicy, structure. Age for 4–5 years.
Pure sweetness, the wine has a rich texture with just a hint of botrytis but plenty of opulent spice, very rounded and unctuous. It is just beginning to show maturity, but could easily age further, the sweetness so well integrated into the orange zest finish.
Pure Syrah from 14-year-old vines, this offers classic peppery aromatics, blue fruits, good concentration, and a hint of the Walla Walla funk that marks the better Syrahs of the region. It's lifted with excellent acidity and continues into a focused finish with highlights of coffee grounds.
Pure Syrah from Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills and Ash Hollow vineyard fruit, this shows the maturing of Walla Walla vines, which more and more reveal the earthy, herbal, garrigue qualities of the grape. Coopered in neutral oak, it showcases the typicity and regionality of the grape. Funk, earth, seaweed, green tobacco, and a hint of pepper dominate. You might wish for more fruit, but for those who love the funk this is a fine bottle.
Pure Syrah from the Boushey vineyard, this is wound tightly around a core of pomegranate and cassis. Threads of licorice, coffee grounds and liquid smoke provide darker highlights, while the lingering finish offers details of dried leaves and herbs.
Pure Syrah from the Boushey Vineyard, this was barrel aged in a mix of half new Russian and French oak. Citrusy acids brighten up this wine, where the tight-wound, tangy red fruit flavors suggest wild, just-picked raspberries. With excellent concentration and focus, this is a wine to cellar for up to a decade.
Pure Syrah, this distinguishes itself from the other 2013 Weisinger reds with clear varietal focus. Red licorice, citrus and mixed red fruits lead into a rather chalky, tannic finish.
Pure Syrah, this is the most limited of the Kamiakin wines (in terms of production), but in many respects the star of the show. Peppery, racy and concentrated, it's packed with blueberry, kirsch and cassis. The finish is laced with coffee liqueur flavors, suggesting a far more expensive, barrel-aged wine.
Pure Syrah, this is young, spicy and crisp, with blue plum, red licorice and a streak of dark chocolate. It has a light suggestion of the gamy, cured meat character that typifies Syrah. This marks a good start for such young (second leaf) vines.
Pure Touriga Nacional from this quinta in the central Douro at Pinhão is rich and finely perfumed. Solid tannins and a concentrated texture are balanced with ripe black fruits and acidity. The wine is firm at this young stage and needs to age further so don't start drinking until 2019
Pure Touriga Nacional gives a perfumed, ripe and richly juicy wine. Tannic structure offers a base for the acidity and black currant fruit, but it's soft enough to drink now.
Pure Touriga Nacional with the grape's characteristic perfumes, this is firm and still dense. Tannins abound along with the blackberry fruit. The aftertaste, with its acidity, promises more aging, so drink from 2018.
Pure Touriga Nacional, firm while also fruity, this is an intense, aromatic and finely perfumed, smokey wine. The wood aging has softened the tannins while keeping the structure.
Pure Touriga Nacional, this is a crisp and fruity wine. Its red currants and light tannic structure give it shape and bring out the fruitiness that makes it immediately attractive. Ready to drink now.
Pure Touriga Nacional, with eight months in barrel, this is a fruit and dark chocolate-flavored wine. It has a firm character and a touch of bitter extraction that is in the process of blowing away to give richness. At its base, this is a concentrated wine with a solid, dark structure and perfumed berry fruits. Drink from 2018.
Pure varietal and estate grown, this opens with pretty fruit flavors of cherry and red plum. Aging in one-quarter new French oak adds a pleasing toasty note, along with a hint of dark chocolate.
Pure varietal and surprisingly light for this often tannic grape, this leads with pretty raspberry and cherry fruit set in sweet baking spices, and finished with a lick of chocolate and a frame of toasty oak. It's balanced and proportionate, though definitely on the lighter side.
Pure varietal, all stainless-fermented, and finished with 15g/L residual sugar, this fleshy, supple wine is packed with sweet pear-fruit flavor. Spicy highlights of cinnamon and nutmeg add depth.
Pure varietal, solid and earthy, this dark and substantial wine blends flavors of black cherry, coffee grounds and dark chocolate. It's more herbal than fruity, and thins out through the finish.
Pure varietal, this is a relatively light take on Syrah, but balanced and showing some nice details of tobacco and licorice. The fruit is tart—a mix of rhubarb and tangy red berry—and there's ample acidity for those who like their reds to snap into focus.
Pure varietal, this offers scents of whiskey barrel and berry. The fruit brings berries and blue plums into the mix, but it's the dark, roasted, intense barrel flavors that carry through into drying tannins.
Pure varietal, this pushes the winery's characteristic oaky, smoky winemaking style to the limits. There's some bright, tart raspberry fruit in the mix, but the scents and flavors of charred wood dominate from first sniff to last swallow.
Pure varietal, this spent 18 months in French oak. Dried cherries, plums and tobacco combine, at first quite tight and compact, but eventually opening into a full-bodied and flavorful red. A touch of maple syrup from the barrel aging sweetens the tannins and enlivens the finish.
Pure varietal, this was fermented in oak uprights and aged for two years in one-third new French and Hungarian oak. The oak accents complement tart flavors of raspberry and pomegranate. Give this another year or two of bottle age, and drink with pleasure from 2018 to 2025.
Pure varietal, with ripe fruit hinting at an encroaching pruney flavor, this is wrapped in the big flavors of barrel toast, smoke and coffee. Quite consistent with the overall style of winemaker Charlie Hoppes, this is one of those wines that will engender heated discussions between admirers and critics.
Pure, alluring aromas of minerally black fruits, lavender, cola, fir tree and pepper combine to form a highly inviting bouquet. This doesn't fall off in the mouth, where it's more fresh and bouncy than heavy. Flavors of dark berry fruits, herbs and chocolate end in a rich, grabby, textured finish. Drink this lusty but elegant Syrah now through 2016.
Pure, almost crystalline in its expression of fruit, this 100% Malbec captures the essence of mountain berries. Juicy and perfectly balanced, it suggests a range of notes from tangerine to blueberry to wild raspberry, with lightly peppery, fine-grained tannins.
Pure, beautifully delicate wine, with mineral striations that line out the grapefruit and citrus flavors. It is certainly very crisp, with a light touch of toast just showing, finishing with a delicious burst of acidity.
Pure, bright berry and plum aromas are clean as a whistle. A full-bodied palate with girth is in proportion, while ripe, bursting black plum and boysenberry flavors finish chewy and round. This is true Bierzo Mencía; drink through 2022.
Pure, clean and fresh, this has bright lime and grapefruit flavors that are lined with acidity. The wine has a touch of perfume and is attractively balanced. This is developing quickly.
Pure, clean, polished aromas of cherry, plum and berry are fit and fruity. This has a lot of life and spunky tannins, while flavors of raspberry, plum and wild herbs finish with a hint of brine and easy length. This is a fine Mencía made in a crowd-pleasing style. Drink through 2020.
Pure, concentrated blackberry and cassis aromas are right on target, as is most of this impressive Malbec that hails from 88-year-old vines. An exuberant palate shows young, bouncy, rubbery tannins, while this tastes complex, with blackberry and plum flavors playing off savory, saucy notes. An everlasting finish says drink all the way through 2027.
Pure, concentrated grape flavors fill up this full-bodied and well-balanced wine. It's a pleasure to smell and taste the black currant and cherry character, deftly and lightly accented by baking spice. The velvety texture fills the mouth and propels those flavors through a lingering finish. It will drink best after 2018.
Pure, condensed and dark on the nose, with blasting aromas of blackberry, crusty spice and char, this is packed like an overstuffed suitcase, with flavors of jammy black fruit, fine herbs and spice. Shows more big fruit on the finish and plenty of lasting berry flavor. Drink now through 2014.
Pure, deep berry aromas are accented by quality oak and a hint of earthy prune. Chewy, dense and concentrated on the palate, this tastes ripe, chocolaty and earthy, with blackberry and pepper flavors that stay the course and finish peppery and dark, with a mild note of rubber. Drink through 2019.
Pure, dense and deep, this captures the pure essence of Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Berry and cherry flavors surface in equal proportion, with more rock than barrel adding complexity throughout the finish. Excellent depth and structure suggest that this is one to put down for a decade or more.
Pure, estate-grown Cabernet Franc, this is focused and spicy, with hard-packed black fruits in abundance. Initially showing lush aromatics with plenty of baking spices, it's also threaded with graphite, black coffee and a whiff of smoke off the grill. This needs decanting or better yet, some further cellar time; try after 2017.
Pure, focused fruit flavors like raspberry and red cherry light up this medium-bodied wine. A lively texture of crisp acidity and light tannins adds great balance to the effusive fruitiness. For such a friendly price, what else could one ask for?
Pure, generous, red cherry fruit scintillates over a structured wine that has dense tannins and texture. The whole is pierced with the dominant acidity of 2008.
Pure, inviting and open, with cedar, tobacco, blackberry, earth and cookie dough aromas scattered all over a robust bouquet. Deep but fresh, with fine balance and a bold, jammy set of blackberry and black-pepper flavors. Finishes well, with integration and easygoing tannins. Drink now through 2013.
Pure, perfumed wine, its floral currant flavored fruit dancing in the glass. There is a bright lift to this delicious fruity wine, just demanding to be drunk. Screw cap.
Pure, poised citrus lift combines pink and yellow grapefruit peel on the nose, with more cushioning on the textured, concentrated palate. A stony, mineral background plays against the lively, bright acid that leaves you wanting more.
Pure, ripe blackberry aromas are heady, toasty and crisp like burnt bread crust. This Malbec has a profound, drawing mouthfeel defined by full extraction and muscular tannins. Savory flavors of blackberry and roasted plum end with depth, focus and welcome freshness. Drink through 2023.
Pure, ripe red cherries immediately and openly charm the nose, followed by waves of rose petals before complete immersion in ripe cherry-fruit flavor on the supple palate. This presents immense charm, with savory depth somewhere between white pepper and dried bay leaf.
Pure, ripe strawberry flavors are pierced with acidity. The texture is soft, with a dry side. The raspberry acidity cuts right to the end.
Pure, sappy wine juice is the impression this wine leaves. Although it's a 2010, it is so fresh and tangy it might have come straight from the tank. Pomegranate and raspberry are the fruit highlights, with hints of pepper and herb.
Pure, seductive Pinot aromas combine floral, rose-petal aromas with dark fruit and brown sugar. Rich flavors of blackberries and boysenberries cascade across the palate in a fall of velvet. Moderate acidity makes it approachable now, but there's enough tannin to preserve it for a few years. A wine that can stand up to steak but still retains a sense of Pinot elegance. Editors' Choice.
Pure, upfront flavors of lemon, lime and orange mark this unoaked Chardonnay. Zesty Central Coast acidity is present, brightening and cleansing the richness. With a dry finish, it's nice now with sushi, fruit salad or grilled chicken.
Purely delicious, this has stunning and distinctive aromas and flavors that recall pomegranate juice and blueberries, plus a velvety-smooth texture. While very full bodied, this wine does not win with power but with grace. It has excellent balance and harmony, and stands above the crowd.
Purely varietal, this is a soft and peppery wine, with tastes of berry and chocolate. Despite the relatively high alcohol, it feels light and simple, without depth or complexity.
Purists may gripe that this is a touch on the sweet side—the dosage is 13 g/L. Although this blend of 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir is fruit-driven and on the round and creamy side of things, it's still a well-made, attractive rosé that should find wide appeal.
Purists might be inclined to say this wine is too oaky, but this reviewer believes there's ample substance to support the flash. Cedar and vanilla are apparent, but the dominating characteristics of this wine are its ripe fruit and plush texture. Drink now–2020.
Purists will no doubt object to this wine's fine patina of sophisticated, cedary oak, but there's plenty of high-quality fruit to back it up. Incorporating unusual proportions of 44% Grenache, 33% Mourvèdre and 23% Syrah, the fruit is ripe and lush, velvety-supple and medium to full in weight, without any sense of heaviness. Drink 2020–2030.
Purity and concentration are the hallmarks here, with the forward, instantly delicious character of the 2012 vintage. This has the intense purity of summer fruit, lightly spicy and perfectly balanced.
Purity and precision abound in this exceptionally light-footed sweet Riesling. It's buoyantly fruity, bolstered by waves of ripe white peach, pear and yellow-plum flavors. The finish feels edged by a fine filigree of lime acidity. Drink now through 2026 to capture its youthful exuberance.
Puro Sangue is made entirely from Sangiovese and shows violet, underbrush and black fruit aromas. The palate delivers black cherry and licorice notes, with hints of chocolate and spice as well as a soft, round texture.
Purple-black, with rich scents of bright boysenberry fruit, and an unusual earthy umami note that adds depth to the finish. Sharp, young, acidic and grapy, this drinks like a younger wine.
Purple and black fruits spread across the midpalate, with herbal, tannic flavors from the Franc and floral highlights from the PV. There is a bit of a hole in the middle, and the tannins seem to hit a bit hard following that drop-off. It could be a phase, or it could be a failing.
Purple and extracted, with aromas of roasted meat and ripe black fruits. A vigorous blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that's full-bodied and offers commendable balance and flavors of baked berries, molasses and hoisin sauce. Thick and creamy on the finish.
Purple and plum in color, this delivers plummy fruit and graphite, or charcoal dust, in the tannins. It's bone dry and straightforward, clean and balanced.
Purple and tannic, with a grapey aroma and a suggestion of dusty earth. The most interesting of RiverAerie's pure varietals, perhaps because of its high-toned, slightly volatile mouthfeel. Berry/cherry fruit comes through sharply, then quickly fades into herbal tannins.
Purple as can be, with grapey aromas that aren't subtle in the least. Typically thick, with mild tannins and shy, almost reserved berry, cassis and chocolaty oak flavors. Dense wine, but not as expressive and deeply flavored as previous vintages. Drink now through 2011.
Purple as they come, with extracted aromas of boysenberry, blackberry, maple and bacon. It's a wide, flush wine with bulk, 14.5% alcohol and savage flavors of blackberry and smoky BBQ. Definitely for fans of big, modern Spanish wines; Old World enthusiasts will probably call it “too modern” and overdone.
Purple flower and mature dark berry aromas lift out of the glass. Extremely simple and diluted, the palate offers suggestions of morello cherry, a hint of spice and loose-knit fleeting tannins.
Purple flower, dark-skinned berry and brown spice aromas lead the nose of this young wine. The straightforward palate shows dried black cherry, powdered sage and a hint of espresso with lithe tannins. Drink soon.
Purple flower, perfumed berry, baking spice and dried herb aromas unfold in the glass, along with a hint of espresso. The tight palate shows sour cherry, unripe strawberry, clove, sage and roasted coffee notes alongside close-grained, astringent tannins and racy acidity.
Purple flowers, black cherries, licorice, black sesame, beef char and a touch of tar show on the nose of this bottling by David Parrish and family. The palate combines clean flavors of milk chocolate and espresso bean with tart boysenberry and more of a tarry tension.
Purple flowers, ripe berry and tobacco aromas lead the nose on this Sangiovese-based wine. On the smooth, concentrated palate, notes of black pepper, anise and clove accent the core of fleshy black cherry. Velvety tannins provide support. Drink 2016–2020.
Purple fruit and wood spice intermingle on the aromas, along with clove, herb and baking spice, showing a touch of volatility. The fruit flavors are big and bold, bringing a sense of structure and liveliness. It's an intriguing example of the variety from an up-and-coming vineyard.
Purple fruit aromas of blueberry, blackberry and boysenberry are given complexity with Indian spice, hot asphalt and beef char on the nose of this blend of 88% Syrah and 12% Grenache. The palate is full of crushed herbs, from oregano to thyme to marjoram, with just a tiny shred of cranberry fruit and lots of pine sap and even bell pepper.
Purple in color and minerally and deep on the nose, this modern-style Rioja deals aromas of wood smoke, blackberry, cassis and more. The palate is big and bulky, but balance is no issue. Toasty blackberry, chocolate and coffee flavors hold onto a toasty, blackened character on a flush, dynamic finish. Drink now through 2022.
Purple in color and smells like sweet fruit, citrus peel and powdered drink mix. Round in the mouth, with generic plum and berry flavors that don't taste all that much like classic Pinot Noir. A simple, bulky wine that's young and probably not going very far.
Purple in color, this wine has grapy aromas. It feels potent yet pointy, with heavy extraction and high acidity for such a dark, berry-packed wine. The black fruit and pepper flavors are solid, and the finish is tight, with warmth and mild bitterness.
Purple in color, with grapey aromas that lack complexity. The palate is deep and dense but edgy, with sugary flavors of candied black plum and black cherry. Finishes sweet like burnt brown sugar, with some coffee and anisette. Syrupy but generous.
Purple in color, with ripe, meaty, earthy aromas mixed with herbs, exotic berry fruit scents and vanilla. This is feisty and full-bodied Pinot with integrated plum, blueberry and well-applied oak. It's a little more citrusy and zesty than in previous vintages, and definitely a heavier style than its Cincuenta y Cinco counterpart, which will allow it to age for another four to seven years.
Purple plums and tangy pie cherries are the fruit focus, in a well-balanced wine that pushes through with precise, acid-backed cut and drive. This leans to the elegant side in terms of style, with excellent balance and proportion.
Purple to the eye, with intense aromas of mint, licorice and saturated black fruit. The mouth is like blueberry-blackberry compote, while the oak seems heavy given the wine's higher acids and limited depth. Has plenty of positives but sings just one note.
Purple, smoky and dense but beyond that it's regular. The palate is racy and medium deep, but the flavors are more superficial than interesting. Finishes quick, with coffee and bitter chocolate flavors.
Purple/black and compact, this wine needs plenty of breathing time to reveal its layers. Klipsun vineyard fruit brings power and tannic muscle. The aromas are intriguing; a bit overripe and raisiny, but also offering truffle, smoked meat and burnt toast.
Purplish garnet in color, it has aromas of black fruits and just a whiff of menthol. It is refreshing and fruit forward on the palate with a hint of eucalyptus in the finish.
Pushing forward the acidity of Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a structured and freshly fruity wine, full of black currant flavors as well as red berry fruits. There is a dry core here from wood aging. The fruit gives a delicious buoyancy to the aftertaste.
Pushing in the direction of freshness and herbaceousness, this is a tight, textured wine. The wine's grapefruit and lime flavors are balanced by touches of wood and spice. The final feel is soft, yet brisk.
Pushing past the earthy character and into the fruit, this wine is light with delicate red fruit flavors. It is fresh and crisp but spoilt by that barnyard edginess.
Pushy aromas include minty oak, shoe polish and foxy plum and berry. There's a lot of forward oak, warmth and ripe fruit.
Pushy barrel aromas make the wine smell like toast on top of applesauce and baking spice. The palate shows modest acidity and some flatness, while the flavors run toward apple, mango and resiny oak. The finish continues to be oaky, showing a tropical flavor and sweetness.
Pushy, forceful aromas of vanilla and oak blend with berry and spice notes. The palate is quietly full bodied, with plum and spice flavors in front of a toasty, dry, nicely oaked finish. For a lively, nervy wine, this is honest and good.
Pushy, smoky, forceful aromas of roasted blackberry and campfire set up a sticky feeling, slightly gummy palate that's full of berry, plum and rubbery flavors. On the finish, this flattens out and becomes heavier.
Put aside the bizarre name and label and concentrate on the wine which is fine, structured and densely tannic red fruit. The tannins and firm texture are balanced by black currant flavors and succulent acidity. The wine needs to age, and shouldn't be drunk before 2017.
Put some meat on the grill, slather it with barbecue sauce, and enjoy with this spicy Zin. Medium-bodied, it doesn't overwhelm the food but complements it, with dry, classically varietal flavors of wild berries, brambly herbs, white pepper and sandalwood.
Put this Chardonnay in a blind tasting with Chards two or three times its price, and it will easily hold its own. It's dry, crisp and balanced, with a creamy mouthfeel framing Meyer lemon, lime, pineapple and papaya flavors. What a great price for such a sophisticated Chardonnay.
Put this into a blind flight of French rosé, and it will seem like one of the crowd. Crafted from 65% Grenache, 29% Syrah and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is bone dry, dusty and detailed, showing a gorgeous onion-skin hue. The elegance and length are exceptional.
Put this into the budget category (for Oregon Pinot Noir) where it shines. Fruity and forward, there's plenty to like in the mix of orange flesh and rind, and strawberry and cherry hard candy. The fruit is backed with ample tannin, and a warm touch of mocha and toast fills in the finish.
Put this on the scale and watch it tip. It's a monster of a Cab that's quite tannic and therefore narrow on the palate. But if given time in a good cellar it may soften into something much more evolved than it is now. Early openers should expect black fruit in spades, with nail-like tannins. Best to have a steak on the grill if you are drinking this any time soon.
Put this one in the cellar for a good six years, at the very least. Right now, it's tight and tannic, with dramatically layered blackberry, currant, dark chocolate, mint and cedar flavors.
Put this wine through its paces and see if you also find overdone oak and salty resin as well as tangy but bulky fruit, herbal hints and bouncy acidity. It gets better with airing, which leads us to believe that this wine's best days are still ahead of it.
Put two powerful, warm-climate grapes together and you get a rich, densely fruity and structured wine. Solid tannins complement a concentrated palate full of ripe red-berry fruits. Drink now, and until 2020.
Put your nose to the glass and you will be rewarded with extreme floral fragrances that suggest naturally aromatic grapes are used over a Chard base. Ultimately, this is a very feminine, lady-like wine busting with white flowers and naturally sweet aromas.
Puteus is a bold, jammy wine with power, intensity and mature flavors of black cherry and blackberry. It makes a big impression in the mouth and ends with a fresh note of sour cherry on the close.
Puts forth a rich nose with liqueur, vanilla, melon and honey notes. A full mouthfeel is accompanied by apple, spice and smoky elements on the palate. It’s a very good wine for a straightahead Bourgogne Blanc, and its mineral and spice finish is the equal of many village wines.
Puts out hot country scents of baked cherry pie, pie crust, and tar, and those hot notes continue in the mouth. There's something Port-like in the raisiny flavors and thick texture. Turns semi-sweet on the finish.
Putting alcohol with grape juice has a long tradition right across France. It doesn't make it any less bizarre. The problem is the alcohol doesn't blend with the grape juice, with two elements sitting alongside each other. This wine, with its sweet fruit flavor of marmalade that is cut by a strong brandy spirit sharpness, is for those who like strange drinks. Enjoy as a long drink and as an aperitif.
Putting aside the bling of the gold embossed design of the bottle, this Champagne shows the light character of most Piper-Heidsieck wines. However, there is one extra element: the woody, toasty character that provides both maturity and an element of tension. Not for keeping, but a wine that comes in on the serious side of lightness.
Putting Syrah and Touriga Nacional together is a popular blend in Alentejo, producing structured wines that also exude ripe berry fruitiness and a fine aromatic character. This wine is still young as its firm tannins are evident even as its fruit is well in place, fresh and fruity and with a rich aftertaste. Drink from late 2016.
Putting two naturally tannic grapes together seems to soften them both. The blend gives this rich wine structure, as well as rich plum and damson, leather and smokiness. The wine finishes on a high note of acidity. Age and drink from 2016.
Putting your finger on the aromas here is not easy. Cigar smoke, leafy greens, soapy lavender, bee's wax, dried apple skin and rose petal all make an appearance here. In the mouth, however, this vibrant Barbaresco delivers tight tannins and bright acidity that promise longevity.
Putting your nose into a glass of Oddero Barolo Villero is like sniffing a handful of Langhe soil. This wine speaks highly of its territory with aromas of smoke, earth, forest berry, white truffle, hazelnut, cola, root beer, humus and dried apple skins. In the mouth, the tannins are impressively polished and fine.
Puy means a hill, and the steep slopes of the Côte du Puy offer great exposure for the vines. The result is a densely structured, very muscular wine that shows richness as well as dark tannins. The aftertaste is sweet, streaked with acidity.
Pyrazine-based notes of green pepper are most prominent on a basic nose. This feels lean and stony. Briny, salty citrus flavors lack complexity.
Quadra's Brut Rosé sparkling wine offers a delicate pink color and compelling aromas of stone fruit, toasted bread, crème de cassis and subtle waves of cinnamon spice. The mouthfeel is smooth, rich, long-lasting and offers a piquant touch of crushed white pepper.
Quady's Right Bank blend is three-quarters Cabernet Franc and one-quarter Merlot. Smoky and showing a lightly funky scent when opened, it develops into a leathery and tannic red wine, checkered with red and black fruits, hints of tobacco and a vein of graphite.
Quady North's Flagship is what the owners consider the best lot of wine of the year, and this year they've chosen this superb Syrah. Whiffs of earth and bud, roasted meat and licorice fill the nose, with flavors following. The fruit is like brandy-soaked cherries, wrapped in all the roasted, earthy, organic layers. Tasted even better after being open for 24 hours.
Quady North's Flagship is what the owners consider the best lot of wine of the year. Generously slathered in toasty new oak, this very limited (two barrel) reserve from the estate's Frank's Vineyard is not the blockbuster of the previous vintage, but shows exceptional winemaking skills. Black cherry fruit is wrapped in woody tannins, a yin-yang combination that works by dissonance rather than harmony.
Quartz is one of the best, if not the best Sauvignon from Italy. The wine's smooth density and elegant mouthfeel sets it apart: it delivers accents of exotic fruit, green melon and white flower and its natural sophistication makes it a perfect companion to lobster.
Quat' Saisons, meaning four seasons, suggests that this wine isn't just for summer. It is certainly a food wine with its dry, full-bodied character and ripe caramel and red plum flavors. Lively and fresh at the end, it's ready to drink.
Quater is a rich red blend that opens with blackberry, rum cake, Indian spice, cola and ground clove. It combines intensity and complexity with a bold, opulent mouthfeel.
Quater is an innovative blend of Nero d'Avola, Perricone, Frappato and Nerello Cappuccio (four important indigenous grapes of Sicily) with a vinous but intense bouquet of red fruit, chocolate and spice. The mouthfeel is soft, velvety and opulent.
Quattroventi delivers a clean, genuine Rosso with bright notes of raspberry, blueberry, plum and black cherry. There's a touch of smoke or spice at the back that contributes to a round, easy mouthfeel.
Quelat is Ventisquero's highest-reaching SB, but it seems narrow and ultra tight, with match stick on the nose and not a ton of fruit. As it unwinds, more aromas and flavors come out; but always is it slightly vegetal. Alongside that dominant “green” character, look for pineapple and plenty of acidity.
Querceta delivers a beautiful Brunello with bold tones of ripe fruit, red cherry, spice, leather and vanilla bean. This bold red offers both structure and fresh acidity on the finish.
Querciavalle produces a fine vin santo that shows the passion and dedication required for a wine that's difficult to produce. It has been aged in small oak barrels, offering aromas of honey, candied fruit, resin and toasted almond.
Querciaviglia is a rustic, raw wine with plenty of concentration and ripe aromas of blackberry pie and savory spice. There's a hint of cured beef as well as leather, pipe tobacco and teriyaki sauce.
Quercus, a pure expression of Nero d'Avola, is a curious wine with quirky appeal. Its aromas are ripe and sweet and focused on mature currant or blackberry preserves. The mouthfeel is chewy, velvety and succulent and the wine will appeal to those who enjoy hot climate reds.
Questionable value at $70, but this is very good and rather unique white Rioja. Remelluri uses a multitude of common and unheard-of grapes, and they hit it with a lot of oak. Still, amid the oily richness there's balance, acidity and excellent layering of grass, spice, apple, banana and lemon flavors. Big at 14.5%, but it will go really well with baked fish or lobster.
Quickly becoming one of Adelsheim's most important vineyard designates, this beautifully balanced wine opens with pungent, primary fruits, a jumble of berries and cherries in the nose and mouth. It lengthens into raspberry compote complexity, limned with dark chocolate and highlighted with peppery greens.
Quiet and aromatically floral, this is a wine given time in both stainless steel and concrete, as well as a sizable percentage of neutral French oak. Lemon zest and grapefruit adorn a robust body of stony minerality and touches of spicy lemongrass.
Quiet and shy on the nose, with generic white-fruit notes. For a medium-dry white, it offers requisite sweetness along with soft fruit notes, candied flavors and a green, lightly vegetal accent. A bit spritzy but not that lively or precise.
Quiet apple and spice aromas are solid but sort of bland. This feels good but things foam up a bit on the palate. Slightly funky flavors of cured ham, salt and green banana finish long.
Quiet aromas of dried red fruits and Band-Aid include a hint of spice. A lively palate is light to medium in body, while dried cherry and plum flavors are spicy on the finish, with punchy acidity. This emphasizes elegance over weight and power.
Quiet aromas of peach and nectarine are subdued in nature. This feels melony, with pulpy weight cut by solid acidity. Nectarine, melon and apple are standard-issue flavors, while the finish is mild and fleshy in feel.
Quiet intensity and broad complexity characterize this medium-bodied, entirely bracing wine that smells like cranberry, red cherry and rhubarb. Flavors suggest crisp cranberries and cinnamon with wisps of smoke and clove, almost vibrating with vivid acidity and firm tannins. It will improve through at least 2020.
Quiet notes of smoked meat, flowers and toast lead on the nose of this blend of 60% Petit Verdot and 40% Syrah. Traces of mint and blackberry fill in the backdrop. This has a lush, alluring mouthfeel, but the midpalate needs a few years to gain weight.
Quiet on the bouquet except for a dusting of oak and banana. The palate is heavy and wide, if a bit flabby, and the flavors of melon and mango run sweet, much like fruit punch. Soft and sweet on the finish as well, and overall it's good but generic. Not many Chards in the price range will fare better.
Quiet on the nose and 100% inoffensive. The palate hints at bell pepper and green bean while also dealing ample pineapple and citrus. Turns a little tart and lean on the back end, but that frames the wine's freshness, zest and energy. Another good Sauvignon Blanc from Chile that's made to drink now.
Quiet on the nose, this wine speaks louder on the palate, where it delivers melon, pear and citrus flavors. It's balanced and clean, a light, refreshing white to serve as an apéritif or alongside mild fish dishes.
Quiet up front, with dull, candied aromas of black cherry and plum. This feels bullish and grabby, with clipped, crisp flavors of red plum and cherry pie filling. Fresh, but it comes up short on flavor on the finish.
Quiet, generic berry aromas come with a hint of sweet plastic on the nose. It feels snappy, crisp and fresh, with currant and raspberry flavors leading to a balanced, lightly oaked finish with mild herbal notes.
Quietly fruity and rather soft-textured, this wine smells lightly herbal and tastes dry. Light honeydew flavors give a little extra interest.
Quietly, Hewitt flies below the radar, often producing Cabernets that, while not cheap, rival their pricier competition. Consider their '09 a deal. It's dry, smoothly tannic and complex, offering waves of black cherry jam, mocha, licorice and smoky oak. You can drink this lovely wine now, but it should develop in the bottle over the next 10 years.
Quietly, under the radar, Treana's red blend is turning into an interesting and exciting wine over every vintage. The '05, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, shows Paso Robles terroir at its best. The wine is soft, but no softer than a cult Napa Cab, and enormously rich in currant, licorice, chocolate, smoky oak and cinnamon spice flavors that are just delicious. Best now and for a few years.
Quilceda's Palengat is now a proprietary blend, not a strict Cabernet as before. You can smell the violets amidst nicely layered aromatics, built upon layers of black fruits, cassis and dark, smoky elements. Smoke, earth, coffee, a hint of iron and rock continue into the midpalate, which loses a little density as it moves through the finish. That may be a reflection of the young-ish (7 to 10 year old) vines.
Quilceda's single-vineyard Bordeaux-style blend is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, from a vineyard just across the road from Champoux. Dusty and fragrant, it suggests soft leather, toast, caramel and coconut, hiding its fruit at first in a wash of luxurious barrel flavors. That fruit emerges with some hours of decanting, a tart and racy mix of berry and sweet tomato.
Quilceda's single-vineyard Bordeaux-style blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot. This has fine grained tannins—not soft, but polished, ripe, and rich. Tasted prior to its official release, the wine was still pulling together all of the complex barrel-influenced flavors; it tasted delicious, with notes of bourbon-soaked cherries, along with veins of espresso, cacao, dusty baking spice, and a liquorous finish.
Quilceda Creek's Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a dense, exotic and luxurious nose: a mix of roasted coffee, dark fruit and Asian spice. At first it's quite dense and unyielding, but it opens slowly over a period of days—not hours—remaining dense and compact, with a remarkable array of dark fruits and barrel flavors. As with its companion reds from Quilceda Creek, this is a wine to cellar for decades.
Quilceda makes big, muscular Cabernets, but the power is tightly controlled and never out of whack. Firm cherry fruit is edged with mixed spices from barrel aging. Still young and hard, this is a tannic wine that clearly has the stuffing and structure to age indefinitely, but if drunk now will require many hours of breathing time. Editors' Choice.
Quince and apple juice notes lead to a tart, medium-bodied palate. The elevated acidity makes for a rigid finish.
Quince and lemon aromas continue on the palate. Crisp and tightly textured, it's spoiled by a metallic flavor that hardens the aftertaste.
Quince and lychee fruit flavors dominate this ripe, off-dry wine. It has a spicy character, allowing for a dry core of pepper while also giving a rich aftertaste. Drink now.
Quince and pear fruits dominate this off-dry wine. It has a hint of honey, its ripe fruit pierced with acidity. A great wine as an apéritif or to go with cold cuts.
Quince, lemon peel and honeydew make for compatible bedfellows in this no-oak white, which is light and inviting on the palate, with more underlying herbal flourishes than it first lets on. Dry and daring, it'll pair well with all manner of fresh seafood.
Quince, lime and white peach fruit flavors suggest that this was sourced from relatively cool sites. Some skin flavors are in evidence, providing extra length and definition. The finish is balanced, with a touch of heat.
Quince, orange, pink grapefruit and other citrus fruits are rounded off with a slight suggestion of residual sugar. There's a touch of almond in the finish, which lingers gracefully.
Quince, starfruit and white melon share the spotlight here, with acidity and sugar in balance, yielding a slightly off-dry wine. Forward and fresh, it brings in highlights of lemon tea as it sails across the palate, and could do nicely for a lunch of cold whitefish or trout.
Quince, toast and ripe apricots combine easily in this full, rich wine. It has attractive spice, juicy apricot juice and a rounded, textured aftertaste conveying nutmeg as well as fresh acidity. Laurent and Sophie Cisneros bought Rouillac with a focus: eliminate chemical pesticides and herbicides. They built a barrel cellar to environmental European standards. Eric Boissenot consults.
Quinta da Agueira was bought by the Guedes family of Aveleda in 1998. This pure Touriga Nacional is big, meaty and ripe, structured while also having firm, tarry tannins. The wine still has a way to go, with its black fruits and acidity still developing. Drink this powerful wine from 2017.
Quinta da Lapa has plantings of the rare Tamarez grapes that have gone into the blend of this wine along with Arinto. It is perfumed, ripe and fruity with a touch of spice and citrus and yellow fruit flavors. Drink now.
Quinta do Carmo, formerly owned by the Rothschild family of Château Lafite, is now part of the Bacalhâo group. Perfumed and fruity, this leaps from the glass with fresh, crisp lemon and pear flavors and light minerality. Drink now.
Quinta do Encontro is in the Bairrada region on the central coast of Portugal—an area well know for sparkling wines. This blend of Arinto, Bical and the red Baga is crisp, yeasty and with a fine balance between its ripe fruits and the touches of toast and acidity. This gives the wine a good sense of maturity and it's certainly ready to drink.
Quinta do Pégo produces a light, fast maturing style of vintage Port. This 2009 has the bonus of great richness, although its fruity character and soft tannins suggest it will mature rapidly.
Quinta Nova has produced two Grand Reservas in 2012. This is leaner than the other, a more structured wine with dry tannins and great concentration. It will need several years to soften and bring out its natural mineral richness. Drink from 2018.
Quintessence is a good name for this wine that has the minerality and the structure that are the soul of the appellation. In addition it offers apricot and pear fruitiness and intense acidity. This wine is so drinkable now, although it will be much better from 2018.
Quintessential Best Buy stuff, with full aromas of meaty berry and leather. Concentrated and dark across the palate, with full-bodied black fruit, black olive and savory flavors. Offers all the color, weight and fruit that a $12 wine should.
Quinteto is a Cabernet Franc-led blend of five grapes, including Syrah, Merlot, Malbec and Pinot Noir. It opens with scratchy raspberry and herbal aromas that turn murkier with time. Briny flavors of olive and herbal plum carry onto the finish.
Quirky, art-minded winemaker Matthias Sanguis crafts a stellar Syrah, with a lush bouquets of violets, blue raspberry, black peppercorns and vanilla. The palate, bound together with a lean acidic line down the middle, presents dark but tart cherries, sweet tobacco and the tang of plum peel.
Quite a bit lighter in body than MacPhail's other single-vineyard '06s, this one benefits from the elegant structure. With its silky angularity, it offers complex flavors of cherries, raspberries, orange tea, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves and vanilla-rich new oak.
Quite a bit lighter than the 2014 vintage, this wine layers buttery aromas over crisp apple and lemon flavors. It's pleasant and light in body, showing more richness than expected from its lively fruit components. Labeled as Pinot Noir, this is actually a white wine made from the dark grapes.
Quite a bit of power comes with this densely flavored, quite tannic and full-bodied wine. It smells almost roasted, but it offers nice, ripe berry, black cherry and dark chocolate flavors, a thick and astringent texture and lingering finish.
Quite a bit of spicy, sweet-seeming oak flavors give this full-bodied wine an extravagant flair to match its rather hot mouthfeel and firm tannins.
Quite a bit of Tempranillo is being planted in southern Oregon, and it shows considerable promise. The flavors here suggest cherry cobbler, with ripe fruit at the center. There are streaks of citrus and a touch of toast in the mix, with drying tannins.
Quite a deep color for a rosé—easily confused with a light Pinot Noir—this shows blackberry, black raspberry, hibiscus and fruit punch on the nose. For such a ripe nose, the palate is quite fresh and energetic, with black-plum skins, red-apple flesh and grippy cherry-pit flavors.
Quite a delicious, rich and opulent wine. It shows Paso Robles softness and accessibility, with deep, long-lasting flavors of blackberries, currants, chocolate, olives and cedar. Fully ready now.
Quite a different style from last year's 15% alcohol version, this seems raw, slightly bitter, and hints at garlic in the nose. Black cherries, cola and earth are in the mix, but something is not quite settled.
Quite a distinguished Cabernet. Shows its pedigree in ultra-refined tannins and an overall mouthfeel of lushness and finesse. Flavor-wise, it's all black currants, blueberries and sweet, smoky oak. Thirty-five dollars isn't cheap, but this is as good as it gets in this price bracket.
Quite a fine Sauvignon Blanc, racy and delicately structured but rich, with mineral-laden citrus and lemongrass flavors. The acidity is the best part, tart and mouth-watering. This is Brutocao's best Sauvignon Blanc ever.
Quite a good Cabernet, especially at this price. They blended some other varieties, including Zinfandel, Malbec and Petite Sirah, which bring extra layers. It's a fine everyday wine—fruity, spicy, full-bodied and dry.
Quite a good Cabernet, pure and intense in varietal characteristics of black currants, but balanced and elegant. The tannins are smooth, the finish complex and long in spices. Delicious as it is now, your best bet is to cellar this Cab for 6–8 years, and possibly longer.
Quite a good Cabernet, showing the elegance and ripe fruitiness you expect from Napa, in a style for drinking now. Drily tannic, it shows classic blackberry and blueberry flavors.
Quite a good Cabernet, virgorous and dry, with an earthy edge of sweet, dried herbs alongside the blackberries and cedar. More elegant and food-friendly than many of the fruitier, high alcohol, oaky Cabs out there.
Quite a good Chardonnay for the price. Shows classic flavors of pineapples, pears and apples, enriched with smoky oak and vanilla, and folded into a creamy texture. Good value, and easy to find, with 7,800 cases produced.
Quite a good Napa Valley Cabernet, with a complex tannin structure and tiers of blackberry, black currant, orange zest, Provençal herb, violet and anise flavors, and a touch of raisins on the finish. Don't be alarmed by the sediment it's already throwing in the glass. Feels somewhat sharp, which lowers the point score.
Quite a good Pinot, dry and complex. Although it's pale in color and lightly silky in the mouth, it packs a punch, delivering waves of cherry, cranberry, spice and sandalwood flavors. One quibble is that acidity is high, which calls for rich fare to pair it with, such as Ahi tuna, beef and lamb.
Quite a good Syrah, although it's a little too soft, so open it now because it won't hold for too long. It's dry and silky smooth in the mouth, with rich, ripe blackberry, blueberry, chocolate, bacon and pepper flavors.
Quite a good Syrah, dry and robust and full bodied. It has very rich, deep flavors of blackberries, currants and coffee, as well as thick, astringent tannins that make the mouth all sticky. Drink now, with decanting, and over the next six years.
Quite a good wine, rich, full-bodied and succulent. Shows a wealth of blackberry, red currant, licorice, bacon and black pepper flavors that finish with a touch of heat. The winery actually has lowered the price on this wine from previous vintages, which makes it a good value.
Quite a good wine, with Cabernet-esque blackberries and black currants, and a rich toastiness from charred oak. Feels a little angular and jammy in youth. Give it two or three years in the cellar to soften and mellow.
Quite a good wine. It's luscious in creamy flavors of blackberries, cherries and toast, and also beautifully balanced. You feel the elegant interplay of oak, tannins and acidity. Should develop over the next 6–8 years.
Quite a good young Cab, deeply flavored in red and black currants, plums, chocolate and oak. Has a weight, density and balance that feel important and authoritative. Not an ager, but epitomizes a delicious Napa Cab to drink now.
Quite a good Zinfandel, although it does show some of the weaknesses that strike this vineyard in a cool year. You'll find a smooth, full-bodied wine, with ample tannins and fine berry-cherry fruit and spices. Yet it's curiously ambiguous in the mouth, and the concentration falls apart midpalate.
Quite a good, distinguished Cabernet. It's rich and robust, with explosive blackberry and currant flavors, liberally coated with smoky oak, that finish in a swirl of chocolate. Most exquisite are the tannins, so pure and refined. The name refers to the number of barrels in the blend, which comes from St. Helena, Rutherford and Spring Mountain.
Quite a lot of fruit flavor is packed into this straightforward, dry and non-oaky wine. It should be versatile at the dinner table because of its direct flavors, rather reserved texture and good balance.
Quite a nice Chardonnay at a great price. It's rich and creamy and plump, with deliciously ripe flavors of pineapples, Asian pears, buttered cinnamon toast and vanilla. The richness is balanced by crisp acidity and a firm minerality.
Quite a nice Chardonnay, especially at this price. It's elegant and crisp, with a mineral undertow to the pineapple, buttered toast and honeysuckle flavors. Easy to like for its balance.
Quite a nice white wine for its acidity and sophistication, which is a function of the crispness. Shows clean, lively flavors of citrus fruits, peaches, wildflowers and vanilla, with umami notes of cashew nut and foie gras. Dry, but feels honey-rich on the finish.
Quite a solid deal from an expert Zin house, this wine shows aromas of candied cherry and pomegranate, with cinnamon, a hint of tar and a little crushed espresso bean. Dried blueberries enliven the palate, along with mineral tones and more cinnamon-based baking spice.
Quite a solid wine for less than $20, this bottling shows yellow apple, nectarine, peach blossom, sea salt, lemon and a touch of slate on the nose. Buttered-pear flavors show on the fleshy palate, with lemon zest, white peach, more sea salt and hints of nuts and vanilla.
Quite a steal for lovers of this variety, this wine shows green apple, kiwi, chalk and a sharp lime-peel edge on the nose. The palate offers flavors of grapefruit and Key lime wedges, but the real winning aspects are the white pepper spice and the rain-on-cement minerality.
Quite a steal of a deal for a widely available wine, this shows cinnamon, red cherry, ripe cranberry, light tobacco and a touch of leather on the rustic nose. Once sipped, the mouthfeel is soft, offering flavors of cranberry and red cherry that are spiced by thyme, bay leaf and more cinnamon.
Quite a strong essence of grape extract as well as blackberry and vanilla run over and through this one. Heavy and full in the mouth, but also a bit sharp on the back palate; finishes with a mild tannic burn. Best up front. The intent and body are there, but overall it misses a beat.
Quite a success for a California Sangiovese. It's dry and silky, with light tannins and a good crunch of acidity to brighten the cherry pie, anise and pepper flavors.
Quite an impressive effort. The dense purple hue promises much, as do the intense notes of grilled meat and coconut on the nose. The palate delivers, with complex black fruit aromas and wet earth flavors leading to a long, lush finish. A year or two in the cellar will give the American oak a chance to integrate but drink up before 2011.
Quite an impressive wine, especially at this price. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon without much oak, it's an interestingly complex white, with good weight and density and intricate flavors of citrus fruits, apricots, peaches and lemongrass. Finishes totally dry, although the acidity is a little clumsy.
Quite an impressive young Chardonnay, with brisk acidity, a tangy minerality and a bone dry finish. You'll find suggestions of pineapple, Meyer lemon, lime and kiwi flavors, with a kiss of smoky oak. Chill it well, then savor it as it warms in the glass.
Quite an interesting Chardonnay, in an era when so many are too sweet and extracted. There's plenty of orange and apricot fruit flavor, but also a brilliant streak of minerality, like a lick of cold steel, and the overall taste is dry. Really easy to like, with lots of complexity to warrant repeated sipping.
Quite an unusual specimen in that you don't often see Monastrell mixed with Cabernet and Shiraz. The end result is fairly strange and unfamiliar; the nose smells saucy and lean, while the palate is also saucy and a touch medicinal.
Quite approachable for such a heady blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec, this wine shows blueberry, black cherry, turned loam and toasted sage on the dense nose. Though driven by ripe purple fruit and purple flower flavors, the palate is lightly spiced with cedar, juniper, tobacco and turned earth.
Quite aromatic and fruit-forward, with seductive scents of ripe lychees and peaches in syrup alongside some crushed rose-petal accents. The palate shows a bit more balance, with lemon peel flavors that mingle on the slightly astringent finish.
Quite aromatic on first pour, this wine shows green peppercorn, violets, earth, smoked meat and savory aromas. The fruit and savory flavors are generous, showing length and depth.
Quite aromatic, this has notes of fresh and dried tobacco along with leafy green herbs. It's full of cherry, coffee and green herb flavors with chalky tannins.
Quite aromatically restrained for the variety with notes of jasmine and flowers. It's medium sweet but lacks cohesion to hold it all together.
Quite as good as the excellent '07, maybe even better, as it shows a little more structure behind the raspberry and cherry flavors. Tastes really good, a silky, spicy and dry wine that's a pleasure to drink. What a shame how little Pinot is actually grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Quite austere when first opened, this drinks best after significant aeration or decanting, which is no surprise with any Eyrie Pinot Noir. Light strawberry and cherry fruit sits stiffly framed with crisp tannins, underscored with ample acidity. There's a well-matched herbal component as well. This is at least a 10, if not a 20-year wine. Drink 2020 through 2030.
Quite austere, with citrusy, appley, minerally flavors and tart acids. This is not your usual fruit monster, although oak and lees do their best to add nuance and complexity. A good wine that is versatile at the table.
Quite big and decadent smelling as notes of caramel-drizzled apple pie with vanilla ice cream on top emanate from the glass. The mouth is full and milky with solid acidity supporting the rich flavors of toasted brioche and smoky apple. A solid choice for dishes that can match its intensity of flavors: think lobster newburg or crab thermidor.
Quite Bordeaux in style, meaning the wine is leaner, tighter and more tannic than typical Southern Hemisphere blends usually amount to. But we very much like the wine's mineral, plum and juicy raspberry flavors. All in all, expect a sturdy, well-made wine with plenty of natural and barrel-aided tannins. Will likely improve with another year or two in bottle.
Quite bright, sweet and fruity, with a hint of cherry candy and blackberry on the bouquet and then a juicy, fresh palate with mild chocolate, raspberry and proper texture. For $11 this wine is more than competent; it's very good. 50,000 cases made.
Quite Burgundian in nature, this offering is not opulent, but is very well defined, with an almost etched nature. Lean, with tart cherry, licorice and mineral aromas and flavors, and fairly light in body, it is big on character and traditonal Pinot style. The wine is quite taut now, but the finish is very long and complex. Should be beautiful with three to five years’ aging.
Quite buttery and nutty on the nose, this wine shows Marcona almonds, seared pineapple, crème brûlée and vanilla custard. Those elements meet with smart amounts of acid and texture on each creamy, buttery, pineapple-laced sip, which then finishes on marshmallow flavors.
Quite buttery and rich, this bottling shows lemon custard, ripe yellow melon, white peach and buttermilk on the lavish nose. The palate is lush and attention-grabbing, with poached and grilled peach flavors lifted by citrus energy and a vanilla-laced finish.
Quite charred and hard, which is something I can't remember in tasting VM's wines for the past decade. It's also plummy and thick, with a flat palate that doesn't register on the mouthfeel meter. Flavors of black fruits are lemony from the oak and generic, while the finish is round and basic.
Quite cherry-like in the nose. On the palate, it's smooth and fairly silky, packing more bright cherry flavors, tinged with vanilla and spice. A bit peppery on the finish. Not complex, but quite pleasant.
Quite closed at this stage, this is a full wine with tight acidity and a crisp minerally texture. White flower and spice notes set off the lively character of this lemon- and pineapple-flavored selection. This is worth keeping for 4–5 years.
Quite closed up, this wine has weight and intensity that will give concentration to the potentially ripe flavors of apricots, mandarin oranges and a twist of lemon zest. All of these flavors are integrated with the developing honeyed richness.
Quite cloudy due to being unfiltered, it offers subtle lemon peel and chalkboard at first on the nose. Some buttered croissant elements arise as the wine opens up. The mouthfeel is even and soft, with a slight creaminess alongside citrus, peach, and, fittingly, a bit of beeswax. Still very tightly wound, it would go well with a Cobb salad or shrimp Louie.
Quite condensed and woody, with brier and sawdust aromas and some vivacious berry fruit. The palate is deep and pure, with cherry and cassis along with hints of coffee and earth. Yes, it's a bit hard due to firm tannins, but it's also a complete wine with a long, overt finish. Best Buy.
Quite creamy and sweet on the nose, with marshmallow and candy aromas that are not that convincing. Solid in the mouth, with herbal fruit, chocolate and plump tannins, body and extract. Better in terms of mouthfeel and concentration than flavor. Malbec, with Cabernet, Syrah and Petit Verdot.
Quite dark (perhaps from the small additions of Petit Verdot and Merlot), and scented with a burnt edge, this Tempranillo is slow to show much fruit. Tart raspberry notes seem to quickly resolve into a charred, slightly bitter finish.
Quite dark and dense, generous and ripe, this Grenache offers a mix of red and black fruits. The flavors continue onto a finish that's rich with kirsch and coffee.
Quite dark and smoky, this fruity Syrah combines blueberry, blackberry and cassis flavors in a deep mix. Earthy tannins are well-managed and provide a proper underpinning.
Quite dark and viscous in the glass, this bottling shows very concentrated, deep and intense aromas of black currant, charred rosemary, roasted meat and a hint of incense. There's a coffee and chai spice component to the sip alongside the persistent dark fruit, charcoal, black pepper and uplifting flavors of violet and lilac. Strong tannins ensure a long lie. Drink now through 2030.
Quite dark for the grape, this wine from the Carpinteria estate of Rick and Penny Morales shows red plums, pepper, dried oregano, cooked beef, hoisin and mint chocolate on the lush nose. Though the wine is five years old, the tannins remain quite present on the palate, where bay leaf, black cardamom, espresso, cedar and exotic spices give depth to the black plum and dark strawberry fruit.
Quite dark in color for an unblended Grenache, this wine is full of plum and ripe raspberries with the tartness of the 2010 vintage on display. The oak—half new French—plays a bit too prominently in the show on this otherwise enjoyable wine.
Quite dark in color, brooding aromas of olallieberry, blackberry, grape soda, plums and concentrated purple flowers appease the nose on this bottling from one of Paso's newly designated appellations. The palate blends licorice, turned earth and eucalyptus with a fresh pomegranate juice flavor.
Quite dark in color, with a weird gold-orange hue, but tastes clean and zesty. French oak barrel aging gives a vanilla, buttered-toast edge to the apricot, papaya, orange and honeysuckle flavors. Ready now as an exotic alternative to a barrel-fermented Chardonnay.
Quite dark in the glass, this blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot starts with snappy boysenberry aromas and grows more savory with dust and dried pine needle notes. The palate's acidity is expertly integrated, carrying charred blueberry, minty dill and cocoa flavors.
Quite dark in the glass, this bottling boasts cedar-driven aromas augmented with rust, strawberry, leather and lava rock scents. The palate leads with cigar-like tobacco notes, building toward heavy red fruit and framed by sticky tannins.
Quite dark in the glass, this bottling from a vineyard often known for subtlety packs in a ton of power and darkness, starting with hefty blackberry, tree bark and sarsaparilla on the nose. Tart black-plum-skin flavors kick off the big palate, which grabs attention but is a little clumsy at this stage of life. Patience may bring cohesion.
Quite dark in the glass, this bottling from tech power couple T.J. and Valeta Rodgers offers rich aromas of dried Mission fig, elderberry and black cherry, along with clay, loam and purple flowers. There is an impressive, almost muddy thickness to the palate, without being sweet or rich at all, showing flavors thyme, dill, mint and lavender against a core of dark red fruit.
Quite dark in the glass, this bottling has a nose that suggests boysenberry, blackberry and black cherry. The dense aromas are livened up by iron, black loam, Indian spice and black-tea notes. The same range of dark fruits power the palate, especially black plums, and the rich and tangy flavors are nuanced with black sage, bergamot and eucalyptus notes.
Quite dark in the glass, this bottling offers black plum skin, clay, gravel and berry pie aromas. The mouthfeel is full of polished tannins and edged with sharp acidity. Dark fruit and wet earth flavors dominate.
Quite dark in the glass, this bottling, which includes a bit of the other main Bordeaux varietals, shows concentrated blueberries, blackcurrant, cola and fudges notes on the nose. It's soft and rich on the palate, with fine-grained tannins revealing more dense, dark fruit, touches of mint and chocolate, and a nice floral component.
Quite dark in the glass, this is a lush rather than lithe expression of the shapeshifting grape, with bright boysenberry, black plum, uncrushed peppercorn, soy, roast beef and espresso aromas. Black pepper shows on the palate, but blueberry and blackberry fruits dominate, boosted by a touch of dark chocolate and presented with solid acidic sizzle.
Quite dark in the glass, this is very fruit-forward on the nose, with blueberry sauce, tart plum skin, turned loam and vanilla aromas. Ripe blackberry fruits mix with licorice on the palate, where rising acidity and soft but present tannins also offer up roast-beef flavors.
Quite dark in the glass, this meticulous blend of 47.32% Mourvèdre, 42.18% Syrah, 7.5% Petite Sirah and 3% Grenache shows rich, nose-tickling aromas of dried purple flowers, dark blueberry, caramelized blackberry and a touch of vanilla. The palate perfectly pairs dark fruit and bright acidity with touches of caramel and a tar-like structure. It's big, yet balanced.
Quite dark in the glass, this very concentrated blend of 37% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 28% Mourvèdre shows boisterous aromas of black currant, blueberry, vanilla, violet and clove on the nose. Rich as expected in body, the bottling offers nutmeg and black-cherry-syrup flavors on the sip, with a touch of prune as well. It's a heavy-duty attention grabber.
Quite dark in the glass, this wine, which is made with 6% Viognier, shows the darkest of purple fruit scents on the nose, and needs quite a bit of time to start opening up, so tightly wound it is. The grippy, tangy and acid-driven texture is what compels the palate, where flavors of blackened blackberry, savory dried beef and char rise firm tannins deep into the finish.
Quite dark, smoky and well along the path to full maturity, the fruit in this single-vineyard Cab is initially overshadowed completely by scents of charred wood. The soft cherry fruit seems wrapped—indeed soaked—in barrel flavors. With substantial breathing time, the fruit comes up and the tannins subside, at least enough to accompany a grilled steak or burger.
Quite deep and brooding on the nose, this blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot shows mocha, blood, blueberry, smoke, loam and gingerbread on the nose. The showy, ripe purple fruit is restrained by a lava-rock minerality, oregano herbals and cedar tannins that give a grippy texture.
Quite delicate herb, lime, mineral and smoke aromas on the nose open to a full yet still lean mouth of bright citrus and herb flavors. The P-J style tends to lightness, and this is a fine rendering, with great balance and nice body. Lovely and crisp, like a crunchy Granny Smith apple. Good acidity; drink now or hold.
Quite delicious, and loaded with wild berry flavors and herbal highlights, this impressive wine is almost pure Mourvèdre—just 4% Syrah was blended in. Twenty months in a mix of Hungarian, French and American oak has begun to soften its rather hard and slightly stemmy tannins. Further aging—up to five years—is recommended.
Quite dense and slow to release aromas at first, this bottling, which includes 14% Tempranillo and 6% Tannat, eventually gives scarlet red rose petals, lavender, elderberry and a rich touch of maple-laced bacon fat on the nose. It's much more dynamic and delicious once sipped, with blueberry and blackberry jam, smoked lamb, rosemary and more lavender, bound together by grippy tannins.
Quite distinct from its Single Wheel companion bottlings, there's a rustic, slightly savory tone to pressed apple and pear flavors in this off-dry Riesling. It's light bodied and spry with a brisk, lemony finish.
Quite distinct from the winery's regular Pinot Gris, this is oak fermented and barrel aged on the lees for 16 months. The hock bottle suggests an Alsatian model, the extended barrel time softening the sharp acidity. There's a light suggestion of wood flavor, not toast but neutral wood, and the fruit is damped down. However, with extra aeration this wine springs to life, with complex highlights of wood, herb and stone.
Quite dry and flinty, this medium-bodied wine mixes citrus flesh and floral qualities with persistence and texture. Chill it just below cellar temperature, and it will liven up a variety of mellow cheeses and poultry dishes.
Quite dry and reaching just 12% alcohol, this smells of rose petal and lychee fruit. It's delicate and floral, showing dashes of lemon rind and mineral on the finish.
Quite dry and reserved in flavor, this wine is intriguing: subtle rose petal and mineral notes, medium body and a bite of grapefruit zest on the finish that begs for another sip. One of the earliest producers of Gewürztraminer wines in Anderson Valley, it's still one of the best.
Quite dry and tasting more of skin than fruit, this has a bitter, alcoholic edge to it. The fruit hints at banana and light tropical.
Quite dry and thin, with an odd mix of unripe fruit, sugary fruit, toasted seed and plastic. Just doesn't sit well in the mouth.
Quite dry on the palate, this seductive Riesling exhibits aromas of honeyed ginger with a hint of smoke and petrol. Lime and apple flavors combine with a zippy acidity and subtle minerality throughout.
Quite dry on the palate, this seems less ripe than the previous vintage. The opening flavors are dominated by earth and stem—rather than fruit—followed by notes of baking spice, coconut and caramel.
Quite dry to the point of astringency, this stylish Syrah brings flavors of toast, coffee grounds and tangy berries. There is just a hint of finishing heat.
Quite dry yet intensely fruity, this has loads of fresh strawberry, red cherry and raspberry flavors. This finishes with a touch of sweet fruit and a subtle spray of cherry blossom perfume. It's an unabashedly quaffable rosé that's perfect for entertaining year round. Drink now.
Quite dry, crisp and lean, this wine is a great palate refresher that will pair well with raw oysters or goat cheese. It has bright citrus flavors, light body and a tangy finish.
Quite dry, nicely structured, and sporting generous, fresh acidity, this food-friendly Pinot Gris has moderately ripe fruit flavors that emphasis citrus and lemon rind. The alcohol is just 13.5%.
Quite earthy and sun-baked to start, with raisiny aromas that come with cola and leather. Thick, dense and heavy in the mouth, with concentrated, baked flavors of blackberry, pepper and bitter chocolate. A superripe, inky wine with soft tannins and a spongey finish.
Quite earthy in profile with hints of smoke, petroleum and fresh green herbs, there's a distinct minerality in this off-dry Riesling that's compelling. Brisk lime-juice acidity and a hint of citrus rind bitterness accentuates the dry finish.
Quite elegant, but not showing well given the price, being somewhat soft and direct in candied blackberries, cherries and chocolate-covered mint. The vintage was a difficult one for St. Supéry. The wine is lacks the stuffing for ageability. Drink now–2013.
Quite firm and focused, with a dominating scent of cut tobacco. The black cherry fruit is set against juicy acids, and rolls into a finish with streaks of licorice and more of that cut tobacco flavor.
Quite floral and thus it smells different than the usual beefy, black-fruit-dominated Malbecs that Mendoza is known for. On the palate, it's zesty and yields cherry, raspberry and chocolate flavors. The mouthfeel is crisp and stylish, while the finish settles and doesn't seem too acidic or lean.
Quite floral smelling and fruity tasting, this is not your usual Chardonnay. It smells like rose petals, tastes like Anjou pears and has a soft mouthfeel and medium body.
Quite foamy when poured, this bubbly from the historic sparkling house offers aromas of apple flesh, ripe pears and lemon-lime soda. It presents straightforward flavors on the palate accented with apple blossoms, while white tuberose florals and a touch of guava trend toward the tropical side of the scale.
Quite forward in  character, this opens with powerful scents of purple flowers, black berry, cherry and plum. The palate is juicy and fruit forward, with hints of sweet spice and berry preserves that carry through to the medium-length finish. Drink now.
Quite fruity and fairly rich, this medium-bodied wine has plenty of apple, lime and dried herb flavors, and a fairly crisp but smooth texture. More than just a thirst-quencher, it brings some heft to the table.
Quite fruity and straightforward, with pleasant peach, melon and citrus flavors. The finish is clean and fresh and the wine well balanced.
Quite fruity, with an intriguing blueberry quality that dominates. However, the wine is dry and focused, with layers of black-currant, herb, toasty oak and spice flavors. Moderate and bright on the finish.
Quite full bodied and obviously powerful in flavor, this wine is piled deep and rich with fruit aromas and flavors like ripe blackberries and blueberries plus chocolate and espresso. An impressive, astringent texture adds structure and makes it appetizing to drink, while the tannins seem to help the opulent flavors linger during the aftertaste.
Quite good and above the masses when compared to the bulk of rosé wines coming from Argentina. Made from Malbec, it's bright and floral, with a touch of citrus to the nose. Healthy, vibrant, balanced and cleansing, with flavors of berries, nectarine and pink grapefruit. Drink now.
Quite good and honest, with full raspberry, cherry and tea aromas along with a hint of grassiness. The palate is dark and full-bodied, with toasty cherry and herbal tea flavors. Finishes long, full and several steps ahead of most of the competition. Drink now.
Quite good and rich in jammy berry, cherry, cassis and oak flavors, but there's a certain obvious appeal that lacks complexity, and it's not what you expect from a wine of this reputation and price. This bottling has been falling off from the glories of the 1990s for some years now. A pity. Hopefully the trend will reverse. Production was 9,008 cases.
Quite good, but some vegetal flavors mar this dessert wine, which is very sweet, with 18% residual sugar. Such sweetness is usually enough to satisfy on its own, but despite the apricot, tangerine and vanilla flavors, a stubborn green streak lowers the score.
Quite grassy and brisk in style, this wine releases generous aromas of cut tennis ball, wet cement and sour limes. That citrusy acidity and sour-grass energy picks up lime pith, green-apple skins and a touch of white pepper on the palate, a very classic profile.
Quite grassy in aromas for a Chardonnay, this wine shows lemongrass, fennel, Gala apple and light honeydew melon on the nose. The palate is light and tight, with flavors of grapefruit and apples.
Quite green out of the gate, the aromas display notes of savory herbs, cedar and spice, with a reduced note that blows off. The plum and dark-fruit flavors are tart and elegant with dry tannins that don't seem to have fully ripened. It has potential at the dinner table but doesn't quite stand up on its own.
Quite green upon first impression, with bell pepper and a potpourri of green herbs on the front end. Feels healthy and crisp, with bite and structure to support the herbal flavors of tomato leaf, oregano, bell pepper and red berry fruit. Finishes with a minty, herbal aftertaste.
Quite hard and almost impenetrable at first, this slowly opens to give a glimpse of compact, dried blueberry fruit and a dash of dark chocolate. The tannins are hard and herbal also. Aeration will help.
Quite herbal and foxy on the nose, with char and olive aromas. The palate is thick, jammy and clumsy, with bittersweet notes of stewed berry and blackberry syrup. A huge, muscular wine that's really ripe and untamed.
Quite inky in the glass, this bottling shows black currant, black cherry and hearty violets on the nose. The palate is quite dark with a strong core flavor of black coffee, enhanced by loamy soils, crushed lava rocks and a touch of tarragon. A thick palate is sliced by bright acidity.
Quite intense aromas of plum brandy and kirsch are boosted with scents of iron and black pepper on this bottling. The palate shows stewed cherries and strawberries, and there is both acidity and tannic grip, proving this to be a complete and solid wine.
Quite intense, with blasting aromas of blackberry, coconut, cocoa and even leather and horse hide. It's 65% Tannat and 35% Malbec, and as a whole it's big, grabby, tight and full of blackberry and raspberry flavors that bring an herbal twist. Smoky and herbal on the finish.
Quite leafy smelling, with tobacco and a ton of barrel influence. Big, woody and resiny feeling, with rugged tannins pushing sweet, ripe berry and spice flavors. Toasty, chocolaty and herbal as it finishes, but always there's a strong oak presence.
Quite leesy and funky, with meaty, oily aromas that are a departure from normal Albariño and are indicative of the 30% Treixadura and Loureiro that beef things up. Perfectly drinkable, and with a decent mouthfeel, but still it lacks the straightforward cleanliness of the really good wines from Galicia. Imported by Republic National Distributing Co.
Quite light and a bit diffuse, this southern Rhone-style red has a pretty rose petal accent, along with berry and balsamic flavors.
Quite light and restrained on the nose, this bottling from Richard and Thekla Sanford shows pithy Key lime and scratched grapefruit-skin aromas. There is a decent sizzle of acidity to the palate, with lime rinds, pith and juice playing together. Touches of almond and flint add interest.
Quite light and tart, this has simple fruit flavors of light citrus and melon. The finish turns a bit plastic tasting.
Quite light aromas are followed by dry, somewhat diluted fruit flavors. The variety seems to get lost and it drinks more like a generic white wine.
Quite light aromas of apple and flower blossom are followed by sleek fruit flavors. The concentration seems a bit light.
Quite light aromas of talc, lemon zest and mineral along with whiffs of tropical fruit lead to sleek, bright, focused and lemony flavors backed by zippy acidity. It should shine paired with ceviche or oysters.
Quite light in aroma at first, this is a delicate, lithe and lovely bottling, showing lemon and yellow pear tones on the nose. That sensibility carries to the palate, where touches of yellow apple, sea salt, faint banana and a shred of bubblegum converge for a complete yet restrained white wine experience.
Quite light in both aroma and flavor, this hits the palate softly, with tart, thin fruit and a jarring, somewhat plastic note that persists into the finish. There's a hint of chocolate, but not much going on here.
Quite light in color with almost an orange hue, this wine brings exuberant aromas of white pepper, fresh herb, red fruit, stem, smoked meat and potpourri. The palate is light, elegant and transparent in style with vibrant fruit, spice and savory flavors that linger on the extended finish and kick it up a notch. The oak influence is dialed way back. It delivers a lot of enjoyment on its own but should really sing at the dinner table.
Quite light in color with notes of raspberry, medicine cabinet, and light herbs. It coats that palate with a waxy feel supported by rustic tannins.
Quite light in color, especially for the alcohol level, this wine offers dried red cherries, hibiscus, rose petals, pencil shavings and a touch of hot asphalt on the spicy and fun nose. Lots of lively red fruit energy comes forth once sipped, with nutmeg, clove spice, ginger snaps and molasses flavors rounding out a memorable pour.
Quite light in color, the aromas bring initially locked up but then broadly expansive notes of peat, green olive, white pepper, strawberry, Stargazer lilies, mineral and herb, showing a lot of complexity. The palate is textured, bringing a profound mixture of fruit and savory flavors that intertwine effortlessly on the long finish. It brings a sense of tension, texture and finesse that is completely captivating.
Quite light in color, there is a red-cherry and strawberry base to the aroma of this bottling, which is laser-focused and redolent with scents of a morning hike through the chaparral, fresh with wild mint and sage. The palate starts round with strawberry, then tightens on cranberry and winds up on tart plum skins, all peppered with a grippy white sage spice and structure.
Quite light in color, this bargain bottling shows Anjou pear, apple blossoms and fragrant Pink Lady apple flesh on the nose. It's dainty on the palate, with touches of lime juice, chalk and citrus pith.
Quite light in color, this blend of Mourvèdre (62%), Grenache (24%) and Syrah offers pleasingly pure notes of herbs, white pepper, pine needles and cranberry. It's quite elegantly styled with a pillowy-soft feel and an appealing sense of purity. It will shine at the dinner table.
Quite light in color, this energetic blend of 76% Grenache and 24% Mourvèdre offers cinnamon stick, star anise, cola, raspberry and strawberry on the juicy and bright nose. The palate shows a lighter but juicy cranberry-fruit profile, with fennel, coriander and white pepper. It's a great, lighter style of red wine.
Quite light in color, this is a lighter style of Chardonnay, kicking off with crispy green apple aromas mixed with a bit of barrel smoke. Lime and apple lead the lean palate, which shines with granite minerality.
Quite light in color, this shows an intriguing, citrusy nose of sweet lime juice and tropical passionfruit. A bubblegum ester flavor shows on the bright palate, with lemon juice and minerality. It's a quaffable wine, just not typical for the varietal.
Quite light in color, this wine has a ton to like, starting with its thyme, oregano, juniper and tart cranberry aromas. The palate is overloaded with energy, showing snappy raspberry, kalamata olive and iron-rich mineral notes. A great example of fresh Pinot Noir.
Quite light in color, this wine packs a floral nose, with pungent tuberose along with lemon zest. It's refreshing once sipped, and the white flower character grows into a restrained tropicality, with guava most noticeable.
Quite light in color, this wine starts out reduced initially, followed by aromas of red fruit and herb. The tangy cranberry flavors are light and elegant, with the oak seemingly dialed back.
Quite light in color, this wine—named after the 1890s regional pioneer Adolph Siot—brings light bubblegum, cut grass, apple and slightly funky reductive aromas. It's lively and acidic on the focused palate, carrying flavors of butter, apple skin and pear skin, with just enough of the fruity flesh attached to broaden the mouthfeel.
Quite light in the glass but unmistakably pink, this Grenache-based rose shows a lime-driven citrus rind character on the crisp nose, gaining a touch of fruit from delicate watermelon and slight bubblegum scents. There is a touch of effervescence on the palate, where delicious and zesty lime, pink peach and more watermelon flavors come into play.
Quite light in the glass, the aromas on this bottling are also a bit weak, with cinnamon and red fruits emerging with patience. It's light and lithe on the palate, with candied cherry, rose petals and tons of cracked pepper making for a lengthy, grippy sip.
Quite light in the glass, this 50-50 blend from La Encanta and La Rinconada vineyards is done in a refreshingly crisp style, with lime pith and nectarine flesh aromas. It's fresh and vibrant on the palate, where tons of chalky grip frame a sizzling lime zest acidity and flavors of river stone and chalk. It's a laser-focused, very tense and nervy wine.
Quite light in the glass, this bottling by James Sparks of Liquid Farm fame shows cherry, hibiscus, cola and a touch of garrigue on the delicate nose. There is a noticeable tannic structure to the sip, where red-cherry and rose-petal flavors are quite mellow, refreshing and very quaffable. Time may add more complexity, but it's fun and lively now.
Quite light in the glass, this bottling immediately shows a stony minerality on the nose as well as touches of sea salt, baked apple and nectarine. The palate pops with a savory, briny character, giving depth to the pear, Gravenstein apple and caramel flavors.
Quite light in the glass, this bottling offers a strongly sage-driven nose bolstered by light licorice and chipped slate that's laced through the tangy cranberry and pretty red-cherry aromas. It's easy and light on the sip but with a full flavor profile, from pomegranate to snappy raspberry, thyme, oregano, dill and tons of pepper.
Quite light in the glass, this bottling still shows a vast array of tropical-leaning aromas, from jasmine and honeysuckle to ripe Gala apples, orange juice and key lime pie. Crisp stonefruit shows on the sip, as do more powerful white flowers, like tuberose.
Quite light in the glass, this wine leans a tad sweet on the nose, with exuberant apple blossoms, jasmine and banana-chip aromas. There is a chalky tension and pithy grip to the palate, where apple, pear and white-peach flavors trend toward ripe guava.
Quite light in the glass, this wine offers crisp and tight aromas of Japanese pear, peach blossom and custard torte. It's light and easy on the palate, with honeysuckle and cooked-apple flavors cut by lemon juice.
Quite light, in both mouthfeel and flavor, this has simple, rather generic fruit and a bit of butter.
Quite light, suggesting fruit that was picked at less than optimal ripeness. This thin wine has tart red fruit, a streak of caraway seed and a finish with sweet cracker highlights.
Quite light, with tart rhubarb and strawberry fruit. There's more than a hint of peppery herb, and a tart, quick finish.
Quite lightly aromatic, it offers hints of barrel spice, cocoa, herbs and red fruit. The palate has coffee ice cream and vanilla flavors with a compact yet elegant feel, showing some grit to the tannins.
Quite lively and solid, offering loads of black currant and bramble on the nose, and ripe dark fruit with smoky accents on the palate. The mouthfeel is supple, with a nice peppery tang, and it finishes well, with tart berry and licorice notes.
Quite mellow on the nose, this blend of 58% Grenache Blanc, 38% Roussanne and 4% Viognier offers very light marzipan and fresh white-peach aromas. It's a very easy to quaff wine on the sip, with lemon-peel and apricot flavors.
Quite minty and herbal on first take, with a hardness to the bouquet. The palate is racy, herbal, roasted and very much tastes different than most Argentine wines because it's from Cafayate in the north; look for spice, tomato, herbal waves and meaty notes.
Quite neutral and distant on the nose, with dry apple flavors working the soft, balanced palate. There are complexities such as white pepper and nutty nuances, but in the end it's an average sparkler with a controlled approach. Good for Argentina but probably not ready to compete with the world's best $20 sparkling wines.
Quite nice in the traditional Rioja style, and from a benchmark vintage. Pomal shows classic autumn leaf and wood aromas that highlight subdued cherry and molasses scents. The palate is properly acidic, so it places the lighter-weight cherry and tobacco notes in a proper frame. Turns oakier and more smoky the longer it sits.
Quite oaky and soft, with minty, shoe polish and lemony aromas on top of big, ripe, sweet fruit scents. The palate is sticky and leans up against medicinal, while the flavors of blackberry and plum have a mild candied, baked note to them. Just doesn't have the balance and touch of a fine Cabernet.
Quite oaky on the nose, showing lots of caramel and butterscotch flavors on the palate, this Chardonnay is anchored by its apple and peach flavors. It opens up nicely with some breathing time; decanting would not be out of order.
Quite oaky, the barrel flavors not yet integrated into the fruit, this starts out rough, then rolls into clean, light, pleasant boysenberry fruit flavors. Should continue to improve with more time in the bottle.
Quite odd on the nose, this shows aromas of tart black-plum skin and hot asphalt. Flavors are also very tarry, with charcoal, dense dried black fruit and dried purple flowers.
Quite pale and pink in color, this wine has more flavor and body than the color would suggest. It blends cherry and ripe pear notes on a smooth mouth-filling texture that clings to the palate and extends the finish.
Quite pale in color, this is a faintly aromatic wine with hints of cedar, tart cherries and dried tobacco. The fruit flavors are light in style with tart acids and firm but not unyielding tannins, with lingering cranberry flavors on the finish. It doesn't quite come off but certainly piques the interest.
Quite pale in color, this is an aromatically expressive, very varietal wine, with notes of forest floor, sarsaparilla and cherry. The flavors are light—not delivering on the aroma's promise—but still having richness, with nervy acids keeping it energized.
Quite pale in color, this wine offers well-defined aromas of apple, cantaloupe and pear. The palate has a textured feel and brings a pleasing sense of purity along with tart acidity. A winning offering of this seldom-seen variety, it should go particularly well at the dinner table.
Quite pale, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is soft, fruity and ready to drink. Attractive red fruits and light acidity give a tangy, fresh aftertaste.
Quite piercing and fiery at first, which announces that it is fully oaked. Along the way there's savory notes, saucy leather and flashes of dark fruit. This would be a better wine with more fruit and flesh, and less barrel. The dill, vanilla and spice flavors are a bit too dominant.
Quite piercing on the nose, with unyielding cherry and hard-spice aromas. The palate is also intense, with saturated black cherry and raspberry flavors riding rough on a tight frame. Not the most friendly and easy Malbec.
Quite possibly the first and only Washington Zweigelt, this has the sort of rough, rustic appeal as did Lemberger in the early days of the state's wine industry. Bright cranberry fruit has a spicy edge, and a sharp, high-toned finish.
Quite possibly this has the largest production of any single Oregon Pinot Noir, which makes the quality even more impressive. A bit in the vein of a Beaujolais, this offers Gamay-like flavors of red berry and wild cherry. It's broadly fruity and forward on the palate, with zippy acidity that punches through the finish.
Quite powerful and oaky in style, this full-bodied wine matches ripeness with firm tannins, carrying a hint of brown-sugar sweetness from the aroma through the finish. It's dry, but the spicy effect of new-oak barrels adds a pastry-like accent, which the texture balances with a welcome bite of astringency.
Quite quaffable, with just a bit of sweetness, this pleasant rosé is loaded with strawberry scents and flavors of strawberry scones. It's an uncomplicated wine, perfect for a picnic, and best enjoyed well-chilled.
Quite quinine and focused on the nose, underripe peach tones linger underneath. The well-balanced palate plays between juicy peach and shocks of lime, leading to a talc-dusted finish.
Quite raisiny and pruny, from nose to palate to finish. But along the way there are touches of chocolate, earth, leather and cassis that help keep it afloat. And while we'd say it's probably too old and flat to warrant much of your time, it does have just enough pulse to still be alive. Imported by Vinecrest Co.
Quite raisiny, with an overweight personality conveyed through the nose. The palate is tannic, with black cherry and cola flavors thickened up by a full dose of raisin. Very sweet on the finish, but also hard and baked. Still reasonably good but it's less well balanced than in previous vintages.
Quite rare in the U.S. market, this ripe richly berried wine is an excellent example of Frühburgunder, an early ripening mutation of Pinot Noir. Blackberry and plum flavors are fleshy and rich, offset by soft, sunny acidity and a supple silken mouthfeel. It's just faintly tannic and approachable now.
Quite reserved in aroma, this bottling from Duckhorn made with fruit from a Dierberg-owned site shows light cranberry and chaparral scents on the nose. The palate is straight-forward with tangy cranberry and cedar flavors.
Quite reserved in aromas at first, this starts to show bruised lemon skins, ripe stonefruit and a touch of cream on the nose. A preserved lemon element and sour orange character mark the nose, with touches of marzipan yet lacking the usually associated creaminess.
Quite restrained on the nose, this nicely priced bottling slowly unleashes sea salt, apple peel, key lime pith and chalk aromas. It's tightly wound on the palate with lemon skin and pear skin tartness, proving very racy in style.
Quite rich and distinguished, with the full-bodied weight and rich, thick tannins of a fine Cabernet, yet with Merlot's flavors of cherries, plums, and violets, with a white chocolate edge. Impresses for its youthful purity and deliciousness, as well as the refined texture.
Quite rich and full-bodied, this dry young Pinot is loaded with oodles of red currants, cherries, mocha and cola. It's a little hard and angular in tannins, suggesting midterm ageability. Best now, with decanting, and through 2011 or so.
Quite rich and viscous, with a full-blown core of bright cherry and herb flavors. Spice-like cinnamon and nutmeg also find expression here, framed in very soft tannins. Good acidity holds it together, while the finish is pleasingly long.
Quite ripe and dark, with blackberry, raisin and aromas of woody spice manifested as cinnamon. The palate shows a controlled sharpness and then flavors of saturated berry fruit accented by oak-based notes of vanilla and dill weed. A powerful, deep style of crianza with a lot of oak.
Quite ripe and fruity, this full-bodied wine brings apple, pear and peach fruit in abundance. It's almost over-the-top, with some noticeable heat on the finish.
Quite ripe and juicy, serving up a rich blend of black-cherry, plum and herb flavors. It fans out on the palate to reveal hints of licorice, smoke and even chocolate. More muscular than your average Pinot, it's plush and smooth on the finish.
Quite ripe and precise stone fruit aromas with interesting hints of minerality. Refreshingly crisp with balanced sweetness. Ample youthful, juicy fruits dance across the palate. Moderate intensity of flavor, zesty texture and a moderately long finish.
Quite ripe and quite mature tasting, this wine has pruney aromas, raisin and plum flavors, full body and firm tannins.
Quite ripe but a bit chewy on the palate. Pretty cherry, strawberry, tea, spice and herb flavors are at the core. Tannins are slightly robust, but still ripe. The wine finishes long, clean and elegant.
Quite ripe for a traditional crianza. The bouquet starts out on the stewy side but soon sheds its weight to reveal flavors of blackberry, black cherry and earth. The mouthfeel is a bit creamy due to the wine's mild oak and overall ripeness. Drink now through 2010.
Quite ripe in style with aromas of raspberry, green herbs, cocoa and red apple, this powerful wine has jammy, luscious fruit flavors, with the alcohol riding high.
Quite ripe in style, this wine packs a bevy of white flower aromas, from jasmine to tuberose, as well as fleshy yellow pears. There is solid sizzle in the glass once sipped, but the honeysuckle prominence, ripe peach and powerful orange-blossom flavors dominate.
Quite ripe on the nose, such that raisin and sweetness are front and center. Saturated in the mouth, but as a whole it's a bit flabby and, for the most part, it's neither here nor there. Flavors of plum and berry tilt to the dark side, while the finish is short but inoffensive.
Quite ripe raspberry juice, cola, roses and violet candy shows on the nose of this wine from the veteran producer along Highway 101 in southern San Luis Obispo County. The palate offers root beer, cola, cream soda, chocolate-covered cherries and cappuccino elements.
Quite ripe, verging on overripe, showing flavors of blackberries, black currants and cedar, with a very slight raisining on the finish. Shows good integration of oak and fruit, housed in firm tannins that are astringent in youth. Should develop bottle maturity for six years or so, at least.
Quite roasty-toasty, this is heavily scented with coffee and smoke. Smooth tannins surround plummy fruit, and there is enough concentration for a good, long finish. The blend includes 8% Cab Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and a splash of Merlot. Just 150 cases were made.
Quite saturated with ripe red raspberry and cherry flavors, this is a soft, lush Cab Franc with hints of burnt sugar and caramel. A layer of feathery tannins adds a bit of grip and character on the finish.
Quite saucy and spicy upon first blush, with a heavy bouquet. Here's a wine that holds nothing back; it is compact, tight and hard on the palate, but it tastes meaty, big and generous, with plum and chocolate flavors. Finishes with heat, rusticity and peppery power. A brawny wine that shoots high but doesn't hit every target.
Quite savory in style, this dry full-bodied Riesling suggests pressed apple and pear flavors marked by brisk slightly puckering acidity. A touch of sweet spice warms a moderately long finish.
Quite savory on the nose and palate, with notes of cooked apple, lemon and peach purée. This is judiciously oaked with bright, lemon-lime acidity that livens up the palate.
Quite sharp and reticent, with piercing, peppery aromas and flavors as well as plenty of searing acidity. Not an offensive or crazy wine, but too sour, lean and green to rate higher.
Quite sharp in acidity, giving a bite of tartness to the dry flavors of cola, cherries, sandalwood and pepper. A good, silky Pinot for drinking now.
Quite shy in aromas at first, the nose on this wine focuses on apple candies, lime blossoms and Anjou pear juice. The palate shows slightly sour apples and tangy lime juice, with a crisp pear backbone.
Quite shy on the nose, this bottling offers crushed lava rocks, pencil shavings, dried herbs and prune aromas. The flavors are also reserved, with dried oregano, black olive and elderberry emerging.
Quite spicy and nicely oaky in aroma and flavor without seeming overdone, this wine offers smooth and elegant red and black cherry flavors and a generous, soothing texture.
Quite spicy in the nose, with hints of pretty cedar, anise and herb flavors up front. Zippy acidity blends well with creamy smooth tannins, all framing a complex web of chocolate, raspberry, cassis, blackberry, licorice and earth flavors. A slight citrus edge gives lift at the end. Long on the finish; a fine first effort from this new winery. -J.M.
Quite spicy, with cinnamon and peppery cherry, raspberry, black currant, anise, tea and plum notes. Smooth, silky tannins frame it all, with a mellow finish. Quite nice. Editors' Choice.
Quite spicy, with the Syrah element offering a meaty, leathery quality that varietal Malbecs just don't have. The nose is rich, with some mocha giving it oaky warmth. the mouthfilling palate is packed with kirsch, cassis and blackberry, while the finish is smoky with some fiery heat. Needs another year or two to come together.
Quite standard but that doesn't mean it isn't a good wine and doesn't fit a purpose. For regular, everyday Rioja this should not fail. It has nice cherry and plum aromas with a hint of rubber and tobacco. Licorice, plum, raspberry and brown sugar flavors work the balanced, controlled palate, while the finish is natural and unforced. 235,000 cases made.
Quite staunch and almost sour smelling, with an initial blast of vinegar that later settles on herbal. Flavors of baked beans and herbal fruit carry heat and scouring acidity. Rubbery as well.
Quite strange and funky smelling, with uncommon grass, floral, hickory and blueberry aromas. The palate feels fine but has a sweet, faux-weedy core flavor that's offset by candied berry flavors. Tastes of licorice and lactic creaminess on the finish.
Quite sweet and fruity, with honeyed, candied stone fruit flavors. The residual sugar is listed as 6%, which qualifies this as a late-harvest style, and it would fit nicely alongside a simple dessert of fresh peaches and butter cookies.
Quite sweet and quite delicious, this ripe and fruity wine has lots of black plum, dried cherry and raisin flavors, a soft texture and a lingering, berry-pie finish.
Quite sweet on the nose, with cherry-cola, berry jam and other sweet berry fruit flavors. There's not a whole lot of dryness to this red-colored, red-riding Cava. But it's just balanced enough if you're looking for bold berry flavors and a splash of acidity.
Quite tannic and biting, but beyond those mouthfeel issues this affordable RDD has its positives. The bouquet of toast, mocha and coconut is alluring, and then the palate of dark-fruit flavors, while rock-hard, is masculine. But never does one escape the feel and balance shortcomings. It's a like a ride down a pocked and bumpy gravel road.
Quite tannic and herbal, this is no match for the previous vintage. Barely ripe, with a bitter edge to the finish.
Quite tannic and oaky, this rough and chewy Merlot is constructed around a thin layer of cassis fruit. But the big flavors are the dark, earthy ones—raw wood and thick tannin.
Quite tannic, this hits hard with char, burnt rubber and espresso flavors, some black fruit just showing through. Best to drink up by 2018.
Quite tart and bone dry, this is made from fruit sourced from the Wallula Benches Vineyard—a site also prominently featured in Pacific Rim's Riesling lineup. Racy and gin-like in its flavor profile, it emphasizes botanical and citrus notes, with good penetration and length.
Quite tart and perhaps just a bit underripe, this red checks in at barely 12% alcohol. It has a bit of a Band-Aid scent that competes with the light berry flavors.
Quite tart when it hits the lips, this is nonetheless a dense, flavorful Pinot Gris, tasting of grapefruit, sour orange, apple and green banana. It shows lots of juice and powers through the mid-palate into a fruit-driven finish.
Quite tart, in a bracing, food friendly way, this foot-stomped rosé brings pretty notes of crushed roses and sweet cherries to the fore. There's impressive body and length, with a lick of citrus extending the finish.
Quite tart, the fruit here touches (just barely) on melon, with orange and lemon zest, a bit of lime, and plenty of acid. All stainless fermented, it went through full malolactic.
Quite tart, this mixes a core of cherry fruit with acidic citrus flavors adding lift. It's a lifted, high-tone wine, and the tannins carry a hint of green herbs.
Quite tart, this mouth-puckering Pinot Gris brings bright, fresh flavors of lemon, lime and grapefruit to the front. It's a high acid effort, shellfish-friendly, with a good bite to the finish.
Quite tart, with lemony acids, the Guadalupe is built upon a mineral base of wet stone and chalk. There's a streak of earthy umami, dried leaf and green olive, yet the orchestration of these elements is superb, resulting in a distinctive wine focused on details of earth and soil.
Quite tawny in color, this traditional Georgian qvevri wine has a high-toned apple aroma that's peppered with carmelized sugar and dried tea leaf hints. Dry and crisp, with penetrating dried-apple and orange rind flavors, it finishes long, with its powerful black-tea tannins reverberating on the palate.
Quite the classic, with rich toffee and nut-like aromas that come through with piercing power. The briny palate is all about dried citrus and nuts, while the earthy, long finish has an unmistakable and very nice mushroom quality. This is a precise, somewhat reserved and dainty amontillado, but it's structured and quite real as far as style and impact.
Quite the floral wine, with blueberry and violet aromas that distinguish it from others. But the palate is sharp and choppy, with high acidity that lends sharpness to the black cherry and raspberry flavors. Stirs interest because it breaks the mold of heavy, black fruit-dominated Syrahs. But it's also strange and not fully in gear. Imported by Ecovalley Quality Wine Group and National Refrescos Import Company, LLC.
Quite thin, as if over-cropped, turning the fruit generic. Then it brings in a honey character, as if it were botrytis-affected. But it is not a sweet or late harvest wine; it's quite dry.
Quite tight at the present time, but there are distinct game and leather aromas and flavors. The structure is fine for a young Amarone but the short finish shows only earth tones and not much fruit. The acidity seems a bit high. Try it again in a few years.
Quite toasty, with deep scents of buttered nuts, this luscious wine delivers generous flavors of new barrels, ripe apples, pears and buttered popcorn, set against defining acids.
Quite tropical on the extremely dense nose, with guava nectar and honey aromas, this late-harvest wine is extremely sweet and treacly on the palate, without showing much complexity. It's like drinking liquid sugar.
Quite vibrant and floral on the nose, this shows deep blackberry and both dried and fresh purple-flower elements as well as a baked berry pastry. The flavors are well integrated on the palate, where cooked blackberries in a vanilla pie crust combine with juicy strawberry, peppercorns and rosemary spice.
Quite viscous, with creamy peach, melon and pear flavors at its core. An odd mineral note sticks out, though, while the finish could use a touch more acidity.
Quite watery, the nose shows just a touch of gunmetal, pear flesh and apple blossom. The palate is a bit flat, with steel and apple elements.
Quite weak on the nose, this bottling shows dried lemon skin and orange rind aromas. There is a decent texture to the sip, with flavors of lemon reduction and pithy grapefruit.
Quite why Smart Dog is a good name for a wine is a mystery. The wine itself a rich, soft Syrah with attractive ripe blackberry and plum flavors and soft, finely integrated tannins. It's an enjoyable wine that's ready to drink.
Quite woodsy and mossy on the nose. The palate is actually pretty juicy and fresh by comparison, with plum and cherry flavors. The mouthfeel and tannins, however, are a bit raw and firm, so to avoid the evil clamp down we strongly suggest drinking this wine with food.
Quite yellow in color, nearing orange, this oxidative-style wine shows quinine, walnuts and preserved lemons on the very concentrated, oily nose. The texture is sticky, with flavors of seared lemons and orange oil, yet it retains a lime-skin liveliness. It's quite an interesting bottling for fans of the style.
Quite yellow in color, this wine opts for a deeper rather than fresher style of the grape, offering aromas of iodine, orange extract and concentrated apples. The palate presents dried-apple flavors.
Quite yellow in the glass, this bottling shows cohesive and familiar aromas of buttered toast, jasmine, orange marmalade, sandalwood and smoke on the nose. The palate packs lemon and butter together with walnut oil, proving quite rich and even heavy at times.
Quite yellow in the glass, this solid bottling of a tough-to-master grape shows rich aromas of dried lemon peel, beeswax, smoke, nut oil and sandstone on the nose. The viscous palate offers dried pears, seared lemons and a hint of salinity—elements that will continue to converge and gain nuance with cellar time.
Quite yellow in the glass, this twist-top bottling shows a slight hint of reduction, with aromas of beeswax, lemon peel and yellow grapefruit pith. There's a good sizzle of acidity to the palate and a steely texture, but it's a tad ripe with lemon candy and spun-sugar flavors.
Quite young and firm, this is packed with bright purple and black fruits, balanced against stiff but smooth tannins. Black olive and blueberry come through, with a light suggestion of caramel.
Quite young and tight, with primary apple, melon and stone-fruit flavors, this is that rare domestic Chardonnay that surely will reward cellaring. With decanting it becomes creamier, with an aromatic lift of cinnamon and a thread of vanilla running through the toasty finish. A baby, but already delicious.
Quite youthful for its advanced age, this bottling shows crushed herbs, ground coffee, dense blueberries, leathery smoked meats and tobacco on the nose. The palate conveys tangy boysenberries with black pepper and crushed herbs, laid across a smooth tannic structure.
Quivira is assemblng quite a track record with this bottling, which takes Petite Sirah's irrepressible quality and pounds it into elegance and finesse. Dry and balanced, their '06 shows ripe berry, chocolate and spice flavors wrapped into firm, fine tannins. Now through 2012.
Quota 600 is one of the protagonists of a new class of wines from the Etna denomination. Sourced from 600 meters above sea level on the slopes of the volcano, the wine shows delicate nuances of small berry, mountain herb, cola and wet river stone. Tight tannins and firm structure give it momentum on the finish.
Qupe reaches into the Edna Valley for this finely crafted Grenache. It's pale in color and has the silky texture of Pinot Noir, but there's an earthy, Provençal herb tug to the cherry and cola flavors. A dry, polished and complex wine with a crisp edge of cool-climate acidity.
Régnié, is the newest of the Beaujolais cru village appellations. The grapes come from vines owned by the chateau, giving a wine that is all about ripe fruit and some firm tannins. It is still developing and will be better from 2017.
Rabajà is among the most celebrated single vineyards in Barbaresco. The cru is known for its elegant yet muscular wines that perform well either aged or when drunk young. This expression exhibits notes of raspberry and cherry with shadings of vanilla and spice. It also shows some creamy or lactic notes of white chocolate that will dissolve within a few years.
Raboso is a native grape of northern Italy that offers crisp, almost sour, notes of white cherry, bitter cranberry and white almond. It also delivers natural freshness and this quality helps it pair with fatty foods with cheese or butter.
Raboso is a soft, fruit-driven grape that is native of northern Italy. This expression presents a light and informal side of the variety with cherry, blackberry and a smooth texture.
Rachis refers to a particular part of the grape stem, and indicates that roughly one quarter of this wine is whole cluster fermented. Very pretty cherry fruit is gently mixed with accents of Italian herbs, and the stems tighten up the tannins and add a light hint of bitterness. The finish has a tart, grapefruity kick.
Racy acidity and oak-inspired lemon, lime and tropical fruit flavors mark this bone-dry, elegant wine, with a minerally edge. Don't drink it too cold.
Racy acidity gives this wine a brisk, uplifted mouthfeel. It's rich in honeysuckle, citrus and vanilla flavors. This is Qupe's most expensive white wine and a fine example of a California Roussanne.
Racy acidity gives this wine a clean, bracing mouthfeel. Then the fruit kicks in, filled with pineapples, green apples, lemons, limes and pears. But with a sugary finish, it could be drier.
Racy acidity is the key to this wine's explosive succulence and impressive structure and likability, a study in detailed winemaking. Full-bodied, it hides its weight, highlighted in wild strawberry, currant and leathery black pepper.
Racy and bright, with high acidity framing dry flavors of lemons, limes and grapefruits. There's a green streak of gooseberry that signals some unripeness.
Racy and brisk, clean and tart, this shows Meyer lemon, lime, white peach, mineral and white pepper aromas. Thankfully, it's very dry in taste, with exotic tropical-fruit, cashew and white flower flavors wrapped into a creamy, smoky mouthfeel. One of the best California Chenin Blancs in recent years.
Racy and deeply mineral, yet buoyantly fruity, this wine embodies the best from the Mosel's fantastic 2015 vintage. It's lavishly forward in ripe yellow peach, apricot and honeydew flavors, yet bracingly high in acidity. Satisfyingly rich in extract yet feather light, it finishes long, with shards of slate and crushed mineral. Stunning already, it should continue to improve through 2030, likely beyond.
Racy and intensely flavored, this is high in acidity and has spectacularly concentrated flavors of apple, peach, citrus and tropical fruit. With no oak at all, the fruit stars—pure and clean. Even though the residual sugar is technically zero, the finish tastes sweet, so pair it with slightly sweet foods, especially Vietnamese, Chinese or Thai.
Racy and precise, this opens with scents of white spring flower and orchard fruit. The chiseled palate delivers yellow apple, peach, aromatic herb and flinty mineral set against vibrant acidity.
Racy and pure, this Chard shows the bright lime, lemon and kiwi flavors of Edna Valley Chards, with a sleek undergirding of steely minerals. It's crisp and dry, although smoky oak lends caramel and vanilla notes.
Racy and refined, this opens with alluring scents of fragrant white flower, citrus and white stone fruit. The vibrant, balanced palate delivers apple, white peach, tangerine and flinty mineral. It finishes crisp and clean.
Racy and revitalizing, this delicate off-dry Riesling balances a core of fresh white peach and citrus flavors with savory smoke and nut tones. Fresh and easy going in style, it's a likely to please a wide audience.
Racy and tight-bodied red wine, with a strained, herbal set of aromas and a high-acid, razor's-edge palate of lively red fruit flavors and an offset of drying oak. Too generic and tough on the cheeks to tip the scale.
Racy berry aromas come with a hint of oaky cinnamon. This feels raw, tannic and dense. Flavors of roasted plum, dry oak, savory spices and grilled meat finish firm and taste toasty. Drink through 2022.
Racy cherry and red berry aromas are salinic and light, while the palate is lean and revolves around tangy, citrusy red-fruit flavors. Fresh and a little rubbery on the finish, with a tight, singular personality.
Racy plum and cherry aromas lead to an edgy palate with bold acidity. Crisp, foxy flavors of raspberry and plum finish spicy and with pronounced acidity. This wine emphasizes acidity and freshness over ripeness and heft.
Racy, clean and seemingly bone dry, this wine is elegant and almost shy in its approach. Food friendly and Chablis-like, it has plenty of citrus, cream, mineral and toast subtleties. The fruit was sourced from a vineyard located in the westernmost part of the valley, and hence one of the coolest. Drink now–2018.
Racy, light and quite refreshing, this Cabernet Franc boasts a mild concentration of red currant, with streaks of cranberry. Flecks of granite give a lively mineral edge to the juicy, light-bodied palate.
Racy, lime-tinged acidity cuts a fine edge through this steely, intensely mineral kabinett. On the palate, pristine, honeyed sprays of lemon and tangerine lend a mouthwatering feel. The finish is long, accented by touches of pollen and spice.
Racy, this stainless-steel fermented white is fuzzy in gooseberry and pineapple, not quite veering into fresh-cut grass, but staying more tropical and generous in ripe fruit. A dry, lemony finish provides refreshment.
Racy, zesty aromas of honey and squeezed orange form the nose of this still-tight wine, a blend of 62% Grenache Blanc and 38% Rousanne from a vineyard at the mouth of the Arroyo Seco appellation. The crisp palate offers pear and apple cider flavors with a finish of honeydew melon. A perfect pairing for halibut and shellfish.
Raddese is 100% Sangiovese executed in a bold, dark style. It opens with ripe fruit, black cherry and rum cake followed by dark spice and leather. Varietal crispness shows up on the close, where there's a subtle sour note as well.
Radiant and earthy, this blend of Frappato and Nero d'Avola boasts enticing scents suggesting dark-skinned berry, leather, sunbaked earth, sea breeze and a floral note. The creamy, succulent palate doles out juicy black cherry, black raspberry, white pepper and aromatic herb alongside supple tannins and fresh acidity. A saline note wraps up the finish. Drink 2017–2024.
Radiant and elegant, this offers enticing white stone fruit, Mediterranean brush and spring flower scents. The vibrant, balanced palate delivers creamy white peach, pear and tangy nectarine flavors, alongside crisp acidity. A savory mineral note gives it a mouthwatering finish.
Radiant and structured, this is initially closed but slowly opens to reveal engaging aromas of woodland berry, violet, star anise, dark cooking spice and a balsamic note. The vibrant, full-bodied palate boasts great energy while offering layers of wild cherry, raspberry, white pepper and licorice. Bright acidity and firm, polished tannins provide balance. Give it time to fully develop. Drink between 2020 and 2035.
Radiator dust and Animal Cracker aromas are not typical of Sauvignon Blanc. On the palate, this opens with mild citric notes but quickly shifts to flatness. Pithy orange and apricot flavors finish yeasty, with a distant hint of citrus zest.
Radiator dust, baked apple and other familiar, semirich aromas grace the nose on this more elevated Cava. In the mouth, there's chunkiness, weight and integrity along with a flavor profile that hints at vinegar but settles on cidery apple and kumquat. Nicely done and different from the mass wines Freixenet is known for.
Rahn has blended 50% Grenache and 50% Mourvedre and aged it in French oak for a year. The result is a smooth, soft, rich texture, with a mix of cherry and vanilla flavors. A parting shot of dark chocolate marks the finish.
Raimund Prüm's Blue Slate is developing into a consistent performer, marrying hints of ripe fruit—peach or nectarine and melon—with crisp citrusy notes and an underlying minerality that gives it an almost dry finish. Drink now.
Rain on cement, lemon pith and the slightest hint of roasted nuts show on the rather tightly wound nose of this vineyard blend. The flavors are delicate and refreshing at first on the brisk palate, and then they warm up pleasantly into marcona almond and a bit of butter.
Raised in stainless steel, without oak infuence, this wine is rich, savory and dry. A small percentage of Pinot Grigio brings a note of green apple to the flavors of citrus, white flower and honey.
Raisin-baked plum defines this hearty, full-bodied and ultraripe wine, rich in red berry and robust on the finish.
Raisin-plum cake comes first to mind in this richly ripe, densely bold wine, rounded and approachable on the palate in thickness and a taste of brown sugar.
Raisin and baked plum aromas set the stage for a somewhat flat-feeling palate. Plum and berry aromas are chunky and finish soft, with low acidity and not a lot of pop.
Raisin and berry aromas set up a medium-bodied palate. Herbal, lightly green-berry flavors revert to raisiny and leafy on a lively but middle of the road finish.
Raisin and earth aromas come across a bit baked and bland. Conversely, the palate is choppy and hard, with pointed acidity. Loamy raisin and berry flavors finish oaky, minty and a bit hot and raw, with residual tomatoey acidity.
Raisin and fig aromas are good but not overly complex or special. This P. X. feels rich, chewy and a touch sticky, with sweet-as-sin fig, chocolate and cinnamon spice flavors that suggest coffee cake with a drizzle of melted fudge.
Raisin and funky leather are the prime aromas on this marginal Tempranillo. Expect a dried-out, tart and herbal wine, with a raisiny sweetness.
Raisin and kirsch aromas are soft and rich, settling on strawberry and spice notes. The palate is lifted by firm acidity and solid tannins, while the wine's core flavors of raspberry, plum and herb serve it well. It finishes warm and sweet tasting, with licorice and molasses flavors that are tempered by a baking spice note.
Raisin and molasses aromas and flavors are a big part of this full-bodied, syrupy number from Cafayate in Salta. Additional scents of licorice, herbs and reedy berry only add to an overbearing sense of ripeness. In the mouth, this is heavy, with weighty tannins. Flavors of prune and P.X. Sherry precede coffee, chocolate and fig flavors on the finish.
Raisin and more raisin aromas come with touches of cinnamon, caramel and molasses. This feels viscous but not gooey, and thus it's just right as P. X. goes. Flavors of caramel, fig and raisin finish with elegance and bolstering acidity.
Raisin and other sweet, soft aromas are friendly but don't really bring it. The palate follows suit; it's chubby and jammy, with sweet berry flavors, a touch of raisin and a roasted, candied finish. Very nice and true to the region, albeit on the soft and easy side.
Raisin and prune aromas and flavors mark this full-bodied wine as very, very ripe. It has a soft, relaxed texture and earthy notes on the finish.
Raisin and prune aromas are components of the nose on this ripe Ribera del Duero that offers additional notes of fig and chocolate. A fleshy, thick palate deals earthy black-fruit, prune and spicy flavors prior to a chunky, chewy finish. Drink through 2024.
Raisin and prune aromas are up front, and overall this Malbec is not showing any fresh fruit on the nose. A wide palate lacks cut and shape, while this tastes weedy, raisiny and green.
Raisin and white pepper aromas, ripe fruit, floral and spicy anise flavors and full body add up to a big wine in which the whole-cluster fermentation method can be tasted. The hearty flavors, complexity and firm tannins paint a unique picture, and this bottling makes a dramatic contrast in style from the “regular” Anderson Valley Pinot Noir.
Raisin aromas could use a bit more lift and freshness. This Rioja feels grabby due to rubbery tannins. Soupy, slightly herbal berry flavors finish on chocolaty notes but also a choppy sense of roughness.
Raisin cake and dried cherry are highlighted in this fairly light expression of what can otherwise be a hearty variety, buoyed by a brightness of acidity. Vanilla and plum add to the mix, as soft, supple tannins support the weight and breadth of an approachable wine.
Raisin is the primary fruit aroma on this stewy, overaoaked Bobal. On the palate, the wine is flabby, with buttery oak and hollow, baked berry notes.
Raisin, black plum and oregano are the aromas that define this lightly baked, earthy Malbec. In the mouth, this is direct and slightly raw in feel, but not overly so. Flavors of herbal fruits, raisin and stewed berries finish solid and with a peppery taste that introduces a mild burn to the picture. Drink through 2017.
Raisin, black plum and peppery aromas make for a good bouquet, and the palate is healthy and dark, with snappy black cherry and blackberry flavors floating on a current of zesty acidity. Full on the finish, but still there's some acidic scour. Best with food.
Raisin, cassis, earth and lead pencil aromas make up the bouquet on this ripe, meaty Mencía. The palate pushes up against jammy, but shows enough structure and restraint to rate highly. Earthy, loamy flavors of ripe blackberry blend with herbal notes and graphite to usher in a smooth, warm, oaky finish. Drink through 2020.
Raisin, horse hide and other heavy, earthy, sun-baked aromas create a somewhat ponderous bouquet. In the mouth, this is jammy but still fully alive, tannic and grabby. Flavors of black plum, boysenberry and herbs end with a reprise of firm tannins, overt oak and related woody flavors. Drink from 2017–2030.
Raisin, kirsch and leather aromas define the nose on this crianza. The palate is properly dry, with good acidity and clampy tannins. Flavors of dry oak, herbal notes, raspberry and raisin end in a solid but slightly rough finish. This will go better with food than on its own.
Raisin, licorice and coconut aromas produce a ripe bouquet. This is raw and screechy in the mouth, with little in the way of a midpalate. Flavors of heavy red-berry fruits have a green leaning, while the finish is raw in feel and reedy in flavor.
Raisin, maple and vanilla aromas are derived from borderline overripe raw materials and 24 months in barrel. A hard palate pulls downward with massive tannins. Baked berry and chocolaty oak flavors finish with notes of berry pie and raisin.
Raisin, molasses and brown sugar are the main aromas on an overripe-smelling bouquet. This is heavy and jammy in feel, with consistent flavors of prune and raisin. A jammy, weighty finish matches all that comes before it.
Raisin, pastry and plum aromas are smooth and generous given how cool 2013 was in Rioja. There's good acidity and body to go with flavors of plum, blackberry and toasty oak. Finishing notes of coffee, toast and chocolate are fully oaked, which lends a sense of sweetness to this Crianza.
Raisin, prune and tobacco aromas are strong but lack finesse. This feels solid, with controlled tannic bite. Blackberry, herbal notes and chocolate are the flavors on this good but basic Cabernet.
Raisin, prune, mint leaf and extreme ripeness define the nose on this grabby, tannic Malbec that's both jammy in feel but also extracted and heavy. Like the nose and palate, the flavors are jammy and rich, with a strong raisiny element. On the finish, a note of licorice blends with a persistent raisiny quality.
Raisins and chocolate are the dominant themes of this rather sweet, tannic wine. It's very full-bodied and soft in acidity, and it finishes a bit hot.
Raisins and ripe fruit combine in this LBV that has some richness while remaining on the dry side. Blackberry jelly is layered with acidity and a dark tannic structure. For drinking now.
Raisiny and baked on the nose, with a syrupy consistency to the palate. Along the way there's stewed fruit, baked blackberry pie notes and overt sweetness. Candied, ultrarich and tilting toward molasses on the finish.
Raisiny and earthy on the nose, this Bonarda also offers damp aromas of fern and tobacco. Chunky, with a soft, flat palate, this tastes raisiny and stewed. Low acidity and raisiny flavors on the finish are consistent with what came before.
Raisiny and jammy on the bouquet, this wine becomes vital in the mouth, with fresh acidity supporting the raspberry and red plum flavors. The raisiny resurfaces on the finish, with acidic bite.
Raisiny and sweeet smelling, with baked qualities but also a bitter bite of horseradish. The palate is deep and hard, with burnt notes, tough tannins and berry flavors softened by buttery oak. Beefy and rubbery, but with enough ripeness to be worth a look.
Raisiny aromas are accompanied by a chocolate note on the nose. This Garnacha is rough and punchy on the palate, with tart currant and plum flavors that run counter to the nose. Prior to an abrasive but energetic finish, this tastes herbal and oaky.
Raisiny aromas are rich and gritty. Pounding tannins and a beam of acidity drive the palate, which brings flavors of oaky baked fruits and black licorice. A jammy finish with baked berry and raisiny flavors confirms that this is extremely ripe and ready to drink now.
Raisiny aromas lack freshness and lift. Following that lead, this Cabernet feels stewy and heavy, with questionable balance. Herbal flavors of stewed plum and tomato finish chunky and choppy.
Raisiny berry aromas come with notes of spice cake and green herbs. This wine feels narrow, hard and gritty. Uncommon flavors of fennel, licorice and bitter chocolate are as prominent if not more so than blueberry and black-plum fruit. The wine is louder and more demanding on the palate than on the finish.
Raisiny berry, spice cake and molasses aromas are rich and heady. This nonvintage blend of Malbec and Petit Verdot is a bit thick and oaky on the palate. Flavors of blackberry and creamy oak finish ripe and rooty, with a reprise of raisin.
Raisiny black-fruit aromas are jammy and a clarion indicator of what's to come. In the mouth, this Malbec is saturated and chunky, with extreme ripeness. Flavors of raisin, prune and baked berry fruits come with secondary spice and pepper notes. The finish is earthy, heavy and rich but short on vibrancy.
Raisiny on the nose, but even with the bouquet's overripeness, it settles on the palate, showing fresh raisin and cassis flavors, with just enough acidity to keep it balanced. Jammy and short on the finish.
Raisiny overripeness and high-alcohol heat detract from this wine's pleasure, giving it a bitter taste and a Port-like finish.
Raisiny, baked aromas announce a stewy, overripe wine that's not balanced. Baked, flat flavors of raisin and prune finish with excess weight, heavy tannins and flavors of carob and herbs.
Raisiny, heavy stuff made from a mix of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It's thick and awkward, with molasses on the nose then tomato, plum and herbal flavors. Lacks balance and mouthfeel while pouring on the weight.
Raisiny, inky aromas are ripe but not overly sophisticated. On the palate, grabby tannins are drawing and heavy. Flavors of raisin and prune carry over from the nose, while the finish is chewy, jammy, raisiny and offers a licorice/anise note.
Raisiny, pruny aromas are all that register on this rubbery, jammy Garnacha. Flavors of sweet plum, raspberry and raisin are chunky, while the finish is raisiny in flavor and rubbery in feel.
Raisiny, reduced aromas of baked fruits suggest overripeness. On a weighty palate this is saturated like the nose, but not overdone. Stewed black-fruit flavors are chocolaty, while this is extracted enough to leave a coating of black-fruit residue on your cheeks, tongue and teeth.
Rajat Parr's single-vineyard expression may be the priciest white wine in the region, but it does impress, with aromas of lemon curd, limestone and macadamia-nut mousse. There's just the right combination of oak, fruit and acid on the palate, with flavors of sea salt, yellow flowers and a pinch of cinnamon.
Rajat Parr's take on this historic vineyard walks a tasty aromatic line between squeezed citrus, whipped vanilla cream and brisk stone fruits. On the palate, salinity reigns atop grilled lemon and honeydew, delivering just flecks of vanilla.
Rajat Parr is one of the partners in this new venture. This Gamay offers chunky cherry fruit with a pleasing peppery bite. Tannins are firm and proportionate, and the lively mouthfeel derives from fermentation via carbonic maceration.
Rallo's luscious Passito di Pantelleria opens with intense and jammy aromas of dried apricot, prune, raisin, honey and vanilla bean. You can really taste those sun-dried grapes; the wine could easily be consumed after dinner in place of dessert.
Ramandolo is a traditional dessert wine made with Verduzzo Friulano grapes in northeast Italy. It shows candy-like aromas of butterscotch and caramel confection backed by apricot and dried rose potpourri.
Ramandolo is a traditional dessert wine with roots in northeast Italy that opens with sweet aromas of candied fruit, pickled ginger and crème brûlée. A spicy touch of peppermint or dried herb keeps the mouthfeel focused and sharp.
Ramione is a 50-50 blend of Merlot and Nero d'Avola that delivers a unique and very attractive mineral quality. Under that drying layer of white stone and talc powder, you'll find bursting red cherry and rich blueberry. The various elements of this velvety wine work very well together.
Ramitello is a beautiful wine (85% Prugnolo and 15% Aglianico for power and structure) with soft, lush aromas of chocolate, espresso, leather, clove and dense blackberry fruit. The wine is yielding and generous and has absolutely no sharp edges.
Ramos-Pinto's two estates of Bons Aires and Ervamoira provide the grapes for this fruity, smooth-textured white wine. While this selection reflects the warmth of the Douro, it also shows great citrusy freshness and a crisp finish. Ready to drink.
Rancia Riserva opens with ripe plum, red currant and bell pepper aromas. The palate shows flavors of black fruit, chocolate and soy sauce alongside coffee and oak notes. It has nervous energy and intensity, but should develop nicely over the next few years.
Randall Grahm's blend of 37% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 9% Cinsault offers intriguing asphalt, black pepper, boysenberry and a tiny bit of barnyard funk on the nose. It's dark and brooding, with flavors of black pepper, leather and black fruits on the palate, but rather light and lean in texture, with a solid amount of tannic grip.
Randall Grahm's blend of 55% Roussanne, 26% Grenache Blanc and 19% Picpoul Blanc shows sliced honeydew, wet stone and a flash of topicality on the delicate nose. The mouthfeel is steely with layers of tense energy, showing lime pith and faint green banana, as well as lemon blossoms lasting long on the finish.
Randall Grahm's reserve version of this 37% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 9% Cinsault blend is a bit shy on the nose before revealing boysenberry, asphalt, sesame, soy and an ever-so-slight barnyard twist. The palate shows lots of verve but not much overt fruit, with flavors that are tarry but not overly tannic and a great finish of purple flowers.
Randall Grahm notes that this is one of his best Syrahs from this historic vineyard, and it's hard to disagree. Aromas of gravel, just-crushed peppercorns and blueberries lead into a lighter, airy, mineral-driven palate of black rocks, black pepper and boysenberry fruit. It's one of the better cool-climate Syrahs around right now.
Randy Dunn's Feather has an intriguing floral component, and the aromas are complex and intense, though the wine is wound up tight. Let it breathe and it delivers elegant, focused flavors, precisely defined berry and cassis fruit, with a long and harmonious finish.
Rapidly maturing, with some brick coloring and secondary fruit flavors of prune and raisin. Drinking nicely, and quite delicious. Along with the smooth fruit you get smoke, dust, cocoa and a hint of caramelized sugar.
Rapture is Michael David's small-production Cabernet, blended with a small percentage of Petite Sirah, then aged 17 months in French oak for a full-bodied figure. Purple-black in color, it's mouth-filling, jammy and extracted with flavorful blackberry and cherry fruit and a streak of vanilla and fig on the finish.
Rare are the places that Cabernet Franc produces a distinctive wine. In fact, no savory Russian River Valley examples come to mind. This wine suggests the difficulties. Very tannic and raw, highly acidic, and although it's dark in color, lacking fruity extract. Nor is it a wine to age. It's barren now, and not going anywhere. —S.H.
Rare in Oregon (or anywhere this side of the Atlantic), this Graciano pushes a mix of pomegranate, cranberry and raspberry fruit front and center. It dips in the midpalate, then re-gathers with a mix of tea, coffee grounds and dark chocolate wrapping up the finish. Put this ringer into your next tasting of Spanish wines and you'll stump everyone.
Rare to find on its own, as it's mainly used in sparkling-wine blends, this Pinot Meunier is earthy in dark truffle and herb, more savory, dry flavors that are wrapped in tightly woven tannins and oak. The muted fruit that's there recalls sweet raspberry.
Rarely bottled on its own, Pinot Meunier is better known as a blending component for Champagne. This bottling is like a Pinot Noir in its lightly silky texture and cherry, cola and vanilla flavors. It's very elegant, yet doesn't quite rise to the classic status of Pinot Noir.
Rarely do you come across something like this: mature and complex Malbec from Cafayate. Earthy aromas of plum, prune, raisin and tobacco give this an Old World bouquet. Saturated but with enough acidity to maintain balance, this tastes rooty, chocolaty and earthy, with mocha, toast and toffee flavors on a heady finish. Drink now.
Rarely does a Cabernet of this quality carry the basic "California" appellation, but here it does, and who should care? Deep black fruit with perfect oak makes for the ultimate in integration. A long cocoa and spice finish closes the show. Wonderfully sweet, round and delicious.
Rarely does a Merlot in this price range display this much power and concentration. Sourced from several vineyards, it's ripe right to the border of raisin flavors, with generous dollops of maple syrup and brown sugar adding further complexity. Still fruit-driven, yet with plenty of barrel flavor, this massive Merlot can take your richest, tangiest barbecue sauce.
Rarely used on its own, Alicante Bouschet from the cooler Lisboa region can obviously produce an impressively structured wine. Naturally juicy, the wine also has firmer tannins, damson fruit flavors and balancing acidity. Drink now, or keep until 2015.
Rarely will you find more hickory and barbecued aromas and flavors than this RDD is showing. In the mouth, it's tannic, woody, astringent and hard as rocks. Flavors of campfire, roasted blackberry and barbecue sauce finish meaty in feel, with matching flavors of beef jerky and bacon. Tasted twice with mixed results.
Raspberries and cherry blossoms mingle on the nose of this pretty, perfumed wine. The palate is buoyant with fresh berry and cherry flavors, yet touches of forest floor and spice add complexity and depth. It's brisk in acidity and layered with fine, firm tannins.
Raspberries cooked in butter with a clove spice appear on the nose of this wine from Monterey County. It's rich with sage-tinged blackberry juice flavors on the palate, also showing a plum-skin tartness and pencil shavings.
Raspberries with hints of cranberry dominate this juicy but structured wine. This is a wine that shows a very elegant style, certainly not forceful, but deliciously direct.
Raspberries, a hint of mint and some tea flavors highlighting the tannins are the first impressions. Young, bright, juicy and concentrated, this wine seems sure to improve through 2020 or longer. If you want to drink it young, give it a good hour of decanting first.
Raspberries, cherries, cola and persimmons are the flavors of this fairly standard Pinot Noir. It's dry and delicately structured, with good acidity and a discrete coating of oak. Drink now.
Raspberries, cherries, cola, exotic spices and sweet cedar mark the flavors of this Pinot Noir. It's elegant in the mouth, with brisk acidity, but also a distinct earthiness. The combination gives the wine a yin-yang of weight and weightlessness. It's too young to properly enjoy now, so drink from 2019 and beyond.
Raspberries, cherries, cola, tea, rhubarb pie, licorice, vanilla and sweet leather flavors flood the mouth, wrapped in a delicately silky, complex texture, and the finish goes on and on in oak-inspired fruit and Asian spices. Compellingly delicious; drinks now and through 2009.
Raspberries, strawberries and blackberries, with smooth coffee and cream flavors streaking through the finish. Nicely made in a clean, classic Napa Zin style.
Raspberry and blackberry aromas and ultraripe, opulent, jammy flavors fill the big, soft frame of this full-bodied wine. It has fruit in spades, milk chocolate and raspberry notes that linger on the finish, relatively light tannins and a touch of richness.
Raspberry and blackberry fruit, lively spice and a streak of espresso come together in this tasty Syrah. It was fermented with native yeast and spent 23 months in oak. With almost five years of age already, it's drinking well and ready for immediate enjoyment.
Raspberry and blackberry jam aromas are accented by white pepper and mint. The flavors are plump and fleshy in feel, providing plenty of easy-drinking enjoyment.
Raspberry and cassis aromas are fresh and upright while showing wiry, grassy accents. Full bodied, this features a jammy, pulpy palate that's fresh but low on definition. Herbal, lightly green infiltrations drift onto a solid, tannic finish. Drink through 2018.
Raspberry and cherry aromas are at the fore of the bouquet, with an attractive floral character teasing in the background. The palate offers ripe, juicy fruit flavors that are lifted by ample acidity and finish quick yet clean on the close. Drink now.
Raspberry and cherry aromas are followed by juicy raspberries and cherries and a spin of spice. The mouthfeel is crisp but the texture lush and velvety. Overall not terribly complex, but a fun summer wine with an extravagant edge.
Raspberry and cherry aromas are juicy and wiry, with no fat at all. Pure, simple berry flavors come with a touch of spice, while the finish is short yet juicy. An easy-drinking and approachable selection.
Raspberry and cherry aromas are light and pleasing, while the palate exhibits those same friendly and inviting raspberry flavors along with some citrus. A fresh and clean wine, nothing more or less. But it manages to rise above the masses via its focus, length and purity.
Raspberry and cherry aromas are mild while not stirring much excitement. This feels a bit raw and tannic, but it's got enough body to hold up. Berry and plum flavors finish with hints of spice and chocolate.
Raspberry and cherry aromas come with mild spice notes. This has a zesty, citric feel due to punchy acidity, while raspberry and red-plum flavors end tight, lean and fresh yet well focused. This is a nice, juicy Monastrell to drink now.
Raspberry and cherry aromas come with touch of floral perfume and smoke. This feels tight, juicy and slightly tannic. Flavors of black plum and wild berries are matched by chocolaty oak, while the finish is sweet in flavor, with ripe, mellow tannins.
Raspberry and cherry aromas introduce this pink-tinted rosé. A chewy, full palate feels round and balanced, while flavors of briny berry and cherry finish bouncy and good, with a touch of residual sweetness. Drink now.
Raspberry and cherry fruit flavors flood the mouth on this Zin, making it instantly delicious. The superripeness shows on the finish, where chocolate-covered raisin notes show up. With complex, gentle tannins and some heat from alcohol, it's drinking well now.
Raspberry and cherry fruit, pure and concentrated, introduces the wine aromatically and glides smoothly into the midpalate. It tightens its focus and lingers gracefully, a mouthful of tart, primary, ripe and deliciously fresh fruit.
Raspberry and cherry mingle with essence of mocha, tomato and pepper. Solid structure, full flavors and smooth tannins create a clean yet gripping texture, finishing strong and lengthy.
Raspberry and cinnamon spice hit the nose first followed by crushed cloves on this supremely balanced wine by Gavin Chanin from a vineyard that's northwest of the Sta. Rita Hills. Dried cranberry fruit leads the palate, but it's mostly powered by a potpourri of brown spices, from peppercorns to nutmeg. It's a study of restrained ripeness that's fresh and tasty.
Raspberry and citrus aromas sit in front of a cheerful, sweet-styled set of juicy watermelon and plum flavors. This is about as simple as it gets, with a bright pink color, mild acidity and good balance. A wine to drink as soon as possible.
Raspberry and clove characterize the nose on this single-vineyard bottling. The palate kicks off with vibrant black cherry, slips toward black olive on the midpalate and ends with bright acidity on a decent finish.
Raspberry and cocoa aromas are dusty and subdued. A tight, tannic palate is driving, while flavors of citrus and red plum come with spice and oak notes. A spice component with sharp acidity carry onto a firm, chalky finish.
Raspberry and cranberry flavors and a twist of cinnamon stick accent the firm tannins of this estate wine, marked by classic red currant, cedar and dried herb notes. Medium-bodied and modest in oak, it shows a clarity of crisp acidity.
Raspberry and currant aromas are restrained on the nose. The round palate boasts creamy oak riding on top of mild berry flavors. Oak-influenced nutmeg and clove flavors mingle on a hot finish.
Raspberry and earth tones open this medium-weight Provence blend. There's cherry fruit and a moderate level of complexity on the palate but also a slightly funky note in the background. Tannins are forceful but polite; try with pork roast.
Raspberry and green bell pepper aromas set the scene for blackberry, cassis, geranium leaf and smoke flavors in this wine. It's full bodied, with velvety tannins and a savory finish.
Raspberry and lettuce aromas are fresh but a touch grassy. This rosé has a fresh, clean feel and dry flavors of citrus fruits and nectarine. Dryness is a repeated theme on the finish, which is long, pure and focused.
Raspberry and milk chocolate aromas are simple and come across a bit like plastic. The wine is narrow on the palate, with herbal plum flavors, while the finish is short and doesn't elevate things. Even at $9 this is regular in overall quality.
Raspberry and pastry notes are inviting on this voluptuously foamy, yet bright and fruity sparkling. Primary red-fruit flavors dominate, but it's a brisk wine, with penetrating acidity and a clean, refreshing finish.
Raspberry and peach describe this sparkler's color and also its aromatic characteristics. There's a slightly oxidized note at the back that recalls almond or candied fruit.
Raspberry and plum aromas are clean and welcoming. This is a firm, well-built wine, with crisp acidity and solid but not grating tannins. Flavors of toast, chocolate, blackberry and plum precede a chocolaty, warm, cushioned finish. Drink through 2018.
Raspberry and plum aromas are fresh with a hint of sharpness. This defines zesty and crisp; the acidity level is high, which is common for 2008s, but there's enough body and power to support red-berry and vanilla flavors. A cleansing, fresh finish closes things out.
Raspberry and plum aromas are mild and entirely fresh. This is your typical cosecha wine with plenty of fruit and giddy-up. Punchy plum and cherry flavors finish with controlled bitterness and a spot of burnt toast.
Raspberry and plum aromas are simple. This has a fleshy, jammy palate with good balance and structure. Lightly baked, jammy blackberry and plum flavors are standard but good, while mild spice notes make for a solid finish.
Raspberry and plum aromas are woody and narrow in scope. This Cabernet is medium in body but also a bit sticky and resiny. Candied blackberry and black cherry flavors are slightly medicinal, while the finish is oaky, with a lactic flavor and a touch of heat.
Raspberry and plum aromas carry hints of lemon and flower. It tastes solid, with flavors of herb, meaty berry, plum and lemony oak. There's a spiciness, with spiky acidity on the finish that feels forced.
Raspberry and plum aromas come with notes of tea and spice. This is fresh and fairly light in body, with a touch of creaminess. Dry, spicy, modest red-fruit flavors finish spicy and with better-than-average length. For the money, this is quite good.
Raspberry and plum aromas include notes of asphalt, coconut, peanut butter and tobacco. This is fresh and layered, but hard as rocks. Toasty oak, baking spice, raspberry and plum flavors end long and with complexity as tobacco and woody notes of cedar take over. Drink 2016–2024.
Raspberry and plum aromas include notes of brown sugar and warm pavement. A dense, chewy palate is packed with fruit and tannins. Flavors of minty oak and berry fruits dissolve into a heap of tannin and oak on the finish.
Raspberry and plum aromas lead to a jammy, pruny palate with no structure. Prune, raisin and carob flavors finish flaccid and not fresh.
Raspberry and plum aromas set a forceful tone for this tannic, pinchy Malbec. Flavors of plum and mixed berries are generic, while this finishes grapy, tannic and with a note of clove.
Raspberry and plum aromas smell a bit powdery, like Kool-Aid. This feels wide, jammy, grabby and tannic, while flavors of currant, red plum and herbs end fresh and juicy, but also a bit scouring and rough. Drink through 2018.
Raspberry and plum aromas start with a resiny oak covering that turns foresty and briary with airing. This is raisiny and ripe in feel, with a complex mix of berry, fennel and anise flavors. A lush, dense-feeling finish is minty and herbal.
Raspberry and red-plum aromas are floral and fresh, but simple. This has a hard, almost metallic mouthfeel and red-fruit flavors of strawberry and raspberry. A wiry, short finish is raw and snappy in feel, with a hint of oak.
Raspberry and red-plum aromas are light and a touch smoky. On the palate this is fresh, juicy and driven by good acidity. Bright stone-fruit flavors blend with pie-cherry notes in front of a lasting, citrusy finish.
Raspberry and rubber-band aromas lead to a saturated palate with full tannnins and flavors of plum and plum skins. A mildly hot finish with grapeskin residue maintains the high volume this Malbec is putting out.
Raspberry and rubber aromas are solid if not refined, while the firm palate is sweet and full of black cherry flavor. Rough, tumble and unsophisticated in the mouthfeel department but ripe and tasty throughout, with dark shadings on the finish.
Raspberry and rubbery aromas come across gritty but improve with airing. This is lively in the mouth, with loud, slightly burnt flavors of spiced plum and raspberry. A hot, medicinal finish closes things out.
Raspberry and strawberry aromas suggest fruit punch. This feels stocky and sticky due to low acidity. Flavors of plum and berry come with buttery oak notes, while this is short and hollow on the finish.
Raspberry and tar aromas mix with wild berry pie and buttered crust aromas. Strawberry, leather and some barnyard flavorings arise on the palate, which shows tannic grip.
Raspberry and vanilla introduce this wine, made from a selection of vines 21 to 130 years old, with some planted in 1882. Lusty and lush layers of cinnamon and cola accent the fruit and provide complexity, the tannins resolved and thick.
Raspberry aromas are a bit earthy and muddled. The palate is on the heavy side, fully laced with a strawberry lollipop flavor. A light, creamy, oaky finish seals the deal.
Raspberry aromas are simple but friendly. This feels condensed and a bit jammy, without a lot of stand-up structure. Candied, lightly loamy flavors of plum and currant finish modest and short.
Raspberry aromas come with olive-like accents. This feels wiry and pinched, while the combination of snappy, sharp acidity and heavy oak clash, creating short red-plum flavors. On the finish, this flattens out and lacks length.
Raspberry aromas lift from the glass with this attractive and fruity wine. It is on the dry side, giving a crisp edge that is immediately refreshing. The aftertaste is creamy and soft, bright and perfumed.
Raspberry aromas mix with herbs and earth to give off a typically Chilean Cabernet bouquet. Feels sticky and a little grabby, with mild acidity and rubbery flavors of black cherry and herbs. Blends sweet fruit with green, herbal notes.
Raspberry aromas, cherry and strawberry flavors, and a strong hint of milk chocolate throughout best define this Gallo-owned wine. Some raisins and a touch of buttery oak appear late, rendering it a simple quaff.
Raspberry compote, star anise, grilled herb and sun baked earth and a whiff of leather are some of the aromas you'll find on this structured Barolo. On the full-bodied palate, chopped mint, licorice and tobacco accent ripe Morello cherry and juicy raspberry. Give this time to fully develop. Drink 2020–2028.
Raspberry crumble immediately comes to mind in this vineyard-designate, a luxuriously built, big-bodied expression of a warm, easy vintage. A nose of violet keeps it from getting overly rambunctious around the heartier aspects of cranberry, crushed rose petals and cherry cola.
Raspberry fruit shines through with ample backing acidity. The flavors are true and fresh, though the wine seems to thin out midpalate. It was fermented with wild yeast and aged for 15 months in the barrel.
Raspberry fruits and juicy acidity are allied to a softly tannic structure to give a ripe while fresh wine. It's fruity but with a firm, dry core that gives the potential to age 2016–2017.
Raspberry is the lead aroma on an otherwise earthy, mossy and aggressive nose. Full bodied and rubbery, this has a blackberry flavor and an overriding baked character. Sweet and unwaivering on the finish.
Raspberry jam and oak are the flavors of this drink-me-now wine. Brisk acidity gives it a mouthwatering cleanness. The single-clone angle has resulted in a certain one-dimensionality.
Raspberry jam, leather, moist soil and a balsamic note are some of the aromas you'll find on this. The medium-bodied structured palate offers dark cherry, anise and dried herb set against dusty tannins. Give this a few more years to unwind then enjoy.
Raspberry jam, menthol, cooking spice and espresso aromas lead the nose. The palate offers tart red cherry, crushed raspberry, thyme, anise and ground green pepper. Bracing, slightly astringent tannins provide support but need to soften up. Drink after 2018.
Raspberry jam, orange peel and sweet oak flavors mark this Pinot Noir. It's very dry, acidic and tannic, not showing much of interest now, but the complexity suggests limited ageability. Try after 2017.
Raspberry jam, prune and cake spice aromas unfold on this blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot. The accessible palate offers dried black cherry, fig, star anise and toast alongside fine-grained tannins.
Raspberry jam, red currant and liqueur flavors mark this strong Pinot Noir. It's all about fruit and oak, with little subtlety, and the hard tannins will never go away.
Raspberry Jell-O and strawberries-and-cream aromas appear on the nose. The medium-bodied palate is slightly flabby in feel, with bramble berries meeting a delicate black pepper note.
Raspberry liqueur and orange-cranberry flavors combine effortlessly in this beautifully made, refined wine. It's bright in acidity while offering a dense body and youthful oak tones. Black tea, cola, plum and streaks of freshly tilled earth make it memorable on the palate, accented by rose petals and cranberry.
Raspberry notes flit from the glass, then the palate follows with zesty, appetizing lemon flavors and creates a perfect picture of summer-berried freshness and easy, enjoyable lightness. There is a backbone of fresh acidity that makes this a classy winner with and without food. The finish is clean and hints of ripe cherry.
Raspberry preserves with whiffs of violet and white pepper mark the nose. A medium-bodied palate of red currant and blueberry meet twiggy flavors, carried by sharp acidity and grainy tannins.
Raspberry ripeness and soft tannins lend warmth to this structured wine. It has weight and a smoky wood character, with a juicy finish. Age for 2–3 years.
Raspberry, black pepper, graphite and the tinge of dried garden herbs touch the nose on this widely available bottling from the Gallo portfolio. Very even yet growing flavors of raspberry, sharp pepper spice and pencil lead make this wine quite straightforward and good in a simple way.
Raspberry, blackberry and tobacco aromas settle in front of a chewy, round, solidly built palate. Medicinal berry flavors come with notes of rooty spice and resiny oak. A finely oaked finish holds root beer and dark-berry flavors that smoothly fade out. Drink through 2021.
Raspberry, blueberry and blackberry, with a hint of dark chocolate, are first apparent. On the palate, this is slender, fruity and fresh—a very charming and subtle Pinot Noir for light lunches or the picnic basket.
Raspberry, bubble gum and rhubarb aromas get this pink-tinted rosé off to a solid start. Juicy and smooth on the palate, this tastes of citrus fruits, pineapple and red plum. Bright acidity ensures that this is lasting and fresh on the finish.
Raspberry, cherry and cola flavors are touched with oak and highighted by zesty acidity in this lovely Pinot Noir. It doesn't have the stuffing for aging, but drinks well now with a variety of fare.
Raspberry, cherry and plum aromas are fresh but a bit raw. Racy and clean on the palate, it has ripe, sweet-leaning flavors of blackberry and cherry. A slightly oaky, resiny finish with a chocolate flavor is appropriate.
Raspberry, cherry and spice aromas suggest earth and cinnamon. This is full, smooth and layered in feel, with earthy, meaty, slightly stewed blueberry flavors. Menthol notes rise up on a chunky, beefy finish.
Raspberry, chocolate and plum aromas form a basic bouquet. This shows tight grip along with flavors of baked berry fruits, leather and earth. The finish tastes a bit rubbery, and then heat and dry, peppery notes take over.
Raspberry, cocoa, coffee and vanilla aromas lead to plump, focused fruit flavors. It's both appealing and quite varietally correct. For those looking for a quality value Merlot, look no further.
Raspberry, dark cherry, cola and vanilla aromas are harmonious and introduce a tight, racy, pure palate with toughness and grip. Bold flavors of cassis, cherry, black pepper and vanilla finish with oak-based notes of mocha and vanilla, all pushed to the fore by juicy acidity. Drink through 2019.
Raspberry, dark slate, gravel and a bit of shiitake mushroom entertain the nose on this bottling by the higher-end sister brand of Santa Barbara Winery. Both richly juicy and brightly acidic on the palate, it offers flavors of boysenberry and sagebrush, making for a very lively wine.
Raspberry, herb and sugared-plum aromas are followed by easy-drinking red-fruit flavors that show a sense of balance that keeps the interest high.
Raspberry, licorice and dark-fruit aromas lead to plump, fleshy fruit flavors. It's an unabashedly warm-vintage wine that brings a lot of drinking pleasure.
Raspberry, medicine cabinet and Red Vine aromas lead to sweet, succulent fruit flavors and a tart finish. Good things are going on but the wine could use more structure to back it all up.
Raspberry, oak, wood spice, vanilla and herb aromas are followed by plump, jammy red-fruit flavors that provide appeal.
Raspberry, plum and cherry aromas are light, pure and fully inviting, with nothing off-putting. This tastes bright and balanced, with cherry and berry flavors that are impossible not to like. A dash of oaky cocoa blends with leftover red fruit flavors on a nice finish.
Raspberry, plum and cherry aromas become more thin, cheesy and leathery with time. The palate is hard and narrow, with sheer flavors of generic raspberry and plum. Clacky and rough feeling on the finish.
Raspberry, plum and currant aromas are darkened by a mild note of asphalt. This feels round but also fresh and lively. Flavors of plum and spiced currant finish dry and focused.
Raspberry, plum and floral aromas are clean but nothing special or unusual. This basic Rioja feels sturdy and solid, while flavors of spicy oak accent plum and berry fruit. A medium-long finish with resiny, peppery notes is a touch hot.
Raspberry, plum and rose-petal aromas are dusty, floral and elegant. In the mouth, this wine is fit and spry, with crisp, pulling acidity. Herbal red plum and raspberry flavors finish with spice, mint and unabsorbed oak notes.
Raspberry, plum and schisty mineral notes make for an easy-to-process bouquet. This feels flush and fruity but not overly exact or distinct. Raspberry, red plum and a mineral note are the key flavors. The wine finishes peppery, dry and focused.
Raspberry, plum and spice aromas are simple but solid and approachable. In the mouth, this blend is grabby and tannic, but boosted by good acidity. Flavors of raw oak and related resin are spicy and blanket standard black-fruit flavors, while pinching tannins and residual oak are prominent on the finish.
Raspberry, plum and subtle oak aromas lead to a snappy, crisp, high-acid palate with pie cherry, raspberry and plum flavors. There isn't much finish or extras here; basic and well cut.
Raspberry, plum, leather and earth aromas lead to spice tones on the nose. This feels snappy and juicy, while herbs, red plum, red currant and mild oak flavors end with good weight, balance and oak-based spice notes.
Raspberry, red cherries and fresh fruit come together with bright acidity and a soft, full texture. There is a good stalky, tannic core to give structure. A great barbecue wine.
Raspberry, red currant and a pinch of oaky maple make up the nose on this Tinto Fino that sports a medium-weight body with medium-level intensity. Red-berry flavors follow the nose, while a crisp finish with red plum and raspberry flavors wraps things up.
Raspberry, red plum, chili pepper and balsamic aromas make for a complex, intriguing nose. This is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 35% Syrah and 15% Tannat. It's juicy, rugged and spunky on the palate, with tomato-like acidity. Flavors of roasted plum and red pepper finish with heat, herbal notes and saltiness. Drink through 2021.
Raspberry, rose petal, baking spice, tilled soil and new leather aromas unfold on this structured red. The chewy, full-bodied palate doles out juicy wild cherry, menthol and dark cooking spice while assertive tannins and fresh acidity lend balance. Drink 2019–2029.
Raspberry, spicebox and cinnamon aromas start this modern-style Xinomavro. Lively acidity and a good tannic structure balance the cherry fruit. A great introduction to the variety.
Raspberry, strawberry and oaky shoe polish aromas comprise the nose on this pinching rubbery Rioja from a cold vintage. Plum, cherry and raspberry flavors finish fresh and ripped, with tannins that won't quit. Drink through 2020.
Raspberry, tilled soil, dark spice and a hint of menthol lead the nose on this sleek, young red. The bright, juicy palate doles out tart red cherry, star anise and orange zest alongside vibrant acidity and lithe, silky tannins.
Raspberry, toffee, cherry pie and kirsch are the flavors of this lusty, pleasing Zinfandal from Alexander Valley Vineyards. It's spicy and fresh, a great barbecue and burger partner.
Raspberry, tomato leaf and a spot of rhubarb give the nose a crisp outlook. The palate is zesty and linear, with herbal strawberry and raspberry flavors kissed by oak-based mocha. Creamy on the finish, with spice more than residual fruit. A nice ride, and solid for Carmenère. Imported by Republic National Distributors.
Raspberry, white pepper, iron, dust and a Earl Grey tea element peek out from the delicate and restrained nose. Plums and red fruits mark the tip of the sip, but it clings to a gravelly, brick-laden center line of minerality, proving pleasantly peppery as well.
Raspingly dry and fierce in tannins, this Merlot is quite different from other Bordeaux-style red wines from Oakville that are ripe and lush. Doesn't offer much reward now due to the astringency, but has a solid core of blackberries. Hard to know if the fruit will outlast the tannins.
Raspy berry and plum aromas lead to a palate dominated by tartaric acid. That, in turn, leads to sharp berry and plum flavors backed by a bracing finish.
Raspy cheesy fiery aromas of plum and raspberry are a bit harsh. This feels tannic and grabby, while inky berry fruit and resiny oak flavors finish hard and blocky with a mild note of schisty minerality.
Raspy cherry aromas precede a scratchy palate that's characterized by its high acid-to-body ratio. It tastes a bit tart and generic, with a red plum flavor in front of a fiery finish. This is light and crisp in style.
Rasula shows ripe aromas of blackberry and prune with lingering tones of spice and leather in the background. It's a simple value wine with a chewy, rich mouthfeel.
Rates about the same as the winery's reserve bottling due to grassy, green aromas of prickly raspberry. Big, chunky and sort of awkward on the palate, with herbal, rooty flavors. Burns on the finish with heat and spice.
Rather aggressive tannins and distinctly earthy scents of tomato leaf and vegetation characterize this modest effort. It's chewy and herbal, with little indication of fruit ripeness.
Rather austere whiffs of lemon, lime and pine on the nose of this medium-sweet Spätlese belie the fruity mélange of grapefruit and guava that awaits on the palate. It's dainty in mouthfeel, yet buoyant and penetrating in sweet citrus, honey and melon flavors. The finish draws out dramatically, meandering on a murmur of tea tannins.
Rather barnyardy and gaseous at first, but air breathes more clarity into the nose. The palate is chunky, grabby and a little awkward, with herbal, medicinal black fruit and buttery flavors. Slight heat and burn hamper the finish.
Rather bland and done up with butterscotch and cream. And while those aromas indicate heft and richness, the wine is sort of flat and soft, with mealy apple and creamy fruit flavors. And then it finishes pithy and bitter. Not much definition or design. Expensive for what you get.
Rather blocky and oaky at first, this can seem a bit overwhelmed with flavors from barrel aging. The tightly-wound red fruits appear slowly with hours of breathing, along with some alcohol heat in the finish. Give this as much aerating as possible.
Rather broad in the mouth without being particularly weighty or rich, with restrained aromatics of apricot and spice and flavors of melon, apricot and pepper. Drink now; the 2007 tasted out of tank looks significantly more interesting. Imported by Routas USA.
Rather closed aromas burn off in the glass to reveal mature black berry fruit and cooking spices. The palate delivers stewed plums, espresso and toasted oak alongside bracing tannins. Enjoy soon with four-cheese gnocchi.
Rather closed on the nose, this shows plump, sweet pear fruit countered by sprightly, spiky, lemony acidity. This is lively and fruity and easy to drink; enjoy while flavors are at their peak.
Rather dark in mauve colors and slightly cloudy, this wine by urban vintner Matthias Pippig offers rather heady aromas for a rosé, with smashed olallieberry, blackberry and a touch of cardamom spice. Once sipped, aromatic plum flavors ensue, with help from Turkish spices and noticeable grip.
Rather delicate flavors of green melon, apple and fresh cut grass infuse this elegant Sauvignon Blanc. The precision and balance are impressive; the price and overall lightness make it an excellent, mealtime quaffer.
Rather delicate, with 12.6% alcohol yet a distinctly dry mouthfeel, this well-crafted Riesling mingles green apple, pear, lemon zest, grapefruit and melon fruit flavors. Good length and texture, with lemon tea flavors to wrap it up.
Rather dilute wine, it does have some fresh cherry flavors with very soft tannins and a clean line of acidity. For the vintage, it could have done wth more concentration.
Rather dilute, it shows slight black-cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors. The overall impression is really little more than alcohol and faint body. Finishes very dry, with innocuous tannins.
Rather dry in the mouth, with a minerally feel; flavors are similarly dry—think red apple skin, plus some pear. Has clarified butter and a plastic- or resin-like note on the nose, and toffee and cream on the finish.
Rather dull, soapy wine, its fruit missing the right crispness. There are flavors of pear, yellow fruits, just not enough acidity.
Rather elegant and well integrated aromas of stewed black cherries, clove, gingerbread and vanilla are reminiscent of a rich dessert. The palate is also full and flavorful with similar components as well as brown sugar, Vietnamese coffee, purple flowers and a lifting mint component. It's fruity but nuanced and fairly priced.
Rather flat and oily smelling, resulting in a low-pulse bouquet. The mouth is wet and chunky as it features sweet mango and cantaloupe flavors. Orange candy and sweetness is about all you get on the finish.
Rather full and deep in the nose. Some black fruit come across as being chunky but fresh. It’s quite the mouthful, with lots of oak in the backdrop providing a big serving of vanilla. Long, dry and oaky at the end. Interesting, though not overly complex or layered.
Rather grapey, front-loaded flavors move quickly into a subdued midpalate, with muted notes of ash and licorice. The wine seems a bit thin given its fairly high alcohol.
Rather grapy, thin fruit, shows little complexity other than very assertive tannins.
Rather hard and baked on the nose, with a heavy helping of char and molasses. The palate is angular and tannic, while the flavors revolve around lemony oak and spice more than fruit. Spiky on the finish and sharp-edged as a whole. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec and Syrah.
Rather heavy and green on the bouquet, with olive, raisin and herbal aromas. Tannic in the mouth, this has a beam of acidity that keeps it moving forward. It's herbal, fruity and loaded with green and black olive flavors. The finish is quick and oaky.
Rather heavy and super-fruity now, with fruitstand flavors of blackberries, cherries and plums. It's a ripely delicious wine, but a bit one-dimensional, not showing much elegance or subtlety. Could develop bottle nuance over the next 4–6 years.
Rather heavy and sweet for a rosé, with a dark, ruby-garnet color, and flavors of cherry-pie filling, vanilla and clove. Brisk Santa Lucia acidity keeps it alive.
Rather heavy in texture, a big, full-bodied and tannic Pinot that seems overly extracted and oaky. The vintage was very difficult due to early September heat waves, and everything depended on exquisite timing. It's very good, despite the rusticity. Drink now through 2012.
Rather heavy in texture, with the weight of a Rhone wine, and thick, fruity flavors of plums, heirloom tomatoes, cola, espresso and oak. Very dry, with smooth tannins. This is a big Pinot, clean and complex, although not particularly delicate.
Rather lean and austere, this is a tight, structured wine. Its future lies in the firm tannins and the juicy red-currant fruit. Wait for this wine and don't drink before 2020.
Rather lean aromas and spare fruit flavors meet more lavishly rich flavors for dual personalities in this medium-bodied, soft-textured and slightly sweet wine.
Rather lean in flavors, it shows a bit of herbal, savory aromas and tastes slightly earthy and vegetal like fennel or celery. But those aspects are subtle enough that it still makes a good sturdy white wine that is neither too rich nor too soft.
Rather lean, with high acidity, the wine has red currant fruits, a taut texture and a light spice character.
Rather light and very smooth, this combines tasty plum flavors with subtle oaky, earthy accents and medium body. Enough varietal character keeps things interesting.
Rather light for the vintage, this is still an attractively fruity wine. It has tannins, black currant and plum skin fruit. Juicy, lively, ready to drink.
Rather light, easy-to-enjoy aromas suggesting fresh strawberry and raspberry, along with equally fruity flavors don't indicate how full-bodied and high-octane this wine is. Still, it has a smooth texture and lingering finish.
Rather minty and herbal up front, with grassy, field-like aromas overriding the red fruit that wants to peek through. The palate offers only secondary fruit flavors that turn to cider if given time. Acceptable but doesn't offer much.
Rather mute and compact in the nose, but don’t judge it solely on that. In the mouth, it remains a bit closed, but it opens up to show grip and solid black fruit. A sturdy, full mouthful is what you get in this good effort from a southern Oregon producer.
Rather overripe, this Cab has the flavors of stewed or baked blackberries and raisins. On the plus side are rich chocolate and anise notes, smooth, firm tannins and a dry, spicy finish.
Rather perfumed, lifted notes of honeysuckle and the full force of lemon-drizzled honeydew melon make for a striking opening. The palate is bright and brings ample fruit: citrus-tempered apple, plums, apricots and peaches. This is joyous in its exuberance, even without much complexity. Drink soon.
Rather quiet at first, this wine unfurls into a soft but textured palate. This balanced white lives more off structure than aroma; the herbal white pepperiness is to be savored.
Rather racy and lean for a Pfalz Riesling, with crisp lime sherbet and green apple aromas and flavors. This is light in weight, yet not lacking in power or intensity.
Rather restrained, this is a dark, concentrated wine built for some time in the cellar. It's got Bordeaux-like structure in its crisp acids and firm tannins, but clean, New World cassis flavors tinged with vanilla and cedary oak. Drink 2010–2015.
Rather sharp and dominated by piquant cranberry and field aromas. Light in color, with lean red-fruit flavors. A little green and heavily oaked—the dill and pickle from the wood show boldly. Has some good characteristics, but they’re just too hard to get at. From the hotter reaches of southern Oregon.
Rather simple and plain, this Cellar Select trips across the palate like a ghost. Not much there in the way of fruit or flavor.
Rather simple, blending ripe pear and citrus, but offers a full-bodied mouthful of clean fruit character.
Rather simple, like a blackberry-infused cola punch. It's the kind of red wine to serve at a party, and everybody will like it, but there's not a whole lot going on right now. Could develop in the bottle.
Rather spare despite the cherry-berry, cola and spice flavors. The tannins are ultralight, and the acidity you'd expect from this cool coastal appellation isn't there. That leaves alcohol and fruit and a certain flabbiness.
Rather stalky, this dry wine has a sense of extraction in the form of bitterness. The wine's red fruits are behind this dryness, demanding at least another 2–3 years.
Rather subdued in fruit on the nose, showing more vanilla and toast, but this really expands on the palate, delivering great fruit sweetness and nuance in a harmoniously round, supple package. Finishes long, warm and spicy at 15.5% alcohol.
Rather sweet and medicinal; the wine comes into form on the palate, which is fairly bright and forward as it pushes raspberry and cherry flavors. Acidity is on the high side, so the feel and finish have some burn. Could use some pizza or meat to help it along.
Rather than present an overtly floral and fragrant bouquet, this Sauvignon offers creamy tones of melon, apricot and peach. It's a fresh, easy-drinking expression that would work with grilled tuna in tangy lemon sauce.
Rather than pungent green aromas, this bottling tends toward a sweeter aromatic profile, with limeade, mandarin orange and tangerine scents. On the palate, there is a slight creaminess and a nod toward bell pepper, but the tart, bitter and acidic elements of apple and lime pith combine memorably.
Rather than your standard red cherry flavors, this unique Ripasso focuses on aromas of sweet cola, jasmine tea, bee's wax and white mineral. The wine has a good balance of acidity and structure and would pair well with pasta or meat dishes.
Rather thin on the palate, the wine feels slightly unfocussed. Drink soon.
Rather tough and gritty now, this bone dry wine offers herb, tobacco and cedar flavors, with suggestions of cherries and currants. It's the answer to folks who complain that California Cabernets are fruit and oak bombs. Could surprise with 5–7 years in the bottle.
Rather unusual smelling, with exotic spice and blue fruit aromas that aren't cut from the normal cloth. It feels rubbery, with black plum, cumin and licorice flavors. Dark and fruity on the finish, it has warm notes of spice covering every angle. A blend of Garnacha, Monastrell, Samso and Syrah.
Rather vegetal aromas of jalapeño and bell pepper mix with red fruit on the nose of this bottling. Those same bell peppery notes carry through the palate, which is intriguing but will likely confuse many drinkers.
Rattlesnake Hill is on the estate, more than 2,000 feet up in the Mayacamas above St. Helena. Typically tannic, in the way of Spring Mountain Cabs, the '05 is a dramatically structured wine that dazzles with power. Made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon, it shows classic varietal flavors of black currants, cherries, licorice and spices, while mostly new French oak adds the perfect facade of smoky wood. Fabulous now with decanting and over rich fare such as steak, the wine should age gracefully for at least a decade.
Raumland's Marie-Luise is a blanc de noirs of 100% Pinot Noir that comes across as toasty and nutty on the nose and palate, without obvious red-berry fruitiness or the earthy, sous-bois complexity of the variety. That said, it is medium in body and does make for a nice glass of bottle-matured sparkling.
Ravaldo is sour and bitter wine that needs to be paired with cheesy lasagna with thick Béchamel sauce to find balance. You'll sense bright berry and cranberry with a sharp and edgy mouthfeel.
Ravan is the local Slovenian name for the Friulano grape. This tasty wine is medium gold to dark straw in color with aromas of honeysuckle, passion fruit and freshly baked apple pie. The finish is pleasantly astringent with lingering flavors of hazelnut. It's perfect to pair with game birds such as duck or quail.
Raw-boned, aggressive in tannins and powerful in fruit, in the manner of a young Garys' Pinot. While it's not ready to drink, it does show commanding flavors of black cherries, currants, cola and mushrooms that aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Try drinking it after 2016.
Raw-cut wood, vanilla, herbs and hard spice scents define the nose on this quality Carmenère. In the mouth, tomatoey acidity is offset by weighty berry fruit and creamy oak. Flavorwise, this is saucy, meaty, a touch stewy and herbal, just like the variety is known to be.
Raw abrasive plum and berry aromas are grassy. This passable Merlot is rubbery and pinched in feel, with herbal generic berry flavors that finish with a weedy accent.
Raw and fresh, with jammy mulberry, blackberry and pepper flavors. A rustic wine for rustic food.
Raw and green from the opening shot, this smells like bell pepper and wood. The jumbled palate is abrasive, while severely green flavors of olives, herbs, weeds and dried red fruits finish scratchy.
Raw and gritty, with berry, sage and tobacco flavors that are acidic and rather green. It's a blend of seven major grape varieties.
Raw and harsh in green tannins, with bubblegum and raspberry sour candy flavors.
Raw and harsh, with green, unripe tannins framing simple berry jam flavors.
Raw and resiny, with no peg for you to hang your hat on. The palate is sharp and short on ripeness, while the finish settles on hot. Just an aggressive wine with little polish. Not worth the price.
Raw and simple, with lemon and lime flavors that taste unnaturally oaked in sweet smoky vanilla.
Raw aromas of rhubarb and scratchy raspberry offer little to latch onto. The palate feels clipped and angular, while the flavors are a touch stalky and generic as far as red fruit goes. This finishes tangy and scouring.
Raw aromas of tomato, spice, herbs and pie cherry accurately announce a pointy, lean, scouring palate. This Garnacha from a cool vintage is dominated by red plum, tart cherry and raspberry flavors that finish short and punchy.
Raw black-cherry aromas are direct and simple but good. This has a juicy feel that thickens over time, with oak character and extract becoming more apparent. A flavor profile driven by dark-berry fruits and smoldering oak finishes meaty but hot.
Raw cherry and plum aromas are resiny and suggest wet cement. This is shearing and so jacked up with tartaric acidity that it's almost intolerable. Sour, citric flavors and a hard, gritty finish amplify this wine's weaknesses.
Raw fruit notes of cherry and raspberry will find true dimension as this continues to age. There's a slightly sour note of bitter almond on the finish, and the mouthfeel is smooth and polished.
Raw grapes and wild berry describe the nose. This sparkling Lambrusco shows some bitterness followed by very lively fresh fruit flavors. The bottle is closed with the traditional spago (or string) and delivers thick, purple froth when poured into the glass.
Raw herbal crisp aromas of currant and red cherry are a touch green. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo is dry on the palate, with clamping tannins. Rooty spicy flavors of tomato and clove finish rough and with mild heat.
Raw herbal spicy aromas come with a heavy draping of savory oak. This Bonarda feels full, rustic and a touch creamy. Dry spicy barrel-heavy flavors outweigh fruit on this oaky smoky red wine.
Raw oak is the dominant scent, which overlays a less intense cherry aroma. It feels medium bodied, with a certain flatness about its core. Acidity lends the finish some zip, but it lacks focus overall, ending on a hazy mocha note.
Raw oak, coconut and roasted coffee bean aromas carry over to the palate along with licorice and espresso but it lacks fruit richness. Astringent, grainy tannins clench the bracing finish.
Raw oak, coconut, roasted coffee bean and oak-driven spice sensations dominate the nose and the palate. It lacks the fruit richness necessary to support the raspy tannins that leave a rough, astringent finish.
Raw oak, herb and floral aromas are complex and on the light side of the fence. This feels tight, tannic and edgy, while resiny oak gives off a lactic flavor to accompany core red plum and currant. This stays tight, punchy and drying on the finish. Drink through 2021.
Raw pastry dough, blackberry jam and vanilla aromatics are offset by cigar box and leather notes. Compared to Rappahannock's nonreserve 2010 Cabernet Franc, this wine feels warmer due to its alcohol, which is more than 1% higher than the nonreserve bottling. The palate is chewy and muscular, with flavors of dried rose petal and espresso that surface late.
Raw raspberry and plum aromas feed into a crisp, edgy palate with grating acidity. Tart plum and berry flavors turn earthy upon airing, while this finishes with pointed acidity and snappy red-fruit flavors.
Raw, common and unripe, with vegetal and bizarrely sweet blackberry candy notes. A tough but serviceable blend of seven popular varieties.
Raw, earthy plum aromas are spicy and lightly herbal. This feels saucy yet monotone. Tomato, red-plum and herbal flavors end with a hint of brown sugar and a continuation of the wine's herbal plum character.
Raw, extremely redolent of blueberries and strawberries with a tiny lactic note, this wine tastes much younger than it really is. It's also on the ripe side with some jelly and jam-like nuances and a solid core of in-your-face fruit. It has rich, dense extraction and simple, fruit-driven flavors. This Riserva has always performed very well in past vintages.
Raw, fresh, almost scratchy aromas of cranberry and plum are direct. This feels fruity and bright on the palate, with lightly medicinal cherry and plum flavors that finish with a sprinkle of spice and a note of saline.
Raw, gamy aromas of herbal black fruits and wet dog fur set up a bumpy palate that's tough and jagged. Unabsorbed oak sits atop rudimentary berry fruit flavors, while the finish is choppy, oaky and herbal.
Raw, green aromas suggest underripe fruit, green tobacco and green herbs. Following the nose, this feels astringent and clampy. Herbal flavors of plum don't taste as green as this smells, while the finish is rugged and tannic.
Raw, herbaceous aromas of green-infused berry fruits are stripped back and less than appealing, making this wine feel rough. Flavors of plum and berry are highly herbal and flat out green on the finish.
Raw, leafy aromas announce a hard, astringent wine with green, herbal flavors of juniper and raspberry. A rubbery finish confirms that this is base level and acceptable in the scheme of things.
Raw, reedy aromas of currant and cherry lead to a rubbery, pinched palate. Cherry and berry flavors are generic, as is the finish, which has hints of brown sugar. The blend is Merlot, Bonarda and Malbec.
Raw, rooty, scratchy aromas that suggest clove and licorice set up a tight, drawing, tannic palate with herbal, leathery, dark flavors of wild berry and bitter chocolate. Mint, a strong clove characteristic and dark fruit flavors control the finish.
Raw, rubbery and just not that good of a wine. Bramble, leather and compost muscle out any fruit aromas, and on the palate it's perky to the point of being acidic. Lacks balance while burning up everything in its path.
Raw, scratchy cherry and plum aromas are dusty and lightly herbaceous. A full, blocky, chewy palate deals roasted plum and currant flavors. On the finish, this wine tastes smoky, with a note of grilled meat.
Raw, somewhat damp smelling plum, cherry and tomato aromas are wiry, as is the palate on this Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère blend, which also features hard, crusty tannins. Scratchy berry, tomato and herbal flavors run long and leafy on the finish.
Raw, spicy, grating aromas of plum, berry and asphalt are fairly typical for basic Carmenère. This offers a medium-weight palate with decent balance as well as spicy but standard berry and plum flavors. A short finish sends this on its way.
Raw, woody aromas are forceful to the point of smelling like a timber mill; in addition, the nose is fiery and herbal, with minty berry aromas. A disjointed palate features bulky plum and red-berry flavors as well as a green tinge, while a finish with heavy oak and raisiny fruit delivers Baja's patented saltiness.
Raymond brings their expert Cabernet touch to this Syrah. It has the rich, balanced tannins you expect from a Napa red wine, along with oodles of juicy blackberries, blueberries and cherries. But the smoked meat and black pepper notes belong to Syrah.
Re-released just now, the wine is already mature, its fruit fading, leaving notes of dried leaves, pipe tobacco and coffee grounds.
Re di Renieri represents a blend of four international grape varieties (including 60% Merlot) that is characterized by layers of soft chocolate and cherry. It shows a rich, plush texture on the finish.
Reaching back into the 19th century, this wine revives an old-style label design, while putting a very modern spin on the blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Light cherry fruit mixes with both herbal and slightly vegetal streaks.
Readily likeable, with a nose of summer fruit soup layered over notes of field greens. The texture is lazy, with moderate acidity and almost no tannin. Try with ribs in a sweet barbecue sauce. Drink now.
Ready for drinking now with its raspberries, currants, persimmons and oak. The acidity is bright, and the finish is clean and spicy. Pair now with lamb dishes.
Ready for immediate enjoyment, this offers a lifted nose of rose petals and cherry blossoms, carrying a slight whiff of milk chocolate. The fruit has a tart, cranberry character, moving up into Bing cherry flavors with plenty of crisp acidity.
Ready to drink now, this blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre displays hints of roasted fruit and game on the nose. It's full in body, supple in texture and velvety on the finish, making it a solid choice for roasts or braises this winter.
Ready to drink now, this is an elegant, drily crisp Pinot, ready to stand back and let the food shine. Pale in color and light- to medium-bodied, it has savory flavors of cherries, oranges, cola and spice, with fine coastal acidity.
Ready to drink, this is a soft, rounded sparkler that offers plenty of toasted brioche flavor, with pineapple and honey coming through on the finish.
Ready to drink, this Pinot is already losing color and going brick at the rim, its modest red berry fruit falling away to reveal notes of brown sugar, vanilla and even a touch of wintergreen. Supple in texture, with mouthwatering acids on the finish.
Real Syrah character pervades this dry, full-bodied red wine. It has flavors of blackberries, mulberries, charred meat and black pepper, wrapped into firm tannins. This is a great price for such a versatile, food-friendly wine.
Reale (100% Merlot) offers sweet cherry and raspberry aromas with light touches of spice and toasted almond in the background. This ruby colored wine offers an easy, fresh and lean feel in the mouth.
Realistically priced for genuine German eiswein, this is also rather alcoholic for most, weighing in at 10% abv. So it may not be as sweet as expected, but it still shows razor-like focus, with the residual sweetness balanced by bright pink grapefruit and pineapple notes.
Really appealing on the nose, with smoky, meaty scents that give the impression of a Shiraz that's savory, yet packed with fruit. But the wine is less impressive in the mouth; it's soft and cuddley—deliciously ready to drink—without anything apparent in reserve. Drink now.
Really beautiful. Walks right up to the tartness line, but never crosses it, with rich, citrusy acidity framing ripe, complex flavors of cherries, currants, cola, pomegranates, sandalwood and Asian spices. Clean and pure, and an ager. Now–2013.
Really candied pink in color, this is an attractive, open and fruity wine. Easy to drink and bright with acidity, it is given a backbone by the Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Drink now.
Really charming, with a nose of green plums, red berries and earth that jumps out of the glass and curls up in your lap. The palate is lacking a bit in intensity but makes up for it with iresistable cassis flavor followed by fresh-roasted coffee. The bracing acidity would be well matched by a cheese-laden dish such as lasagna. Drink now to one year.
Really charming, with sweetish brambly fruit and smooth plum nuances. Fairly concentrated, with a juicy, date and cranberry finish. Try with barbecue. Drink now to 2011.
Really dark, vibrant purple in color, with oak-inflected notes of cedar, vanilla and chocolate layered over black cherries. It's on the soft, slightly sweet side, but offers an easy-to-drink mouthful of sparkling Shiraz.
Really delicious, a rich, opulent wine that beguiles from first sip to last. It's sweetly caramelized and vanilla-oaky, with crisp acidity brightening ultraripe flavors of pineapples, golden mangoes and buttered toast.
Really delicious, a sweet, spicy, fruity wine that's like biting into a raspberry, roasted almond, vanilla and cinnamon granola candy bar. That's no insult. The wine is dry and wonderfully rich in smooth tannins, and enormously complex. Worthy of very fine steak, lamb, tuna and salmon entrees.
Really easy to like now for its silky approachability, and for the way the flavors gather upfront and through the long, spicy finish. Polished and crisp, it has flavors of raspberries, cherries, tart cranberries and ripe pomegranates. The fruit is sourced from the cool, southern part of the Russian River Valley.
Really fine for a low-acid vintage, there's an intriguing nose here with white pepper, sandalwood and pine-nut elements. There are mature notes to the apple, toast and pepper flavors, good backbone, and the texture is just lovely. This well-developed example still has youthful elements, and closes with a grapefruit-mineral finish that is both relaxed and complex.
Really fragrant, with this vineyard's near-perfect mix of fruit, rock and barrel. This is restrained, elegant but powerful—raspberry fruit over crushed rock, with vertical structure, an immaculate mouthfeel, and a finish that continues to resonate for minutes after the swallow.
Really good and interesting Syrah, with chocolate, campfire, menthol and prune on the nose. With airing the wine quickly settles into a deep, smooth berry and chocolate groove, while the finish deals pure tannins and comfort. Ripe but not raisiny; a really nice example of Jumilla Syrah, with 4% Viognier blended in for lightness (and it still weighs in at 14.9%).
Really good wine with blasting dark fruit, wintergreen, herbs and tobacco aromas. This blend of 66% Syrah with 17% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère is tight, tannic and serious; the mouth has roasted, savory black-fruit flavors along with tobacco, and the finish is smooth and chocolaty. Except for the slightest hint of green on the nose and midpalate, this is a winner.
Really impressive at this price for its depth of flavor and overall balance. Dry and elegantly constructed, it shows extravagant flavors of blackberries, cherries, sweet currants and sandalwood. A lovely Merlot of great charm and drinkability. Production was 5,800 cases.
Really nice and lush, with an aromatic mix of tobacco, baked fruit, mocha, vanilla, shoe polish, earth and more. It displays a ripe, friendly feel and yummy flavors of mocha, chocolate and savory, subtle berry fruits. Layered on the finish, with lasting notes of fig, mocha and blackberry. Drink now through 2012.
Really nicely balanced, this is a big, sleek cruiser with lemon, earth and green-apple aromas and flavors. Full, yet trim and clean, it shows the tautness of youth but has fine essential fruit and a lengthy, crisp finish. Possesses excellent, if somewhat unopened elements, and may well rate higher if cellared for a few years
Really nicely done, with bold cassis aromas tinged with hints of tomato leaf and vanilla and then waves of cassis, vanilla and dried spices on the palate. It's full bodied and lushly textured, with a long, velvety feel to the finish. Best from 2010–2020.
Really ripe wine, with toast and yellow fruits, laced with intense citric acidity and a mineral edge, to go with the mouthwatering fruit. Needs to age for 5–6 years.
Really ripe, this is a full-bodied wine that is full of tropical fruit contrasted with green apple flavor. It has weight, intensity and just a hint of spice. This should be aged 1–2 years at least. Screwcap.
Really smooth textured. Quite elegant as well, with sleek, complex layers of black currant, blackberry, plum, black cherry, herb, chocolate, coffee, spice, toast and a beguiling hint of tar. The wine is incredibly complex and inviting, framed beautifully in velvety tannins. Long and lush on the finish, it's blended from grapes grown on Mt. Veeder, Atlas Peak and the Napa Valley floor.
Really strong in gooseberry and feline spray aromas and flavors, with kinder notes of citrus fruits and vanilla. The wine is also slightly sweet.
Really sweet and unctuous in texture, this pale copper-hued Muscat is a blend of white- and dark-skinned grapes. Peach and berry flavors are balanced by a spicy, green-herb tinge to the finish.
Really taut, tight wine, its mature toastiness embedded in a steely, mineral, very dry texture. The acidity is assertive, wonderfully refreshing, so crisp. It may be 18 years old, but it looks likely to age for several years yet.
Really toasty, honey and lemon style of Chardonnay, tight and crisp. There are plenty of green plum and grapefruit flavors. Deliciously crisp, while also ripe.
Really too ripely sweet and hot for comfort, even though the alcohol is only 14%. Tastes like oven-baked cherries and blackberries, with lots of caramel.
Really too sweet, simple and soft to earn a better score, this has syrupy flavors of citrus fruits and raspberries.
Really youthful, with almost grapy aromas buttressed by mocha and lifted, slightly leafy notes. This is a big wine, marked by thick, chewy tannins on the finish, but they never obscure the flavors of grape skins, tapenade and mocha. Try after 2018.
Really? A five-buck Oregon Riesling? It's light, lemony and tart, but it's real wine, simple and plain, yet fine with shellfish or other light seafood.
Reasonably accurate on the nose for Leyda Sauvignon Blanc, but also a little pickled smelling. Feels chunky and a little flat, with mild flavors of green apple and citrus. Finishes somewhat bitter, like walnut or almond skins, with a green-banana flavor.
Reasonably broad and full-bodied, this is a solid example of Chardonnay from the Pfalz. Dried spices accent pineapple and melon fruit, finishing on a crisp, citrusy note.
Reasonably complex for such an inexpensive wine, with crunchy red-berry fruit framed by slightly unintegrated timber notes. Without much tannic structure, the alcohol shows a bit of warmth on the finish.
Reasonably nice peach, melon and apple flavors are nothing extraordinary, but together they make for a decent nose. The palate is soft but not what you'd call flabby, while flavors of pear, apple and banana are innocuous and shouldn't send anyone running to the door. For best results, drinknow.
Reasonably priced for a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the 2005 Vieux Lazaret displays lovely kirsch aromas balanced by subtle spice, remarkably pure fruit flavors and a rich, creamy texture. This full-bodied effort is drinking well now, and should continue to do so for at least 10 years.
Reasonably priced for the quality, Waimea's 2008 Barrel Selection Pinot Noir is surprisingly rich and layered for the vintage, with savory notes of mushrooms, coffee and roasted meat backed by ample black cherry and plum fruit. Drink now–2015.
Reasonably sweet (25 g/l residual sugar) but not overly so, this soft, easy-to-drink wine features melon and citrus notes. It's a light style, pretty and attractive at a good price.
Rebula is known in Slovenia as “The Queen Of Brda.” This orange wine has aromas of toasted hazelnuts, black Chinese tea and mulled citrus rind. It's fermented with its skins and barrel aged for two years. A pleasant nutty oxidative character characterizes the finish. It would make any wine geek proud to pair it with a juicy steak.
Recalling the time when Cahors was on the pilgrim route to Santiago in Spain, this wine is a solid, structured example of Malbec. Textured berry and black currant fruits are still developing alongside the dark, dry tannins. With the tannins and the final acidity, it needs to age. Drink from 2017.
Recalling the zesty style from New Zealand, it offers aromas of cantaloupe and crushed tomato vine along with exotic fruit that all carry over to the palate. It has a crisp, refreshing finish.
Recently implemented winemaker and cellar changes make this one of the best Sassicaias ever. This Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc blend delivers thick concentration and sun-kissed aromas of black fruit, prune, dried bay leaf, black olive and tobacco. The thick, fertile soils that characterize the magical strip of coastal Tuscany at Bol-gheri help shape amazing richness and intensity.
Recently relabeled with an Umbria appellation instead of the smaller Torgiano designation, Torre di Giano is a celebrated wine that represents the light, fresh style of Italian whites. The blend is Vermentino, Trebbiano and Grechetto, with a bouquet that's redolent of stone fruit, citrus and dried basil.
Recently, Angove's various Warboys Vineyard bottlings have been consistently excellent; the 2014 blends 57% Shiraz and 43% Grenache to good effect. It's full bodied, creamy and supple, combining vanilla notes with hints of mint and an ample dose of cherry-berry fruit. Drink now through 2022.
Recioto's saturated ruby color is irresistible and Fabiano's version is an excellent example. The aromas are vibrant and generous, including black cherry, blueberry, exotic spice, caramel, toasted almond and chocolate. This wine has a chewy texture with sweet tannins and long-lasting chocolate-like flavors.
Recioto della Valpolicella is one of the rare red dessert wines enhanced by a strong tannic structure. This extra density and richness is what makes these wines such a perfect pairing partner to chocolate-based cakes and puddings. This expression delivers layers of fudge, smoke, roasted almond and exotic spice.
Recioto is a dark red dessert wine that pairs with chocolate fudge or spongy spice cake. This expression shows loads of dark sweetness and firm fleshiness backed by aromas of cinnamon, clove, cherry candy and blackberry jam.
Recognizably Pinot with its raspberry, cherry and spice flavors, silky tannins and crisp acidity, and gets the job done. But there's an awkward sweetness of residual sugar and a thick, gluey texture that lacks zest and crispness.
Recognized by its eye-catching orange label, Piccini's Chianti is the kind of wine you'll want to pack in your picnic basket or backpack for outdoor excursions. The wine is bright, compact and its lightweight mouthfeel won't weigh you down.
Recognized for its good value, Saint-Romain is particularly strong on white wines. This wine, from old vines, shows some concentration and rich fruits that are balanced by toast flavors. It is a ripe wine with a strongly refreshing feel at the end.
Recommended with caution. The sample this note is based on was weighty and smooth, with apple and floral notes and then an almosty buttery palate with baked apple and citrus flavors. Oddly, it's a soft, ripe wine that's fading and not showing much Sauvignon Blanc typicity.
Record heat in the Dundee Hills in 2015 brings extra richness to this bone-dry rosé. Bright strawberry fruit flavors are set in a bed of racy acidity. It's as fresh and flavorful as a rosé can be, so enjoy it before 2016 draws to a close.
Recuerdo is the house brand from the Vines of Mendoza project, which is relying on young Tupungato vineyards that expand annually. This vintage shows floral berry aromas along with Middle East spice notes of cumin and curry. In the mouth, it's sharp and hollow, like an elevator that skips floors. Clipped flavors of boysenberry are acidic, while the finish lacks substance.
Red-berry aromas are at once jammy as well as sharp. In the mouth, this is chunky but also choppy. Intense flavors of berry fruits come with a cherry note, while the finish is earthy in flavor, with some roughness to the lasting tannins.
Red-berry aromas are damp, mulchy and not fully fresh. On the palate, this wine feels sticky, while flavors of briny, herbal red-berry fruits turn salty on the finish.
Red-berry aromas come with a note of beetroot. This feels choppy and abrupt on the palate, with cherry and plum flavors. A light dusting of cocoa rises up on the finish. This will work best if lightly chilled.
Red-berry aromas feature a hint of raisin along with oaky notes of shoe polish and lemon. A pinched, grabby, high-acid palate contains rubbery flavors of berry, plum and citrus. On the finish, oak flavors and controlled bitterness settle in.
Red-berry fruit with a heavy dose of herb and bell pepper marks this red blend. The mouthfeel is smooth, but the acidity is high and the wine finishes slightly tart, with a green note. Another victim of this tough year. (We'll look forward to the 1999.)
Red-berry fruits and a core of tannins make up a wine that has structure and the potential of some fine fruits. It is juicy with plenty of acidity at the end to give the wine a lift.
Red-berry fruits and a full-bodied texture form the hallmark of this ripe wine. It has spice, a rich character that is generous and fruity. The wine is ready to drink.
Red-berry fruits and soft tannins give a wine with some juicy acidity and spice. The firm aftertaste shows that it is still needs time. Drink from 2018.
Red-berry fruits dominate this already delicious wine. Allied with the acidity and the toasty wood aging, it is balanced while, of course, still young. It has potential, rich with tannins and with fine fruits. The wine is structured, needing time. Drink from 2025.
Red-berry fruits dominate this crisp, clear wine with its direct line of acidity and light aftertaste. It's aromatic and full of life.
Red-berry fruits dominate this still-young wine that has dark tannins and concentration. Spice and wood-aging flavors still show strongly. Drink from 2019.
Red-berry, forest floor, crushed herb and tobacco aromas follow over to the fresh medium-bodied palate along with notes of menthol and star anise. Smooth tannins provide polished support. Drink through 2028.
Red-berry, rose, crushed herb, and espresso aromas come together on this while the dense palate doles out black cherry, fleshy raspberry, grilled herb and a hint of clove. Tightly wound, assertive tannins leave a firm finish. Drink 2018–2023.
Red-cheeked apple peel and freshly-cut apple tart on the nose make for an irresistible opening. There is a bright, lemony streak of acidity at the core, cushioned by soft mousse and a soft background of yeasty autolysis. This is slender, taut and refreshing, with a completely satisfying chalky, stony background.
Red-cheeked apples, juicy pear and Mirabelle plums comes out to play here, tightly held by brilliant acidity. The undertone of herbal savoriness is glimpsed and will come to the fore as this ages. Drink as of 2016.
Red-cherry and strawberry aromas meld with rich fruit and warm baking-spice flavors to make this full-bodied wine hard to resist. The style is in the ripe, pastry shop mode, and soft tannins and acidity complete the picture.
Red-cherry flavors dominate this soft fruity wine. It is aromatic, full of ripe fruitiness and with just the right touch of acidity. Drink now.
Red-cherry sauce, sagebrush, bay leaf and peppercorns show on the nose of this bottling that offers an intense density of aromas. The structure is firm and grabs hold of the palate, where flavors of tart red cherry, chaparral and slate combine.
Red-currant aromas indicate this is a crisp style of rosé. Its red fruits are shot through with acidity and with a taut mineral texture. It is fruity but with a zesty tangy character that contrasts with the fruit. Drink now.
Red-currant fruit flavors shine through this light fresh wine. Although there are tannins, it is more about the crisp fruits and acidity. Drink this from 2018.
Red-currant jelly aromas and a floral character are followed by a soft-textured, caramel-flavored wine. It has a ripe feel, that's gentle and rather too easy.
Red-currant, strawberries and a touch of passion fruit almost give this a summer-cocktail vibe. It's very refreshing, with frothy, lively fizz. This wine spells party mood and is ideal for informal gatherings with its fun, off-dry and utterly fruit-driven nature.
Red-fruit and citrus aromas create an astringent sensation on the nose. In the mouth, this is rather dilute and wiry in feel. Flavors of cranberry, pie cherry and orange peel finish herbal and lean.
Red-fruit aromas are spicy and fresh, as is the palate, which offers some weight and body along with strawberry, pepper and sweet oak flavors. On the finish, it's peppery but a bit hot.
Red-fruit aromas carry a distinct citric edge, while the palate is made up of sweet cassis and cherry flavors along with an incongruent orange essence. The feel is a bit hard and pedestrian, while the finish is quick and ordinary at best.
Red-fruit aromas come with a hint of animal, something that's not uncommon to Bobal. An expansive palate is mildly abrasive, while chunky plum flavors end with heat and skins-driven bitterness
Red-fruit aromas come with notes of leather, spice and stalkiness. Spiky acidity creates a sharp mouthfeel that turns earthier as the acids fade. The flavor profile is tart, with herbal leanings and raspberry. A slight bitterness and not much fruit are what you get on the finish.
Red-fruit aromas lead the charge, but they come with a green, candied component. This is flabby in feel, with minty berry flavors and a modest finish.
Red-fruit aromas of currant and raspberry aren't sophisticated but they are good and fruity. Firm and solidly built, this likeable, easy-drinking blend offers plum, blackberry and raspberry flavors along with a loamy finish that contains a ripe hint of raisin.
Red-fruit aromas of raspberry and plum come with a note of catmint. Fresh, snappy and true to the variety on the palate, this tastes of plum, tomato, herbs and barrel spice. A lean, fresh finish closes things out. Compared to prior years, this seems leaner and lighter in body.
Red-fruit aromas operate solo on the bouquet. This feels tight, crisp and fresh, with plum, berry and peppery spice flavors. A dry, slightly abrasive and scratchy finish deals juiciness and lasting red-fruit flavors.
Red-fruit flavors abound in this ripe and full wine. A blend of local grapes with Merlot, this has a smooth texture with tannins cushioned by the rich fruits. Touches of spice and wood give an extra complexity.
Red-jelly aromas are followed by a wine that has tannins and a soft texture. The fruit is way behind the tannins, hinting at its potential in a wine designed for concentrated fruit. Leave this wine to bring out the fruit and drink from 2019.
Red-jelly fruit flavors suggest the fruit for this wine was superripe. That gives an unbalanced character between the tannins and the fruit. Acidity at the end is a more hopeful sign.
Red-plum and strawberry fruits are combined with a firm structure in this ripe wine. It has attractive acidity to give enough freshness. Drink from late 2016.
Red-violet in the glass, this wine has a nose of black cherry, cocoa and freshly ground coffee. It is soft on entry, but velvety tannins and flavors of blackberry, vanilla, espresso bean and a soft hint of cocoa powder render it a more sophisticated quaff than first sip would suggest.
Red and black berries bring out the richness of the year, masking the seriously tannic structure. The wine has great spice, richness and a dark, smoky core of powerful tannins. For long-term aging, but delicious now.
Red and black berry, dark spice and Mediterranean herb aromas lead the nose on this straightforward, friendly wine. The juicy, savory palate offers crushed black cherry, black berry, dried herb and peppercorn alongside smooth, enveloping tannins.
Red and black berry, leather, menthol and balsamic scents lead the nose on this structured but polished wine. The palate brings together succulent sour cherry, coffee, clove, eucalyptus and balsamic notes alongside bracing tannins. Drink 2018–2040.
Red and black cherry and crushed blackberry unite with hints of cinnamon and clove in this medium-bodied wine. With ample depth and elegance, this takes time to open up but provides a lovely, velvety texture, with ripe but still textured tannins. This is ready now but will also benefit from cellaring.
Red and black currants, wild berries and a graphite minerality show on the nose of this attractively priced wine. The palate is a tad sweet, showing dark red fruits.
Red and black licorice figure into the soul of this softly smooth and likable mountain wine. Classic in its approach, and relatively medium bodied, it's lithe and elegant in texture, with faint traces of cedar, graphite and crisp currant.
Red and dense in color, with plum and raspberry aromas supported by a strong scent of barrel char, this is a generous, plump Pinot showing a mix of plum, berry and herbal flavors. A long-lasting, oaky finish concludes this oak-rich, fuller-bodied offering.
Red and yellow apples are the fruity markers of this crémant—their fruity flavor pervades the light-footed palate that fizzes with gentle froth. There is a bitter edge on the palate but also some autolytic, yeasty backbone, lending a bit more substance. Have this full-fruited yet light-bodied sparkler with food and it will come into its own.
Red apple and brioche aromas are tinged with lemon. The palate has the same fruit, richness and freshness, but expresses this with lightness and ease. It's a versatile sparkler, ideal for both apéritif and dinner. The finish is dry, balanced and elegant.
Red apple and cranberry flavors dominate nose and palate with their appetizing fruity tartness. The palate with its restrained dosage does its best to put the fruit flavors into the spotlight, highlighting them with frothy lightness and finishing dry and fresh.
Red apple and grapefruit zest are softly evoked on the nose. That same juicy combination plays on the light-bodied, dry palate. A zesty texture adds interest and crunch. The finish is clean and very refreshing.
Red apple aromas are slightly overripe in nature, with citrus zest adding verve. The light-bodied palate is zippy and brisk, offering a fresh-pressed apple flavor.
Red apple aromas form the core with pear and yellow melon on the fringes of this stainless steel Chardonnay from Lompoc's Kenneth “Joey” Gummere. The tart green apple and pear skin acidity is expected, but it retains a full body—a prime example of a stainless Chard that's sleek but not overly austere.
Red apple skin and applesauce dominate the nose of this Primitivo from Puglia and make it hard to find the wine's natural berry fruit. You will detect some chocolate and spice, but it's not easy behind the apple cider. The wine is sour, thick and dense.
Red apple, honeysuckle, Key lime and the slightest hint of flint show on the nose of this bottling from a Temecula producer. Broad white-peach flavors imbue the palate, cut by sour citrus and marmalade touches.
Red apple, light pineapple and key lime cream show on the nose of this twist-top bottling from the regionally pioneering Smith family. The palate is tightly wound and full of intriguingly delicate depth, offering pencil lead, shiso leaf, daikon radish, lemon-lime, sea foam and oyster shells.
Red apple, pink rose petals and orange-laced bubblegum combine for a light and refreshing nose on this delicate, Pinot Noir-based rosé. There is good energy and verve to the sip, which is nearly effervescent at first, then delivers slightly sour watermelon, strawberry and red-plum flavors.
Red apple, savory yeast and zesty lemon unite in this white field blend from lower Austria. Nimble on its feet with freshness and a zippy, crunchy but light body, this calls for a sunny, hot day where refreshment should come in as light a package as possible.
Red apple, spice and honey aromas lead to medium-sweet fruit flavors. It brings some appeal but the concentration doesn't seem all there.
Red apples abound on the nose of this fresh, taut and wonderfully clean and crisp Riesling. The palate is just off dry and the tension between crunchy apple and tart citrus makes you want to go on sipping, just to get that lovely lip-smacking finish again.
Red apples, sourdough bread, cherry blossoms and strawberry zest show on the nose of this ever-so-slightly pink wine. The sipping experience is reminiscent of a fizzy, foamy mouthful of Pop Rocks flavored by sour cherries, altogether fun, tart and delicious.
Red berries and blueberry mix with stewed rhubarb and a hint of sweet spice. The ripe berry flavors carry through to the mouth, but the finish reveals a hint of Band-Aid.
Red berry and blue flower aromas lead the way on this easy-drinking red. Light and simple, the slim palate has delicate nuances of strawberry and a hint of dark spice alongside relaxed tannins and bright acidity. Drink soon.
Red berry and cherry flavors mark this bright, juicy wine. Soft tannins and a firmer extract show on the midpalate, along with vivid acidity on the finish. Drink in six months.
Red berry and cola aromas come with a cool menthol note. It feels chunky and jammy; the moderate-to-soft acidity creates a rubbery palate, with cherry and plum flavors. The finish turns sweet like caramel and slightly stewed.
Red berry and herbal aromas are firm and focused on the nose. A snappy palate deals savory and fruity flavors of red berry, olive and mint. Firm tannins and driving acidity push the finish a bit further.
Red berry and intense white pepper aromas lead the nose on this bright, easygoing red. The fresh, easy-drinking palate offers wild cherry, clove and toasted almond alongside loose knit tannins. Serve chilled for an ideal summer red.
Red berry and mild matchstick aromas augment the resiny oak scents from being barrel fermentation. It's juicy, fresh and healthy in the mouth, with a mix of red fruit and stone fruit flavors and a finish that's mild, consistent and long.
Red berry and pastry dough aromas lead the nose on this zesty, refreshing sparkler. On the tangy palate, crisp acidity and a lively perlage back up candied cherry, crushed raspberry and a hint of citrus zest.
Red berry and plum aromas form the base of this wine's fresh, uncomplicated bouquet. It feels juicy and bright, with good layering and aggressive flavors of berry and plum. The finish is dry and snappy, with mild oak and spice flavors.
Red berry and rose aromas come together on this young red. The fresh, straight-forward palate offers black raspberry and a hint of clove alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2017.
Red berry and spice aromas make up the bouquet on this limited-production wine. Herbal flavors of olive and berry finish oaky, blackened and minty.
Red berry and violet aromas take center stage on this youthful red. The round juicy palate offers ripe black cherry and a hint of licorice framed in supple tannins.
Red berry aromas and cherry and candied fruit are backed by spice, horsehide and tobacco. The mouthfeel is thinner, streamlined and still a bit raw.
Red berry aromas and spicy fruit give a wine that is ripe and smooth, with just the lightest of tannins. It's all fruit—juicy and open. Drink now.
Red berry aromas follow through to an attractive, simple, juicy wine, a core of tannins surrounded by chunky, rustic fruits.
Red berry aromas signal an attractive wine that is fragrant and fruity yet has enough tannins to age. Drink from 2019.
Red berry aromas with touches of earth and cola form the nose of this Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend. The linear, chalky palate is textured, while flavors of berry fruit, coffee and cola lead to a short finish.
Red berry flavors and a soft-but-spicy texture give this now-mature wine some ripeness. It has a raspberry jam character that's laced with acidity; its tannins are soft and mature.
Red berry fruit with touches of vanilla and spice give this bargain-priced Pinot a candied but inviting set of aromas. The palate runs on fresh fruit, and overall it's all about clean, forward juicy flavors and very little extra. A nice aperitif Pinot Noir.
Red berry fruits are right up front in this juicy, fruity wine without great sense of structure. No matter, it's attractive and fresh now, ready to drink.
Red berry fruits give this approachable wine a crisp edge rounded out with a broader texture, with touches of spice and red cherries. The aftertaste is lively, fresh and light.
Red berry fruits great freshness and brightness to this fruity wine that has tight acidity as a balance. The wine is crisp, young and layers light tannins at the end.
Red berry white pepper and saline aromas carry through to the simple light-bodied palate along with a hint of almond. It's fresh and easy drinking, with bright acidity. Enjoy soon.
Red berry, aromatic herb, blue flower and baking spice aromas emerge on this firmly structured wine. The young, tense palate shows bright red berry, white pepper, clove, anise and a hint of ground pepper while bracing tannins and brisk acidity provide the framework. Drink 2019–2031.
Red berry, aromatic herb, eucalyptus, leather and iris scents come together in this. The tightly wound and linear palate offers crushed cherry, cranberry, cinnamon and star anise flavors set against a backdrop of austere, fine-grained tannins and firm acidity. Give it time to unwind and integrate. Drink 2018–2043.
Red berry, aromatic herb, pressed violet and dark spice aromas meld together in the glass. Firmly structured, the palate boasts intensity and energy, offering dark cherry, licorice and mint set against a backbone of fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. It's well balanced but young so give this time to fully develop. Drink 2020–2032.
Red berry, baking spice and grilled herb aromas lead the nose. The taut palate doles out succulent black cherry, raspberry, licorice and a mint note alongside firm but polished tannins. Give this time to open up and unwind. Drink 2017–2024.
Red berry, baking spice and leather aromas meld together along with a whiff of aromatic herb. The already accessible palate offers dried cherry, tobacco, smoke and a salty note of cured meat framed in seasoned tannins. Drink through 2021.
Red berry, baking spice and scorched earth aromas waft from the glass of this straightforward red. The easygoing palate offers red berry, cinnamon and a gamey note alongside smooth but rather fleeting tannins. It's at its ideal drinking window so drink now.
Red berry, baking spice, mint, leather and rose petal aromas emerge on this beautiful, balanced Barolo. It shows remarkable freshness for the vintage, offering juicy wild cherry, raspberry, licorice and a balsamic note alongside polished tannins and bright acidity.
Red berry, camphor, dried Alpine herb and a whiff of espresso are some of the aromas you'll find on this firmly structured red. On the young, taut palate, assertive fine-grained tannins frame red cherry, star anise and coffee bean. It's still young, with a tight, tongue-drying finish. Drink 2023–2033.
Red berry, cedar and light spice aromas lead the way on this dazzling red. The vibrant palate is loaded with finesse, delivering bright red currant, red raspberry, white pepper and chopped herb alongside bright acidity and firm, polished tannins. Impeccably balanced, it's loaded with elegance, energy and intensity but it's still young, so give it time to fully develop. Drink 2020–2038.
Red berry, cherry and pepper on the nose and pepper, red berry and smoke on the palate offer simple, easygoing flavors in an affordable package. A straightforward red.
Red berry, chopped herb, blue flower and menthol all come together on this elegantly structured red. The juicy, accessible palate offers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and a hint of vanilla alongside round tannins. Drink through 2021.
Red berry, chopped herb, toast and a whiff of French oak are some of the aromas that take shape in the glass. The palate is taut but elegant, offering bright wild cherry, licorice and vanilla flavors, while tightly wound, fine-grained tannins leave a firm finish. Give this time to unwind and fully develop.
Red berry, cinnamon and vanilla mingle playfully in this personality-laden Cab. The combo of pretty and slightly wild flavors works well—and firm tannins and structure mean the wine will age nicely. Imported by Monsieur Touton.
Red berry, citrus and a floral note lead the nose on this racy sparkler. The vibrant palate shows sour cherry, tangerine and pastry cream alongside refreshing acidity and a vivacious perlage. A walnut note closes the finish.
Red berry, citrus, hazelnut and a hint of Alpine herb lead the nose on this vibrant sparkler. A blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, the racy palate doles out strawberry, cherry, nectarine zest and a hint of crystallized ginger alongside a vibrant persistent perlage.
Red berry, cooking spice, tilled soil, new leather and violet are some of the aromas you'll find on this vibrant red. The polished palate offers tart red cherry, strawberry fresh herb and espresso alongside supple tannins and bright acidity.
Red berry, crushed stone and herbs aromas open. The vibrant, polished palate delivers tart cherry, strawberry, tangerine and a hint of pastry alongside zesty acidity and small, persistent bubbles.
Red berry, dried rose, leather, eucalyptus and baking spice aromas slowly take shape in the glass. The ripe, juicy palate offers black cherry extract, raspberry, anisette and clove alongside firm, refined tannins. A tobacco note wraps up the finish. Drink 2017–2022.
Red berry, dried rose, truffle and a hint of scorched earth aromas come together on this solid, no-frills Barolo. The straightforward palate delivers wild cherry, ripe strawberry and a hint of cake spice alongside firm, ripe tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2016–2021.
Red berry, dried wild herb and yellow spring flower aromas mingle in the glass. The bright refreshing palate offers up juicy morello cherry and raspberry before closing on a tangy note.
Red berry, fragrant blue flower, dark spice and a whiff of eucalyptus come together on this one. The taut, structured palate offers dried black cherry, licorice, clove and a hint of grilled sage. Firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity provide balance and support. Drink 2020–2032.
Red berry, green herb and tobacco are the lead aromas on this Cabernet-Syrah blend. Feels grabby but structured, with a big, loud mix of ripe berry, plum, subtle spice and earth. Rounds out and unfolds on the finish.
Red berry, iris, chopped herb and culinary spice aromas come together in the glass. The round approachable palate offers mature cherry, raspberry, pipe tobacco and star anise framed in lithe tannins. Drink through 2023.
Red berry, leather and aromatic herb aromas slowly appear in the glass along with a subtle whiff of violet. The taut palate is still tightly wound, offering red cherry, cranberry and star anise alongside youthfully assertive fine-grained tannins that leave a firm finish.
Red berry, Mediterranean herb and a balsamic note of eucalyptus lead the nose on this polished red. The poised, balanced palate offers wild cherry, cranberry and a touch of exotic spice while smooth tannins and bright acidity provide a glossy framework.
Red berry, menthol, grilled sage, leather and a whiff of oak lead the nose. The palate boasts a weightless concentration, offering raspberry compote, oak-driven spice, white pepper, licorice and a mineral vein that weave together around a backbone of fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2019–2029.
Red berry, pressed flower and a whiff of damp earth lead the nose. The diluted palate shows raw cherry, clove and gamy note alongside brisk acidity. It's rather rustic and lean, with a short, bitter finish.
Red berry, pressed rose and balsamic aromas lead the nose. The structured palate offers juicy black cherry, grilled herb, licorice, clove and a hint of mocha accompanied by firm, velvety tannins and fresh acidity.
Red berry, pressed violet, tilled earth and new leather are some of the aromas you'll find on this. On the concentrated palate, notes of licorice, clove and tobacco accent a core of black cherry set against a backbone of firm fine-grained tannins. A coffee note wraps up the finish.
Red berry, pressed violet, tilled soil and a whiff of tobacco lead the nose. Firm and refined, the delicious palate doles out wild cherry, crushed black raspberry, mint, white pepper and menthol. Tightly knit but polished tannins and fresh acidity provide structure.
Red berry, rhubarb, herb and smoke aromas show in this lighter, claret-styled Zin. Good acidity supports its tart cherry flavors, and the herb note in the bouquet reprises on the finish, accompanied by an attractive pepperiness. Balanced and attractive, it will pair well with many foods.
Red berry, rose and a sprinkling of baking spice aromas unfold in the glass while the firm, youthful palate offers tart red cherry, strawberry, star anise and white pepper. It's young but balanced, with bright acidity and assertive but refined tannins that leave a firm finish. Drink 2019–2024.
Red berry, rose and anise aromas mingle in the glass. The firm palate is still closed, but offers raw red berry, menthol, sage and anisette. It's still rather primary but has the structure to evolve and develop complexity. Drink after 2019.
Red berry, rose and clove are some of the aromas you'll find on this bright, supple red. The smooth palate offers juicy black cherry, crushed strawberry and white pepper alongside fresh acidity. A mineral vein underscores the savory flavors and energizes the finish. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy soon. Drink through 2018.
Red berry, rose petal and eucalyptus aromas carry over to the savory, white-pepper-laced palate. It's an easy-going wine built on supple tannins. Enjoy soon.
Red berry, rose petal, white pepper and chopped herb are just some of the aromas you'll find on this. The bright full-bodied palate delivers crushed raspberry, dark cherry, star anise and tobacco alongside firm refined tannins and vibrant acidity. It's already tempting but will be even better with more bottle age. Drink 2021–2033.
Red berry, rose, blue flower, tilled soil and Alpine herb aromas set the pace on this luminous red. The firm palate is still young and closed but already shows ripe red berry, wild cherry, mocha anise, clove and a hint of toast. Youthfully assertive but refined tannins and fresh acidity lend structure and balance. Drink 2019–2029.
Red berry, rose, iris, aniseed and forest floor aromas lead the nose on this structured red. The full-bodied palate offers juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, coffee, white pepper and cinnamon framed in firm, fine-grained tannins that lend elegance and structure.
Red berry, rose, leather and baking spice aromas come together in the glass. The structured, juicy palate doles out ripe black cherry, licorice, roasted herb and tobacco alongside firm, velvety tannins. Still young and bracing, give this a few more years to fully develop. Drink 2018–2028.
Red berry, rose, tilled soil and a whiff of baking spice aromas almost jump out of the glass. The lively palate doles out juicy black cherry, raspberry, clove and orange zest alongside vibrant acidity and supple tannins that give this wine a smooth mouthfeel.
Red berry, spice and floral notes of rose and blue flower lead the nose on this wine. The palate delivers ripe red cherry and raspberry accented with thyme, sage and mint with hints of espresso and toast. Well balanced, it conveys just enough freshness and firm but fleeting tannins.
Red berry, sweet cherry and ripe plum aromas come with a touch of leather. The palate feels a bit sharp and acidic, with tangy, juicy flavors of plum and wild berry as well as some stalkiness. Cleansing and long on the finish thanks to high acidity.
Red berry, tilled soil and blue flower aromas take center stage on this easygoing red. The bright palate shows juicy Marasca and a hint of cinnamon alongside brisk acidity and lithe tannins. It's made for sheer drinking pleasure so enjoy soon.
Red berry, tilled soil, leather, aromatic herb and clove aromas slowly take shape in the glass, together with a balsamic note. The bright, elegantly structured palate doles out layers of black raspberry, ripe black cherry, white pepper and licorice while firm, refined tannins provide the framework. It's subtle and loaded with finesse. Drink 2017–2022.
Red berry, toast and black spice aromas lead the nose, accented by whiffs of espresso. The palate offers licorice, clove, dried cherry and vanilla notes, while a backbone of fine-grained tannins provides support.
Red berry, tobacco and sweet oak lead on this exemplary Pinotage, whose mocha, red fruit and smoke flavors offer South African character with an elegant edge. It's balanced and smooth but still hearty enough to stand up to dishes like grilled, sliced meat and stew.
Red berry, underbrush and coffee bean aromas lift out of the glass. The medium-bodied palate delivers red cherry, clove and tobacco notes, with firm tannins that grip the finish.
Red berry, underbrush, baking spice and leather aromas lead the nose. This is pretty straightforward by Barolo standards, offering morello cherry and light cinnamon flavors framed in firm tannins. Drink 2019–2025.
Red berry, underbrush, crushed herb and a whiff of porcini mushroom aromas lead the way. Linear and rather straightforward, the palate offers juicy sour cherry, cranberry and clove alongside polished tannins. It won't take years to come around. Drink 2019–2025.
Red berry, violet and a whiff of clove lead the nose. Bright and fruity, the refreshing palate doles out crushed raspberry, wild cherry and a savory note of pink peppercorn.
Red berry, violet and a whiff of moist earth lead the nose on this simple red. The lean, rather diluted palate shows tart sour cherry, cranberry and a hint of graphite alongside bracing acidity. Fleeting tannins give it an abrupt finish.
Red berry, violet and aromatic herb scents unfold in the glass while the juicy palate doles out crushed red cherry, strawberry, mint and white pepper. Bright acidity and firm, polished tannins provide impeccable balance. Drink after 2018.
Red berry, violet and baking spice are some of the aromas you'll find on this elegant, balanced red. Savory and smooth, the silky palate doles out red cherry, strawberry compote, cinnamon and star anise, all framed by polished tannins and bright acidity.
Red berry, violet, leather and crushed culinary herb aromas unfold in this ripe and rounded wine. The palate offers juicy red cherry, star anise and ground sage flavors alongside solid, seasoned tannins. It's already surprisingly accessible. Drink 2018–2027.
Red berry, white chocolate, clove and dried sage aromas lead the nose along with a whiff of espresso. The medium-bodied palate doles out red raspberry, cranberry and coffee bean while firm tannins lead to a tight, astringent close. Drink 2021–2033.
Red berry, white pepper and dried herb aromas lift out of the glass along with a whiff of espresso. Linear and rather lean, the vibrant palate offers sour cherry, clove, toast and a hint of oak-driven spice. Firm close-grained tannins grip the finish.
Red berry, white pepper, crushed herb and a balsamic note lead the nose on this elegant red. The tense, mid-weight palate offers raspberry, tart cherry, anise and clove framed in taut, polished tannins and bright acidity.
Red berry, wild cherry, earthy underbrush, tobacco and clove are just some of the aromas and flavors you'll find on this vibrant, elegant blend of organically farmed Sangiovese (95%) and Canaiolo. Fermented with wild yeasts, it combines finesse and sheer drinking pleasure.
Red berry, wild mint, crushed rose, forest floor and new leather are just some of the aromas you'll find on this fragrant delicious red. Seamlessly boasting structure and finesse, the full-bodied palate displays layers of succulent morello cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and cinnamon while firm velvety tannins lend support and a polished texture. A savory saline note wraps up the lingering finish. Drink 2018–2026.
Red bery, chopped herb and ground clove aromas carry over to the light-bodied simple palate. Lightly-knit tannins provide the easygoing framework. Enjoy soon.
Red Chassagne-Montrachet used to be found more than white in the past. This wine has a ripe, earthy character that brings out structure and tannin as well as strawberry fruits. It has a juicy as well as smoky character with spice and solid tannins in the background. Drink from 2019.
Red cherries and jelly fruits highlight a wine that is ripe and soft. A hint of acidity puts the sweetness into attractive relief.
Red cherries and rose-petal extract waft into the plush nose on this bottling, which also discloses fresh acidity. The palate offers sour cherries, red bricks, chopped marjoram and cooked beef flavors.
Red cherries give this wine a soft open feel. It is light on structure, more about crisp acidity. Drink from 2018.
Red cherries, dark spices of clove and anise and gingerbread show on the nose of this wine from the Foley family portfolio. Darkness pervades the concentrated palate, with black fruits, dark chocolate, beef char and condensed purple flowers. It's so deep that it lacks noticeable flavor layers.
Red cherries, dried violets and clove-laced maple syrup aromas combine into an intriguing nose for this appellation blend. It's quite hedonistic and fun on the palate, ready to drink down quickly, with deep red fruits and vibrant spice, though it does not have the complexity of Loring's single vineyard bottlings.
Red cherries, pure and ripe, are the heart of this soft wine. It's a bit low in acidity, but a few drops of Petite Sirah, Carignane and Alicante help give it structure. At four years of age, it's ready to drink now.
Red cherries, sagebrush and darkly colored slate elements power the tight nose on this wine from an estate located just east of the Sta. Rita Hills, which owner Blair Pence is trying to expand. The palate shows cracked peppercorns, cranberry-raspberry juice, lots of fresh energy and a decent amount of tannic grip.
Red cherries, sagebrush and dried violets show on the nose of this clonal selection. The medium-bodied palate offers even-keeled flavors of red cherry, cranberry and cracked pepper, providing lots of flavorful action on a relatively light frame.
Red cherry and currant mix with sweet sawdust and anise-spiced gum on the nose. Medium-bodied, with a plush feel, juicy red fruit flavors pervade on the palate. Light tannins make this an easy sipper—enjoy alone or with lighter proteins.
Red cherry and dark berry meet with fresh turned soil, tree bark and potpourri on the nose of this bottling. The palate is light in body but full of flavor, showing juniper, oregano, wild thyme, cranberry and darker boysenberry touches.
Red cherry and plum aromas are citric in style, while the palate is quite citrusy, too, with flavors of plum skin and pie cherry. This finishes tannic and grabby.
Red cherry and raspberry aromas lead the bouquet, with secondary notes of red currant and savory herb in the backround. This is medium weight, with dusty but gripping tannins and a firm structure.
Red cherry and raspberry flavors in this Cabernet Sauvignon show remarkably fresh and pure. It's a juicy, approachably fruity wine but also structured keenly by zesty acidity and fine, firm tannins. Surprisingly well balanced for a big, ripe red.
Red cherry and wild strawberry suggest themselves aromatically. The light body is fresh and equally aromatic, slender, lithe and elegant. This is a very continental, balanced and rounded Pinot Noir, all the more charming for its unfussy, fresh-faced authenticity.
Red cherry aromas lead to a wine that is curiously structured with firm tannins and jammy fruit that is not in balance. “Natur” means the winemaker did not add sulfites during wine production.
Red cherry flavors dominate this fruity wine. Its soft texture and sweet juiciness are given backbone by a light tannic element. It's ready to drink, a rich and dense wine with joyful acidity.
Red cherry fruit comes laced with light tannins, giving this bright wine an open, juicy character.
Red cherry fruit spiced by gentle white pepper notes makes for an enjoyable, fresh and joyful red. This combines the virtues of fruity, cherry-ish Zweigelt with the more sumptuous, fuller-bodied and spicy notions of Blaufränkisch. If you are new to Austrian reds, this pretty much is exquisite Burgenland in a glass.
Red cherry fruit, with edges of white pepper, plays charmingly on both the nose and palate. The svelte figure of the wine belies its depth: this has subtle, Burgundian virtues and earthy undertones that provoke stimulating conversation and thought. An ideal accompaniment for subtle, nuanced dishes or a really good book.
Red cherry is the main theme here although there are subtle shadings of white peppercorn and dried flowers within its lean, ruby-colored essence. The wine imparts a sour note on the palate and has a quick, tart finish.
Red cherry meets with tar, wet herbs and cinnamon stick on the nose of this wine. Framed by a decent tannic structure, the palate boasts flavors of more red cherry and thyme.
Red cherry, a touch of cinnamon, purple flowers and baked vanilla cookies show on the nose of this wine. Black cherry and gingerbread spice consume the palate, which also offers a rocky minerality and a vanilla foam finish.
Red cherry, brick, dust and dried-earth aromas arise from this blend of 30% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 15% Grenache and 11% Nebbiolo from San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Forest-floor flavors of pine needle and turned earth show on the palate, along with light cranberry and cherry fruit.
Red cherry, caramelized black cherry, roasted pork and wet slate show on the rich, smoky nose of this bottling by Doug Margerum. Tight pomegranate, strawberry and hibiscus touches appear once sipped, and the palate packs lots of earthy flavors. It's acid-rich and dynamically layered, so drink from 2018–2024.
Red cherry, clove, cola and a touch of pepper make for an intriguing nose on this rosé. The palate is a touch viscous, lacking the expected brisk acidity, but it's quite flavorful—more cherry and spice flavors with a hint of wild game.
Red cherry, crushed gravel and a defined oak scent show on the nose. The sip starts with fresh yet dark red fruit, leads into a vanilla-laced, slightly sweet midpalate, and finishes on a touch of charred beef.
Red cherry, kola nut, root beer, brown spice and a touch of smoke pull the nose deeply into this bottling by Blair Fox and Eli Parker. Baked red and black plum, a touch of mulberry and bloody, earthy flavors mark the palate, which is quite complex and bound together with a strong tannic structure.
Red cherry, leather and spice aromas start this lively, spicy red from Skouras. On the palate, more rustic leather and sour cherry flavors mingle with mocha and a mineral-accented finish. This is a pert, plucky wine with soul.
Red cherry, olallieberry, pencil lead and herb aromas show on this blend of Zinfandel, Syrah and Grenache. The tip of the palate offers sagebrush and eucalyptus followed by dense black raspberry, presented with acidic zing and tarry structure.
Red cherry, red currant, mushroom and sandalwood flavors mark this appealing wine. Bone dry, with good acidity, it's a fine wine to drink now, but it should also age for quite some time, without necessarily gaining in complexity.
Red cherry, ripe cranberry, clove, star anise, dried plum skins and slate converge on the fairly complex nose of this bottling, with a label that features a whimsical map of Santa Barbara County. Light cranberry fruit meets with bay leaf on the sip that offers decent grip.
Red cherry, root beer, a touch of sage and bay leaf and an shiitake-powered umami sensation decorate the nose on this wine from one of many single-vineyard expressions in this producer's portfolio. The palate shows cooked cherries and cranberries that float across a Mediterranean elements of olive, fig balsamic and menthol.
Red cherry, strawberry and black-pepper aromas follow through to the simple rustic palate along with hints of cured meat and bitter almond. It's vivacious, with lively acidity.
Red cherry, vanilla, chaparral scrub and cranberry puree show on the nose of this bottling from the longtime estate, and then come the intriguing olive and Middle Eastern spices. The palate hones in on that Mediterranean spice character, with Kalamata olives blending into lavender, exotic mulberry and thyme-laced cherry-plum sauce.
Red cherry, vanilla, spicebox and a touch of flowers leads the nose on this poised Merlot/Limnio blend. On the palate, the wine is elegant and laced with clove, mushroom and bright berry flavors. A unique wine at an unbeatable price.
Red cherry, white sage, iron and roasted game notes make for classic Central Coast Pinot Noir aromas in this appellation blend from winemaking veteran Stephen Dooley. It's light, fresh and easy to enjoy, with dried cherry and anise flavors and a grippy texture.
Red chewy fruit that's succulent and satisfying defines this wine that takes a straightforward approach to oak and tannin, integrating them both well. Cherry and cassis linger on the sizable finish.
Red currant and alpine herb aromas lead the nose on this blend of Schiava and 5% Lagrein. The bright palate offers sour cherry, strawberry, tangerine zest and a touch of toasted almond alongside fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity.
Red currant and cherry aromas meet an odd tone of coconut sunscreen on the nose. Tart red berries mark the medium-bodied palate, with mild tannins and acidity leading to a short toasted-vanilla finish.
Red currant and dried-herb aromas lead into sweet cranberry and cherry flavors. It goes down easy.
Red currant and fresh strawberry make for an enticing, inviting nose and carry on to the frothy, dry, slender palate. This is an easy, refreshing but wonderfully clean and fruity pink fizz.
Red currant and plump red berries are lifted by hibiscus and violet notes on the nose of this wine by Matt Brain and Josh Baker. It's quite ripe with plum, pomegranate and cherry fruit on the palate, but also relatively light in texture. Elegantly complex, it also discloses pipe smoke and eucalyptus elements.
Red currant and red berry fruits show strongly in this wine from Virginie Aubrion's biodynamic vineyards. The tannins are strong, although leaving space for the fruitiness. It needs to develop, with good acidity likely to come through. Drink from 2016.
Red currant and red cherry fruit mark this wine's nose. Its palate is slightly dilute, with an herbal tisane touch. A light-bodied, country-style red that will do well when chilled and in a picnic basket.
Red currant aromas are an immediately attractive start for this light, fruity wine. With its crisp acidity and bright red currant and raspberry fruit, it's lively and ready to drink.
Red currant, black cherries and a touch of dried oregano show on this blend of 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 10% Grenache. The mouthfeel is quite full of flavor although relatively medium-bodied, with red cherry and blackberry fruit flavors cut by a pencil lead minerality. Easy to quaff and quite hedonistic.
Red currant, blackberry and cedar aromas mingle in the glass. The focused, elegantly structured palate delivers juicy black cherries, crushed raspberries, tobacco and white pepper alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. A licorice note closes the finish.
Red currant, blackberry, espresso, wood shavings and cedar aromas unfold in the glass. The palate offers dried black cherry, anise, coffee, coconut and oak alongside alongside drying tannins that leave an astringent finish. The fruit is starting to dry up so drink sooner rather than later.
Red currant, cranberry sauce, seasoned tomato and curry spices frame the nose. On the palate, the exotic elements continue, with gram masala and black cardamom flavors, which makes for a very savory, noteworthy and nicely rounded experience. Serve with Indian curries or try chicken mole.
Red currant, French oak, espresso and cedar aromas emerge on this blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The taut palate offers sour cherry, licorice, grilled sage and oak-driven spice alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins that grip the finish.
Red currant, grapeseed, smoked meat and cracked concrete show on the nose of this blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Tart red plum skins, darker boysenberries and coffee elements arise on the palate, where sticky tannins and a very powerful acidity frame the sip.
Red currant, red plum, licorice and dried herbs are pronounced on the nose. The palate is tart and slightly medicinal in character, with charred oak and spice coming through as well.
Red currant, sweet cedar and warming spices on the nose lead into like flavors on the palate. Slightly tart with a smoky edge, the wine is overall a good everyday sip. Pair with pastas, hamburgers, lamb.
Red currant, vanilla, toasted oak, coffee and chocolate aromas lead the nose and follow through to the dense, full-bodied palate. It's one-dimensional but muscular, with ample, velvety tannins.
Red currants dominate this textured rosé that has a mineral element along with its fresh fruit and tight acidity. The aftertaste is brilliant with crispness.
Red currants, balsamic-laced strawberries and darkly colored herbs emerge off of this wine by Grenache specialist Mikael Sigouin. There's a lot going on in this very flavorful wine, with Bing cherry fruit balanced by a graphite-like minerality.
Red currants, black cherry, bell pepper, mocha, black pepper and blue flower all meld together in this juicy blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 15% Petit Verdot. The palate is shy on fresh acidity but still inviting thanks to juicy fruit and velvety tannins.
Red dusty berry cobbler marks the entry to this estate wine co-fermented with 2% Petite Sirah. Milk chocolate, nutmeg and clove play supporting roles in this otherwise bright, food-friendly wine with measured oak impact.
Red fruit and citrus notes show through tight acidity on this slightly bitter wine touched with sulfur aromas. It's dry and sharp in style. Screwcap.
Red fruit and spices—cinnamon, pepper—dominate the nose of this solid, easygoing Agiorgitiko from Nemea. The palate offers perky red berry, spice and minerals in a full-bodied and smooth package. A dependable, elegant red.
Red fruit and wood are both prominent in this wine. A juicy red-currant character shows through the high-toast flavor. Attractive and fruity, it is likely to develop quickly. Drink this soft wine from 2018.
Red fruit aromas are a bit rough and scalped in front of a chunky palate. Charred, burnt, oaky flavors of raspberry and cassis stress ripeness and weight before finishing with buttery oak, a slightly greasy feel and roasted berry flavors. Drink through 2020.
Red fruit aromas are common and clean, with ample oak and spice on the side. The palate is flush, juicy and quite tannic, with berry, cola, mocha and toasty oak flavors along with a tough, grippy feel. A five-grape blend that's forceful, fully oaked and tannic.
Red fruit aromas are fresh and sharp, yet tight and linear. The palate follows suit by way of tart citrus overpowering cherry and raspberry flavors. A dash of spice lingers on a semisour finish.
Red fruit aromas come with green notes of tomato leaf, oregano and sage. It tastes tangy, with flavors of tobacco and red berry. The finish is stalky and herbal tasting.
Red fruit aromas dominate this youthful wine. On the palate, it's still tight, with fine red berry fruit flavors interlaced with tannins. The structure and acidity suggest it will age, so drink from 2019.
Red fruit aromas of plum and cranberry are green and grassy, with snap. This has an edgy, grating feel and herbal flavors of raspberry and red plum that turn green before finishing short.
Red fruit aromas pervade on the nose, with cigar box and menthol notes riding in the back. The palate is slightly restrained on entry, but opens up to riper notes of cherry and plum specked with crushed pepper. This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc is approachable now and ready to be enjoyed.
Red fruit aromas show strongly in this wine. With its juicy acidity and soft tannins, it has fine fruitiness and will age quickly. Drink from 2019.
Red fruit aromas, soft tannins and a warm feeling permeate this full, fruity wine. It has an open, generous texture, packed with cherry and red berry flavors and layered with acidity. The wine ends fresh and fruity with a touch of tannin.
Red fruit dominant, this has fine tannins and a juicy berry flavor. It's ripe, soft and open, with a touch of dark chocolate and an herbal finish. Glass stopper.
Red fruit dominant, this tight Syrah also offers whiffs of grenadine and perfume.
Red fruit dominates in this tightly woven, firmly tannic wine, blended with 9% Petite Sirah. Hints of charred campfire oak support black pepper, cinnamon and berry, the texture smooth and soft.
Red fruit dominates this attractive, light wine that shows the acidity of the year while also suggesting light tannins. The aftertaste has a touch of smokiness. It will develop quickly.
Red fruit in the nose is accented by a little tomato, some juniper and blueberry, and a fair amount of barrel char. Features a mouth of leaner black cherry and tart plum. Finishes dry, and with mouth-coating tannins. Now it's harmonious, but it could use some time to soften up.
Red fruit notes of currant and cherry are bright, with a slightly spicy undertone and zesty acidity. This light-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Dornfleder and Cabernet Franc is accessible and easy, with mild tannins providing just enough structure to hold it together.
Red fruit notes with touches of tannin dominate this wine. It is tight, with a bitter cherry flavor that suggests this bottling needs some age. There's a firm feel overall, suggesting this will work better with food than as an apéritif.
Red fruit, cassis and sweet rubbery notes define the ripe bouquet. Feels medium to full in size, with leafy flavors mixed with plum, vanilla and oak. Red fruits including strawberry and raspberry work the mildly oaky finish.
Red fruit, sucking candy and milk chocolate cover the bouquet, but the palate is sharp and raw, with spiky, semisour raspberry and cherry flavors. There isn't much to this wine. It's sharp, edgy, elastic and lean. On the plus side, it's clean.
Red fruits abound in this lovely bottle, notably cherries galor. There's a streak of sweet orange, underscored with bracing acidity, a lick of cola, and balanced, supporting tannins. The wine thins out just a bit sooner than one might wish for.
Red fruits and a bold color emphasize the fruitiness of this wine. It's ripe with some tannins that do need to soften; however, the explosive fruits are the stars here. Drink from 2017.
Red fruits and a cool edge characterize this wine from the highest elevation of the Beaujolais cru villages. It has red cherry fruitiness, a crisp layer of acidity and a dry, smoky aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
Red fruits and a soft tannic profile give a ready-to-drink feel. It's generous, balanced, the black fruits giving a sweet, jammy feel. Pepper and spice at the end are paired with juicy acidity.
Red fruits and banana aromas lead to a wine that has a lightly tannic touch over bright cherry fruits. Intense acidity and a herbaceous character come from grapes that are barely ripe. Drink now.
Red fruits and light acidity are paired in this simple, fresh rosé. It is light and bright with just a touch of warmth to bring out the sunshine. Drink now. Screwcap.
Red fruits and soft tannins give this rounded wine a generous feel. It has spice and rich berry fruits that are lifted with a touch of acidity. Drink this attractive wine from 2018.
Red fruits and spice along with mineral acidity give this wine interest as well as freshness. Juiciness dominates, with subdued tannins behind the wall of fruit. Age maybe for 1–2 years.
Red fruits are what drive this easy, fragrant wine. The tannins play a supporting role, which gives the berry flavors structure. A blend from two Douro estates, this attractive selection will be ready to drink in a year.
Red fruits dominate a wine that is rich, full-bodied with a firm, tight structure. Round the firm texture there is a richer, ripe fruit character, dense and juicy. The wine can be aged, but it is ready to drink.
Red fruits dominate this rich wine. It has great balance and a smooth texture, with red plum, loganberry and caramel flavors. With its structure, it could even age a year.
Red fruits dominate this wine that is ready to drink. It has berry flavors, generous tannins and sweetness at the end. Drink this attractive wine from late 2017.
Red fruits dominate this wine with its soft tannins and wild strawberry flavors. It is young, although with its gentle texture it is ready to drink now. The wine comes from the northern part of the Mâcon region.
Red fruits dominate this wine, which features medium body and minimal tannin. A hint of nail polish intrudes on the nose of cherries and red raspberries, but the wine finishes with a fine, silky feel. Drink now.
Red fruits drive this tangy, fruity wine that is given shape by a more mineral texture. With dusty raspberry and plum flavors, it is shot through at the end with citrus.
Red fruits show strongly in this crisp and lightly tannic wine. A bitter edge spoils the purity of the fruitiness and leaves a dry taste in the mouth. The aftertaste brings back the freshness.
Red fruits, barrel smoke and chipped slate make for an intriguing although not entirely integrated nose on this single-vineyard bottling. The palate shows red berries, wet clay and hints of anise.
Red in color and pretty clean on the nose, where raspberry and rose petal essence come together. The palate is acidic and tight, with tangy watermelon and peach flavors carrying the cleansing finish. Juicy to the extreme, but a good partner for food.
Red in color as if it were Merlot, with generic but entirely pleasant berry fruit aromas. The palate is round, creamy and comfortable, with oak-infused berry and plum flavors. Slightly resiny on the finish, with a peppery aftertaste. Solid Chilean Pinot Noir. 10,000 cases produced.
Red in color, and definitely smelling and tasting like Malbec. And while you want to like it more, there are some glaring flaws here, namely a weak bead that turns it flat. Furthermore, there's rhubarby sourness at the core. Has its moments but needs more work.
Red in color, with berry and apple aromas, this is sweet, with a heavy body and light effervescence.
Red in color, with fresh aromas of nectarine, orange peel and red currant. For a 2010 this is still fresh and sturdy, with cleansing acidity and focused flavors of citrus and red berry fruit. Eminently drinkable, with a long finish for basic rosé. Drink immediately.
Red in color, with grassy aromas of clover and cherry. The palate runs soft and a little cloying, with sweet, flat, grassy flavors of plum and cherry. Candied and a bit dull on the finish.
Red in color, with non-punchy aromas of strawberry and red apple. It feels heavy and thick, with red fruit flavors that don't bring enough refreshment to the glass.
Red in color, with sweet aromas of sugar beet, Red Delicious apple and cherry. It feels zesty, with simple flavors of red fruit and red apple. The finish is dry and a touch peppery. Drink immediately while it's fresh.
Red licorice, rhubarb and green herb aromas are balanced by toast, spice and berry notes. The palate feels hard and dense, with herbal berry and olive flavors. Chocolate and additional herbal flavors carry the finish.
Red Mountain fruit from Obelisco, Kiona and Klipsun vineyards make up the heart of this wine, with Dionysus, Olsen and Oasis rounding it out. High-toned aromas of vanilla, herb and jammy black cherry lead to polished dark-fruit flavors. It brings a lot of enjoyment.
Red Mountain fruit from three different sites is used to create this delicious Syrah, laced with powerful flavors of coffee liqueur and chocolate. Cofermented with a dash of Viognier, it's satiny and citrusy, speckled with pepper, and maintains an elegant precision for a wine that offers such richness.
Red Mountain is not especially known for its Gewürztraminer other than the late harvest wines from Kiona. Here it has been blended with 12% Marsanne, resulting in a spicy, off-dry (1.4 residual sugar), rather yeasty wine.
Red plum and cherry aromas struggle to overcome notes of rubber and wet forest floor. Light weight with soft tannins and a short finish.
Red plum and cherry surround soft, firm tannins, medium acidity and plenty of well-constructed structure, unimpeded by oak. A hint of leather, dried herb and bay leaf accent it well. Although the wine is powerful, it's not overdone, instead offering balance.
Red plum and currant aromas are a touch soupy but also suggestive of cherry Kool-Aid. This Garnacha-led blend is clacky and fairly acidic on the palate, but then it turns on itself to show raisin, loam and baked plum flavors. A lively finish gives it a boost out the door.
Red plum and grapefruit flavors lead the wine down a crisp path. As it develops, it shows some weight and richness, with a hint of truffle, spice and caramel.
Red plum and scratchy, herbal aromas form a decent bouquet. This Cab is modest and edgy in feel, with equally raw and edgy red-berry flavors that finish quick and punchy.
Red plum and small berries lead the nose of this Merlot, with hints of dusty dried blackberry in the back. The palate offers similar flavors, with a touch of sweet spice hanging on to the short but clean finish.
Red plum and strawberry compote rise faintly from the glass. The palate is fruity but dilute, easy and clean. Drink soon and possibly chilled a little to accentuate the freshness.
Red plum compote is at the center of this wine, a 100% varietal, with hearty bursts of herb and green pepper, as well as savory spice. From the cooler Coombsville appellation, it is soft, round and on the paler, thinner side of Napa's ripeness spectrum, more restrained.
Red plum flavors are spiced with wood aging and enlivened by zesty acidity. It is a fruity, lightly structured wine showing rich fruit tones. Drink now.
Red plum, dark cranberry, composting rose petals, dried ginger and earthy mushrooms show on the slightly funky, slightly sweet nose of this bottling. The palate begins with a sour plum skin and tart raspberry kick, then leads into a core with hints of pine needle, juniper and turned loam.
Red plum, kirsch, eucalyptus and baking spice show on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard on the inland eastern side of the appellation. The palate offers juniper, pine, loam and tea flavors against the bright red cherry fruit, with an encompassing acidity that is strong but not searing.
Red plum, leather and toasted oak aromas emerge in the glass. The hearty robust palate offers blackberry jam, dried black cherry, toasted hazelnut and clove framed in tightly packed but polished tannins. Drink 2018–2025.
Red plum, raspberry and dusty aromas are solid and clean. This has citric acidity that props up the palate. Generic flavors of citrus and nectarine finish with a distant note of red plum and red currant.
Red plum, tomato and brambly herbal aromas set up a snappy, astringent palate with strained raspberry, spice and herbal flavors. Very dry and acidic as it transitions to the finish. An herbal, sharp-edged red.
Red plum, white sage, graphite and iron combine for a well-defined nose on this bottling from an iconic vineyard in the region. Winemaker Aaron Walker walks the line between depth and lightness on the palate, where light cranberry fruit pairs with smoked meat, oregano and marjoram seasonings.
Red raspberry and cherry offer a depth of fruit flavor in this full-bodied, robust wine that's buoyed by moderate acidity. The cherry is seasoned in baking spice and black tea, as accents of toasted oak lean into rich vanilla.
Red raspberry is at the core of this crisp, fresh and medium-bodied estate wine, savory in cranberry and tea. Seamless and silky, it finishes tart, a complex example of a cool site and cool vintage crafted by an experienced winemaker, Jeff Pisoni.
Red Rock is the warmest of the producer's estate blocks, seven north-facing acres holding high-iron soils. The wine pleases instantly, showing a mix of dried herb, spearmint and dark cherry within a structured, accessibly oaked and mellowed package.
Red rose and blue floral aromas accompanied by wafts of black fruit and spice lead the nose on this bright Chianti Classico. The lively, juicy palate offers bright sour cherry and raspberry accented by notes of sage and thyme. The palate is restrained by fresh acidity, while solid but ripe tannins stay to the finish. This wine cries out for a hearty dish of pasta or mildly seasoned cheeses.
Red rose, bright berry and anisette aromas lead the way. The taut palate offers sour cherry, tobacco, clove and chopped herb alongside bracing tannins and brisk acidity.
Red rose, iris, perfumed berry and baking spice emerge on this stunning, vibrant wine. The elegantly structured palate offers crushed raspberry, juicy red cherry, cinnamon and chopped herb while fresh acidity and polished tannins provide a bright, elegant framework. Drink 2018–2027.
Red rose, mature wild berry, dark cooking spice and a balsamic note are some of the aromas you'll find on this gorgeous wine. The structured, elegant palate delivers juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice pipe tobacco and mocha balanced by firm, silky tannins and surprising freshness for the vintage.
Red rose, wild berry, toast, tobacco and a whiff of underbrush meld in the glass. On the firm palate, notes of clove, ground pepper, cinnamon, anise and mocha accent the red berry core. Firm, fine-grained tannins offer structure.
Red rose, woodland berry and ground spice aromas lead the way on this expressive, delightful red. The vibrant palate offers juicy morello cherry, crushed raspberry and white pepper framed in zesty acidity and silky, smooth tannins. It's incredibly easy to drink.
Red sparkling wine is always an acquired taste, especially when it is a tannic, tart version like this. But this is as fine as a red sparkling Vinho Verde can be. Pair it with sardines.
Red violet in color, this wine offers a bouquet of black cherry, raspberry, apple peel and nutmeg. There are flavors of black cherry, eucalyptus, flint and black tea, with a touch of tart cherry. Strong but not overpowering tannins remain on the palate, along with flavors of mint and fresh berries.
Red violet in the glass, this blend of 85% Öküzgözü and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon has a nose of butterscotch and black cherry. Flavors do not coalesce completely, with cool notes of menthol and clove prevailing over flavors of tart cherry, raspberry and a hint of iodine.
Red wine doesn't get much smoother—and values in Pinot Noir don't get much better—than this. The wine has attractive red- and black-cherry aromas, a sense of richness on the palate and a silky mouthfeel that's hard to resist. Subtlety and restraint keep this wine from tiring the taste buds.
Red wine doesn't get richer or more delicious than this Rhône-style blend of five varieties, based on Grenache. It's flamboyant in raspberry, cherry and milk chocolate flavors, yet the sweetness is balanced by fine acidity and a mushroomy earthiness. Drink now–2014.
Redcurrant and cranberry freshness plays on the nose and palate, where they are overtaken by a bright, clean citrus streak. The fine bubbles fizz away, dispersing this lively, invigorating freshness across the palate where an edge of sourdough appears. It's a taut, brisk and refreshing wine.
Redcurrant and tart blackberry set the tone, a slender and taut body follows with supple, barely-there tannin and wonderfully refreshing acidity. As a lighter red, this is great for lunch or to go with charcuterie.
Redde's top wine, named after the winery, is rounded, rich and full in the mouth. Flavors of toast and ripe pear combine with tangy acidity, producing a complex, intensely fruity wine that should age for two years.
Reddish-orange in color, this is a high-toned, citrus-laden wine that retains fresh flavors of grapefruit and mandarin orange. It stays crisp and dry on the palate, with just a tiny suggestion of its time in neutral oak. Pomegranate and a tang of sour cherry finish things off.
Reddish-orange in color, this nonvintage reserve sparkler combines 76% Pinot Noir and 24% Chardonnay expertly into exuberant flavors of raspberry and grenadine. Ripe, it's full of life and decadent, finishing in balance.
Reddish-pink and orange in color, this wine made from Cabernet Franc grapes works on every level, offering a taste of pomegranate and fresh-squeeed orange that keeps it dry and refreshing as it goes down. Given no time in new oak, it exhibits watermelon and cherry on the finish.
Reddish in color and big on the bouquet, with sweet berry and cherry aromas. The palate is full and fun, with acidity and heavier, sweeter flavors of strawberry, raspberry and sweet plum. Handles its size well. Made from 80% Garnacha and 20% Graciano (for acidity).
Reddish in color, this wine smells of wet stones, cherries and fresh-cut grass. A somewhat flat palate is home to candied but generalized red-fruit flavors. It's decidedly sweet on the finish.
Reddish in color, with raspberry and other high-toned aromas. The palate is fleshy but clean, with good acidity pushing slightly sweet cherry and raspberry flavors. Finishes with sugar and a good mouthfeel. Gets the job done.
Reddish in color, with solid aromas of tire rubber, cherry and plum. The palate shows fine lift and balance, and the flavors of juicy, slightly pithy and bitter raspberry and plum are just right for Navarran Garnacha-based rosé. Drink soon with salads and finger foods.
Rede is at the cooler western end of the Douro vineyards, known for its table wines rather than Ports. This ripe, toasty wine has a generous tannin and fruit structure. Red berry fruits dominate the texture, along with a lightly mineral character. The wine could age, so drink from 2016.
Redhawk makes a value-priced lineup of Pinots, and in 2009 it is the two least expensive that have the most varietal character and charm. Concentrated cherry candy fruit builds depth and interest with a wash of mint and menthol. It's full-bodied and mouth-filling, and the flavors linger a long time.
Redhawk makes an interesting lineup of value-oriented Pinots, this one just a cut above their popular Grateful Red. Medium bodied, it carries fruit flavors of raspberry and plum, with a hint of dark chocolate from aging 13 months in 20% new oak.
Redolent of dried cherries and violets, granite and slate, this late-release Merlot is already dropping elegant hints of its maturity. Concentrated with crisp black cherry flavor, it balances lavish texture alongside brisk acidity and minerality. The finish is long and meandering. It's delicious now, but sure to improve further from 2020 on.
Redolent of fresh citrus, peach, pear and fragrant white flower, this is a wine to drink on a hot summer day by the pool.
Redolent of intense grapefruit and pineapple, this is a classy, fruit-driven single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. Although this is aged entirely in stainless steel, there is a hint of cracker on the finish.
Redolent of moist pipe tobacco and exotic spice, like cardamom and clove, this is a massive wine that hits all the senses in full force. Dark fruit and prune notes add a light impression of sweetness to the otherwise superchewy, thick mouthfeel.
Redolent of mushrooms and forest-floor aromas, this barely hints at fruit, and what is there could be any thin, generic red wine.
Redolent of peach, lemon soda and crushed flint, this sparkler would be pleasant to consume at outdoor picnics or summer barbecues.
Redolent of ripe red berries and cherry blossoms, this semisweet Moscato has a delicate, sugar-laced quality, balanced by bright citrus and apple flavors. Crisp in acidity, it's easy drinking and refreshing on the finish.
Redolent of sweet plum compote, this semidry Missouri rosé made from native Catawba grapes is an interesting alternative for White Zin fans. Full bodied, with a slightly sugary palate, it finishes with a hint of that foxy Catawba musk. Drink now.
Redolent on the nose, with bright and pungent aromas of lime peel, cut grass and passion fruit, this is an indicator that Vermentino could excel in Temecula. The strong smells tighten on the sip, showing white peach and cherimoya flavors that are restrained by a sharp acidity and wool-like minerality.
Redolent with melon and pineapple, this medium-bodied unoaked Chardonnay is simple, fruity and clean, with a tart, citrusy finish. Drink now.
Redolent with ripeness and lavish caramel-vanilla tones throughout, this blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Syrah is very much an Austin Hope wine, alluring in aromas of lush blackcurrant, kirsch and melted chocolate on the nose. The palate is rich with espresso, German chocolate cake and crème de cassis, surrounded by flavors of molasses, brown sugar, coffee candy and even Scotch on the finish.
Reduced and dominated by tannin and oak, this large production offering is earthy and spicy, with full-bodied texture and weight. It finishes slightly green.
Reduced and extracted aromas burn off over time to unveil a full-bodied expression of juicy red fruit and cedar that opens in the glass. It finishes in tea and leather.
Reduced and extracted, this is a hearty blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Viognier. A juicy backbone of high-toned cherry is met by pretty aromas of violet as broad-shouldered body weight and texture provide a meaty edge.
Reduced and extracted, this old-vine wine is smooth and velvety, powerfully made to reflect rich, ripe red berry and a layering of brown sugar. The finish is lean and reminiscent of black licorice.
Reduced and extracted, with 10% Syrah blended in, this big-boned wine imparts big tannins around a taste of boysenberry, strawberry and tobacco.
Reduced and green on the nose, with an overriding aroma of beet juice. Thick and almost cloying, with a jammy, stewy, stemmy set of flavors that finish herbal and green. Has darkness and weight but little more; 50% Tempranillo and 50% Garnacha.
Reduced and highly concentrated, this powerful wine is brooding in black peppercorn, leather and a wealth of black color and black fruit. Chewy on the entry, it softens and integrates over time, getting better in the glass as it goes, a rich, rewarding mix of blackberry, clove and cigar.
Reduced and slightly green, this wine shows a preponderance of puckeringly dry tannin and grippy oak amidst its ripe black fruit.
Reduced and thickly concocted, this wine overpowers in big tannin and oak. The fruit presents a mix of cherry and cassis wrapped in dark chocolate, burly and a good fit for the power thirsty.
Reduced aromas of cassis and blackberry come with a whiff of wet dog. This foamy sparkling red is heavy on the palate, without much delicacy. Black cherry and boysenberry flavors are candied but not cloying, while a foamy, blocky finish is fruity yet ponderous due to low acidity.
Reduced aromas of iodine, latex and blackberry lead to a tannic, grabby palate with baked blackberry, licorice and rooty flavors. A warm, stewy, earthy finish is where grabby tannins dominate. This is a bold, powerful wine that could benefit from some cellaring time.
Reduced aromas of rubber and iodine are potent. In the mouth, this feels narrow and citric, with pronounced acidity. Flavors of black fruits are salty and pinched, while the finish lacks clarity and body.
Reduced aromas provide significant distraction at the outset, with floral and tropical notes fighting to get to the surface. The palate doesn't entirely stay together, as if the wine can't make up its mind which way it wants to go. White grapefruit flavors come through on the finish.
Reduced blueberry sauce hovers around a spiced cherry core. A rich palate of tangy blueberry and blackberry feels thick, yet there's enough acidic kick to keep it in check. The grippy tannins give ample support.
Reduced gritty foresty aromas revolve around herbal berry and plum fruit. This feels heavy, concentrated, tannic and slightly collapsed. Dark blackened herbal berry and chocolate flavors finish hard due to abrasive tannins and enamel-peeling acidity.
Reduced in a weight of oak and tight tannins, this wine takes time to come around and develop any juiciness to the palate, offering a mix of red cherry and cranberry laced in forest and spice. It finishes quick and lean.
Reduced initially, this wine shows a feral herbal side, a sign of its cool-climate sourcing, which provides a funky personality. Mushroom, clove and a thickness of earth all make a play to be center of attention.
Reduced jammy berry aromas precede a gummy palate. This tastes enriched by sugar and not entirely natural—stewy and candied on the finish. Tasted twice, with one sample refermented and spritzy.
Reduced jammy black-fruit aromas announce a scratchy palate with spritz. This multigrape blend tastes saucy and stewed, while hard tannins and a note of burnt coffee control the finish.
Reduced medicinal raspberry and cherry aromas are more like fruit juice than wine. This is choppy and off the mark in mouthfeel, while unfamiliar jumbled flavors of jammy red berry fruits finish tannic and green.
Reduced oak makes for an intense beginning. Then spicy acidity and plenty of earthy loam provide varietal character in this medium-bodied, textured wine.
Reduced on the nose, and showing strong barrel influence, this is a tangy, grippy, weighty wine. It's ripe and tightly wound, a sign of the vintage and most likely, vineyard site. Needing time to open in the glass, it unwinds slowly.
Reduced on the nose, this massively intense and tannic wine is big, dense and juicy, broadly etched in leather, blackberry, currant and black licorice. Full-bodied and oaky, it shows the concentration of the vintage and the ripeness of the appellation and style.
Reduced on the nose, this wine's petrol-like aromas dissipate as it opens, unveiling a sharp take on preserved lemon, Gravenstein apple and subtle oak flavors, its acidity reasonably sharp.
Reduced on the nose, this wine has a nuttiness and a petrol-like quality that colors its otherwise thin dried plum flavor. Low in oak, it will pair well with traditional Italian fare.
Reduced on the nose, with blueberry, boysenberry and syrupy aromas that reflect the 55% Malbec in this Malbec-CS-Syrah blend. The palate is rich but flat, with dark flavors of black fruits, blueberrry and black licorice. Chunky and a little off the grid, but still good for a bulky wine.
Reduced on the nose, youthfully, the reduction blows away to reveal a fruity landscape of blueberry and blackberry that's ripe yet light. Spritzy acidity freshens a hearty body and supportive oak.
Reduced prune aromas are rubbery, herbal and not fully convincing. On the palate, this is gritty, tannic and tight, with tomatoey acidity. Oaky grapy flavors are compact, while graphite is noted on a finish that's weighted down by bulky tannins.
Reduced rubbery aromas of blackberry and black currant come with a touch of mushroom. This is extracted, heavy and blocky on the palate, while baked blackberry flavors are massive but short on elegance. Bitter coffee flavors, rugged tannins and stickiness make for a heavy finish.
Reduced when first opened, this wine shows its lemony, fresh apple notes with a bit of air. It has the lovely midpalate texture and freshness inherent to good Chardonnay and fills the mouth with citrus and orchard fruit notes. Slender, structured and fresh-faced, it only needs some time to breathe.
Reduced wild-berry aromas are granular but succeed in setting up a firm, tannic palate. Flavors of blackberry, cassis and prune end with cookie-like notes of Graham cracker as well as toast. As a whole, this Syrah-Garnacha-Cabernet Sauvignon blend is muscular, tannic and brawny; drink through 2020.
Reduced, and cradled in big oak, this wine is spiky and savory, intense and tart, with a densely overripe notion of syrupy cherry and berry.
Reduced, condensed aromas of jammy berry fruits are herbal and narrow. In the mouth, this Cabernet-Malbec blend is wiry, rubbery and pinched. Flavors of prune, fig, black cherry and oregano finish blocky, with raw residual tannins.
Reduced, floral and plummy on the nose, this is a simple, blocky, tannic young wine. Medicinal berry flavors finish loud and grapy, with a grabby, tacky feel. Fruit outweighs finesse.
Reduced, foxy berry aromas come with a rubbery note of latex. The palate is full and chunky, with moderate flabby weight. Black-fruit and peppery flavors end in loamy, toasty, jammy fashion, so drink this full-bodied Mencía now.
Reduced, green aromas are wiry and suggest blueberry and black currant. A creamy, thick mouthfeel winds up soft, while flavors of oaky, green berry fruits are sweet and lack cohesiveness. Mint, alfalfa and soupy berry flavors control the finish. The blend includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Syrah.
Reduced, jammy and inky on the nose, this feels big, muscular and tannic on the palate. Blackberry, cassis and plum flavors are good and ripe, while the finish feels rubbery and tough, with toasty lead flavors and a licorice note.
Reduced, jammy aromas of blueberry and bacon turn gritty with airing. This feels heavy, chunky and struggles for balance. Stewy, medicinal blueberry flavors finish sticky, with a mix of green, candied berry and caramel notes.
Reduced, jammy aromas of boysenberry, plum and blueberry set up a woody, choppy feeling palate with tannins that need to mellow. Raisiny berry flavors are on the heavy side, while residual oak notes are prominent. A tannic, drawing finish is dense, woody and in need of settling. Drink through 2030.
Reduced, jammy berry aromas open this loud Malbec that ambles across the palate with no sense of restraint. All about gritty, screaming red-fruit flavors and baked notes, it lacks elegance.
Reduced, stewy, lightly herbal aromas blend berry and tomato scents. The acidity on this five-grape blend is pointed and overriding. Flavors of herbal berry and currant are tangy but also stewy, while the finish is long and green in flavor.
Reduced, sulfuric aromas are shaky and rubbery. This is flat, heavy and clumsy on the palate, while obtuse flavors of flabby black fruits and oak finish charred.
Reduced, with a pronounced aroma and flavor of barrel, in actuality this is a stainless-steel-fermented wine that takes on weight and density as if it spent time in wood. Meaty, it has an end note of caramel.
Reduced, with a pronounced aroma of oak, this is a simple, moderately focused wine that presents as fleshy and thick, bursting in flavors of grass.
Reductive aromas distract from the fruit and barrel notes in this wine. The palate brings medium-bodied, mouth-puckering cranberry and cherry flavors. Vanilla notes linger on the finish.
Reductive aromas take the lead and distract from the notes of apple and citrus. It drinks off dry with an elegant styling.
Reductive at first, this wine opens to show aromas of coffee, dried herbs, carob and eucalyptus, with the barrel notes initially taking the lead followed by blue fruit. The fruit flavors are silky in feel with abundant coffee and plum notes backed by rustic tannins.
Reductive elements of black coffee and damp mushrooms don't blow off on this wine, which offers plum on the palate, with a touch of mocha and cedar.
Reductive oak betrays this wine's light-bodied take on the appellation. Its waxy green apple flavor and bright acidity are deftly wrapped in toastiness.
Reductive on first pour, this wine opens to display aromas of freshly sliced red apple and melon. It drinks a hair off dry, with a fleshy, full feel.
Reductive, with strong rubber ball scents; lying just below are raspberry and the classic Champoux cherry fruit. There is a thinness that seems to emphasize the high tones, the volatility and the alcohol; the fruit lacks flesh. Maybe with more airing/decanting this would fill out. Tasting room exclusive.
Reedy and green on the nose, then choppy and clipped on the palate. For a full-priced Malbec, this is lacking in ripeness, body and finesse; it's prickly and limited, with green bean, rhubarb and cranberry flavors. Not bad but underwhelming for $33.
Reedy and minty in smell, this has a green aroma that shares the stage with cassis and plum notes. It feels gritty and choppy, with rustic flavors of burnt leaf, roasted berry and herb. The finish is short on flavor and high on heat.
Reedy aromas of olive, leather and oak are less than fruity and lush. This has a hard, edgy, abrasive mouthfeel along with pinched, salty flavors of plum and berry fruits. Earthy berry flavors and drying tannins are in charge on the finish.
Reedy berry aromas mixed with herbal notes set up a chunky, voluminous palate. Spicy flavors of olive, green herbs, tobacco and oak run alongside berry and plum fruit. On the finish, a resiny oak flavor and herbal notes meld then fade away. This is 55% Carmenère, 30% Petit Verdot and 15% Syrah.
Reedy berry, green tobacco, vanilla and leathery aromas make up the nose on this jammy, oaky Garnacha. The palate is sticky feeling, with hard, scratchy tannins. Flavors of raw oak, related sawdust and candied vanilla overshadow loamy baked blackberry notes, while the finish is mostly about wood flavor and creaminess.
Reedy cherry and berry aromas are smoky and schisty, with a high level of purity and complexity. This wine is tannic but in great shape, with lockdown structure. Schisty plum, cassis, black cherry and cocoa flavors finish firm and mildly peppery tasting, with oodles of class and aging potential. Drink through 2022.
Reedy green-leaning aromas of plum and raspberry feed into a creamy palate. This tastes primarily of herbal red-berry fruits that finish oaky, dry and spicy.
Reedy on the nose, with notes of pine and juniper to go with tobacco and earthy baked-berry aromas. It feels lively but clacky, with flavors of vanilla, coconut and secondary notes of cassis and berry. The finish is lactic and creamy, with a vanilla note.
Reedy plum and raspberry aromas are a touch floral. This feels highly regular, while medicinal berry flavors carry a mild green and weedy side note. A finish with modest raspberry and cherry notes is par for the course.
Reedy red-fruit aromas are woody and a touch medicinal. This feels round but edgy, with grabby prodding tannins. Savory herbal berry flavors with salted plum notes finish with overt oak and rubbery tannins.
Reedy red-fruit aromas feature a note of green. This is tannic in feel, with a mix of red-leaning raspberry, currant and strawberry flavors. Tea, herb and other grassy notes make for a dry finish. Overall this is excellent, although it does have an herbal character. Drink through 2028.
Reedy red-fruit aromas lack the clarity that the best wines of this style show. Grabby on the palate, this tastes of basic plum and raspberry. A raw, tannic, rubbery finish is the final act.
Reedy weedy aromas include notes of motor oil and leafy berry fruits. This tastes as weedy as it smells, with underripe herbal berry flavors that never shed an overriding green essence.
Reedy, attractive, classy aromas of red fruits, tobacco and fine herbs are like a red carpet entering the gala. The mouth is structured and tannic but not hard or biting; flavors of red berry, plum and cherry lean towards sweet, while the finish is long, medicinal and on the money. Drink now through 2014.
Reedy, herbaceous aromas suggest rhubarb and red licorice candy. This feels flat and lays heavily on the palate, while candied flavors of cherry and berry finish hot.
Reeks of heating oil at first, then slowly opens to reveal hints of honey, apple and citrus. This is a sweet but not overdone auslese, with a slightly creamy texture and layers of ripe stone fruit that linger and pick up minerally overtones on the lengthy finish.
Refermented in the bottle on its lees, this fresh and lively wine has a slightly cloudy appearance thanks to fine sediment on the bottom. Delicate aromas of white flower, citrus and stone fruit lead to a palate that delivers tart green apple, white peach and lime.
Refermented in the bottle, this fragrant, salmon-colored Lambrusco offers delicate scents of wild rose, dried berry and baking spice. The elegant palate offers raspberry, strawberry, nectarine zest and ginger alongside an ultrafine mousse.
Refermented in the bottle, this frothy, delicious red delivers rose, blue flower, juicy raspberry, sour cherry and yeasty aromas that carry over to the dry, refreshing palate. It's elegant with wonderful intensity and a juicy, lingering finish.
Refermented in the bottle, this opens with inviting scents of ripe orchard fruit, citrus, bread crust, Alpine herb and a whiff of crushed stone. The refreshing frothy palate delivers lime, tangerine zest, green apple and a hint of lemon drop alongside bright acidity. A mineral note backs up the finish.
Refermented in the bottle, this slightly cloudy sparkler is delicately scented and loaded with finesse. It offers aromas of chamomile, orchard fruit and citrus while the vibrant palate doles out pear, apple and an energizing mineral vein. A soft mousse adds elegance while racy acidity gives it a crisp quality.
Refermenting in the bottle adds nice depth to the Bartlett pear, Granny Smith apple and nectarine zest flavors. A soft mousse adds elegance while crisp acidity gives it a clean, refreshing finish.
Referring to the old-time pronunciation of this Rhône red in California, this wine is awash in flavors of baked plum, maple syrup and dried cherry, akin to raisin cake. The ripeness and rusticity are wrapped in tight, firm tannins that grip on the finish.
Refined and aromatic, this rewards your full attention. Polished cranberry and raspberry fruit flavors come with a light dash of herbs and penetrating acids. The delicate side of Pinot Noir is on display here, but in a most ageworthy package. Drink now through 2026.
Refined and beautiful. Made with a splash of Cabernet Franc that gives it a cherry pie filling richness, it's dry and full-bodied, with thick but sweetly ripe tannins framing a Sauvignonesque core of cassis. Finishes with a wonderful, grounding tug of herbs and coffee. A major achievement at this price.
Refined and complex, this limited-production, vineyard-designate wine starts with lemony acidity, but there's much more to discover as it bores down through the palate. Meyer lemons, grapefruit and nectarines are in the mix, with refreshing minerality.
Refined and delicate on the nose, this offers aromas of white flowers and wet stone. Medium-bodied, with a silky palate, it presents flavors of tart pineapple, lemon rind and struck flint. A playfully textured lemon-custard note adds length to the finish. Drink through 2018.
Refined and subtle, this shows the power of Pinot at its most elegant. The fruits are mellow, melded and lightly marked with baking spices. Smooth and showing surprising density, it has the frame and finesse to age beautifully. Drink now through 2025.
Refined aromas of toasted vanilla, spicebox, plum and tobacco are followed by vibrant waves of cherry, olive, dried herb and tobacco. The wine is elegant but has soul.
Refined flavors of lime, grapefruit, pineapple, citrus skin and stone combine in a clean crisp delightful wine. The naturally bright and refreshing acidity puts a pleasant pucker into the finish, and will have you reaching quickly for that next glass.
Refined, sleek and supple, this wine mixes trim fruit flavors of apple and papaya, firmly supported by medium-strength acids. There's a streak of baking spices, and a finish laden with buttered nuts, all in proportion, with nothing dominant. In short, this is a super-long, exceptional wine.
Reflecting a cool, rainy vintage, this smells gritty, without a lot of ripeness. The fact that it's racy and drawing on the palate follows suit. Flavors of cherry and plum are subdued, while the finish is spicy in flavor and dry and prickly in feel.
Reflecting the cool 2013 harvest, this top Chardonnay is sophisticated and subtle, without the over-the-top power of the previous vintage. Toasty and tightly wound fruit flavors spotlight apple, pear and citrus, all polished and well-integrated. Barrel fermentation and oak aging add highlights of vanilla and toasted coconut. Delicious already, it will likely improve through 2021.
Reflecting the difficulties of the vintage, this is a slightly edgy, coarsely textured wine, with sweet, oaky notes framing cherries and roasted beets. Try it with something slightly rustic, like beef stew.
Reflecting the ripe vintage, this is a warm wine. Its black currant fruit is still dominated by spice from wood aging, although this will dissipate to leave a smooth, ripe and fruity wine. Drink from 2018.
Reflecting the vintage, this Pinot is light and lithe in style. It shows tart cherry fruit and suggestions of chocolate, with bright acidity and a thin finish.
Reflecting the warm 2015 vintage, this is smooth and creamy. It has great fruitiness, recalling yellow fruit cut with a strong citrus streak. It's a wine to drink young, from late 2017.
Refreshing acidity brightens this lean, light-bodied Chardonnay. Fresh tangerine and lemon notes are pleasant but demure, shaded by more savory, rustic tones. Finishes briskly.
Refreshing and aromatic, this wine is 15% Tocai Friulano and has some good depth. Aromas like lemon and light herbs lead to deeper flavors that have a light buttery element as well as ripe apple and more crisp lemon on the finish.
Refreshing and bright, this would pair with a range of Mediterranean foods, from tomato bruschetta to fried zucchini flowers. It offers a steady flow of citrus, pear and stone fruit flavors.
Refreshing and crisp, this is a light, citrus-flavored wine. Great shots of acidity course through the wine to give an intensely fresh and fragrant aftertaste.
Refreshing and delicious, this blend of Sardinian grapes—40% Monica, 30% Cannonau and 30% Carignano—opens with aromas of rose, wild berry and a whiff of Mediterranean scrub. The vibrant palate offers juicy red cherry, raspberry and a hint of baking spice alongside bright acidity. A saline note backs up the finish.
Refreshing and easygoing, this offers citrus zest, yellow peach and almond sensations. Bright and loaded with zesty acidity, it would pair well with pasta topped by mussels.
Refreshing and fragrant, this is delicately perfumed with pressed wild flower, woodland berry and a smidge of Mediterranean herb. The vibrant, straightforward palate is full of ripe red cherry, crushed strawberry, cinnamon and orange peel alongside zesty acidity.
Refreshing and friendly, this white is a great bargain and a consistent everyday sip. The nose starts with aromas of lemon, pear and spice, and on the palate, there's a delicate balance of acid and fruit. Flavorful and fun.
Refreshing and fruity, this is quintessential Muscadet. It has a zesty character that brings out the lemon and orange flavor. Adding to the citrus fruits, there is also pink grapefruit in this fruity mix. The wine is crisp, lively and ready to drink.
Refreshing and fun, this simple informal sparkler has aromas and flavors suggesting green apple, Anjou pear and a hint of lemon zest. It's brisk and bright, with invigorating bubbles.
Refreshing and simple, this is dryish and spicy, with orange, apricot and peach flavors all accented with crisp acidity. It's easy to drink as a cocktail sipper, with little snacks, like tempura or cheesy puff pastries.
Refreshing and straightforward, this presents delicate aromas suggesting exotic fruit and a whiff of spring blossom. The bright palate offers banana, green apple, juicy citrus and a light mineral note alongside fresh acidity.
Refreshing and straightforward, with crisp white peach flavors on the palate. Nose offers floral, vanilla and citrus notes; finish offers a dash of mint or eucalyptus. There's toast here from start to finish, but it's subtle.
Refreshing and vibrant, this wine is delightfully playful in peach, pear and a lingering spectrum of citrus that gives it additional life in the glass. Light, it'll do well on its own or with creamy cheeses or oysters from the sea.
Refreshing and zesty, with peach, grass, juniper berry and grapefruit flavors that drink a little sweet, although crisp acidity cleanses and soothes the palate. This nice cocktail wine is fun and easy to drink.
Refreshing but very reserved in flavor, this wine is clean and basic. With a watery color, neutral aromas and flavors, and medium body, the effect is unassuming.
Refreshing flowers and fruit lead on the nose of this impressive Chardonnay, followed by flavors of flowers, layered fruit and a clean, acidic edge. The wine has class and character and is a perfect food-pairing choice.
Refreshing from the first whiff of green apple, fuchsia, and almond blossom, it has flavors of peach, eucalyptus, green apple, and white flowers. Harmonious tannins persist to the bright note of the vanilla custard and orange zest finish, undercut by strong minerality.
Refreshing lemon and fragrant floral aromas with a touch of mint distinguish this fuller-bodied white from an excellent producer. Softer on the palate with complex and integrated flavors of citrus and mineral, the wine is a good choice for fans of Chardonnay.
Refreshing on the nose, this clonal study shows lively and tropical aromas of Asian pear, guava, Meyer-lemon skin and that characteristic grassy note. It's racy on the palate, where green-apple rinds meet with lime skins, cement and crushed white rocks.
Refreshing on the palate with a fresh apple aroma and juicy pink grapefruits on the palate, this medium-bodied Gewürztraminer is an easy-drinking, eminently quaffable wine. Off-dry like a brisk, honey-sweetened iced tea, it finishes with a pleasant kick of spice and potpourri.
Refreshing, crisp and attractively reserved, this is a subtle but substantial wine with a smooth texture, medium body and light flavors of cucumber, mineral and kiwi. It does a fine job of cleansing the palate, and keeps you coming back for more sips.
Refreshing, dry and rather full bodied, this appetizing wine has a vividly fruity aroma, great acidity, crisp apricot flavors and a brisk finish. This will taste great as a lunch or before-dinner drink with fresh cheeses, dried meats and more.
Refreshing, fun and refined, this crowd-pleasing sparkler offers ripe Bartlett pear, green apple and a hint of nectarine drop. Crisp acidity and a lively perlage give it a vibrant edge.
Refreshing, lively, this Pinot Gris starts with aromas of grapefruit and lemon and leads into zesty flavors of white pepper, lemon and grapefruit. A touch acidic, the wine could use more fruit balance, but overall an enjoyable dry white choice.
Refreshing, sultry aromas of honey, lemon and rich spice lead this sweet Muscat from Samos. On the palate, unfolding layers of honey, nuts and citrus are kept aloft by a touch of acidity. A pretty, approachable sip with an exotic flair.
Refreshing, varietally pure and crisp. That's the Bonterra style, and this Roussanne is right there. With partial barrel fermentation, it has smoky butter and vanilla notes that frame immaculate pineapple, pear, candied ginger and tangerine flavors. Enjoy this delicious, full-bodied white wine as an alternative to Chardonnay.
Refreshingly crisp in acidity, with a clean mouthfeel and pleasantly rich peach, honeysuckle and vanilla flavors. There's even a diesel-like petrol note, like Riesling. Great value in a stylish white wine.
Refreshingly dry Champagne. With its tight strawberry flavors, it is forward and fruity. It has a fine burst of lime acidity to complement the red fruits. Not for aging, delicious now.
Refreshingly effervescent with a fresh apple and lemon nose, this dry sparkler is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The delicate lather is soft and mouthfilling with a clean minerality and pleasant lemon peel finish.
Refreshingly marked by a tangy acidity, this white is made to please, fermented entirely in stainless steel. It sings in zesty, medium-bodied layers of peach and lime that are fresh and juicy on the palate, yet it somehow maintains some unexpected complexity.
Refreshingly mineral, yet deeply concentrated in red fruit, this wine is a standout amidst a growing contingent of quality New York rosé. It's revitalizing in acidity and nuanced, showcasing hints of bramble against a backdrop of deep cherry and berry flavors. Dry, elegant and quaffable, it's an ideal summer staple.
Refreshingly quaffable, this off-dry Riesling juxtaposes juicy, sweet melon and peach flavors with fresh tangerine acidity. The finish is brisk, fringed with a delicious bristle of lime pith.
Regarded almost as a Grand Cru in its own right, the Moutonne vineyard, wholly owned by Albert Bichot, is in a corner of the Vaudésir Grand Cru vineyard. In this sumptuous year, the wine is more generous, ripe yellow fruits than mineral texture. The acidity and the tangy aftertaste are a reminder that this is from cool-climate Chablis. Drink from 2023.
Regarded as a Styrian Grand Cru, the Kranachberg produces landmark Sauvignon Blanc. In the hands of Wilhelm Sattler, the richness of the fruit, with its almost tropical spice element, is tinged with elegance as well as great concentration. There is a fresh, racy aftertaste.
Regarded in Chablis as almost a grand cru vineyard, Vaulorent has produced a superconcentrated wine, layering minerals, yellow fruits and pear skin structure touched lightly by caramel. There is great acidity throughout this impressive wine.
Regina is Renieri's super Tuscan with a feminine soul. A pure expression of Syrah, the lush wine is soft, velvety and enduring in the mouth. Its momentum holds strong thanks to afternotes of berry fruit, leather and black pepper.
Regional bubbly pioneer Norm Yost manages to coax stunning aromas and unique flavors from his sparkling wines. In this example, the nose offers pear cider and corn laced with lime and apple aromas. That cider element comes into play on the palate as well, where mulling spices blend with dried ginger for a full and intriguing sip.
Regional pioneer Rick Longoria delivers a savory, earthy wine from the vineyard he planted, with meaty aromas of shiitake and porcini mushrooms, black slate, cedar and fresh pomegranate. The palate is more reliant on peppery spice, rose-petal florals and dried herbs than fruit, though dried cherries make an appearance, especially on the lasting finish. It's great now, but will thrive for at least a decade. Drink 2018–2028.
Registering well over 16% abv, this blended Syrah nonetheless retains its complexity and avoids excesses of heat or barrel. In the blend are Mourvèdre and Merlot, adding some herbal highlights to the bright blueberry fruit flavors. This will benefit from another couple of years of bottle age.
Regrettably, this has no sweetness scale on the back label, but the 11.5% alcohol suggests that it is off-dry, as it certainly tastes. It's a heavy, honey-soaked style, perhaps due to grapes that were affected by botrytis. Apple juice and honey flavors are right in the heart of this wine, which would pair well with a simple dessert of fresh fruit.
Regular but inviting, with good berry aromas and only a modicum of baked-fruit grit to the nose. The palate is solid and fruity, with lively, grapey berry and black-cherry flavors. Finishes smooth, with chocolate notes. Easygoing, simple Malbec from San Juan province.
Reilly's 2007 Dry Land Shiraz is full bodied and velvety textured without being overbearing—trademark attributes of Clare Valley Shiraz. It delivers superripe cherries but wraps them in a cocoon of spicy, savory complexity and soft tannins. Drink now-2017.
Related to Syrah, Mondeuse is one of the main red grapes in the Savoie region. This light, fruity wine is typical of the style, with its tight acidity, attractive red fruit and touch of pepper at the end. Ready to drink.
Relatively affordable for its appellation and variety, this wine offers classic notes of cassis, currant and clove, punctuated by eccentric bursts of gun powder and espresso. The devilish characteristics are complemented by a smooth, silkiness to the texture and a measured finish of black pepper.
Relatively broad on the palate and lush in texture, this Riesling's ripe melon and pear flavors are partially balanced by hints of citrus pith. Yet it remains sweet overall, and probably should be paired with spicy dishes or cheese to show at its best.
Relatively dry, this has some firm tannins, darkened by plum skin flavors and ripe berries, lifted with acidity. The spirit element comes through as pepper and spice, giving an edge to the soft fruit.
Relatively full, and perfumed with grapes from the Muscat family, this is a perfect apéritif wine. It has a texture of pear skins, with kiwi fruit and a final finishing softness, lifted by very fresh, dry acidity. Screwcap.
Relatively light and fruity with tight tannins. The wine has fresh acidity that still dominates the texture. There is a delicious spicy element that edges around the tannic core. It seems firm, not yet ready to soften into middle age.
Relatively light bodied, this Sauvignon Blanc has pungent aromas of crushed tomato leaf and nettles. It's a green style from start to finish, capped off by lime-like acids.
Relatively light for the variety, this wine has lots of tasty, almost jammy fruit flavors, medium tannins and a smooth but gripping texture. It's very good to drink now.
Relatively light in body, with pungent overtones of boxwood and asparagus. This is a bit on the green side of the spectrum, only partially balanced by citrusy fruit.
Relatively light in color, this lower-alcohol wine from a vineyard in the Corralitos area shows dried rose petals, bergamot, lavender, cinnamon and a tiny bit of mushroomy funk on the nose. Once sipped, pomegranate, dark cranberry and orange-peel elements are lifted by pencil lead, rosemary and a strong thyme component.
Relatively light in the glass, this blend of nine vineyards from up and down the coast shows savory baked plum, cardamom dust, earthy cranberry, bay leaf and smoked meat on the nose. It's medium bodied on the palate and very down-the-middle flavor-wise, with cranberry, oregano and thyme elements.
Relatively light tones of vanilla, cranberry, tart plum skin and dried fennel combine for a nicely tight nose on this clonal study. The palate is also quite tart and focused on cranberry and pomegranate, with underlying vanilla richness.
Relatively lightweight, showing freshness rather than density, this is a fruity, red currant- and red plum-flavored wine that is lifted by a good use of wood aging, spice, and enclosed by vibrant acidity.
Relatively lightweight, the wine has soft, stalky tannins and flavors of hedgerow fruits to go with the well-judged layer of smoky wood. It is dry, firm and fresh.
Relatively low in alcohol (12.2% is the listing), this is thin on fruit but does offer soft flavors of yeasty bread dough, along with some stemmy tannins.
Relatively restrained for Viognier, with attractive fruit notes of muskmelon, apricot and pineapple, but not much more in the way of complexity. It's medium bodied, with a long, refreshing finish that hints at white pepper. Drink now.
Relatively rich in character, with toast and yeast flavors offering a contrast to the more tropical fruit flavors. There is dry spice and finely balanced acidity that offer a further dimension to this full-bodied wine.
Relatively soft for a St.-Estèphe, this nevertheless has plenty of firm tannins to project the powerful fruit forward. It has structure and weight, piled with plum juice and acidity. Great aging potential.
Released a year after their spectacular Sea Slopes bottling, this small production Pinot shows the elegance of the far Sonoma Coast, and also the ageworthiness of a fine wine. Dry and crisp, it has deep flavors of cherries, pomegranates and persimmons that are fresh and tart. It will have no trouble negotiating the next six years, growing earthier and more complex.
Released after the 2011 vintage, this elegant wine has great presence. A blend of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, if offers vibrant, structured fruit while still reserving its full glory for several more years. Ripe fruits blend with intense acidity at the end. Drink from 2017.
Released almost a full year ago, this wine has had a chance to settle into a groove in the bottle. It is a medium plum color, lightly scented with herb, green and black tea, and Bing cherry. The flavors are astringent and compact, with a pretty burst of cherry in the core.
Released at just a little over a year old, this demonstrates the promise of Lake County for Cabernet. It's a dry, polished and enjoyable wine, with a fine tannin-acid structure and good flavors of blackberries, currants, black cherries and smoky oak.
Released at less than one year of age, this wine is immature, almost a barrel sample. It's vibrant in cherries, milk chocolate and new oak, but disjointed. Needs time. Give it until late 2009 to come together.
Released at seven years of age, this Syrah is soft, tannic and dry. It has rich flavors of blackberries and blueberries, and seems far younger than it is. It's interesting and complex, and grows in the glass. Could go for a few more years.
Released by the winery at a little more than one year of age, this elegant Pinot features upfront fruit flavors of raspberries, cherries, red currants and persimmons. Smooth tannins and brisk acidity provide structural integrity. Give it an hour or two in the decanter, and drink it until 2018.
Released five months after vinification, this youthful red wine offers strange but interesting aromas of forest fruit, blueberry jam or doughy blueberry muffins, cherry liqueur and medicinal herbs. Sweet syrupy flavors are accented by a bright touch of bitterness.
Released from Hahn, the Central Coast producer, this wine is so good, it easily stands beside far more expensive bottlings. It's dry and full-bodied and complex, just what you want in a Cab, and shows classic flavors of ripe blackberries, sweet black currants and smoky cedar. Production was 2,200 cases, and it's worth the search.
Released in 2015 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Fonseca, this Port is a style that's a Fonseca specialty. Bottled without filtering allows the wine to age, and this was bottled in 2008. It is a beautiful full, ripe wine, with a generous structure of red fruits and raisins supported by a dense texture.
Released in October, 2007, this would have benefited from additional time in the bottle, but there's no reason you can't cellar it. It's too young now, with a sharp, rude primary fruit character that's fresh and jammy in cherries, blackberries and cola. Hold until late in 2008 to let it meld together.
Released in the autumn of 2011 at nine years of age, the 2002 Citation, not surprisingly, has dried out. Fruit leather and earthy tannins are lightly streaked with citrus. Drink up.
Released late, this may have benefitted somewhat with the extra bottle age, but it's still showing substantial tannins. Tart, barely ripe berry fruit quickly rolls into a short, chalky finish.
Released many years after the harvest, this slowly aged expression of Nerello Cappuccio demonstrates balance and character, with pure, delicate notes of cassis, dried berry, sage and rosemary. It finishes with dusty, polished tannins.
Released quite young, this is a wine to decant. It's big and dark and tannic, tight as a tick, with grainy, textural tannins wrapped heavily around tart blue and purple berries. Though the flavors are pure Syrah, the structure and density are Cabernet-like, and though it's a guess, the odds are this is a wine to cellar for at least a decade.
Released three years ago, this is drinking at or near its peak. The fruit remains lush, with herbal threads tied throughout, and a pleasing scent and streak of tobacco. Black-cherry flavors push into velvety tannins, with a finishing touch of licorice.
Released too young, at just over a year of age, this Pinot tastes sugary, with primary fruit essence, glycerine, alcohol and caramelized oak giving it an uncomfortable sweetness. It's probably technically dry, and should actually taste dry by 2011, but it's certainly not ready to drink before mid-2010.
Released young, this fresh and citrusy wine is all about the fruit. Full in the mouth, it quickly settles into a cherry vanilla mid-palate, and sails on through a clean finish.
Relentless is Shafer's Syrah-based red wine. It's always rich, ripe and bold, and the 2009 is no exception. The alcohol is very high, making the wine heady and warm. If you can get past that, you'll find a huge wine, massive in blackberry, plump raisin and chocolate flavors, with soft tannins and a long, sweet finish. The blend contains 18% Petite Sirah.
Reliant on perfumed Touriga Nacional, this single estate wine is generous, ripe and full of black fruits. Richly tannic and structured, it has a serious side, firm and with good potential. Drink from 2018.
Remarkable power and intensity characterizes this ripe, honeyed wine. Off-dry in style, it's round and rich on the palate with loads of luscious peach and apricot flavors, yet nuanced with layers of white blossoms, lavender and spice. Thoroughly enjoyable now for its floral, fruity exuberance, it's structured enough to develop well through 2019.
Remarkably consistent in quality year after year, Peg Bay's 2007 Chardonnay opens with some slightly funky aromas that moderate with aeration to reveal a toasty, smoky wine with a core of melon fruit. It starts off seeming a touch narrow, but broadens and deepens on the palate, ending with impressive length.
Remarkably inky in color for a Grenache-based blend, it features strong aromas of cedar, meat and deeply purple fruit. The soft, rich mouthfeel coats the palate like a luxurious lacquer, and features flavors of blackberry jam, macerated cherry and vanilla-spiced plums. The blend of florals, herbals, fruit and oak-driven tannins is masterful. Drink now by itself or with a peppercorn-crusted filet mignon.
Remarkably intriguing aromas of dragon's blood spice (a Southeast Asian incense) as well as cinnamon and dried raspberries arise on this wine by Dan and Thérèse Martin. The palate is also highly floral, like sipping a purple bouquet, with violet and ollallieberry flavors that linger after your sip is done.
Remarkably strong cinnamon characterizes the nose of this old-vine wine, which also shows red and black cherries, potpourri and gingerbread on the nose. Black raspberries, cranberry-pomegranate juice, dark chocolate, purple flowers, black pepper and cardamom entertain the palate, which also offers decent acidity and grip, but finishes quickly.
Remember those vaguely anise-like white gumdrops? That describes the aromas and flavors found in the 2006 Les Sinards, albeit without the sugar. It's a medium- to full-bodied largely neutral white that should be consumed over the next year or two.
Remember when all Châteauneufs were priced like this? Now this is entry-level pricing, yet the wine is very good, delivering a complex, harmonious blend of leather, earth, spice and plum notes. It's soft enough to drink now and over the next few years.
Reminiscent of a good Crozes-Hermitage, Paritua's '07 Syrah displays bold aromas of smoke, espresso, cracked pepper and blackberries. The fruit comes through bouncy and buoyant on the palate and juicy on the finish, making it easy to drink now and over the next few years.
Reminiscent of a good southern French rosé, this blush of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsaut is dry, crisp and minerally. It has subtle, complex flavors of rose petals, herb tea, cherry skins, anise, cloves and lavender, and is quite complex, especially considering the price.
Reminiscent of a Peppermint Patty or Thin Mint cookie, this is a soft, smooth and somewhat nondescript wine, given ample time in bottle before review. Easy to drink, the tannins are mellowed and the oak subtle.
Reminiscent of baked apple tart, opulent fruit provides richness and concentration equally buoyed by lemony acidity. Vanilla and honey make appearances on the palate before structured crispness forms on the finish. The wine is a blend from the Sangiacomo and Rodgers Creek vineyards.
Reminiscent of good white Burgundy, this atypically (for Australia) flinty Chard has notes of gunmetal, intricately intertwined with white peach and toasted oatmeal. Finishes soft and round but long, with hints of lemon.
Reminiscent of some Paso Robles red wines, this superripe Shiraz has some sweetly grassy or alfalfa-like aromas to go alongside blackberry and chocolate flavors that lean toward coffee and caramel on the finish. It's round in the mouth, the tannins ultrasoft; drink now. Imported by Pernod Ricard USA.
Reminiscent of the 2000, this wine has a crisp, linear character that emphasizes minerals rather than the overt tropical fruits the vineyard shows in warmer vintages. It's a fine, dry, acidic Chardonnay whose oak-infused lemon and lime flavors will complement sourdough bread and cracked crab.
Remniscent of almond-and-lemon pastry, this wine is layered with sliced apples and just a touch of bitter toffee. This is a wine that has a fine balance, perfumed with honey and finished with citrus acidity.
Remo Farina is a standout producer with a beautiful portfolio of Amarone and Ripasso wines. This expression shows youthful berry tones that are backed by notes of freshly grated cinnamon and nutmeg. Its consistency is dark and rich.
Remo Farina is an excellent operation (now taken over by the next generation and currently undergoing a winery refurbishment) and the estate's beautiful Monte Fante Amarone is thickly extracted with mature aromas of black fruit, apple, cola and exotic spice. The wine offers character and pizzazz thanks to the polished quality of its tannins.
Remo Farina makes a style of Amarone that will appeal to those who are true fans of this distinctive category of Italian reds. This is big, bold and not bashful by any stretch. It offers masculine tones of warm leather, cured meat, smoked bacon, ripe fruit and blackberry preserves. The finish is tightly loaded with a fresh tobacco flavor.
Renieri's newest Brunello offers perfumed tones of church incense backed by Indian spice and red berries. The wine is bright and tonic with some sour fruit and a nice, silky feel to the tannins.
Renieri delivers that style of austere and elegant Brunello that begs for a steak dinner on a cold winter night. The wine is fleshy and thickly concentrated, with bright highlights of cherry, plum, cinnamon and a touch of crushed clove.
ReNoto shows ripe aromas of black cherry, strawberry and blueberry jam. The wine is juicy and succulent and delivers a blast of bright fruit on the close.
Renowned winemaking consultant Larry Cherubino lent his deft touch to this reasonably priced offering. It's a very ripe style for Pinot Noir, combining ample weight with plush tannins and superripe dark cherry-berry fruit. Drink now.
Renwood's classic, Grandmère, has an inviting blackberry and sassafras nose with great fruit intensity though it's still smooth—maybe the influence of American oak?—and well-structured, monstrously full-bodied and a little moody at the finish.
Renwood's tiny two-barrel production of its most expensive Zinfandel has aromas like vanilla and coconut and flavors as rich as milk chocolate and strawberry jam. This full-bodied wine is practically a liquid dessert, though it's not overly sweet. It's full-bodied, smooth and broad in texture.
Representative of the solid values that may be found from Australia for about $20, this medium- to full-bodied Shiraz offers a blend of cherry and plum flavors, with savory elements of mocha and roasted meat. It's slightly dusty on the finish, making it food-friendly, ending with hints of cocoa and coffee. Drink now–2018.
Representing a bit of a chink in von Kesselstatt's impressive array of 2009s, this wine features slightly restrained notes of pineapple and green apple in a slightly uneasy alliance of sweet and sour. Drink up.
Representing a breathtaking advancement over the '07, Sinatra's 2008 Cab is simply delicious. It's fleshy and fat in texture, with a glyceriney richness that makes it almost oily and that, when combined with caramelized oak, turns into nougat. The blackberry, cherry and cassis fruit flavors rise to the occasion. This is truly a stunningly good Cabernet.
Representing a good value in top-flight Cabernet, Jim Barry's 2008 The Cover Drive (a cricketing term) features subtle hints of cinnamon, coffee and vanilla layered over blueberry and plum fruit. It's on the full-bodied side, with plush, velvety tannins balanced by crisp acids. Drink now–2018.
Representing a new level of quality for Waiheke Syrah, this wine boasts captivating aromas of peppered meat, violets and cassis. It's full bodied without being heavy, and the flavors seamlessly blend fruity with savory for a thrilling ride. Finishes long, with firm tannins and a hint of espresso. Drink now¬–2018.
Representing a stylistic departure with the past, this edition of Barolo Torriglione offers enormous density and richness lavished over a core of ripe fruit, chocolate, spice and cola. You'll enjoy the wonderful fullness in the mouth and the spicy, fresh close.
Representing four generations of winemaking, Vietti makes a strong show with this intense and vibrant ruby colored wine. Layers of toast, coffee and ripe red fruit reveal themselves to the nose with deep spice and clove that last long on the palate. This wine boasts solid structure and power.
Represents a big improvement over last year's Califa; this one returns to dryness thanks to the cool vintage. Edna Valley acidity brightens cherry, root beer, vanilla bean and oak flavors. Dry and complex now, the wine should peak in a year or so, then hold through 2010.
Represents a very nice value in a refreshing, balanced Chardonnay. The wine, which was aged in lots of new American oak and stirred on the lees, is rich and creamy, with citrus, mineral and yeasty flavors that are brightened by crisp acidity.
Reserva in the case of this wine means both a selection of wines and also aging in wood. That gives this ripe wine full spice as well as apricot flavors. It is a creamy, rounded wine, just lit by acidity at the end. Drink from 2018.
Reserve Alexandre is always a really nice, interesting wine, but with recent price increases, consumers should be wary. The '04 shows classic Alexander Valley softness and herbs, along with cherries, blackberries and oak, and it's an elegantly balanced wine. But it doesn't seem to be an ager, as it's a little thin on the finish, so drink now.
Reserve caliber fruit—a throat-coating mix of blueberry, cherry and cassis—rolls into a rich, full throttle wash of barrel flavors. Toast, smoke, espresso and dark chocolate give the wine depth and gravitas. Ageworthy to be sure, but also enjoyable right now.
Reserve is rarely a word found in front of rosé, but here it seems meaningful. The 82% Merlot and 18% Grenache complement each other nicely. Cherry-pie tartness with a bit of sweet blueberry flavor make for a full-bodied, round and bone dry rosé that's substantial and delicious.
Reserve it may be, but it is a thin wine nonetheless, with hard, green flavors and a stemmy, tannic finish. —P.G.  Sangiovese
Reserved aromas of baked apple, cream and spice lead to medium-bodied and tart lemony flavors that stretch-out on the finish. It shows a pleasing sense of balance.
Reserved aromas of cherry, chocolate, thistle, moist earth and dark berry lead to red and black fruit flavors that are sumptuous, rich and layered. It brings immediate appeal but also offers plenty of cellaring potential—a complete delight that appeals on multiple levels.
Reserved aromas of cherry, cranberry, pencil lead and barrel spice lead to sweet fruit flavors back by lightly grainy tannins.
Reserved aromas of flowers, anise, plum and barrel spice lead to compact fruit and tannins with mouthwatering acids. Give it time to open up.
Reserved aromas of kiwi and banana lead to dry lightly styled grapefruit flavors. The concentration doesn't seem all there.
Reserved aromas of lemon zest, shaved butter and wet stone greet the nose on this ready-to-drink bottling from West Paso. The palate shows poached apple and cooked pear tones, with a slightly sour tang keeping it lively.
Reserved aromas of pencil lead, butterscotch and spice are followed by a full-bodied, creamy feeling palate, with a thread of lemony acidity that runs throughout. It's a compelling example of the variety, with a finish that won't quit.
Reserved aromas of plum, raisin and oak lead to a pinched palate that pulls to the center like a magnet. Peppery blackberry and cassis flavors are raw and without volume prior to a collapsed finish.
Reserved aromas of Rainier cherry, strawberry preserves, herbs and fig lead to plump, silky fruit flavors. It's a very pretty representation of the vintage.
Reserved aromas of ripe red apple, cherry, dried herbs and spice are followed by quite ripe black fruit flavors speckled with vanilla and cocoa notes. It doesn't all come together perfectly but still provides interest.
Reserved aromas of spice, pear and lychee are followed by medium-sweet flavors. Pair it with yellow curry.
Reserved aromas of vanilla, pickling spices and cherry are followed by light cranberry flavors with the concentration wanting.
Reserved aromatically, this wine from the longtime Santa Barbara producer shows bits of plum, hibiscus and graphite on the nose. The palate is surprisingly lush and punchy, with plum and other dark purple-fruit flavors as well as licorice.
Reserved at first, this Brunello gradually reveals tilled soil and black-skinned fruit aromas. The dense, straightforward palate displays ripe plum and clove notes with a hint of licorice and closed-grained tannins.
Reserved fruit and spice flavors, and a soothing, gripping texture will make this medium-bodied blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon a great dinner guest. Plenty of tannins give a fine sandpaper feel on the tongue, and the wine will counterbalance the richness of meat, fowl and game dishes.
Reserved fruit aromas like cherry compote come with substantial accents of cinnamon and clove. Flavors are mild but delicious and bring more cherry and cranberry. The mouthfeel is rather soft and full, braced with fine tannins and a moderate oaky flavor that builds toward the finish.
Reserved green apple, lees, flower and mineral aromas lead to off-dry green apple and stone fruit flavors. The acidity gives the palate some snap.
Reserved in aromas at first, this shows charred wood, red cherries, pomegranate and graphite on the nose. Quite intriguing texturally, the palate is sticky with tannins but light in body, offering flavors of cola and tart cranberry.
Reserved notes of desiccated black fruit, loam and tobacco carry onto the medium-bodied, subtly textured palate. High-strung acids mark the finish.
Reserved on the nose at first, this wine eventually releases pressed black raspberry and elderberry fruit as well as a peppery teriyaki element. Similar fresh fruit shows on the palate, enhanced by anise, dried sage and other aromatic herbs.
Reserved on the nose, this bottling by Billy Wathen and Dick Dore from their friend Rick Longoria's vineyard offers cranberry, fennel, lavender and a touch of smoke on the nose. It's delicate in its approach, with tightly woven strawberry, red plum and cranberry fruit lifted by dried sagebrush and more of that wildfire smoke.
Reserved on the nose, this bottling eventually shows dried plums, berries, lilac and tar aromas. Dried purple flowers show on the sip alongside blueberries, plums, leather and dried-meat flavors.
Reserved on the nose, this Cabernet shows aromas of forest floor, spice and root beer along with herbal berry fruits. A blocky rubbery round palate houses a mix of herbal berry and prune flavors, while this is earthy and showing a bit of oxidation on the finish.
Reserved on the nose, with a hint of rhubarb and bramble. But where this wine really fails to impress is on the palate. It's sharp and underdeveloped, with tart cherry aromas and piercing acidity. Some mocha and vanilla come on late to help things along, but by then the wine has defined itself as borderline sour and miserly. Unusually short on fruit for Luigi Bosca, a winery we've come to like. Imported by Multiple U.S. Importers.
Reserved on the nose, with tight citrus blossom and a wet stone minerality, this blend of Roussanne and Viognier by the Paso-residing French couple Guillaume and Solène Fabre will drink fresh for years to come. The palate is framed by pithy tension, with flavors of apple skin, pear flesh and a tingle of acidity deep into the finish. Drink 2017–2030.
Reserved red-cherry fruit aromas gain complexity with fog-soaked sagebrush, dried purple flowers and an earthy mushroom character on the nose. Roasted shiitake, marjoram, crushed Brazil nuts and a hint of cardamom play on the dark, spicy, earthy palate, laid across a bed of cranberry fruit.
Residents of Central-South Italy, and especially the Romans, enjoy a long and loving relationship with Falanghina thanks to the grape's ability to pair with fresh foods and fish. Villa Matilde presents a very clean, pristine and crisp expression with aromas of citrus, white rose and peach.
Resin, fragrant blue flower, baked plum and cake spice are just some of the aromas you'll find on this densely concentrated wine. The syrupy palate offers blackberry jam, mature raspberry, pipe tobacco, mint and cinnamon while velvety tannins provide the enveloping framework. It closes on a chocolate note. Drink 2018 through 2026.
Resiny and heavily toasted at first, with a full, resiny, chunky palate that carries all the weight that ultraripe fruit and new oak can bring. Offers sweet, tropical flavors, primarily banana and honey. Powerful, super sweet and woody throughout.
Resiny oak and mildly stalky berry aromas muscle out cherry and raspberry scents. This feels grabby and clampy, while oaky flavors of mixed berries and baked plum end with coconut-infused oak flavors and notes of raisin and licorice. Drink through 2020.
Resiny oak and wallflower fruit aromas lead to a palate that's thick and sticky. This tastes woody and barrel heavy, with little to no fruit. On the finish, a tropical note of banana is offset by briny saltiness.
Resiny oak aromas drown out peanut brittle and apple notes. This is acidic and briny in the mouth, with a cidery complex. Oak and sour apple flavors finish chunky, woody and briny.
Resiny oak is front and center on the nose, turning any and all fruit spicy. The palate is wet and basic, with a woody feel and oaky flavors that include spices and white fruits. Offers proper weight but smells and tastes overtly resiny.
Resiny oak on top of tropical fruit, apple and melon aromas announce plenty of barrel influence. The mouthfeel is plump and offers just enough acidity to balance out the wine's high oak level. Flavors of spiced apple and melon finish woody.
Resiny oak scents on top of standard apple and pear aromas describe the bouquet on this solid but woody Chardonnay. Oak-dominated flavors of pear and banana finish with medium acidity and lasting flavors of banana and wood resin.
Resiny oak sticks out, while the palate is grabby and sticky in feel. This tastes like lemony pushcart hotdogs and the briny water they sit in, followed by a woody, low-fruit finish.
Resiny oak, cinnamon and white-fruit aromas are solid. This is juicy and minerally in the mouth, with plenty of barrel weight for cushion. Flavors of apple, citrus and oak finish minerally but with some dilution of flavor. Drink during 2014.
Resiny, nutty, toasty aromas just barely cut it in terms of drawing you in. The palate on this basic, woody Chardonnay is fine, while resiny white-fruit flavors finish with a forced flavor of vanilla and oak.
Respectable red fruit aromas carry a slight pickled sharpness and the scent of a matchstick, while the palate is lactic and creamy, with strawberry, raspberry, plum and herbal notes. Plump and reasonably well balanced, with an herbal finish.
Resplendent in white pepper, aromatically defined by it in fact, with a touch of cedar, this is a smooth, full-bodied Syrah that's mighty good, a duet of cool and warm-climate character. Pair with braised meats thick in earthy mushrooms.
Restrained and dusty in leathery tannin, this wine opens in the glass to unravel bold black-fruit and licorice power, offering stark succulence and moderate acidity on the palate.
Restrained and elegant, this deeply flavored Pinot Noir takes a masculine turn with threads of iron filings, earth and herb. The blueberry and plum fruit flavors are set against drying tannins. As with all Archery Summit Pinots, the length and balance are outstanding.
Restrained and elegant, this is a wine on the austere side, its acidity dominant along with a firm, dry aftertaste. Produced by the other Machard de Gramont estate.
Restrained and refined, this lighter-weight Cab satisfies with dark cherry/berry aromas and flavors offset by earth and tobacco elements. Possessed of flavor and texture that should pair very well with a wide range of foods, think of this as an attractive South African claret. Drink now through 2004.
Restrained and soft on the nose, this light-bodied white offers subtle lemon zestiness and a phenolic seam that provide structure and food-friendliness with a savory, almost herbal edge.
Restrained and tannic, this Zin needs time to resolve and mellow its fine layers of blackberry and tar. Complex and structured, from 95-year-old vines, it should do that with aplomb, the wine more savory than sweet, a refreshing alternative to super-sized Zins.
Restrained aromas compete against plump ripeness; brisk, lemony acidity provides balance. It features a subtle mineral background and lovely midpalate concentration with some length.
Restrained aromas of black plum barely set the stage for flavors of dark plum, cherry-vanilla, mint eucalyptus and ground black pepper. Fruit flavors are soft, but the minty notes never overpower brightness and acidity. Tannins are just shy of opulent, and the finish is marked by a note of tart apple crispness.
Restrained aromas of waxy apple skins and lemon accumulate in ripeness on the palate of this off-dry Riesling, boasting juicy pink grapefruit and caramelized sugar tones. It's zesty and spry but rounded and juicy in mouthfeel.
Restrained aromas of white flower lead the way on this fresh, straightforward white. The round, simple palate shows light notes of peach, apple and a hint of bitter almond on the close.
Restrained aromas of white flower, beeswax and a light whiff of Mediterranean herb lift out of the glass. The racy, linear palate is more expressive, offering juicy tangerine, Bartlett pear and a hint of mineral alongside tangy acidity.
Restrained aromas of white peach and crushed minerals turn riper and bolder on the palate of this powerful auslese. Intensely honeyed and buoyantly peachy, it coats the palate in slicks of sweet nectar and vibrant tangerine acidity. It's a lavish, richly textured wine with lingering yet elegant sweetness.
Restrained aromas suggesting acacia flower, nut and honey lead the nose. The subdued palate offers yellow apple skin, hazelnut and mineral alongside fresh acidity.
Restrained aromatically, this bottling shows touches of crushed lava rocks, black pepper and blackberry on the nose. Balsamic vinegar and sour cherry flavors mark the sip, with very sticky tannins.
Restrained aromatically, with a slight minerally-graphite note, this is a pleasantly stony wine, perhaps a bit austere. It's medium bodied, ending with a touch of grapefruit pith.
Restrained aromatics slowly release notes of strawberry cheesecake in a soft, light and mellow body. It carries enough heft to pair with food allied with lovely, fresh acidity.
Restrained at first on the nose, this wine eventually reveals black fruit, cooking spice and underbrush aromas. The simple palate offers dried blackberry and tobacco hints while smooth tannins provide easygoing support. Drink soon.
Restrained both aromatically and on the palate, this Riesling offers modest hints of green apple and pear combined with a slightly herbal note. There's not a lot of complexity or concentration, but it's a brisk, refreshing wine.
Restrained bramble berries and crushed violet notes emerge hesitantly from the glass in this even-split blend of Petit Verdot and Tannat. An inky, heady palate of dark blue and black berries shows is balanced by a line of black currant acidity, while grippy tannins provide structure and length.
Restrained but concentrated fruit rules. Grapefruit peel draws you in only to reveal almost candied, rich orange and citron on the streamlined, linear palate.
Restrained but earthy notes of lemon zest play against slight, flinty smoke. This is still rather closed but the still-dormant expanse of ripe fruit is evident on the palate. The zesty lemon core takes turns with yeasty richness to dazzle. Wonderfully long.
Restrained but flinty, this is a fresh and mellow wine with enough texture to be serious. Zesty acidity gives a lovely lift.
Restrained compared to the winery's other bottlings, this single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc offers dried yellow apple, lime and orange rind aromas. There's plenty of acidity on the palate, but it presents itself subtly, with wet cement-like mineral tension.
Restrained hints of freshly cut red-apple peel tease you throughout. They mingle with fresh citrus on a streamlined palate which has defined freshness and a zesty reserve of acidity. Wonderfully balanced and bright, this finishes long and clean.
Restrained in alcohol, this extreme Sonoma Coast Pinot delivers plenty of flavor, along the lines of funky, earthy licorice and whole-cluster cardamom spice, supported along the way by a pomegranate note. Zingy acidity is present, along with a low imprint of oak.
Restrained in aromas at first, this bottling eventually shows juicy cherries, dark strawberries and dark sandalwood on the light but focused nose. It's very racy on the sip with energetic acid, showing light and playful graphite, cranberry, raspberry, thyme and bay-leaf flavors. It's very balanced and drinkable.
Restrained in aromatics, this is a ripe, round and soft ZIn with a Port-like personality, streaks of cedar through the mid-palate and a touch of heat on the finish.
Restrained in new oak, this refined wine has a floral honeysuckle character that's followed by hearty, rich layers of apple and melon. Just a touch of licorice and orange zest appears on the finish.
Restrained in style, with modest pear and honey notes tinged with a toasty, mealy edge. Shows some nice creaminess to the midpalate, then fades gradually on the finish. Drink now.
Restrained lemon and apple aromas are accented by bramble on this crisp, light-bodied Riesling. It's delicate in concentration but its bracing lemon-lime acidity refreshes. Drink now through 2018.
Restrained lemon freshness mixed with yeast and stone constitutes an inviting nose. The palate is fresh and taut with more creamy lemon and brioche breadiness from the yeast. This is light bodied and fresh with fine, fizzing bubbles and a dry elegant finish, reminiscent of Golden Delicious apples.
Restrained Meyer lemon and slender zestiness characterize this featherlight wine that nonetheless has a concentrated, melting core and convinces with simple purity.
Restrained mulberry aromas interweave with scents of turned soil, white pepper and clove on the earthy nose of this bottling. The sip starts with a pleasing softness but quickly grows deeper and more weighty with luxurious tannins, showing hearty red cherry and dried fennel flavors.
Restrained notes of honeyed richness rise from the glass. The ripe peach scent has floral overtones. The palate has a fluid, almost oily feel but is dry. A wonderfully fine phenolic edge helps to provide structure to this evolving Gewurztraminer, as do aromatic notes of orange zest. The harmonious balance of body and weight, of concentration and elegance on this dry wine are exemplary. The finish is long and elegant.
Restrained notes of pressed blueberry, condensed rose petals, rose hips and a touch of asphalt show on this delicate though rustic take on the grape. The palate shows a hint of tar but is driven by bright red fruit, proving light and easy to drink.
Restrained notes of ripe pear gain savory interest from herbal notes reminiscent of curry leaf and lovage. There's also ample spice in this eminently gastronomic wine with a refreshing, super-clean finish.
Restrained notes of tart red berry and pink grapefruit play on the nose of this wine. The palate is taut but has an appetizing touch of wet stone along with fresh, fruity notes and a mellow but bright autolytic core that creates a harmonious impression. Tiny bubbles fizz away beatifically, sure in the knowledge that they go straight to your heart. This is quietly convincing, just being its very elegant self.
Restrained notes of white summer blossom on the nose don't quite follow on the palate of this dry and light-bodied white. There's lip-smacking freshness and a bit of spritz to liven things up. A touch of welcome bitterness plays on the finish, lending both texture and structure. There is lasting freshness on the clean, crisp finish.
Restrained notes of woodsmoke play around hints of ripe yellow pear. The palate boasts a backbone of acidity plus that famous varietal phenolic grip. Made for the long run, the wine will turn out rich and layered. Drink from 2016.
Restrained notes of yellow plum pervade the greenish, citric freshness. The palate is crisp and grassy, refreshing but textured, with added interest from fragrant lime peel. A concentrated palate leads to a superclean, lime-tingling finish.
Restrained on the nose at first, this appellation blend shows lemon, butter on brioche and gardenia aromas with some swirling. It's floral on the unctuous palate, with hints of honeysuckle and daffodil, but quite rounded, with soft acidity and textural grip. A flash of coconut hits the finish.
Restrained on the nose at first, this opens to a mix of mint and red berry aromas. The mouthfeel is plump and fresh, with berry flavors that hang on the finish.
Restrained on the nose, this blend of 41% Grenache, 32% Syrah and 22% Mourvèdre offers black plum, milk chocolate, purple flower and vanilla on the nose. Black peppercorns show strongly on the palate along with black-plum skins and cola, but this still needs some bottle age to emerge to full potential.
Restrained on the nose, this bottling by Richard Sanford and Nick de Luca shows light aromas of Marcona almond, lemon zest, Asian pear and Gravenstein apple. The sip is delicate in texture yet grippy with tannic structure, revealing pear flesh and squeezed lime flavors.
Restrained on the nose, this is slow to reveal notes of spice cake, clove liqueur and waxy raisin. The tannins lend the palate grip, but it finishes short on flavor, with the structural elements most prominent.
Restrained ripeness does not make this an obvious wine, but it comes towards you if you spend time with it. Notions of yellow pear and Golden Delicious apple partner with an herbal twist and refreshing citrus acidity.
Restrained yet ripe nuttiness with spikes of lemon zest characterize this slender, refreshing white. It is made from a typically Viennese field blend of 11 different white grape varieties—guaranteed to show its true and arresting colors with richer food.
Restrained yet ripe peach and nectarine aromas show themselves slowly in a very demure manner on this wine. The palate is more about sensation than flavors, with bitter-sour elements and a bit of grit more prominent than the nectarine flesh and green apple flavors.
Restrained, rather savory aromas of dill, fennel, apple and saline are some of the many nuances of this dry yet surprisingly supple Riesling. The palate boasts notes of bright apple, lime juice and lime skin, highlighted by a rich, minerally sheen.
Restrained, smooth and soft, this vineyard-designate is pillowy on the palate while remaining satisfying and expansive in juicy red fruit. Holding 25% Merlot, it offers undercurrents of dried herb and coconut flake atop quiet oak and is a beautiful wine for the table.
Restrained, with sharp acidity and cranberry-flavored fruit, this tart and tight effort should improve further with more bottle age. One third of the barrels were new French oak.
Restraint and yeastiness mingle with the zesty lemon peel nose. The palate is concentrated and still has some spritz with a featherweight body.
Restraint is one of the buzzwords in Australian wine, which might be one reason that for all of this winery's cult status in Australia, it remains relatively unknown in America. This medium-bodied wine's black cherry fruit is definitely restrained, flecked with delicate herbal notes and rounded out by supple tannins. It's well made and well balanced, but lacks sizzle.
Restraint on nose and palate gently leads to citrussy concentration. This is a classy, concentrated selection, with a backbone of fine acidity and very fine, persistent bubbles—both are the must-have attributes of a good apéritif. The long, dry finish will impress those in the know.
Restraint on the nose yields into biscuity, strawberry-tinged roundedness on the palate, with pleasant length. Fresh acidity lends focus while fine, persistent mousse and gentle autolytic hints speak of elegance. This is a light but classy apéritif that would make a wonderfully unburdened start to a special evening.
Restraint, elegance, freshness. This delicate rosé has the softest scent of tart summer berries and overtones of rose petals. There is a spicier aspect and fruitier notes of freshly cut apple on the midpalate. But this delivers full flavor with immense delicacy. Bravo.
Retailer-turned-winemaker Doug Margerum drops aromas of boysenberry-cherry pie with peppercorn crust on this wine, which slightly predates the Ballard Canyon appellation creation. The flavors are down the middle, with ripe elderberries, Italian herbs and hops providing an intriguing, heady mix.
Retaining a good sense of structure, this is also a relatively light and fresh Gevrey-Chambertin. It has plenty of raspberry and red plum flavors and lively acidity at the end. Drink from 2015.
Reticent aromas of dried blue fruit and spice lead to full-feeling fruit flavors. The tannins bring some astringency.
Reticent aromas of dried blueberry and hibiscus lead onto the medium-bodied palate, which is structured with chalky tannins. It finishes with astringent texture.
Reticent aromas of herbs, cherry, barrel spice and green pepper lead to elegant, soft-feeling cherry and dark chocolate flavors backed by grainy tannins. It's a very pretty expression of the variety.
Reticent aromas of kiwi and herb are followed by tart, medium bodied citrus flavors. The concentration isn't as dense as it could be.
Reticent aromas of lemon peel, honeysuckle, meringue, tangerine, sea salt and chalk show on the nose of this top-end white from one of the region's pioneering properties. Rounded pear and apple show on the palate, but it's chalky and restrained, with a vein of grapefruit peel and lime pith.
Reticent dark fruit and licorice aromas are followed by tart fruit flavors and lightly bunched-up tannins. There's interest but it doesn't all seem to come together.
Reticent herb, mineral, barrel spice and red-apple aromas are followed by concentrated fruit flavors. The tannins this vineyard is often known for are kept well in check.
Retour relies on fruit sourced from so-called “old vine” Pinot vineyards. It's full, fleshy, round and brightly fruity, with plenty of spicy chocolate from extended barrel aging. Some whole cluster fermentation and native yeasts contribute to the complexity. A very fine debut.
Retro makes one of the best, most consistent Petite Sirahs in California. Even though they used to source their fruit from Howell Mountain and this bottling now is from Pope Valley and Calistoga, it still shows the same qualities of complex interest based on impeccable winemaking. It's an amazing wine, dry, full-bodied and tannic, with a complex range of berries, currants, herbs and white pepper. Truly a Petite Sirah for Cabernet lovers. Drink now–2020.
Returning to traditional fruit sources (Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge) after the freeze year of 2004, winemaker JF Pellet has crafted the finest Pepper Bridge Cabernet to date. Gorgeous aromas explode from the glass, a lush mix of flower, berry, mocha and sweet earth. Smooth and silky on the tongue, it's a riot of berry and cassis flavor, all in proportion and moving gracefully across the palate and into a round, detailed finish with whiffs of smoke, caramel and coffee grounds.
Reuilly has the peculiarity of having rosés from Pinot Gris, even though its reds are from Pinot Noir. This perfumed wine with its pale color brings out the slightly dusty character of the grape. That's contrasted with the intense acidity and black currant fruit flavors. Drink now.
Reuling is humming its way toward continued greatness in working with its own coveted fruit, crafting a coming-together of earthy fruit and lush texture. This vintage is dark ruby in color, classic in complex forest floor and wild strawberry layered over flowery perfume and a streak of spice. The imprint of oak and girth is still evolving, and the structure is there to cellar from 2017–2021.
Reustle's Reserve Pinot Noir is sweetly scented with cherry fruit. It opens into a lightly herbal wine with streaks of clean earth, graphite and smoke to complement the cherries.
Reustle makes four different versions of this wine, each distinctive and worthy of attention. This is vinified in all stainless, and pushes sappy tart flavors of Meyer lemon and grapefruit front and center. The fruit is ripe enough that it leaves an impression of sweetness—a perfect counterbalance to the wine's natural acidity.
Reustle pioneered this variety (they now make three different bottlings) and this may be the best yet. The texture and depth are impressive, as is the detailed mix of melon and white peach, with just a faint trace of vanilla.
Revancha is a new line of wines from esteemed winemaker Roberto de la Mota. This blends Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cab Franc. On the nose, it is spicy, lightly herbal and deep in fruit. A tight palate shows raw tannins and flavors of wild berry and oak-based coconut. Dry, flashy and a bit rough on the finish, this will benefit from a few more years in bottle. Drink through 2020.
Reverie had some real challenges with tannins in this vintage. All their reds are super-hard and astringent, almost old-fashioned in their undrinkabiity during youth, and so it is with this reserve. It's quite rich in blackberries and smoky, oaky cedar wood, though, and possesses a structural integrity that should protect it for many years. So cellar it. 2013–2019.
Review not available at this time.
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Revitalizing freshness abounds in this dry, spry Grüner Veltliner. Pristine tangerine and lemon flavors are briskly concentrated. The finish is marked by a kick of fresh ginger spice.
Rex Hill makes a wide assortment of Pinots; this sports the black label and is widely available and fruit forward. It's loaded with raspberry and cherry flavors and dusted with a bit of clean earth. There is a typical (for Oregon) streak of Dr. Pepper flavor as well. Overall a nice bottle for immediate enjoyment.
Reyna is a top-notch Barbaresco and this vintage delivers extra soft and supple smoothness followed by dark concentration and excellent intensity. There are so many aromatic descriptors here: espresso, black fruit, licorice, root beer, tar, tobacco and more. Drink from 2015–2020.
Rhône-based négociant Jean-Luc Colombo has crafted this fleshy, ripe and round rosé from a blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre and 20% Counoise. It's got plenty of cherry fruit, but that's balanced by hints of minerality and a touch of fresh lime on the finish.
Rhône specialist Andrew Murray has succeeded with this lovely blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drinkable now, it's soft, tannic and bone dry, with tantalizing blackberry, cherry, spice and sandalwood flavors. This is a versatile, elegant food wine.
Rhône specialist Donelan ventures into Burgundian territory with this Pinot Noir, with good results. The grapes were grown in the wild Fort Ross area, and the wine shows typical cool-climate acidity and a feral quality to the wild berry, cherry and spice flavors. A fascinating wine that should develop over the next eight years.
Rhône variety-focused winemaker Larry Schaeffer ventures into Bordeaux territory with this bottling, which he recommends served with a slight chill. Smooth berry aromas meet grapeseed and crushed plum on the nose. The palate is light, fresh and easy to enjoy, with red fruit and dried herb flavors, proving easy to quaff.
Rheingraf's 2010s look to be terrific, and this bottling, from old vines, starts fast. Mouthwatering notes of honey, truffle and petrichor emerge, followed by a wine that's plush and mouthfilling yet structured; ripe yet crisp. Drink now–2020.
Rhubarb and cranberry fruit, along with a touch of red apple suggests minimal ripening. It's a tangy, pleasant wine, light and optimal for near-term drinking with simple poultry dishes.
Rhubarb and peach pie flavors are at work in this pleasant rosé. It's clean and refreshing, with just the right profile for that leftover holiday turkey or ham.
Rhubarb and tomato leaf are strongly present on the nose, followed by grassy flavors and a hollow, thin mouthfeel. Septima is Spanish-owned, and this 800-case bottling seems like a nod to the homeland. But it tastes anything but Spanish.
Rhubarb and vinegar on the nose are ominous signs. The wine maintains a briary, sharp personality in the mouth, where red-fruit flavors have an extra juicy feel. Fresh as a cold winter's morning, but is that really what you want from Malbec?
Rhubarb, Band-Aid and other lean, pickled aromas get this lightweight Tempranillo. Flavors of tea, cherry and pepper control the dry palate, while cinnamon arises on the racy, crisp finish. Not much richness or body, but good enough.
Rhubarb, cola and pencil shavings emerge from the glass on this appellation blend from the longtime Santa Rosa Road winery, today owned by the Terlato family. Deeply earthy aromas of beet juice, root beer and dried berries arise on the palate, showing the region's typical blend of soil minerality and dark fruit.
Rhubarb, cranberry and roasted plum aromas meet with gamy hints of grilled boar and toasted oak on the nose of this bottling. Light touches of fennel pollen, bay leaf and dried sage start the sip, followed by more roasted meat and rustic red fruits. It packs great energy and tremendous depth of flavors in a lightweight frame.
Rhubarb, cranberry and strawberry mix on the nose in this richly inviting wine that is textured and not overwhelming in weight. Featuring electric acidity, the wine finishes boldly in blackberry and licorice.
Rhubarb, pie cherry and tart strawberries comprise the fruit component of this young, tangy Pinot Noir. The acidity is still pronounced, and suggests that further aging is a good idea. A nice dusting of cinnamon adds interest to the finish.
Rhubarb, ripe cherry and wet slate show on this wine, one of the many higher-end, single-vineyard expressions that winemaker Paul Clifton makes for the Hahn family. Hearty beet juice and lots of star anise show on the sip that is redolent with dark, wild berries.
Rhubarb, strawberries and a strong streak of citrus and orange peel are the dominant flavors here. This reflects the cool vintage, finishing with tart, citrusy acids.
Rhubarb, turned earth and a touch of juniper show on the nose of this wine, made by the Terravant facility in Buellton. It's decently juicy and relatively complex on the palate, with licorice, crushed herbs and a long-lasting acidity.
Rhubarb, turned earth and iron aromas power the nose on this bottling by Sabrine Rodems, who also makes Wrath wines. The iron character extends to the palate, picking up flint and gunmetal notes along with raspberry fruit and more fresh dirt flavors.
Ribbon Ridge is making a name for itself as a premier AVA for Oregon Riesling. This rich, mineral-laden wine is scented with orange blossoms and loaded with fruit flavors of Bosc pears, peaches, apricots and a touch of grapefruit. It's big, full bodied, fresh and powerful, and an excellent value.
Ribbon Springs is the principal source for Adelsheim Pinots, so this vineyard selection is essentially a reserve. As with all these limited offerings, it impresses with rich aromatics and a plush mix of red berries, pomegranate and cherry fruit. There's a whiff of chamomile, a hint of animal, and the structure to age nicely through 2025.
Ribera is not prime rosé country, and this wine doesn't much help the cause. Cherry cough drop aromas are about all you're going to get, while the palate is jumpy and sour, with apple skin and grapefruit flavors. Too much like a sucking candy.
Riboli-owned Opaque has been exploring the Petit Verdot waters for several years, with mixed results. This bottling is a little rustic, with awkward tannins, but it has plenty of ripe, fresh blackberry and cherry fruit, with a charred meat note that suggests pairing with grilled beef.
Ribolla Gialla is a grape with natural density and thickness and those qualities play a big role in shaping this unique sparkling wine from northeast Italy. You'll recognize aromas of stone fruit, melon and honey with creamy butter on the close.
Ribolla Gialla typically delivers unique aromas of caramel, butterscotch and candied fruit. This expression delightfully embodies those characteristics, with extra structure and creaminess on the close.
Riccardo Talenti, grandson of Pierluigi Talenti, the grand old man of Montalcino, currently makes one of the finest Brunellos with the help of consultant Carlo Ferrini. They are now using new wood for aging, and the extra layer of richness this brings is apparent in the comparative accessibility of this wine. Yet it is also huge, with classic tannins and intense, concentrated flavors of sweet blackberry jelly.
Rich-tasting and almost sweet, this is an exuberant wine that smells like fig bars and tastes like pear juice. Quite a bit of complexity shows up, too, including accents of butter, vanilla and toasted baguette.
Rich almonds, ripe peaches and a smoky, oxidized character all come together in this ripe, complex, fascinating wine. There is a great tang of apple acidity on the finish. Drink now.
Rich almost to the point of chunky; aromas of coffee and new oak announce its New World style, and then come blackberry, chocolate and smoked-meat flavors. This wine is probably shocking to the old guard, but if tastes this good, drink it.
Rich almost to the point of oiliness, this is a fuller-than-typical vintage for this wine. Honey adds a sense of sweetness to the ripe lychee flavors, but there's still sufficient peppery-gingery spice for balance. Drink now.
Rich already, this wine is darkly tannic and powered by solid tannins. The weight of fruit behind the tannins also brings out acidity and black currant flavors. It will remain dry but well structured and with good fruitiness. Drink from 2017.
Rich and 100% barrel fermented, this delicious Chardonnay is thick and luscious, with buttered nuts, pineapple and candied citrus; a really concentrated wine with exceptional depth and density for the price. The oak is present and accounted for, but not at all intrusive; it's really a generously fruity wine with a big mid-palate. Outstanding value.
Rich and almost liquorous in its texture, this is powerful stuff. It has weight, with intense, concentrated flavors of tropical fruit, spice and a smooth character. The acidity lends lift on the finish. Screwcap.
Rich and almost meaty, this Rhône-style wine has wonderful complexity in aroma and flavor. It smells lightly earthy and very berry-like, tastes a bit smoky and beefy along with generous blackberry flavors that linger on the finish.
Rich and appealing, this feels classy, with smooth tannins framing cherry and licorice flavors.
Rich and aromatic notes of fresh and baked red apples perfume nose and palate. They appear with equal expression on the juicy, soft but defined palate. This is full fruited and textured, ringing with soy spice and lemony freshness. The savoriness of the midpalate echoes long after the last drop.
Rich and aromatic, this black label reserve displays excellent power and concentration. A dense core of cassis, licorice and espresso is brightened with vivid acidity, slowing fading through a long, smoky finish. Wait until 2016 for optimum enjoyment.
Rich and aromatic, with a full blast of fragrant toasty oak and plenty of tropical fruit. The apple, mango and pear fruit that coats your mouth is round and ripe but not too thick or grabby. And the finish is perfectly smooth. Sure, it's a bit buttery and full, so no one will confuse it for Chablis. But in its class it's one of the best out there.
Rich and baked smelling, with hints of marzipan, tobacco, earth and black fruits. Feels chewy and deep, with fresh acidity and bright cassis, black cherry and blackberry flavors touched up by chocolate and spice. Penetrating and choppy on the finish; 70% Cabernet with 30% Merlot. Drink now through 2013.
Rich and bold, it's a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tinta Roriz, both giving a floral character as well as some concentrated tannins. The dry structure and the intense acidity at the end suggest some aging. Drink from 2015.
Rich and briary, with that exotic, hot summer afternoon fresh berry tang, this Zin delights for its flavors of wild blackberries, currants, cherries, mulberries, chocolate, anise and pepper. So clean. You can taste the summer sun in every sip.
Rich and broad in the mouth, with notes of honeyed citrus reminiscent of tangerine and a tang of peppery spice. The finish is warm, spicy and long, with a hint of vanilla oak. Drink it now and over the next year or two for its undeniable richness.
Rich and broad, this is packed with dense fruit and tannins. It is ripe and full bodied, two qualities that are derived from the warm vineyard. The finish shows juicy acidity.
Rich and buttery, this has smoky oak and toast flavors that frame the pineapple and orange jam notes. Not overly complicated, this is made in a way that appeals to Chardonnay lovers. Production was a hefty 16,500 cases.
Rich and caramel flavored, this is a rounded, sweet strawberry wine. It has plenty of fresh acidity to cut through the ripe texture, but it's not for an apéritif, more for food.
Rich and chewy in blueberry fruit, Cuda continues to make a name for Livermore Valley Petit Verdot as a standalone wine, this one is huge in mouthfeel, as you'd expect, ready for savory, meaty fare.
Rich and chocolaty, this dense and detailed wine is loaded with brambly fruit, ripe cherry and baking chocolate. It's dotted with fine-grained, coffee-streaked tannins, and finishes with highlights of butterscotch and malted milk candies. As with all the 2005 Quilceda's, this is still young and tight. It is dominated by the barrel flavors that only slowly meld into the massive fruit with extensive breathing time (36 hours after being opened the wine was still improving).
Rich and chocolaty, with blueberry and blackberry jam flavor, this is high in alcohol, but it is delicious nonetheless.
Rich and complex from the start, the nose and palate of this wine feature a fruit melange of mango, melon, banana wrapped in nicely integrated oak. For some, the acid may be a touch high but this keeps the wine bright and crisp, and sustains this fairly full, barrel-fermented wine’s long finish.
Rich and complex in the modern Paso style, this blend of 59% Syrah, 21% Mourvèdre, 16% Petite Sirah and 4% Grenache pairs baked plum and blackberry with white pepper, sarsaparilla, coffee candy and cola on the nose. The flavors are deftly integrated, with touches of espresso, black cassis, black cherry and milk chocolate. Zesty and fun, it's also well structured.
Rich and complex, this Cab shows deep black fruit flavors of blackberry and cassis framed by decadent notes of espresso, leather and peppery spice. Like crushed satin in the mouth with ample tannins and a lush fleshy fruit backbone. Accents of menthol appear on the lengthy finish. Drink now.
Rich and complex, this dry, terroir-driven wine completely avoids the sweet butter creaminess and jamminess of so many Chardonnays, showcasing instead notes of tropical fruits and pears. It's framed by minerals and even a fresh herbaceousness that suggests the wild plants growing around this Sonoma Coast vineyard. While the oak influences are strong, they are perfectly in keeping with the underlying volume.
Rich and complex, this is a densely flavored rosé. It has spice and tangerine orange zest as well as a more complex red pepper and red currant character. It is a wine for fish or ratatouille.
Rich and complex, with an amazing array of flavors. Cherries, blackberries, spices, tobacco, soy, spicy cola and smoky oak are framed in luxuriously smooth, silky tannins and crisp acids. It will probably develop with a year or two of age.
Rich and concentrated for an entry-level wine, with earthy, bold aromas and a lush, well-balanced palate feel. Deep and sweet in terms of flavor, with a mix of ripe black fruits and herbs. Shows a bit of faux oak flavor on a mocha-tinged finish. Exemplary for this price range.
Rich and concentrated in blackberry essence, black currant and mocha, this has smooth tannins and a long, complex, dry finish. Delicacy, not to mention ageability, is somewhat compromised by the heat of high alcohol, but still, it's a flashy effort to drink over the next few years. The grapes come from the esteemed To Kalon Vineyard immediately behind the winery.
Rich and concentrated in flavor, like Black Kite's other '07 single-vineyard Pinots. Shows similar flavors of blackberries, cherries, raspberries, cola, chocolate, anise, sandalwood and pepper. Yet curiously soft, and probably the least ageable. Drink now.
Rich and concentrated in red cherry, cigar and plum, this demurely approachable and enjoyable wine has the legs to age. Structured and tightly drawn, it holds a tannic overbite that eases in the glass. Cellar through 2017.
Rich and concentrated, this big, brawny bruiser tastes as advertised: layered with baked strawberry and cherry pie flavor and ripeness. Earthy soy, anise and cinnamon keep those elements in check, as does the wine's velvety texture.
Rich and concentrated, this blend is mainly Merlot, with a little Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. The alcohol shows in the weight of the wine, but the freshness is still very present. Powerful, dark and still young, the wine will be best from 2017.
Rich and concentrated, this gorgeous, terroir-driven wine opens with aromas of crushed blue flower, graphite, plum and pipe tobacco. The powerful but weightless palate weaves together ripe black cherry, blackberry, clove, black pepper and mineral while velvety tannins offer support. Drink 2016–2035.
Rich and concentrated, this is a wine that has the Dão structure. It has an austere minerality from the hard granite soi, which is layered with enticing ripe black-fruit flavors. Touches of wood aging are blended well with the richness of this dense wine.
Rich and concentrated, this is dominated by superripe fruit. The wine derives its weight and full body from the clay soil of the Käferberg. The tight texture and acidity shows some restraint, but this selection is about power.
Rich and concentrated, this opens with aromas of black plum, tobacco and Mediterranean herb. The round palate doles out crushed blackberry, black currant, cracked pepper and sage alongside velvety tannins that gives it a smooth mouthfeel. A graphite note closes the lingering finish. Enjoy through 2020.
Rich and concentrated, this Syrah is aged in French oak, and it offers flavors of bacon, smoky oak, tar and leather. It's big and expressive, and it could use some time to open. Pair it with smoky meats that are big in flavor.
Rich and concentrated, this uber-reserve offers well-defined pear and lemon curd flavors, within a fresh pastry setting. The length and creamy texture is impressive. Drink now through 2020.
Rich and concentrated, this vineyard-designate is in its third year of bottling, the site farmed by the Martinelli family for this producer. Crisp green apple, salty brine and integrated oak all play a part in its delicious attraction, remaining vibrant through the lengthy, spicy finish.
Rich and concentrated, this wine is produced from vines on hills above the Pinhão valley. It offers firm tannins and ripe black-plum fruits. Full bodied and ripe, it is also young with new wood flavors and a dark structure. This wine will repay aging. Drink from 2020.
Rich and concentrated, this wine shows the firm tannins of a Gevrey-Chambertin. Ripe berry fruits and beautiful acidity contrast with this structure. The fresh aftertaste with its flavors of raspberries and dark cherries will be very fine. Drink from 2018.
Rich and concentrated, touched easily by toasty wood. The tannins are so sweet, blending easily into the powerful texture of black berry fruits with, hints of licorice. This is a ripe wine, its acidity always present.
Rich and concentrated, with well developed flavors of plums and blackberries and a spicy, peppery streak. Very dry, with stylish, ripe and fine tannins, and enough acidity for balance. This wine feels distinguished enough for the best tables.
Rich and creamy in pineapple, orange and lime fruit, with a sweet coating of new oak, this Chardonnay is balanced with zesty acidity. It's an opulent, flashy wine.
Rich and creamy on the nose with black cherry, vanilla and licorice, this is a very inviting if not entirely varietally recognizable bottling from one of Temecula's top wineries. The varietal character does arises subtly on the sip, with dried mint, bay leaf, pepper and chaparral herbs giving complexity to the dried fruit and roasted meat flavors.
Rich and creamy poached pear, banana and coconut aromas show in a ripe but not overdone way in this blend of 46% Roussanne, 37% Marsanne and 17% Viognier. There is a strong textural grip to the palate, focusing its apple, cherimoya and lemon peel flavors.
Rich and creamy with a thick layer of purple foam, this Lambrusco offers brambly notes of wet leaf, forest berry and clove. It has bright cherry flavors, a dry mouthfeel and firm tannins that suggest a pairing with cold cuts of ham or pork.
Rich and creamy, rounded by toast and honey with some spiced fruits. The texture is more wood than fruit, needing time to evolve.
Rich and creamy, showing tangerine, apricot, buttered toast, cinnamon spice and herb flavors. A solid wine for drinking with roast salmon, seared tuna or a salad of bitter greens with goat cheese and orange slices.
Rich and creamy, this barrel-fermented (in neutral oak) wine has appealing flavors of pear tart, grapefruit and coconut cream pie. The bracing acids compensate for all the lush creamy flavor, and the result is darn near irresistible.
Rich and creamy, this beguiling wine offers a counterweight of lightness and balance, finding as much lemon and lime zest as baked apple and pear within its layers of flavor. Lifted in minerality, it offers accents of vanilla and honey on the finish, making the wine both complex and completely delicious.
Rich and creamy, this has alluring aromas of ripe orchard fruit, toasted bread crust and a whiff of honey. The smooth palate doles out mature yellow apple, candied nectarine zest and toasted hazelnut framed in fresh acidity and an elegant mousse.
Rich and creamy, this is a delicious, ripe, and full style of Sauvignon. It has a light vanilla edge from its creamy texture as well as intense green-fruit acidity. The wine is concentrated and will be better to drink from 2018.
Rich and creamy, this stylish, concrete-egg-fermented Pinot Gris is both muscular and fleshy. Generous fruit flavors combine pear and peach with highlights of orange peel and citrus. The flavors continue through a long, clean finish.
Rich and creamy, this wine has weight as well as the hallmark freshness of 2007. The yellow fruits and spicy pear flavors are smoothed out with spice, with some herbaceous elements and a fine waft of apple skin structure. Worth aging for 3–4 years. Screwcap.
Rich and creamy, with fruit-forward flavors of pineapple jam, oranges, ripe peaches, vanilla and buttered toast. Crisp acidity gives balance and clean liveliness.
Rich and creamy, with opulent pineapple and peppery spice flavors finished with a savory edge of lemongrass. High acidity works in the wine's favor, making it mouthwatering.
Rich and creamy, yellow fruit ripeness over lime zest acidity. This is powerful wine, although not heavy, its acidity bursting out through the complex flavors.
Rich and dazzling, this has a chocolate-covered cherry flavor, complexed with notes of anise, wild mushrooms, bacon and smoky sandalwood. It feels soft and velvety all the way through. Drink it now.
Rich and delicious, this has flavors of pineapple tart, lemon meringue pie, buttered toast and smoky butterscotch that are balanced by fine acidity and dry, firm minerality.
Rich and delicious, this single-vineyard Chardonnay features ripe flavors of pears, mangoes, oranges, pineapples and new oak. The acidity is spot on. Flashy and opulent, it's an impressive Chardonnay to drink now with lobster, scallop or a pork tenderloin.
Rich and dense, a second wine that is right at the level of a grand cru classé. The fruit is polished by wood, with additional chocolate and spice character. The wine has power, extraction and tannins that envelop the juicy fruit.
Rich and dense, a spicy wine, dominated by a smooth, concentrated character. The acidity is present and gives an essential antidote to the ripe black fruits, leaving a wine that is powerful without being excessive.
Rich and dense, revealing ripe fruit, touches of wood and firm flavors, and a delicious juicy interior which bursts through. It revels in this fruit, all red berries and fresh acidity. To finish, there is some toasty wood.
Rich and dense, ripe and juicy, this is full of black fruits. It is smooth on the surface while solidly tannic underneath. This is an opulent wine, with a dry, wood-driven finish. Keep it for at least six years.
Rich and dense, this concentrated wine has a fine, smooth texture that is ripe with red-berry fruits. The freshness of the vintage comes through in the acidity and crisp, taut texture. The wine will be ready to drink from 2020, the 800th anniversary of the oldest-known traces of this vineyard.
Rich and dense, this generous wine has considerable botrytis as well as perfumed apricot and bitter orange flavors. It's ripe and full of fruit and honey. Drink from 2020.
Rich and dense, this has blackberry and black cherry jam, mocha and spice flavors. It contains 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, which lends the wine weight and body. While it's technically dry, there's a sweetness that comes from the ripeness of fruit and the caramel flavor from the oak, which gives it a sugary, bacony taste. Delicious now and for a few years.
Rich and dense, this is a ripe, wood-aged wine, now showing maturity. It has weight, red berry fruits and a firmer structure of tannins. It is ready to drink, but could age another year.
Rich and dense, this is full of ripe apple and lemon juice flavors. It's supercharged with acidity that shoots right through the fruitiness and gives a tight, crisp character. Delicious now, but it will be better in 2016.
Rich and densely extracted, this modern expression of Barbera d'Asti Superiore from the Nizza subzone offers enormous richness, power and intensity. The wine is smooth and velvety in the mouth with bright cherry and cassis flavors on the close.
Rich and developed dried pear and apricot notes stream from the nose of this wine, signifying its evolution. The palate is dry but rich with fruit and an emollient sense of vanilla spice. This is structured and bold, holding ample power within its broad shoulders and plenty of length on the finish. Pair with an equally potent dish or cellar and drink through 2020.
Rich and dramatic, packed with red and black currant, and sandalwood flavors. This is a very intense wine, impressive for its power. Seems a natural for aging. Hold until 2019 at least.
Rich and dramatic, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petite Sirah offers smooth, unctuous flavors of cherries, black raspberries, chocolate and pepper. It's a seductively appealing wine, with thick, refined tannins and a dry finish. Should gain in the bottle over the next 4–6 years. Great price for the quality.
Rich and dry, this has flavors of cola, cherry pie, bacon and black pepper. The tannins are firm, and there's a bright burst of citrusy acidity to make things lively. Not an ager, but it should benefit from another year in the cellar.
Rich and dry, this has pleasant cherry, red currant, licorice and spice flavors, with a touch of smoky oak.
Rich and easy, this has jammy raspberry, cherry, milk chocolate, anise and sandalwood flavors. Earns extra points for the velvety texture and smooth, spicy finish.
Rich and elaborate, a crowd pleaser to satisfy just about any Cabernet lover. Although it's potent in classic blackberry and cassis flavors, it shows a dryness and balance that you could call Bordeaux-style. Should develop easily for a decade in the cellar.
Rich and exotic, this Zin offers a blast of ripe wild blackberry, briary currants, mulberry, mocha, pepper and spice flavors that are wrapped into sturdy tannins. It's a strongly flavored wine that needs powerful fare to match it.
Rich and fancy in the popular style, showing lots of tropical and citrus fruit, honey, mineral, vanilla, lees and oak flavors, wrapped into a buttery, creamy texture. Brisk coastal acidity provides a pleasant tartness.
Rich and fine in the mouth, with cherry and currant preserves, chocolate and tangerine zest flavors wrapped into sturdy tannins. Could use a greater fruity concentration and sweetness, though, as the heat from high alcohol shows through.
Rich and fine, if a little too sweet and oaky. But those are the popular tastes in Chardonnay, and Kunde delivers. The fruit is potent in pineapple jam and Key lime pie.
Rich and fine, this is extraordinarily decadent. Flavors of pineapple, mango, crème brûlée, buttered toast, honey and spicy oak are wrapped in a note of vanilla cream, and brightened with crisp acidity. A bit heavy and seemingly sweet, this is showing its best now.
Rich and finely balanced, this wine combines spice notes with rich tannins and blackberry tones. While it is dense and complex, it is still young and needs time to age. Drink after 2015.
Rich and firm, with great concentration, this wine is powered by botrytis, honey and the ripest yellow fruit and bitter orange flavors. It promises a great future, with power and richness balanced by acidity. Drink from 2023.
Rich and flashy in blackberries, dark chocolate and cassis liqueur, this Cab feels fancy all the way through to the dry, spicy finish. The tannins kick in midway, giving it a scour of astringency that suggests the cellar. Yet it's really too soft and one-dimensional for anything beyond 3–4 years before the fruit dies.
Rich and flashy in the way of Oakville Cabernet, this shows ripe tannin structure and perfect acidity. The blackberry, black currant and licorice flavors finish thoroughly dry, long and classy. Drink now or age for a couple years.
Rich and flashy, from the get-go. It's dry and smooth, with fierce tannins giving a hit of astringency to the ripe, oaky black currant and crème de cassis flavors. Give it five years in the cellar to start to mellow.
Rich and flavorful, this Cabernet has jammy flavors of cassis, cherries, milk chocolate, licorice and vanilla. The wine is almost sweet and very soft in structure, the kind of Cab that adheres to today's cult parameters. Drink now through 2010.
Rich and floral, this top-notch Pinot Blanc hits the palate with verve and ripe, complex fruit flavors. There's a streak of delicious vanilla under the honeydew and Meyer lemon richness, and the length and power are especially impressive for a Pinot Blanc.
Rich and forward in blackberry, cherry and currant flavors, with an overripe note that veers into raisins, this Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend is dry and tannic. It's ready to drink now.
Rich and forward in cherry, blackberry, coffee and smoky oak flavors, this has ripe and fine polished tannins. It's a nice wine, with some sharpness on the finish.
Rich and forward in jammy black cherry, raspberry and spice flavors, this Zinfandel drinks well now. It's a tannic wine, as you'd expect off Howell Mountain, but those tannins are refined and sweet. Drink now with a nice steak.
Rich and fragrant, this is perfumed with white flowers and lemon blossom. Apples, crisp pears and lime give a fresh and tightly fruity taste. The aftertaste is bright, while also rich. Drink now.
Rich and fruity in Cabernet character, with blackberry, blueberry and cherry jam flavors subtlely tinged with oak. With soft tannins and a dry finish, it's a fine expression of Cabernet for drinking now.
Rich and fruity initially, this shows spice and new wood flavors as well as black plum and red berry touches. It has weight without being too concentrated. For medium-term aging.
Rich and fruity, this bold Pinot offers upfront aromas of juicy red plum, raspberry and strawberry, all laced with a touch of vanilla. The palate is lightly plush and velvety, with flavors of muddled cherry and raspberry sauce that carry through to the medium-length finish.
Rich and fruity, this Cabernet Sauvignon is filled with ripe blackberry, black currant and spice flavors. It's a little angular and tannic,  so it might benefit from a few years in a cellar.
Rich and fruity, this full-bodied wine holds ripe berry fruits that will be round and generous. A licorice flavor shows the extraction that needs to soften. Drink from 2016.
Rich and fruity, this has a yellow fruit flavor that's touched by a hint of pepper. A tasty edge of acidity balances this full-bodied, concentrated wine.
Rich and fruity, this is a balanced, mainly Merlot wine with some good tannins and a dark berry fruitiness. It is still young and full of dryness, although this will fill out. Drink from 2017. George Thienpont bought the property in 1946 and started a family legacy in this appellation. Son Nicolas is the enologist and oversees this and other Francs properties.
Rich and fruity, this is a dense, wood-aged wine. It has a perfumed character as well as ripe tannins and blackberry fruits. The wine is broad, rounded and full of fruit. Drink this attractive, concentrated wine now.
Rich and fruity, this is full of red berry and black plum fruits, sustained by dense, powerful tannins. The wine manages to balance freshness with a solid, dry core.
Rich and fruity, this is rounded as well as concentrated. It's on the sweet side, yet its acidity and blend of black and dried fruits are finely balanced. Like all LBVs, it can be consumed now, but it can also age over several years.
Rich and fruity, this reserve adds layers of spice and citrus to the peachy core of the regular bottling. Details of rind put a frame on the fruit, while a lightly toasty finish brings a lingering note of banana along for the ride.
Rich and fruity, this structured wine, still young, is firm and dense. Juicy black fruits are layered with acidity and given a solid character by the concentrated tannin core. Drink from 2017.
Rich and fruity, this wine full of black-cherry and red-plum flavors. There is no wood aging, just fruit and crisp acidity that between them fill out the lightly tannic texture. Drink this wine from 2018.
Rich and fruity, this wine has a warm feel to it. With ripe blackberries and a dense texture, it is full bodied, but with a firm tannic edge. The freshness of the year comes through with the acidity on the finish.
Rich and fruity, this wine is a full-bodied rosé. It has ripe red fruits and a touch of tannin along with balanced acidity. With its up-front richness, it is a food wine, rather than an apéritif.
Rich and fruity, this wine is balanced, with tannins and red fruits in harmony. It has weight and richness without being overpowerful. Ready to drink in six months.
Rich and fruity, this wine is finely balanced, with juicy black-plum fruit and acidity. The Merlot gives it a smoky character and a ripe, fleshy texture. Age this for 3–4 years.
Rich and fruity, this wine is packed with blackberry and damson flavors. The firm tannins at the back are balanced, giving an attractive character that will be ready to drink from 2020.
Rich and fruity, this wine is packed with intense black-currant flavors. It is perfumed, ripe with a good tannic background. The density of the wine and the firm structure point to a long aging process. Drink this beautifully structured wine from 2026.
Rich and fruity, this wine shows black currant fruit along with a firm, dry and tannic core. This youthful balance is finished with a polish of new wood and fine acidity.
Rich and fruity, this wine shows warm white fruit and a touch of spice. The wine is soft, its currant and pink grapefruit flavors lifted by acidity but with a rounded finish.
Rich and fruity, with open black fruits and soft tannins. The wine has jelly and sweet fruits, while the spirit is not yet fully integrated.
Rich and fruity, with tons of pineapple, mango, lime, peach, pear, nectarine and honey flavors. Lots of sweet smoky oak, too. Not particularly complex, but flashy. Drink now.
Rich and full-bodied, it's full of tropical fruits that dominate the ripe texture. Hints of wood are there as well as the natural crisp acidity of Sauvignon Blanc. It needs time to develop and bring out all its ripe flavors. Drink from 2016.
Rich and full-bodied, it starts with aromas of stone fruit, citrus and slate. The palate is loaded with ripe white peach, mineral and almond. Lively acidity brightens up the creamy texture.
Rich and full-bodied, the flavors of quince and pear are balanced by great acidity. It is a big, powerful wine that, with its tight fruit and steely background, promises long aging. The tropical fruits also need several years to show strongly. Drink from 2018.
Rich and full-bodied, this displays much of the complexity of a Grand Cru wine. It also has a strongly fruity character that bursts from the glass. Schoenenbourg is one of the vineyards surrounding the picture-book village of Riquewihr. Age the wine and drink from 2017.
Rich and full-bodied, this has the weight of a barrel-fermented, lees-aged wine. This 100% Pinot Blanc has plenty of orange, cream, brown sugar and brown butter flavors. Try it as an interesting alternative to Chardonnay.
Rich and full bodied but not sweet, this fruity-floral wine blends vanilla and pistachio flavors with ripe pear and apricot. It has nice flavor complexity, a soothing texture and lingering finish.
Rich and full bodied, despite the relatively low alcohol, this supertart and luscious Riesling is loaded with sour candy flavors of lemon and lime. Quite refreshing, pure and dry.
Rich and full bodied, Phil's Selection Zin is a statement on blackberry jam layered in leathery goodness with slight accents of spice and tobacco. A big bold wine that'll need big bold flavors to match.
Rich and full bodied, this abounds with pretty flower, sweet peach and pear aromas mingled with a toasted oak. It's decidedly oaky on the palate, with an abundance of smoke, vanilla and coconut notes. Generous in body, this has nicely extracted apple and lemon flavors. Drink now.
Rich and full bodied, this is delicious to drink now for its array of blackberries, currants, dark chocolate and toast flavors. The tannins are just a bit jagged, so give it a few hours in the decanter.
Rich and full bodied, this still has a tight texture of acidity and tangy orange zest. Minerality gives structure and a concentrated, bright aftertaste. It's a wine to age another year, so drink from the end of 2016.
Rich and full in character, the wine, from a small walled vineyard, has red and black berry fruits along with some good flavor depth and well integrated tannins. The wine is solid, while also offering ready-to-drink fruitiness. Screwcap.
Rich and full in mouth, this has green and apple fruit flavors that are cut with acidity. The tangy texture gives a contrast and balance to the wine. Drink from 2017.
Rich and full in mouthfeel, this wine is maturing well, giving some suggestions of bottle age alongside ripe pear and apple flavors. The acidity is still fresh, resulting in a crisp, tight finish. Drink now.
Rich and full in the mouth, packed with red fruits and black cherries. The wine is sweet, while keeping a tannic core. Drink next year.
Rich and full in the mouth, this dense wine is focused on ripe white and yellow fruits that are lifted by acidity. The wine is concentrated and tangy, cut with a steely aftertaste. Drink from2017.
Rich and full in the mouth, this still-young wine also has a good structure. It is dark and dense, smoky over the red-berry fruits. Concentrated fruit and tannins give a solid base for the wine's ripe, aromatic character. Drink from 2017.
Rich and full in the mouth, this wine has a ripe, yellow fruit and honeyed character. This contrasts with the fragrant acidity and the steely edge that cuts the ripeness. It's a wine that demands aging, so drink from 2018.
Rich and full, the wood and yellow fruit flavors are well integrated with the ripe acidity. Generous as well as elegant, it's a wine to drink now.
Rich and full, this has aromas of cherry, toasted nut, spice and chocolate. Its persistency would pair with roast pork stuffed with prunes.
Rich and full, this wine shows some sense of structure. It has considerable acidity and flavors of cherry and red currant. With the dry tannins coming through on the finish, it will need some years to soften.
Rich and generous, this is purely indulgent Merlot. The sweet fruit balances with sweet, almost opulent and well-integrated tannins, and ripe plum flavors. There is some dryness right at the heart of the wine; a pleasure of a wine.
Rich and heady on the nose in petrol and sublime vanilla crème brûlée, the palate is intriguingly more restrained, offering honey and pear balanced by persistent minerality that finds its voice most forcefully on the lean, refreshing finish.
Rich and heavy, like a chocolate pastry dessert with blueberry, raspberry and cherry fruit. You could even describe it as decadent, but it lacks elegance and lively complexity. Drink now, after a good decant.
Rich and herbal in cranberry and cherry, this is a soft and approachable wine that's been tamed yet manages to retain a spicy, clove and cardamom edge.
Rich and honeyed on the nose and palate, this is chock-full of superripe tropical fruit notes, spiked with hints of white truffle, black tea and sweet brioche. It's an interesting mélange of yumminess, but there's just a hint of something chemical on the nose and palate that distracts.
Rich and impressive, not only for its wealth of concentrated flavor, but for the full-bodied mouthfeel and overall polish. It's showing flashy cherry, currant and pomegranate fruit now, but the tannins are fairly hefty, while the acidity is brisk and mouthwatering. Wants some time in the cellar. Better after 2016.
Rich and intense but also round and soft. A horsey note adds complexity and rusticity to the dark chocolate, leather and black cherry aromas and flavors. —J.C.
Rich and inviting, this has bold aromas of maraschino, blackberry jam, plum and exotic spice. The mouthfeel is plush and rich, with a bright spot of acidity on the finish.
Rich and juicy with aromas of preserved peach, fresh apple and even a hint of berries, this Riesling is dry in style, yet remarkably forward with fruit. The palate is bright, with zesty lemon-lime acidity that lingers on a medium-long finish.
Rich and juicy, this features a ripe plum flavor and acidity, resulting in a wine that is fragrant, fresh and structured. It has power, and its dark concentration is at the heart of this solid effort.
Rich and juicy, this has attractive red berry fruits that are already developing well. Structurally, it is foursquare in character with a rough edge. It's for the medium term
Rich and juicy, this has tannins and wood-aging flavors that are already well integrated into the ripe, jammy berry fruits. The wine is still young, although it can be drunk now. Better to wait until 2017.
Rich and juicy, this wine holds excellent potential. With its ripe red-berry fruit, balanced tannins and acidity, and spice from the wood aging, it will become a concentrated wine. Drink from 2020.
Rich and languid on the palate, this is an inviting approachable red blend made from roughly equal proportions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Baco Noir. Ripe red-cherry and plum flavors are offset by sunny cassis acidity and fine-grained tannins. The finish is marked by pleasant notes of savory herb. Drink now through 2021.
Rich and lavish aromas of caramelized black cherry, cola, root beer and ginger cake make for broad and inviting entry to this wine. It's lighter in body and more tense than the nose suggests, but still ripe with strawberries and red cherries, framed by a grippy tannic structure ladened with pencil lead.
Rich and layered in cherries, red currants, pepper and gingerbread, this Zin has soft, lush tannins and a spicy finish. It's a good wine to drink with barbecue.
Rich and layered on the nose, this wine shows peppercorn, bacon fat and blackberry jam aromas. It is full and soft on the palate, with deeply rich yet still a tad tart boysenberry and elderberry fruit as well as an asphalt-driven grip.
Rich and layered, this impressive wine is memorable in its full grasp of cherry grenadine and cola, the succulent flavors spiked in spicy clove. On the lengthy finish, it takes on a blueberry note that's welcome in its balance of sweet and sour.
Rich and layered, this wine expresses the essence of its vineyard's fruit. Smacks of tangy citrus, lime blossom, lemon curd, peach and yellow apricot flavors that flood the palate and finish long and spicy. It's a very big wine, but balanced and elegant.
Rich and lightly structured, this wine is shot through with bright acidity that offers a crisp, tight aftertaste. The red fruits flourish happily at the end.
Rich and loaded with exceptional fruit power, this is dominated by the Champoux Vineyard's classic black-cherry character. Accents of clean earth, violet, tar and caramel show extraordinary depth, framed by firm and muscular tannins.
Rich and luscious scents of baked apple, dried pineapple, honeyed brioche and baking spice follow through to the expansive palate. The well-integrated mousse lends this sparkler a luxurious feel, and the baking-spice note continues on the precise, tenacious finish. This bottling is a special release, sold to Trump Wine Club Members only.
Rich and lush, with smoky, charry overtones and pretty blackberry, plum, chocolate, coffee, herb and toast flavors. The wine shows moderate body and silky tannins. Long, rich and enticing on the finish.
Rich and lusty smelling, with a tight, saturated, grabby palate full of big berry, bacon and oaky flavors. The tannins are big and grabby, while the finish of espresso and toast ends with bitterness. Forceful and oaky RDD. Imported by USA Wine West.
Rich and mature aromas of smoke, earth and herbs announce this surprise. The palate offers complex fruit, herb and mineral notes, and while mature, it has great mouthfeel and acidity. The dry finish has length and shows a reprise of the smoke and mineral elements from before. Best Buy.
Rich and meaty enough to sink your teeth into, this dark and deep Syrah has toasty, smoky aromas. Generous blackberry and boysenberry flavors that are full but not sweet accompany a velvety texture. This is tasty now, but has the layered tannins and acidity for aging. Best now through 2019.
Rich and mineral at the same time, this deliciously powerful wine is open and generous. The structure is equally impressive, a steely core of minerality and tense stone fruits. The wood shows through with spice, but remains discreet. Age for many years.
Rich and modern, with dense extraction and raw notes of cherry, blackberry and spice, this wine is very representative of the new face of Barbera d'Alba. There are sweet fruit notes followed by equally sweet oak tones of cinnamon, chocolate and spice.
Rich and mouth-filling, this full-bodied wine has plenty of fruit flavor and is structured with fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. It blends ripe berry and plum notes with more vibrant red cherry for complexity and has a lingering, layered finish.
Rich and multi-layered, the wine smells like lemon and cream, while tastes recall marzipan, lemon and pear. It feels luxurious in texture and has a tasty, lingering finish. While full bodied, it doesn't get as heavy as the flavors might suggest and shows good balance.
Rich and oaky, this wine gives plenty of flavor at reasonable price. It has an abundance of baking spice, butter and toasted-baguette flavors, full body and a pleasantly viscous texture.
Rich and oaky, with brisk acidity framing delicious flavors of pineapple custard, buttered toast and crème brûlée. Elegant and impressive for drinking now.
Rich and oaky, with pineapple jam, tangerine juice, buttered toast and vanilla spice flavors. It's a big, opulent wine, but a little in your face. Drink now.
Rich and open, this is a generous, full-throated wine. There is a good contrast between the ripeness and a line of acidity that gives a steely, textured backbone. The end combines the two characters, a ripe, full aftertaste cut with a touch of steel. Drink from 2017.
Rich and opulent, in the California coastal style. The grapes come from some respected Carneros vineyards, including Hyde and Stanly Ranch, and the pedigree shows in the balance of ripeness and acidity. With pineapple, mango, green apple, crème brûlée and buttered toast flavors, it's just delicious. Great with Dungeness crab and sourdough bread and butter.
Rich and opulent, in the popular style, this Cabernet offers soft, oak-driven flavors of blackberries, black cherries and cherry liqueur. It's a gentle, delicious and fancy wine, if a little one-dimensional. Drink now.
Rich and opulent, showing masses of honeydew melon, orange crème, vanilla and spicy flavors. Really seductive, so easy to like. A touch of oak adds just the right note of smoke. Great with roast pork.
Rich and opulent, this is a big fruity, toasty white wine. The vanilla from the wood combines with ripe peach and pineapple flavors, the acidity a hint of tangerine zest. While it is definitely full-bodied, both the full fruit and the acidity give it  very drinkable balance.
Rich and opulent, this is a full-throated Pinot Noir. It has ripe berry flavors and a balancing acidity that supports a dense texture and underlay of firm tannins. While delicious now, this is a wine that will improve with aging so drink from 2016.
Rich and opulent, this is a gorgeously perfumed, sweet wine. The Eichberg vineyard produces opulent wines, and this is no exception. A touch of honey matches the intense spiciness and general sense of flamboyance. It's a ripe wine, while still structured and dense. Drink from 2017.
Rich and opulent, this opens with toasted aromas of spice and nut, backed by accents of ripe fruit and blackberry jelly. The mouthfeel is soft, supple and slightly sweet.
Rich and opulent, with the Sémillon adding depth and roundness to Sauvignon's lemon, lime and floral notes. Tastes like there's some residual sugar in the finish, but balanced with zesty acidity.
Rich and overtly sweet in raspberry and cherry pie filling, with a chocolate-butterscotch taste like candy. A big, lusty, opulent style of wine to drink now with barbecue.
Rich and penetrating, this shows tertiary aromas of crushed stone, cured leather and black truffle. The mouthfeel is polished and smooth.
Rich and perfumed, the wine is packed with black cherry and damson fruit flavors. It is concentrated with its tannins firmly integrated, giving great final fruit and ripeness.
Rich and perfumed, this is a full, ripe and creamy wine. It's full of almonds and peaches that are cut with acidity. It's dry and ready to drink, and should pair well with a variety of foods.
Rich and powerful, this is a spicy wine flavored with caramel and apricot. There is a layer of high toast that is out of balance with the fruit, and needs time to calm down. Wait 6–9 months.
Rich and powerful, with a molten intensity, this has loads of blackberry and cherry jam flavors, yet it has a minerally earthiness that grounds it and makes it endlessly complex. With its tannic profile and sweet oak jacket, this defines Napa Valley Cabernet—particularly from the mountains. If you can keep your hands off it, this will develop over the next 10–20 years.
Rich and pure, with warm saddle-leather aromas as well as scents of toffee and hard cheese. The palate runs sweet and rich, with plenty of brown sugar and spice galore. As a whole it's a rather forward and approachable wine that might lack some complexity but not exuberance.
Rich and ripe in fruit and a little heavy in toasty oak, this Chard will appeal to fans of that California style. It oozes with pineapple tart, peach pie, butterscotch and caramel candy flavors.
Rich and ripe in juicy blackberries, currants and cedar, with thick tannins. But there's a sharp acidity that kicks in immediately and detracts from the mouthfeel. Drink now.
Rich and ripe in pineapples, oranges, peaches and limes, this Chardonnay features oak-influenced buttered toast flavors. It's balanced with crisp acidity and dry minerality.
Rich and ripe in tropical fruit, apricot and peach flavors, this oaky Chardonnay is brightened by crisp acidity. The oakiness returns in the finish, which suggests buttered toast. Drink now.
Rich and ripe on the nose with dark black fruit and olives, this is an easygoing blend of Syrah, Cab and Merlot. Medium-bodied in style, it's soft on the palate with plush tannins and flavors of cooked plum compote accented by darker hints of olive and sage.
Rich and ripe on the palate, this full-bodied, almost densely structured Sekt offers loads of concentrated lemon and apple flavor, intensified by sweet caramel. Its rich yet elegant foam dissipates beautifully on the palate, leaving lingering nut and caramel apple tones.
Rich and ripe on the palate. Plush and full, brimming with plum, cherry, chocolate, spice, herb and vanilla flavors. Lively and long on the finish. A real treat.
Rich and ripe with blackberry and cherry tones, this off-dry rosé is luxuriously plush in style. While a touch candied on the palate, it balances out nicely on the finish with a vibrant kick of sour cherry acidity.
Rich and ripe with cherry, pomegranate, persimmon and spice flavors, with a nice, silky texture and fine tannins. The acidity is sharp, the alcohol refreshingly moderate. Could benefit from some time in the cellar.
Rich and ripe, this features blackberry and currant flavors whose acidity provides a citrusy, jammy tartness. This is the winery's least expensive bottling, and an enticing introduction to its future releases of '09 vineyard-designated Cabs.
Rich and ripe, this full-bodied wine offers lush black-plum aromas, a palate-coating texture, ripe but not sweet cherry and raisin flavors and a soft velvety mouthfeel. For a varietal known for its acidity, this wine is surprisingly soothing to sip.
Rich and ripe, this has a plushness of red currant and cassis counterbalanced by blackberry on the underbelly. A well-hewn texture leans leathery, with seasonings of black pepper giving it a piquant and lengthy finish.
Rich and ripe, this has concentration both from the apple, pear and apricot fruits and also from its steely, mineral texture. It's deliciously full in the mouth. Drink from late 2017.
Rich and ripe, this has flavors of raspberries, cherries, cola and red currants, plus layers of exotic spices and toasty sandal-wood that change with every sniff and sip. With its silky texture and crisp acidity, it should develop over the next 6–8 years, but it's also wonderful now.
Rich and ripe, this has liberally oaked flavors of blackberry jam, black currant, dark chocolate and anise. It shows Napa Valley pedigree, but it's tannic now, with mouth-numbing astringency. Try holding this until 2016, then give it a decanting.
Rich and ripe, this intense wine is verging into tropical land with pineapple and mango, plus an overreaching expression of oak and vanilla. It offers medium- to full-bodied weight and a big finish.
Rich and ripe, this is an intense and decadent Zinfandel, with highlights of blackberry jam and milk chocolate.
Rich and ripe, this wine full of blackberry fruits and balanced tannins has improved since it was reviewed from barrel. It has good concentration for the vintage, dominated by black fruit that offers good acidity at the end. Drink from 2022. Olivier is a large medieval hunting estate that has belonged to the Bethmann family since the 19th century.
Rich and ripe, this wine shows a great balance between fresh, fragrant fruit and toasty hints of maturity. There's a soft feel on the palate, but a tangy, vibrant texture adds complexity to this very fine wine. Drink now or cellar through 2018.
Rich and ripe, this wine smells sunny like plums and cherries pulled from the tree. It offers a broad and supple texture, with mellow spice and cherry flavors. All that flavor is wrapped in a soothing blanket of fine tannins and just enough acidity to keep it fresh.
Rich and ripe, with aromas of honey, lychee and potpourri, this is a warm, soft, big-bodied Gewürztraminer, but with concentration and depth. Off dry in style, with flavors of caramelized sugar and rose, it finishes long, with a delicious hint of astringency.
Rich and ripe, with Cabernet fruit swamping the mouth with jammy blackberries, cherries, currants and chocolate. As fruity as it is, it's well structured, with firm tannins and a fine edge of acidity. Beautiful to drink now, but give it some breathing time after opening, or decant.
Rich and ripe, with enormous blackberry, currant, chocolate and cedar flavors, wrapped into firm but smoothly complex tannins. A very good Cab that will develop nuances over the next 4–6 years.
Rich and ripe, with soft tannins and a dense texture. The wine has finely integrated weight and spice. It is soft and on the sweet side, with black currant fruit and a dense finish.
Rich and ripe, with soft tannins and black plum flavors. It is round, while still having a core of attractive tannins. The fruit dominates, giving a friendly, accessible wine.
Rich and ripe, with some Chardonnay-like power, it's a lush mix of tropical fruit flavors—guava and banana and more. A lovely vein of caramel runs across the palate, and makes this simply irresistible.
Rich and ripe, with tasty lime, strawberrry and yeast flavors that finish sweet and spicy. The bubbles are a bit clunky, but otherwise it's a nice brut.
Rich and ripe—nearly over the top in ripeness—this is a luscious blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah matured in old foudres. Without any appreciable oak, what shines are the superripe Grenache flavors of black cherries and cola and the soft, plush tannins. A concentrated, long finish.
Rich and robust with berry and currant fruit, this wine is rounded and full-bodied, with tannic weight and spicy layers of toasted oak.
Rich and robust with smooth tannins, this Lake County Cabernet tastes deliciously austere, with leather, cedar and earth layered over crisp mountain berry fruit. More like the Xurus 2007 than the 2008, it should age just as gracefully, with its savory nature strengthening over time.
Rich and robust, this estate wine shines in milk chocolate, leather and smoky oak, its texture densely layered and soft.
Rich and round but not overdone, with a nice brightness to the apple, clementine and white peach aromas and flavors. Balanced and well-integrated, with all of the components working together in harmony. Closes on a brisk citrus-rind finish. Drink now–2014.
Rich and round, the wine boasts ripe toast and creamy pear and peach fruit. The lemon touches give point to this full wine, adding attractive freshness.
Rich and round, this attractive wine has generous tannins and equally generous fruit. Black currants shine with their acidity while the texture is firm and solid. This is a wine with a future; drink from 2016.
Rich and round, this boasts aromas of mature dark-skinned fruit, mocha and a hint of baking spice. Smooth, polished tannins support juicy flavors of black cherry, fleshy plum, cinnamon, vanilla and a hint of chopped herb while a chocolate note closes the finish. It will make fine drinking over the next few years. Enjoy through 2020.
Rich and round, this offers plenty of concentrated blackberry notes enveloped in warm spices and supple oak. There's a hint of green tomato leaves throughout, but the lush fruit combined with sturdy grape tannins and high acidity would pair well with fatty short ribs or braised pork.
Rich and rounded in character, this is already a beautiful wine, from 80-year-old vines. A line of acidity shoots through the wine, giving a long lift to the green fruits and orange zest flavors. It does have weight and a generous texture that reveals itself slowly. Ripe apricots mingle with acidity and toast at the end. Drink from 2019.
Rich and rounded with a creamy texture, this wine is ripe with apricots and has a strongly mineral character. Full of fruit, the wine also has a texture that means it needs to age. Drink from 2021.
Rich and rounded, it's full of ripe yellow fruits cut through with fresh acidity. Broad and well-balanced, it's ready to drink, but will be better at the end of 2014.
Rich and rounded, packed with yellow fruits and pineapple flavors, this is a warm, opulent wine, combining toast and fruit. True, there is some minerality, but this Meursault revels in its ripe fruit and generosity.
Rich and rounded, the wine has classic power. Wood flavors show strongly at this stage in its development, but it is full, ripe, full of yellow fruits, pineapple and apple skins. The wine has great weight, but offers a fresh, straight and crisp aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
Rich and rounded, this has notes of spice and ripe white and yellow fruit. Immediately attractive, it has complex acidity and a zesty texture. This should be ready to drink in 6 months. Screwcap.
Rich and rounded, thismisses the crispness of good Arinto. It is warm and fat, with a white fruit flavor and a pleasant touch of acidity.
Rich and satisfying, it has a ton of cherry and cola fruit that is wrapped into firm tannins and made brisk with acidity. The finish is dry and spicy. Not an ager, but it's a beautiful wine to drink now with a great steak.
Rich and satisfying, this opulent Chardonnay dazzles with sheer deliciousness. Master winemaker Richard Arrowood has pulled out all the stops on this Burgundian-style wine. The flavors, of pineapple custard, lemon meringue, green apple butter, crème brûlée and gingersnap cookie, are balanced by perfect acidity. This is by far Arrowood's greatest Chardonnay in recent memory.
Rich and savory, this has bold fruit notes of cherry and blackberry followed by delicate nuances of licorice, tar, spice and leather. Thanks to its structure and density, it's a wine you can really sink your teeth into.
Rich and savory, this is loaded with concentration and power. The aromas include ripe blackberry, creamy cinnamon bun, Spanish cedar, leather and barbecued meat. The finish is soft, chewy and succulent.
Rich and savory, with jammy-sweet, briary blackberry, cherry, currant, mocha, tabasco and dusty spice flavors that are intricate and complex. It's a strong, direct wine, yet has Zin's classic appeal.
Rich and seductive aromas of black cherry, vanilla-laced fudge, rendered animal fat and chopped dill entice the nose on this bottling. The palate is juicy with blackberry, black cherry and just-pulled espresso, but rather lean and quite restrained, with expert measures of acidity and tannins.
Rich and seductive, this brims with dense aromas and flavors of baked apple, dried stone fruit, tangerine peel and a touch of lanolin. There's great balance between the round, lush texture and clean, refreshing acidity, keeping the palate fresh and lively. Soft nuances of honey-roasted nut and toast unfold on the finish. Drink now–2016.
Rich and showy, but a little too strong in everything, showing flamboyant tropical fruit, caramelized oak, butterscotch and sweet vanilla cream flavors. It's all quite delicious, but the wine ultimately lacks subtlety and distinction, especially at this price.
Rich and smooth are two words that describe the character of this Chianti Rufina. It is also distinguished by bright berry notes of cherry, cinnamon, leather, cola and toasted almond.
Rich and smooth in tannins, with some sharpness through the finish, this shows masses of ripe blackberries and dark chocolate. A bit of time in the glass reprises and accentuates the chocolaty richness. Despite its power, this is refined and high toned, a serious cellar candidate. Give it 10–15 years.
Rich and smooth, this amber-colored wine is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio and Riesling Italico. Fermented in amphorae and aged for six years in oak casks, it boasts a fascinating assortment of flavors, ranging from mature apricot to ginger. Its structure and velvety texture make it a perfect mediation wine. Drink through 2022.
Rich and smooth, this has complex flavors of raspberry, almond biscotti, lime and vanilla, with a smoky note. The texture shows real finesse. Made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it's a first class bubbly.
Rich and smooth, this is a good example of the sumptuous 2009 vintage. It is soft, ripe with blackberry and red plum fruits. It is already developing well. It's a medium-term wine, already juicy and drinkable.
Rich and smooth, this is a ripe and fruity wine. It has hints of wood aging as well as dried fruit to bring out a tawny character. The wine is nicely poised between freshness and some maturity.
Rich and smooth, this is a ripe wine packed with blackberry fruits and sweet tannins that give a soft, while firm, structure. From the owner of Léoville Poyferré in Saint-Julien, it is sophisticated and elegant. Drink from 2017.
Rich and smooth, this solid, ripe wine offers a good sense of structure. It has weight, dense tannins and a creamy texture. Drink from 2015.
Rich and smooth, this wine's structured tannins are fully integrated into its juicy fruit. It's a ripe bottling, and it shows a hint of wood aging in the form of a smoky character. The acidity is intense, which perks up the berry fruit. This promises to age.
Rich and smooth, this wine shows delicious red fruits as well as good acidity. It is stylish, ripe with fruit and with a tight texture that hints at minerality. The wine is ready to drink.
Rich and smooth, this wine shows weight with superripe fruit that offers a mellow take on Grüner. With its spice, pineapple and dried apricot flavors, this is both fruity and structured.
Rich and smooth, this wood-aged wine shows great weight and concentration. A touch of minerality provides a counterbalance to the ripe lemon and apricot flavors. It needs a couple of years to fully reveal its structured side.
Rich and smoothly textured, this is rich with red berry fruits balanced by intense acidity. The structure is ripe, full of concentration from low-yield vines and ready for aging. Drink from 2017. This is from the Fer Servadou grape, similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, and known in Gaillac as Braucol. The estate, which spans both sides of the Tarn river, has been in the Hirissou family for six generations.
Rich and so smooth, this is like drinking a syrup. The tannins are so soft, so cushioned by the ripe berry and plum fruits. The real contrast is with the acidity at the end that gives a final lift. Drink now.
Rich and soft and silky, a nice Pinot for drinking now. Flatters for its wealth of raspberries, cherries, persimmons, cola, spices and sandalwood.
Rich and soft, but finely textured, great ripe swathes of spiced apricot and pear juice. A fine, delicious wine.
Rich and soft, classic creamed apple Alvarinho, with a great bite of apple skin acidity. The wine has a caramel edge, giving just an extra complexity and weight. A delicious, juicy, ripe and crisp aftertaste.
Rich and soft, it offers a ripe cushion of Chardonnay and a warm, rounded personality. While it misses out on a more structured character, the yellow fruits and light spice from wood aging give immediate drinkability.
Rich and soft, this Castelão-based rosé seems to miss out on freshness and acidity. Instead, it is broad, full in the mouth and heavy. It could work with food.
Rich and soft, this Chard has strong flavors of stewed apricots, peaches, pineapples and vanilla. It would benefit from more crispness.
Rich and soft, this has a creamy smooth texture, with notes of toast, ripe apple and quince. There is a good touch of acidity to this attractive, ready to drink wine.
Rich and soft, this is a fine blended wine that shows layers of wood, ripe tannins, flavors of blackberry fruits and good balancing acidity. There is a delicious juiciness from the St Laurent, which is tightened by the other grapes in the blend.
Rich and soft, this is a fine, tannic and fruit-driven wine. It is full of bright acidity, smooth tannins and with a touch of smokiness from the wood aging. Produced from a small parcel in the Simard vineyard, it is set to age well. It has fine elegant tannic structure. Drink from 2023.
Rich and soft, this is full of pear and quince flavors that pack a punch of acidity. The fruitiness is offset by a yeasty character that adds notes of almond and spice.
Rich and soft, this is marked by a powerful black-fruit flavor rather than by strong tannins. There is nothing subtle in this hugely dense and concentrated offering. Ready to drink.
Rich and soft, this wine is all black fruit, soft tannins and fragrant acidity. It's already attractive, full of warm fruitiness, and can be drunk from 2015.
Rich and spicy wine, this has a smooth character. Just beginning to soften, it feels ripe and full, bearing a white currant flavor, with a pinch of nutmeg.
Rich and spicy, full-bodied but gentle, this wine oozes ripe pear, vanilla, fig and hazelnut from the nose to the palate to the lingering finish. It boasts concentration yet comes across as dry, thanks to the balance that its bracing acidity brings. Best from 2018.
Rich and spicy, this 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from 10 acres generous and ripe, with warm tannins and a fruity, red berry character. This blend has attractive acidity and spicy flavors from the combination of wood and stainless-steel aging. This is only the second vintage from enologist Jean-Rémi Larrat's own property. It is worth aging, so drink from 2017.
Rich and spicy, this complex blend holds Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira and Aragonez. It has juicy fruits and balanced tannins, black currant fruitiness and delicious acidity. With a touch of spice and an herbal backdrop, the wine is ripe and ready to go.
Rich and spicy, this is a fine, dry, peppery Pinot Gris. In the mouth there's weight and ripeness, as well as some fat, yellow fruits. There's a touch of lychee as well, giving an exotic edge to the finish.
Rich and spicy, this is a smooth, wood-aged wine. It has ripe tannins and some concentrated fruits. With its acidity and dry aftertaste, it will certainly age.
Rich and spicy, this lusty Zin shows how well the variety does in Russian River Valley. Aged in American oak, it's deep and long in cherry, cranberry, licorice, cola, cinnamon and paprika spice flavors. Best now, with rich meat dishes and hard cheeses.
Rich and spicy, with oak-influenced green apple, pear, peach and citrus flavors, brightened with fine acidity. The finish seems pretty sweet, making the wine more off-dry than dry.
Rich and structured wine, this is full of opulent black fruits, sweet tannins and an immediately attractive smooth and juicy character. The wine has obvious weight and concentration. Ready to drink in the next 3–4 years.
Rich and structured, this complex wine comes from grand cru vines on the northern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. It is tense as well as packed with ripe apple and pineapple fruit flavors. The tension develops from a fine vintage that will allow it to age. Drink until 2022.
Rich and structured, this features tannins that pack the same weight as its ripe black fruits. A wood element shows in the background. The balance is likely to come together in the next year.
Rich and structured, this firm wine has concentration from dense white and yellow fruits plus richness from the wood aging. This intense wine is still developing, so drink from 2018.
Rich and structured, this is a grand wine for a grand occasion. It starts with a deep ruby color that stays dark almost to the edge of the glass. Flavors of dark cherry and pomegranate are vivid, deep and delicious. The combo of lively acid and firm tannin holds it all together for a lingering finish.
Rich and structured, this is a sturdy wine that shows good dry fruit tannins as well as wood. The blackberry fruit is open, ripe, giving a good juicy character and depth of flavor. This is a wine for 2–3 years' aging.
Rich and structured, this is concentrated with tannins as well as generous sweet black fruits. The tannins and the accompanying acidity mean the wine should age. Drink now, although it will be better from 2016.
Rich and structured, this shows the plushness of today's Bordeaux Merlot. Ripe berry fruits, dark plums and a touch of vanilla give spice and round off the texture. It's juicy, still developing and best from 2016.
Rich and structured, yet full and concentrated, this wine has both dark tannins and ripe plum and berry fruits. The acidity streaks through the wine, lending freshness and good aging potential. Drink from 2017.
Rich and substantial, this is potent in blackberry, cassis and dark chocolate flavors. High alcohol gives it a hot mouthfeel. It's not really representative of the Arrowood name of old.
Rich and succulent, this mountain-grown Cabernet offers concentrated black currant, cherry, red licorice, date-nut cake, vanilla and smoke flavors that are wrapped into firm, complex but gentle tannins. It's lovely now, with the focused balanced to age for several years.
Rich and sweet in pineapples, limes, kiwi fruit, honey and caramelized oak, but bracing acidity and a firm minerality prevent it from being a mere fruit bomb. Drink now.
Rich and sweet yet without excessive weight, Erbes' three-star auslese goldkap features beautifully delineated aromas and flavors of dried apricots, ripe peaches and pineapples as well as great minerality and freshness. The finish is virtually endless. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC.
Rich and sweetly fruity, this wine wields intense power. Red fruits are initially opulent and pleasurable, but then the wine begins to show solid structure and concentration. The final texture, with its tannins and fruit in harmony, is impressive. Drink from 2018.
Rich and tangy, a Chardonnay that appeals for its pure varietal flavors and noble structure. It's powerful in pineapple and orange fruit, with a sweet overlay of caramelized oak. This richness is balanced by brisk acidity and minerality.
Rich and tart, this is a delightful Pinot Noir for drinking now. Feels upscale in the mouth, with flavors of spicy raspberry, red currant, cola and sandalwood. Shows the elegance that almost always accompanies a Robert Mondavi wine.
Rich and textural, this gloriously mixes raspberries, cherries, baking spices, cola, cocoa and coconut components, all woven together seamlessly. It's forward and juicy, yet built for medium-term aging. Drink now through 2026.
Rich and thick in blackberry and licorice, this wine is also soft and juicy on the midpalate, with big black fruit, vanilla and leather. Integrated tannins remain chewy until the finish, when a taste of bittersweet chocolate comes into play.
Rich and thick in chocolate mocha and a punch of espresso, this wine offers great value. It showcases the cooler side of the variety in cedar undertones, while delivering decadent counterpoint with its suggestion of bacon. A lift of acidity brightens the finish.
Rich and thick in leathery blueberry, this Syrah from the great Carneros-based Hyde Vineyard is a study in full-bodied black licorice and dark chocolate caramel. Though bigger in style, it retains acidity and balance.
Rich and thick like a satisfyingly dark chocolate and raspberry pie, this Tempranillo's decadence is offset by a soft texture and balanced acidity, making it a perfect match for tapas, bacon or creamy goat cheeses.
Rich and thick, this full-bodied, ripely bold wine has small amounts of Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Mocha chocolate meets blackberry jam washed down in fresh-brewed coffee, making for a memorable experience.
Rich and thick, this is an opulent offering of dark cherry and Asian spice, the spice popping on the palate throughout the long finish. Full bodied, it nonetheless features crisp, balanced acidity and a taste of rosemary and lavender, the perfect companion to a butterflied lamb seasoned the same.
Rich and thickly textured, this wine features intense botrytis aromas of dried apricots, backing them up with flavors of honey and orange marmalade. Long and intensely sugary on the finish, with enough sugar to genuinely stand up to desserts. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC.
Rich and toasty in style, this has notes of ripe tropical fruits, figs, toffee and green herbs. The oak is prevalent and at times a bit too loud.
Rich and toasty, round and full across the palate, this thoroughly-enjoyable new release is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a splash of Cabernet Franc. It was aged 17 months in 60% new French oak, yielding a spicy, chocolaty wine, with vivid, bright fruit flavors of cherries and plums. Excellent length, balance and texture.
Rich and toasty, this has aromas barrel-dominated aromas and flavors of vanilla and sweet, buttery oak. The underlying wine is strong in cherry and balsam flavors, which are girded by considerable tannins. Pair this with game meats, stews or barbecue to wrestle the structural elements into submission.
Rich and toasty, this is a swirl of mocha and raspberry doing a lovely pas de deux. It's sharp and focused, a little high-toned, and thoroughly delicious.
Rich and toasty, with tiny bubbles. The bouquet is laced with honey and vanilla scents. The palate suggests nuts and toast, without any noteworthy sweetness despite the demi-sec label. There’s good concentration and a ripe, toasty, slightly oxidized, nutty finish. This would work perfectly with the usual Champagne food suspects: foie gras, triple-cream cheeses and pâté, though it’s probably not the best choice for oysters.
Rich and ultraripe, this is full of yellow fruit, melon and pineapple flavors. Contrasting with this fruitiness are notes of dense wood and spice. It has an elegant structure, with a crisp, citrusy finish.
Rich and unctuous in concentration, this powerful auslese is chock full of honeysuckle nectar and yellow peach flavors. Striking lemon-lime acidity and a deep, dusty mineral vein lend gravitas and complexity.
Rich and unctuous, this Syrah flatters for sheer decadence. It's soft and fruity, offering waves of blackberry and cherry jam, mocha, bacon, black pepper and smoky cedar flavors, wrapped into firm but finely ground tannins. Finishes a bit hot in alcohol. Drink now.
Rich and unctuous; a big, muscular, semi-sweet beauty with a meaty frame and gorgeous maple and toffee aromas. Broad-shouldered across the palate, with apricot and quince flavors accented by cinnamon and nutmeg. In terms of mouthfeel, it's like a fine liqueur, and on the finish everything you've previously smelled and/or tasted comes back into perfect focus.
Rich and varietally expressive on the nose, this Cabernet Sauvignon is softened by the addition of 15% Merlot, the two combining in layers of ripe plum and tobacco. With mouthwatering acidity and firm tannins, it offers a complete package of enjoyable, approachable Cabernet.
Rich and velvety on the palate, this Pinot is cohesive in soft, pretty layers of light spice and red raspberry and cherry. Nuanced, it develops complexity as it goes, finishing as it started, rich and velvety.
Rich and velvety, it carries an important mouthfeel consisting of firm tannins, good acidity and a firm, minerally grounding. Fruit is the star, filling the mouth with blackberries and black currants, and a smoky coating of oak. With a dry finish, it's drinking very well now, and will soften through 2018.
Rich and voluptuous on the bouquet, this has coconut, ripe blackberry and leather aromas. It feels huge, grabby, tannic and supercharged, with ultradark and chocolaty berry flavors that last long on the finish, where pepper, spice and chocolate flavors sneak into the frame. Drink 2014–2021.
Rich and warm, this is a big, ripe wine. Toasted marshmallow notes frame honeyed pineapple, while hints of singed fruit and mocha linger on the finish. Drink now.
Rich and with good fruit, this is a structured wine that has the density to age well. The dark-chocolate flavors mingle with the black-plum fruits, finishing with just a light lift of acidity.
Rich aromas like Anjou pears and rose petals combine with generous ripe pear and vanilla flavors. It feels full-bodied but is light in alcohol and has a soothing texture. Good acidity balances the ripeness and the finish lingers.
Rich aromas of baked black plum meet with hibiscus, mint and a perfume-like lavender oil on the nose of this blend of 41% Dolcetto, 33% Refosco and 26% Nebbiolo. It's very flavorful yet not heavy on the palate, with crushed blueberry, gravel and lilac flavors. The vibrant acidity will allow these elements to converge in years to come. Drink 2018–2028.
Rich aromas of black cherry, anise seeds and buttered violets greet the nose on this dense bottling of a grape that rarely gets solo treatment. The palate is tarry and grippy, with dried sour cherries, boysenberry, black pepper and tightly grained cedar flavors that approach pine sap.
Rich aromas of boysenberry, cranberry, pipe tobacco and dark chocolate prepare the palate for flavors of cherry syrup and pomegranate. Soft but persistent tannins are apparent in the mouth, and the finish offers lingering flavors of dark chocolate and coffee.
Rich aromas of cassis, blackberry jam and black raspberry are lifted by cracked chocolate and chopped mint on this wine from attorney David Hardee and winemaker Joey Tensley. It's a very big, juicy and rich wine once sipped, with luxurious fudge, black cherry compote, fragrant plums, mission figs and even dates on the palate, but with acidity and ample tannins to match.
Rich aromas of concentrated raspberry, dried strawberry, beet juice, clove, turned loam, rose petals and forest floor show strongly on the nose of this bottling. The palate offers a lush body, with mocha, mace, and Indian spice, along with a touch of tart cranberry and dark soil.
Rich aromas of juicy peach and Damask rose have the lovely and tempering edge of grapefruit zest. The palate gives us the same welcomed counterpoint of zesty aromatic freshness and perfumed opulence. This has lovely fluid freshness, couched in sumptuous flavors. This is exquisitely balanced and finishes just about still dry.
Rich aromas of late summer are here: the ripe peel of yellow pears, luscious peach and yellow Mirabelle plum plus some dried hayflower notes. There is power and depth, along with some alcoholic heat and balancing acidity—beautiful now but it will get even better. Drink until 2020.
Rich aromas of meaty charcuterie provide a compelling reason to investigate this wine further, a largely varietal undertaking with 5% Merlot, aged two years in 80% new French oak. Chalky, dusty tannins add a smokiness and medium weight, before finishing with a touch of dried herb.
Rich aromas of milk chocolate share space on the nose with mushroom, cherry and currant notes. Although this ranks as a fuller-bodied Pinot, the palate retains a sense of crispness courtesy of bright acidity. Flavors of tomato, herbs, black plum and spice are just oaky enough, while this finishes with a blend of barrel notes, cherry and plum. Drink through 2020.
Rich aromas of molasses, chocolate and fig paste announce a ripe, thick Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon blend. On the palate, this is grabby, intense and oaky. Flavors of oak grain, graphite, chocolate and berry fruits finish saturated and heavy, lacking elegance.
Rich aromas of raisin, cassis and blackberry are supported by notes of vanilla, smoke and sweet almond paste. While this is dense and ripe, it's also a touch edgy and raw on the palate. Flavors of blackberry, cassis, dark spices and chocolate finish with a primary wave of residual fruit then a final dose of peppery spice. Drink through 2025.
Rich aromas of vanilla custard, raspberry sauce and strawberries and cream immediately waft from the glass and continue through to the round, lush palate. The mouthfeel is a bit flat, begging for more acidic lift to keep the ripe flavors in balance.
Rich aromas of violets, lilacs and other purple flowers complement the turned loam, shiitake, ripe cranberry and dark hibiscus scents of this bottling by the Duckhorn family. Once sipped, flavors of hearty black plum, nutmeg, crushed gravel and Earl Grey tea prove extremely layered and earthy.
Rich as chocolate cake, this bold wine is adorned with fresh berry flavors, its body full and concentrated. Soft like velvet curtains, it's a ripe expression of the vineyard in a ripe, picture-perfect year.
Rich as well as structured, it's ripe and already delicious. Berry and cherry fruits are nicely surrounded by both acidity and tannins. Full in the mouth, it's going to be an estimable wine. Drink from 2017.
Rich as well as tannic, this is concentrated, with dense fruits and sweet acidity. Its structure offers good aging as well as pleasurable fruit now.
Rich berry and graham-cracker aromas announce a ripe, easygoing Monastrell-Syrah blend. Chewy and slightly sinewy in feel, this offers heaps of tasty but creamy oak and vanilla to go with spicy, herbal berry fruit. A creamy, thick finish is fitting for a warm-climate wine like this.
Rich berry and oak-driven spice take center stage in this blend of 70% Montelpulciano and 30% Sangiovese. The palate delivers ripe plum and black cherry, along with notes of sage, spearmint and mocha. It's ready to enjoy now.
Rich black-cherry pie, vanilla and spice notes mark this intensely aromatic Bordeaux-style blend made of 60% Cabernet Franc augmented with equal proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The palate is bright with tart sour-cherry flavor wrapped in layers of velvety smooth tannins. Finishes moderately long.
Rich black-cherry, currant, licorice, spice and sandalwood flavors abound in this dry Merlot. It's pretty tannic, with a gum-sticking astringency. It's unlikely that this will age well, so drink it now, after decanting, and pair it with rich meats.
Rich black berry flavors lead in this delicious blend of 80% Montepulciano and 20% Sangiovese. The juicy fruit carries over to the palate, with notes of balsamic herbs alongside big, ripe tannins. It's a straightforward wine for everyday pleasure. Drink now.
Rich black cherry, black-cardamom cream, smoked meat and touches of anise and tar show on the nose of this well-priced bottling from Kevin Riley of the Proulx Winery. There is lots of energy on the palate, with flavors of tart black raspbery, hibiscus, sagebrush and a touch of nutmeg.
Rich black cherry, cola, turned earth and smoked meats show strongly in the inviting nose of this bottling from the San Luis Obispo County appellation's namesake winery. A fine-grained tannic structure kicks off the palate, where smoked blueberry and elderberry meet with leather flavors, all carrying a decent weight for such an affordable wine.
Rich black fruits are supported by a dark structure and intensely juicy, youthful acidity. It is powerful, ripe and full of potential. Definitely young with its exuberant fruit, it is going to need serious aging. Drink this wine from 2020.
Rich black plum pudding, cigar box and pine needle aromas show on the nose of this blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache from this increasingly prominent vineyard. The sip is hearty with tons of juniper, licorice and forest floor spice that enhance the incredibly lavish base of blackberry and black currant fruit. The structure is rigid in form yet polished and soft, with acidity laced throughout.
Rich black plum, soy, salt, pepper, grilled pork fat and a touch of purple flowers show on the nose of this blend of 55% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre, 15% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier. It's ripe, luxurious and savory on the palate as well, with vanilla, caramel and smashed black fruit, but upright tannins and strong acidity keep it within balanced bounds.
Rich blackberry and black-currant flavors give this wine its ripe character. They are already well balanced by the spicy tannins and dry core. The wine will develop well and should be ready from 2019. This is the last vintage under the Fournier-Casteja family. In December, Birot was sold to Miaolin Chen's New Century Tourism Group based in Hangzhou, China.
Rich blackberry and chocolate flavors, rounded tannins, good concentration and a velvety mouthfeel add up to a lot of pleasure in this full-bodied wine blended from Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Rich blackberry and chocolate form around chalky tannins and a juicy palate, with a waft of cigar in the distance. Medium bodied, round and soft, the finish is brushed in cherry and pomegranate.
Rich blackberry and currant flavors mark this Cabernet. It's bone dry, very tannic and acidic, giving it a severe mouthfeel that's not likely to age out. But it's elegant and food-friendly. Decant it for a few hours.
Rich blackberry and graphite aromas are ripe and heavy but magnetic. The palate on this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Monastrell is extracted and mega ripe. Baked black fruit, chocolate and fig comprise the flavor profile on this rich red that tips the scales as a heavyweight. Drink through 2018.
Rich blackberry purée, blueberry jam, raspberry pie, cherry tart and cedar flavors in this Cab. Rather direct in its appeal, and a bit too sweet, but its solid New World style will appeal to some.
Rich blueberry aromas come with hints of cardamom, anise and lettuce leaf. The palate feels compact and dense, with reduction and modest acidity. Flavors of blueberry and baking spices finish firm, long and exotic, much like the nose.
Rich blueberry, vanilla and hot gravel aromas greet the nose on this bottling from the Los Angeles-based Riboli family. Flavors are varietally familiar and relatively light, with peppery spice giving nuance to boysenberry juice, all framed by tightly grained tannins.
Rich Bordeaux, with concentrated blackberry fruits and dry tannins. There is a dry core and intense acidity. The wine is ready to drink, but could mature for 1–2 years.
Rich but balanced aromas of caramel, vanilla, blueberry pie with buttery crust, allspice, clove and mace whirl into an amazingly seductive nose on this wine by former NFL star Terry Hoage. It's luscious on the palate, with Vietnamese coffee, burnt caramel, black cherries, blueberry paste and smoked oak, yet balanced and tingling with acidity throughout.
Rich but fresh, with good aromatic intensity. Flavors are of white fruits, in a soft style, with nougat and honey, and a drier, crisper character than previous bottlings of this wine. The aftertaste is fresh and lively.
Rich but lively and dry, this wine packs a potpourri of spices and citrus fruits in its aromas and flavors, carrying them through to a lingering finish. Substantial and appetizing as an apéritif and excellent with seafood.
Rich but not overly dense, this 100% varietal wine from a vineyard known also for Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon is wickedly generous in chocolate mocha, full bodied yet balanced. It finishes in a flurry of black pepper and leather.
Rich but not overly tropical on the nose, this bottling shows buttered nectarine and a touch of honeydew on the nose. The palate is expertly wound up, with bright tangerine, ripe melon and creamy cherimoya, all reined in by a wet cement-like texture.
Rich but refined, it opens with an enticing floral fragrance of white roses and stone fruit. The fresh palate offers white peach, tropical fruit, pineapple and pink grapefruit accented with clove and nutmeg.
Rich but subtle, this medium-bodied wine is not overtly fruity or oaky, but blends complex nuances in an attractive and compelling way. The term “battonage” refers to stirring the lees while the wine ages in barrels or tanks, which can enhance the creamy texture. It smells like vanilla and nutmeg, and tastes creamy and buttery backed by ripe apple and a touch of lemon. It feels rich in texture, elegant rather than bold.
Rich caramel and a substantive presence of oak overlay an otherwise fairly light-bodied, structured wine from an estate vineyard. It's packed in tropical elements and baked apple.
Rich caramel and fudge tones mix with inviting crushed purple flowers, baked blackberries and vanilla on the nose of this bottling that features a red-fleshed grape rarely used alone. The palate is sharper than the lavish nose suggests, with fresh crushed elderberries and dried fennel spice.
Rich cherry and spicy black pepper introduce the nose to this wine from the Adelaida district. The flavors explore the more nuanced, not overly jammy side of the grape, with tart acidity and a good tannic backbone ensuring a long life. Decent now, but better to drink 2018–2022.
Rich cherry blossoms and dried strawberry-cherry paste aromas make for a very fruit-forward bottling. The palate is grippy with tannins that long hold attention, with dark red fruit and cinnamon flavors.
Rich cherry fruit anchors this excellent, estate-grown Merlot. It's lush and textural, with deep, dark fruit flavors and pleasant roasted notes of coffee and smoke. Half the barrels were new American oak, the rest French, mostly new.
Rich cherry jam, dew-covered thyme and a touch of licorice show on this bottling from a vineyard on the eastern fringe of the Sta. Rita Hills. Round red fruits and an anise character show right away on the palate, which grows more complex with pencil lead, cinnamon and dried herbs.
Rich cola, pomegranate, rhubarb, cherry, currant, tomato and flashy oak flavors in this dry Pinot Noir, and it has a nice, silky texture. Feels a bit heavy and one-dimensional, though, and seems to be showing its best, so drink now.
Rich Cushman made this wine; it nicely expresses the minerality and tight fruit that characterizes this excellent vineyard. This is at first a rather austere, compact wine, but it is dense with layers of flavor and representative of one of the most unique terroirs in the Pacific Northwest.
Rich dark-berry aromas combined with toasty oak give this seven-grape blend a modern yet encouraging nose. Saturated but slightly tannic and grating in feel, this tastes of blackened toast, vanilla, blackberry and spices. Toasty black-fruit flavors are largely pure on a tannic finish. Drink through 2022.
Rich doesn't begin to describe the layers of flavor and texture. This wine is massive, with notes of tropical fruit and apricot, with a slightly botrytized character that Sleepy Hollow Chardonnays often display. The oak is lavish and buttery, but perfectly matched to the wine's volume. It also has classic Monterey acidity—as pert as a squeeze of lime. Delicious, full bodied and exotic, it defines its vineyard and appellation.
Rich doesn't begin to describe this Chard. It's humongous in pie-filling and grilled peaches, pears, pineapples and papayas, while 50% new oak adds all sorts of buttercream, crème brûlée and smoked butter layers. Yet the wine shows a minerality that grounds and balances it. Very fancy stuff, and should age for up to six years.
Rich doesn't begin to describe this Pinot Gris. It's explosive in orange and apricot jam flavors, with vanilla and buttered toast layers. There's a fat, oily texture that adds interest to a variety that can be simple.
Rich earthy tones of iron and sagebrush meet with a touch of barnyard, roasted meats, dark cranberry fruit and a touch of sarsaparilla on the nose of this Josh Jensen bottling. More iron, wet clay, turned loam and slate minerality show on the palate, where black pepper, cooked black cherries, pomegranate and cranberry round out the still quite tannic sip.
Rich enough to drink now, this is dryish, crisply acidic and creamy, with pineapple sour candy and butterscotch flavors.
Rich flavors and a juicy texture make this dark-colored but medium-bodied wine fun to drink. It smells like ripe boysenberries, tastes almost jammy, and has a nice grip on the palate. It comes with a very reasonable price tag for the quality.
Rich flavors like vanilla and fig combine with a creamy texture and sweet finish to make a cream puff of a wine. The texture is soft and acidity quite low.
Rich flavors of blackberry jam, cassis and toasty oak mark this dry, tannic young Cab. It's not showing much subtlety or grace, but that may be a function of youth. Give it six years and see what it does.
Rich flavors of cherries, cola, black raspberries, oranges and pomegranates are wrapped into a silky texture in this Pinot Noir. It's a little deficient in acidity, which makes it taste simple and one-dimensional.
Rich flavors of cherries, persimmons, cola, anise and oak flood the mouth with immediate deliciousness. Bright Russian River acidity provides fortunate balance. It's delicious now, but young; this has the balance to develop nicely, so give it 6–7 years.
Rich flavors of cherries, red currants and licorice mark this wine, leading to a spicy finish. It's a little aggressive in texture, though, with dominating acidity. Drink now.
Rich flavors of orange and tropical fruit are marked with brisk acidity and a touch of Champagne-like sourdough yeast. The finish is sugary and simple.
Rich flavors of peaches, pears, buttercream and toast appear in this dry Chardonnay, which shows no signs of tiredness, although many 2007s do. The chief problem is excessive softness. It lacks balancing acidity and brightness.
Rich fruit and cream flavors and a smooth, almost sweet impression in the mouth add up to a palate-pleasing taste. This smells like lime, honeydew and cream, feels rounded on the palate, tastes like poached pears and has a soft finish.
Rich fruit aromas of yellow apple flesh, mealy pear and banana lead the bouquet, with a hint of grapefruit pith in the background. The palate is tangier and more lifted than the nose suggests, with bright flavors of green plum and citrus juice.
Rich fruit flavors and aromatic complexity make this full-bodied wine tempting and satisfying. Aromas suggest ripe, seemingly sweet cherry plus whiffs of cedar, and the flavors are expressive and layered, carried on a velvety texture that melts in the mouth.
Rich fruit is boosted by the wood aging. Together they give a ripe wine full of acidity and juicy yellow fruits at the same time. It's a delicious wine, smooth while lined with acidity. The wood flavors sustain it, and it should be ready to drink from 2016.
Rich fruit meets hearty earth on this bottling, with aromas of baked cranberry, candied cherry and pomegranate alongside juniper, forest floor and ginger snap. The fresh berry and pomegranate juice-led palate is enhanced by cinnamon and clove, touched by dried orange-rind bitterness.
Rich fruit, layered with acidity, stars in a wine that is dense, very much a product of the powerful 2005 vintage. With the concentrated tannins, this is showing that it needs to age, but already the sweet fruits are opulent and soft.
Rich fruit, tempered with the perfumed structure of Touriga Nacional, give this wine both complexity and fruitiness. It has weight and concentration, followed by juicy acidity.
Rich glints of ripe passion fruit are burgeoning on the nose. The palate has the same richness but is kept in check by wonderfully insisting, bright lemon acidity that suggests both peel and flesh. This is not really fully sweet and thus occupies an uncertain field—one which clever and innovative cooks navigate with aplomb. This is a wine for spiced, exotic dishes that involve fruit, for soft, ripe cheeses or savory fruit combos. The wine's creamy finish pulls all the elements together.
Rich gold in color. Broad, layered aromas of very ripe fruit with hints of sweet smoke, brown sugar, honey and a savory earthy minerality. Full-bodied, bone dry, but richly textured with crisp acidity and a wide palette of flavors, ripe stone fruit, a creamy savory earthiness, sage and a balsamic kick on the finish. Very long length, slightly warm but with a lingering savory, mineral finish.
Rich golden and red apple notes play on the nose of this appetizing wine. The palate echos the aroma with both ripe generosity and crisp freshness. It's juicy and textured with a pervasive freshness that brightens everything and a wonderfully clean and lip-smacking finish.
Rich grape and blackberry flavors in a slightly sweet style make this generous and smooth. Full bodied, it has a welcome touch of tannin to keep it appetizing.
Rich hints of juicy pear on the nose lead to an equally fruity palate. The pear notes and juiciness are boosted by slight sweetness that is held in check by lovely texture and clean freshness. The finish is off dry.
Rich honeyed apple and crème brûlée rise on the nose of this classically styled wine, tight in texture and weight with a boldness of baked pineapple and nutmeg. Lengthy and complex, it draws much of the fruit from Dutton's Mill Station Vineyard in Green Valley, an appellation that can deliver lots of spice and minerality; both are on display here.
Rich honeysuckle, marzipan and oak aromas meet bright lemongrass on the nose of this bottling, showing both the fresh and oxidative sides of the grape. Smoked chicken and brioche notes are prominent on the palate, leading to a tangy, botanical, juniper-laced finish.
Rich in acids and steely minerals, which gives the wine a tart scour, grounding the pineapples, pears and honeyed oak. Very nice and classic, and should gradually develop bottle complexities through 2013.
Rich in apricot and orange marmalade, crème brûlée and vanilla flavors, this dessert sipper has a soft, honeyed richness. The residual sugar is 14.1%, making it fabulously sweet.
Rich in baked apple pie and ripe pear, this late-harvest Chenin Blanc, sourced from the Norgard Vineyard and named for Graziano's daughter, has pleasant acidity and isn't cloying or heavy. Smooth from start to finish, pair it with apple desserts or roasted nuts.
Rich in berry, cherry, cola, pepper and sandalwood flavors, but a bit off in texture. Feels jagged and angular, with some green tannins. Ready now.
Rich in black cherry jam, mocha and toasty oak flavors, this wine offers the firm tannins and minerality that give a young Spring Mountain Cabernet its noticeable characteristics. Give it eight years to begin to come around.
Rich in black cherry, licorice, mocha and oak flavors, this Pinot is showing its best now. Give it a few hours of decanting and pair with steak, lamb and salmon.
Rich in blackberry jam and chocolate, this wine offers a wealth of dusty underbelly and tightly wound tannin and toasted oak. Around those richer rewards are brighter elements of cassis and currant, finished in zippy acidity.
Rich in blackberry tart, dark chocolate, grilled meat, pepper spice and smoky flavors, wrapped into firm tannins. The acidity is strong and a little unnerving. Drink over the next 2–3 years.
Rich in body but light in tannins, this warm, generous wine fills the mouth and eases down the throat. It has a good mélange of cherry, strawberry and floral aromas, satisfying fruit flavors and a nicely soft finish.
Rich in cassis and black peppercorn, grapes for this wine came from Stagecoach Vineyard as well as other Napa Valley superstar sources. It delivers layers of medium-weight blackberry and currant fruit, developed tannins and a signature taste of dusty minerals and rock. Small amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot are blended in.
Rich in character, this is a dense wine, with smoky tannins and juicy red fruits that are deliciously ripe. The tannins and the fruit concentration result in a weighty yet brightly acidic wine. It will develop quickly, and then remain at a peak for many years. Drink from 2018.
Rich in character, with big citrus, pineapple and pink grapefruit flavors. Even if it is rich, the wine also gives freshness as well as acidity to balance the full-bodied texture
Rich in cherries and spices, this dramatic wine has a linear, structural quality to it, the result of dryness and acidity and minerals. Shows the finesse and femininity often associated with this vineyard. Pretty and polished now, but should develop over the next six years.
Rich in cherries, raspberries, licorice, cola and sandalwood, this Pinot finishes dry and spicy. It has a lovely, silky mouthfeel, yet is quite sharp in acidity, and a bit one-dimensional. Best now.
Rich in cherry and raspberry pie filling flavors, with red currant, cola and exotic pomegranate notes and a super-spicy finish. Bone dry, this Pinot shows the classy elegance of its vineyard source. On the downside is very tart acidity, as if the wine contained a big squirt of lime juice. Hard to tell where it's going, if anywhere, but nice after decanting with a grilled steak.
Rich in cherry, blackberry, raspberry and herb flavors, this Rhône blend has sweet-and-sour berry-cherry flavors. It's rich in dry, furry tannins. Needs something big and meaty to soften it, like beef stew.
Rich in color and aromas; the nose pushes soothing, fragrant dark-fruit aromas that carry a touch of perfume and violets. In the mouth, the wine is only moderately rich. With full acids and zest, it's not as hefty as many modern Riojas. Still, it's a well-executed Tempranillo with ample oak and good mouthfeel.
Rich in fine, pure tannins, this Pinot is delicious now, but has the structure to age. It shows ripe wild black cherry, currant, mocha, anise and spice flavors that finish with a smoky, oaky sweetness. Best now for its approachability, and over the next few years.
Rich in flavor and texture, this smells like white peach and buttered popcorn with a hint of chalky earthiness. The taste is creamy and reminiscent of honey and toasted almonds. It is medium bodied, but lush and almost thick in mouthfeel, with flavors that linger on the finish.
Rich in flavors of buttered toast, buttered popcorn, vanilla, pineapple, orange and apricot jam, this is an elaborate Chardonnay. It's a very lush offering, honey sweet on the finish.
Rich in fruit and oak, but balanced with crisp acidity. It's strongly flavored, brimming with pineapple jam, white peach, apricot, buttered toast and vanilla. Gets the Chardonnay job done with some elegance.
Rich in grenadine and orange peel flavor, Red Electra is infused with the perfume of jasmine. Slightly effervescent, it would be delightful over ice or mixed into a gin and tonic and at under 6% alcohol is a nice apéritif to serve any guest.
Rich in heady cinnamon and aromatics of a perfumed rose in bloom this is a beautifully integrated, well-proportioned Pinot Noir, its black cherry and blackberry complemented by a depth of earth and mushroom and silky concentration of tannins.
Rich in honey and lemon, this wine's otherwise pleasant texture and balanced acidity is marred slightly by a whiff of petrol that might mellow with age. Bottle aged for two years after barrel fermentation, give it time and air.
Rich in jammy cherry and chocolate flavors, and with finely ground, ripe tannins, this Merlot hails from an inland Sonoma County appellation. The wine is a little simple, but is elegant and very easy to drink.
Rich in layers of raspberry and bright cherry, this full-bodied Grenache surprises in its depth of structure. The finish dives deep into caramel and oak, rounding it out pleasantly.
Rich in leather and oak, with swirls of ripe red raspberry and blackberry cobbler, this is a big-boy Zinfandel with hair on its chest, a taste of vanilla on the finish.
Rich in oak and tannin, this wine delivers big flavors of blackberry and plum, supported by rounded layers of soft acidity and mouthfeel. Dark in color, it's a bold wine with plenty of personality and power.
Rich in oak barrel and caramel vanilla, this presents plenty of pear and lemon, even lemon meringue flavors. Ample acidity adds brightness, making this a good match for mussels or roast chicken.
Rich in pineapple custard, pear and mineral flavors, this Chard offers lots of direct pleasure. Drink now with crab cakes, roast salmon, or squash risotto.
Rich in plum, black cherry and blackberry, this wine is subtle in cinnamon and dried herb, with additional embellishments of leather and earth. Soft and subdued, it's approachable and versatile.
Rich in red currant, cassis, licorice, cola, vanilla cream and smoky oak flavors, with a smoothly tannic texture, this wine seems to be Cabernet-based. It's made solidly along Napa cult Cab lines, a softly voluptuous wine that's delicious now, and should age well for many years. From Hagafen.
Rich in ripe, forward fruit, with oaky influences, this dry Syrah has pepper-infused black currant and cherry flavors, with a nice, smoky finish. It's a full-bodied wine whose tannins are strong but sweetly ripe, in the modern style. Drink now.
Rich in rose scents, this is an extremely light, crisply textured wine, with subtle pomegranate, tart cherry and orange flavors. Silky and delicate, it offers a wealth of acidity.
Rich in sanguine, leathery, blackberry and chocolate flavors, this velvety Petite Sirah, with a nose of violets, offers both decadence and elegance. The finish is all about cinnamon toast with a bite of oak.
Rich in savory herbs and raspberry liqueur, Nottingham's Livermore Valley Cab is sourced from several regional vineyards. Blended with Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec, and aged in French oak, this is an easy drinking wine with deceptive complexity and just the right amount of depth and weight.
Rich in smoky oak and ripe fruit, showing powerful, dry flavors of blackberries, black cherries, sour cherry candy and sweet herbs. The tannins are a bit scoury and edgy, like sandpaper on the palate. Should mellow over the next 2–3 years, but it's not an ager.
Rich in spice, peach, tangerine and honeysuckle flavors, this Gewürztraminer finishes a little sweet. This is a savory wine for drinking now—especially with Asian fare.
Rich in spicy, briary berry-cherry and chocolate fruit, with ultra-smooth tannins, and just enough acidity to cut through barbecue sauce. It's a bit sweet and Porty on its own.
Rich in strawberry, raspberry, vanilla and brown sugar flavors, this 100% Pinot Noir is delicate in texture, with brisk acidity. It's a good bubbly for drinking now.
Rich in style, this full-bodied rosé boasts ripe red fruits and a rounded, smooth character. The lift from acidity gives essential freshness at the end.
Rich in sweet oak and almond paste, this is a concentrated, fulsome and big wine, creamy in mouthfeel and approach. It gets fruitier in the glass, sharing flavors of baked apple pie with brioche.
Rich in tangerine, mango and lime fruit, with buttered toast and honey notes, this Chardonnay displays the intensely tart acidity that Edna Valley is famous for. It's a clean, vibrant wine for drinking now.
Rich in texture and full of flavor, this is a generous, mouth-filling wine that layers subtle spice and fruit and seems to melt on the palate. Matured for 12 months on the lees, it's concentrated, creamy and complex, from its fresh-baked bread and nutmeg aromas to its lemon cream flavors to its lingering, vanilla-laced finish.
Rich in texture but lean in fruit flavor, this medium-bodied wine relies on a buttery aroma and flavor to carry its weight while light apple cider and crisp melon notes add interest. The mouthfeel is nicely viscous, which contributes to a lingering finish.
Rich in the flavors of blackberry, cherry, raspberry and blueberry, this dry wine has a rustic texture. Even though the official alcohol is 14.5%, it tastes a little prickly.
Rich in the mouth, this creamy and textural wine mixes fruit flavors of peach, apple and pear in equal proportion. It's a bit heavier than the previous vintage, with less of the floral character, but it offers, instead, a richness that lingers into a satisfying finish.
Rich in thick cherry liqueur-flavored texture, this Sangiovese is dry and tannic with the best of its fruit and tobacco layers popping mid-palate before finishing flat as a straight line.
Rich in tropical fruit and citrus flavors and generously oaked, this Chardonnay is made in the modern style, designed to appeal. It's dry and properly crisp, with a fine minerality, but is overworked. You can feel the heavy hand of the winemaker.
Rich in tropical fruit, apricot and pear flavors, with a buttery, creamy texture, this is a satisfying Chardonnay made in the popular style. Brisk acidity makes it clean and balanced.
Rich in wild cherry, raspberry, black cherry and white pepper, this delicious wine offers all the juicy fruit, freshness, minerality and supple tannins that make a young, well-made Morellino so attractive. Extremely enjoyable now, it will maintain beautifully until 2017–2018 and develop more depth.
Rich is the word for this Merlot. It flatters the palate with jammy black cherries, red currants, anise, cocoa and violets, accented with sweet, smoky oak. Turns a bit one-dimensional, but offers plenty of flavor.
Rich layers of honey and nectar roil through this lip-smackingly tropical wine. It's penetrating and juicy, flush with sweet mango, guava and citrus flavors. Cutting lime acidity and mineral intensity jolt the midpalate through an endlessly lingering finish. Stunning already it should improve for decades to come.
Rich new wood and fruit combine well in this concentrated wine. Flavors go right through to give mint, blackberry and dark plum fruits. The tannins are already integrated to give a wine that will be ready to drink in two years.
Rich notes of black currant, black cherries, pressed violets and a shred of tar show on the nose of this wine by Steve Martell of Sextant. The small-batch blend of 83% Syrah, 13% Grenache and 4% Mourvèdre mixes concentrated berries with dark chocolate, espresso beans, peppercorns and crushed herbs on the palate.
Rich notes of ripe peach and plum hover over more homely, ripe apple fruit. This enticing nose announces yet another Viennese field blend of immense and immediate charm. The idea here is of an easy-drinking but never facile wine of total local character that expresses typicity, freshness and joy. The verve of fresh lemon zestiness carries from the first sip to the last crisp echo of aftertaste. This is lip smacking and moreish.
Rich notes of yeast on the nose promise a rounded wine, while on the palate they become even more pronounced and deliver a big hit of lasting umami flavors. Here and there white pepper pokes through with its freshness supported by leavening citrus notes. This is powerful stuff: Handle with care and pair with food that is both subtle and robust—just like the wine.
Rich notions of ripe Comice pear and yellow apple govern nose and palate. The Pinot Gris roundness is well balanced by ripe, fresh acidity on a medium body with lots of mouthfeel. An almost weighty wine.
Rich on the nose, this juicy, ripe Cabernet unfurls with layers of black currant, blackberry and vanilla that are soft and structured. The finish offers tar and leather amid more vanilla, ending in balance and finesse. Stock up for dinner parties.
Rich orange, lemon and citrus spices lead this Viognier from Page Springs. On the palate, it's fuller bodied, with lots of spice and citrus to balance out the honeyed fruit. Pair with cheese, fruit and spicy cuisine.
Rich peach and floral tones on the nose have a slight struck-match quality to them. This warm-climate Albariño is ripe and round, with notably low acidity. Sweet honeyed flavors of melon and mango finish heady and chunky. Drink immediately.
Rich perfumes reach the nose: quince and baked apple give a seductive tone. The palate strikes with the same richness but is dry. There is concentration and earthy power against a backdrop of freshness and fruity charm.
Rich plum, earth and spice aromas are followed by lush black cherry, blackberry, cassis, herb, coffee, chocolate and raspberry flavors. An intriguing floral edge runs through the core for added interest, all supported by firm, ripe tannins and fine body. The finish is long and smooth, with just a hint of brightness on the end. Made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. A first release from the folks who also make Harlan.
Rich plums and soft tannins, with an attractive ripe and juicy character. This is a wine with good spice, a hint of leather and final acidity.
Rich purple in the glass, the nose focuses on dark bramble berries dusted with cocoa and vanilla. The medium-to-full body follows suit, with support from smooth tannins and balanced acidity. The berry tones linger on a black-pepper kissed finish.
Rich raspberry, cherry and mocha flavors characterize this Grenache, but the mouthfeel is off-balance, with its acids and green tannins sticking out. This exposes the difficulties of making great Grenache in California, even in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Rich red cherries, raspberries, red currants, concentrated rose petals and hibiscus are cut with an edge of eucalyptus oil, chipped slate and purple sage on this stellar bottling from this producer's 25th vintage. Dark fruits of blueberry, blackberry and black cherry emerge across a deeply layered palate, which is boosted by violet and lavender florality.
Rich red cherry, anise and a bit of smoke show on the nose of this affordably priced bottling from Kevin Riley. The palate is quite grippy, with flavors of dried blueberry, dark chocolate and black coffee.
Rich red cherry, plum and raspberry tones lead the nose of this fruit-forward wine, with hints of cocoa and cola spice dancing in the background. Those notes follow through to the satiny palate, framed by soft tannins that lead into a solid, medium-length finish.
Rich red cherry, rhubarb and alpine strawberry aromas meet rust and shaved licorice on the nose of this beautiful bottling from the Parker family's cool-climate vineyard. It's deceptively light on the palate, with airy flavors that intensify to exotic cherry, mulberry, tea leaf and maduro cigar, framed by firm, structured tannins. Drink 2020–2024.
Rich red cherry, rust, smoke and crushed gravel aromas show on the nose of this bottling from the historic vineyard. Smoked meat, lavender and rose petal notes play with cranberry, pomegranate and hibiscus flavors, creating a pleasant mix of delicate and savory elements.
Rich red fruit and cured meat spice abound in the bouquet of this Cab, while a green streak adds grip to the mouth. The tannins are fine and fleeting, and the finish clean and bright with a hint of black pepper on the back.
Rich red fruits along with a stalky element give this wine weight and structure. It's on the dry side, with the fruit tannins and wood notes still dominant. Good acidity offers a bright aftertaste.
Rich red fruits combine with good acidity, raspberry flavors and soft tannins. Ripe and juicy, it shows great fruitiness at the end.
Rich ripe black-cherry and plum flavors burst from the glass in this robust, lavishly toasty Pinot Noir. Shards of granite minerality and bold tannins lend structure to the midpalate, along with a refreshing swathe of herbs on the finish. Enjoy now through 2021.
Rich round cherry fruit, lightly infused with tobacco highlights, introduces this delicious wine. There is a pleasing softness to the palate, without it being in any way flat or flabby. The fruit seems more mature than the young vintage would suggest, and it's drinking more like a wine from half a decade ago, which means you don't need to cellar it to get cellar-style flavors. Pie cherry, orange peel and even a touch of pineapple peeks through the lingering finish.
Rich round fleshy fruit flavors of pear and cantaloupe show excellent concentration. There's a powdered sugary sweetness lurking in the background, not unpleasantly, but this is no bone dry example of Pinot Gris. Drink chilled with cold chicken or light pasta dishes.
Rich spice and beautiful balsam notes of cherry cola and root beer set the stage for what is a compelling Chianti Classico with good intensity and staying power. The wine has a chewy, rich texture with long-lasting notes of bursting cherry.
Rich style of wine, its lime and mineral character enveloped by the ripe peach flavors. It's a beautiful wine, forward and ready to drink over the next year.
Rich succulent black cherry and berry notes mingle with swathes of ripe bramble and dried sage in this bold full-bodied Pinot Noir. Unabashedly luscious and fringed by a feathery fray of tannins, its forward but refined nature is appealing now.
Rich sugar-apple and pear tart provide warmth and decadence to this wine. Despite its voluptuous nature, the wine is also layered and complex in intriguingly satisfying ways. A touch of ripe peach and salty pretzel figure into the mix quietly, yet harmoniously.
Rich summer peach and yellow cherry flavors flood the palate of this deeply concentrated Spätlese. It's intensely fruity and forward, yet elevated by a crush of lemon-lime acidity and a crystalline clarity that's exhilarating. The finish is long and lip smacking.
Rich tannins give this wine a bracing mouthfeel, but it's still drinkable now. While it's a big wine, the palate feels -elegant and silky, with spicy flavors of black cherry and licorice. The 2010s should have one of the longer shelf lives of recent vintages, holding for at least another decade.
Rich tasting, dense in a good way, this layers ripe cherry, light herbs and cinnamon flavors on a firm texture of tannins and acidity. It's a solidly structured, full-bodied Cabernet that carries some complexity.
Rich texture and concentration are layered with aromas of stone fruit, toasted nut and a distinctive herbal accent. This is a vibrant, golden wine with a round, silky essence and attractive crispness.
Rich texture combines with subtle flavors in this full-bodied, complex wine. It opens with mineral and white pepper aromas, broadens into Anjou pear, vanilla and toasted almonds flavors, and finishes with creamy concentration.
Rich texture, full body and ripe, mellow flavors of pear, almond and fig make this wine a mouthful. It also has freshness and smooth acidity that last through the finish.
Rich tropical fruit collides with searing lemon-lime acidity on this semidry Traminette. The palate is racy and sharp, but softened slightly by a delicate, lacy sweetness that lingers on the finish.
Rich vanilla notes of fine oak drape around dark fruit and iron oxide on the nose. The palate delivers the juicy fullness of crushed blackberry and bramble, along with the characteristic white pepper notes of Blaufränkisch. The fruit is aromatic and also has a cinnamon-tinged blueberry note. The body is smooth and flows with very soft tannins and immense freshness.
Rich waves of red berries and cinnamon spice lead this soft, dry red. On the palate, it's slightly aimless with quiet berry fruit flavors and a spin of minerals. This is an easy-drinking red that's nice with cheese and tomato-based dishes.
Rich while also structured, it has a mineral texture that gives fine acidity and a tight feel, all balanced by ripe apricot fruits. The wine should round out by 2015 to give a ripe, full-bodied feel.
Rich while also structured, this big, ripe wine comes from an estate owned by the Càlem family since the 1820s. It has concentration both from the tannins and from the black-plum fruits, and offers good potential. Drink from 2019.
Rich while also structured, this is beginning to be delicious. Acidity comes from the black currant fruits while the structure shows dense tannins and wood-aging flavors. The wine is still young and prepared for a long haul, so don't drink before 2018.
Rich while firm, this wine is structured and dense. It has great fruit potential that is still developing through the tight texture and the concentrated structure. It will be a fine wine, but give it time. Drink from 2020.
Rich wine showing all the spicy character that comes with Gewurztraminer. It is on the dry side while having some softness from its lychee perfumes. Fine as an apéritif or with pâté and Chinese food. Screwcap.
Rich wine, a blend dominated by the rare Rotgipfler and Zierfandler, with great ripe layers of tropical fruits, peach and spice, perfectly balanced with full acidity. Fred Loimer of the Kamptal also produces this Schellmann brand in the Thermenregion, with concentrated dense and deliciously ripe wines. Screw cap.
Rich wine, full in the mouth, bringing wood and ripe apple flavors well together. Delicious.
Rich wine, full of yellow fruits, apricots and peaches that give ripeness. It has weight, a solidity that is balanced by the totally refreshing acidity. Hints of the wood aging give spice as well as adding to the rich effect. Age for 2–3 years.
Rich with aromas and flavors of blonde butterscotch, tropical fruit, white flower and honeyed nut, this wine feels slightly flat on entrance, with a pudgy texture. The acids ultimately surface on the finish.
Rich with baked plum and earthy, mushroom goodness, this is a yummy Barbera, soft with a suggestion of cinnamon spice that will be beautiful alongside a long-stirred risotto or spaghetti Bolognese.
Rich with butter, cream and caramel popcorn, this Croatian blend of Malvasia and Chardonnay with a hefty dose of new French oak is luscious both on the nose and palate. Savory in style with hints of salted butter, it's an interesting example of Croatian wine made in a decidedly international style.
Rich with fleshy black plum and cherry flavors, Wölffer's Cassango meshes deeply concentrated fruit with swathes of smoke, violets and darkly toasted oak. Bright, brisk acidity carries a long finish marked by a coating of soft, powdery tannins.
Rich with gooey marshmallow, crème brûlée and cotton candy aromas, this is an unabashed classic California Chardonnay from Austin Hope. Unctuous marzipan and sea salt caramel flavors make for a creamy mouthfeel, and yet firm acidity leaves the midpalate feeling clean, allowing butterscotch tones to linger on the finish.
Rich with iron and carpaccio notes on the nose, this single vineyard expression also shows dried rose petals, leather, red cherry, turned loam, dense black sand and exotic red spice. Sour cherry and cranberry stewed in spice mixes with tangy-yet-savory li hing mui spice on the palate, which offers meaty notes as well. The flavors grow stronger and richer the longer the wine is open.
Rich with meaty tones of smoked bacon and leather backed by forest floor and bright cherry, this Brunello Riserva shows textbook Sangiovese Grosso qualities. On the palate, it delivers firm, textured tannins and bright acidity.
Rich with strawberry fruitiness, the wine also has a good fresh touch. It's a blend of Touriga Nacional and Syrah, giving a warm, ripe and fruity aftertaste.
Rich without being heavy, this wine offers bright cherry and strawberry, followed by pretty floral components and just a tiny dose of cinnamon. Balanced and not overdone in oak, it's enjoyable and ready for the table.
Rich without being overly sweet, this wine's aromas are redolent of dried apricots, with a hint of shiitake mushroom as well. Gingery spice balances the honeyed richness on the palate, and extends through the long finish.
Rich yet plenty retentive of acidity, this coastal white is complex in tropical mango and papaya while also offering finely tuned layers of fig and honeycomb. Light enough to enjoy on its own or with delicate fare, it's an enjoyable wine made well in small quantities.
Rich yet structured, this village wine from Meursault is made in a taut, tight style. Its acidity pushes through the toast flavor, which creates a nervy texture. Ready to drink  in 1–2 years.
Rich yet subdued on the bouquet, with elegant tobacco, lemon peel and earthy scents, this feels lush and full of heft, but it's not plodding or heavy. Flavors of spiced black fruit, molasses and tobacco are nice, and the finish features a long, dry, comfortable fade. Drink this winner now–2016.
Rich, almost rose-petal like aromas of summer blossom dance across the wonderfully light but still textured palate. There is a suggestion of passion fruit and juicy, yellow plum on the palate. An incredible amount of fruit and aroma on such a light-bodied, almost frivolous wine.
Rich, almost sweet in its ripe fruit, this Madiran has been made to drink early. It is full of generous black fruits, full-bodied with tannins that are rounded and warm. A streak of acidity keeps it fresh. Drink this fruity wine now.
Rich, almost unctuous, with a lush, lanolin mouthfeel, this is a passionfruit creamsicle of a wine. The fruit is a seductive and generous mix of peach, Asian pear and tropical; the alcohol a full-bodied 14.5%. The Roussanne part (58% of the blend) is barrel fermented; the Viognier done in stainless. Blended together they harmonize beautifully.
Rich, as a Blanc de Noirs from Pinot Noir should be, this wine reflects the prime location of Mailly on the north slopes of the Montagne de Reims. It has some tannic structure as well as delicious line in black currant and acidity. It is a young bottling, so keep for several months.
Rich, austere and elegant, this thick Taurasi exhibits sophisticated notes of prune, resin, black tar, sandalwood and Indian spice. It's a full-bodied and intense wine from southern Italy with gritty tannins and length on the finish.
Rich, balanced and complex, this offers lots of drinking pleasure. Aromas are lightly earthy and smoky, while flavors are full, layered, ripe but subtle enough to require more and more sips. The mouthfeel is the ideal combination of smooth juiciness supported by lots of fine tannins to give it a palate-cleansing effect.
Rich, balanced and full bodied, this shows exuberantly ripe, sweet flavors of blackberries, mulberries, dark chocolate and raisins, with notes of exotic spices. It will last for 20 years, gradually losing fruit and growing earthy and mushroomy.
Rich, blood warming and heady, this has vast and complex flavors of blackberry jam, licorice, bacon, spice and sweet, smoky sandalwood. It's hard to imagine a better wine to drink with barbecue.
Rich, but also subtle, this full-bodied wine smells like wood smoke, baking spices, ripe plums and red cherries, then brings mulled cherry and cinnamon flavors on a broad, velvety texture. It offers nuances of oak in the spices, and a confident sense of pure fruit behind it all, giving this bottling a slight edge over the other 2014 Pinots from Goldeneye. It will be best after 2021.
Rich, but structured and balanced, this is a wine that has delicious swathes of ripe blackberry and black plum. There is a touch of bitter extract, but this will integrate as the wine ages. The acidity goes well with the solid tannins. Drink from 2016.
Rich, but with a delicious aerial character, floating the white fruits over fresh acidity, green apple and peach flavors and a final delicate touch of mineral and spice. The wine is developing well, bringing forward its fine texture, delicate initially and then rounding in the mouth.
Rich, chocolaty, toasty aromas of lactic oak and vanilla match red-fruit scents of raspberry and strawberry. This is lively on the palate, with an acidic pulse. Flavors of raw oak, creamy vanilla, plum and boysenberry finish overtly woody, with a lasting flavor of oak grain. Drink through 2018.
Rich, complex and quite leesy, it has a mature aroma and texture to it—it’s almost thick and doughy. The fruit is in the orange and grapefruit range, with a bit of pear poking through. It’s a good idiosyncratic Champagne, but it may not be for everyone, as it definitely has a mature style all its own.
Rich, complex black currant, dark chocolate, mineral and oak flavors mark this bone dry, extremely tannic young Cabernet. It possesses a firm structure and mouthfeel, so give it until 2020 to begin to come around.
Rich, concentrated wine, with generous fruits and soft tannins. It has super-ripe black plums, a touch of chocolate and spice from wood aging. Powerful, juicy, fruity, likely to age well over the medium-term, over the next 3–4 years.
Rich, concentrated, and loaded with smoky, dark, spicy fruit flavors, this is a full-on Bordeaux blend, with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. There's plenty of barrel influence, from 70% new French oak, but it's welcome, and appropriate, perfectly matched to the power of the fruit. An underlayer of woodsy earth and mushroom adds further complexity.
Rich, creamy wood-aged wine that shows pear, apple and toast flavors ane even a hint of honey. Smooth and textured, it has fine final spice and acidity to add further interest.
Rich, dark and concentrated, this hearty red is somewhat reduced and grippy, with a layering of wild strawberry and earth overlaid in solid oak. It'll appeal to fans of bigger-bodied wines.
Rich, dark and lush, with liqueur-like aromas wafting upward from a sea of purple. An obvious entry into the “modern” category of Brunello. There's jammy, mouthcoating fruit and only modest acidity. Detractors may find it heavy and bruising, but fans will adore its weight and creaminess.
Rich, dark, dense and smoky, this is a fruit-driven Syrah that has a splendid bouquet of ripe black fruit. Some herbal accents and a streak of bark runs through the tannins.
Rich, deep gold color. Slightly reductive on the nose muting aromas. Some fusel notes break through. Broad earthy palate with moderate intensity of ultra-ripe stone fruit flavors. Fairly open-knit and soft texture, with hints of minerality. Moderately long,  warm finish.
Rich, deliciously fruity and ripe, this combines warmth with a more mineral undertow that cuts through the palate, creating a wine that is refreshing and mouth-filling. It would be worth aging for two years or more.
Rich, dense and cool, with an overt menthol streak. The fat, tangy fruit has a cedar edge and also a pronounced piercing quality. Round, voluminous, tannic and in general quite big. Now the wood is a bit heavy-handed. A year or two on its side should help it along.
Rich, dense and full of black fruits, this wine conveys a dusty tannic character as well as mint, spice and blackberry fruitiness. Eight months of wood aging softened the structure and deepened the density of the wine. It is ready to drink.
Rich, dense and intense, this is a big, muscular rendering of Barossa Shiraz. Scents of maple syrup and menthol intertwine with flavors of ripe plums and grilled meat. It's mouthcoating and long on the tannic finish, so give it some time in the cellar; drink 2020–2030.
Rich, dense and syrupy, but also showing touches of mint and leather on the nose. Quite sticky in the mouth, but with lovely toffee and mocha flavors that set up a finish that runs on and on. Impressive depth of flavor, nice overall balance and a mix of complexity and flat-out richness make this PX a winner.
Rich, dry and pretty full-bodied for a Pinot Noir, this is stuffed with flavors of cherry pie and cola, made brisk by acidity. A little heavy, but sound and complex.
Rich, dry and tannic, this Syrah has elaborate flavors of dried plums, blackberries, coffee, dark bitter chocolate and black pepper. It's a complex wine, compromised only by the heat of 15.4% alcohol.
Rich, elaborate and layered. If this Cab were a fabric, it would be suede. Shows the tannins and minerals of Diamond Mountain, with potent flavors of blackberries, cherries, currants, cola, anise and sweet smoky oak. The finish is wonderfully dry, firm and long. Should develop for at least eight years.
Rich, elegant and classic, this wine is made from fruit sourced from old vines—some as much as 70 years old. It has a tannic structure, but the dominant elements are the dense red- and black-plum flavors, which are supported by the wine's acids. Age it for 5–6 years.
Rich, even a bit heavy, in the mouth, with canned corn, citrus and melon aromas and flavors that offer plenty of substance but less style.
Rich, evocative, lush with aromas of earth, coffee, chocolate, mocha—scents that suggest excellent evolution ahead. Right now the fruit is primary, tart, raspberry and cherry, and not yet smoothed into the greater whole. But all the potential and pieces are there.
Rich, exotic notes of honey-glazed papaya and warm pear are accented by touches of white flower, graham cracker and lemon custard. The palate feels round and weighty, with flavors that aren't as effusive as one might expect. Acids provide enough spine to keep the palate from drooping, with hints of clove and lemongrass adding interest. A blend of 55% Chardonnay, 45% Viognier.
Rich, flowery wine that shows the potential for white wines in the Dão region. While it keeps plenty of lemon zest acidity, the apricot and peach flavors combine well with pears. There is spice from wood, but the fruit is the thing with this great food wine.
Rich, forward and delicious, this has pineapple and peach jam flavors, with elaborate notes of buttered toast and caramel from the oak aging. It finishes dry.
Rich, fragrant and structured, this generous wine opens with alluring scents of crushed violet, plum cake and exotic spice. The luscious, enveloping palate doles out ripe blackberry, black cherry compote, raisin, licorice and tobacco supported by round, velvety tannins. Drink 2016–2021.
Rich, fruity and soft, this wine has a tang of orange peel along with ripe citrus and red fruits. Fresh and crisp at the end, it is ready to drink.
Rich, fruity and textured, this expresses freshness with its acidity and red-currant flavors. These cut through the tangy texture, giving a tight aftertaste. The wine can be drunk immediately for its crispness or held until late 2016 to let it soften.
Rich, fruity and very ripe, this is a wine with toast, spice and luscious apricot and green plum flavors. Still young, it has intense potential to yield a full-bodied, intense wine with great acidity as well as fruitiness.
Rich, fruity and with a full texture, this smooth, creamy wine has great fruit, deliciously cut with acidity. The wine is smooth, hinting at toast, with a tighter, more textured aftertaste. Drink from 2020.
Rich, fruity wine that is full of black plum juice and soft tannins. Milk chocolate sweetness adds to the generous nature of this juicy wine. Drink now.