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100
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4
2.01k
119,979
australia
Without any new oak or lees stirring, this wine's sole focus is on the fruit. Pineapple, melon and peach notes are pure and striking, supported by just hints of vanilla and cream. This medium-bodied Chardonnay finishes in a flurry of tangerine and lime.
Farrago
90
66
24,752
france
Subdued, riper fruit has not yet come to the surface. Notions of Bramley apple are evoked on the nose; on the palate they show as the more rounded flavor of baked Bramley. Hovering above it all is grated lemon zest, pulling fruit, texture and freshness tautly together in a dry, fresh yet mellow finish. The more you taste, the more the still-underlying fruit yearns to rise to the surface. Best to give this some time so it can show its true, exciting colours.
Brandluft
93
24
66,190
us
The high alcohol (15.5%) and pruney character suggests that this was picked late—a bit too late to retain any elegance. The acids are sharp and citric and not well integrated, leaving the fruit almost invisible. Decanting opens it up a bit; this is an excellent vineyard, but it has not been all that well served here.
Stillwater Creek Vineyard
85
30
120,137
us
This is a Merlot-based blend, tightly wound, with tart berry fruit flavors. It gathers and concentrates into a dense, fruit-laden finish, streaked with espresso and dark chocolate. Though labeled simply Yakima Valley, it's all Red Mountain fruit, mostly from Klipsun.
Ruby Leigh
91
48
117,908
spain
Floral blueberry and inky aromas make for a concentrated, demanding bouquet. This four-grape blend is grabby and raw in feel, with pinching tannins. Briny, medicinal plum and berry flavors finish with a note of latex as well as heat.
Xipella
85
15
130
italy
At the first it was quite muted and subdued, but over a ten minute period it developed beautifully in the glass. The dark fruit is still dominant, but it is beginning to show some interesting tertiary aromas of earth, mushrooms and leather. Well balanced with a medium finish. Needs a few more years, but can be enjoyed now with a good deal of pleasure.
Bricco Rocche Brunate
91
70
21,715
france
Very opulent, very rich, this is a complex, structured wine packed with fruit and brooding tannins. It is already rich, and will develop into a beautifully intense, concentrated and generous wine.
Clos de la Roche
96
304
85,803
australia
This wine is an excellent value in the world of big, rich Shiraz. While the vanilla and boysenberry aromas seem simple at first, the bouquet and flavors develop impressively with time in the glass, adding hints of roasted meat, mocha and black olive. It's full bodied and rich in texture, with a long, mouth-coating finish. Drink now–2025.
Grey Label
93
38
60,594
us
Anise, barrel spice, clove, vanilla and plum scents lead to full-bodied fruit and barrel flavors in this wine. It shows some warmth on the finish, with lingering purple fruit and pepper notes.
Ravenscliff Vineyard
88
45
100,604
italy
Soapy lavender and floral tones are followed by loads of citrus fruit. This is a perky, lively sparkler with a sharp point of acidity on the close and a determined, linear personality. Pair it with spicy finger foods.
Extra Dry
87
16
43,109
chile
Good for Valdivieso that they are willing to experiment with a Mourvèdre-led blend that also contains Carignan and Syrah. This is racy and a bit tangy, with plenty of old-vines acidity making the wine a bit jumpy and scouring. Probably best with food; it's a bit astringent on its own.
Eclat
86
25
528
france
This producer shows its preference for dry Champagnes with this bone-dry, oak-fermented bottling. With its bottle age and the softening effect of wood, it's generous and gently textured, leaving plenty of room for its bright fruit and balanced acidity to show. Drink from 2018.
Brut Zéro Sélection
91
42
116,612
us
This has a traditional medium-garnet color with brick rim. Effusive aromas that are smoky, beefy and earthy lead to distinctive wild berry, sage and cherry flavors. The texture is smooth but nicely supported by acid and tannins, and all the complexity of this wine lingers on the finish.
Borderline
92
28
55,335
us
This Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre blend has a tart and tangy appeal. The mixed plum and berry fruit flavors are matched with strongly herbal streaks. Tannins are earthy and astringent.
Hattrup Farms Marvell
87
32
129,918
germany
Despite plenty of honeyed sweetness, this wine's slate-driven minerality and zesty acids and slight touch of CO2 keep it nicely balanced. It's light in body, with crisp lime flavors, making it a great candidate for sipping during the dog days of summer.
Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese
91
32
107,298
chile
Dense, smoky aromas of well-toasted oak are lactic on impact, with blackberry and cassis scents in support. This is woody, resiny and tannic on the palate, which makes it rough now but bodes well for down the line. Charred, toasty oak and herbal blackberry flavors finish minty, with a speck of creosote. Drink through 2020.
Edición Limitada
90
33
126,093
us
There's a soft, candied appeal to the cherry, strawberry and blackberry flavors in this dry, young wine. With a sweet oak jacket, it's clean and pleasant to drink now.
Wetzel Family Estate
86
18
102,793
us
Cabernet Sauvignon (45%) takes the lead on this blend, followed by Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Petit Verdot. The aromas are all high toned, with notes of vanilla, herb and dark fruit. The black-fruit flavors are tightly wound, needing time in the cellar to stretch their legs. Best after 2020.
Margaret's Vineyard Estate
91
45
60,038
france
With vineyards on the south bank of the Vienne river, facing Chinon, the Charles Joguet style is firm and tannic, with a need for aging. This wine is proof, big, structured, very firm and concentrated. Tannins dominate now, but the fruit is all there, a panoply of ripe blackberries, impressively rich and succulent. Age this wine for five years and more.
Clos de la Dioterie
93
52
6,480
portugal
This is a soft, bland wine, with light fruit flavors, a creamy texture and a final tang of lemon zest. Drink now.
Terra Grande Branco
83
10
49,916
chile
This is an oaky, smoky wine, with cinnamon and hickory notes on the nose and palate. There's also ample pear and melon character along with tropical fruit and spice notes. It's resiny and chunky, but good acidity keeps it lively and balanced.
Reserva
85
11
27,062
france
This vineyard is at the southern end of Meursault next to Puligny-Montrachet, lending the wine Puligny-like structure and texture and beautiful Meursault-like fruit. Yellow fruit flavors, layers of wood spice and juicy acidity all contribute to this very fine wine. Drink from 2020.
Meursault Charmes Premier Cru
94
103
25,514
us
A scent of Mexican chocolate carries on to the medium-full palate, which bares polished tannins and bright acids that give lift to the finish.
Riserva
86
29
67,676
france
The classic Bordeaux white blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon has produced a light and fruity wine. It has some attractive green plum and currant flavors that are lined with clean, pure acidity. Drink the wine now.
Menuts Fruité
85
12
118,528
spain
The bouquet of cherry and raspberry is sprightly and mildly leafy, with hints of leather and dried cheese. The palate is whispy, with red-fruit flavors of raspberry and plum along with mild herbal notes, cocoa powder and dry spice. A basic, lighter-bodied Rioja with a traditional tilt.
Crianza
87
12
32,687
us
An engaging wine from an old variety, hardly grown anymore in California. It's soft and dense in tannins, with spicy flavors of cherries and a bitter, earthy taste that brings to mind carob. Try as an interesting alternative to Zinfandel.
Frediani Vineyard
87
40
96,535
us
For the price, this is a great wine for a party or an everyday dinner. It's soft, easy to drink and rich enough in cherry, berry and oak flavors to satisfy Cabernet lovers. And it's easy to find, with 10,000 cases produced.
Reserve
85
11
57,833
us
John Chiarito is making Italian varieties like Nero d'Avola and Negro Amaro––as well as estate-grown Petite Sirah and Zinfandel––on the outskirts of Ukiah, from his basement winery. There he combines an Old-World sensibility with New World techniques. He's nailing it here with a rustic, tannic but intensely delicious Zin full of berry aromas and a spicy finish. Big and hearty, this wine has soul.
Estate Bottled
92
21
53,299
canada
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.
Oldfield Series
88
32
30,765
france
This is a fresh, medium-bodied white with a touch of honeysuckle on the nose and straightforward flavors that hints of orange and peach. A touch of spice adds interest to the modest finish. Drink now.
Coudoulet de Beaucastel
86
37
111,428
us
A very good, sound Pinot with some aspirations to elegance. It's bone dry and flavorful in cherries, raspberries and sweet vanilla oak. Sharp acidity cuts in early and lasts. Pair with mushroom risotto, grilled salmon or lamb chops.
Avant-Garde
87
24
107,425
chile
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.
Amplus
88
24
22,518
us
From a two-acre site at 1,110-feet elevation only five miles from the Pacific Ocean, this wine opens as if it were a lovely, expansive rose garden, so fragrant and intensely earthy. Built with sizable tannic structure and toasty oak, it features burly waves of spicy acidity and warm baking spices, exhibiting both tension and grace. Drink now through 2023.
King Ridge Vineyard Estate Farmed
94
80
3,876
us
A nice, everyday Pinot, with a properly silky texture. The cherry, cola, red licorice and bacon flavors are satisfyingly rich, with elaborate oak overtones. It's a pretty good value in an under-$20 Pinot Noir.
Reserve
86
18
22,019
us
Finished dry, this combines elements of orange peel and citrus in a simple refreshing style.
Pinot Noir
86
28
42,010
us
Old-vine Oregon Zinfandel is not common; in fact, this is all of them. From the Pines Vineyard, planted around a century ago, revived in the 1980s, these wines have a power and unique presence that sets them apart from Zin from anywhere else. Ultraripe fruit flavors of strawberry and raspberry jam, alcohol above 15%, amazing density and beautifully managed tannins, with some sweet grain flavors that say “old vines.”
Old Vine
94
39
73,262
chile
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.
Secreto
86
14
35,946
us
Don't be fooled by the Washington label. This is Yakima Valley fruit coming from a site next to esteemed Boushey Vineyard. Aromas of fresh herbs, brown stems, red fruit, graphite, bacon fat and orange peel lead to a mouthful of generous fruit flavors. The finish persists.
M.C.K. Motor City Kitty
91
35
86,248
italy
This Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold expression of Tuscany with generous layers of clove, Indian spice, crushed black pepper and black plum. The nose is distinguished by a lingering clove aroma. The tannins are thick but smooth and the mouthfeel is plush and rich.
Federico Primo
91
40
58,322
italy
Oak, toast, coffee, espresso, chocolate and vanilla sensations dominate this wine along with notes of black plum. There's not enough fruit richness to stand up to the oak or the astringent wood tannins on the finish.
Ascheri
87
60
100,153
us
Tight cranberry and sour-cherry aromas meet with turned earth, iron and woody herbs like dried sticks of sage on the nose of this wine. The palate shows iron, sagebrush-laced cranberry juice and pomegranate fruit, proving lively and energetic on the tangy palate.
Bien Nacido Vineyard Homage Collection
90
48
58,903
us
Inviting, exotic coconut and vanilla scents give this vineyard designate a tropical flourish before more traditional cassis and cherry notes take the lead. Bright acidity counters velvety texture as the wine unfurls its underlying grip of tannin. Approachably rich, it rewards with full flavor and body.
Beckstoffer Georges III
93
115
103,155
us
Fresh, primary flavors of black cherries and plums are layered delicately with swathes of toast, granite and soil in this keenly balanced Merlot. It's refreshingly moderate in alcohol and the finish is long and persistent, extended by a streak of bristling sour-cherry acidity.
Estate Bottled
88
16
75,078
us
Teased in blackberry jam with a sizable structure and robust tannins, the wine combines 42% Petite Sirah with smaller amounts of Syrah, Pinotage, Primitivo, Zinfandel and other varieties into a straightforward package.
Primo Rosso
85
9
5,834
portugal
The wine is juicy and rich. Its soft texture comes from fermentation in tanks that recycle CO2 to give a gentle extraction. The result is rounded, smooth, full of black fruits and with plenty of crisp acidity to finish.
Contos da Terra
88
12
124,304
us
Rich, satisfying and full bodied, this wine is packed with delicious fruit and spice flavors while structured by good acidity and fine tannins that keep the texture lively. Layers of cherry, currant, cedar and cinnamon fill the flavor profile, and a long finish completes the package.
Estate
93
55
107,407
france
This is an unusually elegant wine for Provence, from a tiny, isolated vineyard in the maritime Alps. It's a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, that's gently extracted, crimson in color and filled with intricate, delicate fragrances and flavors, ranging from violets and a hint of iodine to red cherries and maybe even a touch of apricot. Drink now and over the next few years.
Villars-sur-Var
89
42
101,024
us
This wine starts out quite reductive, with sulfurous aromas that provide significant distraction. The flavors are light and show a pleasing elegance but can't make up the difference.
Afternoon Delight Estate
83
22
97,601
canada
Aged for four months in oak, this wine brings an explosion of complex aromas of tangerine, dried apricot, honey and a speckling of smoky oak spices. The palate is full, rich and luscious, with concentrated stone fruit flavors that linger long after the last sip.
Oak Aged Icewine Andrew Peller Signature Series
92
80
58,128
chile
Dry, peppery and earthy on the nose, then juicy and fresh in the mouth, with herbal cherry, chocolate, olive and leathery flavors. Dark, smoky, toasty and varietally correct on the finish. A nice and true taste of Carmenère at a good price.
347 Vineyards Reserva
88
13
82,161
us
Opening aromatically effusive as a rose garden, this wine takes on darker, thicker overtones of baked strawberry rhubarb as a heaviness of tannin and oak permeates the midpalate. Its youthful power should mellow as an underlying, almost carbonic freshness lurks.
Estate Grown
91
44
122,816
australia
A 60-40 blend, this full-bodied, creamy textured, lush wine captures the sun of McLaren Vale without taking it too far. Vanilla, licorice and plum notes mark the nose, while the plummy flavors pick up mocha shadings before turning a bit fudge-like on the long, velvety finish. Drink now–2018.
Warboys Vineyard
92
65
83,601
us
Electric-pink in color, that offers aromas of cranberries and watermelon that lead to dry fruit flavors with a tart finish. It doesn't entirely stand up on its own but should fit in nicely at the dinner table.
The Reserve Rosé of
87
24
7,089
us
Shows blackberry and cherry flavors that taste candied, almost medicinal. Okay with burgers and pizza.
Morine Ranch
82
22
101,293
us
This is a straightforward, plummy, raisiny wine with medium body and an earthy, tomato-like touch in the flavors. It will be good for very casual occasions.
Bella Rossa Italian Style
83
18
106,990
portugal
This is intensely perfumed, with soft tannins that are followed by a dry, concentrated character. From the iconic Vesúvio Vineyard, where wines for vintage production are still foot trodden, this has a ripe feel, with tannins that are suitable for medium-term aging.
Vintage
91
65
125,811
argentina
Opens with scratchy, dusty aromas of red fruits and herbs. The palate is round but clunky, with sweet, grapy flavors of blackberry and blueberry. Finishes rather oaky and mild, with a grainy feel.
Corte C
85
15
46,588
italy
This Brunello opens with floral notes of pressed red rose and clay soil. Bright fruit, blackberry, leather and tobacco aromas are framed by firm tannins.
Riserva
92
130
56,643
us
Milk chocolate, dark cherry, herb and floral notes are followed by silky smooth pit fruit flavors that linger.
Cuvée
90
32
57,404
italy
This forward Amarone reflects the heat of the vintage. It has somewhat evolved aromas of leather and prune, accompanied by rich black fruit flavors and soft acidity. The tannins are starting to fade, so enjoy now and over the next few years.
Famiglia Pasqua
88
40
76,643
germany
Zesty lime and fresh green herbs abound in this leaner, steelier expression of dry Riesling. Tart tangerine and orange flavors are concentrated but crisp, edged in cool, stony minerals. Drink now through 2021.
1735
90
20
73,144
italy
Here's a dense and thickly extracted Barbera from the excellent 2007 vintage with a brooding, black appearance and aromas of smoke, black fruit, cassis and leather. The oak elements you taste at the very end still need to integrate within the overall flavors of this wine. Give it two more years.
La Crena
91
45
93,692
france
A small plot of old Pinot Noir produces this superb wine. It has all the richness of wines from Aÿ, with its red fruits and hint of sweetness. But it is the structure, the complexity that sets it apart, the grapes ripe and concentrated from a great year. Age for at least another five years.
Aÿ Vauzelle Terre
96
300
84,562
italy
Aromas of underbrush, tilled soil, leather, red berry and mint come together in the glass. The focused palate delivers dried cherry, licorice, tobacco, grilled sage and a precise mineral vein alongside chewy but fine-grained tannins. It's still young and tightly wound but should open up over the next few years. Drink 2016–2023.
Anno Primo
89
38
72,678
us
Aromas of melon, starfruit and yellow apple lead to off-dry fruit flavors. It seems a bit sweet compared to the acid that's in the glass.
Le Cortège
86
20
16,268
italy
Made with organically farmed Nero d'Avola, this opens with aromas of toast, oak-driven spice and blackcurrant. The palate offers up prune, anise, oak extract and coffee alongside drying, fleeting tannins.
Rosso delle Rose
86
15
46,810
us
A nutty, leesy wine that takes those positive attributes to the limit, resulting in a mix of flavors that range from peanut brittle to lemon custard. The delicate melon and citrus fruit ends up getting a little overwhelmed.
Vanumanutagi Vineyards
86
30
8,149
new zealand
Thoughts of Black Forest cake, cherry chocolate brownies, and baked plums are immediately conjured upon smelling this Pinot Noir from one of New Zealand's largest producers. Violets, dusty books, and cola are in the mix too. The palate promises more of the same, with silky tannins and balanced acidity. It's on the rich side, but is an undeniable crowd pleaser.
Cellar Selection
87
26
32,903
italy
This opens with aromas of spiced plum, oak, vanilla and leather. The smooth, concentrated palate offers ripe black cherry, juicy raspberry, mocha, clove, tobacco, black pepper and licorice alongside velvety tannins. Drink 2015–2023.
Millecento
91
200
8,398
germany
While low in alcohol and austere in dryness, there's a remarkable richness of texture that lends an impression of volume and density on the palate. Brisk notes of lemon and tart tangerine shine brightly, but are juxtaposed by an intensely stony, mineral finish. Drink now through 2020.
Jacobus Trocken
92
22
50,503
us
This 70% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon blend is tight, spicy, peppery and sharp. Though probably not a wine for cellaring, despite its slightly green fruit, it has density, flavor and depth. As it breathes and smoothes out, black currant and blackberry fruit flavors begin to poke through, and a streak of licorice does also.
Syrca Red Wine
88
18
58,496
england
A touch of wet stone reaches the nose even before appetizing lemon hints make themselves known. This wine is restrained and fresh with lemon and brightness. The palate adds more depth and a grounding of creamy autolysis, but it remains slender, lithe and refreshing throughout. Fine bubbles disperse bright flavors everywhere. The lasting finish is pure.
Blanc de Blancs Brut
92
50
90,116
chile
A full, warm, big-fruited Cab with savory, meaty, oaky overtones to go with solid, acid-rich berry fruit and vanilla flavors. Definitely oaky, but not roasted like many Terranoble wines. Shows slight heat and rubbery qualities, but overall it's a good, hardy Cabernet with serious fruit and structure.
Gran Reserva
88
13
115,177
spain
Elegant and elevated, this shows fine integration of fruit and oak on the nose. It feels creamy, with barrel toast, dry spice and melon flavors. It is firm, healthy and structured on the finish courtesy of barrel fermentation and aging. A Burgundian facsimile from Rueda.
Habis Old Vines
91
29
41,470
portugal
Lightly prickly on the tongue, this is a refreshing, almost dry wine. It is bright, lively and fruity with citrus and crisp apple flavors. The wine is light and bright with plenty of acidity at the end.
Aveleda
86
9
665
italy
Fruity aromas of mature berry mingle with notes of dark cooking spice and chopped herbs on this savory, medium-bodied red. The round, concentrated palate offers juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, clove and tobacco framed in firm acidity and a velvety texture.
Costa Bruna
90
25
73,598
italy
This rich offering from central Italy opens with a pretty floral fragrance of iris and lilac, along with notes of espresso and toast. The palate is soft and round, with ripe plum, blackberry, coffee, vanilla and a dusting of cocoa.
Riserva Aldiano
89
20
15,965
france
While the tannins here are dry, this wine has enough fruit to show its potential. Blackberry flavors are ripe, cut with acidity and a juicy texture. The wine needs time, so drink from 2017. Enologist Sebastien and vineyard manager Nicolas are the latest generation managing the Carreau family estates.
Grand Réserve
85
15
22,123
us
Thoughtfully made and sourced from two excellent vineyards—Walla Walla's Seven Hills and Canoe Ridge in the Horse Heaven Hills American Viticultural Area—this is 75% Merlot, with smaller portions of Petit Verdot and Malbec. Black cherry, black olive, clean earth and fine tannins mark its passage across the palate. This has excellent balance and medium-term ageability.
JRG Red
91
30
76,695
italy
Aromas of scorched earth, pressed rose and a funky note of game lead the nose. The lean, diluted palate offers raisin and a hint of dried black cherry alongside gritty, fleeting tannins.
Riserva
83
11
95,043
france
The wine is ripe and perfumed. Mint and sweet eucalyptus aromas are followed on the palate by ripe tannins and strawberry fruits. This is an attractive wine that will be ready to drink from 2018.
L'Audacieux
89
20
59,470
france
This ripe, fruity wine has soft tannins and a generous, warm character that makes it already drinkable. Better, however, to wait until its full potential is realized, from 2019.
Premier Vin
90
15
65,750
us
Named for the soil layers important to wine's terroir, this Pinot is sourced from a variety of sites and multiple clones, providing a complexity of wild strawberry, high acidity and an herbaceous, oaky backdrop. A teasing kiss of toffee and chocolate on the finish is deliciously intriguing.
Strata
92
50
36,041
us
Made from organic grapes, Yorkville's light-bodied Merlot is dry and herbal, with cedar in spades rounded out by elegant plum and chocolate softness. This vintage has 10% Cabernet Sauvignon as well, and would match well with lighter meats, like chicken.
Rennie Vineyard
86
25
69,041
italy
A wood-aged Chardonnay from the hills above Soave, this is rich, honeyed from the malolactic fermentation and full of tropical fruit flavors. It is rich and delicious, but also well structured.
Sorai
89
24
119,292
italy
Simple and straightforward, this has honest aromas of yellow fruit and perfumed white flower. It's an easy-drinking sparkler that should pair well with salads or raw fish.
Anno Zero Extra Dry
87
16
23,574
us
Dramatically rich and structured, this mountain blend of Bordeaux varieties needs time in the cellar. Right now, it's tannic and astringent, with youthful flavors of blackberries, minerals and smoky new oak. But it's a very fine wine that should hold and mellow through 2014.
Marriage
93
75
42,079
italy
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc offers aromas of red and black berries, bell pepper and cedar. The palate delivers concentrated blackberry, cherry, chocolate and spice. It has rich flavors but lacks freshness and energy.
Carmione
88
35
8,473
chile
Shines with a nice purple lustre then opens with big blackberry and spiced plum flavors that are earthy and wild. The palate is round, ripe and feels good, and the flavors are centered on herbal blackberry and toast. Very good for the price range.
Reserva
88
12
36,238
france
This superripe blend of Grenache (70%), Syrah (15%) and Mourvèdre (15%) is full-bodied, with a rich, creamy texture and a long, velvety finish. Spice and herb notes accent dusty black cherries, and a hint of cocoa sneaks in as well. Drink now–2017.
Khayyâm
92
20
9,699
spain
Aromas of balsam wood, dry leather, and slightly herbal berry fruit are generally appealing, while the palate has size, balance and a healthy feel to it. More woody and spicy than outright fruity, with a touch of zesty raspberry and strawberry at the core. Nice but simple red wine.
Azagador Viñedos Propios Crianza
86
10
113,607
italy
Fun and refreshing, this vivacious sparkler boasts white peach, banana and pineapple flavors alongside invigorating bubbles. Vibrant acidity gives it a crisp finish.
Lunetta
86
14
82,998
us
Smoke, brawny black pepper and black cherry flavors meet on the palate of this intensely ripe wine. It's grippy and high-octane in power, with a layering of mocha dust.
Osborn Ranch
86
38
33,675
us
From the famous Westside Road-adjacent vineyard, this Chardonnay shows a proclivity toward lush roundness of texture and tropical flourish in flavor. Vanilla nuttiness is complemented by pineapple, green apple and caramel, lasting long into the finish.
Bacigalupi Vineyard
90
44
5,943
france
Firmly structured, this dark and dense wine packs a punch of tannins, giving a dry core. The judicious wood-aging supports the black-currant fruitiness that is developing well. It should be ready to drink from 2017.
Cuvée Tradition
88
33
40,380
france
While this wine demonstrates the telltale cool element of the appellation, it also offers ripe fruit, pear and peach flavors lightly layered with wood. The wine is crisp at the end, with a mineral aftertaste. Drink from 2016.
Caradeux Premier Cru
91
45
113,824
us
This is crystal clear, fleshy and ripe, yet still graceful and refined. Mixed stone fruits are cut with yellow apple, the acids are natural and perfectly integrated. The wine was barrel fermented in a 50/50 mix of new and neutral, and there is just a hint of caramel in the extended finish.
DuBrul Vineyard
90
28
98,652
italy
Very fragrant green floral and apple aromas on the nose yield to a round, soft, full palate bearing light strawberry and apple flavors. It’s a bit on the sweet side for a brut, but the aromatics keep it quite interesting and pleasing.
Cuvée Brut
87
26
67,828
us
Very pungent aromas, with piercing red fruit and light touches of citrus on the nose. At first it’s shockingly tart and tight, so much so that it might throw you for a loop. After lots of time it breathes itself to life, where raspberry essence rises up. Time may allow it to shine, but now it’s hard and astringent.
Le Puits Sec Cuvée J
86
36
113,478
portugal
A smooth, creamy textured wine that has both citrus and richer tropical fruits. Pineapple and lemon mingle with a more zesty acidity to give a fruity wine that could age for a few months.
Marquês de Borba Branco
86
15