us

simple, direct and country-style, this is soft and a little overripe, with flavors of raisin, milk chocolate and black raspberry jam.

fr

the mountains rise quickly behind the french riviera. they are the origin of this wine. it has an attractive cool feel, while keeping plenty of fruit and a ripe caramel character. it is bright with plenty of acidity at the end. drink now.

us

dynamic on the nose, this late-harvest wine, which was subjected to botrytis, shows concentrated honey syrup, cement-like minerality, key lime pith and a petrol character. the palate delivers a lot of energy and tension, with lime zest cutting across concentrated apple flavors.

it

smooth, rich and beautifully textured, this opulent chardonnay from cool-climate alto adige offers plush aromas of yellow fruit, rose, vanilla and toasted almond. you could pair löwengang with shellfish or creamy risotto with wild mushrooms.

us

a linear expression of lemon zest and quince, this is a creamy-textured blend of 50% marsanne, 29% roussanne and 21% viognier with a quick, crisp finish.

us

young, elegant, spicy and still quite tight, this is showing lovely fragrances of rose and cherry. in the mouth it seems more elegantly feminine, less powerful than the bruno's ii blend. syrah contributes black pepper, raspberry and red currant; the bordeaux grapes put some tannic muscle into the back end.

us

very good and delicious, if not quite up there with the warmer vintages of 2007 and 2008. the winemaker has done a yeoman's job with this wine—considering the difficult vintage—coaxing out pleasant raspberry- and cherry-jam flavors.the finish is dry and spicy. drink now.

us

a solid effort from a dependable winery that used to be known for value, back before wine—especially cabernet—prices exploded. it hits all the right notes, with black-currant aromas and flavors, herbal or bell-pepper notes and a fancy streak of mint, complexed with lots of new french oak. dry and rich, it finishes with dusty tannins, suggesting aging possibilities. best after 2003.

pt

a wood-aged chardonnay from mountain vineyards above the douro. the wine has spice, yellow fruits and a strong toast character. acidity is there to add some freshness to the concentrated, rounded taste.

us

zesty lime and lemon notes cut a razor's edge through this buoyantly fruity, floral dry riesling. bright peach, mango and melon flavors are lip smacking on the palate, nuanced by a hint of savory dried herbs. it's a refreshing, delicately framed wine to enjoy now.

uruguay

this bright, bold blend of tannat and merlot is direct on the nose, with lemony oak, pencil lead and berry aromas. it's a full, weighty, warm wine with flavors of blackberry, cassis and chocolate tinged with citrus. oaky notes, with a licorice flavor and heat, drive the finish.

us

shows a dryness and earthiness that mark calera's most ageworthy pinot noirs. but that doesn't mean it's not good now. it is, with impressive black cherry, licorice, bacon, vanilla and sandalwood flavors, wrapped into a drily crisp, silky texture. drink through 2012, at least.

us

the aromas are generous, with notes of cigar box, dried herb, brambly berry and dried hay. the meaty flavors are round and full, providing appeal, finishing a bit warm.

us

at the age of 2 1/2 years or so, this fresh syrah is all about licorice, currant and blackberry fruit, with loads of black pepper. tastes like it's right out of the fermenter, with firm tannins and bright acidity. doesn't drink like an ager, so give it a good decant and drink soon.

us

lots of bang for the buck in this rich, fruity chardonnay. it hits it right down the middle in solid popular appeal, with new world tropical fruit, citrus and peach flavors wrapped into a buttercream texture and liberally accented with smoky oak.

fr

scented impressions of ripe pear and aloe vera pervade this wine. the palate shows texture and more fruit than you might expect from slender sylvaner. the finish is brisk, clean and taut.

us

an astonishing wine, creamy and loaded with lush fruit flavors. the tropical fruits are just the beginning; layer upon layer of marshmallow, whipped cream, brioche, butterscotch, buttered nuts, toast and more keep piling on. with all that richness, it remains a billowy, pillowy chardonnay, light as a feather, yet deep and dreamy.

fr

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.

cl

strawberry and tomato aromas are hot and edgy. the palate is snappy and not short on acid, while it tastes of spiced red plum, tea and herbs. peppery and herbal on the finish, and zesty all the way through.

au

lean. linear. crisp. focused. this is textbook dry riesling, showing lime aromas and flavors tinged with hints of talcum powder and beeswax. drink it now, or hold up until at least 2023.