es

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.

us

Dry and thin in fruit, with flavors of cherries, mint and herbs, and a kiss of wood. Pretty good for this everyday price.

us

This has astonishing depth of flavor, with dense black fruits marbled with notes of smoked meat, clove, balsamic and an earthy flavor. It's a wine to savor and cellar.

ro

Aromas of banana, mango, and pineapple open to flavors of tropical fruit salad, mango and banana and a soft finish.

it

A cheerful and easy dessert wine, this would pair perfectly with apple pie or cinnamon-dusted strudel. It features bright fruit aromas of apricot, pear and passion fruit.

it

Aromas of licorice, cedar, red currants and graphite unfold in the glass. The structured palate offers black cherries, blackberries, coffee, tobacco and black pepper alongside firm, velvety tannins that wrap around the palate. Drink 2016–2022.

fr

A very vibrant, lively wine, all mineral and fresh acidity. There is some austerity as the fruit still needs to round out; but it promises to develop well, with delicious green apple and grapefruit flavors. Keep this for 3–4 years.

ar

Aromas of matchstick, tropical fruits and stalkiness are a bit challenging. In the mouth, things feel solid and fresh, while flavors of sweet pear, melon, vanilla and apricot settle on mildly bitter come finishing time.

fr

This wine shows hints of tar or rubber when first poured, so decant it for best effect. Once past those, berry and citrus aromas and flavors emerge, lingering on the long, mocha-tinged finish.

gr

Rustic, with a spin of smoke, this red has a nose of green herbs, black cherry and smoke, and flavors of dried herb, red berry and tobacco. Masculine and focused, it's perfect for spicy meat dishes and stews.

fr

Another wacky Riesling from Marc Kreydenweiss, this one somehow works. There's Asian spice here and an odd collection of oxidative aromas but also undeniable concentration and good length. Serve this unusual wine by itself or with Indian fare.

us

A very pale peach color, this wine brings bright aromas of strawberry Jolly Rancher, cherry and kiwi. It drinks just a hair off dry, with tart fruit flavors, providing plenty of easy-drinking pleasure.

us

Zesty, full-bodied and expansive on the palate, this is a wine that comes around in time, in the glass and in the bottle or decanter. Briny and dancing a fine line between brawn and beauty, it paints a picture of classic green and yellow apple and subtle vanilla spice, with a tropical flirtation happening in the background. Structured, it should cellar well, through 2020.

fr

Even the richest, spiciest wines from Rieflé-Landmann retain freshness. So this hugely spicy wine still has a crisp element that gives it a great lift. It's structured with some dryness at the end as a contrast to the more honeyed opening. Drink from 2018.

es

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.

at

This wine does take time to open up but convinces with a spicy freshness dominated by lemon zest and a suggestion of wet pebbles. Concentrated yet subtle, this deserves some aging but is delicious right now.

es

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.

us

Wiemer's Cuvée Brut is fresher and more forward than the producer's longer-aged blanc de blanc. Yet amidst the cutting green apple and lemon, there's plenty of autolytic character, expressed as whispers of toast, rising dough and burnt sugar. It's vibrantly balanced by tiny, penetrating bubbles and a lingering, fresh finish.

us

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.

pt

Aged for a year in oak, this is a rich, smooth and densely textured wine. Full of black fruits, the wine comes from a vineyard facing north across the Douro river. This impressive Reserva is still developing and should be ready from 2018.