fr

from a leading small domaine, this blend of 80% grenache and 20% syrah is sure to make virtually any lover of rhône wines smile. crushed thyme accents ripe cherry fruit in this full-bodied, moderately rich wine that ends with a dusting of velvety tannins. drink now–2018.

au

there's a lot to like in this effort: ample dark fruit, complex notions of tea leaves and dried grasses, and a richly textured, long finish. the wine is medium bodied and not very tannic, making it easy to sip repeatedly. drink it over the next 8–10 years.

pt

big and ripe, this has the firm tannins and solid, mineral structure of the douro. this is a dense wine, packed with black plum fruits over a dark, concentrated structure. firm, it also has generous fruitiness. it is ready to drink, but will be better from 2017.

nz

more austere and stony than many marlborough sauvignon blancs, this is a light-bodied wine built around hints of pineapple and guava. it's a pleasant, well-priced change of pace from overly fruity and herbal versions.

de

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.

nz

one of brancott's best sauvignons in recent memory, the 2008 b is intensely herbal on the nose, featuring green tomatoes and bell pepper, but only mildly vegetal on the palate--well within the bounds of acceptable varietal character. it's on the full-bodied side of the spectrum, with a long, mouth-tingling finish. try with sole basquaise.

us

luscious pink grapefruit and a hint of raspberry seduce on the palate of this bright, fruity riesling. it's pleasantly sweet but calibrated neatly by a shot of lemon-lime acidity on the midpalate. a straightforward, spry sip for everyday enjoyment.

fr

this wine is rounded, rich and full of ripe fruit. its wood flavors, giving spice and vanilla, are a backdrop to the generous apricot and pear flavors and good acidity. drink this wine from 2022.

it

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.

es

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).

us

this is an appealing, dry, and well-balanced wine, with everything in good proportions. it has lots of fresh cherry aromas, good and deep fruit flavors and a light but tasty layer of toasted, smoky oak.

it

this attractive wine opens with verdicchio's typical aromas of spanish broom and stone fruit, as well as a whiff of flint. the palate offers creamy ripe peach, citrus and pineapple flavors, along with hints of salinity and minerality that are brightened by fresh acidity.

us

this blends 62% cabernet sauvignon, 20% cabernet franc and 18% petit verdot. spicy and lean, it was aged in all-new french oak that provides a nice background of structure and strength.

us

the sangiovese comes from red willow vineyard, and it would be hard to find a more lovely, elegant rosé from this side of the atlantic. light strawberry and melon aromas continue onto the palate, with pinpoint detail and precision.

us

this veers on the lower side of aromatic intensity, with notes of dark raspberry and plum, raw meat, melted chocolate and underbrush. lively acids define the light- to medium-bodied palate, while powdery tannins lend traction.

us

this is mostly syrah, with grenache and mourvèdre filling in the rest of the blend. light and fruity, it's a mix of red apple, cherry and raspberry flavors, fresh and well-balanced with natural acidity. some hints of green fruit and stem come into the finish.

ar

with an opaque purple color and grapy, full aromas of blackberry kool-aid and cassis, this ripe bordeaux blend is plump, chewy and a touch soft on the palate. toasty but largely generic black-fruit flavors finish blackened, with a note of creosote, heat and drawing tannins. drink through 2019.

us

only two barrels were made of this pure malbec, a tightly wound wine with a well-defined mix of berry, bramble, bark and herb. it shows good balance and good length, with a finish that's streaked with notes of coffee and chocolate.

us

a bit on the sugary sweet side, but otherwise this is a nice cocktail sipper. shows good acidity coupled with pineapple, meyer lemon, lime, green apple and spice flavors. would score much higher if it were drier.

us

this blend is principally cabernet sauvignon (48%), cabernet franc (23%) and merlot (20%), with the balance petit verdot and malbec. appealing aromas of toast, barrel spice, vanilla, black cherry and herb lead to tart red- and black-fruit flavors that flow down the middle of the palate, with lightly grainy tannins supporting them.