fr

This is a rich, smoke and tannin-filled wine. Still young, the black-plum fruits are in the background, suggesting ripe juiciness for the future. Produced from vines on the east end of the plateau of Saint-Émilion, it is full bodied and will develop well. Drink from 2018.

fr

The mineral texture that marks out a fine Meursault is very present here. Yellow fruits balance with this perfumed and intense wine. Still young and crisp, the acidity gives a tight, nervy edge. The wine obviously needs to age, so drink from 2017.

cl

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.

nz

This follows the standard blueprint for NZ Pinot Gris in its pear, ginger and lime aromas, medium body and apple-pear flavors, but there's a slightly bitter, pithy edge to the finish.

US

California Malbec by itself tends to be straightforward, which might be why the winemaker blended this one with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The result is excellent, one of the best Malbecs in California, with rich blackberry, currant and cedar flavors. The strong tannins suggest it should pair well with beef.

US

Delicate whiffs of cherry blossom and white pepper perfume this fresh, fruity Cabernet Franc. On the palate, bright raspberry and cherry flavors are unadorned by oak or spice tones, lending a pristine forward sunniness. It's an uncomplicated but irresistibly tasty red.

fr

Fresh fruit with apple acidity gives this wine a ready-to-drink character. It has an attractive lift of citrus and a light, crisp and fresh aftertaste.

es

This is Cáceres' bread-and-butter red Rioja, and the '04 is fruity, light and very approachable. The nose shows some cotton candy and other bouncy red-fruit aromas, while the palate is easygoing, fleshy and balanced by a beam of juicy acidity. Along the way, you'll pull out flavors of cherry, raspberry and a finishing note of bitter coffee.

fr

The top cuvée from Bélingard is a rich wine, full of young tannins as well as dense blackberry fruits. It is still very structured, showing its wood aging. The texture will smooth out into a rich, complex wine. Drink from 2017.

fr

A touch funky and green at first, that soon blows off to reveal a dark and wonderfully concentrated wine that shows some serious promise with age. Cassis, plum, black cherry, spice and tobacco fill the palate, with a long, smoky finish sealing the deal. Drink after 2010. Imported by The Portfolio Group.

US

From a region not known for Cabernet comes a rich, tantalizing, luscious wine, with lots of cigar box/tobacco aromas and plenty of vibrant black fruit: currants and plums. Proper acidity drives the finish, leaving the mouth fairly refreshed. Has all the structure and balance one could ask for.

US

This barrel selection offers aromas of peach, apple and lime sorbet, with a sharper sense of dried herbs as well. The palate delivers high-tone flavors of chopped dill, tart apple, lime peel and cut grass. A lean and focused wine.

pt

Earthy, youthful aromas lead to a wine that's ripe while still finding its fruity character. The potential for the citrus and apricot flavors is there and should develop by mid-2015.

US

Barrel notes of vanilla and spice take the lead in this aromatically brooding wine, followed by dried herbs and dark fruit. The flavors are pitch black, coating the palate from end to end with layers of fruit, tannins that go the distance and a graphite-filled finish that lingers. It will drink best from 2020–2027.

US

Here's a rich, ripe, opulent Syrah, all jammy blackberry, cherry and currant flavors, sprinkled with black pepper and housed in a structure of firm, strong tannins. It's a blend of some of the best vineyards in the county, including Bien Nacido, Larner and Ampelos. Drink now–2015.

fr

Smooth and spicy, this is a soft style of Malbec. It has tannins, to be sure, but they are suavely integrated into the berry fruits, the touch of mint and the spice from wood aging. The aftertaste brings out refreshing layers of juicy acidity. Drink now.

US

This wine seems overtaken with scents and flavors of tree tar and resin. The impression of pine resin cuts out the fruit, leaving some woody flavors in the finish.

fr

From three different parcels in this large Grand Cru vineyard, this wine is dense and concentrated. Powerful tannins will develop into rich fruits with great intensity. This wine, with its weight, needs time. Drink from 2023.

US

This is a big but balanced expression of Cabernet that is ready to drink now. Layers of black cherry, caramel, vanilla, smoke and crushed black rocks show on the lavish nose. The palate's chalky texture is immediately apparent, with vibrant acidity that carries forth a rich crème de cassis flavor and finishes on roasted coffee and milk chocolate.

US

Peppery spice, tart goosebery and white grapefruit notes shine in this varietally characteristic Grüner Veltliner. It's delicate in concentration but cutting and fresh, finishing on a refreshing mineral tone. Drink now through 2018.