pt

A rich blend of two Portuguese grapes and two French ones gives structure, rich tannins and a dark texture. Firm with a dry core, the wine is also ripe with berry fruits, concentration and the potential for aging. Ideally drink from 2017.

il

Aromas of raspberry, thyme and sage are the lead-in to flavors of black cherry, cassis, cranberry, smoked meat and violet. Tannins are slightly stiff, but that is more than made up for by a constant sense of zippy acidity that carries on right into a bright and lingering finish.

fr

Soft and ripe, this is a fruity wine with apple and pear flavors that are lightly enhanced by the juicy, refreshing acidity. The finish is lively and fragrant. Screwcap.

cl

This unoaked Chard is light and peachy on the nose, with apple aromas. It's a fruity, driving, almost grating wine with apple, white grape and melony flavors. Super fruity and zesty without the wood tempering, with a citric, lightly bitter and pithy finish.

US

An elegant surprise from Michigan, this sparkling Riesling starts with fresh apple and pear aromas and leads into balanced layers of fruit and creamy toast. Aromatic and a touch sweet, it finishes dry and snappy. A fun find.

US

Made from Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, this is fine and delicate, with citrus, flower, vanilla, smoke and doughy yeast flavors that finish crisp and dry. Drink now.

fr

Philip the Bold was Duke of Burgundy in the 14th century and owner of this estate. This wine that comes from vines next to Saint-Aubin is cool and fresh, emphasizing red currants and acidity. It needs to broaden out, which will happen in the next two to three years. Drink from 2019.

at

Herbal savoriness and hints of green pear on an otherwise neutral and clean nose promise sleek but uncomplicated refreshment. Ideal for entertaining.

US

Powdery, dusty tannins form the core of this wine, which is soft in plum, currant and cedar, with a leanness to the palate. The acidity provides a freshness before speckled pillows of cocoa powder appear on the finish.

fr

Bright, friendly and pure mandarin flavors make for a very appetizing, fruit-forward wine. The same friendly, sunny mandarin fruit fills the palate with its tension between citrus tartness and luscious sweet freshness. Bruised apple peel makes an attractive appearance on the lasting finish that concludes with lots of freshness.

fr

Structured and firm, this is a solid, chunky wine. With its black fruit flavors merging with a more dry and tannic core, it is both dense and ageworthy. Acidity leavens its rich character. Age for 3–4 years.

at

This is a very closed, terroir-driven wine with a mineral character. With its tight structure and flavors of green fruit and spice, it is a wine for aging. Screwcap.

US

Smoothly seductive in bright red-berry and pomegranate fruit, this young Zinfandel comes from mostly Dry Creek Valley vineyards. Rippling in baking spice and subtle vanilla oak, it's a complete wine, with balanced acidity and mellowed tannins. Clean and long on the finish, it will complement rather than overpower a meal.

US

A concentrated and toasty raspberry flavor permeates the light- to medium-bodied palate, which is endowed with crisp acids.

fr

With its blend that includes perfumed Mourvèdre, this is a solidly tannic while also aromatic wine. It tastes of the garrigue and wild plants that surround the vineyards, giving both tannin and rich dark plum fruit flavors. It needs to age, so drink from 2016.

US

The wine, though true to variety, is approachable and soft, not oily. Round and fruity, with 1.7% residual sugar, this lush, forward style will meld comfortably with Asian fare.

US

A slightly funky, earthy nose gives way here to a red that offers pepper, tobacco and a touch of tart cherry on the palate. The flavors and tannins are good and balanced, though the wine is simple.

US

Textured, spicy and exotically scented with red and black fruits, pepper, ground coffee, cinnamon, saffron and chocolate powder. It's a delightful and complex wine, just under 15% alcohol, balanced and showing lots of plummy fruit that is backed with polished tannins and natural acids.

US

A gorgeously salmon-colored rosé made predominantly from Grenache (62%) co-fermented dry with Viognier (58%) out of Yolo County. The wine has a delicately pretty nose of peach and a light-medium body despite its 14.8% alcohol, though the finish falls off fast.

US

This wine comes from a vineyard 1,000 feet above Annapolis owned by Thomas Rivers Brown and Fred Schrader, and farmed by Ulises Valdez. It demands time to open, concentrated as it is in juicy blackberry, plum and a hit of earth, the tannins integrated and silky soft.