1 | Wine | Spain, 86 to 90

"Explosively perfumed nose displays raspberry, fresh rose and sexy oak spices. Lush but energetic, with vivid red berry flavors and a silky, seamless texture. Turns more tangy on the finish, which clings with very good tenacity."

"Finely meshed, with a lightly spiced finish. This shows more finesse than many of its peers, displaying a subtle juiciness, joined by aromatic apricot, quince, mandarin orange and almond notes."

"This lightly sweet style of Cava brings out fresh flavors of Meyer lemon, apple, and pear. It's all about soft fruit, yet it remains completely clean, finishing with scents of apple butter and maple sap."

"Subtle, leesy aromas of apple, spices, flowers and nuts. Dry, racy and perfumed, with intense ginger and apple flavors complicated by nutty and floral nuances. Finishes quite dry and restrained. Unusually subtle, fresh, clean Cava." Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"Possibly the single greatest dry red wine value in the world, this is an unbelievable wine. And don’t complain that you can’t find any, as there are 15,000 cases available, and any wine retailer worth his weight should be stockpiling this wine next to the cash register. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by classic aromas of kirsch liqueur intermixed with raspberries, loamy soil and flowers. This medium to full-bodied wine possesses remarkable depth, an expansive texture and wonderful freshness as well as purity. On taste alone, this beauty could easily sell for $30-50 a bottle."

"No oak is used in this totally naked red. It emphasizes minerality and fruit, as evidenced by its crushed chalk-like notes intermixed with sweet kirsch, lavender and licorice. This fresh, medium to full-bodied, supple-textured, hedonistic as well as intellectually challenging wine should drink well for 2-3 years." -Robert Parker

"The gentle sparkle of this wine carries scents of honeyed apple and red-apple skin. It's fragrant and clean, and lasts on fruit, a rich style with balance."

"Saturated ruby. Smoky, spice-accented aromas of cherry, cassis and anise, with a subtle mineral quality in the background. Pliant and expansive, offering deep dark fruit flavors and showing a creamy texture. Sweet and penetrating on a youthfully tannic finish with distinct licorice and cherry notes."

"Dark ruby. Lively redcurrant and cherry on the nose, complicated by spice and floral elements. Juicy, vibrant cherry and floral pastille flavors show very good depth, with juicy acidity adding clarity and lift. Aeration brings up deeper blackberry and anise notes that carry through a spicy persistent finish. This has to be one of the best red wine values out there."

"Vivid ruby. Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it's an excellent value for Rioja."