1 | Wine | White, France, 86 or higher

"Ripe but nicely focused, this white displays tangerine and nectarine notes along the edges, lending a racy hint to the peach and yellow apple fruit flavors. There's good cut on the finish."

"There is also a salty sea breeze character reminiscent of the crushed oyster shell-like note my colleague David Schildknect often detects in Loire Valley whites. This crisp, fresh, medium-bodied Cotes Catalanes exhibits lots of earthy/terroir characteristics. Readers should think of it as a brisk, zesty, authoritatively flavored Chardonnay from the cool, alluvial soils on the banks of the Aigly River." -Robert Parker

"A faint lactic note on the nose, along with grapefruit, flowers and spearmint. Good cut to its grapefruit and mineral flavors. Finishes fresh and firm."

"A pretty, floral Riesling with apple blossom and lily notes accenting the quince, mandarin orange and Gala apple notes. Tangy and very thirst-quenching."

"Tasted from tank, into which it had been assembled just two weeks beforehand, the Morin 2011 Sancerre Vieilles Vignes – which will as usual be a cuvee solely for the U.S. market, and bottled unfiltered – brims with bright lime and grapefruit; apple and honeydew melon, offering a lovely balance between lees-enrichment and refreshing vivacity. There is a chalky sense of mineral impingement to the vibrantly zesty, invigorating, yet persistently succulent finish of this buoyant (incidentally, 12.7% alcohol) Sancerre that should drink well for the next 3-4 years if not beyond."

"A ripe, broad style, with salted butter and blanched almond notes leading the way, followed by candied lemon peel, shortbread and white peach notes. Stays fresh through the finish."-Robert Parker

"A stunning, dry Vouvray (although I suspect there is a touch of residual sugar), this 2011 possesses a flamboyant nose of peaches, orange marmalade, lemon custard and spring flowers. Medium-bodied, elegant, and totally satisfying both intellectually and on the palate, this white wine should drink nicely for several years." -Robert Parker

"Textbook viognier aromas of nectarine, candied lemon, violet and spices. Lush but energetic, offering sappy pit fruit flavors that are energized by zesty citrus pith and white pepper notes. Finishes silky and quite long, with the nectarine and spice notes repeating."

"The 2011 Cotes du Rhone Blanc is a kitchen sink blend with plenty of Grenache Blanc mixed with other white varietals. Revealing a perfumed bouquet of flowers, quince, white currants and wet stones, it is a fresh, medium-bodied, excellent example of how far high quality white winemaking has come in the southern Rhone. Enjoy it over the next year." -Robert Parker