4 | Wine | Alsace, 86 or higher

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

"Scents of white truffle; candied lime and orange peel; and peach could also be those of a Riesling. Firm, polished, and palpably full of stuffing, yet succulent and downright refreshing in a way Alsace Pinot Gris seldom is, this brings varietally recognizable smoke and lip-smacking saline savor in its finish. As a classic (read: “old-fashioned, dry-tasting”) Alsace Pinot Gris that should drink well for at least 8-10 years, this represents an exceptional value … and if you consider the price of white truffles, it’s a steal!"

"This delicate white, displays notes of orchard blossom, candied lemon zest and tangerine, with a minerally subnote that builds toward the finish. Shows good concentration in a dry and elegant package, with a long, finely textured finish."

"Straw-yellow, deeper than the 2011. A fusel nuance complicates bright stone fruit and floral aromas. Very fresh and saline, offering excellent chewy extract and noteworthy length. An excellent entry-level wine, especially for those who like their rieslings bigger and chewier. Remarkable quality considering that nearly 30,000 cases of this wine are made."

"Bright straw. White stone fruits and flowers on the nose and palate. Displays lively acid lift for such a hot hear, with the zesty, persistent finish featuring a lingering note of lime. From 33-year-old vines in the Clos."

"Along with strawberry and red raspberry fruit suggestions that are enhanced by the wine's discreet hint of sweetness. ...there are saline, meaty, and herbal notes to add interest to both the nose and a lush palate, and the hints of salinity and bitterness in the finish make for an invigorating complement to the wine's prominent fruit. This comes in a light-sensitive clear bottle, and I could identify no lot number, so make sure that whoever sells you a bottle will take responsibility for freshness and proper storage."

"Fresh and floral, with a lacy texture and flavors of green pear, melon, star fruit, lemon zest and fleur de sel."

"This firm white is focused by a backbone of racy acidity, offering kumquat, grapefruit zest, apricot and melon flavors, with honey and apple blossom hints. Shows lovely balance, with a mineral note lingering on the finish."

"Yellow with a gold tinge. Very ripe yellow fruit aromas complicated by subtle gingery spices and flowers on the expressive nose. Complex and pure on the palate, with a tactile umami charater to the ginger and ripe peach flavors. Ripe acidity nicely frames the wine's dense, rich fruit. Very concentrated and long, finishing with a lightly tannic impression. Sweeter than the Calcaire bottling but a bit less intellectual than that wine."

"Well-defined and balanced, this shows clean notes of star fruit, melon rind, smoke and orange peel, with a thread of mineral salinity. Structured without being overpowering, this is dry and tangy, and would be a fine match for light seafood."