4 | Wine | 86 to 90

"Crisp and lively with aromas of green apple, cinnamon and vanilla that lead to appealing flavors of tropical fruit and spicy anise."

"Fresh and light, with a hint of ginger accenting the grapefruit flavors at the core. The texture shows a delicate sparkle."

"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."

This statewide blend stands up well against far more expensive Chardonnays. It's rich and crisp in acidity, with tropical fruit, pear and peach flavors, as well as a generous coating of oak and buttercream. Easy to find, with nearly 11,000 cases produced. Best Buy."

"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."

"A rather exuberant yet steely, powerful Prosecco. White peaches, crushed rocks, smoke and flowers are some of the nuances that flow from this large-scaled, important Prosecco. A rich, textured finish rounds things out nicely. The Rustico is far from an easy-going cocktail wine, and is sure to be better at the table than on its own."

"A major sleeper of the vintage, this blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is another “best ever” performance. Notes of tobacco leaf, hot rocks, sweet kirsch and black currants are impressively displayed in this medium to full-bodied, velvety textured, very seductive style of wine. Drink it over the next decade." -Robert Parker

"A fun glass of bubbles, with creamy vanilla and raspberry aromas that lead to appealing strawberry and spicy lemon flavors."

"Smooth and velvety, with a fresh, lively feel to the blueberry and plum flavors. A hint of nutmeg marks the finish."