Indholdsfortegnelse for December 31, 2020 i Wine Spectator

In addition to being one of the NBA’s top shooting guards, Portland Trail Blazer CJ McCollum has been getting into the wine game on his home court in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. In September, he released his first wine, McCollum Heritage 91 Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains 2018. He chatted about the project with senior editor MaryAnn Worobiec in a recent episode of “Straight Talk with Wine Spectator” on Instagram Live. McCollum gives his wife, Elise, credit for introducing him to wine when they were in college. One of his first tastes was a cheap Merlot that didn’t make a great first impression, but she continued to suggest new grapes, and he eventually developed a passion for Pinot Noir. After being drafted by the Blazers, McCollum took advantage of the proximity to…

California Gold Here’s a festive group of California values, featuring a number of sparkling wines that are perfect for brightening up any occasion. A trio of Cabernet Sauvignons reveals the affordable side of the grape. DOMAINE CARNEROS Brut Carneros 2016 (93, $33) Vibrant, refined; Asian pear, brioche, strawberry blossom DECOY Brut California Cuvee NV (90, $25) Lemon, orange zest, floral, vanilla: layered, fresh DURANT & BOOTH Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018 (90, $25) Ripe, detailed; cassis, cherry, plum puree, graphite, toast, apple wood GOLDSCHMIDT Zinfandel Alexander Valley Fidelity The Railyard 2019 (90, $22) Briar, black cherry, grilled anise, white pepper; snappy LOUIS POMMERY Brut California NV (90, $21) Steely, vibrant; lime, kiwifruit, blanched almond DOMAINE CHANDON Brut California NV (89, $19) Brisk; honeysuckle, apple, roasted nut KORBEL Brut California Organic…

It’s been a challenging year. The global coronavirus pandemic caused upheaval in all facets of our lives. The wine and hospitality industries were particularly hard hit when health safety protocols required restaurants, bars, tasting rooms and more, to limit service or simply close. Nonetheless, wine lovers continued to enjoy wine at home, with retail sales helping support the industry. Wine Spectator kept pace: Our editors reviewed more than 11,000 wines in blind tastings during the past year. Nearly 50% of those, 5,253 wines, rated an outstanding 90 points or higher on our 100-point scale. This was the pool from which we selected our Top 100, evaluated for quality (based on score), value (based on price), availability (based on cases either made or imported into the United States) and, importantly, the…

2 AUBERT Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast UV Vineyard 2018 95 | $85 | California Mark Aubert is a skilled master of Pinot Noir from Sonoma County. His winemaking is a mix of French and Californian styles, including whole-cluster fermentation with natural yeast and long macerations on the skins. Aubert’s goal with Pinot is to make wines with mouthfilling flavors and a low amount of tannins. The grapes for this wine came from the clay- and sand-rich soils of UV Vineyard, located in western Sonoma County near the town of Sebastopol. The site is named after the late Ulises Valdez, the talented Mexican-American grapegrower who planted it in 2001. 993 cases made. 3 SAN FILIPPO Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucére 2015 97 | $90 | Italy Florentine real estate broker Roberto…

Crisp, refreshing whites are more popular than ever and producers around the world have taken notice, delivering affordable examples from a range of grape varieties. The move toward cooler-climate regions has helped to expand the category, yielding the freshness and vibrancy necessary for this light-bodied style. Sauvignon Blanc continues to offer outstanding versions from multiple regions, but there are other bright, sleek wines to be found everywhere from Austria to Greece to Portugal. 93 $17 ALLAN SCOTT Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2019 | NEW ZEALAND | This stylish white is generous and intense, with vivid flavors of lemon curd, apricot and lime sherbet, accented by green tea, white pepper and passion fruit. (M.W.) 92 $19 MASON Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley Yount Mill Vineyard 2019 | CALIFORNIA | Bright and expressive, with…

Bold flavors and rich textures define these powerful reds, which deliver as much ripeness and concentration as possible, while still maintaining focus and balance. Warmer regions tend to deliver the most riveting examples, allowing grapes such as Malbec in Argentina, Shiraz in Australia, Zinfandel in California and Grenache in the Southern Rhône to reach their full potential. The flavor-packed reds of Portugal throw their weight around with distinctive versions from the country’s Dão and Douro regions. 93 $17 GUILLAUME GONNET Châteauneufdu- Pape Bel Ami 2018 | FRANCE | Ripe, forward and open-knit, with a burst of steeped cherry and raspberry fruit backed by light sandalwood and garrigue accents, with an echo of shiso leaf adding freshness and cut at the end. Grenache blend. (J.M.) 93 $20 BODEGAS RESALTE DE PEÑAFIEL…

91 Tyrrell’s Semillon Hunter Valley Vat 1 2015 $65 This offers a succulent, waxy mix of lemon curd, resin, lanolin and Key lime flavors, with a thread of saline and touches of honey and spice. Intense and vibrant, with a mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2030. 3,000 cases made, 200 cases imported.—M.W. 91 Yeringberg Yarra Valley 2017 $90 Notes of eucalyptus, tobacco, black tea and cedar are dark and concentrated, with black licorice, spiced plum and dark chocolate notes that sing in harmony on the finish. The tannins are plush and velvety. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2035. 50 cases imported.—M.W. 90 Tyrrell’s Semillon Hunter Valley HVD Single Vineyard 2014 $47 Intense, with grassy notes and herbal overtones of lemongrass, lemon verbena and…

91 Tabor Cabernet Sauvignon Galilee Malkiya 2016 $62 Nicely crafted, with hallmark cedar, currant and spice notes interwoven with olive, graphite and forest floor details. There’s focus to this full-bodied red, with muscular tannins and notes of mocha and leather tracing along the finish. Kosher. Drink now through 2024. 2,000 cases made, 300 cases imported.—G.S. 90 Domaine du Castel Petit Castel Haute-Judee 2018 $53 Marked by both power and focus, with red berry and currant notes flanked with graphite, cedar and savory spice elements all supported by taught tannins. Details of underbrush and black tea give depth to the structured finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Kosher. Drink now through 2025. 2,000 cases made, 350 cases imported.—G.S. 90 Recanati Special Reserve Galilee 2017 $60 A generous and sinewy red…

93 Ashbourne Pinotage Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2017 $58 Offers grace and complexity, with a beam of ripe raspberry and rose tea streaming throughout, while cola and light anise elements add to the allure. The fine underlying acidity keeps everything intact, gives this freshness and letting the finish sail on nicely. Drink now through 2027. 207 cases made, 100 cases imported.—A.Z. 91 Ashbourne Pinotage Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2018 $58 Vibrant version that combines elegance with just the right amount of power. Opens up with mint before the palate turns to show Damson plum, black currant, violet, vanilla and tangy mineral, which adds interest. Long, elegant finish. Best from 2022 through 2032. 224 cases made, 100 cases imported.—A.Z. 89 Kanonkop Kadette Stellenbosch 2018 $18 A pure, well-crafted red, offering stewed plum and mulberry flavors…

94 Gran Moraine Brut Rose Yamhill-Carlton NV $50 That rare domestic rosé that captures the vibrant acidity of Champagne, offering delicate strawberry, raspberry flavors laced with steely minerality and sprinkle of graham cracker on the finish. Drink now through 2022. 1,000 cases made.—T.F. 93 Argyle Brut Dundee Hills Knudsen Vineyard 2016 $50 Luxurious aromas of caramel brioche and baked apple draw in vibrant accents of lemon verbena and fresh ginger, balancing out this crisp yet full-bodied bubbly. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now. 932 cases made.—T.F. 93 Argyle Brut Willamette Valley Extended Tirage Master Series 2009 $80 Rich, with lush yeast and almond accents highlighting baked pear, spice and ginger flavors that finish with lingering spiced hazelnut tones. Drink now. 1,527 cases made.—T.F. 93 Soter Brut Rose Yamhill- Carlton Mineral…

Brother-sister writing team Shin and Yuko Kibayashi didn’t expect a graphic novel about wine to grab much of an audience. “At first, neither of us thought that this idea was going to work,” said Yuko, who sometimes uses the pen name Tadashi Agi together with Shin. “But wine was the ultimate favorite hobby that we both shared. So if a manga series that sprang out of our own hobby continued even for a year, it would’ve been fantastic.” That was in 2004. The Drops of God would run for 44 volumes over the following 10 years as more and more readers became enthralled by the story of Shizuku Kanzaki, a young beer salesman whose father, a world-famous wine critic, has died and left his priceless wine collection to either Shizuku…

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 96 MATERVINI Malbec Mendoza Piedras Viejas El Challao-Las Heras 2017 $150 ARGENTINA Powerful, refined and complex, with expressive violet and rose petal notes to the concentrated red plum, dark currant and wild cherry flavors. COLLECTIBLE 96 CLOS DES PAPES Chateauneufdu-Pape 2018 $109 FRANCE A refined, silky style, with subtle bitter cherry, damson plum and raspberry coulis notes racing through, flanked by garrigue and sandalwood notes. SMART BUY 91 LA CREMA Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County 2019 $25 CALIFORNIA This mouthwatering white offers a vibrant mix of lime sherbet, ripe melon, candied ginger and lemongrass flavors on a smooth and juicy frame. BEST VALUE 90 BODEGA CUATRO RAYAS Verdejo Rueda 2019 $14 SPAIN Floral and sea spray aromas are alluring in this lively and graceful white, with pear, herbal and…

BODEGAS MARQUÉS DE MURRIETA Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2010 96 points | $139 | 7,500 cases made, 680 cases imported Great wineries are not made in a day. It takes years to develop a vineyard and create a wine that expresses its origins and its culture in a distinctive way. This year, a benchmark winery in Spain showed how such a long-term project can result in remarkable success. Marqués de Murrieta is one of the founding wineries in Rioja, Spain’s premier wine-producing region. Established in the 1850s, Marqués de Murrieta was a leader in using French techniques to develop greater complexity and longevity from Tempranillo, Rioja’s indigenous red grape. In 1983, the winery changed hands, from its founding family to Vicente Cebrián, an entrepreneur and winery owner from…

2019 1 Château Léoville Barton St.-Julien 2016 ($98) | FRANCE 97 2 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder 2015 ($125) | CALIFORNIA 96 3 San Giusto a Rentennano Chianti Classico 2016 ($36) | ITALY 95 4 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Reserve 2016 ($150) | CALIFORNIA 96 5 Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley L’Ermitage 2012 ($48) | CALIFORNIA 95 6 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016 ($107) | FRANCE 97 7 Ramey Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Hyde Vineyard 2016 ($65) | CALIFORNIA 95 8 Château Pichon Baron Pauillac 2016 ($176) | FRANCE 96 9 Penfolds Shiraz Barossa Valley RWT Bin 798 2017 ($150) | AUSTRALIA 96 10 Viña Almaviva Puente Alto 2016 ($130) | CHILE 95 2018 1 Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia Sassicaia 2015 ($245) | ITALY 97 2 Château Canon-La Gaffelière St.-Emilion…

The secret to these richer-style whites is their ability to feature riper, juicier flavors while showing enough bright acidity to give them intensity and structure. Chardonnay yields many expressive versions, but there are a number of other varieties capable of producing the same balance of roundness and vibrancy. Many of the grapes with French origins, including Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Grenache Blanc, have found homes across the New World, in California, Australia and South Africa. 93 $21 CHÂTEAU GUIRAUD Bordeaux White Le G 2018 | FRANCE | Showy, with peach, nectarine and apricot notes that evoke Sauternes, though the palate is dry, harnessed by bitter orange and almond accents. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. (J.M.) 93 $25 ARNAUD LAMBERT Saumur White Bréze Clos de Midi 2019 | FRANCE | This offers…

The traditional rosé appellations of France, Spain and Italy have always produced a delicious array of styles at very affordable prices. Now, with the whole world thinking pink, producers across the globe are trying to match those classic examples in both quality and value. California and Washington, in particular, are producing a stream of vibrant, refreshing versions from grapes such as Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. 91 $20 LES VIGNERONS DE TAVEL Tavel Les Lauzeraies 2019 | FRANCE | Big and bracing, with racy edges to the mix of cherry, bitter plum and blood orange flavors. Stony minerality frames the finish. (J.M.) 90 $22 ETXANIZ TXAKOLINA Getariako Txakolina Rosado Txomin Etxaniz 2019 | SPAIN | Lightly spritzy, with a sea breeze aroma weaving through blood orange and pink grapefruit flavors.…

More than 225 wines were reviewed for this report. A free alphabetical list is available at WineSpectator.com/ArgentinaAlpha123120. WineSpectator.com members can access complete reviews for all wines tasted using the online Wine Ratings search. TOP WINES WINE SCORE PRICE VINA COBOS Malbec Los Arboles Bramare Chanares Estate 2017 96 $100 Vibrant, refined and filled with unctuous dark plum, blackberry and dark currant supported by velvety tannins, with a long, lilting finish filled with cream and dark chocolate accents. BODEGA PIEDRA NEGRA Chacayes Los Chacayes 2015 96 $99 Very elegant and rich, with concentrated kirsch, dark plum and cherry tart flavors, backed by fresh acidity. Shows grip midpalate, leading to a finish that turns creamy and plush. Malbec. ALTA VISTA Alto Mendoza 2013 95 $85 Big, rich and powerfully spiced, with loads of…

94 Prager Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Wachau Ried Achleiten 2018 $75 This stunning example impresses as soon as it hits the palate, with a firm backbone of acidity supporting rich apple, persimmon and daisy flavors full of savory spice notes. Shows beautiful harmony throughout, with a mouthwatering finish. Delicious now, but will only get better. Best from 2022 through 2032. 550 cases made, 50 cases imported.—A.Z. 93 Prager Riesling Smaragd Wachau Ried Klaus 2018 $75 An expressive, electrifying white, with a lovely crunch to the texture and loads of mulled spice, coriander, apple and crisp peach flavors. Shows incredible focus and precision, but this is still a bit youthful to show its full potential, with a long, lip-smacking finish. Excellent expression of the elegant side of Austrian Riesling. Best from 2023…

Piedmont / Barbaresco 95 Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabaja Riserva 2013 $125 A sleek, elegant style, with plenty of intensity to its floral, strawberry, currant, mineral and eucalyptus flavors. Still a little reticent on the finish, yet balanced and pure. The fruit becomes more prominent with air, so decant gently now or age a few more years. Best from 2022 through 2038. 500 cases made, 50 cases imported.—B.S. 95 Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Rabaja 2016 $215 Elegant and graceful, this offers cherry, strawberry, rose, tobacco, iron and spice flavors on a linear frame. The steely structure and tension deliver plenty of grip. Balanced in the end, with a chalky feel on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2045. 40 cases imported.—B.S. 95 Fratelli Giacosa Barbaresco Basarin Vigna Gianmate 2016 $65…

Rioja 92 La Rioja Alta Rioja 904 Gran Reserva 2011 $66 This supple red shows maturity, with forest floor, mushroom and cedar notes framing dried cherry and tea flavors. The silky texture is supported by light tannins and orange-peel acidity. A traditional style, balanced and harmonious. Tempranillo and Graciano. Drink now through 2025. 3,800 cases imported.—T.M. 92 Torre de Ona Rioja Finca Martelo Reserva 2015 $39 Supple, polished and harmonious, this red shows cherry, tea, vanilla, leafy and spicy notes, with modest and balanced tannins and acidity. A bit reserved, but has focus and length. Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Viura. Drink now through 2027. 550 cases imported.—T.M. 91 Bodegas Vallobera Rioja Finca Vallobera 2017 $24 This red is graceful, but with an appealing rough edge. A core of black cherry…

Red 92 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley 2017 $55 Refined and well-structured, with polished black cherry, espresso and toasty spice flavors that build richness toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2027. 400 cases made.—T.F. 91 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2017 $40 Svelte and tightly focused, offering expressive blackberry, toasty spice and espresso that finish with refined tannins. Drink now through 2027. 500 cases made.—T.F. 91 Spring Valley Cabernet Franc Walla Walla Valley Katherine Corkrum 2017 $50 Razor-sharp in focus, with a firm yet agile core of acidity and tannin that finds balance as the refined flavors of cherry and tobacco build toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2027. 458 cases made.—T.F. 89 Nine Hats Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2017 $20 A friendly red with just enough complexity to…

The chairman of the Court of Master Sommeliers–Americas (CMS-A) stepped down in November and the group announced plans for an overhaul, including all new officers, following the suspension of 10 male Master Sommeliers and the resignation of another. All stand accused of sexually harassing women who were pursuing certification with the group. An independent investigator has been appointed to follow up on all allegations. “We agree that a reformed CMS-A is the only path forward to ensuring the organization’s existence and integrity, and to better protect the people who look to be educated,” wrote board vice chair Virginia Philip in a letter to all members. Philip will oversee the transition, temporarily taking over from chairman Devon Broglie, who resigned after numerous members called for his departure and shortly before allegations…

You may know me as a journalist and a wine lover. I’m also a fan of the Grateful Dead; my first concert was in New Haven, Conn., on July 31, 1971. Their song “Truckin” talks about the “long, strange trip it’s been.” My own journey has been surprising, serendipitous and satisfying, and I am grateful. Looking back, I see a path puncuated by dead ends and wrong turns—yet those detours were all instrumental in reaching my goals. In 1977, I realized that a Ph.D. program in political science didn’t suit me. So I changed direction. I left Yale and moved to Spain to write a novel. But the novel didn’t satisfy me either, and I ran out of money. It felt like a dead end. A friend told me picking…

RANK SCORE PRICE WINE 1 96 $139 Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2010 2 95 $85 Aubert Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast UV Vineyard 2018 3 97 $90 San Filippo Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucere 2015 4 96 $135 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder 2016 5 96 $90 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Trois Sources 2016 6 96 $90 Kistler Chardonnay Russian River Valley Vine Hill Vineyard 2017 7 95 $53 Massolino Barolo 2016 8 96 $99 Bodega Piedra Negra Chacayes Los Chacayes 2015 9 95 $95 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge The Beaux Freres Vineyard 2018 10 97 $175 Bollinger Brut Champagne La Grande Annee 2012 11 97 $40 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva 2016 12 96 $40 Bodegas y Viñedos…

During this tumultuous year, we have all looked for comfort wherever we can find it. Because of the emphasis on home due to the pandemic, it has been our closest family and friends who we’ve relied on most to get us through. There’s no better way to connect than with good food and wine, making it as important as ever to have affordable, go-to bottles we can count on. Yet being at home doesn’t mean we can’t try new flavors, experience different cultures and expand our senses. That’s another way that value-priced wines have been a source of pleasure this year, by allowing us to travel the world from our kitchens. The diverse selection in this year’s annual roundup of 100 top values covers six categories—Light Whites, Rich Whites, Elegant…

These medium-bodied reds perform a delicate balance, offering complexity and depth to their flavors while maintaining freshness and harmony. Italy and Spain each showcase the diversity that’s possible in this category, from darker fruit profiles to earthier styles evoking wild herbs and tobacco. Pinot Noir is often defined by its refinement and finesse, yet a number of interesting blends make their appearance here as well, including supple examples from Washington and New Zealand. 93 $20 BODEGAS BERONIA Rioja Reserva 2015 | SPAIN | This round, juicy red is fresh and lively, with black cherry, tangy plum, leafy, toast and vanilla flavors mingling over moderate tannins and orange peel acidity. Bright and accessible. (T.M.) 93 $25 CAIAROSSA Toscana Pergolaia 2015 | ITALY | Expressive and complex, offering black cherry, black currant,…

The production of sparkling wine is as labor-intensive as winemaking gets, yet that hasn’t stopped vintners from turning out affordable options in a range of styles. Italy and Spain have long been leaders in keeping quality high and prices low, yet California has come on strong in recent years in delivering bright, flavorful examples. 90 $20 EL CEP Brut Cava Gelida Gran Reserva 2015 | SPAIN | Apricot and tangerine flavors are set on the fine mousse of this expressive Cava, with pastry cream, toasted almond and candied ginger hints. (A.N.) 90 $21 LOUIS POMMERY Brut California NV | CALIFORNIA | Steely and vibrant, this combines the best of Old and New World styles, with fresh lime, kiwifruit and blanched almond flavors. (T.F.) 90 $25 DECOY Brut California Cuvée NV…

This Buying Guide contains ratings of new releases from around the world. Complete tasting notes are provided for new releases scoring 85 or more points (on the Wine Spectator 100-point scale, explained below); notes for wines scoring 84 points or less are included at the discretion of the taster. Hundreds of additional reviews appear each month on our website, www.winespectator.com. Each review carries the initials of the Wine Spectator editor who blind-tasted and scored the wine and wrote the review, based on the regional specializations indicated below. Thomas Matthews Spain Kim Marcus California Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir, Argentina, Chile James Laube California Bruce Sanderson Burgundy, Piedmont, Tuscany James Molesworth California Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Rhône Valley, Port MaryAnn Worobiec California Sauvignon Blanc and other whites, Australia, New Zealand Alison Napjus Italy, Champagne, Alsace Tim Fish California Zinfandel and…

Malbec 96 Vina Cobos Malbec Los Arboles Bramare Chanares Estate 2017 $100 Vibrant, refined and filled with unctuous dark plum, blackberry and dark currant supported by velvety tannins. Cooking spices notes are deeply ingrained, with a long, lilting finish that is filled with cream and dark chocolate accents. Drink now through 2027. 500 cases made.—K.M. 96 Matervini Malbec Mendoza Piedras Viejas El Challao-Las Heras 2017 $150 See Highly Recommended, page 99. 95 Vina Cobos Malbec La Consulta Bramare Rebon Estate 2017 $100 Elegantly styled, with sandalwood notes to the fine-grained dried raspberry, plum and red currant flavors, backed by fresh acidity and tannins. Minerally lifted on the long, lush and well-spiced finish that feature hints of rooibos tea. Drink now through 2026. 500 cases made.—K.M. 95 Vina Cobos Malbec Perdriel…

Beaujolais 93 Albert Bichot Moulin-a-Vent Rochegres Domaine de Rochegres 2018 $60 Medium-bodied, with open-knit layers of rose petal, licorice-tinged cherry and raspberry flavors that are infused with clove and vanilla details. Supple tannins show nice integration through the long, mineral-infused finish. Delicious. Drink now through 2028. 550 cases made, 60 cases imported.—G.S. 92 Louis Jadot Moulin-a-Vent Chateau des Jacques Clos des Thorins 2017 $40 This Gamay is elegantly textured, with a concentrated profile offering raspberry gelée, orange zest and cherry notes backed by woodsy spice, anise and herb accents. Bright acidity gives this energy through the lengthy finish. Drink now through 2026. 60 cases imported.—G.S. 91 Chateau du Moulin-a-Vent Moulin-a-Vent Couvent des Thorins 2018 $30 The light tannins are beautifully textured and encase vivid raspberry and currant flavors matched with…

92 Azores Wine Company Acores Saborzinho 2015 $215 There’s a brown tinge to this red with a delicately crafted, unique profile of strawberry, sea breeze and iodine, seamless and fragrant. Elements of rose petal, spice and wild herb are supported by moderate, integrated tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2025. 59 cases made, 30 cases imported.—G.S. 92 Quinta de Chocapalha Lisboa Vinha Mae 2016 $50 Distinctive, with floral and wild herb notes weaving through boysenberry and plum fruit, permeated with graphite and cedar details through the anise, violet and woodsy spice flavors on the long finish, with dusty tannins. Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Syrah. Drink now through 2026. 975 cases made, 75 cases imported.—G.S. 92 Quinta da Romaneira Syrah Duriense Apontador 2017 $55 Well-spiced with raspberry tart and…

Cabernet Sauvignon & Blends 93 Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Game Ranch 2016 $85 Very solid, with a core of warmed cassis, steeped plum and mulled raspberry fruit backed by alder, red tea and savory notes. Nice iron-tinged minerality emerges on the finish, adding a pleasantly rugged hint. Best from 2021 through 2032. 500 cases made.—J.M. 93 Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Air Show Vineyard 2018 $125 Focused style, with a beam of red and black currant preserve flavors racing through, backed by a graphite edge. Latent grip on the tar- and bay-edged finish. Should develop nicely in the cellar. Best from 2022 through 2032. 2,208 cases made.—J.M. 93 Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Branding Iron 2018 $125 Offers a well of açai berry, plum and blackberry fruit to…

The reviews that follow are the on-release tasting notes for the wines of the 2020 Top 100. Ranking is indicated by the number in the red box to the left of each note. Prices given are release prices. The date in parentheses indicates the issue in which the wine was first reviewed. An overview of this year’s Top 100 and profiles of each of the selected wines begins on page 35. 1 96 Bodegas Marques de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2010 $139 Maturing well, this round red is a lovely example of the traditional style. Orange peel, dried cherry, forest floor, vanilla and black tea flavors mingle harmoniously over round tannins and citrusy acidity. Generous but gentle, lively, balanced and harmonious. Tempranillo and Mazuelo. Drink now through…