(Rioja, Spain) $32
Loads of sweet vanilla flavors atop a core of delicious cherry fruit. Texturally plush, a bit like the Rioja version of California’s Silver Oak Cabernet. From 40-year-old vines.
92 points KM
Available at B-21
(Mendoza, Argentina) $27
Black figs, dark raisins, black licorice. A big, somewhat syrupy red, perfect for Bribs or chicken slathered with a syrupy BBQ sauce.
90 points KM
Available at Pinnacle
(Santa Barbara County, CA) $30
Spiced cherries, vanilla bean, and wonderful energy and freshness in this Grenache from Santa Barbara, home to many of the top Grenaches in the US.
90 points KM
Available at Blackwell's Wine & Spirits
(Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, CA) $35
Sauvignon lovers, this is for you. Exquisitely poised yet rich Sauvignon evocative of pink grapefruit, sage, lime zest, and kiwi. (No “bad” vegetative greens here.) Very layered, complex, and refreshing. A can’t-stop-drinking Sauvignon.
94 points KM
Available at Acumen
(Paso Robles, CA) $35
Pour the wine into a decanter, hide the bottle, and watch people admire this big “Napa Cabernet.” Lots of blackberry pie, sage, and spice flavors.
90 points KM
Available at Vivino.com
(Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa) $34
A delicious rich, nutty, and minerally Chardonnay from one of the top producers in South Africa. Creamy and refreshing with loads of vivacity. Hemel-en-Aarde means “Heaven and Earth.”
93 points KM
Available at Gary's Wine & Marketplace
(Nahe, Germany) $28
Salty freshness, very light, and dry. Crisp and pure like a cool mountain stream.
89 points KM
Available at Winkler and Samuels
(Dao, Portugal) $32
Over-the-top snappiness gives this wine a super refreshing quality. Very zesty, citrusy, and mouthwatering. A field blend of 19 indigenous white Portuguese varieties. Fun and distinctive.
92 points KM
Available at Gary’s Marketplace
(Napa Valley, California) $28
Tarragon and kumquat citrus with a sagey finish. This wine is intriguing and unique—great to pair with warm lentil salad or goat cheese.
90 points KM
Available at Brendel Wines
(Margaret River, Australia) $30
A rich, toasty Chardonnay loaded with apple and apricot notes, counterbalanced by absolutely pulsating crisp freshness. A great all-around Chardonnay for all sorts of dishes.
92 points KM
Available at Mr. D Wine Merchant
(Russian River Valley, California) $35
Jordan is well known for perfectly proportioned wines that are elegant, classic, and never overwrought. This Chardonnay is evocative of golden apples with hints of minerals vanilla bean, and fresh pineapple.
92 points KM
Available at Jordan Winery
