2018, 90 point wines

2018, 90 point wines (166 at last count), many under $20 (several wines under $10) are racking-up deep into November, when I will post my best-picks for the year: Top 2018 Wines (18)
  Why the 90 point hubbub bub? Have you been disappointed in a wine you’ve plunked down your hard earned pesos? Are you in a wine rut, always the same wine because you trust its history? Let's see if my selections can't help with that.
I work hard at judging the wines I drink, because my family and friends trust me when I say “this is a great wine!"
  It’s important that you know what ‘type’ or style of wine you do like and don’t like, and sometimes we just don’t really know, but comparing a soft, jammy, and lush Apothic red, for example, to a distinctive food busting, medium-bodied, and acidic Italian Sangiovese (think Chianti) will quickly give you a clue to your palate's preference in a red wine.
  Or consider, like I often do, an oaky Cali Chardonnay with that of a clean mineral tasting Chablis (Chardonnay from northern Burgundy, France) and everything in between, because there exists a wide and often unappreciated difference; Chardonnay is often referred to as "the winemaker's grape".
  A 90 point wine can assist in exploring wines and often lead to the “ah ha moment”, otherwise known as an epiphany, when, like my son, a wine best paired, is a wine nearly divine.
  An 80 point wine vs. a 90 point wine can be the difference between a White Castle burger and one from the 80 Thoreau’s bar.
  Feel free to add your thoughts on the 100 point system; if you're on the negative side of the issue, first see my post on that subject here: So why do so many hate wine. . .scores. . .
If you have any comments on the wines mentioned below, I'll be glad to entertain them.

White Wine under $20:

Albesia Roero 2016 Arneis (DOCG), $13.99-$15.99, 92 points

Anne Amie Vineyards Cuvée A Amrita 2015 White Wine, $11.04-$14.99, 91 points

Banfi Castello San Angelo Toscana 2017 Pinot Grigio (IGT), $13.59-$18.99, 92 points

Bersano 2016 Gavi (DOCG), $8.49-$18.99, 90 points

Bodegas Naia Rueda 2016 Verdejo (Castilla y Leon, Spain), $13.49-$14.99, 90 points

Cinquante Cinq 2016 Viognier (France), $13.59-$16.99, 90 points

Clos Du val Napa Valley 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.99-$30.99, 92 points

Clos Du Val Proprietary 2015 White Wine, $16.99-$45.99, 90 points

Cono Sur Valle de San Antonio 2017 Sauvignon Blanc (Chile), $9.34-$10.99, 90 points

Craggy Range Martinborough 2016 Sauvignon (New Zealand), $14.44-$19.99, 90 points

Domaine Capitaine "Les Aumones" 2016 Vouvray, $14.39-$17.99, 90 points

Domaine de Dionysos "Clementine" Vin e Pays De Vaucluse Principaute D'Orange 2017 Viognier, $13.99-$16.99, 90 points (France)

Domaine Séguinot-Bordet 2012 Chablis, $17.84-$22.99, 94 points

Domaine Virginie Thunevin 2008 Grand Vin De Bordeaux Red Wine, $16.99, 90 points

Dry Creek Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $7.64-$14.99, 92 points

Elk Cove Vineyards Willamette Valley Estate Grown 2017 Pinot Gris, $16.99-$22.99, 90 points

Eroica (Chateau Ste Michelle-Dr. Loosen) 2015 Columbia Valley Riesling, $17.99-$21.99, 91 points

Ferrari Carano 2016 Flume Blanc, $9.99-$16.99, 90 points

Ferrari Carano 2017 Flume Blanc, $7.64-$8.99 (375ml), 90 points

Aizpurua Cosecha 2017 Hondarrabi Zuri (White) Wine (Getariako Txakolina, Spain), “Cha-ko-lee” $17.09-$18.99, 90 points

J (California) 2017 Pinot Gris, $12.74-$16.99, 91 points

John Anthony Carneros (Napa Valley) 2017 Sauvignon, $15.29-$21.99, 92 points

Kettmeir Alto Adige-Südtirol 2017 Pinot Bianco (DOC), $16.21-$21.99, 91 points

Kim Crawford Marlborough Pinot Gris (New Zealand), $11.89-$17.99, 90 points

Paul Dolan Potter Valley/Mendocino County 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.49-$18.99, 90 points

Pine Ridge 2013 Chenin Blanc + Viognier, $11.99-$14.99, 90 points

Rex Hill Willamette Valley 2013 Chardonnay, $17.99-$21.99, 90 points

Rombauer Vineyards Napa Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99-$24.99, 90 points

Ruffino "Il Ducale" Friuli 2017 Pinot Grigio, $11.89-$18.99, 92 points

Ryan Patrick Rock Island Columbia Valley 2015 Chardonnay, $15.29-$17.99, 91 points

St. Supery Napa Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $15.29-$21.99, 91 points

Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas 2016 Blanc White Wine, $18.59-$21.99, 90 points

Terlato Vineyards Friuli 2016 Pinot Grigio, $17.99-$22.99, 90 points

Torresella Venezia 2017 Pinot Grigio (DOC), $13.99-$15.99, 90 points

Vigilance Red Hills, Lake County 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.49-$19.99, 90 points

Whitehaven Marlborough 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $13.59-$15.99, 90 points

Red Wine under $20:

Antica Masseria di Sigillo 2014 Primitivo di Manduria, Puglia, Italy, $9.99-$19.99, 91 points

Armida Winery 'Maple Vineyards' Dry Creek Valley 2014 Zinfandel, $16.99-$45.99, 90 points

Banfi Castello 2015 Rosso di Montalcino (DOC), $16.14-$20.99, 90 points

Bodegas Breca Calatayud 2012 100% Garnacha Red Wine, $13.99-$15.99, 90 points

Bodegas Franco-Españolas Rioja Bordón Reserva 2008 Tempranillo, $16.14-$18.99, 91 points

Brancaia Tre Rosso Toscana IGT 2014 Red Wine, $17.99-$20.99, 91 points

Browne Family Vineyard Columbia Valley 2013 Merlot, $18.69-$39.99, 90 points

Campogiovanni 2014 Rosso Di Montalcino (DOC), $18.69-$21.99, 91 points

Cantine Catena Campania IGT 2014 Aglianico (Italy's braille label), $14.02-$16.49, 90 points

Cantalici 2012 Chianti Classico (DOCG), $12.74-$29.99, 90 points

Castelli Martinozzi 2016 Rosso di Montalcino, $10.49-$29.99, 91 points

Cecchi La Mora 2011 Morellino Di Scansano Riserva (DOCG), $7.99-$16.99, 90 points

Cerulli Spinozzi Torre Migliori 2012 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane, $13.99-$16.99, 91 points

Château Violette Moulis-en-Médoc Grand Vin De 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $17.99-$19.99, 90 points

Domaine Dupeuble 2016 Beaujolais, $15.99-$17.99, 90 points 

Enzo Boglietti 2016 Barbera D'Alba (DOC), $15.99-$19.99, 91 points

Fiddletown Cellars Amador County Old Vine 2015 Zinfandel, $16.99-$19.99, 90 points

Frog's Leap Napa Valley "Granite" 2015 Red Wine, $19.99-$39.99, 90 points

Housley's Century Oak Winery Inez's Vineyard Old Vine 2014 Zinfandel, $11.89-$28.99, 90 points

Jean-Michel Dupré Morgon 2015 Cru Du Beaujolais (Grand Cras), $12.74-$29.99, 91+ points

Luna Vineyards 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $11.04-$25.99, 91 points

Marcarini Langhe 2014 Nebbiolo, D.O.C. (Italy), $16.14-$18.99, 90 points

Michel Rolland and Javier Galarreta (R and G) 2011 Rioja Red Wine, $5.94-$14.99, 90 points

Monrosso Toscana IGT 2015 Red Wine, $11.89-$16.99, 90 points

Petroni Estate Sonoma 2010 Syrah, $16.99-$39.99, 90 points

Rocca delle Macie 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG), $16.14-$21.99, 90 points

Ruffino Modus Toscana I.G.T. 2013 Red Wine, $19.54-$25.99, 90 points

Sean Minor Napa Valley 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $18.69-$26.99, 90 points

Tenuta Sette Cieli 'Yantra' 2013 Toscana Red Wine (IGT), $19.99-$21.99, 90 points

Viberti Giovannni Langhe 2013 Nebbiolo (DOC), $18.69-$21.99, 90 points

Villa Pillo Borgoforte Toscana 2014 Red Wine (IGT), $11.89-$18.99, 90 points

Vina Robles Estate Paso Robles 2013 Petite Sirah, $10.19-$24.99, 92 points

Volver La Mancha 2012 Tempranillo, $11.89-$16.99, 91 points

Volver La Mancha 2014 Tempranillo, $11.89-$15.99, 91 points

Zuccardi Q Mendoza Valley 2015 Malbec (Argentina), $16.99-$19.99, 91 points



Over $20 wines not to be ignored!

White Wines:

Cade Napa Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $29.74-$34.99, 92+ points

Domaines Schlumberger Alsace Saering Grand Cru 2008 Riesling (France), $30.39-$37.99, 91 points

Duckhorn Napa Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $22.94-$29.99, 92 points

Gary Farrell 'Russian River Selection' Russian River Valley Sonoma County 2015 Chardonnay, $29.74-$39.99, 93 points

Groth Napa Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $20.39-$26.99, 90 points

Groth Napa Valley Hillview Vineyard 2016 Chardonnay, $28.04-$32.99, 94 points

J. Moreau and Fil "Montmains" Premier Cru 2016 Chablis, $38.24-$44.99, 92 points

Jean-Jacques Vincent "Marie Antoinette" Grand Vin 2015 Pouilly Fuissé, $21.24-$27.99, 92 points

Joseph Drouhin 2016 Pouilly Fuissé, $21.24- $24.99, 90 points

Jospeh Drouhin Reserve de Vaudon 2017 Chablis, $25.49-$29.99, 91 points

Jospeh Drouhin-Vaudon Premier Cru 2016 Chablis, $33.14-$38.99, 93 points

Louis Jadot Chablis Fourchaume Premier Cru 2015 Chablis, $33.14-$38.99, 90 points

Marchesi de Frescobaldi, Gorgona, Costa Toscana IGT, 2014 White Wine (Italy), $84.99-$169.99, 95 points

Oceana 2015 Chablis, $21.24-$29.99, 92 points

Planeta 2017 Chardonnay (Sicilia, Italy), $28.04-$34.99, 91 points

Sixto Moxee Washington State 2015 Chardonnay, $38.24-$44.99, 90 points

Twomey Napa Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $22.94-$26.99, 91 points

Red Wines:

Alexana Willamette Valley 2014 Pinot Noir, $29.74-$34.99, 91 points

Austin Hope Paso Robles 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, $41.30-$50.99, 91 points

Barone Ricasoli Castello Di Brolio 2012 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (DOCG), $50.14-$58.99, 92 points

Bear Flag Sonoma County 2015 Zinfandel, $20.97-$29.98, 91 points

Bodegas Lan Gran Reserva 2007 Rioja Red Wine, $23.79-$27.99, 90 points

CAPANNA 20006 Brunello Di Montalcino (D.O.C.G.) Revisited, $47.59-$55.99, 93 points

Caparzo 2012 Brunello DI Montalcino (DOCG), $32.29-$37.99, 92+ points

Caparzo 2013 Brunello DI Montalcino (DOCG), $29.74-$39.99, 92 points

Castel Giocondo (Marchesi de' Frescobaldi) 2007 Brunello di Montalcino (Revisited), $33.99-$59.99, 92 points

Castellare 2016 Chianti Classico (DOCG), $18.86-$24.99, 90 points

Castello Banfi Cum Laude Toscana 2013 Red Wine (IGT), $32.99-$35.99, 92 points

Castello Di Bossi Berardo 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva, $25.99-$29.99, 92 points

Caymus Napa Valley 2013 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, $165.74-$194.99, 96 points

Château Bellevue St. Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2010 Bordeaux Revisited, , $27.89-$97.99, 96 points

Château Bellevue St. Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $40.79-$47.99, 93 points

Château Canon 1er Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $59.49-$69.99, 96 points

Château Canon-la-Gaffelière Premier Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $89.97-$105.49, 96 points

Château Cantemerle, Grand Cru Classé en 1855, Haut-Médoc 2014 red Bordeaux, $28.04-$32.99, 91 points

Château Clinet Pomerol 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $101.49-$116.49, 97 points

Château Croix Cardinale, Saint-Émilion, Grand Cru 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $25.07-$29.49, 92 points

Château Dalem Fronsac 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $22.52-$26.49, 92 points

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Grand Cru Classé Saint-Julien 2009 Bordeaux Red Wine (Cabernet Sauvignon), $249.99-$370.99, 97 points

Château Faugères, Saint-Émilion, Grand Cru Classé 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $33.14-$38.99, 92 points

Château Fombrauge Bernard Magrez St. Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $27.62-$32.49, 90 points

Château Haut-Bergey Pessac-Léognan 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $22.52-$26.49, 91 points

Château La Couspaude Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2014 Bordeaux, $42.49-$49.99, 93 points

Château Larcis Ducasse 1er Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $56.09-$65.99, 94 points

Château Larrivaux Grand Vin Haut-Médoc 2009 Bordeaux Red Wine, $29.99, 90 points

Château Malartic Lagraviere Grand Cru Classé De Graves Pessac-Léognan 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $41.64-$48.99, 93 points

Château Monbousquet St. Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $51.49-$63.99, 94 points

Château Pontet Canet Grand Cru Classé En 1855 Pauillac 2011 Bordeaux Red Wine, $118.99-$152.99, 95 points

Chronic Cellars Paso Robles 'Dead Nuts' 2012 Red Wine, $20.39-$23.99, 91 points

Clos Du Val Napa Valley Reserve 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $46.749-$119.99, 93 points

Clos Fourtet 'La Closerie de Fourtet' St. Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $28.89-$33.99, 94 points

Col D'orcia 2012 Brunello DI Montalcino (DOCG), $33.14-$39.99, 91 points

Concha y Toro Don Melchor Vineyard 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Puente Alto, Chile), current prices are $79,99-$82.99, 92 points

Damilano Lecinquevigne 2013 Barolo (DOCG), $31.44-$38.99, 93 points
Domaine de la Charbonnière 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, $45.89-$53.99, 94 points


Dry Creek 'The Mariner' 2013 Meritage (Bordeaux Styled Red Wine), $20.97-$44.99, 91 points

Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $110.99-$129.99, 94 points

Enzo Boglietti Boiolo 2012 Barolo (DOCG), $41.64-$75.99, 94 points

Far Niente Napa Valley "Oakville" 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $121.74-$154.99, 95 points

 Faust Napa Valley 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, $49.49-$54.99, 93 points

Flora Springs Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $28.04-$42.99, 91+ points

Fortress Sonoma County 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $21.99-$24.99, 91 points

Joseph Phelps Freestone Vineyards Sonoma Coast 2014 Pinot Noir, $38.24-$49.99, 93 points

Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, $104.99-$125.99, 94 points

Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $50.99-$69.99, 93 points

Hartford Russian River Valley Old Vine 2015 Zinfandel, $27.19-$31.99, 91 points

Housley's Century Oak Winery Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $21.24-$49.99, 90 points

K-Vintners The Creator Powerline Estate Vineyard Walla Walla Valley 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, $47.59-$55.99, 92 points

La Lecciaia 2010 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva (DOCG), $38.24-$47.99, 93 points

Lemelson Vineyards Thea's Selection 2015 Pinot Noir, $25.49-$31.99, 91 points

Marques De Murrieta Reserva 2010 Rioja Red Wine, $28.99-$24.64, 91 points

Mazzei Philip Toscana 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (IGT) Italy, $31.44-$36.99, 90 points

Merriam Vineyards 'Lower Pond' Alexander Valley 2014 Malbec, $33.99-$39.99, 91 points

Mollydooker Carnival Of Love 2014 McLaren Vale Shiraz, $44.99-$84.99, 95 points

Mount Veeder Winery Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $28.04-$32.99, 91 points

Nickel and Nickel Napa Valley 'Harris Vineyard' 2014 Merlot, $53.54-$62.99, 92 points

Penfold's South Australia BIN 389 2015 Shiraz/Cabernet Red Wine, $29.69-$69.99, 93 points

Poliziano 2014 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (D.O.C.G.) $21.24-$24.99, 90 points

Opus One 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Bordeaux-styled Red Wine), 96 points

Renzo Masi Fattoria di Basciano I Pini Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 2015 Red Wine, $20.39-$23.99, 91 points

Ridge East Bench 2016 Zinfandel, $27.19-$31.99, 90 points

Ridge Estate 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $49.29-$57.99, 95 points

Ridge Geyserville (50th Vintage) 2015 Red Wine, $33.14-$38.99, 92 points

Ridge Lytton Springs 2015 Red Wine, $35.69-$41.99, 93 points

Ridge Pagani Ranch 2015 Zinfandel, $28.89-$33.99, 95 points

Roberts And Rogers Louer Family St. Helena, Napa Valley 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $50.99-$59.99, 93 points

Robert Craig Napa Valley 'Affinity' 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $56.94-$66.99, 94 points

Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro 2011 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (DOCG), $34.99-$39.99, 93 points

Santa Margherita D.O.C.G. 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva, $24.99-$29.99, 90 points

Shafer Hillside Select Stags Leap District, Napa Valley 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, $176.79-$220.99, 93 points

Shafer Napa Valley 2014 Merlot, $47.59-$60.99, 92 points

Shafer Napa Valley Relentless 2009 Syrah, $53.54-$62.99, (current price $89.99), 93 points

Silverado Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $46.99-$56.99, 93 points

SpottsWoode Family Estate Grown Saint Helena, Napa Valley, 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $138.74-$174.99, 95 points

Stags' Leap 2014 Petite Syrah, $37.10-$46.99, 92 points

Sullivan Napa Valley Rutherford Estate 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $44.99-$89.99, 94 points

Tabarrini Montefalco Sagrantino 2007 "Colle Grimaldesco", approximately $50, and bought through the mail, 93 points

Taken Napa Valley 2012 Red Wine Bordeaux-styled Red Wine, $29.74-$39.99, 90 points

Tenuta Col d'Orcia Olmaia Sant'Antimo 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon DOC (Tuscany, Italy), $48.44-$56.99, 93 points

Tenuta di Biserno IL Pino Toscana 2012 Red Wine (IGT), $50.99-$59.99, 92 points

Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri "Sassicaia" 2013 DOC Toscana Bordeaux-styled Red Wine, $144.49-$169.99, 97 points

Tenute Silvio Nardi 2006 Brunello Di Montalcino, $35.99-$49.99, 95 points

Tenute Silvio Nardi 2011 Brunello Di Montalcino, $38.24-$49.99, 92+ points

Tolaini Al Passo IGT Tuscan 2011 Red Wine, $22.94-$26.99, 91 points

Torbreck Vintners "The Steading" Barossa Valley 2014 GMS Red Wine, $27.19-$31.99, 90 points

Two Hands Angel's Share 2016 Shiraz, $31.99-$36.99, 91 points

Two Hands Bella's Garden 2014 Shiraz, $44.99-$69.99, 92 points

Villa Antinori 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG), $22.94-$32.99, 90 points


Rosé:

Alexander Valley Vineyards Sonoma County 2017 Dry Rosé Of Sangiovese, $11.89-$15.99, 91 points

Chateau Barbebelle Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Cuvee Madeleine 2016 Rose, $10.99-$15.99, 90 points

Chronic Cellars Paso Robles Pink Pedals 2017 Rosé, $12.74-$17.99, 90 points

Chateau Peyrassol 2016 Commanderie de Peyrassol Côtes de Provence Rosé, $21.59-$23.99, 90 points

Robert Sinskey Vineyards Carneros 2016 Pinot Noir Rosé, $24.64-$28.99, 91 points

Tenuta Perolla San Felice Toscana 2017 Rosato IGT (Italy), $11.04-$12.99, 90 points


 Port:

Dow's 10 Year Old Tawny Port, $23.99-$32.99, 92 points

Dow's Late Bottled Vintage 2008 Port, $17.59-$24.99, 91 points

Quinta do Noval Black Port, $16.14-$20.99, 90 points

Rozès Porto 2000 Vintage Port, $34.99-$79.99, 90 points

Taylor 20 Year Old Tawny Port Bottled 2013, $31.99-$67.99, 92 points

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger