B V Coastal Estates
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon California $9.00: Restrained fruit; good food wine – Ed McCarthy
Critics Platinum 2006 Chardonnay California $9.00: Appealing citrus nose. Medium-bodied, silky, concentrated, with some attractive mouth-watering acidity. Vigorous and stylish with welcome persistence and a mineral finish. Good with fresh shrimps. – Stephen Brook
Baileyana Winery
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir, Grand Firepeak Cuvee, Firepeak Vineyard Edna Valley $38.00: Rich cherry and raspberry fruit, quite opulent. Rich, quite dense, wirth firm tannins to support the abundant fruit, attractive acidity on the finish. Needs a bit more time, but a serious and vigorous wine. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Grand Firepeak Cuvee, Firepeak Vineyard Edna Valley $30.00: Very ripe and textured – Elin McCoy
Ballatore Champagne Cellars
Critics Silver NV Rosso Spumante California $7.99: Good acidity; quite delicious – Ed McCarthy
Critics Gold NV Gran Spumante California $7.99: Great peachy flavors; refreshing – Ed McCarthy
Barboursville Vineyards
Critics Gold 2006 Cabernet Franc, Reserve Virginia $23.00: A fantastic texture! The wine feels seductive and supple when you sip it. It offers plenty of sweet red fruit, augmented by hints of green leaf and dusty earth. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Grigio Virginia $15.00: Light pink grapefruit nose. Broad, juicy, plump, has some weight and opulence and a firm nutty finish. – Stephen Brook
Barefoot Cellars
Critics Silver NV Shiraz California $6.99: Sweet, expressive red raspberry fruit gives way to a chewy, vinous bottom note on the flavor. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver NV Chardonnay California $6.99: Lovely for the cocktail hour, yet complex enough to handle a flavorful grilled swordfish. – Robert Whitley
Bargetto Winery
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir, Reserve Santa Cruz Mountains $40.00: Floral and inviting, but with chewy tannins that may need some time to resolve. – Robert Whitley
Barking Sheep
Critics Silver 2007 Chardonnay Chenin Blanc Mendoza $10.99: Full-bodied;drink soon – Ed McCarthy
Baron de Villacampa
Critics Silver NV Tempranillo Rioja $10.99: A dramatic wine that toes the line of excessive earthiness without going over it, this features arresting aromatic notes of damp earth and roasted meat that meld nicely with a core of red and black cherry. A bit of smoke and spice from oak accent the finish. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2003 Tempranillo, Crianza Rioja $14.99: Well-balanced – Ed McCarthy
Barone Ricasoli
Critics Gold 2003 Brolio Chianti Classico Tuscany $19.99: A dramatic wine with deep color and very expressive aromas that show lots of earthy complexities, this is very ripe, but firmed up with enough tannin to achieve symmetry. – Michael Franz
Critics Platinum 2001 Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico Tuscany $54.00: This wine shows its seriousness right from the start with deep color and concentrated pigmentation, and things only get better from there. Complex aromas of dried fruits intermingle with accent notes of roasted meat, dried herbs and damp earth, with balanced wood notes of vanilla and spices lending complexity without overwhelming the delicious core of fruit. Acidity and tannin are very well measured, and the wine seems almost perfectly mature at this point but not at all played-out. – Michael Franz
Critics Platinum 2005 Rocca Guicciarda Chianti Classico Riserva Tuscany $25.00: Very fine; classic; complex – Ed McCarthy
Bearboat
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay Russian River Valley $18.00: Some leesy presence and ripe tree fruit. A focus to it, with mineral grip on the finish along with heat. – Jon Bonne
Beringer Founders’ Estate
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon California $11.00: Very well-structured, with nothing excessive or heavy, and very fine balance. An elegant, graceful Cabernet. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Platinum 2005 Merlot California $11.00: Dried coriander, loam, robust plum. A well-tapered expression, with a sweetish kick to the finish and ample grip. – Jon Bonne
Beringer Third Century
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast $14.00: A delicious Cabernet, with a touch of green leaf at the start and rich, ripe fruit following. It will be wonderful with a grilled steak on deck or patio. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Platinum 2005 Syrah Central Coast $14.00: Complex scents of oak, cocoa, blackberry and a touch of smoke. The best texture of the syrahs with its flavors of blackberry compote leavened by a touch of leather, and tannins that are wonderfully fine and deft. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay Central Coast $14.00: Citrus and hay on the nose. A grippy, long finish. – Jon Bonne
Big Ass
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $14.99: Vivaciously fragrant for a Cab, with violets and fresh blackberry aromas . This is a powerful, potent wine, not shy on alcohol or ripeness, yet it has a sense of polished style and poise. Flamboyant without being Liberace. – Linda Murphy
Big House
Critics Silver 2006 Red California $9.99: A generous wine dominated by raspberry fruit – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2006 GSM, The Lineup California $14.99: The smell of ink and the taste of generous, juicy red raspberry. Very appealing. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2006 White California $9.99: Expressive aromatic notes of figs and candle wax lead to flavors that again show a fig note, along with soft texture but enough acidity to focus the finish. – Michael Franz
Critics Gold 2006 Pink California $9.99: A rose with lots of stuffing, nothing effete about this one. – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Grigio, The Birdman Monterey County $14.99: Light pear aromas give way to round, ripe pear flavors balanced and brightened by citrus acidity. – Rebecca Murphy
Biltmore Estate Wine Company
Critics Silver NV Celebration American $20.99: Ripe black cherry and cassis, sturdy tannins, secondary notes of forest floor and licorice. This is big, muscular wine that needs at least two years in the cellar to soften. Has fine potential. – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Antler Hill Napa Valley $48.00: A supple style, with soft tannins, so a wine to enjoy tonight. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Gold 2004 Blanc de Blancs Brut, Chateau Reserve North Carolina $29.99: Good acidity; very fine – Ed McCarthy
Critics Platinum NV Blanc de Blancs Brut American $24.99: Despite its creaminess and softness, this wine has great acity that gives it depth, length and the ability to age. Fresh, citrusy flavors are delicate and true. – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Gold NV Blanc de Noir Brut American $24.99: Lovely fruit; delicious – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Antler Hill Napa Valley $35.00: Savory, pleasant drinking, for food – Elin McCoy
Critics Silver 2007 Viognier, Chateau Reserve North Carolina $18.99: Classic scents of pear and peach; very ripe flavors, somewhat voluptuous but good in a ripe style. – Patrick Comiskey
Black Sheep Vintners
Critics Silver 2005 Zinfandel Amador County $20.00: Very spicy, with a rustic edge that adds charm, and a somewhat sweet finish. – Paul Lukacs
Black Swan
Critics Silver 2006 Merlot South Eastern Australia $8.00: Dark and spicy red, with a big plummy scent with a touch of marine air. Flavors are rich and simple. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2007 Riesling South Eastern Australia $8.00: Light resinous, lemon zest aromas with sweet peachy fruit that finishes on the dry side because of the snappy acidity. – Rebecca Murphy
Blackstone Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Rubric, Sonoma Reserve Sonoma County $19.00: Pleasing aromatics, though the green tannins don’t quite match the ripe black fruit. – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Sonoma Reserve Sonoma County $16.00: Alluring perfume – Marguerite Thomas
Bluenose Wines
Critics Gold 2005 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley $24.99: With succulent fruit notes of wild berry and rapsberry underscored with touches of pepper and red licorice, this sleek sipper is a winner. – Leslie Sbrocco
Bohemian Highway
Critics Silver 2006 Merlot California $8.00: Appealing – Marguerite Thomas
Bolla
Critics Silver 2007 Chianti DOCG Tuscany $8.99: Lean; classic – Ed McCarthy
Critics Gold 2006 Bardolino Veneto $8.99: Great balance; lovely wine – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2006 Valpolicella DOC Valpolicella $8.99: An interesting wine that starts with open, softly sweet cherry fruit but firms up in the finish with an appropriate dose of ripe tannin. – Michael Franz
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir Pavia $8.99: Shows a wonderful hint of minerality and lovely hints of red fruits and blueberry. – Robert Whitley
Bonny Doon Vineyard
Critics Silver 2004 Le Cigare Volant California $30.00: Soft, round and immensely pleasing with a bracing backbone of acidity. – Nick Passmore
Critics Platinum 2006 Le Cigare Blanc California $20.00: Aromas of sweet quince lead. Flavors are a little elusive, quince, red apple, fresh and yet with good weight, but the exotic, beautiful texture is what makes this wine a Platinum. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2005 Syrah Le Pousseur Central Coast $18.00: Tangy and fresh at the moment, and far too young, this wine will develop an intriguing complexity with time. – Nick Passmore
Critics Gold 2007 Albarino, Ca’ del Solo Estate Vineyard Monterey County $20.00: Dramatic honeysuckle aromas and a broad palate, with white melon and peach fruit notes, this is a compelling wine – Michael Franz
Bonterra Vineyards
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Organically Grown Mendocino County $14.99: Charming bright ripe fruit, supple tannins, little complexity but still appealing – Michael Apstein
Critics Gold 2006 Merlot, Organically Grown Mendocino County $14.99: Great depth and juiciness. Softness of Merlot and lots of flavor – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Silver 2007 Rose Mendocino County $13.99: Creamy berry notes, mint and a fresh citrus highlight to tie it together. The sweetness takes over but the edges are well-defined. – Jon Bonne
Critics Gold 2005 Syrah Mendocino County $14.99: Clearly afflicted by brettanomyces but not clearly any worse for it, this is a decidedly gamey wine with great depth and dimension of flavor. It draws up just short of seeming dirty, and is very impressive in its complexity. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Organically Grown Mendocino County $12.99: Nicely balanced and harmonious. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2006 Viognier Mendocino County $17.99: A good oak-driven style, with a caramel scent and good richness on the palate. – Patrick Comiskey
Bouchard Pere & Fils
Critics Gold 2004 Meursault Genevrieres, Premier Cru Cote d’Or $100.00: Lovely ripe, slightly oaky nose, Cote d’Or richness supported by lively acidity. A little simple, but very good. Gorgeous toasty buttery style, yet not overdone and great acid to keep it bright. – Michael Apstein
Boutari
Critics Silver 2001 Naoussa, Grande Reserve Greece $25.00: A dry, medium-bodied wine with fine-grained tannins and leathery nuances of age – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Gold 2006 Moshofilero Greece $17.00: Very interesting aromas show notes of smoke and minerals, and these notes show up again on the palate and in the finish as accents to subtle fruit notes. – Michael Franz
Critics Gold 2007 Santorini Greece $28.00: Dry; minerally – Ed McCarthy
Braganini
Critics Gold 2007 Traminette, Reserve Michigan $14.99: Light leafy, white peach aromas with sweet fruit flavors balanced with clear cut acdity to clear the palate. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Gold 2006 Riesling, Reserve Michigan $14.99: Riper sttyle, Rheingau-like, showing fewer minerals; more lush melony character; not sweet, with a good acid finish. – Michael Apstein
Brancott Vineyards
Critics Silver 2004 Pinot Noir, ‘T’ Terraces Marlborough $25.00: Medium-bodied, ripe, just the right side of sweetness, light tannins and some brisk acidity to keep the finish lively. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Grigio North Island $13.00: Dumb nose. Rich, juicy, weighty. Not much character but has some vigour and a nutty finish. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough $13.00: Intensely grassy and direct, but with subtle complexity to flavors. – Elin McCoy
Brassfield Estate
Critics Gold 2006 Serenity, High Serenity Ranch High Valley $15.99: Flouncy, floral, crisp-edged, with sweet apple notes. – Jon Bonne
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, High Serenity Ranch High Valley $23.99: Well-balanced; good acidity – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2004 Merlot, High Serenity Ranch High Valley $22.99: Smooth with unqiue pancetta aromas and bright berry fruit, this earthy Merlot is a must-try for lovers of Old World-style reds. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2004 Syrah, Round Mountain High Valley $23.99: Powerful almost to a fault, but drawing up just short of inelegance, this is a muscular wine that really requires food to counter-balance its concentration and intensity. Blackberry and black raspberry fruit notes are vivid and impressively expressive. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2004 Syrah, Monte Sereno High Valley $29.99: Fine intensity and vivid varietal character mark this wine, which succeeds on account of deep flavors that are accented but unencumbered by wood notes. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Grigio, High Serenity Ranch High Valley $14.99: Clean and fresh – Nick Passmore
Briar Rose Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Special Reserve Temecula Valley $68.00: A serious wine with dark, dense fruit; yet also a purely enjoyable wine, with very ripe tannins that show no drying or astringency. – Michael Franz
Critics Gold 2004 Petit Verdot, Private Reserve Temecula Valley $92.00: Smoky, mellow, ripe blueberry amid the fierce tannins. – Jon Bonne
Bridlewood Winery
Critics Platinum 2005 Arabesque, Reserve Central Coast $24.00: A fine balanced delight. Its fresh fruit flavors just sing in the glass. Light on its feet, it’s already showing deeper hints of cedar and wet leather. – Nick Passmore
Critics Silver 2004 Syrah, Reserve Central Coast $24.00: A leesy scent provides a savory attack. Flavors of black fig and cherry dominate, with an oaky lingering finish. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2006 Viognier, Reserve Central Coast $20.00: A mouth-filling ambrosia of balanced fruit salad flavors. – Nick Passmore
Buena Vista Carneros
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir Carneros $24.99: Delicate nose with cherry, raspberry, and oak. Fresh, lean, lively acidity, quite concentrated, attractive balance and length with a refrshing finish. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir, Ramal Vineyard Carneros $37.99: Ripe charming red fruits nose. Medium-bodied but sleek, rather subdued fruit, but a solid wine with good Pinot typicity. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2005 Syrah Carneros $22.99: Crystalline blueberry and blackberry fruit, plus mocha and oak spice. Bracing acidity gives an otherwise big, potent wine great lift and a fresh-tasting finish. – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver 2005 Syrah, Ramal Vineyard Carneros $37.99: Very ripe scents of plum compote; palate has flavors of sweet blackberries soaking in chocolate milk – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay Carneros $17.99: Aromas of brioche or baked bread, followed on the mid-palate by lovely ripe pear and finishing with hints of spice. – Robert Whitley
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Ramal Vineyard Carneros $32.99: If you love buttery, ripe, richly fruited Chardonnay this will be to your liking. – Robert Whitley
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Gris Carneros $19.99: Bright pear flavors, good acid, stylish, good texture, attractive pear grittiness – Michael Apstein