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Koyle 2013 Royale Los Lingues Vineyard Cabernet
Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley). Spicy
aromas of balsam wood, tobacco and sawmill work
well with ripe but reserved red-berry scents. Tight,
tannic but also fresh as opposed to drying, this Cabernet
from a cool year delivers a classic set of herbal
berry, plum and wood spice flavors. A ripped finish
is dry and oaky now, with core fruit resting for the
future. Drink 2018–2028. Quintessential Wines.
Cellar Selection. —M.S.
abv: 14.5% Price: $26
92
Lucienne 2014 Doctor’s Vineyard Pinot
Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands). Sultry black
cherry, clove and crushed graphite show on the
nose of this single-vineyard study from Winemaker
Paul Clifton. That baked black-cherry power arises
strongly on the palate as well, with lots of allspice
and star anise. The wine finishes crisp, wiping the
palate clean. —M.K.
abv: 14.5% Price: $50
92
MontGras 2012 Ninquén Mountain Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah (Colchagua
Valley). Aromas of olive, coffee, oak, cassis and
plum are strong all along the way. This is 60% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 40% Syrah, and it’s firm and
grabby, but a touch jammy in the middle. Textbook
Chilean flavors of plum, berry, olive and spice finish
long, smooth and complex. Drink through 2022.
Esprit du Vin. —M.S.
abv: 14.5% Price: $50
92
Les Belles Collines 2015 Pinot Gris (California).
Crisp, clean flavors of apple and apricot
shine in this medium-bodied, lively and dry
white, an ideal companion at the table. A sly finish
of lemon peel adds to its refreshment, and it’s best
enjoyed now. Editors’ Choice. —V.B.
abv: 14.1% Price: $25
92
Lucienne 2014 Smith Vineyard Pinot Noir
(Santa Lucia Highlands). Baked black cherry,
rare roast beef and light sage aromas show on the
dynamic, earthy nose of this bottling by Winemaker
Paul Clifton. Garrigue is prominent on the tip of the
sip, with strong but not overripe black cherry and
plum flavors. These lead into forest floor, juniper,
pine needle and mulling spice on the finish. —M.K.
abv: 14.5% Price: $50
92
Palencia 2014 Syrah (Yakima Valley). Alluring
aromas of blackberry and barrel spice
lead to ripe, full-bodied black-fruit flavors, showing
beautiful depth and a long finish. It packs a hefty
punch while never losing its sense of balance. —S.S.
abv: 14.9% Price: $36
92
Les Belles Collines 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
(Napa Valley). Softened by 10% Merlot, 3%
Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot, this is a medium-bodied,
elegant wine, with highlights of coffee, cedar
and cherry-vanilla. Classic elements of cedar and
dried herb complement firm, solid tannin. —V.B.
abv: 14.5% Price: $70
92
MacPhail 2014 Pratt Vineyard Vine Hill Road
Chardonnay (Russian River Valley). This is
from a fantastic vineyard site in the Laguna Hills
neighborhood of the appellation, and the second
vintage of this particular selection from this producer.
Generous lemony oak meets toast within a
robust body of complex layers and salty caramel.
—V.B.
abv: 14.3% Price: $45
92
Peachy Canyon 2014 Petite Sirah (Paso
Robles). Deep and hearty black cherry,
vanilla, cola and black-pepper aromas make for
a lush, imposing and yet classic nose on this bottling.
It’s simultaneously soft and powerful on the
palate, with black-cherry foam, crème de cassis,
vanilla custard and melted milk-chocolate flavors
set against a backbone of vibrant acidity and plush
tannins. It’s a decadent mouthful. —M.K.
abv: 14.5% Price: $32
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