2jX32GW

BUYINGGUIDE
91
Township 7 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan
Valley). Opening with classic peavine aromas,
this is a bright, fleshy and pungent wine that should
delight fans of Loire Valley-style Sauvignon Blancs.
Rich, cascading flavors of fig, pear, grapefruit and
star fruit keep the mouthfeel lively. Just 10% was
barrel-fermented, the rest in stainless. Township 7
Vineyards & Winery. Editors’ Choice. —P.G.
abv: 13% Price: $18
90
Acacia 2013 Thornton Vineyard Pinot Noir
(Sonoma Coast). This wine is big in tannin,
extracted and full bodied, with dense blueberry and
maple syrup at its core. For fans of a rich style, it
will impress for its ripe, dark fruit and sizable yet
velvety mouthfeel. —V.B.
abv: 14.5% Price: $50
90
Balletto 2014 Sexton Hill Vineyard Estate
Grown Estate Bottled Pinot Noir (Russian
River Valley). Light in color and body, this is a coolclimate-influenced
wine full of spice and life. It
offers a mixture of rhubarb, strawberry and black
tea, dusted in cardamom. The wine’s spicy tones
carry through to the medium-length finish. —V.B.
abv: 13.6% Price: $42
91
Urlar 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (Gladstone). Fig,
nectarine and grapefruit notes mark this as
a ripe style, without much of the herbal pungency
found in Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough. It’s
medium bodied, with a silky mouthfeel and a long,
harmonious finish. Drink now. Atlas Imports. Editors’
Choice. —J.C.
abv: 13.5% Price: $16
90
Angeline 2015 Reserve Pinot Noir (Mendocino).
This lively, well-balanced wine
offers great value. Delicious fruit and subtle spice
notes extend from the aromas through the substantial
flavors and on through the finish. Fresh acidity
and a touch of tannic structure make it especially
appetizing. Editors’ Choice. —J.G.
abv: 13.9% Price: $18
90
Broken Earth 2015 Verdelho (Paso Robles).
There is tons of potential for this varietal in
the hot eastern reaches of Paso Robles. Light peach
and Pink Lady apple aromas start off the easy-toenjoy
nose. The palate shows more layers, starting
with ripe peach and then firming up on citrus pith,
sour apple and tangy pear. A gravelly minerality and
rising texture on the finish complete the picture.
Editors’ Choice. —M.K.
abv: 13.9% Price: $24
90
Acacia 2013 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley).
Tightly wound and floral, this wine
has bright acidity with earthy cola and clove
accents. Medium bodied, with some heft on the palate,
it’s ripe and rewarding in cherry and berry fruit
flavors. —V.B.
abv: 14.5% Price: $60
90
Balletto 2014 BCD Vineyard Estate Grown
Estate Bottled Pinot Noir (Russian River
Valley). Velvety-smooth and rich in red plum and
strawberry, this medium-bodied, varietally honest
wine is textured and complex. It’s well-crafted and
balanced, with a lingering finish. —V.B.
abv: 14.1% Price: $42
90
Buehler 2014 Chardonnay (Russian River
Valley). Searing acidity supports apple
blossom and quince in this complex, light-bodied
and entirely delightful wine. As it opens in the
glass, it gets more velvety and tense, finishing on a
refreshing bite of anise. Editors’ Choice. —V.B.
abv: 13.9% Price: $18
16 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | MARCH 2017