2jX32GW

BUYINGGUIDE
90
Gehricke 2014 Zinfandel (Russian River Valley).
Pungent earth and a tease of potato
skin add to a perfumed nose of brambly blackberry
and strawberry, surrounded by big, grippy tannin.
Full bodied, it develops further flavors of vanilla,
cinnamon and dried herb. —V.B.
abv: 14.8% Price: $30
90
Jax 2014 Y3 Taureau (Napa Valley). This is
an impressive blend of 45% Merlot with
25% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah
from Stagecoach Vineyard and 10% Biale Zinfandel.
It comes together seamlessly in a twist of structured
blackberry, leathery tannin and tomato leaf, priced
to be enjoyed by many. Editors’ Choice. —V.B.
abv: 14.5% Price: $20
90
La Crema 2014 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast).
This lush wine offers true value, deeply flavored
in strawberry and cherry. A tannic foundation
supports the fruit beside black tea, clove and a twist
of orange and cranberry, with a soft and smooth texture.
—V.B.
abv: 13.5% Price: $25
90
Hess Collection 2014 Estate Grown Chardonnay
(Napa Valley). The producer pulls from
its estate Su’skol Vineyard for this wine, which
opens in an aromatic flirtation of sweet honeysuckle,
revealing the site’s abundance of musqué
clone. Crisp on the entry and midpalate, it shows a
full-bodied style as it opens—notes of pear and fig
are wrapped between spicy nutmeg and a viscous
bite of oak on the finish. —V.B.
abv: 14.4% Price: $22
90
Jean-Luc Colombo 2012 La Divine (Côte
Rôtie). Full-bodied and richly textured,
this isn’t a prototypically delicate Côte Rôtie, but
it’s still very enjoyable. Clove and black olive notes
are backed by plummy fruit, capped off by a long,
dusty finish. Drink now–2025. Palm Bay International.
—J.C.
abv: 13.5% Price: $90
90
Lawer 2015 Betsy’s Vineyard Viognier
(Knights Valley). This lively white is floral
in honeysuckle aromas, while creamy, rounded layers
of apricot play on the full-bodied palate. A spicy
nutmeg chaser closes things out. Well balanced and
accessible, this is ready to drink now. —V.B.
abv: 14.7% Price: $24
90
Hess Collection 2014 Lion Tamer Red Wine
(Napa Valley). A new offering from this
producer, this wine blends 55% Malbec with 15%
Zinfandel, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite
Sirah and 8% Merlot. It satisfies in rich, rounded
flavors of blueberry pie, cranberry and clove, with
an underlying streak of dark chocolate. Medium
acidity supports an appealing full-bodied juiciness.
—V.B.
abv: 14.8% Price: $40
90
La Crema 2014 Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast).
This juicy, medium-bodied wine offers a
mix of crisp lemon meringue and richer notions of
pear compote and biscotti. Grapes are sourced from
a range of vineyards, including Saralee’s. —V.B.
abv: 13.5% Price: $23
90
Lucienne 2014 Lone Oak Vineyard Pinot Noir
(Santa Lucia Highlands). Rounded strawberry
fruit, clove and vanilla show on the nose of
this single-vineyard bottling from the Hahn family
of wines. Baked red cherry, cocoa spice, nutmeg, allspice
and more clove pop on the palate and linger
through the close. —M.K.
abv: 14.5% Price: $50
18 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | MARCH 2017