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BUYINGGUIDE
93
Mazzei 2012 Philip (Toscana). Made entirely
from Cabernet Sauvignon, this stylish wine
opens with aromas of red berry, Mediterranean
herb and cedar. The juicy, elegantly structured palate
doles out red currant, black raspberry, licorice
and white pepper alongside silky tannins. Drink
now–2024. Palm Bay International. —K.O.
abv: 13.5% Price: $50
93
Santa Rita 2012 Casa Real Estate Bottled
Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley).
This top-shelf Cabernet never fails, and in this
warm year the wine is dark in color, with lush yet
precise aromas of graphite, fresh blackberry, baking
spices and forest floor. A deep palate is just
racy enough, while spicy flavors of cassis include
integrated herbal notes. Closing flavors of coffee
and chocolate, along with soft tannins, make this
approachable now and best through 2022. Palm Bay
International. Editors’ Choice. —M.S.
abv: 14.1% Price: $85
93
Theopolis 2013 Estate Grown Petite Sirah
(Yorkville Highlands). Black pepper and
boysenberries put oomph into this dark-colored
and firmly structured wine. While vivid and concentrated,
the fruit, spice and dark-chocolate flavors
are not sweet, but beautifully dry and appetizing,
made to pair with a rare steak or tender osso
buco. It will drink best from 2019. Cellar Selection.
—J.G.
abv: 14.8% Price: $38
93
Poggio al Tesoro 2012 Dedicato a Walter
(Bolgheri Superiore). Made entirely from
Cabernet Franc, this structured and polished red
opens with intense varietal aromas of black currant
and grilled bell pepper. The plush, full-bodied palate
delivers cassis, plum, violet and licorice framed in
velvety tannins that leave a smooth texture. A note of
dark chocolate closes the finish. LUX Wines. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $90
93
Soulmate 2009 Estate Nebbiolo (Santa Cruz
Mountains). This bottling of the classic Italian
variety hits the right notes, with cherry, rose
and tar on the nose, along with hints of sandalwood
and incense. It’s smooth on the palate, with dried
cherry flavor and touches of chocolate, dried mint
and caramel on the finish. It’s still young and the
firm tannins ensure a long life. Drink 2018–2029.
Cellar Selection. —M.K.
abv: 14% Price: $70
93
Vanessa 2012 Syrah (Similkameen Valley).
For those who want a little funk in their
Syrah, this conjures up flavors reminiscent of wines
from the Rocks District in Walla Walla. Credit the
rocky soil of this Similkameen Valley vineyard,
which delivers dense, well-knit flavors of red and
purple fruits, smoke, tanned leather, tobacco and
licorice. Concentrated flavors of raspberry purée
hold down the core. Vanessa Vineyard. Editors’
Choice. —P.G.
abv: 14.5% Price: $34
93
R&A Pfaffl 2013 Altenberg Reserve St. Laurent
(Niederösterreich). Fine red-cherry notes
are perfumed by the more decadent aroma of candied
Amarena cherries. The palate reveals hints of
conifer and white pepper, framing the mellow but
surprisingly textured and dense body. This is sumptuous
in oak and concentrated for a St. Laurent—
but the fruit is at perfect pitch. This needs further
bottle age; drink 2019–2028. Esprit du Vin. —A.K.
abv: 14% Price: $40
93
Tenuta Sette Cieli 2012 Indaco (Toscana). A
blend of 30% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 30%
Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, this
opens with aromas of ripe blackberries, Mediterranean
herbs and cedar. The firmly structured palate
doles out layers of black currants, blackberries,
white pepper and licorice alongside chewy tannins.
Drink through 2022. Wilson Daniels Ltd. —K.O.
abv: 14% Price: $50
93
Viña Requingua 2012 Potro de Piedra Family
Reserve Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon-
Cabernet Franc (Curicó Valley). Smooth, spicy blackberry,
cassis and licorice aromas include hints of
heat and fresh asphalt prior to a full, wide palate.
Spice, black currant, plum and peppery flavors
end with toast, chocolate and a light warmth reminiscent
of the nose. Drink this stacked Cabernet
through 2024. Puerto Viejo Wines. Editors’ Choice.
—M.S.
abv: 14.7% Price: $30
8 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | MARCH 2017