BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

BUYING GUIDE
90
Watkins Family 2006 Nuns Cliff
Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
(Sonoma Valley); $38. What’s so likeable
about this Cabernet is the dryness and the overall
balance, which is stylish and elegant. It keeps the
blackberry and black currant fruit in check with
earthier tones of tobacco and olives.
88
Chime 2008 Pinot Noir (Anderson
Valley); $18. This is a fine Pinot Noir.
May not be as full-bodied or fruity as some, but
it’s truly elegant, crisply refined, and thoroughly
dry, offering raspberry, rhubarb, tangerine zest
and Dr. Pepper cola flavors that are wrapped into
a silky texture. Production was a low 820 cases.
Editors’ Choice.
88
Starmont 2007 Merlot (Napa Valley);
$26. A dry, gentle Merlot, likeable
for its rich tannic structure and complex flavors.
Shows berry, cherry, currant, dark chocolate and
sandalwood flavors, with a clean, spicy finish.
Drink now with a nice grilled steak, brushed with
garlic butter and plenty of pepper.
87
Korbel 2008 Riesling (California);
$16. A rare California sparkler made from
the Riesling grape, and a pretty good one. It’s
slightly sweet, with very pretty flavors of oranges,
vanilla, buttered toast and creamy lees. Good price
for such a fancy sipper. Editors’ Choice.
87
Lake Sonoma 2009 Chardonnay
(Russian River Valley); $17. A nice
Chardonnay that shows ripe pineapple, green
apple and pear flavors, with added smoky richness
from oak, and the finish is dry and crisp. A
good price for a wine of this quality.
87
Valley of the Moon 2009 Pinot
Blanc (Sonoma County); $16. Feels
like Chardonnay, with full-bodied vanilla cream,
pineapple and buttered toast flavors, but veers in
its own direction with a strong note of tangerines.
Delicious now with seared scallops.
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86
Castle Rock 2008 Pinot Noir
(Carneros); $14. This dry, silky Pinot
Noir is a good introduction to the variety, for
those who want to learn more about it without
paying a premium price. It shows proper cherry,
raspberry and cola flavors, with a spicy finish.
86
Maniña 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
(Central Valley); $13. Rubber and
black fruits carry the standard nose, then comes a
zesty palate with upfront acids and related zingy
berry fruit flavors. Despite a touch of scour, this
brings freshness and a clean, tasty fruit level. Perfectly
good for Central Valley Cabernet.
Imported by Winery Exchange.
91
BESTBUYS
L’Ecole No. 41 2009 Sémillon
(Columbia Valley); $15. Blended
with 17% Sauvignon Blanc, this lovely Sémillon is
exceptionally fragrant, satiny and rich, with fleshy,
ripe fruits and just a hint of toast. A warm streak
of caramel enlivens the finish, which lingers
gracefully and fills the palate with delicious flavors
of apples and spicy pears.