BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Tangent 2009 Paragon Vineyard
91 Sauvignon Blanc (Edna Valley);
$13. Tangent makes the best, most consistent
unoaked Sauvignon Blanc in California. The 2009
is another classic, offering brilliantly clean, crisp
flavors of citrus fruits, green apples and gooseberries.
Just beautiful.
88
Aresti 2008 Equilibrio Organically
Grown Grapes Cabernet Sauvignon
(Maipo Valley); $11. There’s plenty of
black fruit and power on the nose. The palate
matches that aromatic intensity by showing tannic
grab and body along with deep cherry, cassis
and tobacco flavors. Finishes earthy and leathery,
but with enough berry fruit and richness.
Imported by Broadbent Selections, Inc.
88
BESTBUYS BESTBUYS BESTBUYS
Delicato 2009 Pinot Grigio (California);
$7. Made in an appealingly
dry, tartly crisp style, this is a fine cocktail sipper
to drink with appetizers. It impresses for its rich
citrus fruit, lemongrass, mineral and papaya flavors,
and as dry as they are, the finish is honeyed.
Production was 21,000 cases.
88
Korbel NV Sweet Rosé (California);
$12. Even if you don’t like sweet
sparkling wine, it will be hard to turn down
another glass of this beauty. It’s so clean and delicious,
with a raspberry sorbet and vanilla richness.
One of the best sweet bubblies out there, at
a great price.
87
Korbel NV Blanc de Noirs (California);
$12. Made from all red grapes,
including Pinot Noir, Gamay, Sangiovese and
Zinfandel, this is an elegant, delicious sipper that
has more elegance than you might expect at this
price. It’s dryish and crisply clean, with subtle
strawberry, raspberry and yeasty flavors.
87
Korbel NV Brut Rosé (California);
$12. A delightful rosé sparkler, rich in
raspberry, cherry and toasty, yeasty flavors, with a
smooth, creamy mouthfeel and a honey-sweet
finish. Made from Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Gamay
and Chenin Blanc, it’s a super value at this price.
87
Veo 2008 Última Reserve Cabernet
Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley);
$10. Sweet and chunky to start, with vanilla and
red fruit aromas. The flavors are raspberry and
cherry, and while it’s kind of short on complexity,
it more than gets the job done for $10. Clean,
fresh and something you can drink without a lot
of pondering. Imported by Prestige Wine Group.
86
Calina 2009 Reserva Carmenère
(Maule Valley); $10. Warm, syrupy,
jammy and brambly up front, with the grape’s
typical meaty, herbal aromas. The palate is soft
save for core acidity, while the flavors run
medium-rich and plummy, with controlled sourness.
Solid for the money, with a chunky disposition.
Imported by Sovereign Wine Imports.
86
Chime 2009 Pinot Noir (California);
$11. A great buy in a useful Pinot
Noir that is not without appeal. It’s bone dry, tart
and elegant, with a light, silky mouthfeel framing
cherry and cola flavors. One of the best Pinots at
this price range.
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