BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

90
BEST BUYS
Kendall-Jackson 2010 Avant Chardonnay
(California). A bit heavy and creamy, but
there’s something exotic about the oily, fat richness that
suggests cashew nuts. With Meyer lemon flavors, it’s an
unctuous wine, and a very good value. Best Buy. —S.H.
abv: 13.5% Price: $15
89
Castle Rock 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
(Columbia Valley). Castle Rock does a fine
job with this value Cabernet Sauvignon. Smooth and
supple, the very pretty fruit flavors range from cranberry
to black cherry. Delicate suggestions of mushroom,
cocoa and dusty earth add welcome complexity. Best
Buy. —P.G.
abv: 13.5% Price: $12
88
Cavit 2009 Alta Luna Phases (Vigneti
delle Dolomiti). A blend of Teroldego, Lagrein
and Merlot, this well-priced Italian opens with
inky, dark concentration and loads of ripe fruit, blackberry
and cinnamon. Nicely balanced, it’s not too bold
or overextracted. Palm Bay International. Best Buy.
—M.L.
abv: 12.5% Price: $13
12 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | JULY 2012
88
BEST BUYS
Hogue 2010 Riesling (Columbia Valley).
This is a delightful, off-dry style with the clean,
natural, bracing acidity to perfectly balance out the
2.3% residual sugar. About 3% Muscat was blended
in, adding a pretty orange note to a fruit-laden mix of
melon, citrus and cotton candy. Best Buy. —P.G.
abv: 12.2% Price: $11
88
Hogue 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia
Valley). Hogue has really stepped it
up across the board, and this $11 Cabernet is as good as
you’ll find at that price point. Raspberry and cherry fruit
comes with an underpinning of pencil lead and clean
earth, paying tribute to the earthier, herbal side of the
grape. Best Buy. —P.G.
abv: 13.9% Price: $11
88
Landskroon 2011 Dry Chenin Blanc
(Paarl). A brisk and lifted Chenin that should
pair well with summer salads, grilled flake fish or chicken.
Peony and orange blossom notes grace the background
of the bouquet, while white peach, lemon
and yellow apple flesh flavors fill the medium-weight
palate. Balanced and refreshing; enjoy now. Z Wines
USA. Best Buy. —L.B.
abv: 13% Price: $11
88
BEST BUYS
Morro Bay 2010 Split Oak Estates Sur Lie
Chardonnay (California). For a wine that’s
been made with a soft touch but still has some weight
and finesse, this is a great value. It opens with aromas of
ripe peach fuzz and crisp apple, a nice intermingling of
flavors. Lemon and grapefruit rind flavors shine on the
finish. Best Buy. —V.B.
abv: 13.9% Price: $11
88
Famille Perrin 2009 Réserve (Côtes
du Rhône). Fresh, nuanced and just slightly
herbal, this is a refreshingly easy to drink Côtes du
Rhône made for everyday consumption. Cherry and
plum notes are dressed up with hints of wild thyme and
cracked pepper, while some cocoa-like textures and flavors
linger on the finish. Drink now. Vineyard Brands.
Best Buy. —J.C.
abv: 13.5% Price: $11
87
Bodegas Iranzo 2007 Tarantas Crianza
Made With Organic Grapes Tempranillo
(Utiel-Requena). Attractive aromas of cigar box, forest
floor, plum and berry get this Tempranillo off to a
good start. It feels crisp and juicy, with proper acidity
cutting into flavors of buttery oak, raspberry and
plum. On the finish it remains buttery tasting and turns
grabby but also tangy. Natural Merchants LLC. Best
Buy. —M.S.
abv: 13% Price: $10