BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Kendall-Jackson 2010 Grand Reserve
92 Chardonnay (Santa Barbara-Monterey).
A very rich Chardonnay that’s creamy and smooth in the
mouth. A touch of oak and lees gives weight and density
to the lime and peach fruit, while brisk acidity contributes
brightness. A great price for a wine of this distinction.
Editors’ Choice. —S.H.
abv: 13.5% Price: $21
92
Kendall-Jackson 2009 Grand Reserve
Merlot (Sonoma County). This Merlot starts
off tough and tannic, with rich flavors of blackberries,
currants and toasty oak, girded with minerals and spices
and finishing totally dry. It feels elegant and balanced,
showing a fine sense of control. Drink over the next 5–6
years. —S.H.
abv: 14.5% Price: $26
92
La Rochelle 2010 Rosella’s Vineyard
Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands). Expensive,
yes, but very fine, especially if you’re looking
for a Chardonnay that’s drier, more elegant and more
streamlined than the opulent, buttery modern style.
Sleek and crisp in acidity, this features citrus, tropical
fruit and mineral flavors, with a balanced addition of
smoky oak. —S.H.
abv: 14.9% Price: $65
92
Maison Bleue 2010 Jaja Red Wine Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre
(Yakima Valley).
A vibrant, flashy, fruit-laden nose introduces this lively
G-S-M blend. The three component grapes all contribute
different red, blue and purple berry flavors, nicely
wound together with supporting acidity. Sappy, fresh
and seductive, with the potential for a few years of aging.
Editors’ Choice. —P.G.
abv: 14.5% Price: $25
92
Salomon-Undhof 2011 Wiedenberg Tradition
Grüner Veltliner (Kremstal). A beautifully
concentrated wine that balances flavors of baked
apple and spicy pepper. It feels full in the mouth, with
a tense texture and intense acidity. Drink now, but better
to hold for two years. Screwcap. Fruit of the Vines,
Inc. —R.V.
abv: 12.5% Price: $25
92
St. Supéry 2009 Dollarhide Malbec (Napa
Valley). California Malbec by itself tends to be
straightforward, which might be why the winemaker
blended this one with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon and
Merlot. The result is excellent, one of the best Malbecs
in California, with rich blackberry, currant and cedar
flavors. The strong tannins suggest it should pair well
with beef. —S.H.
abv: 14.3% Price: $50
92
Steven Kent 2008 Home Ranch Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon (Livermore Valley).
A gorgeous wine, with herb, mint and tapenade flavors.
ThisCabernet has a big mouthfeel, with elegance and
a powerful finish. The tannins are sophisticatedly silky
and the wine should age 5–7 years with aplomb. —V.B.
abv: 14.4% Price: $60
92
Teso La Monja 2009 Almirez (Toro). This
has an opaque purple color, with a supremely
concentrated and potent dark-fruited bouquet. Feels
amped up, warm and exotic, with black fruit flavors
alongside notes of peppery spice and bitter chocolate.
Toasty and chocolaty on the finish. Drink now through
2016. Fine Estates From Spain. Editors’ Choice.
—M.S.
abv: 14.5% Price: $28
92
Walla Walla Vintners 2009 Cabernet
Franc (Columbia Valley). This is a tight,
black-fruited wine, with generous flavors that include
espresso and licorice. At first it’s quite firm and a bit
unyielding, it slowly peels open layer after layer, tossing
out hints of dried herb, tobacco and mocha. Editors’
Choice. —P.G.
abv: 14.2% Price: $28
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