top 100 wine enthusiast 2012

7/30/2019 Top 100 Wine Enthusiast 2012

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1 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | BEST OF YEAR 2012

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WineMag.com | 2

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ONVANGORDER

Luckily, Wine Enthusiast has got

you covered. Knowing theres nothing

quite like an end-o-year list to sum up

the best o the best, we oer three dis-

tinct guides or all o your wine needs:

the Top 100 Best Buys (wines or $15 or

less, published in November), the Top

100 Cellar Selections (age-worthy, high-

ly rated collectibles, published in early

December), and now, The Enthusiast 100.

The Enthusiast 100 is our special year-

end roundup. While all o the wines ea-

tured are highly rated by our critics, in

creating this list, we consider many ac-tors, including the wines quality-to-price

ratio, drinkability, availability and unique-

ness. We also strive to provide as diverse

a list as possible, reecting the range o

styles, varieties and regions weve re-

viewed over the past 12 months.

The result is a list o wines that should

not be missed, and wineries to defnitely

keep on your radar in the years ahead.

OUR FAVORITE WINES OFTHE YEAR.

BY THE EDITORS OF WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE

In 2012, members o our tasting panelreviewed more than 15,500 wines romaround the world. Tasting that manywines isnt easy, but keeping track o

them all and remembering what to buy next

time youre at your avorite retail shop is aneven more difcult task.

BREAKDOWN BY COUNTRY

55Dry redwines

28Dry white

wines

1Ros wine

7Sparkling

wines

6Sweetwines

3Fortifed

wines

$49.10Averageprice

94.2Averagerating

Argentina - 3

Australia - 3

Austria - 3

Chile - 2

France - 19

Germany - 2Italy - 17

New Zealand - 3

Portugal - 5

South Arica - 5

Spain - 8

United States - 30

Washington - 10 Oregon - 3 Caliornia - 17
http://www.winemag.com/http://buyingguide.winemag.com/toplists/2012/bestbuyshttp://buyingguide.winemag.com/toplists/2012/cellarselectionshttp://buyingguide.winemag.com/toplists/2012/cellarselectionshttp://buyingguide.winemag.com/toplists/2012/wineshttp://buyingguide.winemag.com/toplists/2012/wineshttp://buyingguide.winemag.com/toplists/2012/cellarselectionshttp://buyingguide.winemag.com/toplists/2012/cellarselectionshttp://buyingguide.winemag.com/toplists/2012/bestbuyshttp://www.winemag.com/


2/11


THE ENTHUSIAST 100

1

96Riglos 2009 Gran Corte Las Divas

Vineyard (Tupungato). This wine takes youon a trip to an outer wine world where deep, cushionedberry aromas come with exotic perumes, bath oils andcrushed ower petals. Its ultrasaturated and jammy, butnot clunky or heavy. This tastes like a storm o black-berry, espresso and Swiss chocolate, while black spiceand length bring up the rear. A blend o 50% Mal-bec, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cab Franc;

drink now2017. Paul Hobbs Wines.Editors Choice.M.S.abv: 14.9% Price: $50

2

93Domaine de Cause 2009 La LandeCavagnac (Cahors). A bold statement o

dark Malbec, its very rich and very concentrated. Thewine has considerable tannins to go with the weight oits ruit. With excellent potential, this wine, made romold-vine grapes, should age or at least seven years. BirdRock Imports.Editors Choice. R.V.abv: 14% Price: $19

3

99Failla 2010 Estate Vineyard Chardonnay(Sonoma Coast). Shows classic, ull-throttle

notes o tropical and citrus ruits, pears and sweet greenapples, combined with strong minerality and com-plex layers o buttered toast, honey and creamy lees.The description alone hardly does justice to the winesbeauty. The acidity is perect, the oak detly applied,the fnish long and completely satisying. WinemakerEhren Jordan suggests pairing it with simple are likeroast chicken and salted fngerling potatoes. EditorsChoice. S.H.abv: 14.2% Price: $44

4

97Casanova di Neri 2007 Tenuta Nuova(Brunello di Montalcino). Gorgeous, opu-

lent and rich, Tenuta Nuova is an unorgettable wine.It has body, power, persistence and loads o plush per-sonality. It is layered with chocolate, cherry, blackberry,spice, leather and savory notes. Theres a deep minerallayer as well. Compelling and lovely. Dalla Terra WineryDirect. M.L.abv: 14.5% Price: $79

598

Merry Edwards 2009Klopp Ranch PinotNoir (Russian River Valley). Amazingly

rich, this oers deep, complex layers o cherry, blackraspberry, cola, anise biscotti, pomegranate, persim-mon, black tea, orange zest, mushroom, you name itbut dont orget the spice: everything rom cloves andblack pepper to cinnamon. It's utterly delicious, with asilky, briskly clean moutheel. But the tannins are pro-nounced; theyre not so strong as to lock the wine down,but they do suggest time in the cellar. Give it our years,and it could be wonderul ater 10or more. S.H.abv: 14.4% Price: $57

6

95Rulo 2010 Chardonnay (Walla Walla

Valley). Simply astonishing or its price, thistoasty, rich wine matches ripe avors o peach, red ap-ple and light tropical ruit. Thick, juicy, and seductive,it fnishes with a lick o butterscotch. Editors Choice.P.G.abv: 14% Price: $20

7

93Dog Point 2011 Sauvignon Blanc(Marlborough). Complex on the nose and

richly textured in the mouth, this wine delivers it all.Hints o struck int and wild onion accent a graperuitaroma, while the avors range easily rom pink grape-ruit and red currant to delicate herb shadings. Its ullwithout being too ull, with a potent yet rereshing fn-ish that seemingly lingers orever. Vintus LLC.EditorsChoice. J.C.abv: 13.5% Price: $22

896

Chteau Beau-Sjour Bcot 2009 Saint-milion. Minty new-wood aromas wat on a

wine that shows both great tannins and sweet wood.The ruit is still to show, but promises resh plum avorthat will be delicious and juicy. This is a ripe, concen-trated wine. R.V.abv: NA Price: $75

9

96Scott Paul 2009 Dix Pinot Noir (DundeeHills). Wow, this is a glorious bottle o Pinot

Noir. It was designed to celebrate the winerys 10th vin-tage (hence the name, Dix) and is a barrel selection oMaresh Vineyard grapes. Textural, lush, smooth, suppleand utterly delicious, its red and black ruits are dappledwith dusty spices, dusted with coee grounds, and they

glide into a silky fnish. Yummy beyond words.Editors

Choice. P.G.abv: 13.5% Price: $40

10

97Bodegas Gutirrez de la Vega 1999Casta Diva Fondilln Sweet Monastrell

(Alicante). Fondilln represents the pinnacle o red

Spanish dessert wines, and the 1999vintage just mightmake your jaw drop. Subtle but expansive on the nose,with a blend o baked dark-ruit and cinnamon aromas,it is liquid heaven in the mouth, with excellent balanceand avors o roasted plum, black cherry, nutmeg andchocolate. This is pure, structured and outstandingrom start to fnish. Drink now or hold in a proper cellaror another 10or 20years. Only 100cases made. Clas-sical Wines.Editors Choice. M.S.abv: 16% Price: $88/500 ml
http://www.rulowinery.com/http://www.bodegariglos.com/


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5/11


THE ENTHUSIAST 100

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94Chteau Tronquoy-Lalande 2009 Saint-Estphe. The tannins are very fne, with rich

ruitcake and smoke avors. Red berry and black plumnotes give a ruity character, along with delicious acid-ity. The wine is structured while still remaining very ap-proachable. R.V.abv: NA Price: $45

30

94Prospect 772 2009 The Brat Grenache-Syrah (Calaveras County). This is an in-

credibly concentrated, silky blend o 80% Grenacheand 20% Syrah. There's nothing shy about this wine, in-spired as it is by the great Chteauneu-du-Papes andyet undoubtedly Caliornian. Make that mountain Cal-iornian. With notes o baked cherry ruit and bakingspice throughout, and serious grip and weight, this isone heady and delicious wine. V.B.abv: 14.8% Price: $36

31

95Maurodos 2008 San Romn (Toro). Oneo Spains great ull-orce, modern-style wines,

this excels despite the marginal 2008vintage. Its open-knit and sot on the nose, with ladels o spice, graphiteand black ruit aromas. It eels resh, balanced and notoverly tannic, with strapping blackberry, coee, choco-late, spice and tobacco avors all rolled into a abulous

whole. Licorice, espresso and amaro notes grace thepadded fnish. Drink now2018. Grapes o Spain.Edi-

tors Choice. M.S.abv: 14.5% Price: $70

32

99Williams Selyem 2009 Precious Moun-tain Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast).

A stupendous Pinot Noir, this shows how beautiully

this vineyard perorms in the remote Sonoma Coastabove Fort Ross. Williams Selyems last ew vintageso Precious Mountain have been extraordinary, but this2009 tops them all. The wine is as light as a eather inthe mouth, modest in alcohol and delicately eminine,like pure satin. However, ew Pinot Noirs in the worldachieve this level o concentration. Notes o wild rasp-berries and cherries, cola, sleek minerals, dusty bakingspices and smoky oak combine or avors that are ut-terly delicious. Ater all that, it possesses an indefnableattribute o ascination. Will age well or a long time, i

you can keep your hands o it. Now2021. S.H.abv: 14% Price: $94

33

94Fonseca NV 20 Year Old Aged TawnyPort. This gorgeous Port is at that perect stage

where there are still reshness and hints o orange anddried ruit, while the wood aging is concentrating thewine into its essence. It is rich, ull, yet at the same timehas a great tang o spirit and acidity. Kobrand. R.V.

abv:20%

Price:$50

34

95PianCornello 2006 Riserva (Brunello diMontalcino). Here is a very plush, dark and

decadent riserva with sot and luscious tones o riperuit, blackberry, moist earth and pipe tobacco. Thewine is smooth, dense and enduring. It can be either

aged or consumed in 35years. The style reects a sot,round approach to the crisp 2006 vintage. SuperiorWines LLC. M.L.abv: 14.5% Price: $70

35

97K Vintners 2009 The Hidden Syrah(Wahluke Slope). From Northridge Vine-

yard grapes, this mix o our clones spent more than twoyears in barrel. Tremendous depth and complexity are

apparent on the nose, and there is no let-down on thepalate. Its a seriously powerul wine, with muscle andmagic. It opens generously into beautiully integratedlayers o ripe ruit, conection, candied rind, cacao anda fnishing touch o minerality.Editors Choice. P.G.abv: 15.5% Price: $70

36

94Chteau Grand Mayne 2009 Saint-milion. This is a ripe wine, very open and

smooth. The tannins are dark, but it is the ruitblack-berry- and red plum-dominatedthat comes rightthrough. Look beneath this charm, and there is also awine with structure, perumed and ageworthy. R.V.abv: 14.5% Price: $50

37

97Rochioli 2010 South River VineyardChardonnay (Russian River Valley). A

spectacular Chardonnay, this is dazzingly beautiul andmesmerizing in its appeal. The complexity o avorstuns, oering tiers o pineapples, oranges, green applesand golden mangoes. Then the oaky inuences appearin the orm o buttered toast and caramel, with a sug-gestion o honey. The fnish is dry and crisp in acidity.

Editors Choice. S.H.abv: 14.5% Price: $60

Quickly, bring me a

beaker o wine so that I

may whet my mind and

say something clever.

Aristophanes, in The Knights(4th century B.C.)**from The Curious World of Wine: Facts, Legends, and Lore About the Drink

We Love So Muchby Richard Vine (Perigree, 2012).
http://www.kvintners.com/http://www.fonsecaport.com/http://www.williamsselyem.com/http://www.grapesofspain.com/http://www.prospect772.com/


6/11


THE ENTHUSIAST 100

38

99Quilceda Creek 2008 CabernetSauvignon (Columbia Valley). The ag-

ship wine rom Quilceda Creek oers exotic scents oplum, cassis, loam, coee and pine sap, a rich and evoc-ative blend. The wine delivers all that is promised andmore; it is deep and dense in avor, polished, ocusedand persistent. It eatures notes o vanilla, espresso, fnetannins, luscious acids and cascading ruits. EditorsChoice. P.G.abv: 15.2% Price: $125

3994

Andriano 2009 Juvelo Gewrztramin-er (Alto Adige). Lovely, lively and super-

intense, this is richly ragrant and opulent on all levels.This precious expression oers loads o honeysuckle,jasmine, citrus blossom and apricot. Banville & JonesWine Merchants. M.L.abv: 10.5% Price: $50/375 ml

4096

Tamarack Cellars 2008 DuBrul VineyardReserve Red (Rattlesnake Hills). DuBrul

is perhaps the single most sought-ater vineyard in theentire Yakima Valley, and at this price this Tamarackselection is an absolute steal. Pomegranate, blueberry,black cherry and cassis notes lead into a ull-avoredwine that remains concise and perectly defned. Theblend is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and

7% Cabernet Franc. This is concentrated, with earthydepths suggesting Dr. Pepper, espresso and dark choco-late.Editors Choice. P.G.abv: 14.1% Price: $50

41

92Cartuxa 2007 Foral de Evora Colheita(Alentejo). This powerul expression o rich

red ruit is smoothed by wood aging and nearly ouryears in bottle. It has layers o acidity, spice, sot tannins

and avors o maturing ruit. It is ready to drink now butworth aging as well. Tri-Vin Imports. R.V.abv: 14% Price: $19

42

92Chateau Moncontour 2010 CuvePrdilection Brut (Vouvray). This sparkling

Vouvray has weight and richness, balanced by intenseacidity and a crisp green-salad texture. Lemon zest andquince avors add the ruit element. It will beneft rom

another two years in bottle. USA Wine West.EditorsChoice. R.V.abv: 12% Price: $20

43

96De Loach 2009 Pennacchio VineyardPinot Noir (Russian River Valley). With

the 2009vintage, De Loach is at the top o its Pinot

Noir game, and this one, rom a chilly vineyard southo Sebastopol, is among its best ever. The crisp acid-ity is bracing, like a squirt o lime, accompanying theraspberry, cherry and persimmon notes. Meanwhile, amushroomy earthiness gives complex layers that dontstop. It should age through the next decade. EditorsChoice. S.H.abv: 14.5% Price: $45

4492

Langmeil 2008 Hangin Snakes Shiraz-Viognier (Barossa). Full bodied yet surpris-

ingly light on its eet, the 2008 Hangin Snakes repre-sents a terrifc value. Peppered meat, resh berry, coeeand black olive notes add up to a complex, savory wine,ramed by sot tannins. Drink now2017. NegociantsUSA, Inc.Editors Choice. J.C.abv: 14.5% Price: $20

45

92Eichinger 2011 Wechselberg Grner

Veltliner (Kamptal). Ripe and creamy, this isull o rich pear and green plum avors. It has weightand is layered with acidity, with a spice note and a taut,mineral texture. This is complex and age worthy. Wey-gandt-Metzler. R.V.abv: 12.5% Price: $20

46

92Castello Ban 2010

Florus (Moscadellodi Montalcino). This is an epic wine, ft topresent the little-known Moscadello di Montalcino des-sert wine to oreign markets. Its ambassadorial qualitiesinclude a lively, golden color and sweet tones o honey,rose and marzipan. Banf Vintners. Editors Choice.M.L.abv: 14% Price: $20/500 ml

4796

J. Bookwalter 2009Conner Lee VineyardConfict Red (Columbia Valley). The

Conict red is a mash-up o 38% Cabernet Sauvignon,37% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, and its a crowd-pleaser rom the instant the cork is pulled. Dense scentso cherry, roasty-toasty barrel and cracker are inviting.The grapes were sourced entirely rom the Conner LeeVineyard. This eort showcases the winerys signaturestyle, with notes o black ruits, exotic spices, coee

grounds and dark chocolates. Drink now or cellar or68years. P.G.abv: 15.6% Price: $55

48

92Chteau Coussin 2011 Ros (Ctes deProvence Sainte-Victoire). Crisp, bright and

delicious, this has pure red ruit, with an herb note, in-

tense acidity and a tangy texture. T. Edward Wines Ltd.Editors Choice. R.V.abv: 13% Price: $20

49

95Lapostolle 2008Clos Apalta (Colchagua

Valley). Clos Apalta, depending on your pointo view, is arguably Chiles best wine. And this vintage isoutstanding! Earth, minty spice, ripe berry, mineral andsmoke aromas cover the bases. Its superbly structured,with a fne texture and depth. Tastes lush and complex,
http://www.moncontour.com/http://www.quilcedacreek.com/


7/11


THE ENTHUSIAST 100

with blackberry, crme de cassis, fne herb and tobaccoavors. Finishes classy. Drink now2016. Terlato WinesInternational.Editors Choice. M.S.abv: 14.2% Price: $90

50

93Twisted Oak 2009 Torcido (CalaverasCounty). What a wine. It tries to intimidate

at frst, with its bottle size and alcohol level, but in theglass, this 100% Garnacha is like a purring kittenorrather a purring, 20-pound Maine Coon cat, joyous inits pretty red ruit, and its earthy, meaty, vanilla and cin-namon-toast range o goodness. All lush, Twisted Oaks

Torcido is like a retro soap opera, brave and beautiul.V.B.abv: 15.3% Price: $32

51

93Herdade do Esporo 2009 S Syrah(Alentejano). This is a gorgeous wine thats

driven by notes o spice and new wood. The wood is

supported by ripe avors o plum, damson and black-berry juice, with tight acidity. The Alentejos dry climateis certainly suited to Syrah, producing fne structure.Age or 34years. Esporo Wines & Olive Oils.Edi-

tors Choice. R.V.abv: 14% Price: $35

52

94Alvear NV Solera 1927

Pedro Ximnez(Montilla-Moriles). This is a rank well abovemost PX sweeties, with lush but resh aromas o rai-sin and spice that are distinctly not syrupy or heavy. It

eels thick, but theres enough acidity to cut through thewines weight. Flavors o caramel and chocolate are ide-al, and the fnish is smooth, not heavy, with bounce inits step. A beautiul PX any way you cut it. Fine EstatesFrom Spain.Editors Choice. M.S.abv: 16% Price: $25/375 ml

53

95Donnaugata 2010 Ben Ry (Passito diPantelleria). Ben Ry is one o the 10 best

dessert wines made in Italy. From the sun-drenched is-land o Pantelleria, this is made using Zibibbo grapesthat are air-dried. Its thickly extracted and syrupy-

sweet, with intense aromas o apricot, honey and mar-zipan. The kick o resh acidity at the end is nothingshort o brilliant. Folio Fine Wine Partners. EditorsChoice. M.L.abv: 14.5% Price: $40/375 ml

54

94

Chteau de Fieuzal 2009 Pessac-

Lognan. Full o tropical ruit avor, this isrounded, ripe and very accessible. At the same time, itsstructure shows through in the tang o green apple skin,judicious wood aging and taut atertaste. R.V.abv: 13% Price: $60

55

94

Nearious Cellars 2011 Stones Throw

Vineyard Estate Grown Riesling (Colum-bia Valley). Nearious just keeps going rom strengthto strength. This marvelous, o-dry Riesling, rom anestate vineyard just outside the Lake Chelan AVA, isbuilt upon delicately-woven threads o lemon, orange,apricot and cantaloupe, with a smattering o spun sug-ar. The avors keep piling on, with caramel and honeycoating the fnish.Editors Choice. P.G.abv: 13.2% Price: $18

56

94Domaine Jean-Paul et Benot Droin 2010

Valmur Grand Cru (Chablis). This is beauti-ully rich and powerul, with tropical ruit avors and ahint o wood. It has enormous concentration o sweet,ripe white and yellow ruits, balanced by the sharp cuto acidity. European Cellars. R.V.abv: 13% Price: $60

57

94CVNE 1999

Imperial Gran Reserva(Rioja). This is textbook Rioja gran reserva inevery way. Its light and smoky-smelling, with brownsugar, fne cologne and cedar aromas. Generous butwell-cut in the mouth, it eatures fg, mushroom, rasp-berry and spiced plum avors. Fresh on the fnish, witha light herb note and good weight. Drink now2018.Europvin.Editors Choice. M.S.abv: 13% Price: $62

5895

Prinz 2009 Junger Riesling Auslese(Rheingau). The scents o dried apricot and

honey are made even more captivating by intriguinghints o musky spice. This is viscous, luscious and com-plex, with a bergamot note that lends another exotic ele-ment. Long and mouthwatering on the fnish. MagellanWine Imports. J.C.abv: 8% Price: $44/375 ml

59

93Chteau Olivier 2009 Pessac-Lognan.This has smooth, rich ruit, with sweet ber-

ries, ripe tannins and strong layers o wood. The wineis powerul; the stalky bitter-chocolate edge contraststhe sweet, ripe ruit. This is meant or long-term aging.R.V.

abv: NA Price: $39

The Georgian grapeRkatsiteli is thought to bethe oldest variety that isstill planted today, frst

grown 5,000 years ago.**from The Curious World of Wine: Facts, Legends, and Lore About the Drink

We Love So Muchby Richard Vine (Perigree, 2012).
http://www.nefariouscellars.com/http://www.alvear.es/http://www.twistedoak.com/


8/11


THE ENTHUSIAST 100

60

92

Clos Gebrat 2010Priorat. Fresh, oral and

not overbearing on the nose, this has red ber-ry and cassis aromas, with no intererence rom oakor too much extraction. It eels pure and elegant, withwild berry and cherry avors that end on a ripe, slightlysweet-tasting fnish. Good or near-term drinking. TheArtisan Collection.Editors Choice. M.S.abv: 14% Price: $24

61

99David Arthur 2009Elevation 1147EstateCabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley). There

are incredible aromatics on this Cabernet. Its powerulyet subtle (how can that be?), all about sweet, crushedsummer blackberry and pure cassis liqueur. Elaborateoak, in the orm o buttered toast, is perectly in bal-ance, never overshadowing the ruit. The tannins aredry, rich and smooth, defning Napa elegance, grace andbeauty. World class, dramatic and just about perect,this gets better and better as it breathes in the glass.

Drink now2030. S.H.abv: 14.8% Price: $150

62

92Companhia das Quintas 2009Quinta daFronteira Seleco do Enlogo (Douro).

Huge and rich, this oers ripe black ruits and a con-centrated structure. Its packed with a seemingly sweet

blackberry avor that serves as a counterpoint to thefrm texture. With both density and a dark edge, this willage over several years. Importo LLC.Editors Choice.R.V.abv: 14.5% Price: $20

63

92

Poggio al Tesoro 2009 Mediterra

(Toscana). Luscious, dark and penetrating,Mediterra delivers a long, velvety texture with sweet a-vors o cinnamon, nutmeg and plump cherry ruit. Its awonderul wine that would pair with pasta, meat or agedcheese. Winebow. M.L.abv: 14.5% Price: $25

64

92Beaumont 2010Hope Marguerite CheninBlanc (Bot River). This is a stunning and

cellar-worthy Chenin that exhibits superb balance andlayers o avor. At frst its nutty and toasty on the nose,with notes o grilled red apple, orange rind and honey-dew providing a solid ruit core. Threads o mineral anda sot ynbos character weave through the palate. Peachpit and sweet spice avors grace the long, evolving fn-ish. wine@34south. L.B.abv: 13% Price: $28

65

94Garcia Figuero 2006 VendimiaSeleccionada (Ribera del Duero). This

is incredibly inviting on the bouquet due to aromas oleather, raisin, tea and mocha. It eels lited, beneftingrom the superb structure and tannins, while the avorso leathery berry, coee, toast and chocolate are out-standing. This is pure, deep, elegant and impeccably

balanced Tempranillo. Drink now2018. QuintessentialWines.Editors Choice. M.S.abv: 14.5% Price: $69

66

92Chteau Paloumey 2009 Haut-Mdoc.With a blend o 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and

50% Merlot, this is as rich as the year. The weight oruit is borne by sweet tannins and layers o wood toast.There is a very dense dusty texture along with fne acid-

ity and fnal blackberry ruit. It is or aging over the next45years. R.V.abv: 14% Price: $22

67

93Lagar de Bezana 2008 Single VineyardLimited Edition Syrah (Alto Cachapoal).

Superpretty aromas o earth, balsam wood, coconut,graphite and blackberry comprise the excellent bou-quet. It eels ull and shows great defnition, with smokydark-berry avors and notes o licorice and pepper. Itselegant on the fnish or such a muscular, modern Syrah.Drink now2016. One o Chiles best Syrahs. Vino DelSol.Editors Choice. M.S.abv: 14.5% Price: $40

68

96Corliss Estates 2007 Syrah (Columbia

Valley). This winery gives its wines extra yearsin bottle prior to release, and it pays o with power-ul, muscular, densely structured expressions that havebeen polished to a fne luster. This Syrah emphasizesruit, not unk, with opulent avors o black ruit, driedcherry, fg and plum. The 30 months it spent in two-thirds new French oak adds dark streaks o coee andcocoa. It shows tremendous depth, and it could be cel-lared or another ew yearsbut why wait? EditorsChoice.

P.G.abv: 15.4% Price: $55

69

93Neudor 2009 Moutere Chardonnay(Nelson). A top-notch oering, this combines

ample weight and richness with an impression o o-cus and purity. Its smoky and subtly toasty on the nose,

seamlessly marrying those notes with apple, peach andcitrus avors. Long, lingering and very fne on the fnish.Drink now2017. The Vintner Group. J.C.abv: 13.5% Price: $45
http://www.corlissestates.com/http://www.allegrini.it/


9/11


THE ENTHUSIAST 100

70

92Winzer Krems 2011 Kremser Paen-

berg Reserve Riesling (Kremstal). Thesteep Paenberg vineyard, sloping straight down tothe Danube River, is one o the top vineyards in Krems.This rich and complex wine has a fne perumed char-acter, laced with lemon and pear avors. It has a toucho minerality in its texture, making a wine that shouldage over several years. Total Wine & More. EditorsChoice. R.V.abv: 13.5% Price: $25

7192

Domaine Fouassier 2010 Les Romains(Sancerre). The Romans made it to Sancerre:

hence the name o this wine. The avors are rich, witha mineral edge to the notes o green ruits, plums andgreengages and a serious citrus core. With its structure,the wine needs to age or 23years. Bayfeld ImportingLtd.Editors Choice. R.V.abv: 13% Price: $25

72

93Giulia Negri 2007 La Tartuaia (Barolo).This newcomer Barolo shows beautiul inten-

sity and an inky-dark appearance. The aromas are sotand yielding, with sweet tones o wild berry and exoticspice woven between leather, tobacco and licorice. Bar-ton Brescome. M.L.abv: 14.5% Price: $45

73

92Ravents I Blanc 2009de Nit (Cava). Thishas a pretty light color, with dry raspberry and

citrus scents. The palate is pure and elegant, with tan-gerine, graperuit and nectarine avors. This fnisheslonger than most, with poise and grace. Valkyrie Selec-tions.Editors Choice. M.S.abv: 12% Price: $26

74

92Saint Clair 2011 Pioneer Block 3 43Degrees Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough).

This bottling is a bit green and herbal while remainingplump and ripe in the mouth. The aromas are intenseand vibrant, redolent o gooseberry and crushed tomatolea, while the avors are a beguiling mix o ripe tropi-cal ruit, with an herbal edge that lingers on the fnish.Winesellers Ltd.Editors Choice. J.C.abv: 13.5% Price: $26

75

94Olivier Lefaive 2009 Clos Saint MarcPremier Cru (Chassagne-Montrachet).

This is an intense, mineral-driven wine, tasting o thelimestone soil as well as o very ripe ruit. Great acid-ity keeps the richness in line, toast oering sweetness.The wine is ull bodied, the avors going right throughto the apple-skin-textured core. Frederick Wildman &

Sons, Ltd. R.V.abv: 13.5% Price: $75

76

98Schramsberg 2004 Reserve (Napa-Mendocino-Sonoma-Marin). The opulence

o this sparkling wine has to be tasted to be believed.

Its ar soter and silkier than the winerys companionnew release, the 2005 J. Schram, but then the blendis the complete opposite. This ones mainly Pinot Noir,with the balance rom Chardonnay. The Pinot Noir

brings a warm, raspberry- and cherry-sauce richness toChardonnays limes and pears, while an extraordinari-ly delicious toastiness pervades the whole, as i it hadbeen gently smoked. So enticing now, its hard to keeprom drinking the whole bottle, and you certainly can,

but this is a wine that will age or 1015

years. S.H.abv: 12.5% Price: $110

77

92Jean Daneel 2010 Signature CheninBlanc (Western Cape). This oaked Chenin

shows great structure and power now, with the poten-tial to cellar nicely or another three years or beyond.

Toasted brioche, wood-grilled peach and quince aromasopen up immediately on the bouquet and carry throughto the palate alongside seductive accents o sweet spice,almond skin and orange oil. The texture is round andull, and the spice-driven fnish is long and satisying. ZWines USA. L.B.abv: 14% Price: $28

78

92Blanco Nieva 2011 Pie Franco Verdejo(Rueda). This gets going with apple, peach

and mineral aromas that are pure and alluring. It eelslited but a little creamy, with green banana, lime, or-ange and kiwi avors. Solid and long on the fnish, thisis exemplary unoaked Verdejo. Frontier Wine Imports.

Editors Choice. M.S.abv: 12.5% Price: $28

7993

Les Vins de Vienne 2009 Les Barcillants(Cornas). This seems awully civilized or

Cornas, with bold, clean blueberry ruit ront and cen-ter, anchored by a ramework o cedar and vanilla. Thisull-bodied, lush, creamy expression o Northern RhneSyrah should drink well now2025. Multiple U.S. im-porters.Editors Choice. J.C.abv: 14% Price: $50

80

92Nals Margreid 2011Punggl Pinot Grigio(Alto Adige). This is delightul, with amaz-

ing intensity and unique smoothness. Aromas o honey,peach and cantaloupe linger on the fnish, with a reshnote o mountain ower. This is a simple wine, but a

perectly executed one. Masciarelli Wine Co. M.L.abv: 14% Price: $30

My dear girl, there are somethings that just arent done, such as

drinking Dom Prignon 53 above the

temperature o thirty-eight degrees

Fahrenheit

James Bond, in Goldfnger(1964)*

*from The Curious World of Wine: Facts, Legends, and Lore About the DrinkWe Love So Muchby Richard Vine (Perigree, 2012).
http://www.winzerkrems.at/


10/11


THE ENTHUSIAST 100

81

92Bizoe 2010 Henrietta Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc (Western Cape). This

beautiul Semillon-dominant blend shows great fnesse,depth and power. Rich and opulent in every way, ithas notes o baked red apple, lemon verbena, honey-drizzled peach and sweet orange oil ooding the noseand mouth, while additional avors o hazelnut cream,fg bread and sot, sweet spice carry into the long fn-ish. Round, but with enough acidic lit to keep it rombeing abby. Drink now2015. The Triton Collection.

Editors Choice. L.B.abv: 12.8% Price: $30

82

97Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin 1990 CavePrive Brut (Champagne). This toasty,

superbly mature wine is part o a series o releases ea-turing the houses cellar-matured Champagnes. Thisemerges rom the glass with complex avors o almond,brioche, citrus and a hint o steeliness. The majesticrichness o the wine has ully justifed its decades oaging. Mot Hennessy USA. R.V.abv: 12% Price: $208

83

93Domaine Cazes 1996Ambr (Rivesaltes).This is a lush and satisying Rivesaltes Ambr,

made rom 100% White Grenache and aged in oak orseven years. Theres a gorgeous rancio quality to thewine with notes o almond and orange rind throughout,ramed by aromas and avors o quince paste, wood-grilled peach, ruit cake and carmelized date. The longfnish shows good evolution, transitioning rom notes ostone ruit to peach pit and fnally ending on a sweetspice accent. Robert Kacher Selections. EditorsChoice. L.B.abv: 15.6% Price: $36/375 ml

84

92DeMorgenzon 2010 Chenin Blanc(Stellenbosch). A beautiully balanced and

attractive wine, this is delicious now but should holdwell or another fve years. Herbal ynbos aromas in-use the peach, melon and ripe fg core, while accents osot toast and nuttiness add depth. The medium-weightmouth, ramed by sweet, tropical ruit-avored acidity,leads seamlessly onto the long and evolving fnish. CapeClassics. L.B.abv: 13.5% Price: $30

8593

Girolamo Russo 2009 San Lorenzo(Etna). Delicate and sophisticated, this has

notes o wild berry, rosemary, crushed stone, tobaccoand spice that are delivered with slow, beautiul inten-sity. The wine shows reshness, structure and stayingpower. Panebianco. M.L.abv: 14% Price: $55

86

95Seghesio 2009 Cortina Zinandel (DryCreek Valley). A joy to drink, this is ripely

exuberant in ruit, exploding with avors o wild berry,dried red currant, licorice, cocoa and dusty spice thatsink deep into the palate and last orever on the fnish.Yet its dry, and the structure is entirely elegant. The twovineyards that source this wine are old and dry-armed.A very great Dry Creek Valley Zinandel, a real classic.Drink now2015. S.H.abv: 15% Price: $38

87

93Charles Heidsieck NV Brut Rserve(Champagne). Its rare to fnd a nonvintage

blend with such attractive bottle age; in most others, the

ruitiness dominates. This has a toasty character, withan almond note and a ripe moutheel that balances itswarm pear and yellow ruit avors. This demonstrates a

ull, rich style. Remy Cointreau USA.Editors Choice.R.V.abv: 12% Price: $60

8892

Cusumano 2008 Moscato dello Zucco(Sicilia). Strong sunshine and ertile soils give

this wine an extra boost in intensity and overall mouth-eel. Golden honey, candied ruit and sweet almondpaste avors drive the experience. Vin Divino. M.L.abv: 13% Price: $31/500 ml

8995

Abeja 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon(Columbia Valley). Good enough to be a re-

serve, this includes just 4% Merlot, with the balanceCabernet. Smooth and supple, ull o lovely toasty aro-matics, it layers rich cherry against the lush barrel spice.A companionable wine, already drinking beautiully,but perectly fne to cellar or up to a decade.EditorsChoice. P.G.

abv: 14.8% Price: $44

90

92Hamilton Russell 2010 Chardonnay(Hemel en Aarde). Hamilton Russell just

knows how to do Chard right, striking superb balanceand fnesse in a wine thats drinkable now but can ageor another fve years or more. Baked apple, barely-ripehoneydew, lemon custard and a touch o beeswax dancein the bouquet and transition seamlessly into the sotly-toasted palate. A beautiul seam o acidity threads it alltogether and lits the lengthy fnish. Vineyard Brands.L.B.abv: 13% Price: $32

91

93Begali 2007Monte Ca Bianca (Amaronedella Valpolicella Classico). This shows

enormous personality and distinctive aromas o rose-mary, bay lea, sweet cherry, prune, spice, cola and to-bacco. Made in a large, bold style, it delivers plush lay-ers o sweetness and sotness, with a touch o heat onthe fnish. Siema LLC. M.L.abv: 16% Price: $58
http://www.seghesio.com/SeghesioStory/Wines/tabid/236/Default.aspxhttp://www.veuve-clicquot.com/


11/11


THE ENTHUSIAST 100

92

95Evening Land 2010 Seven Springs

Vineyard La Source Chardonnay (Eola-

Amity Hills). Gorgeously ripe ruit packs this winewith tropical avors o cantaloupe, apricot and papaya.Lemony acid keeps it resh and vibrant, and the over-all texture and complexity are a revelation. Both oEvening Lands Chardonnays elevate the grape to newheights in this part o the Willamette Valley.EditorsChoice. P.G.abv: 13.1% Price: $60

93

92Tardieu-Laurent 2009 Vieilles Vignes(Rasteau). The poster child or Tardieus

winemaking style is this 2009Rasteau. It eatures mass-es o luscious oaktoasted coconut, cedar, vanillawith just enough raspberry avor to support it. Its ullbodied and lushly textured, even a bit dessert-like, de-spite being totally dry. Probably best consumed on itsown over the next ew years. Wilson Daniels Ltd.Edi-

tors Choice.

J.C.abv: 14.5% Price: $31

94

92Glaetzer 2009 Bishop Shiraz (Barossa

Valley). Glaetzers wines have moved in a sa-vory direction in recent vintages, and the 2009Bishopdisplays plenty o tarry, treebark and black olive notes.

Its mouthflling and round, picking up hints o sweetruit ramed by mocha and cocoa. Finishes long andintense; drink now2020. Epicurean Wines. EditorsChoice. J.C.abv: 14.5% Price: $35

95

92Pertinace 2008 Barolo. An impressiveBarolo rom a tricky vintage, this shows bold

aromas o blackberry, prune, plum and cherry liqueur.

Theres a plush richness on the palate that sotens thosetight, young tannins. MW Imports. Editors Choice.M.L.abv: 14% Price: $35

96

96Terra Valentine 2009 Marriage (SpringMountain). Few wines in the world can boast

this concentration o ripe, ashy ruit. Its decadent andenormous in blackberry, cherry, currant, licorice, ba-con and spice avors, which are all melted into the per-ect usion o alcohol and warmth, and elaborated withsmoky, toasty oak. With its level o elegance, this is won-derul now, and it should drink well over the next 15years. S.H.abv: 14.9% Price: $80

97

94Archery Summit 2010AB OVO Pinot Gris(Dundee Hills). This very limited, concrete-

egg-ermented, and thoroughly splendid Pinot Gris is agood indication o the potential or PG in Oregon i theprice limitations are lited. Stunningly rich with citrus,lemon curd, ripe apple and light tropical avors, thisconcentrated, deeply driven wine is both roundly ulland amazingly dense. Certainly the best Oregon Pinot

Gris in memory.Editors Choice. P.G.abv: 13.5% Price: $42

98

92Pietro Rinaldi 2009 San Cristooro(Barbaresco). This opens with a plush, dark

appearance and generous aromas o ripe ruit, tobacco,hazelnut and bitter chocolate. It delivers balance, de-termination and polished tannins. Terravino Wine Part-ners. M.L.abv: 14% Price: $36

99

93

Louis Roederer 2007 Brut Ros

(Champagne). A structured, crisp andmineral-driven wine, this merely hints at raspberry a-vors but is dedicated to a steely character. That suggestsyouth, and the wine, with its tense texture, could wellage over several more years. For now, this is an im-pressive wine that demands pairing with ood. MaisonsMarques & Domaines USA. R.V.abv: 12% Price: $72

100

92Peter Lehmann 2006 Mentor CabernetSauvignon (Barossa). Full bodied and rich-

ly tannic, Lehmanns 2006 Mentor is dark, chocolatyand intense, with urther nuances o cassis and cigarbox. The fnish is chewy and juicy, simultaneously dry-ing and mouthwatering. Drink 20152023. Hess Col-lection. J.C.abv: 14.5% Price: $38
http://www.champagne-roederer.com/http://www.archerysummit.com/http://www.mwimportsusa.com/http://www.wilsondaniels.com/our-wineries/tardieu-laurent

top 100 wine enthusiast 2012

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