Lauren Buzzeo

Tasting Director

Tasting Director Lauren Buzzeo joined Wine Enthusiast Magazine in 2006 as a tasting coordinator. Thanks to her father, she developed an interest in and love of wine at an early age, and her respect and adoration for all things vinous has remained strong ever since. Today, Lauren is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the tasting and review program, and currently reviews the wines of Israel, Languedoc-Roussillon and South Africa, as well as beers. Since coming to Wine Enthusiast, she has made it one of her personal missions to promote the acceptance of cross-drinking, encouraging everyone to embrace finely crafted libations across all beverage categories. Lauren is also an avid homebrewer and a member of the AHA (American Homebrewers Association).

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points

De Toren 2009 Fusion V Red (Stellenbosch)

Editors' Choice

Price $50

A layered and complex wine, the 2009 Fusion V is one remarkable selection that’s delicious now, although it certainly shows the stuffing to age well for another three to five years, at least. Forward sweet-oak notes marry harmoniously with black-fruit aromas on the nose. The robust, dense palate offers ripe flavors of cassis, blackberry and plum, with accents of… — L.B. (5/1/2013)

points

Vilafonté 2009 Series C Red (Paarl)

Price $84

This stunning wine is still quite young and shut-down on the nose, taking its time in the glass to truly begin to open up. Once it does, scents of licorice root, chicory, cassis and black plum fill the bouquet. The mouthfeel is bold and powerful, with gripping tannins that coat the palate and support the dense black-fruit core. Accents of black-tea leaves and sweet… — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Ken Forrester 2009 The Gypsy Grenache-Syrah (Stellenbosch)

Price $65

The 2009 Gypsy, unlike the 2008, includes no Mourvèdre in the blend, meaning it’s just Grenache and Syrah, at about half each. This is a powerful and intense wine, with forward aromas and flavors of cherry, black plum and boysenberry that are spiced with notes of crushed purple florals, black pepper and licorice. With medium-plus tannins, bold flavors, a firm… — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Vilafonté 2009 Series M Red (Paarl)

Price $56

Vanilla cream and raspberry sauce lead the bouquet of this Bordeaux-stlye blend, followed by darker fruit tones of boysenberry, plum and black cherry. Those notes continue on to the palate, filling the mouth and lending lushness to the crushed velvet texture. Strong but balanced, with a long, evolving finish that ends of a spicy, sweet-smoke accent. Drink now–2016. — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Simonsig 2009 Redhill Pinotage (Stellenbosch)

Cellar Selection

Price $32

Simonsig’s Redhill Pinotage is consistently an excellent example of the variety done right, and the 2009 doesn’t disappoint. It’s brimming with assertive dark-fruit aromas and flavors of boysenberry, mulberry and plum, all jazzed up with spicy notes of vanilla, pepper and bittersweet cocoa powder. The mouthfeel is lush and full but not fat, with a texture like… — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Simonsig 2008 Redhill Pinotage (Stellenbosch)

Editors' Choice

Price $32

This is a ripe, bold and fruit-forward wine that’s creamy, lush and easily drinkable now. Rich, dark-fruit notes of brambly berry, boysenberry and black plum are spiced with notes of coconut cream, vanilla bean and whole black peppercorn. Although it might be flavorful, it’s also elegant and surprisingly quite accessible; drink now through 2016. — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Fairview 2009 Eenzaamheid Shiraz (Paarl)

Price $37

Eenzaamheid—Dutch for solitude—is named in honor of the isolated vineyard that the grapes for this wine are sourced from. It leads with forward aromas of brambly forest berry, game and tree bark, alongside soft hints of cocoa and coffee. Medium weight with a ripe, fruity mouthfeel and earthy pepper notes that remain through the finish. Well balanced and structured;… — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Saronsberg 2008 Full Circle Red (Tulbagh)

Price $42

This Shiraz-based blend—with splashes of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier—is lush and rich, with notes of ripe blackberry, cherry and strawberry preserves backed by hints of fruit-cake spice and black pepper. The plush mouthfeel boasts similarly concentrated dark-fruit flavors, and the finish boasts a decadent fudgy chocolate note that shows good staying power… — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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2009 Va Piano

Having been given almost four years of age prior to release, this deep…

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