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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Samuel Smith’s Pure Brewed Organic Lager Beer

Price $4

Samuel Smith’s beers are all well-made examples of traditional styles, and this organic “pure” lager is just another testament to that. It’s classic and clean, with a bright gold color that looks like lager perfection. The nose offers light scents of fresh grain, pale malt, biscuit, grass and a touch of honey. Those notes continue on to the palate, but marry with… — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Thelema 2008 Shiraz (Stellenbosch)

Price $36

Wild berry and forest notes immediately waft from the glass, with additional aromas of mentholated red cherry, plum and cinnamon. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with a juicy red-fruit center that supports the accents of sweet smoke and pepper that carry through to the medium-length close. — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Kanonkop 2010 Pinotage (Simonsberg-Stellenbosch)

Price $40

This classic Pinotage starts off somewhat tight and closed, but the layers of ripe, dark fruit and sweet spice unfold with time spent in the glass. A hint of barnyard adds depth to the black plum and cherry fruit core, spiced with notes of fynbos and sweet smoke. Medium weight, with gripping tannins and concentrated fruit flavors that suggest this is one for the… — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Fairview 2009 Shiraz (Coastal Region)

Price $17

A pleasing melange of spicy aromas start the nose of this wine off right: think licorice, black pepper and whole clove. Those spicy notes are framed against a dense black-fruit core of blackberry, cherry, plum and currant. The texture is full but structured, like crushed velvet, and the finish evokes hints of leather, pepper and tobacco. — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Saronsberg 2008 Provenance Shiraz (Coastal Region)

Price $22

Dark and somewhat heady, this opens with dense aromas of mashed blackberry, black tea, bark and peppery spice. The palate is similarly dense and concentrated, although the medium tannins lend the wine a crushed-satin texture that keeps it from feeling too decadent. The finish is long, with a solid pepper streak. — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Robertson Winery 2008 Number One Constitution Road Shiraz (Robertson)

Price $30

Ripe, smooth and satiny, this wine has all the right stuff for pleasurable drinking now. Earthy spice and cocoa-nib accents add depth to the dense raspberry and cherry fruit core, while the finish expresses a tree bark and whole peppercorn flavor that lingers. — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Robertson Winery 2009 Number One Constitution Road Shiraz (Robertson)

Price $30

This is a decadent and plush wine, with ripe-fruit notes of brambly raspberry and blueberry accented by hints of pepper, vanilla and sweet spice. A streak of juicy acidity lifts the palate, and soft tannins allow for easy drinking now. — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Neil Ellis 2011 Sauvignon Blanc (Groenekloof)

Price $18

Subtle spice and fresh hay accents add depth to this wine. Aromas and flavors of orange, lime and melon rind mingle with green fig and plum notes in the nose and on the vibrant palate. Hints of savory herb and pepper unfold and linger softly on the finish. Drink now. — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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2010 Pence Ranch Westslope

This is sourced from the winery's steepest and most wind-exposed blocks…

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