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

Hartenberg 2008 The Stork Shiraz (Stellenbosch)

Price $114

A big and bold Shiraz, dark fruit aromas and flavors of fig, black cherry and plum abound. Glimmers of sweet spice and smoke unfold softly, showing the promise of additional complexities and nuance that should continue to develop with time. Firmly structured tannins help to frame the lush, ripe palate, and prodive a gripping texture to the long close. Try after… — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Rudi Schultz 2009 Syrah (Stellenbosch)

Price $30

Soft foliage notes lead on the nose of this wine, with supporting aromas of strawberry, raspberry and stewed rhubarb. The medium-weight mouth offers moderate tannins and a good streak of lifting acidity, resulting in a texture like crushed satin. Fruit-skin flavors linger on the medium-length close alongside accents of pepper and sweet spice. — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Hamilton Russell 2010 Pinot Noir (Hemel en Aarde)

Online Exclusive

Price $44

This wine starts off bright and vibrant, with aromas of red-cherry skin, red currant and plum with touches of toasted oak and earth. The fruit flavors intensity on the palate, with additional accents of tea leaves, cocoa nib and black pepper that carry through to the medium-length finish. Surprisingly firmly structured, with gripping tannins and pronounced acidity… — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Reyneke 2008 Reserve Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon (Stellenbosch)

Price $75

This Shiraz-based blend, with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, is bold and layered, taking time to unfold and develop in the glass. Blackberry, currant and wild raspberry notes lead the bouquet, but additional accents of game and herbs unfold and mount in intensity. Flavors of red cherry and currant fill the palate, with hints of fynbos, cocoa and licorice stick staying… — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Painted Wolf 2010 Guillermo Pinotage (Swartland)

Editors' Choice

Price $19

Aromas of dark forest berry, smoke, cigar-box spice and tobacco leaf immediately waft from the glass of this forward and robust Pinotage. The wine’s boldness continues to shine on the full palate, loaded with gripping tannins and layers of blackberry, boysenberry, roasted cocoa nib, pepper and toasted oak flavors. Drinkable now, but should benefit from some time in… — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Herrmannsdorfer Schweinsbräu Dunkel Dark Bavarian Lager

Price $4

This is a delicious and organic dark lager. It pours a rich mahogany color and opens with clean notes of toasted malt, roasted peanut shell, light coffee and a hint of caramel. The palate is smooth and crisp, with medium carbonation and just a touch of bitterness that flashes through to the finish alongside nutty accents. Balanced and very drinkable; an ideal… — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Mullineux 2009 Syrah (Swartland)

Price $33

Forward aromas of game and earthy spice notes are upfront on the bouquet, with notes of mulled berries, red plum and fig providing a concentrated, fruity backdrop. Earthy tones continue to dominate the medium-weight mouth, as flavors of tree bark and baking spice flood the palate and linger long into the finish. Fine tannins lend a satiny, smooth texture to the… — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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Vins d'Orrance 2008 Cuvée Ameena Syrah (Western Cape)

Price $39

The 14 months spent in oak lend this wine an earthy, sweet-spice-driven character that infuses the red cherry and currant aromas and flavors. The wood also contributes to the lush mouthfeel and smoky finish. But although it’s oaky, it’s not overwhelming, and the wine ultimately comes across as balanced and clean. — L.B. (5/1/2013)

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2008 PerryMoore Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

This is a lush, heady wine that’s full bodied and dry, with massive…

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