Steve Heimoff

California Editor

California Bureau Chief Steve Heimoff was born in New York City and moved to California to attend graduate school. He quickly discovered wine and it became his passion. He has been with Wine Enthusiast for 20 years and reviews all California wines produced in the premium coastal counties. He has written two books for University of California Press: A Wine Journey along the Russian River [2005] and New Classic Winemakers of California: Conversations with Steve Heimoff [2008]. He is also the author of the popular wine blog, steveheimoff.com.

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Hunnicutt 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Spring Mountain)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $85

Gloriously rich and decadently drinkable, but oh-so tannic. The fruit is dazzlingly good, flooding the mouth with the essence of ripe cherries, raspberries, mocha and red plums, while oak adds even richer notes. Somehow, the wine finishes dry and clean. But those tannins are sticky. Cellar it until 2015 or so. — S.H. (5/1/2013)

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Wild Horse 2009 Cheval Sauvage Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)

Price $60

Expensive, yes, but a very fine Pinot that shows the elegance of its Santa Barbara origins. Dry and crisp in acidity, it’s extraordinarily deep in raspberry, cherry and currant fruit, with interesting notes of sautéed beef, cola, vanilla, baking spices and sandalwood. Drink now–2015 to enjoy its fruitiness. — S.H. (5/1/2013)

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Bien Nacido 2010 Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)

Price $43

Acidity marks this bone dry, tightly wound and young Chardonnay. It’s quite ripe in orange, pear, apricot and nectarine fruit, with an elegant mouthfeel. Give it some airing before serving, and it should drink well over the next 5–6 years. — S.H. (5/1/2013)

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PerryMoore 2008 Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (St. Helena)

Price $125

This is a lush, heady wine that’s full bodied and dry, with massive black cherry, red currant, bacon and cedar flavors. The tannins are thick but smooth, making the wine drinkable now, although it will certainly develop through 2020. There’s a pleasant tartness throughout that makes it especially friendly with well-marbled beef. — S.H. (5/1/2013)

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PerryMoore 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Price $90

This is a dark, deep, big wine that’s tannic and dry, with huge stuffing. Packed on the midpalate with blackberry jam, currant, chocolate and cedar flavors, it finishes in a delicious swirl of spices. Defines the modern style of Napa Cabernet: powerful, elegant and impressive. Drink now–2020. — S.H. (5/1/2013)

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Ravenswood 2010 Old Hill Single Vineyard Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $60

The trick to a successful Zinfandel is to capture the grape’s briary, brambly rusticity and lend it elegance and balance. This wine succeeds at that task. It’s kind of a field blend with 25% of the wine made from what the winemaker calls “mixed blacks.” Whatever the varieties are, the wine is smooth, rich and delicious, showing complex wild berry, mocha, licorice… — S.H. (5/1/2013)

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Castello di Amorosa 2008 La Castellana Red (Napa Valley)

Price $68

Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a splash of Sangiovese, this super Tuscan-style blend is powerful in every respect. It shows massively concentrated blackberry and crème de cassis flavors, with notes of dark chocolate and spices. The oak is rich and toasty, the tannins thick but as soft as silk, and the acidity lively enough to give all this richness a… — S.H. (5/1/2013)

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Château Couhins 2010 Red (Pessac-Léognan)

Couhins is based around a research center, so it’s not surprising that it makes a technically flawless wine. But there is much more to this 2010 with its dense tannins, spicy fruit, black plums and beautiful, balanced acidity. Age for 5–6 years. — S.H. (5/1/2013)

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2010 Mira Stanly Ranch

Winemaker Gustavo Gonzalez left Robert Mondavi to do his own thing, and…

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