Recent Online Exclusives

Recent Online Exclusives are the latest wine, spirit and beer reviews that did not appear in print.

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Rijckaert 2010 Vignes des Voises Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay (Côtes du Jura)

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Straw gold in color, this smooth, creamy Chardonnay is ripe with melon and green-plum fruits touched with toast and spice. There’s an intensely juicy character here, balaned by great acidity and a final, concentrated ripeness. — R.V. (6/1/2013)

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Rijckaert 2010 En Paradis Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay (Arbois)

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En Paradis—“in paradise”—refers to a vineyard owned by Régine and Jean Rijckaert. The wine is deliciously and very lightly oxidized, showing a great line of tangy, juicy green and white fruits which are overlaid by pineapple acidity. It has fine concentration and a so-refreshing lemon-zest aftertaste. — R.V. (6/1/2013)

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Rijckaert 2010 Les Sarres Chardonnay (Côtes du Jura)

Online Exclusive

With its layers of toast and ripe green and yellow fruits, this is both a warm and a structured wine. It has richness and a hint of vanilla, and the most tangy orange zest. The acidity at the end is intense but very refreshing. Age for at least four years. — R.V. (6/1/2013)

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Château d’Aydie 2009 Maydie Vintage Tannat (Vin de Liqueur)

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Price $30

Made from Tannat with added alcohol to stop the fermentation, this is a sweet, deliciously rich wine. It shows a fine balance between fruity acidity, red-fruit jelly flavors and layers of tannin from the Tannat. It will certainly age over many years. — R.V. (6/1/2013)

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Rijckaert 2010 En Chante-Merle Chardonnay (Arbois)

Online Exclusive

Tropical fruits dominate this intensely fruity, perfumed wine with loads of tangy pineapple, mango and kiwi-fruit. Bright acidity, an orange zest texture and a light touch of toast add a sense of structure. — R.V. (6/1/2013)

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Rijckaert 2010 Chardonnay (Arbois)

Online Exclusive

This is a soft and rounded wine that’s ripe with apricot and pear flavors. Intense acidity highlights the concentration and richness on the paate, and there’s a mountain coolness in the aftertaste. — R.V. (6/1/2013)

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Château du Cèdre 2010 Cèdre Vintage Malbec (Vin de Liqueur)

Online Exclusive

Price $35

The best way to find out how Malbec works as the base of a sweet fortified wine is to drink this. It has just a touch of spirit on the edge of the palate, while preserving the tannins and blackberry fruit of the grape. Ripe, rich and original, it’s a great after dinner drink. — R.V. (6/1/2013)

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Santa Barbara Winery 2009 Stolpman Vineyard Sangiovese (Santa Ynez Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $25

One of the better examples of Sangiovese out there, in a difficult field. You have to credit the fine vineyard iocated in the emerging Ballard Canyon section of the valley. The acidity is brisk, as it tends to be in this variety, and the finish is thoroughly dry, with flavors of cherries and tobacco. Try as a lighter alternative to Zinfandel. — S.H. (6/1/2013)

2010 Pence Ranch Westslope

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

(Sponsored)