Recent Magazine Reviews
Recent Magazine Reviews are wine, spirit and beer reviews with an issue date since February 18.
Cote Bonneville 2006 DuBrul Vineyard Côte Bonneville Red (Yakima Valley)
- $120
This is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Merlot, all sourced from the estate’s DuBrul vineyard. It’s drinking quite well, though clearly heading into secondary fruit flavors that reflect its ongoing maturation. Cherries, plums and cassis fruits mingle, along with silky, polished tannins. Though it can be cellared indefinitely, it may be at its most…
— P.G.
(6/1/2013)
Black Kite 2010 Stony Terrace Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)
- $55
More subtle at first than the 2010 River Turn, Stony Terrace, another of Black Kite’s yearly single-block designates, is earthy, savory and dense. Mouth filling in its juicy red and blue fruit flavor, it’s silky and entirely seductive. Well integrated and structured, it’s another fine choice for the table and for cellaring another 5–7 years.
— V.B.
(6/1/2013)
Avuá Amburana
- $45
This luscious cachaça is aged up to two years in barrels made from a rare Brazilian wood called amburana, hence the name. That aging time yields a pale straw hue and distinct notes of banana and honey, with a spicy fillip of cayenne and cassia bark doused with brown sugar.
— K.N.
(6/1/2013)
Château Lagrézette 2009 Le Pigeonnier Malbec (Cahors)
- Cellar Selection
- $290
A small vineyard of six acres is used to produce this magnificent incarnation of Malbec. Black as ink and firmly tannic, a toughness magnified by new wood, this is still a richly fruity wine that will age superbly to give power and complexity. Keep for at least four years.
— R.V.
(6/1/2013)
Siduri 2011 Keefer Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
- Cellar Selection
- $52
The pedigree of this vineyard shows in every aspect. It’s not just the ripe black cherry and pomegranate fruit, or the brisk acidity, or the lush, gorgeous tannin structure. It’s the incredible complexity, showing all kinds of mushroom, cola, smoked meat and spice notes. Simply gorgeous now, and should develop over the next 10 years.
— S.H.
(6/1/2013)
V. Sattui 2009 Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
- Cellar Selection
- $55
V. Sattui has quietly been producing outstanding Cabernets, and here’s another. The vineyard is on the Rutherford bench, arguably the tenderloin of the appellation. Made from 100% Cabernet, the wine is sumptuously rich and soft in tannins, with sour red-cherry candy, licorice, bacon and pepper spice flavors. Will age well for at least 10 years.
— S.H.
(6/1/2013)
Leeuwin Estate 2008 Art Series Chardonnay (Margaret River)
- $89
A perennial favorite, Leeuwin’s 2008 is another success, marrying ample weight and texture with easy elegance. Notes of toasted hazelnuts and grilled tropical fruit mingle into an opulent parfait of flavor that’s held together by bright acidity, while a lingering veil of smoke hangs on the finish.
— J.C.
(6/1/2013)
Brasserie du Bocq Blanche de Namur
- $10
This is a well-made, traditional Belgian witbier that’s new to the Merchant du Vin portfolio, having just launched in the U.S. this May. Named after Princess Blanche of Namur—who married King Magnus of Sweden in 1336 A.D.—this wit shows forward scents of orange peel, under-ripe pear, coriander, clove, soft pepper and clean wheat. Those notes follow through on the…
— K.N.
(6/1/2013)
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What We're Tasting
2009 Russian River Vineyards Estate Grown
Rich flavors of cherries, persimmons, cola, anise and oak flood the…
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