Published in Mid November 2001

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the Mid November 2001 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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Atalon 1997 Mountain Estates Merlot (Napa Valley)

Price $60

Firm, ripe tannic structure provides a nice framework for this classy wine. Blackberry, cassis, herb, tobacco and chocolate are also at the fore. From mountainside vineyards, its angular yet powdery tannins should soften within a year or two. — J.M. (11/15/2001)

points

Forefathers 2000 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)

Best Buy

Price $13

Fresh grapefruit and passion fruit form the center of this refreshing, zingy, full-bodied yet elegant Sauvignon Blanc. The finish is bright and lemony with just a hint of grassines for added complexity. A knockout from Simi winemaker Nick Goldschmidt, who returned to his native country to make this wine. — J.M. (11/15/2001)

points

Wente 1999 Crane Ridge Merlot (San Francisco Bay-Livermore Valley)

Best Buy

Price $15

A luscious wine brimming with black-cherry, chocolate, plum, licorice and smoky oak aromas. Wonderfully rich and lush in the mouth, it also has lots of berry fruit flavors in a dry, harmonious package. — S.H. (11/15/2001)

points

Castello di Valiano 1998 Poggio Teo Riserva Sangiovese (Chianti Classico)

Editors' Choice

Price $24

This 100% Sangiovese wine is from a single vineyard at about 400 meters elevation and made of hand harvested fruit. The ripe nose and solid, masculine palate display power and class, showing brawny, dark, sour-cherry flavors with tobacco and leather accents. Large-scale and well structured, it is built to age. It should improve through 2004 and keep well for… — W.E. (11/15/2001)

points

Cinnabar 1999 Watts-Borden Ranch Syrah (Lodi)

Price $17

Expect wonderful drinking from this ripely juicy, nectary wine, which starts with plummy, peppery aromas and turns richly fruity in the mouth. It’s serious red wine, thick and weighty, but somehow delicate and elegant. Dry, but the finish is sweet and spicy, and very long. — S.H. (11/15/2001)

points

Zenaida Cellars 1999 Syrah (Paso Robles)

Price $20

From cooler hillside vineyards on the Westside, this lovely wine has cherry aromas with a touch of smoky bacon fat and sautéed mushrooms. The cherry-kirsch flavors continue in the mouth, fine and sweet, with supple tannins and soft but lively acidity. A lush, velvety mouthfeel adds to the pleasure. — S.H. (11/15/2001)

points

Bouchard Aîné & Fils 1999 Clos du Roi Pinot Noir (Beaune)

Editors' Choice

Price $30

There's plenty of fat fruit from the over-45-year-old vines that are the source for this premier cru red Burgundy. Round, with a velvety mouthfeel, the wine shows fine depth and dimension, with black-cherry, plum, licorice and toast aromas and flavors. Full and flavorful, it closes with cocoa notes, good length and fine, well-dispersed tannins. Can drink now… — W.E. (11/15/2001)

points

Laetitia 1999 Estate Pinot Blanc (Arroyo Grande Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $16

Brilliantly pure tropical fruit joins with jolting acidity and overlays of smoky oak to produce this full-flavored beauty that brims with melon, guava and peach notes. It’s crisp, clean, refreshing and complex, with a long, spicy finish. — S.H. (11/15/2001)

2009 Monte Pinadillo Ciranza

Black fruit, raisin and minerally aromas combine to create a formidable…

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