Page 2 | Published in March 2002 - Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide

Editors' Choice

Price $29

A flavorful, tangy wine with spice, meat and chalk notes offsetting the excellent vintage’s ripe, chewy fruit. Has a lively palate texture and the slight herb-metallic overtones typical of many Rhône blends. Full without being weighty, this is well-structured with modest tannins to lose. Drinkable now with hearty fare, it will benefit from a another year of aging… — W.E. (3/1/2002)

91

points

Limerick Lane 1999 Collins Vineyard Zinfandel (Russian River Valley)

Price $26

Sugary-earth and anise aromas accent deep blackberry on the nose; in the mouth, this Russian River Valley Zin has bright raspberry and blueberry flavors, kept in check beautifully with oak and dried spice notes. Luscious in the mouth, and sexy overall, it finishes long with loads of blackberry and a little caramel at the very end. Could be even better after a year… — D.T. (3/1/2002)

91

points

Ravenswood 1999 Big River Zinfandel (Alexander Valley)

Price $30

A smoldering, spicy nose of cedar, raspberry, red plum and mulling spices makes way for deep flavors, given added texture and depth by sturdy tannins: Juicy blackberry and smoke-ash flavors drift all the way through to the finish, where is punctuated by a light green-herb note. A seamless beauty. — D.T. (3/1/2002)

91

points

Concha y Toro 1999 Terrunyo Carmenère (Peumo)

Price $29

If Carmenère is going to attract a global following, it’s going to do it on the backs of wines like this. Made from grapes hailing predominantly from a subsection of the Rapel Valley, this is a thick, earthy, meaty wine with sweet and chewy black plums and ripe cherries at its core. The mouthfeel is a tad leathery, with a very firm grip. With about 15% Maipo… — M.S. (3/1/2002)

91

points

Casa Silva 1999 Altura Red (Colchagua Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $90

Casa Silva has entered the Super Chilean sweepstakes with this Cabernet/Merlot/Carmenère blend—and the winery scores some early points. From a fine vintage, this wine is minty, chocolaty and full of red raspberry fruit. Some airing reveals graham cracker, caramel andhidden fruit. It’s definitely a big-time, well-made wine that reflects serious effort. And it’s… — M.S. (3/1/2002)

91

points

Alderbrook 2000 Reserve Zinfandel (Russian River Valley)

Price $39

This is one of two new reserves from winemaker T.J. Evans, who set himself the goal to produce quintessential Zinfandels from both the Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley appellations. From 50 year old vines, the wine is fragrant with wild strawberries and enhanced with chocolatey oak. Sweet, vivid and food friendly, it’s a wonderful debut. — P.G. (3/1/2002)

91

points

Dashe Cellars 1998 Todd Brothers Ranch Zinfandel (Alexander Valley)

Price $25

Winemaker Michael Dashe singled out this old-vine fruit for special handling, and it pays off in a very fragrant, sweetly grapey wine with an enticing, intoxicating bouquet. Herbs and wildflowers and mixed red fruits explode in a profusion of scents and delicious layers of flavors. — P.G. (3/1/2002)

91

points

Easton 1999 Zinfandel (Fiddletown)

Price $25

Here’s a wine that defines a distinct style of Sierra Foothills Zin, namely, the wild, brambly kind that seduces with sheer power and exuberance. It’s a mouthpunch of blueberry, boysenberry and other berry flavors, wrapped in just enough tannins and acids to provide balance. There’s something woolly about it, especially in the peppery finish. — S.H. (3/1/2002)

Published in March 2002

Delas Frères 1998 Les Calcerniers Red (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

Limerick Lane 1999 Collins Vineyard Zinfandel (Russian River Valley)

Ravenswood 1999 Big River Zinfandel (Alexander Valley)

Concha y Toro 1999 Terrunyo Carmenère (Peumo)

Casa Silva 1999 Altura Red (Colchagua Valley)

Alderbrook 2000 Reserve Zinfandel (Russian River Valley)

Dashe Cellars 1998 Todd Brothers Ranch Zinfandel (Alexander Valley)

Easton 1999 Zinfandel (Fiddletown)

2010 Pence Ranch Westslope