Buying Guide

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Published in May 2012

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Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the May 2012 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine

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Merry Edwards 2009 Klopp Ranch Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

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Price $57

Amazingly rich, offering deep, complex layers of cherries, black raspberries, cola, anise biscotti, pomegranates, persimmons, black tea, orange zest, mushrooms, you name it, but don’t forget the spices, everything from cloves and black pepper to cinnamon. Utterly delicious, with a silky, briskly clean mouthfeel. But the tannins are pronounced. They’re not so strong… — S.H. (5/1/2012)

Domaine Leflaive 2009 Chardonnay (Bienvenues Bâtard-Montrachet)

Cellar Selection

Price $410

With its concentrated yellow fruits, this is already a powerful wine. It is packed with acidity, toast, peach flavors and minerality, starting out as a gorgeously rich wine from a ripe vintage. Of course, it will age over many years; open in 10 years. — R.V. (5/1/2012)

Valdicava 2006 Madonna del Piano Riserva Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello di Montalcino)

Cellar Selection
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Price $275

This beautiful riserva shows enormous thickness and blackness, like midnight of a new moon. The wine delivers impenetrable density, extraction, black fruit, spice, berry preserves, licorice, asphalt, ground black pepper, cherry liqueur and crème de cassis. There are seemingly no limits to the intensity and complexity here. The mouthfeel is dense, plush, firmly… — M.L. (5/1/2012)

Casanova di Neri 2006 Cerretalto Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello di Montalcino)

Cellar Selection
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Price $215

Cerretalto delivers aromas of natural complexity and oak-driven tones of cinnamon, clove, chocolate and exotic spice. The fruit is dark, dense and ripe. There’s extra roundness and density in the mouth that holds together the wine’s firm tannins and its crisp, acidic component. Hold 10–20 more years. — M.L. (5/1/2012)

Casanova di Neri 2007 Tenuta Nuova Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello di Montalcino)

Price $79

Gorgeous, opulent and rich, Tenuta Nuova is an unforgettable wine. It has body, power, persistence and loads of plush personality. It is layered with chocolate, cherry, blackberry, spice, leather and savory notes. There’s a deep mineral layer as well. Compelling and lovely. — M.L. (5/1/2012)

Capanna 2007 Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello di Montalcino)

Cellar Selection

Price $55

Capanna’s offering in 2007 is extremely bold, dark and opulent. Loads of aromatic momentum in the form of blackberry, cherry liqueur, spice, leather, tobacco, rum cake, cinnamon, vanilla bean and bitter chocolate characterize the bouquet. The wine also shows a soft, ripe, generous texture, yet remains well-contained and balanced. — M.L. (5/1/2012)

Marchesi Antinori 2008 Solaia Red (Toscana)

Cellar Selection
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Price $325

Definitely on a top 10 list of Italian icons, Solaia affirms the massive potential of Italian winemaking, from vineyard to cantina to cellar and beyond. Superrich and polished, but never over the top, this gorgeous super Tuscan shows deep layers of chocolate, black cherry, rum cake and spice. The secret lies in its balance: Everything is in place, from intensity… — M.L. (5/1/2012)

Luce della Vite 2007 Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello di Montalcino)

Cellar Selection

Price $93

Luce della Vite opens with an opulent, generous style and is packed with black cherry, black currant, cola, leather and pipe tobacco. This is a plush, rich and deeply textured wine, with plenty of intensity and staying power. It shows dense tannins with a touch of youthful astringency. Age 10 more years. — M.L. (5/1/2012)

Gran Dovejo

This spirit has a complex, rewarding array of flavors. The aroma is very…

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