Published in June 2012

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

June 2012 Featured Collections

West Coast Whites Red Wines From Chile Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Portuguese Reds and Ports Online Exclusives

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Niepoort 2005 Vintage Port (Port)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $95

Powerful and dense, this wine exudes the darkest of tannins as well as intense black fruit. Layers of richness and structure show in this Port’s considerable ageability, while its acidity lends freshness. This is a wine that should be aged for 15 years or more. — R.V. (6/1/2012)

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Yao Ming 2009 Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Price $625

The former basketball star’s initial release immediately establishes itself among the elite Cabernets of Napa Valley. Made from mountain vineyards on Atlas Peak and benches in the Rutherford appellation, it combines intensity with elegance. Bursts with upfront, delicious blackberry, crème de cassis and dark chocolate flavors that are wildly sweet on the midpalate… — S.H. (6/1/2012)

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Niepoort NV 30 Years Old Tawny Port (Port)

Online Exclusive

Price $200

Old-gold in color, this wine has concentrated flavors with an almost medicinal intensity. Old wood and acidity form a dominant element along with a note of orange peel. A memorable wine for savoring. — R.V. (6/1/2012)

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Venge 2009 Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Price $135

A massive wine, decadent and splendid, and a worthy followup to the near-perfect 2008. Densely packed in fruit, it explodes in blackberries, cassis, dark chocolate, minerals and sweet, toasty new oak. That richness is lifted to brilliance by the tannic structure, which is world class. So deliciously approachable, it’s drinkable now, but it should develop over the… — S.H. (6/1/2012)

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De Loach 2009 Pennacchio Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $45

With the 2009 vintage, De Loach is at the top of its Pinot Noir game, and this one, from a chilly vineyard south of Sebastopol, is among its best ever. The crisp acidity, like a squirt of lime, that accompanies the raspberry, cherry and persimmon fruit is bracing. Meanwhile, a mushroomy earthiness gives complex layers that don’t stop. It should age through the next… — S.H. (6/1/2012)

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Roar 2010 Sierra Mar Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Editors' Choice
Online Exclusive

Price $45

A brilliant Chardonnay, displaying both the terroir of this fine upland part of Monterey County, and the cool vintage that let the grapes hang on the vines until they were perfectly ripe. Dazzles with pineapple and mango fruit, with a perfect jacket of sweet, vanilla-scented oak. Best of all is the acidity, which is brisk, bright and clean. — S.H. (6/1/2012)

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Niepoort 2009 Vintage Port (Port)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $90

A powerful, almost black-colored Port. It has the richness of the vintage allied to ripe blackberry flavors, and a mineral, tannic structure. Its great fruit makes it almost drinkable now, but aging will add so many more dimensions. — R.V. (6/1/2012)

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Niepoort 2009 Batuta Red (Douro)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $100

Dark in color, this is a powerful, classic wine, with dense tannins. It has rich black-fruit flavors, and notes of wood and herb that are packed into its concentrated, dry structure. This is a great Douro for aging. — R.V. (6/1/2012)

2008 PerryMoore Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

This is a lush, heady wine that’s full bodied and dry, with massive…

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