Published in July 2012

1300+ wines reviewed, including a [c:verite-2007-la-muse-red-sonoma-county:100-point wine]!

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100

points

Verité 2007 La Muse Red (Sonoma County)

Price $450

This wine dazzles with perfection. Sourced from vineyards throughout Sonoma County, it refutes the belief that a great Cabernet must come from a single vineyard. It does not. The master’s art of blending, coupled with demanding vineyard practices lends completeness. The blend is 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec, making it an extraordinary success… — S.H. (7/1/2012)

points

Failla 2010 Estate Vineyard Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast)

Editors' Choice

Price $44

Shows classic, full-throttle notes of tropical and citrus fruits, pears and sweet green apples, combined with strong minerality and complex layers of buttered toast, honey and creamy lees. The description alone hardly does justice to the wine’s beauty. The acidity is perfect, the oak deftly applied, the finish long and completely satisfying. Winemaker Ehren Jordan… — S.H. (7/1/2012)

points

Angels Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Price $46

A beautiful, mouthwatering newcomer to the whiskey scene. Named for the “angel’s share,” the portion that evaporates from the barrel during the aging process, this golden amber spirit is finished in Port barrels, which explains those juicy red-fruit notes that slide into the long finish. Look for orange peel, vanilla and roasted nut flavors, too. — K.N. (7/1/2012)

points

Goldschmidt 2006 Plus Game Ranch Single Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville)

Online Exclusive

Price $150

The 2006 vintage was erratic, but Nick Goldschmidt has pulled a rabbit out of a hat with this fabulously complex and rewarding 100% Cabernet. It’s classic Oakville, dry, tannic and elegant, and the way the blackberry and black currant flavors marry the new oak is simply wonderful. The Game Ranch Vineyard has been source to some of Goldschmidt’s greatest Cabernets… — S.H. (7/1/2012)

points

Mt. Brave 2008 Merlot (Mount Veeder)

Editors' Choice
Online Exclusive

Price $60

A tremendous achievement in Merlot. The vineyard, around 1,600 feet up on Mt. Veeder, is now owned by the Jackson family, and the winemaker is Chris Carpenter, who oversees Cardinale. In fact, this Merlot bears an uncanny resemblance to Cardinale in the dramatically ripe, sweet fruit and superb, tannin-based structure. It’s 100% Merlot, with hefty yet balanced… — S.H. (7/1/2012)

points

Verité 2007 Le Desir Red (Sonoma County)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $450

A spectacular wine that defines the upper limit of California Bordeaux-style blends. Based on Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with splashes of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, this is delicious and complex, offering a blast of blackberry, blueberry-concentrate and mineral flavors. Comprised of fruit grown throughout Sonoma County, this is a masterpiece of the art of… — S.H. (7/1/2012)

points

Verité 2008 Le Desir Red (Sonoma County)

Online Exclusive

Price $450

The 2008 vintage presented challenges for Cabernet Sauvignon, but this Cabernet Franc-based blend succeeds wildly. It’s bone dry, tannic and enormously complex, with flavors of sour-cherry candy, red currant, licorice and spicy cola. Ninety-five percent new oak lends this a wonderful toastiness. Few wines could handle that much new wood, but this one can. However… — S.H. (7/1/2012)

points

Donum 2009 West Slope Estate Pinot Noir (Carneros)

Online Exclusive

Price $100

A fabulous Pinot Noir that’s rich and deeply flavored, with the most wonderful structure. After a fruity, spicy entry, the wine sinks down dramatically on the midpalate, offering masses of cherries, raspberries, red currants, cured meats, sautéed mushrooms, spices and sweetly toasted sandalwood. Bone dry, and capable of aging eight years in the cellar, it surpasses… — S.H. (7/1/2012)

2005 Gershon Bachus Aquilo North Wind Special Edition Robbins Vineyards

At nearly eight years of age, this Napa-based Cabernet has just been…

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