Published in September 2012

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

September 2012 Featured Collections

Barbaresco and Barolo Bordeaux Beauties Sparkling Wines California Chardonnay Online Exclusives

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Figgins 2009 Estate Red Wine (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

Editors' Choice

Price $85

The second release of Figgins—a single wine produced by Leonetti’s Chris Figgins—is astonishing. Tasted in a lineup of exceptional Walla Walla reds, it outshined them all. It’s a sophisticated blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot, from the Figgins Vineyard, with gorgeous aromas of flowers, spices and black fruits. Seamless and long, complex and… — P.G. (9/1/2012)

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Quilceda Creek 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA))

Cellar Selection

Price $135

A bold, muscular, striking wine with nerves of steel, this offers a dense, demanding array of black fruit threaded with veins of espresso, smoke, tar, tobacco and iron. As it bursts with exotic barrel flavor, the fruit seems a bit buried, but time after time these wines unfold over the course of decades into glorious maturity. These are arguably the most long-lived… — P.G. (9/1/2012)

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Rochioli 2010 South River Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)

Editors' Choice
Online Exclusive

Price $60

A spectacular Chardonnay—this is dazzingly beautiful and mesmerizing in its appeal. The complexity of flavor stuns, offering tiers of pineapples, oranges, green apples and golden mangoes. Then the oaky influences appear in the form of buttered toast and caramel, with a suggestion of honey. The finish is dry and crisp in acidity. — S.H. (9/1/2012)

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Janzen 2009 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Price $135

This wine will divide aficionados. Some will find it too soft and fruity. Others will marvel at its sheer deliciousness. It’s fantastically rich, a wine of deliriously decadent flavors, ranging from blackberry jam and crème de cassis to mocha, blueberry extract and buttered cinnamon toast. Yes, it’s soft, but it’s the softness of fine velvet. After all that… — S.H. (9/1/2012)

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Dutton-Goldfield 2010 Dutton Ranch - Rued Vineyard Chardonnay (Green Valley)

Price $50

The cold and fog actually helped this Chardonnay, which achieves a remarkable delicacy and tartness despite the power of its fruit. Really remarkable for the flood of golden mango, Asian pear and Key lime pie richness, which is grounded by a firm minerality. Oak influence and aging on the lees lend the perfect touches of smoky, buttered toast and zesty creaminess… — S.H. (9/1/2012)

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Leonetti Cellar 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

Cellar Selection

Price $88

This is the best bottling of a very fine lineup from Leonetti. Dense, textural and complex, it showcases exceptional blending of flavors from the addition of just 7% Merlot, 4% Carmenère and 1% Malbec. Notes of plum, cassis, coffee grounds, dark chocolate and a hint of herb run through a complete and engaging finish, retaining both elegance and power. — P.G. (9/1/2012)

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Luciano Sandrone 2007 Cannubi Boschis Nebbiolo (Barolo)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $165

You really can’t beat the beauty of this Barolo. Rich, enduring and persistent, it offers a long array of blackberry, spice and cola-like aromas. The mouthfeel is spectacular thanks to a velvety texture that is backed by a pretty embroidery of cassis, licorice and spicy ginger flavors. Give this 10–15 more years of aging. — M.L. (9/1/2012)

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Gianni Voerzio 2007 La Serra Nebbiolo (Barolo)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $125

A stunning wine with amazing intensity and a very distinct personality, this has aromas of ripe fruit, leather, tobacco, cola, dried ginger and cigar box. The mouthfeel is very long, smooth and velvety. Age this wine 10–15 more years. — M.L. (9/1/2012)

2010 Mira Stanly Ranch

Winemaker Gustavo Gonzalez left Robert Mondavi to do his own thing, and…

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