Published in March 2013

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the March 2013 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

March 2013 Featured Collections

Oregon Pinot Noir Beautiful Bordeaux California Dreaming Online Exclusives

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Cayuse 2009 En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (OR))

Editors' Choice

Price $75

In a vintage that produced the finest overall lineup of Cayuse wines to date, it may seem a little nit-picky to score some higher and some lower. But the En Chamberlin deserves first place again. Brilliant aromatics of smoked meat, bacon fat and otherworldly roasted accents seduce instantly. Once on the palate, the silky, balanced, near-perfect mix of umami and… — P.G. (3/1/2013)

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Williams Selyem 2010 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

Cellar Selection

Price $75

This expresses the greatness of its vintage and vineyard, offering wave after wave of raspberry and cherry pie flavors, plus notes of red currant, sweet licorice, spicy Dr. Pepper and smoky sandalwood. There’s also something exotically briary and wild that intrigues. Even more remarkable is the texture, an amalgam of acids and tannins that rivals any Pinot Noir… — S.H. (3/1/2013)

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Williams Selyem 2010 Precious Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

Cellar Selection

Price $94

In recent years, Precious Mountain Vineyard has provided Bob Cabral with some of his most glorious fruit. Tremendous in flash and depth, it offers compelling flavors of raspberry and cherry, accented by sweet, smoky oak. There’s such complexity in the acid and tannin structure, and in the earthy, stony, spicy nuances, that you find something new to love with every… — S.H. (3/1/2013)

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Cayuse 2009 Widowmaker Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (OR))

Cellar Selection

Price $80

Using grapes sourced entirely from the En Chamberlin Vineyard, this pure Cabernet is deep, dark, focused and tight, with firm but velvety tannins and a perfect mix of cassis, coffee and earth. Even more than previous years, this vintage displays astonishing depth and power. Flavors of Serrano ham and other cured meats, plus a delicate saltiness and minerality keep… — P.G. (3/1/2013)

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Cayuse 2009 Armada Vineyard Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (OR))

Editors' Choice

Price $85

Dense and concentrated, this has thick, almost jammy blue and purple fruits, with a peppery highlight and an undercurrent of sweet grain. The palate is tight, featuring layers of cassis, ink, anise, coffee and iodine, with an earthy salinity that runs through the finish. The Armada is perhaps a bit less fruity and more austere than the other 2009 Cayuse Syrahs, but… — P.G. (3/1/2013)

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Williams Selyem 2010 Allen Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $50

This wine shows real first-growth quality in its intensity and concentration, with orange nectar, golden mango, pear, peach pie, buttercream, vanilla, buttered toast and spice flavors. The balance is exquisite, and the way the acids dance along the palate make the wine clean and lively. — S.H. (3/1/2013)

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Bründlmayer 2011 Zöbinger Heiligenstein Erste Lage Alte Reben Reserve Riesling (Kamptal)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $78

Bründlmayer’s flagship wine is made from old vines grown on the Heiligenstein hill. It is as intense as a great Riesling can be, a pure expression of steel, mineral and bitter orange and pineapple flavors. It has great structure and a ripe, concentrated character. This will age long and well. — R.V. (3/1/2013)

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Cayuse 2009 Camaspelo Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Walla Walla Valley (OR))

Cellar Selection

Price $75

The Camaspelo blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, and it shows a riot of juicy cranberry, raspberry, blueberry and black cherry flavors in a rambunctious display of power. Full, round and balanced, it offers hints of cedar, earth and coffee that extend onto the lush, complex, age-worthy finish. — P.G. (3/1/2013)

2009 Monte Pinadillo Ciranza

Black fruit, raisin and minerally aromas combine to create a formidable…

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