WINE SPECTATOR’s A sneak preview of the buying guide for the DEC. 31, 2009 – JAN. 15, 2010 issue Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year is the issue wine lovers anticipate, collect and refer to all year long. The 2009 Top 100 is revealed in this exciting year-end issue. Plus, don’t miss the best Champagnes and sparkling wines for the holidays!
Highly Recommended
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Donum Pinot Noir Carneros West Slope 2007 • $70
Captivating, with a core of pure, ripe raspberry and cherry flavors that are purely defined. The rich texture supports notes of clove, anise, truffle and aged cigar. Both elegant and powerful. The aromatics and the long finish leave you wanting more. Drink now through 2014.—M.W.
Reinhold Haart Riesling Spätlese Mosel Piesport Goldtröpfchen 2008 • $42
Haunting, with violet, black currant and slate aromas and flavors, all defined by the taut, racy structure. Light-weight, lean and intense, with a kaleidoscope of flavors on the expansive finish. Tensile. Best from 2014 through 2032.—B.S.
Argyle Chardonnay Willamette Valley Nuthouse 2007 • $35
Robert Eymael (Mönchhof) Riesling Spätlese Mosel Ürzig Würzgarten 2008 • $27
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Bright and lively, delivering a silky-textured mouthful of pear, grapefruit and cream aromas and flavors, lingering with a hint of walnut on the refined finish. Drink now through 2012.—H.S.
Rich, vibrant and spicy, with peach, nectarine and mineral aromas and flavors unfolding with grace and intensity. There’s a piquant liveliness, and this ends long and satisfying. Drink now through 2028.—B.S.
Collectibles
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Aubert Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast UV Vineyard 2007 • $80
Spicy baked cherry pie, plum and wild berry aromas turn elegant and refined. Full-bodied, but not weighty, allowing the rich flavors to dance on the palate, ending with a long, lingering finish. Drink now through 2015.—J.L.
Vincent & Sophie Morey Chassagne-Montrachet Les Caillerets 2007 • $83
An enticing mix of apricot, hazelnut, lime and stone aromas and flavors highlight this expressive white Burgundy, which is vibrant, yet has grip, with a chalky, minerally essence on the finish. Shows excellent balance and harmony. Best from 2011 through 2021.—B.S.
Smart Buys
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Adelsheim Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2007 • $22
Bright and focused, this elegant wine offers layers of peach, pear and citrus flavors on a sleek, racy frame. Very pretty. Drink now through 2011.—H.S.
A sneak preview of the buying guide for the DEC. 31, 2009 – JAN. 15, 2010 issue
Smart Buys (continued)
Bernard Baudry Chinon Les Granges 2007 • $15
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Forward, but with a dark, brawny edge, as braised fig and maduro tobacco notes lead the way. There’s currant, toast and dark coffee hints in reserve, followed by a fresh, olive- and mineral-driven finish. Drink now through 2011.—J.M.
Chehalem Pinot Gris Willamette Valley 3 Vineyard 2008 • $19
This is light and bright, with a creamy edge to the flavors of lemon and melon, finishing with a hint of spice. Drink now.—H.S.
Domaine de Pallus Chinon Les Pensées de Pallus 2007 • $21
Fresh and bright, with nice cut to the tobacco, green olive and mineral notes that weave through the core of sappy, pure kirsch and plum fruit flavors. The finish is bright and lengthy. Drink now through 2011.—J.M.
WillaKenzie Pinot Gris Willamette Valley 2008 • $20
This bright, juicy white offers flavors of pineapple and melon that persist into the finish, which is long and vivid. Drink now.—H.S.
O’Reilly’s Pinot Noir Oregon 2008 • $17
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Light, tight, focused and juicy with lively acidity, this has bright cherry and pomegranate fruit that sings easily through the finish. Drink now through 2014.—H.S.
Peter Lehmann Clancy’s Barossa 2006 • $16
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Firm in texture, with a fine balance of dark berry and spice. Lingers nicely, with hints of tomato and herb on the finish. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2014.—H.S.
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Cave de Rasteau Côtes du Rhône-Villages Rasteau La Domelière 2008 • $15
This fresh red has nice drive, as the core of raspberry and red cherry fruit is pushed by graphite, mint and spice notes. There’s a silky feel on the finish. Drink now.—J.M.
Best Values
Loosen Bros. Riesling QbA Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Dr. L 2008 • $12
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Sleek and tangy, showing apricot, lime and mango flavors matched to a lively structure. Shows good harmony and persistence through the finish. Drink now through 2018.—B.S.
Acrobat Pinot Gris Oregon 2008 • $12
Light and juicy, delivering lively pear, honeydew and spice aromas and flavors that linger nicely. Drink now.—H.S.
Columbia Crest Two Vines Vineyard 10 Red Washington 2007 • $8
Plush and polished. Not a big wine, but applies pillowy tannins around a core of dark berry and sassafras flavors. Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Drink now.—H.S.
Big House Pink California 2008 • $10
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Though not deep or complex—and a hint sweet—this is fun, with spicy cherry and licorice notes. Syrah, Charbono, Grenache, Tannat, Zinfandel, Barbera, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Cinsault, Sagrantino and Petit Verdot. Drink now.—T.F.
Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast Selected Vineyards 2007 • $10
Aromas of cola, raspberry and dried currant firm up on the palate, with hints of complexity, but this ends with a clipped finish. Drink now through 2012.—J.L.
Goats do Roam Wine Company Goats do Roam White Western Cape 2009 • $10
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Soft and open, with pretty flavors of peach, anise and honeysuckle, followed by a rounded finish. Drink now.—J.M.
Initials at the end of each tasting note indicate the Wine Spectator editor who blind-tasted and scored the wine and wrote the review. The tasters are as follows: James Laube (J.L.); Kim Marcus (K.M.); Thomas Matthews (T.M.); James Molesworth (J.M.); Bruce Sanderson (B.S.); Harvey Steiman (H.S.); James Suckling (J.S.); Tim Fish (T.F.); Alison Napjus (A.N.); MaryAnn Worobiec (M.W.).
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