Top 100 Cellar Selections 2012

7/31/2019 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2012

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1 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | MONTH 2011

PHOTOC

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EDIT

WineMag.com | 2

PHOTOJ

ONVANGORDER

Austria 4

France 21Italy 20

Portugal 10

United States 36

Other:

Argentina 1Australia 2

Chile 2

Germany 2

South Africa 1

Spain 1

BREAKDOWN BY COUNTRY

78Dry RedWines

13Dry White

Wines

3Sparkling

Wines

6DessertWines

$117.02AveragePrice

95.22AverageRating

THE BEST COLLECTIBLESREVIEWED THIS YEAR.

BY THE EDITORS OF WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE

By and large, American culture is obsessed with the present, oten avoring

instant gratifcation over distant pleasure. But theres a real beauty and

deeper sense o appreciation to purchasing a wine upon release and

properly storing it until just the right moment in time. Its an experience

that requires patience, but one that should not be overlooked or underestimated.

Although most wine lovers are aware o the potential benefts o aging c ertain

special bottles, more than 80% o wines are consumed within 48 hours o being

purchased, and over 95% are consumed within the next six months. Overall, con-

sumers seem to have a hard time playing the waiting game.

Thats where we at Wine Enthusiasthope to help. We know its not easyorcheapto keep a cellar stocked with selections worthy o uture enjoyment. But

we also know that some o the best wines in the world deserve a little love in the

cellar. With that in mind, our editors have

culled through the wines designated as

Cellar Selections in the magazine this

year, and have chosen the 100 fnest can-

didates to lay down.

In the interest o diversity, we chose

bottlings that span many countries and

varieties, though its no surprise that

many o the best cellaring wines come

rom established regions and top vin-

tages. Many o these wines are o limit-

ed production, and just like wines on our

other Top 100 lists, some may have sold

out or increased in price since our initialreviews were published.

Lets talk about price. This list empha-

sizes quality over value, including many

reputable, top-dollar selections with

price tags that should not surprise se-

rious collectors and afcionados. But

in the spirit o Wine Enthusiast, we still

considered price and availability. Re-

gardless o your location or wallet,

these are wines that you can collect

and enjoy.
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3 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | DECEMBER 2012

CELLAR SELECTIONS 2012

CLICK ON THE LABELS FOR MORE INFORMATION

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WineMag.com

98Marchesi Antinori 2008 Guado al Tasso(Bolgheri Superiore). Heres a wow wine

on every level, with incredible intensity and supple sot-ness that builds momentum over many long minutes. Asweet cherry note at the core is surrounded by lush lay-ers o tobacco, dark chocolate and spice, which promiseto evolve graceully over years to come. Ste. Michelle

Wine Estates. M.L.abv: 14% Price: $102

2

98Pirouette 2008Red Wine (Columbia Val-ley). A stunning Pirouette63% Cabernet

Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 6%Petit Verdot. Full and magnicently rich, it is loaded

with dense and thrilling ruit favors o black cherry andcassis. A streak o iron and a hint o citrus keep the wineevolving through a long, beautiully balanced nish. Re-tasted ater being open or 24 hours, the wine was as

resh and thrilling as on the rst day. P.G.abv: 14.6% Price: $50

3

98Chteau Loville-Barton 2009 Saint-Julien. A major success o the vintage. The

wine exhibits extreme richness o its ruit, with its sweetblackberry favor. It also has underlying rm structure,

density and solid tannins. Bring in the acidity at theend, and this is both impressive and ready or long-termaging. R.V.abv: 13.9% Price: $135

95Ridge 2009Estate Monte Bello VineyardCabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz Moun-

tains). This Cabernet-Merlot blend is packed withblackberry and crme de cassis favors, with a rm min-erality. With the weight o the midpalate and the long,spicy nish, its especially attractive, although its alsoquite tannic. The only dierence between this EstateMonte Bello Cabernet and Ridges Monte Bello EstateCabernet ($150; note the dierence in the placemento estate) is that the winemaker selected lots rom the

vineyard that were considered more accessible, whichin this case means more luscious. Despite its many

charms, the wine should age or a long time. S.H.abv: 13.8% Price: $40

5

97Capanna 2007 Brunello di Montalcino.Capannas oering in 2007 is extremely bold,

dark and opulent. Loads o aromatic momentum in theorm o blackberry, cherry liqueur, spice, leather, tobac-co, rum cake, cinnamon, vanilla bean and bitter choco-late characterize the bouquet. The wine also shows asot, ripe, generous texture, yet remains well-containedand balanced. Masciarelli Wine Co. M.L.abv: 15% Price: $55

6

96Brndlmayer 2010

Zbinger Heiligen-stein Erste Lage Alte Reben ReserveRiesling (Kamptal). A superb wine, the product oa great vineyard site and old vines. The wine is concen-trated, very rich, beautiully balanced between con-siderable acidity and sweet white ruits and mandarinoranges. With its tense, edgy texture, it is a wine that

will age or many years. Michael Skurnik Wines. R.V.abv: 13.5% Price: $80

798

Quilceda Creek 2009 Cabernet Sauvi-gnon (Columbia Valley). A bold, muscular,

striking wine with nerves o steel, this oers a dense,demanding array o black ruit threaded with veins oespresso, smoke, tar, tobacco and iron. As it bursts withexotic barrel favor, the ruit seems a bit buried, but timeater time these wines unold over the course o decadesinto glorious maturity. These are arguably the most

long-lived and cellarworthy wines in Washingtoninot in the entire country. P.G.abv: 15.2% Price: $135

96Louis Jadot 2009 Corton-Pougets. Agorgeously rich wine, powered by tannins but

just as importantly by ripe berry ruit and crisp acid-ity. Smoky wood favors blend with juicy ruit, poweruldark tannins and an intensely resh nish. Age or seven

years or more. Kobrand. R.V.abv: 13.5% Price: $110

9

96Evening Land 2010Seven Springs Vine-yard Summum Chardonnay (Eola-Amity

Hills). This sets a high standard or Oregon Chardon-nay. Bright and snappy, yet deep and concentrated, itsa symphony o lemon, citrus, stone and tropical ruits,

well-dierentiated yet perectly integrated. The ex-traordinary length and precise ocus, along with theoverall balance and structure, suggest that this shouldimprove or many years to come. P.G.abv: 13.1% Price: $90

10

95Longoria 2009 Fe Ciega Vineyard PinotNoir (Sta. Rita Hills). A top-rank Pinot Noir,

this is dry, silky and elegant, with moderate alcohol de-spite great richness. The favors o cherries, cola, plumsand herbs are simply delicious, while the structure dis-plays great integrity o acids and tannins. A bit tightnow in youth, it should unold over the next eight years.I you pop the cork now, give it a ew hours o airing.

S.H.abv: 14.2% Price: $48
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WineMag.com

96Dr. Pauly Bergweiler 2009 Bernkastel-er Johannisbrnnchen Riesling Eiswein

(Mosel). This eiswein is supersweet, yet remains de-cently balanced, thanks to a laser beam o bright acidity.Ater an initial hint o volatility, the favors o preservedcitrus and stone ruits are almost painul in their inten-sity, so sip it in small doses and savor the nearly endlessnish. Winesellers Ltd. J.C.abv: 7% Price: $95/375 ml

1295 Quinta do Vale Meo 2009Red (Douro).With its concentration and dark tannins, this isa wine that will need many years o aging. It is a seriouscombination o great style and great power. From oneo the top Douro vineyards, this is a wine with an im-pressive, long-lasting sense o presence. Deutsch Fam-ily Wine & Spirits. R.V.abv: 14.5% Price: $75

13

97Luce della Vite 2007 Brunello di Mon-talcino. Luce della Vite opens with an opulent,

generous style and is packed with black cherry, blackcurrant, cola, leather and pipe tobacco. This is a plush,rich and deeply textured wine, with plenty o intensityand staying power. It shows dense tannins with a toucho youthul astringency. Age 10more years. Folio Fine

Wine Partners. M.L.abv: 14.5% Price: $93

14

96Maison Bleue 2010 Gravire Upland

Vineyard Mourvdre-Syrah-Grenache(Snipes Mountain District). Clover, white pepper,and a whi o animal make this blend o 75% Mourv-

dre, 20% Syrah and 5% Grenache compelling now, butits certainly a wine to cellar. The aromas move througha spectrum o fower, spice, ruit and animal. It alreadydisplays tremendous length and superb aging potential.P.G.abv: 14.5% Price: $45

97Chteau Troplong Mondot 2009 Saint-milion. A very concentrated wine with such

a stylish eel. It balances ripe berry ruits with chocolateand wood favors in the richest, ripest combination. The

wine has power, without losing its poised character. Itsready or long aging. R.V.abv: 15.5% Price: $170

16

96Pia 2009Ames Vine-yard Cabernet Sauvi-

gnon (Oakville). A vital, o-cused Cabernet, this shows thesheer classiness o Oakville in itsconcentrated blackberry andblack currant favors. Its seem-ingly sweet and dry at the sametime, and the tannins, which areextraordinarily thick, are ne andpure. Irresistably delicious now,this changes in the glass by thesecond. It suggests it wants sometime in the cellar, so drink now2021. S.H.abv: 15% Price: $85

17

95Ca Marcanda 2007

Promis (Toscana).From the Tuscan estate o Angelo Gaja, Promisdelivers all the gorgeous intensity and complexity youshould expect. The wine oozes notes o dark chocolate,cherry liqueur, spice, blackberry and moist tobacco.The moutheel is sot, smooth and absolutely delicious.Terlato Wines International. M.L.abv: 14% Price: $50

1894

Herdade do Esporo 2008 TN TourigaNacional (Alentejano). A superb example o

the quality o Touriga Nacional. This wine combines therichness o the hot Alentejo sun with the sophisticatedstructure o the grape. Big, juicy and richly ruity as wellas perumed and elegant. Age it or at least 23years.Esporo Wines & Olive Oils. R.V.abv: 14.5% Price: $35

95Sierra Cantabria 2009 Finca El Bosque(Rioja). El Bosque is an Eguren amily top-

shel Rioja thats a knockout. Its dark as night, withdusty aromas o cola, cocoa, marzipan, blackberry andspice all rolled into a nessed whole. It eels tight asa drum but balanced, with monstrous favors o boy-senberry, cassis, peppercorn, baking spice and choco-late. Young and raring to go; hold until 2013, then drinkthrough 2018. Fine Estates From Spain. M.S.abv: 14.5% Price: $170

2097

Gandona 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon(Napa Valley). A dramatic wine, this is rich,

ull bodied and incredibly complex, laced with noteso ripe, sweet blackberries and crme de cassis, witha spirituous heat rom relatively high alcohol. Its pedi-gree is clear throughout the entire tasting experience.This is a really gorgeous Cabernet, showing renementand grace, but it is very tannic. Give it at least 10years.S.H.

abv: 15.1% Price: $190

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96Tenuta Argentiera 2008 Argentiera (Bol-gheri Superiore). Heres a beautiul, rich and

chocolaty blend o Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot andCabernet Franc, with plush layers o sweet cherry, Indi-an spice, tobacco and espresso. It is amazingly rich andlong lasting, with silky, supple tannins at the very end.Keep it in your cellar 10years or more, or drink it now.Eurobiz Inc. M.L.abv: 14.5% Price: $75

22

96

Gramercy Cellars 2009 Lagniappe Syr-

ah (Columbia Valley). This has astonishingdepth o favor, with dense black ruits marbled with
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CLICK ON THE LABELS FOR MORE INFORMATION WineMag.com

notes o smoked meat, clove, balsamic and an earthyfavor. It is a wine to savor and cellar. P.G.abv: 13.7% Price: $45

2394

Alain Brumont 2007 Chteau Montus(Madiran). This is a legendary Madiran, with

its ruit tannins just sotened by wood aging. Its smoky,brooding, very concentrated and worth aging or 10

years. Verity Wine Partners. R.V.abv: 14.5% Price: $35

24

95Marimar Estate 2008Cristina Don Miguel

Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Val-ley). The winery held this back an additional six monthsater their other 2008Pinots were released, presumablyto let it become integrated. Still, its quite tannic, with a

sandpaper-like toughness. Despite the astringency, themassive wild-cherry, cola, mushroom and anise favorscome through. Its a huge wine, eral and untamedquite exquisite in its wildness. So delicious now, itshard to resist, but the wise collector will cellar it or 45

years, maybe even longer. S.H.abv: 14.5% Price: $49

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95Bergstrm 2009 Bergstrm Vineyard Pi-not Noir (Dundee Hills). Sourced entirely

rom the biodynamic estate vineyard, this extraordinarywine delivers compact, complex, detailed aromas andfavors in perect proportion. The blueberry and cherryruit is wreathed in dried herbs and fowers. Fourteenmonths in French oak, roughly hal new, adds a threado vanilla bean. Loads o dried extract, polished tanninsand a moist earth note bring in more nuances. P.G.abv: 14.1% Price: $81

26

96Corte Pavone 2007Brunello di Montalci-no. This dark Brunello opens with thick con-

centration and balsam notes o cola, humus and euca-lyptus. Despite the thick extraction, the berry aromasare delicate, with lingering wild raspberry and orestruit. The wine shows a nice juxtaposition between itsbold, masculine side and an elegant eminine one. Themoutheel is bold, plush and powerul. HeyDay Corpo-ration. M.L.abv: 14.5% Price: $75

2794

Quinta da Romaneira 2008Tinto (Douro).Since we last reviewed a vintage o Romanei-

ra, with the 2005wine, the estate has moved closer torealizing its potential. This is an impressive, powerul

yet elegant wine. Its dark ruits are sustained by woodand leavened by acidity. It has a great sense o style andconsiderable aging potential. Southern Wine and Spir-its. R.V.abv: 13.5% Price: $40

28

96Duckhorn 2008Patzimaro Vineyard Cab-ernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley). Huge, rich

and famboyant, this has a sweetness at its corelikethe essence o red and black currants, with an elaboratenote o caramel imparted rom smoky oak. Yet every-

thing about it is utterly and properly dry. The vineyard isin St. Helena, not quite in the Spring Mountain appel-lation, yet it shows the ruit concentration and rm tan-nins o mountain-grown grapes. Just a stupendous wine;try ater 2016. S.H.abv: 14.5% Price: $95

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98Domaine Leaive 2009 Bienvenues B-tard-Montrachet. With its concentrated yel-

low ruits, this is already a powerul wine. It is packedwith acidity, toast, peach favors and minerality, startingout as a gorgeously rich wine rom a ripe vintage. Ocourse, it will age over many years; open in 10years.

Wilson Daniels Ltd. R.V.abv: 13.5% Price: $410

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96Gianni Voerzio 2007La Serra (Barolo). Astunning wine with amazing intensity and a very

distinct personality, this has aromas o ripe ruit, leather,tobacco, cola, dried ginger and cigar box. The mouth-eel is very long, smooth and velvety. Age this wine 1015more years. Superior Wines LLC. M.L.abv: 14.5% Price: $125

31

96Seven Hills 2009Pentad Red Wine (WallaWalla Valley). This is a blend o 57% Caber-

net Sauvignon, 21% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc,7% Malbec and 7% Merlot. A masterpiece o blending,it has myriad pinpoint details: rom the nose o fow-ers and berries to the mouthlling mlange o red andblack ruits to the nishing highlights o pepper andAsian spice. A precise, complex, elegant and powerul

Pentad with tremendous length, it represents the pin-nacle o vintner Casey McClellans 25years o wine-making. P.G.abv: 14.5% Price: $75

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95Chteau Giscours 2009 Margaux. Dark

and structured, this is a rm wine. It has asmoky wood character, with powerul tannins set overintensely ripe ruit. Acidity and sweetness balance togive a dense wine, powered with richness and destinedto age or many years. R.V.abv: 13% Price: $69
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WineMag.com

95La Jota Vineyard 2009 Merlot (HowellMountain). The tannins are so erce on this

baby Cabernet that they eectively lock it down andmake it tough to drink now. Yet theres a abulous coreo blackberries that are rich, ripe and intense. Every-thing about it suggests ageability. Give it at least eight

years in a proper cellar, and it could age even longer.S.H.abv: 14.8% Price: $55

34

98Valdicava 2006Madonna del Piano Riser-va (Brunello di Montalcino). This beautiul

Riserva shows enormous thickness and blackness, likemidnight o a new moon. The wine delivers impene-trable density, extraction, black ruit, spice, berry pre-serves, licorice, asphalt, ground black pepper, cherry li-queur and crme de cassis. There are seemingly no lim-

its to the intensity and complexity here. The moutheelis dense, plush, rmly structured and very long. Keepthis Brunello saely in your cellar 20years or more. Vi-niera Imports. M.L.abv: 14% Price: $275

35

98

Chteau Loville Las Cases 2009 Saint-

Julien. A beautiully structured wine, with itstannins layered between the ripest black plums, dam-sons and black currants. It is opulent while remainingdense, concentrated and very serious. Certainly a wineor long-term aging. R.V.abv: 13.8% Price: $360

36

96

Taylor Fladgate 2009Vintage Porto. Tay-

lor Fladgates vintage Ports are always amongthe legendary wines. This hugely structured wine keepsthe dense, perumed tradition very much alive. Along

with the power, it also has wonderul ruit, burstingout with blackberry jam. Even with all the ruitiness, itneeds to age or decades. Kobrand. R.V.abv: 20.5% Price: $99

37

97Leonetti Cellar 2009Cabernet Sauvignon(Walla Walla Valley). This is the best bottling

o a very ne lineup rom Leonetti. Dense, textural andcomplex, it showcases exceptional blending o favorsrom the addition o just 7% Merlot, 4% Carmenreand 1% Malbec. Notes o plum, cassis, coee grounds,dark chocolate and a hint o herb run through a com-plete and engaging nish, retaining both elegance andpower. P.G.abv: 14.6% Price: $88

38

97Fattoria Petrolo 2001San Petrolo (Tusca-ny). In a league with Italys best dessert wines,

San Petrolo is a superrich and concentrated wine thatalmost has a hard time pouring out o the bottle. The

wine does indeed have the consistency o maple syrup,

with a deep brown color and gorgeous aromas o toast-ed almond, chestnut honey, crme caramel and crmebrle. Vintus LLC. M.L.abv: 11% Price: $60/375 ml

39

96Rochioli 2010 West Block Pinot Noir(Russian River Valley).We can quibble over

whether the cherries are red or black, or i its persim-mons or pomegranates, or i the mushrooms are reshor sauted, but thats the point. This wine is so complex,it initiates discussion. Fine acidity and rich tannins pro-

vide structure, and although the wine is silky enough toenjoy now, you really want to give it 68years. S.H.abv: 14.5% Price: $100

4098

Chteau Palmer 2009 Margaux. A beauti-ul wine, with the rmest tannins surrounded

by perumed ruit. It is dense, o course, but this den-sity is balanced with great elegance, blackberry ruits,sweetness and nal juicy acidity. The wine is structured,a powerhouse o concentration while preserving thiscomplete style. R.V.abv: 13.9% Price: $380

41

95Elvio Cogno 2007Cascina Nuova (Baro-lo). Elvio Cogno and his son-in-law have

worked tirelessly since 1990to uncover the best expres-sions o Nebbiolo rom their hillside vineyards. This

is gorgeous, showing power, intensity and complexity.Aromas include cassis, ginger, cola and crushed granite.It is nely textured and very long on the nish. Drinkater 2018. Vias Imports. M.L.abv: 14.5% Price: $50

42

94Clarendon Hills 2008

Astralis Syrah(Clarendon). A step up rom the other Syrahsin the 2008Clarendon Hills lineup, the Astralis is rm-ly tannic and should be long-lived. The masses o richblack-cherry ruit are amply ramed by cedary oak with-out ever being overwhelmed, with the ruit persistingon the long nish. Try around 2018. E & J Gallo. J.C.abv: 14.5% Price: $225
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7 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | DECEMBER 2012 WineMag.com



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94Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin 2004 Brut(Champagne). One o the best vintages since

the great 2002, this is a sophisticated, ruit- and yeast-driven wine. It has a delicate touch, with its white ruitfavors well integrated into the toasty and tangy texture.It will age or many more years. Mot Hennessy USA.R.V.abv: 12% Price: $89

44

95Renteria 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon(Stags Leap District). This remarkable Cab-

ernet was grown and produced by a longtime Mexican-American immigrant. It is an extraordinary wine, richand ull-bodied, explosive in sweetly ripe blackberries,cherries and black currants, yet given rmness by a rmminerality that must come rom the soil. Denes AndrTchelistches description o Stags Leap Cabernets asan iron st in a velvet glove. Drink now2020. S.H.abv: 14.8% Price: $60

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94Tenuta delle Terre Nere 2008 Guardiola(Etna). From what may well be the most beau-

tiul vineyard in Italy comes this gorgeous expressiono elegance and power. Guardiola is a tiny plot on theslopes o Mount Etna with blackened soils, majesticruit trees and religious shrines peppered between a

jungle o gnarled grapevines. The wine delivers a steadystream o wild berry and mineral nuances, all backed bya rm, drying moutheel. A Marc de Grazia selection;

various American importers. M.L.abv: 14% Price: $40

46

94

Brittan Vineyards 2009 Basalt Block Pi-

not Noir (Willamette Valley). The ourthvintage or Brittans elegant Basalt Block Pinot Noir isarguably the nest yet. Tangy and pure, with an immac-ulate, expressive cherry favor, it has great purity, withgreat depth o favor and vivid minerality. Its a beauti-ully crated wine, sure to continue to improve over adecade or more. P.G.abv: 14.3% Price: $45

47

99Chteau Latour 2009Pauillac. This is a big,powerul wine that sums up the richness o the

vintage. It is densely ruity and spicy, with an enormousblack-plum and berry ruit character to go with the acid-ity. Its concentrated while still showing such wonder-ully pure ruit. The aging potential is immense. R.V.abv: 12.5% Price: $2300

48

94Quinta do Crasto 2009 Reserva Vinhas

Velhas (Douro). Old vines in this case meansan average age o 70years, rom a vineyard that is a mixo dierent varieties. The result is impressive and veryforal, with notes o sweet black ruit, licorice and theripest o tannins. Age this wine or 56years. Broad-bent Selections, Inc. R.V.abv: 14.5% Price: $43

49

95Tua Rita 2008Giusto di Notri (Toscana).This abulous blend o Cabernet Sauvignon,

Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot delivers loadso plush sotness and succulent richness. Aromas ochocolate, ripe ruit and spice are distinct and clear, andthe wine shows compelling complexity and intensityoverall. Winebow. M.L.abv: 14.5% Price: $80

50

95W.H. Smith 2009Bill and Joans SpecialSelection Maritime Pinot Noir (Sonoma

Coast). A gorgeous evocation o Pinot Noir. Pours palein color and translucent, suggesting it is not a heavy ruitbomb, and indeed it is not. Feels as light as a cloud,

yet with intense favors o red stone ruits, bacon andspices, and that eral, wild orest quality you get romthe best Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs. Bone dry, but sosweet in ruit and cedar, with wonderul acidity. Superbnow, ater decanting, and should develop over the next68years. S.H.abv: 13.6% Price: $60

51

96Betz Family 2009Pre de Famille Caber-net Sauvignon (Columbia Valley). A por-

tion o the Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced rom vinesplanted in 1973, with additions o 10% Petit Verdot and8% Merlot. Its an exceptionally ne-tuned blend, withpinpoint ruit favors, sappy acids and complementarybarrel notes. The classic structure, which is the hallmarko all Betz wines, suggests a long lie ahead. P.G.abv: 14.6% Price: $65

52

95Domaine Jean-Paul et Benot Droin 2010Les Clos Grand Cru (Chablis). This is taut

and mineral, with hidden power. Its very closed at thisstage. Its a wine with acidity and notes o green ruitsand crisp apples, with just a touch o wood. This will ageor many years. European Cellars. R.V.abv: 13% Price: $70
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95Arnaldo Caprai 2007 25 Anni (Sagranti-no di Montealco). One o the top, i not the

top, red wines rom Umbria. The naturally tannic Sa-grantino grape is sotened by the careul oak aging thatadds layers o chocolate and spice to the grapes aromaso black cherry, tobacco and leather. This is bold, pow-erul, masculine and velvety on the nish. Pair it withstewed or grilled meat marinated in rosemary and gar-lic. Age this in a cellar or 10years or longer. Folio Fine

Wine Partners. M.L.

abv: 15% Price: $100

54

96Montagna 2009La Presa One South Cab-ernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley). Absolutely

delicious and a joy to drink, this tastes like ne black-berry preserves spread onto buttered whole-wheattoast, sprinkled with cinnamon and black pepper. De-spite the rich sweetness, the nish is bone dry. But thetannins are considerable, giving the moutheel a urryastringency. This elegant, pure, young Cabernet shouldbegin to open in 10years. S.H.abv: 14.9% Price: $125

55

96Chteau Lynch-Bages 2009 Pauillac. Adense, immense, solidly powerul wine. The

ripest ruit overfows, paralleling the dark, solid tannins.As so oten, Lynch-Bages is a blockbuster, dark and con-centrated, with immense aging potential. R.V.abv: 13.5% Price: $195

56

93Bodega Norton 2009Privada (Mendoza).

Solid and brimming with more potential than itsdisplaying, this Bordeaux-style blend o Malbec, Merlotand Cabernet Sauvignon starts with aromas o grahamcracker, lush berry and pastry. It eels perectly ramedby acidity and tannins, with spicy, complex blackberryand cassis favors. Toasty and a mile long on the nish,drink this rom 20142020. T.G.I.C. Importers. M.S.abv: 14.8% Price: $23

5794

Dao Sul 2009Casa de Santar Conde deSantar (Do). The aristocratic estate o Santar

produces some o the most elegant wines in the Do.The 2009vintage adds richness to a deep, complex andpowerul wine, which is ull o dark plum and damsonfavors, rounded by wood aging. Age or 34 years.HGC Imports. R.V.abv: 14.5% Price: $46

58

98Casanova di Neri 2006 Cerretalto(Brunello di Montalcino). Cerretalto deliv-

ers aromas o natural complexity and oak-driven toneso cinnamon, clove, chocolate and exotic spice. The ruitis dark, dense and ripe. Theres extra roundness anddensity in the mouth that holds together the wines rmtannins and its crisp, acidic component. Hold 1020

more years. Dalla Terra Winery Direct. M.L.abv: 14.5% Price: $215

59

95Nearious Cellars 2009 Rocky Mother

Vineyard Syrah (Columbia Valley). Thisunique Syrah vineyard is located at the northwesternedge o the Columbia Valley American ViticulturalArea. Exotic, silky and compelling, the aromas and fa-

vors combine gorgeously sleek berry favors with a oun-dation o liquid rock (hence the vineyard name). Sup-

ple, authoritative and long, it gathers both strength andsubtlety as it breathes. P.G.abv: 14.8% Price: $42

6096

Groth 2008Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon(Oakville). A huge Cabernet, in the best sense

o the word. It wasnt the easiest vintage, as 2007was,but meticulous winemaking did the job, resulting in thisamazingly rich, impressively ripe wine thats drinkablenow and will develop or many years. The ruits veertoward blackberries, cherries and cola, and the tanninsare sot and rened. One hundred percent new French

oak isnt at all heavy, lending nuances o buttered toastand sweet wood tannins. Will easily age or 15 years.S.H.abv: 14.9% Price: $125

61

94Henri Bourgeois 2010 Jadis (Sancerre).One o the top wines rom Henri Bourgeois,

this is rich and age worthy. Its green and white ruitspush through a concentrated structure to give a dense

wine with ripeness and great elegance. Monsieur Tou-ton Selection Ltd. R.V.abv: 13.5% Price: $50

62

95Massolino 2007Margheria (Barolo). Mas-solino delivers a beautiul Barolo with delicate,

silky strokes o small berry, white pepper, asphalt, tar,smoke and cured meat. On the palate, it shows, power,smooth tannins and excellent length. Pair this with roastpork and baked prune. Domaine Select Wine Estates.M.L.abv: 14.5% Price: $95

6395 Chteau Canon la Gaelire 2009Saint-milion. One o the peculiarities o Saint-milions classication is that Canon la Gaelire is notclassed in the top rung; as this wine shows, it producessuperb wines. This is ripe while so elegant, with greatintensity and sweet perumes. R.V.abv: 14% Price: $110
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64

94Tendril 2009 Pinot Noir (Willamette Val-ley). Deep, rm and concentrated, this gor-

geous wine has the muscularity o Cabernet, but theplush, velvet elegance o Pinot Noir. Youthul and rich,it has deep ruit favors o blackberry and black cherry,

with barrel notes o coee, chocolate and anise. Full,smooth and supple, it is certainly among the best o theOregon 2009s. P.G.abv: 14.3% Price: $48

65

95Hanzell 2009 Chardonnay (Sonoma Val-ley). A tremendous Chardonnay. As always, the

winerys 09 is bone dry, crisply acidic and minerally.You might call it austere at this point, with its tart n-ish o graperuit. But a great Hanzell Chardonnay willimprove or at least a decade, possible two, and this is agreat Hanzell Chardonnay. The score refects what the

wine likely will be approximately eight years down theroad. S.H.abv: 14.5% Price: $75

66

95Alain Jaume et Fils 2009Domaine Grand

Veneur Vieilles Vignes (Chteauneu-du-Pape). A prodigious eort, the 2009Vieilles Vignesrom Grand Veneur includes a whopping 40% Mourv-dre in the blend (theres also 10% Syrah, with the bal-

ance being Grenache), which no doubt accounts or itsdark favor prole. This is a ull-bodied, lushly textured,expansive wine, with a nish that seems to go on orever.Approachable now, it should age well or 1012years atleast. Kysela Pre et Fils. J.C.abv: 15.5% Price: $121

67

94Cartuxa 2009Pra-Manca Branco (Alen-tejo). One o Portugals legendary wines, this

white Pra-Manca is beautiully round and ripe, withnotes o apricot, toast and an intense series o ruit andherb favors. It has concentration, while also showinggreat elegance and impressive aging potential. Drink intwo years, but also age or ve. Tri-Vin Imports. R.V.abv: 13.5% Price: $33

68

93Markus Huber 2011 Engelreich Riesling(Traisental). From the single vineyard Engel-

reichwhich translates to the angels kingdomthis isrich, with a concentration o perumed ruit and intenselayers o minerality. It has spice, kiwi and pink grape-ruit favors. This is a wine that needs to age or several

years. Screwcap. Circo Vino. R.V.abv: 12.5% Price: $25

69

95Mark Ryan 2009 Long Haul Merlot-Cabernet Franc-Malbec-Petit Verdot (Red

Mountain). A blend o 64% Merlot and 27% CabernetFranc, with splashes o Malbec and Petit Verdot, this isbuilt or the long haul. Raspberries, cherries and richchocolate notes run through this ne-tuned, ocused

wine. Its deep, elegant and penetrating, with a show-stopping layer o pure mineral that is so powerul theruit seems soaked in rock. P.G.abv: 14.8% Price: $48

7096

Capezzana 2005 Riserva (Vin Santo diCarmignano). This gorgeous Vin Santo rom

the Carmignano subzone o Tuscany is made with 90%Trebbiano and 10% Sancolombano. With a luscious,dark amber color, this sweet wine oers smooth, longtones o raisin, dried apricot, honey and toasted nut. Itsa true masterpiece with amazing intensity and complex-ity. Mionetto USA. M.L.abv: 14% Price: $55/375 ml

71

96Chteau Pichon Longueville 2009 Pauil-lac.With a structure that runs between acidity

and dark smoky tannins, this is a wine with potential op-ulence. Its very rich in character, dense and dark. Theblack plum favors are dominant, along with excellent

acidity. For the long-term. R.V.abv: 13.5% Price: $200

72

95Martin Ray 2007Synthesis (Napa Valley).A terric wine, smooth, complex and age wor-

thy. Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon rom Diamond Moun-

tain, it shows mountain intensity o ruit, with a moltencore o blackberries and black currants. The tannins arebig, yet smooth and rened in the modern style.The n-ish is elaborate with notes o ruits and spices. A monu-

There have been manyexperiments throughout history

aimed at creating an artifcially

accelerated aging process

or wine, including exposure

to high-voltage electricity

and ultrasonic waves. Wine

critics have yet to meet these

techniques with enthusiasticreviews.
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ment to what this ne winery can achieve at the top lev-el. Hold until 2015, ater which it should provide greatdrinking or additional years. S.H.abv: 14.2% Price: $75

73

94Girolamo Russo 2008 San Lorenzo(Etna). One o the ultimate expressions o

Etna, San Lorenzo is an elegant, determined and so-phisticated wine, with a steady stream o delicate aro-maswild berry, crushed granite, smoke and colathat build in momentum and evolve beautiully overtime. The moutheel is rm and structured, with pol-

ished tannins and a bright berry endnote. Panebianco.M.L.abv: 14.5% Price: $55

74

93Geyerho 2010 Kirchensteig Erste LageReserve Riesling (Kremstal). One o a se-

ries o great single-vineyard wines rom Geyerho, this

is as impressive as the rest. It has weight, complexity andrichness. Its perumed ruits provide a delicate counter-point to the acidity, taut minerality and herbal edge. Foraging over at least ve years. Martin Scott Wines. R.V.abv: 12.5% Price: $40

75

95Niepoort 2009Vintage Port. A powerul, al-most black-colored Port. It has the richness o

the vintage allied to ripe blackberry favors, and a min-eral, tannic structure. Its great ruit makes it almostdrinkable now, but aging will add so many more dimen-sions. Martines Wines. R.V.abv: 20.5% Price: $90

76

95Domaine de Chevalier 2009 Blanc (Pes-sac-Lognan). An impeccable wine, this is so

nely balanced between its rich ruits and structure.With its seamless character, i t oers both ne acidity,green and white ruit and an undertow o wood aging.This is a wine or long-term aging. R.V.abv: NA Price: $115

77

95Schramsberg 2005 J. Schram (Napa-Mendocino-Sonoma-Marin).

This our-county blend is a selection o what the winemakersconsider their best lots o the vintage. Made rom 86%Chardonnay and 14% Pinot Noir, it most certainlyneeds some time in the cellar, as its scoury right now.But its richness is already apparent: it shows complextoast, leesy yeast, crme brle, lemondrop sour candyand ripe pear favors. A gorgeous sparkling wine that

will benet rom at least 12years o aging. S.H.abv: 12.5% Price: $115

78

95Woodward Canyon 2009 Artist Series#18 Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington).

Here the high alcohol does not obscure the layeredruits and overall complexity o this exceptional Caber-

net. Thick, ripe and richly endowed, it keeps its blackruit, ripe tannins and liquorous barrel notes all in pro-portion, and pulls in top fight ruit rom Champoux,Sagemoor, the estate vineyard and other select sites.Earth, cedar and tobacco notes highlight the extendednish. P.G.abv: 15.8% Price: $49

79

94Domaine Serene 2008Evenstad ReservePinot Noir (Willamette Valley). Dark, ull,

generous and ripe to the ar edge o elegance, this pow-erul Pinot is saturated with black ruits, annotated withennel, pepper, smoke and espresso, the rich and var-ied favors rolling right through a lush midpalate and oninto a gently ading nish. Retasted over 2448hours, itcontinued to evolve and develop additional nuances. A

wine to cellar or a decade or more. P.G.abv: 14.1% Price: $65

80

94Feudi di San Gregorio 2004 Piano diMontevergine Riserva (Taurasi). This vine-

yard-designate Taurasi Riserva is probably one o thebiggest, boldest wines produced in Italy. It opens withan inky black color and intense aromas o black ruit,toast, spice, espresso bean and bitter black chocolate.The jackhammer tannins are steady and rm, andtheres a long trail o prune and black ruit on the nish.Palm Bay International. M.L.abv: 14% Price: $65
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81

84

abv: 13.5% Price: $225

89

93Salomon-Undho 2011 Wachtberg ErsteLage Grner Veltliner (Kremstal). This is a

ripe, creamy wine made with grapes rom a single vine-yard. Its smooth yet laced with minerality and a tang olemon zest, green apple and kiwi. This should age nicelyor 34years. Fruit o the Vines, Inc. R.V.abv: 13% Price: $28

82

94Domaine Vincent Girardin 2010Charmes-Chambertin. Big and concentrated, this is

packed with tannins and solid dark ruits. Its power-ul with a dark plum favor and an impressive densityo texture. Give it at least 710years. Vineyard Brands.R.V.abv: 13.5% Price: $128

83

94Prats & Symington LDA 2009 Chryseia(Douro). Still an icon o Douro reds, this is

marked by elegance. The ruit blends eortlessly withthe acid-laced, rm tannins. It has ne potential or ag-ing over at least ve years. Premium Port Wines, Inc.R.V.abv: 14.5% Price: $55

95Capture 2009Harmonie (Sonoma Coun-ty). This Bordeaux blend is delicious, rened

and age worthy. Its dry and quite tannic now, but un-derneath the astringency is a beautiully balanced wine

with intensely concentrated blackberry and dark choco-late ruit, with an earthiness. A terric wine that shouldcome into its own ater 2017. S.H.abv: 13.8% Price: $120

85

96Maximin Grnhuser 2009 HerrenbergRiesling Eiswein (Mosel). Von Schubert

bottled two eisweins rom the Herrenberg in 2009. Thisone is pale in color, with intense pineapple and honeyfavors. The wine is sweet, luscious and viscous yet nev-er cloying, with a long nish that eatures unolding lay-ers o ruit favor. Valckenberg International, Inc. J.C.abv: 7% Price: $228

8693

Lapostolle 2009Clos Apalta (ColchaguaValley). Typically intense, polished and smooth

up ront, this has concentrated aromas o graphite, cola,wild berry, spice, coconut and wood. It eels ull andmakes a statement on the palate, where baked, earthy,ully loaded favors o clove, herb and black ruit holdcourt. Oaky and spicy on the nish, this needs another24years to ully settle. Terlato Wines International.M.S.abv: 15% Price: $90

87

94Speri 2008Vigneto Monte SantUrbano(Amarone della Valpolicella Classico).

From one o the Valpolicellas best producers, this vine-yard-designate Amarone is amazingly sot and velvety,

with aromas o sotly worn leather, moist chewing to-bacco, ripe black cherry and barbecue smoke. Its anelegant but modern rendition, showing power, inten-sity and impressive length. Best yet, the ruit is youngenough to promise more years o graceul aging. Emp-son (USA) Ltd. M.L.abv: 15% Price: $80

88

95Domaine Faiveley 2010 Echzeaux. Verystructured and rm, this has the weight, rich-

ness and power that is typical o Echzeaux. Its the ten-sion between the tannins and the ripe black ruits thatgive this wine its great aging ability and depth o favor.It needs at least six years. Frederick Wildman & Sons,Ltd. R.V.

96Vine Cli 2009 16 Rows Cabernet Sau-vignon (Oakville). As good as the winerys

regular 2009 Cabernet is, this small-production selec-tion rom the estate vineyard is even better. However, asthe tannins are erce, its not a wine you want to drinkanytime soon. Through the astringency shines a bright,burning core o perectly ripe blackberries and savoryblack currants. Flashy and impressive, this 100% Cab-ernet should begin to soten and mellow ater 2018.S.H.abv: 14.9% Price: $150

90

95Lauren Ashton Cellars 2009 Cuve Ar-lette (Red Mountain). This is a stunning Bor-

deaux-style blend o 57% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Francand 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 2.5% each o Petit

Verdot and Malbec. Tight, dark and dense, it showcasesthe detailed styling that epitomizes the Lauren Ashton

portolio. Perectly ripe and perectly proportioned, ithas the power and tannin to age or decades. P.G.abv: 14.9% Price: $50

91

94Luis Duarte 2010Rubrica Branco (Alen-tejano). An immense and opulent wine, with

a more mineral, citrus-driven backdrop. This is packed

with favors o tropical ruit, crisp green apple and cit-

55FIn a wine cellar, temperature is

everything. Maintain a constanttemperature o about 55F so thatyour wines dont reeze or bake.

1%An age-worthy wine is hard to fnd:

Jancis Robinson, MW, estimates

that only about 1% o all wines willimprove ater a decade.
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rus, with a toast and spice contrast. Give this 34yearso aging. Laurel Importers. R.V.abv: 14% Price: $25

92

94

abv: 14.5% Price: $60

98

The frst wine cavesin Napa Valley werecommissioned byJacob Schram,o SchramsbergVineyards, who in1870 enlisted Chineseimmigrant railroadworkers to dig a

network o cavesbeneath his Calistogavineyards.

94Piper-Heidsieck 2002 Brut Cuve RareMillesime (Champagne). This is top

Champagne rom Piper-Heidsieck, oering the de-licious airy quality thats the hallmark o this house,

with crisp apple favor, tangy acidity and the rst signso yeasty, toasty bottle age. Its ruit intensity has trans-ormed into a splendid selection. Its worth aging or aew more years, though also delicious now. Remy Coin-

treau USA. R.V.abv: 12% Price: $175

93

93Wakefeld Estate 2006St. Andrews Cab-ernet Sauvignon (Clare Valley). A perenni-

al avorite, Wakeelds St. Andrews bottling shows howgood certain parts o Clare can be or Cabernet Sau-vignon. The 2006 displays a masterul blend o cedar,chocolate, mocha, cassis, baking spices and leather, all

wrapped in an elegant coat o dusty but supple tannins.Drink 20152025. American Wine Distributors. J.C.abv: 14.5% Price: $50

94Joseph Swan Vineyards 2008 Saralees

Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Val-ley). A worthy ollowup to the 2007, perhaps not as im-mediately famboyant, but a major Pinot Noir to age inthe cellar. Shows fashy cherry and raspberry ruit, withtantalizingly rich spices and a perect coating o sweet,smoky oak. Fine and delicious now, ater decanting, andshould develop over this decade. S.H.abv: 14.4% Price: $35

9594

Cesari 2006 Il Bosco (Amarone della Val-policella Classico). The Cesari amily has

perected its ormula or achieving pure pleasure in liq-uid orm. This superstar Amarone has loads o chewy,ripe ruit, decadent dark chocolate, leather, moist pipetobacco and candied raspberry favors. Even with all othe richness, extraction and deliciousness, this is an el-egant wine. Drink ater 2018. Opici Wines. M.L.abv: 15% Price: $90

9693

Domaine de lAncienne Cure 2009LExtase (Ctes de Bergerac). From this

top Bergerac producer comes this powerul blend. Withits 30% Malbec, it has intense tannins and a rm, solidstructure, with dense and richly concentrated blackber-

ry ruit. It does need to age or at least ve years. BirdRock Imports. R.V.abv: 13% Price: $40

97

95K Vintners 2008 Ovide En Cerise Vine-yard Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah (Walla

Walla Valley). Sourced rom another o the Cayuse

vineyards, this is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon andone-third Syraha proven blend in Walla Walla. Thereis a potently aromatic herbal quality to the perectly rip-

ened ruit that marries black cherry and earthy tanninsto the herbs. A big wine, with dried lea character domi-nating the tannins. Good length, in an Italian style, witha good decade o lie ahead. P.G.

93J Vineyards & Winery 2010 Strata Es-tate Grown Chardonnay (Russian River

Valley). J Winery goes against the grain o the mod-ern high alcohol, superripe style to produce this bonedry, steely, somewhat austere young Chardonnay. It hits

with a smack o acidity and minerals, with an elegantcomplexity that may challenge those looking or big,ruity Chards. Give it a couple years in the cellar andsee how it evolves. S.H.abv: 14.3% Price: $45

99

93Miguel Torres 2008 Manso de Velasco

Vias Viejas Cabernet Sauvignon (Cu-

ric Valley). This is as stout as they come, with excel-lent depth, structure and pulse, all o which make it aprime cellar candidate. It shows balsamic aromas o ce-dar, spiced berry and earth. The moutheel is ripe andsmooth, with grip and power held in reserve. It tastes ochocolaty berry ruit and savory herb, and its warm androasted on the nish. Drink rom 20132018. Dreyus,Ashby & Co. M.S.abv: 14% Price: $65

10092

Meerlust 2007 Rubicon (Stellenbosch).One o the best vintages o Rubicon to date, and

or the price its a antastic value thats great or build-ing up your cellar. Right now, the wine is still young andtight, with rm, gripping tannins that need some time tomellow. Fortunately, theres a great concentrated black-ruit core and enough acidity alongside the tannins tosupport long-term aging. Its spicy and earthy, with ac-

cents o black tea, cedar and crushed violets. Try ater2016. Maisons Marques & Domaines USA. L.B.abv: 14% Price: $31
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Documents

Top 100 Cellar Selections 2012