Wine Enthusiast – October 2019

BUYINGGUIDE

132 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | OCTOBER 2019

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Balletto 2018 Estate Grown Estate Bottled

Pinot Gris ( Russian River Valley ). Tones of jas-

mine and lemon peel yield to tangerine and peach

in this light, bright and refreshing wine. It shows

tension and focus on the palate, ending on a light

spice note. — V. B.

abv: 13.7% Price: $ 20

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Balletto 2016 18 Barrel Estate Grown Estate

Bottled Pinot Noir ( Sonoma Coast ). This

wine is sourced from three of the producer’s estate

vineyards, all within the Sebastopol Hills. Floral in

rose petal and lavender, it shows hearty midpal-

ate weight and a thickness of tannins as layers of

wild strawberry, orange peel and rhubarb fi gure in.

Plenty of baking spice and black tea accent the fi n-

ish. — V. B.

abv: 13.9% Price: $ 46

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Cantina Tollo 2014 Riserva ( Montepulciano

d’Abruzzo ). Aromas of coff ee, dark chocolate

and condensed black berries start off the brooding

nose. The palate shows bright, thick-skinned cherry

and berry fl avors, with persistent acidity and a light

mineral edge. The tannins are polished and extend

nicely on the fi nish. Vino Veritas. — A.P.

abv: 13.5% Price: $ 25

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Cantina Tollo 2013 Cagiòlo Riserva ( Monte-

pulciano d’Abruzzo ). Restrained aromas of

dark cherry, wild berry, tobacco and sweet spices

open up with time in the glass. There’s a tense

energy to the medium-bodied palate, where a dense

core of fruit is supported by a rush of acidity and

a fi rm grip of tannins. Enjoy now with a decant, or

cellar through 2023. Vino Veritas. — A.P.

abv: 14.5% Price: $ 35

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Chamisal 2017 Estate Grown Pinot Noir ( Edna

Va l l e y ). Dense aromas of black cherry, vanilla

and caramel make for a rich entry to this appella-

tion blend. The palate is full of ripe raspberry and

red-plum fl avors, with wild sagebrush and forest

herbs providing depth. — M.K.

abv: 14.3% Price: $ 45

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D’Arenberg 2014 The Ironstone Pressings G-S-M

( McLaren Vale ). This blend of 72% Grenache,

25% Shiraz and 3% Mourvédre shows bright tones

of raspberry and cherry, with undertones of lico-

rice, dried green herbs and warm earth. The fi ne-

grained, drying tannins are herbal and grippy, tam-

ing the ripples of berry fruit and creating a lovely

texture amidst the savory spicy fi nish. Old Bridge

Cellars. — C.P.

abv: 14.5% Price: $ 65

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Diora 2017 La Petite Grace Pinot Noir ( Mon-

terey ). A deep, nearly candied aroma of boy-

senberry meets with baking spice on the nose of this

powerful bottling. The palate is loaded with rich fl a-

vors of black cherry and vanilla, framed by sandy

tannins. — M.K.

abv: 14.5% Price: $ 26

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Domaine de Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier

2017 L’Esquerda ( Côtes du Roussillon Villages

Lesquerde ). There’s an earthy edge to the nose of this

wine, with tones of cigar box, tobacco leaf, leather,

cured meat, licorice and blackberry bramble. The

palate is bold and fi lling, with robust, gripping tan-

nins that provide a strong frame for the dense black-

fruit-skin fl avors. Aft er the fruit subsides, notes of

leather, tobacco and tilled earth ride through to the

lingering close, while a hint of iron unfolds on the

back. Drink 2021–2025. Sera Wine Imports. — L.B.

abv: 14.5% Price: $ 27

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Domaine de Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier

2016 Occultum Lapidem ( Côtes du Roussil-

lon Villages Latour de France ). This wine is initially

quiet and reserved, with light blackberry paste and

black-cherry tones that are spiced by hints of dark

chocolate, licorice and turned earth. The palate

boasts a fi rm, tannic structure and bright acidity,

with fl avors of tobacco, chocolate, black plum and

blackberry. Herbal and spicy root overtones linger

on the close. Sera Wine Imports. — L.B.

abv: 15% Price: $ 30