BUYINGGUIDE
134 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | OCTOBER 201991
Saget la Perrière 2018 L’Origine (Blanc Fumé
de Pouilly). This fragrant, ripe wine offers
easy apple and spice flavors. Its herbal edge adds
zestiness that goes with the minerality to give it
texture and aging potential. Drink from 2020. Taub
Family Selections. —R.V.
abv: 13% Price: $2591
Verum 2017 Malbec (Alto Valle del Río Negro).
Berry and cassis aromas turn more subdued
and crisp with airing—something that you should
expect from a cool-climate Patagonian Malbec such
as this. Loamy berry and plum flavors carry the pal-
ate, while it feels fleshy on the finish. Vino Del Sol.
Editors’ Choice. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $1791
Wapisa 2017 San Javier Malbec (Río Negro Val-
ley). Ripe black-fruit aromas are supported
by smoke and spice notes on the nose. The strong-
boned palate is meaty and full, boasting flavors of
blackberry, beef jerky and chocolate. This Malbec
shows off the intensity and high quality of the 2017
vintage. Drink through 2024. Vino Del Sol. —M.S.
abv: 13.9% Price: $2291
Woodward Canyon 2018 Chardonnay (Wash-
ington). Aromas of cinnamon, cream, lees,
clove and spice draw you into the glass. The palate
is creamy in feel, with well-balanced fruit flavors
that show a deft touch. Editors’ Choice. —S.S.
abv: 14% Price: $4490
Alara 2017 Pinot Noir (San Benito). This
project by former TV meteor ologist Janu
Goelz continues to turn heads and show promise.
Aromas of strawberry, sumac, vanilla and licorice
show on the nose, while cooked cherry and cranberry
fruits are joined by damp tarragon on the powerful
and fruity palate. —M.K.
abv: 15.2% Price: $4190
B.R. Cohn 2016 Red Wine (North Coast).
Robust but lovable, this full-bodied wine
packs abundant flavors of plump dark fruit and wraps
them in velvety tannins for a delicious, mouthfilling
outcome. It is lightly tannic, well-concentrated and
almost certain to please a crowd. —J.G.
abv: 14.5% Price: $2090
Balletto 2017 Burnside Road Vineyard Estate
Grown Estate Bottled Pinot Noir (Russian
River Valley). This wine has tension and freshness,
showing a lively sense of acidity that buoys its lay-
ers of bright cranberry, orange and black tea. The
tannins and oak are well integrated and in balance
with the fruit. —V.B.
abv: 13.7% Price: $4490
Balletto 2017 Cider Ridge Vineyard Estate
Grown Estate Bottled Pinot Noir (Russian
River Valley). Bright layers of dark plum, cherry and
orange peel lead this juicy wine. Savory notions of
black tea and cardamom complement the fruit and
give pleasing earthy undertones. —V.B.
abv: 13.9% Price: $4490
Clay Shannon 2018 Betsy Vineyard Sauvi-
gnon Blanc (High Valley). This vivid wine
feels light in weight but is substantial in terms
of flavor concentration. It shows crisp apple and
lemon aromas on the nose, with layers of citrus,
melon and apple on the palate. There’s a pleasing
balance between fresh acidity and ripeness. —J.G.
abv: 13.6% Price: $30