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November / December 2014 •
THE BEST
OF 2014
FIVE STARS
(98) Sonoma-Loeb Envoy Carneros
chardonnay 2012 (California). Sourced
from the famed Sangiacomo Vineyards
with the best clones, this is a rich
elegant Burgundian-styled wine with
beautiful tropical fruits, rich butter
and caramel fl avors, and toasted oak.
Save this for that special dinner. ($55)
(97) Alexander Valley Vineyards Cyrus
2010 (California). Done in the meritage
style (cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet
franc, petite verdot and malbec); winemak-
er Kevin Hall uses just eight very select
barrel aged lots for his fi nal cuvee. Aged
12 months in French oak and an additional
eight months aging in the bottle—an
incredible wine. ($65)
(97) Buccella Napa Valley cabernet
sauvignon 2010 (California). A small-pro-
duction cult wine; deep purple, opaque
in color with concentrated black currant,
licorice, exhibiting intense and fl oral
characteristics. ($150)
(97) J.Lohr Hilltop Paso Robles cabernet
sauvignon 2011 (California). A beautiful,
harmonious blend of cabernet sauvignon,
petite verdot, malbec and syrah from prime
vineyard sites. The wine is aged 18 months
in oak; it is smooth, balanced, full-bodied,
with rich layers of cherries and blackber-
ries. ($40)
(97) Duckhorn Napa chardonnay 2012
(California). This is the 35 vintage year,
and this wine refl ects the very best of
Napa. Sourced from 11 different vineyard
RATING SYSTEM
(92-100 points)
A top-fl ight wine. Superior in taste and
character and providing an outstanding
price/value relationship.
(86-91 points)
A very good wine and an excellent value.
A wine for which customers will keep
coming back.
(80-85 points)
An above-average wine at a reasonable price
point, which many consumers will enjoy.
Our national wine panel recommends wines throughout the year, typically by varietal or
season, and provides brief tasting notes, ratings and the wine's retail price (which varies
from store to store and market to market).
These are the highest-rated wines for 2014 they
have selected. If you're a retail or on-premise beverage professional who would like to
learn about participating in our panel, call Melissa Dowling at 203-855-8499 ext. 223, or
email her at MDowling@SpecialtyIM.com.
