Wine Enthusiast Advance Buying Guide
August 2016
by Joe Czerwinski
93 pts/CELLAR SELECTION Brokenwood Oakey Creek Vineyard Semillon 2009
This benchmark producer holds its top semillons back for five years prior to release, which gives consumers a terrific opportunity to try properly cellared Semillon. The 2009 Oakey Creek is surprisingly rich for a wine having only 11% abv, with a slightly creamy texture and a plump mouthfeel. White pepper, yellow plum and green apple notes finish long and crisp. Drink now-2030, but cellar through at least 2020 to develop marmalade and toast characters.
90 pts d’Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2010
The Dead Arm is always firmly structured, making it one of the more challenging Shiraz to judge in its youth. The 2010 is full-bodied and chewy, characterized by dark, earthy and umami notes of roasted meat, asphalt and grilled mushrooms. The length and ripely tannic nature of the finish is reassuring.
89 pts/BEST BUY Innocent Bystander Moscato 2015
Year after year, IB bottles sunshine and fun in the form of this lightly sparkling, sweet pink wine. It’s unabashedly exuberant, flashing floral aromas, then adding hints of Mexican chocolate, red berries and orange zest. There’s just enough acid and fizz to keep it from being cloying on the palate.