Top Shelf June 2007

This month's top-scoring Cellar Selection, Editors' Choice and Best Buy.

Here's a look at this month's top-scoring Cellar Selection, Editors' Choice and Best Buy. For full tasting notes on these and hundreds of other wines, visit our Buying Guide.

97 J.J. Prüm 2005 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese Gold Capsule (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer); $NA. This offering has the house's trademark yeasty, leesy scents, but also layer after layer of dense, slaty fruit balanced by crisp acidity. It's a bit sweet for most dishes, but pairing it with foie gras or mild cheeses will allow it to shine. —J.C.

Editors' Choice

94 Kenneth-Crawford 2004 Lafond Vineyard Syrah (Sta. Rita Hills); $32. The vineyard is routinely a source for powerful, high-alcohol Syrahs, and this is a great example. It's a massive wine with cherry, black pepper, cassis, plum liqueur, milk chocolate and spice flavors, coated with decadent, vanilla-infused oak. Offering endless tiers of flavor and mouthfeel, the wine changes with each sip. —S.H.

Best Buy

90 2 Up 2005 Shiraz (South Australia); $14. From the makers of Kangarilla Road but from purchased McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Peninsula fruit, this is an outstanding value. It's a high-intensity Aussie Shiraz, powerful but not without nuance, combining smoky, meaty scents with blackberry and spice, even some white pepper on the finish. —J.C.

Cellar Selection