Published in the Year's Best 2002

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the the Year's Best 2002 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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Jacopo Poli Sarpa di Grappa

Price $37

“Sarpa” means “pomace.” The piercing ripeness of the opening aroma is more astringent and sap-like than fruity or ripe; it ends up being a rugged, musty, traditional bouquet of grape skins, pulp and seeds. In a startling turn away from the bouquet’s direction, the taste is sublimely sweet and fruity at entry; at midpalate the taste features an ambrosial richness… — P.P. (12/31/2002)

96-100

points

Richard Hennessy Cognac

Price $1800

The nosing passes discover seductive aromas of hazelnut, butterscotch, spice cake, pipe tobacco and honey. The palate entry offers succulent flavors of toasted bread, blueberries and light toffee; the midpalate features delightful tastes of brown sugar, cocoa, butterscotch, lychee, oak, vanilla, rancio, nougat and black plum. Concludes with elegance and grace. One… — P.P. (4/1/2007)

points

Galleron 1999 Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Price $100

From a vineyard in Rutherford, this wine expresses the heart and soul of the appellation. Intensely beautiful aromas of black currants, rich, thick and fine tannins, and soft acids are framed in beautiful oak. Soft and gentle in the mouth, but with an authority that affirms itself on the long, fine finish. Spectacular. —S.H. — S.H. (12/31/2002)

points

Shafer 1998 Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District)

Cellar Selection

Price $150

An absolute joy, and a very great success for this vintage, which produced so many disappointing Cabernets. Unusually dark. Begins closed, but swirling brings out cassis and loads of smoky oak. Dense and lush, it’s incredibly long on flavor, with fabulous intensity. The reputation of this collector’s wine is undiminished. Cellar Selection. —S.H. — S.H. (12/31/2002)

points

Vineyard 29 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $160

How could you go wrong with the team assembled by owner Chuck McMinn? You have David Abreu as your vineyard manager and Philippe Melka making the wine, from a vineyard less than 100 yards from Grace Family Vineyards. This Cabernet is jam-packed with dark fruit, chocolate and leather. There is great complexity and richness that carries through from start to finish… — C.S. (12/31/2002)

points

Sequoia Grove 1999 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)

Editors' Choice

Price $55

An extraordinary Napa Cabernet, the essence of everything right from Rutherford in a great vintage. Ripe, intense flavors of black currants persist all the way through the long finish, supported by toasty oak. The tannins are a delight, rich and plush. Feels a bit soft, in the modern style, but is absolutely delicious. Editors’ Choice. —S.H. — S.H. (12/31/2002)

points

Frank Family 1999 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)

Cellar Selection

Price $65

Black as night, with massively oaky aromas and equally powerful black-currant notes, this is clearly a big, young Cabernet. It delivers fresh, complex flavors ranging from blackberries to coffee, dark chocolate, tobacco and sage. Feels fabulously rich in the mouth now, although solid tannins suggest aging through 2008. Cellar Selection. —S.H. — S.H. (12/31/2002)

points

Hendry 1998 Block 8 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $40

An amazing wine, given the vintage. Huge, rich, mouthfilling blackberry and cassis flavors coat the palate and go on forever. They went the extra mile to isolate the ripest blocks in this spotty vintage. The wine is thick and vibrant, a lip-smacking experience if ever there was one. Editors’ Choice. —S.H. — S.H. (12/31/2002)

2009 Va Piano

Having been given almost four years of age prior to release, this deep…

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