Published in March 2002

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the March 2002 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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Santa Rita 1999 Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley)

Price $65

The 1997 Casa Real was royal, and the ’99 is even better. It’s rich, deep and lavishly oaked. The concentration is intense but it’s not overly tight or tannic. In every way it’s a dead ringer for sweet, luscious fruit-forward Napa Cabernet. Plum, coffee and cream share center stage on the stylish finish. — M.S. (3/1/2002)

points

Lapostolle 1999 Clos Apalta Red

Editors' Choice

Price $60

Once again, arguably the best wine in Chile is this beauty from what may eventually become recognized as a world-class site for red wines—the dry-farmed, old-vines Apalta Vineyard. Fermentation involving big wood vats and the utmost in human attention yields a pure, stately wine that’s equal parts power and finesse. Blendwise, it’s mostly Merlot, and the flavors… — M.S. (3/1/2002)

points

Viu Manent 1999 Viu I Malbec (Colchagua Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $39

This is 90% old-vine Malbec with 10% Cabernet thrown in. The best one-word description is “awesome.” The 80-year-old Malbecvines is full of clove, licorice and marzipan nuances. The flavor profile offers berries, sweetmeat pie and maple syrup. The finish is huge but soft. The body is massive and concentrated, but entirely friendly. This is indeed a super Chilean in… — M.S. (3/1/2002)

points

Ravenswood 1999 Old Hill Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley)

Price $36

Bright blackberries, but enough surprises for it to be anything but run-of-the-mill. Anise and charred oak flavors keep the fruit from being too bright; finishes medium-long with pepper and mineral notes. The nose is a seductive cocoon of mint, eucalyptus, barbecue marinade, brown sugar and a milky-calcium note that envelops the berry fruit. — D.T. (3/1/2002)

points

Scherrer 1999 Old Mature Vines Zinfandel (Alexander Valley)

Price $28

Rich, plush and loaded with blackberry, cassis, raspberry, tar and chocolate flavors. Tangy acidity and firm, ripe tannins carry the wine neatly along the palate in an elegant blend that’s showing beautifully now and should age nicely, too. — J.M. (3/1/2002)

points

Rancho Zabaco 1999 Stefani Vineyard Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)

Price $28

This Gallo brand excels with Zinfandel, as this brilliant single-vineyard effort demonstrates. It explodes with focused, intense berry fruit, beautifully accented with oak that lends coffee, chocolate and hints of tar. Accents ring through the harmonious finish, with tobacco, cedar and coconut among them. Editors’ Choice. — P.G. (3/1/2002)

points

Almaviva 1999 Red (Maipo Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $91

This joint venture between Concha y Toro and the owners of Château Mouton Rothschild is hitting its stride. The latest Almaviva showcases sweet, dark, plummy fruit, all wrapped in a cedary cloak of earth, tobacco and cassis. Smooth and supple, framed with soft tannins, there’s no need to cellar it, but it should last well. — J.C. (3/1/2002)

points

Santa Rita 1999 Floresta Apalta Estate Red (Colchagua Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $30

With 15% Merlot, this is a gorgeous new wine under the Floresta label. It shows all the prime pedigree of the famed Apalta vineyard and lots of style from 17 months in French oak. It’s deep and purple, with tons of sweet extract (just watch those legs stick to the glass). Jammy black fruit, cassis notes, toasty wood nuances and super softtannins—what more could you… — M.S. (3/1/2002)

2009 Russian River Vineyards Estate Grown

Rich flavors of cherries, persimmons, cola, anise and oak flood the…

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