Published in August 2003

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the August 2003 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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Baron de Lustrac 1970 Domaine de Courros 100% Folle Blanche Bas Armagnac

Price $105

Zesty scents of pine needle, paraffin, raisins and ripe grapes. Palate entry is lush, bittersweet and caramel-like; at midpalate, the flavor goes decadently chewy, with tastes of vanilla extract, sweet old oak, marzipan, honey and dark toffee. Aftertaste is long, luxuriously sweet and thick. — P.P. (8/1/2003)

points

Osborne NV Pedro Ximenez 1827 Sweet Sherry (Jerez)

Best Buy

Price $14

A spectacularly sweet and rich bruiser, and one that delivers the essence of raisins, toffee and chocolate. This wine hasn’t taken one turn south, and it’s beckoning to be consumed. The finish is impeccably smooth and rich, and while its luscious to say the least, the amazing thing is its length, which runs a couple of minutes, no joke. A guarantee for anyone who… — M.S. (8/1/2003)

points

Sandeman NV Royal Corregidor Rich Old Oloroso Sherry (Jerez)

Price $25

Rich and unctuous; a big, muscular, semi-sweet beauty with a meaty frame and gorgeous maple and toffee aromas. Broad-shouldered across the palate, with apricot and quince flavors accented by cinnamon and nutmeg. In terms of mouthfeel, it’s like a fine liqueur, and on the finish everything you’ve previously smelled and/or tasted comes back into perfect focus. — M.S. (8/1/2003)

points

Niebaum-Coppola 1999 Rubicon Red (Rutherford)

Price $100

A wonderfully refined wine, with firm, ripe tannins that fream an elegant blend of rich plum, balckberry, coffee, chocolate, cassis, black cherry, cedar and spice flavors. The finish is long and smooth, with a bright cherry boost at the end. Francis Coppola's benchmark wine. — W.E. (8/1/2003)

points

Shafer 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Price $48

Epitomizes the New World style of a superripe, soft, plush wine, bursting with fruity-berry flavors, and generously oaked. Hard to imagine a wine flattering the palate more, with its graceful tannins and heaps of blackcurrant, sweet roasted pepper, olive and white chocolate flavors. Instantly appealing, although it may be a difficult match for food. — S.H. (8/1/2003)

points

Testarossa 2001 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Editors' Choice

Price $35

Something special from the west side of the Salinas Valley, with its fogs and wind. Drinks very bright in acids and even some tannins that frame a melange of flavors, including sweet lime, green apple, and the ripest white peach. Tastes leesy and has the texture of sweet cream. This distinctive wine defines Monterey’s interpretation of Chardonnay. — S.H. (8/1/2003)

points

Monticello Vineyards 2001 Corley Reserve Chardonnay (Napa Valley)

Price $50

A selection of the better barrels from the Home Ranch, the Reserve is fantastically rich and complex. No mere fruit bomb despite scads of flavors ranging from apples and peaches through pears and mangoes, there’s also a sleek backbone of steel, all of it wrapped in a rich, honeyed texture. The finish is long and intricately constructed of dusty brown spices. — S.H. (8/1/2003)

points

Hartford 2000 Laura's Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast)

Price $54

— W.E. (8/1/2003)

2010 Center of Effort

A big, strong Pinot with pure, focused flavors of raspberry cream…

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