Published in Early December 2004

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the Early December 2004 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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Prager 2001 Royal Escort Paladini Vineyard LBV Port Petite Sirah (Napa Valley)

Price $65

100% Petite Sirah. The depth of sweet flavor is stunning. Black cherries, white chocolate fudge, honey, coffee, pecan pie, vanilla, the list goes on and on. So delicious, you can enjoy it now with a rich chocolaty dessert, but the tannins are bold. This wine will age and soften for many years. — S.H. (12/15/2004)

points

Mayacamas 2002 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)

Price $20

One of the best Sauvignons of this or any vintage, a brilliant and evocative wine of great style and flair. Powerfully dry, with citrus, fig, apple and peppery spice flavors and a lush overlay of oak. Compelling for its intensity and complexity. — S.H. (12/15/2004)

points

Sineann 2003 Old Vine Zinfandel (Columbia Valley (OR))

Price $36

Peter Rosback’s old-vine Zin is always dark and dense and unabashedly alcoholic (here, 15.8%). But it is never any better than this. This is Turley without the heat or Portlike flavors. It tastes like the absolute concentrated essence of Zinfandel, with racy, vivid acids, jammy blackberry fruit, and enough new oak to keep it all together. — P.G. (12/15/2004)

points

MacCallum 2002 Syrah (Yakima Valley)

Price $25

This is 100% Syrah, just 100 cases produced, and jumps right to the top ranks of Washington’s best. Plenty of full frontal oak, but right behind it comes dark, serious, massive fruit. Beautifully layered, from hints of citrus peel, to red and blue berries, into the peppery and smoky finish, it is elegant and seamlessly integrated through flavors that last a full… — P.G. (12/15/2004)

points

Ruinart 1993 Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling

Price $150

A beautifully matured wine, all toast and rich vanilla with a touch of currants still there, suggesting the wine has more time to develop. This is how mature Champagne should be, and is a good reminder of how different it is from the fruitier wines we are more used to. — R.V. (12/1/2004)

points

Diebolt Vallois 1999 Fleur de Passion à Cramant Blanc de Blancs Sparkling

Price $75

A rare wine, which has no malolactic fermentation leaving acidity. It has very floral aromas, with intense ripe white fruits and power. This is very structured, with layers of wood flavors, it is more wine than Champagne. This is a great wine. — R.V. (12/1/2004)

points

Deutz 1996 Cuvée William Deutz Brut Sparkling

Price $184

What a delicious wine. It shows the mineral, almost steely character of 1996. Flavors of grapefruit and green apples are pure and intense; a touch of toast wraps it up. Will develop over many years. — R.V. (11/1/2006)

points

Bollinger 1996 La Grande Année Brut Sparkling

Cellar Selection

Price $90

Blockbuster aromas of honey and toast, ripe apples and citrus are complex from the first pour and develop even more complexity with air, turning meatier and more savory. Creamy and smooth in the mouth, with cascading flavors of buttered nuts and lush fruit, all balanced by great acidity and length. Drink now or hold another 5 years. — J.C. (12/1/2004)

2009 Russian River Vineyards Estate Grown

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

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