Published in May 2004

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

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Henschke 1999 Hill of Grace Shiraz (Eden Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $350

On the nose, the first aromas are of wheat bread, and a stably-animal character; after a few minutes in the glass, sweet plum and a little caramel steps in. I can’t use the descriptors “subtle,” “lovely, chalky tannins” and “gorgeous, juicy fruit” enough. Finishes long and juicy, with those lovely, chalky tannins, plus caramel, mocha and mint flavors. — D.T. (5/1/2004)

96-100

points

Cabo Wabo Reposado 100% Agave Tequila

Price $50

Aroma is herbal, with a trace of honey, then blossoms into a bouquet that’s peppery, herbal, waxy, floral. Palate is medium-bodied, oily, resiny, herbal and semisweet, with balanced flavors of green pepper, red pepper, toffee and honey. Finishes gracefully. — P.P. (5/1/2004)

96-100

points

Evan Williams 1783 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Best Buy

Price $11

The early fragrance emits subtle, almost floral/fruity scents of banana, matted rose petals, field grasses and marzipan; aeration releases deeper aromas, especially oaky vanillin, sautéed butter, deep-fried pork rind and buttered sweet corn. Palate entry is semisweet, oaky and honeyed; at midpalate, toffee and light caramel tastes merge with the gentle bite of… — P.P. (5/1/2004)

96-100

points

Evan Williams Vintage 1994 Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Best Buy

Price $25

A mildly peppery and spicy aroma precedes unbridled, multilayered scents of bacon fat, oak resin, buttered corn and toasted honeywheat bread. Palate entry is firm, assertive, moderately oily and grainy sweet; the midpalate flavor offers bittersweet, harmonious flavors of tobacco leaf, caramel, nougat, pine needle and sautéed almonds. Concludes sweet, moderately… — P.P. (5/1/2004)

96-100

points

George T. Stagg Limited Edition Uncut & Unfiltered Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Price $45

Due to the bracing cask strength, I first sampled G.T. Stagg neat, then with spring water. Sniffed neat, the aroma offers bittersweet chocolate, egg cream, brown sugar, marshmallow, nougat and dried red fruit; diluted, the aroma turns up the volume on the nougat/nut butter. Palate entry is silky, oily and intensely flavorful (the water brings out a luscious… — P.P. (5/1/2004)

points

Kracher 2001 Nummer 8, TBA Welschriesling (Burgenland)

Cellar Selection

Price $91

Kracher describes this as a table selection, meaning that the berries were further selected on a sorting table before winemaking began. This gives a wine which is almost the essence of wine, just the richness, the sweetness and the botrytis. The flavors run together, with touches of quince, of oranges and white fruits. Flowery, mineral, this is a superb wine. — R.V. (5/1/2004)

points

Henschke 2001 Mt. Edelstone Shiraz (Eden Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $70

My resolution for 2004: To mount a campaign for Mt. Edelstone appreciation, as this excellent wine is always overshadowed in the U.S. by its better-known, smaller-production sibling, Hill of Grace. Mt. Edelstone is a consistent, fabulous wine at a fraction of HOG’s price. This vintage shows penetrating spearmint, bread flour and perfectly ripe red plums on the… — D.T. (5/1/2004)

points

Signorello 2001 Syrah (Napa Valley)

Just beautiful, a wine that’s so rich and delicious, and yet so balanced. It oozes gorgeous flavors of cassis and blackberry pie, blueberry, white chocolate truffle, Kahlúa, and smoky spices, and the tannins are amazingly soft, sweet and complex. All this opulence drinks perfectly dry, with a good backbone of acidity. — S.H. (5/1/2004)

2010 Andeluna Altitud

This is a high-quality Malbec with fleshy berry aromas that veer towards…

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