Published in Mid November 2005

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the Mid November 2005 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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Fonseca 2003 Vintage Port (Port)

Price $92

Fonseca vintage Ports are always among the most attractive and long-lived. This 2003 conforms magnificently to that model. It is structured, rich, powerful and opulent. There are cassis and black fig flavors, as well as sweet tannins. It is delicious already, and will remain delicious throughout its long life. Imported by Kobrand. — R.V. (11/15/2005)

points

W. & J. Graham's 2003 Vintage Port (Port)

Price $100

This is a great Port, from a great brand. It is packed with solid, structured, rich and intense black fruit flavors. Its tannins show considerable aging potential. It is a big, ripe wine, balanced by a long, lingering dark aftertaste. Imported by Premium Port Wines Inc. — R.V. (11/15/2005)

96-100

points

Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Reposado 100% Agave Tequila NOM-1420-CRT

Price $70

Initial aroma of wax paper and black pepper; aeration stimulates scents of asparagus, broccoli, new leather and herbal butter. The palate entry is spicy and semisweet; the midpalate adds subtle tastes of butter, steamed green vegetables, white rice and light toffee. Finishes satiny smooth and appealingly spicy. A tour de force in balance and harmony. — P.P. (11/15/2005)

96-100

points

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Northern Highlands Single Malt Whisky

Best Buy

Price $30

A lusciously smoky and tobacco-like initial aroma; after aeration the bouquet features semisweet to sweet notes of honey, pipe tobacco, Sherry, honey, and dark chocolate. The palate entry is smooth and caramel sweet; at midpalate the smokiness comes alive with additional tastes of sweet butter, toffee and honey. Finishes in a rush of smoke, charcoal and ash. A malt… — P.P. (11/15/2005)

96-100

points

Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Price $200

The initial aromatic burst is chockfull of pork sausage and sweet spice scents; with aeration the aroma becomes a stately, mature, fully integrated whiskey bouquet, emitting scents of dark coffee, marzipan, praline, caramel corn and oaky vanillin. Palate entry and midpalate are melded, elegant, sap-like and sweet. Finishes warm, tangy, sweet and resiny. An American… — P.P. (11/15/2005)

96-100

points

Sam Adams Utopias 2005 Ale Brewed with Maple Syrup

Price $100

No effervescence. Smells of vanilla, saddle leather, baked banana, baked apple, baked pear, oloroso Sherry, and at times brandy; a unique bouquet. Palate shows traces of caramel, nougat, candied nuts, marzipan, dried red fruits, palm oil and cocoa. Ends smooth and harmonious. — P.P. (11/15/2005)

points

Quinta do Portal 2003 Vintage Port (Port)

Price $60

Potentially one of the best wines of the vintage, this is an extraordinary performance from a producer not previously noted for making such high-quality Vintage Ports. The wine—a special selection that at this stage, has no name—has great ripe fruit and huge tannins combined to make a dense, intense wine. It is dark, brooding and rich. There are also layers of… — R.V. (11/15/2005)

points

Niepoort 2003 Vintage Port (Port)

Price $84

A great wine from master winemaker Dirk van Niepoort. It is big, solid, chunky and packed with ripe fruit flavors. It also has fine acidity and a layer of dry, woodsy tannins. To finish, there are good bitter chocolate flavors. Imported by Martine’s Wines. — R.V. (11/15/2005)

2010 Pence Ranch Westslope

This is sourced from the winery's steepest and most wind-exposed blocks…

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