Published in Early December 2005

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the Early December 2005 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Sort By:

Quilceda Creek 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon

Cellar Selection

Price $80

Amazing density; the aromas billow up from the glass and weave together sinuously, taking you on a magic carpet ride before the wine even hits your mouth. This wine has the power of a monster California Cab while retaining the subtlety of a first-growth Bordeaux. It is just a massive blast of dark fruit, incredible viscosity, silky textures and soft herbs, pepper… — P.G. (12/15/2005)

96-100

points

Booker’s 7-Year, 11-Month Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch No. B96-L

Price $50

A first-rate, multilayered bouquet that includes notes of cocoa, cigar tobacco and paraffin with aromas of caramel corn, cotton candy, oak and tapioca. The palate entry features tastes of spice, buttered corn, bacon fat and cream; the midpalate displays traces of butterscotch, nougat, sap, maple and vanilla. Finishes spirity and biscuity. Add water to reduce the… — P.P. (12/15/2005)

points

Freemark Abbey 2001 Bosche Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $65

One of the best Cabs of the vintage. It’s still a young wine, all primary black currant and plum fruit flavors and toasted oak, with complex notes of coffee and mocha. This wine is extraordinarily rich and finely balanced, displaying power, elegance, finesse and an unreal depth of fruit along with great length. Drink now through 2015. — S.H. (12/15/2005)

96-100

points

Glenmorangie Tain L’Hermitage Wood Finish Northern Highlands Single Malt Wh

Price $200

Limited availability. The nosing passes find aromas of hard wood and worn leather with succulent notes of oak resin, nut loaf, light toffee and citrus. The palate entry is focused, winey and lusciously sweet; midpalate adds bittersweet flavors of caramel, nougat, candy bar and sap. Concludes elegantly, sweet, integrated and tight. — P.P. (12/15/2005)

96-100

points

Skyy 90 Vodka

Price $35

An irresistible powerhouse of a vodka bouquet, assertive, concentrated, dry, and grainy. The palate entry has plenty of grainy/spirity giddy-up with a note of sweetness; at midpalate the spirit warmth fades, leaving behind the biscuity/wheat cracker taste of the grain and a velvety texture. Ends up as assertively as it began. — P.P. (12/1/2005)

96-100

points

Vermont Gold 100% Maple Sap Vodka

Price $44

The palate entry is toasty, maple sweet, and full-bodied; at midpalate the toastiness evolves to include delicious tastes of sugar maple candy, dark honey, sap, resin, and malt. Finishes divinely sweet and sap-like. Worth every cent. — P.P. (12/1/2005)

96-100

points

Vincent Van Gogh Espresso Vodka

Price $30

The initial aroma is firmly structured and a tad baked; following additional air contact the aroma opens up adding charming scents of burnt match, cigar ash, linseed oil and peanuts. The palate entry is smooth and off-dry; by midpalate, flavors expand to include paraffin, creamery butter and vegetable oil. Finishes elegantly and creamy smooth. — P.P. (12/1/2005)

96-100

points

Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale

Baked, roasted, concentrated and caramel-like, with later notes of toasted barley mixed in with honey, winter holiday spices and high-content cocoa. Midpalate is a feast of molasses, honey, vanilla extract, caramel corn and toasted marshmallow. Concludes smooth, satiny, rich and elegant. — P.P. (12/1/2005)

2010 Center of Effort

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

(Sponsored)