Published in June 2005

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

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The Maiden 2001 Red (Napa Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $95

This companion wine to the famous Harlan Estate comes from the same Oakville vineyard. Decadent and vastly complex, it opens with cassis, grilled meat, cedar, spicebox, cigar box and cheddar aromas, and then turns medium- to full-bodied in the mouth. Terrific black cherry, blackberry and cassis fruit, pure and refined. Perfect elaboration of oak, char, tannins… — S.H. (6/1/2005)

points

Château Margaux 2001 Red (Margaux)

Price $300

“For me, this vintage is what makes Margaux special,” says Margaux winemaker Paul Pontallier. He is right: With its denseness, spice, flavors of black currants layered with dryness and fresh acidity, this is a huge and impressive wine that never forgets that it is Margaux. It is still young, and the dry tannic aftertaste, which lasts for many minutes, shows this. — R.V. (6/1/2005)

points

Domaine de Chevalier 2001 White (Pessac-Léognan)

Cellar Selection

Price $100

This is one of the legendary whites of Bordeaux. It lives up to its reputation. The 2001 vintage of the Domaine de Chevalier white (tasted from half bottle) is well-evolved, packed with flavors of almonds, toast, spice, fresh grapefruits, white fruits and an impressive layer of acidity. It will age for a good 20 years or more. Expect a full bottle to be less… — R.V. (6/1/2005)

points

Robert Mondavi 1999 To Kalon Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Editors' Choice
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Oaky. A bit backward, closed. Lots of primary fruit varietal character in the aroma. Coffee, smoke, ash, cedar. In the mouth, potent blackcurrants, cassis, massive middle. Wonderful tannins, rich, ripe, sweet. The finish is long and intense. 2006-2020. — S.H. (6/1/2005)

points

Château Lafite Rothschild 2004 Barrel sample Red (Pauillac)

96-98 A beautiful wine, concentrated and intense without tasting in any way extracted or forced. It has tannins, certainly, very dark and concentrated, but the fruit is black, powerful, rich, yet still maintaining purity and a sense of minerality from the vineyard. — R.V. (6/1/2005)

points

BOND 2001 Vecina Red (Napa Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $210

Very fine wine. Denser, richer, more powerful than the other Bond ’01s. In the mouth, it has a molten quality, like liquid lead or mercury; strong flavors of plums, bitter chocolate, cassis, and good, rich oak. Pretty astringent now in tannins, it’s firm and hard, but complex and layered. Drink now, but best beyond 2010. — S.H. (6/1/2005)

points

Finca Allende 2001 Aurus Tempranillo (Rioja)

Editors' Choice

Price $184

Miguel Angel de Gregorio makes wines that match his exuberant personality, and Aurus, with 85% old-vine Tempranillo and 15% Graciano, is his premier offering. The 2001’s exotic nose pumps licorice, clove, nutmeg and vanilla on top of the ripest black-fruit aromas going. With pillowy tannins, unmatched breadth and huge flavors of blackberry, plum and chocolate… — M.S. (6/1/2005)

points

Domaine de Chevalier 2002 White (Pessac-Léognan)

Cellar Selection

Price $100

This is a great wine, which will age almost indefinitely. What makes this wine so great is its complex mix of intense fresh fruits, flavors of pink grapefruit and subtle wood. But there is also a depth of acidity, which shows how well this wine will age. — R.V. (6/1/2005)

2009 Cobblestone Cobblestone Vineyard Reserve

An impressive Cabernet, rich and dense in fruit and oak, with tremendous…

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