Published in August 2005

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

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Stolichnaya elit Vodka

Price $60

Aroma is dry, clean, and grainy, with background notes of parchment and litchi; later passes offer semisweet, mildly smoky/ashy scents of charcoal and smoldering embers. Palate entry is firm, moderately oily, bittersweet; at midpalate concentrated and spicy grain flavors mingle adroitly with the smoky, sap- and resin-sweet birch-charcoal filtering influence… — P.P. (8/1/2005)

96-100

points

Wokka Saki Vodka with Sake Added

Price $40

A stunningly elegant bouquet with alluring scents of peaches and nectarines. The palate entry is sweet, ripe, oily, and textured; at midpalate the taste profile turns equally grainy and fruity, with the 80-proof alcohol serving well as a base for the nimble flavorings. Ends well in a satiny, oily manner, showing just a trace of peach/nectarine flavor. — P.P. (8/1/2005)

points

Bründlmayer 2001 Zöbinger Heiligenstein Alte Reben Riesling (Kamptal)

Cellar Selection

Price $49

The nose is both deceptive and enticing, with its sweet fruit and honey aromas. But they lead to a stunningly rich wine from the great Heiligenstein vineyard, one that is dry with a fine mineral character. It has flavors of pink grapefruit, hedgerow fruit, white currants and a layer of tannin to give structure. This great wine will age for a long time—10 to 15… — R.V. (8/1/2005)

points

Brokenwood 2002 Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz (Hunter Valley)

Price $100

A gorgeous wine that defies the modern idea that wines have to be big and brash to be excellent. This one feels simultaneously fresh and old as the hills, with a meaty, merdy appeal. Red fruit aromas and flavors are concentrated and sprinkled in black pepper; the tannins are manageable now, but still substantial enough to age. A modest 13.5% alcohol, and, bless ’em… — D.T. (8/1/2005)

points

Clarendon Hills 2003 Brookman Syrah (Clarendon)

Cellar Selection

Price $75

Smells indescribably good, but it’s hard to pick out specific scents—think instead of farmers’ market of the freshest fruit. It’s no slouch on the palate, either, where the impression is similarly seamless: In the mix you might discern a rainbow of just-ripe fruit, earth and wheat toast, for starters. It’s balanced, restrained and pretty, and should stay that way… — D.T. (8/1/2005)

points

Newton 2002 Unfiltered Chardonnay (Napa Valley)

Price $56

Impressive, delicious, a tremendous wine in every respect. It’s powerfully smoky, with spiced oak everywhere, rich in buttered toast and vanilla, but such pretty fruit underneath, it’s easily able to support it. Mangoes, pineapples, peaches, ripe Bosc pears, loads of dusty spices and a rich, full creamy texture. — S.H. (8/1/2005)

points

Herzog 2001 Special Reserve Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)

Price $27

This Chardonnay is impressive. It’s power-packed with ripe pineapple fruit that tastes as if it has been grilled in the barbecue, sprinkled with brown sugar, drizzled with vanilla and honey and then liquified. The fusion of strong oak with fruit is impressive, as are the rich, creamy texture and long, spicy aftertaste. — S.H. (8/1/2005)

points

San Vicente 2001 Tempranillo (Rioja)

Editors' Choice

Price $51

Smoky and rich, with hints of raisin, black cherry and chocolate scurrying about the nose. Meaty plum, cherry and blackberry flavors form a seamless palate that slides easily onto the coffee-filled finish. Everything evolves beautifully here, and it will satisfy anyone with an unbridled craving for chocolaty hedonism. Imported by Jorge Ordoñez/Fine Estates from Spain. — M.S. (8/1/2005)

2009 Monte Pinadillo Ciranza

Black fruit, raisin and minerally aromas combine to create a formidable…

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