Published in August 2006

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the August 2006 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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Diamond Creek 2002 Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $175

The most complete and compelling of Diamond Creek’s trio of ’02s, combining the opulent accessibility of Gravelly Meadow with the power and authority of Volcanic Hill. The aromas of cassis, red currants, cedar, tobacco and cigar box lead to massively packed Cabernet flavors wrapped in huge, dusty tannins. The wine is so balanced, so distinguished and complete… — S.H. (8/1/2006)

96-100

points

Château du Busca Hors d’Age Cigare Tenarèze Armagnac

Best Buy

Price $75

An expressive and integrated aroma with lovely fragrances of baked pear, mince meat, pine sap and pipe tobacco. The palate entry tastes of dried red fruits, maple sugar, and pine; the succulent midpalate is laced with tastes of maple, pear in brandy, sap, oaky vanilla and pipe smoke. The aftertaste is as gratifying as the bouquet and midpalate. Best Buy. — P.P. (8/1/2006)

96-100

points

Château du Busca Hors d’Age 15 Years Old Tenarèze Armagnac

Best Buy

Price $99

The wonderfully zesty aroma includes notes of margarine, lanolin, dark caramel, buttery oak and holiday fruitcake. The palate entry is rich, creamy and honeyed; at midpalate the woody/creamy flavor suggests rancio beginnings. Finishes semisweet, cocoa- and maple sugar-like, and intensely oaky. Best Buy. — P.P. (8/1/2006)

96-100

points

Château du Busca 1985 Tenarèze Armagnac

Price $129

The complex bouquet consists of smells that include candied, smoky scents and toasty and vanilla-laden scents which accent the wood/oak core aroma. The spectacular palate entry is sophisticated, semisweet, cola- and toffee-like; the midpalate offers integrated tastes of nougat, roasted chestnuts, dark chocolate, orange rind and treacle. Finishes with a deft touch… — P.P. (8/1/2006)

points

De Loach 2004 30th Anniversary Cuvee Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $45

This shows winemaker Greg LaFollette’s master touch in the way he’s balanced the wine and kept it harmonious. It’s a huge mouthful of cherry pie and cassis flavor, with the most delicate notes of raspberries, toasted meringue and vanilla, subtlely spiced and dry. A gorgeous Pinot Noir that superbly combines power with elegance. — S.H. (8/1/2006)

96-100

points

Modern Spirits Grapefruit Honey Flavored Vodka

Price $40

The bouquet is deftly crafted and true to its sources beginning tart and juicy and then turning milder and less acidic. The palate entry features the ripeness of the grapefruit and then evolves at midpalate into a delicately sweet/sour taste in which both flavor infusions complement each other. Finishes with more of the grapefruit influence showing. — P.P. (8/1/2006)

points

Diamond Creek 2002 Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $175

Starts off as a closed, tight wine, aromatically speaking, and needs plenty of decanting to breathe, but once it starts to open, there’s an eruption of the most refined cassis and cedar aromas. In the mouth, this is an immense Cabernet, profoundly deep in blackberry, roasted coffee and dark chocolate flavors. It is also enormously tannic, and is effectively locked… — S.H. (8/1/2006)

points

Taylor Fladgate NV 40-year old tawny Port (Port)

Editors' Choice

Price $154

A superb wine, elegance and weight combined magisterially. It has all the right mature flavors, ripe fruit, intense marmalade and concentration. This is a wine with a great reputation, and the taste doesn’t let that reputation down. Imported by Kobrand. — R.V. (8/1/2006)

2010 Andeluna Altitud

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

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