Published in September 2006

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

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Sloan 2002 Red Wine (Rutherford)

Price $245

Impossibly aromatic. Hard to imagine greater claret perfume. Shows the most refined mingling of smoky oak, cassis, cherries, roasted coconut macaroon, cocoa puff and spice scents. Absolutely first rate, as good as anything Napa Valley produces. Compellingly, addictively delicious, but so dry and voluptuous. Classic wine, with perfect alignment of fruit, acids… — S.H. (9/1/2006)

points

Harlan Estate 2002 Red (Napa Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $245

The aroma is deep and inviting, equal parts new oak, Cabernet fruit and dried herbs. Has tremendous weight, with red and black cherry, cola, chocolate, cassis and roasted coconut flavors. Brilliant now, virtually flawless and totally delicious, yet has the impeccable balance to age and even improve over the years. The listed price is its pre-release price. Drink… — S.H. (9/1/2006)

points

Colgin 2003 IX Estate Red Wine (Napa Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $175

From the winery’s estate vineyard, high up on Pritchard Hill above the Silverado Trail, comes this spectacular Cab-based masterpiece. The color is purple-black, and massively saturated. Very intricate, complex, totally enjoyable, almost perfect. Like a great Pauillac, this monumental wine announces cassis, blackberry, cigar box, pencil lead, spice and cedar flavors… — S.H. (9/1/2006)

points

Rubicon Estate 2002 Red (Rutherford)

Cellar Selection

Price $110

Fragrant, showing cascades of violets, caramelized new oak, sweet cherry pie, cocoa and cassis aromas. In the mouth, it’s unctuous, and floods the palate with sweet, savory flavors. Has a youthful jamminess right now, which will melt off and refine as time goes by. Such is the elegance and balance that cellaring it for 20 years will be no problem. This is the best… — S.H. (9/1/2006)

points

Von Othegraven 2004 Kanzem Altenberg Eiswein First Growth Riesling (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer)

Cellar Selection

Price $250

Words hardly do this wine justice. It’s unctuous almost beyond the point of being wine—offering a mèlange of dried fruits and honey that ooze over every taste bud, filling the pores of your mouth and then releasing sugar and flavor for minutes afterward. And the aromas aren’t too shabby either, giving up intense scents of dried apricots and orange marmalade, tinged… — J.C. (9/1/2006)

points

Shafer 2002 Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District)

Cellar Selection

Price $190

The impression is of a young, tannicly closed but enormously promising Cabernet. Floods the mouth with dramatic black currant, cherry and chocolate flavors, masses of toasty, caramelized new oak, and a rich, minerally earthiness. For all the power, there’s elegance and refinement. If you must drink it now, decant it; best 2008–2015. — S.H. (9/1/2006)

points

Niebaum-Coppola 1997 Rubicon Red (Rutherford)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $100

A masterpiece from this near perfect vintage. Completely ripe, classic and fresh, with oodles of red cherry and blackcurrant flavors that are generously oaked. Amazingly, the wine is still young and tannic. So beautifully structured, so smooth and polished, firm yet soft, just a gorgeous wine. Hold onto it until at least 2012, if you can. — S.H. (9/1/2006)

points

Von Strasser 2002 Reserve Red (Diamond Mountain)

Cellar Selection

Price $100

Some great Cabs are drinkable when young, while others require patience. This is the latter sort. It’s a tough, young wine, dominated by dusty tannins leading to an astringent finish. But it’s incredibly fine, showing a balance and grace rare even in Napa Valley. As it warms up and breathes in the glass, it gets even better, giving tantalizing hints of ripe cassis… — S.H. (9/1/2006)

2009 Cobblestone Cobblestone Vineyard Reserve

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

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