Published in the Year's Best 2008

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the the Year's Best 2008 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Sort By:

Iron Horse NV Joy! Sparkling (Green Valley)

Price $147

This multivintage bottling is extraordinarily rich in orange fruit. You’ll find complex layers of smoky butter, yeasty brioche, vanilla and toasted oak. What’s so remarkable, though, is the mouthfeel: While it’s brisk in acidity, it feels as soft and gentle as satin. It’s so beautiful now that you’ll find it difficult to keep from drinking the entire magnum immediately. — S.H. (12/1/2012)

96-100

points

Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey

Price $50

The nosing passes pick up seductive aromatic notes of toasted walnut, dried red fruits, marzipan, black pepper, spices, cocoa and marshmallow. Entry is zesty, fruity, candied and almost Sherry-like; the midpalate bursts with flavors of cocoa, dark chocolate, chocolate covered almond, coffee, tobacco and dark caramel. Ends smooth, silky, toffee sweet and honeyed. Wow. — P.P. (12/31/2008)

points

Chanson Père et Fils 2005 Pinot Noir (Charmes-Chambertin)

Cellar Selection

Price $225

Dark in color, this is a rich, opulent, almost showy wine. The fruit is ripe, a combination of the sweetest strawberries with black cherries, laced with rich acidity. Then the tannins power in, a dry core of structure and density. Impressive and long-lasting, don’t touch this wine for another six years at least. — R.V. (12/31/2008)

points

Bouchard Pere & Fils 2006 Pinot Noir (Bonnes-Mares)

Price $325

A proper Bonnes-Mares, solidly rooted in its great terroir, very ripe but also densely structured. The wine builds up in layers, the flavors of chocolate, licorice and dark plum skins piling on top of each other. The acidity is there, but almost submerged in the richness and the ripe raspberry jam aftertaste. — R.V. (12/31/2008)

points

Bouchard Pere & Fils 2006 Pinot Noir (Chambertin Clos de Bèze)

Cellar Selection

Price $575

Big and bold, this is real Chambertin, a dense mouthful of plum fruit and tannin. It is foursquare, solid but not overbearing, leaving room for a delicious mix of black fruits and power leavened with some acidity. Age this wine for 10 years. — R.V. (12/31/2008)

points

Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair 2005 Pinot Noir (La Romanée )

Price $2000

A wonderfully complete wine, with all the elements in place. It is ripe and powerful, the black fruits jammy and rich. But at the same time, the layer of acidity, the dark tannins and the succulent texture all come together in a finely balanced way. It is almost exotic, but the tannins promise good potential for aging. — R.V. (12/31/2008)

points

Domaine Anne Gros 2006 Le Grand Maupertui Pinot Noir (Clos de Vougeot)

Cellar Selection

A big, structured wine, still young, with a dense, firm character. The wine is solid, with concentrated black fruits that power deep down into the texture, adding their richness to licorice, bitter chocolate and inspired acidity. Age for at least five years. — R.V. (12/31/2008)

points

Laetitia 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir (Arroyo Grande Valley)

Price $40

Laetitia’s best reserve ever. In a word, gorgeous. There’s a soft silkiness, a caressingly smooth mouthfeel that just seduces the palate into submission. Then the deliciousness sinks in, all red currants, cherries, mocha, licorice, pepper and smoke, set off with fine acidity and tannins. So compulsively drinkable, you can’t keep your hands off it. Best now through 2010. — S.H. (12/31/2008)

2010 Andeluna Altitud

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

(Sponsored)