Published in May 2008

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the May 2008 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Sort By:

Cold River Vodka

Price $35

The lovely, austere and enticing bouquet offers scents of black pepper, charcoal and limestone. Entry is sweet and lightly spiced; at midpalate luscious tastes of caramel corn, charcoal, quartz and cocoa bean make for wonderful North American unflavored vodka drinking. Concludes smooth, complex and layered. A coming superstar. — P.P. (5/1/2008)

points

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2006 Ethos Late Harvest White Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA))

Editors' Choice

Price $40

This is just this side of unctuous, a decadently ripe and rich late harvest Riesling. The residual sugar is at 23%, the alcohol a moderate 8%, and the balance impeccable, with a buoyant underpinning to the intense sweetness. It avoids sugary granularity as well, offering seamless, concentrated fruit that piles on flavors of peach, apricot, banana, mango, papaya and… — P.G. (5/1/2008)

points

Goldschmidt 2005 Game Ranch Single Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville)

Cellar Selection

Price $65

This is a densely structured young Cab. Although the tannins are ripe and sweet, they still possess enough astringency to suggest cellaring. This wine is terrifically rich in black currants and exotic, smoky oak—a big, rich Cab whose impeccable structure defines Oakville. Unfined and unfiltered, it will be best after 2008 and through 2017. — S.H. (5/1/2008)

96-100

points

Benedictine Liqueur

Best Buy

Price $29

The bouquet is mesmerizing with multiple layers of fragrances that include pine/cedar, quinine, fennel, white pepper, licorice, mace, allspice, sage and rosemary. An orange zest flavor appears at palate entry; midpalate finds exotic tastes of orange zest, tangerine zest, multiple herbs and spices, honey and pine. A fabulous liqueur. — P.P. (5/1/2008)

96-100

points

Drambuie Liqueur

Price $35

The nosing passes find layers of aromas of honey, heather, pine needle, thyme and salty single malt Scotch whisky. Entry is thick, gently sweet but balanced by a fierce herbal quality; midpalate focuses on the whisky while the various herbs, spices and honey make merry around their whisky core. One of the best liqueurs available. — P.P. (5/1/2008)

96-100

points

X-Rated Fusion Liqueur

Online Exclusive

Price $25

Dainty carnation pink, and smells like a grapefruit-flavored energy drink. The flavor is juicy and tart on the entry, but finishes rather sweet, reminiscent of grapefruit-spiked lemonade. Made with French vodka mixed with blood orange, mango and passion fruit. Although this appears to be made to mix, the modest alcohol level suggests this is intended as a… — K.N. (10/1/2012)

points

Testarossa 2006 Cuvee Niclaire Pinot Noir

Price $75

Of all Testarossa’s 2006 Pinots, this is the most complex, and also the most ageworthy. Offers a flood of cherry, red currant, Dr. Pepper, raspberry, licorice, vanilla cookie and oaky spice flavors that are fantastically intense and interesting. Interestingly, this bottling is one of Testarossa’s highest-alcohol Pinots. Great now and for a good six more years. — S.H. (5/1/2008)

points

Goldschmidt 2005 Vyborny Vineyard Single Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $65

Cabernet collectors who look beyond Napa Valley should be aware of this wine. It’s an important addition to the Alexander Valley pantheon, a densely layered young wine. Shows brilliant red stone fruit, cassis, cola, date nut bread, mocha and tangerine zest flavors gorgeously lavished with the vanilla and smoky caramel of oak. Just delicious now, and should slowly… — S.H. (5/1/2008)

2010 Andeluna Altitud

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

(Sponsored)