Published in Mid December 2009

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the Mid December 2009 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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Evening Land 2007 Occidental Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

Cellar Selection

Price $150

A terrific Pinot, and one of the few that absolutely demands cellaring. The tannic structure is enormous, providing a sandpapery dryness to the palate. Yet the flavor explosion is so powerful, you can enjoy it now with utter satisfaction. Erupts in grilled blackberry and cherry, Dr. Pepper cola, bacon, anise, sautéed wild mushroom and smoky sandalwood flavors… — S.H. (12/15/2009)

points

Taylor Fladgate 2007 Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velhas Vintage Port (Port)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $230

A serious, impressive wine produced from a small parcel of old vines at Vargellas. With minerality, spice, dark black plums and a dense tannic structure, this is obviously ready for a long haul of aging. The tannins give an initial bitterness, but then the juicy, wonderfully ripe fruit comes in. — R.V. (12/15/2009)

points

Dow's 2007 Vintage Port (Port)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $76

A solidly structured wine, packed with initially sweet fruit that then becomes drier as the ripe tannins show through. All the ingredients are there, supported by a tense texture to go with the first sweetness. It’s an exciting wine, obviously very ageworthy. — R.V. (12/15/2009)

points

Fonseca 2007 Vintage Port (Port)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $95

Dense and serious, a powerful vintage, as would be expected from Fonseca. The whole emphasis of the wine pushes the tannins forward, but this structure is based on black plums with dark fruit skins and a solid, chunky character. The finish is juicy and bold. — R.V. (12/15/2009)

points

Niepoort 2007 Vintage Port (Port)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $100

An impressive, balanced wine from master winemaker Dirk van Niepoort. Chocolate and licorice flavors dominate the fruit, giving a wine that has weight, complexity and at the same time elegance. The tannins offer a dense, dry structure. It is tight, solid and certainly for aging. — R.V. (12/15/2009)

96-100

points

Longrow CV Campbeltown Single Malt Whisky

Best Buy

Price $72

Wonderful bouquet features aromas of sawdust, dry cheese, lanolin, wax paper, peatreek, chalk, kippers, unused band-aid, medicine chest and dried tobacco leaf. Palate entry offers flavors of tobacco smoke, smoked fish, honey and grain; midpalate adds tangy flavors of spiced rum, vanilla cake frosting, cocoa butter, milk chocolate and sweet oak. Concludes with vivid… — P.P. (12/15/2009)

points

Evening Land 2007 Occidental Coast Two Daughters Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

Editors' Choice

Price $65

Gorgeous and immaculate. Showcases Russian River/Sonoma Coast Pinot at its finest, with superb acidity, ultra-refined tannins and flavors of grilled blackberries, cherry pie filling, cola, crushed black pepper, cinnamon, anise and smoky, caramelized sandalwood. As rich as it is, there’s an elusive quality, with hints of wild game and undefineable forest floor… — S.H. (12/15/2009)

points

Adelsheim 2007 Winderlea Vineyard Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills)

Editors' Choice

Price $75

This vineyard is a magical site, one of the greatest Oregon Pinot vineyards. The wine has the majestic plumpness of grand cru Burgundy, with potent cherry fruit, laced with sweet spices, that seems to expand through a generous midpalate and keep on keeping on as long as you are paying attention. — P.G. (12/15/2009)

2009 Mira Hyde Vineyard

The esteemed Hyde Vineyard is in Carneros, and is the source for some…

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