Published in November 2010

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the November 2010 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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Dominus 2007 Red Wine (Napa Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $129

Easily the greatest Dominus in memory. Comes down on the drier, lower alcohol and less ripe side than many Cabs in its league, yet lacks for nothing in complexity and sheer deliciousness. Tantalizes with blackberry tart, cherry, carob bean and a Pinot Noir-esque cola-rhubarb richness that retreats behind rich tannins and an earthiness suggesting sweet blond tobacco… — S.H. (11/1/2010)

points

Von Strasser 2007 Reserve Red (Diamond Mountain)

Cellar Selection

Price $125

Napa Bordeaux-style wines don’t get much richer than this. It is, extraordinary, in large part due to the perfect vintage. So rich, so ripe in fruit, and yet so brilliantly balanced in tannins and acidity. Really world-class. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec, it offers dazzlingly complex waves of blackberry and black currant fruit, with… — S.H. (11/1/2010)

points

Grand Rêve 2007 Collaboration Series Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Mountain)

Price $75

The purity is astonishing—a ringing bell of vivid, racy blueberry, blackberry and black cherry fruit. The 100% new French oak is completely absorbed into the wine, its flavors unobtrusive. The essence of the vineyard and the grape, this is a must-taste for lovers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Red Mountain. Sleek, tight, extremely youthful but polished and dense. — P.G. (11/1/2010)

points

Nine Barrel 2007 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

Price $90

Take a great Napa Cabernet and turn it into a Russian River Pinot, and you get this wonderful Pinot Noir. It’s a low production blend of various vineyards controlled by Jackson Family Farms, and each barrel seems picked for sheer lusciousness. Dry and silky, with perfect tannin-acid balance, it shows rich, complex waves of raspberries, cherries, Dr. Pepper cola… — S.H. (11/1/2010)

points

WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey

Price $70

First, a warning: this is only for those who like their rye big and brawny. It starts off innocuously with a maple-syrup color, and a pretty, complex and subtle scent: honey, vanilla, a sight medicinal tinge and faint clover notes. It feels silky on the tongue and at first, the flavors reflect caramel, burnt orange and a whisper of smoke, but then a mouth-warming… — K.N. (11/1/2010)

points

Rendezvous Rye

Price $50

Strong but intriguing. Medium color and body, with rich aromas of burnt orange and caramel. The flavor also reflected burnt orange and caramel, plus a spicy tinge reminiscent of cassia bark or Red-Hot candies. The finish lingers, pleasant, inviting and warm. Might be good for Manhattans—a touch of fruit or sweetness would go well with this rye. Excellent value. — K.N. (11/1/2010)

points

Duckhorn 2006 The Discussion Red (Napa Valley)

Price $115

Duckhorn set out to make a dazzler, and succeeded. A Bordeaux blend based mainly on Cabernet Sauvignon, it has too many flavors to list, but blackberries, dark chocolate, orange peel, red licorice, bacon and dusty Indian spices surely top the list, wrapped into soft but super fine tannins. Really a first-rate wine that earns a place in the Napa pantheon. Now–2015… — S.H. (11/1/2010)

points

William Fèvre 2008 Valmur Grand Cru Chardonnay (Chablis)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $83

A great waft of ripe fruits, wood spice and tense acidity. A Valmur is a model for great Chablis, a taut wine, like a spring of green fruits waiting to burst out. This impressive wine needs aging, give it at least five years. — R.V. (11/1/2010)

2010 Andeluna Altitud

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

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