Published in Early December 2011

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the Early December 2011 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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Charles Smith 2008 Royal City Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA))

Price $140

An Amaro-like mix of bitters and herbs; this is exceptionally dense and dark. The fruit is a grace note; the big flavors come from herb, earth, rock, barrel and more. Licorice, baking spices, smoke, black cherry, Bourbon barrel, and on it goes. Huge and dense and seemingly endless. — P.G. (12/15/2011)

points

Schramsberg 2004 J. Schram Rosé Sparkling

Price $130

An awesome rosé, just a tremendous feat. Made from 11 vineyards in 4 counties, it shows a masterful art of the blend. Insanely rich in toasted bread and lees, showing the influence of six years in the bottle. A tremendous core of strawberries, raspberries, orange zest, roasted macadamia, roasted coconut, pear liqueur and honey lasts into the finish. Despite the… — S.H. (12/1/2011)

points

Founders KBS

Cellar Selection

Price $19

If you ask a beer geek what their ultimate stout is, chances are high that they’ll say KBS. This stout is literally one of a kind, with an unmistakable profile loaded with crazy-intense notes of dark chocolate, brewed espresso, vanilla bean and Bourbon thanks to the one year of aging in oak Bourbon barrels. It pours slightly thick and dark as night, flavors of… — L.B. (12/1/2011)

points

Fattoria Petrolo 2001 San Petrolo White

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $60

In a league with Italy’s best dessert wines, San Petrolo is a superrich and concentrated wine that almost has a hard time pouring out of the bottle. The wine does indeed have the consistency of maple syrup, with a deep brown color and gorgeous aromas of toasted almond, chestnut honey, crème caramel and crème brûlée. — M.L. (12/15/2011)

points

Deschutes Black Butte XXIII 23rd Birthday Reserve

Price $12

Comes with the recommendation “Best after 6/15/12” on the bottle, and while this porter certainly has the potential to cellar nicely, it’s perfectly enjoyable now. Brewed with cocoa nibs from Theo’s, Sevilla oranges and Pasilla Negra chilies with 25% aged in Bourbon barrels, this Porter is not short on complexity but remains remarkably balanced and drinkable… — L.B. (12/1/2011)

points

Iron Horse 1997 Joy! Blanc de Blancs Sparkling (Green Valley)

Price $179

A triumph, really. Held back for 14 years and just recently disgorged, it’s fantastically rich and complex, just oozing the most delicious orange, butterscotch, yeast and toast flavors. So silky, so sweet in fruit, and yet with a dry finish. Stands out in any tasting of the best sparklers. Hard to imagine a California bubbly better than this. — S.H. (12/15/2011)

points

Ron Abuelo Centuria

Price $130

Made to celebrate 100 years of rum making, this is a spirit to savor. It’s made from a blend of rums aged from eight up to 30 years in American whiskey barrels. The unusually deep caramel hue advertises the powerful flavors: crème brûlée, lingering and kaleidoscopic notes of coffee bean, caramel, cola, muted gingerbread spices and just a mere hint of sweetness. — K.N. (12/1/2011)

points

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht 2009 Clos Saint Urbain Rangen de Thann Grand Cru Riesling

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $104

The ultrasteep Rangen de Thann vineyard was rediscovered by Léonard Humbrecht and now is one of the top vineyard sites in Alsace. This impressive, elegant Riesling wears its ripeness easily, a streak of bright acidity with intense citrus character. It’s ready to age for 5–6 years and surely many more. — R.V. (12/1/2011)

2011 Gnarly Head

What a great price for a Pinot Noir with this much class. It’s silky and…

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