Published in Mid December 2011

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

Sort By:

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

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

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

Conn Creek 2007 Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Atlas Peak)

Editors' Choice
Online Exclusive

Price $45

A tremendous Cabernet, showing the authority of its vineyard, high up in the Vaca Mountains. Dry and full-bodied, this wine is spectacularly rich in blackberries, cassis and minerals and is well oaked. What’s most remarkable is the quality of the tannins. They’re firm, yet soft and sweetly refined. A tremendous accomplishment, and should develop in the bottle for a… — S.H. (12/15/2011)

points

K Vintners 2007 The Hustler Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

Price $140

Only the second time The Hustler has been made, this spent 38 months in barrel. All the fruit is sourced from the Morrison Lane vineyard. Port-like and amazingly concentrated, it’s about as far as a dry wine can go and show fruit that is not buried in new oak. Here the fruit is a dark blend of berries and cassis; there is a dense layer of chocolate and earth… — P.G. (12/15/2011)

points

Roederer Estate 2003 L'Ermitage Sparkling (Anderson Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $45

2003 was a great vintage for Roederer Estate. This, their top vintage wine, is very great, and the price is an absolute steal for this world class sparkler. It’s enormously rich in the strawberries from Pinot Noir and the limes from Chardonnay, while the toast and rich lees combine for a perfect champagne-style smokiness. And so smooth, it's like a kiss of silk. At… — S.H. (12/15/2011)

points

Foxen 2010 Block UU Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $32

You want decadence, opulence and fabulosity in your Chardonnay? This one’s for you. It’s tremendous in ripe pineapple, pear, peach, mango, lime, tangerine and papaya flavors. So much fruit, while the oak application is never heavy handed, applying just the right touch of buttered toast. Where does all that vanilla honey come from? A magnificent example of a… — S.H. (12/15/2011)

points

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve

Price $125

Honey-amber color and a big butterscotch aroma. Intriguingly dry and earthy, with leather, tobacco, dark chocolate and clove flavors, which accelerate with repeated sips and linger on. Add ice if you must, but avoid watering down this delicious after-dinner treat, which would be even better accompanied by a well-selected dark chocolate or two. — K.N. (12/15/2011)

2008 DiamAndes de Uco Gran Reserva

Blackberry, blueberry and maple aromas announce a rich, ripe wine…

(Sponsored)