Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the the Year's Best 2011 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Online Exclusives
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Olivier Leflaive 2009 Bâtard-Montrachet Chardonnay (Bâtard-Montrachet)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $350
Mineral, steel and toast set this impressive, well-structured wine on to the road for aging. Behind this initially severe, very young exterior is the richest yellow and white fruit, exuding power, concentration and density. Give it 6–8 years and many more.
— R.V.
(12/31/2011)
Renieri 2001 Principe di Renieri White (Toscana)
- Online Exclusive
- $70
This is a stellar dessert wine from Tuscany (the blend is Trebbiano, Sangiovese and Malvasia) executed in a vin santo style. It opens with a dark amber color and beautifully complex aromas of caramel, toasted almond, butterscotch and candied fruit. The mouthfeel is soft, silky and opulently creamy.
— M.L.
(12/31/2011)
Chalk Hill 2008 Botrytised Sémillon (Chalk Hill)
- $45
Very, very sweet and decadent, like pure honey. Nectar of the gods-type wine, oozing spicy apricot, orange, roasted almond and vanilla honey flavors. To describe the mouthfeel as creamy hardly does it justice, it’s so viscous and glyceriney. A magnificent dessert wine to savor.
— S.H.
(12/31/2011)
Founders Imperial Stout
- $10
Brewed with 10 varieties of malted barley, this Imperial Stout is a beautiful example of the best the style has to offer. A gorgeous pour, opaque black in color with a serious head that shows superb staying power. The aromas are intoxicating, with an abundance of rich roasty scents like Sumatra coffee, dark chocolate, licorice root and booze-soaked warm spicy oak…
— L.B.
(12/31/2011)
Monticello 2008 Corley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
- $72
A terrific Napa Cabernet, dry and smooth and tremendously layered in flavors. Blackberries, blueberries, currants, crême de cassis, anise, dark chocolate and cedar flood the palate and are just delicious. Best of all is the structure, so rich in firm tannins and acidity. Wonderful now, and should develop for at least a decade.
— S.H.
(12/31/2011)
W.H. Smith 2009 Bill and Joan's Special Selection Maritime Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
- Cellar Selection
- $60
A gorgeous evocation of Pinot Noir. Pours pale in color and translucent, suggesting it’s not a heavy fruit bomb, and indeed it is not. Feels as light as a cloud, yet with intense flavors of red stone fruits, bacon and spices, and that feral, wild forest quality you get from the best Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs. Bone dry, but so sweet in fruit and cedar, with wonderful…
— S.H.
(12/31/2011)
Blue Rock 2009 Best Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $95
So young now, it’s all primary fruit, oak and tannins. But It’s a stunner. The fruit is enormous, packing explosive blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and dark chocolate flavors, while oak brings an elaborate smoky sweetness. Feels dramatic and important, and should age well for ten years, at least.
— S.H.
(12/31/2011)
Olivier Leflaive 2009 Corton-Charlemagne Chardonnay (Corton-Charlemagne)
- Online Exclusive
- $182
As always, Corton-Charlemagne offers an opulent Chardonnay. In this vintage, the wine has intense tropical fruits, very ripe although never losing sight of its acidity. There is terrific concentration here, giving a wine that is very rich.
— R.V.
(12/31/2011)
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