Published in the Year's Best 2011
Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the the Year's Best 2011 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Olivier Leflaive 2009 Champ Gain Chardonnay (Puligny-Montrachet)
- Online Exclusive
- $100
Dominated by its toasty wood flavors, this is a wine still under development. It has weight, the fruit offering great potential richness. Spice, lime fruits and a firm, steely core all promise to come together into a fine wine in five years.
— R.V.
(12/31/2011)
Domaine Laroche 2009 Les Blanchots Grand Cru Chardonnay (Chablis)
- Online Exclusive
- $95
Hugely rich wine, retaining its tense textured character while reveling in white fruit ripeness. Concentrated, with the wood acidity and spice mingling with the fruit acidity, this is a wine for long-term aging, powerful yet always very crisp. Screwcap.
— R.V.
(12/31/2011)
Simonnet-Febvre 2009 Blanchot Chardonnay (Chablis)
- Online Exclusive
- $70
Packed with rich fruit as well as minerality, the wine has all the right tension of Chablis while benefiting from the warm pear, peach and almond flavors. The citrus edge is very Chablis.
— R.V.
(12/31/2011)
Roux Père et Fils 2008 Corton-Charlemagne Chardonnay (Corton-Charlemagne)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $164
All structure and textured fruit, this is a wine for the long term. All the elements are there, although restrained by the vintage. The yellow fruits are more peach than apricot, while wood is still domiNAt. But it does have the power and should be aged for 4–5 years.
— R.V.
(12/31/2011)
Charles Krug 2008 Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $75
This is Krug’s flagship Cabernet, produced since 1944. Always 100% varietal, it’s a big, tannic wine, made for aging. The ’08 is a lovely wine, with classic old-style Cab flavors of blackberries, currants, herbs and cedar. It’s certainly higher in alcohol than in the old days, but still maintains balance. Give it six years, at least.
— S.H.
(12/31/2011)
Perrier Jouët 1995 Fleur de Champagne Sparkling
- Online Exclusive
Soft and round, with more exotic fruit characters. This is ripe, the acidity well integrated. Citrus and toast mix with ripe apricot and pineapple. It exudes the more seductive side of this famous brand, now mature, but still very much alive.
— R.V.
(12/31/2011)
La Fenêtre 2009 Los Alamos Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Barbara County)
- Online Exclusive
- $35
Lots of fine structure in this Chardonnay, with crisp acidity, minerals and even some firm tannins giving a framework to the tangerine and smoky oak flavors. Feels tight and elegant in the mouth. Drink this upscale Chard with rich fare, like ahi tuna and steamed lobster with drawn butter.
— S.H.
(12/31/2011)
Osocalis XO
- $99
From a small family-run distillery, this blend of “older” California brandies has a vibrant golden-orange color and a sweet apples-and-honey note. On the palate, creamy citrus flavors finish big and rich, with caramel, ginger and cinnamon notes, and a soft texture. Pair with a fruit dessert, like apple pie with vanilla ice cream. Come to think of it, this brandy…
— K.N.
(11/16/2011)
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