Published in Early December 2011
Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the Early December 2011 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Ravenswood 2008 Old Hill Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley)
- $60
A tremendous Zinfandel, Ravenswood’s most expensive, and while you might quiver at the price, it’s easily a very great wine. This is Zinfandel on steroids, a monster of wild summer berry, tobacco, currant and spice flavors, wrapped into significantly thick tannins. Yet despite the power, it never quite loses elegance and balance. The winery’s 2007 was their…
— S.H.
(12/15/2011)
François Lurton 2006 Campo Eliseo Tinta de Toro (Toro)
- Editors' Choice
- $100
Everything that’s fantastic about 21st-century Toro is encapsulated in this big, intense beauty. Tobacco, vanilla and blackberry aromas grace the forceful but stylish nose, while the palate pulses with toasty blackberry, dark plum, tobacco and chocolaty flavors. Smoky, pure and long on the finish. A hands-down winner to drink now through 2016.
— M.S.
(12/15/2011)
Terra Valentine 2008 Marriage Red (Spring Mountain)
- $75
A best-of-barrels blend from the classic Bordeaux varieties, this wine is delicious. It’s not hard for Napa to ripen fruit to blackberry and cherry perfection, or for the winemaker to age the wine in the best oak. What’s difficult is to house all this richness in such smooth tannins, with such depth and such a pure finish. A spectacularly good wine to drink now…
— S.H.
(12/1/2011)
Bründlmayer 2009 Steinmassel Trockenbeerenauslese Riesling (Niederösterreich)
- Cellar Selection
Always the star of sweet wines, this TBA Riesling preserves so much freshness while also being packed with honeyed, ripe apricot and mango fruits. It is the acidity along with the dry botrytis that make the wine so special and offer considerable aging potential— give it seven years or more.
— R.V.
(12/15/2011)
Douglas of Drumlanrig: Laphroaig 17 years old
- $189
For those who prefer a peaty Scotch style, this is an excellent, food-friendly example that won’t blow out your palate with smoke. This straw-colored spirit has a pronounced but delicate brininess, which builds gently with repeated sips. Pair this light-bodied spirit with oysters or other shellfish.
— K.N.
(12/15/2011)
Ron Abuelo 12 Años
- $33
Sweet and sippable, this nut-brown spirit has complex, rich flavors and a soft feel. The aroma is dark and somewhat boozy, with notes of dried fruit and burnt toffee. On the palate, look for creamy vanilla, cinnamon, clove and mocha flavors, with a lovely rounded finish.
— K.N.
(12/1/2011)
Glenmorangie Signet
- Online Exclusive
- $200
This dark and luscious spirit is made using “high roast” malted barley to coax out chocolate and espresso flavors, then married with other “rare and ancient” whiskies. The end result is a burnished copper glow, intense toffee aroma, resonating espresso, nut and toasty oak flavors and a lingering cinnamon-clove finish. Each sip warms all the way down. A soft, warm…
— K.N.
(12/15/2011)
K Vintners 2008 Ovide En Cerise Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $60
Sourced from another of the Cayuse vineyards, this is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Syrah—a proven blend in Walla Walla. There is a potently aromatic herbal quality to the perfectly ripened fruit that marries black cherry and earthy tannins to the herbs. A big wine, with dried leaf character dominating the tannins. Good length, in an Italian style…
— P.G.
(12/15/2011)
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