Published in April 2012

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the April 2012 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

April 2012 Featured Collections

Sicilia Mania! Stunning Southern selections Riesling Down Under: 23 Australian Gems West Coast Cabs and Blends Online Exclusives

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Château Léoville Las Cases 2009 Red (Saint-Julien)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $360

A beautifully structured wine, with its tannins layered between the ripest black plums, damsons and black currants. It is opulent while remaining dense, concentrated and very serious. Certainly a wine for long-term aging. — R.V. (4/1/2012)

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The Bruery Saison Rue Belgian-Style Ale

Price $12

What The Bruery has done here is a perfect example of what makes the American beer scene so amazing: the fantastic creativity and ability to take a classic style and reinterpret it through another lens. Saison Rue is flavorful and complex, with notes of clove-driven spice, yeasty bread and underripe stone fruit all brought together with a tart, funky Brett streak… — L.B. (4/1/2012)

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Bodegas Roda 2009 Cirsion Tempranillo (Rioja)

Price $250

Solid as a battleship, with lemony oak, marzipan and layer upon layer of black fruit aromas. Almost syrupy in its richness but not fully; it’s chewy and creamy, with vital acids. The flavors are mega ripe and rich, emphasizing blackberry, black cherry preserves, fudge and fig paste. Yet at the same time it’s an ethereal wine; the epitome of modern Rioja. Drink now… — M.S. (4/1/2012)

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Shafer 2007 Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District)

Online Exclusive

Price $225

In keeping with the voluptuous approachability of the 2007 vintage, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is simply fabulous now for its flood of the ripest, sweetest blackberrries, cherries, cassis and chocolate imaginable. Especially noble is the tannin structure, firm and soft, dry and sweet, a combination of opposites. The depth is vast, and the spicy finish goes on for… — S.H. (4/1/2012)

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Aviation Gin

Price $30

With its clean, neutral profile, this graceful gin works well with just about anything, from Aviation cocktails (natch) to bone-dry Martinis. On the palate, look for bewitching hints of caraway, juniper, grapefruit and a dry, faintly spicy finish. — K.N. (4/1/2012)

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Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 2008 Cask 23 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Price $195

One sip is all it takes to fall in love with this 100% Cabernet, which hails from the winery’s Stags Leap District vineyards. It’s soft, lush and opulent in blackberry, cherry, blueberry, cassis, dark chocolate and smoky oak flavors. Although it was aged in 100% new French oak, the oak isn’t at all heavy. Rather, it’s perfect, adding just the right touch of smoke… — S.H. (4/1/2012)

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Taylor Fladgate 2009 Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Port (Port)

Cellar Selection

Price $225

The legendary Vargellas Vinha Velha comes from the oldest vines of Quinta de Vargellas. This 2009 vintage is concentrated and impressive, its beautiful ripe fruits and dark chocolate backed by an immense structure. The gentler side of the wine comes through in its perfumed character. A wine that deserves many years of aging. — R.V. (4/1/2012)

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Château Pichon Longueville 2009 Red (Pauillac)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $200

With a structure that runs between acidity and dark smoky tannins, this is a wine with potential opulence. It's very rich in character, dense and dark. The black plum flavors are dominant, along with excellent acidity. For the long-term. — R.V. (4/1/2012)

2007 Trump Brut SP Reserve

Rich and luscious scents of baked apple, dried pineapple, honeyed…

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