3 | Wine | 91 to 95, 2002

"A dry, rich rosé, with a creamy bead and a smoky undercurrent to the flavors of dried cherry, black licorice, blood orange, savory herbs and biscuit. There's a firm backbone of racy acidity, but this is well-meshed and very refreshing."

"The 2002 Brut La Grande Annee is marvelous. The 2002 is an understated Grande Annee that caresses the palate with layers of effortless, weightless fruit. The mousse is exceptionally fine, which adds to the impression of total elegance. This is a relatively bright, floral Grande Annee with plenty of aromatic lift, inner perfume and no sense of heaviness at all. A rich, creamy finish adds the final note of complexity and pedigree."

"A candidate for one of the longest-lived Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines in California is Ridge’s Monte Bello. The 2002 Monte Bello Proprietary Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, with more of the Cabernet component than the 2001 possesses. Aromas of white chocolate, charred oak, black currants, tar, cedar, and earth are followed by a full-bodied, tannic red that is not as fleshy or fat in the mid-palate as its older sibling."

"An amazing effort for the vintage, with black cherry compote and hoisin sauce notes layered with mineral, black tea, vanilla bean and dark cocoa. Long, supersilky finish is carried by fine-grained tannins."

"Like a well-tuned symphony this delicious wine offers beautiful harmony between the finely detailed texture, the lacy, mouthwatering acidity and the range of flavors, from fresh, floral tones of apricot, apple blossom and pink grapefruit zest to richer notes of toasted nut, spiced plum, freshly ground coffee, anise, cumin and cardamom."

"Bright, expressive aromas of redcurrant, wild strawberry, white flowers and Asian spices, with a chalky undertone. Deeper cherry, licorice and subtle smoky qualities join the nervy red fruits on the velvety palate. Puts on weight with air, finishing with solid grip and lingering smoke and floral notes. This could still use some bottle age but there's enough complexity for guilt-free drinking now."

"Aromatic notes of pain d'épices wind through this harmonious Champagne, blending with notes of patisserie pear, coconut, quince paste and candied orange peel. The flavor profile threads through the precise, lacy texture, and the wine is enlivened by vibrant acidity that leaves a mouthwatering impression on the finish."

"It has an incredibly intense nose, much more linear and focused than the more flamboyant 2000, with scents of dark cherry, creme de cassis and a touch of honey and melted dark chocolate. The palate is medium-bodied with a slight grainy texture on the entry, a hint of cooked meat inflecting the layers of toasty dark berry fruit. It is very harmonious and perhaps at this juncture, edgier and grittier than the millennial Unico."

"A finely textured Champagne, fresh and lively but enriched by hints of beeswax and spun honey that accent flavors of white raspberry, tangerine, apple tarte Tatin, almond and ground ginger. Offers a clean, mineral-tinged finish."

"A more delicate Champagne, whose fine integration and refined texture cloak underlying intensity. This offers lovely, layered flavors of almond, quince tart, white peach, honey and spice, with a smoky mineral quality throughout and a long, vibrant finish."