Arrivals through December 2008CALIFORNIA-OREGON-WASHINGTON:
A P Vin 06 Kanzler Pinot Noir - $47.50*bot. - Wine Spectator 93pts."Savory, rich and complex, with loamy wild berry, huckleberry and boysenberry flavors that are concentrated and polished, with a long, vibrant, persistent finish. Drink now through 2012. 275 cases made."
2006 Auteur Donum Vineyard Chardonnay - $599.99 cs/12($49.99) - Auteur’s Donum designate wine comes from the classic Old Wente Clone established on the estate in 1974, offering its signature acidic framework with vibrant floral and stone fruit aromatics and a lingering mineral finish. Managed by veteran viticulturist, Anne Moller-Racke, Donum Estate sits in Sonoma’s cool Carneros appellation where slow ripening creates delicate and graceful wines. WINEMAKER'S NOTES “Rich floral aromatics of white lilac and honeysuckle, weave into citrus tones, fig and baked apples with high notes of minerality. On the palate, the round, textural, satiated mouthfeel is enticed with a yin-yang of penetrating flavors. Fresh with acidity and refined tannins, the Donum again, gracefully winds into a lasting, lingering mineral finish, classic of the Old Wente Clone.”
2006 Auteur Pinot Shea Oregon - $799.99 cs/12 ($66.67) - "takes the taster to yet another level of purity and intensity. The first wine to achieve back to back 100 point scores from Vinfolio. The winery’s total production of 2006 Shea is 313 cases. Tasted over 48 hours, the wine continued to unfold revealing a complex interwoven mosaic: Lavender, cola, licorice with rich shadings of cherry and chocolate in the nose. The palate is abundantly smooth, richly sculpted lavender infused chocolate, plum and cherry. The finish is luxurious violet-hued, undulating Superfly velvet that lasts for nearly a minute. Drink 2008 – 2014". WINEMAKER'S NOTES: Rich, supple and graceful with explosive aromas of blackberry and bright cherry, perfumed with minerality, cinnamon stick and lavender oil with distinct loam undertones. An expressive, open textured palate is layered with succulent sweet garnet fruit with accents of peppercorn and spice. The refined and lithe tannins last beautifully with a poised and polished finish.
2005 Block 19 Cuvée Hess Collection - $349.99 cs/12($29.17) from the highest elevations the Hess Mount Veeder vineyards, early ripening red varietals have been planted for their compatibility with these vineyards specific growing conditions. The result is a layered Cabernet Sauvignon based wine with significant amounts of Syrah, Merlot and Malbec that is inherently complex. This proprietary blend expresses red currant and supple texture. W&S 92pts. "The aroma is concentrated and expresses vanilla, brown sugar and mint. On the palate the wine reveals flavors of boysenberry and espresso richly framed with ripe mountain tannins."
2005 Buehler Napa Cabernet Sauvignon - $270.00 cs/12($22.80) - Wine Spectator 90pts. "Well proportioned with hints of spicy currant, blackberry, cedar and mineral notes, picking up a hint of anise on the finish. NAMED AN "OUTSTANDING VALUE PRODUCER" Winery comments: Comprised of 100% cabernet sauvignon, our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from grapes grown on our estate hillside vineyards (35%) in conjunction with grapes from other mature, high-quality, low-yielding Napa Valley cabernet vineyards located on the valley floor. We've found the resulting blend to produce a wine that displays a broad spectrum of aromas, flavors, and textures that cabernet can show in the Napa Valley. The wine is brimming with fruit aromas and flavors biased to the black fruit end of the cabernet spectrum: plums, blackberry, black currant. Rich and full-bodied on the palate, this cabernet drinks well on release but will soften and develop with additional age.
2005 Continuum Napa Proprietary Red - $825.00 cs/6($137.50) VERY LIMITED - Parker 95pts."There are 1,000 cases of Tim Mondavi’s debut wine, a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This is the first wine Tim has produced since Constellation purchased the Robert Mondavi winery. An excellent beginning, this 2005 exhibits a dense ruby/purple color followed by a beautiful nose of lead pencil shavings intermixed with creme de cassis, subtle wood smoke, and hints of bay leaves as well as spring flowers. Full-bodied with lovely purity, nicely integrated wood, tannin, acidity, and alcohol, and a long finish reminiscent of a classic Bordeaux Pauillac, while accessible, it should age effortlessly for 15 or more years."
2006 DuMol Syrah Russian River - $79.99*bot.
2004 Hess Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon - $450.00 cs/12 ($37.50) - 92pts. Wine & Spirits “tough, young, but has a soft underbelly of blueberry & black currant. The wine’s power lies in its tannins and minerality, infused from coniferous mountain soils…” and 92pts.Wine Enthusiast "Immediately drinkable for the soft purity of the tannins and complex cassis, chocolate and oak flavors, it has the sturdy structure to develop for some years, but it is best now for its elegant purity. Hess is on a real Cabernet roll, and is one of Napa’s overlooked stars.” As well as 90 pts. Connosieurs Guide “…energetic, well-focused aromas of cherries and currants assisted by a not unexpected veneer of oaky richness, supple, and ripe, moderately juicy flavors...”
2005 Hewitt Rutherford Cabernet - $399.99 cs/7 - WS 94pts.+"Intense and concentrated, big and expressive, with layers of ripe currant, plum, sage, pencil lead and black cherry, all flowing rather seamlessly. Tightly focused, this is rich without being heavy, ending with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2014." (05/08) Hewitt's winemaker, Tom Rinaldi, said" the hair stood up on the back of my neck, when he first walked the vineyard. A 60-acre site first planted to vine in 1880, legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff replanted in 1992, under the ownership of William Hewitt. Located on the Rutherford Bench in Napa's Maycamas Mountains, the site produces opulent wines like this 2005, full of black cherry, blackberry and plum fruit with underlying notes of anise, bittersweet chocolate and cedary spice. Smooth and graceful, the wine is kissed with a touch of classic Rutherford Dust and a muscular structure. Enjoy with full-flavored, hearty foods after decanting now or watch this gem gain in complexity with time in your cellar."
2005 Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Cabernet - $750.00 cs/3 - Parker 96-99pts."looks to be the finest Cabernet Sauvignon Jayson Woodbridge has yet produced, and has put on weight and complexity since I tasted it last year. Like all of his Cabernet Sauvignons, this wine is fermented in wood puncheons or demi-muids, and is a breathtaking example of plush, layered, complex Cabernet Sauvignon. A total thrill, this wine has absolutely awesome aromatics of creme de cassis, cedar, sweet cherries, spice box, as well as licorice and graphite. A caramelized sweetness to the fruit, loads of glycerin, unbelievable unctuosity and opulence a la Pomerol’s Le Pin or some of the legendary vintages of right bank Bordeaux leads into a full-bodied, concentrated, exceptionally pure wine that is a total delight to smell, contemplate, sip, and in my case, spit out. This is a wine that can be drunk young or cellared for 20+ years." Plus Tanzer 95pts."Bright, deep ruby-red. Knockout aromas of sappy red fruits and menthol; reminded me of a Pomerol. Lush, deep and energetic, with terrific floral lift and detail to the superconcentrated raspberry, spice and dark chocolate flavors. Finishes lush and broad, with palate-staining persistence and terrific verve. This spent 40 to 50 days on its skins, according to owner Jayson Woodbridge. The best vintage yet for this lush and satisfying bottling."
2005 Jimmy Napa Red Blend in Magnum - $100.00 which includes a $25 Charitable donation in your name to the James Mancbach Foundation - Wine Spectator "Southern Wine & Spirits' Fine-Wine Guru Jimmy Mancbach Dies at 56 - Larger-than-life wine salesman had long track record of discovering promising new wineries and building loyal followings for them in South Florida. Please don't let people say that I died young," Mancbach said from his hospital bed in a November 2006 conversation with Jean Arnold Sessions, president of Hanzell Vineyards in Sonoma, with whom he'd worked on and off since they met in 1985. "I've lived a great life and truly enjoyed it all." A wine connoisseur with a penchant for unearthing hard-to-find and overlooked brands, Mancbach spent a great deal of time traveling in California and around the globe hoping to discover the next addition to Southern's Gems Collection, which he oversaw (it was often referred to as Jimmy's Gems). His expertise led Southern to endow him with broad autonomy to purchase wines according to his own distinguished palate."
2004 Lokoya Cabernet Mt Veeder - $1275.00 cs/6 - Parker 96pts."spectacular, a candidate for one of the vintage’s finest Cabernets. Gorgeous aromas of spring flowers, espresso roast, blackberries, cassis, and cedar are reminiscent of a Pauillac on steroids. Powerful, rich flavors are unctuously textured, low in acidity, high in tannin and glycerin. This sensational effort will be even better in 2-4 years, and should keep for two decades. 2008-2026."
2005 Loring Clos Pepe Pinot Noir - $499.99 cs/12 - Wine Spectator Top 100 - 92pts. "Good intensity, richness and concentration, with excellent depth to the earthy, loamy wild berry and blueberry flavors, ending with firm, integrated tannins. Takes some time to open up, but once it does it's compelling. Drink through 2011."
2005 Lucia Pisoni Syrah Susan's - $50.00 bottle - Parker 94pts."A brilliant offering from Lucia, the 2005 Syrah is a full-bodied effort revealing dense ruby/purple colors, and sweet blackberry and cassis fruit intermixed with licorice and spring flower notes, good opulence and acidity, a 30-second plus finish, and plenty of full-bodied texture and length. The Pisoni Vineyard appears to be slightly more complex with an extra layer of meatiness and a smoky bacon fat component to its black fruit character. This is a beautiful Syrah to drink over the next 7-10 years."
2003 Marimar Torres Chardonnay - Retail $34.99 bot.– SALE $250.00 cs/12(20.84)
2004 Mondavi Reserve Cabrnet - $675.00 cs/6 -Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2007 -
AUSTRALIA-ARGENTINA-CHILE:
2004 Penfolds RWT Shiraz - $425.00 cs/6 - Parker 95pts.”The 2004 Shiraz “RWT” was barrel-fermented and aged for 14 months in 69% new French oak. Opaque purple-colored, it delivers an expressive nose of smoke, leather, grilled bacon, game, blueberry, and licorice. Full-bodied, it is dense, ripe, and layered as well as opulent. More forward than the Magill Estate, this hedonistic Shiraz can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve for another 8-10 years. Penfolds, arguably Australia’s most famous winery, continues to perform at a high level under the leadership of Head Winemaker, Peter Gago.”
2005 Torbreck Factor - $475.00 cs/6 - Parker 97pts. "Made from 100% Shiraz that spent 24 months in French oak (30% new), the exuberant, flamboyant 2004 The Factor offers up gorgeously pure blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with smoke, bacon fat, camphor, and graphite. Silky smooth, and, as David Powell says, ?the most Barossa-like? of all his wines, it represents Powell?s rendition of a Cote Rotie. It can be drunk over the next 15-20 years." in 3 liter $750.00 each.
2004 Torbreck Run Rig - $299.99 bot. - $1,500.00 cs/6($250.00) - Parker 99pts.- "The past three vintages (yes, 2001, 2002, and 2003!) of the Torbreck “Run Rig” have each been rated “Classic 99” points. The brand new 2004 vintage “Run Rig” has not been rated yet but Parker awarded the other Torbreck 2004 vintage Shiraz 96 – 98 point ratings. Australian Shiraz fans know Parker normally rates the Torbreck “Run Rig” 2 – 3 points higher than the other bottlings so we believe there is a very good change this wine will be rated 100 points (at least!). Good news is we can offer thirsty collectors 6 bottles each for this coveted wine but ORDER NOW because once the R. Parker rating is released (any day now) our entire allocation will sell out in a matter of hours! TASTING NOTES: A blend of Shiraz with co-fermented Viognier, this tremendously dark and decadent wine exhibits stunningly aromas of fresh blackberries, tar, and espresso beans. The Galaxy of flavors includes blackberries, blueberries, caramel, smoked bacon, and a hint of chocolate truffles on the finish. Elegant yet super-powerful, rich, concentrated, and long, this MONSTER of a wine is best after a day of decanting now and will peak in approximately one decade."
FRANCE:
2004 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge - $480.00 cs/6 - Parker 93pts."One of the great successes of the vintage and certainly better than their 2003 is Beaucastel’s 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape. Deep ruby/purple in color with loads of licorice, smoked game, black cherry and blackberry fruit, along with incense and truffle, the wine has fabulous richness, high tannin, medium to full body, and beautiful length, richness, and purity. This is a beauty and one of the vintage’s finest wines. Give it 4-6 years of bottle age and drink it over the next 25+ years. It has the potential to be one of the longest-lived Chateauneuf du Papes of the vintage."
2004 Beaucastel “Hommage a Jacques Perrin” 750mls. - $2,750.00 cs/6 - Parker 96-100pts."It is only made in the top vintages, but the very limited cuvee of 500 or so cases of Hommage a Jacques Perrin, which is a wine with 60% Mourvedre and the rest the other permitted varietals, primarily Grenache, Syrah, Counoise, and some Vaccarese, was produced in both 2005 and 2004. The 2004 is potentially one of the legendary Jacques Perrin cuvees since the debut vintage of 1989. The potentially perfect 2004 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin has turned out to be just an amazing wine and one of the profound examples of this cuvee the Perrins have produced. It certainly has all the power, density, and richness of the great years, but there is almost a surreal elegance and lightness for a wine this powerful and dense. Almost difficult to describe, the gorgeous multi-layered texture, and the heavenly perfume of smoked meats, flowers, blueberries, blackberries, creosote, and truffles is a knock-out. In the mouth, it is medium to full-bodied with incredible intensity, purity, and overall symmetry. There’s nothing out of place in this remarkable wine, and it seems somewhat approachable already, yet it will no doubt have the uncanny ability to age for 25-40+ years."
2005 Bon Pasteur Pomerol - $1,49.99 cs/12 - Parker 93-95pts."The incomparable oenologist Michel Rolland has produced his finest Bon Pasteur since the monumental 1982 (which is still drinking well, and out-classes many wines 3 to 4 times its price). This exciting effort boasts aromas and flavors of mocha, fudge ice cream, espresso roast, black cherries, cassis, and caramel. The complex aromatics are followed by an enormously rich, pure, full-bodied wine with fabulous texture and length. It should be drinkable in 5-6 years, and last for 25 or more. A superb effort from this Pomerol estate, the 2005 ranks alongside their outstanding 2000, 1990, and 1982. It exhibits a dense blue/purple color as well as an extraordinary perfume of espresso roast, mocha, blueberries, cassis, and smoky licorice. Full-bodied with sweet tannin, stunning definition, layers of concentration, and the tell-tale freshness and delineation that make 2005 such a singular vintage, drink between 2009-2023."
2006 Chardonnay Domaine Bernier - $150.00cs/12(12.50) - Parker "This wine, made outside of the Muscadet by one of that A.O.C.'s high quality producers, the Couillauds, does a fine job of impersonating CHABLIS. There is enough Chardonnay character to please fans of that varietal, but the real hallmark is its crisp, elegant, steely, mineral, and citrusy personality. It is impossible to find a wine of this type in California, Australia, or South America. A refreshing, lively wine, it will drink beautifully with light fish dishes, or served as an aperitif."
2005 Corton Charlemagne Pierre Morey - $799.99 cs/6(133.34) - "Highly complex nose suggests nutmeg, nut butter, flowers, white truffle, smoky lees and a metallic aspect. Dense and powerful, with very firm acidity leavening the wine’s texture. Quite stony and penetrating. This still has 2.5 grams of residual sugar; on the other hand, if it finishes too dry, it could well turn out to be extremely citric, even hard. I look forward to retasting this wine in its finished form.”
2005 Cos d'Estournel - $3,500.00 cs/12 ($295.00) – Parker 98pts."upgraded from: 95-97pts. "While I am not convinced the 2005 Cos d’Estournel will eclipse the compelling 2003 Cos, it is unquestionably another superb classic from proprietor Michel Reybier and his brilliant winemaker, Jean-Guillaume Prats. Made from an unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) and the balance mostly Merlot with a tiny dollop of Cabernet Franc, this superb effort requires plenty of time in the bottle. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as a glorious perfume of licorice, Asian spices, creme de cassis, blackberries, and toasty oak. This full-bodied St.-Estephe is exceptionally powerful, pure, and dense with a layered mid-palate that builds like a skyscraper. While there are massive tannins, they are remarkably velvety and well-integrated in this big, backstrapping effort that should enjoy an unusually long life. Forget it for 8-10 years, and drink it between 2017-2040. b)"made from an unusual blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. The Merlot was picked during the last nine days of September, and the Cabernets were finished by the 9th of October. The 2005's 13.85% alcohol is the highest this estate has ever achieved. The implementation of such Burgundian winemaking techniques as malolactic in barrel and aging on its lees are resulting in wines of extraordinary texture as well as elegance. The 2003 may be more opulent, and for my taste a more compelling wine, but the 2005 is at the same level. Made from yields of 40 hectoliters per hectare, it exhibits an inky/purple color as well as a gorgeous nose of sweet red and black fruits, camphor, cedar, and pain grille. Extraordinarily well-defined, nuanced, and powerful, with high tannin as well as magnificent texture and richness, this classic offering will be uncommonly long-lived. It will not be close to drinkability for another 5-7 years, and should last for 30 or more. A fabulous wine!" Apr.'07 "A classic in the making, has become even more backward and structured, making it one of the most inaccessible examples of this wine made in the last twenty years. There is an unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) blended with 19% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The wine boasts a dense purple color along with a gorgeous bouquet of creme de cassis intermixed with licorice, pain grille, spice, and cedar. Medium to full-bodied, powerful, rich, and dense, with a sweet middle as well as huge tannins in the finish, it will be approachable in 8-10 years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035+." Also
2005 Cos d'Estournel in 3 liter - $1,995.00 NET
2005 Drouhin Chorey-les-Beaune – Retail $29.99 bot. – NWW SALE $250.00 cs/12(20.84) - Parker 90pts."offers a fetching nose of high-toned cherry, almond, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The purity, delicacy and penetration of which wines from the unassumingly flat yet almost magically well-drained vineyards of Chorey are capable represent a special delight, and one will seldom encounter a better example. Bright and refreshing on the palate, light and lithe but by no means skimping on flavor concentration, this doles out abundant sweet fruit accented by cherry pit, tart fruit skin, and invigorating salty mineral notes. It represents an amazing value in today’s high-priced Burgundy market that one could only be grateful to be offered as a glass pour or as “Pinot 101.” These 2005’s were bottled around two months earlier than usual, says Frederic Drouhin, to retain freshness. As is always the case, fruit from a great many properties owned or accessed by Drouhin is declassified and blended out, leaving only selected terroirs as the subjects of single-site bottlings. That said, as befits the quality of 2005, there were more individual bottlings from this vintage than is usual, and I did not taste all of them. This year’s collection radiates class from top to bottom."
2005 "Episode 1" Chateau d'Arche by Michel Rolland - $499.99 cs/12 - Parker 92-94pts. "This exciting, totally new concept will be fascinating to follow over the ensuing years. The negociant firm of Bordeaux Millesimes decided to launch a wine with a cinematic approach, choosing one of the world’s great wine makers to focus on a single terroir, in this case the vineyard of Chateau d’Arsac in the southern Medoc, and produce 5,000 cases with no compromises. Everything is done at the discretion of the wine maker, from yields, the choice of fermenters, the type of barrels, the time in oak, and the manner in which the wine is bottled. The wine maker will change each year. Episode 1, which will be released in 2007, is produced by Michel Rolland, whose serious image appears on the label. The wine maker for Episode 2 will be the well-known University of Bordeaux professor, Denis Dubourdieu. The choice for Episode 3 will apparently be one of California’s greatest wine makers, assuming the details can be worked out. The following years will be handled by some of the great wine makers of France, California, Italy, Spain, Australia, and elsewhere. All will be utilizing the same terroir, but will obviously be faced with vintage variations, yet will have carte blanche to do whatever they want. Since these wine makers all possess brilliant resumes (and egos to match in some cases), this will be a serious competition among the creme de la creme. Michel Rolland has already set the bar at an enormously high level. This is a spectacularly rich, dense, opulent, potentially long-lived wine. I do not know the exact blend, but it appears to be a primarily Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon cuvee. Super-endowed with seamlessly integrated tannin, wood, and acidity, this stunning effort should compete with the finest wines of the vintage. I assume it will be sold through a number of importers and retailers, and since there are 5,000 cases, availability should be reasonably good."
2005 Girardin Bonnes Mares - $2,100.00 cs/6(350.00) - Burghound 91-94pts. "Tasting note: Mild reduction and blue and black fruit aromas plus ample violet notes introduce big, sappy and mouth coating flavors and this is a powerful wine where you can feel the energy build to an explosive and penetrating finish. What it isn't is overly precise but it was evident that I caught this when it was at an awkward stage and thus a more harmonious whole is likely to be forthcoming in bottle."Producer note: Despite Vincent Girardin telling me for the last two years that he was in the process of drastically cutting back his red wine offerings, essentially citing difficulties with finding top quality juice at reasonable prices, he appears to have rethought this strategy with the 2005 vintage. In fairness to Girardin, who is mostly a négociant though he does own some pinot-based vineyards, he again cut back his production in 2006 so my guess is that in vintages where there is good customer acceptance, he'll offer more wines and in more difficult vintages, fewer. The fundamental problem with that strategy of course is that few really top grape sources will sell to you only in fine vintages because otherwise they face the same problem, e.g. a moving and highly variable supply and demand mechanism. While Girardin historically has made a commercially styled wine, the last few vintages really do seem to corroborate what he's saying about wanting to make more classically styled wines. And to this end he told me that he "used up to 60% of the stems in his wine from the Côte de Nuits and up to 30% in those from the Côte de Beaune. 2005 is an aristocratic vintage that isn't at all fruity or forward and thus I did long but soft vinifications with no punch downs, only pump overs. And I'm also doing a long élevage as well with less new wood too, which is to say between 30 and 40%. For me 2005 is a great vintage, even better than 1999 and I believe the wines, both red and white, will age extremely well." While the Girardin reds are still mildly commercial, it's much more subtle than it once was and this is a fine set of wines, indeed when taken as a group the best that I have ever seen from him."
2005 Girardin Corton Renardes - $1,160.00 cs/12 - Burghound 91-94pts."Tasting note: Fairly strong reduction can't completely hide the sauvage, indeed outright gamy character of the nose and this strong meat and feral quality continues onto the rich, full, serious and utterly delicious flavors that possess the best depth of this trio of Cortons as there is really lovely balance and energy on the long finale."
2006 Granville Lacoste Graves Blanc - $199.99 cs/12
2005 Laforge St.Emillion - $750.00 cs/12 (64.00) - Parker upgraded to 95pts. (April ’08) - "Tasting far superior than it did from cask, the bottled 2005 Laforge is fabulous. Moreover, there are 2,500 cases of this offering from the brilliant Englishman, Jonathan Malthus, who has proven he can turn quite a qualitative trick in both Bordeaux and Australia’s Barossa Valley. This dense purple-hued St.-Emilion offers up a glorious nose of graphite, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, licorice, and a whiff of acacia flowers. Full-bodied, thick, and juicy, this blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc possesses terrific purity, an extravagantly rich mouth feel, and wonderful precision. The result is a provocative, compelling wine that should be drinkable between 2013-2028." - Parker 90-92pts. (Apr.'07) "The Wine Advocate Sweet black cherry and currant fruit interwoven with pain grille, white chocolate, and earth emerge from this chewy, well-made, impeccably pure, nicely textured, medium to full-bodied, St.-Emilion. Should drink well 10-15 years."
2005 La Grave A Pomerol - $600.00 cs/12 ($50.00) – ( 88-90) DRINKS EARLY - "Stylish and elegant, this 2005 has as much in common with a Cote de Beaune premier cru as it does with a Pomerol. Kirsch, raspberry, seaweed, and loamy soil aromas lead to a medium-bodied, finesse-styled claret possessing sweet tannin, pure fruit, and a sensual personality. It begs to be consumed over the next decade." and "A strong effort from this generally elegant, light-bodied, finesse-styled cuvee, the 2005 exhibits more depth than normal along with deep raspberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with licorice and resiny pine forest notes. Sweet tannin, a velvety texture, impressive ripeness, and more stuffing and structure than usual suggest it can be enjoyed over the next 10-15 years." and "The best effort from this endearing, charming Pomerol since the 1982, the deep plum/ruby-tinged 2005 offers sweet, ripe, cassis, and cherry fruit intermixed with spice box, herb, and loamy soil notes. The wine’s lovely sweetness, ripe tannin, supple texture, and plush finish suggest this sleeper of the vintage will drink well during its first 10-12 years of life."
2005 Leoville Poyferre - $1,300.00 cs/12(108.34) - Parker 92-95pts."While perhaps not up to the standards of the extraordinary 2003, the 2005 is still a strong effort from an estate that has been doing everything right over the last two decades. Sweet toasty oak intermixed with jammy black currant, plum, and licorice aromas jump from the glass of this dense purple-hued wine. In the mouth, there is great fruit, tannin, body, structure, and delineation. This impressively endowed, well made St.-Julien will require considerable patience (as will most 2005 northern Medocs). Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+."
2005 Pape Clement Pessac-Leognan - $2,750.00 cs/12 ($229.17) - Parker 96-100pts. "The possible perfection of this effort is not surprising given the way proprietor Bernard Magrez has been upgrading all of his estates, especially his flagship property, Pape-Clement. Over the last decade there has been a succession of brilliant wines from this terroir that is essentially sandwiched in a suburb of Bordeaux. The quintessential Pape-Clement, the 2005 is a blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon cropped at 38 hectoliters per hectare. Its dense plum/purple color is followed by a seductive perfume of crushed rocks, blueberries, raspberries, cedar, graphite, licorice, and smoke. Full-bodied and layered, it possesses blockbuster richness yet an ethereal delicacy and finesse that often seem incompatible, but the fresh acids, high tannins, and marvelous extract of the 2005 Bordeaux have all come together to produce something special, but that will require patience. This wine has some of the more supple, sweeter tannins of Bordeaux, but then again, it is a Pessac-Leognan, not a Medoc, and the percentage of Merlot is high for the vintage. I would anticipate this 2005 to be approachable around 2012, and last for 30+ years."
2005 Ponsot Clos de la Roche Vieilles-Vignes Grand Cru - $1,295.00 bot. Net - Burghound 99pts."All the superb and dramatic complexity that this displayed from barrel has made it into bottle as an extremely ripe and fantastically broad nose soars from the glass, merging seamlessly into dense, pure rich and powerful flavors that are opulent, sweet and dripping with so much extract and sap that the combination stains and saturates the palate on the hugely proportioned yet impeccably balanced finish that is so long that it doesn't seem possible. Given how many reference standard vintages Domaine Ponsot has produced of the Clos de la Roche over the years, it would be presumptuous to anoint this as the best ever but if it isn't, it will certainly take its rightful place among the very greatest. In sum, a 'wow' wine that makes you shake your head in sheer amazement. However be aware that this is a buy and forget wine as it will require at least 15 years to shed its considerable tannins and it will see 50 years without difficulty."
2005 Ponsot “Assortment” Collector's Case - $13,999.99 cs/12 (Unique presentation case with clear etched top showing all bottles in the case) contains 1 x Chambertin, 1 x Griottes Chambertin, 2 x Chapelle Chambertin (RP93-95pts.), 2 x Charmes Chambertin, 2 x Clos Vougeot V.V., 2 x Clos de la Roche V.V.(BH99pts.), 2 x Clos St Denis Centenaire(BH96-98pts.):
Burghound "As is his usual practice, Laurent Ponsot was one of the last growers to begin picking reporting that he began on "September 27th. 2005 was an easy vintage where everything pretty much went exactly as planned. There was no rot, no hail, no pests, no excess production to guard against and essentially perfect ripeness. Seriously, it was like a dream vintage. Sugars were between 13.5 and 14%, which means no chaptalization and yields hovered around 25 hl/ha and could not have been any cleaner. For me, the 2005s are a blend of 1985 and 1990, which means that they should be great as I love both of those vintages." I have to completely agree with Ponsot as he's right, the Domaine hit homeruns in both 1985 and 1990. And while the vintages of the '90s proved inconsistent for Ponsot, he really hasn't missed since 1999. Indeed, in 2005 he has produced simply stunning wines that are among the very best of the vintage and his 2004s are also strikingly good in the context of that vintage though they do not rival his '05s. In sum, do not miss the Ponsot '05s as they are "sell the house, sell the spouse, sell the dog" kind of good! And if you find the '04s at attractive prices, do not hesitate with them either."
2004 S de Suduiraut Blanc - $320.00 cs/12($26.67) - "a dry white which has been made at the estate for personal consumption for many years, but only recently made for commercial purposes. It is the product of three early tries through the vineyard picking off healthy, non-botrytised grapes, and it accounts for about 10% of all production. The first vintage commercially released was the 2004"
2005 Vacqueyras Perrin - $250.00cs/12(20.83) - Silver medal at the 2007 International W&S competition. “An opulent forward youthful nose, bursting with sweet black fruits and rhubarb compote. Youth gives the palate a slightly one dimensional overtly fruity palate, but there is firm structure there also supporting the rich warm finish. Excellent wine."
2005 Volnay J.M. Boillot - $480.00 cs/12 - Burghound 88+pts."Note: created from a blend of 5 different parcels, 4 of which have vine ages between 40 and 50yrs of age. Producer note: The wines were to be bottled the week after my visit and had just been filtered with the SO2 levels adjusted. Tasting note: A very ripe nose of dark berry fruit with hints of violets leads to impressively rich and full flavors that possess solid volume and a delicious yet serious finish."
2006 Wine Maker's Collection Cuvee #2 Chateau d'Arche by Dubourdieu (in transit) - $499.99 cs/12 - Parker 90-92pts. "Professor Dubourdieu fashioned a dense ruby/purple-hued wine displaying notes of black cherries, cassis, licorice, grilled bread, as well as earth. More structured than the 2005 wine, with less sweet tannins, it is richly fruity, deep, medium to fully bodied, and impressively endowed. Should drink well for 15 more years. These wines are meant to be a cinematic study of the same terroir with the individual philosophy of the wine maker imprinted on the vintage."
ITALY:
2003 Allegrini Villa Giona IGT – Retail $85.00 – NWW SALE $399.99 cs/6($66.67) "Very intense wine from a high density vineyard planted to Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah. Alluvial soils with limestone composition at a lower 400ft. elevation which is benefited by a perfect southeastern exposure." Very limited 500 case production from this lovely working hotel/cooking school estate.
2004 Allegrini's NEW Tuscan red Sondraia Poggio al Tesoro - $250.00 cs/6(41.67) - EQUAL TO, if not BETTER than Gaja Magari at a fraction of the price: Parker 90pts."Bordeaux Super Tuscan blend with ripe dark fruit, chocolate, mint, eucalyptus , and toasty oak flavors."
2001 Amarone della Valpolicella Fabiano $299.99 cs/6(49.99)
2005 Argiolas Costera (cannonau) Sardinia - $249.99 cs/12($19.99) - Parker 91pts."This powerhouse red represents Sardinia’s version of Chateauneuf du Pape. It boasts sweet black cherry fruit interwoven with notes of pepper, Provencal herbs, spice box, and licorice. This full-bodied beauty possesses superb texture and depth." Business Week 91pts.""This powerhouse red represents Sardinia's version of Châteauneuf du Pape. It is composed of 90% cannonau (a local grape believed to be a derivative of grenache) and 5% each of carignano and bovale sardo. It boasts sweet black cherry interwoven with notes of pepper, Provençal herbs, spice box, and licorice as well as superb texture and depth."
2004 Barbaresco Gaja - $200.00 bot. - $999.99 cs/6($166.67) - There's an excellent balance of fruit and tannins, with vanilla, flowers and berries throughout, along with tar. Full and racy, with a long finish. It?s all here. Best after 2010." Wine Spectator 95pts. Drink 2010. Parker 93pts. "The 2004 Barbaresco reveals fresh, perfumed aromatics that lead to layers of crushed flowers, spices and sweet raspberries. This is a wine of rare class, elegance and pure breed. It offers outstanding length and silky, elegant tannins to round out the inviting finish. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2024. Angelo Gaja and long-time oenologist Guido Rivella produced some of the most monumental wines of their long, storied partnership in 2004. Although I admire Gaja's wines, especially for their consistency, I rarely find them this emotionally moving and utterly profound. The stable weather and cool, tempering evenings towards the end of the growing season allowed Gaja and Rivella to harvest fairly late in 2004. I remember passing by Gaja’s Barbaresco vineyards in October of that year and seeing fruit still waiting to be picked long after most producers had already brought the fruit in. Gaja's 2004s from Barbaresco are especially breathtaking for their clarity and precision. The wines also seem less internationally-styled than in the past. Readers fortunate enough to possess the means to acquire these wines won?t want to miss them! The 2003s from the Barolo zones of La Morra and Serralunga are also strong efforts considering the vintage. " Historically in Piedmont there has been an inverse relationship between quality and quantity. Great vintages like 1961 and 1989 were characterized by low yields," says Gaja. 2004 is one of those rare vintages like 1964 and 1990 where quality is high even though yields were generous as well. I think 2004 is a very elegant vintage. It is much easier to achieve opulence in the wines, but finesse is always much more elusive?" Tanzer 92pts."Good medium-deep red. Perfumed aromas of raspberry, truffle, flowers and earth, with a whiff of Burgundian funk. Silky and elegant, with a seamless texture of red fruit and mineral flavors. Finishes long and suave, with fine-grained tannins.”
2001 Barbera BRAIDA Bricco dell Uccellone - $699.99 cs/12(58.34) - Gambero Rosso 3 Glass Award and Parker 91pts. "seductive nose of spicy, grilled bread, infused with espresso, roasted meats, black cherries, and raspberries. Dense, full-bodied, luxurious texture, super intense, plush, to enjoy over next 8 yrs."
1999 Barolo Brunate Vietti - $$625.00 cs/6($104.17) - Parker 92-95pts. "It shows the balsamic nose typical of this great vineyard, along with toasted oak, smoke, mineral and tar aromas with excellent concentration in its sweet dark fruit, as well as notable expansiveness and depth of expression. This bottling often appears out of balance when young as the new oak requires a few years to integrate fully into the wine, but patience will be amply rewarded. It should drink well to age 20. 92/drink after 2007, An enveloping, seamless wine, it perfectly captures the sepia-toned nuances of the Brunate vineyard. Smoke, tar, licorice, plums, prunes, and chocolate emerge from this powerful, weighty Barolo. Balsamic overtones develop in the glass, adding further complexity and elegance as this sweet, perfumed wine continues to open. It is another gorgeous offering from Vietti."
2003 Brunello Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nouva - $450.00 cs/6($75.00)
2006 Fiano di Avellino FEUDI San Gregorio – Retail $22.99 – NWW SALE $199.99 cs/12 ($16.67) - "100% Fiano di Avellino grapes from vineyards located on hillsides. Soils consist primarily of calcareous clay. Harvested by hand during the first 2 weeks of October. Softly pressed and fermented at cool temperatures. The wine remained in tank for 3 months prior to being bottled. Straw yellow in color with an intense fruity nose of hawthorn and lime-tree. It makes an excellent aperitif, but is a suitable accompaniment to most Mediterranean cuisine dishes, those based on fish, other seafood and white meats. It also stands among the rare, age-worthy white wines."
2001 Fontoloro Felsina – Retail $45.00 bot. – NWW SALE $399.99 cs/12($33.34) Gambero Rosso 3 Glass Award & Parker 93pts."The 2001 vies with the ledendary 1985 for the beat in this estates distinguished histroy. Packed and powerful with riper and sweeter fruit, rich sensations of dark chocolate, licorice, and tar. A dense expanding finish which promises over a dozen years of high class drinking ahead."
2004 Gaja Sori San Lorenzo & Sori Tildin - $475.00 bottle - Parker 98pts.& 97pts."The 2004 Sori San Lorenzo is a drop-dead gorgeous wine. It presents awesome balance, especially in the way it marries power with elegance. This is a remarkably refined and understated Sori San Lorenzo, with never-ending layers of dark raspberries, licorice, grilled herbs and tar that flow from its sumptuous frame. A dark, brooding beauty, it will require several additional years of bottle at a minimum, but those with the patience to wait will be amply rewarded. In most vintages I prefer the Sori Tildin, but in 2004 Sori San Lorenzo has a very slight edge over its sibling. It may very well be the finest Sori San Lorenzo since the legendary 1971. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. Angelo Gaja and long-time oenologist Guido Rivella produced some of the most monumental wines of their long, storied partnership in 2004. Although I admire Gaja’s wines, especially for their consistency, I rarely find them this emotionally moving and utterly profound. The stable weather and cool, tempering evenings towards the end of the growing season allowed Gaja and Rivella to harvest fairly late in 2004. I remember passing by Gaja’s Barbaresco vineyards in October of that year and seeing fruit still waiting to be picked long after most producers had already brought the fruit in. Gaja’s 2004s from Barbaresco are especially breathtaking for their clarity and precision. The wines also seem less internationally-styled than in the past. Readers fortunate enough to possess the means to acquire these wines won’t want to miss them! The 2003s from the Barolo zones of La Morra and Serralunga are also strong efforts considering the vintage. “Historically in Piedmont there has been an inverse relationship between quality and quantity. Great vintages like 1961 and 1989 were characterized by low yields,” says Gaja. “2004 is one of those rare vintages like 1964 and 1990 where quality is high even though yields were generous as well. I think 2004 is a very elegant vintage. It is much easier to achieve opulence in the wines, but finesse is always much more elusive.”
2001 Taurasi Piano di Montevergine Riserva – Retail $69.99 bot. - $350.00 cs/6($58.34) - Parker 94pts."Off the charts! Dense wine exudes the essence of jammy blueberries, blackberries, tar and smoke. Still incredibly primary and loaded with fruit. It appears to be destined for a very long life. Tannins are well integrated and it has phenomenal balance to allow it to improve with more bottle aging (written 2/08). Maturity 2010-2026. Gambero Rosso 2 Glasses.
2005 Vermentino Guado Tasso ANTINORI – Retail $25.00 bottle – SALE $99.99 cs/6 "Melon, lemon and green apple flavors with succulent minerality highlight this tasty number, and in keeping with the vineyard’s proximity to the ocean, it’s a perfect match for seafood."
2004 "W" Dedicato Poggio al Tesoro - $425.00 cs/6 - Parker 92pts. "a drop-dead gorgeous effort. A dark glossy ruby, it presents an exotic array of toasted oak, mint, spice, chocolate, coffee bean and sweet dark fruit notes. Plump and expressive on the palate, it offers superb length as well as exquisite overall balance and a resonating note of warmth on the finish. Ideally a few years of cellaring are warranted although this wine is drinking very well today. Made from a vineyard once leased by nearby Tenuta dell’Ornellaia and aged in 100% new oak for 18 months, it is one of the most exciting new wines I tasted. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019. Poggio al Tesoro is a new winery in Bolgheri co-owned by importer Leonardo LoCascio and the Allegrini family. Winemaking is overseen by consulting oenologist Alberto Antonini and these are its first releases. The estate works with densely planted vineyards and low yields to produce deeply flavored wines. In particular, readers who enjoy Cabernet Franc will not want to miss the superb 2004 Dedicato a Walter. Poggio al Tesoro will be fascinating property to watch as wines acquire age"
2005 Zisola Nero d'Avola Sicily – Retail $25.00 bot. – NWW SALE $99.99 cs/6($16.67) - The Mazzei family, historic owners of Tuscany’s renowned Fonterutoli Estate, present Zisola, an elegant Sicilian red wine of great complexity, concentration and aging potential. Made from Sicily’s indigenous Nero d’ Avola grape, Zisola is bursting with rich flavours of blackberry and dark cherry, accented by notes of violet, pepper and exotic spice."
SPAIN-SOUTH AFRICA:
2003 Allende Rioja - $299.99 cs/12(24.99) - Parker 88pts."Unfiltered Tempranillo which exhibits a chunky, muscular, straightforward style with good depth and chewiness. Drink over next 4-5 years."
2005 Bodegas El Nido Clio Mourvedre - $56.00* bottle - "from Australian winemaker Chris Ringland, is an intriguing bottle. Its deep purple color opens to aromas of creme de cassis and opulent flavors of tart, black cherries, licorice, roasted espresso, chocolate, and toasted oak."
