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$7.95
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RR 87
CG 86
WE 86
United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock,
3
available
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List $10.00
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87 points Rhone Report: "[$20/750ml list] Co-fermented with a small portion of Viognier and Grenache (85% Syrah, 13% Grenache, 2% Viognier) and aged in 25% new French oak for 17 months, the 2008 Alexander Valley Vineyards Syrah is a straight forward, very enjoyable Syrah that shows loads of blackberry, floral, game, and spice aromas, a medium-bodied, fresh, and balanced palate, and solid length on the finish. This improves in the glass over the evening and will be very versatile on the dinner table. A touch of dry tannin has me pulling in the drink window, but it should nevertheless show well for 4-5 years. (Dec 2011)"
86 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "[$20/750ml list] Mildly woodsy and showing touches of wet earth and roasted meat in the nose, this full-bodied young wine follows with solid, if somewhat rustic, flavors that stay in step. It is not an especially fruity wine, yet there is a core of dark berries at its heart, and, if a bit rough for solo sipping, it will do the job in washing down hunks of beef. (Mar 2012)"
86 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$20/750ml list] Give a good shot of air in a decanter to this Syrah before you pour it. Fresh out of the bottle, it’s all candied cherry and black raspberry fruit. Oxygen will help soften it and bring out earthy, herbal complexities. Alcohol 14.0%. (May 2011)"
Producer notes: "85% Syrah, 13% Grenache, 2% Viognier. Aromas of blueberry, boysenberry and a slight floral note of violets followed by traditional flavors of blackberry jam, black cherry and hints of nutmeg, cumin and cardamom fill the glass. The 2008 is smooth and mellow now but AVV Syrah typically improves in the bottle, so lay a few down and try them in a year or two. Food Pairing: Grilled meats, slow braises, and cuisine with a Mediterranean accent are great matches. This is a versatile wine and works in all seasons. Barrel aged 17 months in French oak (25% new). Alcohol 14%."
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$7.95
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United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "Our Syrah is blended with Viognier to craft an elegant, aromatic wine with bright flavors of blackberry, blueberry and hints of spice along with a lengthy finish."
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$18.95
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WS 90
WE 90
PG 90
Spain
-
Other
In stock,
8
available
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List $23.00
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*SPECIAL: Take 10% Off Listed Price!
(We'll reduce item's price when processing your order.)
90 points Wine Spectator: "[$23/375ml list] This amber dessert wine is rich and viscous on the palate, with date, fig, honey and clove notes. Intense and sweet, without being sugary. Drink now through 2020. 500 cases imported (8/31/10)"
90 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$23/375ml list] Light brown and slightly translucent in color. Aromas lean toward raisin and prune, but there's orange zest and molasses on the bouquet as well. Bores straight ahead on the palate, with sweet flavors of burnt brown sugar, caramel and prune. Satisfying and balanced even if it's not overly complex. abv: 17%. (Apr 2012)"
90 points Peñín Guide: "(100% pedro ximenez) Colour: dark mahogany. Nose: complex, dried fruit, pattiserie, toasty, saline. Palate: sweet, rich, unctuous, powerful, fruity. (2011)"
Producer notes: "This sweet young wine is obtained through drying the Pedro Ximénez grapes on mats in the sun. Brilliant clear amber color. Clean, light and superbly stylish, it is a pure raisin wine that combines a full aroma with a pleasant fruitiness. Rich in dried fruit nuances and toasty hints of skins, with fresh overtones, rosemary honey. Unctuous palate. Alcohol 17%. Sugar 415 g/l. Food Pairing:
Nice partner for blue cheese, pastry and sweetmeats. It can also be served as a dessert itself or with ice or soda as a cooling delicious drink."
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$21.95
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RP 96
WE 94
Spain
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $25.00
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96 points Robert Parker: "The impressive 1927 Pedro Ximenez Solera, from a Solera begun nearly 80 years ago, boasts a dark amber color as well as an extraordinary nose of creme brulee, liquefied nuts, marmalade, and maple syrup. Huge and viscous, yet neither cloyingly sweet nor heavy, it is a profound effort priced unbelievably low. It is meant to be drunk alone at the end of a meal. (Jun 2005)"
94 points and 'Top 100 Wines of 2012,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$25/375ml] A rank well above most PX sweeties, with lush but fresh aromas of raisin and spice that are distinctly not syrupy or heavy. Feels thick, but there's enough acidity to cut through the wine's weight. Flavors of caramel and chocolate are ideal, and the finish is smooth, not heavy, and has bounce in its step. A beautiful PX any way you cut it. Editors' Choice. abv: 16%. (Apr 2012)"
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$7.95
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WS 89
IWC 88
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
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89 points Wine Spectator: "A racy, floral red, offering layers of raspberry ganache, blackberry and light fig fruit that mingle with spice, spring herb and light mesquite notes. Though not a powerhouse, this is well-balanced. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat and Syrah. Drink now. Smart Buys. (7/31/12)"
88 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(a blend of 75% malbec, 15% cabernet sauvignon and 5% each tannat and syrah): Cherry liqueur, menthol, violet and spicy oak on the nose and palate. Suave, supple and energetic, with a sugar/acid balance giving the mid-palate insidious intensity and good definition. Nicely rising, fine-grained finish shows good length and a light touch. Sophisticated for the price. (Mar/Apr 2012)"
Producer notes: "75% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, 5% Tannat. The wine is deep ruby red with bright, purple tones. It is very fruity, with intense aromas of cherry, raspberry and black berries such as mulberry. It has a soft chocolate touch due to oaking. The taste is fresh with a high fruit expression and spicy notes of white pepper. It is easy to drink due to its soft and round tannins. Enjoy this wine with grilled meats including game, duck, red pasta sauces, hearty comfort foods, and a variety of mild and medium cheeses. Alcohol 14.0%."
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$17.95
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WA 91
IWC 90
United States
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Pinot Noir
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California
In stock, 12+ available
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91 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 Pinot Noir La Bauge Au-dessus is made from 55% Bien Nacido and 45% Le Bon Climat fruit. This is a richer, deeper style than the Rincon. Layers of dark cherries and plums emerge from this fleshy, pliant Pinot Noir. The inner sweetness and perfume weave through effortlessly to a round, inviting finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. (Aug 2011)"
90 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Bright medium red. Redcurrant, cherry, Indian spices and underbrush on the pungent nose. Shows a firm, youthful structure and smoky red fruit flavors, with slow-building spiciness and a hint of bitter herbs. Then turns sweeter on the spicy finish, which is focused and very persistent. This taut, red fruit-driven wine benefits a lot from air; give it at least an hour in a decanter or another few years of bottle aging. (Oct/Nov 2011)"
Producer notes: "Has the usual Bien Nacido hard spice of black pepper, clove, and juniper. La Bauge au Dessus translates into 'the decadent party up above' these vineyards are the highest planting of Pinot Noir at Bien Nacido Vineyard."
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$42.95
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RR 96
IWC 94
RP 92–94
France
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Rhone
-
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
In stock, 12+ available
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List $60.00
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5 stars, 19.5/20 points, Decanter: "A mix of 1989 and '90; a muscular wine with grip, will become gracious. Curvier than 2009. Drink: 2016-2039. (May 2012)"
96 points Rhone Report: "[$120/750ml list] Showing consistently with the barrel review, the 2010 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape (30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and the remainder an assortment of varieties) is a classic Beaucastel that has both richness and elegance. Showing loads of black cherry, new leather, licorice, pepper, and hints of flowers on the nose, this full-bodied, structured, yet surprisingly elegant and polished 2010 has fantastic purity of fruit, superb balance, and knockout length. Showing more and more structure with air, this needs 3-5 years of bottle age, and should evolve gracefully for upwards of two decades or more. (Sep 2012)"
94 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "[$120/750ml list] Bright ruby. Sexy, spice- and mineral-accented aromas of red and dark fruit preserves and garrigue. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering vibrant black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors, a hint of smokiness and intense minerality. Tannins come on late and are quickly sucked up by this wine's intense fruit. Rich and lively, with excellent finishing clarity and length. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
92-94+ points Robert Parker: "The Chateau Beaucastel 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is a classic blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise and the balance other permitted varietals. Surprisingly ripe and soft with a dense ruby/purple color as well as lots of blueberry, scorched earth and blackberry notes intermixed with hints of roast beef and bouquet garni, this wine has structure, but the fruit dominates at present. By the standards of most top vintages of Beaucastel, this cuvee will be drinkable earlier than the normal ten years. I suspect it will put on more weight, so give it 5-6 years of cellaring and drink it over the following three decades. (Oct 2011)"
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$37.95
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RP 93
IWC 93
United States
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Cabernet & Blends
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California
In stock,
7
available
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List $59.50
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93+ points Robert Parker: "Alcohol: 14.6%; 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2006 was made from 32% Bancroft Ranch, 24% Steinhauer Ranch, 19% St. Helena Home Vineyard, with smaller amounts from Rancho del Oso, Chabot Vineyard, Marston Ranch and Lampyridae. A big heat wave in July was the salient weather factor in this vintage. The harvest began early and continued for five weeks. Abundant smoke, chocolate, espresso roast, cassis and mocha characteristics are found in this full-bodied, powerful, layered Cabernet. Although not quite as seamless as the nearly perfect 2005 Private Reserve, it is a big, dense beauty from a somewhat forgotten Napa Valley vintage. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades or more. (Jun 2011)"
93 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "($119/750ml list; 60% from Howell Mountain fruit) Full ruby-red. Cassis and bitter chocolate on the nose, plus a dusty note that quickly blew off. Sweet, creamy and lush, with the classic black fruit, mineral and chocolate notes for which this wine is prized. At once structured and gentle thanks to its mid-palate stuffing. Finishes with big, broad, horizontal tannins that reach the front teeth. Almost deceptively sweet today, but I'd lay it down for at least a few years, as this bottling has a long track record for rewarding cellaring. (May/Jun 2009)"
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$26.95
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JG 91
IWC 91
WS 91
France
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Champagne
In stock,
3
available
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91 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The new release of the Billecart-Salmon non-vintage Brut Réserve, which I encountered at the great Champagne tasting at Crush Wines and Spirits here in New York in December, is comprised mostly of fruit from the 2008 vintage and the vast majority of the blend is one third each of chardonnay, pinot meunier and pinot noir, with none of the base wines going through malolactic fermentation for this bottling. The bouquet is deep and quite lovely, offering up scents of apple, tart orange, a lovely base of complex soil tones, warm bread and a gently smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and snappy, with a fine core, absolutely exquisite balance and focus, very refined mousse and excellent grip on the very long and classy finish. This is a lovely bottle of Brut NV that will only get better with a bit of bottle age. 2013-2025+. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
91 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Light yellow-gold. Orange and pear aromas are complemented by notes of vanilla bean and honeysuckle. Silky in texture and nicely precise, with juicy orchard fruit flavors and a tangy note of Meyer lemon. Dry but in no way austere. Blends depth and energy smoothly and finishes with excellent clarity and nervy cut. (Dec 2010)"
91 points Wine Spectator: "Aromatic and spicy, with cedar, honey and ginger notes matching a firm structure and lean, intense character. Fine length."
91 points Wine News: "Lots of honey scents frame aromas of pineapple, apricot, chalk, yeast and brioche. Crisp, focused flavors of apple, orange marmalade, caramel and bread dough. Flint emerges in the dry finish. (Dec 2006/Jan 2007)"
Wall Street Journal: "Very good. Best of tasting. Pretty much all the aromas and flavors we want in Champagne--toasted nuts, yeast, minerals, a hint of zingy lemon and even some honeysuckle--all in a balanced, elegant package that gives it a relaxed sophistication. (12/13/08)"
Richard Juhlin: "(35% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay) This is the creation of the son, Antoine Billecart. I claim this to be the best nonvintage Champagne of the extremely fruity school. The nose is lively and as fresh as a spring morning, the flavor is light and citrus-fresh with a long, balanced aftertaste of Granny Smith apples. Softer, sweeter, and more creamy recently. (Feb 2010)"
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$41.95
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WN 94
TP 94
WS 92
France
-
Champagne
In stock,
1
available
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List $50.00
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94 points Wine News: "Light copper-orange hue; active stream of small bubbles. Enticing scents of bread dough, caramel and buttery fragrances. Soft entry with creamy vanilla, a nice balance of grains and light, malty nuances. A cleansing, racy grapefruit-inspired finish with pleasant, sweet overtones. (Dec 2008/Jan 2009)"
93 points Anthony Dias Blue (The Tasting Panel): "Pale pink, juicy, smooth, ripe, and tangy with raspberry; lush and tangy with great depth; racy acidity and seamlessly balanced; lovely. (Dec 2012)"
92 points Wine Spectator: "Bright and elegant, this offers appealing flavors of ripe black cherry, raspberry and orange peel that show hints of toasted raisin bread, anise and sweet smoke. Offers a beautiful texture, with a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2015. (11/15/11)"
92 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(disgorged June 30, 2010): Light orange. Tangerine, pear and flowers on the nose, which is complicated by a note of fennel. Broad and sappy but dry, with lively orange and strawberry flavors and a subtle note of spice cake. Weightier on the finish, which features an exotic note of spicy herbs. This Champagne’s delicate touch will make it work well with simple seafood dishes or even sashimi. (Dec 2010)"
92 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "This wine is a blend of fifty percent chardonnay, thirty percent pinot noir and twenty percent pinot meunier and was aged for fully four years on the fine lees prior to disgorgement and preparation for release. Unlike the house’s straight non-vintage Brut bottling, some of the base wines for the Brut Rosé go through malo. The bouquet on the current release is outstanding, wafting from the glass in a mélange of cherries, orange peel, woodsmoke, warm bread and a lovely base of complex minerality. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and very refined on the attack, with a lovely core, frothy mousse, bright acids and outstanding focus, length and grip on the very elegant and complete finish. Fine, fine juice. 2013-2020+. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
Wall Street Journal: "Unlike many Champagne houses that may turn out a token bottling, rosé is the main focus of Billecart-Salmon. It's a dry, delicate rosé with a lively acidity that makes it a good companion to food -- as well as a great wine for a celebratory toast. (8/6/11)"
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$33.95
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WN 94
WS 93
WE 93
France
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Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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List $45.00
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94 points Wine News: "Burnished gold hue with a lively, streaming bead. Attractive bakery aromas of fresh croissant with nutmeg and vanilla highlights. Forward, mixed flavors of baked apple, dark honey and notes of beer and malt. Stylish, distinctive finish imbued with lingering red apple, caramel and crisp acidity. (Sep/Oct/Nov 2009)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "A lovely, balanced Champagne, with mineral and toast notes accenting flavors of quince, green pear, white peach and verbena. Backed by firm acidity, this shows impressive texture and finesse. Like a mosaic, all the pieces come together to make a beautiful whole. Drink now through 2020. (11/30/11)"
92 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$90/750ml list] The classic Bollinger nonvintage is, as always, rich and firmly structured. With the roundness that comes from aging the wines in wood before blending, it has a ripe, smooth edge. Underneath, the texture is solid, with hints of apple and pear and mature acidity. Alcohol 12%. (Dec 2012)"
92 points Wine & Spirits: "Finely balanced between fruit and minerality, this layers tart red fruit, crème caramel and juicy pear in a long chalk line of flavor. It’s fresh and bright on one level, rich and sumptuous underneath -- a brilliant blend that would fit any occasion. (Dec 2012)"
91+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "This note hails from a sample of the most current release here in the US, which I tasted this month here in New York. This is a lovely and classy wine that is more minerally and less overtly 'toasty' than was the case with this bottling a generation ago, but equally fine. The nose is deep and complex, offering up a lovely blend of apple, orange peel, warm bread, a bit of caraway seed, complex soil tones and a gently smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is focused, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with crisp acids, very refined mousse, excellent grip and balance and a very long and youthfully classy finish. This is a lovely bottle that is already quite tasty, but may yet develop more of the old school Bollinger 'toastiness' with further bottle age. 2012-2025+. (Jul/Aug 2012)"
91 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "60% Pinot Noir; 25% Chardonnay; 15% Pinot Meunier. All Bolly in its toasty, chalky, slightly angular but powerful way, this wine reminds of the company's "Grande Annee" in its fairly bold approach. Frothy and insistent in its bubbles and tasty, rich, toasty, stony and vanillin all at the same time, this is Champagne with a purpose, and, in this case, it works without being over the top in any dimension. (Dec 2009)"
Wall Street Journal ("Alice Feiring's Top Champagne Picks"): "For some mysterious reason, Bollinger in the United States has never achieved the status it has in the UK where it is king. Nervous apples bobbing in a tub. Edgy metal vibrant fizz wrapped around a piece of strong sugar and toasted bread crumbs on a baked apple. (9/12/09)"
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$46.95
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AM 94
IWC 92–94
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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94 points and 'Don't miss!' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A brooding but impressively complex nose features notes of red currant, plum, earth and plenty of that Corton sauvage character. The textured, intense and broad-shouldered flavors possess excellent mid-palate concentration with fully mature structural elements. There is ample buffering sap, which is important as one would reasonably expect, this is a big and sleekly muscled wine with an explosively long, linear and overtly austere finish. The potential here is mostly impressive though note that plenty of patience is requisite. Drink: 2025+. (Apr 2012)"
92-94 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(aging in two-thirds new oak): Dark red. Black fruits, flowers, minerals and licorice on the vibrant nose, plus a whiff of truffle; I would have picked this blind as a Cote de Nuits wine. Dense, sappy and sweet but with a light touch and excellent definition thanks to its firm underlying minerality. At once delicate and strong, finishing spicy and long, with a flavor of crunchy berries. Not an earthy style of Corton. (Jan/Feb 2012)"
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$15.95
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WA 90
France
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Loire
In stock, 12+ available
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90 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "Tasted from the earliest of several bottlings representing a common assemblage, Boulay’s regular cuvee of 2011 Sancerre leads with scents of mint, pennyroyal and chervil, and behind that fresh grapefruit and lime, all of which team up on the palate for a performance that’s irresistibly luscious, but also unusually buoyant, bright and invigorating for its vintage (virtues enhanced by palpable retained CO2). The herb and white pepper impingement in this Sancerre’s sustained finish reminds me a bit of Gruner Veltliner, while chalk and iodine add notes of intrigue. This will be a versatile delight over the next several years. (Jun 2012)"
This family domaine of 9ha located in Chavignol can trace its history back to 1380. Of the 9ha owned by Gérard Boulay, 8 of the hectares are on the slopes of Chavignol on Kimmeridgian or 'terre blanche' soils (actually similar to the soils in Chablis). The wines produced on 'terre blanche' are some of the most distinctive and soil-inflected Sauvignon Blancs produced in the Loire, with a delineation and minerality often reminiscent of a top Chablis. Among its top ranks, including some of Boulay's neighbors (the Cotats, Vatan, Thomas-Labaille), these are gorgeous, ageworthy wines that are a clear step above 'regular' Sancerre. Boulay works the soil manually. Average vine age is 45 years old. The wines ferment naturally. He adds no yeast and minimal amounts of SO2. The Sancerre-Chavignol is fermented in tank and undergoes a light filtration before bottling.
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$28.95
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United States
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Cabernet & Blends
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California
In stock,
8
available
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Producer notes: "Cabernet Sauvignon 48%, Merlot 25%, Cabernet Franc 18%, Petit Verdot 9%. At just under 50%, the 2008 Cain Concept has the lowest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon that we have had to date. But the Cabernet was tight and concentrated, so we were able to build on this core with the other varieties. With aromas of pound cake, dried cherries, Christmas spice and mocha, the wine has a silky smooth entry with very fine tannins that flow continuously to a gentle easy finish. This is what the Napa Valley is all about. Enjoy the wine today, or in ten years."
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$29.95
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AM 92
FWR 91
JG 91
France
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Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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92 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(a blend of 75% pinot noir and the balance in chardonnay). A beautifully complex nose displays discreet yeast hints that add nuance to the ripe pear, apple and floral aromas. There is equally good depth to the overtly effervescent and utterly delicious flavors that possess excellent intensity and fine length. I very much like this as it offers both vivid character and plenty of personality on the clean, dry and quite crisp finish. While this could certainly be aged to good effect, it’s already so good that it’s hard to keep from opening Champagne like this often. With that duly noted, I would suggest acquiring a case and opening a few bottles each year over the next 5 or so. Note that this is materially better than the same cuvée reviewed in Issue 28. Drink: now+. (Jan 2012)"
91 points Fine Wine Review: "Savès is a small producer who has been gathering a following in recent years. He is located in Bouzy, prime Pinot Noir country, and indeed, this cuvée is 75% Pinot Noir (from grand cru vineyards) and 25% Chardonnay from premier cru vineyards. This is relatively big, barrel-fermented wine with toasty and yeasty aromas and real presence on the palate. Interestingly, with time, pure raspberry fruit develops on the palate. I prefer blanc des blancs for aperitif, but this wine can serve for that purpose, too, and should be excellent for a meal. (Issue #126; 2009)"
91+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "As readers may recall from a short profile I wrote on this superb house a few years back, even though Champagne Camille Savès is based in the grand cru village of Bouzy and most of their vineyards lie within this village (or Ambonnay), their Carte Blanche bottling incorporates production from some additional family chardonnay vineyards that lie in the village of Tauxières (which is a premier cru), so the entire cuvée is only entitled to premier cru status. Nevertheless, it has been consistently excellent and the new release is another superb bottle of bubbly, offering up a deep and vibrant nose of apple, pink grapefruit, complex minerality, bread dough and a lovely, floral topnote of spring flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and vibrant, with a very fine core of fruit, elegant mousse, crisp acids and outstanding length and grip on the focused and beautifully balanced finish. This bottling was disgorged in late 2011. The current release of Carte Blanche is superb juice that will age very well. 2012-2030. (Jul/Aug 2012)"
90 points Wine Spectator: "Tangy, offering flavors of apricot, pickled ginger, oyster shell and pink grapefruit. It's lightly chalky in texture, with a clean, moderate finish. Drink now through 2015. (5/31/12)"
90 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The NV Brut Carte Blanche is a wonderfully rich, creamy entry-level wine laced with gorgeous Pinot fruit. This shows tons of Bouzy character. The 12 grams of dosage is felt in the wine’s weight, but works beautifully here. With time in the glass, the bubbles dissipate, leaving a beautifully pure expression of fruit. The Carte Blanche is 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 60% from the 2007 vintage and 40% from 2006. The Pinot is from Grand Cru vineyards in Bouzy, Ambonnay and Tours-sur-Marne, while the Chardonnay comes from Premier Cru vineyards in Tauxieres. This is Lot# 9815, disgorged March, 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014. (Dec 2010)"
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$19.95
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Italy
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Veneto
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Amarone
In stock,
2
available
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Two Glasses, Gambero Rosso: "It is said that quality never goes hand-in-hand with large quantities, but luckily the reverse is sometimes true, and our tasting of Giuseppe Campagnola's wines was one of those occasions... (2011)" Intense red garnet color. Fine ethereal, fragrant bouquet. Dry full complex and velvet smooth. Rich superb noble warm on palate with aftertaste of green almond.
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$99.95
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RP 98
France
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Rhone
-
Hermitage/Crozes-Hermitage
In stock,
5
available
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98 points Robert Parker: "Of course, Michel Chapoutier produces some very limited spectacular dessert wines. The 2004 Ermitage Vin de Paille, which has a deep amber color and smells like black truffle oil intermixed with orange marmalade and honeysuckle, is an amazingly rich wine that has put on considerable weight since I tasted it last year. This is a legendary wine that should age for 50-75 or more years. This wine cuvee has between 100 and 159 grams of residual sugar, and the finished alcohol is approximately 15%. (Apr 2007)"
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$84.95
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WS 95
RP 92
France
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Rhone
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Hermitage/Crozes-Hermitage
In stock, 12+ available
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95 points and 'Highly Recommended', Wine Spectator: "Deep and intense, it powers its way through the palate, delivering bursts of fruit and earth. Silky and full-bodied, with distinctive personality, this ripe, thick and well-made white has earthy, smoky, bread dough and beeswax complexity. Best from 2004 through 2014. 1,080 cases made. (8/31/02)"
92 points Robert Parker: "A retasting of the 1998 Hermitage blanc confirmed its brilliant quality. It is an elegant, floral-scented, structured white Hermitage. It boasts fabulous concentration, but is less flattering and precocious than either the 1999 or 2000. If the latter two wines lean toward a flamboyant style, the 1998 should prove to be one of the more muscular, long lived, backward efforts requiring patience. (Apr 2002)"
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$13.95
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IWC 90
WS 90
W&S 90
United States
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Pinot Noir
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Oregon
In stock,
1
available
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90 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Bright red. High-pitched red berry and floral aromas are complicated by Asian spices and orange peel. Silky in texture and gently sweet, with vibrant strawberry and black raspberry flavors and a touch of bitter cherry. The supple, intensely fruity finish is spicy, focused and nicely persistent. This drinks well now but has the spine to age. (Sep 2011)"
90 points Wine Spectator: "Light and silky, dancing delicately over refined tannins and lively acidity to show red berry, cinnamon and clove flavors as the finish lingers. Drink now through 2017. (2/29/12)"
90 points and 'Year's Best Pinot Noir,' Wine & Spirits: "Warm and fresh with a scent of ripe strawberries, this wine’s flavors are loose-limbed and juicy, but a fruit skin tannin element holds all that ripeness in check. It’s an ideal red for chilling and drinking as an aperitif. (Oct 2012)"
Producer notes: "A lovely, precocious wine with a brilliant, deep garnet color and seductive, lush aromatics, in this wine spice and fruits dominate. Rich pie cherry and dried cherry impressions, with plummy blue and black fruit for depth and richness anchor the palate and lead to a sweet fruit entry. Tea leaves and spices are assertive, whether showing gingerbread, molasses, nutmeg, cardamon or delicate black pepper. The balance is almost perfect, with great acid, excellent weight without being ponderous, no alcohol apparent, nice breadth and length on the palate, and a bright, clean and elegant finish. Elegance, richness and balance--what we all aspire to. And what a standard-bearing pinot noir should reflect. 14.5% alcohol."
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$15.95
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WS 90
United States
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Pinot Noir
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Oregon
In stock, 12+ available
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90 points Wine Spectator: "Firm in texture, with a peppermint edge to the juicy raspberry and red plum flavors, finishing in harmony with refined tannins. Drink now through 2018. (2/28/13)"
Producer notes: "A classic red-fruited Pinot Noir with dark, earthy, savory elements, characteristically cracked pepper, tea leaf, cinnamon, charcoal, matchstick, spice and plum. The acidity of the vintage gives a structure to suspend wood and tannin elements playfully on the palate. Balance is excellent, length good and final impressions are red, delicate and complex. Silk nap grip on the palate and acidity guarantee a very long life."
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$8.95
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United States
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Zinfandel
In stock,
8
available
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87 points Wine Spectator: "Soft but still zesty, with appealing notes of ripe black cherry, caramel and spice. Drink now through 2017. (6/30/12)"
Producer notes: "Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel shows wonderful, fat strawberry, with coffee and chocolate characters. Aging in new and used wood has lent this wine a subtle vanilla quality that nicely complements the explosive fruit notes. Food Pairing: Ripe fruit and soft tannins make this mouth coating rich vintage a nice complement to pasta dishes with a light tomato sauce or grilled meats. Alcohol 15.0%."
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$7.95
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France
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Rhone
In stock, 12+ available
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$37.95
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WS 95
WA 93
WE 93
Portugal
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Port
In stock, 12+ available
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95 points Wine Spectator: "Redolent of blackberry and dark fruits, this also features a fascinating mix of mocha, graphite and tobacco. Very juicy as well, which features into the finish of fine-grained tannins and spice. An exuberant and refined Vintage Port. Best from 2020 through 2050. (4/30/12)"
93 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "The 2009 Croft has a very pure pretty bouquet with ripe blueberry and dark plum-scented bouquet. Fine definition although not quite as complex as I remember the 2007 at the same stage. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, supple tannins, moderate acidity, harmonious with a plush blackberry, crème de cassis and spice-tinged finish. Good potential, although I think the 2007 has an intellectual edge. (May 2011)"
93 points Wine Enthusiast: "Based on the Roêda vineyard, this opulent, fruity wine is dense, beautifully ripe, a powerhouse of sweet fruit, figs and raisins, plum jelly and the roundest, most generous tannins. It's a wine that will show well in the next few years, but which should age magnificently. abv: 20%. (Apr 2012)"
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$274.95
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RP 99
WS 95
IWC 94
France
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Bordeaux
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Sweet
In stock,
1
available
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99 points Robert Parker: "An extraordinary effort, Yquem's 1990 is a rich and fabulously superb, sweet wine. This wine also possesses lots of elegance and finesse. The wine's medium gold color is accompanied by an exceptionally sweet nose of honeyed tropical fruits, peaches, coconut, and apricots. High quality, subtle toasty oak is well-integrated. The wine is massive on the palate, with layers of intensely ripe botrytis-tinged, exceptionally sweet fruit. Surprisingly well-integrated acidity, and a seamless, full-bodied power and richness have created a wine of remarkable harmony and purity. Certainly it is one of the richest Yquems I have ever tasted, with 50-100 years of potential longevity. An awesome Yquem! Anticipated maturity: 2003-2050+. (Apr 1999)"
95 points Wine Spectator: "Truly superb. Yellow with a gold hue. Intense spice, honey and dried orange peel aromas.Full-bodied, very sweet and very alive. Vibrant Sauternes that goes on and on on the palate. Doesn't get much better than this. Beautiful now,but wait.--1990 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010. (8/31/00)"
94 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Full-blown aromas of caramel, toffee, honey, white chocolate and damp earth; slightly Tokaj-like. Hugely concentrated and layered in the mouth; extraordinary sweetness cut by harmonious acidity. As with the best vintages of Yquem, the finish goes on for a minute or more. Stains, and stuns, the palate. A huge wine, surprisingly extravagant on the nose (earlier bottles have been far more restrained) but completely unevolved and a bit musclebound on the palate. May ultimately merit a higher score. (Jul/Aug 1998)"
4-5 stars Michael Broadbent's Pocket Vintage Wine Companion: "Bottled in 1994. The biggest crop since 1893. Most recently, at Yquem: bright amber-gold with orange highlights; sweet, rich, orange blossom fragrance becoming increasingly caramelly; medium-sweet, rich texture, nutty flavour though lacking the opulence and rich sensuality of the '89. Long life. Last tasted Aug 2006."
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$59.95
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United States
In stock,
4
available
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List $85.00
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Robb Report: "[$85/375ml list] Outside of Tokaj or Bordeaux, no producer has produced late-harvest wine with greater consistency than Dolce. This lavishly textured, dense wine remains surprisingly light on the tongue, despite its rich flavors of lemon meringue, coconut custard, and torrone."
Wine Enthusiast: "The key to the sweet wine of Dolce, a subsidiary of Oakville-based Far Niente Winery, is its bounty of botrytis. Winemaker Greg Allen explains that Sémillon's thin skin and low acidity make it susceptible to the so-called 'noble rot' and account for Dolce's sweetness. 'We Encourage botrytis development by growing these huge canopies to trap humidity and to protect the fruit from sunlight,' he says. (Feb 2013)"
Producer notes: "Dolce is grown in the cool foggy Coombsville area to the east of the city of Napa. It is here that the fruit can get to full ripeness before getting concentrated by the actions of botrytis cenerea, a mold long associated with the world's greatest dessert wines. We only harvest the best clusters or parts of clusters. Of course, this means that most of the grapes we grow never make it to the winery. The resulting juice is so concentrated that yeast have a hard time fermenting. Greg, our winemaker, often is following fermentations well into March or April of the next year. He then oversees their slow development as the wine ages for 30 months before he determines the final blend and bottles the wine. Part of the magic of Dolce, beyond its ability to give hedonistic pleasure, is its ability to age and improve for many many years."
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