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$449.95
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United States
-
Cabernet & Blends
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California
In stock,
3
available
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$499.95
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WA 97
WS 94
United States
-
Cabernet & Blends
-
California
In stock,
6
available
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97 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 Madrona Ranch opens with an incredibly expressive bouquet. Espresso, mocha and licorice meld into dark red fruit and sweet exotic spices in this superb wine. The 2008 is an extraordinarily polished, refined wine for the vintage. Sweet spiced and floral notes reappear to round out the finish. The relatively high percentage of Cabernet Franc (37%) comes through in spades here. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033. (Dec 2011)"
94 points Wine Spectator: "Ultrarich and gutsy, nuzzling up to syrupy, this is a chewy, extracted style that extends the flavors to kirsch, black licorice, blackberry jam, espresso, hazelnut and toffee. Ends with chewy, grainy tannins that give the flavors traction. Drink now through 2026. 350 cases made. (5/1/13)"
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$529.95
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United States
-
Cabernet & Blends
-
California
In stock,
3
available
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$299.95
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WA 96
JS 95–96
RR 93–96
United States
-
Rhone Varietals
In stock,
1
available
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96+ points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 Reva (Syrah) is stunningly beautiful. This is a relatively delicate, feminine Reva that impresses for its length, balance and utter purity of fruit. Dark red cherries, flowers, mint and silky, saline notes wrap around the expressive fruit on the long, polished finish. A hint of truffles adds to the wine’s sensual, totally beguiling personality. In 2008, the Reva is drop-dead gorgeous. Readers should note that, in this vintage, there is no Lorraine or Seymour’s, so the 2008 is a 'super-Reva!' Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. (Aug 2012)"
95-96 points James Suckling: "Love the spice, game and dark berries, yet reserved and austere. Shows form and firmness. Long and beautiful. Should be in market in November 2012. (5/25/12)"
93-96 points Rhone Report: "The 2008 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard was the only Syrah produced in '08. Showing a lively, more energetic profile than the more heavy weight '06 and '07, it still doesn.t lack for structure, depth, or complexity. Showing loads of tapenade, lavender, blood, and black fruits, medium to full-body, and a beautifully focused, pure texture and finish, this elegant Syrah should still benefit from short term cellaring once released. I love the vibrancy here, and it will be interesting to see how this shows from bottle. (Dec 2011)"
94 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(raised in French oak, 80% of it new, for 44 months; 15.1% alcohol): Glass-staining purple. Sexy smoke- and spice-accented aromas of candied black and blue fruits and potpourri, with a suggestion of black pepper building with air. Lush and expansive on the palate, offering deeply pitched but lively cassis and blueberry flavors and a suave floral pastille nuance. The spicy note comes back strong on the finish, which shows only a hint of tannins. (Nov/Dec 2012)"
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$149.95
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WA 96
JS 95–96
RR 93–96
United States
-
Rhone Varietals
In stock,
6
available
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96+ points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 Reva (Syrah) is stunningly beautiful. This is a relatively delicate, feminine Reva that impresses for its length, balance and utter purity of fruit. Dark red cherries, flowers, mint and silky, saline notes wrap around the expressive fruit on the long, polished finish. A hint of truffles adds to the wine’s sensual, totally beguiling personality. In 2008, the Reva is drop-dead gorgeous. Readers should note that, in this vintage, there is no Lorraine or Seymour’s, so the 2008 is a 'super-Reva!' Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. (Aug 2012)"
95-96 points James Suckling: "Love the spice, game and dark berries, yet reserved and austere. Shows form and firmness. Long and beautiful. Should be in market in November 2012. (5/25/12)"
93-96 points Rhone Report: "The 2008 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard was the only Syrah produced in '08. Showing a lively, more energetic profile than the more heavy weight '06 and '07, it still doesn.t lack for structure, depth, or complexity. Showing loads of tapenade, lavender, blood, and black fruits, medium to full-body, and a beautifully focused, pure texture and finish, this elegant Syrah should still benefit from short term cellaring once released. I love the vibrancy here, and it will be interesting to see how this shows from bottle. (Dec 2011)"
94 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(raised in French oak, 80% of it new, for 44 months; 15.1% alcohol): Glass-staining purple. Sexy smoke- and spice-accented aromas of candied black and blue fruits and potpourri, with a suggestion of black pepper building with air. Lush and expansive on the palate, offering deeply pitched but lively cassis and blueberry flavors and a suave floral pastille nuance. The spicy note comes back strong on the finish, which shows only a hint of tannins. (Nov/Dec 2012)"
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$625.00
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WE 97
WA 93
Italy
-
Tuscany
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Other
In stock,
4
available
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97 points and 'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "Definitely on a top 10 list of Italian icons, Solaia affirms the massive potential of Italian winemaking, from vineyard to cantina to cellar and beyond. Superrich and polished, but never over the top, this gorgeous super Tuscan shows deep layers of chocolate, black cherry, rum cake and spice. The secret lies in its balance: Everything is in place, from intensity and complexity to persistency. (May 2012)"
93 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 Solaia is richer and darker than the Tignanello, but it isn’t an appreciably more complex or complete wine. It shows gorgeous depth and textural richness to match an expressive core of blackberry jam, smoke, scorched earth, crushed rocks and cassis. This is a beautiful wine, but not as great as I had hoped. The 2008 Solaia is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc, aged in 100% new oak. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. (Aug 2011)"
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$221.95
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FWR 90–93
IWC 90–92
France
-
Burgundy
-
Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
10
available
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90-93 points Fine Wine Review: "The estate acquired the Latricières-Chambertin from Domaine Newman. The vines are 53 years old. The wine shows fresh raspberry fruit in the nose and some strawberry and black fruit in the mouth with good nervosity. (Issue #128; 2010)"
90-92 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(Lachaux purchased just over a half-hectare of 53-year-old vines from Christopher Newman) Good medium red. Nose offers dark cherry, smoky oak and complex soil tones. At once dense and energetic, conveying an impression of rather strong energy from the combination of firm acids and underlying minerality. In a cooler, almost peppery style, with the wine's acidity carrying the finish. More austere than most of Lachaux's wines from Vosne-Romanee. (Mar/Apr 2010)"
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$114.95
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JG 92
WA 91–92
AM 90–92
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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92+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The Les Corbeaux was the second to last in the cellar to finish its malolactic fermentation, as it just edged out the Gevrey V.V. by finishing up on September 7th. Nevertheless, the wine was showing very well during my visit, as it offers up a fine bouquet of black cherries, cassis, bitter chocolate, grilled meats, a touch of new oak and a very complex base of soil. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and nicely reserved, with fine mid-palate depth, impressive soil inflection, tangy acids and a bit of tannin that will need to resolve before this wine starts drinking well. A very fine vintage for these old vines. 2018-2040. (Nov/Dec 2009)"
91-92 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "Fresh blackberry, wild fennel and medicinal concentration of wormwood and other herbs scent Bachelet’s 2008 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Corbeaux, putting me in mind of Morey-St.-Denis (though Corbeaux is not located at that end of Gevrey). This is texturally even more promising and incipiently plush -- for all of its brightness of fresh fruit -- than was the corresponding village wine; in fact, it’s also strikingly viscous, in a way that reinforces its medicinal aura. And believe me: you are going to want to take this medicine! A range of dark forest floor and mineral shadings, notably peat and small game add further complexity to a gripping yet buoyant and refreshing finish. This dark, bittersweet ball of energy should remain successfully aloft for 12-15 years and probably not hit its optimum orbit until halfway through then. (Jun 2010)"
90-92 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(also from 60 to 70 year old vines). A perfumed if somewhat sauvage nose features a complex and expressive aromatic profile of red and blue pinot fruit, humid earth and black cherry notes where the earthiness very much infuses the rich, serious and impressively concentrated medium weight flavors that possess excellent detail on the robust, balanced and mouth coating finish. Comments: Sweet spot Outstanding. Drink: 2016+. (Jan 2010)"
90-92 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(30% new oak) Deep red-ruby. Medicinal aromas of black fruits and licorice. Dense and ripe but cool, with a distinctly masculine quality to the brooding flavors of blackberry, licorice and bitter chocolate. This very solidly built, firmly tannic and long wine will need at least five years of cellaring. (Mar/Apr 2010)"
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$174.95
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FWR 91–95
AM 92
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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91-95 points Fine Wine Review: "Last, the Bonnes-Mares is darker than the others, but still transparent in appearance. In the mouth, there is greater density, as one would expect, with elegance and peach and red fruit flavors. Bonnes-Mares normally is a wine that needs a lot of age, but this may be one that drinks fairly young. (Issue #128; 2010)"
92 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(a .34 ha parcel located 100% in terres rouges). A slightly riper and terrifically layered nose of intensely earthy red berry fruit aromas that give way to rich, round and delicious medium-bodied flavors that are certainly more powerful though by the typical standards of a terres rouges-based Bonnes Mares, it's actually quite refined. Like the Amoureuses, this is an extremely elegant version of the appellation yet should repay up to seven to eight years of cellar time though it will be drinkable well before that. Drink: 2015+. (Jan 2011)"
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$139.95
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FWR 90–94
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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90-94 points Fine Wine Review: "The 2008s from this estate look most promising. François Bertheau said that he began harvesting on 21 September. He had to sort out about 30% of the crop, both for rot and for uneven ripeness. The wines are entirely destemmed. Bertheau’s Chambolle-Charmes also is light in color. In the mouth, there is more depth and substance making for a really lovely wine for its chewiness that combines with finesse and its earthy red fruit. (Issue #128; 2010)"
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$239.95
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AM 94
IWC 91–94
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or White
In stock, 12+ available
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94 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "As one would reasonably expect given Criots' natural tendency to high ripeness levels, the nose is notably riper than that of the Caillerets with ample amounts of highly complex yellow orchard fruit where a hint of exoticism comes into play. The equally ripe, rich, powerful and sappy full-bodied flavors display impressive size, weight and volume yet the finish remains focused and even reasonably well detailed with so much extract that there is the impression of chewiness. As is usually the case, this is not as refined as the rest of the grands crus but this is imposing. Comments: Don't miss! Drink: 2016+. (Jun 2010)"
91-94 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Musky aromas of clove and white truffle. Silky, sweet and tactile, with terrific energy and cut to the peach, spice and nut oil flavors. Finishes with compelling spicy persistence and perfume. (Sep/Oct 2009)"
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$349.95
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WA 94
WS 93
IWC 93
United States
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Cabernet & Blends
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California
In stock,
5
available
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94 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 St. Eden is one of the richest, fleshiest and best-balanced of the 2008s in the Bond portfolio. Dark red fruit, flowers, minerals and spices are some of the notes that take shape in the glass. The 2008 has the mid-palate pliancy that is less evident in some of the other 2008s here. There is plenty of focus as well, especially on the long, saline finish. Tar, smoke and licorice add the final notes of complexity. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2028. (Dec 2011)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "There's a touch of raciness in the aroma, with a sweet-sour edge to the vivid wild berry and currant notes that turn dry and chewy. Full-bodied and dense, with loamy, earthy tannins. Best from 2013 through 2023. 533 cases made. (11/15/11)"
93 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Full ruby-red. Subtle aromas of red- and blackcurrant, dried sage and nutty oak lifted by a floral topnote. Densely packed, thick and pliant but youthfully reserved, with noteworthy purity to its dark berry flavors. Finishes impressively long, with plush tannins. This youthfully backward wine will need at least several years of bottle aging. The wine's small merlot component was picked at the end of August. (May/Jun 2011)"
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$349.95
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JS 96
IWC 96
WA 95
United States
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Cabernet & Blends
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California
In stock,
5
available
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96 points James Suckling: "Insane nose of porcini mushrooms and dark fruits. Forest floor too. Hints of spices. Amazing. Blackf ruits too! Full-bodied, with an amazing finish. This is superb. So long and powerful. Needs another two to three years to come around. (6/20/11)"
96 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Good full ruby. Highly aromatic nose combines dark fruits, dried herbs, violet and forest floor spices. Explosively sweet and deep, with a spicy core of dark fruit flavors that fans out on the back half to saturate the palate. Finishes with strong but lush tannins and captivating violet lift. Remarkably horizontal for a cabernet-based wine from this vintage. (May/Jun 2011)"
95 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 Vecina is a huge, strapping wine bursting with dark fruit, leather, licorice, smoke, minerals and tar. It possesses striking mid-palate depth and more than enough fruit to stand up to the firm, imposing tannins. Iron, graphite, smoke and minerals are layered into the dark, brooding finish. This is an impressive showing. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. (Dec 2011)"
94 points Wine Spectator: "Engagingly complex and layered, with a mix of dried currant, wild berry, forest floor, cedar, black licorice and tobacco flavors. Full-bodied and slow to unfold, gaining a sweetness on the finish. Best from 2013 through 2023. 601 cases made. (11/15/11)"
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$319.95
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WA 91–94
France
-
Champagne
In stock,
3
available
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91-94 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "Bouchard’s 2008 Roses de Jeanne Coteaux Champenois Les Ursules (Pinot Noir), (Blanc) possesses an additional dimension of clarity, precision and delineation over the 2009. There is a crystalline purity to this wine that is simply hard to believe. Both the 2008 and 2009 were aged in 100% new oak. (Jul 2010)"
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$114.95
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United States
-
Cabernet & Blends
-
California
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot. Due to the low yields and relatively late ripening, the Cain Five is fresh and fi rmly structured, with potential for long and consistent aging. This marks the second vintage of the return to 100% Cain Vineyard Estate Bottled, which means 100% of the grapes were grown in the Cain Vineyard. It is a worthy successor and perfect companion to the 2007, with its floral-herbal perfumed nose, and its juicy, mouth-wateringly vibrant palate."
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$114.95
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WA 98
WS 93
W&S 93
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
|
List $135.00
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98 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "[$135 list] The 2008 Nicolas Catena Zapata is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc that spent 24 months in 100% new French oak followed by 24 months in bottle prior to release. It delivers an inviting bouquet of wood smoke, pencil lead, espresso, incense, lavender, black currant, and black cherry. This sets the stage for a full-bodied, powerful yet elegant, beautifully proportioned effort with great depth and volume. It conceals plenty of structure and will effortlessly evolve for 6-8 years, drinking well through 2028, if not longer. (Dec 2011)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "[$135 list] Dark and concentrated, with a creamy edge to its jammy cassis, blueberry preserve and black cherry skin notes. There's fine tannins and enough acidity to keep the spice- and tobacco-tinged finish moving along. Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through 2018. (10/31/12)"
93 points and 'Year's Best Argentine Malbec,' Wine & Spirits: "[$135 list] Do not be put off by the amount of new oak on this wine, which is substantial. Instead, give it time in a decanter and you’ll find deliciously ripe red fruit along with such an elegant texture that the wine glides effortlessly through a long finish. This is Catena’s top blend, a selection of cabernets sauvignon and franc, malbec and petit verdot from vineyards in Uco and Agrelo. (Jun 2012)"
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$158.95
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WS 94
RR 93
France
-
Rhone
-
Hermitage/Crozes-Hermitage
In stock, 12+ available
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List $240.00
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94 points Wine Spectator: "[$240 list] This is suave, with a smoldering tobacco note running from start to finish, while truffle, cocoa, braised fig and warm black currant confiture notes fill in the remaining space. Dense, but very silky along the edges, with remarkable harmony for the vintage. Drink now through 2022. (10/15/11)"
93 points Rhone Report: "Gorgeously complex and nuanced, with an already approachable, open feel, the 2008 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Crozes-Hermitage is loaded with bright, fresh aromas of smoked blackberries, white pepper, cigar, wild herbs, and hints of bacon fat. This flows beautifully to a medium to full-bodied Hermitage that has a light, lifted texture, juicy acidity, and a clean, focused finish. Very classy and elegant, it shines for its balance, polish, and length. Beautiful now, it will continue to drink beautifully for 12-15 years. (Mar 2012)"
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$109.95
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AM 91–94
IWC 91–94
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
|
List $150.00
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91-94 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "Almost invisible oak allows the spicy, ripe and mildly sauvage red berry fruit aromas to shine and this transparency extends to the dense, serious, powerful, tautly muscled and beautifully textured flavors that are focused, terrifically persistent and a bit less austere than it typically is at this early stage. Quite promising. Comments: Sweet spot. Drink: 2018+. (Jan 2010)"
91-94 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Good medium red. Red fruits, smoked meat (Serrano ham?) and sexy oak on the nose, lifted by a floral topnote. Big, lush, fine-grained and sweet; opulent and harmonious wine with the fat to enrobe its substantial chewy tannins. Finishes taut but this is much less austere than I would have expected from this vineyard in this vintage. Clavelier actually compared it in style to his 2007. (Mar/Apr 2010)"
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$119.95
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AM 90
FWR 90
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
3
available
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90 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(the blend has changed considerably and is now 70% Ruchots with the balance in Clos Sorbé, Millandes and Charrières). This offers a step up in both ripeness and complexity with a deft touch of wood setting off high-toned red berry fruit and earth notes that introduce nicely concentrated flavors that possess good volume on the supple, round but tautly muscled and quite firm and robust finish that displays just enough rusticity to be noticeable. Drink: 2018+. (Jan 2011)"
90+ points Fine Wine Review: "The Morey 1er Cru is crisp and pure with spice and licorice in the nose. The mouth shows dark fruit with a medium body and excellent tension. The wine needs time, though. I’d look to 2016-2024 for best drinking. (Issue #133; 2011)"
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$109.95
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WS 94
W&S 94
AM 91–94
France
-
Burgundy
-
Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
1
available
|
List $167.00
|
94 points Wine Spectator: "[$167 list] Very focused and juicy, with pretty raspberry, currant, violet and stone aromas and flavors that meld nicely with the firm structure and sleek profile. Elegant overall, with beautifully defined fruit and nice length. Best from 2013 through 2028. 10 cases imported. (9/30/10)"
94 points Wine & Spirits: "[$167 list] 2008 Corton Grand Cru Clos des Cortons Faiveley Faiveley's grand cru monopole is close to 7.5 acres of pinot noir, with some of the vines dating back to 1936. The beauty of the wine is immediately there-in the aroma, in the surety and purity of the fragrance, the taste of fresh cherries, the scent of a floral border in spring. It's spicy, bold, firmly structured, intellectually pleasing in the intricacies of its structure, seductively supple even now. There's incipient flavor perceptible in the tannin, suggesting this needs a decade or more to fully evolve. (Oct 2010)"
91-94 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "Almost invisible wood allows the lightly spiced and earthy red berry fruit aromas that are admirably pure to merge into relatively supple yet well-detailed broad-shouldered flavors that culminate in a lingering and solidly firm finish. This is unusually approachable but I expect that it will tighten up considerably after it is bottled. If so, this will definitely be a wine for the patient. Drink: 2020+. (Jan 2010)"
92 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Medium red with a palish rim. Pungent aromas of red berries, stone and flowers. Full, sweet and powerful, conveying an impression of strong extract. Very rich but very young wine with a serious underlying mineral spine. (Mar/Apr 2011)"
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$102.95
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WS 92
New Zealand
In stock,
6
available
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92 points Wine Spectator: "[$55 list] Light on its feet, this is harmonious and beautifully focused to show its bright açaí berry and blackberry flavors in a spotlight. The finish sails on, letting the fruit linger. Drink now through 2015. (12/15/09)"
5 stars, Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines: "The Bannockburn winery's 'standard' Pinot Noir is a distinguished wine in its own right, and the 2008 vintage is another top example. Matured for 11 months in French oak casks (30 per cent new), it is very finely balanced, with deep colour and notable richness and harmony. A graceful red, already delicious, it is generous, warm and supple, with deep, ripe cherry, plum and nut flavours, savoury and complex, and good tannin su8pport. Best drinking 2011+. Drink: 2009-20. (2010)"
Producer notes: "Deep garnet with purple hints. A rather brooding nose of ripe raspberry countered with earth, toast and dark perfume... maybe deep red rose petals. The palate displays a plush, cushioned silkiness, with interplay of juicy, mouthwatering acid and ripe, rich raspberry and boysenberry fruit, offset with dusty bramble leaf. The finish is long and relatively complex for such a youthful wine, displaying minerals with dusty tannin and a kick of mocha."
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$146.95
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IWC 92
New Zealand
In stock,
5
available
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92 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Good deep, bright red. Complex, Burgundian aromas of dark raspberry, smoked meat, rose petal and dark chocolate. Rich, ripe and deep but quite dry, with a texture that's at once fine-grained and chewy. Edgy acidity gives this wine a vibrant character. Impressively tactile and concentrated Central Otago pinot, with a long finish featuring serious tannins. Again, this is savory more than sweet, and appears to be built to reward cellaring. (Sep/Oct 2009)"
5 stars, Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines: "Grown at Bannockburn, on a north-facing slope 270 metres above sea level, this is a majestic Central Otago wine, among the finest Pinot Noirs in the country. The mature vines are cultivated in a section of the vineyard where the clay content is relatively high, giving 'dried herbs and ripe fruit characters'. The wine is matured for 11 to 14 months in Burgundy oak barrels (50 to 60 per cent new), and bottled without fining or filtration. The 2008 vintage is very fragrant, complex and savoury, with full, bright colour, sweet-fruit delights, deep, cherryish, spicy flavours and good tannin backbone. Best drinking 2011+. Drink: 2009-20. (2010)"
Producer notes: "As is often the case, the initial entry of the wine is the lightest of all the 2008 Pinot Noirs: expressing crushed herbs and minerality. Then the wine starts to build through the palate as earthy raspberry and cherry kick in, stepping up a gear as chocolate, mocha and minerality combine with rich, fine tannin to overwhelm the fruit in a long and very powerful finish. Textbook Block 3."
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$185.00
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WA 97
Italy
-
Campania
In stock,
1
available
|
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97+ points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "Galardi’s 2008 Terra di Lavoro is a legend in the making. It is a fabulously ripe, rich and seductive wine endowed with beautifully articulated dark plums, ash, leather, licorice, all of which meld together in an explosive, utterly thrilling display of class and elegance. Clean, mineral notes frame the eternal finish. Today the 2008 is impossibly young and the wine will require considerable patience, but its class, pedigree and potential are all first-rate. Simply put, the 2008 is a monumental Terra di Lavoro. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2038. (Aug 2010)"
Three Glasses, Gambero Rosso: "Fontana Galardi is a small estate at San Carlo near Sessa Aurunca, situated at about 400 metres on the summit of a cool hill surrounded by olive groves and woods of chestnut and oak. The volcanic and alluvial soil is very deep with a significant component of limestone and shale. These are the origins of the most famous blend of aglianico and piedirosso in Campanian winemaking, a legend thanks to the work of Luisa Murena, Arturo Celentano, Francesco and Dora Catello. It comes more naturally to compare a wine of such distinctive character with its own previous versions than with other Sumpercampanians. Over the years, the Terra di Lavoro '08 seems destined to embody the role of a successful wine that is in many ways atypical and difficult to place. For once the aromas catch you unawares with the undertow of black berry jam more than the distinctive volcanic smokiness, suggesting a transitory phase. This impression is confirmed on the palate which is currently suspended between ripe fruit and austere tannin, but shows unquestionably rich in texture. (2011)"
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$114.95
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JS 95
Italy
-
Piedmont
-
Barbaresco
In stock, 12+ available
|
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95 points James Suckling: "Aromas are full of plums and lemons that follow through to a full body, with silky tannins and a fruity, bright finish. A pretty combination of ripe fruit and crisp acidity. Need two years to come together. Triumph for the vintage. Try in 2013. (9/20/11)"
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$249.95
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JS 95
Italy
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Piedmont
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Barolo
In stock,
6
available
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95 points James Suckling: "Aromas are full of plums and lemons that follow through to a full body, with silky tannins and a fruity, bright finish. A pretty combination of ripe fruit and crisp acidity. Need two years to come together. Triumph for the vintage. Try in 2013. (9/20/11)"
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