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$69.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
6
available
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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "This seems mildly evolved already and the wisps of secondary fruit are, surprisingly, apparent. The complex... flavors are chewy... Drink: 2013+. (Jan 2011)"
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$79.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
2
available
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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A wild red berry fruit nose that is a bit fresher and more elegant than the Les Plantes is quite densely fruited which complements well the supple, generous and seductively textured flavors that possess solid depth and extract on the long and lightly mineral-infused finish. Very good if not truly special. Drink: 2015+. (Jan 2012)"
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$74.95
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AM 89–92
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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89-92 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "Mild reduction detracts only mildly from the red and black pinot fruit that also displays a subtle hint of crushed herbs. The dusty and sappy middle weight flavors are supported by very fine tannins and good richness on the long and mouth coating finish. There is a bit more mid-palate concentration here compared to the Les Plantes and Feusselottes. Drink: 2017+. (Jan 2012)"
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$79.95
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France
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Burgundy
-
Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
1
available
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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(Amiot-Servelle is one of only two proprietors). Here the nose offers extremely fresh aromas of raspberry and strawberry that complement textured, concentrated and detailed middle weight flavors that are delicious, focused and impressively complex... Drink: 2014+. (Jan 2011)"
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$89.95
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AM 90
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
9
available
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90 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(Amiot-Servelle is one of only two proprietors). This is quite ripe, indeed to the extent of having mocha and cassis aromas that manage to retain a reasonable sense of freshness. The suave, round and delicious middle weight flavors are quite textured as here too there is ample dry extract that renders the firm tannins almost invisible on the mouth coating yet slightly bitter finish where a hint of wood toast surfaces. In contrast to the villages Chambolle however, there appears to be enough extract present to allow the tannins to round out and thus my score offers the benefit of the doubt. Drink: 2016+. (Jan 2012)"
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$59.95
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France
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Burgundy
-
Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
5
available
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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "Classic ruby. A cool, restrained, ultra elegant and airy nose features very pure black cherry and raspberry fruit aromas along with a sauvage note that complement the round yet detailed middle weight flavors that possess good energy and a touch of minerality on the ever-so-slightly under ripe finish... Drink: 2014+. (Jan 2011)"
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$69.95
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AM 90
France
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Burgundy
-
Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
5
available
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90 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "This is a very ripe Feusselottes with notes of cassis and black raspberry though here too there is enough reduction to notice. The dense and quite seductively textured medium-bodied flavors possess a silky mouth feel on the balanced and lingering finish where a hint of mineral character emerges. This is almost delicate and is an understated wine of finesse. Drink: 2017+. (Apr 2013)"
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$69.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "This also displays just a hint of reduction that serves to reduce the expressiveness of the nose though aggressive swirling liberates notes of reticent red currant, briar and wet stone. There is excellent verve to the middle weight flavors that exude mineral and soil tones before terminating in a quite finely detailed finish that lacks the same depth as the best here. Drink: 2018+. (Apr 2013)"
Jasper Morris (Inside Burgundy): "This domaine is run by Christian Amiot (one of the sons of Pierre Amiot from Morey-St-Denis) who is married to Elisabeth Servelle, daughter of Bernard Servelle-Tachot... The domaine has been farmed organically from 2003, with AB certification from the 2008 vintage. The wines taste fresh and modern although there is no great reliance on oak--20 per cent new wood is used for the village wine, and up to 50 per cent for the two top premiers crus... (2010)"
Clive Coates (The Wines of Burgundy): "Quality has improved... The wines now are very good, indeed. (2008)"
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$59.95
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France
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Burgundy
-
Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
10
available
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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A somewhat riper nose of red raspberry and a touch of cassis marries into rich, full and delicious flavors that possess more volume if less detail... I like the energy...Drink: 2014. (Jan 2011)"
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$64.95
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France
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Burgundy
-
Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
8
available
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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "This is both fresher and more elegant with a red berry liqueur nose cut with notes of spice and earth that gives way to rich but nicely detailed middle weight flavors that posses firm yet ripe and well-integrated tannins, all wrapped in a mouth coating finish where a touch of wood surfaces. (Jan 2011)"
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$69.95
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AM 89–91
France
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Burgundy
-
Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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89-91 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "Relatively strong reduction knocks down the nose though it's clear that the underlying fruit is ripe. The nicely rich and round flavors possess good volume and this too offers a supple and silky mouth feel on the delicious, balanced and persistent finish. This is not quite as refined as the Feusselottes but displays a bit more complexity. A qualitative choice. Drink: 2016+. (Jan 2012)"
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$58.95
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France
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Burgundy
-
Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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Robert Ampeau is among a small breed of traditional producers that holds back releasing its wines until after several years in bottle, and sometimes after several decades. Among those "in the know", Ampeau is considered one the greatest buys in all of Burgundy. However, the wines are nearly impossible to find here in the US. Most never leave France, where local collectors quickly snatch up the lion's share of any and all new releases.
We are one of the few merchants in US to have worked significantly with Ampeau directly over the years. As a result of our relationship, we were afforded the opportunity to get in on their latest release of 1993 Volnay Santenots, a wine considered by many (including us) as the best red in their cellar. As a domaine known mostly for whites, the Volnay Santenots often gets overlooked in Ampeau's stable of production. However, their Santenots is one of the greatest examples of the vineyard you will find from any producer, even including Lafon.
We've had the pleasure of tasting the 1993 on multiple occasions and each time it's been nothing less than stunning. You won't find any professional reviews on the wine (due to the fact the winery does not allow critics to taste out of barrel), but you can find numerous community tasting notes on cellartracker.com where 77 people score it on average 91.3 points with a median score of 92 points. Personally, we would put it at 93 or 94 points, but whatever. Point being, this is one the greatest pristinely aged wines for the price you will find on the market, now or at any time in the future.
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$61.95
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WS 94
France
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Rhone
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Cote Rotie
In stock, 12+ available
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List $70.00
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94 points Wine Spectator: "[$70 list] This has heft, but also superb definition, thanks to the mouthwatering cocoa and anise accents that line the layered flavors of crushed plum, braised fig and boysenberry fruit. The long finish courses with charcoal and alder wood notes. A great example of the more muscular style, this should age beautifully. Best from 2013 through 2025. 25 cases imported. (9/30/12)"
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$61.95
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WS 94
France
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Rhone
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Cote Rotie
In stock, 12+ available
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List $70.00
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94 points Wine Spectator: "[$70 list] Gorgeous cocoa and bitter espresso aromas and flavors slowly give way to dark, steeped currant, plum and blackberry fruit notes, while the back end struts with ample charcoal and singed bay leaf accents. Riveting acidity runs underneath it all. Best from 2013 through 2025. 75 cases imported. (10/15/12)"
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$59.95
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FWR 90–93
JG 91
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
5
available
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90-93 points Fine Wine Review: "...Overall production is about 20-30% below normal, about the same as in 2007. Qualitatively, though, the results show yet another year of excellent wines... The Chambolle shows more weight than the Bourgogne with a satiny texture and red and dark berry fruit. Very fine tannins. (Issue #128; 2010)"
91 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The Chambolle AC had finished up its malo a bit earlier than some of the other wines in the cellar and had been racked on September 4th, and consequently was really singing in November. The bouquet is deep, pure and perfumed, as it offers up scents of cherries, orange zest, pungent roses, pomegranate and a complex base of chalky soil tones. On the palate the wine is deep, fullish and sappy, with great purity, lovely midpalate depth, fine-grained tannins and a very stylish, tangy and long finish. A very high class villages! 2016-2035. (Nov/Dec 2009)"
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$69.95
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FWR 88–91
JG 90
AM 87–90
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
Pre-arrival,
6
available
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90 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2009 Chambolle villages from Madame Barthod is a dynamite example of the vintage and a wine that I will certainly be trying to add to my own cellar. The nose is deep, pure and classic, as it jumps from the glass in a lovely mix of red and black cherries, fresh herb tones, raw cocoa, lovely soil tones and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and sappy at the core, with a great signature of soil, fine-grained tannins, tangy acids and excellent length and grip on the classy finish. I would tuck this lovely AC away for four or five years to let its secondary layers of complexity emerge, but it is going to be hard not to drink early on, as it is so beautifully balanced that its moderate tannins are not going to put up much resistance. Great juice. 2014-2035. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
88-91 points Fine Wine Review: "The Chambolle is pure and mineral with dark and red fruits in the nose. In the mouth, the wine shows less power than the Bourgogne, although it is still fairly powerful, with dark fruit and some minerality. (Issue #130; 2011)"
87-90 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 11 different parcels totaling 1.5 ha, scattered all around Chambolle). An ultra fresh, airy, pure and high-toned red pinot fruit nose slides gracefully into detailed and mineral-driven middle weight flavors that culminate in a dusty, mouth coating, balanced and linear finish. This is a classically styled Chambolle of finesse. Drink: 2014+. (Jan 2011)"
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$99.95
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FWR 91–94
JG 91
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
10
available
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91-94 points Fine Wine Review: "...the Chambolle-Châtelots, from vines that are about 45 years old, has graphite aromas, followed in the mouth by cassis and other dark fruits with a roll-off-the-tongue texture and overall elegance. (Issue #119; 2008)"
91 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2006 Chatelots chez Barthod is a bit fuller than the lovely village bottling, and also a bit more fruit-driven. The nose is quite lovely, as it offers up a perfumed mélange of rd plums, black cherries, cocoa, floral tones and a discreet touch of soil. On the palate the wine is medium-full and a bit more closed than the AC, with a nice core of fruit, moderate tannins, sound acids and nice shape and grip on the finish. This will be a lovely bottle and should drink very well with three or four years of bottle age. 2012-2035. (Nov/Dec 2007)"
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$67.95
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WS 95
WE 95
WA 92
France
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Loire
In stock, 12+ available
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List $85.00
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95 points Wine Spectator: "[$85 list] Rich, but pure and incredibly focused, with a laser beam of chamomile and quince cutting through the core of dried pineapple, white peach, Cavaillon melon and green plum. The finish has buried minerality, gorgeous mouthfeel and superb length. Drink now through 2030. 1,500 cases made. (9/30/11)"
95 points and 'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "With so much intensity, botrytis and concentration, this is going to be impressive. It is still very young, at a closed stage, but the ripe currant as well as the honey dominate. Great wine. (Jun 2011)"
92 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "Linden (i.e. basswood) honey and lily perfume; candied lime and grapefruit peel; quince preserves and pineapple scent the Baumard 2008 Quarts de Chaume and inform a glycerin-rich, oily, soothingly-unctuous palate that preserves elements of fresh citrus and salinity sufficient to call forth salivation and at least go some way toward offsetting what is for now extreme sweetness. The sheer persistence of flavor here is remarkable. This is likely to be a very long-lived (20+ year) and perhaps eventually an extraordinary wine. But for now it does not approach the complexity not to mention the sense of balance exhibited by the corresponding Coteaux du Layon Sainte Catherine. (Aug 2010)"
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$79.95
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WE 95
WS 94
RP 92
France
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Rhone
-
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
In stock,
1
available
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List $92.00
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95 points Wine Enthusiast: "One of the big names of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and this wine justifies the fame of the Perrin family’s property. It is a rich style, but, more importantly, it is beautifully made, structured, dense, with red jelly fruits, a touch of vanilla and a fat, full-bodied, but firm aftertaste. This is a wine for aging...give it at least five years before touching it. (12/31/05)"
94 points Wine Spectator: "[$90 list] Young and tight, with garrigue and roasted game aromas peeking out from a core of ripe black currant, plum and fig fruit. Lots of toast tobacco and iron as well. The finish is well-endowed with tannins, but they are ripe and pure. Best from 2008 through 2025. Highly Recommended. (5/31/06)"
92+ points Robert Parker: "The 2003 Beaucastel Châteauneuf du Pape turned out as well as I could have hoped and is certainly an outstanding wine, deep ruby/purple with a tight but promising nose of black fruits, loamy, earthy notes intermixed with pepper, smoke, licorice, and dried herbs. The wine is somewhat closed in the mouth (but it had been bottled 30 days prior to my visit), has full bodied, moderately high, slightly rustic tannins, but big-impact flavors with plenty of texture, density, and purity. Give this wine 3-5 years of bottle age, and drink it over the following 20 years. (Feb 2006)"
92 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Dark red. Vibrant raspberry, blackberry, floral and spice aromas convey impressive purity and freshness. Supple and sweet, with deep red fruit flavors, hints of floral pastille and baking spices and gentle tannins. This wine has more grenache than usual for the property, which makes it one of the most graceful (despite the hot vintage) wines I've had from the Perrins. Clean and energetic on the finish, which echoes the red fruit and floral qualities. (Dec 2008)"
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$79.95
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WS 96
RR 96
RP 94
France
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Rhone
-
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
In stock, 12+ available
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List $120.00
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96 points Wine Spectator: "[$120 list] One of the more endowed 2009s, this is packed with dark smoldering cocoa, mesquite, tobacco and roasted fig notes, all inlaid with pure cassis and plum preserves fruit flavors. Long and authoritative on the finish, with singed vanilla bean and tar notes adding length and dimension. Best from 2015 through 2026. (2/29/12)"
96 points Rhone Report: "The 2009 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape had just been bottled at the time of the tasting but you wouldn't know it by tasting it. A blend of 30% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and 20% assorted varieties, the wine delivers a superb aromatic display of kirsch and black cherry-like fruits to go with a solid dose of underlying meat, truffle, earth, and leather. Full-bodied and gorgeously concentrated through the middle, with fleshy, ripe fruit, good acidity, and an abundance of structure, this will ideally be left alone for 7-8 years and then consumed over the following two decades. (Sep 2011)"
94 points Robert Parker: "The 2009 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape is reminiscent of their brilliant 1985. It will be one of the rare Beaucastels that is drinkable upon release. Made from this estate’s classic blend, it possesses soft tannins as well as a silky, open-knit seductiveness, a dense plum/purple color and a beautiful perfume of smoky Provencal herbs intermixed with grilled steak juices, garrigue, kirsch and blue as well as black fruits. The wine is full-bodied, unctuously textured, and silky smooth (the latter characteristic being somewhat atypical for a young Beaucastel). If it performs like the 1985, it will drink well young and continue to do so for 25 or more years. (Oct 2011)"
93 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(30% each of grenache and mourvedre and 10% each of counoise and syrah, with the balance spread across the other nine permitted varieties): Bright ruby. Perfumed, expressive aromas of red and dark berry preserves, smoky herbs and lavender, with a touch of licorice adding depth. Fleshy and supple in texture, offering intense black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors lifted by a spicy quality. Shows the richness of the vintage but carries no excess fat. The finish lingers with impressive tenacity and echoes the floral and smoke notes. (Jan/Feb 2012)"
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$74.95
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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 $120.00
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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 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 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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$63.95
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WS 94
RP 91
France
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Rhone
-
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
In stock,
1
available
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94 points Wine Spectator: "Big wine, with a wall of structure around a core of black currant, blackberry and fig fruit. Plenty of exotic spice, dark chocolate, licorice and graphite notes skitter in the background, with a long finish that drips with fruit. Best from 2008 through 2025. (4/30/06)"
91 points Robert Parker: "A brilliant wine, the dark ruby/purple colored 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits a distinctive and possibly controversial nose of spearmint and eucalyptus intermixed with melted black chocolate, roasted meats, and plenty of herbs and black cherry liqueur. It is deep, fleshy, full-bodied, and savory. I would drink this wine over the next decade without hesitation. (Feb 2006)"
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$89.95
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France
-
Burgundy
-
Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
2
available
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Purchased directly from the cellar after a recent tasting trip. Great mature Burgundy at incredible pricing.
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$74.95
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FWR 89–92
AM 90
France
-
Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
|
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89-92 points Fine Wine Review: "The Chambolle 1er Cru is from holdings in Baudes, Noirots, Groseilles, and Gruenchers, giving a not bad overview of Chambolle. The wine is light in color and in texture. There’s more breadth here than in the village wine, but it still is light and lacy with red fruits, and a silky texture that flows across the palate. (Issue #128; 2010)"
90 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(a 1 ha blend of Groseilles, Baudes, Noirots and Gruenchers, which interestingly are all bunched together, geographically speaking). Here the nose is notably more complex but also more reserved with equally pure and lightly-spiced mineral-suffused red berry fruit aromas that complement the delicate and lacy light to medium-bodied flavors that are also very Chambolle in character. An altogether lovely effort fashioned in an understated style. Drink: 2014+. (Jan 2011)"
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$79.95
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FWR 90–94
AM 91
France
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Burgundy
-
Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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90-94 points Fine Wine Review: "The Chambolle 1er Cru is from Noirots, Baudes, Groseilles, and Gruenchers. The wine is delicate but also shows some oiliness to its texture with plenty of red fruit. (Issue #134; 2011)"
91 points - 'Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(a 1 ha blend of Groseilles, Baudes, Noirots and Gruenchers, which interestingly are all bunched together, geographically speaking). A restrained, elegant and very pure nose of red and blue pinot fruit and ripe cherry that is nuanced with hints of violet and stone. There is good richness and tension to the medium-bodied flavors that possess good mid-palate density, all wrapped in an energetic and refined finish. Worth your consideration plus it could be approached while young if desired. Drink: 2018+. (Jan 2013)"
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