95+, WINE

Rhone Blends - Red from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France

[ 99 points Jeb Dunnuck: Unquestionably the deepest, richest wine in the lineup, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Secret des Sabon offers sensational notes of blackberries, cassis, crushed rocks, graphite, and bouquet garni. Full-bodied, ultra-fine, seamless, and pure, it has more elegance and purity than the 2010 and is reminiscent of the 2001. It's a gorgeous, extraordinary, layered, seamless Châteauneuf-du-Pape to drink over the coming two decades or more. Drink: Now-2038. (8/28/18) ] 99 points Jeb Dunnuck: Unquestionably the deepest, richest wine in the lineup, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Secret des Sabon offers sensational notes of blackberries, cassis, crushed rocks, graphite, and bouquet garni. Full-bodied, ultra-fine,…

Gamay from Beaujolais, France

[ 95 points John Gilman: ...a simply stunning young bottle of Morgon, with the purity and depth of a truly great wine... vibrant constellation of cherries, sweet cranberries, stony soil tones, a nice touch of meatiness, woodsmoke, gentle notes of cedar and a potpourri of exotic spice tones in the upper register... deep, full and tangy, with great sappiness in the mid-palate, excellent focus and grip and impressive backend mineral drive on the long, moderately tannic and vibrant finish... 2020-2060. ] 95 points John Gilman: ...a simply stunning young bottle of Morgon, with the purity and depth of a truly great wine... vibrant constellation of cherries, sweet cranberries, stony soil tones, a nice touch of meatiness, woodsmoke, gentle notes of cedar…

Grenache/Garnacha from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France

[ 97 points Jeb Dunnuck: The finest wine to date from this young estate (although it s made by unquestionably one of the finest winemakers out there), the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is 100% Grenache sourced all from the sandy parts of the La Crau and Font du Loup lieux-dits. It got more than a few 'Wows' in the notes and boasts a medium ruby color, heavenly notes of framboise, crushed flowers, and spice, full body, ultra-fine tannins, and an insane mix of power and elegance that s hard to describe. It s going to knock your socks off over the coming 15+ years. Drink: 2020-2036. (8/28/18) ] 97 points Jeb Dunnuck: The finest wine to date from this young estate (although it s made by unquestionably one of the finest winemakers out there), the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is 100% Grenache sourced all from the sandy parts of the La Crau and…

Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California

[ 95 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): The 2016 Geyserville Proprietary Red Wine is a real success this year, bursting from the glass with an exuberant bouquet of sweet cherries, blackberries and plums, with subtle hints of the licorice and spice to come with age, and a subtle framing of sweet new oak. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and layered, with a lovely core of ripe, succulent fruit and beautifully fine-grained structuring tannins. The finish is long and pure. There are 23 different grape varieties co-planted in the Geyserville vineyard, but in 2016, Zinfandel dominates at 73%, followed by 17% Carignane, 7% Petite Sirah and 3% Alicante Bouschet. Drink: 2020-2033. (May 2018) ] 95 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): The 2016 Geyserville Proprietary Red Wine is a real success this year, bursting from the glass with an exuberant bouquet of sweet cherries, blackberries and plums, with subtle hints of the licorice and spice…

Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California

[ 100 points Wine Advocate: Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the deep purple-black colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon has a beautiful nose of dried roses, lavender and Chinese five spice over a core of warm blackcurrants, kirsch and wild blueberries, plus wafts of fallen leaves and dusty earth. The medium to full-bodied palate features the most amazing intensity of perfumed red, black and blue fruit flavors supported by exquisitely fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. Truly stunning. Drink: 2019-2049. (Oct 2017) -Lisa Perrotti-Brown ] 100 points Wine Advocate: Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the deep purple-black colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon has a beautiful nose of dried roses, lavender and Chinese five spice over a core of warm…

Cabernet/Bordeaux Blends from Pomerol, Right Bank, Bordeaux, France

[ 100 points Robert Parker: The harvest at Petrus took place between September 27 and October 12, and the 2010 finished at 14.1% natural alcohol, which is slightly lower than the 2009's 14.5%. The 2010 reminds me somewhat of the pre-1975 vintages of Petrus, a monster-in-the-making, with loads of mulberry, coffee, licorice and black cherry notes with an overlay of enormous amounts of glycerin and depth. Stunningly rich, full-bodied and more tannic and classic than the 2009, this is an awesome Petrus, but probably needs to be forgotten for 8-10 years. It should last at least another 50 or more. Drink: 2021-2071. (Feb 2013) ] 100 points Robert Parker: The harvest at Petrus took place between September 27 and October 12, and the 2010 finished at 14.1% natural alcohol, which is slightly lower than the 2009's 14.5%. The 2010 reminds me somewhat of the pre-1975 vintages of…

Rhone Blends - Red from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France

[ 95 points Jeb Dunnuck: The same Grenache-dominated blend as the base cuvée, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes comes from older vines and is released solely for the US market. It s a step up and is reminiscent of the 2010 with its depth, concentration, and purity. Black cherries, kirsch, licorice, and crushed rock notes all emerge from this ultra-fine, beautifully polished 2016 that does everything right. Don t miss it. Drink: Now-2028. (8/28/18) ] 95 points Jeb Dunnuck: The same Grenache-dominated blend as the base cuvée, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes comes from older vines and is released solely for the US market. It s a step up and is reminiscent of the 2010 with its depth,…

Rhone Blends - Red from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France

[ 98 points Jeb Dunnuck: Deep ruby-colored and offering a heavenly bouquet of black raspberries, toasted spiced, cured meats, licorice, and cured meats, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Combes des Fous is awesome on the palate, with a silky, seamless profile that just keeps on going. Possessing ultra-fine tannin, no hard edges, and a huge finish, it s a phenomenal bottle of wine. The fact that it was bottled just one month ago makes this showing even more impressive. (8/28/18) ] 98 points Jeb Dunnuck: Deep ruby-colored and offering a heavenly bouquet of black raspberries, toasted spiced, cured meats, licorice, and cured meats, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Combes des Fous is awesome on the palate, with a silky, seamless…

Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California

[ 95+ points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is going to be a knock-out once it loses some baby fat and the new oak incorporates a bit more. Deep, powerful and vertical in feel, the 2014 possesses remarkable depth, intensity of color and balance. Inky, deep and creamy, with a real sense of gravitas, the 2014 is pure class through and through. Drink 2018-2026. (Dec 2016) ] 95+ points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is going to be a knock-out once it loses some baby fat and the new oak incorporates a bit more. Deep, powerful and vertical in feel, the 2014 possesses remarkable depth,…

Rhone Blends - White from Hermitage, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France

[ 100 points Jeb Dunnuck: Matching the otherworldly 2009, the 2015 Hermitage Blanc is a perfect wine and certainly one of the greatest whites ever made from this hallowed estate. The normal blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne from the l Ermite, Péleat, and les Rocoules lieux-dits, it exhibits a huge, opulent bouquet of buttered citrus, flower oil, orange marmalade, quince, and honeysuckle that s to die for. This majestic, full-bodied Hermitage Blanc has a huge mid-palate, thrilling purity of fruit, and a finish that won t quit. It s capable of lasting for 4-5 decades, but still has the sexiness of the vintage front and center and will be enjoyable early in its life. Drink: 2023-2063. (1/24/18) ] 100 points Jeb Dunnuck: Matching the otherworldly 2009, the 2015 Hermitage Blanc is a perfect wine and certainly one of the greatest whites ever made from this hallowed estate. The normal blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne from the l Ermite,…

Syrah/Shiraz from Côte-Rôtie, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France

[ 95-96 points James Suckling: Plenty of violets, pepper and deep-set spices are all part of the equation here, and this is a very complex Côte Rôtie that has a wealth of darkly stony notes, coal smoke and dark chocolate. Just superb! The palate's succulent and swathed in plush, fine tannins that envelop black- and red-plum flavors. Plenty of volume, great elegance and a lot of detail... Classy wine with so much on offer. Best from 2020 for a decade or more. Tasted in tank shortly before bottling. (10/28/16) ] 95-96 points James Suckling: Plenty of violets, pepper and deep-set spices are all part of the equation here, and this is a very complex Côte Rôtie that has a wealth of darkly stony notes, coal smoke and dark chocolate. Just superb! The palate's…

Grenache/Garnacha from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France

[ 99 points Jeb Dunnuck: Bottled end of February/early in March, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin is incredible stuff, and while I suspect it s the best vintage to date, it s going to be great comparing it to bottles of the 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2015 over the coming 15+ years. This beauty offers a thrilling blend of kirsch, blackberries, smoked earth, graphite, and licorice on the nose. It's full-bodied, deep, pure, ultra-fine, and powerful on the palate and flirts with perfection. It s a tour de force in Grenache that readers need to snatch up! Drink: 2019-2041. (8/28/18) ] 99 points Jeb Dunnuck: Bottled end of February/early in March, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin is incredible stuff, and while I suspect it s the best vintage to date, it s going to be great comparing it to bottles of the 2005, 2007, 2010,…