Chateau L'Evangile
2005 Bordeaux Blend
Pomerol

Dark in color, almost purple black, with pure tapenade and hints of ripe plum and berry. Full-bodied, with layer upon layer of velvety tannins and chocolate, berry, vanilla and tea flavors. Lasts for minutes. I am blown away by this wine. This has been amazing since the moment I tasted it from barrel. Reminds me of the superb 1950. Best after 2015.

Colgin
2006 IX Proprietary Red Estate
Napa Valley

From the Pritchard Hill Vineyard, the 2006 IX Proprietary Red Estate is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. The good news is that there are 1,500 cases of this cuvee. It, too, reveals the noble sweetness of tannin, the extraordinary rich, intense mouthfeel, and sumptuous aromas of flowers, burning embers, blackberries, blueberries, spice box, and cedar. With extraordinary intensity, beautiful purity, a texture and flavors that build incrementally on the palate, and a significantly long finish, this is a perfect wine.

Quilceda Creek
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Washington State

The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon contains 3% Merlot. The principal component comes from the Champoux Vineyard (in which the winery is a partner) with contributions from the Klipsun and Taptiel Vineyards, outstanding in their own right. It, too, was aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak. Opaque purple-colored, it has a splendid perfume of violets, wood smoke, truffle, Asian spices, black cherry, and black currant preserves. Opulent and mouth-coating, the layers of complex flavors nearly hide enough tannin to support 8-10 years of additional cellaring. The oak, tannin, and acidity are beautifully integrated and the lengthy finish lasts for well over a minute.

Fontodi
2006 Flaccianello Della Pieve
Colli Tosana Centrale

Shows excellent color and richness for a Sangiovese, with aromas of sultana, coffee, toasty oak and vanilla bean. Full-bodied, with masses of fruit and chewy tannins. The concentration and depth of fruit and layers of tannins are breathtaking. A blockbuster. Best after 2014. Only 5,000 cases made.

Quilceda Creek
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Washington State

The flagship 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon comes predominantly from the famous Champoux Vineyard in which the winery is a partner. It was aged in 100% new oak. It sports a deep purple-color with a captivating nose of spice box, sandalwood, truffle, Asian spices, incense, black cherry, and black currant. Opulent on the palate (but elegant as well), it already reveals serious complexity, density, and succulence of fruit. Enjoyable now but with at least 8-10 years of cellaring potential, this marvelous effort should have a 30 year lifespan.

Hundred Acre
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Kali Morgan Vineyard Napa Valley

In a vintage that tended to produce more rustic tannins as well as more structured, masculine wines, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan Vineyard has turned out brilliantly. Like its siblings, it exhibits a deep ruby/purple color, low acidity, incredibly sweet, ripe tannins, and notes of melted chocolate, kirsch liqueur, and a hint of cassis. Opulent, intense, and full-bodied with fabulous fruit purity and depth, this is a tour de force in winemaking. It is unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage. It will drink well for 15+ years.

Torbreck
2004 Run Rig
Barossa Valley

The flagship 2004 Run Rig is 96.5% Shiraz and 3.5% Viognier with the Shiraz component aged for 30 months in a mixture of new and used French oak. Yields were a minuscule 14 hl/ha (about 1 ton per acre). Saturated opaque purple/black, it has a remarkably kinky, exotic perfume of fresh asphalt, pencil lead, smoke, pepper, game, blueberry and black raspberry. Full-bodied and voluptuous in the mouth, the wine is dense and packed, with amazing purity, sweet tannins, and a complex collection of sensory stimuli. The wine demands 10 years of cellaring and will provide hedonistic delights through 2035+.

Torbreck
2005 Run Rig
Barossa Valley

Torbreck’s flagship is the 2005 Run Rig, a 97% Shiraz cuvee sourced from 120- to 160-year-old vines with 3% finished Viognier added before bottling. It spent 30 months in 60% new French oak. Opaque purple/black in color, it has a kinky, exotic bouquet of fresh road tar, smoke, lavender, black pepper, game, blueberry, and black raspberry. Full-bodied and opulent on the palate, the wine is dense, packed, and unevolved. It will continue to open up over the next 10-12 years and drink well through 2040 in the style of a Chapoutier Hermitage. If it develops as I think it will, it will be a candidate for perfection down the road. 

Harlan Estate
2004 Red
Napa Valley

The 2004 Harlan Estate is probably the most precocious and accessible Harlan Estate that this perfectionist team has made. Already compelling, the wine has notes of roasted coffee, charcoal, blackberry, spring flowers, and some background sweet, toasty notes. Dense, fleshy, exuberant, even flamboyant by the standards of Bill Harlan, this wine exhibits no jaggedness or rough edges, has relatively high tannins, but they melt away on the palate. The wine is sensationally well-endowed, long, and rich – a tour de force in winemaking.

Casanova di Neri
2004 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto
Tuscany

Very powerful and rich, with blackberry, licorice and light toasty oak. This has pure fruit. Turns exotic and decadent. Big and full-bodied, with dense, powerful tannins, but velvety and beautiful. Layered and gorgeous. Best from 2011 through 2018. Only 1,950 cases made.

Bodegas Catena Zapata
2005 Nicolas Catena Zapata
Argentina

The flagship wines begin with the purple/black-colored 2005 Nicolas Catena Zapata, a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Malbec. The fruit was sourced from four of the estate’s finest high-elevation vineyards, and aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak. The brooding bouquet delivers pain grille, mineral, violet, scorched earth, pepper, espresso, black cherry, and black raspberry aromas leading to a dense, opulent wine with gobs of savory fruit, ripe tannins, terrific concentration, and a 60-second finish. Allow it 6-8 years in the cellar to reveal its full potential and enjoy it from 2015 to 2030.

Two Hands
2005 Shiraz Ares
Barossa Valley

A majestic wine that's tremendously aromatic and dense in texture, but amazingly refined. Delineates its ripe plum, blueberry and currant flavors with precision, shading the fruit with nuances of coffee and dark chocolate, hinting at smoke and licorice as the finish laps at the palate like the shore of a deep lake. Shiraz. Best from 2010 through 2020. Only 850 cases made.

Araujo
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
Eisele Vineyard Napa Valley

One of the candidates for “wine of the vintage,” the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard represents 1,600 cases produced from a 40-acre vineyard, which tells you how Draconian Araujo’s selection process is. The final blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot has resulted in a beautifully pure wine displaying an extraordinary floral, black currant, and mineral-scented bouquet, with no hint of new oak. The purity, richness and full-bodied power yet surreal finesse and impeccable balance should be cherished by wine lovers. This beauty can be drunk now and over the next two decades. Wow!

Jim Barry Shiraz
2004 The Armagh
Clare Valley

One of the most colossal wines in all of my tastings was Jim Barry’s 2004 Shiraz The Armagh, a 100% Shiraz aged 16 months in French and American oak. It is an opaque purple-hued, super-intense effort displaying great precision and richness. Notes of melted asphalt, acacia flowers, blueberries, blackberries, charcoal, and espresso roast emerge from this full, dense, opulent Shiraz. The finish lasts for over 45 seconds. This is a great example of one of the icons of Australian Shiraz. Anticipated maturity: now-2025.

Bond
2005 Matriarch
Napa Valley

This year’s Matriarch is very similar to Harlan Estate in structure, and in some ways, a superior wine, or at least more delicious now. Shows the most beautiful black currant, cedar, blueberry pie and Asian spice flavors. What makes the structure so gorgeous are the firm tannins. Ultimately, it’s a refined, exquisite red wine. Hard to imagine a better one for drinking over the next decade, and just shows that price sometimes has no relationship to quality.

Carmin de Peumo
2005 Carmenere Pelmo Vineyard
Rapel Chile

Senorio de San Vicente
2005 Tempranillo
Rioja Spain

Quilceda Creek
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Galitzine Vineyard Columbia Valley

Chateau Guiraud
2005 Sauternes
Bordeaux

Torbreck
2004 The Factor Shiraz
Barrosa Valley

Bond
2004 St. Eden
Oakville Napa Valley

The 2004 St. Eden seems to hit all the sweet spots on my palate. A wine of great complexity, richness, and intensity, with oodles of creme de cassis fruit and plenty of roasted herbs and meatiness, with exceptional power and richness, this wine has fleshed out since I had it last year, and seems to be destined to be one of Bond’s most compelling wines, a full-bodied wine with great purity, richness, and beautifully integrated acidity, wood, and tannin. Give it 1-3 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 25 years.

Paul Hobbs
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Napa Valley

After the perfect 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard (that’s right, I raised my score by a point), the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon comes across as slightly more mortal. One of the outstanding Cabernet Sauvignons of the vintage, it tastes like a California concoction of La Mission Haut Brion and Montrose. Its deep purple color is followed by a sumptuously pure nose of sweet scorched earth, hot rocks, creme de cassis, graphite, and charcoal. The tannin is sweet, but elevated. Full-bodied and powerful, with 20-25 years of life, this spectacularly rich, dense, multi-layered effort oozes classic Cabernet Sauvignon varietal character.

Tenuta San Guido
2007 Sassicaia
Bolgheri

The 2006 Sassicaia may very well go down as one of the all-time great recent vintages for this Tuscan thoroughbred. The year started off very warm but by August evening temperatures had moderated, leaving the fruit with a stunning combination of ripeness, perfume, acidity and tannin. The wine is simply glorious, that’s all there is to it. Layers of dark fruit meld into smoke, leather, violets, menthol, earthiness and tar as this profound wine opens up in the glass. The creamy, silky finish lasts an eternity, as waves of fruit caress the tannins with breathtaking elegance. Everything is in the right place in this magical Sassicaia. This is one for the ages. In a word: Awesome. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2031.

Allende
2004 Aurus
Rioja Spain

The 2004 Aurus is 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano from 60-year-old vineyards with tiny yields. It was barrel fermented and aged in 100% new French oak. A saturated purple, the wine is currently more reticent than the Calvario aromatically although the same elements are present. The wine is still a baby, with lots of fat, sweet, layered, mouth-filling fruit, plenty of structure, and a pure, super-long finish. It merits as much as a decade of bottle age and should still be drinking well two decades from now. Kudos to Finca Allende for a magnificent set of 2004 Riojas!

Turley Wine Cellars
2006 Petite Syrah
Hayne Vineyard Napa Valley

Never disappointing, and usually one of the finest Petite Syrahs made in California, the 2006 Petite Sirah Hayne Vineyard once again hits on all cylinders. A blockbuster Petite Sirah, inky purple in color with a glorious nose of charcoal, black raspberry, blueberry, creme de cassis, licorice, and crushed rocks, it is very full-bodied, powerful, with sweet tannin, decent acidity, and a 45+-second finish. This is an infantile wine that will benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age and last 25-30+ years.

Kongsgaard
2005 Roussanne/Viognier
Napa Valley

The best white Rhone Ranger made north of San Francisco is Kongsgaard’s blend of Roussanne and Viognier, a blend that he plays with and changes every year depending on what the vintage gives. The 2004 was a letdown after several thrilling vintages, but I have to say that the 2005 is possibly the best he has yet made. A 120-case blend of 63% Roussanne, and 37% Viognier, it is right up there with the great Sine Qua Non blended white from the Santa Barbara region. An unbelievably exotic nose of litchi, high class perfume, sweet apricots, and tropical fruits with hints of lilac is followed by a wine of great intensity, tremendous acidity, and a flamboyant personality.

Harlan Estate
2003 Maiden
Napa Valley

This second label of Harlan Estate comes from the estate vineyard, and shares much in common with the main wine, which is a bit more focused and concentrated. The similarities include the briary, wild herb scents of sage and thyme that complex the ripe red cherry pie filling fruit, cocoa, cola and licorice. As with the main wine, the tannins here are gorgeous. This is a balanced, harmonious wine that combines power and elegance.

Tenuta Sette Ponti
2006 Oreno
Tuscany

Shows loads of black licorice, blackberry and toasty oak. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a long, long finish. Has wonderful concentration and balance. Structured. The best Oreno ever. Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot and Sangiovese. Best after 2013.

Kaesler
2006 Shiraz Old Bastard
Barossa Valley

Chappellet
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Napa Valley

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia
2005 Masseto
Tuscany

Smells like chocolate mousse, with crushed raspberry and hints of flowers. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a rich, fruity finish. This is powerful and structured Merlot, with layers and layers of everything. Needs time to come around. Best after 2014.

Chateau Beaucastel
2007 Chateauneuf du Pape
Southern Rhone Valley

Beaucastel’s 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape has turned out even better out of bottle than I predicted. An inky/ruby/purple color is followed by a glorious nose of blue and black fruits, truffles, pen ink, licorice, and meat juices as well as glorious levels of acidity and sweet tannin, buttressing the fruit’s fabulous freshness and vibrancy. This full-bodied effort still displays considerable tannin, no doubt because of the relatively high Mourvedre content. It should resolve its tannins in 2-4 years, and last for 25 or more.

Concha y Toro Don Melchor
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Maipo Valley Chile

Still very tight, but the tannins that lead the way now are sleek and refined, and should easily meld into the huge core of roasted chestnut, black currant paste, warm fig and tar. Has a long, coffee- and loam-tinged finish. Best from 2009 through 2019.

Duckhorn
2006 Merlot
Napa Valley

Black-garnet hue. Lovely mixed aromas of blueberry, raspberry and kirsch. A rush of black cherry fruit on entry laced with flinty mineral accents and fine-grain, youthful tannins. Creamy fruit marks the finish. Taut in structure and cellar-worthy. A prime example of power and finesse: classic Napa fruit, true to its varietal character, crafted into a memorable, prototype Merlot.

Pedestal
2006 Merlot
Columbia Valley

8% Cabernet Sauvignon; 4% Petit Verdot; 2% Malbec. If this finely crafted wine is just a bit closed, it nonetheless delivers a fair dollop of concentrated black cherry fruit together with rooty and creme brulee richness in its layered aromas. Its slight tightness continues in the mouth, yet here the wine unbends just a touch more and offers complete and convincing proof that the depth and concentration presaged by the wine's early smells are wholly at hand. Rich, extracted, amply tannic and, yes, somewhat drying today, this one has all the pieces in place to mature handsomely over the next decade.

Martinelli
2002 Syrah Zio Tony Ranch
McLaren Vale Australia

There are 130 cases of the 2002 Syrah Zio Tony Ranch. This is dense purple-colored with a big, floral nose intermixed with hints of bacon fat, blackberries, creme de cassis, camphor, and graphite. Full-bodied, dense, and chewy, this wine is probably best drunk during its first decade of life although, since there is no real track record on how these wines age (certainly its high alcohol of 16.2% is going to keep it stable for many years to come).

Anderson's Conn Valley
2006 Eloge
Napa Valley

The 2006 Eloge’s dark plum/ruby color is followed by a sweet kiss of plum, black cherry, earth, licorice, and spice box, a medium to full-bodied wine, abundant tannin, and impressive concentration, purity, and overall complexity. Reasonably evolved, and extremely seductive aromatically, with a slightly structured finish, it can be enjoyed now and over the next 15 years. It is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, and 3% Merlot.

D'Arenberg
2004 the Dead Arm Shiraz
McLaren Vale Australia

The renowned 2004 Shiraz The Dead Arm, fashioned from ancient head-pruned vines, is stunning. An inky/purple color is accompanied by a glorious perfume of creosote/melted road tar, blackberry and cassis liqueur, pepper, and spice. This deep, rich, full-bodied, tannic Shiraz should be drinkable in 2-3 years, and will last for two decades or more. It is the finest Dead Arm since the 2001.

Chateau Pavie Macquin
2000 Bordeaux Blend Grand Cru
St. Emilion

A wine of great density, concentration, and intensity, the opaque blue/purple 2000 Pavie Macquin needs considerable aeration, but with decanting the prodigious bouquet of graphite, camphor, blackberry, blueberry, mineral, coffee, and smoky oak finally makes an appearance. Persuasive, expansive, full-bodied, and muscular, this enormously endowed, rich wine looks set for a long life, at least three decades. A terrific effort that rivals the compelling 1998. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.

Allende
2004 Pago del Calvario
Rioja Spain

The 2004 Calvario is sourced from a single vineyard planted in 1945 and is composed of 90% Tempranillo, 8% Grenache, and 2% Graciano. The wine was aged for 14 months in 100% new French oak and bottled unfiltered. Opaque purple-colored, it offers up an expressive nose of toast, vanilla, spice box, floral elements, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur which leaps from the glass. This is followed by a mouth-filling wine with oodles of flavor, great definition, and plenty of ripe tannin leading to a finish lasting nearly a minute. Still an infant developmentally, the wine begs for another 6-8 years in bottle. It should last for at least 25 years. Kudos to Finca Allende for a magnificent set of 2004 Riojas!

Cliff Lede
2005 Poetry
Napa Valley

The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry (925 cases of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, and the rest Petit Verdot and Merlot) is the richest of these wines. Superbly deep ruby/purple-colored with notes of blackberry, cassis, licorice, subtle smoke, and incense, this opulent wine has a plush palate, silky tannins, impressive purity, stature, and length. However, the tannins are there and the wine still tastes primary despite its enormous potential. Give it 3-4 years of bottle age and drink it over the following three decades.

Bond
2004 Melbury Red Blend
Napa Valley

Readers looking for a fruit-forward vintage should check out the 2004 Melbury. A sensational wine with an inky bluish/purple color, fabulous blueberry and blackberry fruit with hints of lead pencil, acacia flower, pain grille, and spice, the tannins are supple and the wine exuberant, flamboyant, ripe, rich, and long. This is sensational stuff that can be drunk now or cellared for 20-25 years.

Dominus
2005 Red Blend
Napa Valley

The 2005 Dominus (a 7,000-case cuvee of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) has come of age, and is one of the strongest efforts they’ve made. It is possibly the best Dominus since the 2001, and perhaps even the 1997 or 1991. A beautiful, sweet nose of roasted coffee interwoven with kirsch, black currant, cedar, and spice box emerges from this deep ruby/purple-colored wine. The wine has fabulous intensity, a layered, opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel, well-integrated acidity, and a stunningly long finish. The layering of this wine as it builds incrementally on the palate is something to behold. An outstanding, sexy, ageworthy Dominus, it will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and last for at least 25 or 30 years.

Chateau Lascombes
2005 Bordeaux Blend
Margaux

A gorgeous example of Lascombes, the 2005, a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, continues the remarkable turn-around in quality that began five years ago. A stunningly opulent wine with a dense purple color, the 2005 possesses a beautiful perfume of spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries, creosote, and graphite, full body, silky but noticeable tannins, a layered mouthfeel, and a stunning, 45+-second finish. This is a brilliant, modern-styled Margaux that should age for 30-35 years.

Robert Mondavi
2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

Weaves together a complex array of ripe, rich currant, anise, smoky oak and black cherry. Dense, concentrated and persistent, with great depth and focus. Ends with an amazingly long, richly flavored finish. Best from 2008 through 2018.

Monbousquet
2000 Bordeaux Blend
St. Emilion

From an unheralded terroir, this Monbousquet was made from extremely low yields of 28-30 hectoliters per hectare. Aged sur lie and bottled unfined and unfiltered, it exemplifies proprietor Perse's enormous efforts. Black and blue to the rim, this wine represents the essence of this terroir. Its saturated black/purple color is accompanied by extraordinary aromatics of sweet blackberries, chocolate, coffee, incense, new saddle leather, and vanilla. Remarkable intensity, lively acidity, and abundant tannin provide definition and grip. This is the most intense, muscular, and "biggest" Monbousquet made to date, and that is saying something considering the 1998 and 1999! So be prepared, it is remarkable wine. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018.

Chateau Les Asteries
2005 Bordeaux Blend
St. Emilion

Part of the garagiste efforts from Jonathan Malthus, Les Asteries is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2005 reveals spicy, oaky aromas intermixed with scents of chocolate, blackberries, espresso roast, and graphite. This thick, juicy, modern-styled St.-Emilion offers impressive concentration, purity, and depth in its flamboyant personality. Very impressive! Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025.

Yalumba
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon the Menzies
Coonawarra

In general, I find Coonawarra a vastly over-rated region for Cabernet Sauvignon, with a few noticeable exceptions, one of which is Yalumba’s The Menzies, a Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 300 liter French and American hogsheads for 22 months. The 2003 The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon reveals gorgeous notes of creosote, blueberry liqueur, black currants, licorice, and cedar. Full-bodied with great fruit purity, real stature, wonderful sweetness (from glycerin), ripe tannin, and a long, heady finish, it can be drunk now or cellared for 15 or more years.

Torbreck
2006 Shiraz The Factor
Barossa Valley

The purple/black 2006 The Factor is 100% old-vine Shiraz from the esteemed Greenock sub-region of Barossa Valley. It spent 24 months in 30% new oak. The aromatic array of balsam wood, smoke, pepper, espresso, blueberry, and licorice is eye-opening. This leads to a rich, glossy, full-flavored Shiraz with layers of succulent fruit, ripe tannin, exceptional spiciness, and a lengthy, pure finish. It will evolve for another 8-10 years and will have a drinking window extending from 2016 to 2036.

Vina Montes
2003 Alpha M Santa Cruz
Rapel Valley Chile

Gorgeous, racy and pure, with black cherry, black tea, mineral, espresso and sanguine notes running along finely stitched tannins and fresh acidity. Long, detailed finish echoes with cocoa and fruit. Delivers a lot without being bombastic. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2012.

Palazzo
2006 Proprietary Blend
Napa Valley

Palazzo’s deep ruby/purple-tinged, full-bodied 2006 Proprietary Red Wine (68% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) reveals a sumptuous perfume of white chocolate, fruitcake, black cherries, black currants, and subtle toasty oak. Displaying a luscious texture, a broad, savory mid-palate, and gorgeous length, it should drink nicely for 10-15+ years.

Pahlmeyer
1999 Merlot
Napa Valley

A mouthful of wine that packs in lots of rich, deep, plush and concentrated flavors, with tiers of currant, blackberry, raspberry and wild berry fruit. Well-integrated tannins smooth out the finish. Drink now through 2010.

Paraduxx
2006 Red Blend
Napa Valley

64% Zinfandel; 27% Cabernet Sauvignon; 7% Merlot; 2% Cabernet Franc. This deep, impressively extracted version of this perennial CGCW favorite marries well-defined blackberry fruit with a layer of ripe currants, a good dose of sweet oak and touches of milk-chocolate. Its sense of layered richness and it accents of sweet earth speak to classic Napa Valley character, and, thanks to its provenance, its unique mix of grapes and the attention that the Duckhorn folks pay to it, it continues to be a more sophisticated wine than Zinfandel typically yields.

Domaine de la Pertuisane
2004 Red Blend
Maury Roussillon

Coming from an area that is basically unknown and from vines that average 80-100 years old. 90% Grenache and 10% Carignan. Very rich and powerful. Super-concentrated with blackberry, blueberry and loads of creme de cassis. You could easily enjoy this wine with or without food.

Pax Cellars
2005 Syrah Griffin's Lair
Sonoma

The 2005 Syrah Griffin’s Lair, from a hillside Sonoma Coast site that is wind-swept, exhibits beautiful flowery bacon and lead pencil notes intermixed with some meat juices, blackberry, and cassis. The wine is full-bodied, rather opulent, fleshy, and mouthfilling with no hard edges, and should drink beautifully for 5-8 years.

Hundred Acre
2004 Shiraz
Ancient Way Vineyard Barossa Valley

Incredibly dark in color but light on its feet, this wine somehow manages to hide its 15.5% alcohol under fruit that’s neither overblown or jammy. Spice- and herb-driven complexity is the order of the day, with scents of violets lending an exotic note to the aromas. It's mouthfilling and palate-coating but wonderfully balanced, picking up hints of black olive and espresso on the lingering finish. Good now, but appears to have the stuff to evolve over at least 10–15 years.

Two Hands
2005 Grenache Aerope
Barossa Valley

Medium red. An exotic bouquet includes raspberry, candied cherry, sandalwood, vanilla and pungent herbs. Lush, creamy and sweet, with deeply concentrated red fruit and smoky herb flavors and deftly knit, silky tannins. Finishes on notes of pure red berries and red licorice, with outstanding persistence. Twelftree says that this wine represents his eight best barrels of grenache, from vines ranging from 50 to 80 years of age, and is their stab at a luxury Chateauneuf.

Buccella
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

DeLille Cellars
2004 Harrison Hill Vineyard
Yakima Valley

The 2004 Harrison Hill comes from a single Yakima Valley vineyard, the second oldest in the state. The wine is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot,9% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Dark ruby-colored, it exhibits a fragrant perfume of minerals, leather, pepper, cedar, cassis, black cherry, and black currants which jumps from the glass. Richly textured, the wine is supple and sweet on the palate with layers of complex flavors, well-concealed tannins, and a long, smooth finish. Give this seamless effort 3-4 years of further bottle age and drink it through 2024. The winery offered the 1994 Harrison Hill to demonstrate the aging potential of this wine. Exhibiting complexity, elegance, and power, it has the stuffing to continue its evolution for another 5-7 years.

Muga
2004 Seleccion Especial
Rioja

The 2004 Muga Reserva Seleccion Especial is deep crimson-colored. Dense and packed, it offers up aromas of cedar, spice box, mineral, pencil lead, and assorted black fruits. It nicely conceals enough structure for 6-8 years of evolution. This lengthy effort should drink well through 2030.

Felsina
2004 Fontalloro
Tuscany

The 2004 Fontalloro (100% Sangiovese) comes across as fresher and brighter than the Rancia. Light on its feet, this graceful, delicate wine opens with sweet, perfumed aromatics that meld into raspberries, flowers, spices and a touch of sweet oak that lingers on the finish. It offers remarkable clarity and precision in a pure, focused style, with superb balance and finessed tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2019.

Copain Wines
2005 Syrah
Thompson Vineyard Santa Barbara

The 2005 Syrah Thompson Vineyard (made famous by Ojai’s Adam Tolmach) is seriously endowed, with notes of licorice, ground pepper, incense, Chinese black tea, roasted meats, and copious quantities of blackberry and cassis fruit. Admirable stuffing, full-bodied power, and dazzling delineation make for an impressive Syrah that should drink well for at least 10-12 years.

Sequel
2005 Syrah
Columbia Valley

The 2005 Sequel is made by John Duval, former winemaker of Penfolds Grange. The wine is 96% Syrah and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 16 months in mostly French oak. Aromas of cedar, smoke, game, bacon, and violets are alluring while leading to a round, layered, smooth-textured, full-bodied wine with several years of aging potential. This hedonistic effort will be at its best from 2012 to 2020.

Philippe Melka
2006 Metisse
Napa Valley

The 2006 Metisse is a somewhat softer, more up-front version of the 2005, with a dark ruby/purple color, dense, concentrated, rich fruit flavors, real style and elegance, and serious power and richness with supple tannins, low acidity, yet a graceful mouthfeel with tremendous purity and length. This is a beauty. The 2005 will be at its best over the next two decades. The 2006 should drink well when released and evolve for 15 or more years. Some other good news is that Philippe Melka is now making around 200 cases of St.-Emilion from a vineyard just below Beausejour-Becot.

Pax Cellars
2005 Syrah Cuvee Keltie
North Coast

Inky violet. This smells uncannily like a top-level Northern Rhone wine, with potent dark berry, smoked meat and violet scents complicated by graphite and iron. Smoky and lush, with vivid blackberry and cassis flavors, excellent depth and fine, silky tannins; a hint of mocha comes up with air. Juicy, concentrated and long, finishing with an impressive interplay of fruit and minerals.

John Duval
2006 Entity
Barossa Valley

Inky ruby. Pungent dark berry and candied cherry aromas are complicated by smoked meat, licorice and Asian spices. Powerful and deep in dark berry flavors, but almost shockingly lithe and precise, displaying fresh raspberry and blueberry on the back. An undercurrent of juicy acidity contributes lift and precision, and helps to extend the finish. This terrific shiraz offers a deft balance of finesse and depth, not to mention impressive finishing clarity and cut.

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
2006 Bordeaux Blend Grand Cru
Pessac Leognan

A top-notch success, the dense ruby/purple-colored 2006 Smith-Haut-Lafitte offers aromas of smoky, juicy black currants, graphite, earth, truffles, and forest floor. Full-bodied with superb purity, noticeable but sweet tannins, this round, generous, long wine should drink nicely for 15-20+ years.

Sbragia Family
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Monte Rosso Vineyard Sonoma

The brilliant 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Rosso Vineyard exhibits a loamy, earthy character interwoven with notions of cedar, fruitcake, spice, and oodles of black currant and black cherry fruit. Full-bodied, dense, powerful, and moderately tannic, it is, by the standards of high end North Coast Cabernet Sauvignons, a very good bargain. Moreover, it will evolve for two decades or more.

Alto Moncayo
2006 Veraton
Campo de Borja Spain

The 2006 Alto Moncayo Veraton is the winery’s entry level and is 100% Garnacha sourced from vines ranging in age from 35 to 92 years. It was aged in new French and American oak for 17 months and bottled without filtration. It offers up a sensational aromatic array of pain grille, pencil lead, earth notes, wild black cherry, and black raspberry. Dense, layered, and full-flavored on the palate, this hedonistic effort is balanced enough to evolve for several years but can be enjoyed now. It is an awesome value.

Ridge
2006 Monte Bello
Santa Cruz Mountains

Deep, bright ruby. Spicy, high-pitched aromas of red- and blackcurrant, cherry, pipe tobacco, rose and smoky Indian spices. Firm, mineral-driven dark berry flavors are given a firm edge by bitter cherry skin and pit notes, with the tobacco note repeating. Supple tannins add structure and carry through the long, sweet, smoky finish. This is showing gentler tannins than I usually expect from a young Monte Bello and I'd bet on it being drinkable before the 2005 and 2004 versions.

Bodegas Numanthia
2005 Tempranillo
Toro Spain

Deep ruby. A deep, youthfully brooding bouquet offers dark cherry, blackcurrant, incense and suave oak spices. Spicy cherry and dark berry flavors show an exotic anise quality and slow-building sweetness. This gently tannic, chewy, extremely persistent wine finishes with echoes of oak spice and floral pastille, not to mention excellent vivacity.

Spring Valley Vineyards
2006 Uriah 
Walla Walla

Smooth and focused, with a cigar box character to make the ripe blackberry and currant fruit more interesting, finishing with polished tannins. Has great presence without being pushy, and the finish doesn't quit. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.

Bond
2004 The Matriarch
Napa Valley

I think the 2004 Matriarch is opulent and impressive. Dark ruby/purple, beautifully exotic and full-bodied, with notes of incense, toasty oak, blackberry, licorice, and chocolate espresso, the wine is round, fleshy, and succulent. Drink it over the next 12-15+ years.

Spencer Roloson
2002 Syrah la Herradura Vineyard
Napa Valley

Tremendous complexity, intense, pure, rich and plush, with dense huckleberry, blackberry, pomegranate, pepper and sage. Deeply concentrated and firmly tannic, this packs a wallop with its flavor intensity, but also flexes its sizable muscles. Best from 2005 through 2010. 

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia
2003 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia
Bolgheri

The opulent 2003 Ornellaia (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot) presents a dramatic contrast to the 2004 in its super-ripe, open nose and jammy dark fruit. Ample and warm on the palate, it is clearly the product of a very hot vintage, yet it shows notable freshness along with much persistence, great overall balance and a lingering note of sweetness on the finish.

Robert Biale
2003 Petite  Sirah
Thomann Station Napa Valley

The 03' Petite Sirah Thomann Station exhibits a saturated black/ruby purple color along with a lovely perfume of blueberries and blackberries, high but sweet tannins, massive concentration, impressive purity, and a long finish. It should hit its peak in 2-3 yrs, and last for two decades.

Pax Cellars
2005 Syrah Castelli Knight Ranch
Russian River Valley

There are 370 cases of the 2005 Syrah Castelli-Knight Ranch. No weakling at 15.7% alcohol, it comes across like a Rhone Valley Hermitage given its good acidity, structured, tannic, masculine mouthfeel, and enormous, rich, camphor-infused blackberry fruit. It requires 3-5 years of cellaring, and should keep for two decades.

Catena Alta
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza Argentina

Polished, ripe and suave, with gorgeous fig sauce, raspberry compote, blackberry jam and incense notes layered with enticing mocha and Kona coffee. The long finish is really stylish, despite its concentration. Drink now through 2011. Only 1,180 cases imported.

Paloma
2004 Merlot
Spring Mountain District Napa Valley

A supple, graceful style. Complex aromatics of red currant, plum and black cherry carry over to the palate, offering depth, richness and layers of flavor that unfold gradually. Tightly wound now, with firm but ripe tannins. Keeps revealing subtle flavor nuances, with hints of mineral, sage and dusty berry. Best from 2008 through 2013. 1,135 cases made.

Schild Estate
2005 Shiraz
Barossa Valley

Smooth and round, this is impressive for its seamless balance, offering cherry and grilled pepper flavors against refined tannins. The open texture reveals sweet spices and mocha flavors as the finish lingers. Has complexity, depth and excellent detail. Best from 2008 through 2015.

DeLille Estate Doyenne
2004 Syrah
Yakima Valley

The 2004 Syrah was co-fermented with 3% Viognier. It exhibits a bright perfume of meat, bacon, blueberry, leather, and chocolate. This leads to a fruit-dominated wine with gobs of spicy black fruits, well-concealed tannins, and excellent balance. Drink this hedonistic effort over the next 8-10 years.

Silver Oak
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

Upfront aromas of smoky oak with mint undertones. Rather creamy and well oaked, however, the fruit makes it a showstopper: black cherry and plum tinged with mocha and a slight, dusty-gravelly nuance. Lasting close with oak and fruit in harmony.

Vincent Girardin
2006 Corton-Charlemagne
Burgundy

Intense aromas of lemon verbena, mineral and spice are followed by lemon, peach and stone flavors. Young and racy, with fine intensity that builds on the palate. This has terrific energy, along with a dry, flinty feel on the finish. Best from 2012 through 2022. only 350 cases imported.

Vincent Girardin
2006 Meursault Les Genevrieres
Burgundy

Wonderful purity allows the green accents of lime, plum and mint to shine, and there's also a hint of juniper. It all stays sleek and lithe, unwinding to the long finish. Best from 2009 through 2016. Only 100 cases imported.

Beringer
1993 Merlot Howell Mountain Bancroft Ranch
Napa Valley

The 1993 and 1994 Bancroft Vineyard Merlots are two of the greatest Merlots that have been produced in California. Both are huge, massive, exceptionally concentrated Merlots with opaque purple colors, marvelous, concentrated flavors, lush, viscous textures, an expansive inner-core of fruit, and well-integrated tannin.

Charbonniere
2005 Les Hautes Brusquieres Chateauneuf du Pape
Southern Rhone Valley

This shows some brawn, with coffee, cedar and game hints mingling with the dark cherry, tobacco and mineral notes. Braised chestnut and bittersweet cocoa frame the finish, which has solid grip. Best from 2009 through 2027. Only 1,300 cases made.

Fisher Coach Insignia
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

Inviting elements of black cherries and raspberries are overlain in the nose by a rich veneer of cocoa, caramel and sweet toast, and, while the wine similarly does not stint on creamy oak in its flavors, optimally ripened fruit is what drives this well-focused working from beginning to end. Full in weight, fleshy and nicely extracted, it has the tannic underpinnings of a wine meant for age. Leave it alone for at least three or four years and expect it to deepen for a decade or more.

Patrick Lesec
2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Bargeton
Southern Rhone Valley

The 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Bargeton is potentially the finest of the 2004 Chateauneuf du Papes unless it is ultimately eclipsed by the Les Galets Blonds. Made from two-thirds destemmed grapes, this blend of 75% Grenache and the rest Mourvedre has a dense ruby/purple color. Layers of kirsch liqueur, licorice, tobacco leaf, lavender, and spice soar from the glass of this full-bodied, opulent but structured Chateauneuf du Pape. This is a terrific effort in 2004 and should drink well for 15 or more years.

Erna Schein
2005 Petite Sirah
Spring Mountain District Napa Valley

Saturated medium ruby. Wild, reduced nose offers liqueur-like black fruits, licorice and meat. Superconcentrated, chewy and sweet, with syrah-like saline and game qualities to the intense dark fruit, violet and chocolate flavors. Very densely packed if a bit youthfully aggressive wine, finishing with serious tannic clout and persistent flavors of meat and raspberry liqueur. Is it possible these old vines are actually syrah?

DeLille Cellars
2004 Chaleur Estate
Yakima Valley

The 2004 Chaleur Estate is a blend from three vineyards, predominantly in the Red Mountain AVA, and is composed of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot,7% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Purple-colored, it presents a Bordeaux-like perfume of cedar, vanilla, spice box, cranberry, cassis, clove, and black currants. This is followed by a full-bodied wine with gobs of ripe fruit, serious depth and concentration, soft tannins, and complex flavors. Drink this hedonistic effort over the next 10-12 years.

Vina Almaviva
2006 Puente Alto
Maipo Valley Chile

Muscular and broad-shouldered, with lots of bittersweet cocoa, dark currant and braised fig notes, followed by a long, loam- and coffee-filled finish. There's also plenty of iron-tinged grip for the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best from 2010 through 2015.

Lucien & Andre Brunel
2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Les Cailloux
Southern Rhone Valley

Lush and alluring up front, with creamed peach, green almond and mango notes backed by more bracing peach pit and mineral notes on the long finish. Thoroughly delicious. Drink now through 2010. Only 250 cases imported.

d'Arenberg
2007 the Laughing Magpie Shiraz/Viognier
McLaren Vale

Shiraz-Viognier blends have become quite the ticket in recent years (what to do with all that so-so Viognier) but one of the first and still one of the best is the Laughing Magpie. The opaque purple-colored 2007 The Laughing Magpie Shiraz (90%)-Viognier (10%) offers up an expressive bouquet of smoke, mineral, violets, and wild blueberry. Medium-to full-bodied on the palate, it has tons of ripe blue fruits, spice notes, and enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years. This lengthy, pleasure-bent effort will be at its best from 2010 to 2020.

Feather
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley

This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a mix of vineyards scattered across the state. Lovely aromatics, impressive purity, a confident attack and fine-tuned flavors of blueberry and boysenberry and black cherry are well-matched to oak and acid.

Chateau Fonplegade
2005 Bordeaux Blend
St. Emilion

Now owned by an American syndicate, this hillside property, not far from Angelus, has been completely renovated, and the quality has risen with each new vintage. The finest wine I’ve tasted over the last three decades is their 2005, which exhibits a dense purple color as well as a sweet nose of black currant and cherry jam intermixed with licorice, smoke, espresso roast, and scorched earth. Full-bodied with impressive concentration, a beautiful texture, and a long, 40+ second finish, this superb wine is unquestionably a sleeper of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030.

Saggi
2005 Proprietary Red Blend
Columbia Valley

The 2005 Saggi is made by Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari of the well-known Tuscan family whose winemaking history dates back to the late 1700s. The wine is made up of 45% Sangiovese, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Syrah aged for 16 months in 70% new French oak. This purple-colored wine offers aromas of pain grille, spice box, earth notes, black cherry, and blueberry. Smooth-textured, layered, and ripe, this well-balanced effort has gobs of savory fruit, excellent depth and concentration, and a lengthy finish. It should be in its prime from 2012 to 2020.

Feudo Maccari
2004 "Saia"
Sicily

Complex aromas of light toasty oak, with plum and hints of Christmas pudding and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Balanced and classy. One of the best reds I have had from Sicily. Best after 2008. Highly Recommended.

Rosenblum Cellars
2006 Zinfandel
Rockpile Road Vineyard Sonoma

13% Petite Sirah. There is a mix of drama and control in this wine, and it deviates from the expected norm for Rockpile Zinfandels to its great benefit. The depth and intensity possible from wines of the area are certainly evident here but so too is a brighter, more vibrant quality that firms up the wine's back end and finish while adding a bit of aging potential that should see it grow in the bottle.

Northstar
2000 Merlot
Columbia Valley

Dark and ripe. Not heavy, but fleshy with coffee and black pepper, scented plum, blueberry and dried currant flavors, echoing intensively on the fine-grained finish. Notable for its balance and finesse.

Turley Wine Cellars
2007 Petite Syrah
Turley Estate Vineyard Napa Valley

Rosenblum Cellars
2004 Syrah
England-Shaw Vineyard Solano County

Floral plum, wild berry and blackberry aromas carry over to the palate, turning supple and rich, with mineral, pepper and cherry notes that are long and focused. Drink now through 2010.

Luca
2008 Pinot Noir
Mendoza Argentina

The fruit for the 2008 Pinot Noir was sourced from a 15-acre parcel from the Adriana Vineyard made famous by Catena Zapata and aged in 30% new French oak. It displays lovely aromatics of raspberry and cherry, plenty of body, sweet, succulent flavors, a silky texture, and outstanding depth. It should drink well for another 8 years.

Joseph Phelps
2006 Le Mistral
Monterey County

Intense and full-blown, with spicy, beefy wild berry, red beet root, dried currant and a medley of dried herbs, gaining complexity and nuance. Ends with a dash of pepper and spice. Syrah, Grenache and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2015. Only 4,000 cases made.

Hartwell Vineyards
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Misti Hill
Napa Valley

The 2003 Misté Hill is a classically structured wine, with deep, ripe blackberry notes layered with hints of forest floor, exotic spices, sandalwood, and licorice. Our hillside Cabernet Sauvignon ripened beautifully in 2003, providing the lush berry fruit that serves as the base of this wine. Merlot adds opulence and breadth to the wine, and an alluring sage, dried brush element to the aromas. Just a dash of Petit Verdot grounds the wine, adding depth and structure, as well as layers of complexity and interest. Winemaker's notes.

Taylor Fladgate
2005 Vintage Porto Quinta de Vargellas
Portugal

A deep black/opaque hue. A very pure, well-defined nose of black cherries, cassis and plum with a certain “coolness” about it. The palate is full-bodied but for me just lacking a little definition and tension. But very pure again with notes of plum, liquorice, a hint of black pepper and quite a fleshy, supple finish. Very fine.

Tikal
2007 Amorio Malbec
Mendoza Argentina

The 2007 Amorio is 100% Malbec sourced from vines with an average age of 41 years. It was aged for 12 months in 60% new French oak and bottled without fining or filtration. Purple-colored, it reveals an attractive perfume of pain grille, mineral, black cherry, and violets. Medium to full-bodied, it is silky-textured with a surprisingly elegant personality for its size. Layered, sweetly-fruited, and intense, the wine has solid aging potential and should provide prime drinking from 2010 to 2018.

Harlan
2000 The Maiden
Napa Valley

Beautifully defined Cabernet, smooth, rich and deftly balanced, with a firm, concentrated core of spicy currant, blackberry, sage, anise and wild berry, with a long finish and well-integrated tannins. Drink now through 2012. Only 950 cases made.

Castello del Terriccio
2004 Lupicaia
Tuscany

The estate’s 2004 Lupicaia is a massive, densely structured wine loaded with dark fruit, sweet herbs, menthol and toasted oak. This powerful wine comes across as very shut down, yet it offers superb length and outstanding potential once the tannins begin to melt away. Lupicaia is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% and Petit Verdot aged 18 months in French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2019.

Castello del Terriccio
2003 Lupicaia
Tuscany

The estate’s 2003 Lupicaia a deep, opaque red, is perhaps slightly more complete than the Castello, showing greater aromatic complexity and a tightly-wound core of ripe fruit, with plush personality, superb length and more structure than its sibling, closing with a lingering note of sweetness on the finish.

Alain Graillot
2005 Crozes-Hermitage
Northern Rhone Valley

A big, brawny style, with a loamy structure supporting the dark currant, tar, cocoa, and fig paste flavors. Long and muscular on the finish, this needs to stretch out a bit in the cellar, though the fleshiness makes it hard to resist now. Best from 2008 through 2012. 5,000 cases made.

Corte Riva Vineyards
2005 Cabernet Franc
Sonoma  and  Napa

A blend of fruit from Sonoma (79% ) and Napa (21%), the deep ruby/purple-hued 2005 Cabernet Franc exhibits glorious notes of chocolate, menthol, cedar, incense, black cherries, and mulberries. Surprisingly dense, yet light on its feet, it possesses medium body, silky tannin, and tremendous fragrance as well as personality. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.

Tikal
2008 Patriota Bonarda/Malbec
Mendoza Argentina

The 2008 Patriota is composed of 60% Bonarda and 40% Malbec aged in French (40% new) and American (seasoned) oak. Purple/black in color, it has a splendid bouquet of cigar box, Asian spices, lavender, black cherry, and plum. Full-bodied, dense, rich, and powerful, this loaded effort has gobs of flavor, succulence, and great length. Only hedonists need apply. Drink it over the next six years while it retains its fleshy character.

Barnett Vineyards
2005 Merlot
Spring Mountain Napa Valley

There’s so much nice stuff going on in this wine. It’s bone dry, richly tannic, and superbly structured, with a long, sophisticated finish. Flavorwise, we’re talking blackberries, cherries, currants, mocha, and a grounding vein of something earthy and herbal, like olive tapenade.

DeLille Cellars
2004 D2
Columbia Valley

A blend of 12 vineyards, the wine is composed of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot,12% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot aged in 100% new French oak. Dark ruby-colored, it offers up a lovely perfume of pain grille, spice box, clove, menthol, cassis, and black currant. This is followed by a full-bodied, sleek wine with gobs of sweet fruit, layers of flavor, light tannin, and outstanding balance and integration. Drink it over the next 8-10 years.

Vincent Girardin
2007 Puligny Montrachet Le Champs Gains
Burgundy

Pale yellow. Expressive aromas of lemon oil, pear, iodine, white flowers and oak char. Sweet peach and charred oak flavors are nicely framed by harmonious ripe acidity. Already complex and sexy. Finishes firm, lemony and persistent.

Chateau Les Grand Chenes
2005 Bordeaux Blend
Cru Bourgeois

This superb 25-acre Medoc estate (owned by Bordeaux visionary Bernard Magrez) produces a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon that is much better than its pedigree would suggest. A major sleeper of the vintage, the 2005 reveals aromas of chocolate, cassis, smoke, herbs, and meat, followed by a full-bodied, well-endowed, impressively constituted wine with sweet tannin as well as loads of character and personality. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years.

Vincent Girardin
2007 Puligny Montrachet Vieilles Vignes
Burgundy

The Girardin 2007 Puligny-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes – assembled from numerous parcels with vines averaging fifty years' age – smells of ripe peach, grapefruit, and lily. Brightly citric and lusciously peachy on the palate, it is underlain by a savory, saline shrimp shell-like mineral tone I often associate with Chablis, and which here contributes to the positively lip-smacking, saliva-inducing finish.

Vincent Girardin
2006 Chassagne Montrachet les Caillerets
Burgundy

Delicate and detailed, with fleeting glimpses of spring blossom, citrus, mineral and spice aromas and flavors. This is harmonious, but could use a little time to integrate more fully. Subtle length. Best from 2009 through 2017. Only 75 cases imported.

Soos Creek Soleil
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley

A 50/50 blend of two top vineyards--Ciel du Cheval and Campoux, this is Cabernet Sauvignon with 12% Cab Franc blended in. The nose is open and bursting with detail: whiffs of herb, spice, mineral, violets and cinnamon. Strawberry and cherry fruit is annotated with green tea, herb and soy. It's a chewy little devil, more herbal thatn funky, but fascinating and complex.

Landmark Vineyards
2007 Syrah
Steel Plow Vineyard Sonoma

Saturated ruby. Extremely primary nose displays dark berry and cherry skin scents, along with cracked pepper and black olive. Deep and sweet on the palate, with chewy dark fruit compote flavors, youthfully firm tannins and a late note of candied violet. Gains energy with air and finishes with impressive lift and cut.

Tir na N'og 
2006 Old Vines Grenache
McLaren Vale

Twomey 
2005 Merlot
Napa Valley

Our 2005 Twomey Merlot is a voluptuous, robust and balanced expression of this noble variety. It has a deep garnet color and an intensely concentrated nose of black cherry, blackberry essence, wild game and freshly ground black pepper. On the palate, it is full-bodied and velvety, with fine-grained tannins and an extremely long finish. This Merlot will continue to give drinking pleasure through 2018. Winemaker's notes.

W2B  90

Sale Price: $39.99

Chateau Gloria 
2006 Bordeaux Blend
St. Julien

As I wrote last year, this sensational sleeper of the vintage is not far off the pace of Gloria’s brilliant 2005. Sweet cedary, cigar box, roasted herb, and black currant fruit aromas are followed by a lush, full-bodied, textured, concentrated wine. A steal in today’s marketplace, this is a gorgeous St.-Julien to enjoy now and over the next 15+ years. Good value.

RP  90

Sale Price: $34.99

Fontodi 
2006 Chianti Classico
Tuscany

Beautiful aromas of rich plum and black cherry follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a long, rich finish. Drink now.

WS  90

Sale Price: $36.99

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