Almaviva
2005 Puente Alto
Chile

Dense but racy, thanks to plenty of fine-grained tannins that carry the shaved vanilla bean, black currant paste, fig and loam notes through a superlong finish. Additional tobacco and cedar hints chime in on the finish. Really well-built, showing a Maipo profile with a Bordeaux-like structure. Needs cellaring to fill out fully. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2009 through 2016.
WS  95 Rating

Altamura
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

I was blown away by the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, which spent almost 34 months in 70% new French oak barrels. The wine is beautifully impressive, with a deep ruby/purple color and notes of loamy soil intermixed with creme de cassis, cedar, and licorice. The wine is full-bodied, powerful, but beautifully nuanced and nicely structured, with sweet, silky tannins. This wine should evolve for at least 20 or more years. The good news is that there are about 3,800 cases of this superb Cabernet.
RP  94 Rating

Altesino
2003 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli
Tuscany

The single-vineyard 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli, from one of the region-s top sites, is fresher and more vibrant than the regular bottling, with superior balance and finesse. It shows lovely plumpness, clarity and depth in its black cherries, oak, spices and tobacco. This medium to full-bodied wine should drink beautifully over the next decade or so. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018.
RP  91 Rating

Anaperenna by Ben Glaetzer
2006 Shiraz-Cabernet
Barossa Valley

The 2006 Shiraz (75%) – Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) “Anaperenna” is the wine formerly known as Godolphin, the change resulting from a trademark dispute. It was aged for 15 months in new French and American oak. Opaque purple, it offers a sensational bouquet of pain grille, scorched earth, meat, game, blueberry, and black currants. This is followed by a surprisingly elegant yet powerful, structured wine with gobs of spicy fruit, ripe tannins, and a plush texture. The long, 60-second finish is succulent and sweet. Give this classy wine 4-6 years in the cellar and enjoy it through 2030. Hats off to Ben Glaetzer for producing an extraordinary portfolio!
RP  94 Rating

Atalon
2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a fruit-forward personality, along
with notes of melted licorice, black currants, tobacco leaves, and sweet oak
in a lush, medium-bodied style with no hard edges. There are 4,400 cases
of this 2002, which should enjoy broad crowd appeal.
 RP  90 Rating

Atlas Peak
2003 Claret
Napa Valley

51% Cabernet Sauvignon; 34% Merlot; 15% Petit Verdot. This deep and concentrated youngster is the best filled of the several Atlas peak bottlings, and its far-ranging display of ripe cherries, cassis, rich oak and enticing accents of orange-rind goes right to the point of what good "claret" should be. If showing the first signs of suppleness, it is still framed by plentiful tannins, but its fruit has more than enough staying power at the finish, and its future is entirely secure.
   CG  91 Rating

Atlas Peak
2003 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

Immensely ripe, just explosive in young Cabernet flavors, and wrapped in those Howell tannins that require extensive cellaring. The wine, nearly 100% Cab, is totally dry and very oaky, from 100% new, small French barrels. But it’s easily big enough in black currant, cherry and cocoa flavors to handle all that wood. Drinkable now, after decanting, with rich, fatty meats, and through 2020. 
   WE  92 Rating

Barnett
2006 Chardonnay Savoy Vineyard
Anderson Valley

Decant this Chard for a while before serving, and don’t pour it too cold. It’s a tightly wound wine that needs to aerate, in order to liberate the complexities. It’s marked by crisp acids and flinty minerals, with undergirdings of peaches, pears and exotic tropical fruits, and is bone dry, in the best way. Undoubtedly will develop for a number of years
   WE  93 Rating

Barnett
2006 Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard
Anderson Valley

Barnett is better known as a producer of very good Cabernet. But their Chardonnays can be great, and so can their Pinot Noirs. This single-vineyard bottling has the elegance of the best Anderson Valley Pinots, a dry, crisp wine of great complexity. The flavors of cherries, licorice, Dr. Pepper, sweet Chinese tea and bacon are delicious and compelling.
   WE  93 Rating

Beaux Freres
2006 Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley

Soft, open-textured and appealing for its plum, currant and earthy mineral aromas and flavors, which linger against a burr of tannins. Gains richness and complexity with every sip. Best from 2009 through 2013. 1,708 cases made
   WS  91 Rating

Beaux Freres
2006 Pinot Noir The Upper Terrace
Willamette Valley

Elegant and refined, with a plush underpinning to the luscious raspberry, blackberry and black plum fruit, shaded with subtle hints of peppermint and a whiff of char as the finish sails on smoothly. Drink now through 2016. 1,191 cases made. 
   WS  94 Rating

Ben Marco
2006 Malbec
Mendoza Argentina

The 2006 Malbec (with 10% Bonarda) received 11 months in 50% new
French oak and 50% 1 year American oak. Purple-colored, it offers an
attractive toasty, smoky nose with notes of earth and black cherry.
Medium-bodied and elegant, it is smooth-textured, ripe and concentrated with enough silky tannin to allow several years of development. It should drink well through 2020. This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
RP  91 Rating

Bennett Lane
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

Floral, crushed berry, currant and black cherry aromas are tight,
concentrated and focused, and the flavors come through in the same
way on the palate. Best from 2008 through 2013.
WS  92 Rating

Bodegas Sierra Cantabria
2004 Crianza
Rioja Spain

Plum, chocolate, tobacco and leaf flavors mingle in this round red. Shows good ripeness and concentration, but maintains a traditional style. A bit austere, but balanced. Drink now through 2012. 3,000 cases imported.
WS  90 Rating

Bruno Giacosa
2004 Barolo Falletto
Piedmont Italy

Giacosa’s 2004 Barolo Falletto is so compelling it will be hard not to drink it in its youth. This gorgeous Barolo reveals a deeply structured frame layered with sweet dark fruit, mint, spice and pine. At once delicate and powerful, it is a beautifully finessed wine that is sure to provide much pleasure. A recent bottle of the 1982 is a testament to the virtues of this great site as interpreted by Bruno Giacosa. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024.
RP  96 Rating

Cabreo
2003 Cabreo iL Borgo
Tuscany

Intense aromas of blackberry, toasty oak and chocolate. Full-bodied, with big, juicy fruit and lots of spicy, peppery and fruity character. Long and luscious. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best after 2008.
WS  92 Rating

Cardinale
2005 Proprietary Red
Napa Valley

This 1,000-case cuvee from three separate Napa vineyards – the
Veeder Peak Vineyard high up on Mt. Veeder, the Keyes Vineyard on
Howell Mountain, and the Stags Leap Vineyard on the valley floor – is a
blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot. Deep ruby/purple to
the rim, with notes of graphite, black cherry and black currant liqueur,
licorice, and spice box, the wine has silky tannins, full body, a gorgeously layered, rich mouthfeel, and a long finish with moderately high tannins and refreshing acidity. It’s a big wine for sure, but it has uncanny elegance, purity, and length.
RP  95 Rating

Casa Lapostelle
2004 Apalta Vineyard Clos Apalta
Colchagua Valley Chile

Offers gorgeous aromas of crushed plum and boysenberry fruit, with notes of sweet tobacco, mocha and vanilla. Delivers a plush, silky texture through the fruit-filled finish, with a fine, buried minerality. Carmenère, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2014. Only 3,000 cases imported.
 WS  93 Rating

Chateau de Beaucastel
2005 Coudoulet de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone
Southern Rhone Valley

The 2005 Beaucastel Coudoulet Cotes du Rhone is another outstanding
example of this Cotes du Rhone made essentially across the border from Chateauneuf du Pape. Notes of tapenade, licorice, smoked herbs, and meat juices interwoven with black cherry and darker fruits are followed by an expansive, broadly flavored, full-bodied wine with no hard edges, gorgeous fruit purity, and a long, spicy, heady finish. This is almost the bottled essence of Provence. Drink it over the next decade or more.
RP  91 Rating

Chateau Pape Clement
2005 Bordeaux Blend
Pessac Leognan

Probably the greatest Pape-Clement ever made, the dense purple-colored 2005 (a blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits sumptuous notes of smoky scorched earth, graphite, melted licorice, and blackberries. Once past the exquisite perfume, the wine reveals full body, extraordinary concentration, plenty of chocolate, smoke, cassis, and blackberry flavors, and that unmistakable volcanic ash-like earthiness that comes from this appellation. The tannins are slightly sweeter than those found in most northern Medocs, but this is still a backward, large-scaled effort that requires 7-8 years of cellaring. It should last for 30-35 years.
RP  98 Rating

Chateau Ste. Michelle
2005 Chardonnay Canoe Ridge Estate
Horse Heaven Hills Columbia Valley

Smooth and vibrant. A juicy mouthful of pineapple, cream and pear flavors that remain pointedly focused as the finish lingers with finesse. Drink now through 2011.
WS  90 Rating

Ciacci Piccolomini d' Aragona
2003 Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany

The estate’s medium-bodied 2003 Brunello di Montalcino is made in an accessible, forward style. Dark cherries, tobacco, earthiness and tar nuances all flow from the glass in this poised, feminine expression of Sangiovese from the southern part of Montalcino. The wine shows outstanding persistence and a pretty note of freshness that rounds out the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018. Proprietor Paolo Bianchini is upbeat about his 2003 Brunellos. It is the first vintage in which he had the tools to perform a cold soak, which he feels was especially critical in preserving as much freshness as possible in the wines. For the Brunellos, fermentation and maceration lasted several weeks and the wines were aged in cask.
RP  91 Rating

Clos Pegase
2004 Hommage Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

Far richer and fuller in style...the Clos Pegase Hommage bottling is at once
very ripe, long on extract and fit with a wealth of rich oak and woody,
vaguely leathery spice. Its principal theme is one of deep, curranty fruit,
however, and, if giving lots of play to youthful tannins just now, it has the fruity strength to carry it for the five to eight years of aging"
CG  91 Rating

Collazzi
2004 Toscana Rosso
Tuscany

Medium-deep ruby. Ripe red fruit nose is immensely appealing, with a touch of vanillin oak nicely enrobing ripe red cherry, strawberry and plum aromas.
The very up-front, sweet red and black fruit flavors are ripe and dense,
with sneaky complexity, making this immediately pleasing and accessible.
Finishes with smooth tannins and excellent length.
ST  92 Rating

Continuum
2005 Bordeaux Blend
Napa Valley

There are 1,000 cases of Tim Mondavi’s debut wine, a blend of 65%
Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
This is the first wine Tim has produced since Constellation purchased the
Robert Mondavi winery. An excellent beginning, this 2005 exhibits a
dense ruby/purple color followed by a beautiful nose of lead pencil shavings intermixed with creme de cassis, subtle wood smoke, and hints of bay leaves as well as spring flowers. Full-bodied with lovely purity, nicely integrated wood, tannin, acidity, and alcohol, and a long finish reminiscent of a classic Bordeaux Pauillac, while accessible, it should age effortlessly for 15 or more years.
RP  95 Rating

Copain
2006 Pinot Noir Tous Ensemble
Anderson Valley

Bright red. Vibrant red berry aromas are complemented by orange peel and subtle smokiness. Light-bodied strawberry and raspberry flavors are precise and spicy, becoming deeper and sweeter with air. Lightly chewy red berry and cherry flavors are tangy and refreshing, with bracing minerality adding energy. Finishes with good persistence and an echo of strawberry.
ST  89 Rating

Corison
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

Proportion and admirable varietal precision are the watchwords of this beautifully made wine, and it reminds that great Cabernet is born from balance and depth more than unbridled ripeness. Lightly dusty with deft touches of briar and loam comfortably tied to its classic, ripe-currant fruit, the wine has plenty of mass but is always light on its feet with integral tannins doing their part in providing structural spine. Wines of this crafting usually tempt early drinking, and, though we would not complain at a glass in a few years.
CG  95 Rating

Cos d'Estournel
2005 Bordeaux Blend
Saint Estephe

While I am not convinced the 2005 Cos d’Estournel will eclipse the compelling 2003 Cos, it is unquestionably another superb classic from proprietor Michel Reybier and his brilliant winemaker, Jean-Guillaume Prats. Made from an unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) and the balance mostly Merlot with a tiny dollop of Cabernet Franc, this superb effort requires plenty of time in the bottle. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as a glorious perfume of licorice, Asian spices, creme de cassis, blackberries, and toasty oak. This full-bodied St.-Estephe is exceptionally powerful, pure, and dense with a layered mid-palate that builds like a skyscraper. While there are massive tannins, they are remarkably velvety and well-integrated in this big, backstrapping effort that should enjoy an unusually long life. Forget it for 8-10 years, and drink it between 2017-2040.
RP  98 Rating

Costanti
2003 Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany

Costanti’s 2003 Brunello di Montalcino is among the handful number of standouts in this vintage. The wine reveals lovely depth and purity. Fragrant aromatics meld seamlessly onto the palate, where layers of dark cherries, spices and toasted oak come to life in a very pretty expression of Sangiovese from Montalcino. There is plenty of volume and depth here to insure at least another decade of superb drinking. The 2003 Brunello saw malolactic fermentation in steel, after which it spent about 18 months in 350-liter French oak barrels followed by another roughly 18 months in 30-hectoliter Slavonian oak casks. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018.
RP  93 Rating

Domaine Font de Michelle
2004 Chateauneuf du Pape
Southern Rhone

Ripe and smoky, with raspberry, plum sauce, truffle and violet notes that run through a round, fleshy finish. Nice minerality stretches it out. Drink now through 2022. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.
WS  91 Rating

Domaine Leflaive
2005 Puligny-Montrachet
Burgundy

Pretty aromas of peach and flowers. Supple and suave if a bit
youthfully tight, with good acid lift framing the flavors of lime,
minerals, crushed stone and flowers. This shows noteworthy
power and length for village wine.
ST  89 Rating

Domaines des Perdrix
2005 Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru
Burgundy

Dense and concentrated, with ripe dark fruit, this red evokes black
cherry, plum and iron, with vibrant acidity and firm tannins. 
Everything is there, just needs time to come together.  Has a long, long aftertaste of fruit and mineral.  Best from 2012 through 2030.
WS  94 Rating

Domaine Santa Duc
2005 Gigondas
Southern Rhone

The 2005 Gigondas Tradition (the basic cuvee) is elegant with notes of blueberry, black cherry, crushed rock, and white flowers in a medium-bodied style with tart acids. The wine is Burgundian because of the acid profile, but the acids are totally natural and give the wine purity, vibrancy, and more compactness than normal. This wine needs 2-3 years of bottle age and should keep for 15 or more years. This is arguably the best estate of Gigondas, although the exuberant proprietor Yves Gras has plenty of competition from his nearby neighbor Louis Barruol at St.-Cosme. 
RP  90-92 Rating

Dominus
2005 Proprietary Red
Napa Valley

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.
RP  96 Rating

Duckhorn
2004 Estate Grown Merlot
Napa Valley

A blend of four vineyards, this is an extremely impressive Merlot. It dazzles with rich, ripe black currant, cherry liqueur, raspberry, milk chocolate, smoky oak and spice flavors that are complex and go on and on through the finish. Beyond that is the texture, so refined and elegant, combining power and subtle elegance. Just a gorgeous, sensual Merlot. Drink now–2010.
WE  95 Rating

Elk Cove
2006 Pinot Noir La Boheme
Willamette Valley

Velvety in texture and generous with its blue plum and black cur­rant
flavors, subtly weaving in notes of red meat and balsamic as the
finish lingers attractively. The wine seems to pose on the fin­ish, showing
off its gifts. Best from 2009 through 2016.
WS  93 Rating

Far Niente
2004 Cabernet Sauignon 
Napa Valley

Far Niente has produced a tannic, drily astringent young wine that’s
nowhere near ready to drink. It’s tough as nails, with a gritty astringency
that locks down the black currant and dark, unsweetened chocolate flavors.
But it is a very balanced, distinguished wine that should easily negotiate
the next 10 or 15 years, with proper cellaring.
WE  92 Rating

Far Niente
2005 Cabernet Sauignon 
Napa Valley

Deep ruby with a fuchsia rim. Aromas of new oak, plum and ripe
cherry display a kirsch-like intensity. Supple, accessible plum and
blueberry fruit framed by well-integrated tannins. A flinty, mineral-like
influence in the close balances and supports the generous fruit. A top-drawer California Cab that is showing quite well in its youth.
WN  96 Rating

Fuligni
2003 Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany

Fuligni’s gorgeous 2003 Brunello di Montalcino is unquestionably one of the
stars of the vintage. Made in a style that captures elements of both traditional
and modern styles, it presents a very attractive array of ripe red fruits, smoke, tar and tobacco and toasted oak on a firm, classically-built frame. While it isn’t quite as fresh as some of the other Brunellos from this part of the zone, its seamless texture and silky tannins make for a beautifully-balanced wine to enjoy now and over the next dozen years or so. This is just about as good as it gets in the tricky 2003 vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2015.
RP  93 Rating

Gary Farrell
2006 Chardonnay
Russian River Valley


Ripe peach and vanilla aromas followed by clove, caramel and charred oak.
Balanced flavors of nectarine and apricot with a touch of wood and a buttery note. Dry close with white peach, fresh acidity and an oak nuance.
WN  92 Rating

Gary Farrell
2006 Sauvignon Blanc
Redwood Ranch Sonoma County


Complex scents of toasted oak, pear and lemon custard. Crisp acidity
and creamy flavors of pear and Granny Smith apple. Lemon and
lime in the juicy close.
WN  91 Rating

Hanzell
2005 Chardonnay
Sonoma Valley


Few wineries in California can craft a Chard as rich, balanced and ageworthy as this. In its youth this ‘05 is flashy in lemondrop, pear and spicy anise, with a honeyed finish and crisp acidity. It’s quite addictively brilliant, a wine whose lush harmony mesmerizes the palate. But Hanzell Chards invariably age well, and this is a wine you can dependably put into your cellar for 5, 10, 15 years, even longer, as it continues to evolve and become more limpid and minerally.
WE  96 Rating

I Greppi
2006 Greppicante
Bolgheri Italy


I Greppi-s 2006 Bolgheri Greppicante is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon,
30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc aged in French and American oak.
It reveals the warmth of Maremma in its dark plums, spices, coffee beans
and sweet toasted oak, with lovely balance and a sweet, resonating finish.
This is textbook Bolgheri at a very reasonable price.
RP  89 Rating

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. 
ST  93 Rating

John Duval
2005 Plexus
Barossa Valley

  Bright ruby. Focused raspberry and cassis aromas, with sexy Asian spice and vanilla notes adding complexity. A suave, silky midweight, with pure red and dark berry flavors braced by racy acidity. I love the interplay of sweet, juicy fruit, supple tannins and understated oak. Finishes with the clarity, complexity and persistence of wines that cost three times the price. One of the greatest values in Australian wine today.
ST  93 Rating

Joseph Phelps
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

 Smooth-textured, supple and harmonious, with subtle layers of currant, spice, herb, anise and light cedary oak, ending with a graceful mix of ripe fruit and fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2013.
WS  90 Rating

Kuleto Estate
2005 Zinfandel
Napa Valley

 Bright medium ruby. Aromas of blackberry, licorice and tar,
lifted by violet and orange peel. The very sweet berry flavors show a
juicy intensity thanks to firm acidity. The tannins are chewy, even a
bit gritty, but this zinfandel is long on fruit.
ST  89 Rating

La Sirena
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

 The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits that wonderful floral, black
currant nose with hints of licorice, tar, and very subtle background oak.
It is deep, full-bodied opulent, pure, rich, and savory. It can be drunk now
or cellared for 15 or more years.
RP  93 Rating

Loring Wine Company
2005 Pinot Noir Gary's Vineyard
Santa Lucia Highlands

 Good bright, dark red. Spicy, downright ethereal nose offers perfumed raspberry, lavender and orange peel.Dense, sappy and chewy with extract; the intense red raspberry and floral flavors are at once taut and rich, thanks to a near-perfect sugar/acid balance. Tactile and light on its feet. Finishes very suave and long. Very classy California pinot, and at a moderate 13.8% alcohol.
ST  92 Rating

Loring Wine Company
2005 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard
Santa Lucia Highlands

 Bright, full red. Complex nose melds raspberry, smoke, earth,
cocoa powder and spices.Rich, broad and suave, with lovely
brightness to its tangy raspberry and spice flavors.Here, too, one gets
a sense of Burgundian spice and lift. Finishes with lovely persistence and energy. This would be a good answer to those who don't believe that
pinot noir in this area can be sufficiently ripe below 14% alcohol. 
ST  91 Rating

Loring Wine Company
2005 Pinot Noir Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard
Santa Maria Valley

 Loamy earth and dusty berry scents carry over to the palate, where
they are vibrant and tangy, repeating the dark berry fruit themes.
Has fine balance, tannins and acidity. Returns to the loamy berry flavors.
Drink now through 2011. Only 400 cases made 
WS  91 Rating

Luca
2006 Chardonnay
Altos de Mendoza Argentina

 Luca Chardonnay is annually a candidate for Argentina’s finest Chardonnay, the primary competitor being Catena Zapata. The 2006 Chardonnay was aged for 12 months in French oak, 50% new. It is light gold in color with a superb aromatic display of spicy oak, mineral, butterscotch, poached pear, and tropical fruits. Medium to full-bodied, it is smoothly textured with outstanding depth and concentration and a lengthy finish. It blows away most white Burgundies and California Chardonnays at twice the price.
RP  92 Rating

Marcarini
2004 Barolo Brunate
Piedmonte Italy

 Soaring aromatics emerge from the estate’s 2004 Barolo Brunate. Menthol, dark cherries, spices, new leather and licorice are all to be found in this generous, layered wine. Sweet, ripe tannins provide a lovely bookend to this rich, classic Barolo from the Brunate vineyard. Still somewhat closed, it is likely to require at least a few years of bottle age. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024.
RP  93 Rating

Marques de Caceres
2001 Gran Reserva Rioja
Rioja Spain

 Still firm, this red offers black cherry, mineral, licorice and tobacco flavors over solid tannins