Louis Jadot Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes 2012
“The palate has a sensual opening and a light citrus core wrapped with peachy, apricot notes that gradually builds to a contained, spicy finish. This is a Chassagne that will probably bide its time . . .”
88-90 Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate
Albert Boxler Pinot Gris Sommerberg 2007
“Boxler’s 2007 Pinot Gris Sommerberg is redolent of diverse pit fruits along with smoke, musk, and carnal suggestions of veal sweetbreads (which might make an appropriately indulgent accompaniment!). As in the case of the corresponding generic bottling, this displays surprising amounts of alkaline and saline mineral character as well as citrus (principally pink grapefruit) zest pungency, which are welcome in helping offset the effects of more than 30 grams of residual sugar. Polished, refined, and with impressive finishing cling . . .”
92 David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate
Tollot-Beaut Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru Les Vercots 2011
“Packed with cherry, tar and spice aromas and flavors, this muscular version is smooth, with a dusty bite to the tannins. Juicy and long, offering a pure cherry highlight on the aftertaste.”
91 Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator
Clos Dubreuil Cuvée Anna 2012
“Concentrated aromas and flavors of ripe black plums and cherries with dark chocolate notes. Full body, refined yet firm tannins, fresh acidity and a long, peppery finish.”
93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
Ignaz Niedrist Lagrein Gries Berger Gei 2012
“The 2012 Lagrein Gries Berger Gei is super-expressive, with silky, polished tannins and striking overall balance. As always, the Berger Gei is a forward and distinctly fruit-driven Lagrein with tons of near and medium-term appeal. Hints of mocha, raspberry jam, wild flowers and spices add nuance on the round, resonant finish. Lagrein can often be quite gamy, but Niedrist succeeds in taming those qualities in the Berger Gei, a wine that is built on texture and bold fruit.”
92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Rocche dei Manzoni Barolo 2011
“I love the purity of fruit here with dark cherry, dried Asian mushroom and dark chocolate powder. Full body, chewy tannins and wonderful balance. This is long and intense. Serious tannin backbone! . . . . Better than [the] 2010.”
92 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis 2008
“Opaque ruby. Sexy aromas and flavors of candied red and dark berries and floral pastilles, with a bright, spicy overtone. Juicy and precise, with excellent back-end cut and clarity. Silky tannins come on late add give grip to a long, spice-dominated finish. Very suave wine, and approachable already.”
93 Josh Raynolds, Vinous
La Gomerie 2008
“2008 La Gomerie with its silky textures and floral, licorice, plum, oak and spice filled aromatics is a winner. The wine is refined opulence and ends with a clean fresh, black velvet finish.”
93 Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider
Rocche dei Manzoni Barbera d'Alba Superiore Sorito Mosconi 2008
"In a region dominated by small artisan producers, Rocche dei Manzoni stands out for its château-like elegance and grandeur. The wines reflect the Francophile passion of the late owner, Valentino Migliorini, and his son Rodolfo. Fermentation and maceration last around three weeks, and the Barolos are aged for 30 to 36 months in 100% new oak, with the wines being racked four times a year . . . . I have tended to underrate the estate's Barolos when young but then always enjoyed them immensely with bottle age. I have been consistently thrilled with how vintages like 1978, 1982, and 1989 have developed and only wish I had a deeper collection of the wines in my cellar . . . . Last, readers should not look past the estate's more accessible wines, the best of which are noteworthy and deserving of close consideration. These include the Barbera d'Alba Sorito Mosconi, the Quatr Nas, and the Bricco Manzoni. Rocce dei Manzoni produces one of the best champenoise-style wines in Italy, the Valentino Brut Zero."
Robert M. Parker, Jr, Parker’s Wine Buying Guide, 7th Edition
Ettore Germano Barolo Lazzarito Riserva 2007
“The 2007 Barolo Riserva Lazzarito is a gorgeous wine that does a wonderful job of portraying the bold and powerful side of the Nebbiolo grape. Ever-changing aromas of red fruit, cassis, chopped mint, licorice, cola and smoked cedar give the wine elegance and poise. It shows beautiful fleshiness and roundness that is in line with the best offerings from the 2007 vintage.”
96 Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
Ridge Vineyards Petite Sirah Geyserville ATP 1996
“Geyserville is home to the oldest vines we farm. The “Old Patch” section of the vineyard contains vines that are more than 130 years of age. Old vines contribute an intensity and complexity of flavor to the wine that cannot be replicated by any other method. We take a natural approach to winemaking to ensure the true expression of these extraordinary old vine characteristics. We do not use chemical treatments, membrane filtration, or sterilization, as these techniques can strip color, flavor, and texture from the wine. Rather, we adopt a non-industrial approach to winemaking, including using only natural yeast fermentation, to make certain that intensity, complexity, and character are retained. Geyserville is a traditional field blend of zinfandel and its complementary varieties: carignane, petite sirah, and mataro (mourvèdre). Each vintage is unique, distinct, extraordinary - yet they do have elements in common, including the blackest of blackberry fruit, ripe plum, rich cherry, and cedar. A remarkably consistent and elegant wine with exceptional layering . . .”
RidgeWine.com
Robert Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon 1982
“Certain that mountain side vineyards in Napa Valley could produce world class wines, in 1974 Robert Keenan purchased 180 acres in the Spring Mountain District at an elevation of 1700 feet. Located on the eastern slope of the Mayacamas mountain range, Spring Mountain District gained recognition as an American Vineyard Appellation (AVA) in 1993. The low vigor soils unique to the region were known to create a stressful environment for vine growth, setting up perfect conditions to encourage vineyards planted on the steep, rocky, mountainsides to produce wines of great concentration, structure, and pure varietal flavors.”
KeenanWinery.com
Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard 1978
“Cranberry, tart cherry and beef nose; deep, dark, cassis fruit with richness, minerality, sweet tannins and remarkable youthfulness . . .”
95+ Richard Jennings, RJonWine.com
And a selection of wines from The Venatio Regia Collection, including
Giordano Barolo 1982
Cantine C. Valletti Barolo 1974
Prioli Barolo 1974
Villadoria Barolo Riserva Speciale 1971
Fontanafredda Barbaresco 1968
And more
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