Philipponnat Clos des Goisses Brut 2002
". . . simply stunning in this vintage. Seamless, ripe and beguiling, the 2002 is pure harmony in the glass. Dried pears, apricots, flowers, red berries and spices are some of the many notes that inform this towering, aristocratic wine. At once vertical yet endowed with serious length, the 2002 stands out for its breathtaking balance and overall sense of harmony. Layers of fruit built to the huge, creamy finish." ~ 96, Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate
Barmès-Buecher Riesling Hengst 2000
"Fresh white fruit and stone aromas are found in the nose . . . . A wine of massive power, it is penetrating, concentrated, and profound. It displays loads of dry extract as well as liquid mineral and herbal tea flavors in its exceptionally long, muscular personality." ~ 92, Pierre Rovani, The Wine Advocate
Nicolas Joly Coulée de Serrant 1996
". . . green plum note, along with a slightly earthy quality and lemon zest and custard notes. Zippy and bright throughout, with the flavors unfolding nicely on the finish. Great length." ~ 93, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator
Domaine Perrot-Minot Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts Vieilles Vignes 2005
"From 55-year-old vines, Perrot-Minot’s 2005 Vosne-Romanee Les Beaux Monts Vieilles Vignes . . . displays sweet floral and fresh black raspberry aromas with hints of black tea, cinnamon and cardamom, comes to the palate with obviously sweet, ripe black fruits allied to formidable tannin, and finishes with superb richness, subtly complex minerality . . ." ~ 93-94, David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate
Ponsot Chapelle-Chambertin 1996
"Gorgeous. Ripe and refined Pinot fruit is the hallmark of this full-bodied, smooth-tannined seducer, with sirenlike currant, mineral, spice, mocha, smoke and game notes that would make many a Burgundy aficionado swoon." ~ 94, Per-Henrik Mansson, Wine Spectator
Dominio de Pingus Flor de Pingus 2004
"The sublime 2004 Flor de Pingus lacks the pure size and power of the 2005 but more than makes up for it with a regal elegance. The aromatics are already revealing considerable complexity while on the palate it is succulent, impeccably balanced, and mouth-coating." ~ 98, Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate
Château de la Negly La Porte du Ciel 2001
"Saturated deep ruby . . . . Aromas of crystallized dark berries, violet, bitter chocolate and game. Creamy, dense and thick, with extravagantly sweet flavors of dark berries, bitter chocolate and game and an impression of chewy extract. Powerful and thick but not heavy." ~ 93, Stephen Tanzer, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
M. Chapoutier Ermitage L’Ermite 2001
". . . may be equal to the perfect 1996. Awesome levels of kirsch liqueur, licorice, and white flowers are followed by a superbly concentrated, etched, long, deep wine with multiple layers, a fabulous texture, and virtually perfect balance as well as harmony. Possessing great stature and intensity, it is a monumental achievement." - 98-100, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Aldo Conterno Barolo Gran Bussia Riserva 2001
"Good full medium red. Very ripe aromas of strawberry, licorice, minerals and truffle, with balsamic and dried floral nuances. Fat, sweet, rich and deep; at once succulent and seamless, with a wonderfully layered texture and great early appeal. Very full without coming across as weighty. The slow-building finish features substantial sweet tannins. "Shows the magic side of 2001," Franco offers . . . . By the way, 2001 was the seventh consecutive vintage in which this wine was bottled, but there will be no '02, '03 or '04." ~ 95, Stephen Tanzer, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1996
"The 1996 Pichon-Lalande is just as awesome from bottle as it was from multiple cask tastings . . . . blueberry/blackberry/cassis scents intermixed with high quality, subtle, toasty new oak. Deep and full-bodied, with fabulous concentration and a sweet, opulent texture, this wine was singing in full harmony when I tasted it in January." ~ 96, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus 1993
"The 1993 is spectacular. The opaque ruby/purple color is followed by a stunningly fragrant nose of black fruits, melted road tar, toasty new oak, and truffle/licorice scents. Extremely full-bodied, with layers of flavor, this immense but well-balanced wine is a wine-making tour de force. Given the fact that three of Spain's hottest new wines have emanated from the steep, terraced hillsides of Priorat . . . it is only a matter of time before the world's wine connoisseurs begin beating a path to this remote, rugged region of northeastern Spain." ~ 94, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Château Certan de May de Certan 1985 "Fully mature, this hussy of a wine offers up very complex notes of new saddle leather, smoked herbs, black currants and cherries, sweet licorice, melted asphalt, and a hint of truffle. Fleshy, succulent, and delicious but fully mature, this dark garnet-colored wine has medium body, wonderful sweetness, and a very vigorous, long, fleshy finish. A silky-textured, delicious wine . . ." ~ 92, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate |
