Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard 2009
"A full-blown, mature Chardonnay at its peak, layered and complex, unfolding with anise, smoky oak, roasted fig, apricot and honeysuckle flavors. What makes this sing is the richness and proportionality of the flavors. Lingers and gains on the finish." ~ 97, James Laube, Wine Spectator
Trimbach Riesling Clos Ste Hune 1999
"Dry and flavorful, featuring peach, guava and mineral notes in an intense, tightly wound presentation. Very young and undeveloped, yet with a dense, creamy midpalate and a long finish." ~ 93, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator
Moët & Chandon Dom Pérignon Brut 1996
"The brilliant 1996 Dom Pérignon, which has largely disappeared from the marketplace, may be the finest young example of DP I have ever tasted. Notes of crushed rocks, honeysuckle, lemon oil, orange marmalade, and white pear provide a stunning aromatic display as well as palate impression. Great acidity and huge flavor intensity backed up by vibrant acidity make this an exquisite Champagne. It should drink well for 20-25 years, possibly longer." ~ 98, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Aubert Pinot Noir UV-SL Vineyard 2011
". . . Easily the most refined of the wines . . . . Intensely perfumed and layered – but not at all heavy – the UV-SL has all its elements in perfect balance. Savory herbs, licorice, mint, plums and black cherries all come to life in the glass, but ultimately, the 2011 stands out most for its silkiness, grace and exceptional overall balance. Expressive floral notes add considerable freshness on the close." ~ 96, Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate
Littorai Pinot Noir The Haven Vineyard 2011
"The 2011 Pinot Noir The Haven Vineyard Estate brings together all of the best elements of the Littorai house style on the Sonoma Coast. The Haven surprises for its density and richness . . . . At the same time, this is far from an easygoing Pinot, as there is plenty of underlying structure. A blast of sweet dark fruit saturates the palate on the finish. This is another superb wine endowed with considerable potential." ~ 94-96, Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate
P. Marchand Mazis-Chambertin 2010
"Fresh raspberry, crushed stone, orange zest and peppery spices on the nose. Juicy, imploded and penetrating, with outstanding precision to its flavors of raspberry, red cherry, pepper and blood orange. This has the inner-palate aromatic lift of a topnotch Chambolle. Finishes with rising, palate-staining red fruit perfume and outstanding verve. Wonderfully classy Mazis." - 94-96, Stephen Tanzer, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Domaine de la Vougeraie Clos de Vougeot 2010
". . . Stunning textural depth and richness. Layers of dark red fruit, smoke, licorice and sweet spices are woven together beautifully in the glass. The energy and wiriness of Vougeot is palpable, but there is more than enough fruit to fill out the wine’s broad shoulders. This is another fabulous effort." ~ 93-95, Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate
Latour-Giraud Volnay Clos des Chênes 2010
". . . Superbly complex and ripe nose of cassis, black raspberry, spice and interestingly, fresh tobacco hints. There is really lovely purity to the fresh, rich, concentrated and overtly powerful flavors that exude an intense minerality on the firm but again well-balanced and explosive finish. This is first-rate" ~ 90-93, Allen Meadows, Burghound.com
Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir McCrone Vineyard 2008
"Silky, supple and distinctive for the deep mineral flavors that weave through dark berry, cherry and currant fruit, sailing easily into a cloud of fine tannins on the long, expressive finish." ~ 93, Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator
R. Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Impériale Vignes Centenaires 2010
"A candidate for perfection . . . clearly the greatest wine I have ever tasted from Raymond Usseglio, even eclipsing their remarkable 2007. Don’t be surprised if it merits a three-digit score in five or six years. Somewhat closed, but bursting with potential, the wine is inky/purple to the rim and boasts abundant amounts of concentrated, jammy blackberry, kirsch, licorice, lavender, forest floor, white chocolate and a hint of truffles in its magnificent perfume. Some tannins appear in the mouth, but there is no doubting the luxurious concentration, multidimensional mouthfeel, full-bodied texture, enormous extract and richness, and nearly endless finish. This [is] monumental Châteauneuf-du-Pape . . ." ~ 99, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Cerbaiona Brunello di Montalcino 2007
". . . One of the most exciting wines of the vintage. An exotic melange of freshly cut flowers, dark cherries and plums conquers all of the senses. Intense saline notes and the wine’s underlying minerality are buried under the massive fruit, but over time they emerge. Hints of graphite, spices, crushed rocks and sweet, juicy dark cherries wrap around the huge finish. This is a breathtaking effort . . ." ~ 97, Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate
Delas Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 2003
"Extremely dark, with blackberry and fig fruit, but remarkably lush and pure, with mineral, coffee and mocha notes gliding along as well. All the exotic fruit notes then reverberate through the finish, where the minerality provides a suave backdrop." ~ 96, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator |
