Christophe Mignon Brut Nature NV
"Mignon’s all-Meunier NV Brut Nature Disg. 11/2011 . . . is half-each 2009 and 2010. Its understated but multifarious evocation of herbal and floral essences is allied with subtle nuttiness perfectly complemented by a singularly creamy texture such as Meunier can strikingly deliver. This polished and sustained performance grows in interest as the wine takes on air." ~ 90, David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate
Lucien Le Moine Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Cazetiers 2006
"Aromas of raspberry, incense and smoked meat lifted by pungent minerality. Smooth, velvety and seamless, but with lovely backbone to the red berry and smoke flavors. Finishes with suave, plush tannins and excellent length. This makes a sexy drink right now." ~ 92, Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Domaine des Perdrix Echézeaux 2006
". . . a fine sense of underlying freshness to the liqueur-like red and black berry fruit . . . and a seductive touch of natural spice that is also picked up by the rich, full and impressively concentrated broad-shouldered flavors blessed with ample mid-palate extract that completely buffers the structure before culminating in a long, powerful and mouth coating finish." ~ 91, Allen Meadows, Burghound.com
Robert Arnoux Vosne-Romanée 2002
"Subtle spice and explosive black fruit notes lead to rich, wonderfully fresh and this too is absolutely delicious with impressive length. A very sexy villages-level wine that is very Vosne in character . . ." ~ 87-90, Allen Meadows, Burghound.com
Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard 2007
". . . combination of Côte-Rôtie-like bacon, smoky black tea, and floral aromatic overtones with rich chocolate and licorice, all of these mingling with sappy confitured dark berries. This is amazingly supple and silken-textured, not because the tannins were baked-out of the fruit on the vine, but instead simply because they’re so fine. After setting you up for a continuation of its incredible richness all the way to a long finish, it introduces tar, black pepper, and an almost horseradish- and mustard green-like bite for an effect of spine- not just tongue-tingling invigoration. At the same time, the mouthwateringly carnal aspects of this multifarious performance are never far below the surface." ~ 95, David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate
Descendientes de José Palacios Bierzo Las Lamas 2006
". . . the most age-worthy of the quintet . . . . with coaxing it reveals lavender, incense, espresso, black cherry, and black raspberry. Dense and packed, this layered effort demands . . . bottle age. Long and pure in the finish, its drinking window will extend from 2016 to 2030. This estate was founded . . . by Álvaro Palacios. It has steep hillside vineyards ranging in age from 60 to 100 years planted to 100% Mencía, the indigenous grape of cool-climate Bierzo." ~ 94, Jay S. Miller, The Wine Advocate
R. Barbier Clos Mogador 2004
". . . a more expressive perfume of mocha, coffee, and flowers (violets) in addition to toasty oak, earth, and blue and black fruits. More extracted and backward than the 2003, it demands a decade of cellaring and should drink well for an additional 20 years. The 2004 is a tour de force." ~ 96+, Jay S. Miller, The Wine Advocate
Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve de la Sixtine 2001
"An elegant effort with freshness yet tremendous power and flavor intensity, it is a full-bodied, layered, provocative 2001 with exceptional depth as well as richness. While the tannin levels are high, there are even higher levels of concentration and fruit. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 15-20. This brilliant wine should ultimately be even better than my lofty score suggests." ~ 95, Robert M. Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate
Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2001
"Dusty red cherries, tobacco, Mediterranean herbs and cedar lift from the glass in a super-classic Brunello that shows just how exciting Sangiovese can be in Montalcino." ~ 95, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
G. B. Burlotto Barolo Vigneto Monvigliero 2000
"A more delicately styled 2000, but shows very interesting plum, cedar and berry character. Medium-bodied, with silky, sweet tannins and a long, rich aftertaste. Lovely wine. [Only] 250 cases made." ~ 90, James Suckling, Wine Spectator
Château Moulin Saint-Georges 1999
"The dense, ruby/purple-colored, elegant Saint-Émilion is a sleeper of the vintage. The wine exhibits a sweet blackberry/blueberry nose with striking minerality and purity. It is medium-bodied, long, rich, and structured. This 1999 will actually benefit from several years of cellaring." ~ 90, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Clos du Marquis 1996
"Beautiful aromas of currant, lightly toasted oak and perfume. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a tight finish. Still holding back." ~ 91, James Suckling, Wine Spectator
Château Prieuré-Lichine 1983
[-] ~ 96, Wine Spectator
Château Latour 1970
". . . it has taken a full thirty-five years for the wine to really blossom and begin showing its true quality. Today it is clear that the 1970 Latour is clearly one of the top three or four wines of the vintage, which has just now begun to emerge from its customary thirty years of hibernation and show itself in all its splendor. The stunning bouquet offers up sweet notes of black cherries, cassis, some grilled meat, cigar box, plenty of Pauillac soil, a bit of chipotle pepper, woodsmoke and cedar. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, complex and powerful, with a rock solid core of fruit, modest tannins, outstanding acidity, and tremendous length and grip on the endless, soil-driven and profound finish. Just a great bottle of Latour." ~ 96, John Gilman, View From the Cellar
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