Château Branaire-Ducru 2005 "As usual, the 2005 Branaire-Ducru is one of the more distinctive wines of Saint-Julien. Proprietor Patrick Maroteaux has turned out another classic. While not as opulent or fleshy as the 2003, and it remains to be seen if it will eclipse the 2000, the 2005 is a big, structured, intensely rich effort with raspberry, blueberry, and spring flower garden characteristics, stunning purity, full-bodied power, and good underlying acidity as well as harmony." ~ 95, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Les Greffieux 2005 "Ripe and very fresh, with bright floral, licorice snap and cassis bush notes leading the way for plum sauce, blackberry and raspberry fruit flavors. The long, taut finish shows the fine structure of the vintage. [Only] 139 cases made." ~ 95, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator
Château Péby Faugères 2005
"Not surprisingly, the 2005 Cuvée Spéciale Péby, which was inaugurated in 1998, is a blockbuster. Yields were low (25 hectoliters per hectare) for this sensational 100% Merlot from 45-year old vines. The inky/black/purple color is followed by a super-rich wine boasting plenty of graphite, pain grillé, melted chocolate, black currant, blackberry, smoke, and truffle characteristics. It is extremely powerful, concentrated, and extracted. Give it a decade of cellaring and drink it over the following three decades." ~ 95+, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Arietta Variation One 2003
"Medium ruby. The nose is at once cool and exotic, with expressive, explosive aromas of black cherry, raspberry, smoked meat, iris and brown spices. Wonderfully sweet and dense in the mouth, saturating every square millimeter of the palate. A magical combination of syrah energy and merlot breadth. Finishes horizontal and with great persistence, with a strong element of baking spices. A great California red blend." ~ 95, Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Château Latour Les Forts de Latour 2003
"Beautiful aromas of berry, currant and toasted oak. Intense currant character. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, intense finish. This is very structured and superclean. Excellent stuff." ~ 93, James Suckling, Wine Spectator
Branson Shiraz Coach House 2002
"Even bigger than the Greenock Block, but revealing more complexity as well as elegance is the stunning 2002 Shiraz Coach House, which sees 10% new American oak. Aromas and flavors of blackberries, plums, figs, crème de cassis, graphite, smoky new oak, bacon fat, and prunes are present in this dense, full-bodied effort. Monstrous in the mouth, with no hard edges, this is the type of wine that seemingly only Australia is capable of producing." ~ 97, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Torbreck The Descendant 2002
"The fruit is sourced from the section of the Barossa Valley known as Marananga. The Viognier and Shiraz are co-fermented together, and the name, Descendant, comes the fact that it is essentially the same blend as the famed Run Rig, but sees no new oak. A magnificent effort, the dense ruby/purple-colored 2002 Descendant offers gorgeous aromas of crushed blackberries, raspberries, licorice, acacia flowers, and the added notes of honeysuckle and apricots from the Viognier. Full-bodied and opulently textured, with good tannin, structure, purity, and a broad, expansive finish that lasts nearly a minute . . ." ~ 96, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Henschke Shiraz Mount Edelstone 2000
"A knock-out red, the 2000 Shiraz Mt. Edelstone reveals a brooding purple color, great intensity, and tremendous power yet overall there is a sense of restraint as well as admirable purity of character. No wimpish effort, it is a layered Shiraz that builds incrementally across the palate, offering expansive blackberry, earthy, peppery notes with smoke and wood in the background. This cuvée, produced from an 86-year old vineyard in the northern sector of Eden Valley . . ." ~ 94, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 1998
"Allegrini's 1998 Amarone boasts an opaque purple color as well as intense aromas of pepper, black cherries, blackberries, asphalt, and truffles. Extremely full-bodied, with lavish concentration, great stuffing, and well-concealed alcohol, this stunning Amarone is somewhat primary, but should be at its finest in 2-3 years, and drink well for two decades. It is a worthy successor to their profound 1997. . . . it is reminiscent of a modern-styled Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Bravo!" ~ 95, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Château La Croix de Gay 1998 "Pretty, with loads of berry and Indian spices on the nose. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, long finish." ~ 90, James Suckling, Wine Spectator
Château La Cardonne 1995
"A concentrated red. Best ever for La Cardonne and a superb value. Amazing for this château. Intense aromas of blackberries, mint and game. Full-bodied, with chunky tannins and fruit. Long finish." ~ 90, James Suckling, Wine Spectator
Château Cheval Blanc 1990 "Luscious, round. Rich as a mug of celestial milk chocolate. Extremely rich – could it be a 1990? (The wines were served blind.) But it’s also ethereal and vibrant with some hints of fresh tea leaves on the nose (Cheval?). Wonderful layers and length." ~ 20, Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com |
