Philip Togni Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
". . . comes from steep mountain vineyards at the top of the Napa side of Spring Mountain. Aromas of black olives, tapenade, crème de cassis, licorice and truffles emerge from this opaque ruby/purple-colored, youthful 2004. Togni’s spiritual reference point is Bordeaux more than Napa Valley, and his wines seem to represent a hypothetical mélange of those two distinctive schools of wine. Still backward, but rich, full-bodied and promising . . ." ~ 95+, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 "Juicy black cherries and black currants intermixed with white flower and crushed rock-like notes characterize the fresh, medium-bodied 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon. With good power and richness, this [is] nearly fully mature . . ." ~ Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Château La Lagune 2000
"Pretty berry, chocolate and vanilla character, with medium body, fine tannins and a silky finish . . . . a very good wine." ~ James Suckling, Wine Spectator
Château Léoville Poyferré 2003
"I have had this wine three times out of bottle, rating it 97 once and 98 twice. It is a colossal success and a potential legend in the making. Its saturated, dense inky/blue/purple color offers up notes of crushed rocks, acacia flowers, blueberries, black raspberries, and crème de cassis. A synthesis of power and elegance, this multi-layered wine has spectacular concentration, sweet but high tannin, and low acidity A stunning effort that showcases this legendary terroir, it is a brilliant, brilliant success. The quintessential Léoville Poyferré?" ~ 98, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Château Léoville Poyferré 1998
"Well done. Aromas of black truffles and ripe fruit introducing a full-bodied wine with lots of fruit and velvety tannins. A mouthful. Amazing for the vintage in the Médoc. [2001 WS Top 100: Rank 70]" ~ 91, James Suckling, Wine Spectator
Château Pontet Canet 1995
"Fabulous nose of crushed currants, blackberries and forest flowers. Full-bodied, with plenty of ripe fruit and silky tannins. This is really holding back." ~ 94, James Suckling, Wine Spectator
Château La Lagune 1990
"Wonderful mint and black currant aromas that follow through to the palate. Full-bodied and velvety-textured, with lots of fruit and a long, long finish. Exceptional." ~ 94, James Suckling, Wine Spectator
Château Palmer 1990
"A complex bouquet of earth, blue and black fruits, licorice, incense, and spice box is followed by a round, silky, voluptuous wine . . . . A very strong, fully mature effort, its balance, purity, depth, and texture suggest it will provide plenty of pleasure . . ." ~ 92, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Château Talbot 1990
"Dark ruby color, with mineral, berry and wet soil. Medium-bodied, with firm tannins and a long, fresh finish. Pretty wine. Elegant Talbot." ~ 90, James Suckling, Wine Spectator
Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1989 "This has entered its secondary phase, with alluring notes of black tea, steeped plum, mulled spice and warm pain d'épices emerging from the core of supple plum, cassis and black cherry fruit. The long, fine-grained finish lets a perfumy singed cedar accent linger. A beauty." ~ 95, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator
Château Talbot 1989
". . . a fascinating wine that resembles the 1982 . . . . The 1989 is more elegant, with none of the exotic spice and meaty, leathery aromas of the 1982. Opaque black/ruby, with a huge bouquet of black fruits and spices, this highly extracted, medium to full-bodied wine is voluptuous on the palate, with a fine finish. Lower in acidity than the 1982, but higher in tannin than the 1986, the 1989 Talbot promises to drink well during its first decade of life, but keep for up to 20 years." ~ 90, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1986 "Dark ruby/purple, with a tight yet profound bouquet of cedar, blackcurrants, spicy oak, and minerals, this full-bodied, deeply concentrated, exceptionally well-balanced wine is, atypically, too brawny and big to drink young." ~ 96, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate |
