Every Sunday at 7:30 am I'm going deep into my wine cellar to pull out the last of some very great bottles. I promise rare wines for the cellar- builder in very limited quantities, gems of astonishing quality carrying highly pedigreed labels that will tempt the most temperate among us.

So, don't hit the snooze! These wines will be gone, gone, gone, quickly.

Who said the best Bordeaux has to break the bank?

When a great vintage is released from Bordeaux, I am always surprised at the number of lesser-known wines that knock my socks off. I always buy them.

I know I can't drink Chateau Margaux every night, and when I find a high-performer I don't care what name is on the label. I just care about the taste. These wines really flirt with the Big Boys (at half the price).

It's important for you to know that these wines have been in temperature-control (55 degrees) since they arrived from the Chateaux in France. They are waiting for you!

I have included the Parker reviews and notes.

1999 Chateau Gigault Cuvee Viva - Cotes de Blaye - Parker 87-88 - 5 cases bottles left - 12 bottle case $299, $27/bt
Parker has a new book out: The World's Best Wine Bargains Under $25.

Gigault is in the book. That says a lot.

"One of the most impressive wines tasted from Blaye, this excellent dark, ruby purple-colored 1999 offers notes of wild blueberries, smoke, and minerals. Medium to full-bodied sweet fruit flavors buttressed by low acidity and ripe tannin. It is a beautiful, fruit-driven effort...."

2005 Chateau Chauvin - St Emilion - Parker 90-92 - 48 bts left - 12 bottle case $539, $47/bt.
"Chauvin's successful 2005 ranks alongside their 2000 and 1998. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by lovely aromas of black currants, cherries, smoke, meats, and minerals. Superb purity, full body, good acidity, and moderate tannin suggest this fleshy, substantial St.-Emilion will be drinkable in 3-4 years, and last for 15 or more."

2005 Chateau de Chambrun - Lalande de Pomerol - Parker 90-92 - 28 bts left - 12 bottle case $539, $47/bt.
"An exceptionally fine effort, the inky/ruby-colored 2005 Chambrun's stunning, sweet perfume of melted fudge, espresso roast, black cherries, and spice is followed by a dry, full-bodied powerful, moderately tannic wine with a soft underbelly. It should provide immense pleasure during its first 10-12+ years of life."

2005 Chateau Escurac - Medoc - Parker 89 - 36 bts left - 12 bottle case $359, $32/bt
"One of the finest cru bourgeois in the Medoc, this impeccably made 2005 exhibits notions of black olives, black currants, spice box, and cedar in its complex, classically styled bouquet. Medium-bodied with excellent purity, richness, and power, sweet tannin, beautiful fruit, and admirable depth, this is a sleeper of the vintage. Drink it over the next decade."

2003 Chateau Puygueraud Cuvee George - Cotes de Francs - Parker 88-90 1 case left - 12 bottle case $419, $37/bt.
"Some obscure terroirs excelled in the bizarre 2003 vintage, and this is the finest effort I have tasted from the Thienpont family's Cotes de Franc estate. The wine exhibits a black/purple color as well as surprising power and density. The 2003 Cuvee George includes a high percentage of Malbec (unusual for a Bordeaux). It possesses plenty of finesse and elegance along with more strength, power, and richness than usual. It should be drunk over the next 6-8 years." [Drink 2010-2012]

2005 Chateau Puygueraud - Cotes de Francs - Parker 89 - 18 bts left - - 12 bottle case $299, $27/bt
"This Thienpont-owned vineyard was one of the first to make noises from what was a totally unknown appellation - Cotes de Francs. Stephane Derenoncourt is the consultant, which helps explain this beautifully textured, dense purple-colored effort. The bouquet offers up aromas of tobacco leaf, black currants, cherries, charcoal, and a hint of background wood. Drink it over the next 5-7 years."

2000 Chateau Yon Figeac - St Emilion - Parker 89 - 14 bts left - 12 bottle case $499, $42/bt.
"A super value, this deep ruby/purple-colored St.-Emilion offers aromas and flavors not too dissimilar from a top vintage of the famed L'Evangile. Sweet blackberry and wild mountain berry fruit is interwoven with hints of raisins, plums, and white flowers. Medium-bodied and fleshy, with excellent purity and sweet fruit, this is undoubtedly a sleeper of the vintage. As the wine sits in the glass, more black raspberries seem to emerge. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2015."

2000 Chateau Pin Beau Soleil - Bordeaux Superieur - Parker 88 - 15 bts left - 12 bottle case $419, $37/bt.
"Highly respected Stephane Derenoncourt is the consultant at this 12.5-acre vineyard planted with 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Malbec. The 2000 displays wonderfully sweet, ripe black currant fruit intermixed with tobacco smoke, licorice, and espresso. Ripe, opulent, and fleshy, ... It is a sleeper of the vintage."

Good Morning! Cynthia Hurley

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The 2005 Chateau Escurac received the prestigious "Coup de coeur" award from Guide Hachette.

To order just hit reply and let me know your requests. Reservations will be honored in the order received - but cases requests preemept bottle requests. All orders are subject to confirmation.

The Details

Because these are such exceptional values, this week there is a minimum purchase of 6 bottles per wine or a mixed case of a maximum of 3 wines. Prices as posted. Reservations honored in the order received.