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.

2005 Chateau Escurac - Medoc - Parker 89 - only 6 bts left - $190 for 6
"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."

Roch Bell Cap d'Angelique Cotes de Castillon Rated 90-92 2 case, 8 bottles $468 ($39) per 12 bottle case. $43 per bottle
An astonishing 100% Merlot is the first French wine made by Umbria's well-known winemaking guru, Riccardo Cotarella. He has succeeded in pulling everything possible from this lower level appellation. Notes of espresso, chocolate, blackberries and jammy cherries soar from the glass of this opulently textured, fat, fleshy, opaque purple-colored effort. With low acidity, purity, and sweetness, it will provide beautiful drinking now and over the next 7-8 years. This is unquestionably a sleeper of the vintage. RP

2005 Chateau Chauvin - St Emilion - Parker 90-92 - 36 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."

2000 Chateau Berliquet St Emilion Rated 90-91, 2 cases left. $475 per case, $49 per bottle.
"The finest Berliquet yet made, young Patrick Valette has taken this obscure under-achiever to new heights with his 2000. A dense ruby/purple-colored wine with impressive aromatics (primarily jammy currants, black cherries, earth, licorice, and vanilla), this classically structured, pure St.-Emilion possesses nearly perfect equilibrium, power married to elegance, and enough vibrant acidity to provide focus. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020. It is a sleeper of the vintage. RP

2005 Chateau de Chambrun - Lalande de Pomerol - Parker 90-92 - 1 case, 4 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."

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 ideal for drinking over the next 3-4 years. It is a sleeper of the vintage."

Good Morning! Cynthia Hurley

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 4 bottles per wine. Prices as posted. Reservations honored in the order received. But orders for full 6 or 12 bottle cases will preempt bottle orders where cases are available. This is to allow preservation of the owc and their desirability for cellar collectors.