The Wine Connection

An Eclectic Mix of Great Wines


September 11th 2008

Here are a few picks from our extensive cellar that would please most wine lovers. All wines are perfectly stored at 55 degrees and are in stock.

Enjoy!


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  • Chapoutier Ermitage Cuvee L'Oree 1996 Magnums $329.each (24 available)



    "It is no secret that I adore Chapoutier's luxury cuvee of white Hermitage called Cuvee L'Oree. Made from 90-year old vines and microscopic yields of 10-12 hectoliters per hectare, this wine flirts with perfection. It is a compelling white Hermitage. Made from 100% Marsanne, it is as rich and multidimensional as the fullest, most massive Montrachet money can buy. It is unctuously textured, yet extraordinarily and beautifully balanced. I suspect it will drink well early in life, and then shut down for a few years. It should last for 4-5 decades. The 1996 possesses some of the most amazing glycerin levels I have ever seen in a dry white wine. In short, this wine must be tasted to be believed." 99 points Robert Parker

  • Chapoutier Ermitage L'Ermite Blanc 2000 Jeroboam $1,499.each (3 available)


    "Last year I wrote that the 2000 Ermitage l’Ermite was one of the most amazing white Hermitages I had ever tasted. In bottle, it has confirmed all of its extraordinary character. This light gold-colored effort is pure liquid minerals. Notes of honey, tropical fruits, smoke, and licorice are offered in a phenomenally full-bodied, mineral-imbued masterpiece with a long, concentrated, chewy mid-palate, great purity as well as a 50+ second finish. This awesome dry white should prove to be nearly immortal. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050." 100 points Robert Parker

  • Chapoutier Ermitage Les Meal Blanc 2003 $209.each (24 available)


    "Like the concentrated essence of bee’s honey with resiny, flower, and mineral notes, the 2003 Ermitage Le Meal blanc is a huge, full-bodied, even tannic effort with amazing viscosity and thickness. This is a wine to drink young, or forget for two decades. To Chapoutier’s credit, he is making these wines for posterity, not for immediate gratification. " 98+ points Robert Parker

  • Chapoutier Ermitage Les Meal Blanc 2004 $229.each (12 available)


    "The 2004 Ermitage Le Meal blanc (266 cases) is total perfection in the bottle. Of course, this is supposedly the vineyard that so impressed Thomas Jefferson when he visited Hermitage in the late 1700s. Boasting an amazing concentrated essence of licorice, minerals, acacia flowers, and buttery honey, the wine is viscous, super-thick, rich, and mind-blowingly intense. Having just had an utterly perfect bottle of DRC 1973 Montrachet, I couldn’t help but think that this wine may well be even younger at a similar age." 100 points Robert Parker

  • Chapoutier Ermitage Les Pavillon 2003 $409.each (24 available)


    "A legend of the future is the 2003 Ermitage Le Pavillon (659 cases). The equal of such stupendous examples as 1990 and 1989, the 2003 is incredibly rich as well as awesomely well-delineated and fresh. An inky/blue/purple color is followed by a subtle but impressively intense nose of barbecue smoke, creme de cassis, blueberries, blackberries, and white flowers. The wine cascades over the palate (15.8% natural alcohol) with extraordinary richness, intensity, and silkiness. This seamlessly constructed Hermitage is, analytically, high in tannin, but extremely low in acidity, with a freaky accessibility (a vintage character). Prodigiously concentrated and high in extract, it should last for a half century or longer. It will be fascinating to follow over the next several decades." 100 points Robert Parker

  • Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle 1990 Magnums $1,899.each (6 available - Ex-domaine)


    "The 1990 La Chapelle is the sexy and opulent. I had the 1990 at the Jaboulet tasting, and again out of a double magnum three months ago. On both occasions it was spectacular, clearly meriting a three-digit score. The modern day equivalent of the 1961, it deserves all the attention it has garnered. The color remains an opaque purple, with only a slight pink at the edge. Spectacular aromatics offer up aromas of incense, smoke, blackberry fruit, cassis, barbecue spice, coffee, and a touch of chocolate. As it sits in the glass, additional nuances of pepper and grilled steak emerge. There is extraordinary freshness for such a mammoth wine in addition to abundant tannin, an amazing 60-second finish, and a level of glycerin and thick, fleshy texture that have to be tasted to be believed. Despite its youthfulness, the 1990 La Chapelle is lovely to drink, although it will be even better with another 5-6 years of cellaring; it should age for 35-40+ years. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2050" 100 points Robert Parker

  • Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle 1989 Magnums $1,099.each (5 available - Ex Domaine)


    "The 1989 La Chapelle is phenomenal. The opaque black/ruby color and the huge bouquet of coffee, hickory wood, jammy cassis, minerals, and spices are the stuff of legends. In the mouth the wine is massive, with layer upon layer of unctuous, highly extracted, and superripe fruit. The finish offers an extraordinary explosion of fruit, glycerin, and strong but ripe tannin. My instincts suggest the 1989 will reach maturity several years before the 1990. This is a monumental wine that attests to the glory of this renowned and historic appellation. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2030." 97 points Robert Parker

  • Brunel Chat. du Pape Les Cailloux Centenaire 1990 $499.each (3 available)


    "One of the greatest vintages for Andre Brunel, aside from his extraordinary succession of vintages from 1998-2001 is 1990. The perfect Cuvee Centenaire is still dense ruby/purple-colored with a sumptuous nose of white flowers, raspberry and cherry liqueur, smoke, and mineral scents. The gorgeous aromatics are followed by an unctuously-textured, pure wine that combines the best of Chateauneuf du Pape with the floral, earthy complexity of a great grand cru red Burgundy. This is a riveting tour de force in winemaking. Don’t miss it. Anticipated maturity: now-2020. " 100 points Robert Parker

  • Brunel Chat. du Pape Les Cailloux Centenaire 2003 $175.each (48 available)


    "The limited production but exquisite 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Centenaire is a riper, more concentrated version of the 2000 Centenaire. There are about 500 cases of this Grenache-dominated wine produced from a vineyard planted in 1889 with some Syrah and Mourvedre (about 20%) added to the blend. The latter components are aged in small barrels. The wine has a dense ruby/purple-tinged color to the rim, a strikingly pure nose of kirsch liqueur, creme de cassis, and hints of vanilla and espresso. Hitting the palate with full-throttle opulence, superb concentration, fabulous purity, and striking multiple levels of raspberries and black cherry jam, this is a beautifully full-bodied, brilliantly concentrated and structured wine that reveals sweet but abundant tannin and a finish that goes on for close to a minute. I still think the two greatest Centenaires made to date have been the 1990 and 1998, but this one is close in quality. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2020+" 96 points Robert Parker

  • Lafite Rothschild 2002 Half Bottles $4,299. per case (1 case available)


    "A brilliant offering and a candidate for wine of the vintage, this is classic Lafite that reminded me somewhat of the 1976, although the vintage conditions were completely different. This is a medium-weight, quintessentially elegant style of Lafite with notes of lead pencil shavings/graphite along with black currants, plums, and crushed rocks/mineral. Wonderfully pure, dense, with a deep ruby/purple color and loads of fruit, definition, and a long finish, this is a brilliant, elegant Lafite Rothschild that builds incrementally in the mouth and has more power and density than it initially seems. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025" 94 points Robert Parker

  • Leoville Las Cases 1995 $2,299. per case (1 case available)


    "If it were not for the prodigious 1996, everyone would be concentrating on getting their hands on a few bottles of the fabulous 1995 Leoville-Las-Cases, which is one of the vintage's great success stories. The wine boasts an opaque ruby/purple color, and exceptionally pure, beautifully knit aromas of black fruits, minerals, vanillin, and spice. On the attack, it is staggeringly rich, yet displays more noticeable tannin than its younger sibling. Exceptionally ripe cassis fruit, the judicious use of toasty new oak, and a thrilling mineral character intertwined with the high quality of fruit routinely obtained by Las Cases, make this a compelling effort. There is probably nearly as much tannin as in the 1996, but it is not as perfectly sweet as in the 1996. The finish is incredibly long in this classic. Only 35% of the harvest was of sufficient quality for the 1995 Leoville-Las-Cases. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025." 95 points Robert Parker

  • Leoville Las Cases 1996 Magnums $3,995. per case (2 cases available)


    "A profound Leoville Las Cases, this is one of the great modern-day wines of Bordeaux, rivaling what the estate has done in vintages such as 2000, 1990, 1990, 1986 and 1982. The 1996's hallmark remains a sur-maturite' (overripeness) of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Yet the wine retained its intrinsic classicism, symmetry, and profound potential for complexity and elegance. The black/purple color is followed by a spectacular nose of cassis, cherry liqueur, toast, and minerals. It is powerful and rich on the attack, with beautifully integrated tannin, massive concentration, yet no hint of heavyness or disjointedness. As this wine sits in the glass it grows in stature and richness. It is a remarkable, seamless, palate-staining and extraordinarily elegant wine - the quintessential St Julien, made in the shadow of its next door neighbor, Latour. Despite the sweetness of the tannin, I would recommend cellaring this wine for another 4-5 years. Anticipated maturity:2010-2040." 98+ points R. Parker

  • Leoville Las Cases 2002 $1,199. per case (5 cases available)

    "Only 43% of the production made it into the final blend of this remarkable 2002. Produced from a low 17 hectoliters per hectare, it includes 66.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot, 13.9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. It has the highest alcohol ever achieved in a Leoville Las Cases (13.5%) as well as a lofty pH of 3.85. Nevertheless, the impression is one of a structured wine with considerable density, a ruby/purple color, layers of flavor, and a classic overall personality. The wine exhibits pure black currant, licorice-infused fruit, huge body, a viscous mid-palate, and a long, heady finish. I suspect this wine won’t be nearly as charming as the 2003 in its youth, but it hasn’t yet closed down, and I am amazed at just how rich, intense, and full-bodied it tastes even after bottling. This is certainly one of the half dozen or so candidates for wine of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030+." 95 points Robert Parker

  • Calon Segur 2000 Magnums $1,599. per case (5 cases available)



    "Unquestionably, the greatest Calon Segur since the 1982, this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc exhibits an opaque plum/purple color along with gorgeous aromas of creosote intermixed with black cherries, cassis, licorice, and stony, liquid minerals. An amazing effort, full bodied and opulent, it possesses abundant tannin that is well concealed by the wealth of fruit, glycerin and intensity. This large scaled wine may be tremendous from release, but I suspect it will require patience. Given this estate's history of closing down for considerable time after bottling, despite how precocious the wine shows, look for it to be at its best between 2010-2040." 95+ points Robert Parker

  • Pichon Baron 2000 Magnums $1,995. per case (2 cases available)


    "Deeply colored. Restrained nose at first, but it opens up beautifully with rich fruit and the influence of wood. Well-structured on the palate with seductive fruit, plenty of grip, and terrific concentration. This wine shows lots of extract and an orchard’s worth of fruit. Plenty of tannin but everything is perfectly balanced. Long finish. Needs time. Awesome wine and the winner of the whole show. Dollar for dollar, Lynch-Bages and Pichon Baron have to be the "best buys" among the elite wines of the vintage. " 99 points Robert Parker (Executive Wine Seminar Tasting)

  • Pichon Baron 2001 $995. per case (5 cases available)


    "A very successful effort for this vintage in the Medoc, this deep ruby/purple-colored Pauillac exhibits class/nobility/breed along with black currant liqueur, licorice, and incense notes. Sweet, expansive, fleshy, and medium to full-bodied, with good structure, ripe tannin, and a long, 30-35 second finish, it can be drunk now, but will be even better in 2-3 years; it will last for 12-15 years. I had this wine three separate times out of bottle, and it is performing significantly better than it did from cask." 93 points Robert Parker

  • Pichon Baron 2003 Magnums $1,189. per case (3 cases available)



    "This is a brilliantly run property year in and year out, and especially since the mid- to late 1980s has produced one of the top four or five wines made in Pauillac in virtually every vintage. With 13.4% alcohol, the 2003 is one of the most powerful efforts this chateau has ever made. Its dense purple color is accompanied by sweet, jammy creme de cassis notes intermixed with roasted herbs, smoked meats, and chocolate. Although ripe, dense, full-bodied, and moderately tannic, it is silky (because of its low acidity and high glycerin) as well as accessible. It should firm up in the bottle, and be at its peak between 2008-2025." 94+ points Robert Parker

  • Pichon Lalande 2000 $2,995. per case (2 case svailable)


    "The 2000 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is spectacular, and certainly a noteworthy rival to the 1996, 1995, and even the extraordinary 1982. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, this effort has a dense saturated purple color, a singular/distinctive yet possibly controversial aromatic smorgasbord existing of creme de cassis, vanilla, and violets, but also tapenade and tree bark. No doubt the Petit Verdot has imparted a certain almost olive-like component to the wine's aromatic profile. In the mouth, it is a wine of extraordinary density, opulence, great presence, and richness. As the 2000 sits in the glass, notes of lavender and melted licorice emerge along with the distinctive tapenade aromas interwoven with creme de cassis, espresso roast, and cedar. The wine is full-bodied, with extraordinary purity and a tremendous texture. I suspect this wine will be relatively approachable young but evolve effortlessly. This is a dramatic, almost flamboyant style that is not classic Pauillac in one sense, but a classic wine. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025." 97 points Robert Parker

  • Pichon Lalande 2002 $899 per case (4 cases available)

    "One of the best wines of the vintage, this is a classic Pauillac that is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot. Dense ruby/purple in color with a glorious nose of melted licorice, lavender, barbecue smoke, black currants, and graphite, the wine is tannic, classically structured with an opaque ruby/purple color, beautiful definition, and a 1996-ish personality. This deep, full-bodied, elegant yet powerful 2002 should age handsomely for over two decades. Some patience will be required since this vintage exhibits more muscle and virility than normal. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025" 94 points Robert Parker

  • Pichon Lalande 2003 $1,499. per case (3 cases available)


    "The brilliant, opulent, fleshy 2003 Pichon Lalande (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot) possesses a high pH of 3.8 as well as 13% alcohol. Reminiscent of the 1982 Pichon Lalande (which never shut down and continues to go from strength to strength), the dense plum/purple-colored 2003 offers gorgeous aromas of blackberries, plum liqueur, sweet cherries, smoke, and melted licorice. Fleshy, full-bodied, and intense, displaying a seamless integration of wood, acidity, tannin, and alcohol, this beauty can be drunk now or cellared for 20 years or more." 95 points Robert Parker

  • Malescot Saint Exupery 2003 Magnums $549. per case (2 cases available)


    "The noteworthy, classic Margauxs from this estate remain under most consumers’ radar. Displaying low acidity and a forward style, the exotic 2003 is undeniably fragrant, complex, and sexy. Its dark ruby/purple color is followed by sumptuous aromas of truffles, underbrush, plums, cassis, and a hint of figs. The tannin is sweet, and the texture is multilayered. This full-bodied, chewy, round, sensual Margaux should evolve gracefully for 15+ years. Bravo!" 92 points Robert Parker

  • Margaux 2004 Double Magnums $3,299. per case (1 case available)



    "The supple-textured 2004 Chateau Margaux is reminiscent of the 2001 or 1999. It exhibits a superb blue/purple color to the rim as well as sweet aromas of flowers, blueberries, creme de cassis, licorice, and smoke, superb fruit intensity, medium body, classic elegance, and silky, sweet tannin in the long finish. This beauty can be drunk now or cellared for two decades or more." 93 points Robert Parker

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