Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay 2006
[750ml/12cs] $44.95
[375 ml/12cs] $23.70 - estimated price, ETA April 2008
"Probably the most expensive unoaked Chardonnay out there, this is a stunning wine, showing the laserlike purity and bright acids that this northwestern part of the Highlands coaxes from the grapes. The brilliantly illuminated flavours range from limes to kiwis to green apples, peaches and guavas. The finish is dry, but with a honeyed unctuousness that could be a touch of botrytis."
92 points, Wine Enthusiast, December 2007
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Ridge Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains 2006
[750ml/12cs] $60.00 - estimated price, ETA May 2008
The 2006 has yet to be released, but the 2005 was named Wine Spectator's #2 Wine of the Year for 2007, and so our order for the 2006 will be pre-allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Here's the note on the 2005:
"Rich and vibrant, with pear, fig and melon flavours and plenty of spice. Great balance, depth and elegance."
95 points, Wine Spectator, July 2007
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Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2006 Napa Valley
[750ml/6cs] $51.85
" The 2006 Chardonnay has slightly more honeyed apple notes and hints of freshly squeezed orange juice and lemon zest. The wine is incredibly consistent from year to year, seemingly regardless of vintage conditions, and the 2006 just seems to be slightly more evolved and forward than te 2005, but both,. I am sure, will still be humming along 10 or more years from now."
91 points, Robert Parker, December 2007
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Morey-Blanc Aloxe Corton Clos du Chapitre 1er Cru (Pinot Noir) 2003 [750ml/6cs] $79.90
Pierre Morey is the esteemed winemaker for Domaine Leflaive, regarded by many as the finest producer of white Burgundy, Christiane Blanc is his wife and business partner. Together they produce wines from long-contracted organic and biodynamic farmers in the Côte d'Or. This wine is one of the most complex and ethereal wines I've enjoyed in quite some time. The nose alone could stop dinner conversation in its tracks.
"Very seductive. The cherry flavor is pure, augmented by spice and woodsy notes, all backed by a lively structure. The tannins are dense yet ripe, and there's a long black cherry and spice aftertaste. Drink now through 2018. 70 cases made."
91 points, Wine Spectator, August 2006
I think that this tasting note doesn't even come close to describing the experience of this wine. My score , 92-94.
Wine & Spirits magazine named Morey-Blanc as one of Burgundy's "Wineries of the Year" for 2007. (Buying Guide 2008)
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Morey-Blanc Corton Renardes Grand Cru (Pinot Noir) 2003
[750ml/6cs] $97.90
The
hill of Corton produces some of the most famous red and white wines in
the Côte d'Or. There are more than twenty lieu-dits on Corton, the most
revered being Clos du Roi, Bressandes, Pougets and Renardes. Red Corton
is the biggest, firmest, and most masculine of all the Côte de Beaune
reds, but in the hands of Pierre Morey, this firm structure speaks of
terroir.
"The small yields (of 2003) will ultimately provide
our wines with a high concentration of fruit. All of the wines will
also be rich, generous and able to be appreciated at an early age."
Pierre Morey, September 2003
This wine is explosive! Masses of flavour. Spectacular. One sniff and you are engulfed in a kaleidoscope of aromas, which is echoed on the palate and the long finish.
My score 96+.
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Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva 2004
[750ml/12cs] $35.85
" Compressed into espresso scents and iron-hard tannins, this wine needs a day of air to show itself. The extract evolves into a rich, sweet cherry flavour, the tannins grow more classical, a peppery cares. built to age for ten years or more, this requires hours in a decanter if you open it now. Grilled sausages pick up on the wine's complex tannin and bring out it's compelling spice."
93 points, Wine & Spirits, October 2007 |
Vietti Barolo "Castiglione" 2004
[750ml/6cs] $65.00 - estimated price, ETA April 2008
" Vietti's 2004 Barolo Castiglione is superb. This impressively rich, concentrated Barolo is fresh and perfumed, with plenty of sweet fruit supported by awesome structure and power. With air delicate notes of herbs and tobacco emerge, adding further complexity. With this effort, the Castiglione bottling takes an important step in Currado's plan to make this wine much closer in quality to his single-vineyard offerings. No longer the accessible easy going wine it once was, the 2004 is a big, big wine. The Castiglione is made from a variety of plots, many of which are too small to vinify separately for purely practical reasons. These include Bricco Fiasco, Ravera, Fossati, Bussia and Le Coste (Monforte)."
92 points, Robert Parker, December 2007
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 Frog's Leap Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 [750ml/6cs] $108.35 - estimated price, ETA April 2008
"A beautiful, young Rutherford Cabernet, showing the dusty elegance and complexity of a top estate. There's a rich herbality to the cherry, cassis and blackberry fruit, suggesting fresh, green chervil, sage and thyme. Oak adds harmonious notes of vanilla, cedar and char. The tannins are thick and juvenile, but very finely ground. With 8% Merlot, this lush wine needs time. Hold until after 2008, and it should improve for another six years, conservatively."
94 points and "Cellar Selection", Wine Enthusiast, February 2008
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 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Vertical
1998 to 2002 [750ml/5cs] $768.80 for set of 5 bottles
These are the scores from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
1998 - 93 pts. "..there is no doubting that it will still provide considerable pleasure at age 15 or 16.." Aug '02
1999 - 95 pts. "..It is a substantial, palate-staining, long, muscular Cabernet that
should only be purchased by connoisseurs with cold cellars as well as
patience. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2030." Aug '02
2000 - 90 pts. "..an expansive, full-bodied palate, surprising elegance as well as
accessibility, excellent purity, and a long, layered finish. It is a
successful 2000 Cabernet to drink now and over the next 12-15 years." Dec '03
2001 - 95 pts. "..this full-bodied, pure, deep offering will be at its peak between 2010-2025." Feb '05
2002 - 95 pts. "..This rich, full-bodied effort should be going strong 20-30 years from now." Dec '06
What a treasure this collection is for the cellar!
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Cain "Concept" 2004
[750ml/6cs] $64.75
" You might call this Cain's junior version of their famous Cain Five Bordeaux blend. This one's blended from up and down the valley, and it's exceptionally fine. Dry and smooth, with richly textured tannins, it shows ripe cherries, plums and currants, with a spicy, earthy finish. Best now thru 2013."
92 points, Wine Enthusiast, February 2007
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 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 [750ml/6cs] $152.25
A wine that needs no introduction. The only wine to ever win Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year twice - the 1984 in 1989 and the 1990 in 1994, and the Napa Cab with the highest average Wine Spectator score since 1990, 94.6 points, eclipsing Harlan Estate, Shafer Hillside Select and Screaming Eagle.
"Firm, intense and well-structured, with a mix of spicy oak, red and black currant, mineral, sage and dusty berry. Turns elegant and refined, yet shows a sturdy backbone on the finish. Best from 2009 to 2014."
94 points, Wine Spectator, February 2008
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Ridge "Geyserville" 2005
[750ml/12cs] $46.00 - estimated price, ETA April 2008
[375ml/12cs] $26.95
" Some years back Ridge removed the varietal identifier from its Geyserville red wine made substantially from Zin but a field-blend in reality. But whatever they call it, it has been and continues to be a terrific Zin by any standard. Its deep but still developing aromas of berries, brownies and sweet oak give way to more open and accessible ripe-berry flavours, and, contrary to the latter day norm, the wine is free of excessive ripeness or evident heat. It has the depth to enjoy now, but given Geyserville's track record for longevity and the wine's nascent character, it is wise to cellar a few bottles."
95 points with three puffs, Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine, January 2008
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Ridge "Lytton Springs" 2005
[750ml/12cs] $46.00 - estimated price, ETA April 2008
[375ml/12cs] $26.95
" Deep red. Sweet dark berry and kirsch scents are complicated by musky herbs, dried flowers and minerals, with a suave undercurrent of oak spice contributing sweetness. Powerful cassis and bitter cherry flavours are firmed by youthful tannins, which add grip to the finish. Possesses the focus, balance and concentration to repay a decade or more in the cellar."
92 points, Stephen Tanzer, November/December 2007
"Deep, full bodied, blackberry, cherry, black pepper, anise, toasty vanilla. Classy, cellarworthy. Up to 2014."
5 of 5 stars, Decanter, April 2008
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Balgownie Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Bendigo
[750ml/12cs] $29.20
"The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon was aged in 30% new French oak. It is also purple-coloured with a bouquet of pain grille, spice box, cassis, black cherry, and black currant. In a lean and racy style, it has a wide band of ripe, concentrated fruit for balance. It will profit from 3-5 years of further aging and drink well through 2020. Balgownie Estate was established in 1968 with the first vintage in 1972. The
estate consists of 75 acres located in Bendigo in cool-climate central Victoria."
90 points, The Wine Advocate, October 2007
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Balgownie Estate Shiraz 2005 Bendigo
[750ml/12cs] $29.10
" Ruby-red. Intensely perfumed nose features vibrant raspberry and kirsch scents underscored by fresh floral and mineral accents. Silky, seductively sweet red berry flavours are framed and lifted by zesty acidity, with slow-building, fine-grained tannins on the finish. A very graceful example of shiraz, with outstanding precision and depth of sweet fruit."
91 points, Stephen Tanzer, July/August 2007
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