Rogers & Company Chateau, Villa and Estate Wines

The Top 14 of 2014!

November 2014

With another year quickly coming to a close, we proudly present to you our Top 14 Wines of 2014! These are in stock now, some in short supply, but if you act now you can enjoy some truly spectacular wines over the holidays, or cellar them away for years to come.

Please forward this around to anyone you know who loves wine as much as we do. Our website is chock full of reviews and stories and everything you would need want to know about the wines.

We represent over 125 wineries and we have over 300 wines available at all time.

We wish you a Happy and Safe Holiday Season,

Sincerely,

Chris.

Peay Vineyards
"Estate" Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2012
$80.95 per bottle, cases of 6

Consistently one of our best Chardonnays, Peay's Estate wine exemplifies the Fort Ross/Seaview AVA's exceptional soils, pushed skyward from sea floor to mountain top by eons of tectonic activity. Now these seashell riddled soils produce exceptional fruit and wines with minerally, delicate, captivating flavours and aromas.

If I bought only one Chardonnay all year, it would be the Peay Estate. For me it is the perfect balance of terroir, acidity, clarity and complexity. I recommend chilling the bottle nicely and then letting it warm to room temperature over the course of a meal. The wine is so balanced that as the flavours unfurl, the wine stays completely poised and harmonious and the flavours change dramatically.

"Bright yellow. Deeper-pitched and more expansive than the Sonoma Coast bottling, displaying scents of ripe orchard fruits, iodine, green almond and jasmine. Fleshy, smoke-accented pear and ginger flavours are braced by juicy acidity and a dusty mineral quality. Finishes smooth and long, with repeating smokiness and a touch of dried fig."

92 points, International Wine Cellar, May/June 2014

Lis Neris "Jurosa" Chardonnay 2011
$43.95 per bottle, cases of 12

"Alvaro Pecorari and his family are protagonists in the new wave of excellent vintners who have given life to the modern Friuli wine identity. His efforts focus primarily on mono-varietal expressions of white grapes and his beautiful wines are meticulously aged on fine lees with frequent batonnage. They are unified by a profound sense of depth and elegance."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Dec 2013

Of the 95 producers from Friuli reviewed in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Dec 2013) Lis Neris' received the highest average score! 92.14 points.

"The 2011 Friuli Isonzo Jurosa is a pure expression of Chardonnay that is fermented in oak and subject to 11 months batonnage on fine yeast deposits. This is a truly outstanding wine that boasts impeccable intensity and elegance - and you can't beat that outstanding price point. The 2011 vintage impresses for its finesse and purity. You could drink it now or hold it five years or more. Drink: 2014-2020."

93+ points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Dec 2013

Champagne Vilmart & Cie.
"Coeur de Cuvée" 2006
$153.95 per bottle, cases of 6

"Vilmart has quickly established cult status...since young Laurent (Champs) took over from his father in 1991, the company has become one of the true gems with the perfect wine, Coeur de Cuvée, as its most brilliant star."
4000 Champagnes, Richard Juhlin, 2005.

Our most luxurious and collectable Champagne, the Coeur de Cuvée, also represents the best value in high-end Champagne you'll likely find. The 2001 still resonates in my mind as one of the greatest wines I've ever tasted.

"The 2006 Coeur de Cuvée wraps around the palate with striking depth and nuance. Resonant and enveloping to the core, the 2006 boasts gorgeous texture and silkiness allied to the power of the year. This is a remarkably complete, and totally harmonious Champagne from Vilmart. This bottle was disgorged in March 2013."

94 points, Antonio Galloni, May 2014

Altesino
Brunello di Montalcino "Montosoli" 2009
$110.95 per bottle, cases of 6

"The 2009 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli pays great homage to the aromatic nuances inherent to Sangiovese: pressed rose and violet, berry fruit and warm earth all capped by bright balsam notes that recall eucalyptus, hummus, rosemary oil and root beer. There's a smooth note of polished river stone as well. The wine shows a steady evolution in the glass, revealing more of itself slowly and carefully. Although the palate is not as fleshed out especially when compared to more structured vintages like 2007 and 2004, this edition does an impressive job of prioritizing harmony especially in terms of the balanced acidity. This is not a Montosoli of legends, but it is a very good effort. Drink: 2017-2028."

94 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Feb 2014

"From Bien Nacido in California's Santa Barbara to Cannubi in Italy's Barolo region, there are those unforgettable vineyards - sites of profound beauty and magic - that leave an incontrovertible imprint on your mind. Each time you taste a wine from that site, the memory of that beauty is evoked in a sudden mental mirage. Montalcino's Montosoli is one of those places. This little mound of a hill sits at the foot of the Montalcino promontory like its own little island strewn haphazardly, and somewhat provokingly, in front of the whole town to admire. It seemingly mocks Montalcino with its unique sense of self. Montosoli has good reason to be smug. Of the many single-vineyard expressions in the appellation, this is one of the most distinct and profound with delicate floral and mineral nuances that are elegantly interwoven within a thicker textural consistency. Many estates source fruit from the Montosoli hill, but only Altesino has registered the name. In fact, their wine "Montosoli" born from a five-hectare plot located at 350 to 400 meters above sea level with marl and limestone soils, was one of the first single-vineyard bottlings of Brunello. It was created in 1975. Now, 40 years later, Montosoli is one of the biggest reasons why greater single-vineyard mapping efforts must become a top priority."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Feb 2014

Fontodi "Flaccianello della Pieve" IGT 2010
$111.95 per bottle, cases of 6

"Now to a superstar of Italian enology: The 2010 Flaccianello della Pieve will take your breath away. This is a seriously beautiful Sangiovese-based wine with the kind of intensity and aromatic purity you only experience every 1,000 wines or so. There's a lot to say here. First, the wine's beautiful appearance shows dark garnet colours with highlights of ruby and purple gemstone. The bouquet delivers a steady and seductive evolution with dark cherry, chocolate, spice, tobacco and sweet almond all seamlessly balanced one against the other. Its texture and inner fabric is rich, velvety and firm. There's a brilliant spot of acidity that hits you at the back of the mouth and helps the wine from feeling too heavy or dense. In fact, outstanding elegance is what ultimately sets it apart. The temptation to drink it now is huge, but those still young tannins definitely need a few more years to unwind. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035."

97+ points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Aug 2013

96+ points, Antonio Galloni, Aug 2013

96 points, Wine Spectator, web only 2014

Fontodi Chianti Classico 2010

$34.95 per bottle, cases of 12

Grown in the heart of Panzano on the famed, and envied, galestro soils of the estate, the 2010 is a powerful wine, with fine tannins, impeccable balance and many years of maturity ahead of it. In its senior years, the Fontodi Chianti Classico can be incredibly complex.

"Today, the 2010 seems to combine the finesse of the 2004 with some of the structure of the 2006. Clean veins of 2010 acidity support the brilliant, sensual finish. The 2010 is a gorgeous wine with a bright future, although readers will need to be patient. Drink 2016-2030."
93 points, Antonio Galloni, Aug 2013

"The 2010 Chianti Classico is a stunning wine that epitomizes the Conca d'Oro amphitheater of vines that distinguishes Panzano in Chianti. The wine shows seamless integration with bright fruit pitted against warmer tones of leather and tobacco. It's like a perfectly balanced scale with rich intensity on one side and elegant fruit on the other. Anticipated maturity, 2014-2025."

92 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Aug 2013

Dancing Hares
"Mad Hatter" Napa Valley 2010

$87.95 per bottle, cases of 6

A great vintage, a cult-winery and tiny production. How more interesting can Napa Cab be? In 2009 the Mad Hatter was predominently Merlot, but in 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead. 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, all from estate vineyards which sit at the base of Howell Mountain.

"The estate's 2010 Mad Hatter is a great example of this site and the vintage. Cool veins of graphite-infused minerality support a core of dark red and black fruit, mint, licorice, smoke, tobacco and incense. There is push and pull tension of fruit, acidity and minerality that makes the 2010 hugely appealing, even at this young stage. The 2010 is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with dollops of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. 2015-2018."

92 points, Antonio Galloni, Nov 2013

Caymus Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

$76.95 per bottle, cases of 12

"I am old enough to remember Chuck Wagner and his father, who I first met at Caymus in the late seventies. This is clearly one of Napa Valley's iconic wineries, as well as one that, amazingly, never went through a bad patch. Obviously, no matter which generation is in the driver's seat (or should I say tractor's seat), Caymus Vineyards knows how to deliver flavour and deliciousness.
They appear to be immune to some of winedom's less than intelligent trends and fads that we see from time to time, and the result is a spectacular 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon 40th Anniversary offering. Its dense purple/black colour is followed by copious quantities of crème de cassis and blackberry fruit, silky tannins, a voluptuous texture and stunning purity as well as length. This full-bodied effort is a fabulous example of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a tribute to this amazing family. It is so good now, why wait? However, I'm sure that like most vintages of Caymus, it will last for 20-25 years. Amazing!"

96 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Oct 2014

O'Shaughnessy Estate
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
$115.95 per bottle, cases of 6

"One of my favorite under-the-radar Napa estates."
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, Oct 2013

Anyone who has had the Cabernets from O'Shaughnessy will most certainly agree with Mr. Parker. Every year Sean Capiaux and the team at O'Shaughnessy turn out remarkable wines - 2 Cabernets, a Howell Mountain and a Mt. Veeder, and one Chardonnay from Oakville. 2012 will see the release of a new wine, the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of wines from both mountain sites.

"O'Shaughnessy's 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is beautiful. The tannins are remarkably polished and sophisticated for a Howell Mountain Cabernet. Sweet red berries, tobacco, licorice and cedar are all woven into a silky, refined finish. There is plenty of Howell Mountain salinity in the glass, but not quite the power and energy that are typical of this wine, or the best Howell Mountain Cabernets in this vintage. Overall, the 2011 is a bit on the lighter side of things, but it is quite pretty in its own way."

92 points, Antonio Galloni, Nov 2013

Boudreaux Cellars
"Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
$139.95 per bottle, cases of 6

Washington State may be #2 in volume of wine produced in the US, but it takes a back seat to no other when it comes to quality. The best wines of the Evergreen State can easily compete with California's best especially when it comes to Cabernet. Boudreaux Cellar's top wine is an excellent, exotic, one-of-a-kind wine (just like their others).

"Even better, with an iron fist in a velvet glove-like profile, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is 100% Cabernet and comes 75% from the top tier Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills and 25% from Leonetti's Loess Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley.
Aged 36 months in mostly new French oak, it offers up a brilliant array of smoked black currants, spice box, cedar, wild herbs, chocolate and serious chalky minerality on the nose. This is followed by a full-bodied, rich and decadently styled wine that has fantastic concentration, awesome polish and masses of tannin that emerge on the mid-palate and finish. It needs 3-4 years (or more) of bottle age and will age effortlessly for over two decades. Drink 2017-2028."

95 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, June 2013

Chateau Montelena "The Montelena Estate" Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
$124.95 per bottle, cases of 6

"The Estate" as it's known, is one of Napa Valley's blue-chip wines. Always delicious, always age-worthy, always collectable. One can expect 20-30 years of maturity from this wine in a year like 2010.

"The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is shaping up to be another beauty. Violets, freshly cut flowers, mint, spice box and plums all jump from the glass in this vivid, beautifully delineated Cabernet. The sense of energy and drive are pure 2010. Today, the 2010 is super-young, but it is immensely promising. I can't wait to taste this in another year, but I imagine it will still be an infant at age ten. A tiny splash of Cabernet Franc adds complexity to the Cabernet Sauvignon"

(93-95) points, Antonio Galloni, Dec 2012

Ovid 2011 Napa Valley
$429.95 per bottle, cases of 3

Perched on Pritchard Hill looking west over Napa Valley, Ovid is one of the most exciting new wineries in the valley. It has received no less than 93 points in any vintage reviewed by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

We receive only 15 three-bottle cases each year and have few left.

"The 2011 Ovid is super-silky, finessed and beautiful. There is a bit less resonance and depth relative to most vintages, but the 2011 makes up for that with its aromatic complexity, pure expressiveness and long, resonant finish. With time in the glass, the spiced and floral notes become more apparent. The delicate, perfumed finish rounds things out beautifully. The 2011 is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, which is more Cabernet Sauvignon and less Franc than is usually the case. This is another striking wine from Ovid. Drink 2015-2030."

95 points, Antonio Galloni, Nov 2013

Continuum 2011
$241.95 per bottle, cases of 6

Another Pritchard Hill Cabernet is Tim Mondavi's Continuum, a huge wine of layers and complexity. Tim treats his Cabernet like Pinot Noir - gently, using open-top fermentors and employing punch downs of the cap rather than pumping over, the resulting wine displays gentle, delicate aromatics allied with the power and depth of hillside Cabernet.

"The 2011 Continuum is a dark, brooding beauty. The heavy presence of Petit Verdot, 11% in this vintage, is clearly felt in the wine's somber, intense personality. The 2011 is going to require significant patience. It boasts superb density and pedigree, but it was also bottled just a few months ago, and is a bit unsettled at this stage. The 2011 was made from virtually all estate fruit, with a splash of Petit Verdot from Mount Veeder. Drink 2016-2031"

95+ points, Antonio Galloni, Nov 2013

Shafer "Relentless" Napa Valley 2011
$117.95 per bottle, cases of 12

Napa Valley's greatest Syrah is one of the most memorable wines that I taste every year. It was named "Relentless" to honour winemaker Elias Fernandez' relentless pursuit of perfection, and in 2012 this pursuit was rewarded when the 2008 was named Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year.

"From a more challenging vintage, the 2011 Relentless exhibits a similar opaque blue/purple colour as well as remarkable concentration and balance. With stunning perfume, purity, texture and full-bodied richness, the 2011 is slightly more evolved and softer than the 2010, but it offers much of the same character. This compelling effort is one of the superstars of the vintage in 2011."

(94-96) points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Oct 2013

Chris McLean

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