| Year | Wine | Variety | Location | Price | Num | Rating |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| 2002 | Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard | Cabernet | | 175 | 3 | 97 |
| RP-The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard (about 1,150 cases) has taken on a far more singular character and was roaring compared to its broodingly backward taste of a year ago. Inky blue/purple in color with a nose of creosote, hot rocks, blackberries, and cassis as well as a distinctive mineral character, this highly concentrated, extracted 2002 boasts tremendous density, loads of tannin, and a monster finish. It should become elegant in time, but you would have to be a masochist to want to drink this wine before giving it 5-6 more years of bottle age. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. |
| 1999 | Abadia Retuerta Adadia Retuerta | Tempranillo | A-1 | 24 | 2 | 92 |
| RP: The 1999 Abadia Retuerta reveals an opaque purple color as well as a classy, complex bouquet of flowers, black currants, raspberries, cherries, and vanilla. Full-bodied and elegant, yet concentrated as well as powerful, with impressive overall harmony, this nicely-textured, rich 1999 can be drunk now, or cellared for 10-15 years. Kudos to Abadia Retuerta's terrific winemaker, Angel Anocibar. |
| 2002 | Acacia Pinot Noir Napa Valley Carneros | Pinot Noir | C-4 | 22 | 10 | 90 |
| WS-Intense and vibrant, with a firm tannic backbone to the core of earthy blackberry and wild berry fruit. Tightens on the finish, with a hint of clove and cedary oak, at times flexing its muscles yet also offering concentration and depth. Drink now through 2009. 20,400 cases made. (JL) |
| 1998 | Allegrini Amarone Classico | Red Wine | A-5 | 65 | 1 | 95 |
| RP: Allegrini's 1998 Amarone boasts an opaque purple color as well as intense aromas of pepper, black cherries, blackberries, asphalt, and truffles. Extremely full-bodied, with lavish concentration, great stuffing, and well-concealed alcohol (15.5%), this stunning Amarone is somewhat primary, but should be at its finest in 2-3 years, and drink well for two decades. It is a worthy successor to their profound 1997. Aged 25 months in 100% new French demi-muids, it is reminiscent of a modern-styled Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape. Bravo! |
| 1997 | Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | Amarone | A-5 | 67 | 1 | 95 |
| Cellar Selection: Still closed, yet there's masses of fruit here, so give this outstanding Amarone some time. Vivid aromas of violets, berries and vanilla lead into this full-bodied wine, with its velvety, chewy tannins and a long, long finish. 11,000 cases made. RP: The spectacular, opaque purple-colored 1997 Amarone (15.4% alcohol) is from an exceptional vintage for this appellation. It possesses a gorgeous bouquet of graphite, blackberries, plums, cherries, and truffles. Although it reveals some of Amarone's pruny, raisiny, nearly over-the-top characteristics, it is full-bodied, super-rich, and concentrated, with striking purity as well as a fabulous perfume. A touch of volatile acidity gives it even more complexity and aromatic uplift. Full, voluptuous, and deep, with huge extract hiding impressive tannin levels, this winemaking tour de force will drink well for 20+ years. Readers should keep in mind that the grapes for this wine are dried for four months prior to being crushed and fermented. |
| RP-he spectacular, opaque purple-colored 1997 Amarone (15.4% alcohol) is from an exceptional vintage for this appellation. It possesses a gorgeous bouquet of graphite, blackberries, plums, cherries, and truffles. Although it reveals some of Amarone's pruny, raisiny, nearly over-the-top characteristics, it is full-bodied, super-rich, and concentrated, with striking purity as well as a fabulous perfume. A touch of volatile acidity gives it even more complexity and aromatic uplift. Full, voluptuous, and deep, with huge extract hiding impressive tannin levels, this winemaking tour de force will drink well for 20+ years. Readers should keep in mind that the grapes for this wine are dried for four months prior to being crushed and fermented. |
| 1999 | Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | Red Wine | A-5 | 75 | 3 | 95 |
| RP-The impressive 1999 Amarone della Valpolicella is from a vintage which was anything but easy, but apparently created few problems here. Rich, jammy, and spicy aromas are followed by full and voluminous flavors, broad and warmly alcoholic with abundant super-ripe fruit and notes of chocolate, solid but voluptuous and extremely long on the finish. Drink: 2005-2020 |
| 1997 | Allegrini Veronese La Poja | Amarone | A-5 | 75 | 3 | 95 |
| Loads of power but beautiful grace. Gorgeous licorice, berry, smoke, dried herbs, cherry and mineral aromas. Full-bodied, with chewy yet very fine tannins. Long-lasting on the palate. Amazing quality for this wine. Greatest wine the Allegrinis have ever made. 1,500 cases made. RP: The spectacular, opaque purple-colored 1997 Amarone (15.4% alcohol) is from an exceptional vintage for this appellation. It possesses a gorgeous bouquet of graphite, blackberries, plums, cherries, and truffles. Although it reveals some of Amarone's pruny, raisiny, nearly over-the-top characteristics, it is full-bodied, super-rich, and concentrated, with striking purity as well as a fabulous perfume. A touch of volatile acidity gives it even more complexity and aromatic uplift. Full, voluptuous, and deep, with huge extract hiding impressive tannin levels, this winemaking tour de force will drink well for 20+ years. Readers should keep in mind that the grapes for this wine are dried for four months prior to being crushed and fermented. |
| 2001 | Almaviva Puente Alto | Blend | C-8 | $85 | 6 | 95 |
| WS This brick house of a wine shows plenty of Pauillac-like hints of iron, dried currant and cigar smoke, but also has layers of Chilean loam, blackberry, plum, spice and minerals. A powerful performance in a powerful vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2005 through 2012. 15,000 cases made. |
| 1997 | Antinori Brunello di Mantalcino Pian delle Vigne | Sangiovese | A-8 | 70 | 1 | 97 |
| Cellar Selection Amazing Brunello. Fantastic aromas of blackberries, flowers and minerals. Captivating. Full-bodied, with incredible layers of ripe fruit and silky tannins. The finish last for minutes. Racy and firm now. Give it some bottle age. RP: This sexy, up-front 1997 Brunello offers aromas of lead pencil, cedar, espresso, and black cherry liqueur. Lush and medium-bodied, with sweet tannin, and a forward personality, it's a modern-styled effort that traditionalists may feel lacks the grip and tannin normally found in Brunello. Nevertheless, it is a delicious, already accessible Brunello di Montalcino to enjoy over the next 8-10 years. |
| 1998 | Antinori Brunello di Montalcino Pian delle Vigne | Sangiovese | A-8 | 60 | 6 | 92 |
| Extremely well-crafted, as usual. Fabulous aromas of strawberries and cream that soon turn to minerals and spices. Full-bodied, with very silky tannins and a long, long finish. This has plenty in reserve and needs time to develop. Best after 2004. 12,000 cases made. RP - The Antinori estate in Montalcino is comprised of vineyards purchased from Castello di Casigliano in 1995. The house, commendably, has chosen to emphasize the specific territorial character of the wine, without any excesses of new oak, a policy well reflected in the 1998 Brunello di Montalcino. A dark and ample ruby/garnet, its pure and focused nose, very varietal, expresses plums, tobacco, Mediterranean herbs, and just a kiss of oak. Elegant and solid in flavor with sustained and supple tannins, much warmth, intensity, and drive, it is balanced, layered, and fresh with considerable personality. Drink: 2005-2015. I mentioned to Renzo Cotarella, director and head winemaker of Antinori, that I considered this wine superior to the 1997. His response? “Sssh.” |
| 2002 | Archery Summit Pinot Noir Oregon Premier Cuvee | Pinot Noir | | 38 | 2 | 83 |
| WS: Lithe and spicy, with a gritty edge to the modest, earthy berry flavors. Best from 2007 through 2010. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 3,600 cases made. (HS) |
| 2001 | Argyle Chardonnay Wilamette Valley Nuthouse | Chardonnay | C-1 | 35 | 5 | 90 |
| WS: Rich in texture, with spicy, dusky pear, honey and lime flavors, finishing dry and round, with a nappy edge. Feels like it has much to develop. Drink now through 2008. 1,500 cases made. |
| 1998 | Argyle Chardonnay Willamette Valley Nuthouse | Chardonnay | B-25 | 30 | 1 | 91 |
| Ripe and creamy, beautifully silky and refined, with intense pear, peach and nutmeg flavors swirling through the rich, polished finish. Delicious now, but should develop even more depth with cellaring. Drink now through 2005. 759 cases made. |
| July 2003 - bottle tasted flat |
| 2000 | Argyle Pinot Noir Reserve | Pinot Noir | C-2 | 36 | 2 | 90 |
| RP: Lovely red fruit aromas rise from the glass of the ruby-colored 2000 Pinot Noir Reserve. This sweet, lush, tangy wine offers loads of cherries, raspberries, and spice flavors in its medium-bodied, well-delineated personality. Its finish is flavorful, structured, and long. Drink it over the next 7 years. |
| 2002 | Argyle Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Nuthouse | Pinot Noir | C-7 | 40 | 6 | 93 |
| WS-Bright, graceful and remarkable for its pure blueberry, plum and white pepper flavors riding exuberantly over a layer of fine tannins. Lingers enticingly on the firm finish. Drink now through 2012. 1,968 cases made. (HS) |
| 2002 | Argyle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | C-1 | 20 | 1 | 90 |
| WS-Smooth and round, seductively plush but not overwhelming in flavor, keeping its musky cherry, plum and tobacco flavors in harmony as they sail into the long finish. Drink now through 2008. 19,063 cases made. (HS) |
| 2001 | Artazuri Artazuri Garnacha | Grenache | A-2 | 9 | 7 | 92 |
| RP: This 3,000-case cuvee must be tasted to be believed. It tastes like a $35-50 bottle of wine. This is Juan-Carlos Lopez de la Calle’s (Artadi’s winemaker) project in the northern cool zone of the Navarra viticultural area. Made from 75-year old Grenache vines, and aged in both tank and old wood foudres, this dark ruby/purple-colored effort is a Grenache whore. Sumptuous and opulent, with gorgeously perfumed aromas of strawberries, blackberries, and cherries, tremendous purity of fruit, a medium to full-bodied texture, and a finish that remains light on its feet, it is a Spanish Chateauneuf du Pape. An amazing achievement ... bravo! |
| 3-3-04 - had with pork tenderloin. at first was pure cherry and cassis once it warmed it gained nice mouth feel and complexity. A great value. |
| 2000 | Artazuri Santa Cruz de Artazuri | Grenache | A-2 | 18 | 5 | 92 |
| RP: he 2000 Santa Cruz de Artazuri (600 cases) is 100% Grenache from a high altitude, 100+ year old vineyard with gravelly/chalky soils. The wine was aged 8-10 months in large French demi-muids, and bottled with minimal clarification. It elicited three "wow's" from me when tasted. It boasts a gorgeous perfume of black raspberry liqueur mixed with cherries, blackberries, minerals, and licorice. Although restrained, it cannot conceal its full body, opulence, richness, and overall purity. This sexy, amazing red tastes like a $50-$60 wine. Enjoy it over the next decade. This debut offering from Artazuri, a project of Juan-Carlos Lopez de la Call, the force behind Rioja's great Bodegas Artadi, is worth buying by the case. |
| 1999 | August Briggs Zinfandel Napa Valley | Zinfandel | B-5 | 32 | 3 | 91 |
| Seductive in its elegance and display of mocha-scented oak, it delivers lots of pretty flavors, with the oak framing the currant and black cherry. Finishes with a supple texture and a sense of grace. Drink now through 2007. 498 cases made. |
| 2002 | Avila Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | C-13 | 13 | 3 | 86 |
| WS-Highlights liveliness rather than richness, with plum, mocha, vanilla and black currant flavors. Intense coffee notes and modest but dry tannins linger. An excellent value. Drink now through 2006. 4,000 cases made. |
| 2000 | Az Ag Icardi Barolo Parej | Nebbiolo | A-4 | 65 | 7 | 92 |
| WS-This is really gorgeous, with loads of ripe fruit, mineral, plum and berry aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, with lots of ripe, velvety tannins and a long to medium finish. Juicy wine. This is the best I have ever had from here. Best after 2008. 1,000 cases made. (JS) |
| 2002 | Barnard & Griffin Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | C-12 | 13 | 3 | NR |
| 1997 | Barone Ricasoli Toscana Casalferro | Sangiovese | A-3 | 38 | 3 | 94 |
| Spectator Selection - A monster Italian red. Aromas of coffee, roastedmeat and ripe berries precede a full-bodied winewith mouthpuckering tannins and an enormousconcentration of fruit. What it lacks in eleganceand sophistication it gives in concentration andpower. Best after 2003. 8,750 cases made |
| 1997 | Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve Napa Valley | Blend | Sub-Zero | 35 | 2 | 94 |
| Spectator - Selection: Big, bold, rich and polished, this is an immense and deeply concentrated Cabernet blend laden with ripe plum, currant, anise, green olive and cedar notes and finishing with gripping tannins. Best from 2002 through 2012. 27,000 cases made |
| RP: The 1997 Tapestry is a Claret-styled, understated, restrained wine that looks to Europe for inspiration rather than taking advantage of the superb ripe fruit California provides. This dark ruby-colored, medium-bodied, moderately tannic effort exhibits notions of dried herbs, coffee, black cherries, and spice. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. |
| 1999 | Behrens & Hitchcock Napa Valley Merlot | Merlot | B-20 | 43 | 2 | 93 |
| RP: The 1999 Merlot Napa (700 cases of a blend of three separate vineyards, Kenefick, Jaeger, and Alder Springs), is structured. It reveals a black/purple color, terrific fruit intensity, a big, weighty, blackberry and cherry-scented nose, and plenty of volume and power in the mouth. The smoky oak is beautifully integrated, as this wine seems to have already sucked up its new oak aging. There is more tannin in the finish, but this is a large-scale, blockbuster Merlot that is probably going to need 2-3 years of cellaring and will last for 15-20 years. Don't be surprised if someone stumbles across a bottle in about two decades and thinks it is one of the finest Merlots ever made in California. |
| 1999 | Beringer Chabot Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-17 | 75 | 3 | 92 |
| RP-This Cabernet Sauvignon stood out in the 1999 vintage. This single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is only sold at the winery's tasting room. Given the limited production, and the fact that the 1999s will not be released until spring, 2004, I have kept my tasting notes succinct. |
| 1997 | Beringer Merlot Howell Mountain Bancroft Ranch Private Reserve | Merlot | B-16 | 75 | 3 | 93 |
| WS: Quite rich and flavorful, with layers of currant, black cherry, anise, cedar and toasty vanilla-scented notes, finishing long and detailed. Drink now through 2009. 7,500 cases made. RP: The 1997 Merlot Bancroft Ranch (100% new oak) is a dense, full-bodied effort exhibiting black cherry liqueur, chocolate, mineral, and lead pencil aromas and flavors. Fleshy, full-bodied, and chewy, it will be undeniably seductive upon release. It should drink well for 15+ years. |
| 2002 | Bleasdale Vineyards Frank Potts Proprietary Red Wine | Blend | C-12 | 25 | 10 | 89 |
| RP - The 2002 Frank Potts Proprietary Red, a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Malbec, and 9% Petit Verdot, was aged in new and used American and French 300 liter hogsheads. Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by sweet aromas of cassis, chocolate, dried herbs, and loamy soil/earth undertones. Full-bodied, elegant, and supple-textured, with sweet tannin, it should drink well for 5-6 years. |
| 2003 | Bodegas Caro Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec Mendoza Amancaya | Blend | C-9 | 15 | 11 | 88 |
| WS-Focused and ripe, with streamlined raspberry and blackberry fruit framed by fine-grained tannins and notes of cedar and vanilla. Nice concentration and balance, in a distinctly Bordeaux style. Drink now through 2006. 10,000 cases made. (JM) |
| 1996 | Bodegas LAN Rioja Viña Lanciano Reserva | Rioja | | 35 | 3 | 92 |
| Spectator Selection: Powerful and still youthful, this dark and muscular red from Spain has firm, ripe tannins supporting ripe, fresh flavors of black cherry, cassis, vanilla and licorice. A fine example of the international style. Drink now through 2010. 15,000 cases made. |
| 2001 | Bodegas Valsacro Dioro Seleccion | Rioja | A-3 | 37 | 6 | 96 |
| RP-The prodigious 2001 Dioro Seleccion is a 200-case cuvee packaged in a heavy bottle. Aged completely in French oak, this loaded 2001 boasts a deep purple color as well as a sweet perfume of lead pencil shavings, white chocolate, tobacco leaves, creme de cassis, cherries, cola, and smoky new oak. Full-bodied and ripe, with superb purity and a multilayered texture, this exceptional red should hit its peak in 2-4 years, and last for 15+. |
| 1997 | Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Three Sisters | Cabernet | B-13 | 85 | 2 | 92 |
| Wonderful depth, richness, and purity of flavor, with layers of mocha-laced currant, plum and cherry fruit, touches of herb and cedary oak. It finishes with a long, tapered aftertaste, with firm tannins. 300 cases made. |
| 1999 | Cakebread Carnersos Napa Valley Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | B-10 | 40 | | NR |
| 1999 | Cakebread Merlot Napa Valley | Merlot | B-14 | 45 | 5 | 87 |
| Tightly wound, intense and concentrated, with a blend of mineral-laced currant, anise and sage, with a touch of herbaceousness. Firmly tannic and in need of short-term cellaring. Best from 2003 through 2007. 3,800 cases made. ( |
| Christmas 2002 - Loved ths wine. smooth and balanced! |
| 2001 | Cakebread Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Three Sisters Vineyard | Cabernet | Case | 100 | 3 | NR |
| 2000 | Cakebread Napa Valley Chardonnay | Chardonnay | B-23 | 30 | 2 | 85 |
| Fruit-driven, with ripe pear, apple and nectarine notes. Drink now. 40,000 cases made. |
| 9-6-04 Bouqet of butterscotch and cinammon followd by pear fruit. Steely when cold . |
| 2001 | Cakebread Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-10 | 51 | 9 | 88 |
| Supple and harmonious, with a graceful core of spicy black cherry, plum and wild berry fruit that's delicately balanced, finishing with smooth, fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2012. 20,000 cases made. |
| 2000 | Capcanes Costers del Gravet les Vinyasses | Blend | A-1 | 18 | 8 | 91 |
| Solomon calls Montsant "the next Priorat," no careless boast as his wife is the owner of Priorat's Clos Erasmus. This high altitude vineyard has produced an opaque ruby/purple-colored wine with exceptional density, as well as gorgeously pure blackberry and blueberry fruit intermixed with minerals and a hint of French oak.This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Grenache (from 70-year old vines), and 10% Carignan was aged completely in French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. It is a remarkable value from importer Eric Solomon. There are 2,000 cases available in the United States. |
| 2002 | Capiaux Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Gary's Vineyard | Pinot Noir | C-4 | 35 | 2 | 87 |
| WS: Appealing for its ripe and juicy black raspberry fruit, with plenty of spice, toasty oak and a touch of fennel. Offers good depth, balanced tannins and a pretty finish. Drink now through 2007. 292 cases made. |
| 2002 | Carabella Pinot Noir Wilammete Valley Les Meres | Pinot Noir | C-2 | 30 | 2 | NR |
| 2001 | Carabella Wilamette Valley Chardonnay - Dijon Clone 76 | Chardonnay | B-24 | 21 | 4 | 87 |
| WS-Lithe, supple style offers appealing orange-scented pear and spice flavors, finishing generally creamy, with a touch of bitterness. Drink now through 2005. 530 cases made. |
| 2003 | Carabella Vineyard Wilammette Valley Pinot Gris | Pinot Gris | B-18 | 16 | 3 | 88 |
| Bright and refreshing, with effusive pear and lemon flavors, finishing dry with a mineral tang. Drink now through 2005. 135 cases made. (HS) |
| 2001 | Carlton Cellars Road's End | Pinot Noir | C-3 | 39 | 2 | 85 |
| Light, charming and refreshing for its pure berry flavors, which linger on the lean finish. Drink now through 2005. 412 cases made. (HS) |
| 1998 | Carruades de Lafitte Carruades de Lafitte | Bordeaux | A-15 | 30 | 2 | 90 |
| RP: This has become one of the finest second wines produced. The 1998 (a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc, and 1.5% Petit Verdot) is an outstanding effort. While very Lafite-like (although more supple and forward), it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to an excellent bouquet of black fruits, smoke, earth, and minerals, supple tannin, an excellent texture, and a long, fine finish. Anticipated maturity: now-2015. |
| 2002 | Casa Lapostelle Clos Apalta | Blend | C-8 | 65 | 3 | 92 |
| RP - The Clos Apalta luxury cuvee, primarily based on an old vine, non-irrigated Carmenere parcel, remains one of Chile’s standard-bearers. Displaying aromas of sweet, spicy cassis, the 2002 Clos Apalta is a concentrated, medium to full-bodied wine with intense black cherry, black currant liqueur, spice, and pepper flavors. This serious, focused, well-structured effort is jam-packed with fruit, and reveals a lengthy, tannin-studded finish. It should be drunk over the next 7-8 years. |
| 2002 | Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay Cuvee Alexandre | Chardonnay | C-9 | 18 | 6 | 91 |
| WS-Alluring nose of honey and spice, with lots of lush fig, Bosc pear and piecrust flavors. Long, smoky finish has notes of grilled hazelnuts and pear tartine, but it stays stylish and balanced. Drink now through 2005. 5,800 cases made. ( |
| 2001 | Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta | Cabernet | C-8 | 50 | 5 | 95 |
| The Clos Apalta luxury cuvee, primarily based on an old vine, non-irrigated Carmenere parcel, remains one of Chile’s standard-bearers. The medium to full-bodied 2001 Clos Apalta explodes from the glass with powerful scents of black raspberries, cassis liqueur, and hints of mocha. An elegant yet immensely ripe wine, it offers spicy black cherry flavors in its bright, high-toned, and tannin-laced character. Projected maturity: 2007-2012. WS-Stunning purity, with concentrated plum, boysenberry and raspberry fruit that just glides across the palate, buttressed by superfine yet muscular tannins. Suave toast, coconut butter and spice notes along with alluring chocolate and black tea hints chime in on the long finish. A superb combination of fruit and elegance. Drink now through 2009. 4,885 cases made. (JM) |
| 2002 | Casa Laposttolle Chardonnay Cuvee Alexandre | Chardonnay | C-9 | 17 | 6 | 91 |
| Ws-Alluring nose of honey and spice, with lots of lush fig, Bosc pear and piecrust flavors. Long, smoky finish has notes of grilled hazelnuts and pear tartine, but it stays stylish and balanced. Drink now through 2005. 5,800 cases made. (JM) |
| 2002 | Cascabel Shiraz Fleurieu | Shiraz | C-10 | 30 | 7 | 93 |
| RP-This superb, Cote Rotie-styled Shiraz offers delicious notes of bacon fat, creme de cassis, tapenade, and spicy oak. Aged in 500 liter French hogsheads (20% new), it is an elegant yet authoritatively flavorful effort revealing a wonderful texture as well as a rich, long finish. Enjoy it now and over the next 5-8 years. |
| 2000 | Castell del Remei Gotim Bru | Tempranillo | A-1 | 12 | 9 | 92 |
| RP: There is only one word for a wine such as Castell dei Remei's 2000 Gotim Bru ... awesome! This unfined/unfiltered, 12,000-case blend of 55% Tempranillo, 20% Merlot, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color as well as sumptuous aromas of cedar, black currants, licorice, scorched earth, and graphite. It is full-bodied, sweet, and rich, with fabulous purity and texture. This compelling wine will age well for a decade, although who can resist the full-bodied, intense pleasures it currently offers. Readers seeking a restrained, politically correct, wimpy wine should look elsewhere. Amazing stuff! |
| Smooth with light tannins - drank with Louis and Barrett on 12/24/03 - bottle served too cold. |
| 2001 | Castell del Remei Gotim Bru | Tempranillo | A-1 | 11 | 17 | 89 |
| RP: A custom cuvee fashioned for the American importer, this barrel-aged blend of 60% Tempranillo and 40% Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, is a big, muscular, formidably endowed Spanish red. Highly extracted, thick and rich, but less than charming at present, it will undoubtedly be better with 6-9 more months of bottle age. Consume it over the following 7-8 years. |
| 1997 | Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino | Sangiovese | A-4 | 50 | 4 | 94 |
| A Brunello for everyone. Solid and focused, with mineral, blackberry and licorice character. Full-bodied and very chunky, with lots of round tannins and a long, long finish. Needs time to open. Best after 2003. 32,500 cases made. (JS) Parker: The internationally-styled, dark ruby/garnet-colored 1997 Brunello di Montalcino is somewhat one-dimensional, offering straightforward aromas of sweet new oak, black cherries, and currant fruit. In the mouth, it is medium-bodied and clean with a modest finish. There is sweet fruit, but little complexity, depth, or length. However, it is one of the finest wines this estate has yet produced. Drink it over the next decade. |
| Opened 2 for open that bottle night at the Richardson's. At first was tight. After 2 hours it opened up but in comparison to the other wines - '88 Lynch bages and '88 Monte Bello Ridge seemed austere. A little disappointing. |
| 2003 | Caymus California Zinfandel | Zinfandel | B-1 | 25 | 3 | NR |
| 1999 | Caymus Conundrum California | White Wine | Missing | 22 | 2 | 89 |
| Floral, peach and vanilla flavors taste sweet and lively, with a toasty oak underpinning. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat, Sémillon and Viognier. 20,000 cases made. |
| 2001 | Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | | 54 | 3 | 92 |
| A stylish wine with layers of rich, polished Cabernet fruit and a chorus of currant, herb and black cherry accompanied by pretty smoke and toasty oak. The long, soothing, complex aftertaste keeps pumping out the flavors. Drink now through 2011. 24,000 cases made. (JL) |
| 2001 | Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection | Cabernet | B-18 | 126 | 3 | 95 |
| WS-Lots of aromatic complexity, with ripe plum, blackberry, mineral, slate and cedary oak flavors that are rich and concentrated, with ripe, polished tannins and a long, full-bodied finish that echoes mocha and berry flavors. Keeps revealing vivid and thick flavor nuances. Another amazing Caymus Special Selection. Best from 2005 through 2013. 7,885 cases made. (JL) |
| 1995 | Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella | Red Wine | A-7 | 40 | 1 | |
| 2001 | Chateau Camensac Camensac | Bordeaux | B-1 | 20 | 6 | 86 |
| A sleeper of the vintage, this is one of the finest Camensacs I have tasted over the last 25 years. Deep ruby/purple, with sweet cassis fruit intermixed with spice box, tobacco, and licorice, this medium-bodied, concentrated 2001 has low acidity, a persistent finish, and no hard edges. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2015. |
| 2000 | Chateau Lascombes Lascombes | Bordeaux | A-15 | 36 | 2 | 90 |
| RP: This has become one of the finest second wines produced. The 1998 (a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc, and 1.5% Petit Verdot) is an outstanding effort. While very Lafite-like (although more supple and forward), it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to an excellent bouquet of black fruits, smoke, earth, and minerals, supple tannin, an excellent texture, and a long, fine finish. Anticipated maturity: now-2015. |
| 2000 | Chateau Lascombes Margeaux | Bordeaux | | 40 | 2 | 90 |
| This estate was recently sold to an American consortium, which has put Dr. Alain Raynaud (of Quinault l'Enclos and La Fleur de Gay), Yves Vatelot (proprietor of the over-achieving generic Bordeaux, Reignac), and Bruno Le Moine (formerly of Montrose) in charge of the winemaking. It is clearly an estate to watch closely given the immense investment being made in the vineyard and winery, as well as the strict selection process first employed in the 2000 vintage. This beauty is undoubtedly the finest Lascombes produced in more than thirty years. A tribute to an incredibly severe selection as well as the consulting skills of Alain Raynaud and Yves Vatelot, this 2000 continues to develop beautifully. Its deep purple color is accompanied by a sweet perfume of smoke, licorice, minerals, and black fruits. With excellent texture, low acidity, a long, concentrated mid-palate, and an impressive finish, this medium-bodied Margaux should be drinkable early, but evolve nicely for 15-18 years. (feb 2002) The first superb Lascombes in nearly 35 years, this generous, deep ruby/purple-colored 2000 does not possess the complexity or finesse of the 2001, but offers plenty of perfumed, smoky licorice, black currant, and cherry fruit in a medium-bodied, long, concentrated style with no hard edges. While it possesses a more muscular, tannic character than the 2001, it is clearly the finest wine made at this estate since their classic 1966 and 1970. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2016. |
| 1998 | Chateau Pesquie Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee des Terrasses | Rhone | A-12 | 10 | 2 | 90 |
| RP: Wow! What a terrific bargain! This dense ruby/purple-colored blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, from one of the over-achieving, small estates in the Cotes du Ventoux (15 kilometers from Gigondas), is aged in a combination of tanks and barrels. Although not complex, readers looking for a wine with gorgeous levels of blackberry and cherry fruit, an unctuous texture, good fatness, and juicy thickness will enjoy this plump, lusty, powerful effort with no hard edges. |
| 1999 | Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County Cinq Cépages | Blend | B-21 | 70 | 3 | 95 |
| Highly Recommended - Gorgeous Cabernet, offering a mix of ripe, rich, fleshy currant and blackberry fruit, with hints of herb, olive and sage. Finishes with a firm, structured backbone and ripe tannins giving it depth and richness. Drink now through 2014. 13,000 cases made. |
| 1999 | Chateau St. Michelle Columbia Valley Syrah | Syrah | B-4 | 29 | 3 | 85 |
| WS: Firm with a gamy edge to the basic berry flavors, finishing a bit tight and ungenerous. Needs time to open up. Best after 2003. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 1,899 cases made. |
| 1999 | Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot Columbia Valley Indian Wells Vineyard | Merlot | | 32 | 3 | 89 |
| Soft, almost plush, with pretty plum and berry fruit under a veil of fine-grained tannins and spicy oak, the flavors echoing with a touch of black pepper on the finish. Drink now through 2005. 3,000 cases made. |
| Nice soft tannins - impressive at first, but lost interest after a while. after taste is a bit harsh |
| 1998 | Château Bahans Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan | Bordeaux | A-16 | 34 | 3 | 88 |
| RP: Readers looking for the taste of Haut-Brion for about one-third the price should check out the 1998 Bahans-Haut-Brion. It possesses a scorched earth, mineral, smoky, red and black currant-scented bouquet, terrific complexity, purity and elegance, and a harmonious palate. Tannin in the finish suggests 1-2 years of cellaring may be required, but this is a serious effort that should age well for 15+ years. WS: Subtle aromas of raspberry, vanilla and mineral. Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit, ultrafine tannins and a long, long finish. Amazing for a second wine. Best after 2008. 10,000 cases made. |
| 1998 | Château Cabrières Châteauneuf-du-Pape Prestige Tête de Cru | Rhone | A-13 | 42 | 3 | 94 |
| Classy. Like sipping cream, it's so silky. Ripe but not overdone, delivering mineral, sweet black fruit and red berry, with a toasted, smoky grilled fowl character. Harmonious finish. Drink now through 2010. 1,250 cases made. RP: Given the fact that this estate has a tendency to do too much processing at bottling, this score could drop, but let's hope common sense prevails, and there is a hands off policy at bottling. There is a lot to like in this wine. The 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige displays both outstanding potential and undeniable hedonistic appeal. I would beg the proprietors not to fine or filter this wine unless it becomes unstable. Dark plum-colored, with a sweet, jammy fruit cake/black cherry and cedary nose that jumps from the glass, this full-bodied effort possesses layers of glycerin and richness, low acidity, high alcohol, and a lusty, hedonistic finish. It should prove to be a gorgeous, expansively-flavored wine that may be the finest Chateauneuf du Pape produced at this estate since 1961 - if it is not stripped at bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2015. |
| 2001 | Cline Contra Costa County Small Berry Mourvedre | Mourvedre | B-3 | 30 | 5 | 89 |
| A brawny galoot of a red, with roasted herb, eucalyptus, black currant and plum tones. Loads of cedary oak and firm tannins carry through the concentrated finish. Drink now through 2008. 1,498 cases made. (JL) |
| Had with Grilled lam chops and was superlative wth abundant spices of lavendar and sage and well integrated tannns. A fantastic wine. 3-2004 |
| 1997 | Cloudy Bay Chardonnay Marlborough | Chardonnay | | 23 | 0 | 86 |
| Bright and crisp, with a floral edge to the tart pineapple and mineral flavors. Drink now through 2001. 1,000 cases imported. (HS) |
| Great spicy flavors |
| 2000 | Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve | Cabernet | B-13 | 29 | 3 | 93 |
| Ripe in flavor, remarkably supple and lithe, letting the seductive black currant, cherry, plum and coffee notes sail impressively into a long and satisfying finish. It never gets heavy, but it's darned intense. Drink now through 2012. 1,000 cases made. |
| 1998 | Cornerston Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Cornerstone Vineyard | Cabernet | B-19 | 50 | 3 | 90 |
| A touch earthy and herbal, with appealing juicy blackberry and black cherry fruit, but the wine lacks focus, picking up a pickley, sour edge on the finish. Drink now through 2007. 1,170 cases made. |
| RP: he 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa is polished, with sweet tannin, ripe fruit, and great density as well as overall harmony. It is an impressive effort for the vintage. A deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by sweet, smoky, black currant flavors intermixed with notes of oak and pencil shavings. The wine is round, succulent, and low in acidity. It will drink well for 12+ years. |
| 1999 | David Bruce Central Coast Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | B-15 | 20 | 1 | NR |
| 2001 | Doisy Vedrines Doisy Vedrines | Sauternes | | 30 | 6 | 91 |
| Light gold with a gorgeous nose of tropical fruits, caramel, spice, and honey, this rich, intense, full-bodied Sauternes is moderately sweet with good acidity and loads of fruit and flesh. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2016. |
| 1999 | Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru | Pinot Noir | A-13 | 85 | 5 | 91 |
| RP: The dark ruby-colored 1999 Clos Des Lambrays exhibits blackberry, cassis, blood orange, and spice aromas. It is medium-bodied, with a well-made candle wax, blackberry, cassis, and hoisin sauce-flavored personality. This spicy, extroverted wine is velvety-textured and appealing. Grand crus of the Cote de Nuits were entitled to 46 hectoliters per hectare yields (including the PLC) and the Domaine des Lambrays produced 45.5 hectoliters per hectare. My impression is that they would have achieved a more concentrated, deeper, and longer finishing wine if their yields had been more moderate. Drink this wine over the course of the next 10-12 years. |
| 2002 | Domaine Joseph Matrot Meursault | Chardonnay | | 32 | 3 | 89 |
| WS- Very floral, minty in aroma, followed by peach and apricot flavors, this is ripe, yet has a tart underlying acidity. Still, it has an appeal and personality, with a subtle finish. Best from 2005 through 2008. 500 cases imported. (BS) |
| 2001 | Domaine La Garrigue Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Romaine | Rhone | B-1 | 12 | 12 | 91 |
| RP: Believe me, this wine will shock the bejesus out of you. An 8,000-case custom cuvee (no new oak, just oodles of fruit and character), importer Eric Solomon has hit the bull’s eye with this blend of 75% old vine Grenache and the balance Syrah and Mourvedre. A thick, inky/purple color is followed by a knock-out perfume of melted licorice, roasted meats, black cherries, and blackberry jam. This full-throttle, pedal to the metal Cotes du Rhone tastes like a top-flight Chateauneuf du Pape. It is declassified Vacqueyras that the importer convinced this traditionally run domaine to bottle early as well as unfiltered. The texture is opulent, and the wine is an astonishing value. Drink it over the next decade. Ka-boom! This wine held up beautifully for three days without oxidation. |
| 1998 | Domaine de Nallys Chateauneuf-du-Pape | Rhone | A-13 | 35 | 1 | 88 |
| RP: The 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape is excellent. One of the finest traditional cuvees Nalys has produced over recent vintages, it exhibits a dark ruby/plum color, as well as an impressive bouquet of sweet, candied strawberry and cherry fruit intermixed with pepper, dried herbs, and leather. The wine is sweet, rich, and fat, with kirsch liqueur, medium to full body, a nicely layered texture, well-integrated tannin, and a silky finish. My notes read "cherry liqueur galore." Anticipated maturity: now-2010. |
| 1998 | Domaine de Villeneuve Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes | Rhone | A-13 | 35 | 1 | 88 |
| A tannic, backward, monolithic style of Chateauneuf du Pape, this old vine cuvee (50% of the vineyard is 40 years or older, with 19% 90 years or older) is a solid, well-endowed, concentrated effort with dusty cherry fruit, dried herbs, and pepper notes. The color is a healthy dark ruby with purple nuances. Closed, firm, and big, but needing coaxing, this Chateauneuf du Pape requires 3-4 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2015. |
| 1998 | Domaine de la Roquette Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Rhone | A-12 | 25 | 2 | 90 |
| RP: Since proprietor Daniel Brunier installed a new winemaking facility at La Roquette, this wine, which has always been good, has taken a noticeable leap in quality. Aged totally in foudre before being bottled, La Roquette is usually a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre. |
| 2000 | Domaine de la Vougeraie Gevrey Chambertin Bel Air | Pinot Noir | | 40 | 6 | 84 |
| Great intensity lingers on the palate and the finish, but there is a tartness in this wine that distracts from the sweet, ripe fruit. Medium-bodied, with tough, rustic tannins robbing the pleasure of drinking it for now, but give it time. Best from 2006 through 2010. |
| 2000 | Domaine de la Vougeraie Nuits St Georges Les Damodes | Pinot Noir | | 60 | 6 | 84 |
| Modern style, very extracted, dark and oaky, this medium- to full-bodied Pinot delivers plenty of tar, smoke, toast and black fruit aromas. The tannins are ripe but turn tough on the finish. Drink now through 2008. |
| 2000 | Domaine de la Vougeraie Pommard Les Petits Noizons | Pinot Noir | | 45 | 6 | NR |
| 2002 | Domained de Pegau Plan Pegau | Red Wine | A-13 | 11 | 2 | NR |
| 1999 | Dominus Estate Napa Valley | Blend | B-21 | 119 | 3 | 95 |
| Collectible: A wine of great intensity, depth and complexity. Beautifully crafted, ripe, rich and creamy, showing off pretty vanilla and mocha-scented oak before a deep core of currant, blackberry, black cherry and minerally flavors fold in. Firm tannins add structure on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2004 through 2014. 7,000 cases made. |
| 2000 | Dow's Vintage Port | Port | C-7 | 80 | 11 | 94 |
| An opaque blue/purple color (typical of this vintage's top offerings) is followed by a strikingly provocative aromatic display (flowers, licorice, blackberries, and cassis). This firmly-structured, classic, tightly-knit, restrained port exhibits brilliant purity as well as impressive intensity. While not the most dramatic or flamboyant, it is a beautiful, classically structured port that will age gracefully. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2030. |
| 1998 | Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley | Merlot | B-16 | 43 | 1 | 85 |
| Lean and tight, with a trim band of chocolate, berry and cedar, picking up a spicy, salty flavor on the finish. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 20,552 cases made. (JL) |
| 1999 | Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley Three Palms Vineyard | Merlot | B-20 | 70 | 3 | 92 |
| RP: The 1999 Merlot Three Palms Vineyard possesses a deep ruby/purple color as well as a striking perfume of black fruits and subtle floral, foresty, and new oak notes. It is full-bodied and rich, with well-integrated tannin, and a long finish. This impressive 1999 will drink well between 2005-2016. WS: Smooth and harmonious, with layers of supple, well-integrated currant, herb, tobacco and light mocha-scented oak. An elegant, well-crafted wine that wows you with finesse and grace, offering a pleasing earthiness on the finish. Drink now through 2007. 1,930 cases made. |
| 2000 | Ducru Beaucaillou Ducru Beaucaillou | Bordeaux | | 115 | 12 | 94 |
| An ethereal effort, the 2000 Ducru Beaucaillou is a reserved, backward yet authoritative Ducru with a firm structure, plenty of grip, significant concentration, and floral, black raspberry, and currant notes intermixed with tell-tale mineral characteristics. This gorgeous offering will require 8-10 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2035 |
| 2002 | Dutton Goldfield Pinot Noir Marin Conty Devil's Gulch Ranch | Pinot Noir | C-4 | 48 | 2 | 87 |
| WS: Appealing for its ripe, juicy, zesty plum and wild berry flavors, along with hints of anise, flowers, nutmeg, turning elegant and polished on the finish. Drink now through 2007. 431 cases made. (JL) |
| 2000 | Eric Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape | Rhone | A-12 | 27 | 12 | 92 |
| RP: Even better than the 1999, is the 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape. It reveals a deeper ruby/purple color along with sumptuous scents of creme de cassis, kirsch liqueur, licorice, and Provencal herbs. Boasting abundant glycerin, fuller body, additional black fruit characteristics, low acidity, ripe tannin, and a longer finish, it should be silky and accessible upon release. Anticipated maturity: now-2015. |
| 1997 | Ferrari-Carano Tresor Reserve Sonoma County | Blend | B-9 | 46 | 9 | 92 |
| Lots of up-front, ripe black cherry, plum and wild berry flavors, leading to a firm yet supple texture and finishing with depth and richness. Best from 2001 through 2009 |
| 2-22-03 - fantastc withh T-bone. Drank after a Mondavie reserve Merlot (97) and a Gotim Bru. Much more spice and depth. prompted Darrell to go out and some. |
| 1999 | Flora Springs Chardonnay Napa Valley Reserve | Chardonnay | B-23 | 26 | 1 | 92 |
| Spectator Selection: This deliciously ripe and refreshing California white boasts tiers of spicy pear, apple, peach and hazelnut, that pick up enticing spiciness, with vanilla and floral aromatics. Drink now through 2005. 5,700 cases made. |
| 2000 | Flora Springs Trilogy | Blend | C-13 | 60 | 8 | 87 |
| RP-The 2000 Trilogy, a dense ruby/purple-colored blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 7% Malbec, and 8% Cabernet Franc, exhibits notes of cedar, licorice, black currants, and herbs. Medium-bodied, with sweet tannin as well as an elegant, Bordeaux-like, slightly austere finish, this stylish, elegant effort is best drunk over the next 7-8 years. |
| 2001 | Flora Springs Trilogy | Blend | | 60 | 8 | 91 |
| RP-The 2001 Trilogy (a 7,500-case cuvee of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Franc) reveals an elegant, Bordeaux-like style (reminiscent of Cantemerle) offering hints of menthol and herbs intermixed with red currants, cranberries, and cherries. This elegant, medium-bodied wine is understated, restrained, and attractive. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. 2005 The brilliant 2001 vintage is well represented by the 2001 Trilogy, a 10,000 case blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Malbec. This dense ruby/purple-colored effort exhibits a sweet bouquet of flowers, mulberries, jammy black cherries, currants, licorice, and dried herbs. Elegant and medium-bodied with loads of fruit, this finesse-styled California red is already drinking beautifully, but there is plenty of upside given its tannic structure. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2014. 2 |
| 1998 | Flora Springs Trilogy Proprietary Red Wine | Blend | B-22 | 40 | 0 | 88 |
| RP: he 1998 Trilogy Proprietary Red Wine reveals the vintage's shortcomings. It is a very good, even excellent wine, but the vintage's short, cool growing season has given the wine more austerity than normal. A blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Malbec, it offers plenty of spicy new oak, mineral, licorice, and damp, foresty aromas and flavors. Elegant and medium-bodied, it is best drunk over the next 10-12 years. |
| 1996 | Fontanabianca Barbaresco | Nebbiolo | A-6 | 39 | 1 | 91 |
| A really ripe Barbaresco that's very tight. Lots of dried plum, berry and flowers. Full-bodied and compacted, with lots of chewy tannins and a long, mouthpuckering finish. Best after 2003. |
| 2000 | Fransiscan Oakville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-1 | 19 | 12 | 90 |
| WS: Quite reliant on jazzy oak, but it's also quite rich and concentrated, with appealing currant, black cherry, anise, mineral and leathery notes, finishing with pretty coffee ground notes. Drink now through 2009. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 88,858 cases made. (JL) |
| 2003 | Georges DuBoeuf Prestige Fleurie | Beaujolais | A-8 | 17 | 3 | 92 |
| RP: Only 800-900 cases of the outstanding 2003 Fleurie Cuvee Prestige were produced. Aged in 30% new oak and 20% one-year-old barrels, this offering displays a spicy, red cherry-scented nose of a top-flight red Cote de Beaune. Chunky-textured, concentrated, and well-extracted, it covers the palate with deep, dark cherries. Its powerful, impressively endowed personality, dense fruit as well as the track record of this wine’s older siblings in my cellar, herald a bright future. Projected maturity: 2005-2013. |
| 2002 | Goldwater Dog Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc | Sauvignon Blanc | C-14 | 30 | 3 | 90 |
| WS-Bright, vivid, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, fragrant with lime and passion fruit, leaning toward mineral notes as the flavors linger on the zingy finish. Drink now. 13,000 cases made. (HS) |
| 1999 | Goldwater Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Dog Point | Sauvignon Blanc | | 19 | 4 | 90 |
| Spectator Selection - Fresh and lively describe this young New Zealand white, offering up bright apple, nectarine and citrus flavors that linger enticingly on the racy finish. Yummy now. 10,000 cases made. |
| 1975 | Graham's Vinatage Porto | Port | C-7 | 50 | 1 | 78 |
| WS-Even Graham didn't make a very good wine in this marginal vintage. Medium red with a light edge, it has a grapy, spicy nose, with light, soft fruit on the palate and a rather short finish. (JS) |
| 1994 | Grand Puy Lacoste Grand Puy Lacoste | Bordeaux | A-15 | 45 | 6 | 90 |
| Grand-Puy-Lacoste is the drinker's Pauillac. It is not an investment wine (having been largely forgotten by the trophy hunters and investors looking to make a quick buck), although certain vintages (1982 and 1990) have tripled in price. Grand-Puy-Lacoste, usually loaded with character and personality, has enjoyed three fine vintages in 1993-95, with each of these years under-priced for such quality. The 1994 has turned out to be an outstanding effort for this estate. The wine reveals even more flesh than it did prior to bottling, as well as the high tannin that marks many of this vintage's wines. The color is an opaque ruby/purple, and the nose offers up a gorgeously pure blast of sweet cassis fruit. Medium to full-bodied, with layers of extract, this classic, rich, powerful Pauillac will be at its best between 2003-2020. A sleeper! |
| 1995 | Grand Puy Lacoste Grand Puy Lacoste | Bordeaux | A-15 | 90 | 3 | 95 |
| RP: Another unbelievably rich, multidimensional, broad-shouldered wine, with slightly more elegance and less weight than the powerhouse 1996, this gorgeously proportioned, medium to full-bodied, fabulously ripe, rich, cassis-scented and flavored Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a beauty. It should be drinkable within 4-5 years, and keep for 25-30. This classic Pauillac is a worthy rival to the other-worldly 1996. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2025. |
| 2000 | Grand-Puy-Lacoste Grand-Puy-Lacoste | Bordeaux | CB | 55 | 12 | 94 |
| 2/2002 - The large-scaled 2000 Grand Puy Lacoste's saturated purple color is accompanied by a perfume redolent with aromas of cassis, tobacco, and licorice. Deep, rich, muscular, and full-bodied, it is a prototype Pauillac emphasizing ripe cassis fruit and purity. There is plenty of tannin, but it is not out of balance. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025. 4-2001: Grand Puy Lacoste's trademark characteristic in the top vintages, its creme de cassis fruit character, is abundantly displayed in the 2000, a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. The wine exhibits a deep purple color, sweet cassis notes, superb ripeness, and full-bodied, concentrated, rich flavors. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2025. |
| 1997 | Grgich Hills Chardonnay Napa Valley | Chardonnay | B-24 | 30 | 1 | 91 |
| Cellar Selection: This is serious Chardonnay. Intense and bright, it's rich in pure varietal flavors, with tiers of pear, citrus, vanilla, honey and spice that build in complexity and gain nuance through the finish. Drink now or hold until 2004. 39,000 cases made. |
| 1999 | Hacienda Monasterio Monasterio Crianza | Tempranillo | A-2 | 30 | 3 | 92 |
| RP- A brilliant effort made by the masterful Peter Sisseck, this 100% French oak-aged offering boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as superb aromas of melted chocolate, licorice, espresso, and black fruits. It possesses a character similar to Pingus, the Ribera del Duero that made Sisseck famous. Full-bodied and chewy, with tremendous purity, palate presence, and length, its sweet tannin and low acidity suggest drinking it now and over the next 10-12 years. For statisticians, it is a blend of 70% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Merlot |
| 2002 | Heidler Maximus | Gruner Veltliner | | 30 | 12 | |
| 1996 | Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | | 128 | 1 | 93 |
| WS: As distinctive as they come. Lots of rich minty chocolate flavors and aromas in this bottling, with black cherry, currant, anise and cedar, finishing with a long, complex, concentrated aftertaste that keeps pumping flavors. Drink now through 2010. |
| 1999 | Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-21 | 126 | 3 | NR |
| 2002 | Hendry Hendry Block 7 Napa Valley Zinfandel | Zinfandel | B-2 | 35 | 3 | 90 |
| WE-A rich, lush, round wine that's quite fruit forward, showing plenty of black cherry, plum, strawberry, chocolate, herb, spice and blueberry flavors. Extremely soft textured, yet structured. A sexy, plush style that is long on the finish. - J.M. |
| 2002 | Hiedler Gruner Veltliner Thal 2002 | Gruner Veltliner | A-11 | 23 | 5 | |
| 2002 | Jezebel Pinot Blanc | Pinot Blanc | C-16 | 15 | 2 | 87 |
| WS-Light and tangy, with citrus and passion fruit notes around a nice core of pear, finishing barely off-dry. Drink now. 230 cases made. (HS) |
| 1994 | Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley | Cabernet | B-18 | 34 | 2 | 88 |
| Tight, firmly tannic and well focused, with complex cherry, currant, menthol and cedar flavors. Turns dry and tannic on the finish, but it's not out of line for its age. Needs cellaring. Best from 2000 through 2008. 52,000 cases made. |
| 2002 | Joseph Phelps Insignia | Blend | | 150 | 6 | 97 |
| RP-The 2002 Insignia is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. This wine has put on considerable weight since last year. An exotic nose of spice box, soy, creme de cassis, chocolate, espresso, and various spices is followed by extravagant fruit on the attack, a voluptuous, medium to full-bodied palate, and a long, ripe, concentrated finish with the tannins well-concealed behind significant glycerin and concentration. This beauty is more extroverted than the 2001. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2023 |
| 1994 | Kalin Chardonnay | Chardonnay | | 39 | 0 | |
| 1994 | Kalin Semillon | Semillon | B-20 | 30 | 4 | NR |
| 2001 | Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir Wilamette Valley Elton Vineyard | Pinot Noir | C-3 | 50 | 2 | 91 |
| Firm and crisp, nicely packed with blueberry, currant and white pepper flavors that linger on the finish, hinting at mineral notes. Drink now through 2008. |
| 2001 | Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir Wilammette Valley Canary Hill Vineyard | Pinot Noir | C-3 | 50 | 2 | 90 |
| Supple and seductive, weaving its plum and berry flavors through a fine veil of tannins, emerging on the lovely finish to echo nicely. Drink now through 2007. 750 cases made. (HS) |
| 2002 | Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Canary Hill Vineyard | Pinot Noir | C-5 | 45 | 6 | 91 |
| RP- The 2002 Pinot Noir Canary Hill Vineyard sports a plummy, red cherry-scented nose. Medium to full-bodied, lush and suave, it offers rich layers of red cherry-laced fruit. This beautifully rendered, sweet, embracing wine should be drunk over the next 6-7 years. WS-Lean and a bit chewy, with cherry and pomegranate flavors against an earthy, meaty edge. Needs time to soften. Best from 2006 through 2010. |
| 2002 | Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir Willamette Valley McCrone Vineyard | Pinot Noir | C-6 | 45 | 23 | 90 |
| WS-Big and broad, with fine but chewy tannins around a rich core of currant and black cherry fruit that emerges with intensity on the generous finish. Best from 2006 through 2012. 432 cases made. (HS) |
| 2002 | Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Meredith Mitchell Vineyard | Pinot Noir | C-5 | 45 | 6 | 91 |
| WS-Firm and fine in texture, with a bright core of raspberry and boysenberry flavors, overtones of earth and floral notes weaving through the finish. Best from 2005 through 2012. 180 cases made. |
| 2002 | Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Shea Vineyard | Pinot Noir | C-5 | 45 | 5 | 89 |
| WS-On the crisp side, but with ripe, focused currant, berry and spice flavors, a bit lifted and earthy on the long, solid finish. Best from 2005 through 2012. 584 cases made. (HS) |
| 2003 | Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc | Sauvignon Blanc | C-14 | 16 | 5 | 90 |
| WS: Bright and generous. Impressively balanced to show touches of ripe melon against tart grapefruit and lime flavors that echo nicely on the lively, delicately herbal finish. Drink now. 35,000 cases made. (HS) |
| 2002 | Kistler Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Les Noisetiers | Chardonnay | C-2 | 55 | 6 | NR |
| 2000 | Kongsgaard Napa Valley Chardonnay | Chardonnay | B24 | 70 | 3 | 94 |
| RP-The 2000 Chardonnay is evolving quickly for an offering from this estate. While a top vintage can easily hold up to a decade of cellaring, the 2000 is best consumed over the next two years. Full-bodied, with a striking minerality in addition to a concoction of orange citrus oil flavors, this medium to full-bodied Chardonnay possesses crisp acidity, a hint of roasted nuts, and a long finish. I tasted through a half dozen bottles I purchased, and each appeared to be slightly more evolved than the previous, a complete contrast to how the 1997 and 1999 have matured. Drink it over the next 1-2 years. |
| 2003 | Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley | Pinot Noir | C-2 | 38 | 3 | 93 |
| WS: Wonderful intensity, structure and depth of ripe fruit built around a core of intense plum, blackberry and wild berry fruit flavors. Keeps a tight focus through the finish, where the flavors gain complexity and nuance, adding a dash of fresh earth flavors. Drink now through 2009. 450 cases made. (JL) |
| 2000 | L'Ecole No. 41 Sémillon Walla Walla Valley Seven Hills Vineyard | Semillon | B-20 | 22 | 4 | 89 |
| Polished, round and spicy, this white is distinctive for its ultrasmooth texture and fig, butter and spice flavors, which linger gently on the slightly alcoholic finish. Drink now through 2004. 734 cases made. |
| Great with seafod |
| 1999 | La Carraia Fobiano Vino da Tavola | Merlot | A-4 | 38 | 6 | 90 |
| RP: La Carraia's exceptional 1999 Fobiano (2,000 cases of an unfiltered barrique-aged blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as an intensely perfumed nose of black cherries, mocha, smoke, and earth, deep, medium to full-bodied flavors, and a nicely-layered personality. This beauty should drink well for 7-8 years. |
| 1999 | La Carraia Fobiano Vino da Tavola | Blend | | 38 | 6 | 90 |
| RP: La Carraia's exceptional 1999 Fobiano (2,000 cases of an unfiltered barrique-aged blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as an intensely perfumed nose of black cherries, mocha, smoke, and earth, deep, medium to full-bodied flavors, and a nicely-layered personality. This beauty should drink well for 7-8 years. |
| 2000 | La Fleur Petrus La Fleur Petrus | Bordeaux | | 85 | 12 | 95 |
| A wine of superb concentration and dazzling intensity, the impressive 2000 Lafleur-Petrus is tasting even better out of bottle than it did from cask. A deep saturated purple-colored, full-bodied, powerful example that is clearly in a class with the 1998, it may be the finest Lafleur-Petrus made in the last 50 years. The 2000 exhibits plenty of cocoa, black cherry, plum, and currant fruit, a large framework, and impressive concentration as well as power. I always thought this was an improved "bigger" version of the 1975, and I have no reason to think otherwise based on its performance from bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025. |
| 1999 | La Fleur de Bouard La Fleur de Bouard | Bordeaux | A-16 | 28 | 4 | 88 |
| RP: Hubert de Bouard, the proprietor of Angelus, has branched out to a neighboring satellite appellation, and this is the first vintage of this Lalande de Pomerol where he has controlled both the viticulture and the winemaking. A sleeper of the vintage, the dense ruby/purple-colored 1999 La Fleur de Bouard displays sumptuous aromas of jammy blackberries, cherries, and toasty, smoky oak. This ripe, medium-bodied, intensely concentrated wine coats the palate and fills the mouth with pleasure. It should drink well for 6-8 years. The first vintage to be totally controlled by Hubert de Bouard, this is an exotic, flamboyant, explosive offering boasting an opaque blue/purple color as well as a gorgeously sweet nose of blueberries, blackberries, licorice, and Asian spices. Dense, full-bodied, and undeniably superb, it is an amazing accomplishment for Lalande-de-Pomerol. Give it 1-2 years of cellaring and consume it over the following 12-15. Kudos to the proprietor, one of the leaders of St.-Emilion's resurgence in quality. A super sleeper! This excellent, dark ruby/purple-colored 1999 offers sweet toasty new oak and attractive blackberry and cassis fruit in a soft, well-made, delineated style. It possesses elegance, power, richness, and depth. This wine will be at its finest between 2003-2012. |
| 1999 | La Palazolla Rubino Vino da Tavola | Blend | A-4 | 40 | 4 | 93 |
| RP: Seductive is the prodigious 1999 Rubino, a cask-aged, unfined, unfiltered blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. It exhibits a smoky, chocolatey bouquet with hints of cassis, tobacco, and toasty new oak. With superb definition, moderate tannin, excellent structure, and exceptional concentration as well as overall purity, this full-bodied, blockbuster effort can be drunk now or cellared for 10-12 years. Proprietor Stefano Grilli, along with his winemaker, Riccardo Cotarella, fashioned this spectacular wine, which has been consistently brilliant over recent vintages. |
| 2001 | Lafaurie-Peyraguey Lafaurie-Peyraguey | Dessert Wine | | 50 | 6 | 94 |
| This stunning 2001 possesses great acidity, plenty of noble rot, and notes of honeysuckle, caramel, peaches, apricots, pears, caramelized figs, and subtle sweet oak. Full-bodied and elegant, yet authoritatively flavorful, it should last for decades. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025. |
| 2001 | Lafite Rothschild Lafite Rothschild | Bordeaux | | 184 | 6 | 94 |
| A classic Lafite Rothschild, with a good 40 years of potential aging ahead of it, this wine tastes like a juiced-up 1999. A blend of 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13.5% Merlot (only 43% of the crop was deemed worthy enough for this wine), the 2001 shows the classic Lafite nose of lead pencil shavings (graphite), plum, cherry, and black currant, with a hint of tobacco leaf, cedar, and spice box. Medium-bodied, with loads of tannin, this intensely concentrated Lafite is somehow restrained, with extraordinary precision and purity. It is a beauty and seems to be putting on a bit of weight. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040. |
| 1998 | Lail J. Daniel Cuvée Napa Valley | Blend | B-15 | 75 | 2 | 90 |
| Deep and complex, an elegant, graceful, focused style, with layers of coffee, blackberry, plum, anise and chocolate, finishing with supple tannins that firm up nicely. 1,000 cases made. RP black cherry, cassis and mineral-scented effort...excellent sweet fruit on the attack...a Cabernet of considerable charm and seductiveness.' 1 January 2000 |
| 1999 | Lail Vineyards J. Daniel Cuvee Napa Valley | Blend | B-15 | 75 | 3 | 92 (RP) |
| The opaque purple-colored 1999 J. Daniel Cuvee is aging beautifully. This is one of the vintage's classy and complex efforts. It is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. Its gorgeous perfume of graphite, liquid minerals, creme de cassis, and subtle toasty oak (about 40% new French oak is employed) is followed by a focused, delineated offering with high tannin but impressive levels of concentration/extract. This beautifully textured and subtle wine should age effortlessly for two decades, but 3-4 years of cellaring is warranted. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020. |
| 1999 | Leeuwin Chardonnay Margaret River Art Series | Chardonnay | B-22 | 65 | 3 | 95 |
| The 1999 Chardonnay Art Series is complex, rich, and intense. While no shy wine at 14.5% alcohol, it comes across as restrained, with plenty of texture and length, but no in-your-face characteristics. Notes of lemon butter, smoke, and spice are offered in a medium to full-bodied, ageworthy style. This 1999 should drink well for 4-5 years. |
| 1999 | Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Art Series | Cabernet | C-12 | 40 | 7 | 94 |
| RP: The blockbuster 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Art Series (86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, and 3% Malbec) exhibits a Chateau Margaux-like precision. There is terrific purity, finesse, and length as well as medium to full body and intensely layered flavors nicely buttressed by acidity and tannin. As the wine sits in the glass, aromas of cedar, licorice, blackberries, and currants emerge. This sensational Australian red requires 2-3 years of cellaring; it should age for two decades. |
| 1998 | Les Closiers Cuves des Papes | Rhone | A-13 | 35 | 2 | 91 |
| WS: Seductive because of the rich fruit and suppletannins, but also the fresh, clean and crispcharacter that cleanses the palate and gives thisfull-bodied, ripe red a sense of elegance andvibrancy. Has raisiny and plummy aromas, withroasted game, grilled lamb chops and cassisjam. Drink now through 2010. 10,000 cases made. (PM) |
| 1998 | Louis Bernard Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Rhone | A-13 | 28 | 7 | 92 |
| Very clean and beautiful. Full-bodied, with exotic cassis and red berry character, plus smoke, mocha, chocolate and toasted oak. Modern in style, intense and flavorful, loaded with ripe tannins. Best from 2004 through 2015. 3,330 cases made. |
| 2000 | Louis Bernard Côtes du Rhône-Villages | Rhone | A-12 | 11 | 6 | 91 |
| Spectator Selection: Delicious and stylish young red, balancing fresh, focused and ripe fruit, clean and pure, with mineral, spice, mocha and coffee notes. Dark-colored and medium-bodied, its tannins are sweet, and there's pure fruit on the lively finish. 40,000 cases made. |
| 1998 | Louis Bernard Gigondas | Rhone | A-13 | 17 | 1 | 90 |
| Thick and dense, with [i]mucho[n] smoke, toasted wood and spice from apparent oak accents, but also lovely ripe black and red fruit character. Black in color, expressive and flavorful, driven more by clean, pure fruit than [i]terroir[n]. Best from 2006 through 2015. 2,500 cases made. |
| 2002 | Louis Michel & Fils Montmain Chablis Premier Cru | Chardonnay | | 24 | 3 | NR |
| 1999 | Luna Merlot Napa Valley | Merlot | B-16 | 32 | 3 | 91 |
| Spectator Selection: Rich, concentrated yet elegant style, with waves of ripe flavors, supple coffee, currant, black cherry and anise, finishing with dense tannins. Drink now through 2010. 6,400 cases made. |
| 2001 | Luna Pinot Grigio | Pinot Gris | B-19 | 20 | 1 | 91 (RP) |
| RP: The stunning 2001 Pinot Grigio offers aromas and flavors of orange marmalade intermixed with honeysuckle. This fresh, medium to full-bodied effort is an example of a hedonistic dry white at its finest. It should drink well for 1-2 years. |
| 1998 | Lynch Bages Lynch Bages | Bordeaux | A-15 | 65 | 3 | 89 |
| RP: This austere, medium-weight Lynch Bages reveals notes of new saddle leather, tobacco, olives, and black fruits. Although not a big, concentrated Pauillac, it is graceful, elegant, with character and style. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2016. This is a lean effort, with tell-tale spicy, cedary, tobacco-tinged, black currant flavors, medium body, moderate tannin, and an elegant, restrained personality. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2014. An elegant wine, the 1998 exhibits tell-tale sweet cassis fruit. This wine possesses slightly aggressive tannin, a velvety texture, medium body, and attractive fat and ripeness in the mid-palate. It is well-made, and will be delicious to drink with 2-3 years of bottle age. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2015. |
| 2000 | Lynch Bages Lynch Bages | Bordeaux | | 85 | 12 | 95 |
| An utterly profound Lynch-Bages, this wine continues to remind me of a hypothetical blend of the 1990 and 1989. Interestingly, when I asked Jean-Michel Cazes to rank his top four vintages of Lynch-Bages, he ranked the 1989 first, followed by three vintages that he said were essentially equivalent in quality - 1990, 1996, and 2000. The 2000 Lynch-Bages exhibits a dense purple color, loads of glycerin and extract, big, muscular, sweet creme de cassis notes, with hints of new saddle leather, earth, and tobacco leaf. The 2000 is forceful yet plush, with a thick, juicy, succulent mid-palate, ripe tannin, and a long, layered finish. I know it will be tempting to pull corks on this wine in its youth, but it really will not hit its stride for 7-10 years and will last for at least 25. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025. |
| 2000 | M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac | Rhone | A-12 | 135 | 3 | 95 |
| There are approximately 500 cases of this wine. It is a large-scaled Chateauneuf du Pape that represents the antithesis of La Bernardine. This wine has been spectacular, and I have been a frequent buyer and consumer of this wine since the first vintage Michel Chapoutier made, 1989. |
| 2000 | Maison Michel Coutoux Chassagne Montrachete La Maltroie | Chardonnay | A-10 | 60 | 2 | 91 |
| 2002 | Martinelli Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 7 Mules Vineyard | Pinot Noir | C-4 | 46 | 3 | 94 |
| RP-In contrast to the closed, earthy, macho Moonshine Ranch cuvee, the 2002 Pinot Noir 7 Mules is a flamboyant, sexy effort displaying a voluptuous texture, and forward cherry, cranberry, and strawberry fruit intermixed with flowery characteristics. It is a fat, fleshy Pinot from a vineyard located on Woolsey Road in Russian River. The most forward, succulent, and decadent of Martinelli’s 2002 Pinots, it is impossible to resist. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years. A rich, polished style, with layers of raspberry, blackberry and wild berry fruit, with a racy, exotic, wild side that makes for a fascinating sip of Pinot Noir. Finishes with ripe, fleshy tannins. Drink now through 2009. 475 cases made. (JL) |
| 2000 | Masi Costasera Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | Red Wine | | 45 | 1 | 87 |
| WS-Deliciously fresh, with spicy dried fruit and leather character. Medium-bodied, with a tangy, spicy palate and finish. Classic Amarone. Best after 2004. 35,000 cases made. |
| 1999 | Mauro Tudela Del Duero, | Tempranillo | A-2 | 35 | 3 | 91 |
| RP: Impressive Spanish reds emerge from this up and coming star of Castilla y Leon, a region just outside Ribera del Duero. The sweet, concentrated 1999 Mauro possesses abundant quantities of blue and blackberry fruit, graphite, smoke, earth, and wood. This big, rich fruit bomb will drink well for a decade. |
| 1999 | McKenzie - Mueller Napa Valley Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | | 35 | 3 | NR |
| 1997 | McKenzie-Mueller Cabernet Franc | Cabernet Franc | | 30 | 2 | |
| 1999 | Mer Soleil Chardonnay Central Coast | Chardonnay | B-24 | 40 | 1 | 91 |
| Ripe, rich and expressive style, with loads of tropical fruit, pear, fig, apricot and buttery oak, all neatly woven together. The texture is smooth and polished, with a long, detailed, citrusy aftertaste. Drink now through 2006. 13,400 cases made. (JL) |
| 1995 | Moet Chandon Dom Perignon | Sparkling Wine | CB-6 | 90 | 6 | 94 |
| An intensely flavored Champagne, displaying tropical fruit, berry and citrus aromas and flavors enmeshed in finely woven texture, ending with an aftertaste of dried fruit. Good firm structure lends support. Drink now through 2010. 200,000 cases made. (BS) |
| 1996 | Moet Chandon Dom Perignon | Champagne | Case | 99 | 3 | 98 |
| RP- have had a lot of great vintages of Dom Perignon, but I do not remember any as impressive as the 1996. Even richer than the brilliant 1990, the 1996 is still tightly wound, but reveals tremendous aromatic intensity, offering hints of bread dough, Wheat Thins, tropical fruits, and roasted hazelnuts. Medium to full-bodied, with crisp acidity buttressing the wines wealth of fruit and intensity, it comes across as extraordinarly zesty, well-delineated, and incredibly long on the palate. Moet-Chandon deserves considerable accolades for this prodigious example of Dom Perignon. Anticipated maturity: now-2020+ |
| 1995 | Mommessin Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots | Pinot Noir | A-12 | 45 | 1 | 88 |
| Just smelling its pure, spicy red and blackberry makes your mouth water for this succulent, textured Pinot. Structured for a Vosne, and it offers grainy but fine tannins and a long finish. 200 cases made. |
| 2002 | Mongeard-Mugneret Gevrey-Chambertin | Pinot Noir | A-13 | 44 | 3 | 80 |
| WS: Developed, with a slightly jammy character to the cherry and herb flavors. A sweetness to the fruit midpalate offers richness and density, with a lingering finish. Best from 2007 through 2018. 25 cases imported. (BS) |
| 1999 | Morgan Monterrey Chardonnay | Chardonnay | Missing | 30 | 1 | |
| 1999 | Morgan Monterrey Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | B-10 | 29 | 1 | 85 |
| Mid-weight, with lavender, pine and red currant flavors that carry through the oak notes and modest tannins of the finish. Drink now through 2004. 8,000 cases made. |
| 1996 | Morisoli Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-15 | 45 | 1 | 92 |
| Big, ripe and tightly wound, with a range of black cherry, wild berry, currant, anise and prune notes. Turns elegant and polished on the finish. Drink now through 2008. 720 cases made. (JL) |
| 2003 | Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc | Sauvignon Blanc | C-14 | 20 | 5 | 92 |
| WS-Crackling, live-wire Sauvignon, with textbook gooseberry, grass, lime and mineral flavors on a racy frame. Pure and long, with great acidity rippling beneath it all. Let this emerge fully in the cellar. Best from 2004 through 2006. 11,500 cases made. (JM) |
| 2000 | Newton Napa Valley Unfiltered Chardonnay | Chardonnay | B-23 | 45 | 4 | 92 |
| RP-This Unfiltered Chardonnay exhibits plenty of texture as well as handsome honeyed citrus, orange, smoky hazelnut, and tropical fruit characteristics. The 2000 is a rich, smoky, mineral, and fruit-driven wine with considerable oomph to its flavors. WS-Serves up lots of complex flavors, with a center of ripe pear and lemony citrus, turning to anise, and flanked by smoky, toasty marshmallow-scented oak. Drink now through 2007. |
| 2002 | Nigl Veltliner Qualitätswein Trocken Kremstal Privat | Gruner Veltliner | A-11 | 45 | 12 | 92 |
| WS: Loads of peach flavor here, accented by floral and white pepper, presented on an elegant, balanced profile. Not a big wine, yet rich and sensuous, teasing you back for more. Fine, mineral-infused finish. Drink now through 2012 |
| NV | Nino Franco Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Rustico NV | Sparkling Wine | C-12 | 18 | 1 | NR |
| NV | Noval Tawny Port 20 year old NV | Port | C-7 | 50 | 1 | 85 |
| Fruitier style of a 20-year-old, with caramel, light toffee and fruit character. Medium-bodied, with pleasant fruit and a simple finish. Slightly nutty. Drink now. 1,000 cases made. (JS) |
| 2001 | Novy Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah | Syrah | B-4 | 24 | 4 | 92 |
| Tremendous. Gorgeous fruit. Multifaceted, with gobs of beef, spice, white pepper and bacon, and touches of berry and cedar. A long, rich, delicious aftertaste that shows some heat and very ripe tannins. Drink now through 2008. 321 cases made. (JL) |
| 2001 | Olivier Leflaive Freres Chablis | Chardonnay | A-10 | 25 | 3 | NR |
| 2000 | Olivier Leflaive Freres Chablis Cote de Lechet | Chardonnay | A-10 | 40 | 2 | NR |
| 2000 | Olivier Leflaives Freres Puligny-Montrachet Camp Canet | Chardonnay | | 40 | 3 | NR |
| 2001 | Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Merlot | Merlot | B-9 | 80 | 3 | 93 |
| WS-A magnificent wine, deliciously rich and concentrated, with layers of complex black cherry, berry, currant, herb, mocha and spice, with pretty oak shadings and a smooth, supple texture and remarkably elegant lift on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 1,428 cases made. (JL). RP-The 2001 Merlot (which includes 2% Cabernet Sauvignon) is a broad, expansive, sweet offering with ripe fruit, a full-bodied, chewy mid-palate, and copious quantities of chocolate, red and black currants, and earth. Drink this sumptuous Merlot over the next 7-8 years. |
| 1995 | Pape Clement Pape Clement | Bordeaux | | 85 | 1 | 90 |
| RP: A softer, more accessible version of the more tannic 1996, Pape-Clement's 1995 exhibits a deep ruby/purple color, and a lovely nose of spice, lead pencil, minerals, smoke, and tobacco-tinged black currants. Rich and ripe, with medium body, sweet fruit on the attack, and an overall sense of elegance and impeccable equilibrium, this beautifully knit, complex wine is already enjoyable. Anticipated maturity: Now-2015. |
| 2001 | Pape Clement Pape Clement | Bordeaux | B-1 | 60 | 6 | 95 |
| A brilliant achievement and one of the wines of the vintage, Pape Clement's remarkable 2001 should surpass their fabulous 2000. A magnificent effort, it was produced from yields of 28.6 hectoliters per hectare, and the final blend (70% of the production) consisted of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The multi-textured/layered 2001 boasts an opaque purple color, amazing purity and presence on the palate, a sensational texture, and loads of graphite, lead pencil, plum, fig, black cherry, and currant fruit. Medium-bodied, extraordinarily elegant as well as remarkably concentrated, pure, and suave, it is a tour de force in winemaking. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2028. |
| 1999 | Parador Napa Valley Reserva | Blend | Case | | 6 | NR |
| 1999 | Patz & Hall Alder Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | B-10 | 60 | 1 | 87 |
| 1999 | Patz & Hall Chardonnay Russian River Valley Woolsey Road Vineyard | Chardonnay | B25 | 36 | 1 | 90 |
| Ripe and floral, with pretty pear, apple and melon flavors that are elegant and refined, finishing with soft fruit notes. Especially appealing for those who like their oak way in the background--or out of the picture altogether. Drink now through 2005. 1,400 cases made. (JL) |
| 2001 | Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Richard Dinner Vineyard | Chardonnay | B-25 | 45 | 1 | 90 |
| RP-The 2001 Chardonnay Richard Dinner Vineyard exhibits a light gold color in addition to a boldly flavored bouquet of buttered citrus intermixed with honeyed lemons, smoke, spice, and earth. Full-bodied and structured, it should last for 7-8 years. |
| 2001 | Paul Hobbs N apa Valley Cabernet Sauvingon | Cabernet | B-17 | 50 | 6 | 94 |
| RP-The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa (2,980 cases) possesses big, sweet, smoky oak, cedary, blackberry, and cassis aromas as well as flavors offered in a rich, voluptuous, full-bodied style. While it is already deliciously drinkable (surprising for a 2001), there is abundant tannin lurking underneath the surface, but it is well-concealed by a wealth of fruit. This selection comes from four sources, the Crane, To-Kalon, Hyde, and Stagecoach vineyards. Drink it over the next 10-15 years, although it may last even longer. |
| 2002 | Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Chardonnay | Chardonnay | B-25 | 45 | 4 | 91 |
| RP-More structure, acidity, and delineation are present in the 2002 Chardonnay Russian River. While it does not appear to possess as intense fruit as the 2001, it is still evolving. There is no doubting the impressive honeysuckle, peach-like notes. |
| 2000 | Pavie Pavie | Bordeaux | | 255 | 3 | 100 |
| 1998 | Penley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra | Cabernet | C-10 | 55 | 2 | 95 |
| RP: The fabulous 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is stacked and packed in the mouth. Its opaque purple color is accompanied by a sweet, smoky, cedary, full-bodied character revealing notes of cassis, licorice, and olives. Voluptuous and full-bodied, with the tannin largely concealed by the its wealth of glycerin, fruit, and concentration, this terrific Cabernet Sauvignon will hit its prime in 1-2 years, and last for 15 or more. Impressive!. WS: Earthy, smoky, gamy notes weave through the dense blackberry and black pepper flavors, gripped with tough tannins. Built for the cellar, but not for every taste. Best after 2004. 2,000 cases made. |
| 2000 | Peter Lehmann Clancy's | Shiraz | Case | 25 | 1 | 84 |
| WS-A bit firm, with modest berry and spice flavors on a simple frame. Not up to the usual standard. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 4,000 cases imported |
| 2001 | Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon - Stag's Leap District Napa Valley | Cabernet | B-12 | 50 | 6 | NR |
| 1999 | Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District | Cabernet | B-12 | 60 | 6 | 94 |
| Cellar Selection: A tour de force. Deliciously rich and complex, with layers of juicy plum, black cherry, currant and wild berry shaded by anise, cedar, earth and mineral flavors, it fairly gushes with fruit on the finish, yet should age gracefully for another decade, maybe more. Best from 2004 through 2015. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 5,067 cases made. |
| 2000 | Pine Ridge Chardonnay Napa Valley Careros Dijon Clones | Chardonnay | B-23 | 25 | 6 | 91 |
| Spectator Selection: A bold mouthful of Chardonnay that packs in lots of rich, complex flavors that are concentrated and deep. Smoky toasty oak, pear, fig, sage and anise turn thick and buttery. Drink now through 2006. 15,000 cases made. (JL) RP: The light greenish/gold-colored 2000 Chardonnay Dijon Clones reveals complex aromatics consisting of toasty French oak, citrus, and delicate mango and pineapple notes. The wine possesses crisp acidity, and an understated, pleasant personality. It should age nicely for 4-5 years. |
| 5-27-03 - wonderful honey and fruit flavors; light with rounded honeyed flavors |
| 2000 | Planeta Chardonnay Sicilia 2000 | Chardonnay | | 34 | 0 | 94 |
| Highly Recommended: Full-throttle Chardonnay, with all the Burgundy treatment (like a juicy Meursault) you could hope for. Loads of apple, vanilla and pineapple character. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit and a long, butterscotch and ripe fruit aftertaste. Glorious. One of the best whites in Italy. Drink now. 6,700 cases made. (JS) |
| 1999 | Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione | Sangiovese | A-3 | 58 | 4 | 90 |
| RP-Consistently brilliant, this 100% Sangiovese cuvee is aged 12 months in oak casks. The dense ruby/purple-colored 1999 reveals a sweet perfume of tobacco smoke, ripe black cherries, black currants, vanilla, cedar, and spice. Authoritatively flavored as well as elegant and measured, its hallmarks are purity, finesse, and intense flavors. Owners Vittorio Fiore and Adriana Assje have fashioned an impressive 1999. Drink it over the next 4-5 years |
| NV | Pol Roger Brut Champagne Reserve NV | Sparkling Wine | C-12 | 45 | 2 | 89 |
| WS-A medium-bodied, vinous Champagne, showing good structure, though the biscuit, grain and honey flavors need a little time to open. Has good density and length, so be patient. Drink now through 2006. 10,000 cases imported. (BS) |
| | Pol Roget Brut Champagne Reserve | | | 40 | 2 | 89 |
| A medium-bodied, vinous Champagne, showing good structure, though the biscuit, grain and honey flavors need a little time to open. Has good density and length, so be patient. Drink now through 2006. 10,000 cases imported. (BS)
|
| 2001 | Pride Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay | Chardonnay | B-22 | 30 | 3 | 87 |
| WS-Marked by juicy tropical fruit flavors that are ripe and balanced, though a bit raw on the finish. Drink now through 2005. 1,328 cases made. (JL) |
| 2000 | Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot | Merlot | B-7 | 39 | 21 | 91 |
| The 2000 Merlot (5,000 cases) is a blend of fruit from Napa (61%) and Sonoma (39%). The dividing line for those two counties transects the Pride Mountain vineyard, hence the confusion about the wines' appellations. This wine offers plenty of sweet black fruits, and an elegant, medium-bodied personality without the grip, depth, and concentration of the 1999 and 1998. To be fair, it had just been bottled when I tasted it. While it is unquestionably an excellent Merlot, it displays the vintage's superficial charm and friendliness, but not much intensity or persistence. Smooth and flavorful, with dusty cedar and pencil shaving aromas leading to rich, intense pencil lead, currant and blackberry flavors, keeping its cedary oak profile. Finishes with a long, complex aftertaste. Drink now through 2007. 5,320 cases made. |
| 2002 | Pride Mountain Vineyards Viognier | Viognier | B-20 | 40 | 3 | 89 |
| RP-The 2002 Viognier (1,000 cases) is a non-malolactic effort aged in neutral oak. One of California’s better examples of this varietal, it exhibits an intriguing aroma of ham bone along with smoke, peach, apricot, and white flowers along with good acidity as well as terrific fruit richness. It should drink well for 1-2 years. |
| 2001 | Pride Napa Vallet Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-8 | 56 | 3 | 95 |
| RB: The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon is structured and closed, but good. There are 3,000 cases of this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Its inky/purple color is followed by scents of pure creme de cassis intertwined with licorice, smoke, and cigar tobacco. Sweet tannin forms a backdrop for a wine of admirable texture, intensity, and purity. A tremendous experience to smell and taste, it should be at its peak between 2006-2020 (12/2003). Dark, rich and plush, with an unusual display of fruit opulence; polished blackberry, huckleberry and raspberry fruit is lush, deeply concentrated and long on the finish. Toasty oak adds a fascinating dimension. Score range: 95-100 (JL) |
| 2000 | Pride Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve | Cabernet | B-8 | 110 | 4 | NR |
| 2001 | Pride Napa-Sonoma Mountain Vineyards Merlot | Merlot | B-7 | 48 | 17 | 93 |
| RP: A good introduction to the Pride Mountain style is the 2001 Merlot (4,000 cases) made from their vineyard that straddles the Napa and Sonoma county line. Hence this cuvee is composed of 55% Napa and 45% Sonoma fruit. A big, structured, inky/purple-colored offering, it possesses gorgeous aromas of creosote, damp earth, sweet black cherry as well as currant fruit, and a chocolatey aftertaste. Rich and intense, with the wood well in check, this sumptuous Merlot is top-notch. |
| Best most fruit filled Merlot I've ever tasted. Tried twice once in SF with Zach and Howard and steak tartare. Once on gourmet night at our house with Barret, Scoppa et al. 10-2003. 1-17-04 - bottle with Lois, Colin and Pierre - tight at first but opens up beautifully with silky tannins coming out. |
| 2003 | Pride Sonoma County Syrah | Syrah | B-4 | 55 | 2 | 92 |
| WS-This is an immense and firmly tannic young Syrah that's also blessed with lively acidity. The core blackberry and blueberry flavors are shaded by hints of beef, sage, herb and tobacco. It all comes together nicely on the finish, though it clearly needs cellaring to soften the rough edges. Best from 2007 through 2013. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 600 cases made. (JL) |
| 2001 | Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve | Cabernet | | 110 | 9 | 99 |
| The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) must be tasted to be believed. A black/purple color to the rim is accompanied by gorgeous scents of creme de cassis, incense, liquid minerals, and graphite. This profound offering is extremely full-bodied as well as rich with high but sweet tannin that coats the palate. Fasten your seatbelts if you’re going to taste a bottle of this wine. It was still in barrel when I tasted it, and since it does not get fined or filtered, what I tasted is what the consumer will get. Beg, borrow, steal, cajole, or sell your most prized possessions, but be sure to get a bottle or two of this wine. It is a potential legend in the making. Give this exciting dry red 4-5 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following three decades. Pride Mountain Vineyards = brilliance in the bottle! |
| A potentially perfect wine, which is in bottle after having spent 30 or so months in a combination of old and new oak. The practice under Bob Foley is to first keep the wines in neutral wood as the selections are made for the different cuvees and then, once made, move the wines into new oak until bottling. The 2001 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (a 1,300-case blend of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 27 months in oak) offers gorgeously fresh, lively, but super-concentrated fruit. Inky blue/purple to the rim, with a spectacular nose of creme de cassis, licorice, camphor, and a hint of vanilla, this wine is sensationally rich, has remarkable intensity, a multi-dimensional palate, and fabulous concentration and depth. It needs another 1-3 years of bottle-age, and should easily and effortlessly evolve for 20 or more years.
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| 2002 | Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot | Merlot | B | 50 | 6 | 90 |
| RP:The 2002 Merlot, which comes from both the Napa and Sonoma sides of the mountain, is elegant, with wonderfully sweet black cherry fruit intermixed with a hint of mocha, white chocolate, and some background sappy wood notes. Its beautiful integration of acidity and tannin make for an elegant, polished, and stunning Merlot to drink over the next decade.
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| 2002 | Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot Vinter's Select | Merlot | B | 115 | 4 | 93 |
| Ratcheting up the level of concentration, complexity, and persistence in the mouth is the 2002 Merlot Vintner’s Select (400 cases). An opulent, heady wine that reveals gorgeously melted toffee notes intermixed with blackberry and cherry liqueur, a hint of smoke, underbrush, and fabulous power and richness, this is extraordinarily pure, dense wine that is about as good as Merlot can be in California. Drink it over the next decade.
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| 2001 | Pride Mountain Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-9 | 60 | 9 | 94 |
| The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (5,000 cases made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon) is a supple, flamboyant, and more accessible version of the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep ruby/purple-colored, with a classic nose of tobacco leaf, black currant, licorice, and smoke, the wine is medium to full-bodied, has a supple texture, an attractive textural mouthfeel in addition to a plush, heady finish. Drink it over the next 8-10 years.
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| 2002 | Pride Mountain Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve | Blend | B- | 118 | 6 | 96 |
| RP: The 2002 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) has an inky ruby/purple color and a gorgeously sweet nose of creme de cassis and cherries intermixed with some vanilla and spice. The wine is opulent, full-bodied, with an unctuous texture and blockbuster finish with no hard edges. It seems to be on a faster evolutionary track than the 2001, but who’s complaining? This is still a 15- to 18-year wine.
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| 2001 | Ravens Wood Russian River Valley Belloni Zinfandel | Zinfandel | | 35 | 4 | 88 |
| WS-A ripe, rich, expressive style, with zesty wild berry, sage, pepper, mint and blackberry flavors. Firms up with dry tannins on the finish, along with some heat. Drink now through 2008. 640 cases made. (JL) |
| 2000 | Reignac Reignac | Bordeaux | A-15 | 39 | 3 | 92 |
| RP: An amazing accomplishment for a Bordeaux Superieur, Reignac's 2000, a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, cropped at 25 hectoliters per hectare and aged 100% on its lees in new oak, exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color, an impressively complex nose of black currants intermixed with graphite, vanilla, and cedar. The wine is medium to full-bodied, dense, rich, and the qualitative equivalent of a top classified growth from the Medoc. Another 2000 that has to be tasted to be believed, it should drink well for 8-10 years, possibly longer. A revelation! - RP: The amazing 2000 Reignac boasts an opaque purple color as well as a powerful bouquet of black cherries, cassis, minerals, and subtle vanilla. There is outstanding fruit on the attack, a deep, chewy mid-section, and a long, well-balanced finish. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2013 (Feb 2002). |
| Reignac is the reference point for what can be achieved in Bordeaux's less prestigious appellations. Proprietor Stephanie and Yves Vatelot (who is now assisting Alain Raynaud in making Lascombes) have turned out their finest wine to date ... that's saying something given how good Reignac has been over the last 5-6 years. This awesome, generic Bordeaux boasts a dense purple color as well as a sweet nose of creme de cassis intermixed with mineral, pain grille, and spice box aromas. Amazingly concentrated, rich, and full-bodied, with sweet tannin and a long finish, this 2000 ... believe it or not ... is of classified growth quality. If you don't believe me, insert it in a blind tasting against some of the best classified growths and see for yourself. It is a sleeper of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2015. |
| 2001 | Reignac Reignac | Bordeaux | | 22.50 | 6 | 91 |
| Th flagship example of high-class generic Bordeaux that is impeccably well-made by a driven proprietor, this blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon was fashioned from meager yields of 26 hectoliters per hectare. It enjoys such state-of-the-art winemaking techniques as malolactic in barrel, microbullage, and no fining or filtration. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by sweet aromas of black currants, espresso roast, chocolate, and new oak. Textured and medium-bodied, with excellent purity as well as a long, concentrated, expansive mid-palate and finish, this elegant, pure 2001 is best drunk over the next 7-8 years.
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| 2000 | Rex Hill Pinot Gris Oregon Reserve 2000 | Pinot Gris | B-19 | 11 | 1 | 87 |
| Bright, ripe style offers pretty melon and pear flavors, shaded with earthy-mineral notes, and finishing with a refreshing green note. Drink now. 195 cases made. (HS) |
| 1999 | Rex Hill Vineyards Maresh Vineyard Oregon Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | C-3 | 52 | 1 | 90 |
| Dark spices, cherries, and toast can be discerned in the aromatics of the ruby-colored 1999 Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard. Medium-bodied, well-structured, and spicy, this is a large, muscular wine loaded with sweet blackberry-like flavors. It possesses more tannin than the previous wines, yet they are ripe and supple. Projected maturity: 2005-2011. |
| 10-30-05 - fantastic with grilled chicken. At first tannic with lots of frout - after 1/1 hour really opens up into a lucsious wine. |
| 2002 | Ridge California Lytton Springs | Zinfandel | B-2 | 30 | 3 | 93 |
| RP-One of the most famous names in Zinfandel-land is Lytton Springs, and Ridge’s 2002 Lytton Springs (75% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah, and 5% Carignan) boasts a deep ruby/purple hue along with a big, sweet nose of briery, blueberry, and blackberry fruit, full body, good acidity, and notions of pepper, loamy earth, and licorice. While this beauty will undoubtedly last a decade, it should be at its finest over the next 5-6 years. |
| 2001 | Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve | Cabernet | | 90 | 3 | 95 |
| RP-The best Reserve offering since 1994 is the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, a 13,000-case blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec and Petit Verdot. Half of the fruit emerges from the To-Kalon Vineyard. It possesses a pH of 3.7, and the alcohol is over 14%. Reminiscent of such vintages as 1990, 1991, and 1994, it boasts a saturated purple color as well as a sumptuous perfume of white chocolate, flowers, black currants, blackberries, and cigar smoke. Powerful, rich, and concentrated with admirable purity, a layered texture, and a 45+ second finish, this is a superb effort. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020+. WS-Wonderful intensity, beautifully crafted, with richness, focus and purity of flavor, offering layers of rich, smoky, mint- and spice-laced currant and blackberry fruit. Persistent, potent aftertaste. Score range: 95-100 |
| 2001 | Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay | Chardonnay | B-24 | 28 | 8 | NR |
| Rombauer Vineyards 2001 Carneros Chardonnay is a rich wine filled with aromas of mango, pineapple, apples and spice. On the palate are crisp flavors of tropical fruit, integrated with rich vanilla from oak barrel aging. A memorable finish of light oak nuances and a delicious buttery tone linger on the palate |
| 1999 | Rosemont Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvedre McLaren Vale GSM | Rhone | C-10 | 22 | 2 | 88 |
| Plump, soft and round, nicely fleshed out with blackberry, plum and floral aromas and flavors, echoing on the fine-grained finish. Drink now through 2006.19,000 cases made. |
| 2000 | Rosemont Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre McLaren Vale-Barossa Valley GSM | Rhone | C-10 | 20 | 7 | 91 |
| WS: Ripe, round and distinctive for its aromatic and flavor profile, offering spicy, floral blackberry, raspberry and plum fruit at the center, finishing with mildly chewy tannins. Drink now through 2007. 19,000 cases made. (HS) |
| 1999 | Rosemont Syrah McLaren Vale Balmoral | Shiraz | C-11 | 40 | 5 | 93 |
| Spectator Selection: A bit more aristocratic than most Aussie Shiraz, this one strikes a beautiful chord of rich blackberry and currant fruit, hinting at anise and pepper. Has a fleshy frame, with sweet spicy notes darting in and out through the long, harmonious finish. Drink now through 2010. 10,000 cases made. |
| 2003 | Rosenblum Cellars Rockpile Road Vineyard Zinfandel | Zinfandel | B-2 | 29 | 5 | 94 |
| WS-Ripe, delicious and exuberant; rich with layers of wild berry, blackberry and raspberry shaded by light, toasty oak. Finishes with a fantastic burst of fruit and ripe, integrated tannins. Drink now through 2009. 4,973 cases made. (JL) |
| 2002 | Ross Estate Barossa Valley Shiraz Reserve | Shiraz | C-11 | 30 | 2 | 92 |
| RP-The most expensive offering in this portfolio is still fairly priced. The dense purple-colored 2002 Shiraz Reserve offers up aromas of chocolate, blackberry liqueur, new saddle leather, and spice box. Powerful, potent, and rich, this full-throttle offering is only the second Reserve cuvee produced by Ross Estate. Aged in 100% American oak hogsheads (15% new) for 18 months, it is an impressive effort. |
| 2001 | Ross estate Barossa Valley Shiraz Reserve | Shiraz | C-11 | 30 | 3 | 93 |
| RP-Readers looking for a super South Australian Shiraz should check out the 2001 Shiraz Reserve, a powerful, muscular, layered, inky/purple-colored cuvee with huge body, extraction, and richness. Fashioned by owner/winemaker Rod Chapman (who was responsible for 15 vintages of the renowned Penfold’s Grange under the tutelage of Grange’s founder, the late Max Schubert), it is an impressive Shiraz the likes of which normally sell for 2-3 times the price. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020. |
| 1998 | Santa Rita Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | C-8 | 2001 | 4 | 92 |
| RP-The medium to dark ruby-colored 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Casa Real was the star of the show at this Vina Santa Rita tasting. It was produced from 30-44 year old vines. This wine bursts from the glass with violets, lilies, blueberries, cherries, blackberries, and buttery oak. Its Margaux-like personality is medium to full-bodied, rich, and lush. A myriad of ripe dark fruits are interspersed with toasty oak in this intense, powerful wine. Its character brings to mind a hypothetical blend of Bordeaux and Napa Valley, with an elegantly structured, juicy core of fruit being married with a plush, muscular, opulent quality. This wine's impressively long finish exhibits loads of tannin, yet they are ripe and supple. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018. Bravo! The progress made at Vina Santa Rita over the past few vintages has been truly impressive. |
| 2002 | Schug Pinot Noir Carneros Heritage reserve | Pinot Noir | C-1 | 30 | 4 | 85 |
| WS: Tangy, with very good intensity to plum and cherry flavors highlighted by bright acids. Drink now through 2007. 771 cases made. |
| 2002 | Seghesio Old Vines Zinfandel | Zinfandel | B-3 | 30 | 1 | 92 |
| RP-The deep plum/ruby-colored 2002 Zinfandel Old Vine (15.6% alcohol) boasts loads of fruit in addition to a big, spicy nose of composty notes intermixed with black cherries, raspberries, pepper, and herbs. Drink this full-bodied, rich, dense, delicious 2002 over the next 3-4 years. |
| 2002 | Seghesio Zinfandel | Zinfandel | B-1 | 18 | 5 | 89 |
| RP-A trustworthy source of top quality old vine Zinfandel, Seghesio also has a fine value in their portfolio, the 2002 Zinfandel Sonoma. With 15.2% alcohol, it is a classic, full-throttle effort displaying peppery, briery, underbrush characteristics along with loads of berry fruit, and medium body. Fun to smell, taste, and swallow, it can be enjoyed over the next 1-3 years. |
| 2003 | Selene Carneros Hyde Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc | Sauvignon Blanc | B-21 | 27 | 10 | 90 |
| WS-Crisp, lean and coiled, with excellent focus to flavors of yellow and green apples, grass, green pear and minerals that gain depth and complexity on the finish. Best with food. Drink now through 2005. |
| 2000 | Selene Napa Valley Merlot | Merlot | B-8 | 45 | 3 | 92 |
| WS-A delicious Merlot, dark, rich and chocolaty, with layers of mouthcoating mocha, currant, blackberry and coffee grounds. Sharply focused, long and intense, with well-integrated tannins. Best from 2003 through 2010. 1,000 cases made. |
| 1999 | Shafer Merlot Napa Valley | Merlot | B-20 | 38 | 7 | 90 |
| RP: Performing better out of bottle, the 1999 Merlot offers copious quantities of black currants, ripe cherries, tobacco, nicely-integrated oak, sweet tannin, and admirable flesh. It should drink well for 7-10 years. Spectator Selection: Outstanding. Serves up a generous, juicy core of ripe plum, raspberry, wild berry plus touches of chocolate, coffee and cedar, finishing with a smooth texture, the right amount of tannin and a dash of herb. 10,000 cases made. |
| 2000 | Shafer Napa Valley Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select | Cabernet | B-23 | 150 | 6 | 95 |
| WS-A mouthful, this wine gushes with pure, ripe Cabernet fruit. Tiers of currant, anise, blackberry, cherry and wild berry flavors are supported by pretty mocha-scented oak and plush, velvety tannins that firm up on the finish, giving it a solid backbone, yet the persistent flavors keep pushing through. Best from 2004 through 2014. 2,500 cases made. (JL). The inky ruby/purple-colored 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is one of the lighter examples of this cuvee, but it stands out as one of the vintage’s finest wines. A powerful, concentrated, medium to full-bodied Cabernet possessing outstanding fruit and aromatics as well as suppleness, and a sweet, low acid finish, it is more developed and forward than other Hillside Select offerings. Drink this delicious, complex 2000 over the next 10-12 years while waiting for some of the more structured vintages to reach full maturity. |
| RP_The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select was performing even better this year than it was last year. While not as weighty and ageworthy as some of the more hallowed vintages, it is a seriously endowed wine. Deep ruby/purple to the rim, with a gorgeous nose of creme de cassis, licorice, graphite, spice, and cedar, it is more forward than most vintages, but full-bodied, concentrated, and beautifully seductive. Drink it over the next 15 or so years.
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| 1995 | Shafer Napa Valley Stags Leap District Port | Port | | 50 | 1 | NR |
| Present form Suzie Shafer |
| 2000 | Shafer Relentless | Syrah | B-4 | 55 | 5 | 93 |
| The 2000 Relentless (81% Syrah and 19% Petite Sirah), made from yields of 2.5 tons per acre, is a seamless, saturated purple-colored wine with pure blueberry, blackberry, and smoky cassis fruit. This sweet, opulent, and luscious offering is less structured than the 1999, but has more charm and fruit, if that's possible. |
| 2000 | Shafer Vineyards Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Red Shoulder Ranch | Chardonnay | B-23 | 37 | 12 | 92 |
| he 2000 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is more fruit-driven than the 1999. It is full-bodied, powerful, and rich with oodles of orange marmalade, apricot, peach, and pineapple liqueur-like notes as well as beautifully integrated oak. For a wine of this size, there is a vivaciousness because of the vibrant acidity. Enjoy it over the next 3-4 years. There are 7,000 cases of the non-malolactic Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch. The fruit is picked extremely ripe, given indigenous yeast fermentation, and aging on its lees for 15 months in a combination of American and French oak. This has been a blockbuster, knock-out effort that is completely different from other non-malolactic California Chardonnays. It possesses good acidity, but tremendous power and richness. |
| 2002 | Shafer Vineyards Napa Valley Cababernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | | 48 | 12 | 91 |
| RP: One of the finest Cabernet Sauvignons to date from Shafer is the 2002, a beautifully made wine that shows a dense ruby purple color and a big, sweet nose of flamboyant black currant fruit intermixed with hints of chocolate, tobacco, earth, and oak. A beautiful wine that is medium to full-bodied, elegant, with nothing out of place, it should drink well for at least 10-15 years |
| 1999 | Shafer Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-18 | 48 | 3 | 93 |
| A masterful presentation of toasty, mocha-scented oak, accompanied by exotic wood spices, it also delivers plenty of ripe, rich, complex fruit, with concentrated layers of currant, mocha, coffee, plum and black cherry. Firmly tannic, a step up in quality for this bottling, making it more in the style of the Hillside Select. Best from 2004 through 2012. 6,000 cases made. |
| Wonderful wne. Fresh berry tastes and smooth silky tannins. Blew away a 1999 Ducru we had with the same meal of grilled steak, baked potato and caesar salad. Drank with Colin, Louis and Scopaa 3-2004 |
| 2000 | Shafer Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-19 | 36 | 12 | 90 |
| The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc) exhibits aromas of toasty oak, black cherries, currants, smoke, and minerals. This sweet, medium to full-bodied, pure, and elegant offering will provide lovely drinking over the next 10-12 years. |
| 2001 | Shafer Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-13 | 60 | 11 | 92 |
| he 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon is showing even better this year than it was last year. This wine sees a combination of both French and American oak. The result is a wine with loads of smoky black currant notes intermixed with some earth, tobacco, and a hint of white chocolate. It is medium-bodied, supple-textured, and ideal for drinking over the next 10-12 years.
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| 2002 | Shafer Vineyards Red Shoulder Ranch Napa Valley Chardonnay | Chardonnay | | 29 | 12 | 94 |
| RP: Right now it is the 2002 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch that wins all my accolades with its notes of marmalade, apricot, honeysuckle, and citrus oil in a classic, full-bodied style with good underlying acidity. It should drink well for another 1-2 years.
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| 2002 | Shafer Vineyards Relentless | Syrah | B-4 | 55 | 3 | 93 |
| RP-Named after their talented viticulturalist and winemaker, Elias Fernandez, the Relentless cuvee was introduced a few years ago and is a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Petite Sirah aged 32 months in 100% new French oak. It is a terrific wine, and the good news is that there are about 2,500 cases produced. The 2002 Relentless has an inky purple color to the rim, a big, sweet nose of vanilla, pepper, blue and blackberry fruit, and some chocolate and espresso roast in a sweet, plush, full-bodied palate with high tannin, glycerin, and extract. It should drink well for 10-12 years. |
| 1999 | Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Dauvignon | Cabernet | B-22 | 109 | 2 | 91 |
| Dill, lavender and mocha scents are followed by a trace of coconut and layers of spicy currant, herb, sage and plum flavors. Very rich and concentrated. Impeccably balanced, with a long, persistent aftertaste that keeps echoing fruit and oak. Some will find the oak excessive, others just the Silver Oak signature. Drink now through 2012. 20,091 cases made. (JL) |
| 1999 | Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-2 | 25 | 3 | 90 |
| WS: Smooth and silky, with ripe, rich blackberry, currant and black cherry flavors that are pure and well-focused. Finishes with a long, concentrated aftertaste, with elegant tannins. Drink now through 2009. 50,000 cases made. (JL) |
| 2001 | Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-11 | 26 | 12 | 93 |
| A rich, expressive, mouthful of racy blackberry and wild berry flavors, with hints of spice and light toasty oak. Score range: 92-94 (JL) |
| 1999 | Simi Russian River Valley Goldfields Vineyard Reserve | Chardonnay | B-25 | 25 | 2 | 91 |
| Smooth and rich, offering creamy fig, nectarine, anise and earth, with well-integrated spicy, toasty oak, a seamless texture and great length. |
| 1999 | Smith-Madrone Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-11 | 25 | 2 | NR |
| 1999 | Sot Lefriek Sot Lefriek | Red Wine | A-2 | 30 | 4 | 94 |
| Importer Eric Solomon calls this, "the first garage wine to emerge from the Penedes region." The debut vintage, the 1999 (a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Carignan) was produced from yields of 17 hectoliters per hectare, and was aged in French oak. It boasts a saturated opaque purple color as well as tremendously intense notes of espresso, blueberries, blackberries, vanilla, and toast. Rich, full-bodied, intense, and promising, this blockbuster effort will be at its finest between 2005-2016+. |
| 1995 | Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford | Cabernet | Sub-Zero | 43 | 2 | 92 |
| Highly Recommended: This California Cabernet is elegant and supple, with a pretty array of currant, blackberry, cherry, toasty oak and spice flavors. Finishes with firm but polished tannins, and a long, rich aftertaste punctuated by mineral, cedar and spice. Drinkable now, but worthy of cellaring. Best from 2001 through 2009. 5,000 cases made. RP: The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon is richer and more intense in the mid-palate than the 1996, as well as more backward. The wine is high in tannin, extract, and richness, yet the overall elegance, symmetry, and harmony among its elements are present. This pure, black fruit-dominated wine should be at finest between 2003-2020. |
| 2001 | Staglin Family Vineyard Salus | Cabernet | B-21 | 45 | 7 | NR |
| 1999 | Stonestreet Sonoma County Chardonnay | Chardonnay | B25 | 27 | 2 | 88 |
| RP-The 1999 Chardonnay (13,000 cases) reveals a big, sexy, smoky nose. Aromas of bacon fat are intermingled with new oak, as well as creamy, pineapple and buttery fruit. Round and full-bodied with decent underlying acidity, this gutsy Chardonnay will drink well for 3-4 years. |
| 1999 | Storybook Mountain Macaymus Range Zinfandel | Zinfandel | | 25 | 3 | 89 |
| RP: The deep ruby/purple-colored 1999 Zinfandel Mayacamas Range (14.5% alcohol) reveals impressive aromatics of black cherries, currants, minerals, and underbrush. Sweet fruit on the attack is followed by a nicely-textured, medium to full-bodied finish. It should drink well for 7-8 years. |
| 2002 | Tait Barossa Valley Basket Pressed Shiraz | Shiraz | C-12 | 40 | 1 | 95 |
| RP-The 2002 Basket Pressed Shiraz (from 40-year-old vines, and aged in neutral American wood for 12 months) elicits more than a few “wows”. This full-bodied, unctuously-textured, full-throttle, classic Barossa is magnificently concentrated as well as pure, multi-dimensional, and loaded. It can be drunk now, but promises to age for 10-15 years. |
| 1995 | Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | Red Wine | | 38 | 2 | 89 |
| Ws- lovely Amarone with loads of finesse. Wonderful aromas of blackberries, violets and cherries, with mineral and spices. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a long finish. Still tight. Drink now through 2014. 5,000 cases made. (JS) |
| 2001 | Torbreck Barossa Valley RunRig | Shiraz | C-11 | 145 | 7 | 99 |
| RP- Constantly flirting with perfection, the 2001 Run Rig is a worthy successor to the blockbuster, surreal 1998. A blend of 97% Shiraz and 3% Viognier, this is Torbreck’s flagship offering. Sadly, there are only 1,500 cases produced. Sourced from old vines, some close to 140 years of age, it is fashioned from four sectors of Barossa – Marananga, Koonunga Hill, Moppa, and Greenock. It spends 30 months in 60% new French oak before being bottled without fining or filtration. The powerful, full-bodied 2001 exhibits aromas of creme de cassis, blackberry liqueur, ink, espresso, graphite, and apricot marmalade. The impression on the palate is one of marvelous richness, expansive texture, a multi-layered skyscraper soaring across the palate with no heaviness. It is a tour de force in winemaking, but give it 2-3 years of bottle age, and drink it over the following 15-20+ years. |
| 1997 | Travaglini Gattinara | Nebbiolo | | 30 | 7 | 91 |
| Spectator Selection: A poor man's Barolo, with mocha, smoky tea and dried fruit on the nose, and superripe, thick and rich fruit, verging on raisins. Full-bodied, with soft, silky tannins and a juicy, pruny finish. Hard not to drink it now. Best after 2005. 17,000 cases made. |
| 2000 | Treana Marsanne-Viognier Central Coast Mer Soleil Vineyard | Viognier | B-20 | 25 | 2 | 88 |
| WS-A notably complex and intriguing wine that shows off pretty, exotic floral, tropical and ripe fruit flavors, and hints of fig, litchi nut, nectarine and cream. Viognier is 66 percent with the rest Marsanne. Drink now. 8,000 cases made. (JL) |
| 2001 | Trevor Jones Virgin Chardonnay | Chardonnay | C-12 | 22 | 1 | 89 |
| It is hard to find a better un-oaked Australian Chardonnay than Trevor Jones's 2001 Chardonnay Virgin. It exhibits gorgeous aromas of tangerines, honeyed citrus, and a lemon custard-like characteristic, loads of fruit, medium to full body, and abundant texture. Luckily, there are 4,500 cases of this cuvee. Enjoy it over the next 12-24 months. |
| 2000 | Trimbach Pinot Gris Alsace Reserve | Pinot Gris | A-11 | 16 | 4 | 85 |
| 1998 | Trimbach Riesling Cuvee Freric Emile | Riesling | A-11 | 30 | 3 | 91 |
| Flowers, tropical fruits, smoke, stones, and wet gravel can be discerned in the aromatics of the 1998 Riesling Frederic Emile. This intensely rich, concentrated, and deep wine is drenched in lemons, minerals, and stones. Its impressive finish reveals tangy lime notes. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2012+. |
| 2003 | Turley The white Coat | Roussanne | | 35 | 3 | NR |
| 2002 | Turley Wine Cellars Paso Robles Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel | Zinfandel | B-1 | 35 | 2 | 93 |
| RP-The 2002 Zinfandel Pesenti Estate, from a 50-year old site planted on pure limestone, tastes like a classic Chateauneuf du Pape made from Grenache. The 16% alcohol is well-concealed in this 700-case cuvee. A deep ruby color is accompanied by sumptuous aromatics of kirsch liqueur kissed with melted licorice, pepper, and spice. There is tremendous precision, surprisingly good acidity (thanks to the limestone soils), and a heady, rich, full-bodied, impressive finish. This is the finest example yet fashioned from the Pesenti Estate. It will drink well for 5-8 years. |
| 1999 | Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon oakville | Cabernet | B-2 | 35 | 11 | 92 |
| Spectator Selection: Dark, rich and enormously complex, with a solid core of black cherry, plum, currant, anise and cedary flavors. Beautifully focused, with a sense of elegance and finesse. Drawn from extensive vineyard holdings; an impressive step up in quality. A tremendous value for an exceptional wine. Best from 2003 through 2010.8,400 cases made. (JL) |
| 1999 | Venge Venge Family Reserve Scout's Honor | Zinfandel | B-3 | 30 | 3 | 91 |
| RP: The 1999 Venge Family Reserve Scouts Honor is an intriguing blend of 86% Zinfandel, 10% Charbono, and 4% Petite Sirah. Sweet black cherry, raspberry, briery fruit, pepper, and spice characteristics combine in this fun wine. It is medium to full-bodied and loaded with fruit. It will drink well for 4-5 years. |
| 2002 | Verget Macon Bussieres Vieilles Vignes du Clos
| Chardonnay | | 26 | 3 | 91 |
| RP: he 2002 Macon-Bussieres Vieilles Vignes du Clos has a buttered toast, oak, and mineral-scented nose. Rich, lush, concentrated, and medium-bodied, this velvety-textured wine is powerful, reveals superb purity, and is armed with a deep, intense, waxy syrup of minerals and a spice-laden character. It is wonderfully long, complex, and intense. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.
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| 2002 | Verget Macon Charnay le Clos de Saint Pierre
| Chardonnay | | 20 | 3 | 89 |
| RP- Fermented and aged in stainless steel (75%) and new oak (25%), the 2002 Macon-Charnay Le Clos Saint-Pierre sports a vinous, deep nose of stones and minerals. Broad, powerful, and expansive, this satiny-textured, medium-bodied wine exhibits liquid slate flavors. It is lush, possesses an admirably long finish, and is seamless. Drink it over the next 4 years.
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| 2000 | Vieux Clos St. Emillon | Bordeaux | A-14 | 29 | 3 | NR |
| 1999 | Vina Valdivieso Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | C-9 | 20 | 1 | NR |
| 2001 | Viticcio Chianti Calssico Riserva | Sangiovese | A-3 | 19 | 9 | 94 |
| WS-Classy, elegant CC, with plum, berry and soft mineral character. Medium- to full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, long, minerally finish. Another standout from Chianti. Terrific value here considerring the quality. best after 2005. |
| 1999 | Viu Manent Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley Special Selection | Cabernet | C-8 | 19 | 1 | 88 |
| Muscular, with blackberry and cassis fruit augmented by beef bouillon and bacony smoke notes. Hearty, but the finish has focus despite a blast of toast. Needs a touch more harmony, which should come with brief cellaring. Drink now through 2004. 1,300 cases made. |
| Tasted 12-9-02 - somewhat flat the first night. the second night the tannins come through and their is much better mouth feel and roundness |
| 2003 | Waterbrook Columbia Valley Melange | Blend | C-13 | 13 | 9 | 90 |
| WS-Ripe and plump, generous with its spicy, mocha-scented cherry and blackberry flavors, persisting smoothly through the long, harmonious finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2010. 19,000 cases made. (HS) |
| 2001 | Wente Chardonnay Arroyo Seco Riva Ranch Reserve | Chardonnay | B-22 | 15 | 14 | 87 |
| ntense, with a earthy, leafy-floral edge to the creamy, buttery pear and apple flavors. The texture is a bit raw, but nothing out of line for a wine this young. Finishes with smoky oak and complex flavors. Drink now through 2006. 5,000 cases made. |
| 2000 | Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-11 | 40 | 1 | 88 |
| Supple, harmonious and graceful, with mocha and dill-scented oak wrapped around rich currant, olive, herb and leathery notes. Well-balanced and complex, if missing the extra dimensions of past vintages. Best from 2004 through 2010. 15,140 cases made. (JL) |
| 1999 | Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley | Cabernet | CR | 90 | 2 | 93 |
| Highly Recommended: An immense effort, dark, rich and deeply concentrated, packed with layers of rich currant, chocolate, mocha, cherry and herbal nuances. Finishes with a powerful, persistent aftertaste, rich, ripe tannins and wonderful complexity. Best from 2003 through 2012. 12,280 cases made. (JL) |
| 2001 | Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve | Cabernet | B-11 | 55 | 6 | 94 |
| WS-Shows the youthful grapey perfume and vibrancy of a barrel wine. Wonderful intensity, richness and focus. The layers of spice, currant and wild berry finish with firm, chewy tannins. Score range: 92-94 (JL) |
| 2001 | Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | B-11 | 32 | 3 | NR |
| 1999 | Wits End McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet | C-11 | 45 | 2 | NR |
| 2001 | Yalumba Unwooded Chardonnay | Chardonnay | C-12 | 10 | 4 | 87 |
| WS: Bright in flavor, with tangy citrus-scented pineapple and apple notes that echo nicely through the open-weaved finish. Drink now. |
| 1-23-04 - tropical fruit bouquet with a nice spicy aftertaste - texture is thick and satisfying - drank with salad and grilled chicken |
| 2000 | d'Arenburg The Dead Arm | Shiraz | C-10 | 65 | 2 | 94 |
| RP- This estate’s most renowned offering is their old vine (90+ years) Shiraz called The Dead Arm. The unfined/unfiltered 2000 The Dead Arm Shiraz is one of South Australia’s finest wines of the vintage. A perfume of grilled steak intermixed with blackberries, new saddle leather, earth, pepper, and melted licorice rises from this awesome red. With great power, richness, and no hard edges, it is still young and primary, but should hit its peak in 3-7 years, and last for two decades or more. |
| 2002 | d'Arenburg The Dead Arm Shiraz | Shiraz | C-10 | 34 | 3 | 92 |
| RP - The 2002 The Dead Arm Shiraz was a challenge to effectively analyze. After the magnificent 2001, it comes across as lighter-styled, more elegant, but also closed and restrained. Several hours of aeration were beneficial, but this cuvee seems to be playing it close to the vest. However, there is power underneath the tannic structure. A deep ruby/purple color is followed by a backward, full-throttle Shiraz lacking the exuberance, unctuosity, and stunning concentration of the 2001 and 1998. It has noble breeding, but appears to be totally shut down at present. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2020. |
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