Large Formats - Old World

We sent a great list of domestic large formats yesterday, and today we wanted to highlight our equally impressive selection of big bottles from Europe. It's party season and you know you are going to need more than one bottle of wine for your next party - why not make a splash with a large format (or two)? It's a win-win, you have to open less bottles, and your guests are impressed because big bottles are well, impressive! Choose from a deep list full of top Old World producers like Beaucastel, Gaja, Haut-Brion, Jadot and Ch. Margaux to name just a few. Put a couple of big bottles in your cart and make your entertaining easier - happy hunting!

The following are the wines remaining from the offer sent on Tuesday, December 4, 2018. Please enter your desired quantities and click the 'Add' button.

Producer	Vint.	Wine	Price	Qty	Order
		Bordeaux Red
Ch. Calon-Segur	2005	St. Estephe (1.5 L)	$284.99	19
	JS 94 (11/2015): Tight and dense still but so integrated and seamless in texture. Aromas of chocolate, hazelnuts, dried spices and currants. Full body, superfine tannins and a texture that is so caressing and beautiful. Drink or hold.   NM 94 (3/2015): Tasted from an ex-château bottle at BI Wine & Spirits Calon-Segur dinner in London, the 2005 Calon Segur is on par with the wonderful 2000. The only real difference is that this needs more time in bottle. It has a captivating nose: blackberry and boysenberry fruit coming at you at full pelt; dried blood and bacon fat developing as secondary aromas just behind. There is fine delineation here - an underlying mineralité sure to surface with time. The palate is very intense and disarmingly youthful, almost ferrous on the entry with layers of ripe black fruit that segue into an earthy finish (with a curious light tang of Marmite on the aftertaste!). It is a fabulous Calon Ségur, though the millennial wine might ultimately possess greater precision. We will see.   WA 93 (6/2015): The 2005 is a beautiful Calon Ségur, with sweet mocha, black cherry, leathery fruit, medium to full body, attractive purity, a gorgeous texture, and serious nobility, gravitas and density. Drink it over the next 20-30 years, yet it is surprisingly accessible.   WS 93 (3/2008): Has a beautiful nose of crushed berry, spices and nutmeg, with a hint of coffee. Then turns to licorice. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a long finish of vanilla, berry and cinnamon. Beautifully crafted. Best after 2014. 17,500 cases made.   VM 92+ (6/2008): Deep, bright ruby-red. Deeply pitched aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, leather, smoked meat, earth and menthol. Chewy, brooding and deep, with concentrated black cherry, menthol, mineral and leather flavors framed by a powerful spine of acids and tannins. Really saturates the palate on the tannic back end. I'd give this classic St. Estephe a decade of aging, at which time this wine may well merit an even higher score. Stephen Tanzer.
	2009	St. Estephe (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$285	8
	WA 94 (2/2012): The 2009 has the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) ever included in a Calon-Segur (the rest is Merlot and Petit Verdot). Completely different from its St.-Estephe brethren, it is more backward and structured with a dense purple color, lots of black cherry, black currant, loamy earth, forest floor and spice notes, excruciatingly high levels of tannin, and a wonderful inner core of sweetness and concentration. It could behave like the 1982, which, at age 30, is just becoming mature. The 2009 is an uncompromising, masculine, massive style of wine that needs 15-20 years of cellaring even in this luscious, flashy, flamboyant vintage. It is super-tight and needs lots of coaxing and aeration. Anticipated maturity: 2025-2050+.   VM 94 (7/2012): Good dark red. Musky, highly complex nose offers plum, blackcurrant, camphor, menthol, violet and lavender. Remarkably silky and fine-grained, combining Outstanding subtle concentration and terrific inner-mouth energy. This very rich but classically dry Saint-Estephe finishes with lush, noble tannins and Outstanding complexity. A great vintage for this estate, and a classic claret in a traditional style.   WS 93-96 (8/2010): Delivers gorgeous aromas of blackberry, blueberry and licorice, with hints of tobacco and spice. Full-bodied, offering a lovely texture and refinement. Very long and beautiful, with tangy acidity and lively fruit. A rich, yet very balanced, Calon. This is almost all Cabernet Sauvignon instead of the normal blend with 40 percent Merlot. The château is now using 100 percent new wood. Like the changes.
	2010	St. Estephe (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$269	9
	JS 96 (11/2013): Sure pure fruit to this red with a minerality and floral undertone. You can smell the warm stones. Full body, with a beautiful depth of fruit and velvety tannins. Dense and balanced. Layered with a light salty and meaty character as well. Great length. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon. Try in 2017.   WA 94+ (2/2013): The 2010 is performing well,. With Cabernet Sauvignon dominating the blend, the wine has a dense plum/purple color along with notes of underbrush, black currants, plum, licorice, smoky charcuterie and some roasted herbs in the background. Full-bodied, moderately tannic and set for an extremely long life, this will not be a wine to please those looking for immediate gratification. Rather, I would suspect this wine will close down even further in bottle and, despite its full-bodied, powerful, massive size, it will need at least a decade of cellaring before it is accessible. This is another 2010 capable of lasting 35-50 years.   VM 94 (1/2014): Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Calon-Segur 2010 has a clean and fresh, classic bouquet with black fruit, leather, scorched earth and bay leaf scents that unfold gently in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, light acidity, very fine harmony and a dash of white pepper towards the long finish. This is classy and sophisticated, a great wine from Francois Millet and his team.   VM 93+ (7/2013): Bright, full medium ruby. Deep aromas of cassis, cigar box, olive tapenade and licorice. Then vinous and penetrating in the mouth, with excellent lift to its complex flavors of dried cherry, cassis, tobacco, flowers, minerals and spices. Wonderfully suave but youthfully backward wine with a very long, smooth finish featuring noble tannins and fresh acidity. This will need a good eight to ten years to expand in bottle and should be long-lived.   WS 89 (12/2013): On the rustic side, with strong bay and chestnut leaf notes and a peppery meatiness up front, followed by slightly chewy black currant and blackberry fruit flavors. Shows lots of charcoal on the dusty finish, while the leafy elements flicker in and out. Displays flesh and dense fruit, but lacks purity and may not be for everyone. The peppery note wins out in the end. Best from 2014 through 2028.
Ch. Cantemerle	2009	Haut Medoc (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$119	4
	JS 95 (2/2012): Gorgeous ripe fruit character, with loads of blueberries, blackberries and flowers. Full body, with velvety tannins and a fruity, fresh, grapefruit aftertaste. Really beautiful. Best ever from here. Best after 2018.   WA 91+ (2/2012): Readers looking for the more ethereal, elegant side of Bordeaux need search no further than Cantemerle, one of the estates in the very southern end of the Medoc. Dense ruby/purple (nearly opaque), this wine offers up notes of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, raspberries and black cherries. The wine is ethereal, medium-bodied, and by no means a blockbuster, but long and intellectual. However, the tannins are present, and the wine is certainly capable of putting on weight with time in the bottle. Give it 3-4 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 25+ years.   VM 90+ (7/2012): Bright, deep ruby-red. High-pitched, inky aromas of blackberry, violet and licorice. Juicy, lively and penetrating, with a restrained sweetness and a distinctly cool quality to its black fruit and graphite flavors. Nicely dense but not a fleshy style of 2009. Finishes with firm tannins and sneaky length, and a light touch. I'd lay this down for five or six years; it should last for a good two decades.   WS 91 (3/2012): This broad, fleshy style delivers toasty spice and tobacco notes up front, followed by dark cocoa, crushed plum and mulled blackberry fruit flavors. This really stretches out nicely in the glass, with alluring dark fruit and a velvety feel. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2017. 33,330 cases made.
Ch. Cheval-Blanc	2007	St. Emilion (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$1,025	6
	NM 94 (1/2011): Tasted blind at the 2007 Bordeaux horizontal in Southwold. Very broody and peppery on the nose: ripe Cabernet Franc in excelsis, very fine definition - this has to be Lafleur. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, gritty and tertiary flavours, a touch of spice, almost curmudgeonly towards the finish - but that would be Lafleur! Hints of chestnut and cooked meat towards the finish, this remains a more masculine, Left Bank style of Cheval Blanc but it certainly has class.   VM 92 (8/2010): Bright red-ruby. Perfumed aromas of violet, licorice and smoke. Like liquid silk in the mouth, with captivating inner-mouth perfume of berries, smoky oak and flowers. The broad, dusty tannins reach the front teeth. Doesn't possess the force or dimension of a great vintage but offers the advantage of early sweetness. Not particularly backward today, but there's more to come.   WS 91 (3/2010): Starts off with loads of fresh herbs that turn to black licorice and sweet blackberry on the nose. Full-bodied, with a big, soft, velvety tannin structure. Long and caressing, with wonderful texture. Really builds on the palate. So delicious already. Best after 2012. 4,250 cases made.   WA 91 (4/2010): A strong effort in this vintage, the evolved, perfumed, purple-tinged 2007 Cheval Blanc offers complex aromas of menthol, cedarwood, mulberries, and black currants. Medium-bodied with beautiful fruit, sweet tannin, and a heady finish, this lovely wine should drink well for 10-15 years.
	2009	St. Emilion (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$2,100	4
	JD 100 (12/2017): Utter perfection in wine, the 2009 Cheval Blanc is the complete opposite of the 2010 and has soaring, complex aromatics, an expansive, sexy, full-bodied texture, and building, yet sweet tannin. Kirsch, currants, incense, exotic spices and leather nuances all emerge from this almost over the top, heavenly 2009 that carries its wealth of fruit and extravagant personality perfectly. It’s young, but good lord is it good.   WA 99 (2/2012): It will be fascinating to follow the evolution of the 2009 Cheval Blanc versus the 2010 as well as the awesome 2005, 2000, 1998 and 1990. This famous estate’s vineyard is situated at the juncture of Pomerol and the sandy, gravelly soils of St.-Emilion, facing the two noble estates of L’Evangile and La Conseillante. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2009 Cheval Blanc tips the scales at just under 14% natural alcohol. Its dense blue/purple color is accompanied by an extraordinary nose of incense, raspberries, cassis, sweet forest floor and a subtle hint of menthol. Opulent and full-bodied with low acidity but no sense of heaviness, this dense, unctuously textured, super-smooth, velvety, pure, profound Cheval Blanc is impossible to resist despite its youthfulness. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2050+.   JS 99 (2/2012): This is ethereal. The nose is so perfumed and beautiful, with dried flowers, fresh mint, blueberries and plums that follow through to a full body and incredible power of super fine tannins. It's almost like a Romanee-Conti in texture and length. The fresh acidity makes it bright. It's all about texture. 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Try in 2022.   WS 98 (3/2012): Dense, brooding and richly coated, with a well of steeped black currant, fig paste and roasted plum fruit to draw on while the layers of charcoal, Kenya AA coffee and loam resolve themselves. This displays both breadth and depth, offering a great undercurrent of acidity to match its heft. Should be among the most long-lived wines of the vintage. Best from 2017 through 2035. 7,330 cases made.   NM 97 (1/2013): Apparently the final blend of the Cheval Blanc 2009 included 64% Cabernet Franc – perhaps a moot point given just how splendid this Saint Emilion is turning out. It has an extravagant, heavenly bouquet that immediately goes out to make an impression with exuberant wild strawberry, black olive compote, black truffle and minerals. The oak is beautifully interwoven. The palate is full-bodied with super fine tensile tannins, great purity and elegant. This has more tension that its peers: shimmering with complexity and vibrancy. Long and quite profound on the finish, this is a marvellous 2009 – but having tasting it recently – could the 2010 be even better?   VM 97 (7/2012): Bright red-ruby. Flamboyant yet classy aromas and flavors of raspberry, mocha, coffee and herbs. Like liquid velvet in the mouth, but with great lift and perfume giving the wine Outstanding inner-palate verve. Wonderfully rich and classically dry Cheval with noble tannins, strong mineral energy and great lingering aromatic character. Atypically full and approachable for young Cheval Blanc but I'm not complaining. One of the longest wines of the vintage, and among my handful of favorites. Stephen Tanzer.
	2010	St. Emilion (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$2,750	1
	WA 100 (2/2013): The 2010 is one of the most impressive two-year-old Cheval Blancs I have tasted in 34 years in this profession. The final blend of 54% Cabernet Franc and 46% Merlot has the tell-tale berry/floral nose with subtle hints of menthol, blueberry, raspberry and flowers in addition to some forest floor and a delicate touch of lead pencil shavings. The wine exhibits more structure and density than it did from barrel, and it was already remarkable then. The foresty/floral notes seem to linger and linger in this surprisingly full-bodied, powerful Cheval Blanc, yet it possesses a very healthy pH that should ensure enormous longevity. Dense purple in color, and a bigger, richer wine than usual, this is one Cheval Blanc that will probably need a decade of cellaring. I like the description from the estate’s administrator, Pierre Lurton, who said it tasted like “liquid cashmere,” a perfect expression, despite the wine’s structure and intensity. This is another 50-year wine from this amazingly structured, rich vintage.   JS 100 (11/2013): The aromas here are crazy with flowers, mushroom, forest floor, and fruit. It seems like I am walking through a row of the vines in Cheval Blanc when I have my nose in the glass. It's full-bodied, with fabulous layers of ultra-fine tannins and milk chocolate, raspberries, and a phenomenal finish. Truly one of the greatest Chevals ever. Better than 2009. Try in 2020.   WS 98 (3/2013): This is stone-cold shut down right now, but why worry? You'll want to wait at least a decade before breaching a bottle as massively endowed as this, with loads of loamy bass notes thumping along underneath a riveting track of licorice snap, pastis-steeped black currant fruit, maduro tobacco and espresso. And then there's an echo of petrichor at the very end that hints at the aromatic fireworks to come with cellaring. Should compete for wine of the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2040.   NM 98 (1/2014): The stellar Cheval Blanc 2010 has a very precise bouquet, not powerful but exuding a brooding intensity. It is very well defined with hints of honey and dried violet petals in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with a wondrous spicy entry, perfectly judged acidity, real weight and heft on the back palate that fans out as if there is no tomorrow. This is a huge wine, totally compelling, a behemoth destined to mature over years rather than decades. Tasted January 2014.   VM 95+ (7/2013): Good bright, deep red. Captivating scents of cassis, violet, minerals, bitter chocolate and wild herbs. Extremely fine-grained but also very dense and chewy for young Cheval Blanc, showing great cabernet franc lift and perfume and a downright velvety texture. This deep, multilayered wine was a bit dominated by its brooding tannins and big structure when first poured, but I found my score going steadily higher as the wine benefited from air. My rating may look too conservative a decade from now--or three or four decades hence. Stephen Tanzer.
	2012	St. Emilion (3.0 L) ex-Negociant	$2,399	3
	VM 97 (1/2016): The 2012 Cheval Blanc boasts stunning power and a vertical, imposing sense of structure that is quite rare in this vintage. Dark and almost brooding in style, the Cheval is a rare 2012 that absolutely demands cellaring. Smoke, tobacco, incense and dark spices open up with time, but the 2012 is a reticent, tannic wine that is only showing the barest hints of its ultimate potential. This is a magnificent showing and one of the clear highlights of the year. Antonio Galloni.   WA 95+ (8/2018): Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Cheval Blanc reveals lovely cassis, warm black cherries and redcurrant jelly notions with underlying hints of cedar chest, garrigue, Indian spices and damp soil. Medium to full-bodied, it possesses wonderful energy and freshness on the palate with a beautifully poised ethereal nature and long mineral-tinged finish. This elegantly crafted beauty should enter its drinking window in a couple of years and cellar gracefully for another 20+ years.   WS 95 (3/2015): This wine is gorgeous in all facets, offering a simultaneously loamy and creamy mouthfeel, seamless layers of red and black currant, cherry, raspberry and blackberry fruit, and a long, tobacco-fueled finish that features alluring hints of black tea and incense. The fruit and terroir shine in this broad, deep and defined style. Best from 2018 through 2030. 7,665 cases made.   JS 94 (2/2015): A Cheval Blanc with an impressive center palate of blueberries, chocolate, almonds and spices. Full body, a solid core of fruit and a long, long finish. Goes on for minutes. Beautiful wine. Seamless tannins. Needs a few years of bottle age. Better in 2017.
	2012	St. Emilion (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$1,099	12
	VM 97 (1/2016): The 2012 Cheval Blanc boasts stunning power and a vertical, imposing sense of structure that is quite rare in this vintage. Dark and almost brooding in style, the Cheval is a rare 2012 that absolutely demands cellaring. Smoke, tobacco, incense and dark spices open up with time, but the 2012 is a reticent, tannic wine that is only showing the barest hints of its ultimate potential. This is a magnificent showing and one of the clear highlights of the year. Antonio Galloni.   WA 95+ (8/2018): Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Cheval Blanc reveals lovely cassis, warm black cherries and redcurrant jelly notions with underlying hints of cedar chest, garrigue, Indian spices and damp soil. Medium to full-bodied, it possesses wonderful energy and freshness on the palate with a beautifully poised ethereal nature and long mineral-tinged finish. This elegantly crafted beauty should enter its drinking window in a couple of years and cellar gracefully for another 20+ years.   WS 95 (3/2015): This wine is gorgeous in all facets, offering a simultaneously loamy and creamy mouthfeel, seamless layers of red and black currant, cherry, raspberry and blackberry fruit, and a long, tobacco-fueled finish that features alluring hints of black tea and incense. The fruit and terroir shine in this broad, deep and defined style. Best from 2018 through 2030. 7,665 cases made.   JS 94 (2/2015): A Cheval Blanc with an impressive center palate of blueberries, chocolate, almonds and spices. Full body, a solid core of fruit and a long, long finish. Goes on for minutes. Beautiful wine. Seamless tannins. Needs a few years of bottle age. Better in 2017.
Ch. Figeac	2010	St. Emilion (3.0 L) ex-Negociant	$1,195	3
	JS 98 (2/2013): This is phenomenal on the nose with blackberries, fresh cep mushrooms, forest fruit, and earth. Turns to hazelnuts and dark berries. Subtle. Breathtaking. It's full-bodied on the palate, with superb tannins that last for minutes. The flavor is subtle yet incredible. Love the texture. It is the same wonderful quality level as 2009. This is so fabulous to taste now, but so much better in 2018.   WS 96 (3/2013): This is very tight, showing a prominent roasted apple wood and bittersweet cocoa frame more today, though the core of dense currant paste, blackberry pâte de fruit and plum sauce waits in reserve. Gorgeous singed spice, anise and toasted fig bread notes flitter through the finish, though this needs some time in the cellar to resolve itself fully. A very distinctive, structured expression of St.-Emilion. Best from 2016 through 2035.   VM 91+ (7/2013): Bright ruby-red. Cassis, blueberry, flowers and clove on the precise, vibrant nose. Then tight and imploded on the palate, with an almost minty, peppery austerity to the black and blue fruit flavors; hardly your typical 2010! This very pure, spicy Saint-Emilion has the structure of a cabernet, and its youthfully forbidding tannins call for at least eight years of patience. It will merit an even higher score if it blossoms in the bottle.   NM 90 (1/2014): Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Figeac 2010 has a superb, more classically lined bouquet with tense blackcurrant, raspberry and crushed violets that almost explode from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy ripe black fruit on the entry with a dash of white pepper that leaves the tongue tingling. This is very linear and composed, but there is clearly potential for those prepared to wait.
Ch. Haut-Brion	2011	Pessac Leognan (3.0 L) ex-Negociant	$2,699	3
	JS 96 (1/2014): Lots of subtle redcurrant and berry character, with flowers and sweet tobacco on the nose. Full body, super-integrated tannins and a light shaved-chocolate, berry and cedar character. A decadence and beauty to this that wakes you up. Better in 2018.   WS 95 (3/2014): This packs some serious density for the vintage, with layers of braised fig, blackberry pâte de fruit and dark currant paste, all inlaid with lively briar, tobacco leaf and roasted apple wood notes. Shows lots of energy through the finish, with the grip generating a mouthwatering feel. One of the stars of the vintage. Best from 2018 through 2035.   WA 95 (4/2014): Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 2011 Haut Brion has always been an excellent Pessac-Léognan, though recent encounters suggest it does not have the potential of the 2012. It has a gentle and caressing bouquet full of copious dark cherry and raspberry fruit, a touch of saddle leather and a seam of dark chocolate emanating from the oak regime, which needs more time to integrate (though it is not an Haut-Brion that is going to demand years and years in bottle). The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and feels gentle in the mouth. It is very well balanced, although perhaps the oak comes through too strongly on the finish, when frankly there is no need. Nevertheless, this is a classic Pessac-Léognan - maybe "mild mannered" and a little conservative compared to more ambitious recent vintages, yet there is no doubting its class and pedigree.   NM 94 (12/2016): Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 2011 Haut Brion has always been an excellent Pessac-Léognan, though recent encounters suggest it does not have the potential of the 2012. It has a gentle and caressing bouquet full of copious dark cherry and raspberry fruit, a touch of saddle leather and a seam of dark chocolate emanating from the oak regime, which needs more time to integrate (though it is not an Haut-Brion that is going to demand years and years in bottle). The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and feels gentle in the mouth. It is very well balanced, although perhaps the oak comes through too strongly on the finish, when frankly there is no need. Nevertheless, this is a classic Pessac-Léognan - maybe "mild mannered" and a little conservative compared to more ambitious recent vintages, yet there is no doubting its class and pedigree.   VM 92 (7/2014): Deep ruby. Complex, soil-driven aromas of redcurrant, dark cherry and raspberry are complicated by exotic notes of Oriental spices and soy sauce. Rich, tactile and sweet, offering intense, elegant dark fruit and spice flavors lifted by a saline nuance. Finishes with sweet tannins and lingering saline and smoky notes. This is deeper and fleshier than the La Mission. Ian d'Agata.
Ch. Lafite Rothschild	1977	Pauillac (6x1.5L)	$6,600	2
	WS 87 (11/1991): Full of lively cranberry, raspberry and herb flavors, with smoky accents and very firm acidity. Very good wine from an unheralded vintage. Drink now through 2000.--Lafite Rothschild vertical.   MB [*] (9/1989): Could be a dashed sight worse. An effort at fragrance and flavour but dry, lean and tart. Not worth pursuing even out of curiosity.
Ch. Latour	2007	Pauillac (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$1,135	1
	WA 92+ (4/2010): The 2007 Latour (the first wine made in the newly renovated cellars) exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as a sweet, expansive bouquet of black fruits and spring flowers interwoven with a striking minerality. The wine’s dense, medium to full-bodied flavors are surprisingly evolved, with soft tannins, an ample, generous mouthfeel, and an endearing texture. Undoubtedly one of the longest lived wines of the vintage, the 2007 Latour should last for two decades or more.   VM 92 (8/2010): Good bright ruby-red. Rather backward nose hints at cassis, black cherry, shoe polish, graphite, minerals and spices. Sweet, broad and rich, but with enticing fresh minerality giving energy to the rather full-bodied middle palate. The wine's cassis fruit is complicated by an almost decadent floral element. Finishes perfumed and very long, with wonderfully lush, supple, fine-grained tannins. Stephen Tanzer.   NM 92 (2/2017): Tasted at BI Wine & Spirits' 10-Years-On tasting, the 2007 Latour was late-released last year, and I reviewed it at that time. This bottle reaffirmed my remarks from a few months ago albeit here within the context of all the other First Growth. I noticed that it has slightly more intensity than the Lafite-Rothschild, a touch of menthol infusing the black fruit, certainly more exotic than the Lafite or Mouton with that subtle hint of black olive. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. There is good muscle and weight to this Latour, with impressive tension and energy on the saline finish. It will drink well over the next 15 years, possibly longer.   WS 90 (3/2010): Offers floral and berry notes, with currant and licorice. Full-bodied, with a sweet core of fruit. There's silky tannins and a fresh, fruity finish. Reserved and balanced. Best after 2012.
	2011	Pauillac (6.0 L) ex-Negociant	$6,895	2
	WS 96 (3/2014): This has a gorgeous core of steeped plum, boysenberry and black currant coulis flavors, backed by a prominent graphite note that drives through the lengthy finish, where extra hints of anise and sweet tobacco flitter in the background. Regal. Best from 2018 through 2035. 5,835 cases made.   JS 95 (1/2014): The nose is complex, featuring smoke, meat and hints of wood, with currants, olives and berries underneath. Full body with super-velvety tannins. The strong acidity gives the wine an edginess. Love the spicy, subtly fruity finish. Steely. Try in 2020.   NM 94-96 (5/2012): The Grand Vin is a blend of 84.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 0.5% Petit Verdot, representing 34% of the crop. The nose demands coaxing from the glass with introspective dark berry fruit, mineral, graphite and just a hint of cedar. The palate is classic Latour with tensile tannins in the driving seat and the fruit residing in the passenger. It has finely tuned acidity that lends it freshness and tension. There is superb minerality towards the finish but it retains that strictness and focus without blinking. If you love Latour, you will love the 2011.   WA 93-95 (4/2012): A blend of 84.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 0.5% Petit Verdot, the 2011 Latour represents only 34% of the crop. It hit 13.1% natural alcohol. One of the vintage's most compelling wines, it possesses a dense ruby/purple color as well as a sweet, open-knit personality with ripe tannin, superb intensity, good purity and harmony, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and lots of crushed rock, floral and black as well as blue fruit notes in addition to hints of ink and forest floor. This beautifully rich, savory Latour will be surprisingly drinkable in 4-5 years, and should age easily for two decades or more.   VM 91+ (7/2014): Inky purple. Closed nose hints at blackcurrant, flint, violet and cedar. On the palate, dark berry and flint flavors are complicated by graphite and cedar. A lovely, very pure, lighter-styled Latour, but the mounting tannins are big and brawny, and the long finish is mouthcoatingly dry. Another 2011 red that currently lacks the flesh to stand up to its tannic spine. Forget about it in the cellar for at least another five years. Ian d'Agata.
Ch. Leoville Poyferre	2009	St. Julien (3.0 L)	$1,195	1
	WA 100 (2/2012): One of the more flamboyant and sumptuous wines of the vintage, this inky/purple-colored St.-Julien reveals thrilling levels of opulence, richness and aromatic pleasures. A soaring bouquet of creme de cassis, charcoal, graphite and spring flowers is followed by a super-concentrated wine with silky tannins, stunning amounts of glycerin, a voluptuous, multilayered mouthfeel and nearly 14% natural alcohol. Displaying fabulous definition for such a big, plump, massive, concentrated effort, I suspect the tannin levels are high even though they are largely concealed by lavish amounts of fruit, glycerin and extract. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.   JS 96 (2/2012): Gorgeous aromas of blueberries and blackberries, with flowers and minerals. Full body, with silky tannins and a bright acidity on the finish. Tangy and chewy. Muscular. Try in 2018.   VM 95 (7/2012): (a blend of 62.5% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot, 6% petit verdot and 2.5% cabernet franc): Bright medium ruby. Classic Saint-Julien aromas of cassis, licorice, tar, minerals and dark chocolate. Lush, sweet and powerful, with a superb glyceral texture to the dark berry and dark chocolate flavors. Huge wine but not at all heavy. The extremely long, echoing finish features utterly noble tannins that saturate the front teeth. Offers a show-stopping combination of sweetness and structure. Built for three decades of life in bottle.   NM 93 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Leoville Poyferre 2009 has a very pure, lifted, almost Margaux-like bouquet with blackberry, raspberry leaf and crushed stone - a certain coolness that is very appealing. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. It is quite compact in the mouth, but it is very well focused and displays poise and tension towards the composed finish. Excellent - this is a Saint Julien that is beginning to shed its puppy fat and find its “groove”.   WS 93 (3/2012): Solid notes of steeped black currant, ganache-coated fig and plum eau de vie pump along in this very dark red, but with well-integrated structure. Long and winey through the finish, with the grip extending everything nicely. Best from 2016 through 2026. 17,665 cases made.
Ch. Margaux	2011	Margaux (3.0 L) ex-Negociant	$2,295	2
	WS 94 (3/2014): This has a restrained core of steeped plum, blackberry and anise, studded with tobacco and roasted cedar notes. The structure is silky but persistent, with an almost-succulent feel through the finish, while warm bergamot, singed cedar, vanilla and sanguine hints define the finish. Discreet today, but shows the balance and precision to unfold slowly with cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2030.   JS 94 (1/2014): Fabulous aromas of flowers with hints of strawberries and currants. Extremely aromatic. This is full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a racy finish. It is very finely structured but chewy and austere. I like the tension to this. Try in 2018.   WA 93 (4/2014): The renowned Chateau Margaux's 2011 boasts a dark ruby/plum color as well as a fragrant perfume of spring flowers, sweet, supple, well-integrated tannins, medium body, and the elegance and nobility expected from a great first-growth. Although it is not as powerful or concentrated as the 2009 or 2010 (no 2011s are), it possesses finesse, elegance, purity and suppleness. The wine is surprisingly approachable already yet should keep for 15-20 years.   VM 91+ (7/2014): Deep ruby. Aromas of blackcurrant, dark cherry, herbs and licorice. Spicy and taut, with dark fruit and herb flavors offering decent flesh and grip; seems to be shutting down. Finishes long and smooth: this really is a considerable step up from the Pavillon Rouge. I like this wine's tension but hope that it develops more sweetness of fruit and length with another five or six years in the cellar. Ian d'Agata.
	2011	Margaux (6.0 L) ex-Negociant	$4,999	2
	WS 94 (3/2014): This has a restrained core of steeped plum, blackberry and anise, studded with tobacco and roasted cedar notes. The structure is silky but persistent, with an almost-succulent feel through the finish, while warm bergamot, singed cedar, vanilla and sanguine hints define the finish. Discreet today, but shows the balance and precision to unfold slowly with cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2030.   JS 94 (1/2014): Fabulous aromas of flowers with hints of strawberries and currants. Extremely aromatic. This is full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a racy finish. It is very finely structured but chewy and austere. I like the tension to this. Try in 2018.   WA 93 (4/2014): The renowned Chateau Margaux's 2011 boasts a dark ruby/plum color as well as a fragrant perfume of spring flowers, sweet, supple, well-integrated tannins, medium body, and the elegance and nobility expected from a great first-growth. Although it is not as powerful or concentrated as the 2009 or 2010 (no 2011s are), it possesses finesse, elegance, purity and suppleness. The wine is surprisingly approachable already yet should keep for 15-20 years.   VM 91+ (7/2014): Deep ruby. Aromas of blackcurrant, dark cherry, herbs and licorice. Spicy and taut, with dark fruit and herb flavors offering decent flesh and grip; seems to be shutting down. Finishes long and smooth: this really is a considerable step up from the Pavillon Rouge. I like this wine's tension but hope that it develops more sweetness of fruit and length with another five or six years in the cellar. Ian d'Agata.
	2011	Margaux (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$1,195	11
	WS 94 (3/2014): This has a restrained core of steeped plum, blackberry and anise, studded with tobacco and roasted cedar notes. The structure is silky but persistent, with an almost-succulent feel through the finish, while warm bergamot, singed cedar, vanilla and sanguine hints define the finish. Discreet today, but shows the balance and precision to unfold slowly with cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2030.   JS 94 (1/2014): Fabulous aromas of flowers with hints of strawberries and currants. Extremely aromatic. This is full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a racy finish. It is very finely structured but chewy and austere. I like the tension to this. Try in 2018.   WA 93 (4/2014): The renowned Chateau Margaux's 2011 boasts a dark ruby/plum color as well as a fragrant perfume of spring flowers, sweet, supple, well-integrated tannins, medium body, and the elegance and nobility expected from a great first-growth. Although it is not as powerful or concentrated as the 2009 or 2010 (no 2011s are), it possesses finesse, elegance, purity and suppleness. The wine is surprisingly approachable already yet should keep for 15-20 years.   VM 91+ (7/2014): Deep ruby. Aromas of blackcurrant, dark cherry, herbs and licorice. Spicy and taut, with dark fruit and herb flavors offering decent flesh and grip; seems to be shutting down. Finishes long and smooth: this really is a considerable step up from the Pavillon Rouge. I like this wine's tension but hope that it develops more sweetness of fruit and length with another five or six years in the cellar. Ian d'Agata.
		Bordeaux White
Ch. d' Yquem	2013	Sauternes (9.0 L) ex-Negociant	$5,299	1
	WS 98 (1/2016): Lightly toasted marshmallow and macadamia nut aromas lead the way, followed by incredibly juicy mirabelle plum, green fig, and glazed pear and peach flavors. As big as this is, there are still plenty of honeysuckle, quinine and chamomile notes kicking the finish into yet another gear. This has purity and length to burn, which it will for a couple of generations. Best from 2020 through 2050. 6,665 cases made.   JS 98 (2/2016): Bright aromas of sliced mango, papaya, botrytis, and lemon follow through to a full body, medium sweet and phenolic palate that gives the wine structure and beauty. Electric acidity and freshness yet an impressive energy and length. A severe selection was made. 40% of the production was destined to the grand vin. About 80,000 bottles made. This is 70% semillion and 30% sauvignon. Better in 2018.   NM 95-97 (4/2014): Firstly, you notice the color, which is a touch deeper than recent vintages at this stage. The bouquet is quite honeyed and rich for Yquem at this early juncture, with subtle scents of peach skin, white flowers, and a puff of chalk and frangipane. The palate is viscous on the entry, all about the texture at first, coating the mouth with luscious botrytized fruit. There are touches of Seville orange marmalade, fresh apricot, a hint of spice and passion fruit. This is imbued with impressive depth and weight, perhaps an Yquem that is determined to make an impression after last year-s absence. It might not possess the finesse of a top flight Yquem, but it has immense power and persistency.   VM 94-96 (4/2014): The 2013 d'Yquem is rich, honeyed and voluptuous in the glass, but never excessively heavy. Crème brulee, candied lemon, apricot jam, orange marmalade, sweet spices and almond paste meld together in a Sauternes built on class and finesse What a gorgeous wine this is. Antonio Galloni.
	2013	Sauternes (15.0 L) ex-Negociant	$8,999	1
	WS 98 (1/2016): Lightly toasted marshmallow and macadamia nut aromas lead the way, followed by incredibly juicy mirabelle plum, green fig, and glazed pear and peach flavors. As big as this is, there are still plenty of honeysuckle, quinine and chamomile notes kicking the finish into yet another gear. This has purity and length to burn, which it will for a couple of generations. Best from 2020 through 2050. 6,665 cases made.   JS 98 (2/2016): Bright aromas of sliced mango, papaya, botrytis, and lemon follow through to a full body, medium sweet and phenolic palate that gives the wine structure and beauty. Electric acidity and freshness yet an impressive energy and length. A severe selection was made. 40% of the production was destined to the grand vin. About 80,000 bottles made. This is 70% semillion and 30% sauvignon. Better in 2018.   NM 95-97 (4/2014): Firstly, you notice the color, which is a touch deeper than recent vintages at this stage. The bouquet is quite honeyed and rich for Yquem at this early juncture, with subtle scents of peach skin, white flowers, and a puff of chalk and frangipane. The palate is viscous on the entry, all about the texture at first, coating the mouth with luscious botrytized fruit. There are touches of Seville orange marmalade, fresh apricot, a hint of spice and passion fruit. This is imbued with impressive depth and weight, perhaps an Yquem that is determined to make an impression after last year-s absence. It might not possess the finesse of a top flight Yquem, but it has immense power and persistency.   VM 94-96 (4/2014): The 2013 d'Yquem is rich, honeyed and voluptuous in the glass, but never excessively heavy. Crème brulee, candied lemon, apricot jam, orange marmalade, sweet spices and almond paste meld together in a Sauternes built on class and finesse What a gorgeous wine this is. Antonio Galloni.
Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux	2006	Margaux (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$495	4
	WA 94 (5/2016): The 2006 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux has always been one of the pinnacle white releases from this First Growth and at ten years of age, I have no reason to change my mind. It has an exquisite bouquet of lemon curd, orange scents and a touch of praline that is very delineated and focused. The palate exhibits fine balance with hints of crème fraiche, almond and even a cheeky dab of marzipan. Funnily enough, it is difficult imagining that this is 100% Sauvignon Blanc and in fact, there is something almost Burgundy-like about this Pavillon Blanc (as I suggested in my barrel tasting note). Irrespective of origin, what it constitutes is a damn glorious white Bordeaux that comes highly recommended. So much so, I would drink this now rather than later. Tasted January 2016.   WS 92 (3/2009): Stone, apple, pineapple and honey aromas follow through to lemon curd and chalk character. Full-bodied, with a lanolin and apple tart flavor. Thick and a little rustic now, but very interesting and stylish. Needs time. Best after 2010.
	2008	Margaux (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$465	6
	WA 91-93 (4/2009): Compared to 2006 and 2007, the 2008 dry white wines of Bordeaux are inferior, but that does not mean they are not very good. They do not possess the flesh, power, or richness of the 2006 and 2007, but they reveal precise, intensely aromatic personalities, lighter bodies, and more noticeable acidity. These remain among the world’s most underrated world-class dry white wines. I will provide full tasting notes once they are in bottle, but following are the dry whites I tasted along with their approximate scores.   VM 89-91 (5/2009): (100% sauvignon blanc; 25 hl/ha; 14% alcohol) Straw-green. Typical pure sauvignon nose of green fig, yellow melon and ripe gooseberry, nicely complemented by hints of chamomile and mint. The delicate fresh flavors echo the aromas in this subtle, aromatically complex white wine. The moderately concentrated but long finish offers a mineral element and a lingering note of green anise. You might say the '08 is back to normalfor Pavillon Blanc, after the flamboyantly rich '07, with its almost 16% alcohol. Ian d'Agata.   WS 88-91 (12/2009): Lemon, light lime peel and mineral aromas. Medium-bodied, with lovely honey, celery and grass on the finish. More subtle and fine than the 2007.
		Burgundy Red
Chateau de la Tour	2010	Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru (1.5 L)	$375	1
	BH 94 (1/2013): This is impressively ripe yet superbly fresh with black cherry and floral scents that are trimmed in sauvage hints and a background application of wood. There is excellent mid-palate concentration and richness to the powerful, muscular and energetic large-scaled flavors that possess superb reserves of mouth coating dry extract that serves to impart a seductive mouth feel to the dusty, serious, balanced and strikingly long finish. A genuine knockout. Drink 2022+.   VM 92+ (4/2013): (bottled in May of 2012): Good bright, deep red. Medicinal red cherry, raspberry, spices and mint on the vibrant nose. Sweet and suave but at the same time penetrating in the style of the better 2010s, with harmonious acidity framing and energizing the flavors of red fruits, minerals and medicinal herbs. Sexy earth tones contribute complexity, and the long, youthfully tight finish shows an exhilarating spice character. I would not be surprised if this wine merited a higher rating by 2022 or so.
Dom. Comte de Vogue	1990	Bonnes Mares Grand Cru (1.5 L)	$1,500	2
	WS 99 (12/1992): A classy, monumental wine, with an impressive deep color and spellbinding complexity. The concentration takes your breath away as the plum, blackberry, raspberry and vanilla flavors coat your palate. Try in 1998. 500 cases made.   WA 90 (10/1992): While the Bonnes Mares is closed, the dark ruby/purple color and the wine's terrific potential are evident. Full-bodied, with a blossoming, black-cherry nose complemented by a judicious use of toasty new oak, this wine exhibits wonderful richness, excellent definition and structure, and a long, dense, concentrated finish. Anticipated maturity: 1997-2010.   BH 87 (4/2016): Complex nose of very ripe aromas and earth and this is already showing strong secondary elements along with the initial whispers of sous-bois. The flavors are big and rich, indeed even rustic with lots of structure. This does not appear to have the mid-palate depth for the fruit to outlast the structure and while its not necessary to drink up, I have my doubts as to whether it will ever harmonize and it's quite likely it will begin to dry out soon, indeed this most recent bottle was quite tough on the finish. To be sure the '90 BM is it clearly needs food to help deal with the drying tannins. Drink now.
	1990	Bonnes Mares Grand Cru (1.5 L) Very Lightly Wrinkled and Nicked Label	$1,500	1
	WS 99 (12/1992): A classy, monumental wine, with an impressive deep color and spellbinding complexity. The concentration takes your breath away as the plum, blackberry, raspberry and vanilla flavors coat your palate. Try in 1998. 500 cases made.   WA 90 (10/1992): While the Bonnes Mares is closed, the dark ruby/purple color and the wine's terrific potential are evident. Full-bodied, with a blossoming, black-cherry nose complemented by a judicious use of toasty new oak, this wine exhibits wonderful richness, excellent definition and structure, and a long, dense, concentrated finish. Anticipated maturity: 1997-2010.   BH 87 (4/2016): Complex nose of very ripe aromas and earth and this is already showing strong secondary elements along with the initial whispers of sous-bois. The flavors are big and rich, indeed even rustic with lots of structure. This does not appear to have the mid-palate depth for the fruit to outlast the structure and while its not necessary to drink up, I have my doubts as to whether it will ever harmonize and it's quite likely it will begin to dry out soon, indeed this most recent bottle was quite tough on the finish. To be sure the '90 BM is it clearly needs food to help deal with the drying tannins. Drink now.
Dom. Francois Lamarche	2008	Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru (1.5 L)	$299	14
	BH 89-92 (1/2010): (from 3 different parcels, one at the bottom and two at the top but on opposite sides) A beautiful nose combines notes of ripe and pure red berry fruit aromas that are liberally laced with warm earth and oak spice hints that can also be found on the unusually refined broad-shouldered flavors that are rich, delicious and detailed while possessing good mid-palate sap and the structural elements appear to be sufficiently ripe to avoid dryness though there is a touch of tanginess at present that is probably attributable to gas. Drink 2015+.
Dom. Henri Boillot	2016	Volnay 1er Cru Les Chevrets (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$174.99	5
	VM 91-93 (1/2018): (from four parcels of vines between 40 and 60 years of age; fruit in the lower section of the vineyard was wiped out by the frost): Healthy medium red. Slightly reduced nose conveys and medicinal dark raspberry aroma. Then fine-grained and graceful in the mouth, conveying an impression of delicacy to the flavors of raspberry, currant and flowers. Finishes quite suave and long, with very refined tannins. The Boillots made just 10 barrels in place of a normal 30, 3 of them new. Stephen Tanzer.
	2013	Volnay 1er Cru Les Fremiets (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$199.99	8
	VM 90-92 (1/2015): Bright, dark red. Reticent, rather wild aromas of dark cherry and underbrush. Energetic but backward; much tighter today than the village wine and more dominated by its structure. The wild quality carries through on the palate. Best today on the back end, where fine-grained tannins spread out to saturate the palate.   WA 88-90 (12/2014): The 2013 Volnay 1er Cru Fremiets comes from a single parcel of vines. The nose is well defined, dominated by the new oak at the moment, but there is sufficient fruit underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins, quite dense at the moment with a touch of bell pepper on the masculine finish. Fine - if just a bit predictable.   BH 88 (4/2015): Here too there are discreet floral nuances to the pretty red and dark currant scents that are liberally laced with earth and sandalwood nuances. There is a bit more volume to the medium-bodied flavors that retain a lovely sense of detail on the energetic, dusty and mildly austere finish though in this case there is just a hint of dryness that detracts slightly from the overall sense of balance and harmony. Drink 2020+.
	2016	Volnay 1er Cru Les Fremiets (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$199.99	6
	VM 91-93 (1/2018): (these vines are 25 to 50 years old; from whiter soil that typical yields a harder, more austere style of wine than the Chevrets): Medium red. More discreet and a bit more medicinal on the nose than the Chevrets. Juicy red berry flavors are lifted by spicy high notes but kept under wraps by salty minerality and a medicinal menthol aspect.. Boasts lovely lift and inner-mouth tension and finishes with very fine-grained tannins, but this very promising wine will require at least a few years of bottle aging to loosen up a bit. Stephen Tanzer.
Dom. Joseph Faiveley	2014	Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru (1.5 L)	$549	2
	VM 94+ (3/2017): Bright, full red. Alluring, terroir-driven aromas of raspberry, minerals, dried flowers, smoky oak and game. Supple on entry, then reticent and taut in the middle, but already showing Outstanding energy and depth, not to mention a slightly musky wildness, to its flavors of raspberry, smoky oak and dried flowers. Between the wine's firm acidity, great mineral verve, strong tongue-dusting tannins and finishing grip, this Outstanding Clos de Bèze is going to require considerable patience and should evolve positively for up to three decades. My bottle held up for days in the recorked bottle. Stephen Tanzer.
Louis Jadot	2010	Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru (1.5 L) Nicked Label	$475	1
Maison Henri Boillot	2014	Le Chambertin Grand Cru (3.0 L) ex-Domaine; Cracked Capsule, Cork Exposed	$1,095	1
	VM 94-97 (1/2016): (aging in two new Remond barrels): Bright, dark red. Deep, brooding aromas of black cherry and smoke are currently muted by a bit of reduction. Then wonderfully sweet, silky and seamless on the palate, conveying an incredibly suave texture and great inner-mouth perfume to the complex flavors of dark berries, earth and smoky oak. Very classy juice; Boillot told me he used the same "precise" barrique for the Volnay Champans and that he plans to use more Remond barrels in the future. The rising, subtly spicy finish shows uncanny energy and a lighter touch than the Clos de Bèze. A knockout.   BH 94 (4/2016): ( near the very top of the vineyard and atypically, the rows are planted North-South.) This also exhibits just enough reduction to push the seemingly ripe fruit to the background. As is usually the case this is more mineral-driven still with its big-bodied and overtly powerful flavors that also possess fine mid-palate concentration while culminating in a firmly structured, austere and backward finale. This is certainly a big wine but it's not massive; indeed it is a lovely combination of power and grace. Drink 2026+. Don't miss!
	2013	Volnay 1er Cru Champans (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$229.99	10
	BH 91 (4/2015): Here the nose plays right on the edge of reduction and it's enough to shave the top notes off of the earthy red berry fruit and softly spicy aromas. This too possesses impressive volume to the intense and well-concentrated medium-bodied flavors that exude a fine bead of minerality on the dense, serious, austere and lingering finish. This is a bit more robust than the Santenots but it is by no means rustic. Drink 2021+. Outstanding!   VM 90-92 (1/2015): (from vines more than 60 years of age): Bright, dark red. Pungent, high-pitched aromas of cherry, mint, licorice and herbs, plus a cool whiff of menthol. Juicy, sappy and perfumed, with the licorice quality carrying through in the mouth. This very youthful, savory wine finishes with lovely lift and thrust, and lingering rose and violet perfume.   WA 88-90 (12/2014): The 2013 Volnay Champans 1er Cru has a slightly more floral bouquet compared to the Fremiets, around the same level of aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm grip on the entry, moderate acidity and quite a dense, blackberry and spice-tinged finish that lingers nicely in the mouth. This is a satisfactory Volnay, though without the nervosité of the Caillerets.
		Burgundy White
Dom. des Malandes	2016	Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$79	5
	BH 91 (10/2017): This had just been bottled prior to my visit and not surprisingly notes of sulfur and reduction pushed the fruit to the background. The palate impression of the full-bodied, sappy and relatively powerful flavors exude a fine bead of minerality that adds a bit of lift to the notably firmer, dry and focused finale. In contrast to most of the prior wines, this will need a few years of cellaring first. If you have the patience to wait this is worth considering. Drink 2021+. Sweet Spot Outstanding!
	2015	Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$139	6
	BH 90-93 (10/2016): (from a .53 ha parcel planted in 1962 and matured in mostly older oak but there is a small percentage of new wood). Moderate pain grillé sets off cool and pure aromas of white flower, lemon rind, tidal pool and quinine that retain a good sense of freshness. There is good richness to the intensely stony full-bodied flavors that possess good power and ample amounts of palate staining dry extract on the youthfully austere and beautifully long finale. This clean and balanced effort is drier than most 2015s and is the best wine in the range this year. Drink 2020+.   WA 90 (8/2015): The 2013 Chablis Grand Cru les Clos is fermented and aged over 14 months in oak barrels. It has a vibrant, sorbet-fresh bouquet with a surfeit of citrus fruit mixed with rosewater and orange blossom – very charming if not quite delivering the mineralité you might expect from a grand cru. The palate is balanced with a fine line of acidity, harmonious with citrus lemon, fresh Granny Smith apples and a touch of lemongrass toward the poised, if not overly complex, finish. Not a bad Les Clos.
	2014	Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$139	6
	BH 92-94 (10/2015): (from a .90 ha parcel planted in 1967 and 1987 and matured in 1 to 5 year old oak.) Here the wood treatment is even more subtle and poses no threat to the transparency of the spice and iodine-inflected aromas of yellow fruit and honeysuckle. There isn't quite the same refinement to the big-bodied flavors that possess excellent mid-palate concentration that adds to the sense of power present on the almost brutally saline finale. This is a Vaudésir of serous muscle and power. Drink 2021+. Don't miss!
	2015	Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$139	12
	BH 90-92 (10/2016): (from a .90 ha parcel planted in 1967 and 1987 and matured in 1 to 5 year old oak). Moderate wood sets off a moderately exotic mélange of both white and yellow orchard fruit, iodine and citrus scents where the latter element also infuses the more refined middle weight flavors that evidence more minerality on the lingering finish that also displays a hint of wood. Drink 2020+.
	2016	Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$139	9
	BH 92 (10/2018): (from a .77 ha parcel planted in 1967 and 1987 and matured in 1 to 5 year old oak.) Here too there is a whiff of the exotic to the complex nose that combines notes of white flower, ocean breeze and wet stone. The mouth feel of the dense medium weight plus flavors is at once rich and refined, all wrapped in an intensely mineral-driven finale that is quite dry but not austere. This relatively powerful beauty should age well over the mid-term. Drink 2022+.
	2015	Chablis Tour du Roy Vieilles Vignes (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$49.99	7
	BH 88 (10/2016): (from vines situated just below Vaudésir). A discreet touch of wood frames more complex and appealing fresh aromas that are quite similar to those of the straight Chablis cuvée. There is definitely more mid-palate concentration on the medium-bodied flavors thanks to the abundant sap that imparts a textured impression to the solidly persistent finish. Drink 2018+.
Joseph Drouhin	2008	Le Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche Grand Cru (3.0 L)	$2,699	1
	BH 93-96 (6/2010): (from a 2.06 ha parcel on the Puligny side.) A perfumed and simply knock-out nose features highly perfumed notes of honeysuckle, acacia blossom, sandalwood and yellow orchard fruit aromas that give way to powerful, rich and dense full-bodied flavors that possess obvious muscle and simply huge length on the overtly austere, deep and palate staining finish. This is a dazzling effort that will only add to the already immense reputation this wine enjoys but note that patience will be required.   VM 93 (9/2010): Very ripe aromas of sweet stone fruits and clove. Very fat, rich and stuffed with fruit; a distinctly round style of Montrachet with an exotic aspect. This mounts impressively on the back end, finishing very rich and very long. The acidity is higher than that of the 2007, notes winemaker Jerome Faure-Brac, but so is the pH. And this is more generous.
Maison Henri Boillot	2016	Meursault (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$114.99	6
	BH 89 (6/2018): ( a blend of equal proportions from Narvaux, Tillets, Clos du Cromin and Chevalières.) Notes of mineral reduction, hazelnut, acacia blossom and lemon can be found on the expressive nose. The racy, intense and ultra-pure flavors possess excellent depth and persistence on the notably dry finale. A lovely villages. Drink 2022+. Outstanding!   VM 89-91 (9/2017): Bright yellow. Very ripe apricot and sexy oak on the nose. Plush, thick and concentrated for village wine, conveying an intriguing sweet/salty balance and surprisingly firm acidity and cut. Finishes saline, serious and long; this will probably need a couple years in bottle to harmonize. A very promising village wine. Stephen Tanzer.
		Rhone Red
Ch. de Beaucastel	2015	Chateauneuf du Pape (1.5 L)	$148.95	22
	WS 97 (2/2018): A stunner from the get-go, with waves of thoroughly seductive boysenberry, plum, blueberry and raspberry reduction forming the core, while roasted apple wood, rooibos tea, bergamot, and anise notes flash throughout. This has plenty of bass, with a Turkish coffee accent and a hint of alder driving underneath. Everything moves in lockstep through the seriously long finish. Best from 2020 through 2045. 12,500 cases made.   JD 96+ (10/2017): The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape checks in as a blend of 30% each of Mourvèdre and Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, and they’re more and more keeping the stems with the Syrah component. This is a beauty that offers more depth and richness than just about every other wine in the vintage. Blackberry, black raspberries, garrigue, spice and hints of saddle leather all flow to a full-bodied, rich, layered 2015 that has a stacked, concentrated mid-palate, ripe, sweet tannin and an undeniable opulence that’s missing from too many 2015s. Marc Perrin compared this cuvée to 2001, and I can’t disagree with him. Drink this blockbuster beauty anytime over the coming two decades.   WA 96 (10/2017): Bottled in late July, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape is an amazing effort, especially when one considers the production volume. Loaded with black cherry fruit and cola-like spice, this full-bodied, richly textured wine never seems heavy or warm, while exotic Indian spice notes linger on the finish. It should drink well for at least 20 years.   JLL ***** (10/2017): Dark robe. The nose has an oak-varnish top air, a good, serene inset of black berry fruit which is stylish, also shows tobacco, white pepper. The palate is crisp, purposeful, holds very good juice running with freedom; it takes on gummy tannins with a touch of firm intent. It ends solidly, surely. There is a good swish of content for the first half. Take your time with this - from 2021. The length is good, very Mourvèdre-inspired. Bottled July 2017.   VM 93-95 (3/2017): Brilliant ruby. Spice-accented aromas of ripe red fruits, candied flowers, earth and smoky minerals; a zesty white pepper quality emerges with aeration. Sweet, expansive and energetic on the palate, offering intense raspberry, spicecake and lavender flavors and a subtle touch of smoke. Completely stains the palate and shows Outstanding clarity on the strikingly long, focused finish, where smooth tannins make a late appearance. Josh Raynolds.
Chimere	2010	Chateauneuf du Pape (1.5 L)	$1,749	1
	WA 98+ (10/2012): Another amazing offering is the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Chimere, a blend of 93% Mourvedre, 5% Grenache and the rest white varietals. Packaged in a distinctive Italian glass bottle, this inky/purple-colored 2010 exhibits notes of blueberries, charcoal, roasted herbs and scorched earth. The complex aromas are followed by a full-bodied, super intense, young, unevolved wine that was bottled April 26, 2012, but still resembles a barrel sample. As the wine sits in the glass, aromas of blueberries, licorice and graphite emerge. While the tannins are sweet, they are abundant. This remarkable effort came from one 300-liter foudre. Forget it for 4-5 years and drink it over the following 3 decades. By the way, it is about 16% natural alcohol so it is actually less powerful than the 2011. Kudos to Manfred Krankl, Pascal and Vincent Maurel, and Philippe Cambie for this remarkable effort.
	2012	Chateauneuf du Pape (1.5 L)	$1,795	1
	WA 99 (10/2014): We finished the tasting with the inky-purple 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape. A cellar selection by Manfred Krankl (of Sine Qua Non) of mostly Mourvedre, yet with a splash of Grenache and even some white varieties, it was aged in two new 300-liter French oak barrels before being bottled (in magnum only) unfined and unfiltered. It’s a massive, masculine and structured Chateauneuf du Pape that needs to be tasted to be believed. Cassis, creamy licorice, jammy blackberry and crushed flowers are only a few of the nuances here, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, incredible mid-palate depth and a blockbuster finish that just won’t quit. The level of concentration here surpasses just about every other wine in the vintage, and yet it never seems heavy, cumbersome or over-the-top. Give it 4-5 years and drink this spectacular effort over the following two decades. Hats off to Manfred Krankl and the team at Clos Saint Jean (Pascal and Vincent Maurel, and Philippe Cambie) for this incredible effort.
	2015	Chateauneuf du Pape (1.5 L)	$1,700	1
	JD 97 (2/2018): The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Chimère is a selection of Mourvèdre made by the Maurel brothers of Clos Saint Jean, oenologist Philippe Cambie, and Sine Qua Non genius Manfred Krankl. I believe there’s a touch of Grenache in the blend, as well as some Clairette and other varieties, but the bulk of this cuvée comes from the famed la Crau lieu-dit and is brought up all in demi-muids. It offers a beautiful perfume of sweet kirsch and blueberry fruit intermixed with loads of licorice, sweet spice, violets, and crushed rocks. Full-bodied, super intense, sweetly fruited, perfumed, and complex, it’s a gorgeous 2015 that does everything right. Forget bottles for 4-6 years and it should keep for 2 to 3 decades.
	2015	Chateauneuf du Pape (1.5 L)	$1,785	2
	JD 97 (2/2018): The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Chimère is a selection of Mourvèdre made by the Maurel brothers of Clos Saint Jean, oenologist Philippe Cambie, and Sine Qua Non genius Manfred Krankl. I believe there’s a touch of Grenache in the blend, as well as some Clairette and other varieties, but the bulk of this cuvée comes from the famed la Crau lieu-dit and is brought up all in demi-muids. It offers a beautiful perfume of sweet kirsch and blueberry fruit intermixed with loads of licorice, sweet spice, violets, and crushed rocks. Full-bodied, super intense, sweetly fruited, perfumed, and complex, it’s a gorgeous 2015 that does everything right. Forget bottles for 4-6 years and it should keep for 2 to 3 decades.
	2015	Chateauneuf du Pape (1.5 L)	$2,000	1
	JD 97 (2/2018): The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Chimère is a selection of Mourvèdre made by the Maurel brothers of Clos Saint Jean, oenologist Philippe Cambie, and Sine Qua Non genius Manfred Krankl. I believe there’s a touch of Grenache in the blend, as well as some Clairette and other varieties, but the bulk of this cuvée comes from the famed la Crau lieu-dit and is brought up all in demi-muids. It offers a beautiful perfume of sweet kirsch and blueberry fruit intermixed with loads of licorice, sweet spice, violets, and crushed rocks. Full-bodied, super intense, sweetly fruited, perfumed, and complex, it’s a gorgeous 2015 that does everything right. Forget bottles for 4-6 years and it should keep for 2 to 3 decades.
Dom. du Coulet	2007	Cornas Gore (1.5 L)	$299	4
Dom. du Pegau	2015	Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee du Capo (1.5 L)	$795	3
	JD 96-99 (10/2017): The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Da Capo is smoking good. Blackcurrants, lavender, garrigue, violets, cured meats and saddle leather all flow from this rich, unctuous, incredibly decadent 2015 that has sweet tannin, a huge mid-palate, and more concentration than just about every other wine in the vintage.   WA 95-97 (10/2017): Slated to be bottled in January 2018, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee da Capo is an impressively endowed wine by any measure. Aromas? Floral, fruity and spicy. Flavors? Black cherries and plums with hints of meat and licorice. Weight and texture? Ample and silky. Finish? Never-ending and nuanced. This big but balanced beauty should drink well for at least two decades.   VM 95-97 (3/2017): Saturated ruby. Highly perfumed aromas of ripe dark berries, incense and garrigue , accented by a sexy Asian spice nuance in the background. Plush, seamless and alluringly sweet, offering intense black raspberry, cherry liqueur and floral pastille flavors that reach every corner of the palate. Smooth, seamless and deeply concentrated but lively as well; velvety tannins add shape to an extremely long, spice- and mineral-accented finish. The interplay of richness and vivacity here is awfully impressive. Josh Raynolds.
Dom. la Barroche	2016	Chateauneuf du Pape Fiancee (1.5 L) ex-Chateau	$167.99	16
	WA 95 (8/2018): Produced from a 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah (the Grenache coming from 100-year-old vines) and aged in demi-muids, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Fiancee features smoky notes on the nose, hints of black olives and black cherries on the palate and a full-bodied, rich, velvety texture. Creamy and plush, the flavors linger on the finish. With production limited to 1,000 bottles, it may be hard to locate, and note that it isn't produced every vintage.   JD 93 (8/2018): One of the top Syrah dominated cuvées in any vintage it’s released, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Fiancée (50/50 Grenache and Syrah) is partially destemmed and brought up in a mix of foudre and demi-muids. It has a deep, dense, gamey style as well as a big, rich, full-bodied profile on the palate. This deeply colored effort shows more and more saddle leather and pepper with time in the glass and is a beautiful effort that has one foot in the Northern Rhône and one in the Southern Rhône.   VM 93-95 (7/2018): Bright violet color. Smoke-accented dark berry liqueur, cherry-cola and floral scents are sharpened by intense mineral and spice flourishes. Deeply concentrated but surprisingly energetic on the palate, offering sweet cassis, cherry liqueur and spicecake flavors that spread out slowly with aeration. Finishes extremely long and broad, with repeating smokiness and steadily mounting tannins. Josh Raynolds.
	2015	Chateauneuf du Pape Pure (3.0 L) ex-Domaine	$479.99	2
	JD 95 (10/2017): Offering more kirsch liqueur, lavender, incense and sweet spice, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pure is another gorgeous, balanced, seamless beauty. Fine tannin, full-bodied richness, and solid freshness all develop in the glass, and it has a great finish. Like the traditional cuvée, it's elegant, long, and will keep for 15+ years. This cuvée is always from the same parcel located at the intersection of the le Grand Pierre, le Pointu and Rayas lieux-dits, is fermented all in concrete and spends 18 months in a single foudre. There are only 250 cases produced and it’s year in, year out, one of the greatest Grenache’s made in the world.   WA 95-97 (10/2016): One of the most impressive barrel samples of this cuvée I can remember, the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Pure is always almost 100% Grenache that comes from a tiny parcel of sandy soils located right at the junction of the Grand Pierre, Pointu and Rayas lieux-dits. Partially destemmed, vinified in concrete and aged in a single, ancient foudre, this sensational-looking Châteauneuf du Pape dishes out incredible amounts of ripe cherries, blueberries, crushed rocks and crushed flowers. Big, full-bodied, thick and unctuous, it got a few expletives in the notes, and for all its size and weight, it stays lively, pure and even elegant. My money is on this beauty being one of the top wines in the vintage.   JLL ****[*] (10/2015): Dark colour; has a great nose which is perfumed, and gives expressive fruit. This is beau, really prolonged and both stately and fresh at the same time. It builds tannin on the finish, which is aromatic.   VM 93-95 (3/2017): (most of these vines are now over 115 years old; fermented in large concrete eggs and aged in a large older foudre) Lurid ruby. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh dark berries, cola, incense and potpourri, and a hint of smoky minerality emerges with air. Juicy, penetrating black raspberry, bitter cherry and lavender pastille flavors show superb depth and energy and stretch out to become sweeter on the back half. Shows excellent clarity and spicy lift on a long, sappy finish framed by velvety, slow-building tannins. For such a generous wine, there's no lack of vivacity here. Josh Raynolds.
	2014	Chateauneuf du Pape Signature (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$94.99	13
	VM 91-93 (4/2016): (fermented in concrete and aged in used foudres and demi-muids): Vivid ruby. Deep, smoke-accented dark berry and floral pastille scents are sharpened by a note of peppery spice. Smoky and sweet in the mouth, offering concentrated boysenberry and cherry flavors and a hint of candied violet. Shows very good power and energy and finishes with excellent focus and length; velvety, late-arriving tannins add shape. Quite serious for an entry-level bottling; I'd bet on this making a solid cellar candidate. Josh Raynolds.   WA 91-93 (10/2015): The 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Signature is a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and the rest Syrah, Vaccarese and Cinsault that offers lots of kirsch and black cherry nuances with more background notes of scorched earth, creamy licorice and spring flowers. Hitting 15% natural alcohol, it has fabulous density on the palate, medium to full-bodied richness, sweet tannin and good acidity. It’s a rockin’ effort in this difficult vintage.   JLL **** (10/2015): Dark, full red robe. Pepper-licorice feature in a live, open nose that is full of life, has streamlined black cherry fruit at its heart, and a kind air of flowers such as violets. The palate presents live, pepped up black fruit with salted moments, so it drinks well. There is a small knot of late tannin-tar. This is pacy wine with brio and w.o.w. potential, offering direct, good, coursing fruit . It is 15°, but you wouldn’t know it. It can gain fat as it ages. From mid-2017. “The skins, pips, sugars and tannins all ripened together, which is rare, in 2014. It has expanded since the spring of 2015, has a lot of salinity,” Julien Barrot.   WS 91 (10/2016): Juicy, with plum paste and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors that race along, bolstered by a bright anise note. Stays juicy through the finish, showing hints of plum skin, fruitcake and lightly singed alder. Best from 2017 through 2025. 1,800 cases made.
	2015	Chateauneuf du Pape Signature (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$114.99	29
	WS 94 (11/2018): Ripe and warm in feel, featuring steeped plum and red currant fruit wrapped with melted red licorice, apple wood and bay leaf notes. The focused finish has ample spine, with a strong bolt of iron at the end. Best from 2020 through 2035. 500 cases imported.   JLL ****[*] (10/2015): (Syrah from red clay, galet (atypical) soils on Pradel, sugars ended, just devatted now) **** good and dark, notable colour. Has a blackberry fruit air of deep potential, sustained linger. This can be stylish and inviting. The palate is round, rich, holds good, encased tannins, has definite ways to go. This is long and full, is a bright wine with a natural depth. 18 years. 2) (50% Grenache, 50% Mourvèdre, both 2005, from mixed clay, sand on Cabrières) **** extremely dark. Aromtaic dark berry fruit, round and deep nose. Violets and crisp fruit show on the palate. This is good, plucky wine, full of beans: it is wide, and its tannins fit snugly. It holds good, running fruit, and the finish is fresh. 18-20 years. 3) Grenache from Terres Blanches, Cabrières, Palestor, whole bunch, 5 gm of sugar to complete) ****(*) dark robe. Broad, upfront nose. Exuberant fruit comes out off the bat on the palate, with a crunch of tannins connected to the whole bunches at the end. Lively, free running, aromatic after taste. 21 years. 4) (Mourvèdre, 1990, from Les Mascarrons, sugars not yet finished) ****(*) vary dark; has a sturdy nose, several layers of black berry. This is racy, crystalline, expressive; the clarity of the tannins is notable. I like the length, too. 24 years.   JD 92 (10/2017): The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the young Julien Barrot is a perfumed, elegant release that's loaded with notions of currants, kirsch, licorice, and spice. It's silky, elegant, ethereally textured and long, with the freshness and classic style of the vintage. As usual, the classic cuvée is a blend of roughly 60% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre and the balance Clairette Rose, Cinsault, Syrah, and Vaccarèse, fermented all in concrete tanks and aged mostly in foudre. 2,500 cases.   WA 92 (8/2018): I'm not too proud to admit that I underrated the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Signature last year. It appears to have put on weight and fleshed out, and while it lacks the elegance and finesse of the 2016, it does offer ample concentration, tar and olive-tinged flavors of cherries and plums and a rich, velvety finish.   VM 91-93 (3/2017): (fermented in concrete eggs and aged in foudres and stainless steel tanks) Vivid ruby. Highly expressive cherry and black raspberry aromas are complicated by energetic floral and Asian spice nuances. Sappy, sweet and broad in the mouth, offering juicy, densely packed red and dark berry flavors that become deeper as the wine open up. Stains the palate and shows impressive vivacity on the persistent, floral-dominated finish, which is framed by silky, harmonious tannins. Josh Raynolds.
	2015	Chateauneuf du Pape Signature (3.0 L) ex-Domaine	$249.99	9
	WS 94 (11/2018): Ripe and warm in feel, featuring steeped plum and red currant fruit wrapped with melted red licorice, apple wood and bay leaf notes. The focused finish has ample spine, with a strong bolt of iron at the end. Best from 2020 through 2035. 500 cases imported.   JLL ****[*] (10/2015): (Syrah from red clay, galet (atypical) soils on Pradel, sugars ended, just devatted now) **** good and dark, notable colour. Has a blackberry fruit air of deep potential, sustained linger. This can be stylish and inviting. The palate is round, rich, holds good, encased tannins, has definite ways to go. This is long and full, is a bright wine with a natural depth. 18 years. 2) (50% Grenache, 50% Mourvèdre, both 2005, from mixed clay, sand on Cabrières) **** extremely dark. Aromtaic dark berry fruit, round and deep nose. Violets and crisp fruit show on the palate. This is good, plucky wine, full of beans: it is wide, and its tannins fit snugly. It holds good, running fruit, and the finish is fresh. 18-20 years. 3) Grenache from Terres Blanches, Cabrières, Palestor, whole bunch, 5 gm of sugar to complete) ****(*) dark robe. Broad, upfront nose. Exuberant fruit comes out off the bat on the palate, with a crunch of tannins connected to the whole bunches at the end. Lively, free running, aromatic after taste. 21 years. 4) (Mourvèdre, 1990, from Les Mascarrons, sugars not yet finished) ****(*) vary dark; has a sturdy nose, several layers of black berry. This is racy, crystalline, expressive; the clarity of the tannins is notable. I like the length, too. 24 years.   JD 92 (10/2017): The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the young Julien Barrot is a perfumed, elegant release that's loaded with notions of currants, kirsch, licorice, and spice. It's silky, elegant, ethereally textured and long, with the freshness and classic style of the vintage. As usual, the classic cuvée is a blend of roughly 60% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre and the balance Clairette Rose, Cinsault, Syrah, and Vaccarèse, fermented all in concrete tanks and aged mostly in foudre. 2,500 cases.   WA 92 (8/2018): I'm not too proud to admit that I underrated the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Signature last year. It appears to have put on weight and fleshed out, and while it lacks the elegance and finesse of the 2016, it does offer ample concentration, tar and olive-tinged flavors of cherries and plums and a rich, velvety finish.   VM 91-93 (3/2017): (fermented in concrete eggs and aged in foudres and stainless steel tanks) Vivid ruby. Highly expressive cherry and black raspberry aromas are complicated by energetic floral and Asian spice nuances. Sappy, sweet and broad in the mouth, offering juicy, densely packed red and dark berry flavors that become deeper as the wine open up. Stains the palate and shows impressive vivacity on the persistent, floral-dominated finish, which is framed by silky, harmonious tannins. Josh Raynolds.
Dom. Roger Sabon	2003	Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige (1.5 L) Signs of Old Seepage	$100	2
	WS 95 (9/2005): Dense raspberry, plum, licorice, tar and bacon notes are supported by thick, muscular tannins in this concentrated, showy red. A bit of a brute now (though floral and mineral hints chime in too) so cellar. If you do, you'll have a classic example of the vintage. Best from 2007 through 2025. 1,250 cases made.   WA 92 (2/2006): Broad, expansive, rich, and impressively endowed, the dark ruby/purple-colored 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige is dense, chewy, and meaty with high levels of alcohol, hints of roasted meats, kirsch liqueur, herbes de Provence, creme de cassis, and melted licorice. It is a broad, mouthfilling Chateauneuf du Pape that is classic and substantial. Drink it over the next 12-15 years.   VM 86 (2/2006): Pale ruby color. Meaty, earthy and pungent on the nose, with powerful black cherry and plum liqueur aromas accented by notes of black tea, smoked meat and cracked pepper. Turns riper and more roasted as it opens, the dark fruit qualities becoming hotter and sharper. This clearly displays the roasted character of the vintage.
	2003	Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige (1.5 L) Corroded Capsule	$100	1
	WS 95 (9/2005): Dense raspberry, plum, licorice, tar and bacon notes are supported by thick, muscular tannins in this concentrated, showy red. A bit of a brute now (though floral and mineral hints chime in too) so cellar. If you do, you'll have a classic example of the vintage. Best from 2007 through 2025. 1,250 cases made.   WA 92 (2/2006): Broad, expansive, rich, and impressively endowed, the dark ruby/purple-colored 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige is dense, chewy, and meaty with high levels of alcohol, hints of roasted meats, kirsch liqueur, herbes de Provence, creme de cassis, and melted licorice. It is a broad, mouthfilling Chateauneuf du Pape that is classic and substantial. Drink it over the next 12-15 years.   VM 86 (2/2006): Pale ruby color. Meaty, earthy and pungent on the nose, with powerful black cherry and plum liqueur aromas accented by notes of black tea, smoked meat and cracked pepper. Turns riper and more roasted as it opens, the dark fruit qualities becoming hotter and sharper. This clearly displays the roasted character of the vintage.
	2003	Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige (1.5 L) Corroded Capsule	$100	1
	WS 95 (9/2005): Dense raspberry, plum, licorice, tar and bacon notes are supported by thick, muscular tannins in this concentrated, showy red. A bit of a brute now (though floral and mineral hints chime in too) so cellar. If you do, you'll have a classic example of the vintage. Best from 2007 through 2025. 1,250 cases made.   WA 92 (2/2006): Broad, expansive, rich, and impressively endowed, the dark ruby/purple-colored 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige is dense, chewy, and meaty with high levels of alcohol, hints of roasted meats, kirsch liqueur, herbes de Provence, creme de cassis, and melted licorice. It is a broad, mouthfilling Chateauneuf du Pape that is classic and substantial. Drink it over the next 12-15 years.   VM 86 (2/2006): Pale ruby color. Meaty, earthy and pungent on the nose, with powerful black cherry and plum liqueur aromas accented by notes of black tea, smoked meat and cracked pepper. Turns riper and more roasted as it opens, the dark fruit qualities becoming hotter and sharper. This clearly displays the roasted character of the vintage.
Domaine les Goubert	2012	Gigondas Cuvee Florence (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$74.99	20
	JLL ***[*] (12/2013): Dark red; deeply soaked prunes, blackcurrant fruit air with a saline tang, iodine and blueberry - a promising nose. The palate has a good, mixed flavour, involves coffee, tar, date, soaked fruits, raw tobacco. Unfurnished wine whose elements are not as one, but they can probably link together. The tannins and acidity are influences for now. From 2016 or later.
		Champagne
Canard-Duchene	NV	Authentic Brut Champagne (1.5 L)	$78.99	34
Champagne Jacquesson	1996	Extra Brut Champagne (1.5 L)	$400	1
	VM 93 (11/2005): Light gold. Complex and powerful, with smoky scents of grilled hazelnut, buttered toast, ripe pear and floral honey. This is exceptionally rich but the honeyed orchard fruit flavors are vivid and racy. Finishes with vibrant, concentrated notes of fresh fig and bergamot. A superb all-chardonnay Champagne that should age exceptionally well. Josh Raynolds.
Lanson	1979	Brut Champagne (1.5 L)	$599	9
	1981	Brut Champagne (1.5 L)	$549	8
Louis Roederer	1982	Cristal Champagne (1.5 L) Heavily Bin-Soiled Label	$1,800	1
	MB [***[*]] (3/1991): In magnum and bottles; lively; firm, still relatively immature. Should be a 5-star mouthful now.
Veuve Clicquot	1982	Cave Privee Champagne (1.5 L)	$950	2
	WS 95 (12/2014): Bright, sleek and elegant, with mouthwatering acidity, this is soft and creamy in texture, offering hints of smoked almond and whole-grain toast, accented by dried apple, crème brûlée and dried herb notes. Rich details of grilled nut and oyster shell linger on the persistent finish. Drink now through 2024.
		Germany
JJ Prum	2014	Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese Goldkapsule (1.5 L)	$219.99	8
	WA 95 (3/2016): The gold-capsuled 2014 Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese GK (AP #18) represents a botrytis selection and offers highly delicate fruit and flinty-slate aromas, where tropical fruit aromas mingle with wet stone flavors. The attack on the palate is racy and piquant; the wine is complex and very pure, highly elegant and finesse-full, yet intense and concentrated, with ripe pineapple flavors and a pure, salty, very mineral finish. This is highly delicate Riesling with a complex terroir expression.   WS 95 (3/2017): This has flavors of peach pie and apricot tart that are well-honeyed and filled with creamy unctuousness. Pastry notes show midpalate, with a finish that offers savory richness and plenty of minerally accents. A pure and powerful style. Best from 2018 through 2038. 40 cases imported.   VM 95 (11/2016): This non-auction gold-capsule bottling delivers a multifaceted nose featuring candied lime peel, apple and quince jellies, heliotrope and an intriguing meld of yeasty stale bread, florally honeyed and subtly truffly manifestations of botrytis. The creamy, expansive palate reprises all of the aforementioned elements, but also introduces generous parallel juiciness of fresh apple and lime. Displaying wonderful lift and delicacy, the lusciously lingering finish is transparent to stony, crystalline and floral nuances. David Schildknecht
		Italy
Aldo Conterno	2008	Barolo Granbussia Riserva (1.5 L)	$899	1
	VM 87 (11/2016): Conterno's 2008 Barolo Riserva Granbussia is short, sweet and pruney, with distinctly overripe black fruit and prominent oak. The 2008 is one of the weakest Granbussias I have ever tasted. Super-ripe dark fruit, mocha, spice and sweet vanillin notes from the oak are front and center in a wine that lacks mid-palate depth, and, most importantly, the nobility that has made Granbussia so famous over the last few decades. Antonio Galloni.
	2008	Barolo Granbussia Riserva (1.5 L) Scuffed Label	$899	1
	VM 87 (11/2016): Conterno's 2008 Barolo Riserva Granbussia is short, sweet and pruney, with distinctly overripe black fruit and prominent oak. The 2008 is one of the weakest Granbussias I have ever tasted. Super-ripe dark fruit, mocha, spice and sweet vanillin notes from the oak are front and center in a wine that lacks mid-palate depth, and, most importantly, the nobility that has made Granbussia so famous over the last few decades. Antonio Galloni.
Allegrini	1980	Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (3.0 L) Chipped Wax Capsule, Exposed Cork, Old Signs of Seepage	$799	1
	WA 85 (12/1987): No tasting note given
Angelo Gaja	2006	Langhe Sori Tildin (3.0 L)	$1,699	1
	JS 95 (7/2012): I love the nose to this wine with a floral, blueberry and raspberries. Orange peel. Full-bodied, and chewy with an impressive texture of ripe tannins and a long finish. Very beautiful. Better in 2015.   VM 94+ (11/2009): Good full, deep red. Sexy aromas of minerals, truffle and ineffable rose petal. Suave and lush, showing a surprisingly open-knit texture that partly masks the wine's serious underpinning of fine tannins. Very long and aromatic on the aftertaste.   WA 94 (10/2009): The 2006 Langhe Sori Tildin opens with a gorgeous, nuanced bouquet that leads to an equally expressive core of ripe, red fruits. This medium-bodied Sori Tildin is the most focussed and energetic of these wines. It offers exceptional length and a refined, polished close. As is often the case, the Sori Tildin is also the most delicate and feminine of the single-vineyard wines. This is a very strong effort even if the explosiveness of the finest vintages is missing. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031.   WS 92 (9/2009): Displays ripe plum and berry aromas, with hints of fresh flowers, like rose. Full-bodied, with beautiful, clean fruit and a mineral, berry and cherry aftertaste. Balanced and very pretty. Almost drinkable now. Best after 2010. 800 cases made.
Emidio Pepe	2002	Montepulciano dAbruzzo (3.0 L)	$750	1
Sottimano	2015	Barbaresco Cotta (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$129.99	11
	WA 93 (9/2018): From a celebrated cru in Neive, the 2015 Barbaresco Cottà is a shapely, soft and accessible interpretation of Nebbiolo from a warm vintage. This mid-weight wine boasts a bright bouquet with ruby highlights. Those aromas are alert, tonic and straightforward in delivery. In terms of mouthfeel, this wine is firm and structured. However, the astringency is safely within bounds (for a young Nebbiolo). Some 10,000 bottles were made. Only 10% of the wine goes into new oak and the rest goes into neutral barrique.   JS 93 (9/2018): Very attractive red-cherry, redcurrant, plum and floral nose with discreet oak, then a sleek yet powerful and tannic palate with a lot of structure and some real elegance. Enough fruit for immediate drinking, but this is made for aging.   VM 92 (10/2018): Sottimano's 2015 Barbaresco Cottà is powerful, dense and brooding. Today the big, potent tannins somewhat constrict the mid-palate and finish. It will be interesting to see if the 2015 fleshes out with time in bottle. While that may happen, I expect the 2015 will always remain a bit rough around the edges, certainly within the context of the finest Sottimano Barbarescos of recent vintages. Smoke, grilled herbs, plum and firm, chunky tannins all give the 2015 Cottà its burly potent feel. Antonio Galloni.
	2015	Barbaresco Pajore (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$129.99	6
	VM 94+ (10/2018): Far from an easygoing wine in this ripe vintage, the 2015 Barbaresco Pajorè is going to need time to come together. Today, the potent tannins are bruising. Even so, there is tremendous depth to the fruit and plenty of character. In 2015 Pajorè shows a much more red fruit-leaning profile and floral notes than its more typical balsamic profile. Antonio Galloni.   JS 93 (9/2018): Intense aroma of cloves, but also rose and earth notes. This rather sophisticated, medium-to full-bodied Barbaresco has bold, dry tannins that are well integrated and a long, dry finish. Drink or hold.   WA 93 (9/2018): Of these various single-vintage releases by Sottimano (including Basarin, Cottá and Fausoni), the 2015 Barbaresco Pajorè is very well integrated and smooth. The tannin management shows an excellent approach, and you don't get the astringency that comes forward in the Basarin. Instead, this expression offers increased focus on the ripe, round and plump fruit of the vintage. Only 5,000 bottles (including magnums) were produced.
		Other White
Alzinger	2007	Loibenberg Riesling Smaragd (1.5 L)	$95	2
	VM 92 (11/2008): Pale green-yellow. Subtle orange and juicy peach along with a hint of blossom honey on the rather shy nose. Very precisely structured and delineated, with plenty of juicy fruit bound into a tightly woven texture. The wine's discreet fruit sweetness is already wonderfully balanced by citrus and mineral components. Long on the aftertaste, and built for further development in bottle. Drink 2009 to 2017. Peter Moser.
		Bordeaux Red
Ch. Clerc Milon	2010	Pauillac (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$239		Sold Out
Ch. Clinet	2010	Pomerol (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$349.99		Sold Out
Ch. Conseillante	2006	Pomerol (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$299		Sold Out
Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou	2011	St. Julien (3.0 L) ex-Negociant	$535		Sold Out
Ch. Figeac	2010	St. Emilion (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$529.99		Sold Out
Ch. Grand Puy Lacoste	2011	Pauillac (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$119.99		Sold Out
Ch. Haut Batailley	2005	Pauillac (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$174.99		Sold Out
Ch. La Tour Figeac	2001	St. Emilion (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$140		Sold Out
Ch. Lafleur	2012	Pomerol (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$1,299		Sold Out
Ch. Latour	1988	Pauillac (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$1,299		Sold Out
Ch. Leoville Barton	2004	St. Julien (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$214.99		Sold Out
Ch. Leoville Las Cases	2012	St. Julien (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$329.99		Sold Out
Ch. Lynch Bages	2011	Pauillac (6.0 L) ex-Negociant	$995		Sold Out
Ch. Malescot St. Exupery	2013	Margaux (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$89		Sold Out
Ch. Pavie	2004	St. Emilion (1.5 L)	$550		Sold Out
Ch. Rauzan-Segla	2012	Margaux (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$169.99		Sold Out
		Bordeaux White
Ch. d' Yquem	2015	Ygrec Y du Yquem Bordeaux Superieur (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$279.99		Sold Out
Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux	2003	Margaux (1.5 L) ex-Negociant	$499		Sold Out
		Burgundy Red
Bouchard Pere et Fils	2016	Beaune 1er Cru Greves Vigne de LEnfant Jesus (1.5 L)	$239.99		Sold Out
	2016	Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets Ancienne Cuvee Carnot (1.5 L)	$189.99		Sold Out
Dom. de la Vougeraie	2005	Bonnes Mares Grand Cru (1.5 L)	$495		Sold Out
Dom. du Comte Armand	2012	Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux (1.5 L)	$249		Sold Out
Dom. Maume	2009	Mazis Chambertin Grand Cru (1.5 L)	$375		Sold Out
Dom. Ponsot	2008	Chapelle Chambertin Grand Cru (1.5 L)	$495		Sold Out
Louis Jadot	2010	Chapelle Chambertin Grand Cru (1.5 L)	$299		Sold Out
	2010	Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru (1.5 L)	$475		Sold Out
Maison Henri Boillot	2011	Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens (3.0 L) ex-Domaine	$449.99		Sold Out
	2016	Volnay (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$114.99		Sold Out
		Burgundy White
Dom. Barraud	2011	Pouilly Fuisse Sur la Roche (1.5 L)	$99.99		Sold Out
Dom. des Malandes	2014	Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos (1.5 L)	$139.99		Sold Out
Maison Henri Boillot	2016	Meursault 1er Cru Les Poruzots (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$194.99		Sold Out
		Rhone Red
Ch. de Beaucastel	2010	Chateauneuf du Pape (1.5 L)	$189.99		Sold Out
Ch. de St. Cosme	2007	Cotes du Rhone Rouge Deux Albion (1.5 L)	$30		Sold Out
Clos Saint Jean	2009	Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina (1.5 L) Nicked Capsule	$375		Sold Out
	2012	Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous (3.0 L)	$399		Sold Out
Dom. de Mourchon	2013	Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Grande Reserve (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$59.99		Sold Out
	2017	Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Loubie Rose (3.0 L) ex-Domaine	$64.99		Sold Out
Dom. la Barroche	2015	Chateauneuf du Pape Pure (1.5 L)	$239.99		Sold Out
	2015	Chateauneuf du Pape Pure (6.0 L)	$979.99		Sold Out
	2015	Chateauneuf du Pape Signature (6.0 L) ex-Domaine	$459.99		Sold Out
	2016	Chateauneuf du Pape Signature (1.5 L) ex-Chateau	$104.99		Sold Out
	2016	Chateauneuf du Pape Signature (3.0 L) ex-Chateau	$229.99		Sold Out
Jean Michel Gerin	1995	Cote Rotie Les Grandes Places (1.5 L)	$275		Sold Out
Le Vieux Donjon	2000	Chateauneuf du Pape (1.5 L) Lightly Nicked Label	$125		Sold Out
Paul Jaboulet Aine	1990	Hermitage La Chapelle (3.0 L)	$4,950		Sold Out
		Southern France
Ch. de Pibarnon	2016	Bandol Blanc (1.5 L) ex-Chateau	$64.99		Sold Out
		Champagne
Veuve Clicquot	1990	La Grande Dame Champagne (3.0 L) Very Lightly Scuffed Label	$1,100		Sold Out
		Loire
Dom. Didier Dagueneau	2002	Pouilly Fume Pur Sang (1.5 L)	$299		Sold Out
		Germany
Weingut Keller	2016	Abtserde Riesling Grosses Gewachs (1.5 L)	$449		Sold Out
		Italy
Aldo Conterno	2005	Barolo Cicala (1.5 L) Scuffed Label	$239		Sold Out
Alfredo Prunotto	2001	Barolo Bussia (1.5 L)	$159		Sold Out
Allegrini	1996	La Poja (1.5 L)	$100		Sold Out
Andrea Oberto	2011	Barolo Rocche dell Annunziata (1.5 L) ex-Domaine	$189.99		Sold Out
Angelo Gaja	2000	Langhe Sori San Lorenzo (1.5 L)	$699		Sold Out
	2000	Langhe Sori Tildin (1.5 L)	$799		Sold Out
Castello di Verrazzano	1997	Chianti Classico Riserva (1.5 L)	$50		Sold Out
Fattoria Galardi	2011	Terra di Lavoro Roccamonfina IGT (3.0 L)	$329		Sold Out
Giacomo Conterno	2001	Barolo Cascina Francia (1.5 L) Lightly Scuffed Label	$650		Sold Out
Paolo Scavino	2000	Barolo Bric del Fiasc (3.0 L)	$600		Sold Out
Piero Antinori	2008	Solaia (3.0 L)	$969		Sold Out
Podere Il Carnasciale	2013	Il Caberlot Toscana IGT (1.5 L)	$249		Sold Out