100 Points
46 items in 100 Points
1921 Yquem (750ml) |
$3,995.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| There is no doubt that the two most profound and mature Yquem made in the twentieth century were the 1921 (rated 100 on two separate occasions..) and the 1937. | |||||
| Richard Olney | |||||
| From Yquem by R. Olney. Often characterized as the greatest white wine of the century. "Suave, seductive, exotic liqueur-like aroma of candied fruits with floral touches, a scent of peppery yellow roses. Sumptuous, enveloping warmth. Ripe, complex palate. Rich in savours with spicy overtones and mouth vapours recalling green chartreuse, the ensemble contained by a remarkable overall homogeneity conferring upon the wine an aura of timelessness"( Robert Goffard, 1984) | |||||
| Wine Spectator 97 | |||||
| "With its brilliant orange-amber color, this is a truly elegant wine that balances its sweetness and flavors on a razor edge. The finish has apricot, vanilla, pear, toast, fig, tobacco and coffee. Amazingly complex for its seemingly delicate style, yet it sacrifices no sweetness." | |||||
1921 Yquem (750ml) |
$3,150.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| There is no doubt that the two most profound and mature Yquem made in the twentieth century were the 1921 (rated 100 on two separate occasions..) and the 1937. | |||||
| Richard Olney | |||||
| From Yquem by R. Olney. Often characterized as the greatest white wine of the century. "Suave, seductive, exotic liqueur-like aroma of candied fruits with floral touches, a scent of peppery yellow roses. Sumptuous, enveloping warmth. Ripe, complex palate. Rich in savours with spicy overtones and mouth vapours recalling green chartreuse, the ensemble contained by a remarkable overall homogeneity conferring upon the wine an aura of timelessness"( Robert Goffard, 1984) | |||||
| Wine Spectator 97 | |||||
| "With its brilliant orange-amber color, this is a truly elegant wine that balances its sweetness and flavors on a razor edge. The finish has apricot, vanilla, pear, toast, fig, tobacco and coffee. Amazingly complex for its seemingly delicate style, yet it sacrifices no sweetness." | |||||
1961 Haut-Brion (750ml) |
$1,195.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| "This is a great Haut Brion. This rich, luxurious wine has an intense, earthy, ripe, cedary, spicy bouquet crammed with sweet fruit. On the palate, the wine has fabulous intensity of fruit, a long rich, alcoholic finish, and a chewy texture." | |||||
| Clive Coates 19/20 | |||||
| "Fine full mature colour. Full, rich, very concentrated on the nose. Similar palate. A vigorous powerful wine, which evolved considerably in the glass. Roasted. Still very youthful. A lot of concentration and depth here. Will go on getting better and better. Excellent." | |||||
1961 Haut-Brion (375ml) |
$750.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| "This is a great Haut Brion. This rich, luxurious wine has an intense, earthy, ripe, cedary, spicy bouquet crammed with sweet fruit. On the palate, the wine has fabulous intensity of fruit, a long rich, alcoholic finish, and a chewy texture." | |||||
| Clive Coates 19/20 | |||||
| "Fine full mature colour. Full, rich, very concentrated on the nose. Similar palate. A vigorous powerful wine, which evolved considerably in the glass. Roasted. Still very youthful. A lot of concentration and depth here. Will go on getting better and better. Excellent." | |||||
1961 Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle (750ml) |
$5,895.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| This is unquestionably one of the greatest wines made in the twentieth century. In the two dozen tastings where I have had the 1961 La Chapelle, I rated it 100 points twenty times. The opaque purple/garnet color is accompanied by spectacular aromatics representing the essence of old vine Syrah (smoked meat, pepper, hoisin sauce, and soy). As the wine sits in the glass, notions of pepper, new saddle leather, grilled meat, and awesome levels of blackberry, plum, and black currant liqueur-like notes emerge. Extremely unctuous, with compelling concentration and purity, this full-bodied, seamless, mouthfilling 1961 is truly immortal. It still possesses a freshness and vigor that defy its nearly forty years of age. It should continue to drink well for two more decades. Prodigious stuff! | |||||
| Michael Broadbent 5* | |||||
| Superb conditions throughout the region, Hermitage said to be the best of the century. La Chapelle now virtually priceless. | |||||
1967 Yquem (750ml) |
$1,850.00
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| Robert Parker 96 | |||||
| ..it is close to perfection. Medium amber/golden, with a full-intensity bouquet of vanillin spice, honey, ripe pineapples, and coconut, this intense, very ripe, unctuous Yquem has layers of sweet, oulent fruit, excellent balance, and a hefty, powerful finish | |||||
| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| From one of the 20th century's celebrated vintages for Yquem, this bottle stands up to all the hype--unforgettable for its purity, elegance, harmony, its "total" everything. Powerful, yet it seems weightless on the palate, almost defying gravity as it tangos around with its vanilla, peach and apricot flavors. Seamless, nearly endless finish. Easy to understand its reputation as the greatest Yquem of the last 35 years. | |||||
1977 Fonseca (750ml) |
$325.00
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| Robert Parker 93 | |||||
| The 1977 Fonseca is slightly lighter in color and shows some ambering on the rim of the glass. Lilies, cherries, coffee, mocha, and green flower notes can be discerned in its penetrating aromatics. Softly textured, this wine's mouth-feel is exciting yet not as enthralling as the 1983's. Its warm personality is interspersed with toasted walnuts, cassis, and plummy blackberries. Its super-long, sweet finish is harmonious and flavorful. | |||||
| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| Until recently this wine was understated and closed. Now it has opened into a mammoth wine with so much fruit that it crushes your palate. Deep ruby, with ripe raspberry and cherry aromas, full-bodied, with layers of concentrated, sweet raspberry flavors. | |||||
| Clive Coates 19 | |||||
| Fullish, well matured colour. Quite a firm nose. A big wine as always. Very good depth of fruit. Plenty of energy. Full body on the palate. Spendidly rich and concentrated. Excellent grip. Lots of depth and dimension. Really lovely. Splendid finish. Will last for ages. Very fine indeed. | |||||
1977 Fonseca (750ml) |
$325.00
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| Robert Parker 93 | |||||
| The 1977 Fonseca is slightly lighter in color and shows some ambering on the rim of the glass. Lilies, cherries, coffee, mocha, and green flower notes can be discerned in its penetrating aromatics. Softly textured, this wine's mouth-feel is exciting yet not as enthralling as the 1983's. Its warm personality is interspersed with toasted walnuts, cassis, and plummy blackberries. Its super-long, sweet finish is harmonious and flavorful. | |||||
| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| Until recently this wine was understated and closed. Now it has opened into a mammoth wine with so much fruit that it crushes your palate. Deep ruby, with ripe raspberry and cherry aromas, full-bodied, with layers of concentrated, sweet raspberry flavors. | |||||
| Clive Coates 19 | |||||
| Fullish, well matured colour. Quite a firm nose. A big wine as always. Very good depth of fruit. Plenty of energy. Full body on the palate. Spendidly rich and concentrated. Excellent grip. Lots of depth and dimension. Really lovely. Splendid finish. Will last for ages. Very fine indeed. | |||||
1982 Cheval Blanc (750ml) |
$1,450.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| "There is no doubt that the 1982 Cheval Blanc is pure perfection in wine. From the penetrating and fascinating bouquet that offers up gobs of rich berry fruit, subtle herbs, toasty, smoky oak, minerals, and perhaps even a flower or two, to its extraordinary depth, concentration, balance, and length, this is the quintessential Cheval Blanc of our generation. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010." | |||||
| Clive Coates | |||||
| "Medium -full colour; now some maturity. Ripe, stylish nose. Very rich and chocolatey with a hint of ginger biscuits. On the palate full, concentrated and voluptuous with very good ripe tannins and a very good grip. The follow-through is very intense and vigorous. Classy. Multidimensional. A splendid wine with a very lovely finish. Perhaps the best wine-certainly the best Libournais wine-of the vintage. Grand vin!" | |||||
| Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 95+ | |||||
| "Saturated deep red, with a hint of development at the rim. Roasted nose dominated by toffee and tobacco. Wonderfully silky but without quite the exotic ripeness of the '90. Still, this offers uncanny retention of primary fruit. Expands inexorably on the finish and goes on and on. A wonderful bottle that still improving." | |||||
| James Suckling 98 | |||||
| Some say that the '82 Cheval is not what it used to be, but I disagree. It's so sweet, with an almost stewed fruit character on the nose. Lots of plum tart and rhubarb aromas. It's full-bodied and silky, with gorgeous fruit and so long. Seductive and exciting. Changes all the time in the glass. Subtle and pretty. 98 points, non-blind. Sept, 2009 | |||||
1982 Latour (750ml) |
$2,995.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| It is ironic that Latour, usually the most backward and longest-lived of the first-growths, has consistently been the most charming, precocious, and Pomerol-like of the 1982 Pauillacs. Gorgeously drinkable and delicious since infancy, it continues to be an opulent, flamboyant, blockbuster Latour with low acidity, dazzling flavor layers, and spectacular levels of fruit, glycerin, and alcohol. This wine was tasted on three separate occasions over the last two months, and it is unquestionably the finest Latour since 1961. It even overshadows such great Latours as 1990, 1995, and 1996 in terms of both its flamboyance and concentration/extract levels. Revealing some amber at the edge, it offers stunning aromatics (leather, walnuts, cedar, black fruits galore), full body, an unctuous texture, and a thick, juicy succulence reminiscent of the 1961. While fabulous to drink now, it will last another 30-40 years. The only Latour that remotely resembles the 1982 is the 1961, which has a similar texture and succulence. Anticipated maturity: now-2040 | |||||
| Clive Coates | |||||
| Full colour. Smoky-rich nose. Full, quite tannic, still on the attack. Rich and concentrated. This is extremely good. | |||||
| James Suckling 100 | |||||
| How can this be better? Mind-blowing aromas of currant, mineral, herb, coffee bean and hints of mint. It's full-bodied, with velvety tannins and loads of fresh mint and other herbs with raspberry and blueberry as well. Then it turns to milk chocolate. Long and beautiful. Still so fresh and powerful. 100 points, non-blind. Setp, 2009 | |||||
| eRobert Parker Hedonist's Gazette | |||||
| Always somewhat atypical (which I suspect will be the case with the more modern day 2003), the 1982 Latour has been the most opulent, flamboyant, and precocious of the northern Médocs, especially the St.-Juliens, Pauillacs, and St.-Estèphes. It hasn¿t changed much over the last 10-15 years, revealing sweet tannins as well as extraordinarily decadent, even extravagant levels of fruit, glycerin, and body. It is an amazing wine, and on several occasions, I have actually picked it as a right bank Pomerol because of the lushness and succulence of the fruit. This vintage has always tasted great, even in its youth, and revealed a precociousness that one does not associate with this Château. However, the 1982 is still evolving at a glacial pace. The fruit remains remarkable, and the wine is a full-bodied, exuberant, rich, classic Pauillac in its aromatic and flavor profiles. It¿s just juiced up (similar to an athlete on steroids) and is all the better for it. This remarkable effort will last as long as the 1982 Mouton, and will be more approachable and decadently fruity. Drink it now, in 20 years, and in 50 years! Don¿t miss it if you are a wine lover. April 2009 | |||||
1982 Mouton (750ml) |
$1,950.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| A gustatory and olfactory smorgasbord. When tasting it I recall what Michael Broadbent said about the 1945 Mouton: This is not claret, it is Mouton, Churchill of a wine. The 1982 is incredibly rich on the palate with an opulence, weight, and concentration that one can only compare to the very great Moutons, the 1929 and 1945. It remains, however, one of the legends of this century. Like Latour, the 1982 Mouton-Rothschild is a potential 50-60 year wine. Opaque purple-colored showing absolutely no signs of lightening, Mouton's 1982 is a backward wine. Still tasting like a 4-5 year old Bordeaux, it will evolve for another half century. At the Philadelphia tasting, it was impossibly impenetrable and closed, although phenomenally dense and muscular. However, on two other recent occasions, I decanted the wine in the morning and consumed it that evening and again the following evening. It is immune to oxidation! Moreover, it has a level of concentration that represents the essence of the Mouton terroir as well as the high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon it contains. Cassis, cedar, spice box, minerals, and vanillin are all present, but this opaque black/purple Pauillac has yet to reveal secondary nuances given its youthfulness. It exhibits huge tannin, unreal levels of glycerin and concentration, and spectacular sweetness and opulence. Nevertheless, it demands another decade of cellaring, and should age effortlessly for another seven or eight decades. I have always felt the 1982 Mouton was perfect, yet this immortal effort might be capable of lasting for 100 years! Readers who want to drink it are advised to decant it for at least 12-24 hours prior to consumption. I suggest double decanting, i.e., pouring it into a clean decanter, washing out the bottle, and then repouring it back into the bottle, inserting the cork, leaving the air space to serve as breathing space until the wine is consumed 12-24 hours later. The improvement is striking. The fact that it resists oxidation is a testament to just how youthful it remains, and how long it will last. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2075. | |||||
| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| A powerful wine with great depth, it's supple sweet, packed with ripe currant, plum and anise flavors, long and extraordinary deep. | |||||
| Clive Coates | |||||
| Very full, rich colour; still immature. Excellent nose. Very rich and concentrated. Cooked and exotic. Fat and voluptuous. A lot of spice. Very full, still very tannic. Hugely rich. Opulent and oaky. This is a splendid example. Marvellous fruit and great depth. Balanced by an excellent acidity. A brilliant wine. Multidimensional. Real power and intensity of flower here. Grand vin again. | |||||
| James Suckling 96 | |||||
| This is a seductive red with complex and wonderful aromas of cedar, sandalwood and sweet tobacco. It's full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a beautiful palate. Such beauty and refinement. At its peak now. 96 points, non-blind. | |||||
| eRobert Parker Hedonist's Gazette | |||||
| This wine remains one of the legends of Bordeaux. It has thrown off the backward, youthful style that existed during its first 25 years of life, and over the last 4-5 years has developed such secondary nuances as cedar and spice box. The crème de cassis, underlying floral note, full-bodied power, extraordinary purity, multilayered texture, and finish of over a minute are a showcase for what this Château accomplished in 1982. The wine is still amazingly youthful, vibrant, and pure. It appears capable of retaining fruit and vibrancy in 2082. Thank God it is beginning to budge as I would like to drink most of my supply before I kick the bucket. This is a great, still youthful wine, and, on occasion, one does understand the hierarchy of Bordeaux châteaux when you see the complexity and brilliance of this first-growth. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+. April 2009 | |||||
1986 Leoville Las Cases (375ml) |
$325.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| The late Michel Delon always thought that this was the greatest vintage he produced. We often tasted it side by side with the 1982, because I always preferred the latter vintage. Of course the two vintages are quite different in style: the 1986 is a monument to classicism, with great tannin, extraordinary delineation, and a huge, full-bodied nose of sweet, ripe, cassis fruit intermixed with vanilla, melon, fruitcake, and a multitude of spices. The wine has always been phenomenally concentrated yet wonderfully fresh and vigorous. The wine still seems young, yet it is hard to believe it is not close to full maturity. It is a great example of Leoville Las Cases and another compelling reason to take a serious look and the top Cabernet Sauvignon-based Medocs of 1986. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2035 | |||||
| Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 97 | |||||
| Medium red with some amber at the rim. Knockout nose combines tobacco, warm stones, minerals, menthol and burning woodsmoke. Wonderfully dense, silky and sweet, but there superb underlying acidity and tannic structure to buttress the wine flesh. Haut-Brion is widely considered to be the wine of the vintage, but in my experience La Mission is at the same exalted quality level. Drink 2005 to 2030. | |||||
1986 Leoville Las Cases (750ml) |
$650.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| The late Michel Delon always thought that this was the greatest vintage he produced. We often tasted it side by side with the 1982, because I always preferred the latter vintage. Of course the two vintages are quite different in style: the 1986 is a monument to classicism, with great tannin, extraordinary delineation, and a huge, full-bodied nose of sweet, ripe, cassis fruit intermixed with vanilla, melon, fruitcake, and a multitude of spices. The wine has always been phenomenally concentrated yet wonderfully fresh and vigorous. The wine still seems young, yet it is hard to believe it is not close to full maturity. It is a great example of Leoville Las Cases and another compelling reason to take a serious look and the top Cabernet Sauvignon-based Medocs of 1986. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2035 | |||||
| Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 97 | |||||
| Medium red with some amber at the rim. Knockout nose combines tobacco, warm stones, minerals, menthol and burning woodsmoke. Wonderfully dense, silky and sweet, but there superb underlying acidity and tannic structure to buttress the wine flesh. Haut-Brion is widely considered to be the wine of the vintage, but in my experience La Mission is at the same exalted quality level. Drink 2005 to 2030. | |||||
1989 La Mission Haut Brion (750ml) |
$1,495.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| It is a spectacular wine, and as it ages in the bottle, it is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite La Mission-Haut-Brion. | |||||
| Wine Spectator 98 | |||||
| Blockbuster. This is incredibly impressive with aromas of plums, berry, tobacco and cedar. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Still closed, but so opulent and beautiful. Raspberry aftertaste. Lasts for minutes. I underrated this years ago. Clearly 100 points. '89/'90 Bordeaux non-blind horizontal. Best after 2008. | |||||
| Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 97 | |||||
| Medium red with some amber at the rim. Knockout nose combines tobacco, warm stones, minerals, menthol and burning woodsmoke. Wonderfully dense, silky and sweet, but there superb underlying acidity and tannic structure to buttress the wine flesh. Haut-Brion is widely considered to be the wine of the vintage, but in my experience La Mission is at the same exalted quality level. Drink 2005 to 2030. | |||||
1990 Cheval Blanc (750ml) |
$1,495.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| In contrast to the 1989, the 1990 is increasingly sumptuous with each additional tasting. The wine possesses all the hallmarks of a hot, ripe year - low acidity, super-ripe, nearly over-ripe fruit, an opulent, oily texture, great sweetness of fruit, and a long, voluptuously-textured finish. In the most recent tasting, I almost mistook it for Le Pin given its showboat-like nose of coconut, toasty new oak, and gobs of smoky, blackcurranty, and cherry fruit. The wine is full-bodied, rich, and concentrated, with layers of extract, and well-concealed tannin. I am increasingly convinced that this is the most profound Cheval Blanc since the legendary 1982. Because of its fleshy, low-acid character, the wine can be drunk, but it is still youthful, with a deeper purple color than the more mature-looking 1989. It should offer exotic opulence for at least another 15-20 years. A compelling Cheval Blanc! | |||||
| Clive Coates | |||||
| Rich, cedary, ripe, concentrated and full-bodied, with excellent tannins and grip..Very high class indeed. Marvellous long, complex, aristocratic finish. | |||||
| Wine Spectator 92 | |||||
| All in finesse. Dark ruby-garnet color. Exciting aromas of crushed fruit, coffee and cedar. Full-bodied, with very polished tannins and a long, caressing finish. Why wait? Drink now. | |||||
1990 Montrose (750ml) |
$650.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| "The wine is remarkably rich, with a distinctive nose of sweet, jammy fruit, liquefied minerals, new saddle leather, and grilled steak.The enormous concentration, extract, high glycerin, and sweet tannin slide across the palate with considerable ease." | |||||
| Wine Spectator 94 | |||||
| "Chewy 1990. Dark garnet-ruby color. Gorgeous plum, raspberry and floral aromas. Full-bodied and chewy, with big, velvety tannins and a long finish. Needs time still. Best after 2005." | |||||
| Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 95 | |||||
| "Full ruby-red. Wild, exotic aromas of crystallized redcurrant, leather, tobacco and minerals; distinctly exotic, even overripe. Then lush, sweet and opulent, with an atypically velvety texture for Montrose. But extremely young and structured, finishing with powerful tannins and great grip and length. Almost California-like in style; in Bordeaux, they'd refer to the fruit expression of this wine as "original," which is not necessarily high praise. Drink 2008 through 2030." | |||||
1994 Fonseca (750ml) |
$250.00
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| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| Wine Spectator Co-Wine of the Year. How do you define perfection, especially in an early stage of a wine's evolution? Hold on to your hat. This is the best Fonseca since 1977, and it's probably even better than that classic vintage--more like the breathtaking 1948. Mind-blowing, with masses of color, aroma and fruit flavor. Smells like fermenting berries, boasting loads of crushed grape, violet and berry character. Big, full-bodied and very sweet, with tons of tannins and a sweet finish. Tannic and huge, it's a long-term, great Port. | |||||
| Robert Parker 97 | |||||
| One of the most spectacular 1994s, this opaque purple-colored wine is an exotic, flamboyant, ostentatious port. Extremely fragrant and pungent, with a flashy display of jammy cassis, pepper, licorice and truffles, this port is an attention-grabber. Awesomely rich, and full-bodied, with superb length, richness, and overall balance, it possesses a huge mid-palate, layers of flavor, an unctuous texture, and a blockbuster finish. | |||||
1994 Taylor (750ml) |
$225.00
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| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| Wine Spectator Co-Wine of the Year. There is a little doubt that the 94' Taylor and Fonseca will be as memorable as the 1977 Fonseca, the 1963 Quinta do Noval Nacional and the 1948 Taylor Fladgate. In a word, superb. It's full-bodied, moderately sweet and incredibly tannic, but there's amazing finesse and refinement to the texture, not to mention fabulous, concentrated aromas of raspberries, violets and other flowers. Perhaps the greatest Taylor ever, it's better than either the '92 or the '70, though it's very like the '70 in structure. | |||||
| Robert Parker 95 | |||||
| In tasting of young vintage ports, Taylor is always the most backward. Yet potentially, it has the capability to be the most majestic. This classically made, opaque-colored wine is crammed with black fruits (blueberries and cassis.) ?It is a young, rich, powerful Taylor that will require 10-15 years of aging. | |||||
1995 Margaux (750ml) |
$650.00
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| Robert Parker 95 | |||||
| Bottled very late (November, 1997), the 1995 has continued to flesh out, developing into one of the great classics made under the Mentzelopoulos regime. The color is opaque ruby/purple. The nose offers aromas of licorice and sweet smoky new oak intermixed with jammy black fruits, licorice, and minerals. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with extraordinary richness, fabulous equilibrium, and hefty tannin in the finish. In spite of its large size and youthfulness, this wine is user-friendly and accessible. This is a thrilling Margaux that will always be softer and more evolved than its broader-shouldered sibling, the 1996. How fascinating it will be to follow the evolution of both of these vintages over the next half century. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2040. | |||||
| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| A candidate for wine of the vintage...has amazing aromas of blackberries, cherries, licorice and smoke, a full body with full yet well-integrated tannins and a long finish. "Dark color. Black licorice, coffee, currants and black olives. Complex nose. A full-bodied, chewy blockbuster of a wine that is not giving anything at all away. It is like buried treasure still; you have to search for the gold. And it's there. Fabulous." | |||||
1996 Lafite (750ml) |
$1,450.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| "Tasted three times since bottling, the 1996 Lafite-Rothschild is unquestionably this renowned estate's greatest wine. As I indicated last year, only 38% of the crop was deemed grand enough to be put into the final blend, which is atypically high in Cabernet Sauvignon (83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot). This massive wine may be the biggest, largest-scaled Lafite I have ever tasted. It will require many years to come around, so I suspect all of us past the age of fifty might want to give serious consideration as to whether we should be laying away multiple cases of this wine. It is also the first Lafite-Rothschild to be put into a new engraved bottle (designed to prevent fraudulent imitations). The wine exhibits a thick-looking, ruby/purple color, and a knock-out nose of lead pencil, minerals, flowers, and black currant scents. Extremely powerful and full-bodied, with remarkable complexity for such a young wine, this huge Lafite is oozing with extract and richness, yet has managed to preserve its quintessentially elegant personality. This wine is even richer than it was prior to bottling. It should unquestionably last for 40-50 years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050. The wine of the vintage?" | |||||
| Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 96 | |||||
| "Full, deep ruby, by far the darkest of these vintages. Knockout nose of great precision: cassis, black cherry, lead pencil, licorice, dried herbs and mint. Densely packed and extremely unevolved; a powerfully structured wine with uncanny precision and penetration. Finishes with powerful, firm tannins and exceptional mounting persistence. An infant, but a great Northern Medoc '96 in the making. Drink 2015 to 2040." | |||||
| Wine Spectator 96 | |||||
| "Impressively dark in color, with mineral, mint and black currant aromas that hint also of spices and cedar. Full-bodied, with very firm tannins and a silky texture, this top Bordeaux goes on and on on the palate. One of the most solid Lafites in recent history." | |||||
1996 Lafite (750ml-12pk OWC) |
$19,140.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| "Tasted three times since bottling, the 1996 Lafite-Rothschild is unquestionably this renowned estate's greatest wine. As I indicated last year, only 38% of the crop was deemed grand enough to be put into the final blend, which is atypically high in Cabernet Sauvignon (83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot). This massive wine may be the biggest, largest-scaled Lafite I have ever tasted. It will require many years to come around, so I suspect all of us past the age of fifty might want to give serious consideration as to whether we should be laying away multiple cases of this wine. It is also the first Lafite-Rothschild to be put into a new engraved bottle (designed to prevent fraudulent imitations). The wine exhibits a thick-looking, ruby/purple color, and a knock-out nose of lead pencil, minerals, flowers, and black currant scents. Extremely powerful and full-bodied, with remarkable complexity for such a young wine, this huge Lafite is oozing with extract and richness, yet has managed to preserve its quintessentially elegant personality. This wine is even richer than it was prior to bottling. It should unquestionably last for 40-50 years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050. The wine of the vintage?" | |||||
| Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 96 | |||||
| "Full, deep ruby, by far the darkest of these vintages. Knockout nose of great precision: cassis, black cherry, lead pencil, licorice, dried herbs and mint. Densely packed and extremely unevolved; a powerfully structured wine with uncanny precision and penetration. Finishes with powerful, firm tannins and exceptional mounting persistence. An infant, but a great Northern Medoc '96 in the making. Drink 2015 to 2040." | |||||
| Wine Spectator 96 | |||||
| "Impressively dark in color, with mineral, mint and black currant aromas that hint also of spices and cedar. Full-bodied, with very firm tannins and a silky texture, this top Bordeaux goes on and on on the palate. One of the most solid Lafites in recent history." | |||||
1997 Quinta Do Noval Nacional (750ml) |
$1,295.00
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| Wine Spectator 99 | |||||
| Seamless and statuesque. Clearly, one of the Ports of the vintage. Superbly concentrated and racy, with berry, coffee and jam character. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with big, velvety tannins. Long finish. | |||||
| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| The 1997 Nacional is a legend from this pre-phylloxera vineyard. The color is a saturated black/purple. The nose reveals floral scents intermixed with coffee, blackberries, tar, cassis, licorice, and chocolate. Extremely full-bodied, but less massive and seamless, this spectacular Nacional will reach its plateau of maturity quickly, where it will remain for 2-3 decades. | |||||
1998 Le Pin (750ml) |
$3,375.00
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| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| "Rich, wild and exotic. Dark ruby color, with decadent aromas of aged game, wild fruits and grilled meat. Full-bodied with big, velvety tannins. Goes on and on. (450 cases made)" | |||||
| Robert Parker 93 | |||||
| "A beautifully made, dark ruby/garnet/plum-colored wine, the 1998 Le Pin offers an exotic bouquet of coconut, kirsch liqueur, and jammy blackberries, all flamboyantly dosed with smoky new oak. It is dense, rich, and plush, with a good tannic framework." | |||||
1999 RTWC Tokay Essencia (500ml) |
$650.00
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| Wine- Maker Notes | |||||
| The Royal Tokaji Wine Company has just completed the bottling of its 1999 Essencia, the richest and rarest of all Tokaji wines and one of the rarest wines in the world, with a decadent twist. <p> This first vintage of Essencia since the celebrated 1993, 1999 Essencia is offered in a stately brass-hinged wooden box carved from Hungarian oak, which is lined with velvet and contains a hedonistic first: the indulgent Royal Tokaji Hungarian crystal sipping spoon. <p> The Hungarian crystal spoon was designed exclusively for Royal Tokaji by Ajka Crystal, enabling 33 sips per bottle of the world¿s richest wine, or 66 tastes if you share your spoonful with a loved one. <p> The Essencia is considered an elixir so precious and decadent that winery principal Ben Howkins decided to create an elegant serving piece, allowing consumers to savor just one sip of what he believes is the, richest wine in the world. Only 1,200 bottles of the Royal Tokaji 1999 Essencia are available for customers around the world and will be available on allocation. | |||||
| FineWine International | |||||
| It has taken six years in Royal Tokaji's ancient underground cellars in Mád for their extraordinary Essencia 1999 to reach 2.9 percent alcohol. This amazing labyrinth of low ceiling cellars was dug by the Magyars to hide from the invading Turks more than 400 years ago. <p> This 1999 is an outstanding vintage for Tokaji wines, comparable only to the mould-breaking 1993 vintage this past decade, with the harvest finishing on Christmas Day. | |||||
| Wine & Spirits 100 | |||||
| .. Royal Tokaji's 1999 Essencia rendered our panel speechless with its seamlessly complex array of flavors. Our critic Tara Q. Thomas had no choice but to give it 100 points, the first such score in our magazine's history." How can a wine score 100 points? When it leaves an entire panel of tasters speechless, struggling to find words to describe a wine that seems to defy possibility. Is it enough to say that it smells like a bergamot orange grove in full bloom? That it really, truly feels like satin, so slippery smooth that professionals can't even keep it from going down their throats? The flavors recall spice, smoke, flowers and tropical fruit, but like satin, the weave of this wine is so tight it's impossible to make out exact threads. It's so sweet and acidic it almost hurts, in a good way. I can't think of anything it lacks, or anything that might make it better. That's pretty much the definition of perfect, and thus, the score. And at 2.9 percent alcohol, 600 grams per liter of sugar, and 18 grams per liter of sugar (it's solely free-run juice captured from the aszú grapes), it will outlive us all. Stupendous. | |||||
2000 Ausone (750ml) |
$1,995.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| Proprietor Alain Vauthier has produced a prodigious wine that captures the essence of Ausone's terroir. A saturated black/purple color is followed by sensational aromas of ink, cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and that wet stones/liquid minerality characteristic. The wine has phenomenal presence on the palate as well as astonishing richness and purity. Despite its extract, power, and richness, it is remarkably light, with a surreal delicacy. It is a tour de force in winemaking and a compelling expression of this magical terroir. It should prove to be legendary, but sadly, anyone over the age of 50 will probably not live to see it come close to maturity. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2075. | |||||
| Wine Spectator 97 | |||||
| This is like a perfectly cut piece of silk fabric. Every angle is just right, every texture great. Fabulous aromas of tobacco, mineral and cool berry fruit. Full-bodied, with loads of silky tannins and a length that goes on and on. Very racy. Very sexy. Best wine I have ever had from this estate. | |||||
2000 Cheval Blanc (750ml) |
$1,295.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| "The most port-like Cheval Blanc I have ever tasted, it represents the essence of this noble vineyard. A blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it boasts a saturated purple color along with a striking bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, truffles, and mocha. As the wine sits in the glass, scents of licorice, menthol, and saddle leather also emerge. Opulent and full-bodied, with a diaphanous quality (each layer peels away to reveal even more nuances), low acidity, sweet tannin, and a 60-second finish, it is unquestionably a profound wine. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2030+." | |||||
| Wine Spectator 95-99 | |||||
| "Superripe, with berry, licorice and cherry. Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a very long finish. Unbelievable. More exuberant and thick than 1998." | |||||
2000 Cheval Blanc (750ml-12pk OWC) |
$15,540.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| "The most port-like Cheval Blanc I have ever tasted, it represents the essence of this noble vineyard. A blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it boasts a saturated purple color along with a striking bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, truffles, and mocha. As the wine sits in the glass, scents of licorice, menthol, and saddle leather also emerge. Opulent and full-bodied, with a diaphanous quality (each layer peels away to reveal even more nuances), low acidity, sweet tannin, and a 60-second finish, it is unquestionably a profound wine. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2030+." | |||||
| Wine Spectator 95-99 | |||||
| "Superripe, with berry, licorice and cherry. Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a very long finish. Unbelievable. More exuberant and thick than 1998." | |||||
2000 La Clusiere (750ml) |
$1,750.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| From this hillside 2.6-acre vineyard planted with 100% Merlot a veritable legend has emerged. The 2000 is undoubtedly the finest La Clusiere ever produced. A magnificent effort possessing off-the-chart extract levels as well as a remarkably intense palate impression, it tastes like the undistilled essence of a particular vineyard and wine type. The color is opaque blue/purple. The bouquet reveals dense blackberry, plum, and cassis aromas infused with minerals, licorice, espresso, and graphite. Full-bodied, massively-endowed, concentrated, and incredibly well-delineated, with high but velvety tannin, this is a magnificent wine. It was bottled, as are all the Perse wines, with neither fining nor filtration. | |||||
2000 La Mission Haut Brion (750ml-12pk OWC) |
$10,500.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| A superstar of this great vintage, the 2000 La Mission Haut-Brion is as profound as the 1989, 1982, and 1975. It is more structured and tannic than the 1989, more civilized and refined, but not as thick as the 1982, and sweeter as well as purer than the 1975. The 2000 is neither flamboyant nor accessible, but what upside potential it possesses! In time, one might have to return to the prodigious duo of 1959 and 1961 to find a La Mission with this much potential. While still tight from bottling, its inky purple color is accompanied by extravagantly sweet aromas of blackberries, blueberries, toast, scorched earth, coffee, asphalt, graphite, and smoke. Super-intense and unctuously-textured, with a sumptuous mid-palate and finish, this is an explosively rich, layered effort that possesses everything I could ever want from a terroir that has given me as much hedonistic and intellectual pleasure as any other wine in the world. It is an amazing achievement for administrator Jean-Bernard Delmas, his son, Jean-Phillipe, and the entire winemaking team. The phenomenal aftertaste goes on for over a minute. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2045. | |||||
| Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 95 | |||||
| Saturated ruby-red. Full-blown aromas of dark berries, smoked meat, tobacco and iron. Lush, thick and ripe; really builds steadily in the mouth and explodes on the back end. Quintessential La Mission notes of tobacco, minerals, tar and hot stones. Today the 2001 seems even more sharply etched but this is denser, riper and deeper, with perfectly integrated acidity. Finishes very long, with huge, palate-coating tannins. | |||||
2000 La Mission Haut Brion (750ml) |
$875.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| A superstar of this great vintage, the 2000 La Mission Haut-Brion is as profound as the 1989, 1982, and 1975. It is more structured and tannic than the 1989, more civilized and refined, but not as thick as the 1982, and sweeter as well as purer than the 1975. The 2000 is neither flamboyant nor accessible, but what upside potential it possesses! In time, one might have to return to the prodigious duo of 1959 and 1961 to find a La Mission with this much potential. While still tight from bottling, its inky purple color is accompanied by extravagantly sweet aromas of blackberries, blueberries, toast, scorched earth, coffee, asphalt, graphite, and smoke. Super-intense and unctuously-textured, with a sumptuous mid-palate and finish, this is an explosively rich, layered effort that possesses everything I could ever want from a terroir that has given me as much hedonistic and intellectual pleasure as any other wine in the world. It is an amazing achievement for administrator Jean-Bernard Delmas, his son, Jean-Phillipe, and the entire winemaking team. The phenomenal aftertaste goes on for over a minute. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2045. | |||||
| Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 95 | |||||
| Saturated ruby-red. Full-blown aromas of dark berries, smoked meat, tobacco and iron. Lush, thick and ripe; really builds steadily in the mouth and explodes on the back end. Quintessential La Mission notes of tobacco, minerals, tar and hot stones. Today the 2001 seems even more sharply etched but this is denser, riper and deeper, with perfectly integrated acidity. Finishes very long, with huge, palate-coating tannins. | |||||
2000 Latour (750ml-12pk OWC) |
$13,800.00
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| Robert Parker 98 | |||||
| Only 48% of the crop made it into the prodigious 2000 Latour. The wine's saturated ruby/purple color is accompanied by sumptuous aromas of jammy black fruits intermixed with earth, vanilla, grilled nuts, and minerals. It is remarkably seamless for a young Latour, but as the wine sits in the glass, its acid and unevolved high tannin level begin to make an impact. This is an unctuously-styled effort where tasters may not discern the tannin until the finish. A fascinating offering, it will flirt with perfection when fully mature. | |||||
| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| Some said that Latour could never top its modern classic, the 1990, but director Frederic Engerer and his team at this famous first-growth have equaled it with the 2000. It's a young wine that electrifies every taste bud in your mouth. Compact aromas of crushed currants and minerals, with roses and lilacs, it is full-bodied, with masses of silky refined tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes. Best after 2012. | |||||
2000 Latour (750ml) |
$1,150.00
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| Robert Parker 98 | |||||
| Only 48% of the crop made it into the prodigious 2000 Latour. The wine's saturated ruby/purple color is accompanied by sumptuous aromas of jammy black fruits intermixed with earth, vanilla, grilled nuts, and minerals. It is remarkably seamless for a young Latour, but as the wine sits in the glass, its acid and unevolved high tannin level begin to make an impact. This is an unctuously-styled effort where tasters may not discern the tannin until the finish. A fascinating offering, it will flirt with perfection when fully mature. | |||||
| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| Some said that Latour could never top its modern classic, the 1990, but director Frederic Engerer and his team at this famous first-growth have equaled it with the 2000. It's a young wine that electrifies every taste bud in your mouth. Compact aromas of crushed currants and minerals, with roses and lilacs, it is full-bodied, with masses of silky refined tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes. Best after 2012. | |||||
2000 Leoville Las Cases (750ml-12pk OWC) |
$5,940.00
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| Robert Parker 99 | |||||
| This wine has put on weight and, as impressive as it was from cask, it is even more brilliant from bottle. Only 35% of the crop made it into the 2000 Leoville Las Cases, a blend of 76.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.4% Merlot, and 8.8% Cabernet Franc. The wine is truly profound, with an opaque purple color and a tight but promising nose of vanilla, sweet cherry liqueur, black currants, and licorice in a dense, full-bodied, almost painfully rich, intense style with no hard edges. This seamless classic builds in the mouth, with a finish that lasts over 60 seconds. Still primary, yet extraordinarily pure, this compelling wine, which continues to build flavor intensity and exhibit additional layers of texture, is a tour de force in winemaking and certainly one of the great Leoville Las Cases. In another sense, it symbolizes / pays homage to proprietor Michel Delon, who passed away in 2000. Michel has been succeeded by his son, Jean-Hubert, another perfectionist. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040. | |||||
| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| The hard work and dedication of owner and director Jean-Hubert Delon have helped realize his family's dream: The 2000 Leoville Las Cases is absolutely fantastic. This is one of the most exciting young reds I have tasted in a long, long time. It shows inense aromas of berries, currants and minerals, with hints of mint. Full-bodied and packed with fruit and seamless tannins, it is refined, silky and long on the finish. A benchmark for the vintage. Best after 2012. | |||||
2000 Leoville Las Cases (750ml) |
$495.00
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| Robert Parker 99 | |||||
| This wine has put on weight and, as impressive as it was from cask, it is even more brilliant from bottle. Only 35% of the crop made it into the 2000 Leoville Las Cases, a blend of 76.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.4% Merlot, and 8.8% Cabernet Franc. The wine is truly profound, with an opaque purple color and a tight but promising nose of vanilla, sweet cherry liqueur, black currants, and licorice in a dense, full-bodied, almost painfully rich, intense style with no hard edges. This seamless classic builds in the mouth, with a finish that lasts over 60 seconds. Still primary, yet extraordinarily pure, this compelling wine, which continues to build flavor intensity and exhibit additional layers of texture, is a tour de force in winemaking and certainly one of the great Leoville Las Cases. In another sense, it symbolizes / pays homage to proprietor Michel Delon, who passed away in 2000. Michel has been succeeded by his son, Jean-Hubert, another perfectionist. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040. | |||||
| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| The hard work and dedication of owner and director Jean-Hubert Delon have helped realize his family's dream: The 2000 Leoville Las Cases is absolutely fantastic. This is one of the most exciting young reds I have tasted in a long, long time. It shows inense aromas of berries, currants and minerals, with hints of mint. Full-bodied and packed with fruit and seamless tannins, it is refined, silky and long on the finish. A benchmark for the vintage. Best after 2012. | |||||
2000 Margaux (750ml) |
$1,185.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| Only 40% of the crop made it into the 2000 Chateau Margaux, a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Picked by many of my colleagues as the "wine of the vintage," it merited an even higher score than my lofty ratings of last year. The color is a saturated purple. The exquisite nose reveals blackberries, creme de cassis, and subtle new oak and graphite aromas. The tannin has become more supple, the texture is sensational, and the wine is like a towering skyscraper in the mouth without being heavy or disjointed. The finish is splendid. | |||||
| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| This may turn out even better than the 1995, dues to the 2000s layers of fine tanins and fruit, but I can't get more than 100 points. It's muscular,yet classy. Breathtaking aromas of black licorice, violets, berry and cherry, with light hints of spices and minerals. It's all there in the nose. Full-bodied, with an ultrafine tannin structure and a finish that goes on for minutes. | |||||
2000 Margaux (750ml) |
$1,185.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| Only 40% of the crop made it into the 2000 Chateau Margaux, a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Picked by many of my colleagues as the "wine of the vintage," it merited an even higher score than my lofty ratings of last year. The color is a saturated purple. The exquisite nose reveals blackberries, creme de cassis, and subtle new oak and graphite aromas. The tannin has become more supple, the texture is sensational, and the wine is like a towering skyscraper in the mouth without being heavy or disjointed. The finish is splendid. | |||||
| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| This may turn out even better than the 1995, dues to the 2000s layers of fine tanins and fruit, but I can't get more than 100 points. It's muscular,yet classy. Breathtaking aromas of black licorice, violets, berry and cherry, with light hints of spices and minerals. It's all there in the nose. Full-bodied, with an ultrafine tannin structure and a finish that goes on for minutes. | |||||
2000 Pavie (750ml)
List Price:
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$525.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| "Give Gerard Perse credit. People thought his numerous assurances that 2000 was the greatest Pavie ever produced were premature as well as arrogant. However, after tasting this extraordinary blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (made from low yields of 28-30 hectoliters per hectare) six separate times in 2003, it is unquestionably one of the most monumental wines Bordeaux has ever produced. Bottled in March, 2003, about nine months later than other 2000s, the color is an opaque purple, and the bouquet offers up notes of liquid minerals, blackberries, cherries, and cassis intermixed with spice box, cedar, and white flowers. On the palate, it exhibits a massive display of richness and extract, yet with pinpoint delineation and vibrancy as well as a 60+ second finish, this is the kind of phenomenal wine that Perse's critics were afraid he might produce - a no-compromise, immortal wonder that represents the essence of one of Bordeaux's greatest terroirs. Life is too short not to own and consume the 2000 Pavie. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050." | |||||
| Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 95 | |||||
| Good full medium ruby. Knockout nose of blackberry, espresso, licorice, minerals and burnished oak; offers terrific verve and clarity for a wine so ripe and rich. Then extremely youthful on the palate, with tightly wound flavors and great inner-mouth energy. Brilliant black fruit and mineral flavors offer compelling perfume. This is still remarkably primary despite its long elevage (the wine was bottled just three weeks prior to my tasting). Finishes with great tactile, chewy persistence. An outstanding vintage for this property. | |||||
2000 Pavie (750ml-12pk OWC)
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$6,300.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| "Give Gerard Perse credit. People thought his numerous assurances that 2000 was the greatest Pavie ever produced were premature as well as arrogant. However, after tasting this extraordinary blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (made from low yields of 28-30 hectoliters per hectare) six separate times in 2003, it is unquestionably one of the most monumental wines Bordeaux has ever produced. Bottled in March, 2003, about nine months later than other 2000s, the color is an opaque purple, and the bouquet offers up notes of liquid minerals, blackberries, cherries, and cassis intermixed with spice box, cedar, and white flowers. On the palate, it exhibits a massive display of richness and extract, yet with pinpoint delineation and vibrancy as well as a 60+ second finish, this is the kind of phenomenal wine that Perse's critics were afraid he might produce - a no-compromise, immortal wonder that represents the essence of one of Bordeaux's greatest terroirs. Life is too short not to own and consume the 2000 Pavie. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050." | |||||
| Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 95 | |||||
| Good full medium ruby. Knockout nose of blackberry, espresso, licorice, minerals and burnished oak; offers terrific verve and clarity for a wine so ripe and rich. Then extremely youthful on the palate, with tightly wound flavors and great inner-mouth energy. Brilliant black fruit and mineral flavors offer compelling perfume. This is still remarkably primary despite its long elevage (the wine was bottled just three weeks prior to my tasting). Finishes with great tactile, chewy persistence. An outstanding vintage for this property. | |||||
2000 Petrus (750ml) |
$5,495.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| "A magical effort from Petrus, the 2000 has continued to gain weight and stature. From the bottle, it is a perfect wine, much like the 1998. The color is inky plum/purple to the rim and the nose, which starts slowly, begins to roar after several minutes, offering up scents of smoke, blackberries, cherries, licorice, and an unmistakable truffle/underbrush element. On the palate, this enormous effort is reminiscent of dry vintage port, with fabulous ripeness, a huge, unctuous texture, enormous body, and a colossal 65-second finish. I did not have the benefit of tasting it side by side with the equally perfect 1998, but it appears the 2000 is a more massive, macho/masculine wine, with more obvious tannin and structure than the seamless 1998. It is another wine to add to the legacy of the great vintages of Petrus. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050." | |||||
| Wine Spectator 98 | |||||
| Dark color, with loads of smoky grilled meat and ripe fruit aromas. Lots of violets. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a superlong finish. Solid and tight. Like a tightly wound piece of silk string. Just as I remember it.--Pétrus non-blind vertical. Best after 2012 | |||||
2001 Doisy Daene L'Extravagence (375ml) |
$265.00
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| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| "Liquid honey in appearance. Incredibly ripe, with dried apricot, orange and mace. Full-bodied, thick and powerful, with amazing richness and spiciness. It goes on and on. This concentration is phenomenal. Yet it's lively and spciy. Huge finish. Best after 2012. | |||||
| Robert Parker 98 | |||||
| There is only a tiny amount of the light gold/green-colored 2001 Doisy-Daene l¿Extravagant (primarily Sauvignon Blanc). As the name suggests, it is extravagantly rich as well as very full-bodied with extraordinary purity and intensity. The finish lasts for over a minute. There are loads of botrytis in addition to caramelized tropical fruits, zesty acidity, and striking clarity of expression. Anticipated maturity: now-2035. | |||||
2001 Rieussec (750ml) |
$225.00
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| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| Like lemon curd on the nose, turning to honey and caramel. Full-bodied, very sweet, with fantstic concentration of ripe and botrytized fruit, yet balanced and refined. Electric acidity. Lasts for minutes on the palate. This is absolutely mind-blowing. This is the greatest young Sauternes I have ever tasted. | |||||
| Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 95 | |||||
| Pale yellow-gold. Superripe nose dominated by honey and marzipan. Hugely ripe and deep, with compelling layers and depth of fruit. Superconcentrated, exotic flavors of apricot, minerals and coconut. Wonderfully chewy, thick and sweet, and extremely long on the aftertaste. A huge wine that will impress early but will really need a minimum of a decade to shed some of its baby fat. | |||||
| Robert Parker 99 | |||||
| A monumental effort, the 2001 Rieussec boasts a light to medium gold color in addition to a fabulous perfume of honeysuckle, smoky oak, caramelized tropical fruits, creme brulee, and Grand Marnier. The wine is massive and full-bodied yet neither over the top nor heavy because of good acidity. With intense botrytis as well as a 70-75-second finish, this amazing Sauternes will be its apogee between 2010-2035. | |||||
2001 Yquem (750ml) |
$670.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| There are 10,000 cases of this perfect sweet white Bordeaux. The 2001 Yquem reveals a hint of green in its light gold color. While somewhat reticent aromatically, with airing, it offers up honeyed tropical fruit, orange marmalade, pineapple, sweet creme brulee, and buttered nut-like scents. In the mouth, it is full-bodied with gorgeously refreshing acidity as well as massive concentration and unctuosity. Everything is uplifted and given laser-like focus by refreshing acidity. This large-scaled, youthful Yquem appears set to take its place among the most legendary vintages of the past, and will age effortlessly for 75+ years. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2100+ | |||||
| Wine Spectator 100 | |||||
| This is the greatest young Yquem I have ever tasted from bottle. Yellow color with a golden hue and almost green tint. It shows intense aromas of botrytis with spices and blanched almonds that follow through to honey, maple syrup, dried apricots and pineapples. Full-bodied and very sweet, it is thick and powerful with layers of fruit and a bright finish. It is wonderfully balanced and refined, showing the class and pedigree that only this Sauternes estate can deliver. The winemakers at Yquem say it's their greatest modern wine ever. They have not exaggerated. This is best to drink after 2012. | |||||
2002 Paul Hobbs To-Kalon California (750ml) |
$825.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard is one of the greatest young Cabernets I have tasted from California. Believe it or not, it reminds me of the way the 1986 Mouton-Rothschild tasted at age two or three. It is a classic from the tenderloin of Napa Valley ¿ the Oakville corridor. This 650-case cuvee has a dense purple color to the rim and an extraordinary nose of cedar, licorice, spice box, and gobs of creme de cassis liqueur-like notes. The wine has tremendous opulence, massive body, but unbelievable intensity, balance, and overall harmony. There is considerable tannin and acidity that offers vibrancy and delineation, but all this is seamlessly integrated into this modern-day classic. This is a fabulous wine made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 100% new oak, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030. This wine requires patience. (Note: this wine was rated 99 when the review was printed in The Wine Advocate but the rating was subsequently raised to 100 as posted here.) | |||||
2003 Lafite (750ml-12pk OWC) |
$15,300.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| "A modern day version of the 1959 Lafite, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild was bottled in mid-May, 2005 after achieving 12.9% natural alcohol - hardly an astonishing figure given the vintage's weather conditions. A combination of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, it represents a ripe version of the essence of Lafite-Rothschild. Dense purple-colored, with classic notes of graphite intertwined with melted licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and flowers, it reveals extraordinary richness, opulence, power, purity, intensity, and viscosity. Whether this wine will close down or not is questionable as it is somewhat atypical given its sweetness and softness. Analytically, there are extremely high tannins, which I suspect will assert themselves in the future. Production in 2003 was less than half of normal. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050." | |||||
2003 Lafite (750ml) |
$1,275.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| "A modern day version of the 1959 Lafite, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild was bottled in mid-May, 2005 after achieving 12.9% natural alcohol - hardly an astonishing figure given the vintage's weather conditions. A combination of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, it represents a ripe version of the essence of Lafite-Rothschild. Dense purple-colored, with classic notes of graphite intertwined with melted licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and flowers, it reveals extraordinary richness, opulence, power, purity, intensity, and viscosity. Whether this wine will close down or not is questionable as it is somewhat atypical given its sweetness and softness. Analytically, there are extremely high tannins, which I suspect will assert themselves in the future. Production in 2003 was less than half of normal. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050." | |||||
2003 Latour (750ml) |
$1,250.00
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| Robert Parker 100 | |||||
| There are only 10,800 cases (rather than the normal 15,000-20,000) of the 2003 Latour, a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot (13.3% finished alcohol). A prodigious effort, it boasts a saturated purple color as well as a gorgeous perfume of smoke, cedar, creme de cassis, flowers, crushed rocks, and blackberries. Massive and multi-layered, with huge richness and low acidity, it is about as unctuous as a young Latour can be. It could be compared to the 1982, but it may be even more pure, at least at this early stage, than that monumental wine. The level of intensity builds prodigiously in the mouth, and the finish lasts nearly a minute. Disarmingly accessible (although analytically the tannin level is high), I suspect it will ultimately shut down, but it was performing impeccably when I tasted it. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040+. | |||||
| Wine Spectator 98 | |||||
| ntense aromas of blackberry, licorice, currant and mineral. Full-bodied, with very well-integrated tannins and a long, long finish. Very refined and beautiful. Goes on for minutes. This reminds me of the fabulous 1996. But even better. | |||||