95 to 99 Points - Vinrare - Buy Fine Wine Online - Fine Wines International

1998 Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis (750ml)

List Price: ~~$163.00~~ Our Price: $125.00

$125.00

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92-95

Deep Ruby-red. Redcurrant liquer, roast coffee, minerals,smoked meat and smoky oak on the nose. Wonderfully sweet and expansiveyet with great reserves of structure. Firm acidity keeps the flavors bright and juicy. A suggestion of medicinal austerity augurs well for the future of this Barolo.

Wine Spectator 95

It's harmonious and refined, yet powerful and rich. It has glorious aromas of roses, berries and minerals and is full-bodied, with pinpointed, silky tannins and a long finish. This is wonderfully crafted and classy. From my early tastings, I like the 1998 Cannubi Boschis better than the 1997 (93 points) and '96 (94), but time will tell. It may rival the amazing '90 (97) and '89 (95), which I tasted two years ago and were both going very strong. Best after 2006.

Robert Parker 94-96

The deep ruby/purple-colored 1998 Barolo Cannubi Boschis boasts a spectacular bouquet of mineral-infused black cherry liqueur, new saddle leather, and pain grille. This powerful, ripe 1998 offers full-bodied flavors, silky tannin, low acidity, gorgeous levels of glycerin, and a creamy mouthful of complex, layered, superbly pure Nebbiolo fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020.

Antonio Galloni 94

Luciano Sandrone?s 1998 Barolo Cannubi Boschis is another of the standouts in this tasting. Layers of perfumed dark fruit flow effortlessly from the glass with wonderful depth and purity. The wine offers a long, intensely harmonious personality and a refined, aristocratic finish. The 1998 is an excellent choice for readers who may also be cellaring bottles of the 1996 or the 1999, two wines that offer considerable upside potential. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019.

1998 Sandrone La Vigne (750ml-4pk)

$720.00

Robert Parker 95

The multidimensional 1998 Barolo La Vigne may be even better than its 1997 counterpart. It possesses huge layers of black cherry fruit infused with rose petals, tar, balsam wood, mineral, and subtle new oak notes. Full-bodied, awesomely concentrated, and extraordinarily pure, this exquisite, youthful Barolo will be at its prime bewteen 2004-2020.

Wine Spectator 93

Le Vigne is a blend of four different vineyards, and the Sandrone brothers fine-tune it to show the vintage at its best. The 1998 shows complex aromas of plums, berries, leather and hints of dried cheese that follow to flowers. It's full-bodied, with polished and refined tannins and a silky, fruity finish. Best after 2005.

1998 Sandrone La Vigne (750ml)

List Price: ~~$180.00~~ Our Price: $160.00

$160.00

Robert Parker 95

The multidimensional 1998 Barolo La Vigne may be even better than its 1997 counterpart. It possesses huge layers of black cherry fruit infused with rose petals, tar, balsam wood, mineral, and subtle new oak notes. Full-bodied, awesomely concentrated, and extraordinarily pure, this exquisite, youthful Barolo will be at its prime bewteen 2004-2020.

Wine Spectator 93

Le Vigne is a blend of four different vineyards, and the Sandrone brothers fine-tune it to show the vintage at its best. The 1998 shows complex aromas of plums, berries, leather and hints of dried cheese that follow to flowers. It's full-bodied, with polished and refined tannins and a silky, fruity finish. Best after 2005.

1998 Schramsberg J. Schram California (750ml)

$98.00

Wine Spectator 91

Spice, ginger, fresh pear and floral notes lead to a rich, complex array of flavors in this bubbly, with yeast and dough notes. Turns smooth and shows extra layers of concentration, with a long, lingering finish.

Wine Enthusiast 95

Ultarefined, super-elegant, the superlatives go on and on. Pours clear and bright, with the most sublte and inviting aromas, all dough and smoke and custardy vanilla with that tease of strawberry. So silky and light on the palate, and perfectly dosed to a smooth dryness..

1998 Schramsberg, J Schram Rose California (750ml)

$136.00

FineWine International

The first release of a J. Schram Rose only 120 cases were produced. The J. Schram Rose ismade from the vintage's best lots from Schramsberg collection of 80 cool-climate vineyard sites. It is a blend of 76% Chardonnay and 24% Pinot Noir. The wine showcases Schramsberg's signature style of weaving together small lots of wines fermented in stainless steel tanks with lots fermented in French Oak barrels.

Wine- Maker Notes

J. Schram Rose features rich, baked strawberry and raspberry aromas with hints of cinnamon and cloves. On the palate, it is polished and juicy with intense berry and citrus flaovrs, and a long, generous finish. This Rose is aged and complete, with elegance and distinctiion.

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine 95+

50% Napa County 1998 21% Mendocino County; 18% Monterey County; 11% Marin County. 76% Chardonnay; 24% Pinot Noir. A true Brut Rose in every sense from its glowing copper-pink color to its deep and very substantial flavors, this involving effort displays a full range of champenized character with lots of yeasty richness neatly fit to its mildly berry-like fruit. Its pinpointy bubbles make for a fine and rounded feel in the mouth, and its lengthy, layered finish is firmed by just the right measure of crisp acidity. It is among the richest, most flavorful wines of the current bubbly crop and its classic Rose vinosity allows it to pair famously with a wide range of rich seafood and chicken dishes. Very limited availability. Three Puffs

Wine Enthusiast 94

This is a first tete de cuvee rose from Schramsberg. The North coast appellation is because the grapes come from four counties. It's 75% Chardonnay, with rest Pinot Noir, and it is seriously good. The residual sugar is noticeable, but the acidity is so high that it balances out, and also ensures a long life. Don't touch until at least 2007, but it's likely to gain interest and complexity through 2015, at least.

Wine News 95

Heady aromas of bread dough, toast, Sherry and banana peel. Soft entry displays a mix of tangerine and Sherry flavors with a wish of toastiness. Acids are apparent, however, they are well melded and balance the lushness of the wine.

1998 Verite California (750ml)

$215.00

Robert Parker 95

A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the debut vintage of La Muse is composed of fruit from Sonoma (62%) and Napa (38%) vineyards. It appears to have reached full maturity, but it possesses the density and richness to last another 10-15 years. From a challenging vintage, it reveals a dark plum/garnet color along with a full-bodied nose of coffee, fruitcake, underbrush, forest floor, mocha and chocolate. This outstanding effort is one of the top 1998s from northern California.

Wine Enthusiast 95

"Lush and delicious, this richly fruited wine roars from the glass with a serious, yet still sexy plum, chocolate, spice and cedar nose. Plush tannins and an even mouthfeel, full cherry, plum and cocoa flavors, and this impressive first release finishes long and dry."

1998 Vieux Ch. Certan (750ml)

$195.00

Robert Parker 94-96

A prodigious effort, this dense ruby/purple-colored 1998 reveals an explosive bouquet of licorice, cedar, spice box, and jammy blackberry, currant, and cherry fruit. Profoundly concentrated, with great flavor, purity, as well as extraordinary complexity and palate presence, this wine boasts multiple layers of flavor, silky tannin, a thick, viscous texture, and a 45-second finish. The glycerin and huge extract conceal what appear to be high levels of tannin. Unusually for Vieux-Chateau-Certan, this wine contains no Cabernet Franc, being a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested at a low 34 hectoliters per hectare. It is a superstar of the vintage!

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 95

Tasted at the Bipin Desai?s VCC vertical in Los Angeles. This is obviously one of Alexandre Thienpont?s favourite vintages under his tenure (so far) ? no wonder he was disappointed when I told him the bottle was tainted. Sipped from another glass, this is patently developing a precocious bouquet brimming with cassis, blueberry and violet scents, spilling over the top of the glass. The palate is concentrated, silky smooth, viscous, almost opulent in style with a slightly lower level of acidity than I expected. A ravishing, Reubenesque finish, this is a decadent VCC that is turning out to be a generous wine. Drink 2012-2035+. Tasted November 2008.

1999 Altesino Brunello Montesoli (750ml)

List Price: ~~$125.00~~ Our Price: $105.00

$105.00

Wine Spectator 95

Deep, dense aromas of porcini and wild strawberry turn to fresh tobacco. Full-bodied, with tight and refined tannins. The finish goes on for minutes. A big, muscular, powerful Montesoli. Austere now; needs years of bottle age. Best after 2009. 1,500 cases made.

Robert Parker 91

The single-vineyard 1999 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli, riper and spicier in aroma than the regular bottling, full and with interesting notes of anisette and tar, features flavors of an important richness and density, slightly backward but very substantial and sustained. The additional intensity on the finish suggests another fifteen years of good drinking ahead.

1999 Bollinger VV Francaises (750ml)

$925.00

Wine- Maker Notes

A unique phenomenon, Vieilles Vignes Fran�aises is produced with grapes coming from three very small pieces of land of Grand Cru which amount to just under 0.6 hectares (1,4 acres) : Chaudes Terres in A� (0.6 acre), Clos St-Jacques in A� (0.5 acre) and Croix Rouge in Bouzy (0.3 acre). These were unaffected by the phylloxera, which destroyed all the Champagne vineyards at the end of the 19th century The vineyards were then re-grafted with American rootstocks. Les Vieilles Vignes Fran�aises miraculously escaped the devastation and therefore were not re-grafted. They continue to be planted en foule, in the historic, layered, self-propagating method and thus perpetuate what can be called the remains of the days of the Champagne region

Robert Parker 95

"The 1999 Vielles Vignes Francaises is simply stunning. Layers of perfumed red raspberries, flowers and spices flow onto the palate with breathtaking beauty. The mousse is exceptionally fine, as is everything about this wine. Although the wine possesses superb density and richness, it remains light on the palate and supremely graceful. This bottle was disgorged in July, 2008." Antonio Galloni

1999 Dalla Valle California (750ml)

$142.00

Robert Parker 94

"The opaque purple-colored 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts exceptionally sweet fruit as well as a tell-tale perfume of melted licorice, black currant liqueur, and hints of blueberries and flowers. This wine is long, ripe, and full-bodied, with the vintage's more noticeable, astringent tannin. It will be at its apogee between 2006-2021."

Wine Spectator 95

"Deep garnet core with a ruby rim. Heady sottobosco aroma reminiscent of sweet pipe tobacco laced with the perfumed scent of violets. Deep plum flavor mingles with cherry jam, bitter chocolate and roasted coffee bean; very fresh and clear. The wine offers a superb sense of depth and harmony on the middle palate, and the tannins are firm but ripe. The long, silky finish is graced by an undercurrent of anise. Generous, suave, and delicious."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 93+

"Saturated full ruby. Black fruits, bitter chocolate and graphite on the nose. Superripe and impressively deep; conveys a rather austere impression of thick grape skins. Black fruit and shoe polish flavors sweetened by exotic spice notes of mace and nutmeg. Really builds on the very long finish, which features big, tongue-dusting tannins. An outstanding vintage for this bottling."

1999 Lafite (750ml)

$995.00

Wine Spectator 95

The 1999 Lafite is a red for aging and should start to come around in 2006 -- although it's a gorgeous bottle to taste now! The nose is complex with loads of tobacco, spice, cedar and black licorice character. It's full-bodied with a solid core of fruit and long, silky tannins.

Robert Parker 95+

The 1999 Lafite Rothschild sports an engraved "1999" on the bottle along with an eclipse to mark that significant historical event of August, 1999. It is a quintessential offering from Lafite Rothschild. This prodigious wine is both elegant and intensely flavored, and almost diaphanous in its layers that unfold with no heaviness. An opaque ruby/purple color is accompanied by a complex bouquet of lead pencil, graphite, cedar, creme de cassis, toast, and vanilla. It is medium-bodied, with extravagant layers of richness yet little weight, and a finish that is all sweetness, ripeness, and harmony. This extraordinary Lafite increasingly appears to be a modern day clone of the majestic 1953. A mere one-third of the crop made it into the grand vin! Anticipated maturity: 2007-2030.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 94

Tasted at the IMW Lafite seminar in London. The 1999 Lafite Rothschild has a slightly more autumnal, leafy nose when compared to the 2000, but it has extremely good delineation and clarity with scents of brambly blackberry fruit, boysenberry, melted tar and a touch of allspice. The Merlot lends the aromatics more roundness. The palate is medium-bodied with a harmonious, smooth, spicy entry imparted by the dash of Petit Verdot. It is not powerful or even tannic, but it has a vibrancy and tension that makes it a very fine Lafite. Very elegant towards the blackberry and graphite finish with a long tail of citrus fresh blackberry and cedar on the finish. Tasted February 2012.

1999 Lafite (1.5L)

$1,895.00

Wine Spectator 95

The 1999 Lafite is a red for aging and should start to come around in 2006 -- although it's a gorgeous bottle to taste now! The nose is complex with loads of tobacco, spice, cedar and black licorice character. It's full-bodied with a solid core of fruit and long, silky tannins.

Robert Parker 95+

The 1999 Lafite Rothschild sports an engraved "1999" on the bottle along with an eclipse to mark that significant historical event of August, 1999. It is a quintessential offering from Lafite Rothschild. This prodigious wine is both elegant and intensely flavored, and almost diaphanous in its layers that unfold with no heaviness. An opaque ruby/purple color is accompanied by a complex bouquet of lead pencil, graphite, cedar, creme de cassis, toast, and vanilla. It is medium-bodied, with extravagant layers of richness yet little weight, and a finish that is all sweetness, ripeness, and harmony. This extraordinary Lafite increasingly appears to be a modern day clone of the majestic 1953. A mere one-third of the crop made it into the grand vin! Anticipated maturity: 2007-2030.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 94

Tasted at the IMW Lafite seminar in London. The 1999 Lafite Rothschild has a slightly more autumnal, leafy nose when compared to the 2000, but it has extremely good delineation and clarity with scents of brambly blackberry fruit, boysenberry, melted tar and a touch of allspice. The Merlot lends the aromatics more roundness. The palate is medium-bodied with a harmonious, smooth, spicy entry imparted by the dash of Petit Verdot. It is not powerful or even tannic, but it has a vibrancy and tension that makes it a very fine Lafite. Very elegant towards the blackberry and graphite finish with a long tail of citrus fresh blackberry and cedar on the finish. Tasted February 2012.

1999 Lamborghini Campoleone (750ml)

List Price: ~~$135.00~~ Our Price: $115.00

$115.00

Robert Parker 96

"The compelling 1999 Campoleone was aged in 100% new French oak and bottled without fining or filitration by oenologist Riccardo Cotarella. A dense opaque purple color is accompanied by scents of new saddle leather, blackberry and cassis fruit, licorice, roasted meats, and graphite. Full-bodied and sweet, with a fabulous texture, ripe tannin, adequate acidity, and brilliant definition, this is a tour de force in wine making."

1999 Marcassin Marcassin Vineyard (750ml)

$335.00

Robert Parker 95

"The 1999 Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard is less flamboyant than the ostentatious Blue Slide cuvee. It exhibits more animal, plum, raspberry, and earthy characteristics (meaty porchinis come to mind) in its broodingly backward, mineral-dominated personality. Additionally, there is great structure and purity, as well as layers of fruit and intensity."

Wine Spectator 94

"Medium garnet in color, smooth and supple on the palate, this is an elegant, delicate style that slowly builds intensity and richness, offering hints of sage, black cherry, candied apple and pretty floral and tealike nuances that pick up a trace of beef carpaccio. Long, focused aftertaste has lots of flavor. "

1999 Margaux (750ml)

$490.00

Robert Parker 94

The sexy, dark plum/purple-colored 1999 Margaux is already revealing complex aromatics. This surprisingly charming and round offering is reminiscent of a vintage such as 1985. Although neither a blockbuster nor a heavyweight, it grows in the mouth revealing tremendous length as well as purity. Administrator Paul Pontallier prefers it to the more austere 1998, as do I. This is an archetypical Chateau Margaux of richness, finesse, balance, and symmetry. It can be drunk young, but promises to age nicely for two decades. Extrapolating backwards, it would probably have something in common with the underrated 1962 Medocs.

Wine Spectator 94

Not a big Margaux, this is all in refinement. Pretty aromas of berries, raspberries and toasted oak and warm flavors that build on your palate. Medium-bodied, with fine, well-integrated tannins and a caressing finish.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 95+

Tasted at the 1999 horizontal at Bordeaux Index. This Chateau Margaux was captivating in its youth and at ten-years of age it displays a wonderful, exuberant bouquet with blackberry, violet, boysenberry, a touch of spice and smoke. The palate is full-bodied, great depth and breadth with firm tannins, there is a real backbone to this Margaux, struck through with a tangible sense of mineralite that sends a tingle down the spice. It does actually take time to coalesce in the glass but it ultimately seduces the palate with its wily feminine charms. Lovely. Drink 2013-2030. Tasted June 2009.

1999 Palmer (750ml)

$285.00

Robert Parker 96+

Deep color. Slowly building nose becomes more generous and powerful with aeration. The 1999 Palmer yields scents of blueberry, sweet spices, smoke, leather, and forest floor. As a total package, it?s a sensational bouquet. Rich and mouth-filling, with elegance, opulence, and impressive structure. While still having tannin to shed, the 1999 is fruit forward in a lavish way. Very long and spicy finish. This particular bottle would have benefitted from many more years in the cellar. Great showing!

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92

"Good medium ruby. Boysenberry, currant, graphite, mocha, underbrush and roast coffee on the nose, along with sexy smoky oak. Lush, sweet and vinous, with complex, explosive dark berry flavors and impressive density for the year. Plump and pliant. Finishes with broad, lightly dusty tannins and excellent length. In comparison to this, the 2001 is drier and tighter, even allowing for the difference in age between the two vintages."

1999 Philipponnat Clos des Goisses (750ml)

$195.00

Robert Parker 95

The 1999 Clos des Goisses flows from the glass with the essence of minerals, chalk, smoke, ash, white peaches, pears, flowers and sweet oak. This is a muscular, powerful wine that needs serious bottle age to come around, yet it possesses striking clarity and detail in its aromatics and flavors. Clos des Goisses is one of the most rewarding wines to drink when mature, and I have no doubt this will be another splendid version. This refined, sumptuous wine is not to be missed. Clos des Goisses is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, and 30% of the wine was fermented in oak. This bottle was disgorged in March 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2024. Philipponnat makes a wide range of wines but the house�s fame rests squarely on the monumental Clos des Goisses, a Pinot-dominated Champagne that emerges from a 5.5 hectare vineyard in Mareuil-sur-Ay. Oddly enough Clos des Goisses remains a wine for insiders despite a track record few wines can match, as it is one of the most ageworthy Champagnes on the market. Antonio Galloni

1999 Poggio Antico Brunello Riserva (750ml)

List Price: ~~$85.00~~ Our Price: $75.00

$75.00

Wine Enthusiast 95

"Here?s a huge, stately wine with a brick-based structure and mounds of lovely oak that is already so well integrated you barely notice it. Quite tannic, and will require come cellaring. When you do drink it, expect warm flavors, liqueur-soaked berry fruit and a mile-long finish. Hold until 2010, at least."

Wine Spectator 93

"Offers lavender, berry and delicate cassis, with hints of mineral. Full-bodied, with fine, silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. Very pretty and balanced. There's no use holding back this beautiful Brunello."

1999 Salon Le Mesnil (750ml-3pk OWC)

$1,035.00

Robert Parker 94+

"The 1999 Brut Blanc de Blancs is impenetrable. This is a massive, full-bodied Salon that totally saturates the palate with fruit. Neither as austere or pointed as the 1996, nor as open as the 1997, instead the 1999 comes across as big, rich and powerful. There is little in the way of flavor or aromatic development, and it may be some time before any real complexity develops in bottle. Today it looks like the wine?s best days are well off into the future. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039."

Wine Spectator 94

"There's a streak of minerality and a lacy texture to this floral Champagne, with finely tuned acidity to focus the candied lemon zest, poached pear, nutmeg and ginger hints. A more delicate style, but seamless in its balance and finesse, with a subtle finish. Drink now through 2024."

Wine Spectator 94

There's a streak of minerality and a lacy texture to this floral Champagne, with finely tuned acidity to focus the candied lemon zest, poached pear, nutmeg and ginger hints. A more delicate style, but seamless in its balance and finesse, with a subtle finish.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94

"Bright yellow-gold. Deeply pitched, pungent aromas of candied lemon, pear skin, anise, buttered toast and smoky lees, with notes of ginger and white flowers adding lift. Densely packed yet vibrant, showing impressive power and clarity to its mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruit flavors. Expands on the finish but maintains its focus, picking up iodine and bitter lime notes that linger impressively. A more vibrant rendition of Salon than the 1997 version, but with a bit less concentration than the 1996. This should be a slow ager."

1999 Salon Le Mesnil (750ml)

$345.00

Robert Parker 94+

"The 1999 Brut Blanc de Blancs is impenetrable. This is a massive, full-bodied Salon that totally saturates the palate with fruit. Neither as austere or pointed as the 1996, nor as open as the 1997, instead the 1999 comes across as big, rich and powerful. There is little in the way of flavor or aromatic development, and it may be some time before any real complexity develops in bottle. Today it looks like the wine?s best days are well off into the future. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039."

Wine Spectator 94

"There's a streak of minerality and a lacy texture to this floral Champagne, with finely tuned acidity to focus the candied lemon zest, poached pear, nutmeg and ginger hints. A more delicate style, but seamless in its balance and finesse, with a subtle finish. Drink now through 2024."

Wine Spectator 94

There's a streak of minerality and a lacy texture to this floral Champagne, with finely tuned acidity to focus the candied lemon zest, poached pear, nutmeg and ginger hints. A more delicate style, but seamless in its balance and finesse, with a subtle finish.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94

"Bright yellow-gold. Deeply pitched, pungent aromas of candied lemon, pear skin, anise, buttered toast and smoky lees, with notes of ginger and white flowers adding lift. Densely packed yet vibrant, showing impressive power and clarity to its mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruit flavors. Expands on the finish but maintains its focus, picking up iodine and bitter lime notes that linger impressively. A more vibrant rendition of Salon than the 1997 version, but with a bit less concentration than the 1996. This should be a slow ager."

1999 Sandrone La Vigne (750ml-4pk)

$650.00

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 91+

Good deep red. Brambly red fruits , spices, minerals and underbrush on the nose. Surprisingly sweet for this wine but still tightly wound, with a firm spine of acidity. Much less pliant today than the '98 version, with the bright, spicy flavors of toasty red fruits still rather unforthcoming. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and a firmer impression than the 2000.

Robert Parker 94

I generally prefer Le Vigne, which uses the grapes of a variety of sites in the eastern part of the zone, and the 1999 Barolo Le Vigne is no exception. These soils give a more concentrated Nebbiolo, and the powerfully smoky, tarry, and floral aromas of this Barolo are echoed on the palate, with large-framed, deep, and potent flavors, very mineral and with excellent spice. It is superior in density, texture, and drive. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2022.

Wine Spectator 91

Very bright aromas of Christmas cake, dried fruit and spices. Full-bodied, with big, silky tannins and plenty of ripe fruit. Long, long finish. Hints of coffee and dried fruits. A blend of various vineyards.

Antonio Galloni 95

1999 Barolo Le Vigne?Medium ruby. The 1999 Le Vigne presents a highly aromatic, perfumed nose and gorgeous layers of bright, focused red fruit on a medium-bodied frame, with excellent length and concentration. This firmly structured Barolo remains a model of restrained elegance and finesse that strikes a gorgeous balance between traditional and modern expressions of Barolo. It will benefit from a few years of bottle age and drink well until age 20. 93/drink after 2009, 04/06

2000 Bellevue (750ml)

List Price: ~~$150.00~~ Our Price: $136.00

$136.00

Robert Parker 95

Bellevue's debut vintage under the collaboration of Bordeaux wunderkind Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt is a whopper. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from low yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare, this wine boasts an opaque inky purple color as well as a glorious perfume of blackberries and blueberries underlaid with a striking minerality, full body, high tannin, abundant glycerin, concentration, and muscle, and a 40-second finish. Will it shut down? I kept a bottle open eight days without any oxidation. A tour de force! Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020.

Robert Parker 95+

This was the breakthrough vintage for this fabulous terroir that had been under-exploited for so many years. A collaboration between Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt, this medium to full-bodied, pure blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc reveals aromas reminiscent of a liqueur of crushed rocks, black currants, and raspberries. The tannins are still present, and the wine is firmer than I expected, but it is loaded. Made in a distinctive, singular, elegant style, it will be even better in 5-6 years, and should last for two decades thereafter - longer than I originally predicted. June 2010

2000 Calon-Segur (750ml)

List Price: ~~$136.00~~ Our Price: $110.00

$110.00

Robert Parker 94

A dense, traditionally crafted wine for those with patience, the 2000 Calon-Segur rivals the estate's finest wines of the last two decades, the 1995, 1988, and 1982. But be forewarned, this wine has already closed down, something totally in character with all top vintages from this estate. This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc exhibits a plum/purple color along with gorgeous aromas of creosote intermixed with spring flowers, black cherries, cassis, licorice, and stony, liquid minerals. A powerful, tannic, full-bodied and opulent wine, it possesses considerable structure that is reasonably well-concealed by considerable glycerin and intensity. Look for it to be at its best between 2012-2040. Patience, patience, patience!

Wine Spectator 93

Lovely berry, spice and leather aromas follow through to a medium- to full-bodied palate, with firm and silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. A harmonious wine. Not quite what it was from barrel, but outstanding all the same. Racy Calon. Best after 2010.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 95

The Ch�teau Calon-S�gur 2000 adds to the canon of superlative millennial clarets, extremely complex and intellectual on the nose, the palate beautifully defined, velvety smooth almost to the point where I thought it had a textural lactic element. There is a stalking broodiness to it, as if to remind you that this is far too early a juncture to consider imbibing although the fleshiness of the Merlot right on the finish reminds you that in time, it will become a ravishing wine. Lock any cases up for your sons and daughters.

2000 Cheval Blanc (750ml)

$1,315.00

Robert Parker 99

Coming out of a relatively dormant state, this 2000 is a spectacular Cheval Blanc. Of recent vintages, I think only the 2009 can give it a run for its money. A blend of 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Franc, the wine has a sweet nose of menthol, melted licorice, boysenberry, blueberry, and cassis. A broad wine with compelling purity, a layered texture, and sweet tannin, with hints of coffee and earth in the background, this is by far the best Cheval Blanc since 1990 and before 2009. It is a legend in the making and can actually be drunk now, as the tannins have nearly melted away. This is a beauty with incredibly complex aromatics. Drink it over the next 25-30 years.

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."

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 95

The millennial Cheval Blanc has such an opulent nose with ripe blackberry, graphite, crushed violets and a touch of sage with wonderful definition. The palate is full-bodied with firm, tensile tannins, great precision and focus, yet still a Cheval that is biding its time and will need another 6-8 years before it really begins to blossom. Tasted June 2010.

2000 Cos d'Estournel (750ml)

List Price: ~~$200.00~~ Our Price: $174.00

$174.00

Robert Parker 91

howing some lightening at the edges as well as some amber, this is the least impressive of the greatest vintages for Cos d?Estournel between 2000 and 2009. It is an outstanding wine, but it is closer to maturity and lacking the concentration, texture, and overall compelling aromatics of more recent vintages. The wine displays roasted herbs intermixed with licorice, incense, black cherry, and black currant fruit. Medium-bodied, rather than full, elegant, with some spicy tannins and a nice sweet finish, compared to the other top classified growths, this wine is on a much faster evolutionary track and can be drunk now and over the next 15 or more years.

Wine Spectator 96

Cos puts together serious reds in serious years, and with large production for a releatively reasonable price. Cos's head, Jean-Guillaume Prats, has made the property's best red since 1989. Gorgeous on the nose, with currants, blackberries and cut flowers, it is full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a solid core of fruit. Goes on and on. It is the essense of class and refinement. Best after 2010.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 96

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index?s 2000 tasting in London. This is a fantastic Cos d?Estournel that I was unsure about out of barrel, but is now blossoming with age. It is adorned with a lovely nose: blackberry, wild hedgerow, espresso, a touch of chocolate and sandalwood. Very fine definition and vigour. The palate is full-bodied with ripe tannins, superb symmetrical structure, dense, obdurate black fruits, a saline note, very well balanced, very focused, broadening out nicely towards the ravishing, supple finish. Excellent. Drink 2015-2040. Tasted March 2010.

2000 Cos d'Estournel (750ml)

List Price: ~~$200.00~~ Our Price: $174.00

$174.00

Robert Parker 91

howing some lightening at the edges as well as some amber, this is the least impressive of the greatest vintages for Cos d?Estournel between 2000 and 2009. It is an outstanding wine, but it is closer to maturity and lacking the concentration, texture, and overall compelling aromatics of more recent vintages. The wine displays roasted herbs intermixed with licorice, incense, black cherry, and black currant fruit. Medium-bodied, rather than full, elegant, with some spicy tannins and a nice sweet finish, compared to the other top classified growths, this wine is on a much faster evolutionary track and can be drunk now and over the next 15 or more years.

Wine Spectator 96

Cos puts together serious reds in serious years, and with large production for a releatively reasonable price. Cos's head, Jean-Guillaume Prats, has made the property's best red since 1989. Gorgeous on the nose, with currants, blackberries and cut flowers, it is full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a solid core of fruit. Goes on and on. It is the essense of class and refinement. Best after 2010.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 96

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index?s 2000 tasting in London. This is a fantastic Cos d?Estournel that I was unsure about out of barrel, but is now blossoming with age. It is adorned with a lovely nose: blackberry, wild hedgerow, espresso, a touch of chocolate and sandalwood. Very fine definition and vigour. The palate is full-bodied with ripe tannins, superb symmetrical structure, dense, obdurate black fruits, a saline note, very well balanced, very focused, broadening out nicely towards the ravishing, supple finish. Excellent. Drink 2015-2040. Tasted March 2010.

2000 Cos d'Estournel (750ml)

List Price: ~~$200.00~~ Our Price: $174.00

$174.00

Robert Parker 91

howing some lightening at the edges as well as some amber, this is the least impressive of the greatest vintages for Cos d?Estournel between 2000 and 2009. It is an outstanding wine, but it is closer to maturity and lacking the concentration, texture, and overall compelling aromatics of more recent vintages. The wine displays roasted herbs intermixed with licorice, incense, black cherry, and black currant fruit. Medium-bodied, rather than full, elegant, with some spicy tannins and a nice sweet finish, compared to the other top classified growths, this wine is on a much faster evolutionary track and can be drunk now and over the next 15 or more years.

Wine Spectator 96

Cos puts together serious reds in serious years, and with large production for a releatively reasonable price. Cos's head, Jean-Guillaume Prats, has made the property's best red since 1989. Gorgeous on the nose, with currants, blackberries and cut flowers, it is full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a solid core of fruit. Goes on and on. It is the essense of class and refinement. Best after 2010.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 96

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index?s 2000 tasting in London. This is a fantastic Cos d?Estournel that I was unsure about out of barrel, but is now blossoming with age. It is adorned with a lovely nose: blackberry, wild hedgerow, espresso, a touch of chocolate and sandalwood. Very fine definition and vigour. The palate is full-bodied with ripe tannins, superb symmetrical structure, dense, obdurate black fruits, a saline note, very well balanced, very focused, broadening out nicely towards the ravishing, supple finish. Excellent. Drink 2015-2040. Tasted March 2010.

2000 Ducru-Beaucaillou (3.0L)

List Price: ~~$1,725.00~~ Our Price: $1,515.00

$1,515.00

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92

Bright ruby-red, less saturated than the 2002. Very pure aromas of cassis, minerals and mocha, with a hint of raw berries. Juicy, pure and tightly wound, with intense flavors of dark berries, bitter chocolate, espresso and licorice. Broadens impressively on the long, aromatic, suave finish, showing lovely grip and class. Finer than Borie's 2000 Grand Puy Lacoste and in need of longer aging but not clearly stronger.

Wine Spectator 95+

Fantastic aromas of blackberries, wild berries and minerals. Extremely aromatic. Full-bodied and very tight, with big, silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. Superb. A muscular Ducru.

Robert Parker 95

A stunning wine from Ducru Beaucaillou which showcases its great terroir, this elegant but substantial 2000 has a dense purple color that has hardly budged since it was first bottled. Displaying a floral note, with hints of boysenberries, black raspberries, black currants and a touch of background oak, the wine has superb concentration and density, but still has some substantial tannins that are not yet fully resolved. I originally predicted that it should be drinkable from 2010-2030, but I would modify that now to 2015-2035.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 97

Tasted at Farr?s Ducru-Beaucaillou dinner at the Ledbury. Consistent notes when compared to last year with a spellbinding bouquet: blackberries, smoke, a touch of dried herbs and pine needles with stunning delineation and vibrancy. The palate is full-bodied with outstanding mineralit� and a sense of symmetry that is beyond both the very impressive 1995 and 1996. It still needs another five or six years, but will be worth the wait. Tasted October 2010.

2000 Fonseca (750ml)

$98.00

Wine Spectator 94

Fabulous nose of crushed raspberries, blackberries and licorice. Full-bodied and velvety, with superclean fruit and a long finish. Beauty. Very harmonious for Fonseca. Best after 2011.

Robert Parker 95

Dense ruby/purple-colored, with an exotic, exuberant perfume of black fruits, flowers, incense, and licorice, this unctuously-textured, full-bodied port is one of the most concentrated of the vintage. Sweet, expansive, and succulent, this large-scaled, but remarkably well-balanced effort is surprisingly forward and accessible (by Fonseca's standards).

2000 Harlan Estate California (1.5L)

$750.00

Robert Parker 91

The dense purple-colored 2000 Harlan Estate is, as the French would say, facile, which means easy. It is accessible and plump, with copious fruit, plenty of glycerin, and tell-tale smoky, espresso, black currant notes intermixed with minerals and a hint of licorice-infused blackberries. Although rich, plush, and opulent in the aromatics as well as attack, it lightens in the mouth. This medium-bodied, friendly offering is successful for the vintage, but hardly profound. As the wine sits in the glass, notes of cocoa/malt chocolate and black fruits emerge. This is undoubtedly the most supple textured and accessible wine Harlan has yet produced. It has the depth and balance to last for 15+ years, but for readers who found some previous vintages too rich and backward upon release, this is a departure from that style, largely because of the vintage characteristics.

Wine Spectator 94

A temendous wine, dense, tight andchewy,with firm, moutcoating tannins wrapped around a core of moch-laced currant and blackberryflavors. Well-focused, precisely balanced and full of contrated flavors. A great cellar candidate.

Wine Enthusiast 98

A stupendous wine that epitomizes the Harlan style of grace and power. Shows how the most elaborate vineyard and wnery practices can contribute to a near-perfect wine, even in a less heralded vintage. The flavors cascade in endless tiers, black currant, cherry, mocha, Indian pudding, oak and spice, all coming together in a minute-long finish.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92

Deep ruby-red. High-toned aromas of dusty currant, black raspberry, graphite and minerals. Very suave, minerally and vibrant, but less obviously ripe and smaller-scaled than the great '99, which showed explosive aromatics, remarkable breadth and texture, and great inner-mouth energy in early March, meriting 95 points. With a bit less mid-palate thickness and extract, the tannins in this 2000 are more apparent than those of the 1999.

2000 Haut-Brion (750ml)

List Price: ~~$1,295.00~~ Our Price: $995.00

$995.00

Robert Parker 99

Its bigger sister, the 2000 Haut-Brion (a blend of 51% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc) showed incredibly at the tasting, and for me is one of the three or four most prodigious wines of the vintage. A compelling nose of roasted herbs, scorched earth, sweet blueberries, plums, black currants, and a hint of graphite is followed by a deep, layered, sumptuously textured, full-bodied Haut-Brion, but one with extraordinary complexity. This wine seems more evolved and approachable than I had expected it to be at age 10. My window of maturity seven years ago was 2012-2040, but I would change that to 2010-2050.

Wine Spectator 92-94

Really ripe, with a powerful berry and marmalade character on the nose. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long finish. Very fresh and fine. Almost classic. Not the fabulous 1998 Haut-Brion, but damn good.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 97

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index?s 2000 tasting in London. A pure, finely tuned, delineated nose with touches of leather, clove and mint embroidered into the black brambly fruit, wisps of espresso with time. The palate is full-bodied with firm, grippy tannins, very good weight but quite austere and straight-laced. Good acidity though, touches of graphite and smoke towards the weighty finish that loosens up with time. Pencil lead on the aftertaste with breathtaking persistency. Classy?very classy, perhaps more so than La Mission at the moment, although in the long-term?we will see. Drink 2015-2045. Tasted March 2010.

2000 Haut-Brion (750ml-12pk OWC)

$18,540.00

Robert Parker 99

Its bigger sister, the 2000 Haut-Brion (a blend of 51% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc) showed incredibly at the tasting, and for me is one of the three or four most prodigious wines of the vintage. A compelling nose of roasted herbs, scorched earth, sweet blueberries, plums, black currants, and a hint of graphite is followed by a deep, layered, sumptuously textured, full-bodied Haut-Brion, but one with extraordinary complexity. This wine seems more evolved and approachable than I had expected it to be at age 10. My window of maturity seven years ago was 2012-2040, but I would change that to 2010-2050.

Wine Spectator 92-94

Really ripe, with a powerful berry and marmalade character on the nose. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long finish. Very fresh and fine. Almost classic. Not the fabulous 1998 Haut-Brion, but damn good.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 97

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index?s 2000 tasting in London. A pure, finely tuned, delineated nose with touches of leather, clove and mint embroidered into the black brambly fruit, wisps of espresso with time. The palate is full-bodied with firm, grippy tannins, very good weight but quite austere and straight-laced. Good acidity though, touches of graphite and smoke towards the weighty finish that loosens up with time. Pencil lead on the aftertaste with breathtaking persistency. Classy?very classy, perhaps more so than La Mission at the moment, although in the long-term?we will see. Drink 2015-2045. Tasted March 2010.

2000 Haut-Brion (750ml)

$1,295.00

Robert Parker 99

Its bigger sister, the 2000 Haut-Brion (a blend of 51% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc) showed incredibly at the tasting, and for me is one of the three or four most prodigious wines of the vintage. A compelling nose of roasted herbs, scorched earth, sweet blueberries, plums, black currants, and a hint of graphite is followed by a deep, layered, sumptuously textured, full-bodied Haut-Brion, but one with extraordinary complexity. This wine seems more evolved and approachable than I had expected it to be at age 10. My window of maturity seven years ago was 2012-2040, but I would change that to 2010-2050.

Wine Spectator 92-94

Really ripe, with a powerful berry and marmalade character on the nose. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long finish. Very fresh and fine. Almost classic. Not the fabulous 1998 Haut-Brion, but damn good.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 97

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index?s 2000 tasting in London. A pure, finely tuned, delineated nose with touches of leather, clove and mint embroidered into the black brambly fruit, wisps of espresso with time. The palate is full-bodied with firm, grippy tannins, very good weight but quite austere and straight-laced. Good acidity though, touches of graphite and smoke towards the weighty finish that loosens up with time. Pencil lead on the aftertaste with breathtaking persistency. Classy?very classy, perhaps more so than La Mission at the moment, although in the long-term?we will see. Drink 2015-2045. Tasted March 2010.

2000 Kistler, Cuvee Catherine California (750ml)

$235.00

Robert Parker 96

The profound 2000 Pinot Noir Kistler Vineyard Cuvee Catherine is similar to the Kistler Vineyard offering, with additional ripeness, density, and richness. The Cuvee Catherine is a wine of extraordinary ripeness and richness with intense violet aromas mixed with scents of blackberry and cherry liqueur. This exceptional Pinot Noir should drink well for 10-12 years.

2000 L'Eglise Clinet (750ml)

$365.00

Robert Parker 96

The saturated ruby/purple color offers up pure fruit notes of mulberries, figs, and cassis intermixed with hints of licorice and toasty oak. Revealing great palate presence, tremendous texture, sweet tannin, relatively low acidity, and a finish that exceeds 60 seconds, I assume this wine will close down, not to reopen for nearly a decade. This is a profound example from a proprietor who has never subscribed to the new, progressive/razzle-dazzle techniques being employed by some of the cutting edge producers. Here it is low yields, ripe fruit, and non-interventionalistic winemaking at its purest. Truly spectacular, this could be another of the great classics proprietor Durantou has produced over recent years. For now, it is hard to believe it could rival or eclipse the fabulous 1998 or, for that matter, the 1995, but the 2000 has gone from strength to strength in its evolution. From bottle, it is dazzling. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2035+.

Robert Parker 97+

A stunning wine with extraordinary concentration, but still somewhat backward, this 2000 needs much more time than I projected seven years ago. It boasts an inky/dark purple color along with an intense nose of kirsch, blackberries, licorice, caramel, and flowers. Full-bodied with abundant tannin as well as a multidimensional, thick texture, this unevolved Pomerol has not changed much since its 2003 release. Gorgeous purity and a natural mouthfeel make for a dazzling wine that will benefit from another 5-10 years of cellaring, and last for three decades thereafter. It is a legendary effort! June 2010

2000 L`Evangile (750ml-12pk OWC)

$4,020.00

Robert Parker 96

This fabulous L'Evangile rivals such recent great vintages as 1998, 1995, 1990, and of course, 1982. With aeration, the thick, unctuous, saturated purple color is followed by scents of blueberries, blackberries, truffles, acacia flowers, tar, and graphite. Full-bodied, with tremendous opulence, intensity, and purity as well as silky tannin and a long, powerful, concentrated finish, with a hint of cocoa/chocolate, I initially thought this was a modern-day clone of the 1975, but now I am not so sure. The 2000 is a prodigious, intense, powerful offering, but the tannins are clearly sweeter than those of the controversial 1975. I kept a bottle of this wine open for 11 days, re-corking each evening after pouring an ounce or two for evaluation. The wine simply refused to oxidize, hitting its stride on day 3, and then beginning to drop some fruit by day 8. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2030+.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92-95

Saturated ruby. Superripe aromas of black and red fruits and dark chocolate; almost but not quite pruney. Then pliant, sweet and lush, with explosive black raspberry fruit and lots of early personality. This is downright hedonistic and deceptively soft. Finishes very long and ripe, with extremely fine tannins.

Robert Parker 98

This is an absolutely spectacular L'Evangile. It remains to be seen whether 2009 will eclipse this great effort. Largely a Merlot-dominated blend with some Cabernet Franc in it, the greatness of this terroir is exhibited in the complexity of the nose, which offers up hints of subtle chocolate, blueberry, blackberry, truffle, barbecue smoke, and graphite. Dense, rich, and full-bodied, with an opulence and succulence that are prodigious, the tannins are present but extremely sweet, and the wine multi-dimensional and just emerging as a compellingly complex, head-turning beauty. Drink it now and over the next 20-25 years. Kudos to L'Evangile. June 2010

2000 L`Evangile (750ml)

$295.00

Robert Parker 96

This fabulous L'Evangile rivals such recent great vintages as 1998, 1995, 1990, and of course, 1982. With aeration, the thick, unctuous, saturated purple color is followed by scents of blueberries, blackberries, truffles, acacia flowers, tar, and graphite. Full-bodied, with tremendous opulence, intensity, and purity as well as silky tannin and a long, powerful, concentrated finish, with a hint of cocoa/chocolate, I initially thought this was a modern-day clone of the 1975, but now I am not so sure. The 2000 is a prodigious, intense, powerful offering, but the tannins are clearly sweeter than those of the controversial 1975. I kept a bottle of this wine open for 11 days, re-corking each evening after pouring an ounce or two for evaluation. The wine simply refused to oxidize, hitting its stride on day 3, and then beginning to drop some fruit by day 8. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2030+.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92-95

Saturated ruby. Superripe aromas of black and red fruits and dark chocolate; almost but not quite pruney. Then pliant, sweet and lush, with explosive black raspberry fruit and lots of early personality. This is downright hedonistic and deceptively soft. Finishes very long and ripe, with extremely fine tannins.

Robert Parker 98

This is an absolutely spectacular L'Evangile. It remains to be seen whether 2009 will eclipse this great effort. Largely a Merlot-dominated blend with some Cabernet Franc in it, the greatness of this terroir is exhibited in the complexity of the nose, which offers up hints of subtle chocolate, blueberry, blackberry, truffle, barbecue smoke, and graphite. Dense, rich, and full-bodied, with an opulence and succulence that are prodigious, the tannins are present but extremely sweet, and the wine multi-dimensional and just emerging as a compellingly complex, head-turning beauty. Drink it now and over the next 20-25 years. Kudos to L'Evangile. June 2010

2000 La Conseillante (750ml)

List Price: ~~$275.00~~ Our Price: $245.00

$245.00

Robert Parker 96

La Conseillante made an excellent wine in 2001, another great one in 2005, and the estate hit home runs in both 2008 and, above all, in 2009. In fact, the latter vintage may well end up being the modern-day reference point for La Conseillante. Nevertheless, ther'e's a lot to be said for this 2000. An elegant, gentle style that is never a blockbuster, the 2000 La Conseillante has a deep ruby/plum/purple color and an unbelievably expressive nose of sweet kirsch liqueur intermixed with raspberries, incense, toast, and licorice. Full-bodied yet ethereal in the sense that it seems to combine power along with eloquence and delicacy, this is a beautifully pure wine that has just hit its plateau of full maturity, although ideally I think it would benefit strongly from another 4-5 years of bottle age and drink well for two to three decades.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 95

Tasted at the La Conseillante vertical at Chez Bruce. The millennial La Conseillante sports an almost Burgundian bouquet with bilberry, iodine, black olive and blackberry dominating that beautifully defined aromatics that seem a little more tightly wound than I expected. The palate is medium-bodied with robust tannins rendering this a more masculine, uncompromising La Conseillante, whilst the sinewy finish needs a little more flesh that will develop as the wine softens and melts with age. What you might describe as a "rigid" Pomerol at the moment although it does soften with further aeration towards a silky, Richebourg-like finish. Tasted December 2010.

2000 La Conseillante (750ml-12pk OWC)

List Price: ~~$3,300.00~~ Our Price: $2,940.00

$2,940.00

Robert Parker 96

La Conseillante made an excellent wine in 2001, another great one in 2005, and the estate hit home runs in both 2008 and, above all, in 2009. In fact, the latter vintage may well end up being the modern-day reference point for La Conseillante. Nevertheless, ther'e's a lot to be said for this 2000. An elegant, gentle style that is never a blockbuster, the 2000 La Conseillante has a deep ruby/plum/purple color and an unbelievably expressive nose of sweet kirsch liqueur intermixed with raspberries, incense, toast, and licorice. Full-bodied yet ethereal in the sense that it seems to combine power along with eloquence and delicacy, this is a beautifully pure wine that has just hit its plateau of full maturity, although ideally I think it would benefit strongly from another 4-5 years of bottle age and drink well for two to three decades.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 95

Tasted at the La Conseillante vertical at Chez Bruce. The millennial La Conseillante sports an almost Burgundian bouquet with bilberry, iodine, black olive and blackberry dominating that beautifully defined aromatics that seem a little more tightly wound than I expected. The palate is medium-bodied with robust tannins rendering this a more masculine, uncompromising La Conseillante, whilst the sinewy finish needs a little more flesh that will develop as the wine softens and melts with age. What you might describe as a "rigid" Pomerol at the moment although it does soften with further aeration towards a silky, Richebourg-like finish. Tasted December 2010.

2000 La Vieille Julienne V.V. CNDP (750ml)

$220.00

Robert Parker 97

The 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (15% alcohol) emerges from a cold terroir in the northern sector of the appellation. The blend is generally 85% Grenache and equal parts Syrah and Mourvedre. Its opaque purple color is followed by a sumptuous perfume of creme de cassis, kirsch liqueur, licorice, plums, minerals, and smoke. Mammoth in the mouth, but surprisingly structured and tannic for a 2000, it is more evolved than its 2001 counterpart. This profound Chateauneuf should evolve slowly and age magnificently for two decades. It is a monumental effort, but patience will be a virtue. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025.

2000 Lamborghini Campoleone (750ml)

List Price: ~~$120.00~~ Our Price: $95.00

$95.00

Robert Parker 95

One of the most spectacular wines made in Italy, this unfined/unfiltered, Merlot/Sangiovese blend (about 3,400 cases produced) boasts an extraordinary perfume of saddle leather, smoke, cassis, prunes, and plums. Rich, full-bodied, and voluptuously-textured, with layers of concentrated fruit, a magnificent seamlessness, and a huge, explosive finish, it should drink well for 10-15 years. It is a wine of great stature as well as intensity.

2000 Leoville Poyferre (750ml)

$195.00

Robert Parker 97

The plushest, most ostentatious and dramatic of all the Leovilles in 2000, this wine is already sumptuous, displaying some nuances in its huge nose of vanilla bean, black chocolate, jammy black cherries, cassis, and graphite in a flamboyant style. Opulent, savory, rich, and full-bodied, it is a head-turning, prodigious wine and a complete contrast to the extracted behemoth of Leoville Barton and the backward, classic Leoville Las Cases. The Poyferre�s low acidity, sweet tannin and an already gorgeous mouthfeel make it a wine to drink now as well as over the next 25 or more years.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 95

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index?s 2000 tasting in London. A sensuous, ripe, harmonious bouquet soars seductively from the glass; red-berried fruit, leather, scorched earth, orange peel and a touch of marmalade. Very good definition. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, lovely focus and purity, seamless texture, cedar and smoke laced black fruits with a touch of graphite towards the finish. This 2000 just does not put a foot wrong. Bravo Didier! Drink 2013-2035. Tasted March 2010.

2000 Leoville-Barton (750ml)

$145.00

Robert Parker 96

Undoubtedly one of the most majestic wines ever made at Leoville-Barton, this behemoth displays even more power and structure than it did last year. A prodigious, saturated purple-colored effort, it boasts layers of concentrated fruit along with notes of graphite, camphor, damp earth, and jammy cassis. Immense, even monstrous in the mouth, it possesses awesome extraction and richness, but the boatload of tannin will keep it from being fully appreciated for at least a decade, possibly longer. It is an authentic vin de garde for patient wine connoisseurs. Amazing vino! Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040.

Wine Spectator 97

Amazingly rich and silky. Lots of chocolate and blackberry aromas with hints of raspberries. Full-bodied, with silky, round tannins. Great concentration. Long, long finish. This is the biggest, most powerful ever from L�oville Barton. Best after 2012. Highly Recommended.

Robert Parker 95+

I found this to be one of the more backward wines of the 2000 vintage and gave it a window of maturity of 2015-2040 when I reviewed it in 2003. In my two recent tastings of it, I changed that window to 2018-2050, which probably says more than the following tasting note could say. This is a behemoth � dense, highly extracted, very tannic, broodingly backward, with a dense purple color and very little evolution since it was bottled 8 years ago. Wonderfully sweet cedar and fruitcake notes are intermixed with hints of creme de cassis, licorice, and earthy forest floor. It is full-bodied and tannic, with everything in place, but like so many wines that come from Leoville Barton, it makes a mockery of many modern-day consumers wanting a wine for immediate gratification. Those who bought it should continue to exercise patience and be proud to own a wonderful classic with five decades of longevity ahead of it. June 2010

2000 Lynch-Bages (3.0L)

$1,200.00

Robert Parker 97

Beginning to open magnificently, the still dense purple-colored 2000 reveals a blossoming bouquet of blackberries, cassis, graphite and pen ink. Full-bodied with velvety tannins that have resolved themselves beautifully over the last eleven years, this wine is still an adolescent, but it exhibits admirable purity, texture, mouthfeel and power combined with elegance. One of the all-time great examples of Lynch Bages, the 2000 is just beginning to drink well yet promises to last for another 20-25+ years. August, 2011

Wine Spectator 96

"If you love Lynch, buy this. Gorgeous aromas of plums, blackberries and licorice, with hints of mineral. Full-bodied,with full and silky tannins and a long, long finish. Big and solid. Fantastic. Best after 2010."

Robert Parker 95

There were two bottles of this wine tasted, one of my own and one from another person's cellar. Although both were outstanding, one was much more evolved and displayed a slight dirtiness, but it was still impressive. The other displayed beautiful cr�me de cassis, and cedar in a surprisingly full-bodied and evolved style that could be drunk now. I originally predicted 2008-2025 for the window of full maturity, and that looks accurate, as this wine, which exhibits a little amber and loads of glycerin, is probably the biggest, richest Lynch Bages produced after the 1995 and before the 2005. Succulent, with lots of juicy black fruit and silky tannin, this is a beauty that can be drunk now or cellared for another 15-20 years.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 95

Ex-cellar bottle tasted blind at the Lynch Bages vertical. This has a more introverted, sulky nose with intense black fruits infused with hints of leather, sous-bois and a touch of crushed stone. Brilliant definition. The palate is medium-bodied, well balanced but a little conservative. Supremely well focused, a wine surfeit with crisp black fruits, a touch of graphite and blueberry, leading to a grippy, tannic finish. Wonderful but barely out of the starting block. Drink 2015-2035+ Tasted September 2009.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94+

"Deep ruby-red. Knockout aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, mocha and cedar complicated by scorched earth and tobacco. Big, ripe and dense, with flavors similar to the aromas and a seamless, rich texture. Though powerful and rich, with a sensual mouthfeel, it maintains a graceful, light-on-its-feet quality. Finishes with ripe, fine-grained tannins and excellent length. Still an infant, but clearly a great vintage for this property. " Ian D'Agata

2000 Marcoux Chateaunuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (750ml)

$220.00

Robert Parker 96

The 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes carries its 15% alcohol well. Though a compelling offering, and undoubtedly one of the wines of the vintage, it does not possess that magical extra dimension of greatness found in the 2001. Nevertheless, I would be thrilled to drink it anytime ... anywhere! The floral component of white flowers intermixed with melted licorice, blackberry liqueur, plums, and prunes is followed by an expansive, sexy, silky-textured, full-bodied Chateauneuf with great depth, purity, and lusciousness. As with its younger sibling, the finish lasts for nearly a minute. Again, it is a singular expression of Chateauneuf du Pape that is totally different than its peers. Strikingly rich, dense, and opulent, with a breathtaking array of complexity and flavors, its low acidity, ripe tannin, and wealth of glycerin suggest drinking it now and over the next 15-16 years.

2000 Monbousquet (750ml-12pk OWC)

$1,595.00

Robert Parker 95

From an unheralded terroir, this Monbousquet was made from extremely low yields of 28-30 hectoliters per hectare. Aged sur lie and bottled unfined and unfiltered, it exemplifies proprietor Perse's enormous efforts. Black and blue to the rim, this wine represents the essence of this terroir. Its saturated black/purple color is accompanied by extraordinary aromatics of sweet blackberries, chocolate, coffee, incense, new saddle leather, and vanilla. Remarkable intensity, lively acidity, and abundant tannin provide definition and grip. This is the most intense, muscular, and "biggest" Monbousquet made to date, and that is saying something considering the 1998 and 1999! So be prepared, it is remarkable wine. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92

Bright ruby-red. Roasted currant and black cherry scents complicated by sexy oak. At once chewy and silky in the mouth, with complex, fresh flavors of plum, redcurrant, vanilla, coffee, smoky oak and woodsy underbrush. Finishes sweet and long, with thoroughly ripe tannins. This was bottled in February of this year after 28 months in barrel; it wasn't too long ago that this wine received barely 18 months of elevage

2000 Monbousquet (750ml)

$115.00

Robert Parker 95

From an unheralded terroir, this Monbousquet was made from extremely low yields of 28-30 hectoliters per hectare. Aged sur lie and bottled unfined and unfiltered, it exemplifies proprietor Perse's enormous efforts. Black and blue to the rim, this wine represents the essence of this terroir. Its saturated black/purple color is accompanied by extraordinary aromatics of sweet blackberries, chocolate, coffee, incense, new saddle leather, and vanilla. Remarkable intensity, lively acidity, and abundant tannin provide definition and grip. This is the most intense, muscular, and "biggest" Monbousquet made to date, and that is saying something considering the 1998 and 1999! So be prepared, it is remarkable wine. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92

Bright ruby-red. Roasted currant and black cherry scents complicated by sexy oak. At once chewy and silky in the mouth, with complex, fresh flavors of plum, redcurrant, vanilla, coffee, smoky oak and woodsy underbrush. Finishes sweet and long, with thoroughly ripe tannins. This was bottled in February of this year after 28 months in barrel; it wasn't too long ago that this wine received barely 18 months of elevage

2000 Montrose (750ml-12pk OWC)

$2,450.00

Robert Parker 96

This estate has frequently hit the bull's eye over recent vintages, and the 2000 Montrose is the finest effort produced since the compelling 1990 and 1989. This gigantically sized, tannic, backward effort boasts a saturated inky purple color followed by a huge nose of acacia flavors, crushed blackberries, creme de cassis, vanilla, hickory smoke, and minerals. Extremely full-bodied, powerful, dense, and multi-layered, this unreal Montrose should last for 30+ years. A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, this is a special wine that has exceptional purity and length.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94

Full red-ruby. Roasted, smoky aromas of blackberry, blueberry and licorice. Plush, dense and large-scaled; expands impressively in the mouth. Chocolatey-ripe but kept fresh by nicely integrated acidity. Offers lovely sweetness without going over the top. Finishes with big, dusty, horizontal tannins and lovely aromatic persistence. Offers extraordinary texture and depth of flavor for a wine with just 12.8% alcohol.

Robert Parker 95+

I found this to be one of the more backward wines of the 2000 vintage and gave it a window of maturity of 2015-2040 when I reviewed it in 2003. In my two recent tastings of it, I changed that window to 2018-2050, which probably says more than the following tasting note could say. This is a behemoth � dense, highly extracted, very tannic, broodingly backward, with a dense purple color and very little evolution since it was bottled 8 years ago. Wonderfully sweet cedar and fruitcake notes are intermixed with hints of creme de cassis, licorice, and earthy forest floor. It is full-bodied and tannic, with everything in place, but like so many wines that come from Leoville Barton, it makes a mockery of many modern-day consumers wanting a wine for immediate gratification. Those who bought it should continue to exercise patience and be proud to own a wonderful classic with five decades of longevity ahead of it. June 2010

2000 Montrose (750ml)

$181.00

Robert Parker 96

This estate has frequently hit the bull's eye over recent vintages, and the 2000 Montrose is the finest effort produced since the compelling 1990 and 1989. This gigantically sized, tannic, backward effort boasts a saturated inky purple color followed by a huge nose of acacia flavors, crushed blackberries, creme de cassis, vanilla, hickory smoke, and minerals. Extremely full-bodied, powerful, dense, and multi-layered, this unreal Montrose should last for 30+ years. A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, this is a special wine that has exceptional purity and length.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94

Full red-ruby. Roasted, smoky aromas of blackberry, blueberry and licorice. Plush, dense and large-scaled; expands impressively in the mouth. Chocolatey-ripe but kept fresh by nicely integrated acidity. Offers lovely sweetness without going over the top. Finishes with big, dusty, horizontal tannins and lovely aromatic persistence. Offers extraordinary texture and depth of flavor for a wine with just 12.8% alcohol.

Robert Parker 95+

I found this to be one of the more backward wines of the 2000 vintage and gave it a window of maturity of 2015-2040 when I reviewed it in 2003. In my two recent tastings of it, I changed that window to 2018-2050, which probably says more than the following tasting note could say. This is a behemoth � dense, highly extracted, very tannic, broodingly backward, with a dense purple color and very little evolution since it was bottled 8 years ago. Wonderfully sweet cedar and fruitcake notes are intermixed with hints of creme de cassis, licorice, and earthy forest floor. It is full-bodied and tannic, with everything in place, but like so many wines that come from Leoville Barton, it makes a mockery of many modern-day consumers wanting a wine for immediate gratification. Those who bought it should continue to exercise patience and be proud to own a wonderful classic with five decades of longevity ahead of it. June 2010

2000 Montrose (750ml)

$170.00

Robert Parker 96

This estate has frequently hit the bull's eye over recent vintages, and the 2000 Montrose is the finest effort produced since the compelling 1990 and 1989. This gigantically sized, tannic, backward effort boasts a saturated inky purple color followed by a huge nose of acacia flavors, crushed blackberries, creme de cassis, vanilla, hickory smoke, and minerals. Extremely full-bodied, powerful, dense, and multi-layered, this unreal Montrose should last for 30+ years. A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, this is a special wine that has exceptional purity and length.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94

Full red-ruby. Roasted, smoky aromas of blackberry, blueberry and licorice. Plush, dense and large-scaled; expands impressively in the mouth. Chocolatey-ripe but kept fresh by nicely integrated acidity. Offers lovely sweetness without going over the top. Finishes with big, dusty, horizontal tannins and lovely aromatic persistence. Offers extraordinary texture and depth of flavor for a wine with just 12.8% alcohol.

Robert Parker 95+

I found this to be one of the more backward wines of the 2000 vintage and gave it a window of maturity of 2015-2040 when I reviewed it in 2003. In my two recent tastings of it, I changed that window to 2018-2050, which probably says more than the following tasting note could say. This is a behemoth � dense, highly extracted, very tannic, broodingly backward, with a dense purple color and very little evolution since it was bottled 8 years ago. Wonderfully sweet cedar and fruitcake notes are intermixed with hints of creme de cassis, licorice, and earthy forest floor. It is full-bodied and tannic, with everything in place, but like so many wines that come from Leoville Barton, it makes a mockery of many modern-day consumers wanting a wine for immediate gratification. Those who bought it should continue to exercise patience and be proud to own a wonderful classic with five decades of longevity ahead of it. June 2010