1990s - Vinrare - Buy Fine Wine Online - Fine Wines International

1991 Vega Sicilia Unico (750ml)

$360.00

Robert Parker 95

The current release of Vega Sicilia�s flagship offering, the 1991 Unico Reserva, will have to satisfy lovers of this great Spanish red until the 1994 is released in 2005. The 1991 is a gorgeous, deep ruby/purple-colored, remarkably youthful effort offering sweet vanilla notes intertwined with black currants, cherry liqueur, flowers, spice box, and tobacco leaves. Full-bodied and intense, with sweet tannin, outstanding density as well as purity, and a layered mouthfeel, this unevolved 1991 needs another 3-4 years of cellaring; it should last for 20-25 years. It�s a wine of great elegance as opposed to power.

1992 Hartwell, Stag's Leap District California (1.5L)

$320.00

1992 Hartwell, Sunshine Vineyard California (1.5L)

$540.00

1992 Henschke Hill of Grace (750ml)

$349.00

Wine Spectator 94

"Earthy, almost decadent-tasting, but there are plenty of ripe plum, prune and black cherry flavors to accompany the gamy streak and hints of black pepper in this distinctive wine"

1992 Henschke Hill of Grace (750ml)

$349.00

Wine Spectator 94

"Earthy, almost decadent-tasting, but there are plenty of ripe plum, prune and black cherry flavors to accompany the gamy streak and hints of black pepper in this distinctive wine"

1992 Lafite (750ml)

$875.00

1993 Arrowood Unfiltered California (750ml)

$60.00

Robert Parker 89

This opaque purple-colored, unfiltered Merlot ( there is 16% Cabernet Franc in the blend ), offers up a sweet, chocolatety, rich, berry-scented nose, soft, medium-bodied flavors with a creamy texture, and tannin in the finish. The wine exhibts fine purity and an authentic Merlot varietal character.

1993 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape (750ml)

$61.00

Robert Parker

...the rich, sweet, open-knit bouquet has gone into hibernation, leaving a tightly knit wine that is frozen in place, reluctantly offering up aromas of black fruits and smoke. Tannic, austere, and more in step with the 1988, this appears to be a vintage that will require more initial cellaring than I had anticipated.

1993 Bonneau Chateauneuf-du-Pape (750ml)

$95.00

1993 Calissano, Luigi Barolo Bricci Mira Langa (750ml)

List Price: ~~$82.00~~ Our Price: $65.00

$65.00

1993 Carpineto Farnito Toscana IGT Cabernet (750ml)

List Price: ~~$46.00~~ Our Price: $40.00

$40.00

1993 Ceretto Barolo Bricco Roche, Brunate (750ml)

List Price: ~~$88.00~~ Our Price: $80.00

$80.00

Robert Parker 87

The best of the 1993 Ceretto offerings, this Barolo is soft, supple, and Burgundian-like in its complex aromas of herbs, sweet dried cherry fruit, and underbrush. Medium-bodied and expansive, with copious amounts of sweet fruit, this is a delicious, precocious, nearly mature Barolo for consuming over the next 3-4 years.

Wine Spectator 88

An intense style with rich, concentrated fruit, but the tannins are drying at this stage. Offers nice flavors of cherry, spice, chestnut, chocolate and bark, and it has good length on the finish. Should come into balance with time, as the tannins soften.

1993 Coron Pere Clos Vougeot (750ml)

List Price: ~~$83.00~~ Our Price: $38.00

$38.00

FineWine International

Bright cherry fruit, great balance and length - finely integrated tannins. Great price to value ratio! Excellent wine-drinking well

1993 DRC La Tache (750ml)

List Price: ~~$2,525.00~~ Our Price: $1,995.00

$1,995.00

Robert Parker 90

"As usual, La Tache reveals the most saturated deep ruby color of the DRC's, a tight but promising nose of smoky, game-like aromas intertwined with red and black fruits, minerals, and vanillin from new oak. Medium to full-bodied, with sweet, concentrated, berry fruit, this tannic, spicy, backward wine appears to possess the requisite extraction to ensure a long, positive evolution. Give it 7-10 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 12-15 years."

Wine Spectator 93

"A superb tasting experience: this really builds on the palate. Elegant yet showing some richness, full of lovely plum, berry and vanilla notes. The tannins are refined in this medium- to full-bodied La Tache"

Allen Meadows, Burghound 95

(As noted in Issue 4, I have experienced a fair amount of bottle variation with the '93 but both this bottle and a second bottle that I had in early May were outstanding). ("severe, closed and understated but I am convinced it will be a great La T�che" - AdV). This too evidences a slight floral quality, and a fascinating mix of earth, leather, tea and spice notes plus an interesting green bark component. The slightly austere, tannic, wonderfully rich flavors are dense, in fact extremely dense with excellent depth and terrific complexity and a finish that seems to go on forever. Though there are now hints of secondary aromas, this remains very young, structured and remarkably intense. When you get the right bottle, the '93 can be a real stunner. Note: the inconsistency of this wine continues unabated as a bottle opened at the Domaine recently was almost aggressively vegetal and awkward. In short, when it's good it's very good but I've now had too many disappointing bottles not to be wary.

1993 Dalla Valle California (750ml)

$136.00

Robert Parker 93

"Although closed, the 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon is crammed with so much sweet, blackcurrant fruit that it does not take a genius to figure out what this wine is all about. It offers an opaque garnet/purple color, a moderately intense, cassis, smoky, herb, and earthy nose, fabulous concentration, good muscle, and a boatload of sweet tannin. While drinkable, it needs another 4-5 years of cellaring. It will easily last for 20 years."

1993 Guigal Cote Rotie La Landonne (750ml)

$181.00

Robert Parker 88

The most tannic of the three famous single vineyards is the 1993 Cote Rotie La Landonne. It is amazingly powerful and rich for the vintage, and reveals more fruit and intensity than it did prior to bottling. It exhibits a saturated ruby color, and copious amounts of pepper, tar, olives, licorice, and black cherry fruit in the nose. It remains the most muscular and structured of the three wines, and has managed to avoid the hollowness and vegetal character that plague so many 1993 northern Rhones.

1993 Guigal Cote Rotie La Mouline (750ml)

$181.00

Robert Parker 88

The 1993 Cote Rotie La Mouline exhibits a deep ruby color, light to medium body, soft, elegant aromas of toasty new oak, and a short finish with some unmistakable herbaceousness. The La Mouline character does come through in this supple wine, which is best drunk over the next 7-8 years.

1993 Hartwell, Sunshine Vineyard California (1.5L)

$540.00

Robert Parker 89

"The 1993 exhibits an elegant, more laid back style than several previous vintages. The deep ruby/purple color is followed by copious amounts of toasty, smoky new oak, and attractive currant aromas. The wine possesses sweet, ripe fruit, medium body, moderate tannin, and a long, nicely-textured, spicy finish. It may develop into an outstanding wine with another 2-4 years of cellaring. It should age well for 15+ years."

1993 Hartwell, Sunshine Vineyard California (750ml)

$103.00

Robert Parker 89

"The 1993 exhibits an elegant, more laid back style than several previous vintages. The deep ruby/purple color is followed by copious amounts of toasty, smoky new oak, and attractive currant aromas. The wine possesses sweet, ripe fruit, medium body, moderate tannin, and a long, nicely-textured, spicy finish. It may develop into an outstanding wine with another 2-4 years of cellaring. It should age well for 15+ years."

1993 Mouton (750ml)

$425.00

Robert Parker 92

The color is a healthy, brilliant purple, and the wine's aromatic personality borders on ostentatious, with its display of cassis fruit, minerals, lead pencil, Asian spices, caramel, vanilla, and toasty oak.

Wine Spectator 90

Mouton comes through again. Impressive '93, deep in color and full-bodied, boasting plenty of currant, black cherry, mint and toast character. Well crafted, showing depth for this vintage. Give the tannins some time to mellow.

1993 Prieur Volnay Santenots (750ml-6pk OWC)

$490.00

Wine Spectator 90

Amazingly silky, boasting mouth-coating ripe tannins, medium body and beautiful mineral, earth, currant and plum flavors. The wood is surprisingly well integrated for a red wine from this estate. Better than a barrel sample tasted earlier this year.

Allen Meadows, Burghound 88

...the Clos de Santenots offers beautiful fruit, dense, rich flavors and a long finish. While it is not particularly complex or nuanced, it does offer undeniable style and a certain seductiveness.

1993 Prieur Volnay Santenots (750ml)

$82.00

Wine Spectator 90

Amazingly silky, boasting mouth-coating ripe tannins, medium body and beautiful mineral, earth, currant and plum flavors. The wood is surprisingly well integrated for a red wine from this estate. Better than a barrel sample tasted earlier this year.

Allen Meadows, Burghound 88

...the Clos de Santenots offers beautiful fruit, dense, rich flavors and a long finish. While it is not particularly complex or nuanced, it does offer undeniable style and a certain seductiveness.

1993 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve (750ml)

$201.00

1993 Vineyard 29 (Grace Family) California (750ml)

$124.00

Wine Spectator

"Firm and trim, with an attractive band of currant, coffee, anise and cedar. A well-proportioned, moderately rich and complex young red that finishes with mild tannins."

1994 Badia Coltibuono Sangioveto (750ml)

List Price: ~~$65.00~~ Our Price: $45.00

$45.00

FineWine International

Enticing aromas of dried cherries, tea leaves and black olives with a hint of toasty oak. Very appealing, pure and persistent flavors with a long, complex, fine-grained finish.

Wine Spectator

A wine with decadent and alluring autumnal aromas and flavors, medium body, chewy tannins and a rich finish.

Gambero Rosso

The team at Badia a Coltibuono looks like a winner..Meanwhile the Sangioveto, the most representative of the Badia a Coltibuono wines, notched up another Two Glass rating for its extremely decent �94 vintage�this Sangioveto has satisfying texture and attractive complexity.

1994 Beringer, Howell Mtn California (750ml)

$103.00

Robert Parker 92

This is one of the most dazzling Merlots they have yet produced. While closed initially,the wine opens quickly in the glass. The dark ruby/purple color is followed by smoky, chocolatey, and black cherry aromas with new oak in the background. In the mouth, this wine is full-bodied, with explosive levels of glycerin and richness on the back of the palate. Dense, concentated, tannic, and angular, it is capable of lasting 15+ years.

1994 Boillot, Jean Marc Puligny Montrachet Les Combottes (750ml)

$124.00

Wine Spectator 93

Amazing balance and concentration for a '94, showing both finesse and power, beckoning you back for another sip. Ripe-tasting, honey- and mineral-scented, lemon-spiked nectar. Shows a deft hand at keeping things on track from start to finish.

Robert Parker 93

A tasty example of white Burgundy, the 1994 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes reveals the succulent fatness and explosive buttery, honeyed, nutty character of a top-notch Meursault. The wine is full-bodied, powerful, flamboyant, and showy. It is a decadent white Burgundy to drink over the next 5 years. The Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot in Pommard has emerged over the last few years as one of the up and coming stars, especially for white Burgundy. The 25 acres of vineyards are evenly split between Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but Boillot has superb parcels in many of the top Puligny-Montrachet vineyards. The wines represent classic examples of white Burgundy, with good acid levels and terrific delineation and purity. I thought the 1994s to be the finest wines I have yet tasted from Boillot.

1994 Carpineto Farnito Toscana IGT Cabernet (750ml)

List Price: ~~$46.00~~ Our Price: $40.00

$40.00

Wine Spectator 90

Excellent Cabernet. Ink-colored, with intense flavors of currants, berries and a touch of dry herbs. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long, sweet fruit, vanilla, spicy finish.

1994 Caymus Special Selection California (750ml)

$195.00

Wine Spectator 95

"Big, ripe, rich and concentrated, with layers of currant, plum, black cherry, spice, cedary oak and a dash of vanilla. Picks up complex tobacco and coffee notes, and reveals even more flavor nuances on the finish. The texture is smooth and polished, finishing with a thick, plush core of tannins."

Robert Parker 95

This hedonistic Cabernet Sauvignon's saturated purple color is accompanied by an exuberant, sweet, enveloping fragrance of smoky new oak, and jammy blackberry and cassis fruit. In the mouth, this lavishly wooded, black fruit-filled Cabernet is extremely full-bodied, with superb levels of fruit, glycerin, and extract. Like many 1994 Cabernet Sauvignons, it possesses extraordinary equilibrium, with the sweet tannin giving the wine considerable accessibility. The finish lasts for nearly 30 seconds. This will be a fun wine to drink young, but do not discount its aging ability as it should last for two decades.

1994 Clerc-Milon (750ml)

List Price: ~~$77.00~~ Our Price: $57.00

$57.00

Robert Parker 87

The qualitative equivalent of the 1993, although more backward, tannic, and weighty, this dark ruby/purple-colored, medium-bodied, spicy, rich wine is well-made. It is soft for a 1994, yet capable of lasting 15-18 years. Some tannin in the finish suggests that purchasers should give it 2-3 years of cellaring.

Wine Spectator 89

"Complex aromas of spices, berries and plums, with fine, silky tannins and a caressing finish. Medium body. Hard not to drink it now

1994 Conn Creek Anthology California (750ml)

$50.00

Wine Spectator 90

Complex, concentrated and well structured, with an intriguing array of ripe currant, plum and cedary oak. A tightly wound, well-focused style with supple tannins and fine length. ...A blend: 50 percent Merlot, 36 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 percent Cabernet Franc.

1994 Gunderloch Nackenheimer Rothenberg BA (375ml)

List Price: ~~$103.00~~ Our Price: $90.00

$90.00

1994 Harlan Estate (1.5L)

$2,270.00

Robert Parker 100

"As impressive as this estate's other vintages are, the 1994 somehow manages to cram more richness, complexity, and intensity into the same full-bodied format. This opaque purple-colored wine is super pure, with phenomenal richness, and exquisite flavor intensity."

1994 Harlan Estate (750ml)

$1,050.00

Robert Parker 100

"As impressive as this estate's other vintages are, the 1994 somehow manages to cram more richness, complexity, and intensity into the same full-bodied format. This opaque purple-colored wine is super pure, with phenomenal richness, and exquisite flavor intensity."

1994 Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle (750ml)

$72.00

Robert Parker 89

A dark ruby/plum color, the bouquet offers scents of damp forest, underbrush, prune, truffles, and roasted meats. Medium-bodied, soft, attractively rich, fresh, and vigorous, this excellent La Chapelle can be drunk now, or aged for 15 more years.

Wine Spectator 90

A hot summer and thick-skinned grapes seem to have saved the vintage from the bad rain. This impressive '94 shows balance and refined tannins, but the finish is a bit chewy and hard now. Beautifully fresh and clean, with subtle vanilla, blackberry, spice, mocha and chocolate.--

1994 L`Evangile (750ml)

$110.00

Robert Parker 92

This brilliant estate, adjacent to La Conseillante, Petrus, and Vieux-Chateau-Certan, has turned in exemplary efforts in 1993-95. One of the vintage's most notable successes, L'Evangile's 1994 possesses a dense, saturated purple color, followed by a gorgeously sweet nose of framboise/cassis, with mineral and licorice notes in the background. This medium to full-bodied wine reveals a seamless, opulent texture, fabulous purity to its layers of fruit, as well as superb extraction and equilibrium. This terrific wine is one of the few 1994s that has most of its tannin concealed by the wine's wealth of fruit. It is a gorgeous L'Evangile. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2020.

1994 Lafite (750ml)

$895.00

Robert Parker 90

"Made from nearly 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this dark ruby/purple-colored wine is stubbornly backward, unappealing, and severe and astringent on the palate. There is plenty of weight, and the wine possesses admirable purity, with no suggestion of herbaceousness or underripe fruit, but the wine's personality refuses to be coaxed from the glass. The 1994 Lafite may turn out to be austere and disappointing flavor-wise, but possesses a fabulous set of aromatics (does that sound reminiscent of the 1961, another Lafite that was primarily Cabernet Sauvignon?). I am not giving up on this wine, but purchasers should be willing to wait 15-20 years before pulling a cork."

Wine Spectator 93

A luscious Lafite that is silky and elegant with layers of wonderful violet, berry, cherry and chocolate flavors. It's full-bodied, with racy, refined tannins and good length. Drinkable now, but best from 1999 and through another decade.

1994 Le Bon Pasteur (750ml)

$93.00

Robert Parker 89

Long-time readers are aware of my admiration for the husband and wife oenologist team of Dany and Michel Rolland. Michel is more visible in the international scene as he has performed magic at numerous estates in Italy, Spain, Argentina, California, and, of course, France. Rolland's success has not come without a price, as he now must endure an unprecedented level of criticism from a whining group of underachievers that appears to have one complaint - Rolland produces better wine than they do. A tell-tale Merlot/Pomerol nose of mocha, chocolate, tobacco, and sweet black-cherry/plummy fruit is followed by a medium-bodied wine with moderate tannin, excellent purity, outstanding richness, and a sweet finish. This wine requires 2-3 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2012.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 91-93

Lovely blueberry, mineral nose that has great purity and weight. Palate is backward, just becoming accessible. Full-bodied, rich, almost coarse tannins but very concentrated. Black high-toned fruits. Good length. Will be superb. 5-8 years. A great success for the vintage. Tasted May 2002.

1994 Leoville Las Cases (750ml)

$165.00

Robert Parker 93

Michel Delon, a great man, is the consummate proprietor, meticulously administering this vast estate spread out along the St.-Julien/Pauillac border, separated from Latour's finest vineyard by a mere ten feet. The 1993-95 vintages from Delon are brilliant wines. Leoville-Las-Cases remains one of the irrefutable reference points for high class Bordeaux. One of the more massive Medocs of the vintage, this opaque purple-colored wine exhibits fabulous richness and volume in the mouth. Layers of pure black-cherry and cassis fruit are intermixed with stony, mineral-like scents, as well as high quality toasty oak. Medium to full-bodied, with a sweet, rich entry, this wine possesses plenty of tannin, yet fabulous extract and length. Leoville-Las-Cases is one of the half-dozen great wines of the Medoc in 1994. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2025. This lion never falls asleep on the job!

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 94

Paired against the 1993 by Jean-Hubert Delon at the chateau, this remains the Las-Cases that I completely mis-read when first encountered. There is a little more ripeness on the nose with black cherries, a touch of dates and a slight scents of brine/seaweed that I find most attractive. The palate is very smooth and velvety, a Las-Cases flirting with opulence rather than actually attaining it. Very pure, slightly more alcoholic that I recall and on the finish, I prefer the tension on the 1993. Yet overall, I think this is a slightly better wine than that: more cohesive and greater length. Drink 2010-2035+. Tasted October 2007.

1994 Leoville Las Cases (750ml)

$165.00

Robert Parker 93

Michel Delon, a great man, is the consummate proprietor, meticulously administering this vast estate spread out along the St.-Julien/Pauillac border, separated from Latour's finest vineyard by a mere ten feet. The 1993-95 vintages from Delon are brilliant wines. Leoville-Las-Cases remains one of the irrefutable reference points for high class Bordeaux. One of the more massive Medocs of the vintage, this opaque purple-colored wine exhibits fabulous richness and volume in the mouth. Layers of pure black-cherry and cassis fruit are intermixed with stony, mineral-like scents, as well as high quality toasty oak. Medium to full-bodied, with a sweet, rich entry, this wine possesses plenty of tannin, yet fabulous extract and length. Leoville-Las-Cases is one of the half-dozen great wines of the Medoc in 1994. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2025. This lion never falls asleep on the job!

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 94

Paired against the 1993 by Jean-Hubert Delon at the chateau, this remains the Las-Cases that I completely mis-read when first encountered. There is a little more ripeness on the nose with black cherries, a touch of dates and a slight scents of brine/seaweed that I find most attractive. The palate is very smooth and velvety, a Las-Cases flirting with opulence rather than actually attaining it. Very pure, slightly more alcoholic that I recall and on the finish, I prefer the tension on the 1993. Yet overall, I think this is a slightly better wine than that: more cohesive and greater length. Drink 2010-2035+. Tasted October 2007.

1994 Neibaum Coppola Rubicon California (750ml)

$85.00

Wine Spectator 92

A well-regarded blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this year's version shows impressive balance and finesse. Firm and tightly wound, with a sharply focused, deeply concentrated core of currant, black cherry, cedar, toast and spice flavors, this is a muscular yet polished wine.

1994 Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino (750ml)

List Price: ~~$68.00~~ Our Price: $60.00

$60.00

Robert Parker 89

The medium ruby-colored 1994 Brunello di Montalcino reveals an amber hue at the edge. The wine's sweet, expansive fruit, sexy, open-knit, velvety texture, and flavors of Asian spices, cedar, black fruits, and earth make for a captivating concoction.

Wine Spectator 88-90

Starts off a little earthy but with air, showing lovely ripe plum, berry and cherry character. Medium-bodied, with soft tannins and a ripe fruit finish. Delicious.

1994 Phelps Insignia California (3.0L)

$915.00

Robert Parker 96

"The 1994 Insignia (a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc) is spectacular. I have had the wine a half-dozen or more times, and it is unquestionably opulent, sexy, flamboyant, explosively rich, concentrated, and a thrill to drink. Already gorgeous, it promises to evolve gracefully for two decades or more. The color is a healthy saturated dark purple. The spicy nose offers aromas of black currants, allspice, pain grille, and soy, with scents of a burning wood fire thrown in for additional complexity. This full-bodied, opulent, dazzling wine is exhilarating to drink."

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine

"Here is the wine we would list among our top ten Cabernets of the entire decade in California. It has fruit, richness, depth, incredible mouthfeel and magnificent balance without bombast-all the the things one wants in California Cabernet and cannot often find even in the very highest rated wines."

Wine Spectator 93

"A tremendous wine that combines dark, rich, deeply concentrated flavors with a sense of grace and finesse. This is still a bold, potent youngster, with a wealth of currant, mocha, anise and sage flavors. The tannins are big, too, but they're ripe and they let the rich flavors push through." --California Cabernet '74/'84/'94 retrospective. 8,000 cases made.

1994 Silver Oak, Alexander Valley California (750ml)

$93.00

Robert Parker 93

"This is a hedonistic, sexy, seductive, full-bodied cabernet sauvignon with low acidity, and loads of toasty oak. It will be a huge crowd pleaser."

Wine Spectator

"Combines ripe, rich, complex fruit with a sense of finesse and harmony. The core of anise, currant, sage and cedar unfolds to reveal more depth and complexity. Finishes with a long, satisfying aftertaste."

1994 Tertre Roteboeuf (750ml)

$98.00

Robert Parker 90

A very successful effort in a difficult vintage, Tertre Roteboeuf?s 1994 shows a dark plum/ruby color with no lightening at the edge. A nose of roasted herbs intermixed with black cherry, plum, fig, and currant also has a hint of chocolate and earth. Medium-bodied, with ripe but noticeable tannin, excellent definition, and fine purity, this is a nice, weighty, rich, surprisingly strong effort from Tertre Roteboeuf. Anticipated maturity: Now-2014. Last tasted, 12/02.

1994 The Terraces California (750ml)

$46.00

Wine Spectator 91

"Dill, cedar and anise flavors precede currant and black cherry flavors of depth, richness and complexity."

1995 Argiano Solengo (750ml)

$190.00

Robert Parker 92

An exceptionally impressive wine, the 1995 Solengo (meaning, to go it alone) is a superb blend of Sangiovese and Syrah. The wine, which was aged in new French oak casks, boasts a dense, saturated ruby/purple color, as well as a stunning nose of blackcurrants, chocolate, smoke, and an elusive floral scent. Long, dense, and extravagantly rich, with full body and exceptional purity, this low acid yet fleshy, powerful, silky-textured wine impressively conceals some serious tannin. The wine is exceptionally rich and layered in the mouth, but unevolved, yet it possesses enormous potential. Approximately 1,500 cases were made of this wine, which will be released in September, 1997. It should improve for 5-10 years, and last for two decades. This is a brilliant wine!

1995 Bollinger R.D. (750ml)

$220.00

Wine Spectator 95

A dry, oxidative style, with wholegrain bread, ginger, roasted hazelnut and yeast notes lending complexity. Its structure comes into relief due to the dryness, but overall this is balanced and well-integrated, with a very long finish and an expansive aftertaste. Ideal with seafood and rich sauces or game birds. Drink now through 2020.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 93

Tasted at the Bollinger RD vertical in Paris. The 1995 RD has a more exotic nose than the 1996, perhaps more similar to the 1999 RD. It takes more time to unfurl, more introspective and delicate with touches of quince, litchi and mandarin. Good definition and focus. The palate is certainly more forward than the 1996 RD, but it has a beautiful entry with subtle honey notes, dried apricot, a touch of yeast, perhaps a finer thread of acidity that renders this a more elegant RD than the 1996, but not with the same sense of thrust and power and just a tad drier towards the finish. I would be drinking this now, but would cellar the 1996. Tasted July 2011.

1995 Bollinger R.D. (1.5L)

$450.00

Wine Spectator 95

A dry, oxidative style, with wholegrain bread, ginger, roasted hazelnut and yeast notes lending complexity. Its structure comes into relief due to the dryness, but overall this is balanced and well-integrated, with a very long finish and an expansive aftertaste. Ideal with seafood and rich sauces or game birds. Drink now through 2020.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 93

Tasted at the Bollinger RD vertical in Paris. The 1995 RD has a more exotic nose than the 1996, perhaps more similar to the 1999 RD. It takes more time to unfurl, more introspective and delicate with touches of quince, litchi and mandarin. Good definition and focus. The palate is certainly more forward than the 1996 RD, but it has a beautiful entry with subtle honey notes, dried apricot, a touch of yeast, perhaps a finer thread of acidity that renders this a more elegant RD than the 1996, but not with the same sense of thrust and power and just a tad drier towards the finish. I would be drinking this now, but would cellar the 1996. Tasted July 2011.

1995 Calon-Segur (750ml)

List Price: ~~$130.00~~ Our Price: $115.00

$115.00

Robert Parker 92

As I have said many times since I first tasted this wine, the 1995 Calon-Segur is one of the great sleepers of the vintage (I bought the wine as a future for a mere $250 a case). The wine has closed down completely since bottling, but it is a sensational effort that may ultimately merit an even higher score. The wine is opaque purple-colored. With coaxing, the tight aromatics reveal some weedy cassis intertwined with truffles, chocolate, and beef blood-like aromas. On the palate, there is an element of sur-maturite (1995 was an extremely late harvest at Calon-Segur), fabulous density and purity, and a boatload of tannin. This deep, broodingly backward, classic Bordeaux will require a decade of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2035.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 95-98

This has a very backward nose with an almost animal-like intensity. The Cabernet Sauvignon is dominant with cedar, smoke and sous-bois characteristics coming through. Superb definition with a little more ?attack? than the 1996 (which is not dissimilar in style.) The palate is extremely backward, almost chunky and tannic, much more primal than the ?96 with blackberry, briary, bilberry complemented by hawthorn and leather. Very well balanced towards the charming finish which is developing an enthralling sense of harmony and effortless. A wine that put Mdm. Gasqueton on the map and still with so much to give in future years. Drink 2015-2040. Tasted November 2008.