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2000 Araujo Eisele California (750ml)

$215.00

Wine Spectator 92

"A very complete and complex offering, exhibiting rich plum and red currant flavors, touches of anise, sage, herb and mineral, finishing with a plush, focused aftertaste."

Robert Parker 91

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 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`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 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 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 Pichon Lalande (750ml)

$225.00

Robert Parker 97

"A dramatic effort, the 2000 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and a whopping 10% Petit Verdot. Only 40% of the harvest made it into the grand vin. Its dense purple color is followed by fabulous aromas of creme de cassis intermixed with roasted espresso, violets, and toast. It has a superb entry on the palate, full body, an opulent texture, silky tannin, and a finish that lasts for nearly a minute. This stunning wine will provide unreal drinking early on, but age for three decades. Bravo! Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025."

Wine Spectator 95

"Muscular Pichon. Classic character. Intense aromas of currant bush and minerals follow through to a full-bodied palate, with loads of velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Some people find this herbraceous, but it reminds me of a currant bush more than something green. This character is dues to a higher percentage of Petit Verdot than normal. Best after 2010."

Robert Parker 96

Sitting next to my former colleague, Pierre Antoine Rovani, at one of the tastings, he commented that he didn�t like the striking green note in the aromatics of this wine, which I didn�t detect at all, and a subsequent bottle at another tasting did not reveal it either. I do think there is a hint of bay leaf and a meatiness to it. In short, I find this to be a spectacular Pichon Lalande. Dense purple in color, with loads of coffee, mocha, creme de cassis, and chocolate notes, this is a somewhat unusual blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and a whooping 10% Petit Verdot, with a little bit of Cabernet Franc. The Petit Verdot certainly gives the wine more of a tapenade, floral note, which I think can be interpreted by some as herbal. This is a rich, opulent, stunning Pichon Lalande that is beginning to drink beautifully, yet should continue to improve for at least another 10-15 years and last 30 or more years June 2010

2000 Pichon Lalande (750ml)

$225.00

Robert Parker 97

"A dramatic effort, the 2000 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and a whopping 10% Petit Verdot. Only 40% of the harvest made it into the grand vin. Its dense purple color is followed by fabulous aromas of creme de cassis intermixed with roasted espresso, violets, and toast. It has a superb entry on the palate, full body, an opulent texture, silky tannin, and a finish that lasts for nearly a minute. This stunning wine will provide unreal drinking early on, but age for three decades. Bravo! Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025."

Wine Spectator 95

"Muscular Pichon. Classic character. Intense aromas of currant bush and minerals follow through to a full-bodied palate, with loads of velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Some people find this herbraceous, but it reminds me of a currant bush more than something green. This character is dues to a higher percentage of Petit Verdot than normal. Best after 2010."

Robert Parker 96

Sitting next to my former colleague, Pierre Antoine Rovani, at one of the tastings, he commented that he didn�t like the striking green note in the aromatics of this wine, which I didn�t detect at all, and a subsequent bottle at another tasting did not reveal it either. I do think there is a hint of bay leaf and a meatiness to it. In short, I find this to be a spectacular Pichon Lalande. Dense purple in color, with loads of coffee, mocha, creme de cassis, and chocolate notes, this is a somewhat unusual blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and a whooping 10% Petit Verdot, with a little bit of Cabernet Franc. The Petit Verdot certainly gives the wine more of a tapenade, floral note, which I think can be interpreted by some as herbal. This is a rich, opulent, stunning Pichon Lalande that is beginning to drink beautifully, yet should continue to improve for at least another 10-15 years and last 30 or more years June 2010

2000 Quilceda Creek Washington (750ml)

$235.00

Robert Parker 94

The dark ruby-colored 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon has a nose reminiscent of a blackberry-flavored Yoplait yogurt laced with roasted oak and hints of licorice. A full-bodied wine of power and structure, it is crammed with black currants, blackberries, and spices. Its dense fruit is matched blow for blow with a muscular, firm structure. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020.

Wine Spectator 93

"Announces itself as a serious red from the first whiff of earthy, smoky notes weaving through the licorice-scented dark berry flavors. This firm, chewy wine expands on the long finish under a layer of fine-grained tannins, holding it all together seamlessly. It begs for time in the cellar to develop. Best after 2006."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92

"Bright medium ruby. Aromas of crystallized dark berries, tobacco, mocha, peat, graphite and smoky, spicy oak. Very rich and dense but not overly sweet, with strong oak notes of spice and chocolate along with suggestions of pipe tobacco and fresh herbs. Finishes with ripe, chocolatey tannins and excellent length."

2000 Rampolla Vigna D'Alceo (750ml)

$215.00

Wine Spectator 91

"Big and brooding red, with lots of ripe red currants and hints of toasted oak. Full-bodied, with thick and velvety tannins, almost sweet. Long and jammy. Juicy red. Best after 2005."

Robert Parker 98

For whatever reason, the full-bodied 2000 Vigna d'Alceo was roaring the day I tasted it. A single vineyard blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Sangiovese, it tastes like the Sammarco on steroids. It boasts a deep purple color in addition to scents of espresso, sweet melted licorice, black currant jam, and toasty oak. There is great intensity, superb purity, and a finish that lingers for nearly a minute. This mythical wine requires 2-3 years of cellaring, and will age effortlessly for two decades.

2000 Shafer Hillside Select California (750ml)

$215.00

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 90

"Ruby-red. Deep, slightly medicinal aromas of black cherry, mocha and menthol. Smooth and round on the palate, with noteworthy sweetness and texture for the vintage. Coolish flavors of black cherry, currant and tobacco. This can't match the best recent vintages of this bottling for depth and flavor authority, but it neatly avoids the green cast and drying tannins of so many 2000 Napa Valley Cabernets."

Wine Spectator 95

"A mouthful, this wine gushes with pure, ripe Cabernet fruit. Tiers of currant, anise, blackberry, cherry and wild berry flavors are supported by pretty mocha-scented oak and plush, velvety tannins that firm up on the finish, giving it a solid backbone, yet the persistent flavors keep pushing through. Best from 2004 through 2014."

Robert Parker 93

The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select was performing even better this year than it was last year. While not as weighty and ageworthy as some of the more hallowed vintages, it is a seriously endowed wine. Deep ruby/purple to the rim, with a gorgeous nose of creme de cassis, licorice, graphite, spice, and cedar, it is more forward than most vintages, but full-bodied, concentrated, and beautifully seductive. Drink it over the next 15 or so years.

2000 Sine Qua Non In Flagrante (750ml)

$290.00

Robert Parker 96

The 2000 In Flagrante (a 725-case blend of 86% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and 4% Viognier) is a world-class, provocative effort. It reveals many of the same aromatic and flavor components found in the 2001 Midnight Oil and 2002 Syrah-dominated, unnamed offering. A black color is followed by a seamless effort loaded with blackberry, honey, and flower aromas, and an extraordinarily long, concentrated finish. As with all great wines, tasting notes/descriptors just can?t do it justice. Among the recent SQN Syrahs, it is a strikingly elegant and powerful wine that has a decidedly French flair to it.

2001 Blankiet Estate California (1.5L)

$215.00

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92

"Full, deep ruby-red. Very sexy, perfumed aromas of black raspberry, violet, mint, spices and tobacco. Broad, dry and suave; at once velvety and light on its feet. Bordeaux-like in its texture and inner-mouth verve. Coats the entire palate with flavor. Finishes very long and sweet, with a flavor of melted chocolate. A retaste of a bottle I sampled last year just after it was bottled."

Robert Parker 91

"The dark plum/purple-colored 2001 Merlot Paradise Hills Vineyard exhibits sweet aromas of cherry liqueur interwoven with mocha fudge. Firm, hard tannin in the finish closes the wine down on the palate. This is a structured, seriously-endowed Merlot meant for long term aging. The aromatics are a knock-out, but the flavors have yet to completely unfold, and while loaded as well as impressively endowed, the wine is tannic and backward. "

2001 Bryant Family California (750ml)

$295.00

Robert Parker 91

"The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits the classic Bryant bouquet of melted creosote intermixed with blackberry liqueur and other black fruits. It is medium to full-bodied, opulent and sumptuous, but the finish is shorter, with drier tannin than it would have had if it had been bottled unfiltered. Give it 3-5 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 10-15 years."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 93-96

Good full deep medium ruby. Aromas of kirsch, cassis, bitter chocolate and licorice; extremely primary yet hints at almost exotic ripeness. Wonderfully sweet, intensely flavored and bright; dense, sharply delineated and seamless. This hasn't really expanded yet in barrel and thus is not yet showing its flesh. But this young cabernet's solid structure and outstanding persistence suggest that it may ultimately surpass my current projected range. 93-96 points

2001 Caymus Napa California (1.5L)

$210.00

Wine Spectator 92

A stylish wine with layers of rich, polished Cabernet fruit and a chorus of currant, herb and black cherry accompanied by pretty smoke and toasty oak. The long, soothing, complex aftertaste keeps pumping out the flavors. Drink now through 2011. 24,000 cases made.

2001 Giacosa Barbaresco Asili (750ml)

List Price: ~~$215.00~~ Our Price: $145.00

$145.00

Antonio Galloni 95

What a pleasure it was to taste the 2001 Barbaresco Asili. The nose is expressive, with well-delineated notes of spices, flowers and tar that meld seamlessly onto an irresistible palate packed with vibrant layers of sweet ripe fruit with an open, generous personality. This wine is showing a wonderful sense of inner purity right now and will be even better in a few years, although its qualities are abundantly apparent even at this early stage. A great effort. An Azienda Agricola Falletto di Bruno Giacosa bottling.

2001 Leflaive Batard Montachet (750ml)

$285.00

Allen Meadows, Burghound 93

Big, rich and muscular yet this offers excellent definition with explosive fruit trimmed in obvious anise notes and luxuriant, sappy, dense flavors of uncommon depth and complexity. The finish is rather linear presently yet offers wave after wave of mouthwatering extract, all beautifully framed by more than sufficient buffering acidity. A B�tard worthy of the name and a great success for the vintage.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92

Highly perfumed aromas of peach, nut oil and spring flowers. Thick and sappy, with youthfully clenched but highly concentrated fruit framed by harmonious acidity. Fat and creamy, but the wine's 2.2 grams per liter of residual sugar are well buffered by its firm minerality. Finishes chewy and long, with a distinct saline character. Showing well considering the recent bottling.

2001 Rampolla Vigna D'Alceo (750ml)

$240.00

Robert Parker 95

There can be few doubts that the 2001 D'Alceo is one of the greatest wines in the distinguished history of the estate, something which becomes immediately evident from the deep ruby color as well as the sweet, focused, and weighty nose with its important notes of ripe berry fruit, sage, rosemary, and classy oak. Rich, dense, deep, and layered, the sensual and potent palate is sheer joy, the maximum in fused power and elegance. Daniel Thomases

Wine Spectator 93

Wow. Complex aromas of tobacco, berry and currant, with hints of mineral. Full-bodied, with superrefined tannins and a long, long finish. Very serious indeed. Best after 2007.

2001 Rieussec (750ml)

$250.00

Wine Spectator 100

Like lemon curd on the nose, turning to honey and caramel. Full-bodied, very sweet, with fantstic concentration of ripe and botrytized fruit, yet balanced and refined. Electric acidity. Lasts for minutes on the palate. This is absolutely mind-blowing. This is the greatest young Sauternes I have ever tasted.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 95

Pale yellow-gold. Superripe nose dominated by honey and marzipan. Hugely ripe and deep, with compelling layers and depth of fruit. Superconcentrated, exotic flavors of apricot, minerals and coconut. Wonderfully chewy, thick and sweet, and extremely long on the aftertaste. A huge wine that will impress early but will really need a minimum of a decade to shed some of its baby fat.

Robert Parker 99

A monumental effort, the 2001 Rieussec boasts a light to medium gold color in addition to a fabulous perfume of honeysuckle, smoky oak, caramelized tropical fruits, creme brulee, and Grand Marnier. The wine is massive and full-bodied yet neither over the top nor heavy because of good acidity. With intense botrytis as well as a 70-75-second finish, this amazing Sauternes will be its apogee between 2010-2035.

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 94+

Tasted at the IMW Lafite seminar in London. The 2001 Rieussec has a very intense bouquet with lifted notes of lime cordial, tropical fruit, light honey and a touch of coconut, that patina of new oak very strong and rendering it very Yquem-like. The palate has a sweet almond and Turkish Delight-tinged entry. For me, it is just a little oaky (50-60% new) although there is very good weight and intensity. It just seems to miss personality and tension towards the honeycomb and almond paste finish. I remember being more astounded by this a few years ago, but that oak needs to become more assimilated into the wine. Tasted February 2012.

2002 Blankiet Estate California (1.5L)

$245.00

Robert Parker 94

"The deep, rich 2002 Merlot is not up to the level of the 2003, although it does possess fabulously complex notes of scorched earth, chocolate, espresso roast, and meaty black cherries, currants, and plums. A broodingly backward, concentrated, full-bodied, dense, and super-rich Merlot, it should drink well for 15 or more years. As I have written before, the only way readers are going to get any of this wine is to be on the mailing list or check out one of the few restaurants that receives an allocation. This is an amazing operation on the hillsides overlooking the huge Dominus/Napanook estate. A complex set of caves and a remarkable, nearly surreal chateau grace the property. Winemaker Helen Turley, working with her viticulturalist husband, John Wetlaufer, is fashioning some spectacular wines from these hillsides of volcanic ash and basalt. These are big, structured, potentially long-lived wines that will need some cellar time for those lucky enough to latch onto a few bottles. Everything to date has been aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels for 18-19 months and then bottled unfiltered."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 95

"Saturated ruby-red. Wonderfully complex, deep aromas of plum, currant, licorice, smoke, dark chocolate and spices. Superconcentrated, round, sweet and creamy, with highly complex flavors of plum, dark chocolate, minerals and leather. This offers breadth and palate coverage rare for merlot that's not grown on the Po merol plateau. The rising finish boasts superb breadth and length. A great California merlot."

2002 Drouhin Chambertin (750ml)

$290.00

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 89+

Full medium red. Deep, brooding aromas of strawberry, leather, smoky oak and underbrush. Solid but sullen today; comes across as almost chunky following the Clos de Vougeot and Grands-Echezeaux. A bit disjointed today, owing to its edgy acidity and dusty tannins. This wine's elements will need time to harmonize.

2002 Drouhin Clos de la Roche (750ml)

$290.00

2002 Kistler, Cuvee Elizabeth Occidental Vineyard California (750ml)

$245.00

Robert Parker 95

Kistler's daughter gets her name on the 250-case lot of 2002 Pinot Noir Occidental Vineyard Cuvee Elizabeth. This wine is spectacular, and while I don�t like to choose between daughters, it gets a slight nod over the Cuvee Catherine because it just seems to have a few more layers of flavor crammed into its medium to full-bodied personality. Wonderfully floral, raspberry, and kirsch notes emerge from this wine, which also shows a touch of toast, some crushed stony, rocky notes, and beautiful texture and vibrant acidity. I wouldn�t be surprised to see this wine age effortlessly for 10-15 years. It is certainly a terrific Pinot Noir which, as I said last year, comes across as California�s Musigny.

2002 Lewis Cellars Reserve California (1.5L)

$290.00

Wine- Maker Notes

Consistent with the 2001 vintage, this wine is a seductive blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc, crafted from hillside vineyards in Oakville, Rutherford and Pritchard Hill. Powerful aromas of sweet oak and cedar spice soar from the glass, mingled with ripe blackberry, clove, and vanilla shadings. Off the line, the wine is packed with fruit and richly textured with an opulent core of blackberry and black plum, and essence of coffee bean. Mature tannins are firm yet supple, adding depth and weight to the wine as it powers toward a long and complex finish.

Wine Spectator 93

Marked by a lavish display of flashy, toasty vanilla bean oak and a tasty core of ripe currant, black cherry and wild berry. A burst of ripe fruit and seductive oak return on the finish. Best from 2006 through 2013.

2002 Merus California (1.5L)

$270.00

Robert Parker 94-96

"The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon is a brawny yet impeccably pure expression of this varietal. There are 900 cases of this 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot blend, which is presently aging comfortably in barrels under the garage roof. This may well be Merus� finest effort to date. An exuberant, full-throttle elixir of black currant and blackberry juice infused with high class espresso beans, Asian spices, camphor, and sweet cigar smoke, it boasts great opulence, a voluptuous palate, and a full-bodied, beautifully detailed finish. More forward than the 2001, but just as powerful and concentrated, it should be at its finest between 2008-2020. This is a thrilling offering from true garagists!"

Wine Spectator 96

"The best Merus to date. Darkly colored, rich and immense, with plush, thick layers of currant, black cherry and blackberry fruit, tightly wound and sharply focused. Given its size and density, this is remarkably elegant and deftly balanced."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94

"Deep, bright, saturated ruby. Very ripe but fresh aromas of blackberry, violet, licorice, dark chocolate and smoked meat. Densely packed but juicy and delineated, with very ripe black fruit flavors framed and lifted by fresh acidity. Finishes juice and very long, with explosive dark fruit flavors and noble tannins. This has uncommon vivacity for a California cabernet with this much richness and depth. This is the "home" wine of Mark Herold and Erika Gottl; Herold is also consulting winemaker to Harris Estate, Heston Vineyards, Buccella and Kobalt."

2002 Phelps Insignia (750ml)

List Price: ~~$215.00~~ Our Price: $200.00

$200.00

Wine Spectator 96

"A rich, polished, seductive style with layers of complexity built around a dense, concentrated mix of currant, blackberry, plum and exotic mocha-and cedar-scented oak. This mouthcoating young wine is powerful, yet elegant and deftly balanced, finishing with a long, succulent aftertaste. Cabernet Sauvingon, Merolot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Best from 2008 through 2014."

Robert Parker 95

"A beautifully made Bordeaux blend that can age for 20-30 years, 10,000-20,000 cases of Insignia are produced each year. The 2002 Insignia, the finest effort made in this century, is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. Its dense purple color is accompanied by a fragrant perfume of espresso roast, Asian spices, creme de cassis, smoke, and minerals. Dense, voluptuous, full-bodied, rich, long, and harmonious, it can be enjoyed now or cellared for 2-3 decades. It is also the #1 Wine of the Year for 2005 in The Wine Spectator."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 95+

"Ruby-red. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, cedar, coffee, tobacco and bitter chocolate. Lush and smooth on entry, then dense and juicy in the middle, with intense, layered, sharply delineated dark berry and dark chocolate flavors saturating the entire palate. A powerful wine that is already quite expressive. Builds impressively on the back half, showing superb extract and a sweet finishing flavor of dark chocolate. This is consistently one of California 's very few great cabernet-based wines that is not from a single vineyard. Williams ranks this '02 with the winery's top recent vintages: 2001, 1999, 1997, 1994 and 1991."

2002 Sassicaia (750ml)

List Price: ~~$215.00~~ Our Price: $175.00

$175.00

Gambero Rosso 3 Glasses

Less imposing in structure than usual, and matured in wood with more discretion, it has been crafted and honed with outstanding skill. There is no attempt to achieve concentration at all costs and even in this trying vintage, all the distinguishing characteristics of Sassicaia are there..this is a low-key, almost intimate, interpretation of the year that bears all the hallmarks of a truly great wine. Overarching elegance combines with sophisticated varietal aromatics and territorial character, evoked as always in a style that is hard to match elsewhere.

2002 Torbreck Run Rig, Shiraz (750ml)

$200.00

Robert Parker 99

"The 2002 Run Rig (97% Shiraz and 3% Viognier aged in 100% new French oak) represents the essence of old vine Barossa fruit. Extraordinarily opulent and rich, but playing it closer to the vest than the 2001, it gets my nod as one of the most remarkable wines made in either the Southern or Northern Hemisphere. An inky/purple color is accompanied by a sumptuous bouquet of apricots, honeysuckle, black raspberries, blackberries, licorice, and a hint of roasted meats. The wood has been soaked up by the wine?s extraordinary concentration. Fashioned from four sectors of Barossa (Maranaga, Koonunga Hill, Moppa, and Greenock), it spent 30 months in primarily new oak, and was bottled without fining or filtration."

Wine Spectator 93

"Feels a bit reticent, with a shy range of aromas and tightly packed blueberry, plum and cherry flavors that pop right through the finish, extending into a long, generous aftertaste. Tightly wound now; needs cellaring. Shiraz and Viognier."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94

"Saturated, inky, opaque ruby. A ripe, roasted, porty black hole of a nose. Impossibly ripe, musky, dense aromas of dark cherry, cassis compote, blackberry confit, molasses, fruitcake, violet pastille, licorice and candied rose petal. Thick to the point of being a solid, or at least a colloid, with dense, inky, even resinous flavors of bitter chocolate, creme de mure, coffee liqueur, licorice and black cardamom, accompanied by a spice rack of accents. The finish seems to never let go, which in this case is a good thing. Sticky, palate-staining and amazingly dense, a monument to this style of syrah."

2003 Bodegas Roda Cirsion (750ml)

$235.00

Robert Parker 94

From a vintage with record heat, the 2003 Cirsion is purple/black in color. On the nose, the wine offers roasted herbal aromas, forest floor, blackberry, and licorice notes. More structured than the 2001, on the palate it is dense and sweet with plenty of power but not the subtlety of the latter vintage. It will continue to evolve for another 5-6 years and offer prime drinking from 2013 to 2028. Jay Miller

Wine Spectator 93

Concentrated, lush and powerful, with ripe fruit flavors of blackberry and cassis framed by toasty, coffee oak and backed by big but well-integrated tannins. Stays fresh, with mineral and floral notes emerging on the finish. Modern in style. Drink now through 2013. 580 cases made.

Wine Enthusiast 94

Fewer than 600 cases of this silky giant were made, but the best rarely comes in quantity. This is a ripe weighty wine with earth and vanilla notes supporting cassis, black cherry and fresh-roasted coffee aromoas and flavors. The feel is stacked and the finish very long. Tannic but not aggressive; a huge success for a broiling-hot vintage.

2003 Colgin, Lamb Vineyard California (750ml)

$260.00

Robert Parker 94

The inky/purple-colored 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard (230 cases) offers up sweet aromas of roasted herbs, scorched earth, chocolate, and smoky cassis. Its rich, full-bodied mouthfeel, moderately high tannin, and sweet, heady finish suggest it will be at its finest between 2006-2020.

2003 Cos d'Estournel (750ml)

List Price: ~~$290.00~~ Our Price: $250.00

$250.00

Robert Parker 98

The prodigious, fantastic 2003 Cos d'Estournel is a candidate for wine of the vintage. A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon (unusually high for this chateau), 30% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, 17,500 cases were produced from low yields. An inky/blue/purple color is accompanied by a compelling perfume of black fruits, subtle smoke, pain grille, incense, and flowers. With extraordinary richness, full body, and remarkable freshness, elegance, and persistence, this is one of the finest wines ever made by this estate. The good news is that it will be drinkable at a young age yet evolve for three decades or more. Kudos to winemaker Jean-Guillaume Prats and owner Michel Reybier.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94

"Red-ruby. Knockout nose combines currant, espresso, earth and exotic spices. Wonderfully round and sweet, with outstanding volume and density. A spherical, seamless wine that saturates the entire palate. The huge but lush tannins coat the teeth. This is accessible now but has the sheer material for long aging."

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 96

Tasted blind at Farr Vintner?s Left Bank tasting. This is very lifted on the nose: blackberry, melted tar, sandalwood and a touch of autumn leaves. Very fine delineation married with power. The palate is full-bodied, harmonious with silky smooth tannins, fresh and surfeit with vigour and brio towards the saturated finish. Great backbone and focus here, persistent and compelling. Tasted October 2010.

2003 Cos d'Estournel (750ml)

List Price: ~~$290.00~~ Our Price: $255.00

$255.00

Robert Parker 98

The prodigious, fantastic 2003 Cos d'Estournel is a candidate for wine of the vintage. A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon (unusually high for this chateau), 30% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, 17,500 cases were produced from low yields. An inky/blue/purple color is accompanied by a compelling perfume of black fruits, subtle smoke, pain grille, incense, and flowers. With extraordinary richness, full body, and remarkable freshness, elegance, and persistence, this is one of the finest wines ever made by this estate. The good news is that it will be drinkable at a young age yet evolve for three decades or more. Kudos to winemaker Jean-Guillaume Prats and owner Michel Reybier.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94

"Red-ruby. Knockout nose combines currant, espresso, earth and exotic spices. Wonderfully round and sweet, with outstanding volume and density. A spherical, seamless wine that saturates the entire palate. The huge but lush tannins coat the teeth. This is accessible now but has the sheer material for long aging."

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 96

Tasted blind at Farr Vintner?s Left Bank tasting. This is very lifted on the nose: blackberry, melted tar, sandalwood and a touch of autumn leaves. Very fine delineation married with power. The palate is full-bodied, harmonious with silky smooth tannins, fresh and surfeit with vigour and brio towards the saturated finish. Great backbone and focus here, persistent and compelling. Tasted October 2010.

2003 Ducru-Beaucaillou (750ml)

List Price: ~~$290.00~~ Our Price: $255.00

$255.00

Wine Spectator 97

Intense aromas of blackberry, currant and cherry. Full-bodied, with masses of big, velvety tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes. A blockbuster. A classic big, juicy claret.

Robert Parker 96

One of the most compelling Ducru Beaucaillou�s made in the last quarter century is the 2003 (which is also the first vintage to be packaged in an impressive heavy glass bottle with a special long cork). A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, it is a powerful, tannic, blockbuster effort revealing a liqueur of mineral-like component intermixed with creme de cassis, raspberry, and flower characteristics, and an atypically high 13.5% alcohol. Having firmed up considerably since bottling, it exhibits tremendous definition, weight, and concentration. It is a wine for patient connoisseurs. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025+. A brilliant tour de force!

Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 95

Tasted blind at Farr Vintner?s Left Bank tasting. A lot of ripeness coming through on the nose: blackberry, plum, cedar and a touch of menthol. The palate is medium-bodied, sinewy tannins, very focused and delineated, muscular towards the finish with great persistency. This is a classy 2003, great breeding and nuance. Tasted October 2010.

2003 Faiveley Clos de Beze (750ml)

$270.00

Allen Meadows, Burghound 93-96

"Notes of ripe plum, mocha, dark pinot fruit, earth, spice, a bit of wood and wet leather make for a potent and highly expressive nose that complements the massive, incredibly powerful and long flavors that have simply unbelievable intensity and that lovely natural sweetness of the finest burgundies. The flavors just explode in the mouth, displaying wonderful inner mouth perfume and dazzling texture and this literally lingers for minutes. This will one day be a monument and it will need years before it's completely ready so be prepared to have plenty of patience."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 93+

Deep medium red. Wild, very reduced nose offers raspberry, mocha and flowers. Dense and thick but initially mute owing to the reduction; obviously huge, broad, chewy and rich. Finishes with very sweet, thoroughly buffered tannins and hints of spices and blood orange. I followed this wine for 72 hours as it slowly absorbed oxygen. By day three it was a deep ruby-red color and showed spectacular aromas of black raspberry, strawberry, mocha and minerals, and a compelling velvety texture achieved by very few 2003s, with no lack of underlying acidity. While superripe it is not at all cooked, and it shed 90% of its reductive quality. But this will require at least a decade of cellaring.

2003 Hundred Acre, Kayli Morgan Vyd. California (750ml)

$290.00

Robert Parker 95

The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan Vineyard appears to be the finest of the three most recent vintages I tasted. Reflecting Woodbridge�s impeccable attention to detail, it boasts a dense plum/purple color, a sweet, smoky perfume of melted caramels, blackberries, cassis, cedar, spice box, and hints of graphite, toffee, and oak, an expansive, rich, full-bodied personality, and beautifully integrated tannin. Even though it is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, it tastes like it could have come from the tenderloin section of Pomerol. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.

2003 Hundred Acre, Kayli Morgan Vyd. California (750ml)

$290.00

Robert Parker 95

The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan Vineyard appears to be the finest of the three most recent vintages I tasted. Reflecting Woodbridge�s impeccable attention to detail, it boasts a dense plum/purple color, a sweet, smoky perfume of melted caramels, blackberries, cassis, cedar, spice box, and hints of graphite, toffee, and oak, an expansive, rich, full-bodied personality, and beautifully integrated tannin. Even though it is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, it tastes like it could have come from the tenderloin section of Pomerol. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.

2003 La Mondotte (750ml)

$210.00

Robert Parker 95

This cuvee (from an 11+ acre vineyard planted on a clay and limestone plateau above Pavie-Decesse) performed better in January than they did last year. Minuscule yields of 15 hectoliters per hectare and bottling without fining or filtration after 24 months in new oak have resulted in an outstanding 2003 La Mondotte. Revealing more texture, depth, and persistence than I initially predicted, it possesses a dense purple color along with a big, sweet nose of creme de cassis, graphite, espresso roast, new saddle leather, and truffles. This opulent, dense, full-bodied, gloriously rich effort can be drunk in 1-3 years, but because of its power, concentration, and overall equilibrium will keep for two decades.

2003 Louis Latour Chambertin Cuvee Heritiers (750ml)

$220.00

Allen Meadows, Burghound 92

"A background trace of wood underscores rich and gorgeously perfumed plumy pinot aromas that lead to elegant, powerful and dense but velvety flavors that offer good mid-palate punch and a sappy, delicious, impressively complex finish. I very much like the style of this as it's serious, balanced and built for the moderate to long term."

2003 Peter Michael Les Pavots California (750ml)

$225.00

Robert Parker 94

The 2003 Les Pavots (61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot) exhibits notes of melted licorice, tapenade, damp earth, black currants, and cedar. Slightly more herbaceous than the 2004, with notions of barbecued meat as well as blue and black fruits, this full-bodied, dense 2003 may not have quite the potential of the 2002 or 2001, but it is a brilliant effort to consume between 2008-2020.

Wine Enthusiast 93

Tannic and closed to the point of inaccessibility, this Cab-based blend, which contains Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, comes from low-yielding vines grown 1,700 feet above Knights Valley. It all comes down to a question of ageability. The answer is it will age quite nicely. The balance is superb, and the core of fruit is there. Do not open this wine until 2010; it should continue to develop for another 10 years at least.

2003 Peter Michael Les Pavots California (750ml)

$225.00

Robert Parker 94

The 2003 Les Pavots (61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot) exhibits notes of melted licorice, tapenade, damp earth, black currants, and cedar. Slightly more herbaceous than the 2004, with notions of barbecued meat as well as blue and black fruits, this full-bodied, dense 2003 may not have quite the potential of the 2002 or 2001, but it is a brilliant effort to consume between 2008-2020.

Wine Enthusiast 93

Tannic and closed to the point of inaccessibility, this Cab-based blend, which contains Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, comes from low-yielding vines grown 1,700 feet above Knights Valley. It all comes down to a question of ageability. The answer is it will age quite nicely. The balance is superb, and the core of fruit is there. Do not open this wine until 2010; it should continue to develop for another 10 years at least.

2003 Sassicaia (750ml)

List Price: ~~$215.00~~ Our Price: $175.00

$175.00

Wine Spectator 92

Lots of raspberry and cherry on the nose. Full-bodied and chunky with lots of fruit and a long, velvety finish. Hints of new wood. Big and juicy Sassicaia. Very well done for the vintage. Best after 2008.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 93

Dark ruby-red. Appealing smoky, minerally aromas of red cherry, blackcurrant and plum, with a hint of truffle. Quite suave on entry, then smooth and fine-grained, with good mineral lift to the decidedly sweet red fruit flavors. This broad, rich and supple wine boasts tremendous length and silky-sweet tannins. A great Sassicaia that falls roughly between the '88 and the '85 in style at the similar stage of development, although I'm not sure the new vintage will attain the heights reached by those earlier wines.

Wine & Spirits 96

Great terroirs often prove themselves in the most extreme vintages, as Sassicaia as done in the violent heat of 2003. The vineyard produced a supple, subtle and elegant wine. It's mostly a textural experience for now, a mass of pleasure hinting at flavors of black currat and smoky black tea. This is balanced t develop for 15 years or more.

2003 Valandraud (750ml)

$245.00

Robert Parker 93

The home property of Jean-Luc Thunevin, the inspirational spirit for Bordeaux's garagiste movement, is Valandraud. The 2003 is a full-bodied, powerful St.-Emilion offering up notes of espresso roast, chocolate, sweet currants and cherries, and hints of minerals as well as cedar. Expressive and pure, with copious tannins lurking behind the cascade of fruit and glycerin, this wine requires 2-4 years of bottle age, and should drink well for two decades or more.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92

Impressive ruby-red color. Lively aromas of violet, mint and licorice, further lifted by a mineral component. Sweet, silky and nicely delineated, with little of the roasted aspect of the year. (The pH is a reasonable 3.7 without acidification, says Jean-Luc Thunevin.) Finishes with lovely sweetness and thickness (the wine is close to 15% alcohol), with a layer of sweet tannins saturating the palate. This would be better for a few years of patience and should last for a couple of decades.

2003 Yquem (375ml)

$201.00

Wine Spectator 98

Subtle and racy with lemon rind, vanilla cream and dried pineapple. Very spicy and intense. Full-bodied, electrified yet refined with wonderful length and flavors. Medium sweetness. Wonderful finish. I love the class and length here. It has afterburners.

Robert Parker 94-96

2004 Aubert, Quarry Vineyard California (750ml)

List Price: ~~$215.00~~ Our Price: $184.50

$184.50

Robert Parker 95

Made from an old Wente clone, the 2004 Chardonnay Quarry Vineyard offers notes of lemon oil, crushed rocks, white peaches, and a hint of orange blossoms in a full-bodied, gorgeously textured, super-fresh format buttressed by terrific acidity. This stunning Chardonnay should drink beautifully for 4-5+ years. This Chardonnay tends to be aged in 100% new oak (which is totally concealed) and is bottled without fining or filtration. Consequently, if it has just been shipped or moved, it can reveal a slight haze.

Wine Spectator 94

"Intense and vibrant, with vivid mineral, green apple, lime and pear flavors that are subdued at first before opening up to reveal a rich core of hazelnut and nutmeg that adds a wonderful dimension to the fruit flavors. Complex and concentrated, it can stand short-term cellaring."

2004 Bond, Pluribus California (750ml)

$295.00

Robert Parker 95

The newest wine, E Pluribus, will give just about any vineyard on Spring Mountain a run for its money. The 2004 E Pluribus has a dense purple color and an elegant, sweet nose of creme de cassis intermixed with some camphor, graphite, and a hint of blueberry (or is it very ripe raspberries?). Quite opulent, full-bodied, but with good underlying acidity, this wine is fresh and remarkably light on its feet for a wine of such enormous intensity and richness.

2004 Buccella Napa California (Magnum (1.5L))

$260.00

Robert Parker 94

The dense purple-colored 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon?s hefty 15.1% alcohol is well-disguised by classic aromas of white chocolate, black currants, blackberries, licorice, and coffee beans. This dense, medium to full-bodied, opulent, fleshy, powerful effort boasts sweet tannin and low acidity. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.

Wine Spectator 92

Impressive. Supple and harmonious, with rich, polished currant, herb, mocha and wild berry flavors that are intense and concentrated, offering power with finesse. Shows a dash of heat on the finish, but fans of full-throttle Cabernet won't be disappointed.

Wine Spectator 95

Smooth, plush and concentrated. A multidimensional expression of Cabernet, with layers of currant, blackberry, plum and spice. Supple-textured, this keeps a focus on the fruit and is supported by firm, ripe tannins. Yet fruit glides through on the finish.

2004 Girardin, Vincent Chevalier Montrachet (750ml)

List Price: ~~$265.00~~ Our Price: $229.50

$229.50

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 92-95

"Medium yellow. Strongly mineral aromas of cold steel, crushed stone, apple and clove. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, with wonderfully aromatic flavors of peach, white flowers and minerals..."

Allen Meadows, Burghound 92-94

An elegant and high-toned airy nose with apparent but not intrusive oak influence dissolves into round, rich and sweet layered flavors that are surprisingly open and accessible for a young Chevalier but then the finish tightens up instantly and the expected explosion of pungent minerality arrives, almost without warning. This is a relatively powerful Chevalier, indeed it could be mistaken for a mineral-driven Montrachet.