- 2007 Domaine Leflaive Macon-Verze $34.99
A very fresh and bright nose of green fruit, white flower and citrus nuances leads to cool, refreshing and vibrant middle weight flavors blessed with a light mineral streak on good detail and punch on the solidly long finish. Very good quality for what this is.
- 2007 Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc $49.99
Thanks to the declassified villages, this always boxes above its weight and the 2007 version is no exception with its lightly toasted notes highlighting the fresh and relatively elegant aromas of floral and pear that slide gracefully into citrusy and detailed flavors that possess plenty of energy and finishing punch. This offers excellent potential and would make for a great house wine, or even a fine restaurant choice.
- 2007 Domaine Leflaive Meursault Sous le Dos d’Ane $149
A cool, airy and almost delicate nose sports notes of pain grillé, citrus and dried rose petal plus a wet stone hint that carries over to rich and nicely full yet precise and clearly stonier middle weight flavors that possess a seductive mouth feel and excellent cut, intensity and length if not the depth of the best 1ers in the range. This should age nicely as it’s very well balanced.
- 2007 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet $99.99
An attractively fresh if presently reserved nose of acacia blossom, white peach and discreetly spiced pear introduces vibrant, stony and sappy flavors that aren’t overly concentrated but possess fine precision on the persistent finish. This is an excellent villages and while it’s priced like a good 1er from another less reputed domaine, it’s a good way to acquaint yourself with the style of Domaine Leflaive if you’re not familiar with it.
- 2007 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Clavoillon $119.99
A pretty and extremely fresh, bright and expressive nose offers up hints of white flower, peach and apple that precede the clean, intense, precise and energetic medium-bodied flavors that possess good cut and more precision than I usually see with this wine, all wrapped in a mildly austere and wonderfully long finish. This seems to have more “presence” than usual.
- 2007 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatieres $189.99
In contrast to the expressiveness of the Clavoillon, here the nose is restrained and backward with more primary notes of lemon peel and rose petal with spiced pear nuances that can also be found on the pure, racy, intense and strikingly detailed medium-bodied flavors brimming with an almost pungent minerality on the explosive, complex and driving finish. I really like the underlying sense of personality despite how primary this wine is compared to the preceding examples.
- 2007 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles $224.99
A mild hint of exotic fruit together with honeysuckle and slight oak influences gives way to rich, full and notably generous medium weight plus flavors that possess good mid-palate fat and extract, which serve to buffer the firm acid spine on the wonderfully fine and lingering finish. A lacy, long and stylish wine of finesse rather than power.
- 2007 Domaine Leflaive Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet $349.99
A reserved and quite discreet nose reflects notes of spice, honeysuckle and ripe white peach that complement well the rich, full and intense flavors that are delicious, textured and have a wonderful mouth feel on the beautifully balanced and powerful finish. This is a classic Bienvenues with impressive levels of dry extract yet this finishes quite dry. Lovely, understated and impeccably balanced.
- 2007 Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet $449.99
A strikingly complex nose that is even more complex than that of the Bâtard as there is a great breadth of aromas to the ripe, pure and airy nose of white flower, spice and subtle pear aromas that complement to perfection the rich and mouth coating flavors built on a base of fine minerality, all wrapped in a sappy and mouth coating finish that oozes dry extract. This is really a lovely effort that is almost as powerful as the Bâtard but as one would expect, finer and even a bit longer with an almost painfully intense backend. A very impressive effort.
- 2007 Jack Quinn Cabernet Sauvignon $89.99
The Agave Rose vineyard is a small 1.09 acre plot of land located on Zinfandel Lane in the Rutherford Bench appellation owned by Jim Larkin. The property was originally developed in 1883 by a Norwegian sea captain and the present vineyard was planted in 1999 by Jim Barbour, who continues to manage the vineyard to this day. The first release of Jack Quinn was in 2004 and was made by Andy Erickson, who continued to make the wine until he handed over the reins to Benoit Toquette in 2006.
The 2007 Jack Quinn exhibits all the great characteristics that the previous vintages have shown but with a little more power. Big dark chocolate with black coffee and mocha on the nose. Black raspberries, dark cherries, and dried purple flowers on the palate with hints of anise and black liquorish on the back. After 30 minutes the complexities started to unravel showing fresh cedar and forest floor with layers of clove and allspice. This is a brilliant wine that impresses me with its superb balance and mouth feel. Only 175 cases were produced.
- 2005 Araujo Eisele Vineyard Cabernet 98 points R.P. $269
Dense ruby/purple color is followed by beautiful aromas of blueberries, black currants, acacia flowers, licorice, and spice. The tannins are softer than I remember, but this is certainly one of the vintage’s most extraordinary wines. Full-bodied with a seamless integration of tannin, acidity, alcohol, and wood, it is exceptionally pure and full as well as impeccably balanced. The impression is one of elegance allied with substantial flavor authority. It can be drunk now or cellared for 25+ years.
Despite having over 40-plus acres of vineyards in the northeasterly sector of Napa just south of Calistoga, the production at Araujo remains relatively limited, with the flagship wine, the Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, producing between 1,600 and 2,200 cases of wine, and the second wine, the Altagracia, between 800 and 1,200 cases. Add to that another 1,000 cases of Sauvignon Blanc and 300-400 cases of Syrah, and there is just not a lot to go around given the greatness that can be achieved from this vineyard. Much of the credit has to go to proprietors Bart and Daphne Araujo and, of course, their top-notch winemaking team, which has always been led by Francoise Peschon. Araujo’s second wines are among the finest second wines consumers will find in northern California. For example, the Altagracia cuvees, which represent 25-35% of the production, have been outstanding examples of Cabernet Sauvignon. Araujo has done an excellent job with Syrah, which they typically co-ferment with 3-4% Viognier. Sadly, only 300-400 cases are produced.
- 2000 Chateau Bel Air Ouy - $49.99
I am constantly on the lookout for great values in Bordeaux and tasted this foxy St Emilion from what is the justifiably heralded 2000 vintage. When these wines get a little age on them they blossom into something special, the tannins have melted away and it drinks with a silky soft plush mouth feel, aromas of blackberry and cigar box take you to the vineyard and the finish of slight spice and currant underline the wines balance. This is a great little find and comes very highly recommended.
Following the purchase of Château Bel Air Ouÿ on the commune of Saint-Etienne de Lisse, Jean-Luc Thunevin vinified the first vintage in 1999. The vineyard is located on a great clayey limestone terroir next to Fleur Cardinale Grand Cru Saint-Emilion…..
I have 10 cases available of this and it comes in wood. Please let me know what I may set aside for you. This is a superb value for 2000 Bordeaux!
- 2006 Abiouness Pinot Noir Pommard Clone $49.99
Nicole Abiouness makes tiny amounts of exceptional pinot Noir ( 200 CASES ) , it has been my go to Pinot for a couple of years. This Pommard clone is everything a good Pinot should be, it is well balanced with great acidity and has an underlying earthy nuance that always has me going back for more. Great Pinot for the dollars.
- 2007 Quilceda Creek Cabernet $179
The most consistently highest scoring cabernet in the country – the last six vintages of this wine have received 98 points or above, three vintages at 100 points, the 07 is about to be rated..you just cannot buy a wine with this track record under $200 dollars anywhere in the world.
- 2004 Vega Sicilia Valbuena #5 Reserve $119.99 94 RP
I have the best price in the country on this .Vega Sicilia is the simply Spain’s Lafite. Aged in oak barrels for three years and then in bottle for 2 years prior to release it comes to you raring, it’s exotic, full of spice and just an exceptional mouthful of wine.
- 2005 Araujo Eisele Estate Cabernet $279 98 R.P
A Napa Valley Icon, Araujo is a Californian first growth in every sense of the word, the 05 will drink well for the next 20 years.
- 12 x 2007 Continuum $149.99 97 WS
Tim Mondavi’s new venture that is quickly becoming a Napa valley cult. Sleek and polished, this is a wonderful expression of Cabernet, with a mix of rich, layered black cherry, currant, wild berry and plum fruit that’s intense, concentrated, focused and stylish, turning spicy, with cedary anise and sage notes on the long, persistent finish.
- 12 x 2007 Dominus $129.99 98 RP
We tasted the 94 Dominus recently at a vertical tasting of Dominus, it ranks as one of my top 5 Napa wines ever tasted, the 07 will end up there, buy it and lay it down, this will not disappoint at the price.
Perhaps the finest vintage at Dominus since their historic 1994s and 1991s is 2007, although I am also a big fan of what they achieved in 2001, 2002, and 2006. Lastly, when I visit this winery they always open a fresh bottle and also have a bottle that has been decanted for an hour or two. The decanted bottles definitely reveal more aromatic complexity and breadth of flavor, so readers may wish to aerate the wines prior to service.
- Ornellaia
We had a great vertical tasting of Ornellaia last night. The wines were spectacular with each vintage offering something new and exciting.
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia is located in one of the world’s most exciting wine regions: Bolgheri. A breathtaking avenue lined by towering cypress trees leads inland from the Aurelia, the old Roman coastal road, up to the walls of Bolgheri’s medieval hamlet. Founded by Lodovico Antinori, Ornellaia produced its first vintage in 1985. Inspired by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rochettas’ Sassicaia, Lodovico set out to re-confirm, that Tuscany was a force to be reckoned with in the Bordeaux arena. Comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Merlot, Ornellaia consistently makes a Bordeaux cepage that rivals the best First Growths. The 1998 vintage was also named wine of the year in 2001 by Wine Spectator.
- 2007 La Serra Nuove Bolgheri DOC Rosso $59.99 – 92RP
40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
“The just-bottled 2007 Le Serre Nuove opens with sweet scents of mocha, berries, spices and flowers that lead to a soft, seamless expression of fruit. This is an accessible, silky-textured Serre Nuove to enjoy while the 2006 rests in the cellar. It is an unusually harmonious, refined wine that is sure to deliver much pleasure over the coming years. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2022.” -Robert Parker
- 2005 Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Rosso Superiore $169.99 – 93RP
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
4 six packs available in Texas in our cellar
“The 2005 Ornellaia is a lovely, silky wine graced with expressive, perfumed fruit and terrific overall harmony. This is a decidedly lithe, feminine Ornellaia, but the wine has more than enough freshness to develop beautifully over the coming years. The estate coped quite well with repeated spells of rain during the harvest. Simply put, the 2005 Ornellaia is a gorgeous wine from a challenging year. The 2005 Ornellaia is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. The wine spent 18 months in French oak, 70% new. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.” -Robert Parker
- 2006 Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore $179.99 – 97RP
56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
4 six packs available
“The 2006 Ornellaia is a massive, towering masterpiece. There is awesome depth and richness to be found in the glass. Flowers, minerals, tar smoke and dark fruit are all woven in an intricate fabric of almost indescribable elegance and power. Tonight the 2006 Ornellaia is absolutely moving in its beauty and expressiveness. Vintage 2006 will go down as one of the all-time greats in Tuscany, and Bolgheri in particular, as all of that region’s benchmark wines are spectacular. The 2006 shows the intensity of the small berries that were harvested that year, with exceptional concentration, acidity and freshness, qualities that are precious and exceedingly rare when they are found in a single wine. In 2006 the final blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Simply put, the 2006 Ornellaia is a must-have bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031.” -Robert Parker
- 2007 Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore $179.99
55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
5 six packs available
This wine has not been rated as of yet but in last night’s tasting we all agreed that if anything this wine was showing as good if not better than the 2006. Classic tar, leather, and smoke characteristics with a rich back of crumbled chocolate and violets. Massive tannins that can be attributed to the youth of the wine but also speak of long aging possibilities. This vintage is a fantastic addition to the Ornellaia line.
- 2007 Buccella Napa Valley - 96 PTS RP $129.99
With the 07′s being touted as the very early vintage of the century, this wonderful cabernet just delivers from start to finish. Fashioned to classified Bordeaux with 22 months in 100% new French Oak, I found myself tasting and then going back to this wine among a myriad of other cabs. Buccella definitely rose to the top as all standouts should. We received 6 cases and are offering them to you…Let us know what we may set aside!
Tasting notes:“This blockbuster 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is another example of this vintage where everything seems to be in perfect proportion, with an extraordinary fragrance of blue and black fruits intermixed with spring flowers, a hint of white chocolate and subtle smoke. In the mouth, more graphite notes are present, but the wine is very full-bodied, with sweet tannins, decent acidity that gives uplift and vibrancy to the authoritative flavors, and a long, layered finish that just builds and builds in the mouth.
- 2007 Betts & Scholl The O.G. – $24.99
It amazes me how you can get so much acidity out of Australia while still retaining the incredible fruit, structure, and delicate tannin balance but somehow they manage to do it. Ripe roasted blueberries on the nose with slight watermelon and strawberry notes on the back. After taking some time with the wine you will start to discover the subtle layers of black earth, tanned leather, and rocky minerality.
- 2007 Betts & Scholl The Chronique – $44.99
Slightly bigger than the OG with the velvety tannins more present but still retaining the blazing acidity and delicate balance that makes these wines so remarkable. Ripe red fruit up front with a beautiful expression of barnyard and funk filling in any cracks and allowing this wine to hit on all cylinders. The palate is refreshing with a powerful essence or strawberries that have been drying on the window sill for a day or two. There is a finish of black pepper and blackberry jam. This wine was my favorite of the Betts & Scholl line up.
- 2005 Betts & Scholl Hermitage Rouge – $74.99
From the vines of Chave and the winery of JL Chave but with Richard Betts personal taste; this was the blockbuster of the bunch. This wine had all the classic Hermitage qualities but with a slight new world twist bringing the fruit slightly more to the forefront but still retaining the balance of the wine. Big funk with barnyard and bales of hay up front but with a juicy red cherry evident through the earthiness of the wine. Stewed fruits on the palate with cedar, vanilla, big pepper, beef jerky, and a finish of horse manure. I really like this too!
- 2008 Far Niente – En Route Pinot Noir $54.99
Tasting Notes: Big fruit with black cherries, blueberry pie, and blackberry jam – not to worry thought, despite the big upfront fruit there was a subtle backing of wet earth and forest floor minerality adding complexity and balance to the wine. A lingering finish completes this wine and after tasting it I say this is a prime example of what Russian River Pinot Noir should be.
About the Wine: Founded by the partners of Far Niente, who began experimenting with Pinot Noir in the 1980s, EnRoute is the culmination of a 30-year passion for Pinot. Far Niente’s focused study of this varietal has led them down many an interesting path at home and abroad. Their journey convinced them that the best way to consistently and successfully create the focused, textured, yet graceful Pinot Noir wines they were looking for was to go to the Russian River Valley. Far Niente made a serious and deep commitment to the region, establishing vineyards and a winery devoted to capturing the magical essence of Pinot Noir.
- 2000 La Rioja Alta – Vina Ardanza Reserva – 90 RP $39.99
Medium-high cherry red robe, with orange tinted tones on the edge of the glass, clear and brilliant. Intense and complex to the nose. Wild berry aromas predominate, blended with hints of coconut, cinnamon, tobacco and leather. Full-bodied and well structured to the palate, with silky and enveloping tannins. Long after-taste acquired from its lengthy time in bottle, where its elegant bouquet gains in intensity. This Viña Ardanza continues to evolve without losing its traditional qualities.
- 1995 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva – 92 RP $59.99
The color is tile red, clear but shading to iodine hues at the edges. The initial aroma is both complex and powerful. On opening, the aromas of toast, leather and caramel mix with tones of dried prunes and fruit compote. In the mouth the wine is powerful and balanced with smooth and silky tannins coupled with a noteworthy light acidity. The aftertaste is full and very complex leaving the flavors full on the palate. Outstanding sensations are generated by its long and careful barrel ageing.
- 2007 Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay $44.99
Tasting Notes:
This powerful wine opens with ripe melon and fig notes layered with allspice and a mineral texture. Flavors of baked pear, poached apple, caramel persist on the lingering finish. The profound power of this Chardonnay exhibits can only be found in unfiltered wines. The grapes are predominantly grown in the Carneros region where bay breezes and morning fog combine to create the cooler climate ideal for growing Chardonnay rich with concentrated flavors , fine and unfiltered.
- 2007 Round Pond Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 94 WS – $49.99
Simon and I tasted this wine next to several others cabs of the same pedigree that were twice the price and the Round Pond blew them away! We took all we could get on the spot. Classic Rutherford dust with boisterous tannins and mellow silky fruit. The 07 vintage in Napa has really impressed me, the wines are drinking great right now while still showing phenomenal promise for the future. The current release of Round Pond just got the nod from Wine Spectator as highly recommended in their most recent issue and I couldn’t agree more, this wine has it all… Only 10 cases came into Texas and we took them all. Let me know if I can set some aside for you….
Here is what Wine Spectator had to say:
“A tremendous effort, dense and chewy, robust and concentrated, with a rich, focused core of blackberry, currant, cedar, herb and mineral. Full-bodied, gaining depth and persistence. Drink now through 2018”
- 2005 Hazyblur – Invictus Shiraz 97 RP $119.99
Hazyblur’s flagship is the 2005 Shiraz “Invictus” Barossa Valley. Sourced from vines at least 50 years of age from the Ebenezer region of Barossa (thought by many to be the finest sub-region of the Valley), the grapes were dried on racks for one week prior to crushing. The fermented juice was aged in 100% new French and American hogsheads for 16 months. The wine is deep crimson/purple with a brooding bouquet of toasty oak, lavender, pencil lead, truffle, plum, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Opulent, even voluptuous on the palate, this Shiraz has all the right stuff but will need 8-10 years of additional cellaring to reveal all of its powerful personality. The wine has enough baby fat to accompany a grilled, dry-aged prime rib-eye but this is one case in which delay of gratification will be well rewarded.
- 2004 Casanove di Neri – Tenuta Nuova Brunello di Montalcino $79.99 – 96 WS
Il terreno, l’esposizione, il microclima, la scelta dei cloni, portainnesti, sesto di impianto ci stanno dando delle grandi uve ogni anno migliori.
In a single word - Magnificent.
Casanove di Neri has always been one of my absolute favorite Italian producers! They constantly out-due themselves year after year, and for the 2004 vintage of Tenuta Nuova they have unearthed a shimmering jewel that will make your mouth water. 2004 is a renowned Italian vintage but Casanove di Neri has blown much of Italy out of the water with this stellar wine.
Tasting Notes: Thick cherry cough syrup, bacon fat, and a potpourri of dried flowers blossom on the nose. Red raspberry explodes on the palate with a candied cherry on the back. The subtle earthiness of morning dew blanketed by a thick fog allow you to close your eyes and imagine sitting on the hillside of Montalcino. On the second breath this wine gives me the impression of white truffles growing on the damp forest floor under a moss trees with a hungry pig rooting nearby trying to unearth this treasure. A touch of dried violets and dark red roses light up the background while a classic light nut skin twang and a long finish complete this wine. Bold silky tannins caress the palate and dry your mouth while the crisp acidity lights up your taste buds and brings this wine to life. I LOVE THIS WINE! Let me know if I can set some aside for you.
