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We frequently obtain SMALL quantities of older vintages of California Cabernet,
Bordeaux, Ports, etc. There is some risk with older
wines, and the buyer assumes that risk. But these are well known properties with a track
record, and all have been well stored. These wines should make for a wonderful tasting experience. They are not cheap. Prices are determined quite simply
by supply and demand. As top quality wines get older, they get
better and more desirable. In addition, there are simply fewer
bottles of them left. Collectors seek them out. Prices go up.
Ipso Facto, QED. The following wines are in
stock. Mixed case quantity discounts are available.
OTHER DOMESTIC
FRENCH BORDEAUX
Cap de Faugeres, 2000, $30, RP 89 Domaine de Chevalier, 1999, $60 RP 88 Chateau Clerc Milon 1997, $70, RP 89:"Because of its low acidity and evolved style, the 1997 Clerc-Milon deserves consumers' attention. Readers will enjoy its forward, concentrated, cassis/blackberry notes intertwined with coffee, smoke, spice, and chocolate. Drink this lush, hedonistic offering over the next decade." Chateau Clerc Milon, 2000, $93, RP 92: "Flamboyant, dense, opaque, from 67% Cab Sauv & 33% Merlot. Muscular, with an unctuous texture & high levels of tannin & extract. More closed & tannic than d'Armailhac, but still somewhat ostentatious, with smoky, leathery notes intermixed with oodles of black fruits and spice box. Drink: 2007-2020." Chateau Clinet, Pomerol, 1994, $140, RP 92 "Since 1987, this estate has consistently produced one of the most concentrated and complex wines in Bordeaux. The decision by Jean-Michel Arcaute and oenologist Michel Rolland to (1) limit yields, (2) harvest physiologically ripe grapes with an element of sur-maturitie, and (3) bottle the wine without fining or filtration has resulted in a bevy of splendid wines where the terroir and varietal composition are fully expressed. Inky purple/garnet-colored, with an outrageously intense nose of black truffles, licorice, cedar, and black fruits, this phenomenally extracted wine borders on being too concentrated for its own good. This massive, huge wine possesses 25-30 years of potential longevity. The fruit's remarkable intensity and purity, as well as the liqueur-like richness and unctuosity are something to experience. This is an exceptionally dense, massively-endowed, controversial style of Pomerol that will reward those with patience. The tannins are strong, but so is the extract level. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2025." Chateau Cos DEstournel, 1994, $130, RP 91: "A word of admiration and praise is in order for Bruno Prats. One of St.-Estephe's most forward thinking producers, Prats is never content with merely making outstanding wine. Over the last few years he has improved Cos d'Estournel, already one of the great wines of Bordeaux, by eliminating any filtration at bottling, and replacing the standard paper label with one made of plastic so it will not disintegrate in damp, humid cellars. Cos d'Estournel's unfiltered 1994 is one of the top wines of the vintage. It boasts an opaque blue/black/purple color, as well as a fabulously sweet nose of black fruits, licorice, pain grillee, and Asian spices. Full-bodied, with sweet, opulent fruit that reveals none of the vintage's tough tannin, this remarkably rich, well-balanced, classic wine will prove to be uncommonly long-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2025. Cos d'Estournel is clearly producing wines that are often of first-growth potential." Chateau dYquem, 2001, $550, WS 100 Chateau Faugeres, 1998, $56, RP 90 Chateau Faugeres, 2003, $40, RP 90 Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste, 1998, $65, RP 90: "The 1998 reveals a classic creme de cassis-scented nose along with powerful, tight, firmly-structured flavors. While moderate tannin is present, there is more than enough extract and depth behind the tannin to support the enthusiastic rating. Should drink well through 2012 or so. This is a top-flight claret." Chateau Gruaud Larose, 1986, $160, RP 94+, WS 93 Chateau Gruaud Larose, 2001, $60, WS 92 Chateau Haut Brion, 2003, $425, RP 95 Chateau Haut Brion, 2001, $325, RP 94 Chateau LaGrange Pomerol, 1997 $40 Chateau La Fleur Petrus, 1996, $75, RP 89+ Chateau Lafon Rochet, 1995, $70, WS 93: "The best wine ever produced at this estate. So sexy, so wonderful now--but be patient. Dark in color, ruby, inky. Blueberries, cream and vanilla character. Full-bodied, with full yet fine tannins. It literally massages your palate. Best after 2001." Chateau Lafon Rochet, 1998, $50, RP 88 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion, 1993, $200, RP 90 "La Mission-Haut-Brion's 1993 is one of the vintage's most promising wines. Jean Delmas is justly proud of his accomplishments with all three of his estates (La Tour-Haut-Brion, La Mission-Haut-Brion, and Haut-Brion) in this rain-plagued vintage. The 1993 La Mission exhibits a deep, dark, ruby/purple color, as well as a provocative nose of blackcurrants, minerals, smoke, and sweet oak. Medium-bodied, with surprisingly sweet tannin, this is an elegant, rich wine. Although there is tannin lurking in the finish, the 1993 La Mission can be drunk with considerable pleasure. It is a complex, pure wine with no astringency or vegetal character. Anticipated maturity: 1999-2010" Chateau Latour, 2002, $450, RP 96 Chateau Leoville Barton, 1995, $200, RP 91 "Somewhat closed and reticent after bottling, but still impressive, this 1995 possesses a dark color, as well as an oaky nose with classic scents of cassis, vanillin, cedar, and spice. Dense and medium to full-bodied, with softer tannin and more accessibility than the 1996, but not quite the packed and stacked effect on the palate, the 1995 is an outstanding textbook St.-Julien that will handsomely repay extended cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2025." WS 93 "Tantalising red, with violet, berry and blackberry aromas and hints of earth. Full-bodied and chewy, with lots of fruit and flavors. Long, velvety finish. Best after 2001." Chateau Leoville Barton, 1998, $95, RP 91, WS 90 Chateau Leoville Barton, 1999, $90, RP 90 Chateau Leoville Las Cases, 1994, $175 RP 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!" Chateau Margaux, 1999, $400, RP 94 Chateau Monbousquet, 2000, $160, RP 95: "An enormous effort from extremely low yields of 28-30 hl/ha, aged sur lie and bottled unfined and unfiltered, it exemplifies proprietor Perse's enormous efforts. Black and blue to the rim, this wine represents the essence of this terroir. Its saturated black/purple color is accompanied by extraordinary aromatics of sweet blackberries, chocolate, coffee, incense, new saddle leather, and vanilla. Remarkable intensity, lively acidity, and abundant tannin provide definition and grip. This is the most intense, muscular, and "biggest" Monbousquet made to date, and that is saying something considering the 1998 and 1999! So be prepared, it is remarkable wine. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018." Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, 1993 (Balthus label), $275 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, 2002, $350, RP 93 Chateau Pichon Lalande, 2003, $175, RP 95: "The brilliant, opulent, fleshy 2003 Pichon Lalande (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot) possesses a high pH of 3.8 as well as 13% alcohol. Reminiscent of the 1982 Pichon Lalande (which never shut down and continues to go from strength to strength), the dense plum/purple-colored 2003 offers gorgeous aromas of blackberries, plum liqueur, sweet cherries, smoke, and melted licorice. Fleshy, full-bodied, and intense, displaying a seamless integration of wood, acidity, tannin, and alcohol, this beauty can be drunk now or cellared for 20 years or more." Chateau Pichon Lalande, 2004, $115, RP 92 Chateau Pontet Canet, 1995, $130, RP 92 Chateau Pontet Canet, 1996, $120, RP 92 Chateau Pontet Canet, 2000, $100, RP 92+ Chateau Pontet Canet, 2002, $60, WS 92 Chateau St. Pierre, 1995 $70, WS 90 Chateau St. Pierre, 2003 $70, RP 93
Arnoux Nuit St George Le Proces, 1999, $65, RP 88 Arnoux Nuit St George Paget, 2001, $70, RP 90-93 Domaine Newman Bonnes Mares, 1996, $90, WS 90 Domaine Newman Latricieres Chambertin, 1996, $110, WS 95 Gelin Chambertin Grand Cru Clos de Bez, 1980, $100 [I couldnt find a review of this wine. Although Gelin is a top producer, I was quite skeptical of the vintage. So I tried a bottle. It was magnificent. This is a delicious Burgundy! It is complex, refined, and fully mature, but it will hold for another few years with no problem.] Girardin Pommard Rugien, 1999, $110, RP 90-92 Girardin Pommard Chanlins, 1996, $110, RP 91+
Fonseca 1970, $240, RP93: “The 1970, of is a powerful Fonseca with an exotic bouquet and lush, creamy, multidimensional flavors.” WS 96: “Deeply colored, with smoky mint, tar and fruit aromas, full-bodied, with concentrated fruit flavors.” Fonseca 1975, $160, RP89: “Fonseca is one of the great port lodges, producing the most exotic and most complex port. If Fonseca lacks the sheer weight and power of a Taylor, Dow or Warre, or the opulent sweetness and intensity of a Graham, it excels in its magnificently complex, intense bouquet of plummy, cedary, spicy fruit and long, broad, expansive flavors. With its lush, seductive character, one might call it the Pomerol of Vintage ports. When it is young, it often loses out in blind tastings to the heavier, weightier, more tannic wines, but I always find myself upgrading my opinion of Fonseca after it has had 7-10 years of age. The 1975 which is fully mature, shows just how good this house can be; it is port to seek out since the vintage does not have the reputation or the price tag that 1977 and 1970 do. It should drink magnificently for another decade or more.” Fonseca, 1985, $160, RP 96, WS 95 Fonseca, 1992, $160, RP 97, WS 96 Fonseca, 1994, $200, WS 100 Fonseca Guimaraens, 1995, $80, WS 92: “A gorgeous young thing--even better than I remember from barrel. This is an extremely fresh, floral and fruity young Port, full to medium in body and of medium sweetness, with a ripe and plummy aftertaste of good length. Best after 2006." Fonseca, 1997, $110, RP 93: “Undeniably charming, this dark ruby/purple-colored wine offers a floral, exotic, flamboyant bouquet, a sweet, fleshy style, but not a great deal of weight or massiveness. Heady alcohol, sweet tannin, and a velvety texture make for a gorgeous finish. While I would have preferred to have seen more weight, structure, and intensity, this is an outstanding, albeit lighter than normal Fonseca. Anticipated maturity: now-2020.” Graham, 1970, $198, RP 97 Graham, 1977, $150, RP 95 Graham, 1983, $120, RP 94 Graham, 1985, 375ml, $70, RP 97, WS 96 Graham, 1985, MAGNUM, $230, RP 97, WS 96 Graham, 1991, $90, WS 93 Graham Malvedos, 1992, $70, RP 92 Martinez, 1985, $80, WS 89 Quinta do Noval, 1966, $145, WS 91 Rebello-Valente, 1970, $160, WS 92 Taylor-Fladgate, 1963, $390, RP 95 Taylor-Fladgate, 1970, $260, RP 96 Taylor-Fladgate, 1977, $165, RP 96, WS 98 Taylor-Fladgate, 1983, $115, RP 94 Taylor-Fladgate, 1994, $220, RP 97 Taylor Fladgate, 1997, $120, RP 96: “Saturated black/purple-colored, with stunning aromatics of blueberries, blackberries, licorice, and iron, this spectacular vintage port is one of the stars of the vintage. Extremely full-bodied, with silky tannin, spectacular concentration and purity, multiple flavor levels, and an evolved, forward personality, this is an exquisite yet precocious 1997 vintage port. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2030.” WS 94: “Beautiful. Very pretty blackberry, violet and cherry character. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Very well done. Best after 2007.” Taylor-Fladgate Vergellas, 2001, $52 Taylor-Fladgate Vergellas, 1995, $60, WS 92 CS Warres, 1983, $70, RP 90 Warres, 1994, $100, RP 94. WS 95
Conterno Fantino Barolo "Sori Ginestra," 1997, $100, RP 92: "The 1997 Barolo Sori Ginestra exhibits a deep ruby/purple color in addition to complex aromas of tobacco smoke and gloriously sweet, jammy cherry liqueur. Ripe, opulent, and full-bodied, with huge amounts of glycerin and extract. This is a super-impressive Barolo. Drink 2005-2021" Conterno FantinoBarolo "Vigne del Gris," 1997, $110, RP 93: "Conterno-Fantino's 1997 Barolo Vigne del Gris displays beautifully sweet black fruits in its aromatic profile, and huge, concentrated, full-bodied flavors with enormous muscle, amazing glycerin levels, and exceptional purity. This super-concentrated effort is just beginning to reveal the tell-tale Nebbiolo/Barolo traits of tar, rose petals, and sweet black cherry fruit. This is a super-impressive Barolo. Drink 2003-2021" Marcarini Barolo "Brunati," 1998m $65, RP 92: Dom Perignon, 1985, $190, WS 91 Fevre Chablis Les Clos, 2002, $110, RP 94 Lopez de Heredia Rioja Viña
Bosconia
Reserva, 1996,
$45,
RP 89
Perrier Jouet Flower, 1990, $120, WS 94 [This list is about 97.1% accurate. Sometimes we sell out of an item, and I don't immediately get to remove it from the list. I try to have a life outside of maintaining this web page. Spending time with my wife, practicing the piano, and playing tennis come 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Working on our monthly newsletter and updating the web page come 4th. - Joel]
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