Cepa 21 Ribera del Duero 2006

Cepa 21 is a new project of the Emilio Moro family of Ribera del Duero who have made wine in the region for over 120 years. The 2006 is made of 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) and aged in 100% new oak, predominantly French. Look for notes of toasty oak, earth, ... more

Château du Tertre Margaux 2005

This château dates back to the 18th century but the origins of the estate date back as far as 1143. Ranked a 5th growth estate in 1855, the vineyard is planted to 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, and has very gravelly soils on ... more

Château Lascombes Margaux 2005

This Second Growth Margaux has been on a real hot streak since 2000 under the new ownership team of Colony Capital. The expertise of quality-driven Bordeaux professionals such as Michel Rolland, Alain Raynaud and Bruno Lemoine (Montrose) resulted in significantly lower yields compared to the 1970s and 80s and made ... more

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Pauillac 2004

The 2004 Pichon Lalande is a strong effort for the vintage (much better than their underwhelming and much more expensive 2005). A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as scents of cocoa, espresso ... more

Montes Alpha M 2005

A harmonious blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, Alpha M is made from Montes' best vineyard site with a unique microclimate of warm days and cool, windy nights. The wine was aged for 18 months in all new French oak barrels, and ... more

Domaine Saint Prefert Châteauneuf du Pape Auguste Favier Réserve 2007

Named for owner Isabel Ferrando's maternal grandfather, 'Auguste Favier' Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of mostly Grenache with old vine Cinsault (about 70 years old vines). This 2007 offering is most likely the best bottling to date, and James Molesworth of Wine Spectator raves: 'The top two St.-Préfert reds (Favier and ... more

Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino 2004

Considered one of the best of the new generation, Giancarlo Pacenti has been called “the best winemaker in Brunello di Montalcino” by the Wine Spectator. For those looking for a real ‘wow factor’, this modern Brunello is a must-try. Owner Giancarlo Pacenti blends different vineyards from his family’s 50 acre ... more

San Filippo Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucére 2004

The San Filippo estate was established in 1972 and was recently purchased by Roberto Giannelli. Giannelli has restructured the winery and its methods, with the help of an experienced team of winemakers, vineyard managers and cellar technicians. The vineyards stand in the south-east area of Montalcino that yields particularly elegant ... more

Fattoria Petrolo Toscana Torrione 2006

Torrione is made entirely from pure Sangiovese grapes, including old vines from the 1970s. The yield per plant is notably restricted (max 2.5 lbs per vine plant), allowing full concentration of the grapes. The wine is aged in French oak barriques, one third new, for approximately 15 months. The resulting ... more

Domaine du Coriancon Vinsobres 2007

This is a gorgeous 2007 Rhône red from the A.O.C. of Vinsobres, which from 1967 until 2005 was a part of the larger appellation named Côtes du Rhône Villages. Vinsobres is a high altitude village, lying between Nyons and Vaison la Romaine, and is a bit cooler than other Rhône ... more

Provenance Sauvignon Blanc 2008

This Estate Sauvignon Blanc reveals delightful aromas of tropical fruit, grapefruit, lychee and pear. On the palate, the wine shows bright flavors of lemon, pear, guava, lime peel and tangerines. Round and creamy, yet with a vibrant finish, this is a delicious aperitif or seafood white from California.TOP 100 ... more

Catena Zapata Catena Malbec 2007

This gorgeous Argentine red was a Top 100 Wine of the Year in Wine Spectator's list for 2009. Made by Nicolas Catena, who was also awarded the 2009 Decanter Magazine Man of the Year, this wine is made from high altitude vineyard sites owned by the Catena family, ... more