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

Robert Parker states that 'since 1978, Pichon Lalande is unquestionably one of Pauillac's most consistently brilliant wines. It can even rival Lafite, Latour and Mouton.' Planted to 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot, 2nd Growth powerhouse Pichon Lalande has vines averaging 35+ years 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

Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape Telegramme 2007

This is the delicious 2nd wine of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe, made from the estate's younger vines (average 25 years), by Daniel Brunier and his brother. A blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre, the vines are planted in one of the highest stony terraces in the appellation, the Plateau ... more

Chapoutier Cotes du Roussillon Villages les Vignes de Bila Haut 2008

TOP 100 WINE OF THE YEAR 2009 WINE SPECTATOR : Domaine Bila-Haut is owned by the world-reknowned Rhone Valley winemaker Michel Chapoutier. The estate is located in the Cotes du Roussillon of Languedoc, which borders the Rhone Valley and has many of the same grapes planted. Bila-Haut is an old ... 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

Château Lynch-Bages Pauillac 2009

The highest levels of polyphenols ever measured at Lynch Bages (20% higher than any prior vintage) are found in the 2009, which achieved 13.4% natural alcohol, and a normal pH of 3.64. Composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it is the ... more

Château Cantemerle Haut Medoc 2009

This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the Cabernet dominating, looks to be the best they have ever produced, even eclipsing the 2005. Dense purple in color, with extraordinarily elegant floral notes intermixed with raspberry, black currant, cherry, and spice box, it is medium to full-bodied, not massive, but ... 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

Cascina Castlet Barbera d'Asti 2008

Wonderful high red fruit, licorice and cherry vanilla aromas lead to bright acid and ripe fruit balance in the mouth. This is traditionally made with exceptional quality from a small estate in Piedmont. Winemaker Mariuccia Borio is a Barbera specialist and farms her vineyards organically. This is elegant and complex. ... more