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 Montrose St. Estephe 2009

1989 and 1990 deja vu all over again? If you think the 2003 Montrose (which merited 100 points) was powerful (13.2% alcohol), keep in mind that the 2009 Montrose came in at 13.7% alcohol. There is no sense of hotness, only extraordinary transparency and precision, allied to massive fruit intensity. ... more

Domaine de la Romanee Conti Romanée St. Vivant 2005

This highly revered Domaine today belongs, through the interplay of inheritance, to the families de Villaine and Leroy. Co-Directors Aubert de Villaine and Henry-Frédéric Roch manage the estate, and faithfully make every effort to maintain the Domaine in its place as the most prestigious in Burgundy. Considered the pinnacle of ... more

Fattoria le Pupille Saffredi 2004

IGT Maremma Toscana Saffredi was first created in 1987, but the vineyard, in the area around Magliano, was planted seven years earlier by Elisabetta Geppetti’s mentor, Fredi, to whom this Cru is dedicated. Saffredi was ready for the market in 1990 and within a very few years became the success ... more

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Ornellaia 2006

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia was founded in 1981, in a beautiful, unspoiled part of Tuscany. From the outset, the mission was to produce outstanding wines. Since then passion and dedication, coupled with a unique terroir and an extraordinary microclimate, have brought the Tenuta dell'Ornellaia's prestigious labels great success and recognition as one ... more

Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 2000

The 2000 Mouton Rothschild is at its best with about 24-48 hours of decanting. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, the wine offers a saturated ruby/purple color in addition to reticent but promising aromas of toast, coffee, licorice, creme de cassis, and roasted nuts. Dense, chewy, and ... more

Chateau Leoville Barton St. Julien 2003

One cannot admire enough proprietor Anthony Barton and his classic, potentially long-lived wines that are models of power, elegance, and longevity – in short, these wines symbolize what makes Bordeaux so world-renowned! Probably capable of rivaling the 2000, the uncompromisingly made, formidably powerful, masculine, and highly extracted 2003 has an ... more

Château Cos d'Estournel St. Estephe 2003

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, ... more

Château Margaux Margaux 2003

This stunning first growth vineyard is planted to 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, and the average age of the vines is about 40 years. It has enjoyed a stellar reputation in modern times, with Robert Parker calling it "a brilliantly consistent wine of stunning ... more

Château Leoville-Poyferre St. Julien 2003

Classified as a Second Growth in 1855, Léoville Poyferré is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, and has an average vine age of 25+ years. Under the guidance of consulting oenologist Michel Rolland, Léoville Poyferré has made great strides in recent years ... more

Château Pontet Canet Pauillac 2005

All industry insiders would agree that the 5th Growth status of Pontet Canet would and should be elevated if the 1855 classification was to be updated. This large vineyard, located directly across from Mouton Rothschild, is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, ... more

Château Pavie Saint-Emilion 2005

Planted to 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, Château Pavie is one of the richest, most ageworthy wines of Saint Emilion, and Robert Parker says it behaves more and more like 'the Lafite Rothschild of the Right Bank'. Old vines averaging 45+ years contribute to the weight ... more