Château Cantenac-Brown Margaux 2009

The greatest Cantenac Brown I have ever tasted, this monumental effort possesses enormous concentration, with loads of black and blue fruits intermixed with damp earth and forest floor. I have never seen a Cantenac Brown so seamless, so powerful, yet at the same time, so elegant and densely complex. They ... more

Louis Jadot Clos Vougeot 2006

Made from Jadot's own holdings, this Grand Cru Pinot Noir has dark berry and earthy aromas with dense and powerful flavors. It has an almost thick mouthfeel that culminates in a delicious, complex and youthful finish with excellent length. The commune of Vougeot is in the center of the Côte ... more

Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino 2005

The Uccelliera estate located in the Montalcino zone, was originally part of the well-known Ciacci Piccolomini estate until 1986. Today, proprietor Andrea Cortonesi conducts all work in the vineyard by hand. We visited the estate in early October of 2009 and spent some time with Andrea. He was juggling our ... more

Chateau La Chapelle de la Mission Haut Brion Pessac Leognan 2006

If Parker's phrase rings true, 'Life is too short not to drink La Mission Haut-Brion,' but the first label's price tag is a little steep for your budget, why not try their second label? This second growth estate uses younger vines from their plantings of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot ... more

Lewis Cellars Napa Valley Syrah 2007

Only 550 cases were produced of this big, powerful bottle of northern Rhone-inspired red wine. Made of 100% Syrah from steep mountain vines in volcanic soils, the vineyard yields insanely concentrated juice that's practically jet-black. The wine is packed with cedary oak spice and smoky dark fruit flavors. Brambly and ... more

Château Gruaud Larose Saint Julien 2003

Aromas of blackberry, toasted oak, sweet tobacco and espresso. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, fruity finish. I like the texture. Best after 2010. Tasted twice, with consistent notes., Under the management of Jean Merlaut, this estate has lost some of the super-opulence of the wines of the 90s, ... more

Château Leoville-Poyferre St. Julien 2004

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 Prieure Lichine Margaux 2005

This Fourth Growth estate is planted to 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot with an average age of vines at 30 years. 'The wine of Prieure tends to be made in a modern yet intelligent style. It is always supple and reasonably priced, and recent vintages have ... more

Château Guiraud Sauternes 2005

This first-growth Sauternes producer has 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc planted, and the estate fashions a super rich, intense wine by picking late, making numerous passes through the vineyard for the ripest grapes and by using a generous amount of new oak aging. In recent years, it has become ... more

Château Talbot Saint Julien 2005

This large vineyard produces consistently high quality, well-priced, classic Bordeaux wine. Planted to 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, Talbot has vines averaging 40 years, and the winery ages the wine for 15 months in barrels with 40% new oak. The estate was named ... more

Château Lagrange Saint Julien 2005

Sweet, toasty, oaky notes interwoven with hints of black olives, blackberries, cassis, and spice box are found in this densely saturated ruby/purple-hued 2005. While rich, with impressive concentration and purity, it is also tannic, full-bodied, and painfully backward and foreboding. This is another long-term prospect that will require patience. Anticipated ... more

Château Bahans Haut-Brion Pessac Léognan 2005

This is the second label of first-growth Haut-Brion, which is planted to 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc. Parker raves about the estate and this wine: "Accompanying the increased level of quality in Haut-Brion since 1975 has been the increased quality of the second label, Bahans Haut-Brion. ... more