Highly Rated Wines 01 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Robert Parker 95 points, Dec 2003 90 points Wine Spectator, Nov 15, 2004 "This fleshy wine exhibits rich currant, game, herb and cedary notes. Well-focused, plush and complex, the flavors are elegant and graceful through the finish." more... '02 Pahlmeyer Merlot, Napa Valley Robert Parker (90-92) points, December 2003 "The 2002 Merlot will give chocolate lovers a real fix. A big, full-bodied, rich, in-your-face, exuberant, chocolate, black cherry, and cola-infused red, with serious tannin in the finish...." more... '02 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot, Napa Valley Wine Enthusiast May 2005 Top Cellar Selection: 94 points; The Wine Advocate February 28, 2005: 90 points Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines March 2005 91 points "Unmistakably blocky in the Duckhorn style, this Merlot has the sweetness of well-ripened grapes, the solid tannins of Cabernet and the depth, richness and concentration that is "Duckhorn"." more... '02 Soter 'Beacon Hill' Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Stephen Tanzer March/April 2004, 91 points; Burghound October 2004, 91 points Deep red-ruby. Thoroughly ripe nose combines currant, black raspberry, cola, mocha and sexy oak tones; showed an enticing floral element with aeration. Dense, fat and spicy, with very ripe flavors of raspberry and chocolate. Distinctly velvety pinot, finishing impressively long, with very smooth tannins and noticeable oak. more... Krug Champagne, Grand Cuvée, France Wine Spectator-96 The bouquet is wonderfully creamy, leading to magical combination of weight and balance on the palate. The long, lingering finish is both nutty and toasty, ending with a final flourish of freshness, leaving one longing for more. more... 02 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 95-100 Points Wine Spectator Barrel Tasting Nov 15 2003 "Very reduced, ultrarich and plush, with a velvety texture and gobs of saturated currant, plum and black cherry fruit. Truly a tour de force barrel sample, right down to the roasted nut finish." (JL) more... '00 Gaja Barbaresco Wine Spectator 95 points and Collectible; Wine Advocate #149 (Oct 2003) Reviewer Daniel Thomases 90 points "Like smelling a bouquet of flowers and then a bowl of raspberries. Full-bodied, with perfectly integrated tannins and a very fine, silky texture. Long and caressing. A must-have, great wine. Best after 2009. 5,800 cases made." (JS - Wine Spectator)more... '01 Twomey Merlot, Napa Valley Robert Parker-87 "Firmly structured and tannic, the 2001 Merlot is beefy, broad, and broodingly backward. A blend of 94.3% Merlot and 5.7% Cabernet Franc, it offers notes of grilled herbs, chocolate, freshly brewed espresso, and cherry liqueur in a medium to full-bodied, tannic, and structured format." more... '00 Gaja Langhe Conteisa Wine Spectator 97 points and Collectible "Very dark color, but right. Incredible aromas of crushed strawberries, raspberries and flowers. Full-bodied, with beautifully silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. A true beauty." more... '00 Gaja Langhe Sperss Wine Spectator 95 Points and Collectible "Incredible amount of fruit and character in this wine, with mint, mineral, blackberry and plum aromas turning to tobacco and tar. Full-bodied, with an iron-cast core of fruit and velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Incredibly tight and powerful." more... '02 Rosenblum Annette's Reserve Zinfandel, Redwood Valley Wine Spectator-90 77% Zin, 16% Carignan, 5% Syrah, from a beautiful vintage for Zinfandel. Deep, dark red and black Zin fruit, swirled with chocolate and deep golden caramel, smooth, supple and utterly irresistible. more... '02 Shafer Firebreak (Sangiovese), Napa Valley 91 points Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #157 (Feb 2005) "The stunning 2002 Firebreak is a blend of 91% Sangiovese and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon. A terrific nose of briery fruit intermixed with strawberries, charcoal, and new saddle leather jumps from the glass of this dense, medium-bodied, sweet, round, sexy red." more... '00 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia Wine Advocate (Aug 2003) Robert Parker 93+ points "one of the greatest Chardonnays I have ever tasted from Australia, Leeuwin's 2000 Chardonnay Art Series. Possessing the texture, intensity, and precision of a great grand cru white burgundy, it builds subtly in the mouth offering huge flavour intensity, yet managing to remain elegant as well as restrained, authoritatively rich, and intense..." more... '00 Warre's Vintage Port, Portugal Robert Parker-91 '01 Ojai Vineyard Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Babara County Wine Advocate #148 (Aug 2003) Robert Parker 91 points "Never straight forwardly fruity, this wine has some of the spicy complexity that I find so compelling in the famous northern Rhone appellation of Cote Rotie." more... '03 Dom. Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône Villages, Les Champauvins 90 points Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #156 (Dec 2004) "The 2003 Cotes du Rhone Champauvins emerges from a vineyard planted twenty feet outside the Chateauneuf du Pape border. A blend of primarily Grenache, with a bit of Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault, it reveals lovely fruit, loads of body, and a heady bouquet of ground peppers, raspberries, cherry liqueur, currants, and spice box." more... '00 La Dame de Montrose, St Estephe Robert Parker-90 "A superb second wine, 39% of the production made it into the 2000 La Dame de Montrose. Revealing abundant Merlot characteristics, it offers wonderful sweetness, plenty of fat, juicy, chocolatey, black cherry and currant flavors, and a hedonistic personality. It will drink well for 8-10 years. Don't miss it!" '03 Tikal "Patriota", Mendoza, Argentina 90 points Wine Spectator Insider April 20, 2005 "Like pudding with its thick, creamy layers of plum, blackberry, vanilla and mocha. Round, fleshy and sweet through the finish, with a nice mineral hint to keep it honest. A wine unashamed of its modernity." (JM) more... '03 Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fumé Silex, France 93 points Wine Spectator Insider May 4 2005 "Great raciness for the vintage, this offers vibrant flint, citrus peel, smoke and floral notes allied to a steely backbone. Long, crisp, filigreed finish." (J.M.) more... 03 Didier Dagueneau Pur Sang, Pouilly-Fumé, France 92 points Wine Spectator Insider May 4 2005 "There’s an understated richness in this wine, with lemon verbena, peach and honeysuckle flavors supported by hints of macadamia nut and smoke underneath. Long, elegant, stony finish." (J.M.) '03 Patz & Hall Chardonnay, Hyde Vineyard, Carneros 93 points Wine Spectator Insider March 23 2005 "A deliciously rich and multifaceted Chardonnay, with tiers of buttery pear and fig flavors that pick up a touch of smoke and vanilla on the finish, gaining momentum and ending with a mouthcoating aftertaste. Very impressive. Drink now through 2008." (J.L.) more... '01 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz, Barossa 94 points Robert Parker "...The complex aromatics are matched by a savory, fleshy, structured, full-bodied palate possessing loads of earthy black fruits as well as subtle oak. It is a beautifully intense, old vine Shiraz meant for long-term cellaring..." more... '01 Tardieu-Laurent Cornas Coteaux 90 points Steven Tanzer We were completely amazed when we first tried this Cornas. The nose is packed full of smoked bacon, peppercorn and fleshy cherries. On the palate it might even be better, if you can believe that. more... '02 Bella Vineyards Big River Ranch Zinfandel, Alexander Valley 92 points Robert Parker "...The 110 year old zinfandel vines produce an extraordinary wine, this year blended with 16% petite sirah. Gorgeous stuff, classic Zin flavors of blackberries and chocolate, cut with a unique spice, pink peppercorns and a hint of star anise..." more... '02 Storybook Mountain Eastern Exposures Zinfandel, Napa 93 points Robert Parker "The most aromatic and sexiest of this quartet is the 2002 Zinfandel Eastern Exposure, which includes 4% Viognier. A deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by an exceptionally floral, black cherry, raspberry, and blueberry-scented bouquet as well as a Bordeaux/Pomerol-like texture, and wonderful purity, complexity, and finesse..." more... 'Laurent-Perrier Champagne, Grand Siécle, "La Cuvee", France 95 points Tanzer; 95 points WE One of the best deals in premium champagne. A blend of the 88, 90, and 93 vintages, this won 95 points from Tanzer. Honeyed nuts and lemons, rich and golden, a wonderfully balanced Champagne. Combine that with great acidity and perfect bubbles to make this a great present or celebration Champagne. more...