Robert Parker (RP)

Tasting Notes:Bright straw color. Aroma white flowers, fresh fruit, expressive, fine lees, dried herbs. Boca tasty, fruity, good acidity, balanced.Grapes: The Godello vineyards, planted in 1975, are grown on the slopes of the mountains, terrace system.Soil: The soil composition is metamorphic limestone, but you can see something of granite in other vineyards of this denomination. The strains are grown at 1350-1650 ft. (450-550 m) above sea level.Winemaking: Alistair Gardner, New Zealand...

Brandlin is a Napa Valley estate that produces wine from a small, historic vineyard in the Mount Veeder appellation. Overlooking Napa Valley from its 1,200 foot perch, the estate is planted to 38 acres of Bordeaux varieties. ese sustainably farmed, low yielding vines produce intensely concentrated grapes, resulting in wines that eloquently express this rare and rugged mountain site. e wines pay homage to the Brandlin family, which began farming wine grapes on Mount Veeder in the 1870’s and...

Notes:This wine is crafted from blending several Northern California vineyard sites to create one comprehensive expression of elegant and opulant Pinot Noir.** Only 2 in Stock **

VINTAGE NOTES: 2015 will be remembered as a truly textbook year. Winter was essentially mild with temperatures within the average and abundant rainfall in January and February. The budding occurred in the second week of April. The second part of April and the entire month of May were rich in rainfall and sunny days; all this led to a regular development of the vegetative cycle, to an excellent accumulation of water in the soil and a regular and prosperous flowering that ended around the end of...

Vineyards:Estate vineyards on the southern hills of Montalcino. The grapes are grown in stony, calcareous and well-structured soil at an altitude of 720 feet above sea level. Winemaking:A meticulous grape selection is followed by vinification with skin contact for 10-12 days. Released in the 5th year after harvest, the wine is aged for a minimum of 4 years, including 2 years in oak barrels of various sizes, mainly French oak barriques and partly in Slavonian oak casks. Tasting Notes:Color:...

Terroir: The Castello Monaci Artas Primitivo is sourced from vineyards surrounding the ancient Castello Monaci estate. The dry, limestone-based soils combine with alberello-trained vines and the hot arid climate to produce remarkably low yields and extraordinarily rich wines.Vinification: Harvest is done at night to avoid exposing the picked grapes to the intense heat of the southern sun. The grapes are macerated at cold temperature for 15+ days with frequent pumping over of the must to...

WINE DESCRIPTION:Nicola Catena planted his first Malbec vineyard in Mendoza in 1902. His grandson, Nicolás Catena, is known as the man who revolutionized Argentine wine and introduced high altitude Malbec to the world. The Historic Catena Zapata vineyards are planted with the Catena family’s proprietary selection of malbec plants: the Catena Cuttings. Catena Alta Malbec is sourced from Block 18 of the Angélica vineyard, Block 4 of the La Pirámide vineyard, Block 1 of the Nicasia vineyard and...

An excellent value in sparkling wine from Spain, the non-vintage Cava Brut (made from 80% free run juice and aged 18 months) is a tasty, light to medium-bodied, dry sparkler. Notes of bread dough, grapefruit, and other citrus as well as tiny pinpoint bubbles are offered in a refreshing, vigorous style. Enjoy this Macabeu, Parellada, and Xarel-lo blend over the next year. - Robert Parker 89 Points

The 2007 Barolo Prapo bursts from the glass with a display of muscular dark fruit, licorice, leather, tar and smoke all of which come together on a dense, full-throttle frame. A powerful, imposing Barolo, the Prapo is likely to require a bit of patience. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032. - Robert Parker 94 PointsGood medium red. Warm aromas of plum, strawberry, currant and underbrush. The palate offers good red fruit complexity with a light floral nuance. Not especially pristine or youthful but...

Notes: Chateau Barde Haut is a 17 hectare estate located at the extreme east of the village of Saint-Emilion. The vineyard forms an natural amphitheatre and is particularly well exposed to the south. The soil is very typical of Saint Emilion being mainly composed of clay which is found on a layer of chalk. There has been significant investment in renovating the cellar so that all work is completely done by gravity to ensure that the precious grapes of the Chateau are well respected. The cellar...

Tasting notes: Aiguilhe is a wine that seduces from the very beginning with its sumptuous aromas. Brilliantly expressing notes of red plum and black cherry, the nose seems to develop a more floral character over time. The entry is both lively and soothing. The mid-palate is juicy upon remarkably silky tannins, all enriched with plenty of fruit. The finish is delicious and the wine is overall a perfect testament to the quality sought after by the team of Stephan von Neipperg. Food pairing: We...

The wine: Château de Beaucastel has long been regarded as one of the greatest wines in France. It is notorious for its elegance, balance and ageing potential. Beaucastel has an exceptional terroir at the Northern limit of Châteauneuf du Pape, exposed to the Mistral wind. All thirteen varieties of the appellation have been organically grown since the sixties. The vintage: The years in 9 regularly mark the memory of winegrowers and this vintage was no exception. After an early bud burst in early...

Grape varieties: 75% Merlot 24% Cabernet-Franc 1% Cabernet-Sauvignon Average age of the vines: 38 years old Terroir: Siliceous-clay over iron deposits and ancient sands over clay Number of vines planted: Between 6 000 and 8 000 / hectare Vine growing methods: ploughing or a grass cover crop without any use of weedkillers. From 1996 the vines were grown according to integrated and sustainable farming principles (with AFAQAFNOR certification since 2005) as part of a sustainable economy approach...

CHATEAU PALOUMEY: FROM GLORY TO OBLIVIONAt the beginning of the 19th century, Chateau Paloumey, a 35 hectare property in Ludon-Medoc, belonged to a wine merchant by the name of Octave Dupuy. Convinced of the southern Medoc’s excellent potential, he embarked on a complete renovation of the property Chateau Paloumey’s wines enjoyed an excellent reputation and were soon ranked among the best Crus Bourgeois du Medoc, as can be seen in the second edition of “Bordeaux and its Wines” published by...

Vineyard: The Pianrosso vineyard covers 11,69 hectares (29,22 acres). The soil is medium grain with good levels of marl, dating from the Eocene period. The altitude of this large vineyard varies from 240 to 360 metres above sea level. Grape varietal: 100% Sangiovese Fermentation and refinement: In stainless steel and glass concrete vats, temperature-controlled via cooling plates and jackets. Ageing: Roughly 36 months in 20 - 62 hl Slavonian oak barrels, followed by over 8 months of bottle...

Partnership:Col Solare is the partnership between two influential wine producers who are recognized leaders in their respective regions: Tuscany’s Marchesi Antinori and Washington State’s Chateau Ste. Michelle. Col Solare, Italian for “shining hill,” realizes the partners’ mission to unite two unique viticultural and winemaking cultures to produce an ultra-luxury, limited production Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine. Vintage:The 2013 growing season on Red Mountain started with mild spring...

The 2003 Brunello di Montalcino from Coldisole offers lovely density and weight on the palate in a fat, rich expression of ripe dark fruit, chocolate, scorched earth and toasted oak. It is a backward wine that ideally needs another year or so in bottle or a few hours of aeration to allow the tannins to soften a little. It saw three years of aging in French oak, which gives the wine its roundness but also adds a touch of dryness to the tannins, particularly on the close. Still, it is a...

Tasting Notes: Deep cherry red in color. Don Melchor 2017 is a wine with extraordinary elegance. Full of aromas and flavors and a marked presence of red berries. On the palate, there are strong notes of Cabernet Sauvignon from Puente Alto, with fine and delicate tannins, while also providing a good density and long-lasting finish. Food Pairing: Red meats, especially lamb and different preparations of game meats, such as roasted or braised with red wine sauce, mushrooms, rosemary, and...

THE WINE: Soul of a Lion is DAOU’s crown jewel, named after the father of Georges and Daniel Daou. True to Soul of a Lion’s reputation as DAOU’s most coveted Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 vintage is nothing short of a tour de force. This wine displays all the hallmarks of its cooler growing season—richness, elegance and balance. A dark, purple-black hue foreshadows the experience to come. Intense aromas of lilac, violet and spice swirl amid a deep, complex bouquet. The palate bursts with...

Deep ruby. Intensely perfumed aromas of red and dark berry preserves, sexy gingerbread, anise and vanilla. Sweet raspberry, blackberry and cherry-vanilla flavors boast impressive depth and clarity, with firm but harmonious tannins adding grip. Turns spicier on the finish but maintains a remarkably sexy, fruit-dominated personality. Has the material to age but this is awfully delicious now. - Stephen Tanzer 94 PointsOffers loads of iron grip, but the core of wonderfully pure blackberry and...

Notes:Rich, dark violet in color with a nose of dark chocolate, berry, plum and herb. Explosively rich on the palate with long, structured tannins. Terroir: Chañar Punco is a unique sub-region surrounded by the Quilmes Mountains, located southwest within the Calchaquí Valley. The Calchaquí Valley is Argentina's best-known wine growing region after Mendoza. At 6500 feet above sea level, this terroir displays unique characteristics. Poor, rocky and calcareous soil combined with the scarce heat...

Introduction: Merli is the name of the hill where this vineyard is located; Bricco (meaning “hill”) indicates that this vineyard is located at the very top of the hill. Vintage Report: The 2018 harvest was quite late and arduous; yet, the crop shows immense promise after a long and engaging growing season. The beginning of spring was quite difficult due to the heavy rain, and the summer was considerably warm and quite dry. The conditions allowed the vines to catch up upon a quite slow start....

THE STORY: Bricco Pernice is named for the rock on which courting partridges build their nest. “Pernice” translates as “rock ptarmigan” or “partridge,” “Bricco” is a hill. This is the very latest wine from Elvio Cogno. Until a few years ago this was part of the Ravera Barolo cru; in recent years it has been expanded to incorporate the neighboring hills. The fruit of years of hard work, this wine is a dream come true, made from the finest vineyard in Novello in the most historic part of the...

Varietals: Sangiovese Organic: Practicing Vineyard: Vigneto Rancia, located in the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, northeast of Siena and in the southern part of the Chianti Classico production area. Orientation: Rancia is at an altitude of 400 metres with a good, south-facing exposure. It covers about 6 hectares (2.4 acres). Soil: Quartzitic blue-grey sandstone, stratified sand and calcareous alberese mixed with alluvial pebbles. Limestone-sand marl galestro in the higher areas....

Tasting Notes:Il Palazzone Brunello is intense ruby red with deep garnet hues. The bouquet is intense and ethereal with aromas ranging from dark fruit and berries to chocolate, coffee, leather, liquorice and balsamic notes. The wines are silky and elegant, potent yet balanced and characterised by sweet tannins. Il Palazzone Brunellos are beautifully balanced with all the promise of their bouquet fulfilled in the mouth and finish.GRAPES: Il Palazzone Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is produced with...

The 2012 Santa Barbara County Syrah combines fruit from five of the Syrah vineyards we work with. After blending trials, Petite Sirah, Mourvédre, Grenache and a small amount of Viognier were added for structure, aromatics and complexity. More than a sum of its parts, it is dark and rich. Exhibiting cherry, wild berry and violet aromatics, this wine is full and fruitful in the mouth, with underlying espresso and pepper flavors. Sharing the same farming and winemaking techniques as our vineyard...

Winemaking Notes: The wine was aged for eighteen months in 48% new oak (58% French, 42% American) and 52% older French and American oak barrels before bottling. The coopers included Ermitage, François Frères, Demptos (French & American), Canton (American), Dargaud Jaegle, Orion and Taransaud. A classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with inviting violet, dark fruit, tobacco, subtle baking spice and earthy dried herb aromatics. The palate is filled with expressive black cherry, blackberry and...

The 2019 Insignia opens with heady aromatics of red fruit, crème de cassis, leafy tobacco and delicate dried rose petals. The palate is juicy and dense with expressive layers of blackberry, raspberry, black currant, and dark chocolate. A dynamic wine offering captivating energy, length, complexity and refinement. The 2019 Insignia marks the first vintage to include fruit from the new Joseph Phelps vineyard named El Venadito, located in the Oak Knoll District, just south of the winery's...

TASTING NOTES:The Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon exudes warmth and allure. It is deep garnet in color and has enticing aromas of dark plum, cocoa powder, dried rose petal and dusty earth, laced with a subtle note of dried sage. The palate is seamless, and opulent featuring decadent dark fruit, finishing with supple, sweet, rich, and lengthy tannins. This powerful wine will unfold beautiful layers over time.WINEGROWING NOTES:The Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon is the pinnacle of our blending...

Notes: Barolo wine is considered "the king of wines" in the world. The Langhe ambassador assembles the best characteristics of wine in flavours and scents. The Barolo Bosio results from grapes cultivated on top vineyards sites and from winemaking to the very best Piedmont tradition. Colour: Garnet red with orange reflections. Scent: Ample, with reminiscents of violet and rose, spice notes running through and licorice on the finish. Taste: Full, rich. Harmonic. ...

2019 SAUVIGNON BLANC RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY: The Russian River Valley is an ideal spot to grow Sauvignon Blanc. Warm days and cool nights allow the grapes to hold onto their natural acidity. While 2019 was our last wet growing season, with three “atmospheric rivers” in May, it did not affect the Sauvignon Blanc flowering or set. It did produce very vigorous vine growth, which led us to be proactive with our canopy management in order to get the ripe tropical flavors we aim for in our Sauvignon...

Colour: lively garnet red of excellent density and luminosity Aroma: intense, aristocratic and superb persistence, notes of blackcurrants, liquorice, cinnamon,mint and tobacco Taste: elegant and seductive,with great structure and a silky texture; this celebrated crus is noted for its extraordinary completeness and personality ** Only 3 in Stock **

TERROIR:Issued from the Château’s best parcels (Muriers, Longue, Romarin), and from selected parcels in the best terroirs of Provence. Clay & Limestone vineyard, partially in teraces located at an average of 350 meters. Cool climate for the area with big temperature swings between night and day.VINIFICATION:The grapes are harvested exclusively in the morning and sorted twice. Destemming. ‘Pressurage direct’ for Cinsault, Grenache and Rolle. The Syrah is vinified partially using the «saignee»...

2018 Slander Pinot Noir: Abundantly aromatic, the wine opens with ripe cranberry, marmalade, white pepper, fresh brioche, dried sage, camphor and Mediterranean coastal trail. The entry is silky with a flood of bing cherry galette, Madagascar vanilla and ripe red fruits. Seamless, integrated and elegantly opulent, the wine finishes gracefully with trace amounts of soft, oak tannin. Aged: 10 months in French Oak, 42% newAlc./Vol.: 15.2% ...

Bright, golden colour. Beautifully evolved nose of aromas of pineapple and mango on a palate of honey and delicate vanilla-like hints of the oak. Its mouth is round and generous, giving a feeling of the sweetness of Chardonnay and it is balanced in acidity with a long-lasting freshness on the finish. - Winery

Bin 600 is intrinsically linked to Penfolds beginnings in California, a narrative that now spans more than twenty years. In 1998, Penfolds imported a heritage selection of vine cuttings from South Australia’s esteemed Kalimna and Magill Estate vineyards, and planted them in Californian soil. The original name of the Camatta Hills vineyard was Creston “600” Ranch, a special place in the Penfolds California timeline for it serves as a reference point to the start of our American journey. Creston...

Penfolds Quantum Bin 98 is the continuation of a twenty-year endeavor from when Australian vine cuttings were planted in Californian soil. A Wine of the World that encapsulates a bold blending alliance, Quantum reveals a wine that shows wisdom, crafted with conviction but also embedded in the “quality-first” philosophy that underpins Penfolds flagships. The wine serves as the most powerful expression of our blending style and leads the charge in Penfolds ambition to seek out parcels of intense...

Ripe pears, crisp green apples and flowers emerge from Piper-Hiediesck’s NV Brut Cuvee. This medium-bodied non-vintage Champagne offers excellent persistence and a long, clean finish. It is a very solid effort at this level. The Brut Cuvee is 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier and 15% Chardonnay. This is lot L070921 12253, disgorged December, 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2010. - Robert Parker 88 PointsMedium straw. Light gold, with a strong mousse. Smoky, rich and floral on the nose, with...

Ripe pears, crisp green apples and flowers emerge from Piper-Hiediesck’s NV Brut Cuvee. This medium-bodied non-vintage Champagne offers excellent persistence and a long, clean finish. It is a very solid effort at this level. The Brut Cuvee is 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier and 15% Chardonnay. This is lot L070921 12253, disgorged December, 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2010. - Robert Parker 88 PointsMedium straw. Light gold, with a strong mousse. Smoky, rich and floral on the nose, with...

Bright yellow with a strong bead. Sexy, strongly perfumed bouquet displays melon, white peach and strawberry, along with a sexy floral overtone. Sweet pear, strawberry and raspberry flavors are refreshingly juicy, with slow-building spices adding interest. Tightened up with air, but finishes with excellent clarity and a silky texture. - Stephen Tanzer 91 PointsThe NV Brut Grand Cru Tradition is a very pretty wine that is surprisingly accessible and round for a Champagne from Ambonnay. The wine...

Variety: Nebbiolo 1st vintage: 1965 Harvesting period: October Vinification:Destemmed and crushedThermo-controlled fermentation at a temperature of 30°C (85°F)Average time of maceration: 7-10 daysMalolactic Fermentation in November in oak barrels Aging: two years in oak barrels of 25hl and 50 hl Longevity media of wine: over 20 years Tasting notesColor: garnet red.A bouquet with traces of licorice and tobacco.Full flavored, full-bodied and elegant. Notes on wine and food pairing:Noble and...

One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon:One Point Five is an elegant, silky Cabernet Sauvignon with soft tannins and abundant fruit that is approachable when young, yet capable of aging gracefully. This wine reflects the climate and soils of our Stags Leap District vineyard sites and Shafer’s commitment to meticulous, sustainable farming and quality winemaking.Winemaker’s Comments:“From the moment you pull the cork on this vintage rich, tantalizing aromas fill the air with blackberry, black...

The 2008 Brunello di Montalcino is deep, textured and impeccably balanced. Dark cherries, plums, tobacco, crushed rocks and spices blossom in the glass. Here, too, the overall sense of harmony is utterly captivating. A gorgeous wine, the 2008 stands out for its exceptional polish. The style is a bit deeper, richer and more layered than the Pelagrilli, but at the same time remains deeply marked by the prevalence of fruit from the northern side of Montalcino. In 2008 Pacenti lost about a third...

Structured and elegant, with silky tannins and a long finish.This wine comes from two vineyards with vines over 35 years old; annual production is around 30,000 bottles. - Winery ** Only 3 in Stock **

Structured and elegant, with silky tannins and a long finish.This wine comes from two vineyards with vines over 35 years old; annual production is around 30,000 bottles. - Winery

Appellation/Vineyards:Somerston wines are selected from single blocks of our 1615 acre estate, high in the eastern hills of Napa Valley. This estate bottled wine was sourced from two of our best vineyard blocks: Queensbury Block 30 and Oriental Block23, both hillside vineyards with an average elevation of 1,250 ft asl.Winemaking:The grapes were hand picked and then delivered to the winery. The grapes were de-stemmed and sorted, then pumped into the tank for a 8 day cold soak at 55 degrees....

Notorious for requiring the longest hang-time of any wine grape, Cabernet Sauvignon requires heat. Star Lane, where vaulted mountain peaks offer a respite from the fog and a steady heat, ensure that the Cabernets would ripen just as the acidity levels settled. Indeed, in particularly cold years, Star Lane may be the only place in Santa Barbara County where Cabernets can properly develop. Every year, though, you can expect wines with licorice, black cherry, cassis, spice, and vanilla, flavors...

The 2007 Angeli (100% Syrah from the finest sites and oldest vines with the highest density plantings) is a big, smoky, northern Rhone-like effort possessing notes of bouquet garni, roasted meats, scorched earth/burning embers, and acacia flowers as well as superb ripeness, terrific fruit intensity, full body, sweet tannin, and a long finish. This beauty should age nicely for 10-12 years. - Robert Parker 92-94+ Points** Only 12 in Stock ** ...