Stephen Tanzer (ST)

Intense balsamic and mint notes make this red distinctive, along with currant, raspberry and floral touches. Silky, ripe and impressive, this shows elegance and a vibrant structure. Offers excellent length and resonance on the finish. Best from 2016 through 2032. 1,250 cases made. –BS - Wine Spectator Magzine 95 Points, Top 100 2013Montosoli is a monumental wine that delivers pulp and richness with ripe fruit aromas, inky concentration and a touch of roasted spice at the back. The wine is...

Tasting Notes:The 2010 vintage on Howell Mountain was a bit cooler than average but still produced wines that are typical of the appellation. This wine has aromas of red cherries, strawberry, brambles, and rose petals. The wine is full bodied with solid structure and tannin and finishes with flavors of cranberry, strawberry jam, allspice, vanilla, clove, coco powder, toasted almonds, and chocolate wafers. - WineryVarietals:90% Cabernet Sauvignon10% MerlotVINEYARD NOTES:The CADE Howell Mountain...

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...

A firm Champagne, offering tightly wound flavors of currant, blackberry and butter, with a hint of malt. The spicy acidity provides definition and cut, with a smoky thread lingering on the modest finish. Best from 2011 through 2014. –AN -  Wine Spectator Magazine 90 Points(a 50/50 blend of chardonnay and pinot noir; disgorged June, 2009) Pale yellow with an abundant mousse. Highly perfumed bouquet of white flowers, orange, lemongrass and smoky herbs. Complex, palate-staining citrus and...

Dark, inviting and very alluring, with captivating black tea, charred mesquite and kirsch aromas and flavors allied to a remarkably silky mouthfeel. Superlong, with mineral, violet, pepper and additional crushed cherry and plum fruit notes all gliding through the finish. Best from 2011 through 2027. 5,500 cases made. –JM - Wine Spectator Magazine 95 Points Vincent Avril fashioned one of the finest 2008 Chateauneuf du Papes of the appellation. Made from a classic blend of 65% Grenache, 20%...

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...

Very bright, with fresh-cut quince, melon and green almond flavors backed by a long, mineral- and floral-filled finish, which really sails on nicely. Drink now through 2014. 850 cases made. –JM - Wine Spectator Magazine 93 PointsGreen-tinged yellow. Spicy citrus and pear aromas are brightened by talc and quinine and lifted by a subtle floral element. Fresh pit fruit flavors combine depth and energy. Finishes with tightly focused lemon pith and salty mineral qualities. This offers excellent...

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...

A good percentage of Merlot has softened and sweetened the Cabernet, resulting in an opulent wine with accessible tannins. It’s rich and balanced in black currant, blueberry and mocha flavors. Not likely to age, but good for filet mignon. — S.H. - Wine Enthusiast Magazine 88 PointsDeep ruby-red. Currant, spices, tobacco, leather, mint, rose petal, humus and nutty oak on the nose. Juicy, spicy and fresh, with claret-like berry flavors along with some tangy green notes of tobacco and currant...

Very saturated dark red. Youthful port aromas of cassis, licorice, chocolate, herbs and damp earth. Very intense, sweet flavors of chocolate and dark berries. Robust yet smooth and not obviously alcoholic. Superb fruit is given clarity by firm acids. Real wine-class port, with terrific structure, freshness and delineation of flavor. - Stephen Tanzer 89 PointsLots of sweet dark plum and sweet cherry flavors dominate, with plenty of milk chocolate. Clean and balanced on the straightforward...

Deep red. Fresh red berries, flowers and spicecake on the nose, with a hint of white pepper adding energy. Juicy, finely etched strawberry and raspberry flavors show a pinot-like character and are framed by silky tannins. The lively finish features a lingering note of candied flowers. This graceful, understated wine should be delicious on release. - Stephen Tanzer 90 Points The 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape is certainly a strong effort for the vintage. Classic notes of kirsch, plum, spice box,...

Medium pink with a fine bead. Very fragrant aromas of fresh strawberry and flowers, along with a hint of cake icing. A soft, round rose with supple red berry and orange flavors, gentle acid lift and a velvety finish. This has the fruit to stand up to strongly seasoned foods. - Stephen Tanzer 89 Points

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...

Dark and lively ruby colour. On the nose intense red fruit aromas dominate, with some floral hints. On the palate fresh and robust fruit flavours, with an excellent long finish. - Winery

Deep ruby red in color, this wine has aromas of red and black berries intermingled with spice. In taste the spice and black pepper bring out hints of raspberries, currants and blueberries. A wine to be drunk with red meats and game. - WineryBlend:70% Grenache20% Syrah10% MourvèdreWine-making process: Each grape variety is usually vinified alone and after the alcoholic fermentation, they start to spot the potential of each wine. They select the wines and the proportion of each of them for the...

Inky ruby. Earthy cherry and dark berry scents are accompanied by brooding notes of printer's ink, graphite and licorice root. Starts off solid and a bit clenched but aeration brings out sweeter kirsch and floral pastille flavors. The finish shows bitter cherry, chocolate and espresso. Give this some cellar time. - Stephen Tanzer 90 PointsThe 2004 El Puntido was sourced from its namesake vineyard planted in 1975. The wine was aged in new French oak for 18 months. Purple-colored, it offers an...