Search Results
Marques de Murrieta "Castillo Ygay" Gran Reserva Especial Blanco 1986
100
James Suckling
100
Wine Advocate
(8/2016) "I have been terribly excited about this wine since I first learned that (part of) it was still in cement waiting to be bottled in September 2013. I consider the rare white Castillo Ygay one of the greatest white wines ever produced in Spain, and the 1986 Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial is a great addition to the portfolio of the winery--an historic wine that is coming back to life. I did a vertical tasting of many of the old, historic vintages of this wine, and they are included in a separate article in this very same issue. This 1986 had seen the light as a limited early release bottled in 1992 and sold around 1995, and some bottles might still be found in the market. But most of it remained unbottled and was kept at the winery, where it stayed in oak for 21 years, followed by some six years in cement vats until it was bottled. It has 13.5% alcohol, an extremely low pH of 2.98 and 6.75 grams of acidity (tartaric). It has a very subtle nose and it's a bit shy, a little closed at first. It was only bottled one and a half years ago, and it's not crazy to say that the wine is showing extremely young. The wine shows more open the day after, when it has developed some nuances of mushrooms and verbena tea. This is mostly Viura with perhaps a pinch of Malvasía Riojana (aka Alarije). The palate is both powerful and elegant, with superb acidity and great length, with volume and sharpness, with a mineral, umami-driven finish. It fills your mouth, tickles your taste buds and makes you salivate. There is nothing negative about the wine; there is no excess oak, nothing blurry, nothing to improve... perhaps the bottle used! I think this is a perfect wine. It seems to be getting younger and younger with time in the glass; it seems to be getting more focused and sharper, and I have no doubt the wine will evolve and last for a very, very, very long time in bottle. I kept the opened bottle for almost one week and the wine didn't move one inch--no oxidation or any signs of fatigue. Having tasted many other vintages, including the also perfect 1919 (which is still going strong at age 97), I have no doubt we're talking about a white for the next 50 years. Looking at the older vintages, I might even be underestimating its life span. The potential next release could be the 1998 in no less than ten years' time."
(8/2016) "I have been terribly excited about this wine since I first learned that (part of) it was still in cement waiting to be bottled in September 2013. I consider the rare white Castillo Ygay one of the greatest white wines ever produced in Spain, and the 1986 Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial is a great addition to the portfolio of the winery--an historic wine that is coming back to life. I did a vertical tasting of many of the old, historic vintages of this wine, and they are included in a separate article in this very same issue. This 1986 had seen the light as a limited early release bottled in 1992 and sold around 1995, and some bottles might still be found in the market. But most of it remained unbottled and was kept at the winery, where it stayed in oak for 21 years, followed by some six years in cement vats until it was bottled. It has 13.5% alcohol, an extremely low pH of 2.98 and 6.75 grams of acidity (tartaric). It has a very subtle nose and it's a bit shy, a little closed at first. It was only bottled one and a half years ago, and it's not crazy to say that the wine is showing extremely young. The wine shows more open the day after, when it has developed some nuances of mushrooms and verbena tea. This is mostly Viura with perhaps a pinch of Malvasía Riojana (aka Alarije). The palate is both powerful and elegant, with superb acidity and great length, with volume and sharpness, with a mineral, umami-driven finish. It fills your mouth, tickles your taste buds and makes you salivate. There is nothing negative about the wine; there is no excess oak, nothing blurry, nothing to improve... perhaps the bottle used! I think this is a perfect wine. It seems to be getting younger and younger with time in the glass; it seems to be getting more focused and sharper, and I have no doubt the wine will evolve and last for a very, very, very long time in bottle. I kept the opened bottle for almost one week and the wine didn't move one inch--no oxidation or any signs of fatigue. Having tasted many other vintages, including the also perfect 1919 (which is still going strong at age 97), I have no doubt we're talking about a white for the next 50 years. Looking at the older vintages, I might even be underestimating its life span. The potential next release could be the 1998 in no less than ten years' time."
$
52900
Discount:
750 ML
E.Guigal Ermitage "Ex Voto" Rouge 2010
100
Wine Advocate
(12/2014) "At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the 2010 Hermitage Ex Voto is as good as it gets. Following some of the most concentrated, rich Cote Roties ever made, it still ratcheted up the concentration level with its massive, palate saturating levels of gamey dark fruits, cassis, licorice, chocolate, graphite and powdered rock. If this beauty doesn't make fireworks go off in your head, I don't know what will. Full-bodied, deeply concentrated and structured, yet also fine, elegant and delineated, it is nothing short of incredible. Give this awesome Hermitage 5-6 years in the cellar and feel free to drink it anytime over the following 4-5 decades."
(12/2014) "At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the 2010 Hermitage Ex Voto is as good as it gets. Following some of the most concentrated, rich Cote Roties ever made, it still ratcheted up the concentration level with its massive, palate saturating levels of gamey dark fruits, cassis, licorice, chocolate, graphite and powdered rock. If this beauty doesn't make fireworks go off in your head, I don't know what will. Full-bodied, deeply concentrated and structured, yet also fine, elegant and delineated, it is nothing short of incredible. Give this awesome Hermitage 5-6 years in the cellar and feel free to drink it anytime over the following 4-5 decades."
$
49999
Discount:
750 ML
E.Guigal Ermitage "Ex Voto" Rouge 2009
New low price! Regular Vin Chicago retail - $499.99!
97
Wine Spectator
99
Wine Advocate
(12/2013) "Starting out and one of the most prodigious wines in the vintage, the 2009 Ermitage Ex-Voto is locked and loaded, with a massive amount of raw material. Giving up thrilling amounts of plum, licorice, toasted spice and powdered rock-like minerality, it hits the palate with a muscular, full-bodied texture, big tannin and a blockbuster finish. Serious on all accounts, this incredible effort has the fruit and texture to dish out plenty of enjoyment even now, yet really needs short-term cellaring. Two to three decades of evolution should not be out of the question."
(12/2013) "Starting out and one of the most prodigious wines in the vintage, the 2009 Ermitage Ex-Voto is locked and loaded, with a massive amount of raw material. Giving up thrilling amounts of plum, licorice, toasted spice and powdered rock-like minerality, it hits the palate with a muscular, full-bodied texture, big tannin and a blockbuster finish. Serious on all accounts, this incredible effort has the fruit and texture to dish out plenty of enjoyment even now, yet really needs short-term cellaring. Two to three decades of evolution should not be out of the question."
$
37999
Discount:
750 ML
Penfolds Grange 2009
97
Wine Advocate
(2/26/2014) "The 2009 Grange Shiraz is a comprised of 84% Barossa, 8% McLaren, and a little Clare Valley and a little Magill fruit with a small 2% of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. At this youthful stage, this deep garnet-purple colored wine puts forward a vivid expression of blackberry preserve aromas amid underlying cassis, black cherry, spice box, char-grilled meat and chocolate box notes. Surprisingly medium to full-bodied (it smells much fuller!) with taut flavors that are very closed in the mouth, it has firm, chewy tannins to structure through the long and earthy finish. 406 cases imported to the US. Drink it 2018 to 2035+."
(2/26/2014) "The 2009 Grange Shiraz is a comprised of 84% Barossa, 8% McLaren, and a little Clare Valley and a little Magill fruit with a small 2% of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. At this youthful stage, this deep garnet-purple colored wine puts forward a vivid expression of blackberry preserve aromas amid underlying cassis, black cherry, spice box, char-grilled meat and chocolate box notes. Surprisingly medium to full-bodied (it smells much fuller!) with taut flavors that are very closed in the mouth, it has firm, chewy tannins to structure through the long and earthy finish. 406 cases imported to the US. Drink it 2018 to 2035+."
Chateau Clos Fourtet St.-Emilion 2009
100
Wine Advocate
(2/2012) "After tasting it three times from bottle, I am convinced this prodigious wine is one of the greatest young Bordeaux I have ever tasted. Inky blue/purple with notes of camphor, forest floor, blackberry, cassis, sweet cherries, licorice, the wine has stunning aromatics, unctuous texture and an almost inky concentration, but without any hard edges. With considerable tannin and just enough acidity to provide definition, this wine transcends even its premier grand cru classe terroir. It is certainly the finest Clos Fourtet ever produced. Give it 5-7 years of cellaring to allow some of its baby fat to fall away. There is certainly enough structure underneath to keep for 30-50 years. Bravo!"
(2/2012) "After tasting it three times from bottle, I am convinced this prodigious wine is one of the greatest young Bordeaux I have ever tasted. Inky blue/purple with notes of camphor, forest floor, blackberry, cassis, sweet cherries, licorice, the wine has stunning aromatics, unctuous texture and an almost inky concentration, but without any hard edges. With considerable tannin and just enough acidity to provide definition, this wine transcends even its premier grand cru classe terroir. It is certainly the finest Clos Fourtet ever produced. Give it 5-7 years of cellaring to allow some of its baby fat to fall away. There is certainly enough structure underneath to keep for 30-50 years. Bravo!"
$
26799
Discount:
750 ML
The Vineyardist Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
97+
Vinous, Antonio Galloni
98
Wine Advocate
(10/26/2015) "The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is flirting with perfection already. It is 100% estate Cabernet Sauvignon from clones 7, 33 and 337, and the harvest took place in late October. The wine was aged in 100% new French oak, of which three-fourths were Darnajou barrels and 25% Taransaud. Unfortunately, only 240 cases were produced. The wine is an absolutely spectacular Diamond Mountain Cabernet. Dense purple, with notes of charcoal, burning embers, licorice, blackberry and cassis, the wine hits the palate with a cascade of gorgeously pure fruit, a full-bodied opulence, but sweet tannin appears in the finish, giving the wine grip and delineation. This fabulous Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon should age beautifully for 25-30 more years."
(10/26/2015) "The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is flirting with perfection already. It is 100% estate Cabernet Sauvignon from clones 7, 33 and 337, and the harvest took place in late October. The wine was aged in 100% new French oak, of which three-fourths were Darnajou barrels and 25% Taransaud. Unfortunately, only 240 cases were produced. The wine is an absolutely spectacular Diamond Mountain Cabernet. Dense purple, with notes of charcoal, burning embers, licorice, blackberry and cassis, the wine hits the palate with a cascade of gorgeously pure fruit, a full-bodied opulence, but sweet tannin appears in the finish, giving the wine grip and delineation. This fabulous Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon should age beautifully for 25-30 more years."
Chateau Pontet-Canet Pauillac, Bordeaux 2009
100
Wine Advocate
"An amazing wine in every sense, this classic, full-bodied Pauillac is the quintessential Pontet Canet from proprietor Alfred Tesseron, who continues to reduce yields and farms his vineyards biodynamically - a rarity in Bordeaux. Black as a moonless night, the 2009 Pontet Canet offers up notes of incense, graphite, smoke, licorice, creme de cassis and blackberries. A wine of irrefutable purity, laser-like precision, colossal weight and richness, and sensational freshness, this is a tour de force in winemaking that is capable of lasting 50 or more years. The tannins are elevated, but they are sweet and beautifully integrated as are the acidity, wood and alcohol (which must be in excess of 14%). This vineyard, which is situated on the high plateau of Pauillac adjacent to Mouton Rothschild, appears to have done everything perfectly in 2009. This cuvee should shut down in the cellar and re-open in a decade or more. Anticipated maturity: 2025-2075." (France)
"An amazing wine in every sense, this classic, full-bodied Pauillac is the quintessential Pontet Canet from proprietor Alfred Tesseron, who continues to reduce yields and farms his vineyards biodynamically - a rarity in Bordeaux. Black as a moonless night, the 2009 Pontet Canet offers up notes of incense, graphite, smoke, licorice, creme de cassis and blackberries. A wine of irrefutable purity, laser-like precision, colossal weight and richness, and sensational freshness, this is a tour de force in winemaking that is capable of lasting 50 or more years. The tannins are elevated, but they are sweet and beautifully integrated as are the acidity, wood and alcohol (which must be in excess of 14%). This vineyard, which is situated on the high plateau of Pauillac adjacent to Mouton Rothschild, appears to have done everything perfectly in 2009. This cuvee should shut down in the cellar and re-open in a decade or more. Anticipated maturity: 2025-2075." (France)
$
23799
Discount:
750 ML
Mark Herold Wines "Herold" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
95
Wine Advocate
"The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Herold, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon largely from the Stagecoach Vineyard in Coombsville, is a spectacular effort. It boasts copious notes of licorice, charcoal, burning embers, graphite, blackberries and cassis in a full-bodied, full throttle, pedal-to-the-metal, muscular, intense personality. The tannins are soft and the wine is rich as well as convincing. Drink it over the next 12-15 years."
"The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Herold, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon largely from the Stagecoach Vineyard in Coombsville, is a spectacular effort. It boasts copious notes of licorice, charcoal, burning embers, graphite, blackberries and cassis in a full-bodied, full throttle, pedal-to-the-metal, muscular, intense personality. The tannins are soft and the wine is rich as well as convincing. Drink it over the next 12-15 years."
$
22999
Discount:
1.5 LT
Diamond Creek "Red Rock Terrace" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
97
James Suckling
(6/14/2017) "Beautiful clarity and brilliance define this with blackberry, currant and floral aromas that follow through to a full body, glorious fruit and remarkable tension. Velvety and opulent. Needs four to five years to come around. Try in 2022."
(6/14/2017) "Beautiful clarity and brilliance define this with blackberry, currant and floral aromas that follow through to a full body, glorious fruit and remarkable tension. Velvety and opulent. Needs four to five years to come around. Try in 2022."
$
19999
Discount:
750 ML
Diamond Creek "Gravelly Meadow" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
95
James Suckling
(6/14/2017) "Opulent aromas of crushed blueberries and plums. Hints of flowers. Full body, round and medium chewy tannins, yet this remains fruity and exuberant. Savory and delicious on the finish. Why wait?"
(6/14/2017) "Opulent aromas of crushed blueberries and plums. Hints of flowers. Full body, round and medium chewy tannins, yet this remains fruity and exuberant. Savory and delicious on the finish. Why wait?"
$
19999
Discount:
750 ML
