Premier Cru - Fine and Rare Wine What's New RSS/RDF Feed http://www.premiercru.net/premier/jsp/xml/premiercruwhatsnew.php http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41027 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41028 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=39943 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38683 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=12146 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41023 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41022 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41025 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41026 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=36272 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41018 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41012 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41013 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41016 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41015 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41014 90 points Parker: "A blend of 80% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Cinsault from 50-year-old vines, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Olivets is a beautiful sleeper of the vintage. This sexy, full-bodied wine possesses a dark plum/purple color, abundant aromas of pepper, lavender, forest floor, and roast beef, a lush, layered style, and 10-12 years of drinkability." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40089 93 points Parker: "Slightly better is the 2006 Chardonnay North Slope, which displays crushed rock, white currant, and quince notes, a bit of pineapple and poached pear, and some hints of smoky nuts in a full-bodied, evolved, but complex style. This too needs to be drunk soon ? 1-2 years. In contrast, the 2007 " http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=39698 96 points Parker: "The Chaupin is slightly eclipsed by the profound quality of the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes. Inky/blue/purple, with massive aromatics, an unctuous texture, and superb length on the palate, it is enormously endowed for a 2006. Very pure for a 2006, with sweet tannins as well as amazing length, it will benefit from several years of cellaring, and drink well for 20-25 years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40219 92-95 points Parker: "The 2007 Coteaux d?Aix en Provence Paradis is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Grenache,and its dense purple hue is accompanied by a sumptuous bouquet of sweet new oak, blackberry liqueur, espresso, and a hint of spice box. This wine possesses amazing concentration, full-bodied richness, and a wallop of toasty, smoky wood. It should age effortlessly for 10-15 years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41020 91-92 points Parker's WA: "A new project guided by Claude Gros, Chateau Rigaud?s 2007 Faugeres ? combining Syrah grown in schist, with Grenache from chalk-clay, and matured in a combination of tank and barriques ? was slated for bottling early this year. It displays smoke-wreathed black fruit aromas, and a satin-textured, deeply-rich palate, with beet root, peat, humus, stone, and saline-savory undertones. Not a bit of superficial sweetness or rusticity of tannin accrues to this Faugere?s polished finish. The epitome of 2007s ability to combine lift and vivacity with ripe richness and sheer density, it represents a mind-boggling value that will in addition probably evolve interestingly in bottle for several years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41019 92 points Parker: "The 2007 Terre d?Argence ,an unfiltered blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Grenache, possesses rich, ripe blackberry fruit notes intermixed with licorice and garrigue characteristics. Opulent, even flamboyant, this stunning 2007 should drink nicely for 3-4 years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41021 92 points Parker: "The 2007 Galets Rouge ,78% Syrah and the rest Grenache, Mourvedre, and Carignan, is another extraordinary value from the 2007 vintage. A deep ruby/purple color is followed by gorgeous aromas of blackberries, white flowers, and charcoal. Full-bodied, and oozing with fruit and glycerin, good acidity, freshness, and focus, this is a lovely red to consume over the next 2-4 years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=39716 95+ points Parker: "The 2006 Insignia (95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot; 16,000 cases produced) is a superb effort in this vintage. Another 30+ year wine, it boasts a dense plum/purple color as well as abundant notes of licorice, black currants, charcoal, black olives, and graphite. Full-bodied, pure, and rich with moderately high tannins, it represents a California version of a Bordeaux from Pauillac or St.-Julien. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2045." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40949 Upgraded to 92-94 points Parker: "Performing fabulously well, the 2005 Haut-Bergey may ultimately rival the estate?s brilliant 2000. Fashioned from a blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot, it offers up sumptuous aromas of high-class cigar tobacco interwoven with hints of menthol, burning embers, black currants, and a volcanic/earthy component. The complex aromatics are followed by a wine with stunning concentration, terrific fruit purity, a voluptuous texture, and a long, heady finish. For its power and richness, it?s relatively light on its feet. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=34515 96 points Burghound: "Here the nose is completely, even radically different with much more deeply pitched red and blue fruit aromas nuanced by notes of the sauvage, underbrush, leather and tea that are in perfect keeping with the powerful, fresh and sleekly muscled flavors blessed with ample underlying mid-palate sap and a serious, indeed almost brooding quality yet the finish explodes on the phenomenally long backend. This is a comparatively big but balanced effort that should age gracefully for years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40979 95 points Burghound: "A surprisingly elegant and dense red berry fruit nose that is at once earthy and ever so mildly animale delivers breathtaking complexity complements to perfection the big, rich and sleekly muscled flavors that are very firmly structured but not aggressively so and the sheer depth of material on the palate-drenching but youthfully austere finish is outstanding. This is a powerful Clos de Vougeot that, like several of these grands crus, will need plenty of cellar time." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40977 95 points Burghound: "A distinctly cool and reserved yet elegant nose of red berry, plum, violets, spice and pure dark cherry aromas slides gracefully and seamlessly into naturally sweet, precise, mineral-driven and mouth filling flavors underpinned by buried tannins and absolutely terrific length. This is a vibrant and very sophisticated wine with a seductive inner-mouth perfume that is at once stylish and classy." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40978 93 points Burghound: "A reserved yet high-toned nose that is intensely spicy and includes notes of anise, clove, cinnamon and hoisin-infused black berry fruit aromas and this spiciness continues onto the rich, ripe and strikingly intense broad-shouldered flavors that are sweet and suave yet manage to retain a fine sense of detail on the seductive and notably long finish. This isn't quite as concentrated as the Vignerondes but it's equally powerful." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40975 89 points Burghound: "This is quite ripe with plum and violet aromas nuanced by warm earth hints that can also be found on the very round and relatively approachable middle weight flavors that possess a velvety mouth feel on the lightly mineral suffused finish. Solid if not exceptional quality for its level." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40974 96 points Burghound: " A deep, brooding and almost taciturn nose of ripe black berry fruit, intense violet notes and spice hints and warm earth gives way to sweet, rich and exceptionally fresh big-bodied flavors that are textured and completely saturate the palate with buckets of dry extract while at the same time buffering the ripe but very firm tannins, all wrapped in a stunningly long finish that has some of the best overall complexity of the entire range. This too will need ample patience but should more than reward the wait. A knock-out." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40981 96 points Burghound: "The most aromatically complex wine to this point with seductively attractive earthy red berry fruit aromas that offer an exuberant spiciness with a contrasting touch of underbrush which merge into elegant and very fine mineral-infused middle weight flavors that are rich, intense and possess impressive mid-palate concentration as well as a subtle minerality. I very much like the poise this wine displays as it's harmonious, transparent and beautifully well-balanced. This is perhaps not as concentrated as the biggest of these eight grands crus but the impeccable harmony confers a Zen-like calm to this wine." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40980 95 points Burghound: "A distinctly floral but noticeably cooler and more elegant nose that is strikingly complex as well as spicy, pure and airy merges into powerful and punchy medium-bodied flavors that culminate in a precise and hugely long and delineated finish. This is a beautifully balanced, focused and refined effort that will need every bit of at least a decade to really be at its best. Reference standard juice." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40973 91 points Burghound: "A very ripe and expressive nose that is classic Vosne features highly spiced aromas of violets, rose petal and black cherry nuanced with hints of earth leads to impressively concentrated and comparatively powerful flavors that possess a velvety texture as well as much better than average volume and ample finishing punch, all wrapped in a finale where the firm tannins are almost invisible due to all of the buffering sap." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40972 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41011 96 points Parker: "The 2005 Proprietary Red is significantly better than what I tasted last year, although I certainly gave it a high score. This wine has fleshed out beautifully. The final blend (84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec) has a deep purple color, a beautifully sweet nose of blackberries and cassis intermixed with some meatiness, smoke, and a touch of pain grille as well as notes of espresso and licorice. Full-bodied, rich, with decent acidity, excellent delineation, and moderately high tannin, this is a beauty that should evolve for 25-30+ years It is no wimpish wine at 15.2% natural alcohol, but that is buried beneath a cascade of gorgeous fruit and glycerin. This wine should be cruising along brilliantly in 2030+." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41010 94 points Parker: "Pahlmeyer?s Merlot was the uncontested top California Merlot for many years, but significant competition has emerged from the upstart Kapcsandy Estate in Yountville. However, Pahlmeyer?s offering remains one of the classic examples of just how great Merlot can be in Napa. The 2006 Merlot (89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits sweet chocolate, mocha, cola, black cherry, and plum aromas and flavors as well as full body, a sumptuous, dense texture, and no hard edges. The beautifully integrated acidity, tannin, and wood result in a hedonistic, mouthfilling, luscious Merlot to consume over the next 10-15 years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41008 95 points Parker: "There are 7,000 cases of the prodigious 2006 Proprietary Red Wine (a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec). Most of the fruit comes from the Stagecoach Vineyard and the Waters Ranch. Sweet, smoky, meaty aromas interwoven with melted asphalt, camphor, blackberry, cassis, and charcoal scents emerge from the complex aromatics. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied, displaying sweet tannin, a concentrated mouthfeel, and a long, heady finish with substantial fruit, glycerin, and extract. It should drink beautifully for 20+ years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41009 97 points Galloni: "The 2004 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell?Annunziata has developed beautifully since I last tasted it a few years ago. That said, I am amazed how bright and primary the fruit still is. Sweet, perfumed aromatics lead to a core of silky fruit as this elegant, pedigreed Barolo emerges from the glass. The tannins are exceptionally refined all the way through to the finish, while the French oak is virtually imperceptible. What remains is a gorgeous, fruit-driven Barolo that captures the essence of the Scavino style at its best. The wine should enjoy a long drinking window to age 25 and quite likely longer. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2029. " http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40989 96 points Galloni: "The 2004 Barolo Riserva Runcot offers up an intriguing array of licorice, tobacco, spices, plums and prunes. The purity of the fruit here is beyond striking, and the wine shows great intensity as well as superb overall balance. The Runcot saw 45 days of maceration on the skins and spent 36 months in 100% new French oak, all of which it has absorbed with impeccable elegance. I imagine the 2004 Runcot will continue to gain weight in bottle, but even if it doesn?t, it is pretty special today. What a beautiful wine! Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41006 95 points Galloni: "The 2006 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is a dramatic, sweeping wine that bursts onto the palate in a powerful expression of this Castiglione Falletto vineyard. Dark red fruits, smoke and grilled herbs are just some of the nuances that come to life as this imposing, focused Barolo opens up in the glass. Today, the wine is a touch austere, but in a few years the structure should fill out nicely. It is impossible to ignore the sheer pedigree and class here. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40986 95+ points Galloni: "The 2006 Barolo Brunate is a fat, juicy wine that comes across as more immediate than some of the other Barolos in this line-up. Smoke, tar and licorice meld into a core of gloriously ripe fruit. There is incredible density and richness to the Brunate, qualities that carry through to the impeccably round, harmonious finish. The Brunate sees a fermentation/maceration lasting roughly 21 days, which is the shortest among the estate?s single-vineyard Barolos, but not entirely surprising for a wine made from this site, which lies on the La Morra/Barolo border. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40997 96+ points Galloni: "The 2006 Barolo Brunate flows from the glass with a powerful, brooding expression of fruit. As is often the case, the Brunate presents dark, burnished tones that are a marvel to behold. The wine?s stunning depth and richness caress the palate all the way through to a mineral-infused harmonious finish. This is another fantastic Barolo from Roberto Voerzio loaded with vintage and vineyard character. It is not to be missed. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41000 95 points Galloni: "The 2006 Barolo Bussia reveals a multitude of balsamic, mineral-infused aromas and flavors. Large-scaled and dramatic, the Bussia sweeps across the palate, showing off tons of pedigree and sheer class. The Bussia is quite a bit more backward than the Le Coste-Mosconi, and it will require considerable cellaring, but it is a beauty. Flowers, spices and minerals waft out of the glass on the sensual, ethereal finish. I also tasted the Riserva version of this wine, which won?t be released for a few years. For now, let me just say the 2006 Riserva is shaping up to be another hugely promising, important wine from Parusso in this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2031." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40992 97 points Galloni: "The 2006 Barolo Cannubi Boschis is seductive, round and sweet in its ripe dark fruit. The wine continues to gain weight in the glass, showing a level of density that nearly manages to cover the tannins. Floral notes add lift on the finish. This is a powerful, linear Cannubi Boschis with tons of energy and muscle, but it will require quite a bit of patience. Sandrone harvests his three parcels in Cannubi Boschis separately. Vinification takes place in stainless steel. The wines undergo malolactic fermentation and are aged in 500-liter barrels (roughly 20% new) for a year. Once the final blend is assembled, the wine goes back into oak for another year prior to being bottled in the spring. Sandrone is one of the earliest producers to bottle, which he does to preserve as much freshness as possible. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40985 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40990 94 points Galloni: "Scavino?s 2006 Barolo Cannubi opens with an attractive, finely-knit bouquet that leads to an open, soft core of perfumed fruit. Rich, and expansive on the palate, this textured, vivid Barolo reveals terrific length on the palate and finessed tannins that inform the silky finish. Though medium in body, the wine packs plenty of punch and is almost certain to put on weight in the bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40987 93 points Galloni: "The 2006 Barolo Carobric is a deep, sensual beauty endowed with gorgeous purity in its layers of dark red fruits, smoke and tobacco. Deceptively medium in body, the wine caresses the palate all the way through to the firm, sturdy finish. The wine?s balance, depth and overall sense of harmony are remarkable. Carobric is a blend of several vineyards, mostly Rocche di Castiglione, with a touch of Bric del Fiasc and Cannubi. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40988 97 points Galloni: "The 2006 Barolo Cerequio opens with an utterly beguiling, captivating bouquet that leads to ripe red fruit, flowers, minerals and spices, all framed by sweet, silky tannins. Aromatics, textural elegance and freshness come together in this energetic, vivid Barolo. The finish is exceptionally long, pure and fresh, which suggests the wine will age gracefully for many years. The 2006 Barolo Cerequio is emerging as one of the finest wines in this important vintage. Simply put, it is awesome! Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41001 97 points Galloni: "The 2006 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra bursts onto the palate with gorgeous, well-delineated aromas and flavors. This is an especially chiseled, finely sculpted, yet exotic Barolo endowed with extraordinary complexity and mouth-filling intensity in its ripe dark plums, mint, violets, sweet spices, soy, tar and minerals. In 2006, the Ciabot combines elegance and power to a degree that is exceedingly rare. It is another superb and truly special Barolo from Domenico Clerico. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40995 95 points Galloni: "Parusso?s 2006 Barolo Le Coste-Mosconi is simply superb. The late harvest in 2006 yielded a wine blessed with gorgeous, articulate aromatics, beautifully ripe fruit and finessed tannins, all of which add tons of class to what is essentially a full-throttle, fruit-driven Barolo. A vein of minerality runs through the wine from start to finish, adding a degree of freshness that is unusual for such a big Barolo. The textural richness and balance here are drop-dead gorgeous. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40993 95 points Galloni: "Grasso?s 2006 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera is laced with racy, perfumed red fruit, flowers and minerals. The wine gains weight and depth in the glass as its energy and vibrancy take center stage. This is a supremely beautiful Barolo where expressive aromatics, generous fruit and silky tannins come together with unusual grace and elegance. Sweet, floral notes add a sense of lift on the finish. The 2006 is the best Gavarini since the 1989, and who knows if one day it might not match that legendary Barolo. Readers won?t want to miss the sublime 2006 Gavarini Vigna Chiniera. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41004 96 points Galloni: "The 2006 Barolo Ginestra Casa Mate is simply marvelous. Sweet, balsamic and layered, this powerful Barolo covers the palate with endless dimensions to its fruit, showing exceptional richness and density. The wine continues to blossom beautifully in the glass with myriad expressions of dark, perfumed fruit that are hard to fully capture with words. This is class personified, but the tannins will require a measure of patience. Still, it is impossible to miss the wine?s pedigree and significant potential. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41005 97 points Galloni: "The 2006 Barolo Lazzarito has begun to show the pedigree of this great Serralunga site now that Vietti has backed off the French oak, and the 2006 is nothing short of superb. A melange of dark, mineral-infused fruit flows from the glass as the large-scaled Lazzarito gradually shows off its class. Licorice, tar, smoke and earthiness add layers of complexity and nuance. The Lazzarito is still the Barolo that spends the longest number of months in French oak following the malolactic fermentation, but that period is down to several months from a full year the wine spent in small barrels up until 2001 or so. One day the Lazzarito may challenge the Rocche as Vietti?s signature Barolo, and that day may be closer than most people realize. This huge, imposing Barolo will require patience, but it is nothing short of superb. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40998 96 points Galloni: "Sandrone?s 2006 Barolo Le Vigne possesses awesome balance as intricately woven layers of aromas and flavors come together in the glass. The 2006 is an especially powerful Le Vigne boasting a solid core of floral, red fruits supported by firm yet elegant tannins. This, too, shows the considerable drive and focus that is the hallmark of the vintage. The wine?s overall balance is impeccable. Le Vigne is made from parcels in Vignane (Barolo), Conterni and Ceretta (Monforte) and Merli (Novello). The wines are aged separately for a year in 500-liter barrels. The final blend is assembled, after which the wine spends an additional year in oak prior to being bottled. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. " http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40984 96 points Galloni: "The 2006 Barolo Pajana reveals incredible aromatic complexity and intensity, something this particular site isn?t always capable of. There is lovely definition to be found as this classic feeling, mid-weight Pajana opens up in the glass. Layers of ripe dark fruit, spices, flowers, licorice and minerals develop seamlessly through to the close. I am floored by the wine?s volume, depth and length. Quite simply, this is a magnificent effort from Clerico. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40996 95 points Galloni: "The 2006 Rocche dell'Annunziata/Torriglione reveals a rich, kaleidoscope of perfumed aromas that meld seamlessly into a palate of ripe red fruit. The tannins are silky and exceptionally refined, yet the wine possesses plenty of muscle, depth and richness, albeit in a style that favors elegance over power. Along with the Cerequio and the Sarmassa, the Rocche is one of Voerzio?s more feminine Barolos. In 2006, it is drop-dead gorgeous. Patience is required, but readers who are able to lovingly cellar this wine will not be disappointed. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41002 97 points Galloni: "The 2006 Barolo Rocche shows incredible definition in detail in its perfumed, floral personality. The 2006 is not as explosive as the 2004 was at this stage, but it is eerily reminiscent of the 1989 in its sweet, Pinot-like fruit. With time in the glass, the fruit gains even more clarity while the bouquet blossoms with incredible grace, all supported by ultra-fine, silky tannins. Today the Rocche is soft and relatively accessible, but it is sure to firm up in bottle. In 2006 the Rocche saw 30 days of maceration on the skins and was aged predominantly in cask with a brief spell in French oak in between for the malolactic fermentation, a blend of traditional and modern approaches that has yielded phenomenal results here. Of course, everything starts in the vineyard, and Vietti?s commitment to low yields means that they are among the first growers to harvest in most vintages. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40999 96+ points Galloni: "Voerzio?s 2006 Barolo Sarmassa (magnum) literally explodes on the palate with red fruit, flowers, spices and mint. Still tightly wound, the 2006 is an especially powerful Sarmassa that isn?t quite as accessible as it often is at this stage. Still, the wine?s bouquet, purity of fruit and persistence all augur for a long life of magnificent drinking. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41003 95 points Galloni: "The 2006 Barolo Via Nuova opens with notable energy and drive in its dark red fruit, spices, menthol and sweet licorice. This long, pure Barolo reveals gorgeous length, beautifully balanced oak and superb overall balance. A mineral-laced finish rounds out the Via Nuova in grand style. For her 2006 Via Nuova Boschis used 70% new oak barrels with lower toast than in prior vintages and it shows in the wine?s class. This is a fabulous effort from Chiara Boschis. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40991 94 points Parker's WA: "The 2007 Dow?s Vintage Port is one of the stars of the vintage. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up an already complex bouquet of mineral, pencil lead, licorice, spice box, and assorted black fruits. On the palate it is quite massive, slightly dry in the house style, and packed with fruit. It has the structure to be one of the long distance runners of the vintage taking as much as 20 years to reach its peak and drinking well through 2050. As an aside, I was able to taste the individual components of this wine on the day prior to this tasting. The final blend is better than any of its parts." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40994 94 points Parker's WA: "The 2007 Dow?s Vintage Port is one of the stars of the vintage. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up an already complex bouquet of mineral, pencil lead, licorice, spice box, and assorted black fruits. On the palate it is quite massive, slightly dry in the house style, and packed with fruit. It has the structure to be one of the long distance runners of the vintage taking as much as 20 years to reach its peak and drinking well through 2050. As an aside, I was able to taste the individual components of this wine on the day prior to this tasting. The final blend is better than any of its parts." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40484 95 points Parker's WA: "The 2007 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port is a blend of multiple sites meant to express the house style in a great year. It displays a superb aromatic array of pencil lead, Asian spices, incense, blackberry, and floral notes. Dense, suave, and opulent on the palate, this is a mouth-filling, intense, layered wine that has superb grip and concentration. It will effortlessly age for 25+ years and still be delivering pleasure at age 50." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40478 95 points Parker's WA: "The 2007 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port is a blend of multiple sites meant to express the house style in a great year. It displays a superb aromatic array of pencil lead, Asian spices, incense, blackberry, and floral notes. Dense, suave, and opulent on the palate, this is a mouth-filling, intense, layered wine that has superb grip and concentration. It will effortlessly age for 25+ years and still be delivering pleasure at age 50." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40479 93 points Parker's WA: "The 2007 Warre Vintage Port is one of the stars of the vintage. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it displays an expressive bouquet of Asian spices, incense, lavender, blackberry, and fruitcake. Plush on the palate with outstanding volume, it exhibits a sense of elegance as well as power. Savory flavors, plenty of structure for the long haul, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish suggests two decades of cellaring are in order. This superb effort should still be drinking well in 2050." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40486 93 points Josh Raynolds (IWC): "Dark ruby. Deep cherry and blackcurrant aromas, with sexy anise, incense and floral character expanding with air. Lush and sweet, offering deep creme de cassis and bitter cherry flavors framed by supple tannins. Invitingly sweet and plush on the finish, which echoes the cassis and licorice qualities. This is utterly seductive today." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=36165 96-100 points Parker: "A blockbuster, extraordinarily profound effort from proprietor Christine Valette, the 2005 Troplong Mondot is the finest wine she has made since the other-worldly 1990. It dense black color is followed by a stupendous bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, truffles, graphite, and smoke. It cascades over the palate with exquisite density, purity, full-bodied power, and remarkable freshness as well as delineation. This magical wine somehow manages to harness extraordinary power and structure with a sense of delicacy and finesse. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025+." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=34912 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=C1352 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=AR597 96 points Parker: "The 1994 Gewurztraminer Heimbourg V. T. exhibits a light to medium gold color, an exotic, honeyed cherry, lychee nut, rose-scented nose, thick, rich, moderately sweet flavors, fabulous purity, and a finish that lasts for nearly a minute. The wine is still unformed, but it can be expected to last for 20+ years, becoming increasingly dry in taste as it evolves. I tasted three Vendange Tardive Gewurztraminers from Zind-Humbrecht. All bordered on perfection - they are that pure, rich, concentrated, ageworthy, and impeccably well-balanced. These grapes are often harvested at strikingly high sugar levels, and would qualify as off-dry, medium sweet wines. They are best served with foie gras, or at the end of a meal by themselves. All are made in extremely limited quantities (under 100 cases of each)." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=A1641 99 points Parker: "Made from tiny yields, the 1994 Tokay-Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl V.T. exhibits a light golden color, huge, smoky, buttery aromas, high acidity, currant/cherry-like flavors reminiscent of a red wine, in addition to a finish that lasts for well over a minute. It is mind-boggling in terms of its purity, extract, and balance. The wine is extremely unevolved, requiring another 4-5 years of cellaring; it should keep for 30+ years. This 1994 Tokay-Pinot Gris is virtually perfect." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=A1647 99+ Parker: "The 1994 Tokay-Pinot Gris Rangen Clos St. Urbain V.T. was made from microscopic yields of one-half ton of fruit per acre, and attained 16% alcohol naturally. The wine is absolutely amazing. With its honeyed, exotic fruit, buttery, spicy, waxy nose, thick, unctuously rich, massive flavors, vibrant acidity, and smashingly long finish, it is another Z-H wine that could be classified as a food product rather than a beverage. Like several of these wines, 5-6 years of cellaring is essential, but the Clos St. Urbain V.T. will last for 25-30 years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=A1649 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40969 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40970 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=A1330 100 points Parker (in his new book): "The 1976 (100 points; last tasted 12/02) is an Yquem on a relatively fast track for this property. It seems to be close to full maturity, and remains a very powerful, thick, viscous Yquem with notes of honeyed tropical fruits, spice box, creme brulee, smoke, and orange marmalade. The wine is viscous, rich, and an amazingly great Yquem. Among the vintages of the last 30 years, this is perhaps the most complex and ready to drink of the great years for Yquem. It should continue to evolve and last for another 50 or more years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=A1345 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40961 96 points Parker: "The 1983 is among the most concentrated wines from this property over the last 20 years, with a staggering display of extract and a mind-boggling amount of glycerin. The vintage commenced early for Yquem, beginning on September 29 and finishing on November 18. Most observers feel the 1983 will mature more slowly than the 1986, and will last for almost 100 years. Given Yquem's unbelievable aging potential, such comments do not seem far fetched. At present, the 1983 is enormous, with huge, honeyed, pineapple, coconut, and caramel flavors, massive extract, and an unctuous quality barely framed by acidity and new oak. I do not feel the wine has changed since bottling, and I would not want to start drinking it for at least another 10-15 years. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2050. Last tasted, 12/90." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=A1338 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40964 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40968