Premier Cru - Fine and Rare Wine What's New RSS/RDF Feed http://www.premiercru.net/premier/jsp/xml/premiercruwhatsnew.php 95-98 points Tanzer: "Liqueur-like aromas of mirabelle and vanilla. Huge and powerful, verging on exotic; all minerals and iodine. Like a mouthful of liquid stone. Could hardly be more different in style from the Chevalier-Montrachet. A bit phenolic on the back end, but then this has a texture more like a red wine than a white. A trace of malic acidity currently blocks the wine's length. But this should be great." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=27862 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42009 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42018 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42019 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RE735 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=32325 91 points Parker: "As exceptional value the non-vintage Reserve Particuliere Brut Premier Cru is a blend of 40% Pinot Meunier, 40% Pinot Noir, and 20% Chardonnay. This is a deliciously floral, light-bodied, wonderfully subtle yet effervescent Champagne that stood out in my tastings as one of the finest values in the non-vintage category." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=AEF34 Peter Liem: "Rating: * - This is quite disjointed when the bottle is first opened, and needs a lot of time in the glass to settle down?I would even consider decanting it. Based on 2005, it?s a little creamy on the nose, giving way to a bold, forthright depth of black cherry fruit on the palate. The texture is supple and fine, balancing the powerful fruit flavors, and the finish is long and nuanced, with a vibrant feel. Even though this is made entirely of pinot noir, it shows noticeably more finesse than the other wines in the lineup. Last tasted: 7/08" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41447 92 points Burghound: "This too is relatively toasty and very ripe, indeed to the point of where there are notes of deep plum, mocha, black berry and subtle spice hints that lead to intensely mineral and highly complex and nuanced flavors that benefit from a distinct sense of lift and detail because of the almost pungent minerality of the firmly structured and hugely long finish. This isn?t really my style but there is no doubting the underlying quality of the raw material. 92/2013+" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=36666 96 points Josh Raynolds (IWC): "Bright gold. Intensely spicy pear, peach and apricot pit aromas, with a strong suggestion of sweet butter. Round and weighty but at the same time juicy, with focused peach and pear nectar flavors enlivened by exotic spice and mineral notes and deepened by honey and fresh cream tones. Gains in freshness with air, picking up strong mineral and tangy citrus zest notes. "The 2005 will be more elegant," Chave believes." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=36426 88 points Raynolds (Tanzer's IWC): "Pale gold color. Fresh, floral notes of honeysuckle and rose petal, with complicating suggestions of beeswax and smoke. Round and nicely concentrated, showing baked apple, pear and subtle maple flavors. Rich and weighty on the finish, which picks up a ripe, exotic passion fruit quality." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=14505 96 points Parker: "A beauty, the opaque dense purple-colored 1995 exhibits jammy cassis, vanillin, and minerals in its fragrant but still youthful aromatics. Medium to full-bodied, with exceptional purity, superb concentration, and a long, intense, ripe, 40-second finish, this is a magnificent example of Latour. As the wine sat in the glass, scents of roasted espresso and toasty new oak emerged. This classic will require considerable cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=95B03 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42017 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42016 98+ points Parker: "Potentially a candidate for perfection, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is the finest Bryant Family wine since the aforementioned 1997. Striking aromas and flavors of blackberries, blueberries, flowers, smoke, truffles, and sweet berries lead to a wine with profound concentration, a silky, layered mouthfeel, perfect integration of tannin and wood, and remarkable depth, intensity, and balance. The finish lasts nearly a minute. This stunning Cabernet should age nicely for 20-30 years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41356 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42014 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42015 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42013 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42006 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42003 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42004 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42010 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42007 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42002 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42008 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42011 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42012 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42005 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40874 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40875 93-96 Tanzer: "Full ruby. Deep aromas and flavors of black fruits, bitter chocolate, violet and crushed stone. Dense, sweet and deep but youthfully closed, with a distinctly medicinal quality to its sappy black cherry flavor underpinned by pronounced minerality. The finish of this compellingly sweet and dense wine mounts and builds. This is going to need a good 10 to 12 years of cellaring." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40876 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41996 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41991 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42001 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41997 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41998 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41992 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41990 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41995 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41993 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=42000 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41994 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41999 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41979 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41980 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41978 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41976 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41977 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=37957 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41981 96 points Parker: "The 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Secret des Sabon is extremely powerful and full-bodied with that note of truffle oil, burning embers, and roasted meats along with melted licorice, creme de cassis, blackberry and cherry. Dense, full-bodied, and expansive, with high glycerin and what must be at least 16+% alcohol, this is a formidable Chateauneuf du Pape that should drink well for 15+ years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=31374 96+ points Parker: "A fabulous wine fashioned from 50-100 year old vines (80% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre), its dense purple color is accompanied by gorgeous aromas of blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, minerals, and kirsch. As it sits in the glass, notions of pepper and spice also emerge from this unevolved, backward Chateauneuf. It has high levels of extract and richness as well as formidable tannin. The superb purity, immense fruit, and unbridled power of this extraordinary wine should result in something magical in about 7-10 years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=26539 94-96 points Burghound: "(from a 2 ha parcel at the bottom section of the vineyard; even so, the vineyard is so steep here that it must be worked entirely by hand as tractors would be dangerous to use). Even though the straight Bougros is finer than usual, it is no where near as elegant and pure as its counterpart as the high-toned and strikingly layered nose of oyster shell, mineral reduction and perfumed cool green fruit is extremely seductive and serves as a fascinating introduction to the concentrated, serious and powerful yet refined flavors that ooze a fine minerality on the mouth coating and hugely long finish. This is blessed with buckets of sap that completely buffer the firm acid spine. This is a flat out great effort that makes one go ?wow?. (94-96)/2015+" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40511 92 points Parker's WA: "Aggressive smokiness and fairly prominent volatility mark the nose of Laurent's 2006 Pommard Rugiens Vieilles Vignes. Like its ancient-vines Epenots sibling, this features dried fruits, here allied to a broad though fine-grained vein of tannin, with its component of new wood not yet entirely digested. (I write "not yet," because in most cases, with Laurent wines this does seem to happen.) This is remarkably dense and boasts an uncanny, Mourvedre-like suggestion of sirloin juices and intensity of smoky, so-called "ferrous" mineral character (hard to otherwise put in words) that typifies this site, and from which in fact ? in a sense, at least ? it takes its name. I would forget this in the cellar for 4-5 years and then anticipate at least another half dozen of fascination at table." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=36797 91-94 points Burghound: "A much more deeply pitched nose of dark berry fruit, spice, earth, a hint of animale and an overlay of obvious minerality complements perfectly the rich, full and sweet broad-scaled yet elegant flavors that are solidly structured and firm on the detailed and wonderfully intense finish. This is built for the medium term, which is to say out to 20 years. (91-94)/2015+" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=35114 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41988 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41989 89-92 points Burghound: "A highly expressive, even exuberant nose of white peach, pear and acacia blossom aromas nuanced with citrus hints that are also reflected by the rich, full and nicely concentrated medium-bodied flavors that possess ample mid-palate fat that buffers the moderately firm acid spine. This is really quite stylish and crafted in a more generous fashion than the upper level 1ers. (89-92)/2015+" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41144 93(+?) points Tanzer: "Pale, green-tinged yellow. Pure aromas and flavors of lemon, lime and crushed stone. Wonderfully high-pitched in the mouth, with citrus peel and violet notes lifting the wine and giving it a magically light touch. Very precise Bienvenue with superb acidity and captivating leesy complexity." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=39507 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41987 100 points Parker: "Along with Clos St.-Jean?s Deus Ex Machina, Vieille Julienne?s 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve (200 cases produced) is the wine of the vintage. From 101-year old Grenache vines planted in sandy soils, it boasts a black/purple color as well as a gorgeous perfume of smoke, meat, blackberries, sweet cherries, creme de cassis, licorice, spice, and a hint of pine forest/underbrush. The fruit dominates in this rich, intense, remarkable effort. It requires 5-7 years of bottle age, but should keep for 35-50 years, proving to be one of the most legendary Chateauneuf du Papes ever made. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040+." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=37593 93 points Tanzer: "Pale yellow. Very closed nose hints at spice. Wonderfully dense and energetic, with superb lift and penetration to the flavors of orange zest and powdered stone. Perhaps most impressive on the backward, classically dry, very long finish, which throws off notes of white peach, lemon, flowers and minerals" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41210 Upgraded to 95-97 points Parker: "A spectacular Pomerol from Helene Garcin, this blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc emerges from a 15-acre vineyard planted on the plateau of Pomerol. The 2005 ranks alongside the estate?s greatest efforts to date, the 2001, 2000, and 1998. An extraordinary perfume of creme brulee interwoven with chocolate, mocha, blackberries, and sweet kirsch soars from the glass. With superb intensity, sweet tannin, stunning opulence, and fabulous texture and purity, this is a compelling example of the appellation as well as the vintage. It should be approachable in 3-4 years, and last for two decades or more. If you can find it, buy it by the caseload. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2030." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=34682 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=13151 95 points Parker: "A stunning effort from Alexander Thienpont, the 2005 Vieux Chateau Certan (a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc) reveals an inky/blue/purple color along with a rich, sumptuous perfume of black olives, lavender, roasted herbs, licorice, pain grille, and oodles of truffles as well as creme de cassis. In the mouth, hints of chocolate and charcoal also make an appearance along with good acidity, fabulous purity, and a full-bodied, powerful mouthfeel. In keeping with the style of this terroir, the wine is reserved and restrained, but deep. It should develop magnificently, and age for 30-40 years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=34930 95-98 points Parker: "This is a perennial superstar thanks to the efforts of proprietor Philippe Cuvelier and the estate?s manager, Tony Ballu. This beautifully-situated, nearly 48-acre vineyard, high on the clay and deep limestone plateau just adjacent to the town walls of St.-Emilion, was harvested between September 28 and October 13, with yields of 34 hectoliters per hectare. The natural alcohol turned out to be 14%. A magical wine, it may have a hard time eclipsing the 2005, but it is another prodigious effort in its own right. The dense purple color offers up notes of white chocolate, blueberry, blackberry, crushed rock, and white flowers. Textured, full-bodied, enormously pure, and voluptuously textured, it is nearly too easy to drink because of the exquisite balance and seamless integration of all its component parts. This is a killer Clos Fourtet that should drink well young yet evolve for 20+ years. (Tasted five times.)" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41582 98-100 points Parker: "Thirty-five percent of the crop went into the 2009 Chateau Margaux, composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The alcohol level of 13.3% is high, but not excessively so. A wine such as this is like the quintessence of terroir. A super, uber-concentrated perfume of creme de cassis and flowers cascades across the palate with a lightness of being despite massive concentration, a sumptuous personality, and an unctuous texture. I have never tasted a Chateau Margaux quite like this. It should be relatively drinkable at an early age, yet will last for 50-100 years. Oh my! (Tasted once.)" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41772 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41765 95-97+ points Parker: "The 2009 Ausone, was produced at probably twice the yields of the absolutely remarkable 2008, but is another profound effort from Vauthier. Dense purple in color, with an almost liqueur of limestone intermixed with acacia flowers, blueberry, raspberry, and boysenberry fruit, the use of 100% new oak is completely concealed by the wealth of fruit and the lavish richness this wine exhibits. Nevertheless, there is a striking precision, minerality, and purity to Ausone. This wine might be far more drinkable in 7-8 years than the 2005 or 2008 will be with the same amount of aging. Nevertheless, any person lucky enough to latch on to one of the 1200 or so cases of this wine should realize it is going to evolve for 20-50 years. (Tasted once.)" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41771 96-100 points Parker: "Harvested between September 17 and the beginning of October, the 2009 Petrus reminds me of what the 1982 tasted like at a similar age. Sweet tannins along with extraordinarily pure mulberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with hints of licorice and truffle are found in this 2009 in addition to a voluptuous mouthfeel, an unctuous texture, and, for Petrus, relatively high alcohol of 14.2%. Stuffed, rich, and creamy-textured with a full-bodied, powerful, exuberant personality, it should be approachable in a decade, and last for 40-50 years. (Tasted once.)" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41815 100 points Parker: "Scarecrow?s inky/purple-colored 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is a prodigious effort. It reveals a liqueur of crushed rocks intermixed with a smorgasbord of spring flower, blueberry, creme de cassis, and assorted blue, black, and red fruit characteristics. It also possesses extraordinary concentration, but what sets it apart is the fragrant aromatics combined with uncommon purity and elegance for such a full-bodied, massively concentrated wine. Its perfect balance suggests it can be drunk at a relatively young age, but it should easily evolve over 30-35 years. Congratulations to all involved!" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41273 100 points Spectator: "Amazing aromas of lilac, violet, crushed blueberry and mineral that turn to black pepper and spices follow through to a full-bodied, medium-sweet palate, with a long, chewy finish. Evolves to tar and asphalt. Really held back, yet powerful grip slaps you¿and makes you happy. This is mind-blowing in texture. The greatest Dow ever made. Best after 2022. 6,200 cases made. ?JS" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40484 98 points Parker: " Lets all stand and applaud proprietor Alain Vauthier. For the fourth straight vintage, he has produced one of the most compelling wines of the year. The "wine of the vintage", this inky/purple colored 2001 boasts a provocative, floral perfume of crushed stones, raspberries, blackberries, crème de cassis, licorice, and smoke. What makes it so sensational are the layers of flavor and nuances that unfolds as the wine sits in the glass as well as on the palate. An extraordinary intense effort, but remarkably elegant and well balanced, it ideally needs another decade of cellaring; it should last for 4-5 decades! Alain Vauthier is a perfectionist, which is evidenced by what he has produced over the last half dozen vintages at Ausone. Kudos to readers lucky enough to find a bottle or two, and live long enough to enjoy them in their prime. Anticipated maturity: 20012-2050+." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=24593 99+ points Parker's WA (Galloni): "The 2004 Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto is off the charts. Sweet roses, menthol, tar, licorice and minerals come together in a sensual, elegant style that recalls Giacosa?s legendary 1989 Riserva Collina Rionda, a wine many observers (this one included) place at the top of the hierarchy of all-time legendary Barolos. Ripe, sensual, and utterly spellbinding, the 2004 Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto offers superb elegance and pedigree. At this stage the wine remains surprisingly accessible. Readers will want to taste the 2004 Rocche as soon as possible as it will almost certainly head for a long period of dormancy in the near future. This magical Barolo will likely merit a perfect score in the future. The 2004 Rocche is the last wine Giacosa and former longtime oenologist Dante Scaglione produced together from start to finish and it is an appropriate bookend to a wonderful partnership that yielded so many profound wines. Anticipated maturity: 2024-2044." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41024 98+ points Parker: "The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape La Cuvee du Papet may will turn out to be their finest example since the 1998 and 1990. Stylistically, it probably comes closest to resembling the legendary 1990. Notes of roasted meats and smoked duck, with Provencal herbs, truffle, incense, licorice, and pepper, are all there, plus enormous quantities of red and black fruits. This is one heck of a complex wine, with a bouquet that is the essence of southern France, in particular Provence. Full-bodied, powerful, with the glycerin and level of richness covering some lofty tannins, this wine is already accessible and nearly impossible to resist, but my instincts suggest it will be absolutely glorious in another 4-5 years and keep for 15-20." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=39841 97 points Parker's WA: "A candidate for wine of the vintage, the 2007 Graham?s Vintage Port is complete in every way. Opaque purple-colored, it offers up an ethereal perfume of smoke, mineral, Asian spices, incense, an amalgam of ripe black fruits, and a hint of chocolate in the background. This leads to a dense, super-rich, plush, opulent wine that hides its structure under all the fruit. Vibrant, impeccably balanced, and exceptionally lengthy, it will easily age for another 25-30 years in the cellar and drink well through 2050, probably longer. It is a tour de force." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40482 94 points Burghound: "A less expressive but even more complex nose features acacia blossom, pear and citrus aromas nuanced by an almost pungent minerality that continues onto the pure, detailed and almost painfully intense flavors that possess serious delineation on the notably ripe and sappy finish. I was knocked out by this textbook Perrières. Highly recommended. 94/2015+" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=39479 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41982 93 points Tanzer: "Restrained nose hints at candied citrus peel, flowers, vanilla and smoky lees. On the palate, lovely sweetness is perfectly buffered by ripe acidity, but this is very backward and minerally wine-more Perrieres-like than most other growers' Perrieres. Taut and uncompromising, and less showy than the Genevrieres." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40616 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40618