Domaine Faiveley 1999 Grand Cru, Corton-Charlemagne
Sweet flavors of vanilla and exotic spice race through this long, structured Burgundian beauty.
Louis Jadot 2002 Corton-Charlemagne
This one has it all: grip, depth, and richness, with notes of honey, butter, and white fruit. (available in 2004)
Labouré-Roi 1999 Puligny Montrachet Premier Cru Champs Gains
Elegant, rich, and powerful, with racy acidity, focused fruit, and subtle flavors.
Nicolas Joly 2000 Clos De La Coulée De Serrant, Savennieres-Coulée De Serrant
One of the Loire’s hidden jewels; dense biodynamically produced Chenin Blanc from a single-estate appellation with intense minerals, fruit, and nervy acidity.
Zind-Humbrecht 2001 Gewürztraminer, Grand Cru Hengst, Alsace
Luscious, extracted, creamy, and long, with roses, spice, and soft sweetness; highly elegant and subtle.
Domaines Schlumberger 2000 Gewürztraminer, Cuvée Christine, Alsace
Exquisite rose petal and gentle spice notes leading to a creamy finish; exemplary Alsace Gewürz.
Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt 2001 Riesling Spätlese Scharzhofberger, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
Stunning Riesling from this cool-climate vineyard in the Saar; bright, ripe, and pure, with excellent balance.
Château Margaux 2000 Margaux
A stupendous expression of Margaux, with stylish yet powerfully delineated flavors and meticulous structure; cellar six to eight years.
E. Guigal 1999 Côte-Rôtie La Turque
Extremely rare release from the master of Côte-Rôtie terroirs; plum and blackberry fruit with amazing depth and concentration; worth a search at auction.
Delas Frères 1999 Hermitage Les Bessards
Seductive Syrah with tremendous blackberry fruit.
Amuse Bouche 2002 Napa Valley
Heidi Peterson takes on Pétrus: fleshy, explosive, and lush, with huge plum and blackberry fruit balanced on a pure stream of searing acidity—the quintessential Merlot; order now for 2004 delivery.
Shafer 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, Napa Valley Stag’s Leap District Sumptuous black fruit flavor robed in a crushed-velvet texture and finished with sweet oak.
Groth 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Oakville, Napa Valley
Astonishingly focused plum fruit and exceptional acid structure; racy, balanced, long, and lifted.
Caymus 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection, Napa Valley
Mellow and velvety, with sweet oak over chocolate, spice, and rich plum; a smashing success.
Robert Mondavi 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Oakville
Ripe and poised, with shifting layers of toasty oak, black fruit, and vanilla leading into a knockout finish.
Calem 2000 Porto; Quinta do Vesuvio 2000 Porto (Click image to enlarge)
La Crema 2000 Pinot Noir, Nine Barrel, Russian River Valley
A stunningly elegant expression of Pinot, possessing feminine cherry-floral qualities and complex minerals.
Williams & Selyem 2000 Pinot Noir Allen, Russian River Valley
Lovely cherry nose and lavish black-cherry flavors; intense and fleshy.
Sea Smoke 2002 Pinot Noir, Ten, Santa Barbara
Gaja 1999 Barbaresco
Angelo Gaja combines Nebbiolo from 14 different growths for this searing and intense Barbaresco.
Castello Banfi 1997 Poggio All’oro Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva
Dark and dense, with rich berry fruit, excellent structure, and a long, layered finish.
Biondi-Santi 1997 Poggio Salvi Brunello Di Montalcino
Silken texture, balanced flavor of herbs and ripe plum fruit, and an endless finish.
Michele Chiarlo 1999 Barolo Cerequio
A virtual explosion of pure, delicious fruit with beautiful balance; exquisite Barolo from a modern master.
Ceretto 1998 Barolo Bricco Rocche Prapó
Loaded with complex layers of fruit and spice leading to an elegant, poised finish.
Marcarini 1999 Barolo La Serra
Spicy, tannic, and dense, with superbly delineated flavors; give it some age.
Kaesler 2001 Shiraz, Old Bastard, Barossa Valley
A massively styled Aussie offering from 109-year-old vines; rare and rambunctious.
Yalumba 1998 Shiraz, The Octavius, Barossa
Remarkably assertive Shiraz with toasty notes and huge licorice, spice, vanilla, and plum components; an Aussie powerhouse.
Goldwater Estate 2002 Merlot, Esslin, Waiheke Island
A pioneering New Zealand Merlot with a perfumed, aromatic nose and serious berry fruit.
Santa Rita 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Casa Real Alto Santa Rita Old Vines, Maipo Valley
Forty-year-old vines give this Chilean Cab layered, concentrated flavors of spice, plum, and berry fruit; silky and long with an edge of green herbs.
Catena Alta 2000 Malbec, Angelica Vineyard, Mendoza
Masterful Malbec from Argentina’s leading producer; astonishingly layered blueberry-blackberry fruit and beautiful balance.
Taittinger 1995 Comtes De Champagne Blanc De Blancs
Creamy feel with lovely, rich fruit and fine mousse; one of the great champagnes.
Duval-Leroy 1990 Femme De Champagne
An extremely refined tête-de-cuvée from a sometimes neglected champagne house; racy and elegant with pure, lifted flavors that go on and on.
Freiherr Heyl Zu Herrnsheim 2000 Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Niersteiner Brudersberg
Thick, dark amber color and loaded with opulent apricot fruit and vanilla.
Inniskillin 2001 Cabernet Franc Ice Wine, Niagara Peninsula
A Canadian ringer with lovely pink color, sweet strawberry flavors, and zippy acidity.
Quinta Do Vesuvio 2000 Porto
Vivacious and seductive with gobs of blackberry fruit and tobacco notes; superbly drinkable.
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