Maison Joseph Drouhin 2000 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos
Explosive and juicy with amplified flavors of spice and white fruit.
Chalk Hill 2000 Chardonnay Clone Collection
Highly collectible box set of six single-clone Chards from the winery’s Oak Hill vineyard.
Robert Talbott 2000 Chardonnay, Cuvée Audrey, Diamond T Estate, Monterey
Thick, rich, and toasty with sweet, creamy fruit; wrap this with a Robert Talbott tie for a unique gift.
Château Cheval Blanc 2000, St. Emilion
Cheval Blanc was perhaps the wine of the vintage in St. Emilion; a superb gift—if you can find it.
Domaine De La Romanée-Conti 1999 Richebourg, Vosne-Romanée
A Burgundophile’s dream; snappy and meaty with tangy acidity and flavors of spice and cherry.
M. Chapoutier 2000 Ermitage Le Pavillon
Dusky, superb Syrah from 70- to 80-year-old vines, made by one of the Rhône’s most controversial figures.
Diamond Creek 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Rock Terrace, Calistoga
Napa legen made by the equally legendary Al Brounstein; complex, dense, lovely, and concentrated.
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cask 23, Napa Valley
The coveted cuvée of Fay Vineyard and Stag’s Leap Vineyard Cabernets; complex, with superb structure.
1999 Dalla Valle Maya, Napa Valley
A sheer power version of Maya, with sinewy tannins and structured complexity.
Joseph Phelps 1999 Insignia, Napa Valley
Bright and fresh with lovely fruit, spice, and ripe plum and cassis; simply gorgeous.
1999 Cardinale, Napa And Sonoma
Velvety and rich with plump, generous fruit backed by subtle spice notes.
Corley Family 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa Valley
Bursting with fruit but supported by a scaffold of tannins and acidity; excellent structure and length.
Martin Ray 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley
Ripe and dense Cabernet with a dose of lovely oak and a lingering, spicy finish.
Duckhorn 2000 Merlot, Three Palms Vineyard, Napa Valley
Napa’s masters of Merlot score again; vibrant fruit matched with superb structure.
Flora Springs 2000 Trilogy, Napa Valley
A stunning Cabernet-driven, Bordeaux-style blend loaded with juicy plum fruit and sweet, toasty oak.
Grgich Hills 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Dark and ripe with intense plum and cassis fruit and velvety texture; balanced, long, and complete.
Saxum 2000 Syrah, James Berry Bone Rock Vineyard, Paso Robles
One of the most talked-about Central California wines in ages; dark and intense with black raspberry and spice.
Northstar 1999 Merlot, Columbia Valley
Completely charming Washington State Merlot with exquisite plum and berry, and a firm acid backbone.
Tenuta San Guido 2000 Sassicaia, Bolgheri
A stunningly successful Sassicaia with polished elegance and soft, rich flavors.
Gagliole 1999 Pecchia Rosso, Colli Della Toscana Centrale
The Italian discovery of the year, made by Swiss-born Thomas Bär-Bettschart; pure blackberry and plum with a core of searing, juicy acidity.
Castello Banfi 1999 Excelsus, Sant’antimo
A smooth and racy Super-Tuscan with lovely, pure blackberry fruit and astonishing acid structure.
Vega De Toro 2000 Termanthia, Toro
The new Toro appellation flagship from the progressive Rioja-based Eguren family; forward and modern with smooth, powerful Tempranillo flavors.
Cims De Porrera 1997 Classic, Priorat
A top wine from Spain’s cult appellation; lively blackberry, gorgeous fruit, and exquisite spice notes.
Penfolds 1997 Grange, South Australia
The benchmark for Australian Shiraz; gorgeous structure dripping with vanilla, oak, juicy blackberry, and spice—intense, pure, and incredible.
Achával Ferrer 2000 Malbec, Finca Altamira, La Consulta Vineyard, Uco Valley, Mendoza
Another knockout version of Argentina’s signature varietal; gorgeous structure and great length.
Montes 2001 Syrah Folly, Apalta Valley
Concentrated Syrah from Chile; long and intense with depth and style.
Salon 1995 Le Mesnil
Smooth and exquisite with bright fruit and creamy, spicy notes; layered flavors with a long finish.
Pol Roger 1993 Cuvée Winston Churchill
A champagne as confident as its namesake; rich, balanced flavors with brilliant articulation and length.
Piper-Heidsieck 1990 Rare
Bright and elegant with refined, stylish flavors of fruit balanced against lush, toasty complexity.
Bollinger 1996 Grande Année
Silky on the palate but with penetrating acidity; long and lovely—a choice New Year’s gift.
Kracher 2000 Scheurebe Trockenbeerenauslese #9, Zwischen Den Zeen, Burgenland-Neusiedlersee
A superb TBA from Austria’s leading sweet-wine guru; long, creamy with tangy acid, searing flavors.
Calem 2000 Porto
Immense richness with velvety blackberry, plum, and blueberry fruit.
Royal Tokaji 1995 Aszu 6 Puttonyos, Szt. Tamas, Tokaji
A Hungarian masterpiece; suave and tangy with sublime apricot fruit and botrytis tones.
Castello Di Monastero 1996 Lunanuova, Vin Santo Del Chianti
Amber-toned with toasted treacle and caramel notes, intriguing Rancio, exquisite creamy flavors.
Return to Wine Guide
Return to Robb Report Host Guide
