"Dark ruby black in color. Brilliant, intense aromas of mineral, blackberry and currant, with hints of Indian spices and cigar box, lead to a full-bodied palate, with ultrafine tannins and a beautiful balance of blackberry, raspberry and mineral. There's subtlety, (more...)

"The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve has come of age now that it is in the bottle. This is the essence of North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon, offering port-like thickness and richness, a superb black currant, mineral, cedar, and pain grille-scented nose, full-bodied fl (more...)

"Black in color, with superripe and intense aromas of crushed berries, espresso and blackberry. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a rich finish. Massive yet balanced. This has everything going for it. Merlot and Sangiovese. Best after 2012. 1,100 cases made."

"The 2006 Ornellaia flows from the glass in a profound expression of ripe, dark fruit. With time in the glass layers of minerals, cassis, tar, sweet herbs and French oak emerge, adding further complexity. This harmonious Ornellaia combines the richness of the vinta (more...)

"Smooth-textured, supple and harmonious, with subtle layers of currant, spice, herb, anise and light cedary oak, ending with a graceful mix of ripe fruit and fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2013. 50,000 cases made."

"Bright purple. Vibrant red berry scents are complicated by smoky garrigue, anise and baking spices. Fresh and bracing, offering lively redcurrant and raspberry flavors, fine-grained tannins and a long, silky finish. I like this wine's understated quality."

"The fabulous 1995 Claret Reserve (a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot) offers an opaque ruby/purple color, and a classic creme de cassis nose intermixed with toasty new oak and minerals. Full-bodied, with superb texture, dense, massi (more...)

"Opulent, creamy in texture and honeyed in flavor. Citrus and spices complete the flavor spectrum. Soft and round on the finish. Drink now. 30,000 cases imported."

"Undeniably the most complete Beausejour Duffau since the mythical 1990, the black/purple-colored 2000 exhibits a port-like bouquet of licorice, blackberry liqueur, minerals, blueberries, camphor, and melted asphalt. Medium rather than full-bodied, it has a multi-l (more...)

"This is outstanding quality, with pretty aromas and flavors of mint, berry and milk chocolate. Full- to medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a silky finish. But I have had better bottles than this. '89/'90 Bordeaux non-blind horizontal. Drink now."

"This beautiful red is expressive, harmonious and intense. Black raspberry and pomegranate flavors are juicy and focused, backed by vanilla, nutmeg, anise and mountain herbs. Elegant on the palate, this drives through the finish with power and length. Drink now thr (more...)

"The bottled 2005 Beau Sejour Becot confirms that this is the finest effort from this estate in the thirty years I have been covering Bordeaux. A classic blend of 70% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is an intense, full-bodied St.-Emilion r (more...)

"The inky/blue/purple-tinged 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Fiancee, a modern take on the appellation, is a blend of equal parts Grenache and barrique-aged Syrah. Its full-bodied bouquet exhibits scents of blackberry liqueur, smoky pain grille, licorice, tar, and spice. (more...)

"This remarkable bargain from broker Jeffrey Davies has a rare (for Bordeaux), screw-capped finish. Made from 100% Merlot, it is a Bordeaux fruit bomb offering plenty of chocolate in its Merlot character, soft tannins, medium body, and excellent purity. It is even (more...)

"Being typical of the Jarvis cooler region vineyards, the 2002 harvest lead to a remarkable 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine that seduces you with its dark ruby color. Intense dried fruit aromas precede a robust presence of candied fruit and allspice. This is a vibrant (more...)

"For those not lucky or rich enough to purchase the 2000 Cheval Blanc, there is an alternative ... the 2000 Le Petit Cheval. This offering has often been an afterthought, but the 2000 possesses some of its bigger sibling's character. A blend of equal parts Merlot a (more...)

"The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul (85% Grenache and equal parts Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault) tips the scales at a prodigious 15.8% alcohol. Half of the wine is aged in neutral wood foudres and the other half in tank prior to being bottled unfined (more...)

"This wine has just begun to reveal its true personality, having under-performed for most of its life. In half-bottles it is close to maturity, but in 750ml bottles, it still needs another 4-5 years of cellaring (at least those that were purchased in pristine condi (more...)

"Good ruby color. Cassis on the nose, lifted by a floral topnote. Fat and dense but a bit cooler and less complex than the comparatively fleshy cab/syrah blend-or is this medicinal, less expressive wine simply unevolved today? The wine's sweetness is leavened by fi (more...)

"The 1998 is an extraordinary effort, and from a purely hedonistic standpoint, probably my favorite Jacques Perrin (no doubt because of the high percentage of Grenache). It is an intense, full-bodied wine filled with notes of kirsch liqueur as well as an incredibly (more...)