"Dark purple. Cassis and dark cherry on the nose, with smoked meat and black cardamom adding depth and a serious mien. A weighty, structured blend with sweet dark berry compote flavors and supple tannins adding support. Surprisingly lively on the finish, which repe (more...)

"A brilliant sleeper of the vintage, this is a terrific effort from Haut-Brisson's new proprietor. The deep purple-colored 2005 La Reserve exhibits sweet black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with notes of cigar smoke, fruitcake, and cedar. Full-bodied with sup (more...)

"49% Chardonnay; 49% Pinot Noir; 2% Pinot Meunier. There is a slight bias to citrus and chalk here that reminds a bit of good Blanc de Blancs, and, if still fairly young and spry at its heart, the wine shows a nice measure of yeastiness that speaks to time en tirag (more...)

"The 2004 Chryseia seems brighter and more pointed than its 2003 counterpart, not quite as sweet, a little earthier. There are some similarities, such as refined tannins, lovely and persistent flavors and a suave, modern feel. The 2003 is far more attractive at the (more...)

"As for the 2005 Vina El Pison, like the 2005 Pagos Viejos, it is just a bit more muted and not quite as explosive on the nose and palate. It will take more time to fully strut its stuff but, make no mistake, it too is a legend in the making. Kudos to Bodegas Artad (more...)

Although I still prefer the 2003, the 2005 Leoville Poyferre is a gorgeously opulent, approachable wine that is far less massive and austere than its two siblings. The most seductive, approachable, and charming of the three Leovilles, it exhibits a dense purple (more...)

"The 2005 Finca Sandoval is 76% Syrah, 13% Mourvedre, and 11% Bobal fermented with native yeasts followed by malolactic fermentation in barrel with lees stirring, followed by aging from 11-13 months in French and American oak, a mix of new and seasoned 225 and 300- (more...)

"Produced from extremely old Grenache vines, the top cuvee is the Mas de la Barben Calice. A blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah and Cinsault aged in both tank and demi-muids, the 2003 Calice is a dead-ringer for Chateauneuf du Pape. Aromas of black cherry liqueur (more...)

"Slightly better than the 2004, the 2005 retains the same style, but possesses better acidity, a deeper color, and a fleshier, richer mouthfeel. Havens co-ferments the Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon (which can't be easy) for the Black and Blue Proprietary Red Wine, a (more...)