Product Description:

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2006 CHATEAU BALTHUS LA RESERVE:
"Chateau Balthus is a stunning project from Yves Vatelot (owner of Chateau Reignac) is now in it's 5th vintage, and has gotten better every vintage. The inaugural release of the La Reserve bottling is off and running right out of the box. This elegant and complex Merlot-driven wine is made for the long haul. Showing excellent acid and tannin structure, with supple fruits and great depth of character, this fabulous red should last for 15 to 20 years, possibly more. 100% Merlot." -95 points Gary Vaynerchuk

The La Reserve Cuvee for Balthus is 100% Merlot like the estate's traditional bottling, however this wine is from selected barrels chosen by Gary Vaynerchuk.

"Balthus hails from a three hectare, rolling, hillside vineyard situated near Château de Reignac; the soil is comprised of clay and limestone mixed with some gravel. This special site is home to 40 year old Merlot vines planted at a density of 6,000 vines/ha. Yields are 18 hls/ha before selection and saigneee- 15 hls/ha after. The vineyard team exercises a rigorous program of debudding, deleafing and crop-thinning; all harvesting is done exclusively by hand. A 10-day cold soak at 6° C in small stainless steel tanks is followed by alcoholic fermentation and a 15-day maceration in 100% new Tonnellerie Garonnaise barrels (coopered from oak selected by owner, Yves Vatelot) using the cutting edge Oxoline system of barrel management and a patented method for breaking up the solids in the barrel. The wine is then run off into more new barrels for the malolactic fermentation and subsequent aging on the lees for an anticipated 19 months." -Importer

See this wine on Cellar Tracker here: http://www.cellartracker.com//wine.asp?iWine=791131

2006 HDV CHARDONNAY:
"Tight and focused, delivering a beam of lime, citrus and green apple fruit that's crisp and lively, gaining depth and a minerally nuance on the long finish. Drink now through 2012. 1,562 cases made." -93 points Wine Spectator

"Showing all of the richness and layered complexity that we have come to expect from HDV, this head-turning offering is at once fairly powerful but comes with an uncommon sense of finesse. It smells of well-ripened apples, sweet toast and wisps of roasted grains, and its deep, full-scaled flavors unfold with elements of minerals and spice lifting it above simple fruitiness. Full-bodied and slightly fleshy in feel with optimal acids affording it very fine balance, it is a serious Chardonnay that will take to aging, but it is wholly fascinating now." -93 Points Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine

"HdV is a family venture between Hyde Vineyards of Napa Valley and Aubert & Pamela de Villaine of Burgundy, France...Often described as 'very Burgundian', our chardonnays are distinctive among their California counterparts for their unique minerality and balance. Aged in French oak, the minerality and natural acidity of these wines provide a remarkably crisp wine which pairs beautifully with food and ages with elegance. Our chardonnay blends selections which each provide a unique palette of characteristics." -Winery

See this wine on Cellar Tracker here: http://www.cellartracker.com//wine.asp?iWine=581704

2004 QUINTA DA ROMANEIRA PORT:
"This wine's luscious fruit gives it a velvet nap, its architectural structure elevating the fruit over the tannin so you can taste the tight weave of plum and schist. It's sleek and harmonious, worthy of ten years of age, but not pushed to be anything more than delicious." -92 points Wine & Spirits

"Quinta da Romaneira is the fruit of an investment partnership spearheaded by Christian Seely, the managing director of Quinta do Noval. The group purchased the estate in 2004 with a view both to restore its 180 acres of old vines and to develop a luxury resort focused on the food, wine, and culture of the Douro."

"Perched high above the Douro river, just east of Pinhão, Romaneira's vineyards occupy an ideal location, with the terraces cut into a steep bowl. The site, which had fallen into disrepair, has undergone a massive replanting with both traditional varieties and some experimental vines, including Syrah and Rhone clones of Grenache and Mouvedre." -Importer

See this wine on Cellar Tracker here: http://www.cellartracker.com//wine.asp?iWine=424001