Wine & Spirits

Clear, medium, yellow. Nose: Delicious tones of mature green fruit. Delicious mature yellow apple tones, lime and lemon citrus. Hint of white peach, papaya and green apples. Palate: Smooth, vibrant, minerality and so elegant. Such intense fruit quality. The nose joins the palate. Intense minerality tones, toasty barrel, but balanced. Complex and generous. Long finish. A delicious Blanchots grand cru. Laroche is big and comercial, but it is hard to med up Chablis grand cru. This is so elegant and good.

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98 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "The 2012 Haut Brion (65% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc) is certainly one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage, with a dense purple color, classic nose of crushed rock, lead pencil shavings, black raspberry, blueberry and flowers. The wine shows subtle barbecue smoke notes in the background, but is full-bodied, stunningly concentrated and builds incrementally, yet finishes with luxurious, almost extravagant amounts of fruit and intensity. From only 46% of the production, this is an absolutely remarkable effort from the Dillon family and their winemaking team of the two Jean-Philippes. Drink it over the next 30-40 years. (RP) " (4/2015)

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This comprises 94% ‘Hommage’ (70/30 Pinot Noir/Chardonnay) w. 6% Grand Cru Ay Pinot Noir vinified red & aged in Dame Jane amphorae/Demi-Johns. Aged 4yrs sur lattes. Pale pink. Pretty & floral w. white strawberry, yellow raspberry, yellow cherry & elegant brioche/patisserie. M+ aroma intensity, developing w. honeyed plum & pink grapefruit. Dry. High acid balances the RS w. soft strawberry, raspberry & cream. Yellow cherry, plum & a creamy mousse w. patisserie & a yeasty, nutty m+ finish. Delicious. --Andy B

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Made from Grand Cru Chardonnay, Delamotte Blanc de Blancs exhibits absolute purity, with the vinification process taking place in stainless steel tanks. Blanc de Blancs is a mineral Champagne, with a chalky sensation achieved by a modest addition of reserve wine (10%maximum). This particular note is the very essence of our vineyard and its Chardonnays, which grow in a pure chalk soil. Yes, the wines may be a little austere when young, which is why maturation on the lees – far longer than the statutory 15 months – extends to four or five years before disgorgement. Aging after disgorgement continues to perfect the finesse and elegance of this cuvée. Made from Grand Cru Chardonnay, Delamotte Blanc de Blancs exhibits absolute purity, with the vinification process taking place in stainless steel tanks. Blanc de Blancs is a mineral Champagne, with a chalky sensation achieved by a modest addition of reserve wine (10%maximum). This particular note is the very essence of our vineyard and its Chardonnays, which grow in a pure chalk soil. Yes, the wines may be a little austere when young, which is why maturation on the lees – far longer than the statutory 15 months – extends to four or five years before disgorgement. Aging after disgorgement continues to perfect the finesse and elegance of this cuvée.     Ratings: 93 points, International Wine Report - "This opens with bright lemon peel, kumquat, and Asian pear on the nose. Building in the glass, the wine shows off a sexy mousse, revealing a wonderful effervescence. Granny Smith apple, sourdough bread, and kumquat shortbread flavors come to mind. There is a wonderful elegance to this wine."

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93 points Black fruit roast aromas from oak chocolate vanilla coffee plum figs spices Nose just begining to show some development Really powerfull wellintegrated tanins and alcohol Long finish Surprisingly goid quality -- David O h

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“Silky and fresh with juicy red fruits; mostly Merlot deep and ripe with crisp acidity; a very modern wine – generous and tangy, and a great value.”

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Made by the makers of Petrus and Trotanoy. Those is amazing wines however price / value connection is best in the Hosanna. Classic Boudreaux with dark fruit, spices and cedar. Definitely ready to drink now. Opens more after an hour decanted. However full potential shows after 2. Good balance between sweetness, acid and tannins. Beautiful legs and color and nose that wants you to keep sniffing. Fantastic finish to a beautiful evening. -- Kim Schmidt

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"Solid, with ample iron and briar notes layering the dark currant and blackberry fruit flavors. Offers a sappy feel for the vintage, with brambly tannins holding the finish." - Wine Spectator"Dark red cherry, plum, spicecake and crushed flowers are some of the many notes that meld together in the 2013 Pichon Baron. Silky and resonant in the glass, the 2013 impresses for its texture and soft, enveloping personality. While there is plenty of early appeal, the 2013 has more than enough brightness and acidity to suggest it will age gracefully. The 2013 Pichon Baron brings together a classic sense of structure with a modern and very pure expression of fruit. The blend is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot." - Antonio Galloni

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Purplish red colour, fruity forward aroma with secondary vanilla and smoke, notes of blackcurrant, leather, tobacco, oak, cedar, cherry. Classic left bank Bordeaux with cab sav based full body and moderate tanins nicely balanced out by the age. --Stahs Pripotnev

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This wine incorporates grapes from the elite Cru appellations of Vacqueyras and Rasteau as well as Côtes-du-Rhône Villages sites in Roaix and Séguret. A piercing blackberry and bramble-scented blend of Grenache and Syrah sourced from limestone soils, it's an approachably fruity introduction to Santa Duc's majestic (and more expensive wines) but maintains a trademark vitality and finesse. Highlighting juicy cassis and plum flavors along with a zippy mineral finish, it's a delicately tannic red that should drink well through 2026. ---ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA

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The 2000 Château Duhart Milon Rothschild is a Bordeaux red wine from the Pauillac appellation. This great vintaged wine is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot depending on the year. Historic property re-purchased in the middle of the 1950s, Château Duhart Milon Rothschild spreads over 72 ha of vines cultivated by the First Growth Château Lafite Rothschild's team. Fourth Growth Bordeaux, Château Duhart Milon Rothschild is rightly considered as a Pauillac role model. This 2000 Château Duhart Milon Rothschild is a beautiful bottle.

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For those who favor a truly decadent Merlot, look no further than Château Fleur de Gay.  This Pomerol producer yields some of the most opulent, hedonistic, and luscious expressions of the varietal during top vintages.  Though the estate is a relatively new property compared to some of the other estates in Pomerol, the trajectory of Château Fleur de Gay has been an exciting one once it hit its stride in 1988.  With its small production and profound wines, Château Fleur de Gay is without a doubt a treasure of Pomerol. Though Château La Fleur de Gay is a younger property, the family that runs it has been a prominent force in the wine trade since 1477.  Official records of the estate date back to 1772, and the first owner was Jean Brugnet.  The story goes Château La Fleur de Gay was created because the owners of La Croix de Gay wanted to create a 100% Merlot wine produced from some of the oldest vines in the La Croix de Gay vineyards. In 1982 they created Château La Fleur de Gay and once they perfected things within their operation, the 1988 was a great vintage for the estate.  Initially Michel Rolland was the consultant at Château La Fleur de Gay, but he was subsequently replaced by Alain Raynaud, who worked with Colgin Cellars in Napa Valley and Moraga Vineyards in Southern California.  Alain’s influence and understanding of both the terroir and varietals helped the estate craft some legendary vintages.

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