Wine & Spirits

96 points Robert Parker Like many of its peers, the 1998 has filled out spectacularly. Now in the bottle, this opaque black/purple-colored offering has increased in stature, richness, and size. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc (57% of the production was utilized), it is an extremely powerful, super-concentrated wine offering notes of roasted espresso, creme de cassis, smoke, new saddle leather, graphite, and licorice. It is massive, with awesome concentration, mouth-searing tannin levels, and a saturated flavor profile that grips the mouth with considerable intensity. This is a 50-year Mouton, but patience will be required as it will not be close to drinkability for at least a decade. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050. This item only can pick up on MP/ARC store

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Domaine Hoffman-Jayer Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits 2017 Brief note: med+ intense aromas of amaretto cherries, blackcurrant leaf, cream, chalk, violets, liquorice root, cloves, green herbs and some light iron/minerality. Dry, med+ smooth tannins which combines beatifully w the flavours of cherry, green herbs, florals and the light chalky/steely touch.

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 It is better than same winery’s chianti classico. Great balance and structure, good finish length, acidity, tannin, sweetness. strong vanilla and milk, cafe-mocha, white flower scents. Complexity was also great. red fruit, blackberry, oaky, coffee tastes.

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Very full juicy with great strength deep ruby off dry Rioja. Medium/heavy body with medium tannins & acidity that are well balanced and textured. Lovely bouquet of cherry, oak, red currant & vanilla on nose. The palate adds strawberries & mushrooms. On mouth & throughout smoked oak flavors elegantly massages while gentle notes of cedar & earthy hints add another dimension to the olfactory & taste incredible experience. Long, suave & firm finish with bits of spice at end.

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Black garnet color. Attractive aromas of dark chocolate, vanilla cola, pressed flowers, cigar box, and leather with a lightly tannic, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, compelling, medium-long toasted nuts, dried berries, and black tea finish with crunchy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A wholly appealing Napa Cabernet.

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A muscular, rich wine, this opens with heady, almost raisiny red-berry fruit, with licorice, earthy herbs and spices, touches of floral notes and vanillin oak. Tannins are chewy and drying, showing a good lick of oak along with the ripe fruit. There's a likability about the fruit profile, though, that suggests that time in bottle might offer lots of interest and drinkability in future. Drink. CHRISTINA PICKARD

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About the Wine Like most estates in Pomerol Le Bon Pasteur works with tiny allotments of land to produce its elixir. Bon Pasteur sits among some of the best company all of Bordeaux has to offer. Within a couple of minutes walk from the front door of the Chateau, one could find themselves in the vineyards of Petrus, Lafleur, Gazin, and Vieux Chateau Certan. L'Etoile is the second label of the estate, but this wine receives the same attention as the Grand Vin and proves why Pomerol is such a desired terroir. The Pomerol appellation encompasses a multitude of micro-terroirs. What makes Château Le Bon Pasteur, with a total surface area of 6.7 hectares, so unusual is that it is located on the border between two world-famous regions: Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. As opposed to the great châteaux of the Médoc, the vineyard is not in a single block but spread out over 21 plots. This patchwork of terroirs accounts for the wine’s considerable complexity, deep color, and delicate bouquet, as well as a softness typical of Pomerol and a generous, powerful side reminiscent of Saint-Emilion. The fate of Le Bon Pasteur is then closely connected to Michel Rolland who represents the spirit of the château for 40 years. Michel Rolland was born in 1947 on the edge of the Pomerol appellation. Steeped in nature, he spent his childhood and teenage years on the family property, Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol-Maillet. Perhaps this explains his love for the land in general and in particular for the vine. Tasting Notes: 80% Merlot 20% Cabernet Franc. Clear ruby, the wine shows intense and subtle aromas with spicy and dark fruity notes. On the palate, the silky character dominates with soft tannins. This wine is fresh, round, and delicious. Reviews Blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries and bramble berries on the nose with licorice undertones. Vanilla and toasted notes, too. It’s full-bodied, structured and concentrated. The finale is intense, tannic and lasts a long time. Still needs time to come together. Second wine of Bon Pasteur. ~93 James Suckling 

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Wine Spectator "Intense and earthy, with mineral, graphite, and dried currant and herb notes that are full-bodied, turning savory on the finish. (JL) " (6/2010) K&L Notes Originally offered only to Schrader's mailing list, the Double Diamond Cabernet Sauvignons are wines of extraordinary quality. From the winemaker: "The straight and simple truth about our Double Diamond wines is, for the quality and the price, we feel we are bringing you one of the best buys in Cabernet on the market today. Our Double Diamond program focuses on two outstanding growing regions - the Napa Valley, renown for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignons, and the Amber Knolls Vineyard, situated on a mountain top (2,200') in the heart of the Red Hills Lake County appellation, recognized for producing spectacular rich, complex, and concentrated fruit."

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Tasting notes This wine has a dark, intense colour, with hints of violet. The nose reveals a complex mix of aromas including raspberry, black pepper, violets, cloves and subtle notes of dark chocolate. On the palate the wine is well-balanced with a refreshing acidity and ripe tannins that contribute to the harmony and smoothness of the palate. This wine will reveal its complexity with further bottle ageing. This is one of the first vintages of Caro to be predominantly Malbec based.

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Deep ruby in color with a developing medium intensity nose. Black cherry, black raspberry, violet, blueberry, floral, slight baking spice, olive, garrique, herbal. Dry, medium plus acidity, high tannins, full bodied, high alcohol and medium plus intensity on the body. Black cherry, sun dried tomatoes, tomato leaf, vanilla, stewed blueberry, floral, earthy, minerals, herbal. Outstanding quality of wine. Can drink now, suitable for further aging.

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layers of flavors of cedar, caramelized anise, cassis, cocoa, sage and green olive. The wine is highly structured, as you would suspect from such a cool vintage, and shy at first, then expanding to a lovely full symphony of licorice, lavender and black currants.

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Grand cru from Ruchottes Chambertin. Very nicely balanced wine, med+ acid, med body. Aromatics of earth, cherry, plum, some saline. On the palate really integrated fruit and minerality.

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