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Domaine de L'Arlot Clos des Forets St Georges - Nuits St Georges 1er Cru 2008
NZD $104.95 NZD $94.95
152102
By no means a blockbuster, however it should not be after all this is classical red Burgundy at its best, soft, velvety with fantastic middle palate and structure. Lovely mineral characteristics with an almost animal and a gamey edge, is all about texture and balance with generous middle palate, precision, focus and outstanding purity. This is one for the cellar with its lovely racy acidity and harmonies character should see it through for the next 10 years.
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Chateau Talbot 2009
NZD $104.95
EP151
"This is the most impressive Talbot since the 1982 and 1986. It reveals an opaque plum/garnet/purple colour as well as knock-out aromas of black fruits, cedar, incense, liquorice, and a Provencal garrigue-like character. Substantial, sexy, and seductive, it is almost slutty in its exuberance and ostentatiousness. It was a thrill to drink this loaded St.-Julien. It should offer irresistible drinking over the next 20-25 years. (Tasted two times.)" Robert Parker 92-94/100 Please Note: This wine will be arriving on approximately January 2012.
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Domaine Dujac Chambolle Musigny 2006
NZD $107.95 NZD $96.95
153156
Good deep ruby-red. Dark aromas of black raspberry, blueberry, mocha, spices and herbs. Dense and fairly large-scaled, but with good lift and framing acidity to its flavours of crushed blueberry and blackberry. Finishes with firm, building, dusty tannins.
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Domaine Dujac Morey Saint-Denis 2006
NZD $107.95 NZD $96.95
153155
Medium red. Briary black raspberry, liquorice, menthol and a whiff of spice on the nose. Supple, concentrated and sweet, with good depth to its dark fruit and earth flavours. Finishes persistent, with dusty tannins.
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Reserve de la Comtesse 2009
NZD $109.95
EP146
The finest second wine they have made, the 2009 Reserve de Comtesse is composed of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. Flavourful and full-bodied with loads of texture and opulence, it offers up aromas of forest floor and black fruits. The surprisingly high tannin level is barely noticeable given the sweetness of the fruit and abundant glycerin. Nevertheless, the 13% alcohol is right in line with that of the Pichon Lalande. Drink the Reserve de Comtesse over the next 10-15 years. (Tasted once.) Like most Medoc chateaux, Pichon Lalande began their harvest on September 22, and finished on October 7. Robert Parker 91-93/100 Please Note: This wine will be arriving on approximately January 2012.
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Chateau Lagrange 2009
NZD $109.95
EP155
"A slightly lighter, less powerful style of St.-Julien, but also less oaky than previous vintages have tended to be, the 2009 Lagrange offers attractive, fresh, red and black currant notes, and an elegant as well as corpulent attack and mid-palate. This wine does not have the weight of the "big boys" of St.-Julien, but it displays an endearing finesse, freshness, and purity. It is by no means a wimpish, understated wine, but in the context of the 2009 vintage, it is somewhat overwhelmed by many of its neighbours. Enjoy it over the next two decades. (Tasted two times.)" Robert Parker 90-93/100 Please Note: This wine will be arriving on approximately January 2012.
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Domaine Joseph Voillot Pommard 1er Cru "Les Pezerolles" 2003
NZD $113.95 NZD $89.95
152297
Joseph Voillot is a true exponent of Pommard among many of his other wines. The 2003 vintage was a very challenging one due in particular for being one of the hottest ever recorded in Burgundy or in all of Europe. Extreme heat like this is not always conducive to Burgundy, however top producers, old vines, close planting, magnificent vineyard management can help a lot. At the moment it is still young. Pommard can make maybe not over generous wines (especially in their youth) but wines that are able to age for a long time. This is no exception, right now it is clean, very focused with truffle and underlying minerality, wonderful acidity and very generous middle palate, vibrant and very alive. This is beautiful now but will also cellar for another 8-10 years.
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Joseph Voillot Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens 2003
NZD $113.95 NZD $108.95
152298
Les Rugiens is one of the best 1er Cru situated in Pommard. The wine on appearance has a dark ruby colour with a black berry scented bouquet. On the palate it offers massive concentration and outstanding depth. It is absolutely loaded with cassis, spice and hints of black berries with power and muscle yet displaying elegance and finesse. A firm finish with long and outstanding purity. With all the talk of terroir nowadays this is the perfect example. Will also cellar up to 2011.
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Cvne Imperial Gran Reserva 1998
NZD $113.95
152755
One of the true classics from one of the most prestigious Bodegas situated in Rioja. Made from 100% Tempranillo selected from its own vineyards and only on great vintages, aged 24 months in a mixture of American and French oak and a further 3 years in bottle before its release. The 1998 vintage was excellent, the wine even though a little on the young side, has enormous potential. The bouquet is perfumed and scented with tobacco, leather and dry fruits, on the palate it shows incredible depth, structure, total balance and purity but the finish is long and firm lasting well over a minute. If we were to compare it to anything else you would need to go to the Grand Crus of Burgundy, super second growths from Bordeaux or even first growths from Bordeaux, the only difference is that you cannot buy any of those for $95. Outstanding quality.
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Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva 2001
NZD $114.95 NZD $94.95
153433
Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva is synonymous with outstanding Rioja. It is ranked as the first excellent vintage of the 21st century with a quality only matched by the excellent 1964. This is a wine that combines tradition and modernity, a perfect example of a Bodega established in the 19th century but looking ahead to the 21st. Made from Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo, it is dark cherry coloured with brick red hues with a complex aroma of balsamic, toasted oak and Asian spices. Full bodied, with a soft rounded mid palate that leads to a focused, clean yet persistent finish. One of the best value for money wines in the world that if anything, is just a little young and it will continue evolving for the next 15-20 years.
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Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve N.V.
NZD $114.95 NZD $109.95
152482
Billecart-Salmon is one of the few remaining Champagne houses to be owned and run by the original founding family, in 1818 by Nicolas-François Billecart. Most of their fruit comes from their own vineyards which is actually quite rare in Champagne, this is not your big commercial brand where up to 20% of the price is spent in marketing and advertising, Billecart-Salmon like many other Champagne houses do not rely on big advertising budgets, they have built their reputation on quality, workman ship and class. Pale straw in colour, with a stream of extremely fine bubbles and persistent mousse, offering aromas of mature stone fruit, flowers and white pears, leading onto a palate with both fresh green fruit flavours, and the richness of toasted brioche and pastry, ending with a long persistent finish.
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Chateau Phelan Segur 2005
NZD $114.95 NZD $89.95
EP107
"This has a very dark hue, and lovely, aromatic, dense, dark and rather gravelly fruit. The palate has a rather pure character with an appealing leanness, and a raft of attractive red fruits presented in a direct, very well defined frame. This certainly has a pleasing nature, backed up by good extract and substance. There is a lot of stuffing for the cellar here. Very good indeed. From my tasting of 2005 Bordeaux at two years of age." 88-90/100 Robert Parker
