| Vintage Name Variety | Publication Reviewer Score More... | |
|---|---|---|
| White |
2005 Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis OrganicChardonnay more |
Sommelier Journal, Beverley Blanning, MWPremiere “Organic” and “Chablis” are two words you don’t often see together, but here is a top-class wine from a top-class vintage, made from organically grown grapes. Every good sommelier knows that Chablis is just about the most food-friendly white wine there is. Here’s just one more reason to choose it. Hot Picks |
| Red |
2003 Piero Busso Barbaresco Santo StefanettoNebbiolo more |
Sommelier Journal, Shayn Bjornholm, MSPremiere A slightly-warmer-than-usual vintage for this grape and region is a boon to those restaurants not in possession of 10-to-15-year-old, classically structured Barbarescos. This is not your typical, monolithic, can’t-wait-to-taste-it-in-2020 Barbaresco, but with an hour of decanting and a bit of fat in the dish to bind the tannins, this Busso will wow those looking for a riper, darker, dried-fruit style of Nebbiolo—with all the requisite shiitake mushrooms, weathered saddles, and crushed seven-day-old violets thrown in—tonight. Hot Picks |
| White |
2005 François Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Clos HabertChenin Blanc more |
Sommelier Journal, Shayn Bjornholm, MSPremiere Chidaine is the Montluis producer who will: a) play a major part in bringing about the long-overdue “Chenin Shake-Up” in the United States (now that the “Riesling Renaissance” is well under way), and b) expand the minds of Vouvray and Savennières devotees. There is no truer example of off-dry Chenin Blanc in the world—bursting with fresh hay, wet wool, honey, and Normandy apple cider. A softer vintage as well, making it friendlier to the American palate. Hot Picks |
| Red |
2004 Corte Sant'Alda Amarone della ValpolicellaCorvina Blend, Corvina more |
Sommelier Journal, Beverley Blanning, MWPremiere This is no ordinary high-priced Amarone. First, it is not from the Classico district, but from the hills farther east; second, it is made by one of only three female winemakers in the region, Marinella Camerani. The wine has intense, chocolatey, oaky, complex aromas and a super-smooth, silky palate. It has excellent concentration, firm tannins, and a lovely weight of ripe, sweet fruit that finishes dry and long. A beautiful and complex wine to linger over. Hot Picks |
| Red |
2003 Domingo Molina Cabernet Sauvignon MolinasCafayate more |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere Christmas pudding and wet earth on the nose, with touches of mint, molasses, and candied fruit. Slightly alcoholic and a bit flat in the midpalate, dominated by flavors of wine gum and candied fruit. Rather tannic finish. Needs a lamb chop to complement it. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| Red |
2003 Domingo Molina Palo DomingoCalchaquies Red Blend more |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere A nose of pure elegance with subtle power: grilled pork fat, sweet spice, a touch of green pepper, and lots of fruit. The palate displays the same restrained power, with white pepper and paprika accenting the completely integrated dark fruit. Evolves evenly in mouth and glass. The Inca Queen. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| Red |
2004 Domingo Molina RupestreSalta Red Blend more |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere Baked coconut pie crust and black cherry aromas followed by a fairly tannic palate of black cherry and white pepper. Good finish, but not terribly complex. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| White |
2003 Domingo Molina Torrontés HermanosCafayate more |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere Nose of honey, flowers, and green tea. Slightly hot attack, followed by green apple and lemon with a mineral underlay. Medium length. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| Red |
2007 Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate AmautaMalbec Blend, Malbec more |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot. Bouquet of toffee, blackberry jam, dulce de leche, and mint leaf, with hints of wet tea leaves and creosote. Raspberry cream, vanilla, and fresh leather on the palate. Fresh, with good body and length. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| Rosé |
2005 Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Malbec Amauta Rosémore |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere 60% Malbec, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Nose quite closed, eventually revealing blueberry, cherrywood, sawdust, vanilla, and caramel. Slightly alcoholic on the palate; the blueberry and red cherry fruit are not strong enough to get past the dry tannins. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| Red |
2005 Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Malbec Laborummore |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere Seductive, evolving nose of clove, bay leaf, nutmeg, and dried black cherry. Slightly hot attack, followed by a lovely palate of sweet dark caramel, black cherry, raspberry, and cassis. Alcohol returns on the long finish, with smooth tannins and solid structure covered by ripe fruit. Excellent. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| Red |
2004 Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Syrah Laborummore |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere Gorgeous, sexy bouquet with baked cherry pie, raspberry jam, and sweet baking spices. A bit hot on the attack, then a great body with the same spices and black and white pepper. Firm but sweet tannins. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| Red |
2005 Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Tannat Laborummore |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere Expressive nose of sweet tobacco, red plum, and cedar. Well-balanced, delicious fruit—black and red cherry, plum, and boysenberry jam—and smooth, integrated tannins. Excellent. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| White |
2007 Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Torrontés Laborummore |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere Somewhat lighter and less sophisticated nose, with aromas of lavender and honeydew. Dry, crisp, and clean; lightweight, with citrus and white pepper on the palate. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| Red |
2004 Etchart Arnaldo B Gran ReservaCafayate Malbec Blend, Malbec more |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere Leather, cloves, and cinnamon dominate the nose, followed by red fruits and redcurrant. The palate shows raspberry fruit, baking spices, and gingerbread. Tannins are apparent and a bit short on the finish, but the juicy fruit carries through. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| Red |
2007 Etchart Cabernet Sauvignon PrivadoCafayate more |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere Obviously Cabernet. Young, fresh nose of blackcurrant bush with a touch of green pepper. Tight on the palate, showing green pepper, black and white pepper, and blackcurrant. Tannins young but not heavy. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| Red |
2007 Etchart Malbec PrivadoCafayate more |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere Bouquet of ripe fruit, tobacco, and rhubarb cobbler. Tobacco and cedar dominate over prunes, with a pleasant midpalate and finish. Tannins are already quite smooth for such a young wine. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| White |
2007 Etchart Torrontés PrivadoCafayate more |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere Nose of white flowers and lemon juice. Crisp, lemony palate with smooth, full-bodied mouthfeel and good length. Good value. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| Red |
2003 Bodega Felix LavaqueCafayate Malbec Blend, Malbec more |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere Big, masculine Inca warrior. Deep, dark, sexy nose of old leather, dark fruit, Fig Newton, vanilla, and chocolate. Big, ripe fruit on palate, along with spice and fruitcake. Solid tannins, but with bright red fruit underneath. Needs two to three years to open. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| Red |
2005 Bodega Felix Lavaque Malbec Quara Barrique Aged ReservaCafayate more |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere Rather closed on the nose, although a good swirl brings out some fruit behind the smoke and wood. Slow to open on the palate, revealing a good body with hints of complexity to come. Elegant, well-integrated tannins. Plenty of potential, but needs time. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| Red |
2004 Bodega Felix Lavaque Tannat Quara Barrique Aged ReservaCafayate more |
Sommelier Journal, S. Peter SmithPremiere A touch of reduction on the nose at first, followed by wood smoke, cedar, and pencil shavings over blackberry and boysenberry jam. Lots of ripe fruit on the palate, along with white and black pepper. Tannins firm and apparent, but not hard. A little awkward, seems to need more time in bottle. Wines of Altitude, Wines of Attitude |
| White - Sparkling |
NV Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut CuisChardonnay more |
Sommelier Journal, Shayn Bjornholm, MSPremiere Nowhere else do the récoltant-manipulant wines shine as hypervalues as they do in the vintage category. It doesn’t hurt that ’02 is one of the finest vintages of the last half-century. Here, Gimonnet’s skill with Premier-Cru-as-Grand-Cru-worthy Chardonnay is on full display. This bottling’s emerging style of utterly silken elegance above all—above even the obvious midpalate ooomph and the laser-powered, mineral-coated acidity, promising many years of unfolding layers of complexity—makes it a perfectly regal tipple to toast the finest occasion right now. Hot Picks |
| Red |
2004 Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon E II RedNapa Valley more |
Sommelier Journal, David Vogels, CWPPremiere Deep violet with a magenta rim. Blackberry and blackcurrant on the nose, along with tar, dust, allspice, and mint; a bit hot. Dark fruit and earth linger on the palate, picking up a blueberry syrup texture. Gains complexity with time, but modest in structure for a Cabernet. Terroir: Herb Lamb Vineyard |
| Red |
2004 Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon HLNapa Valley more |
Sommelier Journal, David Vogels, CWPPremiere Violet in color, with a lighter rim. Complex nose of blueberry, chocolate, eucalyptus, mushroom, wet earth, and cedar. Opens up on the luxurious palate, showing off its intense fruit. Slightly drying tannins on the lengthy finish, but structured for long aging. Terroir: Herb Lamb Vineyard |
| Red |
2003 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Herb LambNapa Valley more |
Sommelier Journal, David Vogels, CWPPremiere About three-fourths from the Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford; the rest is from the Herb Lamb Vineyard, plus a small percentage from the Beckstoffer-To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville. Deep purple color carries all the way to the rim. Aromas of ripe blackberry, boysenberry, cassis, milk chocolate, and cedar. Big mouthfeel, with noticeable alcohol accompanied by dessert flavors of blueberry and mint chocolate. Pleasant finish and balanced tannins; drinking well now. Terroir: Herb Lamb Vineyard |
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