Offers
2009 Lafite Rothschild
Price: $2,200 per 75cl bottle ex Bordeaux
En Primeur
Robert Parker : 98-100 points
'The 2009 Lafite Rothschild is a candidate for “wine of the vintage.” Although the 2003 was powerful (12.9% alcohol), the 2009 came in at 13.4% alcohol. It is a blend of 82.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot. Only 45% of the crop went into the grand vin, which may be the most concentrated Lafite I have ever tasted. There is not a hard edge to be found in this inky/purple-colored wine displaying notes of charcoal, incense, black currants, and licorice. In the mouth, it represents a liqueur of black fruits offered in a remarkably full-bodied, incredibly elegant, lush style. Expansive, savory, staggeringly concentrated, and voluptuous as well as wonderfully precise with a hint of minerality, this sensational wine’s technical numbers are off the charts. Is this a replay of the 1959? Although it will be surprisingly approachable in its youth, this is a 50-100-year wine. '
Robert Parker
2009 Latour
Price: $2,000 per 75cl bottle ex Bordeaux
En Primeur
Robert Parker : 98-100 points
'The 2009 Latour has off the charts concentration in addition to the highest level of tannin ever measured at the estate. The final blend was somewhat unusual in that it consists of 91.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8.7% Merlot, and clocked in at 13.7% alcohol (even higher than the 2003). Possibly a 100-year wine, it boasts an inky/black/purple color as well as an extraordinary perfume of super-intense blue and black fruits, graphite, and a liqueur of rocks-like minerality. Enormously full-bodied yet at the same time incredibly fresh, vibrant, and precise, it coats the mouth, and builds incrementally to skyscraper-like texture, and a whopping finish that lasts over a minute. This remarkable wine reveals a certain accessibility already, yet one senses that it will be even richer, more nuanced, and fuller by the time it is bottled in mid-2011. A monumental wine from a monumental vintage in the Medoc, this is our children's children's children's elixir. '
Robert Parker
2006 Shafer Hillside Select
Price: $495 nett per 75cl bottle
Robert Parker: 97 points
'The flagship wine, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select performed even better this year than last year. A candidate for one of the top “wines of the vintage,” it reveals beautiful aromas and flavors of grilled meats and herbs intertwined with extravagant amounts of blackberry and cassis fruit, licorice, and charcoal. Extremely full-bodied, pure, deep, and layered, this is another prodigious Hillside Select that should evolve for 25-30 years.
This family-owned winery routinely fashions exceptional wines from their Stags Leap vineyards. Moreover, they have long been the reference point for what can be achieved in Stags Leap. My highest compliments to this great winery. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2039.'
Robert Parker
2005 Penfolds RWT Shiraz
Price: $205 nett per 75cl bottle
eRobertParker.com : 92 points
Jeremy Oliver : 96 points
‘The 2005 RWT Shiraz was aged in 70% new French oak hogsheads. The bouquet shows off aromas of pain grille, pencil lead, damp earth, pepper, game, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Velvety textured, supple, ripe and succulent, this elegant effort is impeccably balanced and built for pleasure. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.'
eRobertParker.com
2002 Penfolds Grange
eRobertParker.com : 98 points
Price: $550 nett per 75cl bottle
Only available in six bottle original branded wooden cases.
‘Last but not least is Australia’s most famous wine, the 2002 Shiraz “Grange”. The 2002 version was sourced from 77.5% Barossa Valley and 22.5% from McLaren Vale. Included in the blend is 1.5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It spent 17 months in 100% new American oak. Opaque purple, it gives off an ethereal bouquet of violets, saddle leather, blueberry, blackberry, pencil lead, and chocolate. This is followed by a full-bodied wine with tremendous concentration, multiple layers of flavor, ripe tannins, and great balance. Thick and rich, with a 60-second finish, it will slowly blossom over the next 15-20 years and provide pleasure through 2050. It is a legend in the making!'
eRobertParker.com
2005 Penfolds Grange
Price: $650 nett per 75cl bottle