Opera’s Midwinter Gala

California

 

Newton ‘Unfiltered’ – Chardonnay 2006                                  list $59.99       Sale $49.99
One of California’s most glorious Chardonnays.  Drink this beauty over the next 2-3 years. 
93 pts - Robert Parker

Ramey  ‘Larkmeade’ - Cabernet Sauvignon 2005                    list $89.99       Sale $69.99
The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Larkmead Vineyard (1,360 cases produced) possesses abundant amounts of creme de cassis, graphite, cedar, roasted herbs, and spice. This is an attractive Cabernet that should drink well for many years.  92 pts - Robert Parker 

Philip Togni  ‘Napa’ - Cabernet Sauvignon      2004               list $99.99       Sale $79.99
This sensational dense purple-colored effort boasts delicious blueberry, black raspberry, cassis, licorice, and olive-like notes. In the mouth, there is more creme de cassis as well as background toasty oak, structure, and tannin.   95 pts - Robert Parker

Ridge ‘Monte Bello’ – Cabernet Sauvignon 2004                     list $129.00     Sale $99.00
From one of California’s oldest and greatest Cabernet producers, the 2004 Monte Bello is a legendary wine !

Cristom Vineyards ‘Eileen’ - Pinot Noir  2006                         list $59.99       Sale $49.99
Continuity is the custom at Cristom Vineyards where the founder Paul Gerrie remains at the helm and the original winemaker, Steve Doerner still fashions world-class Pinot Noirs. The 2006 Pinot Noir Eileen Vineyard is medium/dark ruby with aromas of pain grille, damp earth, black cherry, and black raspberry.  92 pts - Robert Parker

A ‘vertical’ of  Dunn  ‘Napa’  Cabernet Sauvignons    one of Napa’s best wineries
Dunn-Cab Sauv/Napa          1999                                                    list $56.99       Sale  $45.99
Dunn-Cab Sauv/Napa          2001                                                    list $59.99       Sale  $47.99
Dunn-Cab Sauv/Napa          2002                                                    list $63.99       Sale  $49.99
Dunn-Cab Sauv/Napa          2003                                                    list $63.99       Sale  $49.99
Dunn-Cab Sauv/Napa          2004                                                    list $65.99       Sale  $49.99
Dunn-Cab Sauv/Napa          2005                                                    list $65.99       Sale  $49.99

 

France

Ch Clos Dubreuil – St Emilion      2000                            list $92.99       Sale $79.99
Elegance, purity, and beautiful fruit characterize this impressive garage wine from the legendary 2000 vintage. The dense purple-colored 2000 exhibits pure creme de cassis characteristics intermixed with hints of blueberries, acacia flowers, and smoky, toasty oak. Full-bodied, sumptuously-textured, and rich yet structured and delineated with a long finish.  93 pts - Robert Parker

Ch Cos d’Estournel – St. Estephe  2004                            list $119.00     Sale $89.99
A beautiful example of the vintage,  top-notch winemaker, Jean-Guillaume Prats, have fashioned an exceptional wine displaying a dense ruby/purple color as well as a sweet perfume of boysenberries, black currants, cherries, pain grille, roasted herbs, and licorice. Medium-bodied with impressive density for the vintage, sweet tannin, and outstanding richness and length.   93 pts - Robert Parker

Ch Pavie Macquin – St Emilion  1998                               list $119.00     Sale  $99.00
Sumptuous aromas of  blackberries and cherries combine with smoke, licorice, vanillin, and truffles to create a compelling aromatic explosion. The wine is fabulously dense, full-bodied, and layered, with multiple dimensions, gorgeous purity, and superbly integrated acidity as well as tannin.  95 pts Parker

Ch Beau Sejour Becot – St Emilion          2005                           list $89.99       Sale $79.99
The 2005 Beau Sejour Becot confirms that this is the finest effort from this estate. It is an intense, full-bodied St.-Emilion revealing notes of espresso roast, chocolate, blackberries, licorice, and truffles. With sweet but noticeable tannins, good acidity, and a powerful, long finish, this textbook St.-Emilion cuts a swath between the modern school of winemaking and the traditionalists.  94 pts - Robert Parker

Beaune ‘Theurons’ - Jadot  2005                                       list $54.99       Sale $44.99
Jadot’s 2005 Beaune Theurons exhibits pure black cherry with sage and smoky bacon on the nose. Loaded with juicy fruit character in the mouth, it juxtaposes tart freshness with creamy texture. This vigorous and concentrated wine should reward cellaring.  92 pts - Robert Parker

Corton-Renardes  - Vincent Girardin  2005                      list 99.99         Sale $69.99
Rich, full, serious and utterly delicious flavors that possess the best depth of this trio of Cortons as there is really lovely balance and energy on the long finale.  Score: 91-94  Allen Meadows - The Burghound.

Chateauneuf du Pape ‘Secrets Pignan’ – Bastide St Dominque 2007  list 55.99         Sale $44.99
The limited production, 350-case cuvee of 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Secrets de Pignan Vieilles Vignes reveals a darker ruby/purple hue in addition to notes of plums, pine forest needles, soy, and intense black cherry and black currant fruit. Opulent and full-bodied with silky tannins, stunning depth and texture, and a super long finish.  Made from 90+-year-old vines.  94+ pts.

Chateauneuf du Pape ‘Prestige’ – Roger Sabon 2007     list $79.99       Sale $63.99
The brilliant 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige is produced from parcels that average 90 years of age or older. It reveals the essence of Provence in its dense plum/purple color and powerful aromatics. The wine possesses terrific depth, a blockbuster, opulent, multilayered texture, and a finish that lasts nearly 50 seconds.      95  pts - Robert Parker.

Chateauneuf du Pape – Charvin  2007                              list $99.99       Sale $79.99
I believe the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape is the finest wine ever made at Charvin. With fabulous density, a multidimensional mouthfeel, and a 45+-second finish this brilliant, elegant, feminine-styled wine is loaded with concentration and intensity. Like many 2007 Chateauneuf du Papes, the extraordinary fruit level makes it hard to resist. 97  pts - Robert Parker.

 

Italy

 

Barolo ‘Castelletto’ – Veglio  2000                                                list $52.99       Sale  $45.99
The 2000 Barolo Castelletto, from a vineyard in Castelletto (a sub-zone of Monforte d’Alba) is the best of the group. The floral, tarry, and balsamic nose is warm and expansive, the palate ample and broad, the length and volume unquestionably superior.    91 pts – Robert Parker

 

Barolo ‘Via Nuova’ - E. Pira 1999                                       list $69.99       Sale  $            59.99
1999 Barolo Via Nuova—Dark ruby. More austere and compact, the Via Nuova offers a lovely floral nose and suggestions of small red fruits, minerals and spices on a medium-bodied frame with excellent length if less depth than the Cannubi.  91 pts – Robert Parker

 

Barolo ‘Santo Stefano’ - Manzone 1997                           list $56.99       Sale  $48.99
The rich 1997 Barolo San Stefano Perno emerges from a vineyard on the lower slopes, where more sun exposure results in riper fruit. It offers aromas and flavors of road tar, rose water, minerals, and cherry liqueur. Medium-bodied, pure, stylish, and elegant.   90 pts – Robert Parker

 

Barbaresco ‘Faset’ - Ceretto 1998                                      list $69.99       Sale  $59.99   
The 1998 Barbaresco Bricco Asili-Faset exhibits a plum/garnet color in addition to intense aromas of cherry liqueur, licorice, and leather. It is medium-bodied, with plenty of concentration   90 pts – Parker

 

Barbaresco ‘Vecchie Vigne’ – Paitin Pasquero 1999       list $74.99       Sale  $64.99
The beautiful old-vine Barbaresco Vecchie Vigne displays an elegant nose of spices and toasted oak along with plenty of ripe red fruit followed by notes of tar and licorice that develop in the glass. It is a richly endowed, structured wine with excellent length. 90 pts – Robert Parker

 

Solengo ‘Super Tuscan – Argiano 2003                            list $79.99       Sale  $69.99
The 2003 Solengo, a blend of equal parts Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah, opens with a huge, brooding nose followed by masses of super-ripe dark fruit, cassis, licorice, earth and black pepper nuances that coat the palate with notable length. Made in an unabashedly rich and concentrated style, it is an excellent effort.

 

Brunello di Montalcino – Collosorbo  1999                      list $57.99       Sale  $51.99
The 1999 Brunello di Montalcino shows advanced notes of earthiness and tobacco on the nose along with a distinctly brooding personality in its backward layers of concentrated dark fruit and big, potent tannins.  91 pts – Robert Parker