The challenge of finding rare and limited bottles is part of the passion of wine. So small is the production of the best boutique wineries, it is inevitable that more will seek these wines than that which is available to purchase.
We offer regular notice of very limited offerings on this website. Please understand that due to the limited quantities, we will not be able to fill all orders. We strive to offer these treasures to those who act quickly to purchase!
Included in this Section are:
2006 BORDEAUX FUTURES
2005 CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPES
2006 BORDEAUX FUTURES
The 2006 vintage in Bordeaux turned out to be quite successful. The best are intense wines that will cellar well for many years.
We are required to buy Bordeaux futures in full case quantities, so if you order less than full cases, we may need to combine your order with others, or may not be able to fill your order if we are not confident of selling the remainder of the case in a reasonable time. Payment is due when we confirm your order with our supplier. All prices are net discounts and payment is the same regardless of whether you use credit card, debit card or check. Delivery is expected sometime in 2009. We are including Robert Parker's commentary and reviews for your consideration.
2006 L'Arrosee, St Emilion (92-94 points) (please inquire)
An ethereal, finesse-styled, Cheval Blanc-like delicacy accompanied by
intensity characterize the 2006 l’Arrosee, another terrific effort from new
proprietor Roger Caille. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by a sweet
perfume of crushed rocks, raspberries, cherries, flowers, and spice.
Velvety-textured and structured, with considerable concentration yet a
lightness of being, this finesse-styled beauty should be ready to drink in
3-5 years, and last for two decades.
2006 Lynch Bages, Pauillac (91-93 points) (please inquire)
This may turn out to be the finest Lynch Bages made since the 2000. The
vintages between 2000 and 2006 are certainly very good, but seemingly
lighter-styled in addition to being more forward and soft. The
seriously-endowed, dense ruby/purple-tinged 2006 reveals a classic nose of
creme de cassis, roasted meats as well as herbs, licorice, and toasty oak.
Fleshy, full-bodied, opulent, and well-endowed, it will be at its peak in
5-6 years, and should keep for 20 or more.
2006 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac (93-95 points) (please inquire)
One can’t say enough about the extraordinary quality proprietor Alfred
Tesseron has achieved at Pontet-Canet over the last decade. The 2006 is
another massive wine that may be as backward and concentrated as its nearby
neighbor, Mouton Rothschild. Boasting a dense purple/black color in addition
to aromas of creme de cassis, incense, burning embers/charcoal, and pain
grille, it is monstrous in the mouth with huge flavor concentration,
extremely high tannins, and significant extract. Tesseron’s goal appears to
be a 50+ year wine. The 2006 requires a decade of patience. Anticipated
maturity: 2016-2040+.
2006 Montrose, St Estephe (92-95 points) (please inquire)
This is the first vintage produced under the full control of Jean-Bernard
Delmas, the person responsible for so many of the great Haut-Brions between
1961 and 2003. Yields were kept low (41 hectoliters per hectare), and for
the first time, the entire vineyard was crop-thinned. About 60% of the
production made it into the final blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28%
Merlot and Petit Verdot. The deep ruby/purple-hued 2006 possesses classic
aromas of creamy blackberries, cassis, flowers, and crushed rocks. It is
medium-bodied with a multilayered texture, sweeter, more finely tuned tannin
than past vintages, and a powerful finish. There has been no compromise to
the wine’s massive richness and density, but rather an emphasis on taming
some of the huge tannins Montrose produces. It is an outstanding, fresh,
lively effort that appears to be a brilliant achievement for the vintage.
The tannin level ranks alongside such great Montrose vintages as 2005, 1990,
and 1989, but they are noticeably sweeter. It should age handsomely for 30
or more years.
2006 La Conseillante, Pomerol (92-95 points) (please inquire)
La Conseillante has been hitting on all cylinders over the last several
vintages, and the 2006 may rival both the 2005 and 2000. Made in an atypical
broad, fleshy style, it exhibits a dark ruby/purple hue, plenty of structure
and tannin, but superb concentration. Usually a Burgundian-styled, elegant
effort, the rich, well-textured 2006 is a bigger, more blockbuster example
displaying a deep ruby/plum/purple color. It requires 2-4 years of
cellaring, and should last for two decades. Bravo!
2006 Cos d'Estournel, St Estephe (92-94 points) (please inquire)
Jean-Guillaume Prats told me that yields were a modest 38 hectoliters per
hectare, and only 55% of the production made it into the 2006 Cos. The
harvest took place between September 21 and October 6, and the final blend
is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (78%), followed by 20% Merlot, and 2%
Cabernet Franc. The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2006 recalls such vintages as
1988 and 1996. It offers a classic bouquet of incense, licorice, pain
grille, black currants, truffles, and flowers. Medium-bodied and
concentrated with moderately high tannin, it will require 8-10 years of
cellaring, and should keep for 30 or more. It is another terrific effort
from an estate that has done everything right over the last decade.
2006 Ducru Beaucaillou, St Julien (94-96 points) (please inquire)
Similar in style to the 1996, proprietor Bruno Borie continues to curtail
yields, now producing just under 10,000 cases of the grand vin, and the rest
of the production going into the increasingly high quality second wine, La
Croix de Ducru Beaucaillou. The backward, tannic, dense purple-colored 2006
Ducru Beaucaillou offers sweet mineral-infused black cherry and cassis fruit
interwoven with notions of graphite and truffles. Powerful, pure, rich, and
intense, it should be at its peak between 2017-2035.
SECOND LABELS
2006 Clos du Marquis (Leoville-las-Cases) (please inquire)
2006 Alter Ego de Palmer (Palmer) (please inquire)
2005 CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPES
The 2005 vintage from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is being touted at the same high quality level as 2005 red Bordeaux and 2005 red Burgundy. These wines have either arrived, or will be arriving any day. Tasting notes are from Parker's Wine Advocate and Tanzer's International Wine Cellar.
2005 Chateau Fortia Tradition
750 ml $35.00 29.05 VS
1.5 L $75.00 62.25 VS
375 ml $20.00 16.60 VS
Light red. Ripe red berry aromas complemented by a suggestion of gingerbread. Lush, sweet flavors of strawberry and raspberry liqueur are already quite attractive, and silky tannins will not stand in the way of early consumption. Finishes juicy and long. 90-93 points - IWC
2005 Domaine de Cristia $38.00 31.54 VS
The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape is deep ruby/purple in color, opulent, full-bodied, and rich, with notes of smoke, blackberry, cassis, garrigue, and pepper as well as chocolate. It is deep, full-bodied, with sweet tannin, moderate acidity, and superb precision and overall balance. Accessible for a 2005, it can be drunk during its first 10-12 years of life. If you haven’t figured it out yet, this is one of the up-and coming new superstar producers in Chateauneuf du Pape thanks to the inspired efforts of proprietors Alain and Baptiste Grangeon. The style here seems to be a synthesis of old-line tradition with their emphasis on ancient Grenache vines and a healthy respect for modernist techniques, utilizing newer and smaller oak barrels for the Mourvedre and Syrah components, but aging the Grenache in older wood. 90-92 points - Parker
2005 Domaine de Cristia Cuvee Renaissance $85.00 70.55 VS
Dark purple. Exotic, intensely floral bouquet of ripe cherry, raspberry, lavender, rose oil, vanilla and Asian spices. Lush, creamy and suave, with deep, sweet red berry and kirsch flavors, molten tannins and a supple, impressively long finish. This will be drinkable young. 90-93 points - IWC
The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Renaissance is as black as a moonless night. It exhibits notes of blueberry, acacia flowers, licorice, sweet kirsch, and blackberry. Full-bodied, powerful, dense, and almost Port-like because of its thickness and viscosity, this is a stunning wine that had a finish of 45+ seconds. The tannins are present, and the wine probably needs 4-5 years of cellaring but should keep for 20-25 years. 94-96 points - Parker