This new section on PJWine.com features wines lauded by the wine press with very high ratings. Please note that due to the limited production of many of these acclaimed wines supplies may be very small and not available for re-order. Additional wines will be rotated in periodically.

Australia | France | Italy | Spain | USA

Australia

’03 Mitolo Mclaren Vale Shiraz “G.A.M.” .375L $26.99
“The spectacular, dense ruby/purple-colored 2003 Shiraz G. A. M. (named after the Mitolo family’s three children) exhibits aromas of lead pencil shavings, blackberries, blueberries, cassis, licorice, new oak, and scorched earth. This complex 2003 comes across as a hypothetical blend of a great La Mission-Haut-Brion from Bordeaux and a Rhone Valley Hermitage such as Chapoutier’s Pavillon. Everything is seamlessly integrated into this tour de force in winemaking. It should age for 10-15+ years.” —WA (96-100)

France

’02 Dupont-Tisserandot Burgundy, Gevrey-Chambertin “Lavaux St.Jacques”; Limited, Phone Orders Only $72.99
“Beautiful ripe, pure flavors of cherry and spice, lush in texture and backed by firm tannins. It starts out beguiling, shutting down on the finish, which suggests waiting a few more years before approaching this red. Fine balance and harmony.” —WS 94

’01 E. Guigal Rhône, Marsanne-Roussane “Ex Voto Ermitage” $145.99
“A stunning effort, the 2001 Hermitage Ex-Voto blanc is an 8,000-bottle cuvee produced from 50 and 90-year old vines in Les Murets and l’Ermite vineyards; it will only be made in the greatest vintages. Aged in 100% new oak for 18 months, it is a blend of 95% Marsanne and 5% Roussanne. This fabulous white Hermitage ranks alongside Chapoutier’s limited cuvees of Le Meal, l’Ermite, and l’Oree. Guigal’s 2001 Hermitage Ex-Voto offers up stupendous aromas of white peaches, truffles, quince, and a liqueur of stones. This amazing white should drink well young, yet last 2-3 decades.” —WA 96

’01 E. Guigal Rhône, Syrah “Ex Voto Ermitage” $179.99
“The debut release of the Hermitage Ex-Voto, the spectacular 2001 spent 42 months in new French oak. Produced from four vineyard sites, l’Hermite, Les Murets, Les Greffieux, and Les Bessards, it boasts an amazingly thick purple color as well as a rich, sumptuous bouquet of smoke, licorice, creme de cassis, and earth. Full-bodied and rich, with good acidity and magnificent concentration, this is a tour de force in red Hermitage. Given its high tannin and crisp acidity, it will require patience. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2040.” —WA 94-96

Italy

’00 Corino Barolo “Vigneto Rocche” $49.99
“Lots of plum and toasted oak character. Dried flowers. Full-bodied, with supervelvety tannins and an ultrarefined palate. Round, caressing and delicious. Needs time, but so attractive now that it's hard to hold back.” —WS 93

’98 Dal Forno Romano Veneto, Amarone della Valpolicella “Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta” $386.97
“The 1998 Amarone della Valpolicella Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta is a supreme example of this wine, almost overwhelming in its aromatic impact, luxuriously sweet, ripe, jammy, and chocolatey, mouthfilling and powerful in flavor, broad and caressing, solid and sustained from the attack to the lengthy, lingering finish, superbly shaped and balanced, pedal to the floor power and shapely elegance all in one package. The score is probably too conservative, but it can easily be checked over the next 25 years.” —WA 96

’00 Bruno Giacosa Barolo “Falletto” $134.99
“Good full red. Slightly high-toned, superripe aromas of red berry liqueur and camphor; with its distinct hints of surmaturite, this reminded me of a top vintage from Henri Bonneau. An impressive wave of fruit washes over the palate. Dense and robust, with superb sugar/acid balance. Finishes with powerful tannins and compelling sweetness of fruit.” —IWC 92-95

’00 Elio Grasso Barolo “Casa Mate” $53.99
“Wonderful aromas of pressed flowers and blackberries with hints of cinnamon. Full-bodied, in a jammy, big, fruity style and a long, caressing finish. Chewy though. This shows splendid structure. As good as the 1997. Best after 2009. 1,080 cases made.” —WS 95

’00 La Spinetta Barolo “Vursu” $134.99
“(The Rivettis' first vintage of this Barolo, from a large vineyard in Grinzano Cavour) Tangy, perfumed aromas of red raspberry, rose petal and spicy oak. Juicy and highly concentrated, with pungent oakiness, coffee and minerals. Already offers captivating inner-mouth perfume. Finishes spicy and long, with strong oak-powered tannins.” —IWC 90-93

’00 Vietti Barolo “Ravera” $79.99
“This is a supermodel of a wine. Precise with everything in perfect proportion. Blackberries, minerals and cedar. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a supersilky finish. Everything is in the right place. Best after 2008. 550 cases made.” —WS 95

Spain

’01 Cims de Porrera Priorat Cariñena blend “Classic” $87.99
“The 2001 Classic is a blend of 85% Carignan (from 60-100 year old vines) and 15% Grenache. Notes of bay leaves, thyme, spice box, graphite, black currants, and cherries are present in this vibrant, cooler climate-styled Priorat. With medium to full body, excellent density, and firm tannin, it should be at its apogee between 2007-2014. It is a stunning wine.” —WA 94

’01 Pago de los Capellanes Ribera del Duero Crianza $31.99
“This distinctive red is graceful on the palate, but has an intensity that amplifies and focuses its ripe fruit and toasty oak flavors, driving them across the palate and into the long, long finish. It's not showy, but the longer you linger, the more it delivers. Drink now through 2015.” —WS 93

United States of America

’02 Behrens & Hitchcock California Merlot “Alder Springs Vineyard“; Limited, Phone Orders Only $62.99
“There was nothing to complain about with the 2002 Merlot Alder Springs Vineyard. Gorgeously sweet red, blue, and black fruits jump from the glass along with hints of cola, earth, and new oak. Spicy, with excellent texture as well as ripeness, and a lush, up-front texture and taste, it should drink beautifully during its first 7-8 years of life.” —WA (90-93)

’02 Behrens & Hitchcock California Merlot “Fortuna Vineyards“; Limited, Phone Orders Only $74.99
“The 2002 Merlot Fortuna Vineyard emerges from an Oakville vineyard situated north of Rudd Estate. This superb effort displays a big, thick, juicy, black cherry and currant-scented perfume with hints of smoke, licorice, cedar, and leather in the background. Rich and full-bodied, it is a terrific example of this varietal. ” —WA (92-94)

’02 Caymus California, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon “Special Selection” $129.97
“Lots of rich, creamy oak and a tasty core of ripe currant, plum and black cherry fruit combine to form this notably complex and concentrated young wine. Delicious from start to finish, with a long, fruity aftertaste and fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2011.” —WS 93

’01 Dunn Vineyards California Cabernet Sauvignon “Howell Mountain” $94.97
“Ratcheting up the level of concentration and density, the saturated purple-hued 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain reveals a bouquet of acacia flowers, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. It is a full-bodied, intense, tannic, muscular, powerful effort that should be cellared for 5-10 years, and drunk over the following 20-25.” —WA 93

’03 Penner-Ash Oregon, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $39.99
“Packs an amazing amount of dense flavor into a lithe, elegant package, layering cherry, boysenberry and exotic spice character, which extends into a long, long finish. Has all it needs to develop beautifully. Drink now through 2015.” —WS 93

Australia | France | Italy | Spain | USA