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. However, please note that PJ’s offers many more highly rated wines beyond those featured on this page.

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

’03 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape $44.99
“A very strong vintage for this traditionally made Chateauneuf du Pape, the 2003, a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and the rest Mourvedre and Cinsault, has a deep ruby/plum/purple color and a big sweet nose of dried Provencal herbs, licorice, seaweed, and spice box. The wine is massively concentrated, relatively high in alcohol by the standards here (15% plus on their component parts), and has a long, concentrated, chewy finish with high tannin and equally high extract. If there is one Chateauneuf du Pape that smells like an open-air Provencal spice, flower, and food market, it is Vieux Donjon. It is a classic, concentrated essence of Provence, all in an alcoholic beverage. This wine will need 4-5 years of cellaring when released and drink well for 15-20 years.” —WA 92-95

Italy

’01 La Fiorita Lamborghini “Campoleone” 69.99
“It’s hard to avoid slipping into automotive metaphors when talking about the 2001 Campoleone, made at the Lamborghini family estate near Lake Trasimeno — sleek lines, power to spare, super acceleration from start to finish, a shift into overdrive on the finish. Suffice it to say that this is Umbria’s prototypical Sangiovese/Merlot blend, an intense dark ruby with a potent, spicy, red currant, raspberry, and plum nose, a sumptuous texture with superior volume, velvet, and sweetness, and exceptional length, grip, and sensuality on the close. Better this 2001 or the equally formidable 1999? LetŐs just say that it’s likely to be a photo-finish, and either could take the checkered flag.” —WA 93

’00 Falesco Lazio IGT “Montiano” (Net) $47.97
“Falesco’s top offering is a 100% barrique-aged Merlot, the 2000 Montiano. While it may not equal the quality of the 1999 or 1997, it comes close. The 2000 boasts an opaque purple color in addition to a sumptuous perfume of graphite, blackberries, currants, licorice, and subtle pain grille notes. With great depth, full body, sweet tannin, and a long, layered, elegant finish, it should drink well between 2005-2020. Bravo!” —WA 94

’01 Albino Rocca Barbaresco, “Brich Ronchi” $55.99
“Fabulous aromas of crushed blackberries and strawberries follow through to a full-bodied palate, with soft and velvety tannins and a fresh finish. Very aromatic red. Best after 2007. 1,620 cases made.” —WS 92

’01 Albino Rocca Barbaresco, “Loreto” $55.99
“Aromas of blackberries, peat and iodine with hints of cedar follow through to a full-bodied palate, with loads of chewy tannins and a long, mouth-puckering finish. Best after 2008. 210 cases made.” —WS 92

’01 La Spinetta Piedmont, Barolo “Vignetto Campe’ Vürsù” $99.99
“Full medium red. Aromas of graphite, rose petal and gunflint. Plump and full in the mouth, but also highly aromatic, thanks to its floral and mineral components. Still, this rather saline, dry, serious Barolo is a bit youthfully aggressive today, and much less obviously sweet than Rivetti’s Barbarescos. Finishes with building tannins. Very promising young Barolo, from chalk-rich soil similar to that found in Gallina and Starderi.” —IWC 92 (+?)

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 Beaux Freres Oregon, Pinot Noir “Belles Soeurs Shea Vineyard” $54.99
“Powerful, rich and seductive, a plush mouthful of fresh plum, blackberry and subtle spices, amazingly ripe and supple right through the extraordinarily long finish. Tannins are beautifully integrated, but enough to carry this one a long way in the cellar. Best from 2005 through 2012. 412 cases made.” —WS 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