This ongoing PJWine.com section features wines very highly praised wines. Please note that due to the very small production of many of these acclaimed wines, supplies may be limited and not available for re-order. Additional highly rated wines are rotated in periodically. However, please note that PJ’s offers many more highly rated wines beyond those featured on this page.

Argentina | Australia | Chile | France | Italy | Portugal | Spain | United States

Argentina

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’04 Achaval Ferrer “Altamira” Mendoza Malbec $90.99
“Dark and tight, with a tremendous core of blackberry and boysenberry fruit, covered for now under dark chocolate, graphite and floral notes. Long, vivid finish has layers of fruit and a great minerally spine. Should be sleek and beautiful when it opens up fully.” —WS 95

Australia

’05 Amon-Ra “Godolphin” Barossa Valley Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon $45.97
“The 2005 Godolphin, a blend of 80% Shiraz (from 85-year-old vines) and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon (from 60-year-old vines), was aged in 100% new oak, primarily 300-liter French hogsheads. It represents a beautiful marriage of power and elegance, displaying an inky/blue/purple color as well as notions of black raspberries, blueberries, graphite, and sweet pain grille. Ripe, pure, and medium to full-bodied with sweet but noticeable tannin...” —WA 93

’04 Branson Coach House “Rare Single Vineyard Coach House Block” Greenock Barossa Valley Shiraz $87.97
“This ultrarich and decadent Shiraz comes from old vines in Greenock, a prime growing area in the Barossa. They make heady wines that don't weigh you down like some big Shiraz can. This one has zippy acidity to balance the generous layers of black cherry, boysenberry and black plum flavors, shaded with bittersweet chocolate and smoke notes as the finish becomes increasingly plush.” —WS 95

NV Campbells South Australia Rutherglen Muscat .375L $14.97
“The sensational non-vintage Muscat possesses 230 grams per liter of residual sugar, 17% alcohol (typical for this region’s fortified cuvees), a deep amber color, good unctuosity, and a sweet bouquet of brandy macerated raisins, molasses, caramels, and toffee. Rich, full-bodied, and extraordinarily intense, it is an amazing wine. This cuvee is based on 20-25-year old soleras.” —WA 95

NV Campbells South Australia Rutherglen Tokay .375L $14.97
“Displaying a lighter amber hue than the Muscat, the non-vintage Tokay is more elegant, not as sweet (205 grams of residual sugar per liter), but unctuous, long, and fragrant, revealing hints of Chinese black tea, toffee, and marmalade. This cuvee is based on 20-25-year old soleras.” —WA 94

’04 Kay Brothers Hillside Shiraz $23.97
“From 6- to 34-year-old vines, the 2004 Shiraz Hillside spent 28 months in American oak, 50% new and 50% used. A blockbuster effort, it reveals deep, chocolaty, meaty notes intermixed with blackberries, cherries, and cassis. Inky/ruby/purple-colored, with a large mouthfeel, full body, and well-integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol, this is a superb McLaren Vale Shiraz to enjoy over the next 12-15 years.” —WA 93

’05 De Lisio “Krystina” McLaren Vale Shiraz $46.99
“The 2005 Shiraz Krystina (named after Tony De Lisio’s wife) is a 100% Shiraz from relatively young vines planted on one of the limestone and slate sectors of McLaren Vale. Seventy percent new French oak was utilized, and the wine, which was going to bottled unfiltered about one month after I tasted it, exhibits a sweet nose of blackberries, raspberries, smoke, camphor, and graphite. Full-bodied, rich, and intense with sweet but noticeable tannin, a firm structure, and an accessible style...” —WA (92-94)

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’05 Glaetzer “Bishop” Barossa Valley Shiraz $30.47
“Readers should think of it as a French Vacqueyras on steroids. From 60-year-old vines in the Ebenezer district of Barossa, the 2005 Shiraz Bishop sees mostly French oak. It reveals a dense ruby/purple hue, beautiful, attractive notes of pepper, spice box, blackberries, and currants, and amazing richness as well as surprising elegance and definition.” —WA 91-93

’04 Heathcote II Victoria Shiraz $41.97
“An impressive specimen from Victoria, the 2004 Shiraz’s inky/purple color is followed by beautiful aromas of graphite, scorched earth, blackberries, and black raspberries, striking minerality, and admirable precision. It is full-bodied, powerful, rich, structured, and stacked and packed. The wine’s freshness, purity, and intensity suggest it will last for 15 or more years.” —WA 94

’04 Kaesler “The Bogan” Barossa Valley Shiraz $47.97
“The 2004 Shiraz The Bogan, a blend of 98% Shiraz and 2% Viognier aged 20 months in primarily American oak, is a seamlessly constructed wine that was tasted immediately prior to bottling. Inky/purple-colored, with superb ripeness and fruit as well as loads of cassis, blackberry, cedar, and spice box, it will be gorgeous young, yet should age effortlessly for 10-15 years.” —WA 92-95

’05 Kaesler “Old Vine” Barossa Valley Shiraz $39.97
“Moving up in price as well as quality, the 2005 Shiraz Old Vine (45- to 105-years old) is an ageworthy, full-bodied, powerful, muscular Shiraz boasting plenty of tannin as well as structure, and a sweet perfume of creme de cassis, toasty oak, white flowers, and licorice. While accessible, this powerful red should keep for 10-15 years.” —WA 94

’05 Kalleske “Greenock” Barossa Shiraz $52.99
“The impressive 2005 Shiraz Greenock exhibits an inky/purple color, greater intensity, and additional roasted meat and gamy characteristics interwoven with pepper, creme de cassis, and blackberry liqueur. The oak treatment is identical to the 2004, but that component seems more subdued in the 2005.” —WA 94-96

’06 Mitolo “G.A.M.” Mclaren Vale Shiraz $39.97
“The 2006 Shiraz ‘G.A.M.’ (the initials of the Mitolo children) was aged in French and American oak, 60% new. Opaque purple in color, it has an aromatic array of roasted coffee, violets, lavender, pepper, Asian spices, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. In the mouth it is velvety-textured, deep, concentrated, opulent, and altogether hedonistic. ...from the 2006 vintage which Glaetzer characterizes as ‘...a mild growing season with no problems. It ranks with 2002 as my favorite vintage’.” —WA 95

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’05 Mitolo “Reiver” Mclaren Vale Shiraz $35.97
“The 2005 Shiraz Reiver, made from 60-year-old Shiraz vines in the Greenock area of the Barossa, was aged 18 months in lightly toasted French oak. Its inky/blue/purple hue is followed by a lovely perfume of flowers, blackberries, espresso, and licorice.” —WA 94

’05 R Wines Shiraz “First Class” $26.99
“The 2005 Shiraz “First Class” was barrel-fermented and aged for 18 months in new and 1 year French and American oak. More complex aromatically, it has a lovely bouquet of toast, smoke, cedar, lavender, blueberry, and blackberry. Opulent, velvety, and seamless, it has great depth, spicy blue and black fruit flavors with hints of licorice and chocolate, and a very long finish. Drink it over the next 10 years. The Boarding Pass label is just that, a dead ringer for an airplane boarding pass. According to Dan Philips, it is like going on a trip to Australia without leaving home while the First Class is a luxury upgrade. Aside from the humor, these two wines have more in common with Fed-Ex, delivering the goods right on time. R Wines is a new company founded by importer and marketing genius, Dan Philips, along with co-owner, renowned winemaker, Chris Ringland. Winemakers for R Wines are Chris Ringland, Lisa Wetherell, Andrew Hercock, and John Hughes. It encompasses four familiar labels, Marquis Philips, 3 Rings, Roogle, and Bitch, along with 13 others created especially for R Wines. Needless to say, the packaging of these wines is amazingly creative but, more importantly, what is in the bottle consistently over-delivers from low-end to high-end.” —WA 94

’05 Shirvington McLaren Vale Shiraz $49.97
“The dense, chewy, rich, deeply-colored 2005 Shiraz is a full-bodied, ripe, intense wine, but does not reveal quite the same thrilling level of quality as the Cabernet. Nevertheless, it is no wimpy wine, boasting 16% alcohol as well as stunning richness and length.” —WA 93

’05 Tatiarra “Cambrian” Heathcote Shiraz $44.97
“The 2005 Shiraz Cambrian reveals more chocolate and scorched earth characteristics than the 2004 as well as fuller body, more abundant fruit, and huge tannin, muscle, and extract. Only connoisseurs with great cellars as well as abundant patience should consider purchasing this monster.” —WA 94

’04 Tatiarra “Cambrian” Victoria Shiraz $44.97
“The 2004 Shiraz Cambrian exhibits a distinctive terroir/earthy/fresh mushroom/truffle-like component intermixed with graphite, camphor, blueberry, blackberry, and cassis. A wine of great intensity, structure, muscle, and firm tannin, this impressive effort should be at its finest between 2009-2025+.” —WA 93

’04 Torbreck “The Factor” Shiraz
Very Limited, 3 Bottles Per Customer, Phone Orders Only (Net) $99.97
“Made from 100% Shiraz that spent 24 months in French oak (30% new), the exuberant, flamboyant 2004 The Factor offers up gorgeously pure blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with smoke, bacon fat, camphor, and graphite. Silky smooth, and, as David Powell says, “the most Barossa-like” of all his wines, it represents Powell’s rendition of a Cote Rotie. It can be drunk over the next 15-20 years.” —WA 97

’04 Torbreck “The Pict” Mataro
Very Limited, 3 Bottles Per Customer, Phone Orders Only (Net) $183.99
“A new offering, the 2004 The Pict, is a 220-case cuvee of 100% Mourvedre that tips the scales at 13.2% alcohol. Reminiscent of a 1998 Domaine Tempier Cuvee Speciale (a great vintage for that estate), it boasts an inky/blue/purple color, phenomenally intense blueberry and blackberry fruit characteristics, and hints of black truffles as well as fresh mushrooms. Deep and full-bodied, with superb fruit and the right amount of sweet tannin (a rarity for Mourvedre), this beauty should evolve slowly, and drink well for 15 or more years.” —WA 95

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’04 Two Hands “Aphrodite” Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $129.97
“Inky, opaque ruby. Huge, sexy bouquet of redcurrant, creme de cassis, fruitcake, candied licorice, exotic tobacco and dried flowers. This explodes on the palate, showing an array of concentrated, liqueur-like dark berry flavors, cherry preserves, plums-name a dark fruit and it's in here. Suave oak spice adds complexity and sweetness (this was aged in 100% new, large Taransaud barrels). The dense fruit is surprisingly fresh and suave, with a lightness of touch that belies the outsized flavors. Finishes with very fine, sweet tannins. It's remarkable that a wine with this flavor profile can be so elegant.” —IWC 95

’04 Wild Duck Creek “Springflat” Victoria Shiraz $39.97
“The blockbuster 2004 Shiraz Springflat’s inky/purple color is followed by a wine that pushes concentration to the limit. Made from tiny yields of 1.5 to 1.8 tons of fruit per acre, aged in 50% new and 50% 1 and 2 year old oak (half American and half French) barrels, it is a huge, rich, backward Shiraz that still assaults the palate and olfactory senses.” —WA 94

Chile

’03 Casa Lapostolle “Clos Apalta” Colchagua Carmenere Blend $69.97
“Loads of ripe fruit, with plum, blackberry and boysenberry flavors pumping through, backed by suave, mocha-infused toast, mineral and spice notes. Long, fleshy finish has some serious grip.” —WS 94

France

’05 Château Lascombes Margaux $72.97
“Lascombes is again being offered for sale, but kudos to the most recent ownership that has returned this estate to its rightful place as one of the top wines of Margaux. This was quickly accomplished by implementing a draconian selection in the vineyard, and investing in the winery. The stunning 2005, a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, boasts aromas of lead pencil shavings, incense, charcoal, spring flowers, blackberries, cherries, and espresso roast. A pure, fresh, full-bodied palate reveals moderate sweet tannin, a sensational, lush texture, and a blockbuster finish, but they do not compromise the floral elegance of the Margaux appellation. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2035.” —WA 94-96

’01 Les Cailloux “Cuvée Centenaire” Châteauneuf-du-Pape $169.97
“The Cuvee Centenaire is produced from ancient vine (planted in 1889) Grenache (80% of the blend, along with 8% Syrah and 12% Mourvedre). The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Centenaire is superior to the 2000, but slightly behind the 1998. This fabulous wine boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as a provocative perfume of incense, black tea, plums, figs, and kirsch liqueur. As it sits in the glass, this full-bodied, dense 2001 offers up notes of pepper, smoke, and balsam wood. Rich and voluptuous with great length, massive body, and a structured, long, heady, tannic finish, its alcohol must be over 15%, but it is well concealed by the wine's great concentration. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020.” —WA 96

’03 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape $77.99
“Young and tight, with garrigue and roasted game aromas peeking out from a core of ripe black currant, plum and fig fruit. Lots of toast tobacco and iron as well. The finish is well-endowed with tannins, but they are ripe and pure.” —WS 94

’04 Bois de Boursan “Cuvée Felix” Châteauneuf-du-Pape 63.99
“The top cuvee here is the 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee des Felix, which shows resiny pine forest notes interwoven with the spice box, pepper, licorice, deep black currants, and sweet, richer black cherries. A generous, full-bodied wine that is multi-layered, intense, and at the same time spicy and Provencal...” —WA (91-93)

’04 Clos du Mont Olivet “Cuvée du Papet” Châteauneuf-du-Pape $51.99
“The luxury cuvee of old vines that is virtually all Grenache, the 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee du Papet is superb and probably the finest example of this wine since the glorious 1998. Kirsch liqueur dominates the nose, but one can also find licorice, high quality cigar tobacco, and plenty of raspberry notes. Deep ruby to the rim, this full-bodied wine has stunning concentration, moderate tannin, good definition, and a blockbuster finish.” —WA (94-96)
“Medium red. Multifaceted bouquet of bitter cherry, red plum, tapenade, pipe tobacco and espresso. Quite supple on the palate, with concentrated but finely etched flavors of cherry, plum, fresh herbs, espresso and bitter chocolate. Velvety and quite elegant for a wine of its size, finishing with juicy acidity, sweet tannins and striking length.” —IWC (93-95)

’03 Léoville-Las-Cases Bordeaux Saint-Julien $157.97
“Incredible nose of crushed berry, licorice, violets and lightly toasted oak. Pure crème de cassis. Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Solid.” —WS 97

’01 Monpertuis “Cuvée Tradition” Châteaneuf-du-Pâpe 54.99
“Full red-ruby. Expressive, superripe, liqueur-like aromas of maraschino cherry, blackberry, raspberry and licorice; like an essence of grenache. Offers an exciting combination of sweetness and grip, with the wine's mineral underpinning and firm acids giving it terrific energy in the mouth. This opens out beautifully on the very long, firm finish. A very young wine that's built for extended aging.” —IWC 93 (+?)

’04 Pierre Usseglio “Aieul” Châteauneuf-du-Pape $90.99
“Packed with pure, ripe fruit--raspberry, boysenberry and fig--along with cocoa, tar and violet notes. Long, rich, dark finish shows lots of exotic spice, date and dried fruit notes. Tight on the finish, so cellar for a while.” —WS 94

’05 Domaine Weinbach “Cuvée Sainte Catherine — L’Inédit!” Schlossberg Alsace Grand Cru Riesling $69.99
“Floral and lightly citric, with a lacy texture and concentrated flavors of peach, honey and orange peel. Zesty acidity keeps it lively through the mouthwatering finish. delicious.” —WS 94

’00 Zind Humbrecht “Goldert” Alsace Gewürztraminer Vendanges Tardives $69.99
“The 2000 Gewurztraminer Goldert Vendanges Tardives reveals lychee nuts, roses, lilies, mangoes, papayas, and rose water aromas. This intense, muscular wine exudes prodigious waves of jammy peaches and apricots. This medium to full-bodied wine is oily-textured and has an impressively long, if a touch alcoholic, finish.” —WA 94

Italy

’01 Aldo Conterno Cicala Barolo $99.97
“Medium red. Quintessential Barolo perfume: minerals, tobacco, underbrush, tar, licorice, gunflint. Then wonderfully rich and seamless in the mouth, with superb concentration and purity of flavor. Spicy red fruits emerged with aeration. ... Finishes with extremely suave tannins and vibrant lingering fruit. Great wine in the making.” —IWC 95

’01 Aldo Conterno Colonnello Barolo $99.97
“Good full medium red. Highly nuanced nose of red berries, minerals, flowers, spices, underbrush and caramel. Then juicy and tight in the mouth, with very brisk, firm flavors of red berries and minerals. At once superripe and gripping.” —IWC 94

’99 Biondi-Santi “Tenuta Greppo” Brunello di Montalcino Riserva $519.99
Biondi-Santi Riserva is one of the most celebrated, legendary and ageworthy wines of Italy. It is a wine usually made only a few times a decade by the producer that originated the wine Brunello di Montalcino itself. In this case from the powerful and classic 1999 vintage, the Riserva gives new meaning to word 'layered' in wine and the PJ’s team was struck by its magically round and supple elegance. Somewhat deeper colored and fuller-bodied than the regular "Annata" bottling, the Riserva offers a seamless array of scents and flavors of red and black cherry and currant and notes of leather, cedar, lavander, truffle, earth, cured meat, dried tobacco, mellowed vanilla and cocoa powder. It is still firm with an iron spine, yet flows across the palate as if wrapped in velvet. It is surprisingly approachable now, but will age for decades more. Stunningly, subtle, complex and elegant. Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri, PJ 98

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’01 Biondi-Santi “Tenuta Greppo — Annata” Brunello di Montalcino $161.99
A gloriously elegant Brunello di Montalcino from the outstanding 2001 vintage. Biondi-Santi is the pioneering Tuscan producer that created the wine we know today as Brunello di Montalcino from the “Brunello” clone of the Sangiovese grape at the end of the nineteenth century, and afterward codified the production of Brunello and helped establish the foundations of Italy's appellation system. This is Brunello as ‘old school’ as it gets and explicitly built to age. The wine is crystaline, pale ruby in color and the nose is restrained with ripe cherry notes layered with wild herbs, licorice, menthol and earth. The palate is showing somewhat austerely at the moment with pure cherry and red currant notes, smoke, ash and mineral nuances, tight seamless acidity and a long and exceedingly elegant finish. For those willing to wait it will fill out in the bottle, its delicacy will become more pronounced and its tertiary notes will build and further layer. Cellar for 10-20 years, or, for those who must, decant the day before. Singular and idiomatic Brunello. Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri, PJ 94

’99 Bruno Giacosa Barolo $119.99
This gorgeously traditional Barolo from the outstanding and classically structured 1999 vintage is just starting to reveal its inner beauty. We tasted it recently and with aeration it shows beautiful notes of red plum, dried cherry, strawberry, asphalt, wild herbs, smoke, cocoa powder and mellow hints of barrel aging. Balanced and deceptively well-structured by buoyant acidity, the finish is long and graceful, disclosing additional notes of wild berries, leather and mushroom. This classic will continue to unfold for another 15 years. Decant to serve now with casseroles, sausage, roasts or steak.

’01 Bruno Giacosa Asili Barbaresco $179.99
“What a pleasure it was to taste the 2001 Barbaresco Asili. The nose is expressive, with well-delineated notes of spices, flowers and tar that meld seamlessly onto an irresistible palate packed with vibrant layers of sweet ripe fruit with an open, generous personality. This wine is showing a wonderful sense of inner purity right now and will be even better in a few years, although its qualities are abundantly apparent even at this early stage. A great effort.” —WA 95

’01 Bruno Giacosa Le Rocche del Falletto Barolo Riserva $279.99
“Darker and more backward than the Falletto in both its aromas and flavors, Giacosa’s staggering 2001 Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto offers an explosive nose of spices, menthol, minerals, smoke and scorched earth followed by waves of sweet fruit that coat the palate in a potent mix of finesse and sheer power, with fine tannins, and a lingering balsamic note on the finish. This complex, multi-dimensional wine will require considerable patience and will age gracefully for several decades. Made from the oldest vines at Falletto, the 2001 Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto is another towering achievement from Bruno Giacosa. ” —WA 97

’01 Bruno Giacosa Barolo $116.99
“The dense, brooding 2001 Barolo offers sensations of spices, minerals and underbrush on the nose followed by plenty of dark fruit on a muscular frame of great length and harmony. The wine shut down quickly in the glass, and appears headed for a period of dormancy, after which it will no doubt offer tremendous drinking pleasure.” —WA 92

’04 Montevetrano IGT Colli di Salerno Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Aglianico Blend $85.99
“The fresh but full 2004 vintage combines seductive classicism with astonishingly graceful definition. Notes of freshly mown grass and minty talc are the prelude to an inexorable crescendo of aromas that run the gamut from blueberry to musk, black pepper and bitter herbs. The palate displays its usual spectacular grace and harmony with a masterful acidity and a textbook dose of oak.” —GR Tre Bicchieri

’03 Paolo Scavino Bric' del Fiasc Barolo $90.99
“The Bric del Fiasc is noticeably deeper and richer, with notes of sweet dark fruit, tar and scorched earth. Made in a big, bold style, this is a powerhouse of a wine that has enough fruit to balance the tannins, although it is not for the faint of heart. 'As opposed to Cannubi which has loosely packed, sandy soils, at Bric del Fiasc the soils are more compact and thus retain water better, which helps give this wine a little more freshness,' says Scavino.” —WA 90-93

Portugal

’03 Delaforce Porto $55.99
“A fabulous nose of cassis and berries, with hints of licorice. Full-bodied and lightly sweet, with supersexy tannins and a long, long finish. Very classy. Superb for Delaforce.” —WS 95

’03 Fonseca Vintage Porto $85.99
“Saturated deep ruby. Brooding, reticent nose of cassis and kirsch; there's nothing cooked about this one! Then massive, sweet and superrich in the mouth; explodes with exotic ripeness. Intriguing note of graphite. This coats every nook and cranny of the palate and clings and builds on the back end in a way that no other wine of this vintage can match. Huge, sexy and wonderfully lush Fonseca, built for the long haul. As impressive as the best 2000s, and, along with the Quinta do Noval Nacional, is an early candidate for port of the 2003 vintage.” —IWC 97

Spain

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’03 Bodegas Alión Ribera del Duero Reserva $54.97
“The good news is that the 2003 Alion is even better than the 2002. It has a similar personality but with more depth and concentration as well as structure. The ripe tannins suggest much more will be revealed with another 6-8 years in the bottle. It will drink well for 15+ years thereafter.” —WA 96

’04 Finca Allende “Calvario” $83.99
“The 2004 Calvario is sourced from a single vineyard planted in 1945 and is composed of 90% Tempranillo, 8% Grenache, and 2% Graciano. The wine was aged for 14 months in 100% new French oak and bottled unfiltered. Opaque purple-colored, it offers up an expressive nose of toast, vanilla, spice box, floral elements, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur which leaps from the glass. This is followed by a mouth-filling wine with oodles of flavor, great definition, and plenty of ripe tannin leading to a finish lasting nearly a minute. Still an infant developmentally, the wine begs for another 6-8 years in bottle. It should last for at least 25 years. Kudos to Finca Allende for a magnificent set of 2004 Riojas!” —WA 95

’04 Artadi “Pagos Viejos” Rioja $99.97
“The 2004 Pagos Viejos is inky purple with a sublime nose of pain grille, spice box, cherries, raspberries, and wild blue fruits. This is followed by a dense, plush, full-flavored, sexy wine with perfect balance and remarkable elegance for a wine so powerful. Although it can be enjoyed now, it deserves a minimum of a decade of cellaring after which it should drink well through 2047. Kudos to Bodegas Artadi for this tour de force!” —WA 97

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’04 Cillar de Silos “Torresilo” Ribera del Duero $37.99
“...Cillar de Silos located in Ribera del Duero is impressive from top to bottom. The 2004 Torresilos takes it to another level. This 100% Tempranillo is sourced from estate vineyards averaging 60-80 years of age and is barrel fermented and aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak before being bottled unfiltered. Saturated purple in color, it boasts an expressive nose of spice, pepper, smoke, cherry and blackberry. This remarkably concentrated wine has a supple texture, layers of ripe blue and black fruit flavors, terrific focus, and a long, pure finish.” —WA 93

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’01 Dos Victorias “Gran Elias Mora” Toro $47.97
“Fashioned from 50-year old Tinto de Toro (Tempranillo) vines, and bottled unfiltered, this magnificent, dense purple-colored effort boasts a sweet perfume of roasted meats, scorched earth, blackberry liqueur, and cassis. It is a dense, full-bodied, fleshy effort revealing beautifully integrated wood, acidity, and tannin. Flamboyant yet well-delineated, it will be a treat to drink over the next decade.” —WA 95

’04 Bodegas Hornillo Ballesteros “Mibal Selección” Tempranillo $29.99
“The 2004 Mibal Seleccion is a barrel selection of the best lots and spent 14 months in French oak. It further raises the bar with its saturated, glass-coating purple color, super-expressive, exotic nose of pain grille, spice box, wild blueberry, smoked meat, and licorice. On the palate, this thick and opulent wine has gobs of spicy black fruit flavors, enough structure for 4-6 years of further evolution, and a beautifully delineated, long finish. It should drink well through 2020. A true “garage” Bodegas (the winery is in a garage in the town of Roa), these small production cuvees of 100% Tempranillo are uniformly outstanding. Drink 2011-2020.” —WA 93

’01 Mas d’En Gil “Clos Fonta” Priorat $54.97
“Opaque purple in color, it offers aromas of plum, kirsch, mineral and tobacco. On the palate the wine is voluptuous with well integrated tannin, oak, and acidity. It has enough stuffing to merit 4-6 years of additional cellaring and should drink well for a decade thereafter.” —WA 94

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’05 Numanthia-Termes “Numanthia” $49.99
As in the best 2005s, this top-of-the-class Toro offers power, but more elegance than the weighty 2004. The most drinkable Numanthia yet. “Deep ruby. A deep, youthfully brooding bouquet offers dark cherry, blackcurrant, incense and suave oak spices. Spicy cherry and dark berry flavors show an exotic anise quality and slow-building sweetness. This gently tannic, chewy, extremely persistent wine finishes with echoes of oak spice and floral pastille, not to mention excellent vivacity.” —IWC 93

’04 Paixar Bierzo Mencía (Net) $64.97
The best Paixar yet and more proof of the deeply expressive and ageworthy quality of the Mencía grape. Young star winemaker Eduardo García exhibits his increasing mastery of Mencía and the tiny and extremely old vine plot, used to make the Paixar. We are more and more convinced of the ageworthiness and top quality of Bierzo wines. “Inky ruby. Potent cherry and dark berry aromas are expansive and pure, and perked up by spicy cinnamon and clove. Strong blueberry and blackcurrant flavors are complicated by floral pastille and mineral elements that carry through the finish. This gained weight and sweetness with air, offering a range of dark berry liqueur impressions and outstanding persistence.” —IWC 93

’04 Benjamín Romeo “Contador” $311.99
“The 2004 Contador is even better than the 2003 if that is possible. More expressive aromatically (a characteristic of 2004) this wine is more tightly wound and backward than the 2003. Unlike the 2003 it demands a minimum of a decade of cellaring and could well last for 75-100 years if well stored. Collectors will have a blast tasting these two wines side-by-side.” —WA 100

’04 Seven Golfo “7 Golfo” Viño de Mesa (Net) $47.97
“7 Golfo is a joint venture between 7 winemakers, showcasing 7 regions, and 7 varieties. Fifty percent of the wine is a blend in equal proportion of each of the varieties while the other 50% is composed of a blend assembled and voted upon by all of the contributing winemakers. Proceeds of the sale of the wine are contributed to the construction of a winery in Mozambique . The inaugural 2004 vintage is composed of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Graciano. A total of 155 cases were produced. Although the project sounds like a huge gimmick, amazingly the participants have pulled it off and the wine is awesome. Dark ruby/purple-colored, the nose is already complex with scents of cinnamon, vanilla, pencil lead, mineral, black cherry, black currant, and blackberry. Supple on the palate with loads of extract, the wine is full-flavored and rich yet remarkably elegant. It can be enjoyed now but has the potential for 6-8 years of further evolution. Drink this hedonistically-styled wine through 2020.” —WA 95

’81 Lopez de Heredia “Viña Tondonia” Rioja Gran Reserva White $77.97
“True gold, but remarkably youthful for its age. W ild, complex bouquet of pungent flowers, succulent herbs, orange peel, violet, vanilla, toasted nuts and baking spices. Rich, deep and beautifully concentrated, with surprising energy to the ripe pear and poached apple flavors complemented by marzipan and vanilla. This actually tightens up on the finish, showing a lingering exotic, spicy character. You could drink this right now or even hold it for a few more years.” —IWC 93

’04 Mas Martinet “Clos Martinet” Priorat $58.97
This PJ's favorite offers great depth, balance, and loads of pure, expressive fruit. A truly great year for Clos Martinet, one of Priorat's greatest and most elegant wines. “Inky ruby. Intensely spicy nose features exotic oak notes atop boysenberry and cassis, plus a strong, almost candied violet quality. A deep, suave midweight, with dark fruit flavors, no excess weight and a gentle tannic underpinning. The blackberry and plum flavors cut cleanly through the oak spices. Hints of espresso, iron and tobacco emerge on the finish, which shows striking length and concentration.” —IWC 93

’04 Mas Romaní “La Basseta” Priorat $57.97
“The 2004 La Basseta is 50% old-vine Carinena, 40% Grenache, 5% Merlot, and 5% Syrah aged for 15 months in French oak, 50% new. Dark ruby/purple, the wine has a spectacular perfume of mineral, scorched earth, violets, lavender, kirsch, and blueberry pie. Full-bodied, the wine is opulent with a velvety texture, layered flavors, a beautiful integration of oak, tannin, and acidity, and a well-delineated, long finish.” —WA 96

’04 Mas Romaní “La Creu Alta” Priorat $99.99
“The 2004 La Creu Alta is 60% old-vine Carinena and 40% Grenache from vineyards over 100 years of age. Inky purple, the wine has an ethereal nose of spice box, scorched earth, truffle, graphite, kirsch, and wild blueberries. Already complex on the palate, the wine is plush and silky with impeccable balance and an exceptionally long finish.” —WA 97

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’03 Olivares “Dulce” Jumilla Sweet Monastrell .500L $21.97
“Saturated ruby. Brooding aromas of plum, cherry liqueur, prune, candied fig and date, plus a subtle note of tobacco. Intense, deep dark berry fruit flavors show a fresh, juicy quality. Really expands on the finish, showing a broad array of dark fruit and confectionery flavors, with no lack of freshness. Finishes firm and very long. Given the high prices of many world-class late-harvest wines these days, this rates as a steal.” —IWC 93

’04 Pesquera Ribera del Duero $22.97
“The 2004 Tinto Pesquera (Crianza), from a great vintage, is opaque purple with a fragrant nose of lead pencil, earth, black currants, and blackberry liqueur that jumps from the glass. This is followed by a sexy wine with layered blue and black fruits intertwined with ripe tannins and good acidity.” —WA 93

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’00 Valduero Ribera del Duero Reserva $25.97
“The 2000 Reserva is a bit more refined than the Crianza but hardly a shrinking violet. The color is less dense and the nose is more expressive. There are notes of cedar, tobacco, scorched earth, truffle, blueberry, and blackberry which jump from the glass. On the palate the wine remains youthful with layers of flavor but also some elegance as well as power. The fruit is ripe and sweet, the tannins soft, and the finish lasts for at least 45 seconds.” —WA 94

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’04 Vall Llach Priorat $74.97
The 2004 Vall Llach is a deep, fragrant, ripe and balanced Priorat of prodigious proportions. During our trip to Spain last spring, it was one of the top barrel samples we tasted and yet another proof of the high quality of the vintage in Priorat and in Catalonia in general. We tasted the wine again recently and it is showing better than ever. It is an opaque purple color and offers a wildly effusive nose of blackberry, blueberry and rich, smoky minerality. The attack is supple and loaded with black fruit flavors along with touches of licorice and warm oak. The palate is deep, plush, ripe, juicy and full-bodied. Cranberry and apricot nuances beautifully convey the harmoniously interwoven acidity that effortlessly carries this powerful, complex wine into a long, layered finish. Given Vall Llach’s track record and the superb quality of this effort we fully expect very high ratings once this wine is reviewed in the press. Now is the time to secure some of this outstanding blockbuster, before the ratings are in and all the bottles are snapped up. PJ 95+

’96 Vega Sicilia “Unico” Ribera del Duero $285.97
A stupendous Unico that may in time rival the stunning 1994. A step or two ahead of the excellent 1995 and by our way of thinking under-estimated in the press. This highly fragrant, beautifully balanced, pure and ripe Unico will continue to improve in bottle for years to come. WA 95

United States

California

’04 Arietta “Variation One” Merlot/Syrah $99.99
“Deep, bright ruby-red. Slightly reduced nose blossomed quickly to show black raspberry, dark cherry, mocha and chocolate. Lush and superripe on the palate, but saline and mineral elements as well as the wine's strong acid/tannin spine give it great definition and grip. Firm tannins are buffered by the wine's strong material.” —IWC (92-95)

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’05 Beringer “Private Reserve” Napa Chardonnay $24.97
“A big offering, the full-bodied 2005 Chardonnay Private Reserve reveals notions of hazelnuts intermixed with honeyed pineapple, poached pears, and toasty oak. Well-made with good acidity, beautiful richness, and a vibrant, long finish…” —WA 93

’03 Dominus Napa Cabernet Sauvignon $99.97
“A big, sweet nose of roasted coffee, Provencal herbs, black currants, cherry jam, plums, allspice, and forest floor is followed by a spicy, rich, full bodied, fragrant, intense wine. The tannins are sweet, but noticeable in this beautifully complex, strikingly aromatic 2003. It has much more similarity to a great Bordeaux than anything from Napa Valley.” —WA 95

’04 Dominus Napa Cabernet Sauvignon $94.97
“The elegant, dark plum/purple/garnet-colored 2004 Dominus exhibits a big, sweet, cedary, roasted herb, mocha, black cherry liqueur, black currant, and earth-scented perfume. Medium to full-bodied with silky tannin as well as a luscious mouthfeel and finish, it should be more accessible in its youth than many of its predecessors, but easily last for two decades.” —WA 94

’04 Garretson “The Bulladóir” Paso Robles Syrah
Six bottle limit, per person. $51.97
“Impressive, powerful, rich, and concentrated is the 2004 Syrah The Bulladoir, a blend of 96% Syrah and 4% Viognier. An opaque blue/purple color is accompanied by sumptuous aromas of barbecue smoke, creme de cassis, blackberries, and camphor. It makes a huge tactile impression, yet remains balanced and is neither over the top nor pruny/raisiny. Drink this beauty over the next 10-12+ years.” —WA 95

’04 Garretson “Mon Amie” San Luis Obispo County Syrah
Six bottle limit, per person. $39.97
“A blend of 96% Syrah and 4% Viognier, the 2004 Syrah Mon Amie Bassetti Vineyard, from San Luis Obispo rather than Paso Robles, is a superb effort. Its inky, deep ruby/blue/purple color is followed by a big, sweet nose of graphite, creme de cassis, smoke, and road tar. The wine boasts great intensity, full body, beautiful purity, and a long finish. It should evolve for a decade or more.” —WA 94

’04 Robert Mondavi “Reserve” Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $93.97
“Weaves together a complex array of ripe, rich currant, anise, smoky oak and black cherry. Dense, concentrated and persistent, with great depth and focus. Ends with an amazingly long, richly flavored finish.” —WS 95, 2007 Top 100 #9

’03 Montelena “Estate” Napa Cabernet Sauvignon $87.99
“The inky purple 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate offers up abundant quantities of sweet earth/loamy soil notes intermixed with black cherry and blackcurrant fruit as well as a floral characteristic. There is superb fruit concentration in addition to a heady blueberry/blackberry component in this effort. Again, these wines need plenty of time to reveal all their attributes, but at the moment, I would be hard pressed to say it’s better than the 2003 or 2002. It should be ready to drink in about five years and last for 25 or more.” —WA (93-95)

’05 Pax “The Knob” Alder Springs Vineyard Mendocino Syrah $85.99
“The 2005 Syrah Alder Springs Vineyard The Knob (170 cases) displays loads of pepper, blackberry, cassis, toasty oak, lavender, and spice box characteristics.” —WA (92-94)

’05 Red Car “Shake Rattle” Syrah $51.99
“A riveting red. Dense, rich and complex, with deep, concentrated plum, currant, smoke and blackberry fruit that's plush and persistent. Fans of full-throttle Syrah will love this wine. Drink now through 2011.” —WS 93

’03 Ridge “Monte Bello” Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon Blend $108.99
“The dense ruby-hued 2003 Monte Bello offers a tight but promising nose of tar, briery creme de cassis, toast, and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, with abundant tannin, a rich texture, and a deep, persistent style, this youthful, primary red is best forgotten until 2010. It should drink well over the following 15-20 years. ...impressive wine...” —WA 94

’05 Orin Swift “The Prisoner” Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend $32.99
“A delicious wine that offers the best of both worlds: zesty wild berry, spice and fresh tobacco, with focused, well-structured blackberry flavors. Plush, rich and concentrated, with a wonderful focus on the core fruit flavors. Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Charbono. Drink now through 2011. 20,000 cases made.” —WS 93, 2007 Top 100 #17

’04 Philip Togni Napa Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon $97.99
“Readers looking for more ripeness, opulence, and an extroverted character should check out the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, which is actually a larger crop than 2005. 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. I don’t think there has ever been a vintage where Philip Togni has cheated anybody on flavor intensity or tannic structure as his wines always last, even in lighter vintages, for twenty or more years.” —WA 95

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’02 Vérité “La Joie” Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Blend $129.97
“The full-bodied, classically-styled, Bordeaux-like 2002 La Joie’s (64.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28.5% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and .3% Malbec) deep ruby/purple color is followed by gorgeous aromas of black truffles, scorched earth, tobacco leaves, blackberry and cassis liqueur, and notions of minerals as well as acacia flowers.” —WA 98

’02 Vérité “La Muse” Sonoma Merlot Blend $129.97
“The impressively saturated ruby/purple-colored 2002 La Muse (92.5% Merlot, 7.2% Cabernet Franc, and a tiny dollop of Malbec) boasts a sweet nose of chocolate-covered blueberries, blackberries, melted licorice, smoked herbs, and earth. This opulent, full-bodied, luscious 2002 conceals plenty of tannin behind its voluptuous personality.” —WA 94

’03 Vérité “Le Désir” Sonoma Merlot/Cabernet Franc Blend $129.97
“Complimentary adjectives are almost inappropriate for the extraordinary complexity, fabulous richness, and sheer nobleness and beauty of the 2002 Le Desir (52.7% Merlot, 41.2% Cabernet Franc, and tiny percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec). Dense aromas of creosote, burning wood embers, blackberries, blueberries, and violets are offered in the full-bodied, fabulously complex perfume. Full-bodied, with tremendous complexity, a voluptuous texture, and flavors of plum liqueur, figs, chocolate, espresso, and minerals, this is a tour de force in winemaking.” —WA 97

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