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.

Australia | France | Germany | Italy | Portugal | Spain | United States

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

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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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’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

’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

’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

’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

’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

France

’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

’05 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape $91.97
“Really dense and locked up now, this is packed with dark fig, currant and blackberry fruit shrouded by layers of tar, hot stone, bittersweet licorice and espresso. The long, dense finish has a great tug of iron buried within it.” —WS 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

’05 Colin-Deléger Les Demoiselles Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru $187.99
Wine writer and Burgundy expert Clive Coats says of the Demoiselles that it is, “a top grand cru in all but classification.” “This is more elegant and refined still with an expressive nose that runs more toward floral and white fruit aromas whereas the slightly bigger and richer flavors give up none of the detail or minerality of the En Remilly. This is a bit more forward than it usually is but it's most impressive all the same.” —BH 92

’05 Bruno Colin “La Maltroie” Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru $85.99
“A moderately toasty nose sets off pretty white flower and herbal aromas that merge into nicely detailed, rich and punchy flavors that offer solid dry extract and good if not exceptional power on the citrus-infused finish. There is good harmony here plus a nice note of minerality.” —BH 90

’05 Philippe Colin “Les Chaumées” Chassagne-Montrachet $87.99
“Very expressive and ripe to the point of being exotic with equally ripe, generous and mouth coating flavors that possess excellent volume and mid-palate fat and are wrapped in a textured and mouth coating finish…it is delicious and despite the ripeness and volume, manages to stay in near perfect balance.” —BH 90

’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

Germany

’06 J.J. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese $39.99
“Seamless from start to finish. Aromas of rose, slate and smoke segue into lime and peach flavors in this elegant, stately white. Crisp and transparent, with precise balance and a classic Mosel profile. Has a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2035. 1,300 cases made.” —WS 95

Italy

’97 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Classico Riserva $52.99
“Ruby-garnet. Aromas of strawberry, lilies and plum. Opens up beautifully. Full-bodied, with very soft and round tannins. Viscous and tannic. Still needs time to polish the tannins. Very concentrated.--1997 Italian blind retrospective.” —WS 94

’04 Giovanni Corino “Vigna Giachini” Barolo $52.97
“Corino’s 2004 Barolo Vigna Giachini reveals superb clarity and definition in its layered black cherry fruit, showing outstanding persistence on the palate, refined tannins and beautifully well-integrated oak. This vibrant, pure Barolo is a terrific effort from Giuliano Corino.

This is the first vintage Giuliano Corino has made on his own, and a distinct style is beginning to emerge. He appears to favor a more elegant, restrained approach while his brother Renato’s wines are decidedly riper and more exuberant, very much like their personalities.” —WA 95

’01 Cascina Ebreo “Torbido” Nebbiolo $79.99
Although not technically a Barolo, this hand-crafted, extremely low production Piedmont Nebbiolo has all the stuffing you would expect from a top cru. The wine is bottled unfiltered,and its name “Torbido,” meaning turbid, is something of a pun based on the wine’s rich color. On both the nose and palate there is fantastic freshness with vibrant plum and cherry notes and classic Nebbiolo tones of tar and roses. This wine is exceptionally long and is structured very firmly with a racy backbone that implies excellent aging potential.

’04 Bruno Giacosa “Falletto” Barolo $243.97
“Giacosa’s 2004 Barolo Falletto is so compelling it will be hard not to drink it in its youth. This gorgeous Barolo reveals a deeply structured frame layered with sweet dark fruit, mint, spice and pine. At once delicate and powerful, it is a beautifully finessed wine that is sure to provide much pleasure. A recent bottle of the 1982 is a testament to the virtues of this great site as interpreted by Bruno Giacosa.

Bruno Giacosa’s profound 2004s, which I first wrote about in Issue 173, continue with these superb Barolos, all of which merit close attention. I also had a chance to re-taste the 2004 Barbarescos and they were as impressive as they have been on previous occasions.” —WA 96

’04 Bruno Giacosa “Vigna Croera” Barolo $243.97

’03 Mastroberardino “Radici” Taurasi $36.99
This consistently excellent single vineyard bottling is very approachable and the perfect wine for someone who wants a serious bottle of Aglianico drinking well now. On the nose plum and mixed berry notes meld with red licorice, cracked black pepper, abraded leather, cigar ash and smoke. On the palate the wine is very pure and complex. Notes of strawberry and black cherry mingle with black licorice, black pepper, crushed flower petals and hints of smoke and Italian herbs. The tannins are firm but chewy and the acidity is well integrated. Decant this wine for about half an hour before serving with pasta in a lamb or guinea hen ragu, veal osso buco, or prime rib.

’01 Mastroberardino “Radici” Taurasi Riserva $96.99
This is an exceptionally elegant and powerful wine from a great vintage. The highly expressive nose displays myriad cherry and berry notes along with a dazzling array of violet, cracked black pepper, earth, charcuterie, smoky leather and Italian herbs. As it moves onto the palate more cherry emerges along with hints of crushed anise seed, black peppercorn, dried honey, meaty leather and powdered mineral. There is extraordinary impact on the palate and the tannins are firm but giving. The structure is remarkable with integrated acidity, ripe tannins and superb firm minerality. Finishes with ripe fruit and coffee tones. Decant vigorously to serve now or age this beauty for another 12 years or more.

’04 Marengo “Brunate” Barolo $54.97
“The 2004 Barolo Brunate is textbook Barolo from one of Piedmont’s most historic sites. Gorgeous, open aromatics lead to a perfumed core of dark cherries, spices, menthol and eucalyptus. This vibrant, pure Barolo needs bottle age to come together, but it is a majestic wine in the making. Readers looking for an under the radar gem need look no further than Marco Marengo’s sublime 2004 Barolo Brunate.

In top vintages Marco Marengo can give some of his more famous neighbors a run for their money. 2004 is without question one of those vintages. Readers looking for a source of first-rate Barolo at affordable prices should consider these new releases, all of which are outstanding.” —WA 95

’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

’04 E. Pira “Cannubi” Barolo $73.97
“The 2004 Barolo Cannubi possesses superb depth, clarity and inner perfume, with layers of fruit, sweet spices and menthol that develop in the glass as this magical wine gradually reveals its sublime personality and remarkable texture. Well-integrated oak, ripe, silky tannins and a finish that lasts forever round out this beautiful wine, which was simply stunning on both occasions I tasted it.” —WA 95

’04 Luigi Pira “Margheria” Barolo $52.99
“The 2004 Barolo Margheria represents a powerful, classic expression of Serralunga Barolo. A massive wine, it possesses plenty of fruit supported by imposing structural material, showing superb energy, purity and focus. It is the finest Margheria from Pira I can recall, yet it will require substantial patience. It is aged in a combination of 500-liter barrels and larger casks.” —WA 93

’04 Luigi Pira “Vigna Rionda” Barolo $97.97
“Pira’s 2004 Barolo Vigna Rionda (aged in 100% new French oak) opens with captivating aromatics that lead to a silky-textured palate of ripe red fruit. This medium to full-bodied Barolo offers exquisite purity and delineation with finessed tannins and an extraordinary sense of harmony. It shut down quickly in the glass and will require patience, but this is a stunningly pure Rionda in the making. It’s nice to see Giampaolo Pira bounce back with this gorgeous Rionda after his disappointing 2003.” —WA 96

’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

’04 Paolo Scavino “Bric del Fiasc” Barolo $105.97
“The estate’s 2004 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is another awesome wine. Initially linear on entry, it explodes on the palate with a compelling array of dark fruit, smoke, tar, licorice, new leather, plums and baking spices. Although Bric del Fiasc is typically a wine that relies on power, the 2004 is notably refined and elegant, with sweet silky tannins that support the fruit from start to finish. Simply put, this is a remarkable wine from Enrico Scavino. ” —WA 96

’04 Paolo Scavino “Cannubi” Barolo $112.97
“Scavino’s 2004 Barolo Cannubi is an imposing effort. It possesses a lovely inner perfume with layers of ripe fruit, menthol and spices that caress the palate, showing superb grace and purity. The tannins are sweet, ripe and round, adding to the wine’s stylish, elegant personality. This is a surprisingly big Cannubi from Scavino.” —WA 94

’04 Seghesio La Villa Barolo $48.99
“What a beautiful nose, with flowers, licorice, ripe fruit and fresh leather. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a wonderful ripeness of fruit, yet this is balanced and structured. Very polished. The best wine I have ever had from this producer.” —WS 95

Portugal

’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

’04 Bodegas Los Astrales Ribera del Duero $39.97
“Alluring and exotic. Kirsch and raspberry ganache aromas leap from the glass. The flavors carry through the palate, with mocha, blueberry and smoky notes building through the finish. A modern style, yet distinctive, a bit wild. Drink now through 2015.” —WS 94

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’04 Felix Callejo Crianza $26.97
“Cassis, blackberry, cinnamon, mineral and floral notes mingle in this complex yet harmonious red. It’s deceptively accessible, with a plush texture over well-integrated tannins, and remains very fresh and lively on the elegant finish. Drink now through 2015. 300 cases imported.” —WS 94

’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

’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

’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

’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

’04 Muga “Torre Muga” Rioja $79.99
“Plush and harmonious, this red is alluring yet subtle, with intense flavors backed by an impressive structure. Look for black currant, cocoa, cigar box and mineral notes now, and expect further complexity as this evolves. Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano. Drink now through 2020. 2,000 cases imported.” —WS 95, WS Top 100 #11, IWC 95

’04 Marqués de Murrieta “Dalmau” Reserva (Net) $145.97
This modern style luxury cuvée will stand toe to toe with any upper echeleon Napa Cab you care to throw in its direction. The nose only hints at what is in store, with notes of dark cherry, black raspberry and black currants backed by moist clay and spicy cedar. On the finely polished yet deeply structured palate plush black cherry and raspberry flavors are joined by orange zest, red and black plum, chocolate, cedar and pencil lead notes. There is exceptional density and concentration here, and all the flavors are precisely delineated. Decant this wine for several hours to enjoy now or cellar it for ten more years to experience its development. This is a top class wine at the highest level. Approaching cult status in Spain.

’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

Now back in stock!
’00 Valduero Ribera del Duero Reserva $27.97
“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

’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)

’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

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’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 $89.97
“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 $69.97
“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)

’04 Montelena “Estate” Napa Cabernet Sauvignon $112.99
“The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, all from their old vineyards in Calistoga. This is a dense, ruby/purple-tinged wine with full body, and despite the softness of the general vintage, Montelena has plenty of structure. Like nearly every vintage of their top Cabernet Sauvignon, it will last for 25 or more years. The wine has sweet tannin in a broad, flavorful, concentrated style with plenty of black currant, licorice, and spice. The wine is beautifully textured, slightly more forward than most Montelena Cabernets tend to be. It is another beauty from probably the most consistent winery for Cabernet Sauvignon over the last three decades.” —WA 94

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’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

’05 Rosenblum “Kick Ranch” Sonoma Syrah $41.99
“This open-throttle Syrah is extremely dark, rich and extracted, with loads of flavor, honing in on crushed black pepper, wild berry, blackberry and baking spices, all folding together on the finish. Ends with a tight focus. Drink now through 2012. 474 cases made.” —WS 94

’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

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