Yves Cuilleron Cote Rotie Terres Sombres 2005

Style: fruity, well-structured. Ageing: wine vinified for laying down; slightly hard when young. Preferable to wait 4-5 years, but it can age 15 years or more. more

Mitolo G.A.M. Shiraz 2006

Keeping well within the tradition of the GAM style the nose displays masses of ripe plums, spicy aromatic herbs and lifted freshness. The palate is slightly tighter than the previous vintages, reflective of the slow and evening growing season. more

DuMol Russian River Valley Syrah 2006

Deep ruby-purple; High-toned aromatics of violet, tapenade, cassis and pepper. The palate follows the nose with broad richness and full-bodied mid-palate weight. Muscular tannins envelope the back end with a vibrant edge of spice and bright acidity. Serve between 60 and 65 degrees to ensure full flavor development, this bottling ... more

Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

The wine is a seamless fusion of two varieties: shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. An intriguing nose of chocolate, crushed herbs, cedar, blackberries and smoke leads into a tightly-focused palate with fine-grained tannin and incredible density. The finish is fresh and lively with flavours that linger. more

Penfolds Bin 138 2006

Color: Radiant, deep red. Nose: The bouquet is distinctive and different - as has been this blend's raison d'etre for the past 15 vintages. Higher aromatic notes are achieved, not quite floral, but of crushed petal, fennel, caraway and juniper berry. Wafts of freshly kneaded dough (pumpernickel bread) and glaceed ... more

Ferraton Pere & Fils Crozes Hermitage Le Grand Courtil 2005

Colour: deep, limpid and brilliant Nose: very ripe small red fruits and a leather note. Palate: jammy red fruit, full-bodied, delicate tannins with a slight woody vanilla flavour. Long lasting wine. more

Rene Rostaing Côte Rôtie Côte Blonde 2006

A glorious year yielded fresh reds. Not as powerful as the 05s, but perhaps more expressive. His underground, air conditioned cellar is immaculate and contains a variety of new oak casks and larger demi-muids, which he thinks are the best vessels in which to age Côte Rotie. He employs roto-fermenters, ... more

Joseph Phelps Le Mistral 2006

While massive flooding from the Napa River in January of 2006 made national headlines, this had little effect on Monterey County. In our Le Mistral Vineyard near King City, total rainfall was 9.5 inches, slightly under the average of 11 inches. Daytime temperatures in Monterey County tend to be quite ... more

E. Guigal Côte Rôtie Château d'Ampuis 2004

Eye: Deep dark colour with mauve tints. Nose: Spices, black fruits and delicate oak aromas. A dense, expressive and intense nose. Palate: A tannic and racy wine. Aromas of prunes, blackberry and vanilla. Powerful, concentrated and structured palate. Overall: A wine from a tannic and muscular vintage due to the ... more

Buena Vista Winery EVS Ramal Vineyard Syrah 2005

This wine is very complex and an elegant expression of cool climate Syrah in which the gamey side of Syrah is balanced by fresh fruit flavors and a food-friendly level of acidity. The aromas are deep and layered, with notes of blueberry, blackberry, mocha, spice and licorice. It has rich ... more

Ojai Vineyard Santa Barbara Syrah 2006

This is a really powerful and intensely flavored wine that is also lively enough to be engaging and delicious right now. The wine is made from a blend of all of our syrah vineyards, and the farming is strict—we aim for very low yields. For the last several vintages we ... more

Antinori Chianti Classico Pèppoli 2006

Intense red fruit aromas, especially redcurrants and raspberries, are amplified by light hints of vanilla and coffee sensations. This full-bodied wine is pleasantly lingering with soft, sweet tannins. It should be drunk while still young for full expression of the fruit. more