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SOLD AS 6 BOTTLE ORIGINAL WINE CASE. (equivalent to $400/bottle)
Sadly, the 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Reservee (150 cases of a wine that reached 16.5% natural alcohol) is one of the most profound Chateauneuf du Papes ever produced, but latching onto a few bottles is virtually impossible. A blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Syrah, it is an astonishingly rich wine, offering up notes of black raspberry liqueur intermixed with kirsch, crushed rocks, and white flowers. The wine has superb richness, amazing intensity, yet comes across as relatively light on its feet for a wine of such massive richness and intensity. Made from yields of 12 hectoliters per hectare, the wine is a modern-day legend that should age for three decade or more. I could actually drink it now, although I know that's infanticide, but I suspect this wine will hit its peak around 2010 and then age effortlessly. Bravo! 100/100 - RP
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The 2003 Cote Rotie La Mouline is by far the most delicate and elegant wine (11% Viognier is co-fermented with 89% Syrah). but the enormous aromatics of spring flowers intermixed with creme de cassis, black raspberry, mocha, caramel, and cola, and enormous full-bodied opulence and striking velvety, seamless texture make for one of the most memorable wines anyone could every drink. This wine should age effortlessly for 25-30 or more years. 100/100 - RP
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SOLD AS 6 BOTTLE ORIGINAL WINE CASE. (equivalent to $3700/bottle)
("it's quite possible that the '96 will be the longest lived of any La Tache produced in many years" - AdV). Fantastically pure with the classic spice box, hoisin and soy nose followed by big, rich, very structured flavors that display notes of earth, leather and tea. The tannins are big, ripe and are completely buffered by the sap with length that is simply phenomenal. This remains completely primary in character and seems not to have budged at all since it was bottled. A genuinely great vintage for La Tache that is softer in the mouth than the '96 Grands Ech and this should improve for another decade and last for 50 years. Very classy juice. 96/100 - Burghound
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SOLD AS 6 BOTTLE ORIGINAL WINE CASE (equivalent to $250/bottle)
The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (400 cases produced) will be the last vintage of this cuvee. A fabulous wine fashioned from 50-100-year old vines (80% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre), its dense purple color is accompanied by gorgeous aromas of blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, minerals, and kirsch. As it sits in the glass, notions of pepper and spice also emerge from this unevolved, backward Chateauneuf. It has high levels of extract and richness as well as formidable tannin. The superb purity, immense fruit, and unbridled power of this extraordinary wine should result in something magical in about 7-10 years. However, this is not one of the more forward 2001 Chateauneuf du Papes, so buyers will need patience. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2022+. 96/100 - RP
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"Made in a completely different style, the colossal 2005 Hermitage Ex-Voto is pure power, muscle, and concentration. Its inky/purple color is accompanied by an extraordinary, precise nose of creme de cassis, smoke, charcoal, incense, and spring flowers. Full-bodied with outrageous concentration, good acidity, noble sweet tannin, and a 60-second finish, this wine requires 5-6 more years of bottle age, and should drink well for 30-50 years."95-98
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SOLD AS 6 BOTTLE ORIGINAL WINE CASE. (equivalent to $400/bottle)
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. 94-96/100 - RP
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A pure aromatic smorgasbord is offered by the 2003 Cote Rotie La Turque, which has an amazing aromatic profile of espresso coffee interwoven with scorched earth, tar, truffle, incense, blackberry, bacon fat, and flowers. Powerful, thick flavors ooze across the palate with a viscous texture, amazing purity, and just enough acidity and tannin to give uplift and precision to this remarkable tour de force in winemaking. Of the 2003s, this is also approachable, but ideally 2-5 years of cellaring would be suggested, and the wine will evolve for at least 30 more years. 100/100 - RP
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"Pale yellow-green. Great precision on the nose: crushed oyster shell, steely minerality, lemon, lime and nutmeg. Even denser than the Cote Bouguerots but not as large, with captivating, soil-driven toast and nut oil notes adding another element of complexity to the vibrant citrus and mineral flavors. An utterly edge-free, spherical wine of great energy and clarity that also conveys a captivating sweetness. Leaves the mouth vibrating, with the empty glass exuding a lingering perfume of minerals and powdered chalk."94 Tanzer
" Here too the elegance of the nose is simply stunning with a layered and perfumed aromatic profile that oozes Chablis character and in particular, a fine minerality that continues onto the impressively concentrated and palate staining flavors that possess striking precision on the explosively long finish. This is a great Les Clos that will make old bones"94-97 Burghound
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SOLD AS 6 BOTTLE ORIGINAL WINE CASE (equivalent to $400/bottle)
The 2004 Vina El Pison is purple/black in color with an ethereal bouquet found only in the greatest wines. Vanilla, spice box, truffle, wild blueberry, black raspberry, and blackberry liqueur are descriptors that come to mind but which cannot really convey the other-worldy nature of this perfume. On the palate, it is opulent, beautifully delineated, elegant and powerful all at the same time. Impeccably balanced and amazingly long, this wine is a pleasure to drink now but will still be providing pleasure 40-50 years from now (with good storage). Kudos to Bodegas Artadi for this tour de force! 100/100 - RP
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Dense purple to the rim with a nose of graphite, creosote, earth, olives, and black, black, black fruits, the primordial, full-bodied, monumental 2003 Cote Rotie La Landonne is amazing stuff. I suspect this is more akin to a dry vintage port than most Cote Roties ever tend to be, but the purity, the richness, the texture, the length are all out of this world. This wine does need some patience on the part of its purchasers, probably five years, more likely 8-10, but then one of the world's most compelling elixirs will be at its peak for another 20-30+ years. 100/100 - RP
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