Fine Wine Works Treasure Trove Issue II
Valid from 1st November 2010
Our Winefinder service procures wines absolutely to order from the best current sources in terms of Price and Provenance. We also take the opportunity to acquire small parcels of fine wines as we discover them throughout Europe – may we introduce our FWW Treasure Trove!
A selection of juicy and delicious tiny quantities of fine wines we have acquired recently:
All prices are HT (without tax). Call us or e-mail us if any of the wines are of interest to you.
Whites
1. WillaKenzie Estates Pinot Gris 2007
Willamette Valley, Oregon USA
27.00€ SOLD OUT
This Pinot Gris is made in a rich and complex Alsatian style, fermented in stainless steel, with generous aromatics and a pleasingly rich mouthfeel dominated by ripe ear, peach and a touch of grapefruit. This wine sees no wood and has flavours and aromas of stone fruit, orange blossom and honeysuckle with a light minerality and a crisp finish.
2. Flowers Estate, Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2008
Sonoma Coast, California USA
61.00€
Showing balanced depth and complexity with a light straw colour. Aromas unfold with layers of lemon drop, pear, apricot and wet stone mineral. This vintage shows crispness and intense fruit on the palate – lush and balanced.
Reds
Bordeaux
3. Château Pichon Baron Longueville 1996
Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
2ème Cru Classé
155.00€
Pichon Baron, a leading Pauillac 2eme Cru Classé estate, is one of Bordeaux’s most illustrious “super seconds”. The best examples have layer upon layer of unctuous, vanilla scented and cassis fruit intermingled with cigar box and lead pencil shavings aromas – as they require cellaring for at least 10 years, this 1996 is drinking magnificently now!
Pichon Longueville Baron’s 1996 has turned out to be even better than I thought from cask. The high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend (about 80%) resulted in a wine that has put on weight in the bottle. An opaque purple color is accompanied by beautiful aromas of tobacco, new saddle leather, roasted coffee, and cassis. This well-endowed, classic Pauillac should be at its finest between 2006-2022. Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) 91 points
4. Château Pontet Canet 1996
Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
5ème Cru Classé
103.00€
A super star, great value property which borders Mouton Rothschild, owner Alfred Tesseron is outperforming this property’s historic reputation by perhaps the greatest degree in the whole of Bordeaux. Shortly to be granted full eco Organic certification. The 1996 is just starting to come into its stride!
With coaxing, the wine offers aromas of black currant jam intertwined with minerals, sweet oak, and spice. A full-bodied wine, it possesses layered, concentrated, sweet fruit, with an elevated level of ripe tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2035. Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) 92 points
5. Château Ducru Beaucaillou 1996
St Julien, Bordeaux, France
2ème Cru Classé
218.00€
A description of the land, the name literally means “beautiful pebble”: small stones and gravel permit good drainage of the soils and that’s exactly what Cabernet Sauvignon thrives on!
A thoroughly outstanding wine, sleek and racy with loads of character. Intense floral and blackberry aromas, with hints of mineral. Full bodied, with super silky tannins and a long, long finish. Wine Spectator 92 points
6. Château Beau Séjour Bécot 2005
St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
1er Grand Cru Classé
105.00€
In the upper echelon, and rightfully so, of Bordeaux right bank producers, but still offering excellent value for money, even for this exquisite 2005 vintage, for its fruit dripping, well-made Merlot based wines.
Offers aromas of blackberry, coffee and tar, with a full body, silky tannins and a blackberry, mineral and light vanilla aftertaste. Balanced, refined and pretty. Wine Spectator 92 points
The bottled 2005 Beau Sejour Becot confirms that this is the finest effort from this estate in the thirty years I have been covering Bordeaux. A classic blend of 70% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is an intense, full-bodied St.-Emilion revealing notes of espresso roast, chocolate, blackberries, licorice, and truffles. With sweet but noticeable tannins, good acidity, and a powerful, long finish, this textbook St.-Emilion cuts a swath between the modern school of winemaking and the traditionalists. Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) 94 points
7. Château Pavie Macquin 2003
St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
1er Grand Cru Classé
160.00€
Recently promoted in the 2006 St Emilion classification re-shuffle and is a property which has really hit form in the last 10 years, producing first-class wines. Since 1990 Nicholas Thienpoint of Vieux Château Certan has been in charge of the vineyards which he manages on organic lines.
One of the top St Emilion’s of the vintage. Deep, intense colour. Ripe, dark fruit and licquorice nose. Rich layered extract, velvety texture of fruit with a muscular tannic structure. Powerful but ripe and balanced with a long fresh finish. Decanter Rating ****
Burgundian, liqueur-like nose – very distinctive! Full-bodied, quite soft and a different structure from most. Fine tannins and some tarry flavours on the finish. Jancis Robinson 17/20
8. Château Bellevue 2000
St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Grand Cru Classé
135.00€
With just over 6 hectares planted (80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc), this estate cuddles up next to Ch Angelus and Beau Séjour Becot, this wine has been catching the eye of wine guru and critic Robert Parker in the US – he gives this vintage a staggering 95+ points!
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Impressive fruit in this wine, with crushed plums and spices. Full- to medium-bodied, with super silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. A refined and beautiful wine. Best after 2008.
Wine Spectator 91 points
9. Château Kirwan 1996
Margaux, Bordeaux, France
3ème Cru Classé
90.00€ SOLD OUT
An illustrious property, currently passing through a bit of a golden age under the deft winemaking expertise of Michel Rolland. Kirwan takes its name from its original Irish proprietor who was, rather unfortunately, guillotined in 1792
Pretty plum and blackberry character. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a fresh finish.
Wine Spectator 90 points
Fantastic tanginess, so rich and deep. Brooding and opulent. A stonker. 10 years+.
Decanter Rating ****
10. Château Kirwan 2000
Margaux, Bordeaux, France
3ème Cru Classé
104.00€
Lovely stylish nose, oak and cassis, finely perfumed. Rich and opulent, lush, big ripe tannins, formidable and built to last. Tight and powerful. Drink 2008-17.
Decanter Rating ****
Dense, dark nose of black fruit leading to a full palate with sweet fruit and good structure – plenty of potential here. This is very good indeed!
The Wine Doctor 17.5 / 20
…shows attractive plum and berry character, with hints of mineral. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and very refined tannins. Lasts a long time on the finish. Very, very silky.
Wine Spectator 92 points
Rhône Valley
11. Côte Rôtie “La Mordorée” M. Chapoutier 1997
Rhône, France
118.00€
The Côte – Rôtie vineyard is certainly one of the oldest in existence and Vienne wines were already highly reputed by Rome as far back as one century BC. Since Michel Chapoutier took control of this long-established firm in 1988, quality has soared.
All the vineyards are now run on biodynamic principles and all his wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered.
“Filtering a wine is like making love with a condom,” says Michel Chapoutier and
Crucial to Michel Chapoutier’s philosophy is the production of “téte de cuvées”, which include La Mordorée made from 60 year old vines on the Côte Blonde.
The 1997 Cote Rotie La Mordoree is an extremely expressive, open-knit, aromatic, and seductive example. Chapoutier believes it is the finest he has ever made. It is soft, accessible, and easy to understand. The saturated ruby/purple color is accompanied by tell-tale aromas of black raspberries, roasted herbs, smoke, and meat. The wine is medium to full-bodied and moderately tannic, with low acidity, superb concentration, and an intense black cherry, camphor-like, olive component. This wine should be drinkable upon release, and last for two decades. Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) 92-94 points
A class act. Succulent yet ripe, showing wonderfully defined aromas and flavors, kicking with lively acidity but also delivering plenty of ripe fruit, smoke, grilled meat and leather notes. Supple, subtle, sweet tannin structure. This Rhône red is enjoyable on release, but has the stuffing to age. Wine Spectator 93 points
Italy
12. “Cepparello” Isole e Olena 2004
Tuscany, Italy
78.00€
A barrique – aged 100% Sangiovese classified as an IGT – at the time of its creation in the 1980’s, a wine comprising 100% Sangiovese could not be labelled as Chianti!!
It boasts layers of vibrant fruit intermingled with subtle mineral and licorice notes, showing outstanding length on the palate and fine, noble tannins. A wine of extraordinary elegance, it has been stunning on the two occasions I have tasted it so far. That said, readers who want to experience this wine’s full array of tertiary notes will have to give this wine time to mature in the bottle. It is highly recommended. Anticipated maturity 2009-2022. Robert Parker (Wine
Advocate) 95 points
13. “Ornellaia” Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia 2005
Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
198.00€
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia is without question one of Italy’s blue-chip properties. The gorgeous, sprawling estate is located in Bolgheri in Tuscany’s Maremma. Ornellaia is a Bordeaux inspired blend consisting principally of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Displays beautiful aromas of ripe fruit, with currant, plum and blackberry. This complex and full- bodied Tuscan red has soft, polished tannins and a long, long finish. Shows a deft hand in the winemaking. Wine Spectator 95 points
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14. “Sassicaia” Tenuta San Guido 1998
Tuscany, Italy
265.00€
“Unquestionably one of the most compelling and dramatic Cabernet Sauvignon’s I have ever tasted, it continues to go from strength to strength” Robert Parker
Sassicaia is one of the original show-stopping Super Tuscans and is now a “must have” on any noteworthy cellar list.
Shows its class. Loaded with fruit. Rich yet balanced, with lots of jammy and plummy character. Full-bodied, with round tannins and a silky finish. Exotic. Sass made excellent wine again in a less than easy year. Wine Spectator 93 points
Fairly subdued on the nose (but in fairness the sample had only just been opened – I’d love to look at this after decanting), just an allusion to prune and leather. But absolutely stunning on the palate. The spice is softly embroidered into shimmering fruit. Very very firm, sleek tannins. Terribly elegant, softly spoken and precise. Detailed and fine lined. Unending silky-spiced length. Jancis Robinson 18 /20
15. “Sassicaia” Tenuta San Guido 2000
Tuscany, Italy
265.00€
Hickory, black cherry, spice rack, cedarwood and a mushroomy earthy tone to the nose. Likewise on the palate, a funky expressive nose, like fresh compost and over-ripe fruit. The structure is eminently accessible whilst grippy enough to keep, and is showing development that will surely expand with age. Very good Jancis Robinson 17.5++/20
16. Barbaresco “Asili”, Bruno Giacosa 2005
Piemonte, Italy
125.00€
Single vineyard traditional style Barbaresco, it shows remarkable balance and harmony in an incredibly pure, graceful style. The tannins are so finessed and elegant it is actually hard to perceive them on the palate. Here too, the wine shows awesome inner balance and poise.
Sweet raspberries, flowers, roses and spices are just some of the nuances that emerge from this incredibly delicious, promising Barbaresco. Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) 95 points
17. Barbaresco “Rabaja”, Bruno Giacosa 2005
Piemonte, Italy
105.00€
A different single vineyard – just as joyously exquisite!
Wonderful perfume in this Barbaresco with flowers and ripe berries, including strawberry. Full bodied, chewy and long. Massive on the finish. A superb wine. 95 points Wine Spectator
Spain
18. Dominio de Pingus 2001 LAST BOTTLE!
Ribero del Duero, Spain
727.00€
A candidate for perfection in the world of wine – truly one of the most profound wines ever made in Spain. Miniscule production (less than 500 cases per year) in the hands of intrepid Danish winemaker, Peter Sisseck – one of the world’s most highly regarded and sought after wines. Peter’s aim is to produce “an unmistakeably Spanish wine” from 100% Tinto Fino (aka Tempranillo).
It offers great fruit on the attack along with huge body, and notes of grilled meats intermixed with Provencal herbs, pepper, spice box, cigar smoke, and copious quantities of barbecue smoke-infused blackberry and cassis flavors. The finish lasts for nearly a minute. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2028. Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) 95 points
Power and restraint join forces in this muscular red. Alluring spicy aromas give way to a thick palate with flavors of plum, coffee, tobacco and mineral, backed by firm tannins. It remains balanced and fresh on the long finish. Best after 2006. 500 cases made. 95 points Wine Spectator
USA
19. Flowers, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2008
Sonoma Coast, California, USA
61.00€ SOLD OUT
Walt and Joan Flowers purchased 321 acres in the northern Sonoma Coast, high above the Pacific Ocean in 1989 with the intention of producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in a place they believed to be uniquely suited to growing them. Fresh fruit aromas of raspberry, cherry and plum are followed by hints of violet, spice and pepper. Tannins are supple with a lingering finish showing cola, smoke and strawberry.
20. WillaKenzie Estate, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2007
SOLD OUT
Oregon, USA
33.00€
Named after the soil that defines it, WillaKenzie Estate is a small family-owned winery dedicated to the highest expression of terroir. They make wonderful wines exclusively from the Pinot family of grapes. This Pinot Noir offers complex aromas of red and black fruits with attractive floral tones and a touch of spice. The finish is long with hints of candied fruit and spice and beautifully combines elegance and concentration, finely balanced acidity and well-integrated tannins.
21. Howell Mountain Red, Duckhorn 2004 SOLD OUT
Napa Valley, California, USA
87.00€
From one of North America’s premier producers of Bordeaux varietal wines comes this blend (57% Cab Sauv, 32% Merlot, plus Cab Franc and Petit Verdot) from two Howell Mountain vineyard sites. A wine of exceptional structure and extracted aromatics of peppermint, chocolate, bramble, soy and ginger spice. On the palate it is ush and mouthfilling with Howell Mountain’s signature wild berry and currant flavours, alongside notes of taoasted marshmallow, espresso, earth, sage and sandalwood. Extraordinary!
22. L’Ecole 41, Seven Hills Vineyard “Perigee” 2005
Washington State, USA
61.00€
Perigee exemplifies elegance: the essence of the Estate’s Seven Hills Vineyard – a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot and Cab Franc, it shows smooth, silky red cherry and blackberry fruit, with rich, floral and spicy aromas of cinnamon and mocha on a vivid, mineral, earthy finish.
Perigee 2005 – 92 points (Wine Advocate)
Black cherry, ripe firm tannin with a leather and liquorice finish. Jancis Robinson 17/20
23. Opus One 1990
Napa Valley, California, USA
225.00€
Probably California’s single most famous exported wine – the co-production between the Rothschilds of Bordeaux and Robert Mondavi in California. Capturing the best of both worlds in a truly sublime representation of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape.
Dramatic, with its ripe, rich, plush core of exotic currant, anise, cedar, vanilla and berry notes that are enormously complex on the finish. Delicious. Wine Spectator 96 points
In between teaching on our WSET® Wine Courses this month, I’ve been busy dreaming up themes and ideas for our forthcoming programme of Gourmet Dinners and Food & Wine Matching events. I suppose being forced to open several bottles from each region with one’s students (we do spit, actually!!) constantly refreshes the memory as to what wonders there are out there to be sipped and studied. The region closest to home that has really made me sit up and be impressed, has been the amazingly diverse Loire valley here in France.