WindyCity
Wine Club
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1. JOHANNISHOF RIESLING KABINETT RHEINGAU JOHANNISBERG V 2004 |
Score: 93 points
Price: $17
Smart Buys
Everything comes together here--the site, the grape, the grower--to create something special. Alluring aromas and flavors of pear, peach and a heady blossom essence mark this Riesling. It's balanced, seamless and very, very long on the finish. Drink now through 2018. 1,000 cases made.
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Score: 93 points
Price: $17
Elegant for this grape clean, fresh and displays ginger, vanilla, caramel and fig notes on a medium-weight frame. Lovely texture, balance and harmony. Drink now.
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3. MATUA SAUVIGNON BLANC MARLBOROUGH PARETAI ESTATE SERIES 2005 |
Score: 93 points
Price: $17
Highly Recommended
Juicy, mouthwatering, vibrant with lemon, quince and mineral aromas and flavors, persisting impressively on the long, expressive finish. Drink now. 4,000 cases imported.
Score: 93 points
Price: $20
Smart Buys
Intense, concentrated and tightly focused, with a creamy mouthfeel to the lively layers of citrus, green apple, melon and herb scents. Shows a hint of mineral and spice on the aftertaste. Great length and persistence. Drink now through 2010. 28,000 cases made.
Score: 92 points
Price: $12
Age--and botrytis--has both mellowed and intensified this tasty Tokaji. Beeswax, leather, dried orange and apricot flavors mingle with the bright structure. Long and tangy on the finish. Think cheese or fresh fruit tarts. Drink now through 2012. 2,666 cases made.
Score: 92 points
Price: $14
Stylish and elegant, with layers of finely feathered red plum, currant, cherry and spice flavors. Finely crafted, balanced and structured, this is reminiscent of premier cruBurgundy. Silky, creamy finish. Drink now through 2012. 400 cases imported.
Score: 92 points
Price: $15
Delicious, pure-tasting and fruity forward red, with layers of plum, raspberry and dark cherry flavors nicely fringed by spice, mocha and dark chocolate notes. Elegant, rich and full-bodied, with a long, vanilla- and licorice-laced finish. Drink now through 2008. 500 cases imported.
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8. CHATEAU DE FLAUGERGUES COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC LA MEJANELLE CUVEE SOMMELIERE 2003 |
Score: 92 points
Price: $16
Gorgeous aroma of rose hips, currant and spice, with luscious flavors of dark plum, smoke and mocha. Plenty of baby fat in this, but powerful as well, with a long, structured finish of pepper, brick and mineral. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvdre. Drink now through 2012. 4,000 cases made.
Score: 92 points
Price: $18
Off-dry at first impression, with green almond, fig and pear flavors, this gives way to a more cut on the back end, with floral and candied ginger notes. Long, minerally finish. An absolute steal at this price. Drink now through 2020. 2,000 cases made.
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10. HENRI BOURGEOIS POUILLY-FUME LA DEMOISELLE DE BOURGEOIS 2004 |
Score: 92 points
Price: $18
Refined, with straw, grass, white peach and lemon flavors that glide atop fresh, ripe acidity. Long, finely tuned finish. Drink now through 2007. 3,250 cases made.
Score: 92 points
Price: $18
Smart Buys
Starts off slowly but builds up to a nice climax, offering lots of stony mineral character to go along with the hints of mint around the lime and grapefruit flavors. Drink now. 3,000 cases imported.
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12. MAS FOULAQUIER COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC PIC ST.-LOUP L'ORPHEE 2003 |
Score: 92 points
Price: $18
Aromas and flavors of meat, dark cherry and spice fill this fresh and firm red. Chocolate truffle and vanilla cream fill the intense finish. A fascinating combination of exotic flavors and deep, fruity elements. Drink now through 2012. 200 cases imported.
Score: 92 points
Price: $18
Plush, supple and generous with its sweet cherry, raspberry and currant flavors, a seamless wine that comes together beautifully on the finish and just keeps singing as the finish persists. Best from 2007 through 2012. 194 cases made.
Score: 92 points
Price: $19
Highly Recommended
Complex and exotic, offering dried lychee, orange and white pepper notes on a large-scale frame. It's muscular and powerful, with a firm, dry finish. Drink now through 2012. 2,050 cases made.
Score: 92 points
Price: $19
Smart Buys
An attractive combination of peach and apple notes offset by mineral. Tangy and fresh, yet with ample richness midpalate. Long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2015. 1,070 cases made.
Score: 92 points
Price: $20
This is complex and on the dry side, with caramel, dried fig and iodine flavors that intensify as it stays on the palate. Terrific finish, with a lingering aftertaste of molasses, nuts and a slightly burnt note. Drink now. 5,000 cases made.
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17. CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE CHARDONNAY COLUMBIA VALLEY CANOE RIDGE ESTATE 2004 |
Score: 92 points
Price: $20
Smart Buys
A fruit-centered wine, this sings with pear, grapefruit and peach aromas and flavors, perched enticingly on a lithe frame, with subdued oak notes lingering around the periphery. It's the texture, though, that makes it so attractive, polished and refined. Drink now through 2010. 9,000 cases made.
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18. DR. F. WEINS-PRUM RIESLING KABINETT MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER URZIGER WURZGARTEN 2004 |
Score: 92 points
Price: $20
Peach, apple and mineral notes are finely etched by the racy structure in this pure, detailed Riesling. It's slightly drier and really picks up the mineral character of the site on the finish. Almost peppery in the aftertaste. Drink now through 2025.
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19. JOHANN DONABAUM GRUNER VELTLINER SMARAGD TROCKEN WACHAU SPITZER POINT 2004 |
Score: 92 points
Price: $20
Creamy, rich and full-flavored. This is lush with plenty of power and finesse, and loaded up with ripe peach, berry and meringue flavors, with hints of hazelnuts as well. Mature finish of butterscotch and spice. Hard to resist. Drink now through 2012. 40 cases imported.
Score: 91 points
Price: $10
Intense and brooding, with a broad, ripe core of dark plum, meat and spice flavors. Powerful, well-structured and balanced, with plenty of plum pudding notes as well. Dark chocolate and mole elements provide a rich, lingering finish. Best from 2006 through 2010. 5,000 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $10
Smart Buys
What an exciting Sauvignon Blanc. Fragrant, with orange blossom, lemon-lime and grassy flavors that are intense and vibrant, picking up a green apple and tart citrus edge. It keeps pumping out the concentration through the finish. Drink now through 2007. 250 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $11
Very seductive from the smoky, mineral-tinged aromas to the peach and lime flavors. It's juicy and silky, with precision balance and a lingering finish. Drink now through 2010. 15,000 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $12
Best Values
Bright and lithe, with lovely balance of ripe fruit, tart acidity and silky texture as the finish persists beautifully, echoing lime and passion fruit flavors forever. Drink now. 20,000 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $13
Smart Buys
Lively, fragrant and surprisingly ripe in flavor, balancing its tart structure with generous guava, grapefruit and nectarine aromas and flavors, which persist beautifully on the long, open-textured finish. Drink now. 20,000 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $13
Smart Buys
Thick, with a layer of black pepper over a mouth filling gob of black cherry and licorice that cries out for grilled red meat. Drinkable now, better with some age. Best from 2008 through 2013. 61,000 cases imported.
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26. CHATEAU GIGAULT PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE CUVEE VIVA 2003 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $14
Smart Buys
Wow. Just as I remember it from barrel. This is really beautiful on the nose, with plum, blackberry and spice. Medium- to full-bodied, with a solid core of silky tannins and a medium-to-long finish. All in finesse. A real beauty. Delicious. In harmony. Best after 2007. 4,000 cases made.
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27. CHATEAU MARIS SYRAH MINERVOIS LA LIVINIERE LA TOUGE 2002 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $14
Very meaty and decadent, this has ripe, full-bodied flavors of cassis, dark plum, chocolate and spice. Reminiscent of a Northern Rhne with its powerful, intense style. Pepper and beef carpaccio on the long finish. Tempting now, but should improve with some cellaring. Best from 2006 through 2010. 4,200 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $15
Smart Buys
Brawny Chinon, with very ripe currant and plum fruit surrounded by olive paste, game and iron notes. Hint of grilled thyme on the structured finish. Excellent sense of terroir amped up by the vintage. Drink now through 2010. 5,000 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $15
Shows the heady ripeness of the vintage, with dark berry, fig, bacony toast and tar aromas and flavors. Stays round and fleshy though, with no hard edges. Long, fruit- and tobacco-filled finish. Drink now through 2008. 600 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $15
Smart Buys
Bracingly tart, with a vibrant core of pineapple, passion fruit and guava flavors that linger nicely on the beautifully pointed finish. Drink now. 18,000 cases imported.
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31. GEORG ALBRECHT SCHNEIDER RIESLING SPATLESE RHEINHESSEN NIERSTEINER HIPPING 2004 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $15
Vivid apricot and tropical fruit flavors grace this rich, mouth filling Riesling. Its exuberance is kept in check by lively acidity and the finish reveals citrus and mineral shadings. Drink now through 2018. 650 cases made.
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32. GREG NORMAN ESTATES CABERNET-MERLOT LIMESTONE COAST 2003 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $15
Smart Buys
Lively, juicy and graceful. A smooth red with currant and plum flavors wrapped harmoniously around the finish, with overtones of toast and cedar. Drink now through 2012. 90,000 cases imported.
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33. HNOS. SANCHEZ ROMATE PEDRO XIMENEZ JEREZ CARDENAL CISNEROS NV |
Score: 91 points
Price: $15
Thick and sweet, this evokes chocolate, caramel, dried fig and root beer flavors. No subtle nuances here, this is cloying, intense and hot on the finish, but packs a lot of flavor. Drink now. 1,500 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $16
Smart Buys
Velvety, with plenty of structure, and a luscious array of cassis, dark plum and dark cherry flavors. Smooth, spicy finish, filled with crme brle and white chocolate notes. Seductive. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvdre. Drink now through 2009. 1,000 cases imported.
Score: 91 points
Price: $16
Thick and syrupy, with grape, fig and apricot flavors, intense sweetness and great concentration. Just a tad cloying, but it finishes lighter than it starts. Lovely texture. Drink now. 300 cases imported.
Score: 91 points
Price: $16
Smart Buys
Bright, lively and appealing for a lovely creamy edge to its juicy nectarine, lime and mineral aromas and flavors, lingering gently on the long finish. Drink now. 20,000 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $17
Bright and jazzy, a lively mouthful of passion fruit, green apple and vaguely leafy aromas and flavors that never quit, just keep doing pirouettes through the long finish. Drink now. 15,000 cases made.
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38. LA POSTA DEL VINATERO MALBEC LA CONSULTA PIZZELLA FAMILY VINEYARD 2004 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $17
Rich and polished, with layers of plum, boysenberry and blackberry fruit stitched together with mocha-infused toast and dark spice notes. Tangy hint of mesquite on the finish adds length. Ample grip too. Best from 2007 through 2009. 750 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $17
Smart Buys
Supple and generous blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvdre. A lithe mouthful of black pepper-scented blackberry, licorice and toasty oak flavors that mingle effortlessly through the long, well-mannered finish. Best from 2007 through 2014. 8,000 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $17
Fragrant, floral and brimming with passion fruit, guava and lime flavors that remain zingy and elevated through the long, bracing finish. Has everything you could want in a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now. 2,500 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $17
Polished, generous and powerful, a racy mouthful of blackberry, licorice, plum and pepper flavors that zoom through the finish. Tannins are almost an afterthought. Designed to deepen with cellaring. Drink now through 2014. 4,000 cases imported.
Score: 91 points
Price: $17
Smart Buys
Smooth and ripe, with a lively balance to the cherry, rhubarb pie and licorice flavors that sail across a carpet of superfine tannins, lingering on the spicy finish. Drink now through 2013. 8,000 cases imported.
Score: 91 points
Price: $18
Offers lovely notes of freshly crushed blueberry and boysenberry fruit, along with integrated mocha, mineral and floral notes. Creamy mouth feel and a long, fruit-stained finish. Drink now through 2008. 3,000 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $18
Lush and layered, with lemon, grapefruit and gooseberry notes woven with honeysuckle, straw and chive flavors. Long, rich, stone-filled finish. Drink now through 2008. 5,400 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $18
A strong eucalyptus character takes over the aromatic profile and dominates on the palate, but plenty of red cherry, raspberry and plum flavors emerge nicely on the finish. Best from 2008 through 2020. 600 cases made.
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46. SYMINGTON FAMILY ESTATES TOURIGA FRANCA-TOURIGA NACIONAL DOURO ALTANO RESERVA 2003 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $18
An intense, powerful red, yet lush and juicy, with deliciously pure flavors of red plum, smoke and cherry. Silky tannins, with a long finish of cream and spice. Drink now through 2012. 2,300 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $18
Smart Buys
Rich and plush, with lots of spicy, creamy oak around a plump core of cherry and black olive flavors that linger enticingly on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 12,000 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $18
Lime, mineral and green mango flavors mingle enticingly in this tart, lively wine, lingering on the beautifully formed finish, echoing with a hint of passion fruit. Drink now. 500 cases imported.
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49. ALTA VISTA MALBEC MENDOZA GRANDE RESERVE TERROIR SELECTION 2003 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Smart Buys
Structured Malbec, with lots of graphite and loam layered within the blackberry and black currant fruit. Thick, but ripe, with chocolate and espresso notes framing the finish. Nice mineral hint too. Best from 2006 through 2010. 1,500 cases imported.
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Distinctive spicy aromas of sandalwood and cardamom, followed by firm, focused flavors of blackberry, boysenberry and dark plum. A lush, rich and well-textured red that's seductive and exotic. Best from 2007 through 2015. 1,200 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Highly Recommended
Fabulous aromas of berries, black pepper and meat follow through to a soft, caressing, full-bodied palate with a long, juicy finish. Hard not to drink it now. Sangiovese, Cabernet and Syrah. Best after 2007. 5,000 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Smart Buys
Ripe and pure, with lovely violet, blackberry and plum aromas and flavors that glide along sweet, imbedded tannins. Has a healthy layer of flashy toast, but more than enough fruit for balance. Concha y Toro makes it seem too easy. Drink now through 2008. 4,000 cases made.
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53. DOMAINE D'AUPILHAC COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC MONTPEYROUX 2003 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Powerful, sinewy red, with a spicy, meaty aroma, and deep, dusty flavors of ripe plum, dried cherry and dark chocolate. Long, robust finish of Roquefort cheese and pemmican. Drink now through 2011. 100 cases imported.
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54. DOMAINE DE BARROUBIO MUSCAT DE ST.-JEAN-DE-MINERVOIS CUVEE BLEU 2003 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Rich and luscious, with a perfumed aroma and peach, apricot and lychee flavors. Medium-bodied, demi-sec style, with loads of spice and cream on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 350 cases made.
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55. DOMAINE TERLATO & CHAPOUTIER SHIRAZ-VIOGNIER VICTORIA 2004 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Smart Buys
A wine of remarkable elegance, aromatic with spicy, floral overtones to the pure berry and plum flavors, lingering with hints of black pepper and licorice against refreshing acidity on the finish. Best from 2007 through 2014. 1,745 cases imported.
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56. EUGEN MULLER RIESLING KABINETT PFALZ FORSTER MARIENGARTEN 2004 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Exotic guava and papaya aromas and flavors, all richly textured and firmly focused, picking up spice and mineral notes on the finish. It begs your attention and should develop well. Drink now through 2015. 150 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Smart Buys
Focused and pure, with fig, spice, almond and chamomile flower notes. Fine, lacy finish delivers a second wave of fruit. Drink now through 2008. 1,300 cases imported.
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58. JOHANNISHOF RIESLING KABINETT RHEINGAU JOHANNISBERG G 2004 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Terrific mineral-based kabinett, with a vibrant structure and balancing richness. Fine expression of terroir, with white peach, apple and spice flavors complementing the stone notes. Very harmonious and long. Drink now through 2020. 1,100 cases made.
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59. KAESLER GRENACHE-SHIRAZ-MOURVEDRE BAROSSA VALLEY STONEHORSE 2004 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Smart Buys
Smooth and polished, with a lovely core of black cherry and currant fruit, dripping with dark chocolate and smoky spice notes as the finish goes on. Impressive for its balance and length. Drink now through 2014. 4,000 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Has great zing and zest, with lemony pear, quince and mineral flavors, echoing a stone and slate character as the finish goes on and on. Not a hefty wine, but it has great drive and zip. Best from 2007 through 2014. 600 cases imported.
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Lush, almost decadent, in a Chteauneuf style, with loads of rich dark plum and bacon fat flavors, and intense notes of herbes de Provence. Supple, with a long finish of chocolate mole and iron notes. Drink now through 2009. 415 cases imported.
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62. VILLA MARIA SAUVIGNON BLANC MARLBOROUGH CELLAR SELECTION 2005 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Smart Buys
Zingy, juicy, lively with citrusy acidity, offering strong mineral character and something reminiscent of sea water--bring on the oysters!--along with quince and lemon zest flavors that persist on the finish. Drink now. 10,000 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $19
Silky and suave, showing violet, apricot and quince flavors allied to an elegant frame. Harmonious, long and classy, with the structure for aging. Drink now through 2012. 980 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $20
Smart Buys
Dark, dense and spicy, with a pulsating core of plum, black cherry and loads of exotic spices, lingering on the generous, distinctly peppery, unsweetened-chocolate finish. This pedal-to-the-metal Shiraz needs time to soften. Best from 2009 through 2016. 10,000 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $20
Lovely wine, with excellent purity to its lemon curd, gooseberry, paraffin and floral flavors. Long, stony finish. Drink now through 2007. 8,000 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $20
Smart Buys
Bright, juicy and almost lacy in texture, letting the lime, apple and pineapple flavors shine through against a refreshing zing of acidity. Appealing for its subtlety and harmony. Drink now. 3,500 cases imported.
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67. DOMAINE DE L'HORTUS VIN DE PAYS DU VAL DE MONTFERRAND WHITE GRANDE CUVEE 2004 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $20
Ripe, full-bodied style, with good balance and structure to the ripe apple, pear and butterscotch flavors. Hickory smoke notes fill the finish. Drink now. 200 cases imported.
Score: 91 points
Price: $20
Smart Buys
Lots of mineral and candied lime hold the fig and glazed pear flavors at bay. Long, stony finish. Drink now through 2009. 2,080 cases made.
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69. DOMAINE LAUREAU DU CLOS FREMUR SAVENNIERES LES GENETS 2003 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $20
Ripe and juicy, with fig, melon and peach flavors backed by hints of wheat biscuit and ginger. Long, stony finish has nice verve for the vintage. Drink now through 2009. 800 cases made.
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70. FAMILIA CASSONE MALBEC LUJAN DE CUYO OBRA PRIMA RESERVA 2003 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $20
Smart Buys
Ripe and flashy, with lots of black and purple fruits layered with plenty of mocha, spice and mineral notes. Long, racy finish pumps out fig paste, mesquite and briar flavors. Impressive. Drink now through 2008. 5,500 cases made.
Score: 91 points
Price: $20
A Viognier with some restraint, focusing its flavors on juicy pineapple and lime, moving the spice and floral components to accents instead of primary flavors. Beautifully balanced, it has length and style. Drink now through 2010. 120 cases imported.
Score: 91 points
Price: $20
Highly Recommended
Dark coffee and game aromas herald this burly red, with dark plum, hoisin sauce, chestnut, tar and garrigue flavors that pump through the structured finish. A very big Ctes du Rhne. Best from 2007 through 2009. 4,000 cases made.
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73. LEITZ RIESLING KABINETT RHEINGAU RUDESHEIMER KLOSTERLAY 2004 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $20
Everything is in the right proportion here, from the ripe, succulent peach and apple flavors, ample flesh and lively acidity to the seamless profile and long finish. It will come together in a few months to a year. Drink now through 2015. 400 cases made.
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74. OCHS WELSCHRIESLING BEERENAUSLESE BURGENLAND WEIDEN AM SEE 2002 |
Score: 91 points
Price: $20
Very firm and structured, with grapefruit, clove and gingersnap flavors and a delicious backdrop of smoke and spice. Drink now through 2012. 290 cases made.
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75. STONEHAVEN RIESLING SOUTH AUSTRALIA WINEMAKER'S SELECTION 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $9
Smart Buys
Brilliant range of flavors, brimming with lime, mineral and stone fruit character, the citrusy notes putting an exclamation point on the juicy finish. Drink now through 2016. 3,000 cases made.
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76. BODEGA NEKEAS GRENACHE NAVARRA VEGA SINDOA EL CHAPARRAL OLD VINES 2003 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $11
Smart Buys
This rich red delivers syrupy raspberry and blackberry flavors, with accents of coffee and mineral, supported by firm tannins. Powerful and distinctive. You can taste hot sun on stony soils. Drink now through 2009. 2,000 cases imported.
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77. COLUMBIA CREST MERLOT COLUMBIA VALLEY GRAND ESTATES 2003 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $11
Best Values
Supple, ripe and seductive, a plush wine with gorgeous plum, blackberry, currant and hints of exotic spice swirling through the round, generous finish. Drink now through 2010. 150,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $12
Smart Buys
Bright and juicy, a vivid mouthful of nectarine, grapefruit and quince flavors that linger against racy acidity on the long, silky finish. Drink now. 25,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $12
Gorgeous black cherry, red licorice and plum sauce flavors, with a sweet, fine-grained finish. Very pure and very long. Lovely. Drink now through 2007. 21,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $12
Very racy, with notes of freshly crushed raspberry and blackberry, along with spice and mineral hints. Long, juicy finish. Drink now through 2007. 4,100 cases made.
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81. VIGNERONS DE ST.-FELIX DE LODEZ COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC LES HAUTS DE LA BRUNE 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $12
Fruit-forward, fresh and pure-tasting, with a gorgeous purity to the raspberry, cherry and red plum flavors. Mineral, graphite and spice fill the firm finish. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvdre. Best from 2007 through 2011. 5,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $13
Smart Buys
Fresh and lively, appealing for its zingy grapefruit flavor, hinting at peach and lime as the finish keeps zipping along. Drink now. 85,000 cases made.
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83. BODEGAS AGNUSDEI ALBARINO RIAS BAIXAS CAMPUS STELLA 2003 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $13
Generous and firm, this bold white shows a mix of fresh and dried fruit flavors, with cantaloupe, coconut, mineral and smoke notes and a keen citrusy acidity. Floral, spice and honey notes linger on the finish. Drink now. 1,680 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $13
Smart Buys
A wine with lovely balance and clean plum, berry and chocolate character, medium body and polished tannins. The perfect house wine--a great value. Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2010. 200,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $13
Delicious, smoky style, with a good balance to the off-dry caramel and buttercream flavors and the ripe melon, apricot and tropical fruit elements. Decadent, mesquite smoke finish. Drink now through 2008.
Score: 90 points
Price: $13
Bright, lively, open-textured and effusive with its floral, lime, grapefruit and mineral aromas and flavors, finishing with great breadth. Drink now through 2012. 1,500 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $13
Beautiful aroma of crushed red fruits with loads of ripe plum, cassis and smoke flavors. Well-balanced, with plenty of structure as well. Long finish of white pepper and mineral. Drink now through 2010. 1,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $13
Smooth and generous, with toasty aromas and peach, citrus and spice flavors mingling nicely on the palate, lingering on the finish. Drink now through 2010. 2,000 cases imported.
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89. CROSSROADS CHARDONNAY HAWKES BAY DESTINATION SERIES 2003 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $14
Serves up an intriguing range of Burgundian flavors, with roasted hazelnut, mineral, stone and apple tones. Oak harmonizes nicely on a stylish, focused finish. Drink now through 2007. 1,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $14
Offers a blast of chocolate-covered maraschino cherries, along with mocha, spice and mineral notes. Round, sweet, pure and inviting. Drink now through 2007. 7,500 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $14
Smart Buys
Bright and open-textured, like biting into a fresh pippin apple, the flavors sailing through the lively finish. Drink now. 16,500 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $14
Smart Buys
Juicy, vibrant, a fruit-centered Sauvignon brimming with guava, passion fruit, lime and pear flavors that persist through the lively finish. Drink now. 42,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $14
Smart Buys
Smooth and generous, a lively style with juicy plum and blackberry aromas and flavors, lingering on the refined finish. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through 2010. 10,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $15
Smart Buys
Rich and spicy, with a glowing core of ripe raspberry, strawberry and red cherry, balanced with juicy acidity and a lavish blanket of creamy oak. It all mingles well, and the finish sails on and on. Drink now through 2010. 2,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $15
A lot of Pedro Ximnez character here, from the thick texture and deep color to the dried fig and spice notes. Very sweet, yet it remains fresh and not cloying, with a touch of heat to the finish. Palomino Fino and Pedro Ximnez. Drink now. 1,500 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $15
Smart Buys
Firm, with a supple core of currant and blueberry fruit that lingers attractively on the fine-grained finish that lasts beautifully. Needs time to soften. Best from 2007 through 2012. 10,280 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $15
This has pizzazz. Polished and round, with wild berry, cherry, currant and a tang of refreshing acidity as it all lingers on the finish. Tannins are well-formed, and it comes together beautifully. Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Zinfandel. Drink now through 2012. 1,800 cases imported.
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98. PHILIPPE RAIMBAULT POUILLY-FUME LA MONTEE DES LUMEAUX 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $15
Nice intensity, with racy lemon peel, straw, mineral and herb notes that ripple through a long, stony finish. Rich, but stony. Drink now through 2008. 200 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $15
Ripe, offering peach, grapefruit and white pepper flavors and a hint of grapefruit peel on the finish. Concentrated and powerful, but at the expense of elegance. Fine length. Drink now through 2012. 1,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $15
Smart Buys
An exceptional value. Complex and refreshing, with a rich array of fig, melon, sweet pea, herb, sage and lemon-lime, turning elegant and polished on the finish, ending with a long, lingering aftertaste that returns to the primary fruit and herb themes. Drink now through 2009. 1,712 cases made.
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101. SELAKS SAUVIGNON BLANC MARLBOROUGH PREMIUM SELECTION 2005 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $15
Bright and vivid, with celery-tinged grapefruit, lime and green apple flavors that keep hopping through the long finish. Drink now. 8,000 cases imported.
Score: 90 points
Price: $15
Smart Buys
Peaches and apples follow through to a full-bodied palate, with lemon, honey and fruit flavors. Long. Drink now. 15,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Has a very impressive core of blackberry and boysenberry fruit, all shrouded for now in mocha and cocoa-scented toast. Well-structured, with a dense, loamy finish that stays focused and pure. Needs time to harmonize. Contains 15 percent Tempranillo. Best from 2007 through 2010. 300 cases imported.
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Traditional in style, with a broad, mature feel to the honey, brioche, papaya and orange flavors. Smoke and ginger hints check in on the finish. Drink now through 2008. 1,200 cases made.
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105. DOMAINE GARDIES COTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES LES MILLERES 2003 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Fine balance and structure, with elegant flavors of dark cherry, cassis, smoke and spice. Long finish filled with dark chocolate and kirsch. Drink now through 2012. 200 cases imported.
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106. DOMAINE MAGELLAN GRENACHE-ROUSSANNE VIN DE PAYS DES COTES DE THONGUE VIEILLES VIGNES 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Rich and smoky, with layers of ripe apple, almond, spice and hazelnut flavors. Full-bodied and well-structured, with a long finish supported by orange peel and licorice notes. Drink now through 2012. 1,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Very pretty cherry and plum flavors fill this medium- to full-bodied red, which features delicious juicy raspberry elements as well. Succulent finish of mineral and spice. Reminiscent of a top cruBeaujolais. Grenache, Carignan and Syrah with Macabeo. Best after 2009. 2,385 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Smart Buys
Lithe, polished and immensely appealing for a cascade of spicy nectarine- and apricot-scented pear, vanilla and mineral aromas and flavors, lingering on the silky finish. Drink now through 2010. 18,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Bright and lively, with oodles of green apple, mineral and grassy aromas and flavors mingling enticingly as the racy finish sails on and on. Drink now. 2,000 cases imported.
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Smooth, round and vibrant with blueberry, blackberry, licorice and coffee flavors that mingle beautifully on the refined finish, letting the fruit sing sweetly and long. Best from 2008 through 2014. 10,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Silky and pure, with lovely raspberry and red currant fruit gliding along rounded tannins and racy acidity. Dash of toast and mineral on the finish. Very fine. Drink now through 2007. 7,500 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Juicy layers of black cherry and raspberry fruit are stitched together with hints of violet and mocha. Silky finish lets the fruit play out wonderfully thanks to racy acidity. Drink now through 2007. 11,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Smart Buys
Polished, ripe and jazzy in style, with lively acidity against surprisingly intense peppery plum, currant and blueberry fruit, persisting impressively through the long, supple finish. Drink now through 2013. 60,000 cases imported.
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Lithe and aromatic, with juicy nectarine, lime, mineral and floral herb flavors competing for attention, resolving nicely as the refreshing finish lingers. Drink now. 1,400 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Smart Buys
Tangy in style, with plenty of fresh green apple character adding depth to the grapefruit and guava flavors, lingering nicely. Drink now. 70,000 cases made.
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116. LONGVIEW SAUVIGNON BLANC ADELAIDE HILLS WHIPPET SINGLE VINEYARD 2005 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Bright and vibrant, a lively mouthful of passion fruit and lime and, lurking in the background, a vague hint of strawberry! Drink now. 1,400 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Smart Buys
Loads of apple, honey and pineapple character follow through to a full-bodied palate, with good fruit and an exotic aftertaste. Great value here. Tocai Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and Pinot Bianco. Drink now. 2,500 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Smart Buys
An elegant wine that builds in intensity, showing rich and creamy apple fruit and spicy pear flavors that expand on the graceful finish. Drink now. 4,000 cases made.
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119. MAS BAUX VIN DE PAYS DES COTES CATALANES VELOURS ROUGE 2003 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Sinewy red, with a heady aroma and concentrated dark plum, blackberry and boysenberry flavors, firmed up by hints of blood orange and red grapefruit. Distinctive, rich and full-bodied, with a pepper and hot paprika finish. Drink now through 2010. 905 cases made.
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120. MAS DES BRUNES VIN DE PAYS DES COTES DE THONGUE CUVEE DES CIGALES 2003 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Intense, decadent red, with firm kirsch, paprika and dark plum flavors. Balanced and lively with its grilled meat elements, gently seasoned with salt and pepper. Firm finish filled with bittersweet chocolate. Tempting now, but best to wait. Syrah and Grenache. Best from 2006 through 2009. 800 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Smart Buys
Focused and flavorful, with brilliant blackberry, thyme and black pepper flavors that never lose their zing as they rocket through the fine-grained, polished finish. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2012. 50,000 cases made.
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122. WINZER KREMS GRUNER VELTLINER QUALITATSWEIN TROCKEN KREMSTAL KREMSER WACHTBERG 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $16
Fresh, rich and intense, with peach, berry and legume flavors weaving throughout. A vivid structure keeps it focused and the peach note keeps on coming, right through the long finish. Drink now through 2015. 1,665 cases made.
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123. CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE CHARDONNAY COLUMBIA VALLEY INDIAN WELLS 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $17
Smart Buys
This one has a sense of restraint. It finds a comfortable balance between tangy flavors of apple and star fruit against a lithe texture and mere hints of spicy oak that flit around the edges. The finish persists, pulling everything together nicely and letting it echo. Drink now through 2008. 25,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $17
Very ripe and lush, with lots of plum, boysenberry and fig fruit layered with cocoa, loam and spice notes. Powerful, but not heady, with a long finish. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda and Merlot. Drink now through 2008. 4,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $17
Bright, jazzy and generous with its tangerine-scented grapefruit and mineral aromas and flavors, persisting on the racy finish. Drink now. 25,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $17
Kosher. Crisp, with herbal nuances to the distinctive tangerine and quince aromas and flavors, finishing with a flourish of fresh spices. Drink now. 1,200 cases made.
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127. SCHLOSS GOBELSBURG RIESLING QUALITATSWEIN TROCKEN KAMPTAL GOBELSBURGER 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $17
Smart Buys
Fresh and lively, showing peach, apple, citrus and mineral flavors. It's rich, well-defined and deftly balanced, with a lingering finish. Drink now through 2015. 5,000 cases made.
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128. SCHLOSS SCHONBORN RIESLING KABINETT RHEINGAU HATTENHEIMER PFAFFENBERG 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $17
Smart Buys
An opulent '04 Riesling, this offers vanilla, peach and pear aromas and flavors on a creamy texture. It's all backed by a well-integrated, vibrant structure. Lovely mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2015. 2,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $17
Lithe, supple and subtle in the way it weaves its blackberry, mint and white pepper flavors through the fine tannins, letting the fruit sing as the finish sails on and on. Drink now through 2013. 1,200 cases imported.
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130. TEMPLE BRUER GRENACHE-SHIRAZ-VIOGNIER LANGHORNE CREEK 2002 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $17
Highly aromatic, with peppery berry and rhubarb character, coating the mouth with juicy, rustic fruit and hints of white pepper and red cherry as the finish lingers. Drink now through 2012. 2,500 cases made.
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131. ALOIS LAGEDER MOSCATO GIALLO ALTO ADIGE VOGELMEIER 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Orange peel and spice with hints of lemon rind. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit and spices. Long rich finish. Why drink Chardonnay? Great with rich food. Drink now. 1,400 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Aromas of pineapple, honey and peaches follow through to a full-bodied palate with lots of fruit, yet it's subtle and refined on the finish. Drink now. 1,100 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Harmonious and well-balanced, this red delivers black cherry, cola and tobacco flavors with well-integrated tannins and a spicy finish. Not showy, but shows typicity and breed. Drink now through 2015. 15,000 cases made.
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134. CASA LAPOSTOLLE CHARDONNAY CASABLANCA VALLEY CUVEE ALEXANDRE ATALAYAS VINEYARD 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Smart Buys
Focused and elegant, with deceptive length and power, this lets lush apple, pear, fig and toast notes stretch along languidly, yet never becomes tiring to drink. Well done. Drink now through 2006. 11,470 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Dark and ripe, with blackberry and plum fruit running over toast and bittersweet cocoa notes. Long finish is a bit firm, but there's plenty of exotic fruit to offset it. Drink now through 2009. 15,000 cases made.
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136. CLOS DU CHATEAU DE MOSNY MONTLOUIS SUR LOIRE MOELLEUX 2003 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Juicy, with dried pineapple, fig and persimmon flavors followed by a buttery hint on the finish. On the light side for a moelleux, but very pretty and well-balanced. Drink now through 2007. 600 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Smart Buys
Lithe, supple and immensely appealing for its creamy texture and almond-scented pear and peach flavors. It all lingers beautifully, too. Drink now. 11,100 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Polished and juicy with lime-scented apple and star fruit flavors, finishing with a refreshing lilt of acidity and a touch of creamy oak. Drink now through 2010. 19,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Smart Buys
Smooth, focused and striving for elegance. Wild cherry and eucalyptus flavors at the core play deftly against fine-grained tannins as the finish sails on. Drink now through 2013. 10,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
A touch reduced right now, but there's a big core of plum, blackberry and spice backed by cocoa, mineral and sweet tobacco notes. Muscular finish. Decant, or cellar for a few months before serving. Drink now through 2007. 400 cases imported.
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Smart Buys
A rich, smoky style, with opulent tropical fruit, pineapple, fig, melon and date flavors that are viscous and turning honeyed. Bold and fleshy, it finishes with a broad, complex aftertaste. Drink now. 8,900 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Bright and juicy, a gentle style with a guava component to the lime and passion fruit flavors, finishing with a pretty floral note. Drink now. 1,200 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
A racy, vibrant mouthful of lime, mineral and tropical fruit flavors that seem to burst through the long finish, lingering with an intriguing hint of apricot against lively acidity. Drink now. 55,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Packed with raspberry and red currant fruit. Has the structure to age a bit, allowing its mineral, tar and hot stone notes to develop further. Shows the ripe, pure fruit of the vintage. Drink now through 2008. 800 cases imported.
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145. TALIJANCICH JULIAN JAMES WHITE SOLERO AGED 10 YEARS SWAN VALLEY NV |
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Sweet and generous, brimming with cinnamon- and nutmeg-scented pear and caramel flavors, lingering effortlessly on the balanced finish. Muscadelle, Pedro Ximnez and Verdelho. Drink now. 500 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Intense and lightly sweet, with dried orange, pineapple, blonde tobacco and a hint of white chocolate on the finish. Makes up in complexity and concentration what it lacks in elegance. Drink now through 2012. 1,300 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Gorgeous aromas of crushed berry, toasty oak, chocolate and coffee. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long, rich finish. Great value. Best after 2006. 5,000 cases made.
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148. VALENTIN BIANCHI CABERNET SAUVIGNON SAN RAFAEL FAMIGLIA 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Smart Buys
Flashy style, with lots of mocha and spice notes covering the plum and boysenberry fruit. Long, dark, creamy finish will have lots of fans. Drink now through 2007. 7,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $18
Great wine at a great price. A beam of acidity keeps the rich, ripe pear, citrus and melon flavors fresh and lively. Concentrated and deep, yet elegant and stylish, with a cleansing mouthfeel. Drink now. 590 cases made.
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150. ALFRED MERKELBACH RIESLING KABINETT MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER URZIGER WURZGARTEN (AP 12) 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Alluring aroma of slate introduces this racy '04 Riesling. Firm and filigreed, sporting floral, apple and mineral notes, it glides to a long finish. Appealing now, but will develop over the next decade. Drink now through 2020. 220 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Smart Buys
Lithe, dry, light on its feet, bursting with flavor, offering lemon, mineral and waxy aromas and flavors, fleshing itself out with green apple and nectarine notes as the finish persists. Drink now through 2016. 2,000 cases made.
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152. BASSERMANN-JORDAN RIESLING KABINETT PFALZ DEIDESHEIMER PARADIESGARTEN 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Lovely detail and elegance. Peach, apricot and spice notes herald this firm, coiled white. It's fresh and pure, with a crunch to its acidity and fine length. Drink now through 2015. 600 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Nice, pure, driven black cherry and currant fruit, with racy grilled herb and mineral notes. The whole package is caressed by modest toast, delivering balance and freshness in the end. Drink now through 2008. 200 cases imported.
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154. CHATEAU MARIS SYRAH MINERVOIS LA LIVINIERE LA TOUGE 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Full-bodied, rich and powerful, with layers blackberry, dark cherry, plum and smoke flavors. Iron-girder structure. Mocha and espresso notes, with touches of licorice, power the intense finish. Best from 2007 through 2012. 4,500 cases made.
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155. D'ARENBERG SHIRAZ-GRENACHE MCLAREN VALE D'ARRY'S ORIGINAL 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Lithe and spicy, with a mild grip to the texture and a star anise note mingling with the cherry and pomegranate flavors, finishing harmoniously. Best from 2009 through 2015. 6,000 cases imported.
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Lots of racy lime, mineral and green apple notes with herbal hints in the background. Crunchy and fresh through the finish. Drink now.
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Intense, structured and seductive, this is quite pure-tasting, with raspberry, red plum and savory herbal flavors and touches of cinnamon on the firm finish. Drink now through 2010. 40 cases imported.
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Big, ripe, full-bodied red from the south of France, with a meaty aroma of roasted plums and dense flavors of boysenberry and licorice. Dark chocolate fills the finish. Drink now through 2008. 600 cases made.
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159. JOHN ANTHONY SAUVIGNON BLANC CARNEROS CHURCH VINEYARD 2005 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Smart Buys
Rich and fleshy, with smoky melon, citrus, Meyer lemon pudding, white truffle and vanilla flavors that are complex and creamy, finishing with a long, layered aftertaste. Drink now through 2009. 1,200 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Nearly gushes with freshly crushed black cherry and blackberry fruit, along with milk chocolate and toast notes. Long, creamy finish. Drink now. 225 cases imported.
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161. LAGAR DE FORNELOS ALBARINO RIAS BAIXAS LAGAR DE CERVERA 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Smart Buys
This full-bodied white is rich with almond, pear, butter and herb flavors. It's not overtly fruity, but shows complexity, with a firm backbone of acidity for balance. Drink now. 29,000 cases made.
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162. MAS DE JANINY VIN DE PAYS D'OC LA FAMILLE DE JANINY 2002 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Powerful, focused red, with firm, supple tannins and loads of plum, smoke, meat and spice flavors. Really hums on the finish, with mineral, savory herb and Asian spice notes. Syrah. Drink now through 2010. 1,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Ripe and juicy. Lots of dark plum and currant fruit, but no hard edges or heavy-handed toast, letting the mineral and mocha notes play out on the fruit-filled finish. Drink now through 2009. 2,500 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Ripe and rich, with a solid core of fruit and ripe tannins. Lots of pepper, berry and chocolate character. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long, long finish. Sangiovese. Best after 2007. 2,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Elegant, supple and full-bodied red, with loads of chocolate, dark plum, cassis and mocha flavors. There's a lovely creaminess to this as well, which lengthens on the vanilla-filled finish. Drink now through 2008. 1,080 cases made.
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166. RAVAILLE FRERES COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC ERMITAGE DU PIC ST.-LOUP CUVEE STE.-AGNES 2003 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Muscular, medium-bodied red, with a dense core of raspberry and dried cherry flavors, and plenty of toasty and smoky notes. Pretty finish of cardamom, mocha and meat. Hard to resist. Drink now through 2009. 480 cases imported.
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Smart Buys
Very racy, with nervy lemon zest, honeysuckle, straw and mineral notes that run through a crisp, mouthwatering finish. Delicious. Drink now through 2007. 1,700 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Bright and juicy, with a sense of refinement to the otherwise lively lime, pear and delicate herb flavors that linger nicely. Drink now. 20,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Rich, ripe and spicy, a blast of pear, nectarine, floral and nutmeg clove aromas and flavors that whizzes through the long, generous finish. Drink now. 397 cases made.
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170. ZISOLA SICILIA 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $19
Blackberry, fresh herbs and earth, with a hint of oak on the nose. Medium-bodied, with a tight bead of black fruit and mineral driving through the finish, held together by light but firm tannins. Well-defined and delicious. The first wine from this new estate. From the Mazzei family of Tuscany. Nero d'Avola. Drink now through 2008. 5,000 cases made.
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171. ALFRED MERKELBACH RIESLING SPATLESE MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER KINHEIMER ROSENBERG 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
A racy, intense Riesling, packed with lime, orange, vanilla cream and mineral aromas and flavors. Very filigreed, this dances its way to a lingering finish. Drink now through 2020. 220 cases made.
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172. BABCOCK CHARDONNAY SANTA RITA HILLS RITA'S EARTH CUVEE 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Smart Buys
Intense and vibrant, with ripe, concentrated layers of green apple, fig and ripe pear that are sharply focused, riding a lively beam of acidity that cleanses your palate, revealing extra nuances of flavor. Drink now. 2,155 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Gets a bit chewy with tannins, but the rich, slightly tarry blackberry and cherry flavors come through nicely as the peppery finish lingers. Best from 2008 through 2014. 400 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Great aromas of crushed blueberry and raspberry, with a juicy texture and well-integrated toast and mineral notes. Nice blast of pure fruit on the finish. Drink now through 2009. 19,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Smart Buys
Wonderful perfumes of chocolate, berry and raspberry follow through to a full-bodied palate, with firm tannins and a long, refreshing aftertaste. Best after 2007. 9,500 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Aromas of blackberries, licorice and toasted oak follow through to a full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a long finish. Very subtle. Best after 2008.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Beautiful blackberry and lightly toasted oak follow through to a full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a long, silky finish. Best after 2008. 2,400 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Blackberry and tobacco with hints of chocolate follow through to a full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Gorgeous wine. Best after 2006. 4,250 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Aromas of jam and vanilla. Full-bodied, with lots of good fruit and a long, juicy finish. Very fruity. Best after 2008. 2,080 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Very pretty berry and plum character with hints of vanilla and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a lovely finish. All in finesse here. Lovely texture. Best after 2010. 2,080 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Smart Buys
Intense aromas of crushed berry, smoke and toasted oak. Full-bodied and very chewy, with a vanilla, coffee and berry aftertaste. Loads here. Best after 2009. 15,830 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Rich, intense white, with lots of spicy ripe pineapple and a lemon-lime edge. Medium- to full-bodied, with a fresh, balanced palate and a minerally finish. Excellent value. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Drink now. 600 cases made.
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183. 2004 CONTE FERDINANDO GUICCIARDINI SYRAH COLLI DELLA TOSCANA CENTRALE CASTELLO DI POPPIANO |
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Impressive aromas of ripe fruit, black pepper and licorice. Full-bodied, thick and rich, with round tannins and a long finish. A bit tight. Best after 2008. 1,700 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Nice bony style, with chive, sweet pea, lime and mineral flavors rippling through a lengthy finish. Juicy acidity brings you back for more. Drink now through 2007. 2,300 cases imported.
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185. 2004 DOMAINE GRAND NICOLET CTES DU RHNE-VILLAGES RASTEAU |
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Gives a big, juicy blast of plum and black currant fruit, with graphite, tobacco and fig notes on the racy finish. Delicious. Grenache, Syrah and Carignane. Drink now through 2008. 500 cases imported.
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186. DOMAINE LA CROIX BELLE VIN DE PAYS DES COTES DE THONGUE WHITE NO. 7 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Luscious, elegant white, with loads of pear, licorice and spice flavors. Heady aroma, with plenty of fine tannins and a plush texture. Long finish of allspice, with notes of mild curry. Drink now through 2012. 1,200 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
This is concentrated, but bright and open, with lots of raspberry and red currant fruit supported gently by modest toast and mineral notes. Long, driven finish. Relies on purity instead of power. Drink now through 2008. 4,500 cases made.
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188. DR. LOOSEN RIESLING KABINETT MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER BERNKASTELER LAY 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
A firm underpinning of acidity anchors the apple and peach notes in this rich, graceful white. Its flavors are tightly wound and there's a sense of place. Fine length. Best from 2007 through 2018. 1,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Intense aromas of blackberry, spice and meat follow through to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and a long, bright finish. Equal measures of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Best after 2007. 1,000 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Dense, heady and impressive for its layers of black cherry, sweet spice and peppery sage flavors on a firm foundation of refined tannins, echoing as the finish persists. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2007 through 2013. 1,120 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Plump and generous, a plush Shiraz with blueberry, blackberry and dill aromas and flavors that linger beautifully on the fine-grained finish. Drink now through 2014. 750 cases imported.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Golden color with intensely ripe and powerful aromas of apricots and honeycomb. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit and an oily, flavorful finish. Over-the-top style, but I love it. Drink now. 1,500 cases made.
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193. INAMA SOAVE CLASSICO SUPERIORE VIGNETI DI FOSCARINO 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Rich and enticing nose of apple, dried pineapple and a hint of cedar. Full-bodied, with intense flavors. Well-balanced, with a long finish. Good from start to finish. Drink now. 2,200 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Racy, on a gossamer structure, this has intensity and saturation to its peach, spice and mineral flavors. Fine crackle and resonance on the finish. Drink now through 2010.
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195. LANGWERTH VON SIMMERN RIESLING KABINETT RHEINGAU ERBACHER MARCOBRUNN 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Very elegant and creamy, yet forceful, with the Rheingau austerity behind the peach, apple and pine forest notes. It shows restraint on the finish, with a long, detailed aftertaste of peach and mineral. Drink now through 2015. 850 cases made.
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196. LAURENT CHATENAY MONTLOUIS SUR LOIRE LA VALLEE AUX PRETRES 2003 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Sweet and creamy, with apricot, almond and graham cracker notes that caress the palate through the rich finish. Drink now through 2009. 600 cases made.
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197. LONGVIEW CABERNET SAUVIGNON ADELAIDE HILLS DEVIL'S ELBOW SINGLE VINEYARD 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Supple and broad, with lovely licorice-scented currant and blackberry flavors, lingering enticingly with hints of minerals and coffee on the fine-grained finish. Drink now through 2014. 1,500 cases made.
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198. LONGVIEW SHIRAZ ADELAIDE HILLS YAKKA SINGLE VINEYARD 2004 |
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Here's a Shiraz with much more finesse than most, offering a glowing core of plum, blueberry and black currant flavors, shaded with sassafras and white pepper notes. Feels lively, and the finish suggests it will develop more with age. Drink now through 2016. 650 cases made.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Supple and round, a juicy mouthful of currant and blackberry flavor that persists beautifully against refined tannins on the long, generous finish. Drink now through 2011. 175 cases imported.
Score: 90 points
Price: $20
Smart Buys
Lean and focused, with grass, chive, mineral and floral notes that show great cut. Lingering gooseberry note on the finish. Delicious. Drink now through 2007. 5,000 cases imported.
