WineGavel Sep 2012 Online Cellar Auction

Current Bid QtyWine (Estimate) Avail Score Tasting Note…

1986 Chateau Lafite-‐Rothschild $850 (950) 1 WA100

The 1986 possesses outstanding richness, a deep color, medium body, a graceful, harmonious texture, and superb length. The penetrating fragrance of cedar, chestnuts, minerals, and rich fruit is a hallmark of this wine. Powerful, dense, rich, and tannic, as well as medium to full-‐bodied, with awesome extraction of fruit, this Lafite has immense potential. Patience is required. Anticipated maturity: 2000-‐2030. WA100

1989 Chateau Lynch Bages $240 (250) 1 WA99+

The 1989 has taken forever to shed its formidable tannins, but what a great vintage of Lynch Bages! I would rank it at the top of the pyramid although the 1990, 2000, and down the road, some of the more recent vintages such as 2005, 2009 and 2010 should come close to matching the 1989's extraordinary concentration and undeniable aging potential. Its dense purple color reveals a slight lightening at the edge and the stunning bouquet offers classic notes of creme de cassis, subtle smoke, oak and graphite. Powerful and rich with some tannins still to shed at age 22, it is still a young adolescent in terms of its evolution and will benefit from another 4-‐5 years of cellaring. It should prove to be a 50 year wine. WA99+

1974 Heitz Cellar Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard$550 (600) 1 WA98

I had this wine twice over a period of thirty days, rating it an astounding 99 and 98 points. A monumental California Cabernet Sauvignon, it appears to have approached its plateau of maturity but should easily last for 20-‐25 more years. There is no rust, amber, or brown to the saturated dark purple color. The spectacular, huge, Mouton-‐Rothschild-‐like nose of mint, cassis, lead pencil, and toast is remarkably youthful. Staggeringly concentrated, this full-‐bodied, super-‐rich wine possesses moderate tannin, fresh, lively acidity, and a blockbuster, rich, fleshy finish. This is a monumental effort! WA98

1990 Dominus $100 (120) 1 WA98

This spectacularly complex, rich wine magically combines the finest elements of Napa Valley (strength, ripeness, and full body) with those of Bordeaux (finesse, elegance, and complexity). The opaque dark ruby/purple color suggests considerable intensity, low yields, and great richness. A huge, soaring bouquet offers aromas of cassis, black-‐cherries, subtle herbs, vanillin, and spices. This full-‐bodied, voluptuously-‐textured, super-‐concentrated, multi-‐dimensional wine is more flattering and opulent that previous Dominus vintages, which tended to be tannic as well as rich. Although approachable and already complex (I have already consumed three bottles), the magnificent 1990 Dominus should evolve gracefully for 20-‐30 years. WA98

2003 Brancaia Red Blend Ilatraia, Toscana IGT $31 (36) 1 WS96

Gorgeous aromas of blackberries, raspberries and hints of tar follow through to a full-‐bodied palate with supersilky tannins and a long, long finish. Classy red from Maremma. Rich yet subtle. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Petit Verdot. Best after 2008. 1,650 cases made.

2005 Switchback Ridge Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard $36 (44) 2 WA95+

Not surprisingly, Switchback Ridge has made a bevy of amazing Petite Sirahs, and the 2005 Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard possesses off the charts richness as well as a full-‐bodied style offering notes of espresso, ground pepper, blackberries, camphor, and incense. It is an exotic, full-‐bodied, enormously concentrated wine to drink over the next two decades.

2003 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve $140 (160) 6 WA95

The fabulous 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Estate (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) spent 29 months in 100% new French oak. This meaty, dense purple-‐colored wine offers up aromas of lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, white flowers, and spice box. Rich, full-‐bodied, and powerful with superb purity as well as potential longevity, it will be even better with 2-‐4 more years of bottle age, and should keep for 25+ years. WA95

2004 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvigon Reserve, Napa Valley $63 (78) 1 WS95Weaves 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. Best from 2008 through 2018. WS95

2007 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard $115 (135) 1 WS94Dense and firm, this gutsy red shows a nice flex behind the tannins, with rich flavors of dark berry, dark chocolate, cedar and melted black licorice. The signature minty trait presents itself for now as a bay leaf and black tea aroma. WS94

2003 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stag's Leap District $27 (33) 1 WS94Firm and intense. Offers a brilliant core of pure cassis and currant, with hints of tobacco, cedar, herb and spice. Great length, with fine, integrated tannins. WS94

2006 Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon Rockaway, 1 bottle $40 (50) 4 WS94This well-‐proportioned red is intense, concentrated and richly flavored, with layers of loamy currant, anise, blackberry, mineral and sage that are full-‐blown and powerful, yet not without a measure of finesse and elegance. Best from 2011 through 2017. WS94

2007 Red Car Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast $23 (28) 1 WS94Focused on a core of black cherry and blackberry fruit that's medium-‐ to full-‐bodied, complex and spicy. Smooth-‐textured, with a long finish. Drink now through 2014. WS94

1992 Matanzas Creek Winery Merlot, 1.5L $50 (60) 1 WA94-‐96

I am a longtime admirer of Matanzas Creek's Merlot and this effort appears to be the best the winery has produced. The opaque black/purple color suggests remarkable concentration and extraction. The huge nose of roasted black fruits intertwined with scents of coffee, mocha, and vanillin is followed by an awesomely endowed wine. The full-‐bodied, roasted plum/cassis, smoky flavors exhibit viscosity and an expansive fullness that must be tasted to be believed. Readers can be sure I will be squirrling away some of this magnificent Merlot. WA94-‐96

2005 Stagecoach Vineyard Syrah Black Bart, Napa Valley $24 (28) 1 WA94

Readers looking for a California red that is a dead-‐ringer for a French Cote Rotie should check out Black Barts 2005 Syrah Stagecoach Vineyard. It boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as an unmistakable nose of graphite, bacon fat, cassis, cherries, licorice, pepper, and tapenade. The remarkably complex aromatics are followed by a medium to full-‐bodied wine with good acidity, purity, and impeccable winemaking. Drink it over the next 8-‐10 years.

2002 Red Car Syrah Sugardaddy $38 (46) 1 WA94

Red Cars outstanding 2002 Syrah Sugar Daddy is a blend of fruit from three vineyards, Colson Canyon, Thompson, and Rolling Hills. It spent 11 months in French oak, of which 60% was new. A dense ruby/purple-‐colored beauty, it reveals layers of flavors along with considerable elegance as well as complexity, a gorgeous bouquet of creme de cassis, violets, toast, and espresso, tremendous texture, full body, impressive purity, and a long, heady, concentrated finish. I was knocked out by it!

1999 Chateau Monbousquet, 6L $640 (800) 1 WA94

The dense ruby/purple-‐colored 1999 Monbousquet exhibits a port-‐like bouquet of super-‐ripe black cherry and black currant fruit intermixed with scents of coffee, tobacco, and vanilla. Tipping the scales at a whopping 14% alcohol (extremely high for Bordeaux), this wine, which spends 18 months in 100% new oak and is bottled unfined and unfiltered, is a blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. It was cropped at an amazingly low 30 hectoliters per hectare. It possesses an amazing texture, a mid-‐palate that you could get lost in, and a sensational 40-‐45 second finish. The exotic aromas, incredible texture, and abundant fruit are reminiscent of Pomerol's renowned micro-‐cuvee, Le Pin. The 1999 is even better from bottle than it was from cask. It is a remarkable effort for the vintage. WA94


2005 Realm Cellars The Tempest $40 (50) 4 WA94

The 2005 The Tempest (52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 18% Petit Verdot) offers attractive aromas of blueberry jam, cassis, and a creamy, espresso/chocolatey character. This opulent, round, hedonistic, voluptuously-‐textured, super-‐pure 2005 will provide pleasure over the next 12-‐15 years. WA94

2002 Red Car Syrah The Table $35 (42) 8 WA93

The 2002 The Table (100% Syrah from the Thompson Vineyard) represents the current rendition of the marvelous 2001 The Dreaming Detective. There are 188 cases of thick, juicy The Table. Its inky/ruby/purple color is accompanied by a big, floral bouquet revealing notes of creme de cassis, blackberries, and cherries, medium to full body, sweet tannin, an unctuous texture, and a long, heady finish. More open-‐knit than The Fight, this beauty should drink well for 10-‐12 years.

2003 Columbia Crest Walter Clore Private Reserve Red $20 (24) 1 WA93

The 2003 Walter Clore Private Reserve is even better. It is composed of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc aged for 28 months in new French oak. A classy nose of smoky oak, vanilla, lead pencil, plum, black currant, and blackberry leads to a rich, still youthful wine with loads of extract, thick fruit, superb integration of oak, tannin, and acidity, and a very long finish. This wine demands 6-‐8 years of cellaring and should drink well through 2025.

2003 Chateau Monbousquet, 1.5L $70 (80) 1 WA93

From a mixture of sand, gravel, and clay soils, this unheralded terroir produces wines well-‐above its pedigree thanks to the extraordinary efforts of proprietors Chantal and Gerard Perse. The wines are given a 4-‐ to 5-‐week maceration in both stainless steel and oak, and are aged sur-‐lie in new oak. The dark ruby/purple-‐colored 2003 offers up notes of smoky meats, melted licorice, jammy black cherries, spice box, earth, and cedar. This plump, fleshy, sexy, unfined, unfiltered wine represents a classic blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields were 32 hectoliters per hectare, and the alcohol is 13.5%. WA93

1998 La Spinetta Barbera D'Asti Superiore $40 (50) 2 WA93The 1998 Barbera d'Asti is explosive and rich. Fruit driven, with spice and complexity, it offers a dynamic mouthful of Barbera. WA93

2003 Relic Syrah Alder Springs Vineyard $29 (34) 9 WS93

Wonderful aromatics, with spice, beef, pepper, huckleberry and boysenberry flavors. Deeply concentrated and well-‐structured, leaving plenty of room for flavor yet framing it with acidity and tannins that bring out the best in the fruit. Drink now through 2012. 110 cases made.

2002 Spencer Roloson Syrah La Herradura Vineyard, Napa Valley $24 (28) 1 WS93

Tremendous complexity, intense, pure, rich and plush, with dense huckleberry, blackberry, pomegranate, pepper and sage. Deeply concentrated and firmly tannic, this packs a wallop with its flavor intensity, but also flexes its sizable muscles. Best from 2005 through 2010. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 626 cases made. WS 93

2005 Neiman Syrah $38 (46) 6 WS93This is exciting with its mix of ripe berry, savory herb and spice notes and rich layers of flavors woven together in a fashion that highlights the distinct notes. Folds together nicely, expanding on the finish. Drink now through 2014. 72 cases made.

1959 Chateau Margaux $530 (600) 1 WS93Superbly balanced, with lovely, elegant fruit flavors. Quite succulent in style. Medium ruby-‐garnet, with an elegant, earthy strawberry aroma, balanced fruit and medium tannins. WS93

2005 Chateau Nenin $40 (50) 2 WS93Very grapey on the nose, with mineral, tarragon and fresh flowers. Full-‐bodied, with very well-‐integrated tannins and a light vanilla, berry and milk chocolate aftertaste. Subtle and balanced. The best Nenin in years. Best after 2012. WS93

2002 Jericho Canyon Vineyard Red Blend Napa Valley $35 (42) 24 WS92

A rich, sophisticated style, with layers of ripe currant, wild berry and black cherry fruit that's tightly wound and sharply focused. Yet for all its size and density, it's impeccably balanced, finishing with a dash of espresso and mocha. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2007 through 2012. 461 cases made.

2002 HdV Syrah Carneros $24 (28) 12 WS92

A dense, rich yet elegantly styled wine with layers of tobacco leaf, beef carpaccio, white pepper, wild berry, raspberry and plum, holding a sharp focus and finishing with a long, persistent finish that gains complexity and nuance, and has just the right mix of tannins and acidity. Drink now through 2010. 770 cases made.

2003 Londer Vineyards Pinot Noir Parabol, Anderson Valley $15 (16) 1 WS92Tightly focused on a tasty core of ripe plum, wild berry and black cherry fruit flavors. Deftly balanced, with vibrant, tangy acidity and firm, integrated tannins. Finishes with burst of fruit flavors but also mouthwatering acidity.

2000 Rudd Estate Red Blend Oakville, Napa Valley $33 (40) 1 WS92

An intense and deeply flavorful wine with a broad range of flavors that take in coffee, currant, black cherry and blackberry fruit and turns supple and polished, finishing with a long, rich aftertaste brimming with flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2005 through 2014.

2002 HdV Syrah Carneros $24 (28) 2 WS92

A dense, rich yet elegantly styled wine with layers of tobacco leaf, beef carpaccio, white pepper, wild berry, raspberry and plum, holding a sharp focus and finishing with a long, persistent finish that gains complexity and nuance, and has just the right mix of tannins and acidity. Drink now through 2010. 770 cases made.

1979 Chateau Lafite-‐Rothschild $350 (450) 1 WS92Fruity, deep and firm, filled with plum and cherry, backed by youthful, stiff tannins. Needs time for complexity to develop. Try in 1995. WS92

2006 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $45 (52) 3 WS92Full-‐blown, ripe and rich, with intense and sharply focused dried currant, wild berry and blackberry fruit that's still fairly tannic at this stage. Ends with a long, persistent finish. Best from 2010 through 2015. WS92

2004 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve $12 (14) 4 WS92Smooth and velvety, with pure, focused currant and plum fruit floating over superfine tannins, subtlety shaded with hints of cream and spice. A touch of green olive sneaks in on the long finish. Best from 2009 through 2014. WS92

2002 Drinkward Peschon Cabernet Sauvignon Entre Deux Meres, Napa Valley $38 (42) 1 WA92

This is a 320-‐ to 500-‐case cuvee made by talented viticulturist Lisa Behrens, of Behrens and Hitchcock, and Francoise Peschon, the longtime winemaker at Araujo Estate. Aged 20 months in 100% French oak, of which half is new, the deep ruby/purple-‐hued 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits an elegant, sweet, precise bouquet of black currants intermixed with incense, graphite, and subtle new oak. With firmness, finesse, balance, purity, sweet tannin, and a long, rich finish, it will provide immense pleasure over the next 10-‐15 years.

2003 Red Car Syrah All Night Radio $20 (24) 4 WA92

The 2003 Syrah All Night Radio (from both the Colson Canyon and Thompson vineyards) reveals Syrahs alluring acacia flower and blackberry aromas along with an opulent, full-‐bodied personality with high glycerin, well-‐concealed alcohol, and loads of fruit, length, and purity. This savory, mouthfilling, well-‐balanced, personality-‐filled 2003 will drink well for 5-‐7 years.


2002 Neyers Syrah Cuvee d' Honneur, Napa Valley $20 (24) 3 WA92

The 2002 Syrah Cuvee dHonneur (primarily from the Hudson Vineyard in Carneros) performed fabulously well. Interestingly, stems are used in the winemaking, and while they are not detectable, the wines structure suggests there is a lot going on. A broad, concentrated, deep purple-‐colored Syrah with notes of acacia flower, blackberry, cassis, and a hint of tomato skin, this expansive, full-‐bodied, dense, rich effort is accessible

1975 Chateau Lafite Rothschild $300 (350) 1 WA92

The 1975 is a powerful Lafite, and troublesome bottles tend to reveal more tannin and funkiness than others, which have a roasted character, combined with a gravelly, mineral underpinning. As this wine has aged, it appears to be less of a sure bet. In most cases, it has been an outstanding wine, as the bottle tasted in December suggested. The aromatics indicate the wine is fully mature, but the tough tannin level clearly underscores the dark side of the 1975 vintage. This wine will undoubtedly last for another 30+ years, but I am not sure the fruit will hold. It is a perplexing wine that may still turn out to be an exceptional Lafite. In contrast, the 1976 has always been much more forward and consistent. However, I would still take the 1975 over the overrated, mediocre 1970, 1966, and 1961. WA92

2002 Les Forts de Latour $110 (140) 2 WA92

A classic second wine that shows outstanding potential, the dark ruby/purple-‐colored 2002 has notes of cedar wood, black currants, earth, and truffles in a medium to full-‐bodied, supple-‐textured, beautifully concentrated style that can be drunk now or cellared for 10-‐15 years. WA92

2003 Clos Les Lunelles Cotes de Castillon $30 (40) 2 WA92

This 21+ acre vineyard planted on a clay and limestone plateau consists of 38-‐year-‐old Merlot (80%), Cabernet Franc (10%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). It was acquired by Gerard and Chantal Perse in 2001, and in less than two years has become the reference point winery for the Cotes de Castillon ... not surprising in view of the commitment to excellence exhibited by the Perses. Made from tiny yields of less than 20 hectoliters per hectare, the blockbuster 2003 tips the scales at 13.5% alcohol. It reveals a peppery, spicy, incense-‐laced bouquet interwoven with black cherry jam, blackberry, and cassis-‐like aromas. Full-‐bodied, opulent, long, rich, and persistent, it is the finest wine I have ever tasted from the Cotes de Castillon. Enjoy it over the next 10-‐15 years. WA92

2006 Robert Craig Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity $36 (44) 8 WA92

The 2006 Affinity is a steal for a high-‐quality Napa Cabernet-‐based wine (actually 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot). This wine displays floral, blueberry, and black currant notes intermixed with some subtle oak and a hint of coffee beans. Generous, rich, with beautiful layers of fruit, impressive purity, and admirable elegance combined with power, this is a gorgeous wine that can be drunk now or cellared for 12-‐15+ years. WA92

2004 Culler Syrah Sawi Vineyard, Sonoma Valley $18 (22) 5 WA91

The 2004 Syrah Sawi Vineyard, from a windy, high elevation (1,400 feet) site west of Sonoma, reveals blueberry, blackberry, camphor, and forest floor notes along with superb richness, outstanding texture, and admirable purity as well as precision. Enjoy this beauty over the next 7-‐10 years.

1996 Chateau Angelus $160 (190) 1 WA91

A massive, powerful Angelus, this wine exhibits a saturated black/ruby/purple color as well as an impressively-‐endowed nose of dried herbs, roasted meats, new saddle leather, plum liqueur, and cassis. In the mouth, olive notes make an impression. This sweet, full-‐bodied, exceptionally concentrated wine is atypically backward and ferociously tannic. It was revealing more sweetness and forwardness immediately prior to bottling, but I would now recommend 7-‐8 years of cellaring. Anticipated Maturity: 2007-‐2025. WA91

2007 Fisher Vineyards Coach Insignia $50 (62) 2 WA91

This venerable winery has produced a beautiful 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of charcoal, background wood smoke, black currants, and a hint of graphite. Elegant and medium to full-‐bodied with sweet tannin, a seductive texture, and surprising opulence, it should drink nicely for 10-‐15 years. WA91

1993 Stag's Leap Cellars Cask 23 $70 (90) 1 WA91The outstanding 1993 Cask 23 Proprietary Red Wine exhibits a dark ruby/garnet color, sweet, coffee, chocolate, cherry-‐like aromas, medium to full body, an alluring sweetness on the attack, but dry tannin in the finish. WA91

1995 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder $68 (85) 3 WA91

The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder (1,600 cases) reveals an opaque purple color, and a sumptuous, Medoc-‐like nose of lead pencil, minerals, black currants, and smoky oak. It is extremely full-‐bodied and massive in the mouth, with sweet tannin, a layered, plushly-‐textured mid-‐palate, and a firm, exceptionally long, pure finish. This classic mountain-‐styled Cabernet Sauvignon can be drunk now, but it will be even better with 5-‐7 years of cellaring. It will keep for 2 decades. WA91

2004 Genium Priorat $55 (68) 1 WA91

The 2004 Genium is composed of 60% Garnacha, 20% Carinena, and 20% Merlot aged for 6 months in 30% new French oak. Purple colored, it exhibits a complex nose of cedar, mineral, red currants, raspberry, and kirsch. Medium to full-‐bodied, and bordering on opulence, this layered wine has excellent intensity and balance. WA91

2000 Rudd Red Blend Jericho Canyon Vineyard, Napa Valley $24 (28) 2 WA90-‐92

The 2000 Jericho Canyon Vineyard Proprietary Red (a 2,500-‐case blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot) is atypically full-‐bodied and powerful for the vintage. While it may not possess the complexity of the 1999, it offers copious quantities of black fruits, licorice, and coffee. The wine is dense and supple, with sweet tannin and a long finish. It should drink well for 12-‐15 years.

2002 Corte Riva Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley $31 (36) 1 WS91

Cloaked in rich, toasty, mocha-‐scented oak, with a tasty range of plum, cherry and currant fruit that is rich and complex, unfolding gracefully to reveal extra flavor nuances. Long, intricate aftertaste. New from Lawrence Cortez and Romel Rivera, assistant winemaker at Pride. Drink now through 2009. 400 cases made.

2004 Neiman Red $36 (44) 1 WS91Big, ripe and expressive, with intense loamy earth, ripe currant, sage, herb and light cedary oak. Rich and well-‐proportioned, this holds its focus, with a long finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Drink now through 2014. 220 cases made.

2006 Catena Malbec Mendoza $13 (16) 1 WS91Enticing, with lots of mocha, fruitcake, raspberry and boysenberry flavors stretched over a lengthy, fleshy finish. A delicious, fruit-‐driven version. WS91

1990 Mumm Brut Cordon Rouge Cuvee Limitee $81 (100) 1 WS90Rich and round textured with plenty of flavor and a melt-‐in-‐your-‐mouth quality. Has buttery aromas, fig and pear flavors and a rather soft balance.

2002 WH Smith Pinot Noir Maritime Vineyard $18 (22) 9 WS90Lots of enticing aromas of blackberry, raspberry and wild berry, with pretty floral scents. It tastes ripe and rich, with a vibrant backbone of acidity and firm, integrated tannins.


2003 Versant Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $29 (36) 9 WS90

Enormously complex and concentrated, with aromas of ripe currant, blackberry, sandalwood and herb that are joined by hints of sage and currant. Sleek and firmly tannic, the fruit pushes through on a long, rich, detailed finish. Best from 2008 through 2013. 250 cases made. WS 90

1999 White Rock Vineyards Claret Napa Valley $18 (22) 1 WS90

Intense and concentrated, with cedar-‐ and dill-‐nuanced oak flavors wrapped around a tight, compact core of herb and earthy currant flavors. While hard and tannic, the flavors are deep and persistent on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2004 through 2012.

2004 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 7 $45 (54) 2 WS90Rough-‐hewn, dense, abundant and chewy, with concentrated, extracted dried currant, mineral and hefty oak and mineral flavors that make this broad-‐shouldered, framed by potent tannins. Needs lots of time. Best from 2009 through 2018. 1,066 cases made.

2003 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 337 $49 (60) 1 WS90

Tight, firm and tannic, yet there's enough supple earthy currant and wild berry fruit evident to sustain interest. Begins to reveal its core of complexity on the finish, with a hint of elegance that time in the bottle should reveal further. Best from 2008 through 2013. 300 cases made.

2005 Neiman Merlot $35 (42) 6 WS90Rich and firmly structured, showing ripe blackberry, spice and espresso notes, with rustic yet appealing savory plum and licorice. Needs time in the glass to let the tannins soften. Drink now. 48 cases made.

1977 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard $55 (60) 1 WS90

2000 Reserve de la Comtesse, Pichon Lalande $45 (55) 2 WS90Rather decadent, with berry, plum and tobacco character and a hint of meat. Medium-‐bodied, with chewy tannins and a medium finish. Solid second wine. Best after 2007. WS90

2007 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills H3 $12 (14) 6 WS90Polished and silky in texture, with ripe blackberry, currant and mint flavors that keep sailing through the long, expressive finish. The tannins are beautifully integrated. Best from 2011 through 2017. WS90

1981 Robert Mondavi Cabernet $60 (70) 1 WS901977 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard $50 (60) 2 WS90

1995 Attilio Ghisolfi Barolo Bricco Visette $55 (70) 1 WS90Classy, with subtle aromas and a ripe mouthfeel, offering pretty layers of rose petal, tar, black fruit and wet earth. Full-‐bodied, with well-‐integrated tannins and a slight vanilla note on the finish. WS90

2002 Red Car Red Blend Some Like it Red $17 (18) 3 WA90

The least expensive offering of this quartet is the 2002 Some Like It Red, a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Pinot Noir. It possesses a dense ruby/purple color as well as a fragrant perfume of wild mountain berry fruit interwoven with notions of licorice and earth. Soft, medium to full-‐bodied, voluptuous, and seductive

2002 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot Napa/Sonoma County $27 (32) 8 WA90

The 2002 Merlot, which comes from both the Napa and Sonoma sides of the mountain, is elegant, with wonderfully sweet black cherry fruit intermixed with a hint of mocha, white chocolate, and some background sappy wood notes. Its beautiful integration of acidity and tannin make for an elegant, polished, and stunning Merlot to drink over the next decade.

2001 Darioush Cabernet Sauvignon, 9L $584 (720) 1 WA90

A deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by reluctant aromatics, which, with aeration, reveal notes of damp earth, underbrush, resiny pine forest, black currants, and berries. The palate offers savory flavors of berries, plums, black currants, earth, and spice box. Exhibiting medium to full body, supple tannin, a judicious touch of oak, and a long finish, it gains in stature and quality with each sip.

1998 Chateau Latour $300 (375) 1 WA90

Not a blockbuster, the 1998 possesses a dark garnet/purple color in addition to a complex bouquet of underbrush, cedar, walnuts, and licorice-‐tinged black currants. Although medium to full-‐bodied and moderately tannic, it lacks the expansiveness in the mid-‐palate necessary to be truly great. Moreover, the tannin is slightly aggressive, although that is hardly unusual in such a young Latour. WA90

1998 Chateau Clinet $65 (75) 1 WA90

The 1998 reveals a dense, thick-‐looking purple color, as well as a closed bouquet. With coaxing, notes of damp earth, spicy new oak, truffles, blackberry and plum fruit emerge. Dense, with jagged tannin, considerable power, and a roasted, chocolatey character, this wine has not yet meshed together. I had hoped it would be less disjointed, but I still feel there is a strong likelihood that it will deserve an outstanding score. However, patience will be required. Anticipated maturity: 2008-‐2020. WA90

2006 Audelssa Cabernet Sauvignon $20 (25) 1 WA90

The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) is an impressive as well as fairly priced offering for its quality. Its dark plum/ruby hue is accompanied by sweet, dusty, ripe cherry notes intermixed with hints of burning embers, white chocolate, and silky tannins. This dense, medium to full-‐bodied 2006 is both elegant and substantial. Already delicious, it should continue to drink well for a decade. I have been impressed with Audelssas wines since their first vintage debuted less than a decade ago. All the fruit comes primarily from the steep, western slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, and the winery is equally talented whether its turning out Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, or unleashing some complex, delicious Rhone Rangers. WA90

2006 Fisher Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Wedding Vineyard $75 (90) 3 WA90

Among Fishers 2006 reds, the top wines include the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Wedding Vineyard, a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc. Its opaque ruby/purple hue is accompanied by aromas of damp earth, black currants, blueberries, and spring flowers. Deep, medium to full-‐bodied, and moderately tannic, it reveals some austerity, but there is enough concentration to balance out the wines structure. Give it 2-‐3 years of cellaring and consume it over the following 15-‐20. WA90

WineGavel Sep 2012 Online Cellar Auction

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