2008 El Nido 'El Nido'  Cabernet Sauvignon • Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain - "(70% cabernet sauvignon and 30% monastrell, aged for 24 months in new French and American oak):  Glass-staining purple.  Explosive, alluring scents of blueberry, boysenberry, pipe tobacco, licorice and vanilla bean.  Lush and broad but juicy and firmly built, with suave candied dark fruit flavors accented by sexy floral and Asian spice qualities.  Finishes broad, juicy and impressively long, with echoing boysenberry and spice notes." 94 points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Sep/Oct 11.

"The 2008 El Nido is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Monastrell also aged for 24 months in new French and American oak. It gives up a bit more aromatic complexity with ramped up concentration and volume. In the glass, notes of blueberry, blackberry, exotic spices, and pepper lead to a plush, silky, 60-second finish. Give this behemoth 6-8 years to become civilized and drink the Clio cuvee while you are waiting.

Bodegas El Nido is a project of the Gil family of Jumilla with the winemaking overseen by the veteran vigneron Chris Ringland of New Zealand." 96 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, issue#195. Retail Price $129.00 net.
 

2009 El Nido 'El Nido'  Cabernet Sauvignon • Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain - Not yet reviewed, but 2009 was an outstanding vintage across Spain and given the track record of El Nido, it should be another blockbuster. Retail Price $129.00 net.

NOTE: In order to preserve the three year vertical for our customers, we are offering these rare wines in three bottle packs, one bottle from each vintage (2007, 2008, 2009). The price for each 3 pack is $349 net.

Also Available From El Nido:


El Nido "Clio" 2009 - A mirror blend from the "El Nido" with 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet, the Clio also has an impressive track record. Although the 2009 is not yet rated (we just received our allocation today), it has consistently scored 93-97 points from Robert Parker and 90-93 points from Stephen Tanzer over the past seven vintages. as a reference point, I have included their reviews of the 2008 Clio below:


"The 2008 Clio is made up of 70% old vine Monastrell sourced from a vineyard planted in 1944 and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from a vineyard planted in 1979. The alcoholic fermentation is in oak followed by malolactic fermentation in new barrels and aging for 24 months in new French and American oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it exhibits an expressive nose of pain grille, underbrush, brier, mineral, blueberry, and blackberry fruit leading to a plush, opulent wine with great density, savory flavors, and a lengthy finish. In spite of its size, it is surprisingly light on its feet and can be approached now. However, it will evolve for 3-4 years and offer prime drinking from 2014 to 2023." 94 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate issue #195.

"(70% monastrell and 30% cabernet sauvignon, raised for two years in new French and American oak):  Saturated purple.  Oak-spiced aromas of black and blue fruits, with notes of woodsmoke and vanilla gaining strength with air.  Broad and fleshy, with very good depth and power to its boysenberry and cassis flavors.  Finishes with chewy tannins, excellent clinging length and an echoing vanilla note.  This needs some time for the oak and fruit to get to know each other." 91 points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar issue Sept/Oct 11.

Retail price is $44.99 net.

 2008 John Duval 'Plexus'

After 29 years as a winemaker with Penfolds, John Duval started his own wine label in 2003. He graduated in agriculture and winemaking in 1973 at Adelaide University and then followed in the footsteps of some of the greats of Australian winemaking including Max Schubert, the creator of Penfolds Grange. His family also supplied grapes and vine cuttings to Penfolds over the years.

John was appointed Chief Winemaker at Penfolds in 1986 and secured a number of awards for the company - Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London in 1989; Red Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge in London in 1991 and in 2000; and seeing the 1990 Penfolds Grange named the Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator in 1995.

John Duval Plexus 2008 - “The 2008 Plexus Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre is a decidedly Shiraz dominant version of this classic blend. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives an abundance of Indian spice aromas – cumin seed, fenugreek and cloves - over raspberry cordial, preserved blackberry, dusty earth, powdered cinnamon and moss covered tree bark. The full-bodied palate displays the elegance of this blend in its effortless harmony, offering a medium-high level of very fine tannins, crisp acid and ample opulent flesh with a long finish. Drink it now to 2018+.” 93+ points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate December 2010.

“Inky ruby. Expressive black raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by black and white pepper and incense. A floral note comes up air and carries onto the palate, joining sweet red and dark berry preserve flavors and undertones of anise and candied rose. A hint of candied flowers lingers on a very long, sappy finish. I'd have no problem drinking this now. For a wine from a ripe vintage this is quite elegant. ” 93 points, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar  July 2010.

“Purple-red; Barossa Valley blends of Shiraz/Grenache/Mourvedre seldom have the poise, conviction or richness of this wine; the flavours are multilayered yet not the least jammy, the tannins particularly good, the length all one can ask for. Screwcap.” 95 points, James Halliday, The Wine Companion 2011 , July 2010.

2009 White Burgundy

Domaine Marc Morey Rully Blanc 2009 - Marc Morey is one of the most lauded names in Côte Chalonnaise region of Burgundy and with this wine he keeps his reputation intact. Rully is prized for it's steep limestone slopes that help to craft this bone dry Chardonnay that offers fresh aromas and flavors of citrus fruit and key lime accented with a fresh minerality and a bracing acidity. Drink over the course of the next five years. ($29.99)

Jean-Phillipe Fichet Meursault 2009 - "The 2009 Meursault bursts from the glass with explosive fruit. This is a beautiful, layered wine that stands out next to the other 2009s for its creamy, expansive personality. The wine tapers off nicely towards the pointed finish. The Meursault is made from parcels in Clous-Dessus, Chaumes de Narvaux and Limozin. Anticipated maturity: 2013+.

Fichet was among the first producers to harvest in 2009. Picking began on September 2 and lasted just 5 days as opposed to the more typical 7-8. The wines spent 12 months in oak followed by 6 months in steel. These are some of the most bright, tense wines of the vintage." The Wine Advocate Sep 11 ($59.99)

Louis Carillon et Fils Puligny-Montrachet 2009 - "The 2009 Puligny-Montrachet flows with expressive white fruit and flowers, all of which come together in a supple, mid-weight style that is immensely pleasing. This shows exquisite grace and lovely overall balance. The villages is made from eleven plots in Puligny, and saw 15% new oak. Anticipated maturity: 2013+."  The Wine Advocate Sep 11. ($62.99)

2009 Red Burgundy

Domaine Collotte, Les Champsalomon Marsannay Rouge 2009 - "The estate’s 2009 Marsannay Les Champsalomon is beautifully balanced, with gorgeous aromatics, bright red fruit and silky tannins. Crushed rocks and all things mineral frame the saline, focused finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019." Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate #194. ($33.99)

Vincent Morey, Les Hâtes Santenay Rouge 2009 - Vincent Morey and his wife Sophie both come from winemaking families. This 2009 Pinot Noir is from the south-facing "Les Hates" vineyard in the Côte de Beaune village of Santenay. In 2009, the fruit was ripe and sweet, making for soft and rich wines that will have strong appeal to lovers of California and Oregon Pinot Noirs. The use of 45% new oak barrels provides a sweet vanilla note that adds another layer of complexity to the black cherry fruit. ($29.99)

Domaine Henri-Gouges Nuit-St-Georges 2009 - "The 2009 Nuits St. Georges is a generous wine. Layers of dark, fragrant fruit build nicely towards the juicy finish. This, too, is a beautiful bottle. The Nuits was bottled in December, 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2019.

This is a striking set of 2009s from Gouges. The estate is pursuing a slightly updated style in trying to make the entry-level wines more accessible early on. According to Gregoire Gouges the approach to the higher end wines remains the same, which is to say these remain sturdy Burgundies that benefit immensely from cellaring. The harvest at Gouges began on September 15. The fruit was 100% destemmed. Vinification started with a 3 day cold soak (at only modestly cold temperatures) followed by 10-15 days of cuvaison. The wines were racked after the malos, the lees were removed, and the wines were put back into barrel, where they finished (or were finishing) their elevage. All of the wines were aged in 20% new oak barrels." The Wine Advocate #194 ($63.99)

Piedmontese Parusso

Marco Parusso is a fourth generation winemaker from Italy and along with his wife Tiziana, meticulously crafts thirteen distinct wines grown on their 22 hectare estate located in Bussia within the Piedmont region. Their focus is on Sauvignon Blanc, Nebbiolo and Barbera, and although their prices are modest compared to their more famous neighbors, they consistently produce excellent wines which are complex, extracted and a joy to drink. Here are our current favorites now in stock:

Parusso Barolo "Mariondino" 2007 - "The 2007 Barolo Mariondino is a huge overachiever in this vintage. The wine bursts from the glass with an explosive array of dark red raspberries, smoke, anise, dried roses and French oak. Deceptively medium in body, the Mariondino possesses superb depth and an intensity that carries through beautifully to the long, enveloping finish. Floral notes add the final flourishes. The Mariondino is a great example of a wine from a generally less-favored site that excels in 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2027." 94 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate  issue #193. ($69.75 net price).

 

Other Wines In Stock by Parusso:

Parusso Barolo Classico 2007 ($49.99) - "Parusso’s 2007 Barolo shows lovely depth in its dark fruit, with smoke, mocha and mineral tones that appear over time, adding complexity and nuance. Impeccable and elegant throughout, the Barolo is a superb, entry-level bottling in this vintage. It should drink well pretty much right out of the gate. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2019." Robert Parker's Wine Advocate issue #193.

Parusso Barbera D'Alba "Ornati" 2009 ($27.99) - Deep crimson color with plum and red currant aromas. Nice full mouthfeel of blueberry, currant, spice, and a touch of licorice & smoke, with pleasantly subdued tannin and acidity. This is a more full-bodied and complex Barbera that is very approachable in its youth. Enjoy with simple grilled meats, sausages, pork and light red sauces.

Parusso "Bricco Rovella" Langhe Bianco 2008 ($45.99) - A stunning white wine from the Piedmont. 100% old vines Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit is dried for 5-7 days before pressing, much like Amarone, then barrel fermented and aged in small oak cask. The result is a wine of great depth and complexity with layered tropical fruit notes, rounded mid palate and a full nutty finish. Serve with robust cheeses, game birds and rich white sauces.
 

Parusso Langhe Bianco 2010 ($24.99) - 100% Sauvignon Blanc fermented in stainless with full Malolactic fermentation and lees aging. Rich, ripe orchard and citrus fruit with a clean crisp thread of acidity throughout. Enjoy with shellfish, sautéed fish dishes, and pastas with a light cream or butter sauce.

Available Locally For The First Time in NC:
Wind Gap Wines from Pax Mahle

We are pleased to announce the arrival of Pax Mahle's latest venture, Wind Gap. Pax is crafting some of the most exciting wines in California, blending strict vineyard management with innovative cellar techniques, including the use of concrete "eggs" as fermentation tanks. For more info about Pax and his innovative new adventure, please visit http://windgapwines.com. Wines in stock include:

Wind Gap "James Berry Vineyard" Chardonnay 2009, Paso Robles - "The 2009 Chardonnay James Berry Vineyard is an intense, mineral-laced wine layered with expressive varietal fruit. It shows gorgeous focus and length in a wiry Chablis-influenced style that will make readers re-consider what is possible within California Chardonnay. Slate, crushed rocks and all things mineral frame the intense finish. Mahle aged the Chardonnay (from 45 year-old vines) in equal parts concrete and steel. This is a stellar effort. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. " 91 points, The Wine Advocate issue #196. $39.99.

Wind Gap Syrah 2008, Sonoma Coast - "Inky ruby.  Seductive perfume of cherry pit, blueberry, olive and Asian spices, along with a strong mineral quality.  Velvety and bright on entry, then energetic and sweet in the mid-palate, with impressive energy to its black and blue fruit compote flavors.  Very pure on the bright, extremely long finish, which features lingering floral and mineral nuances.  These grapes were harvested on November 5th, 6th and 7th." 91 points, International Wine Cellar May/June 2011. $39.99.

Wind Gap "Orra" Grenache/Mourvedre/Counoise 2009, North Coast - "(69% grenache, 21% mourvedre and 10% counoise; no new oak):  Medium red.  Pungent, spice-accented aromas of peppery red berries, cherry, blood orange and herbs are lifted by a floral topnote.  Sappy and focused, with a peppery quality giving lift to its bitter red fruit flavors.  Possesses very good mid-palate heft, with firm tannins adding shape and grip to the persistent finish."  91 points, International Wine Cellar May/June 2011. $29.99.

Montepeloso Eneo 2008, Tuscany - While the two “luxury cuvees” from Montepeloso seem to get all the attention, the Montepulciano and Sangiovese-based Eneo has achieved a rapid cult following of its own. Deep, dark brooding fruit leads to notes of licorice, smoke, beef stock and black pepper. The firm tannins and moderate acidity indicate a wine built for aging.

"The 2008 Eneo literally sparkles on the palate with vibrant red fruit, freshly cut flowers and spices. It shows remarkable tension and delineation all the way through to the resonant finish. This is a striking wine in every way. Floral notes reappear on the finish, along with iron, smoke and ferrous notes, all of which add considerable complexity. This is a dazzling effort from proprietor Fabio Chiarellotto. It is composed of 40% Montepulciano, 35% Sangiovese, 15% Marselan and 10% Alicante Bouschet. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. Fabio Chiarellotto has done a fabulous job with his 2008s. The Eneo in particular remains one of the best –priced wines from Tuscany’s Maremma." 93 points, Wine Advocate issue #196. $49.99
 

Stuhlmuller Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Alexander Valley - "Loads of plum, black currant and cherry notes intermixed with underbrush and earth jump from the glass of the dark ruby/purple-colored 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate. Alexander Valley Cabernet doesn’t get the respect it merits, as this wine demonstrates. Blueberry and raspberry notes are also there in this complex, exceptionally supple, round and generous Cabernet Sauvignon. It can be drunk now or cellared up to a decade." The Wine Advocate issue #193.  $43.99

Guigal Gigondas 2007 - "The best Gigondas from Guigal that I have ever tasted will certainly be the 2007, which is still aging in tank and large wood vats. His general blend here is about 55-60% Grenache, around one-third Mourvedre and the rest Syrah. This remarkable Gigondas is scheduled to be bottled within the next several months. Dense plum/purple, with notes of garrigue, crushed rock, blueberry, and black raspberries, the wine is full-bodied, with stunning purity, a multi-layered texture, and a long finish. It should drink nicely for 10-15+ years." 92-94 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate issue #191. $29.99/bottle, less 15% by the case.
 

2008 Bergstrom Pinot Noir

2008 Bergstrom Vineyard Pinot Noir Bergstrom Vineyard - This 15 acre vineyard is planted exclusively to Pinot Noir, located in the Dundee Hills. The ancient red volcanic soils of this vineyard site provide powerful wines of great finesse, laden with red fruit and floral aromas, earthy minerality and silky tannic structure. 2008 was a fantastic year for the Bergström Vineyard. Yields were the lowest since 2004 and the long cool summer and fall allowed the vines to ripen their fruit into the middle of October under ideal conditions. This wine is medium to full- bodied and will begin to drink well towards the summer of 2010 and will age well for at least a decade. This wine is farmed and certified biodynamic.

"The 2008 Pinot Noir Bergstrom Estate is sourced from the winery’s 15 acres in the Dundee Hills AVA. Medium ruby in color, it exhibits an enticing bouquet of rose petal, spice box, toast, incense, cherry, and raspberry. On the palate it is the most succulent of the Bergstrom offerings with densely packed red fruits, a satin texture, plenty of structure, and a lengthy, sweet finish. Give it 2-3 years to fully blossom and drink it from 2012 to 2023. Josh Bergstrom continues to progress toward his goal of working entirely with estate-grown Pinot Noir. Gone are single vineyard cuvees from the Durant, Nysa, and Hyland Vineyards. He has also become increasingly focused on Chardonnay believing that Willamette Valley is capable of producing world-class wines from this varietal." (93 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate issue #191.) $68.99 net

2008 Bergstrom Vineyard Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard -  The mighty Shea Vineyard lies smack dab in the middle of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, an area known for its ancient and shallow sandy soils on beds of Sandstone and Shale. This vineyard's name conjures up images of large scaled, hedonistic wines of great spice and ripe fruit character. Bergström Wines believes in working with only Oregon's greatest vineyard sites that are consistently in the upper echelon of terroir, farming practices and wine quality, and believe that the Shea Vineyard is one of these sites.

"The 2008 Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard (Josh Bergstrom is Dick Shea’s largest client although not all the wine goes into the Shea bottling) is medium ruby-colored with more aromatic complexity than the preceding wines. Sandalwood, Asian spices, incense, rose petal, cherry, and raspberry scents lead to a medium to full-bodied (14.3% alcohol), ripe, structured wine with layers of fruit, outstanding grip and volume, and several years of aging potential. This packed offering merits 3-4 years of cellaring and will offer a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2023, perhaps longer. Josh Bergstrom continues to progress toward his goal of working entirely with estate-grown Pinot Noir. Gone are single vineyard cuvees from the Durant, Nysa, and Hyland Vineyards. He has also become increasingly focused on Chardonnay believing that Willamette Valley is capable of producing world-class wines from this varietal." (94 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate issue #191). $51.99 net.

New from Napa Valley

Fourteen Appellations 2007 ($89.00 net) THE PARTS ARE GREAT . . . BUT THE SUM IS EVEN BETTER   That’s the concept behind FOURTEEN, a wine made from the best grapes from the best vineyards in each of Napa’s 14 sub-appellations.   Oakville. Yountville. Rutherford. Diamond, Spring and Howell Mountains. Wherever excellence is valued, we went, collecting grapes from every microclimate and every soil type. Grapes from hillsides and from the valley floor. All for the purpose of creating a wine that best captures the essence of Napa Valley.   FOURTEEN stands in stark contrast to the current trend of having wines express increasingly smaller plots of land. Where other vintners try to convey a single vineyard, an exposure or even just a block, FOURTEEN asks the bigger question – What does a Napa Valley wine taste like? – and answers it with one of the most decadent and compelling blends ever produced.   Try this new wine, FOURTEEN, against its precursor THIRTEEN, which was made before the Oak Knoll District was added. It’s sure to be an eye-opening, lip-smacking, teeth-staining experience.   The wine that defines Napa Valley! - Steve Reynolds, winemaker

New from Spain

	Numanthia Tinto de Toro 2007 ($58.99) A perennial favorite at Seaboard, Numanthia is a textbook partnership of old world grapes and modern winemaking techniques. This is a wine that you won't mistake as California Cabernet - made from 100% Tinto de Toro (Tempranillo) from 70-100 year old vines which yield less than 1.5 tons/acre - definitely has European personality yet it's rich and extracted with velvety tannins and a firm backbone of oak. The wine is built to last; I recently has a 1998 and it was still a bit closed upon opening, but after an hour of decanting the color darkened and the wine unfolded in layers of ripe fruit & spice. From Stephan Tanzer's International Wine Cellar issue Sept/Oct 2010: "Opaque ruby. Sexy, oak-spiced dark berries and fresh flowers on the nose, along with notes of cola and star anise. Lush, palate-coating blackberry and candied cherry flavors are lifted by tangy acidity and gain sweetness with air. Give this a bit of air if you plan to open it any time soon." 91 points.

Here are some more age-worthy & special occasion wines now in stock:

	L'Armangia Barbera d'Asti 'Vignali' 2004 ($48.99) This is a Barbera built for aging. Strict fruit selection from 70+ year old vines, aged up to 22 months in new French oak barriques. Deep garnet color with ripe, concentrated, polished berry fruit. Undertones of smoke, spice, roasted almonds and violets are held together with a thread of firm youthful tannin, which should give this glorious wine at least 10 years to maturity and another 10 years to enjoy.
	Altamura Napa Valley Cabernet 2007 ($89.00 net) "Probably the best Cabernet Sauvignon I have ever tasted from Altamura, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is aged 30 months in 70% new oak from the same high-elevation vineyard as the Sangiovese. Notes of espresso roast, graphite, black currants, sweet black cherries and earthy, loamy terroir are all present in this dense purple, full-bodied, exuberant, concentrated and expressive Cabernet Sauvignon. It can be drunk now or cellared for two decades. This is an interesting, still somewhat under-the-radar, small producer with all dry-farmed vineyards and obviously impeccable winemaking." 95 points, Robert Parker The Wine Advocate issue#192.
	Ken Forrester "The FMC" 2009; Stellenbosch, South Africa ($64.99 net) "A very ripe, exotic style, with a toasted hazelnut aroma leading the way for almond tuile, fig and glazed pear notes. The lush finish lets additional papaya and creamed peach notes chime in. This has an off-dry hint, but stays balanced." Wine Spectator issue 4/30/10; 92 points
	Chateau de Valcombe "Garrance" 2007; Costieres de Nimes, Rhone Valley, France ($28.99) Unlike Valcombe’s ‘Prestige,’ which includes a small amount of Grenache, ‘Garance’ is produced entirely from Syrah. This dark ruby wine shows an aromatic nose of blackberries, vanilla and light toast to compliment the dark fruit flavors. The tannins are smooth, yet powerful, and the wine showcases great complexity and finesse. Tastes a lot more expensive than the price indicates.
	Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage 2008; Northern Rhone Valley, France ($28.99) According to Wine Spectator, “you may not have heard of this domaine before, but it won’t be a secret much longer.” This Northern Rhone shows the power and intensity of Syrah in a traditional way; dark fruit is heavily accented with black peppery spice and hints of licorice. This classic French red needs rich, hearty food to pair; try braised lamb stew or bacon-wrapped filets.
	San Vicente Rioja 2006, Spain  ($65.99) "The 2006 San Vicente is a glass-coating purple/black color offering up a brooding bouquet of wood smoke, pencil lead, licorice, plum, and blackberry. Opulent and rich on the palate with layers of succulent fruit, it has 6-8 years of aging potential and should be at its best from 2016 to 2026. Senorio de San Vicente is one of several outstanding estates owned and operated by the Eguren family. The wine is made from 100% Tempranillo Peludo known for its tiny berries and exceptional aromatics. The grapes are sourced from a single vineyard and typically aged for 20 months in new, mostly French oak before bottling without filtration." 93 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate issue #189.
	Bernard & Thierry Glantenay Volnay Brouillards 2008 ($55.99) "From 50 year old vines, Glantenay’s 2008 Volnay Brouillards offers distilled strength and palate-staining expressions of ripe cassis and blackberry – much as does the corresponding Santenots – but backs them up with strikingly pure and persistent fruit juiciness and fine-grained, well-integrated tannins, while incorporating a complex array of floral, mineral, and animal shadings suggesting iris, peat, forest undergrowth, iodine, chalk, and beef marrow. This should be worth following for at least 10-12 years and grow in interest. Young Thierry Glantenay – whom I met for the first time this March – has the luck to have inherited old vines acquired or planted by his grandfather in some of the most prestigious sites of Volnay, Pommard, and Puligny, and is applying to them evident care and intelligence, given which facts it isn’t surprising – even though it was news to me – that his cellar is a superb source of Burgundy." 90-91 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate issue #189.

A Special Selection Of Jacques Selosse Champagne

Seaboard Wine is the only wine store in North Carolina to receive this precious line of Champagne. Anselme Selosse is widely regarded as the top winemaker in Champagne, and Antonio Galloni of Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate best explains why this Champagne house is so unique:

"Readers will need to drop all preconceived notions about what Champagne is and can be in order to fully experience the wines of Anselme and Corinne Selosse, as these are Champagnes like no other. No one has pushed the boundaries of what Champagne can be further than Selosse. As great as his own wines are, Selosse’s most lasting legacy may very well be influencing the younger generation of producers who have worked alongside him over the years. For the last six years Selosse has been absent from the US market and his wines virtually impossible to obtain, but thankfully that is starting to change. Selosse represents the most poetic voice behind the idea that Champagne is first and foremost a wine before it is anything else. Selosse takes this one step further by eschewing vintage designations for most of his wines, as the qualities he seeks to exalt most are those of his 7.5 vineyards in Avize, Cramant, Oger, Le Mesnil, Ay, Mareuil-sur- Ay and Ambonnay. The various cuvees are assembled barrel by barrel based on how the wines taste to Selosse, rather than through technical analysis and/or predetermined selection of sites, parcels, etc. Selosse’s newest wine is a solera-style Champagne from the famed Le Mesnil vineyard, perhaps the most storied site in all of Champagne. I tasted the first vintage, the 2003, which will ultimately be blended with subsequent vintages to form a solera-style Champagne. It was superb. I also tasted similar solera-style wines from Avize, Cramant, Le Mesnil, Mareuil-sur- Ay and Ambonnay from barrel, all of which were compelling. The Selosse Champagnes possess extraordinary aromatics and a very fine mousse that is the result of density and richness in the fruit. With a few minutes in the glass, the bubbles will completely disappear from most of the wines. These Champagnes are best enjoyed with food, and should be served in generous white wine glasses rather than the customary flutes, which will allow for the full range of the wines’ aromas and flavors to emerge. Simply put, these are among the most monumental, profound wines being made anywhere, but like a great novel, painting or symphony, the greatest enjoyment and purest pleasure awaits those who engage the wines fully." - Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate.

Jacques Selosse 'Substance' Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru  ($299 net) - "The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Substance is 100% Chardonnay from Avize made Solera-style, with vintages dating back to 1987. The December 4, 2008 disgorgement is a rich, liqueur-like wine endowed with layers of roasted nuts, honey, licorice, dried apricots, tobacco and spices. As is often the case, the Substance presents a fascinating combination of the old and the new. The aromas and flavors are that of a wine with age, but the mousse is impeccably fresh. This is a fascinating, contemplative Champagne, and while it can be a difficult wine to grasp, Substance is also incredibly rewarding."  96 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate issue #186. "Copper-hued gold. Brooding pear, rose and blond tobacco aromas gain freshness with air, taking a turn to white flowers and dusty minerals. Firm, tightly wound orchard and pit fruit flavors are sweetened by brown butter and candied licorice. The floral notes repeat emphatically on the finish, which simply refuses to let up. This wine is completely from Avize and the blend (Selosse referred to it as a solera) was started with the 1986 vintage."  94 points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar issue Nov08.

 

New collectible wines from Bordeaux, Rhone Valley, Spain, Champagne, California and beyond are arriving weekly. Here are some to consider for a special occasion or special someone:
 

La Mondotte 'Comtes de Neipperg' 2003; Saint-Emilion, France (Reg. price $255.00; Sale price $189.00 net) - "This cuvee (from an 11+ acre vineyard planted on a clay and limestone plateau above Pavie-Decesse) performed better in January than they did last year. Minuscule yields of 15 hectoliters per hectare and bottling without fining or filtration after 24 months in new oak have resulted in an outstanding 2003 La Mondotte. Revealing more texture, depth, and persistence than I initially predicted, it possesses a dense purple color along with a big, sweet nose of creme de cassis, graphite, espresso roast, new saddle leather, and truffles. This opulent, dense, full-bodied, gloriously rich effort can be drunk in 1-3 years, but because of its power, concentration, and overall equilibrium will keep for two decades." 95 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, issue #164.

 

2007 Spanish Reds

Rioja and Ribera del Duero have traditionally been the most recognized wine regions in Spain for producing cellar-worthy wines, but other important regions such as Jumilla, Campo de Borja and Priorat are now getting notice and accolades from the wine press. Progressive winemakers, hands-on importers and influence from highly regarded non-Spanish winemakers are pushing these regions to produce world class wines, while focusing on Garnacha, Monestrell and Cabernet instead of traditional Tempranillo.

 

	2007 Bodegas Alto Moncayo ‘Aquilon’ Garnacha, Campo de Borja, Spain (Regular $149.00; Sale $109.00 net, Deep Deal: 4 bottle gift box - $399 net) – “The flagship 2007 Aquilon is 100% Garnacha from hillside vineyards planted between 1910 and 1967. It was also aged for 17 months in new French and American oak. A glass-coating opaque purple/black color, it offers up a brooding bouquet of tar, licorice, pencil lead, Asian spices, black cherry, and black raspberry. Dense, layered, incipiently complex, and powerful, it is more structured than the Alto Moncayo and will benefit from 5-7 years of additional cellaring. It will offer a drinking window extending from 2015-2037. Old vine Garnacha made under the supervision of renowned vigneron Chris Ringland is the story at Bodegas Alto Moncayo in the little known DO of Campo de Borja.” 95 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Issue #188
	2007 Bodegas Alto Moncayo ‘Alto Moncayo’ Garnacha, Campo de Borja, Spain (Regular $49.99; Sale $43.99 net) – “The same can be said for the 2007 Alto Moncayo, also 100% Garnacha. It offers up a similar aromatic and flavor profile, just at a slightly higher octane level. This opulent effort is all about pleasure; give it 3-4 years of additional cellaring if you’d like it a bit more civilized.” 94 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Issue #188
	2007 El Nido 'El Nido' Monastrell • Cabernet Sauvignon, Jumilla, Spain (Regular $149.00; Sale $129.00 net; – “70% cabernet sauvignon and 30% monastrell) Glass-staining ruby. High-pitched, complex aromas of raspberry, blackberry, minerals, smoked meat and spices, plus a hint of gingerbread. Rich, round and very sweet; packed with black and blue fruit preserve, Asian spice, candied violet and mineral flavors. Velvety tannins add support to the expansive, palate-saturating fruit flavors. The floral and spice notes come on strong on the finish, which is strikingly fresh and very long. Offers a great combination of depth and vivacity." 95 points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Sep/Oct 09
	2007 Alvaro Palacios "les Terrasses", Priorat, Spain (Regular $44.99; Sale $39.99 net) "The 2007 Les Terrasses is the same blend as the Camins cuvee but entirely sourced from old vines. It spent 12 months in 20% new French oak. Aromas of mineral, Asian spices, espresso, black cherry, and black raspberry lead to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, smooth-textured wine. Savory, moderately structured, and approachable, it may evolve for 1-2 years but can be enjoyed now and over the next 6-8 years. Alvaro Palacios established his namesake winery in 1989. The flagship L’Ermita made its debut in 1993. Finca Dofi and L’Ermita vineyards are farmed biodynamically. All of the wines are bottled without filtration." 92 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Issue #188

 

United States

	Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red 2006 ($109.00 net) "There are 7,000 cases of the prodigious 2006 Proprietary Red Wine (a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec). Most of the fruit comes from the Stagecoach Vineyard and the Waters Ranch. Sweet, smoky, meaty aromas interwoven with melted asphalt, camphor, blackberry, cassis, and charcoal scents emerge from the complex aromatics. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied, displaying sweet tannin, a concentrated mouthfeel, and a long, heady finish with substantial fruit, glycerin, and extract. It should drink beautifully for 20+ years. " 95 points Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Issue #180
	Lail Blueprint Napa Valley Cabernet 2007 ($58.99) - The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint (75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot) aims to provide realistic pricing for a Napa Cabernet. This excellent effort exhibits plenty of deep black currant fruit intertwined with hints of white chocolate, cocoa, and background oak. It possesses good density, medium body, and sweet tannin. Consume it over the next decade.
	2007 DuMol Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Sonoma, California ($78.99) - "A seductive, luscious Pinot Noir in the making is the 2007 Pinot Noir Russian River. The good news is that there are 2,700 cases of this wine, which exhibits sweet plum and black cherry notes intermixed with forest floor, cloves, and spice. The wine is rich, fresh, medium to full-bodied, and long. This is a blend of five or so vineyards, and also a blend of not only Dijon clone material but also old California heritage clones such as the Martini, Calera, and Swan. This wine should drink nicely for 4-5 years." 90-93 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Issue #180
	2007 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard, Sonoma, California ($149.00 net) - "Vivid red color. Powerful aromas of raspberry, cherry, potpourri and smoky minerals, with a suave anise quality adding interest. Deep, impressively pure red fruit flavors stain the palate and are framed by silky tannins. This vivacious pinot combines sweetness and energy deftly, and finishes with excellent clarity and smoky persistence." 94 points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 09
	2007 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Flax Vineyard, Sonoma, California ($112.00 net) - "Inky ruby. Deep, youthfully brooding cherry and dark berry skin scents are complicated by anise and black tea. Very rich, with fleshy blackberry and kirsch flavors, a chewy texture and slow-building tannins. The tannins gain power on the finish, which strongly echoes the cherry and licorice notes. No way I'd touch this one for at least another five years." 93(+?) points,  Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 09
	2008 Caymus Vineyards 'Special Selection' Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California ($124.00 net) "The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection is the first example of this cuvee to include Merlot (about 14%) in the blend. The Merlot component has given the wine a cocoa/chocolate nuance to its black currant, licorice-infused fruit. The tannins are velvety soft and the wine is beautifully textured and full-bodied. It is ideal for drinking now and over the next 15 years." 94 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Issue #192
	2005 Delectus 'Cuvee Julia' red blend, Napa Valley, California  ($169.00 net) - “Deep and absolutely brimming with very rich, oak-buttressed fruit, it offers far more than a one-note display of ripeness and shows touches of vanilla, tea leaf, dark earth and black olives as accents to its central themes of currants. Its ample tannins and finishing heat are par for very ripe Cabernet, but they are countered step for step by its remarkably tenacious fruit.” Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, Volume 33 Issue 2
	2004 La Sirena Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California ($100.00 net price) - "The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits that wonderful floral, black currant nose with hints of licorice, tar, and very subtle background oak. It is deep, full-bodied opulent, pure, rich, and savory. It can be drunk now or cellared for 15 or more years." 93 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Issue #174
	2008 Adelsheim ‘Elizabeth’s Reserve’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon ($53.99) -"The 2008 Pinot Noir Elizabeth’s Reserve is a blend of all nine of the single vineyards utilized by Adelsheim. My personal favorite in the portfolio, it is certainly a testament to the art of blending. The wine spent 10 months in 30% new oak. Medium ruby in color, it sports an already complex bouquet of smoke, Asian spices, incense, underbrush, rose petal, cherry, and black raspberry. Medium-bodied on the palate, this elegant effort manages to cram loads of savory, spicy fruit into its frame." 93 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Issue #191
	2008 Melka ‘CJ’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California ($54.99) – "A good bargain (Napa speaking) is the 2007 CJ, a 1,300-case blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest equal parts Merlot and Petit Verdot. This seductive, hedonistic, dense ruby/purple-colored offering exhibits plenty of black currant, licorice, smoke, and earth characteristics along with an outstanding texture, good plushness and opulence, and 7-10 years of life ahead of it." 90 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Issue #186
	2005 Robert Craig Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, ($74.99) – "The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain exhibits scents of red and blackberry fruit along with hints of roasted herbs, crushed rocks, and spice. Medium to full-bodied, moderately tannic, and slightly austere, it should drink easily for 12-15+ years." 89+ points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Issue #180
	2005 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California ($119.00 net price) - "Firm, rich and chewy, this is tight, concentrated and focused, with a layered, complex mix of loamy currant, cedary oak, sage and wild berry, gaining depth and length on the finish, where the flavors are deep and persistent. Best from 2009 through 2015." 93 points, The Wine Spectator, June 30, 2008