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Thursday, February 18, 2010

Bordeaux bargains....

2006 Bordeaux great ratings and GREAT PRICES!!!


2006 Sociando Mallet Haut Medoc....$39.99 / 750ml
"Classic aromas of black currants, graphite, powdered wet rocks, and earthy undertones compete with the intense black currant fruit present in this structured, medium to full-bodied, concentrated 2006. Always an over-achiever, Sociando Mallet is built for 20-30 years of longevity. The elegant, powerful, but backward 2006 requires patience. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025."
Rated 90/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate



2006 Chateau Lagrange St. Julien....$42.99 / 750ml
"A very strong effort from Lagrange in 2006, this estate’s tendency for including a nearly overwhelming oak component in its wines has been tamed in this cuvee, resulting in a better-balanced, potentially complex offering. A deep opaque purple color is followed by aromas of espresso roast, subtle pain grille, black currants, and cigar box. Full-bodied and surprisingly powerful for a 2006, with outstanding purity, texture, and depth, patience will be required for this beauty. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2027."
Rated 91/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Rated 90/100 The Wine Spectator


2006 Prieure Lichine Margaux....$39.99 / 750ml
"With the highly respected Right Bank consultant Stephane Derenoncourt providing advice, Prieure-Lichine has moved to a complete, savory, and for lack of a better description, broad, lush, sexy style. This has always been a wine that was drinkable at an early age, but I think they are building more texture and flesh into the wine, as well as more concentration, without losing the estate’s early appeal. The 2006 is an outstanding wine, with complex notes of spring flowers, forest floor, sweet black currants, and earth. Medium to full-bodied, flavorful, without a trace of astringency or hardness, this is a succulent, fleshy wine to drink over the next 15 or more years."
Rated 90/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

2006 Pavie Macquin St. Emilion....$59.99 / 750ml
"From a superbly situated on St.-Emilion’s plateau, 38-acre vineyard planted on primarily limestone and clay, this 2006 is meant for long-term aging. A combination of 80% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a backward, brawny, muscular, long distance runner. Consumers lacking patience are advised to steer clear of this wine. Its dense purple color is followed by aromas of graphite, sweet cassis, pen ink, and charcoal. This powerful, dense, concentrated wine possesses high tannins and lots of structure. One of the more backward offerings from the right bank in 2006, it will not be close to drinkability for 8-10 years. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2030"
Rated 92+/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Rated 93/100 The Wine Spectator



2006 Chateau Cos d'Estournel St. Estephe....$89.99 / 750ml
"The exceptional 2006 Cos d’Estournel is composed of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, 55% of the production was utilized. Revealing superb intensity for a 2006 as well as an inky/blue/purple color, and a sweet bouquet of blue and black fruits, licorice, graphite, and charcoal, this full-bodied 2006 possesses high levels of sweet tannin. This wine is characterized by a freshness and precision that give it a 1996-like affinity. Enjoy this beautifully concentrated, exceptionally pure, statuesque Cos d’Estournel over the next 20-25 years. By the way, it was bottled without any fining or filtration."
Rated 94/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Rated 93/100 The Wine Spectator



2006 Beyechevelle St. Julien.....$23.99 / 375ml
"A property that seems to be awakening, this St.-Julien leans toward more of a Margaux style. The attractive earthy, floral, red currant, and raspberry notes are impressively intense and complex in the aromatics. This dark ruby/purple-tinged wine displays elegance, finesse, and a beautiful mouthfeel in a restrained, moderately intense, but still classic style with sweet tannins. Tobacco, cedar, earth, and red and black fruits are prominent in both the aromas and the flavors. This wine can be drunk now or cellared for 15-20 years."
Rated 90/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate


2006 Chateau Gloria St. Julien....$14.99 / 375ml
"As I wrote last year, this sensational sleeper of the vintage is not far off the pace of Gloria’s brilliant 2005. Sweet cedary, cigar box, roasted herb, and black currant fruit aromas are followed by a lush, full-bodied, textured, concentrated wine. A steal in today’s marketplace, this is a gorgeous St.-Julien to enjoy now and over the next 15+ years. Good value."
Rated 90/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Rated 90/100 The Wine Spectator


2006 Chateau Clerc Milon...$43.99 / 750ml
"From the same stable as Mouton Rothschild and d’Armailhac, Clerc Milon, despite the relatively high percentage of Merlot (44%) combined with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Cabernet Franc, is dense, rich, tannic, and backward. Surprisingly muscular for this offering, which often exhibits a more precocious side, it offers up abundant amounts of creme brulee, chocolate, cedar, and black currants. This full-bodied Pauillac displays gorgeous purity and depth as well as moderately high tannins in the finish. Because of its freshness, structure, and density, it is reminiscent of a 1996 Medoc. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2028."
Rated 91/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Rated 91/100 The Wine Spectator



2006 Bernadotte Haut Medoc......$16.99 / 750ml
"Primarily a blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a small amount of Petit Verdot, this offering (from the owners of Pichon Lalande) exhibits a classic style with notes of licorice, roasted herbs, cedar, and black currants. Medium-bodied with fine ripeness as well as moderate tannin, purchasers should cellar it for 2-3 years and drink it over the following 12-15."
Rated 87/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate



2006 Branaire Ducru St. Julien....$42.99 / 12 750ml

".... an outstanding wine, this singular St.-Julien always possesses notes of spring flowers, boysenberries, black currants, and graphite. The complex aromatics are followed by a medium-bodied, classic Bordeaux displaying a deep ruby/purple color as well as moderately high tannin. It needs 3-5 years of bottle age, and should last for two decades or more."

Rated 90+/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Rated 90/100 The Wine Spectator




2006 Chateau D'Armailhac Pauillac.....$34.99/750ml
"This impressive Pauillac is performing even better from bottle than it did from barrel. Made by the staff at Mouton Rothschild, it is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by a bouquet of grilled meats, subtle herbs, coffee, black currants, and a hint of camphor. The sweetness of the tannins, full-bodied mouthfeel, and stunning length, all in gorgeous symmetry, suggest this is one of the finest d’Armailhacs yet made. Moreover, it is still reasonably priced by the standards of this region. Anticipated maturity: now-2025."
Rated 91/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate





2006 Domaine de Chevalier Pessac Leognan....$42.99 /750ml
"The brilliant St.-Emilion-based consultant, Stephane Derenoncourt, is working his magic at this great vineyard in Leognan. The 2006, a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, is a revelation of sweet, lush, black raspberry and black currant fruit intermixed with subtle notes of scorched earth and barbecue spices. Round, luscious, sexy, and exceptionally complex, the wine is dominated by that smoky minerality that comes from this area. It is the quintessentially elegant yet substantial Pessac-Leognan with class, complexity, and potential. Despite wanting to drink most of the bottle when I was tasting it, I know it will be even better with 2-4 years of bottle age, and should keep for two decades."
Rated 92/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Rated 91/100 The Wine Spectator




2006 Chateau Gloria St. Julien....$29.99 / 750ml
As I wrote last year, this sensational sleeper of the vintage is not far off the pace of Gloria’s brilliant 2005. Sweet cedary, cigar box, roasted herb, and black currant fruit aromas are followed by a lush, full-bodied, textured, concentrated wine. A steal in today’s marketplace, this is a gorgeous St.-Julien to enjoy now and over the next 15+ years. Good value."
Rated 90/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate



Chateau Montrose 2006 was produced by Jean-Bernard Delmas who had been the winemaker for First Growth Chateau Haut Brion for forty years. He took over Haut Brion from his father, and now his son makes Chateau Haut Brion (he still consults). He came out of retirement to make this wine for the new owners of Montrose.
2006 Montrose St. Estephe....$71.99

"The first vintage under new owner Martin Bouygues,who convinced Jean-Bernard Delmas to come out of retirement to produce this wine, the 2006 Montrose is an undeniable success. A blend of approximately two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, one-third Merlot, and a tiny dollop of Petit Verdot, the most dramatic difference between the 2006, and wines made by the previous administration is that Jean Delmas produces wines with sweeter, silkier tannins, although analytically, they are as high as those found in the great Montrose vintages of the past. The 2006 is extraordinarily elegant and finesse-styled, but it exhibits stunningly concentrated, sweet blackberry and cassis fruit with hints of flowers and minerals. Full-bodied with a savory, expansive mid-palate as well as sweet, noble tannins, this beauty will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 20-25+ years."

Rated 94/100
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Rated 93/100
The Wine Spectator


2006 La Dame de Montrose....$25.99

"The second wine, the 2006 La Dame de Montrose, is a shrewd choice for wine consumers. A blend of 58% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12% Cabernet Franc, plus a small quantity of Petit Verdot, it is a layered, lush, fleshy effort possessing ripe red and black fruits interwoven with hints of earth and spice box. Plush, round, and sexy, it should be enjoyed during its first 10-12 years of life."

Rated 90/100
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate




2006 Monbousquet St. Emilion....$43.99

"A blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2006 possesses a dense ruby/purple color as well as a sweet perfume of espresso roast, damp earth, new oak, black cherries, and black currants. Medium to full-bodied with exceptional purity, surprising intensity, good texture, and sweet tannin in the finish, this unfiltered cuvee should drink well for 12-15 years. The residence and home estate of Chantal and Gerard Perse has once again turned in a serious effort. From sandy soils that have been largely dismissed as a good source for high quality wine production, Monbousquet, through extraordinary viticultural work, and doing everything right in the cellar, continues to turn out one of Bordeaux's finer wines."

Rated 92/100
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate








2006 Grand Puy Lacoste Pauillac....$41.99

"While not at the level of the phenomenal 2005 [which sells for $110], Grand-Puy-Lacoste has produced another classic wine with the creme de cassis fruit that I often find in both Mouton Rothschild and Pontet-Canet, yet both of those vineyards are closer to the Gironde River. This wine has a pure personality, with the aforementioned classic creme de cassis notes, medium to full body, beautiful density, purity, texture, and length. If anything, this recalls a hypothetical blend of their brilliant 1995 and 1996. Tannins are elevated, so patience will be required. This was Xavier Borie’s first vintage in his new state-of-the-art winemaking facility. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2027."

Rated 92/100
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Rated 91/100
The Wine Spectator

Rated 91/100
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar




2006 Cantemerle Haut Medoc....$26.99
2006 Cantemerle Haut Medoc....$14.99 / 375ml

"As I indicated last year, quality has improved dramatically at this estate, and the 2006 is a quintessentially elegant Bordeaux displaying a dark ruby/purple color, a lovely bouquet of forest floor, sweet cherries, cranberries, and black currants, medium body, a textured, sweet, tannic mouthfeel, and a long finish. Everything is beautifully pure as well as perfectly balanced in this outstanding effort. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. Excellent value."

Rated 90/100
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate




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