Bbs Book (pt 5) - Reviews

REVIEWS • • • PRESS RELEASES

2516 Waukegan Road • Suite 323 • Glenview, IL 60025 • Phone: 512.919.9463 • Fax: 512.727.2453

Bodega Monteviejo Reviews from Issue #174 (12/07)

2005 Bodega Monteviejo “Lindaflor Malbec” - 94 points “...ethereal perfume...intense flavors...very long finish...” 2006 Bodega Monteviejo “Lindaflor Chardonnay” - 91 points “...intense wine...good layering and balance...lengthy finish...” 2005 Bodega Monteviejo “Monteviejo” - 90 points “...inky purple...smooth texture...excellent balance...45-second finish...” 2003 Bodega Monteviejo “Petite Fleur” - 91 points “...medium to full-bodied...excellent concentration...fine balance...” 2004 Bodega Monteviejo “Festivo” - 91 points “...plush on the palate...a sense of elegance...an outstanding value...” 2516 Waukegan Road • Suite 323 • Glenview, IL 60025 • Phone: 512.919.9463 • Fax: 512.727.2453

Bodega Monteviejo

Lindaflor Malbec Reviewed by Decanter Magazine

“Very expressive aromas, black fruit, attractive. Serious wine, very good tannic structure, round but firm, good weight in the middle of the palate and good length. Very good. Up to 5 years.” -Decanter Magazine 2516 Waukegan Road • Suite 323 • Glenview, IL 60025 • Phone: 512.919.9463 • Fax: 512.727.2453

Bodega Poesia

Reviews from Issue #174 (12/07)

2005 Bodega Poesia “Poesia” - 93 points “...80 year old vineyard...high class aroma[s]...beautifully balanced...” 2004 Bodega Poesia “Poesia” - 92-94 points “...sumptuous perfume...full-bodied...impressive purity...” (6/05) 2005 Bodega Poesia “Clos des Andes” - 91 points “...inky purple...lovely bouquet...superb depth...lengthy finish...” 2005 Bodega Poesia “Pasodoble” - 90 points “...expressive perfume...smooth-textured...an outstanding value...” 2516 Waukegan Road • Suite 323 • Glenview, IL 60025 • Phone: 512.919.9463 • Fax: 512.727.2453

A Yank’s Mantra: Quality, Not Pedigree Jeffrey Davies is not your typical Bordeaux negociant, or wine broker. An American who spent his junior year of college at the University of Bordeaux more than 30 years ago, Davies returned to France after graduation to study at the Institute of Oenology, started writing for wine publications and eventually launched his own wholesaling business, Signature Selections. Davies represents a new breed of broker who realizes quality, not historic classification or pedigree, is most important. He works with small producers who believe in hand-harvesting and keeping quality high through low yields. Below is just a small sampling of his wines.

2004 Beaulieu “Comtes de Tastes” - 88 points This unfiltered offering from Bordeaux Supérieur is a blend

of 50% merlot, 35% cabernet franc and 15% cabernet sauvignon. The fleshy 2004 has an elegant medium body with sweet raspberry and cherry notes. It confirms the fact that not all Bordeaux needs to be expensive or rare. $14 2004 Belle-Vue - 89 points Just coming on the market, this Haut-Médoc wine is a blend of 40% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot and 25% petit verdot. It is soft, silky-textured and qualitatively well above its modest pedigree. Enjoy it sometime over the next three to four years. $19 2004 Reignac blanc - 91 points A blend of 70% sauvignon blanc and 30% semillon, the 2004 from this Bordeaux estate offers honeysuckle and melony fruit characteristics presented in a medium-bodied, crisp fleshy style. Drink it over the next year. $25 2003 Joanin Becot - 90 points This Côtes de Castillon cuvée is 75% merlot & 25% cabernet franc. The deep ruby/purple-hued 2003 offers sweet crème de cassis notes intermixed with notions of espresso roast, chocolate and spice. Rich and heady, it will provide terrrific drinking over the next five to six years. $25 2004 Fleur Cardinale - 92 points Primarily a blend of 75% merlot and 25% cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon, Fleur Cardinale is an up-and-comer in St.-Emilion. Moreover the wine remains reasonably priced for such an impecably well-made Bordeaux. The 2004 is outstanding, revealing sweet black currant fruit, cedar and spice characteristics. These beauties can be consumed during their first 10 to 12 years of life. $26 - $47 2004 Reignac - 87 points From a good rather than great Bordeaux vintage, the 2004 red Reignac exhibits sweet cherry and toasty new oak notes, medium body and a pleasant spicy/earthy component. It can be enjoyed over the next three to four years. $41 2003 Château de la Negly “La Porte du Ciel” - 96 points The inky-blue/purple-tinged 2003 from the Côteaux du Languedoc (which is not a Bordeaux appellation) exhibits aromas of crème de cassis, bacon fat, camphor and spice box. Sweet, rich, intense and full-bodied, this mouth-filling teeth-staining syrah should drink beautifully for 15 or more years. It’s a revelation from an area better known for inexpensive as well as indifferent wines. $65 - $75

2516 Waukegan Road • Suite 323 • Glenview, IL 60025 • Phone: 512.919.9463 • Fax: 512.727.2453

March, 2007

James Suckling’s Top-Scoring Bordeaux Values Château Sansonnet among 50 Best Bordeaux! ... I have been covering Bordeaux for Wine Spectator since the 1982 vintage, and I can't remember a time when I have found so many interesting, high quality wines at relatively reasonable prices. There are hundreds to choose from, and many can be had for as little as $15 a bottle. For this issue, I have put together a list of 50 of my favorite Bordeaux that retail for $50 a bottle or less when released in the U.S. market. In my opinion, these wines deliver terrific quality and value, and deserve a place in any Bordeaux lover's cellar. These châteaux have consistently produced very good to outstanding wines, particularly in recent vintages. Some of these estates have historical pedigree, producing great wines for more than a century, but it is their recent history that was most important for this story. I looked closely at my scores for wines from 2000 onward, as well as at their prices on release. I also considered the excitement factor that is part of choosing wines for our annual Top 100. These are not only good wines, they all deliver something special, whether it is consistency or character based on extraordinary terroir... By James Suckling

Sansonnet is among the Bordeaux estates that have risen to the top in the large appellation of St-Emilion in the new millenium. In 1999, the d’Aulan family, former owners of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, bought Sansonnet, and with the 2005 vintage, local superstar enologist Stéphane Dérenoncourt began consulting here. The wines are generous and fruity, verging on New World in style. 2005 and 2000 are the vintages to buy. The d’Aulans also make wine in Argentina - By James Suckling

James Suckling’s Top-Scoring Bordeaux Values BVWa QVO`b VWUVZWUVba bVS b]^aQ]`W\U QZO`Sba T`][ O[]\U bVS # TW\WaVSR eW\Sa W\QZcRSR W\ bVWa `S^]`b >`WQSa UWdS\ O`S `SZSOaS ^`WQSa) Qc``S\b ^`WQSa [Og dO`g 4]` Q][^ZSbS `SdWSea aSS bVWa ]` ^`SdW]ca 0cgW\U 5cWRSa ]` eeeeW\Sa^SQbOb]`Q][

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1VvbSOc4S``W|`S ;O`UOcf  Shows lots of coffee, tobacco, currant and berry character. Full-bodied, with silky tannins. Also: 2001 (91 points)

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1VvbSOc0SZZWaZS;]\R]bbS Ab3[WZW]\  Thick and rich, yet remains refined, with crushed blackberries, cherries and tar.

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1VvbSOc1O\bS\OQ0`]e\ ;O`UOcf  Fascinating aromas of chocolate, meat and ripe berry follow through to a full-bodied palate. Also: 2001 (90)

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1VvbSOc2cVO`b;WZ]\@]bVaQVWZR >OcWZZOQ ! '  Blackberry, toasted oak and coffee aromas. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins, long finish. Lovely texture. Also: 2000 (90)

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1VvbSOc6Ocb0OUSa:WP{`OZ >OcWZZOQ  '  Currant and berry aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, with compact fruit and silky tannins. Also: 2001 (91); 2003 (91)

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1VvbSOc6Ocb0ObOWZZSg >OcWZZOQ  Chocolate, berry and currant character follows through to a finish of berry and chocolate. Also: 2003 (90)

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1VvbSOc:O5`OdSu>][S`]Z >][S`]Z " '  Full aromas of dark chocolate, mineral, cedar and blackberry in a subtle and reserved wine. Supersilky tannins. Also: 2000 (92); 2001 (90); 2002 (90); 2003 (92)

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1VvbSOc:Ob]c`;O`bWZZOQ >SaaOQ:{]U\O\  '  Blackberry and cigar tobacco, with hints of toasted oak. Fullbodied, with velvety tannins, long finish.

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1VvbSOc;OZO`bWQ:OU`OdW|`S >SaaOQ:{]U\O\ '   Refined and well-crafted, with delicate spice, fresh meat and berry character. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins.

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1VvbSOc>WP`O\ >OcWZZOQ ! Full-bodied, with masses of velvety tannins and rich fruit flavors. Chewy and rich. Also: 2000 (90)

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'  1VvbSOc>W^SOc Ab3[WZW]\  Blackberry and crushed raspberry character. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins. Also: 2001 (90); 2003 (90); 2004 (91)


1VvbSOc>`WSc`{:WQVW\S ;O`UOcf ! '  Aromas of blackberry and smoke, with hints of toasted oak. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins, lots of fruit. Also: 2000 (91)

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1VvbSOc@]cUSb >][S`]Z  Modern and jazzy. This is full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a superripe, raisiny finish.

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1VvbSOcAO\a]\\Sb Ab3[WZW]\  Ripe and decadent, with spice, meat and earth notes. Fullbodied, with a chocolaty finish. Also: 2003 (90)

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1VvbSOcAW`O\ ;O`UOcf  Racy, with aromas and flavors of crushed blackberries and raspberries. Refreshing finish. Also: 2003 (90); 2004 (90)

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1VvbSOcA]QWO\R];OZZSb 6Ocb;{R]Q ! '  Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and intense blackberry, lightly grilled meat and currant. Also: 2000 (91); 2004 (90)

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1VvbSOcR¸/WUcWZVS 1†bSa RS1OabWZZ]\ ! ' Aromas of blackberry, spices, chocolate and meat. Full-bodied palate, with a luscious finish. Also: 2000 (90); 2001 (90)

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Château Sansonnet 2003

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1VvbSOcR¸/`[OWZVOQ >OcWZZOQ ! Loads of currant, berry and light toasted oak on the nose, with hints of milk chocolate. Well-crafted and balanced. Also: 2000 (90); 2004 (90)

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1VvbSOc0]c`U\ScTDOg`]\ >][S`]Z " Rich aromas of ripe fruit, chocolate and tobacco follow to a full-bodied palate. Also: 2000 (91); 2003 (90)

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1VvbSOc1VOaaSA^ZSS\ ;]cZWa  ' Very muscular, with currants, mineral and nutmeg character. Full-bodied and chewy.

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1Z]a0OR]\BVc\SdW\ Ab3[WZW]\  Plenty of tobacco, berry and mineral character. Full-bodied, long and lively.

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1Z]aRSa8OQ]PW\a Ab3[WZW]\ " Aromas of crushed blackberry, toasty oak and roasted coffee bean. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins. Also: 2001 (91); 2002 (90); 2003 (90)

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1VvbSOc2OchOQ ;O`UOcf  Shows intense aromas and flavors of spices and blackberries. Full-bodied and chewy. Also: 2000 (91)

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1VvbSOc2c`T]`bDWdS\a ;O`UOcf  ' Loads of pretty blackberry and raspberry, with a smoky undertone. Full-bodied, with fine tannins. Also: 2001 (90)


1VvbSOc4OcU|`Sa Ab3[WZW]\  Medium- to full-bodied, with firm yet silky tannins. Long berry and vanilla aftertaste. Also: 2001 (90); 2004 (90)

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1VvbSOc4]\bS\WZ 4`]\aOQ  ' Blackberry flavors, with toasted oak and berry. Medium-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, ripe finish. Also: 2003 (90)

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1VvbSOc5WUOcZb >`S[W|`Sa1†bSa RS 0ZOgS ' 1cd{S DWdO ! Medium- to full-bodied, with plum, blackberry and spice flavors and a solid core of silky tannins. Also: 2000 (91)

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1VvbSOc6Ocb;O`PchSb Ab3ab|^VS ! Flavors of crushed raspberry and spices, with dried flowers. Full-bodied, with fine tannins. Also: 2000 (90); 2001 (90)

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1VvbSOc:OT]\@]QVSb Ab3ab|^VS  Full-bodied, with a super core of fruit and fantastically silky tannins. Lovely finish. Also: 2000 (91); 2003 (90)

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1VvbSOc:g\QV;]caaOa >OcWZZOQ  Flavors of crushed fruit, with raspberry and blackberry. Fullbodied, yet fine and silky. Also: 2003 (90)

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1VvbSOc;]\P`Wa]\ ;O`UOcf  ' Blackberry and mineral aromas. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and compact fruit on the finish. Also: 2004 (90)

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1VvbSOc;]cZW\Ab5S]`USa Ab3[WZW]\ " Full-bodied, with silky yet dense tannins and a long finish. Big and juicy, yet balanced. Also: 2002 (90); 2003 (90)

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1VvbSOc>V{ZO\A{Uc` Ab3ab|^VS ! ' Subtle yet rich aromas of currant, spice and smoke follow to a full-bodied palate with a long finish. Also: 2001 (91)

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1VvbSOc:O>]W\bS >][S`]Z  Blackberry, tobacco and licorice flavors. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long, rich finish.

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Château Sansonnet 2000 Ripe and decadent, with spice, meat and earth notes. Full-bodied, with a chocolaty finish. - J.S.

Loads of crushed berries and hints of wild currant. Fullbodied, with soft tannins and a long, caressing finish. Jammy, yet soft and fresh. Yummy wine. Hard not to drink now. Best after 2007.—J.S.

Château Sansonnet Reviews from the Wine Spectator

2000 Ch. Sansonnet - “Sexy wine. Ripe and decadent, with spice, meat and earth notes. Full-bodied, with big, soft and rich tannins and a long chocolaty finish. Lovely, this one.” 92

2003 Ch. Sansonnet - “Loads of crushed berries and hints of wild currant. Full-bodied, with soft tannins and a long, caressing finish. Jammy, yet soft and fresh. Yummy wine. Hard not to drink now.” 90

2005 Ch. Sansonnet - “Soft and fullbodied, with blackberry, chocolate and coffee character. Round. Best ever from here?” 92-94

2516 Waukegan Road • Suite 323 • Glenview, IL 60025 • Phone: 512.919.9463 • Fax: 512.727.2453

2004 Ch. Sansonnet St. Emilion Grand Cru

3 Stars Decanter Magazine

“Very bloomy, almost rosy nose. Deep vibrant taste, full of black fruit. So impressive I almost awarded it more. Drink 2010-2015.”

-Decanter Magazine on the 2004 Chateau Sansonnet

Recommendations > Bordeaux 2004 > Saint-Emilion Grand Cru In 2004, normal weather conditions returned to Bordeaux, with Atlantic Ocean, rather than Mediterranean, influences prevailing. In Saint- Emilion, bud break took place in the first week of April, with rapid flowering between 5th and 9th June and very little gap between Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The crop size potential was enormous, necessitating drastic thinning – ideally two times to avoid the vine compensating. The mid-point for colour change was 6th August for Merlot and 13th August for Cabernet Franc. There was rain in August but September was hot and fine. Harvest dates in this late-ripening vintage varied considerably according to the properties, their sites in Saint-Emilion and their grape varieties, and picking was often long drawn-out. There are undoubtedly some very fine wines in Saint-Emilion, combining richness with freshness, harmony with great fruit quality. There are other wines that are over-extracted, leading to unattractive bitterness. Certainly, saignées should have been limited in order to maintain balance and, if the yield had been carefully controlled, the beauty and health of the grapes should have shone through. -Serena Sutcliffe MW

2516 Waukegan Road • Suite 323 • Glenview, IL 60025 • Phone: 512.919.9463 • Fax: 512.727.2453

Ch. Haut-Brisson, La Reserve St. Emilion Grand Cru

2005 92 Points Wine Advocate 2006 (90-92) Points Wine Advocate 2007 (90-92) Points Wine Advocate

2006 La Reserve ---

Purchased by a Chinese businessman who is intent on doing special things at Haut-Brisson, the special cuvee of 2006 La Reserve is a sleeper of the vintage. It exhibits lovely notes of black currant liqueur interwoven with licorice, spring flowers, and subtle spicy oak. Opulent, medium-bodied, pure, fleshy, and long with no hard edges, it will drink well for 12-15 years.

2005 La Reserve ---

A brilliant sleeper of the vintage, this is a terrific effort from Haut-Brisson’s new proprietor. The deep purple-colored 2005 La Reserve exhibits sweet black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with notes of cigar smoke, fruitcake, and cedar. Full-bodied with superb purity, good acidity, and ripe tannin, it should unfold gracefully over the next 5-6 years, and keep for 15+. 2516 Waukegan Road • Suite 323 • Glenview, IL 60025 • Phone: 512.919.9463 • Fax: 512.727.2453

RATING 90 Points

2002 Bodega Poesia, Poesia

Get by the opening notes of leather, bitter root and horseradish and what lies beneath is a top-notch MalbecCab Sauvignon blend that shows tons of old-vines boysenberry and cassis character. It’s a bit juicy and exacting on the palate, but it’s also cleansing and will never be confused for fat and misguided. A true Argentine high flier, yet the newer vintages (’03, ’04 and ’05) are even better. — M.S. (2/1/2008) RATING 93 Points

2003 Bodega Poesia, Poesia

An Editors’ Choice

Winemakers Hélène Garcin and Patrice Levêque have coaxed a ton of character from 70-year-old Malbec and Cabernet vines, and the result is juicy but dark, with asphalt and tar aromas sitting in front of tight but generous black fruit (cassis and blackberry). Finishing notes of coffee, mocha and char leave you happy. — M.S. (2/1/2008) RATING 92 Points

2004 Bodega Poesia, Poesia

Having tasted the 2002 through the 2005, the ’04 seems bright by comparison, with aromatics that include forest floor, tar and lively berries. The palate, like all the Poesia wines, is mouthfilling and substantial; flavors of black cherry, boysenberry and mocha are knit together and don’t skip a beat. — M.S. (2/1/2008) RATING 92 Points

2005 Bodega Poesia, Poesia

A Cellar Selection

The youngest of the Poesia line shows some new oak in the form of sawdust aromas and espresso and mocha on the finish. In between those oak-based characteristics are mineral and black-fruit aromas as well as lush, very potent plum and berry flavors. With midnight darkness, firm tannins and straggling wood notes, we suggest sitting this bruiser down for another two to five years. — M.S. (2/1/2008)

2516 Waukegan Road • Suite 323 • Glenview, IL 60025 • Phone: 512.919.9463 • Fax: 512.727.2453

#1 2005 Chateau Doisy Vedrines (Sauternes) · 93 points - Wine Spectator #2 2005 Chateau Cos d’Estournel (St. Estephe) · 98 points - Robert Parker · 98 points - Wine Spectator #6 2006 Domaine Wardy “Private Selection” (Lebanon) #12 2005 Chateau La Clemence (Pomerol) · 92 points - Robert Parker · 91 points - Wine Spectator #26 2005 Chateau Reignac “Cuvee Balthus” (Bordeaux Superieur) · 93 points - Robert Parker · 91 points - Wine Spectator #36 2005 Chateau Haut Bergey rouge (Pessac Leognan) · 92 points - Robert Parker · 91 points - Wine Spectator #45 2005 Chateau Barde Haut (St. Emilion) · 93 points - Robert Parker · 90 points - Wine Spectator #49 2001 Domaine Imperial Hetszolo “Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos” (Hungary) #50 2005 Clos des Moiselles “Le Bord’Eaux Merlot” (Bordeaux) · Available in screwcapped 750mL bottles or a 3L bag in box! #60 2004 Chateau La Fleur de Bouard (Lalande de Pomerol) · 90 points - Robert Parker #67 2005 Chateau Latour Martillac blanc (Pessac Leognan) · 90 points - Robert Parker · 92 points - Wine Spectator #77 2004 Chateau Valrose “Cuvee Alienor” (St. Estephe) #91 2005 Chateau de la Cour d’Argent (Cotes de Castillon) #92 2004 Chateau Beaumont (Haut Medoc) #101 2003 Mas de la Barben “Les Calices” (Languedoc) · 92 points – Robert Parker 2516 Waukegan Road • Suite 323 • Glenview, IL 60025 • Phone: 512.919.9463 • Fax: 512.727.2453