1 | Wine | Red Bordeaux Blend, Saint Julien, $50 to $100

"Ripe aromas of currant, milk chocolate and smoky oak. Lush, sweet and full, with superripe yet backward flavors of dark berries, dark chocolate and minerals. Wonderfully layered, structured wine whose excellent vinosity and firm tannins call for several years of patience." Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"The dark ruby/purple-hued 2008 reveals an angular, austere personality along with medium to full-bodied, deep, concentrated fruit. An unusually backward and highly tannic 2008, it will benefit from 3-4 years of cellaring and should keep for 20 years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Surprisingly accessible as well as supple, this 2001 St.-Julien reveals a deep plum/purple color along with a rich bouquet of smoke, roasted vegetables, black currants, plums, licorice, and Asian spices. Velvety-textured and medium-bodied, with loads of fruit, and a plump, expansive, plush texture."-Robert Parker

"Pure, high-pitched nose offers blueberry, dark chocolate, menthol and cedary oak. Suave, sweet and serious, with lovely inner-mouth lift and energy and sneaky density of texture. Hints of pepper and herbs serve to perk up the wine. Not a particularly chocolatey style for Branaire. Finishes with a lovely light touch and plenty of structure for a leisurely evolution in bottle." Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer, 91(+?) pts.

"Typically extracted and powerful (which is atypical in a vintage such as 2008. ...this offering may lack charm, but it is “locked and loaded” with plenty of background oak, huge black cherry and black currant fruit, medium to full body and a boatload of tannin." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"A candidate for one of the finest St-Juliens of the vintage. ...St-Pierre’s 2006 is one of the smaller productions in this consistent appellation, making it difficult to find in the marketplace. Its deep opaque purple color is accompanied by notes of roasted herbs, charcoal, graphite, and extravagant creme de cassis and licorice. Full-bodied, powerful, deep, and rich with outstanding balance, purity, texture, and length, this stunning 2006 will be very long-lived." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"One of the finest over-achieving efforts in this vintage as well as a “best buy” for a top-flight St.-Julien, this 2008 is an irresistible success. It reveals an opaque ruby/purple color, lots of unctuosity and a boatload of sweet cassis and black cherry fruit intertwined with notions of licorice, smoke and oak. Full-bodied, remarkably concentrated and stunningly pure and textured, this sensational wine is already drinking well, and will be even better with 2-3 years of cellaring. It should last for 20-25 years. Bravo!" Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Dark garnet/plum/purple, with loads of spice, earth, underbrush, red and black currants, licorice, and even a hint of Provencal garrigue, this full-bodied, tannic, masculine style of St.-Julien needs 5-6 years of cellaring, but is full, beefy, rich and impressively endowed. There are plenty of firm tannins in the background of this blockbuster wine, which has been built for the long haul. This is one 2010 where patience will be required." -Robert Parker

"Extremely sexy, soft, supple and opulent, with notes of cedar, herbs, incense and black currant fruit, this is a full-bodied, generously endowed but silky Talbot to drink now and over the next 20+ years. By any standard of measurement, this is irresistible."-Robert Parker

"Very expressive aromas of plum, coffee, smoked meat, tobacco and underbrush. Rich, ripe and pliant; very easy to taste after the young 2006. Berry flavors are complemented by chocolate and mint. Not at all overly sweet but offers lovely concentration and balance, and finishes supple and persistent. Lovely claret." Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.