1 | Wine | Page 335

"All of the elements come together beautifully in the 2007 Barolo San Rocco. ...a wine that captures the essence of this great vintage as seen through the lens of one of Serralunga’s top sites. A dark, sensual Barolo, the San Rocco offers up a compelling array of blueberries, blackberries, smoke, licorice, spices and menthol. The finish is round, enveloping and powerful. There is an element of mystery to the San Rocco that is particularly intriguing."

"This beauty is ideal for drinking over its first decade of life. The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits plenty of forest floor, sweet kirsch liqueur and raspberries, medium to full body, and a luxurious mouthfeel, with silky tannins and a long, heady finish." 90-92 points, reviewed by Robert Parker.

"The 2009 Gracia competes handsomely with the spectacular 2005 and 2000 vintages. A slightly more evolved and fleshy effort, the inky/purple-hued 2009 (75 % Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) is a massive, thick powerhouse with 14.5% natural alcohol. Proprietor Michel Gracia often makes a wine that is similar to that of his friend, the proprietor of Ausone. Blueberry, blackberry, licorice, forest floor, smoke and graphite aromas jump from the glass of this unctuously textured, layered, multidimensional St.-Emilion. Displaying an inner core of extract (yields were only 19 hectoliters per hectare) and not a hard edge to be found, this youthful 2009 tastes more like a barrel sample than a finished wine. It will benefit from 5-10 years of cellaring and should last for 3-4 decades." -Robert Parker

"Toast and dried fruit notes mix in this very harmonious dry Champagne, which is full of flavor—dried apricot, candied orange peel, nut and smoke—but still elegant and light-weight. The rich, toasty note lingers on the vibrant finish."

"Black in color, delivering extraordinary aromas of blackberry, raisin, spices and fresh mushroom. Full-bodied, with an amazing core of ripe fruit, yet ultrabalanced and finely textured. Touches every taste bud. This incredible young red spent two years in new wood, but you can't tell. It's all glorious fruit. A legendary wine."

"Bright ruby. A wild, pungent bouquet presents dark berries, anise,and a peppery overtone. Sappy cassis and blackberry flavors have depth and grip. Finishes spicy, with good cut, leaving a bitter cherry note behind. I suspect that I caught this wine a few months early."

"The 2009 Beaune Clos des Couchereaux is impressive. Silky tannins frame a radiant, expressive core of fruit. This is a beautiful, refined Beaune that should drink well right out of the gate. Clean mineral notes frame the gorgeous finish, where floral notes add lift and freshness." 90-92 pts.

"Shows warm peach and poached pear notes with a touch of mace. Medium-bodied, it is made to a dry style with medium to high acid, plenty of fruit concentration and a medium to long finish."