1 | Wine | Page 396

"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Cuvee is pure, seamless and totally beautiful. Hints of chocolate, cloves and gingerbread appear on the nose, followed by rich, deep layers of fruit. There is a baritone-like expression in the 2009 that is striking. Sweet floral notes appear later, adding lift, vibrancy and freshness. In other words, all the elements are perfectly in balance. This is a gorgeous 2009."

"The 2002 Brut La Grande Annee is marvelous. The 2002 is an understated Grande Annee that caresses the palate with layers of effortless, weightless fruit. The mousse is exceptionally fine, which adds to the impression of total elegance. This is a relatively bright, floral Grande Annee with plenty of aromatic lift, inner perfume and no sense of heaviness at all. A rich, creamy finish adds the final note of complexity and pedigree."

"The 2009, which is inky blue/purple to the rim, is a final blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot at 14% natural alcohol. The wine has a beautiful blueberry-scented nose with hints of acacia flowers, licorice, graphite and some subtle charcoal and background oak. Clearly a modern style of Margaux, it is pure, seamless, full-bodied and opulent, and the high glycerin and silky texture of 2009 are brilliantly displayed in this wine. Drink it over the next 15+ years, although it is certainly capable of lasting well past two decades."-Robert Parker

"A powerful wine with modern structure and distinctive character. This red is so thick and rich it's almost oily in texture, with exotic flavors of black fruit, game, dried herb and hoisin. Muscular tannins keep this structured, but give way to floral and graphite notes on the finish."

"This vibrant, aromatic white offers an appealing fleshy note to the peach, nectarine and apricot flavors, highlighted by chamomile and fresh chive notes. Light-bodied and very juicy."