1 | Wine | Saint Emilion | Page 5

"Violets and dark berries, with loads of aromas. Full-bodied, with a gorgeous core of sweet and ripe fruit. Long and dense, yet stylish. 10 acres. Next to Clos Fortet. 90 percent Merlot and 10 percent Cabernet Franc." -Wine Spectator, 94-97 pts.

"This is a solidly made, modern-style St.-Emilion from nearly eight acres of vineyards, with one parcel planted in 1901. Yields were just 25 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine hit 13.8% alcohol. Consultant Stephane Derenoncourt teams up with proprietor Michael Bortolussi to produce this rather showy, flamboyantly styled St.-Emilion with an opaque ruby/purple color, plenty of sweet plum, black currant, and black cherry fruit with some licorice, roasted herbs, and sweet oak. An intense 2009, this wine has good acidity, high but ripe tannin, and should drink well for 15 or more years." -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 90-92 pts.

"A wine of the vintage candidate in 2008, Troplong Mondot’s offering was produced from yields of 41 hectoliters per hectare and achieved 14.5% natural alcohol. A classic blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, it offers copious quantities of blue and black fruits, a full-bodied opulence, sweet tannin and a fabulous texture as well as finish. Already drinking beautifully, it will be even better in 2-5 years and should last for 20 years. A great effort for the vintage, it couldn’t happen to a more deserving proprietor, Christine Valette. Bravo!" Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"I tasted the 2003 on three separate occasions, one of which merited a three-digit rating... A dense, viscous-looking purple color is accompanied by a sweet perfume of blackberries, espresso roast, fried lard, and pain grille. Full-bodied and massively rich with decent acidity and plenty of structure as well as tannin." Reviewed by Robert Parker

"Somewhat tightly knit, but it reveals a perfumed nose of rose petals, blackberries, menthol, and cedar. This broad, sweet 2003's supple attack is followed by a tannic mid-section."

"Hyperlush, with very creamy fig, blackberry and boysenberry flavors that stay well-defined, as charred apple wood, black tea and singed vanilla bean notes stride in behind. The long, authoritative finish drips with fruit and toasted spice, offering grip for balance. Very impressive."

"It boasts a black/purple color along with a gorgeous perfume of blueberry liqueur, spring flowers and graphite. In the mouth, notes of incense and cassis also emerge from this velvety-textured, full-bodied, intensely concentrated 2009. With silky tannins, low acidity and spectacular purity, texture and depth, it is already approachable (although I’m sure proprietor Hubert de Bouard would think drinking it now is akin to infanticide), but should keep for 20-30+ years."-Robert Parker

"This stunning effort reveals one of the most extraordinary aromatic displays of the vintage, offering up notes of sweet roasted herbs, jus du viande, black olives, espresso roast, creme de cassis, and kirsch liqueur. Extremely full-bodied, opulent, and lavishly textured with plush tannin as well as an ethereal elegance, a sublime personality, glorious sweet purity, and a layered texture, this amazing St.-Emilion is destined to become a legend." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"A flamboyant St.-Emilion, this largely-Merlot blend displays notes of Christmas fruitcake, cedar wood, tobacco leaf, and loads of black currant and blackberry fruit. A showy, extravagantly concentrated, hedonistic style of St.-Emilion, with some wood smoke and roasted herbs adding nuance to the full-throttle aromatics and long, lush, silky flavors, this wine can be drunk now or cellared for up to 15+ years." -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 93 pts.

"Loads of aniseed and black licorice aromas. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a lovely balance of fruit, and everything else. Love the length." -Wine Spectator, 92-95 pts.

Limit 12 bottles per customer.
"Its dense purple color is followed by an extraordinary perfume of charcoal, espresso roast, blackberries, blueberries, and a hint of wood. In spite of its thick texture, terrific acidity, high tannins, and enormous intensity as well as richness...A brilliant wine!" Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"A fleshy, inviting style, with lots of crushed fig and steeped blackberry fruit woven with warmed cocoa and pain d'épices, all backed by a distinctly racy graphite note. Stays fleshy through the finish without being heavy."