772 | Wine | Red Bordeaux Blend, 2011

"Fleur de Lyeth’s proprietary blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and other Bordeaux varietals is crafted in the noble winemaking tradition of unifying the best characteristics of multiple grape varieties to produce a harmonious wine with balanced complexity. Lyeth has been a pioneer in the art of blending wines in California since 1981 and the elegant Fleur de Lyeth honors Lyeth’s long heritage with this lush wine. Well balanced, the wine coats the palate with rich flavors of blueberry and plum accented by subtle red fruit notes of strawberry and Bing cherry. With a medium body, firm tannins and a long finish, the 2011 Fleur de Lyeth pairs excellently with a grilled burger or hearty pasta."

"The nose opens with rich sweet fruit of blackberries, raspberries, and a hint of dark cherry. At first taste you are struck by the rich creamy texture that is accompanied by lush fruit accents. It finishes with an intriguing array of exotic spices. Smooth and elegant, this wine displays an amazing sense of balance from beginning to end."

Limit 6 bottles per customer
"Exhibiting a deep ruby/purple color, lots of crushed rock, red and black currant, forest floor and underbrush characteristics, moderate tannin and medium body, it is built somewhat along the lines of the 1999 and 2001. It should be a 20- to 25-year wine, but it is not at the level of the 2008, 2009 and 2010. Fresh acids give the wine a somewhat more clipped feeling than most great Lafites have exhibited. Nevertheless, there is a lot of freshness and vibrancy to this vintage."-Robert Parker

"Not surprisingly, Alain Vauthier’s 2011 Ausone is one of the greatest wines he has produced. I know this sounds impossible, but it is the reason why I spend so much time tasting and reflecting on what is in front of me. The 2011 could turn out to be better than his 2009 – sacre bleu! Probably the wine of the vintage, the 2011 exhibits a murky, inky, blue/purple color as well as an extraordinary nose of creme de cassis, plum sauce, crushed rocks (primarily chalk), acacia flowers and hints of graphite, truffles and damp forest floor. The riveting aromatics are followed by a wine that does not let the taster down in the mouth. Full-bodied with extraordinary purity, oozing richness and well-integrated velvety tannins, acidity, oak and alcohol, this is another superb achievement by Vauthier from this phenomenal site on the decomposed limestone hillsides of St.-Emilion. Possibly the longest-lived wine of the vintage, it should evolve for 30-40 years. Since few of us can afford Ausone (or even find it, assuming we have the discretionary income necessary to purchase it), readers should seek out the second wine, which usually represents one-third of the entire production."-Robert Parker