772 | Wine | 91 or higher, 1.5 L | Page 5

"Offers Christmas pudding, currant and other dried fruit. Full-bodied, with amazing concentration of ripe fruit and chewy tannins. Yet it's all in balance. Monumental."

This wine was named #44 of Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2011.

"Superfresh and focused, delivering pure flavors of blackberry, black currant, violet and mineral, with a hint of tar. It's all backed by refined tannins and bright acidity, providing structure that should allow this to develop over the next 20 years."

"Shows ripe strawberry, raspberry and plum pudding. Full-bodied, with loads of ripe, juicy fruit. Chewy and tannic, yet polished. Big and powerful."

"Aromas of blackberries, unsmoked cigar tobacco and cedar/sagebrush jump from the glass of this dense purple-hued Pauillac. Full-bodied with more depth and richness than usual as well as moderate tannins, this potential sleeper of the vintage offers 15-20 years of aging potential. Moreover, it is modestly priced. Purchasers should give it 4-5 years of cellaring and enjoy it over the following two decades." -Robert Parker

"Focused and energetic in its ripe red fruits, menthol, spices and minerals. There is lovely depth in the glass, not to mention tons of balance. This is a beautiful, poised Barbaresco from Vietti. The Masseria will require considerable patience but its balance is impeccable."

"The 2006 Barolo Cascina Francia is a deep, muscular wine endowed with superb richness, inner perfume and structure. From cask this has always been an intense, inward Barolo and now that it is in bottle, those qualities seem even more prominent. Over time, the classic Cascina Francia bouquet of roses, tar, herbs and licorice comes forward, but only reluctantly. A massive wall of tannins prevents the fruit from emerging, but every now and then the wine shows hints of its ultimate potential."

"Probably the greatest Pape-Clement ever made. ...the dense purple-colored 2005 (a blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits sumptuous notes of smoky scorched earth, graphite, melted licorice, and blackberries. Once past the exquisite perfume, the wine reveals full body, extraordinary concentration, plenty of chocolate, smoke, cassis, and blackberry flavors, and that unmistakable volcanic ash-like earthiness that comes from this appellation. The tannins are slightly sweeter than those found in most northern Medocs, but this is still a backward, large-scaled effort that requires 7-8 years of cellaring. It should last for 30-35 years." Reviewed by 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.

"The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre) is an opaque purple-colored beauty revealing lots of creme de cassis, black raspberry, licorice and camphor notes. Sexy and full-throttle as well as supple and more evolved than many 2010 Chateauneufs, it can be enjoyed now and over the next 10-12 years." -Robert Parker

"The 2009 Dominus flows from the glass with layers of highly expressive fruit. The wine possesses stunning richness, power and depth. Dark red fruit, tobacco, flowers and spices are woven into a seamless, beautifully articulated finish. Elegance and intensity are in perfect harmony here. This is a thrilling wine from Dominus."