Wine By Nine

Red Wine by Pio Cesare from Piedmont, Italy. Ornato is the name of the estate vineyard owned by the Pio family in Serralunga d'Alba. Ornato is more modern in style than Pio Cesare's traditional Barolo, but still true to its roots. The characteristics of the soil, the microclimate and favourable exposure, allows the grapes to become extremely rich. Fermentation at a slightly higher temperature, together with skin maceration for 12 days, produces a wine with great soft tannins. The first Barolo Ornato was produced in 1985. Since then, it has only been produced in outstanding years. Barolo Ornato has a deep crimson red color and its nose exhibis intense fruit scents. On the palate, the tannins are fat and found, yet also mellow and elegant. Concentrated flavors of ripe fruit previal with subtle hints of tobacco, chocolate and pepper, culminating in a rich finish.

Red Wine by Ch. de Beaucastel from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France - Rhone. The vineyard is a patchwork of all 13 permitted grape varieties, 70 hectares in all. The soil is the same porous, aerated blanket of Alpine diluvium (rounded stones) on a base of Miocene marine limestone that exists elsewhere on the estate. The vines are on average 50 years old and yields are never more than 30 hectolitres per hectare and often much less. It is a vibrant and healthy vineyard due to years of organic cultivation and close monitoring of the needs of each vine. The red wine of Beaucastel as with Coudoulet de Beaucastel is a structured, intense yet lean drink, thanks in part to the large percentage of Mourvedre - about 30% - in the final cuvee. Its austere tannic backbone and resistant to oxidation help Beaucastel age gracefully. One of the great successes of the vintage and certainly better than their 2003 is Beaucastel's 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape. Deep ruby/purple in color with loads of licorice, smoked game, black cherry and blackberry fruit, along with incense and truffle, the wine has fabulous richness, high tannin, medium to full body, and beautiful length, richness, and purity. This is a beauty and one of the vintage's finest wines. Give it 4-6 years of bottle age and drink it over the next 25+ years. It has the potential to be one of the longest-lived Chateauneuf du Papes of the vintage. Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate Ruby-red. Powerful red and dark berry aromas verge on liqueur-like but are enlivened by zesty mineral and anise accents. Lush, supple and sweet, with deep raspberry and cherry flavors, fine-grained tannins and complicating herb and smoked meat tones. Very smooth on the finish, which is sappy, deep in cherry flavor and impressively long. -International Wine Cellar

Red Wine by Stag's Leap Wine Cellars from Napa Valley, California. Planted by the Warren Winiarski Family in 1970, S.L.V. achieved international fame when the very first harvest at the winery in 1973 produced a wine that astounded the wine world by triumphing over some of France's greatest wines in a 1976 blind tasting in Paris, now commonly referred to as the “Judgement of Paris. Thirty vintages later, S.L.V. continues to yield wines of classic elegance and structure. T his history-making vineyard and terroir is beautifully expressed in this 2003 vintage wine. Alluring aromas of cocoa powder and black cherry evolve alongside pretty floral tones and a hint of smoke. Flavors of chocolate, raspberry, and black cherry coat the mouth with a light touch of cedar and truffles that weave through the multi-layered structure for which S.L.V. is renowned. Time will take this wine to even greater heights, but it can be enjoyed now for those who appreciate the robust quality of its fruit

Red Wine by Einaudi from Piedmont, Italy. From superstar cru of Cannubi - Barolo's greatest, most expensive and historical, documented as far back as 1752! The Einaudi family succeeded in purchasing a little over 5.4 acres of this celebrated terroir in 1997. The ensuing Barolo's superb concentration is enhanced and fine-tuned by elevage: 18-20 months in French barriques, 10-12 months in barrel. The result is grandeur and complexity, luscious aromas, layers and layers of velvet, spice, goudron, truffles; long, long finish and a long, long cellar life of over 25 years. Amazing aromas of ripe fruit, like raspberries in a leather basket. Full-bodied, with ultrasoft and silky tannins and a very, very long finish. Still there after a minute in your mouth. Extremely well-crafted. One of the best Barolos ever from here. Best after 2008. 955 cases made. Wine Spectator, July 2004

Red Wine by Frescobaldi from Tuscany, Italy. A generous, multi-layered aromatic spectrum, veined with crisp nuances of menthol, followed by clean-edged fragrances of dark red berries, in particular blackberry and blueberry. Last to emerge are notes of rich spice, where elegant hints of black pepper and cinnamon predominate, capped by pungent tobacco leaf. It shows exquisite balance on the palate: a subtle weave of dense tannins integrates nicely with a full-bodied, beautiful structure, and a thread of crisp acidity acts as an elegant foil to its heady, opulent alcohol. It unfurls an almost endless finish that is complex and appealing.

Red Wine by Beaulieu - BV from Napa Valley, California. Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot Georges de Latour is the classic, original Reserve California wine, reflecting many decades of experience with some of Napa Valley's most historic vineyards. This wine was aged for 21 months in oak. Hand-harvested fruit, whole berries, careful but vigorous extraction during fermentation and gentle handling throughout the winemaking process yield a stunning wine for the ages. The 2004 vintage of this extraordinary wine offers intense aromas of black fruits, mocha, toast and briar. It is full bodied, with rich, mouth-filling tannins and deeply concentrated black currant, vanilla and anise flavors. This vintage will require seven to nine years of aging to reach maturity, yet tastes fine now - an excellent example of the vintage.

Red Wine by Paolo Scavino from Piedmont, Italy. The Bric del Fiasc is noticeably deeper and richer, with notes of sweet dark fruit, tar and scorched earth. Made in a big, bold style, this is a powerhouse of a wine that has enough fruit to balance the tannins, although it is not for the faint of heart. As opposed to Cannubi which has loosely packed, sandy soils, at Bric del Fiasc the soils are more compact and thus retain water better, which helps give this wine a little more freshness, says Scavino. (90-93), 11/05 With his boyish enthusiasm it is hard to believe Enrico Scavino has a full 50 vintages under his belt. I started working at the family estate when I was a young boy, says Scavino. I remember the 1958 vintage in particular. We had a very cool spring and many vineyards were affected by peronospora (a fungal disease that can affect the vines). Flowering was irregular and the plants carried very little fruit. We made a rich, concentrated Barolo that year that was a huge hit with our customers. It was a great way to start, and I've been hooked ever since. -Wine Advocate 90-93

Red Wine by Wolf Blass from Barossa Valley, Australia. Wolf Blass Platinum Label Shiraz is the ultimate expression of their winemakers' masterful skills, showcasing a blend of the finest parcels of fruit from selected South Australian vineyards. Made in extremely limited quantities from low yielding vines, Wolf Blass Platinum Label is, quite literally, the pick of the crop, a wine crafted to epitomize the best of vintage, variety and vineyard. Wolf Blass Platinum Label 2003 Shiraz is deep purple in color. The lifted, fragrant nose shows spicy, ripe berry and dark chocolate characters. The palate is elegant, rich and concentrated, with complex layers of blackberry, freshly ground coffee and spice supported by integrated, smoky oak, a seamless, balanced structure and long, fine tannins. Enjoy with rare-roasted eye filet of beef, venison or kangaroo. This wine's aromas may well draw you in, black and electric with mineral tension. Then the flavor delivers with sliver-thin layers of earthy complexity. This is a wine for the long haul, its gritty Barossa power restricted by French oak aging. The potential is there, as is the polish to decant it now for lamb. -Wines & Spirits

Red Wine by Antinori from Tuscany, Italy. Extraordinary intense ruby red in color. Intensely fruity, more of cherry than cassis, with hints of toast, coffee and dark chocolate. Finely structured and complex; balanced, with soft tannins and a lingering finish. Displays unmistakable varietal flavor while retaining strong regional character. Guado al Tasso, meaning literally Badger's Ford, takes its name from a common sight at the estate of Tenuta Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri, where it is produced. The vineyard is at an elevation between 44 and 58 metres (145 and 190 feet) above sea-level on stony, slightly calcareous soils. Tenuta Guado al Tasso is located 60 miles southwest of Florence, near the medieval village of Bolgheri, in an area known as the Maremma. The 900 hectares (2,223 acres) estate stretches up from the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the hills, and aside from extensive vineyards, also grows wheat, corn, sunflowers, tomatoes and olive trees. Guado al Tasso was first produced in 1990. All the vintages have been produced in limited quantities. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Syrah and other red grape varieties.

Red Wine by Guigal from Rhone, France - Rhone. Only 200 cases made. A successful effort for the vintage, the 2004 St.-Joseph Vignes des Hospices exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as a beautiful perfume of black raspberries, crushed rocks, flowers, licorice, and a hint of tapenade. Rich, medium-bodied, and concentrated, this is a stunning success for a vintage such as 2004. It should drink well for a decade. -Wine Advocate 90-92

Red Wine by Ch?teau Pichon-Longueville-Lalande from Pauillac, France - Bordeaux. A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, the 2004 Pichon Lalande is vaguely reminiscent of the 1986 and 1988. Deep ruby/purple-tinged, with moderately high, firm tannin, a degree of austerity, plummy black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, smoke, and dried herbs, good freshness, and medium body, give it 2-3 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 15+ years. Robert Parker - Wine Advocate 90-92 Points Aromas of currant, flowers and berries follow through to a medium- to full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a fruity finish. Round and very caressing. Best after 2010. Wine Spectator 90 Points There is only one question about what is otherwise a magnificent wine - whether the current dominant wood flavors will soften and blend enough. If they do, then the powerful fruit, spice and freshness will all come together in a stellar wine. Wine Enthusiast 94 Points

Red Wine by Chateau Montelena from Napa Valley, California. This wine is a typically bright ruby red, with opaque density and color, which leads to a nice array of aromas: sweet black currant jam, with hints of black cherry and flowers. There is much fruit in the nose, not unexpected considering the excellent ripeness achieved in this vintage. The unique blend of soils in Ch. Montelena's vineyard leads to very pleasing layers of complexity, and there is an evident menthol-cedar note attributable to the volcanic soil component. On the palate this wine delivers intense, broad and sweet fruit, layered with spicy cherry, and even a bit of chocolate. The overall structure of the 2003 Estate Cabernet is ripe and rich, pure and well delineated. It is very much in the Montelena Estate style, in which vineyard flavors drive the wine. It is a very structured Cabernet from a great growing year, and it will greatly reward you after a few more years of cellaring. The powerful, concentrated 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (14.3% alcohol) exhibits aromas of black currant jam, tar, smoke, and forest floor. This opulent, rich 2003, while less flamboyant than the extroverted 2002, is deep, chewy, pure, and well-delineated. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025+. At the end of my tastings, Bo Barrett opened a 1986 Montelena (rated 94), and it is still incredibly young, rich, vibrant, and full-bodied. It is a terrific expression of Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon made by a master. It appears to have another 20-25 years of aging potential. -Robert Parker 93-95 Points