Dr. Fischer Riesling Beerenauslese 1994
QmP, Ockfener Bockstein, Estate Btld.
49874
(MS) 375 mL $52
Dr. Fischer’s 1994 Riesling Beerenauslese (BA) is indeed a rarity, especially at this price. Only a very small quantity of this BA was produced, therefore samples were not sent to wine publications for review. While 1994 was a good but heterogeneous vintage, the long dry period in autumn gave the estate enough time to do meticulous berry selection in the Bockstein vineyard. The result of these strict methods is this mineral-loaded, firmly structured wine with rich, concentrated flavours. This BA was built-to-age and continues to mature. While its low alcohol makes it a lovely aperitif, this medium-sweet but well-balanced white will also pair beautifully with equally rich pâtés, foie gras, or blue-veined cheeses.
SCHLOSS JOHANNISBERG RIESLING SPÄTLESE TROCKEN 2005
QmP, Grünlack, Estate Btld.
33449
(M) 750 mL $49
TASTING NOTE: With hint of botrytis, citrus, mango, pineapple, medium bodied, juicy, great lasting finish. Score - 90.
(Zoltan Szabo,
www.jancisrobinson.com, May 24, 2007)
"Királyudvar Winery is a new creation … the work of New Yorker Anthony Hwang … .Revived in 1997, Királyudvar — "the king's court" — supplied the Hungarian royal court as far back as the 11th century. Mr. Hwang rebuilt the 16th-century winery, and today owns 185 acres of vines from which he makes several stunning, traditionally rich Tokaj wines …" (Matt Kramer, www.nysun.com, Oct. 31, 2007)
"While other winemakers have been doing their part to get the region back on its feet after the Communist rot, [Királyudvar winemaker] István Szepsy has been the most tireless, and his wines, while sometimes hard to get a hold of, are second to none." (www.chew.hu, Jan. 9, 2007)
Puklus Tokaji MuscotÁly AszÚ Eszencia 1999
63578
(S) 500 mL $77
János Puklus founded this concern in 1974, using his great-grandfather's vineyards. His wines a re aged, in cellars over 300 years old, in traditional oak 'Gönci' barrels for up to six years. Puklus' Aszú Eszencia features attractive Tokaji characteristics: rich red/orange tones, aromas of citrus and almond, and lip-smacking flavours of orange, minerals, and honey. One of the world's great dessert wines, which 19th-century Hungarian poet Sándor Petöfi described as 'a golden flame locked up within a bottle'. Discover the poetry of Tokaji.
The Royal Tokaji Wine Company Tokaji AszÚ 6 Puttonyos NyulÁszÓ 1996
958009
(S) 500 mL $80
TASTING NOTE: This single-vineyard wine, from a plot classified as a "First Growth" in 1700, is so smoky and earthy it's almost peaty, like a Scotch. Its dark, warm flavors are edged in burnt orange notes, lemonlike acidity adding lift. It feels perfectly balanced between light and dark, sweet and savory; both weighty and ethereal, it's ready to age another ten years or to savor now with foie gras. Score - 95.
(www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com, Dec. 2006)
Spain
Red Wines
Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofi 2004
DOCa Priorat
730184
(XD) 750 mL $88
TASTING NOTE: The 2004 Finca Dofi offers an upgrade. It is sourced from a single vineyard on the estate of which 60% is Grenache and the balance Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Carignan aged in 100% new French oak. Deeper in color than Les Terrasses, and more reticent aromatically, with coaxing, scents of toast and smoke, minerals, violets, blueberries, and chocolate emerge. Full-bodied and harmonious, there is an opulence to the fruit which is breathtaking. It should drink well for 10-15 or more years.
Score - 95.
(Jay Miller,
www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2007)
Finca Allende Calvario 2004
DOCa Rioja
63206
(XD) 750 mL $129
TASTING NOTE: The 2004 Calvario is sourced from a single vineyard planted in 1945 and is composed of 90% Tempranillo, 8% Grenache, and 2% Graciano. The wine was aged for 14 months in 100% new French oak and bottled unfiltered. Opaque purple-colored, it offers up an expressive nose of toast, vanilla, spice box, floral elements, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur which leaps from the glass. This is followed by a mouth-filling wine with oodles of flavor, great definition, and plenty of ripe tannin leading to a finish lasting nearly a minute. Still an infant developmentally, the wine begs for another 6-8 years in bottle. It should last for at least 25 years.
Score - 95.
(Jay Miller,
www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2007)
Melis 2004
DOCa Priorat
41293
(D) 750 mL $129
TASTING NOTE: From the same team that brings you the Central Coast’s superb Sea Smoke Pinot Noirs comes Melis, a splendid example of what can be achieved in Priorat. The 2004 Melis, from an outstanding vintage, is a blend of 63% Grenache, 16% Carignan, 14% Syrah, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. It was aged for 15 months in several sizes of 100% new Burgundian oak before being bottled without fining or filtration. Purple-colored, it exhibits sweet aromas of vanilla spice, toast, mineral, wild blueberry and blackberry. Full-bodied (a nicely concealed 15.5% alcohol) with a velvety palate-feel, layers of opulent black fruit flavors, ripe tannins, and a long, pure finish, this large-scaled wine can be enjoyed now and over the next 15-20 years. Bravo!
Score - 94.
(Jay Miller,
www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2007)
Marques de Vargas Reserva 2003
DOCa Rioja
62745
(XD) 750 mL $32
TASTING NOTE: … The 2003 Reserva [is] a wine composed of 75% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, 5% Garnacha, and the balance a field blend. It spent 23 months in a mix of French, Russian, and American oak. Dark ruby purple-colored, it has a fine nose of earth, vanilla bean, tobacco, black currant, and blueberry. Medium to full-bodied with excellent focus for this vintage, the wine has ample fruit, complex flavors, and excellent balance. Drink it now and over the next 6-8 years.
Score - 90.
(Jay Miller,
www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2007)
Tilenus Mencia Pagos de Posado Reserva 2001
DO Bierzo
65037
(D) 750 mL $47
TASTING NOTE: The single vineyard 2001 Pagos de Posada was fashioned from 75-100 year old Mencia vines planted on the slate hillsides and aged in 70% new French oak. Reminiscent of a Pinot Noir on steroids, it boasts a raspberry, flower, and stony-scented bouquet, layers of fruit, medium to full body, and superb purity as well as delineation. Red Burgundy fanatics should give this stunning, distinctive, singular effort a try. It should drink well for 5-7 years or longer.
Score - 93.
(Robert Parker Jr.,
www.erobertparker.com, June 2005)
Masia Duch Bressol 2000
DOCa Priorat
52506
(XD) 750 mL $56
This wine won a Silver Medal at the Sélections Mondiales des Vins 2007 in Quebec in February 2007. Aged separately in a combination of French and American oak for a period of 12 months, this Garnacha (Grenache) and Cabernet Sauvignon blend offers fruity notes of cherry in eau de vie along with attractive smoke notes. The palate is complex but lively with soft, well-integrated tannins and a long finish. An excellent value to come out of Priorat.
Spain
White Wines
R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIŃA TONDONIA RESERVA WHITE 1989
DOCa Rioja
356352
(XD) 750 mL $76
TASTING NOTE: The light-gold color is still bright and the flavors still vivid in this traditional white, which is firm and lean, with layered flavors of hazelnut, orange peel, beeswax and dried apple. A meditation wine, this is distinctive and impressive, but thinning a bit with age. Viura and Malvasia. Drink now through 2010.
Score - 90.
(Thomas Matthews,
www.winespectator.com, Oct. 15, 2007)
