Wine & Spirits News. 10 Classic & Signature Reds with 90+ ratings. your customers want to enjoy!

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Chloe Kelley
5 years ago
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FEB 2014 Wine & Spirits News Sales Office : STT 340 777 7787 FAX 340 777 7818 www.

1 FEB 2014 Wine & Spirits News Sales Office : STT FAX Classic & Signature Reds with 90+ ratings your customers want to enjoy!

Calera is one of the most compelling Pinot Noir specialists of not only the New World, but of Planet Earth.

It s softly silky and delicately structured and enormously rich, offering delicious waves of raspberries, cherries, oranges, cola, beef jerky and black pepper.

Fifty percent whole clusters were used, and the wine was aged 11 months in Francois Freres Burgundy barrels, of which 10% were new.

2 Calera is one of the most compelling Pinot Noir specialists of not only the New World, but of Planet Earth. - Robert Parker Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir Wine Enthusiast This fine Pinot Noir easily holds its own when tasted against far more expensive bottlings. It s softly silky and delicately structured and enormously rich, offering delicious waves of raspberries, cherries, oranges, cola, beef jerky and black pepper. 90 Robert Parker An excellent bargain in Pinot Noir, the 2008 Pinot Noir Central Coast offers a delicious introduction to the Calera style. Fifty percent whole clusters were used, and the wine was aged 11 months in Francois Freres Burgundy barrels, of which 10% were new. Bottled unfiltered, it is a blend of fruit from four separate Central Coast counties, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, and Santa Clara. Attractive notes of roasted herbs, sweet and sour cherries, strawberry jam, sassafras, and earth emerge from this medium to full-bodied, supple-textured, seductive red. The 2008 Central Coast Pinot Noir has a vibrant, beautiful garnet color. Aromas of black cherry with a hint of sweet oak wrap around a comforting core of boysenberry pie. The taste is lively - spicy blackberry and cassis, with bramble & briar and good structure. This is a smooth, delightful wine with a lot of personality, Josh Jensen, Winemaker

Campogiovanni Rosso di Montalcino 2010 90 International Wine Report Aromas and flavors of ripe cherries and spices along with touches of cedar, leather and dried

This should drink well over the next few years.

with almond, spice, leather and tobacco. The mouthfeel is characterized by toasted oak notes and bright acidity.

3 Campogiovanni Rosso di Montalcino International Wine Report Aromas and flavors of ripe cherries and spices along with touches of cedar, leather and dried earth round out the characteristics of this excellent Rosso. Medium-bodied and focused with fine tannins and a clean finish. This should drink well over the next few years. 90 Wine Enthusiast Perfect for pairing with grilled meat, white beans or hearty pasta dishes, this bright Rosso di Montalcino opens with notes of plush cherry, with almond, spice, leather and tobacco. The mouthfeel is characterized by toasted oak notes and bright acidity. A genuine Montalcino that stands out for theharmonious balance and refinement of its bouquet and palate, perfectly at home at any kind of meal, on any occasion, a red to enjoy among intimates, a wine with breed whose personal qualities are very visible indeed: the body and spirit classic to a great Tuscan red wine, generous and expansive, compellingly distinctive.

Château Teyssier 2009 St Emilion Grand Cru 92 Robert Parker This is the best Teyssier I have ever tasted.

has a reputation of producing high quality St Emilion Grand Cru, and this is no exception.

4 Château Teyssier 2009 St Emilion Grand Cru 92 Robert Parker This is the best Teyssier I have ever tasted. A tribute to his efforts, this blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc overachieves, even in a great vintage like Owned and run by Jonathan Maltus and assisted by Gilles Pauquet, the oenologist to Cheval Blanc, Château Teyssier has a reputation of producing high quality St Emilion Grand Cru, and this is no exception. It s near to impossible to find this level of quality at this price, especially not from a property of the class of Château Teyssier. Jonathan Malthus is also the master mind behind Château Laforge, Château Mazerat, Le Carré and the famed Le Dome.

Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda Reserva Mendoza Argentina 2010 91 Guía Peñín The wine opens with penetrating notes of roses, ripe red fruit and spicy black pepper.

5 Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda Reserva Mendoza Argentina Guía Peñín The wine opens with penetrating notes of roses, ripe red fruit and spicy black pepper. The silky, elegant palate is a result of a unique ageing process in neutral oak French foudres. The wine finishes with soft, sweet tannins and lively natural acidity. For most of its existence in Argentina, Bonarda was grown and cultivated as blending wine since it could provide big yields that maintained the color and fruitiness. About the grape Winemakers often blended this wine with lowgrade bulk wine, and for the most part, ignored Bonarda as a serious single varietal wine. However, in 2000 Alberto Antonini and Attilio Pagli, the winemakers of Bodega Altos Las Hormigas, a Malbec specialist, fortuitously discovered the potential of growing single varietal Bonarda in Mendoza. An early hailstorm had moved quickly and violently through the region, naturally pruning the leaf canopy of a nearby Bonarda vineyard. The vineyard averted major damage, but the harvest yielded only half the usual crop. Upon assessing the damage, the winemakers found that the remaining grapes had a surprising concentration and structure. The resulting wine was beautiful, with gentle texture and lingering flavors. As Alberto recalls, he knew at that moment that he was stuck on Bonarda. Bonarda wines can be lighter-bodied and fruity, full of cherry and plum flavours, with light tannins and moderate acidity. However with concentrated fruit from older vines, and especially when oak aged, Bonardas can also be big, fruity, dense and tannic wines with deep colour and fig and raisin characteristics. In most Argentine vineyards, Bonarda is one of the last grapes to be harvested.

Domaine Bousquet Organic Malbec Reserva Mendoza 2010 90 Highly Recommended - Silver Decanter Made from organic grapes from our own vineyards located in Alto Gualtallary, Tupungato at an altitude of

6 Domaine Bousquet Organic Malbec Reserva Mendoza Highly Recommended - Silver Decanter Made from organic grapes from our own vineyards located in Alto Gualtallary, Tupungato at an altitude of 1200 (4000 feet) above the sea level, one of the highest points in Mendoza. The wine is composed of 85% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 5% Syrah, which has been aged in French oak for 10 months and 4 months of bottle ageing. It is a wine of dark violet color with reddish hues. In the nose it presents intense aromas of blackberry with notes of black currant and plum. On the palate it is a balanced and elegant wine, with pure fruit expression like raspberry, fig, and chocolate. It has a well-defined velvety style, excellent structure and a long finish. The main objective of Domaine Bousquet is to combine the European Elegance in winemaking style with the perfect cool climate and terroir of the Uco Valley in Argentina.

Alvaro Palacios Les Terrases Velles 94Vignes Robert Priorat 2009 Parker 94 Wine Advocate Alvaro Palacios Les Terrases Velles Vinyes Priorat DOC

intense afternoon sun. With the 2007 vintage, Alvaro acknowledged Les Terrasses graduation by adding the Velles Vinyes designation to the label.

This red dispays aromas of ripe black fruit, with firm tannins balancing pronounced plum, black cherry and chocolate on the palate.

7 Alvaro Palacios Les Terrases Velles 94Vignes Robert Priorat 2009 Parker 94 Wine Advocate Alvaro Palacios Les Terrases Velles Vinyes Priorat DOC 2009 Les Terrasses Velles Vignes While originally conceived of as a value wine, Les Terrasses Velles Vignes has slowly evolved into the essence of what makes Priorat special. Drawing on 15+ years of study, Terrasses is sourced from many of the region s steepest and oldest vineyards many of them north-facing to avoid the intense afternoon sun. With the 2007 vintage, Alvaro acknowledged Les Terrasses graduation by adding the Velles Vinyes designation to the label. Les Terrasses is composed of 40% Carinena, 40% Garnacha, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. This red dispays aromas of ripe black fruit, with firm tannins balancing pronounced plum, black cherry and chocolate on the palate. Alvaro Palacios, winemaker is one of Spain s of L Ermita most awarded and Finca enologists. Dofi in Priorat and La Faraona in Bierzo, is one of Spain s most achieved enologists and a fierce proponent of organic and Alvaro biodynamic Palacios established viticulture his and namesake winemaking winery in practices and crafted the first L Ermita

Cellars Selection Marqués de Murrieta Reserva Rioja 2006 Made from 84% Tempranillo, 13% Garnacha and 3% Mazuelo, this wine embodies ripe fruit qualities with a perfect balance of acidity and supple

Our Red Reserva is a traditional Rioja with the classic Murrieta signature and enjoys all the benefits of modern winemaking philosophy, equipment and techniques.

8 Cellars Selection Marqués de Murrieta Reserva Rioja 2006 Made from 84% Tempranillo, 13% Garnacha and 3% Mazuelo, this wine embodies ripe fruit qualities with a perfect balance of acidity and supple roundness on the palate, and a hint of new oak. Our Red Reserva is a traditional Rioja with the classic Murrieta signature and enjoys all the benefits of modern winemaking philosophy, equipment and techniques. It is truly an elegant interpretation of classic style using today s winemaking vast knowledge. The Marqués de Murrieta Red Reserva pairs well with red meats and cured ham as well as grilled fish and dishes with rich sauces. We recommend you decant the wine half an hour before serving it at 62-66F. Bright red. Fresh red berry and spice aromas suggest a higher percentage of garnacha. Suave, energetic red berry flavors stain the palate, nicely braced by tangy mineral and spice qualities. The finish repeats the red fruit note and hangs on tenaciously. 92 Gary Walsh Opened with an almost Tokay-like aromatic of raisins, tea leaf and orange peel, but freshened up to reveal strawberries and darker fruits, spice, cedar and vanilla. It s medium bodied but full of flavour - grabs your interest immediately - an evenly weighted charmer with silky tannin, sweet fruit, crisp acidity and layers of savoury complexity. Length and satisfaction delivered softly, but certainly. Delicious.

Pétalos del Bierzo, Mencía Bierzo, Spain 2010 Jancis Robinson Review 91ST 91WS Stephen Tanzer s International Wine Cellar (all mencia, as is the case for all of these wines, which are aged briefly in

Soft dark berry preserve flavors gain minerality and firmness with air. Zesty cherry skin and mineral notes carry through a long, gently tannic finish.

Harmonious and focused, supported by well-integrated tannins and firm acidity. Not a showy wine, but has complexity and depth. Drink now through 2018.

bringing its unusual combination of Atlantic-influenced climate and extensive area of old vines and some steep, slate slopes.

9 Pétalos del Bierzo, Mencía Bierzo, Spain 2010 Jancis Robinson Review 91ST 91WS Stephen Tanzer s International Wine Cellar (all mencia, as is the case for all of these wines, which are aged briefly in new French oak and then in older barrels before bottling): Dark ruby. Ripe red- and blackcurrant aromas are complicated by anise, cola and sexy oak spices. Soft dark berry preserve flavors gain minerality and firmness with air. Zesty cherry skin and mineral notes carry through a long, gently tannic finish. Wine Spectator *Top 100 Wines of 2012 and a Smart Buys designation* This plush red delivers black cherry, licorice, mineral and smoke flavors. Harmonious and focused, supported by well-integrated tannins and firm acidity. Not a showy wine, but has complexity and depth. Drink now through I have loved the Mencía grape of northwest Spain ever since I first tasted it and Ricardo Palacios, nephew of the famous Alvaro of Priorat, could be credited with revitalising the Bierzo region, bringing its unusual combination of Atlantic-influenced climate and extensive area of old vines and some steep, slate slopes. Hence the heartening quantity available of this, the principal product of Descendientes de J Palacios. Pétalos 2010 Bierzo is made from 60-year-old vines apparently and spends 10 months in used French oak. I loved its super supple, juicy fruit with just a hint of graphite (it s easy to see why the locals initially thought this grape variety might be Cabernet Franc; DNA analysis has shown it is identical to the Jaen of northern Portugal, incidentally). This very complete wine with a bonedry finish hides its 14% alcohol extremely well. I know the word fluid may seem a bit tautologous as applied to wine but it does seem a particularly apt description of this lovely wine...

Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Napa Valley 2008 92 James Suckling Cellars Selection This is an exuberant red with lots of currants and menthol aromas and flavors.

... Every year, when it is time to assemble the next vintage, we renew the conversation about what makes a classic Napa Cabernet. Our guiding idea is balance: richness vs.

10 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Napa Valley James Suckling Cellars Selection This is an exuberant red with lots of currants and menthol aromas and flavors. Full and fruity with a firm, racy texture and a powerful finish. Give it two to three years of bottle age to come together more.... Every year, when it is time to assemble the next vintage, we renew the conversation about what makes a classic Napa Cabernet. Our guiding idea is balance: richness vs. tannins, ripe fruit vs. dried herb aromatics, ageability vs. instant gratification. Each year we aim to balance the velvety textured cherries and plums from our Stags Leap Vineyard with the big bodied, black berried fruit of our Mt. George Vineyard to create our version of a Napa classic.

Pulenta Estate Gran Corte 2008 Mendoza Argentina 91 Stephen Tanzer Making a great wine is an act of generosity, considering always the one who will taste it.

11 Pulenta Estate Gran Corte 2008 Mendoza Argentina 91 Stephen Tanzer Making a great wine is an act of generosity, considering always the one who will taste it. Our mission is to produce limited series of great wines, proudly made in Argentina. Blend: 43% Malbec, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Bright deep ruby. The aromas of cassis, licorice and bitter chocolate reminded me of a Napa cabernet. Suave on entry, then supple, generous and sexy in the middle, with a saline complexity and faintly exotice character to the ripe cassis, licorice and spice flavors. Finishes, sweet, spicy and quite long, with pliant tannins. An excellent showing...

12 Such a Distinguished Classic Wine from Spain Needs no further explanations.

D.O. RIBERA DEL DUERO

D.O. RIBERA DEL DUERO 91 90 Production 160.000 bottles of 75 cl. DEHESA DE LOS CANONIGOS CRIANZA 2012 88% Tempranillo 12% Cabernet Sauvignon Barrell ageing 15 months in American oak barrells, medium toast,