REIMS Covenant House 1988 Bollinger Grande Annee Brut Champagne ( 2 ) A rich, mature, full-bodied, flavorful bubbly that has oodles of nutty, honeylike flavors, a broad, smooth texture and a spicy, buttery finish. Combines power and subtlety for a very attractive taste experience. Wine Spectator 93/100 1996 Moet & Chandon Cuvee Dom Perignon ( 1 ) This features floral, candied citrus, pencil shaving and hazelnut aromas and flavors. It's fresh and focused, with a firm structure offset by a mouthfilling richness and a lacy texture. Wine Spectator 93/100 Reims, France Lot 1 Above 3 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,550 1989 Krug Champagne Brut Rich, lush aromas of dried fruit and citrus marmalade, this is Champagne at its most opulent. Honeyed and round on the palate, with fine acidity keeping it focused. Gorgeous now, yet will age well. Drink now through 2015. Wine Spectator 94/100 Reims, France Lot 2 Above 1 Magnum ( 1500 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,950 1988 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame ( 1 ) WS 94/100 1989 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame ( 1 ) WS 92/100 1990 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame ( 1 ) WS 90/100 1995 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame ( 1 ) WS 91/100 Reims, France Lot 3 Above 4 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 2,125 1976 Krug Champagne Brut Collection A gorgeous but extreme style of Champagne that's fully mature in flavor yet lively in balance. It's deep gold in color, smooth in texture and long on the finish. Intricate accents of nuts, honey, butter and spice intermingle with crisp fruit flavors. Wine Spectator 92/100 Reims, France Lot 4 Above 1 Magnum ( 1500 ml ) Lot Value $ 7,500
AUSTRALIA Covenant House 2004 Wolf Blass Black Label Shiraz A minty character runs through the blackberry and currant flavors in this ripe, smooth red. The expressive finish is long, dark and silky. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Malbec. Drink now through 2012. Wine Spectator 90/100 South Australia Lot 5 Above 4 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,100 2000 D'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz ( 1 ) WS 93/100 2002 D'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz ( 6 ) WS 92/100 2003 D'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz ( 1 ) WS 86/100 2006 D'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz ( 2 ) WS 91/100 McLaren Vale, Australia Lot 6 Above 10 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,580 WHITE BURGUNDY 2005 Bouchard Meursault les Genevrieres Oak spice, buttery pastry, hazelnut and lime combine to seduce the palate in this alluring white, which is seamless from start to finish and leaves a lush impression with vanilla tones. Drink now through 2016. Wine Spectator 92/100 Lot 7 Above 3 Magnums ( 1500 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,200 2005 Louis Jadot Puligny Montrachet les Combettes Delicious and ready to enjoy, this white is full of toast, butterscotch, apple pie and sweet baking spices. Rich and creamy, with a fresh buttered pastry, lime and mineral aftertaste. Drink now through 2018. Wine Spectator 92/100 Lot 8 Above 3 Magnums ( 1500 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,305 2005 Louis Jadot Corton Charlemagne Ripe, broad and powerful, this creamy-textured white packs lime blossom, pear, sweet corn and butterscotch into an ample frame. A mineral note emerges as this glides to the long finish. Very vibrant but needs a few more years to really hit its stride. Best from 2009 through 2025. Wine Spectator 94/100 Lot 9 Above 3 Magnums ( 1500 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,950
2005 Bouchard Pere et Fils Chevalier Montrachet la Cabotte A terrific white Burgundy, already showing more about place than grape, with the creamy texture underscored by a mineral drive. Moreover, there's an energy propelling the lime, butter, pastry, peach and spice notes to a lingering conclusion, ending with a fine, creamy finish and finesse. Best from 2013 through 2032. Wine Spectator 95/100 Lot 10 Above 3 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 3,000 2005 Louis Jadot Chevalier Montrachet Les Demoiselles The definition of class and refinement. Subtle yet intense, this white unravels its lime, hazelnut, acacia and yellow plum aromas and flavors on a seamless profile, only showing its youth as it firms up on the long, toasty, mineral-filled finish. Best from 2010 through 2030. Wine Spectator 97/100 Lot 11 Above 3 Magnums ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 3,900 2005 Joseph Drouhin Montrachet Marquis de LaGuiche Impressive for its regal presence on the palate, this white isn't showy, yet it demands your focus as it crosses the palate in layers of spring blossom, honeysuckle, citrus, hazelnut and mineral flavors. There's a vibrant structure, and the finish keeps on coming in waves. Best from 2012 through 2030. Wine Spectator 96/100 Lot 12 Above 2 Magnums ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 5,520 RED BURGUNDY 1996 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Richebourg Full-bodied, showing gorgeous fruit, this is very intense. It holds your attention as it settles its foundations into the palate, tightening its grip with seductive cassis, blackberry, fresh acidity and terrific floral character. A tamed monster. Drink now through 2026. Wine Spectator 95/100 Lot 13 Above 2 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 7,900 1998 Louis Jadot Bonnes Mares A two-faced wine that is both tough and velvety.medium-bodied, the silky texture appears atmidpalate, but it turns tough on the finish.medium-bodied, shows iron, wet soil, mineral notesand some good fruit, but it's a closed wine fornow. Intense finish. Wine Spectator 89/100 Lot 14 Above 5 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,725
2004 Armand Rousseau Chambertin A supple red, this exudes cinnamon, plum and cocoa aromas augmented by flavors of licorice and mineral, with a long, lively finish. Balanced, yet needs time to integrate the dense tannins. Will be terrific in about 10 years. Best from 2012 through 2030. Wine Spectator 92/100 Lot 15 Above 2 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,550 1999 Louis Jadot Bonnes Mares Juicy, succulent and meaty. Dark and full-bodied, with plenty of raspberries and back cherries. Chewy tannins, but there is the stuffing for balance, with a sweet-tasting, fresh finish. Drink now. Wine Spectator 89/100 Lot 16 Above 3 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,485 1996 Faiveley Chambertin Clos de Bèze Thick, rich, smoky, exotic and packed with flavor. This is an all-out taste experience backed by firm tannins, chewy texture, lively acidity and long finish. Needs until at least 2012 to show its best. Wine Spectator 90/100 Lot 17 Above 3 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,275 1995 Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons ( 3 ) WS 94/100 2006 F. & L. Pillot Pommard les Charnots ( 1 ) WS 90/100 2006 Blain Gagnard Volnay Champans ( 2 ) WS 90/100 Lot 18 Above 6 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,250 CALIFORNIA 1997 Sterling Three Palms Merlot ( 1 ) 2004 Grgich Hills Merlot ( 2 ) 2005 Shafer Vineyards Merlot ( 2 ) 2002 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ( 1 ) 2002 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Windsor Gardens ( 1 ) 2002 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Olivet Lane ( 1 ) Lot 19 Above 8 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 985
1989 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ( 1 ) WS 87/100 1990 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ( 1 ) WS 92/100 1992 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ( 1 ) WS 86/100 1993 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ( 2 ) WS 90/100 Lot 20 Above 5 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,065 1997 Joseph Phelps Insignia Dense, rich and focused, youthful and concentrated, with hints of maturity on the edge of the core currant, mineral and spicy berry flavors. Wonderful vibrancy and intensity for a wine this age, which only bodes well for the future. A classic. Drink now through 2020. Wine Spectator 97/100 Lot 21 Above 1 Magnum ( 1500 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,100 2005 Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon ( 4 ) WS 88/100 2005 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon ( 2 ) WS 90/100 2005 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon ( 2 ) WS 88/100 Lot 22 Above 8 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,240 2000 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon A mouthful, this wine gushes with pure, ripe Cabernet fruit. Tiers of currant, anise, blackberry, cherry and wild berry flavors are supported by pretty mocha-scented oak and plush, velvety tannins that firm up on the finish, giving it a solid backbone. Best from 2004 through 2014. Wine Spectator 95/100 Lot 23 Above 2 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,550 1994 Far Niente Chardonnay Subtle style that shows off its citrus and pear notes, starting out crisp and refreshing and adding more flavor development on the finish. Typical of Far Niente. Wine Spectator 88/100 Lot 24 Above 1 6.0 Litre ( 6000 ml ) Lot Value $ 2,750 1996 Dominus Estate Proprietary Red Complex, with mature herb, currant, anise and sage notes that are reminiscent of an aged Bordeaux. Ends with a supple texture, fine-grained tannins and good length. Drink now. Wine Spectator 90/100 Lot 25 Above 1 6.0 Litre ( 6000 ml ) Lot Value $ 5,200
1994 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard ( 2-750 ml ) 1994 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard ( 1-1500 ml ) Dark-hued, rich and intense, deftly balanced, with a pretty array of ripe currant, anise, black cherry and plum. Concentrated, with firm tannins, it finishes with a bold, rich aftertaste that shows off cedar, sage and pretty earthy nuances. Drink now. Wine Spectator 91/100 Lot 26 Above 2 Bottles & 1 Magnum Lot Value $ 2,450 1994 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard Dark-hued, rich and intense, deftly balanced, with a pretty array of ripe currant, anise, black cherry and plum. Concentrated, with firm tannins, it finishes with a bold, rich aftertaste that shows off cedar, sage and pretty earthy nuances. Drink now. Wine Spectator 91/100 Lot 27 Above 2 Magnums ( 1500 ml ) Lot Value $ 2,300 BORDEAUX 1999 Château Margaux Offers decadent aromas of walnut, raspberry and mulberry. Very complex. Full-bodied, with an earthy, lightly vanilla, berry, coffee bean and floral flavor. Refined and caressing. Very, very subtle. Why wait? Drink now. Wine Spectator 93/100 Margaux, France Lot 28 Above 2 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 2,500 1999 Château Margaux Offers decadent aromas of walnut, raspberry and mulberry. Very complex. Full-bodied, with an earthy, lightly vanilla, berry, coffee bean and floral flavor. Refined and caressing. Very, very subtle. Why wait? Drink now. Wine Spectator 93/100 Margaux, France Lot 29 Above 2 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 2,500 1990 Chateau Latour ( 1 ) This is one of my favorite wines ever. Full-bodied, with layers of silky fruit and masses of currant, mineral and berry character. Amazing. It's a wine with perfect structure, perfect strength. It's 1961 Latour in modern clothes. It's hard not to drink it now. Wine Spectator 100/100 1999 Château Margaux ( 1 ) Offers decadent aromas of walnut, raspberry and mulberry. Very complex. Full-bodied, with an earthy, lightly vanilla, berry, coffee bean and floral flavor. Refined and caressing. Very, very subtle. Why wait? Drink now. Wine Spectator 93/100 Pauillac & Margaux, France Lot 30 Above 2 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 2,750
1983 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Another excellent vintage for Lafite. Extremely fresh, with lovely blackberry and cassis character, a medium body and full tannins. Drink now. Wine Spectator 91/100 Pauillac, France Lot 31 Above 2 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 3,300 1998 Château Lafite Rothschild Amazing aromas of crushed blackberries, toasted oak and currant, spices. Really a great nose. Fullbodied, with round and velvety tannins and a long, long finish. It lasts for minutes on the palate. Superb. Best wine of the Médoc, without a doubt. Best after 2011. Wine Spectator 98/100 Pauillac, France Lot 32 Above 2 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 4,800 1997 Château Margaux All in finesse, with berry, currant and light vanilla character. Medium- to full-bodied, with silky tannins and a fresh finish. Lovely, long finish. Gorgeous core of fruit in this wine. Drink now. Wine Spectator 90/100 Margaux, France Lot 33 Above 1 6.0 Litre ( 6000 ml ) Lot Value $ 11,000 1998 Château Lafite Rothschild Amazing aromas of crushed blackberries, toasted oak and currant, spices. Really a great nose. Fullbodied, with round and velvety tannins and a long, long finish. It lasts for minutes on the palate. Superb. Best wine of the Médoc, without a doubt. Best after 2011. Wine Spectator 98/100 Pauillac, France Lot 34 Above 2 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 4,800 1995 Chateau Leoville Las Cases ( 1 ) WS 95/100 1996 Chateau Leoville Las Cases ( 1 ) WS 92/100 1998 Chateau Tertre Roteboeuf ( 1 ) WS 94/100 St. Julien & St. Emilion, France Lot 35 Above 3 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,725 1997 Chateau Clos L'Eglise Plenty of coffee, tobacco and cherry character. Medium-bodied, with medium tannins and a fresh finish. Hollow center palate. Slightly overdone. Drink now. Wine Spectator 88/100 Pomerol, France Lot 36 Above 4 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,320
1998 Chateau Trotanoy ( 1 ) Very sweet, plummy fruit on the nose, with hints of milk chocolate and spices. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a big, juicy palate. A subtle wine that builds on the palate. It's sort of like a weight-lifting ballerina. Give this big wine time. Really impressive. Best after 2012. Wine Spectator 97/100 1998 Chateau L'Evangile ( 1 ) Complex aromas of blackberry, fresh mushrooms, tobacco and wet earth. Full-bodied, soft and luxurious texture to this ripe and opulent wine. Long and decadent too. Just coming around now. Give it more time. L'Evangile at its finest. Best after 2012. Wine Spectator 97/100 Pomerol, France Lot 37 Above 2 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,270 RHONE 1990 Château Rayas Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve A polished, rich and ripe red, this Rayas is just sensational, offering chocolate and spice and a minerally wet earth character. Tempting now, but worth cellaring. Even better than when reviewed upon release. Best from 2010 through 2020. Wine Spectator 94/100 Rhone, France Lot 38 Above 1 Magnum ( 1500 ml ) Lot Value $ 5,750 VENETO 1995 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella A pretty and balanced Amarone, with plum and cherry aromas and hints of red licorice. Medium- to fullbodied, with fine tannins and a delicious, fruity finish. Lots of finesse. Drink now. Wine Spectator 88/100 Veneto, Italy Lot 39 Above 1 Magnum ( 1500 ml ) Lot Value $ 2,975 1995 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella ( 1 ) A pretty and balanced Amarone, with plum and cherry aromas and hints of red licorice. Medium- to fullbodied, with fine tannins and a delicious, fruity finish. Lots of finesse. Drink now. Wine Spectator 88/100 2005 Guiseppe Campagnola Amarone della Valpolicella ( 1 ) This is full and firm, with aromas and flavors of date and polished oak. Full-bodied, with fine, firm tannins and a balanced finish of fruit and oak. Wine Spectator 88/100 Veneto, Italy Lot 40 Above 2 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,325
TUSCANY Covenant House 1998 Masseto Tenuta d'ell Ornellaia Dark color, with intense aromas of green and black olives and rich, ripe raspberries. Full-bodied, with big velvety tannins and a bold, exciting finish. This is very structured. Full throttle. Start drinking and enjoying this now. Wine Spectator 96/100 Lot 41 Above 3 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 4,500 1998 Masseto Tenuta d'ell Ornellaia Dark color, with intense aromas of green and black olives and rich, ripe raspberries. Full-bodied, with big velvety tannins and a bold, exciting finish. This is very structured. Full throttle. Start drinking and enjoying this now. Wine Spectator 96/100 Lot 42 Above 3 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 4,500 2001 Ornellaia Tenuta d'ell Ornellaia Incredible class here, with ultrafine tannins and layers of currants, berries and lightly toasted oak. Fullbodied, yet all in harmony and beauty. Beautifully sculptured. Excellent length. Not quite the 1998, but clearly classic. Start drinking now. Wine Spectator 95/100 Lot 43 Above 6 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 3,600 2001 Ornellaia Tenuta d'ell Ornellaia Incredible class here, with ultrafine tannins and layers of currants, berries and lightly toasted oak. Fullbodied, yet all in harmony and beauty. Beautifully sculptured. Excellent length. Not quite the 1998, but clearly classic. Start drinking now. Wine Spectator 95/100 Lot 44 Above 6 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 3,600 1995 Castello di Ama Vigna l'apparita Wonderful floral, berry and cocoa aromas. Full-bodied, with fine, polished tannins and a long finish with dark chocolate and berry on the aftertaste. A sleek, racy Merlot from a respected winery. Drink now. Wine Spectator 92/100 Lot 45 Above 3 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,200 2004 Antinori Solaia Shows beautiful, complex aromas of flowers, currant and Christmas cake. Full-bodied, chewy and powerful. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc. Best after 2011. Wine Spectator 96/100 Lot 46 Above 4 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 2,700
PIEDMONT Covenant House 1999 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne Shows gorgeous strawberry tart aromas, with fresh flowers and subtle vanilla bean. Full-bodied, with seamless tannins and a solid core of beautiful fruit. Lots of new wood. Needs more time to come together. Best after 2011. Wine Spectator 93/100 Piedmont, Italy Lot 47 Above 4 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,580 2000 Ceretto Prapo Barolo Bricco Rocche Wild aromas of decadent fruit, with lots of plum, fresh mushroom and fresh strawberry. Full-bodied, with ultrasilky tannins and a long finish. Wonderfully crafted. Seductive. The top label from Ceretto's Bricco Rocche estate in Castiglione Falletto. Best after 2011. Wine Spectator 96/100 Piedmont, Italy Lot 48 Above 6 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,500 2003 Gaja Barolo Gromis La Morra Ripe and distinctive from the deep color and tarry aromas to the black cherry and plum flavors. Broad, richly textured, and tannic but well balanced. Wine Spectator 89/100 Piedmont, Italy Lot 49 Above 3 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,485 2004 Ceretto Prapo Barolo Bricco Rocche This is very raisiny, almost meaty, with an ultrarich nose. Full-bodied, showing sultana and dried flowers on the palate, with chewy tannins. Very long and powerful on the finish. Almost Port-like. Hints of vanilla and sultana. A top Bricco Rocche. Best after 2012. Wine Spectator 96/100 Piedmont, Italy Lot 50 Above 6 Bottles ( 750 ml ) Lot Value $ 1,170 BONNE CHANCE!