France
Tropez Nv Crazy Rose
$12.99Pale pink color with salmon-colored reflections. On the nose, the wine is fresh and aromatic, with delightful notes of citrus and exotic fruits that immediately transport you to a sunny paradise. On the palate is generous and its fruity character perfectly balances sweetness and fruitiness.
Ducru Beaucaillou 2015 Saint-Julien
$599.99“The 2015 Ducru-Beaucaillou has a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon at 95%, with just 5% Merlot in the blend. Deep garnet colored, it prances out of the glass with flamboyant notes of rose oil, sandalwood, and star anise, leading to a core of kirsch, warm cassis, and redcurrant jelly, plus a waft of cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is coated with opulent exotic spices and red and black berry preserves layers, framed by velvety tannins and lovely tension, finishing long and seductive. 98 points.” – Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, November 2022
Leoville Las Cases 1991
$599.99Château Léoville Las Cases is often considered an “honorary First Growth” for its uncompromising quality, structure, and longevity. It is a towering example of Left Bank claret, showcasing brooding power matched to exquisite elegance. The nose is deep and sophisticated: cassis and black cherry fruit mingle with graphite, pencil lead, and cigar-box cedar, plus hints of smoke, tobacco leaf, and truffle in matured examples.
On the palate, Las Cases is full-bodied and densely packed – it unfurls layers of ripe blackcurrant, blueberry, and dark plum, all tightly woven into a fabric of fine yet very present tannins. The wine’s structure is formidable (especially in great vintages like 1982 or 1996), delivering a “powerful yet refined” palate with tightly knit texture and a long mineral finish. There is a strong terroir character of mineral/iron and a certain Pauillac-like regality (unsurprising, as its vineyards border Latour). Despite the concentration, Las Cases always retains a sense of balance and polish – acidity and fruit in harmony – so that after decades, it reveals extraordinary nuance.
The finish is legendary: long, resonant, and complex, with persistent notes of cool black fruits, flinty minerality, and lingering spice/tobacco. In summary, Léoville Las Cases epitomizes St-Julien’s breed at the highest level – immensely rich and structured in its youth, evolving into a wine of remarkable depth, finesse, and gravitas that rivals the Médoc’s very best.
Lanbersac Puisseguin Saint Emilion 375Ml
$20.99Château Lanbersac (Puisseguin-St-Émilion) is a Merlot-based wine that consistently delivers ripe fruit and solid structure at a great value. It greets you with a forward nose of juicy blackberry and black plum, accompanied by hints of baking spice and cedar, and sometimes a touch of mocha or chocolate from oak. There’s an underlying earthy note as well, reflecting its limestone clay terroir.
On the palate, Lanbersac is well-structured and full of fruit. Plush blackberries and ripe cherry flavors fill the mouth, balanced by a rich texture and firm, chalky tannins that remind you this is a serious wine for aging. Indeed, Wine Enthusiast has noted it as a “well-structured wine with spice, ripe blackberry fruits and a rich texture… tannins still firm, giving a strong, dry core”. Despite that robust core, the wine doesn’t come off as overly tough – the fruit is generous enough to coat the structure. Hints of pepper, clove, and toasted oak add complexity on the mid-palate.
The finish is long and chewy, with dark fruit and a touch of dryness from the tannin (which will mellow with a couple more years). In sum, Château Lanbersac is muscular yet fruity – a satellite St-Émilion offering rich, sweet black fruit, ample spicy oak, and a backbone of firm tannin to ensure it can age and develop further complexity.
Perron 2020 Lalande-De-Pomerol
$62.99Château Perron offers a generous taste of the Right Bank at a gentle price, coming from the Lalande-de-Pomerol appellation just north of Pomerol. The style is rich and approachable. On the nose it shows a “many-layered” compote of black and red fruits – think lush red plum, black cherry, and mulberry – accented by notes of dark baking spice, fresh oak, and a bit of cocoa. There is often a subtle earthy tone, like loamy soil or pencil shavings, in the background.
The palate is medium-plus in body with a smooth, rounded texture. Ripe Merlot-driven flavors of plum jam and juicy blackberry dominate, bolstered by hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and mocha from barrel aging. Tannins are soft and fine-grained, giving a velvety mouthfeel that makes the wine quite easy to drink even when young. Despite its plushness, Perron retains enough structure and acidity to remain balanced – a mild toast and earthy undertone add complexity to the sweet fruit core. The finish is fruit-filled and moderately long, leaving impressions of spiced berries and a touch of espresso bean.
Overall, Château Perron is rich, fragrant, and crowd-pleasing: a wine with plenty of ripe fruit, a gentle spicy oak framework, and an inviting, smooth profile that captures the essence of a mini-Pomerol experience.
Leoville Las Cases 1983 St-Julien
$699.99Château Léoville Las Cases is often considered an “honorary First Growth” for its uncompromising quality, structure, and longevity. It is a towering example of Left Bank claret, showcasing brooding power matched to exquisite elegance. The nose is deep and sophisticated: cassis and black cherry fruit mingle with graphite, pencil lead, and cigar-box cedar, plus hints of smoke, tobacco leaf, and truffle in matured examples.
On the palate, Las Cases is full-bodied and densely packed – it unfurls layers of ripe blackcurrant, blueberry, and dark plum, all tightly woven into a fabric of fine yet very present tannins. The wine’s structure is formidable (especially in great vintages like 1982 or 1996), delivering a “powerful yet refined” palate with tightly knit texture and a long mineral finish. There is a strong terroir character of mineral/iron and a certain Pauillac-like regality (unsurprising, as its vineyards border Latour). Despite the concentration, Las Cases always retains a sense of balance and polish – acidity and fruit in harmony – so that after decades, it reveals extraordinary nuance.
The finish is legendary: long, resonant, and complex, with persistent notes of cool black fruits, flinty minerality, and lingering spice/tobacco. In summary, Léoville Las Cases epitomizes St-Julien’s breed at the highest level – immensely rich and structured in its youth, evolving into a wine of remarkable depth, finesse, and gravitas that rivals the Médoc’s very best.
Leoville Las Cases 1982 St-Julien
$1,159.99Château Léoville Las Cases is often considered an “honorary First Growth” for its uncompromising quality, structure, and longevity. It is a towering example of Left Bank claret, showcasing brooding power matched to exquisite elegance. The nose is deep and sophisticated: cassis and black cherry fruit mingle with graphite, pencil lead, and cigar-box cedar, plus hints of smoke, tobacco leaf, and truffle in matured examples.
On the palate, Las Cases is full-bodied and densely packed – it unfurls layers of ripe blackcurrant, blueberry, and dark plum, all tightly woven into a fabric of fine yet very present tannins. The wine’s structure is formidable (especially in great vintages like 1982 or 1996), delivering a “powerful yet refined” palate with tightly knit texture and a long mineral finish. There is a strong terroir character of mineral/iron and a certain Pauillac-like regality (unsurprising, as its vineyards border Latour). Despite the concentration, Las Cases always retains a sense of balance and polish – acidity and fruit in harmony – so that after decades, it reveals extraordinary nuance.
The finish is legendary: long, resonant, and complex, with persistent notes of cool black fruits, flinty minerality, and lingering spice/tobacco. In summary, Léoville Las Cases epitomizes St-Julien’s breed at the highest level – immensely rich and structured in its youth, evolving into a wine of remarkable depth, finesse, and gravitas that rivals the Médoc’s very best.
Cos D’Estournel 2003 St-Estephe
$599.99Château Cos d’Estournel is famed for a bold yet exotic St-Estèphe style. It delivers the appellation’s dense, powerful structure alongside a unique elegance and spice-laden aroma profile. Expect layers of dark fruit (blackberry, plum) infused with Indian/Asian spices, vanilla and cedar, reflecting Cos’s oriental flair. The palate is full-bodied and velvety, with subtle tannins and fresh acidity harmonizing the richness.
This “pagoda-adorned” château’s red exudes balance and purity – a harmony of silky tannins, vibrant black fruits, and a powerful terroir imprint that leaves a long, suave finish. It’s an opulent yet refined Saint-Estèphe, often described as seductive and exotic in character.
Leoville Las Cases 1995 Saint Julien
$899.99Château Léoville Las Cases is often considered an “honorary First Growth” for its uncompromising quality, structure, and longevity. It is a towering example of Left Bank claret, showcasing brooding power matched to exquisite elegance. The nose is deep and sophisticated: cassis and black cherry fruit mingle with graphite, pencil lead, and cigar-box cedar, plus hints of smoke, tobacco leaf, and truffle in matured examples.
On the palate, Las Cases is full-bodied and densely packed – it unfurls layers of ripe blackcurrant, blueberry, and dark plum, all tightly woven into a fabric of fine yet very present tannins. The wine’s structure is formidable (especially in great vintages like 1982 or 1996), delivering a “powerful yet refined” palate with tightly knit texture and a long mineral finish. There is a strong terroir character of mineral/iron and a certain Pauillac-like regality (unsurprising, as its vineyards border Latour). Despite the concentration, Las Cases always retains a sense of balance and polish – acidity and fruit in harmony – so that after decades, it reveals extraordinary nuance.
The finish is legendary: long, resonant, and complex, with persistent notes of cool black fruits, flinty minerality, and lingering spice/tobacco. In summary, Léoville Las Cases epitomizes St-Julien’s breed at the highest level – immensely rich and structured in its youth, evolving into a wine of remarkable depth, finesse, and gravitas that rivals the Médoc’s very best.
Leoville Las Cases 1999 Saint Julien
$589.99Château Léoville Las Cases is often considered an “honorary First Growth” for its uncompromising quality, structure, and longevity. It is a towering example of Left Bank claret, showcasing brooding power matched to exquisite elegance. The nose is deep and sophisticated: cassis and black cherry fruit mingle with graphite, pencil lead, and cigar-box cedar, plus hints of smoke, tobacco leaf, and truffle in matured examples.
On the palate, Las Cases is full-bodied and densely packed – it unfurls layers of ripe blackcurrant, blueberry, and dark plum, all tightly woven into a fabric of fine yet very present tannins. The wine’s structure is formidable (especially in great vintages like 1982 or 1996), delivering a “powerful yet refined” palate with tightly knit texture and a long mineral finish. There is a strong terroir character of mineral/iron and a certain Pauillac-like regality (unsurprising, as its vineyards border Latour). Despite the concentration, Las Cases always retains a sense of balance and polish – acidity and fruit in harmony – so that after decades, it reveals extraordinary nuance.
The finish is legendary: long, resonant, and complex, with persistent notes of cool black fruits, flinty minerality, and lingering spice/tobacco. In summary, Léoville Las Cases epitomizes St-Julien’s breed at the highest level – immensely rich and structured in its youth, evolving into a wine of remarkable depth, finesse, and gravitas that rivals the Médoc’s very best.
Leoville Barton 2005 Saint Julien
$329.99Château Léoville Barton is a textbook St-Julien – sturdy, structured, and profoundly age-worthy. It has a reputation for being traditional, “masculine and beefy” in style, requiring patience for its firm tannins to soften. The aromas lead with deep blackcurrant and black cherry intertwined with classic Médoc notes of cigar box, cedar wood, and graphite. There’s often a floral hint (violet) and a touch of earthy spice (tobacco, pencil lead) as well.
On the palate, Léoville Barton is full-bodied and tightly knit. The Cabernet Sauvignon-driven flavors of cassis and dark plum are concentrated and wrapped in a wall of fine but prominent tannins that give the wine a gripping structure. This wine is decidedly not about immediate charm – in youth it can be brooding, with the fruit hidden behind iron-like minerality, charcoal, and a hint of mint or herbs. Given enough cellar time, it blossoms beautifully: the blackcurrant fruit becomes expansive and sweetly ripe, the tannins turn velvety, and complex nuances of leather, truffle, and warm spices emerge. The finish is always long and authoritative, leaving savory blackcurrant, cedar, and a touch of peppery spice.
In short, Léoville Barton is a quintessential claret of power and pedigree – packed with intense Cabernet fruit and strong graphite-tobacco structure, it’s firmly classical and immensely satisfying for those who value depth over flash.
Trotte Vieille 2005 St Emilion
$359.99Château Trotte Vieille is a historic St-Émilion known for a more classically styled, Cabernet Franc-leaning wine. Its profile emphasizes freshness, mineral nuance, and structure. The bouquet often has a distinctive limestone-derived minerality and a touch of “oceanic” freshness alongside aromas of crushed red berries, cherry, and subtle florals. You might also detect herbal and earthy notes – cedar, tea leaf, a hint of menthol – reflecting its old-vine Cab Franc component.
On the palate, Trotte Vieille is medium-bodied and firmly framed. It has bright, savory red fruit flavors (tart cherry, redcurrant) that are lively but not overly dense, supported by dry, fine-grained tannins that give it a serious backbone. The style here is more “old-school” Saint-Émilion: not overly sweet or plush, but rather elegant, with a certain austerity in youth. The finish highlights that tension between fruit and earth – you’ll note the fresh acidity, a touch of bitter cherry skin, graphite, and a gentle toastiness.
With some age, the wine gains softness and the tannins relax, revealing more round fruit and a lovely perfume of violet and forest floor. In essence, Château Trotte Vieille is fresh, mineral, and aristocratic – a wine of subtle complexity and classic balance, showcasing Saint-Émilion’s limestone terroir through its lifted aromatics and refined, persistent finish.
La Commanderie 2019 Saint Emilion
$81.99Château La Commanderie produces a supple, polished St-Émilion that is pleasurable even when young. The wine often opens with aromas of ripe black cherry and red currant along with pretty floral tones (rose petal) and a touch of savory herb, tobacco, and earth.
On the palate it is medium-bodied, fresh, and silky. The Merlot-rich fruit profile is sweet and creamy in texture – you’ll taste lush red cherries and plums that are impressively pure and vibrant. Tannins are very soft and polished, giving a velvety mouthfeel with no hard edges. Hints of cocoa and espresso emerge towards the finish, adding a gentle savory accent to the sweet fruit. Despite the easy-drinking nature, the wine isn’t simple; there is brightness and a bit of length, with the finish showing lingering black cherry, a dash of cocoa, and a savory, minty touch. In warmer years it can approach a “creamy, supple” richness, while maintaining lift.
Overall, La Commanderie is soft, refined, and fruit-forward, offering sweet, ripe berries on a polished frame. It can be enjoyed on release for its silky, vibrant charm, yet a few years of cellaring can further integrate its flavors and add even more smoothness to the already suave finish.
Lafite 2004 Pauillac
$2,599.99Château Lafite Rothschild is revered for its supreme elegance and aromatic complexity. It is the most subtly perfumed of Pauillac’s First Growths – offering a haunting bouquet of cedar, lead pencil shavings, tobacco, and dried flowers atop pure dark berry fruit.
On the palate Lafite is all about finesse: medium-bodied with silky tannins and an almost weightless intensity. Flavors of cassis and red currant are accented by notes of truffle, graphite mineral, and sweet spices, unfolding with graceful precision. Do not mistake its elegance for lightness – Lafite has a quiet depth and persistent length, often revealing more with each sip. With age it gains extraordinary aromatic nuance (tobacco leaf, exotic spice, forest floor) while remaining remarkably fresh and refined. The finish lingers with polished fruit and fine earthiness.
In short, Lafite is the epitome of “power through poise” – an aromatic, cedar-and-cassis beauty that is aristocratic, harmonious, and endlessly elegant.