 | Ripe and open-textured, this is impressive for the way it packs in the cherry, blackberry and raspberry flavors and doesn't take the foot off the gas pedal until the mineral-inflected finish has played through. Drink now through 2018. 5,000 cases imported.
Wine Spectator Rating: 90
[Issue: Sept 30/09]
$12.00 |
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 | The name gives it away. This is a rich, superripe wine that emphasizes its plush texture, layering fig, blueberry, sweet oak and black pepper in a finish that lasts. A primary, drink-it-right-now wine to open near steaks and charcoal.
Wine & Spirits Rating: 90
[Issue: 10/09/09]
$14.00 |
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 | Bright, focused and tangy, with a nice ripe feel to the currant and blueberry flavors, shaded with hints of mineral and tobacco on the refined finish. Drink now through 2015.
Wine Spectator Rating: 90
[Issue: Sept 30/09]
$15.00 |
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 | This lively wine offers layers of cherry, raspberry, tobacco and mint flavors mingling nicely as the finish skids over fine tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Drink now through 2015. 1,000 cases imported.
Wine Spectator Rating: 90
[Issue: July 31/09]
$18.00 |
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 | The 2006 The Rascal Shiraz is deep crimson-colored with an attractive bouquet of smoked meat, blueberry, and blackberry. Layered on the palate, it has excellent depth and grip and enough structure to evolve for several years. Drink it from 2010 to 2018.
Wine Advocate Rating: 90
[Issue: #181 / Feb 09]
$19.00 |
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 | Bright and jazzy, offering an effusive mouthful of cherry, pomegranate and spice flavors that are as aromatic as they are long and vivid. This has density without great weight, and the finish keeps on going. Drink now through 2015.
Wine Spectator Rating: 91
[Issue: Web only 2009]
$22.00 |
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 | The 2008 Cuvee Juveniles, a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Shiraz, and 20% Mataro raised in tank. Dark ruby-colored, it presents an alluring aromatic array of spice box, incense, and black cherry compote. Ripe, sweet, pure, and easy to understand, this forward, friendly effort can be enjoyed now and over the next 3 years.
Wine Advocate Rating: 90
[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]
$22.00 |
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 | Deep ruby. Ripe, smoky aromas of blackberry and cherry pie, with complicating notes of licorice and dark chocolate. Broad and jammy, offering sweet dark berry flavors and a slow-building cocoa quality. Finishes supple and sweet, with a repeating licorice note and zesty mineral and spice qualities.
Int'l Wine Cellar Rating: 90
[Issue: July/Aug 09]
Regular price: $35.00 Sale price: $24.00 |
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 | The 2006 The Steading is the same cepage as the Juveniles but aged for two years in neutral hogsheads (300-liter barrels) and is David Powell’s spot-on take on Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Dark ruby/purple in color, it offers an alluring perfume of garrigue, damp earth, clove, kirsch, and black raspberry. Slightly austere now, it will profit from 2-3 years of additional cellaring and drink well through 2018.
Wine Advocate Rating: 91
[Issue: #181 / Feb 09]
$34.00 |
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 | From 60- to 100-year old vines that were saved from the bulldozer during the infamous Barossa vine pull(hence the name), the 2005 Shiraz 11th Hour was cropped at .5 tons of fruit per acre, and aged in 100% French oak, of which 5% was new. Sweet, pure aromas of blackberries, blueberries, crushed pepper, and flowers jump from the glass of this inky/purple-colored Shiraz. As one might expect from such tiny yields, it is a wine of great intensity, massive body, and tremendous purity, definition, and length. While still primary, it gives all the indications of being a modern day classic that should last and improve for 15-20 years.
Wine Advocate Rating: 96
[Issue: #167 / Oct 06]
$42.00 |
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 | The 2007 Syrah Phoenix Ranch offers Northern Rhone-like characteristics of bacon fat, roasted meat, bouquet garni, and sweet blackberry and currant fruit. It is full-bodied with sweet tannin, good acidity, and a notion of tapenade. This super-complex, French-styled Syrah can be drunk now and over the next 7-8 years.
Wine Advocate Rating: 91
[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]
$45.00 |
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 | Moving up in price as well as quality, the 2005 Shiraz Old Vine (45- to 105-years old) is an ageworthy, full-bodied, powerful, muscular Shiraz boasting plenty of tannin as well as structure, and a sweet perfume of creme de cassis, toasty oak, white flowers, and licorice. While accessible, this powerful red should keep for 10-15 years.
Wine Advocate Rating: 94
[Issue: #167 / Oct 06]
Regular price: $60.00 Sale price: $49.00 |
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 | One of my favorite California wine producers, Wells Guthrie, like a champion truffle-hunting dog, seems to unearth top vineyards for his wines. The 2007 Syrahs range from excellent to outstanding, and this seems to be Wells Guthrie’s strongest suit, as it has been in previous vintages. The 2006 Syrah Garys’ Vineyard again shows creamy blackberry and cassis fruit with licorice, camphor, and smoke. The wine is dense, fruit-forward, luscious, and ideal for drinking over then next 7-8 years.
Wine Advocate Rating: 93
[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]
$49.00 |
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 | Aged in new and one-year-old American oak, and made in a completely different style, the 2005 Shiraz The Bogan (from 25- to 105-year-old vines) is a dense purple-colored effort displaying an exuberant nose of toast, blackberries, cassis, cherries, and damp earth. It is full-bodied and powerful with fabulous purity and texture as well as a blockbuster finish. This is a classic example of Barossa Shiraz at its finest. Enjoy it over the next 12-15 years.
Wine Advocate Rating: 96
[Issue: #167 / Oct 06]
Regular price: $65.00 Sale price: $49.00 |
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 | The 2006 Shiraz (75%) Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) Anaperenna is the wine formerly known as Godolphin, the change resulting from a trademark dispute. It was aged for 15 months in new French and American oak. Opaque purple, it offers a sensational bouquet of pain grille, scorched earth, meat, game, blueberry, and black currants. This is followed by a surprisingly elegant yet powerful, structured wine with gobs of spicy fruit, ripe tannins, and a plush texture. The long, 60-second finish is succulent and sweet. Give this classy wine 4-6 years in the cellar and enjoy it through 2030.
Wine Advocate Rating: (94-97)
[Issue: #173 / Oct 07]
$59.00 |
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 | Combines richness with delicacy, offering a firm, subtle mix of plum, red currant, cedar and spice. Gains depth and finesse, with hints of mocha, sage and dried berry. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2014. 1,400 cases made.
Wine Spectator Rating: 92
[Issue: Dec 15/09]
$65.00 |
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 | Offers a savory mix of spice, fresh earth, dried currant, berry and light cedary oak, delivered in a full-bodied yet elegant style. Ends with supple tannins. Drink now through 2013. 175 cases made.
Wine Spectator Rating: 91
[Issue: Dec 31/08]
$75.00 |
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 | Torbrecks flagship is the 2005 Run Rig, a 97% Shiraz cuvee sourced from 120- to 160-year-old vines with 3% finished Viognier added before bottling. It spent 30 months in 60% new French oak. Opaque purple/black in color, it has a kinky, exotic bouquet of fresh road tar, smoke, lavender, black pepper, game, blueberry, and black raspberry. Full-bodied and opulent on the palate, the wine is dense, packed, and unevolved. It will continue to open up over the next 10-12 years and drink well through 2040 in the style of a Chapoutier Hermitage. If it develops as I think it will, it will be a candidate for perfection down the road.
Wine Advocate Rating: 98+
[Issue: #181 / Feb 09]
$185.00 |
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