Cool Springs Wines & Spirits

2012 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc

The latest vintage of this extraordinary blend enchants the nose with a refreshing bouquet of succulent fruit and delicate florals, opening with juicy honeydew melon, sweet white peach, and ripe green plum touched with hints of spiced white tea and soft apple blossom. The vivacious palate leads with crisp yellow grapefruit, fresh-cut pineapple and sumptuous honeyed pear notes. Lush and lively fruit flavors linger through the clean and slightly off-dry finish.

2011 Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy

Dark and rich, supple and silky, brimming with blackberry and black cherry flavors that show a hint of pomegranate as the finish wraps gently around the fruit. This has a wonderful open texture to let the flavors sing. Drink now through 2016. 92 points, Harvey Steiman.

2011 Feudi Falanghina Sanni

Pale straw yellow in colour with marine green highlights. The nose is intense and aromatic, packed with spring blossom and tropical fruits. The palate is quite full-bodied, dry, succulently textured and dripping with tropical flavors of melon, quince and passion fruit. Finishes fine, dry and crisp with an invigorating mineral streak.

2010 Schild Estate Shiraz

Opaque black dark crimson red color with deep dark red hue. On the nose aniseed top notes are followed by some black cherries, toasty oak and vanillin spice. Rich and full the palate delivers ripe succulent flavours of aniseed, black plum and black cherry with an overlay of toasty vanillin oak and some spice on the back palate. Fleshy soft mouthfeel with velvet smooth tannins. Long voluptuous liquorice, black plum, black cherry, vanillin toasty oak and spice aftertaste.Wine Spectator 92 pts, number #30 of the Spectator Top 100.

2010 Pulenta Malbec I

This cuvée's title (simply the roman numeral "I" ) identifies the Malbec grape, not surprisingly, as the Pulenta family's first priority. Eschewing the ultra-concentrated and monstrously fruity style of many contemporary Argentine Malbecs, they've focused on the balance which is possible between elegance and power. A delicate smoky finesse derived from aging in large French oak barrels supplements and supports the varietal's trademark flavors of black fruit and chocolate. The Pulenta family, descendants of Italian immigrants, represent three generations of viticulture in Argentina.

2009 Jelu Syrah

The Jelu winery, located in the San Juan region of Argentina, is located at an elevation of 900 feet. "Jelu" means "sun" in the native language, and these grapes do in fact achieve maximum ripeness from all the hot Argentine sun they get. Blackberry fruit, pepper, and great underlying minerality make this a tasty and crowd-pleasing wine. Less than 1000 cases made.

2008 Palmaz Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

The moderately cool weather of 2008 contributed to the excellent texture and depth of this vintage. The resulting wine exhibits dense layers of silky tannins and dark fruit that will evolve beautifully. The structure of this wine promises to age elegantly with an abundance of fine grained tannins exhibiting our signature cashmere mouth feel. This is a wine that will promise to cellar extraordinarily well but at the same time if you can not wait and drink one now, you will not be disappointed.

2012 Saintsbury Carneros Vin Gris of Pinot Noir

The 2012 Vin Gris has the delicate, pale terra cotta color associated with classic rosé wines of Burgundy. The aromas and flavors are both subtle and more complex than years past with a range of pear, stone fruits, wild strawberry and blood orange. The bright and structured acidity balanced with a spectrum of aromas and flavors allows this wine to be paired with ceviche, fish tacos, seafood Ravioli, roast chicken, fresh scallops on the grill and summer salads.

2003 Castello Di Monastero Infinito

Castelnuovo Berardenga Infinito is made from a blend of grape varieties - Sangiovese (60%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (40%). The wine is refined in small oak barrels for about 18 months and then for a further 12 months in the bottle. Infinito has a full, distinctive bouquet with a marked fragrance of dark wild fruit and liquorice, as well as hints of ripe cherries, spices and vanilla. It has a warm, full, generous, austere and velvety taste, with an aristocratic aftertaste of roasted almonds, which is
very persistent.

2009 La Bastide Dauzac Margaux

Lovely aromas of strawberries and roses. Medium-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit and very refined tannins. Long finish. Second wine of Dauzac. Best after 2005. 6,665 cases made. A Bordeaux Blend wine from Bordeaux in France.

2001 Coldisole Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

92 points Wine Spectator
The Brunello di Montalcino Riserva displays aromas of dried black cherry, forest floor and toasted oak that are mirrored on the palate. Modern in style, it exhibits concentrated flavors and an elegant mouth feel with round tannins and a long earthy finish.

2007 Guigal Gigondas

55-60% Grenache, around one-third Mourvedre and the rest Syrah. This remarkable Gigondas is scheduled to be bottled within the next several months. Dense plum/purple, with notes of garrigue, crushed rock, blueberry, and black raspberries, the wine is full-bodied, with stunning purity, a multi-layered texture, and a long finish. It should drink nicely for 10-15+ years.

2008 Ken Wright Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir

Ken Wright for the past 10 years, is dark ruby red with a sexy nose of underbrush, cherry blossom, spice box, and assorted black fruits. Rounder, richer, and a bit more concentrated than the preceding wines, it displays an outstanding integration of oak, acidity, and tannin, a velvety texture, and a lengthy, pure finish. It merits 3-4 years of cellaring. 93 pts Robert Parker.

2010 Flor De Pingus

Not much of this incredible Riberea Del Duero came to the state. This is one of my favorite from this winery that they produce. Flor de Pingus is raised in 40% to 50% new French oak (Darnajou and Taransaud). It has a superb bouquet that is taut at first, but unfolds beautifully with very pure small dark cherries, cassis, orange blossom and a faint, attractive note of strawberry cheesecake. The palate is medium-bodied with sumptuous, plush tannins counterbalanced by the crisp thread of acidity. It has great clarity and tension with vibrant allspice and white pepper notes towards the finish that closes down a little, suggesting that it will need two or three years in bottle. Excellent. Drink 2015-2025.

1998 Dom Perignon Rose Gift Set

The 1998 Dom Perignon Rose is a striking, intensely perfumed Champagne redolent of sweet candied cherries and spices. This medium-bodied wine possesses gorgeous structure, but ideally another year or two of cellaring is warranted in order for the full range of aromas and flavors to emerge. The Dom Perignon Rose is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, with most of the Pinot coming from the south-facing vineyards of Ay. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020.

2007 Taylor Fladgate Porto

It displays a superb aromatic array of pencil lead, Asian spices, incense, blackberry, and floral notes. Dense, suave, and opulent on the palate, this is a mouth-filling, intense, layered wine that has superb grip and concentration. It will effortlessly age for 25+ years and still be delivering pleasure at age 50. Robert Parker 95 pts.

2009 Kathryn Hall Kathyrn Hall Vineyard

HALL “Kathryn Hall” Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the choicest fruit from our ­finest estate vineyard blocks and extraordinary mountain fruit from our select vineyard partners. Through a mélange of varietals and terroir, this wine has transcended into a symphonic Bordeaux cuvée. Fruit from our renowned Sacrashe vineyard dominates the blend. The captivating voice of the Sacrashe vineyard, with its restrictive volcanic ash soils, high elevation and undulating aspects define the soul of this wine. 93 pts Wine Spectator.

2010 Chateau Beaucastel

I recently had the pleasure of trying this wonderful that boast of a bacon fat and farmhouse aromas which are extreme pleasant in the world of Chateauneuf de Pape. Beaucastel is one of the oldest of the Chateauneuf families making and owning vineyard since the 15th century. What makes this wine so unique instead of a Grenache heavy wine, the Perrin family resides mainly on the Mourvedre side of things and then its counterpart of Grenache, and very minute portions of syrah and Cinsault. The first time I had this very elegant wine the vintage was 1998 and was stunned of how big rich and elegant a of this class could do such fantastic things…I was hooked I have since that day have tasted vintages such as 74, 78, 85,86 in multiple other and have loved this wine and any perrin families wines. 95 pts Robert Parker.

2007 Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino

The bouquet is intense, fruit-forward, spicy and floral with hints of red berry fruits enriched by delicate spicy notes. Warm, soft and very well balanced on the palate; structured with soft tannins and long aftertaste. Though dense and rich, this red is also sleekly proportioned and harmonious. The cherry, raspberry, licorice, earth and tobacco flavors meld with the solid structure. Offers fine length and complexity that increases with aeration. Best from 2014 through 2025. #9 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2012.

1997 Salon Les Mesnil

Salon’s 1997 Brut Blanc de Blancs is drop-dead gorgeous. There is a beautiful tension between the intense minerality of Mesnil and the warmth of the vintage. Textural depth, brilliance and expressive inner perfume are the hallmarks of this gorgeous Blanc de Blancs. Flowers, mint and crisp varietal fruit linger on the impeccable finish. This is a particularly youthful, vibrant disgorgement of the 1997 that can be enjoyed now or cellared. Disgorged First Trimester, 2010 Anticipated maturity: 2012-2027. 95 pts Robert Parker.

2004 Clos l'Eglise

Made in a very forward style, the 2004 Clos l’Eglise offers sweet mocha-infused black raspberry and chocolate cherry-like fruit in its intense aromatics. In the mouth, it is pure silk, medium-bodied, and beautifully concentrated with no hard edges. Filled with sensual fruit, glycerin, and body, this is a delicious, food and consumer-friendly, complex Pomerol that should drink beautifully for 12-14 years.

Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2009

Clos Apalta is a dark and deep inky purple red color. Still young, but opening towards ripe and expressive red fruit, such as plums, red cherries, dry figs and mocha notes. Sweet spices such as vanilla and clover touch towards the finish. With a concentrated structure, this wine has a around and packed attack followed by a pack of velvety and polished tannins filling the mid palate and a ripe and rich long lasting finish. Open and leave to breathe for a couple of hours or carefully decant for minimum 1 hour and enjoy at room temperature; 16 to 18ºC (60 to 65°F). Ideal companion for game, lamb, and entrecote fillet. Also good with rich cocoa chocolate deserts.
Blend: 78% Carmenere, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot

2009 Armand Rousseau Gevrey-Chambertin

The 2009 Gevrey-Chambertin is pure silk on the palate. Layers of flavor emerge gracefully from this weightless, totally refined wine. A model of understated elegance, the Gevrey makes a great introduction to the wines of Eric Rousseau.
Grapes are meticulously sorted as they arrive in the winery. Following a cool maceration lasting 5-7 days the must travels by gravity into barrel where it will stay for the entire vinification process lasting typically 18-24 months. Each Armand Rousseau wine is blended unfiltered. Domaine Armand Rousseau produces this village level wine from 6 acres of vines located throughout the appellation.

2004 Sella Mosca Tanca Farra

In Italy and elsewhere in Europe, wine connoisseurs and industry professionals rate Sella & Mosca among Italy's most outstanding wine estates. Sella & Mosca's I Piani estate in Sardinia constitutes the second largest contiguous vineyard in Italy and counts itself among the country's most impressive wineries. Situated in the northwest corner of Sardinia, just inland from the pretty, historic port of Alghero, this 1,600-acre property with more than 1,200 acres of vines is one of the largest wine estates in Europe

Terroir: From vineyards located in the southeast corner of the Sella & Mosca estate.  The soil is strong in clay and rich in iron.

Vinification: Both red grape varieties are harvested manually and mechanically from September through October at the peak of maturity. After crushing, each variety undergoes a three-day cold maceration, followed by a temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats at 72°-82°F for ten days. Only in the final phase of fermentation are the two varieties blended together. Aging: Two years, at first in barriques and then in traditional large Slavonian oak casks kept in cool dark cellars. Aged a further 6 months in bottle prior to release.

Notes: Full-bodied, dry, balanced and harmonious. Elegant structure and soft tannins.  The ferrous clay soil emphasizes the richness of the Cannonau (Grenache) the later harvested Cabernet Sauvignon presents classic flavors that are married by barrique and oak barrel ageing for two years.  Added to this is a minimum of 6 months in the bottle before being released.  Serve at room temperature and open bottle a couple of hours before pouring or decant ahead of time. Splendid with hearty red meat dishes, game and mature cheeses.
50% Cannonau (Sardinian Grenache) and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon

2007 Nino Negri Vigneto Fracia

The Nino Negri Sfursat is a limited production of Valtellina's best grapes that are naturally dried using traditional methods.
Terroir: Sourced from some of the finest vineyards in the appellation including Inferno, Grumello and Fracia sitting on the steep slopes of the Retiche Alps along the bank of the Adda river. Vineyards have a due-south exposure and sit in loose, gravelly soil at 900-1200 feet in elevation.
Vinification: The grapes undergo scrupulous sorting both in the vineyard prior to harvest and upon arrival at the winery after which they are placed in small crates to slowly dry through the autumn and early winter. The dried grapes are then crushed and macerated for 12 days followed by a short resting period in stainless steel. The wines are aged in French oak casks for 20-24 months before bottling.
Notes: With a garnet-brick color; the wine shows complex aromas of cloves, cinnamon and pepper with plum jam, raisins and tar notes. On the palate, the wine has a dry, warm, full-bodied character, austere from its prominent acidity yet harmonious, with an elegant finish, and roasted hazelnut and licorice traces.

2005 Duckhorn Vineyard Howell Mountain Red Wine

The blend focuses on fruit from our two Howell Mountain Estate vineyards-Stout and Candlestick Ridge-yielding a wine with exceptional structure and extracted aromatics of peppermint, chocolate, bramble, cedar, soy and ginger spice. On the palate, it is lush and mouth-filling, highlighting Howell Mountain’s signature wild berry and currant flavors, alongside notes of toasted marshmallow, espresso, earth, sage and sandalwood. The 2005 season began with a wet winter and spring, which led to annual rainfall totals that were well above average. We had an ideal fruit set, which produced an abundant number of full grape clusters. As a result, the vintage yielded exceptional fruit for the season. The harvest lasted over two months—into the early days of November. In many ways the 2005 season was reminiscent of the excellent 1997 vintage, which offered an abundant harvest of remarkable quality.

2005 Joseph Phelps Insignia Proprietary Red Wine

100% of the Bordeaux varietals used in the Insignia proprietary blend have been from estate vineyards. The beautiful, dense ruby/purple-tinged 2005 Insignia (a 12,500-case blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and 1% Merlot) possesses sweet aromas of black cherries, cassis, chocolate, camphor, and a subtle hint of roasted herbs. Medium to full-bodied and elegant, with a European style imposed on the rich, velvety, California fruit, this cuvee will benefit from several years of bottle age, and should easily keep for three decades. The Freestone Vineyard, a 100-acre, cool climate site planted on the Sonoma Coast by Joseph Phelps, is finally coming into production, offering consumers a bevy of different Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. There are three Chardonnay offerings, all of which emphasize the minerality and citrusy characteristics of this varietal with little intrusive oak, despite the fact that they are barrel-fermented and aged primarily in new French oak. The Cabernet Sauvignon program consists of three wines, the Cabernet Sauvignon, their famous proprietary red wine called Insignia, and their single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the western hillsides of Oakville, called Backus. The regular Cabernet is a solidly made, reliable effort usually comprised of about 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot, and occasionally Malbec. The single vineyard offering comes from Oakville’s Backus Vineyard. There are typically 1,500-2,500 cases produced from this biodynamically farmed vineyard. 95 pts Robert Parker.

2004 Chateau Yquem

Wonderful aromas of pineapple, apple and lemon, with loads of botrytis. Full-bodied, but very refined, superfresh and racy. Goes on and on. Fabulous. Incredible purity and brightness. Like a perfectly cut diamond. Pierre Lurton, the manager of Yquem as well as Cheval-Blanc, really wanted to mark his arrival at the legendary estate, so he went to draconian lengths to deliver something superb in 2004. 95-100 points. 100 pts Robert Parker.

2004 Pavie-Decesse

90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. In 2004, yields were a low 28-30 hectoliters per hectare, resulting in 400 cases being produced. The dense ruby/purple-colored 2004 offers smoky creme de cassis, kirsch liqueur, crushed rock, and spring flower aromas. Opulent, flamboyant, rich, dense, and lavishly endowed, it possesses enough fruit and glycerin to nearly conceal its elevated tannin. This wine should be at its finest between 2012-2025. 94 points Robert Parker.

2010 Saldo Zinfandel

Through the success of The Prisoner, winemaker Dave Phinney has gained access to some of the best Zinfandel vineyards in the Northern California growing community. Dave decided he wanted to make a high quality Zinfandel and what he created did not fit the constraints of a single AVA. There are grapes from Sonoma, Napa, Amador, Mendocino, and Contra Costa counties. Some of these great vineyards include Aparicio, Duarte, Pato, Eagle Point, Mattern, Taylor, Haywood and Tofanelli just to name a few. The word "saldo" has many different meanings in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. In Spanish, it mainly refers to "balance on hand", and sometimes it can mean "from here and there." This wine represents the best of the best lots made by Dave from vineyards all across Northern California.
Winemaker Notes:
The 2010 Saldo has a dark ruby color and intense aromas of dark cherry, cocoa powder and baking spice. The entry is rich and full, and leads into a broad mid palate with concentration and density, backed by lively acidity. The texture is soft and the tannins are polished. The finish is long with persistent notes of chocolate, berry and vanilla bean. 82% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre and 2% Grenache.

2009 San Guido Sassicaia

The 2009 Sassicaia is unusually big, rich and opulent. Layers of fruit saturate the palate as the 2009 explodes from the glass with a heady melange of dark berries, plums, menthol, licorice and new leather. This is an especially racy Sassicaia. Readers who enjoy the classicism of Sassicaia are likely to find the 2009 too rich, especially at this early stage. The wine needs at least a few years in bottle to drop some of its baby fat. Despite its huge fruit, the 2009 is also pretty closed down and not anywhere close to being ready to show off its pedigree. Sassicaia is arguably Italy’s most famous wine, so it’s always great when it lives up to its reputation. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039. If the entry-level wines are any indication, vintage 2010 wasn’t easy at Tenuta San Guido. Among the more affordable wines, readers should focus on vintages 2006-2009, which are more consistent. It will be interesting to see where the 2010 Sassicaia comes out next year. In the meantime, the 2009 Sassicaia is compelling.
94 Pts RP.

2008 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepage

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cepages is an explosive wine endowed with tons of depth and richness. It is an impeccably textured wine graced with notable size and elegance. Blackberry jam, savory herbs, graphite, tar and licorice inform the exuberant, polished finish. The 2008 relies heavily on fruit from vineyards in Knights Valley, with the addition of fruit from Alexander and Sonoma Valleys. In 2008 the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2028.

2007 Heitz Cellar Bella Oaks

The 2007 Bella Oaks Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the vibrancy and overall elegance and grace of the 2007 vintage. This cabernet is enchanting from its compelling aroma to a pleasing creaminess mid-palate and well-focused acidity on the finish. There is a lovely integration of bright cherry and raspberry fruit flavors with the overall structure and balance of the wine. The Bella Oaks is fantastic now with its youthful brilliance, and it will age gracefully for years to come.

2008 Bruno Giacosa Nebbiolo D’Alba

The 2008 Nebbiolo d’Alba is a classy, understated offering that delivers plenty of textbook Alba character in its perfumed, spiced red fruit. These entry-level releases from Bruno Giacosa are well-made but frankly offer little to get truly excited about. Perhaps it is the preponderance of 2008s in this lineup, but I would like to think Giacosa could coax a little more magic from his smaller wines. On a more positive note, a recent comprehensive tasting of Giacosa’s Baroli and Barbareschi found the wines in great shape. I will report on that tasting on www.erobertparker.com. For now, let me just say that the 2004s are living up to my lofty expectations. The 2003s are surprisingly fresh, while the 2005s show remarkable balance and classiness. Giacosa’s 2007 Barbareschi were reviewed in Issue 185. Other recent additions to our database include complete notes on the 1989s and 1990s, plus a nearly complete vertical of the icon Barolo Vigna Rionda going back to 1967. Garnet red colour. Intense and delicate bouquet with reminiscences of flowers. Its flavour is dry, full and pleasantly tannic.

2008 Nickel & Nickel John C. Sullenger Cabernet Sauvignon

From a valley floor vineyard, the opaque purple-hued 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon John C. Sullenger Vineyard offers up restrained aromas of subtle smoke, graphite and black fruits. More narrowly constructed and tannic, it is among the most backward wines in this portfolio, possessing a Bordeaux-like structure and flavor profile. It requires 4-5 years of cellaring and should keep for 20-25 years. The 2008 Sullenger offers blackberry, black cherry and an earthy character  which blends beautifully on the palate. It delivers on its promise of flavor and thickness, emphasizing the ripe, plushness of the vintage. The supple tannins coupled with the oak give a strong, supportive backbone to this wine, and the consistency of the flavor carries through into a long, memorable finish.

2003 Mouton-Rothschild

Backward, powerful, and extremely tannic, the dense purple-colored 2003 Mouton-Rothschild, a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, fashioned from yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, with a finished alcohol of 12.9%, improves dramatically with aeration. With full-bodied, meaty, powerful, dry flavors as well as a huge finish, this high class wine should be at its finest between 2012-2040. Made from low yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, this profound blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot possesses a finished pH of 3.8, alcohol of 12.9% (nearly identical to Lafite Rothschild in that sense), and 3.5 total acidity (much higher than the other first growths). The 2003 is similar in style to Mouton’s 1982, but softer and more pliable than that wine was at the same age. The Cabernet Sauvignon harvest began on the same day it did in both 1982 and 1947 ... an interesting coincidence. Black/purple-colored to the rim, with a gorgeous nose of espresso roast intermixed with classic Mouton creme de cassis liqueur-like notes, its powerful, unctuous flavors cascade over the palate revealing tremendous intensity as well as strong tannin. This enormously endowed 2003 is still sorting itself out, but it is unquestionably one of the greatest efforts of the vintage. If my instincts are correct, it is the ripest, most flamboyant Mouton-Rothschild since the 1982.

1995 Krug Champagne

I have a preference for the 1995 Brut Vintage, as it shows quite a bit more freshness and verve than the 1998. Mint, dried flowers, truffles and bright fruit are some of the nuances that flow from this precise, focused Champagne. The vibrant, refreshing finish makes it impossible to resist a second taste. Among recent vintages, the 1996 has rightly received a ton of attention here, while the 1995 is likely to remain an insider’s wine that is available at more favorable pricing.
The 1995 Vintage provides a fascinating contrast to the 1996. This is a tightly wound, sinewy Champagne loaded with brioche, toasted oak, lemon rind, flowers and minerals. The mousse is extremely fine and the style decidedly more linear and fresh than the 1996. Though deceptively medium-bodied in style, the wine appears to be built for extended cellaring.. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.94 points RP

2004 Chateau Cheval Blanc, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France

Eighty thousand bottles of 2004 Cheval Blanc were produced from a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. Subtle herb, menthol, cranberry, black currant, and licorice aromas emerge from this dark ruby/plum-colored wine. It is medium-bodied and elegant with plenty of sweet fruit, but not a lot of weight or intensity. The complexity and nobility of Cheval Blanc’s gravelly terroir is apparent in this delicate, subtle St.-Emilion. Give it a few years to develop additional aromatics, and drink it over the following 12-15. 94 pts WS.
Properties who don't manage to join the club of about sixty Classified Growths are given the denomination of Great Growth ("Grand Cru"), while the remaining wineries of the A.O.C are simply reported as "Saint-Emilion". It is to be noted that the owners must officially apply to appear in the official classification. Thus for example the famous Chateau Tertre-Roteboeuf, whose quality and reputation would easily justify to be listed among the First Great Classified Growths, does not appear here by the will of its owner, François Mitjaville. The Saint-Emilion Great Growth classification was revised in 1969, 1985, 1996 and 2006. The only two guaranteed vintage (A.O.C) who can apply to the classification are the "Saint-Emilion Grand Cru" and "Saint-Emilion" areas.
By grading 61 properties, the 2006 revision confirmed many growths from the former classification, but also caused a number of surprises and a few inevitable disappointments. Many observers thought that the impressive progression of Perse's Chateau Pavie since 1998 would be rewarded by an upgrade into the First Great Classified Growths (A) category, but finally such was not the case.
Among the estates promoted to the First Great Classified Growths B category are Chateau Troplong-Mondot and Pavie-Macquin, whose efforts made since the Nineties fully justify their new grade. It should be noted that no First Great Classified Growth was relegated to the lower Great Classified Growth class. Promoted growths from the status of Great Growth ("Grand Cru") to Great Classified Growth ("Grand Cru Classe") are: Chateaux Bellefont-Belcier, Destieux, Fleur Cardinale, Grand Corbin, Grand Corbin-Despagne and Monbousquet.

2003 Paul Jaboulet Hermitage “La Chapelle”

Regional History:
Phocaean Greeks established viticulture in the Rhone as far back as 600 BC, but until the 14th century the wines were not seen outside the region. The establishment of the Avignonese Papacy (1305-1377) brought fame to the region's wine-so much so that their Burgundian neighbors to the north banned wines from the Rhone in 1446, a measure that effectively cut off trade with England and other Northern European markets for over 200 years. Stretching southward from Lyon to just south of Avignon, the Rhone produces a wide variety of wines, with the appellations north of Valence producing the least (in volume), and the towns south of Montelimar producing prodigious amounts. As in other regions, the most interesting wines come from small farms. Saint-Joseph, in the northern Rhone, extends for some distance between Condrieu in the north to Saint-Peray in the south. The reds are made from Syrah and the rare whites from Marsanne and Rousanne, and Viognier.
Hermitage:
• The appellation stretches over 3 com­munes in the Drôme "département" : Tain-l'Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Larnage.
• The soils are a combination of grani­te with alluvial quaternary delta depo­sits, and, on the eastern side, Pliocene clay. This diversity explains the nume­rous different names given to vineyard plots within the appellation : Bessards, Greffieux, Méal, Roucoule, Beaumes, etc.
• The meso-climate provides shelter from the north winds, where the majo­rity of the slopes is well exposed, facing south.
•The vineyards area adds up to 134 hectares/331 acres, with an annual production of 3,635 hectoliters. Authorized maxi­mum yield is 40 hectoliters/hectare (2.3 US tons/acres).
• Grape varieties : Syrah (an addition of up to 15% of Marsanne or Roussanne is allowed).
Robert Parker maybe one of the best professionals in rating rhone style wines gives this wine a 95+ and has this to say about it.
” The finest example of this cuvee since 1990, the 2003 Hermitage La Chapelle (50,000 bottles rather than the normal 96,000+ were produced) possesses an inky/purple color as well as a tremendous bouquet of creme de cassis, crushed flowers, truffles, and licorice. Full-bodied and powerful (15% natural alcohol) with good freshness and definition, this big, rich, dense, reassuringly great La Chapelle should be cellared for 5-8 years, and drunk over the following 20-25”