The Wine Club-Reserve Connoisseur's Case

Reserve Connoisseur's Case - July 2009

1 bottle each of the following 6 wines:

2004 Dry Red No.2 Shiraz, Yarra Yering Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia (Red)
Syrah/Shiraz, 12% alc.
The 2004 Dry Red Wine No. 2 (95% Shiraz and 5% Marsanne and Viognier), while also amazing, is more closed, tannic, and harder to fully penetrate than the Shiraz. With aeration, the bouquet reveals notions of exotic Asian spices intermixed with flowers, blackberries, and cassis. In the mouth, the wine struts its stuff with a full-bodied, layered, broad, flavorful, concentrated style and moderately high tannin in the finish. This fabulous bambino needs to be cellared for 2-4 years and drunk over the following two decades.
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Dec-2006)

Ch. Giscours, Margaux, Château Giscours, Bordeaux (Red)
Cab.Sauvignon Blend, 12% alc.
Giscours is a 3rd Classified Growth from the Margaux appellation, capable of producing wines with an exotic, port-like bouquet and lush texture on the palate. Recently purchased by a Dutch millionaire who has invested vast sums to improve both the property and the wines produced, the estate is now scaling new heights. 1995 is a lovely, mature example of what it can do; a ripe, round claret from a superb vintage now reaching maturity.

2006 Diego Molinari Toscana Rosso, Az. Agr. Cerbaiona, Italy (Red)
Sangiovese, 13.5% alc.
This 100% young vine Sangiovese carries the name of the owner/winemaker, reflecting his commitment to high quality and search for pure fruit expression: a fine compact, detailed nose of cool licorice and black cherry notes while the medium bodied palate shows more youthful, crunchy raspberry like fruit, finishing taut and true; perfect with rabbit.
(David Berry Green, BBR Buyer)

2004 Volnay, Vendanges Sélectionées, Domaine Michel Lafarge, Burgundy (Red)
Pinot Noir, 13% alc.
There is heavenly Volnay fruit on the nose, while the palate is sensual without being blowsy. This possesses a touch of black fruit and liquorice and a very fine structure. Drink 2009 to 2014.

2005 Chryseia, Douro, Portugal (Red)
Touriga Nacional, 13.5% alc.
A joint venture between two of the great families of the wine world, the Symingtons of Portugal and the Prats of Bordeaux (Cos D'Estournel), the fruits of an incredibly hot vintage and the baked schistose soils of the Upper Douro, 70% made form Touriga Nacional, the balance from Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz. Dense, episcopal of colour, young in extremis, yet the vanilla cherry exuberance is less marked than previously, the seriousness of intent indented early, with lapidary care. Fine tannins, full bodied, long and harmonious with the Bordeaux influence offering restraint and wisdom.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)

2007 Condrieu La Chambee Domaine Vins De Vienne, Rhone (White)
Viognier, 14.5% alc.
Apricot, peach, spice and hints of vanillin ; an appropriately voluptuous Condrieu, appropriate in the sense that such descriptions are sui generis for Viognier here and here alone, with any inference of over-indulgence quickly silenced by a palate profile which is both structured and profoundly satisfying.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)