Comollo Antiques & Fine Art, Manchester Vermont

Before you check out our wine check out our antique Italian vinegar jugs!!! This is what we make our incredible %100 FINE wine vinegar, nothing but wine!!!!!! Click on the image to see our whole collection!!!!!!

FINE WINE VINEGAR
lovingly hand made in VERMONT
by the Comollo’s at
Acetaia La Dolce VT
Reorder @ 802-362-7188
ingredients-Nothing but Wine!
members of "Slow Food"

$190

Moro Malleolus 2005 de Sanchomartin Ribero del Duero SP, Only 99 bottles imported!!

This is a MONSTER of a wine , just incredible. The 2005 Malleolus de Sanchomartin is a dense purple/black color. It exhibits a brooding bouquet of lightly roasted herbs, minerals, espresso, balsamic, licorice, and blackberry. Powerful, tannic, and massive on the palate, it will require a minimum of 12-15 years of further cellaring. It has all the right stuff; all that’s needed is patience (and youth).
Malleolus de Sanchomartin is sourced from a vineyard planted in 1964 with cuttings grafted from the Valderramiro vineyard. Alcoholic fermentation is with indigenous yeasts with ML in barrel. The wine is then aged for 22 months in French oak.
96 POINTS RP
96 POINTS WS

$200

Muga Aro 2004 Rioja Spain 98 POINTS RP ! Only 250 cases made! INCREDIBLE WINE!

In 2007, Wine Spectator voted the Muga Aro 2004 one of the 10 Top Red Wines Of The World! Pretty impressive! Only 750 bottles made and we got 3 of the them! Even Steve tanzer, who is very tight with his points, gave it 95. Here is his report.

( 70% tempranillo and 30% graciano) Glass-staining purple. Jaw-droppingly perfumed bouquet of candied cherry, blackcurrant, pipe tobacco, dark chocolate, minerals and Asian spices. There's a seductively mineral-driven quality to the vibrant fruit that reminded me of Chateau Ausone. Sweet cassis and blackberry flavors overwhelm the palate and pick up candied flowers, cinnamon and mocha with time in the glass. As lush and creamy as this wine is, there is excellent mineral spine to add focus to the endlessly sweet, spicy finish. If I could find or afford this, I'd be all over it. There were just 250 cases made of this wine, which is a selection from the property's oldest vines.

The Rare Wine Company says "Miniscule production and nearly impossible to find".

$115

Robert Foley Claret 2008 Napa 96 PTS!!!!!!

Foley has not disappointed us with this wonderful creation. Robert parker gave it 96 points and here is his write up.

The 2008 Claret (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) has that ethereal nose of spring flowers, boysenberry, blueberry, black currant, and spice. Following that seductive aromatic display, Foley’s brilliance is again exhibited in the mouthfeel of this seamless wine, which has full-bodied flavors, no hard edges, gorgeous layers of fruit, and loads of complexity already, but is still a youthful wine with its best days ahead of it. This is brilliant winemaking, as some of us have come to expect from Bob Foley, and it should age well for 15-20 years.

The irrepressible and highly talented Bob Foley is out on his own now, although still consulting, and these wines are his personal projects. They have been very successful in the past, and there’s no indication that he intends to rest on his laurels. A

$128

Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 95 PTS!!!!!!

Robert parker gave this Cab 95 points and here is what he has to say.

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a big wine loaded with black fruit, cedar, licorice, grilled herbs and tar. Layers of flavor build effortlessly to the muscular, virile finish. Despite its size, the 2008 Reserve maintains elements of classicism that serve to balance some of the wine’s more extroverted leanings. The wine impresses for its depth, expressive inner perfume and beautifully integrated tannins. It is a showstopper from Mondavi. The 2008 Reserve is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2028. A

$96

Conn Valley Eloge 2007 Napa 98 PTS!!!!!!

Here is a stunner of a wine, 98 Points from Robert Parker. Here are his comments.

The 2007 Eloge is a profoundly complex, extraordinary wine that is showing better out of bottle than it ever did from barrel. The final blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot and Merlot reveals an inky/purple color as well as a gorgeous nose of graphite, creme de cassis, cedarwood, Christmas fruitcake, bay leaf and a damp forest floor-like character. It possesses sensational depth, a full-bodied opulence, admirable purity and a skyscraper-like texture and finish. This killer wine has not yet closed down, and it should drink well for 20-25 years.

Tucked away in the sometimes seemingly forgotten Conn Valley, this winery is run with considerable gusto by Todd Anderson and his winemaker Mac Sawyer. This is an undeniable source of very complex and potentially age worthy wines. As did his father, Gus, Todd Anderson has consistently done well with Chardonnay from a cool climate site in the Green Valley south of the city of Napa. The 2008 and 2009 Chardonnay Fournier are both non-malolactic, barrel-fermented Chardonnays that have lots of minerality and little evidence of wood. They are made from the newer Dijon Clone rather than the clone preferred by most of the outstanding practitioners of California Chardonnay, the Old Wente and occasionally the Mt. Eden clone. The Right Bank cuvee is made from Merlot, which usually dominates, and the rest Cabernet Franc. This offering has been a winner since its debut release and it continues to be one of Napa Valley’s most interesting wines. My favorite offering from Todd Anderson is the Eloge cuvee, a distinctive effort of first-growth quality. One would think this wine would be somewhat Medoc-like as it is generally one-half to two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon combined with a significant amount of Cabernet Franc. However, one can’t really compare it to a Medoc since there is never that much Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux Medocs and there is not that much Cabernet Sauvignon in any St.-Emilion or Pomerol. A project I had not tasted before is the small lot (500-750 cases) of the Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label. Aged longer in barrels than its siblings, it is meant to be a super-premium wine. If you have not yet discovered the wines from this nearly 28 acre vineyard tucked away a few miles east of the famed Meadowood Resort, it’s time. A

$150 A Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Napa 94 PTS!!!!!

Wine Spectator gave this massive Cab 94 points. Here is their description.

Tight and concentrated, with a dense, rich, chewy beam of dried currant, mineral, graphite, black cherry and blackberry fruit that's intense and full-blown, both flexing its muscle while displaying deft balance. Ends with a compact, layered finish. Best from 2012 through 2022.

$40 A Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Russian .River. CA

This delicious Sauvignon Blanc has made Wine Spectators Top 100 Wines a few times. Here is heir description.
This wine "struts its stuff' in a sophisticated and stylish fashion. The aroma is floral and mouth watering, layered with ripe melon, peach and subtle mineral highlights. In the mouth, it is rich and seamlessly well balanced, kicking in a hint of grapefruit, citrus and pear on the lingering finish.

$60 A Kistler Les Noisetiers Chardonnay 2009 Sonoma CA

Kistler, always known for their excellent Chardonnays, has a real winner here. 100% Maloactic fermentation in barrel. 10 months in oak.

A remarkably healthy fermentation in 2009 resulted in one of our best and favorite bottlings of
this wine in recent memory. Deep green-yellow. A pronounced and refined sense of minerality
pierces through the initial first blush of stone fruit on the nose. Wet stone, powdered sea sand,
and a slight sense of roasted grain. Perfectly balanced, the core is packed with grilled citrus, a
touch of lemongrass and threaded with a vibrant acidity that reverberates across the palate.
Possesses a lively, yet elegant finish that just doesn't want to end.

$120 A BV Georges De Latour Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 2007 Napa 95 PTS!!!

This vintage received 95 points by Robert Parker. Here are his comments.

The phenomenal 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour is the greatest BV Private Reserve made since the 1970 and 1968. The good news is 11,000 cases were produced. The return of this superb Napa classic is fabulous news, and the brilliance of this wine is evidenced by its opaque purple color and its big, sweet, blackberry, cassis, subtle smoke, graphite, and spicy oak-scented nose. Dense and full-bodied with sweet but substantial tannins, thrilling levels of concentration, texture, and richness, and a heady finish, this wine will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age, and last three decades or more. It’s time to once again fill your cellars with the BV Private Reserve, one of the historic names in California wine folklore.

One of the most dramatic revelations in my California North Coast tastings was the resurrection/renaissance of Beaulieu Vineyard, one of the historic names in California winedom. This was the source of some extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignons in the fifties, sixties, and early seventies, but the winery fell on hard times and was sold (it is now owned by the gigantic Diageo company). However, they have come back with a vengeance over the last few vintages. Michel Rolland, the brilliant wine consultant, was brought in to help resurrect the Private Reserve program, and it appears his magic has spilled over onto the other wines as well.

$72

P.Mondavi Charles Krug Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 94 PTS WE!!!!

Wine Enthusiasts Magazine gave this lovely Cabernet 94 Points. Here is what they had to say.

"What a beautiful Cabernet. It's dry and classically elegant, with sweet, ripe tannins, framing succulent blackberry, black cherry, violet, cedar and mineral flavors. Really a great wine for drinking now, and so balanced, it will easily negotiate a decade in the bottle."

$200

Chat. de Pape Beaucastel Blanc Vielles Vignes Rhone 100 PTS RP!!!!!!

I have another 100 point wine for you folks. This is a Rousanne that Robert Parker himself, gave it 100 Points!!

Here is what he had to say about it.

The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Vieilles Vignes (Roussanne) is a staggering wine of extraordinary complexity and richness. Aromas of rose petals, exotic fruits such as mango and nectarine intermixed with peach marmalade, honeysuckle and crushed pineapple emerge from this full-bodied white along with good acidity and lavish amounts of fruit and glycerin. It offers a nearly out of body wine tasting experience.

Sounds good, doesn't it??
we have 6 at $200

$125

ACHAVAL FERRER FINCA BELLA VISTA 2009 MALBEC 98 PTS RP!!!!! Argentina

Hwere is what Parker says about thius excellent Malbec.
The 2009 Finca Bella Vista was sourced from a vineyard planted in 1910 giving a miserly yield of 0.75 tons per acre. It displays slightly blacker fruit, a bit more depth and opulence, and a finish that seems endless. Give it 5-6 years of cellaring and enjoy it from 2016 to 2029+.

Achaval-Ferrer, under the direction of CEO Santiago Achaval and winemaker Roberto Cipresso, stands at the summit of Argentina wine producers. The benchmark Finca bottlings are limited (under 1000 cases produced of each) so the best way to discover the pleasures of Achaval-Ferrer are through the entry-level Malbec of which there are 12,000 cases. Achaval-Ferrer is about to launch a new cuvee called Tempous, a blend of the three single vineyards. There are only 75 cases (3 barrels) produced of each vintage, so fans of the winery, be prepared to go to war to get your hands on a few bottles. The wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts, aged for 18 months in new French oak, and bottled without fining or filtration.

$125

Achaval Ferrer Fina Altamira 2009 Malbec ARG 99 PTS RP!!!!!!!!

Here is what Robert Parker had to say of this wine.
Even better is the brooding 2009 Finca Altamira sourced from vines over 80 years of age with yields of 0.75 tons per acre. Purple/black in color with a spectacular aromatic array of black fruits and spices that jump from the glass, this rich, opulent, beautifully proportioned Malbec sets the bar for what can be achieved with old vines, low yields, and craftsmanship in the cellar.

Achaval-Ferrer, under the direction of CEO Santiago Achaval and winemaker Roberto Cipresso, stands at the summit of Argentina wine producers. The benchmark Finca bottlings are limited (under 1000 cases produced of each) so the best way to discover the pleasures of Achaval-Ferrer are through the entry-level Malbec of which there are 12,000 cases. Achaval-Ferrer is about to launch a new cuvee called Tempous, a blend of the three single vineyards. There are only 75 cases (3 barrels) produced of each vintage, so fans of the winery, be prepared to go to war to get your hands on a few bottles. The wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts, aged for 18 months in new French oak, and bottled without fining or filtration.

$96

A Torre Muga 2006 Rioja Spain 94 PTS WS
This is the Muga Reserva's big brother. Everyone likes this one. Wine Spectator gave it 94 points. Steve Tanzer and robert Parker gave it 93 each. Here is Steve's description as his is more descriptive.

75% tempranillo, 15% mazuelo and 10% graciano) Opaque ruby. Musky, complex and powerfully scented, with floral-accented red and dark berry aromas, complemented by notes of spicecake and minerals. Lush, sweet raspberry and mulberry flavors are given spine by juicy acidity and pick up a bitter chocolate note with air. Dusty tannins add grip to a very long, smoky finish, which leaves sweet red fruit and floral pastille notes behind. This was raised in all new French oak after fermentation in large American oak vats, but the wood is an afterthought.

$150

Bodegas El Nido 2006
Cabernet/ Monastrell
Jumilla Spain
The 2006 El Nido is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Monastrell aged for 26 months in new oak. Aromas of wild blueberry and black currant are room-filling. Dense, layered, and totally hedonistic, it has serous depth and concentration, impeccable balance, and a 60-second finish. A bit more structured than Clio, it will have a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2026.
97 POINTS RP
95 POINTS ST
92 POINTS WS

$175

A Tenuta Dell' Ornellaia 2005 95 PTS WS!!!!

Displays beautiful aromas of ripe fruit, with currant, plum and blackberry. This complex and full-bodied Tuscan red has soft, polished tannins and a long, long finish. Shows a deft hand in the winemaking. Best after 2012. 11,660 cases made. –JS

$96

A Torre Muga 2006 Rioja Spain 94 PTS WS

This is the Muga Reserva's big brother. Everyone likes this one. Wine Spectator gave it 94 points. Steve Tanzer and robert Parker gave it 93 each. Here is Steve's description as his is more descriptive.

75% tempranillo, 15% mazuelo and 10% graciano) Opaque ruby. Musky, complex and powerfully scented, with floral-accented red and dark berry aromas, complemented by notes of spicecake and minerals. Lush, sweet raspberry and mulberry flavors are given spine by juicy acidity and pick up a bitter chocolate note with air. Dusty tannins add grip to a very long, smoky finish, which leaves sweet red fruit and floral pastille notes behind. This was raised in all new French oak after fermentation in large American oak vats, but the wood is an afterthought.

$67

A Cheval Des Andes 2006 BDX Blend ARG 96 PTS RP !!!!

This blend from Mendoza got 96 points from Robert Parker. here is what he had to say.

The 2006 vintage is superb throughout Mendoza and this wine, as in many other bodegas I visited in April 2008, shows off the extra dimension of complexity made possible in an exceptional year. The wine is composed entirely of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a bit more saturated than the 2005 with a splendid perfume of pain grille, mineral, espresso, black cherry, and black raspberry that leaps from the glass. More opulent and layered than the 2005, it also conceals a bit more structure. The finish seems to go on and on. Drink it from 2015 to 2035.

$83

Vigna Elena Barolo 2001 Piedmont Italy Red Wine
Robert parker's notes "The 2001 Barolo Vigna Elena, the estate’s top selection, is a strong effort. Initially somewhat reticent, with air it reveals attractive notes of flowers, spices and the occasional suggestion of white truffle. If offers plenty of fruit on a medium to full-bodied frame, with excellent length and fine overall balance." He rates it 91 points. A

$269

2004 Roederer Cristal Champagne France 97 POINTS RP!!!!!!

The 2004 Brut Cristal has put on quite a bit of weight since I first tasted it earlier this year. It is a powerful, structured Cristal layered with considerable fruit. Chardonnay seems to play the leading role in 2004, at least today.Spicy citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complemented by chalk, white flowers and a touch of smokiness. Taut, linear lemon and orange rind flavors give way to deeper pear in the mid-palate and pick up notes of honeysuckle and toasted grain with air. This is a serious Cristal.
97 POINTS RP
97 POINTS WE

$108

A 375 milliliters Graceful and elegant, very understated and delicate, with floral, spice, mint, bay leaf, currant, cedar and tobacco notes that are complex and vibrant. Full-bodied, gaining on the finish, then firming and drying. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Drink now through 2021. 16,500 cases made. WS 92 pts!!!!!

2008 VINTAGE

Extreme weather conditions in 2008—from an unseasonably cold April to an extended heat spell in September—led to Opus One’s smallest per-acre yield in thirty-two vintages. Aromas of rose petals, cassis and black cherry in the 2008 combine with notes of marzipan and sandalwood. A satin texture enrobes the wine’s smooth, round tannins, its bright acidity supporting a juicy and elegant mouthfeel. This precocious and remarkable wine offers a long finish, with traces of clove and dark chocolate.
Varietals:
Cabernet Sauvignon 86%, Petit Verdot 8%, Merlot 4%, Cabernet Franc 1%, and Malbec 1%
Skin Contact:
22 Days
Barrel Aging:
17 Months in New French Oak

$50

A El Nido Clio 2007
Monastrell/C.S.
Jumilla Spain
The 2007 Clio is made up of 67% old vine Monastrell sourced from a vineyard planted in 1944 and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from a vineyard planted in 1979. The alcoholic fermentation is in oak followed by ML in new barrels and aging for 26 months in new French and American oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it displays an in-your-face bouquet of wood smoke, underbrush, incense, blueberry, and black currant. Dense, chewy, packed and stacked, the fruit quality is superb, the balance impeccable, and the finish lasts for nearly a minute. It will be controversial with those who prefer low alcohol and finesse in their wines. Those who like unrestrained power and richness will adore it quite aside from the fact that it over-delivers for its relatively modest price. Drink it from 2011 to 2022.
94 POINTS RP

$80

A The 2007 Finca Dofi ups the ante. It is sourced from a single vineyard with a cepage of 60% Garnacha and 40% Cabernet, Syrah, and Merlot aged in 100% new oak. It displays a more expressive nose of mineral, Asian spices, smoke, espresso, black cherry, and licorice. On the palate it is dense but approachable. It merits several years of cellaring, and its optimal drinking window extends from 2013 to 2022.
93 POINTS RP
Biodynamic
93 POINTS ST

$25

A Bernabeleva 2008
Navaherreros
Jumilla Spain
The 2008 Navaherreros Tinto, also 100% Garnacha, was aged in seasoned oak barrels. It displays greater aromatic complexity in its display of cigar box, Asian spices, incense, and black cherry. The wine has excellent volume, precision balance, lively acidity, and a pure, silky finish. It is an outstanding value meant for drinking over the next 5-6 years..
91 POINTS RP

$455

A Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto 2008 96+ PTS RP!!!!

Here is what Robert Parker had to say on this great wine:

The 2008 Masseto is stylistically closer to the 2006. An irregular crop set lowered yields while the warm, dry summer concentrated its efforts on the smaller crop. Cooler temperatures towards the middle of September lengthened the cycle and allowed for the full development of aromatics and phenolic ripeness. The 2008 is a gorgeous, dense Masseto endowed with massive fruit and tons of structure

$260

A Krug 1998 Vintage Champagne 97 PTS WS!!!!!

Here is a very choice selection for Champagne lovers. 2 bottles , out of the 3 offered to the state, of the vintage 1998 Krug Champagne. It received 97 points from Wine Spectator. Their description reads :Displays precision focus and detail, framed by well-honed acidity and offering fine, pointillist-like texture. Rich, with layer upon layer of flavor, showing fruit and floral notes of dried apricot and pineapple, chamomile and crystallized honey and savory notes of ground coffee, roast almond, dried herbs and oyster shell. Ends with a long, long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2028. –AND It's release price was $279!!

$95

A Chat. De Beaucastel Chat.Du Pape 2009
Rhone FR
The 2009 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape is reminiscent of their brilliant 1985. It will be one of the rare Beaucastels that is drinkable upon release. Made from this estate’s classic blend, it possesses soft tannins as well as a silky, open-knit seductiveness, a dense plum/purple color and a beautiful perfume of smoky Provencal herbs intermixed with grilled steak juices, garrigue, kirsch and blue as well as black fruits. The wine is full-bodied, unctuously textured, and silky smooth (the latter characteristic being somewhat atypical for a young Beaucastel). If it performs like the 1985, it will drink well young and continue to do so for 25 yrs
96 POINTS WS
94 POINTS RP
91 POINTS ST

$ A

$74

A Cheval des Andes Cheval Blanc 2006 ARG 96 PTS RP!!!!!
From the legendary Cheval Blanc producers comes this affordable 96PT wine Judged from Robert Parker Cab sav and Petit Verdot
here is what parker has to say.
"The 2006 vintage is superb throughout Mendoza and this wine, as in many other bodegas I visited in April 2008, shows off the extra dimension of complexity made possible in an exceptional year. The wine is composed entirely of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a bit more saturated than the 2005 with a splendid perfume of pain grille, mineral, espresso, black cherry, and black raspberry that leaps from the glass. More opulent and layered than the 2005, it also conceals a bit more structure. The finish seems to go on and on. Drink it from 2015 to 2035.

Cheval des Andes is owned by the legendary Saint-Emilion producer, Chateau Cheval Blanc. The wine is sourced from their 50 hectare estate vineyard planted on its own roots in 1929. The first vintage was 1999 and over time the wine has evolved into having a majority of Malbec in the blend. New oak is used for the Cabernet component and one-year-old barrels for the Malbec. Altogether the wine spends 18 months in cask."

There you have it, there you go. Could you get a better lineage wine at $74????

$94

Argiano Solengo 2004 Tuscany Italy Red Wine
Robert Parker's notes "The 2004 Solengo is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% merlot and 25% Syrah. It presents gorgeous aromatics followed by super ripe dark fruit, crushed flowers, herbs, spices and sweet toasted oak that flow from its opulent, full bodied frame. Showing superb concentration." He gave it 93 points. A

$140

Castello Del Terriccio Lupicaia Tuscany Italy Red Wine
Robert Parker's notes "A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the 1998 Lupicaia reveals a dark, saturated ruby/purple color along with a sweet nose of black currants, espresso, and chocolate. Dense, rich, and muscular, it needs an additional 1-3 years of cellaring, and should drink well for 12-15 years." He rates 90 points. A

$150

A Bodegas El Nido 2006
Cabernet/ Monastrell
Jumilla Spain
The 2006 El Nido is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Monastrell aged for 26 months in new oak. Aromas of wild blueberry and black currant are room-filling. Dense, layered, and totally hedonistic, it has serous depth and concentration, impeccable balance, and a 60-second finish. A bit more structured than Clio, it will have a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2026.
97 POINTS RP
95 POINTS ST
92 POINTS WS

A Bodegas Numanthia Termes 2003
Termanthia
Castella Leon Spain
A “thermonuclear” fruit bomb, the 2003 Termanthia is a selection of the best grapes from the finest parcels that was aged in 100% new French oak for 20 months, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. It is an incredibly rich, dense purple-colored offering that possesses all the characteristics found in the Numanthia in addition to extra fragrance, intensity, and richness. Already drinkable, this stunning Spanish red will be fascinating to follow over the next decade.
96+ POINTS RP
95 POINTS WS
94 POINTS ST

$185

2009 Mollydooker Velvet Glove Shiraz Australia 97+ PTS RP!!!!!!

Here is the amazing Velvet Glove from Mollydooker ( which means left-handed in Aussie talk). This is Parker's review, I am quoting.
"
Polished, expressive, supple and velvety, glowing brightly with notes of blueberry and black and damson plum, with a panoply of sweet spices. All the flavors meld together with impressive integrity, persisting on the very long, complex finish. Most appealing is the deftness of the balance.
97+ POINTS RP
96 POINTS WS A

$85

Turley Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard Napa 2007 95-97 PTS RP!!!

Boy, it doesn't get much better than this from Parker. 97 points??!!?? Here what enthusiastic points they make.

"A colossal Petite Syrah is the 2007 Hayne Vineyard. Its opaque purple color is followed by an extraordinary perfume of graphite, blackberries, blueberries, licorice, camphor, and crushed rocks. It is enormously endowed and extremely powerful, with teeth-staining extract, and an amazing finish that lasts nearly a minute. This is truly great Petite Syrah, but purchasers should be prepared to cellar it for 8-10 years, and watch it unfold brilliantly over the following 25-30.

As always, a mind-boggling array of Zinfandels and Petite Syrahs has been produced by the world’s premier Zinfandel specialist, Larry Turley. He deserves remarkable credit for his “holy grail” quest to locate largely forgotten parcels of old Zinfandel vines, and preserve as many of these historic sites as possible. Like most Zinfandels, Turley’s are best drunk during their first 5-6 years of life, although in certain vintages, some wines can handle a decade worth of cellaring. However, the glory of Zinfandel is its youthful, exuberant, flamboyant, spicy, peppery, briery fruit. It will not achieve greater complexity or flavor dimension by extended cellaring. All of these Zinfandels come from dry-farmed vineyards, a majority of them being old head-pruned sites planted by Italian immigrants in the late 19th century. The wines are aged in 20% new French oak, and are bottled with little clarification. Total production for Turley Wine Cellars is slightly more than 15,000 cases. They also make a small quantity of white wine. No one makes more concentrated or ageworthy wines than Larry Turley’s Petite Syrahs. This is California’s most underrated, long-lived varietal, and having had experience with 20-30 year old Petite Sirahs, they actually do improve in the bottle, becoming remarkably civilized with outstanding aging potential. They can match Cabernet Sauvignon for the longest lived varietal in California, but they can be so impenetrable, thick, and broodingly backward in their youth that only a small number of consumers follow them." A

$50

Cataldi Madonna Toni 03 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Wine

Cataldi Madonna Toni 2003 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo rec Wine Italy Robert parker gave this 90 points and said "The 2003 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Toni is another intense, full-bodied effort. This dense wine offers a compelling array of smoke, earthiness, spices, herbs and dark cherries on a structured frame, with outstanding length and an engaging personality." A