Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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2010 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena, USA 750ml

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon features a very purely fruited nose of wild blueberries, crushed cherries and blackcurrant pastilles with touches of dried herbs, tobacco leaf, dried roses and eucalyptus plus a hint of espresso. Medium-bodied, the palate has a compelling grip of firm, grainy tannins and plenty of savory/earthy layers, finishing on a delicious yeasty/meaty note.

2017 Opus One, Napa Valley, USA 750ml

Opus One had picked 91% of their fruit before the fires started in 2017, and only two lots were eliminated from consideration. The 2017 Opus One, bottled in July 2019, is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4.5% Merlot and 1% Malbec. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it slowly grows on the nose, revealing compelling notes of baked black cherries, mulberries, black raspberries, warm cassis and blackberry pie with nuances of spice cake, yeast extract, tapenade, licorice and dusty soil with a waft of wild sage.

2019 Clos du Clocher, Pomerol, France 750ml

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Clos du Clocher needs a little coaxing to reveal subtle scents of black raspberries, kirsch and wild blueberries, before a drop-dead gorgeous perfume of candied violets, cinnamon stick, clove oil, Darjeeling tea and star anise take center stage. The medium to full-bodied palate is very finely knit, with ripe, plush tannins and seamless freshness supporting the elegant flavors, finishing long and fragrant.

2019 Chateau Fleur Cardinale, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France 750ml

Deep purple-black in color, the 2019 Fleur Cardinale exudes opulent scents of cinnamon stick, star anise, plum preserves and chocolate-covered cherries with a seducing undercurrent of lilacs, mulberries, allspice and black truffles. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is already tantalizingly delicious, revealing layer upon layer of black fruits, exotic spices and earthy sparks, finishing with great freshness and depth. This year's blend is 76% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon.

2019 Chateau Saint-Pierre, Saint-Julien, France 750ml

Very deep purple-black colored, the 2019 Saint-Pierre comes shooting out of the glass with vibrant scents of crushed black and red currants, black raspberries and boysenberries with touches of lavender, tilled soil, pencil shavings and camphor plus a waft of red roses. The medium-bodied palate is charged with energy, featuring densely packed, muscular black and red fruits with a solid frame of ripe, grainy tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. Make no mistake, this estate is on a roll!

2019 Chateau Sansonnet, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France 750ml

Opaque garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Sansonnet comes skipping out of the glass with vibrant notes of Morello cherries, blueberry compote, mulberries and warm black plums plus hints of raspberry leaves, Sichuan pepper, cassia and cumin seed with a waft of tree bark. The full-bodied palate is packed with crunchy black and red fruits, framed by exquisitely ripe, rounded tannins and bold freshness, finishing very long and mineral laced. Beautiful!

2019 Chateau Pape Clement, Pessac-Leognan, France 750ml

Composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot, the 2019 Pape Clement was harvested from the 18th of September to the 11th of October. Ninety-three percent is aging in French oak barriques, 66% new, and 7% is aging in large foudres. Deep garnet-purple in color, it hits the ground running with bold, expressive notes of warm cassis, boysenberries and black cherries with an undercurrent of clove oil, fertile loam, cedar chest and tar.

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