Wine Spectator #5 Wine in 2009! 96 points!

Wine Spectator #5 Wine in 2009!

96 points!

Castello di Brolio Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico 2006 (Italy) $59.99 – only 15 cases came into the state and they are going fast! When they are gone, the wine is gone for this vintage.

This is both a big wine and an elegant one. Aromas and flavors of chocolate, baking spices, coffee, earth, blackberries, crushed red berries, vanilla and black licorice. Full-bodied wine with fine, fine tannins. Long, lingering finish that keeps delivering more and more flavors!

The Ricasoli family has been making wine in Chianti Classico for centuries. In 1872, Baron Bettino Ricasoli penned the original formula for making the delicate reds of this Tuscan wine area.

Barone Ricasoli is one of the largest producers of Chianti Classico and the family has a long history of making wine in Tuscany (back to the 13th century). In the early ‘70’s the family sold the winery to Seagram’s…..who then sold it to Hardy’s of Australia. Production sky-rocketed and quality dropped.

In 1993, the Ricasolis were able to repurchase the family property and Francesco Ricasoli set about restoring a famed winery (when the family sold it, the winery was regarded as the Lafite of Tuscany). He reduced production from a staggering 9 million bottles to 2 million bottes. Instead of making 30 wines, they make 6. They’ve improved how the grapes are grown. They’ve improved the winemaking and today, the estate is again one of Tuscany’s best.

Aged 18 months in oak barriques, 2/3’s of which are new. Aged a year in the bottle before the wine release. Overwhelmingly Sangiovese with a little Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot added to the wine. 2006 was a GREAT vintage in Chianti Classico – producing great, long-lived wines! 6,170 cases made. 15 cases came to Maine.

Wine Spectator, 96 points, #5, Top 100 Wines in 2009

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars

Great prices on some famed wines from California!

This is one of California’s “first-growth” wineries. Like many elite producers around the world, sales are slower and have been for a while….so, the winery has lowered its prices.

Stock is really limited on these 3 - These wines are available in limited quantities…..as in tiny amounts. I’ll try and get them for you, but I can’t promise.

Stag’s Leap Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (California) Reg. $192.99, Sale $127.99 – their flagship Cabernet. It’s 100% Cabernet from the FAY and S.L.V. vineyards.

Stag’s Leap FAY Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (California) Reg. $91.99, Sale $60.99 – single vineyard Cabernet from the FAY Vineyard.

Stag’s Leap S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (California) Reg. $106.99, Sale $67.99 – from their original vineyard, Stag’s Leap Vineyard.

Stock is better on these wines:

Stag’s Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (California) Reg. $51.99, Sale $39.99 – 92% Cabernet, 8% Merlot. Aged 18 months in French oak, 33% new barrels.

Stag’s Leap Merlot 2006 (California) Reg. $42.99, Sale $32.99 – 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 15 months in French oak, 25% new barrels.

Stag’s Leap Chardonnay 2007 (California) Reg. $34.99, Sale $26.99 – Aged 8 ½ months “sur lies” in French oak, 25% new. 35% goes through malolactic fermentation, so this has a bit of that buttery creamy feel.

Stag’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (California) Reg. $24.99, Sale $20.99 – Blend of 69% Sauvignon Blanc, 26% Sauvignon Musque and 5% Semillon. 69% is aged in barrels. This is a weightier Sauvignon Blanc than most.

If you want any of these wines, please let me know.