StarWines
Baron de Brane 2004
Bordeaux, France
Retail Price: $49.00 Star Wine Offer: $41.65
“This is the second wine of Ch Brane Cantenac, 2nd Classified Growth of the Medoc. It is made of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon and 48% Merlot. The wine is dressed in crimson red with purplish reflections. On the nose it is dominated by the flavoring of red fruit (cherry, ripe). There are notes of spicy pepper and balsam. An ample and silky attack that evolves in the mouth.”
Wine Maker’s Taste Notes
Dame de Montrose 2006
Bordeaux, France
Retail Price: $73.00 Star Wine Offer: $62.05
“The second wine, the 2006 La Dame de Montrose, is a shrewd choice for wine consumers. A blend of 58% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12% Cabernet Franc, plus a small quantity of Petit Verdot, it is a layered, lush, fleshy effort possessing ripe red and black fruits interwoven with hints of earth and spice box. Plush, round, and sexy, it should be enjoyed during its first 10-12 years of life.
Reviewed by Robert Parker, 90 Points, Wine Advocate #181 aker
Les Haut de Pontet 2004
Bordeaux, France
Retail Price: $68.00 Star Wine Offer: $57.80
“The second wine of Ch Pontet Canet has a colour that is an intense red. The very complex nose expresses a controlled barrel raising with grilled vanilla aromas of totally balanced fruits. On the palate, the attack is round based on tannic structure of great finesse. The finale is very soft. It really is a wine of pure pleasure. Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 45%, Cabernet Franc 4%, Petit Verdot 2%.”
Wine Maker’s Taste Notes
Usseglio Chateaunuef du Pape 2008
Rhone, France
Retail Price: $86.00 Star Wine Offer: $73.10
“No Mon Aieul or Deux Freres was produced in 2008, all of the fruit being declassified into the 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape. The latter wine exhibits a dark ruby hue, austere tannins, and hints of roasted herbs, red and blue fruits, decent acidity, and medium body. Reminiscent of the very good 1999, it should drink well for 8-10 years.”
Reviewed by Robert Parker, 87-89 Points, Wine Advocate #185
Usseglio Cotes du Rhone 2009
Rhone, France
Retail Price: $53.00 Star Wine Offer: $45.05
“This offers racy blackberry, mulled currant, melted licorice and black tea notes, with a tarry hint helping to extend the finish. Drink now.”
Reviewed by James Molesworth, 88 Points, Wine Spectator
Giraud Chateaunuef Du Pape 2007
Rhone, France
Retail Price: $82.00 Star Wine Offer: $69.70
The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape is a big-time sleeper of the vintage. Deeper-colored than Les Grenaches de Pierre, it offers beautiful, ripe black raspberry, licorice, cherry, roasted herb, and meat juice-like notes, full body, a voluptuous texture, and a superb finish that lasts for 40-45 seconds. A blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre from 70-year-old vines, all except the Syrah is aged in steel tanks and concrete. The Syrah component spends time in small barrels. It should drink well for 15 years.
Reviewed by Robert Parker, 93 Points, Wine Advocate #185
Falesco Marciliano 2005
Umbria, Italy
Retail Price: $104.00 Star Wine Offer: $72.80
“The 2005 Marciliano (70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc) is a big wine that explodes from the glass with dark fruit, sweet herbs, licorice and French oak. This engaging, harmonious wine possesses terrific overall balance, not to mention enough freshness to continue to drink well for several years. It is a commendable effort in this challenging vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2015.”
Reviewed by Antonio Galloni, 91 Points, Wine Advocate #182
Falesco Montiano 2006
Umbria, Italy
Retail Price: $100.00 Star Wine Offer: $70.00
“The 2006 Montiano (Merlot) offers up a bouquet of sweet toasted oak, black cherries, plums, new leather and licorice. Soft and harmonious on the palate, the wine reveals excellent depth and silky tannins in an engaging, supple style. This is a very pretty effort from Falesco. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2016.”
Reviewed by Antonio Galloni, 92 Points, Wine Advocate #182
Cullen Cabernet Merlot 2008
Margaret River, Australia
Retail Price: $58.00 Star Wine Offer: $49.30
Although this Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot has been dubbed Diana Madeline’s little sister, the contributions of the various varieties differ and thus provide this wine with its own distinctive character. This wine was made from a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc and benefited from 12 months maturation in good quality French oak. There is a strong and rich black berry character, with a touch of pepper and violets. Great depth of flavour, with the delicious Merlot filling out the middle palate and thus complimenting the clean, classical Cabernet component of the wine. The wine is tied together perfectly by the soft tannins and given structure by the good oak.
Wine Maker’s Taste Notes
Pierro Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Margaret River, Australia
Retail Price: $63.00 Star Wine Offer: $53.55
“The 2009 Pierro Semillon Sauvignon Blanc is actually a blend of 3 varietals, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Its bouquet suggests citrus, honey and tropical fruit notes. Pea and fresh garden herb flavours add weight to the palate before fresh, cleansing acidity produces a crisp, dry finish of considerable length.”
Wine Maker’s Taste Notes
Clonakilla Viognier 2008
Canberra, Australia
Retail Price: $72.00 Star Wine Offer: $61.20
The 2008 Clonakilla Viognier was barrel fermented in French oak using natural yeasts. At 13.5% alcohol, it displays honeyed, white peach and jasmine aromas with a touch of creaminess and a dollop of spiciness. A faint hint of oak lingers. Crisp acidity, silken texture and well balanced. Long finish. Admirable construction – a very good wine from an incredibly fussy grape. Drink now to 2014.
Reviewed by Lisa-Perrotti Brown, 91 Points, Wine Advocate #188
Clonakilla O’raida Shiraz 2007
Canberre, Australia
Retail Price: $68.00 Star Wine Offer: $57.80
The 2007 Shiraz O’Riada raises the bar with its complex aromatics of pepper, mineral, scorched earth, spice box, blueberry, and blackberry. On the palate it has greater volume, richer fruit, and a bit more aging potential. Give it 5-7 years and drink it from 2013 to 2026.
Reviewed by Jay Miller, 91 Points, Wine Advocate #181
Delta Pinot Noir 2008
Marlborough, New Zealand
Retail Price: $48.00 Star Wine Offer: $38.40le aromas of currant, berries and vanilla, with silky tannins. Be
“This wine has deep colour with lifted pinot noir aromatic characters. It has intense cherry aromas and lifted notes of violet. The palate has a silky start and a grainy, mineral-rich finish. It is juicy, but focused.”
Wine Maker’s Taste Notes aracter while underlying hints
Delta Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Marlborough, New Zealand
Retail Price: $44.00 Star Wine Offer: $35.20 aromas of currant, berries and vanilla, with silky tannins. Be
“This wine has classic Marlborough pungency and varietal definition. There are aromas of white and blackcurrants and plenty of passion fruit. The palate is full, and finishes with fresh acidity and currant and mineral characters that linger for minutes. While it is a powerful wine, it also has elegance.” Wine Maker’s Taste Notes character while underlying hints