New on the Shelf
For the Collector
Château Pontet Canet 2009 $425
Robert Parker 100 points
“An amazing wine in every sense, this classic, full-bodied Pauillac is the quintessential Pontet Canet from
proprietor Alfred Tesseron, who continues to reduce yields and farms his vineyards biodynamically – a rarity
in Bordeaux. Black as a moonless night, the 2009 Pontet Canet offers up notes of incense, graphite, smoke,
licorice, creme de cassis and blackberries. A wine of irrefutable purity, laser-like precision, colossal weight
and richness, and sensational freshness, this is a tour de force in winemaking that is capable of lasting 50 or
more years. This vineyard appears to have done everything perfectly in 2009.”
Chateau Le Gay 2009 $190
Robert Parker 96+ points
“Tiny yields and a final blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc have produced an enormously
concentrated, black/purple-colored wine exhibiting notes of roasted meats, smoked game, blackberries,
coffee, incense and forest floor. This distinctive, large-scaled, viscous, thick Pomerol may be as
concentrated as some of this estate’s all-time classics (1947 and 1950). This is one of the most profound Le
Gay’s ever produced. Forget it for at least a decade and drink it over the following half century.”
Chateau Le Bon Pasteur 2009 $135
Robert Parker 94 points
“A brilliant effort from well-known oenologists Dany and Michel Rolland, the 2009 Bon Pasteur is dominated
by Merlot, with a touch of Cabernet Franc included in the blend. It reveals textbook notes of mocha, tobacco
leaf, blackberries, black cherries, roasted coffee and wood smoke. Full-bodied and luscious with a
succulent, beautifully textured, multidimensional mouthfeel, low acidity and sweet but noticeable tannin, it is
reminiscent of the 1982 Bon Pasteur, which continued to put on weight for a decade or more. If the 2009
does the same, it will come close to equaling that legendary vintage. Drink it over the next 20+ years.”
Marchese Antinori Solaia 2009 $250
WA 96 points
“The 2009 Solaia is one of the clear standouts of the vintage. Freshly cut flowers, raspberries, spices, mint
and licorice burst from the glass as this fabulous, viscerally thrilling wine shows off its pure class. Today the
oak is a bit prominent, but that won’t be an issue by the time the wine is ready to drink. In one of my blind
tastings, the 2009 Solaia was flat-out great. There is no shortage of pedigree here. The 2009 has calmed
down a little from its youth, when it was a much more exuberant wine, and has now begun to close down in
bottle. Solaia is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc from a single parcel
within the Antinori family’s Tignanello vineyard.”
La Serena Brunello 2007 $80
WA 94+ points
“The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is beautiful. A large-scaled, opulent wine, the 2007 captures the
personality of the vintage while retaining fabulous balance and proportion. Layers of dark fruit, mocha,
spices and new leather build effortlessly to the huge, palate staining finish. This is a fabulous showing.”
Domenico Clerico Barolo “Pajana”
2007 $127
WA 96 points
“The 2007 Barolo Pajana is a showstopper. Waves of intense, beautifully delineated fruit flow onto the palate
as the wine opens up in the glass. Sumptuous and elegant through and through, the Pajana shows
marvelous delineation and clean, minerally notes that underpin the opulence of the fruit. This is a marvelous,
totally complete Pajana of the highest level. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032.”
