“The 2006 Insignia (95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot; 16,000 cases produced) is a superb effort in this vintage. Another 30+ year wine, it boasts a dense plum/purple color as well as abundant notes of licorice, black currants, charcoal, black olives, and graphite. Full-bodied, pure, and rich with moderately high tannins, it represents a California version of a Bordeaux from Pauillac or St.-Julien. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2045. “ 95+ points Robert Parker

“Consistently one of the best proprietary blends of northern California, Cardinale's 2004 is 100% Napa fruit (from Mt. Veeder, Howell Mountain, Stags Leap District, and Oakville). This blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot boasts a dense purple color in addition to sweet aromas of kirsch, black currants, licorice, olives, and spice box. Fabulous texture, full-bodied power, pure fruit, and an opulent, voluptuous finish nearly conceal significant tannin. This beauty should drink well young, yet age easily for 15 or more years..” 95 points Robert Parker

“When all of these cuvees are blended together, the result is the finest Cabernet Sauvignon yet made by Ed Sbragia, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve (11,000 cases of truly divine Cabernet nectar). For statisticians, 44% came from the Steinhauer Vineyard, 1% from Bancroft Ranch, 17% from Rancho del Oso, 3% from Chabot, 13% from St. Helena Home Ranch, 0% from Quarry Vineyard, and the balance from Marston Vineyard. As I reported last year, the 2001 is an extraordinary effort. Large-scaled yet elegant, it boasts classic notes of creme de cassis, chocolate, and smoky oak. With extraordinary voluptuousness, great concentration, tremendous intensity, and a finish that lasts nearly 60 seconds, this saturated purple-colored, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the greatest wines ever made at Beringer. It is a tribute to the brilliant Ed Sbragia.” Anticipated maturity: 2007-2023. -RP 96 points Robert Parker

The estate's 1996 Clos Saint-Hilaire emerges from a one hectare plot that was planted with 100% Pinot Noir in 1964. This golden-hued wine flows from the glass with extraordinary elegance. Delicate notes of biscuit, honey, acacia and roasted nuts are woven into a mousse of sublime refinement. Notes of white pepper, honey, pear and minerals appear on a finish that frames the wine with superb harmony. In 1998 the fermentations were extremely slow, and this wine saw no malolactic fermentation. This is an exceptionally fine, seamless Champagne that is a must-have wine for those lucky enough to find it. 96 points Antonio Galloni-Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The prodigious, fantastic 2003 Cos d'Estournel is a candidate for “wine of the vintage.” A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon (unusually high for this chateau), 30% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, 17,500 cases were produced from low yields. An inky/blue/purple color is accompanied by a compelling perfume of black fruits, subtle smoke, pain grille, incense, and flowers. With extraordinary richness, full body, and remarkable freshness, elegance, and persistence, this is one of the finest wines ever made by this estate. The good news is that it will be drinkable at a young age yet evolve for three decades or more. Kudos to winemaker Jean-Guillaume Prats and owner Michel Reybier. 98 points Robert Parker

“The 2003 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin has turned out even better than I thought last year. Black purple to the rim, with an extraordinary nose of smoke, camphor, blackberry, cassis, sweet cherry, white flowers, licorice, and Chinese black tea, the wine has superb richness, huge tannins, massive concentration, and a monster finish. Forget this wine for 5-8 years and drink it over the following 35 or more.” 95 points Robert Parker

“Light golden hued; vanilla, white flower and lemon oil, sweet cream nose; elegant, youthful, rich lemon, yellow fruit, walnut oil palate with good acidity; luxuriously long finish. In short a perfectly balanced wine with incredible complexity and stunning poise. Delicious!” BWC

The 2004 vintage was outstanding in Barossa, McLaren Vale, and Magill, the regions where the grapes were sourced for the marvelous 2004 Grange. It contains 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged for 16 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it displays a superb nose of wood smoke, Asian spices, incense, game, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Medium to full-bodied, satin textured, with deeply layered, succulent blackberry, plum, and chocolate flavors, it has the structure and complexity to merit extended cellaring of a decade and more. The winery estimates a drinking curve of 2016 to 2050; I-d be a bit more conservative on the long end of the range. It will ultimately be seen as one of the great vintages of Grange. 99 points Jay Miller- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

“This opaque purple-colored Shiraz has fabulous aromatics of smoke, melted tar, licorice, espresso, game, and blueberry compote. The finish lasts for 60 seconds but be patient this wine will provide pleasure through 2035.” 98 points Robert Parker

“Cerequio is the vineyard which, from the very start, made Roberto Voerzio a name to reckon with, and the 2000 Barolo Cerequio confirms that this is the cru which systematically gives him the best fruit. Warm, potent, and very expansive notes of red fruit, licorice, smoke, and caramel announce that this is a wine of superior concentration. The packed and supple palate, sweet, mouth-filling and tongue-coating, plush and deep personality only confirms this initial impression.” Drink: 2005-2022. 95 points Daniel Thomases-Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Quintarelli's 1997 Amarone is seductive from the first aromas that float from the glass. It offers a myriad of dried cherries, plums, tea leaves, earthiness, spices, smoke and herbs in a deceptively medium-bodied style bursting with flavor. Constantly changing in the glass, this is a sensual wine of contrasts; it is sweet yet dry, rustic yet incredibly elegant, all at the same time.... - 95 Points Antonio Gallioni-Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

”The 1998 Unico is purple-colored with a complex bouquet of wood smoke, violets, Asian spices, mineral, blueberry, and assorted black fruits. This is followed by a full-bodied, dense, loaded wine with gobs of sweet fruit, great concentration, and layers of flavor. It will continue to evolve for another 5-7 years and drink well through 2040+..” 98 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

“The 2004 Contador is even better than the 2003 if that is possible. More expressive aromatically (a characteristic of 2004) this wine is more tightly wound and backward than the 2003. Unlike the 2003 it demands a minimum of a decade of cellaring and could well last for 75-100 years if well stored. Collectors will have a blast tasting these two wines side-by-side.” 100 points Robert Parker