1997, Turley, Moore Earthquake Zinfandel
94-96 points: Wine Advocate
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"The 1997 Zinfandel Moore (Earthquake) Vineyard (from 91-year old vines; 17.1% alcohol) is spectacular. From its saturated black purple color, to its knock-out aromatics of framboise, raspberries, kirsch (essentially the entire spectrum of red and black fruits seems to be present in this wine), this gorgeous, massively-endowed, jammy yet structured Zinfandel easily disguises its 17.1% alcohol under its remarkable concentration and intensity. It should drink well for another decade. As I have stated many times in the past, Turley Cellars' offerings have become the reference point for Zinfandel, as they are the most complex, concentrated, hedonistic wines ever produced from this varietal. [...] As for the 1997 Zinfandels, Larry Turley feels they "are the best wines we have yet made." The wines are amazingly good, and as the following tasting notes suggest, readers could buy blind here and always end up with a juicy, complex, mouth filling Zinfandel"
– Robert Parker, 94-96 points, 06/1999
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2009, Achaval Ferrer, Finca Bella Vista
98 points: Wine Advocate
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"Revisited from the July 2019 disgorgement, Egly's 2008 Brut Grand Cru Millésime was showing as brilliantly as ever. The wine seemed to shut down a little in early 2020, but it is already beginning to unwind, and this was the most expressive bottle that I've drunk to date. Offering up an incipiently complex bouquet of orchard fruit, citrus oil, pralines and freshly baked bread, now complemented by hints of iodine, clear honey and mirabelle plum, it's full-bodied, deep and layered, with immense depth and concentration, racy acids and elegantly muscular structuring dry extract. Long and penetrating, as I've written before, this wine is a monument to what Champagne's grower revolution has achieved over the last 30 or so years."
– William Kelley, 100 points, 04/2021
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2012, Dr. Loosen, Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Alte Reben Grosses Gewachs
93+ points: Wine Advocate
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"The 2012 Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling GG Alte Reben opens with intense and ripe mirabelle fruit on the nose. Concentrated, complex and well-structured, this persistent, five-year-old wine was still on its way when tasted in Hattenheim in October 2017."
–Stephan Reinhardt, 93+ points, 05/2018
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2012, Domaine Ponsot, Clos Vougeot Vv
92-94 points: Burghound
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"This is aromatically riper than the Chambertin though that is not especially surprising. There is fine layering to the spiced plum, cassis, warm earth and hint of exotic tea aromas. I very much like the sense of vitality and masculine punch of the lush, even opulent middle weight plus flavors that possess plenty of tanninbuffering dry extract before concluding in a dusty and palate coating finish that delivers excellent persistence. Like many of the grands crus in the range patience will be required if you wish to drink this at its peak."
–Allen Meadows, 92-94 points, 01/2014
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2012, Henschke, Hill Of Grace Shiraz
99 Points: Wine Advocate
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"Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Hill of Grace Shiraz is a little reticent on the nose to begin, opening out to a somewhat paradoxically tantalizing Black Forest cake, beef dripping, fertile loam and tree bark nose with hints of black pepper, Marmite, bay leaves, eucalyptus, licorice and bakers chocolate. The medium to full-bodied palate is a wonderfully intricate mélange of mineral, savory, dark fruits and spice layers, framed by velvety tannins and refreshing acidity, finishing epically. This is a truly great Hill of Grace that has just entered the first stage of its drinking window and should continue to develop beautifully over the next 25+ years."
– Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, 99 points, 09/2017
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2014, Hubert Lamy, Puligny Montrachet Tremblots Vv
88-91 Points: Burghound
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"Firm reduction presently dominates the underlying fruit. The mouth feel of the middle weight flavors is slightly finer and a bit more mineral-driven as well though this doesn’t have the same tension on the otherwise appealingly well-balanced and sneaky long finale. I like the concentration and this should drink well young and with moderate bottle age."
– Allen Meadows, 88-91 points, 06/2016
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2016, GD Vajra, Barolo Bricco Viole
98 Points: Wine Advocate
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"From the Bricco delle Viole cru, or the vineyard most strongly associated with this historic estate, this is a versatile or "evergreen" wine that always delivers consistent results. The G.D. Vajra 2016 Barolo Bricco delle Viole sees fruit from a seven-hectare vineyard with high exposures positioned at 400 to 480 meters above sea level. This site shows characteristic Tortonian-era soils classified as Sant'Agata marl with fossils. These soils have an enormous capacity to regulate the ripening process, resulting in the longer growing seasons relished by the Nebbiolo grape. In a word, the profile here is classic. You get delicate fruit tones and wild rose with camphor ash, licorice and tar. The wine is beautifully harmonious and ethereal. Some 15,000 bottles are hitting the market now."
– Monica Larner, 98 points, 07/2020
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