Dave Blair

Château Saint Pierre 2010, Ac St Julien

Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2010, Santa Cruz Mountains

RIDGE ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 VINTAGES 89284

Château Rauzan Ségla 2011, Ac Margaux

The grand vin, the 2011 Rauzan Segla, is a beauty. Aromas of spring flowers, graphite, creme de cassis and kirsch jump from the glass of this dense purple-colored 2011. Lots of nobility, complexity and richness characterize a wine that could be mistaken for a first-growth in 2011. This medium to full-bodied, concentrated, gorgeously pure, well-balanced beauty should be forgotten for 2-4 years and drunk over the following 15-20. Kudos to administrator John Kolasa and his team.

Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2011, Santa Cruz Mountains

Château Haut Bailly 2010, Ac Pessac Léognan

Deep plum/purple, Haut-Bailly’s 2010 required some coaxing to appreciate its subtle notes of barbecue smoke, lead pencil shavings and creme de cassis as well as its touches of pomegranate and forest floor. The oak is pushed far into the background and the tannins are extremely silky, but the intensity of the wine is profound and the finish lingers for close to 55 seconds. This wine is ripe yet delicate, powerful yet stylish, and essentially resembles a remarkable fashion design from a house of haute couture. This wine needs a good 7-8 years of bottle age and should keep for 40-50+ years.

Champy Pernand Vergelesses En Caradeux Premier Cru 2010

Kumeu River Hunting Hill 11 Chardonnay 2009

Fattoria Le Pupille Saffredi 2009, Igt Maremma Toscana

Dominus 2011, Napa Valley

Savory herbs, menthol, smoke and licorice are some of the aromas that open up in the glass in the 2011 Dominus. This is a relatively immediate, expressive Dominus with plenty of near-term appeal. The style is open and succulent for the year, with lovely balance and poise. Crushed rose petals and dried herbs linger in the close. With time in the glass, the 2011 fleshes out nicely. In 2011 Dominus is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Drink 2017-2031. Score - 94.

Château Vray Croix De Gay 2009, Ac Pomerol

This blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc displays loads of power, structure and impressive density. The color is a healthy dark ruby/purple, and the wine offers up notes of black fruits, charcoal and forest floor. It is full-bodied and moderately tannic, but the low acidity and alcohol levels give it a certain accessibility. This is a sleeper of the vintage in Pomerol and possibly the best wine I have tasted from this estate. Give it several years of bottle age and drink it over the following 12-15 years.