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Red
750ml
Bottle: $199.80
The 2001 Chianti Classico Riserva is a big, layered wine bursting with energy. It possesses striking aromatic nuance...
12 FREE
WA
94
Red
750ml
Bottle: $189.94
The 1998 Calon-Ségur, blended of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, is deep...
12 FREE
WA
93
Case only
Red
1.5Ltr - Case of 6
Bottle: $110.94
Case only
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $81.94
12 FREE
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $1189.08 $1321.20
A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot, the 1998 Lafite Rothschild is deep garnet with a hint of brick and...
12 FREE
WA
96
Case only
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $149.85
12 FREE
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $982.98 $1092.20
Right now, at 20 years old, this wine is approaching its perfect drinking beginning - by which I mean it is now...
12 FREE
DC
97
WE
97
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $221.58 $246.20
Not a great vintage (very hot August, rain in the last half of September), but the Merlot was luscious and wines made...
12 FREE
DC
92
WA
90
Red
750ml
Bottle: $128.95
6 bottles: $126.37
The first vintage for the Dillon family, who purchased this estate in 1997, the 1998 Château Nenin is a sexy, ripe,...
12 FREE
WS
92
JD
92
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $149.84 $162.00
I love this wine and it totally stands up today, as it has done every time I've tasted it recently - it's pretty much...
12 FREE
DC
95
VM
94
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $567.49
Easily one of the most impressive Bordeaux 2001s that you can find. Full of liquorice, lashings of textured chocolate...
DC
98
WA
97
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $773.20
I’m still looking forward to tasting the great Château Ausone of Saint-Émilion later this week, but in the...
JS
97
VM
95
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $57.70
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $65.28
Bright cherry and mineral aromas. Full- to medium-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and a fine, silky finish. Nicely...
WS
91
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $224.95
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $56.78
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $150.90
A harmonious balanced wine, showing fine, fresh acidity. The tannins have closed in somewhat, but you can taste the...
WE
93
VM
92
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $97.43
This is a marvelously complete wine, with its impressive ripe fruit, shining through the open structure. It is firm,...
WE
95
VM
92
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
1.5Ltr - Case of 6
Bottle: $450.90
This famous St-Émilion is a 1er Grand Cru Classé (B) property, planted with 30% Cabernet Franc and 70% Merlot, is...
DC
95
WS
94
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $181.98
This famous St-Émilion is a 1er Grand Cru Classé (B) property, planted with 30% Cabernet Franc and 70% Merlot, is...
DC
95
WS
94

Italian White Blends Red Bordeaux Sangiovese 1998 2001

There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world's finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six 'official' Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act – the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.

The name of this grape, meaning 'blood of Jove' conjures up evocative images of long dead civilizations, and gives the Sangiovese varietal a sense of the holy, the sacred, the special. Indeed, this particular type of Italian grape has been cultivated and processed for thousands of years, and is said to be the original favorite grape varietal of the Romans, and the Etruscans before them. Throughout history, vintners have continued to plant this varietal, and they continue to produce wonderful wines to this day. The long bunches of very dark, round fruit are treasured by fine wineries in Italy and a few other places around the world, and when young, these grapes are lively – full of strawberry flavors and a little spiciness. However, it is when they are aged in oak that they take on some truly special flavors and aromas, as seen in some of the finest wines of the Old World.