95-99 Point Wines

95 points The Wine Advocate:Barely budging in hue, the 2006 Amon-Ra Shiraz gives a very deep purple-black color and earthy, gamey aromas of forest floor, moss covered bark, Peking duck skin, mulberries, dried plums, blackberry preserves, incense, cinnamon stick and cloves. Very crisp, concentrated and full with medium-firm velvety tannins, it presents a slightly warm yet long and engaging finish. It’s approachable now and should continue to develop, drinking to 2022+.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown

94+ points The Wine Advocate:One of the vintage’s most compelling wines (what’s new about that?), Alain Vauthier’s beloved 2004 Ausone has closed down considerably since I tasted it out of barrel, but it remains among the most concentrated wines of the vintage. Furthermore, along with Petrus, it will probably be the longest-lived. A dense purple color is accompanied by a celestial perfume of blue and black fruits, wet stones, flowers, and incense. On the palate, the wine exhibits exceptional power and concentration, but this historic terroir has also provided a surreal lightness to the wine’s impression. Beautiful flavors, sensational depth, and abundant structure suggest this 2004 will not be close to full maturity for 8-10 years. It should last for four decades. Robert Parker
#171Jun 2007

97 points Burghound:The intensely floral nose is classic Mazis with the hallmark animale component already in full song on the very ripe yet fresh red berry fruit and deeply earthy aromas. The concentrated and large-scaled flavors are rich to the point of opulence as the level of dry extract is almost hard to believe yet the forcefully long finish is precise, focused, impeccably well-balanced and the length is simply amazing. In a word, dazzling. Drink: 2024+

98 points The Wine Enthusiast:"Beautiful nose with natural complexity and oak-driven tones of cinnamon, clove, chocolate and exotic spice. The fruit is dark, dense and ripe. There’s extra roundness and density in the mouth that acts like the glue that holds together the wine’s firm tannins and its crisp, acidic component. Hold 10–20 more years. Great structure with a touch of pleasurable softness."

97 points Wine Enthusiast: "Gorgeous, opulent, rich, long-lasting intensity and concentration. The wine has body, power, persistency and loads of plush Brunello personality. Incredibly beautiful and layered with chocolate, cherry, blackberry, spice, leather and savory notes. There's a deep mineral layer as well. Masterful mouthfeel. Compelling and lovely"

95 points The Wine Spectator:Bright and racy, with red currant, raspberry and floral notes pushing to the front, while a nervy, minerally grip lurks in the background and emerges more on the taut, iron-filled finish. Still on the tight side for now, so needs cellaring. Best from 2010 through 2025. 577 cases made.

"In this short period, Michel Chapoutier has amassed a record of unprecedented achievement …he is one of the most influential wine personalities of the last 20 years."
~ Robert Parker Jr.

96 points The Wine Spectator:Blackberry, mineral and lightly toasted oak. Subtle and complex. Full-bodied, with wonderfully sweet fruit character and ultrarefined tannins. Goes on and on. Gorgeous and seductive. Best after 2009. 5,055 cases made

96 points Burghound:Mild but not invisible wood frames very ripe yet cool and airy dark fruit aromas that speak of earth, violets, underbrush and a hint of menthol that leads to reserved, intense and tautly muscular broad-shouldered flavors that are textured, naturally sweet, sappy and concentrated while being supported by a notably firm but not aggressive tannic spine and excellent length on the balanced and palate staining finish. This should require between 15 to 20 years to arrive at its apogee as it's noticeably more structured but unlike some less successful '08s, the phenolics here are quite ripe as the low yields and late picking date are clearly in evidence. This resembles the great 2001 more than a little yet there is even more overall depth of material. In short, this should be truly great in time. Drink: 2028+

(94-97) points The Wine Advocate:The 2009 Laurel, tasted from a barrel sample, is a more masculine, brooding effort with aromas of minerals and black fruits that play it close to the vest. On the palate it has superb volume, great focus, impeccable balance, and a lengthy finish. In short, all the right stuff is present requiring only a bit of patience by those fortunate enough to find a few bottles. Jay Miller

(95-98) points The Wine Advocate:The 2009 Clos Mogador was tasted from a barrel sample. Asian spices, tapenade, incense, licorice, espresso, and blackberry aromas inform the nose of this structured, dense plush, powerful yet elegant offering. It is beautifully proportioned with exceptional length and incipient complexity. Give it 4-5 years of cellaring and drink it from 2015 to 2029. Jay Miller