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Lot # <strong>Wine</strong> Year M D Comment<br />
SPANISH FUTURES<br />
Opimian discovered the restructured vineyards, wineries and the greatest wines of northern Spain and introduced them to this country<br />
long before such regions as Ribera del Duero, Cigalles and Toro (not to forget Rioja) were available elsewhere. How could the wine<br />
world have overlooked these fabulous wines of Iberia for so long? Where Opimian pioneered, others have followed and now northern<br />
Spain’s wines are better known, their class recognized far and wide.<br />
2909 Bodegas Faustino, Rioja Reserva 2002 10 10 A special bottling for customers regarded by Faustino as<br />
special. The wine is lovely.<br />
2911 Bodegas Penalba López,<br />
Torremilanos Reserva<br />
2002 9 10 Still full of dark fruit, but now ready to enjoy.<br />
2907 Bodega Beaumonte, Crianza 2003 9 9 All that time maturing in casks is now seen in the softness<br />
of the palate. Enjoy now.<br />
2908 Valdelosfrailes, “Prestigio” 2003 9 9 Huge structure. Big flavour. Long lasting tannins,<br />
but perfectly ready.<br />
2910 Bodegas y Viñedos Valduero, Crianza 2003 9 9 The harsh landscape can almost be tasted in the glass. Still<br />
tough, this child has had to work to harmonize. Very fine wine.<br />
2912 Bodegas Farina, “Torre 5” Crianza 2003 8 9 Giant wine from a gigantic producer.<br />
2913 Bodegas Farina, 2003 8 8<br />
“Torre 7” Gran Colegiata, Campus Crianza<br />
Cellar Offering 156<br />
2915 Briar Ridge, Shiraz 2003 10 10 Soft, good fruit. No benefit in keeping longer.<br />
2916 Briar Ridge, Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 10 10 Very rich, full bouquet, fine black fruit.<br />
Special Offering 41<br />
2952 Chablis, Vieilles Vignes 2003 9 9 This is still OK, but it won’t get any better.<br />
Now very dry and a touch dull.<br />
2953 Chablis 1er Cru, Fourchaumes 2002 9 9 Now it only tastes of the terroir. The Chardonnay richness<br />
has gone.<br />
2954 Chablis, Grand Cru, Vaudésir 2002 8 9 Very fine. big structure. Full body, but would be far better<br />
with some more obvious fruit.<br />
2958 Volnay, Côte de Beaune 2003 10 10 A village wine and no more than that. Expect no great extra<br />
delight, it will only disappoint.<br />
2959 Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune 2002 10 10 Rather dry, rather hard and not very svelte. It might add softer<br />
nuances, but as of now, it is very tight.<br />
2960 Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits 2003 9 10 Giving pleasure through a nice balance of smooth tannin and<br />
fruit. Good length.<br />
2961 Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côte de Nuits 2003 9 10 Standing up well. Colour has faded a lot, but the nose is lovely<br />
and it still presents the ripe fruit in the middle palate.<br />
2966 Pouilly Fuissé 2004 10 10 Carpe Diem – seize the moment before it is too late.<br />
Cellar Offering 157<br />
3006 Monte Castrillo Roble, Ribera Del Duero 2003 9 9 This wine alone would be sufficient to convert a sceptic to a<br />
love of Spanish wine. In a word, it is “complete.”<br />
3030 Clos du Haute Combe, Juliénas 2004 8 10 Often as it is said, this is truly one of the finest estates in the<br />
whole of southern Burgundy and Beaujolais, producing quite<br />
superb wines. The vintage was good, but not exceptional, so<br />
perhaps it is reasonable to suggest that the wines reflect that<br />
assessment.<br />
3036 Gilles Flacher, Saint Joseph 2003 8 9 Fine year, fine wine, rather stalky and a tad tough, but largely<br />
it is all together.<br />
<strong>Wine</strong> <strong>Review</strong> <strong>2010</strong>