The 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (an 8,600-case cuvee made from yields of 1.98 tons of fruit per acre) is considered by Bo Barrett to be a "great" year. The wine boasts a saturated inky/purple color as well as extraordinary density of fruit and cassis, and huge tannin, body, and extract. It is a substantial, palate-staining, long, muscular Cabernet that should only be purchased by connoisseurs with cold cellars as well as patience. Drink: 2006-2030.

- Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 142, August 2002

A modern day version of the 1959 Lafite, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild was bottled in mid-May, 2005 after achieving 12.9% natural alcohol - hardly an astonishing figure given the vintage's weather conditions. A combination of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, it represents a ripe version of the essence of Lafite-Rothschild. Dense purple-colored, with classic notes of graphite intertwined with melted licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and flowers, it reveals extraordinary richness, opulence, power, purity, intensity, and viscosity. Whether this wine will close down or not is questionable as it is somewhat atypical given its sweetness and softness. Analytically, there are extremely high tannins, which I suspect will assert themselves in the future. Production in 2003 was less than half of normal. Drink: 2010-2050.

- Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 164, April 2006

Wonderfrul berry and tobacco character, with chocolate and cedar. Full-bodied, yet elegant and silky. Beautifully long. This is always outstanding, but sometimes overlooked. '89/'90 Bordeaux non-blind horizontal. Drink now. Drink: 2005+.

- James Suckling, Wine Spectator, February 2005

Broodingly backward and in need of considerable bottle age, the 1988 is a classic expression of Lafite. This deeply-colored wine exhibits the tell-tale Lafite bouquet of cedar, subtle herbs, dried pit fruits, minerals, and cassis. Extremely concentrated, with brilliantly focused flavors and huge tannins, this backward, yet impressively endowed Lafite-Rothschild may well turn out to be the wine of the vintage! Drink: 2000-2035.

- Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 95, October 1994

The beautiful 1999 Mouton Rothschild may be a modern day clone of their 1962 or 1985. Its saturated ruby/purple color is followed by sumptuous aromas of cedar wood, creme de cassis, wood smoke, coffee, and dried herbs. The wine is forward, lush, and full-bodied. It is already complex as well as succulent, fleshy, and long. Tannin in the finish suggests more nuances will emerge in 4-5 years. It is a complex, classic Mouton. Drink: 2005-2030.

- Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 140, April 2002

Readers who understandably don't want to delay gratification should consider the 2003 Caberlot. Less aromatically compelling than the 2004, it bursts forth from the glass with masses of super-ripe, jammy fruit on a full-bodied, generous frame with notably fine tannins for the vintage. Made in a style that borders on the extreme edge of opulence, the full-throttle 2003 won't please every palate, but I found myself captivated by its sheer luxuriousness. It is a remarkably accessible Caberlot at this stage, although my impression is that, like other vintages of this wine, it may start to shut down in the bottleof over the next year or so. It is a stunning effort. Drink: 2011-2023.

- Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate Italy Report # GX, April 2007

Really tight now, but packed with dark fig, currant, espresso, licorice and chocolate notes. Superfleshy but seriously structured, there's layer after layer of sweet spice, fruit and minerality pumping through the finish, with lots of latent depth and power. Should be a monster - a the 1990 - when it reaches its peak. Drink: 2009-2030.

- James Molesworth, Wine Spectator - Web Only, December 2007

Sandrone's 2003 Barolo Cannubi Boschis reveals smoke, tar, licorice and dark plums with superb balance and a vibrant, engaging personality. Made in a sweeter, richer style than Le Vigne, its notable depth and well-integrated tannins make it one of the vintage's successes. I have a slight preference for Le Vigne over Cannubi Boschis today but both wines are among the finest in this vintage. Drink: 2009-2019.

- Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate 173, October 2007

Rich, deep aromas of creamed minerals and toast are intertwined with ripe apples in the complex nose of the 1996 Cuvee William Deutz. This classically structured Champagne regales the palate with toasty apples. Rich, concentrated, and exceptionally long, it is fully mature and will particularly appeal to those who crave the complexity of wines with bottle age.

- Pierre Rovani, Wine Advocate 162, December 2005

The 2003 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto is a fascinating wine. It is classic Giacosa, with a lovely core of sweet roses, raspberries, licorice and menthol that is currently hiding under an imposing wall of tannins. It is also a wine of contrasts, at times open and accessible, at others brooding and shut down. As it sits in the glass the fruit gradually emerges to fill out the wine's structure. It had only improved when I re-tasted it several days after first opening the bottle. That said, it will require further cellaring to soften the tannins, as the wine has shut down considerably since bottling. Made from the heart of the Falletto vineyard, it clearly benefits from the age of the vines in these selected plots. Drink: 2010-2023.

- Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate 173, October 2007

An exceptionally ripe, fresh and densely fruited nose that is both classy, complex and layered as it features a potent mix of pretty red and blue pinot fruit notes, game, smoke and spice hints that also add nuance to the sweet, supple and textured flavors blessed with ample dry extract levels on the intense and moderately powerful and mouth coating finish. This is a complete wine that is impressively deep and displays with conviction why it's the best 1er in Morey. Recommended. Drink: 2013+.

- Allen Meadows, Burghound Issue 29, 1st Quarter, 2008
Merits attention

Those who come looking for Pisoni Pinot Noir can never say they were not warned. The wines are always some of the most extracted and massively built Pinot Noirs in existence. Coming as it does from the original planting, Patz & Hall fruit benefits from over twenty years of viticultural history at this one-of-a-kind site. The track record here is impeccable. Consistently one of the most sought after wines in the portfolio, the rarity of the large formats makes them an unequivocal opportunity to add to your collection of benchmark new world Pinot Noir.

The nose shows all of the beautiful aromatics - cherry, spicy strawberry and black raspberry that Pisoni is revered for. On the palate the flavors are smoothly defined with black cherry, clove and chocolate. Drink: 2009-2015.

- Doug Wilder, Vinfolio 149, February 2008

Already showing the pedigree of the seductive cherry, strawberry, and spice aromas that form the fingerprint of this site's Dijon influence. The palate exhibits the expected smoothness and gives hints of how the delicate flavors will integrate. Drink: 2008-2015.

- Doug Wilder, Vinfolio 149, February 2008

Trust me on this one? Probably the slowest to develop among all of the Patz & Hall Pinot Noir. Like last year the Alder Springs in barrel was an enigma. To fully appreciate where this wine will be in 5 to 8 years you need to look at past vintages. I had the rare opportunity to taste the 2001 and 2002 vintages with James Hall and vineyard owner Stu Bewley in Spring 2007 and scored the 2001 VF 95 and the 2002 VF 93. Additionally the 2003 scored VF 92. Experience shows that this wine develops slowly and consistently improves with age. The dark horse wine of the vintage, in big bottles these wines will last well into the next decade. Drink: 2012-2020.

- Doug Wilder, Vinfolio 149, February 2008

Bright ruby. Powerful raspberry and blackberry aromas complicated by suave baking spices, licorice and lavender. Lush red berry preserve flavors are brightened by zesty minerality and supported by silky tannins, which add gentle grip to the finish. Very sexy wine: I suspect this will be easy to enjoy soon after release.

- Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar Issue 136, January/February 2008

The Cotes du Rhone Les Quartz in 2006 is an opulent, open-knit, gorgeous wine with loads of black cherry and strawberry fruit intermixed with some minerality and spring flowers. It is capable of lasting 4-6 years. Drink: 2007-2013.

- Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 173, October 2007