According to Robert Parker: "Undoubtedly a sleeper of the vintage, this exceptionally charming, complex, elegant 1997 is neither big, weighty, nor powerful, yet it offers cedar, roasted herb, and sweet plum/cherry fruit in its aromas and flavors. The taster is seduced by the wine's silky, seamless texture, gorgeous aromatics, low acidity, and lovely levels of fruit." (04/00) And, from Wine Spectator: "Very good for the vintage. Deep ruby color. Fabulous aromas of berries, spices and tobacco. Full-bodied, with well-defined, soft and succulent tannins and... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

According to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 00: "Bright medium ruby. Lively aromas of black raspberry, bitter chocolate and mint. Good texture and restrained sweetness; dark berry flavors are quite youthfully unevolved. Solidly structured wine, finishing with firm but fine tannins and very good length." According to Wine Spectator: "Aromas of berries, chocolate and hints of spices. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a light, fresh, fruity aftertaste. Delicious red." (03/02) K&L's notes - This lovely wine is a bit riche... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

91-92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Bright, saturated medium ruby. Vibrant aromas of crushed boysenberry, blueberry and mineral scents. Thick, fresh, youthful and sweet; a real fruit bomb on the nose and palate. Finishes very long, with big, ripe tannins. This really transcends the vintage." (May/June 01) 90 points Robert Parker: "The dense plum/purple-colored 1999 offers up aromas of truffles, underbrush, espresso, black cherries, and roasted meats. The wine is powerful and muscular with high extract and mouth-searing tannin, it is... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

96 points and a Cellar Selection designation from the Wine Spectator: "A megawine, with layers of fruit and various levels of character. This exceptional Bordeaux is full-bodied and very tannic, with masses of rich fruit, berry and tobacco. Very velvety. This powerhouse needs time. Best after 2003." (01/98) 96 points Robert Parker: "What sumptuous pleasures await those who purchase either the 1996 or 1995 Pichon Lalande. It is hard to choose a favorite, although the 1995 is a smoother, more immediately sexy and accessible wine. It is an exquisite exam... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse San Francisco

A tremendous bargain. According to Robert Parker: "Pichon-Lalande's 1991 is among only a handful of 1991s worthy of being the 'wine of the vintage.' Only 30% of the harvest went into the final wine, resulting in a deeper-colored, richer, more concentrated, and complex wine than the 1990, which was atypically light - even for the elegant Pichon-Lalande style. The 1991, which possesses plenty of tannin, displays an opaque, deep ruby/purple color, and a sweet nose of chocolate, cedar, and ripe, plummy, blackcurrant fruit. Round, medium to full-bodied, and... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Robert Parker: "...one of the finest wines of the vintage. The wine reveals a healthy deep ruby color, and a dusty, earthy component to its otherwise attractive plum, blackcurrant, and licorice-scented nose. Medium-bodied, with excellent concentration and crisp, high acidity, this wine is well-structured..." (08/93) 

Inventory: Redwood City

91 points Wine Spectator: "A bit less approachable at this stage than usual. Firm and focused, with a pleasant minty edge to the solid currant and cedar aromas and flavors, hinting at tobacco and toast on the long finish. Thick in texture without being heavy..." (04/91) 90 points Robert Parker: "One of the stars of the vintage, the 1988 has evolved beautifully. Dark ruby, with a full-intensity bouquet of black plums, herbs, and currants, a silky smooth texture, and full body, it is one of the most highly extracted wines of the vintage. Seductively preco... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

Shows a lot of mineral and oriental spice in the nose, and those scents really opened up after a few minutes in the glass. The terroir shines through. When asked to compare it to wines from previous vintages, Mr. Prats mentioned it reminds him of the 1985 though not quite as fat. Superb length. The wine shows its Cabernet tannins, but they’re well integrated. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot in the vineyard, and in the blend. 55% new oak. Only 40% of the crop went into the grand vin. 21,000 cases produced. According to Robert Parker: "The dark ruby-co... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Robert Parker: "This wine is light to medium-bodied, with sweet currant and smoke-infused flavors and some oak in the background, but plenty of red fruits, vanilla, and dried herbs. This is a soft, well-balanced wine to drink now and over the next 12-15 years." (04/02) K&L's notes - Very aromatic, Graves-style wine with earthy and mineral hints on the nose. Crushed berries on the nose and palate. This is a very elegant yet powerful wine, and quite long on the palate with good grip. Delicious exotic and velvety fruit. 65% cabernet sauvignon,... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

According to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 00: "Bright medium ruby. Lively aromas of black raspberry, bitter chocolate and mint. Good texture and restrained sweetness; dark berry flavors are quite youthfully unevolved. Solidly structured wine, finishing with firm but fine tannins and very good length." According to Wine Spectator: "Aromas of berries, chocolate and hints of spices. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a light, fresh, fruity aftertaste. Delicious red." (03/02) K&L's notes - This lovely wine is a bit riche... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

According to the Wine Spectator: "A fine mature claret with an impressive freshness. Excellent ruby color with subtle aromas of cherry and green tobacco. This wine shows vivid fruit flavors with mineral undertones and a fine silky texture of tannins. Delicious now but should improve." (10/94) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

According to Wine Spectator: "Elegant and well balanced, with ripe currant, bell pepper, spice and vanilla notes. Complex and well proportioned, with a touch of tobacco, this has more flavor than most from this vintage. It needs time for the tannins to mellow." (10/90) And, according to Robert Parker: "The 1987 Pichon-Longueville-Baron is an excellent wine for the vintage. Rich, long, supple, and fat..." (08/93) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Robert Parker: "This is a delicious, attractive, dark ruby/plum-colored offering with complex notes of lead pencil, minerals, black raspberries, currants, and new oak. Medium-bodied, with light tannin, this elegant wine is on a fast evolutionary track. Drink this delicious claret over the next 5-6 years." (04/2000) According to the Wine Spectator: "I like the berry and violet character in this wine. Medium-bodied, with firm tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now through 2004." 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

According to Robert Parker: "The tell-tale dark ruby color, pronounced minerality, and pure black raspberry fruit are the hallmarks of most Grand-Mayne vintages. The 1997 possesses some tannin, but the overall impression is of an elegant, medium-bodied, slightly lighter than usual wine with sweet fruit, and the potential to drink well for 7-8 years." (04/2000) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

According to Robert Parker: "Consumers should be on the lookout for the 1991 Prieure-Lichine... It offers solid color, medium body, soft, ripe, cedary, cassis, fruity flavors, and a spicy, supple finish. It should drink well for at least 5-6 years. It is better than many of the lightweight efforts Prieure produced between 1979 and 1985." (02/94) According to the Wine Spectator: "An attractive, supple mouthful, with no-nonsense tobacco and red berry flavors, leading into a light finish." (05/94) 

Inventory: Hollywood

Gilette's proprietor, Christian Medeville, is one of the most unique winemakers in Sauternes. He holds his wines in small epoxy-lined concrete vats for anything from 12-25 years before bottling, and then holds them in bottle for another 3-5 years in his cellars before finally releasing them to the market. The current release is the 1978 and 1979! Two cuvees are often, but not always, produced: the 'doux' or demi-doux' and a Crème de Tête. The luscious Crème de Tête is a kind of Auslese, produced from the most botrytised grapes and vinified separately. ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

95 points Robert Parker: "The 1996 displays an opaque purple color, as well as sweet, wonderfully pure, jammy blackberry, mineral, and intriguing floral aromas. Enormously rich and full-bodied, with massive intensity, this is a modern day tour de force in winemaking. In spite of being aged in a hefty percentage of new oak, the wine does not reveal any evidence of new oak casks because the fruit character is so pronounced. Statistically, this wine possesses huge amounts of tannin, but it comes across as a seamless giant with extraordinary richness and int... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

93 points Wine Spectator: "One of the great buys of the vintage. Dark-colored, sporting loads of minty, berry and chocolate aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, with plenty of velvety tannins and a long, rich finish. Built for aging." (05/99) 90 points Robert Parker: "The 1989 Meyney is one of the finest Meyneys ever produced. The opaque, black/ruby color, a bouquet of minerals and damson plums, the alcoholic, massive flavors and the mouthcoating tannins all combine to create a sensory overload. The 1989 will prove uncommonly long-lived as well as profound... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

91 points Robert Parker: "One of the stars of the vintage, this opaque purple-colored wine possesses a gorgeously perfumed, exotic, smoky, blackcurrant, Asian spice, and sweet vanillin-scented bouquet. It is followed by thick, rich, moderately tannic flavors that exhibit medium to full body, good structure, outstanding purity, and a classically layered, long, pure finish. This terrific Pichon-Lalande should evolve effortlessly for 18-20 years. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2020." (02/97) According to the Wine Spectator: "An extremely well-balanced and well... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

96 points Robert Parker: "This wine has emerged from a dormant period to reveal the classic iron, tobacco, sweet blackcurrant and roasted herb nose of a great Graves. The color remains an opaque purple with a thick, viscous texture. Sweet, expansive, and chewy, with enormous concentration and fat, this wine has begun to develop its secondary aromatics. It is already thrilling to drink, although it is still very youthful Drink it over the next 25-30 years." 94 points Wine Spectator. 

Inventory: Redwood City

97 points Wine Spectator: "Superbly structured, with breathtaking aromas of plums, chocolate and berries that follow through on the palate. Full-bodied, with full tannins and a long, alluring finish. Needs time, better after 2002." 96 points Robert Parker: "Dark ruby/purple, with a tight yet profound bouquet of cedar, blackcurrants, spicy oak, and minerals, this full-bodied, deeply concentrated, exceptionally well-balanced wine is, atypically, too brawny and big to drink young. Anticipated maturity: 1994-2015." K&L's notes - A Jesse Ventura of a w... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

Gilette's proprietor, Christian Medeville, is one of the most unique winemakers in Sauternes. He holds his wines in small epoxy-lined concrete vats for anything from 12-25 years before bottling, and then holds them in bottle for another 3-5 years in his cellars before finally releasing them to the market. The current release is the 1978 and 1979! Two cuvees are often, but not always, produced: the 'doux' or demi-doux' and a Crème de Tête. The luscious Crème de Tête is a kind of Auslese, produced from the most botrytised grapes and vinified separately. ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

94 points Robert Parker: "It is unquestionably the finest Ducru-Beaucaillou following the 1961. I do not think the estate has produced any wine since that can be said to be as complete and concentrated as the 1982... The wine offers a classic St.-Julien/Pauillac aromatic profile - intense cedar, some blackcurrants, a touch of oak, and good spice. Rich and more full-bodied than normal, this chewy, concentrated, moderately tannic Ducru can be drunk with considerable pleasure, but ideally it should be cellared for another 3-4 years . It should last throu... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

91 points from Robert Parker: "Pichon-Baron continues to build on the success it established in the late eighties with its three consecutive top-notch vintages of 1988, 1989, and 1990. The initial impression of the 1995 is one of extraordinarily pure cassis fruit. I had this wine on three occasions, and while it does not measure up to the 1989 or 1990, it possesses an expansive mid-section, superb ripeness, medium body, and high tannin in the impressively long finish. The wine is backward, but the low acidity and high extract should come together to crea... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

4 stars Michael Broadbent: "The best of nine of its peers in 1993, its bouquet fully developed, fragrant, a touch of figs, very sweet, chewy, attractive in 1998 and showing well at the Decanter tasting [Dec 1999]: mature, good flavour, good length - for an 83." 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

96 points Robert Parker: "A sensational Yquem, 1997 may be this estate's finest effort since 1990 (although I would not discount the 1996 turning out to be nearly as good). The 1997's light gold color is accompanied a gorgeous perfume of caramel, honeysuckle, peach, apricot, and smoky wood. Full-bodied and unctuously-textured, with good underlying acidity as well as loads of sweetness and glycerin, it looks to be a great vintage for this renowned Sauternes estate. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2055." (04/03) 95 points and a Collectibles designation from th... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to the Wine Spectator: "Very fresh and clean but rather lean, with berry flavor, medium body and firm tannins." Parker says: "Dark ruby with some amber at the edge, this wine has a ripe, intense, cassis smell. Moderately rich and tannic on the palate, with good depth..." 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

90 points Wine Spectator: "Loads of plum, berry and cherry aromas. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Very well done and superfine. Best after 2008. 6,665 cases made." (01/01) 90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Dark red. Plum, currant, tar, tobacco, smoke, cedar and minerals. Supple and dense, with excellent precision of crystallized red berry flavors thanks to ripe acids and firm minerality. Very dry, sophisticated finish is long and gripping. The merlot was even better in '98 than in '00, said Sanders, but i... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

92 points Robert Parker: "This is the finest Beychevelle produced over the last forty years. It reveals the estate's tell-tale elegance in addition to a level of density, muscle, and richness that is rarely found in more recent vintages. A dense ruby/garnet color is followed by a classy nose of black fruits, licorice, minerals, and toast. Ripe, sweet, and thick, with low acidity, medium to full body, impressive richness, light to moderate tannin, and a long finish, this wine is just entering its plateau of maturity, where it should remain for 12-15 years... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

Four stars Michael Broadbent (last tasted June 2000): "Tasted nine times in the last decade, the last two dining at the chateau. Remarkably good for a '75 - rich, flavoury, full of fruit, its tannin completely submerged." 89 points Wine Spectator: "Slightly tough, but a damn nice glass of red. Ruby-garnet in color, with tobacco, cedar and fruit aromas and flavors. Medium- to full-bodied with full, velvety tannins and ripe fruit. Will improve with age.- Pichon-Lalande vertical." (11/97) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

97 points and Wine of the Year from the Wine Spectator: "The greatest Ducru produced this century. Breathtaking aromas of berries, violets, vanilla and blackberries set the stage for a wine that's full-bodied and tannic, yet very fine and long in the mouth. This has fabulous structure for aging and will be best after 2004." 94 points Robert Parker: "A classic, compelling example of Ducru-Beaucaillou that should not be missed." 

Inventory: Redwood City

In 1970 the underachieving fifth growth Clerc Milon was purchased by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, a watershed occasion for the estate, which had been producing medocre wines at best. Strange that the wines weren't always spectacular, if you consider that the vineyards of Clerc Milon lay sandwiched between Mouton and Lafite. Well, by the mid to late 70s, Rothschild had turned around this venerable estate. This represents a considerable value in mature Bordeaux. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

90 points Robert Parker: "Beautiful notes of dried herbs, new saddle leather, roasted nuts, black currants, and jammy cherries jump from the glass of this spicy, fragrant 1982. Medium to full-bodied and fleshy, it is the finest La Lagune produced in the last thirty years. Just reaching its plateau of maturity, it appears to have the balance and depth to age effortlessly for 10 more years." (06/00) 90 points Wine Spectator: "Very dark garnet-red, with an inky center. Ripe berry and tobacco aromas. Medium- to full-bodied, with tobacco, raspberry and light... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

According to Robert Parker: "The 1981 is a very successful wine, with a more compact aromatic and flavor profile than the 1982. In that sense it is more classic than the flamboyant 1982. Unlike many 1981s, Pichon Lalande achieved wonderful ripeness, and the result is a medium-bodied, richly fruity, fragrant wine without the greenness and astringent tannins that so many 1981s possess. The finish is long and supple." (08/92). According to the Wine Spectator: "Harmonious and delicious. Entices with aromas of spice and fruit. Medium in body, with medium, ... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

We love these so-called off vintages from the classic producers because you get much more bang for your buck. This 1967 is archetypal claret with cedar and red fruit notes mingling with hints of oak and subtle spice. Delicious now, and a birthday bottle that would be hard to beat. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

96 points Robert Parker: "The 1996 Pichon-Lalande is just as awesome from bottle as it was from multiple cask tastings. For Pichon-Lalande, the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon is atypically high. This wine normally contains 35-50% Merlot in the blend, but the 1996 is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Only 50% of the estate's production made it into the grand vin. The color is a saturated ruby/purple. The nose suggests sweet, nearly overripe Cabernet Sauvignon, with its blueberry/blackberry/cassis scen... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

90 points Wine Spectator: "Superclean and racy. Medium-dark garnet color, with pretty plum, floral and currant aromas. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, very fine finish.--1990 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2002." (08/2000) 

Inventory: Redwood City

From an extremely successful vintage on this bank of the Gironde, this Merlot-based value is packed with rich plum and red berry notes with vanilla spice and oak tones filling in the middle and ample though integrated tannin apparent in the finish. A great all-around red for use at table with a host of foods. At over ten years of age, it is drinking its best now. 

Inventory: Redwood City

94 points Wine Spectator: "Wonderful and concentrated, with intense, complex aromas of chocolate and berries. Full-bodied, with very ripe fruit and well-integrated, velvety tannins. Better after 2002." K&L's notes - Elegant, feminine, quite delicate for the vintage, a lovely Bordeaux, showing beautifully. (Joe Zugelder, Old and Rare Buyer) 

Inventory: Redwood City

93 points Wine Spectator (05/90). According to Robert Parker: "Very highly regarded by the chateau, I have found the 1978 to be very good... It is dark ruby with a moderately intense bouquet of herbs, black cherries, spice, oak, and leather. On the palate, the wine is medium to full bodied, with a dusty tannic texture." (Bordeaux book, 1998) 

Inventory: Redwood City

90 points from the Wine Spectator (Aug. 1992) From Robert Parker...'This 1982 is plump, rich, and concentrated...It offers thick, jammy fruit...There is some tannin in the finish.' (Dec. 1995) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

95 points Robert Parker: "In 1978, I had the 1961 Pichon Lalande from a magnum in which it was quite unready, but since then I have had the wine several times from a regular bottle (most recently at the chateau in March 1988) where it was equally impressive, and approaching its apogee. The wine is dark, almost opaque in color, with a huge, ripe, plummy bouquet and savory scents of cedar, toffee, and chocolate. The 1961 Pichon Lalande is rich, full bodied, viscous, and deep on the palate with a luscious, silky finish. Stylistically, it is reminiscent of t... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

93 points Robert Parker: "This is a strikingly delineated St.-Emilion with an opaque ruby/purple color, and aromas of black currants, blackberries, and wet steel/liquified minerals. The layered, rich, intense 1999 possesses superb fruit purity and medium to full body. This is one of the most concentrated and potentially longest-lived wines of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025." (04/02) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 00: "Bright medium ruby. Lively aromas of black raspberry, bitter chocolate and mint. Good texture and restrained sweetness; dark berry flavors are quite youthfully unevolved. Solidly structured wine, finishing with firm but fine tannins and very good length." According to Wine Spectator: "Aromas of berries, chocolate and hints of spices. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a light, fresh, fruity aftertaste. Delicious red." (03/02) K&L's notes - This lovely wine is a bit riche... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

100 points Robert Parker: "The 1982 continues to surge in quality, moving from strength to strength. If I were going to pull the cork for pure pleasure on any of the Big 8, it would be this wine. Still an infant in terms of development, the wine displays extraordinary richness, ripeness, and the beginning of that compelling Latour perfume of cassis, cedar, walnuts, and minerals. Extremely full-bodied, concentrated, and thick, this viscous, chewy, large-scaled wine is also amazingly soft. Huge levels of tannin are concealed behind the layers of fruit.... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

91 points Wine Spectator: "Extremely well knit, with great class and elegance. Medium-bodied, with mouthfilling cassis and spice flavors and a powerful tannin structure. Drinkable now; or hold until 1996.—1982 Bordeaux horizontal." (08/92) They described it as "Still holding on," when they revisted the wine in 1998. 

Inventory: Redwood City

According to the Wine Spectator: "A beauty. Attractive aromas of chocolate, berries and currants. Full-bodied, with compacted berry and cherry flavors and a long, silky finish.--1990 Bordeaux retrospective. Drink now." (08/2000) 

Inventory: San Francisco

94 points Wine Spectator (02/90) 90 points Robert Parker: "The 1978 Las Cases has taken on a garnet hue with some dark ruby tints. The nose is more complex and penetrating than the flavors. The wine offers classic, mineral, lead pencil, smoky, earthy scents, with plenty of ripe fruit, and none of the vegetal herbaceousness that many 1978s have begun to exhibit. The attack offers good ripeness, medium to full body, higher acidity than many more recent vintages, and considerable tannin in the hard finish. Although this wine possesses outstanding complexit... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

94 points Robert Parker: "A dense opaque purple color offers up restrained, but pure aromas of liquid minerals, blackberries, black raspberries, and flowers. Medium to full-bodied, with high tannin but a long, super-pure, symmetrical mouth-feel, this dazzling, extremely complex Ausone requires 6-10 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050." (04/01) K&L's notes - Black color. Mocha aromas with meaty undertones. Great breadth and depth. Tannic finish. 50% Merlot and 50% Cab Franc. Superb wine with great aging potential. 

Inventory: Redwood City

90 points Wine Spectator: "Tasted from magnum. Fresh and well made. Dark-ruby in color and a red edge. Lots of berry, mint and cherry aromas to this. Full-bodied, very chewy, with lots of ripe tannins and a long, long, fruity finish. Still needs time. Best Verdignan ever.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2000." (05/99) 

Inventory: San Francisco