2021 Rare & Fine Wine Auction Catalogue

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N OV E M B E R 6 , 2021


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Save the Date 18TH ANNUAL

BIG REDS AND

BUBBLES

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022 at FAIR MARKET winefoodfoundation.org


N OV E M B E R 6 , 2 0 21 TOAST. FEAST. GIVE BACK.

5:30PM 

Schramsberg Sparkling Hour

6:30PM 

Seated for Dinner, Program Begins Quita Culpepper, Emcee Denise Silverman, Executive Director, Wine & Food Foundation H-E-B Honors David Duran for 42 Years of Service Jerry Valdez, President, Wine & Food Foundation Featured Winemaker: Hugh Davies of Schramsberg Vineyards & Davies Vineyards

7:00PM 

Live Auction –Todd Kercheval, Auctioneer Beneficiary – Lift Collective, Rania Zayyat, Founder, President; Cara Bertone, Vice President WFF Recognition Award – Harvey Kronberg

9:45PM 

Silent Auction Closes

11:00PM 

Live Auction Closes, Thank You and Good Night! CHEERS!


PHOTO CREDIT: TIM CARL

2021 RARE & FINE WINE AUCTION FEATURED WINEMAKER

HUGH DAVIES

Named President of Schramsberg Vineyards in 2005, Hugh had already spent many years as a winemaker in the family business. Hugh was born in 1965, the same year that his parents, Jack and Jamie Davies, purchased the abandoned Schramsberg property in the Mayacamas range above Calistoga. As a young man, he earned a master’s degree in enology from the University of California, Davis, an undergraduate degree from Bowdoin College in Maine, and honed his skills at Möet et Chandon in Epernay, Petaluma Winery in South Australia, and Mumm Napa Valley. Under Hugh's guidance, the winemaking team has continued to develop the Schramsberg sparkling wine program through increasing grape sources from over 120 cool-climate sites across Carneros, Anderson Valley, and the Sonoma and Marin coasts; as well as the use of barrel fermentation in the production process; and the expansion of small-lot base wine program to over 300 lots of unique wines. This effort has provided the winemaking team with a much broader base of flavor profiles to utilize when ensuring the quality of the final blends of the 12-14 sparkling wines made each year. 4

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Concurrently, Hugh has led his team in establishing a red wine portfolio and brand with Davies Vineyards over the past 25 years. Replanting of the family’s historic hillside vineyards on the Schramsberg property to red Bordeaux varietals was carried out in the 1990s and 2000s. Recognized as the first hillside vineyard site in Napa Valley, the Davies winemaking team has produced J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon since 2001. The winery's first still Pinot Noir wines were produced in 2009. The Davies Vineyards winery was established in St. Helena in 2012, the same vintage of the J. Davies Estate “Jaime” and the first non-estate Davies Napa Cabernet Sauvignons. In 2017, the Davies Vineyards Grayson Building was opened, providing an intimate space where wine enthusiasts can be educated about the brand. Continuing on a path that started over 55 years ago, Hugh carries on with the family legacy living on the Schramsberg property with his lovely wife Monique and three sons Emrys, Nelson and Hughie.


LET TER FROM THE AUCTION COMMIT TEE On behalf of the Wine & Food Foundation, we would like to welcome you to the 35th Rare & Fine Wine Auction. Being able to gather together once again is cause for celebration. So, let’s start by popping a bottle of (Schramsberg) bubbles! Tonight, you have an exceptional opportunity to support WFF’s work to cultivate and invest in the wine and food community through education, appreciation, and enjoyment. We extend our gratitude to our longstanding, generous sponsors and donors that continue to make this celebratory evening of giving possible. We are dedicated to providing financial support to sommeliers, chefs, and winemakers through scholarships, professional development opportunities, and organizations who positively impact our viticulture and culinary community. And this year, we are extending the impact of this work through our beneficiary, Lift Collective. Tonight, WFF welcomes Hugh Davies, Vintner of Schramsberg Vineyards and Davies Vineyards, to share with the Central Texas wine community wines that are steeped in history and truly a labor of love. Under the Davies family’s direction, grapes are handharvested, wines are handcrafted, and sparkling bottles are even stacked and riddled by hand in Schramsberg’s historic caves. On behalf of the WFF Auction Committee, we thank you for participating in our Auction and hope you enjoy an evening of fine wine, sparkling company and spirited bidding. Cheers!

Maura Sharp

Daniel Bleier

AUCTION CHAIR

AUCTION CO-CHAIR

Todd Kercheval AUCTIONEER

NOVEMBER 6, 2021 • WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION

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2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jerry Valdez

Amber Pearce

Soncy Chin

Fredrik Osterberg

PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR

PRESIDENT-ELECT, GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR

SECRETARY, RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR

TREASURER, FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR

Sergio Amaya

Pat Conroy

Holly Noel

Ellen Troxclair

Daniel Bleier

Joelle Cousins

Paul Ozbirn

Kristin Waddington

AUCTION COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR

Don Heath

Brooke Paup

Andrew West

Meghan Caiazzo

Lauren Holbrook

Linda Poole

SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR

Cristin Moxy Castro

David Jabour

Mari Robinson

Jaime Chozet

Howard Kells

Brad Compere

Harvey Kronberg

MARKETING & MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR

Don Neville

Maura Sharp AUCTION COMMITTEE CHAIR

Stephanie Simpson

2021 AUCTION COMMIT TEE Maura Sharp

Meghan Caiazzo

Christie Miller

Amber Pearce

CHAIR

Pat Conroy

Paul Mims

Stephanie Simpson

Daniel Bleier

Don Heath

Diana McIver

Caleb Troxclair

Brooke Hester

Paul Ozbirn

Jerry Valdez

David Jabour

Bill Norris

Traci Velebil

Harvey Kronberg

Brooke Paup

CO-CHAIR

Todd Kercheval AUCTIONEER

SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, November 5, 2022

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THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

TA B L E S P O N S O R S

DINNER WINE SPONSORS

A U C T I O N K I C KO F F B B Q W I N E S P O N S O R

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2021 BENEFICIARY Lift Collective is a community-centered, non-profit organization advocating equity and inclusion in the wine industry. Through an annual two-day conference, scholarship opportunities, and collaborative programming, Lift Collective works with experts and key opinion leaders across the beverage space to address the needs of often overlooked communities in the wine industry. A portion of the proceeds of tonight’s event will be donated to Lift Collective’s scholarships, which are awarded for educational development and entrepreneurship. The Wine & Food Foundation is proud to support Lift Collective in its mission to assist aspiring entrepreneurs from overlooked communities who want to make their mark in the wine industry. WFF is committed to opening new doors that help people reach their highest potential in the wine industry. Achieving that goal benefits us all immeasurably.

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Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life’s most civilized pleasures. - Michael Broadbent, The Complete Guide to Wine Tasting and Wine Cellars

We’re proud to be the Creative Sponsor for the 2021 Rare & Fine Wine Auction.

thelabelcollective.com

• Full service wine storage WINE VAULT AD  THE CURRENT AD IS NOT THE RIGHT 1/2 PAGE FORMAT. •INWine collection moves IT LOOKS LIKE A FULL PAGE. IS IT SUPPOSED TO BE A 1/4 PAGE AD?

• Fully refrigerated wine delivery • Unique events

Austin@vinevault.com

NOVEMBER 6, 2021 • WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION

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PASSIONATE ABOUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE Recurrent Energy is a Proud Sponsor of the Wine & Food Foundation’s 2021 Rare & Fine Wine Auction. With a growing team based in Austin, Texas, Recurrent Energy is a leading North American utility-scale solar and energy storage project developer, delivering competitive, clean electricity to the grid. LEARN MORE AT RECURRENTENERGY.COM.

Pflugerville Solar Project Pflugerville, Texas Image Courtesy of Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions

CAPTRUST is a proud supporter of The Wine and Food Foundation

CAPTRUST specializes in providing comprehensive wealth planning services to executives and high-net-worth individuals and investment advisory services to retirement plan fiduciaries, endowments, and foundations. CAPTRUST is a national independent investment research and feebased advisory firm with local offices in Austin and San Antonio.

Lisa Ivie Miller | Lisa.Miller@captrust.com 5000 Plaza on the Lake #170, Austin, TX 78746 captrust.com | 512.342.2272

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MEMBERSHIP WFF would not be what it is today without its members, so we work extra hard to keep our membership benefits fresh and exciting. We hope you’ll join us as we continue to build our wine and food community!

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS * EPICUREAN

$35 per month or $350 per year ($70 savings)

CONNOISSEUR

$25 per month or $250 per year ($50 savings)

AFICIONADO

$15 per month

or $150 per year ($30 savings)

BENEFITS • One (1) free IMBIBE class per year • Discounts to local restaurants and partners • WFF Wine Club: Access to quarterly, WFF-curated six-pack of wine • Member pricing for 2 people to all WFF events • 15-day advance ticket purchase opportunities for WFF Premiere Events • 3-day advance ticket purchase opportunities for IMBIBE classes • Invites to 4 Cellar Salon events per year

BENEFITS • Discounts to local restaurants and partners • WFF Wine Club: Access to quarterly, WFF-curated six-pack of wine • Member pricing for 2 people to all WFF events • 10-day advance ticket purchase opportunities for WFF Premiere Events • 2-day advance ticket purchase opportunities for IMBIBE classes • Invitation to December Cellar Salon event

BENEFITS • Discounts to local restaurants and partners • WFF Wine Club: Access to quarterly, WFF-curated six-pack of wine • Member pricing for 2 people to all WFF events • 5-day advance ticket purchase opportunities for WFF Premiere Events • 1-day advance ticket purchase opportunities for IMBIBE classes

*All membership levels require a one-year minimum commitment. Some events/benefits may be slightly different or removed during the pandemic.

FOR MORE DETAILS, VISIT

WINEFOODFOUNDATION.ORG NOVEMBER 6, 2021 • WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION

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BUYING GUIDE STANDARD NOTICES 1. T he Wine & Food Foundation’s Rare & Fine Wine Auction (hereinafter designated WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION) and the JW Marriott Austin reserve the right to refuse admission to the premises and the auction subject to their discretion. 2. Any statement as to authorship, attribution, origin, date, age, provenance and condition is a statement or representation of fact. The WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION reserves the right, in forming their opinion, to consult and rely upon any expert or authority considered by them to be reliable. CONDITIONS OF SALE FOR THE RARE & FINE WINE AUCTION The printed catalog, as amended by addendums & announcements during the sale, constitutes the entire statement of Wine & Food Foundation relative to the wines listed herein. The following Conditions of Sale and any glossary contained herein are the complete terms and conditions of which all wines are listed herein shall be offered for sale, sold or purchased. The wines will be offered and sold by Wine & Food Foundation of Texas. All wines are sold “as is” and Wine & Food Foundation makes no warranties or representations of any kind or nature with respect to the wines, and in no event shall be responsible or liable for the correctness of the catalog or other description of, nor deemed to have made any representation of assumption of liability with respect hereto. Wine & Food Foundation will provide a good faith estimate of the value of each purchase upon request. Each donor and/or purchaser should consult a tax professional if further guidance is needed. Wine & Food Foundation reserves the right to withdraw any item at any time before actual sale. Unless otherwise announced by the Auctioneer at the time of sale, all bids are per lot as numbered in the printed catalog. After the sale, Wine & Food Foundation’s sale record & invoice shall be conclusive in all respects. Wine & Food Foundation reserves the right to reject a bid from any bidder. The highest bidder acknowledged by the Auctioneer shall be the purchaser. In the event of any dispute between bidders, or in the event of doubt on the part of the Auctioneer as to the validity of any bid, the Auctioneer will have sole and final discretion either to determine the successful bidder or reoffer and resell the Lot. If any dispute arises after the sale, the auctioneer’s sale records shall be conclusive. 14

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If the Auctioneer determines that any opening bid is not commensurate with the value of the item offered, he may reject the bid and withdraw item from sale; and if having acknowledged an opening bid, he decides that any advance thereafter is not of sufficient magnitude, he may reject the advance. When Auctioneer declares an item “sold”, the highest bidder shall be deemed to have purchased the offered Lot in accordance with all conditions set forth herein and, there, upon (a) Assume full risk and responsibility therefore, (b) Will sign a confirmation therefore, and (c) Will pay the full purchase price therefore. All wines shall be removed from the Premises by the purchaser’s expense immediately after the Auction. The purchaser must be present, with personal identification or must be represented by proxy approved by WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION. If the foregoing conditions or any other applicable conditions herein are not complied with, in addition to other remedies available to WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION by law, including without limitation, the right to hold the purchaser liable for the bid price, WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION at its option may either: (a) Cancel the sale retaining as liquidated damages all payments made by the purchaser, or (b) Resell the property for the account of and at the risk of the purchaser, either publicly or privately, & in such event the purchaser shall be liable for the payment of any deficiency plus all costs of resale and incidental damages. All Lots expire on January 15, 2022, unless otherwise indicated in the printed catalog or announced by the Auctioneer at the time of sale. Any Lots not redeemed by that date will be deemed expired and become obsolete therefore. WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION shall not be responsible or liable for refunding or replacing obsolete Lots. All checks for items purchased shall be made payable to The Wine & Food Foundation. Unless exempted by law from payment thereof, the purchaser may be required to pay Texas state and local retail taxes at the rate applicable at the time of purchase.

NOVEMBER 6, 2021 • WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION

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LOT #1

Drink it Tonight - Hugh Davies Presents a Surprise Auction Kick-Off Donated by:

Monique & Hugh Davies

Estimated Value: $200 per table Live by the sword and Schramsberg. Enjoy a glass of the 2017 vintage of Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs from the sword of Hugh Davies. Up to three winners and their table guests will receive a glass served immediately following Hugh Davies' kick-off to the 35th Rare & Fine Wine Auction. This lot is offered as a Dutch auction. Up to three winners and their table guests will receive a glass of sparkling wine from the 3L bottle being auctioned this evening. Determination of the three highest bidders will be subject to the auctioneer's discretion.

2017 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Brut, 3L

Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator This 2017 Blanc de Blancs has bright aromas of Meyer lemon, golden apple, Bosc pear, marzipan and vanilla cookie, which intermingle with hints of warm pastry and cinnamon. Granny Smith apple, candied lemon, and baked pineapple bring fruitful notes to the mid-palate, ending with a long, clean and vibrant finish.

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LOT #2

Sparkling Start Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Brooke & Spivey Paup, Amber Pearce, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Traci Velebil, Sarah & Zac Whitley

Estimated Value: $600 1. 2012 Bollinger Grandé Année Brut Champagne, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Spectator This goes from zero to 60 right out of the gate, with an intense spine of acidity driving tightly meshed flavors of crushed black currant, ground coffee, candied grapefruit peel and toasted almond. The profile expands on the palate, carried by the fine, raw silk–like mousse. Richly aromatic and expressive from start to lasting, spiced finish.

2. 2012 Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Estate Bottled Brut Sparkling (Anderson Valley), 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Enthusiast Luxurious and layered, this nicely mature wine has a broad range of complex aromas and flavors, from fig to mushroom to butter and baking spices that ride a supple texture and linger for a long finish. The very fine bead, plush texture and a creamy richness that verges on sweetness are practically irresistible. Best through 2025.

3. 2013 Mumm Napa DVX Rosé Sparkling (Napa Valley), 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast Made from just a bit more Pinot Noir than Chardonnay, this is a lovely, complex and memorable wine, elegantly round and lengthy on the palate. A fleshiness of tangerine, peach and cherry complement the bright persistent acidity that has had time to mellow and integrate in the bottle.

4. 2014 Domaine Carneros Brut by Taittinger, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Spectator Aromas of white flowers, apple pie, and citrus peel are enhanced with notes of toast and vanilla. The wine is elegantly structured, round and flavorful with a signature long, creamy finish.

5. 2015 Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Enthusiast Delicate and pretty, with lush strawberry, cinnamon toast and spice flavors that linger.

6. 2016 Davis Family Rosé de Noir Dutton Ranch, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Spectator Made by the Méthode Champenoise from Pinot Noir grapes grown at the Green Valley ranch, this tastes of watermelon, grapefruit and cherry. Meaty in texture with moderate weight, it is lively and fresh, with lasting acidity.

7. 2019 Cedric Bouchard Roses de Jeanne “Côte de Val Vilaine” Blanc de Noirs Champagne, 750ml Rated 94 by Robert Parker Shows superbly, unfurling in the glass with an inviting bouquet of pear, green apple, lemon oil, mandarin, beeswax and warm bread. On the palate, it’s full-bodied and ample but incisive, with an enveloping core of charming fruit, lively acids and a long, chalky finish. Despite its expansive, vinous profile, it’s brilliantly focused.

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8. NV Camille Savés Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Rosé, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Enthusiast Crisp with Chardonnay, yet bolstered with rich Pinot Noir—is full bodied and packed with raspberry and red currant fruit. Still young, it’s lively with acidity and exuberant fruitiness.

9. NV Flaunt Wine Company Sparkling Brut, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast This is winemaker Dianna Novy Lee’s debut sparkling wine, blending 56% Chardonnay and 44% Pinot Noir and then aging the wine on the lees for three years before release. It impresses from first sip, showing acid-driven raciness and a core of green apple, lime zest and biscuit flavors that linger. It’ll serve well as a delicious aperitif or fitting companion for the table.

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LOT #3

Cabernet Franc & Petite Sirah Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Joan & Paul Mims, Holly & Caleb Noel, Jim Stone, Ellen & Caleb Troxclair

Estimated Value: $905 1. 2012 Frank Family Vineyards Petite Sirah Napa Valley S&J Vineyard Reserve, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Spectator Rich and decadent, with chocolate and cherry flavors that show details of mocha, chicory and fresh tobacco, followed by cinnamon and vanilla bean notes on the long finish. The tannins are plump and velvety. Drink now through 2030.

2. 2012 Outpost Petite Sirah The Other, 750ml

Rated 92 by Robert Parker A massive monster that will still be alive 30-40 years from now, this 200-case cuvée is rich with blueberry, blackberry and raspberry fruit notes intermixed with hints of wet minerals and flowers. With stunning purity and focus, masochists may enjoy it now, but it will be strutting its stuff in 15 or more years.

3. 2012 Vineyard 29 Cabernet Franc 29 Estate, 750ml

Rated 91 by Robert Parker There are some blue and black fruits, forest floor and floral notes. It is medium-bodied, but doesn’t have the staying power and finish that I’ve seen in the greatest Cabernet Francs, the likes of Luc Morlet and others in Napa Valley.

4. 2013 Anaba Petite Sirah Teldeschi Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 90 by Robert Parker Like 10W-40 motor oil being poured into the glass. It is inky purple in color, super-extracted, rich, full-bodied and easily a good decade away from being drinkable. There’s lots going on – the purity is there, with super depth and concentration as well.

5. 2013 Bacigalupi Vineyards Petite Sirah, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker Looks like pen ink, as it is black/purple in color. Super-rich and extracted, full-bodied, with great purity of fruit, density and ripeness, this stunner is capable of lasting 25-30 or more years, although there is a certain approachability in this wine that’s unusual for a youthful Petite Sirah. Kudos to Bacigalupi Vineyards.

6. 2013 Turley Petite Syrah Pesenti Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 98 by Robert Parker An absolutely amazing wine, but almost ferocious to taste at this point, the wine has concentration beyond belief. Inky black/purple, with stunning blueberry and floral notes mixed with blackberry and crushed rock give the wine laser-like precision and an unmistakable minerality. Massive and full-bodied, this wine needs a good 10-20 years and should be drinking well 50 or more years from now. If you want to buy a birth year wine for your children or grandchildren, this is the one to buy – you’ll never regret it.

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7. 2015 Crocker and Starr Bridesmaid, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 23% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot and 6% Malbec, the medium garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Franc Blend Bridesmaid gives gorgeous kirsch, raspberry pie and blackberries scents with a beautiful undercurrent of roses, cinnamon stick, potpourri and fallen leaves. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm frame of grainy tannins and great vivacity, finishing long and perfumed.

8. 2016 Chase Cellars Bourn Sarah's Petite Sirah, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker Composed of 75% Petite Sirah and 25% Zinfandel, the 2016 Bourn Sarah’s Petite Blend features crushed black currants and black plums with hints of garrigue, dried herbs and black pepper. This is a full on, full-bodied, pedal to the metal wine in the mouth, featuring vibrant black fruit and herbal layers, finishing long and on a refreshing note.

9. 2016 Sleight of Hand The Archimage, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker A blend of 57% Cabernet Franc and 43% Merlot, the 2016 The Archimage offers up aromas of orange rind, redblack fruits and tobacco leaf, followed by a medium-bodied but lavishly textural, expansive palate that concludes with a saline, mouthwatering finish.

10. 2017 Artesa Cabernet Franc Alexander Valley, 750ml

This wine accentuates the wonderful dark fruit and spice characteristics that are naturally present in Cabernet Franc grapes. On the nose there is a deep aromatic profile of black currant and plum that continue on the palate with superb oak integration and balance. 600 cases produced. Cellar through 2028. 100% Cabernet Franc.

11. 2017 Black Sears Cabernet Franc, 750ml

Floral yet meaty and spicy, the Estate Cab Franc is Black Sears at its finest and most unique.

12. 2017 Robert Biale Vineyards Petite Sirah Royal Punishers, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Spectator Broad-shouldered and a bit tightly wound for now, with gutsy currant, licorice, orange zest and sandalwood notes that build tension toward medium-grained tannins. Best from 2021 through 2029.

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LOT #4

2017 Turley Donated By:

Turley Wine Cellars

Estimated Value: $775 1. 2017 Turley Zin Cedarman (4 bottles), 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker Very deep purple-black in color, it has a very dark, broody nose with dried violets, wild blackberries and briary fruits plus turned earth and nutmeg spice hints. Full-bodied, big and rich in the mouth with tons of lush black fruits and spicy layers, it’s framed by very firm, fine-grained tannins and just enough freshness to lift the warm, spicelaced finish.

2. 2017 Turley Zin Dogtown (3 bottles), 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker Pale to medium ruby-purple color and scented of soft yellow peach, sliced blueberry, boysenberry and crushed black cherries with a core of licorice and exotic spice plus hints of charcuterie and granite. Medium-bodied, it gives a great core of ripe fruits with loads of spicy accents and earthy hints—very concentrated in the mouth, with great juicy acidity and firm, fine, grainy tannins, finishing very long and very layered.

3. 2017 Turley Zin Dupratt (2 bottles), 750ml

Rated 89 by Wine Spectator Offbeat but intriguing, with smoky plum, wild briar and sassafras accents that slowly extract potency and tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2026. 300 cases made.

4. 2017 Turley Zin Fredericks (2 bottles), 750ml

Rated 92 by Robert Parker Deep ruby-purple in the glass, the 2017 Zinfandel Fredericks Vineyard gives aromas of preserved peach, blueberry, boysenberry, cinnamon toast and warm baking spice, with a black cherry liqueur and baked blackberries core plus a rocky hint. Medium to full-bodied, it’s youthfully coiled in the mouth with dense layers of fruit and earthy nuances, firm, fine-grained tannins and great freshness to lift the long finish.

5. 2017 Turley Zin Old Vines California, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Spectator Sleek and briary, with generous black cherry, licorice and toasty spice flavors. Drink now through 2024.

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LOT #5

For the Love of Chardonnay Donated by:

Demeine Estates & Victory Wine Group

Estimated Value: $780 2013 Stony Hill Chardonnay (Full Case - 12 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast Light, lithe and elusive, this wine begs for time in the glass to develop, and it changes as it goes, maintaining a persistence of exotic Asian spice and citrus, stony minerality and a dash of lemon peel. Green apple also shines through, the texture of the wine crisp yet complex.

LOT #6

Insignia Mini-Vertical Donated by:

Charles Parker

Estimated Value: $1,600 1. 2005 Joseph Phelps Insignia (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker The wine is deeply colored and is layered with floral, anise, black cherry and graphite on the nose followed by well balanced tannins, fruit and acidity in the body.

2. 2006 Joseph Phelps Insignia (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker The opaque, inky color of the 2006 Insignia is followed by concentrated aromatics of lush black fruit, graphite, coffee, dark cocoa powder, licorice, and cola syrup. The flavor density and tannin balance integrate beautifully for a long, layered finish.

3. 2007 Joseph Phelps Insignia (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 100 by Wine Advocate Deep garnet colored with a lingering hint of purple, the 2007 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine reveals the most seductive crème de cassis, Black Forest cake and licorice notions with touches of violets, eucalyptus, chocolate box and unsmoked cigars plus a waft of cedar chest. Full-bodied with tantalizing opulence yet compelling restraint, the palate beautifully juxtaposes the rich, ripe fruit with wonderful freshness and a firm yet plush backbone, finishing beautifully perfumed.

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LOT #7

Riesling Roundup Donated by:

Austin Wine Merchant, Joan & Paul Mims

Estimated Value: $700 1. 2009 Léon Beyer Gewürztraminer Comtes d'Eguisheim, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast Honeyed, lifted headiness on the nose of this wine suggests both evolution and richness. The palate adds layers of chalky earth, fresh field mushroom, waxy lemon and pleasantly bitter pith. This shows what Gewurztraminer can be if evolved: layered, rich, concentrated and long. Waxy earthiness dominates the perfectly dry finish.

2. 2010 Joh. Jos. Prüm Riesling Auslese Mosel Graacher Himmelreich Gold Cap, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Spectator Bright and fresh, delivering concentrated flavors of nectarine, apple and key lime pie, supported by plenty of zesty acidity. The long finish shows cream, honey and spice notes.

3. 2011 Trimbach Riesling Alsace Cuvée Frédéric Émile, 750ml

Rated 94 by James Suckling For a seven-year-old dry white, this has great vitality. The more air it gets, the more candied-citrus, pear and driedherb aromas emerge. Although the wine's frame is on the sleek side, there's serious concentration. The finish is very long with a cascade of herbal and mineral notes.

4. 2011 Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Émile, 750ml

Rated 94 by James Suckling For a seven-year-old dry white, this has great vitality. The more air it gets, the more candied-citrus, pear and dried-herb aromas emerge. Although the wine's frame is on the sleek side, there's serious concentration. The finish is very long with a cascade of herbal and mineral notes.

5. 2012 Dr. Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast Ripe musk melon and flowers perfume this delectable semisweet Riesling. The palate is pristine, with ripe yellow peach and tangerine flavors accented by honey and spice. It finishes long, with a spray of delicate cherry blossoms.

6. 2014 Peter Jakob Kühn Landgeflecht Riesling Trocken, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Advocate From the southwest-facing bottom slope of the Doosberg that Peter Jakob and Angela Kühn planted in 1977, the 2014 Rheingau Riesling Trocken "Landgeflecht" opens with a super ripe and aromatic bouquet with very fine mineral aromas. On the palate, this is a gorgeous and highly elegant composition of ripe and lush fruits with fine tannins, minerals and a coolish depth. The 2014 is silky textured, creamy in its highly sensual juiciness and reveals great finesse and fine minerality. This is a great and graceful dry Riesling that was aged for 32 months on the lees and racked for the first time in July. -SR

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7. 2014 Schäfer-Fröhlich Riesling Magnum, 1.5L

Rated 99 by James Suckling If you don’t already know the wines of the Nahe be prepared to be blow away by this astonishing dry Riesling. Super-ripe yet cool, mineral and herbal it has enormous depth, yet remains totally vibrant. The acidity pushes you right off a cliff and you free fall through the minerals for a very long time with the truly spectacular finish.

8. 2015 Peter Jakob Kühn Sankt Nikolaus Riesling Trocken, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Advocate The dry, intensely yellow-colored 2015 Mittelheimer St Nikolaus Riesling Grosse Lage offers an intense and complex sur lie bouquet with perfectly ripe and concentrated Riesling aromas. Full-bodied, dense, lush and elegant, this is a great mix of tropical fruits (pineapples) and mirabelles with sur lie and mineral flavors. The 2015 is provided with fine but firm tannins, vitality and finesse. The finish is long, intense and complex, with a lot of salt, tension and tropical fruit flavors. This is a great and promising Rheingau Riesling that pairs generosity with finesse and elegance in an almost weightless but intense and persistent way. Very sensual, lush and lovely. -SR

9. 2017 Iphöfer Kalb Silvaner Erste Lage Trocken Weingut Hans Wirsching, 1.5L

Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast Crisp Asian pear, tangerine and hazelnut are touched by smoke in this gorgeously textured but invigorating Silvaner. It's an elegant dry white with wide appeal and a long, crushed-mineral finish.

10. 2017 Joh. Jos. Prüm Riesling Kabinett Mosel Graacher Himmelreich, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker The 2017 Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett offers a clear, bright, fresh and flinty bouquet with nice reduction. On the palate, the wine is light, lush, piquant, fresh and salty, with grip, tension and spring-like clarity and freshness. A gorgeous, highly stimulating Kabinett.

11. 2017 Joh. Jos. Prüm Riesling Spätlese Mosel Bernkasteler Badstube, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker The 2017 Bernkasteler Badstube Spätlese is generous, warm, ripe and intense on the nose. It is round and lush on the palate, with a creamy and mouth-filling texture, pretty tropical fruit and fine honey flavors and a salty-piquant drive. This is a rich and juicy but fresh, elegant and very promising Badstube with good mineral grip and tension.

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LOT #8

Paradise from Paso Donated by:

Booker Vineyard, Mari Robinson & Greg Ritzen, Stephanie & Chad Simpson

Estimated Value: $700 1. 2016 Saxum 4hearts, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Advocate Medium to deep ruby-purple, it has a very spicy, layered nose with aromas of nutmeg, warm red and black cherries, floral potpourri, aniseed and a fruitcake note. The palate is full-bodied with a very firm frame and just enough freshness, finishing a touch warm.

2. 2017 Saxum G2 Vineyard Paso Robles Willow Creek District, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Spectator Dark and brooding, this wine has muscle to spare, buoyed by zesty blackberry, crushed rock and bitter chocolate flavors that finish with dense tannins. Needs time. Grenache, Mataro, Tannat, Graciano and Syrah. Best from 2021 through 2030.

3. 2017 Saxum Heart Stone, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Spectator Potent yet polished, with deeply layered black raspberry, dried cherry, orange zest and smoky pepper flavors that build tension toward fine-grained tannins. Syrah, Petite Sirah, Touriga Nacional, Grenache and Graciano. Drink now through 2029.

4. 2018 Booker Vineyard Fracture Syrah, Paso Robles, 750ml

Rated 96+ by Wine Advocate Interesting balance of earth and fruit, with traces of sweet beets, dark plums and chocolate. Though this silky wine will pair with anything, our thoughts are going to salty popcorn by the fire or Dutch Gouda cheese with some black truffle mustard.

5. 2018 Booker My Favorite Neighbor, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Spectator Deep purple/ruby-hued and has slightly more red fruits with lots of black raspberry, cassis, toasted spice, unsmoked tobacco, and incense aromas and flavors. It almost has a Margaux-like perfume and is medium to fullbodied, seamless, and wonderfully balanced on the palate. Some chalky minerality comes through with time in the glass, and it has plenty of tannins and a great finish.

6. 2018 Booker Vineyard Oublié Red, Paso Robles, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Advocate Soft and approachable with dark cherry and vanilla aromas, coupled with blueberries and crushed black pepper on the palate. Each component of the blend seems to fit together like the perfect puzzle piece. Oublié is traditionally one of our most food-friendly wines and should pair well with most dishes.

7. 2019 Booker White (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 92 by Cellar Tracker So bright and happy, it could transport you back to a perfect springtime day in the vineyard. The Viognier shows off with vibrant notes of fresh lime, honeysuckle, and Meyer lemons leading to crisp white minerality. It would pair beautifully with Maryland blue crab cakes, clam linguine, and perhaps some Crema Catalana for dessert. NOVEMBER 6, 2021 • WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION

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LOT #9

Château de Pommard Burgundy Tasting for Ten Donated by:

Daniela DaSuta, DipWSET

Estimated Value: $2,000 Treat yourself and nine other guests to a private Burgundy tasting experience with Daniela DaSuta, DipWSET of VIVANT. Daniela will take you on a journey through the history of winemaking in France and its Bourgogne Region and how to decode the mysteries of Burgundy. You will be treated to six different premium Burgundy offerings from Château de Pommard Wines. Light bites provided. Tasting for ten guests will be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time and date for winner and host before September 2022. Location must be within 30 miles of Austin, TX, or additional travel fee will be assessed. Location is arranged by winner.

LOT #10

Napa Valley Reserve Double Magnum Donated by: Jim Stone

Estimated Value: $1,200 2007 The Napa Valley Reserve, 3L

Rated 95 by Cellar Tracker This is a fruit-forward wine with a hint of alcohol and some tertiary characteristics that should further develop. Black and red fruit on the nose and palate, with black fruit dominating. There was also some earthiness and spice on the palate that should become more prevalent with some additional bottle age.

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LOT #11

Women in Wine Donated by:

Joan & Paul Mims, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Carol Shelton, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Jaclynn Renée van Sant, Traci Velebil

Estimated Value: $750 Toast your glass to these amazing women in wine. These bottles are inclusive of the best of the best in female winemakers. Let your taste buds enjoy some of the best wines from all over the US.

1. 2017 Jaclynn Renée Wines, Petaluma Gap Chardonnay, Single Vineyard, Sangiacomo, Robert's Road Vineyard, 1.5L

Rated 93 by Robert Parker This elegant Chardonnay gives aromas of Golden Delicious apples, toasted almond, lemon peel and stone fruit with toasty hints. Medium-bodied, it has ripe stone and tree fruit flavors in the mouth, fleshing out into a honey-nut character on the long finish and is made with energy and precision.

2. 2017 Keplinger Sumo, Shake Ridge Vineyard (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Spectator The nose has an instant appeal – a gorgeous bouquet of juicy blackberry, boysenberry, turpentine, clove, anise, asphalt, heady flowers. The palate is loaded with flavor and texture, lifted by fresh acidity, and laced with purple plum, ink, black pepper, and black cherry, which all linger on the minute-long finish.

3. 2018 A. Rafanelli Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 92 by Cellar Tracker Young, fragrant, luscious juice bomb. Full of fruit, well structured but not overly complex. Fruit forward. Berries, vanilla, leather, anise and spice. Nice finish that doesn’t linger. Drinks young.

4. 2018 Bacigalupi Pinot Noir, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Advocate Opens with notes of tar and woodsmoke over dark cherries, citrus peel and underbrush with spicy hints. The medium-bodied palate offers a good interplay of spice and earth-laced fruits with a silky texture and juicy finish.

5. 2018 Jaclynn Renée Wines "Franklin's Blend", Dry Creek Valley, 750ml

Franklin’s blend is named for Jaclynn's Grandpa and is a Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. It is bursting with flavors of concentrated cassis, currant, dark plum, coco, violet and a slight hint of vanilla and oak spice.

6. 2018 Le Macchiole Bolgheri Rosso, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Spectator There is ample cherry and black currant fruit infusing this red, along with flavors of licorice, cedar and tobacco. This is smooth, with light tannins for support and a long finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Drink now through 2025.

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7. 2018 Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve Selection, 750ml

Rated 90 by Jeb Dunnuck Another outstanding wine, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve comes from over 20 different sites and was brought up in 37% new French oak. Redcurrants, leafy tobacco, and spice notes define the bouquet, and it’s lush, fruit-loaded, and ready to go. Enjoy bottles any time over the coming 7-8 years or so.

8. 2019 Carol Shelton Wines Viognier, 750ml

Rated 91 by Cellar Tracker Condrieu-like notes of honeyed pineapple, peach, apricot, flowers, and white flowers give way to a beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, rich yet impeccably balanced white that’s going to shine on the dinner table.

9. 2019 Carol Shelton Coquille Rouge Red Rhone Blend, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Enthusiast Nose shows delightful strawberry and black cherry fruit, a bit of savory leather notes and sweet vanilla oak. Lively in mouth but super smooth and creamy, richly textured and layered, elegant and long.

10. NV Flaunt Wine Company Sparkling Brut, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast This is winemaker Dianna Novy Lee’s debut sparkling wine, blending 56% Chardonnay and 44% Pinot Noir and then aging the wine on the lees for three years before release. It impresses from first sip, showing acid-driven raciness and a core of green apple, lime zest and biscuit flavors that linger. It’ll serve well as a delicious aperitif or fitting companion for the table.

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LOT #12

The Araujo Years Donated by: Twin Liquors Fine Wine & Spirits

Estimated Value: $1,300 1. 2010 Araujo Cabernet Eisele (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Advocate Araujo’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard is a picture-perfect example of the year. Vibrant, precise and beautifully chiseled, the 2010 boasts serious depth and concentration. The aromas and flavors are incredibly vivid in this textured, dazzling Cabernet Sauvignon. Hints of dark blue and black fruit, mocha, espresso and grilled herbs flesh out on the huge finish. Today the 2010 is unusually open, but it is almost certain to shut down in bottle over the next 6-12 months. The 2010 is a super-classic Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon from Araujo.

2. 2011 Araujo Cabernet Eisele, 750ml

Rated 98 by James Suckling Compelling aromas of black fruits such as brambleberries, plus blueberries and fresh mushrooms. Asphalt, too. Forest fruits. The tannins just melt into the wine as you taste it. Aristocratic and regal in style and length. A powdery, fascinating texture. From biodynamically grown grapes.

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LOT #13

La Dolce Vita - Fine Italian Wine Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Christa & Don Heath, Christie & Rob Miller, Joan & Paul Mims, Ellen & Caleb Troxclair

Estimated Value: $1,400 1. 2001 Antinori Solaia, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Advocate Deep ruby red in color, the nose of this red wine offers ample notes of blackberries, black currants and hints of fresh mint. The bouquet lends spicy aromas of white pepper, toasted cinnamon, and cocoa. Rich and mouthfilling palate; soft, velvety, tannins impart a lengthy finish and aftertaste where toasty notes reappear. Blend: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, 8% Cabernet Franc.

2. 2009 Paolo Bea Montefalco Pipparello Riserva, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Spectator This ’09 Pipparello bursts with cherries, figs and plums, which are accented by licorice, earth, eucalyptus and warm saddle leather, and underlain by savory notes of soy and truffle. Intense yet vibrant, this wine uncurls on the palate to show myriad brooding notes, savory minerals, chewy tannins, and a seamless, velvety mouth-feel that lingers on the persistent finish. This is a wine that marries feral power with undeniable elegance, and it is a terrific complement to meats, truffles, and hard cheeses. Paolo Bea grows its grapes organically, and makes the wine with minimal intervention. A blend of 60% Sangiovese with 25% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and 15% Sagrantino. Only 700 cases made.

3. 2010 Brancaia Ilatraia, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Spectator This is pure and oh-so-silky, featuring flavors of black currant, violet and sweet spice, with a hint of tobacco. The supple texture is offset by aftertaste of black currant and spice.

4. 2010 Terre Nere Brunello di Montalcino, 750ml

Rated 95 by James Suckling Brunello di Montalcino Terre Nere represents the full Sangiovese expression and the typical garnet red color reflects the tradition of this vine variety. It is a wine of good structure, elegant and refined, and has a soft, silky tannic weft. Fruity ripe flavors play beautifully with notes of mint and tobacco. It’s good acidity allows for a long aging period in the bottle.

5. 2011 Cascina Adelaide Barolo Baudana, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Spectator A delicate example for the appellation, this red boasts floral, strawberry and raspberry aromas and flavors that remain persistent and intense. Harmonious and almost approachable now. Excellent length.

6. 2012 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova, 750ml

Rated 96 by James Suckling Precise balance sets the stage for cherry, black currant, violet and tobacco flavors in this smooth, intense red. The tannins are present yet well-integrated, and this persists with echoes of fruit and tobacco. Reveals an element of spice on the aftertaste. Best from 2020 through 2035.

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7. 2012 Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia, 750ml

Rated 93 by James Suckling This is distinctive, with iron and mineral aromas and flavors up front, this red features plum, blackberry, tar and spice notes. On the austere side in the end, but this lingers well. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2018 through 2028.

8. 2013 Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso, 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Enthusiast The bouquet is intense, complex, fruit-forward and spicy with hints of ripe red berry fruits enriched by various spicy notes. Warm, soft and harmonic on the palate. Great balance among pronounced tannins, acidity and savouriness. This elegant wine has great potential for further cellar aging.

9. 2013 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve, 750ml

Rated 97 by James Suckling Very precise and focused with blueberry, blackberry and currant character. Chewy yet tight tannins. Full body and fabulous density and length. A classic. Needs five or six years to open completely but so beautiful in its youth. Real deal. From organically grown grapes. Pure Sangiovese.

10. 2013 Mazzei Fonterutoli Chianti Classico, 750ml

Rated 93 by James Suckling Ruby red with violet nuances. Bright aromas of fresh cherries mingle with notes of thyme and subtle smoky nuances. Complex and elegant, with flavors of ripe red fruits and a pleasant acidity. Fine and well balanced, with a lengthy finish. Blend: 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot, 3% Malvasia Nera, 2% Colorino.

11. 2013 Romano Dal Forno Valpolicella Superiore Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta, 750ml

Rated 95 by James Suckling A remarkably concentrated red, redolent of dark-cherry ice cream, stuffed with chocolate-chip flakes that turn into meatier, earthier nuances of steak tartar and forest floor. Full-throttle and lavishly chewy, the tannins pucker all sides of the mouth with mesmerizing intensity; nevertheless they remain polished and acutely detailed, like an extravagant, wool-woven, Moroccan veil.

12. 2017 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Enthusiast This wine is chiseled and sharp with blackberry, ripe cherry, grilled herb and barbecue spice. The aromas flow from the glass in a continuous stream and are all marked by radiant intensity. The mouthfeel is long and powerful. The crisp linearity of the wine’s tannic backbone is perfectly measured to the volume and depth of the fruit flavors.

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LOT #14

Now & Later - One Bottle to Drink Now & One to Cellar Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Christie & Rob Miller

Estimated Value: $1,110 1. 2014 Forman Cabernet (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker The softer, more sexy and up-front style of the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon makes it already drinking and appealing. Deep ruby/purple, with notes of black and red currants, cedar, licorice and forest, the wine has terrific fruit, medium to full body, ripe, well-integrated tannins and adequate acidity. Drink it over the next 15 or so years.

2. 2014 Noon Shiraz Reserve (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker While it’s a big, ripe, rich wine, it shows terrific complexity in its hints of cracked pepper, mint, clove and allspice layered over a bed of mixed dark berries. Full-bodied, it’s loaded with supple tannins and blueberry fruit, yet it finishes dry and savory. It should drink well for a decade or more.

3. 2016 Beaux Frères Vineyard Pinot Noir (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator Pure, classic Beaux Frères with everything in beautiful poise. The team’s first tasting revealed an enthralling wine, opening like floodgates toward the sublime – a freshly cedar-oiled grandfather clock, a favorite Musigny, bloodorange dark chocolate candies, or perhaps something unique and lovely from your own memory bank. The texture is refined, the tannins well-integrated, and the entire wine deeply intricate and harmonious.

4. 2016 Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Pinot Noir (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Spectator Sleek and vibrant, featuring a lively and focused structure that offers taut lemon and apple flavors, with exotic and spicy lees accents that linger on the finish.

5. 2017 Aubert Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard Chardonnay (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker The 2017 Chardonnay explodes from the glass with bombastic lime cordial, pink grapefruit and rhubarb pie scents with suggestions of fresh ginger, green mango and acacia honey plus a touch of praline. Full-bodied, the palate has a wonderfully savory undercurrent with brioche nuances complementing the powerful tropical fruit, framed by great freshness, finishing with epic length.

6. 2017 Outpost Chardonnay La Blonde (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 92 by Cellar Tracker Oak/vanilla on the nose, balanced out by strong acid, some element of unexpected spice, lemon curd, moderate finish.

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LOT #15

An Afternoon with Monique & Hugh Davies at Schramsberg Vineyards Donated by:

Monique & Hugh Davies

Estimated Value: $5,000 The winners of this lot will enjoy a private tour, tasting and lunch for six guests hosted by Monique & Hugh Davies, Vintners and Proprietors of Schramsberg Vineyards and Davies Vineyards. Your private tour, tasting and lunch will take place on the historic, 159-year-old Schramsberg property, which is located in the Diamond Mountain District AVA, in Napa Valley, California. Tasting for six to be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time and date for winner and host.

NOVEMBER 6, 2021 • WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION

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LOT #16

BRAND Trio Donated by:

BRAND Napa Valley

Estimated Value: $850 2013 BRAND Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (3 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Advocate The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, which is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 21 months in 70% new French oak, is a small cuvée of just under 400 cases. It is certainly a magnificent wine with an inky purple color and a beautiful nose of blueberry, boysenberry and other black fruits interwoven with white flowers, and backed up by fabulous concentration, a multilayered mouthfeel and tremendous purity. Lots of Cabernet’s classic cassis fruits are present and the new oak component pushed well to the background because of the extravagant concentration and richness.

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LOT #17

Washington State Wine Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Harvey Kronberg, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Christie & Rob Miller, Stephanie & Chad Simpson

Estimated Value: $1,120 1. 2009 Figgins Estate Red Wine, 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Enthusiast Figgins’ 2009 Estate Red is stunningly scented with perfumed essence of iris and violet as well as ripe dark berries and high-toned, resinous green herbs and geranium. The effect is like Merlot contributing Chartreuse liqueur! (Is this a sweet spot to plant that grape or what?) The palate combination of seamless high ripeness and satiny polish with levity, billowing inner-mouth florality and sheer energy is utterly uncanny, and the finish is so juicy you’ll need a napkin.

2 2011 Figgins Estate Red Wine, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot, the 2011 Figgins Estate Red is excellent in the vintage, with classic crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, tobacco, bay leaf and toast giving way to a medium to full-bodied, elegant and seamless 2011 that has good concentration, plenty of sweet fruit and building tannin that emerges with more time in the glass. Classy, elegant and streamlined, it’s already approachable, but will be better in another couple years and drink nicely through 2026.

3. 2012 Andrew Will Winery Ciel du Cheval, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker The 2012 Ciel Du Cheval gives up smoking notes of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, spice and toast in a full-bodied, layered and elegant profile. The purity of this site really shows here, and it also has superb underlying concentration and structure.

4. 2014 K Vintners King Coal, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker 80/20 split of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from the Stoneridge Vineyard. It offers notes of black cherries, red currants, dried flowers and dried soil/sandy notes, full-bodied richness and a seamless, silky, lightly textured and elegant style. It’s impeccably balanced and while already straight up delicious, is going to age gracefully.

5. 2014 No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Syrah, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker It’s a totally gorgeous red that gives up complex notes of rose petals, black cherries, olive brine, underbrush and ample salinity that literally makes you salivate. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and yet ethereally textured and elegant.

6. 2014 Reynvaan Family In the Rocks Syrah, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Spectator A bit reductive out of the gate, this wine opens to reveal aromas of black pepper, moist earth after a rain, nori, olive and herb. The blueberry, black-olive and other savory flavors are rounded in feel while bringing a lovely sense of freshness. An orange-peel note lingers on the finish. Yum.

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7. 2015 Avennia Sestina, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker Leads with aromas of cassis, cherry reduction, unsweetened chocolate, leather, bee pollen, cigar box, and liquid minerals. The warm 2015 vintage has super-charged the palate on this Sestina. It is large-scaled, structured, and extremely long on the palate, with crème de cassis, black cherry, cocoa, graphite, and floral notes.

8. 2015 Quilceda Creek “Galitzine Vineyard” Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker Deep inky plum/purple-colored with a huge nose of blackcurrants, singed herbs, black licorice, and scorched earth, this beast of a Washington State Cabernet has building tannin, a huge mid-palate, and a great, great finish.

9. 2015 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah Stonessence, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast The aromas are expressive, with abundant notes of smoked ham along with herb, wet stone and olive. The palate has a sensuous soft feel, with fruit and savory flavors carrying on the smoked meat finish. It’s all about elegance. Give it some time to open up.

10. 2015 Sixto Chardonnay Moxee Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 93 by James Suckling The oldest of the three chardonnay vineyards (52 years) and low-yielding, this has a very rich and creamy nose with fully ripe peaches and subtle biscuit spices. The palate is plush, ripe and rich with a wealth of dense, fleshy fruit. Holds long with fresh, rye-like grain and cashews and almonds to close. Quiet esoteric and darn good chardonnay.

11. 2017 Leonetti Cellar Merlot, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Enthusiast Black raspberry, dried and fresh herb and black currant aromas are at the fore. Ripe, lush fruit flavors follow, supported by firm, lightly grainy tannins. It has a nice yum factor.

12. 2018 Delille Metier Red, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast This delicious wine is a blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 2% Cinsault. The aromas bring notes of iron, earth, dried herb, flower and berry. The palate is pure, rich unadulterated hedonism, with superb length.

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LOT #18

Magnum Dinner for 10 at the Chadha Residence with Chef Sterling Ridings, formerly the Executive Chef of Uchiko Donated by:

Anu & Punit Chadha

Estimated Value: $8,000 The Chadhas invite you and nine of your guests to join them for an evening of innovative cuisine prepared by Chef Sterling Ridings, who has been with some of Austin’s most beloved restaurants including Parkside, Foreign & Domestic, and Executive Chef at Uchiko. Taste through this innovative 10-course meal that is deeply French rooted and Japanese-influenced while enjoying perfectly paired magnums straight from the Chadha's Cellar. This exclusive dinner will take place on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at the Chadha's home in Austin, TX for ten guests total.

1. 2009 Philipponnat Clos des Goisses Extra-Brut Champagne, 1.5L

Rated 97 by Wine Advocate The 2009 Extra Brut Clos des Goisses is showing brilliantly, unfurling in the glass with aromas of warm bread, fresh peach, ripe citrus fruit, lemon confit and fresh pastry. On the palate, it's full-bodied, deep and layered, with a textural attack that segues into a muscular, tight-knit core that's multidimensional and intensely mineral, concluding with a long finish. Only 20,000 bottles were produced—in other words, half the legal yield. This is a serious, structured Clos des Goisses that transcends the vintage's tendency to facility, and it will merit and reward extended bottle age.

2. 2014 Coup de Foudre Le Droitier, 1.5L

Rated 94 by Robert Parker The 2014 Merlot Coup De Foudre Le Droitier is medium garnet-purple colored with a gorgeous open-knit and flamboyant nose of warm plums, baked cherries, mulberries and baking spices with touches of cardamom, smoked meats and roses. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and vibrant with tons of juicy fruit and firm, grainy tannins, finishing long and perfumed.

3. 2018 Morlet Family Vineyards La Proportion Dorée, 1.5L

Rated 98 by Wine Advocate The 2018 La Proportion Dorée is composed of 65% Semillon, 34% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle. Wow—the nose is a knock-out, featuring intense passion fruit, ripe apple and green mango scents, followed by nuances of clover honey, lemongrass, paraffin wax and musk melon. The medium-bodied palate has a racy line cutting through the energetic tropical fruit layers with loads of zesty and savory sparks coming through on the long finish.

4. 2014 Leflaive Meursault Sous le Dos d'Âne Premier Cru, 1.5L

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast The unusual name (the donkey's back) refers to the shape of this premier cru vineyard which is high up the slope of Meursault. The wine itself, from vines owned by the Leflaive family, is in a rich yet structured style. It has great spice and toast as well as stylish crisp fruits and great acidity. The minerality and the texture will certainly allow the wine to age.

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5. 2011 Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, 1.5L

Rated 96 by Wine Enthusiast So smooth, this is a rich, grandiose wine. Although it is full of black currant fruits and spice flavors, the texture is most impressive. Dusty tannins are integrated with juicy fruits seamlessly. The purest fruit flavors are allied to linear tannins in a precise yet generous way. The wine is evolving beautifully.

6. 2011 Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Combe Des Fous, 1.5L

Rated 97 by Robert Parker Starting with the 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Combe des Fous, it's easily one of the wines of the vintage and offers killer crème de cassis, kirsch, spice box, creamy licorice and toasted bread to go with a full-bodied, seamless, elegant and layered profile the palate. While showing the forward, approachable nature of the vintage, it has ample sweet tannin, rock-solid mid-palate concentration and blockbuster length.

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LOT #19

Bottles Up

TOAST. FEAST. GIVE BACK. The Wine & Food Foundation cultivates and invests in the wine and food community through education, appreciation, and enjoyment. When you raise your paddle tonight, you are supporting the Wine & Food Foundation and creating a more vibrant wine and food culture in central Texas. Established in 1985, and incorporated in 1997, WFF has awarded more than $1.6 million in grants, scholarships, and hospitality industry support. In 2020, we donated more than $80,000 to the hospitality industry in crisis due to the pandemic, and funneled more than $24,000 worth of business to Austin restaurants. Your donations enable us to continue to bring you the unique and educational programming we are known for our premier events as well as our IMBIBE education series. In addition, this year, a portion of the Auction’s proceeds event will be donated to Lift Collective, a community-centered, non-profit organization advocating equity and inclusion in the wine industry through an annual two-day conference, proprietary research, community partnerships, and scholarship opportunities. The Wine & Food Foundation is proud to support Lift Collective in its mission to assist aspiring entrepreneurs from overlooked communities who want to make their mark in the wine industry. Thank you for so generously supporting the Foundation so that we may continue to create unique programming and events like the Rare & Fine Wine Auction.

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LOT #20

William Chris Vineyards Experience Donated by:

William Chris Vineyards

Estimated Value: $650

Enjoy a Wine & Food Vineyard Table experience for you and five guests at William Chris Vineyards, featured winemaker of this year’s Kick-Off BBQ. You will indulge in four 100% Texas wine specialties paired with house-made culinary creations for a memorable and educational experience - all while enjoying breathtaking Texas Hill Country views from the Vineyard in Hye, TX. Included in this package are two magnum bottles of William Chris Vineyards wine for you to take home, perfect for sharing at your holiday table! Tasting for six guests to be scheduled on a mutually agreed date before November 2022.

1. 2018 William Chris Vineyards Hunter, 1.5L

A flagship wine that is sure to WOW any dinner guest!

2. 2018 William Chris Vineyards Texas High Plains Mourvedre, 1.5L

This wine is a true chameleon, both powerful and elegant, it is delicious on its own and enhanced by food. There are subtle notes of smoke, blackberry candy, gardenia, violet, tobacco, thistle, red licorice, rosemary, dessert sage, and coffee.

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LOT #21

Araujo Eisele Offering Donated by:

Karen & Thomas Vaughn

Estimated Value: $900

1. 2006 Araujo Eisele, 750ml

Rated 93 by James Suckling A complex nose of smoke, grilled meats, dark fruits, asphalt, and lead pencil. Full bodied, with super fine tannins, fresh acidity and a long complex and fruity finish. This is all about complexity and finesse. Already coming out and drinking wonderfully now.

2. 2007 Araujo Eisele, 750ml

Rated 98 by James Suckling This is a little riper on the nose than the 2006, with a light raspberry and blackberry jam character combined with a vanilla latte. Full bodied and juicy, with broader shoulders and round tannins. This is powerful and rich, with loads of ripe tannins and fruit. This is all about layers.

3. 2008 Araujo Eisele, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Spectator Dense, rich and enormously concentrated, mixing power with finesse. Pure, ripe, riveting aromas of blackberry, blueberry, currant, sage, cedar, espresso and mocha lead to a full-bodied palate, firming beautifully on the finish, where the flavors glide along and gain traction.

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LOT #22

Lift Collective in Partnership with the Bordeaux Wine Council Donated by:

Lift Collective, Bordeaux Wine Council

Estimated Value: $1,920 In partnership with Lift Collective and the Bordeaux Wine Council, this exclusive auction lot features six rare, 3-Liter bottles, donated by the women winemakers of Bordeaux. Honoring the traditions of Bordeaux, these wines show the dynamic range of the region and the people behind the wines.

1. 2014 Château Larrivaux, 3L

Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast This wine's black currant aromas shine. It's still young and structured, its firm tannins at the fore. But those black currant flavors are crisp and fruity, highlighting its fine balance, as all the elements fall into place.

2. 2015 Château Simon l'Empreinte, 3L

With a deep ruby red robe this wine has a complex nose of black lightly peppered cherries. The palate is soft and has a complex combination of black fruits with spicy notes. The structure is elegant with a balanced volume and fine oaky notes. The finish is delicate with silky tannins.

3. 2018 Château La Freynelle Rouge, 3L

Rated 90 by Robert Parker Made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple colored and a little shy to begin, opening to reveal fresh blackcurrants, crushed blackberries and black raspberries with hints of menthol and dark chocolate. Medium to full-bodied with a great core of lively black fruit, it has a firm, fine-grained texture and finishes with lovely freshness.

4. 2018 Château Les Valentines Le Caprice de Clementine Rosé, 3L

Rated 92 by Wine & Spirit Magazine A blend of equal parts Cinsault and Grenache from an estate halfway between Toulon and St-Tropez, this is saline and spritzy at first, needing a little air to coax out the red fruit. Even then it’s taut and nervy, its red-blushed peach flavors kept firm by zesty lemony acidity.

5. 2019 Château La Rame Rouge, 3L

Vinified and aged in stainless-steel to show its varietal typicity, this is a wine of tremendous value that speaks of its origin near the Garonne.

6. 2019 Château Thieuley Blanc, 3L

Rated 91 by James Suckling A fresh, creamy white with lemon-curd and dried-pear character. Medium body and a fruity finish. Hints of crushed stone, too.

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LOT #23

Ten-Year Retrospective (2011) Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Harvey Kronberg, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Ellen & Caleb Troxclair

Estimated Value: $1,500 1. 2011 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker All of the 2011 Syrahs will be in bottle by the time you read this. The 2011 Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard offers a cool-climate, pretty and perfumed style to go with lots of pepper, violets, iodine and dark fruits, with just a hint of vanilla and oak. Full-bodied, fresh and lively, with bright acidity and fine tannin.

2. 2011 Arrowood Chardonnay Reserve Speciale, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Advocate Exhibits lots of white peach, orange marmalade, honeysuckle and lychee aromas. This deep, full-bodied, richly fruity white reveals good delineation and intensity.

3. 2011 Cabaud Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Hommage, 1.5L

Rated 91 by James Suckling Red-ruby color. At once medicinal and liqueur-like on the nose, offering aromas of blackberry, bitter chocolate and licorice pastille. Dense, sappy and sweet if a bit youthfully aggressive, with the chocolatey character following through on the palate. Finishes with slightly gritty, building tannins and some alcoholic warmth. Winemaker Luc Morlet noted that this Cabernet was harvested well into November but without any rot, and that the alcohol level is 15%.

4. 2011 Elio Altare Barolo, 750ml

Rated 95 by James Suckling Full and super silky with complex berry, lemon and cedar aromas and flavors. Gorgeous finish. Amazing vineyards go into this. From Arborina. Drink or hold.

5. 2011 Force Majeure Collaboration Series III Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker The second Syrah in the Collaboration Series, this was aged in 30% new puncheons, and opens with a potent, roasted nose. Espresso and cacao flavors dominate the tart, acidic berry fruit, with a lick of lemon verbena running through the finish.

6. 2011 La Sirena Le Barrettage, 750ml

Rated 93 by Jeb Dunnuck This is from Heidi Barrett - The 2011 “Le Barrettage” is very dark blackberry in color with fully ripe aromas of black plums, pomegranate juice, smoked meat, mineral earth, spice, and a hint of bacon. It has a silky soft initial palate with a mouth-coating lush mid-palate, and a seamless long finish. This is a thing of beauty for Rhone style wine lovers. A blend of several different Syrah blocks, Grenache, and a touch of Petite Sirah round out this delicious proprietary blend from La Sirena. Especially impressive in light of the reported difficult 2011 vintage.

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7. 2011 Lail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon J. Daniel Cuvée, 750ml

Rated 89 by Robert Parker The JDC 2011 begins with a seductive nose, exploding with aromas of clove, anise and mocha. The palate is very refined with rich flavors of lavish black cherry, fresh blue and black fruits and well structured tannins. The wine shows intensity and a flowing progression that leads to a finish of lush sweet oak intermingled with various red fruit notes.

8. 2011 Léoville-Las Cases, Saint-Julien, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Enthusiast Huge structure, huge potential, a wine that will bring out all the fruit and density of the vintage while remaining very fresh. Black plums are already showing strongly along with the dry core that promises aging. It’s serious while alive and bright. Drink this major wine from 2022.

9. 2011 Kuleto Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Lone Acre, 750ml

Rated 92 by Cellar Tracker The 2011 vintage was perhaps the perfect vintage to craft our “Lone Acre” wine. Never excessively fruity and with seamlessly integrated tannins due to the late harvest, each batch of wine came out of the fermenter beautifully balanced. Black licorice and cassis are often hallmark attributes of Kuleto Estate Cabernet, and this wine has them both in spades.

10. 2011 Revana Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Spectator Deep garnet in the glass, the 2011 Revana Cabernet has a lively, bright nose with hints of blackberry, floral cherry, and pipe tobacco. On the palate the wine has an incredible brightness, bursting forth with cherry, dried cranberries and well-integrated oak. Traces of rose petal and tea leaves complement the velvety tannins. Plush and juicy, the 2011 is well-balanced and begs to be enjoyed.

11. 2011 Ridge Geyserville Red, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast This is a fine wine that shows its terroir. It’s bone dry, moderate in alcohol, and with lovely acidity. The flavors suggest open fields of lavender and thyme, wild strawberries and cherries, and richer, spicier notes of red licorice. A classic Ridge blend of Zinfandel, Carignane and other varieties, it’s one of the most complex and enjoyable wines of its type in California.

12. 2011 Robert Sinskey Vineyards Marcien, 750ml

Rated 91 by Cellar Tracker Rob Sinskey keeps the exact blends of this wine under his hat, but suffice it to say that it's a majority of Cabernet Franc/Merlot/Sauvignon and it is superb! I love the way the black fruit, spice, currants, plums and graphite notes meld perfectly with the wood. Never overbearing or out of balance, this is Sinskey at his best.

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LOT #24

A Few of My Favorite Things: WFF Sicily Trip Donated by:

Amber Pearce

Estimated Value: $625 1. 2014 Firriato Cavanera Rovo delle Coturnie Etna Rosso, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast Exotic incense, oak, mint and Mediterranean brush aromas lift out of the glass. The smooth, concentrated palate offers licorice, dried cherry and orange zest alongside taut, polished tannins and fresh acidity.

2. 2014 Zisola Terre Siciliane Effe Emme, 750ml

Rated 89 by Wine Spectator Hints of violet and graphite accent flavors of crushed mulberry and plum in this well-meshed, medium-bodied red. A firm frame of chewy tannins holds sway on the mineral- and herb-laced finish. Petit Verdot.

3. 2015 Zisola Doppiozeta Noto Rosso, 750ml

Rated 90 by Cellar Tracker The Zisola Doppiozeta is the most important wine of the estate, made with a selection of indigenous Nero d’Avola, rigorously bush trained, on two single estate parcels; it shows a different and personal style. A “super” Nero d’Avola, where the name “Doppiozeta” highlights the “core” of the Mazzei name.

4. 2016 Azienda Agricola COS Frappato, 750ml

Rated 90 by Cellar Tracker The spine of minerality cores this finessed red, with ferrous, saline notes leading wild, scrubby raspberry, perfumed plum, dried rosemary, whiffs of balsamic, along a slight, pink peppercorn spiced palate. Tannins are fine but certainly still present, bamboo boning this through the spiced finish. Charming as ever, give this wine a little time in glass to open up.

5. 2016 Planeta La Segreta Il Rosso, 750ml

Rated 92 by James Suckling Lovely aromas of crushed blueberries, raspberries with hints of lavender. Medium body, firm and solid tannins and a medium to long finish. A blend of Nero d'Avola, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc.

6. 2016 Occhipinti Il Frappato, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Advocate The 2016 Il Frappato is another surprise hit from a vintage that was not easy generally speaking. This wine is chiseled and focused, showing a pretty mineral note that is carried forth from start to finish. The wine is delicate and finessed with small berry nuances, dried blackberry, cherry and pencil shaving. This is an elegant and graceful red wine from Sicily.

7. 2017 Donnafugata Anthìlia, 750ml

Rated 92 by James Suckling A light, zesty white, offering notes of tangerine and crunchy white peach that show pink grapefruit and chive blossom accents, with a snappy finish. Catarrato and others.

8. 2017 Donnafugata SurSur Grillo, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Enthusiast Grapefruit, white stone fruit and Mediterranean herb aromas lead the way along with a scent reminiscent of tomato leaf. Bright and juicy, the medium-bodied palate doles out pineapple, white peach and sage set against crisp acidity. A saline note tops it off.

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9. 2017 Occhipinti Il Frappato, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker The 2017 Il Frappato is a beautiful expression of the grape that shows grace and an almost fragile disposition. This is a lean to mid-weight red wine with a bright bouquet that veers toward red berries and wild rose. The effect is balanced and elegant in a manner that few red wines from Sicily can achieve, making it a nice pairing for a Sicilian lentil soup and some freshly baked bread. The wine shows the color and the floral aromas of a Pinot Nero, backed by the power of the warm Sicilian climate.

10. 2017 Passito de Panteleria Donnafugata Ben Rye, 375ml

Rated 94 by Wine Spectator Flavors of ripe nectarine and wild strawberry, candied almond and orange marmalade burst on the palate in this gorgeous sweetie. It’s mouthcoating with its plush creaminess, but it shows a lovely backbone of mouthwatering acidity for balance, carrying the long finish of ripe fruit, cardamom and ginger spice. Drink now through 2030. 610 cases imported.

11. 2017 Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria, 750ml

Rated 92 by James Suckling This medium-bodied red is balanced and fresh, with light, taut tannins and a well-knit mix of wild strawberry and raspberry, dried thyme, singed orange peel and spicy mineral flavors. Drink now through 2023.

12. 2017 Planeta Frappato, 750ml

Rated 92 by James Suckling This delightfully fresh and lively red is the perfect introduction to the frappato grape. The strawberry aroma is delicate rather than loud and the typical acidity and dry tannins of the grape are invigorating rather than challenging.

13. 2017 Planeta La Segreta Chardonnay, 750ml

Rated 93 by James Suckling Mango dessert, banoffee pie, vanilla, parmesan and apricot compote make for a very opulent nose indeed. Despite the resounding intensity, the full-bodied and dense palate has enough acidity to lift the fleshy tropical fruit and, unbelievably, this ends quite bright.

14. 2017 Planeta La Segreta Il Bianco, 750ml

Rated 92 by James Suckling This is very pretty on the nose with dried herbs, citrus, nectarines and squeezed lemon juice. Medium body. Pithy but really reserved citrus fruit and a tangy finish.

15. 2018 Donnafugata Sherazade, 750ml

Rated 91 by James Suckling A Nero d’Avola with a light, fresh edge, revealing sour cherries and raspberry cheesecake with a touch of citrus. Very taut and edgy, almost tart, on the palate, but there’s undeniable transparency and depth. Medium-bodied and medium-chewy. Drink now.

16. 2018 Donnafugata SurSur Grillo, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Enthusiast Brilliant straw yellow, on the nose SurSur 2018 offers a fresh bouquet with notes of white fleshed fruit (peach and plum) combined with scents of wildflowers. A soft palate, the fruity notes return combined with pleasant freshness.

17. 2018 Firriato Quater Vitis Bianco Terre Siciliano, 750ml

Catarratto grapes give complex fruity fragrances, enhanced by the aromatic characteristics of the Zibibbo, in balance with Inzolia’s elegance and the minerality of Carricante. The balance produced by the sweetness and the core supporting acidity make Quater Vitis Bianco a wine that is destined to age in the bottle.

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LOT #25

Nicolas-Jay Donated by:

Heather & Jerry Valdez, Nicolas-Jay

Estimated Value: $850 Take home six bottles of Nicolas-Jay Pinot Noir tonight and savor a bottle while you plan a trip for you and three guests to their picturesque tasting room in the Dundee Hills near Portland, OR. While you’re there, you will learn more about the distinctive expression of great Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Tasting for a total of four guests will be scheduled for a mutually agreeable time and date to take place before November 2022.

2015 Nicolas-Jay Pinot Noir (6 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Spectator A lovely and delicately complex wine, with expressive violet and raspberry aromas and harmoniously layered cherry, floral tea and stony mineral flavors that glide through a long finish.

LOT #26

The PNV "Sweet Spot" Donated by: H-E-B

Estimated Value: $1,800

H-E-B brings one lucky winner this Premiere Napa Valley Auction lot find. Indulge in (or share) six bottles of 2014 Groth Vineyards Sweet Spot Cabernet Sauvignon from the family-owned vineyard and winery in Oakville. Only 120 bottles of this fine wine have ever been produced. The six bottles will be presented to the winner in a lay-down Premiere Napa Valley cellar case.

2014 Groth Sweet Spot Cabernet Sauvignon (6 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Enthusiast This rare expression of Napa Valley winemaking is one of only 120 bottles that will ever be made. This is Napa Valley history for your cellar and celebrated in a glass with friends and family. Your Premiere Napa Valley wine is from the Sweet Spot, a small 3.4-acre section of Groth’s 28-acre reserve vineyard in the heart of Oakville. Planted to Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 15, this rocky and loamy block is the original source for the Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Groth’s signature velvet tannin structure, bright and rich fruit character, and lush oak notes from 22 months of aging in a new Vernou French oak barrel (medium toast). 2014 was Cameron Parry’s inaugural vintage with Groth as winemaker, who worked alongside Michael Weis, director of winemaking.

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LOT #27

Finest Non-Vintage Champagne Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Amber Pearce, Twin Liquors Fine Wine & Spirits, Amanda & Andrew West

Estimated Value: $625 1. NV A Margaine Champagne Cuvée le Caractère, 750ml

Rated 94 by Vinous It is the richest and creamiest of the Margaine Champagnes. Dried flowers, coffee, hazelnut, spice, dried orchard fruit and tangerine oil all show the natural richness the older vintages bring to this compelling blend.

2. NV Champagne Nathalie Falmet Brut le Val Cornet Disg 5, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker Nothing short of revelatory in its polish, transparency and complexity! A greenhouse-like profusion of leafing and flowering things on the nose is joined by scents of apple and red raspberry subtly shadowed by their hightoned distilled counterparts. Almost weightlessly buoyant, seductively silken and infectiously juicy in its apple and raspberry manifestations, this amazing libation simultaneously suggests hazelnut cream, almond paste and walnut oil, resulting in an uncanny counterpoint with its lively fruit acids. Crunch of berry seeds and legume sprouts lend invigoration to a chalk suffused finish in which salinity and savor of oyster liquor spell “Umami” and “Kimmeridgian” in caps, and it takes real effort to disengage the salivary glands, much less resist the next sip.

3. NV Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast This vibrant version shows a range of toasted brioche, baked cherry, crystallized honey, grated ginger and coconut flavors, remaining light-footed and lively throughout. Beautifully balanced, with a lasting, mouthwatering finish.

4. NV Jacquesson Cuvée 743 Extra Brut, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast Aged in wood, this is the latest iteration of the producer's non-vintage cuvée based on the 2015 vintage. It is impressive in its white-fruit richness that is perfectly balanced by intense acidity. Bottle aging has added to the Champagne's complexity. This is a fine wine that is ready to drink.

5. NV Pierre Morlet Avenay-Val-d’Or Grande Reserve Premier Cru, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Spectator Mostly distributed in France, very little has made it to the U.S. until now. The Morlet family has been cultivating vineyards in Avenay-Val-d’Or since the early 1800’s and, after four generations, Champagne Pierre Morlet et Fils has become synonymous in France for authentic and handcrafted Champagnes. This ripe bubbly delivers peach and red apple notes, with a hint of pastry, on an accessible profile. Refined and balanced, picking up a honey accent on the long finish.

6. NV Ruinart Brut Rosé, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Spectator The nose is delicate and fruity displaying dominant aromas of fresh white pear and dry fruits such as hazelnuts and almonds, followed by white flower notes, Viennese pastry and buttered brioche. The palate reveals a dominant freshness, displaying both tactile roundness and enduring length.

7. NV Stéphane Regnault Lydien, 750ml

Made from a rare and specific strain of chardonnay called muscat chardonnay, it's super light and dry with whitefloral muscat-like notes, plus honeysuckle and jasmine. Simply divine.

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LOT #28

Wine Dinner for Eight Honoring Larry Peel, WFF Founder, with “L” and “P” Wines at the Home of Susan Thomas Donated by:

Susan Thomas

Estimated Value: $10,000 Enjoy a one-of-a-kind wine and culinary experience for up to eight guests in the exquisite home of Susan Thomas. Susan has carefully selected 16 rare and fine wines to be experienced alongside an expertly curated culinary journey. This intimate evening of extraordinary food, wine, art, and conversation will have all of your friends green with envy. Let the wine do the talking. This exclusive dinner for eight will take place at the home of Susan Thomas in Austin, TX, on a mutually agreed upon date and time in late Spring or early Summer 2022.

1. 2000 Dom Pérignon P2 Plenitude Brut Champagne, France, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Spectator A beautiful nose of baked peach, lime blossom and graphite draws you into the glass of this stunning 2000, whose flavors of brioche, salted almond and spun honey are wrapped around sleek, mouthwatering acidity and a streak of smoke-tinged mineral. This deftly meshed Champagne is hard to stop sipping. Drink now through 2030. *Collectibles* -AN (12/2017)

2. 2008 Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Brut, Champagne, France, 750ml

Rated 100 by Wine Enthusiast One of the great Champagnes both for its richness and its longevity, this latest incarnation is superb. The wine's richness is linked to the ripe fruit and the dominance of Pinot Noir in the blend. It also shines in the perfect balance between the texture, the minerality and the integration of the fruit. It can be enjoyed now, but it will be better from 2020 and then for many years to come. *No. 4, Top Cellar Selections of 2018* -RV (12/2018)

3. 2008 F.X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner Kellerberg Smaragd, Wachau, Austria, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Enthusiast An evocative spice and caramel aroma combine with ripe yellow peach. To taste, the peach comes through strongly, while the fabulous taut structure keeps the wine tightly wound with acidity and minerality. The final taste is just off dry. -RV (10/2010)

4. 2010 Adega Pedralonga Vendetta Albariño, Rías Baxias, Spain, 750ml

Rated 95 by Cellar Tracker 100% Albariño grape variety from 30-year-old vines. Golden yellow with aromas that evoke citrus and candied fruits. Good breadth and persistence. The few bottles that are produced, even in good vintages, are a reflection of the exclusivity of this wine, which dares to explore the taste and aromatic limits that Albariño can reach.

5. 2011 Livio Felluga Terre Alte Bianco, Rosazzo DOCG, Italy, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Spectator Creamy and mouthwatering, with a fine backbone of acidity balancing rich notes of peach crumble and almond financier, meshed with pure flavors of glazed apricot, mango chutney and star fruit. A hint of fleur de sel lingers on the long, mineral finish. Tocai Friulano, Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2025. 2,680 cases made, 175 cases imported. -AN (10/2013)

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6. 2004 Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune, France, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator The oak is a bit flashy now, but there's plenty of substance underneath in this powerful, seductive white. Apple, citronella, hazelnut, smoky spices and mineral aromas and flavors mingle with the bright structure. Concentrated yet balanced, with a creamy texture and a long, racy finish. -BS (12/2006)

7. 2009 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Perrières, Meursault Premier Cru, France, 750ml

Rated 97 by Vinous The 2009 Meursault Perrières is stunningly beautiful. It shows fabulous intensity and grace from start to finish. Suggestions of mint and white flowers give the wine a higher register that keeps the wine light on its feet despite its considerable richness. The Perrières is intensely perfumed from start to finish, with layers of crushed rocks that wrap around the palate on the textured vivid close. -AG (8/2011)

8. 2015 Domaine Paul Pernot Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune, France, 750ml

Rated 95 by Vinous Pale, green-tinged yellow. Vibrant aromas of lemon and lime peel, white peach and crushed herbs lifted by white flowers; very precise for a young Bâtard, especially from such a warm year. Wonderfully suave and brisk in the mouth, conveying a lacy texture to its citrus and stone fruit, licorice and fresh herb flavors. The resounding finish is rich, salty and very long. A wonderfully complex young Batard with outstanding potential. It's often hard to choose between Pernot's two grand crus in the early going, but not this year. -ST (9/2016)

9. Interlude - Mystery “L” or “P” Wine 10. 1989 Grand Vin de Château Latour, Premier Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac Médoc Bordeaux, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Spectator This is so decadent and exciting on the nose, with very ripe fruit, tobacco, meat and cedar. Full-bodied, offering amazing raspberry fruit in the core of the palate. Ultrapolished, velvety tannins wonderfully coat every inch of your palate. This will age for years ahead, but it's so lovely now. Much better than many people think.—'89/'99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Drink now. 17,000 cases made. -JS (5/2010)

11. 1996 Dominio de Pingus, Ribera del Duero, Spain, 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Advocate The 1996 Dominio de Pingus is cut from the same mold as the extraordinary 1995. Yields are slightly higher, but still microscopic. The color is an opaque black/purple, and the exotic nose offers copious quantities of sweet cedar, smoke, and jammy blackberry and cassis fruit. New oak is present, but it is largely pushed to the background by the wine's massive concentration. The tannin is sweet and well-integrated, and the wine is fullbodied and harmonious. Although one would think it would taste Bordeaux-like, it has its own individual style that falls somewhere between St.-Emilion's Valandraud, Pesquera's Janus, and Vega Sicilia's Unico! More forward than the 1995, the 1996 is still a candidate for 25-30 years of aging. This is a brilliant winemaking effort! -RP (10/1997)

12. 2003 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée da Capo, Rhône, France, 750ml

Rated 100 by Wine Advocate For the fourth time, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée da Capo has been produced, and for the fourth time, it has received a perfect score although I might back off the 2000's perfect score based on the fact that it seems to be more of an upper-ninety point wine than pure perfection these days. The 2003 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée da Capo has distanced itself ever so slightly from the 2003 Cuvée Reservee. Before bottling and immediately after bottling, these two wines’ differences were not as evident. At present the Capo reveals that extra level of flavor, power, complexity and richness. It is a big wine (16.1% alcohol – less than in the 1998, but more than in the 2000 and 2007) boasting a dark plum/garnet color as well as a stunning bouquet of aged beef intermixed with pepper, herbes de Provence, and steak au poivre. This unctuously textured, full-bodied Châteauneuf possesses enormous body, huge flavors and sweet, velvety tannins. Still youthful, it has not yet begun to close down, and I’m not sure it ever will given this unusual vintage. It is a modern day classic that should continue to provide provocative as well as compelling drinking for 20-30+ years.

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13. 1998 Penfolds Shiraz South Australia Grange, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Spectator A wine of surprising subtlety for the vintage, playing its ripe cherry, red plum and herb flavors against firm tannins that have a bit of grit to them. But those lively cherry and raspberry flavors burst through, and there's a nice hint of green herbs lingering around the finish, which doesn't subside easily. — Australian reds blind retrospective. 9,000 cases made. -HS

14. 2001 Lokoya Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 750ml

Rated 100 by Wine Advocate An utterly perfect wine that exemplifies this extraordinary vintage for North Coast Bordeaux varietals is the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder, which comes from the Jackson family’s Veeder Peak Vineyard. Unfortunately, slightly less than 300 cases were produced, so availability is limited. A dense opaque blue/purple color is followed by notes of lead pencil shavings, ink, blueberry liqueur, raspberries and black currants. The wine is super intense as well as extremely full-bodied and opulent with great structure, purity and density. (I know this sounds weird, but when I smelled and tasted it, it reminded me of the 2010 La Mission Haut Brion that I had tasted a month earlier, no doubt because of its volcanic/hot rock-like character.) This phenomenal wine is a modern day legend from Napa. Still a youngster in terms of its development, it should hit its peak in another 5-6 years and keep for 30+. -RP (6/2011)

15. 2005 Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta Limited Release, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Spectator Gorgeous aromas of warm ganache and mocha lead to a rich, velvety palate loaded with currant, fig paste, black licorice, cassis bush and bramble notes. The long, juicy finish has great grip and density, with echoes of graphite, dark fruit and mineral. Should greatly reward cellaring. *Highly Recommended, Ranked #1 in Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2008* -JM (7/2008)

16. 2010 Weingut Leitz Geisenheimer Rothenberg Riesling Eiswein, Rheingau, Germany, 750ml

Rated 95 by Cellar Trader This captures the very essence of what the pure, concentrated berry juice is capable of producing. Star fruit, passion fruit, melons and sweet tangerine, with incredible concentration and transcendent acidity. A truly remarkable wine.

17. 2016 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Premier Cru Classé, Sauternes, France, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Advocate Pale lemon colored, the 2016 Lafaurie-Peyraguey gives up bold notions of fresh pineapple, green mango, lemon meringue pie and yuzu zest with touches of beeswax, lime blossoms, toasted almonds and cedar chest. The palate is all class with fantastic poise, purity and precision giving the tropical and citrus layers loads of sparkle through the long finish. -LP (3/2019)

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LOT #29

Big California Reds I Donated by:

Heidi & Mike Arndt, Maria & Daniel Bleier, Harvey Kronberg, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Holly & Caleb Noel, Hillary & Nick Owen, Brooke & Spivey Paup, Amber Pearce, Ellen & Caleb Troxclair

Estimated Value: $1,800 1. 2011 Tor Cabernet Sauvignon Cimarossa Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker The fabulous 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Cimarossa Vineyard offers additional evidence of how brilliant this vintage turned out on this high elevation, mountain AVA. Tor told me the crop reached perfect ripeness on Howell Mountain, and the result is a wine of great intensity and lots of mulberry, blackberry and violet-infused notes intermixed with a hint of graphite, a full-bodied richness and a layered mouthfeel.

2. 2013 Mauritson Cabernet Sauvignon Rockpile Ridge, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rockpile Ridge Vineyard shows plenty of crushed rock, blueberry and blackberry, a full-bodied, beautiful sweetness on the mid-palate, and a dry, structured, ripe tannic finish. This is a strong Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon that should evolve nicely for at least two decades.

3. 2014 Black Sears Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 89 by Robert Parker Gorgeous Howell Mountain Cab with bright black and red fruit and delicious mocha charred earth. Hedonistic and wonderful.

4. 2014 Booker Vineyard My Favorite Neighbor, 750ml

Rated 99 by Robert Parker Hold onto your hats with this one, the 2014 My Favorite Neighbor Proprietary Blend will see 24 months in barrel, and there will only be a single cuvée in 2014. This insanely good barrel sample gives up serious, inky, yet pure notes of violets, licorice, black raspberries, crème de cassis and graphite to go with building tannin, a stacked mid-palate and blockbuster length. I’d like to have a case of it in the cellar.

5. 2014 Davis Family Cabernet Sauvignon Cab 5, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Advocate Deep garnet-purple color and is scented of crushed black berries, cassis, violets and cedar with hints of cloves, menthol, pencil lead and roses. Medium-bodied, tightly wound and with a great intensity of muscular fruit in the mouth, it has firm chewy tannins to support and a good, long finish.

6. 2014 Ovid Winery Hexameter, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker Blended of 51% Cabernet Franc, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2014 Hexameter opens with beautiful redcurrants, kirsch and rose hip tea scents with a core of black raspberries and black cherries plus a waft of cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with ripe, rich, bold cherry-laced fruit, sparked by red fruits and floral notions and finishing long with a compelling graininess.

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7. 2014 Pulido-Walker Melanson Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker This is a beauty. Black raspberry, blueberry, white flowers, forest floor, graphite and camphor are all present in the aromatics and flavors of this full-bodied wine that has magnificent fruit purity and an expansive, large-scale mouthfeel, but no heaviness or cloying characteristics. This is a beauty to drink over the next 25 years.

8. 2015 Lancaster Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker Medium to deep garnet-purple, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate reveals notes of warm blackcurrants, black cherry compote and blueberry preserves with touches of cedar, mocha, new leather and sandalwood plus a waft of bay leaves. Full-bodied and giving a taut frame of chewy tannins, it has loads of muscular fruit and a long cedarlaced finish.

9. 2016 Haber Family Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

The wine opens with sweet spice, mocha and black fruit scents. Sweet brambly fruit laced with espresso and chocolate greet the palate, while refined tannins carry the concentrated black currant and cherry liqueur through the long round finish.

10. 2016 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 100 by Robert Parker Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is still very tight and youthful, slowly unfurling to reveal a multifaceted wine with tons of black, blue and red fruit sparks—plums, cherries, black currants and red currants—with dark chocolate, cedar chest, black tea and red roses in the background plus wafts of pencil lead and prosciutto. Medium-bodied and firmly textured by superbly ripe, grainy tannins, it has a fantastic core of intense, complex layers, finishing on an edifying mineral note. Wow!

11. 2016 The Tempest - Realm Cellars, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker The 2016 The Tempest is very deep garnet-purple in color and bursts forth with exuberant notes of preserved plums, blueberry pie, mincemeat, charcuterie and sautéed herbs with touches of wild sage, licorice and baking spices. The palate is full-bodied, rich and totally seductive with wonderfully plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and spicy.

12. 2017 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Spectator Focused, with cassis, bitter plum and raspberry coulis notes that have freshness and tension, while a mineral edge adds range and cut on the finish. Light-handed toast lets it play out nicely and should age well. Best from 2022 through 2032.

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LOT #30

Magnificent Magnums I Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Jon Jones, Holly & Caleb Noel, Amber Pearce, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Jim Stone

Estimated Value: $1,450 1. 2002 Napa Valley Reserve, 1.5L

Rated 95 by Cellar Tracker A youthful dark ruby. Full nose is powerful with fresh, jammy red fruit made complex by spice, herb and bell pepper. Terrific fruit density, weight and polish on the palate -- with loads of bell pepper, tobacco, and cigar box making it interesting. In a sweet spot where the fruit is rich but matched with chewy tannin and lively acids.

2. 2010 Domaine Galevan Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 1.5L

Rated 95 by Wine Advocate The 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of the finest traditional cuvées I have tasted as well as a sleeper of the vintage. Made from 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre from 55-year-old vines, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as a stunning perfume of crème de cassis, kirsch, incense, licorice and a vague notion of beef blood and roasted Provencal herbs. All of the fruit comes from vines planted in the northern end of the appellation. This exquisite, full-throttle Châteauneuf-du-Pape should drink well for 15 or more years. It is a major star of the vintage, and probably is reasonably priced as well. A microscopic estate owned by Coralie Goumarre, Domaine Galevan was established, remarkably, in 1780, but the first estate-bottled wine did not emerge until 1968. I was blown away by these four red wine cuvées, and both of the 2010s have jumped dramatically in score since I tasted them from barrel last year.

3. 2012 Vineyard 7 & 8 Estate Chardonnay Magnum, 1.5L

Rated 93 by Robert Parker The beautiful 2012 Chardonnay Estate exhibits a light straw color with green tints. Honeysuckle, white peach, tangerine oil and lemon blossom characteristics are present in the complex set of aromatics. The wine is medium to full-bodied, layered, rich and impressive.

4. 2013 Tensley Syrah Magnum, 1.5L

Rated 95 by Robert Parker Incorporating 25% Grenache, the Syrah-dominated 2013 Syrah BMT really shows its Grenache component on both the nose and palate. Perfumed and hedonistic, with lots of sweet blackberry, olive tapenade, wild herbs and licorice aromas and flavors, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a big, full mid-palate and a sweet, sexy texture that carries through the finish. Drink it anytime over the coming decade.

5. 2017 Howell Mountain Henry Brothers Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5L

Cassis, salted caramel, double-chocolate brownies, golden graham, cherry pie and vanilla bean with high notes of cranberry and spiced cider. Silky entry with intriguingly focused tannins through the mid-palate with a long, creamy, expansive blackberry finish.

6. 2018 Lynmar Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Quail Hill Vineyard, 1.5L

Rated 92 by Wine Spectator Powerfully fresh, with red currant and dried cherry flavors that show cedary and minerally accents. Inky notes midpalate lead to cocoa hints on the finish. Drink now through 2025.

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LOT #31

Collectible Bordeaux Donated by:

Harvey Kronberg, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Holly & Caleb Noel, Maura & Dan Sharp, Jim Stone, Heather & Jerry Valdez, Traci Velebil

Estimated Value: $2,500 1. 1989 Château Beychevelle, 750ml

Rated 91 by Robert Parker In 1989 Beychevelle produced a compellingly elegant wine that rivals their 1986 and 1982, the two other superstars made at this beautiful estate during the decade of the eighties. An exquisite bouquet of super-ripe fruit, vanillin, flowers, and licorice is followed by a delicious array of flavors that swell and expand on the palate. Rich and concentrated, yet also suave and graceful, the 1989 Beychevelle is extremely long, with a hefty dosage of high but soft tannins.

2. 1999 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron, 750ml

Rated 92 by Robert Parker A sexy, opulent and hedonistic Pichon-Baron, the 1999’s dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by a low acid wine with a silky texture and good fleshiness. It offers jammy black fruits intermixed with licorice, incense, leather, and pain grille. Opulent and fat.

3. 2000 Château Calon-Ségur, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker The 2000 Calon-Ségur is one of those wines that reminds you how great the millennial vintage could be. The detail here is beguiling and it just “sings” Saint Estèphe. The palate is medium-bodied with dense, firm tannin that provide a rigid backbone, but it is swathed in copious tobacco-drenched black fruit and a superb line of acidity. It finishes with a twist of bitter cherry on the finish that completes what is a deeply impressive Calon-Ségur; it might just outclass the 2005.

4. 2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker The fully mature 2000 displays gorgeous aromas of camphor, lead pencil shavings, unsmoked tobacco, plums, and black currants. With full body, a velvety texture, and beautiful weight, richness, and length, this superb wine should evolve, possibly improve for another 15 years. It’s a beauty!

5. 2003 Château Léoville Barton, 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Spectator Intense blackberry and cherry, with hints of currant. Toasted oak and sweet tobacco too. Roses and other flowers, such as lilacs. Full-bodied, with masses of tannins yet incredibly long and seductive. Best after 2012.

6. 2003 Château Montrose, 750ml

Rated 98 by Robert Parker Both on the nose and the palate it reaches this happy medium: pure blackberry, graphite and roasted herbs on the nose, perhaps even more elegant than I have observed on previous bottles. The palate is medium-bodied rather than full bodied with sturdy tannins couched in layers of seamless blackberry and cassis fruit, offset by scents of tobacco and graphite. As usual it has immense length and depth, a Montrose that is really just a few chapters into what is sure to be a longer “book” than many other 2003s.

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7. 2004 Château Léoville Las Cases/Grand Vin de Léoville, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker Performing better from bottle than it did from cask, this blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc has put on weight over the last year. It exhibits the classic style of both Las Cases and St.-Julien in its deep black currant notes interwoven with sweet cherries, wet stones, and toasty vanillin. Made in a structured, medium to full-bodied style with superb concentration, beautiful purity, and admirable symmetry, this beauty is one of the strongest efforts of the vintage.

8. 2005 Château Pontet-Canet, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker This is 2005 and like many wines of this vintage, even with considerable decanting, it remained broody and introspective on the nose, as if it is checking you out and seeing if you are worthy. Once you have been accepted, then it swings the doors open to reveal gorgeous scents of blackberry, briary and cassis fruit, perhaps a little more sous-bois than I have noticed compared to previous bottles. The palate is medium-bodied, but dense and structured—certainly a more masculine Pontet-Canet built for long-term aging. Yet it retains marvelous freshness and vitality all the way through to the pencil-lead, quite saline finish.

9. 2009 Château Léoville Barton, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2009 Léoville Barton gives up expressive cherry cordial, warm cassis and blackberry tart scents with nuances of menthol, cigar box and fallen leaves. Medium-bodied and elegantly played with loads of freshness and soft tannins, it has a long, perfumed finish.

10. 2014 Le Petit Château Cheval Blanc Le Petit Cheval Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Spectator Pretty, with a light sanguine edge to the mix of red currant and damson plum fruit, backed by singed vanilla and cedar hints. A whiff of black tea adds a perfumy detail. Has some weight but this stays on the rounded side in terms of feel. Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

11. 2015 Château Canon-La Gaffelière Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Spectator A plush, inviting style, with warmed fig and plum sauce notes taking the lead, picking up swaths of cocoa, tobacco and roasted alder along the way. Features plenty of pumping bass, but if you pay attention, there’s a laser of chalky minerality driving the finish. When the baby flesh drops away, this will sail in the cellar for some time.

12. 2016 Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac, 750ml

Rated 100 by Wine Enthusiast This is sappy and rich in feel, with waves of red and black currant preserves, raspberry and bitter plum coulis. The long finish drips with sweet tobacco and anise notes, while a brambly layer courses underneath. The vivacious finish kicks into second gear as the fruit and grip come together. Best from 2023 through 2038. #2 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Cellar Selections 2019.

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LOT #32

New World vs. Old World - Donnachadh Tasting for 12 with Vilma Mazaite Donated by:

Donnachadh Family Vineyard and Wines & Vilma Mazaite

Estimated Value: $1,200 Join Vilma Mazaite, Donnachadh General Manager, Advanced Sommelier, and Food & Wine Sommelier of the Year award recipient, as she takes you and 11 guests through an intimate tasting experience in this unique side-by-side comparison featuring present offerings from the Donnachadh Vineyard and the burgundies from the owners’ personal cellars that inspired them! Donnachadh Vineyard is situated on Santa Rosa Road in the famed Sta. Rita Hills, AVA of Santa Barbara County, prime territory for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and cool climate Syrah. Tasting for 12 guests, including wine and Hors d’oeuvres, will be scheduled for a mutually agreeable time and date to occur before December 2022. Location to be arranged by winner.

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LOT #33

A Dominus Even 10 Donated by:

Twin Liquors Fine Wine & Spirits

Estimated Value: $4,500 1. 1998 Dominus Estate, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Spectator Earthy, elegant and refined Cabernet blend, delivering layers of currant, tar, black cherry, cedar, coffee and anise, all sharply focused and framed by just the right amount of tannin.

2. 2000 Dominus Estate, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Enthusiast This Dominus is almost as good as the '99. It's not a lavish blockbuster, but the cassis and herb flavors are delicious, and well oaked. The prettiest part is the mouthfeel, all soft and velvety. Shows plenty of class and elegance.

3. 2002 Dominus Estate, 750ml

Rated 99 by Robert Parker A flawless, seamless integration of tannin, wood, alcohol and acidity is found in this dense, plum/purple-colored Dominus, along with copious notes of sweet black currants interwoven with kirsch, forest floor, unsmoked cigar tobacco, new saddle leather and forest floor. Full-bodied with velvety tannins, stunning elegance and a 45-second finish, this sensational 2002 rivals two of the all-time great wines made at Dominus, 1991 and 1994.

4. 2004 Dominus Estate, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker Like so many 2004's, the 2004 Dominus is a full-bodied wine showing brilliantly at age ten, with loads of complex cedar, kirsch, Christmas fruitcake, black currants and spice box. It has a creamy, opulent texture, but remains light on its feet. This sexy wine is showing exceptionally well and is best drunk over the next 10-15 years. Not one of the longest-lived wines from Dominus, but it is certainly at a wonderful point in its evolution right now.

5. 2006 Dominus Estate, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker Very deep garnet-purple color. A wonderfully perfumed nose of violets, crushed blackberries, black cherries, mace and cloves leading into some smoked meat and mocha aromas with swirling. Very structured on the palate with high acidity, a medium to high level of fine tannins and a full body providing plenty of flesh in the mid-palate. Very long layered finish.

6. 2008 Dominus Estate, 750ml

Rated 99 by Robert Parker Made in a more masculine style, the 2008 Dominus has all of that along with bigger body and more structure, fat, density and texture. Both are brilliant wines and they represent the finest back-to-back vintages for Dominus since 2001 and 2002 or 1990 and 1991. Both the 2007 and 2008 Dominus should drink well for 25-30 years.

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7. 2010 Dominus Estate, 750ml

Rated 100 by Robert Parker Composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot, the stunning, full-bodied 2010 Dominus boasts an exceptional perfume of hoisin sauce, licorice, underbrush, forest floor, plums, black currants and jammy cherries intertwined with hints of cedar, baking spices and oak. Full-bodied and voluptuously textured, the 2010 is on a slightly faster evolutionary track than the 2009 (somewhat of an anomaly for these two vintages). This exquisite as well as prodigious 2010 can be drunk young, but it should age effortlessly for 20-25 years. Bravo!

8. 2012 Dominus Estate, 750ml

Rated 99 by Robert Parker The exuberance and drama in the stunning nose of the dense plum-colored 2012 Dominus offers up notes of Asian spice, ripe, black currants, kirsch, tobacco leaf and Christmas fruitcake. It is full-bodied and opulent, with no hard edges, a seamless integration of acidity, wood and tannin and a density and richness that are built to go on for 2530 years.

9. 2014 Dominus Estate, 750ml

Rated 98 by James Suckling Loads of dark tobacco aromas with blackcurrants and black olives. Boysenberries, too. Full to medium body, ultrafine tannins and lots of flavors of smoke, dried roasted chilies, black truffles, mushrooms and fruit. Bright acidity on the finish. Sexy and subtle austerity. Alluring. Very approachable now but better in 2021.

10. 2016 Dominus Estate, 750ml

Rated 100 by Robert Parker A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Franc aged in 40% new oak, the 2016 Proprietary Red Wine is deep purple-black in color and quite reticent at this youthful stage to begin, offering up subtle notions of potpourri, Indian spices, cigar box and iron ore over a core of crushed blackberries and black cherries with intermittent wafts of black and red currants, new leather and smoked meats. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a densely packed mid-palate and oodles of freshness framed by very ripe, finely grained tannins and laced with compelling earthy accents. It offers incredible vibrancy with tons of black and red fruit sparkle in the mid-palate leading to a provocative mineral element on the very long finish. If I could give more than 100 for this one, I would.

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LOT #34

6 for 6: Taylor Family Vineyards' Six-Pack and Tasting Donated by:

Taylor Family Vineyards

Estimated Value: $1,600 The winner of this package will take home six bottles of the 2015 Cumulus Cabernet Sauvignon from the Taylor Family Vineyards in Napa tonight. Food & Wine named the 2015 Cumulus Cabernet Sauvignon one of the top 25 splurge-worthy California wines. And the winner gets to take home six bottles tonight. That’s not all! You and your guests are invited to a VIP tasting for six at the Taylor Family Vineyards Estate in Stag’s Leap District, Napa Valley. Tasting for six guests will be scheduled for a mutually agreeable time and date to occur before November 2022.

2015 Cumulus Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml (6 Bottles)

This smells of brambly berries, floral black peppercorns, and a hit of charred sage alongside five-spice powder and plum cake. On the palate, this is a mouth-filling Cab that never sacrifices structure for lushness. Flavors of black figs, hoisin sauce, ramen broth, blackberries, mulberries, and currants precede a finish that’s gorgeously savory, with a bone-marrow-like character to the purple plums and mulberries, wrapping up with a hint of blueberry conserve.

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LOT #35

Seat at the Table at the Bellm Residence Donated by:

Hilary & Brent Bellm

Estimated Value: $10,000 Don’t miss your chance to secure a seat at this rare & fine wine star-studded tasting experience. When we say star, we mean Michelin starred. Join Auction Committee members Daniel Bleier, Pat Conroy, Harvey Kronberg, and Diana McIver as they uncork rare wines from their exclusive private cellars. Not only are Hilary & Brent Bellm opening their home to host this incredible experience, they’re sharing a few bottles from their own cellar as well. All wines will be expertly presented by some of Texas' most talented sommeliers. In addition to the exquisite wines you will get to sip, six lucky bidders will be treated to a phenomenal meal provided by 3 Michelin Star Chef, Mathew Peters. Among Chef Peters' many accolades, including time at The French Laundry and Per Se, he was the first American to ever win the global Bocuse d'Or cooking competition held in Lyon, France. You don't want to miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity! This is a Dutch-Style Auction. The price will be set by the Auctioneer. Every time you raise your paddle, you are buying a Seat at the Table. This dinner will take place on either Saturday, February 26, 2022 or Saturday, April 9, 2022. Please note that WFF does not offer refunds if your schedule does not permit you to attend for the selected date.

1. 2015 Christophe Baron Champagne Les Hautes Blanches Vignes Charly-sur-Marne, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Advocate Disgorged in March 2020, the 2016 Brut Nature Les Hautes Blanches Vignes is showing beautifully, wafting from the glass with notes of ripe apples, pear, baking spices and peach. Full-bodied, fleshy and vinous, it's a rich and textural wine, girdled by tangy acids and concluding with a long, delicately honeyed finish.

2. 2016 Hermann J. Wiemer Single Select Estate Bottled and Grown Riesling (Seneca Lake), 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast Wine Enthusiast Editor's Choice. This stunning sweet Riesling is sourced from the winery's Josef Vineyard. A concentrated nose of dried apricot, mango and honey carries a delicate sheen of polished wood. This is incredibly luscious and concentrated on the palate, persistent in juicy stone fruit and tropical flavors that are honed by laser-focused acidity. It's a powerful offering that lingers for days on the tongue and is sure to develop well with time in the bottle.

3. 2018 Bodega Catena Zapata Chardonnay White Stones Adrianna Vineyard Gualtallary, 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Advocate The outstanding 2018 White Stones Chardonnay epitomizes the expression of the grape in the cooler-climate and high-altitude location of the Adrianna vineyard in Gualtallary. There is rectitude, austerity and elegance, a subtle wine with great clout and intensity that comes through as chiseled, focused, symmetric and pure, more in the style of Roulot than Coche-Dury, with superb integration of all the elements and fine minerality. This is more about the place and vintage than the grape, which feels like a good way to transmit the chalky soils of the selected plots. Simply superb, possibly the finest vintage for this bottling so far.

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4. 2012 Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils Beaune Grèves Vigne de L'Enfant Jésus, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Spectator Dark fruits in 2016. The DNA of long, silky tannins is alive and well here. A suave and polished style with an attractive core of flavorsome, elegant mid-palate fruits. Really impressive.

5. 2015 Bacigalupi Pinot Noir Frost Ranch, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Enthusiast From the famous site along Westside Road, this red is medium bodied and sultry, with a backdrop of Asian baking spice. Tangy pomegranate, orange and rose petal fill out its entry and midpalate with exotic fresh flavor.

6. 2013 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Advocate A blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot, this opens with aromas of red currant, fragrant purple flower and exotic spice. The currant aroma carries over to the austere palate along with cranberry, chopped herb and French oak. With its backbone of firm acidity and assertive closegrained tannins, it already boasts finesse but will need years to soften and develop.

7. 2014 Terrazas Cheval des Andes Malbec, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Advocate Powerful, inky and ripe-tasting, with muscular dark fruit flavors that feature plenty of smoky notes. Dark chocolate and cream details show on the long, plush finish. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.

8. 2014 Quilceda Creek Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 100 by Wine Advocate The utterly spellbinding 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard is 100% Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon that was brought up in new barrels. Slightly deeper and richer than the Columbia Valley Cabernet, its deep ruby/ purple color is followed by a smorgasbord of graphite, crushed violets, crushed rocks, cassis and dark chocolate. With incredible richness, ultra-fine tannin, no hard edges and a stacked mid-palate, give this crazy good red 2-3 years of cellaring and enjoy over the following two decades! Bravo to the team at Quilceda!

9. 2012 Arrowood Vineyards Reserve Speciale Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Advocate 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color, notes of cedar wood, bouquet garni, blackcurrants and black cherries, with loamy soil undertones in the background. It’s full-bodied, with impressive purity, structure and gradually building palate presence. The finish has velvety tannins. Look for this wine to be approachable on its release in a year or so, and evolve for 15+ years.

10. 2012 Hartwell Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Advocate This blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot has beautiful, sweet blackberry fruit with cassis, chocolate, tar and earth. It’s thick, full-bodied, powerful and masculine. Even though it’s Stags Leap, this is a big, muscular, backstrapping wine to forget about for 5-6 years and drink over the following 25 or more.

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11. 2013 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Old Sparky Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard MMXIII, 750ml

Rated 100 by Wine Advocate This is as great as Cabernet can be. Tasting like a first-growth Pauillac, the wine is opaque purple and has a fabulous nose of lead pencil, spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry and the telltale cassis. There is also some licorice and sweet oak, the tannins are ripe, and the wine full-bodied. Built like a skyscraper, with an incredible finish going on for 50 seconds to a minute, this amazing wine should still be drinking splendidly well at age 25 or 30.

12. 2015 Château Rieussec, Sauternes, Bordeaux, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Enthusiast Spice, honey and botrytis are the dominant characters of this full wine. The acidity comes later, with hints of citrus and lemon curd. It is still young and developing, but has excellent potential.

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LOT #36

Rosé All Day Donated by:

Holly & Caleb Noel, Brooke & Spivey Paup, Amber Pearce, Maura & Dan Sharp, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Twin Liquors Fine Wine & Spirits

Estimated Value: $675 1. 2017 Krupp Brothers The Damsel Rosé, 750ml

Rated 89 by Cellar Tracker This wine’s vivid coral color dazzles the eye while aromas of bright cherry and kiwi strawberry with hints of orange peel and cake batter lift from the glass. The palate is crisp and layered with flavors of strawberry pie, clove, and mixed wild berry interlaced with a vibrant acidity.

2. 2019 A Tribute to Grace Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard Rosé of Grenache, 1.5L

Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast A very pale shade of pink in the glass, this bottling begins with aromas of rose petal, honeydew and wet slate. The palate is extremely tense and grippy—like licking stones and seashells, as flavors of red apple and rose petal float toward the finish.

3. 2019 Domaine du Pré Semelé Sancerre, 750ml

Vinified and aged on its lees for 10 months in stainless steel it’s a classic Sancerre with crisp, crunchy grapefruit and lime citrus flavours and a gently herbaceous element adding complexity. There is a mouthwatering, saline minerality to the long finish. A wine that really shows the true character of its terroir.

4. 2019 Raj Parr Wine Club 'Anika' Rosé, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Searcher Deep in color, this exotic rose is expressive, with crazy notes of orange curaçao and raspberry confiture.

5. 2019 Rams Gate Rosé Sonoma Coast, 750ml

Rated 89 by Wine Enthusiast This blends 90% Pinot Noir with 10% Grenache, the wine spending five months in neutral barrels. Dry with insistent acidity, it offers delicate layers of lemon peel, lime and grapefruit.

6. 2020 Château la Mascaronne Côtes de Provence, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Enthusiast This pale-colored wine is ripe and full of wild strawberry flavors. Textured acidity gives spice and a saline tang that will soften as the wine ages a bit.

7. 2020 Hill Family Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, 750ml

Rated 89 by Ken’s Wine Guide This pale salmon colored wine from Hill Family opens with a mild wild strawberry and tangerine bouquet with some floral hints and wet stone. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with very bright acidity. We also thought it was round and juicy. The flavor profile is gentle mineral and tangerine blend with hints of honeydew melon, lime and saline. The finish is dry and drifts away nicely.

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8. 2020 Hirsch Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir, 750ml

Rated 88 by Cellar Tracker Fruit forward, strawberry, sweet cherry, some earth and cedar. Benefitted from the couple of months of rest.

9. 2020 Paravel Mendocino Poor Ranch Vineyards Rosé of Old Vine Zinfandel, 750ml

Rated 89 by Cellar Tracker Orange cream candy & fresh ripe cantaloupe with hints of ruby red grapefruit, cinnamon and apricot. A sumptuous peach entry, frothy orange Julius mid-palate to a clean silk honeydew finish.

10. 2020 Triennes Rosé Magnum, 1.5L

Rated 90 by Wine World Pale pink color. The wine has a bouquet of strawberries and white flowers with hints of vanilla. It has the harmony and elegance that has earned world-wide appreciation of the rosés of Provence. Triennes rosé is the perfect accompaniment to a sunny summer afternoon.

11. NV Champagne Louis de Sacy Rosé, 750ml

Rated 89 by Wine Enthusiast The color of a new copper penny, this very attractive rosé shows bready, yeasty aromas, with tart rhubarb fruit. In the mouth the flavors are more ripe, with tart pie cherry and vanilla cookie. Very tasty, though not particularly complex.

12. NV Charles Heidsieck Rosé Reserve, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker Already exhibiting considerable complexity, it wafts from the glass with scents of orange rind, red plums, gingerbread and red berries. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, satiny textured and fleshy, with lively acids and an attractively vinous profile.

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LOT #37

Vice Versa Donated by:

Maura & Dan Sharp, Vice Versa Wines

Estimated Value: $740 Take home two magnums of the highly-sought-after 2017 Vice Versa Napa Valley Cabernet, made under the direction of acclaimed winemaker Philippe Melka with fruit sourced from some of the premier vineyard sites in Napa. This wine is sold out and drinking perfectly and it could be all yours - x2. As if that’s not enough, you’re also invited to a VIP wine tasting for you and five guests at the Vice Versa Estate in Napa Valley, hosted by the proprietor Samantha Breton. Tasting for six guests to be scheduled for a mutually agreed upon time and date to occur before 2023.

2017 Vice Versa Napa Valley Cabernet (2 Bottles), 1.5L

Rated 96 by Wine Advocate The Napa Valley bottling endures as our lodestar since Patrice established Vice Versa Wines fifteen vintages ago. A careful amalgamation of our preferred sites in the valley, this offers elegant notes of briar fruits, Sunred nectarine, and bergamot, pleasingly seasoned with traces of red florals and sandalwood. With a seamless, tactile sensation of refined tannins, this attains the elusive nexus between richness and focus, a reflection not only of this particular vintage, but also our namesake’s inspiration.

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LOT #38

Old World vs. New World One Wine From the Old World and One From the New Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Joan & Paul Mims, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy

Estimated Value: $715 1. 2014 Château Monbousquet Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Spectator Not shy, with hefty fig paste and blackberry pâte de fruit notes backed by a rumble of bramble, ganache and licorice snap. Underneath roils a base layer of tobacco and graphite that should slowly surface with time. May have pushed the extraction envelope ever so slightly, but this keeps it together in the end. Best from 2022 through 2032.

2. 2015 Stonestreet Red Wine Farrier, 750ml

vs.

3. 2016 M. Chapoutier Côte-Rôtie Les Bécasses, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast Brisk blackberry, bramble and wild-mint notes perfume this elegant Syrah. It’s a fresh, finessed wine with pert cassis flavors and a zippy acidic backbone. The finish lingers on fine, chalky tannins and hints of smoke and violet. Inviting already, it should improve through 2036.

4. 2014 Booker Vineyard Syrah Fracture, 750ml

vs.

3. 2005 Château Langoa Barton Saint-Julien, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker The Château Langoa Barton 2005 offers plenty of concentration on the nose: blackberries, blueberry, a touch of cedar and tobacco emerging from the glass, opening and gaining intensity all the time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This is beautifully balanced in the mouth, perhaps just a little conservative but with great precision and length.

Rated 92 by Jeb Dunnuck This rich blend of Bordeaux varietals from our Mountain Estate comes from vineyards grown above 1,000 feet. Aromas of dried cranberry, dried bay leaves and black licorice take the lead, followed by flavors of peppercorn, black plum and dark chocolate. A sweeter aromatic profile is coupled with a savory palate for a well-rounded sensory experience.

Rated 97 by Robert Parker Tasted out of bottle, the 2014 Fracture is another incredible wine that flirts with perfection. Its saturated ruby color is followed by an awesome bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, spring flowers, licorice and hints of minerality. A big, full-bodied, concentrated effort, it has building tannin, no hard edges, thrilling depth and a finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. And despite the overall richness level, it stays light, graceful and lively on the palate. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy through 2026.

6. 2016 Venge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Bone Ash Vineyard, 750ml

vs.

Rated 95 by Robert Parker Deep garnet-purple, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Bone Ash Vineyard reveals notions of chocolate box, tilled soil, espresso and roasted nuts over a core of warm cassis, Black Forest cake, licorice and cloves plus a fragrant hint of potpourri. Fullbodied and decadently fruited in the mouth, the generous black fruit and spicy layers are superbly structured with firm, grainy tannins and compelling freshness, finishing very long.

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7. 2016 Albert Bichot Gevrey-Chambertin Les Murots, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Spectator Below the village. This parcel offers brambly red fruits and leafy elements, all leading to quite a plush, full and round palate with some neat, firm tannins. Drink or hold.

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8. 2016 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir The Upper Terrace, 750ml

vs.

Rated 96 by Robert Parker Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir The Upper Terrace has a classic nose of warm red cherries and cranberries, sliced blueberries and strawberry jam with notes of cola, cardamom, oolong tea leaves and blue flowers— the nose gives up changing earth, fruit and savory layers every time I go back for another.


LOT #39

Opus One x Two Donated by:

Amber Pearce, Stephanie & Chad Simpson

Estimated Value: $970 2006 Opus One Napa Valley Red Wine (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker Joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe Rothschild. Indicative blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. The 2006 comes across as a bigger, more structured wine than the 2007. The tannins are bolder, more dramatic, and more present. The wine displays impressive depth, not the velvety elegance of the 2007, but is a more muscular wine that begs for 2-3 years of cellaring and should drink well for 20-25 years.

LOT #40

Wine & Swine Donated by:

C.L. Butaud, Salt & Time, Texas AVA Tasting Room

Estimated Value: $3,500 Bored of the same backyard BBQs? The winner of this package will get to throw a party of epic proportions that is sure to be unforgettable in all the right ways. You and 20 of your guests will get to wine and swine within the city limits! Let Salt & Time roast the pig on some hot coals while you and your friends sip on some wine from C.L. Butaud at their gorgeous tasting room in Austin. This is a great turnkey party for company team building, family reunions, or just to celebrate the good life. Party for 20 guests to be scheduled for a mutually agreed upon time and date to occur in 2022. Winner and guests will provide transportation. The following blackout dates apply - SXSW 2022.

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LOT #41

BOND Donated by:

Karen & Thomas Vaughn

Estimated Value: $1,600 1. 2009 BOND: Melbury, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Spectator Firmly tannic, with gutsy earth-laced tannins and a generous mix of red and black licorice notes. Builds momentum and fans out on the finish, where this reveals more nuances of detailed flavor.

2. 2009 BOND: Pluribus, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Spectator An amazing wine, complex and elegant, with a pure, rich, spicy mix of dark berry, plum and black cherry flavors. Supple and harmonious, elegant and persistent.

3. 2009 BOND: St. Eden, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Advocate Openly showy, this offers an inviting mix of flavors, with rich red and black fruit, currant, cherry and pomegranate flavors that build on the finish, where the tannins are fine-grained and integrated.

4. 2009 BOND: Vecina, 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Advocate BOND's 2009 Proprietary Blend Vecina, from Vine Hill Ranch, is fascinating to taste after the St. Eden. While the St. Eden is round and sensual, the Vecina is all about linear power and structure. Endowed with tremendous length and persistence, the Vecina presents endless layers of dark fruit and expressive aromatics supported by considerable tension and energy.

LOT #42

The Napa Valley Reserve - Stone Family Mini-Vertical Donated by: Jim Stone

Estimated Value: $900 This mini-vertical is an exclusive member blended wines from Napa Valley Reserve.

1. 2012 Stone Family Napa Valley Reserve (2 Bottles), 750ml 2. 2013 Stone Family Napa Valley Reserve (2 Bottles), 750ml 3. 2 014 Stone Family Napa Valley Reserve (2 Bottles), 750ml 70

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LOT #43

Healdsburg Home Away from Home Donated by:

Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Bacigalupi Vineyards & Winery

Estimated Value: $3,500 Travel to the famed Healdsburg area in California and stay in style at the Brown Street Cottage. This three-bedroom, three private bath guest house in the heart of town sleeps up to three couples comfortably and is the perfect place to have as your home base while you explore the over 100 world-class wineries in the area. The cottage is available to you and your guests for a stay of four nights/five days. Not only will you have access to this amazing home, you are also invited to a VIP visit to Bacigalupi Vineyard that includes a VIP Tour and tasting for up to six just 15 minutes away. Bonus - you get to take home a three-pack of Bacigalupi Wines tonight to toast to your trip to California! Must be scheduled in advance for a mutually agreed upon date to occur before December 2022. Blackout dates may apply. Winner is responsible for travel & airfare.

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LOT #44

Big California Reds Part Deux Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Joan & Paul Mims, Brooke & Spivey Paup, Amber Pearce

Estimated Value: $1,110 1. 2006 Selene Chesler Proprietary Red Wine, 750ml

Rated 88 by Robert Parker Displaying a similar dark ruby hue, the 2006 Chesler has a blue and black fruit aromatic profile with notes of underbrush and subtle herbs in the background. Medium-bodied and neither as deep nor profoundly concentrated as the 2005, the soft, up-front 2006 is ideal for drinking over the next 12+ years.

2. 2013 Pharaoh Moans WestSide Paso Robles, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Spectator Deep and powerfully built, with bold aromas of blueberry and peppered beef leading to concentrated flavors of boysenberry, white pepper and licorice. The tannins are big and loamy, framing the finish. Syrah and Grenache. Best from 2017 through 2026.

3. 2014 Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Napa Valley Merlot, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator A powerful red, with concentrated flavors of red plum, cherry and boysenberry that are layered with plenty of rich spice and mineral accents. Touches of slate and cardamom make for a complex finish. Drink now through 2023.

4. 2014 Rudius Farella Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard (all clone 4 from the top, rockiest part of the vineyard) charges out of the gate with crushed blackberries, wild blueberries and warm redcurrants with suggestions of bay leaves, camphor, tobacco and fertile loam plus a waft of cedar chest. Full-bodied with a builtlike-a-brick-house frame of grainy tannins and great freshness, if finishes with black fruit layers and a compelling herbal lift.

5. 2015 Donum Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, 750ml

Rated 92 by Robert Parker The 2015 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is medium ruby-purple colored and scented of black cherries, warm cranberries and mulberries with nuances of violets, dark chocolate and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with ripe black cherries and spicy layers, framed by plush tannins and a burst of freshness, finishing on an earthy note.

6. 2015 Haber Family ForePlay Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

A beautiful blend of six varietals with the main concentration being Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, and Petit Verdot. A fun, food-friendly wine which pairs well with spicy dishes and Italian pasta favorites.

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7. 2015 JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset - JCB Passion Proprietary Red Napa Valley, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker The deep garnet-purple colored 2015 JCB Passion Proprietary Red opens with a crème de cassis, char-grilled meat, garrigue and sautéed herbs-scented nose with notions of Indian spices, pepper and potpourri plus a touch of yeast extract. The medium-bodied palate is elegant, fresh, floral and finely textured, finishing long with some spices coming through. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite Sirah.

8. 2015 Laird Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Mast Ranch, 750ml

Rated 91 by Robert Parker Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Mast Ranch shows vague plums and blackberries notions with hints of earth, tree bark and pepper. Medium to full-bodied and quite firm and chewy in the mouth, it finishes with earth-laced flavors and an understated char note.

9. 2015 Matrix Pinot Noir Reserve Victoria Johannah Russian River Valley, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Advocate

10. 2016 Blackbird Vineyards Paramour, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker Composed of 82% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Paramour Proprietary Red is deep garnet-purple colored and features notes of tar, tilled black soil, fungi and oolong tea over a core of red and black currants, black raspberries and crushed plums. Medium-bodied with a chewy, stewed tea-laced frame, it delivers loads of bright, refreshing flavors and a quiet, earthy intensity on the finish.

11. 2016 Outpost Howell Mountain Grenache, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker The medium garnet-purple colored 2016 Grenache does pirouettes out of the glass with the most gorgeous floral notions of roses, lilacs and lavender over a core of kirsch, raspberry pie and spice cake. Full-bodied, rich and spicy with tons of perfumed red fruit and a firm, plush texture (with some provocative chewiness from the stem contribution), it finishes with a peppery kick.

12. 2017 Martinelli Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker Medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard has a warm yellow peach, blackberry, blueberry and black cherry-scented nose. It has concentrated, ripe, jammy fruit in the mouth, with fine, grainy tannins, good juicy acidity and a long, peachy finish.

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LOT #45

2016 Bordeaux Cellar Starter Donated by:

Harvey Kronberg

Estimated Value: $905 1. 2016 Château Clinet Pomerol (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 99 by Jeb Dunnuck Tasted on four separate occasions, the 2016 Château Clinet is another brilliant wine from this estate. Showing slightly more freshness and purity than the 2015, its saturated purple color is followed by a thrilling array of crème de cassis, graphite, ground herbs, and a terrific sense of minerality. Deep, full-bodied, with building tannins, and a magical sense of purity and elegance paired with real density and depth, it needs short term cellaring and will keep for three decades.

2. 2016 Château Giscours Margaux, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Enthusiast This has attractive, glossy, ripe red-plum and licorice aromas with cedar, flowers and red berries, as well as a stony edge. A very fragrant, cabernet-driven nose. The palate has elegance and grace with sleek and charming, balanced style and a discreet tannin structure that holds the finish long and fresh. A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot.

3. 2016 Château Malescot-St.-Exupèry Margaux, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker Sings of cassis, fragrant earth, tobacco and lilacs with a compelling waft of mocha. Medium to full-bodied and strutting loads of expressive fruit layers at this youthful stage, it’s framed by ripe, grainy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing with great length and depth.

4. 2016 Château Montrose Saint-Estèphe (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 99 by Robert Parker Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Montrose is a little youthfully shy to begin, but with coaxing, it unfurls to reveal the most beguiling scents of wilted roses, oolong tea, crushed rocks, wild sage, star anise and candied violets over a wonderfully pristine, well-defined core of crushed blackcurrants, black raspberries and kirsch plus wafts of pencil lead and wood smoke. The taut, muscular, medium to full-bodied palate straddles jaw-dropping intensity and finesse superbly, featuring a solid backbone of ripe tannins and giving a firm frame right through the incredibly long, exquisitely nuanced finish.

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LOT #46

Napa Cult Reds Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Christa & Don Heath, Brooke & Randy Hester, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Christie & Rob Miller, Holly & Caleb Noel, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Jim Stone

Estimated Value: $2,300 1. 2009 Realm Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 91 by Robert Parker The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard comes across as not full formed. It shows plenty of fruit, but less of the nuances that define the very finest wines in the line up. Spices, dark red fruit, flowers and licorice wrap around the plush finish.

2. 2010 Realm Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard’s opaque purple color is followed by abundant aromas of blueberries, mulberries, and graphite/lead pencil shavings, a full-bodied mouthfeel, a rich, concentrated, layered texture and moderate tannin in the finish. While accessible, this beauty should continue to age for 15-20 years.

3. 2013 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker Quite flavorful, it is exhibiting slightly more new oak than some of the other cuvées, but is still sexy and opulent, with voluptuous texture, low acidity, and oodles of juicy, succulent black and red fruits, licorice, underbrush and a touch of vanillin. An already irresistible beauty, it can be drunk over the next 20 years.

4. 2013 Ridge Cabernet Monte Bello, 750ml

Rated 100 by Robert Parker Unfurling in the glass to reveal a bouquet of black raspberries, cassis, rich espresso roast, cigar wrapper, subtle black truffle and burning embers that has already integrated its 100% new oak remarkably completely. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, powerful and multidimensional, with a lavishly textural attack that segues into a stunningly layered, richly structured mid-palate endowed with incredible depth and concentration underpinned by succulent acids. The finish is long, vibrant and beautifully delineated. Analytically, this ranks as one of the most tannic vintages of Monte Bello ever produced, but the tannins are of such high quality and cloaked in such a wealth of fruit that Ridge forwent their habitual egg white fining this year—beginning a trend that has continued since. This profound Monte Bello will begin to blossom as it reaches age ten and should prove practically immortal.

5. 2013 Venge Vineyards Bone Ash Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Bone Ash Vineyard, which comes from their estate in Calistoga, shows great blackberry and cassis fruit, nice minerality, a floral component, subtle new oak and a full-bodied, expansive mouthfeel. This wine should drink well for 30 years and be approachable within 5-6 years.

6. 2014 Nickel & Nickel State Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast This wine comes alive on the expansive, fleshy palate of black pepper and olive tapenade flavors. It walks a fine line between tenacious structure and high-cheekboned fruit—a mélange of raspberry, cassis and blueberry compote. The aromas are enticing and reminiscent of violets. Though it can be enjoyed now, it will evolve well through 2034.

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7. 2014 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon LPV Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 99 by Robert Parker The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon LPV is from clone 337 from the Las Piedras Vineyard in St. Helena. This shows Mission Haut-Brion-like characteristics as it has in the past, with crushed rock, wet gravel, scorched earth, blackberry and blueberry fruit. It is clearly one of my favorites of this entire tasting. It has 14.5% natural alcohol and was aged in 90% new Darnajou and 10% new Taransaud barrels. This is a killer effort.

8. 2015 Venge Vineyards Merlot Oakville, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker Deep garnet-purple colored with a baked plums, mulberries and blueberry pie nose with hints of spice box, black forest cake and bay leaves, the 2015 Merlot Oakville Estate Vineyard is full-bodied, voluptuous, soft and rounded with well-played freshness and a long, spicy finish.

9. 2016 Lail Vineyards J. Daniel Cuvée, 750ml

Rated 100 by Robert Parker One-hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon aged 20 months in 75% new French oak, the 2016 J. Daniel Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple in color and offers up exuberant notes of crème de cassis, chocolatecovered cherries, wild blueberries, violets and unsmoked cigars with touches of garrigue, fragrant earth, powdered cinnamon, black olives and tree bark. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is built like a brick house, with a solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness supporting the taut, muscular fruit, finishing long and minerally.

10. 2016 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, 750ml

Rated 100 by Robert Parker Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is still very tight and youthful, slowly unfurling to reveal a multifaceted wine with tons of black, blue and red fruit sparks—plums, cherries, black currants and red currants—with dark chocolate, cedar chest, black tea and red roses in the background plus wafts of pencil lead and prosciutto. Medium-bodied and firmly textured by superbly ripe, grainy tannins, it has a fantastic core of intense, complex layers, finishing on an edifying mineral note. Wow!

11. 2017 Bella Union Cabernet Sauvignon NYR, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast Sinewy, earthy and full of spice, this well-made wine is lush and sumptuous, with firm, focused tannins and integrated oak. Black cherry, cinnamon and nutmeg meld on the structured, full-bodied palate, with a graceful hint of dark chocolate on the finish.

12. 2017 Dalla Valle Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Advocate The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is blended of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, aged in barrel for 21 months in two-thirds new oak. It was bottled one week prior to this tasting. Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with bold, beautiful black fruits—blackcurrant pastilles, plum preserves and boysenberries—with hints of baker’s chocolate, yeast extract, tapenade and Indian spices plus a waft of forest floor. Full-bodied, rich and spicy in the mouth, it sports soft, plush, well-played tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and fragrant.

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LOT #47

Cellar Selections of the Perfect 2013 Vintage Donated by: Mike Toomey

Estimated Value: $1,540 1. 2013 Blankiet Estate Proprietary Blend, Paradise Hills Vineyard, Napa Valley, AVA Yountville, Winemaker Graeme MacDonald, 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Advocate A brooding, dense red, the 2013 Proprietary Red Paradise Hills Vineyard captures all of the mineral and savory intensity of the year. Today, the 2013 is incredibly tight and shut down, with massive tannins and structure backing up the fruit. It will be quite a few years before the 2013 is ready to deliver the full breadth of its potential. Even today, though, it is magnificent. Next to the Mythicus, the Proprietary Red is a bit more aromatic, with less overt oak influence in its flavor profile and contours. In 2013, the Cabernet Franc is higher than in either 2012 or 2014. The blend is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.

2. 2013 Lewis Cellars, Hillstone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, AVA Rutherford, Winemaker Randy Lewis, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Spectator Gorgeous, ripe, and rich, without excess weight, this offers pure currant and dark and red berry flavors that are supple and graceful, with seductive creamy mocha-laced oak. The finish echoes fruit, black licorice, cedar, and hot brick. Drink now through 2028. 250 cases made. -JL (2/2016)

3. 2013 Peter Michael Les Pavots Estate Cabernet Blend, Knights Valley, AVA Sonoma County, Winemaker Nicolas Morlet, 750ml Rated 98 by Wine Advocate The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Les Pavots, which is their proprietary red wine blend from Knights Valley, is a killer effort, and one of their all-time greats, ranking right up there with the 2007 or 1997. A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot, there are 3,600 cases of it. The wine displays plenty of mocha, chocolate, blackberry, creosote and charcoal in an incredibly complex fragrance. Full-bodied and opulent, it shows, loads of tannin, a hint of unsmoked cigar tobacco and plenty of black and blue fruits. Opaque purple to the rim, this wine is in need of a good 5-6 years of cellaring and certainly has 30-40 years of life in it. -RP (12/2015)

4. 2013 Seavey Estate Cabernet, Napa Valley AVA Conn Valley, Winemaker Philippe Melka, 750ml Rated 97 by Vinous The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has turned out beautifully. Exotic and compelling, even in just its bouquet, the 2013 is utterly captivating. Iron, smoke, blood, and a host of ferrous notes open up first, followed by waves of dark fruit. The 2013 is powerful and intense to the core, but full of personality that is only in need of more time in bottle to be fully expressive. The dense, explosive finish is nearly impossible to resist, but this vivid, ample Cabernet Sauvignon is going to require patience. The only question is how much. -AG (10/2015)

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5. 2013 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Judgment of Paris 40th Anniversary Vintage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, AVA Stag's Leap District, Winemaker Marcus Notaro, 750ml

Rated 97 by Vinous Graphite, lavender, mint, licorice, and plums literally jump out of the glass in the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V. Vibrant and powerful in the glass, the 2013 is endowed with striking nuance for a wine of its size. The wine's explosive energy is compelling, but it will be a number of years before the 2013 is ready to drink. It is pretty magical at this early stage just the same. -AG (12/2016)

6. 2013 Vine Hill Ranch VHR Cabernet Sauvignon, AVA Oakville, Winemaker Francoise Peschon, 750ml

Rated 98 by Vinous Majestic and towering in personality, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the truly great wines of a great vintage. The flavors are bold, intense, and driving, with huge swaths of tannins and layers of pulsating minerality in support. Graphite, leather, lavender, tobacco, and spices wrap around the virile, imposing finish. A wine of vertical structure and stunning detail, the 2013 is going to need the better part of the next decade to start opening up. Today, it is impressive, but it will be even better in a few years' time. -AG (10/2015)

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LOT #48

Don Melchor Chilean Wine Dinner Donated by:

Holly & Caleb Noel

Estimated Value: $5,000 Join Board Member and host, Holly & Caleb Noel and their friends as they welcome you and nine of your guests to their West Austin home for an experience as grand as the southern hemisphere. Chef Darren Noel of the JW Marriott Resort San Antonio will curate food pairings with a Gaucho flare and focus on seasonality to perfectly accent a 10 year vertical of Concha y Toro’s Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon. The company, the wine, the food, and the setting make this the perfect way to enjoy Chile short of hopping on a flight. Dinner must be scheduled for a mutually agreed upon date and time on a Monday through Thursday evening to occur before December 2022.

1. 2006 Concha y Toro - Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Advocate The 2006 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon is a glass-coating opaque purple with an alluring bouquet of toast, tobacco, cedar, leather, mocha, and blackcurrant. Sweet, voluptuous (but not in a fruit bomb kind of way), layered, and complex already, its superb balance will ensure at least a decade of evolution.

2. 2007 Concha y Toro - Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast Deep, a bit reduced on the nose, and full as can be, with blackberry, cassis and prune aromas. The palate is super rich and concentrated, and frankly a bit heady. Flavors of burnt brown sugar, toast, tobacco, pepper and baked berry fruits are delicious, and the finish is dense and long. Drinkable now but best in another two to four years. This marks the 20th anniversary of Concha y Toro's Don Melchor Cabernet.

3. 2008 Concha y Toro - Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto, 750ml

Rated 94 by James Suckling This ripe, dense red delivers base notes of hummus, mocha and toasty oak supporting the rich cassis, black cherry and dark plum fruit character. There's fine tannins for support, but this is all rich fruit on the spicy finish.

4. 2009 Concha y Toro - Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto, 750ml

Rated 94 by James Suckling Complex aromas in this with mint, eucalyptus and currants. Full body, with round and velvety tannins yet reserved and refined. It's nutty and juicy too. Savory finish. Drink or hold. A long life ahead of it. A blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. Made in the hottest harvest ever.

5. 2010 Concha y Toro - Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto, 750ml

Rated 96 by James Suckling Pretty aromas of blueberries with hints of sandalwood and cedar. Full body, with very integrated tannins and a wonderfully polished texture. The finish is extremely long and intense. Serious density and class to this.

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6. 2011 Concha y Toro - Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto, 750ml

Rated 95 by Decanter With 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and some drops of Cabernet Franc, this comes from the traditional Tocornal Vineyard, planted in the mid-1970s. A cold vintage reveals its herbal, spicy flavours, but above all a crunchy, vivacious acidity and pungent tannins that need time in a bottle. A brilliant version of a classic.

7. 2012 Concha y Toro - Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Spectator Intensely fresh and juicy, with crunchy acidity supporting concentrated blackberry, boysenberry and dark currant flavors that are elegant and well-structured. Offers notes of rooibos tea, spice, black licorice and smoke on the finish.

8. 2013 Concha y Toro - Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto, 750ml

Rated 96 by James Suckling This is from one of the coolest vintages in memory but delivers fresh tobacco and currant aromas and flavors. Full body, chewy tannins and plenty of currant leaf and stone character. A structured and very solid Don Melchor.

9. 2014 Concha y Toro - Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto, 750ml

Rated 98 by James Suckling Wonderful aromas of stones, mint and blackcurrants. Sweet tobacco. Tile and rust. So aromatic. This is the best Don Melchor I have ever tasted. Full body, very soft yet firm and silky. It has tension, intensity and balance. Drink or hold. *Top 100 of 2017*

10. 2015 Concha y Toro - Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto, 750ml

Rated 98 by James Suckling The aromas of lead pencil, blackcurrant and tar are impressive with just a hint of fresh herb. Sweet tobacco. Iodine. Full body, very tight and polished with ultra-fine tannins and a refined, textured finish. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot.

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LOT #49

Guided Tasting of New World Wines Donated by:

Broadbent Selections

Estimated Value: $800 Avail yourself and nine guests to an evening of learning and relishing in the joys of all that new world wines have to offer the palate. Allow Mark Rashap, CWE, to take you on a trip around the world from the comfort of your home enjoying and discussing 12 new world wines that are "other worldly". Tasting for ten guests must be scheduled for a mutually agreeable time, date, and location to occur before December 2022.

1. 2010 Bodegas Weinert Estate Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, 750ml

Rated 93 by James Suckling Lifted cloves, salted plums, old leather, blood oranges, musk and eucalyptus. A bit like granny’s old book. Probably not the purest merlot, but definitely fun. Savory and wild, as if tasting a Cahors. Good, juicy fruit with orange-peel character on the medium-bodied palate. Distinctive. Think Musar. Drink or hold.

2. 2012 Cirillo 1850 Grenache, Barossa Valley, Australia, 750ml

Rated 87 by Wine Enthusiast The back label of Cirillo's top red makes no qualms about the prominence of French and American oak in this wine, listing no other flavor nuances. Nonetheless, there is plenty of lifted ripe red berry fruit on the nose. And there's also a lot of oak-derived characters in the form of cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and white pepper. On the mediumweighted palate, the fruit gets a little flat and flabby, wanting for more freshness and feeling somewhat bogged down by the oak. It begs the question of how much longer this will hold up in bottle.

3. 2014 Barboursville Octagon, Virginia, US, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Spectator This focused red offers crisp black cherry and currant flavors balanced by savory notes of tobacco, smoke and cedar. Light, firm tannins underpin the supple texture, while crisp acidity keeps this lively and fresh. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

4. 2014 Elderton Command Vineyard, Barossa Valley, Australia, 750ml

Rated 96 from Wine Advocate From vines planted in 1894, the 2014 Command Single Vineyard Shiraz aged in a combination of French and American oak (80% new). Aromas of smoky campfire and vanilla lead the way, followed by expressive raspberry fruit. It's full-bodied and lush across the palate, creamy in texture, impressive in its concentration and balanced by a crisp, fruit-driven finish. Quintessential Barossa Shiraz.

5. 2014 Spy Valley Envoy Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Advocate Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Envoy Outpost Vineyard Pinot Noir offers a nose of black cherries, black raspberries and cinnamon stick with a touch of chocolate box. The medium-bodied palate offers good concentration with nicely balanced soft tannins and acidity, finishing with a spicy lift.

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6. 2015 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley, Australia, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Spectator A succulent, waxy mix of lemon curd, resin, lanolin and key lime flavors with a thread of saline and touches of honey and spice. Intense and vibrant, with a mouthwatering finish.

7. 2016 De Martino La Cancha Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo, Chile, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Advocate A fresh, food friendly wine that boasts aromas and flavors of red berries accented by subtle hints of tobacco. The acidity is pleasant and perfectly balanced and the alcohol is moderate.

8. 2016 Gusbourne Brut Reserve, English Sparkling Wine, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast Hints of green apple and lemon zest parade themselves with sprightly ease, assisted by the still frothy foam that's dancing and dazzling, bright and spiky one moment, creamy and mellow the next. A lovely, lively and nonetheless elegant sparkler of purity and freshness.

9. 2016 Storm Pinot Noir, Hemel-and-Aarde Valley, South Africa, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast Pronounced black and rooibos tea characteristics drive the nose of this earthy, herbal wine, with supporting tones of dried red cherry and raspberry as a fruity accompaniment. It's medium in feel, like crushed silk, with fine yet supportive tannins that lend pleasant grip to the palate and carry through to the earthy, tea-centric finish that brings you back to that first sniff. It's a lovely, complex package.

10. 2017 Beeslaar Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 750ml

Abrie Beeslaar makes not one, but three of best Pinotages in South Africa, as well as its most collectible Bordeaux blend. This appears under his own label, as it has since 2012, and has less new oak than Kanonkop's Black Label, as well as a cheaper price tag. Intensely aromatic, with millpond-smooth tannins, notes of incense and blackberry fruit and considerable concentration.

11. 2018 Badenhorst Family Red, Swartland, South Africa, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Advocate A blend of 56% Shiraz, 19% Grenache, 12.5% Cinsault and 12.5% Tinta Barocca, the 2018 Family Red Blend begins with a fruity and rustic nose of wild brush, smoked meat, black olive, elements of dark cherry and plum before showcasing subtle aromas of wilted flowers and baked clay. Medium-bodied, the palate offers flavors of juicy tobacco and bitter black tea and a balanced structure with firm, buttressing tannins as the wine sits on the tongue. The wine concludes with a drying finish and lasting flavors of black cherry skin and dusty plums with a nuance of undusted leather. I can see this being incredibly versatile with food. Just give it some time in the cellar before opening.

12. 2018 Sadie Family Palladius, Swartland, South Africa, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Advocate The 2018 Palladius is pale gold in color with an impressive meniscus that clings to the glass. The nose is youthful with a significant underlying mineral essence beneath aromas of waxy citrus blossom, Meyer lemon pith, raw honeycomb, wax melon and yellow apple skin. Medium-bodied, the 13.5% alcohol wine is majestic on the palate, displaying a tightly wound mineral tension, a waxy and textural mouthfeel and a kiss of phenolic bitterness to make this absolutely food-friendly and age-worthy. The wine continues to unfold and evolve on the palate, offering complex terroir expressions. Concluding with a long, drawn-out and persistent finish, flavors of dusty citrus linger for more than a minute. There’s no wonder why these wines are so highly allocated and sought after. I just had a daydream about how tertiary and nutty this bottle will be in 15 years. Simply stunning! Wow.

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LOT #50

California New World Pinot Noirs Donated by:

Anu & Punit Chadha

Estimated Value: $1,350

1. 2012 Paul Hobbs Ulises Valdez (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Advocate Flavors and aromas recall brambly boysenberry and tree-ripened cherry fruit. Meanwhile, a delicate backbone of subdued tannins gives structure and weight. Soft, the midpalate repeats the brambly theme, a touch of vanillacherry highlighting expansive layers that linger through to a long finish.

2. 2012 Williams Selyem Foss (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast Initially, this wine is all about strawberry tart, with layers of cardamom and white pepper as well as hints of blueberry and blackberry on the back palate. Offering high-toned fruit and acidity, it settles on the finish, becoming rich and full bodied in style, with final notes of nutmeg, vanilla and chocolate.

3. 2013 Aubert UV-SL Vineyard (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast The 2013 Pinot Noir UV-SL, primarily made from Calera and Vosne-Romanée clonal material, boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as a big, sweet nose of blackcurrants, black cherries, forest floor and beet root. The complex aromatics are followed by a full-bodied, intensely concentrated, pure, seamlessly constructed red that should drink well for 10-15+ years.

4. 2014 Donum West Slope (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast Tingly acidity complements the lush, full-bodied concentration of this estate-grown beauty. It's both soft and sensual in tone. Pine, orange peel and pomegranate notes play against the richness and add freshness to the chewy tannin.

5. 2015 Kosta Browne Gap's Crown Vineyard (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 97 by James Suckling Blueberry, blackberry, lavender ,and ripe strawberry. Stunning aromas. Full body, with super fine tannins that are compressed and extremely long. It goes on for minutes.

6. 2016 Arista Ferrington Vineyard (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 97 Robert Parker A distinctive expression of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir that blends power and purity in the same glass. Explosive aromatics of crushed pomegranate seeds, dried lavender, plum and graphite are hallmarks of this vineyard and are present in abundance. The intensely floral nose is accompanied by flavors of bright red raspberry, black pepper, toasted herbs and tart bing cherries. A tangy, persistent acid backbone blends with chewy tannins to give the wine a firm and energetic finish.

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LOT #51

Paravel Party: Wines & Virtual Tasting for Six Donated by: Jon Jones

Estimated Value: $800 Jon Jones, winemaker at Paravel Wines on Howell Mountain in Napa, cut his teeth in enology at a few big wineries (Robert Mondavi, Merryvale, Opus One). He then moved from the lab to the cellar making wine at a few smaller wineries (Adobe Road and Lava Vine). Jon now works as a Associate Winemaker for Olabisi, Spence, and Phifer Pavitt Winery along with crafting balanced, approachable and age-worthy wines made in his distinct style, which manages to be frisky and refined at the same time. Music to your mouth. Jon has invited one lucky winner and five guests to a hosted virtual tasting to discover some of his most sought after creations. A charcuterie board will be provided and delivered to one address to enjoy the evening of the virtual tasting. Virtual tasting for six guests to be scheduled for a mutually agreed upon time and date to occur before December 2022. Wine will be delivered to one location once this date is finalized.

1. 2019 Howell Mountain Henry Brothers Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Waxed Magnum, 1.5L

A wine for the ages. Watermelon candy, cherry juice, dark chocolate espresso bean, fresh rose and strawberry sauce with hints of mocha, cedar and wildflower. A smooth, lush entry of deep dark chocolate, blackberry and cappuccino to an indelibly full mid-palate and filling finish of black cherry and spice.

2. 2019 Howell Mountain Henry Brothers Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

A wine for the ages. Watermelon candy, cherry juice, dark chocolate espresso bean, fresh rose and strawberry sauce with hints of mocha, cedar and wildflower. A smooth, lush entry of deep dark chocolate, blackberry and cappuccino to an indelibly full mid-palate and filling finish of black cherry and spice.

3. 2020 Mendocino Old Vine Rosé of Zinfandel, 750ml

Orange cream candy & fresh ripe cantaloupe with hints of ruby red grapefruit, cinnamon and apricot. A sumptuous peach entry, frothy orange Julius mid-palate to a clean silk honeydew finish.

4. Howell Mountain Proprietary Red Wine IV, 750ml

The "Prop Red" has now become an integral part of our program with continued focus on Howell Mountain quality at a ridiculous price. Opulent blackberry and black cherry with layered milk chocolate, cocoa nib, leather and notes of cinnamon, cedar, and nutmeg. A gobsmacking velvet ganache entry with luscious wild strawberry, caramel and a long lasting cherry vanilla finish.

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LOT #52

California Syrah & Grenache Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier

Estimated Value: $1,500 1. 2010 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker Coming from the coolest vintage on record at the time (before 2011), the 2010 Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard still hit 15.2% natural alcohol, of which it doesn’t show a trace. Possessing the telltale iodine and seaweed character this cuvée always shows, it has lots of darker fruits, smoked herbs, black olive and a touch of floral aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, concentrated, firm and structured, it’s a serious, age-worthy wine.

2. 2011 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker The 2011 Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard offers a cool-climate, pretty and perfumed style to go with lots of pepper, violets, iodine and dark fruits, with just a hint of vanilla and oak.

3. 2012 Alban Vineyards “Reva” Edna Valley Syrah, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker There are 750 cases of the 2012 Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard, and it’s a terrific vintage for this cuvée. Elegant, pretty, even finesse driven, with its classic marine and salty bouquet of smoke, purple fruits, olives and violets, this full-bodied Syrah has no hard edges, integrated acidity and a great finish. After the cool, and then cold, 2010 and 2011 vintages, 2012 through 2014 is a return to the more generous, layered and voluptuous style of wine that this estate is known for.

4. 2013 Keplinger El Diablo, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Spectator Distinctive aromas of boysenberry and smoked pepper beef lead to supple and racy flavors of raspberry, orange zest and espresso that linger alongside ripe tannins.

5. 2013 Saxum James Berry Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker It offers up gorgeous notes of black raspberries, cherries, cassis, ground herbs and flowers. This beauty hits the palate with incredible purity, fine tannin and an overriding sense of elegance and finesse, backed up by full-bodied richness and depth.

6. 2014 Booker Vineyard Grenache The Ripper, 750ml

Rated 98 by Robert Parker A true gem in the vintage, the 2014 The Ripper (Grenache) is reminiscent of a top vintage of Domaine de Marcoux’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes with its gorgeously pure bouquet of framboise, kirsch, spice box, licorice and dried flowers. Medium ruby colored and semi-opaque, this full-bodied Grenache has no hard edges, a full, layered texture and building, ripe, sweet tannin that really stretches out the finish. This is a fabulous, tour de force effort that I wish every reader could taste. It’s sensational today, but should continue to shine for upwards of a decade.

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7. 2014 Booker Vineyard Syrah Fracture, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker Tasted out of bottle, the 2014 Fracture is another incredible wine that flirts with perfection. Its saturated ruby color is followed by an awesome bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, spring flowers, licorice and hints of minerality. A big, full-bodied, concentrated effort, it has building tannin, no hard edges, thrilling depth and a finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. And despite the overall richness level, it stays light, graceful and lively on the palate. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy through 2026.

8. 2014 Saxum James Berry Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 98 by Robert Parker The sensationally pure and seamless 2014 James Berry Vineyard Proprietary Red (42% Grenache, 24% Mourvèdre, 21% Syrah, 8% Counoise and 5% Roussanne) was brought up in a mix of barrels and foudre, followed by six months in concrete tanks. The wine offers incredibly rich and layered notes of black raspberries, crème de cassis, crushed flowers, melted licorice and peppery herbs in its full-bodied, impeccably balanced profile. Showing the more upfront, hedonistic style of the vintage, this full-bodied beauty still has ample underlying tannin, beautiful mid-palate depth and a killer finish that keeps you coming back for more.

9. 2015 Epoch Estate Wines Veracity, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Advocate A blend of 47% Grenache, 34% Mourvèdre and 19% Syrah, the 2015 Veracity Proprietary Red reveals aromas of ripe plums, cassis, rose petal and exotic spice, framed by a subtle touch of new oak. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, deep and layered, with lots of crunchy, concentrated fruit and a formidable chassis of rich tannin and extract, concluding with a long, youthfully chewy finish. Cellar it for another year or two, preferably longer.

10. 2015 Jonata Winery La Sangre de Jonata, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker Composed of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier, the 2015 La Sangre de Jonata has a medium garnet-purple color and vibrantly scented nose of red and black cherries, violets, underbrush and Indian spices with a yeasty/savory/ meaty undercurrent. Full-bodied, rich, powerful and wonderfully spicy in the mouth, the opulent fruit is wellframed by firm, rounded tannins and it finishes long and peppery.

11. 2015 Saxum James Berry Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker Made from 33% Grenache, 32% Mourvèdre, 24% Syrah and 11% Counoise, the 2015 James Berry Vineyard Proprietary Red reveals a deep garnet-purple color and expressive nose of black currants, black cherries and mulberries with hints of baking spices, chocolate box, violets and Sichuan pepper. The palate is surprisingly elegant, with great intensity of flavors framed by soft, sensuous tannins and a lively line carrying the fruit and spices to a long, long finish.

12. 2017 Booker Vineyard Vertigo, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker The 2017 Vertigo is a blend of 65% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache aged in 65% new French oak. Deep ruby-purple in color, the nose opens with tar, chargrill and loamy earth scents, slowly offering up game meats, black currants, dried violets and dried black cherries with a chocolaty undercurrent. Full-bodied, rich and slowly blossoming in the mouth, it has a firm, grainy frame and just enough freshness, finishing long and still youthfully coiled.

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LOT #53

Icons of the Southern Hemisphere Donated by:

Christa & Don Heath, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Christie & Rob Miller, Amanda & Andrew West

Estimated Value: $750

1. 2006 Clarendon Hills Clarendon Vineyard Grenache, 750ml

Rated 91 by Robert Parker Deep Ruby. Lifted fruits display red cherry, kirsch, red-currant with ginger and white pepper edges to a somewhat more spiced and elegant floral vineyard expression in 2006. Spiced red fruit notes integrate with the lightly textured tannins. The balance of unique vintage spice and the clarity of varietal characters makes for a pleasing, lightly structured Clarendon vineyard Grenache.

2. 2006 O. Fournier Malbec Alfa Crux, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Advocate A glass-staining opaque purple, it exhibits an alluring bouquet of spice box, pain grille, pencil lead, incense, and black cherry. Dense, concentrated, and structured on the palate, it has layers of succulent fruit, spicy flavors, and enough structure to evolve for 4-6 years. This impeccably balanced wine will offer a drinking window extending from 2014 to 2026.

3. 2007 d’Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz Magnum, 1.5L

Rated 92 by Robert Parker D’Arenberg’s flagship is the 2007 The Dead Arm Shiraz. Opaque purple-colored, the nose gives up aromas of meat, game, truffles, chocolate, blueberry, and blackberry. Firm, layered, and complex, this beautifully rendered Shiraz demands 5-7 years of cellaring.

4. 2010 Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon (Barossa Valley), 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast These blends are traditional in Australia—they’re just rarely this good. The 26% Cabernet gives great backbone and a sense of restraint to the wine, which might otherwise seem overdone or sloppy. Instead, there’s a blend of blueberry and cassis fruit, Port-like spices and a long, dusty finish.

5. 2010 Torbreck The Struie, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2010 The Struie displays intense black fruit, blackberry and blueberry scents that show some licorice and chocolate notes plus a touch of pencil lead. Meaty, full and rich, it is densely packed with fruit and framed by firm, grainy tannins and a long, fresh finish.

6. 2011 Mollydooker Shiraz Carnival of Love, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Spectator Dense, deep and complex, offering a cascade of cherry, blueberry and clotted cream flavors, with a whole range of spices on a plush texture. This has an arresting presence and finishes with pizzazz.

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7. 2011 San Pedro Kankana del Elqui Solar No 10 Syrah, 750ml

Rated 91 by Robert Parker The Elqui region results in really wild wines like this one. It displays a roasted nose of barbecued meat and smoked bacon, with notes of black olives and hints of tar and violets, textbook cool-climate Syrah descriptors. The palate is full-bodied with glossy tannins and enough acidity.

8. 2012 Two Hands Bella’s Garden Barossa Valley Shiraz, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2012 Bella’s Garden Shiraz has a nose of blackberry preserves and warm cassis with hints of menthol, dark chocolate, cardamom and cedar. Full-bodied and richly fruited in the mouth, the abundant fruit is well matched by firm, rounded tannins and refreshing acid before finishing with great length. Drink it now to 2024+.

9. 2015 Chacra Pinot Noir, 750ml

Rated 95 by James Suckling A fantastic red with ginger, dried strawberry, wet earth and fresh leather aromas and flavors. Full body, silky tannins and a fantastic finish. Superb. Best Barda ever.

10. 2018 Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker A very complete and balanced wine with the aid of 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. It has power and finesse, integrated 14% alcohol and a classical profile with the ingredients to develop nicely in bottle. It’s tasty and has polished tannins.

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LOT #54

Dominus Magnums Donated by:

Karen & Thomas Vaughn

Estimated Value: $1,500 2004 Dominus Magnum (3 Magnums) 1.5L

Rated 96 by Robert Parker Its dark plum/purple color is accompanied by aromas and flavors of truffles, forest floor, black cherries, black currants, and Asian spices. One of the finest wines of the vintage, it is complete, full-bodied, and seamlessly built with beautiful ripe tannins, low acidity, and a luscious, layered mouthfeel.

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LOT #55

Vintage Champagne Donated by:

Amber Pearce, Twin Liquors Fine Wine & Spirits

Estimated Value: $815 1. 1995 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker The 1995 Blanc des Millenaires continues to show very well, wafting from the glass with a complex bouquet of waxy citrus rind, dried pear, walnut oil, warm bread and fresh pastry. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, enveloping and chalky, with a rich and muscular core, lively acids and a long, precise finish. Impeccably balanced, this is a cuvée I have drunk on many occasions and which used to be well-represented in my own cellar, but this is as good a bottle as I have ever encountered. In the plenitude of full-maturity, now is a great time to pop corks.

2. 2008 Dom Pérignon, 750ml

Rated 98 by James Suckling The best Dom since 2002. A vintage with very restrained, powerful style that has been released non-sequentially after the 2009. This has a lighter stamp of highly curated, autolytic, toasty aromas than many recent releases. Instead, this delivers super fresh and intense aromas of lemons, grapefruit and blood-orange peel. Incredible freshness here. The palate has a very smoothly delivered, berry-pastry thread with light, sweet spices, stone fruit and fine citrus fruit. This really delivers. Drink now or hold.

3. 2013 Mouzon-Leroux Spécial Club La Blanche Voie, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Spectator Scents of citrus, pomelo, verbena and blanched almonds, complemented by subtle hints of ocean spray and honeycomb. It has a racy acidity and a pure core of fruit that’s complemented by a fine mousse. Bone-dry but not austere, it has plenty of gastronomic potential in its chiseled, mineral style.

4. 2013 Nathalie Falmet Brut Nature, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Enthusiast This is a classic Côte des Bar bubbly, with lots of limestone-derived personality and plenty of lime zest citrus fruit on both the nose and palate. The bouquet is bright and classy, wafting from the glass in a mix of lime, tangerine, chalky minerality, bread dough, fleur de sel and spring flowers. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, crisp and racy, with a good core, brisk acids, fine focus and grip, frothy mousse and a long, youthful and vibrant finish.

5. 2014 Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Special Club, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Spectator Beautifully pure, floral nose. On the palate a racy, energetic feel with nuances of stone fruit, acacia, brioche and underlying minerality. Lovely purity, which has a long, crisp, slightly nutty finish. Exemplary Blanc de Blancs and great apéritif style. White flowers and crisp apple join chorus making this supremely refreshing as well as exceedingly moreish.

6. 2015 Marc Hébrart Spécial Club Brut, 750ml

Rated 92 by Vinous The 2015 Brut Spécial Club Millésimé is bright and beautifully chiseled from start to finish. Chardonnay features a bit more heavily here than it does throughout the range. Lemon confit, sage, mint, tangerine oil, crushed rocks and a host of saline inflections all build in the glass. There are some slightly vegetal undertones that are typical of 2015, but they aren't overpowering, at least not at this stage.

90

35TH RARE & FINE WINE AUCTION


LOT #56

Cakebread Cellars Vertical & Virtual Tasting Donated by:

Chrissy & Brad Compere, Cakebread Cellars

Estimated Value: $1,450 Cakebread Cellars and Board Members Chrissy and Brad Compere are treating you to something sweet. The Comperes are donating an 11-year vertical of Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon for you and your friends to try and taste through with the guidance of Cakebread Cellars virtual tasting. The icing on the cake is that Cakebread is also sending you two extra bottles of 2019 Cakebread Napa Valley Cabernet. All you have to do is invite your five other friends, pour the wine, and dial in! Virtual tasting for six guests to be scheduled for a mutually agreed upon time and date to occur before November 2022. Host is not available on Saturdays. Winner takes home all package wines tonight except two bottles of 2019 Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml to be shipped directly to winner post-event..

1. 2003 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Advocate The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon is composed of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and tiny dollops of Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Fully mature, it exhibits a dense plum/purple color as well as notes of forest floor, licorice, black currants and Chinese black tea. Spicy and medium to full-bodied with supple tannins and an attractive, velvety finish, it is hard to believe this wine will improve any further, so why defer your pleasure? Enjoy it over the next 5-7 years. -RP (6/2013)

2. 2004 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Advocate Composed of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Syrah that saw about 48% new French oak, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Benchland Select is a quintessential Napa Cab with power, beautifully ripe cassis fruit, some terroir earthiness in the background, sweet tannin, full body and a long finish. This beauty can be drunk now or cellared for another 10-15+ years. -RP (4/2014)

3. 2005 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 86 by Wine Advocate The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, which includes small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, reveals a similar dark ruby/purple hue, more herb, red cherry and black currant aromas, medium body, and a pleasant, but uninspiring finish. -RP (12/2008)

4. 2006 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 90+ by Wine Advocate The outstanding 2006 Dancing Bear Ranch Proprietary Red (79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc) is a medium-bodied, elegant Cabernet-based wine with a dense purple color as well as a sweet bouquet of loamy soil, crushed rock, black currant, plum, licorice, and a hint of subtle, well-integrated new oak. Approachable now, this 2006 promises to evolve for 12-15+ years. -RP (12/2009)

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5. 2007 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Advocate The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is among the finest “regular” Cabernet Sauvignons I have tasted from Cakebread. It exhibits a dense ruby/purple color, stunning purity, subtle notes of smoke, black currants, blackberries, spring flowers and toast, good acidity and ripe tannin. This full-bodied yet graceful, deep, silky Cabernet Sauvignon is already irresistible, but it will provide provocative and complex drinking for 15-20 years. This benchmark winery has again turned out some impressive wines. -RP (12/2010)

6. 2008 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Advocate The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is a fairly straightforward wine with good varietal character. With time in the glass the wine opens up nicely. Dark plums, tobacco, grilled herbs and licorice take shape nicely in this attractive, midweight offering. This is a beautiful, sleek Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2008 the blend is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. -RP (12/2011)

7. 2009 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Advocate Containing 6% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet colored 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch opens with pronounced notions of fried herbs, sautéed bell peppers and damp soil over a core of prunes, pencil lead, camphor, cedar chest and blackcurrant pastilles plus a touch of espresso. The full-bodied palate is packed with herb-laced black fruit preserves, with a chewy texture and plenty of freshness, finishing long and savory. -RP (1/2020)

8. 2010 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Advocate The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa represents an attractive blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. This fruity, still grapy 2010 is nicely concentrated with lots of cassis and plum notes. Medium to full-bodied, pure, juicy, sexy and alluring, it will clearly age for 15 or more years despite its early appeal. -RP (10/2013)

9. 2012 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Advocate A classic, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon offers plenty of crème de cassis and spring flower characteristics as well as beautiful density, sweet tannin and good underlying structure as well as definition. Aged 18 months in French oak, it is a beautiful example of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon that can be drunk young, but will be even better in 3-4 years. It should age effortlessly for 12-15 years. -RP (10/2014)

10. 2013 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 90+ by Wine Advocate The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon has beautiful crème de cassis fruit, excellent structure on the palate’s backside and represents a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot. Aged primarily in French oak, the wine is youthful and young, with the coiled, restrained character of many 2013s, but the concentration is impressive and the purity is there. Beautiful black and blue fruits are obvious, and the wine structured, delineated and vibrant. There is a reasonably good value as well. Give it another 6-12 months bottle age, and drink it over the following 12-15 years. -RP (10/2015)

11. 2014 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 89 by Wine Advocate The Napa 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot, aged 18 months in about 59% new French oak. The wine is deep ruby, round and juicy with plenty of blackcurrant fruit, licorice and cherries. It is medium-bodied, soft, round and ideal for drinking over the next 10-15 years. -RP (12/2016)

12. 2019 Cakebread Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml (2 Bottles)

The base Cabernet from this terrific estate is the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, which checks in as 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It has beautiful notes of crème de cassis, graphite, tobacco, and ground herbs.

92

35TH RARE & FINE WINE AUCTION


LOT #57

California Chardonnay Donated by:

Rachel & Robert Allen, Maria & Daniel Bleier, Brooke Hester, Harvey Kronberg, Brooke & Spivey Paup, Amber Pearce, Jim Stone, Heather & Jerry Valdez

Estimated Value: $1,150 1. 2004 Hanzell Chardonnay, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Enthusiast Massive, complex, with amazing depth, an opulent, voluptuous wine of tremendous power and authority. It’s so beautiful now, you almost hesitate to cellar it, but these Hanzell Chards are built for the long haul. Positively volcanic in tropical fruit and toasty new oak, with a honeyed, caramel finish. Absolutely stunning.

2. 2008 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 90 by Robert Parker This full-bodied white offers a mix of subtle melon, apple and spice notes, with a light touch of toasty oak and a delicate finish that highlights its finesse.

3. 2012 Aubert Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Ritchie Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker Pure, rich and lively, with peach, nectarine, smoke and honeydew notes giving this a wealth of core flavors. The aromatics and graceful mix of balance, texture and subtlety give this extra dimensions.

4. 2012 Beringer Private Reserve, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker The full-bodied 2012 Chardonnay Private Reserve exhibits wonderful orange blossom, white peach and pineapple fruit, a subtle touch of vanillin and toast, and a nicely layered, pure style with terrific fruit intensity.

5. 2012 Kistler Stone Flat Vineyards Chardonnay, 750ml

Rated 92 by Robert Parker Coming across like a Grand Cru from Chablis, the 2012 Chardonnay Stone Flat Vineyard displays loads of wet rocks, a touch of delicate honey, lemon blossom and assorted citrus oil notes. It is medium-bodied, fresh, lively and quite crisp and pure.

6. 2013 Kistler Hudson Vineyard Carneros, 750ml

Rated 91 by Robert Parker The 2013 Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard seems less intense than some of its siblings, with more notes of roasted nuts and a Meursault-like smokiness that seemed more pronounced. This is also one of the more exotic cuvées in this portfolio, with good deep fruit and richness.

7. 2015 Hanzell Chardonnay, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker The 2015 Chardonnay is a little reticent to begin, slowing unfurling to reveal lemon tart, apple pie and nectarine notions with hints of honeyed toast, cashews and orange blossoms. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and elegantly styled with many citrus and stone fruit layers accented by savory suggestions and a satiny texture, finishing long and mineral laced.

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8. 2016 Kongsgaard Chardonnay, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker The 2016 Chardonnay opens with decadent nectarine, spiced pears and apple pie scents with hints of lemon tart, orange blossoms and candied ginger plus a waft of marzipan. Full-bodied and rich, with a lovely satiny texture, it has a seamless line of freshness and tons of citrus and stone layers on the finish.

9. 2016 Martinelli Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker Youthfully shy, the 2016 Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch has slatey aromas to begin, with notes of cheese rind, pastry crust, tart green apple and spring blossoms. Medium-bodied and creamy textured, the palate is giving much more, with savory flavor layers and concentrated fruit, finishing long on an uplifted minerally note.

10. 2017 Aubert Chardonnay Powder House Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker Although it is a little youthfully closed to begin, it unwinds with coaxing to offer glimpses at baked apple, poached pears, peach preserves and pineapple upside-down cake plus hints of praline, crème brûlée and clover honey. Full-bodied, the palate features a wicked backbone of freshness, beautifully lifting all those concentrated, densely packed flavors, finishing very long and wonderfully pure.

11. 2017 Aubert Chardonnay Sugar Shack, 750ml

Rated 98 by Robert Parker POW! It comes charging out of the glass, all guns blazing! Notes of lemon tart, lime cordial and preserved pineapples leap from the glass, followed by suggestions of chopped cashews, coriander seed, juniper and aniseed. Full-bodied, the palate has a seductively satiny texture and soft acidity, leading with bold, expressive stone fruit preserves and spicy layers, finishing very long and very decadent.

12. 2018 Peter Michael Ma Belle-Fille, 750ml

Rated 98 by Robert Parker The 2018 Chardonnay Ma Belle-Fille comes skipping out of the glass with vibrant, youthful scents of lemon tart, mandarin peel, green mango and crystalline citrus peel with emerging nuances of wet slate, candle wax and freshly cracked hazelnut. Medium to full-bodied, the palate features a satiny sheen and a wicked backbone of freshness galvanizing the mineral and citrusy flavors into an electrifying finish.

94

35TH RARE & FINE WINE AUCTION


LOT #58

California Pinot Noir & Oregon Pinot Noir Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Holly & Caleb Noel, Brooke & Spivey Paup, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Maura & Dan Sharp

Estimated Value: $1,350 1. 2012 Beaux Frères Ribbon Ridge The Upper Terrace Pinot Noir, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Spectator Sleek, silky and expressive, full-bodied but not heavy, polished to bring out the glow of the cherry, raspberry sassafras and cinnamon flavors that just won’t quit as the finish sails on. Has depth, wrapped in satiny tannins, and real harmony. Best from 2015 through 2024.

2. 2013 Kosta Browne Russian River Pinot Noir, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker The deep ruby colored 2013 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley offers tons of juicy berry fruits, spice, underbrush and floral characteristics in its medium to full-bodied, supple, voluptuous personality.

3. 2014 Bevan Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker The wine has an incredible fragrance of spring flowers, black raspberries, kirsch and licorice, with forest floor. This is a full-bodied, dense, wonderfully textured Pinot Noir with beautiful purity and a long finish – a sumptuous Côte de Nuits grand cru look-alike. Drink it over the next decade or more.

4. 2015 Aston Estate Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, 750ml

Rated 92 by Cellar Tracker This enticing Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is showing beautiful notes of dark berries and anise with a lace of cedar running through the nose. On the palate the wine is broad and deep with distinguished texture that keeps you coming back for more. This wine is easily approachable in its youth but displays the characteristics of a wine that will continue to develop and age gracefully.

5. 2015 Hartford Pinot Noir Muldune Trail Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Advocate Pale to medium ruby-purple in color revealing gregarious notions of raspberry tart, Morello cherries, wild blueberries and lilacs plus nuances of cracked black pepper, baking spices and root beer. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers impressive elegance and energy with loads of restrained red fruit and earthy nuances, finishing long and plushly textured.

6. 2015 Mueller Pinot Noir Tempi, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Searcher Intense and concentrated, this young bundle of energy offers flavors of exotic wild flavors, earth-tinged plum, wild berry, spice, anise and underbrush. Best from 2019 through 2027.

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7. 2016 Antica Terra Pinot Noir Obelin, 750ml

Rated 97 by James Suckling This has very stoic and intense character with a deep and very contained feel to the palate. The fruit is intense and has density and defiantly powerful fruit, whose beauty lies in this unchecked intent. There’s an intensely spicy nose with an extensively flavorful palate that is all dark cherries to plums, laced-in amid silky tannins that lurk in the shadows of the palate.

8. 2016 Beaux Frères Ribbon Ridge The Upper Terrace Pinot Noir, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker The 2016 Pinot Noir The Upper Terrace has a classic nose of warm red cherries and cranberries, sliced blueberries and strawberry jam with notes of cola, cardamom, oolong tea leaves and blue flowers—the nose gives up changing earth, fruit and savory layers every time I go back for another smell. Light to medium-bodied, it fills the mouth with warm, luscious strawberry and raspberry jam notes with an integrated vein of baking spice and potpourri, framed by very finely grained tannins and juicy, mouthwatering acidity, finishing epically long and spicy. Yes, yes, yes!

9. 2016 Donum Pinot Noir Reserve Russian River Valley, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker The 2016 Pinot Noir Reserve Russian River Valley comes from the best barrels of the Winside vineyard, planted in 1997. Aged in 90% new French oak, it has a medium to deep ruby-purple color and features fragrant scents of roses, incense and Provence herbs over a core of kirsch, warm black cherries and mulberries with hints of dusty soil and fungi. Medium to full-bodied, it has a soft, velvety frame and seamless freshness supporting the generous fruit, finishing with a lingering spicy kick.

10. 2017 Kosta Browne Giusti Ranch Russian River Valley, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker The 2017 Pinot Noir Giusti Ranch aged 22 months in 37% new French and 6% new Austrian oak. Medium ruby, it opens with cinnamon toast, gunflint, pipe tobacco, pure red cherries and lilac with warm red berries at the core and notes of eucalyptus and charcuterie. Medium to full-bodied and über silky, it offers intense flavor layers with a sturdy, grainy frame and well-woven freshness, finishing long and nuanced. This is a beauty.

11. 2017 Mueller Pinot Noir Emily’s Cuvée, 750ml

Rated 90 by Robert Parker Juicy and broad-textured, with notes of cocoa powder and cream to the dark berry and cherry flavors. The spicy finish shows mocha hints. Drink now through 2023.

12. 2018 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Bootlegger’s Hill, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator Sleek and pure-tasting, with lively minerality and forest floor accents to the dried dark cherry and black currant flavors. Shows accents of black olive midpalate, with a long, lilting finish that features hints of dried mint.

96

35TH RARE & FINE WINE AUCTION


LOT #59

Wine Spectator Top Ten (2020) Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Maura & Dan Sharp, WFF Auction Committee

Estimated Value: $1,275 1. #1 - 2010 Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Spectator Maturing well, this round red is a lovely example of the traditional style. Orange peel, dried cherry, forest floor, vanilla and black tea flavors mingle harmoniously over round tannins and citrusy acidity. Generous but gentle, lively, balanced and harmonious. Tempranillo and Mazuelo. Drink now through 2030.

2. #2 - 2018 Aubert Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast UV Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator Powerful and structured, with minerally richness to the fine-edged red fruit and savory spice flavors. The sleek finish offers impressive purity and clarity to the notes of hot stone, flint and underbrush. Best from 2021 through 2026.

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3. #3 - 2015 San Filippo Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucére, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Spectator Effusive aromas of black currant, blueberry, violet and iron mark this expressive red. Supple and harmonious, with a firm backbone of tannins that are refined and integrated. Shows terrific length and complexity. Best from 2023 through 2043.

4. #4 - 2016 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Spectator This distinctive red throws a lot of wild sage, herb and sassafras notes out first, while the core of intense red currant, damson plum and bitter cherry fruit waits its turn. The vibrant structure is built on acidity, pulling everything together through the iron-streaked finish. Should age wonderfully.

5. #5 - 2016 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Trois Sources, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Spectator A lush, ripe style, with açaí berry, blueberry and plum reduction notes giving this a slightly exotic bent, while singed bay leaf, worn leather and warm tar accents keep this grounded in a slightly old-school way. Displays ample heft, yet energy ripples through the finish, accompanied by lingering garrigue and tobacco echoes. Best from 2022 through 2040.

6. #6 - 2017 Kistler Chardonnay Russian River Valley Vine Hill Vineyard (2 Bottles), 375ml

Rated 96 by Wine Spectator Complex, with crunchy acidity to the concentrated citrus and McIntosh apple flavors. Intense minerality shows midpalate, followed by a pure and powerful finish that lingers with dried savory herb and toasty hints. Best from 2022 through 2027.

7. #7 - 2016 Massolino Barolo, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Spectator Black cherry and black currant fruit is embedded in a matrix of stiff tannins. Tar, tobacco and iron flavors add complexity, and the vibrant acidity is a force to be reckoned with. This red has fine length. Just needs time. Best from 2025 through 2050.

8. #8 - 2015 Bodega Piedra Negra Chacayes Los Chacayes, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Spectator Very elegant and rich, with concentrated kirsch, dark plum and cherry tart flavors, backed by medium-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Shows grip midpalate, leading to a finish that turns creamy and plush, primed with spicy richness and chocolate mousse accents. Malbec. Drink now through 2027.

9. #9 - 2018 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge The Beaux Frères Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator A wine of presence and expression, impeccably structured yet elegantly layered, with evocative raspberry, rose petal and brown baking spice notes that pick up richness and tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029.

10. #10 - 2012 Bollinger Brut Champagne La Grande Année, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Spectator This goes from zero to 60 right out of the gate, with an intense spine of acidity driving tightly meshed flavors of crushed black currant, ground coffee, candied grapefruit peel and toasted almond. The profile expands on the palate, carried by the fine, raw silk–like mousse. Richly aromatic and expressive from start to lasting, spiced finish. Disgorged July 2019. Drink now through 2037.

98

35TH RARE & FINE WINE AUCTION


LOT #60

New World Syrah Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Harvey Kronberg, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Christie & Rob Miller, Jim Stone, Traci Velebil

Estimated Value: $1,050 1. 2009 Force Majeure Collaboration Series III Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Spectator Density, expansiveness and surprising transparency for such a big wine combine to make the spicy, floral plum and blackberry flavors hover nicely over refined tannins and linger on the long, complex finish. Hints of pepper and mineral add depth.

2. 2010 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker Deep purple-black in color, the 2010 Amon-Ra is very closed on the nose showing pure black fruits, chocolate and licorice with just a touch of loam. Full-bodied and densely packed, the voluptuous palate is framed by firm, fine tannins and a crisp acid line. It has a long, well-balanced finish. Drink it from 2014-2026+.

3. 2011 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker All of the 2011 Syrahs will be in bottle by the time you read this. The 2011 Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard offers a cool-climate, pretty and perfumed style to go with lots of pepper, violets, iodine and dark fruits, with just a hint of vanilla and oak. Full-bodied, fresh and lively, with bright acidity and fine tannin, it’s a Northern Rhone look-alike that will have 15-20 years of longevity.

4. 2011 Saxum Syrah Booker Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 99 by Robert Parker Classic Booker with its serious levels of dark fruit, chocolate, earth and mineral, the 2011 Syrah Booker Vineyard (67% Syrah, 33% Mourvedre) builds incrementally on the palate and delivers full-bodied richness and depth without ever seeming heavy or cumbersome. Aged in 300- and 350-liter hogsheads, this seamless, focused and layered barrel sample is brilliant and could come from nowhere else. It should have 15+ years of longevity. Drink 2016-2026.

5. 2012 Carlisle Syrah Papa’s Block, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker The 2012 Syrah Papa’s Block (100% Syrah) is a 400-case cuvée that achieved 14.5% natural alcohol. Thirty percent whole clusters were used, and about 20% new French oak. The wine exhibits lots of blackberry fruit, charcoal and spring flower characteristics in a full-bodied, opulent, irresistible, richly fruity, plush style. Consume it over the next 6-10 years.

6. 2012 Saxum Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock, 750ml

Rated 99 by Robert Parker The 2012 Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock is the star of the show in 2012. Borderline perfection, it has straight up awesome notes of black and blue fruits, pepper, crushed violets and searing chalky minerality that shows on both the nose and palate. Full-bodied, seamless and elegant, it’s a stacked, concentrated, layered Syrah that never puts a foot wrong. Give it 2-4 years and enjoy bottles through 2032.

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7. 2012 Spottswoode Field Book, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Spectator A classy effort, tight and spicy, with a mix of pepper and nutmeg woven into the dried berry, sage and cedar notes, firming pleasantly on the flavorful finish. Drink now through 2022.

8. 2013 Davis Family Syrah Soul Patch, 750ml

Rated 91 by Robert Parker The 2013 Syrah Soul Patch is outstanding. Dense purple with notes of roasted meats, bacon fat, blackberry and cassis, the wine is rich, full-bodied, concentrated yet well-balanced, and easy to drink. It should even get better over the next 5-7 years and last for a decade or more.

9. 2014 K Vintners Syrah Cattle King Upland Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 99 by Robert Parker The 2014 Syrah Cattle King is a huge, powerful, unctuous beast that gives up decadent notes of black and blue fruits, freshly crushed rocks, graphite, iron and licorice. Unctuous, sexy and with gorgeous purity, it carries itself with incredible grace and elegance, without ever being over the top. It flirts with perfection and is one of the highlights of the vintage—and the region. Give it a few years and drink through 2029.

10. 2014 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah Stonessence, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker The 2014 Syrah Stonessence checks in as 100% Syrah that’s all from the In The Rocks Vineyard in the rocks region of Walla Walla. Notes of blackberries, blueberries, crushed violets and peppery herbs all emerge from this tight, backward, concentrated Syrah that has thrilling purity. With air, it shows a touch more meat and game, but it desperately needs 2-3 years of cellaring and will keep for a decade or more after that. It’s a killer bottle of wine!

11. 2015 Epoch Estate Syrah Block B Paderewski Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker One of the most impenetrably rich and powerful wines in the range, unfurling in the glass with brooding aromas of dark fruits, grilled meat, smoke, bay leaf and scorched earth. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, layered and massively concentrated and extracted, with huge reserves of depth and energy, and a long, savory finish. It’s going to need some time, but its upside should be considerable.

12. 2017 Booker Fracture, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker Made of 100% Syrah aged in 65% new French oak, the 2017 Fracture has a deep ruby-purple color. The nose opens with tar, chargrill, woodsmoke and roasted lamb over bitter chocolate, bay leaves, sweet spices and blue fruits. Medium to full-bodied, it gains amplitude and nuance in the mouth, firmly supported and grainy with just enough freshness on the long, flavorful finish. 1,285 cases produced.

100

35TH RARE & FINE WINE AUCTION


LOT #61

Bordeaux For the Cellar More Recent Vintage Bordeaux to Cellar and Drink Later Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Harvey Kronberg, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Holly & Caleb Noel

Estimated Value: $950 1. 2014 Château La Gaffeliere Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Spectator A lovely blackberry puree note leads this off, followed by hints of fig and plum. Alluring licorice and juniper flavors start to fill in, backed by an accent of smoldering tobacco. The structure is persistent but very fine-grained.

2. 2015 Château Canon la Gaffelière Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Spectator Still youthfully tight and backward, with a well-roasted frame of alder and juniper holding sway for now, but the core of cassis, blackberry and plum fruit waits in reserve, showing prodigious depth. When the toast and fruit melds, the backdrop of tobacco, singed iron and chalky minerality will get a turn to show. There’s a lot here. Built for the cellar. Best from 2025 through 2040.

3. 2015 Château Ferrière Margaux, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast Biodynamic from this vintage, Ferrière is closely associated both through family and vineyard practices with Durfort-Vivens. With dusty tannins and beautiful black-currant fruits, this wine is both rich and juicy, finishing with crisp acidity. Drink from 2024.

4. 2015 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse Pauillac, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast This generous, ripe wine is filled with fine tannins as well as juicy black-currant fruits. It is approachable in the sense that the fruit is so delicious. However, watch for those tannins that are firm and dense and will allow the wine to age. Best to wait until 2024.

5. 2015 Château La Fleur Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Spectator Offers a core of fig and boysenberry fruit backed by waves of licorice. Toasty, but there’s good energy overall, with a bright, polished feel through the finish. Best from 2019 through 2027.

6. 2015 Château Lécuyer Pomerol, 750ml

Rated 91 by Robert Parker The 2015 Château Lécuyer has a charming, very pure cassis and black cherry-scented bouquet that is neatly interwoven with the new oak. There is panache here, even at this primal stage. The palate is fresh and vibrant with quite bold tannin, the new oak here coming through a little strongly and it just tapers in a little towards the grippy finish.

7. 2015 Château Meyney Saint-Estèphe, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast This wine is poised between great fruits and firm tannins. It has both in abundance, bursting with black currant flavors and lively acidity.

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8. 2017 Château Cos d’Estournel - Saint-Estèphe, 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Advocate Composed of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, yields for the grand vin in 2017 were 43 hectoliters per hectare, and it was aged in 60% new oak. It came in at an alcohol of 13% and an IPT of 68. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Cos d’Estournel needs a little coaxing to unfurl, revealing beautiful expressions of preserved plums, boysenberries, blackcurrant pastilles and wild blueberries with hints of Indian spices, menthol, lilacs and mossy tree bark plus a compelling suggestion of iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a solid backbone of firm, grainy tannins and well-knit freshness supporting the tightly wound blue and black fruits layers, finishing long and fragrant. This wine will need a good 5-7 years in bottle before it begins to blossom and should go on for at least another 40 years.

9. 2017 Château Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases - Saint-Julien Medoc, 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Advocate This comes from 50- to 90-year-old vines and is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot with 13.28% alcohol, 3.72 pH and an IPT of 71. The 2017 Léoville Las Cases is deep garnet-purple in color, and wow, the nose bursts with beautiful blackcurrant cordial, blackberry pie and blueberry preserve notes followed by hints of lilacs, dark chocolate, cedar chest, sassafras and licorice with emerging wafts of oolong tea, lavender and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is an exercise in elegance and soft-spoken nuances within a mouth-coating palate of almost electric black and blue fruits, framed by very firm, exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing epically long and wonderfully perfumed. Damn, that’s good.

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LOT #62

Magnificent Magnums II Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Ellen & Caleb Troxclair, Jaclynn Renée van Sant, Heather & Jerry Valdez

Estimated Value: $810 1. 2013 Smith & Hook Red Wine Proprietary Blend, 1.5L

Rated 91 by Wine Spectator A big, strapping red, with ripe dark fruit flavors that are filled with Asian spice accents. Features hot stone notes midpalate and a complex finish that shows dark chocolate and forest floor details. Merlot, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon.

2. 2014 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5L

Rated 93 by Wine Spectator Another classic from Cathy Corison, the 2014 Cabernet displays a pretty bouquet of black cherry, petroleum jelly, cocoa nib and dried rose. On the palate the wine is intense, nicely concentrated and texturally refined, with good depth and a lovely line of bright acidity which lends a crunchy edge to the fruit. Drink from 2020-2040.

3. 2014 Horsepower Syrah The Tribe, 1.5L

Rated 97 by Robert Parker The 2014 Horsepower Syrah offers more fruit (blackberry, black cherry) as well as beautiful notes of violets, rose petal, pepper and earth. Fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged in neutral puncheons, this full-bodied beauty has fine tannin, juicy acidity and a great finish. It’s in direct contrast to the more masculine, meaty, umami style of the Sur Echalas Vineyard.

4. 2015 Nicolas Jay Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley). 1.5L

Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast Wine Enthusiast Editor's Choice. The second release from this impressive new project is a touch lighter than the previous vintage, but just as well built. Blending grapes from four different sub-AVAs, this shows a sleek and detailed mix of fruit—strawberry, plum and cherry—married to just the right amount of new French oak (one third of the barrels).

5. 2016 Jaclynn Renée Wines, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Single Vineyard, Bacigalupi Vineyards, 1.5L

Rated 93 by Robert Parker Sonoma Magazine Top 100; This sophisticated Pinot Noir is lifted with fresh ripe cherry, black tea, wild sage, cinnamon, and vanilla. The palate is expressive and medium-bodied with a burst of fresh red berry fruit and soft earthy notes, bright acidity, balanced tannins, and a lengthy, seamless finish.

6. 2017 Arista Chardonnay Banfield Vineyard - Signed, 1.5L

Rated 91 by Robert Parker The 2017 Chardonnay Banfield Vineyard has a nose of white peaches and baked quince with touches of orange blossom, lemongrass and baker’s yeast. The medium-bodied palate offers bright, fresh, perfumed fruit with gentle yeasty touches and a perfumed finish.

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LOT #63

Rhone & CDP Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Christa & Don Heath, Harvey Kronberg, Christie & Rob Miller, Jim Stone

Estimated Value: $1,205 1. 2005 Clos Des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Spectator 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. Far more backward than the 2003 or 2004 on release, but since this red typically puts on weight as it ages, it should be a monster--à la the 1990--when it reaches its peak. Best from 2009 through 2030.

2. 2006 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator Powerful, with a round, almost creamy core of blackberry and raspberry fruit all layered with cocoa, sweet toast, mesquite and fig paste. Long and rich through the finish. Still quite primal, with lots in reserve. Best from 2010 through 2030.

3. 2007 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Farconnet, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Advocate Medium red with lighter edge. Nice fruit on opening. One hour decant reveals lovely spicy red fruit and good length. Clean and fresh rather than big and deep. But very round and filled with character. Just about right.

4. 2007 Maison Nicolas Perrin Côte-Rôtie, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Spectator Dark and alluring, with inviting crushed black currant, blackberry and black cherry fruit that’s liberally laced with mouthwatering black tea, incense and maduro tobacco notes. The long finish has nice grip. Big and mouth-filling, especially for the vintage. Drink now through 2018.

5. 2010 La Célestière Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Croze, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker The 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Croze displays an even more saturated purple color as well as a more tannic, structured and beefy style. With full-bodied power in addition to abundant intensity, purity and richness, this 2010 will require patience as it needs 3-4 years of cellaring. It should last for two decades thereafter.

6. 2011 Domaine Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape le Secret de Sabon, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker It shows the sunny character of the vintage with its perfumed kirsch and red fruits, herbes de Provence, licorice and ground spices. A big wine, it possesses full-bodied richness, fine tannin and a seamless, elegant style that will allow it to evolve gracefully for 15 years or more.

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7. 2013 Domaine de la Jannasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator Features ample stuffing, with lots of dark plum sauce, crushed cherry and warm blackberry confiture flavors forming the core. Melted black licorice, plum eau-de-vie and black tea notes fill in the background. Reveals a lovely echo of ganache at the very end. Best from 2018 through 2027.

8. 2013 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker Offers a sensational bouquet of blackberry and black raspberry fruits, powdered rock, gunpowder and pepper. Medium to full-bodied, with good (though maybe not great) levels of concentration, it has high, yet beautifully polished tannin, integrated acidity, and terrific cut and focus on the finish.

9. 2015 E. Guigal St. Joseph Vignes de L’Hospice, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Spectator This ripples with stunning raspberry and boysenberry coulis flavors, inlaid liberally with anise and apple wood notes and carrying through the well-defined finish. Lush in feel overall, with a mocha note draped over everything, keeping terrific energy in reserve. Best from 2020 through 2030.

10. 2015 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator Very fresh, with a honeysuckle-gilded core of white peach, melon rind and Jonagold apple notes. The beguiling finish lets hints of talc and wet stone glide through. Shows lovely purity and serious length. Drink now through 2029.

11. 2015 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Maison Bleue, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker Replacing La Petite Chapelle in the Jaboulet lineup is the 2015 Hermitage La Maison Bleue. It’s softer in style, with a rich, velvety texture. Cedar and spice notes frame cassis and cola notes, lingering through the long, supple finish.

12. 2016 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker It’s full-bodied, creamy, lush and rich, with layers of raspberry fruit, garrigue and spice that unfold across a seamless palate. No doubt it will go through cycles of being open and closed throughout its lifespan, but it would be a mistake to simply order a case, put it into storage and forget about it without trying one first and swooning over the sheer lusciousness and youthful complexity.

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LOT #64

Hill Country Getaway with a Chef’s Pizza Party and Dinner at Leaning Pear Donated by:

Chef Jamie Chozet, Denise & Mike Silverman, The Leaning Pear

Estimated Value: $2,500

Enjoy a restful Hill Country weekend (4 Days/ 3 Nights) at a three-bedroom, three-bathroom ranch home on a large, quiet property in Canyon Lake, Texas – just an hour drive from Austin. Relax in the hot tub, or in the stock tank/cowboy pool. Enjoy some cocktails and play lawn games by the outdoor fireplace. The back deck has huge shade trees, and a top-notch grill. The house is a five-minute drive from the lake and can comfortably accommodate up to six guests. The Silvermans will stock the bar with some great Texas wine and some spirits. Guests will also be treated to a pizza party courtesy of Chef Jaime Chozet. Chef Chozet will make homemade pizzas in the property’s outdoor woodburning pizza oven for up to six guests. And finally, The Leaning Pear restaurant – less than 20 minutes away from Canyon Lake in beautiful Wimberley, TX – has donated a $150 gift card to make this Hill Country getaway package complete. This just might be the weekend getaway you and your friends need! This 4 Day / 3 Night package must be scheduled in advance on mutually agreed dates with both the homeowner and chef before December 2022. Blackout dates may occur.

LOT #65

3L Selections from Burgundy Donated by:

Austin Wine Merchant

Estimated Value: $1,300 1. 2016 Bouchard Père et Fils Beaune Premier Cru Gréves Vigne de l'Enfant Jesus, 3L

Rated 94 by James Suckling Dark fruits in 2016. The DNA of long, silky tannins is alive and well here. A suave and polished style with an attractive core of flavorsome, elegant mid-palate fruits.

2. 2016 Bouchard Père et Fils Le Corton Grand Cru, 3L

Rated 95 by James Suckling The chalky and stony notes are intermingled with pastry and red to dark cherries, all leading to a palate that shows good acidity, impressive depth and weight of tannins. A cool vintage expression with more intensity at the finish. This will age very well.

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LOT #66

California vs Oregon Donated by:

Heather & Jerry Valdez

Estimated Value: $1,000 1. 2010 WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Triple Black Slopes, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Advocate WillaKenzie’s 2010 Pinot Noir Triple Black Slopes projects copious quantities of ripe cassis, elderberry and blackberry, whose compote-like palate impression is entirely welcoming of the toast, brown spice and vanilla extracted from more than half new wood. What’s more, there are a polish and incipient textural allure here that also point toward an excellent marriage with the barrels; skin-tartness comes off as invigorating but not discordant; and a saliva-inducing salinity sets the seal on this fine Pinot’s sappy and clinging; energetically invigorating and bright; yet lusciously rich finish.

2. 2011 WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Emery, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Advocate The 2011 Pinot Noir Emery comes from a variety of clones and spends 14 months on French oak barrels. The nose here is very attractive with lifted floral red berry fruit, well defined and perfumed, with a Burgundian purity and allure. The palate is medium-bodied, with supple red berry fruit, smooth in the mouth with no rough edges and fine salinity toward the finish.

3. 2015 Hanzell Pinot Noir Sonoma Valley (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Advocate Pale ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir leaps from the glass with gregarious kirsch, fresh raspberries and wild strawberry scents with touches of rose hip tea, lavender, cinnamon stick, underbrush and dried herbs. The medium-bodied palate possesses bags of finesse and wonderful vibrancy, with the perfumed red fruit well framed by fine-grained tannins and great freshness, finishing on a lingering floral tea note.

4. 2015 Hirsch Pinot Noir East Ridge (2 Bottles), 750ml

The East Ridge Pinot Noir is a masculine and structured expression of the Hirsch Vineyard, with fantastic concentration and energy.

5. 2016 Flaneur Extra Brut Willamette Valley (2 Bottles), 750ml 6. 2017 Flaneur X-Novo Vineyard Pinot Noir (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Advocate Medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Pinot Noir X-Novo Vineyard has intense aromas of cranberry sauce, blood orange and amaro spices. The medium-bodied palate is silky and seamlessly fresh with layered, spicy fruits and a nuanced finish.

7. 2017 Hirsch Vineyards Estate Chardonnay (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Advocate The 2017 Chardonnay Estate has a delicate but intense nose of stone, white mushroom, dried hay and soft yellow fruits with notes of hazelnut, spring honey and orange blossom. Medium-bodied with great intensity in the mouth, it has wonderful layers of nutty/honeyed fruit, tangy acidity and a layered, energetic finish. Wow that’s good!

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LOT #67

Seat at the Table at the Robinson & Ritzen Residence Donated by:

Chef Jaime Chozet, Mari Robinson & Greg Ritzen

Estimated Value: $5,500 Do not miss your chance to buy a seat in this Dutch style auction for a fun dinner and wine tasting experience with a view. Join Auction Committee members Daniel Bleier, Pat Conroy, Diana McIver, and Board President Elect, Amber Pearce as they uncork rare wines from their exclusive private cellars at the residence of Board Member Mari Robinson & Greg Ritzen. A coursed dinner will be carefully curated by Chef Jaime Chozet. All wines selected will be expertly presented by a few of Texas’ most talented sommeliers. This is a Dutch-Style Auction. The price will be set by the Auctioneer. Every time you raise your paddle, you are buying a Seat at the Table. This dinner will take place on one of two date options: Friday, March 25, 2022 OR Saturday, March 26, 2022. Please note that WFF will not offer refunds if your schedule does not permit the selected date.

1. 2013 Domaine Georges Vernay Condrieu Coteau de Vernon, Rhone, France, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Advocate Coming from very old vines planted on a steep, granite slope located just behind the estate, it offers full throttle notes of sautéed peach, marmalade, honeysuckle, liquid rock and citrus oil. Big, rich, textured and nicely concentrated, it nevertheless stays fresh, lively and weightless on the palate, with notable purity and a clean, dry finish. It doesn't come cheap (nor should it), but it's a tour de force in Condrieu that will drink nicely for a decade or more.

2. 2013 E. Guigal Ermitage Blanc Ex-Voto, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Advocate The 2013 Hermitage Ex Voto Blanc is a head-turner that offers sensational notes of buttered stone fruits, charcoal, toasted bread, toasted nuts and freshly crushed rocks. Take Marsanne and filter it through a bed of rocks, and you’d have an idea of what this beauty tastes like. Full-bodied, thick, unctuous and concentrated, it’s certainly one of the most exciting dry whites coming from the Northern Rhône Valley today.

3. 2016 Hartford Chardonnay Three Jacks, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Advocate The 2016 Hartford Court Chardonnay Three Jacks Vineyard gives up beautiful lemon curd, peach preserves and guava scents with suggestions of pineapple, allspice and brioche. Full-bodied, rich and seductive, it delivers mouthfilling stone fruit and tropical layers with a satiny texture and a long, ginger-laced finish.

4. 2016 Gulfi NeroBufaleffj, Nero d'Avola Sicilia, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Advocate This is made from the Sicilian red grape Nero d'Avola and comes from a limestone-based vineyard around Pachino in the Val di Noto area. A full-bodied, chocolatey red wine with a complex mix of black berries, vanilla, and mineraldriven tannins. It is always a favorite wine at the dinner table. This unfiltered bottling should be decanted to aerate the wine and separate the sediment.

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5. 2018 Aubert Pinot Noir UV Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Advocate The 2018 Aubert Pinot Noirs were bottled at the beginning of July 2019. Medium to deep ruby-purple colored, the 2018 Pinot Noir UV Vineyard rolls out of the glass with intense notes of Morello cherries, rhubarb, raspberry pie, bouquet garni and lilacs with suggestions of Marmite toast, fungi, fragrant soil and forest floor. Full-bodied, the palate is packed with crunchy red berries plus loads of earthy accents, framed by firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long with a wonderfully spicy kick. Delicious now, this should age incredibly well, generously rewarding those with enough patience to defer their gratification.

6. 2005 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml

Rated 96 by Decanter A long, cool growing season, with harvest from the end of September to the end of October, delivered fantastic flavour development. More Bordeaux-like than most in the tasting, it was highly aromatic, with a lush cassis, violet and graphite nose, and intense flavours of dark plum cherry fruit, cocoa, and notes of espresso. It’s expressive right now, yet the powerful tannins say it’s got years to go. One for collectors.

7. 2013 Ridge Cabernet Monte Bello, 750ml

Rated 100 by Wine Advocate On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, powerful and multidimensional, with a lavishly textural attack that segues into a stunningly layered, richly structured mid-palate endowed with incredible depth and concentration underpinned by succulent acids. The finish is long, vibrant and beautifully delineated. The 2013 is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot, and it attained 13.6% natural alcohol. Analytically, this ranks as one of the most tannic vintages of Monte Bello ever produced, but the tannins are of such high quality and cloaked in such a wealth of fruit that Ridge forwent their habitual egg white fining this year—beginning a trend that has continued since. This profound Monte Bello will begin to blossom as it reaches age ten and should prove practically immortal.

8. 2013 Amapola Creek Cabernet, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Advocate Notes of graphite, crème de cassis, blueberry and blackberry along with some espresso are all present in this dense, full-bodied wine with great fruit, beautiful purity and moderately high tannins. There are just under 1,600 cases.

9. 2012 Caymus Cabernet Special Selection, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Advocate The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection has a dense blackish/purple color and creamy, sweet crème de cassis fruit, blackberries, a touch of graphite and vanilla, This exuberant, boisterous, in-your-face style of Cabernet Sauvignon is clearly a fruit bomb, so be warned. Full-bodied and opulent with stunning concentration and richness, the wine has no hard edges and is much in the Caymus style of terrific fruit intensity (most of it black and blue), voluptuous texture, and a stunning finish with plenty of glycerin, wood and spice. This can be drunk now, or cellared for 20+ years.

10. 2009 Clarendon Hills Astralis, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Advocate Roman classifies this as his 1er Grand Cru. The Astralis vineyard was planted in 1920. The wine is aged in 100% new, tight-grained French oak for 18 months. 2009 saw lower than usual crop levels (down 40%) which ripened relatively evenly over the 2008/09 summer. A short, late summer heat burst gave a welcomed kick start to the final ripening stages. Idyllic conditions ensued and the fruit was progressively picked. Totally opaque, inky black colour showing superb saturation and glass cling with a deep crimson purple hue. Perfumed aromas offer a multifaceted bouquet including ripe blackberry, liquorice and black cherry followed by some roasted meat like characters, vanillin, cedar and black pepper. The palate possesses explosive power. An ethereal mouth full that includes ripe blackberry, dark plum and liquorice followed by some confectionary, vanillin, cedar & spice. Sublimely textured with velvet smooth tannins. Incredibly long after taste of liquorice, ripe blackberry, vanillin confectionary, black pepper and spice. Quite simply, this is a stunning integration of acidity, tannin, fruit and wood.

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11. 2016 Sine Qua Non Nuestra Señora del Tercer Gemelo, The Third Twin Vineyard, Central Coast, 750ml

Rated 99 by Wine Advocate Very deep garnet-purple in color, with a wonderfully meaty/savory nose over a core of crème de cassis and baked plums with nut and fruit cake undertones followed by yeast extract, tilled soil, fungi and unsmoked cigar notes. The massively rich, full-bodied palate is incredibly precise, features wonderfully delineated, complex, savory, earthy and mineral layers, all lifted by fantastic freshness. The jaw-dropping depth of flavors is superbly supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins, finishing on a compelling iron-ore note. Truly, this is a wine without peers.

12. 2008 Donnafugata Passito di Pantelleria Ben Ryé, 375ml

Rated 97 by Wine Advocate The bouquet opens to extraordinary aromatic definition and gold rays of brilliant luminosity. Floral notes are mixed with apricot, stone fruit, toasted pine nut and wild sage. This vintage is the result of some of the most stringent fruit selection seen so far in the Ben Ryé line. The estate's 11 vineyard sites were harvested separately to create the perfect blend of site-specific fruit. This vintage also represents the first time the wine exceeds 200 grams per liter in residual sugar. The fresh acidity creates a perfect balance and you don't necessarily taste that extra sweetness. This wine is near indestructible and should age for decades more to come.

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LOT #68

Selections from the 2019 Wine Spectator Top Ten Donated by:

Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Christie & Rob Miller, Amber Pearce, WFF Auction Committee

Estimated Value: $975 1. #1 - 2016 Château Léoville Barton Saint-Julien (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Spectator This is so vivid as it brims with pastis-soaked plum, blackberry, black currant and blueberry paste flavors, all carried by a perfectly integrated brambly spine. Tar and ganache notes give the finish an extra kick while everything stays within the mouthwatering roasted apple wood frame. Both regal and rambunctious, this is St.-Julien to a T. Best from 2025 through 2040.

2. #3 - 2016 San Giusto a Rentennano Chianti Classico (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator This red offers a pure core of black currant, blackberry and violet flavors shaded by earth and mint notes. The tannins are uplifting and refined. This has terrific energy and balance, with a long, expansive aftertaste of fruit, earth and mineral. Should have a long life ahead. Sangiovese and Canaiolo. Best from 2021 through 2043.

3. #4 - 2016 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Reserve (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Spectator This delivers a very tightly focused, almost piercing beam of cassis, raspberry coulis and bitter cherry fruit, scored with singed alder and iron notes. Incense and tobacco details chime in on the finish. Long and refined, with the fruit leaving a sweet and mouthwatering echo.

4. #7 - 2016 Ramey, Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Hyde Vineyard (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator Precise and powerfully structured, with intense Asian pear, apple and ripe citrus flavors that feature rich, savory notes. Displays concentrated minerality on the spicy and textured finish. Should blossom in the cellar.

5. #10 - 2016 Viña Almaviva Puente Alto (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator Elegant, powerful and well-structured, with a refined mix of dark fruit, dried red fruit and spice flavors. Dried herbal notes emerge midpalate, with a minerally finish that is long and rich-tasting. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2025.

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LOT #69

Dessert Wines Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Traci Velebil

Estimated Value: $1,120 1. 2001 Château Rieussec, Sauternes, 750ml

Rated 100 by Wine Spectator Like lemon curd on the nose, turning to honey and caramel. Full-bodied and very sweet, with fantastic concentration of ripe and botrytized fruit, yet balanced and refined. Electric acidity. Lasts for minutes on the palate. This is absolutely mind-blowing. This is the greatest young Sauternes I have ever tasted.

2. 2001 Château Suduiraut, Sauternes (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Spectator Gorgeous aromas of honey, passion fruit, mango and candied lemon rind. Full-bodied and ultraconcentrated, yet balanced and refined. It lasts for minutes on the palate. This has just about everything in the right place. Stunning.

3. 2003 Sine Qua Non Chardonnay Mr. K The Noble Man, 375ml

Rated 98 by Robert Parker Medium gold. Knockout nose offers pure botrytis aromas of orange oil, apricot, clove, marzipan, chocolate and mocha. Extraordinarily thick and honeyed but with bracing acids leavening the flavors of marzipan, coconut, brown sugar and orange rind. Higher-toned than the Gewurztraminer, with a spirity suggestion of Grand Marnier.

4. 2009 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance, 500ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator Golden orange in color, with delicate aromas of nougat and honeycombe. The palate has a fresh acidity with rich flavors of Seville marmalade and dried apricots enveloping the mouth. These fruity notes are married with sandal wood and all spice flavors. Richly aromatic that tapers into a elegant and endless finish.

5. 2014 Château Coutet Barsac, 750ml

Rated 97 by Wine Ethusiast #3 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2017. Still aging in oak, the wine is a pale color. The nose is full of lovely aromatic notes of grapefruit, lychee, mango, and pineapple. In addition, flavors of lime, toasted almond, and acacia flower can be detected. The palate is fresh and mineral but an incredible density to the wine imparts a long finish. The vintage is already unusual for its power and freshness.

6. 2015 Château Suduiraut Sauternes, 375ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker The 2015 Suduiraut has a sense of completeness on the nose already: immense clarity with wild honey and quince aromas that gain intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very pure botrytised fruit, very focused and one of the most intense Sauternes you will find this year. It feels long and sophisticated in the mouth yet never overpowers, never really has to put its foot right down on the accelerator. This is a wonderful Suduiraut.

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7. 2015 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Première Trie Le Mont, 750ml

Rated 98 by Robert Parker The 2015 Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux Première Trie is super clear, ripe and aromatic on the nose, highly elegant and with lovely flinty flavors. Intense and concentrated, with great finesse and vitality, this is a highly elegant and perfectly balanced wine with a persistent grip and salinity. Great balance and harmony.

8. 2016 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes (2 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast A perfectly balanced wine, this boasts a beautiful harmony between bright acidity and ripe, sweet fruit. It is rich, but balanced by great acidity as well as lingering spicy notes. It is suited for long-term aging.

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LOT #70

Ready to Drink Donated by:

Merri & Steve Crawley, Christa & Don Heath, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Christie & Rob Miller, Amber Pearce, Jim Stone

Estimated Value: $950 1. 2005 Château d’Armailhac, Pauillac, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Enthusiast A big, sweet, soft wine, with attractive ripe blackberry fruits. It’s lively, smoky and licorice flavored, with delicious fresh acidity to finish.

2. 2005 Domaine Font de Michelle Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Etienne Gonnet, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Spectator Sweet raspberry fruit leads the way for perfumy floral and spice notes, with a fleshy paoalte of mocha, mesquite and red licorice. The long, tight-grained finish just keeps going and going.

3. 2005 Mitolo “GAM” Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia, 750ml

Rated 95 by Robert Parker Fashioned from a McLaren Vale vineyard, the 2005 Shiraz G.A.M. is a deep ruby/purple-hued effort displaying beautiful blackberry, white pepper, licorice, and toasty oak notes. Rich, full-bodied, and intense, with blueberry and blackberry flavors, sweet tannin, and excellent purity, it is a tour de force in winemaking.

4. 2007 Donum Estate Grown Pinot Noir (Carneros), 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Spectator A tantalizing mix of perfectly ripe, juicy raspberry and tangy black cherry flavors, with a rich, powerful loamy element of fresh earth, clay and spice. Licorice, kirsch and spice box notes detail the wine, which is delicate and layered, with a creamy texture.

5. 2010 Copain Baker Ranch Syrah, 750ml

Rated 90 by Robert Parker The 2010 Syrah Baker emerges from the glass with sweet red cherries, flowers, spices, black olives, licorice and tobacco. Expressive varietal notes add considerable complexity to the fruit. The Baker remains understated and medium bodied, very much in keeping with the personality of the year.

6. 2010 Vineyard 29 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 29 Estate, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Advocate Black cherries, plums, violets, new leather and tar are woven together nicely. This is sumptuous, powerful and intense. Hints of chocolate, mocha and espresso are layered into the finish. The blend is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.

7. 2011 Blankiet Estate Rive Droite, 750ml

Rated 93 by Vinous 90% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. Although much lighter than usual, it is still endearing, as the finest wines of this vintage tend to be. There is no hint of herbaceousness, just lots of white chocolate, espresso roast, mulberry and kirsch characteristics. Medium-bodied and soft.

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8. 2011 Force Majeure Collaboration Series VI Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast Made by James Mantone (of Syncline), it offers classic white pepper, ground herbs, earth and assorted dark fruit characteristics to go with a medium to full-bodied, pure and beautifully textured feel on the palate. Elegant, fresh and with a terrific finish, it will evolve gracefully for 10-12 years.

9. 2011 Ridge Vineyards Estate Merlot, 750ml

Rated 92 by Vinous Ruby color. Dried cherry, rhubarb, olive, sun-dried tomato. Cherry fruit on entry, chaparral, dried herbs, currant. Firm acid, polished tannins, refreshing finish.

10. 2013 Donum Pinot Noir, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Spectator A powerful yet graceful expression with smoky oak and cedary notes joined by intense raspberry, anise, black licorice and roasted herb details.

11. 2015 K Vintners Broncho Stoneridge Vineyard Malbec, 750ml

Rated 90 by Wine Enthusiast Fragrant and dramatic, the 2015 Broncho Stoneridge Vineyard Malbec exhibits a striking bouquet of rose petal, cardamom, black tea, dark chocolate and ripe mulberries. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, satiny and seductive, with melting tannins that are almost entirely cloaked in an ample core of succulent fruit.

12. 2017 Outpost Howell Mountain - Napa Valley Grenache, 750ml

Rated 91 by Robert Parker It reveals a pale to medium garnet-purple color with fantastically intense raspberry tart, Morello cherries and redcurrant jelly scents plus underlying wafts of roses, tilled soil and Ceylon tea. Full-bodied and firmly structured, with bags of bright, crunchy red berry flavors, it has a plush texture and a lively backbone, finishing long and perfumed.

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LOT #71

Brilliant Barolos Donated by:

Christa & Don Heath, Holly & Caleb Noel, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Twin Liquors Fine Wine & Spirits, Heather & Jerry Valdez

Estimated Value: $830 1. 2001 Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator Aromas of blackberries, licorice and berries follow through to a full-bodied palate, with lots of delicious plum fruit and toasted oak. Lovely finish. Very young. Very refined.

2. 2006 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Tortoniano, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast The 2006 Barolo Tortoniano is a beautiful wine with gorgeous depth and intensity in its dark red fruit, spice, flowers and licorice. The Tortoniano deftly balances richness and concentration with what is essentially a fairly medium-bodied style. The sweet, perfumed fruit carries the wine effortlessly through the soft, enveloping finish. This is a beautiful effort from Chiarlo.

3. 2009 Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Monfalleto, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Advocate The dark and sumptuous 2009 Barolo Monfalletto has its cards stacked neatly. The wine delivers a beautiful bouquet laced with dried fruit, licorice, white truffle and all sorts of delicious Nebbiolo intricacies. It shows a solid grip on the palate, with a compact and streamlined feel. The class and finesse already present bodes well for the future.

4. 2013 Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga d'Alba, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Advocate Woodland berry, crushed mint and pressed rose aromas lift out of the glass. Firmly structured but also boasting finesse, the focused palate presents red cherry, raspberry, clove and a hint of chopped herb framed in taut, finegrained tannins and bright acidity.

5. 2013 Mauro Veglio Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast Aromas of exotic spice, wild berry, blue flower and French oak meld together on this luminous delicious red. The bright structured palate delivers succulent cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and vanilla alongside polished elegant tannins that give it an irresistibly smooth texture. Bright acidity lends balanced.

6. 2014 Rivetto Barolo Briccolina, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast Made with long fermentation and maceration on the skins and aged in Slavonian casks, this has aromas of rose, small red berry and balsamic whiffs of camphor. Firmly structured yet boasting finesse, the vibrant linear palate delivers Marasca cherry, spiced cranberry, eucalyptus and licorice framed in tightly wound, refined tannins and racy acidity.

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7. 2014 Vietti Barolo Lazzarito, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Advocate This wine represents a tremendous effort. The 2014 Barolo Lazzarito is a powerhouse Nebbiolo. Luca Currado tells me that this is one of the best vintages he has ever made. I felt it important to record his comment here because it comes as a very refreshing affirmation given all the controversy and naysaying that surrounds the 2014 vintage. Lazzarito vines sit in a shallow amphitheater that tends to lock in the summer heat. Indeed, this vineyard site suffers most in the scorching hot years and performs best in the coolest years. The bouquet is opulent and bold with black fruit and distinct traces of sweet chocolate and espresso. The mouthfeel is succulent and rich in natural fruit fiber and sweet tannins.

8. 2016 Pio Cesare Barolo, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Enthusiast Enticingly fragrant, this wine offers alluring scents of iris, rose, perfumed berry and wild herb. It’s full bodied and elegant, delivering crushed raspberry, juicy Marasca cherry, star anise and orange zest set against a backbone of taut, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced and lends intensity.

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LOT #72

2015 Stephane Ogier Côte-Rôtie Sélection Lieux-Dits Donated by:

Vineyard Brands

Estimated Value: $7,000 The winner of this lot gets to take home five cases of the acclaimed 2015 Stephane Ogier Côte-Rôtie Sélection Lieux-Dits. Each case contains seven different 750ml bottles curated specifically for this collection.

1. 2015 Stephane Ogier Côte-Rôtie Lieu-Dit Fongeant, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Spectator This offers up a ripe and captivating core of steeped plum and warm cassis flavors, underscored by an iron note, with hints of mesquite, black tea and bay leaf flirting in the background.

2. 2015 Stephane Ogier Côte-Rôtie Lieu-Dit Côte-Bodin, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator Dark and youthfully reticent, showing brooding black currant, fig and blackberry flavors at the core, encased in tobacco, fresh humus, espresso cream and bay leaf notes, all supported by graphite girders through the finish.

3. 2015 Stephane Ogier Côte-Rôtie Lieu-Dit Cognet, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Spectator A bright, high-pitched version, with red currant and damson plum notes, laced with lilac and rose petal hints and carried by a vibrant mineral streak. A light juniper echo fills in through the finish.

4. 2015 Stephane Ogier Côte-Rôtie Lieu-Dit Bertholon, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Spectator This shows a lush edge, as cassis, plum sauce and blackberry compote notes unfurl slowly, carried by warm ganache and bay leaf accents. Ample grip runs underneath, with a hint of cast iron keeping this grounded at the very end.

5. 2015 Stephane Ogier Côte-Rôtie Lieu-Dit Montmain, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Spectator Expressive, featuring a mix of raspberry, damson plum, black currant and fig fruit, infused with perfumy black tea and juniper hints and grippier tar and cast iron notes. Terrific acidity is thoroughly embedded throughout, letting this carry its heft with a confident stride.

6. 2015 Stephane Ogier Côte-Rôtie Lieu-Dit Le Champon, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Spectator Winey in feel, with a sappy edge to the cassis, fresh plum and blackberry reduction flavors that hold sway from start to finish, supported by a racy graphite accent and notes of smoldering cast iron and juniper on the grippy finish. Rock-solid.

7. 2015 Stephane Ogier Côte-Rôtie Lieu-Dit La Viallière, 750ml

Rated 96 by Wine Spectator Features an exotic hint, with a lush wave of steeped currant, fig and boysenberry fruit coursing through, flanked with graphite edges and backed by singed juniper, black tea, anise, violet and cast iron notes on the finish. Shows muscle and grace, delivering excellent range.

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LOT #73

California Pinot Noir Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier

Estimated Value: $1,100 1. 2014 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker Coming from the Russian River Valley and an estate vineyard that was purchased in 2012, the rich, gorgeously layered and textured 2014 Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard offers an exotic fruit profile, with notions of cassis, passion fruit, spice and dried flowers all emerging from the glass. Full-bodied, layered and rich, yet with the purity and precision that’s present in all of these 2014s, drink bottles anytime over the coming decade, and I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see it keep for longer.

2. 2014 Lynmar Estate Pinot Noir Susanna’s Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast This estate beauty offers a depth of cola spice and lovely acidity, with just a hint of underlying richness. From a site that’s slightly more coastal than the vineyards around the producer’s winery, it shows savory characteristics of rhubarb and wild strawberry amid a plushness of forest, all within supportive, integrated oak.

3. 2014 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Spectator A gorgeous version, ultrarich, supple and graceful, with plump plum, black cherry and wild berry flavors imparting mouthwatering juiciness and presence. Silky in texture, this is smooth and round, long and lingering. Drink now through 2022.

4. 2014 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker Another sensational appellation release is the 2014 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands. Coming from an early vintage that was over two weeks ahead of average, it has tons of spice, black raspberry, currants and blackberry characteristics, medium to full-bodied richness, a great texture and no shortage of depth or length.

5. 2015 Donum Pinot Noir Angel Camp, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast A wonderful perfume of cinnamon, black cherries and violets starts this full-bodied wine on a great note, and it follows with rich, ripe and complex fruit and spice flavors. The mouthfeel is generous and broad yet light in tannins, bringing the abundance of flavors into a lingering finish.

6. 2015 Donum Pinot Noir Carneros, 750ml

Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast This is a layered, concentrated wine, richly woven with flavors of blueberry, strawberry, rose and lavender. Medium in weight, the palate feels compressed and thick but lifted by a lingering floral element.

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7. 2015 Donum Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast Plush and expansive from start to finish, this is an impressive wine with length and breadth. Jolts of well-defined flavors of cherry and vanilla meet spice and earth, making for a contemplative, tasty wine. Editors’ Choice.

8. 2015 Donum Pinot Noir West Slope Carneros, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast This site-specific wine justifies its singularity in a robustly perfumed, floral aroma and a spicy, savory embrace of black tea and cardamom. The fruit profile is defined by rhubarb and orange zest.

9. 2015 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, 750ml

Rated 94 by James Suckling Lots of the blue fruits and dried flowers on the nose. Oyster shell too. Medium to full body, linear and vibrant. Energetic. Clean and intense finish.

10. 2015 Lynmar Estate Pinot Noir Quail Hill Vineyard Sonoma Coast, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast Earthy wisps of rose garden and wild strawberry invite one into this estate wine, that’s brawny and strong in imprint. Concentrated and extracted fruit dominates with highlights of cranberry, raspberry and tan bark with a nod of cola and cardamom adding spice.

11. 2016 Lynmar Estate Pinot Noir Monastery, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast This wine brims in sizzling Asian spice and vanilla. Tangy acidity supports the bright, fresh core of cherry, pomegranate, leather and soy, finishing on tones of black tea and white pepper.

12. 2017 Lynmar Estate Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard Sonoma Coast, 750ml

Rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast This nicely made, complex and balanced wine opens in an inviting nose of rose and following flavors of rhubarb compote, grapefruit and orange. Bright, fresh and silky in tannin, it has an intriguing underlying earthiness that presents as peppery and exotically spicy.

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LOT #74

In the Year 2000 Donated by:

Myla & Mike Ramsey

Estimated Value: $700

2000 Château d'Yquem, 1.5L

Rated 92 by Wine Spectator Forward and flattering, with unctuous marmalade, blood orange, apricot chutney and ginger notes. Juicy and engaging, but without the finely beaded acidity to stretch out fully.

LOT #75

1982 Château Mouton Rothschild Donated by:

Janet & Jack Roberts

Estimated Value: $1,200

1982 Château Mouton Rothschild

Rated 100 by Wine Advocate Medium brick in color, the nose of the 1982 Mouton Rothschild is a little closed and sluggish to begin, offering earthy, cigar box, iron ore, star anise and dusty soil notes with a fruit core of kirsch, dried mulberries, blackcurrant pastilles, figs and prunes emerging after a few minutes. The palate remains a blockbuster—full-bodied, rich, opulently accented and unquestionably hedonic, possessing a mid-palate that is jam-packed with notions of red and black fruit preserves. The satiny texture/ripeness of tannins is simply incredible! It delivers a very long licorice-laced finish.

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LOT #76

Château Showdown - Saint-Émilion vs. Saint-Estèphe Donated by:

Twin Liquors Fine Wine & Spirits

Estimated Value: $2,000 1. 1997 Château Mondotte Saint-Émilion, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker A stupendous effort, and unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage, La Mondotte's 1997 boasts a saturated purple color as well as an explosive nose of blackberries, violets, minerals, and sweet toasty oak. Huge and massive, yet gorgeously proportioned, it possesses an unctuous texture with no hard edges.

2. 1999 Château Mondotte Saint-Émilion, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker Along with the 1997, the 1999 is the most forward and accessible La Mondotte yet produced. Its opaque purple color is followed by a glorious nose of candied black fruits, graphite, licorice, and underbrush. It is full-bodied and sumptuous, possessing amazing extract and richness for the vintage. Its high tannin is hidden by a wealth of glycerin, fruit, and extract. Moreover, the finish lasts for 35-45 seconds. This is an amazing achievement in 1999.

3. 2012 Château Mondotte Saint-Émilion, 750ml

Rated 96 by Robert Parker The smallest of the Perse estates, this tiny property situated on pure limestone produces a wine made from a blend of 90% Merlot and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the superstars of this vintage, the 2012 is opaque purple and exhibits tremendous concentration and richness, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and a layered texture that builds incrementally without any heaviness or cloying characteristics. This is stunning, great, old-style, yet progressively made Bordeaux.

4. 2000 Château Montrose Saint-Estèphe, 750ml

Rated 96 by James Suckling Just starting to open, it shows beautiful spices and dark fruit on the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied with ultra-fine, integrated tannins and an extremely complex, refined finish. Drink or hold.

5. 2005 Château Montrose Saint-Estèphe, 750ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker Tasted at the vertical in London, the 2005 Montrose came and delivered the goods. This was the best example of the 2005 that I have tasted, perhaps a wine that is going to prove that, the longer wine lovers can resist temptation. It is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc and .5% Petit Verdot picked between 23 September and 9 October. The bouquet is extremely detailed, displaying more red berry fruit compared to the 2010 Montrose that leans towards black. Graphite and cedar emerge with time, even an unusual floral scent that is uncommon with respect to this property, whilst all the time retaining fantastic focus and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a ferrous tincture on the entry. There are the first signs of secondary notes (dried leaves and bay leaf), but it is the tannic backbone and the precision that really defines this Montrose at the moment. For certain, it is masculine and structured, yet it has enormous potential, perhaps more than was suggested when it was first released? This is for the long term, but you know that already.

6. 2011 Château Montrose Saint-Estèphe, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast As so often with Montrose, this is a powerful, concentrated and very structured wine. Dense tannins are paired with rich black fruits, although at this stage the wine also has a sense of austerity. Power, severity and complexity all make for a wine for long aging.

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LOT #77

2017 Clos Apalta 6 Donated by:

Harvey Kronberg

Estimated Value: $720 2017 Clos Apalta Red Blend Colchagua Valley (6 Bottles), 750ml

Rated 100 by James Suckling What a stunning nose of crushed berries, fresh flowers, sandalwood and light vineyard dust. Black olives, too. Very complex. Full-bodied with a beautiful, dense palate of blackberries, chocolate, walnuts and cigar box. Fantastic length and composure. The tannin just rolls over the palate. Very structured. The most classically structured wine ever from here. Goes on for minutes. Outrageous and so polished. A blend of 48% Carmenere, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot.

LOT #78

Peter Michael & Colgin Donated by:

Karen & Thomas Vaughn

Estimated Value: $1,300 1. 2010 Colgin IX Estate, Napa Valley, 750ml

Rated 100 by Robert Parker The 2010 IX Estate is another perfect wine. Its opaque purple color is accompanied by copious aromas of blueberries, cassis, pen ink, asphalt, licorice and subtle oak. Full-bodied and rich but light on its feet, this spectacular effort was created from a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Enjoy this profound wine over the next 25+ years.

2. 2011 Colgin IX Estate, Napa Valley, 750ml

Rated 94 by James Suckling Aromas of spices, sage, bay leaf and pepper. Medium to full body with juicy tannins and a tangy, orange peel finish. It's balanced and pretty. So drinkable now. Mostly Cabernet with Merlot, Franc and Petit Verdot.

3. 2011 Peter Michael Au Paradis Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley, 750ml (2 Bottles)

Rated 92 by Robert Parker Peter Michael’s newest offering, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis, is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cabernet Franc, the latter coming from the great red soils on the eastern hillsides that were first made famous by Dalla Valle’s Maya. The Au Paradis offers lots of black currant, cedar wood, unsmoked cigar tobacco and vanillin notes in a dense, full-bodied, impressive style, especially for a 2011. NOVEMBER 6, 2021 • WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION

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LOT #79

Sweet Dreams Donated by:

Twin Liquors Fine Wine & Spirits

Estimated Value: $1,300

1. 2005 Château d’Yquem Sauternes, 375ml

Rated 97 by Robert Parker The pale to medium lemon-gold colored 2005 d'Yquem opens with a provocative, mineral and earth-tinged nose of chalk dust, wet pebbles and dried wild mushrooms over a core of warm apricots, green mango, honeyed toast, ginger and pink grapefruit plus wafts of honeycomb, orange blossoms and saffron. The palate confirms the wine is still a little closed and shut down, offering achingly gorgeous glimpses at the tightly wound, intricate layers structured with a racy acid line and wonderfully creamy texture, finishing incredibly long and perfumed. This decadent flavor bomb still needs a good five to seven years in bottle before it is set to go off, but oh what a spectacle it will give then!

2. 2006 Château d’Yquem Sauternes, 375ml

Rated 96 by Wine Enthusiast This is the rich wine of the vintage. With its intense fruit, piles of spice, but excellent balance, this promises flavors of baked apples and intense dried fruits. The botrytis layer is discreet, a hint rather than overpowering.

3. 2013 Château d’Yquem Sauternes, 375ml

Rated 98 by Wine Spectator Lightly toasted marshmallow and macadamia nut aromas lead the way, followed by incredibly juicy mirabelle plum, green fig, and glazed pear and peach flavors. As big as this is, there are still plenty of honeysuckle, quinine and chamomile notes kicking the finish into yet another gear. This has purity and length to burn, with decades more to go.

LOT #80

Trio of 2013 Colgin Cariad Proprietary Red in Original Wooden Case Donated by:

Janet & Jack Roberts

Estimated Value: $1,700

2013 Colgin Cariad Proprietary Red (3 Bottles) in original wooden case, 750ml

Rated 98 by Wine Advocate The 2013 Cariad Proprietary Red Wine, a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot, shows great intensity, with a slightly more burning ember and scorched earthiness to it, giving it a more Graves-like character compared to the purity of the Tychson Hill. The wine is full-bodied, rich, layered and possibly slightly more tannic and backward than the Tychson Hill, but that could be because it had recently been bottled. It should evolve over the course of 30+ years. 124

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LOT #81

Wine & Food Foundation Presidents of Past, Present, & Future Donated by:

Pat Conroy, Amber Pearce, Stephanie Simpson, Mark Shilling, Jerry Valdez

Estimated Value: $1,425

1. 2008 Arrowood Cabernet Monte Rosso, 750ml

Rated 90 by Robert Parker Deep ruby. Ripe cherry, cassis, tobacco and vanilla on the nose, with a subtle herbal undertone. Fleshy dark fruit flavors are supported by gentle acidity, taking on spiciness with aeration. Finishes sweet and persistent, with the dark berry and tobacco qualities lingering.

2. 2008 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Pauillac (2 Bottles). 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast Stylish wine, balanced, intensely elegant. It has freshness and also weight, encased in a structure that is poised, beautifully integrating black currant fruit and chocolate flavors.

3. 2010 Paloma Merlot, 750ml

Rated 92 by Wine Spectator The 2010 vintage of Paloma's famed Merlot combines a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon with estate-grown Merlot fruit. The wine is fermented in 33% new French oak, where it is aged for 18 months. It spends another 18 months aging in bottle before release. As expected, the wine is rich, sleek and supple, with loads of wild berry fruit, oak spice, coffee and chocolate notes.

4. 2011 Saxum Broken Stones, 750ml

Rated 99 by Wine Advocate The brilliant 2011 Syrah Broken Stones comes from a cooler block of the James Berry Vineyard and checks in as a blend of 78% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre and 4% Petit Sirah. Relatively forward (especially when compared to the locked up Bone Rock), with fabulous purity and freshness, it exudes notions of creme de cassis, blueberry, pepper, crushed flowers and sweet oak on the nose.

5. 2015 Amapola Creek Cabernet, 750ml

Rated 94 by Robert Parker Pronounced black currants, black cherries and wild blueberry scents with hints of mulberries, Chinese five spice, tilled soil, bay leaves and tapenade. Very big, concentrated and powerful in the mouth, it completely coats the palate with black fruits and savory layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with great persistence.

6. 2015 Medlock Ames Malbec Secret Ingredient, 750ml

Rated 94 by Wine Advocate Deep garnet-purple with an earthy nose over a core of baked plums, blueberry pie, black cherry compote and violets. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is bursting with vibrant fruit, framed by rounded tannins and finishing with a refreshing lift.

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7. 2017 Flowers Sea View Ridge Pinot Noir, 750ml

Rated 93 by Robert Parker The 2017 Pinot Noir Seaview Ridge is pale to medium ruby with aromas of lush black cherries, baked cranberries, orange peel, warm dusty earth and rhubarb with hints of Earl Grey tea and a lovely spicy undercurrent. Very spicy in the mouth, it's light to medium-bodied and silky with seamlessly woven grainy tannins and a long, nuanced finish.

8. 2018 Benovia Pinot Noir Tilton Hill, 750ml

Rated 91 by Wine Advocate Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2018 Pinot Noir Tilton Hill emerges slowly, its iron and graphite scents segueing to tea leaves, woodsmoke, dried herbs and red and black berry fruit. Medium-bodied, the palate is grainy, fresh and intense, with earth-laced fruits and a long, bitters-laced finish.

9. 2018 Peter Michael Au Paradis Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley, 750ml

Rated 98 by James Suckling A bright and vivid red with aromas of terracotta, fresh herbs, currants and blackberries. Some mint, floral notes and a touch of chocolate, too. Full body and ultra-fine tannins that are layered with ripe fruit. Love the length and beauty. Changes all the time in the glass. A fascinating wine.

10. 2018 Peter Michael 'Mon Plaisir' Chardonnay, 750ml

Rated 98 by James Suckling Pretty aromas of hawthorn, peach, quince and vanilla. Some smoke and walnut, too. It’s full-bodied with crisp acidity and a smooth, dense and creamy texture. Incredible flavor intensity with a long, mineral finish.

11. NV Skipstone Rose de Constance Champagne 4th ed., 750ml

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TASTING NOTES

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TOAST. F E AST. G I V E B AC K .

WINEFOODFOUNDATION.ORG


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