2019 Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction by winefoodfoundation8

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SOMMELIER EDUCATION PROGRAM Since our founding, the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas has donated $1.5 million back into the Central Texas community through our mission of cultivating and investing in the wine and food community through education, appreciation, and enjoyment. We are dedicated to providing direct financial support to sommeliers, chefs and winemakers through scholarships, travel stipends, and professional development opportunities through our Sommelier Education Program. In 2018, we provided the following opportunities: • Hired a Director of Wine Education to oversee all consumer and industry wine education • Invested in the professional development of 20 sommeliers through scholarships and travel stipends • Hosted WSET Level 3 classes and exams for industry professionals • Provided Master Class wine education for wine professionals • Hosted sommelier study groups in the WFFT Tasting Room In 2019 and beyond, we continue to invest in the professionals who make all of our experiences superb - the sommeliers, chefs, and winemakers that make Austin a rich, cultural community.

2018 SCHOLARSHIP STATS Testing Court of Master Sommeliers 3 Intro Exams 2 Advanced Exams 2 Certified Exams

Travel 1 WSET Diploma Unit 1 & 2 3 Texsom Accommodations 1 WSET 3 Exam & Travel

Master of Wine Conference Loire Valley Wine Fair Champagne Study Trip

French Wine Scholar Bordeaux Wine Scholar

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TOAST. FEAST. GIVE BACK. EVENING PROGRAM 5 : 3 0 P M TO 6 : 3 0 PM Auction Lot Preview Reception

6 : 4 5 PM Seated for Dinner, Introductory Remarks Stephanie Simpson, President, The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas Peggy Hanley, Executive Director, The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

7 PM Live Auction Harvey Kronberg, Auctioneer; Todd Kercheval, Auctioneer & Auction Committee Chair

9 : 1 5PM Late Night Snack

CHEERS!

2019 RARE & FINE WINE AUCTION FEATURED WINE:

BLACKBIRD VINEYARDS MICHAEL POLENSKE, PROPRIETOR

Michael Polenske, creative director, chairman and founder of Bespoke Collection, was born in Bermuda to a military family. His father worked as a hurricane hunter and later worked in the Presidential Support Squadron responsible for piloting Air Force One and Two under President Nixon. After an itinerant early childhood, Polenske’s family was later transferred to Travis Air Force Base near Napa Valley, where he spent most of his youth. His first exposure to wine came with family trips to California’s wine country. Before founding Bespoke Collection, Polenske had a career in financial services including his role as president and CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank & Trust Co., N.A., heading up the private banking business in the Western U.S. Polenske joined Chase Manhattan Corporation from J.P. Morgan, where he served as the head of the private banking group’s west coast/north region. Michael turned his attention to “the business of leisure” with the acquisition of Blackbird Vineyards in 2003 and the creation of an ultra-premium wine label of the same name. Blackbird Vineyards is the cornerstone of the Bespoke Collection. The Bespoke Collection is currently comprised of three highly regarded wine projects: Blackbird Vineyards, ÆRENA Wines and Recuerdo Wines. Bespoke Collection has created private label wines for musicians Martina McBride, The Foo Fighters and The Killers, to name a few, and for global brands such as Salesforce, Lyft and Morton’s Steakhouse. In addition to wine, Bespoke Collection includes ÆRENA Galleries & Gardens which has five gallery locations and five sculpture gardens throughout Napa and Sonoma representing fine artists from around the world curated with an inventory of Antiques and Objet imported mainly from Europe. The flagship location is RiverHouse in downtown Napa, located on the historic riverfront. 4

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

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L E T TER F RO M THE AUCTIO N COM M I T T E E On behalf of The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas, we would like to welcome you to the 34th Annual Rare and Fine Wine Auction. Tonight, you have an exceptional opportunity to support WFFT’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 direct financial support to sommeliers, chefs, and winemakers through scholarships, travel stipends, and professional development opportunities and organizations who positively impact our viticulture and culinary community. Tonight, WFFT welcomes Michael Polenske, Proprietor of Blackbird Vineyards, to share with the Central Texas wine community their ‘commitment to quality and approach to winemaking involving intensive, hands-on, best practice techniques to achieve the highest representation of terroir in their age worthy wines.’ On behalf of the Auction Committee, we thank you for participating in our auction and hope you enjoy an evening of fine wine, superb company and spirited bidding. Cheers!

Todd Kercheval Auction Chair

Maura Sharp Auction Co-Chair

Harvey Kronberg Auctioneer

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

2 01 8 -2 0 1 9 BOA RD O F DIRECTORS Stephanie Simpson President

Amy Blakely Daniel Bleier Ellen Canas Mason Cristin Moxy Castro Soncy Chin Tom Goebel Kareem Hajjar

Pat Conroy

Amber Pearce

Andrew West

Don Heath

Harvey Kronberg Don Neville Fredrik Osterberg Paul Ozbirn Brooke Paup Maura Sharp

Jim Stone Steve Tipton Jerry Valdez

President-Elect

Development Committee Chair

David Jabour Lara Keel Howard Kells Todd Kercheval

Auction Committee Chair

Secretary

Treasurer

Sponsorship Committee Chair

Kristin Waddington

Membership Committee Chair

Auction Committee Co-Chair

E M E R ITUS BOA RD Larry Peel

Chairman Emeritus

Ben Barnes Helen Baxter Leon Cikota

Van Hoisington Diane Howard Stephan Pyles

Edward Safady Michael Vilim

2 01 8 -2 0 1 9 AUCTIO N CO MM I T T E E Todd Kercheval Chair

Maura Sharp Co-Chair

Harvey Kronberg Lead Auctioneer

Meredith Berman Daniel Bleier Pat Conroy Kareem Hajjar Melissa Hajjar Lisa Hall Don Heath

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

David Jabour Diana McIver Paul Mims Bill Norris Fredrik Osterberg Brooke Paup Amber Pearce

Susan Salch Stephanie Simpson Steve Tipton Jerry Valdez Andrew West

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

D I N N E R WINE SPONSOR S

AU CT I O N K I C KO F F DI N N E R S PO N S O R S

SPAR KL ING SPONSOR S

PAD D L E SPONSOR

April 6, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Working together. Making a difference. Look around and you’ll find us. We’re in the classroom supporting education. We’re fighting hunger with donations and warm meals. We’re protecting the environment by recycling.

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34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

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April 6, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

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34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY. ALL YEAR LONG. The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas is your best resource for all things wine and food, in Texas and beyond. Learn more, taste more, and build your wine collection with us. From farms, to food trucks, to unique dining experiences, eat with us and indulge your inner foodie. Attend our events and support a community of those who share our appreciation and knowledge of all that the wine and food culture of Texas has to offer.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS ALL WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION OF TEXAS MEMBERS RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: • Access to Wine & Food Foundation of Texas member-only events including wine tastings, classes, dinners, and more • Advanced notice and member pricing to WFFT events • Invitations to collaborative events with other organizations, restaurants, and wineries with local chefs and sommeliers

EPICUREAN

AFICIONADO

$350 per year OR $35 per month

$150 per year OR $15 per month

• Member pricing for 2 people to all WFFT events • 15-day advance ticket purchase opportunities for WFFT Premier events • 3-day advance ticket purchase opportunities for educational wine tastings or winemaker events • Access to purchase VIP upgrades for Premier Events • Invite to four Cellar Salon events per year • Access to Collector’s Circle Allocation List

• Member pricing for 2 people to all WFFT events • 5-day advance ticket purchase opportunities for WFFT Premier events • 1-day advance ticket purchase opportunities for educational wine tastings and winemaker events

CONNOISSEUR

$250 per year OR $25 per month • Member pricing for 2 people to all WFFT events • 10-day advance ticket purchase opportunities for WFFT Premier events • 2-day advance ticket purchase opportunities for educational wine tastings and winemaker events • Access to purchase VIP upgrades for Premier Events • Invitation to December Cellar Salon event

THE CRÚ (FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS)

$100 per year OR $10 per month

The Crú is an individual membership offered to those 35 years of age and younger.

• Member pricing for 2 people to all WFFT events • Access to monthly Crú tastings presented by Austin’s leading food and beverage industry members including sommeliers, wine representatives, bloggers, etc.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: info@winefoodfoundation.org | (512) 327-7555 April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

BUYER’S GUIDE STANDARD NOTICES 1. The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas Rare & Fine Wine Auction (hereinafter designated WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION OF TEXAS) 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 OF TEXAS 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 of Texas 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. 1. All wines are sold “as is” and Wine & Food Foundation of Texas 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. 2. Wine & Food Foundation of Texas 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. 3. Wine & Food Foundation of Texas reserves the right to withdraw any item at any time before actual sale. 4. 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. 5. Wine & Food Foundation of Texas 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. 12

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

6. 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. 7. 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 OF TEXAS. If the foregoing conditions or any other applicable conditions herein are not complied with, in addition to other remedies available to WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION OF TEXAS by law, including without limitation, the right to hold the purchaser liable for the bid price, WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION OF TEXAS 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. 8. All Lots expire one year from date of this auction, 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 OF TEXAS shall not be responsible or liable for refunding or replacing obsolete Lots. 9. All checks for items purchased shall be made payable to The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas. 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.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

LIVE AUCTION ITEMS Lot #1 Drink it Tonight! Donated by:

Steve Tipton Estimated Value: $200 per 750ml decanter

2004 Félsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia, 5L Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

The 2004 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is pure silk on the palate...it is the wine’s elegance and poise that stand out most. This is a wine of unbelievable harmony...a serious, serious Chianti endowed with endless layers of sweet dark cherries, smoke, minerals, flowers and sweet toasted oak. Sweet roses, spices and licorice are all woven together beautifully on the impossibly fine, dazzling finish. Proprietor Giuseppe Mazzocolin and longtime oenologist Franco Bernabei have elevated Sangiovese to a level of sophistication rarely seen.

*This lot is offered as a Dutch auction. Decanters will be sold individually to the six highest bidders. The per-decanter bids will start at $200 and will be raised until the per-decanter cost exceeds the amount you wish to pay. Determination of the six highest bidders will be subject to the auctioneer’s discretion.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #2 A Sparkling Start with Baccarat Donated by: Melissa & Kareem Hajjar, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Laurie & Bill Norris, Brooke & Spivey Paup, Susan Salch Estimated Value: $1,350

1. Bubble Box Cocktail Champagne Party Set of 6 by Baccarat

Champagne, Royal Mojito or Bellini, amaze your guests and give your parties a real buzz all night long...add a little sparkle to life!

2. N V Roederer Estate Brut, Anderson Valley, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

Seamless and silky, showing an almost effortless sense of complexity, with notes of lemon and pear paired with toasty brioche, fresh ginger and hazelnut details.

3. N V Domaine Carneros Pompadour Brut Rose, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Spectator

As delicate and pretty as a flower petal, this blush offers crisp and supple notes of raspberry, orange peel and spiced cinnamon. Drink now. 4,500 cases made. -TF

4. 2 001 Schramsberg Vineyards Reserve, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Spectator

The wine is dry, firm and crisp. Abundant flavors recall lemon, apple, pear and ripe melon. Small lots of malolactic and barrel-fermented wines are added for complexity.

5. 2 008 J. Schram Sparkling North Coast, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

A rich gold color and spicy, complex aromas get this wine off to a great start. It follows with ginger, cinnamon, baked apple and lemon on the palate, which sets up a layered flavor profile supported by fine bubbles and fresh acidity. The finish lingers on slightly nutty and doughy notes. Enjoy through 2022.

6. 2 012 Salmon Special Club, 750ml Rated 92 by John Gilman Delicate texture, crisp Bosc pears, citrus skins, ginger, candied lemons all in a hyper-fresh, deep and lengthy finish.

7. 2 013 Domaine Carneros Champagne Brut Estate, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

Impeccably balanced and sleek, with floral strawberry and red apple flavors laced with fresh ginger, steely mineral and blanched almond notes. Drink now. -T.F.

April 6, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #3 Zinz and Blendz Donated by: Maria & Daniel Bleier, Christie & Rob Miller Estimated Value: $625

1. 2 013 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Spectator

Balances sheer power with a lively structure of acidity and tannins. Floral dark berry, licorice and Asian spice aromas combine with complex, fleshy, ripe flavors of blackberry and smoky cracked pepper.

2. 2 013 Frank Family Vineyards Zinfandel Reserve Chiles Valley, 750ml Rated 91 by Cellar Tracker

A stout red, with a big, burly structure and accents of blackberry, dried cherry, tar and licorice, framed by big but ripe tannins.

3. 2 014 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

Shows terrific, briary black raspberry and black cherry fruit, superb concentration, licorice, Mediterranean herbs, meat, earth, and a peppery, spicy finish.

4. 2 014 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

Explosive nose of pepper, raw meat, blackberry, black raspberry and cherry. Deep, chewy and dense, it finishes at 14.8% natural alcohol. The lusty, exuberant style of this wine makes it irresistible already, and it should continue to drink well for another 5-8 years.

5. 2 014 Pezzi King Zinfandel Row 14 Reserve (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2014 Zinfandel Reserve Row 14 has a seriously spicy nose of Chinese five spice, Sichuan pepper and fenugreek with a core of dried mulberries, baked plums and Christmas pudding, plus a hint of dusty earth. The full-bodied palate is jam-packed, literally, with chewy tannins and a lively backbone to support, finishing with lingering anise and cloves hints.

6. 2 014 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Cortina, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate Loads of raspberries, black cherries, some spice, a full-bodied earthiness.

7. 2 015 Carlisle Zinfandel Montafi Ranch Russian River Valley, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Spectator

Luscious, complex and expressive, with floral raspberry jam aromas and supple black cherry, bay leaf and cracked pepper flavors that glide lithely toward the finish.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

8. 2 015 Epoch Estate Zinfandel Willow Creek District Paderewski Vineyard, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

Exhibiting attractive aromas of sweet spices, blackberries and raspberries, complemented by subtle savory bass notes of soil. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, velvety and multidimensional, with lovely underlying freshness and a surprisingly tense, focused finish despite its lavish endowment of concentrated fruit. Follow it for the next decade.

9. 2 016 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

Sings of crushed blackberries, fruitcake and raspberry preserves notes with touches of potpourri, incense and Indian spices. Full-bodied, velvety, rich and spicy in the mouth, it delivers mouth-filling berry preserves and exotic spice layers, finishing long with some earthy notions coming through.

10. 2 016 Turley Zinfandel Dragon Vineyard Howell Mountain, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

Brighter and more perfumed than the Rattlesnake Ridge higher up the slope, exhibiting a lovely bouquet of burnt sage, dried herbs, spring flowers and rich dark fruit. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, firm and richly structured—more Howell Mountain than Zinfandel—with a long, chewy and flavorful finish.

11. 2 016 Venge Vineyards Zinfandel Signal Fire Vineyard, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Zinfandel Signal Fire Vineyard features a whole myriad of exotic spices, black and red fruit preserves and earthy layers: star anise, fenugreek, cassis, damp soil, fruitcake, preserved plums, dried mulberries and kirsch with a waft of red roses. The palate is full-bodied, rich, seductive and unabashedly spicy, with layer upon layer of red and black berry preserves and a plush frame, finishing with epic persistence.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #4 California Chardonnay Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Harvey Kronberg, Christie & Rob Miller, Brooke & Spivey Paup, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Heather & Jerry Valdez, Amanda & Andrew West Estimated Value: $835

1. 2 012 Martinelli Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

Offers wonderful honeysuckle, white peach, orange marmalade, white currant adn spring flower characteristics as well as crisp acids, a full-bodied, fresh, vibrant mouthfeel and plenty of exuberance and sexiness.

2. 2 014 Alpha Omega Chardonnay Unoaked, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast

On the palate, bright, fresh entrance evolving on lemon, grapefruit and white peach lingering on minerality, quince and jasmine.

3. 2 014 Bevan Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

Light golden with a greenish hue, the wine reveals honeyed apricot, white peach, wet pebbles and floral notes. It is rich, full-bodied, loaded with minerality and exteremly pure, with the oak well-concealed.

4. 2 014 Blue Farm Chardonnay Gapâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crown Vineyard, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Advocate

An exuberant nose of white peaches, grapefruit, lemon curd, marzipan and orange blossoms with a waft of baking bread.

5. 2 014 Hirsch Vineyards Estate Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, 750ml Rated 93 by Cellar Tracker 6. 2 014 Kistler Durell Vineyard Sonoma Coast, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

The 2014 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard has a relatively subdued/savory nose of baking bread and yeast extract over a core of grapefruit, beeswax and crushed stones. Full-bodied, there is a lot of power and layers on the palate with a wicked backbone of acid cutting through the creamy texture and loads of minerals on the finish.

7. 2 014 Lynmar Estate Susannaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vineyard, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Advocate Notes of ripe apricots, pineapple paste and musk melon with hints of butterscotch and brioche.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

8. 2 015 Hanzell Chardonnay Sonoma Valley, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

There’s a note of barrel influence on the nose, a heartiness of oak that weaves within the greater whole as the wine develops. Smooth, rounded richness, a mix of baked apple and hazelnut, provide a textured balance of flavor within lovely highlights of lemongrass and ginger.

9. 2 015 Ridge Chardonnay Monte Bello, 750ml Rated 93-95 by Wine Advocate

Offering up aromas of fresh peach, green orchard fruit, nutmeg and warm spices, as well as a touch of mint on the upper register. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, amble and succultent, with a deep, juicy core, lovely cut and stony grip and a long finish.

10. 2 016 Outpost La Blonde Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, 750ml Rated 90 by Cellar Tracker 11. 2 016 TOR Kenward Family Chardonnay Durrell Vineyard, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

Closed on the nose, giving lemon peel, grapefruit, slate, white peaches and baking bread aromas. Full-bodied, it’s rich, satiny and spicy in the mouth with a long, savory finish.

12. 2 017 Aubert Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Son Carneros, 750ml Rated 96-98 by Wine Advocate

Opens with gloriously gregarious, exotically scented nose of gingerbread and lemongrass with a core of pineapple, green guava and mango plus a hit of honeycomb. The palate is big, rich, super opulent and sexy with fantastic texture, concentrations and seamless freshness and finishing long.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #5 Gusto Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar Dinner for Six Donated by:

Gusto Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar Estimated Value: $600

You and five guests will enjoy a five course chef â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tasting menu with wine pairings and the incomparable hospitality of Gusto Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar. Must be scheduled in advance on a mutually agreed upon date prior to December 31, 2019, subject to availability. Gratuity not included.

Lot #6 Trio of Stunning 2008 Colgin IX Estate Donated by:

Karen & Thomas Vaughn Estimated Value: $1,485

2008 Colgin Cellars IX Estate Red, Napa Valley (3 bottles), 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

Reveals notes of espresso roast, blueberries, black currants and lead pencil shavings. The wine reveals superb concentration and richness as well as a structured mouthfeel.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #7 Vertical of Darius II Donated by:

Holly & Caleb Noel Estimated Value: $815

1. 2 012 Darioush ‘Darius II’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Spectator

Beautifully crafted, offering a powerful yet elegant and refined mix of zesty, extracted blackberry, black licorice, spice, cedar, mineral and mocha notes, ending with a long, lingering aftertaste that keeps repeating the fruit themes.

2. 2 013 Darioush ‘Darius II’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 96 by Robert Parker

Once again, the top wine in the vintage for Darioush is their 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Darius II. This is a stunner and compelling, a powerful, classic Cabernet Sauvignon with an opaque purple color and notes of incense, graphite, crème de cassis and blackberry.

3. 2 014 Darioush ‘Darius II’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

The top cuvée, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Darius II is a serious wine, with a fragrant nose of graphite, blackberry, cassis and hints of toast and chocolate. Full-bodied, with an expansive, savory texture and a long, pure finish, it should drink nicely for at least another 15–20 years.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #8 Singularly Profound Dry Rieslings from Peter Jakob Kühn Donated by:

Amy & Dale Laine Estimated Value: $1,000

Peter Jakob Kühn dominates the Rheingau, as Müller does the Mosel and Keller the Rheinhessen. This rare Kühn case features the great 2015s & the uber-scarce 2014 Landeflecht & Schlehdorn. 1. 2014 Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn Rheingau Riesling Trocken “Landgeflecht” (3 bottles), 750ml Rated 97 by Wine Advocate

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.

2. 2 014 Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn Rheingau Riesling Trocken “Schlehdorn”, 750ml Rated 98 by Wine Advocate

The 2014 Rheingau Riesling Trocken “Schlehdorn” offers a clear, deep and generous bouquet of ripe and concentrated Riesling aromas intermixed with very fine mineral, oak and yeasty notes. This is highly sensual and very elegant in its noble, tropical fruit expression. Full-bodied, fresh and generously lush on the palate, this is a super balanced, highly elegant, vital and tensioned Riesling from the oldest plot in the Sankt Nikolaus. The 2014 has fine tannins and a long, quiet and balanced finish.

3. 2 015 Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn Hallgartener Hendelberg Riesling Trocken “Erste Lage” (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 94 by Vinous

The straw-yellow colored 2015 Hallgartener Hendelberg Riesling Trocken “Erste Lage” opens with an intense bouquet of ripe fruits and weathered slate aromas. Sourced from the steep plot in the center of the cru, this is fascinatingly fine and crystalline, spicy and expressive, great individuality. On the palate, this is a lush and juicy Riesling that reveals very fine tannins and a certain yeastiness from the ten months of sur lie aging. The finish is pure, piquant and salty, almost austere and challenging at this early stage.

4. 2 015 Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn Rheingau Riesling Mittelheim Sankt Nikolaus “Grosse Lage” (3 bottles), 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

The dry, intensely yellow colored 2015 Rheingau Riesling Mittelheim Sankt Nikolaus “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.

5. 2 015 Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn Rheingau Riesling Oestrich Doosberg “Grosse Lage” (3 bottles), 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

Kühn’s dry, intensely yellow colored 2015 Rheingau Riesling Oestrich Doosberg “Grosse Lage” opens deep, ripe and rich on the nose, with spicy sur lie notes and even a touch of fresh oak but also refreshing mineral and quartzite aromas. On the palate, this is a wide and generous yet pure, vital and tensioned Doosberg with a tight structure and lingering salinity. The Doosberg is provided with its characteristic and, at the moment, almost austere minerality and aromatic fruit flavors of yellow peaches/nectarines.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #9 World Class Golf. World Class Whisky. World Class Setting. Donated by:

Andrew Atsumi & Kareem Hajjar Estimated Value: $1,000 per person

Six high bidders will join Andrew Atsumi & Kareem Hajjar at Austin Country Club on June 1, 2019, for this unique whiskey and golf outing. Bid high and experience a round of golf at the Pete Dye designed Austin Country Club Golf Course on the shores of Lake Austin. Collect bets, trade lies and relax in the clubhouse for lunch, then be treated with a “proper” pour of four of the world’s best whiskies. This immersive experience of expertly curated whiskies will showcase the nuances of each style: Bourbon, Japanese, Rye and Scotch - a unique opportunity to truly compare and contrast some of the finest examples of what nature, time and the distiller’s art have created. The first country club in Texas, Austin Country Club is steeped in golf history – names like World Golf Hall of Famers Penick, Crenshaw and Kite – and is the current home of the PGA’s World Golf Championships - Dell Technologies Match Play. 1. Bourbon: Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15yr, 107 proof 2. Japanese: Hibiki 21 Year Old 3. Rye: Kentucky Owl 11yr Straight Rye Whiskey, Batch No. 1 4. Scotch: The Macallan Rare Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #10 Explore Paravel Wines & Henry Brother Ranch

Two Paravel Winery Magnums Accompanied by a Winery Tour and Tasting for Six Donated by:

Jon Jones of Paravel Winery, Napa, Howell Mountain Estimated Value: $850

Paravel features balanced, approachable and age-worthy wines made in Jon Jones’ distinct style, which manages to be frisky and refined at the same time. Music to your mouth. 1. 2016 Paravel Winery Howell Mountain Petite Sirah (2 bottles), 1.5L

Grated nutmeg, resinous fresh cracked black pepper, and sweet unctuous black raspberry and blackberry juice embrace the senses with hints of fresh plum, cassis, and milk chocolate. A silky, luxurious entry leads in to a thick mid-palate, laced with sensuous black fruit and sumptuous fresh vanilla bean crème brûlée.

2. Winery tour and tasting for six, including a charcuterie and cheese plate

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #11 Collectors Colgin Cariad

Three Pack of 2013 Colgin Cariad in a Wooden Box Donated by:

Janet & Jack Roberts Estimated Value: $2,250

2013 Colgin Cellars Cariad Red, Napa Valley (3 bottles), 750ml Rated 99 by Robert Parker

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 Graveslike 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.

April 6, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #12 Spanish Wines Donated by:

Todd Kercheval, Amber Pearce Estimated Value: $615

1. 2 006 R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Viña Tondoñia Reserva, 750ml Rated 95 by Robert Parker

Vivid red. Highly perfumed scents of ripe red currant, cherry liqueur, pipe tobacco, leather and rose oil, along with a hint of coconut in the background. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering deep-pitched red fruit preserve, spicecake and floral pastille flavors and a hint of mocha.

2. 2 007 Gran Reserva Brut Nature III Lustros, 750ml Rated 93 by Robert Parker

The 2007 Gran Reserva Brut Nature III Lustros is a sparkling wine with a long history, aged for seven years in contact with the lees and kept without adding any liqueur d’expédition (Brut Nature). The palate shows a compact wine, with very good integration of all the components, bright acidity and fine bubbles that provide a silky texture.

3. 2 010 Marques de Riscal Baron de Chirel, 750ml Rated 92 by Robert Parker

The nose offers a clear Bordeaux profile that is quite classical with cedar wood, lead pencil, tea leaves, leather and cherry aromas. On the palate the fine-grained, sophisticated tannins of the Cabernet are very well integrated with the oak and are countered by good freshness and length in a very classical harmonious style.

4. 2 011 Ostatu Gran Reserva, 750ml Rated 93 by Vinous

Saturated ruby. Displays a complex array of ripe red/blue fruit, spice and floral qualities on the pungent nose, with hints of cedary oak and cola in the background. Sweet and broad on the palate, showing excellent depth to its Chambord, cherry-vanilla, spicecake and candied rose flavors.

5. 2 012 Palacios Remondo Rioja Propiedad 2012, 750ml Rated 93 by Robert Parker

It’s pure fruit juice with the earthy, silky and harmonious notes of pure Garnacha that is full of cherries, strawberries and red currants. The palate is refined, elegant and sinewy, silky, transparent and focused. It is a delicious, explosion of pure red berries.

6. 2 013 Pintia, 750ml Rated 93 by Robert Parker

The challenge in Toro is to achieve the elegance usually linked with the name of Vega Sicilia, and with the 2013 Pintia, it’s achieved by fine-tuning the harvest date to maintain the freshness of aromas and acidity of the wine.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

7. 2 014 Bodegas Hacienda Monasterio, Ribera del Duero, 750ml Rated 92-94 by Vinous

Lurid ruby. Spice-accented cherry and dark berries on the hugely perfumed nose. Supple and broad but energetic as well, offering bitter cherry and raspberry liqueur flavors that pick up a smoky nuance with air.

8. 2 014 Bodegas Raul Perez Ultreia de Valtuille, 750ml Rated 96 by Robert Parker

Very open and expressive, impressive too, with notes of freshness, blood orange, red cherries and also flowers (violets, lilies) and an earthy touch. It’s elegant and complex, with very fine tannins and a velvety sensation. As with all the reds, the oak is unnoticeable, perfectly integrated and folded into the wine.

9. 2015 Clos Figueras-Clos Figueres Serras del Priorat, Priorat DOCa, 750ml

Black wine of intense color, middle layer, blue, clean and bright trim. Primary aromas of red fruit and subtle floral notes. Mineral notes with hints of vanilla and some notes of Mediterranean herbs.

10. 2 015 D. Ventura Vina Caneiro, Ribeira Sacra, Spain, 750ml Rated 93 by Robert Parker

These are old vines on slate soils, producing a wine that shows the Mencía grape at its deepest and most complex. Stony fruit with a crème de cassis undertone. Very sweet fruit with pronounced mineral elements framed by solid tannins.

11. 2 016 Dominio de Pingus ‘PSI’, Ribera del Duero, 750ml Rated 93 by Robert Parker Probably the finest vintage of PSI—finer, longer and sharply focused.

12. 2 016 Fronton de Oro Gran Canaria, 750ml

Cherry red color with a violet rim of medium intensity, the Canary Island Tinto is clean and shiny. On the nose, the wine shows strong aromas of red fruit (raspberry, strawberry) accompanied by notes of oak from its time spent in barrels. In the mouth, the wine enters softly, evolving with finesse and balance. The finish is smooth with a pleasant bitterness and a long persistence that emphasizes the varietal characteristics of black tea, lavender, and a touch of smoke.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #13 Women Winemakers Donated by:

Amber Pearce, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Rania Zayyat Special thanks to:

Dr. & Mrs. Tom Carlson, Rania Zayyat, Darren Scott, Bufalina and The Austin Wine Merchant Estimated Value: $1,500

1. 1992 Colgin Herb Lamb, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Spectator

Dark, intense and compact, the focused black cherry and currant flavors giving a rich feel on the palate. A spicy anise finish brings out the supple tannins.

2. 2 005 Corison Napa Valley Cabernet, 750ml Rated 92 by Vinous

Full, bright ruby. Blackberry, black cherry and crushed-rock minerality, lifted by violet and lilac nuances and a whiff of leather. Juicy and light on its feet, with firm acidity giving excellent definition to the dark berry and violet flavors. The building finish shows firm but surprisingly suave tannins and a compelling light touch.

3. 2008 J. Lassalle Special Club Champagne, 750ml

Lassalleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Special Club is a lean, mean, crispy machine. A 3-generation mother/daughter/grandaughter combo produce this elegant, energetic, long and finessed wine from the excellent 2008 vintage.

4. 2 011 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

A delicate, aromatic style, with floral, sandalwood, cherry, tea and spice flavors. Beautifully balanced and long, with a firm underlying structure.

5. 2 015 Parent Premier Cru De Pommard Les Epenots, 750ml Rated 92-94 by Wine Advocate

The 2015 Pommard 1er Cru Les Epenots has an enticing bouquet with hints of kirsch infiltrating the vibrant Morello cherry and crushed strawberry fruit, a hint of blood orange in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with caressing tannin, well-judged acidity, a little confit fruit towards the finish and a lovely subtle tang of marmalade on the aftertaste. This will be a delicious Pommard from Anne Parent that should age with style. Superb.

6. 2 015 Domaine du Pegau ChĂ˘teauneuf-du-Pape A Tempo Blanc, Rhone, 750ml Rated 94 by Vinous

Green-tinged yellow. Penetrating aromas of ripe citrus and orchard fruits, iodine, toasted grain and smoky minerals develop a sexy floral quality as the wine opens up. Juicy, focused and deeply concentrated, offering palate-staining pear nectar, Meyer lemon and honeysuckle flavors, a strong mineral undertone and superb clarity. Shows outstanding focus and power on the mineral- and floral-driven finish, which persists with outstanding tenacity. This highly complex wine reminded me of a serious Grand Cru white Burgundy.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #14 A Bespoke Experience Donated by:

Blackbird Vineyards Estimated Value: $1,000

After savoring Blackbird Vineyards’ fine wines all weekend long, one lucky bidder will leave with a bottle of 2013 Illustration and start planning a bacchanian experience for four at RiverHouse by Bespoke Collection. This one-of-a-kind destination, located in downtown Napa, is the ideal spot for guests to enjoy and acquire Blackbird Vineyards, ÆRENA and Recuerdo wines while surrounded by a breathtaking selection of fine art, antiquities and objets d’art by ÆRENA Galleries & Gardens. The experts at Bespoke will also provide concierge services upon request, helping you to curate the ultimate trip to Napa Valley. 2013 Blackbird Vineyards Illustration, Oak Knoll District, 3L Rated 92 by Antonio Galloni

A more savory expression of Merlot emerges from the 2013 Illustration. Hudson and Stagecoach are the primary sources, which explains the wine’s distinct ferrous personality. Smoke, leather, licorice and grilled herbs are some of the overtones that develop as this dark, large-scaled Merlot-based red shows off its explosive personality and breadth.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #15 Wine Dinner for Ten at the Chadha Residence with Bryce Gilmore, owner and executive chef of Barley Swine and Odd Duck Donated by:

Anu & Punit Chadha Estimated Value: $8,000

The Chadha family will be opening up their exquisite home to the highest bidder (and nine of their guests) for a once-ina-lifetime culinary experience with famed local chef Bryce Gilmore. Known for laying the foundation for Austin’s farmto-table movement, Gilmore is the owner of Odd Duck, Barley Swine and the newly opened Sour Duck Market. He has received major recognition from publications like Bon Appetit, Food & Wine and The New York Times, and media outlets like Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations and Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods America. He’s also been nominated for numerous James Beard Foundation awards, including a very recent selection as a 2019 semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest. The Chadhas will be opening up wines from their private cellar to accompany Gilmore’s beautiful dishes. This dinner will take place on Sunday, September 1, 2019.

Lot #16 A Napa Valley Icon in Magnum, Scarecrow Donated by:

Amber Pearce, Maura & Dan Sharp, Chad & Stephanie Simpson, Todd Kercheval, Harvey Kronberg, Brooke & Spivey Paup, Melissa & Kareem Hajjar, Pat Conroy & Diana McIver Estimated Value: $1,500

2016 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, 1.5L Rated 100 by Robert Parker

Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon comes sashaying out of the glass with tantalizing notions of violets, lavender, Black Forest cake, mulberries, tobacco leaf and fragrant earth with a core of warm cassis, kirsch, Chinese five spice, rose hip tea and cedar chest. The palate is full-bodied and super concentrated yet possesses great energy with vibrant red and black fruits and loads of mineral accents, framed by very ripe, super fine-grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long with the most incredible perfume.

Please note: This bottle will be available in late spring 2019. You will be contacted by WFFT when it is available. 30

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #17 Duo of Stunning 2013 Burgundy Donated by:

Julie & Christophe Grenaille Estimated Value: $2,500

1. 2 013 Christophe Roumier (Domaine Georges Roumier) Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

All about finesse, with the racy profile and silky texture setting the stage for cherry, bilberry and mineral flavors. Sleek and well-integrated at this stage, yet with dense, ripe tannins that need to be absorbed. Builds to a long, ethereal aftertaste. Best from 2019 through 2035.

2. 2 013 Domaine Ramonet Montrachet Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

A beauty, opening in the decanter and glass with a complex bouquet of white flowers, Meyer lemon, honey and ripe pear, framed by light reduction and nicely integrated new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, supple and expansive, with a broad but weightless attack, incredible purity and superb focus through the long, detailed finish. This is an elegant, open-knit Montrachet, and one of the high points of the 2013 white Burgundy vintage. Drink 2018-2030.

Lot #18 2014 Darioush ‘Darius II’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Donated by:

Gary Farmer Estimated Value: $3,500

Darioush ‘Darius II” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 6L, in a Wooden Box Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #19 An Unparalleled Bordeaux Wine Dinner for Eight at Wink Donated by:

Laura & Mark Patterson Estimated Value: $8,000

This wine dinner, hosted by Laura and Mark Patterson at iconic Austin restaurant Wink, offers a once-in-alifetime opportunity to experience an unparalleled selection of Bordeaux wines presented in two flights. These flights are full of the best and most sought after – and expensive – wines from Bordeaux. This dinner will take place on a mutually agreed upon date before April 30, 2020. Arrival: 1. 1996 Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon Brut, Champagne, France, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

Notes of crushed rocks, honeysuckle, lemon oil, orange marmalade, and white pear provide a stunning aromatic display as well as palate impression. Great acidity and huge flavor intensity backed up by vibrant acidity make this an exquisite Champagne.

2. 2 013 Domaine Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune, 750ml Rated 92+ by Robert Parker A very pretty bouquet, backward of course, but opening with hints of white peach and white flowers, the oak succinctly integrated.

Flight 1: 3. 2000 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Saint-Julien, 750ml Rated 95 by Robert Parker

Showcases its great terroir, this elegant but substantial 2000 has a dense purple color that has hardly budged since it was first bottled. Displaying a floral note, with hints of boysenberries, black raspberries, black currants and a touch of background oak, the wine has superb concentration and density.

4. 2 000 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac, 750ml Rated 96 by Robert Parker A spectacular Pichon Lalande. Dense purple in color, with loads of coffee, mocha, crème de cassis, and chocolate notes.

5 . 2000 Château Palmer, Margaux, 750ml Rated 94 by Robert Parker

Deep in colour, there remains a slight broodiness on the nose, although it loses its inhibitions and develops potent blackberry, strawberry and mint aromas, perhaps just a smudge of camphor. It is unashamedly rich on the entry: intense and vibrant with layers of black cherry and cassis fruit pierced by a fine line of acidity.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

6. 2 000 Château Leoville-Las Cases ‘Grand Vin de Leoville’, Saint-Julien, 750ml Rated 98 by Robert Parker

Very intense and beautifully defined bouquet with mineral rich blackberry and bilberry scents, outstanding focus and harmony, and very well-integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, impressive backbone and focus in situ. There is a touch of mint infusing the fruit here, superb tension with a touch of mulberry and Hoi Sin lingering on the finish that still feels backward and sinewy.

7. 2 000 Château Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 750ml Rated 99 by Robert Parker

Approaching perfection, this wine is inky, bluish/purple-colored to the rim, offering up notes of incense, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, licorice, graphite and spring flowers. A touch of roasted espresso bean is also present. The wine has great concentration, a magnificent, full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning purity, and well-integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood.

Flight 2: 8. 1995 Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, 750ml Rated 95 by Robert Parker

It reveals an opaque purple color, and reluctant aromas of cassis, truffles, coffee, licorice, and spice. In the mouth, the wine is “great stuff,” with superb density, a full-bodied personality, rich mid-palate, and a layered, profound finish that lasts for 40+ seconds.

9. 1 995 Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, 750ml Rated 95 by Robert Parker

It exhibits a dark ruby purple color, and a sweet, powdered mineral, smoky, weedy cassis-scented nose. Beautiful sweetness of fruit is present in this medium-bodied, tightly-knit, but gloriously pure, well-delineated Lafite.

10. 1 995 Château Margaux, Margaux, 750ml Rated 95 by Robert Parker

The color is opaque ruby/purple. The nose offers aromas of licorice and sweet smoky new oak intermixed with jammy black fruits, licorice, and minerals. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with extraordinary richness, fabulous equilibrium, and hefty tannin in the finish. In spite of its large size and youthfulness, this wine is user-friendly and accessible.

11. 1 990 Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, 750ml Rated 98 by Robert Parker

In terms of the brilliant complexity and nobility of the aromatics, scorched earth, black currants, plums, charcoal, cedar, and spices, the 1990 offers an aromatic explosion that is unparalleled. It is always fascinating to taste this wine next to the 1989, which is a monumental effort, but much more backward and denser, without the aromatic complexity of the 1990.

12. 1 990 Château Latour, Pauillac, 750ml Rated 95+ by Robert Parker

There is plenty of sweet, ripe currant fruitiness, abundant glycerin, and full body, but I’m still waiting for that extra nuance of complexity to emerge. Dessert: 2001 Château Rieussec, Sauternes, 750ml, 93 Robert Parker, a mature nose with dried honey, yellow flowers and honeysuckle, the palate well balanced with ripe dried mango and orange rind notes.

Dessert: 13. 2 001 Château Rieussec, Sauternes, 750ml Rated 93 by Robert Parker

A mature nose with dried honey, yellow flowers and honeysuckle, the palate well balanced with ripe dried mango and orange rind notes.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #20 Bottles Up!

More sommeliers. More chefs. More winemakers. When you raise your paddle tonight, you are supporting The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas and creating a more vibrant wine and food culture in central Texas. Since our founding, we have invested more than $1.5 million to make a lasting impact in our Austin community. And we continue to do so with your support. Last year, we granted 20 Austin wine professionals with scholarships for education, certification, and travel experiences. We host study groups, provide classes for professionals and consumers, and fund vineyard research. We send sommeliers, chefs, and winemakers around the world for conferences and training. From California to Australia to France, they learn about process, craft, and new trends. And then they bring that knowledge back to Texas.

All with one goal: We are making Austin’s wine and food scene exciting, diverse and most of all, world-class.

“I believe that this certification will help me further myself in the beverage profession as well as open doors and networking opportunities... I look forward to giving back and volunteering at future WFFT events in 2019.” — Jenna Murray, Sommelier

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #21 2008 Tusk Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Blend Donated by:

Harvey Kronberg & Eddie Safady Estimated Value: $1,800

2008 Tusk Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Blend, 1.5L Rated 97 by Cellar Tracker

We find a few bottles, but no other magnum of this wine available anywhere else in the world. The inaugural vintage of the ultimate luxury California cult wine...a 150-case release primarily from Oakville and Prichard Hill. From winemaker Phillipe Melka who started at Château Haut Brion and has made Robert Parker’s list of best winemakers in the world.

Lot #22 Duo of Highly Rated Venge Vineyards Magnums Donated by:

Kirk Venge, Venge Vineyards, 2018 Rare & Fine Wine Auction Featured Winemaker Estimated Value: $770

2016 Venge Vineyards Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (2 bottles), 1.5L Rated 96-98 by Robert Parker

Offers up a deep garnet-purple color and gorgeous, spicy nose of aniseed, cumin seed, cloves and cinnamon stick, with sandalwood, cassis, baked blackberries and licorice at the core plus a hint of espresso. Full-bodied, lush and plush, the opulently fruited palate delivers a ton of spicy fruit layers with a good, long pepper and spice-laced finish.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #23 Three Pack of 2013 Brand Winery Cabernet Sauvignon in a Wooden Box Donated by:

Janet & Jack Roberts Estimated Value: $1,050

2013 Brand Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (3 bottles), 750ml, Wrapped and in Original Wood Rated 98 by Robert Parker

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.

Lot #24 Exemplary Oregon Pinot Noir Donated by:

Mike Ramsey Estimated Value: $600

2008 Domaine Serene ‘Mark Bradford Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, 5L Rated 94+ by Robert Parker

The 2008 Pinot Noir Mark Bradford Vineyard has an exceptionally fragrant and expressive nose of sandalwood, spice box, incense, floral notes, black cherry, and black raspberry. It is the densest, richest, and most layered of the Serene offerings along with exceptional length and precision. It will reward 4-5 years of cellaring and should easily see its 20th birthday.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #25 Top of the Piedmont Donated by:

Twin Liquors Estimated Value: $1,500

The story of the Gaja Winery can be traced to a singular, founding purpose: to produce original wines with a sense of place which reflect the tradition and culture of those who made it. This philosophy has inspired five generations of impeccable winemaking. 1. 2 008 Gaja Costa Russi, 750ml Rated 94 by Robert Parker

The 2008 Costa Russi is absolutely gorgeous. Sweet dark cherries, tar, licorice and new leather are some of the aromas and flavors that take shape in the glass. The 2008 is a firm Costa Russi, with less of the seductiveness of most years, but equally fine balance. Ideally it needs a few more years in bottle, but it is striking. The finish shows terrific intensity. The typical juiciness of the site is framed by the firm tannins of the year. Everything that makes Costa Russi such an engaging wine is here, but in a slightly smaller-scaled package than in the very finest years.

2. 2 008 Gaja Sori Tilden, 750ml Rated 96 by Robert Parker

The 2008 Sori Tildin is impressive. I confess I wasn’t quite prepared for the assault of fruit and tannins here. Sori Tildin is so often a graceful, elegant wine, but that is not the case in 2008. That’s not to say elegance is missing, but this is a big, big wine with tons of intensity and richness, all woven together beautifully. It’s tough to find a comparison with a previous vintage, as this is a singular Tildin. The flavors are familiar if a touch on the dark side, but the structure is closer than that of Sori San Lorenzo. Flowers, tar, leather and licorice wrap around the palate. This is a fabulous showing and a great wine in the making. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033.

3. 2 009 Gaja Sperss, 750ml Rated 95 by Robert Parker

The 2009 Sperss sees fruit sourced from Serralunga d’Alba and those telltale signs of the territory are definitely on full display. The power, added structure and thicker density of the wine speak to this corner of the Barolo denomination. Bold cherry and spice are rounded off by leather, tobacco and a touch of toasted Alba hazelnut. The finish is soft and caressing even at this young stage, yet the wine still needs more time to evolve.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #26 Amazing Argentina Donated by:

Twin Liquors Estimated Value: $1,500

The main pillars of production at Achaval-Ferrer, focus on the smallest necessary intervention between the earth and what becomes a glass of wine, ancient plants that are historical monuments of vine-growing, of extremely low performance, located on hills that are excellently exposed to the sun on the edges of the Tupungato and Mendoza rivers, and of course, privileged natural sites that lead to the most pure and honest of messages that the earth can give to us. 1. 2 007 Cheval Des Andes, 750ml Rated 91 by Robert Parker

2. 2 010 Catena Zapata Adriana, 750ml Rated 96 by Robert Parker

One of my favorite wines of all that I tasted from Argentina. The nose...slowly displays floral notes and aromas of ripe fruit, some spices and aromatic herbs. This is a wine to age, very concentrated, with high natural acidity.

3. 2 010 Catena Zapata Argentino, 750ml Rated 94 by Robert Parker

The 2010 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino is a blend of grapes from Adrianna and Nicasia, from the deepest, coolest soils in those vineyards, in Gualtallary and Altamira. They were looking for something that represents the essence of Malbec. The first vintage for this wine was 2004, when they finally found the blend and character they were looking for. The name they wanted to use for the wine was Malbec Puro, but they didn’t want any confusion with cigars, so they called it Malbec Argentino instead! It is very aromatic with floral notes, mainly violets and blue fruit, and is nicely defined. It is opulent with sweet tannins but with the hallmark of the freshness found in all the wines from those two vineyards, precise and long.

4. 2 010 Catena Zapata Nicolas, 750ml Rated 95 by Robert Parker

This has the intensity of the Catena Alta Cabernet and the verticality and austerity of the Adrianna Malbec. It has very good acidity and intensity, while it has some velvety tannins. For a minute I was trying to remember the varietals as the sense of place, the freshness and the earthy sensations clearly take over. A superb bottle of wine. This is a wine to age. Drink 2016-2023.

5. 2 011 Achaval Ferrer Atiamira, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Spectator 38

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

6. 2 011 Achaval Ferrer Bella Vista, 750ml Rated 98 by James Suckling

Extraordinary aromas of blackberry and licorice with violets. Full body, with incredible depth of fruit and tension. Phenomenal mouthfeel. So much mineral and dried flowers too. Drink or hold.

7. 2 011 Achaval Ferrer Mirador, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Spectator

This pure, racy red exhibits a dark side, with layers of spice, graphite and maduro tobacco to the crushed raspberry, blackberry and concentrated cassis fruit. Needs time in the cellar. Best from 2015 through 2022.

8. 2 012 Catena Zapata Nicasia, 750ml Rated 95 by Robert Parker

The 2012 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard feels fresher and more harmonious than the 2011, when in reality the vintage character is the opposite. It is sourced from the vineyard that names the wine and that is located in Altamira. The Malbec grapes fermented in open barrels and cement vats with 15% whole-cluster Cabernet Franc. There is one extra level of precision and harmony here. It has an elegant nose and the palate almost reflects the tension in the skin of the grapes with its a velvety texture and great acidity. This is really tasty and long, it could be the best Nicasia ever produced.

9. 2 012 Catena Zapata White Bone, 750ml Rated 98 by James Suckling

A white with Chablis intensity and acidity with salt, sliced apple and stone character. Full body plus oyster shell and dried fruits. It goes on for minutes. This is clearly the best white wine of Argentina. Grand cru Burgundy quality.

10. 2 014 Colome Altura Maxima, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

Dense, ripe and powerfully fruity, with intense notes of hazelnut and spice to the dark plum, baked cherry and mulled berry flavors. Dark chocolate and espresso details linger on the powerful finish. Drink now through 2024. 500 cases made.

April 6, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #27 TGIF - 1990s Wine Experience Donated by:

Melissa & Kareem Hajjar Estimated Value: $2,500

Any millennial will tell you that the 1990s were (arguably) THE BEST decade to grow up in. We ‘90s kids are big into nostalgia, and it’s pretty easy to see why. So many things from the ‘90s have affected pop culture and society as a whole. When our movies celebrate milestone anniversaries, they’re re-released and sold out. Most of our TV shows are still in syndication, not having gone off the air ever. So, channel your inner Zach Morris, Kelly Kapowski, Rug Rats, Double Dare, or Alanis Morissette and come re-taste your ‘90s favorites with Kareem and Melissa Hajjar in the conference room at Hajjar Peters LLP. with up to 10 people. Led by Evan Davis, Certified Sommelier, you will explore the ‘90s vintages from around the world with bites paired to each course. Aperitif Magnum of 1991 Le Mesnil Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Pairing 1 1. 1990 Weingut Fritz Allendorf Winkeler Hasensprung Riesling, 750ml 2. 1993 Dorrenberg & Heiden Oppenheimer Sacktrager Riesling Auslese, 750ml Pairing 2 3. 1998 Haubs-Bataan Bernkasteler Graben Riesling Kabinett, 750ml 4. 1991 Luis Pate Bairrada Vinhas Velhas, 750ml Pairing 3 5. 1999 Drei Dona (Tenuta la Palazza) Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore Riserva Pruno, 750ml 6. 1999 Georgia Pelissero Barbaresco, 750ml Pairing 4 7. 1990 Frog’s Leap Merlot, 750ml 8. 1996 Château Veyrac Saint Emilion, 750ml Pairing 5 9. 1992 Château Valandraud, 750ml 10. 1997 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, 750ml Dessert 11. 1999 Erzsebet Price Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos, 750ml

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #28 A Truly Legendary Wine - 1982 Mouton Rothschild Donated by:

Janet & Jack Roberts Estimated Value: $1,600

1982 Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, France, 750ml Rated 100 by Robert Parker

This wine remains one of the legends of Bordeaux. It has thrown off the backward, youthful style that existed during its first 25 years of life, and over the last 4-5 years has developed such secondary nuances as cedar and spice box. The crème de cassis, underlying floral note, full-bodied power, extraordinary purity, multilayered texture, and finish of over a minute are a showcase for what this Château accomplished in 1982. The wine is still amazingly youthful, vibrant, and pure. It appears capable of remaining fruity and vibrant in 2082!

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #29 Old World Style Super Star Cabernets Donated by:

Mike Toomey Estimated Value: $1,500

1. 2 009 Philip Togni Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 95+ by Robert Parker

Rich, voluptuous wine graced with layers of expressive fruit, smoke and tobacco. It shows quite a bit of depth for this bottling. Licorice, crushed flowers, spices and mint wrap around the plush, inviting finish. This is all elegance and class.

2. 2 010 Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 750ml Rated 95 by Robert Parker

Possesses stunning minerality as well as sweet notes of ink, acacia flowers, blueberries and blackberries. Thick, unctuously textured and full-bodied with terrific concentration and density, it should drink well for two decades.

3. 2 010 Shafer Hillside Select, 750ml Rated 100 by Robert Parker 4. 2 013 Bevan Cellars â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;EE - Double Eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Red, Oakville, 750ml Rated 96 by Robert Parker

This comes from the red, rocky terraces near the Dalla Valle Vineyard on the western Vaca hillsides in Oakville. This wine has great intensity, with notes of scorched earth, jammy blackberry and cassis fruit, some licorice, underbrush and truffle. It is elegant, yet powerful and authoritative, pure and multi-layered, with a phenomenal finish of close to 50 seconds.

5. 2 013 Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 100 by Robert Parker

The 2013 Dominus is, to my way of thinking, one of the most profound wines Christian Moueix has yet made in his rather brilliant winemaking history, both in France and in Napa Valley... offers up notes of cedar wood, forest floor, loamy soil and oodles of blackberry and blackcurrant fruit. Very opaque purple in color, super-pure and intense, this wine has low acidity, but ripe, noticeable tannins.

6. 2 014 Schrader Cellars CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 98 by Robert Parker

Wonderfully sweet, velvety tannins, a big sweet nose of white flowers, blackberry and cassis along with cedar wood, charcoal and graphite are all present in this full-bodied opulent wine that also retains wonderful elegance.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #30 Single Vineyard California Pinot Noir Donated by:

Anu & Punit Chadha Estimated Value: $1,300

1. 2 012 Paul Hobbs Hyde Vineyard Pinot Noir, Carneros (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 91 by Wine Spectator

Aromas of dried flowers, spice and lavender mix with rich dried berry and sage flavors, balanced by a savory, graceful blackberry note on the lingering finish.

2. 2 012 Paul Hobbs Lindsay Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 94 by Vinous The 2012 Pinot Noir Katherine Lindsay Estate is one of the brighter, more lifted wines in the range. There is plenty of intensity and depth in the glass, but a dollop of whole clusters here adds compelling floral and savory overtones. This delicious, superb Pinot speaks to balance above all else.

3. 2 014 Arista Ferrington Vineyard Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Spectator

Though marked by dusty, savory herb and cedar notes, the intense fruit core rises to the occasion, fanning out and extending to gravelly earth and snappy berry flavors. The finish brings the elements together in a tightly focused presentation.

4. 2 014 Arista UV Lucky Well Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 92 by Antonio Galloni

The 2014 Pinot Noir Lucky Well Vineyard is one of the most expressive wines in the range. Rich, ample and creamy, the 2014 possesses exceptional balance in the exuberant style that characterizes all of these wine. Dark-toned flavors and silky tannins add to the wine’s racy personality, while the generous French oak is also handled nicely.

5. 2 014 Kosta Browne Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

This fabulous beauty gives up notes of black cherries, spring flowers, violets and spice in a medium-bodied, ultra-pure, seamless and elegant package that will benefit from short term cellaring and then cruise for a decade on its impeccable balance.

6. 2 015 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir, Green Valley (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 96 by James Suckling

Rust, rock and stone. Blueberry and blackberry. Very aromatic. Full to medium body, tight and linear. Racy and so fine. Tangy acidity.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #31 A Collection of Highly Curated Whiskies Donated by:

Andrew Atsumi Estimated Value: $1,200

By “curated” we mean you have to be a collector insider, know somebody who has each of them, then have other whiskey to trade. Mr. Atsumi has done all the hunting, wrangling and bartering to bring you this remarkable assemblage of collectible whiskey. Drink well! 1. E lijah Craig Barrel Proof B517 Whiskey of the Year, 2017 Whisky Advocate 2. 1 792 Full Proof “World’s Best Bourbon,” 2018 World Whiskies Awards 3. J ohn J. Bowman World’s Best Bourbon,” 2017 World Whiskies Awards 4. B alcones True Blue Straight Corn Whisky “The Spirits Business Master,” 2017 The American Whiskey Masters 5. B lanton’s Original Single Barrel Double Gold Medal, 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition 6. G eorge Stagg, Jr. Gold Medal Winner, 2018 New York International Spirits Competition

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #32 One Big Bottle of Bubbles Donated by:

Twin Liquors Estimated Value: $2,000

Although the vines in Urville were originally planted by the Romans 2000 years ago, it was Saint Bernard, founder of Clairvaux Abbey, who had cellars built in 1152. Seven centuries later, in 1808, the family domaine was created – today, it is headed by Michel Drappier, and cultivated according to organic and natural principles. Urville is an area in which Pinot Noir thrives, however, Drappier also cultivates “forgotten” grape varieties: Arbane, Petit Meslier and Blanc Vrai. NV Drappier Carte d’or Brut, 12L Rated 92 by Wine Spectator

This bright and zesty Champagne is lightly juicy and appealing, offering flavors of Honeycrisp apple, ripe white cherry, biscuit and pickled ginger. Balanced and lacy in texture, with a lingering, spiced finish. Drink now through 2022.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #33 Harlanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Little Sister Donated by:

Karen & Thomas Vaughn Estimated Value: $600

2009 Harlan Estate The Maiden, Napa Valley (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 93 by Vinous

The 2009 Proprietary Blend The Maiden wraps around the palate with dark cherries, plums, cinnamon, cloves and new leather. This is a surprisingly muscular style for the year, with quite a bit less of the early appeal than is found in many other wines. The aromas and flavors remain dark, powerful and brooding from start to finish. Flowers, cinnamon and mint add further complexity on the finish.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #34 A Dinner in the Peel Wine Cellar for Ten Donated by:

Deborah & Larry Peel Estimated Value: $4,500

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind culinary experience in the legendary Peel wine cellar. Dinner will be prepared by Chef Emmett Fox and paired with exceptional handpicked wine from Larry Peel’s personal collection. This intimate evening of extraordinary food, wine and ambiance will be a dinner to remember. Must be scheduled on mutually agreed date before April 6, 2020. 1. 2 014 Kistler Cuvee Cathleen Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, 750ml Rated 99 by Robert Parker 2. 2 010 Aubert UV Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, 750ml Rated 93 by Robert Parker 3. 2 011 Vine Hill Ranch VHR Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 96 by Vinous 4. 2 003 Château Pavie-Decesse Saint-Émilion, 750ml Rated 97 by Robert Parker 5. 2 013 Château Guiraud Sauternes, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Spectator

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #35 Travel Miles Donated by:

Melissa & Kareem Hajjar, Joan & Paul Mims, Don Neville, Steve Tipton, Heather & Jerry Valdez, Amanda & Andrew West Estimated Value: $760

1. 1 990 Chateau Suduiraut, Sauternes, France, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator 2. 1 995 Caves Sao Jao Poco do Lobo Tinto Reserva, 750ml Rated 93 by John Gilman

Mahogany reflections dance out to a brick orange rim and the delicate nose immediately sends your mind racing in all directions. It’s super old-school right out of the gate, with notes of dried cherry, red currant, black raspberry, red and purple wildflowers, fruitcake, cacao, sandalwood, leather, cedar and underbrush. The palate shows impressive structure, with “full-gripped” tannins and a surprisingly fresh finish. This is reminiscent of all sorts of classic wines: a Bordeaux-like nose, the elegant mouthfeel of Burgundy, and the structure of Piemontese Nebbiolo. It’s impossible to pinpoint.

3. 2 007 Franco Espanolas Rioja Excelso Gran Reserva, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Spectator

Supple and polished, this red offers dried cherry, floral, vanilla and spicy flavors, fresh and lively. Light tannins and orange peel acidity keep this focused. Expressive and elegant, in the traditional style.

4. 2 007 Shavnabada Saperavi, 750ml Rated 93 by Cellar Tracker

A big, earthy, tangy red, with huge fruit concentration but high acidity as well. I’m reminded of some of the rustic, big-boned reds of southwest France and southern Italy. In the glass, it displays a deep garnet core with some noticeable bricking around the rim. The heady aromas meld dark-toned fruits such as huckleberry, black raspberry and mulberry with wet roses, paprika, cacao, and a hint of the kind of meaty/iodine note one finds in northern Rhône Syrah. The tannins have had time to soften, and the acidity is still bright but not sharp, the overall effect is rich and palate-coating, with lots of earthy minerality on the finish. It is silky and accessible now at a decade of age, but it should continue to improve over the next 5-7 years.

5. 2 012 Pearl Morrissette Pinot Noir Jeunes Vignes, 750ml Rated 92 by Cellar Tracker

In the glass it’s a youthful, reflective ruby with magenta highlights at the rim, with aromatics that combine sweet and savory to great effect: black cherry, raspberry, forest floor, damp leaves, violets, and crushed stones.

6. 2 013 Mulderbosch Block W Chenin Blanc, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

This distinctive white shows a wide range of yellow apple, white ginger and quince notes, with intriguing blanched almond, Brazil nut and dried citrus peel flavors slightly reminiscent of Sherry. Very fresh and energetic, showing no oxidation. A lovely combination of ripeness and cut. Only available in 3-pack with other Single Vineyard Series bottlings.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

7. 2 014 Maison Evenstad Santenay 1er Cru Beaurepaire, 750ml Rated 90 by Cellar Tracker

On approach, the 2015 Premier Cru Beaurepaire opens with clean and complex layers of orange blossoms and minerality. On the palate, rich layers of toast and hazelnut are framed by vivid acidity. Hints of minerality lead to a long and persistent finish.

8. 2 014 Passopisciaro Contrada P, 750ml Rated 94 by Robert Parker

9. 2014 Yacoubian-Hobbs Dry Areni Wine Vayots Dzor Armenia, 750ml

2014 not rated, but Wine Enthusiast rated the 2015 at 92 points: This deep ruby wine has a nose of pomegranate and white chocolate. Silky tannins provide a rich mouthfeel and offer a backdrop for flavors of black plum, raspberry, anisette and espresso bean that head off into a baking spice finish. 100% Areni grape.

10. 2 015 Bodega Chacra Treinta y Dos Pinot Noir, 750ml Rated 97 by Wine Advocate

Lovely lift to the aromas of raspberry, cinnamon and clove…Silky on entry, then suave, fine-grained and intense in the middle, displaying an utterly seamless texture and superb energy and lift to its fruit-driven raspberry and spice flavors... reminds me of a top Burgundy. Finishes with terrific rising floral, peppery length and a very smooth dusting of tannins.

11. 2 015 Pannonhalmi Apátsági Pincészet Rajnai Riesling (Hungary, Dél-Pannónia), 750ml

In the glass, it’s a pale straw-gold with green highlights at the rim, with aromas of kaffir lime, white peach, green apple, white flowers, exotic spice, wet stones, and a hint of white mushroom. Medium-bodied and textured–reminiscent of Alsace in this regard, as opposed to the more diamond-cut styles of Austria–it nevertheless delivers great freshness and minerality.

12. 2 018 Matsui Shuzoten Matsuno Kotobuki Ginjo Gohyakumangoku Black Mountains (Japan), 720ml

The nose is aromatically stunning and powerful enough to fill a small room! Expect layers of Asian pear, fresh-cut grass, honeysuckle, rice cakes, cantaloupe, honeydew, cucumber peel, white cherry blossoms, fresh mint, acacia, lychee, evergreens, and crushed river rocks. The palate is medium-bodied, incredibly clean, and provides a refreshing mouthfeel with a pleasant creaminess to the fruits. It’s pillowy and round at once, providing crisp pleasures and a savory, longlasting finish populated with a soft kiss of sweetness.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #36 California Pinot Noir & Oregon Pinot Noir Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Lauren & Reed Clay, Christie & Rob Miller, Brooke & Spivey Paup, Susan Salch, Maura & Dan Sharp Estimated Value: $775

1. 2 013 Aston Estate Pinor Noir Sonoma Coast, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

Well-proportioned, with a mix of herb- and cedar-laced dark berry, anise, and fresh, loamy earth, this could use a year or so to soften. The tannins are fine-grained, and the flavors push through with ease.

2. 2 014 Aubichon Pinot Noir Reserve Willamette Valley, 750ml Rated 91 by Wine Spectator

Bring and deft, balancing the focused cherry and currant flavors against fine tannins. Matches hints of earthy mineral to an open texture, finishing with generosity and precision.

3. 2 014 Evening Land Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills La Source Seven Springs Estate, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

Firm and focused, with powdery tannins around a lively core of rose petal-infused raspberry and blackberry flavors, gliding into a long and expressive finish marked by minerally notes of wet stone.

4. 2 014 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Merci Reserve Willamette Valley, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Advocate

The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, harmonious in the mouth with a keen line of acidity... gently gripping the mouth with wild strawberry, cranberry and raspberry fruit, tinctured by white pepper and bay leaf notes.

5. 2 014 Sojourn Pinot Noir Gapâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Spectator

Lightly aromatic, but rich and layered, this offers excellent density and depth, with fine-grained tannic grip and a long, persistent finish.

6. 2 015 Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge Estate Vineyard Old Vine, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

This gives the wine its trademark dark, almost purplish color and hefty, dense tannic structure. This is filled in quite easily by liqueur-like dark fruit.

7. 2 015 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

Elegantly dynamic, precise and expressive,with dark cherry and plum notes accented by floral tea and spice hints. Builds weight and momentum toward the finish.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

8. 2 016 Auteur Manchester Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, 750ml Rated 96 by Jeb Dunnuck 9. 2 016 Beaux Fréres Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge The Beaux Fréres Vineyard, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

Remarkably and seamlessly complex, with a polished and refined core wrapped in silky raspberry and blueberry flavors, accented by savory spice and orange zest hints.

10. 2 016 Fairsing Vineyard Dardis Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton Rated 92 by Wine Spectator

Expressive rose petal and raspberry aromas combine with savory dark berry and licorice flavors, framed by refined tannins.

11. 2 016 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, 750ml Rated 97 by Jeb Dunnuck

Coming from the Sonoma Coast, the 2016 Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch offers a classic, perfumed, red (sometimes blue) fruit driven perfume that I often associate with this cooler region. Wild strawberries, pomegranates, forest floor, and hints of leafy herbs all emerge from this medium-bodied, incredibly elegant and seamless Pinot Noir. I love its purity of fruit. It offers intensity with no weight and a great, great finish. It’s a brilliant wine.

12. 2 016 Merry Edwards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast

Highly expressive, this Pinot has an aroma suffused with Queen Anne cherries, red and gold raspberries, blueberries and plums. Balancing this abundant fruit is a savory side – aged Italian salami, prosciutto, rosemary, mushroom and black tea. Notes of Grand Marnier, cinnamon spice, cracked black pepper and lightly smoked oak add even more depth.

13. 2 016 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Vista Verde Vineyard, 750ml Rated 92 by Antonio Galloni

Plump, juicy and expressive, all of which make it easy to drink and enjoy young. Succulent red cherry and raspberry are pushed forward in this effortless, open-knit Pinot from Williams Selyem.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #37 Napa Cult Reds Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Melissa & Kareem Hajjar, Christa & Don Heath, Harvey Kronberg, Brooke & Spivey Paup, Steve Tipton Estimated Value: $2,025

1. 2 008 Bond Vecina Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 95 by Robert Parker

The 2008 Vecina is a huge, strapping wine bursting with dark fruit, leather, licorice, smoke, minerals and tar. It possesses striking mid-palate depth and more than enough fruit to stand up to the firm, imposing tannins. Iron, graphite, smoke and minerals are layered into the dark, brooding finish.

2. 2 009 Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Spectator

Striking, rich and opulent, elegant and refined, with ripe, dense blackberry, melted black licorice and touches of cinnamon and baking spice. Ends with fine-grained, detailed tannins. Best from 2013 through 2027.

3. 2 010 Duckhorn Vineyards The Discussion, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast Generous in red currant and denser blackberry, while elements of thyme lurk on the back of the palate.

4. 2 010 Nickel and Nickel State Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml Rated 94 by Robert Parker

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon State Ranch from Yountville boasts an impressive bouquet of chocolate and crème de cassis, and powerful, full-bodied flavors. It may be the most concentrated, dense and powerful effort in this portfolio.

5. 2 010 Palmaz Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml Rated 91 by Cellar Tracker

The Palmazes bought a forgotten stone winery, a fine old house badly in need of renovation, and acres of land that had once produced fine Napa wines. The little valley had been the site of Cedar Knoll Vineyard and Winery, founded in 1881 by Henry Hagen, one of Napa Valley’s pioneer winemakers. Henry Hagen produced wines that garnered many awards, including a silver medal at the Paris Exposition of 1889. During that era, Cedar Knoll was one of Napa’s premier wineries. The vineyards survived the Wine Country’s phylloxera infestation in the 1890s, but Prohibition was fatal. The winery fell into disrepair and the vineyards lay fallow for nearly eighty years. Today, the vineyards are burgeoning, the restored Hagen house is a family home again, and the winery has been reinvented.”

6. 2 011 Tusk Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml Rated 97 by Cellar Tracker

Begun in 2007 as the ultimate luxury California cult wine...a 150-case Phillipe Melka-made release primarily from Oakville and Prichard Hill. You had to know one of the owners to get on the original tiny allocation list, now with a sixyear waiting list. Its major components display the California style in this Bordeaux-like vintage...great concentration of flavor and rich ripeness...portraying the feminine side with a wonderful sweetness and ripeness from the fruit, along with great acidity.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

7. 2 012 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 97+ by Wine Advocate

Lots of blueberry and black raspberry fruit with a hint of mocha and background oak are all present in this full-bodied, opulent, absolutely spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon.

8. 2 013 Ovid “Hexameter” Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 99 by Robert Parker

Its beautiful notes of acacia flowers, forest floor, blackberries and blueberries interwoven with touches of barrique, licorice and spice are followed by an even more intense and complex palate with silky, ripe tannins, opulent, full-bodied texture, and beautiful purity. A “wow” wine in so many different aspects, this multi-dimensional classic should age beautifully for 20 or more years.

9. 2 013 Scarecrow ‘M. Etain’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, 750ml Rated 94 by Robert Parker

The 2013 M. Etain Cabernet Sauvignon, which is hardly a second wine by any means, offers beautiful blackcurrant fruit with some cedar wood/sandalwood notes, an opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning purity, and that layered texture that is so enticing. The wine has a beautiful opaque purple color, hints of graphite, blueberry and blackberry fruit, a touch of licorice and the soil undertones that some would say are part of the so-called “Rutherford dust” scenario, although that’s debatable.

10. 2 015 Odette Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

Bursts forth from the glass with opulent crème de cassis, baked cherries and mocha notes with touches of charcuterie, licorice, sandalwood and forest floor.

11. 2 015 Secret Indulgence Secret Blend Napa Valley Red Wine, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

A decadently decorated room of the Napa manor house is dedicated to each of eleven labels, within which guests can sample the wines and lose themselves. This offering is “...intensely scented of red currants, black cherries, black currants and wild blueberries with touches of cedar chest, cloves, menthol and dried lavender...bags of finesse, with understated red and black fruits complemented by spicy accents...Perhaps against your better judgment, you’re going to fall in love with these wines.”

12. 2 016 Venge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Bone Ash Vineyard, 750ml Rated 96 by Jeb Dunnuck

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. Full-bodied 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.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #38 California Reds Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Todd Kercheval, Harvey Kronberg, Christie & Rob Miller, Susan Salch, Maura & Dan Sharp, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Heather & Jerry Valdez, Sarah & Zac Whitley Estimated Value: $1,400

1. 2 012 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Savignon Private Reserve, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

Boasts an opaque purple color along with abundant aromas of charcoal, burning embers, crème de cassis, chocolate, blackberries and licorice. The long, complex, compelling, full-bodied texture along with terrific purity and a savory, rich mouthfeel result in a classic, quintessential Napa Cabernet Sauvignon to drink now and over the next 20-25 years.

2. 2 012 Turley Vineyards Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard, 750ml Rated 94 by Stephen Tanzer Exhibits terrific power and richness as well as lots of volume and texture.

3. 2 013 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Ellie’s, 750ml Rated 93+ by Wine Advocate

A blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Merlot...it has an opaque purple color, a gorgeous nose of graphite, crème de cassis, blackberry and new saddle leather. Full-bodied & powerful.

4. 2 013 PharaohMoans WestSide, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

A big, rich, sweetly fruited wine that has tons of jammy black fruits, toasted spice, violets and wood smoke aromatics, full-bodied richness and a plump, supple, sexy texture that’s a joy to drink. Made from 95% Syrah and 5% Grenache.

5. 2 013 Taylor Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Club Cabernet, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 91 by Cellar Tracker Taylor Family Vineyards winemaking style takes a decidedly lighter hand so that their wines are balanced and approachable, and allow that beautiful fruit shine through.

6. 2 013 Ulysses Vineyard, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 96 by Robert Parker

The 2013 Ulysses is absolutely mind-boggling, as so many wines from this vintage are. Gorgeous blueberry and blackberry fruit, along with the telltale cassis and floral notes, jump from the glass. Again, this is Pauillac-like, with some cedar wood and subtle barrique smells. Again produced nearly all from Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is full-bodied, powerful, rich and long, with slightly sweeter tannins than the 2012.

7. 2 014 Alban Patrina Alban Estate Syrah, 750ml Rated 94 by Jeb Dunnuck

The inky colored 2014 Patrina is a sensational wine and readers looking to check out the Alban style need to latch onto bottles. Cassis, blackcurrants, scorched earth, charcoal and dark chocolate all emerge from the glass, and it’s voluptuous, sexy and layered on the palate. It’s as approachable as they come from John, but that still means it will keep for a decade or more.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

8. 2 014 Peter Michael ‘Au Paradis’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, 750ml Rated 94 by Robert Parker

Pauillac-like in a somewhat Lynch-Bages style, this meaty, fleshy wine has plenty of crème de cassis, licorice, cedar wood and forest floor. It is full-bodied, opulent, and a beautiful example of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon that should drink well for 25-30 years.

9. 2 014 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve To Kalon, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 95 by Robert Parker

Deep ruby/purple-colored, notes of sweet crème de cassis, blackberry, charcoal and toast are present in the subtle but intense aromatics. The wine is full-bodied and classically crafted, building incrementally on the palate and displaying full-bodied richness, sweet tannin, and a potential to age for 25-30+ years. This is a beauty.

10. 2 014 Saxum “G2” Paso Robles Rhône Blend, 750ml Rated 97 by Wine Advocate

This beauty sports a deep ruby/purple color as well as a gorgeous, layered bouquet of cured meats, spice, mulled dark fruits, graphite and loads of this chalky minerality that also emerges on the palate. Rich, full-bodied, ultra-pure and impeccably balanced, this seamless, full-bore beauty will need 2-3 years to really shine, and keep for a decade or more after that.

11. 2 015 Venge Vineyards Scout’s Honor Proprietary Red, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

Deep garnet-purple colored, the blend for the 2015 Scout’s Honor is 70% Zinfandel, 14% Charbono, 9% Petite Sirah and 7% Syrah. The nose offers up warm blackberries, cherry pie and mocha with hints of cedar and roses. Full-bodied, rich and opulent with velvety tannins, it finishes long and perfumed.

12. 2 016 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Que Syrah Vineyard, 750ml Rated 96 by Antonio Galloni

Game, smoke, chocolate, tobacco, licorice and incense all give the wine its exotic, wild personality.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #39 Collector Starter Kit Donated by:

Melissa & Kareem Hajjar, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Amber Pearce, Susan Salch, Steve Tipton, Amanda & Andrew West, Sarah & Zac Whitley Estimated Value: $1,130

1. 2 008 Produttori del Barbaresco Reserva Montestefano, 750ml Rated 95+ by Antonio Galloni

Exquisite and harmonious from start to finish...the fruit is intensely perfumed, rich and totally seductive. Today, the Montestefano provides the illusion of being relatively accessible, but it is virtually certain to shut down in bottle. The 2008 boasts striking aromatics, seemingly endless layers of fruit and power to burn...(2012)

2. 2 013 Ridge Cabernet Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains, 750ml Rated 100 by Wine Advocate

The 2013 Monte Bello is utterly spellbinding in its beauty. Finely sculpted and chiseled, with super-expressive aromatics and searing tannins, the 2013 is shaping up to be a modern-day classic.

3. 2 013 Venge Vineyards Bone Ash Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 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.

4. 2 014 Blackbird Vineyards Paramour, Oak Knoll District, 750ml Rated 95 by Robert Parker

This is terrific stuff from the super-intense fragrance of white flowers and forest floor to the blueberry, black raspberry and graphite notes. The wine hits the palate with dazzling fruit intensity, loads of glycerin, a round, juicy, succulent mouthfeel, a layered personality and a long, supple finish.

5. 2 014 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 94 by Antonio Galloni

Formanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon offers lovely precision to match its mid-weight, gracious personality. The flavors are bright, floral and nicely focused.

6. 2 014 Roberts & Rogers Cabernet Sauvignon, Saint Helena, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

Dense ruby/purple color, loads of crĂ¨me de cassis, black cherry, earth and spice. It is full-bodied, rich, concentrated and impressively endowed. It is accessible enough to drink now, but promises to be better in 3-4 years and evolve for up to 15 years or more.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

7. 2 014 Sheridan Vineyard L’Orage, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

Always Cabernet Sauvignon based, with a small amount of Cabernet Franc, from the same two blocks, the 2014 L’Orage from Sheridan Vineyard is a seriously good, hedonistic, pleasure bent beauty that does everything right. Cassis, leafy herbs, smoke tobacco, lead pencil shavings and incense notes all give way to a full-bodied, decadent, sexy red that has the concentration and depth to keep for 10-15 years. It tastes like a blend of Pontet Canet and Shafer Hillside Select.

8. 2 015 Colene Clemens Pinot Noir Chehalem Mtns, Dopp Creek, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

This wine drinks beautifully now, and holding onto a few bottles for the next four to six years will also prove delicious. #7 on Wine Spectator’s 2018 Top 100!

9. 2 015 Venge Vineyards Maldonado Vineyard Napa Valley Chardonnay, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Advocate Medium to full-bodied with a crisp acid line cutting through the intense tropical flavors, it finishes minerally/savory.

10. 2 015 Zilliken Saarberger Riesline Trocken “Alte Reben”, 750ml Rated 95 by John Gilman

Wonderfully balanced. A stony nose with a hint of tropics, and a bright palate echoing the nose, but adding some pear, too. This is definitely dry, but there is a lot of extract here, giving it a sense of body. Minerally finish. Very good Riesling.

11. 2 016 Domaine le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 750ml Rated 98 by Jeb Dunnuck

Ranked #8 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines of 2018! This offers a blitz of bay leaf and juniper notes out front, followed by a ray and tightly coiled core of red and black currant, damson plum and cherry fruit flavors. Lots of brisk iron and garrigue accents rifle through the finish. Clear, precise and streamlined, this should age wonderfully. Best from 2020 through 2040. 7,000 cases made.

12. 2 016 Flanagan Wines Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Enthusiast

Rose, lavender and tree bark pique the nose in this full-bodied earthy wine. Thick and rich on the midpalate, it shows a layering of dark cherry, rhubarb and rose, mingling fruit from several sources within the appellation.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #40 Dessert Wines Donated by:

Melissa & Kareem Hajjar, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Cathy & Don Neville, Laurie & Bill Norris, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Twin Liquors Estimated Value: $900

1. 1 990 Ch창teau Suduiraut, Sauternes, France, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

Botrytis bomb. Gold color. Loads of spicy, almondand toffee character with pineapple fruit. Full-bodied, very sweet and very, very ripe. Blistering long finish. A bit rustic, but amazing. Can age as long as you like.

2. 2 008 Castello di Volpaia Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Tuscany, 375ml Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast

Dried apricot and a whiff of maple syrup that carry over to the rich palate along with cream caramel and candied nectarine. The intense flavors are balanced by fresh acidity and lingering finish.

3. 2 011 Ch창teau Doisy-Vedrines, Sauternes, France (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

The palate is fresh and vibrant with viscous honeyed fruit, a dash of spice and a flowing, harmonious finish that has only just begun to start showing what it is capable of.

4. 2 009 Ch창teau Guiraud, 375ml Rated 93 by John Gilman

On the nose, this hedonistic Sauternes is mind-blowingly dense, with ultra-ripe fruit and floral aromas like yellow and white flowers, quince, stewed apricots, candied peach, orange marmalade, lemon curd, mango, and white cherries. These are followed by layers of honey, baking spice, dough, button mushroom, and figs. The wine is full-bodied and unctuous, with just enough acidity to keep it from weighing down your palate, saturating the senses with a mesmerizing blend of rich spice, fruits, and earth.

5. 2 009 Ch창teau Rieussec, Sauternes, France (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

Intense, with powerful almond, bitter tangerine, mango and papaya notes, as well as racier heather, mirabelle and yellow apple flavors. Long and very focused despite the weight and breadth, this features a gorgeous hint of warm tarte Tatin on the finish.

6. 2 012 Dolce Late Harvest Semillon - Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 375ml Rated 98 by Wine Enthusiast

Subtly silky and irresistibly perfumed, with fresh-picked stone fruit flavors and whispers of butterscotch and honeysuckle, Dolce Napa Valley is both seductive and refined.

7. 2 013 Royal Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos, Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary, 500ml Rated 96 by Wine Enthusiast

Straw colored with gold reflections, this delightful sweet wine has aromas of dried pear, fresh apricot and yellow peach. Flavors of fresh Bartlett pear, acacia honey and tinned apricots unfold on the palate. The finish is sweet, with just the right amount of acidity.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

8. 2 014 Venge Vineyards Late Harvest Zinfandel, 375ml Rated 91 by Cellar Tracker

This red is delightfully showy with aromas of raspberry jam, sweet alcohols, cotton candy, and Bing cherry. The palate is utterly decadent with black pepper, chewy red preserves, grape jelly and a touch of sour cherry.

9. 2 015 ChĂ˘teau Suduiraut, Sauternes, France, 750ml Rated 99 by Jeb Dunnuck

The 2015 Suduiraut comes with 123 grams per liter of residual sugar, more modest than some of its Sauternes peers and 4.56 grams per liter of acidity. It 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.

10. 2 016 Inniskillin Niagara Peninsula Vidal Icewine, Ontario, Canada, 375ml Rated 90 by Wine Spectator

Offers a pungent nose of apple, honey, rotting vegetables and candied lemon. The moderately sweet fruit is matched to a creamy texture. Vibrant acidity keeps this balanced and focused on the finish.

April 6, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #41 Finest Champagne Donated by:

Melissa & Kareem Hajjar, Lisa Hall, Buckner Hightower, Greg Miller, Cheryl Roberts, Maura & Dan Sharp, Heather & Jerry Valdez Estimated Value: $630

1. N V Bruno Paillard Premiere Cuvée, 750ml Rated 91 by Wine Spectator

Musky pear and nectarine aromas are complemented by beeswax, smoky lees and anise. At once fleshy and refreshingly bitter, offering chewy pear skin and anise flavors, a touch of buttered toast and building spiciness.

2. NV Cattier Clos du Moulin Premier Cru Brut Rose, Champagne, 750ml

Gourmand nose of black fruits, english sweets and sweet almond. fresh and full in the mouth with a beautiful vinosity and subtle notes of blackberries and a touch of liquorice.

3. N V Egly-Ouriet Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs ‘Les Crayeres’, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Advocate

This is a beautifully aromatic and fruity Crayères that shows lovely finesse and purity that stresses the chalky terroir. On the palate, this is a pure, fresh and elegant, even graceful yet also ripe and richly textured Pinot Noir with great balance, lingering salinity and chalky finesse.

4. N V Paul Dethune, Princesse des Thunes, Brut Prestige, Champagne, 750ml Rated 93 by Decanter

You’ll be met with notes of ripe quince, Rainier cherry, grilled pineapple, yellow apple, dried white flowers, brioche, fig, toasted almond, lemon meringue, crushed rock, fresh cream, and subtle spice. Like that of Krug or Bollinger, this is a true full-bodied Champagne with thick textures and ample acidity that shines throughout the finish. You can expect immense ripe fruit on the palate and resounding richness.

5. N V Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut, 750ml Rated 92 by James Suckling

Some oyster shell, berry biscuits, fresh strawberries and gently toasty brioche here. Lots to like. The palate is plump and flavorsome with plenty of berries and citrus intertwined. Good depth here. Grapefruit finish.

6. 2 004 Bollinger “Grande Année” Brut Champagne, 750ml Rated 95 by Vinous

Bollinger’s 2004 Brut La Grand Année is a beautiful wine with a lot of vintage character, but the style is a bit less oxidative than Bollinger fans are likely to expect. Pears, hazelnuts, spices and crushed rocks all flow through to the tense, vibrant finish. It will be interesting to see if the 2004 puts on weight in the bottle, as so many wines from this vintage have. Today, it is bright, linear and quite pretty. Green apples, pears and flowers all add lift on the close. (AG)

7. 2 010 Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne, 750ml Rated 94 by James Suckling

Reminiscent of a great Puligny with bubbles! A selection of four early ripening parcels from Avize. Very expressive flesh and weight, followed by an assertive core of deep set fruit. Toasty hazelnuts and autolysis warmth across lemon, grapefruit and nectarine. The palate has a smooth, playfully tart yet ripe feel. A very seductive, caressing finish. Drink now.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #42 Magnificent Magnums Donated by:

Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Steve Tipton Estimated Value: $1,200

1. 2 004 Hawkeye Mountain Cabernet 2004, 1.5L Rated 91 by Wine Advocate

The wine has a dense ruby color, plenty of minerality with an almost chalky stoniness to the flavor profile. Rich black currant fruit, a hint of white chocolate, espresso, and full-bodied powerful flavors with moderate tannin give this wine a vigorous, almost youthful character. It can be approached now, but seems on the upswing and should evolve for at least another 15-20 years.

2. 2 005 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 Rioja, 1.5L Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

2005 is one of its best showings, going back to the quality of the vintages of the 1950s and 60s. The nose is very balsamic with notes of camphor, hints of mint, leather...balanced, subtle, truly elegant and classical...framed by ultra-fine tannins and smashing balance. A great classic.

3. 2 006 Agricola Querciabella Camartina Toscana, 1.5L Rated 95 by Antonio Galloni

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Sangiovese)...Black cherries, minerals, menthol, tar and subtle French oak are some of the nuances that emerge...decidedly big, powerful...will require some patience, but all of the ingredients are there for this to be one of the finest versions of this wine ever made...this wine has it all.

4. 2 012 Domaine Carneros Brut Rose by Tattinger Late Disgorged, 1.5L Rated 95 by Cellar Tracker

The additional two years of age that this wine enjoys introduce a delightful nuttiness that compliments and enhances the strawberry and stone fruit characteristics of our Brut RosĂŠ. This vintage presents an elegant and rich palate with notes of peaches & cream and tangerine, resolving in a silky and long lasting finish with notes of rich brown sugar.

5. 2 012 Domaine Carneros by Tattinger Ultra Brut, 1.5L Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast

California - A wonderful array of aromas including white flower, pear, golden apple, honeycomb and brioche create a bouquet for the nose. The palate flavors are true to the aromas and are enhanced by a texture that is creamy, full and elegantly structured.

6. 2 014 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 1.5L Rated 94 by Wine Spectator

A creamy textured charmer, infused with mocha and dark berry flavors and offering density and complexity, this builds on tiers of jazzy oak, polished currant and blackberry. Ends with rounded tannins that let the flavors glide on the finish.

April 6, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #43 New World Syrah Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Christie & Rob Miller, Maura & Dan Sharp, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Heather & Jerry Valdez, Amanda & Andrew West Estimated Value: $865

1. 2 006 Clarendon Hills Syrah Piggott Range Vineyard, 750ml Rated 98 by Wine Advocate

Surreal bouquet of red and blue fruits, incense, suave oak spices and fresh flowers:

2. 2 010 Copain Syrah Baker Ranch, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Advocate

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.

3. 2 010 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley, 750ml Rated 97 by Jeb Dunnuck Knockout aromatics of creamy blackberry, plum, smoked bacon, coffee, and spice that just soar from the glass.

4. 2 013 Booker Vineyard Estate, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

Deeply perfumed, complex bouquet of dried cherry, licorice, potpourri and smoky minerals...Very sweet and creamy on the palate, offering intense black and blue fruit flavors that gain depth and spiciness with air.

5. 2 013 Cadaretta Syrah, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast

Incredible find. Though labeled as a Syrah, this drinks more like a GSM, with 11% MourvĂŠdre, 5% Grenache and 2% Viognier contributing prominently to the blend. Aromas of cocoa, orange peel, coffee grounds, raspberry and dark fruit are followed by full-bodied fruit and barrel flavors.

6. 2 014 DuMOL Syrah Russian River Valley, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Spectator

Plush, rich and impeccably structured, with floral blueberry and raspberry aromas accented by smoky pepper and complex, expressive flavors that combine mineral-tinged tannins with plump fruit.

7. 2 014 Herman Story Syrah Nuts and Bolts, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

A stunner that gives up ripe, full throttle notes of blackberries, peppered meats, game and singed leather. Big, rich, gorgeously textured and hedonistic, yet also balanced, pure and fresh, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a quintessential Paso Robles red that delivers the goods.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

8. 2 015 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Clary Ranch, 750ml Rated 97 by Vinous

A wine of extraordinary beauty...it is a total knock-out. Plum, licorice, mint, lavender and crushed rocks are some of the signatures. Deep, inky and yet also remarkably refined.

9. 2 015 Avennia Le Corbeau Discovery Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills Syrah, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast

This wine leads with aromas of blackberry, blackberry leaf, Aztec chocolate, and black olive. Rich and pliant on the palate, with a pleasant lift of acidity. Notes of leafy berries, savory charcuterie, violets, and tapenade lead through to a finely structured finish.

10. 2 015 Drew Family Cellars Syrah Valenti Ranch Vineyard, 750ml Rated 94 by Antonio Galloni

While this wine is reminiscent of the wines of the Northern Rhone, this Syrah is unmistakably California coastal Syrah. White pepper, dark bramble fruit, taut minerals and distinct conifer and iron mineral notes.

11. 2 015 K Vintners Cattle King, 750ml Rated 100 by Jeb Dunnuck

Another off the charts effort is the 2015 Syrah Cattle King Upland Vineyard, which is also saturated purple/black in color. Possessing a more backward, yet insanely pure bouquet of crème de cassis, black fruits, smoked earth, graphite, and violets, it’s beautifully concentrated, has no hard edges, thrilling purity, and a gorgeous, layered, awesome, multidimensional style. It needs short-term cellaring but is a monumental wine from Washington.

12. 2 015 Mark Ryan Syrah Wild Eyed Red Mountain, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

Its meaty, pepper, lavender, olive and black and blue fruit-driven bouquet. This is followed by a full-bodied, concentrated and balanced Syrah that has solid tannic grip and good acidity.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #44 Old World vs. New World Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Harvey Kronberg, Steve Tipton Estimated Value: $915

1. 2 014 Donum Pinot Noir West Slope Carneros, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Spectator

Charry, smoky oak provides the outline, framing the core of wild berry, fresh earth and gravel, accented by subtle touches of graphite. Unmistakably rich and layered.

2. 2 010 Louis Jadot Clos Vougeot, 750ml Rated 94 by Vinous

vs.

3. 2 012 Château Moulin de Tricot Margaux, 750ml Rated 92 by Cellar Tracker

This wine has had some time to rest and is now alive and breathing fire: Savory aromas of blackcurrant, plum, wet violets, wet tobacco leaf, graphite, cedar, and forest floor erupt from the glass. Moulin de Tricot has produced yet another truly classic and traditionally styled Margaux. This wine is all about elegance, class, finesse and structure; there are no jagged edges or dropped stitches of any kind. It’s a perfectly detailed and sublime wine. The tight-knit layers of tannin, the long and sonorous finish, and the impossible silkiness and luxury on the palate - this is a profound, sophisticated and powerful wine that expresses every once of the legendary Margaux terroir.

5. 2 015 Anaba Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Advocate

The 2015 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch offers up notions of warm apple slices, peach preserves and baked pears with touches of allspice, toasted almonds and brioche. The medium-bodied palate gives appealing freshness with a suggestion of silkiness to the texture, finishing on a persistent citrus peel note.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Tight but pure nose offers redcurrant, red cherry, minerals, flowers, licorice and menthol, plus a high note of orange zest. On the palate, terrific innermouth energy gives sharp definition to the intense flavors of red berries, spices and menthol.

4. 2 012 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon, Monitor Ledge Vineyard, 750ml Rated 92 by James Suckling

vs.

Both elegant and appealing, this wine slowly reveals layered aromas of truffle, blackberry, dried fig and rose petals, as well as hints of sweet, warm oak. On the palate, flavors of pomegranate,red raspberry and rhubarb underscore the darker fruit elements, with hints of thyme and tamarind paste adding savoriness to a long, focused finish.

6. 2 015 Domaine Paul Pernot MeursaultBlagny 1er Cru “La Piece Sous le Bois”, 750ml Rated 90 by Allen Meadows

An overtly floral, ripe and fresh nose displays an assortment of various white orchard fruit aromas that are liberally laced with soft floral and citrus nuances. There is fine richness to the decidedly forward and supple medium weight flavors that exude a discreet minerality on the attractively textured and reasonably persistent finish.

7. 2 013 Lewis Cellars Syrah, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

A knockout wine, this offers great structure, with a rich, supple texture. Blackberry and smoky game aromas deftly combine with complex, muscular flavors of currant, crushed rock and grilled herb. The tannins are big but plush.

8. 2 010 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France, 750ml Rated 96 by Robert Parker

vs.

9. 2 014 Alphonse Mellot Sancerre “Les Romains”, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

Opens extremely pure and clear on the nose, with tea and floral aromas intertwined with white fruit and lemon flavors...very pure, fresh and firmly structured... with great precision, tension and length...it does have purity, austerity, tension and lots of complexity. A great Sancerre!

10. 2 013 Lail Georgia Sauvignon Blanc, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

vs.

11. 2 012 Espectacle del Montsant Garnatxa, 750ml Rated 99 by Wine Advocate

Nothing short of spectacular...highly aromatic wine full of red berries, flowers, spices that are showy and heady; it goes straight to your brain and it stays there...incredibly balanced and harmonious, the most elegant Montsant I’ve ever drunk...no rush to drink this, but it would be hard to resist it, as it’s so hedonistic and beautiful right now.

The 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a traditionally made cuvée aged totally in tank and foudre. Its inky/ purple color is followed by a sweet bouquet of black olives, incense, blackberries, mulberries, black cherries and lavender. This perfumed, super-concentrated 2010 possesses good acidity, ripe tannin and a fullbodied, expansive mouthfeel.

Fermented in 100% French oak, where it was aged an additional 18 months prior to bottling. The wine shows notes of caramelized citrus, a touch of orange rind and marmalade, with medium to full body, beautiful acidity, striking concentration and a long, long finish.

12. 2 006 Clarendon Hills Old Vines Grenache “Romas”, 750ml Rated 99 by Wine Advocate

vs.

Displaying a beautiful nose of violets, orange peel and black cherries alongside notes of spice cake, white pepper and lavender, the full-bodied 2006 Romas Vineyard Grenache is big, rich and gorgeous with a crisp acid backbone draped with layer upon layer of concentrated fruit flavor. The medium-firm, very fine tannins carry it through to a long finish... now to 2025+.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #45 Ready to Drink Donated by:

Melissa & Kareem Hajjar, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Harvey Kronberg, Susan Salch, Twin Liquors, Heather & Jerry Valdez, Amanda & Andrew West Estimated Value: $870

1. 1 996 Groth Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast

This wine offers balanced and focused fruit from the opening right through to the long, velvety smooth finish. The tannic structure is firm but not aggressive. The wine is drinking beautifully now but should be even better with five to eight years of bottle age.

2. 2 003 Château Pichon-Longueville au Baron de Pichon-Longueville, Pauillac, 750ml Rated 94 by Robert Parker

A brilliant effort, this 2003 displays a vigorous, intact, deep blue/purple color as well as notes of scorched earth, barbecue spices, incense, crème de cassis and cedarwood.

3. 2 007 Château Pavie Macquin, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 750ml Rated 90 by Robert Parker

There is pleasant purity, and certainly, it is less herbaceous than many of its peers, with peppermint-tinged red cherry and cranberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a mixture of red and black fruit, quite caressing in texture, with a well balanced if not overly complex finish.

4. 2 007 Franco Espanolas Rioja Excelso Gran Reserva, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Spectator 5. 2 008 Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese, Walla Walla Valley, 750ml Rated 92 by Vinous

Enticing aromas of red and darker berries, licorice, coffee and cocoa powder, with a distinct sangiovese floral quality. Sweet, dense and vibrant, with nicely integrated acidity giving definition to the sexy flavors of berries, dried herbs and flowers.

6. 2 009 Pedestal, Long Shadows, Merlot, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

Rich and expressive, yet graceful, this intensely aromatic Merlot displays a wide array of mouthwatering flavors, including ripe blackberries, dark plum and baker’s chocolate. Sweet tannins and a velvety texture persist across a lengthy finish. #11 Wine of 2012 by Wine Spectator.

7. 2 011 Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank, Napa, 750ml Rated 91 by Antonio Galloni

Sweet red cherries, crushed flowers, tobacco, anise and mint are some of the many nuances that make an appearance in the 2011 Right Bank.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

8. 2 011 J. Bookwalter Foreshadow Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Advocate

Offers up classic Cabernet flair with plenty of black currant, tobacco leaf and hints of herbacousness to go with a medium to full-bodied, beautifully fresh, pure and elegant feel on the palate.

9. 2 012 Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

A winning combination of rustic richness and sleek balance. Aromas of briary wild berry and spicy mocha lead to dense, layered flavors of black cherry, grilled anise and pepper.

10. 2 013 Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit Blanc de Tablas, 750ml Rated 90-93 by Jeb Dunnuck

Has notable richness in its pear, wild herb, mineral and subtle tropical aromas and flavors. Opening up nicely in the glass, it has the classic richness of this cuvĂŠe, yet stays nicely focused and pure.

11. 2 014 Arista Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley,, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Spectator

Impressively styled, rich and polished, with uncommon depth and purity of flavors built around blackberry, plum, raspberry and blueberry, shaded by smoky, toasty oak and accented by hints of black tea and spice. Sails along on the layered finish.

12. 2 014 deLorimier Primitivo Wedding Cake, 750ml Rated 91 by Wine Advocate

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Primitivo Wedding Cake Vineyard has a lovely baking spice and dried flower-laced nose over a core of dried cherries, raspberry coulis and baked blueberries. The powerful, full-bodied palate is full-on seductive, with tons of ripe berry and exotic spice flavor layers framed by rounded tannins and finishing with epic persistence.

April 6, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #46 Vintage Champagne Donated by:

Melissa & Kareem Hajjar, Christa & Don Heath, Fredrik Osterberg, Maura & Dan Sharp, Steve Tipton Estimated Value: $850

1. 1 996 Andre Beaufort Millesime Grand Cru Brut, 750ml Rated 94 by Antonio Galloni

Jacques Beaufort makes some of the most pure, unadulterated and highly singular Champagnes readers are likely to come across. Beaufort is based in Ambonnay a village justly famous the high-class Pinot Noir that informs his wines with such eloquence.

2. 1 999 Ployez Jacquemart dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Harbonville, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

Rich accents of smoke and caramel herald this finely knit Champagne, complemented by citrus-laced acidity and flavors of baked pear, toast, briny oyster shell and almond skin. Presents a lovely texture and a well-cut, chalky finish.

3. 2 002 Jean-Pierre Marniquet Champagne Prestige Millesime, 750ml Rated 95 by Cellar Tracker

Spent 16 years on the lees. Gold-straw and fully sparkling; dry, medium-full-bodied with still fresh acidity and scant phenolics. Rich and toasty with the pure rich developed flavors of long aging. Deep mix of toasty red fruits and yeast notes with elegance from the Chardonnay and chalk. Brilliant, delicious. Gets deeper and better as it opens, breathes, and develops in the glass (use a wine glass). A masterpiece.

4. 2 004 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Spectator

A fine and lacy mousse is draped over a firm frame of well-integrated acidity, belying the complexity of this elegant Champagne. A delicately woven tapestry of black currant, piecrust, chalk, spring blossom and lemon zest flavors ends with a lasting note of smoke-tinged minerality.

5. 2 006 Lanson Clos Lanson Brut Blanc de Blancs, 750ml Rated 95 by John Gilman

The inaugural vintage, in oak box! A deep and very, very refined bouquet of apple, lemon, smoky overtones, fresh-baked bread, salty soil tones and a lovely top note of dried flowers...pure, full-bodied, crisp and seamless, with a superb core of fruit, nascent complexity, very refined mousse...truly an exceptional new wine.

6. 2012 Ayala Champagne Blanc de Blancs, 750ml

Delicate, but already very expressive, the nose features a great aromatic freshness, with notes of lemon, white fruits, yellow plums and frangipani. Right from the start, it is light, yet voluptuous and vibrant, showing a silky texture with a touch of raciness.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #47 A Six-Year Vertical of Prominent Pommeral, Vieux Chateau Certan Donated by:

Twin Liquors Estimated Value: $1,750

1. 2 006 Vieux Château Certan, 750ml Rated 96 by Robert Parker

One of the top wines of the vintage is the exquisite 2006 Vieux Château Certan. A blend of 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc, it is a stunningly rich effort boasting an inky/blue/purple color as well as a gorgeous nose of forest floor, coffee, toast, and extravagant levels of black currants and blackberries. Hints of charcoal and flowers add to the wine’s exquisite character. What’s remarkable in this full-bodied wine is that nearly 100% new oak is used, yet the oak is largely drowned out by the wine’s concentration and complex personality.

2. 2 008 Vieux Château Certan, 750ml Rated 94 by James Suckling

The aromas to this are so compelling with Maraschino cherries and sliced plums. So intense. It must come from the Cabernet Franc in the blend. It’s full-bodied and dense but in a reserved and refined style.

3. 2 010 Vieux Château Certan, 750ml Rated 100 by James Suckling

A perfect wine with perfect purity of fruit. It shows gorgeous aromas of blackberries, currants and cedar with hints of chocolate. Full body, with a lovely sweetness of fruit and ripe tannins. It goes to chocolate, hazelnut and spices. Nutmeg too. Sexy and incredible. It has so much depth of fruit and density.

4. 2 011 Vieux Château Certan, 750ml Rated 96 by James Suckling

The aromas of this are so gorgeous, with blackberries, black cherries and wet earth. Full body with super-fine tannins and bright acidity. A firm, tightly structured young red with orange peel and other citrus fruit. This is so focused and straight.

5. 2 012 Vieux Château Certan, 750ml Rated 96 by Vinous

Forward and open-knit with that classic sense of translucent beauty that is the most identifiable attribute of VCC, the 2012 is simply magnificent. Veins of minerality give the wine its precision and energy, while lifted notes of sage, lavender, mint and tobacco captivate all the senses.

6. 2 014 Vieux Château Certan, 750ml Rated 97 by Jeb Dunnuck

The 2014 Vieux Château Certan is glorious stuff that has more personality and sexiness than just about every other wine in the vintage. Kirsch, black cherries, flowers, forest floor and exotic spice characteristics all emerge from this ethereally textured, elegant, beautifully rich 2014 that has notable acidity, sweet tannin, and a great finish.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #48 Wine Spectator’s Top Ten Most Exciting Wines of 2018 Donated by:

Melissa & Kareem Hajjar, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Christie & Rob Miller, Amber Pearce, Steve Tipton Estimated Value: $1,025

1. # 1 2015 Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia Sassicaia, 750ml Rated 97 by Wine Spectator

Rich and concentrated, this red features black currant, blackberry, violet, mineral and spice flavors. Dense yet lively, structured yet impeccably balanced, with vibrant acidity driving the long, fruit-filled aftertaste. The oak is beautifully integrated.

2. # 2 2015 Château Canon-La Gaffeliére St.-Emilion, 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.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

3. # 3 2015 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Spectator

Though saturated with black currant and blackberry fruit and backed by opaque tannins, this red is pure and balanced. Thyme, iron, leather and tar notes give this complexity, while the finish goes into overtime.

4. # 4 2005 Rioja 890 Gran Reserva Selección Especial, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

Cedar and sandalwood aromas give way to flavors of tea, tobacco, dried cherry, forest floor and orange peel in this expressive red. Round on the palate, supported by muscular tannins and juicy acidity. Big but graceful, mature yet lively, in the traditional style. Drink now through 2030.

5. # 5 2008 Dom Perignon, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Spectator

There’s power to this graceful Champagne, with the vivid acidity swathed in a fine, creamy mousse and flavors of toasted brioche, kumquat, pastry cream, candied ginger and poached plum that dance across the palate. An underpinning of smoky mineral gains momentum on the lasting finish.

6. # 6 2016 Aubert Larry Hyde & Sons Chardonnay, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Spectator

Voluptuous and creamy, with densely packed flavors of apple pastry, pear tart and peach and hints of mango that are long and rich. The plush, complex finish is filled with notes of spice and dried herbs.

7. # 7 2015 Colene Clemens Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains, Dopp Creek, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

Impressive for the polished texture and elegant complexity, offering vibrant raspberry, orange peel and spice flavors that gain momentum toward refined tannins. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. Drink now through 2023.

8. # 8 2016 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

This offers a blitz of bay leaf and juniper notes out front, followed by a racy and tightly coiled core of red and black currant, damson plum and cherry fruit flavors. Lots of brisk iron and garrigue accents rifle through the finish. Clear, precise and streamlined, this should age wonderfully.

9. # 9 2016 Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna San Lorenzo, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

Ripe black cherry and raspberry fruit meets tarry mineral and accents of licorice, spiced orange peel and herb in this chewy, medium-bodied red. The bold flavor and structure are deftly knit into a graceful and harmonious package, with the spice and mineral character lingering on the finish.

10. # 10 2016 Bedrock The Bedrock Heritage Sonoma Valley, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

A knockout red, focused and well-built but loaded with personality, with expressive blackberry and dark Asian spice notes leading to intense yet refined smoky plum, orange zest and cracked pepper flavors. Zinfandel, Carignan, Mataro, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2027.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #49 A Case of the Blues and Bleues Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier Estimated Value: $720

1. 2 012 Maison Bleue Grenache Bourgeois, 750ml Rated 90 by Vinous

Good bright, dark red. Black cherry, cassis and spices on the nose. Fat, sweet and full in the mouth, with red and dark fruit, earth and mineral flavors carrying through a long, ripely tannic finish.

2. 2 013 Maison Bleue Grenache Bourgeois, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Spectator

Bright and tangy, juicy with blueberry and plum flavors on a sleek frame, gently nubby tannins underlying the lively finish. Drink now through 2019.

3. 2 013 Maison Bleue Syrah Voyageur, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Spectator

Broad and expressive, with a glassy texture underneath a sprinkling of powdery tannins. A beam of black plum, blackberry, meaty and floral flavors extends into the long finish.

4. 2 014 Blue Farm Chardonnay Gapâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crown Vineyard, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Advocate

Exuberant nose of white peaches, grapefruit, lemon curd, marzipan and orange blossoms with a waft of baking bread. Medium bodied and elegantly crafted in the mouth, it delivers many layers of flavor with a great backbone of freshness and some minerals coming through on the long finish.

5. 2 014 Blue Farm Chardonnay Laceroni Vineyard, 750ml Rated 93 by Jeb Dunnuck

The 2013 Chardonnay Laceroni Vineyard reveals loads of lemon oil, tropical citrus, subtle oak, medium to full body and great acidity and depth.

6. 2 014 Blue Farm Pinot Noir Estate Grown 1861, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir 1861 Vineyard offers notes of violets and roses over a core of black cherries, mulberries and loam, plus a waft of Provence herbs.

7. 2 014 Blue Farm Pinot Noir Gapâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crown Vineyard, 750ml Rated 91 by Wine Spectator

Juicy plum, blueberry and blackberry flavors form the core in this elegant, stylish effort that succeeds with a zesty fruit presence and enough tannic grip to hold attention.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

8. 2 014 Blue Farm Pinot Noir Hirsch Selection King Ridge, 750ml Rated 96 by Jeb Dunnuck

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir King Ridge Vineyard - Hirsch Selection has a lovely black cherry and black raspberry-scented nose with nuances of violets, wild thyme and fallen leaves. Light to medium-bodied, it fills the mouth with cherry and earth flavors, structured with finely grained tannins and ample freshness. It finishes with wonderful harmony.

9. 2 014 Blue Farm Pinot Noir King Ridge, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Advocate

Medium ruby purple in color, the 2014 Pinot Noir King Ridge Vineyard has a slightly restrained nose, which with coaxing opens out to fragrant red cherry and raspberry leaf aromas, plus nuances of red roses and potpourri. Mediumbodied, youthful, delicately fruited and with a very fine backbone of silky tannins, it offers quiet intensity and many layers on the finish.

10. 2 014 Maison Bleue Coureur des Bois - Red Rhone Blend, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Spectator A plump blend, with lively black raspberry, orange zest and savory pepper flavors that finish with well-framed tannins.

11. 2 014 Maison Bleue Syrah Voyageur Yellow Jacket Vineyard (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

Graceful yet dynamic, delivering violet and black raspberry aromas, and a rich, supple texture wrapped around a complex core. The finish lingers with a hint of spice and smoky cinnamon.

April 6, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #50 Breckenridge 3BR/3BA Rental for Three Nights View of Slopes / Walk to Town Donated by:

Laurie & Bill Norris Estimated Value: $1,500

Escape to beautiful Breckenridge, CO and indulge in luxurious, upgraded accommodations. Five minute walking distance to downtown, world class restaurants, nightlife, shopping and free shuttle. WINTER: Short walk to free ski & boot storage at Main Street Station, then short walk to Quicksilver lift. SUMMER: Nearby hiking, 4-wheeling, white water rafting and gorgeous weather. FALL: Aspen views nearby to die for. This is our part time residence so availability is limited. It is also an active rental (we manage) so book as early as possible. Black out dates are when are living there and Christmas/New Year time. Availability in May, June, September, October, November, December (up to 15th), January (after the 7th), April.

Lot #51 A Taste of Washington Donated by:

The Washington State Wine Commission and Craig Collins, Master Sommelier Estimated Value: $3,000

Explore the beauty of Washington State Wines with this incredible experience! Start with YOUR choice of a trip for two to Seattle for the Auction of Washington Wines (www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org) in August 2019 or to the Taste of Washington Festival (www.tastewashington. org) in March of 2020. Get ready for your trip with a selection of six Washington State Wines, hand selected by Master Sommelier, Craig Collins. Trip includes round trip airfare for 2, lodging for 3 nights, and tickets to the event of choice. About Craig Collins:

Master Sommelier Craig Collins first became enamored with wine while working at a winery as an undergrad, an interest that led him to study abroad in Italy during his senior year at Texas A&M. He spent the next 20 years immersed in the beverage industry, from wineries to distribution and importing to restaurants. In 2011, Collins passed the esteemed Master Sommelier Exam, a feat mastered by just 200 people worldwide at that time. He now represents some of the most pedigreed wines from Italy as the Italian Portolfio Manager for VINTUS, one of the premiere import companies in the country. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Court of Master Sommeliers and frequently participates as a speaker and judge at wine and food festivals across the country.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #52 Tito’s Tailgate Donated by:

Tito’s Handmade Vodka Estimated Value: $1,000

Nothing says summer in Texas like Tito’s and soda with lime: an instant classic. With this tailgate kit, you’ll be the life of the party. The winning bidder will receive a cobranded Yeti cooler, Trager PTG Grill and a variety of Tito’s products!

Lot #53 From Washington, A 3-Pack of One of the World’s Best Cabernet Sauvignons Donated by:

Karen & Thomas Vaughn Estimated Value: $645

2011 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley (3 bottles), 750ml Rated 96 by Robert Parker

Loaded with sweet crème de cassis, exotic spice, licorice and graphite, it’s a full-bodied, elegant and classically styled effort that has nothing out of place, fine, building tannin and a rock star finish. It will be approachable at an earlier stage than most vintages, yet still have two decades of longevity.

Lot #54 A Day with Texas Winemaker, John Rivenburgh Donated by:

John Rivenburgh, Texas Winemaker, Winemaker/Owner of Rivenburgh Wines Estimated Value: $1,500

Four Friends will accompany winemaker John Rivenburgh of Rivenburgh Wines through Texas Hill Country as he shares an insider’s view of some of his favorite spots. You’ll begin the day at Ab Astris Winery in Hye. Then, you’ll move on to lunch at Hye Market. From lunch, you’ll head to Texas Heritage Vineyard for a winery and vineyard tour and tasting at their private winemaking facilities. Last, you’ll head into Fredericksburg to taste and talk at the Vintner’s Hideaway, a special tasting room focused on promoting 100% Texas wines. April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #55 Seat at the Table in the Home of Holly & Caleb Noel Donated by:

Holly & Caleb Noel Estimated Value: $1,000 per seat

Do not miss your chance to buy a seat at this rare wine tasting experience. Join six Auction Committee members as they uncork rare wines from their exclusive private cellars at the residence of Holly and Caleb Noel, members of the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas. In addition to the exquisite wines, six lucky bidders will be treated to be a phenomenal meal inspired by the wines. Sit back and enjoy remarkable wines and great company. All wines will be expertly presented by a few of Texas’ most talented sommeliers. This dinner will take place on one of three date options: 8/24/19, 9/21/19 or 10/26/19. We cannot offer a refund if your schedule does not permit attending the selected date; share your prize with someone appreciative. 1. 1 998 Heidsieck ‘Rare’ Champagne, 1.5L Rated 97 by Wine Spectator

Mouthwatering, with rich notes of smoky mineral, truffle and toasted hazelnut underscoring lovely layers of black currant, crystallized honey, espresso, dried pineapple, ground ginger and cumin. The long, lasting finish is all about the creamy bead, which sits like finely woven silk on the palate.

2. 2 015 Bienvenue-Batard-Montrachet, 750ml Rated 94-97 by Wine Spectator, Rated 92-95 by Allen Meadows

As is often the case this evidences a similar aromatic profile to that of the Pucelles and in particular with respect to the honeysuckle character. While there is a bit more size, density and mid-palate volume to the middle weight plus flavors they manage to retain the same heightened sense of refinement and particularly so on the sneaky long and focused finish.

3. 2 015 Hartford ‘Stone Côte’ Chardonnay, 750ml Rated 98 by Jeb Dunnuck

From blocks in the Durrell vineyard, the 2015 Chardonnay Stone Côte Vineyard offers a medium gold color as well as a sensational bouquet of ripe, caramelized citrus, crushed rocks, tangerine, and marine/seashell-like aromas and flavors. Aged 16 months in 37% new French oak, it’s deep, rich, and thrillingly textured, with bright, juicy acidity keeping it vibrant and focused. It’s a stunning Chardonnay to drink over the coming decade.

4. 1 975 Latour, 750ml Rated 94 by John Gilman

The 1975 Latour is a very good example of the vintage, which was nowhere near as successful in the Médoc as it was in the Right Bank and Graves. But, in this era, Latour always seemed to rise above the general level of the vintage in more difficult years, and this was certainly the case in 1975. The wine offers up a fine, classic bouquet of sweet cassis, cherries, Cuban cigar wrapper, black truffle, dark soil tones, cigar ash and just a hint of petroleum jelly in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and now very elegant in profile, with a solid core, excellent acids and still a bit of tannin perking up the long and complex finish.

5. 1 995 Latour, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

A beauty, the opaque dense purple-colored 1995 exhibits jammy cassis, vanillin, and minerals in its fragrant but still youthful aromatics. Medium to full-bodied, with exceptional purity, superb concentration, and a long, intense, ripe, 40-second finish, this is a magnificent example of Latour. As the wine sat in the glass, scents of roasted espresso and toasty new oak emerged.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

6. 2 007 Palari “Faro” Sicilia, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

The 2007 Faro Palari shows a little more heat intensity compared to recent vintages and appears to be entering its drinking window. The 2007 vintage saw a rain-soaked spring and vigorous growth throughout the growing season. The bouquet offers resinous aromas of tar and pine nut with pretty background notes of black licorice and dusty mineral. The quality of the tannin is silky and long.

7. 2 013 Alban ‘Pandora’ Grenache, 750ml Rated 100 by Jeb Dunnuck

Similar to the classic Grenache, yet with even more polish and finesse on the palate, the 2013 Pandora is another monumental effort. Lavender, cassis, black cherry liqueur, flowers and toasted spice emerge from this huge, ethereally textured, sensationally rich Grenache that’s every bit as good as the perfect 2012. It needs 2-3 years of cellaring to show at its best, and will have 20 years of overall longevity.

8. 2 012 Bevan ‘EE’, 750ml Rated 99 by Wine Advocate

The 2012 Proprietary Red EE is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Cabernet Franc from two vineyard sources in Oakville, the Tench and Tin Box. This virtually perfect wine exhibits an opaque purple color along with notes of incense, camphor, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, licorice, barbecue smoke and spring flowers. Full-bodied with silky tannin and a finish that lasts nearly 60 seconds.... It should drink well for 20+ years. (RP)

9. 2 012 Larkmead ‘Solari’, 750ml Rated 99 by Wine Advocate

This spectacular wine boasts notes of white chocolate, hot gravel, crème de cassis, blackberries, licorice and forest floor. A subtle smoky barbecue character is noticeable in the background. This is a thrilling, full-bodied, majestic Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 25-30 years, although its tannic structure suggests cellaring it for 2-5 years will be beneficial. (RP)

10. 2 005 Amapola Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Advocate

As for the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, it has a slightly denser ruby/purple color than the 2005, more plum, black currant and smoky, earthy underbrush notes as well as hints of vanilla and red and black fruits. Medium to full body and slightly more rugged tannins characterize this wine, which will benefit from another several years of bottle age and drink well for 12-15 years. (RP) 90+

11. 2 004 L. Martini ‘Lot #1’ Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 1 has an opaque purple color and an exquisite yet youthful nose of blue and black fruits, graphite, and loamy soil notes as well as cedar and wood smoke. Full-bodied and multi-layered, with exceptional purity, this blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petite Sirah is set for 25+ years of longevity.

12. 2 003 Huet ‘Cuvée Constance’ Vouvray, 500ml Rated 100 by Wine Advocate

On the nose this wine is an unreal beauty, combining perfect fruit ripeness and concentration with precision, finesse and spicy/mineral flavors that are quite rare in sweet wines of this top level. Smooth, nobly elegant, perfectly balanced and highly intense on the palate, this is a wine to die for. Its finesse and weightless intensity is beyond worth. Surely the finest Huet I ever tasted. The Domaine Huet in Vouvray is one of the few world class producers in the Loire Valley. Its reputation was built by 1910-born Gaston Huet and the Le Haut Lieu, a top single vineyard site that was bought by his parents in 1928 with three hectares under vines, all Chenin Blanc. (SR)

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #56 Seat at the Table at the Home of Hilary & Brent Bellm Donated by:

Hilary & Brent Bellm, Daniel Bleier, Pat Conroy, Harvey Kronberg, Diana McIver, Amber Pearce, Steve Tipton Estimated Value: $1,000 per seat

Do not miss your chance to buy a seat at this rare wine tasting experience. Join six Auction Committee members as they uncork rare wines from their exclusive private cellars at the residence of Hilary & Brent Bellm. In addition to the exquisite wines, six lucky bidders will be treated to be a phenomenal meal inspired by the wines. Sit back and enjoy remarkable wines and great company. All wines will be expertly presented by a few of Texas’ most talented sommeliers. This dinner will take place on one of three date options: 10/6/19, 10/20/19 or 11/3/19. We cannot offer a refund if your schedule does not permit attending the selected date; share your prize with someone appreciative. 1. 2 002 Krug Champagne, 750ml Rated 100 by John Gilman

The wine soars from the glass in a youthfully complex blend of white peach, apple, a nice touch of nuttiness, great minerality, patissière, Krug smokiness and a very discreet topnote of spices that recall nutmeg. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and utterly refined, with a rock solid core, bright, perfectly-integrated acids, laser-like focus, refined mousse and a vibrant, seamless and amazingly long finish. The beautiful fruit of 2002 is so beautifully weaved into a mosaic of minerality on the palate that this wine will be pure perfection to drink when it has reached its zenith, where it will remain for decades. A wine of pure genius.

2. 2 003 Dom Pérignon Champagne, 750ml Rated 94+ by Robert Parker

The 2003 is one of the most unusual Dom Perignons I have ever tasted, going back to 1952...The 2003 Dom Perignon is a big, broad shouldered wine. I expect the 2003 to be a highly divisive Champagne because of its extreme personality, but then again, many of the world’s legendary wines were made from vintages considered freakish at the time. The 2003 is an atypically, rich, powerful, vinous Dom Perignon loaded with fruit, structure and personality. It is not for the timid, but rather it is a wine for those who can be patient. No one has a crystal ball, but personally I will not be surprised if in 20 years’ time the 2003 is considered an iconic Champagne.

3. 2 014 Hartford ‘Far Coast’ Chardonnay, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

The 2014 Far Coast Vineyard Chardonnay comes across like a Grand Cru Chevalier-Montrachet from France. Great minerality, loads of citrus oil, apple blossom, white peach and tangerine notes are all present in this wine aged in 35% new French oak. The wine has stunning concentration, a broad, savory palate, and a full body; notes of tropical fruit emerge with further aging. This is another relatively small cuvée of about 12+ barrels of wine, or 310 cases.

4. 2 015 Sine Qua Non ‘Entre Chien et Loup’, 750ml Rated 97 by Jeb Dunnuck

A blend of 44% Chardonnay, 40% Roussanne, 8% Petit Manseng and 8% Viognier coming 44% from Bien Nacido Vineyard, it opens with a positively electric nose of ripe apricots, pink grapefruit and green mango with notions of candied ginger, honeycomb, allspice and baking bread. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a wonderfully satiny texture and incredible freshness, cutting through the dense tropical and stone fruit layers, finishing with epic length and many layers of savory and spice notions.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

5. 1 994 Vega Sicilia ‘Unico’, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

It is very intense with notes of raspberry, wild strawberry and mulberry with sensational minerality and vigor. There is a Margaux-like florality to the 1994 that blossom with aeration. The palate is rounded and supple on the entry with great weight and backbone. There is real substance here, similar to the 1996. It expands in the mouth with ravishing notes of blackberry, strawberry, citrus lemon, orange peel and a touch of cedar. There is enormous weight on the finish, a behemoth of a Unico. This is very potent, but it still requires several years in bottle. (NM)

6. 2 000 Quintarelli Amarone, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

A thing of beauty. This mid-weight, delicate red offers up a gorgeous array of crushed flowers, red berries and sweet spices in an ethereal style. As it sits in the glass the wine acquires concentration and richness. The wine possesses the grace of a ballerina, phenomenal balance and impeccable pedigree...To be sure, this is a super-traditional, cask-aged Amarone, and it may not appeal to all palates, but readers in search of fine old-school Amarone won’t find a better wine among this year’s new releases. In time this score may very well go up...quite a bit. (AG 96+)

7. 2 003 Cos d’Estournel, 750ml Rated 98 by James Suckling

A dense and powerful wine as always with very ripe fruit yet an underlying freshness and complexity with tobacco, dried fruit and fresh spices such as lemon grass and Thai basil. Layered and long.

8. 1 996 Quintessa, 750ml Rated 91 by Wine Spectator

Tight and complex, with layers of spicy currant, earth, cedar, toast and anise. Firms up on the finish, with crisp acidity and mineral notes.

9. 2 007 Spottswoode, 750ml Rated 99 by Robert Parker

A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc. An absolutely staggering nose of blueberries, white flowers, crème de cassis, licorice and graphite is followed by a full-bodied, opulent, multidimensional wine that is seamless. Incredible fruit intensity, purity and depth of character make this one of the great, great classics in the Spottswoode lineup...Owners of this vintage have liquid gold in their cellars.

10. 2 011 Shafer ‘Relentless’ Syrah, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast

There’s no denying the power in this wine, which contains Syrah and Petite Sirah sourced from one ridgetop Stags Leap District site. But in this case, power is a beautiful thing, sinewy and contained. Complex in plum, gamy meat and a lingering suggestion of coconut, it has size offset by the acidity, and a beguiling finish of cracked black pepper. (VB)

11. 2 015 Figgins, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

This beauty possesses fabulous purity in its cassis and black raspberry fruit, violets, graphite and spring flower-like aromas and flavors. These give way to a fullbodied impeccably balanced 2013 that has a fine tannin, nicely integrated acidity and a great finish.

12. 1 997 Ch. d’Yquem Sauternes, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

A sensational Yquem, 1997 may be this estate’s finest effort since 1990 (although I would not discount the 1996 turning out to be nearly as good). The 1997’s light gold color is accompanied a gorgeous perfume of caramel, honeysuckle, peach, apricot, and smoky wood. Full-bodied and unctuously-textured, with good underlying acidity as well as loads of sweetness and glycerin, it looks to be a great vintage for this renowned Sauternes estate. (RP) April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #57 10 Year Retrospective (2009) Donated by:

Melissa & Kareem Hajjar, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Laurie & Bill Norris, Brooke & Spivey Paup, Susan Salch, Steve Tipton Estimated Value: $1,100

1. 2 009 Bennett Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast

Plush, silky, titillating Napa Cab. Spicy, smoky, baking spice-y toast notes from Lewelling Vineyard in St. Helena. Blackberry pie, blueberry jam, crazily rich and long.

2. 2 009 Cayuse Vineyards Flying Pig Walla Walla Valley, 750ml Rated 94 by Robert Parker

If this libation doesn’t qualify as high umami, I don’t know what would! With that come ripe, succulent, subtly tart-edged cassis and blueberry; bittersweet floral perfume; as well as rich yet piquant toasty walnut and hickory, all of which ally on a polished, soothing palate, leading to a long, vibrantly dynamic and – as already adumbrated – salivary gland-milking finish. This should prove a terrifically memorable table companion over the coming decade if not also beyond.

3. 2 009 Château Brane-Cantenac, 750ml Rated 94 by Robert Parker

An extremely pure and sensual bouquet with ripe red cherries, blackberry, minerals and incense that is totally irresistible. The palate is silky smooth with very fine tannin, a great core of tensile red berry fruit with compelling mineralité towards the structured, Pauillac-like finish.

4. 2 009 Château Cos-d’Estournel Les Pagodes de Cos, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

Remarkably lush and supple, yet not lacking in density, with rich plum, cassis and blackberry confiture notes leading the way and flickers of charcoal, tobacco and singed iron keeping the almost-flattering finish honest.

5. 2 009 Château St. Jean Cinq Cépages, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Advocate

Mocha, espresso and savory herbs add nuance and complexity as this dark wine gradually unfurls in the glass. Terrific depth and richness here, but readers will have to be patient. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.

6. 2 009 Clarendon Hills Grenache Old Vines Romas, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

Terrific presence, with dark berry, cherry and floral flavors on a taut frame, expanding on the finish against nubby tannins that linger expressively and intensely. Best from 2017 through 2021.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

7. 2 009 Clarendon Hills Syrah Hickinbotham, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Advocate

Deep purple-black colored, displaying fragrant notes of crushed blackcurrant, lavender, star anise and bay leaf with an earthy undercurrent of loam, tree bark and underbrush. Full bodied and taut in the mouth, it gives a good backbone of firm, grainy tannins and refreshing acidity to support the concentrated fruit, finishing long and layered.

8. 2 009 Domaine Carneros Le Rêve Late Disgorged, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

Steely and laser-focused, with aromas of lemon, crème brûlée and mineral accenting sleekly complex flavors of citrus zest, blanched almond and brioche that linger on the long finish.

9. 2 009 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

Ultrarich and multiflavored, with a range of deep, baked berry notes. Intense and focused, balanced and persistent, this ends with touches of red and black licorice and subtle, grainy earth accents and tannins.

10. 2 009 JCB No. 8 Crémant de Bourgogne, 750ml Rated 90 by Cellar Tracker

A perfectly balanced blend of Pinot Noir (50%) and Chardonnay (50%) with a dazzling clear color, the 2009 JCB No. 8 has an expressive and rich nose. It opens onto buttery notes before evolving towards aromas of delicate vanilla, oak, and honey. The finish is round and sustained, with notes of toast and fresh almond.

11. 2 009 Martinelli Syrah Lolita Ranch, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Advocate

The 2009 Syrah Lolita Ranch opens out to crushed black cherries, warm blackberries and forest floor with touches of lavender, sautéed herbs and star anise. Full-bodied and firmly framed with rounded tannins and great freshness, it delivers slow releasing fruit and finishes with satisfying persistence.

12. 2 009 Metaphora Pinot Noir, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Enthusiast

Lovely caramel, toffee, and a sweet-lactic creaminess that you often find in great Burgundy. The wine has lovely, long flavor persistence.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #58 Experience the Wines of Hirsch Vineyards Donated by:

Heather & Jerry Valdez and Hirsch Vineyards Estimated Value: $900

Perched on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Fort Ross, Hirsch Vineyards is the birth ground of great pinot noir on the extreme Sonoma Coast. David Hirsch founded the vineyard in 1980 to grow fruit and make site-specific wine. From the start all efforts have been on the growing of fruit that makes wines profoundly characteristic of the site vintage after vintage. 1. An exclusive seated tasting for 8 guests at Hirsch Tasting Room in Healdsburg

Hirsch is the oldest Pinot Noir vineyard on the True Sonoma Coast. This tasting gives you exclusive access to wines from one of the most storied vineyards in California. Experience the extreme Sonoma Coast through the lens of of Hirsch wines.

2. 2016 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir (6 bottles), 750ml 3. 2016 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir, 1.5L

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #59 2004 California Cabernets Donated by:

Tako & Charlie Parker Estimated Value: $1,000

1. 2 004 Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (4 bottles), 750ml Rated 95 by Robert Parker

One of the more underrated Cabernet Sauvignons in Napa (and it’s not surprising that I feel the same way about their nearby neighbor, Seavey) is Anderson’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from no other place than...the Conn Valley. The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve has a beautiful deep ruby/purple color and a sweet nose of licorice, roasted meats, new saddle leather, plums, figs, blackberries, and currants.

2. 2 004 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (4 bottles), 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Spectator

Smooth and creamy. An elegant style, with spicy, toasty oak woven in with ripe plum and black cherry. Those who prefer a delicate Cabernet with find this especially pleasing. Firms up nicely on the finish, with persistent fruit and integrated tannins.

3. 2 004 Bell Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 92 by Cellar Tracker

Deep ruby in color, has rich, ripe cherry, cassis and blackberry fruit aromas. Soft tannins and sweet oak combine with a gentle hint of pepper and spice to yield a full-bodied wine with excellent balance and a long lingering finish.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #60 The Pinnacle of California Chardonnay Donated by:

Mari Robinson & Greg Ritzen Estimated Value: $950

1. 2 016 Aubert Wines ‘CIX’ Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, 750ml Rated 98-100 by Robert Parker

The 2016 Chardonnay CIX Estate is beguiling in its complexity and singularity, offering up scents of smoked nuts, waxed lemons, crushed rocks and coriander seed with hints of crusty bread, honeysuckle, baked peaches and clover honey. Full-bodied, full-on creamy and densely laden with layers of citrus and savory flavors, it has just enough freshness and wonderful length.

2. 2 016 Aubert Wines Hudson Vineyard Chardonnay, Carneros, 750ml Rated 96-98 by Robert Parker

Gorgeous nose of pear tart, aniseed, beeswax and honey toast with touches of salted almonds and a waft of baking bread. Full-bodied, rich and with a totally decadent creaminess to the texture, it features beautiful freshness and balance, finishing on a mineral note.

3. 2 016 Aubert Wines Sugar Shack Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 98-100 by Robert Parker 4. 2 016 Kongsgaard The Judge Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 100 by Robert Parker

2016 Chardonnay The Judge opens a little reticently with slowly unfurling notions of lime leaves, yuzu and freshly squeezed lemons with notes of honeyed white peaches and crème brûlée followed by crushed rocks, lemongrass and praline plus a waft of peach blossoms. Full-bodied with fantastic richness and so many layers, the classic The Judge savoriness comes through in spades in the mid-palate with a seductively silken texture and epically long, mineral and spice-tinged finish.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #61 Austin Wine Merchant: A Highly Curated Selection of Burgundy to Benefit John Henry Roenigk All proceeds of this lot will directly benefit John Henry Roenigk Donated by:

Austin Wine Merchant Estimated Value: $1,255

The Beaune 1er Cru Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus and Le Corton represent signature wines of the venerable and estimable house of Bouchard Père & Fils: The name “Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus” refers to an old story. It is said that Marguerite du Saint Sacrement, the founding carmelite of the “Domestiques de la famille du Saint Enfant Jésus”, predicted the birth of the king of France, Louis XIV, although her mother, Anne of Austria, was sterile. On the birth of the future “Roi Soleil”, this exceptional vineyard which belonged to the Carmelites, took on the name “Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus”. In 1791, when all national property was sold, Bouchard Père & Fils put in a bid for the vineyard, situated in the heart of the 32 hectares of the Beaune Grèves appellation, of which it still has the monopoly today. The first traces of vineyards at Aloxe-Corton date back to the 2nd Century B.C. Later, Le Corton was to be the favorite wine of Charlemagne. In the 19th century, the writer, Guy de Maupassant contributed to its reputation by calling it the “roi des bons vivants” in his famous novel “Bel ami”. Corton is the only red Grand Cru on the Côte de Beaune and the only Grand Cru on the Côte d’Or to be divided into “sousclimats”. “Le Corton” is the historic vineyard which gave the name to the Corton appellation. 1. 2016 Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune 1er Cru Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus (3 bottles), 750ml 2. 2016 Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune 1er Cru Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus, 1.5L 3. 2016 Bouchard Père & Fils Le Corton (3 bottles), 750ml About John Henry Roenigk:

John Henry Roenigk sustained a spinal cord injury in January 2018 from a fall in Austria during his tenure there as an English tutor after completing his studies in German at UT Austin. “JH” as everyone calls him is the 27-year old son of Co-Owners John and Lucinda Roenigk of The Austin Wine Merchant. This fall has left him currently paralyzed from the waist down. After a long 11 month recovery in Austria, he returned home last November and is currently undergoing intensive rehabilitation through a program at St. David’s for his injury. This auction lot was donated by The Austin Wine Merchant to help raise funds for medical and equipment expenses related to his recovery.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #62 Magnificent Magnums II Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Maura & Dan Sharp, Steve Tipton, Twin Liquors Estimated Value: $1,340

1. NV Louis de Sacy Cuvée XII Edition Limitee (Champagne), 1.5L

Only 1,000 bottles produced; best Grand Cru sites of 2002 and 2003 vintages blended and cellar aged since 2004; disgorged in Dec 2015.

2. 2 005 Domaine du Pegau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Reservée, 1.5L Rated 95 by Vinous

Seductive dark berry and kirsch aromas are complicated by musky garrigue, black olive and dark chocolate. Dense blackberry and bitter cherry flavors stain the palate and develop a licorice character with air...the long, chewy finish is dominated by tangy red berry fruit...deftly combines liveliness and power.

3. 2 013 Neyers Vineyards Ame Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 1.5L Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

Notably graceful and refined without sacrificing richness and density, this delivers a tiered mix of mocha, blackberry, licorice and graphite that maintains focus and elegant weight, presenting an enticing aftertaste that reverberates with flavor.

4. 2 014 Sleight of Hand Syrah Levitation, 1.5L Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

A ripe, sexy, full-bodied beauty that’s loaded with black and blue fruits, pepper, licorice and savory herb aromas and flavors, despite the masses of fruit.

5. 2 014 Horsepower Syrah, The Tribe Vineyard, 1.5L Rated 96+ by Wine Advocate

Offers more fruit (blackberry, black cherry) as well as beautiful notes of violets, rose petal, pepper and earth... this full-bodied beauty has fine tannin, juicy acidity and a great finish...Give it 2-3 years and it will be long lived!

6. 2 015 BRAND Napa Valley “BRIO” Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5L Rated 93 by Wine Advocate

A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, the very deep purple-black colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Brio has a lovely crème de cassis, warm plums and baked cherries-scented nose with hints of spice box and underbrush. Full-bodied, rich, voluptuous, open knit and plush, it finishes long and spicy. - Robert Parker

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Lot #63 Now & Later Drink one now, age the other Donated by:

Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Melissa & Kareem Hajjar, Maura & Dan Sharp, Twin Liquors, Heather & Jerry Valdez Estimated Value: $850

1. 2 012 Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon Justi Creek (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Advocate

This shows roasted herbs, red and blackcurrants, a hint of vanilla, and a creamy, fleshy, mouthfeel.

2. 2 012 Checkerboard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Kings Row (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 94 by Cellar Tracker

Charming and appealing, the Kings Row suggests aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry and fresh blackberries entwined with baking spice. These warm fruit notes are layered with toasty chocolate and vanilla bean in a wine that’s full bodied and structured with approachable tannins. It finishes with a lengthy and lively impression of this exceptional vineyard.

3. 2 013 Davis Family Vineyards Rockpile Ridge ‘Cab 5’, Sonoma County (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Advocate

Beautiful blackberry and cassis fruit, licorice, graphite and flowers all jump from the glass of this inky/purple wine. It is full bodied, dense, promising and while approchable now, it should be even better over the next 10-15 years. Bravo!

4. 2 014 Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 90 by Robert Parker

The 2014 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (same blend as the 2015) has considerable elegance and purity, as well as medium-bodied richness, classic notes of strawberries, raspberries, spice-box and garrigue, sweet tannin and solid length. It does well in the vintage and is already complex and ready to go.

5. 2 014 Nicolas Jay Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Oregon (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

Broad, expressive and light-footed, this brims with cherry, plum, licorice and cashew flavors that keep singing on the focused finish. Drink now through 2024.

6. 2 015 Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Riesling, Germany, Pfalz (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 92 by James Suckling

The 2015 vintage presents fresh aromas of apple and lemon with a florale note. Juicy acidity, fine minerality, very refreshing.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #64 Rhone & CDP Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Harvey Kronberg, Maura & Dan Sharp, Steve Tipton, Twin Liquors Estimated Value: $1,045

1. 1 998 Domaine du Pegau Cuvée Reservee, 750ml Rated 95 by Robert Parker

Offers lots of bouquet garni, cured meats, orange blossom and garrigue to go with a killer core of sweet kirsch and blackberry-driven Grenache fruit. Balanced, full-bodied, seamless and sexy, it’s doesn’t get much more Pegau than this.

2. 2 005 Domaine de Beaurenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Boisrenard, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Spectator

“This lush beauty really tames the rugged structure of the vintage, offering gorgeous boysenberry and raspberry confiture layered with mocha, Turkish coffee, licorice and fig paste notes. The long finish has great grip...but allowing the exotic spice notes to linger beautifully.”

3. 2 006 M.Chapoutier Ermitage Les Greffieux, 750ml Rated 100 by Wine Advocate

Massively concentrated and rich, with incredible aromas and flavors of black fruits, roasted herbs, tar, licorice and beef blood...it has the fruit and texture to make your eyes roll back in your head...is off-the-charts. Don’t miss it!

4. 2 011 Bernard Levet Côte-Rôtie Les Journaries, 750ml Rated 92 by Vinous

Deep ruby. Vibrant, mineral-accented red and dark berry scents, with suggestions of cured meat, violet and woodsmoke adding complexity. Silky, focused and energetic on the palate, offering spicy black raspberry and boysenberry flavors that put on weight and gain in sweetness with air.

5. 2 012 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France, 750ml Rated 96 by Robert Parker

Offers a full-bodied, decadent style to go with awesome black and blue fruits, garrigue, licorice, crushed flowers and violets. The purity here is truly something, and it has fabulous mid-palate concentration, building tannin and massive texture.

6. 2 013 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau, Rhone, 750ml Rated 92 by Vinous

Limpid ruby. A highly expressive bouquet evokes ripe red berries, potpourri and peppery spices, and a smoky mineral nuance gains strength as the wine opens up. Offers concentrated raspberry liqueur and spicecake flavors and deeper licorice and bitter chocolate flavors sharpened and given spine by juicy acidity. Effortlessly plays richness off elegance and finishes sweet, spicy and impressively long, with velvety tannins lending shape and grip.

7. 2 013 Stephane Vedeau La Ferme du Mont Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cotes Capelan, Rhone, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast

Nice red color with red reflection. The soil’s power is expressed by brandy cherry, laurel leaves, paprika and nutmeg notes.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

8. 2 015 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 750ml Rated 97 by Wine Spectator

A stunner from the get-go, with waves of thoroughly seductive boysenberry, plum, blueberry and raspberry reduction forming the core, while roasted apple wood, rooibos tea, bergamot, and anise notes flash throughout.

9. 2 015 Domaine Durand Cornas Empreintes, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator 10. 2 015 E. Guigal St. Joseph Lieu-Dit St. Joseph Rouge, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

Intense waves of warm fig, blackberry and black currant compote flowing through, framed by mocha and apple wood accents. Everything pulls together over a strong graphite edge on the finish.

11. 2 015 Saint-Cosme Côte-Rôtie, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

Bay leaf and game accents adding range to the rich core of crushed plum and blackberry fruit. A warm cast iron detail drives the finish, and latent grip allows everything to linger.

12. 2 016 Guillaume Gonnet Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Bel Ami’, Rhone, 750ml Rated 91-93 by Wine Advocate

A 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah (unusual for the appellation), the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Bel Ami boasts a nose of blueberries, cola and spice. About 2,000 cases will be bottled of this rich, velvety-textured wine.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #65 La Vie en Rosé Donated by:

Rachel & Robert Allen,. Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Brooke & Spivey Paup, Amber Pearce, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Twin Liquors, Sarah & Zac Whitley Estimated Value: $600

1. N V André Clouet, Champagne Rosé No. 3, 1.5L Rated 90 by Cellar Tracker

Erupts with seductive notes of wild strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, cherry blossoms, fresh red and pink flowers, crushed chalk, and orange zest. The near full-bodied palate coats your mouth with supple fruit that trends toward the side of creamy: you can expect strawberry coulis, white peach, ripe Rainier cherries, and a persisting mineral-driven presence.

2. N V Domaine Carneros by Taittinger Brut Rosé Sparkling Cuvée de la Pompadour, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Spectator

As delicate and pretty as a flower petal, this blush offers crisp and supple notes of raspberry, orange peel and spiced cinnamon. Drink now. 4,500 cases made. -TF

3. 2015 Entre Nous Wines Rosé, Oakville, 750ml

The uncommon grace and harmony of our Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé make this wine a rare gem among California Rosés, and a worthy homage to its Provençal cousins.

4. 2016 Blackbird Vineyards Arriviste, 1.5L

The 2016 Arriviste is an elegant, salmon-pink colored Rosé of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. On the nose, a melange of aromas of strawberry and stone fruit come together with light floral notes. The wine delights with flavors of blackcurrants, crisp red apple, and citrus on the mid-palate, carrying clean minerality and bright acidity on the lingering finish. The 2016 Napa Valley growing season saw near-optimal conditions, allowing for an abundance of perfectly-ripe grapes with a smooth balance of acids and sugars, producing this spectacular rosé.

5. 2 016 Chateau Simone Palette Rosé, Provence, France, 1.5L Rated 91 by Cellar Tracker 6. 2 016 Domaine Serene R Rosé, Oregon, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Enthusiast

This Rosé is multivintage and multivarietal, differentiated by the lot number (this current release is IX), which is indicated on the cork just below the capsule. The IX is principally 2016 Pinot Noir, blended with some 2015 Chardonnay. It shows impressive density, with rhubarb, strawberry and maraschino cherry flavors, along with excellent texture, depth and length.

7. 2 016 Malene Rosé, Santa Barbara County, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Enthusiast

There’s a chalky power to the nose of this lightly hued wine, its baking soda aromas melding with rose petal, lime peel and watermelon scents. There’s tremendous tension to the palate, where bubblegum and ambrosia melon flavors meet limestone-like minerality. Ripe enough to make it playful, it’s bright enough to drink all day.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

8. 2 017 Bodegas Muga ‘Flor de Muja’ Rosado, Rioja DOCa, 750ml Rated 91 by Vinous

Extremely pale pink. Fresh, mineral-accented red berries, orange pith and pungent flowers on the intensely perfumed, expansive nose. Shows superb tension and clarity in the mouth, offering sappy raspberry, cherry and rose pastille flavors that display a noteworthy blend of power and finesse. Finishes extremely long and minerally, leaving juicy red fruit and floral notes behind.

9. 2017 Château Musar ‘Musar Jeune’ Rosé, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 750ml

Salmon pink in color with red fruit notes on the nose and palate. Good medium-intensity fruit tempered with crisp acidity and herbaceous, savory notes. Long smooth finish.

10. 2 017 David Arthur Estate Annalyce Rosé, Napa Valley, 750ml

This light colored, strawberry-pink Rosé offers aromas of bright watermelon, tarte raspberry, sweet maraschino cherry and subtle hints of dewy rose petals. The palate is soft and plush with natural acidity that cuts nicely across the palate. Flavors of ripe, red plum and red raspberry add to the refreshing finish.

11. 2 017 Malene Rosé, Santa Barbara County, 750ml Rated 90 by Antonio Galloni

The 2017 Malene Rosé is reminiscent of the fine Rosés of Provence, both mouth-filling and crisp, dry and complex. The Grenache supplies the backbone with copious honeydew melon and strawberry aromatics, as well as a delicious creamy texture on the palate. The Vermentino lifts the fragrance of the wine, adding notes of white flowers and lychee. Cinsault is exuberant and fresh with a fruity character similar to Grenache. The Mourvedre is very savory and imparts a slightly herbaceous character, intermingled with a flinty minerality. Finally, the Syrah fleshes out the texture and length on the palate.

12. 2 017 Olabisi North Coast Rosé, 750ml 13. 2 017 Spence Studio Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Napa Valley, 750ml 14. 2 017 Taylor Family Vineyards Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Napa Valley, 750ml Although made from a powerful grape, it is a delicate and balanced wine, with a pale pink hue. The light and fruity palate delivers strawberry, rose water, and honeydew, which are perfectly balanced with bright acidity.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #66 Washington State Wine Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Christie & Rob Miller Estimated Value: $825

1. 2 010 No Girls Grenache, Walla Walla Valley, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

A gorgeously complex, elegant effort that has both richness and freshness. A 100% Grenache that sees no new oak whatsoever, it possesses exotic aromas and flavors of lavender, olive, river rock and spiced meats that are all grounded by a sweet core of black cherry-like fruit.

2. 2 011 Force Majeure Collaboration Series IV Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Advocate

Loaded with volatile acidity, it has notions of plum, toast, milk chocolate and spice that flow beautifully to a full-bodied, voluptuous and thrillingly textured profile on the palate. Made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.

3. 2 012 Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard, 750ml Rated 94+ by Wine Advocate

Full-bodied, serious and loaded with tannin, it offers impressive currant and darker fruits, tobacco leaf and crushed rock like aromas and flavors that continue to gain depth and richness with time in the glass.

4. 2 012 Dunham Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Lewis Vineyard, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

Tight, concentrated, focused Syrah gives up lots of scorched earth, vanilla bean, blackberry and maybe a hint of asphalt; it has ripe tannin, integrated acidity, and fabulous purity. This is a beautiful wine that will drink nicely through 2032.

5. 2 013 Figgins Estate Red Blend, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

Possesses fabulous purity in its cassis and black raspberry fruit, violets, graphite and spring flower-like aromas and flavors. These give way to a full-bodied impeccably balanced 2013 that has fine tannin, nicely integrated acidity and a great finish.

6. 2 014 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard, 750ml Rated 96+ by Wine Advocate

Offers blackberry, black cherry as well as beautiful notes of violets, rose petal, pepper and earth. this full-bodied beauty has fine tannin, juicy acidity and a great finish.

7. 2 015 Avennia Sestina Red Blend, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Advocate

Emphasizes notes of cassis, black plums, dark chocolate, espresso roast and subtle framing of new oak. On the palate, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full-bodied and lavish but controlled, with an ample, more sun-kissed core of fruit and fine-grained structuring tannins. Needs some cellaring. Drink 2020-2035.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

8. 2 015 K Vintners Syrah The Beautiful, 750ml Rated 98 by Wine Advocate

The Beautiful is fabulous, bursting from the glass with exotic aromas of violets, blackberries, panforte, black olives and lychee nuts (fanciful though that mélange sounds). On the palate, it’s full-bodied, velvety and lavishly textural, cutting a broad swath across the palate, with a deep core of dark fruit and pungent savory nuance, concluding with a fine-grained, mouthwateringly sapid finish.

9. 2 015 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah In the Hills, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

In The Hills is already very expressive, bursting with aromas of ripe blackberries, dark chocolate, grilled meats, lavender and black olive. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, rich and lavish, paradoxically fresh and mouthwateringly saline despite its low acidity, with a savory core of fruit and a nicely delineated finish.

10. 2 015 Sixto Chardonnay Roza Hills, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Advocate

The 2015 Chardonnay Roza Hills Vineyard is beautiful, offering up an incipiently complex bouquet of fresh peach, tarte tatin and blanched almonds. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, rich and glossy, standing out as the most ample and textural of these three vineyard-designate Chardonnays from Sixto, concluding with a pure, stony finish.

11. 2 015 Woodward Canyon Chardonnay, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Spectator Polished and vibrant, with floral tropical fruit and spice aromas and sleek, complex flavors of pear and citrus.

12. 2 016 Avennia Sauvignon Blanc Oliane, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Advocate

Offers up an attractive bouquet of citrus pith, white flowers and delicate botanicals, followed by a medium-bodied, elegant palate that’s quite fine-boned and crisp. It’s a pretty barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc that’s refreshingly understated in style.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #67 Brilliant Brunellos Donated by:

Melissa & Kareem Hajjar, Christa & Don Heath, Susan Salch, Twin Liquors Estimated Value: $800

1. 2 004 Corte Pavone Brunello di Montalcino, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast

Aromas of black cherry, mesquite smoke and Indian spice. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chewy and succulent and delivers a long, satisfying finish.

2. 2 008 Lisini Brunello di Montalcino, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

The terrific aromas of strawberry, cherry and currant are accented by underbrush, spice and tobacco elements on the palate in this elegant and intense red, which builds to a persistent finish. Fruit and mineral accents echo on the aftertaste.

3. 2 010 Canalicchio Franco Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast

This is a fabulous young Barolo with a purity and beauty that is breathtaking. Full body plus a deep and subtle center palate of strawberry, light cherry and hints of citrus. Really superb.

4. 2 010 Fattoria Scopone Brunello di Montalcino Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Olivare, 750ml Rated 95 by James Suckling

Ruby red color. Fruit and richness on the nose. In the mouth Flavors of dark chocolate and sea salt character. Long and intense finish. Wine and food pairing: broiled meats or game, mature cheeses.

5. 2 010 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Spectator

A bright, spice-laden version, with macerated cherry, strawberry, tobacco and earth flavors. The ample tannins add structure, yet the lasting impression is of sweet fruit and refinement.

6. 2 010 Pecci Celestino Brunello di Montalcino, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast

Blue flower, wild berry, savory herb and menthol aromas lead the nose. The intense palate offers ripe wild cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and mineral alongside firm but fine tannins and bright acidity.

7. 2 010 Piccini Villa al Cortile Brunello di Montalcino, 750ml Rated 91 by Wine Enthusiast

This earthy expression of Sangiovese offers aromas of fennel, dried hay, rose and a balsamic note. The palate delivers wild cherry, raspberry, clove, savory herb and licorice alongside gripping tannins and firm acidity.

34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

8. 2 012 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello do Montalcino, 750ml Rated 96 by James Suckling

Complexity, superb structure, and an inviting, mouthfilling palate are the hallmarks of this Sangiovese. A garnet-flecked ruby red, it releases generous, emphatic fragrances classic to Sangiovese, developing a nearly endless progression notable for its beautiful balance. Pair with stews, roasted meats and cheese.

9. 2 012 La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

This robust red opens with aromas of black-skinned berries, forest floor, herbs, cloves and balsamic notes. The brawny palate offers cherries marinated in spirits, licorice and espresso framed in firm polished tannins.

10. 2 013 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

An intense perfume of juniper, bay laurel, sage, rose and berries marks this silky red. The structure is there, yet superb balance and refined tannins help this retain elegance through the long finish. Almost ethereal in its presence. Best from 2021 through 2036.

11. 2 013 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

This cuts more of a broad swath than its peers, yet remains graceful, evoking strawberry, cherry, tobacco and stony mineral flavors. Long and dense in structure, with a tobacco- and underbrush-tinged finish. Best from 2021 through 2033. - WS

12. 2 013 Tenuta Buon Temp Brunello di Montalcino, 750ml Rated 93 by James Suckling

Dense and layered, showcasing berries, cedar and fresh herbs. Some leaves. Full and dense with silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Juicy and well-crafted. Drink now. -JS

April 6, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #68 A Twelve Bottle Vertical of a Tuscan Treasure Donated by:

Steve Tipton Estimated Value: $2,000

Fontodi is at the top of most lists of the world’s best wines. Vowing to show the world that a 100% expression of Sangiovese could produce a world-class wine, the Manetti family created the highly-regarded Super Tuscan, Flaccianello. One of two flagship wines from this Estate, the current success was built on years of an evolving blending and aging regimen. Originally sourced from a single-vineyard, “Flaccianello della Pieve”, with other thoughtful vineyard acquisitions, the 2001 vintage emerged as a blend of the estate’s best fruit. Since its beginning, the aging has been slowly extended, with today’s vintages seeing up to 100% new oak for 24 months. What surprises perhaps is that every stage inspires. From original provenance, taste through twelve vintages spanning 18 years, discover the immensely enjoyable evolution of one of Tuscany’s and the world’s treasured masterpieces, and write your own tasting notes. 1. 1 995 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany, Italy Rated 94 by Antonio Galloni & Wine Advocate 2. 1 996 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany, Italy Rated 93+ by Antonio Galloni & Wine Advocate 3. 1 999 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany, Italy Rated 94 by Antonio Galloni & Rated 95 by Wine Advocate 4. 2 004 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany, Italy Rated 96 by Antonio Galloni & Wine Advocate 5. 2 005 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany, Italy Rated 94 by Antonio Galloni & Wine Advocate 6. 2 006 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany, Italy Rated 97 by Antonio Galloni & Wine Advocate 7. 2 007 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany, Italy Rated 95+ by Antonio Galloni & Wine Advocate 8. 2 008 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany, Italy Rated 94 by Antonio Galloni & Wine Advocate 9. 2 009 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany, Italy Rated 94 by Antonio Galloni & Wine Advocate 96

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10. 2 010 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany, Italy Rated 96 by Antonio Galloni & Rated 97 by Wine Advocate 11. 2 012 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany, Italy Rated 97+ by Antonio Galloni & Rated 94 by Wine Advocate 12. 2 013 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany, Italy Rated 98 by Antonio Galloni & Wine Advocate

April 6, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #69 A Case of Frank Family Reserves Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier Estimated Value: $1,100

1. 2 011 Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Rutherford, 750ml Rated 90 by Cellar Tracker

Very dark ruby color; aromatic, roast coffee, espresso, dark chocolate nose; tasty, roast coffee, espresso, dark chocolate, tart black currant palate with integrating oak and suave, sweet tannins.

2. 2 012 Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “The Patriarch”, 750ml Rated 98 by Wine Advocate

The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Patriarch is the soaring superstar of the vintage. Blueberry, incense, graphite and blackberry notes that are incredibly precise and intense jump from the glass of this inky/purple wine. It is full-bodied, opulent and has a broad, savory mouthfeel.

3. 2 012 Frank Family Vineyards Petite Sirah Reserve S&J Vineyard, 750ml Rated 90 by Wine Spectator 4. 2 013 Frank Family Vineyards Petite Sirah Reserve S&J Vineyard, 750ml Rated 91 by Cellar Tracker 5. 2 013 Frank Family Vineyards Zinfandel Reserve Chiles Valley, 750ml Rated 91 by Cellar Tracker 6. 2 014 Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Rutherford, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

A terrific example of Rutherford viticulture, with loads of kirsch liqueur, crème de cassis, dusty, loamy soil undertones, spice box and Christmas fruitcake. It is dense ruby/purple in color and full-bodied, with sweet, supple tannins. Among all the Reserves from Frank Family Vineyards, this seems to be the most precocious and easiest to drink at present.

7. 2 014 Frank Family Vineyards Sangiovese Reserve Winston Hill Vineyard, 750ml Rated 91 by Cellar Tracker 8. 2 015 Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Rutherford, 750ml Rated 95 by Jeb Dunnuck

Dark cherry, plum, mocha, gravel and smoke infuse the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Reserve with notable depth and gravitas. Deep and bold, the 2015 will drink well for a number of years once the tannins soften a bit further.

9. 2 015 Frank Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 92 by Cellar Tracker

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10. 2 016 Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve Lewis Vineyard, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Advocate

The 2016 Lewis Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay is deep and complex, with classic Chardonnay roundness and richness upheld by brilliant, bracing acidity. Gleaming bright yellow gold in the glass, concentrated tropical, citrus peel, and floral notes intertwine on the palate in delicious harmony. Toasted brioche and caramel nuances meld into the soft yet lengthy finish.

11. 2 016 Frank Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve, 750ml

April 6, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Lot #70 Wines to Sip All Summer One Case of Wine + 14 Bottles Donated by:

Maria & Daniel Bleier, Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Brooke & Spivey Paup, Amber Pearce, Susan Salch, Maura & Dan Sharp, Stephanie & Chad Simpson, Heather & Jerry Valdez, Amanda & Andrew West Estimated Value: $825

1. 2017 Urkizahar Txakoli Ekologikoa (12 bottles), 750ml

On the wine list of a nearby 3-star Michelin restaurant...For fans of higher acidity, dry, slightly effervescent, perfumed, saline/mineral wines, you will adore this. If you enjoy Chablis, dry Riesling, very noble examples of Trebbiano, or are one of those folks who actually know what Txakoli is (think San Sebastian)...you will “get” this purist’s example of this Basque country staple.

2. 2 010 Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Moelleux, 750ml Rated 93+ by Wine Advocate

This is an extremely elegant and superbly balanced Chenin of great finesse, piquancy and precision with aromas of figs, cooked peaches and pears along with a lingering salinity.

3. 2 012 Carte Blanche Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, 750ml Rated 91 by Wine Spectator

The 2012 Chardonnay is full of bright fruit and savory notes. Lychee, Bosc Pear, fresh lemon curd and oyster shell mingle on the nose. The palate entry is defined and focused, showing silky tannins that highlight piecrust, Meyer lemon, brioche and crème brulee, while the broad mid-palate leads to a clean and persistent finish.

4. 2 013 Altamura Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 91 by Wine Spectator

Distinctive, succulent and smooth, with toasted coconut and lemon curd flavors at the core, a supple, juicy texture and honey details. Shows grace and harmony on the long, luscious finish. Drink now. 800 cases made.

5. 2 014 Lail Vineyards Georgia Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 93 by Vinous

Lail’s 2014 Sauvignon Blanc Georgia is unctuous and alluring, but also a bit restrained for this wine, with a bit less richness than some previous editions. Still, this is an intense, oily Sauvignon Blanc endowed with superb textural depth. Lemon confit, wild flowers, chamomile and apricot meld into the super-expressive, phenolic finish.

6. 2 014 Tablas Creek Esprit Blanc de Tablas, 750ml Rated 93 by Vinous

Light bright yellow. Smoky aromas of poached pear, honey and pungent flowers, backed by a hint of succulent herbs. Pliant and sappy in the mouth, offering subtly sweet orchard and pit fruit flavors and a refreshing jolt of bitter citrus pith. Deftly combines power and finesse and closes sappy, gently sweet and impressively long, leaving a suave pear nectar note behind.

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7. 2015 Cadaretta ‘SBS’ Sauvignon Blanc - Semillon, Columbia Valley, 750ml Fresh, vivid, and crisp Columbia Valley white blend. Quite dry, bottled without oak contact.

8. 2016 Foley Sonoma Alexander Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 750ml

Fragrant tropical fruit aromas of guava, pineapple, lime and citrus zest. The aromas carry through to the palate with flavors of rich fruit followed by a crisp acidity that continues to define our bright and refreshing style of Sauvignon Blanc.

9. 2 016 Groth Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 750ml Rated 91 by Wine Enthusiast

Lush, full melon/citrus character in the aroma and in the flavor.

10. 2 017 Anaba Viognier Landa, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast

Exotic floral aromas of jasmine combine with citrus blossom, lemon zest and caramelized peach. The palate is balanced offering flavors of passion fruit, apricot skin, honeydew and white nectarine. There is nice body to the wine - both silky and structured with acidity that carries through to the finish. This delightfully crisp approach to Viognier highlights its graceful style.

11. 2 017 Eric Kent Cuvée Renee Sauvignon Blanc, 750ml Rated 91 by Wine Spectator

Pear, lime and green apple flavors are juicy and appealing, set on a sleek frame, with terrific accents of matcha, lemongrass and fresh ginger.

12. 2 017 Olabisi Sauvignon Blanc, 750ml

Super lively, intense, and focused. Aromas of Key lime pie, honeysuckle, tangerine, lemon zest. And a refreshing palate of green apple, lemon sorbet, saltwater taffy, crème fraiche, and white plum. Plenty of crispness to pair well with basil pesto pasta, french bread and cheese, beet salad, margarita pizza, and good times.

13. 2 017 Smith Story Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County, 750ml

Mineral-driven. From a Sonoma vineyard with soils like you’d find in the Loire Valley of France. Ripe citrus and stone fruit, with a hint of honeysuckle. The previous vintage earned a 93 from Vinous (this vintage has not yet been rated).

14. 2 017 Taylor Family Sauvignon Blanc, 750ml

It is lively with fruit, yet bone dry with no residual sugar. The vibrant nose delivers aromas of Tangerine, Asian Pear, Green Apple, and Pineapple. The heavy fruit influence is perfectly balanced with a nice dose of acidity and minerality, which creates a wonderful texture.

15. 2 017 Tournesol Napa Valley Rosé, 750ml

Delicate floral aromas of rose petal, peach, strawberry and orange zest elevate above the glass exhibiting hints of the complex flavors to follow. Aromas are echoed on the palate and combine with whispers of tea, pink lady apple and juicy red berry. The wine is opulent and soft in texture while remaining clean, refreshing and balanced throughout the finish.

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Lot #71 Escape to Healdsburg Donated by:

Diana McIver & Pat Conroy Estimated Value: $3,000

Enjoy a guest house with a total of 3 bedrooms and private baths Indulge in a five-night stay at Brownstreet Cottage in Healdsburg, a town renowned for its eclectic offering of all the finest things in life...food, wine, friends and fun! Downtown is an easy walk from Brownstreet Cottage. With space for three couples, the property includes a main house and adjacent guest house with three bedrooms and private bathrooms. Healdsburg is surrounded by several of Northern Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest regional wine appellations and over 100 world class wineries.

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Lot #72 Raymond Vineyards Donated by:

Kevin Evans, Napa Valley Wine Magazine Estimated Value: $1,200

Raymond Vineyards, founded in 1970, is one of the Napa Valley’s pioneers and great estates. Arriving to Napa in 1933, the Raymond family became deeply connected to the valley’s winemaking origins. In 1970, they established a 90-acre estate in Rutherford that now comprises 300 acres in Rutherford, St. Helena and Jameson Canyon. Five generations of the Raymond family created a Napa icon, with an enduring reputation for elegant wines with a beautiful balance of finesse, power and complexity. 1. 2 016 Raymond Vineyards Generations Cabernet Sauvignon (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 98 by Wine Advocate

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations is deep garnet purple in color with an earthy, dried herbs and scorched earth scented nose over a core of blackberry pie and cassis with Indian spices and menthol. Fullbodied, concentrated and rich in the mouth, with firm, grainy tannins and a savory/earthy character, it finishes long with a mineral hint. - RP

2. 2 016 Raymond Vineyards Estate Collection Cabernet Sauvignon (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 97-98 by James Suckling

The 2016 vintage of our Estate Collection Cabernet Sauvignon opens with tempting aromas of ripe blackberry and a subtle touch of baking spice. Upon the palate, flavors of kirsch and black currant are accented by a hint of vanilla bean. With concentrated flavors and harmonious balance, this round, plush wine finishes with a long, lingering finish.

3. 2 014 Raymond Vineyards District Collection Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon (2 bottles), 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate Our 2014 Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of intense red fruits with notes of pomegranate and fresh cut strawberry. The silky entry leads to a supple and balanced palate with nicely resolved tannins and flavors of raspberry preserve. This is a wine to be enjoyed now or cellared for the next 10+ years.

4. 2014 Raymond Vineyards District Collection Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon (2 bottles), 750ml Offers up hillside aromatics of raspberry and black cherry and notes of cedar and vanilla. It’s a wine with a worldview. Big, bold and balanced tannins from the southern hillside and shallow soils with a touch of warm oak are balanced with notes of blackberry compote and pomegranate coulis.

5. 2 014 Raymond Vineyards District Collection Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (2 bottles), 750ml

Offers up mountainside aromatics of briary bright red fruit and notes of mocha and roasted oolong tea. Upon the dense mid-palate, mulling spices and plum are complemented with big mountain tannins and hints of cherry and peppercorn. This wine presents a nice structure intertwined with complex aromas.

6. 2 014 Raymond Vineyards District Collection Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (2 bottles), 750ml

Opens with aromas of black tea and mulled spices balanced with a chalky minerality. Flavors of elderberry, currant and white pepper coat the palate with firm structure and strong, mountain tannins. Ready to drink now, the firmness and bright acidity of the wine bring out a slight flint characteristic that will help this wine age for 20+ years.

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Lot #73 Cellar Selections and Dinner at Mikado Donated by:

Daniel Bleier, Don Heath, Christie Miller Estimated Value: $1,200

Join three auction committee members for a fabulous wine dinner at Mikado Ryotei, an Austin tradition for Japanese food and sushi since 2002. Up to eight guests will join Daniel Bleier, Don Heath, and Christie Miller as they uncork six highly rated, hand selected wines from their personal cellars.

Lot #74 Experience Taylor Family Vineyards

Magnum of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon accompanied by tasting experience for Eight Donated by:

Taylor Family Vineyards Estimated Value: $600

A note from the Taylor Family: As family, as grape growers and as vintners, our consummate desire is to cultivate true harmony, that delicate balance of diverse elements that can often seem as elusive as it is achievable. Harmony in our relationships with one another, with the vineyards we farm and the undulating hills on which they are planted, of sun and of rain, and of the confluence of subtle flavors and aromas lovingly captured in the wines we craft. 1. J oin the Taylor Family in their Treehouse overlooking their vineyard and the Stags Leap Palisades for an intimate wine tasting and cheese pairing for up to eight guests 2. 2014 Taylor Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5L, signed by the winemaker

The rich, blackberry and pomegranate aromas jump out of the glass, with more nuanced notes of minerality (graphite), soft cedar and cocoa. The flavors are framed by muscular tannins and the wine is bold and balanced. While it is drinking well now, it will age beautifully. Your patience will be rewarded with this one!

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Lot #75 William Chris Vineyards Become a Member Donated by:

William Chris Vineyards Estimated Value: $800

Texas wine has been growing by leaps and bounds and, at the forefront of that evolution is William Chris Vineyards. Located in Hye, Texas, these vintners are committed to growing and pressing only the highest quality grapes grown in the states. They’ve had particular success with southern Rhone varieties like Mourvedre, Roussanne and Syrah, and they founded the annual Texas Wine Revolution festival to spread awareness of the competitive rosé the Lone Star state is capable of making with our homegrown juice. The highest bidder will get to see what the fuss is all about with a Hye Society wine club membership. You’ll receive four special releases per year (in February, April, September and November) with six bottles in each shipment. Members also receive invitations to four members-only wine release parties (with complimentary RSVPs for four), first access to paired wine dinners and barrel tastings, access to the vineyard’s Hye Society Lounge, complimentary tastings for up to four guests with each visit and the ability to purchase limited production, members-only wines.

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Lot #76 Little Treasures Donated by:

Steve Tipton Estimated Value: $800

1. N V Krug Grand Cuvée Brut Champagne, 375ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

Shows a lovely sense of finesse, with firm acidity deftly married to a rich profile of crème de cassis, toasted brioche and lime blossom, accented by hints of café au lait, singed orange peel and exotic spice. Long and plush on the finish.

2. N V Ployez Jacquemart Extra Quality Brut Champagne, 375ml Rated 92+ by John Gilman

One of the best-kept secrets in the realm of world class bubbly...stunning purity of fruit, superb minerality, gentle leesy tones, very refined mousse and simply stunning complexity.” - John Gilman

3. 2 000 Château Pichon Longueville Comptesse de Lalande, 375ml Rated 96 by Robert Parker

I find this to be a spectacular Pichon Lalande...loads of coffee, mocha, crème de cassis, and chocolate notes. Drink 2020+.

4. 2 001 R. Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondoñia Reserva, Rioja, 375ml Rated 92 by Vinous

Expansive bouquet of musky red and dark berries, medicinal cherry, rose oil and Asian spices. Juicy raspberry and rose pastille flavors are framed by silky tannins and given a boost by zesty minerality. The tannins fade into the sweet fruit on the finish.

5. 2 005 Lail Vineyards J. Daniel Cuvée, 375ml Rated 92 by Wine Advocate

Bordeaux in style, somewhat St.-Estéphe-like in its earthiness...this wine has good acidity and plenty of graphite and blackcurrant notes. Give this wine another 2-4 years of bottle age and drink over the following two decades.

6. 2 006 Gaja Barbaresco, 375ml Rated 93 by Antonio Galloni

A remarkably soft, harmonious Barbaresco ...with pretty notes of raspberries, crushed flowers and spices. The wine turns more powerful in the glass...balance is impeccable.

7. 2 008 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu, 375ml Rated 91+ by Vinous

Pungent pit fruits, spices and dried flowers on the nose...to offer juicy nectarine and lemon curd flavors and deeper honey and marzipan qualities...finishing with solid grip and lingering honey and floral notes.

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8. 2 009 Château Suduiraut Sauternes, 375ml Rated 98 by Wine Advocate

One of the greatest wines ever produced from the estate...a riveting bouquet of quince, honey, pear and a touch of clarified butter that is beautifully defined, offering scents of yellow flowers with continued aeration...beautifully balanced with perfectly judged acidity and immense purity...Bravo!

9. 2 009 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel, 375ml Rated 95 by Antonio Galloni

23% Petite Sirah. Black fruit, plums, tar, licorice and smoke are some of the notes that flow from this generous, inviting red.

10. 2 010 Andre Neveu Sancerre ‘Le Manoir’ Vieilles Vignes, 375ml Rated 92 by Robert Parker

Ratcheting up the level of concentration...The older vines have given this Cuvée an extra layer of richness as well as plenty of honeyed melon notes intermixed with nectarines, mangoes and subtle smoke and herbs.

11. 2 011 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore, 375ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

Lives up to the legacy of this important wine, thanks to its extreme intensity and its skillfully crafted bouquet. The excellent quality of fruit stands clear...with pristine notes of dark cherry, exotic spice and chocolate...exuberant.

12. 2 015 Tor Kenward Chardonnay Torchiana, 375ml Rated 96 by Robert Parker

Absolutely spectacular...an outrageous Chardonnay with great acidity, super-duper concentration with notes of white currants, orange blossoms, caramelized citrus, honeysuckle, brioche and crème brûlée.

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Lot #77 La Dolce Vita Donated by:

Diana McIver & Pat Conroy, Christa & Don Heath, Twin Liquors, Amanda & Andrew West Estimated Value: $900

1. 2 005 Castello dei Rampolla Sammarco Toscana IGT, Tuscany, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

Complex aromas of violet, berry and fresh meat follow through to a full yet polished palate, with beautiful tannins and a long, long finish. Racy and structured.

2. 2 006 Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno Toscana IGT, Tuscany, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Spectator

Shows loads of black licorice, blackberry and toasty oak. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a long, long finish. Has wonderful concentration and balance.

3. 2 007 Zenato Amarone Classico, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

The 2007 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico boasts fabulous intensity and richness. This is an especially heady, portlike Amarone imbued with tons of depth. Chocolate, black cherries, leather and spices wrap around the serious, palatestaining finish. The 2007 needs quite a bit of time, but it is hugely promising. Readers who appreciate a big, powerful style of Amarone will love Zenato’s 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027.

4. 2 009 Ciabot Berton Barolo Roggeri, Barolo DOCG, 750ml Rated 91 by Vinous

This Barolo shows the forwardness of the vintage – it’s delicious now. The fragrance shows ripe plum, balsamic herbs and a whiff of leather. The palate offers lush black cherry and plum flavors layered with coffee and chocolate notes.

5. 2 011 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.

6. 2 009 Cascina Adelaide Barolo Fosatti, 750ml Rated 92 by Wine Spectator

Dense and layered, showcasing berries, cedar and fresh herbs. Some leaves. Full and dense with silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Juicy and well-crafted. Drink now. -JS

7. 2 009 Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano Cantina del Redi Orbaio, 750ml Rated 93 by Wine Spectator

Dry, velvety flavour that’s harmonious yet intense; warm and opulent sensations from the oak.

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8. 2 010 Marchesi Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli Siepi Toscana IGT, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Advocate

A monumental wine with towering intensity and opulent aromas of spice, leather and chocolate covered cherry. The texture of this hearty 50-50 blend of Sangiovese and Merlot is infinitely soft and supple.

9. 2 011 Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico SerĂ¨go Alighieri Vaio Armaron, 750ml Rated 94 by Wine Spectator

A dense and smoky Amarone, with...flavors of baked black raspberry and forest floor, showing accents of citrus peel, dried fig and espresso. Silky on the palate.

10. 2011 Pio Cesare Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, 750ml Rated 95 by James Suckling

This is a fabulous young Barolo with a purity and beauty that is breathtaking. Full body plus a deep and subtle center palate of strawberry, light cherry and hints of citrus. Really superb.

11. 2 013 Brancaia Maremma Toscana Ilatraia, 750ml Rated 97 by Wine Advocate

Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc (20%). The complexity and the ever-changing nature of the bouquet is mind-bending. Dark fruit and blackberry is followed by light notes of tobacco, toasted nut and scorched earth.

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Lot #78 Seagrove, Florida Vacation

Beachfront 3 Bedroom Condo with Steps Directly from Private Balcony to the Beach Donated by:

Melissa & Kareem Hajjar Estimated Value: $1,500

IFE SHINES on “Sugar Shack,” a luxury condominium located in the charming beach town of Seagrove, L where families have been making the pilgrimage to its soothing shores since the 1940s. Today, Seagrove is a rewarding mix of old and new, from its eclectic laid-back beach retreats to its numerous restaurants. Seagrove Beach is located on historic 30A, which is a 20-mile scenic shore tucked quietly between Destin and Panama City Beach, Florida. Speckled with artsy villages, rare coastal dune lakes, upscale resorts, funky beach bars, world class restaurants and 25,000 of protected habitats. SUGAR SHACK is not a typical rental property and is not meant for everyone. It is an amazingly large, 1,800 square foot, 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom residence on the 4th (top) floor of the Sugar Dunes complex and is decorated with high end furnishings meant to be enjoyed and appreciated. It’s not just a rental - it’s a home away from home. Sugar Shack is exquisitely decorated to appreciate the open layout and panoramic view of the ocean. Lounge in the grand room with twenty foot ceilings or take in the sights and sounds coming from the crystal clear water and sugar white sand from a 750 square foot covered, private deck. Walk down to the beach using a door and stairway which leads directly to the sand or stay on the patio and enjoy the sunset with a cool glass of wine and fine cheese from one of the nearby artisanal markets. Dates: 5 days, 4 nights, subject to availability.

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Lot #79 Old World vs. New World Private Wine Tasting and Charcuterie Scape Table for 12 Presented by: The Texas SommeY’all, Bill Norris, ES. Donated by:

Bill Norris Estimated Value: $1,500

12 guests will come together to enjoy blind comparisons of White and Red Burgundy’s with Russian River Chardonnay and Oregon Pinot Noir, and Bordeaux and Napa Reds, complemented by: D’vine Charcuterie, an artistic arrangement of charcuterie-scaped goodies to impress your friends. A visual and culinary treat of wine and food.

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Lot #80 Chateau Musar Vertical Plus Top Single Vineyard Sites from the Mosel and Rheinhessen Donated by:

Broadbent Selections Estimated Value: $800

Broadbent Selections is a national importer of wine, specializing on pioneering new and exciting regions around the world as well as re-inventing historic wines and styles. Founded in 1998 by Bartholomew Broadbent, son of famous wine critic and Christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Auction Chair Michael Broadbent, Broadbent Selections has been responsible for the resurging popularity of Madeira and Port as well as discovering cult up-and-coming producers from South Africa, Australia, Austria, Germany, Portugal, and as this lot suggests the famous Lebanese producer, Chateau Musar. This lot consists of hand-selected and perfectly tasting vintages of Ch. Musar, as well as some of the most exciting single vineyard sites in the Mosel and Rheinhessen made by top producers. 1. 1997 Chateau Musar Rouge, 750ml 2. 2000 Chateau Musar Rouge, 750ml 3. 2001 Chateau Musar Rouge, 750ml 4. 2002 Chateau Musar Rouge, 750ml 5. 2003 Chateau Musar Rouge, 750ml 6. 2009 Chateau Musar Blanc, 750ml 7. 2016 Dr. Hermann Erdener Herzlei Riesling Spatlese GK, 750ml 8. 2017 Dr. Hermann Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett, 750ml 9. 2017 Louis Guntrum Niersteiner Bergkirche Riesling Kabinett, 750ml 10. 2017 Steinmetz Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Trocken GP, 750ml

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Lot #81 Iconic Bordeaux Blends Donated by:

Republic National Distribution Company Estimated Value: $800

1. 2 012 Chateau Duhart Milon Rothschild, Pauillac (3 bottles), 750ml Rated 92 by James Suckling

Lots of currants, dried strawberries, sweet tobacco and cedar on the nose. Full to medium body and a solid structure. Reminds me of some outstanding Lafites of the 1980s such as 1985. A little tight and closed. Try in 2020.

2. 2 014 Araujo Altagracia, Napa Valley (3 bottles), 750ml Rated 93 by Robert Parker 3. 2 015 Errazuriz Don Maximiano, Aconcagua Valley (3 bottles), 750ml Rated 96 by James Suckling

Very refined and pretty with tight polished tannins and a linear and fruity mouthfeel. Medium body, precise and focused. It shows the essence of cab character. Feminine style.

4. 2 014 Orma Red, Toscana IGT (3 bottles), 750ml Rated 94 by James Suckling

Fascinating aromas of stone, wet concrete and dark fruit. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. A structured and firm wine. Give it two or three years to soften.

Lot #82 Case of 2014 Domaine de Chevalier, Pessac-Leognan Donated by:

Republic National Distribution Company Estimated Value: $1,000

2014 Domaine de Chevalier, Pessac-Leognan (12 bottles), 750ml Rated 96 by Vinous

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Lot #83 95 Points and Up! Donated by:

Southern Glazers Southwest Estimated Value: $975

1. 2 013 BV Vineyards Georges de Latour, Napa Valley, 750ml Rated 97 by James Suckling

Love the aromas of mint, blackcurrants, stones, black licorice and flowers. Full-bodied, dense and tight with layers of very, very fine and velvety tannins and a long and fantastic finish. Wonderful length and texture. A classic. Drink in 2020.

2. 2 013 Vietti Brunate Barolo, Piedmont, 750ml Rated 96 by Antonio Galloni

Fietti’s 2013 Barolo Brunate is one of the most reticent, powerful and explosive wines in the range. Huge beams of tannin give the wine its energy and overall shape. Readers will have to be especially patient with the 2013, as it is built for the long haul. As...in the very long haul. The gravitas and overall muscularity of Brunate is quite evident, but the wine remains raw, powerful and in need of significant bottle age. Today, the tannins are searing, which adds to the wine’s brooding personality. This is the first vintage that includes old-vine fruit that used to go to Oberto and Marengo from a parcel Vietti acquired a few years ago. - AG

3. 2 014 Terrazas Cheval des Andes, Mendoza (2 Bottles), 750ml Rated 97 by Robert Parker

The palate is very balanced and elegant, with very good freshness and some restraint, not alcoholic or sweet at all. They find a lot of similarities with 2014 in Bordeaux—classical, fresh, quite transparent and juicy but precise. This has to be the best Cheval des Andes I’ve tried so far. They tell me this is the first vintage that really follows the style they want to produce in Argentina, with balance, complexity and freshness, away from high alcohol, extraction, oak and excess.

4. 2 015 Delas St Epine, St Joseph, 750ml Rated 95 by Jeb Dunnuck

Even better, with more minerality and elegance, the blockbuster 2015 Saint Joseph Sainte Epine comes from this cool, windy, granite site located just outside of the small village of Saint-Jean-de-Muzols. Destemmed and brought up in 40% new oak, its vibrant purple color is followed by full-bodied notes of black raspberries, cassis, crushed rocks, and spring flowers. It’s concentrated, has awesome purity of fruit, and stays compact and tight on the palate. Hide bottles for 3-4 years. This wine should evolve for 10-15 years or more.

5. 2 015 Martinelli Bella Vigna Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast , 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Enthusiast

Perfumed and meaty, this coastal wine offers strong elements of cured bacon and intense hints of smoke. The nose is additionally gorgeous in rose and dried herbes de Provence. Crisp, savory fruit gives it freshness and complexity, a succulent tartness that lingers a long time on the palate. (VB)

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34th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

6. 2 015 Pieropan Calvarino Soave, Veneto, 750ml Rated 96 by Wine Enthusiast

Always one of Italy’s premier white wines, Pieropan’s gorgeous 2015 Calvarino sets a new benchmark. Opening with heady aromas of white spring wildflower, citrus blossom, aromatic herb and crushed rock, the savory palate delivers layers of lemon drop, ripe apple, juicy pear and tangy mineral notes. It’s concentrated yet elegant and thoroughly delicious. Drink through 2025.

7. 2 015 Poggio al Tesoro Sondraia, Marema/Tuscany, 750ml Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

Black currant, plum, herb, thyme and sweet spice aromas and flavors mesh seamlessly with the tight matrix of tannins in this expressive, complex red. Shows harmony, depth and length, but needs time to integrate. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2021 through 2036.

8. 2 016 Cockburns Vintage Port, Portugal, 750ml Rated 99 by James Suckling

This shows fantastic graphite and dark-berry character with black-stone undertones and hints of dried roses. Full-bodied and very tight and precise. Good kick in the end. Love the polished tannins, which are totally folded into the wine. Reminds me of the 1947 Cockburn. Try in 2024.

9. 2 016 Dows Vintage Port, Portugal, 750ml Rated 98 by Wine Spectator

Aromas of blueberries, blackberries and dried flowers plus hints of slate follow through to a full body, very fine tannins and a driven and linear finish. Orange peel and dried fruit. Sleek and racy. Ready to try in 2024. (5/2018)

10. 2 016 Grahams Vintage Port, Portugal, 750ml Rated 99 by James Suckling

Extremely complex aromas that show the classic Graham character of black-fruit marmalade and burnt oranges. Follows through to a full body with great grip at the finish. Lightly sweet. Chewy and powerful. Such a focus at the end.

April 6, 2019 • The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

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