welcome to the fifty best wines of 2004

                 Presents

Page 2

11   Louis Latour 2002
Corton-Charlemagne;  $100. 
Immense power lies behind the initially seductive nature of this wine. It is powerful, ripe, complex, full of tropical fruits, and still at first it seems to be restraining this intensity. Give it 10 years and it will be mind-blowing.

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12   Joseph Phelps 2001
Insignia (Napa Valley);  $125. 
A triumph. Aged nearly two years in all-new French oak, this massive wine stuns with its superb balance. Manages the elusive challenge of reining in hugely ripe black currant, cherry and oak flavors and sweet tannins while keeping the palate impression soft and alluring, almost feminine. Just gorgeous right out of the bottle, but should develop effortlessly through the decade and beyond.

13   Quinta da Carvalhosa 2001
Campo Ardosa (Douro); $30. 
Matured in new oak, this shows how the Douro is capable of great elegance. Flavors of dark fruits balance dry tannins and spice. This wine will age, for 10 years or more.

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14   Villa Creek 2001
Avenger  (Paso Robles);  $20. 
The first-ever wine from this West Side property, and a very great wine it is. A beautifully balanced Rhône blend with aromas of raspberry, cherry, sweet wood smoke and vanilla, it is extracted and jammy, but complex. Layers of oak, chocolate, cherry, cream and spices cascade across the palate. The finish is long and spicy-sweet.

15   Mayacamas 2002
Sauvignon Blanc
(Napa Valley);  $20. 
One of the best Sauvignons of this or any vintage, a brilliant and evocative wine of great style and flair. Powerfully dry, with citrus, fig, apple and peppery spice flavors and a lush overlay of oak. Compelling for its intensity and complexity.

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16   Bouchard Père & Fils 2002
Teurons Premier Cru
(Beaune);  $30. 
Silky, smooth wine with acidity and sweet strawberry fruits. This is a glorious ripe, silky smooth wine, packed with sweet strawberry fruits and acidity. Yet is also has a firm structure of dry tannins to give it ageability.

17   Whitehall Lane 2001
Merlot
(Napa Valley);  $26. 
Soft, gentle and seductive, with its cherry-chocolate, sweet green olive, vanilla and pecan pie flavors wowing the palate. Best are the tannins, which are rich and fine. They provide structure, while being sweet themselves. What a sensational Merlot. It deserves the best food you can rustle up.

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18   Pessagno 2001
Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
Chardonnay
(Santa Lucia Highlands);  $25. 
Fresh honey, peach, toast, mineral, cinnamon, spice and herb notes give pleasing complexity to this elegant wine. It’s packed with flavor, richly textured, yet bright and firm on the finish, which ends with a refreshing citrus note. Great price for a wine of this quality.

19   Palacios Remondo 2001
Propiedad Herencia Remondo
(Rioja);  $25. 
The peak of the Palacios family’s Rioja production, it’s gorgeous and aromatic. It has red fruit, flowers and handsome oak on the nose. The palate is smooth and chewy, with expressive plum, berry and apple skin flavors. Power-packed but balanced, offering a proper jolt and immediate drinkability.

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20   Chandon NV
Reserve Brut
(Napa-Sonoma);  $24.  375 ml. 
Delicate, refined and very dry. This is one of the more elegant bruts around, with a silky mouthfeel and very fine texture. Seems to float in the mouth, with gentle lime and vanilla flavors.

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