{"id":4,"date":"2007-08-31T08:31:48","date_gmt":"2007-08-31T08:31:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dine-online.co.uk\/foodie\/great-australians-kosta-browne-and-petrus-from-the-benchmark-wine-group\/"},"modified":"2007-08-31T08:31:48","modified_gmt":"2007-08-31T08:31:48","slug":"great-australians-kosta-browne-and-petrus-from-the-benchmark-wine-group","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dine-online.co.uk\/foodie\/great-australians-kosta-browne-and-petrus-from-the-benchmark-wine-group\/","title":{"rendered":"Great Australians, Kosta Browne and Petrus From The Benchmark Wine Group"},"content":{"rendered":"

Great Australians, Kosta Browne, and Petrus From The Benchmark Wine Group<\/strong><\/p>\n

Australia<\/strong>
\nClarendon Hills Grenache Blewitt Springs Vineyard Old Vines 1999 ~ 1 @ $57 RP92
\nClarendon Hills Grenache Blewitt Springs Vineyard Old Vines 2001 ~ 3 @ $55 RP95
\nClarendon Hills Grenache Hickinbotham Vineyard Old Vines 2002 ~ 2 @ $42 RP92-94
\nClarendon Hills Shiraz Brookman`s 2002 ~ 2 @ $59 RP96
\nClarendon Hills Shiraz Hickinbotham Vineyard 2002 ~ 1 @ $79
\nClarendon Hills Shiraz Liandra`s 1998 ~ 3 @ $43 RP91
\nClarendon Hills Shiraz Liandra`s 2001 ~ 1 @ $42 RP93
\nClarendon Hills Shiraz Moritz 2002 ~ 2 @ $55 RP95, WS93
\nd`Arenberg Shiraz Dead Arm McLaren Vale 2002 ~ 3 @ $49 RP93, WS92
\nd`Arenberg Shiraz Ironstone Pressings 1998 ~ 2 @ $46 RP92, ST90
\nd`Arenberg Shiraz Ironstone Pressings 2000 ~ 2 @ $42
\nd`Arenberg Shiraz Ironstone Pressings 2002 ~ 4 @ $51 RP93, ST90
\nElderton Shiraz Command 1996 ~ 1 @ $64 RP93, WS93
\nGreenock Creek Grenache Cornerstone 2003 ~ 3 @ $60 RP94
\nGreenock Creek Grenache Cornerstone 2004 ~ 3 @ $49 RP91
\nGrosset Riesling Polish Hill 2004 ~ 3 @ $30 WS92, ST91
\nKaesler Shiraz Old Bastard 2001 ~ 1 @ $115 RP96, WS96
\nKaesler Shiraz Old Bastard 2002 ~ 5 @ $115 RP96, WS94 “The flagship offering, the 2002 Shiraz Old Bastard was fashioned from a vineyard planted in 1896, and was cropped at one ton of fruit per acre. It spent 22 months in French oak before being bottled with neither fining nor filtration. A spectacular perfume of raspberries, plums, blackberries, espresso, vanilla, and charcoal is followed by a tannic Shiraz with a huge palate, massive concentration, tremendous richness, and a multidimensional flavor profile. Less alcoholic (15.2%) than The Bogan, it should be cellared for 4-6 years, and consumed over the following 20-25.” -Robert Parker
\nMitolo Cabernet Sauvignon Serpico 2003 ~ 5 @ $39 RP92, ST91
\nMitolo Shiraz Reiver 2004 ~ 6 @ $30
\nTorbreck Shiraz Factor 2002 ~ 4 @ $125 RP99 “Remarkably, the 2002 The Factor may be even more awesome than the 2001. It boasts a blackberry liqueur-like intensity with chocolatey richness intermixed with blackberries, raspberries, and cherries. The unctuous texture, refreshing acidity, and sweet tannin frame-up this magnificent wine. It should drink well for 15+ years. Interestingly, the 2002 The Factor did not have the Cote Rotie-like roasted element found in the 2001, no doubt because 2002 was a much cooler growing year than the record heat experienced in 2001.” -Robert Parker<\/p>\n

Rhone<\/strong>
\nBeaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape 1985 ~ 1 @ $109 RP93
\nChapoutier Hermitage Le Meal 2001 ~ 3 @ $152 RP92-95, ST93
\nChapoutier Hermitage Le Meal 2001 ~ 1 @ $99 RP92-95, ST93 signs of seepage
\nChapoutier Hermitage Pavillon 1990 ~ 1 @ $529 RP100 “The 1990 Le Pavilion is as compelling as the 1989. It exhibits slightly less opulence, but more power and weight. Black colored, with an extraordinary perfume of licorice, sweet blackcurrants, smoke, and minerals, it coats the palate with layer upon layer of decadently rich, superconcentrated, nearly viscous Syrah flavors. There is amazing glycerin, a chewy, unctuous texture, and phenomenal length. The tannins, which are considerable when analyzed, are virtually obscured by the massive quantities of fruit. I hope I live to see the day when Chapoutier’s 1990 Ermitage Le Pavilion, Chave’s 1990 Hermitage, and Jaboulet’s 1990 Hermitage La Chapelle are fully mature! What a trio of wines these three producers have produced from this historic appellation! My best guess for the aging potential of the Ermitage Le Pavilion is that it is more forward than both the Chave and Jaboulet Hermitages, but should you have the good fortune to find a bottle or two, do not open it for at least 7-10 years. It should last for 30-40 years.” -Robert Parker
\nChapoutier Hermitage Pavillon 2000 ~ 2 @ $199 RP98
\nChateau Rayas Pignan Chateauneuf du Pape 1989 ~ 1 @ $174 RP93 “Similar to the 1990, although slightly less port-like and without the color saturation of that wine, the full-throttle, robust, intense, rich 1989 Pignan coats the palate with layers of viscous fruit flavors, high alcohol, and an impressive velvety sweetness. This high-octane wine exhibits no signs of going into a closed stage; it should continue to drink splendidly well for another 12-15 + years.” -Robert Parker<\/p>\n

Bordeaux<\/strong>
\nLa Gaffeliere 1990 ~ 1 @ $125 RP90
\nLa Mission Haut Brion 1988 ~ 2 @ $175 RP90
\nPavie 1989 ~ 1 @ $145 WS90
\nPavie 1990 ~ 1 @ $159 RP92, WS94
\nPetrus 1990 ~ 1 @ $3975 RP100, WS100 “The phenomenally rich, well-endowed 1990 Petrus has been magical from the first time I tasted it in cask. The color is a dense, jammy plum\/purple. The wine possesses a knock-out nose of black fruits intertwined with aromas of toasty new oak, caramel, and flowers. Massively rich and full-bodied, with slightly lower acidity and sweeter tannin than its older sibling, the 1989, the 1990 is an extraordinarily rich, seamless wine with layers of flavor, and a finish that lasts for nearly 45 seconds. Although it is remarkably accessible because of its voluptuous texture, this wine has not begun to develop secondary nuances. It should hit its peak in 10-15 years, and last for three decades. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2035.” -Robert Parker
\nPetrus 1994 ~ 1 @ $825 RP93, WS93
\nPetrus 2000 ~ 1 @ $3850 RP100 “A magical effort from Petrus, the 2000 has continued to gain weight and stature. From the bottle, it is a perfect wine, much like the 1998. The color is inky plum\/purple to the rim and the nose, which starts slowly, begins to roar after several minutes, offering up scents of smoke, blackberries, cherries, licorice, and an unmistakable truffle\/underbrush element. On the palate, this enormous effort is reminiscent of dry vintage port, with fabulous ripeness, a huge, unctuous texture, enormous body, and a colossal 65-second finish.” -Robert Parker<\/p>\n

Burgundy<\/strong>
\nLeroy Meursault les Perrieres 1973 ~ 1 @ $199 <\/p>\n

Italy<\/strong>
\nFanti Brunello di Montalcino 1999 ~ 2 @ $91 WS98
\nPio Cesare Barbaresco Il Bricco 1998 ~ 18 @ $99 WS92, ST91 original wood “Luscious, almost decadent red, with leather, plum and cedar aromas. Full-bodied, with ripe and round tannins and a generous, rich aftertaste. Up-front and exotic. Best after 2006.” -Wine Spectator<\/p>\n

Portugal<\/strong>
\nGould Campbell Port 1977 ~ 3 @ $75 WS93
\nGould Campbell Port 1977 ~ 2 @ $55 WS93 signs of seepage
\nGould Campbell Port 1977 375ml ~ 3 @ $28 WS93
\nGould Campbell Port 1977 375ml ~ 2 @ $21 WS93 2.5cm
\nQuinta do Noval Port 1970 ~ 1 @ $87
\nSandeman Port 1967 ~ 1 @ $95 WS90 cracked wax capsule, exposed cork
\nSandeman Port 1975 ~ 1 @ $59 cracked wax capsule, exposed cork
\nTaylor Port 1966 ~ 6 @ $195 MB***\/* cracked wax capsule, exposed cork<\/p>\n

California Cabernet Blends<\/strong>
\nLong Shadows Cabernet Sauvignon Pirouette 2004 ~ 1 @ $53 WE91, CG91, WS90
\nMerryvale Vineyards Profile 1994 ~ 1 @ $85 RP92, WS91, ST92
\nOpus One 1983 ~ 5 @ $199 oxidized capsule, tissue adhered to label
\nOpus One 1984 ~ 5 @ $165 WS94 oxidized capsule, sdc
\nOpus One 1985 ~ 4 @ $219 WS95 oxidized capsule
\nOpus One 1986 ~ 4 @ $255 WS95 oxidized capsule
\nOpus One 1987 ~ 3 @ $189 WS97 ts or better, sdc, oxidized capsule
\nOpus One 1987 ~ 2 @ $155 WS97 past sos
\nOpus One 1988 ~ 5 @ $209 oxidized capsule
\nProvenance Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2002 ~ 1 @ $29 W&S93
\nRobert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1985 ~ 12 @ $75 oxidized capsule
\nRobert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1986 ~ 3 @ $55 WS95 slight oxidized capsule, vts
\nRobert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1986 ~ 2 @ $49 WS95 past sos, ts, oxidized capsule.
\nRobert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1988 ~ 6 @ $47 WS91 <\/p>\n

California Pinot Noir<\/strong>
\nKosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River 2003 ~ 1 @ $129 WS93
\nKosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River 2003 375ml ~ 5 @ $75 WS93 “Wonderful intensity, structure and depth of ripe fruit built around a core of intense plum, blackberry and wild berry fruit flavors. Keeps a tight focus through the finish, where the flavors gain complexity and nuance, adding a dash of fresh earth flavors. Drink now through 2009.” -Wine Spectator
\nKosta Browne Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2003 ~ 2 @ $95 WS93
\nKosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2003 ~ 2 @ $149 WS95 “This tremendously complex young Pinot gains amplitude, starting out with a delicate band of spice, vanilla, black cherry and wild berry and slowly unfolding to reveal extra layers of depth and dimension. Finishes with a rich, supple aftertaste that caresses the palate. Drink now through 2009.” -Wine Spectator
\nKosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2005 ~ 1 @ $90 WS93 <\/p>\n

California Syrah<\/strong>
\nAlban Vineyards Syrah Reva Estate 2003 ~ 1 @ $158 RP98, WS96 “The sensational 2003 Syrah Reva Vineyard may be the finest example of this cuvee Alban has yet produced. Nearly endless depth as well as an extraordinarily flamboyant bouquet of blackberries, truffles, acacia flowers, and sweet tar emerge from this broad, opulent, full-bodied, incredibly rich Syrah. It is a stunning wine to drink over the next 12-15 years.” -Robert Parker
\nRed Car Wine Company Syrah Sugar Daddy 2002 ~ 1 @ $69 RP94 <\/p>\n

Cheers, Kari\/Whitney, Benchmark Wine Group, 707-255-3500, sales@benchmarkwine.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Great Australians, Kosta Browne, and Petrus From The Benchmark Wine Group Australia Clarendon Hills Grenache Blewitt Springs Vineyard Old Vines 1999 ~ 1 @ $57 RP92 Clarendon Hills Grenache Blewitt Springs Vineyard Old Vines 2001 ~ 3 @ $55 RP95 Clarendon Hills Grenache Hickinbotham Vineyard Old Vines 2002 ~ 2 @ $42 RP92-94 Clarendon Hills read more …<\/span><\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dine-online.co.uk\/foodie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dine-online.co.uk\/foodie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dine-online.co.uk\/foodie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dine-online.co.uk\/foodie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dine-online.co.uk\/foodie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dine-online.co.uk\/foodie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dine-online.co.uk\/foodie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dine-online.co.uk\/foodie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dine-online.co.uk\/foodie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}