2007 Wine ()

The 2007 Quimera is a multi-regional blend of 38% Malbec, 24% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Cabernet Franc aged for 12 months in 40% new French oak before bottling without fining or filtration (as were all of these wines). Purple-colored, it displays an expressive perfume of cedar, scorched earth, violets, black cherry, and black raspberry. Medium- to full-bodied, this mouth-filling blend is sweetly fruited, complex, layered, and rich. It will continue to blossom for another 2-3 years and drink well through 2022.

A dark, masculine, brooding Brunello with savory aromas of leather and cured meat behind ripe fruit and blackberry. It's tight and clean with a streamlined mouthfeel that gives evidence to the wine's firm tannic structure. Executed in a traditional style and shows possibility for long cellar aging.

The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is rich, deep and resonant. It shows fabulous depth and richness, with seemingly endless layers of fruit that caress the palate. Dark red cherries, savory herbs, tobacco and licorice linger on the textured, creamy finish. This is another terrific effort from Argiano. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2027.

Imagine what Château Lafite-Rothschild would taste like if Malbec grew as well in Bordeaux as it does in Argentina? Caro, which is made in Argentina by the owners of Lafite, provides the answer. It has the classic mineral and herb notes of Lafite, and Lafite's classic Cabernet structure, but it adds the distinctive deep, rich black fruit notes that can only be obtained from Argentina's world-class Malbec grapes. For this wine, Lafite has teamed up with Argentina’s leading winery, Catena Zapata, which owns most of the finest Malbec vineyards in the region.

"The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino bursts from the glass with a textured fabric of dark red berries, licorice, spices, tobacco and leather. Layers of fruit continue to build as the wine blossoms in every direction. Flowers, spices and leather reappear on the silky finish. The Brunello was aged in casks and smaller French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. "

Our friend, Bordeaux negociant Jeff Davies, introduced us to this wine several years ago, and it seems to be getting better and better. We tried this Syrah in September 2011 and couldn't believe how concentrated and incredibly intense it was. Forget the appellation and prepare yourself for an amazing treat! Here's what Robert Parker posted about this wine several months ago...

"While I was in Bordeaux, I tasted the new releases from Négly, the micro-estate in the Languedoc owned by Bordeaux wine broker Jeffrey Davies... the wine is made by Claude Gros, an increasingly influential consultant... I have been purchasing these wines since the debut vintages in the late 90s... it is not a leap of faith to say that they are probably among the finest 4-6 red wines made in the Languedoc... have been itching to taste the 2007s (a great vintage in the southern Rhone and the Languedoc)... and they are finally arriving... expensive they are, but in the pantheon of great wines, the prices are very reasonable... both the Porte de Ciel and Clos des Truffiers are 100% Syrah... I actually thought the Porte de Ciel was close to pure perfection... more developed and less broodingly backward compared to the Clos des Truffiers, the blackberry, lavender, bacon fat, and subtle smoky nuances are intense and enthralling. Both wines are very full-bodied, ...but the primary difference is the Clos des Truffiers needs 4-5 years of cellaring.. the Porte de Ciel will evolve for 20+ years, but it is so gorgeous to drink already... anyhow... I always say as I get older, I like them younger and younger... so many of you may prefer to wait on both of them... they are thrilling wines... real reference points for what the Languedoc is capable of achieving... the 1997s, which I own, are still very young wines..."