Cellar Selections

Wines deemed highly collectible and/or requiring time in a temperature-controlled wine cellar to reach their maximum potential. A Cellar Selection designation does not mean that a wine must be stored to be enjoyed, but that cellaring will probably result in a more enjoyable bottle. In general, an optimum time for cellaring will be indicated. Each year, we also publish our Top 100 Cellar Selections, a list of the best wines of the year that will improve with maturity.

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• • 100
  • $1,400

  Krug 1998 Clos du Mesnil Chardonnay (Champagne)

  1. Appellation: Champagne, Champagne, France
  2. Varietal: Chardonnay

  A wine that has created its own universe. It has a unique, special softness that allies with the total purity that comes from a small, enclosed single vineyard. The fruit is almost irrelevant here, because it comes as part of a much deeper complexity. This is a great wine, at the summit of Champagne, a sublime, unforgettable experience.  — R.V.  (12/1/2010)  — 100
• • 100
  • $460

  Tenuta dell'Ornellaia 2007 Masseto Merlot (Toscana)

  1. Appellation: Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
  2. Varietal: Merlot

  A perfect wine from a classic vintage, the 2007 Masseto (100% Merlot from a 17-acre vineyard of the same name) opens with an unabashedly opulent bouquet of delicious blackberry, cherry, chocolate, vanilla, exotic spice and cinnamon. Masseto excels both in terms of quality of fruit and winemaking and delivers plush, velvety tannins and an extra long, supple finish. It will make a special and valuable collection to your cellar.  — M.L.  (12/15/2010)  — 100
• • 100
  • $750

  Viña Sastre 2006 Pesus Tempranillo Blend (Ribera del Duero)

  1. Appellation: Ribera del Duero, Northern Spain, Spain
  2. Varietal: Tempranillo

  If there’s any such thing as the perfect Spanish red, Pesus is it. A blend of 80% Tempranillo with other grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine sees 200% new oak, resulting in a thick, dark, tannic beauty that bubbles over with toast, cola, mint, chocolate and spice aromas. The mouth is sheer heaven; a mile deep in terms of berry flavor and more, but faultless and smooth. Shows outstanding structure and power, and should age well for 15–20 years. Hails from two 100-year-old vineyards and some baby vines with but 25 years of age. Crazy expensive but only 150 cases were made; drink 2013–2030.  — M.S.  (10/1/2010)  — 100
• • 100
  • $200

  Cardinale 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

  1. Appellation: Napa Valley, Napa, California, US
  2. Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

  Tasted in a flight of great and famous Napa wines, this Cardinale stood at the head of the pack. Starts with a very fine nose of cedar, cassis, ripe blackberries and violets, then turns dramatic and refined in the mouth. Shows vast depth and length, with the finish a full minute of sweet fruits and spices. Marvelous tannins, so plush and elegant, so powerful yet refined. The grapes hail from Mt. Veeder, Howell Mountain, Stags Leap and Oakville, and the blend contains 14% Merlot. As good as it is now, it will improve for at least eight years.  — S.H.  (3/1/2010)  — 100
• • 100
  • $2,000

  Château Latour 2005 Bordeaux-style Red Blend (Pauillac)

  1. Appellation: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
  2. Varietal: Bordeaux-style Red Blend

  A great wine, the summation of a great vintage in Bordeaux. The core of richness, the dense, bone-dry tannins, the black currants, red berries and black plum skins are the elements, but it’s the way they have been integrated that makes this such an impressive wine. There is great elegance as well, a fabulous counterpoint to such power. Cellar for at least 15 years, but this will keep forever. Imported by Diageo Chateau & Estates and multiple U.S. importers.  — R.V.  (6/1/2008)  — 100
• • 100
  • $210

  Avignonesi 1995 Occhio di Pernice Prugnolo Gentile (Vin Santo di Montepulciano)

  1. Appellation: Vin Santo di Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy
  2. Varietal: Sangiovese

  Thick as molasses and dark as caramelized brown sugar, the wine oozes out of the bottle releasing concentrated aromas of butterscotch, toffee, honey, licorice, coffee, resin and maple syrup. Grapes from the Montepulciano area are dried in a ventilated room and the wine ages over 10 years in tiny oak barrels resulting in thick, dark concentration. Don’t pair it with food: Vin Santo as good as this deserves to be enjoyed alone, as a so-called “meditation wine.”  — M.L.  (3/1/2008)  — 100
• • 100
  • $270

  Taylor Fladgate 2000 Vargellas Vinhas Velhas Vintage Port (Port)

  1. Appellation: Port, Portugal
  2. Varietal: Port Blend

  The hue of this wine takes dark and inky to a new level—and this wine’s intensity isn’t confined to its color. This is simply huge in every way, yet because every component is in proportion, the balance is impeccable. Incredibly rich, dense fruit picks up hints of tar and chocolate, while the finish lasts for what must be minutes. Hold.  — J.C.  (2/1/2007)  — 100
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  • 100
  • $300

  Chambers Rosewood Vineyards NV Rare Muscat (Rutherglen)

  1. Appellation: Rutherglen, Victoria, Australia
  2. Varietal: Muscat

  Not a Cellar Selection in the traditional sense of requiring additional aging, this venerable wine (it contains some material over 100 years old) is ready to drink now, but should hold in the bottle indefinitely. It’s dark coffee-brown, with delectable aromas of rancio, pressed flowers, molasses and honey, yet despite enormous concentration avoids excessive weight. Amzingly complex and fresh on the neverending finish.  — J.C.  (2/1/2011)  — 100
• • 99
  • $100

  Trefethen 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Oak Knoll)

  1. Appellation: Oak Knoll, Napa, California, US
  2. Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

  This is nearly perfect, a massive, monumental wine whose sheer power is matched only by its grace and refinement. The flavors of blackberries, cassis, dark chocolate, buttered toast and cedar flood the mouth, tightly controlled by firm tannins and good acidity. Decant for several hours if you open it now, but better to give it 6–10 years in the bottle.  — S.H.  (4/1/2010)  — 99
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  • 99
  • $65

  Cayuse 2007 Cailloux Vineyard Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (OR))

  1. Appellation: Walla Walla Valley (OR), Oregon Other, Oregon, US
  2. Varietal: Shiraz/Syrah

  The only one of the Cayuse Syrahs that is co-fermented with Viognier, this opens with a stunning, floral bouquet, showing extraordinary depth and texture. The wine has a floral top, a thickly fruity middle and a base with smoke, rock and meat. Still very young, it is already a complete, fully-realized, near-perfect wine with a finish that extends for many minutes. This should age for 25 –30 years. Right now, it’s almost frozen in place; still a bit tannic, but with superb aging potential.  — P.G.  (2/1/2011)  — 99