Friday, November 15, 2013
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
The Oceanside Cellar Part 1 Highlights
Over the next two weeks, Spectrum Wine Auctions will unveil The Oceanside Cellar — a pristine collection of some of the world's finest wines. This discerning Southern Californian collector searched high and low for all the top producers, and secured a wide selection of amazing, ultra-high scoring wines from around the world. This positively pristine collection boasts many full-case lots in OWCs and all bottles are in excellent condition, if not every bit as perfect as they were when leaving their wineries years ago. You will notice a heavy selection of top tier, high-scoring producers from California and Washington, as well as treasures from Bordeaux, Rhône, and Italy featured in this week's sale. Be sure to watch out for top producers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from both California and Burgundy in the upcoming week.
All bottles were stored since purchase and removed by our specialists from professional temperature and humidity-controlled storage in Southern California.
California Highlights
Bordeaux, Italy, and Rhône Highlights
All bottles were stored since purchase and removed by our specialists from professional temperature and humidity-controlled storage in Southern California.
The October Internet-Only Auction Part 1 closes
Thursday, October 3 at 6:00pm PT
California Highlights
Lot 3. Harlan Estate The Maiden 2004. 3 Bottles. OWC.
Score: 95RP
Estimate: $425.00, Opening Bid: $400.00
Score: 95RP
Estimate: $425.00, Opening Bid: $400.00
Lot 4. Harlan Estate The Maiden 2006. 3 Bottles. OWC.
Score: 93WS
Estimate: $475.00, Opening Bid: $450.00
Score: 93WS
Estimate: $475.00, Opening Bid: $450.00
Lot 5. Harlan Estate The Maiden 2008. 3 Bottles. OWC.
Score: 92WA
Estimate: $425.00, Opening Bid: $400.00
Score: 92WA
Estimate: $425.00, Opening Bid: $400.00
Lot 6. Harlan Estate The Maiden 2009. 3 Bottles. OWC.
Score: 93WA
Estimate: $425.00, Opening Bid: $400.00
Score: 93WA
Estimate: $425.00, Opening Bid: $400.00
Lot 12. Joseph Phelps Insignia 2008. 6 Bottles. OWC.
Score: 97RP
Estimate: $750.00, Opening Bid: $700.00
Score: 97RP
Estimate: $750.00, Opening Bid: $700.00
Lot 22. Peter Michael Les Pavots 2006. 6 Bottles.
Score: 96RP
Estimate: $1,100.00, Opening Bid: $1,000.00
Score: 96RP
Estimate: $1,100.00, Opening Bid: $1,000.00
Lot 29. Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 2005. 6 Bottles. OWC.
Score: 97RP
Estimate: $1,300.00, Opening Bid: $1,200.00
Score: 97RP
Estimate: $1,300.00, Opening Bid: $1,200.00
Lot 32. Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 2007. 6 Bottles. OWC.
Score: 98+RP
Estimate: $1,500.00, Opening Bid: $1,400.00
Score: 98+RP
Estimate: $1,500.00, Opening Bid: $1,400.00
Lot 33. Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 2007. 6 Bottles. OWC.
Score: 98+RP
Estimate: $1,500.00, Opening Bid: $1,400.00
Score: 98+RP
Estimate: $1,500.00, Opening Bid: $1,400.00
Lot 52. Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. 12 Bottles.
Score: 100WA
Estimate: $2,750.00, Opening Bid: $2,500.00
Score: 100WA
Estimate: $2,750.00, Opening Bid: $2,500.00
Lot 53. Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. 12 Bottles.
Score: 100WA
Estimate: $2,750.00, Opening Bid: $2,500.00
Score: 100WA
Estimate: $2,750.00, Opening Bid: $2,500.00
Lot 55. Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2007. 6 Bottles.
Score: 100WA
Estimate: $1,300.00, Opening Bid: $1,200.00
Score: 100WA
Estimate: $1,300.00, Opening Bid: $1,200.00
Lot 56. Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2007. 6 Bottles.
Score: 100WA
Estimate: $1,300.00, Opening Bid: $1,200.00
Score: 100WA
Estimate: $1,300.00, Opening Bid: $1,200.00
Lot 57. Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2008. 6 Bottles.
Score: 99WA
Estimate: $1,100.00, Opening Bid: $1,000.00
Score: 99WA
Estimate: $1,100.00, Opening Bid: $1,000.00
Lot 58. Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2008. 6 Bottles.
Score: 99WA
Estimate: $1,100.00, Opening Bid: $1,400.00
Score: 99WA
Estimate: $1,100.00, Opening Bid: $1,400.00
Lot 59. Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2009. 6 Bottles.
Score: 99WA
Estimate: $800.00, Opening Bid: $750.00
Score: 99WA
Estimate: $800.00, Opening Bid: $750.00
Lot 60. Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2009. 6 Bottles.
Score: 99WA
Estimate: $800.00, Opening Bid: $750.00
Score: 99WA
Estimate: $800.00, Opening Bid: $750.00
Lot 65. Quilceda Creek Galitzine Vineyard 2008. 4 Bottles.
Score: 98WA
Estimate: $550.00, Opening Bid: $500.00
Score: 98WA
Estimate: $550.00, Opening Bid: $500.00
Lot 66. Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red 2005. 6 Bottles.
Score: 96RP
Estimate: $600.00, Opening Bid: $550.00
Score: 96RP
Estimate: $600.00, Opening Bid: $550.00
Lot 70. Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red 2007. 6 Bottles.
Score: 96+RP
Estimate: $600.00, Opening Bid: $550.00
Score: 96+RP
Estimate: $600.00, Opening Bid: $550.00
Lot 91. Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006. 4 Bottles.
Score: 95WS
Estimate: $425.00, Opening Bid: $400.00
Score: 95WS
Estimate: $425.00, Opening Bid: $400.00
Lot 97. Pride Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner Select Cuvée 2007. 6 Bottles.
Score: 95RP
Estimate: $300.00, Opening Bid: $275.00
Score: 95RP
Estimate: $300.00, Opening Bid: $275.00
Lot 101. Pride Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Sonoma County / Napa County 2005. 6 Bottles.
Score: 96WS
Estimate: $600.00, Opening Bid: $550.00
Score: 96WS
Estimate: $600.00, Opening Bid: $550.00
Lot 102. Pride Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Sonoma County / Napa County 2006. 12 Bottles.
Score: 98RP
Estimate: $1,700.00, Opening Bid: $1,600.00
Score: 98RP
Estimate: $1,700.00, Opening Bid: $1,600.00
Lot 110. Pride Mountain Claret Reserve Sonoma County / Napa County 2006. 6 Bottles.
Score: 96RP
Estimate: $475.00, Opening Bid: $450.00
Score: 96RP
Estimate: $475.00, Opening Bid: $450.00
Lot 125. Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard 2007. 6 Bottles.
Score: 96RP
Estimate: $650.00, Opening Bid: $600.00
Score: 96RP
Estimate: $650.00, Opening Bid: $600.00
Lot 126. Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard 2007. 2 Bottles.
Score: 96RP
Estimate: $200.00, Opening Bid: $190.00
Score: 96RP
Estimate: $200.00, Opening Bid: $190.00
Bordeaux, Italy, and Rhône Highlights
Friday, September 27, 2013
September Auction Tasting at Wine Cellar Club
We recently hosted a Pop-Up Tasting at the Wine Cellar Club in Irvine, CA. The theme of the tasting was to highlight our September Internet-Only Auction Part 4, specifically, A Midwest Gentleman's Century Cellar. Ten different wines representative of this collection were poured over the course of the evening. The combination of exceptional wine, guests, and atmosphere made for one of our best tasting yet!
Château Latour 1971, Château Chevalier Pessac-Léognan Blanc 2010, Perillo Taurasi Riserva 2001, Dominique Laurent Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Reignots Vieilles Vignes 2009 |
Chris Weed pouring Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino 1993 |
Henri Boillot Montrachet 1999 |
Kerry Everett pouring Dominique Laurent, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Echézeaux 2001 |
Château Moulin Saint Georges 2000 |
Dan Rhodes |
Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino 1993 |
Jason Boland pouring Château Gruaud Larose 2000 |
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Highlights from The August Part 4 Internet Auction Pop-Up Tasting
Last night we hosted an incredible Pop-Up Tasting at Legend Cellars (legendcellars.net) here in Irvine. We highlighted wines featured in our current auction including selections from The Sacramento Collection and The Cellar of a Classic Italian Restaurant. Here are a few pictures from a night of great wine and great company.
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Friday, July 12, 2013
2011 Ports … Land of the Giants!
By: Dan Rhodes
As many wine collectors and aficionados already know, the
2011 vintage has been “declared” in Portugal by many, if not most, of this
Iberian nation’s top houses including Fonseca, Taylor Fladgate, Croft and Quinta
do Noval. In conjunction with the celebration and promotion of this spectacular
Port scenario, I was able to attend a special “sneak –preview” tasting recently
in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
This gala event, co-sponsored by the Fladgate Partnership
and Quinta do Noval in conjunction with Kobrand and Young’s Market, was a tour de force tasting of the
“best-of-the-best” and afforded me the opportunity to not only confirm all of
the hype associated with this superlative harvest but also take a small trip
down memory lane and explore any number of recent releases and library
selections from these renowned estates.
The scene was literally a “who’s-who” of the southern
California wine world and trade with well-known critics in attendance tasting alongside representatives and buyers
from many of the Southland’s most prestigious retail shops, restaurants and
hotels. Several luminaries from the world of Port were in attendance including
David Guimaraens, winemaker for the venerable house of Fonseca.
For Port lovers, the 2011 vintage is both magical and
historical. The wines are rich, concentrated and full-bodied with long-lived
potential. Yet they are incredibly focused and complex with balanced components
capable of providing a refined and elegant port experience for years to come.
To use an old expression, they are the quintessential “iron fist in the velvet glove”
combining power and finesse.
Most retailers should be offering these high-scoring gems on
a pre-arrival basis and I would urge all wine collectors who are serious about
a compiling a well-rounded cellar to look into procuring an assorted case or
two for future consumption. And while you’re at it, don’t neglect purchasing
Ports at auction. They are usually available for a very reasonable bid and
offer the sophisticated and wise collector the opportunity to procure one of
the wine-auction world’s most under-valued and enjoyable treasures.
Here are some of my notes and highlights from this
“once-in-a-lifetime” event:
2011
As described by Adrian Bridge (Fladgate Partnership) and
Christian Seely (Quinta do Noval), the 2011 harvest was preceded by a cold, wet
winter providing ground water reserves which allowed a balanced ripening of the
grapes during the hot, dry summer. This textbook viticultural year, which
culminated in perfect picking conditions at harvest time, produced wines which
combine wonderful purity and complexity of aroma and flavor underpinned by
firm, well-integrated tannins.
Croft
This could, quite possibly, be the best vintage Croft ever!
It’s just that good! Soft red and black fruits for the palate redolent of
cherry/black cherry with hints of espresso and coffee bean, the 2011 Croft is
even-keeled and pleasant with well-integrated components and strong depth of
flavor.
Fonseca
Powerful cherry/black cherry fruit for the palate is in
keeping with the Fonseca style. Generous streams of plum and loganberry provide
additional complexity in conjunction with sublime nuances of red licorice,
allspice, coriander and white chocolate. This very sexy port should not to be
missed by any self-respecting Port aficionado.
Quinta do Noval
The 2011 Quinta do Noval possesses a bright cherry/berry,
maraschino cherry identity for both nose and palate along with an exotic,
tropical red fruit, passion fruit character which is most unusual. Hints of
brown spice and graham cracker round out the flavor profile for this enjoyable
gem which is actually drinking quite well right now.
Quinta do Noval
Nacional
This is a very serious effort. Layered, vinous and inordinately
complex, the wine displays, even at this embryonic stage, all the
characteristics of a classic. Deep, dark flavors of black cherry, plum and
blackberry display sundry nuance of fig, anisette and bitter chocolate. It is,
using the Bordeaux analogy, a wine of First Growth quality. Think Pauillac/Château Latour.
Quinta da Romaneiro
This is a lighter-styled, fairly forward production that is
showing precociously well. Mixed red and black fruits abound nuanced nicely
with hints of spice, clove and lavender. This should be available in the market
place for a very reasonable price.
Taylor Fladgate
The 2011 Taylor Fladgate is an instant classic! It
approaches perfection! Full-on, creamy vectors of dark cherry, blackberry,
chocolate cherry fruit assault the palate in conjunction with scintillating
hints of toffee, milk chocolate and candied truffles. As if that weren’t enough
there are even more subtle nuances of fennel, anisette, espresso and black
licorice that provide additional complexity to this tour de force. A must buy!
Taylor Fladgate
Vargellas
In terms of quality, the Taylor Fladgate’s Vargellas is sort
of a miniature version of the above-noted wine. It combines both a red and
black fruit identity. Very even-keeled with a plush pleasing texture, the wine
brings a mélange of red cherry, red raspberry and bright plum fruits to bear in
conjunction with subtle hints of coriander, red licorice, nutmeg and allspice.
Library Selections
and other Current Releases
Where does one start? While the 2011 releases were
definitely the stars of the show, each participating estate provided additional
bottlings representing library stock or other current release bottlings. Too
many wines and so many highlights but here are a few faves that really caught
my eye. Many of these are still available in the market.
Croft 2009
sweet red raspberry, pomegranate and cherry
compote fruit, drinks well now.
Fonseca 2009
Superb wine that still needs time. Powerful
blackberry, black cherry fruit abound with
hints of chocolate fudge brownie,
allspice and graham cracker. Complexity galore!
Fonseca 2007
Another larger than life effort from
Fonseca, it’s a bit softer than the 2009 with a more velvety, plush texture.
Creamy with nice swirls of red raspberry, boysenberry and crème de cassis
fruit.
Quinta do Noval 2007
On the whole, the 2007 vintage
showed very well at this event and here’s another example. Drinking quite well,
the wine showcased such flambéed fruits as plum and cherry in conjunction with
pleasing streams of warm brown spices, nutmeg and pomegranate.
Taylor Fladgate 2007
Ripe blueberry/blackberry fruit,
this powerful Port is classic Taylor Fladgate with its nuanced mélange of nutmeg, cardamom, coriander, candied cherry,
lavender and herbs de Provence. Look for this in the market place! It’s worth
the effort!
Quinta da Romaneira 2004
Very successful for the vintage.
Robust, harder-styled texture that combines any number of black fruit flavors.
Perfect for that late night bit of chocolate while watching TV.
Fonseca 2003
Very ripe, very 2003! Very seductive
texture that unites luxurious flavors of blackberry, plum, loganberry and black
cherry along with regal swirls of brown sugar, cinnamon and cocoa. Drinking
wonderfully right now!
Quinta do Noval 2003
Another very ripe 2003 that’s quite
appealing in the moment, the wine combines seductive dollops of ripe plum and
sweet cherry fruit with hints of baker’s/bitter chocolate. Wonderful
juxtaposition of flavor and texture that’s quite attractive.
Quinta do Noval Nacional 2003
Just has that little bit
of extra flavor complexity and dimension for which Nacional is known. This is a
sublime effort, one of the top wines of the show and while purists may perhaps find
the fruit a bit too ripe, there’s no denying the attraction of its layered red
and black fruit identity which highlights plum, black cherry and wild berry
fruit along with pleasing hints of truffles and terroir.
Taylor Fladgate 2003
Filled to the brim with ripe fruit richness, the 2003 Taylor Fladgate
still retains a nice backbone of well-honed acidity which functions as the
spine of this fruit cornucopia that combines red fruits galore in conjunction
with hints of brown sugar, maple and cinnamon. The wine’s finish is seemingly endless
which bodes well for additional cellaring. This deceivingly complex effort
defined one of the show’s top wines and, while drinking well now, it has a nice
long life ahead of it for those so inclined.
Monday, June 17, 2013
The June 2013 Internet Auction
Dear Friends and Clients, Welcome to the special Late Spring Internet Sale, stacked cellar floor to ceiling with incredible new wines! Even after our stellar LIVE sale in Beverly Hills, we found our warehouse full of top lots ranging from Screaming Eagle to The Domaine and we are thrilled to present it to you in this online extravaganza. Place your bids online before 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 20, 2013, or submit a bid sheet directly to our office. There is something for everyone here, and we begin with the perennial auction touchstone of Bordeaux. From a Lady's cellar on the picturesque coast of California, The Countess of Montecito collection features a range of well cellared claret that would be a welcome complement to any dinner table. Further selections from our friend, A Midwest Gentleman's Century Cellar, are on offer, including rare California wines, top notch Burgundy, and, of course, well-cellared classic Bordeaux. You may notice that many lots come in several "sizes" ranging from one to six bottles with tiered reserve structures. One of the collections I'm most excited about, Classically Produced Treasures from Long-Lived Vintages, contains every wine geek's favorites from great, younger vintages built to go the distance.
As always, the team is standing by to help with any questions you may have. Happy Bidding! Amanda Crawford President
Click HERE to download the Catalog PDF
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Score: 90RP
Estimate: $6,000.00, Opening Bid: $4,000.00
Lot 327. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-Conti 1978. 1 Bottle.
Score: 95AM Estimate: $10,000.00, Opening Bid: $7,000.00
Lot 328. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche 2005. 1 Bottle.
Score: 99AM Estimate: $3,000.00, Opening Bid: $2,500.00
Lot 487. H. Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve des Célestins 2005. 12 Bottles.
Score: 98RP Estimate: $3,000.00, Opening Bid: $2,400.00
Lot 552. G. Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino 1995. 12 Bottles.
Score: 94WA Estimate: $3,500.00, Opening Bid: $2,500.00
Score: 96RP Estimate: $2,500.00, Opening Bid: $2,000.00
Lot 653. Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 2007. 3 Bottles. OWC.
Score: 100RP Estimate: $7,000.00, Opening Bid: $6,000.00
Lot 684. Opus One Vertical . 25 Bottles.
Estimate: $4,500.00, Opening Bid: $3,250.00
Lot 859. Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon 1997. 6 Bottles.
Score: 100RP Estimate: $5,500.00, Opening Bid: $4,500.00 |
Lot 487 |
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Le Cercle Rive Droite…A Right Bank Extravaganza!
By Dan Rhodes
I recently had the great pleasure to attend a superb tasting
and master class seminar in Beverly Hills at the Peninsula Hotel. Led by master
impresario Robin Kelley O’Connor in conjunction with Dr. Alain Reynaud of Le
Cercle Rive Droite and Ian Blackburn of Learn About Wine, a small but avid
group of us were treated to an incredibly informative and interesting tour down
such Right Bank “roads less travelled” as Lalande de Pomerol, Fronsac, Côtes de Castillon and Côtes de Bordeaux along
with many of the lesser known and under-appreciated satellite appellations of
St. Émilion.
The seminar was meticulously organized and impeccably
presented. It was divided into three parts. The first part, accompanied by a
representative flight of wines, focused on the various terroir of these sundry AOCs. While we, unfortunately, did not get
to taste Château
Petrus, the estate is a relevant landmark in any discussion of Right Bank terroir in that it holds a significant
spot atop a prominent plateau in Pomerol from which emanate, in concentric
circle fashion, the various soil types and terroirs
of the region. There is a great variety
of soil composition here ranging from the noble blue clay of Petrus through to
the limestone, gravel and sandier alluvial soil gradients which contribute so
greatly to the stylistic differences of each and every one of the wines made at
these, for the most part, family-owned and operated properties.
Cabernet Franc, in particular, does well throughout these
appellations along with, of course, the noble Merlot grape which comprises the
largest percentage, en cepage, of
Right Bank wines.
The second part of the seminar focused on vintage. Dr. Alain
Reynaud and Robin Kelley O’Connor spoke at great length and delivered a superb
presentation. Their vintage overview summarized general weather conditions and
patterns as well as the many other climatic anomalies which contributed to the
overall quality and flavor/texture characteristics of each and every one of
these harvests. Dr. Reynaud and Mr. O’Connor pulled no punches and to their credit
honestly and empirically looked at every vintage from 2000-2012 in forthright
manner correctly categorizing them in a proper qualitative hierarchy. At the
end of this lecture, we looked at a flight of wines representing practically
each and every one of these harvests with the goal of picking up and
understanding the most salient characteristics of each. This included one
separate flight, done blind, which gave us all the chance to utilize our newly
acquired knowledge to try to identify the vintages of the various wines poured.
After lunch, the third part of the seminar took place in
which all of the individual winemakers had the opportunity to present and pour
their wines for members of the trade, press and general public. With this, the
triad was completed. Each of the three sides of the vinous triangle had now
been properly presented: terroir,
vintage and winemaker. The equation was balanced. Some highlights are noted
below.
In conjunction with this superbly managed and skillfully
presented event, I would like to give a special shout out to Ian Blackburn of
Learn about Wine and his dedicated staff who poured wines skillfully and in a
non-obtrusive manner enabling all to glean so much knowledge and wine expertise
from this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Le Cercle Rive Droite Tasting…Highlight wines and scores
In conjunction with the seminar, all of the participating
estates took part in a comprehensive tasting showcasing their current en primeur releases from the 2012
vintage as well as selections from the back-to-back championship seasons of
2009/2010. Listed below are some of my favorites from two superlative vintages.
Most of these are still present in the market place and are worth seeking out.
I am sure they are, for the most part, available at reasonable price. Many
thanks to all of the vignerons who
participated in this event while generously donating both of their time and
wine.
A brief word or two on 2012 --- this is a very nice Right
Bank vintage given the strength of the early ripening Merlot grape. Many of the
wines I tasted were sinfully delicious with sublime nuances of sundry red and
black fruits. The wines are clean and precocious. Nevertheless, they have solid
short/mid-term ageing potential. In short, 2012 should not be ignored.
The bigger question at hand is the pricing policy and
ongoing attitude of the Bordelais. As Mr. Parker recently pointed out, the
region is at the crossroads. En primeur pricing
is no longer sustainable at the current niveau. The history of Bordeaux is
replete with “boom and bust” cycles dating back to the 18th and 19th
centuries. We are clearly in a transitional phase with broad market
implications for everyone in the trade.
Will the Bordelais act in a proactive manner and adjust
their strategy to re-recognize the relevance of their historical and
traditional markets in the US and UK or will they, in reactive fashion,
continue to attempt to ride the Asian dragon despite the strong evidence of an
imminent market correction? Only time will tell…
A Small List of
Favorites
Château
de Laussac 2009 (Côtes
de Castillon)
Château
La Dauphine 2010 (Fronsac)
Château
Moulin Haut Laroque 2010 (Fronsac)
Château
Villars 2010 (Fronsac)
Château
Clos de Clocher 2010 (Pomerol)
Château
Fayat 2010 (Pomerol)
Château
Le Moulin 2009 (Pomerol)
Château
Siurac 2009 (Lalande de Pomerol)
Château
Boutisse 2010 (St. Emilion)
Château
Grand Corbin Manuel 2009 (St. Emilion)
Château
Magrez Fombrauge 2010 (St. Emilion)
Château
Le Pressac 2010 (St. Emilion)
Château
Rol Valentin 2009 (St. Emilion)
Château
Fombrauge 2010 (St. Emilion)
Château
Le Prieuré 2010
(St. Emilion)
Château
Courlat 2010 “Jean-Baptiste” (Lussac- St Emilion)
Château
La Rose Perriere 2009 (Lussac – St. Emilion)
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