Limited Private Edition Glenmorangie Artein Sassicaia Cask

Glenmorangie Artein is an exciting new addition which joins the ongoing Private Edition range, comprising so far of the highly esteemed Sonnalta PX and Finealta. Artein is the latest Private Edition from Glenmorangie. These are rare, limited-edition whiskies selected from the "cabinet of curiosities" of Dr. Lumsden. Released annually, Glenmorangie has completely sold out of the last two editions in rapid fashion.

Whisky connoisseurs who have tasted it are already calling the Glenmorangie Artein one the best whiskies from this storied house ever produced.

Of course, it's nothing new to look to

different sources for a cask, but one should never doubt Dr. Bill Lumsden, the head of distilling and whisky creation at Glenmorangie, and a real pioneer when it comes to innovation and wood management. Choosing casks from the iconic Super-Tuscan Sassicaia was a truly inspired way to finish the blend of already superb 15 year and 21 year old whiskies. The spirit started its maturation in Americ

an white oak ex-bourbon casks before individually spending a period of extra maturation in Sassicaia Super Tuscan wine casks. The rugged Tuscan coastal hills, built on stony foundations, are a seemingly improbable area for vineyards. However, the stones play an important role in the development of these fine wines. The vines are forced to delve deep into the soil seeking nourishment; as a result the grapes claim intense flavour from this unique terroir. 

Dr. Lumsden said "Wine is one of my huge passions and I was fascinated by the

role the stony ground played in the flavor profile of the famous Super-Tuscan wines. I was inspired to experimentwith extra maturing Glenmorangie in these wine casks and was thrilled with the result a rich, outstandingly fragrant whisky quite literally born of stone."

On the nose Glenmorangie Artein recalls a sweet and heady bouquet of ripe red berries, honeysuckle and fresh mint. On the palate, sun soaked baked fruits such as ripe apricots, peaches and plums harmonise gracefully with hints of spearmint and cherries in milk chocolate. A whisky of great length, Glenmorangie Artein finishes with high notes of zesty, lemon sherbet and a flourish of creamy cappuccino. 

Let the Roses Begin: Domaine Sorin one of the Best out on the market

Robert Parker called Domaine Sorin owner Luc Sorin" One of southern France's hottest winemakers. His 28-acre vineyard is located along the Bandol border (part of its acreage is actually within Bandol), but in spite of enjoying all the benefits of the sun-drenched Bandol micro-climate, he is entitled only to the Cotes du Provence appellation. This is an estate to check out before the prices soar, as these are exceptionally high quality wines. One of the most exciting winegrowers the South of France has to offer.”

Luc Sorin, a native of Auxerre who took over the reins in 1994, has left his almost Bunrgundian mark on this wine aged on the lees in barrels with stirring. The Domaine is situated between Bandol and Côtes de Provence. A sprightly rosé from the South of France, where they make them just right. Very refreshing. Light, soft pink in color, with hints of orange. enetrating floral and sweet tree fruits aromas - pear, with some light strawberry overtones. Very attractive on the nose. Fine acidity, fresh and flavorful - strawberry, orange peel. That ideal combination of fresh wild strawberries and a sprinkling of fresh herbs like mint and tangy chive. Excellent intensity and a fine lingering finish.  Domaine Sorin celebrates tradition and innovation, crafting superb wine from Provence's finest grapes. Shows there is more to this region than just being a vacation destination for movie stars.  

Domaine Sorin Terra Amata Rose Cotes De Provence 2011

Winery Notes: "Grenache 40%, Cinsault 15%, Syrah 10%, Mourvedre 15%, Carignan 10%, Rolle 5%, Orgi 5%. Brilliant pink robe with aromas of white peaches and citrus fruit on the nose, hints of minerals and spice. Attacking freshness with strawberry, raspberry and red current on the palate."

Hot, Hot, Hot 90+pt Bordeaux 2009 "Greatest Vintage Ever"- Parker

2009 Bordeaux have caught fire and we are running low on inventory of wines. But of course we still have some available for you to get today but don't wait. After re-tasting the 2009 Bordeaux Vintage Robert Parker said "2009 is the greatest vintage I have ever tasted in Bordeaux. I am willing to say it loudly, and stake my reputation on it."

Here are Robert Parker's notes from the new issue of Wine Advocate after re-tasting the 2009 Bordeaux Vintage in late Jan/ early Feb 2012.

In short, 2009 is the greatest vintage I have tasted in Bordeaux since 1982, of which it is a modern-day version, but greatly improved. It is more consistent (many châteaux that were making mediocre wine in 1982 are now making brilliant wine) and of course, the yields are lower, the selection process is stricter, and there are any other number of factors, from investments in the wineries to impeccable, radical viticulture, that have resulted in extraordinary raw materials.

1982 Déjà Vu All Over Again – But Greater
The one thing about these wines that I love is that the window of drinkability will be enormous. Just like in 1990 or 1982, the low acidity, the very ripe fruit, the high glycerin levels from the elevated alcohols, and the stunning concentration and fruit from low yields will give most of these wines incredible appeal in their youth, but at the same time will guarantee that the top wines last for 30 or more years, as the best 1982's have certainly done. I do want to reiterate that for as big, rich, and as high in alcohol as the 2009's are, they are remarkably pure, well-delineated and surprisingly fresh and vibrant – a paradox, but a wonderful one at that.

So has there been careless scoring inflation? Of course not. The same standards that gave what looked to be super conservative and very modest scores 32 years ago, are the same criteria that are in play today. The problem is that 2009 is the greatest vintage I have ever tasted in Bordeaux. I am willing to say it loudly, and stake my reputation on it. In fact, perhaps the most remarkable thing about 2009 is that there is no “buzz.” We are all tired of the newest Vintage of the Century, but when the real one happens, it has to be recognized, and someone has to point it out. That is not called hype, but accountability, fairness, and independent professional reporting.

When I first tasted Bordeaux professionally in the late 1970s, there were probably no more than 6-12 great wines, and another 25-50 that could be recommended without hesitation. By the time 1982 was conceived, that had risen to probably three dozen or more truly world-class, great, great wines, and another 75 to 100 that were top-flight, and worthy of readers’ interests. By 1990, this had grown to around 50 to 75 great wines and approximately 200 other top wines. This number continued to soar, and by 2000, there were probably 100-125 great and compelling wines and another 250 to 300 worth buying. By 2009 and 2010, we are in a situation where the wine quality in Bordeaux has eclipsed anything that has ever been done in the past. Some of the old-timers I talked to on this last trip truly feel that 2009 may well go down, when all the dust settles 25 or 50 years from now, as the single greatest vintage ever produced in Bordeaux since records have been kept. That’s a long time. The selection process that goes into making these wines, the investments in the wineries, the extraordinary, concerted effort by entire teams of winery personnel to produce the best wines possible, the practice of culling out the finest lots, and declassifying the rest into either second wines or selling off in bulk, using less SO2 , protecting the wine from bruising with the utilization of what are called “soft techniques” such as movement of wine by neutral gas and gravity, and much less fining and filtration if it all, has resulted in smashingly high quality that has never existed in the past. Take also the radical viticultural techniques that were never used 30 years ago. Christian Moueix was the first, at Petrus, to crop thin in the mid-1980's; now virtually every classified growth crop-thins, prunes for low quantities, and does intensively detailed work in the vineyards such as shoot positioning and selective harvesting based on the different exposures within the vineyard. This has all resulted in irrefutably higher and higher quality, explaining the increase in world class wines from the 1980s through the 1990s, and now through the first decade of the 21st century. Despite the complaints about overpriced Bordeaux, and Bordeaux has lost its soul, Bordeaux wines today offer more diversity, more quality, more aging potential, and offer more different flavors, aromas and characteristics than ever before in its history. This is an irrefutable fact.

Here are our 2009 Bordeaux Offers:
All Wines will arrive Spring 2012 
Both Wine Advocate/ Robert Parker and Wine Spectator Ratings are current.
These were scored after a re-tasting of the 2009 Vintage in early 2012.  

Don't Forget about the 2010 Bordeaux Futures
One thing I learned from the 2009 Vintage is that Bordeaux wines are still alive and well. As a collector or investor you would have still been able to save or make 20-30% on wines if you were to purchase 2009 Bordeaux during futures. As you know 2009 and 2010 may go down as two of the Best Vintages Ever in Bordeaux.  Well worth the hype. The 2009 wines are running out but here is your chance to get the 2010 Bordeaux Futures now and save.

Click here to see our Full List of 2010 Bordeaux Futures