La Motte Millennium 2007: Writing about the South African winery La Motte for Wine Advocate, Neal Martin wrote “This Franschhoek winery owned by the Rupert family, offers a very strong portfolio with some exceptional high quality Rhone blends at outstanding prices. Much of the success is due to viticulturalist Pietie Le Roux, who has introduced organic farming at their Nabot farm in Walker Bay and winemaker Edmund Terblanche, who fashions an elegant, refined style of wine with generally lower alcohol levels that their peers. Consequently, freshness and vitality shone through. I was astonished these wines are not distributed in the USA”.  He rated the 2008 vintage of the Millennium 92 points and since this wine is still not distributed here in the US, you should yours here and try the 2007.

Segla 2004 Margaux: Rauzan-Ségla was once part of the vast Rausan estate owned by Pierre de Mesures de Rauzan in the mid-17th century. In 1989, the property was purchased by Brent Walker who sold the estate to the Wertheimer family of Chanel in 1994.  A winemaking team led by David Orr (from Chateau Latour) and John Kolasa was installed and they are credited with continuing to push the quality ever higher. Segla is the second wine of Grand-Cru producer Chateau Rauzan.  An accessible Bordeaux in the middle of its perfect maturity that can be enjoyed now or cellared through its first decade.

Illumination Sauvignon Blanc 2008: This 87 point California refresher was described by Wine Spectator as “A very crisp, lean style, with green apple, lime and melon notes. Appealing for its juiciness and intensity”.  With only 3,150 cases made, find yours here. 

2008 Luca Uco Valley Chardonnay: Robert Parker gave this wine 93 points and said of the Luca “The 2008 Chardonnay spent 12 months in 30% new French oak-aged sur lies before bottling without filtration. It has an alluring bouquet of toasty oak, baking spices, mineral, and tropical notes. This leads to a creamy textured, round, spicy Chardonnay with tons of flavor, excellent concentration, impeccable balance, and a length, pure finish. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. Luca is the personal project of Laura Catena, M.D., daughter of Argentina pioneer Nicolas Catena. The Chardonnay, since its inception, has always over-delivered, offering competition to the likes of Kistler, Peter Michael, and Aubert”.  Sounds like a pretty great deal.

Roureda Llicorella Priorat 2005: Wine Spectator bestowed a score of 91 on this lovely Priorat from the Cataluna region of Spain that NCS exchange student Marta calls home.  Tasting notes cited “This red is light and crisp, yet has plenty of structure to power its raspberry, licorice and mountain herb flavors. Focused and lively, with a floral, spicy finish.