Dalla Valle 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (RP 92)
As always, a sleekly sophisticated wine with impressive structure and velvety fruit. The quote from Robert Parker: "A strong effort, the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon displays a dense purple color along with scents of creme de cassis, asphalt, and minerals, medium to full body, beautiful purity, and a long, heady finish filled with spice box, earth, herb, and cedar characteristics. It is also very forward. Enjoy it over the next 15 years." The Duke's price is $110.00 per bottle, but we have it by the 3-pack for $315.00.

Dalla Valle 2002 Maya (RP 93)
Extremely rare, the tiny production of Maya makes it one of the most sought-after of any wine in Napa Valley. A graceful, elegant wine with outstanding aging potential. More from Parker: "The Maya is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Cabernet Franc. In 2002 there are only 300 cases since this vineyard is being replanted. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by rich, sumptuous aromas of blueberries, raspberries, crushed rocks, dried herbs, a touch of smoke, and a long finish." Parker thinks that this wine will drink well for 20 years or more. We have decided to package one bottle of Maya with two of the Dalla Valle 2002 Cabernet Sauvignons and offer the 3-bottle package for $499.99.

Spottswoode 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (RP 96)
The 2002 vintage exhibits the characteristics one has come to expect from the Spottswoode Estate - blackberry, clove and baking spices. Rose petal is very prominent from the addition of Cabernet Franc. The tannins are polished yet firm, the wine worthy of further aging. From Parker: "Spottswoode has been on a roll lately with the Cabernet program, but I can't think of a greater vintage than their 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate. This dense ruby/purple-colored 2002 boasts an extravagant nose of licorice, creme de cassis, and truffles. As it sits in the glass, notions of white chocolate and mocha also emerge. In the mouth, it is like a New World version of Chateau Margaux's 2000 or 1990. Wonderfully rich and opulent, but structured and delineated, with exceptionally sweet fruit, laser-like precision, and purity, this is a tour de force in winemaking. One of the greatest reds Spottswoode has produced during its distinguished history, it is a full-bodied classic of extraordinary proportions. The wine's low acidity and ripe tannin suggest early drinkability, but it is still a youthful effort that should evolve easily for 15-20 years. Don't miss it!."
Our price is $110.00 per bottle. (Limit 2 bottles.)

Araujo 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (RP 98-100)
Araujo's Eisele Vineyard has long been known to produce some of California's most concentrated and age-worthy wines. Parker, again: "A potential candidate for perfection is the exquisite 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard. A 1,650-case blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot made from extremely low yields, it boasts superb intensity, flavor, elegance, and nobility in addition to a marvelously complex nose of minerals, licorice, cedar, creme de cassis, vanilla, and spice. Exceptionally rich, nuanced, and precise, it is a magnificent expression of Cabernet Sauvignon that offers the elegance of a Bordeaux with the power and potency of Napa Valley Cabernet. A tour de force, this wine can be drunk now or cellared for up to two decades."
The bottle price is $250.00. (Limit 1 bottle with the purchase of at least 5 bottles of other fine Duke wines.)

Dunn 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
Randy Dunn makes some of the longest-lived wines from the Napa Valley. The 2002 vintage is no exception. Check out what Parker says: "Sweet black currant, floral, blueberry, and cassis characteristics emerge from the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa. With medium body, and not the power and depth apparent in other Napa bottlings, it is a more elegant, restrained effort that will be ready to drink in 3-5 years. It should last for 15+ years." The Duke has this beauty in limited supply at $62.50 per bottle or $360.00 per 6-pack.

Abacus Cabernet Sauvignon (VII)
This is the seventh bottling of the ultra-rare "solera style" multiple-vintage blend of every ZD Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ever produced. The blending of the elegance of an older Cabernet Sauvignon with the intensity of fruit found in a younger wine makes this a must-have addition to your cellar, or, even better, to your glass. The spectacular bottle (pictured) comes in an elegant, velvet-lined display box. Very rare and extremely limited, the Duke's price is $350 per bottle. A 3-pack is available for $999.50.

Opus One 2002
Need we say more? Opus One thinned the crop in the 2002 vintage to the lowest yields in over a decade. This action not only improved the already high quality of the grapes, but concentrated the flavors even more than usual. Aromas of dried strawberry, vanilla bean and mocha lead to flavors ont the palate of cassis, black cherry, plum and espresso. Offering a lean vibrant entry with profound mid-palate density, the wine finishes with bittersweet chocolate and a hint of smoke. The price at the winery in Napa Valley is $160.00 per bottle. For a limited time, the Duke is offering this Napa classic as an email special for just $139.50 per bottle or $829.99 per 6-pack.

We offered Joseph Phelps 2002 Insignia on "future" back in December and quoted Robert Parker's comments on his review of a barrel sample. In February, he had a chance to taste the finished wine and awarded it 96 points, even higher than the 92-95 range he had felt it deserved based on the barrel sample. His comments follow (the first quote from the February tasting, the second from his tasting of the barrel sample): "The 2002 Insignia is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. This wine has put on considerable weight since last year. An exotic nose of spice box, soy, creme de cassis, chocolate, espresso, and various spices is followed by extravagant fruit on the attack, a voluptuous, medium to full-bodied palate, and a long, ripe, concentrated finish with the tannins well-concealed behind significant glycerin and concentration. This beauty is more extroverted than the 2001. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2023."

"The bulk of the fruit for the Insignia cuvee comes from vineyards on Manley Lane as well as the Stag's Leap area. All the Petit Verdot and Malbec utilized is from the vineyard adjacent to the winery. The Insignia cuvee has been one of Napa's great Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines since its inception in 1974. In the eighties, this offering seemed to fall off a bit, but it was phenomenal in the seventies, and most of those vintages are still alive. Moreover, it has been absolutely brilliant since 1991."

Parker is not the only one to rave about the 2002 Insignia. The Wine Spectator graced the cover of the current issue with a picture of the Insignia bottle, along with Colgin and Harlan Estate.

The Duke is truly pleased to continue to offer this fabulous wine at $99.50 per bottle. Order today while our supply is still plentiful!

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