623 Castellare di Castellina 'I Sodi di San Niccolo' Toscana IGT, Tuscany,
2013
This delightful Tuscan red wine is 85% Sangiovese and 15% Malvasia Nera from
a single vineyard. It opens to a darkly saturated appearance and shows ruby,
garnet and purple highlights. The bouquet is powerful but seamless at the
same time with smooth transitions between dark cherry, spice, tobacco and
moist clay. Aged for 30 months, this wine has a fruity freshness and the natural
acidity gives the wine a bright and buoyant personality.
Robert Parker - 96 points
Donors: Steve and Jinnie Song
Value: $75
624 Opus One 2013
Opus One is one of the world's most famous wines and is a partnership of two
of the most respected figures from Bordeaux and Napa Valley, Baron Philippe
de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi. It was the
first premium California wine sold in Europe and is one of the original "Cult
Cabernets." It continues to be one of the most expensive Cabernet Sauvi-
gnon-dominant wine produced in Napa Valley. Opus One is a single wine, a
Bordeaux Blend sourced from the estate vineyards in Oakville. The grapes are
hand-harvested, and gravity flow is used to get the fruit from the destemmer
into stainless steel tank for fermentation. The wine is then aged in new French
oak for a year and a half, during which time blending takes place. Although it is
primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Opus One makes use of Merlot, Cabernet Franc,
Petit Verdot and Malbec in smaller percentages.
Robert Parker - 97 points
Donors: Alex and Allyson Shen
Value: $350
Wine and Spirits Auction
Main Event 2020
