Owner: Dick Parsons
Chairman of Time Warner
Winery: Il Palazzone, Tuscany, Italy
2002 Brunello di Montalcino Classico ($85)
"2002 was a solid vintage, and this is an entry-level brunello. Easy-drinking but nothing much to show."
2001 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva ($125)
"With this, there's a difference right away—robust, big, you know there's something in front of you. It's aged longer in the barrel. I would serve this with rich foods."
Owner: Michael Lynne
Co-C.E.O. and co-chairman of New Line Cinema
Winery: Bedell Cellars, Long Island, New York
2005 Taste White ($30)
"I'm confused by the blend—chardonnay, viognier, sauvignon blanc, gewürztraminer, riesling. But all the flavors are expressed."
2005 Taste Red ($35)
"Another blend, but when you taste it, this goes in four directions. It's a medium-quality wine. I'd get bored with it in two seconds."
Owner: Bill Foley
Chairman of Fidelity National Financial
Winery: Foley Estates, Santa Rita Hills, California
2006 Pinot Noir ($40)
"I'm not so much into this one. You get more sun and less humidity in Southern California, so you would expect more ripeness. For the price, you might find better values."
2006 Chardonnay ($30)
"This is a beautiful chardonnay. Great balance, a persistent long finish of fruit. I'm happily surprised."
Owner: Alain Dominique Perrin
Ex-C.E.O. of Cartier and Richemont
Winery: Château Lagrézette, Cahors, France
2003 Zette Malbec ($12)
"Malbec is not supposed to be pleasant; it's a wine you need to eat something with. It's a nice wine, though, with amazing balance. I like it."
2001 Le Pigeonnier ($160)
"I'm speechless. It's everything you can expect from Malbec. The color is black, darker than the night. Don't serve it over your best tablecloth."
Snubbed!
We didn't get to taste one wine: Screaming Eagle. Why? It's almost impossible to find, and the company refused to provide a sample. Selling fewer than 500 cases a year, Screaming Eagle remains one of the industry's most sought-after brands.
Back to: Chief Executive Vintners
