On November 3, the Sons of Bacchus and Daughters of Dionysus assembled for a tasting of red wines scoring 96 to 100 points in the leading wine rating publications, The Wine Advocate, The Wine Spectator, International Wine Cellar and the Wine Enthusiast. It was a memorable tasting as all the wines were outstanding, some more so than others. Because there were so many different types and varieties involved, there was no attempt to score a "winner." Here are the wines in order of tasting, with my notes. This time, I used the 100 point scale instead of my usual 20 points.

2010 Chateau Beaucastel Chareauneuf du Pape - Deep ruby colored, this showed a lovely perfumed nose of blackberry, cherry, cassis and orange peel, with deliciouly silky, mouth-encompassing sweetish flavors. 96 points.

2010 Domaine Charavin Chateauneuf du Pape - Deep ruby colored, this wine possessed a smoldering nose of dark fruits and dried roses, The flavors were deep and minerally, with notes of licorice, coffee and spices, followed by a long sweet-dry tannin finish. 97 points.

2011 Chapoutier Saint Joseph, Le Clos - This showed a deep crimson color and aromas of crushed roses, blackberry, blueberry and cassis. The flavors were classically structured, yet fleshy, the essence of Syrah, followed by a long ripe tannin finish. 96 points.

2009 Chateau Haut Bailly, Pessac-Leognan - This Bordeaux showed a deep crimson color, with aromas of blackberry, cherry and plum. The deep. penetrating flavors were tightly structured, with Cabernet dominant, with tannins evident, but unobtrusive, followed by a long, complex, deftly oaked finish. 97 points.

2001 Castel Giancondo Brunello di Montalcino - This was a lovely wine, brilliant crimson colored, with seductive aromas of bright red fruits, orange peel and perfumes. The flavors were fleshy, yet taut, with touches of leather and toast, followed by a long sweet-dry tannin finish. 97 points.

2006 Bodegas Muga "Prado Enea" Rioja Reserva - This is Muga's top wine. It showed a deep ruby color and a sultry, smoky nose of dark fruits and a hint of tar. The mid palate was weighty, again expressing dark fruits, laced with oak and dryish tannins counterpointed by a creamy finish. 97 points.

2005 Chateau Rausan-Segla, Margaux - This Bordeaux was a stunner. It offered a deep, purplish color and a rich dark fruit nose of blackberry, cherry and currant, with scents of roses and violets. The flavors were deep and full-bore, well-oaked and spice, with a long, long, complex finish. 98 points.

1994 Dominus, Napa Valley - This came on as being somewhat earthy and rustic, with a nose of ripe, maturing fruits, along with notes of spice and orange peel. The flavors were more thick and deep than complex. 94 points.

2012 Clos Morgander Priorat - This Spanish red exhibited a deep crimson color and perfumed aromas of dark fruits, roses and violets, with deep, spicy firmly structured, yet fleshy flavors, with super ripe tannins. 94 points.

2010 Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino, Vigna Pianrosso - I brought this wine (rated 97 points by the Wine Advocate). It did not show as boldly as some of the other wines, but was lovely. Medium ruby colored, it offered seductive aromas of rose petals and orange peel, with elegant, almost feminine, medium-bodied flavors, with touches of leather and spice on the long finish. 96 points.

2006 Deus ex Machina Chateauneuf du Pape, Clos St. Jean - This "God out of the Machine" showed a deep ruby color and a sultry, smoky nose of dark berries and plums, with scents of sweet tobacco and cedar. The flavors were deep and concentrated, with doses of sweet oak and satiny, dry tannins. 96 points.

2004 Achaval Ferrer Finca Altimiri, La Consulta, Mendoza - This was a striking Argentina wine, from 80+ year old vines. Opaque purplish colored, it emited sweetish aromas of dark fruits, crushed roses, and violets. The flavors were massive, yet fleshy, packed with licorice, chocolate and earth, followed by a long, deep, penetrating finish. 98 points.

2010 Chateau Lynch-Bage, Pauillac - This was the star of the evening. Deep crimson colore, it possessed rich aromas of cedar, roses, violets. The flavors were beautifully structured, with vivid dark fruits that enveloped the palate. The back picked up integrated toasty oak and ripe tannins, followed by an endless finish. Will have a great future.  99 points.

Thanks to Brian Rudin and Ashley Trout for hosting this spectacular tasting at their new home on School Avenue.