• 1 – 3 Liter 1995 Château Lafite Rothschild, signed by Eric Rothschild
• 1 – 3 Liter 2000 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, Ornellaia
• 1 – 3 Liter 2001 Poggio Antico Brunello
• 1 – 3 Liter 2004 Mt. Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, etched and signed
• 1 – 3 Liter 2004 Surh-Luchtel Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
• 1 – 3 Liter 2005 Patz & Hall Chenoweth Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
• 1 – 3 Liter 2006 Domaine St. Prefert Reserve Auguste Favier Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Philosopher-poet Jimmy Cliff has taught the world many things. Recipient of Jamaica's “Order of Merit,” the Honorable Mr. Cliff has explained that there are many rivers to cross and that – if you really want something – you can get it. However, his most profound insight may well have been the maxim that “the bigger they come – the harder they fall,” and its corollary that this principle of Newtonian force holds true for both “one and all.”

Much like Heisenberg's ‘Uncertainty Principle’ or Shrödinger's cat, Cliff's words continue to inspire collegians and are often heard during late night study sessions. In the event that additional research into this branch of advanced physics and its impact upon oenology is merited; suitably “big” bottles would be required and these Double Magnums are the perfect bottles upon which to test Cliff’s theorem.

This research project ought to begin in Bordeaux, with a Double Magnum of 1995 Lafite. In its prime drinking window, this glorious wine is showing spectacularly well. Ruby purple, its smoky nose and gorgeous sweetness of fruit are hallmarks of a classic Lafite. St. Prefert’s “Reserve Auguste Favier” is another old world classic, a Châteauneuf with plenty of kirsch as well as licorice, lavender and herbs; a stunning example of a terrific 2006.

Of course, any statistically significant sample must include some of the finest wines from Italy; Ornellaia and Poggio Antico’s Brunello. The 2001 Poggio Antico is a Brunello of great complexity, depth and nuance and the millennial 2000 Ornellaia is a seamless beauty.

A trio of California’s finest complete this lot; a new world original in the Cabernet from Mt. Veeder and two Pinot Noirs from Patz & Hall and Surh-Luchtel. Made in a glorious, exuberant style, Surh-Luchtel Garys’ Vineyard full-bodied Pinot Noir is elegance and harmony in a bottle, while Patz & Hall’s Chenoweth Ranch brings a sense of Burgundian balance that only the Russian River can provide.

Quite an adventure, the testing of this theorem. All in the name of science, of course.

Donor: Jacinta & Larry Manierre and Retta & Elliott Singer