Vinopolis Wine Shop

This week:  Conterno, Canalicchio, & Radikon

Aldo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Conca Tre Pile 2007 ($44.95) $24 vinopolflash special

Antonio Galloni 91 points ‘The 2007 Barbera d’Alba Conca Tre Pile is simply wonderful. Layers of ripe fruit, flowers, spices and new oak shimmer on the palate with the radiance and silkiness that is the hallmark of this great vintage. The Conca Tre Pile is a beautiful, elegant and restrained Barbera that captures the essence of the Conterno house style. It is highly recommended. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2017.”

 average price listed in USA is $37

Franco Pacenti Canalicchio Brunello di Montalcino 2003 ($59.95) $25.90 vinopolflash special

Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Good full red. Captivating nose offers currant, blackberry, flowers, tar, leather, dark chocolate and nutty oak. At once juicy and thick with extract, offering lovely energy to its vivid flavors of crunchy red fruits and dried flowers. This is lively, not roasted, and delicious already. The wine’s tannins melt into its fruit.”

Radikon Ribolla Gialla Venezia Giulia Friuli 2004 500ml ($49.95) $29 vinopolflash special

best price elsewhere in USA is $45.99/ bottle

 Radikon Oslavje Venezia Giulia Friuli 2004 500ml ($49.95) $29 vinopolflash special

Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2004 Oslavje offers up pungent tangerines, Kalamata olives, herbs and dried apricots. This is a surprisingly rich, textured Oslavje that impresses for its density and length. The finish is round and harmonious. Oslavje is a blend of Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The international varieties makes the Oslavje the easiest of the Radikon wines to grasp.”

best price elsewhere in USA is $47/ bottle

Radikon Jakot Venezia Giulia Friuli 2004 500ml ($49.95) $29 vinopolflash special

Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2004 Jakot (Friulano) shows a touch more delineation and clarity its bouquet and flavors than the Oslavje. There is a crystalline purity of varietal expression I find particularly appealing here. Pine, menthol and flowers add complexity to the taut, energetic finish. This is a beautiful, meditative wine that requires patience, but readers who take the time to listen to this wine will be amply rewarded. Like all of Radikon’s wines, the Jakot is wine that will offer its most vivid drinking and sheer pleasure with food.

best price elsewhere in USA is $48/ bottle

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 this week’s winning trifecta:

 Solaria Rosso di Montalcino 2007 ($24.95) $11.90 vinopolflash special

Stephen Tanzer 89 points “Good bright, deep red. Wonderfully scented nose of red cherry, pomegranate and marzipan is lifted by hints of lemon and tangerine. Lush and seamless but with racy, very pure, ripe red fruit flavors that are given laser-like precision by high but harmonious acids. This extremely well made, refined wine conveys a sense of lightness and grace on its medium-long finish, but just misses on the density for an outstanding score. Should it develop more stuffing with a little bottle age, my score will look ungenerous…89.” 

best price elsewhere in USA is $23.99 / bottle

Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Tradition 2008 ($59.95) $29 vinopolflash special

Wine Spectator 92 points “This is deliciously ripe, with layers of crushed plum, anise, black- berry and boysenberry fruit, all laced with plenty of spice and fruitcake notes. There’s lots of mulled raisin on the finish, but this stays nicely driven, with well-imbedded acidity. Contains the lots that usually go into the Chaupin cuvee, and it shows. Best from 2011 through 2022.”

best price listed anywhere else in USA is $34.99-average price listed in USA is $50

Zanzibar Cellars Syrah ‘Long Wide Life’ 2007 ($39.95) $18 vinopolflash special

Vinopolnotes: Well, at Zanzibar Cellars, life got wider than long. Which is sad, because in our minds they were showcase vintners of the Columbia Valley’s best vineyards. This one is from Red Willow Vineyard, in the Cascade Eastside Foothills at the elevated western end of the Yakima Valley. And how good is it? Here is a clue: Owen Roe’s 2007 Red Willow Syrah excited the Wine Spectator taster, Harvey Steinman to the tune of 92 points. So what? Zanzibar Cellars was in fact a corner of the Owen Roe winery. The winemaking was separate, but much was shared.

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all offers limited to stocks on hand

  For enhanced security our shopping cart system is provided by Account Wizard software.

Access shopping using the link to shop at the upper right of this page. Proceed to wine listings and narrow your focus towards the wine you want by using the search tool at the top of the page; or the category menu at the left.

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Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Oro-Gold 2005 ($44.95) $19.90 vinopolflash special

Wine Enthusiast 91 points There’s a very plush and velvety quality to this wine that is enhanced by aromas of red berry, pipe tobacco, natural rubber and exotic spice. The wine has a ripe, fruit-forward personality and a smooth, velvety finish that is broad, powerful and long lasting. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon back the Sangiovese.” 

next best price elsewhere in USA is $26.94 / bottle – average price elsewhere in USA is $38 / bottle

Domaine Marcel Deiss Bergheim Pinot Blanc 2008 ($24.95)               $14 vinopolflash special

Stephen Tanzer 88 points “Pale yellow-gold. Pungent aromas of soft citrus fruits, lemon and spices, with complicating notes of earth and minerals. Rich, buttery and moderately sweet, with some unabsorbed CO2 and firm acidity giving verve to this fairly large-scaled, very ripe pinot blanc. Turns drier and more minerally on the tactile, chewy finish, which hints at spicy oak and hazelnut. Offers plenty of dimension for the variety.” 

best price listed anywhere else in USA is $20.44

  ……………………………

all offers limited to stocks on hand

  For enhanced security our shopping cart system is provided by Account Wizard software.

Access shopping using the link to shop at the upper right of this page. Proceed to wine listings and narrow your focus towards the wine you want by using the search tool at the top of the page; or the category menu at the left.

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 Charly Thevenet Regnie Grain et Granit 2009 ($34.95) $17.70 vinopolflash special sorry now sold out

Josh Reynolds 92 points “Bright ruby.  Complex aromas of dark berries, violet and minerals, with slow-mounting smokiness.  Very suave and velvety on entry, then tight and energetic in the mid-palate, with dense dark berry and bitter cherry flavors, chewy texture and a medicinal nuance.  Thevenet, who is the son of Jean-Paul Thevenet, told me that these soils are heavily granitic, which is what gives his wine structure.  The finish is firm, gripping and very long.  Here’s another ’09 that will age.”

next best price elsewhere in USA is $25 / bottle-average price elsewhere in USA is $32 / bottle

 Domaine Thivin Brouilly 2009 ($24.95) $14 vinopolflash special sorry now sold out

Josh Reynolds 90 points “Bright red.  Fresh raspberry and rose aromas are complicated by white pepper and cinnamon.  Pure and seamless in the mouth, offering sweet red fruit flavors and a candied rose nuance.  The smooth, velvety finish clings with very good tenacity and echoes the raspberry note.  I suspect that plenty of Beaujolais purists will find this wine lacking in vibrancy, and they might be right.  But it’s awfully delicious now.”

 next best price elsewhere in USA is $23.47 / bottle – average price elsewhere in USA is $24 / bottle

Ca’ del Baio Barbaresco Marcarini 2006 ($49.95) $27 vinopolflash special

Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2006 Barbaresco Marcarini reveals greater sweetness and inner perfume than the Valgrande, with better balance between its fruit and structural components. Here the fruit is dark and riper, while the aromatics lean towards a balsamic expression of baking spices, menthol and resin. This is a very pretty Barbaresco from Ca’ del Baio, but the firm tannins will require a measure of patience. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2021. “

 best price listed anywhere else in USA is $44.99

 Newton Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Red Label 2008 ($27.95) $14 vinopolflash special

Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Medium ruby-red.  Fruit-driven aromas of cassis, black cherry and licorice.  Tighter and more medicinal than the Claret; less sweet and generous today, with a strong mineral component dominating.  This youthfully imploded wine finishes with chewy, building tannins.  This is from Newton’s basic range but still should benefit from three or four years of cellaring.  Like the Claret, an excellent value.”

 next best listed price in the USA is $15.97 – average is $22 / bottle

  also still available:

 Newton Chardonnay Red Label 2010 ($27.95) $14 vinopolflash special

Newton Cabernet Sauvignon Red Label 2009 ($27.95) $14 vinopolflash special

Newton Claret Napa Red Label 2008 ($27.95) $14 vinopolflash special

Stephen Tanzer 90 points “A Bordeaux blend based on 53% merlot and 33% cabernet sauvignon.  Bright red-ruby.  Enticing aromas of redcurrant, licorice, iron, loam, tobacco and chocolate.  Suave, round and nicely concentrated, with a restrained sweetness to the red fruit, herb and spice flavors.  In a polite, very easy-to-drink style and not at all over the top.  Finishes with a broad, spicy dusting of tannins and a suggestion of coffee liqueur.”

  average price listed in the USA on these three wines is $21 / bottle

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 all offers limited to stocks on hand

  For enhanced security our shopping cart system is provided by Account Wizard software. 

 Access shopping using the link to shop at the upper right of this page. Proceed to wine listings and narrow your focus towards the wine you want by using the search tool at the top of the page; or the category menu at the left.  

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doin’ what her big sister done:

Zanzibar Cellars ‘Casima’  Columbia Valley 2006 ($49.95) $17 vinopolflash special

Wine Spectator 91 points “Smooth and velvety. A supple style that lets the tobacco- and black olive-tinged cherry and spice flavors emerge easily, lingering on the generous finish. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2014.”

trans andean price war: 

Cheval des Andes Mendoza 2007 ($79.95) $49 vinopolflash special

Wine Advocate 95 points “There are no doubts about the 2007 Cheval des Andes, always a candidate for wine of the vintage. Composed of 60% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Merlot and Petit Verdot, it spent 18 months in new French oak. This leads to an enthralling nose of sandalwood, floral notes, exotic spices, a velvety texture, complex flavors, and an overall suave personality in the manner of a First Growth Bordeaux. It gracefully combines elegance and power in a wine that will continue to evolve for another 6-8 years. It will see its 20th birthday and likely many more in peak form.” Cheval des Andes is owned by the legendary Saint-Emilion producer, Chateau Cheval Blanc. The wine is sourced from their 50 hectare estate vineyard planted on its own roots in 1929. 

Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2008 ($89.95) $49 vinopolflash special

Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Clos Apalta, depending on your point of view, is arguably Chile’s best wine. And this vintage is  outstanding! Earth, minty spice, ripe berry, minerality and smoky aromas cover the bases. It’s superbly structured, with a fine texture and depth. Tastes lush and complex, with blackberry, crème de cassis, fine herbs and tobacco. Finishes classy.”

average price listed elsewhere in the USA on each of these two wines is $73

 down by law- the universal law- of gravitation:

Newton Chardonnay Red Label 2010 ($27.95) $14 vinopolflash special

Vinopolnotes Just released and no reviews yet. A Napa-Sonoma blend and very much in theNewtonstyle of Chardonnay- rich, buttery, & tropical-fruited. Yet neither unbalanced nor overtly sweet. This is the best listed price in the USA.

 Newton Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Red Label 2009 ($27.95) $14 vinopolflash special

Vinopolnotes Just released and no reviews yet. EntirelyNapa: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec. Dark blackberry & current fruit with great density. Separates itself from most entry level Cabernets by presenting some classic herbal elements along with a sufficient tannic backbone. Uncommonly complex and well balanced; carries interest and the probability of further evolution.  This is the best listed price in the USA.

Newton Claret Napa Red Label 2008 ($27.95) $14 vinopolflash special

Stephen Tanzer 90 points “A Bordeaux blend based on 53% merlot and 33% cabernet sauvignon.  Bright red-ruby.  Enticing aromas of redcurrant, licorice, iron, loam, tobacco and chocolate.  Suave, round and nicely concentrated, with a restrained sweetness to the red fruit, herb and spice flavors.  In a polite, very easy-to-drink style and not at all over the top.  Finishes with a broad, spicy dusting of tannins and a suggestion of coffee liqueur.”

average of prices listed in the USA for Newton Red Label Series is $19-$21 / bottle

  ……………………………

 all offers limited to stocks on hand

  For enhanced security our shopping cart system is provided by Account Wizard software. 

 Access shopping using the link to shop at the upper right of this page. Proceed to wine listings and narrow your focus towards the wine you want by using the search tool at the top of the page; or the category menu at the left.  

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