Saturday VinopolPick – February 6th

Saturday, February 6th, 2016

Zorzal Eggo – Newly Arrived & Highly Rated; Wicked Good Deals on Washington Wines – Arriving Friday; Wines Arriving in February; Rodney Strong; Francois Cotat; Trioja!: Lopez de Heredia, Muga and Remulluri; Tuscan Case Deals

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Zorzal Eggo – Newly Arrived

Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza, Tupungato, Argentina 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2013 Eggo Tinto de Tiza fermented in cement eggs and matured on the skins for six months. It’s mostly Malbec with 8-10% Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from Gualtallary. This wine was first produced in 2012, from grapes grown on more calcareous parts of the vineyard. The wine is pure, mineral, subtle, elegant and harmonious. The palate is electric with a purity of flavors, great freshness and length that has a chalky minerality amplified by the freshness of the year. Tiza is the Spanish word for chalk. If you want to understand what the fuss is about the Michelini brothers, their egg-fermented wines and the Gualtallary soils, this is a perfect example. This is a wine to buy by the case, as this quality is rarely found at this price.” LG

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Zorzal Gran Terroir Malbec, Tupungato 2013 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Zorzal Gran Terroir Malbec, Tupungato 2013 750ML ($299.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2013 Gran Terroir Malbec is a blend from different vineyards in Gualtallary, the highest part of the department of Tupungato in the Valle de Uco. The grapes fermented in cement vats and matured in used oak barrels for approximately one year. It’s very perfumed and spicy, aromatic in a way that makes you go to the glass over and over again. The palate has the 2013 electricity and the Gualtallary chalkiness making for supple, tasty and saline flavors and a very long finish. Simply superb!” LG

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Also Available Here Now from Zorzal:

Zorzal Terroir Unico Malbec, Tupungato 2014 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Case-12 Zorzal Terroir Unico Malbec, Tupungato 2014 750ML ($199.95) $169 special (that’s only $14.08/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2014 Terroir Único Malbec was described to me as a cherry and violet juice spiced up with cracked pepper. There was a cold maceration to extract those wild fruit aromas and then the fermentation was carried out with indigenous yeasts in cement vats at low-ish temperatures. The wine matured in cement vats before bottling, and never saw any wood. Juicy, silky and very drinkable with polished, sweet tannins and very good length, the palate reveals a purity, a sense of harmony and subtle balance that is amazing for a wine of this price. Unbelievable value! 200,000 bottles were produced.” WA

Arriving in April from Zorzal:

Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza, Tupungato 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza, Tupungato 2014 750ML ($419.95) $359 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Eggo Tinto de Tiza is a blend from three different vineyards in Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary. It’s a blend of mostly Malbec with some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. As is the case with the whole Eggo range, the wine didn’t see any oak, and in this case it was matured in egg-shaped cement vats for one year. There are violets, plums, dark cherries and something earthy. This is slightly riper than the 2013. The medium-bodied palate has is fresh with a silky texture, pure flavors and a mineral-driven finish. At this price I’d buy it by the case. Super!”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Zorzal Eggo Franco Cabernet Franc, Tupungato 2015 750ML ($34.95) $27 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Zorzal Eggo Franco Cabernet Franc, Tupungato 2015 750ML ($319.95) $279 pre-arrival special (that’s only $23.25/bottle!)
Winery notes “The Gualtallary terroir has a calcareous soil, with stones streaked with chalk. It is rocky, with a breeze from the Andes that offers freshness and natural health. Its great altitude and desert climate make it an ideal place to achieve grapes of exceptional quality and unique personality. This terroir is revealed in the Zorzal wines through a respectful, non-invasive wine-making process that puts fruit before wood and austerity before exuberance.”
Wine Advocate notes (from the 2014 vintage review) “There is a Cabernet Franc in the Eggo range produced with grapes from Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary, a place that defines itself as a wine country club that touts a combination of real estate, vineyards and sport facilities, including golf and polo! The vines were only planted in 2008 (everything in Gualtallary is really new). There are some 300 hectares of vines there, in one of the best parts of Gualtallary. They have three-hectare plots owned by mostly foreign investors and most of the highly sought after grapes are sold. Zorzal has agreements to buy grapes (and control the viticulture) of 20 of these plots. The spiciness of all these Eggo wines comes from the grapes and the fermentation and aging in cement, as none of the wines see any oak. The Michelini brothers keep producing fresh, elegant and terroir-driven wines from their base in Gualtallary. The range seems to be growing almost infinitely, as their creativity also seem to have no limits.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Zorzal Eggo Filoso Pinot Noir, Tupungato 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2014 Eggo Filoso Pinot Noir is produced with fruit from Gualtallary. It fermented after carbonic maceration in cement vats and like the whole Eggo line, it matured in cement eggs for some nine months and never saw any oak. Pale-colored, floral and showing a lactic touch, it is earthier than the Gran Terroir. The palate is medium-bodied, with floral flavors, very good acidity and a fine texture. 6,000 bottles produced.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal, Tupungato 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal, Tupungato 2014 750ML ($319.95) $259 pre-arrival special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2014 Eggo Blanc de Cal is pure Sauvignon Blanc from two different vineyards in Gualtallary. The full clusters are pressed and the must was fermented and aged in contact with the lees for nine to ten months in their famous egg-shaped cement vats. This is more subtle and earthy, less Sauvignon, with the fruit expressing itself in a lower-pitched voice, more of a baritone. It’s also has a little wider, pungent and powerful character in the mouth. This is only around 13% alcohol, and even though in 2014 it didn’t go through malolactic fermentation, it’s still a very light and fresh wine. Groundbreaking Sauvignon. 4,800 bottles were produced, fruit of two eggs.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

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Just a reminder about our current shipping specials during this season:

We offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California for $25

These rates do not apply to orders held in storage here for any reason.
Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment do not qualify for flat rate shipping.

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Washington Wines at Wickedly Reduced Prices!

Arriving February 12th

Dunham Cellars Lewis Estate Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special, ETA February 12th
Wine Advocate 94 points “Another terrific effort, and one of the strongest Syrahs in the vintage, the 2011 Syrah Lewis Vineyard is 100% Syrah that spent 30 months in 90% new French oak, which you’d never know by tasting it. Gorgeous blackberry, blueberry, wild herbs, licorice, chocolate and hints of crushed rock all emerge from this beauty, and it flows onto the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, bright acidity and a seamless, elegant profile. It’s enjoyable now, but will shine for another decade at least as well.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $74.95

Den Hoed ‘Marie’s View’ Red, Horse Heaven Hills 2009 750ML ($79.95) $39 pre-arrival special, ETA February 12th
Wine Advocate 94 points “Along the same lines, the 2009 Marie’s View is a tweaked blend of 25% each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot, with the balance Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese aged for 24 months in half new French oak. Perfumed and complex, with notions of liquid violets, sappy herbs, red and black fruits and exotic spices, this beauty hits the palate with a full-bodied, sweetly fruited, yet elegant profile that stays light and weightless. A thrilling, hedonistic drink, it will continue to deliver the goods through 2019.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $62.96
The average price is $76

Fidelitas Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley 2012 750ML ($69.95) $39 pre-arrival special, ETA February 12th
Wine Advocate 91 points “The classic 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Mountain is more evolved and open than the single-vineyard releases. Giving up plenty of toasted bread, spice-box, cured meats, vanilla and red currants, it’s full-bodied, rounded and textured, with good tannin. Aged in 40% new French and American oak, I suspect it will evolve more rapidly than the more pricey releases, yet it should still have 10-15 years of overall longevity.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $75!

Fidelitas ‘Optu’ Red, Red Mountain 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 re-arrival special, ETA February 12th
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “This appealing blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Merlot (13%), Cabernet Franc (7%) and Petit Verdot offers notes of bittersweet chocolate, dark cherry, herbs, black licorice, floral notes and coffee. It’s power-packed and concentrated with layered dark fruit flavors, with a fine sense of tension between the fruit, acid and tannins. Cellar Selection.” WE

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Apex Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley 2012 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special, ETA February 12th
Wine Spectator 92 points “Supple, open-textured and generous, with pure currant and blackberry flavors on a deftly balanced frame. Violet nuances linger against powdery tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2022.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Mark Ryan Winery Dead Horse Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 2013 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special, ETA February 12th
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “More straightforward and focused, with lots of mineral nuances intermixed with graphite, ground herbs, black cherry and blackberry fruit, the 2013 Dead Horse Ciel du Cheval Vineyard (87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and a splash of Petit Verdot) is full-bodied, structured and backward, yet certainly has potential. Holding things a little closer to the vest at the moment, I suspect it is best left alone for 3-4 years once released.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $53

Mark Ryan Winery Long Haul Proprietary Red, Red Mountain 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, ETA February 12th
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2012 Long Haul Ciel du Cheval Vineyard is another terrific Bordeaux blend from this team. Made from 49% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, it was vinified in stainless steel and aged in once used French oak barrels. It exhibits subtle hints of coffee bean in its red and black fruits, roasted meats, spice and licorice-styled bouquet, and picks up more and more floral nuances with time. Full-bodied, tight, focused and a little backward, it opens up nicely in the glass, has integrated acidity and a clean finish. Give it 2-4 years and drink it through 2032.”

Mark Ryan Winery Lost Soul Syrah, Yakima Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special, ETA February 12th
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2013 Lost Soul Syrah should be as good as the ’12, if not better. Inky purple in color, it exhibits lots of cooler-climate notes of pepper, bouquet garni, crushed rock and pure blackberry fruit. Aged in 40% new French oak puncheons and all from the Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley, it’s rich, medium to full-bodied, and perfectly balanced, with lively acidity and no shortage of texture or depth. It should benefit from short-term cellaring and age gracefully.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Boudreaux Cellars Merlot, Columbia Valley 2009 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special, ETA February 12th
Wine Advocate 92 points “All of Rob’s 2009s showed strangely last year, and I was happy that he resubmitted them this go around. Starting out, the 2009 Columbia Valley Merlot is a beauty and shows none of the volatile notes I found last year. Cassis, lead pencil, tobacco and floral notes all come together nicely in this full-bodied, elegant and layered red. Seeing 24 months in 40% new French oak, it should have a decade or more of prime drinking.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Betz Family Winery Clos de Betz, Columbia Valley 2011 750ML ($69.95) $47 pre-arrival special
Betz Family Winery Clos de Betz, Columbia Valley 2011 1.5L ($129.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “(67% merlot, 28% cabernet sauvignon and 5% petit verdot; aged in 65% new oak): Good bright, deep red. Redcurrant, cocoa powder and musky tobacco on the nose. Gentle and creamy in the mouth for 2011, with harmonious ripe acidity framing the sweet red berry, cherry and cocoa powder flavors. This floral merlot-based wine is supported by firm acids and tannins but comes across as quite feminine in style. Betz notes that 2011 was a very good year for merlot.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $60

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Other Hard to Find Wines Arriving This Month

Jerome Prevost La Closerie Les Beguines, Champagne NV (2013) 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, ETA February 12th
100% Les Beguines single vineyard Pinot Meunier

Domaine des Heritiers du Comte Lafon Macon Chardonnay Clos de la Crochette, Burgundy 2014 750ML ($47.95) $38 pre-arrival special, ETA mid-February

Domaine des Heritiers du Comte Lafon Macon Milly-Lamartine, Burgundy 2014 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special, ETA mid-February

Dauvissat-Camus La Forest, Chablis Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special, ETA late February
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93+ points “Bright pale yellow. Penetrating mineral aromas of crushed stone and oyster shell, with a hint of ripe grapefruit in the background. Wonderfully juicy and vibrant if youthfully taut, offering uncanny intensity and tactility for the vintage. Finishes saline and extremely long, with notes of lime, oatmeal and powdered stone. This palate-staining wine left my salivary glands quivering. Dauvissat does a vendange entier, practically no debourbage and almost no stirring of the lees.” ST

Dauvissat-Camus Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($219.95) $199 pre-arrival special, ETA late February
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 96 points “Pale yellow. Bracing aromas of lemon, ginger, chalk and spices. At once dense and penetrating, with outstanding citric cut to the complex, slightly high-toned flavors of lemon zest, white pepper, minerals and subtle resiny spices. Here, too, the wine’s intense chalky character gives it an impression of stronger acidity than the numbers would suggest. Boasts terrific fruit intensity, and the wonderfully precise finish goes on and on. A great showing today, and one of the superstars of the vintage.” ST

Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Les Chaignots, Nuit Saint Georges Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, ETA late February
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Mugneret-Gibourg’s 2011 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Chaignots is remarkably polished and refined in this vintage. Sweet rose petals, spices and red berries emerge from a gracious Burgundy that shows the more finessed side of Nuits. This is one of the more classically structured 2011s readers will come across. Today, the Chaignots is drop-dead gorgeous. Dried rose petals, sage, mint and crushed raspberries linger on the close.” AG

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Rodney Strong

In 1959, celebrated American dancer Rod Strong followed his second passion and founded a winery in Sonoma County. It was only the 13th winery bonded in this new region. He pioneered planting varietals that would later put California on the winemaking map: Chardonnay in what would become Chalk Hill and Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley. In 1974, he released the first single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon of Sonoma County: Alexander’s Crown.

Today, the Klein family continues Rod’s tradition of innovation and excellence: they expanded and modernized the winery, adding temperature-controlled cellaring, new fermentation tanks, and even built solar panels to improve their sustainability efforts. They added Symmetry, a Bordeaux-style red blend, to the illustrious lineup. Each lot is hand-harvested, fermented separately and age in French oak barrels. Before being included in the final cuvee, each lot is tasted and graded before a final determination is made.

Rodney Strong Wines Available Here Now

Rodney Strong Rockaway Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2012 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Spectator 94 points “A remarkable wine that exhibits the power of ripe currant, blackberry and and fine length. Drink now through 2028. ” WS

Rodney Strong Symmetry Meritage, Alexander Valley 2011 750ML ($59.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles available
Winery note “The 2011 Symmetry greets you with an opulent bouquet of blackberries, cassis, and sweet spices. It unfolds on the palate with layers of black fruits, dark chocolate and spice. This mouth-filling wine is rich and silky in texture with a long, lingering finish and the structure for several years in the cellar. Intended to be enjoyable on release, the 2011 Symmetry is destined for evolution in the bottle.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $41.95
The average price is $50

Rodney Strong Single Vineyard Alexander’s Crown Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2009 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 26 bottles available
Robert Parker 92+ points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander’s Crown bursts from the glass with dark cherry jam, blackberries, exotic spices, flowers, grilled herbs and graphite. It boasts gorgeous depth and a rich, sumptuous personality. Higher-toned floral notes add lift and brightness on the finish. The style is decidedly on the opulent side, yet all of the elements are nicely balanced. The 2009 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 23 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.” RP

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $69

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Francois Cotat and the Magic of Sancerre

“…I shook my head in wonderment as to why so few Sancerre producers made wines such as these…” -Pierre Rovani – Wine Advocate

Our importer notes: “There’s Sauvignon Blanc, and then there’s Sauvignon Blanc as imagined by François Cotat. Devotees can tell you that what happens in this modest cellar in Chavignol is one part winemaking, three parts magic. Suffice it to say that Cotat Sauvignon has to be tasted to be believed.

“The Cotat family has tended both Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir on the slopes of the Monts Damnés in Chavignol since the end of the second World War; it was only in the 1990s when two brothers, Paul and Francis, handed over the family domaine to their sons, François and Pascal, respectively. Today there are two Cotat domaines—one in Chavignol, headed by François, and one in Sancerre, run by Pascal. What sets these cousins apart is less important than what they share—a passion for natural winemaking and a truly amazing touch with Sauvignon Blanc.

“François essentially runs an organic domaine, tending and harvesting his vines by hand. Harvest is never rushed; in fact, François (as does his cousin Pascal) harvests more than a week after every other winery in the region. Needless to say, extra maturity on the vine means extra body and complexity in the wine. Vineyards are located on very steep slopes, requiring a hand harvest that has become a bit of a pilgrimage for Cotat devotees. The steepest plots can only be worked by sliding down with a cushion tied to your rear while you hold the bucket in front of you. The cousins invented this amusing system, and pickers come from all over Europe every year to volunteer for the harvest.

“Soils in Chavignol share the same chalky heart as Chablis; this “terre blanche” imparts a steely, mineral-rich backbone to François’ single-vineyard cuvées—“Les Monts Damnés,” “Les Culs de Beaujeu” and “Grande Côte.” Yet at the same time there are wines that show a glycerin-like texture in the mouth, a wonderfully fleshy sweetness that is seldom seen with Sauvignon. While François keeps an old wooden hand press in his cellar to remind him how his father used to make wine, he opts for a modern press—yet everything else is natural, from sugar fermentation in barrique to bottling wines unfined and unfiltered.

“Cotat’s wines truly benefit from age. While these wines are irresistible when they are young, one of the unique pleasures of putting down a few bottles is to later discover a rich, custard-like wine that defies everything you would expect from racy Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc.”

Francois Cotat Sancerre Just Arrived- Available Here Now:

Francois Cotat Sancerre Les Caillottes 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 14 bottles available
Importer note: “Francois has been vinifing “Caillottes” separately since 2005; the vineyard name refers to a type of soil found in Sancerre—very rocky and chalky.”

Francois Cotat Sancerre Les Culs de Beaujeu 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 8 bottles available
Importer note: “The terroir of “Culs de Beaujeu” blends clay and chalk for a Sancerre that delivers more texture and supple fruit in the mouth. The nose is sultry and deep, with smoky incense notes; richly cut and seductive, the mouth shows ripe white fruits with lots of citrus influence, candied, fresh and dried.”

Francois Cotat Sancerre La Grande Cote 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 26 bottles available
Importer note: “The cooler vineyard site (with its older, 40+ year old vines) of “Grand Côte” is the last to be harvested of all Francois’ small parcels; it delivers fruit that is incredibly precise and yet deeply complex in flavor.”

Francois Cotat Sancerre Les Monts Damnes 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 2 bottles available
Importer note “These “damned mountains” are so named for their steepness and challenge in harvesting. (The family invented a system where one slides down the hill on a cushion, picking grapes as you go.) The most chalky and chiseled of François’ Sancerres. Always the cornerstone of the Cotat canon.”

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Trioja!

Below we are featuring a Trio of Rioja producers each with a long and distinguished history in the region: Lopez de Heredia, Remelluri and Bodegas Muga.

Lopez de Heredia

The Lopez de Heredia estate was founded by Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta in the 19th century. He was inspired by French negociants that were visiting the region looking for alternative sources of grapes during the phylloxera epidemic. The winery he designed and constructed is the oldest in Haro, the center for winemaking in the Rioja Alta. Today, the winery is operated by his great-granddaughters Maria José and Mercedes Lopez de Heredia with the assistance of their father, Pedro and brother, Julio César. It is well-respected for its traditional winemaking and its lengthy ageing of both its reds and whites. In a region where Gran Reserva wines can be released after six years, Lopez de Heredia sets a high standard by oak ageing its wines for eight before cellaring in their high humidity cellars for almost a decade more. The result is wines of exquisite complexity, maturity, and ability to drink upon release or age longer at a fraction of the price of other classic wine regions.The family is proud of their history of exclusively using their own estate-grown grapes from traditionally farmed vineyards untouched by modern machinery or chemicals. Today, they four vineyards: Viña Tondonia, Viña Cubillo, Viña Bosconia (El Bosque) and Viña Gravonia (Zaconia). Many of their vines date back to the period of replanting after phylloxera hit Spain in the beginning of the 20th century. They are in the traditional bush shape that produces low yields and protects against wind damage. Their most famous vineyard, Viña Tondonia, was founded in 1913 by Don Rafeal. It is on the right bank of the Ebro River in a shell-like depression and produces silky and elegant wines. Viña Bosconia produces richer wines with more earthiness and power, which are typically aged for one less year in wood.

All of the estate’s red and whites wines are fermented in cask before they undergo extended oak ageing in Bordeaux barrels. The oak flavor is integrated into the wine and softened during the lengthy bottle ageing. The Lopez de Heredia whites are particularly unique because the extending bottle ageing integrates what would otherwise be an overpowering oak influence. All of the wines are aged in bottle for extended periods in their cellar that is naturally temperature controlled and high in humidity, which is regulated by the naturally occurring mold.

The Gran Reserva wines begin as all the other wines by being aged in oak for eight years. During this time, the family frequently tastes the wine as it develops. If it is considered of high enough quality it is labeled Gran Reserva, bottled, sealed with wax and cellared for eight addition years.

We are pleased to present several of their unique and well-aged wines for your enjoyment.

Lopez de Heredia Wines Here Now:

Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2003 750ML ($47.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2003 750ML ($499.95) $359 special, 5 cases available (that’s only $29.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Bright ruby-red. Ripe cherry, vanilla and floral pastilles on the smoky, oak-spiced nose. Sweet and supple on the palate, offering pliant red fruit and spicecake flavors with suave mocha and vanilla bean nuances. Quite lively and fresh for a wine from a hot vintage, and showing no excess fat. Finishes sweet, toasty and very long, with smooth tannins making a late appearance.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Cigar box, cedar and balsamic notes frame cherry, raisin and licorice flavors in this lean, firm red. Displays grip and focus. A traditional style. Drink now through 2023.

Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2004 750ML ($47.95) $38 special, 19 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2004 Vina Bosconia Reserva is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho and the remaining 5% Mazuelo and Graciano aged for five years in used barrels, racked twice per year and fined with egg whites before being bottled unfiltered. Dark ruby-colored, with notes of beef blood, iron, antique shop, incense, blood orange and a touch of volatile acidity, the palate is very fresh, with good concentration, clear flavors and enough grip and fruit to age gracefully. A perfumed and feminine great Rioja. The Bosconia vineyard wines are the only ones from Lopez de Heredia bottled in Burgundy bottles. Drink now-2024.” WA

Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Blanco, Rioja DOCa 1981 750ML ($249.95) $189 special, 12 bottles available
Neal Martin – Wine Advocate 95 points “The 1981 Vina Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva has a complex bouquet of barley sugar, candle wax, dandelion and a touch of melon. The palate is medium-bodied with fine acidity, dried honey and a touch of lemongrass than lends it edge. The finish is bone dry, beautifully defined and persistent in the mouth. Drink now-2030+”
Antonio Galloni – Vinous 93 points “The richly-colored 1981 1981 Viña Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva captures the essence of this house’s wines. It is a wine of great complexity as well as contrasts. At once mature yet seemingly ageless, full-bodied yet somehow also miraculously delicate, it displays evolved sensations of earthiness, smoke, roasted nuts and dried apricots in a more oxidative style with great persistence on the palate and enough acidity to make me think it will drink well for at least another ten or so years.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points “True gold, but remarkably youthful for its age. W ild, complex bouquet of pungent flowers, succulent herbs, orange peel, violet, vanilla, toasted nuts and baking spices. Rich, deep and beautifully concentrated, with surprising energy to the ripe pear and poached apple flavors complemented by marzipan and vanilla. This actually tightens up on the finish, showing a lingering exotic, spicy character. You could drink this right now or even hold it for a few more years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $224.99
The average price is $241

Remelluri

The Remelluri estate dates to the 14th century when Hieronymite monks built a farm and sanctuary. When they left the site in the 15th century, local hermits maintained the shrine and a communal organization Real Divisa managed the farm. Ancient wine presses carved into the stone around the hills remains as one of the oldest winemaking artifacts in the Rioja. The estate was sold in 1845 during political unrest in Spain. It was resold in 1967 when Jaime Rodriguez Salis purchased the estate’s vineyards. His son, Telmo Rodriguez, was the winemaker during the 1990s. He left on good terms to work on other projects but has recently returned to take over the estate. Telmo is among the most heralded winemakers in Spain.The vineyards are on the south-facing slopes of the Sierra de Toloño Mountains overlooking the valleys of Valderemelluri, La Granja and Villaescusaat. These are some of the highest elevations in the region. The valleys help protect the vineyards from frost and wind. The soil is mostly limestone with clay and calcareous deposits dating back to the Quaternary Period.

All of the grapes are hand harvested and the grapes are hand sorted during and after harvest. The wines are fermented with naturally occurring yeasts. Each plot of land determined to have a unique microclimate is vinified separately. The Gran Reserva is produced only in the best vintages and from the best plots within the vineyards. It is primarily Tempranillo with Garnacha Graciano, Moscatel, Viura and Malvasia. It is matured in barrels of various size and age for twenty-seven months. The red wine is made from a similar blend of grapes and is aged for 17 months in barrels. The white wine is a blend of nine different grape varieties. The wine is aged for 18 months in French oak. The Lindes de Remelluri (“Borders of Remelluri”) is made from grapes traditionally sold to the estate and sourced from village vineyards in Labastida and San Vicente de La Sonsierra surrounding the estate. It is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Viura that was aged in French oak for one year.

Remelluri Wines Here Now:

Bodegas Remelluri ‘Lindes de Remelluri Vinedos de Labastida’, Rioja DOCa 2010 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 17 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Saturated ruby. Blackcurrant, smoky minerals and potpourri on the highly perfumed nose. Silky and sweet on entry, then packed with juicy dark fruit complicated by floral pastilles and a hint of blood orange. Powerful but lithe, with seamless texture, fine-grained tannins and impressive energy on the finish.” ST

Bodegas Remelluri ‘Lindes de Remelluri Vinedos de San Vicente’, Rioja DOCa 2010 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 22 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Glass-staining ruby. Heady aromas of boysenberry, cassis, fennel and pipe tobacco, with a sexy vanilla undertone. Lush, velvety and sweet in the mouth, with sexy flavors of black and blue fruit preserves, licorice and floral pastilles. A fleshy, powerful but shockingly energetic Rioja, with supple tannins framing a long, sweet finish.” ST

Remelluri, Rioja DOCa 2008 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “(mostly tempranillo, with garnacha, graciano, viura and malvasia): Ruby-red. Redcurrant, cherry, rose pastille and spicecake on the highly perfumed nose and in the mouth. Silky, sweet and penetrating, with slow-building tannins and excellent finishing cut and length. A very successful wine for this difficult vintage, and it’s built to reward at least another ten years of aging.”ST

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Bodegas Muga

Bodegas Muga winery is located in the historic town of Haro in the Rioja Alta. It is owned and operated by Juan Muga, whose grandmother Aurora founded the estate. The estate’s 620 acres of vineyards rest at the foot of the Montes Obarenses within the Rioja Alta, a sub-region of the Rioja. The Rioja Alta is considered the most important sub-region due to its quality and quantity of wine produced. The vineyards are typically at a high elevation with warm growing days and cool nights that contribute to complexity of flavors, retention of acidity, and moderate alcohol levels. The soil in the region is a mix of clay, iron, alluvial and limestone. The region is well known for its love affair with oak and Bodegas Muga is no exception. The estate owns over 14,000 barrels from a variety of sources, even employing their own coopers, and makes use of them in the fermentation and maturation stages of vinification. Their usage of new barrels is, however, judicious and their wines represent tradition albeit more robustly than most. The red wines are produced from a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazeulo (Carignan) and Graciano and the cask-fermented white is produced from Viura and Malvasia grapes.

Bodegas Muga Wines Here Now:

Bodegas Muga ‘Prado Enea’ Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2006 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2006 Prado Enea is a phenomenal bottle of traditional Rioja at its best. A blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and the remaining 10% Mazuelo and Graciano aged for a long time in oak and bottled before release. This is a practice quite common from yesteryear, but that is a true rarity today. The technical data provided talks about incredible parameters, 14% alcohol and a pH of 3.39, both extremely low for a warm vintage like 2006. The grapes are sourced from higher-altitude terraced plots where the climate is cooler and drier and the soils are rich in clay. This is a wine that is not automatically produced every year. The wine spends its elevage in oak containers of different size, origin and age for no less than three years. The nose is intoxicating with a superb mixture of tertiary and more primary aromas like old furniture, cloves, cracked pepper, incense and cigar ash plus cherries in liqueur (that Garnacha!). The palate is medium-bodied, with great freshness (Jorge Muga tells me the pH is stabilized with aging in barrel), acidity and balance, with a silky texture, ultra-fine tannins and great persistence and length. This wine feels younger than it is, and seems to be aging at a glacial pace. With the stuffing and balance it has this should make very old bones, and drink greatly throughout its life. Superb! At this quality level the price seems like a bargain. 90,000 bottles produced. The next Prado Enea will be 2009 as they didn’t get what they look for in this wine in either 2007 and 2008. Those were two cold vintages, and 2007 had 100 liters of rain during the harvest. Prado Enea is harvested in November and in 2008 there was frost at the end of October.” LG

Bodegas Muga Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2011 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Bodegas Muga Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2011 750ML ($299.95) $236 special, 10 cases available (that’s only $19.67/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 91+ points “The 2011 Reserva is mostly Tempranillo complemented with some 20% Garnacha, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. There are no stainless-steel vats at Muga, so everything is fermented in oak vats and this wine is then aged for one year in new French oak barrels and a further year in used ones (three to six years old), fined with egg white and bottled. It is a Rioja that mixes the traditional and modern character with ripe fruit and contains oak aromas that are quite spicy and have some toast and smoke that should integrate with a bit of time in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied, has clean flavors that are balanced with sweet tannins. This is easy to drink, pleasant but not banal, and delivers a lot for its price. An impressive half-million bottles are produced of this wine, which is sold as Crianza in Spain and as Reserva in the rest of the world. Year after year, one of the most reliable and affordable Reservas.” LG

Bodegas Muga Seleccion Especial Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2010 750ML ($59.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Tight as a drum on the nose, this rambunctious Rioja is throbbing with blackberry, plum and floral aromas. Intense and staunch on the palate, with plum, raspberry, cherry, herb and chocolate flavors, this runs long on the finish, with power and acidity to spare. Hold until 2017, then drink through 2035. Cellar Selection.” WE
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “(70% tempranillo, 20% garnacha, 7% mazuelo and 3% graciano; fermented in large oak vats and aged for 28 months in small French and American oak barrels of varying age): Inky purple. Flamboyant aromas of ripe berries, incense, potpourri, smoky oak and pungent minerals. Lush, fleshy and alluringly sweet, offering intense black and blue fruit flavors that coat the palate. Smooth, seamless and impressively concentrated but also lively, with sneaky tannins giving shape to the long, spice-accented finish.” ST

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Tuscan Case Deals

Below are the Tuscan wines we offer at case prices. Browse the other 139 case deals we offer online: www.vinopoliswineshop.com

Case-12 Fattoria dei Barbi Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($599.95) $479 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $39.92/bottle!)
Fattoria dei Barbi Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $44.50 special, 14 bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of burnt orange peel and cherry with hints of dried bark and mahogany. Full-bodied and very tight and dense, with a beautiful fruit, tannin and acid balance. Finesse and strength. Best wine from here for ages. Needs until 2018 to show its true quality.” JS
Wine Advocate 94 points “Fattoria dei Barbi’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino starts with a tightly wound personality that begins to unravel slowly, one delicate layer at a time. As it does, you become aware of dried fruit, cigar box, crushed mineral, plum, tar and cola. The wine puts on a beautiful display. I also loved the mouthfeel of this beautiful wine: It is tonic, tight and brimming with energy. Well-integrated oak notes give the wine a spot of softness and velvety spice. This is one beautiful Sangiovese.” ML

Case-12 Caprili Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($549.95) $419 special, 1 case available (that’s only $34.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Caprili Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 11 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “Caprili’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino shows unique aromas with undertones of forest floor and wet earth with grilled herbs and dark fruit. You also get a heavier tone of dried fig and Graham cracker that distinguishes this particular expression of Sangiovese. The wine is smooth and polished with a nice sense of inner elegance. Silky tannins give Giacomo Bartolommei’s Brunello more immediacy and a more approachable drinking window. I very much appreciated the wine’s overall elegance.” ML

Case-12 Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico DOCG 2010 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico DOCG 2010 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 8 bottles available
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 91 points “Bright red. Flinty red cherry and smoky underbrush on the refined nose. Classically dry and firm, this midweight Chianti delivers plenty of pure sangiovese flavor (licorice, flint, red cherry) and seems slightly more accessible to me than past versions of this wine, which usually started out life tough as nails but evolved beautifully and showed rare ageworthiness. Chianti Classico does not get any better or any more traditional than this.” ID

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Case-12 Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico DOCG 2012 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 1 case available (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico DOCG 2012 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 26 bottles available
James Suckling 93 points “There are mushrooms on the nose of this Chianti Classico, but these soon give way to subtle, deep aromas of blackberry crumble with hints of mint and ivy. It soon fills up the mouth with beautifully dense fruit and fine tannins, nutty, woody undertones and long finish. Gorgeous now, but better in 2016.”
Antonio Galloni 89+ points “The 2012 Chianti Classico is a great introduction to the wines of Felsina. Deeply varietal and expressive to the core, the 2012 graces the palate with the essence of Sangiovese from the southern part of the Chianti Classico zone. Sweet tobacco, underbrush, menthol, licorice and black cherries flow through to the finish, but it is the wine’s sheer balance that impresses most of all. This is a gorgeous mid-weight Chianti Classico to drink over the next decade plus.” AG

Case-12 Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($499.95) $469 special, 4 cases available (that’s only $39.08/bottle!)
Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2011 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special, 8 magnums available
Wine Advocate 94 points “From the 6.25-hectare Rancia vineyard, the 2011 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia shows a more elaborate and stylized personality with ripe fruit tones, bursting cherry, perfumed violets and rose petal. Those floral notes add a feminine touch to what is in fact a wine of power and determination. It shows a beautiful evolution in the glass as well, with dusty mineral notes that add to the overall elegance of the dry, polished finish. This is one of the best Riservas of 2011.” ML
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “A wine of incredible density, the 2011 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is virtually impenetrable, but dazzling just the same. Rose petal, mint, sage, rosemary, leather and smoke hit the palate in a voluptuous, racy Rancia. The 2011 should drink well earlier than many other recent vintages, but it should also age nicely. The fine, silky tannins are a bit uncharacteristic for a young Rancia. Over the last few years, the 2011 has really started to come together. It will be interesting to see where things go from here.” AG

Case-12 Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2009 750ML ($579.95) $519 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $43.25/bottle!)
Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2009 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “There is a lot to like in the 2009 Fontalloro (Sangiovese). For starters, the wine is rich, broad and ample on the palate. Hints of tobacco, savory herbs, licorice and menthol all add complexity over time. The over juiciness of the fruit is nicely balanced by clean veins of underlying acidity that give the 2009 much of its freshness. This is another wine endowed with superb balance and class.” AG

Case-12 Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2010 750ML ($579.95) $519 special, 1 case available (that’s only $43.25/bottle!)
Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “The 2010 Fontalloro (Sangiovese) is impeccable. A sweet, open bouquet melds into expressive red fruits. Compared to the 2010 Rancia, Fontalloro is a decidedly more delicate, feminine wine. All the elements are very nicely balanced. I expect the 2010 will enjoy a fairly broad window of drinkability. Today I give the 2010 a very slight nod over the 2009, only because I think the 2010 will age a little longer, but both are striking.” AG

Case-6 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($349.95) $279 special, 1 six-pack available (that’s only $46.50/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The outstanding 2010 Brunello di Montalcino gives you everything you want to see in a great wine, a great Tuscan wine. This monumental expression of Sangiovese delivers top-notch intensity with seamless integration of aromas. They span from dark fruit and Morello cherry to chocolate, spice, licorice, balsam herb and rosemary sprig. The energy and vitality of the vintage is locked perfectly within. This Brunello exhibits especially soft, silky tannins with long persistence and momentum. There is nothing out of place and the price tag is certainly not exaggerated for this level of excellence.” WA

Case-12 Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($549.95) $432 special, 12 cases available (that’s only $36/bottle!)
Case-6 Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($259.95) $233 special, 3 six-packs available (that’s only $38.83/bottle!)
Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($57.95) $41.90 special, 24 bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “This has a dusty character on the nose with soil, dried fruit and blueberry. Flowers too. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Tight and structured. Shows wonderful depth of fruit and beauty. Chewy. Better in 2016.” JS

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $47

Case-6 Tenuta di Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($319.95) $259 special, 3 six-packs available (that’s only $43.17/bottle!)
Tenuta di Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 19 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points –#43 Top 100 of 2015–“Coffee and chocolate aromas signal this exotic and fragrant red. The cherry and plum notes are almost afterthoughts, while spice, leather and tobacco flavors come to the fore, with vivid acidity through the lingering finish. Best from 2019 through 2035.” WS

Case-6 Franco Pacenti Canalicchio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2009 750ML ($259.95) $169 special, 6 six-packs available (that’s only $28.17/bottle!)
Franco Pacenti Canalicchio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2009 750ML ($49.95) $31.90 special, 19 bottles available
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 93 points “Bright red. Captivating aromas of ripe red berries, red cherry, marzipan and strawberry jelly, nicely complicated by a fresh violet note. Bright and vibrant on the palate, with suave red fruit flavors lifted by harmonious acidity, which provides wonderful clarity and cut and extends the flavors at the back. The extremely long finish features noteworthy minerality and precision. Outstanding pure Brunello: one of the year’s ten best.” ID

Case-6 Isole e Olena Collezione de Marchi (Collezione Privata) Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT 2008 750ML ($479.95) $419 special, 2 six-packs available (that’s only $69.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Isole e Olena Collezione de Marchi (Collezione Privata) Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT 2008 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “At the beginning of what promises to be a long drinking window, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione De Marchi is stunning. Savory herbs, tar, licorice, cassis, graphite and melted road tar seduce the intellectual and hedonistic senses in a wine that has everything. A vibrant, powerful, structured wine underpinned by intense saline notes, the 2008 possesses remarkable finesse and fabulous overall balance. This is another fabulous wine from Paolo De Marchi.”

Case-6 Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2011 750ML ($499.95) Was $376, Now $299, 3 six-packs available (that’s only $49.83/bottle!)
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2011 750ML ($89.95) Was $66, Now $55, 36+ bottles available
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2011 1.5L ($159.95) Was $133, Now $119, 4 magnums available
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of currant, bark and orange peel. Nutmeg powder. Full body and chewy tannins. Savory, with balsamic and nuts. I love the juicy, decadent character to this. Drink or hold.” JS
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “Isole e Olena’s 2011 Cepparello is remarkably silky, polished and refined, especially considering the challenges of the vintage. Dark red stone fruits, wild flowers, menthol and sweet spices all meld together gracefully in the glass. Voluptuous and racy but also an impeccably balanced wine with phenomenal length and a super-expressive finish. The 2011 will offer a wide window of drinking pleasure pretty much upon release. Drink: 2017-2026.” AG

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $70
The next best price is $59.94

Case-6 Ruffino Modus Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 14 six-packs available (that’s only $19.83/bottle!)
Ruffino Modus Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
James Suckling 94 points “A silky and refined red with currant, berry, mineral and dried flower aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, flavorful and delicious. A blend of sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Drinkable now but better in 2017.” JS

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Have a wonderful weekend!