September 9th Newsletter

September 9, 2013

Jump Start Sale

 

Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz 2009 ($99.95) $66 jump start special
Robert Parker 94 points
“The opaque ruby/purple-colored 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz is a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah from one of the appellation’s more obscure lieu-dits. This stunning 2009 offers copious floral notes intermixed with crushed rock, wet stone, kirsch and black currant characteristics.”

 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today
The next best listed price in the USA today is $88.99

 

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New Week – New Wines

USA- PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Haden Fig Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2012 ($17.95) $14 special
Haden Fig Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley 2012 ($19.95) $16.60 special
Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Le Puits Sec 2011 ($34.95) $29 special

Freja Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2010 ($19.95) $14.90 special
Wy’East Pinot Noir ‘Blue Chip’ 2011 ($21.95) $18 special

 
USA- NAPA
Sky Mount Veeder Zinfandel 2007 ($31.95) $26 special
Old-school zin from the challenging climat atop Mt Veeder. 

FRANCE- CHAMPAGNE

Pierre Peter Champagne Brut Les Chetillons 2006 ($149.95) $119 special
Pierre Peter Champagne Brut Les Chetillons 2006 1.5L ($279.95) $249 special
Antonio Galloni 94+ points
“Another brilliant wine, the 2006 Blanc de Blancs Les Chetillons is shaping up to be a stunner. Today it seems to have the density and power of the 2002 but in a more linear style that brings to mind some of the energy of the 2004. Not bad, to say the least. Over time, hints of almonds and white flowers begin to emerge, but the 2006 remains a powerful Champagne built on explosive structure. Readers who can be patient will be rewarded with a stunning Champagne.”

 
Pierre Peters Rose for Albane Brut NV ($79.95) $69 special Aug 2011 disgorgment
Stephen Tanzer (on the Dec 2010 disgorgement) 93 points
“(60% chardonnay and 40% pinot meunier saignee; mostly from 2008; disgorged December, 2010):  Bright orange.  Intensely perfumed bouquet of blood orange, minerals and pungent flowers, with a hint of white pepper emerging with air.  Fresh, linear and precise, with very good clarity and depth to its tangy red fruit and citrus pith flavors.  Finishes taut and long, with orange zest and mineral notes.”

 
Pierre Peters Champagne Brut Cuvee Reservee NV 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special
March 2013 disgorgement
 
Vilmart Grand Cellier d’Or Champagne Brut 2008 ($99.95) $79 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points
“The 2008 Brut Premier Cru Cuvée Grand Cellier d’Or is evocative and intriguing from the very first taste. Pinot notes are especially pronounced, even though the 2008 is 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot. Small red berries, flowers, mint and licorice all flesh out in a cool, mineral-infused Champagne loaded with pedigree and class. The 2008 is naturally quite a bit more focused than the 2007 (that is the nature of the years), but both are highly expressive. The 2008 remains texturally alluring all the way through to the finish. This bottle was disgorged in October 2012.”

 
Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin Brut 2004 ($89.95) $66 super special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points
“One of the best vintages since the great 2002, this is a sophisticated, fruit- and yeast-driven wine. It has a delicate touch, with its white fruit flavors well integrated into the toasty and tangy texture. It will age for many more years.”


Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin Brut Rose 2004 ($99.95) $71.90 super special
Wine Spectator 92 points
“Soft and creamy, the fine texture carries flavors of black currant and wild strawberry, with hints of financier, citrus zest and smoky mineral. Very appealing for its overall finesse and finely tuned, mouthwatering acidity. Drink now through 2022.”

 
Dom Perignon Cuvee Oenotheque 1996 ($399.95) $319 special
Wine Enthusiast 99 points
“A magnificent Champagne, one that is light, delicate, yet packed with character. It is beautifully balanced, with a bone-dry character, just softened by the toastiness that is developing. Expect this to age for many years”

Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 1996 Dom Perignon OEenotheque offers up layers of pastry, lemon, smoke and toastiness. At first deceptively understated, the wine turns positively explosive and layered on the palate, showing remarkable tension, elegance and power, all wrapped around a seriously intense frame. The balance between fruit and acidity is awesome. This is a marvelous DP OEeno. The OEeno is the same juice as the regular Dom Perignon, except the OEeno is aged on the cork while the regular DP is aged in crown-sealed bottles. Once disgorged, the OEenos get a slightly lower dosage than is typical for the original release DP.”
 
FRANCE- BURGUNDY
Francois Carillon Bougogne Aligote 2011 ($21.95) $17 special
Francois Carillon Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Macherelles 2011 ($69.95) $49 special
Francois Carillon Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Combettes 2011 ($119.95) $89 special

Pierre Yves Colin-Morey Saint Aubin Meurgers Dents de Chien 2011 ($49.95) $44 special

Lucien Le Moine Nuits-St-Georges 1er cru Les St Georges 2006 ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Advocate 93 points
“Ripe strawberry and cherry along with charred, roasted meat scent the nose of the Le Moine 2006 Nuits St.-Georges Les St.-Georges. This is broad and rich, more pliable on the palate than the corresponding Les Cailles – though still full of fine-grained tannin – and with a mind-bending suggestion of things mineral: chalk, iodine, ineffable, ore-like impingements. But don’t imagine for a minute that this is merely cerebral stuff. On the contrary, the bright, energetic finish here will set your bodily juices flowing. I would give it 2-3 years and then expect another 8-10 of delightful profundity.”
 
Lucien Le Moine Nuits-St-Georges 1er cru Les St Georges 2007 ($119.95) $99 special
Stephen Tanzer 91- 93 points
“Good full red. High-pitched aromas of black fruits, violet, lavender and minerals. The palate offers terrific cut and finesse, with superb lift to the bright mineral and floral flavors. The tannins are firm but fine, giving a solid structural underpinning to this very stylish wine. Shows the almost electric finish of so many of the better 2007’s.”

 
Mommessin Clos de Tart Grand Cru Monopole 2007 ($499.95) $299 very super special
Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points
“($540; bottled in April of 2009) Bright red-ruby. Liqueur-like black raspberry, mocha and spices on the nose, with a hint of dried fruits. Then opulent, sweet and highly concentrated on the palate, with cherry, mineral and licorice flavors sexed up by a note of molten chocolate. This lacks the peppery high notes of the young 2008 but the texture is more plush today. Finishes with very fine-grained tannins and enough energy to ensure an extended evolution in bottle.”

Wine Spectator 94 points “Intense aromas of graphite and mineral make an immediate impact, with black cherry, black currant and spice flavors adding depth and dimension. This has concentration and a juicy texture, pushing the long, peppery aftertaste. Shows fine harmony and expression overall. Best from 2012 through 2024.”
 
FRANCE- RHONE / PROVENCE
Triennes Rose Mediteranee 2012 ($17.95) $11.90 super special
A best seller every year
 
Rabasse-Charavin Cotes du Rhone Villages l’Estavanas 2004 ($37.95) $29 special Vinopolpick
Yes, 2004 – a recent winery cellar release, and maturing beautifully indeed.
 
FRANCE- LOIRE VALLEY
Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 2002 ($29.95) $24 special
Another steal from the dark deep O. Raffault cellar

GERMANY- MOSEL

Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Kabinett Trocken 2012 ($24.95) $18 special
Ewald Moseler note “Great wine, more like a dry Spatlese”
 
Clemens  Busch Riesling Marienburg  Rothenpfad  Grosses Gewachs 2011 ($59.95) $49 special

Clemens  Busch Riesling Marienburg Falkenlay Grosses Gewachs 2011 ($59.95) $49 special
Stephen Tanzer 90 points
“Mellow aromas of apricot, nut oil and mint.  A bright peach flavor is animated by understated acidity on the palate.  Rich but crisp riesling with a long, clean finish”
 
Clemens  Busch Riesling Marienburg Fahrlay Grosses Gewachs 2011 ($69.95) $59 special
Stephen Tanzer 90 points
“Rich aromas of white peach, quince and nutmeg.  Succulent apricot fruit is complicated by tantalizing slate and lifted by invigorating acidity.  Full-bodied, deep and very long.”


ITALY- ALTO ADIGE

Elisabetta Foradori Granato Vignetto del Dolomite 2009 ($59.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points
“Once again, the 2009 Granato is flat-out dazzling. The marriage of flashy, opulent fruit and intense underlying minerality results in a wine of superb completeness. Readers will find a wine of immense and immediate pleasure in the 2009. The soft contours and radiant personality are so compelling. Granato fans should cellar the 2010 for a few years and drink the 2009 in the meantime. This is another absolutely glorious wine from Elisabetta Foradori. The 2009 was aged in equal parts cask and barrique.”


Nusserhof Suditrol Lagrein Riserva 2007 ($31.95) $26 special Vinopolpick

Classic. Rich and dark wild cherry and plum

SPAIN- SHERRY

Valdespino Palo Cortado Cardenal VORS NV 375ml ($179.95) $159 special
Valdespino Palo Cortado Cardenal VORS NV 750ml ($299.95) $279 special
Wine Advocate 99 points
“The NV Palo Cortado Cardenal VORS, like the whole VORS collection from Valdespino is outstanding. It is fed from the solera of the Palo Cortado C.P. where the Palomino grapes come from the Macharnudo Alto vineyard, fermented in American oak botas. It’s 22% alcohol and has nine grams of (undetectable) residual sugar which makes it very drinkable. It’s a monumental wine of dark mahogany color with a green edge, a complex, ever-changing, concentrated, clean and delineated nose of spices, dark chocolate, Cuban cigar and balsamic notes of incense, and a sharp, saline palate. It is highly concentrated, powerful and clean, with an eternal, lingering aftertaste. Deciding between Coliseo and Cardenal might be splitting hairs, and as much as I love Coliseo, I felt Cardenal was just one notch above. At the quality helm of Palo Cortado. Drink 2013-2025.”

 
Valdespino Amontillado Coliseo VORS 375ml ($219.95) $189 special
Valdespino Amontillado Coliseo VORS 750ml ($399.95) $349 special
Wine Advocate 98 points
“The NV Amontillado Coliseo VORS, is an extremely old (much older than the 30 years certified by the VORS classification) and concentrated wine. It is unique, as its origin is from Sanlucar de Barrameda, mainly from the Pago Miraflores, which produced very sharp wines. Dark mahogany colored, with a bright green border, is very aromatic, balsamic and complex, with wild herbs, candied orange rind, spices and dates. The palate is extremely concentrated, dry, and intense but it has no edges, with lively acidity and an eternal finish. It’s an extreme wine, some might find it too much, but it’s certainly unique and among the greatest wines in the world, to be sipped slowly and in tiny quantities. One of the greatest Amontillados in existence today. Drink 2013-2025.”

 
Valdespino Pedro Ximenez Ninos VORS 375ml ($169.95) $149 special
Wine Advocate 98 points
“The NV Ninos Pedro Ximenez 30 Anos VORS is again a monumental wine, redolent of its sibling, Moscatel Toneles, as often the extremely old wines have so many similarities that even the grape and the origin is diminished. This beast of a wine has 470 grams of sugar. It’s believed to average 50 years of age, and shows a dark mahogany, almost black color. Being extremely concentrated, is not just power, it has finesses and balance. Curry, spices, coconut, balsamic notes (eucalyptus), tar, Cuban cigar, and nutmeg can be identified in its nose. The palate is velvety, dense, thick, long, and intense, with pungent acidity but at the same time it feels smooth. Again, choosing between Ninos and Toneles might be purely academic. Drink 2013-2035.”

 

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Finding Faugeres
Wherein we discover Chateau de la Liquiere

Faugeres is an Appelation within the Languedoc. And it is a harsh and somewhat barren land, entirely back-dropped to the north by hills of 1500-1700 feet of elevation, with south sloping plains of schist swept by legendary winds. The ‘Tramontane’ prevails from the north; it is somewhat cooling and more persistently drying. But the ‘Marin’ is a frequent visitor from the Mediterranean 30 miles to the south; a warm and highly humid wind that is capable of yielding catastrophic rain bursts when it presses against the hills.

 

The subsoils of Faugeres are uniquely (and importantly) composed of a schist which is sedimentary in origin, the heritage of an ancient seabed later metamorphosed by pressure and heat and then fragmented in geologic upheavals. And top soils- well, there aren’t any; an outcome of the ‘Marin’ born rains periodically washing away any finer grained materials.
For centuries the dominant use of this harsh land was shepherding; converting the native garrigue shrubbery into meat, milk, and cheese. And the best use of the schist was to build shelters for man and livestock alike. Known as ‘capitelle’, these stone huts still dot the landscape today.

schist soil sample

But where the Mediterranean Garrigue will grow, wine grapes, once established, can have a capacity to yield superior wines, and this is true in Faugeres. Micro-fissures in the schist will allow root penetration to depths of 20’ where sufficient moisture is retained. And the surface rock is something of a thermal storehouse, capturing the sun’s rays during the day and radiating heat during the night. Wines of Faugeres, when they are good,  have a grilled character, a natural smoke, licorice and spice; along with ripe and assertive red berriedness. But ‘once established’ has proven to be not easily achieved, the soils are infertile and the environment of dry heat and periodic flash-flooding is harsh and has been destructive destructive.
 

One of the stone “capitelle” huts in the Faugeres vineyard

The Vidal’s Chateau de la Liquiere is reflective of the Faugeres Appellation.The Vidal family has been making wine here since the 1700s. The father of Bernard Vidal, the present owner, laid the groundwork for the recognition of Faugeres as a unique wine appellation. Convinced that their wild, rocky terroir was capable of producing distinctive wine, were among the first growers in the region to bottle their wines for commercial sale. But neither they nor their vines became well established until the 1970’s when they undertook a break of convention with their vineyards. Most vineyards are laid out in straight lines to facilitate trellising and maximize sun exposure. The Vidal’s opted to convert to contour planting; ie, terracing the hillside, following the curve of the land.

Faugeres’ contoured vineyards

As to wine-making at Chateau Liquiere, two wine cellars are located on the estate. A traditional one with concrete underground vats uses gravity to gently move grapes and wine through the winemaking process, and a more modern, functional one with stainless steel vats and an oak-barrel aging cellar. Schist terroir, with its poor, highly acidic soil, naturally limits the grape yield. They make some excellent wines in these cellars. Says Bernard Vidal “Go too far in making a universal, easy-drinking wine, and the wine could have been made anywhere. We are proud of our wine, of our family’s winemaking history, and of Faugères,”
 
Chateau de la Liquiere Faugeres Cistus 2010 ($17.95) $14 special
A younger vines cuvee which imparts less classicity and more liveliness that the Old Vines cuvees. Mostly  Syrah, along with Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan.  Deeply coloured. Here the Syrah is grown at the highest altitudes of the estate, imparting a North Rhone like character to the wine.

Chateau de la Liquiere Faugeres Vieilles Vignes 2011 (19.95) $16 special

Carignan and Grenache, from vines that are over 50 years old.  The cuvée classic of this estate since the beginning, when they had very little Syrah and Mourvèdre.  12 months in vat, then bottled – they’ve tried an élevage in barrel, but didn’t like it.  The grapes are entirely destemmed,  but beyond that, the vinification is very traditional. Deep colour.   Spicy fruit and a touch leathery. Red and black cherries, rich and a ripe. Good backbone and structure and drinking well now.

Chateau de la Liquiere Faugeres  Nos Racines 2011 (24.95) $20.90 special

Carignan (which includes around 20% Terret Noir in a field blend), planted in 1900, with 5% Grenache.  Élevage totally in vat.  From la Liquiere’s best plot – of 4 acres of old gobelet vines.  Appealing young & bright color.  The wine solid and rounded.  A very simple vinification, Vidal says that he wants the vines to talk:  ‘C’est la vigne qui parle’.   Quite an elegant Carignan, with perfumed red fruit.  Lots of character and some ageing potential.  A very elegant Carignan.
 
 

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Irresistible wines – Irreverent pricing
arriving this week

 
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Corcelette 2011 ($39.95) $30.90 special here Tuesday 10th
Josh Raynolds 92 points
“Brilliant ruby-red.  Spicy, mineral-tinged aromas of raspberry, boysenberry and candied flowers.  Shows impressive energy and depth to its sweet red and dark berry flavors complicated by licorice and spicecake.  Silky and seamless in texture, finishing with strong thrust and a touch of succulent herbs. “

 
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Cote du Py 2011 ($39.95) $30.90 special here Tuesday 10th
Josh Raynolds 92 points
”Brilliant ruby.  Red fruit liqueur, cherry pit, incense and a smoky nuance on the assertively perfumed nose.  Fleshy and broad but distinctly energetic, offering sappy raspberry and cherry flavors braced by zesty minerality.  The finish features a sexy floral pastille quality and clings with outstanding mineral-driven persistence.  Here’s another ’11 that nicely blends power and vivacity.”

 
Domaine M. Lapierre Morgon Cuvee Marcel 2011 ($44.95) $34.50 special here Tuesday 10th
Josh Raynolds 93 points
“Deep ruby.  Heady, complex bouquet evokes dark berries, cherry pit, incense and fresh flowers.  Rich but lively and precise, offering intense blackberry and bitter cherry flavors and an undercurrent of zesty minerality.  Clings with outstanding tenacity on the gently tannic finish, leaving behind smoky mineral and floral notes.”

 
Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deaux Albions 2011 ($24.95) $19 special here Friday 13th
Robert Parker 92 points “More serious is the 2011 Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion. This cuvee always includes a small amount of white Clairette co-fermented with red grapes such as Grenache and Syrah. There is more Syrah in the 2011 than usual because it was essential for the success of this medium-bodied, deep ruby/plum/purple-colored effort. It possesses notes of spring flowers, black fruits, licorice, forest floor and spice. It is another brilliant example of this cuvee”
 
Domaine Pallieres Gigondas Terrasse du Diable 2010 ($47.95) $39.50 special here Tuesday 10th
Stephen Tanzer 93 points
“ Bright ruby-red.  A complex, heady bouquet evokes candied red fruits, potpourri and Asian spices.  Silky and seamless in texture, offering vibrant raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and an exotic touch of blood orange.  Anise and herb notes come up with air and carry through a long, bright and focused finish.  I underestimated this sexy wine last year.”


Domaine Pallieres Gigondas Les Racines 2010 ($47.95) $39.50 special here Tuesday 
10th

Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Vivid ruby.  A pungent bouquet displays scents of blackcurrant, candied cherry, licorice, tobacco and smoky herbs.  Supple and pliant, offering sharply focused dark berry and cherry compote flavors, silky tannins and a sexy floral quality.  Smoothly combines richness and vivacity and finishes with outstanding cut.”
 
Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau 2009 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special here Tuesday 10th
Wine Spectator 94 points “This is crammed with fruit, spice and structure, as braised fig, plum skin, cassis and anise notes wrestle with roasted apple wood, melted red licorice and tar for now. The embedded grip should carry the finish until this assimilates fully. Best from 2014 through 2024.”
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “(65% grenache, 15% each of mourvedre and syrah, and the rest all the other varieties; aged in a combination of foudres and concrete):  Bright ruby.  Intense red fruit and potpourri aromas show excellent precision and a suave, spicy character.  Licorice and lavender nuances add complexity to juicy raspberry and bitter cherry flavors, with the wine putting on weight in the glass.  Finishes taut and youthfully tangy, with echoing licorice and spice notes.”
 
 La Valentina Montepulciano Abruzzo Spelt 2008 ($21.95) $16 special here Tuesday 10th
Antonio Galloni 92 points “A more sophisticated side of Montepulciano emerges from the 2008 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Spelt. Sweet floral notes lead to dark red berries and spices in this polished, gracious Montepulciano. La Valentina did a great job with the 2008, a wine that shows the pure elegance and refinement that Montepulciano is capable of. Sweet floral notes add lift on the finish. A pretty, beautifully balanced, silky wine loaded with class, the Spelt should drink well for the better part of the decade. Best of all, the Spelt is a fabulous value. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2020”
 

Summer Shipping Specials:
Within OR- $17 flat fee, any number of bottles
Within WA/ID- $20 flat fee, any number of bottles
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Burgundy
Grand Crus & LSG
Arriving in December

T. Liger-Belair Nuits St Georges Les Saint Georges 2011 ($149.95) $125 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points
“(all of the barrels for this wine were made from oak planted in white, limestone-rich soils):  Bright red.  Locked up tight on the nose.  Very rich, sappy and concentrated but with a medicinal reserve to the black fruit and spice flavors.  Quite backward today and dominated by its structure.  Most impressive on the very long, firm, mouth-saturing finish, which leaves the taste buds quivering.  Incidentally, Liger-Belair replanted half of his Saint-Georges in April of 2011 due to the severe loss of vines he suffered during the sharp frost in December of 2009.  He produced just 25 hectoliters per hectare of Saint-Georges in 2011 and 11 in 2012.”

 
T. Liger-Belair Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2011 ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points
“Bright, dark red-ruby.  Vibrant aromas of blackberry, licorice and wild herbs, along with a smoky carbon suggestion.  Densely packed and highly concentrated, with a firm tannic spine giving shape and definition to the fresh dark berry flavors.  Plenty of stuffing here for balance but this very closed wine will probably need up to a decade of bottle aging to blossom.”


T. Liger-Belair Richebourg Grand Cru 2011 ($479.95) $399 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 93-96 points
“Deep, bright red with a hint of ruby.  Very fresh, pure aromas and flavors of black raspberry, cassis, minerals and flowers.  Combines outstanding density with nearly brutal medicinal reserve:  if the Clos Vougeot is a baby, this is a fetus.  Incredibly tangy wine with outstanding intensity and energy.  Expands dramatically on the sappy, chewy back half, spreading out horizontally to coat the palate with leaving any impression of weight.  With its ripe, chewy tannins and powerful crushed stone character, this really leaves the taste buds humming.”

 
Mongeard-Mugneret Echezeaux Grand Cru 2011 ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Burghound 91-93 points
“An overtly and attractively spiced nose of rose petal, red currant, plum and sandalwood aromas leads to big-bodied flavors that possess excellent richness and plenty of mouth coating dry extract. Interestingly though, despite all of the mid-palate material the finale is quite linear with a firm, cool and impressively long finish”.

 
Mongeard-Mugneret Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2011 ($169.95) $128 pre-arrival special
Burghound 91-94 points
“Moderate wood spice mixes with a lovely combination of both red and dark pinot fruit that is heavily laced with earth tones. The mid-palate, of the big-bodied flavors, is quite supple and round and is shaped by relatively sophisticated tannins on the textured, powerful and admirably persistent finish. While I might like to see a bit less wood influence, this is really well-balanced and offers excellent quality”


Mongeard-Mugneret Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru 2011 ($199.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Burghound 92-94 points
“An intensely floral nose also displays a broad array of spice elements on the ripe yet cool red berry fruit suffused nose. There is fine concentration and real depth of material to the pure, intense and broad-scaled flavors that also display plenty of dry extract that buffers the firm structure and imparts a velvety texture to the austere and very serious finish. This is also terrific.”

 
Mongeard-Mugneret Richebourg Grand Cru 2011 ($379.95) $299 pre-arrival special
Burghound 93-95 points
“A highly restrained and incredibly subtle nose speaks of a huge array of spice elements as well as a panoply of floral, red berry fruit and exotic teas. The superbly intense, powerful, focused and wonderfully rich flavors terminate in a palate staining, austere, brooding and balanced finish that seems to go on and on. This is incredibly compact and serious and there is so much material that it wouldn’t surprise me much if this ultimately exceeded my predicted range. Note carefully though that this is absolutely not a wine for early consumption and 20 years will probably be necessary for this to reach its full apogee.”

 
 

Hundreds of Burgundies
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Time to say Goodbye

Franco Serra Barolo 2007 ($29.95) $19 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Sweet cherry and berry notes mingle with licorice, leather and spices in this appealing Barolo. Open and approachable, with harmony and finesse already. The long aftertaste is licorice- and tobacco-tinged. Best from 2013 through 2025. 400 cases made.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA