Weekend VinopolPick 6-18-16

Saturday, June 18th, 2016

Zorzal & SuperUco; Donnhoff 2015: Arriving Fall 2016; Dujac; Vega Sicilia; Grand Finale: Great Estates Available Here Now and Arriving This Summer (Gaja, Caparzo, Salon & More!)

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Zorzal & SuperUco
Special Feature

The world of wine seems ever-expanding. From Washington, to Australia, to South America, the discovery of new producers and growing regions unfolds like a map. Less than ten years ago, a new winery called Zorzal appeared in Argentina’s emergent Valle de Uco. Zorzal’s trio of Michelini brothers blended the freedom of New World winemaking with an appreciation for fine Old World wines and classic varieties. Then, in 2012, the global wine community took note of Zorzal: Robert Parker awarded their 2008 Porfiado, made in the winery’s inaugural vintage, 94 points. Two years later, Wine & Spirits Magazine included Zorzal’s Tinto de Tiza 2012 in its list of the best 100 wines for 2014. The name Zorzal had earned its place in the world atlas of fine wine.

The ultra-modern, gravity-fed Zorzal winery and its 173 acres of vineyard lie in Gualtallary, some 50 miles east of Santiago de Chile, on the east side of the snow-capped Andes. Arid and sunny at 4400 feet above sea level, with cool breezes coming off the mountains, this is a wonderful place to ripen wine grapes. The calcareous, alluvial soil contains a high amount of rocks and chalky pebbles, plus some sand, providing a complex home for Malbec, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and more. Hand harvesting and sustainable vineyard practices ensure healthy fruit, which Zorzal likes to pick earlier than neighboring producers, to preserve acidity and freshness. In the winery “Fruit before oak,” says Zorzal, “austerity before exuberance.” Currently, Zorzal makes about 30,000 cases per year.

The wines of Zorzal combine tradition with progress, Old World with New, structure and fruit with acidity and minerality, and debut with fame. Vinopolis stands behind Zorzal’s universally-appealing, terroir-driven wines, and is proud to support them in the USA. To us, these wines resemble and reflect those of the Loire, while remaining uniquely Argentine. Think of them as avant-garde Loire wines, yet richer, bolder, and less astringent. Pop open a few bottles and see what we and the Wine Advocate are talking about. Get some cases now before this boutique winery becomes exclusive: Zorzal, the Valle de Uco, and Argentina are definitely on the map now.

Zorzal’s Eggo Wines

Zorzal ferments and ages its Eggo wines in egg-shaped cement vats, for between 5 to 12 months, depending on the grape variety. This peculiar shape, developed in France, allows for continuous movement of the wine, plus a constant temperature throughout the year. Each batch thus develops uniformly. The resulting wines are smooth, with satisfying tension, plenty of structure, and a pleasing, long-lasting finish.

Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Case-12 Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($299.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
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.” LG

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Zorzal Eggo Franco Cabernet Franc, Tupungato, Argentina 2015 750ML ($34.95) $27 special
Case-12 Zorzal Eggo Franco Cabernet Franc, Tupungato, Argentina 2015 750ML ($319.95) $279 special (that’s only $23.25/bottle!)
No reviews yet on the 2015. Here is the Wine Advocate on the 2014: 94 points “There is a Cabernet Franc in the Eggo range, and I tasted the 2014 Eggo Franco, 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. Incredibly perfumed for a Cabernet Franc, as the nose is very floral and made me think of a Malbec rather than a Cabernet Franc. 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. And I tell you one thing, you do not miss the oak or the complexity or anything, it’s all here. This is the first year for this vertical, fresh, tremendous Cabernet Franc. Well done, bravo! 2,200 bottles produced. 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, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Case-12 Zorzal Eggo Filoso Pinot, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($299.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
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.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $31.82!

Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($39.95) Was $33, Now $29!
Case-12 Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($349.95) $312 special (that’s only $26/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 lowest listed price in the USA today!

Mixed Case Special Offer- offer ends June 24

Case-12 Zorzal Eggo Mixed Case 750ML ($219.95) $279 special
A mixed case containing 3 bottles each of the following Zorzal wines:
Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Zorzal Eggo Cabernet Franc 2015
Zorzal Eggo Pinot Noir 2014
Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza Malbec 2014

Zorzal’s Gran Terroir Wines

The Gran Terroir wines come from vines planted at high elevation where the days are hot, but the nights are cool. This allows for ripeness without sacrificing acidity. After a prolonged cold maceration, the wines mature in barrels of French and American oak between one and three years old. Structure, color, minerality, and freshness characterize Zorzal’s Gran Terroir wines.

Zorzal Gran Terroir Malbec, Tupungato, Argentina 2013 750ML ($27.95) $18 special
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

Zorzal’s Terroir Unico Wines

Zorzal’s Terroir Unico wines speak well of their origins in the Uco Valley. After hand-harvesting, the wines ferment in cement tanks where they also undergo a brief cold maceration. Oak plays no role in the development of these wines, which leaves them sincere, fruit-driven, and straight-forward, a testament to Zorzal’s appreciation of Mendoza Province terroir.

Zorzal Terroir Unico Malbec, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
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

Zorzal Terroir Unico Pinot Noir, Tupungato, Argentina 2013 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Case-12 Zorzal Terroir Unico Pinot Noir, Tupungato, Argentina 2013 750ML ($179.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2013 Terroir Unico Pinot Noir follows the idea of the Terroir Unico range, to show the pure expression of the grape and the place in a line of unoaked wines. This was 20-30% whole-cluster fermented and is very pale colored, almost a rose, very perfumed, with aromas of red fruit and flowers opening to a light to medium-bodied palate, high acidity (blood orange), and a pure, fresh finish. Highly drinkable. Can the price be real?”

The SuperUco level wines:

Produced by Zorzal’s Michelini brothers, SuperUco represents the ultimate attempt to bottle Uco Valley terroir. Made from a mere five acres of vineyard in Gualtallary and Vista Flores, these vines are farmed biodynamically so that their natural environment remains intact and healthy. The wines ferment and cold soak in cement egg-shaped vats, then age in not-new oak barrels. Their crisp definition and succulent fruit prove that Argentina can compete with wines from the Northern Hemisphere.

Michelini Bros SuperUco Calcareo ‘Coluvio de Altamira’ Malbec 2013 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $33
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2013 Calcáreo Coluvio de Altamira is closed and tight, feeling the most austere and chalk-driven of the three reds I tasted form the Calcáreo line. The grapes are selected from a small part of the vineyard where the calcium carbonate is seen in the surface. It’s a serious, balanced and terribly salty and mineral red with the violets of Malbec intermixed with crushed rocks and even a marine feeling to it. Complex, subtle, elegant… terrific! And very affordable too. 3,000 bottles produced, the content of the amphora.”

Michelini Bros Superuco Calcareo ‘Rio de los Chacayes’ Malbec 2013 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $33
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2013 Calcáreo Río de los Chacayes is sourced from the Chacayes zone of Tunuyán on top of Vista Flores towards the mountains. It has a riper, spicier, floral, and aromatic profile with notes of thyme and rosemary. It is the most extroverted of the three, and also feels quite polished. The palate, however, is more serious, with the austerity of the rocks, a very fine thread of subtle acidity and a long, long, long finish with sweeter tannins. Its a rolling stone covered in chalk and surrounded by thyme. Awesome! 3,000 bottles were produced.”

Arriving in July

Michelini Bros Superuco Calcareo ‘Granito de Tupungato’ Malbec 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “This is so sexy and polished. Full-bodied, yet refined and long. Seamless and ethereal. Drink or hold.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2013 Calcáreo Granito de Tupungato starts with lactic notes followed by ripe plum and ripe skin aromas from grapes grown at higher altitude, closer to the sun. It is a bit wild. The palate is tremendously mineral, with a chalky texture and incredible length. The tannins are ultra-fine and the wine is compact, very harmonious. This is the more austere and mineral of the three. Awesome value!”

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Mid-West, East & South
Summer Shipping Saver

For the summer season we are offering
UPS Three Day Select Service for the price of UPS Ground
for shipments normally travelling 4 or more business days.

Free service upgrade only applies on single orders shipped during the promotional period.
Additional fees will apply to orders held for any reason until after the promotional period
and shipped by Three Day Select.
Offer not valid on pre-arrival items that arrive after the promotional period.

Don’t forget about our other current shipping promos:

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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2015 Donnhoff

Arriving Fall 2016

Vintage of the Century from top Bordeaux Estate $499-$1,499
Vintage of the Century from top Riesling Estate $20.90-$79

Dönnhoff is one of the finest representations of classic German Riesling. The Dönnhoff family first arrived in the Nahe region over 250 years ago, and the current head of the family, Helmut Dönnhoff, has been recognized as a living legend for German winemaking. In June, Helmut finished the process of handing off the estate to his son Cornelius, who since 2007 has worked alongside in the winery and in their 25 hectares of Erste Lage (Grand Cru) vineyards. The wines show true Nahe minerality and elegance, rather than big fruit and opulence. While there are beautiful fruit components, these wines are deeply rooted (literally) and have continuously shown a sense of place. Helmut explains that the aging potential of his wines are phenomenal, with many having the capability of aging for 20+ years depending on the vintage and the vineyard.

We are thrilled to offer today our position on Donnhoff’s much awaited 2015 vintage Rieslings along with the re-arrival of some outstanding 2014s. They’ll be here in early Fall 2016.

Donnhoff Spreadsheet V2

*Multivintage pack of two 750ML bottles each of 2013, 2014 and 2015 Felsenberg GG
**GG mixed pack of two 750ML bottles each of 2015 Felsenberg, Dellchen and Hermannshohle

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Vega Sicilia

If Spain had an aristocracy of wines, Vega Sicilia would be king. (Pingus you could call a usurper to that throne.) Founded in 1864, over a century before the creation of the Ribera del Duero DOC, the estate’s various owners have made singular wine ever since. In fact, Vega Sicilia can hardly be compared to other Spanish wines, not even the greats of La Rioja. For one thing, the grape varieties originally planted and still grown in Vega Sicilia’s 500-acre limestone-soil vineyard include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec, though eighty percent of the vines are Tempranillo. As a result, Vega Sicilia doesn’t taste like other Tempranillo-based wines from Spain. It is dense and sumptuous, intense but full of finesse, complex and long-lingering on the palate, with the individuality of a monarch. This is like Spain’s First Growth, its Dominus.

Vega Sicilia bottles its Unico only in quality years. After very low yields on old vines, the wine spends time in wooden vats and oak barrels of different sizes before resting in bottle. Release of a vintage usually takes ten years or more, and the wine can develop for many decades in the cellar.

The cool 2007 vintage produced lively wines on the lighter side of the scale. Classic notes of cherry and plum, fresh flowers, leather, and tobacco combine with velvety tannins and firm acidity in a fragrant, bold wine that will impress now or in ten years. Long live the uncrowned sovereign of Spanish wine.

Vega Sicilia Available Here Now

Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero 2007 750ML ($379.95) $249 special, 18 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “They have kept 2005 and 2006 for now, and they are releasing the 2007 Único from a lighter vintage that is accessible already; they will even sell 2008 before 2005 and 2006. 2007 was a cold vintage in Ribera and it produced lighter, fresher wines (perhaps not as problematic as 2008, but there was also frost in 2007). The wine might be a tad lighter than other vintages, but it’s more structured than 2008; it combines elegance and power, is nicely balanced and should be able to develop in bottle for many years, although the quick evolution of the bottle once opened made me hesitate about its drinking window. Let’s hope I’m wrong. 80,000 bottles produced.” WA
Wine Spectator 94 points “This harmonious red is balanced and deep, offering ripe plum and currant flavors, with black pepper, tobacco, licorice and mineral accents. Delivers plenty of structure, with well-integrated tannins and lively acidity. The wine remains graceful through the long, spicy finish. Drink now through 2027”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $345

Vega Sicilia Arriving Fall 2016

Vega Sicilia Tinto Valbuena 5, Ribera del Duero 2011 750ML ($159.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Jancis Robinson 18/20 points “Ribera del Duero 5º = released 5th year after harvest. 100% Tinto Fino. Aged 5 months in large wooden barrels, 18 months in new French/US oak, 3 months in used casks, then 5 months in vats before bottling. The colour of elderberry juice. Spice, sweet tobacco and dark dark fruit that has both fruit and savoury qualities. Starting to release its elegant aromas even though on the palate it is dark, dry and refined. Paper fine and yet compact tannins, depth from very fine layers. Youthful but already sophisticated. (JH)14.5% Drink 2018-2030
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2011 Valbuena was fermented plot by plot, something they started after a deep soil study in the 2010 vintage. 2011 was a very warm and ripe vintage in the zone, and the challenge was to keep the freshness. There are more black fruit aromas, subtle spices and hints of complexity, as well as tertiary aromas that are quite classic and turn more balsamic with time in the glass. Again, this is very different form the 2012 Alión, rounder, riper, richer, more polished, mellow, soft, quite exuberant and hedonistic.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero 2008 750ML ($379.95) $279 pre-arrival special
Jancis Robinson 19+/20 points “95% Tinto Fino, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14 months in large wooden vats, 18 months in new barrels, 8 months in used casks and 24 months in large wooden foudres (French/American) prior to ageing in bottle before commercial release. Deep garnet with a wide smudgy rim. Spicy and laced with sweet chocolate. A certain untamed quality to the fine dark fruit. Peppery and highly seasoned but that doesn’t batter the fruit, which is more like blackberry than cherry or cassis. As on several of the wines from this stable, there’s a savoury dark-olive quality. Tannins are thick, resolved but not yet fine/elegant. Still remarkably not ready for the fullest expression of pleasure but it is clearly moving towards refinement and already has wonderful length. (JH)14.5% Drink 2019-2038”
Wine Advocate 96 points “It’s a fresher, more mineral version of Vega, and very much Vega in character. It has a certain aroma that I cannot define that I also found in the 2011 Valbuena. The palate is surprisingly polished; the wine is quite accessible from now on, with fine tannins and a subtle thread of acidity going through the core. This is a lighter version of Único, but one style I like very much; it’s a wine that should drink well throughout its life.”

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Maison & Domaine Dujac
Considering its renown as one of Burgundy’s finest domaines, one might expect Domaine Dujac to have an illustrious history. But the first crush happened in 1969. And the family behind Domaine Dujac is not named Dujac at all. Jacques Seysses bought the impoverished Dujac estate in 1968 then set about making wines in the style of his mentors, Aubert de Villaine of the DRC and Charles Rousseau of Armand Rousseau. They taught him about attention to detail in the vineyard and about whole-cluster fermentation.  Soon Domaine Dujac met with success, fashioning some of the finest wines from Morey-Saint-Denis and the neighboring villages.

Today, two of Jacques’ sons head the domaine, and his Napa-raised daughter-in-law makes the wine. A few adjustments to the winemaking have accompanied the new generation. Some of the wines, for example, are no longer vinified with the stems, but this varies by vintage and village. The amount of new oak has changed too: rather than 100% for all cuvées the village wines now get 40%, the Premier Crus 60-80%, and the Grand Crus up to 100%. In 2005, Domaine Dujac acquired more vines in Vosne and Gevrey raising the total acreage to 38, all farmed organically. In 2000, the Seysses started a négociant business, Dujac Fils et Père, offering high-caliber village wine from Morey, Chambolle, and Gevrey at approachable prices.

Domaine Dujac wines are known to be elegant and fragrant, balanced and pure, with backbone for long ageing but not overly acidic. Their Clos de la Roche and Clos Saint Denis define the terroir of Morey-Saint-Denis: yardsticks for that commune, for the Côte de Nuits, and for the Côte d’Or as a whole. In existence for not even five decades, Domaine Dujac has never been much of a secret. The rarity of their wines on today’s market testifies to the Seysses’ long-term vision and impeccable taste.

Maison Dujac Fils & Pere and Domaine Dujac
Wines Arriving in September

Domaine Dujac Morey-Saint-Denis AOC Blanc 2014 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 86-88 points “The 2014 Morey-Saint-Denis Blanc has a refined bouquet with almond and white peach scents. The palate is well balanced, quite rich in the mouth with a brush of clear honey and almond towards the rounded finish. This is a commendable white Morey.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Maison Dujac Fils & Pere Chambolle-Musigny 2014 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 87-89 points “(vinified with 70% whole clusters): Bright, dark red. Musky black raspberry and mineral aromas and flavors are lifted by herbs and spices. Nicely energized by the stem component. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and a hint of salty minerality.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Maison Dujac Fils & Pere Morey-Saint-Denis AOC 2014 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special, 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 87-90 points “Bright, medium ruby-red. Aromas of black raspberry and smoke show attractive perfumed lift. Nicely concentrated and sweet, with a chocolatey ripeness and a rather pliant texture that should give this wine earlier drinkability than the village Gevrey.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine Dujac Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($499.95) $399 pre-arrival special, 3 bottles available
John Gilman 93-94+ points “The 2014 Charmes-Chambertin was also late finishing up its malo, and unlike the Eche´zeaux, it was not all that happy about being tasted. This wine had not yet absorbed all its new wood and was showing a bit chewy, but all the constituent components are in place for this wine to snap into place with a bit more elevage. The nose is a promising blend of black cherries, cassis, grilled meat, espresso, dark soil tones and spicy new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, long and rock solid at the core, with fine focus and soil signature, ripe tannins and a long, chewy and adolescent finish.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2014 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru has an exquisite bouquet with blackberry, bilberry and cassis fruit. This is very elegant and linear, great precision here. The palate is very well balanced, structured with citrus-infused blackcurrant fruit. There is that titillating prickle of salinity on the finish, a Mazoyères-like Charmes that should age well over the next 15-20 years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is nearly double at $744.99

Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($599.95) $479 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
John Gilman 96 points “In contrast to the Charmes, the 2014 Dujac Clos de la Roche was in fine spirits and showing enormous potential. The brilliant bouquet offers up scents of cherries, red plums, pomegranate, gamebirds, superb soil tones, woodsmoke, raw cocoa and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very suave on the attack, with a sappy core, fine transparency and a very, very long, fine-grained and elegant finish. A great vintage of Clos de la Roche from the Seysses family this year!”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92-95 points “Bright, dark red. Pure, vibrant, perfumed aromas of raspberry, red licorice, rose petal and spices. Silky, seamless and pristine, with terrific mineral energy to the raspberry, saline and earth flavors. Conveys an impression of sucrosité but this youthfully imploded wine is classically dry. Diana Snowden ventured the opinion that 2014 is a great year for Clos de la Roche.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine Dujac Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($599.95) $479 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
John Gilman 97 points “The style of the 2014 vintage perfectly dovetails with the great elegance inherent in this terroir, so it is not surprising that the Domaine Dujac version is utterly stunning this year. The wine soars from the glass in a blaze of cherries, red plums, cocoa powder, fresh nutmeg, a fabulous base of soil tones, woodsmoke, lovely spice tones and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and utterly seamless, with a velvety attack, a sappy core of red fruit, stunning transparency and a supremely elegant, fine-grained and tangy finish. Hauntingly beautiful Clos St. Denis in 2014!”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93-95 points “Bright ruby-red. Subtle perfume of raspberry, red cherry, rose petal and flinty minerality. Silky on entry, then less sweet and more soil-driven in the mid-palate than the Clos de la Roche. But this impeccably balanced wine boasts an insidiously tactile mouth feel and opens out spectacularly on the back end. Finishes wonderfully juicy and suave, with noble tannins and a sneaky whiplash of flavor. I’d love to try this wine next to the Clos de la Roche again in ten years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is (again!) nearly double at $854.99

Domaine Dujac Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($219.95) $199 pre-arrival special, 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 89-91 points “Healthy dark red. Lovely lift to the aromas of blackberry, blackberry and spicy underbrush. Densely packed, broad and sweet; spreads out horizontally on the palate but retains a juicy quality to its dark berry and spice flavors. Finishes with substantial ripe tannins and very good length.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine Dujac Les Beaumonts, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($349.95) $319 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2014 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru les Beaux Monts has a very attractive bouquet, pure and sensual with black cherries, boysenberry and a touch of blueberry. Understated but quite compelling. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, silky in texture, beautifully balanced with very well judged acidity with a touch of salinity towards the finish. This is a very well crafted Beaumonts that deserves several years in bottle.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91-94 points “Bright red-ruby. Very pure aromas of raspberry, red licorice and smoky minerals, plus a hint of animal fur. Plush, rich and fine-grained, offering a silky, spherical texture to its expressive flavors of raspberry, smoke, minerals, game and mocha. Finishes with broad, building tannins and terrific persistence.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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Great Estates

Grand Finale!

We’re offering these illustrious buys at some of the lowest prices in the country available here now and arriving this summer!

From the revolutionary Bolgheri estate…
Gaja Ca’Marcanda Promis Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($49.95) $29 special, just arrived today!
Wine Advocate 92+ points “Angelo Gaja always presents one of the most exciting tastings of the year. The 2013 Promis (Merlot, Syrah and a small part Sangiovese) reveals all the hallmarks of the excellent vintage. The wine offers a supple and smooth entry that is creamy and delicious. Spice, dark fruit, cherry, blackberry, tar, resin and cola come to attention. The tannins still show some attitude so I would recommend giving this wine a few more years of cellar aging. The intensity, depth and persistency promise many years of forward-looking cellar aging.”
James Suckling 91 points “A delicious red with lots of plum and blueberry aromas and flavors. Hints of cream and cedar. Full body, soft tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Very beautiful indeed. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $44

Domaine Faiveley Corton ‘Clos des Cortons’ Faiveley Monopole Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($199.95) $149 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Faiveley’s 2011 Corton Clos des Corton is a fitting conclusion to this great night of wine and food. Intensely saline and pointed, the 2011 impresses for its pure energy and tension. The flavors are vibrant and impeccably delineated in a Burgundy that is all about finesse. This is a great showing from the Clos des Corton.” AG
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Medium red.  Ineffable nose and palate offer red fruits, minerals, spices and flowers, complicated by game, earth and leather.  Sweet, concentrated and very intense, boasting outstanding density and a fine-grained texture, with salty minerality giving the wine a weightless impression that’s remarkable considering its density.  A strong tannic spine and brisk acidity energize and draw out the finish of this sharply delineated, pristine grand cru.” ST

Peter Lauer Fass 8 Ayler Kupp Kabinett, Mosel 2014 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles available
John Gilman 91-92 points ‘The 2014 Ayler Kupp Kabinett from Florian Lauer is really a lovely and quite classic example of this Prädikat, with lovely acidity and minerality providing a fine filigree to the wine and a nice sense of reserve out of the blocks as well. The very classy nose wafts from the glass in a mix of green apple, tart orange, slate, lovely smokiness and a touch of dried flowers in the upper register. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied, pure and focused, with a good core, bright acids, a nice touch of sweetness on the attack and lovely length and grip on the elegant and nascently complex finish. This is quite approachable now, but still a touch primary, and I would be inclined to give it at least a few years in the cellar to develop its secondary layers of complexity. 2019-2035+.” JG

Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio Monprivato, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($159.95) $115 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 points “This is expressive, with alluring cherry, strawberry, floral and mineral flavors building to a long, expansive finish. The elegant profile belies the serious structure underneath, which should allow this red to develop over the next 15 to 20 years. Offers fine berry fruit and a minerally aftertaste. Best from 2018 through 2033.”
Jancis Robinson 18/20 points “Very pale ruby. More stony and liquorice-like than Villero. Brooding concentration but holding back on the nose. Lithe and very elegant palate with amazing tactile and fine tannins. Has the wow factor.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2013 750ML ($69.95) $53.50 special, 36+ bottles available
Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2013 1.5L ($149.95) $128 special, 6 magnums available
Case-12 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2013 750ML ($719.95) $588 special, 5 cases available (that’s only $49/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Deep ruby. Potent aromas of ripe dark berries, licorice pastille, woodsmoke, game and garrigue, plus a peppery nuance that adds spiciness and lift. Round and fleshy on the palate, offering intense blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that become livelier and sweeter with air. The very long, energetic, sharply focused finish features fine-grained tannins and subtle, lingering notes of dark berries and smoked meat.”

Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2006 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 17 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva hits all the high notes. Ripe and structured, yet also wonderfully contained, the 2006 boasts stunning depth, power and richness. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2006 is also likely to require a considerable amount of time to come around. All the elements are in the right place for the 2006 Riserva to develop into a splendid wine. The mid-weight, firm style is classic Castell’in Villa.” AG

Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($229.95) $188 special, 26 bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “Lots of blackberries, plums and cherries on the nose. Full body, ultra-velvety tannins and a long, long finish. A broad and layered red with refined textures. Very long. Juicy. Riper than the Red Rock and Gravelly Meadow.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $220

Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2010 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special. ETA late June
Case-6 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2010 750ML ($479.95) $399 pre-arrival special (that’s only $66.50/bottle!). ETA late June
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a big, powerful wine that is going to require at least a few years to soften. Dark and brooding, the Riserva shows the more masculine side of Sangiovese. Black cherry, plum, leather, spice and tobacco all sit on firm beams of acidity and tannin. There is a sense of explosive energy to the 2010 that I find quite appealing, but readers will have to be patient in order to experience the wine at its best.”

From the bright star of Champagne…
Salon ‘Cuvee S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2004 ($519.95) $399 pre-arrival special, ETA late June
Antonio Galloni – Vinous 97 points “The 2004 Salon has been superb each time I have tasted it over the last year or so. Bright, tense and crystalline, with all of the energy that is typical of both Salon and the vintage in the Côte des Blancs, the 2004 bristles with superb precision and cool, pulsating minerality. The 2004 spent a dozen years on its lees. Over the last six months or so, it has gradually begun to open up, but it is very much a wine for the cellar. Two thousand four is remembered as a vintage with record high yields. Salon (and Delamotte) did a terrific job in keeping the vines well balanced. Production was just 46,000 bottles, as opposed to the 60,000 or so that is more typical. Chef de Caves Michel Fauconnet opted for a low dosage of just 4 grams per liter. This is a tremendous showing.”

Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose 2015 750ML ($47.95) $39 pre-arrival special, ETA early July
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose 2015 375ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special, ETA early July
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose 2015 1.5L ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special, ETA early July
Grapelive 93 points “The steely and luxurious 2015 Domaine Tempier Rosé is a must have wine for summer, made up of a blend of 55% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, it shows all the style and substance that is expected of this famous Domaine. The vitality in Lulu Peyraud and winemaker Daniel Ravier’s latest Rosé highlights the organic farming and clear focus in the cellar allowing terroir and soul to show through, this Rosé was crafted 50% by saignée and 50% by direct press, which allows the wine to have power, mouth feel and still be intensely vibrant and detailed. It spent 6 months in Cuves, large neutral cask to fresh out and heighten the textural pleasure, it is not as old school funky/cool as Chateau Simone or the Tibouren based Clos Cibonne, but still has good aging potential, even though with Tempier I can’t imagine waiting too long to drink this hedonistic rite of summer. The first impression of the 2015 is one of joyous reunion, the gorgeous hue of which you can’t help smile at, pinkish/orange, it invokes warm sunset images and romance with a play of mineral, wild lavender, spiced rosewater and tangerine leading up to sour cherry, watermelon, wet stones, bright saline, red peach, zesty citrus, ruby grapefruit and very faint soft wood sensation. There is a great play of tangy/savory elements set against a lavish and lush sorbet forwardness that appeals and this tension runs the length of this fine Rosé, it’s funny too people, while complaining at the price adore this wine, though I can’t help think it is a bargain when compared to the $100 offerings from Domaine Ott or Chateau d’ Esclans, and I can’t fathom a summer without a few bottles! In a new age where there are a lot of great pink wines, Domaine Tempier is still the benchmark, don’t miss it.”

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Have a lovely weekend!