January 31, 2015
Stay tuned for super sales and deals below, but first…
Quilceda Creek Vintners
“This line up was one of the highlights of my trip through Washington and without a doubt, this awesome estate, which is run by Paul and Alex Golitzin, is producing some of the top Cabernet Sauvignon blends in the state, and I would venture the world. While all of the wines are incredibly age-worthy, the tannins are so well managed and the textures so polished, they dish out immense pleasure even in their youth.” –Robert Parker
In 1979, Alex and Jeannette Golitzin founded Quilceda Creek. It was only the 12th bonded winery opened in Washington State since Prohibition. They had spent several previous years making small batches of Cabernet before their first commercial release. In 1992, their son Paul Golitzin took over was winemaker. In 2004, they opened a state of the art winery near their home in Snohomish, WA. Since their beginning, they have won numerous awards and garnered a superb reputation among wine critics. Robert Parker recently honored them as the only Washington winery to be featured in his book The World’s Greatest Wine Estates.
Quilceda Creek Wines Available Here Now
Quilceda Creek ‘CVR’ Red Wine, Columbia Valley 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 13 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2011 Columbia Valley Red Wine offers the classic creme de cassis, graphite, toasted spice and hints of licorice that seems to be present in all of the estate’s Cabernets. Medium to full-bodied, supple and already approachable, it nevertheless has the back-end stuffing to evolve gracefully for upwards of a decade.” WA
Quilceda Creek ‘CVR’ Red Wine, Columbia Valley 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 8 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2012 CVR Columbia Valley Red Wine is a declassified blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with splashes of Merlot and Malbec. It offers up plenty of classic Quilceda character with notions of blackberry liqueur, toasted spice, graphite and licorice as well as full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. Already supple and approachable, yet with notable tannin structure, it will deliver the goods on release, and over the following decade or more.” WA
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 3 bottles available
Robert Parker 97 points “A smidge more evolved than the 2002, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc, mostly from the famed Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. It offers a rock star bouquet of blackberry liqueur, cassis, dried licorice, spice and roasted meats to go with a full-bodied, concentrated, yet incredibly polished and elegantly textured mouthfeel. Blockbuster stuff that has everything, it is still youthful and vibrant and has another decade or more of longevity, although I see no reason to delay gratification. Drink now-2023.”
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 750ML ($299.95) $259 special, 6 bottles available
Robert Parker 98 points “Almost as good as the 2003, the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc that spent 22 months in 100% new French oak. Its youthful purple/ruby color is followed by gorgeously complex and intense aromas of wild herbs, exotic spices, caramelized beef, licorice and layers of sweet black fruits and creamy black cherry-like nuances. Full-bodied, rich and incredibly youthful, it opens up beautifully in the glass and is a total thrill ride of a Washington State Cabernet. I’d enjoy bottles over the coming decade, but it will hold longer. Drink now-2027. ”
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 5 bottles available
Robert Parker 100 points “Another wine I’ve had multiple times recently, the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot) is pure perfection in a glass and yields off-the-hook aromatics of cassis, black raspberries, tobacco leaf, pepper and licorice. Deep, layered and even elegant, with a seamless texture that conceals the sheer wealth of material present, it builds through the mid-palate, possesses huge amounts of extract and masses of polished tannin on the finish. Despite the overall size, it never loses its Cabernet Sauvignon soul and has an almost Bordeaux-like savoriness and tannic frame. Still young (yet gorgeous none the less), it can be enjoyed now or cellared for another 10-15+ years. Drink now-2028. ”
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 6 bottles available
Robert Parker 98 points “Also offering off-the-charts richness, with a flamboyant, hedonistic profile, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon (96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc) possesses spice-laced aromas and flavors of cassis, smoke tobacco, roasted meats, dried licorice and wild herbs that are to die for. Full-bodied, incredibly layered, rich and textured it has no hard edges, masses of tannin and a finish that won’t quit. I’ve been lucky enough to taste this cuvee three times (rated 96 and 97) in the past handful of weeks and this was the best showing yet. From a cool vintage, it is still youthful and vibrant, and will continue to shine for another 15+ years. Drink now-2028. ”
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 2 bottles available
Robert Parker 100 points “From a hot vintage and incredible any way you look at it, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon has that laser-like focus of a cooler year, yet the voluptuousness and richness of a warmer year. Smoked black fruits, coffee, truffle and pen ink-like aromas and flavors all emerge from this massive, incredibly full-bodied effort and on the palate, it carries itself perfectly with a weightless, yet decadent texture, masses of polished tannin and blockbuster length. More classic and textbook than the 2007, it is every bit as good. Enjoy it over the coming two decades or more. Drink now-2033. ”
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 3 bottles available
Robert Parker 96 points “The most evolved of the lineup, with complex spice box, wild herbs, dried flowers, currants and scorched earth aromas all emerging from the glass, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon is beautifully textured, full-bodied and seamless on the palate. Up-front and approachable, it nevertheless has the back-end richness, depth and structure to continue to evolve for another decade or more. Drink now-2023. ”
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 3 bottles available
Robert Parker 100 points “A monumental wine in the making, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of those wines that presents such an over the top array of aromas and flavors that it’s hard to figure out what you think about it with just a quick glance. It’s only with the second or third sip that you really start to see how special this effort truly is. Offering up perfumed, intense aromas of plum, violets, ink, licorice and black currants, it flows onto the palate with a massive, incredibly full-bodied texture that builds through the mid-palate and carries layers of polished tannins, awesome purity of fruit and blockbuster length. Most likely not for everyone given the sheer size, it is an incredible wine in my opinion. Still tasting like a barrel sample, it will have 30+ total years of longevity. Drink 2017-2037. ”
Quilceda Creek Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 2011 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard comes all from the Golitzin’s Red Mountain vineyard and is almost all Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the richest and most concentrated wines in the vintage, it offer fabulous creme de cassis, black raspberry, graphite, toast and licorice aromas and flavors to go with a full-bodied, seamless and beautifully balanced profile on the palate. As expected, it doesn’t have the sheer wealth of material that’s present in the prior vintages, yet everything is perfectly proportioned, it has excellent mid-palate depth and notable, sweet tannin. It benefits from a decant and will have upwards of two decades of longevity.”WA
Quilceda Creek Palengat Vineyard Red, Horse Heaven Hills 2011 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “A blend of 61% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and the balance Petit Verdot, the 2011 Palengat Vineyard has a great bouquet of sweet plum liqueur, blackberry, graphite, lead pencil shavings and toast. This is followed by a full-bodied effort that has beautiful concentration (especially in the vintage), loads of texture and ripe underlying tannic structure. Reasonably approachable now, it will nevertheless evolve gracefully on its overall balance. Enjoy bottles over the coming 10-15 years.” WA
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VinopolPick Super Sale
Three Day Sale
Ends Monday at Midnight – Limited to Stocks on Hand
Produttori del Barbaresco Wines
Produttori del Barbaresco Asili, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG2009 ($69.95) $39 sale price, Previously $59, 10 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2009 Barbaresco Riserva Asili blossoms on the palate with lovely depth and richness. The fine Asili tannins are there, as the fruit shows its depth and roundness. The style is soft, supple and generous. The suave Asili personality comes through, but the pure excitement of the best vintages proves to be elusive. A generous, caressing finish rounds things out nicely.” AG
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG2009 ($59.95) $39 sale price, Previously $49, 25 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2009 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano brings together the best qualities of the vintage, with a solid core of intense fruit, expressive aromatics and a measure of tannic heft that will keep the wine fresh and vibrant for many years. Dark cherry, plum, spice and leather notes flesh out on the huge, voluptuous finish. In 2009, the Montestefano is fabulous.” AG
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2009 ($59.95) $39 sale price Previously $47, 16 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2009 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is one of the more detailed, vibrant wines in this range. Sweet dark red cherries, mint, pine, graphite and crushed flowers all take shape in the glass. The typical high-toned Ovello bouquet, slightly firm tannins and energy are all there, making this one of the more site-specific of the 2009 Riservas. In 2009, the Ovello is a bit more accessible than it usually is, even if I don’t quite find the visceral thrill of the very best years.” AG
Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2009 ($59.95) $39 sale price Previously $44, 11 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Firm tannins provide the backbone for the 2009 Barbaresco Riserva Pora. Bigger and richer on the palate than it often is, the 2009 Pora is also quite beautiful in this vintage. Sweet floral and mint notes wrap around the palate in this impeccable, beautifully balanced, mid-weight Barbaresco from the Produttori. The 2009 impresses for its pliancy and generosity. Today, the tannins are a bit four-squared, but there is enough depth in the fruit to make me think the wine will come together a little more fully with more time in bottle.” AG
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2009 ($69.95) $49 sale price Previously $59, 3+ cases available
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “Dark cherries, menthol, cloves, cinnamon and leather wrap around the palate in the 2009 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà. A rich, layered, enveloping wine, the Rabajà is a wine that shows plenty of character and personality. Deep, implosive and full of personality, the Rabajà is another wine that delivers tons of character, class and personality.” AG
Ends Monday at Midnight – Limited to Stocks on Hand
California Cabernets
Hall Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 ($59.95) $39 sale price, Previously $49, 3+ cases available
Antonio Galloni 88-90 points “Hall’s 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is laced with attractive plum, mocha, licorice, spices and menthol notes. This juicy, highly expressive Cabernet Sauvignon is shaping up beautifully. It should drink well pretty much upon release.” AG
Stony Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2010 ($69.95) $39 sale price, Previously $59, 12 bottles available
Winery note: “Mike Chelini’s second vintage of Cabernet beautifully reflects Stony Hill’s mountain Cabernet vineyard with its sun-drenched southwest exposure and deep red, loamy soils. The resulting wine is rich in black cherry fruit and fragrant herbs, combined with that Stony Hill “from the earth” quality. Nicely balanced between rich fruit flavors and bright acidity, the wine shows subtle tannins, a lively texture and long finish. True to Mike’s fruit-first and light-touch style of winemaking, the Cab has 13.5% alcohol and promises a long life to come. If we had to pick one word to characterize our Stony Hill wines it would be balance. We aim to achieve a balance between the intensely flavored fruit from our hillside vineyards and the notable acidity that gives the wine structure and the aging potential for which it’s been known for more than five decades.”
Kamen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley 2010 ($89.95) $59 sale price, Previously $75, 3+ cases available
Antoni Galloni 93+ points “I am totally enthralled by Kamen’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, without question the most elegant wine I have tasted from this site on the hills outside Napa. Veins of chiseled, precise fruit come alive in the glass. Hints of dark red and black fruits lead to all sorts of flowers in a Cabernet Sauvignon that impresses for its total sense of elegance and polish. There is a lot to look forward to here. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.” AG
Ends Monday at Midnight – Limited to Stocks on Hand
Remelluri Rioja
Bodegas Remelluri ‘Lindes de Remelluri’ Vinedos de Labastida, Rioja 2010 ($34.95) $21.90 sale price, Previously $29, 32 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 2010 ($34.95) $21.90 sale price, Previously $29, 40 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 Reserva 2009 ($39.95) $24 sale price, Previously $31.90, 44 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Remelluri Reserva aims at showing the character of Remelluri, as this is the first modern vintage that does not have grapes purchased from external suppliers. These grapes are now in the Lindes range of wines, but in the past they were blended with the estate grapes. The cool Remelluri vineyards behave very well in warmer years. This 2009 is very clean with predominant aromas of earthy red fruit intermixed with notes of vanilla and cinnamon, a satin texture with round, fine-grained tannins and quite classical and very well-proportioned style. This is a great vintage for Remelluri Reserva.” WA
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Bonus Feature – Domaine Faiveley 2012
Arriving Mid-February
Domaine Faiveley Meursault Blagny Premier Cru Blanc 2012 750ML ($89.95) $59 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 88-91 points “Good full yellow-gold. Aromatic nose combines stone fruits, honey and sweet oak. Juicy and intense, with noteworthy cut to the flavors of peach, apricot, minerals and spices. Finishes spicy and persistent, with a slight youthful hard edge”
Domaine Faiveley La Piece Sous Le Bois, Blagny Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($59.95) $39 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Domaine Faiveley Craipillot, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Domaine Faiveley Fremiets, Volnay Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($99.95) $69 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Domaine Faiveley Clos de L’Ecu Monopole, Beaune Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer “Good medium red. Bright sour cherry aroma complicated by leather, menthol and herbs; quite cool on the nose. Supple and spicy in the mouth, with a slightly diffuse quality to the medicinal dark fruit flavors. The tannins show a slightly dry edge.”
Domaine Faiveley Aux Beaux Bruns, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 88-91 points “Good medium red. Began a bit reduced but showed lovely red berry and stone perfume with some air. Sweet and fine-grained, with bright acidity giving shape to the red berry, spice and floral flavors. A moderately concentrated wine with a rather cool character.”
Domaine Faiveley Les Charmes, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, 18 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90-93 points “Good bright red. Complex nose melds red berries, cardamom, flowers and soil tones. Ripe, smooth and lightly saline, with an earthy complexity giving this wine much more flavor interest than the Beaux-Bruns. In a rather feminine style, finishing with ripe tannins and subtle length”
Domaine Faiveley Les Cazetiers, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special, 30 bottles available
Burghound 92-94 points “An agreeably fresh if restrained dark berry fruit nose of newly turned earth and sauvage notes leads to strikingly intense, powerful and concentrated medium-weight flavors that are built on a pungent minerality, all wrapped in a complex, explosively long, balanced and driving finish. This is a dazzlingly good effort though note well that it is expressly built to age and it will need plenty of it”
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Domaine Faiveley La Combe aux Moines, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90-92 points “Bright, dark red. Black cherry, licorice and a whiff of game on the brooding nose. Sweet, saline and densely packed but a baby today, with subtle dark fruit and game flavors currently cut off by chewy, slightly tough tannins. Quite unevolved right now”
Domaine Faiveley Clos des Myglands Monopole, Mercurey Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special, 3+ cases available
Stephen Tanzer 88-90 points “Bright medium red. Liqueur-like cherry and spices on the inviting nose. Dense and savory on the palate, with very good cut and saline complexity to the flavors of dark cherry, rose petal and spices. Finishes youthfully medicinal, persistent and perfumed, with excellent structure for Mercurey.”
Domaine Faiveley Les Porets-Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($99.95) $69 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-94 points “Good medium red. Aromas of black cherry, menthol and sweet oak, lifted by topnotes of rose petal and violet. A step up in flavor and depth from the foregoing Nuits samples, showing lovely cut and lift to the perfumed flavors of sweet black cherry and menthol. At once chewy and refined, finishing with ripe tannins, attractive salinity and lingering perfume.”
Domaine Faiveley Aux Chaignots, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90-93 points “Bright medium red. Musky black cherry and blackberry aromas are complicated by an exotic suggestion of white fruits. Juicy, precise and youthfully imploded, offering pretty flavors of raspberry, flowers and spices. Not an opulent style but vibrant and firmly built”
Domaine Faiveley Les Damodes, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-93 points “Bright dark red. Captivating precision to the aromas of flowers, crushed stone, chocolate and cardamom. Sweet, silky and smooth but with excellent energy to the dense berry and spice flavors. Still a bit youthfully tight but spreads out impressively on the long, perfumed finish. This weightless wine leaves the salivary glands quivering “
Domaine Faiveley Aux Vignerondes, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 88-91 points “Good bright, dark red, Ripe aromas of raspberry and menthol. Dense, supple and juicy, with lovely energy to the dark berry, cherry and licorice flavors. A rather sedate Nuits wine with subtle sweetness”
Domaine Faiveley Les Rugiens, Pommard Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-94 points “Good bright red. Redcurrant, minerals and sweet oak on the reticent nose. Chewy and intense on the palate, with an impression of strong extract to the cherry liqueur and saline flavors. Nicely concentrated, long and aromatic, with suave tannins and no evidence of hail.”
Domaine Faiveley Volnay-Santenots, Volnay Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($99.95) $69 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 88-91 points “Bright red. Dark chocolate, minerals and menthol on the nose. Sweet flavors of black cherry and spices show good energy and cut. In a relatively cool style for Santenots, and less ripe than some recent vintages. But should offer early appeal.”
Domaine Faiveley Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($399.95) $299 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Burghound 93-96 points “A spicy, fresh and highly restrained nose offers up aromas of both red and dark berry fruit, earth, sandalwood and a touch of the sauvage. There is the same fine complexity to the detailed, punchy, powerful and gorgeously textured flavors that possess imposing size and weight yet the finish is a model of grace, balance and refinement.”
Stephen Tanzer 93-96 points “Good bright, full red. Highly aromatic perfume of raspberry, crushed rock, licorice, mint, blood orange and cardamom; I might have guessed Chambolle. Then intensely flavored but youthfully unforthcoming, with savory soil tones adding interest to the fruits and flowers. Most impressive today on the chewy, sappy finish, which is given a weightlessness by the wine’s outstanding energy and lift. It’s hard to scrape this juice off the palate.”
Domaine Faiveley Echezeaux Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($249.95) $169 pre-arrival special, 18 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-94 points “Medium red. Aromas of red cherry, cinnamon and earth. Silky, suave and sweet, with a slightly candied quality to the cherry, spice and mint flavors. Savory, stylish Echezeaux with a long, saline, soil-driven finish. This very ripe wine will nonetheless require four or five years of cellaring to absorb some of its tannins.”
Domaine Faiveley Latricieres-Chambertin Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($269.95) $199 pre-arrival special, 18 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points “Good bright, dark red. Complex, high-pitched aromas of pomegranate, nutmeg, orange peel, licorice and pepper. Nuanced and stylish but youthfully tight, showing outstanding definition and lift its tart red berry and stone flavors. Finishes long and brisk, with outstanding energy. This should enjoy a long and graceful evolution in bottle; my range may eventually turn out to be conservative.”
Burghound 92-95 points “A pure and manifestly earthy and sauvage nose offers up notes of red and dark currant, humus and underbrush. There is excellent volume and mid-palate density to the beautifully delineated medium weight plus flavors that possess terrific focus and plenty of minerality on the strikingly long finish. As is usually the case this is markedly austere at present and will need plenty of cellar time before it’s ready for prime time but it should be well worth the wait.”
Domaine Faiveley Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($289.95) $219 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available
Burghound 92-95 points “Here the nose is quite similar to that of the Latricières save for the fact that the sauvage character is even more pronounced. As is typically the case there is also more size, weight, richness and power if a bit less refinement and minerality to the large-scaled flavors that also brim with dry extract that does a fine job of buffering the hugely long finish. If you prefer a bit more elegance, buy the Latricières, and if you prefer robust power, buy the Mazis, though there’s no harm in liking both!”