January 14, 2022 Newsletter

In This Newsletter:

New Weekend – New Arrivals 

Muse of Mallorca: 
Mesquida Mora’s Old-Vine Callet 


Freisa Friday

Tenuta Arceno’s Triptych of Bordeaux blends
   
Royally Delicious: 
Sparkling from Sforza 


Collector’s Corner: 
Champagne Salon


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This Shop Never Closes: www.vinopoliswineshop.com
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10AM – 6PM Daily
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Order Online / By Phone / By Email

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New Weekend – New Arrivals 

Oregon- Willamette Valley 

Brick House Vineyards ‘Les Dijonnais’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 95 points
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Les Dijonnais has a medium ruby-purple color aAnd perfumed red cherries, cranberry sauce, lavender and tangerine with spicy accents. The medium-bodied palate is silky with crunchy, fragrant fruit and has refreshing acidity that highlights all those pretty perfumed notes on the long finish.”

“Labeled as ‘House Red Non-Vintage’ in 2020 because of the fire-impacted vintage which led founder Doug Tunnell to declassify all the fruit and create this blend, including a significant portion of 2019 juice.” –Wine-Searcher.com”
Brick House Vineyards “House Red” Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge MV 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 90 points
“The NV House Red Pinot Noir has a medium ruby color and savory aromas of red and black berries, smoked meats, cranberry sauce and dark spices. The palate has concentrated, earthy fruits with decent length and a touch of chew.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Brick House Vineyards Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2020 750ML ($31.95) $26 special
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 points
“The 2020 Chardonnay Ribbon Ridge overdelivers for the price. The nose is alluringly savory, with a lush core of white peaches and jasmine, and accents of roasted almonds, saline and cured meats. Soft and silky, the palate begins linear and citrusy, then unfolds to those savory, nutty undertones and finishes uplifted. It’s designed to work as a by-the-glass selection in restaurants, but it offers so much more!”

France – Champagne

Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut Champagne  NV 750ML ($39.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($239.95) $206 special (That’s $34.33 per bottle)   
Case-12 Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($479.95) $389 special (That’s $32.41 per bottle) 
Decanter 92 points
“[Reviewed 2021] Incredible value for a blanc de noirs (100% Pinot Noir) grower Champagne from the grand cru vineyards of Bouzy. It shows gorgeous aromas of stone fruit, citrus and strawberry, with complex brioche nuances, remarkable balance, ongoing elegance and a rich, refined, persistent finish. Drinking Window 2021 – 2026.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 91 points “[Reviewed Apr 2021] The NV Brut Grand Réserve Grand Cru is a pure Pinot Noir from Bouzy. It’s pure, fresh, fine and aromatic on the nose and round and delicate on the palate. The fruit-intense finish is chalky-mineral and stimulatingly fresh in its salty finesse and elegant yeastiness. Nice lemon juice flavors give an extra kick of refreshment. This is a picture-book NV Brut. No indication of disgorgement given.”

Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne NV 750ML ($239.95) $206 special (That’s $34.33 per bottle)   
Case-12 Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne NV 750ML ($479.95) $389 special (That’s $32.41 per bottle) 
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points
“[Reviewed Apr 2021] Clouet’s NV Silver Brut Nature Grand Cru is a pure Bouzy Pinot Noir that was disgorged without any dosage. This disgorgement displays a medium intense golden color and a complex and refined bouquet of ripe and pureed apples and discreet chalky as well as brioche aromas. The palate is elegant, straight and fresh, very pure and salty on the finish. This is a challenging Brut Nature that needs to be aged for two or three years to gain complexity and finesse and to smooth its current edges. The finish is mineral, limestone and salty but also a bit drying at this moment.”

Geoffroy Empreinte Premier Cru Vintage Brut Champagne2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93+ points
“The 2014 Brut Cuvée Empreinte, 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from Cumières, is fabulous. Bright and beautifully sculpted, with soaring aromatics, the 2014 Empreinte is immediately captivating. Bright, saline notes give the 2014 striking energy that cuts straight through the wine. The 2014 was just disgorged, so it needs time to recover, but it is so impressive in the early going. Empreinte is such a great example of what Cumières is all about.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Fine and chalky, this minerally Champagne weaves a firm backbone with notes of fresh-cut apple, chopped almond, fleur de sel and dried cherry in a tight mesh. Lightly honeyed on the finish. Disgorged September 2020. Best from 2023 through 2029. — AN”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Geoffroy Expression Premier Cru Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Fall 2021 Release!
Wine & Spirits 93 points
“Designed as a blend of two vintages, in this case near-equal amounts of 2014 and ’15, Expression is focused on red grapes (35 percent each pinot noir and meunier). Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy enriches the wine’s freshness with reserves that he stores in oak foudres. The combination is smooth and sophisticated, with ripe flavors of crisp apples over a supple texture. The finish is pale and chalky, leaving a clean, fresh feel.” 
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The NV Brut Expression is a beautiful wine. A fine line of acidity runs through the Expression, lending notable brightness and cut throughout. Orchard fruit, spice, mint and dried flowers are all beautifully delineated in a Champagne that impresses for its transparency and cut. I loved it. This release is a blend of 2015 and 2014. Dosage is 5 grams per liter.”
Disgorged June 2021.
Importer note “49% 2016, 51% perpetual reserve started in 1970”

Marie Courtin Resonance Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut Champagne (2018) 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Fall 2021 Release! 

France – Rhone 

Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Tradition Rhone 2016 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Tradition Rhone 2016 750ML ($419.95) $310 special (That’s only $51.66 per bottle) 
Case-12 Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Tradition Rhone 2016 750ML ($739.95) $589 special (That’s only $49.08 per bottle) 
Wine Enthusiast 95 points
“Exuberant blackberry and blueberry notes extend from nose to palate of this powerfully ripe, luscious wine. It’s decadent and forward yet full of mineral tension and taut, firm-footed tannins. Fresh fruit flavors are delightful already but this wine will please well through 2040. -Anna Lee C. Iijima”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Moving to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape from bottle, the 2016 vintage was described as having the power of 2010 and similar to yet fresher than 2007. The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape offers a great bouquet of black raspberries, tapenade, crushed violets, and spring flowers, and shares lots of similarities to the Chaupin cuvée (and it’s less expensive!). Full-bodied, incredibly elegant and seamless, it might be the finest traditional cuvée ever produced from this estate.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points “Deep glistening ruby. Aromas of ripe red berries, cherry preserves, lavender and smoky minerals; a sexy Moroccan spice nuance builds in the glass. Juicy and seamless on the palate, where the lush raspberry, spicecake and floral pastille flavors show superb depth and energy. Clings impressively on the long, spice-tinged finish, which features velvety tannins and an echo of raspberry liqueur. This is one of the standout entry-level Châteauneufs of this top-notch vintage.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits more dark fruit than I would’ve expected, with black cherries, black olives and tar all mingling on the nose. In the mouth, the blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah and 5% Cinsault is full-bodied, rich and velvety, with a lush, lingering finish. Easy to drink now, it should age for at least a decade just on its sheer concentration and ripeness.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “A lovely beam of cassis and dark plum fruit streams through, laced with anise and graphite notes and driving through a sage brush–accented finish. Shows the ripe, focused, racy feel of the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2030.”

Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2020 Rhone 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage Rhone 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds- Vinous 91-93 points
“Spice-driven dark berry, cherry, peony and licorice aromas are sharpened by a zesty mineral flourish. Fleshy blackberry and bitter cherry flavors turn sweeter with air and pick up a smoky nuance on the back half. Shows fine definition and energy and finishes spicy and quite long, displaying gently chewy tannins and a resonating floral quality.”

Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude Rhone 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 21 bottles in stock now

Domaine Alain Graillot Saint-Joseph Rouge Rhone 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points
“Expressive cherry, black currant and floral aromas, along with hints of smoky bacon, licorice and black pepper. Nicely concentrated and energetic on the palate, offering lively, mineral-driven black/blue fruit and floral pastille flavors that stretch out and become sweeter with air. Closes very long, sappy and precise, showing fine delineation and spicy bite on the youthfully tannic, floral-tinged finish. Made with 100% whole clusters.”

Italy – Sicily

I Vigneri I Custodi delle Vigne dell’Etna ‘Ante’ Etna Bianco Sicily 2020 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now 
Distributor note:
New bottling, 100% unoaked Carricante

This is the only listing in the USA today!

I Vigneri I Custodi delle Vigne dell’Etna ‘Pistus’ Etna Rosso Sicily 2018 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now  
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 89 points
“The entry-level 2018 Etna Rosso Pistus is a classic 80/20 blend of Nerellos Mascalese and Cappuccio from a four-hectare site in Castiglione di Sicilia that sits at 650 meters above sea level, which is on the lower or average side of Etna viticulture. This wine is made purely in stainless steel, and this approach is meant to maintain the varietal purity on hand. From a cool and humid growing season, Pistus is an 11,000-bottle production that shows some sweet cherry and blackberry and mid-weight concentration. There is a fun dusting of crushed white peppercorn on the close.”

Gulfi Nerojbleo Nero d’Avola Sicilia IGT Sicily 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Gulfi Nerojbleo Nero d’Avola Sicilia IGT Sicily 2018 750ML ($299.95) $228 special (that’s only $19/bottle!)
VinopolNote:
Sourced from Chiaramonte Gulfi (Ragusa) in Monti Iblei grown at 1,000+ feet above sea level. Organically grown without irrigation in the traditional bushvine of Sicily.

Gulfi Rossojbleo Nero d’Avola Sicilia IGT Sicily 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Gulfi Rossojbleo Nero d’Avola Sicilia IGT Sicily 2019 750ML (259.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
VinopolNote:
Grown without synthetic inputs or irrigation, this is the entry-level offering from Gulfi. Meant to be a light and juicy iteration of Nero D’Avola.

Gulfi Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG Sicily 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Gulfi Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG Sicily 2019 750ML ($299.95) $228 special (That’s only $19 per bottle)  
Eric Guido-Vinous 90 points
“The 2019 Cerasuolo di Vittoria is lifted, presenting a pure display of sweet violets, black cherries and hints of wet stone. It impresses further with silky textures that envelop the palate in bright red and blue fruits, along with a refreshing wave of juicy acidity. Hints of spiced orange and inner florals linger long through the lightly structured finale. This is an equal-parts blend of Nero d’Avola and Frappato that is aimed at immediate satisfaction, but in a nicely balanced style.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Gulfi Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG  Sicily 2017 750ML ($54.95) $48 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Ian D’agata-Vinous 93 points
“Deep ruby. Intense violet/black cherry on the very perfumed nose. Then big dense and juicy, with ripe black cherry and candied violet flavors complicated by flint and aromatic spices. Finishes long with building tannins and a strong floral note derived from the Frappato. An outstanding Cerasuolo di Vittoria.”

Austria

Familie Saahs Nikolaihof im Weingebirge Smaragd Gruner Veltliner Wachau 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96+ points
“Bottled at the end of April this year, the 2015 Im Weingebirge Grüner Veltliner Smaragd is clear, deep and intense on the nose with its subtle aromas of crushed stones and lemons. Some animal leather and wild boar scents here as well. Full-bodied and intense but also very elegant and finessed on the palate, this is a lush and impressively long and very tensioned, highly expressive Smaragd made for decades. Its slightly oxidative style reminds me of traditional white Riojas, but the crystalline acidity and mineral character is clearly Wachau. A potential top-scorer, but the wine is far too young to be served today. 12.5% alcohol. 2030-2060.”
Schloss Gobelsburg Gruner Veltliner Kamptal DAC 2020 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 91 points
“Attractive lemon and white-peach nose with hints of green apples and fresh herbs. Juicy, mid-weight palate with a lot of character and a lovely balance of warm elements and cool, minty undertones. Long, very harmonious finish. Drink now. Screw cap.”



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Muse of Mallorca: 
Mesquida Mora’s Old-Vine Callet 


Have you ever tried the varietal Callet? Native to the island of Mallorca, it’s one of two indigenous varietals that are still cultivated in commercial amounts. In the vineyard Callet is a late ripening grape that takes advantage of the generous Mallorcan sun and wind, producing highly aromatic and perfumed wines not unlike if Pinot Noir took a vacation to the Spanish island.   

The estate where Sotil is sourced from has been under the stewardship of the Mesquida Mora family for generations, having been founded in 1945. Upon assuming control of her family’s operations Bàrbara Mesquida Mora converted the vineyards to biodynamics, becoming one of the first certified wineries in all of Spain. Championing biodiversity and polyculture, Mesquida Mora grows apricots and carob among her bush trained vines, the oldest of which are over 80 years old!  

Sotil is just as unique as the estate she came from, with saturated color and effusive aromatics one would expect from a red wine clocking in at 14-15% ABV yet only 12 in the 2019 vintage. Delightfully juicy yet structured enough to handle heartier fare the fruit character is firmly red berried and evocative of cherry juice, strawberry puree, and redcurrant. Accompanying the fruit are spice and mineral elements like copal resin, cinnamon, star anise and black pepper that refresh and enliven the palate.   

Mesquida Mora wines in stock now: 

Mesquida Mora Sotil Pla i Llevant 2019 750ML ($79.95) $58 special, 19 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference.
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94+ points
“I already loved the 2017, and the 2018 Sòtil was possibly more impressive, floral, aromatic with detail and nuance, harmonious, velvety with very fine tannins and great purity. It’s precise and focused and has symmetry and great clarity. It’s a very elegant expression of the Mediterranean produced in a very subtle way, ethereal, with moderate alcohol and lots of inner power. 2,180 bottles were filled in December 2019.”
“Mesquida Mora is the personal project of Bàrbara Mesquida Mora, who works exclusively with her biodynamic vineyards in the villages of Porreres and Felanitx in Mallorca. She produces 85,000 to 90,000 bottles per year.” –Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Shop our complete selection of Spanish Reds on our web store


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Freisa Friday
 
Much like Cabernet Franc, Freisa is often passed over in favor of its child grape: Nebbiolo. Once widely planted throughout Piedmonte, Freisa is now only found in in 1000 hectares across the region. With that relative scarcity in mind, Kye is a unique find. Sourced from a single vineyard in Barolo at 1100 feet above sea level, Kye delivers rustic aromas of turned loam, hyssop and seco tobacco leaf. 

Flavor profile is similar to Nebbiolo but with more emphasis on botanical and spice elements. In addition to a lip smacking fruit component evocative of fresh cranberry and Bing cherries, there is an electrifying Szechuan pepper note that makes each taste mesmerizing. Acid and tannins are medium plus and perfectly harmonized after a handful of years in the bottle. There is plenty of room for Kye to continue evolving with more bottle aging, but provides immediate reward for the impatient. Given how this wine is sturdy without being overpowering, Kye is ready for a plethora of cuisine. Lebanese, Chinese or even pizza would be at home with this Northern Italian gem. 

G.D. Vajra Freisa ‘Kye’ Langhe Rosso Piedmont 2017 750ML ($44.95) $36 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points
“The 2017 Langhe Freisa Kyé is polished, understated and supremely beautiful. Over the last few years, the Vajras have tamed some of the rusticity of Freisa, but there is still plenty of varietal character here. All the elements are very well balanced. Wild cherry, plum, spice, licorice, tobacco, grilled herbs and coffee abound. I would give the 2017 a year or two in bottle, as there is still a bit of edginess to the tannin. Then again, that is Freisa, when it is made with this level of ambition.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “This wine has developed its own cult following over the years. Named after a local dialectal expression for “who is it,” the 2017 Langhe Freisa Kyè is super intense in this hot vintage. The wine draws upon those vintage conditions to present an extra dark appearance, with aromas of Morello cherry, dried blackberry and spice. I always get a subtle note of black pepper with the popular Freisa grape. The mouthfeel is rich, and you can really sink your teeth into this cheerful and unusual red from Piedmont. 6,000 bottles are hitting the market now.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Shop our complete selection of GD Vajra wines on our web store now.

We love Northern Italian wine from all over Piedmont, including Barolo, Barbaresco and beyond!.

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 Tenuta Arceno’s Triptych of Bordeaux blends
  
Are you familiar with Tenuta Arceno? In addition to their olive oil and Chianti Classico production they make some of the best Bordeaux Blends in Tuscany at a variety of price points. While Tuscany is famous for her blends of the indigenous Sangiovese grape and Bordeaux varietals more commonly known as “Super Tuscans”, there have been Bordeaux blends utilized since the 14th century!
  
The combination of rich soil, high elevation and generous Tuscan weather creates a level of ripeness that is almost Napa Valley-esque but with the quintessential Italian rusticity and character. The “il Fauno” is sourced from the clay rich sections of the estate; the favored soil type of Merlot which makes up the backbone of the blend. Expect a plethora of ripe strawberry, Bing cherry, Mexican vanilla and cigar box with a finish of terra cotta and earth. These are incredible wines already but reach new heights on their 10th birthday or later, as evidenced by the work of art that is the 2008 library release.

Tenuta Arceno wines in stock now 

Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum Toscana IGT Tuscany 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum Toscana IGT Tuscany 2015 750ML ($479.95) $399 special, (That’s only $66.50/ bottle!) 
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 97 points
“It would be impossible to exaggerate the grandeur and majesty of the overachieving 2015 Arcanum. The blend is 74% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. This full-bodied wine is mostly defined by its texture that is exceedingly rich and smooth with significant infusions of blackberry, plum, spice, tobacco and cured leather. The wine achieves beautiful balance, yet it remains intense and powerful all the while.”

Arcanum ‘Valadorna’ Toscana IGT Tuscany 2015 750ML ($79.95) $49 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points
“The 2015 Valadorna (65% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot) is a dark and thickly endowed red wine that boasts a rich and lasting grip on the palate. The bouquet offers depth and complexity with dark fruit, leather, cured tobacco and spice. There are also softer notes of chocolate and ground espresso beans. The wine’s seamless integration of flavors leads to increased momentum and intensity as the wine continues to open in the glass.”

Tenuta Arceno wines arriving Friday, January 21st: 

Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum Toscana IGT Tuscany 2008 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum Toscana IGT Tuscany 2008 750ML ($599.95) $449 pre-arrival special (That’s only $74.83/bottle) 
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 96 points
“The 2008 Arcanum is a monumental achievement and my favorite wine in an already impossibly impressive collection. The blend sees Cabernet Franc (77%), Merlot and a very small part of Cabernet Sauvignon. Like many Tuscany growers, Tenuta di Arceno is betting on Cabernet Franc’s performance in the warmer corners of Tuscany. The integration here is absolutely beautiful and the wine glides smoothly over the palate with the perfect balance of extraction, glycerin, residual sugar and acidity. The aromas span the spectrum, from bright cherry to dark chocolate. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Love Tuscan Reds? Shop our entire selection now both in-store and online



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Royally Delicious: 

Sparkling from Sforza 

Do the current prices and shortages of Champagne have you looking for alternatives? Consider the sparkling wines from Trento! We recently acquired an allotment of wines from Cesarini Sforza, a producer based in the Val di Cembra sub-region of the Trento DOC. Precipitously located a stone’s throw down the mountains from Alto-Adige yet at over 2,000 feet above sea level, the region has been growing winegrapes since Antiquity. 

Cesarini Sforza is no beginner operation either, having been founded in 1974 by Count Lamberto Cesarini Sforza of the Duchy of Milan. Working almost entirely with Chardonnay, all of their grapes are grown organically on the traditional pergola trellis. The combination of high altitude and multi-layered soils contribute a crisp and clean minerality in addition to alpine-esque aromatics. Aged for over 2 years on the lees prior to disgorgement you also get some autolytic notes of brioche and sweetbread dough that bring to mind Key Lime Pie. 

Cesarini Sforza Spumante Metodo Classico Brut Trento doc Trentino-Alto Adige  NV 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points
“Impressive biscuity notes intertwined with lush ripe peaches and apples; smoky and toasty with a mouthwatering freshness and perfect acidity. Drinking Window 2020 – 2024.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 90 points “The NV Brut Metodo Classico wafts up with intensity, as savory spices and incense give way to dried flowers and apricot. This is round and soothing in feel, balancing a pretty inner sweetness with acidic tension. Mineral-tinged apples give way to enriching hints of hazelnut. It leaves the palate completely refreshed, tapering off with medium length. This non-vintage Trentodoc is a value in its category and a pleasure to taste.”
100% Chardonnay

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Cesarini Sforza Spumante Rose Brut Trentino-Alto Adige  NV 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points
“The NV Brut Rosé Metodo Classico is a pretty and vibrant shade of pink, with a bouquet of smoke and crushed stone that gives way to young peach and a spritz of lime. This fills the palate with silken bubbles and savory minerals which nicely contrast its mix of ripe strawberry and baked apple. It tapers off persistent, with a salty flourish and red inner florals that linger on. Nicely done.”      

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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Collector’s Corner: 
Champagne Salon


A wholly unique house in that they produce a single wine and only during the most exceptional growing years. Sourced from 20 parcels in the center of Le Mensil-Sur-Oger with their first vintage in 1905, this is one of the rarest wines in the entire world and the apex of Chardonnay, with razor sharp austerity requiring extensive bottle age before enjoyment. 

Each vintage is attributed with its own personality and showing. The house describes the vintage in 2007 as “Luminosity” . All of the bottles on offer were disgorged in 2019, a tribute to what extended aging can do. These are among the most sought after wines in the auction world, with vintages from the 90’s selling for thousands of dollars.

Salon in stock now: 

Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne 2007 750ML ($999.95) $899 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 99 points
“This legendary Champagne, only produced in exceptional years, comes from the village of Le Mesnil in the Côte des Blancs. It is made from 100% Chardonnay and aged for many years before release. Its minerality, concentration and beautiful fruit are still astonishingly young and deserve further aging. Drink from 2020.”
Wine & Spirits 97 points “This latest release of Salon announces itself with energy and leaves with freshness. It comes from a vintage marked by a cool, cloudy August that delayed ripening; after the vines recovered in September, they yielded this delicate chardonnay, completely saturated with flavor. It comes from 20 parcels in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, a selection established by the founder, Aimé Salon, in the early 1900s, including one estate parcel of 2.5 acres. Other than exclaiming on the wine’s delicious flavors, our panel was seduced by its texture, describing it in variations of silk, satin or chalk and velvet whiteness. It has a presence—a remarkable infusion of chalk soil—that sets it apart.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2007 Salon is gorgeous. Weightless, delicate and understated, the 2007 is all class. Today, the 2007 reminds me of the 2004 in its bright, citrus and floral-infused profile, but with a bit more creaminess, mid-palate depth and softer contours, all of which will make the 2007 easy to drink with minimal cellaring. Next to the 2006, the 2007 is quite a bit fresher and more delineated, with none of exuberance, power of tropically-leaning overtones found in its younger sibling. At this stage, the 2007 is a bit inward and closed in on itself. Then again, it is Salon. This is another terrific showing from Salon and the team headed by President Didier Depond. Dosage is 5 grams per liter.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “…the weightless and delicate 2007 is a coolish, elegant and smoky gentleman dressed in a white tie and silk hat… The performance on the palate is pure yet concentrated, fresh and linear, very elegant and perfectly balanced, but most of all, it is extremely fine and stimulating!…The radiant 2007 Salon is one of the greatest champagnes I have had from this vintage…”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


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Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.

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