The Feast of Venus:
Valentine’s Day Selections P2
Krug Grande Cuvee 166 eme Edition Brut Champagne 1.5L ($599.95) $499 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Decanter 97 points “45% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay, 16% Meunier, blended from 140 wines dating from 1996 to 2010, including 42% reserves. Krug leads off where most other Champagne houses end, and its entry wine is every bit a prestige cuvée. It smells and tastes like no other wine, a monumental paradox of tense freshness, profound maturity and inimitable complexity. Decadently rich, extravagantly complex and thunderingly expansive, Grande Cuvée is a vinous Champagne of multifaceted personality, yet ever-heightened tension. For all it represents, spanning 25 years of production, it presents incredible value. Drinking Window 2020 – 2030.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96+ points “Compared to Krug’s 160th edition, the bright golden-yellow colored NV Grande Cuvée 166ème Édition (ID117010) is still a baby that shows the chalky and fruity features of a young white Burgundy intermixed with notes of Schwarzwälder Kirsch (dark cherries with black chocolate) and floral (ammonia) flavors on the pure, fresh and elegant yet intense and still yeasty brioche nose with its ripe apple aromas and refreshingly bright (lemon juice) overtones. Round, wide and very elegant yet also straight and tense on the palate, this 2010-dominated cuvée is very delicate, fresh and chalky but also dense and lush in its vinous texture. The finish is well-structured, fresh and persistent, indicating great complexity and vibrancy. However, I would wait at least another three years, during which time the 166th edition will gain even more finesse and quiet. The 166ème Édition is composed of 140 wines from 13 different harvests between 1998 and 2010, and it’s a blend of 45% Pinot Noir with 39% Chardonnay and 16% Pinot Meunier, the latter of which provides the vivacity that the Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs surprisingly didn’t have in 2010, a vintage that was marked by its “tumultuous climate,” as Eric Lebel writes. Tasted in New York in November 2018.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This mouthwatering Champagne feels like a swathe of raw silk on the palate, where flavors of sun-dried white cherry, toast and Meyer lemon peel are accented by expressive saffron, ground coffee and mandarin orange peel aromas. Long and racy on the honey-, spice- and smoke-laced finish. Disgorged winter 2017. Drink now through 2025. — AN”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. This is the latest incarnation of Grande Cuvée, now in its 166th edition. Toasty aromas signal an enticingly mature wine, rich with intense secondary flavors. It preserves the wonderful richness and the style of this producer. The wine is ready to drink now, but it will be also enjoyable for many more years. -Roger Voss”
[Disgorgement dates may vary from reviews]
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose Provence 2020 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Light orange-pink. Expressive, mineral-accented orange zest, red currant, nectarine and succulent floral and herb aromas take on a spicy nuance with air. Lively and sharply focused in the mouth, offering concentrated red berry, pit fruit, tangerine and honeysuckle flavors and a hint of tarragon. The mineral and floral notes drive an impressively long, precise finish that leaves white peach and spice notes behind.”
Calabretta Minnella Bianco Sicily 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine-Searcher.Com Note: The variety produces relatively open bunches of ovoid-shaped, white berries. The name itself is reportedly derived from the local dialect word for the female breast, which the grapes are said to resemble. Minnella wines have an exotic aroma of tropical yellow fruits with cinnamon and anise, and an excellent acidity that keeps the wines focused and fresh on the palate.
Result of a Crush Claret Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Result of a Crush Claret Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($359.95) $259 special, (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “Leafy herbs, plums, blueberries, and green herbs all emerge from the 2016 The Claret. It’s layered, rounded, and textured on the palate, with tons of fruit. With good complexity and a balanced, impeccably made style, it’s a terrific wine to drink over the coming 4-6 years. The blend of the 2016 is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 5% Cab Franc, all aged 18 months in 30% new French oak.”
Ross & Bee Maloof ‘No Clos Radio’ Pinot Gris Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($31.95) $26 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Vineyard History – Estate vineyard and winery site for Maloof Wines and Fossil & Fawn. Originally planted in the early 70s by Harvey Shafer. Location – Forest Grove, OR (Tualatin Hills AVA) Vineyard stats- 27 acres, 500ft elevation Farming – Own rooted, dry farmed, planted in 1972. Organic farming program since January 2020 (previously sustainable), beginning organic certification process through CCOF in spring 2022. Soil – Jory & Loess, with pisolitic deposits of iron and manganese, that are particular to the newly minted Tualatin Hills AVA. Harvesting – By hand, harvested on September 20th. Winemaking – Pressed, and then fermented and aged in neutral burgundy oak barrels, on the lees with no batonnage. Bottled without fining or filtration. 30ppm total Sulfur.”
Charles Ellner Seduction Brut Millesime Champagne 2007 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “A toasty hint of grilled nut adds savory richness to this bright, light-footed Champagne. The firm acidity is well-meshed to notes of yellow plum, candied ginger and lemon curd. Not a powerhouse, but fresh and balanced. Drink now through 2027. — AN”
Domaine Pascal Berthier Saint-Amour ‘Esprit de Seduction’ Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “From two different vineyards, this blend offers a good structure rich in tannins and minerality. The ripe black fruits and dark tannins show the wine has a considerable future. Drink from 2022. -Roger Voss”
The Prisoner Wine Co. ‘The Prisoner’ Napa Valley 2019 750ML ($59.95) $39 special, 8 bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
New Producer Spotlight:
Kia Ora to North Canterbury’s Hermit Ram
The Hermit Ram Amphora Salty White North Canterbury 2020 750ML ($44.95) $38 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Julia Harding MW 17 points “Slightly cloudy very pale gold. Intensely citrus with a light herbal quality. Sour apricot and dried grasses are very subtle. This is complex, creamy, extremely salty. Great complexity and a lovely blend with nothing dominating. Dry, finely tannic, the best flavours of Sauvignon at the core, citrus and herbal and finally green fruits like greengage. Deep, long, salty, a wine for the evening. Good value. Drink 2021–2024”
The Hermit Ram Whole Bunch Zealandia Pinot Noir North Canterbury 2019 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Winery Note: “This Pinot Noir comes from two vineyards, one a small close planted vineyard on the Omihi slopes and the other on the valley floor. The soil in Omihi is predominantly clay with bands of limestone and iron oxide, and the valley floor has glacial gravels with layers of silt and the odd bit of broken limestone dispersed throughout the profile. The clay parcel brings a richness and flesh to this wine whilst the gravel site adds spice and finesse. The use of whole bunches helps to add floral aromatics and length to balance out these textures and to knit the whole wine together. The structural elements and aroma gained from using whole bunches in Pinot Noir from North Canterbury also serves to promote longevity in the wine. It’ll make for fascinating drinking over the coming years. This wine has approximately 50% whole bunches in the ferment. It was fermented with indigenous yeasts. It underwent natural malolactic fermentation. It has no Sulphur added until bottling. It is unfined and unfiltered. 20 ppm SO2 Total.”
Back from Bierzo:
Raul Perez Arriving This Friday
Santa Duc:
Saintly Delicious
Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits Rhone 2015 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 22 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A fluid, fleshy and deeply structured wine with dark cherry and blackberry fruit flavors amid sturdy yet supple tannins. Good weight and presence. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Ripe but fresh, with a slightly high pitch to the mix of damson plum, cherry and rooibos tea aromas and flavors, backed by singed vanilla, tobacco and licorice root notes that give this a darker shade through the finish. Best from 2020 through 2030. 2,400 cases made, 700 cases imported.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90-92 points “Ruby-red. Ripe red fruit and floral pastille aromas show very good detail and an energizing suggestion of white pepper. Palate-caressing raspberry and bitter cherry flavors blend depth and energy with a smooth hand and show no rough edges. Fine-grained tannins lend shape to a very long, red-fruit-dominated finish that features a subtle touch of star anise.”
Love Old Vine Rhone Blends? Check out our selections from Saint Damien, Chateau Vaudieu and Clos De Papes!
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia Serraboella Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “This wine draws its fruit from across the Serraboella vineyard in Neive with vines of various ages. The 2018 Barbaresco Serraboella has a broad reach, thanks to its balanced aromas of wild berry, dried cherry, crushed roses and violets. The wine spreads cleanly over the palate, thanks to the extra volume offered by its earthy and delicately mineral flavors. Like other releases from Paitin, the standout feature here is the silky nature of the mouthfeel.”
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia Sori Paitin Vecchie Vigne Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The Paitin 2016 Barbaresco Serraboella Riserva Sorì Paitin Vecchie Vigne is a gorgeous wine. The bouquet is especially redolent of dried rose and potpourri, and the dark fruit offers highlights of baked cherry or peach. This amazing crescendo of new releases from Paitin goes one impressive step further, pushing the boundaries with this promising and cellar-worthy new release. There is a point of bitter almond on the close, but the mouthfeel is otherwise silky and very fine in texture.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “A fresh, spicy style, whose cherry, tar, iron and tobacco flavors are framed with a light toasting of oak. It’s all focused by the vibrant structure, with refined tannins lining the finish. Shy and austere, yet nicely balanced and long. Best from 2025 through 2042. 440 cases made, 116 cases imported. — BS”
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serra’ Barbera d’Alba Piedmont 2019 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “You get tremendous value from the Paitin 2019 Barbera d’Alba Serra, which is fruity and bright but beautifully elegant as well. Barbera is known for its rich black fruit flavors and accessible personality, so it’s a real treat to taste a wine that puts so much emphasis on the smaller details offered by the grape. These include tart blueberry, white cherry, exotic spice and crushed stone. There is some softness on the close, but the wine will be remembered for the linear and pristine nature of its fruit.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2019 Barbera d’Alba Serra is fresh, floral and fruity, all of which make it an excellent choice for drinking over the next handful of years. Short aging in cask really exalts the fruit in this translucent, classically built Barbera. Red berry fruit, blood orange, mint, spice and orange peel linger.”
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Bonina’ Langhe Freisa Piedmont 2019 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2019 Freisa Bonina is a nervy, focused wine. Bright red berry fruit, white pepper, mint, crushed rocks and dried herbs give this classically austere Freisa terrific aromatic brightness and energy. The 2019 will appeal most to readers with classically leaning palates.”
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia Ca Veja Nebbiolo d’Alba Piedmont 2018 750ML ($24.95) $28 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2018 Nebbiolo d’Alba Ca’ Veja is a gorgeous introduction to the vintage at Paitin. Freshly cut flowers, mint, lavender and red/purplish berry fruit give this bright, effusive Nebbiolo tons of charm. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this gem. Sandy soils yield a Nebbiolo with striking aromatic presence. The 2018 spent 18 months in cask. Think of it as a Barbaresco-level wine at a Nebbiolo d’Alba price.”
Valentine’s Day Selections P2
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner we’ve compiled a few selections that would be right at home in your gift basket or romantic dinner. Regardless of your giftee’s gender, we’ve got something for everyone!
In stock now:
Andre Clouet ‘Dream Vintage’ Brut Champagne 2008 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Such a classic Blanc de Blancs champagne with the special elegance, brilliance and minerality of the 2008 vintage. Very well structured, but without the austere acidity structure that some 2008s have. Long and very clean finish that sends you back to the glass. 100% chardonnay. Drink or hold.”
In stock now:
Andre Clouet ‘Dream Vintage’ Brut Champagne 2008 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Such a classic Blanc de Blancs champagne with the special elegance, brilliance and minerality of the 2008 vintage. Very well structured, but without the austere acidity structure that some 2008s have. Long and very clean finish that sends you back to the glass. 100% chardonnay. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Krug Grande Cuvee 166 eme Edition Brut Champagne 1.5L ($599.95) $499 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Decanter 97 points “45% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay, 16% Meunier, blended from 140 wines dating from 1996 to 2010, including 42% reserves. Krug leads off where most other Champagne houses end, and its entry wine is every bit a prestige cuvée. It smells and tastes like no other wine, a monumental paradox of tense freshness, profound maturity and inimitable complexity. Decadently rich, extravagantly complex and thunderingly expansive, Grande Cuvée is a vinous Champagne of multifaceted personality, yet ever-heightened tension. For all it represents, spanning 25 years of production, it presents incredible value. Drinking Window 2020 – 2030.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96+ points “Compared to Krug’s 160th edition, the bright golden-yellow colored NV Grande Cuvée 166ème Édition (ID117010) is still a baby that shows the chalky and fruity features of a young white Burgundy intermixed with notes of Schwarzwälder Kirsch (dark cherries with black chocolate) and floral (ammonia) flavors on the pure, fresh and elegant yet intense and still yeasty brioche nose with its ripe apple aromas and refreshingly bright (lemon juice) overtones. Round, wide and very elegant yet also straight and tense on the palate, this 2010-dominated cuvée is very delicate, fresh and chalky but also dense and lush in its vinous texture. The finish is well-structured, fresh and persistent, indicating great complexity and vibrancy. However, I would wait at least another three years, during which time the 166th edition will gain even more finesse and quiet. The 166ème Édition is composed of 140 wines from 13 different harvests between 1998 and 2010, and it’s a blend of 45% Pinot Noir with 39% Chardonnay and 16% Pinot Meunier, the latter of which provides the vivacity that the Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs surprisingly didn’t have in 2010, a vintage that was marked by its “tumultuous climate,” as Eric Lebel writes. Tasted in New York in November 2018.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This mouthwatering Champagne feels like a swathe of raw silk on the palate, where flavors of sun-dried white cherry, toast and Meyer lemon peel are accented by expressive saffron, ground coffee and mandarin orange peel aromas. Long and racy on the honey-, spice- and smoke-laced finish. Disgorged winter 2017. Drink now through 2025. — AN”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. This is the latest incarnation of Grande Cuvée, now in its 166th edition. Toasty aromas signal an enticingly mature wine, rich with intense secondary flavors. It preserves the wonderful richness and the style of this producer. The wine is ready to drink now, but it will be also enjoyable for many more years. -Roger Voss”
[Disgorgement dates may vary from reviews]
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose Provence 2020 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Light orange-pink. Expressive, mineral-accented orange zest, red currant, nectarine and succulent floral and herb aromas take on a spicy nuance with air. Lively and sharply focused in the mouth, offering concentrated red berry, pit fruit, tangerine and honeysuckle flavors and a hint of tarragon. The mineral and floral notes drive an impressively long, precise finish that leaves white peach and spice notes behind.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Calabretta Minnella Bianco Sicily 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine-Searcher.Com Note: The variety produces relatively open bunches of ovoid-shaped, white berries. The name itself is reportedly derived from the local dialect word for the female breast, which the grapes are said to resemble. Minnella wines have an exotic aroma of tropical yellow fruits with cinnamon and anise, and an excellent acidity that keeps the wines focused and fresh on the palate.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Result of a Crush Claret Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Result of a Crush Claret Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($359.95) $259 special, (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “Leafy herbs, plums, blueberries, and green herbs all emerge from the 2016 The Claret. It’s layered, rounded, and textured on the palate, with tons of fruit. With good complexity and a balanced, impeccably made style, it’s a terrific wine to drink over the coming 4-6 years. The blend of the 2016 is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 5% Cab Franc, all aged 18 months in 30% new French oak.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Ross & Bee Maloof ‘No Clos Radio’ Pinot Gris Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($31.95) $26 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Vineyard History – Estate vineyard and winery site for Maloof Wines and Fossil & Fawn. Originally planted in the early 70s by Harvey Shafer. Location – Forest Grove, OR (Tualatin Hills AVA) Vineyard stats- 27 acres, 500ft elevation Farming – Own rooted, dry farmed, planted in 1972. Organic farming program since January 2020 (previously sustainable), beginning organic certification process through CCOF in spring 2022. Soil – Jory & Loess, with pisolitic deposits of iron and manganese, that are particular to the newly minted Tualatin Hills AVA. Harvesting – By hand, harvested on September 20th. Winemaking – Pressed, and then fermented and aged in neutral burgundy oak barrels, on the lees with no batonnage. Bottled without fining or filtration. 30ppm total Sulfur.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Charles Ellner Seduction Brut Millesime Champagne 2007 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “A toasty hint of grilled nut adds savory richness to this bright, light-footed Champagne. The firm acidity is well-meshed to notes of yellow plum, candied ginger and lemon curd. Not a powerhouse, but fresh and balanced. Drink now through 2027. — AN”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Pascal Berthier Saint-Amour ‘Esprit de Seduction’ Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “From two different vineyards, this blend offers a good structure rich in tannins and minerality. The ripe black fruits and dark tannins show the wine has a considerable future. Drink from 2022. -Roger Voss”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
The Prisoner Wine Co. ‘The Prisoner’ Napa Valley 2019 750ML ($59.95) $39 special, 8 bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
New Producer Spotlight:
Kia Ora to North Canterbury’s Hermit Ram
It’s no secret that we love Pinot Noir and Burgundian varietals as a whole here at Vinopolis. While Oregon holds our hearts, there’s something to be said about what our siblings in Aotearoa (New Zealand) are doing across the Pacific in their island nation.
North Canterbury especially caught our eye with their reputation for cool-climate experimentation, and a hotbed of new talent. “The coolest little wine region in the country” as the region bills is home to clay-limestone soils that are a dead ringer for top tier Burgundy, and a climate particularly conducive to bright and ageworthy wines. Hermit Ram is taking the natural wine world by storm with their field blends and Pinot Noir, hybridizing traditional Burgundian practices with “New wave” techniques like low intervention in the cellar, amphora for fermentation and stem inclusion over new oak.
The Pinot Noir is beautifully structured and derives it’s tannins entirely from skin, stems and seeds as opposed to new oak. This combined with the marginal growing conditions seen in North Canterbury creates a plethora of flavors ranging from Assamese black tea, fresh rhubarb, black raspberry, lavender and redcurrants. Beyond the fruit and floral components there is also a mineral component redolent of crushed stone and turned loam.
Hermit Ram wines in stock now:
The Hermit Ram Field Blend Rose North Canterbury 2020 750ML ($44.95) $39 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Riesling/Pinot Noir/Cab Sauv/Gewurz
Winery note “The act of fermenting which ever varieties are planted in your vineyard together is intriguing and the results can be delicious and a really unique picture of a particular vineyard site and region. This wine is a field blend of Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Gewurztraminer. It comes from one of North Canterbury’s earliest planted vineyards. It presents itself like a delicate pinot with insane aromatics. The fruit was picked on the proportions it grows in the vineyard. It was destemmed and naturally fermented on skins for 6 weeks. Pressed off in to Amphora and allowed to go through a natural malolactic ferment. This wine was bottled with no fining, filtration or Sulphur.”
North Canterbury especially caught our eye with their reputation for cool-climate experimentation, and a hotbed of new talent. “The coolest little wine region in the country” as the region bills is home to clay-limestone soils that are a dead ringer for top tier Burgundy, and a climate particularly conducive to bright and ageworthy wines. Hermit Ram is taking the natural wine world by storm with their field blends and Pinot Noir, hybridizing traditional Burgundian practices with “New wave” techniques like low intervention in the cellar, amphora for fermentation and stem inclusion over new oak.
The Pinot Noir is beautifully structured and derives it’s tannins entirely from skin, stems and seeds as opposed to new oak. This combined with the marginal growing conditions seen in North Canterbury creates a plethora of flavors ranging from Assamese black tea, fresh rhubarb, black raspberry, lavender and redcurrants. Beyond the fruit and floral components there is also a mineral component redolent of crushed stone and turned loam.
Hermit Ram wines in stock now:
The Hermit Ram Field Blend Rose North Canterbury 2020 750ML ($44.95) $39 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Riesling/Pinot Noir/Cab Sauv/Gewurz
Winery note “The act of fermenting which ever varieties are planted in your vineyard together is intriguing and the results can be delicious and a really unique picture of a particular vineyard site and region. This wine is a field blend of Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Gewurztraminer. It comes from one of North Canterbury’s earliest planted vineyards. It presents itself like a delicate pinot with insane aromatics. The fruit was picked on the proportions it grows in the vineyard. It was destemmed and naturally fermented on skins for 6 weeks. Pressed off in to Amphora and allowed to go through a natural malolactic ferment. This wine was bottled with no fining, filtration or Sulphur.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
The Hermit Ram Amphora Salty White North Canterbury 2020 750ML ($44.95) $38 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Julia Harding MW 17 points “Slightly cloudy very pale gold. Intensely citrus with a light herbal quality. Sour apricot and dried grasses are very subtle. This is complex, creamy, extremely salty. Great complexity and a lovely blend with nothing dominating. Dry, finely tannic, the best flavours of Sauvignon at the core, citrus and herbal and finally green fruits like greengage. Deep, long, salty, a wine for the evening. Good value. Drink 2021–2024”
The Hermit Ram Whole Bunch Zealandia Pinot Noir North Canterbury 2019 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Winery Note: “This Pinot Noir comes from two vineyards, one a small close planted vineyard on the Omihi slopes and the other on the valley floor. The soil in Omihi is predominantly clay with bands of limestone and iron oxide, and the valley floor has glacial gravels with layers of silt and the odd bit of broken limestone dispersed throughout the profile. The clay parcel brings a richness and flesh to this wine whilst the gravel site adds spice and finesse. The use of whole bunches helps to add floral aromatics and length to balance out these textures and to knit the whole wine together. The structural elements and aroma gained from using whole bunches in Pinot Noir from North Canterbury also serves to promote longevity in the wine. It’ll make for fascinating drinking over the coming years. This wine has approximately 50% whole bunches in the ferment. It was fermented with indigenous yeasts. It underwent natural malolactic fermentation. It has no Sulphur added until bottling. It is unfined and unfiltered. 20 ppm SO2 Total.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Back from Bierzo:
Raul Perez Arriving This Friday
Raúl Pérez has emerged as one of the most exciting Spanish winemakers. He’s done it in an interesting way: not by making over-the-top big fruit and oak bombs, but rather by honing in on the terroirs in Galicia. Until the late 1990s, when his mentor Alvaro Palacios started the Petalos/Descendientes project, most of the wines in the region were sold locally, often to pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.
Since then, a number of new wineries have popped up, but most of them are in the Palacios mold—made from around the warm, Mediterranean-climate village of Corullon. Pérez, on the other hand, has walked a different path and focuses on wines made from Atlantic-influenced climates in villages like Villadecanes or Cacabelos. As a result, the wines tend to be impressive, but in an introspective, earthy way.
Winemaking plays a part in that, as well. Pérez prefers indigenous yeasts, neutral vessels and a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in his wine. Citing the (unlikely) influence of Bartolo Mascarello, he performs a long post-fermentation maceration on his wines as well, which give them powerful, yet elegant, structures that complement food exceptionally well. When you roll all of this together, you understand why Pérez is making waves—these are unique and exceptional wines that show off terroirs previously unexplored by serious winemakers.
Raul Perez Ultreia Saint Jacques Bierzo 2018 750ML ($24.95) $18.80 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 94 points “The Ultreia ‘St. Jacques’ bottling from Raúl Pérez is one of my favorite wines from him, as these vines were planted between 1900 and 1940. The vineyard is a classic, Mencía-dominated field blend, with the 2018 version including eighty percent whole clusters and aged in a combination of various old oak casks and vats, as well as some cement tanks. The wine offers up a pure and complex nose of dark berries, pomegranate, tree bark, woodsmoke, a beautiful base of dark soil tones, a dollop of sweet stem botanicals and just a touch of cigar ash in the upper register. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and displays outstanding mid-palate depth, with a fine foundation of soil tones, ripe, buried tannins, lovely focus and grip and a long, complex and impeccably balanced finish. This is simply outstanding young Bierzo.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The truly impressive 2018 Ultreia Saint Jacques transcends its price category. They destemmed more grapes because they fermented it in the oak vats they bought from Vega Sicilia to use in the new winery, where it macerated for two months and then matured in used barrels for nine to 10 months. The secret is to use very good grapes from very good vineyards. The wine is clean, precise and fresh, and the oak is super-subtle, almost unnoticeable. The palate reflects a fluid wine of pleasure, a red of thirst. This is the wine where they have invested more, and 2018 has to be the finest vintage to date. They did 150,000 bottles of this in the outstanding 2018 vintage. It was bottled in October/November 2019.”
Since then, a number of new wineries have popped up, but most of them are in the Palacios mold—made from around the warm, Mediterranean-climate village of Corullon. Pérez, on the other hand, has walked a different path and focuses on wines made from Atlantic-influenced climates in villages like Villadecanes or Cacabelos. As a result, the wines tend to be impressive, but in an introspective, earthy way.
Winemaking plays a part in that, as well. Pérez prefers indigenous yeasts, neutral vessels and a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in his wine. Citing the (unlikely) influence of Bartolo Mascarello, he performs a long post-fermentation maceration on his wines as well, which give them powerful, yet elegant, structures that complement food exceptionally well. When you roll all of this together, you understand why Pérez is making waves—these are unique and exceptional wines that show off terroirs previously unexplored by serious winemakers.
Raul Perez Ultreia Saint Jacques Bierzo 2018 750ML ($24.95) $18.80 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 94 points “The Ultreia ‘St. Jacques’ bottling from Raúl Pérez is one of my favorite wines from him, as these vines were planted between 1900 and 1940. The vineyard is a classic, Mencía-dominated field blend, with the 2018 version including eighty percent whole clusters and aged in a combination of various old oak casks and vats, as well as some cement tanks. The wine offers up a pure and complex nose of dark berries, pomegranate, tree bark, woodsmoke, a beautiful base of dark soil tones, a dollop of sweet stem botanicals and just a touch of cigar ash in the upper register. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and displays outstanding mid-palate depth, with a fine foundation of soil tones, ripe, buried tannins, lovely focus and grip and a long, complex and impeccably balanced finish. This is simply outstanding young Bierzo.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The truly impressive 2018 Ultreia Saint Jacques transcends its price category. They destemmed more grapes because they fermented it in the oak vats they bought from Vega Sicilia to use in the new winery, where it macerated for two months and then matured in used barrels for nine to 10 months. The secret is to use very good grapes from very good vineyards. The wine is clean, precise and fresh, and the oak is super-subtle, almost unnoticeable. The palate reflects a fluid wine of pleasure, a red of thirst. This is the wine where they have invested more, and 2018 has to be the finest vintage to date. They did 150,000 bottles of this in the outstanding 2018 vintage. It was bottled in October/November 2019.”
Santa Duc:
Saintly Delicious
Gigondas’ is the finest source of value for profound wine in the Rhone. The top estates deliver wines that compete with the very best wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but at prices that are a fraction of their competition. Our feature today, Santa Duc, is one of the very best in the region and our pricing on most of their wines is the best in the country—a killer combination.
Santa Duc is perhaps the only estate who can match Saint Cosme as the “Most Important Winery in Gigondas.” Owners of some of the finest vineyards in the Southern Rhone, Santa Duc is a legendary producer that more than lives up to their reputation. Unlike Saint Cosme, though, their top wines aren’t yet commanding triple-digit pricing. In fact, their most expensive Gigondas bottling is still under $50—and is an absolute stunner.
Santa Duc manages to make Gigondas taste aristocratic—taming the wild mountain personality of the Dentelles into something that is at once both intensely powerful and also nuanced and complex. This is attributable to their exceptionally old vines, with their “Youngest” being over 50 years old!
These are wines that manage the neat trick of being absolutely delicious now while having a track record of aging gracefully. Recent notes for older bottles like the ’95 and ’98 Hautes Garrigues are glowing, yet the wines can be on your table tonight and impress. In the last decade or so, the winery has extended its holdings into Chateauneuf and those wines are as brilliant as you’d expect, as well.
In Stock Now from Santa Duc:
Domaine Santa Duc Chateauneuf-du-Pape ‘Les Saintes Vierges’ Rouge Rhone 2015 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Saintes Vierges is the most flattering of Santa Duc’s current releases, offering lushness and generosity on the palate, notes of cherries and licorice, creamy-supple tannins and a mouthwatering finish. It’s a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Counoise.”
Santa Duc is perhaps the only estate who can match Saint Cosme as the “Most Important Winery in Gigondas.” Owners of some of the finest vineyards in the Southern Rhone, Santa Duc is a legendary producer that more than lives up to their reputation. Unlike Saint Cosme, though, their top wines aren’t yet commanding triple-digit pricing. In fact, their most expensive Gigondas bottling is still under $50—and is an absolute stunner.
Santa Duc manages to make Gigondas taste aristocratic—taming the wild mountain personality of the Dentelles into something that is at once both intensely powerful and also nuanced and complex. This is attributable to their exceptionally old vines, with their “Youngest” being over 50 years old!
These are wines that manage the neat trick of being absolutely delicious now while having a track record of aging gracefully. Recent notes for older bottles like the ’95 and ’98 Hautes Garrigues are glowing, yet the wines can be on your table tonight and impress. In the last decade or so, the winery has extended its holdings into Chateauneuf and those wines are as brilliant as you’d expect, as well.
In Stock Now from Santa Duc:
Domaine Santa Duc Chateauneuf-du-Pape ‘Les Saintes Vierges’ Rouge Rhone 2015 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Saintes Vierges is the most flattering of Santa Duc’s current releases, offering lushness and generosity on the palate, notes of cherries and licorice, creamy-supple tannins and a mouthwatering finish. It’s a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Counoise.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits Rhone 2015 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 22 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A fluid, fleshy and deeply structured wine with dark cherry and blackberry fruit flavors amid sturdy yet supple tannins. Good weight and presence. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Ripe but fresh, with a slightly high pitch to the mix of damson plum, cherry and rooibos tea aromas and flavors, backed by singed vanilla, tobacco and licorice root notes that give this a darker shade through the finish. Best from 2020 through 2030. 2,400 cases made, 700 cases imported.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90-92 points “Ruby-red. Ripe red fruit and floral pastille aromas show very good detail and an energizing suggestion of white pepper. Palate-caressing raspberry and bitter cherry flavors blend depth and energy with a smooth hand and show no rough edges. Fine-grained tannins lend shape to a very long, red-fruit-dominated finish that features a subtle touch of star anise.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Love Old Vine Rhone Blends? Check out our selections from Saint Damien, Chateau Vaudieu and Clos De Papes!
Featured New Arrival
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia
Understanding how a family’s tie to their land can influence their wines is terribly important when tasting and appreciating old-world producers. When the family’s ownership over their vineyards predates their country’s unification, you start to understand their grasp of the nuances that can be squeezed out of 42 acres of Italian hillsides.
The Elia family purchased their vineyards in 1796. From atop the hill where the winery sits, you can overlook the two main vineyard sites and understand the difference in microclimate, soil type and techniques for farming. The Bricco di Nieve side of the hill is steep, breezy and has beautiful older vines that produce the gorgeous sori Paitin Barbaresco. The other side of the hill has the looser iron rich soil that is the Serra vineyard. Tasting the two Barbaresco side by side is a lesson in site location and the unique qualities that can be shown, just a stone’s throw away.
Secondo Pasquero-Elia and his two sons, Giovanni and Silvano have enlisted enologist Dante Scaglione (Bruno Giacosa) to draw even more from such an amazing site. The results offer a glimpse into the future of the winery and the wines to come. The wines are solid, deep, and built to last – echoing the family and their tie to their home and spectacular vineyards. These wines were already great values before our recent price drop. Now they’re no-brainers for fans of traditionally made Nebbiolo.
Newly Arrived:
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia Basarin Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The Paitin 2018 Barbaresco Basarin, which spends two years in large oak barrels, pours to a lean appearance and a dark ruby hue. The wine is subtle and fine, prizing the delicate and ethereal nuances of the grape, with dried cherry, crushed flowers, campfire ash and iron ore. Crushed white pepper also appears. The Basarin cru in Neive is one of the most beautiful in the appellation, located on a hill that rises high enough to enjoy the surrounding panorama of tightly planted vineyards. The tannins are especially polished in this vintage.”
The Elia family purchased their vineyards in 1796. From atop the hill where the winery sits, you can overlook the two main vineyard sites and understand the difference in microclimate, soil type and techniques for farming. The Bricco di Nieve side of the hill is steep, breezy and has beautiful older vines that produce the gorgeous sori Paitin Barbaresco. The other side of the hill has the looser iron rich soil that is the Serra vineyard. Tasting the two Barbaresco side by side is a lesson in site location and the unique qualities that can be shown, just a stone’s throw away.
Secondo Pasquero-Elia and his two sons, Giovanni and Silvano have enlisted enologist Dante Scaglione (Bruno Giacosa) to draw even more from such an amazing site. The results offer a glimpse into the future of the winery and the wines to come. The wines are solid, deep, and built to last – echoing the family and their tie to their home and spectacular vineyards. These wines were already great values before our recent price drop. Now they’re no-brainers for fans of traditionally made Nebbiolo.
Newly Arrived:
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia Basarin Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The Paitin 2018 Barbaresco Basarin, which spends two years in large oak barrels, pours to a lean appearance and a dark ruby hue. The wine is subtle and fine, prizing the delicate and ethereal nuances of the grape, with dried cherry, crushed flowers, campfire ash and iron ore. Crushed white pepper also appears. The Basarin cru in Neive is one of the most beautiful in the appellation, located on a hill that rises high enough to enjoy the surrounding panorama of tightly planted vineyards. The tannins are especially polished in this vintage.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia Serraboella Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “This wine draws its fruit from across the Serraboella vineyard in Neive with vines of various ages. The 2018 Barbaresco Serraboella has a broad reach, thanks to its balanced aromas of wild berry, dried cherry, crushed roses and violets. The wine spreads cleanly over the palate, thanks to the extra volume offered by its earthy and delicately mineral flavors. Like other releases from Paitin, the standout feature here is the silky nature of the mouthfeel.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia Sori Paitin Vecchie Vigne Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The Paitin 2016 Barbaresco Serraboella Riserva Sorì Paitin Vecchie Vigne is a gorgeous wine. The bouquet is especially redolent of dried rose and potpourri, and the dark fruit offers highlights of baked cherry or peach. This amazing crescendo of new releases from Paitin goes one impressive step further, pushing the boundaries with this promising and cellar-worthy new release. There is a point of bitter almond on the close, but the mouthfeel is otherwise silky and very fine in texture.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “A fresh, spicy style, whose cherry, tar, iron and tobacco flavors are framed with a light toasting of oak. It’s all focused by the vibrant structure, with refined tannins lining the finish. Shy and austere, yet nicely balanced and long. Best from 2025 through 2042. 440 cases made, 116 cases imported. — BS”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $114
The average price is $114
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serra’ Barbera d’Alba Piedmont 2019 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “You get tremendous value from the Paitin 2019 Barbera d’Alba Serra, which is fruity and bright but beautifully elegant as well. Barbera is known for its rich black fruit flavors and accessible personality, so it’s a real treat to taste a wine that puts so much emphasis on the smaller details offered by the grape. These include tart blueberry, white cherry, exotic spice and crushed stone. There is some softness on the close, but the wine will be remembered for the linear and pristine nature of its fruit.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2019 Barbera d’Alba Serra is fresh, floral and fruity, all of which make it an excellent choice for drinking over the next handful of years. Short aging in cask really exalts the fruit in this translucent, classically built Barbera. Red berry fruit, blood orange, mint, spice and orange peel linger.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Bonina’ Langhe Freisa Piedmont 2019 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2019 Freisa Bonina is a nervy, focused wine. Bright red berry fruit, white pepper, mint, crushed rocks and dried herbs give this classically austere Freisa terrific aromatic brightness and energy. The 2019 will appeal most to readers with classically leaning palates.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia Ca Veja Nebbiolo d’Alba Piedmont 2018 750ML ($24.95) $28 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2018 Nebbiolo d’Alba Ca’ Veja is a gorgeous introduction to the vintage at Paitin. Freshly cut flowers, mint, lavender and red/purplish berry fruit give this bright, effusive Nebbiolo tons of charm. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this gem. Sandy soils yield a Nebbiolo with striking aromatic presence. The 2018 spent 18 months in cask. Think of it as a Barbaresco-level wine at a Nebbiolo d’Alba price.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Collector’s Corner: Clos Erasmus
Get Schisty with it
Priorat or Tarraconensis as it was once called has cultivated winegrapes since the Roman Empire first occupied the area, but it was Clos Erasmus and their colleagues who transformed Priorat from sleepy backwater to a global wine powerhouse in the 1980’s and 90’s. Farming biodynamically since their inception Clos Erasmus has maintained very low production throughout the stratospheric rise of the region, and rarely exceeds 140 cases per year from their 25 acres in production. Limited does not begin to describe the scarcity of these wines, with these bottles being the crown jewel of wine lists around the world.
Clos Erasmus Wines in stock now:
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus Priorat DOCa 2018 1.5L ($699.95) $579 special only 1 magnum in stock now
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate Luis Gutierrez 99 points “A blend of 85% Garnacha and 15% Syrah, 2018 Clos Erasmus comes from a year with good yields and enough rain for good ripeness of the grapes. The vines are now 36 years old on average, and the grapes fermented after a cold soak in 1,000-, 1,500- and 2,000-liter oak vats with indigenous yeasts and a five-week maceration. It matured in new and second use Burgundian 228-liter oak barrels, with around 40% new oak. This is a very elegant and perfumed vintage for Clos Erasmus, a wine that reveals a bright ruby color and a exotic nose that mixes flowers with tons of sweet spices. It is still very young and influenced by the élevage in oak, with something herbal and fresh, reminiscent of pine needles. The palate is textured and velvety, lace and dust, with fine-grained tannins that bring back the memories of the slate rocks; it is pure and detailed and has terrible balance, focus, inner strength, filigree and subdued minerality. I’d wait a little bit for the oak to get integrated before pulling the cork. It has the ingredients, stuffing and balance to develop nicely in bottle for a long time. 3,319 bottles and 100 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2020.”
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’ Priorat DOCa 2018 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 4 magnums in stock now
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’ Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “The second wine here and one that is easier to drink, the 2018 Laurel was produced with fruit from the younger vines, a couple of barrels that are declassified from Clos Erasmus and the Cabernet Sauvignon, more or less 70% Garnacha and 15% each Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has good ripeness and still a pH of 3.3. It fermented mostly in oak vats and 2,000-liter concrete vats with indigenous yeasts and matured for 18 months in 20,000-liter oak and concrete vats, second use barriques and some clay amphorae. It’s a bright translucent ruby color and has a perfumed and delicate nose with notes of orange peel and flowers; this is the most elegant and ethereal vintage of Laurel as far as I can remember, with red rather than black fruit and a kind of cranberry quality. The palate is medium-bodied, textured and fluid, with subtleness, balance and very fine tannins. The oak is perfectly integrated, and the wine is easy to drink, approachable and very pleasurable right now. It’s a fresh vintage with energy and finesse, quite different from previous vintages. I love it. 22,825 bottles and 515 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2020.”
Clos Erasmus Wines in stock now:
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus Priorat DOCa 2018 1.5L ($699.95) $579 special only 1 magnum in stock now
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate Luis Gutierrez 99 points “A blend of 85% Garnacha and 15% Syrah, 2018 Clos Erasmus comes from a year with good yields and enough rain for good ripeness of the grapes. The vines are now 36 years old on average, and the grapes fermented after a cold soak in 1,000-, 1,500- and 2,000-liter oak vats with indigenous yeasts and a five-week maceration. It matured in new and second use Burgundian 228-liter oak barrels, with around 40% new oak. This is a very elegant and perfumed vintage for Clos Erasmus, a wine that reveals a bright ruby color and a exotic nose that mixes flowers with tons of sweet spices. It is still very young and influenced by the élevage in oak, with something herbal and fresh, reminiscent of pine needles. The palate is textured and velvety, lace and dust, with fine-grained tannins that bring back the memories of the slate rocks; it is pure and detailed and has terrible balance, focus, inner strength, filigree and subdued minerality. I’d wait a little bit for the oak to get integrated before pulling the cork. It has the ingredients, stuffing and balance to develop nicely in bottle for a long time. 3,319 bottles and 100 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2020.”
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’ Priorat DOCa 2018 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 4 magnums in stock now
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’ Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “The second wine here and one that is easier to drink, the 2018 Laurel was produced with fruit from the younger vines, a couple of barrels that are declassified from Clos Erasmus and the Cabernet Sauvignon, more or less 70% Garnacha and 15% each Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has good ripeness and still a pH of 3.3. It fermented mostly in oak vats and 2,000-liter concrete vats with indigenous yeasts and matured for 18 months in 20,000-liter oak and concrete vats, second use barriques and some clay amphorae. It’s a bright translucent ruby color and has a perfumed and delicate nose with notes of orange peel and flowers; this is the most elegant and ethereal vintage of Laurel as far as I can remember, with red rather than black fruit and a kind of cranberry quality. The palate is medium-bodied, textured and fluid, with subtleness, balance and very fine tannins. The oak is perfectly integrated, and the wine is easy to drink, approachable and very pleasurable right now. It’s a fresh vintage with energy and finesse, quite different from previous vintages. I love it. 22,825 bottles and 515 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2020.”