In Today’s Newsletter:
Two Top Tuscan Treasures
A Couple Classy Chiantis:
I Fabbri & Fontodi
Coutier Blanc de Blancs
A Vinopolis Favorite Returns Next Month
First Offer:
2018 Fourrier – Gevrey’s Star Delivers Again
Trending Wines
Staff Pick
Top Value Red Burgundy
(and more!)
Collector’s Corner
Vega Sicilia Valbuena
Just Arrived!
Two Top Tuscan Treasures:
A Couple Classy Chiantis
Fontodi
Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($199.95) $149 special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2017 Flaccianello della Pieve is fabulous. Dark, sensual and enveloping, the 2017 captures the essence of the house style in its textural richness and baritone inflections. Black cherry, plum, spice, new leather, licorice and chocolate infuse the 2017 with tremendous richness. The 2017 spent 18 months in barrique followed by 6 months in cask, the same aging regime as the Vigna del Sorbo, but with a bit more new oak. That approach worked very well, as the Flaccianello stands out for its exceptional textural elegance and finesse. It is a positively stellar wine.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The Fontodi 2017 Flaccianello della Pieve is a standout wine of the dry vintage. This pure Sangiovese opens to a dark garnet color with more visible concentration and density compared to recent past editions. This is a beautiful wine with pliant tannins, dark fruit richness, balanced acidity and a fruit-forward 15% alcohol content. The wine is big and bold when weighed on the Flaccianello scale (and even more so when weighed on the Sangiovese scale) with dark cherry, plum, spice, violet, chalk and campfire ash. Despite that power and inner opulence, this wine adds that zesty Sangiovese character with fresh acidity and an energized approach. This Flaccianello is whole and complete with the natural firmness and structure to hold it steady during the aging process. A small part of amphorae-aged fruit is added to the blend.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “There’s fine purity to the black cherry, black currant and blackberry flavors in this expressive red, with refined tannins. Everything is in the right proportion as this remains vibrant and focused, with iron and oak spice accents adding depth as this builds to a lingering aftertaste. Best from 2022 through 2040.”
James Suckling 95 points “Very high-toned and muscular red with crushed cherries, blackberries and walnuts. Some dried earth. It’s full-bodied and chewy with solid tannins that form the wine. Beautiful ripe fruit in the center palate. Needs time to soften. Try after 2022.”
Also in stock now:
Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “Tasted next to the 2012 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo, the Flaccianello is richer, deeper and more flamboyant. Super-ripe red stone fruit, smoke, licorice and dark spices meld together in a deep, powerful wine. The 2012 is impressive, but personally I prefer the finesse and freshness of the Sorbo. The greater influence of new French oak is also felt in the wine’s texture. Still, that is splitting hairs, as the level here is high. Very high.”
While Fontodi is one of the best known, most collectible estates in Chianti, I Fabbri occupies the opposite end of the spectrum—though the wines are every bit as good. Based in the tiny hamlet of Lamole, they’re committed to maintaining their particular part of Tuscany—the goal is to exalt the local and the particular.
As a result, their wines are from their beautiful estate property which is dotted with large groves of olives among their rolling hills. Aside from a small amount of Merlot (which is delicious and recently arrived), they work exclusively with Sangiovese and Canaiolo—Tuscan through and through.
We had the opportunity to taste through these wines pre-COVID and have been working to get them into the shop ever since. Elegant, pure and classical, they’re old-school representations of Chianti and outrageous values. From their entry level Chianti to their Riserva and Gran Selezione, these are wines that over-deliver classic character—stock up accordingly.
Just arrived:
I Fabbri Lamole, Chianti Classico DOCG 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery Note “100% Sangiovese. Ruby red color, typical aroma of small red fruits, round and harmonious to the taste of medium structure with delicate notes of red fruit. Aging is carried out in a cement tank for 12 months.”
I Fabbri Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($39.95) $34.50 special
Winery Note “100% Lamole Sangiovese grosso. Intense ruby red color; ample scent of good intensity and persistence with typical notes of red fruits combined with floral hints of violets. The taste is harmonious, of great structure; red fruit and oak combined in a pleasant and persistent finish. Aging is in 500-liter barrels of French oak from the central massif for 12 months.”
I Fabbri Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Winery Note “100% Sangiovese di Lamole. Extremely elegant wine with an intense ruby red color and light garnet reflections, a typical, persistent aroma with hints of red and purple fruit and hints of oak. Great harmony, finesse and elegance. Aging in a 1500-liter tonneau of French oak from the central massif for 24 months”
I Fabbri “Duedonne” NV 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery Note ” 50% Sangiovese grosso di Lamole, 50% Schioppettino di Prepotto [from Friuli]. Vinification and aging take place in the place of origin, the assembly is carried out 6 months before bottling. Bright ruby red color with good intensity, intense aroma with strong spicy notes of black pepper and an elegant bouquet of red fruits and slight notes of oak, recognizable on the palate, it is harmonious, of good freshness with balanced tannins.”
I Fabbri ‘Il Doccio’ Merlot Toscana IGT 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery Note “100% Merlot. Ruby red color, intense aroma with hints of plum and red fruit, good structure, harmonious and elegant with notes of red and balsamic fruits, an incredible expression of the Lamole area. Aging is carried out in 500-liter barrels of French oak from the central massif for 18 months.”
Coutier Blanc de Blancs
A Vinopolis Favorite Returns Next Month
Have Wine Ready to Pick Up?
Stop by our shop 10 am – 6 pm daily
Feel free to call ahead before you arrive or for curbside service:
#503-223-6002
(You’ll help free up some space for your next order!)
First Offer:
2018 Fourrier – Gevrey’s Star Delivers Again
Two Top Tuscan Treasures
A Couple Classy Chiantis:
I Fabbri & Fontodi
Coutier Blanc de Blancs
A Vinopolis Favorite Returns Next Month
First Offer:
2018 Fourrier – Gevrey’s Star Delivers Again
Trending Wines
Staff Pick
Top Value Red Burgundy
(and more!)
Collector’s Corner
Vega Sicilia Valbuena
Just Arrived!
Two Top Tuscan Treasures:
A Couple Classy Chiantis
Fontodi
Fontodi is one of Tuscany’s most respected estates, and for good reason. The grapes hail from a classic south-facing amphitheater replete with soils optimal for producing ripe yet balanced Sangiovese. What results are classically styled Chianti that more than earn their Classico designation. Unlike the forgettable (or worse yet disappointing) Chianti Classico that we’ve all encountered, Fontori’s wines are effortlessly delicious and harmonious, the gift of such high-quality base material.
We’re excited to offer both Fontodi’s 2017 Chianti Classico, as well as the single vineyard Filetta Di Lamole—both of which just arrived. The former offers classic cherry and floral character, and the latter adding additional layers of Italian herbs and spices. Both provide wonderful examples of the potential of Tuscany’s 2017 vintage. So whether Chianti Classico is a mainstay at your dinner table, or you’re in need of a reintroduction to its familiar charms, you won’t find two better examples for under $50.
Fontodi’s Flaccianello della Pieve is one of the best, most sought after wines made in Tuscany. Flaccianello’s obvious class seems inevitable when you consider that each year it is made with only the finest fruit from Fontodi’s vineyards in Colli della Toscana Centrale. It’s on par with any wine that comes out of Tuscany—Soldera, Biondi-Santi Riserva, Pergole Torte, Valdicava’s Madonna… you name it—though the 2017 Flaccianello only runs $149, far less than the rest of the wines in that list.
These are always hard wines for us to source, so don’t delay in stocking up. Quantities are limited and these likely won’t last long.
“I tasted a wide range of wines this year from Fontodi and proprietor Giovanni Manetti. The Filetta di Lamole Chianti Classico is a good example of a wine that is often a bit linear, but fills out a bit because of the heat of the growing season. Fontodi’s Chianti Classico is a sort of super-wine in its peer group, as it really has very few peers. It is also quite expressive today. I can’t say the same for the dual flagships Vigna del Sorbo and Flacciannello. Both wines are usually quite showy, but the 2017s are going to demand quite a bit of patience.” –Antonio Galloni
Just Arrived:
“Fontodi’s Chianti Classico is a sort of super-wine in its peer group, as it really has very few peers.” – Antonio Galloni
Fontodi Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Case-6 Fontodi Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($399.95) $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 94 Points “The 2017 Chianti Classico Fontodi is a wine of extreme elegance that shows how much the house style has evolved here. A decade ago, in a warm year the Fontodi Chianti Classico would have been opulent, but these days proprietor Giovanni Manetti seeks finesse more than power, and that is exactly what comes through here. Ripe red Sangiovese fruit, rose petal, blood orange and spice infuse this racy, exotic Chianti Classico with so much character. The 2016 spent two years in oak, half in cask and half in neutral oak. I loved it.”
James Suckling 94 points “A rich, layered CC with intense cherry and flower character, as well as orange peel. Full-bodied with firm, velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink or hold.”
Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is a dense, packed wine. It is also surprisingly, almost shockingly backward. That is probably a good thing for its long-term aging prospects. Readers hoping to get an early glimpse into the 2017 before it shuts down may have a hard time doing that, as today acids and tannin dominate. I expect the 2017 will be stellar in another 4-5 years and drink well to age 25-30 if not longer. Proprietor Giovanni Manetti gave the 2017 18 months in barrique followed by 6 months in cask.”
James Suckling 95 points “Powerful, tight red with currant and plum character. Hints of new wood and bark. Full-bodied with dark berries and hints of dark chocolate, as well as other dark fruit. Flavorful finish. Solid. Needs time to open. Better after 2022.”
Fontodi Dino Amphora Sangiovese, Toscana IGT 2017 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
We’re excited to offer both Fontodi’s 2017 Chianti Classico, as well as the single vineyard Filetta Di Lamole—both of which just arrived. The former offers classic cherry and floral character, and the latter adding additional layers of Italian herbs and spices. Both provide wonderful examples of the potential of Tuscany’s 2017 vintage. So whether Chianti Classico is a mainstay at your dinner table, or you’re in need of a reintroduction to its familiar charms, you won’t find two better examples for under $50.
Fontodi’s Flaccianello della Pieve is one of the best, most sought after wines made in Tuscany. Flaccianello’s obvious class seems inevitable when you consider that each year it is made with only the finest fruit from Fontodi’s vineyards in Colli della Toscana Centrale. It’s on par with any wine that comes out of Tuscany—Soldera, Biondi-Santi Riserva, Pergole Torte, Valdicava’s Madonna… you name it—though the 2017 Flaccianello only runs $149, far less than the rest of the wines in that list.
These are always hard wines for us to source, so don’t delay in stocking up. Quantities are limited and these likely won’t last long.
“I tasted a wide range of wines this year from Fontodi and proprietor Giovanni Manetti. The Filetta di Lamole Chianti Classico is a good example of a wine that is often a bit linear, but fills out a bit because of the heat of the growing season. Fontodi’s Chianti Classico is a sort of super-wine in its peer group, as it really has very few peers. It is also quite expressive today. I can’t say the same for the dual flagships Vigna del Sorbo and Flacciannello. Both wines are usually quite showy, but the 2017s are going to demand quite a bit of patience.” –Antonio Galloni
Just Arrived:
“Fontodi’s Chianti Classico is a sort of super-wine in its peer group, as it really has very few peers.” – Antonio Galloni
Fontodi Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Case-6 Fontodi Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($399.95) $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 94 Points “The 2017 Chianti Classico Fontodi is a wine of extreme elegance that shows how much the house style has evolved here. A decade ago, in a warm year the Fontodi Chianti Classico would have been opulent, but these days proprietor Giovanni Manetti seeks finesse more than power, and that is exactly what comes through here. Ripe red Sangiovese fruit, rose petal, blood orange and spice infuse this racy, exotic Chianti Classico with so much character. The 2016 spent two years in oak, half in cask and half in neutral oak. I loved it.”
James Suckling 94 points “A rich, layered CC with intense cherry and flower character, as well as orange peel. Full-bodied with firm, velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink or hold.”
Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is a dense, packed wine. It is also surprisingly, almost shockingly backward. That is probably a good thing for its long-term aging prospects. Readers hoping to get an early glimpse into the 2017 before it shuts down may have a hard time doing that, as today acids and tannin dominate. I expect the 2017 will be stellar in another 4-5 years and drink well to age 25-30 if not longer. Proprietor Giovanni Manetti gave the 2017 18 months in barrique followed by 6 months in cask.”
James Suckling 95 points “Powerful, tight red with currant and plum character. Hints of new wood and bark. Full-bodied with dark berries and hints of dark chocolate, as well as other dark fruit. Flavorful finish. Solid. Needs time to open. Better after 2022.”
Fontodi Dino Amphora Sangiovese, Toscana IGT 2017 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($199.95) $149 special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2017 Flaccianello della Pieve is fabulous. Dark, sensual and enveloping, the 2017 captures the essence of the house style in its textural richness and baritone inflections. Black cherry, plum, spice, new leather, licorice and chocolate infuse the 2017 with tremendous richness. The 2017 spent 18 months in barrique followed by 6 months in cask, the same aging regime as the Vigna del Sorbo, but with a bit more new oak. That approach worked very well, as the Flaccianello stands out for its exceptional textural elegance and finesse. It is a positively stellar wine.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The Fontodi 2017 Flaccianello della Pieve is a standout wine of the dry vintage. This pure Sangiovese opens to a dark garnet color with more visible concentration and density compared to recent past editions. This is a beautiful wine with pliant tannins, dark fruit richness, balanced acidity and a fruit-forward 15% alcohol content. The wine is big and bold when weighed on the Flaccianello scale (and even more so when weighed on the Sangiovese scale) with dark cherry, plum, spice, violet, chalk and campfire ash. Despite that power and inner opulence, this wine adds that zesty Sangiovese character with fresh acidity and an energized approach. This Flaccianello is whole and complete with the natural firmness and structure to hold it steady during the aging process. A small part of amphorae-aged fruit is added to the blend.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “There’s fine purity to the black cherry, black currant and blackberry flavors in this expressive red, with refined tannins. Everything is in the right proportion as this remains vibrant and focused, with iron and oak spice accents adding depth as this builds to a lingering aftertaste. Best from 2022 through 2040.”
James Suckling 95 points “Very high-toned and muscular red with crushed cherries, blackberries and walnuts. Some dried earth. It’s full-bodied and chewy with solid tannins that form the wine. Beautiful ripe fruit in the center palate. Needs time to soften. Try after 2022.”
Also in stock now:
Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “Tasted next to the 2012 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo, the Flaccianello is richer, deeper and more flamboyant. Super-ripe red stone fruit, smoke, licorice and dark spices meld together in a deep, powerful wine. The 2012 is impressive, but personally I prefer the finesse and freshness of the Sorbo. The greater influence of new French oak is also felt in the wine’s texture. Still, that is splitting hairs, as the level here is high. Very high.”
I Fabbri
While Fontodi is one of the best known, most collectible estates in Chianti, I Fabbri occupies the opposite end of the spectrum—though the wines are every bit as good. Based in the tiny hamlet of Lamole, they’re committed to maintaining their particular part of Tuscany—the goal is to exalt the local and the particular.
As a result, their wines are from their beautiful estate property which is dotted with large groves of olives among their rolling hills. Aside from a small amount of Merlot (which is delicious and recently arrived), they work exclusively with Sangiovese and Canaiolo—Tuscan through and through.
We had the opportunity to taste through these wines pre-COVID and have been working to get them into the shop ever since. Elegant, pure and classical, they’re old-school representations of Chianti and outrageous values. From their entry level Chianti to their Riserva and Gran Selezione, these are wines that over-deliver classic character—stock up accordingly.
Just arrived:
I Fabbri Lamole, Chianti Classico DOCG 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery Note “100% Sangiovese. Ruby red color, typical aroma of small red fruits, round and harmonious to the taste of medium structure with delicate notes of red fruit. Aging is carried out in a cement tank for 12 months.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
I Fabbri Terra di Lamole, Chianti Classico DOCG 2017 750ML ($29.95) $26 special
Winery Note ” 90% Sangiovese grosso from Lamole, 10% Canaiolo old vineyards cultivated at 550 mts. Ruby red with light purple reflections. Intense perfume, with fragrant notes of violets and red fruits; on the palate it has an excellent drink with mild and sweet tannins followed by a long finish of red fruits. Aging is carried out partly in cement and partly in tonneaux of 500 liters of French oak.”
Winery Note ” 90% Sangiovese grosso from Lamole, 10% Canaiolo old vineyards cultivated at 550 mts. Ruby red with light purple reflections. Intense perfume, with fragrant notes of violets and red fruits; on the palate it has an excellent drink with mild and sweet tannins followed by a long finish of red fruits. Aging is carried out partly in cement and partly in tonneaux of 500 liters of French oak.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
I Fabbri Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($39.95) $34.50 special
Winery Note “100% Lamole Sangiovese grosso. Intense ruby red color; ample scent of good intensity and persistence with typical notes of red fruits combined with floral hints of violets. The taste is harmonious, of great structure; red fruit and oak combined in a pleasant and persistent finish. Aging is in 500-liter barrels of French oak from the central massif for 12 months.”
I Fabbri Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Winery Note “100% Sangiovese di Lamole. Extremely elegant wine with an intense ruby red color and light garnet reflections, a typical, persistent aroma with hints of red and purple fruit and hints of oak. Great harmony, finesse and elegance. Aging in a 1500-liter tonneau of French oak from the central massif for 24 months”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
I Fabbri “Duedonne” NV 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery Note ” 50% Sangiovese grosso di Lamole, 50% Schioppettino di Prepotto [from Friuli]. Vinification and aging take place in the place of origin, the assembly is carried out 6 months before bottling. Bright ruby red color with good intensity, intense aroma with strong spicy notes of black pepper and an elegant bouquet of red fruits and slight notes of oak, recognizable on the palate, it is harmonious, of good freshness with balanced tannins.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
I Fabbri ‘Il Doccio’ Merlot Toscana IGT 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery Note “100% Merlot. Ruby red color, intense aroma with hints of plum and red fruit, good structure, harmonious and elegant with notes of red and balsamic fruits, an incredible expression of the Lamole area. Aging is carried out in 500-liter barrels of French oak from the central massif for 18 months.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Coutier Blanc de Blancs
A Vinopolis Favorite Returns Next Month
Coutier’s Blanc de Blanc has been one of our best-selling Champagnes over the last few years—and for good reason. Combining the richness of Ambonnay, where Coutier is based, with a bright Blanc de Blancs style leads to a Champagne that’s a crowd pleaser. With a ton of complexity and class for the price, it’s one to stock up on in advance of the holiday season.
Arriving in October:
R.H. Coutier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Case-6 R.H. Coutier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($299.95) $219 pre-arrival special (that’s only $36.50/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
Arriving in October:
R.H. Coutier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Case-6 R.H. Coutier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($299.95) $219 pre-arrival special (that’s only $36.50/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
Looking for more Champagne?
We’ve got 158 selections available on our webstore!
We’ve got 158 selections available on our webstore!
Have Wine Ready to Pick Up?
Stop by our shop 10 am – 6 pm daily
Feel free to call ahead before you arrive or for curbside service:
#503-223-6002
(You’ll help free up some space for your next order!)
First Offer:
2018 Fourrier – Gevrey’s Star Delivers Again
Our annual offer for Domaine Fourrier’s Burgundies is one of the most anticipated and exciting of the year. Simply put, these are some of the most sought-after wines in Burgundy—with the bona fides to match. These are outlandishly good wines that capture the spirit of Gevrey and marry it to beautiful textures and remarkable deliciousness, even young.
They’re some of the most captivating wines in Burgundy. To Burgophiles, this isn’t much of a claim—the wines that Jean-Marie has produced since taking over from his father have become hot tickets in the Burgundy world. If you aren’t familiar, though, these are wines to put on your radar. Fourrier’s style is heavily influenced by his time working under Henri Jayer and the wines show this.
When young they’re among the most impressive in Burgundy, combining succulent fruit with minerality and a complexity that’s nearly unmatched in newly released wines. They improve with age, as well, though we’ve always had a hard time keeping our hands off of the lower-tier wines in the first five years after the vintage. Fourrier works exclusively with old massale vineyards (anything from vines younger than 30 years is sold off) and that sort of soul really makes it into the bottle.
2018 is an outstanding vintage in Burgundy and a top year chez Fourrier. Jean-Marie seems to really excel in warm vintages and 2018 played to his strengths, with wines of power and delicacy across the board. It’s a callback to 2015 or 2009—two vintages that Fourrier absolutely killed in. As usual, the caveat is quantity: these wines are only available in tiny lots.
Arriving Friday, October 2nd:
Only six bottles available
Domaine Fourrier Clos Saint-Jacques, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Decanter 97 points “Every bit as good as the Grands Crus wines he bottles under his domaine and négociant labels, Jean-Marie Fourrier’s Clos St-Jacques has a classic combination of density, plushness and poise, with spicy, sappy black cherry and bramble fruit, scented 20% new wood and a fine, detailed, refreshing finish. The class of the terroir shines through here.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques reveals a beautiful bouquet of red cherries, cassis and wild berries mingled with notes of peony, loamy soil, dark chocolate and grilled meats. Medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, this is the most seamless and complete of Fourrier’s premiers crus this year, as well as the most structurally refined. Long and lively, it’s a beautiful wine in the making.”
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques 1er Cru is blessed with a very detailed bouquet of crushed stone intermixed with dark cherries, raspberry and hints of pain d’épices and gingerbread. You could keep nosing this all day. The palate is succulent on the entry, and the fleshy red fruit is infused with orange peel and marmalade. The slightly confit finish is quintessentially Fourrier. Very good length – but does the Combe Aux Moines dare to steal Clos Saint-Jacques’s crown this year?”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Only three bottles available
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echezeaux Vieilles Vignes 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Neal Martin-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2018 Chambolle-Musigny Aux Echanges includes 50% whole cluster for the first time. I like the precision and focus on the nose, although it feels a little backward at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins, fresh and silky-smooth, with a nicely detailed finish. This is an impressive village cru that should age well.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 89-91 points “As usual, the 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echézeaux is a bit more elegant (whereas its Vieilles Vignes counterpart is richer and more boisterous). Offering up notes of cherries, blackberries, sweet soil tones and summer truffle, the Aux Echézeaux is medium to full-bodied, sappy and nicely concentrated, built around supple, powdery tannins and ripe acids.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Decanter 93 points “Always labelled as a single ‘old vine’, this commendable consistent village Gevrey-Chambertin is a blend of fruit from the Champerrier and Combes du Dessus lieux-dits. Densely coloured in 2018, with plenty of fruit concentration, tannins and acidity, it could easily be mistaken for a Premier Cru. Sappy, refreshing and long, it handles its 25% new oak with ease. Typical of the winning Fourrier style.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 89-91 points “Aromas of dark cherry fruit, rose petals, rich soil tones and blood orange introduce Fourrier’s 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, a medium to full-bodied, perfumed and succulent wine, its fine-grained but muscular tannins cloaked in an ample core of fruit. Long and penetrating, this is a promising young wine in the making.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Only three bottles available
Domaine Fourrier Les Champeaux Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($279.95) $219 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91-93+ points “Aromas of cassis, plums, dark chocolate and sweet soil tones, complemented by a subtle top note of warm spices, introduce the 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Champeaux, a medium to full-bodied wine that’s muscular and structured, with broader shoulders than the Cherbaudes that preceded it in our tasting, revealing excellent concentration and a long and ripely tannic finish.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Champeaux 1er Cru is very floral and perfumed on the nose, so much so that if served blind I might guess it came from Vosne-Romanée. The lightly spiced palate is well balanced, with ripe black cherry and wild strawberry fruit and a touch of blood orange toward a finish of moderate length. This just needs to shake off its conservatism.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Only three bottles available
Domaine Fourrier Les Cherbaudes Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($279.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Decanter 96 points “Located just below the Clos de Bèze, on very hard, rocky soils, Cherbaudes is often one of the more muscular and concentrated wines in the Fourrier line up. Dense and pretty powerful, with dark bramble and black cherry fruit, stylishly expressed 20% new wood, lots of violet perfume, layers of tannin and enough acidity and zip for balance. Ripe but harmonious.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Cherbaudes reveals notions of cherries, raspberries and cassis complemented by sweet soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, it’s muscular and structural this year, with fine concentration, ripe acids and powdery tannins, concluding with a long finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Only four bottles available
Domaine Fourrier La Combe Aux Moines Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special
Decanter 97 points “Jean-Marie Fourrier is almost single-handedly responsible for creating the fame of this isolated Premier Cru. Planted in 1926 (though not by monks, alas), this parcel really comes into its own in hotter vintages, retaining freshness, poise and a degree of sang-froid. Racy, crunchy and refreshing, it has red cherry and pomegranate flavours, a hint of water melon sweetness and considerable underlying power and ageing potential.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 93-95 points “The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Combe Aux Moines 1er Cru has one of the finest aromatics from Fourrier, offering mineral-soaked black and red fruit armed with laser-like focus. The clean, precise palate is very well balanced with fine tannins and a superb line of acidity. The disarmingly silky finish shows a surfeit of freshness. Superb!”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92-94+ points “The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Combe Aux Moines unwinds to reveal scents of sweet cherries, spices, plums, dark chocolate and grilled meats. Medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, its broad-shouldered, powerful attack segues into a nicely defined mid-palate and a chalky finish. This is very promising.”
Only three bottles available
Domaine Fourrier Morey-Saint-Denis Clos Solon Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Decanter 93 points “Jean-Marie Fourrier’s Clos Solon is consistently among the best village Morey-St-Denis bottlings, sourced from a 0-5ha parcel close to the RN74. It’s a ripe, generous style in 2018, with close to 14% alcohol, lots of colour and scented oak, ample concentration of bramble and black cherry fruit and enough supporting acidity for balance.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 88-90 points “The 2018 Morey-Saint-Denis Clos Solon wafts from the glass with notes of cherries, smoky wild berries, cassis and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, supple and charming, its ripe core of fruit is framed by powdery tannins. This is a touch richer and deeper-pitched than the 2017 rendition, but it will offer a similarly broad drinking window.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Only three bottles available
Domaine Fourrier Les Petits Vougeots Vieilles Vignes, Vougeot Premier Cru2018 750ML ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special
Decanter 94 points “It’s really a Chambolle-Musigny,’ says Jean-Marie Fourrier of this Premier Cru located in a hollow just below the Musigny Grand Cru. East-facing, so a little cooler, it’s a site that has produced, a fine, detailed, racy Pinot Noir in 2018, with plenty of colour, sappy bramble and black cherry flavours, fine tannins and a fresh, balanced, tapering finish.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2018 Vougeot 1er Cru Les Petits Vougeot opens in the glass with aromas of cherries, raspberries and orange rind, framed by a deft touch of creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, it’s fine-boned, finishing with chalky grip, though it was a little introverted on the palate when I tasted it.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2018 Vougeot Les Petits Vougeot 1er Cru has a pretty, potpourri-tinged red and black cherry bouquet that is very Vosne-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannins, plenty of raspberry confit and crushed strawberry fruit laced with dark chocolate toward the grippy finish. Lovely texture here, and impressive length. This needs three to five years in bottle.”
And that’s just the tip of the Fourrier iceberg!
We’ve got 50 different bottlings from Jean-Marie in stock or arriving this fall!
Check out the entire list on our webstore!
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One of the standouts of the outstanding 2015 Brunello vintage.
Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Wonderful aromos of flowers, plums, terracotta and white pepper. Intense, yet ever so subtle. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins, and a long and intense finish. Shows excellent length. Drink after 2021.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Good deep red. Complex aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, graphite, mocha, and mint. Focused and suave with very attractive sweetness and standout purity to its flavors of red berries and candied flowers. Finishes with polished tannins and outstanding length.”
We’d say this is the new Pierre Peters, but it’s actually smaller and harder to find.
Lilbert-Fils Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “A fresh and elegant blanc de blancs Champagne, with juicy nectarine and mango fruit accented by hints of candied kumquat, spring blossom and salted almond. Long and creamy on the mouthwatering finish. Disgorged summer 2016. Drink now through 2022. 1,650 cases made, 100 cases imported. — AN”
Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Wonderful aromos of flowers, plums, terracotta and white pepper. Intense, yet ever so subtle. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins, and a long and intense finish. Shows excellent length. Drink after 2021.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Good deep red. Complex aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, graphite, mocha, and mint. Focused and suave with very attractive sweetness and standout purity to its flavors of red berries and candied flowers. Finishes with polished tannins and outstanding length.”
We’d say this is the new Pierre Peters, but it’s actually smaller and harder to find.
Lilbert-Fils Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “A fresh and elegant blanc de blancs Champagne, with juicy nectarine and mango fruit accented by hints of candied kumquat, spring blossom and salted almond. Long and creamy on the mouthwatering finish. Disgorged summer 2016. Drink now through 2022. 1,650 cases made, 100 cases imported. — AN”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
An outstanding value from a local favorite.
Biggio Hamina “Biha” Pinot Noir, Van Duzer 2017 750ML ($24.95) $17 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Biggio Hamina “Biha” Pinot Noir, Van Duzer 2017 750ML ($299.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
Grapelive 92 points “The brilliant ruby hued Biha Van Duzer Pinot, made by Todd Hamina at Biggio Hamina Cellars, is a beautiful and racy Pinot Noir with layers of bright cherry, strawberry, pomegranate and tangy plum fruits bursting from glass along with delicate rose petal, cinnamon, orange tea and dried herbs. I hadn’t had the Biggio Hamina Cellars wines before this bottle and now I know I have been missing out. This is intriguing stuff and it just got better and better as the evening went on. Impressively it was the next day that things really got going, especially aromatically and texture wise without losing its exciting drive and vibrancy. Hamina comes with tons of Willamette experience including time at some famous places. His CV includes stints at Archery Summit, Beaux Freres, Chateau Benoit, Elk Cove, Maysara and Patton Valley! That should get your attention and his Biha should be on your radar for value. His style seems a mature approach to natural or minimalist winemaking with the use of indigenous yeasts, or as he puts it, spontaneous fermentation without inputs or additions, employing neutral French barriques and bottling without cold stabilization or filtering to allow the grapes and vineyards to show their distinctive character. The Biha line is Hamina’s and partner Caroline Biggio’s single AVA collection… This Van Duzer Pinot joins an elite set of quality bargains from Oregon along with Hundred Son’s Old Eight Cut Pinot, Love & Squalor, Bow & Arrow’s Rhinestones (a Gamay and Pinot Noir blend), Purple Hands’ basic Willamette Valley Pinot and Johan’s Farmlands Pinot to name a few, all of which are very different, but offer big bang for the buck. Hamina, like many of this newer generation is committed to more restrained use of new barrels, saying in a perfect world he’d use tons of whole cluster and no new oak. Here you can taste the merits of that formula with the whole bunch and stem inclusion crunchiness and purity of fruit, which I admit I am a huge fan of. The Biggio Hamina Biha Van Duzer 2017 has loads of exciting flavors, savory zing and a polished or satiny mouth feel with no overt French oak needed, making a Pinot that goes great with an array of cuisine. I enjoyed it with smoked salmon. As new discoveries go, this one is was incredibly pleasing and I plan to explore more of these small production hand crafted Biggio Hamina wines!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Located yards from the Margaux AOC, this is a stellar deal of a Bordeaux
Chateau Siran Saint-Jacques de Siran, Bordeaux Superieur 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special
Case-12 Chateau Siran Saint-Jacques de Siran, Bordeaux Superieur 2016 750ML ($239.95) $179 special
Wine Enthusiast 88 points “This spicy wine with firm tannins is setting out well. Black-currant flavors are balanced with generous tannins and a rich character that will give the wine a full and juicy character. Drink from 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
A stunner of a CdP at an insane price for the quality.
Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Imperiale, Rhone 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
Jeb Dunnuck 96-100 points “Violets, spring flowers, cassis, plums, and incense notes all define the stunningly good 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Imperiale. Made from 100% Grenache from very old vines, it’s full-bodied and powerful, yet also graceful, balanced and pure, with terrific freshness and purity. My money is on this flirting with perfection once bottled.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 95 points “Almost entirely Grenache, from parcels planted in 1901 and 1902, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale is a stunner. Scents of roses, black tea and raspberries set the scene, while the palate is full-bodied but silky and nearly weightless, delivering an intricate, detailed interplay of red fruit, dried spices and orange zest. Despite what must be 15% alcohol or more, it shows absolutely no sign of heat.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Staff Pick
Top Value Red Burgundy
Top Value Red Burgundy
(and More!)
Andy:
I would like to break out the pâté and the last fresh berries of the season for today’s recommendation. When we had the 2015 Marc Colin Bourgogne Rouge, I feasted with it nightly. 2017 is a wonderful reprise of a wonderful wine. The vintage gave such a wild balance of Burgundian earth and warm red fruit. Bakers spice, smoke and crystalline brightness.
The entire lineup is lovely. The St Aubin area isn’t particularly sought after, unless you’re lucky enough to have family holdings on the hillside that abuts Puligny Montrachet or the crescent shaped hill on the other side of town. The Les Castets is one of my favorite white Burgundies, year in year out, and the fact that it is priced well below the Puligny and Chassagne of comparable quality always helps. Colin’s Chassagne Montrachet Margot also over performs, with a slightly more rich style than the St Aubin whites. All are well worth investigating further!
In Stock Now:
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bourgogne Rouge, Burgundy 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
I would like to break out the pâté and the last fresh berries of the season for today’s recommendation. When we had the 2015 Marc Colin Bourgogne Rouge, I feasted with it nightly. 2017 is a wonderful reprise of a wonderful wine. The vintage gave such a wild balance of Burgundian earth and warm red fruit. Bakers spice, smoke and crystalline brightness.
The entire lineup is lovely. The St Aubin area isn’t particularly sought after, unless you’re lucky enough to have family holdings on the hillside that abuts Puligny Montrachet or the crescent shaped hill on the other side of town. The Les Castets is one of my favorite white Burgundies, year in year out, and the fact that it is priced well below the Puligny and Chassagne of comparable quality always helps. Colin’s Chassagne Montrachet Margot also over performs, with a slightly more rich style than the St Aubin whites. All are well worth investigating further!
In Stock Now:
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bourgogne Rouge, Burgundy 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Also available from Marc Colin:
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Santenay Rouge Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Beaune 2017 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Neal Martin – Vinous 89-91 points “The 2017 Santenay Vieilles Vignes Champs Claude, ages in 15% new oak, has a lovely, quite subtle seaweed scent that permeates the red berry aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine bead of acidity, taut and linear with admirable precision towards the finish. This is my pick of the domaine’s three reds this year. (DIAM closure)”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate “The 2017 Santenay Vieilles Vignes hails from a very old parcel and is deeper-pitched than Colin’s other reds, exhibiting notes of cherries, rich soil tones and peonies, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered palate that’s earthy and nicely concentrated.”
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy 2017 750ML ($37.95) $29 special
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 88 points “Already bottled, the 2017 Bourgogne Chardonnay offers up aromas of white flowers, citrus oil and wet stones. On the palate, its medium-bodied, elegantly glossy and succulent, though it’s quite tight-knit after its recent bottling. As usual, it’s an excellent introduction to the domaine’s range.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Chassagne-Montrachet Margot, Cote de Beaune 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
William Kelley – Wine Advocate “Aromas or pear and buttered yellow apples, complemented by a pretty top note of white flowers, introduce the 2017 Chassagne-Montrachet Cuvée Margot, a medium to full-bodied, satiny and charming wine that’s giving and open-knit. This is already drinking well.”
Burghound “Pungent aromas of matchstick, petrol and resin lead to nicely vibrant and beautifully well-detailed medium weight flavors that possess a lovely sense of vibrancy along with very good depth and persistence on the clean and attractively dry finish. Once again, this is a fine villages that should drink well young and with 5 to 7 years of age.”
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Les Castets, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Neal Martin – Vinous 90-92 points “The 2017 Saint-Aubin les Castet 1er Cru has a delightful, quite engaging bouquet with hints of yellow flower and cockle shells, a light estuarine scent gradually unfolding in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh crisp citrus fruit on the entry, quite Puligny-like in style with a tang of quince and marmalade perking up the poised finish. I like the energy and tension here – good potential. (DIAM closure)”
Burghound 90 points “Here the nose plays right on the edge of reduction due to some unabsorbed post-bottling sulfur though it’s not so much as to mask the pear, floral and apple-scented nose. The delicious middle weight flavors possess solid volume as well as a lush mouth feel, all wrapped in a nicely persistent finish. This needs to develop better overall depth but the underlying material appears to be present for that to occur.”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2017 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Castets is also open and expressive, bursting with aromas of white flowers, fresh pear and hazelnuts. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, charming and giving, with lively acids and a precise, chalky finish. This is another of Colin’s 2017s that’s drinking well straight out of the gates.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $64.95
The next best price is $64.95
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Les Combes, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Neal Martin – Vinous 91-93 points “The 2017 Saint-Aubin les Combes 1er Cru has a relatively strict bouquet compared to its sibling Premier Crus with light estuarine scents, shucked oyster shell and a touch of blackcurrant leaf. The palate is fresh and quite intense on the entry. I love the depth and vigour of this wine, quite voluminous in the mouth with a delicate touch of ginger towards the finish. Superb. (DIAM closure)”
Burghound 91 points “An expressive and distinctly cool nose is composed by notes of green apple, citrus rind and floral aromas that are trimmed in a hint of matchstick character. The rich and vibrant medium weight flavors possess both good volume and minerality, all wrapped in a vibrant, clean and balanced finish. This succulent yet punchy and firm effort offers fine quality and balance and even a certain amount of finesse.”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2017 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Combes mingles aromas of crisp yellow orchard fruit with hints of nutmeg and marzipan in an attractive bouquet, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and generous palate that’s turned out to be a bit richer and riper than I anticipated a year ago. Again, this is another wine that will drink well young.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bourgogne Aligote, Burgundy 2017 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Decanter 91 points “Damien Colin and his sister Caroline carry on their father’s domaine; their two siblings each have their own label but this is where the old Aligoté vines are and Damien is justifiably proud of them. The 2017 was like a reward after 2016’s disastrous frost, and this is floral and appetising, with white fruit and lovely pure acidity. Damien reckons it could last 15 years because ‘l’Aligoté, ça vieillit bien’.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Collector’s Corner
Vega Sicilia Valbuena
Vega Sicilia Valbuena
Just Arrived!
Vega Sicilia Tinto Valbuena 5, Ribera del Duero 2015 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, only 12 bottles available!
James Suckling 97 points “The aromas to this are so complex and enticing with nutmeg, dark berries, chocolate and white pepper. Full body. Dense and layered with so much wonderful, complex and succulent character. It just makes you want to drink it. Drink or hold.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Valbuena, a red blend of mostly Tempranillo with some 5% Merlot, is released in the fifth year after the harvest. It’s explosive and showy, with a complex nose that shows a mixture of flowers and wild herbs, balsamic touches and great nuance. This wine has gained in complexity since the 2010 vintage, where they implemented some changes that increased the expressivity and precision of this wine. The tannins are fine-grained and there is very good balance, and the warm conditions of the year have been absorbed well by the wine. Despite the natural conditions of the year, the wine follows the path of freshness of the 2010. 173,673 bottles, 5,625 magnums and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in June 2018.”
Vega Sicilia Tinto Valbuena 5, Ribera del Duero 2015 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, only 12 bottles available!
James Suckling 97 points “The aromas to this are so complex and enticing with nutmeg, dark berries, chocolate and white pepper. Full body. Dense and layered with so much wonderful, complex and succulent character. It just makes you want to drink it. Drink or hold.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Valbuena, a red blend of mostly Tempranillo with some 5% Merlot, is released in the fifth year after the harvest. It’s explosive and showy, with a complex nose that shows a mixture of flowers and wild herbs, balsamic touches and great nuance. This wine has gained in complexity since the 2010 vintage, where they implemented some changes that increased the expressivity and precision of this wine. The tannins are fine-grained and there is very good balance, and the warm conditions of the year have been absorbed well by the wine. Despite the natural conditions of the year, the wine follows the path of freshness of the 2010. 173,673 bottles, 5,625 magnums and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in June 2018.”
Thanks for reading!