In Today’s Newsletter:
Featured New Arrival
Château Joanin Bécot
Bibi Graetz’s 100-Point Testamatta
Arrives Next Week
Brunello’s Fairy-Tale 2015 Vintage
Staff Recommended
Everyday Drinkers from Montalcino
Napa’s Most Underrated ‘Cult’ Producer?
Diamond Creek’s Stunning 2018s
Trending Champagne
Umbrian Master
Paolo Bea’s Iconic Sagrantino
Collector’s Corner
De Montille’s “Hommage” Magnums
Featured New Arrival
Château Joanin Bécot
Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux doesn’t have the same name recognition as nearby Saint-Émilion or Pomerol, but that is exactly what makes it so exciting. Excellent terroirs exist within its humble boundaries, and this fact makes it a playground for Bordeaux insiders in search of fantastic values.
Exhibit A: Château Joanin Bécot. Named for the tiny hamlet of Joanin and the Bécot family, the estate produces two typical Right Bank blends, including the attractively priced Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux. At sub-$30, the bottling is a fantastic value in any year, but from 2015 & 2016 (arguably Bordeaux’s finest vintages of the past decade) this is no-brainer stuff.
In Stock Now:
Château Joanin Bécot, Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux 2015 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “On the toasty side, with flashes of vanilla and mocha, but there’s ample fleshy plum sauce and currant preserve flavors at the core, along with lingering notes of anise and violet on the finish. Best from 2019 through 2025. 4,750 cases made. — JM”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “A mineral texture gives this ripe wine an edge while its full, red berry fruit offers some solid tannins and concentration. It’s smoky and full-bodied and will be ready to drink from 2019. -Roger Voss”
Exhibit A: Château Joanin Bécot. Named for the tiny hamlet of Joanin and the Bécot family, the estate produces two typical Right Bank blends, including the attractively priced Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux. At sub-$30, the bottling is a fantastic value in any year, but from 2015 & 2016 (arguably Bordeaux’s finest vintages of the past decade) this is no-brainer stuff.
In Stock Now:
Château Joanin Bécot, Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux 2015 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “On the toasty side, with flashes of vanilla and mocha, but there’s ample fleshy plum sauce and currant preserve flavors at the core, along with lingering notes of anise and violet on the finish. Best from 2019 through 2025. 4,750 cases made. — JM”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “A mineral texture gives this ripe wine an edge while its full, red berry fruit offers some solid tannins and concentration. It’s smoky and full-bodied and will be ready to drink from 2019. -Roger Voss”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Château Joanin Bécot, Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux 2016 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2016 Joanin Bécot is blended of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, aged on the lees in 65% new and 35% one-year-old oak for 15 months. Deep garnet-purple colored, it features warm plums, blackberry pie and wild blueberries aromas with touches of underbrush and menthol plus a waft of roses. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and plush with a good fruit core and perfumed finish. About 5,416 cases produced.”
Love red Bordeaux? We have 39 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Château Canon, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Tour De Pez and more, on our web store now.
Bibi Graetz’s 100-Point Testamatta
Arrives Next Week
Testamatta, which means “crazy head” in Italian, is a nod to Bibi Graetz’s eccentricity. A creative and passionate man, Graetz crafts some of Italy’s most impressive wines at his self-described Casamatta (“crazy house”). But don’t be fooled by Graetz’s self-deprecating humility, one taste of his wines will shatter any illusions that these are humble plonk. The brilliance of the wine suggests that there surely must be a method to the madness. Decanter recently recognized Graetz’s unmistakable talent by awarding the 2018 Testamatta 100 points. We were fortunate to secure a second modest allocation of this in-demand wine, and are anticipating its arrival next week.
Pre-Arrival ETA March 5th:
Bibi Graetz Testamatta Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($99.95) $89.99 pre-arrival special
Jane Anson – Decanter 100 points “Finely textured, with a nuanced perfume that fills the glass and takes you to the intense underbrush of Tuscany. Succulent and yet savoury, this has a lilting freshness that is overlaid with ripe berry fruits, sage and white pepper spice, and clear minerality in terms of its scraping texture that makes your mouth water on the finish. Feels light and sculpted and yet has an intensity that skewers you to the spot. This is a great wine, with scope and imagination that doesn’t want to let you go. Genuinely stands out among the wines of this tasting, and these are a fine array of wines. As with Colore, Bibi Graetz selects only old vines, the youngest 50 years old from five different vineyard sites across Tuscany, all farmed organically. Fermentations in open 225l barrels with natural yeasts and manual punch downs.”
Love Tuscany? We have over 150 different options from Tuscany in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Castell’in Villa, Castello di Ama, I Fabbri and more, on our web store now.
Brunello’s Fairy-Tale 2015 Vintage
“These are Brunellos that will age beautifully for decades ahead making them historical in every sense of the word.”
Hype has surrounded Brunello di Montalcino’s 2015 vintage from the moment fruit began arriving in the region’s cellars. After 5 years of DOCG required anticipation-building, the wines were released to rave reviews, and the critical acclaim is well-deserved. These are some of the most spectacular Brunellos we’ve tasted in some time. Rich, dense, and possessing the structure to age gracefully, 2015 Brunellos are a requirement for any serious wine cellar.
“The 2015 vintage is a historical year for Brunello di Montalcino that nobody should miss. The wines show impressive precision of vivid fruit, fine tannins and freshness in acidity despite their ripeness and richness which makes them some of the most exciting in years. Winemakers in Montalcino were never better prepared to produce outstanding wines in a year like 2015 with their exactness in their vineyards and cellars from fine-tuned canopy management and crop thinning to optical sorting and soft fermentations. So many wine producers in Montalcino made excellent wines in 2015… These are Brunellos that will age beautifully for decades ahead making them historical in every sense of the word.” – James Suckling
Select 2015 Brunellos, In Stock Now:
“A structured and impressive wine”
Argiano Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($74.95) $54.50 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “This is a terrific wine and one of the new releases from Montalcino that I happily include on a short list of top recommendations. The Argiano 2015 Brunello di Montalcino shows a very lively bouquet that is already singing despite the young age of this new release. The wine opens to a dark ruby color with garnet highlights. The bouquet shows a large span of wild berry, earth, licorice spice and medicinal herb aromas. This vintage also reveals a pretty floral character with dried rose potpourri and lavender buds. After fermentation, the wine is aged slowly for 30 months in large oak botte (including 10-, 30- and 50-hectoliter capacity), thus restricting oxygen and gently slowing its evolution. However, the 2015 vintage is naturally expressive and exuberant, and that’s the main takeaway here.”
James Suckling 95 points “Very floral on the nose with plums, rose petals and freshly sliced porcini mushrooms. The palate is tight and compressed with beautiful ripe fruit, wet earth and cool, stone flavors. A structured and impressive wine. Drink after 2022.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “The nose is dark and rich, showing ripe black cherry and sweet herbs, with notes of tobacco, hints of mocha, and brown spice. On the palate, soft textures give way to sweet red fruits, showing wonderful purity and finesse, which was completely unexpected following the powerful bouquet that greeted me, as the 2015 Sesti becomes even more savory in the glass. The finish is long, energetic yet clean, with brisk acids making the mouth water, and remnants of red berry fruit and inner florals echoing throughout. The longer I spend with the glass, the more I like it.”
“A classic expression of Sangiovese from a classic vintage”
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The Neri family has created a classic expression of Sangiovese from a classic vintage, while remaining faithful to the house style. In a nutshell, these wines always tend to offer dark plum, clove and fig confit over the tiny berry and blue flower aromas you get from the traditionalists. That said, this Brunello needs ample time to open, and I suggest you splash it into the decanter. The Casanova di Neri 2015 Brunello di Montalcino (this is the one with the white label) stays safely within your expectation of the vintage with its variety-driven aromas of wild berry, licorice, blue flower and balsam herb. This wine sees fruit sourced from a vineyard on the northeast side of Montalcino, with Galestro soils ranging from 330 to 480 meters above sea level. Some 95,376 bottles were made. It was bottled in June 2019, and it hit the market in January 2020. You might want more from the aromatics (while you wait for the bouquet to come around), but this wine goes gangbusters in terms of mid-palate and overall texture.”
Ian D’agata-Vinous 94 points “Good deep red. Saline aromas and flavors of red cherry, blueberries, herbs, blood orange and sweet spices. Smooth and long on the bright, very sweet finish. Really quite good.”
Eric Guido – Vinous 93 points “The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino from Casanova di Neru is very pretty, showing bright cherry and strawberry tones, as red florals and dusty spices that rise up from the glass, with just a hint of forest floor. On the palate, silky textures give way to red berry fruits and sweet spices, given lift through vibrant acids, as saline-minerals and hints of fine tannin saturate the senses. It finishes long, juicy, and fresh, with savory spice and residual acids buzzing on the senses while dried red fruits and florals slowly fade. The 2015 Casanova di Neri doesn’t succeed through power; instead it’s a feminine beauty of a wine.”
Complex, focused & polished
Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $46.50 special, 36+ 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.”
Hype has surrounded Brunello di Montalcino’s 2015 vintage from the moment fruit began arriving in the region’s cellars. After 5 years of DOCG required anticipation-building, the wines were released to rave reviews, and the critical acclaim is well-deserved. These are some of the most spectacular Brunellos we’ve tasted in some time. Rich, dense, and possessing the structure to age gracefully, 2015 Brunellos are a requirement for any serious wine cellar.
“The 2015 vintage is a historical year for Brunello di Montalcino that nobody should miss. The wines show impressive precision of vivid fruit, fine tannins and freshness in acidity despite their ripeness and richness which makes them some of the most exciting in years. Winemakers in Montalcino were never better prepared to produce outstanding wines in a year like 2015 with their exactness in their vineyards and cellars from fine-tuned canopy management and crop thinning to optical sorting and soft fermentations. So many wine producers in Montalcino made excellent wines in 2015… These are Brunellos that will age beautifully for decades ahead making them historical in every sense of the word.” – James Suckling
Select 2015 Brunellos, In Stock Now:
“A structured and impressive wine”
Argiano Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($74.95) $54.50 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “This is a terrific wine and one of the new releases from Montalcino that I happily include on a short list of top recommendations. The Argiano 2015 Brunello di Montalcino shows a very lively bouquet that is already singing despite the young age of this new release. The wine opens to a dark ruby color with garnet highlights. The bouquet shows a large span of wild berry, earth, licorice spice and medicinal herb aromas. This vintage also reveals a pretty floral character with dried rose potpourri and lavender buds. After fermentation, the wine is aged slowly for 30 months in large oak botte (including 10-, 30- and 50-hectoliter capacity), thus restricting oxygen and gently slowing its evolution. However, the 2015 vintage is naturally expressive and exuberant, and that’s the main takeaway here.”
James Suckling 95 points “Very floral on the nose with plums, rose petals and freshly sliced porcini mushrooms. The palate is tight and compressed with beautiful ripe fruit, wet earth and cool, stone flavors. A structured and impressive wine. Drink after 2022.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “The nose is dark and rich, showing ripe black cherry and sweet herbs, with notes of tobacco, hints of mocha, and brown spice. On the palate, soft textures give way to sweet red fruits, showing wonderful purity and finesse, which was completely unexpected following the powerful bouquet that greeted me, as the 2015 Sesti becomes even more savory in the glass. The finish is long, energetic yet clean, with brisk acids making the mouth water, and remnants of red berry fruit and inner florals echoing throughout. The longer I spend with the glass, the more I like it.”
“A classic expression of Sangiovese from a classic vintage”
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The Neri family has created a classic expression of Sangiovese from a classic vintage, while remaining faithful to the house style. In a nutshell, these wines always tend to offer dark plum, clove and fig confit over the tiny berry and blue flower aromas you get from the traditionalists. That said, this Brunello needs ample time to open, and I suggest you splash it into the decanter. The Casanova di Neri 2015 Brunello di Montalcino (this is the one with the white label) stays safely within your expectation of the vintage with its variety-driven aromas of wild berry, licorice, blue flower and balsam herb. This wine sees fruit sourced from a vineyard on the northeast side of Montalcino, with Galestro soils ranging from 330 to 480 meters above sea level. Some 95,376 bottles were made. It was bottled in June 2019, and it hit the market in January 2020. You might want more from the aromatics (while you wait for the bouquet to come around), but this wine goes gangbusters in terms of mid-palate and overall texture.”
Ian D’agata-Vinous 94 points “Good deep red. Saline aromas and flavors of red cherry, blueberries, herbs, blood orange and sweet spices. Smooth and long on the bright, very sweet finish. Really quite good.”
Eric Guido – Vinous 93 points “The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino from Casanova di Neru is very pretty, showing bright cherry and strawberry tones, as red florals and dusty spices that rise up from the glass, with just a hint of forest floor. On the palate, silky textures give way to red berry fruits and sweet spices, given lift through vibrant acids, as saline-minerals and hints of fine tannin saturate the senses. It finishes long, juicy, and fresh, with savory spice and residual acids buzzing on the senses while dried red fruits and florals slowly fade. The 2015 Casanova di Neri doesn’t succeed through power; instead it’s a feminine beauty of a wine.”
Complex, focused & polished
Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $46.50 special, 36+ 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.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
One of the vintage’s most graceful examples
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “Extremely perfumed and decadent with dried flowers and spices and fresh mushrooms. Cherries,too. Full body. Solid core of fruit, yet ever so fine tannins. Goes on for minutes. Such beautifully crafted tannins. Drink after 2021.”
Kerin O’keefe-Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Enticing aromas of ripe wild berry, iris, camphor and sunbaked soil take shape in the glass. Full in feel and enveloping, the smooth, delicious palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry jam, licorice and tobacco while firm, velvety tannins provide support. It boasts concentration and structure but also balance, thanks to the fruit richness and freshness. Drink 2023–2030.”
“Remarkably balanced, singing already, yet it’s full of potential”
Tenuta Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido – Vinous 94 points “At first, the 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is quite closed in the glass, to the point I move on to the wine next to it… However, upon returning to the glass a few minutes later, I come to realize that the 2015 simply needs time to come to life; and once it does, watch out. Here I find a gorgeous and intense display, mixing savory and sweet, as well as, earth and fruit, as dusty cedar and spice give way to ripe strawberry with a hint of citrus, with wild herbs and a hint of animal musk adding further depths. On the palate, silky textures meld into woodland red berry fruits, zesty spice, hints of cedar, savory herbs, saline minerals, and mounting tannins. The finish is long and structured, yet there remains enough primary fruit to balance it all out, as well as resonating acids, intriguing hints of citrus, and spice. This is remarkably balanced, singing already, yet it’s full of potential for the cellar.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “This combines the best characteristics of Sangiovese, with cherry and strawberry fruit, earth, leather and iron notes and balsamic elements of wild thyme, rosemary and Mediterranean scrub. Shows a bit of heat on the finish, yet remains fresh and long. Best from 2023 through 2042. 16,600 cases made, 3,000 cases imported. — BS”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The Col d’Orcia 2015 Brunello di Montalcino (made with organic fruit) has a very distinctive aromatic profile with subtle hints of rusty iron and moist potting soil. However, this wine also shows an impressive evolution in the glass with those earthy and sanguine notes lifting to reveal sweet oak tones of vanilla and baking spice that remain pronounced in a second underlayer. To me, Col d’Orcia’s wines are almost always characterized by a medicinal or balsamic element, and the primary fruit is downplayed as a result. This vintage puts on a good show with wild berry, blackcurrant and dried blackberry. That said, this wine is more ethereal and spicy than it is fruity per se.”
Fanti’s “best ever”
Tenuta Fanti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “There’s a beautiful interplay between bright, primary florals, such as rose petals and tulips and dust, hay bale and dried raspberries. The palate suggests a ripe, powerful persona with chewy, juicy tannins and a fine line of pretty acidity. Best ever. Drink in 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
“Wonderful length and intensity”
Fossacolle Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Fossacolle Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($479.95) $336 special (that’s only $56/bottle!)
James Suckling 97 points “Excellent ripeness of fruit here with glazed strawberries, blood oranges, red licorice and dried spices. Superb density and focus to the centre palate, which is layered, ornate, plush but balanced. The finish goes on and on with nutmeg, tar and saffron. Wonderful length and intensity. Drink from 2024.”
Vibrant acidity and a long finish
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($89.95) $62.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($539.95) $359 special (that’s only $59.83/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The Il Poggione 2015 Brunello di Montalcino shows a darker and more concentrated appearance than many of its peers. The wine is beautifully abundant and fragrant in the most exuberant and expressive manner. You will recognize aromas of moist soil, tobacco and smoke. Candied cherry hovers over the entire bouquet. Fruit is sourced from older vines (all over 25 years old). Il Poggione occupies a special spot within the Montalcino appellation, and the area always produces slightly more concentrated and powerful wines. I find that to be particularly true in this gorgeous 2015 vintage. I am also very attracted to that almost dusty note of crushed mineral that rides long on the full-bodied finish. Il Poggione’s Brunello is also distinguished by firm, youthful tannin that need a few more years to unwind. Luckily, there are quite a few bottles to go around, with some 200,000 made.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 97 points “Il Poggione 2015 Brunello di Montalcino offers up a dark, earthy, almost animal-like expression, showing black soil and undergrowth, giving way to crushed black cherry, dusty spice, and dried florals which lift the experience. On the palate, soft, fleshy textures usher in fresh cherry and strawberry, as brisk acids add energy, with savory herbs and minerals saturating, as the 2015 Il Poggione’s fruit nearly masks its structural core. The finish is long yet fresh, with classic, fine tannins, dried red fruits and pretty inner floral tones lingering throughout this perfectly balanced expression. The 2015 s pure class and built for the cellar.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
A “serious Brunello” for your cellar
La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 22 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “The sliced plums and peaches are plentiful here on the nose. Full-bodied and dense with round and rich tannins and a long, long finish. Shows structure and intensity. Serious Brunello. Better after 2022.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “This is round and full of sweet, ripe cherry, strawberry, graphite and earth flavors. Firms up as the finish plays out, echoing an essence of fruit. Best from 2022 through 2039. —B.S.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Love Brunello? We have over 50 different options in stock, including many more from the 2015 vintage. Shop the entire selection on our web store now.
Staff Recommended
Everyday Drinkers from Montalcino
In Montalcino, Brunello gets all the attention; and for good reason. Brunello di Montalcino is one of the world’s truly great red wines. However, with greatness come elevated prices. Fortunately Rosso di Montalcino, the CJ McCollum to Brunello’s Damian Lillard, offers many of Brunello’s charms in an easier drinking, less introspective package. This is your quintessential Tuesday night red, pairing beautifully with many weeknight staples, and rarely priced north of $35. We have a number of excellent options in stock now. So taste for yourself why Rosso di Montalcino deserves its place unobscured by Brunello’s considerable shadow.
In Stock Now:
Tenuta Col d’Orcia Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 25 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “A soft, delicious red with crushed berry and cherry character. Full body, round, velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Maria Caterina Dei Rosso di Montepulciano, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($19.95) $17 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 90 points “Balanced, featuring bright cherry and raspberry fruit flavors, with light flourishes of earth and iron, all supported by well-integrated tannins. Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Merlot. Drink now. 8,300 cases made, 3,000 cases imported.”
Kerin O’keefe-Wine Enthusiast 90 points “Aromas of red berry, dark culinary spice and earthy whiffs of humid soil lift out of the glass. It’s bright, smooth and savory, doling out ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry and clove alongside polished tannins. Tangy acidity keeps it vibrant and balanced. Drink through 2023.”
In Stock Now:
Tenuta Col d’Orcia Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 25 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “A soft, delicious red with crushed berry and cherry character. Full body, round, velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Maria Caterina Dei Rosso di Montepulciano, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($19.95) $17 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 90 points “Balanced, featuring bright cherry and raspberry fruit flavors, with light flourishes of earth and iron, all supported by well-integrated tannins. Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Merlot. Drink now. 8,300 cases made, 3,000 cases imported.”
Kerin O’keefe-Wine Enthusiast 90 points “Aromas of red berry, dark culinary spice and earthy whiffs of humid soil lift out of the glass. It’s bright, smooth and savory, doling out ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry and clove alongside polished tannins. Tangy acidity keeps it vibrant and balanced. Drink through 2023.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Tenuta Fanti Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 89 points “The extroverted 2018 Fanti Rosso di Montalcino is showing masses of ripe strawberry, sweet spices and exotic florals with grounding notes of worn leather and hints of undergrowth. Silky textures meld into tart red berries with a peppery-herbal twist, in a soft and easygoing effort that’s energized by bright acids that only come forward toward the finale. A mix of red fruits resonate on the finish, along with wild herbs and florals, punctuating the experience on a Rosso that is very easy to like.”
La Fortuna Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Grapelive 91 points “The 2018 La Fortuna Rosso di Montalcino is ripe, textured and silky smooth with pure Sangiovese character. It goes wonderfully with simple cuisine and shows a good cut of freshness for easy youthful drinking pleasure. The 2018 vintage is less serious than 2016 in the Montalcino area, but still offers plenty of flavor and value to savvy Tuscan fans. The Rosso di Montalcino “Baby Brunello” offerings are going to be fun and there will be plenty of bargains to be found, like this La Fortuna with its polished and elegant styling. Fresh out the box the La Fortuna is smoothly rich with vine-picked tangy blackberry, wild plum, cranberry, strawberry and tart cherry fruits along with blood orange, tobacco leaf, potpourri florals, rosemary, lavender and spiced cedar notes. A richer form comes out with air and food, making it a medium to full bodied Sangiovese that has a lot of charm, especially for the price. This 100% Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello clone) was crafted with traditional care and made for early drinking with grapes coming from vineyard parcels that range from 15 to 25 years on the semi volcanic soils of the region and was fermented in temperature controlled tanks with about a 20 day maceration on the skins to give it that dark burgundy hue in the glass. After fermentation this La Fortuna Rosso di Montalcino is racked mostly to large Slovenian oak casks for six months and aged a further six months in mainly 1 and 2 times filled small French barriques, which explains the luxurious velvety mouth feel, before bottling. This estate goes back a long way with the Zannoni [family] first arriving at “La Fortuna” back in 1907 to work the farmstead and through the generations rose up to finally purchase the property and become a private winery and label with fifth generation Gioberto Zannoni now in charge at this highly regarded Brunello label. I suggest buying the 2013 and 2016 if you can still find them, but don’t overlook these tasty and graceful 2018s either.”
Winery Note “Its burgundy red colour and intriguing acidity opens to the sense of smell with strong fruity flavours; intense and fascinating, spicy, it maintains a well-constructed pleasant taste, full and plain, velvety and smooth.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido – Vinous 91 points “The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino is polished, dark and earthy, with crushed black cherry lifted by peppery herbs and minerals as sweet spices develop in the glass. Silky textures carry brisk acids over the senses, ushering in tart red fruits, with hints of savory herbs, in a wonderfully fresh expression. The finish is medium in length, coating the palate in tart red fruits, with saturating fine tannin and cedary spices.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Azienda Agricola La Torre Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 95 points “The 2016 is going to be legendary in Tuscany. We are seeing the top wines already getting unbelievably good press, but there are also some killer deals on lesser known wines, especially wines like this gorgeous deep fruited and elegant La Torre Rosso di Montalcino. [Such wines] are incredible and offer a wonderful value for much less than their Brunello version. Lighter on its feet than the Brunello(s) the Rosso [shows] style and grace, it shows a complex array of flavors and a sense of never-ending length with a beautiful rose petal perfume and exotic spices. This La Torre has, what it is cliche to say, Burgundy class in the glass with ripe tannins and a gorgeous garnet/ruby hue that seduces the senses with layers of black cherry, raspberry, strawberry and plum fruits to begin on its open and generous palate with gains structure with air as well as highlighting the background elements, mineral notes and light earthiness. Additionally there is classic anise, fine cigar tobacco wrapper, sandalwood and lingering dried flowers and cranberry/currant, making for a lovely Sangiovese wine that gets even better with food, bringing out more depth and fruit intensity. There is almost nothing to fault here and the detailing and mouth feel is exceptional in this remarkable Rosso di Montalcino. This is a wine that needs to be taken out of the “Baby Brunello” box; it is really next level stuff on its own. The La Torre winery was founded not all that long ago by Italian standards back in 1976 by Giuseppe Ananìa, who purchased the La Torre estate from the famous Ciacci family of Montalcino. Now Luigi Anania, Giuseppe’s son, is the present owner and producer of the wines of La Torre. The estate is located in the commune of La Sesta, approximately 8 kilometers south of Montalcino, which is in the highest altitude section of the Brunello appellation. La Torre make four main wines, all from organic vines: Brunello di Montalcino (with a Riserva in the best years as well), Rosso di Montalcino, with the Brunello and Rosso being exclusively Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello Clone) by law, as well as a Rosso di Toscano and a Rosso di Toscano “Ampelio” which have touches of Ciliegiolo and Alicante added to a mainline of Sangiovese. The wines are all made from all grapes that are de-stemmed prior to fermentations and only indigenous yeasts are used before an extended 20 maceration on the skins. Ferments are done in a combination of steel and oak with an 18 month elevage being in large oak casks of French origin, with only about 10% of the ultimate cuvée being aged in small French barrels. Made for more early drinking pleasure and a sublime vintage really show here and I absolute love this stuff. Judging it purely on its intent and delivery it is fantastic, drink this brilliantly crafted beauty over the next 3 to 5 years.”
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Siro Pacenti Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Ian D’agata-Vinous 92 points “Pale red; this wine’s very pretty color strikes me as being one of the less dark Rossos made by Pacenti in years. Inviting floral notes (rose, violet) complement strawberry, red cherry and delicate flint and herb aromas. Then very fresh and juicy, with a steely quality to the red fruit and herb flavors that are really perked up by a strong peppery component on the long, lively youthfully chewy finish. Made from 15 years old Sangiovese vines, this is a really lovely fruit-forward and also surprisingly spicy Rosso di Montalcino. 25% new oak for 12 -3 months.”
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Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
Napa’s Most Underrated ‘Cult’ Producer?
Diamond Creek’s Stunning 2018s
Diamond Creek invented much of what we think of as pillars of cult California Cabernet. The single vineyard bottlings, the exclusive mailing list, and the high price tags all seemed to spring from this tiny estate on the hillsides of Diamond Mountain. The wines are as iconic as ever—monuments to the greatness of their Napa terroir.
Stylistically, these are powerful Cabernets. Although there are distinct differences between the three vineyards, the wines show a common vein of Diamond Mountain ruggedness—an intensity of flavor and minerality that’s unique to the AVA. Diamond Creek manages to harness it to produce wines that dazzle with their complexity and age-worthiness; wines that rival the finest in Bordeaux.
Diamond Creek’s wines always seem to be amongst the region’s last to receive reviews, likely because they need more time than many of their peers to unwind and reveal their greatness. But we have no doubt that their stunning 2018s will disappear quickly once the (well-deserved) rave reviews hit the wire. These are wines that are destined to stand the test of time as some of the greatest produced in Napa.
In Stock Now:
Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) $249 special
Winery note “Volcanic Hill is comprised of 8 acres of south facing hillside vineyard. It is the warmest of all our micro-climates. The color of the soil is gray, and the consistency is that of fluffy, volcanic ash, originally deposited from the eruption of Mt. Konocti 8 million years ago. Volcanic Hill is the longest lived of our wines. Our winemaker describes these wines as “full bodied, loaded with intense ripe berry fruit, cassis, violets and a smoky richness, finishing with good length and firm tannins. The Volcanic Hill bottling includes a small amount of the extra-ordinary Petit Verdot grape.”
Stylistically, these are powerful Cabernets. Although there are distinct differences between the three vineyards, the wines show a common vein of Diamond Mountain ruggedness—an intensity of flavor and minerality that’s unique to the AVA. Diamond Creek manages to harness it to produce wines that dazzle with their complexity and age-worthiness; wines that rival the finest in Bordeaux.
Diamond Creek’s wines always seem to be amongst the region’s last to receive reviews, likely because they need more time than many of their peers to unwind and reveal their greatness. But we have no doubt that their stunning 2018s will disappear quickly once the (well-deserved) rave reviews hit the wire. These are wines that are destined to stand the test of time as some of the greatest produced in Napa.
In Stock Now:
Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) $249 special
Winery note “Volcanic Hill is comprised of 8 acres of south facing hillside vineyard. It is the warmest of all our micro-climates. The color of the soil is gray, and the consistency is that of fluffy, volcanic ash, originally deposited from the eruption of Mt. Konocti 8 million years ago. Volcanic Hill is the longest lived of our wines. Our winemaker describes these wines as “full bodied, loaded with intense ripe berry fruit, cassis, violets and a smoky richness, finishing with good length and firm tannins. The Volcanic Hill bottling includes a small amount of the extra-ordinary Petit Verdot grape.”
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Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) $249 special
Winery note “Red Rock Terrace, a warm microclimate, is 7 acres of north facing vineyard. The red tinted soil is high in iron content. The wine from Red Rock Terrace is the most accessible and earliest drinkable of all our wines. Our winemaker describes Red Rock Terrace as “having velvety tannins, rich and well balanced, medium dark ruby color with cherry, mint and black currant flavors.”
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Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) $249 special
Winery note “Our second coolest micro-climate is our five-acre Gravelly Meadow vineyard. Originally a pre-historic river bed, this stony, gravelly soil drains rapidly and the vines struggle for moisture. Gravelly Meadow is our lowest yielding vineyard. The wines are described as “earthy, cedary, jammy and ripe blackberry with a spicy expansive finish.”
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Love California Cabernet? We have 37 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Bevan Cellars, Cliff Lede, Colgin and more, on our web store now.
Trending Champagne
In Stock Now:
Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésimé, Champagne 2011 750ML ($59.95) $46 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2011 vintage. 2010 review provided for reference.
Wine Spectator 92 points “This elegant blanc de blancs shows a pleasing vibrancy from the lively bead and bright acidity, both well-meshed to pretty floral and spice accents and flavors of Gala apple, biscuit and lemon zest. Creamy. Drink now through 2025. 16 cases imported.”
Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésimé, Champagne 2011 750ML ($59.95) $46 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2011 vintage. 2010 review provided for reference.
Wine Spectator 92 points “This elegant blanc de blancs shows a pleasing vibrancy from the lively bead and bright acidity, both well-meshed to pretty floral and spice accents and flavors of Gala apple, biscuit and lemon zest. Creamy. Drink now through 2025. 16 cases imported.”
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Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($299.95) $199 special (that’s only $33.17/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 92 points “[Reviewed Nov 2017] This bright and zesty Champagne is lightly juicy and appealing, offering flavors of Honeycrisp apple, ripe white cherry, biscuit and pickled ginger. Balanced and lacy in texture, with a lingering, spiced finish. Drink now through 2022. 2,200 cases imported.”
Decanter 91 points “[Reviewed Oct 2019] Described by Drappier as ‘almost a blanc de noirs’, this Pinot Noir-dominant wine sourced from the Côte des Bar is the house’s calling card. 5% of the cuvée is matured in barrels for a year for added complexity and texture, and it’s bottled unfiltered with a fairly low dosage of 7g/l. There are some melon and apple scents on the nose along with a splash of red fruits, while the palate is intense, with notes of apple, quince and grape wrapped in a red-fruit veil. It’s full-bodied and long, with a lovely texture from the red wine tannins and oak-matured portion.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “[Reviewed Apr 2020] Disgorged in June 2019, the latest rendition of Drappier’s NV Brut Carte d’Or is showing well, bursting with pretty aromas of peach, honeyed orchard fruit and white flowers. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, chalky and incisive, with fine depth and tension and a penetrating finish.”
[Disgorgement may vary from reviews]
Henriot Brut Souverain, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Allen Meadows – Burghound 91 points “There is a whiff of quinine to the softly yeasty and citrus-inflected nose of mostly green apple and brioche scents. I like the intensity of the middle weight flavors that have an equally firm effervescence, all wrapped in a clean and very dry finish. This is notably drier than the 8 g/L dosage would suggest and while this is not an especially refined Champagne, I like the depth and character.(10/2019)”
John Gilman 91 points “The new bottling in the market of Henriot “Brut Souverain” is composed of a blend of fifty percent chardonnay, forty-five percent pinot noir and five percent pinot meunier. It spent three years aging sur latte and was finished with a dosage of less than eight grams per liter. The wine offers up a vibrant and precise bouquet of apple, pear, plenty of smokiness, chalky soil tones, fresh-baked bread and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied and fairly youthful in structure, with bright acids, lovely focus and grip, a good core, elegant mousse and a long, nascently complex finish. This non-vintage cuvée has a fine record of aging in my cellar and I would not hesitate to tuck this away for a few years and really let it blossom completely. (Drink between 2019-2040) (5/2019)”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “The standard nonvintage from this producer benefits from its policy of blending in a high percentage of older reserve wines. That gives the wine its richness and smooth, ripe character. Hints of apples are still there along with a good balance between acidity and toastiness. Drink now. (8/2018)”
Wine Spectator 91 points “A touch of vanilla-laced pastry cream sweetness accents this fresh and focused Champagne, with a fine mousse. This is well-balanced by crunchy acidity and flavors of lemon peel, green pear and spring blossom. Drink now through 2022. (11/2019)”
Gatinois Äy Grand Cru Tradition Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($54.95) $44 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The NV Brut Grand Cru Tradition is gorgeous, but it really needs another 6-12 months on the cork, as it is very reticent today. Dried flowers, red plum, mint and chalky notes add aromatic intrigue to play off the natural richness of the Pinot fruit, which is also evident in the wine’s copper-toned color. A Champagne of power and resonance, the Gatinois Brut Tradition has so much to offer. Best of all, it is a superb value. The blend is 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay, all from estate holdings in Aÿ. Dosage: 7 gr/L. Disgorged: July, 2019.” [Disgorgement date may differ from review]
John Gilman 90 points “The new release of Brut Tradition from Louis Gatinois is from the base year of 2016 and was disgorged in September of 2019. It is its customary blend of eighty percent pinot noir from Aÿ and twenty percent chardonnay. The vins clairs all go through full malo and the blend includes thirty percent reserve wines. The bouquet is deep, youthful and classic Aÿ in personality, offering up scents of peach, apple, hazelnut, chalky soil tones, bread dough and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, broad-shouldered, bright and zesty, with a fine core of fruit, frothy mousse, very good depth and complexity and a long, well-balanced finish. The thirty percent reserve wines give this wine a nice patina of age on both the nose and palate. Good juice. 2020-2035.”
Winery note “Predominantly Pinot Noir (80%) which brings richness, structure and a delicious character. The 20% of Chardonnay adds a feminine touch to the blend. There is also a significant proportion of reserve wines in the blend (30%). The champagne is aged “sur lattes” (horizontally on racks) in our cellars for 2 years before the yeasts are disgorged.”
Importer note “70% 2016 vintage”
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Hugues Godmé Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $55 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Peter Liem note “…the Blanc de Noirs, comes entirely from the grand cru villages of Verzenay, Verzy and Beaumont-sur-Vesle, and like the Blanc de Blancs, it always contains a high percentage of reserve wine. A slightly larger percent of this is aged in wood, but even then, it’s a blanc de noirs that focuses on subtlety and finesse rather than power.”
Importer note “Disgorged January 2018, 4.5 years en tirage.”
VinopolNote: Poised and balanced with a bright pop of fruit.
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Champagne Aubry Le Nombre d’Or Campanae Veteres Vites Brut, Champagne 2014 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Cépages: 25% Chardonnay, 25% Arbanne, 25% Petit Meslier, 25% Pinot Blanc. Vineyard/Village: Jouy-lès-Reims 1er Cru. Malo: yes. Elevage: Stainless steel. En Tirage Aging: 48 months.”
[Disgorgement date may vary.]
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Lilbert-Fils Perle Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 93 points ” The Perle style is a comparative rarity in Champagne, bottling the wine at a lower than usual pressure. This dry Champagne is therefore softly textured with an open mousse. It does however have all the fine, tight minerality of great Chardonnay in Champagne and will surely develop further. Drink from 2021.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points ” The latest release of the NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Perle was disgorged in fall 2018 with five grams per liter dosage, and it’s a blend of equal parts 2015 and 2014, complemented by some 10% reserve wines. Offering up a lovely bouquet of fresh peach, lemon oil, white flowers and hints of the elegantly nutty complexity to come, the wine is medium to full-bodied and textural but incisive, with a creamy low-pressure mousse, a tight-knit core that needs a little time on cork to unwind and an elegantly chalky finish.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Ripe pineapple and white cherry fruit flavors are accented by honeysuckle and spice notes in this appealing blanc de blancs Champagne, which is lithe and harmonious, with a fresh, lightly chalky finish. Disgorged autumn 2018. Drink now through 2023. 200 cases made, 40 cases imported.”
Importer note”45% 2015, 45% 2014, 10% Reserve wine. Disgorged in autumn 2018″
Marie Courtin Efflorescence Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne 2014 750ML ($99.95) $59 special, 26 bottles in stock now
No reviews yet for the 2014 vintage – Reviews for 2013 vintage provided for reference.
Antonio Galloni 94 points “A complete and wonderfully nuanced wine, the 2013 Extra Brut Efflorescence is fabulous. Bright and sculpted to the core, the 2013 exudes energy. Chalk, mint, jasmine and orchard fruit add complexity, but it is the wine’s overall balance that is most impressive. The Efflorescence offers striking translucence and energy from start to finish. The non-dosé style is especially successful here. Disgorged in April 2017 with no dosage.”
“Efflorescence is from an east-facing vineyard with 40-year-old vines (sélection massale) on Kimmeridgian soils. Fermented and aged for one year in pièces and 36 months on the second lees before the disgorgement…” –Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
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Love Champagne? We have over 190 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Bérêche, Eric Rodez, Pierre Péters and more, on our web store now.
Umbrian Master
Paolo Bea’s Iconic Sagrantino
Paolo Bea is an iconic producer—a virtual one-winery symbol of Umbrian wine and it’s potential. No winery in the region produces wines as profound, interesting and delicious as the Italian masters (son Giampero is the winemaker these days).
If you’ve had these before, keep scrolling to check out our current inventory—if not, pay attention. These are wines that capture the wildness of Umbrian wine and its signature grape, Sagrantino, in a way that captivates even the most jaded palates. They’re naturally made, but have classical proportions, with an almost savage ferocity to the flavors (and in the Sagrantino, the tannins as well). They’ve become quite hard to acquire in recent years (we guess the word’s gotten out), but we have several in stock now and we’re thrilled to feature them once again today.
In Stock Now:
Paolo Bea Cerrete, Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “It is difficult to believe that Montefalco Sagrantino can get any more profound than Bea’s beloved “Pagliaro,” but indeed it can. The family has owned a parcel in Cerrete, the highest-altitude vineyard in Montefalco, for some time, but it wasn’t until the 2007 vintage that Giampiero deemed the vines old enough to do justice to the cru’s potential. With its poor, mineral-rich soils and its acidity-preserving altitude (450 to 500 meters), Cerrete yields a wine not more powerful than “Pagliaro”—in fact, it comes across as lighter on its feet—but with greater nuance, as if the settings on a microscope were dialed up to render even more detail. In acknowledgment of its stature, Giampiero gives it an additional year in large Slavonian oak, making for an astonishing five-year elevage before the requisite long resting period in Bea’s dark, cool bottle cellar.”
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Paolo Bea Pipparello Montefalco Rosso Riserva 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Importer Note “The Pipparello vineyard is a hilltop site in Montefalco at 1300 feet above sea level. The soil is clay and gravel. The vines in the Pipparello vineyard are a minimum of 20 years old. Harvest takes place normally during the middle of October. The ultimate wine is a blend of roughly 60% Sangiovese, 25% Montepulciano and 15% Sagrantino. The cuvaison extends for a period between 40 to 50 days. After the alcoholic fermentation this wine spends a year in stainless steel tanks and then two years in large oak barrels and is released after an additional year of bottle-aging.”
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Paolo Bea Rosso de Veo Umbria IGT 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Since the 2005 vintage, Bea’s “Rosso de Veo” (“Veo” is the way the family’s name is pronounced in the old Umbrian dialect) is pure Sagrantino sourced from younger vines around the property and from parcels that do not quite make Giampiero’s rigorous cut for “Pagliaro,” “Pipparello,” and “Cerrete.” This 2015 is Mike Tyson in his prime: potent, assertive, brazen, and making no concessions to polite society. Monstrous in its tannins, it nonetheless presents them in such a multifaceted way as to almost transcend their viselike grip; the tannins themselves have layers, offering classic sandalwood spice on one level, mineral-saturated depth-charge stoniness on another, and—most thrillingly—a direct, naked evocation of crunching into dripping-ripe berries. Four years of élévage did nothing to blunt this astonishing wine’s unmitigated expression of freshly plucked grapes, and this is a monumental “Rosso de Veo” that should live for a very, very long time.”
Paolo Bea Pagliaro Secco, Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $99 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Bea produces perhaps his most renowned wine from pure Sagrantino grown on the prized hilltop site of Pagliaro, situated at 1300 feet above sea level in Montefalco proper. Following the example of the “Rosso de Veo” above, this 2015 is absolutely jaw-dropping in its intensity and presence. Bea’s wines at their best offer a panoply of spices so intoxicating, so far-reaching, and so evocative, as to nearly defy belief. The only wines that approach Bea’s in that regard are perhaps the most un-sculpted Syrah-based wines of the Northern Rhône, but even those feel as if they have governors on their accelerators in comparison to top vintages of “Pagliaro.” Similarly large in scale to the “Rosso de Veo,” this actually presents with greater precision and nuance, its overall attack more subtle but ultimately no less impactful—direct evidence of a great terroir translated with consummate skill.”
Paolo Bea San Valentino Rosso Umbria IGT 2015 750ML ($64.95) $52.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Importer Note “This wine is sourced from the San Valentino vineyard in Montefalco the soil of which is dominated by clay. The vineyard is at 1300 feet altitude. The composition of the Montefalco Rosso is 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Montepulciano, all from a 50-year old vineyard containing the constituent grapes. Harvest usually occurs in the final ten days of October. Bea puts all the dry reds through extensive cuvaison. In this instance, the wine usually macerates for approximately 30 days before being racked and prepared for the malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged for 3 years in stainless steel and an additional 4 to 12 months in bottle before release.”
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Also in Stock from Paolo Bea:
Paolo Bea ‘Lapideus’ Bianco Umbria IGT 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Giampiero acquired a parcel of 80-year-old Trebbiano Spoletino in the town of Pigge di Trevi several years back, and 2016 marks just the third vintage of this exciting new addition to the Bea lineup. Arising from a cooler microclimate than the “Arboreus” above, “Lapideus” spent a month on it skins after pressing, followed by over 200 additional days on the gross lees—a similar vinification to “Arboreus,” yet one that yielded markedly different results. “Lapideus” has a leaner, racier carriage than the broad-shouldered “Arboreus,” with a more precise sense of acidity; it emphasizes drive over density, and its underlying salinity is not a far cry from the spellbinding wines we import from Paolo Vodopivec in the Carso—incidentally, a dear friend of Giampiero and a fellow ViniVeri administrator. A subtle note of honeyed sweetness at the wine’s core speaks of its warm-climate origins, and Bea’s propensity for wildness reveals itself in a fascinating but ephemeral cheese-rind whisper in its aromatics. Only 745 bottles were produced, the vast majority of which are destined for the US market.”
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Collector’s Corner
De Montille’s “Hommage” Magnums
De Montille’s “Hommage” Magnums
De Montille’s Malconsorts “Cuvée Christiane” is one of the rarest, most prized wines in Burgundy. A special cuvée, it’s from a small plot of Vosne-Romanée Malconsorts that is separated from the rest of the vineyard by a foot-path and, most importantly, sits right next to La Tâche.
It’s significantly different and better than their (already excellent) Vosne Malconsorts, more than meriting its status as a separate cuvée. While Malconsorts is often sold as “La Tâche like”, the de Montille is one of the few bottlings that truly delivers on the comparison. From quality to rarity to pricing, this is truly Grand Cru stuff.
Because of the small production, this isn’t a wine we’re able to source every vintage, but in 2015, we struck gold. Because of the death of Hubert de Montille that year, the Christiane and the Pommard “Rugiens-Bas” were only bottled in magnum, both with a special “Hommage” neck label. These are some of the rarest and most collectible magnums of Burgundy we’ve sold in a while.
In Stock Now:
Domaine de Montille Les Malconsorts Cuvée Christiane, Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru 2015 1.5L ($2,799.95) $1,899 special, 1 magnums in stock now
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 95-97 points “The 2015 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru les Malconsorts Cuvée Christiane is 100% whole bunch matured in 65% new oak. It has a very intense bouquet, perhaps a little more opaque than the regular Malconsorts, gradually opening with grey slate aromas tincturing the dark berry fruit. The palate is very well balanced with filigree tannin, supremely well-judged acidity, harmonious and focused with a long and tensile finish. Just a fabulous Malconsorts.”
Stephen Tanzer 94-97 points “(100% vendange entier; 65% new oak; from slightly heavier soil than the “regular” Malconsorts): Deep red. Much more closed on the nose than the Malconsorts, offering perfumed but slightly stunted scents of medicinal dark cherry and spices. Very rich and deep but without the screaming perfume of the first Malconsorts. But this wine is inkier, denser, chewier and even longer, with building tannins and a powerful structure to support a very long evolution in bottle. Both of these Malconsorts cuvées finished their malos very late, in September.”
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Domaine de Montille Les Rugiens-Bas, Pommard Premier Cru 2015 1.5L ($1,199.95) $899 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The re-christened 2015 Pommard 1er Cru Rugiens Cuvée Hubert is 100% whole cluster fruit from Rugien-Bas, matured in 45% new oak. The grapes went through a selection process and will be labelled as “Cuvée Hubert” and will only be bottled in magnums. It has a beautiful bouquet, so pure and refined, with red cherry, wild strawberry and wet limestone aromas. The palate is very well defined with a crisp line of acidity and very fine tension; the wine is very focused, a gentle grip on the finish with a long and persistent, minerally finish. I think Hubert de Montille would appreciate this.”
Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points “(100% vendange entier; from the upper part of Les Rugiens-Bas): Bright, dark red. Pungent iron-like minerality and terrific floral lift to the nose. Wonderfully juicy, deeply spicy wine with compelling floral delicacy and blazing definition. Really distinctive minerality here. Finishes firmly tannic, racy and extremely long, with razor-sharp delineation. Etienne de Montille will bottle this homage to his late father Hubert entirely in magnums.”
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Love red Burgundy? We have 254 different options from the Côte de Nuits and 95 different options from the Côte de Beaune in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Armand Rousseau, Fourrier, Roumier and more, on our web store now.
Thanks for reading!