Featured December Sale; New Week – New Arrivals; Staff Pick of the Season: Vouette e Sorbee; Double Trouble: Double Magnum Madness; Highlight December Sale Wines; Dugat-Py: The Top Tiers of Gevrey-Chambertin; Long Shadows Gift Box; Rule Breaking Le Retout Blanc; December Sales Recap
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With only 12 more shopping days until Christmas & Hanukkah,
Let us help you save!
Featured December Sale
In February 2014, Tuscany shocked the wine world with the highly contentious release of the new top tier of Chianti: the Gran Selezione. At the forefront of the movement for a new upper classification for the region was Marco Pallanti of Castello di Ama.
And the region responded in style.
The new classification may not sound controversial: minimum alcohol is 13% (up from 12.5% for Riserva), the aging period is an additional 6 months over Riserva (for 30 months total), and grapes must come from estate owned vineyards.
Crazy, I know.
Pallanti’s San Lorenzo was subjected to two rounds of selection by the independent technical commission, including a blind tasting, and beat out over sixty other wines to win the DOCG title “Gran Selezione.” The resulting wine “excels in terms of mouthfeel with polished tannins and a great sense of energy and momentum” to quote Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate. Antonio Galloni found the new wine “round, sensual and inviting,” a paradox of richness and beauty mixed with a harmonious weightlessness.
It’s hard enough to find a decent Riserva-level Chianti for under $30 (though Felsina’s sublime Riserva is one exception that springs to mind), so don’t miss out on your unique opportunity to try the new and, gasp!, “modern” upper tier on sale at Vinopolis through the end of December!
But is it the lowest listed price in the country, you ask? Of course!
Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($57.95) Was $41.90, Now $29, 36+ bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “This has a dusty character on the nose with soil, dried fruit and blueberry. Flowers too. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Tight and structured. Shows wonderful depth of fruit and beauty. Chewy. Better in 2016.” JS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $45
See more highlighted December sale wines below!
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Holiday Shipping Note
There may be 12 shopping days left until Christmas & Hanukkah…
But there’s only one shipping week left!
Don’t delay!
To get your gifts on time, order right now to ship this week
Plan Ahead Now / Toast Your Forethought Later
No UPS shipping services on December 24th, 25th and 26th.
No UPS shipping services on December 31st, January 1st and January 2nd.
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New Week – New Arrivals
Oregon
J. Christopher ‘JJ’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
VinopolNote: The baby brother of J Christopher’s Willamette Valley, this wine is fun, fruity and unassumingly delicious!
Resonance Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($39.95) $28 subscriber-only special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2014 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, the second release from Louis Jadot in their new venture in Oregon, was vinified at Trisaetum, and as far as I am aware will continue that way until their own winery is up and running. It is a strong follow-up to their debut 2013. It is a blend of grapes coming from different vineyards from the Willamette Valley, including Resonance, Decouverte and others. The bouquet is bestowed with ample brambly red berry fruit, perhaps a little “fuller” than the 2013, but with fine definition. The palate is well balanced with a similar fruit profile to the first release, perhaps just showing a little more edginess, a Pinot Noir that in a funny way expresses the wealth of knowledge behind it.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “*Editors’ Choice* This is the second release this year from Maison Louis Jadot’s Oregon project-both wines are labeled Résonance, but this is the Willamette Valley cuvée, not the Résonance vineyard bottling. Some estate fruit is included, and it is a subtle and detailed wine, with pretty mulberry and pie-cherry fruit. Thirteen months in 20% new French oak adds light mocha highlights, and it is as smooth and refined as one might expect from master winemaker Jacques Lardière.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $34.99
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WillaKenzie Estate ‘Kiana’ Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2012 750ML ($51.99) $39 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Distinctive, spicy, complex and inviting, featuring a curled-up ball of blackberry, cherry, Earl Grey tea and spice flavors, pushing against refined tannins into a long and reverberating finish. Best from 2017 through 2022. 800 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $69.99
WillaKenzie Estate ‘Triple Black Slopes’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($61.95) $49 special
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Skiers will appreciate the nom de vin, a reference to the steepness of the vineyard. Firm and concentrated, this mixes ripe cherries and red plums, baking spices and a streak of minerality. It’s a big, chunky, flavorful wine that rides on through a luscious finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $61.94
WillaKenzie Estate ‘Terres Basses’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($61.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Sleek and lively, dripping with black cherry, guava and chai tea flavors, coming together smoothly on the long, reverberating finish. The polished tannins don’t get in the way. Drink now through 2022. 500 cases made.”
WillaKenzie Estate ‘Emery’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($51.99) $39 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Sleek, open-textured and distinctive, with plum and red currant fruit. Shadings of orange peel and cardamom add to the complex, polished finish. Drink now through 2022. 800 cases made”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $46.94
We offer 112 Oregon Pinot Noir options – available here now! To see the full selection, visit our web store: www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Washington
Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2011 750ML ($99.95) $81.90 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 95+ points “(aged in 70% new oak for 28 months): Bright ruby-red. High-pitched, vibrant aromas of cassis, blackberry and licorice, with less obvious oak showing today than in the Red Wine blend. Very broad, creamy and dry, boasting terrific verve and grip to its sappy black fruit, violet, licorice, bitter chocolate and mineral flavors. Very densely packed and primary today, with the very firm but noble tannins to support a long and glorious evolution in bottle. Winemaker Andrew Trio told me that he has been working hard to “bring back the aromatic qualities” of these splendid wines during their long élevage, noting that they are racked only three times in total.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Corliss Red Wine, Columbia Valley 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 94+ points “(35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 32% Cabernet Franc; aged for 28 months in 65% new French oak, down from 33 months in earlier vintages): Aromas of cassis, blueberry and licorice are lifted by exotic spices. Outstanding energy leavens the sexy sweetness of this sappy, firmly structured midweight, with intense dark fruit flavors lifted by a violet element. Taut and backward like a topnotch young claret, showing a youthfully tight grain. Finishes long and energetic, with firm but sweet tannins and strong graphite minerality. Clearly the finest vintage to date for this bottling, which will not be released until the fall of 2016 and should evolve positively through the 2020s..”
We offer 54 Washington Cabernet and Syrah wines in stock now – see the full list at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
France – Champagne
Jacques Selosse Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Millesime, Champagne 2003 750ML ($519.95) $399 special
James Suckling 97 points “A wine that has an absolutely unique character, Selosse has interpreted a truly extraordinary vintage with poetic insight. He describes the double stresses of an April frost that claimed 75% of the yield in Avize, coupled with a very hot and dry June and August. He speaks of the evapotranspiration and the effect of depositing an immense amount of mineral residue into the plant, which has manifested in this striking wine, and compares it to a chef reducing and concentrating a sauce. The smoky, toasty notes are more than autolysis; you can smell the heat of the vintage here. It has profound stony and chalky aromas, gentle spices, grilled hazelnuts and dehydrated stone fruits. The minerals explode onto the palate. It’s electric, hitting like an ionic blast before rolling out dark nutty flavors ahead of plush orange and ripe nectarine, peach and big, rich phenolics. It has many layers through the finish. Extremely long, balanced and resolved. Drink now or age confidently for a fascinating savory journey – this has a sturdy nature.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $522
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame Brut, Champagne 2006 750ML ($149.95) $99 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Bright and graceful, this seamlessly knits a subtle streak of smoke-tinged minerality with flavors of almond financier, poached pear, candied kumquat and crème de cassis, focused by vibrant acidity and a refined, creamy mousse. Drink now through 2030.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $152
Dom Perignon Brut, Champagne 2006 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Dom Perignon Limited Edition by Michael Riedel Brut, Champagne 2006 750ML ($199.95) $159 special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2006 Dom Pérignon is a beautifully balanced, harmonious Dom Pérignon that strikes an incredibly appealing stylistic middle ground. Rich, voluptuous and creamy, the 2006 shows off fabulous intensity in a style that brings together the ripeness of 2002 with the greater sense of verve and overall freshness that is such a signature of the 2004. Bass notes and a feeling of phenolic grip on the finish recall the 2003, as the Pinot Noir is particularly expressive today. After an irregular summer that saw elevated temperatures in July followed by cooler, damp conditions in August, more favorable weather returned in September, pushing maturation ahead and leading to a long, protracted harvest. The 2006 falls into the family of riper, more voluptuous Dom Pérignons, but without veering into the level of opulence seen in vintages such as 2002.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2006 Dom Pérignon comes from a very rich vintage with an early ripeness that brought a lot of aromatic maturity. The white-golden prestige cuvée contains a bit more Chardonnay than Pinot Noir and opens with a deep and seductive, pretty accessible nose with intense yet fresh fruit aromas of pineapples, with peaches and tangerines. Lively and elegant on the palate, this is a full-bodied, unusually aromatic and fruity DP with a long and tension-filled expression.”
Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “This is firm and tightly knit, with a backbone of steely acidity, showing a fine, creamy texture that imparts an overall sense of finesse to the layers of poached apple, mille-feuille, black currant, kumquat and honey, showing hints of ground spice and smoky mineral. Drink now through 2020.” WS
Aubry Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
Case-12 Aubry Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($479.95) $399 special (that’s only $33.25/bottle!)
Wine & Spirits 92 points “This tastes of pure, pale white limestone transformed into crisp yellow apple. It’s appetite inducing in its zesty freshness, bright white floral notes and clean, lively length of flavor, especially if there are oysters nearby. The Aubry brothers maintain a reserve wine blend composed of vintages going back to 1998; that blend provides 50 percent of this Brut, with the other half from 2013. The varietal composition is also distinctive: pinot Meunier makes up 45 percent, with chardonnay and pinot noir each providing 25 percent and the remaining five percent made up of traditional local varieties including arbanne, petit meslier and fromenteau.”
R.H. Coutier Tradition Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
R.H. Coutier Tradition Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 375ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Wine & Spirits 93 points “[$50 Best Buy] This takes the early, red-fruit richness of an Ambonnay Champagne and charges it with energy. It has stamina that seems to drive right along with the bubbles, the flavors firm and juicy, broadened by clay soils, cut by chalky soil acidity. Finely integrated and lasting.”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
R.H. Coutier Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2008 750ML ($59.95) $46 special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
R.H. Coutier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Coutier’s NV Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, 100% Chardonnay from Ambonnay, remains one of the most compelling, under the radar wines in Champagne, not to mention a fabulous value. Round, textured and supple in the glass, the Blanc de Blancs shows the more textured, side of Chardonnay. These soils in Ambonnay confer an unusual level of richness and breadth. In my view, this is Coutier’s best Champagne. Dosage is 6 grams per liter.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
R.H. Coutier Grand Cru Brut Rose, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Elegant and pretty, with floral accents to the black cherry pie, blackberry coulis and spiced plum flavors. This is lightly creamy, with fine balance and a lingering, mineral-tinged finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Krug Grande Cuvee Brut, Champagne NV 3L ($1,499.95) $1,199 special
Wine Spectator 97 points “This is all about balance and the integration of power and finesse, with finely honed acidity supporting flavors of quince paste, dried black cherry, spun honey and candied orange zest, while rich notes of roasted walnut, coffee liqueur and toasted cardamom resonate on the finish. Hard to stop sipping. Drink now through 2028.” WS
We offer 95 different Champagnes to choose from in stock now (that’s over 1,000 bottles!) – see the full list at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
France – Burgundy
Patrick Piuze Val de Mer Cremant de Bourgogne Non Dose NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Vinopolnote: Maybe we should have classified this as Champagne. It is a collaboration between Chablisienne Piuze and the Champagnois Moutard et Fils. Essentially still wine from the Piuze vineyard in Tonnerre escorted through the Methode Champagnois by Moutard. Great Value here.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Joseph Drouhin Cote de Beaune-Villages 2012 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
December Sale Wine!
Antonio Galloni 88-89 points “The 2012 Côte de Beaune is another pretty, entry-level Burgundy from Drouhin. The 2012 impresses for its expressive aromatics, bright red fruit and terrific overall balance. There is a lot to like here.”
Joseph Drouhin Griottes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($399.95) $299 special
December Sale Wine!
Tim Atkins 97 points “Anyone who thinks of Drouhin as a white wine specialist should taste this. It’s quitemuscular, but the liquorice, black fruits and sweet texture are beautifully balanced.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2009 Griotte-Chambertin is beautiful, elegant and totally weightless. This shows gorgeous subtlety and inner juiciness through to the nuanced finish. Griottes, spices and flowers linger on the close. My sense is this is holding a lot back in reserve at the moment. The Griotte-Chambertin is made from estate fruit.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $325
Joseph Drouhin Griottes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($449.95) $269 special
December Sale Wine!
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 90-92 points “Bright dark red. Aromas of black raspberry, crushed stone and iron are currently a bit blocked by an element of smoky reduction. Chewy and savory in the mouth, conveying complex, saline soil tones but with fruit in the deep background today. A bit dumb at present, and not at all sweet. Finishes with a serious dusting of oak tannins. In a rather awkward stage but there’s plenty of material here.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $382.29
The average price is $413
Louis Jadot Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($219.95) $199 special
December Sale Wine!
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Bright, full medium red. Knockout nose shows an almost candied character to the aromas of strawberry, cherry, dark berries, lavender, menthol and Indian spices. Dense, suave and juicy, with a distinctly silky texture to the broad flavors of red fruits, menthol and spices. Utterly seamless, suave, classically dry Chapelle with outstanding energy and definition. Still tight today but the wine’s fine-grained tannins and superb breadth and length suggest that it will make a great bottle a decade hence.” ST
Louis Jadot Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($299.95) $219 special
December Sale Wine!
Wine Advocate 95 points “Tasted blind at the annual “Burgfest” tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Chapelle Chambertin Grand Cru from Louis Jadot has a very perfumed and floral nose with dried violet petals infusing the mixture or red and black fruit. This gains intensity in the glass, hints of winegum developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and well judged acidity, the oak beautifully interwoven. It is still very backward, more so than the say Cécile Tremblay’s Chapelle-Chambertin, but there is a pleasing sense of tension and race on the long, truffle tinged finish that has just the right amount of bitterness. This could be a wine that will continue to improve, the longer it is left in bottle. Do not underestimate this exemplary Grand Cru.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 94 points “Good medium red. Raspberry and mineral aromas show hints of very ripe fruit. Dense, lush and sweet, conveying a wonderfully smooth grain to the red berry, spice and graphite flavors. The wine’s firm tannins are almost hidden today by its velvety texture. Very long and vibrant on the aftertaste.”
With 463 different in-stock Burgundy wines to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect wine! Browse our entire selection at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
France – Loire
Nicolas Joly Vignobles de la Coulee de Serrant Savennieres Les Vieux Clos 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “Joly’s golden-yellow 2014 Savennières Les Vieux Clos is pure and elegant on the herbal and flinty nose, where spicy lemon/lemon grass and ripe, concentrated fruit aromas are displayed. Very well defined! On the palate, the 14.5% alcohol comes along in perfect balance: very elegant and finesse-full since the powerful body is lifted by a piquant acidity, a lovely transparency and finesse, and finally escorted by a dense and lush fruit texture. The finish is very precise, fresh and aromatic, but also full of elegance, salt and stimulation.”
VinopolNote: The vineyard is propagated through massale selection (no clones). The soil is primarily schist with quartz and sand. The output is 30-35 hectoliters per hectare (versus the allowed maximum of 50).
Nicolas Joly Vignobles de la Coulee de Serrant Savennieres La Roche aux Moines ‘Clos de la Bergerie’ 2014 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 92+ points “Intensely yellow in color, the 2014 Roche-aux-Moines Clos de la Bergerie has a deep and concentrated bouquet of ripe and stewed stone fruits along with herbal seeds. This wine needs a lot of time to open up and should be decanted for hours. Round, rich and elegant on the palate, with a racy acidity attack, great density and a lively mineral purity and backbone, this is a powerful, firmly structured Chenin; it has a good tannin grip and a long and intense finish. Still somewhat closed and bitter, but the concentration and rich fruit is obvious. Although I didn’t have the chance to follow this bottle over days, I am pretty sure it will become an even more exciting wine with (much) more aeration.”
VinopolNote: From the Roche aux Moines appellation. Vines average 25 years old. Soil is schist. The average output is around 50% of the permitted maximum. The wine is aged in 500 liter barrels with no more that 5% new oak.
Nicolas Joly Vignobles de la Coulee de Serrant ‘Clos de la Coulee de Serrant’ Savennieres 2014 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Advocate 95+ points “The yellow-golden 2014 Clos de la Coulée de Serrant, a world famous and iconic Chenin with its own appellation (Savennières – Coulée de Serrant AC), opens with a beautifully clear, precise and aromatic bouquet of ripe and dried, lovely concentrated stone and grapefruit, as well as some honey aromas intermixed with crushed crystalline stones and herbal flavors. Highly elegant, clear and vital on the palate, this full-bodied wine is immensely intense but also silky, transparent and finesse-full. The long and stimulating finish is enormously piquant and salty, very compact but in perfect balance. There are dried Mediterranean herbs like thyme along with concentrated apricot and quince flavors in the persistent aftertaste. A great, elegant and very refined Coulée.”
VinopolNote: From one 7 hectares vineyard. Located on very steep slopes overlooking the Loire. The vines average 35-40 years of age, with the oldest being over 80 years old. Cultivated by horse and hand. The average output is around 50% of the permitted maximum. The soil is composed of red schist with excellent drainage. Harvest takes place over one month to ensure maturity and to include botrytis. The wine is aged in 500 liter barrels with no more than 5% new oak.
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny Franc de Pied 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Importer note “100% Cabernet Franc from 12 year old vines. Soil is sand and limestone.”
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny Clos de l’Echelier 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Importer note “100% Cabernet Franc from 40 year old vines. Soil is clay and Turonien Superieur limestone.”
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny Memoires 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Importer note “100% Cabernet Franc from 112 year old vines. Soil is silex scree and Turonien Superieur limestone.”
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny Outre Terre 2014 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Importer note “100% Cabernet Franc from 20 year old vines. Soil is clay and limestone.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
We offer 66 Loire Valley wines available here now. Read reviews and browse the full list at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Australia
Two Hands Wines Lilys Garden Shiraz, McLaren Vale 2014 750ML ($69.95) $41.90 special
#71 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2016
Wine Spectator 94 points “Notes of espresso and toasted hazelnut are rich and thick, with mocha- accented tannins that lend a velvety backdrop to the polished blackberry, licorice and black cherry flavors, lingering generously on the long finish. Drink now through 2030.”
The next best price is $57
The average price is $64
We offer 27 wines from the Southern Hemisphere, all in-stock and available here now. See the full list online at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
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Give the Gift that Never Expires!
Can’t decide on the perfect gift?
Let them!
We offer gift certificates in any amount with no taxes, fees or expiration date.
Gift certificates are not available through our web store. To order, please stop in, call or email. We are happy to mail gift certificates to any domestic address at no charge.
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Staff Pick of the Season
Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-6 Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($479.95) $336 special (that’s only $56/bottle!), 9 six-packs available
Saul:
Let’s get straight to the point—Champagne this good should cost way more than this does (also this wine often costs more than it does now). This Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele NV is 100% Pinot Noir and very serious. Not all blanc de noirs are this vinous and that elegance and complexity shines through when paired with food. Serve it in a real wineglass, not flutes, to experience it in full.
Suzanne:
Ever since my first taste of grower Champagne (Pierre Peters Cuvee Reserve), I was hooked. Sure I had enjoyed Veuve Yellow Label, Moet and especially a few sips of a Dom Perignon, but there was something decidedly… other… different… and special about grower Champagne. Not knowing about farmer fizz at the time, I can honestly say it wasn’t the story that first got me interested, but truly the taste. It revealed layers of flavors, complexity and acidity with an extroverted personality all its own.
Since that day, I’ve been chasing grower Champagnes. It’s an exciting prospect. Each new release offers a distinctive take on that vintage. Even NV blends show a unique personality year in, year out since the farmers are bound by the micro terroir of their own vineyards.
With that background in mind, I can say with pleasure that I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy the past three releases of the Vouette et Sorbee Fidele (’09, ’10 and ’11). The Champagne is made with a small amount of reserve wine held in solera and topped off with each vintage. It gives the wine a core note of lightly oxidation that shows more or less depending upon the vintage. This year, that note hit the mid-palate with a savory-salty wisp of butterscotch and preserved lemon. I particularly like the way it plays off the richness and aromatics to keep everything in balance. The 2012 is best described as a marriage of the previous releases. Here we find the heady fig, floral and orchard fruit notes of the 2009 with the solid acidity and grace of the 2011 and the spice, body, length and structure of the 2010. It’s a mélange of distinct flavors, the complexity is astounding, all balanced by the unique influence of the reserve wine base.
I suggest decanting the Champagne if you must break into it now (the Champagne showed even better the second night) otherwise cellar for a couple years.
Looking for a winning Blanc de Blancs? Look no further than the Blanc d’Argile from Vouette e Sorbee – a finesse-full wine in a league of its own:
Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Blanc d’Argile Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV (2012) 750ML ($109.95) $79 special, 23 bottles available
Case-6 Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Blanc d’Argile Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV (2012) 750ML ($599.95) $438 special, (that’s only $73/bottle!), 4 six-packs available
Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Blanc d’Argile Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV (2012) 1.5L ($199.95) $179 special, 8 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Vouette & Sorbée NV (2012) Extra-Brut Blanc d’Argile is superb. Deep, rich and powerful, the 2012 shows just how compelling Champagnes can be. A Champagne of baritone depth and intensity, the 2012 flows effortlessly throughout the mid-palate as the flavors and textures crescendo on the expressive finish. Readers who enjoy rich, vinous Champagnes will adore the 2012.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the 2012!
The next best price is $99.99
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Magnum Double Magnum Madness
Pierre Peters Cuvee de Reservee Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 3L ($499.95) $399 special, 1 jeroboam available
Wine Spectator 91 points “Fresh and floral, with dogwood and spring blossom accents, this mouthwatering blanc de blancs offers a lively bead, carrying flavors of white cherry, fresh ginger, slivered almond and yellow plum. Disgorged February 2015. Drink now through 2018. 900 cases imported.” WS
Krug Grande Cuvee Brut NV 3L ($1,499.95) $1,199 special, 1 jeroboam available
Wine Spectator 97 points “This is all about balance and the integration of power and finesse, with finely honed acidity supporting flavors of quince paste, dried black cherry, spun honey and candied orange zest, while rich notes of roasted walnut, coffee liqueur and toasted cardamom resonate on the finish. Hard to stop sipping. Drink now through 2028.” WS
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose, Provence 2015 3L ($449.95) $399 special, 1 jeroboam available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Pale orange. Lively, expansive citrus pith and red currant aromas are complemented by suggestions of chalky minerals and white flowers. Sappy, concentrated and precise, offering palate-staining red berry and blood orange flavors and a hint of spicy white pepper. Shows excellent thrust and persistence on the mineral-driven finish, which emphatically echoes the floral and citrus fruit qualities. I’m impressed by the way this wine balances the opulence of the vintage with vivacity and I suspect it will reward at least another eight or so years of patience — standard behavior for this bottling, which ages more like a red wine than a pink one.”
Vietti Barbaresco Masseria, Barbaresco DOCG 2006 3L ($499.95) $399 special, 1 jeroboam available
Wine Advocate 93 points, Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Good deep red. Medicinal cherry and violet on the nose, with a hint of nuts. Sweet and fresh, with excellent inner-mouth energy and floral lift. But this also boasts an opulent texture, with the sweet tannins arriving late. I find this softer than the 2005 version, but again these tannins reminded me of a Barolo.”ST
Vietti Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2006 3L ($829.95) $699 special, 1 jeroboam available
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Bravo! The Brunate cru has awarded Vietti with a stellar product: a wine that is unusually dark and plush with impressive intensity and crafted aromas of black fruit, spice, earth, licorice, balsam and gianduia chocolate-hazelnut spread. The soft, velvety texture is seductively delicious and the wine will age many long, glorious years.” WE
Cascina delle Rose Tre Stelle, Barbaresco DOCG 2013 3.0L ($299.95) $249 special, 1 jeroboam available
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2013 Barbaresco Tre Stelle is quite a bit deeper and richer than the Rio Sordo, with more freshness and overall structure to match. Sweet red cherry, tobacco, incense and leather flesh out as the wine fills out its frame effortlessly. Ample and generous, the 2013 Tre Stelle is an attractive Barbaresco that should provide a number years of enjoyable drinking. This is very nicely done.”
Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont 2012 3L ($179.95) $159 special, 1 jeroboam available
Wine Spectator 93 points “A pretty red, boasting floral, strawberry and raspberry flavors, accented by tobacco and underbrush notes. The tannins are firm yet well-integrated, creating a balanced impression. Best from 2017 through 2027.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “A big, powerful wine, the 2012 Barbaresco hits the palate with surprising depth allied to nervous tannins that are going to need time to soften. Tobacco, smoke, licorice, menthol, game and a host of dark, ferrous notes give the wine much of its virile personality. The 2012 is not as finessed as some recent vintages, yet it offers considerable potential for the future. Most importantly, it is a terrific value at a time when well-priced Barbaresco is increasingly hard to find. In 2012, the Produttori did not bottle their Riservas. When that happens, the straight Barbaresco is often an overachiever. That is certainly the case here, as the 2012 offers outstanding quality for the money, with plenty of potential for the future. I can’t think of too many wines that deliver this much pleasure and value.”
Ronan by Clinet, Bordeaux Superieur 2010 6L ($299.95) $268 special, 3 jeroboams available
James Suckling 91 points “Attractive nose with milk chocolate, caramel and blackberries. Some floral notes and vanilla. Full and nicely focused on the palate with dark fruit and fine tannins. Elegant medium-long finish with a touch of licorice. Drink from 2016.”
Arriving Late December:
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 3L ($399.95) $333 pre-arrival special, ETA December 2016
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Cepparello is superb. Polished, silky nuanced and exceptionally beautiful, the 2013 exudes freshness and energy from start to finish. Succulent red cherry, plum, lavender and rose petal are some of the signatures. Aging in French oak shapes the wine nicely without marking it excessively. The purity of the flavors is striking. This is an especially cool, savory Cepparello built on finesse and persistence rather than power. Rain during harvest robbed the wine of some of its breadth. Otherwise, this is a striking Cepparello. I can’t wait to see how it ages.”
Arriving February 2017:
Muller-Catoir Haardter Burgergarten ‘Breumel in den Mauern’ Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Pfalz 2015 3L ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special, ETA February 2017
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2015 Riesling Trocken Haardter Bürgergarten Im Breumel VDP Grosse Lage offers a beautifully pure and stony bouquet of bright yellow fruits and lemon aromas, and comes along almost like a perfume. On the palate, this is a highly elegant and well-balanced Riesling cru with a compact and mineral structure, great finesse and a very persistent salinity in the finish. The wine reveals a well-dosed power and concentration, as well as a great elegance and harmony. It should be aged for at least five years.”
James Suckling 95 points “The diamond-bright nose of enormous freshness announces a seriously elegant wine of understated sophistication. The delicate citrus and herbal flavors will expand considerably with a year or two’s more ageing, but this already has a finesse that makes it stand out in the strong field of the 2015 riesling GGs from the Pfalz. The very long and subtle finish only confirms that.”
Jeroboam too much to handle? We offer 103 wines in magnum available here now. To browse our entire inventory visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
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Our Current
Shipping Promos:
Welcome to the club, Colorado!
Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado. Here’s the scoop:
Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25
Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!
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December Sale Wines
Special Highlights
A beautiful blend of elegance with classic Northern Rhone style:
Reynvaan Family Vineyards ‘The Contender’ Syrah – Marsanne, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($99.95) Was $89, Now $77, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Checking in as a mix of 94% Syrah and 6% Marsanne, the 2014 Syrah The Contender is another elegant, medium to full-bodied, layered wine from this estate that offers plenty of texture and length. Blackberries, violets, plums, pepper and hints of iron all emerge from this beauty, which can be enjoyed on release or cellared for a decade or more.”
A Bandol rose to rival Tempier – at half the price!
Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol Rose, Provence 2015 1.5L ($59.95) Was $49, Now $39, 9 magnums available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Brilliant orange-pink. Displays vibrant, mineral-accented blood orange and redcurrant scents and suggestions of succulent herbs and pungent flowers. Fleshy, spicy and dry, offering bitter orange pith and berry skin flavors given lift and cut by juicy acidity. Lingers with strong, mineral-driven authority, leaving a suave touch of honeysuckle behind.”
Winery note “[Translated] This Rose is a blend of Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Grenache. It is well built, with ample structure from the Mourvèdre, and an irresistible fleshy fruit flavor.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $49.99
Valpolicella in soul, modern in spirit – a spicy blend of indigenous varieties with a charming hint of Syrah:
Allegrini La Grola Veronese IGT, Veneto 2011 750ML ($29.95) Was $26, Now $21.90, 36+ bottles available
Winery note: La Grola is the extraordinary result of the meeting of two great personalities: the hill of La Grola and the Valpolicella’s autochthonous grapes. The excellent exposure of the vineyards, which enjoy the sun’s warm rays and the cool breezes that come from nearby Lake Garda, allows the grapes to produce their very best. Careful, craftsman-like ageing in the cellar yields a red wine with great elegance, harmony and finesse that can evolve positively for over a decade.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
From the Mosel master of finesse: a dry Riesling to suit any celebration or cellar:
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken, Mosel 2013 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $49, 35 bottles available
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken, Mosel 2013 375ML ($39.95) Was $28, Now $24, 8 half-bottles available
Case-6 Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken, Mosel 2013 750ML ($359.95) Was $299, Now $269, 6 six-packs available (that’s only $44.83/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “Very clear, discreet and refined on the nose – where the 2013 Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling GG displays fine stone and fruit aromas of lemons and green apples. Lean and vital but also intense, rich and juicy on the palate, this is a lovely pure, straightforward, piquant and very salty expression of the Karthäuserhofberg terroir and the 2013 vintage. This long-distance runner has more fruit intensity than the Edition and reveals a very fine raciness and a complex finish with lingering lemon aromas.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $64.99 for the 750ML
For the complete list of December Sale Wines, see the bottom of this newsletter!
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Dugat-Py
Bernard Dugat-Py has created a bit of a cult following around himself and his winery since the mid-nineties. He’s focused on perfect farming, with the grapes picked on the riper side, and a selected set of cooperage. No detail is ignored and no expense is spared. The story is like many others around the world, but since this is Burgundy, it seems like the stakes are higher.
This is especially true in Gevrey-Chambertin, where the majority of the Dugat-Py holdings are, including all three of his Grand Cru vineyards. Gevrey has always been one of the two poles of the Cote de Nuits and its historical connotations (Napoleon’s favorite wine was Chambertin) mean that the wines from the village often get (and merit) special attention. We’re happy to highlight both the wines of Dugat-Py and some other noteworthy bottlings from their esteemed neighbors.
Dugay-Py Wines Available Here Now:
Domaine Dugat-Py Gevrey-Chambertin Cuvee Coeur de Roy Vieilles Vignes 2009 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 7 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2009 Gevrey-Chambertin Coeur du Roi is a dark, inward wine. It shows serious weight and density in its dark fruit and sensual personality. A blast of smoke, licorice and menthol informs the long, beautifully delineated finish. Anticipated maturity: 2024-2039.”
Domaine Dugat-Py Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru 2008 750ML ($599.95) $499 special, 7 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The estate’s 2008 Mazis-Chambertin is drop-dead gorgeous from start to finish. A dazzling, captivating bouquet melds into dark fruit, mint, flowers and sweet spices as this powerful, complex wine grows in the glass. All of the elements continue to build towards the undeniable, explosive finish. This is a hugely impressive, towering wine from Dugat-Py.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Dugat-Py Pommard La Levriere Vieilles Vignes 2009 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 9 bottles available
Burghound 89-92 points “A very ripe nose features nose of plum, cassis and warm earth aromas that lead to rich, full-bodied and very serious big-bodied flavors that possess excellent mid-palate concentration and a sappy, long and mouth coating finish. This is an exceptionally good villages.”
Domaine Dugat-Py Vosne-Romanee Vieilles Vignes 2009 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90-93 points “The 2009 Vosne-Romanee Vieilles Vignes is a sweet, sensual wine graced with exquisite depth in its spiced dark red fruit. Mineral notes add to a sense of thrust as the wine works its way through to the intense, textured finish. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029.”WA
We offer an additional 41 Premier and Grand Cru wines from Gevrey-Chambertin, displayed below. To read reviews or order online, visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
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The Ultimate Gift from Washington
(For Yourself or Someone Else!)
Long Shadows Gift Box 2014
Case-6 Long Shadows Vintners Collection, Columbia Valley, USA 2014 750ML ($449.95) $333 special
Note: Contains one 750ML bottle each of Long Shadows’ six acclaimed red wines, packaged together in a beautifully etched wood box:
Pirouette: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Richly layered and complex, with a generous spectrum of aromas and flavors including black cherry, sweet spices and a hint of earth. The wine’s refined texture provides a seductive mouth feel and lengthy finish.
Feather: Randy Dunn selects the Cabernet Sauvignon the Feather from a diversity of sites: the estate Benches Vineyards for dark fruit and earthiness, the Wahluke Slope for structure and ripe tannins, and two of Washington State’s oldest vineyards, Weinbau and Dionysus, for complexity. The wine is concentrated and beautifully balanced, offering an array of fresh berry aromas, complimented by spicy, dark cherry and dried current flavors that persist on the palate.
Pedestal: Michel Rolland selects the Merlot from the Conner Lee, Dionysus and Benches Vineyards to produce an unusually complex Merlot. Tapteil Vineyards Cabernet gives it its strength and extra richness. The wine shows intense, fruit-forward notes, bursting with fresh blueberries, ripe plum, cedar and spice. Good concentration in the wine adds to its pleasing mouth feel; balanced acidity enhances its appeal. Supple tannins are well-integrated on the entry, across the mid-palate and throughout a long, layered finish.
Sequel: John Duval, formerly of the iconic Penfolds Grange, uses grapes from the Benches Vineyard for its dark flavored fruit, the Red Mountain Vineyard adds structure, and Boushey Vineyards add elegance. A generous and concentrated wine of great character. Almond, dark chocolate and cherry notes fill the glass, complemented by hints of black licorice, blackberry, cocoa powder and a touch of smoke.
Saggi: Saggi is a blend from father and son team Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese (from a 1993 planting) and Syrah. Dark cherry aromas and raspberry flavors combine with a hint of nutmeg and smoky earthiness. An elegant entry in the front of the mouth reveals refined tannins with focused concentration, enhanced by the wine’s rich and supple mouth feel.
Chester-Kidder (2013): The back bone of this wine is Cabernet from Walla Walla and nearby Candy Mountain. Its deepness and darkness is Syrah from the estate’s Benches Vineyards with a touch of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of dried figs and cocoa powder, along with hints of tamarind and toasty oak are followed by intense violent and blueberry jam flavors beautifully integrated around a spicy core.
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The Rule Breaking Le Retout Blanc
Chateau Retout existed for years as the kind of Haut-Medoc wine that we like but don’t think very hard about, then, out of the blue, they were informed that the estate did not sit within the boundaries of the appellation. The news came as a shock (the vines were planted with the INAO’s blessing) and forced a rethink of what the estate was and was going to be.
The result was a complete replanting of the Chateau’s vineyards to a carefully chosen yet unorthodox set of grapes for land that was basically in Bordeaux. The resulting wine, made from grapes native to all sorts of French regions, is like white Bordeaux in its seriousness and palate weight, it displays a freshness and exotic note that’s very special and unique to this estate
Chateau Retout Le Retout Blanc 2014 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 91 points “Alluring, with lemon curd, citrus oil, white peach and candied grapefruit peel notes streaking along together, backed by a twinge of quinine that beautifully offsets the rich feel. Gros Manseng, Sauvignon Gris, Savagnin and Mondeuse Blanche. Drink now through 2017.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $25
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December Sales Recap
We’re up to 66 wines on sale through the month of December! These sales expire December 31st at midnight
Read reviews and browse the full selection of sale wines by searching for “December Sale” on our web store – we’re also happy to talk you through the offerings if you email us at info@vinopoliswineshop.com or call 503-223-6002.
Thank you for reading!