In This Newsletter:
Happy IPNC Weekend:
Highlights from Producers at the Show
New Weekend – New Arrivals
Happy IPNC Weekend:
Highlights from Producers at the Show
New Weekend – New Arrivals
Domaine de Ferrand
Collector’s Corner:
California Treasures Edition Part 1
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Lingua Franca Tongue’n Cheek Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 750ML ($69.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 94 points “Tongue ’n Cheek is blended from two blocks with shallow soil at the estate’s hilltop, on a soil series known as Gelderman (drawn from Jory with additional basalt gravels). Of the four Lingua Franca pinots in 2018, this might be the tightest, with the most bound tension and reserved intensity. While it’s still years from peak expression, there is a propulsive energy and power that opens the dark fruit to a hint of red-tinged, cranberry brightness. Give it time. —P.J.C.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Deep garnet. Expansive cherry and red currant scents, along with hints of botanical herbs and candied flowers. Juicy and penetrating in the mouth, offering black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that take a sweeter turn through the back half. Finishes very long and subtly chewy, with repeating florality and sneaky, framing tannins. All destemmed fruit; 20% new French oak.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “A mix of Pommard and Calera clones, this is a blend that attempts to forge a common ground between sweetly spicy pie-cherry fruit and the more herbal, tannic, austere nature of the Calera fruit. All the parts are there to build a complete and interesting wine. Just add some bottle age—another two or three years at least. -Paul Gregutt”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $62
Gran Moraine Brut Rose, Yamhill-Carlton District NV 750ML ($59.95) $47.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Gran Moraine Brut Rose, Yamhill-Carlton District NV 750ML ($299.95) $269 special (that’s only $44.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Spectator 94 points “That rare domestic rosé that captures the vibrant acidity of Champagne, offering delicate strawberry, raspberry flavors laced with steely minerality and sprinkle of graham cracker on the finish. Drink now through 2022. 1,000 cases made. — TF”
The average price is $54
FEL Wines Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Concentrated but also nervy in texture, this full-bodied wine is driven by pure black-cherry and raspberry flavors while oak accents of cinnamon and nutmeg stay just under the surface. -Jim Gordon”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $39
Domaine Simon Bize et Fils Les Talmettes, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2018 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Talmettes 1er Cru has a fragrant bouquet of harmonious blackberry, cranberry and bilberry scents, plus light sea spray/brine in the background. The palate is very well defined with succulent tannins, very fine acidity and a precise, persistent finish. Superb.”
Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Brut, Anderson Valley 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Classically styled and expressively vibrant, this bubbly opens to flavors of baked apple, roasted hazelnut, clove, nutmeg and other spices. The finish fans out, building a lingering richness. Drink now through 2023. —T.F.”
John Gilman 93+ points “I know that there are a lot of extremely good sparkling wines now made in the United States, but to my palate, the Roederer Estate “l’Ermitage” bottling is the finest. The 2015 vintage of this excellent wine is composed of a cépages of fifty-two percent chardonnay and forty-eight percent pinot noir. It was finished with a dosage of eight grams per liter in this vintage. The wine delivers a superb and very refined bouquet of tart pear, apple, fresh-baked bread, a complex base of soil, discreet smokiness and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, young, full-bodied and very elegant in profile, with a lovely core, excellent soil signature, bright acids, extremely elegant mousse and a long, complex and beautifully balanced finish. This is so seamlessly balanced that it is already drinking very well at six years of age, but it has the potential to blossom and improve with bottle age and I would love to drink it a decade down the road! The 2015 is clearly a very, very special vintage for the l’Ermitage bottling at Roederer Estate! 2021 – 2045.”
Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut, Champagne 2014 750ML ($379.95) $349 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 98 points “This vivid Champagne shows up-front and linear definition, thanks to rapierlike acidity, with finely meshed flavors of ripe black cherry and mandarin orange fruit, raw almond, anise and cardamom spice as well as a touch of honeycomb, which all unfurl and expand on the fine, creamy palate. Sleek acidity continues through to the finish, with additional racy character provided by a streak of minerally saline and chalk, which gains momentum through the midpalate and rings out on the well-cut, lasting finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2040”
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2014 Cristal is another in a long line of gorgeous wines from Roederer and long-time Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. A dazzling, vibrant Champagne, the 2014 impresses with a stunning combination of fruit density and linear energy that brings to mind a hypothetical blend of 2012 and 2008. At times, the bubbles feel totally wrapped up in waves of creamy, resonant fruit to the point the mousse is barely perceptible, especially with aeration. The flavors are bright and finely sculpted, leaning very much into the citrus, floral and mineral end of the spectrum… The 2014 Cristal is a riveting Champagne. Don’t miss it.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2014 Cristal is a terrific effort that transcends the vintage. Bursting from the glass with expressive aromas of ripe citrus fruit, nectarine, white flowers, freshly baked bread and subtle hints of honeycomb, it’s medium to full-bodied, vinous and fleshy, with an exuberant core of fruit that’s girdled by racy acids, resulting in a wine that’s simultaneously chiseled and demonstrative, meaning that early appeal doesn’t come at the expense of the requisite tension for long-term cellaring. Concluding with a long, aromatic and intensely chalky finish, it is a brilliant Champagne that will offer a broad drinking window. This bottle was disgorged in June 2021 with seven grams per liter dosage.”
Simon Field MW-Decanter 95 points “The rollercoaster growing season of 2014 is reflected to perfection by the innate tension here; ripe citric fruit and even a touch of exoticism (mango and fig) tempered by a fine shard of acidity and a lifted ethereal character, described paradoxically by chef de caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon as ‘weightless density’. Purity, energy and power make for very happy bedfellows, courtesy the chalky terroir and its organic husbandry. The texture is silky, the bubbles joyfully integrated and the finish resourceful and precise, its salinity deferential to the deep-digging roots. Disgorged: June 2021. Dosage: 7g/L. Drinking Window 2022 – 2030.”
Shop our complete selection of Oregon Pinots on our web store now!
New Weekend – New Arrivals
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $32
Commanderie de la Bargemone Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rose 2021 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Bright, onion-skin color. Fresh and incisive on the nose, displaying red berry, citrus fruit and floral qualities and subtle mineral and spice flourishes. Juicy and sharply focused, putting forward lithe strawberry, blood orange and honeysuckle flavors that deepen through the back half. Finishes long and silky, with the red fruit and floral notes lingering.”
Domaine des Cassagnoles Rose, IGP Cotes de Gascogne 2021 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grown on clay and limestone soils. Average vine age is 19 years old.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Oregon
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Zephirine Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($74.95) $64.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2019 Pinot Noir Zéphirine is so expressive this vintage! Matured for 14 months in 20% new oak, it has a pure fragrance of blueberries and lilac, aniseed and earth, gaining aromatic nuance and depth with time in the glass. Medium-bodied, the palate begins with bursts of acidity and a flourish of spices that glide seamlessly through the mouth for an incredibly persistent, floral finish.”
James Suckling 97 points “Redcurrant, sour cherry and smoke on the nose. Hibiscus, too. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and lively acidity. Vibrant and juicy on the palate with a bright core of redcurrants and dried herbs. Layered and balanced, with a long, savory finish. Very vertical and deep. Drinkable now, but best from 2023.”
Nicolas-Jay Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Crystal clear and precise with ripe strawberry, light spice and brightness. Sort of airy and ethereal on the nose. Full-bodied with tightness and focus, linearity and depth. Goes on for minutes. Unfined and unfiltered. Try after 2027.”
Wine & Spirits 92 points “Sleek and pure, this appellation wine has a scent of crushed plums and warm berries; a hint of tar and five-spice round it out. The flavors are focused and persistent, with a juicy midpalate and a pleasing, suede-like grip of tannins. —P.J.C. (495 cases)”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Washington
Figgins Estate Red, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2018 Red Wine is another stunner from this talented team. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot aged 23 months in a mix of new and used barrels, it has an incredibly pure bouquet of both red and blue fruits as well as graphite, violets, and blood orange. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it stays tight and focused on the palate, with a beautiful mouthfeel, ripe yet firm, chalky tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great, great finish. It’s a gorgeous wine that will benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and cruise for 15-20+ in cold cellars.”
Owen Bargreen-Vinous 97 points “The 2018 Red Wine Estate might just be the best edition ever of this incredible high-elevation bottling. It’s nothing short of a blending masterpiece by Chris Figgins and his winemaking team. This thing is massive monster of a wine that really needs several hours of air to get going. But once tamed, the aromatics explode out of the glass, unveiling dark currants, roasted figs, black rose petals and creosote tones with shades of green bell pepper from the Petit Verdot. The palate is soft and opulent in the mouth. Layers of crème de cassis, anise, violets, dark cherry cordial, graphite and espresso bean with green bell pepper undertones all brilliantly combine with a vibrant sense of tension, and firm tannins hold everything in place. While this is extraordinary to savor upon release, try your best to resist it for at least a few more years.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Top 100 Cellar Selection 2021. Aromas of macerated cherry, coffee, flower, licorice and date lead to cherry, cranberry and raspberry flavors that give a full impression on the palate. There’s plenty of precision and detail to be had, so much acidity and a quite firm tannic structure. A big, burly, beautiful wine, it will last and drink well as long as you care to keep it. Don’t go near it now. Best after 2032. -Sean P. Sullivan”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $110
France – Champagne
Suenen ‘C+C’ Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
2018-base
No reviews available for the 2018-base release. 2016-base review provided for reference.
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “From Suenen’s holdings Cramant and Chouilly, where the soils are deeper than in Oiry, the NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru C + C is based on the 2016 vintage and was disgorged in June 2019 with three grams per liters dosage. Unwinding in the glass with scents of sweet pastry, yellow apples, spices, white flowers and almonds, it’s medium-bodied, precise and racy, with tangy acids and an attractively fleshy core of fruit, concluding with a saline finish.”
Suenen Oiry Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($79.95) $64 special, 24 bottles in stock now
2018-base
No reviews available for the 2018-base release. 2016-base review provided for reference.
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Based on the 2016 vintage, complemented by 50% reserve wines, and disgorged in January 2020 with two grams per liter dosage, the NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Oiry (2016) is Suenen’s latest release. It mingles aromas of citrus oil, yellow apples, nougat, English walnuts and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and chiseled, it’s elegantly vinous, with a charming core of fruit and a long, saline finish. Vinified 50% in tank, 50% in barrels, this cuvée represents half the estate’s total surface area.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $77
Italy – Sicily
Arianna Occhipinti Passo Nero Passito, Sicily 2019 500ML ($69.95) $66 special, 3-500ml bottles available
Winery note “Working with the land. Loving her, respecting her, talking to her. And from there finding the courage to make new experiences, to seek new routes, starting from well-established certainties. This is also a challenge. And so I reflected, and I thought that the Nero d’Avola evolution could also be the withering as it was once used to preserve grapes in winter. The Passo Nero was born, a non-too sweet passito that maintains its original acidity. 100% Nero d’Avola grown 280 meters above sea level on red sand, chalk, and limestone rocks. Organic. Unfiltered.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Germany
Weingut Brand The Electric Acid Test Chardonnay, Pfalz 2021 750ML ($19.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
It’s light, it’s lean, it’s zippy, it’s fruity. Is it the perfect white for summer? We think so!
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
South Africa
Winery note: Evokes flavors of Matunduru (loquat), which tastes like peach / apricot / plum.
Kumusha The Flame Lily, Slanghoek 2020 750ML ($44.95) $34.50 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note “White Blend. 48% Roussanne, 35% Chenin Blanc, 13% Colombard & 4% Semillon. Apple, white peach, lemon zest & winter melon flavours. Unabashed richness and sensuality in the fruit, balanced by a surprisingly taut and minerally acidity. A beautifully textured mouthfeel complementing rich white meat & asian inspired dishes. Drinks best for up to 6 years. Winemaking: Handpicked grapes. The Chenin blanc is from registered old vines. Gently pressed into a settling tank for 36 hrs. A component of Chenin blanc was fermented until dry on the skins. Racked into old French Oak where alcoholic and Malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously. 10 months ageing before bottling. Unfined.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. Roussanne 48%, Chenin Blanc 35%, Colombard 13% and Semillon 4%. The vine age: Roussane 6-year-old, Chenin Blanc 37-year-old, Colombar 17-year-old, and Semillon 22-year-old. The vineyard is located at 370 meters and the soils are mostly ancient sandstone with some granite and high clay.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Winery note: Evokes flavors of black jack leaf, which tastes like black current leaf.
Kumusha Sondagskloof Sauvignon Blanc, Walker Bay 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Decanter 90 points “Hailing from cool ward Sondagskloof, which forms part of the Cape South Coast delineation. Here temperatures rarely exceed 20°C, though the sunlight hours are long making for good ripening conditions while still retaining acidity. Its flavour profile speaks of its cool origins, with top notes of blackcurrant leaf, crushed lime and green strawberry. Winter melon on the restrained but long palate; the acid is crunchy, piquant with just the softest lick of cream to a good, dry finish. Drinking Window 2022 – 2026.”
Winery note “Aromas of melon and passion fruit, fynbos and buchu, with citrus undertones. The Sondagskloof region, which forms part of the Cape South Coast lends a beautiful minerality. The wine also has a real presence on the palate in terms of texture. Should open up nicely – trust the 2nd glass you’ll have of this. Complements seafood, sushi, pasta, chicken and veal dishes.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Sourced from a 6-hectare vineyard on shallow duplex (Weathered shale on clay) at 300-400 meters. Hand-harvested early morning and hand-sorted before crushing.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Winery note: Evokes flavors of nhunguru, which tastes like red plums.
Kumusha Pinotage, Swartland 2020 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Uniquely South African wine. A wine with depth, balance, and delicious aromas reminiscent of dark cherries and mulberries on the nose. Notes of ripe plums and hints of spice on the palate with a savory finish. Pairs well with game, turkey, spicy dishes and curries. Winemaking: This wine was made from bush vine Pinotage from the Swartland planted in the early 1990’s and is dryland farmed. 80% was destemmed and 20% left whole bunch through fermentation and maceration. Only gentle actions through fermentation as to not over extract tannins and rather create an elegant and fine example of Pinotage. Aged for 12 months in big French casks and old 500L neutral barrels. No additions and minimal intervention is the philosophy here.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Winery note: Evokes flavors of hute (waterberries), which tastes like blackberries.
Kumusha Cabernet Sauvignon – Cinsault, Slanghoek 2021 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Ripe cherries and plums flavours, with hints of pomegranate and strawberry. Complements all types of juicy red meat dishes, especially slow cooked ones. Drinks best for up to 10 years. Winemaking: Handpicked grapes. Destemmed into open top fermenters; Cinsault in cement and Cabernet Sauvignon in old oak casks. Cinsault (of which 25% is wholebunch) spontaneously fermented for 10 days after which it is pressed and racked to concrete tank. Cabernet Sauvignon underwent extended maceration in the oak casks for 30 days after which it was pressed and the wine returned to the oak casks for 8 months. After the 8 month period the two components were blended and rested for a month before bottling and rested in bottle for another 4 months.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cinsault. 14-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon and 23-year-old Cinsault sourced from a vineyard at 350 meters. The Cabernet Sauvignon on Tukulu soils (granite, high clay content and standstone) and Cinsault on ancient sandstone with river pebbles.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine de Ferrand
Collector’s Corner:
California Treasures Edition Part 1
Happy IPNC Weekend!
Highlights from Producers at the Show
Highlights from Producers at the Show
We’re so excited that IPNC is back up and running this year. We usually have quite a few of our California friends pop in for their once a year visit to our (usually not so hot) city. If you’re in town for the fun, welcome! To those of you who have stopped in to say hello, thank you so much for making us a part of your wine vacation.
Great Picks from Featured Wineries – In Stock Now:
The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($44.95) $41.90 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Vivid red. Ripe cherry and raspberry scents reveal building floral and succulent herb flourishes. Juicy and broad in the mouth, offering plush red fruit and candied rose flavors and a spicy topnote. The spiciness carries through a long, smooth finish framed by gentle, pliant tannins.”
J.K. Carriere Glass White Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2021 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Think summer patio and a turn-of-the-century dry rosé Champagne with no bubbles.”
Great Picks from Featured Wineries – In Stock Now:
The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($44.95) $41.90 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Vivid red. Ripe cherry and raspberry scents reveal building floral and succulent herb flourishes. Juicy and broad in the mouth, offering plush red fruit and candied rose flavors and a spicy topnote. The spiciness carries through a long, smooth finish framed by gentle, pliant tannins.”
J.K. Carriere Glass White Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2021 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Think summer patio and a turn-of-the-century dry rosé Champagne with no bubbles.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Lingua Franca Tongue’n Cheek Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 750ML ($69.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 94 points “Tongue ’n Cheek is blended from two blocks with shallow soil at the estate’s hilltop, on a soil series known as Gelderman (drawn from Jory with additional basalt gravels). Of the four Lingua Franca pinots in 2018, this might be the tightest, with the most bound tension and reserved intensity. While it’s still years from peak expression, there is a propulsive energy and power that opens the dark fruit to a hint of red-tinged, cranberry brightness. Give it time. —P.J.C.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Deep garnet. Expansive cherry and red currant scents, along with hints of botanical herbs and candied flowers. Juicy and penetrating in the mouth, offering black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that take a sweeter turn through the back half. Finishes very long and subtly chewy, with repeating florality and sneaky, framing tannins. All destemmed fruit; 20% new French oak.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “A mix of Pommard and Calera clones, this is a blend that attempts to forge a common ground between sweetly spicy pie-cherry fruit and the more herbal, tannic, austere nature of the Calera fruit. All the parts are there to build a complete and interesting wine. Just add some bottle age—another two or three years at least. -Paul Gregutt”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $62
Gran Moraine Brut Rose, Yamhill-Carlton District NV 750ML ($59.95) $47.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Gran Moraine Brut Rose, Yamhill-Carlton District NV 750ML ($299.95) $269 special (that’s only $44.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Spectator 94 points “That rare domestic rosé that captures the vibrant acidity of Champagne, offering delicate strawberry, raspberry flavors laced with steely minerality and sprinkle of graham cracker on the finish. Drink now through 2022. 1,000 cases made. — TF”
The average price is $54
FEL Wines Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Concentrated but also nervy in texture, this full-bodied wine is driven by pure black-cherry and raspberry flavors while oak accents of cinnamon and nutmeg stay just under the surface. -Jim Gordon”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $39
Domaine Simon Bize et Fils Les Talmettes, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2018 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Talmettes 1er Cru has a fragrant bouquet of harmonious blackberry, cranberry and bilberry scents, plus light sea spray/brine in the background. The palate is very well defined with succulent tannins, very fine acidity and a precise, persistent finish. Superb.”
Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Brut, Anderson Valley 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Classically styled and expressively vibrant, this bubbly opens to flavors of baked apple, roasted hazelnut, clove, nutmeg and other spices. The finish fans out, building a lingering richness. Drink now through 2023. —T.F.”
John Gilman 93+ points “I know that there are a lot of extremely good sparkling wines now made in the United States, but to my palate, the Roederer Estate “l’Ermitage” bottling is the finest. The 2015 vintage of this excellent wine is composed of a cépages of fifty-two percent chardonnay and forty-eight percent pinot noir. It was finished with a dosage of eight grams per liter in this vintage. The wine delivers a superb and very refined bouquet of tart pear, apple, fresh-baked bread, a complex base of soil, discreet smokiness and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, young, full-bodied and very elegant in profile, with a lovely core, excellent soil signature, bright acids, extremely elegant mousse and a long, complex and beautifully balanced finish. This is so seamlessly balanced that it is already drinking very well at six years of age, but it has the potential to blossom and improve with bottle age and I would love to drink it a decade down the road! The 2015 is clearly a very, very special vintage for the l’Ermitage bottling at Roederer Estate! 2021 – 2045.”
Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut, Champagne 2014 750ML ($379.95) $349 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 98 points “This vivid Champagne shows up-front and linear definition, thanks to rapierlike acidity, with finely meshed flavors of ripe black cherry and mandarin orange fruit, raw almond, anise and cardamom spice as well as a touch of honeycomb, which all unfurl and expand on the fine, creamy palate. Sleek acidity continues through to the finish, with additional racy character provided by a streak of minerally saline and chalk, which gains momentum through the midpalate and rings out on the well-cut, lasting finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2040”
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2014 Cristal is another in a long line of gorgeous wines from Roederer and long-time Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. A dazzling, vibrant Champagne, the 2014 impresses with a stunning combination of fruit density and linear energy that brings to mind a hypothetical blend of 2012 and 2008. At times, the bubbles feel totally wrapped up in waves of creamy, resonant fruit to the point the mousse is barely perceptible, especially with aeration. The flavors are bright and finely sculpted, leaning very much into the citrus, floral and mineral end of the spectrum… The 2014 Cristal is a riveting Champagne. Don’t miss it.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2014 Cristal is a terrific effort that transcends the vintage. Bursting from the glass with expressive aromas of ripe citrus fruit, nectarine, white flowers, freshly baked bread and subtle hints of honeycomb, it’s medium to full-bodied, vinous and fleshy, with an exuberant core of fruit that’s girdled by racy acids, resulting in a wine that’s simultaneously chiseled and demonstrative, meaning that early appeal doesn’t come at the expense of the requisite tension for long-term cellaring. Concluding with a long, aromatic and intensely chalky finish, it is a brilliant Champagne that will offer a broad drinking window. This bottle was disgorged in June 2021 with seven grams per liter dosage.”
Simon Field MW-Decanter 95 points “The rollercoaster growing season of 2014 is reflected to perfection by the innate tension here; ripe citric fruit and even a touch of exoticism (mango and fig) tempered by a fine shard of acidity and a lifted ethereal character, described paradoxically by chef de caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon as ‘weightless density’. Purity, energy and power make for very happy bedfellows, courtesy the chalky terroir and its organic husbandry. The texture is silky, the bubbles joyfully integrated and the finish resourceful and precise, its salinity deferential to the deep-digging roots. Disgorged: June 2021. Dosage: 7g/L. Drinking Window 2022 – 2030.”
Shop our complete selection of Oregon Pinots on our web store now!
Rosé
Patricia Green Cellars ‘Helen Dusschee’ Tempranillo Rose, Willamette Valley 2021 750ML ($33.95) $29 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Years ago we committed to NOT making rosé because we liked drinking it too much to get into the business of crafting it. That was largely in part because of our belief that rosé should be made from red grapes that have more inherent muscularity than Pinot Noir and being up here in the Northern Willamette Valley means that access to grapes such as Mourvedre, Grenache, Carignan or Tempranillo was incredibly limited to non-existent. Little did we know that lurking within Freedom Hill Vineyard was a block of Tempranillo that they had planted in 2012 at the behest of another winery that has since left the scene. This was picked while there were still berries that had not changed color on the cluster and accordingly this was picked at 20.3 brix (thus the 12.5% alcohol) and a TA of 7.2 which gives the wine its bright, lifted character. These gangly clusters were lightly whole-bunch pressed and racked a few times off the lees before permanently residing in a stainless steel tank for about six months before being bottled before finishing malolactic fermentation. This wine is bone-dry with plenty of acidity!”
Patricia Green Cellars ‘Helen Dusschee’ Tempranillo Rose, Willamette Valley 2021 750ML ($33.95) $29 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Years ago we committed to NOT making rosé because we liked drinking it too much to get into the business of crafting it. That was largely in part because of our belief that rosé should be made from red grapes that have more inherent muscularity than Pinot Noir and being up here in the Northern Willamette Valley means that access to grapes such as Mourvedre, Grenache, Carignan or Tempranillo was incredibly limited to non-existent. Little did we know that lurking within Freedom Hill Vineyard was a block of Tempranillo that they had planted in 2012 at the behest of another winery that has since left the scene. This was picked while there were still berries that had not changed color on the cluster and accordingly this was picked at 20.3 brix (thus the 12.5% alcohol) and a TA of 7.2 which gives the wine its bright, lifted character. These gangly clusters were lightly whole-bunch pressed and racked a few times off the lees before permanently residing in a stainless steel tank for about six months before being bottled before finishing malolactic fermentation. This wine is bone-dry with plenty of acidity!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $32
Commanderie de la Bargemone Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rose 2021 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Bright, onion-skin color. Fresh and incisive on the nose, displaying red berry, citrus fruit and floral qualities and subtle mineral and spice flourishes. Juicy and sharply focused, putting forward lithe strawberry, blood orange and honeysuckle flavors that deepen through the back half. Finishes long and silky, with the red fruit and floral notes lingering.”
Domaine des Cassagnoles Rose, IGP Cotes de Gascogne 2021 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grown on clay and limestone soils. Average vine age is 19 years old.”
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Oregon
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Zephirine Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($74.95) $64.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2019 Pinot Noir Zéphirine is so expressive this vintage! Matured for 14 months in 20% new oak, it has a pure fragrance of blueberries and lilac, aniseed and earth, gaining aromatic nuance and depth with time in the glass. Medium-bodied, the palate begins with bursts of acidity and a flourish of spices that glide seamlessly through the mouth for an incredibly persistent, floral finish.”
James Suckling 97 points “Redcurrant, sour cherry and smoke on the nose. Hibiscus, too. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and lively acidity. Vibrant and juicy on the palate with a bright core of redcurrants and dried herbs. Layered and balanced, with a long, savory finish. Very vertical and deep. Drinkable now, but best from 2023.”
Nicolas-Jay Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Crystal clear and precise with ripe strawberry, light spice and brightness. Sort of airy and ethereal on the nose. Full-bodied with tightness and focus, linearity and depth. Goes on for minutes. Unfined and unfiltered. Try after 2027.”
Wine & Spirits 92 points “Sleek and pure, this appellation wine has a scent of crushed plums and warm berries; a hint of tar and five-spice round it out. The flavors are focused and persistent, with a juicy midpalate and a pleasing, suede-like grip of tannins. —P.J.C. (495 cases)”
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Washington
Figgins Estate Red, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2018 Red Wine is another stunner from this talented team. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot aged 23 months in a mix of new and used barrels, it has an incredibly pure bouquet of both red and blue fruits as well as graphite, violets, and blood orange. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it stays tight and focused on the palate, with a beautiful mouthfeel, ripe yet firm, chalky tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great, great finish. It’s a gorgeous wine that will benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and cruise for 15-20+ in cold cellars.”
Owen Bargreen-Vinous 97 points “The 2018 Red Wine Estate might just be the best edition ever of this incredible high-elevation bottling. It’s nothing short of a blending masterpiece by Chris Figgins and his winemaking team. This thing is massive monster of a wine that really needs several hours of air to get going. But once tamed, the aromatics explode out of the glass, unveiling dark currants, roasted figs, black rose petals and creosote tones with shades of green bell pepper from the Petit Verdot. The palate is soft and opulent in the mouth. Layers of crème de cassis, anise, violets, dark cherry cordial, graphite and espresso bean with green bell pepper undertones all brilliantly combine with a vibrant sense of tension, and firm tannins hold everything in place. While this is extraordinary to savor upon release, try your best to resist it for at least a few more years.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Top 100 Cellar Selection 2021. Aromas of macerated cherry, coffee, flower, licorice and date lead to cherry, cranberry and raspberry flavors that give a full impression on the palate. There’s plenty of precision and detail to be had, so much acidity and a quite firm tannic structure. A big, burly, beautiful wine, it will last and drink well as long as you care to keep it. Don’t go near it now. Best after 2032. -Sean P. Sullivan”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $110
France – Champagne
Suenen ‘C+C’ Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
2018-base
No reviews available for the 2018-base release. 2016-base review provided for reference.
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “From Suenen’s holdings Cramant and Chouilly, where the soils are deeper than in Oiry, the NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru C + C is based on the 2016 vintage and was disgorged in June 2019 with three grams per liters dosage. Unwinding in the glass with scents of sweet pastry, yellow apples, spices, white flowers and almonds, it’s medium-bodied, precise and racy, with tangy acids and an attractively fleshy core of fruit, concluding with a saline finish.”
Suenen Oiry Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($79.95) $64 special, 24 bottles in stock now
2018-base
No reviews available for the 2018-base release. 2016-base review provided for reference.
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Based on the 2016 vintage, complemented by 50% reserve wines, and disgorged in January 2020 with two grams per liter dosage, the NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Oiry (2016) is Suenen’s latest release. It mingles aromas of citrus oil, yellow apples, nougat, English walnuts and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and chiseled, it’s elegantly vinous, with a charming core of fruit and a long, saline finish. Vinified 50% in tank, 50% in barrels, this cuvée represents half the estate’s total surface area.”
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The average price is $77
Italy – Sicily
Arianna Occhipinti Passo Nero Passito, Sicily 2019 500ML ($69.95) $66 special, 3-500ml bottles available
Winery note “Working with the land. Loving her, respecting her, talking to her. And from there finding the courage to make new experiences, to seek new routes, starting from well-established certainties. This is also a challenge. And so I reflected, and I thought that the Nero d’Avola evolution could also be the withering as it was once used to preserve grapes in winter. The Passo Nero was born, a non-too sweet passito that maintains its original acidity. 100% Nero d’Avola grown 280 meters above sea level on red sand, chalk, and limestone rocks. Organic. Unfiltered.”
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Germany
Weingut Brand The Electric Acid Test Chardonnay, Pfalz 2021 750ML ($19.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
It’s light, it’s lean, it’s zippy, it’s fruity. Is it the perfect white for summer? We think so!
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South Africa
Winery note: Evokes flavors of Matunduru (loquat), which tastes like peach / apricot / plum.
Kumusha The Flame Lily, Slanghoek 2020 750ML ($44.95) $34.50 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note “White Blend. 48% Roussanne, 35% Chenin Blanc, 13% Colombard & 4% Semillon. Apple, white peach, lemon zest & winter melon flavours. Unabashed richness and sensuality in the fruit, balanced by a surprisingly taut and minerally acidity. A beautifully textured mouthfeel complementing rich white meat & asian inspired dishes. Drinks best for up to 6 years. Winemaking: Handpicked grapes. The Chenin blanc is from registered old vines. Gently pressed into a settling tank for 36 hrs. A component of Chenin blanc was fermented until dry on the skins. Racked into old French Oak where alcoholic and Malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously. 10 months ageing before bottling. Unfined.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. Roussanne 48%, Chenin Blanc 35%, Colombard 13% and Semillon 4%. The vine age: Roussane 6-year-old, Chenin Blanc 37-year-old, Colombar 17-year-old, and Semillon 22-year-old. The vineyard is located at 370 meters and the soils are mostly ancient sandstone with some granite and high clay.”
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Winery note: Evokes flavors of black jack leaf, which tastes like black current leaf.
Kumusha Sondagskloof Sauvignon Blanc, Walker Bay 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Decanter 90 points “Hailing from cool ward Sondagskloof, which forms part of the Cape South Coast delineation. Here temperatures rarely exceed 20°C, though the sunlight hours are long making for good ripening conditions while still retaining acidity. Its flavour profile speaks of its cool origins, with top notes of blackcurrant leaf, crushed lime and green strawberry. Winter melon on the restrained but long palate; the acid is crunchy, piquant with just the softest lick of cream to a good, dry finish. Drinking Window 2022 – 2026.”
Winery note “Aromas of melon and passion fruit, fynbos and buchu, with citrus undertones. The Sondagskloof region, which forms part of the Cape South Coast lends a beautiful minerality. The wine also has a real presence on the palate in terms of texture. Should open up nicely – trust the 2nd glass you’ll have of this. Complements seafood, sushi, pasta, chicken and veal dishes.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Sourced from a 6-hectare vineyard on shallow duplex (Weathered shale on clay) at 300-400 meters. Hand-harvested early morning and hand-sorted before crushing.”
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Winery note: Evokes flavors of nhunguru, which tastes like red plums.
Kumusha Pinotage, Swartland 2020 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Uniquely South African wine. A wine with depth, balance, and delicious aromas reminiscent of dark cherries and mulberries on the nose. Notes of ripe plums and hints of spice on the palate with a savory finish. Pairs well with game, turkey, spicy dishes and curries. Winemaking: This wine was made from bush vine Pinotage from the Swartland planted in the early 1990’s and is dryland farmed. 80% was destemmed and 20% left whole bunch through fermentation and maceration. Only gentle actions through fermentation as to not over extract tannins and rather create an elegant and fine example of Pinotage. Aged for 12 months in big French casks and old 500L neutral barrels. No additions and minimal intervention is the philosophy here.”
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Winery note: Evokes flavors of hute (waterberries), which tastes like blackberries.
Kumusha Cabernet Sauvignon – Cinsault, Slanghoek 2021 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Ripe cherries and plums flavours, with hints of pomegranate and strawberry. Complements all types of juicy red meat dishes, especially slow cooked ones. Drinks best for up to 10 years. Winemaking: Handpicked grapes. Destemmed into open top fermenters; Cinsault in cement and Cabernet Sauvignon in old oak casks. Cinsault (of which 25% is wholebunch) spontaneously fermented for 10 days after which it is pressed and racked to concrete tank. Cabernet Sauvignon underwent extended maceration in the oak casks for 30 days after which it was pressed and the wine returned to the oak casks for 8 months. After the 8 month period the two components were blended and rested for a month before bottling and rested in bottle for another 4 months.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cinsault. 14-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon and 23-year-old Cinsault sourced from a vineyard at 350 meters. The Cabernet Sauvignon on Tukulu soils (granite, high clay content and standstone) and Cinsault on ancient sandstone with river pebbles.”
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Domaine de Ferrand is located in the northern area of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. The Domaine owns some of the oldest grenache vines in its appellation, planted in the early 1900’s. The current owner’s family has owned the estate since the 19th century. Philippe Bravay, heir of the Domaine, started making his own wine in the mid-1990’s.
“Philippe Bravay is extremely dedicated to preserving the unique traditions and special characteristics that Châteauneuf brings to the world… Philippe’s vinification philosophy is the same for all his wines, he uses an in-tank traditional method, “I do not use barriques because I want the wine of my vines and not a technical élevage which loses the origins of the wine.” There is no filtration, only one fining for each wine. During aging, the wine is neither racked nor blended – both of those processes are accomplished only at the time of bottling and without the addition of preservatives.” -Weygandt-Metzler Importer notes
The 2018 vintage is expressive, balanced and showing well in its young years: if you are looking for a great “drink now” option: 2018’s are a perfect choice. 2019 produced elegant, deep, rich and concentrated wines with fruit forward profile. The 2019’s ripe tannins and full bodied qualities do not, however, overshadow their pure fruit profile.
In Stock Now from Domaine Ferrand:
Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96-97 points “There’s a lot to like here in 2018. Braval has made a very composed, innately balanced and beautifully drinkable Châteauneuf. The nose has attractive red and purple flowers and wild berries that run from red to black and a gently smoky, flinty edge. The palate has a sleek, supple feel, delivered so purely. The terroir has balance and finesse at Ferrand and Braval delivers it faithfully. This is a beautiful thing to taste and will be fine on release, though it will also age very well.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Tasting like Provence in a bottle, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Philippe Bravay boasts a medium ruby/purple color as well as an incredibly Provençal style in its kirsch liqueur, blackcurrant, lavender, peppery garrigue, new leather, and spice-driven aromas and flavors. Displaying medium to full-bodied richness, it has the vintage’s forward, seamless style front and center and backs it up with solid mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It’s already drinking beautifully today, yet will easily evolve for another 10-15 years.”
Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2019 750ML ($64.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2019 750ML ($389.95.95) $333 special (that’s only $55.50/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “A bigger, richer wine than the 2018, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Bravay boasts a deeper purple/plum color as well as a powerful bouquet of smoked black fruits, roasted garrigue, black licorice, and ground pepper. This rich, full-bodied wine has loads of Provençal character, a stacked mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and provide upwards of two decades of prime drinking. It’s beautifully done and well worth seeking out. The blend is 85% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah, Cinsault, and Bourboulenc, from the Cabrières and La Gardiole lieux-dits, brought up all in concrete.”
Shop our Rhône red selections on our web store now!
“Philippe Bravay is extremely dedicated to preserving the unique traditions and special characteristics that Châteauneuf brings to the world… Philippe’s vinification philosophy is the same for all his wines, he uses an in-tank traditional method, “I do not use barriques because I want the wine of my vines and not a technical élevage which loses the origins of the wine.” There is no filtration, only one fining for each wine. During aging, the wine is neither racked nor blended – both of those processes are accomplished only at the time of bottling and without the addition of preservatives.” -Weygandt-Metzler Importer notes
The 2018 vintage is expressive, balanced and showing well in its young years: if you are looking for a great “drink now” option: 2018’s are a perfect choice. 2019 produced elegant, deep, rich and concentrated wines with fruit forward profile. The 2019’s ripe tannins and full bodied qualities do not, however, overshadow their pure fruit profile.
In Stock Now from Domaine Ferrand:
Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96-97 points “There’s a lot to like here in 2018. Braval has made a very composed, innately balanced and beautifully drinkable Châteauneuf. The nose has attractive red and purple flowers and wild berries that run from red to black and a gently smoky, flinty edge. The palate has a sleek, supple feel, delivered so purely. The terroir has balance and finesse at Ferrand and Braval delivers it faithfully. This is a beautiful thing to taste and will be fine on release, though it will also age very well.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Tasting like Provence in a bottle, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Philippe Bravay boasts a medium ruby/purple color as well as an incredibly Provençal style in its kirsch liqueur, blackcurrant, lavender, peppery garrigue, new leather, and spice-driven aromas and flavors. Displaying medium to full-bodied richness, it has the vintage’s forward, seamless style front and center and backs it up with solid mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It’s already drinking beautifully today, yet will easily evolve for another 10-15 years.”
Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2019 750ML ($64.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2019 750ML ($389.95.95) $333 special (that’s only $55.50/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “A bigger, richer wine than the 2018, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Bravay boasts a deeper purple/plum color as well as a powerful bouquet of smoked black fruits, roasted garrigue, black licorice, and ground pepper. This rich, full-bodied wine has loads of Provençal character, a stacked mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and provide upwards of two decades of prime drinking. It’s beautifully done and well worth seeking out. The blend is 85% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah, Cinsault, and Bourboulenc, from the Cabrières and La Gardiole lieux-dits, brought up all in concrete.”
Shop our Rhône red selections on our web store now!
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10 AM – 6 PM Daily
Masks are no longer mandatory
But they are appreciated, thanks!
We also offer Curbside Pickup & Shipping
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
Collector’s Corner:
California Treasures Edition Part 1
Anakota Helena Montana Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley 2018 750ML ($149.95) $135 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97+ points “Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard spent 12 months in 100% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts from the glass with bold scents of fresh blackberries, black currants and mulberries plus suggestions of cedar chest, pencil lead, iron ore and truffles, with emerging wafts of crushed rocks and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers firm, grainy, exquisitely ripe tannins and seamless freshness supporting layer upon layer of black fruits, finishing on a long-lingering fragrant earth note.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard hails from a single vineyard in Knights Valley located at 950 feet in elevation. It has a brilliant nose of savory red and black currants, dried herbs, saddle leather, and tobacco, with a decidedly Bordeaux-like vibe in both its aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied and nicely concentrated, with ripe tannins on the palate, this is a serious, captivating, incredibly impressive Cabernet that will shine for at least two decades. You could put this beauty in a lineup of First Growth Bordeaux and it would do just fine.”
Arnot-Roberts has been one of the vanguard producers of the “New California” movement, making wines that deserve to be paid attention to as some of the best in the United States. Started by childhood friends Duncan Arnot Meyers and Nathan Lee Roberts in 2001, they’ve quickly established themselves as some of the best producers of restrained, elegant California wines.
Arnot-Roberts Montecillo Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley 2019 750ML ($149.95) $125 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo Vineyard is a headspinning wine. Rich, dense and explosive, the 2019 captures all the pedigree of this great site. Readers will find a towering, statuesque Cabernet of the highest level. Graphite, leather, dried herbs, menthol and licorice play off a core of intense, dark fruit. Potent, muscular tannins need time to soften, but, wow, what a wine. Best of all, the Montecillo is one of the most insane values readers will find in elite California Cabernet Sauvignon. I would be thrilled to own it.”
Bevan Cellars Tench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2016 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard is very deep purple-black in color with an earthy, meaty, broody nose with notes of mocha over baked plums and crème de cassis plus wafts of spice box and mincemeat. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated, rich and earthy with great vibrancy on the finish. 839 cases produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “From a steep hillside in Oakville, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard offers a more savory, masculine, layered style as well as a huge nose of red and black fruits, dried herbs, chocolate, and earth. It hits the palate with a full-bodied, mouthfilling style that carries plenty of tannins, a deep, concentrated mid-palate, and a great finish. I like it today, yet it’s going to continue drinking brilliantly for two decades.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97+ points “Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard spent 12 months in 100% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts from the glass with bold scents of fresh blackberries, black currants and mulberries plus suggestions of cedar chest, pencil lead, iron ore and truffles, with emerging wafts of crushed rocks and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers firm, grainy, exquisitely ripe tannins and seamless freshness supporting layer upon layer of black fruits, finishing on a long-lingering fragrant earth note.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard hails from a single vineyard in Knights Valley located at 950 feet in elevation. It has a brilliant nose of savory red and black currants, dried herbs, saddle leather, and tobacco, with a decidedly Bordeaux-like vibe in both its aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied and nicely concentrated, with ripe tannins on the palate, this is a serious, captivating, incredibly impressive Cabernet that will shine for at least two decades. You could put this beauty in a lineup of First Growth Bordeaux and it would do just fine.”
Arnot-Roberts has been one of the vanguard producers of the “New California” movement, making wines that deserve to be paid attention to as some of the best in the United States. Started by childhood friends Duncan Arnot Meyers and Nathan Lee Roberts in 2001, they’ve quickly established themselves as some of the best producers of restrained, elegant California wines.
Arnot-Roberts Montecillo Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley 2019 750ML ($149.95) $125 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo Vineyard is a headspinning wine. Rich, dense and explosive, the 2019 captures all the pedigree of this great site. Readers will find a towering, statuesque Cabernet of the highest level. Graphite, leather, dried herbs, menthol and licorice play off a core of intense, dark fruit. Potent, muscular tannins need time to soften, but, wow, what a wine. Best of all, the Montecillo is one of the most insane values readers will find in elite California Cabernet Sauvignon. I would be thrilled to own it.”
Bevan Cellars Tench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2016 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard is very deep purple-black in color with an earthy, meaty, broody nose with notes of mocha over baked plums and crème de cassis plus wafts of spice box and mincemeat. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated, rich and earthy with great vibrancy on the finish. 839 cases produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “From a steep hillside in Oakville, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard offers a more savory, masculine, layered style as well as a huge nose of red and black fruits, dried herbs, chocolate, and earth. It hits the palate with a full-bodied, mouthfilling style that carries plenty of tannins, a deep, concentrated mid-palate, and a great finish. I like it today, yet it’s going to continue drinking brilliantly for two decades.”
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Cardinale Estate Red Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($379.95) Was $319, Now $299 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is based on a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot that spent 22 months in 81% new French oak. It’s a wonderfully complete, borderline perfect wine that shows the class of this estate as well as the vintage, revealing a seamless, full-bodied style that carries lots of blackcurrant, graphite, lead pencil, and tobacco aromatics, a deep, layered mid-palate, ultra-fine tannins, and flawless balance. As with most of Chris’s 2018s, it’s a wine that builds slowly with time in the glass, offering a layered, singular character. It’s a gorgeous 2018 that can be drunk today with ample pleasure, but it will ideally be given 4-6 years of bottle age, at which point it should evolve gracefully for 30-40 years.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown – Wine Advocate 98 points “Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, the 2018 Cardinale was aged in French oak barrels for 22 months, 81% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it prances out of the glass with gregarious notions of warm cassis, black cherries and wild blueberries, followed by emerging earth scents with a tobacco and garrigue undercurrent. Medium to full-bodied, gracefully styled and refreshing, the vibrant black and blue-fruited palate offers a wonderfully fine-grained texture and bags of energy, finishing long with a skip in its step. 5,107 cases were made.”
Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($299.95) $259 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow is a blend of 78.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.4% Merlot, 8% Malbec and 5.1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slips effortlessly from the glass, singing of ripe black cherries, black raspberries and cassis, plus hints of red currants, roses, cinnamon stick and garrigue. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers lovely freshness, offering bags of perfumed black fruits in the mouth, beautifully supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing long with lots of soft-spoken floral and mineral whispers. This perfumed beauty wears the 2018 vintage stamp well, presenting a more delicate expression of this vineyard—one that I love! 647 cases were made.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Ripe and a bit showy in feel, with a blast of cassis and plum purée notes liberally laced with violet, singed applewood and red licorice notes. Then a nice mix of iron and warm stone accents cuts in on the finish, pulling everything together as the violet note takes an encore. Best from 2022 through 2038. 647 cases made. — JM”
Wine Spectator #1 Wine of the Year 2021!
Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($449.95) $419 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The flagship 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot brought up in 40% new French oak. With an essence of Cabernet-like character in its darker currants, green tobacco, cedar, graphite, and floral aromas and flavors, this gorgeous wine is full-bodied and has bright yet integrated acidity, polished tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s just gorgeously put together and a magical, flawless wine. It’s going to take a decade to hit maturity but will evolve for 40-50 years in cold cellars. It is as good as it gets in classic, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon!”
James Suckling 100 points “This is incredible on the nose, offering hot stones, blackcurrants, iodine and wet earth. Full-bodied with a tight center palate, then it opens with a tannin structure that is weightless and spreads across the palate. Totally integrated on the palate. This is a magic-carpet wine. Really incredible. One of the reference points for the vintage. Drinkable now and please try a bottle, but it’s one for the cellar.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 99+ points “Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Dominus slowly emerges from the glass with profound notes of blackcurrant cordial, ripe black plums, boysenberries and Black Forest cake with hints of violets, star anise, cracked black pepper, raspberry leaves and pencil lead, plus a touch of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers impactful black fruit layers, creating a beguiling sense of richness that is beautifully countered by invigorating freshness and great poise, framed by super ripe, plush tannins and beautiful tension, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note and, finally, lots of mineral sparks. For all that it is at the moment, one cannot help but feel that this 2018 is holding something back. Give it a good five years in bottle, at least, and then get set for what I suspect will be a mind-blowing transformation over the next 30 years+.-LPB”
Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!
Be well & drink well.
Be well & drink well.