Your Black Friday Experience at VWS Continues!
Matrot Meursault for Under $25
(The next best price is almost 3x more!)
Collector’s Corner Black Friday Deal
Best Prices on Gaja
California Pinot & Syrah Offer of the Year:
Chateau St. Jean’s Elite Benoist Ranch Wines
(Next best prices are 2x and 4x more!)
Crazy Chianti Deal Arrives Friday
Castello di Gabbiano
(Next best prices are almost 2x more!)
Wines all arrive Friday, but don’t wait for Friday to buy!
Inventory is limited, so buy now to secure your deals
Top Notch Meursault Under $25
(If You’re In On A Burgundian Secret)
The Matrot family crafts the well-known and beloved Thierry et Pascale Matrot Burgundies. These are delicious wines, farmed with care (and organically without certification), and available for incredible prices, especially on our Black Friday sale. What’s less well known is that sometimes the family bottles the same exact wines under the label Pierre Matrot for confusing inheritance reasons that only Burgundy wines seem to engender.
Here’s Clive Coates, Master of Wine and author of the definitive book on Burgundy: The Wines of Burgundy, on the subject: “For legal and inheritance reasons there are two domaines here, though everything is made by Thierry Matrot and his wife Pascale. Sometimes theirs is labeled as Pierre Matrot, Thierry’s father: this includes all the Blagny, red and white. The larger remainder, Joseph Matrot, is bought by Thierry and Pascale and is now sold under their label… Other wines can have either label. But it is all the same wine.”
Or Allen Meadows of Burghound, writing succinctly on the subject: “Note that ‘Domaines Matrot’ refers to Domaine Pierre Matrot and Domaine Thierry et Pascale Matrot. Thierry Matrot is the winemaker for both and the wines are identical.”
This legalistic twisting is all in your favor. Why? Because the smaller label gets overlooked by wine buyers, retailers and importers alike. That means a savvy wine shop can swoop in and buy out the inventory for a song.
The “Thierry et Pascale Matrot” label is selling for $69.99 on Wine Searcher. We’re offering the Pierre Matrot label for under $25/bottle by the case. It’s the three for one offer of the season that would be absurd to pass up. Especially for a wine proclaimed ‘outstanding’ and ‘recommended’ by Burghound.
Arriving Friday, November 29th
Pierre Matrot Meursault, Cote de Beaune 2014 750ML ($59.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Pierre Matrot Meursault, Cote de Beaune 2014 750ML ($699.95) $299 pre-arrival special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 90 points “Lean, racy and savory, offering mineral-inflected apple and citrus flavors. Tightens up, with a long aftertaste echoing the fruit, mineral and oyster shell accents. Best from 2018 through 2024. 420 cases imported.”
Burghound 89 points “OUTSTANDING. An ultra-fresh and attractively well-layered nose features notes of hazelnut, pear, white peach and floral scents. There is once again good volume coupled with excellent delineation on the tension and mineral-inflected medium-bodied flavors that deliver really lovely depth and length for a villages level wine. Recommended.”
The next best price is $69.99 (for the identical wine labeled as Thierry et Pascale Matrot)Shop our selection of 45 in-stock white Burgundies on our web store!
Gaja
Gaja is a name that requires no context in discussion—like Latour or DRC, it’s understood which estate is meant and that the wines are epic, change-your-dinner-plans events. Angelo Gaja is one of the primary reasons we care about Barbaresco today and the wines bearing his name remain the most treasured and collectible of the region. We’re excited to offer our latest best priced Gaja wines to you: the 2014 Sperss and (what will likely be the Barbaresco normale of the vintage) the 2016 Barbaresco.
Supplies on all are severely limited.
Buy now to ensure fulfillment!
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Gaja’s 2016 Barbaresco is positively stellar. A wine of poise and grace, the 2016 has so much to offer. Expressive spice and floral notes open up first, but what really stands out is the wine’s nuance and delineation. There is a sense of translucency to the 2016 that is impossible to miss. Sweet red cherry, mint, cinnamon and rose petal develop in the glass, adding further shades of nuance. Quite simply, the 2016 is one of the very finest Gaja Barbarescos in recent memory. This is such a gorgeous wine. Don’t miss it.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “I tasted this wine over two sittings, one at the winery and one at my home office a few weeks later. Although I can’t claim any extraordinary differences between the two sessions, I noticed a few minimal shifts that are essential to understanding the wine’s future aging ability. The 2016 Barbaresco starts off slow at first, showing a small margin of aromatic evolution in the glass. But come back two hours later, and you can almost hear the soft sounds of the symphony playing just below the surface. The 2016 vintage is characterized by the solid intensity and firmness of its aromas, which transcend fruit and veer toward balsamic herb, licorice, tar and smoke instead. The tannins offer a moment of sweetness and softness, before you are aware of their undeniable firmness. In all, there is a certain glossiness or satiny quality to the mouthfeel that underlines the wine’s carefully crafted integration. I would describe this as a classic and also a somewhat austere Barbaresco that fully deserves extra cellar time to stretch those tight muscles and grow in volume. This wine will award those who wait.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This gorgeous red evokes rose, strawberry, raspberry and cherry fruit, shaded by tobacco, tar and wild thyme notes. Pure, sleek and intense, with a firm base of tannins and vibrant acidity for support. This should evolve beautifully. Be patient. Best from 2022 through 2043. 1,800 cases imported.”
James Suckling 96 points “This is all about finesse with power. Such great length here with ever so refined tannins and precise strawberry, cedar, dried-rose and mineral character. Medium body. Fresh and vivid finish. Hard not to drink now, but wait until at least 2021.”
The average price is $268
James Suckling 95 points “More forward and in a more earthly realm than the dizzying heights of the Conteisa this vintage, but it’s so endearing and immediately delights. The aromas range from elderberries and black cherries to brambleberries and Chinese spices. Full-bodied and structured with powerful tannins that encase bright and forthright blue fruit, which is polished over by a sheen of glimmering acidity. Long finish. Delicious now, but better in 2022.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “This is a slightly more subdued vintage of this legendary wine, albeit just as sophisticated as past editions. The 2014 Barolo Sperss opens to gorgeous aromas of dark fruit, wet earth and white truffle. The vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba produced much less fruit than average and suffered from bouts of downy mildew during the rainy seasons. But Serralunga d’Alba fruit is also harvested late, and that extra time was important for achieving grape ripeness targets. The wine presents depth and complexity within the context of a thinner vintage. Having said that, the bouquet is spectacular.”
The next best price is $247.99
The average price is $293
Supplies on all are severely limited. Buy now to ensure fulfillment!
Highlights In Stock Now from Gaja
Wine Spectator 94 points “Rich and expressive, with cherry, strawberry and earth flavors and plenty of flesh to cover the solid structure. Spice and tobacco notes add depth as this plays out on the long finish. Best from 2019 through 2032. 6,000 cases made.”
The next best price is $78
The average price is $84
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2010 Bolgheri Camarcanda is an exceptional wine with a level of aromatic intensity and integrity that is impossible to exaggerate. The blend is Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, in that order of importance. The bouquet is impeccable and refined, with deep layers of Morello cherry, cassis, dried blackberry and spice that peel back in quick succession. The oak component is beautifully integrated, imparting notes of chocolate and tobacco that complete this beautiful portrait of Tuscan winemaking. Hold this bottle for a few more years.”
The average price is $147
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Good full red. Reticent strawberry and plum aromas are complicated by a medicinal component. Rounder and sweeter than the normale, but also showing excellent inner-mouth lift for all its fullness. This very broad, fine-grained wine finishes with a juicy quality and excellent structure. In spite of its firm tannins, this makes the young ’07 come off as a bit drier by comparison.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2006 Langhe Costa Russi is a bit reticent at first, and two of the three bottles I tasted showed elements of reduction that eventually blew off. A gorgeous center of soft perfumed fruit lies behind the slightly unfocused bouquet. The wine reveals notable clarity and detail once it opens up in the glass, with dark cherries, flowers and minerals that linger on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031.”
Please Note
Vinopolis Will Be Closed for Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 28th
We will resume normal business hours (10-6)
on Friday, November 29th
California Pinot & Syrah Offer of the Year
Chateau St. Jean Benoist Ranch Wines for a fraction of other listings
50% & 75% Off the Next Best Prices!
Chateau St. Jean is well known for their budget-friendly varietal wines, but their single vineyard collection features the terroir of Benoist Ranch, a coveted property in the Sonoma Coast where the cool maritime climate produces wines of richness, intensity and balance. It makes for fantastic juice, particularly in the 2014 vintage, which was a true winner for Pinot Noir and other reds from Sonoma.
The best part? We’re making their elite cuvee budget friendly for you. We’re offering the Syrah at over half off the next best price and the Pinot for almost 75% off the next best price!
Buy now before it’s all snapped up. Arriving Friday:
Chateau St Jean Benoist Ranch Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2014 750ML ($69.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Chateau St Jean Benoist Ranch Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 750ML ($799.95) $219 pre-arrival special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
The next best price is $70
That’s over $50 more PER BOTTLE by the case
Case-12 Chateau St Jean Benoist Ranch Syrah, Sonoma County 2014 750ML ($599.95) $249 pre-arrival special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
James Suckling 94 points “This is a big and rich wine with lots of dried berry and chocolate character. Full body, layered and rich. Very long and flavorful. Drink now.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Syrah Benoist Ranch has notes of preserved plums, blueberry pie and black forest cake with hints of Indian spices, violets and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, the structure on the mouth is seamless and fine, defining the berry preserves flavors and finishing long and perfumed.”
The next best price is $50
That’s almost $30 more PER BOTTLE by the case!Shop our extensive collection of California wines in stock now on our web store!
Crazy Chianti Deal Arrives Friday!
Castello di Gabbiano is one of the most notable producers of Chianti Classico—a historic estate that’s pushed forward into the 21st century as one of the most important producers of Chianti out there. Their top wine is the Chianti Gran Selezione “Bellezza,” a 100% Sangiovese that challenges the best in Brunello and Chianti. These are wines that drink well young but also will reward bottle age.
We’re offering a mini-vertical of the wines from two excellent vintages at astounding pricing—up to $22 less than the next best price online. For less than $25/btl by the six-pack, these are some of the best buys in the world of wine. These arrive Friday, November 29th and you’d do well to load up on both vintages.
Arriving Friday, November 29th:
Castello di Gabbiano Bellezza, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2012 750ML ($59.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Castello di Gabbiano Bellezza, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2012 750ML ($359.95) $149 pre-arrival special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points “A wine with a wonderful depth of fruit but slightly marked by the new wood. Full body, round and silky tannins and a medium finish. This needs two or three years to come together in the bottle. A solid red.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Editor’s Choice. Baked plum, Asian spice, vanilla and menthol aromas carry the nose. The elegantly structured palate offers fleshy black cherry, licorice, mint and well-integrated French oak alongside fine-grained tannins that lend firm, polished support. A coffee note marks the finish.”
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2012 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Bellezza is plump, juicy and expressive. Succulent red cherries, plums, sweet spices, leather and smoke flesh out nicely in the glass. The aromatics are slightly forward, which leads me to believe the 2012 will not be a long-term ager. Still, today the Bellezza is attractive and immediate, both qualities that make it an excellent choice for near term drinking.”
The average listed price across all vintages is $43
Case-6 Castello di Gabbiano Bellezza, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2013 750ML ($359.95) ($359.95) $149 pre-arrival special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 92 points “This is settling into a nice groove, in a contemporary style, offering plum, black cherry, earth and tobacco flavors, framed by spicy oak. Balanced and beefy, with a long, spice-tinged aftertaste. Drink now through 2027. 2,000 cases made, 1,350 cases imported.”
James Suckling 92 points “Plenty of new wood at the moment with berry and chocolate undertones. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a flavorful finish. A little overdone but still outstanding. Drink now.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “Gabbiano’s 2013 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Bellezza is terrific. Succulent red cherry, woodsmoke, tobacco and licorice all flesh out in this soft, open-knit Riserva. A sheen of oak does not really seem to add much and in fact masks some of the purity of the fruit. Even so, the 2013 is very nicely done in this style.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Made entirely with Sangiovese, this opens with aromas of black plum, vanilla, eucalyptus and a touch of ginger. The savory, balanced palate doles out ripe black cherry, licorice, white pepper and cedar alongside fine-grained tannins.”
The next best price is $46.99We’re crazy about Chianti, including from Felsina and Isole e Olena. Shop all 28 Chianti options on our web store!
Thanks for reading!