Casanova di Neri Brunello ‘11
Lowest Listed Price
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44.90 special, 36+ bottles available – This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Founded in 1971 by Giovanni Neri, Casanova di Neri made its first Brunello following the 1978 harvest. Giovanni’s son Giacomo took the reins in 1991, and the family’s line-up of Montalcinos galloped toward success. Tradition rides alongside modernity at Casanova di Neri, hence the hand-harvesting, the gravity-fed winery, and the deep cellar that needs no air conditioning. Giacomo ages his wines in large wooden casks for more than three years, resulting in Sangiovese of wonderful finesse and elegance. The 2011 Brunello carries the warmth of that vintage, and is drinking well today. Another Casanova di Neri wine of fabulous breed.
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Casanova di Neri’s 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a very pretty and expressive wine. Sweet red cherry, menthol, rose petal and mint open up first, followed by a touch of blood orange that adds lovely aromatic lift and brightness throughout. Although not especially complex, the 2011 should drink beautifully for at least a handful of years. Today, it is quite pretty and expressive.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “Giacomo Neri has produced a very approachable wine in this warm vintage. The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is plump and juicy with loads of dark fruit and mild spice at the back. It doesn’t have the depth or complexity of the gorgeous 2010 vintage, but the wine does a very good job presenting the main traits you look for in Brunello. The fruit is lively and the acidity gives the wine a sense of buoyancy and brightness. The tannins are very well integrated. It doesn’t reach Brunello greatness, but it is a good Brunello.”
Smash Hit from K Vintners
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “Coming from an older vineyard planted next to Dick Bushey’s Bushey Vineyard, Smith’s 2013 M C K Syrah (this stands for Motor City Kitty) is inky colored and off-the-charts good, with layers of black fruits, olive tapenade, crushed rock and pepper. Massive, full-bodied, decadent and voluptuous, it’s certainly not for those craving lightweight aromas and flavors and dishes out immense pleasure.”
Newly Arrived from Cristom
2013’s and 2014’s Are Here!
They hired Steve Doerner as winemaker. He had worked for Calera (a distinguished California Pinot Noir producer) for 14 years and was looking for a change – Paul brought him on after convincing him of the potential in Oregon for Pinot Noir. They restored the original vineyard, which is now the Marjorie vineyard. Between 1993 and 1996, they added new plantings which are now the Louise, Jessie and Eileen vineyards. The vineyards are composed of iron-rich volcanic soils.
In the winery, Doerner uses a sparing hand in intervention: there is no chapitalization and minimal additions of acid and yeast when necessary. The wine undergoes a long and cool fermentation with minimal racking during its slow oak maturation.
Wines Available Here Now From Cristom:
2013’s….
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points Bright red. Tightly wound red berry and Asian spice aromas pick up a suave floral nuance with air. Silky and precise, offering energetic raspberry and bitter cherry flavors with a touch of star anise. A suave, seamless Pinot with no excess weight. Closes tangy and very long, with silky tannins and lingering spiciness.”
Cristom Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 13 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Ruby-red. Highly perfumed scents of dark berries, cola and rose oil. Fleshy, expansive black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors display a suave blend of richness and energy, picking up a spicy character with air. Finishes juicy and very long, with lingering dark fruit flavors and slow-building tannins.”
Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 13 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “Deep red. Hugely aromatic bouquet evokes ripe red fruits, incense and Asian spices, along with a bright mineral overtone. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering sweet raspberry preserve, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen and spread out with air. Delivers a suave blend of power and elegance, finishing with harmonious tannins and remarkable clarity and length.”
…and 2014’s!
Winery note “Perched high on a hill, Eileen Vineyard has a commanding view of the Cristom Estate, the Eastern Cascade Mountains, and the Western Coastal Range. The vineyard’s elevation soars from 540 to 705 feet, giving Eileen the highest elevation on the Cristom property. Eileen is also known for having the youngest vines: 16.6 acres of Pinot Noir were planted in 1997; in 2007, 4.52 acres of Wädenswil clone Pinot Noir were added. This gives Eileen the distinction of having the youngest vines on the farm and the largest planting. Named for Paul Gerrie’s wife (and co-owner of Cristom), Eileen Gerrie, the Eileen Single Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir was first released in 2000.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Winery note “The views from the top of the east-facing Jessie Vineyard are some of Cristom’s most spectacular. On a clear day, the Cascade Mountains (including Mts. Jefferson, Hood, and Adams) sparkle. Named after Paul Gerrie’s paternal grandmother, Jessie Sommers, Jessie Vineyard is the steepest on the Cristom property. It is also the vineyard with the greatest elevation change and most diverse soils. First released in 1998, Jessie is typically deep, rich and floral with multiple layers of flavor.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 11 bottles available
Winery note “Paul Gerrie’s maternal grandmother was the namesake of Louise Vineyard, the first Cristom estate vineyard planted. Thanks to a slope that separates the upper and lower parts of the vineyard, Louise is distinctive because it usually has some of the first and last fruit harvested each year. Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir was first released in 1996. It typically has more acid and tannin than other single vineyard estate Pinot Noirs – a result of its lower elevation and warmer site.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Winery note “Originally planted in 1982, the Marjorie Vineyard is one of the oldest vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA and home to some of the oldest vines we farm. Marjorie is a gently sloped East-facing hillside found between 480 feet and 615 feet above sea level. Named for Paul Gerrie’s mother, the first single vineyard estate Marjorie was released in 1994. A true example of terroir, the soil, elevation, climate, and vine age meet and produce a wine capable of great depth, complexity, and long-term age ability.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2014 Mt Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir, which contains around 50% whole cluster fruit, has a lively, wild strawberry and candied orange peel scented bouquet, a touch of freshly sliced tangerine in the background. This is a vivacious bouquet with more intensity than the 2013. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh, lithe tannin. This is nicely balanced with good grip in the mouth, the 15% new oak nicely integrated with a subtle saline note towards the earthy finish. For thirty bucks, this is a great value.”
Domaine Ostertag
Alsace With Class
Altogether, the wines of Domaine Ostertag are a refreshing taste of Alsace with great purity and, quite often, age worthiness. We carry a nice range of the cuvees, all listed below.
Available Here Now from Domaine Ostertag:
Ian D’agata–Vinous 90 points “Pale straw-green. Captivating aromas and flavors fresh apple, pear compote and smoke. Juicy and rather sweet, but with lively acidity giving it a light touch. This long wine was aged for 15 months in new oak” ID
Domaine Ostertag Fronholz Riesling 2012 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 6 bottles available
Ian D’agata–Vinous 91 points “Bright pale yellow. Ripe but vibrant aromas of white peach and jasmine. Silky on entry, then round and ripe in the mid-palate, energized by lovely lemony cut. The sweet spice, resin and strawberry flavors show a tactile texture and an almost meaty quality and leave the taste buds vibrating. Displays the lift and verve of this vintage in spades. A great Fronholz.” ID
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $39.63
Wine Advocate 94 points “Ostertag’s 2011 Riesling Muenchberg mingles fresh, very ripe apple and pear with candied grapefruit and kumquat rinds, caramelized parsnip, caraway, and fresh ginger, all wreathed in peat-like and charred smokiness, and putting me in mind of a Riesling dosed with Gewurztraminer. There is an uncanny combination of body and high glycerol with brightness here, leading to a finish of exuberant juiciness, zesty cut, interactive complexity and formidable sheer grip. I would anticipate this meriting return visits though at least 2025.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $47.99
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Intense and rich, this is impressive, ripe and full-bodied. It has a great texture with the steeliness of Riesling embedded in the richly fruity, concentrated floral and white fruit flavors. Now at the stage where it is good to drink for its fruitiness, it has much more to come. Best to wait until 2018.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $53.80
Wine Advocate 95 points “From 30- to 75-year-old vines on red sandstone and volcanic sediments, Ostertag’s 2013 Riesling Grand Cru Muenchberg shows a clear, very precise and deep, multi-layered bouquet with flinty flavors intertwined with tropical aromas; it is absolutely fascinating in its ripeness and intensity. Very deep, rich and fleshy on the palate, with the dense and juicy texture of ripe Riesling mingled with the precisely mineral taste of pure stones and rocks, this is a firm, very complex, highly elegant and persistent Riesling, still fairly stringent in its mouth-watering and salty finish, but with an aging potential of 20+ years.”
James Suckling 94 points “A dense and rich white with a wonderful clarity and brightness plus flowers, strawberry and sliced apple character. Full body, fresh acidity and a mineral, citrus undertone. Made from biodynamically grown grapes. Dry. Drink now.”
Ian D’agata – Vinous 93 points “Medium yellow. Aromas of fresh peach, orange zest, lemon verbena and flint. Big, fat and broad, with concentrated stone fruit, lime, brown spice and honey flavors. Conveys an element of oiliness buffered by musky herbs and minerality. Finishes long, spicy and honeyed; very Muenchberg! Still very youthful; I’d suggest cellaring it for at least another four years before pulling the cork.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $49
Ian D’agata–Vinous 89 points “Bright red. Effusively fruity aromas of red cherry, raspberry and strawberry. The red fruit comes through on the palate as well, lifted by spicy herbs and minerals. Long and bright on the refined finish. Said Ostertag: “This is not the richest Pinot Noir we’ve ever made but we were happy with the result. It’s not especially opulent but it has a lovely cool-climate personality and good aging potential.’”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Importer note: Fronholz vineyard. Vines average 40+ years old, soil is White Sand, Quartz, Clay, Marl
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Ian D’agata 90 points “Good medium red. Musky soil tones and raspberry on the nose. Supple, spicy and sweet, with sound underlying acidity contributing to much-needed lift to the somewhat syrupy red berry and red cherry flavors. Finishes bright and long. This is a really outstanding Alsace Pinot Noir, fresh and crisp despite its obvious ripeness of fruit. The yield was just 30 hectoliters per hectare, according to Ostertag.” ID
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Jos. Christoffel Jr.:
2014ers Have Arrived!
The quaint village of Ürzig hugs the Mosel River’s north bank. The south-facing vineyards here, notably the Würzgarten (“Spice Garden”) and Prälat, stand high and steep above the Mosel, capturing its warmth and reflected sunlight for added ripeness. Red, iron-rich Devonian slate soils yield Rieslings of racy spice and sweet strawberry/kiwi fruit.
Vintage 2014 Wines from
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Available Here Now:
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett 2014 750ML ($27.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett 2014 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, 4 cases available
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate “Kajo Christoffel’s 2014 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett is clearly characterized by honey-sweet botrytis flavors along with dried fruit and overripe Riesling flavors on the nose. Light in alcohol (7.5%), round and racy on the palate, this is a lush and juicy, very aromatic Riesling with a delicate acidity and a lingering minerality in the finish. Should be cellared for six or ten years.”
VinopolNote: Erdener Treppchen slops southward, allowing long stretches of exposure. The soil comprises of deep layers of iron-infused slate, steeply terraced from the river’s banks up to the rough and rocky summit of nearby hills. The vineyard’s terrain inspired the name, based off of ‘treppe’, or ‘staircase’, in German.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Case-12 Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese 2014 750ML ($299.95) $239 special, 2 cases available
VinopolNote on Urziger Wurzgarten: The Urziger Wurzgarten, or ‘spice garden’ is an intensely steep, iron-rich red slate vineyard. Though it’s located right next to the Erdener vineyards, the Ürziger wines are vastly different: the volcanic soils and favorable drainage lead to an earthy, spice-laden, tropical fruit-tinged wine.
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles available
VinopolNote: Erderner Prälat occupies a mere 2.2 hectares. Entirely south-facing, the vineyard is surrounded by cliffs which insulate the vines – as a result, Prälat is one of the warmest plots in the region. Over time, it has also become one of the most sought-after vineyards. Given the limited space, only a few winemakers have access to the vineyard.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
VinopolNote on Urziger Wurzgarten: The Urziger Wurzgarten, or ‘spice garden’ is an intensely steep, iron-rich red slate vineyard. Though it’s located right next to the Erdener vineyards, the Ürziger wines are vastly different: the volcanic soils and favorable drainage lead to an earthy, spice-laden, tropical fruit-tinged wine.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vinopolnote: Ürziger Würzgarten or ‘spice garden’ is known for producing spicy wines from the steep, iron-rich red slate vineyard.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vinopolnote: Ürziger Würzgarten or ‘spice garden’ is known for producing spicy wines from the steep, iron-rich red slate vineyard.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Delas Freres
Cellars Releases
& Newer Offerings
We are proud to offer the
2004 Les Bessards from Delas Freres:
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “Ruby-red. Very pungent, deep aromas of tobacco- and underbrush-laced red and blackcurrant. Powerful and rich, showing impressive sweetness to its potent cassis and blackberry flavors. Really stains the palate, finishing with exceptional purity and mineral tones. Whatever tannins are here (and you know there are plenty) are completely absorbed by the sheer fruit mass.”
Winery Cellar Released!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $179.99
More Winery-Cellared Bottlings
and New Releases Also Available from Delas Freres:
Wine Advocate 94 points “One of the gems in the vintage is the 2013 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes, which comes from both the Bessards and Grandes Vignes lieux-dits on Hermitage Hill. Completely destemmed, then vinified in stainless steel and concrete tanks, the wine is aged 18 months in 30% new French oak; it offers terrific notes of dark fruits, graphite and ample minerality in a full-bodied, layered, ripe profile. It’s more approachable than the Les Bessards, yet will still have three decades of longevity.”
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards 2013 750ML ($249.95) $199 special
Wine Advocate 94+ points “Closed, tight and backwards, the 2013 Hermitage les Bessards is a big, full-bodied, burly wine that offers first rate purity in its black raspberry, ozone, liquid rock, and creosote-like bouquet. It has plenty of material and density, but will need 7-8 years of bottle age to become approachable. As normal, it comes all from the “Bas de Coteau” portion of the Bessards lieu-dit, was completely destemmed and saw 18 months in 30% new French oak.”
Delas Freres Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos 2004 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 89 points “Medium red. Strong mineral notes accent fresh cherry and earthier tobacco and floral aromas. Solid and firmly structured, with a racy quality to the bright cherry and rhubarb flavors. This should age very well.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Robert Parker 92 points “The stunning, dense ruby/purple-tinged 2006 Crozes-Hermitage Les Clos exhibits smoky, roasted meat, garrigue, blackberry, cassis, new saddle leather, and charcoal aromas, sweet tannins, full-bodied power, and reserves of concentration and fruit. Consume it over the next decade. This cuvee has become one of the top three or four wines of the appellation. ”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Very racy, with dark fig and black cherry fruit crushed together, while hints of iron, mesquite and tobacco fill out the finish. Shows great drive and precision, despite its ample toast.”
Delas Freres Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 93+ points “Similar to the Domaine des Grands Chemins, yet with additional structure, the inky purple/ruby colored 2013 Crozes Hermitage le Clos has lots of minerality in its smoky, meaty, dark fruited profile. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, structured yet balanced, give it 2-4 years of cellaring and enjoy over the following decade or more.”
We offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
–Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California for $25
These rates do not apply to orders held in storage here for any reason.
Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment
do not qualify for flat rate shipping.
A Tuscan Treasure
2011 Brunello & 2014 Rosso di Montalcino
Sultry summer days, when then air tastes spiced with Tuscan herbs, the heat shuts down everything but the grape vines, and the oncoming cool of evening inspires a visit to the cellar. Brunello was made to represent such times. Have a glass of Piancornello, for example, and the dog days live on. Grown on south-facing, rocky soils, in the southern reaches of Montalcino, the wines of Piancornello receive copious sunlight and warmth. The vineyards’ proximity to the Mediterrenean and the Orcia River, however, provides a fresh breeze. All of this combines to create a full-bodied, mineral-laden Sangiovese with amazing ageing potential.
The Pieri family has owned Piancornello since 1950, but it wasn’t until the 1990 vintage that they began estate-bottling their wines. Their organic viticulture, patient and traditional winemaking style, and stewardship of the land and Montalcino name earned a Slow Food award in 2014. No doubt the accolades will keep coming for Piancornello, just as summertime will continue to inspire the uncorking of their wines.
Importer note “The younger brother of Brunello di Montalcino, the Rosso di Montepulciano from Piancornello is a versatile, medium bodied Sangiovese with lots of varietal fruit, including cherries and fresh plums.”
The average price is $21
Piancornello Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
James Suckling 93 points “This is a soft, delicate and succulent red with dried strawberry, walnut and light cream aromas and flavors. Full body, polished tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Subtle and gorgeous. Drink or hold.” (15-Feb-2016)
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is one of the more successful wines of the vintage. Sage, lavender, iron, smoke and dark red cherry notes flesh out in a supple, inviting Brunello. A kick of Mediterranean warmth gives the 2011 its generous texture, with all of the elements very much in the right place. I would prefer to drink the 2011 over the next handful of years or so. This is a strong showing from Piancornello.”
The next best price is $47.95
Secure Your Bottles…
Portugal is not all Port!
Quinta da Falorca
Arriving in December 2016
Quinta do Vale das Escadinhas ‘Quinta da Falorca’ Touriga Nacional, Dao, Portugal 2011 750ML ($59.95) $39 pre-arrival special, ETA December 2016
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2011 Touriga Nacional Quinta Da Falorca is a blend of Touriga grapes from three plots, two with 40 years of age and the third at ten. It was aged in new French oak for 18 months. The combination of power, finesse and seduction here make this more than a little enticing. To be sure, it is rather unevolved and it needs to pull in a little oak. Even now, though, it is slowly gathering itself. The crisp, flavorful finish, balance and good structure will support this for a couple of decades in all likelihood. It finishes with controlled power and persistent flavor. It is always a wine that leans a bit to the Burgundian and this year is no different. I liked last year’s version a lot. That may in fact be a bit lusher. This has a bit more lift, focus and penetration, granting that they are not now side-by-side. It is a very nice duo. In the long run, this will win out. It was far superior the next day, its combination of finesse and precision winning out. It has an Old-World feel (forgive the stereotype).”
Our Leading Candidate
for Vinopolis Wine of the Year
Champagne Knock Out for Rock Bottom Price
Fidele is a Blanc de Noirs from the Vouette and Biaunes vineyards. It includes 5% reserve wine and the remainder is from the base vintage (this year it is the exceptional 2012). The wine is rich and expansive, showcasing the true Aube character.
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!), 11 half-cases available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The NV (2012) Extra Brut Fidele is another fabulous wine from Vouette & Sorbée. Here, the richness of Pinot Noir comes through loud and clear in the wine’s depth and overall richness. Creamy and beautifully layered throughout, the 2012 hits all the right notes. Red berry, mint, flowers, sweet spices and candy fill out the wine’s broad frame effortlessly. What a gorgeous wine this is. Simply put, the 2012 is a total knock-out.”
Staff Pick Notes: I can say with pleasure that I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy the past three releases of the Vouette e Sorbee Fidele (’09, ’10 and ’11) and jumped at the chance to try the 2012. The Fidele 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. -Suzanne
Case-6 Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Blanc d’Argile Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($599.95) $438 special (that’s only $73/bottle!)
Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Blanc d’Argile Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 1.5L ($199.95) $179 special
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.”
Vinopolnote: Antonio Galloni has dubbed the Blanc d’Argile “Chablis-like in its purity”, with “a focused expression of smoke, flint, minerals and citrus.” A long-time favorite.
Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2011) 1.5L ($199.95) $119 special, 12 magums available
Case-6 Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2011) 750ML ($419.95) $269 special (that’s only $44.83/bottle!), 4 half-cases available
Winery note “[Translated] Our desire as a domaine is to remain discreet stylistically while genuinely showcasing the character of each vintage. Cuvee Fidele does so by definition. This wine shows all of the vinous flavors of Pinot Noir with expressions of limestone (a sign of the pure Kimmeridgian soil) and persistent aromas due to vinification completely in wood.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The Extra Brut Fidèle bursts from the glass with an exciting melange of aromas and flavors. The Pinot is very much alive in the glass in a rich, textured Champagne loaded with class and elegance. Dried pears, marzipan, dried flowers and licorice flesh beautifully. This striking wine from Vouette et Sorbée is oozing with personality”
Arriving in October
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Grand-Vin Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2009 1.5L ($799.95) $699 pre-arrival special, ETA October
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin opens with the most beguiling bouquet imaginable. Freshly cut flowers, mint, cinnamon and licorice all make an appearance as this vivid, beautifully delineated wine opens up in the glass. A model of total finesse and elegance, the 2009 wraps around the palate with what feels like endless layers of aromas and flavors. This totally seamless, polished Cabernet Sauvignon is virtually impossible to resist today, but it will be even better in another few years. The 2009 is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.”
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Grand-Vin Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 1.5L ($1099.95) $899 pre-arrival special, ETA October
Robert Parker 100 points “The perfect 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin State Lane Vineyard is 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot aged 20 months in 100% new French oak. I think this is the third perfect score I’ve given to this wine, which is the essence of their vineyard, representing about 13% of the total production, or a mere 320 cases. The wine has a gorgeously opaque purple color and a beautiful nose of camphor, charcoal, blackberry and cr?me de cassis with licorice and truffle. It has unbelievable richness, great texture, tremendous finesse, precision and delineation. Very intense, full-bodied and super-pure, the length of the wine must be at least 50+ seconds. This is a gorgeous wine and one of the great superstars of this fabulous vintage. Drink it over the next 25-30 years.”
Kapcsandy Family Winery Endre, Napa Valley 2010 1.5L ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special, ETA October
Robert Parker 94 points “The less expensive 2010 Endre (53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc aged in both French and Hungarian oak) is very Bordeaux like. Notes of bouquet garni, red and black currants and loamy soil are present in this medium-bodied wine that seems to be a faster evolving effort than its siblings. With excellent texture as well as an elegant style, and I use that word in a positive sense, it should drink well for 10-15 years.”
Robert Parker 98 points “The 100% Merlot cuvée, the 2012 Roberta’s Reserve State Lane Vineyard is, once again, flirting with perfection. A stunning nose of chocolate fudge intermixed with coffee bean, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit is intense, and followed by a full-bodied, gorgeously textured, opulent style of wine with stunning richness and purity. This is a brilliant wine and only represents 12% of the production, as only 300 cases were produced. It should drink well for 20-25 years.”
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2012 Roberta’s Reserve (Merlot) is another drop-dead gorgeous wine from Kapcsándy. Mocha, black cherries, plums, licorice and menthol meld together in an effortless, seamless wine endowed with sublime grace and class. Lovely savory and mineral notes support the pliant finish. What a gorgeous wine this is.”
Trio of ‘10s
Trio of Hundred-Pointers
The Perfect Ending
Robert Parker 100 points “An astounding, compelling wine with the classic Pauillac nose more often associated with its cross-street neighbor, Mouton-Rothschild, creme de cassis, there are also some violets and other assorted floral notes. The wine has off-the-charts massiveness and intensity but never comes across as heavy, overbearing or astringent. The freshness, laser-like precision, and full-bodied, massive richness and extract are simply remarkable to behold and experience. It is very easy, to become jaded tasting such great wines from a great vintage, but it is really a privilege to taste something as amazing as this…Talk about an estate that is on top of its game!…Kudos to Pontet-Canet!”
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage, Rhone 2010 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 4 bottles remaining
Robert Parker 100 points “Pure perfection, the 2010 Hermitage reminds Jean-Louis Chave of their 1990. It appears to be a richer, fresher example of what I remember the 1990 tasting like in 1992. The wine exhibits an opaque purple color along with an extraordinary bouquet of sweet blackberry fruit intermixed with creme de cassis, lead pencil shavings, acacia flowers, bouquet garni, meat and crushed rocks. Full-bodied and stunningly rich with laser-like precision, this is a powerful, massive yet exceptionally well-balanced wine that should be forgotten for a decade and drunk over the following 30-40 years.” RP
Robert Parker 100 points “There are 716 cases of the 2010 Ermitage de l’Oree. I have been following this cuvee since its debut vintage and this 100% Marsanne possesses more richness than most Burgundy Montrachets. Although aged in 100% new, 500-liter demi-muids, the wine reveals no evidence of oak. Honeysuckle, caramelized citrus, white peach, quince and white currant characteristics are viscous and full-bodied, yet the wine possesses striking precision and laser-like focus. This monumental effort is the most opulent and richest of all Chapoutier’s dry whites in 2010.”RP
The average price is $274