Mid-Week Newsletter 09/15/21

France – Southern

Domaine de Cebene ‘Ex Arena’ IGP Pays d’Oc 2016 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “A wine that always seems to deliver incredible bang for the buck, the 2016 Ex Arena is a tank-aged blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre. It has gorgeous bouquet of saddle leather, black cherries, garrigue, lavender, and pepper. Complex, elegant, yet pure southern France gorgeousness, with good freshness and a great finish, it over-delivers and will keep for 4-6 years.”
 

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Domaine Gilles Troullier Tandem, Cotes du Roussillon 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Another terrific looking barrel sample is the 2015 Cotes Catalanes Tandem. Based on Grenache and Syrah brought up in demi-muids, it’s loaded with notions of blueberries, plums, violets and spring flowers. Full-bodied, structured and tannic, yet with thrilling purity, give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy through 2027.” JD
 

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Italy

La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany 2019 750ML ($31.95) $26.50 special
Case-6 La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany 2019 750ML ($189.95) $149 special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2019 Rosso di Montalcino makes itself known with a captivating display of dusty rose, fresh strawberries and hints of confectionary spice. This silky and feminine effort impresses further with a savory mix of red and hints of blue fruit, as salty mineral tones create a more tactile feel toward the close. A note of sour cherry pits lingers under an air of purple-tinged flowers as it tapers off lightly structured. The 2019 would benefit from a short stay in the cellar, and it should emerge as an incredibly pretty Rosso.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Ca’ del Baio ‘Asili’ Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($44.95) $39 special
Case-6 Ca’ del Baio ‘Asili’ Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($269.95) $222 special (that’s only $37/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 94 points “There’s a sappy, old-vine character to this red, featuring intense cherry, strawberry and floral aromas and flavors. Accents of wild herbs, iron and tobacco add depth as this plays out on the lingering finish, showing excellent balance and length. Best from 2024 through 2038. 833 cases made, 420 cases imported. — BS”
 

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Spain

Vinos do Macizo Ourensan Peixes ‘Peixe da Estrada’ Tinto, Ourense 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Arriving Friday: 

Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $85 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available 
Wine Spectator 95 points “A fresh and elegant red, showing aromas and flavors of cut hay, strawberry, cherry, iron, eucalyptus and tar. Lithe and intense, with a long, savory aftertaste. Best from 2024 through 2045. BS”
 

Only a handful of wines in the world are considered “Immortal” in terms of their potential life in the bottle. The most famous of these is without a doubt Tokaji. The confluence of high acid, prodigious sugar levels, perfect terroir and masterful cellar-work is what makes these wines so long lived, with bottles that are hundreds of years old still being drinkable. They’re also among some of the highest selling wines at auction, with 500ml bottles selling for tens of thousands of dollars or more!  

Have you ever had something that tasted so good you thought there was a secret ingredient? Marzio Galeotto, an Italian merchant in the 1460’s widely proclaimed that Tokaji contained flecks of actual gold. This sparked centuries of obsession with the region, with an inexhaustible list of historical figures who proclaimed their love for the wines including Thomas Jefferson, Catherine the Great, Tolstoy and the Sun King himself, Louis the 14th, who made it the court wine of Versailles. 

We were so impressed by the two single vineyard offerings from Royal Tokaji Co that we signed on for their entire portfolio lineup. Royal Tokaji Company is a producer credited with reintroducing Tokai to the world of fine wine after the fall of the Iron Curtain. These are benchmark wines that you should try at least once in your lifetime, and have at least one in the cellar. Across the single vineyards you see a huge diversity in soil types and elevation featuring Loess, Red Clay, and various Volcanic compositions. 

Arriving ETA October 

Royal Tokaji ‘Betsek’ Single Vineyard Aszu 6 Puttonyos Tokaj 2017 500ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, 12 500ml-bottles available 
Neal Martin-Vinous 96 points “The 2017 Tokaji Betsek 6-Puttonyos comes from Royal Tokaji’s largest vineyard site, a crescent-shaped parcel on black volcanic soils. This has a very harmonious, Sauternes-like bouquet with orange blossom and wild peach aromas percolating through with time. The palate is poised and focused, delivering vibrant energy, a touch of spiciness on the back palate and outstanding length. This could turn out to be their finest single-vineyard release. Brilliant.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Royal Tokaji ‘Mezes Maly’ Aszu 6 Puttonyos Tokaj 2017 500ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, 12 500ml-bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous 95 points “The 2017 Tokaji Mézes Mály 6-Puttonyos, which comes from vines on loess soils, has a beautiful nose. Very pure but not intense, it offers scents of honeysuckle, clementine, lemon sherbet and a touch of black currant leaf, all showing wonderful definition. The palate is is very well balanced with impressive weight, but like the nose, there is a subtlety, a lightness of touch from start to finish. Elegant and poised, this is a very classy effort from one of Tokaji’s most renowned sites and it will age with class.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Royal Tokaji ‘Nyulaszo’ Aszu 6 Puttonyos Tokaj 2017 500ML ($149.95) $105 pre-arrival special, 12 500ml-bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous 94 points “The 2017 Tokaji Nyulászó 6-Puttonyos comes from vines on brown volcanic soils overlooking the town of Mád. This has a lighter and perhaps less complex bouquet compared to Royal Tokaji’s other cuvées, though it develops nicely in the glass to reveal lemon verbena, dried mango and wild peachy scents. The palate is much more open, its impressive weight and concentration effortlessly counterbalanced by a fine line of acidity. This is very harmonious and poised, and almost Sauternes-like toward the finish. Give it 5–8 years in the cellar to allow those aromas to open.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Royal Tokaji ‘Szt. Tamas’ Aszu 6 Puttonyos Tokaj 2017 500ML ($149.95), $112 special 12 500ml-bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous 95 points “The 2017 Tokaji Szt. Tamás 6-Puttonyos comes from red-clay topsoils in the commune of Mád. This is more backward compared to the Mézes Mály, and very much more citrus-driven, featuring lemon peel, orange zest and crushed stone aromas; the Aszú element is more discreet. The fresh, vibrant palate is well balanced and harmonious, offering a fine bead of acidity and candied orange peel toward the finish. Edgier than Royal Tokaji’s other 2017s, and perhaps spicier on the finish, this will be fascinating to observe mature in bottle.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

In Stock Now from Royal Tokaji:

Royal Tokaji ‘Betsek’ Single Vineyard Aszu 6 Puttonyos Tokaj 2016 500ML ($149.95) $119 special, 7 500ml-bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 96 points “The 2016 Betsek First Growth Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos contains the most residual sugar this vintage, at 185.8g/L. The clean, pure bouquet offers dried honey, a light adhesive note, lanolin and candle wax, very complex and mercurial in the glass. The elegant, well-balanced palate features apricot, quince, marmalade and a touch of ginger. What I adore is the manner in which this Betsek builds in the mouth and fans out like a great Tokaji ought to. Another outstanding single-vineyard offering from the Royal Tokaji Company.”

Royal Tokaji ‘Nyulaszo’ Aszu 6 Puttonyos Tokaj 2016 500ML ($149.95), $119 special, 4 500ml-bottles in stock now 
Neal Martin-Vinous 95 points “The 2016 Nyulászó First Growth Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos, which delivers 180g/L residual sugar, has a deep, honeyed, slightly more introverted bouquet compared to the Ste. Tamás. It gradually reveals scents of manuka honey, orange pith and quince jus, yet it clearly deserves several years to really open. The palate is very well balanced, harmonious and brimming with tension. Pears, Seville orange marmalade, hints of mandarin and fresh figs vie for attention. This is a powerful, intense Tokaji, but razor-sharp, delivering real precision and “bite” toward the finish. Outstanding.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 

Cristom is one of the hallowed names in Oregon. They’ve been a top name since their inception in 1993 and make reference point wines from their beautiful estate vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills. Much of the credit for their success goes to their vineyards—located just below Bethel Heights and Temperance Hill, truly Cristom is one of the Grand Cru sites of Oregon. The rest of the credit goes to Steve Doerner, their winemaker since the beginning, who made a name for Calera in 1980s California before moving to Oregon and becoming a local legend.

The 2019’s are credited with being a “Classically Oregonian” vintage with much cooler weather than in the previous hot streak of vintages we saw from 2014-2018. This vintage is made even more precious when you consider that Cristom has since announced that no 2020 Pinot Noir will be made after the year’s wildfires ruined the crop. Unfortunately this is a more common story than you think, so you might want to stock up now before prices begin to reflect that.  

These are wines that have powerful personalities allied to a Burgundian sense of proportion and savor. Doerner loves to use a lot of whole clusters in fermentations and so the wines always have a grip and earthiness that grounds their deep fruit and rich textures. 2019 is being described as a “Return to normal” with minimal heat waves, dry days and breezy nights. This is also this third year in the estate’s process of biodynamic conversion, making the 2019 Cristom’s even more Burgundian inspired!

Arriving ETA Late September

Cristom Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 375ML ($41.95) $36 pre-arrival special, 24 half-bottles available
Cristom Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Cristom Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 1.5L ($169.95) $149 pre-arrival special, 6 magnums available
James Suckling 96 points “Dried-strawberry, rose-stem and wet-earth aromas follow through to a full body with firm, intense tannins and a flavorful finish. This is structured and very tight at the moment. Give it time to open and show its true self. Try after 2023.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Cristom Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 375ML ($41.95) $36 pre-arrival special, 24 half-bottles available
Cristom Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Cristom Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 1.5L ($169.95) 149 pre-arrival special, 6 magnums available
James Suckling 96 points “The aromas are pretty amazing here with dried flowers, pure fruit, sweet berries and dark strawberries. It’s full-bodied and very layered with ripe, velvety tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Richness with focus. Very drinkable now, but better after 2023.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 375ML ($41.95) $36 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available
Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 1.5L ($169.95) $149 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
James Suckling 95 points “I like the richness and freshness on the nose with strawberry and floral aromas and some rose-hip tea. It’s medium-to full-bodied with round tannins and a creamy-textured finish. Lightly chewy, showing the structure and seriousness of the wine. Drink after 2023.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 375ML ($41.95) $36 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available
Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 1.5L ($169.95) $149 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
James Suckling 95 points “There’s purity of fruit to this pinot with strawberry and floral aromas that follow through to a medium body with ultra-fine, firm tannins and pretty, tangy acidity. Lemon undertones. Needs time to open. Better after 2024.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Shop our back vintages of Cristom available on our web store!

 

Trending

 

For those looking to experience what the ‘Luxury’ category of Napa Valley Cabernet tastes like but aren’t interested in forking over the typical toll, half bottles provide a great hack. They’re perfect for weeknights, when quality is often valued over quantity. In another Vinopolis coup, we secured insane pricing on half bottles from two of Napa Valley’s top producers.

La Jota’s roots in Howell Mountain date back to 1898, but their modern reincarnation began in 1982. Over the ensuing 40+ years, La Jota has secured its reputation as one of Howell Mountain’s benchmark producers. The vineyard benefits from their perch above Napa Valley’s stubborn fog line, resulting in wines that are not only more structured and fresh, but also (paradoxically) more generous. There’s a reason why many Napa enthusiasts remain so enchanted by the region’s hillside vineyards. So take advantage of these attractively priced half bottles, and spice up your weeknight drinking.

La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain 2014 375ML ($59.95) $39 special, 36+ half-bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96+ points “Checking in as a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is another gorgeous wine from winemaker Chris Carpenter. Brought up in 90% new French oak, this classic, tight, focused beauty boasts sensational notes of crème de cassis, graphite, toasty oak, and ample minerality. These all flow to a full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, layered, tannic 2014 that has remarkable purity, impeccable balance, and a great, great finish. It’s classic, old-school, yet awesome Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for 2-3 decades.”
Robert Parker 95 points “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is 75.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, aged in 89% new French oak. The wine displays the great fruit that is possible from these two sites owned by the Jacksons. It has an opaque purple color, a big, sweet kiss of crème de cassis and blackberry with a touch of lead pencil shavings, vanilla and incense. It is full-bodied and dense, with moderately high tannins but beautiful sweetness and fruit. Drink it over the next 25-30 years.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. Blended with small percentages of 12% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, and then aged in 90% new French oak for 19 months, this stellar effort offers reduced oak, bark, toast and clove aromas and flavors alongside sizable, structured tannin and hearty ripeness. Black currant and chocolate dust a layer of tobacco. Enjoy best 2024 through 2034. -Virginie Boone”

Much like Cabernet Franc, Freisa is often passed over in favor of its child grape: Nebbiolo. Once widely planted throughout Piedmonte, Freisa is now only found in in 1000 hectares across the region. With that relative scarcity in mind, Kye is a unique find. Sourced from a single vineyard in Barolo at 1100 feet above sea level, Kye delivers rustic aromas of turned loam, hyssop and seco tobacco leaf. Flavor profile is similar to Nebbiolo but with more emphasis on botanical and spice elements.

In addition to a lip smacking fruit component evocative of fresh cranberry and Bing cherries, there is an electrifying Szechuan pepper note that makes each taste mesmerizing. Acid and tannins are medium plus and perfectly harmonized after a handful of years in the bottle. There is plenty of room for Kye to continue evolving with more bottle aging, but provides immediate reward for the impatient. Given how this wine is sturdy without being overpowering, Kye is ready for a plethora of cuisine. Lebanese, Chinese or even pizza would be at home with this Northern Italian gem. 

G.D. Vajra Freisa ‘Kye’ Langhe Rosso 2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2015 Langhe Freisa Kyé is incredibly finessed. Once huge and bombastic, the Kyé has developed into a much more refined wine in recent vintages. The 2015 Kyé is dark and mysterious, not to mention quite closed in on itself. I won’t be surprised if there is more to this wine. Time will tell.”
Johan Meyer is one of the biggest names in the “New School” of South African wine. Working exclusively with old vines in Swartland, he strives to be as low intervention as possible. That philosophy is present from grape to glass as it were; with irrigation and chemical input not practiced in the vineyard and the finished wines receiving no filtration, fining and minimal sulfur. The Mother Rock White blend is sourced from a number of high elevation sites and is primarily composed of Chenin Blanc followed by Viognier and Grenache Blanc.

Full of texture and incredibly full bodied for a white, there’s a juxtaposition between yellow and tropical fruit (starfruit, yellow apple and papaya) and botanicals like Thai basil and sage that makes it equal parts refreshing and compelling. The microscopic inclusion of Semillion and Hárslevelű add distinctive beeswax, quince and lime flavor that make this perfect with spicier fare. As you can expect after almost a year of not exporting, South African wine has become a rarity in the United States market with what remains being in highly limited quantities. 

Mother Rock White Swartland 2019 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Grapes are sourced from 5 different sites in the Swartland. The Chenin Blanc is planted on granite, koffieklip, and schist soils, the Viognier and the Harslevelu are planted on decomposed granite and clay, the Grenche Blanc is planted on decomposed granite and Malmesbury shale, and the Sémillon on granite and sand. Vineyards are farmed organically with minimal intervention. Vines are mostly dry farmed bush vines. All grapes were handpicked in the early morning during cooler weather, placed into lug boxes (smaller quantities mean reduced compaction and damage to the fruit) and then moved to cellar. 50% of the wine was fermented in concrete eggs at cooler temperature and the rest was in older 300L barrels. 15% of grapes were whole bunch fermented and spent 4 weeks on the skins. The wine ages for 10 months on the gross lees, after which it is blended and bottled without fining or filtering. The nose is beeswax, honeycomb and a touch of roasted lime and struck match. White flowers on the edges, from some of the more aromatic varietals in the blend. The palate is just stonking. Brilliant tropical fruits with a juicy, fleshy, more-ish texture. It’s a wine you hold in your mouth a bit longer – it just feels and tastes amazing, with just enough citrus to tie it all together. So incredibly drinkable and delicious, this is one to buy a lot of, as it’s just so enjoyable to drink. That wee touch of skin contact provides a depth and texture that pulls it up to another level.”       

Gigondas’ is the finest source of value for profound wine in the Rhone. The top estates deliver wines that compete with the very best wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but at prices that are a fraction of their competition. Our feature today, Santa Duc, is one of the very best in the region and our pricing on most of their wines is the best in the country—a killer combination.

Santa Duc is perhaps the only estate who can match Saint Cosme as the “Most Important Winery in Gigondas.”  Owners of some of the finest vineyards in the Southern Rhone, Santa Duc is a legendary producer that more than lives up to their reputation. Unlike Saint Cosme, though, their top wines aren’t yet commanding triple-digit pricing.  In fact, their most expensive Gigondas bottling is still under $50—and is an absolute stunner.

Santa Duc manages to make Gigondas taste aristocratic—taming the wild mountain personality of the Dentelles into something that is at once both intensely powerful and also nuanced and complex. This is attributable to their exceptionally old vines, with their “Youngest” being over 50 years old!

These are wines that manage the neat trick of being absolutely delicious now while having a track record of aging gracefully.  Recent notes for older bottles like the ’95 and ’98 Hautes Garrigues are glowing, yet the wines can be on your table tonight and impress.  In the last decade or so, the winery has extended its holdings into Chateauneuf and those wines are as brilliant as you’d expect, as well.

In stock now: 

Domaine Santa Duc Chateauneuf-du-Pape ‘Le Pied De Baud’ Rhone 2015 750ML ($69.95) $45 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Pied de Baud, a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault, offers compelling scents of rose petals and raspberries on the nose. While not as richly textural as some of the other cuvées, it’s still a lovely, hauntingly fragrant example of Châteauneuf du Pape.”
James Suckling 94 points “This has an array of darker berry and plum fruits with a brambly, lightly spicy edge, too. The palate delivers impeccably fresh, lithe and detailed tannin texture, as well as blue fruit flavors. Juicy and energetic. Long finish. Try from 2020.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine Santa Duc Chateauneuf-du-Pape ‘Les Saintes Vierges’ Rouge Rhone 2015 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Saintes Vierges is the most flattering of Santa Duc’s current releases, offering lushness and generosity on the palate, notes of cherries and licorice, creamy-supple tannins and a mouthwatering finish. It’s a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Counoise.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Clos Derriere Vieille Rhone 2015 750ML ($49.95) $38 special, 31 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “Mostly (80%) grenache with 10% each of mourvèdre and syrah. There’s a very impressive, sheer and crunchy texture to the palate and a peppery edge. Tannins drive a long, powerful finish. Best from 2020.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points “The 2015 Gigondas Clos Derrière Vieille (80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre) comes from the wall vineyard located just beside the village. It offers terrific notes of dusty earth, dried cherries and herbes de Provence, medium to full-bodied richness, silky tannin and a beautiful texture. Like the other 2015s, it’s going to drink nicely for 10-15 years.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-93 points “Deep ruby. Ripe raspberry, cherry liqueur, violet and a hint of garrigue on the deeply perfumed nose. Fleshy, appealingly sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering plush red and blue fruit flavors and a subtle note of candied licorice that builds in the glass. Becomes more energetic with air and finishes on a sweet red berry note, showing powerful thrust, harmonious tannins and impressive persistence.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues Rhone 2015 750ML ($59.95) $44 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94-97 points “Lastly, the 2015 Gigondas Hautes Garrigues (60/40 Grenache and Mourvèdre) is a beauty boasting killer notes of dark fruits, crushed rocks, pepper, garrigue and scorched earth. This seriously good 2015 has building richness, a stacked mid-palate and a huge finish, all suggesting short-term cellaring will be your friend. It will keep for two decades of more.”
James Suckling 93 points “Mourvèdre steps up to one third of the blend while the balance is grenache. This has an attractive array of ripe dark cherry and blue plum fruits. The tannins are framed up with a deeper, wider shape. Try from 2020, this needs time.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93-95 points “Full ruby. Smoke-accented aromas of red and dark berry liqueur, incense, spicecake and candied flowers show outstanding energy and clarity. Sweet, seamless and broad in the mouth, offering concentrated black raspberry, boysenberry and lavender pastille flavors that fan out steadily with air. Rich but nervy and precise as well, carrying no excess fat. Velvety tannins frame an extremely long, incisive finish that leaves behind notes of sweet dark berries and candied flowers.”
Wine Advocate 92-95 points “I loved the 2015 Gigondas Hautes Garrigues and this flagship cuvee is made from 65% Grenache and 35% Mourvèdre that’s brought up in foudre. It’s a full-bodied, concentrated, yet brilliantly proportioned Gigondas that has classy notes of blackberries, plums, garrigue and leather. It’s going to need 3-5 years of cellaring.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits Rhone 2015 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A fluid, fleshy and deeply structured wine with dark cherry and blackberry fruit flavors amid sturdy yet supple tannins. Good weight and presence. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Ripe but fresh, with a slightly high pitch to the mix of damson plum, cherry and rooibos tea aromas and flavors, backed by singed vanilla, tobacco and licorice root notes that give this a darker shade through the finish. Best from 2020 through 2030. 2,400 cases made, 700 cases imported.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90-92 points “Ruby-red. Ripe red fruit and floral pastille aromas show very good detail and an energizing suggestion of white pepper. Palate-caressing raspberry and bitter cherry flavors blend depth and energy with a smooth hand and show no rough edges. Fine-grained tannins lend shape to a very long, red-fruit-dominated finish that features a subtle touch of star anise.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Etna has become the newest hottest region in Sicily, and for good reason.  Jancis Robinson even called it “the Burgundy of the Mediterranean,” which is an apt description of most of the new wines coming off of the high altitude slopes of Sicily’s volcano.  There is another traditional style of wine made on Etna as well, though, one that tends to have a foot in Barolo rather than in Burgundy, and its best practitioner is Calabretta. With Burgundy and Barolo prices climbing through the roof, now is a great time to explore those regions that seem to be lost in time.

Calabretta was founded in 1900 and for the majority of the time since then only sold wine in barrel or in demijohns to private customers (who would bottle the wine themselves) or to local restaurants.  Since the beginning, the farming has been organic, without chemical pesticides or herbicides—dated for a majority of the life of the winery and suddenly in vogue now.  In 1997, the third and fourth generation of the family decided that the future lay in bottling estate wines and releasing them under a family label.

The one thing that didn’t change when Calabretta started bottling was a commitment to old-school vinification and aging.  Macerations of up to 60 days are common as is long aging in botti (often up to 6 years for the high end wine).  The wines are powerful and structured but, unlike wines from lower altitudes, maintain a freshness and vibrancy to them. The Pied Franco is a stunning example of both the indigenous reds of Sicily, and the incomparable terroir of Mt. Etna. The wine is derived from ungrafted, centenary Nerello Mascalese & Cappuccio vines and planted in the remnants of an old lava flow.

Primary aromas of bay leaf, fennel, sandalwood and ‘A’a basalt that tantalize from the first smell, evocative of Barolo but with a persistent basaltic character. The flavors are just as compelling, exhibiting a range of black and red fruits. Grilled strawberry, Amarena cherries & black raspberry dance on the palate, backed by kirsch and anise. Light bodied, dry, pervasive and fine grained tannins integrate beautifully with high acid and a pervasive finish of cloves, sarsaparilla and potpourri. There’s a pervasive minerality that speaks to the lava the grapes are planted in, with an almost savory character on the finish. Pairing options are multifaceted, this would be perfect with a BBQ but could also with something more intimate like a homemade seafood pasta.  

In stock now: 

Calabretta ‘Piede Franco’ Ungrafted Rosso Sicily 2015 750ML ($54.95) $39 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Ian D’agata-Vinous 91+ points “Bright dark red. Camphor and herbs complicate red cherry and berries on the nose. Dense and youthfully chewy with brooding flavors of red fruit and spicy herbs. Finishes long and savory with a tactile mouthfeel. This is deeper than the regular (not made from ungrafted vines) Rosso, but is also currently less well delineated. (12.5% alcohol)”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!