Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Might Makes White
Olivier Leflaive
Arrived yesterday:
Domaine Olivier Leflaive Charmes, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Starts out rich and smooth, with peach, apple, vanilla and clove notes, turning tight and compact on the finish. A vivid acidity underpins this white, leading to a lingering aftertaste. Best from 2016 through 2025. 37 cases imported.”
Maison Olivier Leflaive Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2011 ($149.95) $115 special, 24+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “This is well-marked by new oak, with plenty of stuffing underneath. Notes of lime, white flowers, apple, sweet spice and petrol ride a wave of vibrant acidity as this stays linear and defined through the long finish. The lime and mineral accents are enhanced by spice details in the aftertaste. Best from 2017 through 2028. 62 cases imported.”
Olivier Leflaive
Here Friday:
Olivier Leflaive Chablis Les Deux Rives 2011 750ML ($24.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Wine & Spirits 90 points
Wine Spectator 89 points “A ripe style, boasting melon, peach and pineapple flavors. This stays grounded, presenting a vein of mineral and a chalky finish. Drink now through 2020. 926 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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The average price is $27
Olivier Leflaive Meursault 2011 750ML ($59.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 90 points “This is clean and focused, with a hint of seashore gracing the apple, grapefruit and baking spice flavors. Shows fine length and intensity. Drink now through 2020. 435 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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The average price is $52
Olivier Leflaive Chassagne-Montrachet 2011 750ML ($59.95) $36 pre-arrival special
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The average price is $55
Domaine Olivier Leflaive Clos Saint Marc, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($89.95) $56 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 91 points “This is rich, boasting peach, pastry and grapefruit flavors matched to a lively structure. Tilts toward the opulent side, presenting a long, spicy, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2020. 33 cases imported.”
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The average price is $75
Domaine Olivier Leflaive Abbaye de Morgeot, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($89.95) $56 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 91 points “An iron note graces the apple, lemon and buttered pastry flavors in this vibrant white. Taut and steely, with a lingering stony finish. A bit sharp, but will appeal to fans of acidity. Best from 2016 through 2024. 36 cases imported.”
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The average price is $73
Domaine Olivier Leflaive Les Folatieres, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Toasty, with a lively structure and lime, apple and melon flavors. Good zip keeps this focused through the finish. The fine lime and spice aftertaste lingers. Drink now through 2020. 21 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Domaine Olivier Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Pucelles 2011 750ML ($149.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “A lean, unadorned style, offering apple, lemon and mineral flavors. Racy, with a kiss of oak and refined, savory length. This seems reticent, with the components holding something in reserve. Best from 2016 through 2024. 60 cases imported.”
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We Sell Sea Shells…… Muscadet
Sevre-et- Maine ; Sur Lie if you please
Muscadet is one of the most underappreciated white wines on the planet- yes it’s true, on the planet. Thankfully because of this reason, it is the ultimate bang for your buck! Where else can you get small, handcrafted wine from France with 75+ year old vines and many being organic, for as low as $12? These wines have had the misconception of being a bit too subtle and not very exciting, when in actuality the improvement in winemaking from this region over the years has been phenomenal.
The Muscadet region, which lies right along the Atlantic Ocean, is quite different from the rest of the Loire Valley. Its close proximity to the sea is a natural moderator for the region’s summer temperatures. This helps to create wines with a lighter style that is (usually) lower in alcohol than those produced in inland places, like Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Also, the obscure Melon de Bourgogne is the only grape used for Muscadet, as opposed to the rest of Loire which primarily uses Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. Muscadet lies on a diverse range of soils, varying from clay to sand to granite, with some of the best vineyards having schist soils. The soils are highly drainable and rich with minerals such as magnesium and potassium, allowing these wines to show beautiful mineral components and at times, offering a briny quality, being so close to the sea.
Muscadet is also a great wine for pairing foods- traditionally oysters, but almost any shellfish dish would work, fried chicken, fresh spring vegetables, and BBQ dishes work very well. A wonderful way to bring in the spring weather and invite summer in, which is just around the corner. Cheers!
Muscadet Wines Available Here Now
Bonnet-Huteau Chateau La Tarciere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie La Levraudiere 2013 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 3+ cases available
Case-12 Bonnet-Huteau Chateau La Tarciere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie La Levraudiere 2013 ($179.95) $119 special (that’s only $9.92/bottle), 4 cases available
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The average price is $13/bottle
Guy Bossard Domaine de l’Ecu Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Granite 2013 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special, 8 bottles available
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Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Clos des Allees Vieilles Vignes 2012 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 23 bottles available
Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie ‘Le L d’Or’ 1999 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 11 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “The granite soil of the vineyard is dominant in this textured, mineral wine with its kerosene aroma and its taut, almost austere acidity. While the primary fruit has gone, this is still nowhere near mature, a wine that shows considerable freshness, life, potential.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Terre de Pierre 2012 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 3+ cases available
John Gilman 94 points “This is a great site, with a unique geological composition of red igneous rock and the 2012 is a truly brilliant bottle of Muscadet, offering up a vibrant and magically complex bouquet of tart orange, lemon, ocean breeze, kaleidoscopic minerality, gentle leesiness, citrus zest and a nice touch of lemongrass in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, pure, full-bodied and very complex, with great cut and focus, a rock solid core and outstanding length and grip on the laser-like finish. The 2010 la Butte de la Roche was probably the finest young Muscadet I have ever tasted, and the 2012 is an awfully strong follow-up. 2014-2030+.”
Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Clos des Briords 2013 1.5L ($59.95) $49 special, 2 magnums available
John Gilman 92 points “The Clos des Briords Cuvée Vieilles Vignes from Domaine de la Pépière is always one of the great wines of Muscadet, and even in a tough vintage like 2013, my pulse starts to race a bit when I pull the cork to see how the wine is going to be. The wine is absolutely transcendental of the vintage, with the classic cut and grip that are so rare in 2013, to go along with lovely depth and complexity on both the nose and palate. The wine jumps from the glass in a mix of lemon, green apple, briny soil tones, white flowers and just a whisper of leesiness. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and very soil-driven, with lovely focus and grip, a very good core of fruit, bright acids and excellent length and grip on the quite open finish. In a great classic year, this wine would not be as forward as the 2013 is right out of the blocks, but that is the only atypical characteristic that this vintage of Clos des Briords shows today. A stellar success. 2014-2025.” JG
Wine Advocate 91 points “Bottled in May 2014, the 2013 Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie Clos des Briords is from a Clos in the sub-region of Chateau Thébaud where the vines have grown for 50 years in granite soils. The wine offers a delicious and brillant bouquet of rather white than yellow-fleshed fruits and a refreshing lime aroma. The palate is pure and straight, the structure firm and mineral, its aging potential enormous. Marc offered me the 1995, which he had opened recently with friends. It still had a vibrant citrus color and showed a beautifully matured aroma of dried white fruits and tasted almost like a matured Rheingau Riesling. It was very mineral, yet balanced on the palate, and still extremely vibrant if not racy, with some caramel and chamomile aromas in the finish.”
Looking for something a little different?
Domaine de L’Ecu “La Divina” Method Traditionnelle Brut NV 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special, 12 bottles available
Importer note “This sparkling wine is a blend of Chardonnay, Melon de Bourgogne, and Folle Blanche, with some Cabernet Franc to add complexity and structure. After bottling the wine is fermented a second time with champagne yeasts and let to age on the lees for at least one year.”
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Three Steller Chateauneufs
Great Values by the Case or Bottle!
Vignobles Brunier Domaine Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 2012 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Vignobles Brunier Domaine Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 2012 750ML ($899.95) $679 special (that’s only $56.58/bottle!), 3 cases available
Robert Parker 93-95 points “The top wine of the estate, the 2012 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape (which is always a blend of 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault and other grapes, from 65-year-old vines) is a classic example of the cuvee and possesses gorgeous aromatics (kirsch, garrigue, big minerality and background meatiness), medium to full-bodied richness and a firm, tannic spine. As is common, it will require a handful of years in the cellar to come around and have 15+ years of longevity. Drink 2016-2027.” RP
Wine Spectator 94 points “Rock-solid, with a hefty core of fig, blackberry and black cherry fruit, wrapped in chestnut and tobacco leaf notes and carrying through a lavender- and tar-framed finish. Dense and grippy, showing a slightly old-school shading. Should cellar well. Best from 2016 through 2030.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $82/bottle
Vignobles Brunier Domaine La Roquete Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2010 750ML ($59.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Vignobles Brunier Domaine La Roquete Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2010 750ML ($499.95) $399 special (that’s only $33.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!), 2 cases available
Wine Spectator 92 points “Silky and briary, with lots of pepper, savory and tobacco notes coursing along, while a hint of shiso leaf separates them from the blackberry and black currant confiture flavors. Lovely, finely beaded acidity offsets the tarry grip. Great range and tension. Best from 2014 through 2028. 1,200 cases imported.” JM
Le Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz 2009 750ML ($109.95) $69 special, 18 bottles available
Case-12 Le Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz 2009 ($899.95) $599 special (that’s only $49.92/bottle!), 3 cases available
Robert Parker 94 points “The opaque ruby/purple-colored 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz is a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah from one of the appellation’s more obscure lieu-dits. This stunning 2009 offers copious floral notes intermixed with crushed rock, wet stone, kirsch and black currant characteristics.”RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $74.94
The average price is $82/bottle
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Remarkable Rheinhessen
Arriving Friday April 24th:
Keller Riesling Von der Fels Trocken 2013 ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Keller Riesling Von der Fels Trocken 2013 ($419.95) $359 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 95 points ‘Editors Choice – Keller’s Grosses Gewächs offerings are hard to come by, even in Germany, but the von der Fels offers GG quality fruit at a markedly gentle price. Orchestral in complexity, it’s dry, yet plump with stone fruit and a cashew-nut richness. Taut with acidity, it maintains a dancing, shimmering vitality throughout. It’s stunning already, but sure to gain power and density from 2020 on.” WE
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Mid-term Report
2010 Barolos
“The 2010 vintage in Barolo is shaping up to be a modern-day classic. The cool growing season produced transparent, vibrant Barolos that pulsate with tension, crystalline purity and site-specific nuance… The 2010 Barolos have all of the attributes of a cool, late-ripening vintage; expressive aromatics, chiseled fruit, plenty of site-specificity and the potential to develop beautifully for years and decades in bottle. At the same time, the wines have gorgeous depth and richness, perhaps a result of the high temperatures in July… Simply put, 2010 is the greatest young Barolo vintage I have tasted in 18 years of visiting the region and a lifetime of buying, cellaring and drinking these wines.” – Antonio Galloni
The growing season in Piedmont was unusual in 2010 especially given the successive warm vintages leading up to it. The vintage really came down to the care grape growers took in the vineyard. Green harvesting helped allow the already reduced crops ripen fully and evenly and vineyards with a greater southern exposure saw greater levels of ripening. The wines show more tension and brisker acidity, classic to a cooler vintage. The high temperatures and strong diurnal swings in July, September and October allowed the grapes to ripen fully. Many Barolo producers noticed small berry sizes in vineyards, which aided ripening and for many, resulted in wines full of restraint and elegance. Enjoy this incredibly classic vintage while it’s still available, cheers!
2010 Barolos Available Here Now
Azelia di Luigi Scavino Bricco Fiasco, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 2 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “Azelia’s 2010 Barolo Bricco Fiasco is incredibly polished in this vintage. Dried roses, crushed berries, tobacco, mint and spices are woven together in a fabric of nearly indescribable class and elegance. The ferrous notes and massive tannins typical of this Barolo are nearly completely covered with layers of deeply expressive, perfumed nuances that captivate all the senses. This is a super-classic feeling Bricco Fiasco from Azelia. I never thought I would describe a Bricco Fiasco Barolo as seductive, but Azelia’s 2010 is that, and a lot more.”
Azelia di Luigi Scavino Margheria, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($89.95) $71.90 special, 3 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2010 Barolo Margheria comes across as quite compact at this stage but then again, it is a young Serralunga Barolo. Iron, graphite, smoke and crushed rocks seem to resonate off a core of expressive dark fruit in a muscular, implosive Barolo endowed with tremendous depth and intensity. With time in the glass the wine’s inner perfume and sweetness begin to emerge, accompanied by expressive floral and savory notes that add tons of pure appeal. The 2010 is going to require considerable patience, but there is a lot to look forward to. Layers of chalk and limestone inflected minerality support to the building finish. The Margheria is aged entirely in cask, which among other things, means the malolactic fermentation is done the spring after harvest, later than the other Azelia’s Barolos.”
Azelia di Luigi Scavino ‘San Rocco’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($89.95) $66 special, 3 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Dark cherry, plum, smoke, menthol, melted road tar and graphite meld together in the 2010 Barolo San Rocco. A big, explosive wine, the 2010 blossoms in the glass with layers of deep, expressive fruit. The San Rocco is usually a wine of volume and breadth, at it is again in 2010. The firm Serralunga tannins are present, but they are also beautifully balanced. I can’t wait to see how the 2010 develops. Today, the San Rocco is young, young, young.”
Brovia Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 23 bottles available
James Suckling 91 points “This is spicy, with meat, chocolate and dried-fruit character. Medium body, dense fruit and chewy tannins. Needs two years to soften: better in 2016.”
Brovia Garblet Sue Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Firm tannins support a core of bright red fruit, freshly cut flowers and crushed rocks in the 2010 Barolo Garblèt Sue’. Today some of the ferrous notes typical of this site are less obvious, as the fruit is incredibly rich and intense. Over time, though, it is the wine’s pure energy that stands out most, another typical Garblèt Sue’ characteristic. This is one of the more polished vintages of the Garblèt Sue’ I can remember tasting. Iron, smoke, dark red fruit and a host of ferrous notes round out the huge, explosive finish.”
Giacomo Ascheri Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 6 bottles available
Elio Grasso Gavarini Vigna Chiniera, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 22 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2010 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera is a wine of breathtaking purity and finesse. The year that comes to mind is 2008, but the 2010 has a more classic sense of structure, tannic cut and intensity. Bright red berries, crushed rocks, mint and dried flowers are some of the many notes that linger in the glass. Sweet floral notes begin to emerge over time but the 2010 is a reticent, austere wine built for the cellar. Razor-precise veins of acidity and minerality support the brilliant, crystalline finish. This is an especially thrilling Gavarini, but readers are going to have to be patient. The 2010 is a wine to buy and forget about for a decade, perhaps longer. Hints of the 1989 and its extraordinary perfume linger on the finish. Gianluca Grasso adds that for the first time in 2010 he had the courage to pick this fruit a few days later than normal…98”
Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 30 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “Dark red cherries, plums, smoke, tar, menthol and licorice all take shape in the 2010 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Casa Matè. Today the 2010 is painfully young and less expressive than the Gavarini, but equally promising. A generous, resonant wine, the 2010 blossoms in all directions with seemingly endless layers of dark, balsamic-inflected fruit. Today, the Casa Matè is closed and shut down, but it has all the qualities to develop into a spectacular Barolo. The future is bright, especially for readers who can be patient.”
Massolino Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2010 Barolo is gorgeous. Sage, rosemary, tar, dried rose petals and sweet spices meld together. An impeccable, perfumed Barolo, the 2010 impresses for its balance. Fine, silky tannins support the gracious finish in this medium-bodied, refined Barolo. Readers who want to get a sense of what the 2010 vintage is all about will want to check out this fabulous effort from Massolino. This is decidedly a medium-bodied style for Serralunga, but it works.” AG
Massolino Parussi, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2010 Barolo Parussi hits its stride with an amazing bouquet that is as generous as it is complex and compelling. The wine boasts a dark ruby color with delicate amber highlights and shows a deep level of color saturation and richness. Its perfumes are redolent of sweet cherry, black fruit, dark licorice, cigar ash and wet earth. There’s a bright floral note of pressed red rose that lifts delicately as the wine warms in the glass. The meeting of the wine’s acidic component and its tannic firmness is absolutely seamless. Drink: 2017-2030.” WA
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “This bold wine is yet another impressive 2010 Barolo from Massolino. Powerfully structured, it delivers succulent black cherry flavors layered with black pepper, sage, tobacco, licorice, balsamic notes and grilled herbs. It’s superbly balanced but has youthful tension and an abundance of energy so give it time to fully develop. Drink 2020-2050.” WE
Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio Monprivato, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 29 bottles available
Wine Spectator 96 points “Starts out elegant and perfumed, sporting cherry and berry flavors, picking up earth, licorice, leather and spice notes. This is all about the silky texture and civilized tannins that should come together in the next few years. Spice and earth accents line the finish. Best from 2017 through 2033.” WS
Stephen Tanzer 93-96 points “(this was a treat Mascarello pulled from cask at the end of my tasting): Medium red. Knockout nose showcases tangy red fruits, minerals and porcini. Conveys an impression of superb concentration and dusty extract, with the tactile solidity of the best young 2010s already coming through in spades. A wine of great length and potential. I’ll play the interventionist wine writer and wonder out loud why this won’t be bottled for another year. But as devil’s advocate to my devil’s advocate, 2010 is one vintage that generally has the extract and energy to benefit from an extended elevage.” ST
Marcarini Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 10 bottles available
Marcarini Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2010 1.5L ($149.95) $133 special, 3 magnums available
Marcarini Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2010 3L ($299.95) $259 special, 1 double-magnum available
Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Bright, dark red. Pungent, high-pitched aromas of bitter cherry, blackberry, mint, blood orange and white peach. Then dense, sweet and pliant yet penetrating thanks to terrific vibrant acidity. For a medium-bodied wine, this communicates an impression of strong dry extract. The firm tannins arrive late, allowing the wine’s finishing fruit to expand and stain the palate. Classic 2010 energy here.”
Poderi Oddero Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate & Wine Spectator 93 points “Expressive and forward, offering cherry, tar, menthol and spice accents. The tannins are dense and grippy, but this finds equilibrium in the end. Sweet at the core, but needs time to fully emerge. Best from 2018 through 2032.” WS
Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($69.95) $44 special, 5 bottles available
James Suckling 93 points “So much floral character on the nose, plus ripe fruits. Full body with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. Subtle and reserved. Better in 2016.” JS
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2010 Barolo Marcenasco is a perfumed and floral wine with pressed violets and crushed rose petal at the front of dark tones of spice and pipe tobacco. The wine shows and exotic, almost spicy personality with a good level of heft and density at the back. It meets your need, should you have it, for a bold, deeply layered Barolo.” WA
Rocche Costamagna ‘Rocche dell’Annunziata’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “It opens with scents of plum, red berries, sage and balsam. The understated palate offers up crushed wild cherry accented with notes of vanilla, espresso, sage and menthol alongside brisk acidity and bracing tannins. Give it time to develop fully.” WE
Vietti Lazzarito, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 6 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2010 Barolo Lazzarito is impeccably polished, silky and refined, especially for a Serralunga Barolo. Mint, violets, black fruit, smoke and deep layers of spices are some of the many notes that flesh out on the inviting, textured finish. Today, the Lazzarito is incredibly primary to the point of being raw and undeveloped, but it is explosive, bursting with energy and flat-out great. This is also the first recent vintage I can remember tasting where the French oak is more in line with the other single-vineyard Barolos.” AG
2010 Barolos Arriving Friday, April 24th
Elio Altare Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($79.95) $61.90 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2010 Barolo wraps around the palate with plums, mocha, smoke, menthol, spices and new leather. This is an unusually dark, muscular style for a straight Barolo. The shoulders are broad, but at the same time, there is more than enough richness to balance the tannins. The 2010 should drink well pretty much upon release, as it is packed with fruit, supple in personality and full of near-term appeal. Altare sources fruit from La Morra, Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga for his Barolo.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $65
The average price is $75
Elio Altare Vigneto Arborina, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Altare’s 2010 Barolo Arborina bristles on the palate with striking energy and finesse. Freshly cut flowers, mint, sweet spices, licorice and rose petals all meld together in a layered, impeccable Barolo loaded with class. The flavors are bright, chiseled and beautifully nuanced. The 2010 finishes with marvelous freshness and tons of saline-infused nuances.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $103
Elio Altare Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2010 Barolo Brunate is a wine for the Gods and Goddesses. Dark, layered and brooding, the 2010 covers every inch of the palate with intense dark fruit and a seemingly endless mélange of powerful, balsamic-inflected notes. The finish is long, intense and superbly layered. Today the 2010 is huge, explosive and flat-out great. Hints of rose petals and violets leave a lasting impression. This is a monumental Barolo from the Altare family. Sadly, 2011 is the last vintage.” AG
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Winery Library Releases
Arriving Friday April 24th:
Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2004 750ML ($219.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Shows hints of maturity, with chocolate mint, cherry and currant flavors that are intense yet elegant, balanced and stylish. Full-bodied, firm and focused, this is complex and concentrated without being heavy, offering the wine’s classic style and personality. Drink now through 2018.” WS
Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2005 750ML ($199.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Minty bay leaf aromas are pure, with a spicy edge, leading to firm dark berry, mocha, mineral and sage flavors that are tight and well-structured, with firm, ripe tannins that provide an excellent backbone. Much too young now, however tempting. Should only get much better. Best from 2013 through 2022.” WS
Martha’s Vineyard =MMLTT
Yes, more mint less tobacco taste!
The unique terroir that gave rise to the notion of ‘cult wines’ in Napa
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Worth the Wait
Karthauserhof GG 2103 – Arriving June 2015
Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2013 750ML ($359.95) $319 pre-arrival special (that’s only $53.17/bottle!)
Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2013 375ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate – Stephan Reinhardt 93 points “Very clear, discreet and refined on the nose – where the 2013 Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling GG displays fine stone and fruit aromas of lemons and green apples. Lean and vital but also intense, rich and juicy on the palate, this is a lovely pure, straightforward, piquant and very salty expression of the Karthäuserhofberg terroir and the 2013 vintage. This long-distance runner has more fruit intensity than the Edition and reveals a very fine raciness and a complex finish with lingering lemon aromas.”
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Jean Louis Chave
2012 Hermitage Rouge & more
“Our role is to ensure the story continues, to act as a relay and in so doing not make any radical changes..” -Jean Louis Chave, on his family’s famed history in Hermitage
For over five centuries, the Chave family has been producing Hermitage wines revered for their extraordinary quality and complexity. Jean-Louis Chave and his father, Gerard, are the current producers crafting wine from the numerous lieu-dits owned by the family that are scattered around the hill of Hermitage. The family has 37 acres of vineyards on Hermitage and has holdings in half of the 18 climats.
Their Hermitage Rouge is a blend of cuvees. The blend varies from year to year depending upon the strength of the individual climats, but the Bessards, from a steep granite slope, always plays a starring role. In their Hermitage Blanc, the 100 year of monopole Peleat is the core of the blend. It is a 100% Marsanne vineyard. The wine is 85% Marsanne and 15% Roussanne. The Saint Joseph rouge is crafted from estate vineyards in the historic center of the appellation, showing excellent structure, balance, and longevity.
All of their wines are crafted according to long-standing family traditions from low-yielding vineyards with an average vine age of 60 years. The grapes are partially destemmed and fermented in wood vats and cement. The wines see small amounts of new oak and are unfiltered.
New Repricement – Arriving June 2015!
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2012 750ML ($319.95) Was $269, Now $228 pre-arrival special
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2012 3L ($1,799.95) $1,499 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-97 points “Looking at the 2012 Hermitage, which is still resting in barrels and getting ready to be bottled, it’s a much more classic, easy to read Hermitage that has lots of ripe, sweet fruit in its full-bodied, concentrated, textured profile. It has copious sweet blackberry and cassis fruit, violet and serious granite-like minerality, superb mid-palate depth and a focused, structured finish. It’s a beautiful, classy 2012 that will have 20-25+ years of longevity.” WA
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 95-97 points “Presented as components from four different barrels: #1, from Beaume: Exotic scents of candied licorice, dark berries and smoky Indian spices. Fleshy and broad on entry, then tighter in the middle, displaying superb depth to its bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors. #2, from Peleat: Explosive red fruit and potpourri aromas, with a bright mineral overtone. Silky and sweet, offering vibrant raspberry and cherry compote flavors and a touch of bitter chocolate. The red fruit note echoes strongly on the back half. #3, from Meal: Fleshier and rounder than the first two components, offering plush dark berry and violet flavors that coat the palate. Chewy tannins build on the finish and fold smoothly into the wine’s dense fruit. #4, from Bessards: Emphatic mineral and dark berry aromas pick up a sexy floral note and a hint of cola. Sappy, penetrating and sharply focused, displaying an impressive array of red fruit and floral qualities and strong finishing spiciness. Jean-Louis Chave told me he thinks this wine will be “classic Hermitage with an emphasis on fruit, not structure, but not lacking in structure at all–just compared to, say, 2010 and 2005.” JR
The 750ML and the double-magnum are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
2012 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Arriving in June
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2012 750ML ($319.95) $269 pre-arrival special
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2012 1.5L ($699.95) $519 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 96 points “Much more open, fleshy and sexy, the 2012 Hermitage Blanc was just bottled a month prior to this tasting. Coming from l’Ermite, Les Rocoules, Maison Blanche and Peleat lieux-dits, it’s always a rough blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne that’s aged in barrel. Loaded with notions of honeysuckle, orange marmalade, powered rock, buttered citrus and green almond, it’s full-bodied, rich, upfront and fruit loaded. While I think it will be a relatively accessible early in its life, it has the concentration to hold for two decades.” WA
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94-96 points “Tasted in single-site components from tanks as the wine awaited blending: #1, from Peleat: Ripe pear and honey aromas, with a suave floral accent and a hint of smoky minerals. At once rich and lively, showing excellent back-end power. #2, from Rocoules: Intense, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruit aromas, with a sexy floral nuance building with air. Bright, focused and mineral-driven, with a strong Meyer lemon quality lingering on the tangy finish. #3, also from Rocoules: Showing more emphasis on orchard fruit than the first Rocoules tank, with powerful quince and pear flavors and a touch of bitter quinine. Dusty minerals sharpen the long, sappy finish. #4, from l’Ermite: Spicy citrus zest and ginger scents along with a chalky mineral note and a hint of anise. Smoky and penetrating, with superb finishing clarity and lingering spiciness. #5, also from l’Ermite: More floral and masculine than the previous l’Ermite, with strong jasmine and orchard fruit character and a touch of bitter quinine. Bright and nervy on the finish, which doesn’t want to let up.” JR
The magnum is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Available Here Now
Jean-Louis Chave Selection Saint-Joseph Celeste Blanc 2012 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 7 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Light gold. Pungent, mineral-laced aromas of dried pear, fig, honey and fennel, with a hint of jasmine in the background. Fleshy and dry on the palate, offering incisive orchard and pit fruit flavors and a touch of waxiness. Smoothly combines richness and vivacity, finishing with firm mineral bite and strong floral persistence.” JR
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2011 1.5L ($549.95) $499 special, 2 magnums available
Wine Spectator 97 points “Still a bit reserved aromatically, with hints of orange blossom and crème anglaise peeking out, this features a captivating display of racy quinine, honeysuckle and white peach flavors inlaid into a rich core of brioche, Cavaillon melon, white truffle, smoked almond and heather honey. Incredibly long. Hard to resist now, but ideal for when your toddler graduates college. Best from 2019 through 2030.” WS
Wine Advocate 96 points “Just bottled, the 2011 Hermitage Blanc also shows the richer side of Hermitage with its full-bodied, voluptuously textured and up-front profile. Honeysuckle, licorice, toast, citrus oil and liquid mineral-like qualities all emerge from this beauty, and it stays beautifully fresh and focused on the palate. A blend of mostly Marsanne, yet with roughly 20% Roussanne, from the l’Ermite, Les Rocoules, Maison Blanche and Peleat lieux-dits, this substantial white should be consumed over the coming 2-4 years, or forgotten for a decade or more. It will have over two decades of longevity.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jean-Louis Chave Selection Cotes du Rhone Mon Coeur 2011 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Spectator 89 points “Offers a lush feel, with plum sauce and warm linzer torte aromas and flavors, followed by a smoldering charcoal note and hint of roasted chestnut on the finish. Solid for the appellation. Drink now..” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jean-Louis Chave Selection Saint-Joseph Offerus 2010 750ML ($34.95) $27 special, 36+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Deep, vivid ruby. High-pitched, mineral-accented aromas of cherry, black raspberry and fresh flowers. Offers an array of red and dark berry flavors that gain flesh and sweetness with air. Packs a serious punch but comes off as energetic, with no excess weight. Closes with resonating spiciness and sneaky, fine-grained tannins that fold smoothly into the sappy fruit. Jean-Louis noted that there is a bigger dose of Chave domain fruit than usual in this year’s version of Offerus. Incidentally, I was also able to retaste the 2010 Cotes-du-Rhone Mon Coeur, which I reviewed last year, and it has gained definition and energy over the last year. As mentioned before, this is a wine that drinks way above its category and is a highly reliable bottling vintage in and vintage out.” ST
Jean-Louis Chave Selection Crozes-Hermitage Silene 2012 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 12 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Bright violet color. High-pitched red fruit and floral aromas are complicated by smoky minerals and white pepper. On the palate, juicy, sharply focused black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors gain flesh and weight with air. Shows excellent clarity and mineral cut on the finish, which is shaped by silky, slow-building tannins.” JR
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph 2009 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Mulled plum, fig and boysenberry fruit is still a bit compact at the core, while anise, briar and singed wood spice notes sit atop. The finish has mouthwatering acidity and a long, smoldering charcoal thread for added intrigue. Should stretch out nicely in the cellar. Best from 2014 through 2024.” WS
Jean-Louis Chave Selection Hermitage Farconnet 2010 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “A dense, dark style, with notes of licorice root, fig paste and blackberry pâte de fruit forming the core, all coated in loamy tannins and rumbling through the tarry-edged finish. Still has some unwinding to do. Best from 2016 through 2026.” WS
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2011 750ML ($319.95) $219 special, 1 bottle available
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2011 3L ($1,799.95) $1,399 special, 1 double-magnum available
Wine Advocate 96-98 points “The 2011 Hermitage (also still in barrel), in comparison, is more focused and straight, with a slightly more serious feel to its tannin profile and overall structure. All of the samples (again, tasted in individual components) were beautifully perfumed, with the Les Bessards (which will make up the bulk of the blend) showing surprising density and concentration in a vintage that generally produced more up-front and supple wines. A serious 2011 that will certainly be one of the stars of the vintage, it should be reasonably approachable on release and have an easy two decades of longevity.” WA
Wine Spectator 96 points “A grippy, mouthwatering style, with solid, briary tannins inlaid with finely beaded acidity, all of which meld into the core of anise, blackberry paste and fig sauce flavors. Shows terrific energy on the singed apple wood-filled finish. Should cruise in the cellar. Best from 2016 through 2030.” JM
The 750ML and the magnum are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
Domaine JL Chave Available through off-site storage (1-2 day fulfillment)
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Ermitage Cuvee Cathelin 2000 750ML ($2,999.95) $2,499 special, 1 bottle available
Antonio Galloni 97 points, Robert Parker 96 points, Stephen Tanzer 95-96 points “Bright saturated ruby. Aromas of cassis, black cherry, pepper and spices, with a hint of exotic fruits. Silky and seamless but also primary and precise, with a great lightness of touch. Utterly spherical wine, like Romanee-Conti to the basic bottling’s La Tache. Wonderfully subtle and extremely long on the aftertaste, with the expanding flavors maintaining near-magical focus. Interestingly, the regular 2000 is more open today despite the fact that it was recently bottled.”ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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The Mighty Has Fallen
Unico sub $300!
Arriving Fall 2015:
Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero 2007 750ML ($379.95) Was $319, Now $299 pre-arrival special
Importer note “This year sees a return to the former Vega Sicilia practice of releasing Unico vintages as they become ready, rather than in strict chronological order. With the monster, brooding 2005 requiring more time, Pablo Alvarez has made the decision to release the finer, more forward 2007 first, since it is tasting great already. This is a classic “Atlantic” vintage, showing the stylistic similarity of Unico to fine Left Bank Grand Cru Classe Bordeaux.”
VinopolNote: The 2007 is a blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Merlot. It underwent 64 months of aging in barrel and foudre. It was released sooner than average because of its style: it is more feminine, precise and approachable with very good tannins. Although it still has a long life ahead of it, it is more approachable than the 2005 and thus was released before it.
Vega Sicilia Tinto Valbuena 5, Ribera del Duero 2010 750ML ($159.95) $131.50 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 96 points “Since the 2010 harvest, they ferment plot by plot, and it shows. This Valbuena has almost 100 components in it, smaller lots, all of them corresponding to a plot of vines. It has all the signs of being one of the best vintages ever for this second wine from Vega Sicilia, mostly Tempranillo but with 5% Merlot that matured five months in 20,000-liter oak vats, 18 months in new barriques (equal parts French and American oak), three months in used barrels and then five months in the vats again before being bottled in May 2013. 2010 seems to have the exuberance of the 2011 and the seriousness and elegance of 2009. It has the Burgundian philosophy of terroir, with all plots fermented and aged separately, giving each vineyard what it needs in terms of vinification and elevage resulting in something like 40 separate lots to blend. This wine has gained in precision and sharpness, and is very pure with delineated aromas and flavors. It is a world-class wine, possibly the best Valbuena ever.” WA (Luis Gutierrez, August 2014)