Monday Bonus Newsletter 5-10-21

In Today’s Newsletter:

2018 Avennia:
Best Vintage Ever?


Bow & Arrow
New Releases


Newly Arrived from Bergström, 
Zena Crown, & Gran Moraine 


Trending Rosé Estate:
Peyrassol


Staff Pick: Taurasi

Collector’s Corner:
2016 Cos d’Estournel & Pichon Baron Bordeaux

 
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Avennia:

Best Vintage Yet?

Arriving ETA May 21st:
“Winemaker Chris Peterson continues to fashion some of the most impressive wines in the State. These are always more classical in style and show plenty of acidity and structure in their youth, yet they blossom with just short term cellaring and are brilliant wines.” – Jeb Dunnuck

Avennia Arnaut Boushey Vineyard Syrah, Yakima Valley 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points
“The 2018 Syrah Arnaut Boushey Vineyard is all varietal and was 85% destemmed and aged 16 months in 15% new French oak. Offering an Hermitage-like meatiness as well as lots of black and blue fruits, full-bodied richness, a round, expansive texture, and beautiful violet, floral, and gamey aromas and flavors, it’s brilliant, concentrated red delivering notable ripeness as well as a plenty of underlying structure and tannins. Again, a comparison to a top Hermitage comes closest in comparison. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 10-15 years.”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection. Coming from one of the state’s top Syrah vineyards, the aromas explode from the glass, with notes of iron, bacon, earth and whiffs of orange peel along with blue and black fruit. Dense, intense rich fruit and savory flavors follow, showing weight and volume. But it’s the exquisite balance that most impresses on this standout wine. Best after 2024. -Sean P. Sullivan”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Avennia Sestina Red, Columbia Valley 2018 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 96+ points
“A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Sestina comes from the Red Willow, Dionysus, and Bacchus vineyards and spent 20 months in 48% new French oak barrels. A beautiful, Saint-Julien-like bouquet of blackcurrants, cassis, violets, tobacco, and cedar gives way to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, structured wine that builds incrementally on the palate, with ripe, velvety tannins, a stunning mid-palate, and a blockbuster of a finish. It’s beautifully done, and while it drinks well today given its balance, purity, and texture, it’s going to develop additional complexity with 3-5 years of bottle age and will have 20-25 years of overall longevity.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $76

Avennia Gravura Red, Columbia Valley 2018 750ML ($44.95) $36.50 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points
“Checking in as a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Gravura gives up a big, rich, Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated nose of darker currants, leafy herbs, graphite, and damp earth. It shows more floral and sappy herb notes with time in the glass and is wonderfully complex. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has sweet tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a charming, undeniably delicious, and ready-to-go profile that should still keep for a decade.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $42

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Bow & Arrow

New Releases


We can’t say enough good things about Bow & Arrow and the wines they make. Scott Frank seems to have cracked the code to do two things that are nearly impossible for other Oregon wineries. First, he makes wines that are vibrant, fresh and delicious in a truly old-world fashion. The wines are awesome. There’s a liveliness that we find in the Bow & Arrow wines that can often be lacking from lots of other wines from this state—a zippiness, if you will. As a result, the wines (especially the wines we’re featuring today) can be compulsively drinkable.

The other major puzzle that Scott seems to have cracked is affordability. We often see wines from the U.S. marketed as ‘daily drinkers’, but priced at $35+, well north of a comparable wine from Europe. With Bow & Arrow, though, we’re pleased as punch that a delicious local wine is cheaper than similar wines from Europe. Scott Frank’s pricing seems free of ego, and we are all happy to reap the rewards of his unconventional approach.

Arriving Friday from Bow & Arrow:

Bow & Arrow Fool’s Gold, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Winery note
“60% Chardonnay/40% Sauvignon Blanc. I decided to mark the 10th vintage of Bow & Arrow by introducing a new wine to the fold. And while it would appear obvious to pursue an analogue of Cheverny Blanc to provide Rhinestones with a sibling I avoided this particular blend because I have been resisting bringing Chardonnay into the cellar. Not that I have anything against Chardonnay. Quite the opposite actually, as I’ve always maintained the best wines I’ve tasted from Oregon have been Chardonnays. So here is what the stork’s brought us: it isn’t light. It isn’t crisp and mineral. It’s about time and air and lees. It’s about power but in the way a Pharoah Sanders solo is powerful, when the notes won’t suffice any longer and the raw energy and essential nature of the saxophone is the only sound that can communicate the feelings and ideas bursting from that being.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Bow & Arrow Air Guitar, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Winery note
“Cab in the Willamette Valley. It’s a thing and I won’t waiver from this position. Cab, grown in a cool climate, has produced some of the greatest wines on Earth. For decades. It still does.  Like the Dude, it abides… Of all the reds in the cellar I’m always the most excited about the Cab (Franc and Sauvignon) because of what it says about the WV the other varieties can’t say. The herbal dimensions of red wine is spoken about in Cab. And tannin—the distortion pedal of wine—is an option here.  Sometimes you need your music to get loud, you know? The 2019 is notable because only on two occasions has Air Guitar drifted fully into “I can’t believe this isn’t Chinon” territory—the 2014 vintage and now this vintage. There’s something elusive about the “Old World” vibe in wines from, well… the Old World.  They are hard to mimic in wines made here. But when the planets are aligned and the right amount of old ass puncheon is employed (I’ve given up the secret to the sauce…) it makes a cameo in my movie. Time will tell but this may even surpass the 2014 which many of you have heard me say is the best (red) wine I’ve ever made. Also, 2020 was unkind to Cab so there won’t be another Air Guitar until the 2021 vintage, so… 50% Cabernet Franc/50% Cabernet Sauvignon.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $28.99

Love Scott Frank’s wines?
So do we!
Shop all seven options in stock now on our web store, or check out these highlights:


A Loire-inspired Oregon red
Bow & Arrow Rhinestones Red, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 92 points
“One of Oregon’s most unique and tasty wines, Bow & Arrow’s Rhinestones is an all natural and organic blend of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Gamay Noir coming from the Johan Vineyard, a biodynamically farmed site in the Willamette Valley and fermented with lots of crunchy whole cluster, making for a darkly ripe and spicy wine that took its inspiration from the Loire Valley’s Cheverny region of France. Scott Frank, owner of Bow & Arrow, the urban Portland micro winery, is committed to producing artisan, fun, eccentric and delicious bottlings with a nod to the old world and with a modern twist in some cases and this Rhinestones is his unassuming signature wine, and one that can you on a thrill ride of flavors, as this new 2019 release does with bright punchy layers of black cherry, plum, lingonberry and bramble berry fruits, racy peppercorns, cinnamon stick, dark wood, floral notes and an earthy intensity that is very appealing in this medium bodied red…. this 2019 really shines with an exciting dense mouth feel and a warm forward personality, a bit less edgy than the last two years, but still is its flamboyant and devilishly pleasing, especially with simple foods and with its quaffable low alcohol easiness….This wine is the flagship of the Bow & Arrow (Portland based) operation according to Frank, who adds that it communicates what Bow & Arrow is all about as much as anything he makes. The winery focuses on transparency and raw authenticity with this Rhinestones, as they put, being an effortlessly drinkable effort, but a wine that rewards detective work if you’re in the mood, which I always seem to be, this is a wine that I try not to miss.”

Bow & Arrow Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Bow & Arrow Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($299.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
VinopolNote:
This is a beautifully crisp and crunchy red from the 2019 vintage. We love it with a light chill all on its own, or enjoy with cheeses, salads, or roast chicken. Buy a case or two to carry you through the fall (and to be prepared for Thanksgiving!)
Winery note “This release is a bit of a change from the past as it no longer is a multi AVA blend but is entirely from Eola-Amity Hills AVA fruit.  I think this may be the best AVA for Gamay in the WV.  This is sourced exclusively this year from Jubilee Vineyard which I’m happy to say we lured into transitioning into organic farming.  There’s more fruit and less savory/sappy/barky vibes.  It’s still made using a traditional semi-carbonic maceration in concrete vats.  It lives there for eight months before bottling.  Again, no nothing until the devil’s piss at bottling – 25ppm. This is probably the best expression of Gamay I’ve produced.”

We have over 235 Oregon wines in stock now.
Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Cameron, Evesham Wood, Goodfellow, and more on our web store

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Newly Arrived from Oregon

Bergström

Founded by Dr. John and Karen Bergström, production at Bergström Wines began in 1999 when their son Josh returned home from viticulture and enology studies in Burgundy. Josh has worn the caps of general manager, head winemaker, and vineyard manager ever since. Organic since the start, the winegrowing is now biodynamic. Bergström also releases wines made from select independent vineyards. Wines of structure and density, with grippy tannins, Bergström consistently receives high notes by Wine Spectator and Vinous Media. As stated on their website, “The Bergström Family believes world-class Oregon wines from the Willamette Valley’s preeminent hillside vineyards can be achieved only through nonindustrial, artisanal winemaking.” For this reason, Bergström wines are already an Oregon classic.

Newly Arrived from Bergström:

Bergström ‘Old Stones’ Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($44.95) $36 special
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 92 points
“The 2018 Chardonnay Old Stones has soft notes of quince, almonds, saline and white flowers. The palate is rounded and seamlessly fresh with delicately styled fruits and a long, layered finish.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $39

Bergström Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2018 750ML ($79.95) $66 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points
“Glistening ruby. Powerful red fruit liqueur, floral pastille, incense and smoky mineral aromas are complemented hints of musky sassafras and exotic spices. Appealingly sweet and expansive on the palate, offering pliant black raspberry, boysenberry and candied rose flavors and a building spicecake note. Rounded, well-knit tannins frame a powerful, floral-driven finish that shows outstanding persistence and building sweetness.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “The Shea cuvée blends multiple blocks from this diverse and exceptional vineyard. It’s dense with blackberry and black-cherry fruit, concentrated and more than a little deep. Highlights of cocoa, coffee grounds, truffle and tobacco trail out through a lingering, captivating finish. -Paul Gregutt”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $71

Bergström Gregory Ranch Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2017 750ML ($69.95) $55 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points
“Limpid ruby. Highly expressive aromas of fresh red and blue fruits, potpourri, exotic spices and candied rose. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering penetrating raspberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors highlighted by a smoky mineral note. Lively and sharply delineated, with a very long, perfumed finish that delivers firm, spicy cut and resonating floral character.”
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 92+ points “The medium ruby colored 2017 Pinot Noir Gregory Ranch Vineyard opens with serious notes of scorched earth, burnt citrus peel and spicy accents over scents of warm blackberries, mossy bark, Earl Grey tea leaves, rose petals and red berry hints. The medium-bodied palate offers appealing, bitters-laced flavors with firm but granular tannins and great freshness, finishing long and spicy. With its abundance of fruit and stricter structure, I expect this will age well in bottle.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $64


Zena Crown

Zena Crown is a privileged site in the Eola-Amity hills and all the wines from the vineyard have strong personalities.  The most famous bottling is probably Beaux Freres version, but in the last few years, the Zena Crown Estate editions have been on fire.  If you like full bodied, richer Pinot Noir, this in an Oregon bottle to look out for.

Newly Arrived from Zena Crown:

Zena Crown Vineyard ‘Conifer’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Spectator 95 points
“Impressive for its detailed structure and rich polish, this shows expressive raspberry, black tea, sweet anise and forest floor accents that with finish with silky, medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2030. 535 cases made.  –TF”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Bright ruby-red. Cherry, musky red berries, pungent flowers and a hint of vanilla on the highly perfumed nose. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering cherry cola, raspberry and mocha flavors and a subtle touch of savory herbs. Pliant tannins add subtle grip to a very long, penetrating finish that echoes the cherry and floral notes.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $75

Zena Crown Vineyard ‘Slope’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Spectator 95 points
“Sleek and agile, yet well-structured, with graceful raspberry, mineral and spiced tea flavors that build richness and tension on the way to refined tannins. Drink now through 2028. 538 cases made.  –TF”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Brilliant magenta. Intensely perfumed cherry, black raspberry, boysenberry and incense aromas take on vibrant mineral and spice notes with air. Stains the palate with concentrated yet vibrant red and blue fruit, floral pastille and cola flavors that turn spicier through the back half. Suave, polished tannins build smoothly through the impressively long, energetic finish, which emphatically repeats the floral and cherry notes.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $74

Zena Crown Vineyard ‘The Sum’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points
“Shimmering magenta. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes fresh cherry and red berries, potpourri and savory herbs, and a smoky nuance emerges as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering appealingly sweet raspberry, boysenberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors accented by allspice and vanilla flourishes. Concentrated yet lively as well, showing impressive finishing power, repeating florality and smooth, well-judged tannins.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Dynamic and multilayered, with tiers of wild red berry, sandalwood and mineral laced with a hint of eucalyptus. Builds richness and tension on the way to refined tannins. Drink now through 2029. 565 cases made.  –TF”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $75

Gran Moraine

Gran Moraine is one of Yamhill–Carlton District’s most celebrated producers, and the wines reflect the unique terroir of the growing area. The hillside vineyards of Yamhill–Carlton form a horseshoe (or more accurately a lobster claw) around the valley floor, and enjoy slightly warmer and dryer conditions than neighboring sub-AVAs. These conditions are the result of the rain-shadow effect of the nearby Coastal Range and the warm air that pools within the lobster claw. Under its vines, Yamhill–Carlton is dominated by the Willamette Valley’s oldest marine sedimentary-based soils. Thanks to these idyllic conditions, the wines are some of the Willamette Valley’s most generous, with Pinot Noir often leaning towards darker fruits.

Newly Arrived & Back In Stock from Gran Moraine:

Gran Moraine Brut Rosé, Yamhill-Carlton District NV 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special
Wine Spectator 94 points
“That rare domestic rosé that captures the vibrant acidity of Champagne, offering delicate strawberry, raspberry flavors laced with steely minerality and sprinkle of graham cracker on the finish. Drink now through 2022. 1,000 cases made. — TF”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Gran Moraine Chardonnay, Yamhill-Carlton District 2017 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
James Suckling 93 points
“This has a very impressive feel with a fresh array of citrus and some gently spicy pastry aromas, too. The palate has a long, fresh and composed feel with such fine, fresh peaches and pears. Drink or hold.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Pale yellow. Fresh pear, melon and lemon curd aromas are complemented by hints of white flowers, vanilla and buttered toast. Fleshy and seamless in the mouth, offering juicy citrus and orchard fruit flavors that tighten up and pick up a minerally nuance with aeration. Finishes with firm grip, a repeating floral note and strong, spicy persistence.”
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2017 Chardonnay Yamhill-Carlton has a wonderfully open, inviting nose of honey-drizzled hazelnuts, apple pie, clotted cream, baked peaches, allspice and crushed stone. The medium-bodied palate is creamy textured and savory in character with juicy acidity and a long, textured finish. This will benefit from one more year in bottle. 2,303 cases produced.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $42

Gran Moraine Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2018 750ML ($44.95) $33 special
Wine Spectator 93 points
“Dynamic yet elegant and sleek, with refined cherry, dusky spice and crushed stone accents that take on richness and structure toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2028. 6,500 cases made. — TF”
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 92 points “Medium ruby-purple, the 2018 Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton has broody aromas of crushed cherries and blood orange with accents of forest floor and exotic spices. The medium-bodied palate is silky with uplifted, floral-laced fruits and a long, vivacious finish. 6,594 cases produced.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $38

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Trending Rosé Estate:

Peyrassol


We think of Peyrassol roses as being especially elegant and nuanced, with excellent minerality and poise and they’ve been customer favorites every year for the quality and value they deliver, and the wines gain polish and elegance the further up the quality spectrum you go.
 
These are historic wines from the foothills of the massif des Maures along the Mediterranean coast. Wine production dates back to 1256 under the Knights Templar. Since 2001, the estate has been run by the Austruy family, which has invested in the vineyard and winery and has expanded the line up to include non-estate bottlings. The wines are produced organically with limited yields due to the severe climate, low-vigor soils, and age of the vines. 
 
In Stock Now from Peyrassol:

Peyrassol ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Case-12 Peyrassol ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($479.95) $369 special (that’s only $30.75/bottle!)
Importer note
“100% estate fruit, offering the purest expression of a great Provencal terroir. [These are] the oldest vines of the estate from the Girette and Longchamps areas, currently under organic conversion. Pale in color, with soft rose-tinted overtones, Château Peyrassol radiates freshness. It’s subtle nose of citrus, vine peach, apricot and delicate florals is inviting. It has a dense palate, poised and lively, and is notable for its balance, punctuated by a long, fruity finish. Harvested during the cool temperature of the night, the fruits are destemmed and pressed with minimal exposure to oxygen to preserve freshness and aromas. The grapes are vinified by direct pressing and in the course of this process the wine develops its delicate pink color. After fermentation in stainless steel at a controlled temperature, a light racking is completed to retain only the best lees which are then worked carefully to promote both the aromatic expression and the potential of the wine to last over time. 45% Cinsault, 25% Grenache, 12% Ugni Blanc, 10% Syrah, 8% Rolle.”
Winery note “Pale in colour, with soft rose-tinted overtones, Château Peyrassol radiates freshness. Its subtle nose of citrus, vine peach, apricot and fine floral notes is inviting. It has a beautiful, dense palate, delicate and lively, and is notable for its balance and full body, punctuated by a long, fruity finish. It is the perfect accompaniment to fish soups, carpaccios and all varieties of grilled fish, but will also add sparkle to red berry desserts.”

The average price is $35

Peyrassol ‘Cuvee des Commandeurs’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Peyrassol ‘Cuvee des Commandeurs’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($279.95) $249 special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Importer note
“Cuvée des Commandeurs bottles the essence of quality fruit, seeking to evoke pleasure and delight the senses. This accessible rosé was crafted to provide thirst-quenching freshness with vibrant fruitiness, without sacrificing elegance and complexity. Its rosy appearance is delicate in color and an expressive nose lends charm to this blend. A palate dominated by wild berries: gooseberry and raspberry that reveal themselves in a crisp, silky mouthfeel enhanced with a touch of minerality. 40% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 10% Rolle. Harvested at night to preserve the acidity and in double floor boxes to prevent any early maceration and coloration of the juice. The fruit is directly destemmed and pressed on arrival in the cellar. The alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Peyrassol ‘La Croix de Peyrassol’ Rose, IGP Mediterranee 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Case-12 Peyrassol ‘La Croix de Peyrassol’ Rose, IGP Mediterranee 2020 750ML ($199.95) $169 special (that’s only $14.08/bottle!)
Importer note
“Beautiful pale pink in color, with distinct bluish hues. This expressive blend opens immediately with notes of small red fruits carried on a savory undertone of garrigue. There is a refreshing touch of greenness on the palate which gives this fresh, lively wine its truly thirst-quenching character. An accessible blend in the true style of Provençal rosé: delicate with flavors of white fruit and a hint of minerality. Varietal Composition: 50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 10% Syrah. With a long history of producing Provençal wines, the Commanderie de Peyrassol has broadened its offering using fruit from its IGP classified vineyards around the Coudonnier area and completed with sourcings from local partnerships. The winery produces this rosé with the goal of creating a more accessible wine with a focus on quality and freshness.”

We also offer large format bottlings from Peyrassol.
Check out all of our options on our webstore! 


Trending Like It’s Hot (Outside)

Additional Top Pink Picks In Stock Now:

A lighter style of Bandol rosé, this is always the first to arrive and the first to sell out!
Le Galantin Bandol Rosé, Provence 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 special
Importer note
“Classic Provençal rosé with delightful tree-fruit and citrus notes (peach, nectarine, grapefruit) and a crisp finish. Structured and complex, with citrus and red fruit on the palate. Around 5850 cases produced. Around 50% Mourvèdre, 25% Cinsault and 25% Grenache, from vines planted on southwest facing hillsides, with clay/limestone soil.”
Importer note “The ancient steep vineyards of Bandol – first planted by Phocaean Greeks c.600BC – are the perfect home for Mourvèdre. This variety produces wines that can age at least three decades. As at le Galantin, the best vineyards are planted on poor clay and sandy soil on old terraces, known locally as restanques. The appellation’s 1400 hectares of largely south facing vineyards get an extraordinary 3,000 hours of sun a year, but the heat is tempered by constant wind and also humidity from the sea. Following the steps of her father Achille, who bought the land in 1960 and produced his first vintage in 1972, Céline Pascale took over the domaine in 1999. She is helped by her brother Jérôme, who takes care of the vineyards. Today, Domaine le Galantin farms 30 hectares of terraced vineyards located in Le Plan du Castellet. Everything is hand-harvested and done with organic methods.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Our favorite fizzy rosé is back!
Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2020 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2020 750ML ($319.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Importer note
“The pink sibling of Ameztoi’s flagship white, this vibrant rosé is made from a mix of red and white indigenous grapes and is bottled with a little residual carbonation to give it a light spritz.”

Super pretty this vintage. An incredible bargain from one of Provence’s top estates
Domaines Ott ‘By.Ott’ Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Domaines Ott ‘By.Ott’ Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($299.95) $236 special (that’s only $19.67/bottle!)
No reviews for the 2020 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points
“[2019 vintage] The entry level rosé from this estate, the 2019 Cotes De Provence By. Ott Rosé comes mostly from the estate vineyards in Château de Selle and Clos Miereille, with one-third from nearby estates. A blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, and the rest Syrah and Mourvèdre, its light pink hue is followed by a lovely Provençal nose of tart strawberries, orange blossom, and flowers. With good acidity, a rounded, supple texture, and a kiss of salty minerality on the finish, it’s a winner to enjoy over the coming 3-6 months.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Biodynamic!
Château de Manissy Tavel Cuvée des Lys Rosé, Rhône 2019 750ML ($21.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points
“Brilliant orange color. Mineral-accented red berry and citrus fruit aromas are complemented by a sexy floral nuance. Concentrated and energetic in the mouth, offering juicy redcurrant, cherry and candied rose flavors that slowly turn sweeter on the mid-palate. The mineral and floral notes echo on a penetrating finish that hangs on with very good tenacity.”
Importer note “Grenache, Clairette & Syrah from clay, river rock and sandy soils. Biodynamic. Juicy raspberry, watermelon, crushed minerals and burnt sugar. Full body with a long finish… Entirely hand-harvested. Maceration of 12-24 hours to extract primary aromas. Fermentation with only indigenous yeasts at a very low temperatures over 2 days, then increased in temperature to 25°C for 7 days in order to increase the fruity taste. Aged in concrete tanks and stainless steel. Natural balanced acidity of about 3.6hg/L and PH of 3.5mg/L with less than 1gr/L residual sugar. This cuvée comes from a plot of 10 hectares that is enclosed by a forest.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Clos Sainte Magdeleine ‘Marie de Magdala’ Rosé, IGP Bouches-du-Rhône 2018 750ML ($47.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points
“Shimmering salmon skin. Displays vibrant, mineral-accented red berry and blood orange scents, along with a sexy floral overtone that gains strength with air. Juicy and sharply focused on the palate, offering intense red currant, strawberry, orange peel and lavender flavors that deftly combine power and delicacy. Finishes with sharp delineation and superb, mineral-driven persistence, leaving a sexy floral note behind.”
Kermit Lynch Note “This is a 100% Grenache rosé—the only such rosé we import—from some of Clos Sainte Magdeleine’s highest-altitude vines. Notes of peaches, sea spray, and strawberries come together in a gorgeously balanced, medium-bodied wine that you will want to drink all year.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Shop our 63 in-stock rosé selections on our webstore!

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Staff Pick: Taurasi

Grant:  
Aglianico, also known as “The Nebbiolo of the south” has largely flown under the radar since its heyday in the Ancient Era. Thought to have been imported by Greek visitors to Campania, the Roman Empire used Aglianico to create an exclusive wine consumed by Rome’s elite. This particular wine called Falernum was mentioned by Pliny, Aurelius and Horace in literature and can even be seen advertised in the ruins of Pompeii’s bars. Fast forward a few thousand years and we have Contrade di Lonardo, one of the best kept secrets of Campanian wine, known for their commitments to traditional varieties and farming practices. Lonardo’s Taurasi is made from 35-81 year old Aglianico planted at 1300 feet above sea level, grown organically in a tall pergola in ancient volcanic ash with a base of limestone and clay. Even with these rigorous growing standards, Lonardo will only keep around 50% of his Aglianico for use in Taurasi. This commitment is evident in the finished product, featuring aromatics of violets, pipe tobacco, cedar and Bing cherries that command your full attention. There’s a characteristic “Italian Rusticity” to the wine that is evocative of new leather and antique wood, not unlike a high end cologne. On first taste there are extensive tannins that bring to mind Pu-erh, dark chocolate and blackberry seed, knit together with a lifted acidity. Primary flavors of roasted poblano, oregano oil, dried blueberry and fresh redcurrant contribute to an impressively long flavor presentation and finish. This is a wine made for anything roasted, braised or red sauce based. Peking duck, Grilled Cabbage, Lasagna or Miso Black Cod would all perform incredibly with this wine. Get at least two of these wines, one for short term consumption and the other for longer aging.           

Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Taurasi DOCG, Campania 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points
“This 2013 is a classic Taurasi, showing a mix of red and black fruits, offset by rosy florals, savory herbs, minerals, leather tones, and a hint of balsamic spice. On the palate, silky textures give way to spicy red fruits, energized by zesty acids with cool-toned sweet herbs and saturating minerality. The 2013 Contrade di Taurasi finishes long, with a twang of acid making the mouth water, as grippy tannins settle in and echoes of black berries linger on.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price nationally is $46

Also in stock now by Cantine Lonardo: 

Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Vigne d’Alto Taurasi DOCG 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points
“Perfumed and loaded with finesse, this single-vineyard wine opens with enticing scents of violet, ripe black-skinned fruit, new leather and baking spice. Made with 60- to 100-year-old plants, the smooth, delicious palate delivers succulent Marasca cherry, plum, licorice and nutmeg framed in velvety tannins, making it one of the more elegant expressions of Taurasi out there. A mineral note energizes the lingering finish. Drink through 2032.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price nationally is $75

Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Coste Taurasi DOCG 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 94 points
“Cellar Selection. Aromas of spiced plum, truffle, iris, menthol and leather follow through to the juicy, concentrated palate along with fleshy blackberry, clove and licorice. Firm, velvety tannins provide support. Give this a few more years to fully unwind and develop even more complexity. Drink 2022–2035.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price nationally is $66

Cantine Lonardo Wines Arriving This Month:

Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Coste Taurasi DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 94+ points
“Deep ruby. Floral nuances complicate the red and dark berry, ink, sweet spice and flinty aromas and flavors. Dense and seamless, showing a multilayered personality and remarkable complexity of flavor. Finishes very long and with repeating, lingering hints of ink and flint.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $73.90

Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Vigne d’Alto Taurasi DOCG 2011 750ML (89.95) $69 pre-arrival special 
Ian D’Agata –Vinous 94+ points
“Deep ruby with a purple tinge. Reticent nose at first, only hinting at dark cherry, sassafras and sandalwood. Then very concentrated and dense, displaying almost opulent, sweet nuances of oaky torrefaction to the coffee, cocoa and dark cherry flavors. This outstanding Taurasi finishes extremely long, rich and seamless. It’s virtually impossible to pick between Lonardo’s two crus in 2011, and both will have many admirers.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $73.90

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Collector’s Corner:

2016 Cos d’Estournel & Pichon Baron Bordeaux


“I shall always remember my first impression of the 2016s: their elegance, purity and poise, the intensity of fruit, the articulation of respective terroirs, and that oft-forgotten virtue, how bloomin’ delicious they tasted. My overriding feeling was that Bordeaux had been heading towards the 2016 vintage since the late 1990s. It was a year when everything just came together at the right moments.” –Neal Martin, Vinous

“What makes the 2016 vintage so special is the quality across the Bordeaux hierarchy. The same character found in the most complex wines is also apparent in the simpler options. They all offer bottlings with rich, ripe fruit and a tannic structure that promises longevity.” –Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

“While 2016 is an incredible vintage that produced a lot of outstanding and some extraordinary wines throughout Bordeaux, the greatest wines of this amazing year sing not so much about the vintage, or even their communes, but about their vineyards.” –Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

“Some winemakers in Bordeaux are calling the 2016 vintage part of ‘the second coming of Bordeaux’ due to the overall excellent quality of the wines and their unique character. And after tasting more than 1,300 wines from 2016 a few weeks ago in Bordeaux, I must agree.” –James Suckling

“The 2016s are absolutely remarkable wines. The word that comes to mind, unfortunately so often overused, is balance. In technical terms, the 2016s boast off the charts tannins that in many cases exceed those of wines from massive vintages such as 2010. And yet, the best 2016s are absolutely harmonious, with the tannins barely perceptible at all. The 2016s also have tremendous energy and bright, acid-driven profiles, with many wines playing more in the red-fruit area of the flavor spectrum. One of the results of the unusual growing season is that alcohols range from 0.5% to 1% lower than what has been the norm in recent years.” –Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Newly Arrived 2016 Bordeaux Reds:

Chateau Pichon Baron au Baron de Pichon-Longueville 2016 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, only 12 bottles available!
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points
“The 2016 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron is beauty and is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that was brought up in 80% new French oak. Tasting like a hypothetical mix of the 2009 and 2010, its deep purple color is followed by a powerful yet sensationally pure bouquet of crème de cassis, blackberries, lead pencil shavings, and graphite, and is just about as quintessentially Pauillac as it gets. Full-bodied, fleshy and even a touch flamboyant, it has sweet tannins and a monster texture that coats the palate. Count me in as a huge fan. This fabulous wine will be relatively approachable in just 3-5 years but will age for 30 years or more.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Pichon-Longueville Baron offers a suave and seductive nose of warm red and black currants, black plum preserves, truffles, tapenade and rose hip tea with touches of sandalwood and Chinese five spice plus a waft of  iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, firmly structured and packed with mineral and exotic spice-laced black fruits, it finishes very long with compelling herbal sparks.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2016 Pichon Baron is seamless and racy from start to finish. Sensual and super-expressive, with soft contours, silky tannins and exceptional finesse, Pichon Baron is one of the more accessible wines in its peer group today. Plum, mocha, leather, spice and chocolate all build effortlessly. As outstanding as Pichon Baron is, the 2016 gives the impression it is playing things safe. It would be nice to see a little more daring and risk.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This gushes with dark fig and black currant compote flavors backed by lively sweet tobacco and singed alder edges. Very fleshy in feel, though there’s ample grip to keep this red grounded, echoing with tar and humus accents through the finish. A thumper. Best from 2025 through 2040. 13,500 cases made. — JM”
Decanter 96 points “There’s no question that we are in Pauillac with this wine: it’s a deep, dark purple in colour and a little more reserved on the nose than some, with more of that pencil-lead and slate character. The texture is almost as important as the flavour, and it shows its quality. This is all cassis, wet stone and loganberry, and conveys heft rather than sinew. It tightens through the mid-palate to the point that it contracts – a serious wine. Matured in 80% new oak.”

Chateau Cos d’Estournel, Saint-Estephe 2016 750ML ($319.95) $299 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 100 points
“The 2016 Cos d’Estournel is blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc aged in 65% new and 35% two-year-old French oak for 15 months. Bottled in July 2018, it is deep garnet-purple colored and starts off a little closed and reticent, opening out slowly and seductively to reveal beautiful lilacs, rose hip tea, crushed stones and camphor nuances over a core of crème de cassis, kirsch, wild blueberries and mocha plus wafts of incense and wood smoke. The palate is simply electric, charged with an energy and depth of flavors that seem to defy the elegance and ethereal nature of its medium-bodied weight, featuring super ripe, densely pixelated tannins that firmly frame the myriad of fruit and floral sparks, finishing with epic length. Just. Magic.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 100 points “The 2016 Cos d’Estournel was a bona fide showstopper out of barrel, the best that I had encountered in over 20 years of visiting the estate during en primeur, so my expectations were piled high when I returned to find out how it performs in bottle. Deep, almost opaque in color, it sports a very intense but broody bouquet with fathomless deep black fruit tinged with blueberry and violet. The aromas almost seem to envelop the senses. The palate is medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannin that I have never witnessed in any other vintage of Cos d’Estournel. There is a beguiling symmetry to this Saint-Estèphe, as well as unerring mineralité. The persistent, tobacco-tinged finish can be felt 60 second after the wine has departed. This is a monumental, benchmark Cos d’Estournel that will give not years but decades of pleasure, though I suspect it will close down for a period in its youth, hence my drinking window. 13.07% alcohol.”

Highlights Also In Stock Now:

A best value from the immaculate 2016 vintage in Bordeaux.
Château Lilian Ladouys, Saint-Estèphe 2016 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Château Lilian Ladouys, Saint-Estèphe 2016 750ML ($239.95) $206 special (that’s only $34.33/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points
“The blueberry and blackberry aromas are certainly attractive here. Full-bodied and dense with a very velvety texture and a long, generous finish of ripe fruit and spice. Drink from 2022.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “A perennial overachiever, the 2016 Château Lilian Ladouys brings the goods in 2016 and has a complex, medium to full-bodied, character-filled style to go with loads of blue fruits, incense, dried herbs, and a hint of violets. A blend of 62% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot all raised in 30% new barrels, this charming, front end-loaded effort is well worth seeking out. It should keep for 10-15 years.”
Neal Martin – Vinous 92 points “This is the third time I have tasted the 2016 Lilian Ladouys in bottle. It retains a very intense blackberry and boysenberry bouquet laced with minerals, but displays a little more amplitude than it did in August. The tightly knit palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and still shows the graphite seam that I remarked upon previously. There is a little more persistence now, hence the slightly higher score. Good potential.”

Chateau Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien 2016 750ML ($99.95) $88 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points
“The core of this red is loaded with pure plum, blueberry and black currant fruit flavors. The polished structure is integrated, with alluring ganache, anise and sweet tobacco notes throughout, all in a polished and balanced frame. A very classy red that isn’t shy about its power but pushes its purity to the fore. Best from 2024 through 2039. 15,000 cases made. — JM”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. The estate, at the southern end of Saint-Julien, has produced a wine that is both structured and stylish. This bold, ripe wine shows opulent black fruits and generous tannins. Juicy and structured, it has good aging potential. Drink from 2025. -Roger Voss”
James Suckling 95 points “The best vintage of this wine since 2009! Effusive, fresh redcurrant and cassis aromas give this St.-Julien terrific drive and energy, the elegant, dry tannins beautifully married to the medium body, right through the long, agile finish. Drink or hold.”

A stunning Bordeaux for the cellar.
Chateau Clos de Sarpe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points
“An off-the-hook Saint-Emilion, the inky colored 2016 Château Clos de Sarpe is mostly Merlot but includes 15% Cabernet Franc. A beautiful, floral character gives way to more blueberry, raspberry, spice, and cedar notes, and it’s medium to full-bodied, fresh, and elegant on the palate, with thrilling purity of fruit. It’s still tight and reserved at the moment, with a focused feel on the palate, but has tons of potential. Give bottles 5-7 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 15+.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Clos de Sarpe (composed of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc) is a little closed to begin, opening out to reveal provocative Black Forest cake, Chinese five spice and cigar box notes with nuances of sandalwood, kirsch, rose hip tea and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, rich and opulent in the mouth, the palate is oh-so-seductive with a beautiful velvety texture and tons of freshness lifting the decadent fruit to a long spicy finish.”

Chateau Larose-Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 1.5L ($59.95) $49 special, 9 magnums in stock now
James Suckling 92 points
“A solid red with currant, chocolate and walnut character. Medium body, round yet firm tannins and a delicious finish. Typical Bordeaux from this excellent vintage. A blend of 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 40 per cent merlot. Needs two to three years to soften. Drink in 2022.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “At 380 acres, this is one of the largest Médoc estates just the wrong side of the tracks from Pauillac. This generously structured wine is full of juicy black-currant flavors that come from the 60% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. It is likely to develop relatively quickly and will certainly be ready from 2021.”

We offer 49 red Bordeaux wines in stock now.
Shop the selections on our webstore!

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Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.

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