Monday Newsletter 10-13-25

New Week – New Arrivals
 

Don’t miss our Champagne sale ending Tuesday at 9 am! (Details at the bottom of this newsletter.)
Aubry Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ml Displayed Price: $47.50, that’s $45.13 at 5% off and $42.75 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “A smooth, gently round and nicely balanced Champagne dominant in pinot meunier, pinot noir and chardonnay to boot. It has attractive lemon citrus flavors and is really punchy, refined and gently nutty. A smooth, pastry-like texture comes to the fore on the finish. Drink now.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2019 750ml $54.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “This is really fine on the palate with wonderfully integrated tannins that give tension and focus. It’s medium-bodied with lovely berry, cherry, cedar and spice. Peaches and flower stems, too. Creamy texture. Extremely long and vivid. Structured, but showing beautiful drinkability with wonderful balance and form. One to drink or hold.”

 

Arriving Thursday:
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Standish ‘Lamella’ Shiraz, Eden Valley 2021 750ml $115 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Erin Larken-Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2021 Lamella Shiraz is made with fruit from the Angas family vineyard, Hutton Vale Farm, Eden Valley. The vineyard was planted with cuttings from the Mt Edelstone (Henschke) vineyard and represents the final pick of the season each year. Made with 100% whole bunches in the ferment, the wine opens with characteristic jasmine tea, bergamot, raspberry, graphite and star anise on the nose. The whole-bunch component, far from overtaking the fruit, is seamlessly integrated from the first instance this year. The wine is a cohesive whole and shows an elegance and presence that is beguiling, to say the least. If anything, the 2021 Lamella is full of aching potential; its future is writ upon the balance of fruit and skin/stalk tannin, freshness and density. For lovers of this cuvée, I cannot recall seeing it so balanced and poised on release. The 2018 (a vintage I reference constantly for its high quality and fruit presence) may challenge this statement, however the cool vintage that birthed the Lamella this year has produced a wine of definition and untold potential. Super. Sealed under natural cork. 14.9% alcohol.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Standish The Relic Shiraz – Viognier, Barossa Valley 2021 750ml $119 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Erin Larken-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2021 The Relic Shiraz-Viognier is made with fruit from the Hongell family vineyard, Krondorf. It was made with 1% Viognier co-fermented, with 25% whole bunches in the ferment this year, up from 15% to 20% in 2020. The Relic is one of Australia’s greatest Shiraz Viognier wines, and it’s a sure thing each year for quality and execution of style. In 2020, it was my preferred wine of the collection for its savory, meaty/bacon fat/bloody character. All elements were in balance, and it managed a savory and floral drive within the same glass. Super cool. This year, I love the wine for all the opposite reasons. The 2021 is creamy, plush and almost sybaritic in its outlay of fruit and tannin. At 15.5% alcohol, it’s the highest alcohol wine in the 2021 release, yet it doesn’t show that via warmth or harshness in the wine. The whole-bunch component is up slightly this year from last, and honestly, it feels completely invisible in the wine. This is undoubtedly the biggest, most plush wine in the collection, but true to form for Standish, it is balanced and fresh, with a long future in front of it.”

Pink’s a pleasing pick for picnics, but have you paired it with the plentiful produce and pumpkin spiced platters of fall?
 
You’ll adore these craft rosés for their flexibility at table, value for the money, and sheer deliciousness!
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Les Aphillanthes Nymphea Rosé, Cotes du Rhone 2024 750ml $16 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, and Counoise. Vine Age: Average 25 years old. Soil: Cailloux/Galets Roulets over clay-limestone.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bunan Belouve Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2024 750ml $21.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Bright salmon color. Elegant and fruity nose with delicate citrus aromas. Frank and harmonious wine. Crisp rosé, beautiful attack on the palate prolonged by the same aromas.”
 
Chateau de Campuget ‘Tradition’ Rosé, Costieres de Nimes, Rhone 2024 750ml $12 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Producer Note “The Rosé has a nice appearance with a light and fresh pink color. This particularly fruity taste of raspberries and strawberries, typical of the Campuget style, has a good and refreshing acidity. Since 1942, pur sole aim has been to produce Rhône Valley Grands Vins, respecting the heritage of our soil and our identity. The round Rhône stones, the Southern sun, the Mistral winds and the Syrah and Grenache grapes are the basic elements which form the identity of Campuget.”
 
Lucien Crochet Sancerre Pinot Rosé, Loire 2024 750ml $34.50 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Made exclusively of Pinot Noir harvested from several parcels, a mix of Oxfordian “caillottes” and Kimmeridgian “marne”. This Rosé is made using the direct press method with the whole berries entering the pressoir. The musts ferment in temperature-controlled cuves (85%) as well as a small percentage in older barrels (15%). The fermentation occurs over three weeks. The wines is bottled in the spring of the following year.”
 
Domaines Ott Château de Selle Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2024 750ml $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Billy Norris-Vinous 92 points “The 2024 Rosé Château de Selle is the brightest and most mineral-driven of the three estate Rosés from Ott. Vibrant and utterly refreshing, the 2024 smells like the sea, levitating from the glass with a briny, herbaceous, maritime-influenced bouquet highlighted by spikes of fresh jasmine and orange peel. The 2024 splashes across the palate with soft curves and palpable grip. Balance? You bet. This is a match made in heaven for freshly shucked oysters.”

Did you know that Roberto Cavalli, international fashion icon, owns a top-end winery in Tuscany?  Cavalli and his son, the winemaker, aim to make the best possible Super Tuscan style wines out of their beautiful vineyard in the Tuscan hills. No expense is spared in their production. The resulting wines are bold, dense and textured. This is a bold, flashy vintage is an absolute treat.
 
Cavalli Tenuta degli Dei Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2020 750ml $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “The 2020 Tenuta degli Dei is wonderfully poised and vibrant. Cavalli’s blend of (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Petit Verdot and 15% Cabernet Franc) stands out for its precision. The heaviness of some previous years thankfully belongs to the past. Bright acid lift a core of blue/purplish fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice and espresso. The 2020 might be the best vintage yet for this wine.”
 
Founded in 1897 by Luigi Einaudi, this is a deeply historic and highly respected estate. Although the bulk of production are Dogliani Dolcettos, the Barolos are where the craft winemaking shines. The Cannubi cru results in shining examples of Barolo admired for their longevity in the cellar.
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Poderi Luigi Einaudi Cannubi, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ml $99 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Intensely fragrant, this offers enticing scents of iris, violet and rose that mix with perfumed berry and botanical herbs. It’s loaded with finesse and flavor, doling out raspberry compote, crushed Morello cherry, licorice and a hint of mocha while taut, fine-grained tannins provide support. Fresh acidity keeps it impeccably balanced. Drink 2023–2035.”
 
Felsina’s 100% Sangiovese Fontalloro is a Brunello-drinker’s dream, with explosive aromatics and lots of power to back it up. With its rich, velvety texture, enticing aromas, and long, satisfying finish, Fontalloro embodies the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation.
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2019 750ml $62.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “A fresh and crunchy Fontalloro with currants, orange peel and hints of peaches and cedar. Medium body, firm and fine tannins and a crisp and bright finish. Lots of energy and verticality to this! Drink after 2025.”

Arnot-Roberts Watson Ranch Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2022 750ml $44.50 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points “The 2022 Chardonnay Watson Ranch shows lovely textural depth and resonance. Dried pear, spice, menthol, dried flowers and herbs fill out the layers nicely. The balance here is sublime. This is an especially savory, earthy Chardonnay, with fruit pushed into the background. The 2022 is all class.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Flowers Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2023 750ml $33 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “A bright straw hue, the 2023 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is elegant and refreshing with notes of preserved salted lime, green apples, wet stones, and delicate spice. The palate is full though compact and light on its feet, with fantastic clarity, focus, and an electric energy that propels the wine with a refreshing and balanced feel. An exceptional vintage for this wine, it has the ability to hold up over the long haul. Drink 2025-2037.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Peter William Vineyard Egan Vineyard Chardonnay, Rogue Valley, Oregon 2022 750ml $26.50 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “The Egan Vineyard was formerly known as the Gold vineyard, re-named for the new owners. Originally the vineyard of Rogue Valley wine legend Randy Gold. This wine was produced for us by Eric Weisinger. This one has approximately 20% new French Oak (with the remainder done in neutral oak). A subtle toasty quality from the oak is just enough to accent the wine, without overpowering the fruit. Rich, balanced, creamy, with just a hint of spice & oak.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Racines ‘Sta. Rita Hills Cuvee’ Chardonnay, California 2020 750ml $55 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “A wonderfully complex wine with ample texture. The Sta Rita Hills Cuvée is sourced from some of Santa Barbara’s top Chardonnay sites. The wine sees very little new oak and, as a result, shines forth with delicate brilliance—classically cool climate Chardonnay aromatics of soft white florals, crushed chalk and a touch of mint. The palate has verve and energy with savoury petrichor-driven minerality coming to the fore, followed on by bruised apples, a touch of cardamom and honey to finish adding depth and complexity along the way.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Tan Fruit ‘Cuvee Tan Fruit’ Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2023 750ml $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Subtle and bright with lemon, tide pool and white flowers. Raw and intensely structured. Excellent with Torkes oysters from Netarts Bay, Oregon. Fermented and aged in barrel for 10 months then transferred to steel tank for 6 months. From the AVA’s of Yamhill-Carlton, Chehalem Mountains, Lower Long Tom, Dundee Hills. A blend of 8 vineyards from the Willamette Valley.”

Considered one of Washington’s “Great Growths,” Klipsun crafts their estate wines with care and craft. A tribute to Bordeaux, yes, but a tribute to the majesty of the Red Mountain AVA.
 
Was $54.50 – that’s over $15 off/bottle!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Klipsun Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 2022 750ml $39 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Claire Nesbitt-James Suckling 93 points “Graphite, tobacco, blackcurrants, blue plums and cedar on the nose of this polished and full-bodied red. It’s focused and firm, with dark fruit framed by tight-knit tannins. Tight for now. Better after 2027.”
Winery Note “76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 7% Syrah, 1% Malbec. The 2022 growing season in Red Mountain was characterized by a cold and wet spring, a brief but hot summer, and a warm fall. The 2022 growing season resulted in expressive high quality wines with high yields. This vintage marks the first to feature Cabernet from our newest vineyard block, planted with our preferred Cabernet clone, FPS-4, sourced from Terlato Family vineyards in Napa.”
 
Was $39 – that’s $6 off/bottle!
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today, Now it’s even lower!
Klipsun Vineyard Red Wine, Red Mountain 2022 750ml $33 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Claire Nesbitt-James Suckling 91 points “Full-bodied and compact, this has aromas and flavors of chocolate, cedar, baked plums and sweet spices. It’s plush and ripe, although the tannins are firm and dusty at the moment. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 17% syrah, 7% malbec and 1% cabernet franc.”
Winemaker Note “Aromas of dried cranberry, plum and fresh raspberry intertwined with spice. Ripe blue and dark fruits, nuances of herbs, cocoa spice and toasty oak. Debonair and supple in texture with polished tannins. Smart in structure.”

H. Billiot Fils represents one of the most under-appreciated growers in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay. Her wines capture the vinosity of the village with delicacy and finesse. The vintage wine blends together Pinot Noir with a healthy addition of Chardonnay. The grapes are grown on limestone, clay, and chalk soils. Well-balanced and poised, these wines are in their prime drinking window.
 
Vintage Champagnes In Stock Now from H. Billiot Fils (And On Sale Now ‘Til Tomorrow):
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
H. Billiot Fils Grand Cru Brut Millésime, Champagne 2012 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93+ points “Disgorged in July 2017, the 2012 Brut Millésimé Ambonnay Grand Cru is excellent, wafting from the glass with a complex bouquet of honeyed orchard fruit, gingerbread, smoky peach and subtle spices. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, pure and racy, with a broad, delicately textural attack, a deep and youthfully tight-knit core and a bright spine of acidity, displaying a frothy mousse and a long, focused finish. While the wine is already drinking well, it appears to possess considerable potential to improve further in the cellar.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
H. Billiot Fils Grand Cru Brut Millésime, Champagne 2014 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 31 bottles in stock now
Audrey Frick-Jeb Dunnuck 91 points “The nose of the 2015 Champagne Millésime Brut is confected and sunny, although it keeps a fresh fruit profile without oxidation, offering notes of preserved strawberry, fresh pressed roses, and grapefruit. The palate is more open knit that the previous two vintages and is the most approachable for drinking now. It is flush with fresh raspberry, salted citrus, and a floral profile continuing through the end. Drink over the next 10 to 15 years. (Drink between 2022-2037).”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
H. Billiot Fils Grand Cru Brut Millésime, Champagne 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 29 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2014 Brut Millésime is a beautiful wine that shows the Billiot style off to great effect. Fresh, vibrant and also wonderfully deep, the 2014 hits all the right notes. Red plum, kirsch, flowers, mint and sweet spice all come together in a Champagne that marries tension with volume. That’s a pretty appealing combination in my book. Dosage is 0.6 grams per liter.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2022 750ml $1,995 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95-97 points “While I wasn’t able to taste the 2021s, the 2022s from Screaming Eagle are undeniable successes. Tasted from multiple barrels, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon has medium to full-bodied, richness, beautiful purity of fruit and ripe, building tannins, as well as a good spine of acidity. This estate did an incredible selection, and it certainly shows in all the samples I was able to taste.”
 
Screaming Eagle ‘The Flight’, Napa Valley 2019 750ml $999 special, 3 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 99 points “Extremely floral and aromatic with violets and lavender throughout. Black olives, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, very fine-grained tannins that run the length of the wine. Goes on for minutes. A greenish undertone comes out at the end with some spearmint, green tea and green olive. About two-thirds merlot. Best after 2028, but already stunning.”
 
Screaming Eagle ‘The Flight’, Napa Valley 2020 750ml $919 special, 5 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “Aromas of blackberries, red and black currants. Green olives, too. Dark roses and perfume. Medium-bodied with super crunchy energy and brightness. Very fine tannins. Elegant and precise. So subtle and complex, it’s really something. A blend of 64% merlot and 36% cabernet sauvignon. Needs four to five years to open and come together.”